MINDANAO DAILY NEWS SECOND SECTION
Wednesday - November 27, 2013
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Emergency employment THE Depar tment of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is beefing up its emergency employment program in a bid to alleviate the plight of workers displaced by super typhoon “Yolanda”, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio B. Coloma Jr. said. “Patuloy ang pag-aagapay ng pamahalaan sa pagbabagong-tatag at pagpapanumbalik ng normal na pamumuhay ng ating mga kababayan. Puspusan ang pagpapatupad ng DOLE ng emergency employment program upang bigyan ng pansamantalang pagkakakitaan ang ating mga kababayan,” Coloma said. The emergency employment program aims at helping disasterstricken families to rebuild their lives by providing them with better access to sustainable income sources, the Communications Secretary said.
Outstanding teachers THE Depar tment of Education Misamis Oriental (DepEd-MisOr) is in search for outstanding public school heads, teachers and non-teaching personnel in its upcoming 2013 Araw Ng Parangal on December 16. Particularly it is looking for top 10 outstanding elementar y school heads/administrators (five per congressional district), top four outstanding secondary school heads/ administrators (one per cluster), outstanding elementar y school teacher (two per district), outstanding secondary school teacher (two per learning area/cluster), and top 10 division outstanding non-teaching personnel. According to DepEd Misor Schools Division Superintendent Cherry Mae Limbaco, the search aims to recognize the exemplary per formanc e and outstanding accomplishments of the members of the academic community who manifest profound commitment and remarkable dedication to their specific duties and responsibilities in the field of work.
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Biz taxes projected at P626M next year Page B1
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By IRENE DAYO, Reporter
EVENUES from business related taxes in Cagayan de Oro City are expected to hit P626.5 million in 2014, which is 29-percent higher than this year’s estimated collection of 444.6 million, the city’s financial managers said.
taxes/PAGE B11
M’danao-wide NGOs helping ‘Yolanda’ survivors in Leyte
Robinson’s biggest mall in M’danao opens in Butuan By ERWIN MASCARIÑAS, MindaNews
BU T UA N Cit y -- Robi nson L a nd Corporation (RLC) opened here their biggest and largest mall in Mindanao, on Monday morning. With a total land area of 78,948.48 square meters, the mall boasts of a gross f loor area of 40, 856.42 square meters with a gross leasable area of 26, 143.58 square meters good for over 200 tenants and a hotel.
Dorchee Salarza, operations manager pointed out that the mall will have the biggest occupancy in all of the branches in Mindanao. “So far this is our biggest mall here in Mindanao, considering the size and the highest number of occupancy. All over the country, Robinson Land Corporation targets to open up five new mall branches Robinsons/PAGE B11
By ROEL CATOTO, MindaNews
TAC L OBA N Cit y -- A Mindanao-wide network of non-government organizations (NGOs) has delivered relief goods and ser v ices to sur v ivors of typhoon “Yolanda” in this city and other municipalities in Leyte. Sister Noemi Degala, of the Sisters Association in Mindanao and a convenor
of BALSA (Bayanihan Alay sa Sambayanan)-Mindanao, said they have extended at least 50,000 relief food packs since Sunday. At least 690 volunteers from across Mindanao joined the relief operation, she said, adding they are slated to do another relief operation next month. helping/PAGE B11
Yolanda exacts P5B losses to power coops DA M AG E t o e l e c t r i c cooperatives operating in areas hardest hit by Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ reached almost P5 billion, according to the Nationa l Electrif ication Administration (NEA). In a repor t to t he De pa r t ment of E nerg y
(DOE), NEA said Yolanda i n f l ic te d P4 .92 bi l l ion in damage to 34 electric cooperatives operating in 20 provinces. Cooperatives in Leyte suffered the most damage, w it h t he D on O re s t e s Romua ldez Electric
Cooperative Inc incurring a loss of P870 million. Other coops that sustained heavy damage and the estimates are as follows: - Ley te V Electric Cooperative Inc, P861.5 million; power/PAGE B11
Mindanao Daily NEWS
BEAUTIFUL SUNSET. Beauti ful the sunset may be in Palompon, Leyte on Monday (25 Nov 2013), but it shows a desolate landscape devastated by “Yolanda,” that even the trees are stripped of their leaves. mindanews photo by bobby timonera
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B2 Mindanao Daily NEWS northmin . westmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper
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Bill to prohibit credit card companies from imposing hidden charges filed MANILA --A lawmaker has filed a bill prohibiting credit card companies, banks and similar institutions from imposing hidden penalties or costs on purchases and cash advances made by their clients. Rep. Raymond Mendoza (Part y-list, TUCP) f iled House Bill 2551 as he noted
the urgent need to protect the consuming public from the exorbitant rates being imposed by the credit card companies and banks. Mendoza said the monthly rates range from 2.5 to 3.5 percent for cumulative noncompounded interest rates of 30 to 42 percent per year. bill/PAGE B10
Economy
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Higher remittances seen to counter negative impact of calamity on PHL
Sen. Cynthia Villar, Las Pinas City Rep. Mark Villar, Executive Director Ramon Lopez of Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship and Jose Ma. A. Concepcion III of the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship Foundation join Overseas Filipino Workers and their families in a photo opportunity during the 3rd OFWs and Family Summit 2013 Go-Negosyo on Friday, Nov. 22, 2013, at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Remittances from Filipinos abroad are expected to counter the negative impact of Typhoon Yolanda in the country’s ecnomy. (PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.)
