Cagayan de Oro Times (May 11, 2013 Issue)

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Vol. 1 | No. 41 | Cagayan de Oro City | May 11, 2013

Veterans Affairs Office in LGUs to Better ServeVeterans and Families In support of Marikina City’s ordinance creating a City Veterans Affairs Office, the Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP) encourages all local government units to create a similar bureau that will take care of the needs of all of our veterans and their surviving spouses and families.

The local government of Marikina has passed Ordinance No. 9 series of 2013, known as “Ordinance creating the City Veterans Affairs Office (CVAO) in compliance with Article 16, section 7 of the Philippine Constitution stating that the state shall provide immediate and adequate care, benefits, and other forms of assistance to war veterans and veterans of military campaigns, their surviving spouses and orphans.

“What Marikina has done is a good example of how we should take care of our veterans”, said Atty. Ed Pilapil, former president of VFP- Sons and Daughters Association, Inc. In the case of CVAO in Marikina, it will be the one in charge to handle programs of the city government for veterans living in the city, informing them of their benefits, and making sure that they are provided with their respective benefits.

Pilapil, who is also the first nominee of Veterans Freedom Partylist (VFP) running this coming election, noted that, “providing assistance for our veterans is the very platform of the party.”

“We want to make sure that veterans will be well-

represented in Congress so that we can make legislations for the welfare of our veterans and their kin”, added Pilapil.

There are only less than twenty thousand WWII veterans who remained alive up to this day. While this number continue to lessen, still many surviving spouses and kin of veterans, some of them coming from far flung provincial areas, line up at the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) inside Camp Aguinaldo to follow-up on their benefits only to find out that they lack the proper documents.

The creation of veterans’ affairs offices in respective LGUs will also entail proper and efficient documentation for fast and reliable system of transactions.

POLL WATCH

Winston L. Mendoza, CEO of US-based Mendoza Solar LLC and Chairman of its Philippine affiliates Lim Solar Philippines and Lorenzana Energy International shakes hands with Seda Centrio Hotel Manager Lorenzo Tang. Mr. Mendoza has selected Seda Centrio as its hotel of choice in Cagayan de Oro for the accommodation, board and business functions of its companies and clients.

PHILIPPINE EVANGELICAL NETWORKS: Official Candidates for 2013!

VILLAR SIGNS COVENANT TO THE YOUTH After presenting her platforms for the youth, Nacionalista Party-Team PNoy senatorial candidate

Cynthia Villar, alongside Sen. Koko Pimentel, signs the Youth Covenant pledging to uphold the youth agenda - right to education, improvement of health and medical services, employment, environmental preservation, gender equality, good governance, among others – at Imperial Palace Hotel, Quezon City. Also present in the Youth Covenant signing is Ms. Mila Magsaysay, representing former Sen. Jun Magsaysay.

ADVERTORIAL

With local elections less than a week away, Philippine Evangelical Networks or PEN, with its advocacy is to stop graft and corruption endorsements and supports candidates who can provide ser vices to the public diligently and effectively. PEN has for the most part decided which candidates they're backing.

The PEN has finally and officially endorsed Vicente “Dongkoy” Emano for City Mayor, with his City ViceMayor Ian Acenas and Benjo Benaldo for the position of Congressman in district 1. The machinery gave its endorsements to Pepe Abbu, Inday Dahino, Dante Pajo, Maya Enteria, Alden Bacal, Annie Daba, Addie Barba, and Gil Banaag in district 1 City Council race and PEN also gave its full support to the district 2 candidates, Ian Mark Quiblat Nacaya running as congressional candidate together

with the city councilors namely: Nadya Emano, President Elipe, Leon Gan who is currently the acting city administrator, Jun Acenas, Noling Abujuela, Ramon Tabor, Juan Sia, and Alexander Dacer .

These candidates that PEN has endorsed are the candidates who have strong commitments in giving full services to the public without a doubt and hesitation regardless of its status and race. PEN, with its 75,000 members who will firmly vote straight with PaDayon Pilipino Team and Party List 1-AAMOVERS believe that, to stop graft and corruption, the people must be educated and conscious enough to save and not to sell the right to vote. In that way, the Candidates will not resort to the use of improper methods.

This coming 2013, PEN hopes, works and prays for an honest and sincere election.

PHILIPPINE EVANGELICAL NETWORKS: Official Candidates for 2013!

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| May 11, 2013

PROfiles

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Towards a new MisOr

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launted as one of the instruments for Misamis Oriental’s gateway to progress and development, Congressman Yevgeny Vicente “Bambi” Emano has never left the province, specifically Tagoloan and instead brought them to their peak of economic success plus high-end contributions to national development as well. Thus, Bambi served his constituents with full-pledged public service anchored on good will and righteous intention.

the second district of Misamis Oriental, pushed forward by thousands of people who believed in him and entrusted the second district to him.

Know more about Bambi Emano, a young public servant with a big heart.

Kind Kindred Congressman Yevgeny Vincente Emano, known to his friends and constituents as Bambi currently serves as a congressman for the second district of Misamis Oriental.

