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BrieflyMindanao agendaGOVERNMENT officials and international de-velopment partners will meet in Davao City next week to discuss ways to better implement multi-lateral initiatives, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said on Monday. These international partners make up the country’s Official De-velopment Assistance (ODA) agencies, MinDA said in a statement. More than 300 heads and representatives of various ODA offices in-cluding some members of the diplomatic com-munity and officials from national line agencies are expected to attend this year’s Mindanao De-velopment Forum (MDF) which opens Feb. 1 at the Marco Polo Hotel.

Ecofish projectSURIGAO del Nor te - - The Ecosys tems Improved for Sustain-able Fisheries (Ecofish) Project of the Philippine Government and the United States Govern-ment will be launched in the province this year, said Gov. Sol Matugas recently. The lady governor said the project seeks to address the complex problems of ecosystem degradation, fish stock depletion and poverty in the fishing communities. Based on records, fish production in the province is declining due to excessive fish-ing, destruction of cor-al reefs and breeding grounds, and variations or changes in ocean conditions. This caused coastal communities to become marginalized and poor because of their dependence on catch from seas.

P15.00Issue No. 154, Volume III • January 23-24, 2013Wednesday-ThursdayCagayan de Oro City

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ATI-ATIHAN FESTIVAL. Former Rep. Cynthia Villar celebrated with the Kalibonons during the Ati-atihan Festival. The Ati-atihan Festival, marked by colorful street dancers parading colorful indigenous costumes and body paints, is held annu-ally in January in honor of Santo Niño (Infant Jesus). Accompanying Mrs. Villar is Vice-Gov. Billie Calizo-Quimpo.AdvertoriAl

4 giant firms to solve M’danao power woesPresident Aquino says 4 big companies promise to build 3000MW power plants

By MICHAEL VINCENT D. CAJULAO, Contributor

ZAMBOANGA City -- President Be-nigno S. Aquino III brought some good news on the present power

deficiency in Mindanao during his recent visit here to attend the “Top Level Forum” of Mindanao university presidents. In his speech, the Presi-dent disclosed that four giant business firms committed at least 3,000 Mega Watts

(MW) of power, more than enough to address the power problems in Mindanao. “Two nights ago, I had a

chance to talk with four of the biggest business firms in our economy about energy. They said we will soon have surplus of power. They com-mitted 3,000 MW. Before we parted, they said Mindanao may be experiencing power shortage right now, but soon Mindanao will be exporting power because of surplus,” Aquino quoted the business firms. Aquino expressed con-

fidence that this will be fulfilled as he directly talked with the heads of these com-panies which the President declined to divulge for the moment. The President said there is only 4 MW surplus here in Mindanao, but it is way below the needed backup to power all grids in the region if there is routine maintenance of the power plants which will take away

over 300 MW. At present, Zamboanga City is experiencing two hours rotational power in-terruptions every day. Power situation has improved from last year wherein the city had experienced up to eight hours of brownouts in a day. Aquino also said, “For this project to be realized, the help and cooperation of the community is very vital.”

UN-OCHA gets f lak for ‘housewarming party’

By BONG FABE, Correspondent part of any disaster response team,” said another, who has spent most of December and January with the survivors in Baganga. T he i nv i t a t ion w a s emailed by Kasper Engborg of UN-OCHA Davao City sub-office to all partners in the clusters doing emer-gency response in the wake of Typhoon Pablo (Bopha). What really fuelled these negative reactions was the sentence in the invitation that was highlighted in red that said: “There will be drinks, snacks, good music, dance floor and a lot of happy people. :)” “Immoral, inhumane, insensitive,” were just some of the descriptions those working with the typhoon devastated people on the ground said about the invita-tion.

VOLUNTEERS and staff of local and international organizations doing disaster response and humanitarian work in typhoon-devastated areas in Davao Oriental criti-cized the United Nations Of-fice for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) for its insensitivity in inviting partners and friends to a housewarming party in Davao City when thousands of people that badly and urgently need its help still have no decent shelter to protect them from the elements. “Insensitivity at its worst!” said the head of one non-government organization doing disaster response and humanitarian interventions in Baganga. “Whoever prepared this invitation should not be

ERC cuts power transmission chargeTHE cost of power transmis-sion - one of the line items in consumers’ electricity bills - will go down this year after the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) approved

a lower tariff than what the National Grid Corp of the Philippines (NGCP) had applied for. In a decision, the ERC ordered NGCP to impose an

average transmission rate of P0.67475 per kilowatt-hour for 2013, down by O.00975 from the previous year’s P0.68450. ERC derived the new transmission rate f rom NGCP’s maximum allowable revenue (MAR) of P44.567 billion for this year. Although this year’s MAR is P1.644 billion higher than NGCP’s revenue ceiling of P42.903 billion in 2012, the regulator expects an increase in demand that will mitigate

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Malaysian businessmen to invest in big ticket projects in MindanaoDAVAO City -- Big and prominent business-men from Malaysia will arrive in Davao City starting Thursday until next month to look into the possibility of investing in big ticket projects in Mindanao.

processing, power and infor-mation and communication technology (ICT). Montenegro sa id the chamber is composed of big investors from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They are most interested to venture in Davao City and other potential investment areas in Mindanao in support to the Bangsa Moro peace process. In July, the Malaysian government will also arrive for an Economic Mission to Mindanao.

Romeo Montenegro, Min-danao Development Au-thority (MinDA) director for investment promotions and international relations in public affairs, said Tan Chong Group, one of the largest Nissan auto com-pany investors, will arrive on January 24, as they are

interested to venture into auto and tourism-related businesses in Davao City. On February 24, a 15-man delegation from Putrajaya Chamber of Commerce in Kuala will also arrive in Davao City to explore poten-tial investment areas includ-ing agri-business, tourism,

The Malaysian business-men are similarly looking into the above mentioned investment areas and also particularly on palm oil industry which is their most preferred area of investment. “They want to put money on oil palm industry,” Mon-tenegro said. The coming of the Ma-

laysian investors is the result of the Mindanao delegation to the tourism trade mission in Malaysia last November 29. The visit was also in time for the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) consumer fair in which Mindanao exhibi-tors reached 54, the biggest

in the fair. “We were able to tell the Malaysians that Mindanao is back and ready for busi-ness,” Montenegro said. Of the three Malaysian upcoming visits to Davao City, two are government-initiated. Only Tan Chong Group will come in its private capacity, he added. (PNA)

