Cagayan de Oro Times (April 24-30, 2013 Issue)

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Vol. 1 | No. 38 | Cagayan de Oro City | April 24-30, 2013

Philippine economic growth target is within reach ~NEDA Abbygail V. Taladua Liceo U MassComm Intern

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)- 10 holds a media forum about the Economic Updates of the Philippines and Region 10 on April 18, 2013 at the NEDA office in Cagayan de Oro City.

Engr. Cecilio Y. Clarete, the Regional Director of NEDA-10, said that after so many years, the Philippines is now investment grade. The investment grade rating is a seal of good housekeeping and a resounding vote of confidence in the Philippine economy.

From 2003-2012, the Philippines economic growth target is within reach, inflation rates are manageable, unemployment rates improved, sufficient international reserves, and improving competiveness.

In the whole Mindanao Island, from 2009-2011, Northern Mindanao (Region X) is first in terms of agriculture and forestry,

industry, energy gas sales, and public administrations; and second in terms of fishing and manufacturing.

From October 2011 to October 2012, unemployment rate goes up by 1.2%, and employment rate goes down by 1.2%.

The tax collection in the 4th quarter is increased by 40%. Cagayan de Oro City still accounts majority 56.5% of all tax collections. The region’s custom collections g r ow 1 0 % i n 2 0 1 2 .

The region’s investment, monitored by DTI, increased by 39% in 2012.

The Regional economic situation of Region 10, 4th quarter and annual of 2011 and 2012, conveys that the whole year production of Palay grew by 4.31%, while corn increased by 1.36%, and yellow corn slightly increased by 0.28%. For the whole year, Nut production NEDA|Page 7

The Director of Philippine Palm Oil Development Council, Inc. (PPDCI) Reynaldo Española shares his knowledge about the relevance of planting Palm Oil on the 8th National Palm Oil Congress at Xavier Estates, Cagayan de Oro City on April 18, 2013.

Photo by Karen Mae Eduave Liñan, Liceo U MassComm Intern

Villar welcomes Lakas endorsement calls for bipartisan approach to reforms in next 3 years

Nacionalista Party-Team Pnoy senatorial candidate and former Las Pinay Rep. Cynthia Villar today welcomed the endorsement extended to her by the Lakas-Christian and Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) and said she hoped the 16th Congress would take a bipartisan approach towards President Aquino’s reform agenda in the next three years.

Villar, one of the NP’s representatives in the Liberal Party-led Team Pnoy senatorial slate, said she has always maintained that political parties, whether from the administration or from the opposition, should set aside political differences and adopt a bipartisan approach to reform matters such as poverty alleviation, jobs creations and the delivery of basic social services.

“I am grateful and humbled by the endorsement extended by the Lakas-CMD to my candidacy and I will do my best to live up to their expectations when I am given the chance to serve in the Philippine Senate,” Villar, also known as Misis Hanep Buhay, said.

LAKAS|Page 11

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Robertino Pizarro, President of the Philippines Palm Oil Development Council, Inc. (PDDCI) delivers his introduction about the relevance of oil palm during the 8th National Palm Oil Congress at Xavier Estates, Cagayan de Oro City on April 18, 2013.

Photo by Karen Mae Eduave Liñan, Liceo U MassComm Intern

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PROfile

Joey Pelaez Former DepEd-CSCA Executive Director Joey G. Peláez is a scion of illustrious public servants from Mindanao, descending from the late Misamis Oriental Governor Gregorio A. Peláez and Former Philippine Vice President Emmanuel Neri Peláez. He spent his college life in Cagayan de Oro City, and earned his Bachelor's Degree in Commerce, Major in Marketing at the Xavier University in 1990, which bestowed on him the prestigious Most Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2008 during its 75th year celebration.

He has a Master's Degree in Government Management, a Diploma in Leadership and Management from the Ateneo de Manila University, and the Asian Institute of Management. He has finished his academic requirements leading to a Doctorate in Public Management.

He started working in 1993 at the Malacañang Palace as a Presidential Staff officer during the term of Former President Fidel V. Ramos.

Three years after, he started serving the Department of Education as a Consultant to the Secretary of Education and concurrently Chairman of the Task Force on Youth Development.

In 1998 he was designated Executive Director of the Center for Students and Co-Curricular Affairs of the Department of Education Central Office. He gained international exposures in numerous occasions as Philippine Ambassador of Goodwill during the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program and headed the delegation in a number of international trainings and conventions in Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and South Korea, among others, in his capacity as Executive Director of DepED-CSCA. His tireless advocacy for good

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Educator.

Entrepreneur.

Environmentalist.

People Builder.

citizenship, leadership development, environmental protection, skills and entrepreneurship development are shown in numerous co-curricular programs and projects that he has pioneered and organized such as the Student Government Programs, the Student Technologists and Entrepreneurs of the Philippines (STEP), and the Youth Entrepreneurship and Cooperativism in Schools (YECS). All these initiatives are found in most of the public secondary schools, and they are taking shape in public elementary schools and private schools in the country today.

He is also a member of the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) and several educational and socio-civic foundations and associations.

The national events that his office organizes for the Department of Education such as the Youth for Environment Summer Camp, Go NeGOsyo Teen Edition, National Leadership Training for Student Government Officers, and the Student Technologists and Entrepreneurs of the Philippines-National Skills Development and Competitions have become a phenomenal success and record-breaking judging from the overwhelming attendance of both students and teachers from all over the country.

This year as a candidate for Vice Governor in Misamis Oriental of the May 13, 2013 National and Local Elections, JOEY PELAEZ is bringing to us people in Misamis Oriental his very self so that he will continue his self-imposed responsibility to provide Filipino students with wide opportunities to develop and actualize their talents, skills, and potentials and actively participate in nation-building.

(Palang Anora)

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April 24-30, 2013

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Oro Chamber to hold business negotiation workshop The Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (Oro Chamber) in partnership with AGF Consulting Group, is organizing a training on “Negotiation for Business Success” on April 25-26, 2013 at 1:00-5:30 pm in the Oro Chamber Business Centre, Pueblo de Oro Township, this city.

The city’s biggest business group believes that the participants of this learning session will be able to learn and apply techniques related to creating a win-win business atmosphere. This seminar is a must for entrepreneurs and anyone looking for practical, tested and proven approaches to negotiating more successfully considering the full economic integration within the ASEAN in 2015.

