businessweek mindanao oct. 22,2012

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P15.00Issue No. 118, Volume III • Oct. 22-25, 2012

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Briefl yBriefl yEU aid for M’naoTHE European Union is provid-ing P312 million to boost the livelihood recovery of some 50,000 families or 300,000 persons displaced by past conflicts in Central Mindanao. In a statement, Thelma Gecolea, EU Delegation to the Philippines, said that the grant is under the project dubbed “Enhancing the Resilience of Internally Displaced Persons in Central Mindanao by Strength-ening Livelihoods.” “This is a concrete and strong reaffirmation of the EU’s commitment to support the peace process in Mindanao,” Gecolea said.

Treasury bondTHE government, through the Bureau of Treasury (Btr), is is-suing for the first time a 25-year retail treasury bond (RTB) to help investors in their search for investment instruments for long-term savings. It will be offered to the public from October 9 to 22 for as low as P5,000 and with additional amounts in multiples of P5,000. The current offering, having a maturity of 25 years, will be issued on October 24, 2012 with quarterly interest payments at a rate of 6.125 percent per annum.

ConsumerNet dialogueBUTUAN City -- Members of the Caraga Consumer Network (ConsumerNet) and consumer organizations in Agusan del Norte will be participating in the dialogue and workshop with cellphone sellers, as well as in the 7th ConsumerNet Meets the Public on October 31. The said dialogue and workshop will be conducted in the morning session while the ConsumerNet Meets the Public will be in the afternoon session. Both will be held at the Barangay Imadejas Function Hall, this city. The whole-day activity is the culmination of the month-long celebration of the Consumer Welfare Month with the theme “Get organized. Be Heard. Be Empowered.”

By CARMELITO Q. FRANCISCOCorrespondent

DAVAO City -- The Min-danao power situation has turned alarming as

curtailment on Thursday last week went up to 410 megawatts (MW), or roughly a third of the island’s 1,250 MW average demand during weekdays. Based on information from the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), the reduction in Mindanao’s power supply resulted from the shutting down of the Misamis Oriental-based STEAG State Power, Inc.’s two coal-fired power plants that were earlier scheduled for preventive maintenance. Milfrance Q. Capulong, spokesper-son of the grid operator for its southern Mindanao field office, said a number of areas on the island were experiencing an average of two hours in rotational brownouts. Ms. Capulong said due to the curtailment, the grid operator had to apportion the power output supplied

LARGEST VESSEL IN MISOR. The world’s largest cargo vessel, Vale Minas Gerais, docked at the port of steel firm Philippine Sinter Corp. in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental. The huge ship, bigger than 3 football fields laid from front to tail, delivers 400,000 metric tons of iron-ore to the sintering plant of Japan’s JFE Steel.

Brownouts due to chronic power shortage

World’s largest iron-ore ship calls port at Misor’s steel plant

of the Mindanao Coal plant in Misamis Oriental. The report quoted Ms Asirit as saying DOE would maximize the output of Min-danao’s Agus and Pulangui hydropower complexes and limit the load distribution utilities would be able to withdraw from the grid. In addition, DOE would ask private firms and distribu-tion utilities to use their own embedded generators to supplement supply within their respective areas. An officer of the Min-

age to the Philippines carrying iron-ore for the Japanese firm Philippines Sinter Corp. (PSC) in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental. The Rio de Janeiro-based Vale, the world’s No. 2 mining company, said the Singapore-

By NELSON V. CONSTANTINOEditor-in-Chief

VILLANUEVA, Misamis Oriental -- The Vale Minas Gerais, the world’s largest iron-ore carrier, recently made its maiden voy-

flagged Vale Minas Gerais has the capacity to transport up to 400,000 metric tons of iron ore and capable of reducing carbon emissions by 35% per ton of ore transported.

As peace looms: Big business mulls over its options

AS THE peace accord opens the entire Mindanao for business, traders are of two minds as to how they should respond, with some wanting to hit the ground running and others opting for a more

By MIKE BAÑOS, Correspondent

Energy officials may differ in their opinions regarding the rotating brownouts now being exprienced in some areas of Mindanao but all agree it is a result of the chronic power shortage in the island. Media reports quoted Dept of Energy Undersec-retary Josefina Asirit as saying outtages could last only two hours or less in certain areas during peak hours despite the shutdown

danao Coal power plant clarified numerous media reports attributing their month long shutdown as the sole cause of the recent spate of brownouts in Mindanao. “Mindanao has a chronic power shortage resulting in power outages being experienced for several years now in many areas,” said Jerome R. Soldevilla, communications officer of STEAG State Power Inc., the island’s only coal-fired power plant. “Our preven-

STEAG/PAGE 9

PEACE/PAGE 9SHIP/PAGE 9

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Primavera Residences was the only developer of over 30 booths exhibiting their products and services during the 11th National Cooperative Summit held October 11-13, 2012 at the Limketkai Center Atrium. Ms. Primavera/Ms. Kagay-an 2012 Greanne Trisha Mendoza helped host the Primavera booth with the Pri-mavera Residences marketing and office staff. Four thousand cooperative officers, delegates and advocates all over the country are attending the Summit hosted by FICCO, PFCCO, CLIMBS, MASS- SPECC, & NATCCO.

EconomyEconomy2 October 22-25, 2012 www.businessweekmindanao.com

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Soccsksargen launches jewelry development projectBy SHAHANA JOY E. DUERME, Contributor

KORONADAL City -- Government agencies, local governments, and the mining sector in Soccsksargen Region yesterday launched a project that will expand the benefits of min-ing industry to communities where mines are located.

cial government of South Cotabato, the barangays of Poblacion, Kematu, Ed-wards, and Desawo of the said town, and the Philip-pine Information Agency. Newly organized Soccsk-sargen Responsible Miners Association is also involved in the project. Highlight of the launch-ing program was the turn-over ceremony of jewelry-making equipment to at least 20 individuals who will be trained on the manufacture

The Mines and Geosci-ences Bureau (MGB) 12 led the launching of the jewelry development project in Region 12 at Barangay Edwards, T’Boli, South Co-tabato.

Other partners are the Department of Trade and Industry, Tribal Mining Cor-poration (TMC), National Economic and Development Authority, local government unit of Tboli, the provin-

of industry-grade earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, and others. The equipment which costs P378,000 was allocated under the Social Develop-ment Management Fund of the TMC and will be used for training of the local jewelry makers. MGB-12 Regional Di-rector Constancio Paje Jr. said the project aims to downstream the benefits of mining industry to the communities by adding value to the gold and silver extracted from their area. “Maybe, time will come when South Cotabato and Region 12 will be known for its T’boli gold, like Chinese gold,” he said. Dr. Elmer Billedo, assis-

tant director of the MGB-Central Office, lauded the residents of the place for the undertaking. “You have shown to the Filipino people that nothing is impossible when everyone works together towards a progressive nation,” Billedo said. The official also stated that this project will give the people a noble work which they can be proud of. “The regional and na-tional offices of MGB will support the development of the jewelry project for it to flourish tagging T’Boli as the ‘jewelry-making capital of the Philippines,’” he added. The project also pro-motes tourism, besides gen-erating additional income

for families in the mining area and their communi-ties as well as the entire Soccsksargen. Also present in the event were DTI Provincial Office Director Flora Gabunales and South Cotabato Gov-ernor Arthur Pingoy Jr. Pingoy assured full sup-port to further boost the jewelry industry. Paje said the support of everyone is needed in this quest since there is a high chance that the community will be developed through this kind of enterprise. TMC, which has permit for the exploration of the mining sites in T’boli, said the area has approximately 2.4 million tons of gold and silver deposits.

DOE holds consultations on Mindanao Electricity Market

By RUTCHIE C. AGUHOBContributor

ducted as part of DOE’s continuing effort to improve the current power supply situation in Mindanao. The consultations aim to inform the public in more details the power supply challenges being faced by the island, Josefina Patricia M. Asirit, chief of staff/undersecretary of DOE, said. It will also enlighten the public of the proposed policies and actions of the DOE, its attached agencies and PEMC to address the situation in Mindanao in-cluding the establishment

OROQUIETA City -- The Department of Energy (DOE) will hold a series of public consultations on the proposed Interim Mindanao Electricity Market (IMEM). The first leg of these consultations will be held today, Oct. 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at N Hotel, Kauswagan Highway in Cagayan de Oro City. Held together with the Philippine Electricity Mar-ket Corporation (PEMC), the consultations are con-

and operationalization of the IMEM. “It is envisioned that with the IMEM, we will be able to attract more power investments in Mindanao, Asirit said. For more information, you may contact Jhoana R. Bautista and Genevieve M. Tolentino of the Electric Power Industry and Man-agement Bureau (EPIMB) through telephone numbers (02) 840-3273/479-2900 local 202 and/or email ad-dress: [email protected] or [email protected].