Oro Chamber lauds councilor for endorsing 50% realty tax

THE Chamber of Commerce and Industry here is glad that it gained an ally in Kagawad Juan Sia who understands the plight of tropical storm Sendong survivors. “The proposed 50 percent discount on the real prop-erty taxes from 2012 up to 2014 will not only benefit member-companies but also victims of Sendong,” said Chamber President Efren Uy. In fact, the request was more of a reminder to the city that it is empowered under the Local Government Code to grant tax exemption privi-leges (Chapter V, Section 192 of RA 7160) especially in

cases of natural calamities, civil disturbances, general failure of crops, or adverse economic conditions such as substantial decrease in the prices of agricultural or agri-based products. Art. 282 of the IRR also reiterated that the grant of tax exemptions, incen-tives or reliefs by the local sangguniang bayan/pan-lungsod/panlalawigan shall only extend to taxes and not to regulatory fees and shall be extended through an ordinance. Uy further said that the proposed 50 percent RPT discount is so small if we were to consider that the

banks in the area already zero-valued all properties af-fected by Sendong. Property owners can no longer use these properties as collateral because their value is zero. It’s 100 percent after all and the 50 percent discount, he said, we are asking for is a fair and justifiable assis-tance to Sendong survivors to help them bounce back and fully recover from the disaster. “We hope that more coun-cilors will be able to appreci-ate the rationale behind such request and would rally for the approval of an ordinance to this effect soonest,” said Uy.

NFA assures sufficient supply of rice

By RUBY LEONORA R. BALISTOYContributor

here dispelled fears that there is shortage of rice mainly due to the effects of tropical storm “Pablo” and several weather disturbances

MALAYBALAY City -- The Na-tional Food Authority (NFA)

that hit some parts of Bukidnon, assuring the public that there is enough supply of rice in the province. Victoria Real-Duray, NFA manager, said there is rice shortage especially for its immediate relief distribution operations because as of today, more than 25,000 bags of rice and 38,000 bags of palay (unhusked rice) are available in NFA warehouses. “There are also commercial and household stocks of about 129,742 bags,” she said. Based on the data released by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS), Bukidnon has a monthly rice consumption of more than 90,000 bags. “That volume of rice reserve therefore is more than enough to meet the need of the province in a month in case of calamities,” Duray said. Maria Socorro Mellomida, NFA public information officer, on the other hand, said the province has now more than 40 Bigasan sa Palengke (BP) outlets. “The NFA well-milled rice is sold at P28 per kilo, while the regular milled rice at P27 per kilo in BP outlets. These accredited NFA rice outlets are spread all over the province, Mellomida assured. At present, market retail price of special well-milled rice is P36 to P40 a kilo, while the cheap-est varities range from P3 per kilogram, according to the data from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics. “As a government entity, NFA will continue to be at the forefront of the country’s food security to ensure stability in the supply and prices of its staple cereals, which is in full support to President Benigno Aquino III’s rice self-sufficiency goals through the AgriPinoy Program,” Mellomida said. (RLRB-PIA10, Bukidnon)

Economy

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VIVA SEÑOR STO. NIÑO!Greetings from:

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Romans 8:28 And we know that all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

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To One and All

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TO: All Motorists in the City update the franchise of your public utility vehicles, vehicles registration and drivers license, for legal operation and obey traffic rules and regulations for the road safety.

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Happy Fiesta to all Pagadianons!VIVA SeÑOr STO. NIÑO

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quIaMjot/PAGE 7

Live Before You Leave

The growing Muslim travel market

THINK a minute… They say, “The greatest risk is not taking one.” Why is it when we grow up and become adults, we stop sticking our necks out and tak-ing chances? Yet, at the end of our life, we’ll probably regret the things we did not do more than the things we did. Remember all the new things in life you learned to do that were big risks the first time you did them? Your first time to swim, your first time to ride a bicycle, your first time to drive a car. Some of the things we do all the time now seemed almost impossible before we did them the first time. The great French leader, Napolean, said: “The word im-

WHEN well heeled Muslim guests came during the East Asian Growth Areas (EAGA) conference last October 2011 in Cagayan de Oro City, they know that hotel managers and staff in the city will do everything they can to meet their special religious requirements – a prayer room and special options for Halal food. Delegates associated with the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines (BIMP) economic cooperation is a sig-nificant source of market for hotels in Davao City, General Santos and Cagayan de Oro as the member states step up its various activities in strengthen-ing the association achieved the economic growth of the region. Mindanao is enjoying a new experience with our neighbor state Muslim travelers coming with great intervals after leading Philippine airline companies have mounted flights to Malay-

possible is found only in the dictionary of fools and failures.” So ask yourself: “Is the word impossible in the dictionary of my life?” Do you say “I can’t” more often than you say “I can?” Sometimes “you have to go out on a limb if you want to get the best fruit!” We have to learn to be com-fortable with uncomfortable challenges, because we can’t discover new oceans unless we’ve got the courage to lose sight of the shore. We need to believe that the best jobs haven’t been found yet, and the best work hasn’t been done yet. But we can’t have the life we want if we don’t change the life we have. A successful woman said: “A bad habit never goes away

by itself; it’s always an undo-it-yourself project.” Smart people sometimes change their minds—but fools never do. So we have to leave our com-fort zone if we want to reach a new kind of success. Don’t allow yourself to be buried alive in your comfort zone, like many people do. It’s OK to use your comfort zone to rest in, but not to live in. So after you’ve recharged your energy, leave your comfort zone to move on to your next challenge. Remember, God never puts limits on your faith, so your faith should never put limits on Him. Faith is not afraid of failing; faith is afraid of not even trying. So why not ask

Jesus Christ to give you His faith and power to step out and start changing your life today? If you ask Him to take charge, then He will help you fully live your life—before you leave it. Just think a minute…

Building up unity

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sia, Kota Kinabalu and Minado in Indonesia. Simultaneously, reciprocal flights of the sec-ondary national air carriers of these countries have established connectivity to Davao City. Wealthy Muslims in the Middle East have frequently visited countries in South East Asia. Malaysia, Singapore, In-donesia and Thailand are the common destination for Muslim friendly travel. Adapting the strategies of Bali in Indonesia where tour-ist establishments prepares a Muslim Kit in the hotel rooms for Muslim travelers which normally consists of a Quran, Prayer Carpets and a sketch pointing the direction of Mecca. Muslims prays five times a day and these facilities are mostly in used and appreciated. For Cagayan de Oro, provid-ing the opportunities in creating a diverse and inclusive environ-ment for Muslims strengthens

