Published: August 29-September 4, 2006 issue 

SM-Bulua road now renamed to Macapagal Drive West Diversion Road

Funding for several multi-million infrastructure projects in Cagayan de Oro have various sources—local, national, foreign-assisted and private-sector initiatives--but City Mayor Vicente Y. Emano prefers to credit all of these to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

In a press statement, Emano said the implementation of P2.035-billion worth of infrastructure projects would not be possible were it not for the support of the President Arroyo.

 “Without your assistance Madam President, we could not have all these projects. In behalf of the people of Cagayan de Oro, I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Mayor Emano told the President Arroyo during the unveiling ceremony of the 8.5-kilometer P121.47-million SM-Bulua Diversion Road on August 28, this year.

The entire stretch is now renamed into Macapagal Drive West Diversion Road.

          During the visit of President Arroyo on August 28, feast day of Cagayan de Oro City’s patron St. Augustine, Emano presented the following projects to have been realized because of presidential assistance.

These projects are the P419-million Vice President Emmanuel Pelaez Bridge, P333-million Carmen-Macasandig Road and Bridge; P319-million Westbound Bus and PUJ Terminal; P282-million Redevelopment of Cogon Public Market; P118-million Redevelopment of Carmen Public Market; P62-million J.R. Borja Extension Road.

           P50-million Telepono sa Barangay, P50-million New Slaughterhouse; P29-million Eastbound Bus and PUJ Terminal; P16.5-million SM-Landfill Road; P13-million Iponan-Canitoan Road; P6.5-million Kagay-an Resort (Lawndale Spring); and the P.7-million Tourism Showhouse.    

           Sixteen bridges worth P188.7-million under the auspices of the Tulay ng Pangulo and Presidential Bridge Program were also unveiled during the President’s visit. These are the P42-million Domalokdok Bridge in barangay Tumpagon, P42-million Iponan-Canitoan Bridge, P9.7-million Midkiwan Bridge in barangay Bayanga, P9.6-million Kibanog Bridge in barangay Tignapoloan, and the P8.4-million Batinay Bridge in barangay Pagalungan.

            Other 11 bridges costing P7-million each or totaling to P77-million are Pagatpat-Pamalihi Bridge, Calaanan 2 Bridge in barangay Canitoan, Lumbia-Pahiron Bridge, West Diversion Road Bridge, Guinitan Dako Bridge in barangay Pigsag-an, Pasto 1 and 2 Bridge in barangay Tagpangi, Monigue Bridge, Balongkot Bridge and Magawa Bridge, all in barangay Dansolihon, Pigsag-an Bridge and the Domologdog Bridge in barangay Tignapoloan.

 Published: August 29-September 4, 2006 issue

By TERRY D.C. BETONIO

Contributing Editor

SLERS Industries Inc. has expanded its meat processing business into a quick-meal service through the opening of another SLERS Express Meal outlet at the ground floor of Gaisano City.

Ms. Mercedes Pelaez-Mejia, general manager of SLERS Industries Inc., said the expansion forms part of an assistance from the Canadian Executive Service Organization-Business Advisory Project Phase 2 or the CESO-BAP funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

 “Four years ago at the DTI office together with other food producers, I was introduced to the CESO BAP assistance. I did not have to think twice about the offer made by Arlene Oxales. I saw the opportunity to be able to benchmark the industry practices of world-class producers of processed meats,” Ms. Mejia said during the opening of SLERS Express Meal on Tuesday, August 29.

She said through the advise of Canadian experts, they were able to improve their productive practices, come up with good marketing plans, and increased their productivity and sales.

The SLERS Express Meal outlet is a quick-service restaurant that would serve Slers processed meat products. It also has a built-in pasalubong store that showcases SLERS products, from the famous Jamon Cagayan de Oro to the crispy chicharon.

SLERS – an acronym for the Pelaez sisters Shirley, Litlit, Earl, Ray and Sharon – started in 1969 with only two workers and sold ham at P2 per kilo. Now, it has grown into a big enterprise with outlets in Limketkai Center, Robinson’s and at the SM Mall of Asia in Manila.

Meanwhile, the CESO-BAP is a bilateral project between the Philippines and Canada that started in 1999, funded by CIDA. It aims to increase the operating effectiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Visayas and Mindanao.

Now on its second phase, the CESO-BAP focuses on providing technical assistance and business consultancy services to SMEs that will enhance their global competitiveness through improved marketing, product technology, production practices, organization and management systems.

The project focuses on helping SMEs in the agribusiness, small manufacturing and tourism sectors.

Ambassador Peter Sutherland of Canada said SLERS is a good example why Canada has been helping SMEs in the Philippines.

“Canadian advisers who are experts in marketing, technology transfer, product development and management organization are willing to assist SMEs in the Philippines to become more competitive,” Mr. Sutherland said, who graced the opening of SLERS Express Meal outlet.

CESO-BAP also helps in the implementation of the Corporate Volunteers for Enterprise Development in partnership with the Philippine Business for Social Progress and provides business advisory services to the clients of CIDA-funded programs.

 Published: August 29-September 4, 2006 issue

The Cagayan Electric Power and Light Company (Cepalco) on Monday, August 28, announced the launching of a project to encourage electricity consumers to pay their bills on time in various banks within Cagayan de Oro City.

            Marilyn A. Chavez, senior manager for customer and community relations of Cepalco, said the project, dubbed “Pay thru the Bank” Raffle Promo, would benefit consumers not only through winning raffle prizes but the convenience in time and effort when they pay their monthly electricity bills.

            It has been observed that Cepalco consumers, numbering to almost a thousand every day, are seen waiting for hours when they go to the firm’s main office along Toribio Chavez Street to pay their bills.

            This, even as Cepalco has assigned several banks as collecting agents.

            “Many people have not yet appreciated the practice of going to banks to pay their electric bills,” Chavez said, “so we have devised a way to entice them to pay in banks.”

            The first draw of the “Pay thru Bank” raffle promo will be on Sept. 25. Prizes are: grand prize of 21-inch flat color TV, and consolation prizes of 10 rice cookers, 20 cordless heating kettles, 100 Cepalco towels. 100 Cepalco umbrellas, and 100 Cepalco tee-shirts.

            “Pay your bills through the banks and get a chance to win any of the prizes,” Chavez concluded.

 Published: August 29-September 4, 2006 issue

By TERRY D.C. BETONIO

Contributing Editor

Clients of SM City Cagayan de Oro, especially the kids, can now relax and enjoy after spending hours of endless shopping as the Storyland Mall Train is now open to cater to those who may want to take a ride within the Mall’s ground floor area.

The Storyland Mall Train is a battery-operated vehicle that can accommodate up to 16 passengers. It started operating on August 26 and is available during mall hours, from 10:00 in the morning until 9:00 in the evening.

Anyone can take a ride at the train for a minimum fare of P25 per round.

Aside from the Storyland Mall Train, SM City Cagayan de Oro is also inviting clients to donate their unexpired medicines for its Gamot Para sa Kapwa project, which started on August 30 and will run until September 28.

Donations are accepted at a booth located at the 2^nd floor, which is being manned by representatives from the Differently-Abled Women at Work, an organization of women with disabilities.

The Gamot Para sa Kapwa project is being conducted in all SM malls in the country in cooperation with the Department of Health, Watson’s and the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons.

Aside from unexpired medicines, shoppers can also donate cash at the booth or deposit it at Banco de Oro under the account of SM Foundation Inc.

Ms. Ivy Guantero, public relations officer of SM City Cagayan de Oro, said the donated medicines will be given to the less fortunate individuals who will be identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Published: August 15-21, 2006 issue 

Paderanga cites positive economic indicators for growth

An internationally-known and respected economist is optimistic of the country’s economy and cited reasons for this.

Dr. Cayetano W. Paderanga Jr. said his optimism is based on domestic trends viewed on macroeconomic and in the global context.

Paderanga, who was once the director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), was the speaker during a mid-year economic briefing in Cagayan de Oro on August 9, this year.

He said the first-quarter growth for gross domestic product (the total production within the country’s geographical boundaries) at 5.5 percent was higher than last year’s growth of 4.2 percent. 

This, he said, can be attributed mostly to the growth of both the agriculture and industry sectors which were 3.8 and 5.5 percentages, respectively. 

Paderanga said that investments in the country have also   improved while the Philippine peso continues to strengthen since its is buoyed by the growth in international reserves.

The growth in international reserves is largely due to the remittances by overseas Filipino workers.

“If you are looking for a hero, then it is the OFW,” the former Neda director-general said.

He said that inflation in the Philippines has remained in single-digit but the constantly rising price of fuel threatens to push inflation higher.

Compared to our counterparts in the Asean region, he said that the Philippines has fared better now than in the past. 

The Philippines, like Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, grew between 4.5 to 5.6 percent.  Meanwhile, Northern Mindanao grew by 3.8 percent in 2005, with finance and trade as the leading sectors.

A shorter but equally relevant presentation which preceded Dr. Paderanga’s talk was on the “Medium Term Regional Development Plan of Northern Mindanao” which was delivered by Engr. Cecilio Y.  Clarete of Neda 10.

Asked on how best to propel investments, Dr. Paderanga mentioned a number of critical factors, among these are the bottlenecks that must be eliminated.

“As long as businesses see that something is going to work out, they will just come,” he stressed.

Governance which also means good and reliable institutions that somehow make risks and business costs more predictable can encourage more businesses. 

Asked as to why investments seem to be sluggish, he answered that one has to try it himself—to try to start a business and he will know why. 

Although he affirmed the requirement for certain signatures for a business to get registered, he stressed the need to make the process more efficient and facilitative for the prospective investors.

“We have to look at the productivity of an investment or a project on a network basis,” he responded, when asked whether it would have been wiser to have worked for the construction of more farm-to-market roads than for the Laguindangan Airport.

Dr. Paderanga explained that in evaluating the usefulness of a project, one cannot look at it on a per project basis, but rather to look at the bigger plan—the integrated plan.

In the case of the Laguindingan airport, the whole transportation plan and the airport’s role in the general flow of goods and people.

He explained that there are certain investments that are key to the whole thing—producing the network effect.

There are simply certain infrastructure that have to be in place, whether or not there is already a strong demand for it or not in order to push for development.

Published: August 15-21, 2006 issue 

By TERRY D.C. BETONIO

Contributing Editor

KAPIT Kamay International Trading Inc. through its marketing arm KK Mart is taking in more products to be marketed by the company within Visayas and Mindanao.

KK Mart, a one-stop business store, is now offering Green Barley juice, a food supplement suitable for people who suffer from high blood sugar, arthritis and high blood pressure.

This, according to KK Mart head Dina Calingasan, is in addition to the company’s existing products such as Kutis 3-in-1 miracle organic herbal soap, virgin coconut oil, Feel Fresh hand soap, Phytoworx, Mark II inhaler and applicator, Chinese medicines such as Xiao Chuan, Arthri Capsule and Back Capsule, and other food supplements such as Wild Honey Vinegar, WHL Colostrum and Red Maca Coffee.

Green Barley is manufactured by Health Wealth International Corporation and is approved by the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) in the Philippines and the United States Food and Drug Administration.

            Green Barley is also suitable for those who suffer from high cholesterol, neck pain, lack of energy, lack of strength, sleepiness, overweight, rheumatism, stress, constipation, bad breath, gout, rhinitis, severe back pain, pre-menstrual tension, menopausal complaints and frequent urination.

The Green Barley comes from one of the green grasses called Barley Grass that contain 18 amino acids. The leaves of Barley Grass contain a multitude of enzymes, vitamins and minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, phosphorous, manganese, zinc, beta carotene, B1, B2, B6, folic acid, pantothenic acid and significant amounts of chlorophyll.

Recent research showed that the Green Barley leaves also have hypercholesteromic, anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer properties.

Barley has been used as a staple food throughout history and is one of the only resources on Earth that can provide the human body with the nutrients it needed from birth through old age.

Research done by Agronomists showed that the use of Barley dates back as early as 8000 B.C. and has been used by the ancient Greeks, Romans, Chinese and Egyptians.

Roman Gladiators consumed Barley as a source of energy and strength while the enslaved Egyptians consumed Barley bread as their sole sustenance.

In the 1980s, Dr. Yasuo Hotta, a research professor at the University of California in San Diego, discovered that phytochemicals found in Green Barley contribute significantly to the reparation of the body’s DNA which may prevent changes that often lead to cancer, rapid aging and cell death.

The FDA has authorized Health Wealth International Corp. and other food manufacturers to immediately use the health claim for Barley owing to its contribution to reduce risks of getting coronary heart disease.

For further information about Green Barley and other KK Mart products, you may visit the KK Mart office located at the 3^rd floor of the Boy Scout of the Philippines-Misamis Oriental  Chapter, Luna-Velez Sts., or call 856-8428, (0921) 6295367 and (0915) 8778667 – TERRY D.C. BETONIO

Published: August 15-21, 2006 issue 

Cagayan de Oro City (Cadoc) is truly growing.

            This, after the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) reported in its midyear collection report that the city government of Cagayan de Oro generated P525,066,243.22 from January to June this year.

            Nena Salon, assistant city treasurer for operations said that the figure is 9.44 percent higher than the collection of same period last year which amounted to P475,478,706.24.

            Salon said that of the total figure, January has registered the highest collection with P184,736,298.59.

            The city government collected P53,785,318.53 in February; P74,979,294.94 in March; P93,586,991.64 in April; P52,574,335.39 in May and P65,404,004.13 in June, based on the report.

            The collection during the period came from real property tax, business tax, sources from the national government and other fees and charges, Salon added.

            Salon attributed the significant increase on tax collection due to the taxpayer’s diligent payment on their tax dues even as the CTO heightened their house-to-house collection drive in all barangays of the city.

Published: August 8-14, 2006 issue

Camiguin’s Vjandep pastel, Oroquieta’s bruas in high demand

By URIEL C. QUILINGUING

Executive Editor

More than P4.3 million in sales was generated when Ozamiz City hosted this year’s Pasundayag Northern Mindanao that showcased the region’s best and finest products.

            Initial estimates on goods that were sold at the display booths reached over P1.3 million while the influx of visitors buoyed hotel occupancy to highest levels and this contributed over P3 million to the local economy.

This does not even include the total earnings of the transportation industry in Ozamiz City and the ferry services between Ozamiz port and Mucas of Kolambogan.   

            It is estimated that there were more than 600,000 persons who viewed the best-of-the-region items that were displayed inside the booths. They witnessed the cultural presentations and street-dancing competitions and scrutinized the imposing structures of the 250-year old Fuerte de la Concepcion y del Triunfo. 

            Catalino E. Chan III, regional director of the Department of Tourism in Northern Mindanao, said the province of Camiguin was the top grosser in the month-long Pasundayag primarily due to its Vjandep pastel.

            Oroquieta City came in second in terms of sales and this is largely due to its “bruas,” according to Chan who, during the culmination program last July 31 lauded Ozamiz City mayor Reynaldo Parojinog for the successful hosting of the Pasundayag.

            Bukidnon-made furnitures also generated sales and could very well ranked third among those who displayed their products inside the Cotta.

After the culmination program, Parojinog told the Golden Chronicle that he is very happy of the outcome of the month-long activity.

            “Malampuson kaayo kay bisan pa sa kadaghan sa tawo nga midagsang sa Ozamiz malinawon kaayo. Miuban sab ang kahitas-an kay, samtang nagbagyo sa laing dapit sa nasud, wala gayod maapil ang Ozamiz,” said the soft-spoken city chief executive.

            He said that on the average about 2,000 people visit the Cotta and this figure is based on tickets that are sold at the entrance.

            Asked on what he would do after the successful hosting of the Pasundayag, Parojinog said they will be tapping the various educational institutions, high schools and colleges in his city as well as that of Oroquieta, Tangub and the municipalities of Misamis Occidental so that they could provide entertainment every weekend.

            Meanwhile, Chan said that this early the City of Valencia has already expressed its intention of hosting the Pasundayag Northern Mindanao in 2007.

Published: August 8-14, 2006 issue

By TERRY D.C. BETONIO

Contributing Editor

Kapit Kamay International Trading Inc. through its marketing arm KK Mart is embarking on a multi-level business venture by adding more products under its name.

KK Mart, a one-stop business store, is now offering food supplements and pure traditional Chinese medicines manufactured by WHO Herb-Link based in Malaysia which were brought to Cagayan de Oro by Pastor Alquin Doctolero, company trainer for WHO Herb-Link Philippines.

This, in addition to KK Mart’s products such as the Kutis 3-in-1 miracle organic herbal soap, virgin coconut oil, Feel Fresh hand soap, Phytoworx and Mark II inhaler.

Unlike other food supplements now proliferating in the local market, Pastor Doctolero said WHO Herb-Link’s products have immediate effects. The company has branches in Singapore, Brunei, Thailand and Indonesia.

Among WHO Herb-Link’s Chinese medicines include Xiao Chuan – which helps improve lung condition and sooths coughing; Arthri Capsule -- which promotes blood circulation and helps alleviate muscular and joint pains; and Back Capsule – which can be used to relieve backache and waist pain, and helps nourishes the kidney, liver and spleen.

