Cagayan de Oro TImes (February 24 - March 2, 2013 Issue)

The

CAGAYANTIMES d e O ro

Your Weekly Lifestyle Newspaper

Vol. 1 | No. 29 | Cagayan de Oro City | February 24 - March 2, 2013

P10.00

MinDA sets alliance with media Cheng Ordonez

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he Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) has vowed to involve the members of the newly-organized Mindanao Press Alliance for Sustainable Development (MinPressDev) in the government’s effort to prepare for the so-called “new normal” situations, referring to disasters and calamities that Mindanao was not used to having, but are becoming regular occurrences these days.

M i n DA D eve l o p m e n t Management Officer V Olie Dagala told members of the media; information officers and civil military operation officers who attended the 1st MinPressDev Assembly held on February 22, 2013, at the Kamagong Hall, Pryce Plaza, at Carmen Hills, Cagayan de Oro City, that he sees potential partnership between the Mindanao Communicators Network (MindaComNEt) and the MinPressDev. “This (MinPressDev) is the kind of media organization we have been looking for and we see a possible tie-up here on matters of information coordination, especially in times of disasters and calamities or in what is now called “new normal” that are affecting our lives here in Mindanao,” Dagala said.

Dagala said that forging an inter-partnership is also very useful in achieving “valuechain” and “supply chain” for purposes of attaining sustainable development among regions.

D a g a l a p a r t i c u l a r ly

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

Formerly known as MEDCo, MinDA, which was created by virtue of RA 9996, will establish an Area Management Office here in Cagayan de Oro to look after developments here in Northern Mindanao and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“Mindanao needs a permanent agency that integrates Mindanao’s agenda and effectively articulates these agenda to national government priorities. Hence, a permanent agency that looks beyond regional concerns and integrates and harmonizes efforts at a Mindanao-wide perspective is needed. It will also function as an agency that will strengthen the participation of Philippines focus areas (Mindanao and Palawan) in the BIMP-EAGA,” Dagala explained.

MINDA|Page 11

Olie Dagala MinDA Development Management Officer V

MinPressDev General Assembly, February 22, 2013. Media Practicioners, Public Informations Officers, PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines information officers from different parts of Mindanao gather together for first ever general assembly of the Mindanao Press Alliance for Sustainable Development at the Kamagong Hall of Pryce Plaza Hotel. In the photo is the lead convener of MinPressDev (Standing 7th from left) Editor-in-Chief of Mindanao STAR Daily - Joe del Puerto Felicilda, together with co-conveners Arjay Felicilda (Standing far left) of Mindanao Daily News, Ruffy Magbanua (Standing 8th from left) of A Brown Company, Inc., Dante Sudaria (Standing 9th from left) CEO of BusinessWeek Mindanao Advertising & Promotions, Shaun Alejandrae Yap Uy Editor-in-Chief of the Cagayan de Oro TIMEs (Standing far right).

Pryce Plaza Hotel General Manager and MinPressDev Co-convener Ped Quiamjot (not in the photo) was also present during the assembly. Also in the photo are the participants and board of directors of the newly founded Mindanao Press Alliance for Sustainable Development. Photo by ROLANDO SUDARIA

GOLF FOR A CAUSE BREAKS PUEBLO ATTENDANCE RECORDS T he Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro’s “Golf for a Cause” drew a 276 registered players over its four-day period last Feb. 14-17, 2013 breaking club records for attendance of a single tournament at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club.

“We wish to acknowledge the efforts of club members and the support of our sponsors in helping us achieve this milestone,” said PP Caloy Gorospe, project chairman. “Most of all, we wish to acknowledge the response of the participants to our invitation.

Your demonstration of your civic duty for the Sendong victims has encouraged us to redouble our efforts to help our unfortunate fellow Kagay-anon who suffered the fury of Sendong.”

PDG Tinnex Jaraula leads RCCDO and Nissan executives in awarding the tournament winner for Lowest Net Score Judix Nagtalon (center with trophy).

Also in photo are Justine Santos-Sugay, AM for Corp Com of Nissan Universal Motors Corp; Honeymay Limjap, AVP for Sales and Marketing, Nissan UMC; Mar Paano, RCCDO president and Nissan CDO Pres & GM Jeff Rolida.

GOLF|Page 11 Photo by Mike Mendoza

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February 24 24 -- March March 2, 2, 2013 2013 | February

Olie Dagala MinDA

Atty. Rene Burdeos DILG

MetroSpect

Ruffy Magbanua A Brown Company

Joe del Puerto Felicilda MinPressDev Convener

The The

CAGAYANTIMES D E O RO d e O ro

Allan Mediante Mindanao Daily News/ PPI

Ped Quiamjot Co-Convener MinPressDev

1st Membership Assembly February 22, 2012 Kamagong Hall Pryce Plaza Hotel Cagayan de Oro City

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February 24 - March 2, 2013

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Normin Civil Society bucks DOTC April 30 opening of Laguindingan Airport Mike Baños CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Stakeholders from Northern Mindanao have issued a strongly worded manifesto asking the Department of Transportation and Communications to defer the planned ‘soft opening’ of the Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental scheduled for April 30, 2013.

“We are concerned this will compromise the safety of the airline commuters using this airport and adversely affect the economy of the region due to the cancellation of night flights,” said Arsenio L. Sebastian III, private sector co-chair of the Regional Development Council for Region X (RDC-X).

Laguindingan Airport is situated some 46 kilometers southwest of Cagayan de Oro and would serve Northern Mindanao and the Lanao areas. With a total area of 417 hectares, it currently has a 2,100 meter (6,888 ft.) concrete runway capable of accommodating medium wide body aircraft such as the Airbus A320 on a 24/7 basis.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) charged with the operations of the country’s domestic airports said in a letter dated December 12, 2012 Laguindingan

airport would be operated using Visual Flight Rules (VFR) pending the commissioning of air navigation equipment scheduled for completion

by March 2014.

If the April 30, 2013 opening pushes through as scheduled, CAAP Director General William K. Hotchkiss III said domestic airline flights will only be permitted up to 3:00PM which would result in up to 69 percent drops in passenger and cargo volume, said Marlon G. Libot, president of the Communications Link for Emergency Assistance Network, Inc. (CLEAN) said in a Feb. 15, 2013 presentation to the stakeholders.

“It is not only air and navigational safety that will limit the use of Laguindingan but the notable lack of road and transport infrastructure especially for passengers coming from Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental and other provinces,” noted former Oro Chamber President Elpidio M. Paras. “Our vital road artery to the west from Bulua is hampered by a narrow corridor cluttered with roadside markets, illegal vendors, tricycles and other not-so-roadworthy contraptions, parked container vans and large vehicles.”

Paras said the coastal highway being built to

relieve traffic congestion from the city proper of Cagayan de Oro in the east to the west crossing over the Iponan River and exiting at Opol is not expected to be finished in another year’s time due to budget constraints.