The seminar is recommended for managers at all levels, from supervisors and middle managers to top executives. Subordinates

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and support staff, who participate substantially in sales and people handling are also encouraged to attend.

The training provider, AGF Consulting Group, is a leading ISOcertified training and consulting company in the country today and a recent addition to the Chamber’s roster of member companies.

AGF is one of the most sought after consulting firms when it comes to implementing best practices across a variety of functional areas including quality, productivity, environment, health and safety, business process improvements, project management and information technology.

For more information, contact the Oro Chamber Secretariat through Ms. Che Rayos at telephone numbers (088) 858-4068 and 309-0951 or email at orochamber@gmail.com.

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| April 24-30, 2013

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TRAVERSING THE TOURISM HI-WAY PED T. QUIAMJOT

The Business Process Outsourcing OUR country has dislodged India as the leader in the Business Process Outsourcing or BPO industries in the Asian region. We are now the leading English speaking nation outside of the North American continent as the BPO capital of the world.

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

With a total of USD 11 Billion revenues in 2011 employing 638,000 young

graduates, the Call Center industries are fast surpassing its 20% annual growth rate.

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

This is a staggering phenomenal growth which caught the watchful eyes of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to monitor and target online transactions with taxes.

Watch for the new tax revenue guidelines as the infant terrible Commissioner collects more from business.

India has opened up call centers and BPO’s in Metro Manila over the last three years. The companies identified with Concentrix,

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CAGAYAN TIMES Publisher ROSE MARY D. SUDARIA, Ph.D. General Manager SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY Editor-in-Chief RONALD MASTAIL Associate Editor | Art Director CHRISTINE CABIASA Correspondent NELSON CONSTANTINO JOE DEL PUERTO FELICILDA RUEL PELONE ALLAN MEDIANTE CHENG ORDONEZ Editorial Consultants John del Bando Sales & Marketing Director PINKY DOMINGO CADAVEDO Marketing Executive ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI ATTY. ROBERTO A. CANTAGO, JR. Legal Counsels The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES newspaper is published weekly at FICCO Bldg., Lapasan Hi-way, with the editorial office at Tanleh Bldg., Abellanosa St., Cagayan de Oro City. It is registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 10 with Certificate No. 01801884, and with Business Permit No. 17211 with TIN No. 311-982-549-000 Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CagayandeOroTIMES email us at Editorial: thecagayantimes@gmail.com Advertising: cagayantimes@yahoo.com.ph

Wipro Technologies and Opex have offices along Salcedo Village in Makati City with Filipino crews.

American companies like Ernest and Young’s which provides accounting services in the banking sector have branched out at the Ayala Business Park in Cebu City.

Medical prescription centers compete with hospital pharmacies for diagnostic drug prescriptions.

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

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

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

The success of this industry give inspirations for property developers to built high rise office buildings and secure endorsement from the Board of Investments for IT infrastructure accreditation

with the Economic Processing Zones for tax incentives.

A grant of P27.3 Million by the Asian Development Bank to the Department of Science and Technology for educational programs for skills enhancement in the BPO sector is already in place according to Sen. Edgardo Angara the Vice Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

Congress has also allocated in the national budget appropriations for the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) a budget of P450 Million for IT subsidies.

Perhaps our legislators from our City can come up with significant scholarship program to support the training of the less fortunate Cagayanon’s in the field of Information Technology?

ALA MODE OWEN JAEN

Chasing Dreams When I turned 12 years old and saw a theater performance by a visiting theater company way back in grade school, I said to myself "I will be like them soon." And so I asked my parents to enroll me in a teen theatre summer workshop at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Manila. That was 1992.

So from them on, I never stopped joining workshops and eagerly apprenticed for directors in the hopes of developing my skills and enhancing my talent.

All Throughout high school and College, I have joined school plays and even community theater productions and continued to chase that dream.

I knew being a theater artist is not the most glamorous job or the most profitable. I have encountered hesitations at first, even from my own family. This did not stop me though to pursue what my heart desires. My family

eventually saw that this is my passion and my lifelong aim and so they supported me all the way.

When a friend and I decided to open up a community dance and theater company in 2003, I knew this is what I wanted.

So I poured my heart and resources to fulfill this mission of sharing arts to the younger set and help hone their talents apart from my own.

This endeavor brought me to interesting places and allowed me to meet people from all walks of life.

This dream also brought me here. After joining the Mindanao Theatre Festival at Liceo de Cagayan University way back in 2008, my heart skipped a beat upon entering the beautiful Rodelsa Hall and knew that someday I will have the chance to be here more often. So I did.

Working for this performing arts venue is a wonderful

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opportunity to learn even further and gain interesting insights.

My horizons have expanded further and allowed me to work in an environment that sparks my creativity and inspires me to continue achieving my dreams.

This wonderful job inspired me to take one step further by obtaining a theater degree.

This caps the more than a decade of working for the performing arts and an inspiration to continue what I have started in the years to come.

Chasing dreams are never easy and sometimes it takes a while to make them all come true. Once you have achieved your dreams, it is alright to aim even higher. Others have bigger dreams than most, what matters is the fulfillment one gains.

Never be afraid to follow dreams and make it happen.

Seize the day!

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SUPER BRANDING harry tambuatco

April 24-30, 2013

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The Financial Doctor

HEALTH IN FOCUS

Dr. Mary Jean Loreche

Dr. Adonis Agcopra MBA, RFC®

You have been weighed, measured and have been found wanting! (Attributed from a popular movie) Should we measure the success or failures of our leaders since the birth of the Republic to what we know off our country today – it has to be depressing FAILURE! The on-going election campaigns and the redundant excessive television ad spending has to have relevance to the failures of our leaders to present day.

It is obvious the candidates need to brain-wash the “masa” to generate perceptions of their successes when in reality they and their forefathers considering the majority are grouped into dynasties and oligarchies have failed to stir the country towards prosperity.

The propensities of the “thick-faced” politicians who walk about and whose lineage has ruined the country persist in expensive and dubious efforts to change the mindset of the people simply because they need to to get another mandate.

It is unfortunate the dynasties have become sustainable if not getting stronger by the day with Congress controlling their stay in government.

The fiefdoms all over the country have followed suit aggravated with a few who have gone mad evidence of the killing spree seen by the Ampatuan’s who to date successfully elude the law.

The education system has failed us as well with the degenerating public school systems that propagate the culture of abuse to be acceptable.

The only sure way to maintain the status quo and to keep the majority stupid is to not educate them, and they have succeeded. The church is no better with its divided stance on all issues.

