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Volume III, No. 284
Market Indicators
As of 5:57 pm AUG. 27, 2013 (Tuesday)
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Briefly Banana industry PUSHIN G M in d anao’s banana industry is an i m p or t ant s tr ate g y to support countryside development and achieve inclusive grow th, local industry players say. Ec c l e s i a s te s Ro q ue, president of the Banana Industry Council of Region 12 ( B A I C O R), b e l i e ve s t h at ex p a n d i n g b a n a n a pro duc tion in Mindanao could help growers earn better income and generate income especially in rural areas. Along this line, BAICOR, i n p ar t n e r s h i p w i t h t h e Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Council (RAFC), MinFruit Council and the Department of Agriculture (DA), is holding the Mindanao Banana Congress 2013 on August 29-30 in General Santos City.
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P6.9B M’nao flood control project OK’d
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By CARMELITO Q. FRANCISCO Correspondent
HE national government is set to build P6.9 billion worth of flood control projects in the Mindanao River Basin to counter floods that, in recent years, have submerged many parts of Central and Northern Mindanao Regions. A press statement from Public Work s Secretar y the Mindanao Development Rogelio L. Singson committed Authority (MinDA) released to fund the projects within over the weekend said that the 21,502-square-kilometer
Disaster plan ENTREPRENEURS, especially small and mediumsized ones, in Asia and the Pacific are encouraged to invest in measures to make their supply chain more resilient to natural disasters. This recommendation was made by a recent report of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) titled “Building Resilience to Natural Disasters and Major Economic Crises”. It said businesses can invest more in each location, spatially diversif y the locations of both production and supply, and hold larger inventories or stocks.
Wednesday
WATER WORLD. Floodwaters inundate villages along the mighty Agusan River during a typhoon in February, 2012. The government is spending P6.9 billion flood control projects in the Mindanao River Basin to avert similar disaster in the future. mindanews file photo
river basin, covering a re a s i n t he prov i nce s of Mag uinda nao, Sout h Cotabato, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat, as well as Cotabato City. Mr. Singson was quoted as saying that the projects would include dredging, dike construction, and cutoff channel widening in identified areas. “The projects must be implemented the soonest to mitigate recurring flooding that has been displacing t hou s a nd s of re sident s and damaging livelihood and properties in the area, especially during torrential rains,” he said. Luwalhati R. Antonino, MinDA chairwoman, said President Benigno S. C. Aquino III and the governors of the four provinces -- Emmy Lou Ta liño-Mendoza of North Cotabato, Esmael G. Mangudadatu of flood/PAGE 11
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VIVA SR. SAN AGUSTIN. A twenty-foot icon of St. Augustine is paraded around the streets of Cagayan de Oro City yesterday during the Fluvial Parade. Cagayan de Oro celebrates today, August 28, the feast of St. Augustine, the city’s patron saint. photo by rolando sudaria
Rodriguez defends ‘pork barrel’ Surigao lawmaker favors CAGAYAN de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez on Tuesday defended the pork barrel funds as he called it an “equalizing force” by the lawmakers in helping their constituents. He even criticized people
and government officials who wanted the abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund or “pork barrel.” “Sa mga nagsulti nga i-abolish, siguro wala sila defends/PAGE 11
scrapping of PDAF By ROEL CATOTO, MindaNews
SURIGAO City – Surigao del Norte 2nd Dist. Rep. Guillermo A. Romarate, Jr. on Monday declared he
is in favor of abolishing the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or favors/PAGE 11
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Banana dev’t pushed for Mnao’s economic growth PUSHING Mindanao’s banana industry is an important strategy to The Mindanao Banana Congress is and General Santos. support countryside development and achieve inclusive growth, local expected to gather industry players from A ma l ia Jayag-Dat u k a n, Reg iona l Soccsksargen Region and other major banana- Executive Director of the Department of industry players say. Ecclesiastes Roque, president of the Banana Industry Council of Region 12 (BAICOR), believes that expanding banana production in Mindanao could help growers earn better income and generate income especially in rural areas.
Along this line, BAICOR, in partnership with the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Council (RAFC), MinFruit Council and the Department of Agriculture (DA), is holding the Mindanao Banana Congress 2013 on August 29-30 in General Santos City.
producing regions to discuss strategies to support the development of the banana industry. Soccsksargen Region covers the provinces of North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat as well as the cities of Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan, Cotabato
Agriculture 12 said, banana is a priority commodity among commercial crops being promoted under the DA’s High Value Crop Development Program (HVCDP). In fact, she said, of DA 12’s P47.8 million 2013 allocation for the HVCDP growth/PAGE 7
Group asks PNoy: Why punish legitimate NGOs? THE Phi lippine Pa r t nership for t he Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA) has expressed dismay over reports that bogus nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) were created and used as channels by people behind the P10-billion pork- barrel scam. I n a st atement relea sed t h roug h Mags Catindig, Regional Coordinator of PhilDHRRA for Luzon, the group said the scam has tarnished the credibility of many legitimate NGOs, especially those who are rigorously working as development partners of the government.
A network of 65 NGOs nationwide, PhilDHRR A blamed the accreditation processes adopted by national government agencies that require stringent documentary requirements, which disqualify legitimate NGOs, yet allow dubious groups, which are even certified, without even verifying their existence. Under a new scheme t he Aquino administration is planning to implement, pork-barrel funds will no longer be released to NGOs or pass through government-owned and -controlled corporations. punish/PAGE 7
Business registrants in Caraga soar B U T UA N C I T Y—T h e economic grow th in the si x cities in t he Caraga Region is manifested by the continuous soar of its business registrants. The Region-13 of f ice of t h e D e p a r t m e nt of Trade and Industry (DTI13), through its National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC), showed that the six cities of the region posted a total of 18,352 business ventures in 2012, and it is expected to climb high this year. O f t he nu mb er, t he NERBAC said at least 21 percent are new registrants, while 79 percent are renewals. Almost half or 47 percent of the businesses are located in this city. soar/PAGE 7
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at the end of the day, it will achieve the target it has. The government in that respect did a good job,” Koukourakis said. In the first six months, excise ta xes slapped on cigarettes reached P22.4
billion, or 53 percent more than the P14.6 billion raised in the same period last year. The tax take from alcohol products hit P16.2 billion in the first half, or 37 percent more than the P11.8 billion tobacco/PAGE 9
PLDT provides ICT solution to Solaire SOL A IR E Resor t a nd Casino has tapped PLDT ALPHA Enterprise, PLDT’s enterprise arm, to provide integrated ICT solution in t he management and operations of its newlybuilt infrastructure. Located in PAGCOR’s Entertainment Cit y project in Paranaque City, Solaire’s operations and IT requirements expands to more than 18,500 square meters of casino a rea and gaming space, with complete a menities a nd 500 appointed rooms. It is owned by Bloomberry Resorts Corp. aims at hiring 4,60 0 employees for its first phase of its operations to include gaming, hotel
management, engineering, and managerial units. In addition to helping prov ide consistent ly excellent customer experience across all Solaire outlets, IT also ‘integrate’ different revenue streams from these same diverse outlets,” said Solaire Vice President for IT Operations Gregory Dauenhauer. P L D T ’s e n d - t o - e n d ICT solutions enables the casino resort’s management seamless integration of its growing operations with exclusive high bandwidth i-Gate, vanit y numbers, IP-Virtual Private Network, PABX, and undiluted WiFi in the building’s multiple spaces and exclusive upper
levels. “We at PLDT are filled with pride to be chosen as Solaire’s key ICT partner in becoming a stel la r international gaming and entertainment destination,” PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Head Jovy Hernandez said. Solaire has since star ted operations in the first quarter of 2013 a nd has a nnou nced t he successf u l opening of its Phase 1 facilities and expects completion of its Phase 1-A expansion by the third quarter of 2014 which includes a 308-room allsuite hotel tower, a high-end retail area, a 1,800-seater lyrical theater and more restaurants. (PNA)
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Cigarette-maker notes dive in tobacco sales HIGHER excise tax rates may have fueled an increase in government revenues, but tobacco consumption fell at a pace much slower than what Philippine officials were hoping for, according to the Japanese maker of the Winston and Camel brands of cigarettes. I n a pre s s br i e f i n g last week, Japan Tobacco International (JTI) Philippines general manager Manos Koukourakis said the Aquino administration can exceed its P51.6-billion excise tax collection target for cigarettes this year. “From a government perspective, this is a successful legislative measure, because
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Zest Air gets clearance, back to full operation L OW- C O S T C A R R I E R Zest Airways, Inc. has been allowed to operate all aircraft after obtaining clearance Thursday from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). “All aircraft has been cleared and released Thursday,” CAAP Deputy Director John C. Andrews said. On Tuesday, the regulator
lif ted the suspension of the air operator certificate (AO C) fo l l ow i n g Z e s t Air’s complia nce to si x safety issues raised by the CAAP last August 16. The suspension paralyzed the operations of the carrier for a few days. An airworthiness inspection was also rolled out last Monday to review each of the airline’s 11 Airbus
aircraft. The budget airline has a fleet of 10 Airbus A320 and an A319. Z est A i r f l ies to 20 loca l destinations f rom Manila, Clark (Pampanga) a nd K a l ibo (A k la n). It also f lies from Manila to Incheon and Pusan in Korea, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Shanghai and Jinjian City in China, and Taipei in Taiwan.