He graduated B.S. Agriculture from Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan on 1996. He is the proud son of Cagayan de Oro Mayor Vicente “Dongkoy” Emano and Mrs. Aloma Beja Emano and a good brother to Dr. Trisha Emano Yrasegue, Atty. Nadya Emano and Ms. Ivi Emano.

B a m b i i s o n e w i t h h i s f a t h e r ’s advocacies and planned programs for the upliftment of the whole province.

Kagay-anons have experienced how Mayor Dongkoy cared for them and further brought the city in bloom, in blossom and in boom.

Cong. Bambi is a member of the following 14th Congress committees: Vice Chairman, Public Safety and Order; Vice Chair man, Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development; Member for the Majority on Appropriations, Energy, Games and Amusements, Mindanao Affairs, Rural Development, Tourism, Trade and Industry, and Transportation.

He has passed, supported, and coauthored bills in the Congress, these include the following: (1) converted Danao Barangay High Sc hool and Linangkayanw Barangay High School into national high school, (2) converted Mindanao Polytec hnic State College into Mindanao University of Science and Technology, (3) passed Cheaper Medicines Bill, and (4) declared charter days of municipalities/cities in the second district as public holidays.

In addition, Bambi has initiated infrastructure projects to the second district including (1) 102 classrooms, multipurpose buildings and covered courts, (2) TESDA Training Center in Libertad, Misamis Oriental, (3) farm to market roads, (4) road concreting, (5) barangay roads, (6) road reblocking, (7) road rehabilitations, (8) revetments, (9) flood control, (10) electrification of 12 sitios, and (11) installation of water systems. He also enlisted projects for social services such as 183 multicabs for 183 barangays, free medicines, free hospitalization at Northern Mindanao Medical Center for almost 7,000 patients, rice and financial assistance (burial, calamities and other crisis situations), assistance to OFWs, CHED scholarships to more than 800 college scholars, TESDA scholarships to over 2,000 scholars, assistance to day care centers and cooperatives, and Iskolar ko ni Bambi (IKNB) 1, 343 scholars.

Also, to further serve the people for their medical needs, Cong. Bambi is the first congressman who put up an office in NMMC. Specifically, Cong. Bambi has authored some of the house bills whic h encompasses (1) HB 04512, An act converting the Baliwagan-man-ibay road traversing the m unicipalities of Balingasag and Claveria into a national road; (2) HB 04636, An act converting the Alae-PHIVIDEC bypass road in the municipalities of Tagoloan, Province Misamis Oriental and Manolo Fortic h, Bukidnon into a national road and; (3) HB 05720, An act converting the Naawan Barangay High Sc hool into Naawan National High Sc hool.

Dedication to Public Service Came from a family of public service threshold, Bambi has served Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental for nine years, three terms from 1998 to 2007. At 23, he became the youngest elected Mayor in the Philippines.

He manned the construction of Tagoloan Municipal Hall and in 2003, Tagoloan Community College was built, the first locally funded college in Mindanao.

With his efforts, he built classrooms for public schools also, provided irrigation for the farmers, assisted health care benefits, and managed the concreting of the roads to remote barangays.

Hence, he was chosen as the president of the League of Municipal Mayors in Misamis Oriental Chapter for one term (2004-2007).

Bambi was not contented in serving one municipality only; he aimed to help more and more people. In 2007, he was proclaimed as the congressman of MAR CH

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And has co-authored the following: (1) HB 03156, An act creating the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines authorizing the appropriation of funds therefore, (2) HB 03242, An act providing for strict regulation and stiffer penalties for the illegal/unlawful importation, manufacture, acquisition, sale, disposition or possession of explosives and c hemicals or accessories used in the manufacture of explosives, (3) HB 03292, An act increasing the penalties for election offenses attended by violence, (4) HB 04120, An act defining the liability of ship agents in the tramp ser vice, and (5) HB 04193, An act promoting the development, utilization and commercialization of renewable energy resources.

To give municipalities the time to celebrate and ac knowledged their culture and practices, Cong. Bambi has co-authored house bills also for special nonworking holidays to Tagoloan (HB 05765), Gitagum (HB 05766), Alubijid (HB 05767), Villanueva (HB 05768), Jasaan (HB 05770), Claveria (HB 05771), Liber tad (HB 05772), Naawan (HB 05773), and Manticao (HB 05774). He has created barangays into barangay poblacion 2 and 3 (HB 06315 and HB 06316) in Villanueva also.

Now, Bambi continues to aspire for the common good for the whole of Misamis Oriental. His drive to excellence and commitment to human resource development is of great stature. Bambi Cares, You Matter.

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High school students visit Globe Telecom’s concept store in Greenbelt 4 as part of their training under the company’s Junior Mobile Wizard program.

Globe Telecom connects with tech-savvy teens Some 23 high-school tech-savvy teens looking for worthwhile summer activity are getting their chance under Globe Telecom’s Junior Wizard program, which is expected to provide them valuable experiences and skills.

Pioneered in 2012, the Junior Mobile Wizard Program is a sixweek summer program offered to Globe employees’ high school children, who will be assisting in selected Globe concept stores in Metro Manila.