EVERY year, precisely on the very meaningful feast of the conver-sion of St. Paul, January 25, the Church culminates its Week of Prayer for Christian Unity that starts on January 18. St. Paul, of course, is very emblematic of this concern since he is the apostle of the Gentiles who expanded the Jewish belief that the divine redeemer is meant only for them. It’s a good occasion to reflect on the unity that Christ himself prayed for so fervently just before entering into his passion and death. From the gospel of St. John, chapter 17, we have this beautiful account of Christ’s prayer: “Holy Father, keep them in thy name, which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are one...The me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and thou in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that thou hast sent me...” May it be that this desire of Christ himself becomes a reality. Christian unity is, of course, a spiritual and supernatural goal that is mainly invisible. But since it concerns us, who are both body and soul, then it cannot help but also have some visible elements. This, I think, is where much of the problem in the pursuit of

this elusive Christian unity lies. There are those, presumably with very good intentions, who believe that just by believing in Christ in a personal way, then this Christian unity is already attained. That position obviously en-counters serious problems and difficulties right at the first base. How can we say we have Christian unity when in spite of believing, at least in theory, in Christ, we have different, even conflicting doctrines and beliefs, ways and practices, etc.? Can we say there is unity if one group says Christ is man only, not God, and another says Christ is God only, not man? Can there be unity if one group says salvation is through faith alone, while another says it is only through works? There are many, many things that need to be ironed out, and that’s why, especially in this Year of Faith, a continuing discussion of doctrinal matters be pursued relentlessly in all levels, from top to bottom. Christian unity is, of course, not a matter of uniformity. A rich and great variety of forms and expressions can be compatible with Christian unity. But it has a basic core that cannot be com-promised, and that core is both spiritual and material, eternal and temporal, charismatic and

hierarchical, invisible and visible. Obviously, Christian unity will not only be a product of theological discussions. It involves the whole gamut of human and divine relations that actually cover everything. On the human side, it would be good if fraternal relations with Churches and ecclesial communities not yet in full communion with the Catholic Church are intensified. In this, let us always be friendly with everyone, even with those who at the moment may be against us in point of doctrine and praxis. Friendliness, as aspect of love, will always win at the end of the day. On the spiritual side, this cause would be served well if everyone prays for it in earnest and offers generous sacrifices, big or small. We should be ready to become martyrs for this cause, like St. Pedro Calungsod. God’s grace works in mysteri-ous ways, and can affect us in ways far beyond our understanding and planning. We should also realize the great need for the recourse to the sacraments and a continuing ascetical struggle for holiness. These are the non-negotiables. We also need to study our doctrine well and hone up our skills at dialogue which is crucial in the quest for Christian unity. Though each one has a role to play

here, it cannot be denied that a few would have to be chosen and properly trained to pursue this particular task on behalf of the Church and all souls. Let’s hope that our seminaries and other centers of formation are giving adequate attention to this concern. Guidelines, and even a directory of relevant instructions, have already be formulated for this purpose. It’s not an easy task. It demands a lot of patience and flexibility without entering into improper compromises. But it has to be tackled boldly, not hesitatingly. Let’s pray that everyone realizes this. Let’s take advantage of the Year of Faith to pursue Christian unity, the fervent desire of Christ himself.

hefty sum to build his Aman-pulo Resort north of Palawan? Amanpulo is the playground of the rich and famous and it is teeming with Middle East Royalties. These revelations should give us new perspective to re-align our marketing strategies to the Middle East countries instead of the run of the mill expensive tourism missions to Europe and

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The “E-S-I-P” ParadigmWHAT does being financially secure mean to you? Is there a formula that could help anybody achieve its much-coveted state? One of the best ways of defining financial security is being in such a situation that even if, for whatever reason, you lose your capacity to earn active income anytime, you (and your dependents should you have any) can live in a satisfactory level of comfort for a reasonable period of time, perhaps even for a lifetime. To attain this desirable level of financial freedom, a simple formula I do hereby propose: the “E-S-I-P paradigm.” Simply stated, the degree of your at-tainment of financial security (FS) is equal to the combined total of your earning ability (E), savings capacity (S), investing know-how (I), and the asset risk protection mechanisms (P) you have actively in place. Thus, FS = E + S + I + P. Your capacity to earn is derived from the value given in exchange to the products and services you are exceptionally capable of offering in a competi-tive marketplace. Your earning power rises in direct propor-tion to the level of difficulty in replacing your current market value as an individual given numerous other alternatives. First and foremost, it is your responsibility to learn how to earn. Second, your capacity to save with discipline spells a lot of dif-ference between finding yourself either among the haves and the have-nots. A very sensible W. Clement Stone summed it well: “If you cannot save money, the seeds of greatness are not in you.” Spend less than you earn, eliminate bad debts, then save and invest the rest. Third, knowing how to invest your money in a proper and well-balanced manner can give you the added boost and leverage.

our culture and may provide a competitive business advantage. Cable television providers may include the Al Jazeera Ara-bic Network in the television channels subscribed by many business establishments in the city. Our bureaucrats may like it or not, but global Muslim outbound traffic has overtaken the Americans and European travelers in the world. Among the well traveled nationalities are the members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference countries (OIC) which was estimated at $126 billion more than the 12% of the total global travel. The big spenders are Gulf Estates with Sheiks and Royal-ties with their families in tow. Why would Andy Soriano 111, heir of the original San Miguel Corporation fortune sold his beer interest to Mr. Danding Cojuangco and company for a

Investments are vehicles – they propel your money’s worth. And like vehicles, investment instruments move at unique speeds. Some go fast, others slow. Some are liquid, others aren’t. And each has its own inherent level of risk. Lastly, as you build your asset base from your earnings, savings and investments, it is crucial to recognize that risk is something intrinsic to life – every endeavor and every action has its corresponding risk. And though risk cannot be totally avoided, it can however be managed and mitigated. All your efforts might go down the drain if you fail to employ the correct risk management strategies. Suffice it to say that your capacity to think and earn is a human capital and is actually your entire lifetime’s #1 asset! Asset risk protection is therefore paramount all the way from the start. Earn, save, invest, protect. Act now! (Dr. Adonis Agcopra is a registered international finan-cial strategic consultant and is portfolio director of AFIC Meridian Consultants. Log in to www.aficfinancialconsultants.com.)