“Without a faster way to bring people to Laguindingan the advantage of Cagayan de Oro and its environs to the larger markets of Luzon and the Visayas will be negated. What is the use of jet travel from Laguindingan to NAIA which only takes 75 minutes when it takes someone from the opportunity rich provinces of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon at least 3-4 hours to get to the new location?” he said.

“The idea of developing Cagayan de Oro into the logistics hub of Mindanao will be a foregone conclusion if a premature opening of Laguindingan will just cause tons of lost opportunity.”

Cagayan de Oro’s Lumbia Airport has a total area of 150 hectares and is located 183 meters (601 ft.) above sea level.

It is the second busiest airport in Mindanao in terms of air passenger traffic and cargo volume.

It is classified as a Class 1 Principal (Major Domestic) airport by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and has a 2,454 meter

RDC-10 Co-Chair Arsenio L. Sebastian III presides over the Laguindingan Airport stakeholders meeting Feb. 15 at a local hotel. Those present signed a manifesto to Pres. Aquino asking for the deferment of DOTC’s planned April 30, 2013 soft opening over safety concerns and the adverse effects the cancellation of night flights would have on Northern Mindanao’s economy. (Photo by Mike Baños) (8,050 ft.) asphalt runway. CAAP -10 figures show it accommodated 12,590 flights; 1,301,502 passengers and 22,244,562 kgs. of cargo in 2011.

Among the latter were high value agricultural commodities such as poultry products (dayold chicks, hatching eggs); vegetables, herbs and spices; fresh fruits; live crabs, shrimps and prawns, cut flowers and ornamentals, data from the DA RFU-10 AMAD and BFAR-10 show.

The DOTC wants to

open Laguindingan to free up the Lumbia Airport for the transfer of the Philippine Air Force’s 15th Strike Wing now based in Sangley Point, Cavite.

General aviation now based in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) would next be moved to Sangley Point to ease congestion at the country’s premier airport by freeing up 44 hectares of NAIA now occupied by air charter, air cargo, aviation training, aircraft maintenance, and corporate flight operations.

The Aquino a d m i n i s t r a t i o n wa n t s t o d e c o n ge s t t h e NAIA whic h has been ex p e r i e n c i n g h e a v y aviation traffic due to the boom in the domestic airline i n d u s t r y b ro u g h t by the democratization of a i r t r a ve l by b u d ge t a i r l i n e s . A l r e a dy, f i s h r u n s ( f l i g h t s by p i s t o n p owe r e d a i r c r a f t whic h transport marine p ro d u c t s f ro m t h e p ro v i n c e s t o ex p o r t m a r ke t s ) h a ve b e e n m o ve d t o S a n g l ey s i n c e M ay.

National Year of Rice Info Car to highlight rice self-sufficiency Joanne L. Olson, DA-10

Cagayan de Oro City – TO ultimately attain the country’s goal of rice self-sufficiency, the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Division (RAFID) in coordination with the Agri-Pinoy Rice Program of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) will spearhead a regionwide Information Caravan on the 2013 National Year of Rice (NYR) from February 2628 and March 7, 2013, in the provinces of Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Camiguin, respectively. Wherein, an overall of 2,000 participants are expected to join the event.

Bearing the theme “Sapat na Bigas, Kaya ng Pinas”, it is a social marketing and advocacy campaign which seeks to attain the three-fold goal of achieving rice self-sufficiency in the country, promoting better health among

rice consumers, and improving the productivity and income of rice farmers.

Included in the activity will be a briefing on the 2013 NYR of Rice, whic h was officially declared by President Benigno S. Aquino, III under Proclamation No. 494, signed on October 18, 2012.

Complement to this, there will be an open discussion that will take course between farmers and the DA featuring topics such as Rice Varieties for Adverse Conditions, Community Seed Banking and Various Farm Machineries and Equipment assisted by the region.

The department’s attached agencies will also be joining, including the National Food Authority, National Irrigation Administration, Philippine Rice Researc h Institute and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation who will likewise

tackle on additional production support, post-harvest and farm mechanization assistance, market development ser vices and insurance coverage.

With the NYR affair at hand, the DA-10 anticipates to enlist more agricultural stakeholders, including farm-producers, general public and policymakers to have higher regard and increased productivity among rice farmers as well as healthier rice consumers.

Along this line, the department also counts on the reduction of rice wastage and importations in finally realizing rice selfsufficiency by the year 2013 closes.

Last year, Northern Mindanao produced 637,347 million metric tons of palay. This is 4.31% higher compared to 2011’s rice production, also registering a 74% sufficiency level.

The 2013 NYR logo includes the letters N, Y and R to denote the National Year of Rice, using the colors of the Philippine flag and forming a rice plant. It also represents the three sectors that will be contributory in the attainment of rice self-sufficiency: Producers (farmers), Public and Policymakers.

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| February 24 - March 2, 2013

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CENSUS STARTS TODAY

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DA to award NorthMin’s outstanding rice achievers

Joanne L. Olson, DA-10

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he 2012 Census of Agriculture and Fisheries (CAF), a project of the National Statistics Office, will start its enumeration February 25, 2013.

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

A house to house interview will be done by the hired interviewers who will be asking questions on household membership and if any member of the household is engaged or operates agriculture and fishing activities.

According to Dr. Janith Cabalang-Aves, OIC Provincial Statistics Officer of the National Statistics Office, Misamis Oriental, the census taking is very vital because the data collected shall constitute bases

upon which policy makers and planners formulate their plans and programs for the socio-economic development of the country.

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

All hired interviewers are equipped with the necessary identification card.

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

Cong Rufus Rodriguez champions welfare of women and the poor

F

ighting for the welfare of women and the poor has always been Cagayan de Oro City Congressman Rufus Rodriguez' crusade in and out of the Philippine Congress, contrary to some mis-information being spread against him.

Congressman Rodriguez has filed House Bill 5956 (AN ACT GRANTING FAVORABLE WORKING CONDITIONS TO MOTHERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR THE PURPOSE OF ATTENDING TO THE PERSONAL CARE OF THEIR INFANTS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14-A OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1161, AS AMENDED AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES) in the House of Representative which will give mothers additional two months paid maternity leave aside from the current two.

The same bill also gives mothers the option to extend their leave for another two months, with security of job and tenure protected, so that mothers can maximize their exclusive breastfeeding period.

The proposal was widely applauded in Congress by breastfeeding advocate women's groups. Rodriguez explained that "studies of the Food and Nutrition Researh Institute of the Department of Science and Technology have always shown that next to inadequate milk flow, working out of home was the top reason given by mothers why they stop breastfeeding. And my proposed bill is meant to directly address this problem."

He has also fought to put into law more stringent regulations in the marketing of milk for children by manufaturers.

While the existing law only provides for government review of advertising materials for infant milks, he has proposed the outright ban on advertising of milk intended for infants and continued regulation of all sales promotions on milk intended for older

Cagayan de Oro City – FOR their meritorious commitment and performance in the government’s pursuit to advance the rice sector, the Department of Agriculture (DA) will honor the 2012 Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers throughout the country, including two municipalities and 11 agricultural extension workers (AEWs) from Northern Mindanao (Region 10), in an awarding rite on March 15, 2013 at the Philippine Convention Center in Manila.