ABOITIZ Power Corp is set to open the country’s first renewable energy learning facility in Laguna. In a statement, AboitizPower said it will inaugurate its Cleanergy Center on Wednesday at t he Ma k i l i ng-B a na haw geotherma l plant in the said province. A f irst of its k ind in the country, the Cleanergy Center features audio visual
materials, installations and exhibits open to students and environment enthusiasts everyday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission to the learning facility is free. Owned and managed AboitizPower subsidiary Aboitiz Power Renewables Inc, “the Cleanergy Center aims to be a tool in energy education and appreciation,” the company said. Ab oit i z Power i s t he
holding company of the Aboitiz Group’s investments i n power generat ion, distribution, retail, and power ser v ices. The company controls a number of hydro, geothermal, diesel a nd coa l pla nt s w it h a combined capacity of 2,000 megawatts. AboitizPower also owns distribution utilities that operate in areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Aboitiz Power opens RE exhibit
LPG group to block Petron’s plan to purchase of Liquigaz A GROUP of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) retailers will block Petron Corp’s bid to acquire a rival, which if successful will give the country’s lone oil refiner a dominant share of the market for cooking gas. Rep. Arnel U. Ty, president of the LPG Marketers Association Inc (LPGMA), last week told reporters that his group will
file a resolution in the House seeking an inquiry into the legality of Petron’s looming purchase of Liquigaz Philippines Corp. Ty said his group likewise will ask the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate the matter. LPGMA will also seek a review of the Downstream Oil Industry Regulation Act of 1998 after the Department of Energy
admitted its hands are tied when it comes to corporate transactions. “That’s why I’m filing a resolution to review the 15 year-old Deregulation Law,” Ty said. Ty earlier said Petron was among those that prequalified to bid for Liquigaz, which was put up for sale by parent firm SHV
of the Netherlands. Petron confirmed its proposed offer for Liquigaz in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange last week. Should Petron succeed in the acquisition of Liquigaz, it will give the former a dominant position in the local market for LPG. Petron already controls 40 percent of the market, while Liquigaz has 27 percent.
Toyota Camry: Success from behind the wheel than the backseat
FOR Toyota Motor, the Camry was the benchmark of an executive car to be chauffeur-driven. Until... the company rea l i z ed a plet hora of executives are of the handson variety who’s rather drive than be chauffeured about town or out of town. This realization is being
realized with the base model 2.5G. Starting with the body shape, the 2.5G appears more of an evolution than a revolution from the previous Camry. The overall look screams limousine, despite a sharp front chin spoiler, a seemingly short but blocklike rear end, and a rear bumper design that can
accommodate twin tailpipes. Compared with the top end 3.5Q which totes twin pipes, the 2.5G sports has just one. There is no platform sharing anymore with the new Camry — stamped with chassis code XV50 — unlike the XV40 that has multiple design cues from its cousin Lexus ES series. Still, the XV50’s cabin rema i ns i nf luenced by Lexus as ref lected by the blue backlighting on the i nst r u ment bi n nacle. The contrast between the backlight and the black-onwhite gauges pays homage to the Lexus ES series/XV40 platform. The controls are logica l ly placed for a n intuitive feel, whether it’s the power window or side mirrors or airconditioning
or audio entertainment cluster. The view from within At the lowest blower setting the aircon is Arcticcold, but the blower speed and ventilation direction buttons should be bigger — p e ople i n t r opic a l countries like to f iddle with the blower speed more than the thermostat. The audio entertainment has a rare and lucid treble-bass combo — that’s uncommon for executive cars — and can handle external MP3 players. Storage is in abundance, particularly the cargo bay that can fit a large travel bag or two with the rear backrests upright. About the only annoying part is the imitation cherry
wood t r i m t hat seems an eyesore in an overall a e s t he t ic a l l y ple a s i n g interior. Wouldn’t it be better if Toyota goes for black wa l nut wood a s everything in the interior seems just about intuitive, easy-to-read-and-reach, easy on the eyes and ergonomic for occupants? On the tarmac you’ll see why the XV50 deserves to be driven, and why the 2.5G is the best Camry for everyday use. At the “(D)rive” mode the six-speed slushbox or automatic transmission (a/t) is willing to downshift at half-throttle. For best results it’s better to use the manual mode. Simply toss the a/t stick to the left, and pull to downshift or push to upshift. You remain
in the powerband’s lower area longer via the manual mode, as the shift points are higher. Plus, you can get away with fourth gear for emergency change lane moves on f lat land, but on inclines it’s best to use second gear. As the 2.5G Camry is a great everyday vehicle, you should get the 273 hp/346 NM 3.5Q V6 if you’re frequently rushing to and from the provinces for work. An executive car is meant more as a city cruiser than a corner carver, and the new Camry is no different. On turns the ride sometimes wallows, but not as pronounced as in the XV40. It doesn’t feel boat-like navigating the toyota/PAGE 9
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Growing mushroom to combat rural poverty, arrest malnutrition (1st of 2 Parts) By BONG D. FABE
AS the Philippines under the Aquino administration continues its march as one of the emerging economic powers in Asia with an unprecedented economic growth since 2010, its poverty situation has not really improved thus debunking the Chinese proverb that “a rising tide lifts all.” In 2012, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) named the Philippines as the 40th largest economy in the world. By 2050, the Philippines will be the 14th largest economy in the world, according to Goldman Sachs, while the HSBC said it will be the 16th largest economy in the world, 5th largest economy in Asia, and the largest economy in the Southeast Asia by that year. While all these paint a glossy future for the Philippines, today’s generations of Filipinos complain that they have not felt the economic growth the country’s financial managers have proudly proclaimed. The National Statistics Coordination Board has reported that 27.9% of the population currently lives below the poverty line, a figure that was practically unchanged from the 28.6% and 28.8% in the first half of 2009 and first semester of 2006, respectively. This, despite the fact that the Philippines’ 7.8% gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the first quarter of 2013 is the highest GDP growth rate in Asia, ahead of China
The writer with Professor Hyun You Chang of the Korea National College of Agriculture and Fisheries (KNCAF), project team leader of the Mushroom Cultivation project. photo by butch d. enerio
and Indonesia. GDP is one the primary indicators used to gauge the health of a country’s economy. It represents the total dollar value of all goods and services produced over a specific time period. GDP, which represents a country’s economic production and growth, has a large impact on nearly everyone within that economy. Thus, when the economy is healthy, there is typically low unemployment and wage increases as businesses demand labor to meet the growing economy. Also, a significant change in GDP, whether up
Acrid taro for making wine By Melpha M. Abello
THE purple taro variety VG9 bred by the Philippine Root Crop Research Center (PhilRootcrops) at Visayas State University (VSU) in Leyte, despite its acrid tubers, can make an excellent ingredient that will enhance the functional characteristics of dessert red wine. The red wine was developed by a team of PhilRootcrops researchers led by Dr. Julie Tan from a mixture of purple taro VG9 and black glutinous rice Arabon, a local rice variety.The research was funded by the Philippine Council for Energy, Emerging Technology Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCIEERD-DOST). According to Tan, taro or gabi can enhance the functional characteristic of red wine as it is one of the best known prebiotic rootcrops among all rootcrops. Tan reported that taro has nondigestible polysaccharides such as pentosans and dietary fiber. She confirmed that these properties have qualified taro to be a potential substrate for beneficial microorganisms in human intestines in addition to its nutrients such as proteins, vitamins and minerals. acrid/PAGE 10
or down, usually has a significant effect on the stock market. “I’m not an economist but my personal assessment is poverty incidence is still the same though the economy has improved. Only people in upper bracket are benefiting,” Bishop Honesto Ongtioco of Cubao has been quoted in news reports as saying. If the bishop of a diocese in Metropolitan Manila has not felt the impact of the touted economic growth of the Philippines, neither do ordinary housewives in rural Misamis mushroom/PAGE 9
Bamboo pushed as lucrative livelihood source in Bukidnon By Walter I. Balane
MALAYBALAY CITY—The Bukidnon Kaamulan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. is promoting the use of giant bamboo sticks to be processed into panel boards as a lucrative livelihood opportunity in Bukidnon, Roberto Tinsay Jr, chamber vice president for membership, said. Tinsay said that there is “a big and sure market for bamboo boards in the domestic and international markets.” He cited the “open volume” purchase order he recently obtained from Home Depot, one of the country’s big home stores selling, among others, construction materials. Bamboo production and processing are among the forestry-based industries included in the preferred areas of investment in Bukidnon that qualify for incentives in the province’s new investment incentives ordinance. Amended in March 2013, the ordinance created the Bukidnon Investment and Export Promotion Board, which grants incentives to investors and new investments in the province. Tinsay said the chamber promotes the production and processing of sticks from giant bamboo, which bamboo board producers buy at P5 per stick at the source. He said this is a livelihood opportunity for those in far-f lung barangays with abundant supply of giant bamboo. The provincial government and the chamber have been promoting the use of bamboo, even during the Kaamulan festival, as the main material in the construction of trade booths, Tinsay added. Tinsay said that Bukidnon can capitalize on the bamboo industry to fill the vacuum in the domestic wood industry, which suffered a blow when President Benigno Aquino III bamboo/PAGE 9