MANILA -- The expected uptick in remittances in the near term is seen to counter the negative impact of Typhoon Yolanda on the domestic economy’s growth. This as Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo sees expansion of inf lows from overseas Filipinos in the coming weeks as more Filipinos abroad send money to help their families affected by the super typhoon. “ T hat cou ld prov ide additional counterweight and additional support to real GDP (gross domestic product),” he said. As of last September, total personal remittances reached US$ 18.17 billion, up 6.6 percent from the US$ 17.05 billion same period last year. Rise of remittances to the Philippines was generally counter/PAGE B10
Dubai hosts summit eyeing global Islamic finance center DUBAI -- The t wo-day Global Islamic Economy Summit kicked off Monday in the emirate of Dubai, which aims to underline its ambition to become the
global capital of Islamic finance, Islamic tourism and the Islamic (halal) food industry. D u b a i r u ler She i k h Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-
Maktoum inaugurated here on the first global Islamic Economy Summit, which runs in it first edition. Addressing over 3,500 delegates, Hamad Buamin,
the director general of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry said whilst Islamic finance, the Islamic food and lifestyle industry summit/PAGE B10
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CorporateWorld Globe drops prices for iPhone 5S, 5C B4 Mindanao Daily NEWS
wednesday | November 27, 2013
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GLOBE Telecom has lowered prices of the Apple iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S that come with a postpaid plan that can be customized. Globe said that under its Best-Ever mySUPERPLAN, the 16-gigabyte iPhone 5C can now be availed for P1,349 monthly via Plan 499 with a monthly cash out of P850 for a 2-year contract period. The postpaid plan bundle comes with 300 megabytes of mobile Long Term Evolution (LTE) surfing and free calls and texts. The 16-gig iPhone 5S, on the other hand, can be availed
for P1,799 monthly at Plan 999 with a monthly cashout of P800 for a 2-year contract period. The plan comes with unlimited LTE surfing and free calls and texts. Globe initially offered the iPhone 5C for as low as P1,799 monthly at Plan 999 with a monthly cashout of P800 while the iPhone 5S was offered at P2,199 monthly at Plan 1799 with a monthly cashout of P400 “Customerscannowpurchase the newest iPhones under our suite of fully-customizable postpaid plans at a price that’s easier on their pockets and enjoy the same best deals and
innovative offers only from the leader in postpaid and trusted expert in iPhone,” said Globe postpaid head Raul Macatangay. Postpaid subscribers also get a free subscription to the anti-theft and damage protection program Globe Gadget Care, and free access to Facebook. For Globe prepaid users, the 16-gig iPhone 5C is available for P29,000 while the iPhone 5S is sold at P34,400, payable via credit card for up to 12-month installment at no interest. The prepaid kit comes with a free prepaid nano-SIM and free 900 MB of mobile browsing for 3 months.
Coca-Cola cuts short promo, Aboitiz group, Tanduay tie diverts fund to ‘Yolanda’ relief up for biomethane project ABOITIZ Equity Ventures (AEV) is tying Fleet operators, such the second or third quarter up with a unit of Tanduay Distillers Inc to as buses and trucks, will of next year, will convert produce biomethane for the transport sector. use the methane that the municipal and organic waste On the sidelines of the AEV bond listing ceremony on Tuesday, the holding f irm’s chief information officer Stephen C. Paradies said the company signed an agreement with Absolut Distillery that would involve using the latter’s effluent for the production of methane. “We have to order now
all the equipment. We’re just f ina lizing t he la nd purchase. As soon as we are done with that, we order the equipment,” Paradies told reporters. AEV will start building the plant in Batangas by the second quarter next year, with construction to take 18 months.
plant will produce. Paradies said AEV already signed agreements with some of these operators. Aside from the biomethane project, AEV also is building a waste-tofuel plant under Aseagas Corp, a joint-venture project with UK-based Gazasia Ltd. The $47-million project, which will break ground by
into methane. Paradies said the cost also includes land acquisition and equipment for the plant that will be able to supply the annual fuel requirements of up to 150 large vehicles. Aseagas plans to sell its gas to companies with large f leets at prices at least on a par with conventional fuel at the pumps.
COCA-COLA Philippines has cut short a Christmas promo to devote resources to relief and rebuilding efforts in areas devastated by Typhoon “Yolanda”. The local unit of the mu lt i nat iona l be vera ge company said t he Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which approved the promo, has cleared an early termination of the ongoing “Coca-Cola Milyun-Milyong Caravan of Surprises” by November 30. In this regard, entries received from October 1 until November 30 will be
considered valid and will be included in the last regular weekly raffle draw to be held on December 2. Coca-Cola Philippines said the FDA has approved the promo’s amended mechanics. “Our business is deeply rooted in the communities we proudly serve. It is our goal to make a positive impact on the lives of Filipinos, especially of those affected by the recent calamity that hit our countr y,” CocaCola Philippines said in a statement. The decision to cut the promo/PAGE B10
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ADB urges East Asian countries to strengthen their economies THE Asian Development Ba n k (A DB) ha s u rged emerging East Asian countries to use the window of opportunity opened by the delay in US monetary policy normalization to strengthen their economies and financial systems. “A delay in US bond tapering gives the region a bit of extra time to make sure its economy and financial systems are resilient enough to face the likely market volatility ahead,” said Iwan J. Azis, head of ADB’s Office of R e g ion a l E c onom ic Integration. E merg i ng E a s t A sia comprises t he China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore,
Thailand and Viet Nam. In its latest quarterly Asia Bond Monitor report, the ADB noted that emerging East Asia remains vulnerable to a shift in investor sentiment when the US eventua lly scales back its asset purchase program and as it tackles still-unresolved questions over its government debt ceiling, the report warns. The repor t sa id t hat volatile capital flows make it tougher for policymakers to manage the economies while looming tighter liquidity could push down asset prices, particularly in the property sector, undermining the health of financial firms with large holdings. D e s pit e t h e m a r k e t adb/PAGE B10
Banking&Finance
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BSP expects typhoon aid to boost November remittances REMITTANCES could see a bump this month as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) send home more money to aid relatives in typhoon-hit areas, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said. “We might see stronger flows come November. There are reports indicating that families displaced by the super typhoon have members who are working abroad,” BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said. “Normally, what we would expect is that instead of the normal remittances, they will increase that to cover the cost of rehabilitation. There could be some spikes in terms of remittances,” he said. He said the higher-thanbsp/PAGE B10
With foreign donations pouring in particularly from overseas Filipino workers, dollar remittances are expected to rise.
