BusinessWeek Mindanao (January 4-5, 2013 Issue)

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Issue No. 146, Volume III •

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January 4-5, 2013

P15.00

Market Indicators

As of 5:53 pm jan. 2, 2013 (Wednesday)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P40.86

5,860.99 points

X X Briefly 17 cents

48.26 points

Coco fund

THE coco levy can be a substantial source of fund to rehabilitate the typhoon-devastated coconut farms in Compostela Valley and in Davao Oriental, Philippine Coconut Administrator Euclides Forbes said.

In an interview with the media, Forbes revealed that using the coconut levy fund no longer bears any legal impediment that would hinder President Benigno S. Aquino III to order its utilization to bring back the productivity of Davao Oriental which used to lead the country’s production of coconuts.

“There is no more judicial obstacle for the President to use the coco levy fund. It is already a released decision,” he said.

Tablea production

THE Department of Science and Technology Regional Office No. IX (DOST-IX) has recently approved the project to upgrade of the “tablea” production facility of Roteo Farm.

The assistance, amounting to P 131,400 is funded under the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).

The Roteo Farm, owned

by Ms. Teosista Balladares, is located at Pian, Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte.

Processing cacao into chocolate tablet was inherited by the current owner from her parents.

Through the new technology introduced by Cocoa Foundation of the Philippines (CocoaPhil), the farm was able to acquire facilities such as solar and mechanical dyer, fermentation boxes and shredder for cacao peels.

Firecrackers ban

KORONADAL City -- Health officials in Soccsksargen Region stand behind the plan for a nationwide ban on firecrackers as a solution to the rising number of firecracker-related injuries, especially during the Yuletide season.

Dr. Leonor Lozana, noncommunicable diseases coordinator of the Department of Health (DOH) 12, said that they fully support the proposal of the DOH central office for the passage of a law banning the trade and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics in the country starting next year.

T

CHRISTMAS OUTREACH. Children from the typhoon-ravaged village of Mangayon, Compostela town watch in awe and delight a magic trick during a Christmas Outreach activity organized by the Mindanao Development Authority last Saturday.

Hundreds of kids who lost their homes and endured the trauma caused by typhoon Pablo were treated to a Christmas special that brought them joy and laughter. MinDA

By LESLIE D. VENZON, Contributor

HE Philippines has remained resilient to the effects of uncertainties in the global economy.

“The issue of (global economic) uncertainty has been with us since last year.

The trick is diversifying and ensuring the growth of the domestic economy (to defy it),” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said.

“It will make us less vulnerable to any shocks. There are many opportunities out there. The rapid urbanizing areas of the Asian region would mean high demands for foods, agro processed products,” he explained.

Balisacan said even as the Philippines continues to depend on semiconductor and electronics for exports growth, the country needs to expand its product lines.

“The economic expansion continues to be broad-based, as almost all sectors posted higher year-on-year growth rates,” he said.

Government data indicated that industry and services sectors remained the biggest drivers of economic growth.

The country posted a crisis/PAGE 7

By IRENE DOMINGO Reporter

on loans available in the market,” Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) president Steve Antig said Sunday.

“As it is, Land Bank is not offering lower rates as previously reported. They maintained the 8-percent interest. Despite us being commercially big and all, we have no means to pay for that given our circumstances,” he added. growers/PAGE 7

Banana growers seek Ban-aowon children’s New Year’s wishes govt’s help to recover from typhoon losses

By BONG FABE Correspondent

BAN-AO, Baganga, Davao Oriental—“Mga salin mi sa bagyo (We are leftovers of the typhoon).”

This was how nine-yearold Grade Three pupil Em-

Em described herself and the other survivors of Typhoon Pablo.

“I hope we will have a new house in the New Year because our old house was destroyed by the typhoon,” she said as she showed her

drawing to the gathering of children and their mothers inside a big makeshift tent, that served as a church of the Assembly of God, during the psycho-social intervention activity conducted by volunwishes/PAGE 8

AFTER absorbing the worst destruction during the onslaught of Typhoon Pablo late last year, the country’s banana industry is seeking the help of the Department of Agriculture to look for them available loans in the market with the lowest possible rates.

“We are asking the Department of Agriculture to broker for us lower rates

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Coco levy fund eyed for farm rehab in Comval, DavOr

By JEANEVIVE D. ABANGAN, Contributor

DAVAO Del Norte -- The coco levy can be a substantial source of fund to rehabilitate the typhoon-devastated coconut farms in Compostela Valley and in Davao Oriental, Philippine Coconut Administrator Euclides Forbes said.

In an interview with the media, Forbes revealed that using the coconut levy fund no longer bears any legal impediment that would hinder President Benigno S. Aquino III to order its utilization to

bring back the productivity of Davao Oriental which used to lead the country’s production of coconuts.

“There is no more judicial obstacle for the President to use the coco levy fund. It is

already a released decision,” he said.

Forbes was referring to the Supreme Court decision reported released on January 24, affirming the 2004 Sandigangbayan decision to award the 24-percent block of shares in San Miguel Corp (SMC) to the government which holds it in trust for the coconut farmers.

The coco levy funds were raised through a forced tax imposed from 1973 to 1980s

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during the Marcos regime on coconut farmers, and the funds were allegedly used to acquire assets and SMC shares of stocks registered under the name of Coconut Industry Investment Fund (CIIF).

A national broadsheet reported that the 24-percent block of SMC shares now runs more than 750 million shares valued at a range of P50 billion to P100 billion.

Citing reports of CIIF,

Forbes said the dividends alone of such SMC block of shares placed at a value of P13 billion can be substantial source of fund to rehabilitate the devastated coconut farms in Davao Oriental and in Compostela Valley.

“The President need not use the principal. He can use only 20 percent of the P13 billion and the whole Davao (provinces) and Compostela Valley can already be rehabilitated,” he told the media

in a visit with Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala.

Forbes assured to pass a formal request asking the President to release portion of the coco levy fund.

He, however, said that the President had already been informed of the intention of DA “to use portion of the coconut levy fund to rehabilitate the coconut industry and to promote the welfare coco/PAGE 8

DAVAO City -- The Davao City Business Bureau was confident that 95 percent of the 29,315 existing businesses in the city will renew their permits as processing of renewals started Wednesday.

Lawyer Tristan Dwight Domingo said he was confident they will beat the renewal which will end on January 21.

He also expressed hope to meet their plan to establish one-stop-shop business permit renewal processing center at the NCCC Mall in Matina.

Spea k i ng at a pre ss conference at NCCC Mall, Domingo said historically, 90 percent of existing businesses renew their business permits annually. However,

with the one-stop-shop, he is optimistic the 95 percent target is achievable.

Domingo said in 2012, permits issued to both new a nd ex isting businesses totaled to 35,726 with a capital investment valued at P196,308,528,169.87. This was higher compared to the 34,566 total number of businesses (old and new) t h at were i s sue d bu siness permits in 2011 with P187,982, 605, 516.94 capital investment.

The bureau served about 5,000 business permit renewals and applicants last year and he was expecting the number to double this year by 10,000.

Businesses with some problems in their documents

were advised to process file their business permit renewals at the bureau’s main office at the Sangguniang Panglungsod building, Domingo said.

In this year’s business permit renewals and applications, the business bureau will ask establishments the certified number of employees to ensure the amount of charge they will have to pay, Domingo said.

Like in previous years, the deadline for the business permit renewals this year will not be extended.

Businessmen who will apply for renewals beyond January 21 can still proceed but with will have to pay the corresponding surcharges.

(PNA)

Davao City bureau sees 95% business permit renewals

NNC launches Mango Diez

By JORIE C. VALCORZA Contributor

THE Media Advocates for Nutrition in Governance (Ma ngo) i n Reg ion 10 was forma l ly launched by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) during its regional nutrition awarding ceremony in Cagayan de Oro City last month.

This new media group t hat w i l l pa r t ner w it h government in addressing sig ni f ica nt nut r it iona l problems is dubbed “Mango Diez.”

R e g ion a l Nut r it ion Prog r a m C oord i nator, Zenaida T. Tondares, said t h is is t he f i rst med ia group formed under NNC in the country.

Ac k now le d g i ng t he vital role they play in its drive towards decreasing malnutrition, Tondares is eager to work hand in hand with them in the activities that the regional nutrition council have lined up for the year. “I want them to see what the council has been doing and personally visit some areas during our regular review and eva luation of t he loca l government’s nutrition pla n i mplement at ion,” she added.

Tondares shared that t h is w i l l a lso ser ve a s great venue for its media partners to mainstream notable practices of performing local government units in nutrition.

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Government vows to sustain public optimism in 2013 Manila (93 percent), and the Visayas (93 percent).

The survey was conducted from December 8 to 11.

Mindanao residents, however, were less enthusiastic about the coming year’s prospects. Only 85 percent of those polled in Mindanao said they were hopeful.