Builders urged to veer away from substandard materials

DAVAO City -- Builders and contractors have important roles to play in ensuring the safety of the public so they should be critical when choosing the products they use. “Th e use of substandard and uncertifi ed construction products can affect your reputation so make sure you only choose those that have

been certifi ed in terms of quality and safety,” Philippine Product Safety and Quality Foundation Inc. (PPSQF) representative Alex Yanson said on Th ursday during the Consumer Fair 2012 Opening Program held at the NCCC Mall in Davao City. PPSQF is appealing to builders and contractors to think of the safety of

the people all the time in the construction of their projects, he said. More than ten companies have joined the fair and have made samples of their products available for the consumers to see. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who was the guest speaker during the event, called on the manu-facturers to promote the welfare and interest of the consumers. She also advised Dabawe-nyos to be aware of their rights as consumers. “Consumer awareness is crucial as we strive to move forward,” Duterte-Carpio said. She also urged the De-partment of Trade and Indus-try (DTI) to “create polices and an economic environ-ment that will encourage Dabawenyos to grow their business and improve their capabilities.” She said consumers should know their rights and that includes the right to complain if they get products with substandard quality. Dabawenyos should also immediately fi le their com-plaints with DTI so that the manufacturers and sellers are apprised of the state of their products, she said.

3October 22-25, 2012MotoringMotoring www.businessweekmindanao.com


It all began with the Starex

FILIPINOS went for the Starex in droves when the grey market began offering the family van.

RANKING NUMBER three, no one pooh-poohs Hyundai nowadays. The Equus luxury car is as legit as they come. The Veloster is fresh thinking as the MINI was in 1959. The Genesis Coupe is not something to take for granted on the circuit or drift track. The So-nata is one of the splashiest cars one can buy in the usually sober executive class. The pricey new Santa Fe can go toe to toe with any of the Euro majors. With the Eon, i10, Accent, Elantra and Tucson, the segment battles are wide open and no longer a giveaway to the traditional favorites. Hyundai was not an unknown entity here before Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. opened its doors. Re-member the LPG Excel taxi and Pony hatchback, the latter ripe for conver-sion to aftermarket push button clutch shifting? Or the Cortina-based Maserati Quattroporte looking Stel-lar? Believe it or not, all three Hyundai models were penned by the Italian de-signer, Giorgetto Guigiaro. The H-100 van was notable for its diesel injectors getting indigestion from our dirty diesel. The V-6 Galloper, a first-gen Pajero lookalike, had its fans, specially those who did not like the look of the succeeding Pajero generations. There was the rakish Terracan, built on the same Galloper platform as most of Hyundai engines and chassis were “donated”

by Mitsubishi. Then Hyundai struck it out on its own with the first Santa Fe and the Elantra. Known in European ral-lies, the Elantra was locally campaigned for motorsports by the MP turbo privateer, Mike Potenciano. There was also the Sonata exec car, a dead ringer for Jaguar meets Toyota Cressida. Hyundais were imported by enterprising Korean emi-gres in the pre-’90s and ’90s. Francisco Motors positioned to be the official assembler of Hyundai, burnishing its CV by having made the An-fra, popularized the Mazda B2200 and reintroduced the FIAT brand with the Uno. But if there was any model that made Hyundai a household word, it was the Starex. Another model shared from Mitsubishi’s L400 Space Gear, the Starex was a quantum leap from the locally assembled default family van of the ’80s, the Mitsubishi L300. Instead of stiff cart springs in the back, the standard passenger model Starex had a five link

on coil springs rear axle. Variants came in regular roof or hi-roof, nine seats or stretched wheelbase 11 seats, 4x4, heavy duty rear suspension, automatic trans-mission, intercooler turbo diesel engine or V-6 gas, power everything, rotating bench middle row, TV and VCD. Unlike its cab-over van competition where the driver sits atop of the engine and front axle, the Starex’s engine was placed in front of the driver. This layout gives a better ride, more safety crush zones and payload balance. De luxe family van versions, topped with a roof/utility rack with a bright metal ladder, came with color-ful graphics adorning its flanks, breaking-up its tall silhouette.

The ’90s produced the gasoline powered Toyota Lite Ace and Nissan Vanette as competition but the die-sel L300’s lead was unper-turbed. High tariffs slapped on CBUs then prevented Mit-subishi from introducing the L400 at a competitive price. On the other hand the Starex, as a grey market import, came out as priced “competitively”. Today’s Starex faces tougher competition than what its predecessor faced in the ’90s. The UMC Urvan is dirt cheap, while Toyota’s Hi-Ace has regained its dominance. Hi-Ace com-muters are popular even for UV Express GT shuttles, a market Starex nor the H-100 could not penetrate. The

Suzuki: Shifting gears for drag racing

THROUGH the Raider Breed Wars, Suzuki provides the safer and legal venue as well as the proper protective gears to drag racers. In its effort to stan-dardize drag racing and make it world-class, Suzuki launched the Raider Breed Wars (RBW) in 2010, a drag racing event that provides the proper venue and stan-dards to the drag racing enthusiasts. Raider Breed Wars is a National Drag Racing Competition authorized by the National Motorcycle Safety and Sports Associa-tion (NAMSSA). Its objec-tive is to provide the proper and legal racing venue where all participants are required to follow strict playing rules and to wear the proper pro-tective gears that pass the government’s safety stan-dards (ECE, DOT, SNELL, ICC, etc.). The event is free for all and the top finishers for each category qualify for the Raider Breed Wars

Final. On its first year, the event received wide acceptance as Suzuki established a regulat-ing body for the “revived” sport. On its second year, Raider Breed Wars added two additional legs in North Luzon and in Mindanao; and the event got a new partner with the participation of Phoenix Cyclomax. Now, on its third year, the Raider Breed Wars has taken another form as the National Drag Racing Championship 2012. The Luzon races are under Turbo Racing; while the Visayas and Mindanao races are under Suzuki Race Wars, which is organized by the 5th Gear Motorsports. Both races have three exclu-sive Suzuki categories: the Raider 150, the Underbone 115, and the Scooter 130. So far for this year, Suzuki has mounted 5 Turbo Racing events and 4 Suzuki Race Wars nationwide with total accumulated audience of

STAREX/PAGE 9 SUZUKI/PAGE 9

4 October 22-25, 2012 www.businessweekmindanao.com


Engr. Rodolfo Aranzado, Provincial High Value Commercial Crops Coordinator of Lanao del Norte (top left) imparts the nutritional value of vegetables and its benefits in growing them through natural farming. Ms. Glenn A. Janubas (top right), Regional Reports Officer for the Gulayan sa Paaralan Project of DA-10, encourages the par-ticipants to promote vegetable consumption among their students.

PHL lags behind other countries in agricultural growth, says IBON

Agri NewsAgri News

NO amount of modernization or capital infusion in agriculture driven by foreign investment can help the country attain food self-sufficiency.

countries, the Philippines ranked 4th in rice, coconut, sugarcane, and 5th in corn, IBON said. Meanwhile, World Bank data also showed that Total Factor Productivity (TFP) growth in agriculture—or the ratio of machinery investment in productiv-ity—has stagnated in the Philippines at 0.2 percent per year over the past two decades, compared to 1 percent per year in Thai-land, 1.5 percent per year in Indonesia, and 4.7 percent in China. Moreover, the Philip-pines is also the only net importing country in ag-riculture among ASEAN members with a trade deficit of $2.4 billion in 2009. The country’s total agricultural imports amounted to US$

This was stressed by the private think-tank IBON Foundation as it reiterated the need for the free distri-bution of lands to landless farmers to boost agricultural production. According to IBON, the problematic implementation of land reform hinders the country from attaining food self-sufficiency. As the country com-memorates World Food Day and Peasant Month, IBON said free-land distribution to farmers is one of the fundamental requirements towards realizing food se-curity. The group said that while the Philippine government

aims to attain rice self-sufficiency by 2013, the country is lagging behind its Asian neighbours in terms of agricultural growth. IBON said that a study commissioned by the gov-ernment revealed that Philippine agriculture is 20 years behind other Asian countries. “The country’s land productivity in terms of yield of traditional crops has declined, even as the labor productivity of farm-ers and agricultural workers has increased annually,” a statement released by IBON said. Comparing land produc-tivity with ASEAN member

6.1 billion, with rice and milk among its top imports. Meanwhile, Philippine ag-ricultural exports in 2009 amounted to only US$3.2 billion, which was small compared to Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, which had over US$20 bil-lion each. According to IBON, the Philippines has become the world’s largest importer of rice, which is ironic because the country is among the world’s major rice producers. Yet, IBON lamented that despite the food insecurity and overdependence on rice imports, the govern-ment is implementing the food staples self-sufficiency roadmap 2011-2016 which aims to achieved rice self-sufficiency by 2013. However the roadmap,

like previous agricultural modernization programs, espouses global competitive-ness of local agriculture – it prioritizes production of exports instead of domestic food. The program, IBON added, has also largely been criticized for its bias for private foreign agribusiness,

from which funding for the program would come. “No amount of mod-ernization or capital infu-sion in agriculture driven by foreign investment can help the country attain food self-sufficiency [if ] it is done in the same context of landlessness, the research group said.

DA-10 Regional Rice Program Coordinator Juliet B. Araos stresses that the projects under the Agri-Pinoy Rice Program is an investment of the government to the farmers, who are the main actors in the development of the agricultural sector as well as in the achievement of rice self-sufficiency after the year 2013.