For food supplements, available are Wild Honey Vinegar – which helps oxidate blood, detoxifies various body organs and has antioxidants; WHL Colostrum – an immune booster; and Red Maca Coffee – which helps promote blood circulation, increases stamina and endurance as well as sexual stimulus.

Pastor Doctolero said the Red Maca Coffee is rich in amino acids, vitamins and minerals.

KK Mart will be the sole distributor of these products for Visayas and Mindanao.

All these exciting offers is in line with Kapit Kamay International Trading Inc.’s promise of a better way of living brought about by the satisfaction and fulfillment of the people’s needs and wants.

For further details about KK Mart and its products, you may visit the KK Mart office at the 3^rd Floor of BSP Bldg., Velez-Luna Sts., Cagayan de Oro City or call (088) 856-8428, (0921) 6295367 and (0915) 8778667.

Published: August 8-14, 2006 issue

The Regional Development Committee for Mindanao (RDCom-Mindanao), composed of the RDC officials of Regions 9, X, XI, XII, Caraga and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (Armm), met last June 22 in Davao City, to recommend policy reforms that would address the operational gaps in the RDC Budget Review and Consultation.

The resolution is expected to effect a timely issuance of the budget call and the provision of the criteria on the regional allocation of lump sum fund in order for agency regional offices to be informed of how the lump sum funds are used by their counterpart central offices.

RDCom-Mindanao also passed a resolution requesting the ICC-Cabinet Committee to relax the requirement for LGUs to secure DBM’s certification for budget cover for projects proposed for grant assistance, as well as, to consider as guarantee the Sanggunian resolution expressing commitment to fund the LGUs’ counterpart requirement out of their respective internal revenue allotment.

This is in consonance with the provision of the Local Government Code where LGUs may directly seek, negotiate and secure financial grants or donations in kind, in support of the basic services or facilities, from local and foreign assistance agencies.

The Committee also discussed and supported the proposed amendments to RA 9280, otherwise known as the Customs Brokers Act of 2004.

Among others, RDCom-Mindanao proposes that Section 6 (Scope of the Practice of Customs Brokers), should add a provision that importers and exporters doing business as natural persons or under sole proprietorship may be allowed to undertake the following activities: 1) prepare customs requisite documents for imports and exports; 2. declare customs duties and taxes; 3) prepare, sign, file, lodge and process import and export entries and documents required to be filed at the Bureau of Customs and other government agency, under the TCCP and other existing laws; and 4) represent themselves (importers and exporters) before any government agency and private entities in cases related to valuation and classification of imported articles.  It is also proposed that Section 27 (Acts Constituting the Practice of Customs Brokers Profession) allows company representatives to sign the import entries and export declarations.

The RDCom-Mindanao members also agreed to hold a workshop soon to  brainstorm on the various concerns/implications related to the newly conceptualized Mindanao Super Region.  The complementary roles of the RDCom-Mindanao and MEDCO in pursuing the development of Mindanao will be defined during the said workshop. 

Governor Loreto Leo S. Ocampos of Misamis Occidental heads the RDCom for Mindanao with Mayor Democrito D. Plaza II of Butuan City as his alternate representative.

Published: August 1-7, 2006 issue

By TERRY D.C. BETONIO

Contributing Editor

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Region 10 has recently approved a 16-peso increase in the minimum wage of agriculture and non-agriculture workers in Northern Mindanao, which took effect August 1, 2006.

But despite the meager increase, the Associated Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) said P16 is quite reasonable for them at this time.

          “We are not satisfied with the increase but because of the present situation, we are appease with it,” said Mr. Jose Ares, labor representative from ALU-TUCP who sits in the wage board, during a press conference held Tuesday, August 1.

The ALU-TUCP had earlier filed for a 75-peso per day across-the-board wage increase but the RTWPB 10 only approved P16, to be added in the basic salary.

          RTWPB 10 secretary Lorna Llanos said the new wage order would only fix the low salaries received by the workers while the increase of those who are already receiving above the minimum wage will be determined through their collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

The new wage order has set minimum wages in five categories, unlike last year where there are only two categories.

For wage category one – which covers the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan and the municipalities of Tagoloan, Villanueva and Jasaan – the new rate is P234 per day for non-agriculture workers and P222 for agriculture workers.

          For category two – which covers the cities of Malaybalay, Valencia, Gingoog and Ozamiz, and the municipalities of Maramag, Quezon, Manolo Fortich and El Salvador – the new rate is P229 for non-agriculture and P217 for agriculture workers.

For category three covering the cities of Oroquieta and Tangub and the municipalities of Lugait, Opol and Mambajao, the new rate is P224 for non-agriculture and P212 for agriculture workers while for category four covering all other areas, the new rate is P219 for non-agriculture and P207 for agriculture workers.

          Category five is specially designed for the sugar agricultural industry in “pakyaw rates” regardless of geographical location.

Casimira Balandra, RTWPB 10 vice-chair and the regional director of the National Economic and Development Authority, said the basis for the classification are the economic status of the area, income of the local government unit and the presence of growth factors like big investments.

“We have to make a widespread advocacy that the wage order is not only reasonable but judicious since we have looked into all sectors. We also looked into the capability of the employers to pay that’s why there is categorization as we focus on one objective, which is compliance,” Balandra said.

In 2005, compliance rate on the previous wage order was only 26 percent with 897 firms in the region found to have committed violations with regards to the implementation of the wage order.

By TERRY D.C. BETONIO

Contributing Editor

Name recall is a very important aspect when endorsing or using a product.

This is how Ms. Dina Calingasan, president of Kapit Kamay International Trading Inc., described the reason why she is very eager to promote Kutis 3-in-1 miracle organic herbal soap through Kapit Kamay’s marketing arm, KK Mart, a one-stop business store that offers a wide array of products.

Ms. Calingasan said Kutis, KK Mart’s carrier product, can surely gain a share in the market owing to its easy-to-remember name which, she explained, pertains to clear and smooth skin.

           “It’s the name Kutis that made me decide to do the business here because I always believe that name recall is very important for a product,” Ms. Calingasan said, who markets the product in cooperation with the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) Misamis Oriental chapter.

The Kutis soap started invading the Cagayan de Oro market in March and Ms. Calingasan said she sold 1,000 pieces in just 15 days without any promotion.

           Ely Ubaldo, a teacher in Tacurong who is a franchisee of the Kutis soap, was able to send his son to college and graduated with an engineering course from the sales of Kutis.

“What good about going into this kind of business is that Kutis is a kind of product wherein everyone would feel happy about… it makes everybody beautiful,” Ms. Calingasan said.

          Kutis, the first soap in the market called as 3-in-1 miracle organic herbal soap, is available in Carrots-Papaya and Tawas Lemon variants. It is effective as anti-aging, skin whitening and body deodorizer.

On July 28, KK Mart opened its doors to franchisees who may wish to sell Kutis 3-in-1 miracle organic herbal soap.

Ms. Calingasan said franchising for the Kutis soap is available for only P1,000 all-in products at 50 percent return of investment, which she considered as a good business opportunity for everyone.

          “At this time na mahirap ang buhay, I am encouraging everyone to join the dealership of KK Mart products, with little investment but with 50 percent investment return, we can assure them of daily income,” Ms. Calingasan said, who heads KK Mart.

Aside from Kutis 3-in-1 miracle organic herbal soap, other products of KK Mart include virgin coconut oil, G5 Health Drink, Feel Fresh hygienic paper soap, Phytoworx, and Mark II Inhaler and Applicator, a product currently being endorsed by award-winning actress Ms. Judy Ann Santos.

KK Mart offers daily seminar for franchising at 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at its office at the 3rd Floor of BSP Bldg., Velez-Luna Sts., Cagayan de Oro City. For details, interested parties may call (088) 856-8428, (0921) 6295367 and (0915) 877-8667.

Published: July 25-31, 2006 issues 

The company uses powder coating technology for durability

By TERRY D.C. BETONIO

Contributing Editor

Jacsons’ Enterprises, the only plant in Mindanao that manufactures steel cabinets using the powder coating technology, has formally launched its business operation in Barangay Taboc, Opol, Misamis Oriental.

Engr. Francis Celis, the manager and proprietor of Jacsons’ Enterprises, said they have been manufacturing steel cabinets using the powder coating technology for two months before the formal launching and blessing of the plant on Thursday, July 27.

“The powder coating technology has been there in the last 20 years and it is getting popular due to its highly durable effect. Not too many company use this technology due to high cost and not everybody can afford it, especially the small and medium enterprises,” Engr. Celis said in a press conference held after the formal blessing and launching.

Jacsons’ Enterprises has been using enamel coating for its steel cabinets but Mr. Celis said with the influx of technology and to become globally competitive, they need to upgrade the plant’s operation and technology, especially in the finishing aspect of the product.

He said a filing cabinet is not a new product but what the company manufactures are powder-coated, a switch from the traditional enamel method.

Though they are still producing steel cabinets coated with enamel, Mr. Celis said some high-end clients prefer the powder-coated products for longer durability.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) provided financial support worth P980,000 for the procurement of bake oven, powder spray paint booth, powder spray gun and powder sieving machine for the technology under its Manufacturing Productivity Extension (MPEX) program.

DOST 10 regional director Angelito Alolod said it is the first time that the department has extended financial support to the metal industry because they also consider these kinds of businesses as the backbone of industrialization.

“Powder-coating technology answers the last phase of metal fabrication and it is one of the best technologies available to make the metal more durable,” Dir. Alolod said.

Powder-coated steel cabinets are expensive by 30 percent to 40 percent than those coated with enamel but are more durable. One steel cabinet coated with enamel costs P5,000 but powder-coated cabinets cost P7,500.

Jacsons’ Enterprises produces an average of 200 pieces of steel cabinets in a month based on the capacity of its plant and market these products to different areas in Mindanao and part of the Visayas region.

Aside from steel filing cabinets, Jacsons’ also manufactures safety boxes and DTR racks, among other products.

Jacsons’ Enterprises started as a trading enterprise in 1995 and put up its manufacturing plant in 1997. Now it has branches in the cities of Davao and General Santos and established dealers and distributors in Northern Mindanao, the Zamboanga peninsula and part of the Visayas region.

Published: July 25-31, 2006 issues

Overseas Filipino Workers may find it less costly to send money through the customary padala and other informal channels, oblivious of the risks involved under this system.

Recognizing this, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) vows to encourage more OFWs to ensure the safety of their remittances by coursing them through banks.

In particular, RCBC TeleMoney, the remittance arm of universal bank RCBC, said it will continue to offer innovative products and make these accessible to more OFWs to build their confidence in the banking system as the proper remittance channel.

RCBC senior vice president and TeleMoney Group head Cynthia P. Santos said this is in response to calls from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) urging OFWs to use fund transfers through banks, which is safer and more cost-efficient than the so-called padala system and other informal channels.

BSP is projecting OFW remittances to hit US$13.5 billion this year, of which close to US$12 billion or 89 percent is expected to be coursed through the banking system. This marks an improvement from the 85 percent of total remittances “captured” by banks last year.

Published: July 25-31, 2006 issues

By TESS S. BALUYOS

Contributor

How to keep street foods safe, and the current good manufacturing practices—these are the focus of the trainers’ training being conducted by the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office No. 10 (DOST 10). 

DOST 10 regional director Angelito Alolod said that the most crucial consideration in buying food is safety. A buyer should always be assured that the food he buys are safe, clean, nutritious and wholesome, and will not cause any harm to him or to his family members. 

The small and medium enterprises in region 10 engaged in food processing have recognized the importance of food safety, thus, the group requested DOST 10 to conduct good manufacturing practices, hazard analysis critical control point, environmental management systems and other related trainings to ensure that their products conform to the required standards of the food industry. 

Participants of this trainers training which started today at the Mass-Specc building in Cagayan de Oro City are municipal sanitary inspectors, nutrition and health workers and food processors. They are expected to in turn train the street vendors whose buyers are mostly schoolchildren.

Resource speakers are from the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST). It is also in collaboration with the provincial government of Misamis Oriental and the Food Processors’ Association of Northern Mindanao (FopaNormin).

Other activities lined up as part of the regional celebration of the science week include the following: Open Source Operating System Seminar on July 24-25 at Valencia City; Job Hunting Seminar for DOST Scholars and Awarding Ceremonies on July 28 at De Luxe Hotel; Tree Planting at Malasag Eco Village on July 29 and the on-going Travelling Centrum in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

This year’s theme for the Science Week Celebration is “Saving Lives, Improving Lives, through Science and Technology.”

Published: July 18-24, 2006 issue

Releases part of P5-million livelihood assistance to women associations

By TERRY D.C. BETONIO

Contributing Editor

Ten associations of women in select areas of Mindanao comprising the informal sector were awarded checks worth P283,000 by the Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines (DSWP) and the Support Service Institute for Women Inc. (SIW) in simple ceremonies held Thursday, July 20, at Pearlmont Hotel.

Ms. Rhoda Avila, secretary general of DSWP and the deputy director of SIW, said the money would be used by the associations to finance their livelihood projects.

The financial assistance is part of the second phase of the project “Empowering women in the informal sector” undertaken by DSWP and SIW in partnership with the United Federation of Danish Workers and the Danish Confederation of Trade Unions with funding support from the Development Ministry of Denmark.

Among those who were given financial assistance are the Mabasa Christian Women’s Association in Cagayan de Oro City (P40,000); the Literacy Women’s Club Association in Malaybalay City (P24,000); the Impasug-ong Women’s Organization in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon (P25,000); the Everlasting Women Association in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon (P25,000); the Pinatillan Women’s Organization in Valencia City (P25,000); the Kaagap Mucom Women’s Desk in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur (P30,000); the Tingog sa Kababaihan Kalambuan in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur (P24,000); the Livelihood Association of Maygatasan Women in Bayugan, Agusan del Norte (P25,000); the Cuyago Women’s Association in Jabonga, Agusan del Sur (P25,000) and the Resettled Agusanon Minorities Women Organization in Tubay, Agusan del Norte (P40,000).

Among the livelihood projects proposed by the associations include rice trading, buy and sell of rice and feeds, palay trading, handicraft making, hog fattening, rice retailing and whole selling, multi-purpose cooperative store and virgin coconut oil processing.

Ms. Avila said at least 52 project proposals from the National Capital Region, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao were screened and approved by the steering committee organized by DSWP and SIW, which totaled P1.596 million.

“Screening for project proposals is still ongoing until August 1 so we will definitely be adding more livelihood financial assistance to women organizations from the informal sector. We have allotted P5 million for this livelihood component,” Ms. Avila said.

She said they target to provide financial assistance to at least 100 women’s organizations in the country.

The amount will be paid by the organization within one year with 10 percent interest rate. But Ms. Avila said half of the interest would be given back to the organization as savings to free them off from the common 5-6 lending scheme.

“We just hope the organizations would really make this as a revolving fund so other organizations would also be given the chance to avail. We hope they would make this good and make it work,” Ms. Avila said.

The DSWP is a national federation of 157 accredited grassroots, community and sector-based chapter organizations founded in 1987 as a socialist feminist group. It now has 40,000 women members from various marginalized sectors such as peasants, urban poor, youth and students, Muslim and indigenous peoples, and workers in the formal and informal sectors.

The SIW, on the other hand, is a non-government organization founded in 1994 by the then leaders and officials of DSWP.

In 2002, both DSWP and SIW started organizing the women in the informal sector and launched the first phase of the project, which focused primarily on organizing, capability building and networking with legislators and government agencies. The project ran for three years.

In Dec. 2005, the second phase started which centered on empowering these women through organizational strengthening, advocacy and financial assistance for livelihood projects.

Published: July 18-24, 2006 issue        

By URIEL C. QUILINGUING

Executive Editor

Increased collection by P3.96 million in the first five months of this year compared to the same period last year was observed by the Misamis Oriental Telephone (Misortel).

            Misamis Oriental governor Oscar S. Moreno, chairperson of the Misortel management board, mentioned the improvement in the Misortel collection in his state-of-the province address (Sopa) last July 10, this year.

            Moreno said that Misortel posted an P8.2-million net come for the first quarter of this year in the midst of prevailing liquidity problems the provincial government-owned telephone company has been experiencing.

            “The financial performance in 2005 is substantial turn-around from a negative net income of P11.49 million in 2004 to a positive net income of P15.357 million in 2005,” said the governor.

            He said that by the end of April this year the account net payable of Misortel to interconnect companies has paid and reduced to less than P79 million from P148 million in 2004.

            This, he said, encouraged the Misortel management to increase toll trunk capacities and higher toll share to Misortel.

            Moreno also announced that Misortel is now carrying out the partial implementation of a revised organizational structure that would suit to its operational and organizational requirements.

            “Substantial settlement of previous and current obligations have served to rebuild Misortel’s image and trust of creditors, internet companies and industry players,” the governor said.

            This, he said, has been proven in Misortel’s partnership –with a revenue sharing arrangement at no cost and no risk to Misortel--with BayanTel, Innove/Globe, Graphics/Magnet Technologies and DCTech on Data Service.