Also, with 2013 being an election year, Valte said the administration wants to do away with too much politicking so it could focus on governance.

“On the part of the executive, while it may be an election year, the work in government still goes on.

The work in government Young and old volunteers choose to spend their Christmas holidays by helping repack relief goods at the Diwill continue despite the saster Relief Operations Center at the DPWH Depot in Panacan, Davao City. (DSWD/Carmela Cadigal-Duron) fact that it is an election year,” Valte said.

The Commission on Elections (Election) has already come up with the list of the dates that are important particularly the start of the campaign period for the local and national levels.

PND (as) Indigent patients do not have to what-you-can policy’ so that partment of Health shall issue worry about their hospitalization poor patients do not have to appropriate rules, regulations expenses once a bill proposing worry about their treatment, and guidelines to fully implement the “pay-what-you-can policy” confinement or hospitalization, the proposed act. is enacted into law. and healing from their illnesses,” Covered by the “pay-what Poor patients seeking diag- Castelo said. you-can” policy are the Amang nosis, treatment and cure from “The whole rationale of this Rodriguez Medical Center, Dr. disease or illness shall be en- measure is anchored on the view Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, titled to the “pay-what-you-can” that the proposal while it sounds East Avenue Medical Center, policy in all government special novel or bold is actually just a Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Phoenix Petroleum Philippines was recently hospital, medical center, institute simple mechanism of check and Center, National Center for Mennamed the Best Independent Oil Company or sanitarium once House Bill balance,” Castelo said. tal Health, National Children’s in Asia by World Finance magazine in its 6726 becomes a law.

“Another part of this check- Hospital, Philippine Orthopedic 2012 Oil & Gas Awards.

Rep. Winston Castelo (2nd and-balance mechanism is to Center, Quirino Memorial Medical The annual Awards is given “in recognition District, Quezon City) who au- check and count how much in Center, Research Institute for of those companies that have successfully thored the bill says that the guaranty letters from the Philip- Tropical Medicine, Rizal Medical Pay-What-You-Can Hospital pine Charity Sweepstakes Office Center, San Lazaro Hospital and weathered the tough economic conditions Entitlement Policy Act of 2012, (PCSO) go into the budgetary, Tondo Medical Center. while ensuring the continuing success of will require public hospitals, fiscal and management affairs Also included in the coverthe industry.” medical centers and sanitaria of each of hospitals, medical age are the Lung Center of the “ The carefully chosen recipients of to perform to the optimum on its centers, institutes or sanitaria Philippines, National Kidney these awards have been selected for their mandate of health care delivery. such that their appropriated and Transplant Institute, Philipforward thinking, business acumen, and “This bill envisions that special budgetary shares could have pine Children’s Medical Center, services to the oil and gas industry,” said hospitals, regional hospitals, translated into savings,” Castelo Philippine Heart Center, and the London-based World Finance magazine. medical centers and sanitaria said.

Philippine Institute of Traditional “The aim of these awards is to showcase should implement this ‘pay- The bill mandates the De- and Alternative Health Care. the successes of those chosen in order to set a benchmark for others in the industry.

Despite tough economic conditions, these companies have persevered against tough environmental as well as business competition whilst weathering external factors.”

Phoenix Petroleum Philippines is the leading independent oil company today with an expanding network of operations THE city government headed by Mayor budgets of the General Fund, and of for projects and P116.57 million for nationwide. It is engaged in the business Vicente Emano sees an increase of P109 the Special Account Economic En- other purposes. of trading refined petroleum products and million in tax revenues this year com- terprises with estimated incomes of GOALS lubricants, operation of oil depots and pared to last year’s figures.

P112,050,000 for the City Economic The goals of the city government this storage facilities, shipping/logistics and This is stipulated in the 2013 execu- Enterprises and P18,754,000 for the year are: to increase income per capita, allied services. It was earlier named one tive budget approved by the 16th City East-Westbound Terminals and Public provide accessibility to all basic needs of the best managed small-cap companies Council headed by Vice Mayor Caesar Market and P129,338,000 for the J.R. and services requirement to target benefiin the Philippines by Hongkong-based Ian E. Acenas during its last regular Borja General Hospital, to finance esti- ciaries; provide expanding employment session. mated various expenditures of the same opportunities among the urban poor FinanceAsia magazine.

The budget indicates that permits and amounts for 2013. residents through increased economic licenses are expected to go up by P5.6 In his budget message, Mayor Emano activities that will enhance local opmillion, services income by P9 million cited that it has long been recognized portunities and to increase agricultural and other income by over P75 million. that in order to achieve an efficient and productivity with the intensive promotion From its 2012 income of P380 million, effective operation, a local government of high value crops. the city expects to earn P444,695,600 unit should aim for the improvement Mayor Emano also intends to enhance million in business taxes this year. of the ratio of its overhead costs to cost the delivery of preventive health care GENERAL FUND of production and service delivery. The and hospital services, to complete the Cagayan de Oro will have an income distribution of the city’s general fund J.R. Borja General Hospital; sustain a and expenditure of P1,982,626,000 in budget by functional activity shows responsive governance and effective and its General Fund this year. that P837.56 million is earmarked for efficient public service and to maintain Legislators enacted Ordinance No. front line services; P569.30 million sustainable peace and order in Cagayan 12482-2012 approving the 2013 annual for general policy, P450.19 million de Oro. (LCR)

The government wants to ensure that inclusive growth benefits everyone next year through job generation and pro-poor programs, a Palace official said on Saturday.

A recent Social Weather Station (SWS) survey found that nine out of ten Filipinos are looking forward to 2013 with hope.

In a radio interview over state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the administration is still focusing on job generation as well inclusive growth.

“We see that the GDP (gross domestic product) has been surprising everybody; it seemed to be candid about it in the sense na the third quarter was really a very pleasant surprise for everybody,” she said.

The survey results indicated that 92 percent of those surveyed were hopeful rather than fearful of the coming year. This was the predominant sentiment among respondents in Luzon (96 percent), Metro

For poor gov’t workers, “pay what you can” only

Phoenix recognized as Best Independent Oil Company in Asia

CdeO sees marked increase in tax revenues this year

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Pursuing Peace THINK a minute…

This a true story about a young couple who just had their first child.

A few weeks after giving birth, Patti, the new mother, was telling her friends all she had been through.

She said: “Four years ago I found out I was pregnant. I was not married and alone!”

She said, “Even though I was going to church, I couldn’t give up my old bad habits and friends. I was still smoking dope every day and sleeping with the man who lived next door. Yet on the weekends I was at church, and working with the church youth group.

Traversing the tourismhi-way

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Be a financial success!

GREETINGS of abundance to all for the new year 2013 The Financial in this opening salvo of The Financial Doctor!

Doctor Defining success has been quite an elusive endeavor.

But perhaps one of the most practical accounts of success describe it as the attainment of balance and excellence in seven of life’s most important aspects – spiritual health, physical health, family and relationships, career, selfeducation, social responsibility, and last but not the least, financial well-being.

Every facet of your lifetime success attributes has a corresponding monetary equivalent attached to it as a necessary tradeoff.

If you are financially unwell, you will find difficulty balancing the other six as well. Money is like gasoline – it fuels all your dreams and goals in this physical world.

You may have a Ferrari, but what good can it do if it comes with an empty tank?

Zig Ziglar once said: “Money isn’t the most important thing in life, but it’s reasonably close to oxygen!”

When you feel down, you will have a problem lifting up your spirits especially if your wallet is torn. With money problems giving you a recurrent headache, you will fall ill much earlier due to anxiety and stress.

If you get pushed to the wall being out of funds, you might even learn how to sleep like a baby – and sleeping like a baby simply means having no other option but

dr. adonis agcopra, mba, rfc®

to cry yourself to sleep!

Imagine yourself waking up one morning, and lo and behold, you wonder why you feel so carefree!

Money worries seem like a thing of the past. You then realize you are indeed financially free! You have accumulated enough assets passively working for you such that even if you decide to quit your active job right there and then, you could still support yourself and your family for a lifetime.

Now truly that’s what you might call “financial security.”

Follow The Financial Doctor and learn more of the inner workings of your wallet. Know your money’s worth as we tackle one step at a time everything there is to know under the financial sun – investments, financial instruments, financial markets and whachamacallits.

Ask what you might need to know more about your money concerns by sending agcopra/PAGE 7

not really living His right way every day. So I asked Jesus to help me trust and obey Him, even though I was rejected by my friends and family. And for the first time in my life, I had real peace in my heart and mind. And God took care of me. The doctor that helped me with the pregnancy and delivery didn’t charge me any money at all for his care.

I told my Christian friends everything, and they helped me start a new life. Then God helped me find a good Christian couple to adopt my baby girl named Sarah.

And today I have a wonderful Christian husband and a new

Think a minute

JHAN TIAFAU HURST

baby of our own. But more importantly, I finally have peace with God my father and maker.”

