businessweek mindanao (dec. 10-11, 2012)

Market Indicators

US$1 = P40.94 5,767.32 points

XX

FOREX PHISIX

AS of 5:58 Pm dec. 7, 2012 (friday)

9 cents

3.68points

BrieflyDestroyed fish cagesPANABO City -- Investors in Panabo City’s Mariculture Park are facing a bleak Christmas after they suffered millions of pesos in losses as a result of typhoon Pablo which ravaged the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Banganga, Davao Oriental on December 4. “At least P33.6 million worth of bangus and fish cages have been destroyed due to the typhoon and this is only a con-servative and partial estimate,” said Maria Lourdes Campeon of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-11, Wednesday. The Mariculture Park is the main money-earner of Panabo City generating an income-seed money of P601.65 million as of October 2012 from the initial seed money of only P235.8 million in 2006.

RoadshowBUTUAN City -- In line with the establishment of the Regional Competitiveness Council (RCC) the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) of the Philippines in cooperation of the Depart-ment of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga region conducted recently a roadshow, this City. The NCC Roadshow is anchored on the theme, “Boost-ing Regional Competitiveness through Public-Private Partner-ship.” During the roadshow, Guill-ermo Luz of the Makati Business Club and the current co-chair of NCC, discussed the Building the Regional Competitiveness and 2012 below Poverty Line Survey (BPLS) results.

Adventure trainingRAMON Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) Kool Adventure Camp (KAC) showcased its Professional Development Pro-grams in this year’s 39th Asian Regional Training and Develop-ment Organization (ARTDO) International Leadership and HRD Conference held recently at the Radison Blu Hotel. This year ’s conference theme is “Creating a Culture of Excellence Through Workplace Learning and Performance” and its tagline is “Enriching Borderless Learnvironments”. KAC creates power ful “Learnvironment” through its adventure-based training and development programs that are crafted through a holistic and collaborative consulting approach.

P15.00Issue No. 134, Volume III • December 10-11, 2012Monday-TuesdayCagayan de Oro City

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Price freeze ordered in typhoon-hit areas

PRICE FREEZE. A man in a bicycle passes through a house toppled down by typhoon Sendong in Cagayan de Oro on Tuesday last week. The government has ordered a price freeze on basic commodities in typhoon-ravaged areas in Mindanao.

photo by gerry gorit

A PRICE freeze on basic necessities is in force in Davao Oriental, Com-postela Valley and Surigao del Sur

- the three provinces badly hit by Typhoon ‘Pablo,’ the Department of Trade and In-dustry (DTI) said. The government has de-clared a state of calamity in the three provinces, thus prices of basic products must remain at prevailing levels for no more than 60 days, as prescribed by Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act. DTI Undersecreta r y Zenaida C. Maglaya told reporters that the supply

of basic goods in the three province remains normal, as retailers had stocked up more than usual in anticipation of higher demand during the Christmas season. Maglaya said the govern-ment stands ready to help if stocks of basic commodities are depleted. The DTI also

DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz (4th from left) pres-ents the DOLE Secretary Award of Distinction to Steag President and CEO Dr. Bodo Goerlich (5th from left) during the 8th Gawad Kaligtasan at Kalusugan (GKK) Ceremonies at the OHSC Auditorium in Quezon City. (photo provided)

Roxas enraged over non-repair of Hinatuan Doppler radarBy BONG D. FABECorrespondent

Doppler radar is not work-ing.” Interior and Local Gov-ernment Secretary Manuel

“MAYBE somebody’s hiding the truth that the Hinatuan

Araneta Roxas II expressed surprised when asked why the Doppler radar in Hi-

Steag gets DOLE-GKK awardDEPARTMENT of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz conferred to energy firm STEAG State Power Inc.

(SPI) the DOLE Secretary Award of Distinction for its meritorious achievements in promoting and implementing

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* PICNIC GROUNDS PLAYGROUND * CAFE * LUGE * MINI GOLF ROOM

ACCOMODATIONS

Economy2 Monday - Tuesday I Dec. 10-11, 2012 BusinessWeek www.businessweekmindanao.com


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November 2012 sees continuous inflation slow downBy JENNY RED, Contributor

ACCORDING to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), the slowed down movement of prices in November 2012 is due to the ample supply of agriculture and fish and lower prices of domestic petroleum.

slower increase in prices was observed in major food items such as fish (5.9% in November 2012 from 6.0% in October 2012), milk, cheese, and eggs (3.3% from 3.4%), and fruits (4.9% from 5.2%). This was also coupled with the decline in prices of veg-etables (-5.3% from -0.1%), and oils and fats (-4.9% from -4.5%). “Slower increases of prices in electricity, gas and other fuels were also observed in

The NEDA made this statement after the National Statistics Office (NSO) re-ported that headline inf la-tion eased to 2.8 percent in November 2012. “The abundant supply of agriculture and fishery

products in November 2012 resulted in greater annual reductions in the prices of various food items com-pared to the previous month,” said NEDA officer-in-charge (OIC) Rolando G. Tungpalan. According to Tungpalan,

November 2012 (3.1% from 4.9% last year) due to the contraction in Manila Elec-tric Company’s (Meralco) generation charge and the lower prices of kerosene and diesel,” said Tungpalan. As explained by Tungpa-lan and by citing industry sources, Meralco’s generation charge in November 2012 was lower by 2.7 percent (P0.16/kWh) against the same period in 2011 due to lower generation costs from

suppliers. He also said that prices of kerosene also slowed down, falling by 2.5 percent in No-vember 2012 from an increase of 3.5 percent in October 2012. Furthermore, diesel prices fell by 4.6 percent from 3.1 percent. “These were due to the trimmed trading price of Dubai crude in the interna-tional market, which con-tracted by 1.6 percent from a 4.8 percent growth in Oc-

tober 2012,” said Tungpalan. Bringing the year-to-date headline inf lation, mean-while, to a stable rate of 3.2 percent is November 2012’s record for consumer prices. “The average inf lation from January to November 2012 remains within the Development Budget Coor-dination Committee’s target range of 3.0 to 5.0 percent for 2012,” Tungpalan said. Core inf lation likewise

Govt’s infra projects favorable to M’danao’s construction industry

By BEN D. ARCHECorrespondent

billion to implement various infrastructure projects in Mindanao next year. At least 1.5 billion of the amount will be set aside for the develop-ment of road networks in various tourist destinations on the island. Augusto Manalo, PCA president said more proj-ects for infrastructure mean more opportunities for the construction industry. Mindanao will get 26 percent share of the total budget for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for 2013. Maria Catalina Cabral, DPWH assistant secretary said some P305 million will

go to Davao City for its tour-ism-infrastructure projects, Davao del Norte to get P395 million, Davao del Sur will take P365 million, and P470 million for Davao Oriental. Aside from the budget of the national government, infrastructure projects will also get some P1.96 billion from Saudi Arabia govern-ment. The amount will fund var-ious infrastructure projects including the P709-million Cotabato City East Diversion Road, P421-million Lake Lanao Circumferential Road, and the P414-million Basilan Circumferential Road.