The FinancialDoctor

DR. ADONIS AGCOPRA, MbA, RFC®

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Party...from page 1

Power...from page 1

The source also said that if UN and its allied organi-zations like the UN-OCHA really listen to the community it is supposed to be serving, “how come the community did not tip it off” before the bombing of the UN head-quarters in Iraq in 2003? But Imogen Wall, UN-OCHA coordinator for com-munications with affected communities, said they are taking the views of their “fel-low actors in our emergency responses” in Davao Oriental “very seriously.” “We would like to stress that as a coordination body, we are always open to feed-back from fellow actors in our emergency responses, and we take their views very seriously,” she said in her email. Wall also said that these reactions from the field should have been better shared with UN-OCHA directly for them to be able to comment and respond appropriately. “We would therefore very much like to encourage your contacts to share their con-cerns directly with us as we are keen to hear their perspec-tives and address the issues they raise. There are contacts on the sitrep [situation report, which UN-OCHA regularly updates], and staff in the hubs who are available to talk to partners. Once we have heard their comments first hand we will be in a much better posi-tion to comment ourselves,” she added. Charlito “Kaloy” Manlu-pig, chief of Balay Mindanaw Group of NGOs (BMG), urged

the impact on consumer bills. “Kahit higher ang revenue cap nila, if i-translate ito sa per kilowatt-hour, mas mahaba ang pino-project or ine-expect na rate dahil pataas yung demand for their transmission service,” Fran-cis Saturnino C. Juan, ERC executive director, said. In the same decision, the ERC also allowed NGCP to collect P609.05 million as performance incentive, a scheme allowed under the performance based rate set-ting regulation (PBR). Under the PBR, regulated entities are rewarded or pe-nalized with a corresponding

They said the housewarm-ing party is “immoral because the survivors still have no decent shelter; inhumane because the party is a waste of resources, which would be of better use if spent to help the survivors; and insensi-tive because the UN-OCHA housewarming party is like ignoring the plight of the survivors.” Ben Aspera of LandCare Philippines said the way the invitation was written, and its timing, only proves that UN-OCHA staff based in Davao City—which is far away from the devastation wrought by Pablo’s wrath — are “not using their minds.”“This only shows their people in the field are not using their minds,” Aspera, a for-mer staff of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said. Aspera also alerted UN-OCHA’s officials in New York about these reactions to the emailed housewarming party invitation. Another long-time IOM worker who asked not to be named simply said: “It is systemic.” He then referred this reporter to the movie-documentary U.N. Me by Ami Horowitz and Matthew Groff that exposes the al-leged “incompetence and corruption at the heart of the United Nations” aside from depicting the UN system as an organization that has drifted so far away from its founding principles.

UN-OCHA to also learn to practice the art of listening to the devastated communities and people from other groups working on the ground. “They can be more effective in pursuing their mandate if they listen more to the local communities and groups,” he said. Manlupig said he respects the right of UN-OCHA to celebrate. However, he said UN-OCHA will do better if its people are more sensitive to the feelings of the survivors. “While we respect their right to celebrate, they may want to be a little more sen-sitive so as not to offend the feelings of the survivors who continue to struggle to rise from the disaster,” he said. Aspera, on the other hand, expressed hope that UN-OCHA “will take this as lessons learned.”

monetary amount for surpass-ing or missing performance standards. NGCP is the monopoly that operates the country’s transmission lines, which deliver power from generating plants to distribution utilities. The company is a joint venture among a son of mall magnate Henry Sy and State Grid Corp of China.-- Inter-Aksyon

Quiamjot...from page 6the Americas. The compelling reason perhaps that our policy planners have not aban-doned the western mis-sions is motivated more of vested personal interests that travel mission in these countries are opportunities to visit relatives or renew their Green Cards? The DOT statistics of arrivals from the Americas is not a gauge of how suc-cessful the promotions and how great are the funs in the Philippines. The Filipino Americans in the US West Coast and North America will come and visit our country even if we do not hold fiesta’s in our Cities because their lineage is the Philippines. It is not the number of tourist or Balikbayans that counts in our country but the ex-penditures that was brought inside the national economy. Our tourism policy plan-ners must encourage the industry players to add the Muslim segment to our mul-ticultural marketing mix.

and Facebook allows me to identify their needs and help them,” the solon said. On the role of social media in his campaign for the 2013 elections, Ejercito Estrada said he intends to share his legislative agenda to 30 mil-lion active Facebook users and 9.5 million active Twitter users in the Philippines. While some netizens use social networking sites as a venue to rant against politi-cians, he believes that the government must not be given the power to regulate the online activity of Filipinos. The young lawmaker noted that the Cybercrime Law contains provisions which practically permits the state to suppress freedom of speech and persecute its political foes. (Advertorial)

Estrada...from page 10

Financial...from page 10regardless of economic status.vGrant-in-Aid (GIA) refers to a modality of student non-repay-able financial assistance to poor but eligible students; it generally requires a minimum level of competence but not excellence. The co-authors of the bill are Reps. Rachel Marguerite Del Mar (1st District, Cebu City), Joseph Victor Ejercito (Lone District, San Juan City), Augusto Boboy Syjuco (2nd District, Iloilo), Roilo Golez (2nd District, Paranaque City), Mark Villar (Lone District, Las Piñas City), Marcelino Teodoro (1st District, Marikina City), Christopher Co (Party List,

Ako Bicol), Rodel Batocabe (Party List, Ako Bicol), Alfredo Garbin (Party List, Ako Bicol), Catalina Leonen-Pizarro, Jr. (Party List, ABS), Wilfrido Mark Enverga (1st District, Quezon), Marlyn Primicias-Agabas (6th District, Pangasinan), Mariano Michael Velarde, Jr.(Party List, BUHAY), Irwin Tieng (Party List, BU-HAY),