Think a Minute…

Church doctrines and economics at the crossroad

ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI atty. roberto a. cantago jr.

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But getting pregnant finally showed everyone that I was a hypocrite! Many times I wanted to change and get right with God, but I kept falling back into my old bad habits and lifestyle.

I was scared and thought the only way to clean up my bad past was to get an abortion so no one in the church would ever know. Even my religious family told me to get an abortion and save our family name and reputation.

It was then I realized I had to make this decision alone, by myself! I prayed and asked Jesus Christ to forgive me for living a life of hypocrisy and

PED T. QUIAMJOT

THE long wait is over. The RH Bill legislation, House Bill No. 4244, to recall has been in Congress for the last twelve months.

It has been advocated for 13 years by the previous Lawmakers of the 13th and 14th Congress.

For many years it hangs the life of our poor families over women’s rights to birth control and contraception’s and support from the government for maternal health care over the stand favored by the Catholic Church that preaches life and the right to

be born?

Many of the legislators who purportedly support and cast the “Yes” votes and finally approved the controversial bill have spoken defeating the pro-life advocates which draws their strength from the Church backed doctrines. Some quarters alleged that “money change hands during the debate period orchestrated by the multinational drug companies who were suspected of lobbying for the passage of the bill”.

The Church on the other hand has “threatened” that the legislators who will support the RH Bill will suffer the backlash in the coming 2013 Elections? Could this be the reason for the delay and why it took time to submit HB No. 4244 to a plenary conference for fear of losing during the division of the house?

The same fear for the RH Bill proponents over their apprehensions and the risk of antagonizing the Church and losing the votes of their constituents in the next year’s

election? In fact there were those who abstained by intentionally making their absence during the voting at the lower house?

The President himself who was pushing for the passage of this bill has called on Congress for a dinner conference in Malacañang that has elicited varied reactions from the legislators who wanted their own appreciation of the bill and not the point of view of the President.

Few legislators decided to boycott the invitation but many were confident that irrespective of the call of the President, the controversial House Bill must really be passed with their conscience convinced that it is what we need to alleviate our country from poverty due to inequities and over population.

The separation of power between the church and the state has been enshrined in the old and new constitutions that this country has ever had and were the basis of many legislation that made

up our laws.

But it seems the power and influence of the church dating back to the Spanish colonization until today remains deeply rooted and embedded in our culture. The influence could have derailed approval of the controversial bill.

A big percentage among us Filipinos is represented by 96% Catholics and the rest are shared by other denominations. We can see how powerful and influential the Catholic Church in shaping the government? They can make a President a political obscure they can also bring down a regime. The downfall of Marcos and Estrada were clear examples of the influence wielded by the Church.

History tells us time and again, that the Clergy may dictate the affair of the state.

The Shah of Iran was overthrown by the Ayatollahs which catapulted the Muslim fundamentalist to rule Iran.

When new revolutions erupt it is disguised as religious inspired to draw quiamjot/PAGE 7

Reaching out to the ‘unbanked’ (First of Two Parts) FOR the fourth year in a row, the Philippines has been recognized as “the best in the world in terms of its microfinance regulatory environment.”

From 2009 to 2012, the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Annual Global Microfinance Index has ranked the Philippines as number one in the world in terms of policy and regulatory framework for microfinance.

The global survey looks at the microfinance business environment of 55 countries.

The Philippines is also consistently ranked at the top ten for having a good microfinance business environment, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) 2012 Report on its Financial Inclusion Initiatives.

The survey took note of the Philippines’ recorded material gains in transparency in pricing given the BSP’s issuance of improved rules on transparency and disclosure.

The survey also considered the initiative of the microfinance industry to establish the Microfinance Data Sharing System (MiDaS), a microfinance credit bureau that identifies delinquent borrowers with the ultimate objective of client rehabilitation.

“The Report on BSP Financial Inclusion Initiatives showcases the year 2012 as one that was characterized by the mainstreaming of financial inclusion in the domestic and international agenda in light of the growing recognition of the importance of financial inclusion as a policy objective,” BSP Deputy Governor Nestor A. Espenilla, Jr. said.

Espenilla added, “The Bangko Sentral has been at the forefront of global financial inclusion initiatives by continuously promoting and establishing an enabling policy and regulatory environment to increase access to financial services for all.”

The BSP Report noted that in the past years, the country’s

central monetary authority has undertaken various initiatives toward financial inclusion, which include the issuance of regulations and the implementation of measures that expand access to finance, ensure customer protection, and promote financial education.

In 2012, enhancements to existing regulations and the creation of new issuances further improved the regulatory environment for financial inclusion.

The BSP has undertaken the following policy and regulatory actions to promote financial inclusion: • Widened range of products: Microdeposits; Microenterprise Loan; Microfinance Plus for Emerging SMEs; Micro-agri Loans; Housing Microfinance; Microinsurance.

• Expanded physical network: Liberalized Branching; Micro-Banking Offices.

• Expanded virtual reach: E-money issuers; E-money Network Service Providers;

Speaking out

IGNACIO BUNYE

Allowed Technology-driven Innovative Business Models.

• Liberalized customer on-boarding: Updated AntiMoney Laundering Rules and Regulations; Outsourcing Rules.

• Established framework for consumer protection: Enhanced Implementation of Truth in Lending Act; Adopted Market Conduct Regulation; Institutionalized the Financial Consumer Affairs Group.

(To be continued next week)

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Quiamjot... from page 6

por t from t he majorit y.

When it triumphs, religions dictate the rules behind the benevolence of a sect which continues to wield the influence. But times have started to change in the Philippines political setting. It appears that it is no longer the pragmatic thinking that inf luences political decisions.

There is no such thing as a Catholic vote in the Philippines but maybe a regional preference for a particular candidate that has established a bailiwick. Politicians win in election due to name recall, political machineries and performance. A powerful politician believes that he need not go to confession or receive Holy Communion to win votes.

There are many progressive minds in politics who can balance their stand with patronage and economics.

Some of our legislators who have gone to Harvard Law Schools or to a Wharton School of Economics are manifesting changes and articulate their views on new legislation.

Many progressive and independent minded Legislators are emerging from our lawmakers who do not bind their conscience to religion but only to their constituents and their personal interests.

Getting the most in any organization or for any country is to unlock the people’s potential as the key to any success which also holds true in the government. Former President Fidel V. Ramos calls this as “people’s empowerment.”

When people’s talents are not channeled correctly or put to use, their behavior can seriously compromise the success of an organization.

The same as when a vote in Congress is rush to favor

some quarters over some controversial issues plaguing our daily lives, people can take on to procrastination, gossips and manipulations. It even once put a senior Senator at the receiving end for “plagiarism” of arguments sideswiping the important issues to a question of ethics.

When the Clergy continue to manifests its hold in the government, perhaps at the end, the country could be the loser as their agitations could be divisive?

To recall our political science subjects in college, we were thought that in any democracy, the people are the greatest assets. Their performance and attitude towards a government can result to the success or failure of any country.

Agcopra... from page 6

email to aficfinancialconsultants@outlook.com and we shall talk about it in more detail in future issues.

(Dr. Adonis Agcopra is a registered international financial strategic consultant and is the client portfolio director of AFIC Meridian Consultants. You may log in to www.aficfinancialconsultants.com.)

Crisis...

from page 1 gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 7.1 percent in the third quarter on the back of strong domestic demand and diversified exports.

The third-quarter Philippine GDP was the fastest economic growth within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during the period.

Indonesia came in second with 6.2 percent, followed by Malaysia (5.2 percent), Viet Nam (4.7 percent), Thailand (3 percent) and Singapore (0.3 percent). China, however, posted a 7.7-percent GDP growth during the period.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF LANAO DEL NORTE 12THJudicial Region OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF Tubod, Lanao del Norte NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE EJF No.: 173-07-2012

Upon the Extra Judicial Petition for Sale Under Act 3135/1508, as amended, filed by the 1st Valley Bank Inc., Baroy, Lanao del Norte against LEMUEL L. YAP, Maranding , Lala, Lanao del Norte to satisfy the indebtedness which as of February 24, 2011 amounting to ONE MILLION ONE HUNDRED FIFTY FIVE THOUSAND ( Php 1,155,000.00) excluding penalties , changes, attorney’s fee and expenses of foreclosure, the undersigned or his duly authorized deputy will sell at public auction on 5th day of February 2013 at 10:00 AM or soon thereafter at the Regional Trial Court, Branch 07, Poblacion, Tubod, Lanao del Norte, to the highest bidder for cash or manager’s check and in Philippine Currency, the following property with all its improvements, to wit: LIST OF MORTGAGED PROPERTIES A parcel of Commercial land, situated in the Barrio of Maranding, Municipality of Lala, Province of LANAO DEL NORTE, containing an area of FIVE HUNDRED TWENTY FIVE (525) SQM., more or less. Including all improvements found hereon and more particularly described and bounded as follows: LOT NO. 22-B-8, PsD-10-060959 Bounded on the NE., E., and S., along lines 6-7-1-2-3 by Lot 22-B09 of the subdivision plan Psd-10-060959; on the NW., along line 3-4 by National (30.00m wide); along line 4-5-6 by Lot 24. Pcs-123509-00688

Under the TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-26,484 in the name of LEMUEL YAP. “All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above stated time and date.