Consider the Cebu Bishop endorsing candidates that have promoted the proRH senatorial wanna be. Then we have the evangelists who endorse winners obviously to succumb to the soon to be authorities rather than promote candidates who can make changes in this road to perdition.

The rich have nothing to worry about for sure if only to get richer. The educated will somehow propel them to be the rich one day but the uneducated and the poor will only be subject to more misery.

Simply put we need to shun dynasties, oligarchs, those that make careers out of government positions only to line their pockets to the detriment of the state, killers and murderers for sure, even revisionists who are out to change history, incompetence to the highest levels which has become fashionable in government and worst of all, liars!!!

Lest we forget we also have a number of obnoxious senior legislators who do more harm to the country with their impertinence when dealing with foreign investors and banks.

They wish only to corrupt the networks driven by inquiries for commerce and prosperity vis-à-vis their personal pockets.

But whose fault is all this anyway? While the finger clearly points to the thieves in government there are also the people to blame who put them there.

The election is the people’s arm, its weapon to rid us of these monsters but it is seemingly evident that the people are much too disadvantaged to even see a solution other than propel the monsters.

If media is the platform for this sustaining business model to keep the people ignorant it should be its head we need to eradicate as well.

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H7N9: Deadlier Than H5N1?

The most current eye catching news, if one were to read or watch television, talking of around the world headlines are: the Boston Marathon unfortunate event, the Margaret Thatcher farewell to this earthly life, the Recin poisoned letters (which I would like to write on, sometime soon), Texas Fertilizer Blast and the one that can affect us: the newly named H7N9 Avian Flu Virus.

To date, the number of confirmed diagnosed cases and the mortality rate of patients with H7N9 seem to continue on the upward trend. This is kind of scary because, as it is, the illness may not just be contained in China, but, has the potential to enter our country.

H7N9, belong to the Avian Influenza A viruses that affect humans. In 2003, H5N1 had approximately 600 cases affected, in over 15 countries. And, this time, H7N9, though the latest report has it at 38 confirmed cases, with 6 deaths, it is still too early to predict as to its capability to further increase the number of cases.

Just as H5N1 started from China, H7N9 once more was traced to Eastern China at the Yangtze Delta Region.

There are certain things that we need to understand and know, when confronted with the emergence of diseases such as this.

First, the mode of transmission. Avian Influenza A Viruses usually do not usually affect humans.

LORECHE|Page 11

WORDS & NOTES

DEBBIE CABAGUE

Maximize your musical learning this summer There are so many kids and teens who enrol for music during summer and yet majority don’t really get the most out of it.

I have new enrolees today and when I asked them something very basic in singing they just gave me a blank stare after saying that they’ve done voice lessons the previous summer.

Where did the musical learning go? Even when you don’t continue with the lessons as long as you apply what you learned you will never forget it especially in singing. As you see musical skills is developed through a long time not just over a month.

Taking music for summer is to give you a glimpse to explore the possibility of having musical skills and upon realizing that you have the talent within, then I as a teacher highly suggests that you should continue with your training even when the school year starts but if you realize that music is not for you then stop and redirect you focus and attention in developing other skills.

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Investing With Managed Funds: Part 2 Among the most common forms of managed fund investing is a mutual fund. A mutual fund is a professionally managed investment vehicle that collectively pools money from several investors which is then used to purchase a portfolio of securities.

Mutual fund companies are also called investment companies.

The majority have an "open-ended" structure, wherein investors are allowed to buy or sell fund shares at any time.

The specific types of securities a mutual fund may invest in are explicitly stated in its prospectus, which also describes its investment approach and objectives.

Professionally-trained portfolio managers continually monitor the fund's portfolio and strategies.

Mutual funds originated in Europe in the 17th Century. A Dutch merchant was credited with creating the first mutual fund in 1774.

In the US, mutual funds were first introduced in the 1890s but only became popular in the 1920s. The first open-end mutual fund was established in 1924 by the Massachusetts Investors Trust, and is now part of the MFS fund family.

The mutual fund concept initially reached Philippine shores in 1957. However, in the absence of a governing law and with poor structuring of these mutual fund finance companies which attracted both legitimate and fly-by-night transactions, the industry did not gain further ground.

This was all the more aggravated with the collapse of the stock market in the late 1950s.

After the initial mutual fund industry fiasco, R. A. 2629, the Investment Company Act (ICA), was enacted into law in the 1960s. Mutual fund companies slowly resurfaced starting with Trinity Shares, followed later by the Pacific and Malayan Funds.

A thin equity market in the background of political instability during the Marcos era eventually punctuated by capital flight and a 30% dive in the Manila Stock Exchange triggered the demise of such funds, with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) banning their sale in 1973.

It was not until 1989 when the SEC formulated the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) that mutual fund in the Philippines truly had its renewed vigor. At present, with the necessary controls and regulations in place and with much higher professionalism, it is with greater certainty that Philippine mutual funds are here to stay.

As per Philippine Investment Fund Association (PIFA) data, there are now a total of 47 active mutual fund companies in the country as of month-end March 2013. More details of these mutual funds may be secured through the PIFA website (www.pifa.com.ph).

The next installment of this column will look into the intricacies of investing in managed mutual funds.

Happy investing! Act now!

(Dr. Adonis Agcopra is a registered international financial strategic consultant with IARFC and is portfolio director of AFIC Meridian Consultants.

U R L : w w w. a f i c f i n a n c i a l c o n s u l t a n t s . c o m .

Email: aficfinancialconsultants@outlook.com.)

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DILG seeks first ever Seal of Disaster Preparedness awardees James Anthony G. Gayloa Liceo U MassComm Intern

The Seal of Disaster Preparedness is an award given by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to cities, municipalities and provinces as an official symbol of excellence for demonstrating an outstanding disaster preparedness and response before and during calamities, which began on March 28, 2012.

To date, a Local Government Unit (LGU) has yet to receive this award.

There are 2 levels to accomplish in order to obtain the Seal.

Level 1 assessment will be conducted by two verification teams one is local and one from the national that will evaluate their equipment, response teams, command center among others, and will look into disaster preparedness before calamity occurs.

Level 2 assessment focuses on the disaster preparedness-response during the calamity.

Certificates of Recognition are to be awarded to Provinces, Cities and Municipalities which pass the Level 1 Assessment. The Seal of Disaster Preparedness is to be conferred to Provinces, Cities and Municipalities which pass the Level 2 Assessment, plus Disaster Management Fund or Disaster Equipage.