Published: July 18-24, 2006 issue 

Cebu Pacific (CEB) will resume service to Singapore daily starting August 31, 2006, as part of its regional expansion program, with promotional fares as low as P 1,499 one-way.

The Manila-Singapore flight, using CEB’s brand-new Airbus aircraft, leaves Manila at 8:30pm, arriving in Singapore at 11:55pm and leaves Singapore at 12:40am the following day to arrive back in Manila at 4:05am.

            EB last flew to Singapore in 2003.  The airline will resume service following a steady growth in passenger traffic in the last three years.  Filipino visitors to Singapore alone totaled 319,898, up by 30.09% from 2004. 

            We are confident about our re-entry to Singapore. It is a developed market for budget airlines and we believe that our low fares and great value offering will entice this market to patronize CEB and attract more people to travel to the Philippines. With our brand new fleet and real time online booking engine (cebupacificair.com) we will be able to offer our trademark low fares to this destination,” said Lance Gokongwei, CEB president and CEO.

            EB will launch its Manila-Singapore leg with a seat sale of only P 1,499 one-way, a price cut of more than 64% from the current airfare to Singapore. The promo is exclusive of surcharges and taxes and will run from July 20 to 26, 2006.  Travel date is from August 31 to October 19, 2006.  The best way to get tickets for the seat sale is through the CEB website (www.cebupacificair.com).

            fter the Seat Sale, the permanent ‘Go’ fares to Singapore will start at P 2,499 one-way.  Still 41% lower than the current lowest fare to Singapore. The ‘Go’ fares are exclusive of surcharges and government taxes.

            We have seen the encouraging effects of our year-round ‘Go’ fares in the domestic sector and in our Hong Kong operations, and we are very excited to make this available in Singapore. It has always been our vision to make flying an option for more Filipinos both locally and regionally because this translates to a healthier tourism industry,” Gokongwei added.

            he airline now services 17 domestic destinations and also flies to Hong Kong and Seoul, South Korea.

            EB currently operates two A320 and seven A319 aircraft. Three more A319 aircraft will arrive before the end of the year while the last two A320 aircraft will arrive in early 2007.  By then, CEB’s $670 million re-fleeting program shall be completed and the airline will have the youngest fleet in the Philippines and one of the youngest in Asia.

            ow in its 11^th year, CEB pioneered low fares in the country in March 1996. It also introduced travelers to on-time service, e-ticketing and on-line booking, setting the standards for airline innovation in the local aviation industry.

Published: July 18-24, 2006 issue

By ARMAN APOLINARIO

Correspondent

MARAWI CITY: The Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) has approved a billion US dollar fund for poverty alleviation in muslim communities all over the world, according to an official of the Islamic Development Bank of Saudi Arabia (IDBSA).

Dr. Mohammed Hassan Salem, head of the IDBSA’s special assistance office, disclosed during a visit to this city on Saturday, July 15, 2006.

Dr. Salem, who led a delegation from IDBSA, were welcomed by Lanao del Sur governor Aleem Bashier D. Manalao and other provincial, city and local government officials.

Present during the meeting at the social hall of the New Capitol Complex include, among others, Lanao del Sur public information officer Ding Sansarona, Mr. Roosevelt Radiaganding, Engr. Abdelrahim Awartani, and Doctor Potri Disomimba-Ali of Tamparan District Hospital.

Dr. Salem said he is willing to discuss with Governor Manalao and other officials so that the projects to be funded out of the poverty alleviation fund will be identified.

He said that the provinced of Lanao del Sur and the city of Marawi, being part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) are  to benefit from the assistance of the IDB of Saudi Arabia.

Childen, age seven to eight years, could avail of educational scholarships for basic and higher education.

Dr. Salem said they provide scholarships to children to train them to become future leaders of the country.

Meanwhile, public information officer Sansarona said poverty alleviation project implementation has already started in the province.

One of these, he said, is the irrigation development project at the Basak area in the first congressional district of the province.

During the open forum, Dr. Dima0, who the provincial health, pointed out the need to improve the hospital facilities and equipment so that patients need not be brought to Iligan City.

         Dr. Salem assured Manalao that they will also extend assistance to the Mostaqbal Foundation, Inc.

            At the same time, the IDB delegation head said he is impressed by Manalao’s project known as Maqbara which is now Lanao del Sur Memorial Park—the first Muslim public cemetery in the Philippines. It is located in sitio Papadayan of barangay Guimba, this city. 

The IDB is composed of 56 countries and have set aside funds for the Poverty Alleviation Funds. This is intended to help poor Muslims communities in the world to become good citizen in their respective countries.

Published: July 11-17, 2006 issue 

Camiguin hosts Mindanao-wide summit on tech-voc issues

By IAN ROY T. RUIZ

Staffmember

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) has never stopped raising its banner in addressing issues concerning new jobs demand and skills competencies.

Proof to this was the Mindanao Technical Vocational and Education Training for Human Resource and Skills Development (TVET-HRSD) Summit held July 4 to 6 at Villa Paraiso Apartelle in Mambajao, Camiguin province.

Silvano Maranga, regional director of TESDA-10, said the three-day summit, now on its fifth year, has the biggest turn-out of delegates of almost three hundred TVET advocates representing local government units, non-government organizations, industry and national government agencies from all over Mindanao including Tesda staff in regions 9, 11, 12, Caraga and the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao.

Though the national government and the Visayas region gave no assistance for the ambitious activity, yet the Mindanao TVET summit was launched successfully as emphasized by Director Maranga.

Maranga said the Mindanao TVET-HRSD Summit was an initiative by the Mindanao TVET association to lobby problems, catch up with the new trends and find solution to the mismatch of job requirements caused by inevitable and fast growing technologies.

The Summit also included the building of links between TVET and enterprises development, work opportunities, requirements and qualifications that involves the Information and Communication Technology (ICT), healthcare and the tourism, hospital and manufacturing/agriculture industries.

The Summit was also held to cater to the enhancing management capability of TVET schools on jobs generation for entrepreneurial and employment, implementation of competency-based curriculum and bridging TVET and HE for adoption of ladderized curriculum program and modularized program approach.

Speaking as TESDA board member, Mr. Eduardo Ong – who is also the vice president of the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines – said that in order to met the demands of the fast-growing technologies nowadays, we must go beyond educating and training of workers.

Mr. Ong believes there is a positive outcome if this would be implemented.

“Work opportunities are now coming and we must grab those by way of thinking global and act local,” Mr. Ong said.

Quality delivery education, enhancing the school administration and calibrating the skills of the industries is one situation that must also be addressed, according to Joji Ilagan Bian.

Bian, who owns a 50-seater call center and schools for toddlers, presented different facts on course demand that if failed to be addressed, would affect the delivery of efficient and quality education.

She also said the short and focus courses would eventually helped the students find job easily and would be productive at the same time.

The TVET-HRSD main objective was to provide an overview of the current labor market and latest skills trends, determine regional constraints with regards to job creation and capability for small enterprises development given their existing resources and other capacities and how these can be addressed.

It also hoped to identify practical mechanisms and interventions to provide information and assistance in the areas of job search and marketing and promote establishment of links between business and other agencies to assist schemes aimed at implementation of small scale community enterprise projects and employment creation.

Aside from the TVET-HRSD summit, the TVET association also holds job fairs, exhibits, cultural practices and trade fairs.

Published: July 11-17, 2006 issue

By TERRY D.C. BETONIO

Contributing Editor

South Bank Inc., formerly called Kagay-anon Rural Bank, is launching its savings consciousness project for school children known as “SIPAG Savers Club” in cooperation with Liceo de Cagayan University Grade School and High School department.

Mr. Salvador Caragos, South Bank Inc. senior manager, said the project is in line with the thrust of the Department of Education, the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to educate students on the value and importance of savings and encourage them to save for their future.

SIPAG or Sariling Ipon, Pagpunyagi At Galing Savers Club is a micro savings deposit account designed for school children that aims to encourage them to save a portion of their daily allowance.

The project also hopes to help the students prevent unnecessary spending and teach them with the basic principles of banking.

The SIPAG Savers Club project allows the students to open an account with only P100 as minimum opening balance requirement and can deposit as low as P20.

Mr. Caragos said they will give incentives and prizes to the top and diligent savers of the class and to the top savers of the year.

Those interested to join the SIPAG Savers Club may visit the South Bank office at the South Bank Center, Hayes-Lt. Guillermo Sts., Cogon, Cagayan de Oro City or call 727533 and 857-3005 for details.

Published:July 11-17, 2006 issue

Filipino nurses in the United States and Europe as well as entertainers in Japan send more dollars to their families compared with other overseas workers, a money transfer firm executive said yesterday.

A skilled laborer abroad would send back home an average of $300 a month while the amount is double for nurses and entertainers, said Patricia Riingen, vice president of Western Union Philippines, one of the biggest money transfer companies in the world.

Attesting to this, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who is also a nurse like his sister said his sibling working in the United Kingdom sends home at least $1,000 a month.

Thousands of Filipinos have been drawn into the health care industry abroad because of higher pay. Even doctors here reportedly study to become licensed nurses, particularly in the US.

Remittances from OFWs are said to be the lifeline of the Philippine economy.

Data from the think tank Ibon Foundation showed OFW remittances reaching $12 billion in 2003, of which $10 billion was sent to their families in the country through formal channels such as banks and money transfer firms.

On the other hand, an Asian Development Bank study noted that actual remittances from the more than eight million Filipinos abroad could actually reach as much as $22 billion if remittances that go through informal means are counted.

Steve Peregrino, Western Union marketing manager in the Philippines, said the major sources of workers’ remittances are the US, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Hong Kong and Japan.

The bulk of OFW remittances, however, goes to basic needs such as house rent, clothing, food and education. Little goes to their savings.

"The transfer is faster and we do not have hidden charges," Peregrino said of the process in money transfer firms. "So kung urgent ang pangangailan sa pera, mas madali rin nilang nakukuha unlike in banks na kailangan pang hintayin ng ilang araw ."

According to Riingen, Western Union is hoping to expand by 20 percent its present location count in the country within a year to take advantage of increasing OFW deployment and the continued demand for remittances to support the basic needs of OFW families.

Western Union Philippines at present has 5,000 agent-locations.

"The company wants to look for additional locations particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao areas that are still under-served. These (new locations) can come through tie-ups with banks, pawnshops or even convenience stores," explained Riingen. By James Mananghaya

Meanwhile, foreign tourists, retirees to fuel growth
The tourism and retirement sectors are seen as the next drivers of economic growth, as citizens of Asian economies look at the Philippines as an affordable place to live in and have leisure.

In a news briefing yesterday, University of Asia and the Pacific senior vice president Bernardo Villegas said that amid the lack of diversification in the manufacturing sector that caused too much reliance of the economy on electronics exports, service exports from foreign tourists and retirees would eventually be the major sources of dollar exchange.

Villegas said that because of the lack of diversification in manufacturing, gross domestic product was expected to expand by only 5 percent in 2006 and 5.3 percent in 2007, which were short of the 7 percent to 9 percent growth required to make a significant dent on poverty.

He said the country should learn to harness its strengths to accelerate growth.

One of the country’s strength, he said, was in its beautiful destinations and the talents of its people that suited the government’s campaign to attract dollar-spending tourists and retirees.

“Tourism will be an important engine of growth. It is one accomplishment of this government that I can ascribe to, thanks to clever marketing skills of Tourism Secretary Ace Durano,” he said.

International visitor arrivals hit a record high of 2.6 million last year and continued to grow this year. Foreign arrivals grew 11.8 percent to 1.194 million in the first five months from 1.069 million a year ago.

Durano said he was confident of meeting the target of three million visitor arrivals this year and five million arrivals by 2010.

Driving the growth of tourism sector, Villegas said, were the double-digit growth in arrivals from the Northeast Asia, particularly South Korea, China, Taiwan and Japan. – RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ

Published: July 11-17, 2006 issue

Nowadays, people think P30 will just give them an FX ride, 3 rolls of tissue paper, 2 pieces of bottled water, or 5 sachets of coffee. Sun Cellular offers more! With Sun Cellular’s Sulit Calls, you can stay connected with family and friends for only P30. 

            Sun’s Sulit Calls is the latest service from the pioneer of the revolutionary unlimited calls and texts.  It allows prepaid subscribers to make 1-hour of Local Sun-to-Sun calls for just P30. That’s equivalent to an unparallel rate of only P0.50 per minute.  Talk about getting the most out of your peso. You pay less but get so much more!

            With the amazing rate of Sun Sulit Calls, students can call their classmates for a rush in their project, the whole barkada can stay connected to plan their next gimik, mom can inform dad that his favorite dish is ready for dinner, officemates can talk more after work, or you can just call your friends for 1-hour of kulitan. 

            To avail of this exciting new service, Sun offers different options to give you more convenience.  You can either purchase a Sulit Calls card at any of the authorized retail outlets around the country or avail of it via E-pin. For a quicker transaction, you can also grab this great service via SMS by simply typing VOICE <space> 1 then sending it to 223, or you can opt to go through The Mall via your mobile phone by simply clicking The Mall > Mall Assistant> My Account> Prepaid> Buy Voice> Voice 1. Just make sure you have at least P30 of regular load in your prepaid account. It’s that simple!

            To maximize your Sun Sulit Calls, combine it with 24/7 Text Unlimited. You will get more local Sun-to-Sun minutes and enjoy unlimited Sun-to-Sun texting. Now that’s great service at a very reasonable price.

            With Sun Cellular’s Sulit Calls, your P30 can make a lot of difference. Connecting with anyone anytime is more convenient and more affordable than ever.

Sulit Call cards are available in all Sun shops nationwide and in authorized retail outlets. For more information on Sun Cellular’s various products and services, call its hotline at 395-8000 or visit its website: www.suncellular.com.ph.

Published: July 4-10, 2006 issue

Less than 10 have availed for free online tests out of 300 slots

By TERRY D.C. BETONIO

Contributing Editor

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) is inviting those who are interested to work at call centers to take the online oral tests being conducted at its regional and provincial offices and at the Tesda regional training center in the municipality of Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

Tesda Region 10 director Silvano Maranga said the online tests are free and can be used by the applicants in determining their competencies as call center agents.

“There are call centers here in Cagayan de Oro but the problem they have right now is lack of manpower. There are graduates who applied but were not qualified,” Maranga said.

The seven-minute online test would challenge the applicants’ ability on grammar, vocabulary, fluency and diction. Those who will get an average of 62 and above will be recommended by Tesda to call centers and will be given P5,000 worth of training scholarships for a 100-hour Finishing Course for Call Center Agents through the PGMA Training for Work Scholarship Program.

At least 300 slots have been allotted to Northern Mindanao for the free online test but Maranga said only less than 10 persons have availed.

“We are inviting those who want to work at call centers and who have potentials to avail of the free online test. This is only until the end of July,” Maranga said.

On Friday, July 7, at least four members of the media have taken the free online oral tests, which costs P170 per examinee but will be paid by Tesda through the program. At least P500,000 had been allocated by the government for the program, which is set to be implemented from May to December 2006.

Earlier, call center owner Elpidio Paras admitted Cagayan de Oro still lacks manpower to fill in the huge demand of the call center industry and qualified applicants who are fluent in the English language.

“The industry is growing by leaps and bounds. The opportunity is there but we’re lacking in terms of manpower,” Paras said.

There are less than 10 call centers in Mindanao and three of them are in Cagayan de Oro. SM City is allocating 1,700 square meters and Pueblo de Oro is offering its 2,700 square meter lot located beside SM as sites for call centers.

Paras said he is seeing progress in the industry year after year but “we still have to increase manpower” to catch up. There are only 800 agents now working in the city’s three call centers.

Published: July 4-10, 2006 issue

THE Cagayan de Oro Press Club Inc. (COPC) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) are inviting high school graduates from Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental to avail of a scholarship for a two-year course on Applied Science in Nursing at eAcademy, located inside the Pilgrim Christian College campus.

The scholarship will be offered by eAcademy through COPC and Tesda and covers free tuition for the two-year course but excludes the expenses to be incurred by the student during hospital exposure or RLE (related learning experience).

COPC president Uriel Quilinguing said the scholarship is open to graduates of public high schools in Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental aged 18 to 25 years old who may want to pursue a nursing course and work in the United States.

“Children and relatives of COPC members are also welcome to apply for the scholarship,” Quilinguing said.

Jorge Marques, president of eAcademy, said they are offering one slot for the COPC-Tesda academic scholar because of the “good relationship” he had with COPC in the past years when he was still working for a private company in Cagayan de Oro.

Interested students may submit application letters, high school credentials and certificates of good moral character to Ms. Ruth Cunanan, COPC secretary, at the 2^nd Floor of the COPC Building, Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City or call (08822) 724779 or send email to oropressclub@yahoo.com.ph for details.

The Applied Science in Nursing program offered by eAcademy is a 24-month ladderized nursing course leading to Registered Nurse, a US-based curriculum developed with the California Paramedical and Technical School and the Western Nevada Community College.