Envisioning the country as a surplus supplier of rice with the year 2013 as its earliest target, the department lauded the towns, namely: Kapatagan of Lanao del Norte (LDN) and Opol of Misamis Oriental as the outstanding rice municipalities.

Meanwhile, emerging as the commendable AEWs

are Sagrada P. Alvarez (Oroquieta City), Agnes Garcia Sue S. Butalid and Bonida A. Onos (Clarin) of Misamis Occidental.

Other honorees of the former category also include Emerita P. Capayas, Fedelina M. Cuaresma, Manuel P. Sabillo, Fe A. Enriquez, Violeta B. Florin, Ma. Luisa Q. Gabutin, Estrella M. Morilla and Josefina J. Sabillo of Kapatagan, LDN. Exemplifying as the excellent rice towns, the DA chosen the abovesaid luminaries based on the following criteria, but not limited to the following conditions: increased rice production, area harvested and percent contribution to the national/provincial rice production; total number of rice-related projects initiated and rice farmers served; and high quality rice seeds utilization.

The department likewise selected the praiseworthy AEWs by going over through the services they have rendered in terms of number of trainings/ Farmers’ Field Schools conducted, trainings attended, among others.

As value to the rice achievers’ meritable efforts, the municipalities will be bestowed with P 1 million worth of agricultural projects while the AEWs will be granted with P 20,000 each as cash incentive.

With the said recognition, covering the 2011-2012 dry season and 2012 wet season, the DA is also expectant in encouraging more local government unit stakeholders to become more responsive and conscientious in carrying out their respective functions and responsibilities.

Do you know that there are several types of flu?

Arvin Pareja BSN,MBA Cand.

children.

Coupled with this, he has also proposed stiffer penalties of imprisonment and cancelation of the licence to operate of violators.

Because Cong Rodriguez has seen the suffering of poor children and their mothers in the evacuation centers for typhoon Sendong victims, he has also pushed that LGUs be allowed to accept donations and conduct milk feeding programs during calamities to prevent malnutrition problems, provided these are done subject to the guidelines of the Department of Health and under the supervision of the municipal or city health officer. This move was strongly supported by the Barangay-based national women's group, Women in Nation Building or WIN. Cong Rodriguez has also promised to continue to fight against legislations that limit women's right to full information and freedom of choice on how to best nourish their children and those that also encroach on their personal belief on how to plan their families and protect their's and their children's health and safety.

ADVERTORIAL

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This kind of flu is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs caused by the influenza virus.

Symptoms include high fever, weakness, muscle and joint pain and a cough. Flu can last from 10 to 14 days, while the cough may persist for a number of weeks. Influenza can be a serious illness and is potentially fatal, particularly in people over 65 years of age or those with a chronic illness.

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How will I get the flu infection?

All human flu strains are spread when infected droplets (from the cough or sneeze of someone with the flu) come into contact with a mucous membrane (lining of nose, mouth or eyes) of someone without the flu. Infection also may be spread by contact with hands, tissues and other articles soiled by infected nose and throat discharges.

What will I do when I am infected with the post valentine sickness known as flu?

Remember the differences between a common cold and flu. The symptoms of flu come on suddenly including fever, headac he, extreme tiredness and an aching body.

A dry cough, sore throat and stuffy nose are other common symptoms of the infection. It is important to identify and treat flu as soon as possible.

Get your doctor’s assessment if you have an underlying medical condition, become short of breath, or have been sick for a week or more and aren’t getting better.

Stay at home and drink plenty of liquids to replace the fluids lost by sweating.

Eat what you can. For most of us, other than diabetics, it doesn’t matter if we miss a meal or two, as long as we drink enough fluids.

Painkillers such as paracetamol

and aspirin are commonly prescribed by your doctor to relieve headache, muscle pain and reduce fever and amantadine hydrochloride to shorten the course of the disease. Don’t take more than the recommended dose. Don’t give any medication to children under 12 years of age without advice from a doctor.

Flu is caused by a virus, not bacteria, so antibiotics are of no value at all unless the flu has lead to bacterial illnesses. Don’t take antibiotics without good reason as this will increase bacterial resistance to antibiotics, which then may not work if you need to take them in future.

Have plenty of rest, preferably in bed.

Cover your mouth and wash your hands often to reduce the chance of passing on the virus.

Have someone such as a family member or friend look after you, if possible.

Encourage the people who are looking after you to wash their hands often and avoid touching their face.

Most people will get a mild case of post valentine disease known as flu and can usually help themselves and protect others by staying home resting. But for people with severe symptoms; hospital confinement may perhaps probable.

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February 24 - March 2, 2013

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Comelec lauds PPI, BWM, Veterans Bank for conduct of election coverage seminar Cheng Ordonez

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HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the Province of Misamis Oriental has lauded the efforts of the Philippine Press Institute (PPI), represented by Allan Mediante, editor-inchief of Mindanao Daily News, the BusinessWeek Mindanao Media Center, represented by Dante Sudaria, as its chairman, and the Veterans Bank for the successful conduct of a seminar dubbed as “Covering the Elections,” Tuesday, February 19, 2013, at the BWM Media Center, along Abellanosa Street in Cagayan de Oro City.

Comelec provincial election supervisor Lawyer Cirilo Nala, who was invited to discuss Comelec rules and regulations, said the seminar organized for media reporters in the region is laudable, particularly in its effort to educate and prepare

reporters covering the May 13 Automated Synchronized National, Local and ARMM Regional Elections.

Past Philippine elections have been known as confrontational and bloody, and among those directly affected are members of the trimedia who were given the tasks of covering from campaign period to post-election days.

The bloodiest among them all is the Maguindanao massacre that caused the death of 33 media practitioners who joined a caravan of a politician’s wife to file her husband’s candidacy for governor of Maguindanao province.

Trial against the suspects belonging to the Ampatuan clan continues up to this time.

Atty. Nala discussed several topics concerning the May polls, including Gun Ban, Philippine National Police

Supervision and Control, Comelec Checkpoint and the Fair Election Act, among others.

Aside from Atty.

Nala, Froilan Gallarado of Mindanews was also invited to talk about “Safety and Conduct in Covering the 2013 Elections” while Richel Umel of Agance France Press shared with the participants on “Ethics and Reporting Techniques.”

Joe Felicilda, lead convener of MinPressDev and editor-in-chief of Mindanao Star, discussed important aspects of the topic, “How to Cover Political Campaigns.”

He particularly coached participants on how to appear fair and balance in their reporting and not being bias in their coverage of the campaign.

The seminar is the brainchild of Mediante, program director for the PPI project. Sudaria,

CEO and publisher of the four newspapers under the BWM Group of Publications, supported the undertaking in partnership with Veterans Bank.