DAVAO City – The govern-ment’s gesture to pour bil-lions of pesos in infrastruc-ture projects in Mindanao as it is envisioning a robust year in 2013 would be promising to the construction industry in the island especially in Davao Region. This has been the expecta-tion aired by the Philippine Constructors Association Inc. (PCA) during the re-cent Philconstruct Mind-anao 2012 forum at the SMX Convention Center of SM Premiere in Lanang here. The National Govern-ment has allotted some P7.7

Davao Norte opens one-stop souvenir shop in Tagum City

By BEN D. ARCHECorrespondent

TAGUM City – A new sou-venir and gift shop selling

the best native products and delicacies in Davao del Norte is now open for business here in this city. Named as the Produkto Davnor Pasalubong Center, this facility supports the sales and marketing of all the products of One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) of the local government units (LGUs) of the province. The center, also an outlet for the merchandise produced by the Ugmad Komunidad project beneficiaries, is con-veniently located inside the building of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) within the Provincial Capitol site in Barangay Mankilam here. Aside from aiming to boost the productivity of the micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) in the province, the project also shows the thrust of the provincial government in public-private partnership since the Provincial Invest-ment Promotion Center and the Davao Government Of-ficials and Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative will jointly manage it. Other objectives of the center include generation of employment and revenue, ignite economic activity, and entice people to come and buy products like cacao, banana chips, coco sugar, baskets, sweet corn, rice, banana paper and other local but

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Economy

3Monday - Tuesday I Dec. 10-11, 2012BusinessWeek www.businessweekmindanao.com


Corporate.World4 Monday - Tuesday I Dec. 10-11, 2012 BusinessWeek www.businessweekmindanao.com


In a world where standing out matters more than blending

in, one must be able to rise above the clutter. SM Accessories, the Fashion Accessories Authority, is known as the style-setter and star of wardrobes of the country’s hottest and most stylish set. Aside from being the biggest accessories mecca in the country, SM Accessories boasts of colors, styles, and designs that ulti-mately make one stand out from the rest. SM Accessories is known for chic, trendsetting items that are consistently spot-ted on the country’s who’s who. To seal the brand’s

position in the industry, last November 15, SM Accessories gathered the “it” crowd at Repub-liq Club for a night of fashion, glamour, and so-phistication that featured a spectacle of trends to push the fashion envelope from typical, to extraordinary. Fash-ionistas and partyphiles alike witnessed the grand unveiling of the Supreme Four of SM Accessories: Xian Lim, Georgina Wil-son, Richard Gutierrez, and Anne Curtis through an elaborate produc-tion which featured the brand’s Holiday Col-lection, styled by Millet Arzaga and celebrated fashion stylist Liz Uy.

The Hunter Street Collection showcased pieces with eclectic prints fit for the free-spirited people of the world type; Urban Glam featured sleek, tapered and classy pieces; Baroque show-cased pieces highlighting sophisticated elegance; Blue Royale will be a definite standout with its regal and eye-catching pieces. With this, the Holiday Collection be-came the perfect epitome of the Supreme Four. The star-studded event was graced by per-sonalities from all over the industry; celebrities like Annabelle Rama, Ed-die Gutierrez, Raymond

Gutierrez, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Nancy Casti-glione, Sarah Lahbati, Frencheska Farr, Kylie Padilla, Rocco Nacino, Enzo Pineda, PBB Teens housemates Ivan Dorschner, James Reid, Bret Jackson, and Devon Seron, One Mega’s Sari Yap, Preview’s Lyca Puno and Anna Canlas, and supermodel Danica Magpantay. Also spot-ted were Marie Lozano, IC Mendoza, Bianca Roque and Chino Lui Pio who were cover-ing the launch. Guests danced to the beats of crowd favorite DJ Mars Miranda, and were treated to prizes such as SMART Bro Tablets and an iPhone, courtesy of SMART. The event was sponsored by Max Factor and SMART. With the addition of Xian, Georgina, Richard, and Anne to their roster of ambassadors, SM Ac-cessories definitely made its mark as the Philip-pines’ Fashion Accesso-ries Authority.

GSIS makes emergency loans available to

typhoon Pablo victimsMEMBERS of the Govern-ment Service Insurance System (GSIS) who have been hit by typhoon Pablo may now apply for emer-gency loans. In a statement released this morning, GSIS, the pension fund for gov-ernment employees, said members may borrow up to P20,000 under its emer-gency loan program. They will pay a 6% an-nual interest on the loans, which are payable in three years, although payment will start only after three months the loan is released. Members may file their loan applications begin-ning today up to Jan. 5. Those residing and/or working in areas that are in a state of calamity, as declared by the Sang-guniang Panlalawigan or Panglungsod and approved by the GSIS Board of Trust-ees, are eligible. For typhoon Pablo, the approved disaster areas are: Bukidnon, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Oc-cidental, Zamboanga del Norte, Camiguin, Surigao

del Norte, Siargao, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Province, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte, Samal Island, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, North Cotabato, Zambo-anga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Maguindanao, Bohol, Siquijor, Southern Cebu, Southern Negros Oriental, Southern Ne-gros Occidental, Southern Leyte, Antique, Iloilo and Camotes Island. Members should also be in active service; have no pending criminal or administrative charges; have no arrears in the payment of his or her man-datory social insurance contributions; and have no loan in default. They may apply for the loan through GSIS’ wireless automated pro-cessing system (GWAPS) kiosks using their e-Card or their unified multi-purpose identif ication (UMID) card. Those who do not have an e-Card or UMID card can file their applications at any GSIS office.

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Peso rebounds as remittances surgeTHE PESO posted a slight gain against the dollar on Friday even after the Euro-pean Central Bank (ECB) slashed its growth outlook for the euro zone for 2013. The local unit closed at P40.945 per dollar, gain-ing back two centavos after plunging by eleven and a half centavos to settle at P40.965 per dollar on Thursday. “Despite negative news from the euro zone, the peso strengthened against the dol-lar on Friday, still on the back of remittance inflows and as investors sold dollars ahead of the weekend,” a trader said in a phone interview. Overseas Filipinos typi-

grow by only 0.3% next year, cutting its earlier forecast of a 0.5% growth for the 17 members of the single-currency bloc. In a separate phone in-terview, another trader said, “the peso strengthened as investors purchased local assets, which was ref lected in the PSEi ’s (Philippine Stock Exchange index) strong performance.” The PSEi advanced by 0.53% or 30.56 points to close at 5,794.20, its 36th record high for the year. Dollars traded on Friday rose to $861.20 million from the $676.40 million worth traded the previous day.

cally send remittances to families back home during the Christmas season.

The ECB during its policy meeting last Thursday said the euro zone is projected to

Citigroup to cut 11,000 jobsNEW YORK -- US banking giant Citigroup’s new chief executive on Wednesday announced a cut of 4% of its global work force, less than two months after a shock board move forced out CEO Vikram Pandit. Michael Corbat, who took the lead of the mega-bank on Oct. 16, said Citigroup would slice more than 11,000 jobs, mostly in its global consumer banking division, and take a $1-billion charge in the 2012 fourth quarter and another

$100 million in the first half of next year. Investors welcomed the news: the shares gained 6.5% to $36.50 in early afternoon trade. Citigroup said it would “significantly” scale back operations in Pakistan, Tur-key, Paraguay, Uruguay and Romania. Other markets affected by the cuts include the United States, Brazil, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Hungary. Around 6,200 of the job

cuts will be in the consumer banking division as Citi pushes a strategy of focusing on the 150 cities around the world “that have the highest growth potential in consumer banking.” “While we are commit-ted to -- and our strategy continues to leverage -- our unparalleled global network and footprint, we have identi-fied areas and products where our scale does not provide for meaningful returns,” said Mr. Corbat.