Angelo Palmones (Party List, AGHAM), Rene Relampagos (1st District, Bohol), Reena Con-cepcion Obillo (Party List, Una Pamilya), Winston Castelo (2nd District, Quezon City), Raymond Palatino (Party List, Kabataan), Juliet Cortuna (Party List, A Teacher), Ma Theresa Bonoan-David(4th District, Manila), Ryan Luis Singson (1st District, Ilocos Sur), Diosdado Macapagal Arroyo (2nd District, Camarines Sur), Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2nd District, Pampanga ), Sig-frido Tinga (2ndDistrict, Taguig City),

Loreto Ocampos (2nd District, Misamis Occidental), Salvio Fortuno (5thDistrict, Camarines Sur), Neil Benedict Montejo (Party List, An Waray), Ru-fus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City), Maximo Rodriguez (Party List, Abante Mindanao), Rodante Marcoleta (Party List, ALAGAD), Mila-gros Magsaysay(1st District, Zambales), Edwin Olivarez (1st District, Paranaque City), Emi Calixto-Rubiano (Lone District, Pasay City),Romeo Acop (Anti-polo), Roy Loyola (5th District, Cavite), Irineo Maliksi (3rd District, Cavite), and Linabelle Ruth Villarica (4th District, Bulacan). (PNA)

Aggie News8 Wednesday-Thursday I Jan. 23-24, 2013 BusinessWeek www.businessweekmindanao.com

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Republic of the PhilippinesRegional Trial Court of Misamis Oriental

10th Judicial RegionBranch 38

Cagayan de Oro City

RE: CANCELLATION OF ENTRIES IN SPEC. PROC. NO. 2012-146THE CIVIL REGISTRAR OFCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY,

CORA A. GALOPE, Petitioner,

-versus-

CIVIL REGISTRAR OF CAGAYANDE ORO CITY AND KEITH R. BACARRO, Respondents.X-------------------------------------------------/

orDEr

Before this Court is a Petition for Cancellation of Entries in the Certifi-cate of Live Birth of petitioner’s granddaughter, Sweet Sofia Ashley Elaco, in the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Cagayan de Oro City. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that said Petition be set for hearing on February 27, 2013 at 8:30 in the morning at the Session Hall of this Court, on which date, time and place, all persons who may have any opposition to the petition herein sought, may appear to show cause why said petition should not be granted. Let this Order be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Misamis Oriental once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks prior to the date of hearing. Likewise, let copies of this Order, with Petition attached, be posted by the petitioner on the bulletin boards of the Court, the City Hall of Cagayan de Oro City and the Provincial Capitol of Misamis Oriental for at least ten (10) days prior to date of hearing. Furnish copies of this Order and the Petition to the Offices of the Solicitor General, City Prosecutor of Cagayan de Oro City and the Local Civil Registrar of Cagayan de Oro City. SO ORDERED. January 2, 2013, Cagayan de Oro City.

(Sgd.) EMMaNuEL p. paSaL JudgeBWM: JAN. 16, 23 & 30, 2013

Republic of the PhilippinesREGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF LANAO DEL NORTE

12TH Judicial RegionBRANCH 07

Tubod, Lanao del Norte

PETITION FOR APPOINTMENT AS Pet. for Not. Com No. 024-07-2013NOTARY PUBLIC FOR THE PROVINCE OF LANAO DEL NORTE.

ATTY. NICOLAS J. LIM, Petitioner.X - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - /

NotICE oF HEarING

NOTICE is hereby given that a summary hearing on the petition for notarial commission of Atty. Nicolas J. Lim shall be on February 12, 2013 at 8:30 in the morn-ing at RTC, Branch 07, Tubod, Lanao del Norte. Any person who has any cause or reason to object to the grant of the petition may file a verified written opposition thereto, received by the undersigned before the date of the summary hearing.

(Sgd.) wENIDa B.M. papaNDayaN Acting Presiding Judge

BWM: Jan 23, 30 & Feb 6, 2013

Happy Fiesta! Greetings from:

DoMINADoR JALoSJoS JR.Former Mayor, Dapitan City

Zamboanga del Norte

From:

NDC FIShING TUKURAN ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR

NDC ICE PLANT AND COLD STORAGE

Tiguma Hi-way, Pagadian City

VIVA SEÑOR STO. NIÑO!

Alcala aide named NFA chiefA FORMER aide of Agri-culture Secretary Proceso

Alcala been appointed as the new administrator of

state grains agency National Food Authority (NFA), the Cabinet official announced Monday. Real estate consultant Or-lan Agbin Calayag’s appoint-ment papers were signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III last Friday, Alcala told reporters. The NFA administrator is a native of Quezon prov-ince and was Alcala’s chief of staff during his first term in Congress. “He is a dedicated worker and we share the same vision for the department,” he said. Calayag is a mortgage professional licensed by the Department of Financial In-stitution of Washington State in the US. He has worked as a loan and mortgage consul-tant in Washington-based companies. The new NFA administra-tor is currently finishing a master’s degree in Business Administration from De La Salle University in Manila. He holds an undergradu-

ate degree in Business Ad-ministration from Manuel Enverga University in Lucena City and has completed a real estate professional course from Rockwell Institute in Washington. In a chance interview at the Department of Agricul-ture (DA) office in Quezon City after his oath-taking Monday, Calayag said the NFA will “embark on a mas-sive palay procurement this year.” Within a month, the NFA council is expected to announce the palay pro-curement and importation volume figures for this year. The government expects palay production to reach 20 million metric tons (MT) this year. On Monday, Alcala said between six to eight percent of produced unmilled rice is eyed for procurement by the NFA. The state grains agency procured 356,667 MT of palay in 2012, lower than targeted of 1.2 million MT.

PhilRice: PHL rice is arsenic-freeRICE in the Philippines is ar-senic-free, according to a Phil-ippine Rice Research Institute

(PhilRice) study. In a statement, Joy Barto-lome Duldulao, a chemist from PhilRice, said samples of the local staple used in the study are safe from arsenic. She stressed, however, that there is no current data on whether imported rice is also free of the metal. Arsenic exists naturally in the soil in very negligible amounts, except when pollutants such as fertilizers containing the metal seep into the water and soil. Amounts of arsenic in rice may vary depending on the location, according to Duldu-lao. Noting that levels of the metal are reportedly higher in other Asian countries, she advised the public to regulate the amount of rice they eat to avoid health risks and illnesses that are associated with arsenic consumption. “Unlike some 60 rice and rice products in the United States that the Food and Drug Administration reported to contain cancer-causing arsenic, locally grown rice varieties are safe from it,” Duldulao said. She explained that these varieties are safe because the water used for irrigation is also free of the metal. The rice sampled for the study included those from a commercial outlet, seven kinds of brown rice and 18 commonly grown varieties of the staple. These were analyzed using a plasma-optical emission spec-trometer (ICP-OES). Arsenic levels in the samples were below the ICP-OES detection limit of 15 parts per billion (ppb). The Philippines is yet to set a maximum limit of arsenic in rice, unlike Australia and New Zealand (1,000 ppb for cereals) and China (150 ppb for rice and rice products). The global normal range for arsenic concentration in rice is 80 ppb to 200 ppb.