Sudaria, in his message, extended his gratitude to all the participants for acknowledging the invitation, even as he thanked PPI for the initiative of holding the seminar with BWM Media Center and Veterans Bank.

Another venture of BWM Media Center comes to fore on March 8, 2013, when it launches the BWM NewsCon, a weekly news conference that will tackle regional issues and concerns affecting Kagayanons and those in the neighboring areas here in Northern Mindanao.

Froilan Gallarado of Mindanews lectures about “Safety and Conduct in Covering the 2013 Elections” during the PPI organized seminar on election coverage at the BWM Media Center, Cagayan de Oro.

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

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

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

In each country that it operates in, it elects a Superbrands Council usually comprised of industry experts and practitioners that selects the top brands and personalities under various categories.

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

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

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

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

He also initiated a HEED Program in the 2nd District of Cagayan de Oro City. H is for health, E for Education, E for employment/livelihood and D for development of infrastructures.

His HEED Program includes medical assistance to indigent patients at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center and St. Ignatius Clinic; medical and dental missions and bloodletting programs; academic and technical/ vocational scholarships; employment and livelihood funds and promotion; and the construction of roads, bridges, drainages, school buildings and day care centers.

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| February 24 - March 2, 2013

ALA MODE

OWEN JAEN

Points of View

The

CAGAYANTIMES d e O ro

Street Spa

W

henever I pass

by DVsoria, the famous downtown strip here in Cagayan de Oro, I never fail to get amazed by the seemingly growing throngs of people looking for instant relaxation via foot and body massage. Out on the streets and in full view of the pedestrian and riding public.

Four years ago, when I set foot in Cagayan de Oro to work, I was amused that these people cared less as their bodies are exposed while massage therapists pressed, kneaded and stretched to their hearts' content. The concept of "panuhot" or "mahanginan" are alien to these people.

I have been to other cities but I guess this is perhaps the one thing that I have not seen anywhere else. Never have I seen a sea of

The

CAGAYANTIMES d e O ro

CAGAYAN TIMES Publisher ROSE MARY D. SUDARIA General Manager SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY Editor-in-Chief RONALD MASTAIL Associate Editor | Art Director ARJAY FELICILDA CHRISTINE CABIASA DYON KARLO AGUILLON ROSELYN PAGLINAWAN MARIEL IGOT Correspondents NELSON CONSTANTINO RUEL PELONE ALLAN MEDIANTE JOE DEL PUERTO FELICILDA 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.

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they suggest. Keep their names handy to make it easier for you to track them down if you want to return for your next appointment.

Rest and relaxation are what we all need after a long day at work.

Our bodies deserve a much needed break.

Pamper yourself! Just in case you decide to try the Street Spa of CdeO, you have an array of choices - a 45minute massage under the trees, beside streetposts, in makeshift tents or leaning on concrete benches.

The amenities may not be much but the experience is more than ordinary.

Never expect a premassage foot bath or a hot tea thereafter rather indulge as your senses are enticed.

Absorb the music of the urban jungle, listen to the waves of chatter, the humming of the vehicles

and the pulsating sounds of nearby bars.

Pedestrian Aromatherapy is never an option but mandatory.

The tempting smell of street food is always irresistible.

The scent disarms you, pulling you away to wander off in your short moments of therapeutic bliss.

I have been to various spas in Cagayan de Oro but whenever I needed a quick massage and going to the spa is a remote possibility, I head downtown and seek my place under the night sky. I am one of the many drones who come for refuge at a layman's price.

The island in the middle of DVsoria may be the closest some people can get to an actual experience in a real spa but for less than a hundred Pesos, it's as good as it gets.

Love is the Answer

WORDS & NOTES

massage therapists all in one open space ready to serve ailing bodies hungry for a little wellness time.

The islands in the middle of the streets in DVsoria has become the oasis of the weary. It is now a trademark and a sort of pride for the city.

I myself have tried to have some downtime in the middle of the streets of DV but I never seem to get a grip at first of having to relax amidst the noise of honking cars, boisterous laughters, rude gawking of passersby and even rude vagrants.

Lately, the number of those offering their massage services in the area have mushroomed and I am not sure if it is a good thing.

Good that hordes of people come even on weekdays and there seems to be no end for the demand but

I

t has been more than 10 years ago when I first stood up alone in a stage but as I observed my students yesterday during the recital it all came back.

My music piece started playing, I lifted the mic in front of my mouth but neither words nor sound came out for awhile.

It seemed like everyone froze because they were so quiet until finally even with my knees shaking and the butterflies in my stomach, I was able to get courage and strength to sing.

Majority of my students yesterday were beginners in singing and yet they face the crowd with all that they have.

I saw mix emotions through their eyes yet they continued with their songs, such brave hearts as young as they are. I’d say these kids are on the right track

as they say, too much of everything is never good. Pinning one good therapist in a pack of many is hard.

We can never be too sure of the quality of the services they now offer or if they are legitimate therapists at all. It is easy to bring a bottle of oil, a roll of tissue and some acupressure gadgets and pass off as a massage therapist.

So how do we know who are legit in this "street spa?"

Rely on referrals.

Never approach a therapist you do not know or you might end up unsatisfied and even more stressed after.

There are organized groups of therapists out there but still it is never an assurance that you will get your money's worth.

So better ask around from your friends and check out the persons

because no beginner starts with a perfect confidence on stage it is always a step by step process.

It took me awhile to develop stage presence and even managing my own fears so even if these kids may take a longer time ,for as long as I am still here I will always be ready to push them up to the next level.

The evening was not only filled with kids singing but even my high school level students gave their best.

I was even surprised with their group choreography that made a difference from the younger generation.

When it was my turn to sing with my partner the piano teacher, I couldn’t help first but smile to the parents and to the rest of the audience.

I am just so grateful for the support they are

ESIP Step 3: Learn to Invest!

“If there are ABCs in investing, there are also FGHIs… fear, greed, hope and ignorance.” – Jesse Livermore

giving to their children and to the school.

The full support of the teachers, staff and our school owners is also immeasurable, even with the very little time.

Love from above indeed is the answer because even during the hard times in the preparation it made us persevere, sustained our patience and strengthened us all to get through.

The night indeed was a success only by His grace and through His strength.

DEBBIE CABAGUE

“Love is our guide to motivate you, Truth is the anchor we rely on, now is the perfect time to mold your heart and mind body and soul so tomorrow wherever you’ll go you will stand and shine. Joy is our vision to hone you patience our key to pull your through, hardships do come but you should not fear, step out now so you’ll shine”

–PROIS SHINE

The Financial Doctor

By Dr. Adonis Agcopra As the “E-S-I-P” paradigm goes: Earn. Save. Invest.

MBA, RFC® Protect.

Many individuals are afraid to invest. For these people, their fear is mostly rooted on ignorance or then becomes your willing servant. Just be cautious a lack of knowledge to investing. Seek therefore to enough never to make it your master.