“And we will further in-crease our operating effi-ciency by reducing excess ca-pacity and expenses, whether they center on technology, real estate or simplifying our operations.” The actions came seven weeks after Citi veteran Mr. Corbat was named to run the bank following the shock sacking of Mr. Pandit and Mr. Pandit’s top aide in an unexpected board move. There has been no official

jobs/PAGE 9

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China-made motorcycle sales grow in PHSALES of four Japanese motorcycle makers have dropped by double digits in the first eight months of the year, as Chinese brands eat into the Philippine market. Yamaha Motor Philip-pines Inc president Takeshi Yano said industry sales in the first 8 months fell 2 percent, with the “Big Four” Japanese brands - Yamaha, Honda Philippines Inc, Ka-wasaki Motors Philippines Corp and Suzuki Philippines Inc - suffering a 14 percent contraction. In contrast , Chinese brands enjoyed a 20 percent increase in sales, eroding the Japanese brands’ market share, which fell to 63 percent this year from 68 percent last

year. Yano blamed the slowdown in sales on public concern over the safety of motorcycle riding. Amid the proliferation of

Chinese-made motorcycles in the Philippines, the four Japanese motorcycle mak-ers on Friday launched a joint campaign against use of fake parts and components

imported from China. Dubbed “Original na Bida,” the campaign is aimed at encouraging buyers and owners to purchase only the original Japanese-designed motorcycles and parts. “With these four manufac-turers, the public is guaranteed of high-quality motorcycles backed by extensive research and development, strict qual-ity control and thorough product testing even before each one is introduced to the market,” the companies said. “Buyers are assured that they get high quality parts and authentic Japanese de-sign. Aside from that, the ‘Big 4’ provides after-sales service through authorized dealers nationwide. In line

with their commitment to safety, these companies also offer safety-riding programs and recreational activities to their respective customers,” they said. “Among the motorcycle manufacturers, the [Japanese brands] are known for strict compliance with government manufacturing regulations and standards,” they added. Generoso J. Paralisan, Honda Philippines assistant vice president for external affairs, told reporters that the four companies have already filed before the Intellectual Property Office of the Philip-pines cases against retailers of fake parts and components, which are believed to be im-ported from China.

Paralisan said these err-ing retailers should be made liable for infringement of trademarks and designs as well as unfair competition. Department of Transpor-tation and Communications Assistant Secretary Dante M. Lantin said 12 percent of vehicular accidents in the country stem from ehicle defects, mainly due to sub-standard parts. Citing a University of the Philippines-National Center for Transportation Studies survey, Lantin said many buy-ers were not in the know with regards to safety standards. Of the 6.2 million regis-tered motor vehicles in the country, 3.8 million are mo-torcycles.

Senate bill: No ICC seal on helmets, no motorcycle registrationSENATOR Gregorio Honasan on Monday filed a bill seeking to make helmet inspection be done simultaneously with the motorcycle registrat ion as a more proactive and preventive approach to secure the safety of motorists. “Motorc ycle r iders using helmets which do not bear the product standard (PS) mark or Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers issued by the BPS (Bureau of Products Standard) upon the effectivity of this act shall be required to present their helmets for inspection at the same time when they apply for a renewal of their motorcycle registration with the LTO (Land

Transportation Office),” Honasan said. In his explanatory note in Senate bill 3331, Honasan said that under the law, any person caught driving without wearing the standard protective motorcycle helmet bearing the PS mark or ICC seal shall be penalized in a manner provided therein. “This bill further strengthens the guidelines to ensure that the standard protective motor-cycle helmets meet the minimum component requirement such as the hard outer shell, expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) layer, comfort l ining and retention strap,” Honasan explained. These standards shall be re-

viewed every five (5) years. Honasan said that under Re-public Act (RA) No. 10054 or the Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009 declares as a policy of the State “to secure and safeguard its citizenry, particularly the op-erators or drivers of motorcycles and their passengers, from the ruinous and extremely injurious effects of fatal or life threatening accidents and crashes.” Thus, “the State shall pursue a more proactive and preventive approach to secure the safety of motorists, their passengers and pedestrians at all times through the mandatory enforcement of the use of standard protective helmet.” (Sec. 2, RA 10054)

The full implementation of the said law was originally scheduled on 1 August 2012 as stipulated in the Joint Administrative Order formulated by the Department of Transportation and Communica-tions (DOTC) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). However, the DOTC ordered the Land Transportation Office to defer enforcement of the law unti l 31 December 2012. The order was in line with the DTI’s request to give them more time to inspect all the helmets that are coming into the country and to ensure that all helmets bear the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) seal issued by the Bureau of Products Standard (BPS).

Opinion6 Monday-Tuesday I Dec. 10-11, 2012 BusinessWeek www.businessweekmindanao.com


bUNYe/PAGE 7

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What Language Do You Speak?

Banco Filipino fiasco

THINK a minute… A woman was telling her husband that she wanted him to tell her more often that he loved her. Her surprised husband said: “Tell you what? Wom-an, when I married you 17 years ago I told you ‘I love you’. If I change my mind, I’ll let you know!” They say that there are 5 languages of love. And the reason many marriages are not happy is that husbands and wives speak different languages to express and show their love. The problem is we simply haven’t learned each other’s love language. For example, have you ever wished your wife or husband would do some-thing special that would mean a lot to you, but in-stead they did something else that they like, so you

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pili-pinas has been vindicated in a decision recently issued by the Court of Appeals (CA), which effectively denied the petition by Banco Filipino investors to reopen the be-leaguered bank. “Unless the Banco Filipino can specify its indepen-dent and strong financial commitment to address its present predicament, we do not see any cogent

felt hurt and disappointed? You see, it could be that neither you nor your mate has learned each other’s love language. Since we each are different, whatever makes you really happy may not be the same for your wife or husband. Here are the 5 main love languages people use to show love. First, is serv-ing and doing things for your spouse—like cooking a meal, cleaning house, helping with the kids, or cutting the grass. Second, is physical touch-ing and closeness. Being affectionate and express-ing love physically. The third language of love is giving gifts, like surprising your wife or husband with presents, not just on their birthday or anniversary. The fourth language of love is talking. Actually telling

your wife or husband how much you love and appreci-ate them. Saying things that make them feel good about themselves and secure in your love for her or him. Getting to really know how your wife or husband is understanding and feeling what they’re going through by talking and listening each day. And the fifth language of love is spending time alone together without the kids. This could be taking walks, going out on a date for a meal, or whatever the two of you enjoy doing together. And if you don’t know, then find something! Be willing to compromise once in a while and do what your wife or husband enjoys for a change. If husbands and wives would learn each other’s love language and start loving each other the way

the other person wants to be loved, we’d have much closer, happier marriages and families. But because we’re human and mostly self-centered lovers, we need Jesus Christ to forgive us and start chang-ing our hearts. It’s only then we can learn how to love our mate well, and enjoy a happy, satisfying life together. Just think a minute…

Pablo & Public Health Issues

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ciMAgAlA/PAGE 7

JHAN TIAFAU HURST

Think a minute

FR. ROY CIMAGALA

Hints and traces

Speaking out

IGNACIO BUNYE

reason to sustain its sought rehabilitation, much less its re-opening, at this time,” the CA said in a decision promulgated on November 21, 2012. The appellate court re-versed its earlier judgment issued in January 2012, which had granted the pe-tition of Banco Filipino Savings and Mortgage Bank stockholders. The Banco Filipino had asked the court to prevent the Bangko Sentral, its Mon-etary Board (MB), and the Philippine Deposit Insur-ance Corporation (PDIC) from enforcing and imple-menting MB Resolution No. 372-A, which closed the bank for insolvency in early 2011. Citing grave abuse of discretion, the January 2012 judgment also ordered the BSP and the Monetary Board to reopen Banco Fili-

pino and allow it to operate with a “viable rehabilitation plan, in order to ensure fast and immediate recovery of the bank from the ill-effects of the illegal closure.” However, in its most recent decision, the ap-pellate court stressed that the Bangko Sentral “is the central monetary authority of the Government which has the statutory duty to supervise the operations of banks and to exercise regulatory powers thereon.” The CA also pointed out that consistent with the BSP-MB’s findings on Banco Filipino’s insolvency, the PDIC likewise discovered that while Banco Filipino’s assets amounted to around P11.77 billion, its liabilities amounted to around P23.02 billion as of its closure date. The appellate court fur-ther explained that the BSP, the MB and the PDIC “have

AS of this writing , the heavy rains and strong winds that Pablo dumped in the City of Golden Friendship is on-going, add to it, the brown out and the fear of getting out from the safety of my home. What saved the day for me, in my restlessness to become productive dur-ing those hours of getting holed in, was the full bat-tery charge of my laptop. I know for a fact that many Kagayanons remembered Sendong and its aftermath: I am not only concerned with the homes that were washed away, the death toll rising, but also, the diseases that are of public health concern. Flood waters have a po-tential to increase the risk of transmission of com-municable or contagious diseases. These may fall under either water borne or vector borne.