Bureau of Customs falls short of October revenue target THE Bureau of Customs failed to hit its revenue target for October, even as collections had risen for a fourth month from a year ago. I n a s t atement , t he bureau said its revenues grew by 4.3 percent yearon-year to P27.86 billion last month. Despite the increase,
collections in October were 8.7 percent short of the P30.7 billion goal for the month. This brought the January to October tally to P252.49 billion, 4.9 percent higher than a year ago, but 10 percent shy of the target set by the inter-agency Development and Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC).
“W hile October is usually the month when importations surge due to the holiday demand, jitters caused by the swift changes at the agency have affected our collections,” Customs chief Rufino Biazon said. Biazon ordered a revamp of port collectors, t ra nsferring incu mbent
he ad s to a ne w of f ic e under the Department of Finance (DOF). The affected collectors had challenged the revamp in court, but failed to get a stay order. Following their court debacle, t he a f fected col lectors have since transferred to the new DOF office.
“But as the situation stabilizes, we are optimistic that our revenue growth will rebound to double-digit level. Note that despite the changes that have occurred of late, we managed to keep our collections on the positive level,” Biazon said. Final numbers reconciled with the Bureau of Treasury
show that cash collections from Customs’ port operations reached P26.56 billion, while revenues from the Tax Expenditure Fund (TEF), which are non-cash collections recorded on paper for government transaction such as rice importations by the National Food Authority, short/PAGE B10
B6 Mindanao Daily NEWS
The
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LIFESTYLE
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Jesuits bag Philippine Quill Awards 2013
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Receiving the Philippine Quill Awards 2013 trophy for the coffeetable book Jesuits in Mindanao: The Mission are Fr. William Kreutz, SJ, former president of Ateneo de Zamboanga University; Fr. Jose Arcilla, SJ, main author; Ramoncito Ocampo Cruz, publisher, Media Wise Communications/Muse Books; and Fr. Herbert Schneider, SJ, executive director, Philippine Jesuit Aid Association.
earty congratulations to Fr. Jose Arcilla, SJ, the main author of Jesuits in Mindanao: The Mission, and publisher Ramoncito Cruz of Media Communications / Muse Books, for winning the 2013 Philippine Quill Award of Excellence in the Communications Skills Division, Publications Category. Congratulations to many other sterling Jesuit writers who contributed to the landmark coffee-table book, which covers the intrepid exploits of the Jesuits in our deep South from as early as the 16th century. These include Fr. Joseph J. Lucas, Fr. James Edward Haggerty, Fr. Alfred F. Kienle, and Fr. James T.G. Hayes. Many of the Jesuit missionaries who established religious and educational outposts in Mindansao were martyred. But their legacy remains: the institutionalization of the Jesuit education system,
as is presently exemplified in Mindanao by Ateneo de Cagayan (the first university in that island, since renamed Xavier University), the Ateneo de Zamboanga, and the Ateneo de Davao. The Publisher’s Note reads: “This book is about our memories of struggles and the glories of the Sons of St. Ignatius of Loyola. They came by boat, hiked up mountains, and trekked on foot to reach distant and treacherous places in the mounains of Bukidnon and beyond. “This book does not aim to tell the entire story of the mission in Mindanao. What it does aim to do is to give readers a glimpse of how these missionaries lived their lives, travelling from place to place, bringing with them the good news.” Well, congratulations to us all, as yours truly had the honor and privilege of editing the opus.
The Philippine Quill Awards are deemed as the most prestigious and comprehensive awards for business communication. The awards ceremony was conducted on November 11, previous to which five finalists had been anmounced by the International Association of Business Communicators (ABC) to be vying for the top prize. Joining Fr. Arcilla and Monching Cruz onstage to receive the trophy were Fr. William Kreutz, SJ, former president of Ateneo de Zamboanga University; Fr. Herbert Schneider, SJ, executive director of Philippine Jesuit Aid Association; photographer Bobot Meru and Chris Bayani of Media Wise Communications/ Muse Books. Excerpt republished with permission from the author of the PhilStar column KRIPOTKIN, Alfred A. Yuson.
Get the iPhone 5c for as low as P1,349 monthly from Globe The iPhone 5s now available at P1,799 monthly with unlimited LTE
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lobe Telecom is now offering the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s at more affordable price points under its fully-customizable Best-Ever mySUPERPLAN, a next-generation postpaid plan t hat features f u l lycustomizable plan components and a bigger plan value. The iPhone 5c 16GB is now available for as low as P1,349 monthly at Plan 499 with a monthly cashout* of P850 for a 24-month contract period. The postpaid plan bundle comes with 300 megabytes (MB) of mobile Long Term Evolution (LTE) surfing and free calls and texts. On the other hand, the iPhone 5s 16GB is offered for as low as P1,799 monthly at Plan 999 with a monthly cashout* of P80 0 for a 24-mont h contract period. The plan is bundled with unlimited LTE surfing and free calls and texts. “Customers can now purchase the newest iPhones under our suite of fullycustomizable postpaid plans at a price that’s easier on their pockets and enjoy
the same best deals and innovative offers only from the leader in postpaid and trusted expert in iPhone,” shares Raul Macatangay, Head of Globe Postpaid. On top of the offers now made more affordable, Globe subscribers also get free subscription to Globe Gadget Care, the complete mobile phone protection program against theft and accidental damage available in the market today, as well as free access to Facebook along with customer experience innovations until January 2014. Globe is also offering the iPhone 5c
16GB in prepaid for only P29,000 and the iPhone 5s 16GB at P34,400 payable via credit card for up to 12-month installment at 0% interest. The prepaid kit comes with a free prepaid nano-SIM and free 900 MB of mobile browsing for 3 months. New and existing Globe subscribers who are loyal iPhone users can also avail of the iPhone Forever plan, an exclusive phone upgrade program that allows them to swap their current devices to get a new iPhone every year for free or with minimal cashout. The iPhone 5c 16GB is available at iPhone Forever Plan 1599, while the iPhone 5s 16GB is available at iPhone Forever Plan 1999, both for a contract period of 24 months. Both plans are bundled with 1 gigabyte (GB) of mobile LTE surfing and free calls and texts. To know more about the Globe iPhone offers, visit www.globe.com.ph or call the Globe Sales Hotline at 730-1010. *Cash-out for 24 months payable at 0% installment via participating credit cards
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Mindanao Daily B7 NEWS
CAGAYANTIMES MSU-IIT is AirAsia Zest rolls out 2013 Steag Energy Quiz Piso Fare promo Book from now until Dec 1 and plan your Champ travels from May 2014 up till January 2015!
