BusinessWeek Mindanao (December 9, 2013)

BusinessWeek MINDANAO

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Volume IV, No. 29

Market Indicators

As of 6:01 pm Dec. 5, 2013 (Thursday)

FOREX

PHISIX

US$1 = P43.84

6,030.95 points

3 cents

X

X Briefly 74.28 points

Flight discounts DAVAO City -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) is ready to grant discount of up to 50 percent of the landing, takeoff and regulatory fees for airlines flying from Davao to the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asean Growth Area). “The development of secondary hubs for international flights is one of the strategies we are looking at under the National Tourism Development Plan in order to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the reduced fees is one way to attract the airlines,” DOT Assistant Secretary Arturo P. Boncato, Jr. said. Low-cost carrier Tiger Air Philippines is looking at Davao City as a secondary hub for its international flights in its bid to stay away from the congested Manila airport. At present, Tiger Air makes use of the NAIA Terminal 4 and Clark International Airport as hubs for international flights. The airline relaunched its daily Manila-Davao-Manila flight on December 2 and is set to launch a thrice-a-week ClarkDavao Clark flight on December 17, 2013.

Hedcor scholars DAVAO City -- True to its pledge of support to its host community, the Aboitiz Power companies - Hedcor, Inc., Hedcor Sibulan, Inc. and Luzon Hydro Corporation (LHC) - continue to nurture the dream of the youth by transforming it into reality through its collegiate scholarship program. This second semester, 22 young minds coming from the different host communities in Benguet, Ilocos Sur and Davao are on track in pursuing their college degrees. Hedcor, Inc. is sponsoring five scholars from the different host municipalities of the province of Benguet and three in Davao City. LHC, operating in Alilem, Ilocos Sur has eight scholars coming from Ilocos Sur and Benguet. On the other hand, Hedcor Sibulan, Inc. operating the 42MW Sibulan A and B hydros sponsor six students from Davao del Sur.

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DOE readies guideline for backyard RE plant

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HE Department of Energy (DOE) will release a guidebook on how consumers can avail of solar and other renewable energy installations.

In a st ate me nt , t he DOE said it will launch a book titled “Net Metering Reference Guide: How to avail of solar rooftops and other renewables below 100

kilowatts in the Philippines” on December 10 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Makati City. The book will serve as the standard net metering guide

for consumers who intend to use renewable energy technologies to power up their homes or buildings. “The guidebook serves as the Renewable Energy Act’s provision for net metering, wherein power consumers are encouraged to build their own [renewable energy] system, such as a solar photovoltaic system in their roofs. The

net metering reference guide completes the requirements of the renewable energy policy mechanisms,” the DOE said. Net metering is a billing program whereby electricity produced by home-based renewable energy equipment is used to offset the cost of power sourced from the grid. The DOE and the National

Renewable Energy Board will also promote the net metering guide through a series of information, education, and communication campaigns across the country. At present, the country h a s a t ot a l re n e w a b l e energy installation of 5,521 megawatts in capacity, which the DOE aims to double by 2030.

SPECIAL FEATURE

Survivors helping Survivors through PagBAG-o project By XYLA MERCEDITA E. GUALBERTO Contributor

GOLD MINE. Residents in Barangay Kingking, Pantukan town, Compostela Valley Province look for gold in the Kingking River. People in this village get an average of 2 milligrams of gold daily, valued at around P200. The river carries gold deposits from the small-scale mining communities of Panganason, and Napnapan, site of the recent landslide which killed twenty eight people. mindanews photo by ruby thursday more

Battered banana industry drags down Davao Norte’s tax revenues DAVAO City -- The Revenue District Office No. 112 based in Tagum City, Davao del Norte will certainly not attain its tax collection goal of P1.92 billion by the end of Dec. 2013 as it only collected P1.68

billion only as of this time. Revenue District Officer Nelia Demalata said that the target balance of P227 million is very difficult to collect with few more days left before the year ends.

Demalata attributed the biggest shortfall in the tax collection from the banana industry, which had already a goal-to-collection deficit of P233 million until Sept.13. banana/PAGE 11

WHAT’S in a bag? –chances. PagBAG-o Project gives everyone a chance to change the lives of the Sendong survivors in Xavier Ecoville. It is a livelihood initiative of the Xavier Ecoville Multipurpose Cooperative (XEMPCO) launched on November 30. The project is a creative collaboration between the unemployed hous e wives of Xavier Ecoville who produce bags and the Xavier University students and alumni who make the design and lead the marketing efforts. Bag when it all started X E M P C O’s s e w i ng cluster underwent skillsenhancement trainings funded by Give2Asia on June where they were taught pattern-making, cutting

and sewing. After initially producing a hundred bags, their outputs were assessed. A follow-up training was then conducted to ensure quality workmanship of their products. Trainer Genadith Lloren Borres, a marketing alumna from Xavier University (XU) who sold bags for their feasibility study during project/PAGE 11

Zambo port expansion project 70% complete ZAMBOANGA City -- The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is opt imist ic to complete by May next year the P200 million expansion project at the local port here. Por t manage r E ng r.

Liberto Dela Rosa made this announcement, saying that works on the expansion project “is now 70 percent finished.” D e l a R o s a s ai d t h e expansion project includes

the construction of additional 170 linear meters berthing place on top of the existing facility. “Sa expansion, 70 percent accomplished na and the expansion/PAGE 11

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PH, South Korea top up dev’t cooperation fund MANILA -- The Philippines has renewed development cooperation with South Korea, expanding financing assistance for priority sectors in the country, the National

Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said. NEDA Deputy DirectorGeneral Rolando G. Tungpalan said the government of South fund/PAGE 9

Economy

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Quake, Yolanda cause P6B damage in Cebu, Bohol - Neda 7 CEBU CITY -- The 7.2 magnitude earthquake and super typhoon Yolanda caused some P6 billion in damage to infrastructure, agricultural products and livestock in Cebu and Bohol, a National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) 7 official said.

The earthquake struck on Oct. 15, while the typhoon battered central Philippines on Nov. 8. NEDA-7 regional director Efren Carreon said the estimated damage, which

Petilla urges efficient use of energy MANILA -- Energy supply in 2015 will be tight but Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla said this can be offset partly by using electricity efficiently.

Petilla, during the 2013 Don Emilio Abello Energy Efficiency Awards ceremony at the Meralco Office in Ortigas, Pasig City Friday, noted that as the domestic

economy continues to grow so is the demand for power supply. “In 2015, there will be tight supply but it can still be energy/PAGE 9

Photo shows from left: Vineet Gopal, Joint Secrertary; Riaz Munchi, Vice President; Guldeep Singh Sahni, President Outbount Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI); and Mr. Glen Agustin, Chief Toursm Operation Officer Market Development Group of the Department of Tourism (DOT), during the OTOAI first convention here held Tuesday (Dec. 3) at the Solaire Resort and Casino, Paranaque City. (PNA photo by Marvie A. Lloren)

is between P5 billion to P6 billion, could be much higher once the actual rehabilitation and reconstruction starts. Carreon said the estimate w a s b a s e d on t h e o l d damage/PAGE 9

50% discount on regulatory fees for BIMP-EAGA flights: DOT DAVAO C I T Y - - T h e Department of Tourism (DOT) is ready to grant discount of up to 50 percent of the landing, takeoff and regulatory fees for airlines flying from Davao to the B I M P- E A G A ( B r u n e i , Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-E ast As ean Growth Area). “ The development of s e c ond ar y hub s for international flights is one of the strategies we are looking at under the National Tourism Development Plan in order to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the reduced fees is one way to attract the airlines,” DOT Assistant Secretary Arturo P. Boncato, Jr. said. Low-cost carrier Tiger Air Philippines is looking at fees/PAGE 9

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Ford launches new global Mustang to buoy brand NEARLY 50 years after launching its affordable sports car, Ford Motor Co is unveiling a global redesign of the Mustang to try to burnish the US automaker’s image and spur sales of its more expensive models. Top Ford executives, including Chief Executive

Alan Mulally, will fan out across six cities to take the wraps off the 2015 Mustang on Thursday. The car will be shown in Dearborn, Michigan, Shanghai, Sydney, Barcelona, New York and Los Angeles. This will be the first Mustang sold in Europe and