In Region 10, there are 14 municipalities that are identified as high risk areas. These are: Malaybalay City, Dangcagan, Don Carlos, Kadingilan, Kalilangan,

Kibawe, Kitaotao, Malitbog, Maramag, Pangantucan, San Fernando, Iligan, Cagayan de Oro City and Claveria.

These were identified by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the River Basin Control Office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as floodprone areas.

The Seal of Disaster Preparedness for Floods aims to recognize and incentivize local government performance in institutionalizing disaster preparedness for floods; and assess performance gaps, link gaps to policy or program intervention and monitor improvement(s) on disaster preparedness.

The Seal initially focuses on flooding, as this has become a common occurrence in the country in 1,127 out of 1,634 cities and municipalities.

Floods and disasters also bring about the destruction of countless lives and properties, as evidenced by the aftermath of excessive floods during Typhoon Sendong in 2011, where 1,268 people were killed, and Typhoons Ondoy, Pepeng and Sendong from years 2009-2011, which inflicted damage amounting to about 55 billion pesos.

The Seal, ultimately, aims to scale up local government performance in the context of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Framework.

Mindanao power shortage, artificial?

Allan Mediante

Editor-in-Chief, Mindanao Daily News

POWER shortage in Mindanao areas could be artificial, thus, the Committee on G o o d G o ve r n m e n t a n d Public Accountability of the Lower House is urging the next Congress to investigate the alleged culprits – local electric cooperatives!

Iloilo City Congressman Jerry Treñas , chairman of said committee, said yesterday, that the 16th Congress should dig deeply into the perennial electricity crises that has been pestering Mindanao for quite a long time now. He said that his office has received several reports alleging that local electric cooperatives are the ones actually creating an artificial power shortage for selfish economic gains.

Electric cooperatives and power firms with business interests have been alleged as the ones intentionally creating the power outages ib some Mindanao areas, t o j u s t i f y h i g h e r p owe r cost they are c harging to their customers, according to Trenas. “The frequent brownouts in some parts of Mindanao is intentional and merely a handiwork of rogue to justify higher power cost.

This is tantamount to economic sabotage which is a serious felony that carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment,” the solon said in a press release yesterday.

There is a need to verify

claims that there is enough power supply in Mindanao but the shortage is caused by the refusal of some power distribution companies, particularly cooperatives which are run by families, to buy additional supply from the National Power Corporation (NPC) and from Independent Power Producers (IPPs), according to Trenas.

Worth considering is the case of Davao City, which consumes power possibly five times the consumption of the entire SOCSARGEN (South Cotabato, Sarangani and General Santos City), but is not suffering from the daily four-hour rotational brownouts being experienced in SOCSARGEN and some other parts of Mindanao, Trenas added.

Part of the investigation, according to Trenas, should cover the reported haste to build a 210-megawat coal power plant at a world-class diving site in Sarangani.

"Reports have it that a strong lobby is working for the immediate installation of the coal-powered power plant in Saranggani province amid strong opposition from many sectors, especially environmentalists," Trenas said adding that it looks more of a coincidence that the coal plant is owned by the Alcantara Group of Companies, the same group that also runs

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the South Cotabato Electric Cooperative II (SOTECO II) which distributes power to the brownout-stric ken SOCSARGEN region.

“There are claims that SOTECO does not want to buy additional power supply from IPPs as part of its scheme to justify the 210-megawatt coal plant being built near a world-class diving site.

Interestingly, SOTECO II a n d t h e A l s o n s E n e r gy Development Corporation (AEDC) are all being run and managed by the Alcantara Group of Companies,” Trenas said.

Even more interesting, Trenas said, are repor ts that Alcantara Group of Companies is also behind the controversial Sagittarius Copper and Gold Mines which is setting up the biggest copper and gold mine in Tampakan, Saranggani which displaced hundreds of families belonging to the B'laan tribe.

This reinforces reports that the brownouts is just part of a sc heme to justify the building of a coal plant whic h would supply power to the Sagittarius mining project while allowing SOTECO II to buy power from its own IPP , Trenas said. “ Pa r a n g i g i n i g i s a sa sariling mantika ang mga kababayan natin sa Mindanao,” he said.

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Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez expresses full support for Tapok 2013

The 14th Kagay-anon International Tapok will be held from July 2528, 2013 in the wonderful city of Ontario, Canada in the midst of the magnificent Niagara Falls. This marks yet another year when this bi-annual event is held in order to gather Kagay-anons from all over for them to rekindle friendships, reminisce and update each other.

This also is an event where Cagayan de Oro City is highlighted.

“Tapok” means “gather” and true to its meaning, the bi-annual Tapok has grown in to the biggest convention type gathering of Kagayanons and friends abroad.

It serves as a reunion of sorts for former classmates and friends who have lost touch with each other.

Kagay-anon International Tapok started in 1979 and from there, Kagayanon International Chapters in the US and Canada started to gather together or “tapok-tapok” in Chicago to catch up and to finds ways to gather more and more Kagay-anons and find ways to help fellow Kagay-anons.

Today, it is still growing and it still serves as the uniting force the keeps Kagay-anons together.

For the 14th Tapok, Cong. Rufus B. Rodriguez of the 2nd District of Cagayan de Oro is once again invited to serve as a guest speaker for this event to be held from July 25-28, 2013 in Canada. This shows that Kagay-anon International believes in Cong Rodriguez and fully saupports his vision for not only the 2nd District but the entire Cagayan de Oro City as well.

In the same vein, Cong Rodriguez has always been supportive of the goals of Kagayanon International and has always applauded their desire to have a venue where Kagay-anons all over the world can get together and continue to stay in touch with each other. He also recognizes and thanks Kagay-anon International for all their assistance to Cagayan de Oro especially in times of tragedy including the recent disasters typhoon Sendong and Pablo.

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LDCU High School is 4th PASCH School Geram Glenn F. Lompon Faculty Member, Liceo U

The Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany approved Liceo de Cagayan University’s High School to be its official partner in the Philippines within the worldwide initiative “Schools: Partners for the Future (PASCH).” Liceo U is the fourth school in this illustrious short list of partner schools.

In a letter sent to Dr. Teresita T. Tumapon, Liceo’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, Herr Falk Schleicher, Head of the Language Program of Goethe Institut Philippinen, made the announcement last April 10, 2013 on behalf of the institute and its director Dr. Petra Raymond.