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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) has sustained for two consecutive years its championship title after besting 29 other high schools in Northern Mindanao during the recently concluded 2013 Steag Energy Quiz at the Limketkai Center, this city. Trailing them as 2nd and 3rd prize winners are the teams from Cagayan de Oro’s Corpus Christi School (CCS) and Xavier University, respectively. Representing the MSU-IIT winning team are Mike Martin Diangco, Leynette Joy Lepaopao, Nicole Jeanica Lim with coach Ivy Claire Mordeno of MSU-IIT’s Science and Math Department. Now on its 9th year, the Steag Energy Quiz brings together the best and the brightest among senior high school students from the different private and public schools in the region. Organized and sponsored by energy firm STEAG State Power Inc (SPI), the annual event aims to promote academic excellence among the youth as well as develop among them a special interest in the science of energy via a friendly contest and intellectual competition, according to Jerome R. Soldevilla, STEAG’s communications department head. Aside from bringing home trophies and medals, winners also receive a total of P24,000 worth of cash prizes. (SPI/PIA)
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irAsia Zest’s anticipated Piso fare is back again, this time in conjunction with promo seats available throughout AirAsia and AirAsia X’s extensive route network throughout the region and beyond. AirAsia Zest Piso seats are available for booking at www. airasia.com from today until 1st Dec 2013. Guests will be able to travel from 5 May 2014 up to 31 January 2015 with all-in promo seats starting from as low as Php 353.92 for one way including applicable taxes and fees. Many domestic destinations such as Manila to Cebu, Tacloban, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Kalibo (Boracay), Puerto Princesa (Palawan), Tagbilaran and many others are featured in this Piso Fare promo including direct flights from Cebu to Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Puerto Princesa (Palawan). Joy Caneba, Executive Vice
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President and Chief Operating Officer of AirAsia Zest said, “Now is the perfect opportunity for our guests to connect from many places conveniently as we continuously add new routes and increase frequencies into our network. Exciting deals also await those who would like to travel overseas with promo fares from our Manila and Cebu hubs to various international destinations.” AirAsia Zest is also offering promo fares for international routes from Cebu to Kuala Lumpur and Manila to Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Miri (Malaysia), Macau, Incheon and Shanghai from as low Php461 one way and including applicable taxes and fees. Promo seats via AirAsia hubs operating in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Baru, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu are also available in line with Visit Malaysia Year 2014, as there will be many international travellers who will
arrive into Malaysia. International destinations featured in this AirAsia regional campaign also include Singapore, Jakarta, Bandung, Bangkok, Hatyai, Surat Thani, Phnom Penh and many others. AirAsia X is also offering low fares on long haul routes, which include newly launched destinations of Nagoya, Adelaide, Male, Colombo and Busan. Guests on AirAsia X flights may book online and enjoy prices from as low as Php2,197 on economy and Php9,087 on premium from Kuala Lumpur. “AirAsia Zest’s new direct flights from Cebu to Kuala Lumpur starting December 1 will enable travellers from Visayas region to as far as those from Mindanao via our daily flights from Cebu to Cagayan de Oro and Davao to take advantage of this promo fare and benefit from AirAsia’s vast network across all Asean countries including China, India and Australia,” Caneba said.
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Environment
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LGUs must implement programs to combat climate change: VP Binay MANILA -- Vice President Jejomar Binay on Tuesday urged all local government units (LGUs) to formulate their own local climate change action plans (LCCAPs), which they could implement to fight the negative effects of climate change. Bi nay made t he ca l l during his speech at the LGU Summit on Global Warming and Climate Change, held Tuesday morning at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. “In the strongest terms possible, I encourage and implore you to take full advantage of this opportunity. Learn as much as you can about how you can better prepare your community and our people against the ravages of nature that stand
to grow fiercer in the coming years,” he said. Binay said the country’s adaptation of the National Climate Cha nge Action Plan (NCCAP) is a good beginning in fighting the threat of climate change, but also stressed that planning should be as good as the implementation. Binay pointed out that NCCAP will have to be adjusted according to the unique characteristics of the various communities
to ensure t hat t hey are better prepared against any calamity. “It is vital that they be distilled to consider the intricacies and peculiarities of the various communities, if they are to be truly responsive and resilient,” he stressed. With the help of Climate Change Commission providing technical assistance in forming communities’ LCCAPs, Binay said he hopes that all LGUs would be able to finalize their plans and implement them. He also emphasized the importance of the summit as one of the most effective forum for various stakeholders to share experiences and best programs/PAGE B10
Dengue alert in Tacloban up MANILA -– After being walloped by the world ’s deadliest typhoon early this month, Tacloban City is being threatened of a dengue outbreak. “Dengue alert in Tacloban,” said City Council Jerry Uy in a text message to the Philippines News Agency this morning. “St i l l tons of debr is remained uncollected despite the clean up being made by t he M MDA (Ma ni la Metropolitan Development Authority) in Tacloban,” Uy said.