Tuna industry reiterates call for creation of DFAR THE creation of t he Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) is one of the resolutions that will be made by stakeholders in the local tuna industry who will gather once again during the 15th National Tuna Congress and Trade Exhibit in General Santos City next month. Organized by the Soccsksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries Inc. (SFFAII), the gathering is expected to pass 11 other resolutions which the local t u na i ndust r y deem a s
important initiatives that the government can undertake to make the sector more resilient. Tuna Congress Chairman Joaquin Lu said the creation of DFAR is one of the top resolutions and has long been a clamor of the fishing industry Lu, a leading player in the local tuna industry, said there is a need to give priority to the fishery sector and ensure its protection in light of the depletion of the resources of the sea. “ The cou nt r y ca n
represented by a Cabinet secretary, and not just a bureau director,” he said. The Senate and the House of Representatives have expressed their support for the creation of the DFAR, but were unable to pass the bill before it adjourned for the 2013 midterm elections. The Tuna Congress will also request the Department of Tr a n s p or t at ion a nd Communications to speed up t he issua nce of t he have a better leverage in Implementing Rules and international ministerial Regulations (IRR) of the c on fe re nc e s , i f we a re tuna/PAGE 9
Export market lures more farmers to plant premium rice varieties By Allen V. Estabillo
GENERAL SANTOS CITY—The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region 12 expects more harvests of export-quality premium rice in the coming months with the ongoing expansion of production areas in parts of North Cotabato province. Zaldy Boloron, DA-12 acting operations chief, said an additional 10 hectares of palay farms in M’lang town in North Cotabato are being developed for the production of black rice and other “colored, long grain and aromatic” rice varieties. He said Region 12 presently has around 50 hectares of palay areas that are mainly producing premium rice varieties for export. The plantation areas are located in M’lang, Tulunan, Banisilan and Arakan
towns in North Cotabato and parts of South Cotabato’s upper valley area. “By the end of the year, our production area for premium rice will reach around 60 hectares and we’re continually pushing for its expansion in other areas within Region 12,” he said in a media forum. The provinces of South and North Cotabato were earlier identified by DA-12 as viable expansion areas for premium rice production in the region. Region 12, also called the Soccsksargen Region, comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato. lures/PAGE 10
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‘Pork barrel scandal dents PHL reform image’ A MULTI-BILLION peso scandal that lines the pockets of politicians by funneling public funds into private organizations “negates the Philippines’ reputation and credibility,” a prominent business executive said. Guillermo Luz, the private sector cochairman of the National Competitiveness Council, made these remarks on Monday while attending an anti-pork barrel rally at Luneta Park. The scandal involving senators and members of the House “negates everything in so many ways, including our reputation, our credibility, and our image,” Luz said. “No one will ta ke the Philippines seriously as anti-corruption or a reformbacked administration if we let this situation go. We really need to fix this,” said Luz,
find out whether they filed their income tax returns and financial statements, a requirement for non-stock, non-profits. They should be investigated for any violation in that regard,” Luz said. Si nce pork ba r rel f u nd s a re just one percent of the Philippines’ annual appropriations, Luz said Filipinos should channel their energies to analyzing the remaining 99 percent of the national budget. “Beyond rallies, I think we need to embed this sentiment in a change of policy and law. That’s the only way to make this permanent. A rally is a good start,” he said. He however refused to say whether or not he favors the abolition of pork barrel funds. (Interaksyon.com)
who attended the Luneta rally. A former executive director of the Makati Business Club, Luz said the Department of Justice has to prosecute not only Jeanette Napoles – the alleged conduit of politicians to funnel public funds into non-government organizations (NGOs) – but also the nonprofit organizations themselves. “A cursory check with the Securities and Exchange Commission of all the boards of trustees of the NGOs will find out whether their records are updated. A [Bureau of Internal Revenue] check will
WB: PHL debt services 2014 Customs target unattainable — Biazon Bureau of Customs Customs’ collection target. gover n ment adde d t he to reach $129-M in 2H THE (BOC), the government’s “The target is based on the agency’s foregone revenues THE Philippines was seen paying down debts it owed the World Bank, totaling $129.39 million, or some P5.43 billion in local currency in the second half of the year, based on data obtained from the multilateral financing institution. These were IOUs that financed various projects whose funding drew support from the Washingtonbased multilateral lender. This was based on the estimated debt service payments summary as of June this year, which includes both interest and principal payments, both to the World Bank’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). Data also showed estimates for aggregate debt service next year amounting to $218.95 million, then $280.9 million in 2015 and $266.38 million in 2016. This year, the largest debt payment the Philippines needs to pay the World Bank in the second half is on October 15, when the country is scheduled to pay $35.29 million, or P1.48 billion, while the least debt service amount of $522,000 or P21.92 million is slated for payment on September 1. Total payments to the IBRD amounts to $123.52 million, while total payments to the IDA amount to $5.87 million. The total principal payments amount to $94.1 million, while charges, which include commitment fees and interest, total another $35.29 million. The loans that will be paid in October this year include those obtained for 16 projects, such as loans for the Leyte-Luzon geothermal plant project signed in 2000; the women’s health and safe motherhood project signed in 2002; the social expenditure management loan, which is still active; the Bicol power restoration closed in 2008; the second social expenditure management, which is still active; the Kapitbisig Laban Sa KahirapanComprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) program, which is still active; and the second agrarian-reform communities development project closed in 2010. Other loans in the list are those incurred for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) social fund closed in May 2013; judicial reform support closed in 2012; Laguna de Bay institutional strengthening PHL/PAGE 10
second la rgest revenue generating agency, said that its collection target for next year is too high, but does not plan to ask for a reduction in the full-year goal. Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon said that the agency may fail in meeting its P408 billion collection target for 2014 due to utilization of freetrade agreements (FTAs), which is estimated to cost P60 billion. Biazon explained that the interagency Development Budget Coordinating Committee (DBCC) did not factor in the government’s foregone revenues on FTA commitments in assessing
assumption of trade volume that would come in. While the volume of trade came in, we did not collect revenues because of FTAs,” Biazon told reporters. “What’s happening is they computed our target based on the entire volume of trade, without discounting FTAs, which resulted in collection shortfall. How can we collect something out of nothing?” he added. T he Cu s tom s’ c h ie f estimated that the country’s compliance with FTAs has resulted in foregone revenues of about P60 billion in 2012. Biazon said that Customs could have exceeded its collections target if the
on FTAs. FTAs are agreements between trading partners that provide for elimination of tariffs, import quotas, and preferential treatment on goods from either side. The Philippines is part of several FTAs, such as the ASEAN FTA; the JapanPh i l i p p i n e s E c o n o m i c Partnership Agreement; A SE A N-Au s t r a l i a-Ne w Zealand FTA; ASEAN-China FTA; ASEAN-India FTA; ASEAN-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement; and the ASEAN-Korea FTA. “It’s high,” Biazon said, referring to the 2014 revenue collection target. But “I’m one who will not question the
BSP enhances export rediscount facility THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has improved access to its $500-million Exporters’ Dollar and Yen Rediscount Facility (EDYRF) by listing additional eligible collaterals for export-import financing. BSP Deputy Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr. said in a statement Friday that the Monetary Board, the central bank’s decisionmaking body, has revised how it operates the rediscounting facility to incentivize exportimport trading companies by accepting as collaterals dollar-denominated trust receipts covering the importation of goods and materials, and term loans to finance capital expenditures or plant expansion or modernization projects. “The Monetary Board noted that to the extent that Philippine exports have a sizeable import content, the acceptance of dollar-denominated trust receipts and
term loans as eligible collateral will help support export financing,” said the BSP. “This will also enhance the incentive for banks to lend to firms for the importation of raw materials used in the manufacture of export commodities, providing exporters greater access to credit.” The eligible borrowers are universal and commercial banks, and thrift banks with existing rediscounting lines with the BSP’s peso-denominated rediscounting facility. Based on Circular No. 807, signed last August 15 and effective by November 15, the EDYRF pricing has also been change. The BSP explained that the new pricing scheme, consisting of the 90-day LIBOR plus a risk premium of 200 basis points and a term premium for longer maturities, will “help encourage banks to first seek BSP/PAGE 10
BSP issues rules on cloud computing by banks
THE Philippines has put in place a body of rules regulating the storage and management of bank data, making the country an early adopter of rules on cloud computing by banks, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.