Lifestyle www.businessweekmindanao.com MINDANAO

9Wednesday-Tuesday I-Jan. 16-17, 2013BusinessWeek www.businessweekmindanao.com

YOUR LOCAL ONLINE BUSINESS PAPERMINDANAOClassified Ads

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Kimberlite Pawnshop will be having an AUCTION SALE on all items that expired on December 2012

ExPIRY DATE

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10 Wednesday-Thursday I Jan. 23-24, 2013 BusinessWeek www.businessweekmindanao.com

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Supplier sa G-Melina nga kahoy para sa TARIMA

nga pididos-nakdawon.TAWAG LANG SA :

0923-574-6103

Waltermart...from page 12

Condo...from page 12

er, community malls,” Mr. Lim said on Wednesday last week on the sidelines of a Financial Executives of the Philippines meeting and induction ceremonies at the Makati Shangri-La hotel. “I think this should take six months. Once we’re done, we will announce,” Mr. Lim added.

“This formula has spawned the unprecedented triumph of its townships in Manila-Eastwood

chief financial officer, said that the tie-up is expected to be inked by June as discus-sions with Waltermart are still underway. “We’re still doing due diligence, but there should be synergies with Waltermart, which is known for its small-

“We’re still discussing with them (Waltermart Group), so I cannot dis-close anything yet. We’re discussing in terms of what we’ll be doing as partners.”

EXPANDING SM Prime was incorpo-rated in 1994 to develop, con-duct, operate, and maintain the SM group’s commercial shopping centers and related

businesses. As of end-2012, SM Prime counted 46 local malls and five China malls in its port-folio, with a total combined gross f loor area of 6.3 mil-lion square meters. SM Retail, SMIC’s un-listed retail arm, meanwhile, counted 46 depar tment stores, 37 SM Supermar-kets, 34 SM Hypermarkets, and 76 SaveMore stores in its total portfolio as of end-September. It is looking to bring in two foreign clothing brands to the country this year to boost its fashion port-folio currently consisting of brands Forever 21 and Uniqlo. SMIC is the listed holding company of the SM Group, with interests in shopping mall development, retail merchandising, f inancial services, real estate develop-ment and tourism, as well as hotels and conventions. The conglomerate had earmarked a record P65 bil-lion in capital spending this year, up from P56.80 billion in 2012, mostly for its f lag-ship mall and condominium development units SM Prime and SM Development Corp.

City, McKinley Hill and New-port City,” the company said. The 16-hectare township will be home to IT and BPO offices. The company said it aims to turn Mactan into one

of Cebu’s bustling IT business hubs. ”The success of the recent grand launch of the McDon-ald’s The Mactan Newtown, serves as a precursor to the

series of upscale entertainment hotspots, five-star hotels and posh shopping spaces which are all soon-to-rise within the township,” the company said. (PNA)

Congress

Republic of the PhilippinesREGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL

10th Judicial RegionCagayan de Oro City

oFFICE oF tHE rEGIoNaL trIaL Court SHErIFF

NotICE oF EXtra juDICIaL SaLEFile No. 2013-021

Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act No. 3135 as amended by Act No. 4118, filed by HDMF (Pag-IBIG) Cagayan de Oro Branch as mortgagee, against ALVIN R. TUMASIS, as mortgagor of Blk. 55, Lot 9, P.N. Roa Subd., Barra Opol, Misamis Oriental , which as of October 17, 2012, amounts to SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY EIGHT THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED FIFTY SIX PESOS & 46/100 (Php 788,856.46) inclusive interest and penalty charges, attorney’s fees and expenses of foreclosure, the undersigned will sell at public auction on March 13, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Room 110, Hall of Justice, Cagayan de Oro City, to the highest bidder for cash or manager’s check and in Philippine Currency, the following property described below with all the improvements found thereon, described as follows:

tCt No. t-27277

A PARCEL OF LAND (Lot 9, Blk. 55, Psd 10-020903, being a portion of Lot 5237, Cad-237, Cagayan Cadastre) situated in the Barrio of Barra, Municipality of Opol, Province of Misamis Oriental. With an area of 106 sg.m., more or less.xxx

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

In the event auction sale cannot take place for whatever legal reason the same will proceed on the following working day, without further notice, posting and publication.

Prospective buyers may investigate for themselves the title herein-above described and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Done this 18th day of January, 2013, in the City of Cagayan de Oro.

FOR THE EX-OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL SHERIFF.

(SGD.) ENrIquE M. taLaG, jr. Sheriff IV

BWM: January 23, 30 & Feb. 6, 2013

JV Ejercito Estrada: The active ‘netizen’DESPITE his hectic schedule which includes provincial trips and business meetings, San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito Estrada says he never fails to check and regularly update his social media accounts through his Blackberry, iPhone, and iPad Mini. Ejercito Estrada is consid-ered as one of the most active netizen-politicans in the Philippines today. He loves to connect with his 18,723 followers on Twitter. He also uses the micro-blogging service to see updates on breaking news, thoughts and opinions of media outfits, political leaders, family, and colleagues. The young lawmaker does the same with his Facebook account, where he posts his daily activities to update 5,159 friends on his personal

account, and 61,257 friends on his Fan Page. “It is through social net-working sites that I get the pulse of the people on certain issues. Twitter and Facebook are currently the fastest and most convenient ways to get in touch with the youth and Filipinos all in other parts of the world. Best of all, they

are free,” he said. Ejercito Estrada admits that he is hooked on social networking sites. “It’s been my habit to check replies and posts as soon as I wake up, during my free time, when I’m traveling, and just before I go to sleep.” Since most social net-working accounts of public

figures are manned by their staff, several of his Facebook friends find it hard to believe that he personally manages his own pages. “Many people doubt if I really do the posting on Facebook and Twitter. I do it myself because I like being hands-on. Also, after a day’s hard work, it’s therapeutic to share what you’ve done to the online community,” said Ejercito Estrada. As a youth advocate, he said being an active netizen enables him to be up to date with the latest trends and other developments concern-ing young people. “Youth development is one of my advocacies as a public servant. So being able to interact with students on a daily basis through Twitter