Considering that floods have a tendency to con-taminate the source of water supply, it is not uncommon to find, after the floods, an increasing number of people that may develop diarrheal disease, typhoid fever, hepatitis A, and Lep-tospirosis. Last time CDO was hit by a typhoon, there was a notable rise in the number of affected individuals with Leptospirosis, a disease that happens once the skin or mucous membranes get in touch with water contami-nated with rat urine. The Department of Health conducted information dis-semination as well as dis-tribution of the appropriate medicine , as a preventive measure. It is only when the dis-placement of a population and when the source of wa-ter supply is compromised that the other types of water

borne diseases as enumer-ated above can happen. Thus, it is a very impor-tant measure as part of the government’s risk reduction and disaster preparedness to involve the people in charge of the water systems. It is likewise good to make people realize that drinking water in times of flooding, should be boiled and placed in clean and safe containers. Proper disposal of waste is as important as the getting or clean and potable water. Another preventive mea-sure to help minimize water borne diseases, is vaccina-tion against Typhoid Fever and Hepatitis A, especially among the high risk groups, food and water handlers, waste or sewage workers. Floods bring about an increase in vector borne diseases too, like Malaria, Dengue Fever, as there is an expansion in the number and range of vector habitats.

Stagnant water, water in the unused tires, vases or cans caused by the heavy rainfall or the overflow of the river can act as breeding sites for mosquitoes which are the known vectors for Malaria and Dengue. Add to this, are the heavy congestion of evacuation centres where people are huddled together, with no

merely exercised their legal and statutory duties as ex-pressly granted to them by law.” “Considering al l the foregoing, we all the more disagree with this Court’s earlier finding of grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdic-tion on the part of any of the respondents BSP, the Monetary Board and the PDIC,” the CA declared in the decision penned by Associate Justice Noel G. Tijam, and concurred in by Associate Justice Ramon A. Cruz and Associate Justice Eduardo B. Peralta, Jr. The CA also mentioned the Banco Filipino’s lack of a financial plan should it be given the chance to resume its business. “This Court found partic-ularly disturbing the Banco Filipino’s admission that

BusinessWeek www.businessweekmindanao.com


Effectiveness of divine healing

There’s no doubt that a lot of people urgently need some healing, if not in the area of physical health, then in their emotional, mental and spiritual health. Many have gone through traumatic experiences and are left scarred, if not irreversibly damaged. We need to see this situ-ation that is getting wide-spread, getting more open than hidden, from the point of view of our faith. We cannot and should not just see it by our lonesome, relying only on our feelings and estimations. We need to see it from the point of view of God. That is where we can always find some healing that can come to us in many and mysterious forms. But it always comes, because God is a father, an omnipotent father full of love and compassion, who can never be indifferent to our predicaments. In fact, he reads our mind and heart better than we do, knows exactly what we need before we can even articulate it, and takes the initiative to come to our help and rescue even before we can ask. Thus, in the gospel we always see how Christ, just by seeing the needs, big or small, and the problems and miseries of the people, always came to the rescue. His heart cannot remain unmoved by this sight. This is the case for ex-ample of the widow whose

only son died, the crowd who was with Christ for three days to listen to him. Even the Samaritan woman who happened to coincide with him in the well re-ceived a gentle treatment that converted her. But all this also depends on whether we have faith, a living and functional faith. Thus, in the gospel we see how our Lord commended those who were asking for cures and miracles for their faith in him. A very moving story was that of the father of a possessed boy who in his great distress approached our Lord for a cure. When asked if he believed our Lord could cure his son, he immediately said, yes, “I believe,” and added, “but help my unbelief.” Even when our faith is still weak, our Lord comes to supplement. Just show it, no matter how weak, and God will do the rest. This is a point worth

Health in Focus

DR. MARY JEANLORECHE

7Monday-Tuesday I Dec. 10-11, 2012BusinessWeek www.businessweekmindanao.com


Bunye...from page 6

ly aware of this predicament because this is where we get blind and insensitive to the ever-ready and abundant compassion of Christ for us. It is this predicament that takes us down into a spiral of anguish and, sooner or later, despair, since we would not play God’s game but prefer to play our own. We need humility and simplicity for this faith to grow in us and remove us from our self-inflicted pre-dicament. It’s this humility and simplicity that will also make us persevere in our faith in God’s most compas-sionate omnipotence even when we don’t seem to get what we are asking for. Let’s remember that God always sees the whole pic-ture and that we often miss out many things in our per-ception of things, even with our best efforts. We have to always remain believing in God’s compassion. In this regard, together with humility and simplic-ity, for our faith to pros-per we also would need fortitude or toughness, as expressed in patience or in disregarding certain things that definitely are not working for our own good. This can mean our feel-ings and passions and mem-ory and the other expres-sions of our flesh that are still untouched by faith. Most of our problems stem from this—many people are unable to handle these wayward powers of ours and are in fact enslaved by them. We have to learn how to toughen it up, not mind-ing the negative impulses of these powers of ours. In fact, we should rather purify them, filling them with the assurance of our faith. We have to repeat many times, “Lord I believe, but help my unbelief.”

Cimagala...from page 6

protective clothing or mos-quito nets! It is to the pub-lic’s best interest, if, there is continuing education and awareness conducted: teaching them the warning signals for these diseases, thus, prompting them to seek immediate consul-tation. Remember, early detection and diagnosis saves lives, and minimize costs in terms of medica-tions and hospitalization. Health education is as important as the giving of medicines, in the prevention of diseases associated with flooding. Public health is-sues as these, will need the help and support of every member in the community.

Loreche...from page 6

even if respondents BSP-MB gave Banco Filipino the sought emergency loan, such amount will just be exhausted in a matter of days in view of the deposits which the bank currently services for its depositors,” the appellate court said. It added, “Sadly, this only confirms that Banco Filipino can no longer independently resume its business with safety to its creditors, depositors and the general public and/or that it can operate without incurring losses.” The CA also pointed out that in the absence of any commitment from the stockholders themselves to help rebuild the bank, the sought rehabilitation of Banco Filipino “would utterly rely only on public funds through loan grants from the BSP.” “This would be tanta-mount to a Government dole-out at the expense of public funds with no defi-nite guarantee of return,” the court stressed. The CA likewise pointed out that the BSP, as the “lender of last resort which aims to promote and pre-serve monetary stability and the convertibility of the national currency, can only extend loans and advances to banking in-stitutions for l iquidity purposes.” “Absent any sure safe-guard, it should not gamble public funds and thereby compromise the Nation’s monetary stability,” the appellate court emphasized in its decision. Note: You may email us at [email protected].

noting, because many of our problems today, and the continuing and har-rowing drama they create, are due to our lack of faith. Typical of this mentality is the common thought, often unspoken but from time to time verbalized, that miracles don’t happen anymore these days. So instead of faith, there is scepticism, as if God’s power is limited to the days of the gospel. It’s the same scepticism that was expressed by the towns-people of Christ himself who could not believe that their fellow townmate could speak so well and could do miracles. As a result, Christ left the place and refused to perform miracles there. We have to be more keen-

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu.