Eastern Petroleum to spend P250M for VizMin expansion

EASTERN Petroleum Corp will put up several liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) refilling plants in the Visayas and Mindanao next year for the expansion of its cooking gas business. Fernando L. Martinez, Eastern Petroleum chairman, said the company will spend P250 million to put up LPG refilling facilities outside Luzon to support the company’s EC Gas line. “We are eyeing (plants) in Cebu, General Santos [and] in Davao,” he said. Easter Petroleum has already acquired the land in the said areas where it will put up LPG refilling plants. Construction of the facilities will commence in the first quarter next year and is expected to be completed six months thereafter. Once completed, Martinez said the company would be able to expand the company’s EC Gas tank distribution network in the Visayas and Mindanao. The EC Gas tank, available only in Luzon, is a plastic composite gas tank made by Ragasco AS of Norway and distributed exclusively by Eastern Petroleum in the country. The explosion-proof cooking gas cylinder weighs far less than steel tanks and has a transparent portion where consumers can see its content. spend/PAGE 10

Asia. The second-largest U S autom a ke r e x p e c t s most sales to come from North America, but the car’s mystique should prompt new consumers to visit Ford showrooms in other markets. A new influx of buyers could help Ford increase sales of its other high-

performance models, such as the Focus ST, boosting profit margins and the Ford brand image, analysts said. ‘’We kept seeing them show up even though we don’t sell them in China, Australia and other places,’’ Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s head of North and South America,

said of the Mustang on the sidelines of the Los Angeles Auto Show last month. ‘’People (are) figuring out a way to get it into the country, even though it’s not sold there, which tells you something,’’ added Hinrichs, who previously led Ford’s operations in

Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The Must ang was redesigned to appeal to a global audience, in keeping with Mulally’s effort to cut costs by building models that can be sold around the world with a few tweaks. Ford/PAGE 10

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AgriBusiness

DA backs PHL hosting of biggest Asean food show THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is backing the duration of the four-day Manila on Roxas Boulevard the staging of what promises to be Southeast affair. Holding it in the from June 11 to 14, 2014, in Philippines offers a chance conjunction with the Manila Asia’s largest food exhibition in June 2014. “SIAL or Salon International de l’Agroalimentaire is coming to Asia next year via SIAL Asean [Associations of Southeast Asian Nations] and the DA is proud to support and take part in it,” said Officer in Charge-Assistant Secretary for Marketing and concurrent Agriculture Agribusiness Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) Director Leandro Gazmin. H e made the announcement on Friday’s Stakeholders’ Appreciation

Night organized by AMAS to honor key collaborative partners from the country’s agribusiness sector at the Philippine Army Officers’ Club in McKinley Hill in Taguig City. Assistance from the DA will be in form of sponsorship, Gazmin said. Filipino farmers and fishers—who provide the raw materials for the exporters and processors—stand to benefit from the trade and networking activities that will take place throughout

for more local participation among local exporters, processors and other agribusiness players, who could take the opportunity to showcase a wider array of their best products and services—all at lesser costs. SIAL Asean expects 800 exhibitors—half of whom are international—and 15,000 visitors, the official web site reports. Focused on the theme “Best-Kept Secret for Food Business in Asia,” the SIAL Asean will be held at the World Trade Center Metro

Food and Beverage Expo (Mafbex) of Mafbex Events Management, which will be conducted in a separate venue inside the WTC complex. The event coincides with SIAL’s 50th anniversary. Established in 1964 in Paris, SIAL is responsible for the organization of other trade events such as SIAL China, SIAL Middle East, SIAL Brazil and SIAL Canada. The Philippine hosting of SIAL Asean was sealed through a memorandum of understanding between hosting/PAGE 10

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Davao del Norte holds 1st corn congress TAGUM City -- The provincial government recently held its first Corn Congress as a way of boosting the sector and recognizing the grain as the country’s second most important crop. Corn farmers from all the local government units of the province converged at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan to emphasize the importance of the crop, on which some 14 million Filipinos depend. Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario assured the farmers that they would get the full support of the province, which aims to increase agricultural production to attain food security. “We aim to increase production of quality corn for human consumption,

PhilMech poised to achieve 2013 target THE Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) said Friday that it is on its way to achieve its 2013 targets set for the distribution of major rice machiner ies under t he Department of Agriculture’s Rice Mechanization Program. Ph i l Me ch E xe c ut ive Director Rex L. Bingabing

said that results for the first ten months in 2013 showed that the agency is likely to achieve the targets for the coordination in the distribution of rice machines for the whole year. “While I do not expect a 100-percent achievement for a certain number of machines we set for distribution this year, the number of rice

machines that PhilMech coordinated for distribution in this year will greatly help the Philippines modernize its rice sector, and achieve rice self-sufficiency eventually,” Bingabing said. From Januar y to October this year, PhilMech coordinated the distribution of 602 hand tractors out of its 920 target.

While the 2013 target may not be achieved, the number of hand tractors to be distributed this year will likely surpass the 634 distributed last year. As of the end-October, 87 out of 127 four-wheel tractors have been distributed. In 2012, a total of 62 four-wheel tractors were distributed.

For rice transplanters, a total of 23 out of 36 have been distributed compared to the 22 distributed last year. Manually planting rice usually costs P8,000 per hectare for labor and would require several laborers to complete the task. With the use of a rice target/PAGE 10

as well as to empower the farmers and increase their income, thereby improving their quality of life,” he said. The governor added that the program of the province is anchored on the Agriculture Department’s Agri-Pinoy Corn Program. He urged the corn growers to seek more opportunities to expand their areas and to increase their income. “Sustain your passion for planting corn since your success will redound to the development of the province,” he said.

PH, Myanmar to cooperate more closely on food security THE Philippines and Myanmar will cooperate more closely in ensuring food security, with the signing of a memorandum of understanding on Thursday. Philippine and Myanmar officials signed the MOU at the Malacañan Palace, during the state visit in the Philippines of Myanmar President Thein Sein. Signing the MOU were Ph i l ippi ne Ag r i c u ltu re food/PAGE 10

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Banking&Finance

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PH’s gross international reserves went up to $.4B THE Philippines had $84 billion in gross international reserves as of the end of November, up by $400 billion from October due mainly to foreign exchange operations and income from investments of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The BSP said Friday that the increase in GIR is also attributed to “the foreign currency deposits by the Treasurer of the Philippines.” BSP Governor Amando Tetancgo Jr. said there are enough international reserves to cover a year’s worth of imports of goods and payments of services and income. “The GIR is also equivalent to nine times the country’s short-term external debt

based on original maturity and six times based on residual maturity,” he said. Short-term debt refers to debts that are due within a year or less. Debts with residual maturity refer to outstanding external debt plus principal payments on medium- and long-term loans of the public and private

sectors falling due within the next 12 months. Inflows were partially affected by the national gover nment paying of f foreign exchange debts and revaluation adjustments on the BSP’s gold holdings, though. BSP’s gold holdings fell to gross/PAGE 10

PH warming up to Asean common capital market THE Philippines has firmed up plans to join Asean’s bid for capital market integration, a move meant to establish brand recognition for the region as an asset class. In a st ate me nt , t he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it hosted a consultative meeting with various market participants on November 27 to discuss the Asean Disclosure Standards and Review Framework that will facilitate multi-jurisdiction

offering of equities and bonds The Philippines has yet to adopt the Asean Disclosure Standards and become a signatory to the memorandum of agreement. In April, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand announced the implementation of the scheme for cross-border offerings of investment securities. “We have to be optimistic that sooner or later, we cannot get away with the globalization of the capital

markets. It’s really there. It’s something we cannot get away from anymore,” SEC Chairperson Teresita Herbosa said. Representatives from the Philippine Stock Exchange, Philippine Dealing & E xc h ang e C or p, l i s t e d comp an i e s, i nve st me nt hous e s , l aw f i r ms and government agencies gave their inputs on the proposed features of the initiative and how they can be improved capital/PAGE 10

Gov’t tax effort continues improvement THE government’s efficiency in collection of taxes improved as the country’s economy grows improved in the first nine-months of the year due to the enactment of new excise tax law and better tax administration, a ranking finance official said on Friday. Finance Undersecretary

Gil S. Beltran, the fiscal authorities’ chief economist, said that higher excise tax on so-called “sin products” and stricter tax compliance monitoring pushed the government’s tax effort to exceed this year’s target. Data from the Department of Finance (DOF) showed that

the government’s tax effort stood at 13.65 percent in the first nine-months of the year, higher compared with 13.21 percent last year. The end-September tax effort, likewise, was above the government’s 2013 target of 13.5 percent. tax/PAGE 10