Tubod, Lanao del Norte, Philippines, this December 4,2012.

For the Clerk of Court and Ex-Officio Sheriff

CONRADO V. HINGCO, JR Sheriff IV

BWM: Dec 19, 28, 2012 & Jan 4, 2013

Philippine GDP for the first three quarters averaged 6.5 percent, well above the official target growth of 5 to 6 percent set in 2012.

“Our recent economic growth was remarkable. The 6.5-percent figure was much closer to the country’s aspirational target of 7 to 8 percent annual real GDP growth,” he said.

The impacts of typhoon “Pablo” on the domestic economy was minimal, though some can still be felt in the first half of 2013. The seemingly weather-tolerant agriculture sector posted double growth rate in the third quarter, he added.

On the demand side, increased consumer and government spending, rise on investments in construction and higher external trade contributed to the highest growth in the third quarter.

“It is really the domestic economy that is growing and is contributing to the increasing (economic) expansion,” said Balisacan, also Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) .

He said a 4.6-percent GDP would be very unlikely to hit this year’s target in the fourth quarter, in the absence of an “economically traumatic experience” during the period.

2013, 2014 Outlook Economic planners expected the Philippine economy to expand to 6 to 7 percent next year and between 6.5 to 7.5 percent in 2014.

“We hope to see a more vibrant industry sector. We see an improved manufacturing sector buoyed by the semiconductor and electronics industry as the world economy is expected to recover between 2013 and 2014,” Balisacan said.

For the services sector, the continued expansion in the information technology - business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, tourism, financial inter mediation and trade are

seen to fuel growth.

On the demand side, household consumption will remain robust and the expected expansion of exports and construction will further boost growth.

“I think seven percent next year is not really very difficult to achieve. The momentum is already there,” said Miguel Varela, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).

The country’s largest business group also expects the economy to grow further over seven percent in 2014 banking on the completion of big public-private partnership (PPP) projects.

Varela, however, stressed that the attainment of this high economic growth largely depends on the implementation of policies and programs designed to help the country attract or retain investments.

“The Philippines needs to make its investment incentives competitive with other ASEAN members.If we open up a little and compete with other countries to be at par with them, more investments will come.

(We have an advantage), they look at Filipinos as more flexible and we speak English very well,” he said.

He also said the government should continue promoting good governance and combat corruption. It also needs to prioritize securing a strong domestic industrial base that will become the anchor for investment growth.

Varela urged the government to continue its policies on economic development, good fiscal management, transparency efforts against corruption, and spends well money for infrastructure, particularly on PPP projects.

“We should take care of the investors. We should make necessary adjustments if we have to. It’s a competition, we cannot just depend on blessings,” he said.

Meanwhile, as the business

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF LANAO DEL NORTE 12THJudicial Region OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF Tubod, Lanao del Norte NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE EJF No.: 172-07-2012

Upon the Extra Judicial Petition for Sale under Act 3135/1508, as amended, filed by the 1st Valley Bank Inc., Baroy, Lanao del Norte against DIOSDADO CABANLIT, Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte to satisfy the indebtedness which as of February 28,2011 amounting to EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (Php 800,000.00) excluding penalties, changes, attorney’s fee and expenses of foreclosure, the undersigned or his duly authorized deputy will see at public auction on 5th day of February 2013 at 10:00 AM or soon thereafter at the Regional Trial Court, Branch 07, POblacion, Tubod, Lanao del Norte, to the highest bidder for cash or manager’s check and in Philippine Currency, the following Property with all its improvements, to wit: LIST OF MORTGAGED PROPERTIES

A parcel of residential lot, situated in Barrio of Maranding, Municipality of Lala, and Pob. Tubod, Province of Lanao del Norte, containing total area of NINE HUNDRED EIGHTY TWO (982) SQUARE METERS, more or less, including all the improvement found thereon on such as; santol, macopa, res.

House and more particularly described and bounded as follows; LOT NO. 451-I-7-E, T-15,467

Bounded on the North along line 3-4-5, by road (Road lot No. 451-I-7-1 of the subd.Plan) East along line 5-1 by Lot no. 451-E-7-F of the subd. Plan.

South along line 1-2, by Lot no. 451-I-7-D of the subd. Plan . west along line2-3, by road (Road Lot No. 451-I-2 of the subd. Plan).

LOT NO. 451-I-7-D, T-15,468

Bounded on the North along line 6-1 , by Lot 451-I-7-E Psd-12-016694 of the subd. Plan; East along line 1-2 by Lot 451-I-7-C, Psd-12-016694, of the subd. Plan: South along line 2-3, by lot 451-I-2, Psd-12-015787, Road (Existing); West along line 5-6, by lot 451-I-2, Psd-12-015787,Road (existing); LOT 13-A, PSD-12-001974, T-11456

Bounded on the E., along line 1-2 by Lot 6, Blk 3, Psd-128678; on the S., along line 2-3 by Road; on the E., along 3-4 by Lot 13-B of the subd. Plan; and on the N., line 4-1 by Lot 5, Blk-3, Psd-12878.

Under the TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-15,467, T-15,468 and T-11456 in the name of DIOS DADO CABANLIT.

“All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above stated time and date.

Tubod, Lanao del Norte, Philippines, this December 4,2012.

For the Clerk of Court and Ex-Officio Sheriff

CONRADO V. HINGCO, JR Sheriff IV

BWM: Dec 19, 28, 2012 & Jan 4, 2013

group is optimistic about the Philippine growth potentials for the next two years, the country should be watchful on international developments, he said.

“We should not just ignore these developments as far as sustaining the growth is concerned,” Varela said. (PNA)

Growers... from page 1

The country’s banana production could see a 33-percent drop in 2013, from 150 million boxes to 100 million, due to the devastation wrought by Typhoon Pablo on thousands of hectares planted to the crop, according to a banana growers’ group asking for government support.

According to latest data provided by the department, damage has reached P11.565 billion, broken down to P10.371 billion for commodities and P1.194 billion for infrastructure.

The banana industry was the hardest hit, with damaged crops valued at P7.362 billion.

Antig said damage to the sector— including infrastructure—is at P11 billion.

Damage to corn crops is at P1.24 billion, the data showed, while damage to coconut plantations amounted to P766.822 million and rice production loss was pegged at P407.392 million.

Livestock and fisheries, meanwhile, sustained some P415.163 million and P28.714 million, respectively.

The association met last week to refigure its 2013 budget to account for the rehabilitation of farms hit by Pablo.

Antig said the group is also concerned about the growing trend of “pole-vaulting”—growers’ selling their produce to buyers apart from those they have contracts with—which they said could affect their trading relations with certain buyers.

“We are not worried about defaulting on our commitments.

We have always honored our obligations to our partners. We

7

may not serve the new markets but we definitely strive to deliver to our traditional markets. And our members will never resort to pole-vaulting,” said the PBGEA. The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said the value losses would include direct and indirect employment, businessmen’s income, losses from rental of lands and other related services.

“It bears to point out that the hard hit areas of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental are among the top producing agricultural provinces in the country, especially banana, coconut and other high-value commodities,” the agency said.

It added the next two to three years of rehabilitation and reconstruction will certainly need to have strong focus on reviving the agri-industry strength of these areas to provide greater employment opportunities and catch-up growth.

MinDA chair Sec. Luwalhati Antonino said the hard part of carrying out rehabilitation and reconstruction of areas ravaged

by Pablo requires integration of all strategies and resources.

In a meeting with US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. and officials of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) at the Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program office in Davao City recently, Antonino stressed the need for greater coordination in doing medium- and long-term programs.

“We need all hands on deck to do the job of bringing normalcy to the lives of affected families and to move ahead with rehabilitation and reconstruction,” Antonino said.

She added “the broader scale of medium and long-term interventions entail greater integration.”

Thomas reportedly said the US government would extend continuing support to ongoing relief operations as well as to reconstruction plans for areas devastated by the typhoon.

8

Friday-Saturday I Jan. 4-5, 2013

BusinessWeek M I N DA N A O

Agri News

YOUR LOCAL ONLINE BUSINESS PAPER

www.businessweekmindanao.com

Coco... from page 2

AGRI-FINANCING CREDIT FORUM. Farmer’s associations and cooperatives, organization2 and agribusiness coordinators in Region 10 gains information on the available credit opportunities that they can access in support to the government’s thrust of increased agricultural production to attain food security. Mr. Norman S. Kraft (right), ACPC Director for Public Affairs Information Service facilitates the credit-matching activity that links potential borrowers to financing credit institutions deemed fit to cater their specific needs.