Allah, the Omnipotent and Most Be-nevolent have truly blessed us with a land that has been our home. The search of centuries has led us to an opportunity to realize who we are as a people and the future we wish to chart for ourselves and the many generations to come.

Certainly, we have come a long way. From the days when our fore-fathers took their stand to defend their land, their culture and its in-stitutions, and their character and honour, we commenced to define who we are as a people. Those who have come before us have chosen various ways to express our people’s dreams and, in the process, have offered their lives and lifetimes to what and who the Bangsamoro is. Today, we confidently say that their sacrifices are not in vain.

Fate has heard our people’s pleas and, over persistent struggles, has ushered us to where we are today: the chance to prove ourselves as a Bangsamoro that is capable of governing ourselves and determine our cherished tomorrow.

The establishment of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao 23 years ago was central to a proud people’s call to allow them the op-portunity to reflect on their desired future and preserve their identity as a Bangsamoro nation. In the process, ARMM became the potent vehicle where aspirations became realities and a people defined its own.

Our work sees no end for as long as the Bangsamoro people aspires for a future that holds dear the history of a proud nation and the road it blazed to be where it is and the sacrifices that have been willingly and unselfishly offered.

Let us all move forward and praise Allah for the gift of ARMM.

Happy 23rd ARMM anniversary to all.

MUJIV S. hATAMAN OIC Regional Governor-ARMM

MANILA, Phi l ippines - Ayala Land Inc., through unit Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts Corp. (AHRC), is set to launch the first in a series of its Seda hotels in December. The hotel, whose brand

Ayala Land launches own hotel brandis wholly owned by Ayala, will be located at Bonifacio Global City, one of Manila’s central business districts. This will be followed by a second Seda hotel in Cagayan de Oro. Seda Bonifacio Global

City will offer 179 rooms, while Seda Centrio in Cagay-an de Oro will house 150 rooms. Centrio is one of Ayala Land’s mixed-use de-velopments, which include offices and retail. In the next 14 months,

Ayala Land will add a total of 665 rooms, which will be spread out among 4 Seda ho-tels. Aside from the Bonifacio Global and Centrio hotels, the company will build two more in The Abreeza, Davao

AAYAlA/PAGE 9

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‘Exciting’ Mindanao mine findings cited

AN AUSTRALIA-BASED copper-gold miner last week announced its fourth high grade gold discovery in its Compostela Valley project, citing the project’s “exciting potential.” In a statement yesterday on its Web site, Mining Group Ltd. cited further findings of high-grade gold at barangay Tandawan with deposits of 18.16 grams-45.15 grams of

gold per ton of rock. “This latest discovery fur-ther highlights the exciting potential of Mining Group’s ComVal [Compostela Valley] project to host significant grade gold resources at sur-face,” Mining Group Man-aging Director Zeff Reeves said in the statement. The Tandawan prospect lies approximately 1 kilo-meter south of the Tagpura

copper deposit and 500 me-ters west of the Bayag Bayag copper prospect.

FOCUS “We now have several high-grade gold targets to drill and we will shift our focus to these areas over the coming months to further assess each of them and determine the most prospec-tive places to drill,” said Mr.

Expands regional network from Cebu THE Philippines’ largest national f lag carrier, Cebu Pacific (PSE:CEB) expands its regional network from Cebu, with the launch of direct twice weekly services to both Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. CEB will begin operat-ing a Tuesday, Saturday service from Cebu to Kuala Lumpur on December 8, 2012. The maiden flight will leave Cebu at 4:45pm, and arrive in Kuala Lumpur at 8:10pm. The return f light will depart Cebu at 8:55pm, and will arrive at 12:20am the next day. On December 9, 2012, CEB will launch its Thurs-day, Sunday service from Cebu to Bangkok. The f light wil l depart Cebu at 4:50pm, and arrive in Bangkok at 7:20pm. The return f light leaves Bang-kok at 8:10pm and arrives in Cebu at 12:40am the next day. CEB already operates approximately 25 weekly f lights from Cebu to Seoul (Incheon), Pusan, Hong Kong and Singapore. “Cebuanos can now book our trademark low-

Cebu Pacific launches Cebu to Kuala Lumpur

and Bangkok f lightsest fares for a weekend of adventure in Kuala Lumpur or shopping in Bangkok. We are confident these direct f lights will also contribute to Cebu’s booming tourism and travel industry, which remain one of our priorities. We will continue to grow our Cebu hub to encourage even more Juans to f ly,” said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog. She added that passen-gers can now take any of CEB’s 20 direct domestic flights to Cebu, and connect to South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Thailand. Sending off CEB’s first passengers from Cebu to Kuala Lumpur are Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Chief of Staff A r tem io Oroz co, a nd representatives from the Embassy of Malaysia, De-partment of Tourism, Lapu Lapu City, and travel and tourism associations in Cebu. The next day, Thai-land Ambassador Prasas Prasasvinitchai and govern-ment and tourism partners will send off CEB’s maiden f light from Cebu to Bang-

kok. “Congratu lat ions to Cebu Pacific on its inau-gural f light between Cebu and Bangkok!” said Ambas-sador Prasasvinitchai. “We hope this will fur-ther strengthen the rela-tionship between two great nations, and create pros-perity to both countries, especially in tourism,” said Embassy of Malaysia Tour-ism Attaché and Tourism Malaysia-Manila Director Masrina Mohd Bakri. For bookings and inqui-ries, guests can go to www.cebupacificair.com, or call the reservation hotlines (02) 7020-888 or (032) 230-8888. The latest seat sales and promos can also be found on CEB’s official Twitter and Facebook pages. CEB currently operates 10 Airbus A319, 23 Airbus A320 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. Its f leet of 41 air-craft is the one of the most modern aircraft f leets in the world. Between 2012 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 18 more Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft orders. It is slated to begin long-haul services in the 3rd quarter of 2013.

MiNe/PAGE 9

CAGAYAN DE ORO MAIN BRANChP & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers – Kalambagohan Sts.,

Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947CAMIGUIN BRANCh B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao,

Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491CORRALES BRANCh Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City

DIVISORIA BRANCh Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631

LAPASAN BRANCh Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro CityTel. # (088) 231-6739a

9Monday-Tuesday I Dec. 10-11, 2012BusinessWeek www.businessweekmindanao.com


Price...from page 1

help track weather distur-bances in detail to help warn and protect people from their wrath. The Hinatuan Doppler is the only one in Mindanao. It has a range of 300 kilometers. Other dopplers installed by Pagasa are in Baguio, Cebu, Subic and Tagaytay. Realizing the importance of the information, Roxas paused for a minute and asked the next reporter to give him time to write the information down before asking his question. He said will bring this to the atten-tion of the President. At the height of Typhoon Pablo, DOST’s Project NOAH website reinstated the Hi-natuan Doppler in its menu. But clicking on it provided no data. As of press time, it was not included in the Doppler menu of the website. Environmentalist Raoul Geollegue, former regional executive director of the Environment department in Northern Mindanao (DENR-10), said the Hinatuan dop-pler is very important. “But if it is broken, there are other real-time monitor-ing systems in other countries that can help us,” he told this reporter by mobile phone.