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Opinion

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Correcting Mistakes THINK

hink a minute…What do you usually do when you A Minute make a mistake? If you’re doing a By Jhan Tiafau Hurst math problem in school and your answer is wrong, what do you do? Don’t you just go back, find your mistake and fix it? Or when you realize you’re on the wrong road to the market, don’t you just turn around and take the right road? In fact, the person who turns around the soonest is the smartest, because he doesn’t waste anymore of his time and energy going the wrong way. There is nothing smart about being too proud and stubborn to admit we’ve made a mistake. Since God created life, He is the only One Who knows the right way through it. That’s why God the Son came to show us the right road. Jesus came to show us how to live the correct way that works, so we could be happy and successful. He showed us how to have healthy, happy relationships; how to teach and love our children; how to enjoy a satisfying marriage for a lifetime; and how to use our special abilities to reach our full potential in our job and career. Jesus shows us the honest, loving heart and character He created us all to have. He showed that if our heart is ruled by His strong and loving character, then we will genuinely love others and not use them or hurt them. It makes no sense to ask 2 plus 2 to equal 5. Just like it makes no sense to ask God to change the facts of right and wrong, only so you and I can live our own wrong way. Think: what if just this one time God let me do the wrong thing I want to do? Then how would I feel if God let someone else do that same wrong thing to me or my family? Jesus shows us His right ways for our own happiness, not to be strict and take all the fun out of life. Jesus came to forgive us and show us the successful, satisfying life He created us for. So if you’ve not been living for Jesus Christ, you can do the smart thing today: just admit that your way of living is wrong, and ask Jesus to take full charge of your life. It’s only when we start living our Maker’s way that we can start enjoying His good life—the way it’s made to work. Just Think a Minute …

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Removes SC Control Over Lawyers?

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IFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… maintain justice in the courts…” (Amos 5:5, the Holy Bible). -ooo WHAT ATTY. KAPUNAN SHOULD DO: Maybe, lawyer Lorna Patajo Kapunan (a colleague whom I worked with at the defunct Aksiyon Demokratiko Party to push the second presidential run of deceased Sen. Raul S. Roco in 2004), should include in her explanation before the Supreme Court disclosures about judicial corruption earlier aired by Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, and newspaper columnists Ramon Tulfo and Jarius Bondoc. Why? Well, so the Supreme Court, which has ordered her to explain her statements in a TV interview about corruption in the judiciary, will also have the opportunity to assess whether the disclosures made by Estrada (specifically, about his claims about “hoodlums in robes” when he was president), Tulfo and Bondoc are true, and would merit sanctions against erring members of the judiciary, if any. Kapunan should seize this opportunity to respond to calls by Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno herself for lawyers to come out in the open and expose the grafters and the corrupt in the judicial branch of government, instead of simply murmuring their complaints under bated breaths, and thereby trailblaze a cleansing process that would restore judges and justices to their noble role of maintaining justice in the courts.

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-oooakampi REMOVE SC CONTROL Mo A ng Batas OVER LAWYERS: In line with By Atty. Batas Mauricio this, here are earlier columns I wrote about corruption in the judiciary. On September 27, 2013, I said: “If we really want lawyers to `spill the beans’ on corrupt judges and justices, as Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno proposed during a gathering on 25 September 2013, the first step that should be done is to remove Supreme Court control over the legal profession, and allow lawyers to police themselves through an independent Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP). “For as long as any judge will have the opportunity of becoming a Supreme Court justice at some point in his or her judicial career, and the Supreme Court shall continue having the power of life and death, literally and figuratively, over any lawyer, talk about who is corrupt will remain `hushed-hushed’, `in bated breath’, and through `blind items’, for reprisals against whistle-blowing lawyers can come real fast and easy.” batas/PAGE 11

Checking on Corporate Leverage in the PHL

he Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) held its 21st Environmental Scanning Exercise (ESE) last Wednesday (December 3) to look into the impact of rising interest rates on corporate leverage in the Philippines and their implications on our banking system. The BSP periodically conducts ESEs with invited experts from the business community and the academe, whose well-considered views are taken into account in the formulation of monetary policy. The topic stemmed from concerns that the low interest rate and ample liquidity that our economy is currently enjoying might soon end, with the anticipated recovery of developed markets. As these developed economies continue to recover, investors are expected to pull out capital from emerging markets like the Philippines back to the rich economies, where it is traditionally deemed safer and more profitable to invest. The departure of foreign capital might lead to higher interest rates, which could pose a significant risk to local corporations that borrowed when interest rates were low. According to a BSP study, there is an increasing trend in debt accumulation by Philippine non-financial corporations (NFCs) since 2007. Most of the borrowings were done through bank loans and issuance of bonds. Until 2012, borrowings were mostly in local currency but in 2013 an

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SPEAKING

increased reliance on foreign currency loans was observed. O ut An IMF study ranked the By Ignacio Bunye Philippines No. 3 among six countries which experienced the largest increases in D/E ratios since 2007. The others are China, Turkey, Brazil, Thailand and Chile. Though debt levels remain below and far from that recorded post-Asian financial crisis and while NFCs show capability to pay their obligations, continued rise in borrowings could raise the vulnerability of NFCs to interest rate and/or exchange rate shocks. Let me share with the readers the views and insights of the invited resource persons during the Environmental Scanning Exercise. Shanaka Jayanath Peiris, Resident Representative of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the Philippines, said that while data suggests that debt levels of NFCs indeed increased, companies still have manageable debt levels and measures of the their ability to repay debt continue to be Bunye/PAGE 9

Beware of Spins

e will always have differences of views and opinions due to our differences of backgrounds, preferences, visions, etc. In a way, this is good, to be expected, and, in fact, also to be fostered. This variety can only enrich our life in many ways. Many of them come in some unexpected, even unwelcome manners. But the conflicts and clashes can shed some light of clarification, and can even release a certain energy to stir us to action and transformation. They somehow enlarge our world, freeing us from the grip of our own biases and improper attachments. They introduce us to new things or to some inconvenient truths that are good for us to realize. Yes, tension is unavoidable in this process, and depending on how we handle it, it can do us a lot of good or it can also harm us. Of course, the best way is always to pray, to bring matters first before God before we present them to others. Then it is good to have a firm hold of our emotions, our thoughts and words, and to constantly hone our communication skills even to the point of polishing the art of eloquence and elegance. By all means, let’s avoid gutter language and rude manners. This training is, of course, an ongoing and lifelong process. We can never say we are good enough in this department. Especially these days when events and developments with their issues come to us very rapidly, aided also by our very advanced communication technologies, we should take good care of our formation in this area. There’s just one thing that, I think, we have to be warned about these days. This is the phenomenon of spins, a conscious, self-serving if not malicious effort to distort facts and data. This usually comes about when we are too attached to our views and opinions, when we are not open-minded,

HINTS

when we do not exert effort to understand the views of and Traces others, when we think that By Fr. Roy Cimagala we are always correct. And all these can be abetted by our undisciplined emotions and passions, and worse, when we blindly follow, as in being fanatical, some ideologies and the official positions of their leaders, often mouthing empty slogans and clichés. For example, in the current heat of the relief and rebuild work in the aftermath of Yolanda and the earthquake, there are obvious attempts to make spins to rationalize things, to hide certain things while showing off other things. We can see that in the Korina-Anderson affair, the PNoy-Mar and the Romualdezes tiff, the DSWD and Lucy Torres things. Things are getting confused and certainly are harming the rehabilitation efforts. The spin also can come about when we happen to be professional communicators like journalists, public relations practitioners, people in media in general who are paid to do the job of communicating. Like lawyers, they can be tasked to promote and defend certain interests of clients, customers, political parties, different groups and sectors of the population. There is nothing wrong with that. That’s how the cookie crumbles in any society. But while this profession is very legitimate, we always have to understand that like all other professions, it is subject to the requirements of ethics and morality. No one Cimagala/PAGE 10

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SingTel donates P1.7M for typhoon victims