With its emphasis on training young people with interest and

enthusiasm for modern day Germany and the German language, Liceo de Cagayan University as an official partner and as a PASCH school, supports Germany’s aim to create and to strengthen a global network of some 1,500 partner schools especially in priority regions.

In Herr Schleicher’s letter, this partnershiphopes to foster longlasting links with the country and inspire teachers and students to enjoy an open exchange of views and engage in cooperation.

It also envisions building structured learning and qualified teaching of German as a Foreign Language at Liceo U for a deeper involvement in the German culture in Cagayan de Oro and Mindanao.

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April 24-30, 2013

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LICEO U opens College of Medicine In her continued pursuit for excellence, Liceo de Cagayan University is proud to announce the opening of the College of Medicine starting Academic Year 2013-2014.

This is a response to the growing need of providing accessible quality education for those aspiring to become medical doctors.

The Liceo U College of Medicine aspires to develop highly competent, serviceoriented and well-trained doctors in the coming years.

The university is now

open for enrollment to incoming College of Medicine Freshmen.

Enrollees are required to bring their Transcript of Records, National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) Results, Honorable Dismissal, NSO Certified Birth Certificate, 2x2 Photo and Certificate of Good Moral Character.

The Doctor of Medicine is one of the four new programs being offered starting June of this year.

Others are the College of Music Major in Performance

(piano, flute, woodwind, composition) and Major in Pedagogy, Doctor in Healthcare Services Administration (DHSA) and Master in Management Major in Hospitality Management (MMHTM).

To know more about the new programs, please feel free to call the University Registrar at (088) 8584093 to 95 local 217 or visit Liceo de Cagayan University located at Rodolfo N. Pelaez Boulevard, Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro City.

P1.8M coastal tourism project gets approval Jorie C. Valcorza PIA -10

MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN -The 24-hectare Bonbon Pasil Marine Protected Area (MPA) will soon get some lift following the release of assistance from the Camiguin Coastal Resource Management Project (CRMP).

The CRMP, through its Enterprise Development Committee, has endorsed the approval of the Pasil EcoTourism Support Services Enterprise Project with a corresponding cost of P1.8 million.

This project is designed as an enterprise and will be operated under the Municipal Economic Development Office

(MEEDO).

The Bonbon Pasil sanctuary houses the island’s famous ‘sunken cemetery’, which assures a steady flow of visiting tourist in the area.

Among the improvements identified to build up its economic activity are the promotion of the sanctuary as one of the best diving site in the province, availability of glass-bottom boat for fun and educational activities, and the marine mammal interaction.

Target beneficiaries of this project are the local fisherfolks- their participation in the operation as providers of

NEDA... from Page 1 g r e w by 4 % . C o p r a production was likewise up by 2-4%, in the 4th quarter and in the whole year of 2012.

Abaca registered increases by 26% in the 4th quarter and 12% in the whole year. Poultry and live-stock production grew by almost 5% during the 4th quarter of 2012.

In the non-agricultural production, tourist arrivals in the region are 11% lower compared to that in 2011. Foreign arrivals decreased by 52.21%, while domestic arrivals decreased by 7.48%. The number of events held in the region also went down by 17.62%.

For the whole year, tax collections grew 22.5% and breached the Php 7 Billion mark (Php 7.12 Billion).

Cagayan de Oro City remains the top collection district with 56.5%, followed

by Iligan City with 15.9%.

The energy sales of the comparative annual 2011-2012 showed a slight increase by 0.27%.

Among the provinces, Misamis Oriental showed reduction in 2012 annual energy consumption of about 6%. Overall, the economic development of 2012 is better than the year 2011.

The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES

various services.

They will be trained as operators of service boats, snorkeling guides, boatmen, information guides, as well as, photography trick assistants.

Souvenir and native culinary products will also be made available in the area’s tourist center.

Meanwhile, after amending the Bonbon Pasil MPA, now renamed as the Municipal Coastal Resource Management Code of 2011, the protection and control inside the sanctuary, according to the MEEDO, have shown some good improvements.

CHEMCO’s ‘Winningest’ Guy Engineer Armen Cuenca not only took home one of the give-away prizes during the 41st City Hall Employees Multipurpose Cooperative (CHEMCO) General Assembly, he also came out as the topmost Board of Director candidate having garnered the most votes during the election held at the same event at the LKK Center Atrium. The other new Board of Directors are Eldie Daayata, Honorio Diputado Jr., Eng’r. Nonito Oclarit, and Cecilia Galarita. CIOPHOTO

CSC to develop GSIS’s preemployment test With the goal to hire only the most competent and qualified, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Civil Service Commission (CSC) entered into an agreement to develop the former’s employment test last April 17, 2013 at the CSC Head Office in Batasan Hills, Quezon City. The signing of the memorandum of agreement was headed by GSIS President and General Manager Robert G. Vergara and CSC Chairman Francisco T. Duque III. Witnessing the event are GSIS Vice President for Human Resources Christine F. Tirados and CSC Commissioner Robert S. Martinez.

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“We Grow Minds”

Aging veterans’ battle shifts to additional pension, benefits

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

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

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

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

“The P5,000 a month pension for a veteran

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

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

“And yet, these people are heroes. They

MIGUEL ANGELO C. VILLA-REAL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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At the BWM Media Center - Tanleh Bldg., Abellanosa St., Consolacion, Cagayan de Oro City The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES

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| April 24-30, 2013

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CAGAYANTIMES d e O ro

PASTORAL LETTER

To the People of God in the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro

PRINCIPLED PARTISAN POLITICS: THREE WAYS OF INVOLVEMENT Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, S.J.

Elections are a time for choice and decision-making. Voters are expected to follow their conscience in choosing public officials that will serve the common good, and help in the development of their community. On Election Day itself, every voter becomes “partisan” – in the sense that he or she takes sides and chooses the candidates deemed most qualified for public office.

And yet, to be partisan in Philippine politics does not necessarily mean to side with one party only – even as political parties are beginning to articulate their principles and party platforms. Personalities, with their qualifications, are still crucial in determining principles and platforms. Thus, as we scrutinize the qualifications of various candidates, the Catholic bishops have encouraged Christian citizens to engage in “principled partisan politics.”