The MMDA has sent a team to Tacloban, the worst-hit area of Typhoon Yolanda last Nov. 8, to help in clearing the city of debris from collapsed buildings and other structures littering the streets. Uy said there are still stagnant f lood waters in many parts of the city. He s a id t here is a n urgent need to clean these surroundings to prevent a dengue outbreak, adding that a “massive information is needed to inform the people.” He said 18 days after
the typhoon, motorcycle for hire which is the mode of transportation for ordinary people in Tacloban is still nowhere to be found. Super Typhoon “Yolanda” with maximum wind of up to 315 kilometers-per-hour left 5,240 dead in Samar, Tacloban and other provinces of Central Visayas, not to mention the more than 1,600 missing, thousands of injured and millions of people left homeless. The damage to properties and infrastructure is alert/PAGE B11
Prepare for survival, climate exec tells LGUs MANILA -– Climate Change Commission (CCC)ViceChairperson Lucille Sering urged LGUs nationwide to be pro-active in undertaking d isa ster r isk reduc t ion (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA). She said both are essential in helping protect life, limb and property from onslaught of hazards including those arising from the changing climate. ”Preparedness is still the key to surviving,” she said Monday (Nov. 25) at a briefing in Metro Manila
for the country’s celebration of Climate Change Week (CCW) this year. T h e 2 01 3 C C W i s anchored on the theme ‘I Plan, I Act.’ Authorities adapted such theme, noting onslaught of super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ (international name ‘Haiyan’) t his mont h high lighted urgency for DRR and CCA. ’Yolanda’ plowed through Central Philippines on Nov. 8, wiping out communities there and leaving behind thousands of dead victims and tons of debris.
Citing scientists’ projections, Sering said occurrence of f uture t ropica l c yclones worst t ha n ‘Yola nda’ ca n’t be discounted as continuing rise in sea temperature – one repercussion of climate change - fuels development of such weather disturbances. E x per ts a lso wa rned climate change-fueled threats to thePhilippines and other island-nations include sea level rise. Sering noted LGUs must heed authorities’ warnings survival/PAGE B11
Ginger roots grown not only as spice for native delicacies but for its high medicinal values. Aromatic, pungent and spicy, ginger adds a special flavor and zest to Asian stir fries and many fruit and vegetable dishes. Fresh ginger root is available year round in the produce section of your local market. Ginger is the underground rhizome of the ginger plant with a firm, striated texture. The flesh of the ginger rhizome can be yellow, white or red in color, depending upon the variety. It is covered with a brownish skin that may either be thick or thin, depending upon whether the plant was harvested when it was mature or young. (PNA Legazpi Bureau photo of Danny Calleja)
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Coconut farms in Central PH may take 6 years to recover IT may ta ke Fi lipi no coconut farmers four to six years to fully rehabilitate farms ravaged by Typhoon Yolanda, the strongest to make landfall on record, in Central Philippines, officials said Monday. Planting new varieties of coconut will take four years before it bears fruit, while old varieties may take six years, Yvonne V. Agustin, United Coconut Associations of the Philippines Inc. (UCAP) executive said. “But still, depende sa extent ng damage,” she said. A non-stock, non-profit pr ivate orga ni z at ion of coconut producers, UCAP ser ves as t he center of information on the coconut industry. Last week, the Agriculture Department placed at P1.52 billion the damage incurred by the coconut subsector from Typhoon Yolanda which included 41,662 hectares of plantations and some 3,058,948 coconut trees in varying degrees of damaged – from slight to severe – after the killer typhoon scythed through Regions 6, 7 and 8, packing sustained winds of 315 kilometers per hour and gusts up to 378 kph. But the numbers were still very preliminary and may even double once complete data are validated, Euclides
G . F o r b e s , Ph i l i p p i n e Coconut Authority (PCA) administrator, noted in a separate phone interview. “Hindi pa finalized ang data, pero definitely mas malaki pa sa initial... baka doble pa,” he said. “We’re still waiting for reports from NDRR MC, LGUs,” he added, referring to local government units and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Targets at risk C e nt r a l Ph i l ip pi ne s accounted for 15 percent of total coconut production and exports, with Leyte and Samar as major coconut producing areas. n 2012, Regions 6, 7 and 8 produced 17 percent or 2.7 million metric tons of the 15.86 million MT in total production, Bureau of Agricultural Statisitics data showed. Leyte and Samar accounted for 70 percent of total output in Central Philippines. “I don’t want to promise a rose garden, but for this year... medyo mahirap maabot ang targets natin for production and exports,” Forbes said. Philippines targets to export 2 million MT in copra terms, which include 1.1 million MT coconut oil – the Coconut/PAGE B11
AgriBusiness
Mindanao Daily B9 NEWS northmin . westmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper
BFAR moves to allow sardine spawning, sets ‘close season’ ZAMBOANGA City (PNA)— The Bureau of Fisheries a nd Aqu at ic Resou rces (BFAR) and the concerned sta keholders a re set to implement the three-month close season for tamban (sardine) fishing to provide the fish time to spawn. This, despite calls from some groups to forgo with its implementation so that the workers, especially those affected by the September standoff, will have income this Yuletide Season and while this city is recovering from the crisis. BFAR Director Asis Perez said the close season for sardine fishing will take effect on December 1 and ends on February 28 next year. “The implementation will push through as what the stakeholders wanted. On December 1 the area for sardine fishing will be closed. Our stakeholders from the region told us to continue the implementation so that we will enjoy the benefit of the close- fishing season,” Perez said. He said the close-fishing season for sardine multiply the production of fish by as much as 30 percent in three months time.