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i n g a p o r e needs in the hope of helping get them back on their feet again,” said Mr Telecommunications Ltd. Andrew Buay, SingTel’s (SingTel) has donated VP of Group Corporate SGD 50,000 (roughly Social Responsibility. PHP 1.75 million) to buy Glob e was one of food and drinking water the first companies to for Typhoon Yolanda respond to the calamity by v i c t i m s v i a G l o b e offering Libreng Tawag, Te l e c om’s c or p or at e Libreng Charging, and s o cial resp onsibility Libreng Internet stations program. In addition to t o h e lp t h e v i c t i ms the corporate donation, contact their kin even as SingTel has set up staff it continues to provide donation drives across its relief operations in the operations in Singapore disaster-stricken areas. and Australia to raise The SingTel donation, more funds. SingTel is together with almost a major stockholder of P300,000 raised from Globe together with Globe employees, will be Ayala Corporation. used for the second wave “We wish to extend of relief operations in our deepest sympathies Eastern Visayas such as and heartfelt condolences Tacloban City in Leyte on the loss of thousands and Guiuan, Eastern of lives and massive Samar. Other sites are destruction to properties. yet to be finalized. Together with Globe, our S o far, Glob e has regional mobile associate, a l r e a d y d i s t r i b u t e d we want to play a part relief packages to almost in assisting af fected 5,000 families as well Filipinos with their daily as hot meals to 3,000

individuals. During the aftermath of Typhoon Sendong in 2011 and Typhoon Pablo in 2012, SingTel was also among foreign c o r p o r at i o n s w h i c h offered aid to the victims. In 2013, SingTel employee volunteers also joined the Gawad Kalinga Bayani Challenge to build homes for those displaced by Typhoon Pablo. Globe Bangon Pinoy is an integrated program that allows communities devastated by the recent calamity to benefit from relief operations, free call and text services, network restoration, and a series of communityrebuilding activities. It was first introduced by Globe in 2009 after typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng wreaked havoc in the country. Details of Globe Bangon Pinoy efforts can be viewed at http://globe.com.ph/ bangonpinoy.

4ID welcomes 93 new comrades C A M P E VA N G E L I S TA , Cagayan de Oro City, Army’s Fourth Infantry Division welcomed its newly enlisted soldiers dur ing a g radu at ion ceremony of Candidate Soldier Course Class 322 held at the Division Grandstand at 3:00 p.m., December 2. A total of 93 male candidate soldiers

g r a d u at e d f r o m t h e course. Most of them came from the different provinces in Region-X and Region XIII. These candidate soldiers p a s s e d t h e p hy s i c a l and academic aspect of the basic soldier y training as basis for their graduation. The 4th Division Tr a i n i n g S c h o o l (4DTS) headed by

Lieutenant C olonel Febie N Lamirez (INF) GSC PA administered the six months training of these new soldiers. They were taught on the Basic Militar y Knowledge and Skills, J u n g l e Wa r f a r e , Mountaineering Operations, the A r m y C o r e Va l u e s , Human Rights and International

Globe employee volunteers troop to Gawad Kalinga (top) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (bottom) repacking stations to prepare relief goods for distribution

Humanitarian Law. Brigadier General R i c a r d o R Vi s ay a , Commander, 4ID, said that I must warn you that by this time, you should be aware that your graduation is only the commencement of your militar y career, you should have understood, that your a c t i ons w i l l b e now covered with orders. As soldiers of our countr y always bear in mind the duty you

have sworn to do, and this will guide you throughout your life in the service. A s y o u r c o m m a n d e r, I w a nt all of you to uphold the highest discipline that is expected from us soldiers. Develop and cultivate in your hearts the love for the service, because with this, all other things fol low. In your love for t he s er vice, wi l l stem not only a well

d i s c i p l i n e d s o l d i e r, but a soldier who thinks and acts to make his unit better perform the assigned mission, a soldier who is morally upright, and a soldier that will make his country proud. Again, my congratulation to all of you, the graduates, the proud families, and the training committee,” said BGen Visaya. (DPAO/4ID/ PIA)

DTI-MOR invites consumers to Pre-Christmas Diskwento Caravan CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, The Department of Trade and Industry Misamis Oriental Provincial Office (DTIMOR) invites all buying consumers on a twoday Pre-Christmas Diskwento Caravan. The two-day caravan set on December 13 to 14, Friday and Saturday at Magsaysay Park Divisoria this city is aimed to provide financial relief to consumers in their holiday needs especially

dur ing t his yuletide season. DTI Provincial Director Maria Eliza A. Pabillore said that the P569,651.88 sales generated from the past two Diskwento Caravans launched this year by DTI-MOR and Regional Tr i p a r t i t e Wa g e s Productivity Board region 10 (RTWPB-X) proved that the event was a huge hit to the buying public both locals and visitors alike.

The Diskwento C a r av a n c a n a s s u re consumers with unique and affordable premium offers such buy one take one and deep discount slashes ranging from 1050% off on basic and prime commodities like Noche Buena products, rice, cooking oil, bread, canned goods, processed meat, detergent bars, soaps and shampoos, school supplies, bags, shoes and many more. (JMOR/PIA10)

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Environment

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DENR chief: Prepare for ‘new normal’ environment MANILA – Environment chief Ramon Paje is advocating public preparedness against typhoons and storm surges in the country, warning onslaught of weather extremes is increasingly becoming the new normal. He n o t e d Ta c l o b a n City’s devastation from deadly super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ (international name ‘Haiyan’) must serve as a wake-up call for all to prepare accordingly so communities can be more resilient. ” Ta clob an w as bui lt over a hundred years but ‘Yolanda’ destroyed it in

one and a half hours only,” he said. Storm surge and wind from ‘Yolanda’ combined to create mass destruction and death in Tacloban City and other areas affected by this howler. Rising occurrence of weather extremes is also elevating urgenc y for preparation, Paje continued.

” We’r e already experiencing such occurrences almost every year – it’s just a question of where typhoons will hit,” he said. Onslaught of weather extremes as well as sea l e v e l a n d t e mp e r at u r e rise are climate change’s repercussions on the Philippines, experts earlier said. ‘Yolanda’ plowed through Eastern Visayas’ Tacloban City and other parts of Central Philippines on Nov. 8 this year, destroying nearly everything in its path.

Experts cited ‘Yolanda’ as among the strongest tropical cyclones in recorded history. E a r l i e r, P h i l i p p i n e Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) listed typhoons ‘Rosing’ (1995), ‘Loleng’ (1998) and ‘Reming’ (2006) as among the strongest tropical cyclones that made landfall/ crossed the Philippines. PA G A S A l i s t e d typhoons ‘Nitang’ (1984), ‘Uring’(1991) and ‘Rosing’ ( 1 9 9 5 ) a s s om e of t h e deadliest tropical cyclones

that affected the country. Tropical cyclones that caused the heaviest damage to Philippine properties include typhoons ‘Ruping’ (1990), ‘Kadiang’ (1993), ‘Rosing’ (1995), ‘Loleng’ (1998) and ‘Milenyo’ (2006), PAGASA also said. Paje earlier said the environment department will optimize government’s National Greening Program (NGP) for planting and growing mangrove species along coastal areas. Such move will help restore and rehabilitate mangrove areas, he noted.

He s a i d m a n g r o v e s protect coastal communities from storm surges due to tropical cyclones. ” We’ ll create natural barriers,” he said. Paje also said the environment department is considering abandoned government-leased ponds’ re ve rs i on to mang rove areas. As i d e f rom h e lp i n g increase coverage of mangrove sites, the department said such reversion will open up food and livelihood opportunities for people. (PNA)

OCD-11 pushes for establishment of strong evac centers DAVAO CITY – An officer of the Office of Civil Defense in the region has underscored the policy of government to create evacuation centers aside from those traditionally used as places of refuge like schools and gymnasiums. B ge n. L ore to R i r ao, OCD-11 regional director and chair of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said schools and gymnasiums are not evacuation centers, but these infrastructures are often designated as shelters, because these are the ones available in the locality.