All investment tools adhere to three main investing understand your investments. Once you are treading in attributes: risk, return, and liquidity. more familiar waters, investing allows you to harness Risk deals with your chances of losing your money. the potential power of your money working for you, instead of you just working hard for the money! Money AGCOPRA|Page 7

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Points of View

CAGAYANTIMES d e O ro

February 17-23, 2013

|7

TRAVERSING THE TOURISM HI-WAY

A chorus line in Mindanao

D

riven by a steady economic growth in the last 12 months with 6.6 % increase to the GDP at the end of 2012, the National Economic Development Authority forecast figures for 2013 can lead to the probable rise of the income of the Midanaoanon’s and its significant impact to the property and retail business.

The trend since November was highlighted with more property and hotel development shifting their high gear to Davao, General Santos City and Cagayan de Oro. High rise condominium constructions, hotels and middle class subdivisions were also launched to as far as Butuan and Pagadian City.

Mall developers Ayala Land, Robinson and SM Prime lead property and retail expansion projects featuring, shopping malls, business class hotels and large convention halls expected to be fully

operational starting March this year.

Robinson Land breaks grounds in General Santos City and Butuan City with a planned Go hotel brand now rising.

KCC Group in General Santos will open their Green Leaf Hotel targeted for summer and will rank as the biggest in General Santos City while Microtel Wyndam of the Del Rosario Group opens its door this February.

Two more international hotels are opening early this year in Davao City in time for the MICE Convention on March 6-9, 2013.

All four cities in Mindanao are expected to roll out these luxury projects before the end of this year.

The home grown property developers in Mindanao has also welcomed and partnered with known developers in the country whose projects in the National Capital Region, Southern Luzon and Cebu were highly subscribed in the

property market.

Traditional Mindanao retail giants like the Gaisano Capital Group, NCC of the Lim’s in Davao City and KCC of the Teng’s in General Santos are all expanding and building new branches in the secondary cities of Tagum and Southern Mindanao.

While Cagayan de Oro’s Lim Ket Kai group is poised to bring a foreign partner to manage their new high rise 224 rooms’ business class hotel, the biggest in Northern Mindanao.

LKK or Limbros also entered a partnership with Vista Land to develop a high rise residential condominium in Lapasan.

Not to be left out in the tourism development, a Pagcor Casino opens this week in Iligan City with 120 Slot Machines in its arcade and 28 card gaming tables bringing high end leisure entertainment to this former industrial city.

Mindanao with a population of more than 2`1.5

PED T. QUIAMJOT

million represents 24% of the total 93 Million people in the Philippines.

It has more OFWs working in the Middle East and other Muslim countries of the world.

Its export from fruits and other agricultural products in spite of the huge damage inflicted by Typhoon Pablo last December will recover in the next 24 months according to Governor Rodolfo del Rosario of Davao del Norte which will fill the void of the market in Japan.

In spite of some territorial row, Philippine bananas are still sold and in demand in China.

Tuna from General Santos are turning an average of USD280 Million annual exports. While in Misamis Oriental, new investments in manufacturing and power plant generations brought new players to the Phividec Economic zone.

Will the economic boom in Mindanao spell growth for retail and travel?

With renewed peace initiative and signing of peace agreement between conflicting and warring parties more economic activities can be created with new investments to spur employment in the manufacturing, retail and tourism.

This augurs towards a stronger economy with improvement in the manufacturing sector, tourism, leisure and agriculture.

These are however few of the many significant outlooks in Mindanao that are currently dissected in the SWOT analysis of some economist and industry experts.

The strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threat of the region are consistently discussed in the various forums and rank number one in the chorus line is the supply of power and energy relegating the peace and order situation as isolated but all must be addressed in a shorter time frame.

Health IN focus Dr. Mary Jean Loreche

T

here are certain types of illnesses that just being your sex puts you already at risk.

B P H o r w h a t we c a l l a s Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (Hyperplasia) is one of those diseases. BPH rarely occurs before the age of 40, with more than half presenting with the symptoms in their 60’s and as many as 90% in their 70’s and 80”s. And, unless the symptoms bother them, they do not really seek immediate consultation. Thus, there are instances when, during a routine annual or executive check up, that, this gets diagnosed.

The prostate is a walnut sized gland that forms part of the male reproductive system, and has two lobes that is enclosed by an outer layer of tissue. This gland is located in front of the rectum and just below the urinary bladder. It is important to know AGCOPRA ...from Page 6 Knowing your investment risk exposure allows you to calculate the odds that your capital is still intact at a certain future point in time. Risk is moderated by the investor’s level of fear.

Return is concerned with the growth potential

BPH: A Common Part of Aging

this basic anatomy as this will explain why the symptoms are related to urination, as well as why a digital rectal examination is the most important first diagnostic tool in determining the status of the prostate gland. It is common for the prostate gland to become enlarged as one ages. With the enlargement of the gland, that layer of fibrous tissue surrounding it, will be unable to contain its growth, which then makes the gland to push against the urethra, and the bladder wall thicker and more irritable.

It is no wonder then that, the symptoms happen when there is obstruction of the urethra. The bladder also loses some of its function. Thus, when one suffers from BPH, one complains of constant or frequent urination, usually at night time (so bothersome if one were to sleep well), with that

of your money within a certain time period. Risk and return are directly related. The higher the returns projected by an investment, the higher is its corresponding builtin risk. But the lower the risk you are capable of assuming, expect no more than lower returns as well. The investor’s level of greed determines how high a risk he would likely assume for a

feeling of incomplete emptying.

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

BPH per se, being a common part of the aging process is something that one just has to accept as one enters the higher ladder of statistics. Complications can happen and this sometimes is the reason why a patient may seek consultation: urinary tract infection, bladder or kidney stones and incontinence. The bigger question at the back of one’s mind then is: what about the Big C of the prostate and BPH, is there a relationship or would BPH eventually lead to the Big C? The answer of course is NO, as there is no statistical evidence as yet

certain level of return.

Risk vs. return = greed vs. fear. And bear in mind: “If it’s too good to be true, it probably is!”

The liquidity factor of an investment determines the ease with which an asset can be converted back to cash. Investments that can easily be turned to cash within a short time frame are deemed highly liquid. Cash and cash-

that will definitely connect one’s risk to having a prostate cancer to one’s having an existing BPH. It is not uncommon though to have BPH and the Big C together in one person. Thus, during biopsies, one must be very careful in the examination of the submitted specimen to make sure that one misses no areas that may contain a malignancy.

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

Your doctor in most instances will request a blood test, PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) which I have already discussed here in

equivalent investments such as money market instruments and several managed funds fall into this category. On the other hand, real estate, non-cash business assets and precious metals are generally considered poorly liquid to non-liquid due to the difficulty of regaining their market value cash equivalents anytime.

All investment

Health IN Focus, as the level of PSA will try to rule out the Big C. Other diagnostics that may be requested may include an ultrasound and a biopsy.

During the early stage of BPH, in the absence of symptoms, treatment may not be necessary as yet. However, in the presence f obstructive symptoms, one may have to go through medications, either in the form of drugs or if the obstruction is severe, surgical intervention may be recommended by your attending doctor. Side effects as well as duration of treatment are best discussed so that one will have a better grasp of what lies ahead.