Unified student financial assistance system pushedLAWMAKerS are pushing for the passage of the proposed comprehensive and unified student financial assistance system that will fund quality education to benefit more poor students.

of student financial assistance slots, targeting of beneficiaries, allocation and utilization of government resources, tracking of the whereabouts of beneficia-ries, the payment recovery rate on student loans and compli-ance system on scholarships and management, as well as program administration and oversight concerns. The measure provides for the implementation of the unified student financial assistance system to be known as the Unified Financial Assistance System for Higher and Techni-cal Education (UniFAST). UniFAST shall have integral components of a l l existing financial assistance programs for higher and technical edu-

cation students in both public and private institutions, in-cluding national scholarships, grants-in-aid, special purpose or sector educational assistance, student loans, and government programs in partnership with other stakeholders, among oth-ers, and which are nationally funded and/or implemented by national government agencies, branches and instrumentalities. To carry out the measure effectively, a UniFAST Board shall be created to formulate and approve the nat iona l government student financial assistance policies and strat-egies for tertiary education and review existing policies to ensure consistency with its policy framework under the

Act. The measure shal l cre-ate a Congressional Oversight Committee composed of five members each from the Com-mittees on Higher and Technical education of the Senate of the Philippines and of the House of Representatives to oversee the implementation of the Act. In addition, a Stakeholders Accountabi l ity Committee (SAC) shall be created com-posed of representatives from parents, organizations and students’ groups, the youth sector, teachers and educators’ groups, HEIs and TVIs, and the industry. The SAC shall ensure transparency and accountability and institutionalize consulta-tions with concerned sectors

The sti l l unnumbered bil l, which substitutes House Bill Nos. 26, 405, 667, 965, 1097, 1246, 1852, 2021, 2108, 2243, 2333, 2527, 2791, 2793, 2829, 3433, 3589, 3702, 3739, 3837, 4218, 4254, 4394, 4439, 5136, 6227, 3908, 4725, 6201,1341, 3133, 4591, 4597, 4833, 5134, 5136, 6020, 6122, 6571, 6598, 43, 153, 242, 365, 499, 670, 1247, 1331, 1610, 1820, 2097, 3719, and 6121, awaits approval by the House Committee on Higher Education (HCHE) chaired

by Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara (Lone District, Aurora). The measure shall harmo-nize all government scholarship and grants-in-aid programs to promote greater efficiency, coherence, synchronization, rationalized access, effective funding and improved coor-dination among implementing entities. Angara, one of the authors of the measure, said the bill shall address problems related to access, equity and distribution

by allowing it to inquire into the books of accounts, policy statements, issuances and other documents and information of the Board. To mitigate budgetary con-straints and to ensure the avail-ability of appropriation and cash, a UniFAST Trust Fund for Student Loans and a UniFAST Trust Fund for Grants-in-Aid and Scholarships known as UniFAST GIAS Fund shall be created under the power and supervision of the Board. Student loan refers to a modality of student financial assistance, short term or long term loans provided to finance the tertiary education of stu-dents facing liquidity problems,

11Wednesday-Thursday I Jan. 23-24, 2013BusinessWeek www.businessweekmindanao.com

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A number of classrooms are now happily used by the elementary and high school students in the town of Cateel when they opened back formal classes last Janu-ary 3, 2013. Forty-one classrooms in six (6) barangays including the poblacion have been completed by DPWH Region 10 in the restoration and rehabilitation of damaged national buildings affected by typhoon Pablo in Davao Oriental last December 4, 2012. This will still increase if the 12 on-going activities will be completed by the end of this month. Aside from the school buildings, DPWH X prioritized the rehabilitation of Cateel District Hospital where nu-merous patients have been housed due to the escalating number of persons admitted for various illnesses felt in the aftermath of disaster. The following data translates the above accomplish-ment as of January 12, 2013: Government Bldg. Completed On-going Schools1. Cateel E/S 17 -2. San Isidro E/S 2 13. San Antonio E/S 9 24. Sta. Felomina E/S 9 15. Cateel Vocational HS 2 76. San Antonio HS 2 1 Total 41 12 Hospital1. Cateel District Hospital 1 The team’s first accomplishment was the Cateel District Hospital, a 50-bed capacity hospital where

RD Barroso expressed her appreciation to the DEOs

DEs show full support in the restoration/rehab workDistrict engineers in the 12 District en-

gineering Offices (DeOs) of region X showed their full support in an urgent

meeting called by regional Director evelyn Barroso in compliance with the Secretary’s ASAP instruction to help in restoring infra-structure damages in Davao provinces brought about by tropical storm Pablo last December 4, 2012.

quick response when they created teams and sent off their men immediately after the meeting called by the director a week after the disaster. With no buts, and ifs, District Engineers pooled their resources for their men’s pabaon of cash and foodstuffs. There was no sufficient time to make

negotiations with their accountants or coops for their loans, hence, DEs have to initiate the use of their personal money just to quickly respond the situ-ation. The distance from Region X to Region 11 via Region 13 did not ham-per the DEs commitment to help in the restoration activities.

The visible support of the District Engineers is ac-knowledged by the Regional Director. She is grateful especially to the DE of Mis Or 1st DEO who sent 2 teams or 10 persons who continuously stayed in the area until now; to the DE of Lanao 2nd DEO who even sent a team including a civil engineer with complete

tools, generator set and service vehicle; Bukidnon 1st and 2nd DEOs for one team each who are still in the area until now, and the rest of the districts who sent a team to help for a few days. The efforts you exerted have turned a stone in the lives of typhoon victims in Cateel, Davao Oriental.