As people flock to Barangay Andap, New Bataan, Compostela Valley Province on Wednesday, December 4, these Girl Scouts from Cabinuangan Central Elementary School pick trash in the area. People gathered here to commemorate the death of loved ones who perished in the flashflood brought by Typhoon Pablo last year, mindanews photo by ruby thursday more

Lessons learned from disaster preparedness I L O I L O C I T Y- – C o chairman Guillermo Luz of the National Competitiveness Council of the Philippines (NCCP) maintains that t his s out her n cit y may had le ar ned its less ons from the 2008 onslaughts of super typhoon Frank an d e m e rge d f rom t h e ons l au g ht s of t y p h o on Yolanda last Novemb er 8, 2013 with zero casualty and minimal damages. Recognizing the effective disaster and risk reduction management and preparedness of Iloilo City, Luz acknowledged that the city is fast in recovering from its losses. Five years after Typhoon Frank, the city recently emerged as Number 2 in overall competitiveness ranking of top 10 cities in the country with a balanced scorecard. T h e o v e r a l l competitiveness top city i s C a g ay a n d e O r o i n northern Mindanao and third is San Fernando City in Pampanga, followed by Butuan City in the Caraga Region, Bacolod City in

Western Visayas, Koronadal in the Socksargen Region, San Fernando, La Union in the Ilocos Region, Olongado City in Central Luzon, Naga City in the Bicol Region and Marikina City in the National Capital Region (NCR). Luz said the city made some adjustments after the typhoon disaster and the resiliency of the city’s local government unit in disaster preparedness pays off with a hig h ly re commende d livable city in the country. Speaking at the NCC R o a d s h o w o n F r i d a y, December 6, 2013 in this city, Luz said the theme “Boosting Regional Competitiveness through Public-Private Partnership” is expected to enhance the competitiveness standing of the cities, provinces and municipalities of Iloilo and the rest of local government units in the country. The damages of typhoon Yolanda will impact on social slowdown of Iloilo areas. But this will also challenge the LGUs to push for local impact projects

such as the domestic tourism industry. More assets were destroyed by the typhoon in the private sector in Iloilo and the rest of Panay

provinces and there is an urgent need to pump prime the fisheries sector and the whole local economy especially in the northern Iloilo, Luz added.(PNA)

He said that as policy of the government, every local government unit down to the barangay must establish its own evacuation center that can stand firm against any calamity. Rirao said many local government units in Davao Region have already identified areas by which evacuation centers will be constructed next year. “The Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the Housing and Land Use Regulator y B oard must consider if the site for an evac/PAGE 10

Greenpeace seeks decentralized PH energy future after ‘Yolanda’ MANILA -- Greenpeace welcomed the Philippine g o v e r n m e n t ’s m o v e s to immediately start rehabilitation and reconstruction work urgently needed in Eastern Visayas in the aftermath of super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ (international name ‘Haiyan’). At the same time, the

environment group cautioned government against repeating mistakes from the past and advised newly-appointed rehabilitation head Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson to look at the work ahead as a new opportunity to establish sustainable climate-resilient communities using renewable energy (RE) systems. seeks/PAGE 11

Rodrigue Vinet (center), a representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), says the United Nations agency is supporting the Philippine government in the restoration and rehabilitation of agricultural areas damaged by typhoon “Yolanda” during a press conference at the Department of Agriculture main office in Quezon City on Monday (Dec. 2, 2013. Also in photo are Agriculture Undersecretary Dante Delima (right) and Jim Hancock, also from FAO. (PNA photo by Gil S. Calinga)

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Korea is making available a $500-million credit line to the Philippines under the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) for 2014-2017. “The topped up EDCF provides additional funding option for items outlined in our Public Investment Program (PIP). This should allow us to ensure execution of priority programs and projects in the next few years,” Tungpalan said. For the period 2011-2013, four infrastructure projects with loan requirements totaling about $335.78 million were committed for funding under the EDCF. These projects are the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project, Stage II, the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project, the Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Measures in Low-Lying Areas of Pampanga Bay, and the Baler-Casiguran Road Improvement Project. “South Korea is interested in infrastructure projects especially in agriculture, energy and transportation. Their expertise in these areas could be beneficial to the country as we address infrastructure backlogs to accelerate development and recovery from recent calamities,” Tungpalan noted. The S outh Korean government, he said, has also expressed interest to fund disaster prevention and rehabilitation projects in light of damages brought by typhoon Yolanda. He added that the sectors in which South Korea has expressed interest on are aligned with the priorities of the updated Philippine Development Plan (PDP) and are opportunities for further deepening Philippines-South Korea collaboration. Tungpalan emphasized, however, that the revised framework in financing national government projects will maximize the use of ODA for projects requiring foreign content, expertise and technology. Further, ODA will be utilized if there are inherent advantages and value-added from tapping the prospective ODA funding source, and if the said funding source can assure timely project implementation and completion. The government’s priority projects are identified in the PIP. Based on this, NEDA determines the projects that require financing in the short- to medium-term and validates their required foreign content, technology or expertise. The Department of Finance, on the other hand, determines the most appropriate financing mode and source for the projects. “While we appreciate development agencies offering financing assistance, we are firm on focusing these on the identified priority areas or sectors outlined in the PDP. We also would like to make sure we get high-

quality, high-impact projects at the least cost” Tungpalan concluded.(NEDA)

Damage... from page 2

design of damaged public infrastructure. ”But as soon as t h e re h a bi l it at i on an d re c ons t r u c t i on b e g i ns , the estimate will increase because they will be replaced with typhoon-proof and earthquake-proof structures,” Carreon said. Carreon said that among the public infrastructures that were damaged by the two calamities were school buildings, health facilities, bridges and roads. Power lines in these areas were also damaged but these are owned by private companies. He said the estimated damage is only one percent of the total P670 billion Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of Central Visayas for 2012. Central Visayas, for the past three years, is one of the top three performing regions with high GRDP in the entire country, Carreon said. He said the calamity-hit areas are slowly recovering and rebuilding. In Bohol province for instance, Carreon said the bridges that were badly damaged by the earthquake are now passable. The ports in northern C e bu tow ns t h at we re damaged by Yolanda are now navigational hazard-free. Carreon is also optimistic that there will be a lot of opportunities for employment and business after the two calamities. (PNA)

Energy... from page 2

remedied if we can propagate energy efficiency in this country,” he said The Energy chief said people always complain when their electricity bill goes up but they don’t want to practice energy conservation. He said that with the looming price hike by the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) this month, people would be conscious about their electricity use. “I hope we don’t get conscious because Meralco rate for December is very high. I hope that we continue to be conscious even when the rates have come down,” he said. Meanwhile, 67 companies were cited for their energy efficiency programs. The Secretary’s Award was given to MSE Building after it achieved a 20.80 percent production energy savings and energy savings of 380,838 liters of oil that amounts to P14.81 million. Three Hall of Fame awards were given to Jose-Nostalg Center for its Oakwood Premier, San Miguel Brewery Inc. for its San Fernando Brewer y and the HSB C Centre Building. Outstanding and Special awards as well as citations

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were also given and among the winners are SM City in Davao, Batangas, Naga, Lucena, Sta. Mesa, Pampanga, Cub ao, Iloi lo, Q ui ap o, Rosario, and Novaliches; Glorietta 5, Greenbelt 4, Bayan Telecommunications, Inc.; San Miguel Yamamura Packag ing C or p./Met a l Closure and Lithography San Fernando Plant and DOLE Philippines, Inc. for its cannery complex. The other winners include the Alabang Town Center District Cooling System, AGC Flat Glass, Pag-asa Stell Works, Inc. STMicroelectronics Inc. Hawaiian-Phils Company, Greenbelt 2, Glorietta 3, GT Tower International and 6750 office building. (PNA)

Fees...

from page 2 Davao City as a secondary hub for its international flights in its bid to stay away from the congested Manila airport. At present, Tiger Air makes use of the NAIA Terminal 4 and Clark International Airport as hubs for international flights. The airline relaunched its daily Manila-Davao-Manila flight on December 2 and is set to launch a thrice-a-week Clark-Davao Clark flight on December 17, 2013. “As much as possible we are trying to bypass Manila for our international flights like Davao-Singapore-Davao in the future,” said Jose S. Laurente, Jr., Tiger Air Philippines vice president for commercial. However, they want to see the success of their domestic Davao-Manila and DavaoClark routes first before their expand to international flights. “The Clark-Davao route is very strategic since it connects us to Northern Philippines and considering that Davao is a special focus of DOT,” Boncato said. The country’s tourism s e c tor remains vibrant despite the natural disasters it is experiencing, with the country breaching the three million foreign tourist arrivals as of September this year. Laurente said it is possible that other airlines will soon start using the Davao International Airport (DIA) as a hub for their international flights in order to avoid Manila and Cebu airports. Tiger Air initially started their Davao flights last June but stopped because of planning problems. “Love is sweeter the second time around,” he said, referring to the airline’s love affair with the city. “Our maiden flight load Monday night was very good both in and out of Davao and if we can maintain this load then we can sustain our operations here,” he said. He said they relaunched their Davao routes because Davao is not only a major tourism destination but it is also progressive and offers a diverse mix of attractions to travelers. It is also the financial hub of Mindanao and the island’s busiest airport. (PNA)

Governor Bambi Emano officially turned over the new BNS building to the barangay nutrition scholars and barangay health workers of Zone 3, Taboc, Opol, this Province earlier morning. With him were Opol Mayor Maximino Seno and former Taboc Captain, Noel Dosdos.