DA-10 presents agri-financing credit opportunities IN order to facilitate linkages between farmers and financing credit institutions to ultimately boost agricultural production, the Department of Agriculture- 10 (DA-10) through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) in coordination with the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) held a forum on Agri-finance Credit in this city.

According to Ms. Honey Gladys S. Va lledor, DAAMAD 10 OIC Chief the act iv it y a ims to impa r t and update farmers and other agri-clienteles on the available agricultural credit opportunities within the government and to provide pertinent information on how to access such windows.

ACPC is tasked to synchronize all credit policies and programs in support to DA’s priority programs as stipulated in Executive Order 113. With the ratification of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization

Act of 1997 (RA 8435), the umbrella financing program for the agriculture and fisheries sector of the DA was also created and known as the Agro-Industry Modernization Credit and Financing Program (AMCFP).

Un d e r t h e A MC F P, there are four programs w it h varied t y pes of f inancing schemes that can cater to d i f ferent t y pes of agi-clients. These include: Cooperatives AgriLending Program (CALP) with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP);

Agri-Microf inance Program for Small Farmers and Fisherfolk (AMP) with People’s Credit and Finance Corporation (PCFC); AMCFP-Cooperative Banks A g r i-L end i ng P rog r a m (AMCFP-CBAP); and DAACPC – Land Bank Sikat Saka Program.

Prior to the implementation of AFMA, Mr. Norman S. Kraft, ACPC Director for Public Affairs Information Service revealed that most often than not, projects are only focused in providing f inancing assistance for production inputs. With AMCFP, he added, everything is covered from preproduction to postharvest.

Likewise, services offered and financing schemes of the Agricultural Guarantee Fund Pool (AGFP) and credit financing institutions in the region such as First Valley Bank, Land

Bank of t he Philippines and Cooperative Bank of Misamis Oriental were also presented in the forum.

To finally link the participants with the various financing institutions, a credit-matching activity was also conducted at the end of the forum. With the activity at hand, DA-ACPC would be able to match organizations based on their business profile as to the financing institution fit to cater their specific needs.

For interested cred it applicants you may contac t t he Depa r t ment of Agriculture-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (DA-AMAD 10) through the Regional AgriCredit Desk Officer Ms. Honey Gladys S. Valledor with telephone numbers 856-2753 to 55, local 211. # (VANESSA MAE S. SIANO, DA-RAFID 10)

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of coconut farmers.”

December 17 PCA 11 data reveal that the cost of t y phoon Pablo da mages to coconut farms in Compostela Valley and in Davao Oriental ran a total of P5,138,801,220 involving a total of 101,356.5 hectares planted with 10,135,646 total number of coconut trees.

Davao Oriental posted the biggest bulk of damage valued at P4,282,970,310 involving 84,476.8 hectares of 8,447,675 number of coconut trees in the six coastal

Wishes...

from page 1 volunteers from Xavier University here recently.

Em-Em also expressed to BusinessWeek Mindanao her dream of becoming a teacher.

Like Em-Em, other children — Nico, Jimboy, Rita, and others — drew colourful houses and trees and “vented” their wishes for on paper using crayons and clay.

Twelve -year-old Jimboy also drew a banca and some fishing gear aside the house.

“I helped my father in fishing after school before the typhoon. But like our house, our fishing boat and equipment were destroyed by Pablo. I wish we will be able to buy a new fishing boat so that we will have income from the fish we will catch,” he told the BusinessWeek.

For 7-year-olds Nico, Rita and Jun-Jun, their singular wish, aside from having a new house, is for their school to be rebuilt so that they can continue their education.

“Education is important as it will help me become an engineer,” Jun-Jun said.

The Ban-ao Elementary School was destroyed. Two — a father and son —were killed when the ceiling beam of one of the rooms collapsed on a family who took shelter there at the height of Pablo’s wrath.

The adjacent DayCare Center-cum-barangay gym (covered court), in front of the Barangay Hall, collapsed with its steel trusses crumpled by the giant hands of Pablo killing 5 on the early morning of November 4, when Pablo returned to Ban-ao and unleashed its deadly wrath on the hapless villagers.

“This is where we hid with my sister, under the sink,” she told the BusinessWeek Mindanao, pointing to a corner of the destroyed covered court.

“We then ran to the Barangay Hall, but its roof collapsed on us. I was hit on the back with a big chunk of concrete.

After that, we ran to the nearby hills and flatten ourselves on the ground on the other side of the hill so that we will not be swept by the strong winds,” she added.

Fortunately for Em-Em, she was not injured by the concrete chunk that fell on her back.

She also doggedly followed this reporter with her chatter and ever ready smile, unlike the other children who were shy in talking with strangers, especially one with a camera and a videocam.

“Before you leave, give me

towns of Tarragona, Manay, Caraga, Baganga, Cateel, and Boston which were badly hit

by Pablo.

The provincial government of Davao Oriental, however, reported a much higher cost of damages to coconut farms placed at a total of P5,751,900. Damage to coconuts contributed the biggest bulk of damage to agriculture in Davao Oriental calculated at P8,610,474,959.

Me a nw h i le , P C A 11 pegged coconut damage in Compostela Valley at P855, 83 0,910 i nvolv i ng 16879.7 hectares planted with 1,687,971 coconut trees. one of that,” she said, pointing to my digital camera, a very big smile lighting her innocent face amidst the ruins of her former school.

Her innocent ways and childish chatter showed her happy disposition. But more than that, it showed her resiliency, a key factor that will help her bounce back from the tragedy very quickly, said Monalisa Pangan of XU’s Chapel Ministries.

“Their drawings indicated their sincere wish of getting their normal lives back,” she said during the post-activity processing on board one of Balay Mindanaw’s vehicles from a visit to the incident command post (ICP) in Cateel, Davao Oriental.

Ban-ao, one of Baganga’s 17 villages, is the hardest-hit barangay in the whole municipality with 17 dead and more than 90 percent of its 520 families homeless with literally no source of income in sight as Pablo also “illegally cut” 99 percent of all coconuts.

“The sea cannot also be depended on during this time of the year, starting from October to May, because of the waves and strong current due to the Amihan,” said 55-yearold Florgardo Pontillas.

With nothing left, Armando Escamillian, 53, expressed his and the other villagers’ wish of investors to come and transform Ban-ao into a resort given that the barangay has white sandy beaches waiting to be developed.

“There are also several caves here just a few minutes walk away. The biggest of these caves is so cavernous it is like entering a cathedral. Its attraction is a crystal clear cold pool of water fed by natural springs,” he told the BusinessWeek.

A day before Pablo struck, Ban-ao Barangay Chairperson Mera Adlawan Ching, 41, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Environment department to develop its mangrove areas into an eco-tourism spot.

“LetI our mangroves recover so we can continue with its development,” she said, adding: “I often wondered if we could ever see the fulfilment of all our hopes and dreams, especially our wishes for 2013.”

But with the presence of the UK-based Disaster Aid International (DAI) and the Cagayan de Oro City-based Balay Mindanaw Group of NGOs (BMG), which has adopted Ban-ao, the villagers’ hopes, dreams and wishes for the New Year 2013 are on track for fulfilment.

BusinessWeek M I N DA N A O

Congress

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Friday-Saturday I Jan. 4-5, 2013

9

Couple asks Supreme Court: Stop RH law implementation • Rufus says the fight against RH law not yet over A CATHOLIC couple has asked the Supreme Court to stop a historic reproductive health law, their lawyer said Thursday, in the first of many legal challenges church leaders have vowed against the measure.

The petition was filed Wednesday at the Supreme Court by lawyer James Imbong and his wife, who claim the law signed by President Benigno Aquino two weeks ago was unconstitutional.

Imbong’s mother Jo, who is representing the couple in the case and is the lawyer for the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, said that “the state has no business entering the bedroom.”

“This law corrupts Philippine culture, mainly the emphasis we put on family values and marriage, taking care of children and parenting,” she said, having earlier warned that lay Catholics would challenge the law in court.

The Philippine constitution guaranteed the protection of the family and in passing the law “the government overstepped its powers,” Jo Imbong said.

“This is just the first salvo,” she added. “We are paving the way for other similar suits from many faith-based groups.”

Imbong said big “prayer ra llies” were a lso being planned across the country in the weeks to come.

The law will take effect on January 17, unless the Supreme Court issues an injunction. Court officials have not indicated if they will hear legal challenges

to the law before then.

The law requires government health centers to hand out free condoms and birthcontrol pills, benefiting tens of millions of the country’s poor who would not otherwise be able to afford or have access to them.

It also mandates that sex education be taught in schools and public health workers receive fa mi lyplanning training.