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

tools have a certain combination of risk, return and liquidity profiles. Knowing the specific feature of each investment tool that you use will enable you to create a balanced and diversified portfolio that can support and sustain your financial goals – be they short, medium, or long-term.

A knowledgeable financial professional

should be able to help you thresh out these goals individually and collectively.

Investigate before you invest. Act now!

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

Log in to www. aficfinancialconsultants. com.)

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February 24 - March 2, 2013 February 24 - March 2, 2013

Features

The The

CAGAYAN AGAYANTIMES TIMES C d e O ro

D E O RO

Vamos a Zamboanga!

A Balikbayan Compoblano’s Perspective of his Native City

By MIKE BANOS

I

was recently afforded a unique experience that allowed me to look back at my native city 32 years ago and compare it with how it’s changed since then.

Thanks to the Department of Tourism and Cebu Pacific, I joined a media delegation from Cagayan de Oro on a two-day tour of La Cuidad de las Flores, now rebranded as “Ciudad Latina de Asia or Asia’s Latin City.”

There were six journalists in our party: Orwin Austria (Mindanao Gold Star Daily), Nicole Managbanag (Sun Star Cagayan de Oro), reporter Joey Yecyec and cameraman Val Martinito (ABS-CBN Cagayan de Oro) and publisher Dante Sudaria and myself from the BWM Group of Publications (BusinessWeek Mindanao, Mindanao Daily News, Mindanao Star, The Cagayan de Oro Times and BWM Magazine).

We were accompanied

by Jojo Roque, Yoyong Esmedalla and Nanc y Derequito from DOT in Region X. Unfortunately, Cagayan de Oro Tourism Officer Imma Rae Gatuslao was not able to make it due to red tape.

We had to get up at 3AM even if our flight was still 6:15AM since we had to come together at the DOT X office then be at the Lumbia Airport by 5AM to avoid being bumped off.

The ATR 72-500 was fully booked so it was a good idea to come early and have an early snack at the DOT’s VIP Lounge courtesy of Carl Maglangit and Arian Sim. After a slight delay and a quite bumpy landing at the Zamboanga International Airport, we were wondering where our hosts where. Fortunately, Marilou “Ludy” Silorio, DOT IX senior tourism operations officer, had come earlier and quickly brought us to the nearby Garden Orchid Hotel. We had a sumptuous breakfast and off we were for our first adventure with Ludy and Stephanie Camins, also of DOT-9.

Our guide turned out to be no less than my grade

sc hool classmate, Icelle Gloria Durano Borja from the Zamboanga Normal College Laboratory School, the present-day Western Mindanao State University.

Icelle is a multi-awarded guest curator and research associate of the National Museum of Zamboanga City at the famous Fort Pilar. She is the president of the Mindanao Association of Museums; executive council member of the National Commission on Museums and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). Besides being a museum and cultural worker, Icelle is also a researcher, painter and registered nurse!

We started our tour in the Plaza Rizal at the very epicenter of the old poblacion. It’s in much better condition than it was in my salad days thanks to the efforts of the late Grand Dame of Zamboanga, former Congresswoman and City Mayor Maria Clara Lorenzo Lobregat, whom we know as Tita Caling, being the second cousin of my late Dad Rene on the Lorenzo side.

The centerpiece of the Plaza is a statue of Rizal whic h spor ts an immaculately white coat of paint and boasts of two authentic cannon from the Spanish times and an immaculately cared for garden harkening back to the days of the old Ciudad delas Flores.

Although we didn’t have sufficient time to stroll in it, also found nearby is Plaza Pershing. Originally named “Plaza de Don Juan de Salcedo” for one of Spain’s great 16th century Conquistadores, it was renamed “Plaza Pershing” in 1915 in memory of General John J. “Blackjack” Pershing for his contributions to the heritage of Zamboanga City.

The old fountain near the defunct City Theatre is gone, replaced by a multi-purpose building, since the original octagonal kiosko is now too small to host most public events for which it was originally built.

Which is a pity, because that fountain was beautiful

and a sight to behold with its mini waterfall, water lilies, sculptures and golden carp. Nonetheless, Plaza Pershing remains one of the favorite hang-out places of Zamboangueños as evidenced by the crowds gathered there enjoying themselves with their friends and loved ones.

From Plaza Rizal Icelle brought us across N.S. Valderrosa St. (named in honor of the first mayor of Zamboanga) to the historic City Hall. Built in 1905-1907 by the Americans colonizers as the civic building of American Governors of the Moro Province, it now houses the city government of Zamboanga and is considered the oldest heritage provincial capitol in the country with its Spanish Renaissance Architecture.

Built with the help of Japanese carpenters who left their imprint on the chrysanthemum carvings of its doors, the building escaped destruction from both the Japanese and American military during World War II since both sides had a high regard for its cultural and heritage value to both nations.

Again, I must take my hat off to Tita Caling and her dedicated band of Zamboangueño historians and heritage conservationists, especialy Icelle, for restoring the City hall to its former glory.

Despite some moder n amenities, it didn’t look this good during previous administrations although Icelle laments the two fo u n t a i n s i n i t s i n n e r courtyard are no longer maintained and the carp she personally donated and cared for mysteriously disappeared with the passing of Tita Caling.

For our next issue, we will continue our tour of downtown Zamboanga with visits to the BPI Museum, Pettit Barracks, Fort Pilar and Paseo del Mar. C e b u Pa c i f i c f l i e s from Cagayan de Oro to Zamboanga three times a week every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

It is the largest airline in the country with the lowest year-round fares.

Tour Guide Icelle Borja tells us the Chrysantemum motif of the doors at City Hall were made by Japanese Carpenters and were a major factor in saving the building from Japanese bombing during WWII. (photo by Mike Baños)

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February 24 - March 2, 2013

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CAGAYANTIMES

February 24 - March 2, 2013

Bawal ang Epal Dito Campaign gihingusgan sa DSWD Oliver Badel Inodeo, Pantawid Pamilya Information Officer

Cagayan de Oro City – Gihingusgan karon sa Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 10 ang ilang kampanya batok sa mga pulitiko o partido nga gustong mogamit sa Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya) ug sa ubang programa sa departamento alang sa ilang pultikanhong kalihukan ug interes.

Kini human gipakatap na sa tanang probinsiya sa Northern Mindanao ang mga tarpaulins, stickers ug uban pang advocacy materials aron ipahibalo sa katawhan nga bugtong ang rehiyonal ug sentral nga buhatan lang sa DSWD ang makatangtang sa benepisaryo sa talaan sa Pantawid Pamilya kung dili sila makatuman sa mga kondisyones sa program.

Matud ni Atty.

Araceli F. Solamillo, Regional Director sa

DSWD Field Office 10, nga ang maong mensahe gipakaylap sa tibuok rehiyon aron dili na pwede’ng hadlokon ni bisan kinsa nga tawo-kandidato man o dili, ang mga benepisaryo kung dili mosuporta sa usa ka pulitiko o usa ka partido.