Mindanao Week of Peace 2013 with the theme “Dialogue and Hope – Our Key to Peace”. It was attended with religious group leaders, men in uniform, and various sectors for Peace in Mindanao.

Bunye... from page 6

positive. Peiris cautioned, however, about increasing debts of banks to real estate companies and conglomerates, and suggested that targeted macro-prudential policies could be studied using different growth scenarios. For Melina Concha, Senior Vice President (SVP) and Head of Commercial Banking at the HSBC Philippines, the recent increase in the borrowing of local companies appears to be currently sustainable as it is supported by strong macroeconomic fundamentals and benign in f l at ion e nv iron me nt . The recent upgrade of the Philippines to investment grade is expected benefit top tier companies, increasing their ability to tap funding from debt and equity markets. SM Investment Corporations’ Senior Vice President for Investor Relations Corazon P. Guidote gave us a preview of corporate leverage management in practice from the point of view of a large holding company. She revealed that the “retail DNA” built-in across the SM Group has kept them prudent in its actions, especially in borrowing money for operations and expansion. Guidote proudly said that the retail business of the group remains debt-free,

the property arm has very manageable debt, and its two banks – BDO and Chinabank – maintain a healthy level of capitalization which is compliant with international standards. Augusto D. Bengzon, Vice President and Treasurer of Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) shared the company’s strategy in mitigating the risk of higher rates and capital outflows. He said that through diversifying its businesses and building complementary developments and services, they are able to keep the money flowing within their system, enabling them to manage capital more prudently. He added they only consider cash flows from its leasing business in determining its capacity to take in (and re-pay) debt, leaving the cash flows from its other businesses untouched. D r. Mar i a E l e na B. Herrera, core faculty of the Executive Education and Lifelong Learning Center and Research Director for the AIM Ramon V. Del Rosario, Sr. Center for Corporate Social Responsibility, meanwhile, pointed out that real estate companies today are more willing to venture outside Metro Manila, spurring developments beyond the country’s capital. She was quick to add, however, that many of large

corporations, especially real estate companies, are part of conglomerates. If not properly safeguarded, this could increase the risk of contagion, which will negate the benefits of synergy within a group of companies. Christian G. Lauron, Partner at Sycip, Gorres Velayo and Company, whose paper was read for him by Dr. Herrera, shared the concept of resilience planning in the banking sector and its implications to the promotion of financial stability. He proposed that reforms in banking policies must be anchored in a system-wide analysis that covers both financial and non-financial firms. The goal is to allow the financial sector to achieve resilience while sustaining growth and preventing stagnation. The views expressed during the Environmental S c an n i ng E xe rc i s e are definitely well-taken and will assist the Bangko Sentral as it continues to guard against possible build-up of risks that can undermine banking and financial stability. Note: My book, Central Banking for Every Juan and Maria is now available in main branches of Fully Booked, Power Books, National Book Store, and University of the Philippines Press.

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Eastern Petroleum is banking on the tank’s practical and safety features to boost the company’s earnings from a projected P50-100 million this year to P300 million in 2014. Since l aunching t he product in September, Eastern Petroleum has opened 30 EC Gas distribution franchises and is opening 60 more out of 200 applicants. The company aims to open 100 EC Gas outlets within the month.

Ford... from page 3

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The new look may alienate some enthusiasts. Leaked images of the car earlier this week drew varied responses. ‘’If I were planning the next Mustang today, I’d try to recreate a low-priced sports car that was more exciting than the Focus and would appeal to younger buyers,’’ said Hal Sperlich, the chief architect of the original Ford Mustang. ‘’I’m not sure this will sell well in Europe, where gasoline is close to 10 bucks a gallon,’’ he said. ‘’A $50,000 Mustang with a V8 engine probably isn’t going to have a significant impact there.’’ The new Mustang also features the trapezoid grill that lends a more premium look to the updated Fusion midsize sedan that was given a global redesign of its own last year. It also has a new suspension system to improve handling and a lower, wider stance. Ford is offering a 2.3 liter turbocharged engine in the Mustang as well. So far this year, the Chevrolet Camaro, made by General Motors Co, is outselling the Mustang. Mustang sales were down 7.7 percent to 71,459 during the first 11 months of 2013. Camaro sales were off 3.8 percent to 75,552 during that same period. The original Mustang was introduced at the New York World’s Fair on April 17, 1964, to national fanfare. It was featured on the covers of Time and Newsweek magazine and was purchased by more than half a million customers in 1965, its first full year on the market. The Mustang was the inspiration for the R&B song ‘’Mustang Sally,’’ which was popular in the mid-1960s, and has been featured in Hollywood movies. Steve McQueen, for instance, famously drove a dark green Mustang in the 1968 film ‘’Bullitt.’’

Target... from page 4

transplanter the cost would only reach P3,500 per hectare for fuel and labor expenses. A rice transplanter can transplant seedlings in one hectare of land in about eight hours. For reapers, PhilMech coordinated the distribution of a total of 93 out of the targeted 140 for the year

compared to the 106 reapers distributed in the previous year. Sixty units of Combine Harvesters were distributed this year as some 212 of the machines were distributed under the Rice Mechanization Program since 2011. A Combine Harvester harvests palay (unmilled rice) and packs them into bags in just one operation. By using a C ombine Harvester, savings of about P4,800 per hectare can be realized by using less labor and reducing post-harvest losses. PhilMech also coordinated the construction of Rice Processing Centers (RPCs), with 44 now undergoing construction in various parts of the country. A total of 74 RPCs have already been awarded to various farmer organizations and recipients, and another 78 are targeted for construction next year. Bingabing said that the milling recovery of the RPCs is around 65%, which is a big improvement over the 60% of existing mills around the country. He added that PhilMech is also developing implements for harvesting and transplanting that can be used in small farms and can attached to hand tractors. The goal of mechanizing palay planting operations, specifically land preparation, planting and harvesting, is to increase output by at around 5 percent.

Hosting... from page 4

French event’s organizer Comexposium and Mafbex Events Management in October this year in Makati City. “For a country that derives a significant part of its export earnings from agricultural commodities, SIAL Asean is a vote of confidence about the potential and prevailing dynamism of Philippine agriculture,” said Agriculture Secretary Prospero J. Alcala in a separate interview.

Food... from page 4

secretary Proceso Alcala and Myanmar minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Myint Hlaing. Under the MOU, the two countries will have a general framework for bilateral cooperation in the field of food security and agriculture. It p rov i d e s f o r t h e promotion of investments t h ro u g h j o i nt v e nt u r e arrangements. (PNA)

Tax...

from page 5

“Better tax administration was the key driver, plus the higher sin taxes,” Beltran said, noting Republic Act 10351 or the Sin Tax Reform Act of 2012 that sets higher levies on cigarette and alcoholic products contributed additional 0.3 percentage points to tax effort. Tax effort is the ratio of government’s tax collection to the country’s whole economy,

as measured by gross domestic product (GDP). In January to September, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), responsible for more than 70 percent of government’s annual income, registered a 10.82 percent tax effort, higher compared with 10.17 percent last year. The BIR also surpassed its 10.5 percent tax effort goal this year. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Customs, the government’s s econd largest re venue generating agency, posted a 2.71 percent tax effort in the first three-quarters of the year, lower than 2.81 percent last year. Customs was also below the 2.9 percent full year target tax effort. B eltran noted that Cu stoms’ we a ke n i ng efficienc y in collecting taxes was dragging the government’s tax effort for the past few years. On t he ot her hand, revenue effort of the national government increased to 15.26 percent in January to September from 14.73 percent last year. The DOF is aiming to raise the government’s tax effort to a record 16 percent before the end of the Aquino administration in 2016.

Gross... from page 5

$7.746 billion in November f rom $8.156 bi llion in October this year. Meanwhile, net international reserves, or the dif ference b etween GIR and total short-term liabilities also increased by $400 million to $84 billion in end-November against $83.6 billion at the end of October. The BSP has projected that GIR will reach $87 billion this year against $84 billion last year.