DA-10 presents status of investments on riceWITH the promotion of agribusiness investment as one of its marching orders, the Agribusiness and Mar-keting Assistance Division of the Department of Ag-riculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) recently led the conduct of an invest-ment forum for the country’s staple food – rice at De Luxe Hotel, in Cagayan de Oro. In her report on the up-dates and status of the rice industry within Northern Mindanao, DA-10 Regional Rice Program Coordinator Juliet B. Araos informed

that region 10 has been al-located with funds, amount-ing to P 245 million for the year 2013. This budget, she added, is much higher compared to the current year’s budget, reaching only P 135 million. As the agency has been given the directive for the attainment of rice self-suf-ficiency after the year 2013, RRPC Araos explained that the DA-10 through the Agri-Pinoy Rice Program has pipelined projects for the 2012-2013 period, under which interventions are

geared towards reaching the said target. Majority of the projects under the Program, she de-tailed, has been apportioned to irrigation support with a P 65-million budget, cover-ing small scale impounding project construction and rehabilitation, small farm reservoir construction, shal-low tube well rehabilitation, earth embankment service and the Integrated Rice Production Enhancement Project (IRPEP). Bulk of the Program’s resources has also gone to

assistance in terms of farm mechanization and other infrastructure and post-harvest facilities. Other slated projects include pro-duction support, market development, extension and training services, research and development, regula-tory services and planning, policy and advocacy pro-gram. With the numerous sup-

South Cotabato prepares for expected dry spell

KORONADAL -- The provincial government’s Agriculture office and the National Irrigation Ad-ministration have begun preparing for the possible onset within the next two months of El Niño, which is expected to result in a prolonged dry spell, an of-ficial said yesterday. Reynaldo T. Legaste, the province’s Agriculture chief, said in a recent interview that his office has been firming up plans to revise the planting calendar so rice and corn farmers can adapt to climate change. This adjustments will be done in consultation with experts and farm groups. The last time Mindanao and the rest of the country reeled from a prolonged dry spell was in late-2009 to mid-2010. It’s impact, however, was more felt in terms of elec-tricity supply as the drying up of dams that powered hydro plants resulted in

outages that lasted as long as 12 hours in many areas on the island. Mindanao’s power shortage then ap-proached 600 megawatts -- or nearly half of the entire island’s capacity. This time, another bout with a dry spell could es-pecially affect South Cota-bato’s upper valley where six towns rely on the Allah River Irrigation System. That area spans about 70 square kilometers covering uplands of Lake Sebu and T’boli towns. “When rains stop, farm-ers are likely to experience failure in production; thus, we are to assist in their planting strategies,” Mr. Legaste said. “We will work hand in hand with the National Ir-rigation Administration,” he added. Ramon A. Bugacia, the National Irrigation Admin-istration’s chief in South Cotabato, said in a local

A five-day training on the basics of vegetable garden-ing, nature farming, com-posting, seed banking, seed storage and seed production technologies was attended by 223 elementary and high school teachers in the prov-ince of Lanao del Norte. This was made possible through the collaborative effort of the Department of Agriculture - 10 (DA-10) through its Crops Divi-sion and the Department of Education-10 (DepEd-10) for the continuous imple-mentation of the Gulayan sa Paaralan Project (GSPP). The project is the govern-ment agencies concerted initiative towards hunger mitigation and poverty alleviation through food security and sufficiency. The training is the GSPP’s

Vegetable gardening pushed in Lanao del Nortecapability enhancement component to serve as aid for teachers in promoting self-help food production to the younger generation and in encouraging them to appreciate agriculture. “We do not only promote vegetable production, but vegetable consumption as well,” said Ms. Glenn A. Janubas, Regional Reports Officer for the GSPP as she stressed the importance of school gardens to sus-tain supplementary feed-ing in schools as a means to decrease drop out and malnutrition rates among students. Engr. Rodolfo Aranzado, Provincial High Value Com-mercial Crops Coordinator also emphasized the ben-efits of vegetable garden-ing. “Vegetable gardening

through nature farming gives us an assurance that food is always available. It also addresses food security, provides additional income, insures a clean and safe environment, and helps us fight malnutrition and maintain a healthy lifestyle,” Engr. Aranzado added. Participants also received garden tools and 90 pouches of open pollinated variety (OPV) of assorted vegetable seeds, as part of DA’s assis-tance in the establishment of vegetable gardens among benefi ciary schools. With the assistance provided, the benefi ciary schools are ex-pected to produce at least 100 kilograms of vegetables per harvest season with in the required area of 200 square meters. # (VANESSA MAE S. SIANO, DA-RAFID 10)

RICE/PAGE 9 SPELL/PAGE 9

5October 22-25, 2012 www.businessweekmindanao.com




OpinionOpinion

Going through hot water

JHAN TIAFAUHURST

THINK A MINUTETHINK A MINUTE

Splendors of Camiguin Island

THINK a minute… “A tea bag isn’t worth much until it’s been through some hot water.” There’s a saying in boxing: “Every-body’s got a plan—until they’ve been hit!” Sooner or later, life is going to hit and knock you down. Whether you get back up or not is your choice. Almost all people’s successes are built on their former failures. A very successful man was asked if he had ever failed. He answered: “Only in life.” The fact is, even after we’ve been knocked down we can still use our past mistakes and failures to build a bridge to our success.

You know that you’re the only one who can kill your dream by quitting. Remember that just falling in the water is not what drowns you; it’s staying down there that does. Just like kites fly high because the wind pushes against them, so problems that op-pose you can actually help you succeed, if you choose to believe and use them that way. There was a man who was the only survivor from a shipwreck. He drifted to an uninhabited island where he built a hut for his shelter. One evening after he returned from search-

ing for food, he found his little hut on fire. Early the next morning he awoke to find a ship that had come in during the night. When the captain came on shore he told the man: “We saw your smoke signal so we came to rescue you.” Ev-erything this man owned and valued in his hut had to be destroyed before he could be saved. Sometimes our Maker even uses our pain to get our attention, so we can learn our most important lessons for living well and wisely. So why not ask Jesus Christ to take charge and lead you through the hot

water you’re in now? He’s the only one who can help you change your pain and problems into peace and prosperity for you and your family. The choice is yours. Just think a minute…

CELEBRATING the Lanzo-nes Festival in the nearby island province of Camiguin some 50 nautical miles from Cagayan de Oro this Oc-tober 25 to 28, exudes a memorable vacation for tourists and locals in search of “something-to-do” this October. Certainly, the weather will be calm at the port of Balingoan, the eastern jump off point to Benoni Port in the island which could be filled to the rafter as visitors trek to the celebration of the fruits in abundance. Many weekend travel-ers of returning students and local traders will be queuing their turns at the ticket counter. Camiguin is served four times a day by RORO ferries cross-ing the Balingoan channel from the Misamis Oriental mainland. While some passengers coming from Cagayan de Oro prefers to take the 8:00 o’clock morn-ing trip of the Ocean Jet from the Macabalan Port to the island. It is faster and

more convenient but must be taken with sheer of luck for the air-conditioning unit of the craft to run perfect. Some passenger’s recently raise complaints and disappointment when only pure air came out from the blower at the passengers’ cabin to the discomfort of young children travelling with parents. A good tourism attrac-tion should have a huge drawing power back up by good infrastructures and reliable sea worthy trans-portation. It adds more catalyst and motivator for any local and foreign tourist travelling to a destination. Camiguin need not have the 8th wonder of the world tag or a flare of the fabu-lous skylines of a modern city. Some service providers granted franchise of public conveyance to the island needs a little human effort to take care of infrastruc-tures and understand their obligation to the public. In the Philippines, we can add belief and religion

as our important treat that continuously makes us pas-sionate and distinct from the other races of the world. When travelling, we can ask the Saints in heaven to clear the sky and calm down the seas. Old folks are welcomed to pray to keep the rain away. Many familiar and good attractions to Camiguin are the White Sand islands of Yumbing and Mantigue which has their own en-vironmental values. The sandbars serve as strategic importance in protecting the coastal sea shores from huge waves and strong flow of current during the monsoon months. Mantigue serves as good picnic grounds during summer and a protected fish habitat. Without this sand-bar islands, Camiguin could be susceptible to strong waves from the open sea. Another is the Sunken Cem-etery which reminds us of the volcanic catastrophe in the 17th century that killed many of the island’s popula-tion. The underwater relics

are sacrificed made by the generations who perished in the violent volcanic erup-tions. Camiguin Island has mountain thrills and hot springs that can be freely visited. Flowing water falls are natural wonders provid-ing hot steams for bathing. At the foot of the famous Mt. Hibok-hibok, stone boulders and dried lava blended with second growth vegetation that must not be removed or the volcano maidens will spew fire and anger. Two