Under the program, these high school students are tasked to demonstrate and discuss the latest gadgets and mobile data services, as well as other Globe

offers and services. It provides an opportunity for them to learn outside of a campus setting as they interact with customers and gain experience working inside a Globe store.

“Because technology is so integrated in a teenager’s life, we believe that the program is a great opportunity for them to learn important social and entrepreneurial skills. We would like to capitalize in their immense interest in technology for them to experience a summer activity which we hope will teach them important lessons in life. Since they will be working alongside their parents’ colleagues, they

will have a taste of how Globe promotes an engaging and satisfying work culture,” said Globe Telecom President and CEO Ernest Cu. The program exhibits the Globe Way vision of transforming the lives of people, said Cu, adding the company is confident this year’s program will replicate the program’s success last year.

The summer program began with a three-day training ending with an actual in-store immersion at the Globe concept store in Greenbelt 4.

The students were assigned in 6 Globe stores located in Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao.

The Many Faces of the Teacher 2013 nominations deadline extended

To give more time for school associations, religious and partner organizations, and the school heads, students, and teachers to submit their nominations, the Bato Balani Foundation Inc (BBFI) and Diwa Learning Systems Inc announced that the submission of nominations for “The Many Faces of the Teacher” search is extended to May 15, 2013.

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ABAMIN representative Maxi Rodriguez calls for Natural Gas project in Mindanao

The Department of Energy has reported that the Davao to Agusan basin; the Cotabato basin which covers the Liguasan marsh; and the area straddling Sulu and Tawi-Tawi have been identified as having huge deposits of natural gas. Even the World Bank has conducted a study showing the feasibility of pursuing a natural gas project in Mindanao wherein they validated that there is a potential for use of natural gas in Mindanao; Because of this, Abante Mindanao Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. filed House Resolution 2623 (A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON REPORTS OF HUGE DEPOSITS OF NATURAL GAS IN MINDANAO AND THE FEASIBILITY OF HAVING A NATURAL GAS PROJECT IN THE ISLAND TO ANSWER THE CONTINUOUS ENERGY SHORTAGE THAT MINDANAO IS FACING).

He believes that it would be for the benefit of Mindanao if the $2.1 billion natural gas master plan of the Philippines be expanded to include the proposed natural gas project in Mindanao and has called on the proper authorities to look into this proposed project and study carefully the cost-efficiency of the project in order to ensure that any proposed developmental projects in Mindanao be something that the people in Mindanao can afford and enjoy.

ADVERTORIAL

Police deploys more personnel for election duties. Some 200 police officers from PRO-7, Cebu City, along with 200 more from PRO-10 will be deployed to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to compose the Special Board of Election Inspectors (SBEIs). (PSupt Ronnie Francis M. Cariaga/ PRO 10)

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month kick-off. Dr. Fe Marisa Mercado, OB-Gyne Oncologist and consultant of Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC), explains to the nurses, staff, personnel and officers in the provincial hospital what is Human Papillomaviros (HPV), diseases caused by this virus, how it is transmitted, the consequences, and ways of preventing it during the kick-off ceremony at NMMC, Capitol Compound on May 8. (Mark Anthony Dedoyco, PIA10)

4ID to uphold peace and security in the region after elections CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City---The 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division vowed to make the May 13, 2013 Elections safe, peaceful and successful.

Barely two weeks from his assumption last 26 April 2013, Brigadier General Ricardo R Visaya AFP, General Officer-In-Charge of 4ID already led this Army’s Division into new strategies in maintaining peace and security in the region which resulted to commendable accomplishments.

Since 28 April, the Diamond Troopers already initiated 13 encounters in compare to one by NPA rebels.

These government initiated encounters resulted to the recovery of five high-powered firearms (1-AK47, 1-M16, 2-M14, 1-Ingram machine pistol); five low-powered firearms (4-shotguns and 1-.38 cal. Pistol); hundreds of ammunitions in different calibers; 2 NPA surrendered and one NPA killed.

O t h e r r eb e l m a t e r i a l s t h a t we r e recovered by government troops include; 5-hand grenades, 5-improvised Bangalore

Torpedoes, 6-ignition switc hes, 6-firing devices, 8-blasting caps, rolls of electrical wires, and several backpacks containing subversive documents.

The 4ID is doubling-up its effort and intensified its conduct of combat and security operations relative to the upcoming elections on Monday, 13 May. “We will conduct a relentless and a massive security operation to make sure that our area of operation is prepared and safe for the coming elections”, Brigadier General Visaya said.

Major Leo Bongosia, 4ID Spokesman said, “We will hold to our mandate in keeping the region safe and secure even after the May elections. Yesterday’s clashes in Bukidnon and Gingoog City are manifestations of our soldier’s commitment to its duty in serving the people and communities.”

“Together with the PNP and support of the people, we can accomplish this mission of preserving peace and security in this part of Mindanao”, BGen Vizaya added.