Marques said graduates of this course can work directly at different hospitals or medical institutions in the United States provided they pass the competency examination given by Tesda in the Philippines and other state board examinations in the US such as the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

“We are offering this program to train new people who want to work in the US and we believe this is the answer to the backlog of nursing professionals in the country. We don’t want our health professionals to leave the country so we will be training new people,” Marques said.

Aside from the 24-month ladderized Applied Science in Nursing course, eAcademy is also offering a 16-month Practical/Vocational Nursing course.

The eAcademy is an affiliate of the Philippine Paramedical and Technical School in Davao City, which is a member agency of three highly-recognized nursing institutions in the US namely the National League for Nursing, the National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses Inc. and the National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service. It has branches in General Santos City, Iloilo City and Cebu.

Published: July 4-10, 2006 issue

THE United Kingdom’s Court of Appeal has recently upheld the exclusivity of the main patent covering atorvastatin, the active ingredient in the cholesterol-lowering medicine atorvastatin calcium.

The appellate court ruling affirms a lower court decision in October 2005 that found a proposed Ranbaxy generic would infringe the basic atorvastatin calcium patent. The appellate court’s decision prohibits Ranbaxy from introducing a generic version of atorvastatin in the UK before the expiration of the basic patent in November 2011, subject to a possible further appeal to the House of Lords.

 “We are pleased with the appellate court decision, which affirms the lower court ruling on our basic patent for atorvastatin calcium. This decision is consistent with the fundamental principle that patents exist to support the work of medical innovators pursuing discoveries that benefit current and future generations of patients around the world,” said Jeffrey B. Kindler, Pfizer’s vice chairman and general counsel.

The appellate court ruled invalid a second patent covering the calcium salt of atorvastatin, which expires in July 2010 and therefore has no commercial relevance in the UK.

This decision is another significant milestone in Pfizer’s defense of atorvastatin calcium patents around the world. It is an important outcome not only for Pfizer but for other medical innovators who invest in high-risk research to develop life-saving medicines for millions of patients.

The company sees strong prospects from the industry’s premier research and development pipeline and in expanding new product opportunities in the near future.

The pipeline includes advanced candidates in the treatment of central nervous system disorders, cardiovascular disease, cancer, metabolic diseases, infectious diseases, glaucoma, inflammation and respiratory disease.

Published: July 4-6 2006 issue

Senate minority leader Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr. on Wednesday, July 5, reminded the national government to comply with its obligation to remit to the local government units (LGUs) their rightful share from taxes and fees collected from companies involved in the utilization of natural resources in their areas of jurisdiction such as mining, logging, energy

generation and quarrying.

            Pimentel issued the reminder in view of complaints from local government executives reaching his office about the failure of the national government to release to their respective LGUs their legal share

from the income generated from the operations of these companies.

            “I have been receiving complaints from provinces, cities and municipalities that they have not received their dues under the present legislation because the Department of Environment and Department of Finances are dilly-dallying on the release of the share of the LGUs,” he said.

            Pimentel said it is unfair to withhold these funds from the LGUs especially since they bear the brunt of the pollution and other deleterious effects from the operations of these firms on the environment.

            As an example, he cited the operation of the 600-megawatt coal-fired plant in Masinloc, Zambales which the residents have continued to oppose due to emission of toxic fumes that have caused illnesses to human beings and animals and poisoned the air, water and soil.

            “The operation of the power plant is premised on the fact that the local government of Masinloc will have a share of the government revenues derived from the operation of the plant. Up to now, they haven’t

received any. So that’s a cause for alarm,” Pimentel said.

            The minority leader said it is ironic that Malacañang has made a commitment to the Catholic bishops to take steps to amend the Mining Act to ensure greater protection of the communities from the mining operations. And yet, he said the government is remiss in giving to the LGUs their just share from the taxes paid by mining companies.

            Under the Local Government Code (Republic Act 7160), the LGUs are entitled to 40 percent of the gross collection by the national government of mining taxes, royalties and forestry and fisheries charges.

            Pimentel has filed Senate Bill 2218 seeking to increase from 40 to 60 percent the share of the LGUs from such revenues.

            The sharing scheme also applies to the collection of other taxes, fees or charges, interests or fines, as well as any co-production joint venture or production-sharing agreement in the commercial

utilization and development of the national wealth within the territorial jurisdiction of the LGUs.

            Under the bill, Pimentel said the share of the LGUs from the utilization of the national wealth shall be remitted by the government agency or corporation concerned within 10 days after the end of every

quarter.

            “This is just one of the measures that seek to broaden the local fiscal resource generation. The intention is to make the local governments self-reliant instead of being dependent on the national government for their funding needs,” he said.

Published: June 27-July3, 2006 issue

Davao City-based DCTech is Mindanao’s top Internet service provider

MISAMIS Oriental Telephone System, Inc. (Misortel) is set to introduce high-speed data services to subscribers and bridge the gap of connectivity between Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental to the Internet.

            This, after Governor Oscar S. Moreno of Misamis Oriental who is also the president of Misortel and Engr. Ryan T. Sumalinog, the vice-president for operations of DCTech Micro Services, Inc. signed on Thursday, June 29, a memorandum of agreement (MOA).

            The MOA seeks to expand Misortel telecommunication services by providing subscribers with modern, adequate, efficient, reliable and affordable access to Internet, voice calls and other value-added services.

            Mr. Marriz Manuel B. Agbon, DCTech’s sales and marketing partner for Northern Mindanao, said that the Davao City-based company he represents is a full complement service provider, supplying value-added service throughout Mindanao.

            “It currently partners with the Telecommunications Office (Telof) in providing data services to Telof service areas,” said Agbon, in a press statement. These Telof service areas are covered by the National Telephone Project in all Mindanao regions.

            As stipulated in the MOA, DCTech will provide the technology to power up the data service capability of Misortel.

            “This is in tandem with the vision of Governor Moreno for Misortel to be a relevant player in the local telecommunications industry,” according to Engr. Relio B. Acero, general manager of Misortel.

            Acero said that with the DCTech partnership, Misortel will be well on its way to provide affordable digital access to the residents of Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental.

            After signing the MOA, Governor Moreno said: “Misortel will now be able to push more strongly its advocacy of the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in education, the generation of jobs in the community through world-class ICT services and the provision of efficient, effective and transparent government service directly to the citizens of Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental.”

            Moreno also noted that with the affordable Internet access that the Misortel-DCTech partnership will provide, small and medium entrepreneurs will be encouraged to increase their investments in IT.

            “It is a widely known fact that with additional IT investments comes enhanced executive reporting and increased profitability for businesses followed by cost reduction and revenue growth, and improved work efficiency with an integrated systems and reduced data losses,” the governor said.

            He added that the venture is being undertaken to respond to Misortel’s mission to provide modern, adequate, efficient, reliable and affordable telecommunications especially to the presently unserved and underserved areas.

            “The provision of Voice and Internet applications in remote areas has become a current necessity. In order to cope with other developing nations, our citizens must be aware and knowledgeable for them to become globally competitive. That’s where the partnership of DCTech and Misortel will play a vital role,” Moreno said.

            For his part, DCTech’s Sumalinog said his company currently has the capacity to equal to being the top Internet service provider (ISP) in the Mindanao area.

            “The technology employed by the company today is the newest the market has to offer. As to its technical team, the company is composed of caliber technical engineers, who are readily available to meet the demands of its clients,” the DCTech’s part-owner said.

            He said that their local technical support is their best advantage since they can quickly deploy their personnel should technical difficulties occur.

Published: June 27-July 3, 2006 issue

By ANGIE T. CABIG

Contributor

“The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 10 plays a very crucial role as the spokesperson to entice the private sector to engage in Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) practices in both aquaculture and processing.”

This was the underlining message of BFAR 10 Regional Director, Arlene B. Pantanosas during the two-day Orientation-Seminar on HACCP in Aquaculture for BFAR 10 regular personnel held at Harbor Lights, Hotel, this city last week.

Hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) is a system approach for assuring food safety. Its concept involves designating a food process through a series of steps.  Each of these steps is then assessed for potential food-borne hazards that could be injurious to health.

Dr. Nelson Lopez of BFAR Central Office, the resource speaker  said that HACCP is of great importance in these days of globalization and free trade. He underscored that sustainable farming can not succeed without HACCP.

The seven principles of HACCP are: conducting a hazard analysis to determine food safety; identifying the critical points where controls to avoid hazards can be applied; prescribing parameters for each of the points; putting in place the monitoring requirements; taking corrective actions; maintaining a record of the procedures; and establishing a documentation system for all the procedures.

Aquaculture products to be internationally competitive and acceptable should pass the aquaculture standards of other countries.

Pantanosas noted that if the Philippines intends to join the rest of the world, we should be competitive thereby protecting food safety.

The orientation equipped the BFAR 10 personnel with information and tools on the implementation of HACCP. 

Region 10 is the second region in the country to undertake such seminar, a timely activity in its bid to become the tilapia fillet capital of the country.

Pulblisehd; June 27-July3, 2006 issue

CITY Hall’s task force on energy chaired by Councilor Jose Benjamin Benaldo is pushing for the strict implementation of the law that penalizes the pilferage of electricity and theft of electric power transmission lines and materials.

            Republic Act 7832, otherwise known as the Anti-Electricity and

Electric Transmission Lines Materials Pilferage Act of 1994, declares it unlawful to tap or cause any connection with overhead service drops or other electric service wires without proper authorization of utility company.

            Among others, it also prohibits tampering of or use of tampered electric meter jumper, current reversing transformer, shorting or shunting wire loop connection or any other devise which interferes with proper metering of electric current or results in its diversion.

            The City Council committee on energy will tackle the proposed resolution for the purpose during its next meeting.

Published: June 27-July 3, 2006 issue

By TERRY D.C. BETONIO

Contributing Editor

“Health is wealth.”

This saying is indeed, true, according to Lawrence Yap, executive director of K-Link International Group, during the grand launching of K-Link Phil. Inc. in Cagayan de Oro on Tuesday, June 27, at Pearlmont Hotel.

Yap said staying healthy is really very important, among other things, since hospital rates is quite expensive in the Philippines.

“Health is always wealth, we believe, because to be hospitalized is quite very expensive in this country,” Yap said.

K-Link International is a network marketing company based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia that offers preventive and revolutionary health products that would counter various ailments. It has branches in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Brunei, the Middle East, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Italy, France, Germany, Belgium, Finland, Denmark, Canada, Australia and the United States.

In the Philippines, K-Link opened its head office in Manila in June 2002 with almost 26,000 registered distributors, more than 10 center stockists and sub-stockists, and more than 100 mobile stockists in the different towns and provinces of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao after only less than a year of operation.

Yap said a lot of people have joined K-Link only for one purpose – health concerns.

“K-Link products help prevent the occurrence of diseases. Not cure diseases but on prevention,” he said.

Among the products of K-Link include a caffeine-free tea; an all-around detoxifier that removes toxins from internal organs and the digestive system; extracts from natural herbs that improve brain function; and product that stimulates the release of growth hormones, among others.

It also has a Laser Therapeutic Machine (LTD) that acts on nose cavity, acupuncture points or affected parts through laser bio-stimulation and low-frequency pulse current that is very much useful for people who want to achieve a healthy lifestyle.

Sonia Escalera, K-Link wellness consultant, said the quest to stay healthy and live a longer life is a common pursuit by all people. However, she said the environment is now being polluted and even destroyed by economic and industrial development.

“Today, our basic necessities for survival such as water, air and food have all become highly toxic such that when we eat or breathe, we are actually taking in toxins into our system,” she said.

She added that these toxins are hazardous and may cause a multitude of diseases.

“It is therefore important for us to be more conscious and somehow educate ourselves to get rid of these impurities,” Escalera added.

K-Link products, according to Yap, can very well prevent this multitude of diseases from occurring.

Those interested to know more about K-Link may visit its website www.k_linkphil.com or call 853-2039 and 710011 for details.

Published: June 20-26, 2006 issue

Only 200 hectares in Laguindingan will be developed, initially

By TERRY D.C. BETONIO

Contributing Editor

The government is reportedly devising a strategy for the proposed Laguindingan International Airport that would compensate for the expected increase of construction materials by about 10 to 20 percent in time for the airport’s pre-construction activities starting July this year.

Assistant Secretary Robert Castañares of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) said the proposed airport would cover 412.08 hectares but the government would initially develop 200 hectares to save on construction cost.

“We will first develop the footprint of the airport, which is around 200 hectares, to compensate for the rising cost of construction materials,” Castañares said.

He said the remaining 200 hectares would be developed once the airport will be fully operational.

Castañares added earthworks for the airport would also be adapted to the present level of the area to further save on cost.

The proposed international airport, located at Barangay Moog in the municipality of Laguindingan, has a total project cost of US$107.70 million (P5.3 billion) with the government providing US$32.20 million and the rest is acquired through a loan from EDCF and Kexim Bank of Korea and Nordic Investment Bank.

The airport’s pre-construction activities is expected to be implemented from July 2006 to June 2007 while the air navigation and support facilities will be set up starting October 2008 to August 2010.

By 2010, the Laguindingan airport is estimated to be fully operational.

But even with the expected cost of construction materials and the devised strategies, Castañares assured that the airport would still conform to international standards.

Meanwhile, some of the families that would be affected by the proposed international airport can now be relocated after a memorandum of agreement (MOA) was recently signed between the different government agencies for the implementation of the second relocation project.

The MOA was signed on June 20 by Castañares, Gov. Oscar Moreno, Rep. Augusto Baculio of the second district of Misamis Oriental, Laguindingan Mayor Orville Abellanosa and representatives from the National Housing Authority and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 

The MOA involves the development of a 6.2-hectare area in Barangay Tubajon which can accommodate 611 families.

Castañares said the DOTC would turn over P33 million to the provincial government next week for the development of the resettlement site, including the provision of lighting and water systems.

While there have been delays in the implementation of the airport project, Gov. Moreno still considered the MOA signing as a milestone in the project’s different phases.

“Admittedly, there has been some delay but we hope the delay will serve us lessons. We should unite to make this project successful because the success or failure of this project lies in our hands,” Moreno said.

The provincial government would serve as the head and the coordinating body in the implementation of the second relocation project.

Published: June 20-26, 2006 issue

By ARMAN APOLINARIO

Correspondent

MARAWI CITY: The National Electrification Administration (NEA) has given the go-signal for the rehabilitation of the Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative (Lasureco).

            Dr. Salipada Tamano, chair of the Lasureco interim board of directors, said their request for rehabilitation has already been approved by NEA administrator Edita Bueno.

            Dr. Tamano said Lasureco, when it was founded by the late Gen. Mamarinta Lao, was considered as among the best electric cooperative in the country.

            Sadly, Lasureco has become one of the struggling electric cooperatives today.

            But Dr. Tamano said the interim board of directors which he heads want a complete turn-around of Lasureco.

            This started when former IBD member Baliamen Mamainte Sr. was appointed on June 8 this year acting general manager of Lasureco.

            And NEA administrator Bueno has accepted Mamainte’s proposal for the rehabilitation of Lasureco.

            Dr. Tamano said the rehabilitation project will take off from the basics which means prompt payments from every member-subscriber and effective collection system.

Proper collection, he said, must always be based on generally-acceptable accounting and auditing rules and that there must timely remittances of collections.

He said that once collections increase, Lasureco is capable of extending the best services to its members-consumers.

            Dr. Tamano said that in the past collections were improper and remittances were questionable and these resulted to Lasureco’s huge indebtedness which has already ballooned to over P3 billion.

            Earlier, in a report that Mr. Diamel Lao, manager of the internal services department gave it was learned that those with huge delinquencies have already assured the new Lasureco management their full cooperation.

Mr. Lao said he has already the assurance of big customers for payments of their delinquencies.

The new manament of Lasureco has already stopped the giving of commissions to collectors since the practice breeds graft and corruption.

            NEA, in approving Lasureco’s rehabilitation plan, will be releasing P21 million for the implementation of detailed activities.

            Included in the rehabilitation plan is close coordination with the National Power Corporation (Napocor) and the National Transmission Corporation (Transco).

Aside from this, Lasureco wants to improve the delivery of services, improvement in collection efficiency, timely payment of salaries, and the conduct of massive information dissemination.

            The first 100 days will involve an inventory of Lasureco’s assets and liabilities, house-to-house census, technical surveys, cash flow projections, clearing of road-right-of-ways, organization of the bids and awards committee for the procurement of supplies and equipment, and adopt other systems that could contribute to greater efficiency and optimum utilization of manpower, equipment and financial resources.

Published: June 20-26, 2006 issue
 
A national policy of defending a strong peso that favors cheap imports since after the war, has kept the Philippines a net importing country while most of its neighbors have grown on strong exports to become tiger economies.