Hinuon, giklaro ni Atty. Solamillo nga walay gahum ang DSWD nga mosilot sa mga pulitiko nga mo-abuso sa Pantawid Pamilya ug ubang programa sa DSWD. Ang Bawal ang Epal Dito Campaign sa DSWD gilusad human nakadawat og mga taho ang ahensya nga daghang pulitiko ang nihadlok sa mga benepisaryo nga tangtangon ug dili pahatagan sa ilang binulan nga cash grant kung dili sila mosuporta niini.

Karong umaabot Sabado gikatakda nga ilusad sa tibuok nasud ang engrandeng kampanya sa DSWD.

d e O ro

Press Statement on Dahilayan In light of the negative perception caused by the recent NPA attack on the Del Monte office at Camp Phillips in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, Dahilayan Adventure Park operator, Engr. Elpie Paras, disclosed that the famous adventure tourism landmark of Mindanao will remain open to the public and expects visitor arrivals to return to normal over the long weekend.

Tourism facilities which include Asia’s longest dual zipline, Pinegrove Mountain Lodge, Forest Park, Saddle Ridge Camp and Dahilayan Gardens are 15 km away from the scene of the incident.

Based on media reports, the NPA group only passed via the Camp Phillips to Dahilayan road in their withdrawal to Brgy. Bagalangit several

kilometers away. Civilians including Dahilayan Brgy.

Capt. Sahonlay who were picked up on the road were immediately released unharmed as soon as the armed group reached their disembarkation point.

The surprise raid on Del Monte and Dole facilities in Bukidnon was the first of its kind and considering the NPA press statements, the attack was a result of its advocacy against unrestrained large scale agricultural plantation development and logging which contributed to the recent flooding disaster in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities.

Security measures for the safe ingress and egress to Camp Phillips, Dahilayan and surrounding areas, are now on highest level and tourists should not worry about their safety.

House Blessing at Forest View Homes T

he three model units of Forest View Homes (FVH) were blessed in simple ceremonies on February 16, 2013. Fr. Harold Anthony Parilla, JCL led the service.

PODC Project Implementation Manager Arnold Santos (left) and Acting Product Manager (FVH) Mierro Castrillo (right) cut the ribbon at the Twin Homes.

Looking on are Fr. Harold Parilla and Product Manager Voltaire Flores.

Erika model

Pueblo de Oro Development Corporation (PODC) Product Manager Volt Flores also introduced Township Relations Manager Mierro Castrillo as the Acting Product Manager for Forest View Homes.

The units that were blessed were: Jessica, Erika and Twin Homes with floor areas of 60, 77 and 65 sq.m., respectively.

Jessica and Erika are two-storey single attached homes while Twin Homes is a duplex unit.

The three model houses are located in FVH Phase 3 along the village’s main road, Forest View Drive.

Set against the magnificent Pueblo de Oro Urban Rainforest, Forest View Homes is a peaceful enclave of tasteful homes amid natural beauty.

Like Pueblo de Oro’s other subdivisions, Forest View Homes will include such amenities as J e s s i c a a landscaped entrance gate model and guardhouse, multi-purpose

hall, concrete tablet fence, 24/7 security, and parks and playground.

A shuttle service also plies the route between the village, SM and other areas of the Pueblo de Oro Township.

FVH is easily accessible by PN Roa Avenue (Macapagal Drive), which connects Bulua and the Calaanan Valley to Masterson Avenue. With its panoramic view of the Pueblo Urban Rainforest, FVH offers residents a feeling of countryside living while being mere minutes away from urban conveniences such as SM City Mall, top schools like Xavier University and Corpus Christi, the domestic airport, and the upcoming St. Francis Xavier Parish Church. ___________________

For more information, please contact the PODC Sales and Marketing Department at (088) 858-8976 or (0917) 700-4993, email them at pueblosales@ pueblodeoro.com or visit their website pueblodeoro.com or facebook.com/pueblodeoro.

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CAGAYANTIMES

February 17-23, 2013

d e O ro

MINDA ...from Page 1

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

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

Advantages, Value-chain and supply chain.

M i n P re s s D ev i s a n apolitical non-sectarian and non-profit organization, which is envisioned to create stronger network among media practitioners and information multipliers in Mindanao. Membership is open to newspaper publishers, editors and columnists, presidents and chairmen of media organizations, broadcast station owners and managers, program heads, news editors, and reportorial managers, as well as government and non-government information officers and on-line news administrators.

M i n P re s s D ev p r i m e movers are Joe del Puerto Felicilda - Editor-in-Chief, Mindanao STAR; Managing Editor, Mindanao Daily News; and Training Director, BWM Media Center, Cagayan de Oro City; Ped Quiamjot - General Manager, Pryce Plaza Hotel; and Columnist, BusinessWeek Mindanao & Mindanao Daily News, Cagayan de Oro City; Dante M. Sudaria : CEO, BusinessWeek Mindanao Advertising and Promotions; a n d P u b l i s h e r / G e n e ra l Manager Sudaria Group of Publications, Cagayan de Oro City; Arjay S. Felicilda - News Editor, Mindanao Star; Section Editor, Mindanao News Daily, Cagayan de Oro City; Shaun Alejandrae Yap Uy - Editorin-Chief, The Cagayan de

Oro TIMES; and Publication Manager, BWM Magazine, Cagayan de Oro City; and Rudy Magbanua – Manager, Public Affairs and Communication, A Brown Company.

GOLF ...from Page 1 In particular, PP Caloy Gorospe cited the efforts of some club members which were crucial to the success of the project including PVP Hong C. See, vice chairman; PP Joe Gonzaga, finance, PAG Manny Aliñabon, awards & socials; PP Dodie Lagrosas , ways and means; Rtns. Dante Sudaria & Mike Baños, communications and documentations; Rtn. Mike Mendoza, official photographer; PDG Tinnex Jarauala, adviser; Rtn. Joel Bernaldez, Rules; and PAG Dick Aguilar, grounds marshal. To our President, Mar Paano who was always with the committee from the start to the end.

N i s s a n U n ive rs a l M o t o rs

Corporation and Nissan Cagayan de Oro were the main sponsors for the tournament, providing a Nissan Navara pick-up as a “Hole-in-One” prize in addition to logistics and financial support for the pioneer venture. Unfortunately, not one participant won the prize including other cash prizes for Par 3’s holes from Rep. Peter M. Unabia (1st District, Misamis Oriental), Opol Bgy. Capt. Max Seno, MAA General Assurance Phils., Inc., Pioneer Insurance & Surety Corporation and Stronghold Insurance Co. Inc. “The Golf for a Cause by the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro and Nissan Universal Motors Corporation with the help of Nissan Cagayan de Oro was a golf “swinging” success— exceeding not only the sponsors expectations but also Club records,” Nissan Universal Motors noted in a statement. “This partnership is only the beginning as Nissan considers Cagayan de Oro to be a key area for growth. Through this partnership, the lives of the Sendong victims

Mariwasa extends help to ‘Pablo’ victims, donates P1M to Sagip Kapamilya

will be changed for the better and we at Nissan are filled with joy at the opportunity to be able to be a part of this project. This partnership shows that Nissan is here to stay.