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to facilitate cross-border offerings. These will assist the Asean Capital Markets Forum (ACMF) and the SEC in crafting a “useful and efficiency-enhancing” model. “The SEC and the other agencies of the government are all working towards implementing the initiatives o f t h e c ap i t a l m a r k e t integration,” Herbosa said. “This is one of the first steps: coming out of the list of the Asean disclosure standards, which is a very long process. All these initiatives are all brought forward to the next level by the Asean finance ministers and then ultimately, even the APEC,” she said, referring to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation. “The effort of having a common set of standards can expedite the whole process, but each jurisdiction still has the right to look at it from its own law or set of rules,” Herbosa said. The ACMF, which is comprised of securities regulators from 10 Asean member-states including the

SEC, developed the common standards. It is now working to facilitate a streamlined review of the prospectus prepared under the said guidelines.

Evac... from page 8

evacuation center is no longer disaster prone,” he said. Rirao cited the Island Garden City of Samal as one local government unit which has established its own evacuation center that qualifies the standard set by law. He said that though D av a o C it y i s a l re a dy prepared financially with the construction of evacuation centers, but the various locations still need thorough comprehensive evaluation on soil analysis, tsunami and volcanic eruption. Rirao said local government units down to the barangay must have its own evaluation on the need for an evacuation center in their locality. “Our policy-guideline is for local government units to set up an evacuation center on a disaster-resilient area,” he said. (PIA-11/Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

Cimagala... from page 6

one should dare to practice journalism or public relations work without a clear idea of ethics and morality. It’s t r u e t hat me d i a practitioners can highlight certain angles of the issues at hand, but they are not free to make up stories, tell lies, fall into deception and unreasonable attacks, or to wag the dog, that is, when something of secondar y importance takes on the role of something of primary importance, often straining credibility. In the world of politics t h at s a d l y n ow c o l o r s the relief-and-rebuild operations, spins usually sprout like weeds. We need to actively expose and uproot them as soon as they come. T he re’s a lw ay s ne e d to continually rectify our intentions, review the data thoroughly, check on the credibility of the sources. Everyone has to work toward the common good, ferreting the truth where they can be found, and always promoting justice and fairness. There should be eagerness to engage others in a meaningful and respectful dialogue, with the right manners, language, tone and timing. These conditions contribute to sustaining a good and fruitful exchange of views. Neither should we forget the need for delicacy, understanding and forgiveness, both in asking for it and in giving it readily. Thus, even as boldness and decisiveness are crucial in any dialogue, the traits of humility and simplicity should never disappear. These always create a conducive ambience for dialogue.

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Project... from page 1

her 4th year in college, taught them how to make katsa tote and sling bags, which were more usable and marketfriendly. “They started making simple designs, kanang linear lang, like tote bags. Then later on, they tried sling bags which are more complicated. Naglisod sila at first. But they didn’t give up. They persevered to finish their output.” B orres said that the mothers could be taught easily and are inherently creative. They also have high hopes for their sewing enterprise. “Ingon sa mga nanay they need to help their husbands earn additional income since they have just transferred to their new houses. Daghan sila plans for their family. They need to start again from scratch, so they grab every opportunity to earn.” Borres worked with Philip Robert Flores, a Masters in Business Administration freshman in XU who is also the Xavier Ecoville Project’s Enterprise Development Officer. Flores oversees the production and pushes the bags to the market. He maximized the use of social media and released the bag designs online. The PagBAG-o Project Fa c e b o ok p age prove d effective as it sold over a hundred bags in the first weeks with the help of the XU Eco Society volunteered to help market the bags. PagBAG-o Project is now making its way to the trend watch. PagBAG-o na PagBAG-o Project translates to project change. It gives everyone a chance to change the lives of the Sendong survivors in Xavier Ecoville. Every peso spent for buying the bag spells a difference for the survivors. The proceeds not only go to the sewing cluster but are coursed through the XEMPCO, of which over half of the community population in the Xavier Ecoville is a member of. In this way, help is able to reach more people, creating greater economic impact. Aside from employment, Flores said PagBAG-o Project has helped the beneficiaries in 2 other ways: 1. it enables them to move on from their traumatic experiences. “One mother told me nga its one way nga iyang malimtan iyang (Sendong) experience. Kon naa ra daw siya sa balay, wala siyay gihimo, ga balik balik iyang experience sa Sendong. Through PagBAG-o Project, na-tagaan siya’g work, katong mga memories nga bad, gaka tabunan na”. 2. It gives them an opportunity to bond as neighbors “Na tagaan og opp or tu n it y ang ot he r mothers nga maka bond sa uban nga mothers. Though isara sila ka community, dili kayo sila close. With PagBAG-o Project, naga uban

sila sa isa ka workplace. Na ila nila ang matag usa.” The designs featured in the first collection reflect the various battle cries of XU, such as XU’s Ruby Anniversary theme “Forming Leaders the Ateneo Way”, endorsed by no less than the university president himself, Fr. Roberto C. Yap SJ. He is joined by the dynamic PagBAG-o Project ambassadors who represent various fields: XU Medicine Student and former Miss Teen Philippines Maxine Monasterio, XU Law Student and youth leader Ernesto Neri, XU Central Student G ov e r n m e nt pre s i d e nt Princess Ubay-ubay, XU Crusaders basketball team captain Kim Labitad and XU security officer Rosanna Lapiz. Survivors helping survivors PagBAG-o Project speaks a lot about the Xavier Ecoville community’s resilience. Only two years ago, they lost their homes and belongings to tropical storm Sendong. Since that time, various organizations have helped them rebuild their lives and start anew. Now that they have moved on from the disaster, they are paying forward the goodness they have experienced. This time, they have become the ones on the giving end. They decided that proceeds of their bag sales will be given to the XU Tabang Visayas relief operation for Yolanda survivors. *** Wh at’s i n a b a g ? – experiences. “We want them to carry their experiences of hope and change, the experiences of dreaming better lives for their families. And with their outreach for XU Tabang Visayas survivors, we hope the same spirit of hope will be carried by the PagBAG-o Project bags to the hearts of the Yolanda survivors”, Flores said. (Xavier Ecoville is a resettlement community for Sendong survivors in Brgy. Lumbia. It is facilitated by Xavier University, the community members, the local government, donors and other partners for a selfsufficient and value-laden community.)

Banana... from page 1

“This was the effect of the typhoon Pablo that struck December last year,” she said. RDO 112 is in charge of the collection of taxes in the provinces of Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley, where the export quality cavendish banana production thrives as No.1 throughout the country. Typhoon Pablo, which just marked its one-year anniversary, badly ravaged the banana production of the two provinces. “Compared to last year, banana planters paid taxes but with a decrease of 12 percent as of October while in the previous years before Pablo, they posted an average growth rate of 25 percent in tax collection,” Demalata said. (PNA)

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Expansion... from page 1

target completion date is by May next year,” Dela Rosa said. He said that the Zamboanga port project, once completed, will have a total length of berthing area of 1.6 kilometers. The Zamboanga port can accommodate more ships, both passenger and cargo, upon its completion and full operation. He said the project include the installation of a ramp near the passenger terminal. The implementation of the project started last December 2012. (PNA)

Batas... from page 6

-ooo SC SHOULD CALL WHISTLEBLOWERS, TOO: On October 11, 2013, I wrote: “Corruption in the judiciary is a very ticklish subject matter to tackle, simply because those supposed to be involved in it---the lawyers and the judges or justices and, many a time, even the prosecutors under the Department of Justice--simply would seldom talk and incriminate themselves. But, every now and then, there are some who are imbued with the courage to talk, and it is these people who should be called to spill the beans, so to speak. “First, I am referring to Manila Mayor Joseph `Erap’ Estrada, whose short-lived presidency was pockmarked with accusations about what he referred to as `hoodlums in robes’. Indeed, everyone in the whole Philippine archipelago knew what he meant--corrupt judges, justices and prosecutors, or the members of the prosecution arm of the executive branch of government and the men and women of judiciary who sell, to the highest bidder, their decisions. “However, he was never given a chance to detail his accusations, after he was ousted in what is now known as the second EDSA People Power Revolution, which ouster was subsequently confirmed and validated no less by the Supreme Court which found him to have abdicated his presidency. Maybe, if Chief Justice Sereno would really want to get to the bottom of corruption in the judiciary, Mayor Erap could be subpoenaed by the Court and compel him to tell the people what he really knew, or still knows, at present…” -ooo WHY LAWYERS ARE SILENT: On October 13, 2013, here was what I said: “I say once again: remove the lawyers from the control of the Supreme Court (or) from the control of its justices. I am sure that if Filipino lawyers are longer subject to the control and disciplinary powers of the Supreme Court and its justices, they would fall one over the other in exposing bribery and corruption in the judiciary, if, indeed, there

is any. But as long as the Supreme Court can either suspend or remove lawyers, lawyers would remain silent, as they are very silent now…” -ooo REACTIONS? Please call me at 0917 984 24 68, 0918 574 0193, 0922 833 43 96. Email: melaniolazomauriciojr@ o u t l o o k . c o m , mmauriciojr111@gmail.com, and batasmauricio@yahoo. com.