DIAO/PAGE 7

Cyber scams

JUST recently, something caught my attention: an outbreak of meningitis in certain states in the US of A. Cause was traced to contaminated steroid shots, which were given to patients complaining of back , ankle or shoulder pains. The medi-cation itself is correct: for I used to have been afflicted with Frozen Shoulder Syn-drome (I couldn’t move my shoulders as I used to do, and the pain itself associated with even the absence of movement was such, that a shot of steroids to the area, usually gives temporary relief ). The news on the outbreak has pinpointed to the cause as non adherence to the standards set in the handling and preparation as well as most probably even the transport of the medicines. Patients on ad-mission and even those that were advised to go through work up, had Fungi in their findings. Meningitis , is an inflam-mation of the membranes covering the brain tissue and the spinal cord. The infection may start from somewhere else (orophar-ynx, sinuses, lungs, to name a few) or the organism may primarily hit the brain. The swelling in and around the area can trigger the signs and symptoms that are seen in cases of meningi-tis: headache, fever and the presence of stiff neck. Additional manifestations may include any of these: nausea and vomiting, dif-ficulty concentrating, walk-ing. Seizures may also be reported. If the cause of

An Infection by Accident?

the meningitis is viral or in instances of meningo-coccemia (the causative organism is Neisseria men-ingitides), skin rashes may be noticeable. When it is viral, the disease resolves within 2 weeks, and is mild in presentation. Bacterial causes of meningitis has a more prolonged and severe presentation. The third causative organism, Fungi, as seen in the outbreak the past weeks in the States, is non - contagious, and the symptoms may take weeks to months, even. Aspergil-lus, Cryptococcus (which is closely associated with HIV AIDS ), are the more common culprits . In this particular outbreak though, Exserohilum (isolated from the recovered vials), was the isolated causative organism. Exserohilum is commonly found in wood rots. When patients pres-ent clinically as Meningitis (regardless of organism) , a compete medical history and physical examination is a MUST. Of the diagnostic tests that are performed, which includes blood tests,

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QUIAMJOTPAGE 9

IGNACIO BUNYE

SPEAKING OUTSPEAKING OUTQUESTION: What is the worst kind of fishing? An-swer: Cyber phishing. I recently became a re-cipient of this bad joke when a very suspicious-looking e-mail popped in my inbox. The sender and the sender’s address were dubious enough: “From: Alert: #RCBC029 [email protected].” The subject: “RCBC: [Atten-tion Required] ACCOUNT SUSPENSION NOTICE.” But the biggest red flag of all was the content of the e-mail: “Dear RCBC Customer, we have acti-vated the NEW ( RCBC (11010) Security ). Due to increased security problem, we have increased the level of our online security. Your Account was disabled for verification. You are re-quired to re-activate your RCBC Account now to avoid suspension. Activate now>>>>>>>http:www.rcbc-)c-accessone.com/RCBC))/rcbc.htm>>>>>>>. Thank you, RCBC.” The e-mail’s poor gram-

mar is enough to raise eye-brows, but how do we guard ourselves (and our bank accounts) from cyber phish-ers? The Information Tech-nology Sub-Sector (ITSS) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pili-pinas defines e-mail spam as “unsolicited commercial e-mail (UCE) or unsolicited bulk e-mail (UBE).” E-mail spam is some-times referred to as “junk mail,” normally containing advertisements for services and products. According to the ITSS, the most common types of spam e-mails include the following: • Scams/Hoaxes o Phishing scam/per-sonal information scam—a very popular and dangerous form of e-mail fraud that scammers use to commit identity theft o Nigerian bank scams or advance fee fraud schemes o Pyramid schemes, in-cluding multi-level market-ing o Sweepstakes, lottery,

and prize scams o Other “Get Rich Quick” or “Make Money Fast” schemes • Ads o Quack health products and remedies o Software collecting e-mail addresses o Illegally pirated soft-ware • Chain Letters o Software collecting e-mail addresses and send-ing unsolicited commercial e-mail o Offers of bulk e-mailing services for sending unso-licited commercial e-mail So what are the signs that an e-mail is possibly “spam”? The ITSS answers: • You do not know the sender; • It involves something that is confidential or per-sonal in nature (such as your PIN and password); • It involves money; and • It requires you to click on some form of link, hy-perlink, URL or button. Should you receive an e-mail spam, these are the

things that you should do, according to the ITSS: • Be cautious. If you suspect that you have re-ceived a spam message, do not reply. • Just ignore and delete the message. • Do not follow any in-structions such as replying to the sender, disclosing personal information or passwords, or clicking on a URL link. Lastly, always remem-ber this advice from Alan Henry of popular tech blog Lifehacker.com: “The most beneficial skill you can learn

PED T. QUIAMJOT

TRAVERSING THETRAVERSING THETOURISM HI-WAYTOURISM HI-WAY

BUNYE/PAGE 9



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caused the infection. Treatment is directed at the causative agent and also to lowering the increased intracranial pressure, the edema and swelling of the surrounding areas. If the illness is diagnosed early and management instituted immediately, the outlook is very good. But, then again, Health IN Focus isn’t com-plete unless it directs your mind again to the most important lesson that need to be learned and applied; PREVENTION. Simple things like washing hands properly and regularly, mak-ing the habit so much a part of you, staying healthy

Diao...from page 6CT Scan and MRI, the most useful and definitive is a Lumbar Tap or puncture. A needle is inserted in the lumbar area (spinal col-umn) and Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is extracted and sent to the Laboratory for analysis. The CSF is examined for the presence or absence of white blood cells , and is also analyzed as to sugar and protein con-tent. Bacteriological studies including gram staining and culture is performed, in order to check the type of organism that may have

through a balanced diet, exercise, water and rest, and yes, never forgetting that vaccine shots, are steps that are inexpensive and very doable. Nothing happens by chance.... if for some rea-son, one gets a disease by accident, or what we call as iatrogenic, it simply re-minds us, that, even with the most rigid of procedures and quality standards, par-ticularly in the healthcare industry, an occasional miss or two, which is most un-fortunate, it should not in any way stop us from trying to do our utmost best, to cause no one harm....

PAL to fly non-stop to Toronto starting Nov. 30STARTING November 30, 2012, Philippine Airlines flies non-stop to Toronto giving the flag carrier a direct link to Canada’s largest city and its first gateway on the vital East Coast of North America in 15 years.

are on pace to surpass that record this year. For the first eight months of 2012, there were 81,093 balikbayan arrivals from Canada. The opening of the new route will see a revamp of PAL’s Canadian operations. Beginning November 30, Manila-Vancouver flights, currently daily, will be cut to four times weekly, alternat-ing with the thrice-weekly Manila-Toronto service. But Vancouver-Manila flights will continue to be a daily service with the flight back from Toronto making a stopover. The Manila-Toronto service (PR 118) will leave Manila every Wednesday,

PAL President Ramon Ang said the launch of the new 17-hour route, which will be served by the new Boeing 777-300ER, was timed for the peak Christ-mas travel season. “We are always keen on developing new markets and Toronto, with its di-verse population, booming economy and status as one of the world’s top financial centers, presents us a major opportunity to do so,” Ang said, adding it was also in response to the clamor of the

large Filipino community in eastern Canada. Toronto becomes PAL’s 27th international, and 46th overall, destination. About 250,000 or 4.1% of greater Toronto’s 6.05 million residents are of Filipino origin, the largest concentration of Filipinos in Canada and a natural base market for PAL. Filipino-Canadians are among the largest visitor groups to the Philippines, accounting for over 117, 400 arrivals in 2011, and

Friday and Sunday at 3 p.m., arriving at Terminal 3 of Toronto Pearson Inter-national Airport at 5 p.m. on the same days. The return flight (PR 119) flies out of Toronto at 7:35 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, stop-ping in Vancouver at 9:30 p.m. and continuing on to Manila at 11:30 p.m., where it will arrive at Terminal 2 of Ninoy Aquino Interna-tional Airport at 5:45 a.m. two calendar days later. Th e newly acquired long-range Boeing 777-300ER can accommodate 42 pas-sengers in Mabuhay Class (business) and 328 in Fiesta Class (economy). (Eric B. Apolonio, InterAksyon.com)

Alcantara group cleared for takeover of Iligan power plant

THE Alcantara Group is set to take over the Iligan die-sel-fired power plant from Iligan City after the Com-mission on Audit cleared the sale of the facility, the Department of Energy said on Friday. Undersecretary Josefina Patricia M. Asirit said COA has approved the transfer of the 100-megawatt power plant to Alsons Consoli-dated Resources Inc. subject to certain conditions. “Okay na, sold. Pero may requirement lang ang COA. One area is on ownership and the inclusions on the sale like off-site facilities. There was also a question on the cost. We asked Iligan City to justify,” she said. ACRI is the listed hold-ing firm of the Alcantaras, who have interests in power generation, aquaculture and agribusiness, real property development and services. ACRI topped the Ili-gan City bidding for the diesel plant in 2011. The local government unit se-questered the facility from state-owned National Power Corp. for non-payment of real property taxes. Asirit did not indicate when the facility will be

turned over to the company, but said the government rec-ognizes “the opportunity cost of waiting for the approval.” The resumption of the operations of the 100-mega-watt Iligan plant is one of the stop-gap measures the government is banking on to ease Mindanao’s power shortage. Parts of the region have been suffering from regular power interruptions as a result of insufficient gen-erating capacity. Asirit said the agency is hoping the Iligan plant will be operational in time for the DOE proposed In-

terim Mindanao Electricity Market, a trading platform for electricity similar to the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, which allows buyers to bypass bilateral supply contracts and hasten dispatch of electricity from the facility. “Kapag bilaterals, may Energy Regulatory Com-mission approvals needed,” Asirit said, referring to the regulatory process that sup-ply contracts have to go through before they take effect. The IMEM was earlier proposed by Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras to Mala-

canang as a means to help shore up power supply in Mindanao. “We are looking at some interim market mechanisms ,which will be put in place hopefully before the end fo the year,” he said. Unlike the WESM in Lu-zon and the Visayas, which caters to wholesale supply and whose rates are driven by market forces, the IMEM proposal aims to provide power companies a venue where they can offer their available generating capaci-ties as needed by electric cooperatives and private electricity distributors.