Roxas...from page 1

safety, health and environ-ment programs. The award was received by SPI President and CEO Dr. Bodo Goerlich during the 8th Gawad Kaligtasan at Kalusugan (GKK) ceremonies on 5 December 2012 at the OHSC Center in Quezon City. GKK is a nationwide program launched every two years by DOLE’s Occu-pational Health and Safety Center (OHSC) aimed at recognizing companies in the Philippines in the aspect of workplace safety, health and environment. The over-arching goal is to achieve zero workplace accident and productivity. SPI is among the 23 in-dustries honored by the labor department nationwide. OHSC Executive Direc-tor Ma Teresita Cuceoco said the GKK award is a “well-deserved recognition for the company’s efforts in the area of occupational safety and health, worthy of emulations by all industries nationwide”. SPI’s award winning best practices include the attain-ment of three (3) million safe man hours with zero lost time due to accident, the well entrenched workplace health, safety and security programs, community development and environmental protection initiatives, the integration of corporate responsibility in every aspect of business operations, aggressive well-ness campaigns and illness prevention programs, as well as operational eff iciency and achievement of business goals through a healthy and highly motivate workforce. Aside from the institu-tional award, SPI’s Environ-ment, Health and Safety (EHS) Officer Francis Libao had also been conferred with

Steag...from page 1

plans to hold Diskwento Caravans down south in case of blockades or areas cut off from supply chains. The price control in the three provinces covers the following basic necessities: rice; corn; bread; fresh, dried and canned fish and other marine products; fresh pork, beef and poultry meat; fresh eggs; fresh and processed milk; fresh vegetables; roots crops; coffee; sugar; cook-ing oil; salt; laundry soap; detergents; firewood; char-coal; candles; and drugs classif ied as essential by the Department of Health.--InterAksyon

Surigao del Sur has not been repaired yet after it was dam-aged by Tropical Storm Washi (Sendong) on December 16, 2011. Roxas also said that even President Benigno Simeon Aquino III was not aware that the Doppler radar sta-tion in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur was not working on the day. “I was not aware of that. It was never brought to the at-tention of President Aquino,” Roxas said in the open forum following the Provincial Di-saster Risk Reduction Man-agement Council briefing at the provincial capitol of Misamis Oriental Thursday. Hearing of Roxas’ reaction and subsequent statement, an environmentalist who requested not to be named said that Malacanang better investigate this because of the importance of the Hi-natuan Doppler to the rest of Mindanao. Pagasa said that Mind-anao is visited by typhoons and storms during the last quarter of the year because of the Northwest wind. The source said that if the President should make head rolls at the DOST or Pagasa for failing to inform him of the Hinatuan doppler’s status. He said that if President Aquino sacked Prisco Nilo for Pagasa’s failure to predict Typhoon Basyang would hit Metro Manila in 2010, all the more he should sack whoever is responsible for keeping the information of the Hinatuan doppler’s status a “secret.” The Doppler in Hinatuan, the only one in Mindanao, is very vital in safeguarding the lives of the people in times of storms and typhoons as it provides real-time informa-tion on a storm/typhoon’s wind velocity, rain density and other vital information that is uploaded immediately to the weather bureau’s as well as that of other Asian countries’ monitoring sta-tions. It is a vital cog to the effectively of the Project NOAH of the DOST. The Department of Sci-ence and Technology, which oversees the Philippine At-mospheric, Geophysical, As-tronomical Services Admin-istration (Pagasa) initiated the Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards to

the DOLE Secretary Award of Distinction under the individual category. SPI is the project com-pany of the 210 MW (net) Mindanao Coal Fired Power Plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental. It is majority owned by the German firm Steag GmbH, which is one of the largest electricity producers in Germany and a market leader in biomass power plants. SPI’s power plant uses state of the art power gen-eration technologies and is equipped with modern pollution prevention facili-ties including an on line Continuous Monitoring Sys-tem (CEMS) which can be publicly accessible through the Environmental Manage-ment Bureau. The power plant accounts for 20% of the island’s electric generation mix and has so far fulfilled its mandate of helping secure a stable and reliable source of power to Mindanao. Apart from ef-ficient and reliable power plant operations, SPI is also engaged in various social and environmental programs benefitting thousands of residents in its host com-munities in Mindanao.

and NUVALI projects that are scheduled to open in the first and last quarters of 2013, respectively. “There is such tremendous opportunity in the country’s f lourishing foreign and do-mestic tourist industries. Our Seda hotel line is well posi-tioned to capture more than its fair market share across various regions with our su-perior product and strategic location within Ayala Land’s mixed-use developments,” said Al Legaspi, AHRC Chief Operating Officer. These developments will come online as the Phil-ippine’s booming tourism industry is set to grow. The Department of Tourism is looking at 10 million tour-ists in 2016. At the recent briefing on the Philippines’ third quarter gross domes-tic product (GDP) growth, economic officials said they are expecting the tourism industry to give the country’s service sector a major boost in the next quarter. Ayala Land has also been looking at opportunities to create new tourism develop-ments in the Visayas region and is looking to shore up a landbank in the region within the next two to 3 years. “We have some (of the

Ayala...from page 7

land bank we need in the Visayas) but there are others that we are still working on. I think easily we should be talking about 1000 hectares or thereabout. We should be moving into that magnitude,” said ALI president Antonino Aquino at the sidelines of the recently held Asia Pa-cific Real Estate Investment Summit. Ayala Land currently has 634 branded hotel rooms in Hotel InterContinental Ma-nila and Cebu City Marriott, as well as 150 island resort rooms in Lagen, Miniloc and Apulit Island (formerly Club Noah) in El Nido in northern Palawan province. Revenues from Ayala’s hotel and resorts improved by 11% to P1.81 billion in the first 9 months, contributing to the conglomerate’s P6.6 billion net income for the period.

decelerated for the month of November 2012 to 3.4 percent against 3.6 percent recorded in the previous month or 4.5 percent in November 2011. “The lower core inf la-tion implies an easing of de-mand pressures on consumer prices. With the continued benign price increases for the period, we are expect-ing that inf lation should be manageable for the rest of the year,” said Tungpalan. Inf lation rate is the per-cent increase in the prices of goods and services com-monly purchased by house-holds, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). On the other hand, core inf lation represents a more long-term inf lation trend, as it excludes certain items that have short-term and volatile price movements. In November 2012, infla-tion rate in Metro Manila also eased to 2.6 percent from 2.9 percent in October 2012. Similarly, the inf lation rate outside the capital slowed in November 2012 to 2.9 percent from the previous month’s 3.3 percent. From January to Novem-ber 2012, the year-to-date inf lation in Metro Manila stood at 2.9 percent, slower than the average movement of prices outside Metro Manila, which is at 3.3 percent.

Inflation...from page 2

In addit ion, var ious infrastructure projects in Mindanao funded by the World Bank (WB) will also make the construction sector vibrant for 2013.

Projects...from page 2

world-class products. The provincial office of DTI is coordinating with the Department of Tourism (DoT) for the promotion of products and tourist destina-tion places in the province, all backed up by historical data and details on cultural information. Marizon Loreto, DTI-XI regional director said the facility which would serve as promotions center will not only sell local products but also provides know-how on product-making to interested parties. Loreto said the center is a capacity-enhancement pro-vider for SMEs and reaches out to the whole Davao Re-gion and to other regions in Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon.

Davao...from page 2

At least seven WB-fund-ed projects are scattered in several parts of Mindanao including the 53 kilometers Digos-Cotabato City road.