SALINTUBIG Program. An elder of Daraghuyan tribal community, Bae Inatlawan—also known as Adelina Tarino (extreme right)—bangs a gong and recites a chant to call the spirits as she performs a ritual before the “Salintubig” forum starts in Bukidnon. She says the spirits of the earth, the spirits of their ancestors and spirits of the water reside in the mountain, where the bounty of springs and abundant water sources in the province flourish. The “Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig sa Lahat (Salintubig)” program is a DILG-implemented project where 16 towns in Bukidnon will benefit by gaining access to clean, safe and affordable drinking water. The solemn ritual is in recognition of the IPs customary rights to lands and resources covered by native titles as mandated in the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA).

(Zenaida D. Jagudilla/RLRBalistoy-PIA 10, Bukidnon)

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MASTERS AT THE GRASSROOTS PROGRAM -- Participants in the innovative seminar-workshop, dubbed as Masters in the Grassroots Program, pose with Dr. Crispin C. Maslog, lecturer and consultant of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) at the closing on April 27, 2013 of the seminar on Craft of Communication.

It is the first course of the innovative program that will lead to a Master’s degree in Journalism/Communication Management. The program is a partnership of the AIJC, Connective Language Learning Center and Pilgrim Christian College. The program is hosted by Pilgrim Christian College. (PCC photo release).

8,000 applicants troop to SM Malls in Mindanao Around 8,000 jobseekers trooped to SM malls in Mindanao on May 1 to join the nationwide Labor Day job fair.

A total of 3,457 job applicants and of the number, 80 were hired on the spot in SM City Davao; 2,184 jobseekers were registered in SM City Cagayan de Oro, 351 were hired on the spot; and 2,257 applicants were listed in SM City General Santos while 544 were hired on the spot.

Debby Go, SM Assistant Vice President for Mindanao, said many jobseekers lined up even before the mall opened.

"As early as 8:00am, there were already a handful job applicants and it went up to more than a thousand when we opened at 10:00am" she said.

In cooperation with the Department of Labor & Employment

(DOLE), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA), Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and ABS-CBN, 13,512 job vacancies were offered by 257 participating local and overseas companies.

The Labor Day event was the 6th mega job fair simultaneously held across 46 SM malls nationwide and its objective was to bring employers together to lessen the inconveniences of job seekers and to provide opportunities for gainful employment to Filipino workers.

SM Supermalls has served as a catalyst in creating employment and business opportunities in all areas where they are located, and the job fair is one way in which SM can do its share for the community "PryceGas Inc. has tapped the city's leading running events organizer- Circle Productions Inc. for the 2nd edition of the PryceGas International Marathon to be held on Dec 15, 2013 at Pryce Memorial Gardens" Watch out for more details to be announced soon!

(In Photo) Circle Productions, Inc. officials' Jeff Ang & Francis Velasquez and PryceGas Inc.' Rafael EscaĂąo & other company officers sign an agreement for the 2nd edition of the PryceGas International Marathon

R E A D! www.businessweekmindanao.com

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Points of View

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Hammer and anvil

SUPER BRANDING

Mike Baños

Political Suicide with Laguindingan Is the Aquino administration hell bent on having its chosen candidates in Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental clobbered during the mid-term elections next week?

That’s the impression we get from the growing list of miscues which have been coming through us from PNoy’s cordon sanitaire who pass themselves off as his advisers with regards to the Laguindingan Airport.

First: there was this decision to prematurely open it on April 30 (since moved to June 15) even before its safety and navigational equipment have been installed and commissioned. The scuttlebutt from the Palace says the national interest calls for the people of Region X to sacrifice by having half of its current number of flights cancelled and the region’s economy shot to hell in the interest of relieving the congestion at NAIA. Here’s how the convoluted logic behind this goes: by moving civil aviation and fish cars to Subic, and the Philippine Air Force’s (now station in Subic) 15th Strike Wing to Lumbia, and thence commercial aviation to Laguindingan, Region X would have saved the day for the

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CAGAYAN TIMES Publisher ROSE MARY D. SUDARIA, Ph.D. General Manager SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY Editor-in-Chief CHRISTINE CABIASA Associate Editor RONALD MASTAIL Art Director 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

Member: Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (Oro Chamber)

entire nation by declogging domestic air traffic at NAIA. Hello? Are the people of Region X so expendable that air commuters’ lives can be placed on the line by limiting airline pilots to Visual Flight Rules (VFR, meaning no instruments to guide them in) when taking off and landing in Laguindingan?

Similarly, with the 50 percent slash in the number of existing flights to Lumbia, are Region X’s people sacrificial lamns to take the brunt of the economic backlash arising from this?

Recall how PNoy’s Liberal Party flag bearers in Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro are in for the fight of their lives against an entrenched political dynasty who’s already held sway in the province and the city for over two decades. Ramming unpopular decisions down voters’ throats especially when it concerns their personal safety and household income sure at this time doesn’t sound like such a good idea.

Or is PNoy just doing this for spite for finishing a far second to Erap during the last elections in these two areas, and never mind if it was a very respectable second place thanks to civil society groups who answered the challenge to campaign in his behalf despite receiving practcally zero finances and logistics from the LP and spending their own funds to campaign for him in the face of the well-funded Erap campaign financed by the presumptive president-tobe?