Smart reports increase in e-money transactionsTHE volume of electronic wallet service transaction of Smart Money is on the rise as more Filipinos pre-fer to pay their bills using electronic wallets connected to their mobile phones. In a statement, Smart Communications Inc. said Smart Money recorded a doubling of bills payment transactions in the first half of the year, following the inclusion of Sun Cellular as one of Smart Money’s biller-partners, said finan-cial services head Tricia Dizon. “We expect to sustain the upward trend as we add another company to our list of biller-partners—Cignal Digital TV,” Dizon said. “Now, Cignal subscrib-ers can settle their bills the convenient and secure way—by using the Smart Money menu on their mo-bile phone. They can pay their bills even after office hours and even when they are out of town. No more need to disrupt their sched-

ule just to fall in line.” Aside from making bills payment more convenient, Smart Money users can also conduct cashless shopping online and in more than 32 million MasterCard mer-chants worldwide, receive remittances from more than 95,000 partner-agents all over the world, reload their Smart prepaid account, link their Smart Money account to their accounts in major banks, and transfer funds electronically to other Smart Money users. Smart Money has 10 million users. Among the services on offer, person-to-person money transfers were the most popular in the first half of the year, with usage levels increasing by 115 percent year-on-year. Smart Money users can also use the bills payment service for hassle-free trans-actions with Smart Postpaid, PLDT, Meralco, Maynilad, Manila Water, SkyCable, and North Luzon Expressway Easy Trip reloads.

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Villars complete first tranche of $4.7-M mine firm purchaseTHE family of businessman and Senator Manuel Villar Jr. has solidified their entry into St. Augustine Gold and Copper Ltd., a Toronto Stock Exchange-listed company with interests in the King-king gold-copper project in Mindanao. A statement from St. Augustine on Wednesday said Villar-led Queensberry Mining and Development Corp. has completed a pri-vate placement transaction with St. Augustine for $4.7

million, which is the first of a series of transactions to gain a larger stake in the miner. A separate statement from Queensberry said its partnership with St. Augus-tine will allow it to acquire up to approximately 23.7 percent of St. Augustine through option agreements and a private placement, subject to Toronto Stock Exchange approval, valued at a total of C$34 million ($35 million).

“I am pleased and excited to have formed a strategic partnership with St. Au-gustine Gold and Copper, which is run by some of the industry leaders with a strong, proven track record in mining,” Paolo Villar, president of Queensberry and son of Senator Villar, said in the statement. “The Philippines this year is one of the region’s best-performing countries in terms of GDP growth and

VILLARS/PAGE 8



Villars...from page 7

tors,” he added. Queensberry made its initial foray into the King-king project when it ac-quired a 25-percent stake in Nationwide Development Corp. (Nadecor), St. Au-gustine’s Philippine-based partner in King-king, for

and stock market per-formance. I believe it is currently one of the most attractive investment des-tinations with fantastic opportunities in many sec-

P1.8 billion. As pre v i o u s l y a n -nounced, Paolo Villar will be nominated to a director position on St. Augustine’s board to replace Andrew Russell who has agreed to step down as a director, while staying on as chief

executive officer of St. Au-gustine, the statement said. St. Augustine’s alliance with the Villars is seen to help move the massive but undeveloped King-king project forward while smoothing over earlier re-ported tensions between

factions within Nadecor and St. Augustine. The King-king project is listed as one of the top priority projects by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, an attached agency of the Department of En-vironment and Natural

Resources. The measured and indi-cated mineral resources of the project are 10.30 mil-lion ounces of gold and 5.4 billion pounds of copper. The project has already entered the feasibility stage of development.

Congress • WatchCongress • Watch

PNoy’s popularity bodes well for peace frameworkPRESIDENT Benigno Aqui-no III’s high popularity rating improves the odds of the peace framework between his government and the Moro Islamic Libera-tion Front (MILF) hurdling the challenge of legislation and ratification, a party-list representative says. Rep. Maximo B. Rodri-guez of Abante Bisayas and Mindanao (Abamin) says Mr. Aquino’s popularity with citizens could discour-age splinter groups of rebels thought to be the biggest obstacles to peace.

Pres. Aquino

“We should watch out for the splinter groups...

but with the popularity of the President, with so

many people believing in him, those who want to sabotage the peace process won’t have such an easy time,” the representative of Abamin adds. Another difference, he notes, is involvement of the grassroots in the peace process. Previous initiatives, Rodriguez notes, focused attention on key belliger-ent actors. In the last few years, however, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process has worked with local govern-

ment units, civic groups and non-government or-ganizations. With stakeholders con-sulted every step of the way, the lawmaker says, there has been a groundswell of ac-ceptance for the framework set to be signed today by the President and leaders of the MILF. Another congressman, Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro allays fears of displacement of Christians. Section 6, No. 2 of the framework allows those unjustly dispossessed

of their lands to file for claims. “The context is pay-ment,” the Cagayan de Oro lawmaker points out. “Nobody will be dislodged, but those who can prove they were dispossessed of their property -- Moro and Christian -- will be paid by the government and the Bangsamoro body (once ratified).” He describes the frame-work as “constitutional and valid” and “the best chance for peace in a long, long time.”

House passes 16 national and 35 local billsTHE House of Representa-tives approved on third and final reading 16 national bills and 35 local bills before Congress took its two-week break. Foremost is House Bill 6545 or the National Land Use and Management Act of the Philippines, which seeks to institutionalize land use and physical planning as a mechanism for identifying, determining, and evaluating appropriate land use and allocation patterns in the country. “The measure recognizes the need for a rational, ho-listic and just allocation, utilization, management, and development of our country’s land and the re-sources therein,” Rep. Kaka Bag-ao (Party-list, Akbay-an), the bill’s author, said in her sponsorship speech. Other vital bills passed include HB 6546 or the Modernization of the Phil-ippine Atmospheric, Geo-physical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) authored by Rep Marcelino Teodoro (1st District, Marikina City). The bill provides for a three-year modernization program that will upgrade physical resources and operational techniques through the ac-quisition of state-of-the art instruments, equipment and facilities to ensure timely and reliable forecasting and warning service. HB 6538, otherwise known as the Physicians Act of 2012 by Rep. Janette Garin

(1st District, Iloilo), which regulates the education and licensure of physicians and the practice of medicine in the Philippines, repealing for the purpose Republic Act 2382; HB 6548 or the Agricul-tural and Fisheries Mecha-nization (AF MECH) Law, authored by Rep. Mark Llandro Mendoza (4th Dis-trict, Batangas), promoting agricultural and fisheries mechanization development in the Philippines; HB 6203 or Police, Fire and Jail Height Equality Act, authored by Rep. Pablo John Garcia (3rd District, Cebu); HB 6329, authored by Rep. Amado Bagatsing (5th District, Manila), creating the Philippine Thorough-bred Horseracing Authority; HB 6481 authored by Rep. Jose Ping-Ay (Party List, COOP NATCCO), amending Chapter XII on Cooperative Banks of RA9520, also known as the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008; HB 6482, authored by Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara (Lone District, Aurora), prescribing stricter penalties on the crime of deliver-ing prisoners from jail and infidelity in the custody of prisoners; HB 6544, authored by Rep. Giorgidi Aggabao (4th District, Isabela), rational-izing and strengthening the probation system by increasing inter alia the probationable penalty to

less than eight years; HB 6509, authored by Rep. Teddy Casino (Party-list, Bayan Muna), estab-lishing city and municipal rehabilitation centers for children and youth with disabilities; HB 6547, known as the Special Education Act of 2012, authored by Rep. Susan Yap (2nd District, Tarlac); and HB 6542 or Th e Overseas Voting Act of 2012 by Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2nd District, Pampanga). Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City) has four bills ap-proved. Th ese are HB 4368 amending Executive Order 209, (Th e Family Code of the

Philippines) by harmonizing said law with recent rulings of the Supreme Court of the Philippines on divorce obtained by the alien spouse in another country; HB 6307 establishing the liability of the absolute community or conjugal partnership for an obligation of a spouse who practices a profession and the capability of either spouse to dispose of an ex-clusive property without the consent of the other spouse; HB 6419 providing for a free and culture-sensitive system of registration concerning the civil status of indigenous peoples; and HB 6474 or the Food Safety Act of 2012. Of the 35 local bills ap-proved on 3rd reading, 18

were separating National High Schools and convert-ing them into independent National High Schools; while four seek to establish Sports Academies in the provinces of Misamis Occidental, La-nao Del Norte, Davao del Norte and Province of Cebu. Seven bills are public works-related measures, three bills call for the cre-ation of barangays, one seeks the establishment of multi-purpose fi sh breeding stations, crab, prawn and shrimp hatcheries; one seek the creation of the Pangas-inan 4th District Engineering Office in the Province of Pangasinan and another, the establishment the Apo Reef Natural Park Act. (30)