But how do we engage in principled partisan politics? Three modes come to mind. The first way, paradoxically, is to be non-partisan in favoring this or that candidate. On the other hand, it means to be partisan or to take sides for the democratic process itself to prevail. This is the role of watchdog citizens’ arms like the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and the National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL). As in past elections, we encourage our parishioners, particularly the youth and religious lay organizations, to volunteer their services in these activities to ensure Clean, Honest, Accountable, Meaningful, and Peaceful (CHAMP) elections.

Our archdiocesan social action team can help coordinate both PPCRV and NAMFREL activities at the local levels to ensure complementarities of roles. We also commend the initiative of the Xavier University High School alumni in organizing Crusaders for Honest, Orderly, and Peaceful Elections (HOPE) in the 62 polling precincts of Cagayan de Oro City.

During this period before Election Day, Voters’ Education will require much effort – not only in the proper utilization of the PCOS machines, but more so in choosing worthwhile candidates. It is in this context that voters can become Trans-partisan – i.e., in choosing the most qualified candidates across political parties. In their Pastoral Statement of Jan. 2013, the Catholic bishops “commend and support lay initiatives to form circles of discernment to choose worthy candidates . . . in order to bring values of God’s kingdom in the public discourse.” As in previous elections, I have recommended that voters choose candidates with the five C’s – that they be men and women of Character, Conscience, Competence, Compassion, and Commitment. Other characteristics have been suggested: that candidates be maka-Diyos, maka-Tao, maka-Buhay, maka-Bayan, and maka-Kalikasan.

The Circles of Discernment for Elections (CIDE) seminar organized by the Dilaab Team in the Archdiocese of Cebu has further refined this selection process through its LASER test. Informal groups of voters are asked to evaluate candidates according to Lifestyle, Action/Accomplishments, Supporters, Election Conduct, and Reputation. I would highly encourage our Basic Ecclesial Communities as well as multi-sectoral and inter-faith groups to adopt this discernment process in order to arrive at a collective choice of worthwhile candidates.

Dilaab has also introduced a third mode of partisanship. This is called Pan-Partisanship (“i.e., reaching out to all political affiliations”). Prior to the formal campaign period, candidates from all political parties as well as those individuals still discerning whether to run for public office or not were invited to a “discernment integrity recollection”. This focused on what Pope Benedict XVI calls “evangelical formation and pastoral accompaniment of a new generation of Catholics working in politics.” Prospective candidates were invited to pray over their own understanding and motivations for entering the sphere of public service. They were also asked to answer the LASER questions for themselves as candidates.

In addition to this inclusive invitation to all candidates to develop a form of spirituality in public office, I would include three issues of concern of pan- or supra-partisan significance (which all political parties should espouse). In the archdiocese, we have launched a campaign: “Our Votes are Not for Sale.”

It is a direct call to all traditional politicians (trapos) against the practice of rampant vote-buying (which is considered a criminal offense.) More profoundly, vote-buying as well as vote-selling are offenses against the dignity of the voter himself who “exchanges” his reasoning and freedom for a fleeting sum of money.

A second issue of concern has been brought up by the CBCP Pastoral Statement: “the widening practice of political dynasties.” Along with other dioceses and organizations, we have launched in the archdiocese the Movement Against Dynasties (MAD). Recent studies by research centers have pointed out the correlation of political dynasties with corruption, poverty, and violence in various provinces throughout the country. The provision against political dynasties has already been inscribed in the Philippine Constitution of 1987. The CBCP statement adds: “As monopolies in business, monopolies in politics limit the entry that can bring in new ideas and better services. Political dynasties breed corruption and ineptitude.” A related advocacy is the campaign against pork barrel allocations – which impels political dynasties to expand to control the largesse of public funds.

A third issue of concern, especially for us in Cagayan de Oro, is the care and conservation of the environment. Typhoon Sendong has taught us the bitter lessons from the wanton degradation of our watershed areas surrounding Cagayan de Oro River and other tributaries. The continued bleeding of Iponan River from hydraulic flush mining also has to be stopped. The rehabilitation and protection of our environment should be a pan-partisan concern of all candidates for public office.

Peace group supports Guingona family’s call for resumption of GPH-NDFP peace talks The Sowing the Seeds of Peace in Mindanao is saddened by the incident involving an NPA attack on Gingoog City Mayor Ruthie Guingona and her armed bodyguards on 21 April 2013.

Former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Mayor Ruthie’s husband, is an acknowledged peace advocate, having been the only personality during the Estrada and Aquino governments to speak out against all-out war in Mindanao. The Guingonas’ daughter and Gingoog City mayoral candidate Marie also represented the Vice President in humanitarian missions for the internally displaced in Central Mindanao in 2001.

We call for a thorough investigation by the National Democratic Front of the Philippines in accordance with the provisions of the GRP-NDFP Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law and the NPA’s own rules of engagement and protocols.

We are open to being a third party body for the purpose of conducting an independent investigation into the incident and to pinpoint accountability and due remedies. We are also open to being an independent third party humanitarian mission to facilitate indemnification which has been earlier announced by the NDFP in Mindanao. In the past, we have asked for the release of NPA Prisoners of War based on humanitarian grounds and similarly called for the release of political prisoners and detained NDFP consultants.

Sowing the Seeds believes that the incident demonstrates the need to further strengthen established mechanisms such as the GPH-NDFP Human Rights Joint Monitoring Committee. It also makes the resumption of the GPH-NDFP peace talks more urgent in order to lay down these complaints and issues in the negotiating table.

Further, the said armed confrontation between the police bodyguards and the NPA reflects the reality of elections happening in the midst of the ongoing internal armed conflict in the country. The inherent nature of elections as gun-wielding and the inherent nature of revolutionary movements as armed in the assertion of their political territories, are bound to cross paths.

We call on both parties to resume formal peace talks to ink the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (SER) so that the negotiations can move on to discuss Political and Constitutional Reforms (PCR) as the third substantive agenda.

We hope that the incident will not further dim hopes of resuming the GPH-NDFP peace talks. We support the call of the Guingona family to resume the GPH-NDFP peace talks and echo the statement of Senator Teofisto Guingona III who said: “Because it (unpeace) will further escalate if the peace talk will not continue, so I call on everyone especially the CPPNPA to have a peace talk.” We address the same call to President Aquino.

As peace advocates, we need to re-emphasize the importance of peace negotiations as a viable means to tackle and resolve outstanding issues and especially to address the roots of the armed conflict.