The insight was shared by Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport) president Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis, Jr. to exporters in Cebu Friday, during the latter’s general assembly who called the weakening of the peso back to P53 to the dollar just a temporary respite to exporters.
            Cebu exporters were the first to ask government to rein in a strong peso when it hovered close to P50 to the dollar in the first quarter of this year, threatening to kill small enterprises that depend on local raw materials.
            Ortiz-Luis recalled that in the early nineties, the exporting community suggested to the government a strategy of creeping depreciation of the Philippine peso as an anchor strategy of an aggressive export offensive.
            The suggestion then was backed with studies made by some of the most respected senior economists in the country including two former National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) directors.
            “Ours was a voice in the wilderness. We lost our first battle to use a cheaper peso as a weapon for our offensive to become a truly export-driven nation”, he told the Cebu exporters.
            Then and now, a strong peso was equated by monetary officials and top decision-makers – with a strong economy. If the peso is doing well against the dollar, their argument goes, it means the economy must be healthy.
            He suggested that those who want to defend the peso at all cost must now check out the strategy of China, a new player in the game.  It has resisted, and continues to resist outside pressure to appreciate the yuan – and its cheap exports are now gobbling the global markets.
            Billions and billions of dollars in foreign investments are pouring into China every year because putting up businesses there is cheap.
            He further explained that South Korea, Taiwan, Hongkong and more recently, Malaysia and Thailand, have long left us to become the new tiger economies of East Asia through their exports.
            Those economic tigers shared a common strategy, that of resorting to bold, drastic devaluation of their currencies to make the products of their home-grown industries cheap in the international marketplace.  They all won.
            “Our monetary management strategy of keeping a strong peso for over half a century – has made the Philippines what it is today – an anomaly as the sick man of Asia. We have lost”, the export leader concluded. ABE P. BELENA, PhilExport

Published; June 20-26, 2006 issue 

“In unity, there is strength,” best describes the Fisherfolk Congress held last week in Northern Mindanao region with the leading players in fishery development-- the fisherfolk leaders.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 10 hosted the activity with around 60 fisherfolk leaders–-participants from the five provinces of the region. It gave them the opportunity to speak up and discuss their concerns in their respective communities.

Their discussions revolved around the importance of creating Fisheries Aquatic Resource and Management Council (FARMC) as mandated by Republic Act 8550 otherwise known as Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 and the importance of fisherfolk associations.

BFAR 10 regional director Arlene B. Pantanosas encouraged them to organize themselves into associations and cooperatives to have a stronger voice and be able to avail of more assistance from government.

Mr. Felizardo Lim, a national fisherfolk leader, graced the occasion, as resource person. He stressed that a good leader strongly represents the group, consults and communicates with the members to better resolve conflicts.

On the other hand, he also discussed E.O 305 also known as the Devolution of the Registration of Fishing Vessels, three gross tonnage and below to the Local Government Units. A function performed by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) through the authority of Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).

The League of Municipalities/Cities of the Philippines and the National Anti-Poverty Fisherfolk Sectoral Council strongly recommended this move to ease the marginalized fisherfolk’s difficulty in the registration of their fishing boats especially in areas where the PCG offices are inaccessible.

Among the issues tackled were: encroachment of commercial fishing vessel into municipal waters, technicalities in the filing of cases against illegal fishers, clarification on FARMC’s structural framework and handling conflicts among FARMC members, among others.

Published: June 13-19, 2006 issue 

DOE sees 15-percent increase in power supply by yearend

By MYRNA M. VELASCO
Contributor

With Mindanao electricity consumers wary of near-term power outages, Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla noted that they are partly pinning hope on prospects that the 210-megawatt coal-fired power facility of Steag State Power Inc. will gear up for an expansion.

At the moment, Lotilla can only make assurance that the government will do its level-best to address looming supply shortfall in the area.

"There is a big possibility that there would be additional supply for the island if Mindanao coal plant expands," he told an inquiry of the Joint Congressional Power Commission.

The facility is scheduled for commercial operation January next year and this is seen adding up 15 percent of the island grid’s supply. However, this is not enough to guarantee reliable supply for Mindanao, even in the immediate term.

Apart of the transmission line link-up being pursued by the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo), the energy chief opined that the best solution to plug capacity gap would still be to put a power plant or expand the capacity of existing facilities in the area.

"It is ideal for the source of power to be put up in the island and nearer to where the demand is," the energy chief stressed.

Studies of TransCo indicate that Mindanao has a surplus capacity of 373 megawatts. However, more than 70 percent of this generating capacity is found in Northern Mindanao with the southern part only accounting for more than 20 percent.

Demand, however, is booming in the South, fuelled largely by the economic growth being experienced by the cities of Davao and General Santos which have seen electricity demand increase by 10 percent annually.

The siting and design of future capacity, according to the energy secretary, shall of course take into consideration the recurrent problem of terrorist attacks in some parts of Mindanao.

TransCo has been lining up the Leyte-Mindanao interconnection project; but JCPC co-chairman and Lanao del Norte Rep. Alipio Cirilo V. Badelles said that this should first be subjected to a more cautious study, because if supply shortages in Visayas or Mindanao occurs, the consumers might be saddled with paying for fixed costs of facilities that might not be useful in the future.

With the proposed uprating of the Abaga-Kirahon and Maramag-Bunawag transmission lines, it is hoped that greater volume of supply can be transmitted from the northern part of Mindanao, where most of the power plants are located, to the southern corridor, which is being positioned as Mindanao’s next industrial hub.

With existing capacity not being able to reliably supply the entire grid’s requirement in the next few years though, the energy department is now aggressively inviting investors to put up new power projects in the area.

But as the government flexes muscles to lure much-needed investment for additional capacities in Mindanao, investors have raised concern over relentless threat of attacks on power installations in the area, noting that this thrives among the most daunting challenge that they would have to contend with.

It can be culled that some parts of Mindanao have been a perpetual breeding ground of terroristic activities, particularly those perpetrated by Abu Sayyaf and secessionist groups.    

Published: June 13-19, 2006 issue

 
The timing is wrong.
            Cebu exporters swiftly dismissed possibilities for any increase in minimum wages in the region during a recent consultation on the matter.  The reaction was based on a petition filed with the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board (RTWPB) by labor groups for wage increase that ranges from P75 to P95 across-the-board.
            During the forum, exporters cited various export issues that hound the industry in the Philippines as among the reasons why exporters should be spared from any minimum wage increases at the moment. Major issues that have put pressure on the industry include the strong peso; high prices of raw materials; high cost of water and electricity; government bureaucracy; and the high cost of doing business brought about by new government regulations and proposed laws that are detrimental to the export sector. 
            The exporters were likewise complaining about the monitoring fees charged by the Bureau of Plant Industry fumigation inspectors, in addition to the additional brokerage fees once the Customs Brokers Act is implemented. The industry faces yet another challenge once the proposed anti-smuggling bill is passed in its present form, where warehousing costs will become very repressive and unaffordable. This particular issue was expounded by Fred Escalona, the Executive Director of Philexport Cebu, in the same forum.
             Locators in Philippine economic zones, on the other hand, expressed their concerns over legislated wage hikes as this makes export business in the Philippines more uncompetitive when compared with our Asian neighbors. Atty. Januario Seno Jr. of Cebu Mitsumi informed the RTWPB that the daily salary rate in the Philippines is already very high at an average of US$5.00 compared to Vietnam’s daily rate of US$2.00 only.
            Rene Buntol of Pentax Cebu added that the operation of Pentax in Cebu is getting smaller due to competition of fellow Pentax companies in China and other Asian countries. Buntol said that Pentax Cebu is only concentrating on high-end electronic products due to higher labor cost in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Ed Godinez of the garments industry expressed support to the sentiments of the PEZA locators by informing RTWPB that he once was operating a company in partnership with a foreign investor employing about 300 workers.

The said company has closed shop due to the uncompetitive labor rates in the Philippines. His foreign investor had set up another company in another country with cheaper labor, and now employs at least 1,500 employees.
            “Our problem is not really low wages but the high number of unemployed Filipinos,” Godinez said.
             Exporters likewise felt that legislated wage increases undermine the individual company’s wage scheme that is based on merit and performance. A uniform across-the-board wage increase will punish productive workers and reward the unproductive ones.
            The RTWPB noted the positions of the employers’ sector for possible integration with those from the labor groups that will present their position in a hearing scheduled this month. Jun Abines, Philexport

Published: June 13-19, 2006 issue 

By TERRY D.C. BETONIO

Contributing Editor

Northern Mindanao is fast catching up with other areas in the country in terms of information and communication technology (ICT), with the presence of at least three call centers in Cagayan de Oro.

However, Mr. Elpidio Paras, a businessman who owns and manages a call center, said the city still lacks manpower to fill in the huge demand of the industry.

“The ICT industry is growing by leaps and bounds. The opportunity is there but we’re lacking in terms of manpower,” Paras said in a press conference held early this month at the SM Atrium, which kicked off the celebration of June as ICT Month.

There are less than 10 call centers in Mindanao and three of them are in Cagayan de Oro. SM City is allocating 1,700 square meters and Pueblo de Oro is offering its 2,700 square meter lot located beside SM as sites for call centers.

Paras said he is seeing progress in the industry year after year but “we still have to increase manpower” to catch up. There are only 800 agents now working in the city’s three call centers.

“Our worry now is if call centers would require us to supply at least 2,000 agents. We’re not yet ready for that,” he said.

Adding to the manpower problem, Paras claimed, is the lack of English proficiency among those who applied as call center agents.

However, he added they are now collaborating with the academe to ensure that English proficiency among the students is enhanced.

The Commission on Higher Education is reportedly upgrading the schools’ curriculum – like increasing the number of units in English – to prepare the graduates and fill in the need of the industries, not only for call centers but also those that require English proficiency.

But even with these problems, Paras said Mindanao is very much ready for any opportunities related to ICT.

Published: June 13-19, 2006 issue

McDonald’s has expanded its presence in the Cebu market with the opening on Sunday, June 11, of its eighth restaurant along Fuente Osmeña circle uptown, this city.

Kenneth Yang, managing director of McDonald's Philippines, personally came to grace the opening activities. He also came to break grounds for the ninth restaurant along the southern end of the historical Colon Street downtown.

McDonald's Fuente opened to serve the Cebuanos more since the company began operating McDonald's JY Square in Lahug last December 2002, disclosed Edu Alvarez, the company's operations consultant overseeing the new store's operation.

McDonald's also operates restaurants at Cebu South Road in Basak-Mambaling area, at Plaza Fair Colon, SM City Cebu, Ayala Center Cebu, in Mactan and the first store by the former Jones Ave. (now Osmeña Blvd.) corner Arlington Pond.

Rommel C. Ong, operations manager for Visayas and Mindanao, disclosed that McDonald's opted to open a restaurant at Fuente Osmeña and at Colon as the company wants to serve the Cebuanos better by "bringing the store where you (Cebuanos) are."

He noted that, while the new McDonald's Fuente may just be located about 250 meters from McDonald's Jones, the first McDonald's store that opened in 1992, a comprehensive market study showed both sites cater to different yet distinct markets.

"We want you (Cebuanos) to have better convenience in getting to McDonald's where you will have the best quality food and enjoy our great service," declared Ong.

Melon Salazar, vice president for operations, said time has come for McDonald's to expand in Cebu, having noted the dynamic developments in the metropolis, with the travel and hospitality industry getting more vibrant and the local economy getting more pulsating.

Ms. Grace Eje, who led the store management team that started McDonald's Colon Plaza Fair, Cebu South Road and BQ Mall Tagbilaran, again leads a new yet experienced team of managers that will start operating McDonald's Fuente.

Her team gave away free Big Mac, McDonald's most popular special burger worldwide, to the first 100 customers during the soft-opening yesterday and in today's grand opening.

 Published: June 6-12, 2006 issue

A lone female trainee sees bright prospects in welding

By TERRY D.C. BETONIO

Contributing Editor

TAGOLOAN, Misamis Oriental: Twenty-year-old Marichu Dura is flanked by her classmates in one of the rooms at the training center of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) here, listening to her teacher during the first day of classes on Wednesday, June 7.

Marichu is taking an eight-month vocational course on Welding at the said training center and she is the only female among 35 out-of-school youths (OSY) from the municipalities of Villanueva and Tagoloan who were chosen to avail of a scholarship funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Education and Employment Alliance (EEA) project of the International Youth Foundation (IYF).

Although welding is undeniably a man’s work, Marichu says she applied for the scholarship because she really wanted to finish a course.

“I grab the opportunity because it is free. Once I finished this course, I will work to help my family,” Marichu says in the dialect.

Marichu and all the other out-of-school youths aged 17 to 24 are the new batch of students enrolled at the Tesda training center through the grant, implemented by the Metalworking Industries Association of the Philippines (MIAP) Northern Mindanao chapter in partnership with Consuelo Foundation, a non-governmental organization that has been involved in providing support to projects for the abused and disadvantaged children, youth and women.

Almarco C. Brito, president of MIAP in Cagayan de Oro, said there were already 168 out-of-school youths who graduated with the welding course, some of whom are now working in different industries in the region, particularly at the ongoing coal-fired power plant in Villanueva.

“For this program, there are 120 slots available and the students will be enrolled by batches. They will undergo technical training, basic and advance welding,” Brito said during a visit at the Tesda training center here on Wednesday with Thomas J. Kral, chief of USAID’s Office of Education; Lindsay Crinklaw, EEA program manager of IYF; and Mr. Ray Dean D. Salvosa, managing director of Consuelo Foundation.

Ms. Crinklaw said the scholarship hopes to provide the out-of-school youths with basic education and real employment opportunities.

The EEA of the International Youth Foundation has been implemented in six countries with high youth unemployment rates such as Egypt, Indonesia, India, Morocco, Pakistan and the Philippines. It aims to development and expand quality education, job training and placement programs, funded through a three-year $10 million grant from the USAID.

On Thursday, June 8, the EEA in the Philippines was formally launched in Cagayan de Oro in a short program at Pryce Plaza Hotel with Ambassador Kristie S. Kenney of the United States Embassy.

Published: June 6-12, 2006 issue

By RUFFY MAGBANUA

Contributor

The National Transmission Corporation (TransCo), the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) signed a multipartite memorandum of agreement involving the P8.15-billion Mindanao backbone transmission project.

The MOA, which was signed in a simple ceremony at Pryce Plaza Hotel on Friday (June 9, 2006), is a prerequisite to NCIP’s issuance of a certification precondition, as required under the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (Republic Act No. 8371).

With the issuance of a certification precondition, Transco would then be allowed to undertake its biggest power transmission project in Mindanao, the  660-circuit kilometer Abaga-Kirahon-Maramag-Bunawan 230 kilovolt transmission line that would traverse ancestral domain areas.

            Aside from TransCo and NCIP, directly involved in the signing ceremony are the Federation of Matigsalog-Manobo Tribal Councils (FEMMATRICS) at the borders of Davao and Bukidnon provinces,  Palalan Higaonon Tribal Council of Tablon, Cagayan de Oro and Pualas Higaonon Tribal Council of Baungon, Bukidnon. 

            Upon the signing of the agreement, the three tribal councils will give their full consent to TransCo to manage, administer, regulate and undertake the construction and operation and maintenance of the multi-billion transmission line project.

            Salient provisions of the agreement include the granting of financial assistance to the tribal communities affected, compensation for line clearing and the granting of security services contracts, among others.

Construction of the Mindanao backbone transmission project, a flagship project of TransCo under the Mindanao Transmission Augmentation Program (Minta) will start on October 2006 and expected to be completed on December 2007. 

            The project is aimed at enhancing TransCo’s transmission capability and security to ensure stable and reliable power delivery generated from the Agus Hydro Electric Power Complex, Pulangui Hydro Electric Plant and the soon to- be-completed 200 Mw Coal-Fired Power Plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.

            On hand for the signing ceremony were TransCo officials led by its president and chief executive officer Dr. Alan T. Ortiz, vice-president for project management Dominador S. Geonzon and North Central Mindanao Area manager Emmanuel D. Abellanosa.

Tribal communities were represented by Datu Roelito A. Gawilan, Datu Danilo “Macapanton” Narido and Datu Tumanod Alfredo Mozal Sr.  Also on hand were NCIP 10 regional director Datu Tommie J. Labaon and Atty. Joy Marie Badal Pamisa.

Published: May 30 - June 5, 2006 issue

Now, SM malls occupy a total floor area of 3.4 million square meters

After he opened his first mall 21 years ago at North Edsa, Mr. Henry Sy Sr., the undisputed retail and mall king of the Philippines and chair of the blue-chip publicly-listed SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SMPHI) opened on Sunday, May 21, 2006 his biggest and most ambitious project, the Mall of Asia.

            Built at a cost of P6.5 billion, Mall of Asia has become SMPHI’s 25^th mall measuring 400,000 square meters with provisions for expansion. This will bring the total gross floor area of all of its operating malls located all over the country to 3.4 million square meters.

            The giant project took two and a half years to build using roughly 3.1 million bags of cement, 31,400 tons of reinforcing bar steel and 6,000 tons of structural steel. It is designed by Arquitectonica, a US-Based designing firm which did, among others, Festival Walk in Hong Kong, American Airlines Arena in Miami for Miami Heat, Westin Hotel in Times Square, New York and Disney All Star Resort in Florida. 

            Mr. Hans Sy, son of Henry Sr. and president of SMPHI said, “we are a nation of mall lovers with millions flocking to our air-conditioned malls daily and more so on weekends.”