Lower House okays retirement benefits for barangay execsTHE House of Represen-tatives has approved on third and final reading a measure providing lump sum retirement pay for barangay officials, amend-ing Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991. The plenary approval of House Bill 6567 was endorsed by the House Committee on Local Gov-ernment chaired by Rep. George Arnaiz (2nd dis-trict, Negros Oriental). Arnaiz said the measure will promote the welfare and prosperity of the ba-rangays being the primary planning and implement-ing unit of government programs and activities. “ The measure shal l provide lump sum retire-ment pay equivalent to one year honorarium to all barangay officials, in-cluding barangay tanods, members of the Lupon ng Tagapamayapa, barangay health workers and ba-rangay day care workers,” Arnaiz said. Arnaiz said the retire-ment benefits is in rec-ognition of the barangay officials’ contribution to the community and shall encourage them to hon-estly continue their public service. Arnaiz said the addi-tional benefits shall also raise the economic and social status of barangay officials to have decent, healthy and comfortable living conditions. Under the measure, the retirement benefits taken from the barangay retirement fund shall be given to a retiree, at least sixty years of age, with a minimum of nine years of service at the time of the retirement. The measure mandates the Department of Interior and Local Government

(DILG) to administer and ensure the appropriate disbursement of the fund. The authors of the bill are Reps. Danilo Suarez (3rd District, Quezon), George Arnaiz (2nd Dis-trict, Negros Oriental), Ben Evardone (Lone Dis-trict, Eastern Samar), Ed-win Olivarez (1st Dis-trict, Paranaque City),

Juan Edgardo Angara (Lone District, Aurora), Joseph Victor Ejercito (Lone District, San Juan City), Augusto Syjuco, Ph.D. (2nd District, Il-oilo ), Carmelo Lazatin (1st District, Pampanga), Marcelino Teodoro (1st District, Marikina City), Rachel Marguerite Del Mar (1st District, Cebu City),

Alfredo Benitez (3rd Dis-trict, Negros Occidental), Benhur Salimbangon (4th District, Cebu), Nelson Dayanghirang (1st Dis-trict, Davao Oriental), Wilfrido Mark Enverga (1st District, Quezon) and Mel Senen Sarmiento (1st District, Western Samar), Teddy Brawner Baguilat, Jr.(Lone District, Ifugao )

and Ma. Milagros Magsay-say (1st District, Zambales), Enverga, Romeo Acop (2nd District, Antipolo), Imelda Calixto-Rubiano (Lone District, Pasay City), Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City) and Maximo Rodriguez, Jr. (Party List, Abante Mind-oro), Raul Daza (1st Dis-trict, Northern Samar),

Gabriel Quisumbing (6th District, Cebu), Winston Castelo (2nd District, Que-zon City), Rodolfo Valen-cia (1st District, Oriental Mindoro), Ma. Theresa Bonoan-David (4th Dis-trict, Manila), and Neri Colmenares (Party List, Bayan Muna) and Teddy Casino (Party List, Bayan Muna).

The Toyota Grandia au-tomatic has gouged what used to be Starex’s soccer mom market. But the origi-nal formula Starex is what the market thinks a Starex should be. If the Korean factory cannot allocate more for our market, then, like the UMC Urvan, allow us to assemble the old model here so we can claim it as our own.

Starex...from page 3

21,800 and 214 race par-ticipants. Two more races are set for the year before the Luzon regional finals for the Turbo Suzuki Cup in Clark and the Vis-min regional finals in Tagum. This will all culminate to the national finals in December at Asean City in Paranaque. The Nat ional Drag Racing Championship is powered by Cyclomax, A brand of Motorcycle oil distributed by Phoenix Pe-troleum Philippines, Inc. one of the fastest growing independent oil companies in the country today. Committed to bring the excitement of drag racing in great form in the Philip-pines, Suzuki continues to promote safety and sports-manship in the game. With the progress of drag racing in the country, Suzuki is get-ting closer to its vision — to spur drag racing’s evolution from being an event to a sport in the Philippines.

Suzuki...from page 3



Ship...from page 1

shutdown has been sched-uled well in advance to minimize power disrup-tion. The reality, however, is that demand for electricity demand in Mindanao has outpaced supply since 2006. The situation was also exac-erbated by the diminished capacities of some power plants in Mindanao for various reasons.” Industry sources said the Mindanao Grid experi-

Brownouts...from page 1

to local utilities. The current situation, however, was still better compared with the roughly 50% -- or over 600 MW -- deficiency posted at the height of the 2010 power cri-sis. Three years ago, power shutdowns in many areas in Mindanao went as long as eight hours daily. The present problem would have been worse if not for the two power barges of Therma Marine Inc., a subsidiary of the Aboitiz Power Corp., which has signed agreements with 23 cooperatives and its sister company, the Davao City-based Davao Light and Power Co. Therma Marine has maximized the operation of the two power barges, which have combined out-put of 192 MW. To cushion the impact of the power problem on its franchise areas, Davao Light has decided not only to buy power from the op-erator of the barges and all the available power output of another sister company, Hedcor, Inc., which oper-ates hydroelectric plants in Sibulan, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. Davao Light also has a 40-MW standby diesel plant whose capacity is harnessed during power shortage days.

Steag...from page 1

cautious stance. Peter Perfecto, execu-tive director of the Makati Business Club, said both the government and the private sector have to take advantage of the positive investor sentiment created by the signing of a peace deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and draw up a recovery plan for the once troubled region. “It has been urgent for a long time now. The urgency comes from the fact that many areas with armed con-flict have been left behind economically. We have to move fast and lay out the infrastructure needed to realize the growth potential for that region,” Perfecto said. He said Mindanao has a huge potential in terms of natural resources, agri-culture and tourism – all of which have yet to be fully tapped because of investor concern over the armed conflict in the area. Even before the peace agreement is implemented, businesses should already assess the economic poten-tials of Mindanao so they can hit the ground running once a more lasting peace is put in place, Perfecto said. “We don’t have to wait for the peace agreement. Let’s plan now so we can hit the ground running,” he added. Michael Raeuber, presi-dent of the European Cham-ber of Commerce of the Philippines, however said the rules for the Bangsamoro entity must be consistent with existing national laws if the peace settlement were to allow business to flourish in the area. “Business at large always looks at new opportunities with Mindanao being at peace. I will expect sur-rounding countries which are Muslim-dominated to have particular interest in Mindanao, and then inves-tors from elsewhere will follow,” Raeuber said. He said few European companies operate in Min-danao, but did not rule out greater interest especially in the agriculture, busi-ness process outsourcing, manufacturing, mining and tourism sectors, following the Bangsamoro framework agreement. But some businessmen would rather take a wait-and-see attitude, pending the completion of the agree-ment’s implementing rules and regulations, Raeuber said, adding that consistency between national laws and local ordinances remain a concern. “Predictability, prohibi-tion against changing rules, and respect for contracts made are necessary,” he said. Better transportation infrastructure connecting

Peace...from page 1

port that rice stakeholders can avail from the Program, RRPC Araos urged the par-ticipants, especially the ones working closely with the grassroots to facilitate the latter’s request. In particular, she noted, that the assistance that farmers should seek from the department must be viable in their respective areas, so as to maximize the agency’s funds. Through the meeting, it was also learned that there are various windows of opportunity for rice such as research and technol-ogy, value-adding activi-ties, market prospects, in-vestments, among others, which were presented by a pool of experts from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the Philippine Center for Post-harvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), the National Food Author-

Rice...from page 4

radio report that the agency will keep an eye on the water needs of the farmers during expected drought. “We are planning to come up with reprogramming schedule for the release of water for the farmlands based on [sic] the coming dry spell,” Mr. Bugacia said.