He said the areas covered by the close season for sardine fishing are East Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait and Sibuguey Bay. “We are reminding our fish folks that we have closefishing season and we expect the full cooperation from our fishermen,” he said. T he i mplement at ion of t he close season for sardine fishing this year will be the third time since its implementation started three years ago. Me a nw h i le , Pe r me x Producers and Exporters Corp. Manager Edgar Lim said the close-fishing season
helps a lot to the fishing industry. Lim’s firm is one of the canning factories operating in this city. “Close f ishing is important in our sardines industry as we protect the parent stock. It benefits everybody, the fisher folk, commercial fishing and the canning industry. If we will compare the catch from 2011, it really improved since then. The catch of 2012 improved,” Lim said. He sa id t hey w i l l d iscuss w it h t he BFA R to i n s t it ut iona l i z e t he conser vat ion measure
“because it really shows a good result.” He said the implementation of the close fishing season is a good private-public partnership since “we are able to agree on a conservation measure that will protect our environment as well as our marine resources.” The implementation of the close- fishing season is in line with the joint administrative order (AO) issued by the BFA R , D e p a r t m e nt o f Agriculture and Department of the Interior and Local Government. The AO states that it is sardine/PAGE B10
B10 Mindanao Daily NEWS
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Bill...
from page B2
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“With the penalty, late pay ment fees and ot her charges compounding, the rate is more than what ‘5-6’ operators charge,” Mendoza said. Mendoza cited the ruling of the Supreme Court on the case of depositor Ileana Macalinao versus Bank of the Philippine Island (BPI) on September 19, 2009. Mendoza quoted the High Tribunal’s decision, which ruled, “We are of the opinion that the interest rate and penalty charge should be equitably reduced to 2 percent per month or 24 percent per annum.” Mendoza said the bill will put into effect the cap on interest rates and penalty charges as ru led by t he Supreme Court. Mendoza said t he bill prohibits credit card companies from charging fees for exceeding the card holder’s credit limit. “Such fees are unconscionable since the c re d it c a rd c omp a n ie s t h e m s e l ve s aut hor i z e d i nd iv idua l t ra nsac t ions which resulted in cardholders exceeding their credit limits,” Mendoza said. Under the bill, interest rates imposed by credit card companies on purchases and cash advances made through such facility shall in no case be higher than 1 percent per month or 12 percent per annum, without compounding. Surcharges or penalties shall likewise be limited to a ceiling of 1 percent per month, w it hout c omp ou nd i ng. (PNA)
Counter... from page B2
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ahead of the central bank’s five percent target for this year except last March when it grew by 3.7 percent yearon-year. Guinigundo said “stronger f lows” are expected this month for the rehabilitation needs of the people affected by the typhoon, which is being considered to be among the strongest in the world so far. Remittance accounts to about eight percent of the country’s GDP growth and
is one of the major driver of the economy. In the first half of the year, the domestic economy grew by 7.6 percent, higher than the six to seven percent growth target of the government for this year. Monetary officials are confident on the continued rise of remittances to the Philippines due to strong demand for Filipino workers abroad. Preliminary data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) showed that in the first nine months this year, approved job orders reached 609,948, 38.3 percent of which are processed job orders for the services, production, professional, technical and related works. The processed job orders are for deployment to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Taiwan, Qatar, a nd Hong Kong. (PNA)
Summit... from page B2
were booming, adding “the globa l Islamic economy has not yet reached its full potent ia l a lt hough 1.62 billion Muslims comprise one fifth of the world population.” Buamin repeated the goal stated by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed, who is also the vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, that Dubai aims to become the capital of the Islamic economy, based on its open economy, its geographic location between East and West and its strength in trade, tourism and banking. Dubai aims to double the number of tourists from 10 million to 20 million by 2020, “and we want to give Muslim tourists the chance to spend their holidays where they have a cast choice of family-oriented hotels, halal food and halal lifestyle,” said Gerald Lawless, president and group CEO of Dubai’s largest state- owned hotel group Jumeirah. Viswanathan Shankar, the chief executive of British lender Standard Chartered Bank for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Americas, said the Islamic countries s h a l l i nc re a s e t r a d i n g among each other in order to reach their full economic potential, added “So far, only 20 percent of the total trade in the 57 member states of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) is intra-OIC trade, the rest is done with the developed world and other, non- Muslim emerging markets.” (PNA/Xinhua)
Promo... from page B4
Christ mas promo shor t comes on the heels of the compa ny’s move to put on hold all commercial ad space starting November 18, with the money original earmarked for these ads to be diverted instead to the relief efforts in the Visayas. S o f a r, C o c a - C o l a Philippines has donated $2.5 million in cash and in-kind contributions for
t he benef it of Yola nd a sur vivors. The donation was coursed through the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Philippine Red Cross.
ADB... from page B5
u n c e r t a i nt y, e m e r g i n g East Asia’s local currency bond markets expanded 2.4% quarter-on-quarter with $7.1 trillion in bonds outstanding at the end of September. T he g row t h w a s le d by I ndone sia , up 3.9% , the Philippines, up 3.6%, a nd Ch i na , up 3% . T he emerging East Asian bond market was 12.5% bigger than a year earlier. The region’s government bond markets grew 2.1% on quarter to $4.4 trillion, up from the quarterly growth of 1.1% in the April through June quarter. The corporate market increased 2.9% to $2.7 trillion, slower than the 8.0% expansion in the previous three months. At the end of September, the outstanding stock of T ha i ba ht-denom i nated bonds stood at $285 billion, 0.2% more t han at t he end of Ju ne a nd 8.8% more than at the end of September 2012. Gross issuance fell to $63 billion in the third quarter from $79 billion in the second quarter.
BSP...
from page B5
usual inflows could provide a “counterweight” to the damage caused by Yolanda, as well as additional support to gross domestic product (GDP). GDP is the amount of final goods and services produced in the country and as such measures economic performance. R e m it t a nc e s , w h ic h usually comprise 10 percent of GDP, have risen by 6.8 percent year-on-year to $2.1 billion in September, making it t he si xt h consecutive month that inflows exceeded the $2-billion mark. For t he n i ne-mont h period, remittances increased by 6.6 percent year-on-year to $18.2 billion. The BSP forecast five percent year-on-year growth for the entire 2013.
Short... from page B5
reached P1.3 billion. Ten of the 17 collection districts exceeded t heir collection targets for October. The Manila International Container Port (MICP), Port of Manila and Batangas Port continued to contribute the lion’s share of collections with a combined P19 billion raised last month. To date, six of the B17 collection districts -- Iloilo, Cebu, Cagaya n de Oro, Davao, Subic and Clark -are on track to meet their full-year targets. For November a nd December, the DBCC has set collection targets of P31.057 billion and P27.998 billion, respectively, for Customs.