“ I t h i n k we [t h e Philippines] are actually a pioneer in formulating regulations that allow banks to do cloud computing. Many jurisdictions do not have rules in place right now. So, in that sense, we are quite ahead of that pack in terms of area,” BSP Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said. Cloud computing is a system wherein institutions such as banks are allowed to cha n nel, access a nd manipulate data through a network of servers on the Internet. “It ’s a cost-ef fec t ive
way for them to be able to better manage data without having to invest heavily in infrastructure. Actually, it’s a solution that increases or potentially upgrades the competitiveness of smaller institutions. It’s a potential game changer, as well,” Espenilla said. “Ma ny ju r i s d ic t ions now a re ju s t s t udy i ng their regulations on how to accom mod ate cloud computing. How do we know? The Philippines is a part of the discussion within the regulatory community about this matter. So a lot of regulators have been
thinking about them but we are among the first to launch specific regulations,” he added. Just this month, the BSP approved Resolution 1286, providing guidelines on the use of cloud computing in the financial service industry. According to Espenilla, only the Philippines and Singapore have implemented regulations governing cloud computing in Southeast Asia. “We did not allow [cloud computing] before. That was for IT [informationtechnology] security reasons. Now, we are actually going to allow, explicitly under
certain conditions, to ensure a secu re env ironment,” Espenilla said. Along with mitigating risks on cloud computing through the implementation of new regulations, the BSP is now also requiring banks to upgrade their automated teller machine (ATM) system to avoid the risks of fraud. “First of all, it is, in fact, a global standard that has been around for sometime. A nd t he re a l it y i s t he magnetic stripe [in ATM cards] is more vulnerable to cloning particularly. Even skimming. And, of course, rules/PAGE 10
higher ups. I never lobbied for a reduction, but I just laid the cards on the table.” The official, however, recognized that any reduction in Customs’ target has an effect on the other economic assumption figures, including the gross domestic product (GDP), and budget deficit. (MB)
Tax breaks await labor-intensive investments
SPECIFIC sectors with strong labor generation capability as identified by the industry roadmaps would be highly considered for inclusion in t he 2014 Invest ment Priorities Plan (IPP), which is expected to be a far cry from the previous annual list of preferred economic activities that are entitled to government tax and fiscal incentives. Board of Investments (BOI) Governor Lucita P. Reyes said as the agency is set to start next month, September, the formulation of the 2014 IPP to be able to submit it to Malacañang by end of October to ensure a new IPP will take effect by January 2014. As the lead government agency in the IPP formulation, Reyes said the BOI will have to assess what specific sectors or activities identified in the various industry roadmaps still require incentives to be competitive. “We have to assess what specific sectors are to be included in the IPP. This means the new IPP could be longer because it is more detailed, we don’t know yet,” tax/PAGE 11
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PNoy is biggest loser in Luneta
Above the law
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THINK
hink a minute…Does a thief steal because he’s a A Minute thief? Or, is he a thief because By Jhan Tiafau Hurst he steals? Studies show that over 80% of criminals who have been in prison and then freed after serving their time are back in prison for the same crime in less than 1 year! So back to our question: Does a thief steal because he’s a thief? Or, is he a thief because he steals? The answer: he steals because he’s a thief. We do what we do because of what we are inside. Jesus said that you and I can still be a murderer even if we don’t murder anyone. If we hate somebody and wouldn’t mind if someone else killed that person, then we also are a murderer in our heart. Jesus said that if we lust and desire to have sex with someone who’s not our wife or husband, then we’ve already committed adultery because in our heart we are an adulterer. Jesus’ way of living is far above the law. It goes beyond just the minimum, small requirements of the law which simply try to keep society civil. But God did not create you and me just so we would not cheat or steal from our enemy. He designed us to love our enemy. Jesus knows that if we truly love and care about a person, then we don’t need a law to keep us from cheating or stealing from them! When you and I do something good to impress and look good in front of others, Jesus sees and judges our wrong heart and motives even for doing those good things. Jesus wants us to do them because we genuinely love Him and others, not for our own self-centered pride and good image in front of people. You’re probably thinking: “If Jesus’ commands are that high above the law, then is anyone that good and perfect?!” Of course not! No one is! That’s exactly why Jesus came: to finally change our heart and character inside. The law can only punish us for our crime, but it cannot hurst/PAGE 11
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L
IFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected… will not get very far because… their folly will be clear to everyone…” (2 Timothy 3:8-9, the Holy Bible). -ooo LUNETA AUG. 26, 2013, REAL “PEOPLE POWER”: So, how should we look at the August 26, 2013 Luneta “gathering”? Was it a “success” or a “failure”? Certainly, to President Aquino and Malacanang who tried very hard to prevent its occurrence, the “gathering” was a failure because it failed to entice one million people to come and join calls for the abolition of pork barrel. To those who joined it, or to those who called for it through the Internet, it was on the other hand a success, because, as a major newspaper said the day after, the “gathering” was a “first” along important lines: it was the first largest gathering of protesting people since Aquino was elected in 2010; it was the first protest organized through the Internet; and it was the first protest without a leader. As far as I am concerned, the Luneta gathering was successful in that it showed what real and honest-togoodness “people power” is all about. Unlike the so-called EDSA 1 and 2 “people power” revolutions, where men and women were mobilized by vested interest groups for purely personal objectives (to save people from being killed or liquidated, to oust incumbent leaders), that gathering was intended to benefit the country as a whole, with calls for the abolition of the corrupt pork barrel system. -ooo FILIPINOS FLEX MUSCLE AT LUNETA: In that regard, lawmakers and Malacanang must both be warned: even if those who went to Luneta did not total one million, Filipinos have shown that they are now ready to make public denunciations of graft and corruption, to express their indignation about what they perceive to be evil, and, if the need arises, to act by themselves to remedy the situation. If the Luneta gathering on August 26, 2013 showed anything, it is that Filipinos are now waking up to the reality that if they want real good governance, if they want graft and corruption to end, if they want
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wayward officials to stop their akampi evil ways, they must act by Mo A ng Batas themselves, not needing the By Atty. Batas Mauricio help of any political leader or any high government official. Whereas before, “people power” could be mobilized only by well-known political personalities, the situation has dramatically changed and turned around 360 degrees now---Filipinos no longer need leaders to compel them into action, because, as Luneta August 26, 2013 has shown, they could mobilize and gather by themselves and demand change. -ooo PNOY IS BIGGEST LOSER IN LUNETA: If you ask me, I believe that President Benigno Aquino III and his political allies were the biggest losers from the August 26, 2013 Luneta gathering. This is due to the fact that they were roundly ignored in their direct and indirect appeals and actions to make the people desist from joining the event. What is clear here is that, the President seems to have lost the firm grip and hold he once had on Filipinos who belong to the middle class---the class who thinks and has the capacity to act for the entire Filipino citizenry, and the class who supported him in his bid for the presidency in 2010 and who have been supporting him up to now. The fact that the Luneta gathering pushed through despite his false announcement of the pork barrel being abolished last Friday, August 23, 2013, and despite feverish attempts of his spokesmen Edwin Lacierda and Abigail Valte to malign the gathering by their Internet postings, shows beyond doubt that his prime supporters are no longer disposed, like they used to do, to simply believe what he has been saying. -ooo REACTIONS? Please call me at 0917 98 24 68, 0918 574 01 93, 092 833 43 96. Email: batasmauricio@yahoo. com, mmauriciojr111@gmail.com.