As if turning a deaf ear to the Regional Development Council-X (headed by LP stalwart and Iligan Mayor Lawrence Cruz, no less) and civil society groups wasn’t enough, the latest word from the Department of Transportation and Communications is that the bidding for the privatization of its Laguindingan’s airport and maintenance (O & M) would now be put on hold since it hasn’t established its traffic patterns yet. This, despite Laguindingan already surpassing its design capacity of 1.6 million passengers for 2012 with 1.622 million passengers in Lumbia airport last year which it’s designed to replace.

Bidders ostensibly need the figure to properly couch their bids. However, three of the country’s leading conglomerates having already expressed their interest to operate it. We have no idea what further traffic patterns DOTC expects from Laguindingan.

One doesn’t have to look further than how the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) now operates Lumbia airport: overcharging taxis and favored operators, dirty and inoperable toilets, inadequate space and sitting in the pre-departure area, no security for arriving passengers luggage, to name a few, to appreciate why business organizations like the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Region X (PCCI-X) and RDC-X doesn’t want the CAAP to operate Laguindingan airport.

Consider further, how DOTC Usec. Jose Perpetou Lotilla explained the reason for the deferment of the O&M privation is that the installation, testing and commissioning of an Air Navigation System, Aeronautical Ground Lighting and Control System, Substation High Voltage and Low Voltage Electrical Equipment for Laguindingan airport’s night and inclement weather operations affects the government’s timeline in bidding out the operation and maintenance contracts.

Hello? Usec. Lotilla, excuse us sir, but do you mean to say you can postpone the bidding for the O&M contract because these facilities are not ready yet in the same breath allow airliners full of passengers to land on it already? Mas importante po ba iyong pera sa buhay ng mga tao?

Someone better get the word to PNoy how he is alienating more voters daily from his chosen LP standard bearers before he gets the surprise of his life when the counting starts. The Aquino magic may work in other areas, but the brouhaha raised by all the wrong moves about Laguindingan could be the straw that broke the camel’s back for LP candidates in Region X.

harry tambuatco

Our Politics “We need to generate jobs” is a priority we need to attend you and at once!

No amount of credit up-grades and economic data together with the stock market will help improve the lives of the poor. Similar to the main issues facing America, we too require the creation of jobs and this we can only achieve thru Foreign Direct Investments/ FDI or the rich in this country to invest their billions in generating more jobs other than sheer aggregates of monies in bank.

While we cannot force the rich towards nation building we can at least attract FDI’s.

We require starting up manufacturing once again to employ large numbers of people but how are we to achieve this if the rich and powerful sitting on our power plants and its distribution charge exorbitant fees.

High utility costs will discourage manufacturing. With political will this may be possible but will the “haciendero” even consider this?

Our institutions are unstable and degenerating to date. Our courts are feeble with the authorities overpowering its very existence.

Our democracy is in trouble with the oppression of the majority. The educational institutions are weak with the population refusing to slow down.

Our politics are inconsistent with nation building other than funds pocketed by the oligarchs. The elections are in trouble with an integrity that is shaky.

Are we on the road to perdition? The gullibility of the masses and the directions media has taken will only worsen the situation. The rich is getting disgustingly richer while the poor simply forgotten.

There is a need to save the country and our savior has to rise now, not in three years.

It will require strong political will to reverse the trends now consuming the country with our institutions disintegrating.

On CNN we are treated to interviews of how emerging the state of the nation is by the suits that assess the situation with their banks operating in the country.

But the people feel no less inspired other than the cost of food and water rising to unaffordable levels. Incompetent managers at the helm for public service has frustrated the needs of the people be it for the most basic if not for redress.

Labor Day has come and gone with more promises for studying the issues as promoted.

The sincerity of our president is not questioned but the strategic management of government offices are left wanting. We are in dire need for action now!

Let us see the infrastructure build-up now.

Let us employ millions with the FDI’s for manufacturing other than the promises made.

Let us spend the savings to employ the jobless.

Let us improve our food security and utilize our natural resources.

While improving tax collection...

Let us eradicate incompetence in the government bureaus.

Let us eradicate dynasties forever.

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Feature

A man with a strategy

Business is a “come and go”.

If you can’t handle it well, it will surely go down. So, in planning a business you just need to take the first step. It’s similar to life, you have to get up and make your own opportunity.

But if you will just sitting there and do nothing. You’ll get nothing. You’ll never know one day you wake up and you’re embracing freedom. I’m talking about financial security.

We hear lots of people coming from the business sides and became one of the riches people in our society. In fact, their lives have become a source of inspiration for others.

But there are people who are not really on that level yet, however they are nourishing their business to be a successful one.

Just like Nick Minas, a 42

years old businessman. He is a father with 3 kids, a loving husband and most especially a boss in his own business. The name of his store is Nikka, Nikko, Nikki fruits and vegetable dealer, dealing vegetables and fruits in different places in the country.

He started in 1998. For fifteen years in his business; Nick wanted to assure his family that his business will become stable and bigger.

When he was second year high school, his grandfather always sends him to places to sell vegetables.

He went to Cebu and other places as a working student per se. “That's where the spark started I got this idea of business from my grandfather”.