Programs... from page B8
practices in addressing the consequences of climate change. “This morning, under t he bat t le cr y of, “I pla n. I ac t .”, a rou nd 1,000 leaders and climate c h a nge ad apt at ion a nd d i s a s ter r i sk re duc t ion practitioners from the local level are here to share their experiences in planning and implementation of prog ra ms towa rds realizing climate resilient communities,” he said. “Today, we shall hear not just sound theories but more importantly, real successes of LGUs and communities i n t e r m s o f “p l a n n i n g a nd a c t i n g ”, g i ve n t he tools, methodologies and resources available.” Binay said LGUs must take full advantage of the summit to come up with t he best climate cha nge ac t ion pla n s “t hat w i l l build on your streng t hs a nd a l low you to bu i ld more capabilities with the passage of time.” “We cannot stop storms from traveling through our land, but if we faithfully discharge our duties, we ca n ensu re t hat fewer fa mi lies a re cla i med by the four winds,” he said. The LGU Summit on G l o b a l Wa r m i n g a n d Climate Change is one of the activities for the Climate C h a n g e C o m m i s s i o n’s National Climate Change Consciousness (CCC) Week 2013, which will run from November 25 to 29. It a i ms to create awareness on globa l warming and climate c h a n g e t h r ou g h br o a d a nd intensive public information and educat iona l ca mpa ig n to secu re t he col lec t ive cooperation of private and public sectors at all levels in finding solutions to this concern. T h e A q u i n o Administration has placed climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction among its priority programs under the Climate Change Commission as supported by the Cabinet Cluster on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation. The CCC week will be an opportunity for all partners f rom gover n ment a nd stakeholders to inform the public about the initiatives on climate change in the global, national, and local levels. (PNA)
Sardine... from page B9
unlawful for any person, association, or corporation to catch sardines in the conservation area during the close sardine-fishing season. The pena lties for violations are imprisonment of six months and one day to six years or fine of P6,000 and forfeiture of the catch, and with administrative penalty of cancellation of fishing boat and gear license.
Mindanao Daily B11 NEWS
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Robinsons... from page B1
this year. Next year more branches will be built all over Mindanao including in Tagum and in Iligan City,” said Salarza. The mall, however, opened with only 36% of its tenants in operation and the major mall features such as the supermarket, department store and cinema were unable to catch up with the opening date. “Actually this date is two weeks early than we anticipated. Supposedly we would open in December but we considered the need to be in full operation by December,” said Salarza. The RLC official stressed that super typhoon Yolanda was also a major factor in the delay in the opening of several of the mall’s stores and facilities. “We experienced delays in the shipment when Yolanda a nd Zora ida struck t he country; the boats carrying our shipments were not able to leave their ports of origin,” she said. She added t he y had to reduce the volume of their shipments in favor of humanitarian efforts for areas hit by the typhoon. She said they opted to push with the opening as previously promised. “We promised before that we would be opening on this date, November 25, and so we have to stand by our word. So far the reception of the people had been very overwhelming and the local government of the city has been very kind in lending their support. We target to have our department store section opened on November 29 and the supermarket to be opened on December 10,” she said. A supervisor in one of the food outlets who asked not to be named said she was surprised that many people came for the opening. “The number of people is so very overwhelming, and we are happy that we have opened today since our sales just skyrocketed. We are even having a hard time just trying to keep up with the number of people buying and with our deliveries,” the supervisor said. The mall management said they will announce the grand opening in the first quarter of 2014 and hoped it would create a bigger impact on Butuan’s fiesta celebration on May 19.
Power... from page B1
- Capiz Electric C o op er at ive I nc , P670 million; - Ley te II Electric Cooperative Inc, P660.9 million; and - L e y te I I I E le c t r ic Cooperative Inc, P464.98 million. To assist in the utilities’ repair works, NEA said it has made available P371 million in calamity loans to 17 cooperatives. NEA and 34 cooperatives
in Luzon and Mindanao have also deployed 226 engineers and linemen to assist the nine coops in Visayas in their power restoration efforts. Nine task force teams were sent on November 12 to Capiz, Iloilo, Aklan, Leyte, Biliran and Eastern Samar. Dispatched NEA engineers and technical staff conducted assessment in all areas affected by Yolanda and assisted in the clearing operation. Power restoration and rehabilitation is being supervised by NEA. NEA and the electric cooperatives aim to rebuild distribution lines simultaneously with the repair of the National Grid Corp of the Philippines’ (NGCP) transmission lines in order to fast track power restoration to consumers. To date, power has been restored to all towns in the coverage areas of Maselco, Vresco, Boheco I and II, Cebeco II. Soleco, Leyeco IV, Samelco I, and Norsamelco. Two towns in Bileco, 13 towns in Samelco II, and nine towns in Esamelco are ready to receive power when transmission is restored. The NGCP earlier repor ted t hat power transmission lines have been restored in Panay Island and in Leyte. However, restoring electricity at the town, or even barangay level, would depend on repairs being done by electric cooperatives. The DOE is aiming to complete power restoration at the town level by December 24.--InterAksyon
Taxes... from page B1
This is indicated in the Statement of Receipts for budget year 2014 submitted to the City Council headed by Vice Mayor Caesar Ian E. Acenas. Sitting as a committee of the whole, legislators started deliberations on next year’s General Fund and Special Account: Economic Enterprises. Councilor President D. Elipe, chair of the committee on finance and ways and means, presides over the budget hearing. PROJECTIONS Local Financial czars are expecting to get P13 million from Amusement Ta x, P 22 m i l l ion f rom Community Tax, P40 million from Franchise Tax, P10 million from Occupational Tax (Professional Tax) and P32 million from Property Transfer Tax. Income from Rea l Property Tax is expected to soar from P243.7 million this year to a hefty P382.5 million for 2014 while Tax on Delivery Trucks and Vans is projected at P3.5 million, Sand and Gravel and other quarry products at P3 million and P16 million from other local taxes. Total tax revenues for 2014 is estimated to reach P1.1 billion. STUDY M a t t e r s c onc e r n i n g collection of Community Tax and share of different
northmin . westmin . caraga . davao Your Mindanao-wide Community Newspaper
barangays has been referred to the committee on barangay affairs chaired by Councilor Anthony O. Brellita for study. Meanwhile, the committee on games and amusement chaired by Councilor Adrian Barba was requested to thresh out matters pertaining to collection of amusement taxes in the city. Bud ge t he a r i ng w i l l resume on the first week of December.