“Non nova sed noviter”
hat’s Latin for “not new things but in a new way.” Talking about the New Evangelization, this Latin adage comes in very handy as it gives us a clear guideline on how to go about this task that is immensely necessary and urgent these days. As the Year of Faith grinds to its final sprint these coming months, we need to give fresh impulses to our duty to proclaim the gospel, the very same old gospel preached by Christ and now taught by the Church, but giving it new dressing, attuned to the temper of our times. We have to do this duty right, since what good would it be if we get fired up and do a lot of innovative and creative things and yet missing the point? It’s like a runner who runs the fastest among many other runners, but out of track. He will never reach the finish line. First of all, we need to be sure of our fidelity to the doctrine of our faith, understanding doctrine as Christ’s very own teaching that is handed down to us in tradition, in sacred Scripture and the magisterium of the Church. We need to acknowledge its essentially divine and supernatural character, without forgetting that it too has a human element that obviously is subject to the dynamism of our human condition. We need to study the doctrine well, convinced that we can never have enough of it, since it is both eternal and temporal, always in need of deepening and polishing and adapting and all that. It’s a living thing. We have to understand that this doctrine of our faith enables us to get in touch with God, and to see and understand things the way God sees and understands them. It’s indispensable for us to prosper in our prayer, and in the task of our own sanctification, and that of the others and of the world itself. It does not only give us some temporal advantages. It’s not meant so much for those, though it certainly does give us some temporal good. It’s meant more for our eternal goal, our supernatural end of union and identification with God whose image and likeness we are, and whose adopted children we also are. That’s why we should be eager to know the doctrine and excited to live it. When we study it, let’s realize where it comes from and where it is supposed to lead us. We are not simply dealing with theories and hypotheses. We are
dealing with the eternal Word of God, as old as eternity and and Traces as new also as eternity. By Fr. Roy Cimagala Given that character of the doctrine of our faith, we should realize then that it requires to be presented i n ever new ways wh i le remaining faithf ul in its substance. We should be wary of simply parroting doctrine until we make God’s word stale and dead as mud. This obviously means that we understand and assimilate the doctrine so well that we can talk about it freely and correctly, in the language and style that the people of today can understand and get moved. We need to learn how to proclaim the doctrine and God’s word to all kinds of people-young and old, rich and poor, intellectuals and manual workers, leaders and followers, etc. While it’s true that each one of us has his distinctive style and way of doing things, we should try our best to be open to all and quite versatile. We have to learn to be all things to all men. If the young want things done in rap or in R&B, for example, then let’s do it the way they want it. This is obviously possible only when we are truly with Christ, the Son of God who became man in order to reach us and to bring us back to God. There is no other way. Christ is the very source, pattern and end of any effort to adapt while remaining faithful. Let’s be clear about that. And so, we should realize that for any new evangelization to take off and f ly, it has to be done in a positive and constructive way always, even when we have to point out some negative things. It should also be set in friendly and dialogal tones, never in an imposing and bitter way. What is also needed is that this new evangelization should be a constant thing, not just a passing idea. It should be done all the time and everywhere-especially in the media and now in the new areopagus of cyberspace.
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Turnover of Electric Patrol Motorcycles at RTA Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez (right photo) turns over four electric patrol motorcyles to Atty. Edgardo “Egay” Uy, Cagayan de Oro Hapsay Dalan committee head, that will be used for implementing smooth traffic flow and in responding to vehicular accidents in the city. The 4 electric motorcycles cost P140,000 taken from the PDAF of Cong. Rodriguez. Witnessing the turn over ceremony are City Councilors Enrico Salcedo, of the second disrtric; Zaldy Ocon, of first district and Nonito Oclarit, City RTA Administrator.
Honorable Secretary Proceso J. Alcala of the Department of Agriculture handed the agricultural and fishery projects to the 15th Infantry battalion and the Local Government Units of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte that will provide assistance to the farmers and fisher folk in the municipality especially to the rebel returnees (RRs) in the province of Lanao del Norte. The agricultural assistance includes Mechanical Corn Sheller, Hand Tractor, rice Threshers, Multi-Purpose Drying Pavements, Robusta Coffee seedlings, OPV corn seeds, packets of goats, draft animals with implements amounting to more than Php 2 million. (Left Photo) Hon. Municipal Mayor Rommel C. Arnado receives the agri-projects from Secretary Alcala. Photo on the right shows the project recipients headed by the 15th Infantry Battalion and the leaders of the rebel returnees together with DA-10 Regional Director Lealyn A. Ramos (extreme left) Secretary Proceso Alcala (5th from left) Mayor Rommel C. Arnado (6th from left) and ATI Director Asterio P. Saliot (2nd from right)
Growth... from page 2
12, about P12 million have been earmarked for banana programs and projects. Citing the data from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS), Region 12 recorded a total production of 1, 155, 347.63 metric tons from its nearly 30,000 hectares planted to banana in 2012. Similar report stated that the region posted 38.57 MT per hectare making it the second largest banana producer in the Philippines. Aside from being the third largest producer of banana in the Philippines, Soccsksargen Region is Mindanao’s leading producer of lakatan bananas which are mostly sold to the domestic market, particularly in Cebu and Metro Manila. Meantime, DA 12 HVCDP Regional Coordinator Danilo M. Centillas said the DA is extending assistance to banana growers in the region through technology training, provision of post-harvest equipment and processing
facilities and market linkage s up p or t i nc lu d i n g t he prevention and control of pests and diseases. Moreover, Soccsksargen also produces substantial volumes of other banana varieties such as Cavendish a nd Cardaba which are exported to major foreign markets. The two-day congress, which will focus on major banana varieties notably la kata n, ca rdaba a nd Cavendish, will prov ide Mindanao banana growers and other industr y stakeholders updates on existing government and private sector initiatives to improve banana production and facilitate market access. The Banana Congress will also focus on the potentials of Soccsksargen Region as an emerging banana production area to supply local domestic and export markets. Mo d e r n pr o du c t i on technologies will also be tackled especially pest and d isease ma nagement i n banana farming. Effective
met hods to cont rol t he fusarium disease, which has become a major problem i n ma ny ba na na a re a s i n Mi nda nao, w i l l a lso be discussed during the congress. According to Mr. Roque, market linkages between banana growers and major buyers and processors need to be strengthened to support the industry’s long-term sust a i nabi l it y. E x ist i ng shipping services and logistic systems for banana growers and buyers also need to be upgraded to reduce postproduction losses and ensure fruit quality. (PIA)
Punish...
from page 2 This, the group said, wou ld deprive genu ine, legitimate and capable NGOs access to government funds. “Why penalize us when we were not the ones who created this mess in the f i r s t pl ac e ; w hen suc h practice goes against the ver y pri nciples which we s t a n d f o r ? R a t h e r,
s hou ld n’t t he n at ion a l government agencies be reviewing and amending their [NGO] or CSO [Civil S o c i e t y O r g a n i z a t i o n] accreditation process to ensure t hat appropriate control mechanisms are in place?” the group asked. A c c o r d i n g to PhilDHRRA, the existing guidelines being applied to NG Os have a l lowed c or r upt pr ac t ic e s such a s t hose com m it ted by J L N Fou nd at ion, wh i le concu r rent ly ma k i ng it d i f f ic u lt for leg it i mate ones to avail themselves of government funds. NGOs, the group said, should be given the opportunity to participate in the formulation of the procurement g uidelines and in making decisions concerning issues that affect NGOs. The group called on t he gove r n m e nt t o institutiona lize more appropr iate s y stem s of identifying projects to be funded by PDAF and to
come up with a mechanism for its proper allocation and/ or appropriation. The group suggests that a third party citizens-based monitoring system should also be instituted to ensure t hat t he government is, indeed, accountable to the people. Meanwhile, to show his sincerity, President Aquino should pursue a full and transparent investigation of the multibillion-peso PDAF scam, totally abolish PDAF and go after those behind the plunder of public money. “We should think about t he roads, classroom, draining and f lood-control systems, housing and other infrastructure which remain unconstructed; the livelihood projects which
remained unimplemented, agricultural lands which remained undistributed. Had these been implemented, we could have alleviated poverty and address the marginalization of many of our destitute citizens,” the group said. (BM)
Soar... from page 2
Surigao City posted 20 percent representing Mayor’s Permits, while Bislig City has 15 percent, followed by Cabadbaran City with eight percent, and five percent each for Bayugan and Tandag. Compared to the 2011 data, total business reg ist rat ions, includ ing issuance of Mayor Permits grew by two percent. (MB)
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A JULY -
TOYOTA DONATES P1M FOR RELIEF OPERATIONS IN LAGUNA. Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) contributed a total of One Million Pesos for the recent monsoon-related rehabilitation projects in Laguna – a donation of 500 Thousand Pesos was given to the City Government of Santa Rosa and the same amount for the Provincial Government of Laguna. The donation was made through TMP’s social and humanitarian arm Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation (TMPF). In photo are (from left): TMPF president David Go, TMP president Michinobu Sugata, and Santa Rosa City mayor Arlene Arcillas. 50 AU GU ST JUL Y -
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Filinvest Land Inc. – Zamboanga, FERNDALE International School and Jollibee partnered for a worthy get-up-and-go with their “Walk and Run for a Cause” last August 18 and 21 in Zamboanga City.