At a young age, it was hard for him to deal with the situation

but later as he ventured into the business, his labor will be rewarded and served as his training ground towards success.

“I’ve tasted the bitterness of life, in my studies I’ve never got a full support; I’m only a college level but to all the sorrows and pain I’ve been through I have no regrets yet… those dark times I knew how to budget and know how to use my money.

It’s a blessing in disguise” said Nick. “if I am only an employee, I would have never reached where I am now right now.

This is a testament that ac hieving financial security had nothing to do with what we learned in school. It is more about who we are at the core, as Nick says “a lot of determination, perseverance and strategy is the key to progress in life.”

May 11, 2013

|7

Kirk Ellen B. Liponhay Liceo U MassComm Intern

N ow h i s f a m i l y i s h i s inspiration to work even harder.

Nick has a dream for his kids to be professionals someday before they will inherit his business.

He is teaches his children the discipline of handling money. He doesn’t want that his children to experience what he has experienced. “I don’t want them to have problems in paying tuitions; I want them to bother only in answering their exams” Nick noted.

True indeed, he is now in his peek. He can be called a successful businessman. But he doesn’t want to be called that way. Because it might be others will bully him and compare his life to them. All what he got is a “blessing” from above.

Strategy is the basis why he feels financially secured.

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2,184 jobseekers flocked 111th Labor Day jobs fair

DOLE Asst. Secretary Gloria Tango gives her message during the Jobs Bridging Activity

Taking the risk Kirk Ellen B. Liponhay Liceo U MassComm Intern

College - the place to discover one’s self and figure out what you’re going to possibly do for the rest of your life. Not all teen agers go to college. They might be too afraid to take the risk, financial problems, influenced by friends with drugs or fraternity, other just lazy because they don’t like to go in sc hool.

Why these things are happening?

Other are busy thinking if they will go to college or not, even when they are capable in making every things right.

Mayshele Ann M. Tadlas is grabbed the opportunity to make her life productive. Despite having a disability, she is ready to step closer to fulfill her dreams. When others believe that “a disability can be anything that prevents you from progressing in sc hool”, Mayshele thinks otherwise. No one will ever stop her from reac hing that goal.

She’s 17 years old, a BSBA-BM 1 student at Liceo de Cagayan University one of the prestigious universities here in Cagayan de Oro. In sc hool, she felt the pressure.

For her college is mixed with different people, others will stare at her, but she never minded that.

As long as she knows she’s not doing anything to harm others she’s confident enough to face the world.

She is thankful for his cousin who rolls her wheelc hair for her to go somewhere in sc hool, and every time she has a class his cousin always fetc hes her.

Her situation is already inborn.

While growing, her family is always there - loving her and making every moment of her life worthwhile. “my family is very supportive to me,

Cagayan de Oro – The Tec hnical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) – 10 conducts jobs bridging activity dubbed as “Hanapbuhay Para sa mga TESDA Specialista” side by side with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) – 10 Job Fair Activity during the 111th Labor Day Celebration last May 1, 2013 at SM City Carpark, Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro. It is TESDA’s way of keeping its commitment help TVET graduates find jobs particularly the TESDA Specialistas.

A total of 107 agencies participated the job bridging comprising of 89 local and 18 overseas companies. Around 2,184 applicants were registered of which 1,600 were interviewed. Of the total interviewed applicants, 238 were HOTS (Hired On The Spot) for local employment while 113 were HOTS for overseas employment. Through the conduct of job fairs, employment of job seekers from employers seeking for

applicants is being facilitated.

Aside from the jobs bridging, Distinctive Area of Competency (DAC)-based skills demonstration were also conducted. It was participated by several Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs): Pilgrim Christian College, Culinary Institute of Cagayan de Oro PW Inc., Professional World Academy Misamis Inc., Iligan Computer Institute – CDO Branch, DATS Actual Technical Training Center, Jamaican F&B Training Center, Inc., Touche’ Technical Institute, Inc. and Misamis Oriental Institute of Science and Technology.

A one-stop shop of employment-based government agencies, including TESDA also offered services to assist applicants in their job-related needs.

The whole day activity was graced by DOLE Assistant Secretary Gloria Abragan Tango who also enjoyed the free personal services (manicure & pedicure) offered

by Tech-Voc schools.

I have nothing more to ask for”.

Mayshele noted.

Upon asking her if ever she blames the Lord. She said “once, but to complain is just a waste of time, I’m blessed, happy, and most especially thankful I owe it to God.” As the saying goes, God has planned and everything he made has a purpose.

One in five people are living with disabilities, yet we’ve known people with disabilities who became successful. Like Helen Adams Keller an American author, political activist and lecturer. She was the first deaf blind person to earn a Bac helor of Arts degree. And Ludwig van Beethoven regarded as one of the greatest composers in history.

And he ac hieved this despite being completely deaf for the last 25 years or so of his life. Who knows Mayshele might be one of them someday.

Mayshele emotionally stated “I’ve seen a lot of students striving hard in sc hool and any aspect of life, from that moment I said to myself, if they can, so can I.” She is full of dreams, and hope.