Proponents have said the law will slow the country’s rapid population growth, cut poverty, and reduce the number of mothers dying at child birth.

The Catholic Church had managed to stall the legislation for more than a decade, cowing legislators and presidents by threatening to turn the public against them.

Eighty percent of the country’s roughly 100 million people are Catholic, and the church helped lead “people power” revolutions that toppled two corrupt presidents over the past 27 years.

Nevertheless, public opinion surveys have consistently shown a majority of Filipinos support the “Responsible Parenthood Act.” Last week, a lawmakers opposed to the reproductive health (RH) measure are not giving up even after President Benigno Aquino III quietly

THE Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means foresees a speedy enactment of the proposal to rationalize the taxes on air carriers when Congress resumes session this month because of the similarity of the House and Senate versions of the measure.

Rep. Isidro Ungab (3rd District, Davao City) said because House Bill 6022 and Senate Bill 3343 are very similar, there might not be a need for a bicameral committee to reconcile the two measures.

“There’s a possibility that there won’t be bicam anymore. Wala nang bicam.

With the Senate approving a similar version, I don’t foresee any further delay as one chamber may adopt either the House or Senate version of the proposal,” Ungab said.

“Very similar ang na-pass na bills, konti lang masyado ang diperensya,” he said.

He said the proposal is one measure that Congress can approve before lawmak-

ers take a break for the 2013 elections.

The House passed on third and final reading HB 6022 on May 21, 2012, while the Senate approved on third reading SB 3343 last December 19. President Aquino earlier certified the bill as urgent.

House Bill 6022 is titled “An Act Rationalizing the Taxes on International Air Carriers Operating in the Philippines, amending for the Purpose Sections 28(A) (3)(a), 108(B)(6) and 118, all under the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, As amended.” It is principally authored by Rep. Hermilando Mandanas (2nd District, Batangas) and co-authored

by Reps. Ungab, Jerry Trenas (Lone District, Iloilo City), Giorgidi Aggabao (4th District, Isabela) Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City), Tomas Apacible (1st District, Batangas), Fernando Gonzalez (3rd District, Albay), Luis Villafuerte (3rd District, Camarines house/PAGE 11

House sees enactment of law rationalizing taxes on air carriers

signed it into law four days before Christmas.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez welcomed the President’s decision not to make a “big fuss” of the signing, but said questioning Republic Act No 10354 in the Supreme Court would be a logical next move.

“It’s always an option,” he said.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the low-key signing of the RH bill was proof of the administration’s ardent desire to move on from the highly divisive issue.

Catholic lawyers are preparing to question the constitutionality of RA 10354, or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, in the Supreme Court even as the Philippine Palace called for reconciliation.

“The last recourse would

be the Supreme Court,” said Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, a former president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

“But we need to know what amendments were introduced and further study the new form of the approved law. [It’s] time to move on.

The future will tell where wisdom has been,” he added.

R A 10354, which was published online in the Official Gazette on Wednesday, will take effect 15 days after its publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation.

The law makes contraceptives more widely available, especially to the poor, and introduces schoolchildren to sex education.

The Philippines has one of Asia’s highest birth rates, with the United Nations estimating that half of the country’s 3.4 million pregnancies

each year are unplanned.

Definitely not over Maternal mortality also remains high, with 162 deaths for every 100,000 live births, while 10 women die every day from pregnancy or childbirth-related complications, according to the Commission on Women.

Rodriguez, who battled with RH bill proponents in the House of Representatives, said he would meet with like-minded House members and senators beginning next week to plot their next move.

“It’s not yet over, definitely not,” said Rodriguez, a former dean of San Sebastian College of Law. Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, principal author of the RH bill in the House, said Aquino’s quiet signing of the bill on December 21 was done “in order not to exacerbate the conf lict with some Catholic bishops and start the reconcilliation process to ensure widespread

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 12TH Judicial Region, Branch 21 Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 12TH Judicial Region, Branch 21 Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte IN RE: PETITION FOR ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PATERNITY OF THE CHILD NODECCA ZSAHONEY BALATERO AND TO THE USE SURNAME OF FATHER FOR:

NODECCA ZSAHONEY BALATERO, Petitioner,

- versus NODEC TAGAL,

SPL. PROC. NO. 21-471 ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PATERNITY AND USE OF SURNAME

Private Respondent,

THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF LALA LANAO DEL NORTE And THE ADMINISTRATOR AND CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL, NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE (NSO) EAST AVE., QUEZON CITY, Metro Manila, Respondents. x---------------------------------------------------------// AMENDED ORDER

A verified amended petition for acknowledgment of paternity and use of surname of father in the Birth Record of Nodecca Zsahoney Balatero in the Local Civil Registry of Lala, Lanao del Norte, was filed by petitioner Nodecca Zsahoney Balatero on September 12, 2012, praying this Honorable Court that after due notice, publication and hearing, judgment shall issue 1) DECLARING Petitioner as the biological daughter and child of private respondent Nodec Tagal; 2) ORDERING the Local Civil Registrar of Lala, Lanao del Norte and the NSO to cause the necessary change and corrections of the erroneous entry recorded in the book of births, specifically in the record/certificate of birth of the petitioner in such a way that: (a) the last name of Petitioner in the Certificate of Live birth be changed from “Balatero” to “Tagal” and the name “Balatero” be placed under middle name so that her full name reads “NODECCA ZSAHONEY BALATERO TAGAL”; 3) ORDERING the Local Civil Registrar of Lala, Lanao del Norte to CANCEL AND DELETE the remarks and annotation appearing in the Certificate of Live birth under Registry No. 99-226 issued by the Local Civil Registrar of Lala, Lanao del Norte; 4) FORWARD a copy of the changed and corrected birth record of the Petitioner to the National Statistics Office (NSO), East Avenue, Quezon City, Metro Manila; and 4) Furnish a copy of the corrected birth certificate and/or record to the petitioner upon payment of legal fees.

Finding the verified amended petition to be sufficient both in form and substance, the same is hereby set for initial hearing to February 22, 2013 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning. Let this order be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the province of Lanao del Norte once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks at the expense of the petitioner.

The Local Civil Registrar of Lala, Lanao del Norte, and any person who has an interest in the petition may file his/her opposition thereto within fifteen (15) days from notice of this petition or from the last day of publication of this order.

Further, let this amended Order be posted for fifteen (15) consecutive days prior to the date of hearing on the bulletin board of the Municipal Hall of Lala, Lanao del Norte; on the bulletin board of barangay (Purok Apitong) Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte where the petitioner is residing, and on the bulletin board of this court.

The petitioner is directed to notify this Court of the publication of this amended order three (3) days before the scheduled hearing date.

Furnish copy of this Amended Order to the Solicitor General, Makati City, the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Lanao del Norte, the Local Civil Registrar of Lala, Lanao del Norte; Atty. John Dale A Cantalejo, Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte and Nodecca Zsahoney Balatero and Nodec Tagal, both of Purok Apitong, Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte.

SO ORDERED.

December 26, 2012.

Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte.

support in the implementation of the law.”

Still, the signing of the bill without fanfare did not sit well with some Church and law leaders.

‘Highly dishonourable’ Ricardo Boncan, spokesperson of the Catholic Vote Philippines alliance, said it was “highly dishonourable” for the President to sign the law in secret and away from the media spotlight.

“We find the nonpublicised signing of the RH bill into law by President Aquino to be highly dishonourable and unprincipled because he did it right after stating that he was in no hurry to sign the bill before Christmas,” Boncan said.

Catholic Vote Philippines is the alliance of lay Catholic groups that have vowed to oust pro-RH politicians in the 2013 elections.

“We will exhaust all legal remedies to fight this unjust, unethical and antipoor and antilife law,” Boncan said.

IN RE: PETITION FOR ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PATERNITY OF THE SPL. PROC. NO. 21-470 CHILD APRIL ROSE BALATERO AND TO USE THE SURNAME OF FATHER

FOR: ACKNOWLEDGMENT APRIL ROSE BALATERO, OF PATERNITY AND Petitioner, USE OF SURNAME

- versus NODEC TAGAL,

Private Respondent,

THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF LALA LANAO DEL NORTE And THE ADMINISTRATOR AND CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL, NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE (NSO) EAST AVE., QUEZON CITY, M.M. Respondents. x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -// AMENDED ORDER

A verified amended petition for acknowledgment of paternity and use of surname of father in the Birth Record of April Rose Balatero in the Local Civil Registry of Lala, Lanao del Norte, was filed by petitioner April Rose Balatero on June 22, 2012, praying this Honorable Court that after due notice, publication and hearing, judgment shall issue 1) DECLARING Petitioner as the biological daughter and child of private respondent Nodec Tagal; 2) ORDERING the Local Civil Registrar of Lala, Lanao del Norte and the NSO to cause the necessary change and corrections of the erroneous entry recorded in the book of births, specifically in the record/certificate of birth of the petitioner in such a way that: (a) the last name of Petitioner in the Certificate of Live birth be changed from “Balatero” to “Tagal” and the name “Balatero” be placed under middle name so that her full name reads “APRIL ROSE BALATERO TAGAL”; 3) ORDERING the Local Civil Registrar of Lala, Lanao del Norte to CANCEL AND DELETE the remarks and annotation appearing in the Certificate of Live birth under Registry No. 99-227 issued by the Local Civil Registrar of Lala, Lanao del Norte; 4) FORWARD a copy of the changed and corrected birth record of the Petitioner to the National Statistics Office (NSO), East Avenue, Quezon City, Metro Manila; and 4) Furnish a copy of the corrected birth certificate and/or record to the petitioner upon payment of legal fees.