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This then is the challenge of Responsible Citizenships we approach election day. While church leaders themselves have to remain non-partisan in electoral contests for the sake of transcendent Gospel values that they uphold, it is good to keep in mind the three calls of CBCP for all Christian citizens: 1) To form circles of discernment; 2) For the laity to exercise their right and duty to support candidates who are qualified and public service minded; and 3) To engage in principled partisan politics.

The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES

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Agriculture Update

The

CAGAYANTIMES d e O ro

April 24-30, 2013

| 11

DAR-X,MOSCAT sign MOA for ARCCESS Editha R. Salvador

Shown in the picture signing the MOA for ARCCESS in Region 10 are (from left, seated) PARO Henry Taladua of Misamis Occidental, CARPO Arsenio Ladera representing PARO Zoraida Macadindang of Misamis Oriental, MOSCAT Pres. Rosalito Quirino, Ph. D, Rhoda Gadrinab also of MOSCAT, PARO Ibrahim Marmay of Lanao del Norte and PARO Julio Celestiano, Jr. of North Bukidnon. Other key DAR officials from the regional and provincial offices witnessed the occasion.

CAGAYAN DE ORO – The Depar tment of Agrarian Reform-Region X and Misamis Oriental State College of Agriculture and Technology (MOSCAT) had recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement related to the implementation o f t h e A g ra r i a n Re fo r m Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) in the region.

The ARRCESS project is LIVELIHOOD... from Page 12 Vi l l a r s a i d g o v e r n m e n t should now mobilize the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to extend assistance to the displaced OFWs in order to prepare them for their eventual reintegration into Philippine society.

“We should act now and fact fast,” Villar stressed.

“We cannot afford another humanitarian crisis in our hands as a result of the eventual displacement of thousands of Filipino workers from Saudi Arabia.”

Villar thanked the Saudi monarch, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, for his decision to grant a three month retrieve on the labor and immigration crackdown and give illegal migrant workers in that country more time to fix their papers.

Reports said Saudi Arabia has more than nine million expatriates from countries like Yemen, India, Pakistan and the Philippines and that the Saudi government has already deported over 200,000 foreigners due to documentation problems.

At present, Villar noted there are over a million Filipinos working in Saudi Arabia and some 20,000 of them are said to be undocumented. She said DFA and DOLE official should now expedite the processing of the working documents and extend all assistance they could give to the workers to legalize their stay in the Kingdom during the three-month retrieve.

Villar noted that the recent implementation of amendments to the Kingdom's labor laws was Saudi-wide, meaning that thousands of illegal foreign workers including OFWs with

conceptualized and designed by the DAR as a governmentled initiative to tap intersectoral (public-social-private) partnership to increase farm productivity, improve household incomes of ARBs and provide sustainable livelihood through the organization of competitive agricultural enterprises.

Prior to the implementation of an agri-enterprise project,

expired residency cards or "Iqamas" are affected.

"We cannot treat this development as a trivial matter because Saudi Arabia is home to more than a million Filipinos. They deserve a more proactive response from our embassy in Riyadh and consulate in Jeddah. It is time that we invest more funds and augment the workforce in these posts to enable them to reach more OFWs through mobile consular and labor teams."

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ENDORSEMENT... from Page 12 She noted that trust comes with the support. “It encompasses the trust that the one being supported will become a voice, an ally or a partner to pursue advocacies and goals,” related Villar.

Because of this, Villar committed to live up to the trust and support afforded to her by the White Vote Movement.

Villar said she shares the advocacies of the White Vote Movement—pro –life and pro-family.

She likewise averred that the endorsement from such a ‘huge and influential’ organization strengthens her resolve to work harder to win the elections and continue her programs to uplift the lives of our people, especially the poor.

In making their endorsement, Velarde said they also considered the winnability of a senatorial candidate aside from conviction on life and family.

The three-term former congresswoman has consistently landed in the Top 12 senatorial preferences of voters based on various election surveys.

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The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES

however, it is important to assess the opportunities available in the agrarian reform area where the enterprise will be based, as well as the needs and readiness of the agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations proposed to be the program recipients.

Based on the MOA, MOSCAT will conduct an organizational and enterprise needs assessment in Bukidnon,

LAKAS... from Page 1 ‘I am confident that the endorsement of my candidacy is a reflection of their endorsement for my advocacies for better government programs in creating business opportunities for small and medium scale enterprises, proving more jobs for Filipinos and the more effective delivery of basic services for the poor,” she added.

O n We d n e s d a y, t h e Lakas-CMD named four more senatorial candidates that the party will support in the upcoming May 13 polls.

Aside from Villar, the party also endorsed Nancy Binay and former Senator Richard 'Dick' Gordon from the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), and Eddie Villanueva, the lone candidate of Bangon Pilipinas Party.

Last week, Lakas-NCD endorsed Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo 'Sonny' Angara and Grace Poe from Team PNoy, and Zambales Rep. Milagros 'Mitos' Magsaysay, San Juan City Rep. JV Ejercito, Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile and re-electionist Senator Gringo Honasan, who are all running under UNA. Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, president of Lakas-CMD, said they have been chosen based on their competence as “congressional leaders and championing people’s interests, especially in showing sympathy and extending assistance” to the constituents of Lakas-CMD members whose districts had been hit by natural disasters.

With the Lakas-CMD endorsement, Villar said she was embolden to push for a bipartisan approach to the implementation of President

Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental. It will also conduct a design assessment in these areas to model the theory behind the ARCCESS project and present a plausible and feasible plan for improving the social condition in the target communities.

Asst. Regional Director Nicky Peralta welcomed the MOSCAT delegation and

Aquino reform agenda in the remaining three years of his administration.

“We, in the Nacionalista Party, will vigorously pursue a bipartisan approach in the forthcoming 16th Congress on how we can help the President implement his reform programs especially in the areas of poverty alleviation, jobs creations and the delivery of basic social services,” Villar said.

“We should in fact unite so that the nation can move forward in the next three years of the Aquino administration,” she added.

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CABAGUE... from Page 5 Today, for practicality’s sake I’m giving a heads up for parents and music students in making the most of your musical learning this summer 1. When you enrol in any music class make sure you attend all classes to get the full worth of your tuition.

2. Do not be lazy. Correct constant practice will make you improve. Your teacher will only give and teach you the principles of your instrument.

It is you who will apply.

3. Be patient. Learning any instrument and singing takes time. Go with your pace to be able to develop good habits.

4. D o n ’ t e v e r c o m p a r e yourself to your classmates.

Every musician is unique even aspiring musicians.