Until Next Year! Cheers!”

Nissan UMC was represented in the project by Honeymae A. Limjap, assistant vice president, marketing and sales and Justine Santos-Sugay, Assistant ManagerCorporate Communications while Nissan CDO was represted by Jefferson U. Rolida, president and general manager.

The project organizers also recognized the following Hole Sponsors:, Kingston Lodge, Vertical Builders, Mocha Trucking/TLM, TThS Golf Group, Kim In Su Enterprise, Hosanna Academy, Puerto Community Hospital, PDG Tinnex & PP Devin Jaraula,Suvisco Industries Inc., Barangay Nazareth, Galam Music Lounge, WMC Cold Storage, Oroport Cargo Handling Services Inc., First Gusa Caltex, Shabu-way Hot Pot Cuisine, DBP Northern Mindanao,

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DBP Northeastern Mindanao, King’s Cross Development Corp., Boysen Pacific Paints, DML Trucking, Maxandrea Hotel/8's Hightime, UCPB Cogon Branch, UCPB Velez Branch, Virginia Food Inc., Cham’s, La Ilongga-Ororama, Colgate-Palmolive Phils. Inc., Pelican Industrial Sales, PE Ferdie & Ja Bernasor, Llanillo Romero Optical Clinic, Triple Jr, Fours Agritrade Inc., Alegria Hills, Clarenzon Marketing, Messrs. Ed Gulle / Benjie Calo, Engine Pro Motor Corp. / Denvi and Lito Cabrera, Sterling Savings Bank / Midway White Beach Resort/Minkay Restobar, Leonardo-Vicente Associates / Consolidated Bldg. Maintenance, Inc., Rep. Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr., Paceman Multi-Purpose Cooperative, We-Fix Construction/Casa Isabella and San Miguel Corporation.

The organizers also acknowledged the assistance received from the following: Star-Ads, Ultra Craft, Seda Hotel, Redbrick, Crocs, Nature’s Spring, Parasat Cable TV and Pryce Plaza.

Photo shows Mariwasa President Anukul Kongrit (third from left) as he hands over check donation to ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Program Director Ms. Tina Monzon-Palma together with Sagip Deputy Director Marcel Rinon (left), Jakkrit Suwansilp, MSC Vice President for Sales and Marketing (2nd from left), Emilie Mramag, MSC Vice President for Finance and Administration (2nd from right) and Elizabeth Ebio, MSC Sales Coordination Manager (right)

The CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES Editorial: thecagayantimes@gmail.com | 09273373917 | Advertising: 09177121424

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| February 24 - March 2, 2013

The

CAGAYANTIMES d e O ro

CEB, DOT partner to push ZamboangaCDO air link to boost travel and tourism Mike Baños

The delegation at Sta. Cruz Island.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The country’s leading domestic airline and the Department of Tourism are working both ends of the new direct air route between the cities of Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro to ramp up travel and tourism between the two destinations.

“With the new air route, it is now easy, c heap and convenient for people from both cities to visit eac h other’s cities for a brief holiday,” noted Mary June G. Bugante, regional director of the Dept. of Tourism for Region IX. “Knowing how different the two cities are, we look forward to more tourists from Region X visiting us in the same manner people from here look forward to visiting Northern Mindanao.”

Cebu Pacific flies from Cagayan de Oro to Zamboanga three times a week every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Before the direct air route was opened last October 20, 2012, commuters had the option of either taking a 12 hour bus ride (with 5-stops in between) or fly some 1,650 kilometers via Manila or five times the 330 kms. that actually separates the two Mindanao cities.

“Even if the direct flights are more expensive than the bus, many would still opt to fly, considering the health and safety considerations inherent in any 12-hour overland trip,” said Catalino E. Chan III, regional director for DOT Region 10. “However , a commuter can secure a fare even lower than the bus if he books early.”

“I booked our flight last December 2012 for our Centennial Alumni Homecoming at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University as soon as the flight was started, “ said Ramon Raciv Escudero, a native Zamboangueño who now resides and works in Cagayan de Oro. “As a result, I paid even less than what I would have paid for a bus.”

Tourism and airline officials have organized trips by travel writers from Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga to benc hmark the new air route. The first group of travel journalists from Zamboanga visited Cagayan de Oro last November 27-29, 2012 while Kagay-anon travel writers returned the favor just last Feb. 12-14, 2013.

“To further promote inter-regional travel, DOT Northern Mindanao plans to hold its annual month-long Pasundayag sa Northern Mindanao cultural festival in Iloilo and Bacolod instead of Metro Manila as it has traditionally been done in the past,” Mr. Chan noted.

At present, CEB operates 60 domestic and 31 international routes.

Two international routes being offered will commence later this year: ManilaBali on Marc h 16, 2013 and ManilaDubai on October 7, 2013.

Cagayan de Oro’s Lumbia Airport is the regional hub for air commuters from the four provinces and nine cities of Northern Mindanao (Region X) but ser ves passengers from as far as the Caraga, Lanao and Zamboanga regions. It is the second busiest airport in Mindanao in terms of air passenger traffic and cargo volume. CAAP figures show it accommodated 14,644 flights; 1,471,432 passengers and handled 22,244,562 kgs. of cargo in 2011.

Similarly, Zamboanga International Airport is the regional trunkline airport for Western Mindanao, ser ving passengers as far as Tawi-Tawi and Sulu. CAAP figures show it ser ved 16 percent more passengers than the previous year for a total of 724,128 passengers.

Cebu Pacific is widely credited with sparking the boom in domestic travel and tourism with its drastically reduced fares, encouraging Filipinos to travel all over the country.

Online sales of travel and tourism products and ser vices due to increasing internet penetration and easy access to credit/debit cards by tourists in the 1030 years age group whic h makes up the bulk of internet users in the Philippines experienced increasing travel and tourism in 2010.

Western and Northern Mindanao are among the nine priority clusters for investments and development identified under the recently minted National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) based on the “identification of secondary gateways as premier entry points” to these areas, said Tourism Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions Daniel Corpuz.

Limited flights and seat capacities, including the poor quality and constrained capacity of international and domestic transportation and infrastructure destination, and other restrictions that have limited market access among the constraints whic h have hampered the attainment of tourism sector targets.

To overcome these constraints, the DOT plans to undertake strategic directions and programs—suc h as improvement of market access, connectivity and destination infrastructure; The DOT said the implementation of the NTDP would raise the contribution of the tourism sector to 8.1 percent of the gross domestic product from the current 5.8 percent; and “directly employ 6.8 million that will account for 17 percent of total employment.”

The 10 million tourist target of the NTDP is expected to increase the tourism sector’s GDP percentage to 9% by 2016.