Mr. Bebiano Morales orients Sec. Singson and RD Barroso of the things to be done in the area

DPWH- X rehabilitates government buildings in Cateel, Davao Oriental

rehabilitation work includes installation of roofing of about 560 G.I sheets, ceiling, and painting. The TS Pablo Response Team headed by Engr. Jimmy Cayabyab and Bebiano Morales took the lead in helping the people of Cateel to stand back on their feet in a solid ground. They showed their humanitar-ian concern by taking positively their experience like the long and tedious trips from Cagayan de Oro to Davao via Butuan-Bislig route, the not so comfortable accommodation especially during night time, and the daily menu of “tinapa” , noodles, and bulad they and

the people ate in the area. “The tiresome experiences were all gone when we hear words of gratefulness and appreciation from the teachers, students, patients, health professionals and the common tao in recognition of our presence in response to their situation”, Morales sighed when asked how he feels while away from his family. As of this writing, a few of the team members to-gether with Engr. Cayabyab and Mr. Morales from DPWH Region X are still in Cateel to complete their mission.

DA Caraga Turns-over Corn Postharvest Processing Center to Farmers Cooperative

Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr., received the certificate of turn-over from DA Engineering Division Chief Engr. Rene Morales during the turn-over of the village type corn postharvest processing center. Also in the photo (from left:City Agriculturist Engr. Alberto Buca, SGMPC President Dewey Tabelon, Brgy. Captain Demetrio Tabelon, IA Regional President Samuel Carampatana and Butuan CAFC Chair Antonio Cabrera.

Photo by: Wilfred AbreA

Demetrio Tabelon, members and officers of Saint Gabriel Multi-purpose Cooperative (SGMPC) as recipient and other officials and barangay residents. Mayor Amante said that the project is a big help to-wards realization on their vision to make Butuan a sustainable city particularly in terms of agriculture. “Kini nga proyekto da-kong tabang aron matuman ang among mga tinguha nga ang Butuan mahimong sentro sa agrikultura sa Mindanao (This project is a big help in realizing our dream to make Butuan the center of agriculture in Mindanao), Amante added. The said village type corn postharvest processing center is the second project turned-over by DA Caraga as grant to the recipient worth almost three million pesos. First was turned-over last year in Brgy. Malicato, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte. The counterpart of

the recipient is the lot and building where the project is situated. DA 13 Engineering Di-vision Chief Engr. Rene Morales said that the vil-lage type corn postharvest processing center with ten metric tons capacity has two stages namely; on cob drying and corn grain dry-ing. Aside from drying fa-cilities also included in the grant package are corn mill and its related accessories. Brgy. Captain Tabelon said that with the equip-ments, farmers on his area and its neighboring areas could have quality corn and could demand higher price from would be buyers. Soon the same proj-ect is in the pipe line for implementation and to be situated in Bunawan and Talacogon in Agusan del Sur and another one in Brgy. Pinanaan, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte. (Au-rell P. Arais/RAFID DA CARAGA)

BUTUAN CITY - In an effort to boost corn indus-try in Caraga region, the Department of Agriculture

turned-over another vil-lage type corn postharvest processing center in Brgy. Tiniwisan, Butuan City last

January 15, 2013. Gracing the occasion was Regional Technical Direc-tor for Operations Edgardo

Dahino of DA Regional Field Unit 13, Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr., Tiniwisan Brgy. Captain

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Waltermart to grow under tie-up with SMTHE PROSPECTIVE joint venture between two units of SM Investments Corp. (SMIC) and “community shopping center” operator Waltermart Group of Com-panies that is expected to be sealed this semester is seen to further grow the latter’s branch network under cur-rent management, senior officials of the conglomerate said late last week. “We’ll both be in it, it will be 50-50. But they’ll (Waltermart Group) still do the management,” Teresita T. Sy-Coson, SMIC vice-chairman, told reporters last Friday on the sidelines of the annual reception for the banking community at the central bank compound in Manila when asked for updates on the partnership of SMIC units SM Prime Holdings, Inc. and SM Retail, Inc. with Waltermart Group. “It wi l l st i l l be Wal-termart, but it will expand,” Ms. Sy-Coson said when asked how the joint venture would affect current Wal-termart branches. “I don’t know by how many. It’s still too new to say, and we’re still discussing, we’re still planning. When we put things together, that’s when we can say how many,” she said.

‘A GOOD JV’ Last Jan. 7, SMIC an-nounced that its mall and re-

tail units, SM Prime and SM Retail, respectively, signed an initial deal with Waltermart Group for a joint venture, but no details were given, pend-ing further negotiations and due diligence transactions. Waltermart Group is the company behind Wal-ter Mart Malls -- a chain of so-called “community shopping centers” operating in Luzon -- as well as Walter Mart Supermarket, Abenson Appliances, Homeplus Fur-niture, Electroworld and SB Furniture, according to the group’s Web site. Waltermart Group now operates 17 community malls throughout Luzon, four of which (Sucat, Makati, North EDSA and E. Rodriguez) are located in Metro Manila. Ms. Sy-Coson declined to cite how much the SM Group will be sinking in the partnership, but said her family will be working closely with the Lim clan, owners of Waltermart Group. “I don’t know. I’m not a figures person, but all I can say it’s a good JV (joint venture). Our families will be working together and it will be like merging the families and the businesses. So it will be like two groups of inves-tors working together,” she said without elaborating. Jeffrey C. Lim, SM Prime executive vice-president and

Megaworld’s Cebu condo project 95% sold: firm saysCEBU City -- Megaworld has announced that it has sold 95 percent of One Pacific Residence condominium in Mactan, Cebu. This success has called for the upcoming launch of the development’s new cluster on the first quarter of this year, the company said. Located in Lapu-Lapu City, the new cluster will

have the property’s ameni-ties, including a 20-meter-long pool, aqua gym, rock climbing wall, yoga/taichi area and pocket gardens. The condominium will also include One Pacif ic Square, a retail area at the ground level, which will feature stores and boutiques. ”We are bringing luxury and lifestyle convenience to new heights. One Pacific

Residence wil l showcase the best of ‘Newtown’ liv-ing,” said Noli Hernandez, president of Megaworld Cebu Properties Inc. Formally unvei led to the public last August, One Pacific Residence “was met with positive response from the Cebuanos, including Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza,” Megaworld said. ”Megaworld ’s invest-

ment in Lapu-Lapu City is the bright beacon that will catapult the metropolis to become an economic force to reckon with,” Radaza said. This residential proj-ect is part of Megaworld’s newest township in Cebu, the Mactan Newtown, that incorporates the company’s pioneering ‘live-work-play’ concept.

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