Spell...from page 4

PSC, a sintering plant of Japan’s JFE Steel, is one of the biggest clients of the huge vessel. The plant processes iron ore into a form that JFE’s steelmaking blast furnaces can use. Vale Minas Gerais, one of Valemax fleet of 18 large ships, is bigger than three standard soccer fields laid end to end. The Valemax ships are part of Vale’s strategy to reduce the economical dis-tance between Brazil and Asia, the main consumer market for iron ore. The very large ore carriers adhere to strict safety standards and contribute significantly to-wards reducing the carbon footprint in the long haul transportation of iron ore as well as to reductions in the cost of seaborne trans-portation of iron ore to steelmakers. Vale’s executive director for Ferrous and Strategy, José Carlos Martins, said that JFE is the latest steel-maker to benefit from the advantages of scale and efficiency brought by a Vale-max vessel. Until now, Ilva, ThyssenKrupp, Rogesa and Nippon Steel have received the very large ore carriers. “We are in advanced negotiations so as to allow for other customers and ports also benefit from the advantages of these vessels,” Martins said. “With the startup of our second floating transfer sta-tion expected for the first quarter of 2013, the distribu-tion center in Malaysia and our entire fleet of Valemax vessels in place, Vale will be fully prepared to serve the Asian markets on equal terms with its competitors in the region,” he added. This whole logístics solu-tion, encompassing vessels, floating transfer stations and distribution centers, is expected to be in place in early 2014. Aside from Villanueva port, seven ports are receiv-ing the Valemax vessels. So far, they have called at the ports of Tubarão and Ponta da Madeira (Brazil), Taranto (Italy), Rotterdam (Neth-erlands), Sohar (Oman) and Oita (Japan) as well as Vale’s floating transfer station in Subic Bay, in the Philippines. By the end of 2013, there will be a total of 35 similar vessels available to transport Vale’s iron ore - 19 owned by Vale and 16 chartered from international shipowners.

enced a power curtailment of 450MW for Friday, Oc-tober 19 due to the reduced capability of the Agus 4 hydropower plant in the Agus power complex from 150MW to 100MW due the low forebay elevation of its reservoir. As a result, the available power supply in the grid was reduced to only 874 MW and the system operator asked its clients to maintain a maximum load of only 787MW. The curtailment was further expected to increase to 470MW by Saturday, October 20 due to low water inflow to Pulangi IV HEP, the low forebay elevation of Agus IV HEP and the planned shutdown of M1GP. STEAG’s preventive maintenance shutdown (PMS) for its Unit 1 is scheduled from October 6 to November 24 and PMS for its unit 2 is scheduled from October 29 to November 10. The planned PMS of Steag has been approved by the National Grid Cor-poration of the Philippines (NGCP) as agreed upon by the members of the Min-danao Grid Operations and Maintenance Plan-ning Group composed of NGCP, the National Power Corporation (NPC) and its Independent Power Produc-ers (IPPs). “The timing of the PMS takes into consideration the power plant’s operations and maintenance guidelines as well as the projected elec-tricity demand-supply con-dition of Mindanao during the period,” Mr. Soldevilla noted. “The overarching goal is to minimize the possible adverse impact of power supply shortfall in the island.” At present, Mindanao Coal accounts for about 20 percent of the capacity of Mindanao’s power supply when both units are run-ning. “Clearly, the solution to Mindanao’s power shortage is to bring in new capacities. But until this will happen, we can only optimize what is available and manage carefully the power demand side,” Mr. Soldevilla noted. The power deficiency in the Mindanao Grid reached its lowest point in 2010 when the curtailment level breached 600MW causing rotating brownouts in some areas for as long as eight hours. Since then, however, except for the two power barges of Therma Marine, Inc.which can supply up to 192MW through biletaral contracts with industries and distribution utilities, there have not been any new capacities added to the Mindanao Grid’s power supply. Meantime, distribution utilities like the Cagayan Electric Power and Light Co. (CEPALCO) and Davao Light and Power Co. (DLPC) have been adding embed-ded generators within their respective franchise areas to bolster inter-grid supply during grid-wide power

shortages. CEPALCO has a 42-MW diesel/bunker fuel plant and an 8MW mini hydro recently commissioned in Claveria, Misamis Oriental operated by its affiliate Mindanao Energy Systems (Minergy) which has enabled it to ride out the present shortage without resorting to rotating brownouts. Similarly, DLPC relies on its 40-MW Bajada diesel plant and 47MW from its Talomo and Sibulan mini hydro plants to similarly continue operations within its franchise area without resorting to rotating brown-outs. Meantime, NGCP of-ficers appealed to media to secure first hand informa-tion on generation issues with the PSALM, National Power Sector Corporation and Independent Power Producers instead of at-tributing such statements to them such as the recent report on additional genera-tion capacities attributed to them which is beyond their authority and within the DOE’s purview. “We can only answer issues regarding transmis-sion problems but recent reports have erronously attributed statements on generation issues to us,” said Milfrance Capulong, communications officer for Southern Mindanao. “In fairness to all concerned, let us all please observe the basic tenets of journal-ism and secure first-hand information on generation issues from the primary sources, and for generation issues these would be NPC/PSALM, DOE and the IPPs.”.

This city has yet to experi-ence power curtailment since NGCP announced Steag plant’s maintenance shutdown that started on Oct. 6.

Mindanao to other parts of the country must also be put in place, Raeuber said, noting that it is more expensive to transport goods from Mindanao to Luzon compared with shipping products to neighboring countries. Elsewhere in the coun-try, European firms have expanded, he said, citing vehicle parts maker Conti-nental Temic, aircraft ser-vices provider Lufthansa Technik, power provider STEAG and food manufac-turer Nestle.--InterAksyon

ity (NFA) and the Nature’s Bounty, Bukidnon Organic Products, Corp. as well as representatives from financ-ing institutions: Landbank of the Philippines, First Valley Bank and Coopera-tive Rural Bank of Misamis Oriental, Inc. # (Joanne L. Olson, DA-10)

anger. Two dormant vol-canoes grow rain forests and maintained growth of tree foliage as wildlife and bird’s sanctuaries that must be protected by the current generation. While the Lanzones festival draws street dancing activities with the school children’s colorful costumes and choreographed dance contests, local young wom-en’s beauty pageants adds flair to the celebration. It has attracted local and foreign tourists wanting to experi-ence nature and discover the real people that make up the character of the island. S t a k e h o l d e r s i n Camiguin Island must ensure that their tourism activities will encompasses authenticity. Tourist will travel 50 nautical miles more to experience the ac-tivities that cannot be seen anywhere else. Develop-ing the Camiguin tourism product at the grass roots anchored on culture and the protection of the environ-ment can resurrect more foreign tourist. Keeping it low density and subdued will generate interest from the European travelers. Income from tourist traf-fic in Camiguin Island are generated mainly from five economic activities coming from resort accommoda-tions which is estimated at 40%, food and beverage consumption at 30%, trans-portation for land and water at 15% with allied services at 10 % and souvenir shops at 5%. Camiguin need not be isolated during the other period of the year. Maybe, a call for planning to improve infrastructures and strate-gies for other attractions can add dimension and diversity for other special interests during any tourist visit?

Quiamjot...from page 6

is a healthy sense of internet skepticism.”

*** Note: My book “Central Banking for Every Juan and Maria” will be avail-able soon through Fully Booked, Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City. You may email us at [email protected].

Bunye...from page 6



BizNewsBizNews

Republic of the PhilippinesREGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF LANAO DEL SUR

12TH Judicial RegionBranch 9 – Marawi City

IN THE MATTER OF PETITIONFOR CORRECTION OF DATE OFBIRTH, SPL. PROC. CASE NO. 2099-12

NORMINA REGARO ALONTO, Petitioner,

-Versus-

LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OFMARANTAO, LANAO DEL SUR, Respondent.x------------------------------------------------------x

ORDER

Before this Court is a petition for correction of date of birth of Normina Regaro Alonto October 10, 1947 as appearing in the Certificate of Live Birth of the petitioner. Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, set the hearing of this petition on November 28, 2012 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning. Furnish copies of this Order to the Office of the Solicitor General, Makati City; the Local Civil Registrar of Marantao, Lanao del Sur and the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office of Lanao del Sur. Let copy of this Order be published in a newspaper of general circulation in Iligan City or Marawi City once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks at the expense of the petitioner. SO ORDERED. Marawi City, October 4, 2012

(Sgd.)SIBANAH E. USMAN Acting Presiding Judge

BWM: OCT. 8, 15, & 22, 2012

A large scale sawmill operation was spotted along the river bank of Kapai town in Lanao del Sur October 17 Wednesday in a reconnaissance mission of Aeroscout company of the Philippine Army , DENR-CENRO Iligan City, 2nd Mechanize Infantry Brigade and City Environment management Office in compliance with Court of Appeals Order to check the reported presence of logs along Mandulog River, and Kapai-Bayug river The rivers aere where the killer logs swift to Iligan City that killed more than 1,000 residents and hundreds missing .on December 16-17. (PHOTO BY : RICHEL V. UMEL)

Various types of vehicles await their to turn to pass a one lane concrete road due to the ongoing construc-tion of concrete road project from Initao to Gitagum , Misamis Oriental. The commuters and business insti-tution complaint of the too much delay during travel. Inststead of 1 hour and 30 minutes travel, in reached close to three hours travel from Cagayan de Oro City to Iligan City.(PHOTO BY : RICHEL V. UMEL)