Seeks... from page 8

“’ Yolanda’ caught us completely unprepared, forcing us to deal with serious consequences of climate change. Aside from the human tragedy, we also have to deal with the socioeconomic impacts,” said Amalie Obusan, Regional Climate and Energ y Campaigner for Greenpeace Southeast Asia. “Because the work ahead is massive, critical decisions will be made for the reconstruction and repair of energy systems inthe devastated provinces. And this is where RE can make a difference.” Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ cost the country an estimated PhP35 billion worth of damages to infrastructure and agriculture. Power systems are mostly down with 1,959 transmission facilities partially or fully destroyed. Greenpeace said solar panels can make a huge difference in disaster-hit areas where power lines are down for many days or months. There would be cost savings for the entire archipelago and the size of savings would be commensurate to the number of households and businesses whose partial or total energy resilience would make them suffer less in the aftermath of storm-induced black-outs. Obusan said a decentralized energy system, throug h RE, is needed to power communities, especially those living off the main grid. A good example are smallscale solar energy systems which have the ability to foster a small-town energy revolution by and for people, families, communities, farms, and small and medium sized businesses. A million solar-powered homes in the Philippines could raise installed capacity of solar energy considerably. Greenpeace recommends the following for rebuilding and rehabilitation of Eastern Visayas: 1. Light up communities through RE technologies. In order to bring energy ser CAGAYAN vices DE toOROremote, offMAIN BRANCH g r i d P, t& yJ Lim p hBldg., o oTiano n -Sts., aBrothers ffected Kalambagohan Tel. # (08822) 727-829 * communities in 856-1947 Visayas, this Telefax # (088) should be one of the principal CAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, goals. Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491 Communities that are CORRALES BRANCH located the nearest Corralesoutside Ave., Cagayan de Oro City electricity serBRANCH vice areas DIVISORIA Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. should energized Velezbe St., Cagayan de Oro Cityusing Tel. # (088) 857-3631 stand-alone RE technologies LAPASAN BRANCH such as solar PV and microLapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739 hydro systems. CARMEN BRANCH 2. Include capacityVamenta Blvd., Cagayan de Oro City buildingTel.for energy # (088) 231-2011projects

by creating partnerships with communities and providing technical assistance. 3. Provide microcredit and consulting for t he promot i on of of f g r id, de cent ra lize d RE technologies. 4.Financially support local entrepreneurs who could either benefit from energy access or supply their communities with renewable energy services. 5.Institute an RE program in schools. Wit h R E - p owe re d multi-media technology,

teachers and students will have the opportunity for better teaching and learning conditions. “The ongoing reconstruction will give government an opportunity to rethink energy systems in these devastated areas. We hope Mr. Lacson will listen to our advice and do what he can to turn this tragedy into an opportunity. Now is the time to rebuild our towns and cities using greener and sustainable energy systems that are climate-resilient,”said Obusan. (PNA)

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LAPASAN BRANCH Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739

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CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd.,Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011

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Lifestyle

Advertising and Editorial E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Contact nos. : 0917-7121424 • 0947-8935776 Editor: Shaun Uy

Pepe’s Secret Christmas at Centrio sets the mood for CdeO holiday season

Text and Photos by Shaun Alejandrae Yap Uy MDN Lifestyle Editor I t is t he la st d ay of “Mi s a de G a l lo”, Pe p e, t he you ng prot agon ist , fal ls a sle e p du r i ng t he m a ss a nd is set t o a n a dve nt u re he w i l l not forget. Sof ia Z obel El i z alde’s St e ps Da nce St ud io a nd t he Ayala Mal ls br i ng a “Fi l i p i no Ne ve r ne ve r la nd” t o Cagaya n de O ro Cit y at t he Ce nt r io Ayala Mal l, Nove mbe r 30. Pe p e wa ke s up a nd is t r a n sp or t e d t o t h is m ag ical pla ce, whe re a ch icke n , a goat , a pig, a sn a ke, a couple of mon keys, a n “a s k a l” ( Fi l ipi no t e r m for st r ay dog), a few f i ref l ie s, a cat , m ice a nd t he be aut i f u l “Ti kl i ng” (r ai l bi rd) come t o l i fe i n be aut i f u l d a nce s. He re, Pe p e, a nd t he re st of t he aud ie nce, is re m i nde d of how be aut i f u l t he Ph i l ip pi ne s is a nd how we celebr at e C h r ist m a s. I wat che d t he 3pm show at Ce nt r io, a s I wa s t a k i ng phot og r aph s for M i nd a n a o Dai ly News, I si mply a dore d t he ide a of br i ng i ng a cu lt u r al show i n t he m al l, si nce I a m not re al ly fond ch a si ng “st a r s” a nd “m i x i ng” w it h t he c rowd of la d ie s who a re “goo -goo eye d” a nd sc re a m i ng. I we nt home af t e r a he av y sn a ck at It al l ia n i’s w it h M r. M i ke Ba ños a nd ot he r me d ia f r ie nd s a nd blog ge r s t o fet ch my w i fe, K r is a nd my t wo d aug ht e r s t o cat ch t he 7pm show. I d id n’t k now wh at t o exp e ct f rom my t odd le r, Sa m m ie, wh i le wat ch i ng t he show. She love s wat ch i ng “Ba rb i e P r i nce s s” at home on DV D wh ich fe at u re s “Ba rb i e” d a nci ng bal let. I wa sn’t su re how she’d re a ct t o a re al-l i fe bal let. Tr af f ic al most got t o u s a nd we got t o Ce nt r io a we e -bit t oo close for com for t , we m a n age d t o get a couple of se at s at t he ba ck a re a of t he Ce nt r io a ct iv it y ce nt e r – a s t he pla ce wa s pa cke d . T he n t he show st a r t s, a n x iou s of how Sa m m ie wou ld re a ct , t he “Higa n t e s” ap p e a r i n t he op e n i ng se que nce – Sa m m ie hugs me t ig ht , u h- oh. I ca n on ly i m ag i ne i f we we re up f ront. But a s soon t he “m ag ic” bega n t o u n fold , Sa m m ie wa s now p oi nt i ng at t he st age a nd n a m i ng eve r y a n i m al t h at d a nce d , a nd d id a couple of d a nce st e ps on he r ow n wh i le at it. (n ote: I a p olog i ze to o u r se at mate be c a u se S a m mie k e pt look ing to he r a n d telling he r “ look , chic k e n; look p u p p y, look goat…” I g ue ss the pe rson wa s ok a y with it a s she re plie d “ye s, yo u a re c or re ct…” ) My fa m i ly, e sp e cial ly Sa m m ie, e njoye d it a lot. T he h ig h l ig ht wa s whe n t he m ag n i f ice nt “Ti kl i ng” d a nce d he r he a r t out a nd my t odd le r ke pt say i ng – “look d a ddy, pr i nce ss” a nd “look d a ddy, fai r ie s” (refe r r i ng t o t he “A l it apt ap”). A wonde r f u l show, my p e r son al favor it e sce ne wa s t he d a nce of “Ka rd ong Ka mb i ng” a nd “Be r t a ng Ba boy”, ve r y rom a nt ic. I h a d a ch at w it h a good f r ie nd a nd also one of ou r colu m n ist s, Hoba r t Sav ior – he ag re e s w it h me t h at t he show wa s be aut i f u l a nd t h at more shows t h at boost ou r cu lt u re a nd t he a r t s (e sp e cial ly d i re ct e d at a you nge r aud ie nce) shou ld be mou nt e d i n t he com i ng ye a r s. To cap it al l of f, I wa nt e d Sa m m ie t o h ave a phot o - op w it h t he bal le r i n a s, but I k now she’s a bit he sit a nt be cau se of t he “Higa n t e s” a nd t he cost u me s – r at he r t h a n force he r, we opt e d not t o so t h at she’l l re me mbe r t he be aut i f u l d a nce s a nd “m ag ical” a n i m als r at he r t h a n he r bei ng sca re d . A s we st rol le d t he m al l a bit , Sa m m ie ke pt say i ng “Awe some” a nd “A m a z i ng” - I g ue ss t h at’s he r rev iew for t he show...