With the theme: “One Mind, One Heart, One Voice”, the August 18 affair was participated by High School k ids started with a 5AM walk and run from Jollibee Veterans Avenue with the final rendezvous at Villa San Ignacio – FILINVEST Clubhouse. SPED kids, Kindergarten and Grades 1, 2, 3 and 4 students with their parents joined the August 21 event. Dance competitions were held among students in preschool, intermediate and high school levels at the basketball court culminating with a basketball game between the high school varsity team and the parents. In between competitions, guests relaxed in the clubhouse with food, fun and games
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provided by Jollibee while brokers toured others around Villa San Ignacio. Students, parents and guests had a grand time under the hosting and guidance of masters of ceremonies Joe James M. Alob and Brave Angelo Cayanong, The walk-run for a cause was just one of many in a series of events hosted by Villa San Ignacio which puts it in the mainstream of Asia’s Latin City. Earlier last May, Villa San Ignacio participated in a job fair at WMSU in coordination with DOLE and the business sector. This was followed by a series of week-end open house events for the whole month of May where guests were invited to take a firsthand look and
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a year ago. Taxes raised from both “sin” products climbed 46 percent from P26.4 billion last year to P38.5 billion this year. But while tax collections improved, cigarette use -another policy objective of the law hiking sin taxes -- fell in the low double-digits, or way below the government’s forecast of halving tobacco consumption. “If we go back one year ago, other companies in the market said that the introduction of excise tax will reduce the consumption of cigarettes by 50 percent. Our company was a little more optimistic, we were thinking about 40 percent,” Koukourakis said. At the height of the policy debates over excise taxes, t he government cited a University of the Philippines study showing that higher rates would cut tobacco consumption by at least 51 percent. Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corp (PMFTC), which accounts for at least eight out of every 10 sticks of ciga ret te sold in t he Philippines, made the same forecast in raising concern about the potential job loss of an increase in taxes. “What happened is that we were all mistaken. The reality is that the total market consumption fell by around eight to 12 percent, or more or less 10 percent, and not by 50 percent,” Koukourakis said. He said the less sharp drop in cigarette use can be traced to the entry of cigarette brands that sold for P1 a stick or P17 a pack. “Before t he ‘si n’ ta x enactment, you had less than 10. Now you have more t ha n 30 products. That means that consumers have cheaper choices than they had before,” Koukourakis said. Despite the inf lu x of these cheaper brands, JTI expects to maintain its 3.2 percent share of the local market. “Our company decided consciously not to participate in this. JTI Philippines will have no brands at P1 per stick, or at below P20 per pack. We could never be in a position to do it,” Koukourakis said, adding that competing with cheaper brands would result in losses of P8-10 a pack for the company. “We a re doi ng ok ay, slight ly better t han our targets. Even with the sin tax, we expect that we will meet our targets,” he said. “The Philippine market is a lucrative market. One thing that is certain is our company is here to stay,” he added. Apart from Winston and Camel, JTI also manufactures and distributes the Mevius brand (formerly Mild Seven). J T I u s e d to out s ou rc e production of its cigarettes to Fortune Tobacco Corp.
corner, but the lateral roll is noticeable. The suspension and noise damping are Lexus-level superb — you just don’t feel what’s happening underneath the floor even if you run the wheels through nasty bumps on the road close to the EDSA-Buendia southbound area. At full throttle all you hear inside the cabin is a muffled roar. More go o d ne w s — the steering has feedback. While the XV40 steering disconnects you from the road despite its light feel, the XV50 has a meatier touch, willing to respond to steering wheel inputs. The brakes grab hard at the slightest tap of the pedal. Exterior lighting is bright due to a high intensit y discharge setup, and there are rear bumper-mounted parking sensors to aid in parallel parking or long back i ng. T he ug ly pa r t about the sensors? They get drowned out by an irritating reverse-gear activated chime. Oh, and one should slow down when taking the Camry over humps and dips — the front chin spoiler sits low and could easily get scraped over steep angles of approach and departure. Even at base model, the current Toyota Camry aims — and succeeds — in getting the owner behind the wheel instead of riding as a backseat driver.
from page 3
from page 3
Mushroom... from page 4
Oriental and Butuan. L i t a A b r i o , Ta t a Macarayo, Maricar Payla, Florisa Abejuela, and Grace Macaraya said that they have “not felt the economic growth” the government is claiming. T he s e mot her s s a id that they are waiting for the “trickle-down effect” of whatever economic gains the country is experiencing at present. “But if we just wait and do nothing, our own economic status will not improve,” Abrio told the Business Daily. T hus, t hese mot hers joined the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)-funded “Microbial/Organic Fertilizer and Mushroom Cultivation in Claveria, Misamis Oriental” project implemented by the Center for Overseas in Agriculture and International Development (COAID) in partnership with the Misamis Oriental State College of Agriculture and Technology (MOSCAT) and Department of Agriculture Region Field Unit 10 (DA-RFU10) in the hope of arresting their own poverty. These mothers admitted that even if they have no space, they will still grow mushroom. “Mush room g row i ng requires little space and time and farmers can make use of their rice straws after harvesting rice. Mushrooms
can be grown the whole year round,” Payla said. These women have already formed themselves into an organization and are hoping to be the first rural women’s organization in Misamis Oriental to pioneer mushroom cultivation as livelihood. “Mushroom cultivation ha s been proven a s a n effective means for poverty alleviation in developing countries due to its possibility of low cost production, high profit and quick return,” stressed Professor Hyun You Chang of the Korea National College of Agriculture and Fisheries (KNCAF), project team leader of the Mushroom Cultivation project. Cha ng sa id told t he Business Daily that unlike ot her high-va lue crops, mushroom is easy and quick to grow. Mr. Edilberto Nobleza Bayot affirmed the Korean’s claim. “Yes, mushrooms can really fight poverty and we are so lucky here in Mindanao because of the abundance of agricultural waste available that can be used as substrate of planting material for mushroom production,” Bayot told t he Business Daily. Bayot is the founder, president and chairman of the Uswag Mushroom Producers Cooperative in Butuan City. Agriculture Secretary Proseso Alcala believes in the potentials of mushroom in alleviating poverty as well as fight malnutrition that he ordered the department in 2012 to conduct a mushroom roadmap in the Philippines. Last August 22, the DA again conducted a High Value Crop Roadmapping for Caraga and Northern Mindanao. And according to Bayot, who was present in both instances, the DA has included in its department budget for 2014 a budget for the mushroom industry. I n 2 011, t h e l o c a l government unit of Butuan City entered into a joint venture with the Department of Labor and Employment (D oL E) for mu s h ro om grow ing as a livelihood project for city residents. The project was in line w it h D oL E I nt e g r at e d Livelihood Program (DILP) pursuant to Department Order No. 36-02 Series of 2002 which mandated the agency to help workers and the private enterprises adjust to the growing competitive environment.” “Mushroom growing is ‘swak’ to rural Pinoy’s taste, especially women who have nothing to do 24/7,” Bayot said. One of Bayot’s “convert,” Fr. Joel Lusat, parish priest of the Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Claveria, Misamis Oriental, said that mushroom grow ing is a ver y good economic a lternative to logging. Lusat, head of the Enterprise Ministry of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, started growing mushroom after learning the “low-cost technology”
of growing the edible fungi from Bayot when he was still parish priest of the Santa Rita Parish in Gingoog City. “We want to show farmers that we can help protect the environment, put nutritious food on the table and make money all at the same time by only using environmentallyfriendly technologies,” he told the Business Daily in an earlier interview. Lusat said rural poor who were into small-time logging activities in Gingoog and Claveria can greatly benefit from growing mushroom using Bayot’s technology. President Aquino had issued E xec ut ive Order 23 on February 3, 2011 instituting a logging moratorium on national and residual forests to protect and stop t he destruction of watersheds and river systems. St ud ies showed t hat r ura l pover t y is one of the contributing factors to logging activities in the hinterlands. Although the Philippines is an agricultural country, agriculture by its very nature is a “gamble”— there is no certainty of a win. (To be Concluded)
Tuna... from page 4
handline fishing law to help develop the handline fishing industry. Lu said the IRR has become more important now that the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission has granted access to Philippine fishing vessels at Pocket 1 of the Pacific Ocean under a Special Management Arrangement. In line with this, the tuna players will call on President Aquino to create a Philippine Committee for Advancement of Highly Migratory Fisheries to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of highly migratory fish stocks. Delegates will also press for the rationalization of the Customs and Tariff Code and the amendment of the Cabotage law to reduce freight costs, and improve efficiency of passenger and cargo services. Lu said the group will call on the government to fast-track its application for the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP) of the European Union to make
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it easier for the country to export its products to EU member-countries. With the theme “Celebrating 15 Years of Advocacy, Partnership and Collaboration,” the annual conference is expected to be attended by delegates and resource persons from Palau, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Solomon Islands, Japan, the United States, Italy and Taiwan. Government officials, led by Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, and Bureau of Fi s he r ie s a nd Aqu at ic Resources Director Atty. Asis Perez, South Cotabato Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr. and Gen. Santos City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, are expected to grace the event. The two-day conference is part of the annual Tuna Festival which celebrates the 45th Cityhood Day of General Santos, which used to be known as Dadiangas. (BM)
Bamboo... from page 4