5. You should enjoy what you do, because when training gets tough your joy will get you through.

6. Parents’ role: encourage and appreciate the effort of your kids.

7. Parents’ role: Remind them of their “practice at home” to in still the discipline but don’t overdo it.

8. I n l e a r n i n g m u s i c ,

the DAR key officials who witnessed the MOA signing on April 19, 2013 at the DAR-10 conference room.

MOSCAT President Rosalito Quirino, Ph. D., signed the MOA with PARO Jun Celestiano of North Bukidnon, PARO Ibrahim Marmay of Lanao del Norte, PARO Henry Taladua of Misamis Occidental and PARO Zoraida Macadindang of Misamis Oriental.

applications should be clear so do not hesitate to ask questions to the teacher.

9. Every music teac her is unique so do not compare.

10. Get yourselves exposed if you can, but before doing it ask for your teacher’s advice.

Not enrolled yet? You can still catch up we’re still accepting Piano, Guitar and Voice Lessons.

For inquiries please call 09063893121.

Keep your musical learning fun and interesting this summer and for sure you’ll go back for more!

LORECHE... from Page 5 The cases where humans get to be affected by these type of viruses, occur from direct or close contacts with infected poultry. Nevertheless, we should not be lulled into thinking that a person to person spread is impossible.

With this always at the back of our minds, we learn to appreciate the importance of monitoring the cases.

2nd, the signs and symptoms can overlap with other pathogens or disease causing micro-organism.

Most viral illnesses present with fever, cough, sore throat, for the milder non-fatal clinical manifestations.

At the extreme side of the illness, where the illness is severe, the patient may manifest as viral pneumonia with respiratory symptoms like difficulty of breathing, and even respiratory failure.

There are instances when the sensorium of the patient may change and a multi-organ failure ensues, eventually leading to death.

Where before I keep reminding our readers that Clinical data ( whic h is gathered through a thorough history taking and physical examination ), plays a central

role in the diagnosis, in this particular instance, avian flu influenza A viral infections cannot be detected through clinical data alone. A history of travel to an affected country coupled with the signs and symptoms as discussed above should alert the Clinician on the possibility of the illness.

Thus, the 3rd thing that we need to understand: in instances where laboratory testing is a MUST be examination, it is important that we adhere to the required specimen for submission. For viral infections, a nose or throat swab from the sick person during the first few days of the disease is collected and sent to the Laboratory. Molecular testing or culture is done and not all Laboratories have the capacity to do the test. In developed countries, they are most capable of performing the examination, but, in countries like our own, we may have to send the specimens to a central laboratory that has the capability to do it. 4th, diseases caused by a new strain like H7N9, vaccines may still be a thing of the future. Anti-viral drugs may be used as the mainstay in treating these patients, but the possibility of the emergence of a drug resistant viral strain is something that we need to watch out for. Getting the vaccine for the common influenza may help though in minimizing some of the effects of the new strain, should one get were affected with the infection.

Lastly, the unpredictability of what and how far the H7N9 virus can go, in terms of spread, should not make us sleep on what we each must do: proper hand washing, and the cooking of poultry meat all the way, with vigilance as to the source of the poultry, and keeping one’s immune system strong, are simple measures that can help us fight against the disease.

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| April 24-30, 2013

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CAGAYANTIMES d e O ro

Villar thanks ‘White Vote Movement’ endorsement

Misis Hanepbuhay Cynthia Villar, along with five other senatorial candidates, namely JV Ejercito, Gregorio Honasan, Mitos Magsaysay, Antonio Trillanes IV and Koko Pimentel, was endorsed by the White Vote Movement, through its spokesperson Bro. Mike Velarde, founder of charismatic group El Shaddai.

FORMER Las Pinas Rep. Cynthia Villar thanked the ‘White Vote Movement’ after its spokesperson, El Shaddai leader and founder, Bro. Mike Velarde, officially announced and endorsed the Catholic lay groups’ support to her senatorial candidacy and five other senatoriables during their prayer rally in Paranaque City recently.

“I am thankful for the trust and support of all the members of the White Vote Movement,” said Villar.

The White Vote Movement is the grassroot campaign recently launched

by Catholic lay organizations, including the charismatic movement El Shaddai

Movement, which extolled of 6 million members nationwide.

Having been chosen among the 32 senatorial candidates in the coming May elections, Villar said she feels honored and humbled.

“I welcome every support, whether big or small. Every vote counts,” stressed Villar who is running for senator under the Nacionalista PartyTeam PNoy. Villar, who has gained the moniker “Misis HanepBuhay”, sees any support as “more than a promise or actual vote.”

ENDORSEMENT|Page 11

Villar urges gov’t to provide livelihood to Pinoys displaced by Saudi crackdown Nacionalista Party-Team Pnoy senatorial candidate Cynthia Villar today urged government to prepare a livelihood assistance program for the thousands of undocumented overseas Filipino workers who will be repatriated to the Philippines as a result of a recent labor and immigration crackdown in Saudi Arabia.

In a statement, Villar expressed concern over the statement of Saudi Ambassador to the Philippines Abdullah Al-Hassan that the Saudi government will not provide any assistance to some 20,000 undocumented Filipino workers who are the subject of a crackdown soon.

The Saudi envoy said after the threemonth grace period given by the Saudi government to illegal workers ends on July 4, they will go after undocumented workers in their country.

“We expect another wave of thousands of displaced OFWs from Saudi Arabia soon and the least that the Philippine government can do is to prepare for that eventually and come up with a temporary livelihood assistance for these people,” Villar said, who is known as "Misis Hanep-Buhay",.

“We urge the government to extend all possible assistance to undocumented OFWs in Saudi so they can be repatriated in an orderly and humane manner,” Villar said. “The government should assist the undocumented workers once they return to the country. This is the least we can do as they have been helping keep the Philippine economy afloat over the years with their remittances to their families.”

Villar commended the efforts of the Philippine embassy officials who are now negotiating with their Saudi counterparts for the speedy repatriation of over a thousand OFW camping outside the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah.

DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said at least 1,000 undocumented OFWs have camped outside the PHL Consulate in Jeddah and were asking to be repatriated for fear of being arrested

by Saudi authorities after a recent crackdown against illegal migrants.

Villar, a staunch jobs and livelihood advocate, had earlier urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to augment their personnel in Saudi Arabia to assist the Filipinos to be affected by the crackdown.

LIVELIHOOD|Page 11

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