People like Mayshele are worthy to be respected and admired. She is here not to receive acknowledgment from us but she is here to give us a lesson and proved to us that real education is not more on fancy pens, iPads, or iPhones… it all about how you will take the risk.

Moreover, against all odds faith in God that motivates her, move on, and looks forward to life despite of her disability. How about you? Are DOLE Asst. Secretary Gloria Tango avails free personal you ready to take the risk? services of Touche’ Technical Institute, Inc. (at her back is TESDA 10 OIC Regional Director Edgar A. Sales)

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The Maya should be the Philippine’s National Bird Mike Baùos

The Philippine Eagle became the Philippine's National Bird when then Pres. Fidel Ramos issued Proclamation No. 615 on July 4, 1995.

We set aside the Maya (Monchura malacca jagori) as our national bird.

One of the 24 critically endangered species in the country, the Philippine Eagle is the second largest in the world, averaging about a meter in length with a wingspan of two meters.

As such, it is protected under Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources and Protection Act of 2001 such that the harming, killing or mere possession of one is punishable by 6-10 years imprisonment or a fine of P100, 000-P1 million.

But since the law was enacted, no one has been punished for harming or killing a Philippine Eagle,

although awareness has helped bail out those who fell into trouble, like the Eaglet recently caught in Cagayan de Oro suffering from some pellet shot wounds.

Due to the dwindling forests in Southern Mindanao, the raptors have been migrating to greener forests. One eagle requires 6080 square kilometers territory to sustain itself, so the estimated 180 surviving eagles would need 10,800 to 14,400 square kilometers territory, or 13-17% of Central Mindanao's remaining virgin forests.

So by the simple arithmetic of attrition, we'll very soon have the dubious distinction of having a dinosaur as our national bird, ergo the Philippine Eagle is a dead duck. Let's look further at the math of maintaining a single raptor: 60-80 square

kilometers? How many barangays, towns or cities have that large an area?

Or consider how much former Vice President Noli de Castro spent to nurture Kabayan, only to have it electrocuted at an electric post in Mount Apo National Park. Let's hope that's not an omen because most everyone in the media industry from which VP Kabayan comes from knows what 'nakuryente' means.

Now, unless we want to have a dead duck, er dead bird as a national symbol, maybe the sitting Boss Tsip can consider bringing back the ubiquitous Maya as our national bird.

The very reasons why Fidel Ramos chose to replace the Maya as the Philippine Eagle smacks of the Pinoy's unfortunate penchant to ape things Western, or American for that matter. Tabako

thought the Haribon the better of the Bald Eagle of the U.S. of A, but failed to see the virtues of the lowly maya which are more reflective of the Pinoy’s virtues and strengths as a people.

Without necessarily drawing a parallel between their relative sizes, hopefully it would be easy for the sitting president to recognize how between Maya and Eagle, the former is easily the winner of the two, and hence worthy of all the extra column inches and airing minutes media can spare to trumpet its winning attributes worthy of emulation by all Pinoys during these troubled times: The puny rice bird is a

survivor, able to weather man's depredations on its environment far better than the vanishing Philippine Eagle which needs an inordinately wide forest stand to sustain a small population.

Certainly, the latter's lifestyle has no place in a world reeling from global warming as a result of the wanton consumerism espoused by the glutton economies of the so-called G-7 which account for a mere fraction of the world's populace, yet consume over ninety percent of its resources.

Though small, the Maya is hardy yet ever merry in the company

of his kind; surviving in the forest, mines, cities and highways of men where the solitary Eagles and Falcons find certain destruction.

I have no quarrel with the fight to save the Philippine Eagle from extinction. Friends tell me it perches on top of a food chain which may snap here and there if and when it vanishes.

But national symbol for Pinoys it definitely is not.

That distinction belongs to the Maya because it is a national symbol that truly befits the Filipino and is a faithful reflection of his creed and ideals, and not a pathetic copycat of a former colonial master.

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Independent bishops support Villar’s senatorial bid THE country’s Catholic and nonCatholic independent bishops on Wednesday endorsed the senatorial bid of former Las Pinas Rep. Cynthia Villar during simple rites at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan.

Rev. Efraim Perez, president of the Independent Bishops Conference of the Philippines (IBCP), said they have chosen Villar due to her track record, competence and leadership which were proven during her nine years in Congress and as managing director of the Villar Foundation.

Villar served as President of the Lady Legislators of the House of Representatives in the 12th, 13thand 14th Congress.

During her term, landmark bills upholding the welfare of women, children and families were passed. These include the Magna Carta of Women, Anti-Trafficking of Women and Children, Anti-violence against Women, Protection of children in the workplace; Juvenile Justice System and the two versions of the Senior Citizens Act (2003 and 2010), among others.

She was also chairperson of the House Committee on Higher

& Technical Education and the Congressional Spouses Foundation from 1998 to 2000 and President of the Senate Spouses Foundation, Inc. from August 2006 to December 2008.

After the end of her term as congresswoman, Villar has since then sat as managing director of the Villar Foundation.