By : RICHEL V. UMEL

ILIGAN CITY - Commut-ers, drivers and business-men have aired their com-plaints on the prolonged travel time from this City to Cagayan de Oro which now takes two and a half hours from the previous 1 hour and 30 minutes. The tedious travel on the said route is even tinged with several stop-overs along the way., they said. The Iligan City - Cagay-an de Oro route is 86 ki-lometers with travel time of at least one a half hours on normal condition. The culprit is the on-going reconstruction of eight point two (8.2 km) kilometers of the national highway along Gitagum- Initao Misamis Oriental. The highway project is two lanes and is the longest road segment costing P107 million Aside from the lon-gest segment selected , re-blocking with asphalt overlay along Opol to El Salvador town,Opol to Laguindingan and Naawan- to Lugait to include road widening along the inter-section to Laguindingan Airport Development Proj-ect which is four lanes. Antonio Aparecio , a taxi owner who frequently ferry passengers to Cagayan de Oro City airport said “ kung ang akong pasa-hero gikan sa Iligan City padulong sa Cagayan de Oro City airport sa Lum-bia nga mag apas sa first flight kinahanglan mo gikan mi ug 2:00AM para segurado dili ma late ug ma byaan sa flight” ( If my passenger from Iligan City to Cagayn de Oro City airport sa Lumbia , we must leave as early as 2:00AM to make sure he or she will not be late ). Jigger Fetalvero , a prominent businessman

from Iligan City said” the situation is helpless for it is a development proj-ect.” However, Fetalvero urged the DPWH project management and the con-cerned project contrac-tors to improve the safety measure for there are deep pot hole and gaps between two concrete lanes without slowdown signboard, the commuters are prone to vehicular accident,” Fetalvero said , “There is a need to install permanent traffic marshals to ensure smooth traffic flow. There are some driver who usu-ally overtake in one lane basis while other waited for a long time to have its turn to pass the lane”. Jim B. Ramos, Project Engineer of the Depart-ment of Public Works and Highways Region 10 told Inquirer Friday in an inter-view, the DPWH and the contractor are closely co-ordinating with the police-men along, Laguindimgan, Libertad and Initao towns to assist the traffic for there are driver who took advantage and made some counter flow tha resulted to traffic jam and conges-tion specially during night time. Ramos will call the attention on the contrac-tors to put up permanent signboards to ensure saefty to all commuters. Ramos urged the com-muters to bare with the delay due to unpredict-able weather condition.” We hope to complete the existing construction work by first quarter of 2013. Within f the f irst quarter next year the full blown Iligan City- Cagayan de Oro City four lanes widen-ing project will commence as soon as the Special Allotment Order from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)” Ra-mos added.

Commuters complain on Iligan -CdO prolonged travel

THEe Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) has signed up 13 hospitals countrywide to treat prostate cancer cases at a packaged rate of P100,000 per patient. Philhealth identified the enlisted hospitals as the National Kidney and Trans-plant Institute and Quirino Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City; Philippine General Hospital in Manila; Rizal Medical Center in Pa-sig City; Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center in San Fernando City; Cagayan Valley Medical Center in Tuguegarao City; Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memoria l Research and Medical Center in Caba-natuan City; Batangas Re-

Philhealth signs up 13 hospitals to treat prostate cancer for P100,000 only

gional Hospital in Batangas City; Bicol Medical Center in Naga City; Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City; Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City; Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City; and the Davao Regional Hospital in Tagum City. “We’re now in talks with other public as well as private hospitals to see if they can be contracted to treat low to intermediate-risk prostate cancer cases at the packaged rate,” said Philhealth president and chief executive Dr. Eduardo Banzon. “The P100,000-benefit payment covers the full cost of treatment, hospitaliza-

tion and professional fees,” Banzon said. Prostate cancer is the second most widespread cancer among Filipino men, after lung cancer, according to the Department of Health. Most prostate cancers grow slowly and never pose a threat. However, some pros-tate cancers advance rapidly to the bladder, rectum, bones and lymph nodes, and cause death inside months or a few years. Prostate cancer tends to develop in men over the age of 50. Men with a positive family history of the cancer in a brother or father are considered at higher risk of developing the disease. Since the cancer responds

best to treatment when de-tected early, men have been encouraged to have their first prostate health check between 40 to 50 years old. Many low-risk prostate tumors require no more than constant surveillance. Treat-ment of higher-risk tumors usually involves surgery, irradiation, and hormone control therapy. Forceful treatments such as chemo-therapy may be applied in extremely advanced cases. The male prostate is a reproductive system gland that helps make semen, the f luid that contains sperm. The prostate surrounds the tube that carries urine away from the bladder and out of the body.

DevelopmentsDevelopments 11 October 22-25, 2012 www.businessweekmindanao.com


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Obamacare a blessing to RP’s BPO industryA new United States law enabling more Americans to obtain health insurance is expected to further boost the booming business process outsourcing (BPO) industry in the Philippines. “We have high hopes that Obamacare will drive new demand for health insurance-related business support services that may be readily provided by BPO firms in the Philippines,” said House Deputy Majority Leader Roman Romulo. Obamacare refers to the US Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which will allow an additional 30 million Americans to get hold of health insurance. As a result of the new statute, US health insurers will have to manage and process millions of new poli-cies and claims, according to Romulo, a key backer of Manila’s BPO sector. “This will surely trans-late to increased business opportunities for BPO firms in the Philippines, particu-larly those providing back office services to US-based insurers and healthcare facilities,” Romulo said. He cited the case of mul-tinational BPO provider Exlservice Holdings Inc., which is expanding its Phil-ippine operations by putting up a third delivery center in the country. New York City-based Exlservice said it intends to establish a new 500-seat facility in Cebu by the first quarter of 2013, amid the growing demand for health-care and insurance-related support services from US-based clients. In a regulatory filing, US NASDAQ Stock Mar-ket-listed Exlservice said the extra operation will reinforce its two existing

delivery centers in Pasay City that have a combined 1,800 seats. Exlservice’s two centers at the SM Mall of Asia are staffed by college-educated, fluent English-speaking Filipinos performing mul-tifaceted insurance and healthcare business sup-port functions. These include claims processing, premium and benefit administration, agency management, ac-count reconciliation, policy research, underwriting sup-port, new business process-ing, and policy servicing. Romulo also cited medi-cal data transcription, a component of the BPO and information technology (IT)-enabled services in-dustry in the Philippines, as another potential ben-eficiary of Obamacare. “With a greater num-ber of Americans enjoying

health insurance, US hospi-tals, clinics and outpatient service providers will have to look after more patients,” he said. Only recently upheld by the US Supreme Court, Obamacare provides sub-sidies and tax credits to American employers and individuals, among other mechanisms, to quickly expand health insurance coverage. It also mandates reforms to simplify and cut down the cost of health care in America. Romulo is author of the new Data Privacy Act of the Philippines, which is anticipated to further en-courage global corporations to either establish in-house back offices in Manila, or relegate their non-core, business support activities to independent BPO firms operating here. The new Philippine

law commands all entities, including BPO firms, to protect the confidentiality of personal information collected from clients and stored in IT systems, in compliance with rigorous international privacy stan-dards. The Philippines’ highly

labor-intensive, IT-enabled services industry encom-passes contact center ser-vices; back offices; medi-cal, legal and other data transcription; animation; software development; engi-neering design; and digital content. The industry is projected

to produce $27 billion in revenues and directly engage some 1.3 million Filipino workers by 2016. This year, the Business Processing Association of the Philippines sees the industry generating $13 billion in revenues on a labor force of 764,000.



NNC-ARMM trains trainers NNC-ARMM trains trainers to promote good nutritionto promote good nutrition

HEALTH workers from Lanao del Sur do the workshop during the five-day training for trainers conducted by the National Nutrition Council in Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (NNC-ARMM) held at Iligan City. At left, Dr. Eloisa Usman (3rd from left) with National Nutrition Council Coordinator for Northern Mindanao Mrs. Zenaida Tondares with the Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Training participants.

PHOTOS BY CHRISTINE H. CABIASA

AS PART of the nationwide call to mobilize good nutrition campaign in every barangay,

the National Nutrition Council in Autonomous Region in Muslim Min-danao (NNC-ARMM) intensified its Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Training of Trainers for municipal implementers on September 24-28 at Crystal Inn Hotel, Iligan City.

By CHRISTINE H. CABIASA of Cagayan de Oro Times its municipalities spe-cifically on the height and weight schemes for children. “It’s actually the first step of the series of seminars and train-ings for the municipal implementers that will be rolled out to the barangay level. It will help lessen nutrition problems in their ba-rangays,” Dr. Usman added. Thirty-three par-ticipants composed of nurses, midwives, and MECA of Lanao del Sur participated in the training. They will still conduct IYCF trainings in Maguindanao, Sulu, and Lanao del Sur. Ms Masa Mutia, Nu-tritionist Dietecian II of the Provincial Health Office of Lanao Del Norte (Region X)/ IYCF Provincial Trainer-Fa-cilitator, was tapped by Dr. Usman to com-plement the ARMM training team held on September 27-28, 2012.

“This is the third of the four batches of IYCF trainings allo-cated for Lanao del Sur in Autonomous Region in Muslim Min-danao (ARMM) ar-eas,” Dr. Eloisa Usman, the Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator (RNPC) said. “Lanao del Sur one of the provinces in AR MM which has the highest prevalence rate of malnutrition (stunting),” said Dr. Usman adding, “with this training, pregnant women and lactating mothers are encourage

to breastfeed exclusive-ly their babies within an hour after birth, until 0-6 months and to start giving comple-mentary food at age six months but continue breastfeeding up to two years old.” To further promote good nutrition and de-crease malnutrition rate in Lanao del Sur which belong to Prior-ity 2 areas with severe malnutrition problem, the NNC-ARMM with the Provincial Health Off ice of Lanao del Sur will monitor the nutrition situation of

businessweek mindanao oct. 22,2012

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