Finding the verified amended petition to be sufficient both in form and substance, the same is hereby set for initial hearing to February 22 , 2013 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning. Let this order be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the province of Lanao del Norte once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks at the expense of the petitioner.

The Local Civil Registrar of Lala, Lanao del Norte, and any person who has an interest in the petition may file his/her opposition thereto within fifteen (15) days from notice of this petition or from the last day of publication of this order.

Further, let this amended order be posted for fifteen (15) consecutive days prior to the date of hearing on the bulletin board of the Municipal Hall of Lala, Lanao del Norte; on the bulletin board of barangay (Purok Apitong) Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte where the petitioner is residing, and on the bulletin board of this court.

The petitioner is directed to notify this Court of the publication of this amended order three (3) days before the scheduled hearing date.

Furnish copy of this Amended Order to the Solicitor General, Makati City, the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Lanao del Norte, the Local Civil Registrar of Lala, Lanao del Norte; Atty. John Dale A Cantalejo, Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte, April Rose Balatero and Nodec Tagal, both of Purok Apitong, Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte.

SO ORDERED.

December 26, 2012.

Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte.

ALBERTO P. QUINTO Acting Presiding Judge

ALBERTO P. QUINTO

Acting Presiding Judge APQ/epp cc: Office of the Solicitor General

134 Amorsolo St. Legaspi Village, Makati City

APQ/epp

Office of the Public Prosecutor Tubod, Lanao del Norte

Office of the Public Prosecutor Tubod, Lanao del Norte

Office of the Local Civil Registrar Lala, Lanao del Norte

Office of the Local Civil Registrar Lala, Lanao del Norte

Atty. John Dale A. Cantalejo Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte

Atty. John Dale A. Cantalejo Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte

-Nodecca Zsahoney Balatero -Nodec Tagal Purok Apitong, Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte

cc: Office of the Solicitor General

134 Amorsolo St. Legaspi Village

Makati City

-April Rose Balatero -Nodec Tagal Purok Apitong, Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte

The Administrator and Civil Registrar

General, National Statistics Office,

East Avenue, Quezon City, Metro Manila

The

Administrator and Civil Registrar General, National Statistics Office, East Avenue, Quezon City Metro Manila

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10

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Companies

CebuPac sale of 10 used aircraft to US budget carrier falls through THE operator of Cebu Pacific has terminated its plan to sell 10 Airbus aircraft to a US-based budget carrier after they failed to agree on certain conditions of the sale.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Cebu Air Inc said its proposed transaction to sell 10 A319 aircraft to Allegiant Travel Co has been terminated. Allegiant Travel owns low-cost carrier Allegiant Air. The potential transaction was made public on July 30 last year after the signing of a letter of intent. The delivery of the A319 aircraft to Allegiant Travel is supposed to be done over a 15 month period starting March 2013.

“It is unfortunate that we were not able to finalize the sale agreement. We have been unable to agree on certain conditions that would have made the transaction workable, both operationally and financially,” Lance Y. Gokongwei, president and chief executive of Cebu

Pacific said.

“Without the A319 sale, our current fleet expansion plan, which includes delivery of 8 Airbus A320 aircraft over the next 2 years, will enable us to grow seat capacity by an average of 10-15 percent per year, which is in line with our demand outlook for air travel in the Philippines, allowing Cebu Pacific the flexibility to accommodate the growing demand for air travel in the Philippines,” Gokongwei said.

Asked if the proceeds of the planned sale were earmarked for outstanding aircraft orders, Candice Iyog, vice president for marketing and distribution, said, this was not so.

“We will continue to use it on our existing domestic and international f lights,”

COAL ASIA Holdings, Inc. is set to subscribe to 162.5 million shares of Titan Mining and Energy Corp. (TMEC) as part of the latter’s bid to increase its capital stock, which be used by the company in its exploration and development activities in parts of Mindanao.

In a disclosure yesterday, Coal Asia said that its board of directors “approved the proposal to subscribe to additional shares of stock” of its wholly owned subsidiary

TMEC, in support of the latter’s application to increase its authorized capital stock from P350 million to P1 billion.

Upon the approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission of TMEC’s application and the corresponding issuance of the shares, Coal Asia’s additional shareholdings in TMEC will total 162.5 million shares, it said.

“The additional subscription will amount to P162.5

House...

Act Recognizing the Principle of Reciprocity as Basis for the Grant of Income Tax Exemptions to International Air Carriers and Rationalizing Other Taxes Imposed thereon

by Amending Sections 28(A) (3)(a), 109, and 118 of the National Internal Revenue Code, as Amended, and for other purposes.”

It provides that international carriers doing business in the Philippines may avail of a preferential rate or exemption from the tax herein imposed on the basis of an applicable tax treaty or international agreement to which the Philippines is a signatory of or on the basis of reciprocity such that of an international carrier, whose home country grants income tax exemption to Philippine carriers, shall likewise be exempt from the tax imposed under this provision.

It also provides that the transport of passengers by international carriers shall be exempt from the valueadded tax. Furthermore, international air carriers doing business in the Philippines with reference to gross receipts derived from transport of cargo from the Philippines to another country shall pay a tax of three percent of their quarterly gross receipts.

Under the National Internal Revenue Code, foreign carriers are required to pay 2.5 percent GPBT and 3 percent CCT.

11

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 12th Judicial Region, Branch 21 Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte IN RE: PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF ENTRIES IN THE BIRTH RECORD OF VON MARLO M. RELUYA

SPL. PROC. NO. 21-454

VON MARLO M. RELUYA, Petitioner.

- versus -

THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR, SULTAN NAGA DIMAPORO, LANAO DEL NORTE (FORMERLY KAROMATAN), Respondent. x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -// DECISION

she said of the 10 A319s.

She also said retaining the 10 A319s would have little impact on fuel costs, as these models, despite their age, use fewer fuel.

Cebu Pacific earlier said it will take delivery of 15 brand new A320 and 4 A330 aircraft between 2012 and 2014 for its expansion plan.

The airline is slated to begin its long-haul service in the third quarter of this year, with the delivery of up to eight A330 aircraft.

The A330 can fly for 11 hours, which means Cebu Pacific could serve markets such as Australia, the Middle East, parts of Europe and the US. Cebu Pacific operates 10 A319s, 20 A320s and 8 ATR72 500 aircraft. Its fleet of 38 aircraft – with an average age of 3.6 years – is the largest in the Philippines.

Between 2012 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 22 more A320s and 30 A321neo aircraft orders.

million, or P1 per share,” Coal Asia Compliance Officer Rosanna T. Desiderio said in a phone interview yesterday.

PAYMENT UNDER WAY Ms. Desiderio said that Coal Asia “made an advance payment worth P118 million to TMEC as partial payment for the additional subscription” of shares, adding that the balance “will be paid out

by Coal Asia by January next year.”

“Coal Asia currently holds 87.5 million shares in TMEC and it will subscribe to additional 162.5 million to make its total shareholdings 250 million,” she added.

“The 250 million shares constitute 25% of the P1 billion increased capital stock of TMEC,” Ms. Desiderio explained.

She added that the increased capital will be used for the company’s “coal exploration and mine development activities in Davao Oriental and Zamboanga Sibugay.”

Coal Asia, according to its Web site, is an investment holding company engaged in the acquisition of companies specializing in the exploration, development, and mining of coal and other energy-related businesses in the Philippines and in Asia.

Coal miner in capital-building for projects in Mindanao

from page 9 Roger Mercado (Lone District, Southern Leyte), Florencio Miraf lores (Lone District, Aklan), Elmer Panotes (2nd District, Camarines Norte), Rodolfo Albano (1st District, Isabela) and Antonio Alvarez (1st District, Palawan).

It provides that international air carriers doing business in the Philippines shall not be liable to pay the Gross Philippine Billings pursuant to the principle of reciprocity. The grant of reciprocal exemptions to International air carriers shall enter into force 30 days from the exchange of diplomatic notes between the Philippines and the foreign jurisdiction concerned. Said diplomatic notes shall constitute the agreement between the two countries.

Another amendment is that the transport of passengers and cargo by domestic and international air or sea carriers from the Philippines to a foreign country shall be subject to zero percent rates.