For this, Mr. Hans Sy said: “We have just opened SM Clark last week and within the year we will be opening two more—SM Supercenter Pasig and SM City Lipa. The SM North Edsa Annex Expansion is also scheduled to open in July 2006.”

            During a press conference two days before the opening day, the younger Sy said he expects the project, which is the biggest in the country and one of the biggests in Southeast Asia, to generate employment for close to 10,000 people and contribute substantial amount of taxes for the government, both local and national. 

MAIN ATTRACTIONS

A panoramic view of the world famous Manila Bay…the country’s first IMAX theater…the country’s first Olympic-sized ice-skating rink…over 600 local and international brands and over 150 indoor and al fresco dining outlets.

            These are now the attractions to shoppers at the SM Mall of Asia that officially opened on May 21 this year.

            Envisioned as the premier destination mall in the Asia Pacific region, the more than 400,000 square meter mall is located on a 19-hectare property in the Bay Boulevard in Pasay City. It is SM Prime Holding’s 25^th supermall, and the company’s most ambitious project to date.

            The complex consists of four buildings linked by elevated walkways—the Main Mall, the North Parking Building, the South Parking Building, and the Entertainment Center Building.

            The Main Mall houses the shopping and dining establishments, the Food Court and the country’s first Olympic-sized ice-skating rink. The South Parking Building has the SM department store and half of the 5,000 parking spaces, while the North Parking Building includes the SM Hypermarket and more dining areas. Internal north and south streets were converted to landscaped pedestrian walkways, with outdoor retail and dining tenants.

            One of the Mall’s attractions is the Entertainment Center Building, will offers a spectacular view of the Bay with outdoor dining balconies and landscaped terraces. It houses 10 theaters, including a Director’s Club and the country’s first IMAX theater.

DISTINCTIVE DESIGN

The Mall of Asia’s breathtakingly beautiful design is essentially abstract and modern. The curvilinear planes can be read either as sails or waves or wings, and they are the very abstractions which render the design timeless and would constantly be reinvented in viewer’s eyes.

            The mall’s interiors were designed with the customers in mind. Shop frontages and balustrades are largely glass in order to maximize views of the merchandise. Circular forms like waves, zigzags, and ovals also permit better appreciation of the shops when viewed obliquely. Shop fronts, skylights, floor and ceilings, while definitely striking in design, these are kept simple. In general, the interiors are kept clean and free of unnecessary details so that they will not overpower the tenants and their merchandize.    

            While the mall’s exteriors are partly based on functional considerations, the design goes beyond mere functionality, giving a more dynamic aesthetic to the mall. Exterior walls are expressed as curving planes, intersecting with oval forms at the entrances and performance areas. Skylights are a varied progression of squares and oval forms. Pedestrian streets are lined with zigzag forms and parapets to give them a more varied a human scale. But though the overall effect seems one of the randomness, the design is in fact a well balanced composition which reduces the considerable mass of the mall and lends it dynamic movement.

            The SM Mall of Asia’s design team includes Arquitectonica, Design Architect; Robert Carag Ong and Associates, Architech of Record; GHT Services, Project Manager; and Hilmark Construction (for the South Parking Building, Main Mall, and Entertainment Mall) and Monolith Construction Corporation (for the North Parking Building), General Contractors.

Published: May 30 - June 5, 2006 issue

The Advocate of Philippine Fair Trade, Inc. (APFTI) in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) spearheaded the celebration of the World Fair Trade Day in Cagayan de Oro on May 24, this year.

The event also marks the launching of the Salay Handmade Paper Industries Incorporated (SHAPPI) Shoppe, cited as the first fair trade shop in Mindanao.

This is the biggest international celebration of Fair Trade that cuts across continents as fair trade organizations campaigns for trade justice to alleviate world poverty.

Simultaneous celebrations are also held worldwide raging from variety of events from trade exhibitions in United States of America and Kenya, concert in Czech Republic to Fair Trade shows and public forum in the Philippines and Canada.

Fair trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and mutual respect that seek greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development through providing better trading conditions for our marginalized producers and workers so they can participate on an equal trading field.

DTI officer-in-charge assistant regional director Linda O. Boniao said, this year’s theme is “Fair Trade Organizations Now.” And the Philippines battlecry is “Pinoy! Go Fairtrade.”  This is a call of action for our consumers to buy more local products to support our local producers through Fair Trade stores. Likewise, this is also a direct call for our producers to sell more Fair Trade products. This annual celebration is call for all nations to push Fair Trade to the front of political agenda for us to bring about ethical trade, entrepreneurship and socio-economic community based activities to alleviate our poverty problem in the region.

In Region 10, APFTI is our key partner along with other agencies and local governments in pursuing the development and promotion of our Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). APFTI intends to promote our SMEs to just, sustainable, with fairer working conditions of production and trading practices free from exploitation and abuse of any kind. They look into improving the livelihoods of disadvantage people in developing countries and to change the unfair structures of international trade,” Boniao added.

SHAPPI in Salay, Misamis Oriental is one among our SMEs who have been a recipient of product development, technical trainings and marketing promotion through their Integrated Enterprise Development Assistance and Advocacy Program and now has a first Fair Trade Shop in Mindanao offering quality products that have passed international standards.

Published: May 30 - June 5, 2006 issue

By TERRY D.C. BETONIO

Contributing Editor

Biotechnology and genes have long been here and are already a part of the people’s lives, this according to Dr. Franco G. Teves, director of research at the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) in Iligan City.

Teves issued this statement in reaction to the negative comments of those who are opposed to biotechnology and genetic engineering.

“We are eating genes everyday and we are eating food that are a product of biotechnology and genetic engineering,” Teves said during an orientation seminar on biotechnology for media practitioners on Saturday, May 20, at Marco Hotel, which was sponsored by the Northern Mindanao Consortium for Agriculture and Resources Research and Development (Nomcarrd) in cooperation with the Cagayan de Oro Press Club.

Quoting an opinion survey, Teves said 70-percent of the people have the mistaken idea that ordinary food does not contain genes while genetically-modified food does.

A gene is the basic unit of genetic information in an organism while genetic engineering refers to a set of technologies that artificially moves functional genes across species boundaries to produce novel organisms called as genetically-modified organisms or GMOs.

Teves, who is also a diplomate of the Philippine Academy of Microbiology, said GM food are as safe as other food and GM crops are grown with fewer pesticide applications than traditional crops.

“If you are worried about cancer, you should take note of the fact that 99.99 percent of the carcinogens in your food supply are natural chemicals that humans have been eating for thousands of years. But GM technology provides the means of increasing levels of phytoestrogens, isoflavones, carotenoids and other antioxidants known to prevent cancer,” he said.

On the issue of allergenicity on GM crops, Teves said contrary to common perception, it is the natural food – not the additives and artificial flavors – which account for majority of food allergies such as nuts, shrimps, crabs and other food.

“On the contrary, many health benefits are derived from GM crops. Through genetic engineering, we can increase the amount of vitamin A in rice, vitamin E in vegetable oils, more healthy fatty acid in soybean and canola oil, strawberries with higher levels of a natural anti-cancer agent and potato with higher starch content,” Teves said.

In the past years, many people have been opposing the use of biotechnology and commercialization of GM products, particularly bt (bacillus thuringiensis) corn, allegedly due to its harmful effects on health and the environment.

But Teves said practically all components of non-GM and GM food are the same, except for the new-introduced gene product, which is a protein.

“Very stringent tests are conducted for toxicity on GM food before they are released. Though safe, observations on these food are still continued,” he said.

Other than bt corn, some of the products currently on the market that have been enhanced through biotechnology include soybean and potatoes that require fewer applications of herbicides or pesticides; tomatoes that soften slower and remain on the vine longer resulting in more flavor and color; genetically-enhanced soybeans that are lower in saturated fats, higher in oleic acid and offer frying stability with further processing; virus-resistant papaya; and peppers modified to be tastier (sweeter) and remain firmer after harvest.

Among the benefits of biotechnology that Teves identified include higher yields with fewer inputs, disease resistance, reduced pesticide use, more nutritious composition of food, herbicide tolerance and improvements in taste and quality.

At least 21 countries in the world have adopted biotechnology crops and planted millions of hectares of soybean and corn from 1996 to 2005.

Teves claimed biotechnology is not 100% error-free but years of research and the absence of harmful evidence indicates the benefits of agricultural biotechnology far outweighs any risks.

Published: May 23-29, 2006 issue

Oro exec commends the initiative of Safer River, Life Saver

By URIEL C. QUILINGUING

Executive Editor

FINGERLING DISPERSAL. Dr. Rosalina Huerbana (center), executive director of the Safer River, Life Saver Foundation, Inc. of Liceo de Cagayan University leading the dispersal of tilapia fingerlings in the upstream of Cagayan river. With her are provincial fishery officer-designate for Misamis Oriental Maxim Xerxes Cabio and BFAR 10 fisherfolk regional director Abello Binauro, representing BFAR 10 regional director Arlene B. Pantanosas. Photo by IAN ROY T. RUIZ

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 10 through the Safer River, Life Saver Foundation, Inc. (SRLSFI) of Liceo de Cagayan University dispersed on May 16, this year, 10,000 tilapia fingerlings on the upstream of Cagayan de Oro river.

This, even as BFAR 10 is intensifying its tilapia dispersal program in Northern Mindanao to further strengthen its food security and sustainability programs through the local government units and non-governmental organizations.

The 10,000 tilapia fingerlings were released in the area of sitio Taguanao of barangay Indahag, Cagayan de Oro City.

The dispersal was requested by SRLSFI to address food sustainability for city residents.

Late last year, the foundation also requested 10,000 pieces of fingerling which were dispersed in barangay Carmen, a riverside barangay of Cagayan de Oro.

The said fingerlings came from the Kisolon Freshwater Fish Production and Regional Training Center in Kisolon, Sumilao, Bukidnon, the bureau’s station that has the capacity to produce an average of 350,000 fingerlings in a month.

The Get-Excel tilapia is the latest breed that the bureau has been promoting. It is fast growing, stress and disease resistant and comfortable in natural and artificial reproduction.

Leading the activity were provincial fishery officer-designate for Misamis Oriental Maxim Xerxes Cabio together with Mr. Abello Binauro, BFAR 10’s Fisherfolk Regional Director representing Director Arlene B. Pantanosas of BFAR 10, and representative of  the Agriculture Productivity Office of the Cagayan de Oro. 

The city government through Councilor Annie Daba, the chair of the City Council committee on agriculture and fisheries, commended the BFAR 10 and the SRLSFI for their partnership in dispersing the tilapia fingerlings.

            The Golden Chronicle learned that the event was only one of the activities highlighting the farmers and fisherfolk month celebration, which started on May 1, 2006.

            Assisting the tilapia dispersal were Department of Environment and Natural Resources Officer Teddy Manit, SRLSFI executive director Dr. Rosalina Huerbana and Daniel Valenton of the city government’s APO.

            Daba also congratulated the Taguanao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries and the fisherfolk in the area and nearby barangays who would soon benefit from the project even as she appealed to them to help preserve the life of the river.

            In a related development, the City Agriculture Office, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the City Engineers Office conducted on May 2 and 3 the fish sanctuary assessment and delineation survey at barangays Tablon and Kauswagan.

            Also, on May 24, the Federation of Coastal Barangays and Fisheries and Aquatic Councils (FEDCOBAFAC) led the mangrove planting of 500 propagules of Bakauan and 200 seedlings of Pagatpat at Zone 8, Cugman.

            According to Reyna Pioquinto of APO, the replacement of bouys and markers at the Fish Sanctuary Project in Puerto, Tablon and Gusa is slated on May 30.

The farmers and fisherfolk month activities culminate on May 31, 2006 at the Gusa MCS Center. – With a report from Ms. Angie Cabig

Published: May 23-29, 2006 issue

Published: May 23-29, 2006 issue

Local enterprises can now breath with relief at the suspension of another layer of red tape and source of graft at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

New environment czar Angelo Reyes has informed Philippine Exporters Confederation president Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis, Jr. that the order for all business enterprises to get insurance coverage against possible violation of environment laws and regulations has been indefinitely suspended.

The suspension was the first major decision penned by Reyes upon assuming the top post of the environment and natural resources office, Fernando Concepcion, one of his executives, told the export leader.

Order number one of Reyes which was attached to the letter addressed to the export leader said in part: in light of the need to conduct more consultations with key stakeholders and perform capability building measures in the institutions concerned, the implementation of Department Administrative Order 2005-06 dated 6 April 2005 or the guidelines for the institution of a system of mandatory environmental insurance coverage is hereby suspended indefinitely.

Soon after the order was issued by Reyes predecessor last year, the business community has consistently opposed its implementation. It was viewed as another layer of red tape and the source of graft  that all types of business have to carry on their shoulders.

Already, the Philippines has some of the most stringent environmental laws passed in recent years that include laws government solid, water and air wastes. The law is so strict that violating companies have been known to be ordered closed by the DENR. Philexport News and Features

Published: May 23-29, 2006 issue 

Executives of four foreign companies are expected to visit Cagayan de Oro sometime in August this year to establish their respective businesses, according to City Mayor Vicente Y. Emano.

Emano said this is an offshoot of a meeting he had with investors during the trade mission to India last week.

Golden Chronicle learned that the investors assured the trade mission delegates they will be entering the city’s Information Technology (IT) market by opening more call centers here sooner than earlier planned.

The city mayor said he intends to fully develop the city’s sunshine industry even as the city continues to rise as one of the IT hubs in the country.

The trip to India and Germany was in line with the intention of the city government to invite more foreign investors to the city and the province.

Joining the mayor in the trade mission were businessmen from the city and the province of Misamis Oriental.

Published: May 16-22, 2006 issue 

By ARMAN APOLINARIO

Correspondent

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte: The Lanao del Norte Electric Cooperative , Inc. (Laneco) wants to remain under the supervision and control of the National Electrification Administration (NEA), according to Laneco general manager Resnol Torres.

Torres said they are now campaigning for the retention non-stock, non-profit, non-discriminatory, service-oriented business enterprise under the NEA.

            “There are heavier reasons for retention with NEA. Being with NEA guarantees for no increase of electric bill to members-consumers, “ the Laneco general manager said.

Aside from this, he assures that Laneco will continue giving discounts to all members-consumers who consume less because they have difficulty of paying more.

            Laneco has been receiving financial and technical assistance from the NEA as well as from independent power producers (IPPs).

            Torres said that being with NEA will mean continuous energization of hinterland barangays.

Other benefits members-consumers could expect include “patronage credit” that will be given to them.

            He said that NEA shall have control over inefficient and erring Laneco officials.

“They (erring officials) will automatically be reprimanded and may be terminated,” he further warned.

Laneco was created during Marcos administration under Presidential Decree No. 269 and it was registered with the NEA on May 27, 1972. 

NEA approves the Laneco Board Resolutions and it continuous supervise for the interests of all members-consumers.

            The Laneco board of directors has the power to hire and fire its general manager.

NEA will then confirm the decision of the Laneco board of directors.

            Torres urged all its members-consumers to support moves for Laneco’s retention with their membership to the NEA.

Published: May 16-22, 2006 issue

    A seven-kilometer stretch straddling the banks of the majestic Tagoloan river will soon be rehabilitated and stabilized through massive bamboo planting. 

This developed as STEAG State Power Inc. (SPI) and the municipal government of Tagoloan teamed-up to undertake the Tagoloan Riverbank Stabilization Project.

    For this purpose, a one-day technical training on bamboo growing was held recently to jumpstart the initial propagation of at least 30,000 bamboo seedlings. About 15 local agricultural technicians, farmer leaders and local government officials attended the activity.

    Recent studies commissioned by SPI disclosed the occurence of siltation in the Macajalar Bay resulting from soil erosion brought about by, among others, the collapse in some portions of the Tagoloan riverbank.

    "If unabated, the situation might lead to serious environmental hazard, endangering not only the marine life of Macajalar Bay but also the safety of communities nearby" said SPI Safety and Pollution Control Officer Francis Libao.

    Bamboo planting have been proven as a cost-efficient and very effective approach in riverbank stabilization, not to mention the economic and commercial benefits it might bring for local livelihood” Libao explained.

    The project is a major component of an existing 500-hectare Tagoloan Urban Forestry Program initiated two years ago by SPI and LGU-Tagoloan. It forms part of the company’s continuing commitment to help protect the environment.

    SPI is currently putting-up Mindanao’s first-ever coal-fired power plant project at the PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental. Once operational by end of this year, the power plant will augment electricity supply in Mindanao representing about 15% of the island’s total power demand.

    Aside from addressing Mindanao’s concern for a stable and reliable supply of electrical power, SPI has embarked on a comprehensive social and environmental protection programs benefiting communities in its host communities in Villanueva and Tagoloan.

Published: May 16-22, 2006 issue

By TERRY D.C. BETONIO

Contributing Editor

Ororama Megacenter took a step forward in expanding its business here in Cagayan de Oro as it launched its Digital Photo services to the public on Monday, May 15, at the store’s ground floor in Barangay Lapasan.