As of 4:00 am today, the National Disaster Risk Re-duction and Management Council pegged the death toll from typhoon Pablo, the strongest to hit the country this year, at 418. Cost of damage was es-timated at P4 bil lion, or P630.97 million for infra-structure, P3.36 billion for agriculture and P5.42 million for private properties.

GSIS...from page 4

explanation for the ouster, which came after Mr. Pandit led the bank for five years through the global financial crisis. But it followed a long run of shareholder disap-pointments and a sluggish recovery compared with other banks.

Jobs...from page 4

Geographically, 4,600 of the job losses will be in North America, 3,800 in the Europe-Middle East-Africa division, 2,100 in Latin America and 750 in Asia, according to a Citi spokesman.

Reeves. The statement also added that Mining Group had con-ducted a systematic channel sampling and mapping at Tandawan with a network of small scale mining adits excavated by artisanal min-ers. Mining Group holds two exploration permits for the project which covers a total of 4,310 hectares.

Mine...from page 8

Surigao, and Bukidnon incurred damage. “If we translate this to value, it’s about P5.7 billion worth of harvest for the yearend. It’s a pretty expensive opportunity lost for the industry,” said PBGEA executive director Stephen Antig. “But if we include the infra-structure, that would shoot up to P8 billion,” he said. Antig said it would take at least nine months to rehabilitate the affected areas at a cost of P500,000 per hectare for a total of P5 billion. Banana growers also fear the spread of the Panama disease because of flooding in the affected provinces, he said, adding that the disease - also called fusarium wilt - was prevalent in Davao before the typhoon struck. “We need the help of the government now like never before. We need to help the communities that depend on the plantations recover just as fast,” said Antig. The typhoon comes at a bad time for the banana sector, which continues to suffer from tighter sanitary and phyto-sanitary (SPS) restrictions imposed by China, a key export market. To recall, Beijing slapped tighter restrictions amid a spat with Manila over the Scarbor-ough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

Farm...from page 10

10 Monday-Tuesday I Dec. 10-11, 2012 BusinessWeek www.businessweekmindanao.com

YOUR LOCAL ONLINE BUSINESS PAPERMINDANAOAgrinews

Farm sector takes P800-M toll from typhoon ‘Pablo’

The rains felled these banana trees in Mawab, Compostela Valley.

TYPHOON ‘Pablo’ cost the farm sector P800 million, according to preliminary estimates by the Department of Agriculture. Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala on Thurs-day said the typhoon felled coconut and banana trees as well as rice farms in the Visayas and Mindanao. He said the coconut sector incurred the biggest damage placed at P500 million. “Around one million co-conut trees affected,” Alcala said, adding that the industry in the affected areas was wiped out. He said the agency expects damage to the rice sector to be “minimal,” noting that most of the affected areas were still in the vegetative stage. DA field personnel are already assessing the full extent of the damage to plan-tations so the department can determine the proper assistance, Alcala said. Jovy Bernabe, Philippine Crop Insurance Corp execu-tive director, said P22 million

has been set aside to cover insurance claims. Insured farmers may receive coverage of between P10,000-40,000 per hectare depending on the damage assessment. Sources in DA said the ty-phoon is unlikely to dampen production this year because

of the abundant harvest in the third quarter, with the farm sector registering growth of 4.1 percent. Coconut harvest alone rose by 4.10 percent to 4.27 million metric tons in the July-September period, from 4.10 million in the same

period last year.Bad time for bananas

The Philippine Banana Growers and Exporters As-sociation (PBGEA) however said at least 10,000 hect-ares in Campostela Valley, Bukidnon, Davao del Norte,

Default on banana exports looms after

typhoon damageBANANA producers may default on their export shipments because of the massive damage incurred from Typhoon “Pablo,” the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Friday. “I’m afraid that orders from abroad may not be delivered,” Agriculture Sec-retary Proceso Alcala said in a radio interview. Initial estimates showed that the damage to banana crops has reached P300 mil-lion, affecting more than 10,000 hectares of banana plantations in Campostela Valley, Bukidnon, Davao del Norte, and Surigao. The Philippine Banana Growers and Exporters As-sociation (PBGEA) said the extent of damage is “far greater,” adding that the 10,000 hectares hold over P5.7 billion worth of harvest for the yearend. PBGEA president Ste-phen Antig added it would take at least nine months to rehabilitate the affected areas and would cost around P500,000 per hectare for a

total of P5 billion. Banana growers also fear the spread of the Panama disease because of f looding in the affected provinces. The plant disease, also known as fusarium wilt, still affects several plantations in Davao. The destruction comes at a time when the banana industry is striving to re-gain footing in new export markets after China limited the entry of Philippine ba-nanas by imposing stricter sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements. The Philippine banana industry is now setting its sights on the US market, particularly its defense com-missaries. Dole Philippines was expected to make a maiden shipment of 3,000 metric tons of Cavendish bananas to the mainland US before yearend. Aside from the US, the Philippines is also engaging Japan, Korea and Middle East countries to absorb banana exports.

WFD celebration centers on nurturing agricultural cooperatives

The annual World Food Day celebration allows many to promote their agricultural products and provides venue to recognize the region’s outstanding farmers. This is part of DA’s advocacy in empowering farmers and agricultural cooperatives - one of the department’s strategies in achieving food security. World Food Day is celebrated every 16th of October since its proclamation in 1981. Photos above (top row) show DA-10 RTD Engr. Roxana H. Hojas handing the plaques of recognition to the region 10’s outstanding farmers together with the LGU personnel behind their success. Other activities include product exhibit and selling, meat processing demo, and a lot more.

Government urged to buy ‘Pablo’-damaged crops

CORN farmers on Friday asked the government to help them cut their losses from crops damaged by Super Typhoon Pablo. “We have asked t he National Dairy Authority (NDA),” Philippine Maize Federat ion (Phi lMaize) president Roger Navarro said in an interview with reporters Friday. “They seemed interested but they would want to subject he purchase to a bidding process which is something we cannot wait for since the commodity is already compromised. “And to us, our case should be treated as “emer-gency purchase. We need to find a way how to manage our finances. We cannot re-plant unless we have enough

capital to start again,” Na-varro added. Based on early estimates, PhilMaize reported at least 30,000 hectares of corn farms in Central Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental were damaged and and that most of the the crops were still in the early vegetative stage and some in the reproduc-tive stage. “At this stage these corn cannot be acceptable to corn traders and feed millers,” according to PhilMaize. “However, this is very desirable to the dairy indus-try for silage,” the federa-tion told the Agriculture Department. Silage is fodder converted through anaerobic acid fer-mentation into succulent feed for livestock.

“Empowered cooperatives equal to an empowered na-tion.” Such is the key message of Cooperative Development Authority - 10 (CDA-10) Di-rector Orlando R. Ravanera in his talk during the World Food Day celebration of the Department of Agriculture (DA) 10 on October 16 and 17, 2012. This yearly observation intends to encourage atten-tion to agricultural food production, encourage eco-nomic and technical coopera-tion, promote participation among rural women and cooperatives, and heighten public awareness on hunger problems around the world to provide enough food for everyone and to eliminate the incidence of poverty by enabling rural-based organi-zations (RBOs) and people’s organizations (POs) to play their vital role in community. In order to attain this, DA-10 Regional Technical Director Engr. Roxana H. Hojas urged everyone to partake in events such as the annual World Food Day celebration which capaci-tates many to promote the department’s programs and projects. As this year’s celebration bears the theme, “Agricul-tural Cooperatives: Key to Feeding the World,” DA has put the essence of such co-operatives into the spotlight. Accordingly, DA-assisted RBOs, POs and local gov-ernment units (LGUs) have promoted and sold out every

commodity displayed in their respective booths. Highlighted during the celebration is the awarding of the region’s 2011 Gawad Saka, winners namely: Em-manuel “Biboy” P. Patricio of Managok, Malaybalay City - Outstanding Integrated Rice Farmer; Ernesto D. Leonar of Linabo, Malaybalay City -

Outstanding Small Animal Raiser and Lower Balubal RIC of Balubal, Cagayan de Oro City - Outstanding Rural Improvement Club. Each took the center stage while receiving their re-spective awards and cash prizes as incentive to their successful and commendable agri-ventures.