III issued on February 1, 2011 Executive Order 23, declaring a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forests in the entire country and creates the antiillegal logging task force. Tinsay said that 30 percent of t he wood i ndu st r y ’s requirements in the country are sourced locally. “Bamboo should be the substitute,” he added. Tinsay said there are local panel board producers that are capable of manufacturing export grade products. The bamboo sticks had to go through a process of carbon application as a requisite before selling, with Tinsay saying that they are willing to train those who want to be suppliers of bamboo sticks. He also cited that the Shared Service Facility (SSF) project of the Department of Tr ade a nd I ndu st r y (DTI) can provide support to qualified groups that are willing to avail of a bamboo cutting machine for their livelihood. SSF is a DTI project aimed at enhancing the productivity of industries operating for at least three years already, E r m e d io A b a n g , D T IBukidnon director, said. SSF can provide facilities to g roups “ but not for ownership,” he said, adding that the business chamber can apply on their behalf if t hey want to avail of assistance under the project. Tinsay said a group of ba mboo st ick suppl iers from the barangays may opt to avail of the cutting machine via the SSF or they can ask the help of the local government to finance the assembly of the machine, which costs around P30,000. (MindaNews)
CAGAYAN DE ORO MAIN BRANCH P & J Lim Bldg., Tiano Brothers Kalambagohan Sts., Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * Telefax # (088) 856-1947 CAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491 CORRALES BRANCH Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631 LAPASAN BRANCH Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739 CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011
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Acrid... from page 4
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During the process, grated taro and black rice are cooked together then inoculated with ragi tape from Indonesia. The fermentation process yielded an average of 450 ml wine per kilo of taro-rice mixture. Of more significance, Tan said, is the promotion of red w ine as a hea lt h drink that fits very well with the increasing health consciousness of Filipinos and consumers all around the world. In the case of red wine made from purple taro and black rice, the health drink image can be the foremost selling point, according to Tan. Besides, it is the only red wine in the market that utilizes taro as a major i n g re d ie nt , he nc e , t he advantage. Based on nutritiona l ana lysis, t he w ine from taro and black rice contains antioxidants and phy t onut r ie nt s m a i n l y polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanin. It also has high glycemic index (100 GI) and high calorie content (114 kcal) and was positive for the presence of monosaccharides such as glucose, fructose, g lycera ldehyde, lactose, a rabi nose, ma ltose a nd mannose. The study also showed that the production of red wine is a highly promising technological innovation as an enterprise. As shown by consumer tests according to gender, age, social drinkers and experts, taro red wine with 6-7% and 10% alcohol are acceptable. This finding suggests that taro red wine can be marketed with at least two different alcohol content (6-7% as sweet wine, and 10% as high-alcohol wine), and promoted separately using different bottles and image-use.Both are health drinks for men and women. In terms of feasibility, cost and return analysis based on laboratory data and initial consumer test show a payback period of 2.7 years and internal rate of return (IRR) at 17.46 percent. Given t he promising re su lt s gener ated f rom laboratory scale production, Tan said that there is a big room for improvement, especially in the efficiency of the supply chain. Upscaling of production, for instance, will increase IRR of the enterprise as affected by the increasing availability of raw materials and lesser cost of inputs, especially packaging materials and labels. (MB)
Lures... from page 4
Boloron said the additional premium rice plantations in North Cotabato are being developed by the M’lang-based Don Bosco Multi-Purpose Cooperative (DBMPC) and assisted by DA-12. The cooperative is also supporting the production of
organic rice in 500 hectares scattered in the towns of Tulunan and M’lang in North Cotabato and in Surallah and Sto. Niño in South Cotabato. Since May, Region 12 has already shipped a total of 52.8 metric tons (MT) of premium rice to various markets abroad through DA’s rice export program. The region’s total rice shipments comprise nearly half of the country’s premium rice exports since May that reached 106.55 metric tons (MT). L ast Ju ly 22 , t he Koronadal City-based Firmus Farm Services Providers’ Cooperative contributed 32 MT to the 45 MT of premium rice exported by the country to Singapore. The shipment from the region comprised 15 MT of long grain rice produced by the group in South Cotabato’s upper valley area and 17 MT of Dinorado or aromatic rice from a farmers’ cooperative based in Ba nisi la n a nd Ara kan towns in Nor th Cotabato. On May 15 and June 16, DBMPC shipped P5.8 MT of black, brown and red rice to Hong Kong. The cooperative a lso exported 15 tons of organic black rice to Dubai, United Arab Emirates on May 6. Amalia Jayag-Datukan, DA-12 regional executive director, said the agency is currently targeting to export an additional 97 MT of premium rice before the end of the year to Russia, Italy, Middle East and the United States. (MindaNews)
PHL... from page 5
and community participation (LISCOP), which is still act ive; diversif ied farm income market closed in 2 0 0 9 ; s e c ond wome n’s health and safe motherhood project closed in June 2013; Manila third sewage project closed in 2012; Disaster Risk Management project whose status is closed before the 2014 closing date; and Aurora-Penaranda irrigation project closed in 1981. The loans to be paid on September 1 are only for three projects. These are the land administration and management project closed in 2004; the fifth power project which was closed in 1982; and second education projects closed in 1988. The IBRD aims to reduce poverty in middle-income countries and creditworthy poorer countries by promot i n g s u s t a i n a ble development through loans, guarantees, risk management products, and analytical and advisory services. It was established in 1944 as the original institution of the World Bank Group, IBRD is structured like a cooperative that is owned and operated for the benefit of its 188 member countries. The IDA is the World Bank’s arm that helps the world ’s poorest. It was established in 1960 and aims to reduce poverty by
prov id i ng loa ns (ca l led “credits”) and grants for progra ms t hat boost economic growth, reduce inequalities, and improve people’s living conditions. IDA lends money on concessional terms. This means that IDA charges little or no interest and repayments are stretched over 25 to 40 years, including a 5- to 10year grace period. IDA also provides grants to countries at risk of debt distress. (BM)
BSP...
from page 5 sources of dollar liquidity before turning to the BSP.” T he cent r a l ba n k is projecting the total export receipts to decline to $51.4 bi l lion t his year but to increase to $58.6 billion in 2014. Import growth is forecast at $69.5 billion for 2013 and $79.2 billion next year. Exports will increase by 11 percent this year and 14 percent in 2014. Imports are projected to grow by 13 percent this year and 14 percent in 2014. The import bill will be higher due to the increased requirements of the expanding economy which is projected to hit the seven-percent level in the near term. The Monetary Board has already revised its pesodenominated rediscounting facility under Circular No. 806 to likewise encourage local banks to access liquidity requirement from the market instead of from the central bank. BSP Deputy Governor Diwa C. Guinigundo said last week that the BSP will continue to provide funds to banks “but at market terms.” (MB)
Rules...
from page 5 financial syndicates go to locations where they are likelier to succeed. Based on studies, they used to target other countries; now those countries have already upgraded to chip [replacing magnetic stripes in ATM cards] so they are looking for weaker targets, so we have to upgrade the whole standard so we don’t become that weaker target,” he said. The BSP deputy governor also said that while the BSP allowed a window period of until 2017 to change ATM machines, they expect banks to comply sooner than the
deadline. He also said the United States is, like the Philippines, going to shift from magnetic stripe in ATM cards to chip-based information storage. As to who would shoulder the cost of changing the banks’ ATM technolog y, Espenilla said it would be a business decision on the part of the banks to own the expense or pass it on to their clients. The BSP has no data yet on the number of ATM cardholders in the country. On credit cards, however, the central bank is formulating a new reporting system to further monitor credit-card activities in the country. “We are launching in the next few months a new reporting system that is called a ‘credit-card business activity report.’ So all banks credit-card providers will be required to complete this and one of the pieces of information are the number of cards,” Espenilla said. A s of now, t he BSP requires all banks to take operational measures to protect their clients from the risk of fraud, especially involving IT bank operations. “Although we allow an interval of time to for them to comply with the EMV and triple DES [data encryption standard], that does not mean they don’t have to take measures now. They are required today, immediately, to take operational control measures. Examples? That is why today, it’s hard to use the ATM; you still have to put your hand in a hole-like structure [to enter your pin and other information]. Those are forms of operational controls,” Espenilla said. “It’s a bit crude. But once we shift to EMV, you won’t have to do that anymore because the data encryption of EMV is what they call dynamic. At each transaction the codes change. Magnetic stripes are static, so once they capture the information of the magnetic stripe—that is what they clone. That’s it. You won’t capture information like that on EMV chip,” he added. The BSP’s new regulation requires banks to adopt triple DES by 2015 and shift from the magnetictripe technology in ATM cards to more secure EMV chip-enabled cards by 2017. (BM)
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Flood... from page 1
Maguindanao, Daisy AvanceFuentes of South Cotabato, and Suharto T. Mangudadatu of Sultan Kudarat -- met two weeks ago when the Public Works chief made the commitment. Mr. Singson added that the projects “are not merely band-aid solutions to the perennial flooding” in the river basin. MinDA said the projects, which were recommended t o t h e P u b l i c Wo r k s department, would include the dredging and widening of a 7.7-km cutoff channel for f loodwaters from the Ambal-Simuay River to be diverted directly to Illana Bay without passing through the Rio Grande de Mindanao, to protect the populated areas of Cotabato City and the municipality of Sultan Kudarat in Maguindanao. “The dredging of Rio Grande de Mindanao and construction of [a] dike along the Tunggol cutoff channel in Pulangui River will also protect the Tunggol Bridge that connects the Davao-Cotabato national highway and the adjacent communities,” Ms. Antonino said. Also to be constructed, she added, was a riverbank protection system for the Allah River so that flooding i n L a m b ayon g , Su lt a n Kuda rat, might a lso be prevented. MinDA has also pushed “non-structural solution projects” to stop the floods in the area. In 2011, Mr. Aquino issued E xecut ive Order 50, mandating MinDA to formulate programs and c o ord i n at e w it h ot he r agencies in the rehabilitation and eventual development of a program for the basin.