Store owner Hong See said they have acquired the latest state-of-the-art laboratory equipment from China that can print up to 12x16 sizes of photos in just three minutes.

“We also offer lower prices for photo developing and we give discounts to photographers by as much as 20% or more, depending on the volume of photos to be printed,” Mr. See said.

Ororama Digital Photo charges P5.50 for a 3R size photo; P6.50 for 4R sizes; P10 for 5R sizes; P40 for 8x10 sizes and P50 for 8x12 photo sizes.

It also offers special prices for package pictures in 5R and 3R sizes and currently runs a promo of free one 8x10 size photo or four 5R sizes for every minimum print of 36 shots.

Ororama Digital Photo prints pictures from any media – either from film, compact disc (cd), digital camera, the Internet or cellphone cameras.

Aside from photo developing, it also offers layouting, film-to-cd transfer services, invitations, posters and photo restoration.

Mr. See said they can also accommodate requests for minor photo editing free of charge.

Even with the stiff competition and the proliferation of photo developing studios in the city, Mr. See said he is confident that Ororama’s new venture would still have the biggest share in the market considering the low prices they offer and the latest laboratory equipment they had acquired that can print quality photos at a very short time.

Ororama Digital Photo is open everyday from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Published: May 16-22, 2006 issue 

Eleven linemen of Cagayan de Oro Electric Power and Light Company (Cepalco) underwent training that was conducted by the National Transmission Corporation (Transco) as certified hotline maintenance crew, according to Transco North Central Mindanao area manager Emmanuel D. Abellanosa.

            During the  20-day Live-line Maintenance Training Course, Cepalco was able to save some P13.2million in revenues following the actual field maintenance demonstrations and repairs conducted by the linemen as part of the training program. 

The actual field demonstrations cum maintenance work  were conducted along Cepalco’s service areas like Natumulan-Carmen 69 Kv power line, Aplaya-Tagoloan-Carmen 69 Kv line and Natumulan-Gracia 138 Kv line.

 Abellanosa said the training, sourced out by Cepalco from Transco’s Human Resource and Training Division covered practicum,  actual field demonstrations, lectures and tool box meetings.

            Two of Transco’s best hotline maintenance trainers, Ruben Jebulan Jr. from Bicol Region and Jose Abragan of Lanao Area served as the resource persons during the training.

            The course content consisted of five modules which include care, storage, repair and testing of hotline tools; working loads for principal hotline tools; identification, application and installation of hotline tools; safety in overhead line maintenance; rigging for high voltage work; transmission/distribution of line repair (hotstick) and transmission line repair (barehand).

            The newly-trained Cepalco “hotliners” are Larry Acaso, Paul Batino, Gilbert Buscon, Edwin Butra, Junie Cabuverde, Ernesto Curan, Benhur Elbambo, Roberto Ga, Ronnie Padilla, Reynante Zamora and Edgardo Simene.

Hotline maintenance work is a proven technology in the electric transmission industry that allows line repairs without shutting off live power lines. Highly-trained hotline linemen are regularly fielded to power line hot spots to undergo emergency live-line repairs.

Published: May 30 - June 5, 2006 issue 

To highlight the contribution of the information and communications technology (ICT) in regional development, the month of June becomes the ICT month in Northern Mindanao.

Series of activities have been lined up for the whole month and these will be participated in by local government units and local ICT players.

 Seven major events have been slated in the regional capital and in three other cities around it.

On June 1, the Misamis Oriental provincial government will host the opening salvo at the provincial capitol ground. A program that will start at five in the afternoon until six thirty in the evening will be held. The event will demonstrate the power of wireless internet connectivity as the Chairman of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) Ramon P. Sales and other Local Chief Executives will deliver their messages online. The province will declare the venue a wireless connectivity hotspot from June 1 to 2 courtesy of Bayantel.

On the same day and in the same venue, the Global Digital Services, a Canadian outsourcing company newly established in Cagayan de Oro City will launch the Web Development Contest which is open to LGUs, academe and private enterprises. The winners will be declared in September.

From June 5-9, the City Government of Gingoog will spearhead the celebration of its 1^st ICT Week. They will set up an ICT exhibit, go white water rafting and provide free internet access.

From June 6 to 7, the Mindanao Polytechnic State College will sponsor a Web Development Training using the Open-Source JOOMLA Content Management System. This is for interested LGUs and especially for Small and Medium Enterprises involve in trade and tourism to help them get worldwide attention through the internet.  This year’s theme, “Utilizing ICT for trade and tourism”  highlights these two sectors.

On June 8, the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry will launch the 5^th Mindanao ICT Congress at the Grand Caprice Restaurant. The Congress, co-hosted by the Cagayan de Oro City Government is set on September this year.

Likewise, the Oro Chamber will hold the 1^st Northern Mindanao Business Summit on ICT on June 9 at the Grand City Hotel. The activity will be a venue to identity, classify and consolidate ICT players within the region.

On June 10, the members of the Regional Information Technology and E-Commerce Committee of Region X (RITECC-X) and its secretariat will go white water rafting in support of our local tourism industry.

On June 12, the Department of Labor and Employment in partnership with SM City, ABS-CBN and other companies will conduct again a Job Fair at the SM City Car Park.

On June 29, the City Government of Malaybalay will launch its DevInfo-based databank and Knowledge Center.

And, on June 30, the City Government of Cagayan de Oro will host the closing ceremonies of the month-long celebration at the Kiosko sa Kagawasan. The Divisoria area will be a wireless hotspot on that day.

The ICT month celebration is spearheaded by the RITECC-X of the Regional Development Council, Region X, the highest socio-economic planning and policy-making body in the region.

Published: May 16-22, 2006 issue

Grads from unregistered courses will have no special orders

By ESTRELLA C. MOYA

Contributor

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in Region 10 (Tesda 10) on Monday, May 15, warned the general public against enrolling in unregistered technical-vocational courses and program offerings.

The Tesda 10 management made this announcement to caution students to ascertain first if the course or program offering of a school or training institution is registered by Tesda under the Unified Technical Vocational Education and Training Program Registration and Accreditation (UTPRAS).

In a statement, Tesda 10 regional director Silvano B. Maranga stressed that a major consequence that students face when they enroll in unregistered post-secondary programs is that they will not be issued special orders after graduation.

Thus, enrollees are strongly advised to look for Certificate of Registration issued by Tesda in the course offering they intend to enrol.

            Part of Tesda's major functions is the registration of tech-voc courses/program offered in public/private post-secondary technical-vocational institutions (TVIs), private training centers and Tesda Provincial Training Centers. 

Tesda evaluates these institutions as per their compliance with the existing Training Regulations prescribed by Tesda and the standards set by the agency’s Technical Expert Panel (for courses without training regulations).

Certificates of Registration are then issued for courses or programs having full compliance to training regulations or standards.

Section 8 of  Republic Act No. 7796, otherwise known as the Tesda Act of 1994, mandated Tesda to establish and maintain a system of accrediting, coordinating, integrating, monitoring and evaluating formal and non-formal technical vocational education.

UTPRAS implementation will ensure the quality of TVET providers and regulates the establishment  and administration of a system of accreditation of both public and private institutions.

Covered under UTPRAS are 1) all TVET institutions in the public and private sectors  schools offering or intending to offer TVET  programs, including enterprise based programs, 2) All programs in industrial trades  and crafts, agriculture, fishery, services and home industries, among others which are within the scope of the Tesda Occupation Qualification and Certification System, 3)  Apprenticeship and dual training programs, and 4) TVET programs which consist of one module or a set of modules.

In case of doubt or inquiries, Tesda 10 urges the public to visit the  Provincial Offices nearest them or inquire via e-mail address at tesdar10@philcom.ph.

Published: May 9-15, 2006 issue

By ESTRELLA C. MOYA

Contributor

Some 41 out-of-school youth and underprivileged high school graduates have benefited from the P260,900 Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of Rep. Teofisto “TG” Guingona II of  the second district of Bukidnon.

The financial assistance was utilized for a scholarship program implemented by the Technical Education and Skills Development (Tesda) Bukidnon Provincial Office, according to Tesda 10 regional director Silvano Maranga. 

Maranga said the PDAF is backed by Tesda’s Invigorating Constituent Assistance in Reinforcing Employment (I-Care) program.

Tesda 10 has already received the notice of cash allocation from the office of Congressman Teofisto Guingona II.

In a letter sent to Rep. Guingona, Maranga thanked the lawmaker for his unceasing support in the promotion of Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Bukidnon and in the region.

The I-Care program seeks to undertake collaborative projects with the region’s sectoral representatives to make TVET programs and services relevant to sectoral constituencies. The program supports  Tesda’s paradigm shift under the leadership of Secretary Augusto Boboy Syjuco,  the Tesda director general.

In 2005, Rep. Guingona released P300,000 through the Tesda-Bukidnon  Provincial Office under the leadership of provincial director Marjorie P. Nilo to fund the first semester tuition of beneficiaries under  the I-Care program.

Published: May 9-15, 2006

By BEN SERRANO

Correspondent

BUTUAN CITY: A former official of the Regional Development Council (RDC) Caraga, now an active leader in socio-civic organizations, said effective governance in the region has  been a failure.

The former RDC official, who requested anonymity so as to protect his source of livelihood, said the rating that Caraga has been getting the past two years as the country’s poorest can be attributed to “attitudinal problems” of many Caraganons.

These attitudinal problems include, among others, political immaturity, jealousy, crab mentality and individualistic attitude.

The former RDC official said he has to hide his identity, as of the moment, in criticizing failure of governance because many local officials are immature to accept constructive criticisms.

This, he said, is one of the reasons why Caraga remains at the “medieval age” of development, adding that he might become a casualty of the local leader’s wrath knowing that they control almost everything in the region.

“But topping all our problems is our political leaders’ ineptness to lead and inspire people for greatness to overcome all odds because in their minds are their own personal vested interests, while leaving many of us in the cage of poverty,” the former RDC official said.

The official said that in 1995, Caraga region was not the country’s poorest and was on the average in terms of Gross Regional Domestic Products (GDP), based on the assessments of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) and the National Statistics Office (NSO) attributing the region’s relative better economic performance being the country’s top forest product producer. The region also used to boost of its prawn produce and seafood products.

Sadly, Engr. Leonel Santos, the co-chair of the RDC Caraga representing the private sector in the Council, said the Caraga region is classified poorest among regions for the past two years now mainly because of the lack of investments.

Investments, mostly from the private sector, could spur economic activities, Santos said.

Earlier, Mr. Brielgo Pagaran, regional director of the Department of Trade and Industry in Caraga region, said the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) has already overtaken Caraga region since the former has improved when it comes to investments.

Pagaran said economic activities in the region should solely be dependent on public investments.

This, he said, includes foreign-assisted projects many of these are now being poured in the Armm provinces.

He said a master planning must be conducted while local planners must be able to formulate source investment policies in Caraga to attract investors, both local and foreign.

Pagaran said these investment policies must be freed from corruption and shielded from political interests.

Poverty in the Caraga is becoming eminent even in vital social services such as nutrition. The number of malnourished children is increasing, according to the National Nutrition Council (NNC) in the Caraga region.

Former Butuan City Representative Charito Booc Plaza, the principal author of the law creating Caraga region said she had proposed for the creation of special economic zone for the region. The creation of a special economic zone has not been realized.

Plaza said during that during her term, Butuan City was among the 42 special economic zone in the country.

That was intended to motivate industry locators but the incentives were not formulated and these includes tax holidays and other benefits.

Published: May 9-15, 2006 

Philippines now the world’s top exporter of seaweeds

By TERRY D.C. BETONIO

Contributing Editor

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Region 10 is set to disperse seaweed planting materials to farmers in Camiguin and Gingoog as part of the Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month celebration in May.

BFAR 10 regional director Arlene Pantanosas said the dispersal is part of the department’s thrust to encourage farmers to venture into aquaculture instead of going into the traditional method of fishing.

“We want them to venture into aquaculture-–like seaweed production and fishcages-–to remove them from the traditional culture of fishing and lower their burden on higher fuel cost,” Pantanosas said during a press conference held Tuesday, May 2, at the BFAR 10 regional office, which kicked off the Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month celebration.

There are more or less 500 seaweed growers in Region 10, who are mostly concentrated in Lanao del Norte.

In Cagayan de Oro, fisherfolk in Barangay Bayabas have also started growing seaweeds this year.

Remerio de Gracia, chair of the Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month celebration, said seaweed growing is a lucrative venture since one kilo of planted seaweeds can yield three kilos after 45 days.

Seaweed (Euchema) is a mass growth of marine algae from natural shock or form pond culture. It is among the top three fishing commodities identified by BFAR as “lucrative and very promising.”

Pantanosas said the Philippines is the No. 1 exporter of seaweeds in the world. Among the identified markets are the United States, Europe and Japan.

Seaweed processing in the Philippines was recognized as an industry in 1966 when the unprecedented commercial exploitation of the then widely-growing Euchema seaweed boosted the country’s exports with a record volume of 800 metric tons (mt).

The most important variety of seaweed is Euchema of the red algae which accounts for 98% of the total Philippine production of seaweeds. Euchema is the source of carrageenan, one of the world’s foremost food and industrial additives today. It is a valuable substance used in gelling, suspending, thickening or water-holding properties in various products.

In the 1990s, particularly in 1995, the country’s production was recorded at 558,280 mt, which swelled to 631,387 mt in 1996 but dropped slightly in 1997 to 627,105 mt. In 1998, it increased again to 642,579 mt but dropped to 620,620 mt in 1999.

Tawi-Tawi was the top producer of seaweeds in the country from 1995 to 1999, contributing 30% to 48% of the Philippines’ total exports.

Aside from seaweeds, the BFAR will also disperse 10,000 fingerlings of tilapia (Get-Excel specie) at the Cagayan de Oro River and other ponds and communal bodies of water in Bukidnon and Camiguin as part of the celebration.

Pantanosas said this is also part of the department’s target to have Northern Mindanao known as the Tilapia Fillet Capital in the country.

Other activities lined up include a forum on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point in aquaculture; coastal clean up in Lanao del Norte and Camiguin; mangrove planting in Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte; a quiz bee on air; and the regional congress for the chairs of the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Council.

Meanwhile, Pantanosas said the BFAR is continuing its study on Pigok or Pigek (Mesopristes cancellatus) hopefully to achieve their objective of having this rare specie “breed in captivity.”

Pigok, which is now considered as an endangered specie, is known as a Therapon fish and a President’s Fish (said to be the favorite of former President Ferdinand Marcos), which costs around P800 to P1,000 per kilo.

Pantanosas said they have conducted intensive orientation to the fisherfolk in Tagoloan, Gingoog City and Maramag in Bukidnon on the characteristics of Pigok and told them to report any cases of sighting to the BFAR.

Published: May 9-15, 2006 issue 

By ARMAN APOLINARIO

Correspondent

MARAWI CITY: Officials of Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative (Lasureco) are seeking for the immediate release of P35.2 million to improve the supply of electricity here and in the province of Lanao del Sur.

The P35.2 million is part of the P183 million energization program for Lanao del Sur including the city of Marawi and that the implementation of which will be undertaken by Lasureco.

Initially, P9.5 million was approved for release on March 20 this year by undersecretary Melinda I. Ocampo of the Department of Energy.

Lasureco acting general manager Tatar Boriongan said the resolution seeking for the immediate release was one of the four that was passed during a meeting of interim board of directors and management on Saturday, May 6, which was held at the Marawi Resort Hotel in this city.

Boriongan, a retired army colonel, said the P9.5 million is intended for the energization of 24 barangays of Lanao del Sur, particularly in the municipalities of Balabagan, Marogong and Binidayan.

Diamel Lao, manager for institutional services of Lasureco, added that Lasureco management is now preparing the needed documents as well as the formulation of the memorandum of agreement (MOA). The MOA will by representatives of Lasureco, National Electrification Administration (NEA), and the DOE.

The NEA is tasked to monitor the implementation of the energization project.

 The institutional services manager said that of the P9.5 million that was proposed and approved, the P3.3 million will go to Balabagan for five barangays,, P1.8 million for Binidayan with four barangays, and P4.4 million for Marogong’s five barangays.

            Other than P9.5 millioon, the Lasureco management is also pushing for the availability of P23 million which is the first trance of the P52-million which is intended for the rehabilitation of the transmission lines in this city.

            Another P2.7 million which is intended for five barangays in the municipalities of Piagapo and Saguiaran has also been approved for release, according to the acting general manager of Lasureco.

Boriongan, a retired army colonel, said Lasureco will be capable of supplying stable electricity and power interruptions will be a thing of the past. From the report of ARMAN APOLINARIO

Published: May 2-18, 2006 issue

Supports education, instills entrepreneurship

By TERRY D.C. BETONIO

Contributing Editor

VILLANUEVA, Misamis Oriental -- STEAG Stage Power Inc. (SPI) through its president Andreas Rubin has inked a memorandum of agreement with the local government of Villanueva and the different government and private agencies for the extension of its social development programs during the Annual Stakeholders Gathering held Wednesday, May 3, at the Villa Kusina Building here.

The agreement focuses on the joint undertaking of SPI’s projects such as the micro enterprise development program, school chairs project and the production of handcrafted products featuring Mindanao artifacts.