Helping... from page B1
Aside from their relief and medical mission, the group has set up a help desk to assist typhoon survivors contact their relatives in Mindanao, Degala said. “It ’s eit her we ma ke contact through phone calls or if they don’t have contact numbers, we contact their relatives through local radio stations,” she said. Degala said they will conclude their operation tomorrow (Tuesday) after starting last November 22. For BALSA-Mindanao’s second wave of help in Leyte and Samar provinces tentatively set on Dec. 16 to 22, Degala said they may offer psychosocial therapy intervention for survivors suffering from trauma or depression, dental mission and free legal clinic. Balsa means a bamboo f loating raf t, which sy mbolizes t he people’s resilience and determination to survive. For some volunteers, the experience is rewarding. “At least, I spend my time for the victims here. I may not have money but I helped by carrying sacks of reliefs goods,” said 21year old Marthy Mijares of Surigao City, jobless and a college undergraduate. It was his first time to visit this city. “It’s badly hit by the typhoon. When we arrived the other day, we saw lots of dead people stuffed in a body bag and placed on the side of the road. Everyday, I can see dead people,” Mijares said. Mijares said he and seven other friends from Surigao City have volunteered even in their hometown after Yolanda struck. “We have been packing relief items and we are happy doing this,” he said. BALSA-Mindanao (also Bulig alang sa Mindanao/ Help for Mindanao) is a broad Mindanao-wide network formed in 2011 in response to the humanitarian crisis after typhoon Sendong ravaged parts of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City. BALSA ta kes of f f rom t he ef for ts of t he Rural Missionaries of the Phi lippines-Nor t hern Mindanao and Panday Bulig NGO, which pioneered the humanitarian campaign for Northern Mindanao postSendong. It t a k e s i n s pi r at ion from, and is therefore a continuation of, the national citizen-led disaster response called BALSA (Bayanihan
alay sa Sambayanan) in the aftermath of Typhoon Ondoy in Luzon in 2009. It is a people’s mobilization for disaster response and climate justice. It relies on a stream of volunteers from all over Mindanao, who bring with them various expertise and contributions needed to help empower and rebuild affected communities. (Roel N. Catoto/MindaNews)
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Alert... from page B8
estimated to reach P24 billion. The national government has drawn up plans to rehabilitate typhoon-ravaged areas in the Visayas. The international community has responded with great speed in the relief operations for the millions of evacuees that badly needed food, water, medicines and temporary shelters. As this developed, members of the Japanese Self Defense Force (JSDF), helping in the ongoing “Yolanda” relief efforts, have fumigated the Tacloban City Convention Center on Tuesday morning. Around 50 members of the JSDF participated in this activity, 8th Infantry Division spokesperson Capt. Amado Gutierrez said. This took place 10:30 a.m. The fumigation aims to reduce or eliminate the present of noxious insects like mosquitoes, flies, and cockroaches known to bring diseases. Gutierrez said the JSDF team will fumigate all the evacuation centers in Tacloban City within the coming days. Aside from fumigation, he added the JSDF will conduct a series of medical missions to aid sick evacuees. Gutierrez said JSDF units have been in the “Yolanda” stricken areas since Nov. 12. They are equipped with three C-47 transport helicopters, three UH-1 helicopters, two KC-767 air tankers, seven C-130s and U-4 utility aircraft, one “Osumi” logistic vessel and an “Ise” class escort vessel. (PNA)
Survival...
from page B8 about potential disasters and act accordingly to help mitigate impact of climate change and other hazards like earthquakes, tropical cyclones, ‘tsunami’ occurrences and flooding. ”We’re a mecca of disasters but we don’t want these to restrict our development,” she said. LGUs must be pro-active as these know who, in respectivecommunities, are in harm’s way and must be moved to safer ground as early as possible, she noted. Sering further said climate finance is an issue that continues hounding DRR and CCA efforts amidst threats of climate change. Reporting on outcome of this month’s climate talks in Poland, she reiterated reluctance of developed countries to provide funding that’ll help developing countries to undertake such measures. ”The Green Climate Fund was created for the purpose but this mechanism still has no funds,” she said earlier Monday at the Greeneration Summit in Metro Manila. She noted developed countries are the world’s top emitters of climate change-driving greenhouse gases so these are responsible for helping fund developing nations’ efforts to adapt. Greeneration Summit aims to promote youth-based climate change empowerment. Such summit is among activities authorities lined up for this year’s CCW. (PNA)
Coconut... from page B9
majority of coconut exports. But UCAP’s Agustin is still hopeful the full-year coconut oil export target will be achieved. “Depende kung may nakaschedule na shipment during the storm, or kung na-i-ship na bago pa dumating ang bagyo,” she said. “May December pa na i-shiship. As of October, we already reached 1 million MT,” she added. Coco lumber But for now, the Agriculture Department and the PCA are bent on turning felled trees into lumber for reconstruction and rehabilitation of housing and shelter in the
devastated regions. Earlier, the PCA bought 100 chainsaws to be used for the clearing operations. “Bumili kami ng mga chainsaw para para putulin ang mga nasirang puno ng niyog para i-save ang coco lumber na puwedeng component sa paggawa ng mga bahay, public school buildings,” Forbes said on Monday. Coconut farmers affected by the typhoon will be employed under the PCA’s cash-for-work program and will be paid P300 a day for 15 days. Even the coconut fruits that are whole, as long as they are not damaged, may still be used or sold.
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