According to Perez, he personally endorsed Villar, who has earned the moniker “Misis HanepBuhay,” to his colleagues.

Saying he is not that close to the former lawmaker, he however believes in her incomparable prowess to make things happen.

“I personally believe that Madam Cynthia (Villar) is the ‘secret weapon’ in the success of her husband, Senator Manny Villar,” stressed Perez.

The outgoing senator, whose term ends in May 2013, was a Speaker of the House of Representatives and Senate President.

Perez said the former congresswoman and her equallycompetent husband have proven that poverty is not a hindrance to success.

“Ipinakita at pinatunayan nila

na ang isang mahirap na Pilipino ay pwede ring umangat sa buhay,” further said Perez.

He said they are throwing their support to the candidacy of Villar because they believe she should be in the Senate to continue her programs that would alleviate the lives of Filipino people from poverty.

“She has a clear vision which is touchable and reachable,” further stated Perez adding that President Noynoy would not include Villar in his ticket if he does not believe in her ability.

The ICBP is composed of Catholic and non-Catholic bishops nationwide. The following are the officers of ICBP: Bishop Ephraim Perez, President; Bishop James Antioquia, Vice President; Rev. Reynaldo Mapanoo, Secretary; and Rev. Fr. Jun Bernal, Secretary General.

For her part, Villar said she is elated with the latest endorsement coming from our independent bishops.

“This pledge of support is another boost to my senatorial candidacy, and I’m very thankful for the vote of confidence,” said Villar.

ADVERTORIAL

Villar Foundation turns over P1M for Iligan City Sendong memorial

ILIGAN CITY – The City government of Iligan has expressed gratitude to the Villar Foundation for the release of the cheque worth P1 million to put up the memorial for the victims of Typhoon Sendong in Iligan City, which was ravaged by the storm on December 17, 2011, when some 150,000 people were affected and destroyed agricultural products and properties worth P1.3-billion.

Vi c e M a y o r H e n r y C. Dy received the P1 million cheque from Villar Foundation representative Michael Regino, who turned over the cheque, in behalf of senatorial candidate Cynthia Villar, managing director of the said foundation, to the City Government of Iligan, through Vice Mayor Dy, May 8, 2013, at the latter’s office.

Last December, former Las Piñas representative Villar graced the groundbreaking ceremony of a memorial that will be built to honor the memory of those who died and went missing when Typhoon Sendong hit Iligan and Cagayan de Oro badly. She was joined in the ground-breaking ceremony

at the Serate Property on Hinaplanon Highway by Rep. Vicente Belmonte and Iligan local government officials.

Vice Mayor Dy said the out of the 7,000 Sendong victims in Iligan, more than 5,000 of them have already been relocated and given livelihood projects to cope with. The others, however, has remained being attended to due to lack of property for their relocation.

In her speech at the ceremony, Villar said that the Foundation is donating the amount to put up the memorial “not to prolong our sadness for losing our loved ones or our hardships for having lost our homes and livelihood. Rather, we will build this memorial so that we and the future generations will always remember those whom we lost and those who risked their own lives to help others survive.”

The Iligan memorial is is the second that the Villar Foundation is building for Typhoon Sendong’s victims.

The first one now stands at Golden Haven in Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City. It was inaugurated last October 25.

To further help the

residents of Iligan City, Villar donated a coconet decorticating machine and provided technical training to 40 families.

Coconet weaving is among the livelihood enterprises of the Villar Foundation.

Coconets, which are cheaper alternative to cement, are weaved using fiber produced by decorticating machine from waste coconut husks.

Vice Mayor Dy said the coconet project provided by the Villar Foundation for the Sendong victims in Iligan is doing well. “The DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) has ordered 100,000 rolls of coconet coir, but because there is not enough machine yet, they cannot produce that much.

We are still looking for ways to have more machines to meet the demand,” Dy said.

Regino also revealed that Rep. Belmonte continue to patronize the coconet products from Iligan by purchasing them for the DPWH’s use. Belmonte help finance the establishment of the building that now houses the coconet decorticating machine in Iligan City.

“The coconets that the

Iligan City Vice Mayor Henry C. Dy receives a cheque worth P1 million from Michael Regino (right) and Frederick Cerro (not in photo), who both represented LP senatorial candidate Cynthia Villar, managing director of Villar Foundation, for the establishment of a memorial for the victims of Typhoon Sendong in Iligan City. The first memorial has been put up in Cagayan de Oro City last October. Photo by Shaun Alejandrae Uy

families (of Sendong victims) will produce will be used as rip raps or slope protection for roads and highways that will be developed in Northern Mindanao. It can provide them with sustainable income,” said Villar during the ground-breaking ceremony last December.

Villar also emphasized

the urgent need for the people to participate in protecting the environment.

“This memorial will also serve to remind us of our important role as stewards of our environment that many lives were lost because of some people’s utter disrespect of the environment,” Villar said.

Sendong was one of the worst natural calamities that ever hit Mindanao and one of the deadliest cyclones to hit the Philippines in the last 12 years. It claimed the lives of more than 1,200 people and hundreds went missing.

[C.Ordonez/S.Uy/A.Felicilda]

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