For international shipping carriers doing business in the Philippines, the bill provides they shall pay a tax equivalent to three percent of their quarterly gross receipts.

Meanwhile, SB 3343, in substitution of HB 6022, was prepared by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and has Senators Ralph Recto and Franklin Drilon as authors.

The bill is entitled “An

Friday-Saturday Jan. 4-5, 2013

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 12th Judicial Region, Branch 21 Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte IN RE: PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF ENTRIES IN THE BIRTH RECORD OF HANNA MAE BUREROS RESPUESTO

SPL. PROC. NO. 21-421

HANNA MAE BUREROS RESPUESTO, Petitioner.

- versus THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR, SULTAN NAGA DIMAPORO, LANAO DEL NORTE, Respondent. x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -//

NOTICE OF DECISION

TO:

1.

Office of the Solicitor General Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village Makati City

2.

Office of the Public Prosecutor Tubod, Lanao del Norte

3.

Office of the Local Civil Registrar Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte

4.

Atty. Reymund G. Inihao PAO Office, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte

5.

Hanna Mae Bureros Respuesto Poblacion Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte

6.

The Administrator and Civil Registrar General, National Statistics Office, East Avenue, Quezon City

G R E E T I N G S:

You are hereby notified by these presents that on the 27th day of JULY 2011, a DECISION was issued in the above-entitled case, copy of which is hereto attached.

BWM: Jan. 4, 11 & 18, 2013

ATTY. BERNARDINO M. BERING Clerk of Court VI

This is a verified petition for correction of entry in the birth record of Hanna Mae Bureros Respuesto in the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte dated January 13, 2011 filed by petitioner Hanna Mae B. Respuesto on even date. The petition avers, among others:

“1. That she is of legal age, single and a resident of Poblacion, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte, where she may be served with summons and other processes of the Honorable Court;

2. That the respondent is sued in her official capacity as Local Civil Registrar for the Municipality of Sultan Naga dimaporo, Lanao del Norte, which office is situated at Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte, where summons and other processes of the Honorable Court may be served;

3. That petitioner was born to the spouses Dionisio B. Respuesto and Arlene B. Respuesto on July 2, 1988 at Poblacion, Karomatan (now known as Sultan Naga Dimaporo), Lanao del Norte and her birth was duly reported to the office of the Local Civil Registrar of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte (copy of the certification of the fact of her birth, issued by the National Statistics Office Manila is hereto attached and marked as Annex “A”);

4. That in her birth record the following errors were made, to wit: a. Her name was erroneously entered as HANA MAE BUREROS RESPUESTO instead of HANNA MAE BUREROS RESPUESTO (attached as annex “B” is the baptismal certificate of the petitioner showing the correct spelling of her name); b. Her SEX was erroneously entered MALE instead of FEMALE (attached is annex “C” is the Medical Certificate issued by Dr. Cyrus Y. Acosta, M.D. of Kapatagan, Provincial Hospital, Lanao del Norte); c. Under the type of birth it was erroneously entered as SINGLE when in fact the petitioner has a fraternal TWIN brother (attached as Annex “D” is the NSO birth certificate of her twin brother). d. Under entry number 18 stating the birth order of the petitioner it is stated that she is the THIRD (3rd) child instead of the second (2nd) child in the birth order, her twin brother being the third child.

5. That the error is clerical and maybe attributable to inadvertence of the Records Officer of the said Local Civil Registry Office of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte;

6. That there is a need to make the necessary correction in said entry in the birth record of the petitioner in order to conform to her identity and records;

7. That this petition is made in good faith and that no person or entity may be prejudiced by the approval of this petition.”

The court, in its 19 January 2011 order, finding the verified petition sufficient in form and substance, set the case for initial hearing to 27 April 2011, and which order was published in the BusinessWeek Mindanao, a newspaper of General circulation in the province of Lanao del Norte and the whole of Mindanao in its issues dated January 30-February 6, 2011, February 7-13, 2011 and February 14-20, 2011, respectively.

Likewise copies of the order were furnished to the Office of the Solicitor General, Makati City by registered mail; the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Lanao del Norte and the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte, both by personal service. The same order was posted in 3 public conspicuous places particularly on the bulletin board of the Municipal Hall of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte; on the bulletin board of Poblacion Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte where the petitioner is residing and on the bulletin board of this court.

When the case was heard on 27 April 2011 pre-scheduled initial hearing, the petitioner through counsel caused for marking in evidence her documentary exhibits establishing the jurisdictional facts of the case, and after completion thereof, the court provisionally dismissed this case due to the absence of the petitioner. However, the petitioner later appeared, so that in the interest of justice, the Court reconsidered its order and reinstated the case.

Dr. Cyrus Y. Acosta was supposed to testify but his testimony was dispensed with after the State and petitioner’s counsel, agreed that indeed the petitioner is biologically female and not male. Hence, the testimony of Dr. Acosta was dispense with.

Thereafter, petitioner Hanna Mae Bureros Respuesto, 22 years old, single, on the witness stand testified on the material allegations set forth in his petition, that she is the same person who filed the instant petition so that her gender be corrected from MALE to FEMALE as well as other erroneous entries in her birth certificate. No cross examination conducted by the Honorable Handling Prosecutor.

After the conclusion of her testamentary evidence, the petitioner through her counsel formally offered her documentary exhibits, viz: 1. Exhibits “A, A-1 to A-3” – 3 page petition1 ; 2. Exhibits “B, B-1 to B-3” - Birth Certificate- Hanna Mae Bureros Respuesto 2 ; 3. Exhibit “C & C-1” - Certificate of Baptism 3 ; 4. Exhibits “D, D-1, and D-2” – Medical Certificate 4 ; 5. Exhibit “E & E-1” – Birth Certificate- Michael Rey Bureros Respuesto 5 ; 6. Exhibit “F & F-1” – Appearance of the Solicitor General 6 and

Authority to the Provincial Prosecutor 7 ; 7. Exhibit “G” - Affidavit of Publication 8 ; 8. Exhibit “H, H-1 & H-2” – January 30-Feb. 6, 2011 issue of the

BusinessWeek Mindanao 9 ; 9. Exhibit “I, I-1 & I-2 - February 7-13, 2011 issue of the BusinessWeek Mindanao10 ; 7. Exhibit “J, J-1 & J-2” – February 14-20, 2011 issue of the

BusinessWeek Mindanao11 ; 8. Exhibit “K & K-1” – 2 page order 12 ; 8. Exhibit “L” - Posting Certificate13 .

The Honorable Handing Prosecutor interposed no comment and/or objection on the foregoing exhibits which were then admitted by the court. The petitioner rested its case. Thereafter, the instant petition was deemed submitted for decision per 27 June 2011 order of this court. Hence, the decision.

AFTER JUDICIOUS review of the entire records of the case, this court finds and so holds that the evidence proffered by the petitioner are so significant and overwhelming thus substantiated and strengthened the petition. Ergo, the petitioner is entitled to the relief prayed for in her petition.

WHEREFORE, premises considered, judgment is hereby rendered in the manner, as follows: 1. ORDERING the Local Civil Registrar of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte, to cause for the necessary correction of the erroneous entry recorded in the book of births, specifically in the record/certificate of live birth of HANNA MAE BUREROS RESPUESTO in such a way: a) that her name HANA MAE BUREROS RESPUESTO be cancelled and/or corrected to HANNA MAE BUREROS RESPUESTO; b) her Sex from Male to FEMALE; c) her type of birth from Single to TWIN; d) The entry in column 18 stating the birth order of the petitioner as the THIRD (3rd) child be changed and/or corrected to SECOND (2nd) child in the birth order.

2. ODERING that a corrected copy of petitioner’s birth certificate be issued to her after payment of the requisite legal fees; and be forwarded to the Administrator and Civil Registrar General, National Statistics Office, East Avenue, Quezon City;

Let copy of the decision be furnished to the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte for appropriate action/compliance.

SO ORDERED.

July 27, 2011.

Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte, Philippines.

ALAN L. FLORES Acting Presiding Judge ALF/epp cc: 1. Office of the Solicitor General

Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village

Makati City 2. Office of the Public Prosecutor

Tubod, Lanao del Norte 3. Office of the Local Civil Registrar

Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte 4. Atty. Reymund G. Inihao

PAO Office, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte 5. Hanna Mae Bureros Respuesto

Poblacion Sultan Naga Dimaporo,

Lanao del Norte 6. The Administrator and Civil Registrar General,

National Statistics Office, East Avenue,

Quezon City 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Records, p. 5-7 Records, pp. 9 Records, p. 10 Records, p. 11 Records, p. 12

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Records, p. 14 Records, p. 15 Records, p. 22 Records, p. 27 Records, p. 28

11. Records, p. 29 12. Records, p. 19-20 13. Records, p. 21 BWM: Jan. 4, 11 & 18, 2013