Each received a plaque of recognition and assorted vegetable seeds. Aside from this, one (1) unit thresher worth Php 130,000.00 was awarded to Mr. Patricio, while Mr. Leonar received one (1) head Simbrah cattle and a barangay food ter-minal (BFT) worth Php 300,000.00 for the Lower

Balubal RIC with additional Php 30,000.00 cash prize. Both Mr. Patricio and Mr. Leonar also received Php 20,000.00 cash prize. Equally essential is the booth exhibit contest cham-pioned by the Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental who received Php 7,000.00 cash award, fol-lowed by Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte who also received Php 5,000.00 and 3,000.00, respectively. As emphasized by Dir. Ravanera, eliminating mar-ket layers is one way to empower the agricultural cooperatives. He also added that this wil l enrich the l i festyle of farmers who served as the backbone of our economy. In turn, they

are capacitated to produce sufficient food for the whole nation. Aside from the opportu-nity for product promotion and selling, delegates were given other livelihood op-tions through the meat pro-cessing and cassava cooking demo. Overall, the abovemen-t ioned event concluded with an awarding ceremony wherein winners of the dif-ferent contests claimed their prizes including the Blue team composed of the Office of the Regional Director, Crops Division, Information Division and the Engineer-ing Division who emerged as the winner in the dance contest. # (Ruthceli O. Al-feche, DA-10)

fARM/PAGE 9

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Wednesday is D-Day for Reproductive Health bill

The two main protagonists in the RH bill: Reps. Rufus Rodriguez and Edcel Lagman.

WILL the reproductive health bill (RH) pass the House of Representatives? The answer will be known on Wednesday after represen-tatives, either supporting or opposing the measure, agreed to put House Bill 4244 to a vote on second reading. Cagayan de Oro Rep. Ru-fus Rodriguez on Thursday said he and other opponents of the bill had agreed on the date, Dec. 12, because it was the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of the unborn. “Wednesday will be D-Day. The 14-year war on the RH bill will finally end,” he said in a phone interview. Rodriguez said the agree-ment came about during a meeting with Speaker Fe-liciano Belmonte just be-fore the session resumed on Wednesday afternoon.

Numbers game “The ant i-R H group agreed on the date because we are confident of our num-bers,” he said. Rodriguez pegged at 136 the number of House mem-

bers who will vote against HB 4244. He said only 95 are expected to support the measure. But the pro-RH contin-gent was just as confident that the bil l would pass. Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, the bill’s principal author, said the defeat of the amend-ments proposed by anti-RH lawmakers was indicative of the outcome. But Davao City Rep. Karlo

Nograles remained unfazed even after the amendments he proposed were rejected by the majority. “Frankly, it’s a good thing they are rejecting the amend-ments. It makes it easier for us to reject the bill,” Nograles said after the session ad-journed on late Wednes-day because there were not enough House members on the f loor. “Even if our amendments

are good, they were not ac-cepting them. If that’s the case, then let’s just vote on (the bill),” he said.

Amendments rejected Lagman rejected Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado’s pro-posed amendment seeking to discourage poor women from resorting to abortion. Mercado wanted the declaration of policy to be amended to state: “The State shall promote openness to life welcoming all children born to married couples…” “Unintended pregnancies can be referred to adoption centers in the care of private religious organizations or nongovernment organiza-tions. To improve the quality of life of the family, married couples are encouraged to plan and space the children they will have with full sup-port from the State in matters pertaining to reproductive health and responsible par-enthood,” Mercado said. But Lagman rejected the amendment, saying the provision had been “agreed (upon) in serious consulta-

tion” during the drafting of the substitute bill. Mercado appealed the decision only to be rejected again by the majority in a voice vote. Anti-RH congressmen zeroed in on the same pro-vision, but Lagman, who was defending t he bi l l , stood his ground. He was sustained by the majority whenever his rejection of proposed amendments was appealed. Rodriguez sought to delete the entire provision which states that “the State shall also promote openness to life…,” saying he and his group were uncomfortable with the subsequent clause that said, “…provided that parents bring forth to the world only those children that they can raise in a truly human way.”

‘Population control’

Manila Rep. Amado Baga-tsing wanted to remove the condition, arguing that: “Are we now saying that we will stop (poor couples) from having babies (just because they are poor)?” Rodriguez said the pro-vision showed that the RH bill “is clearly a population-control measure.” “There is now here a prior restraint on pregnancy and bringing forth children,” he said, citing the constitutional provision promoting the es-tablishment of a family based on one’s religious conviction. “Responsible parenthood in the article on family per-tains to what the family thinks as responsible parent-hood and not the parenthood which the State would like to impose and coerce on its citizens,” he said. Inquirer.net

Volunteerism for nation-building approvedTHEe House of Representatives has given the green light to the proposed “Filipino Volunteerism in Nation-Building (VNB) Act of 2012” authored by forty eight (48) lawmakers led by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. “It is imperative to lay down a legal and institutional frame-work which would encourage the various sectors of society to volunteer and be active partners of government in nation-building,” Belmonte said after HB 6713 hurdled plenary on second read-ing late hours of Tuesday. Rep. Benjamin Asilo, Chairman of the sponsoring Committee on People’s Participation said the proposed statute should not only institutionalize the VNB framework but sustain partnership among the national government agencies, the LGUs, the congressional districts, and civil society organizations in

community and nation-building. Other leading authors of HB 6713 (the substitute bill to the original HB 4374) are: Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II with Reps. Freddie Tinga, Rufus Ro-driguez, Juan Edgardo Angara, Jerry Treñas, Hermilando Man-danas, Raul Daza, Jesus Crispin Remulla, Maria Isabelle Climaco, Mel Senen Sarmiento, Rodolfo Valencia, Edcel Lagman, and Minority leader Danilo Suarez, among others. The measure defines the mission and vision of the VNB Framework, which shall enjoin all sectors to practice “bayanihan,” harness volunteerism to stimulate local and national development, and provides the key areas of government where volunteerism shall be harnessed. Volunteerism, as defined under HB 6713, refers to “an

act involving a wide range of activities, including traditional forms of mutual aid and develop-mental interventions that provide an enabling and empowering environment, both on the part of the beneficiary receiving and the volunteer rendering the act, undertaken for reasons arising from socio-developmental, busi-ness or corporate orientation, commitment or conviction for the attainment of the public good and where monetary and other incentives or reward are not the primary motivating factors.” Volunteer service organization, the authors added, refers to “a lo-cal or foreign group that recruits, trains, deploys and supports volunteer workers to programs and projects implemented by them or by other organizations or any group that provides services and resources, including but not

limited to information, capability building, advocacy and networking for the attainment of the common good.” The measure enumerates and defines the roles of key VNB national and cooperating agencies like the DSWD, DILG, DOF, DBM and HUDCC, It also mandates the Philip-pine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) to serve as the VNB coordinat-ing agency and creates a VNB Program Management Unit for the purpose. And not the least, among other vital provisions, is the grant of incentives for VNB partners and stakeholders which shall be effective for a period of eight years, with one extension of an-other six years, after which these will be subject to congressional action.

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