Defends... from page 1
kahibalo sa ilang gisulti kay wala man sila makakita kung gi-unsa sa usa ka congressman ang iyang pork barrel,” Rodriguez said. “Perhaps , t here is a Congressman who squandered his pork barrel regrettably. However, the fault of one Congressman is not the fault of all Congressmen,” Rodriguez said. “Kining pork barrel mao kini ang equalizing force bisag layo ta sa Manila, like taga Mindanao, makakuha ug P70 million, dakong tabang kini alang sa mga projects sa atong distrito,” Rodriguez added. Rodriguez said that he used his PDAF not only to help marginalized people but also from small construction of schools’ pathways to bigger infrastructure projects. “Dili nato malikayan na naay mo-critizise niana, pero ang sa ato tinooray na pagserbisyo man,” Rodriguez said. To prove h i s p oi nt , Rodriguez enumerated the various important projects that his office have initiated
under Cagayan de Oro City’s 2nd district. “We have conc re ted almost all of the barangay roads under the 2nd district. Apart from the continuous infrastructure projects, the Congressional office of the 2nd district in Cagayan de Oro City also extends daily medical assistance to patients at the government-owned Northern Mindanao Medical Center here,” he said. He said that his office extends P500 to P1,000 daily cash assistance to indigent constituents for their medical needs. Rodriguez also said that his Congressional district has sent 3,000 scholars to various state and private run colleges and universities here and abroad. “What would happen to t hem if t he PDAF is abolished,” he asked. Rodriguez expressed the apprehension that if the PDAF is abolished, the development plans for Mindanao would be in chaos. He said that the abolition of the PDAF would be unfair for the people of Mindanao i n ter ms of sha r i ng of development a ssista nce coming from the national government. “It’s not the right time to abruptly abolish the PDAF,” he added. (PNA)
Favors... from page 1
pork barrel. Romarate’s statement came amid mounting calls for t he abolition of t he controversial fund, which has undergone close public scrutiny after reports that at least P10 billion of it allegedly went to ghost projects over a period of 10 years. He sa id gover n ment agencies are capable enough of handling development projects, adding the job of lawmakers is only to make laws. Roma rate voiced his opinion on the PDAF over RPN-DXKS, in a program anchored by Jun Clerigo. T h e l aw m a k e r s a i d t hat si nc e b e c om i ng a congressman in 2007, he had diverted his PDAF allocation for “soft” projects to “hard” projects. “Sof t” refers to noninfrastructure and small inf rast r uc ture projec ts, while “ hard ” means big infrastructure projects. Romarate said allocations for soft projects may be diverted to hard projects, but doing the opposite is prohibited and can be a basis for a malversation case. Based on the Commission on Audit report for 20072009, Romarate got a total of 95 million from his PDAF and was categorized under Va r iou s I n f r a s t r uc t u re including Local Projects. The report did not name him as among the lawmakers who allegedly gave their PDAF to dubious NGOs. He promised to show this week all the documents pertaining to the use of his PDAF since 2007.
H e s a i d t h e P DA F wou ld somet i mes bring him headaches because if he would give an allocation for one area, the others would demand for projects too and would feel bad if he could not accommodate such demand. He added it is better to abolish the pork barrel because it is a source of graft among lawmakers. Based on the COA report, Surigao del Norte 1st Dist. Rep. Francisco T. Matugas and former Surigao del Norte 2nd Dist. Rep. Robert Ace S. Barbers (2nd District) downloaded close to P45 million from their PDAF to dubious NGOs. The Coalition of Surigaonon Against Pork Barrel, the group that led yesterday’s protest in the city against the PDAF said the fund has been a source of corruption. I n a s t at e me nt , t he group said the pork barrel has engendered patronage politics, as the lawmakers wou ld pr ior it i z e t h e i r supporters in the allocation of projects.
Tax...
from page 5
she said. Reyes said the new IPP would be like the IPPs in the ‘70s which identifies specific sectors. But Reyes hinted that the new IPP would be leaning in favor of specific sectors that have strong labor generation capability. Processing or economic activities with high-value addition normally create more employment opportunities. At present the BOI is using four parameters in eva luating a project for incentive purposes. These are net value added, labor generation, forward and upwa rd lin kages a nd measured capacity. Measured capacit y is derived from the supply and demand situation. If a demand in a particular sector has been filled up already, new entrants in such activity will no longer be entitled to government incentives. “We want projects with some value adding and this involves not just simple processing but processes that is linked to labor generation. If an activity involves only simple process, it does not need a lot of labor,” Reyes said. Reyes further said that by specific sectors, these can be activities in the midstream and downstream operation of a particular industry. “We have to identify the gap in the value chain but not necessarily micro,” she said. For instance, the copper industr y has a lready identified wire rods as a specific sector that is labor intensive and is critical to fill in the gap in the electronics industry. In addition, each sector w i l l st i l l have speci f ic guidelines to ensure that only the deserving economic activities are granted the incentives.
Under Executive Order 226, the BOI grants qualified investments with a maximum of eight years in income tax holiday and zero percent duty on imported capital equipment. (MB)
Hurst... from page 6
change us on the inside. Jesus came to finally take the dishonest thief out of us, so to speak. So why not ask Jesus to forgive you for your wrong heart and way of living right now? Ask Him to start changing you inside into a new person. It’s only with His character and nature in charge of your heart, that you can finally enjoy the freedom of living above the law for the rest of your life. Just Think a Minute…
FERNDALE... from page 8
feel of Villa San Ignacio. Re g u l a r op en hou s e activities were conducted in June in coordination with Ateneo de Zamboanga Universit y Hig h School campus next door headed by Principal Conrado “Shing” Balatbat. Another big event was t he McDona ld 's K idd ie Crew graduation and fun day, a fun-filled day with games and dances at the VSI Clubhouse with lunch prov ided by McDona lds followed by field trips to the Coca Cola Bottling Plant, Pasonanca Butterf ly Farm and the Edwin Andrews Airbase in Sta. Maria. Not the least, the Villa San Ignacio hosted a family f u n day last Ju ly 17 for its sa les tea m a nd t heir families. Villa San Ignacio is the f irst project of Filinvest Land Inc. in Zamboanga City. Its 13.2 hectares can accommodate a community of some 4 0 0 residences w it h a breat hta k ing v iew of t he fa mous Mt. Pu lu mbato, Za mboa nga City’s trademark landmark. Besides world class infrastructure of 12 meter main and 10 meter secondar y roads, it a lso boasts of beautiful amenities like a clubhouse, adult and k iddies swimming pool, gazebo, trellis area, jogging path trails, tai chi practice area and basketball court. It is also fully equipped w it h electricit y from Z A MCELCO, potable water from ZCWD, a nd a back-up deep well with filtration system capable of produci ng up to 10 0 gallons per minute. FLI is now offering new house models t hat of fer better value-for-money for the Zamboangueños with down payments as low as P7,800 per month. These are Amber units (2-BR duplex), Molave (2-BR bungalow) and Opal (3-BR duplex). For further inquiries please call (062) 990-1575 or 09175846133 or visit our website at www.filinvest.com.ph.
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w h i l e n onp e r fo r m i n g loans ratio dropped to 2%. The bank closed the f irst 6 mont hs of 2013 with equity of P3.4 billion. Total resources reached P 22.4 billion, up 40% from P16 billion recorded in the same period last year. ONB exhibited financial st reng t h w it h it s r i sk based capital adequacy r at io of 19% wh ich is above the 10% minimum requirement of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Over the years, ONB has positioned itself as the country’s widest and most modern r ura l ba n k ing network that has made
servicing unbanked and underbanked sectors as its prime concern. The bank expanded its reach with 5 new branches in Iloilo and in Guimaras as wel l as 1 bra nch i n Semirara in the province of Antique to cater to the financial needs of local residents and businesses in these areas with a small accounts-friendly range of deposits, loa ns a nd e-ba n k i ng ser v ices, to name a few. ONB has also recently inaugurated its new branch building in Isu la n in t he prov ince of Sultan Kudarat and is expanding its branches in Sa n Pedro Street in Davao City, Panabo and Ta g u m i n D a v a o d e l Norte and Midsayap in North Cotabato. As of end June 2013, ONB operates with 97 branches and 137 PeraAgad ATMs.
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