The micro enterprise development program is a joint undertaking between the SPI, the local government of Villanueva and the First Community Cooperative (FICCO) intended to promote entrepreneurship and self-employment among the residents of the 210 MW power plant’s priority barangays, specifically San Martin, Balacanas, Tambobong, Katipunan and Dayawan.

The program focuses on giving micro finance capacity-based credit and savings services to women with SPI providing a seed fund of P600,000 that would be made available to them through the micro lending capacity of FICCO.

On the School Chairs Project, at least nine public elementary schools and two public high schools will be given 884 chairs to fill half of the 1,768 or 27 percent shortage of school chairs among the student population of Villanueva.

Soon, another 884 chairs are set to be donated by a prospective donor to fill all the shortage on school chairs.

Meanwhile, the project on the production of handcrafted materials will be undertaken by SPI in coordination with Xavier University and Couples for Christ (CFC). It is an expansion of the handmade paper project already being undertaken by the residents of the Gawad Kalinga site in Barangay Dayawan.

With the agreement, CFC through the San Roque Gawad Kalinga Handmade project will produce handcrafted products out of two calendar designs (2006 and 2007) and 18 all-occasion card designs featuring sketches of Mindanao artifacts found at the Museo de Oro of Xavier University.

Part of the agreement is the donation of 20 percent of the gross sales to Museo de Oro.

Rubin said SPI has pursued these social development initiatives to help address serious concerns about poverty, human development and environmental sustainability, especially to the people and communities living within the vicinity of the plant.

“We hope that these social development initiatives will continue to inspire us to work together to help address the seemingly insurmountable problems confronting our local communities,” Rubin said.

He assured that SPI would continue to support the communities through the social development initiatives.

Published: May 2-8, 2006 issue

The National Transmission Corporation Mindanao Operations and Maintenance (Transco-MOM) assessed its first-quarter accomplishments during Management Operations Review last week in Cagayan de Oro City.

Transco president and chief executive officer Alan T. Ortiz will evaluate actual versus planned transmission line and substation maintenance activities of all six districts in Mindanao for the period January to March 2006.

Dr. Ortiz will also look into the quality of power transmission service each district has delivered to its power customers, mostly electric cooperatives.

The number and the duration of unscheduled service interruptions to customers count as the major criteria in the performance assessment, he said.

Transco assistant vice-president for Mindanao Lorrymir S. Adasa said the operations review will be attended by Mindanao district managers, who will report on actual work completed for the first quarter to include replacement of wood poles, cross arms and insulators, thermal scanning on line connectors, right-of-way clearing, low sag corrections, pole stubbing and conduct of hotline maintenance.

In its first quarter work target, Transco Mindanao planned to replace a total of 242 wood poles, 220 cross arms, 561 insulators ad 42 connectors, while pole-to-pole inspection was to be done on 9,222 linear kilometers of transmission lines all over Mindanao. Parallel to inspection, all districts also prioritized right-of-way clearing for a total of 1,814 linear kilometer of high-voltage transmission lines for the same period, Adasa said.

Adasa said  “right-of-way” clearing remains one of the critical tasks Transco Mindanao undertakes, taking up sizeable operational budget that goes to claim of lot owners and labor costs.”

He said if lot-owners and tenants will cooperate more by not planting tall-growing trees within the right-of-way of power transmission lines,“savings could well be realized in this particular expense account.”

“Round-weeding,” the removal of grass around wood poles to prevent grass fire from affecting wood poles, repair and replacement of line guys and pole tubbing/reinforcement, both to prevent toppling of poles, are also among the top activities to be reported.                                          

A report on hotline works, planned on 155 structures for the first quarter, will also be one of the highlights of the operations evaluation.

“Hotline consists of line work done on live or energized lines; it results to less line shutdowns but more savings for government, because Transco is still a government-owned and controlled corporation”, Adasa explained.

Transco operations review is done every quarter for every regional group in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to assess transmission service performance from group levels, and at the same time, provide improvement measures for applicable areas.

Transco assumed the electric transmission function of National Power Corporation (Napocor), from which it was spun off as a separate agency under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (R.A. 9136).

 Published: May 2-8, 2006 issue

At least 4,300 job opportunities for both local and international companies were opened to the public on May 1 to 2, 2005 during a Jobs and Livelihood Fair held at the SM City Cagayan de Oro car park.

The Jobs and Livelihood Fair was sponsored by the Association of Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Phils. (ALU-TUCP), ABS-CBN, SM City Cagayan de Oro, local governments of the city and province, and the Department of Labor and Employment.

Estrella Pahalla, supervising labor and employment officer of Dole in Northern Mindanao, said among those job openings are for skilled and non-skilled workers for local and international companies in Canada, America, the Middle East and Europe.

At least 40 overseas companies and 30 local firms have confirmed their participation for the Jobs and Livelihood Fair, which is one of the highlights of the Labor Month celebration in May.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) in cooperation with the departments of Trade and Industry, and Science and Technology have also conducted skills trainings to selected individuals in pursuant to President Gloria Arroyo’s Training for Work Scholarship program.

“This is a program of the government that aims to enhance the capability and skills of job-seekers, for them to get hired. They will be trained in Tesda-accredited schools,” Pahalla said.

At least P500,000 is being allocated by the government for the program, which is set to be implemented from May to December 2006. TERRY D.C BETONIO

Published: May 2-8, 2006 issue

Cebu Pacific (CEB), the country’s low-fare pioneer, is offering its Summer Seat sale with fares as low as P398 one-way to further promote domestic travel during non-peak periods.

Selling period for this promo starts from May 5 up to May 9 only. Travel will be from June 14 up to July 31, 2006.

This promotional sale is on top of CEB’s ‘Go’ fares which are permanent – not promotional – low fares and available year round.

“We are nearing the end of summer when domestic tourism is robust but we would like to encourage people to continue traveling even during the off-peak period because this is when we & the whole tourism industry need people to travel more. Events like our Summer Seat Sale will stimulate and grow the market even further” Bong Mojica, CEB General Manager said.

The Summer Seat Sale fares start at P398 for Cebu to Iloilo; P498 for Manila to Kalibo and Roxas; P598 for Manila to Bacolod, Cebu, Iloilo, Puerto Princesa and Tacloban, Cebu to Davao, Zamboanga, and Davao to Zamboanga; and P798 for Manila to Butuan, Cotabato, Cagayan de Oro, Dumaguete, Davao, Tagbilaran, Zamboanga and from Davao to Iloilo (via Cebu) for a one-way trip.

“Just like our previous Seat Sales, these fares are for immediate payment upon booking. The fastest way to buy tickets for this promo is via our website (cebupacificair.com). They may also go to our ticket offices, travel agents or call reservations office at 70-20-888 and pay via credit card” Mojica said.

“The Summer Seat Sale is exclusive of the regular surcharges and government tax,” Mojica added.

By TERRY D.C. BETONIO

Contributing Editor

Another branch of Handyman is expected to be opened in Zamboanga City next year.

This, despite the perceived “unstable” peace and order condition in Mindanao and the economic crisis the country is facing.

Handyman general manager Johnson Go said they prefer to put up another store in Zamboanga City because they are confident about the economic situation and the peace and order condition of the area.

“We hope to put it up next year. In terms of economic crisis, we don’t feel that here in Mindanao, especially in General Santos, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga. And that encourages us to expand in these key cities,” Go said.

Handyman, a subsidiary of Robinson’s chain of stores, has 47 outlets all over the Philippines, five of which are Do-It-Centers or stores with complete materials and equipment for home furnishings, building and construction.

Handyman opened its business in Cagayan de Oro in June 1998 and was then known as Handyman Home Improvement Center, packaged as a mall-based hardware and home improvement store that offered basic repair and maintenance products for home and office, with only 700 square meter store area.

But in October 2004, Handyman moved to a bigger location inside Robinson’s Supercenter and houses all its top quality products in a 1,700-square meter area for a one-stop shopping convenience.

This year, Handyman is out to attract more clients as it holds a Builders’ Fair from April 27 to May 1 at Limketkai Center.

Go said they are holding the Builders’ Fair to let the people aware that Handyman is not just an ordinary hardware but a center that caters to their complete building and home improvement needs.

“The Builders’ Fair is held not really to sell but to let people know that we have it all. We have about 14 to 15 exhibitors joining the fair, some of whom give discounts by as much as 20 percent,” he said.

Among the products available at the Fair are water tanks, wood materials (doors, windows, etc.), adhesives, lamps, flooring materials, industrial tools and accessories, car security locks and accessories, electric security system, burglar alarm system, roof and wall insulation materials, among others.

The exhibitors at the Fair are Erie Bestank, Alpha Water Heater, NKD Black and Decker, Westernwoods, De-Light, Insulite, Carlson Trading, Technoresins, Faire Technology, Valenzuela Mktg., Caltex Phils., Prominence Mktg., Sellery Phils., Tamson’s, Drapery Hardware, and local producer AJ Woods based in Barangay Tablon.

Published: April 25, 2006 issue

The National Transmission Corporation-Mindanao Operations and Maintenance (Transco-Mom) will train this year more linemen on hotline maintenance work to further reduce power line shutdowns, according to Transco assistant vice-president for Mindanao Lorrymir S. Adasa.

            Adasa said Transco Mindanao has already put in place a comprehensive hotline training program primarily designed to improve high quality-focused live-line maintenance work.

            Hotline maintenance work is a proven technology in the electric transmission industry that allows line repairs without shutting down power lines.

            The training of additional “hotliners” this year will augment the already existing hotline maintenance workers evenly assigned in the six districts of Transco Mindanao, he said.

            Previously trained “hotliners” are regularly fielded to power line hot spots to undergo emergency live-wire repairs.

            The hotline training takes one month, consisting of lectures and hands-on modules. The first half of the training is conducted at Transco’s Linemen’s Academy in Maria Cristina, Iligan City while the second half is done at a select Transco substation in Mindanao, Adasa said.

            Already, the first batch of trainees has completed the course in the first quarter, while the second batch started their training last April 18, and will end on May 17, 2006.

            Four more batches consisting of 25 trainees per batch are up for the rigorous training for the rest of 2006.

            Trainers are in-house “hotliners” who were trained in the early 90s by American experts. Transco Mindanao’s six districts plan to undertake 656 hotline jobs for 2006, Adasa added.

Published: April 25, 2006 issue 

A two-day jobs fair at the atrium of SM City Cagayan de Oro will be the highlight of the May 1 Labor Day activities, aside from the usual opening and closing programs.

            As in the past, the Labor Day celebration in Northern Mindanao is spearheaded by the Department of Labor regional office 10 with the assistance of attached agencies.

            These attached agencies include the regional offices of the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), National Conciliation and Mediation Board, Regional Arbitration Branch, the 5^th Division of the National Labor Relations Commission, and the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board.

            Also, the activities are coordinated with the various Provincial Tripartite Industrial Peace Councils as well as the Regional Tripartite Industrial Peace Council.

Also actively participating are the Associated Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP), All Workers Alliance Trade Union (Awatu), and the Federation of Free Workers (FFW).

            This year’s theme for May 1 Labor Day Celebration is Ang Galing Mo, Manggagawang Pilipino!

The theme speaks of a thousand words immortalizing the skills, accomplishments, laudable endeavors and sacrifices or a sector that has contributed much in shaping the bright future of our nation, according to a press statement the DOLE 10 issued.

Mr. Nasser B. Munder, the assistant regional director of the DOLE 10, is the overall chairperson of the May 1, 2006 Labor Day Celebration.

 Published: April 25, 2006 issue

Secretary Panganiban graces opening ceremonies

Cagayan de Oro City plays host to thousands of hog farmers who have converged for the 15^th Hog Convention and Trade Exhibits at the Atrium of Limketkai Center, April 28 to 30.

Organized by the National Federation of Hog Farmers, Inc. (NFHFI), the three-day gathering of hog farmers is hosted by the Northern Mindanao Hog Raisers Association (NorminHog).

Agriculture secretary Domingo F. Panganiban, who graced the opening ceremonies, focused his talk on the theme of the convention which is Convergence of Hog Entrepreneurs for Enhancement of Raisers’ Strategies (Cheers).

Lanao del Sur Rep. Benasing Macarambon, chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture in the House of Representatives, was the luncheon speaker.

Aside from hog farmers, veterinarians and agriculture technologists and other individuals who are involved in swine production attended the annual convention.

Discussions during the technical sessions focused on various aspects of hog farming—efficient methods in swine management, disease prevention and eradication, as well as market trends.

Exhibits include the latest technology equipment and veterinary products.

            Earlier, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Proclamation No. 1028, declaring the period from April 24-30, this year and thereafter, as Hog Farmers Week.

            NorminHog is headed by Mr. Fortunato O. Venegas while the NFHFI by Albert R.T. Lim Jr.

Published: April 25, 2006 issue 

Buksan ang Summer, Buksan ang Saya!

Coke welcomes the hot summer with a mountain load of cool summer prizes. The Coke Buksan ang Summer Promo gives you the chance to win P40 million in instant prizes every time you open an ice-cold bottle of Coke. Just buy Coke, Sprite, Royal True Orange or Sarsi in 8oz, 12oz or 1L sizes and look under the crown to instantly find out what you’ve won. It’s that easy.

Summer will be more enjoyable if you win any of these great techie prizes: Ipod Shuffles, Portable Sony Playstations and Nokia 3230 cell phones!

You can also get a chance to win free Globe Unlimitext load, to keep in touch with your friends on the hottest summer gimmicks. Or play all day with Unlimited Level-Up cards. Breeze your way through summer when you win delicious jollibee desserts all while enjoying a refreshing cup of your favorite Coke. Claim all prizes at your nearest Jollibee branch. The fun keeps going with prizes brought to you by Netopia and Coke. Get the chance to win free internet hours, memberships and free printing services only with Netopia Internet Café. Visit Netopia sites to claim these prizes.

But that’s not all. There are still more prizes to be won! Free Coke 8oz bottles every time you buy at your local sari-sari store. It can’t get any better than this!

This amazing blast of prizes is available from April 9 to June 9, 2006 only.

Hurry to all Coke retailers and outlets to get a chance at P40 million in instant prizes. The more Coke you buy gets you more chances to win these great prizes.

The best summer fun starts every time you enjoy Summer’s official drink, Coca-Cola. Buksan mo ang Coke, Buksan mo ang Summer. 

Published: April 18-24, 2006 issue

It’s all systems go for Ayala Group of Companies’ plan to develop a sprawling P4.5-billion business complex at the more than 200-hectare site in Indahag, a barangay in Cagayan de Oro City, according to City Mayor Vicente Y. Emano.

            Mr. Emano said the giant real estate company presented to him the site development plan of the multi-billion project.

            The blueprint, he said, outlines the overall physical development of the business complex where modern, state-of-the-art sports and recreational facilities are expected to sprout during the seven-year target completion.

            The massive business complex is also envisioned to equip with other basic amenities such as low-cost to high-end class subdivisions, a shopping mall and other facilities that will cater to the need of a fast-growing metropolis like Cagayan de Oro City.

            To ensure smooth groundwork preparation, Mr. Emano said he would allow them to start the construction of the project even though their papers are still on process, the same treatment he gave to the other big-time investors in the city.

            He said that the company’s huge investment is a very welcome development as it will translate to the employment of thousands of workers of the city. 

            Once completed, the city mayor describes the business complex as a satellite city or a city within a city of Cagayan de Oro.

 Published: April 18-24, 2006 issue

Optimistic coal-fired power plant could beef up power needs

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) regional governor for Northern Mindanao Arsenio Sebastian III voiced concerns over the stability of power supply in the region amidst reports of increasing electricity demands in Mindanao vis-à-vis existing electricity generation capacity.

During the Regional Development Council (RDC 10) meeting in Cagayan de Oro City, it was disclosed that electricity supplied by major hydro power plants in the region such as the Pulangi IV Hydro Electric Power Plant is generating only half of its installed capacity.

Sebastian, who is also vice-chairperson of the RDC representing the private sector, voiced hopes that the 210-megawatt Mindanao Coal-Fired Power Plant Project now currently being put-up at the Phividec Industrial Estate in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental will be completed as scheduled within the year and help assure Mindanao of a new and reliable source of electrical power.

He believes that even though the coal-fired power plant will provide additional 200 megawatts, “it will not be enough to cope with the increasing power demands of the island”.

"We must remember that one of the important factors considered by investors to locate in the region is reliable supply of electricity,” Sebastian added.

Data from the Department of Energy (DOE) indicate that by end of 2006, existing power producers in Mindanao will not be able to meet the electricity demand of the island.

With the steady increase in demand for electricity each year, new sources of efficient and environmentally compatible power will become crucial in sustaining the economy and securing progress in the region.

Meanwhile, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente Emano voiced the same concern in a recent interview over Bombo Radyo citing that “Mindanao cannot afford to be plunged once more into massive blackouts” as experienced in the early 90s.

Mr. Emano expressed optimism that the operation of the power plant will substantially contribute to stability in the supply of electricity in the whole islands of Mindanao.