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e-mail: businessweekmindanao@gmail.com Issue No. 31, Volume 1

BusinessWeekYOUR LOCAL BUSINESS PAPER

P10.00JANUARY 11-17, 2010

The new shopping mall, which will be constructed in its newly-acquired property at Claro M. Recto Avenue (front-ing Gaisano Mall), will be ALI’s biggest mall in Mindanao, much bigger than Davao City’s P3 bil-lion Ayala Mall set to be com-pleted by 2012.

Cagayan de Oro city mayor Constantino Jaraula said this is the biggest investment of the company on the island of Mindanao.

“Once completed, this Ayala Mall, the biggest in Mindanao, would make the city the major shopping destination and fur-ther boost Cagayan de Oro as a

M’danao’s biggest mall to rise in Oro

THE Regional Development Council for Region 10 has requested the Offi ce of the President to change the method of undertaking for the Min-danao Railway System (MRS) of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) from Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) to Offi cial Development Assistance (ODA).

“The Regional Development Council (RDC-10) recognizes the importance and fully supports the Cagayan De Oro-Iligan Corridor (CIC) Mindanao Railway System (MRS) Project for the further socio-economic development of Mindanao,” said Gov. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, RDC-X chairman.

The MRS is an identifi ed priority projects contained in the Northern Mindanao Physical Framework Plan (2004-2030) and the Northern

The railway system that will soon traverse the northern part of Min-danao.

Artist rendition of the proposed P4.5 billion Ayala Mall soon to rise along Claro M. Recto Avenue.

ODA eyed for M’nao railway system

MINDANAO Container Termi-nal (MCT), one of the newest facilities in the southern part of the country, is seeing volume growth of at least a single digit for 2009 following the surge of agricultural products late last year.

MCT port manager Dante Clarito said at least 8,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) have been handled for December of last year alone, mainly coming from agricultural products.

Container Port sees single-digit growth in ‘09

Mindanao Regional Development Plan (2004-2010). It is also included in the list of projects for the Mindanao Super Region.

On 25 April 2003, the RDC-10 Executive Com-mittee passed Resolution No. 10 endorsing the conduct of the feasibility study for the Mindanao Railway Project and its inclusion in the Northern Mindanao Regional Development Investment Program and Philippine Medium-Term Public Investment Program, said Dir. Leon Dacanay Jr., RDC-X co-chair and NEDA-X regional director.

“The Feasibility Study for the Segment 1 Phase 1 of the MRS Project covering the area from Cagayan de Oro City to Iligan City was com-pleted and submitted to NEDA for evaluation in

“We are expecting to end 2009 handling some 115,000 TEUs, which is 5.5 percent high-er than the 109,000 TEUs posted in the entire 2008,” Clarito said saying the actual fi gure is set to be released this month.

MCT is being operated by International Container Termi-nal Services Inc., the country’s largest port operator.

Clarito said they were with-in target last year after the continued fl ow of cargoes from

its major clients, such as Nestle Philippines, for the import sec-tor and wood-based products for the export sector.

During the January-Novem-ber period, MCT posted a 6.3-percent increase in container-ized cargo to 107,902 TEUs from last year’s 101,422 TEUs.

The fi gure, however, is still far from the terminal’s capacity of 270,000 TEUs.

MCT, located in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, is being

geared to become one of the gateways in the southern part of the country. It has a con-tainer yard with a capacity of 6,817 TEUs.

Among the products from the region include pineapples, banana, meat and other per-ishables, and agricultural and marine products.

Earlier estimates showed that cargo volume in the Mis-amis Oriental and Cagayan de

By LEN VELASCO, Reporter

THE biggest mall in Mindanao is soon to rise in Cagayan de Oro.

Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) said they will start the construction of the P4.5 billion Ayala Mall and Busi-ness Center at the heart of the bustling Cagayan de Oro’s business district this year.

haven for investment,” Jaraula said.

Cagayan de Oro is home to the country’s biggest malls. SM City has established its P1 bill-ing mall at the uptown Upper Balulang; world class Limketkai shopping complex is continuing its expansion with more malls, hotels, and business establish-ments under construction; Ororama Mega Store is under-going renovation after it was struck by fi re last year; among others.

Aside from more invest-ment opportunities it may bring, it will also provide job

Price Watch

Baguio Beans -- P6/klTomato -- P100/boxCarrots --P20/kl (big) --P18/kl (med) --P16/kl (small)Squash --P3/klBell pepper --P35/k (big) --P20/kl (small)Caulifl ower --P20/klBroccoli --P20/klSweet Peas (Chicharo) --P10/klPotato --P55/kl (big)Onion --P90/klGarlic --P90/klCabbage --P4/klChinese Pechay --P4/klRESEARCHER: ARJAY FELICILDA

Agora Vegetable Landing Area (Buying Price)

GSIS eco stimulusTHE Government Service Insur-ance System (GSIS) provided the country with a much needed eco-nomic stimulus last year through its Consolidated Loan (ConsoLoan) program, a loan window that con-solidates fi ve different loan pack-ages into one. Story on page 9

FINANCE

TOURISM

ENERGY

Eco-tourism zoneA L O C A L f i rm is in-v e s t i n g P656 million for the de-velopment of a 12-hectare masterplanned mixed-use town-ship in Cagayan de Oro City.

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has approved last December 7 the registration of Paseo del Rio de Cagayan economic tourism zone which the company said would become a landmark urban redevelopment in the city.

Bioethanol plantCONAL Holdings Corp., a sub-sidiary of Alsons Consolidated Resources Inc., is currently de-veloping a 200-megawatt (MW) coal-fi red power plant in Maasim, Sarangani.

Also in the pipeline are the pro-posed 100,000 liter-per-day bioeth-anol plant in Cagayan de Oro City and the 42-MW mini-hydroelectric project in Siguil, Sarangani.

Briefl y

Which came fi rst, the chicken

or the egg?

Alsons eyes partnerships Misamis Oriental

turns 80 this yearStory on page 4

Story on page 9Story on page 2

See MALL/p.10

See RAILWAY/p.10

See GROWTH/p.10

New kidney stone removal procedureIT is now possible to have kidney stones removed with a medical proce-dure that guarantees faster recovery, lesser pain and cheaper cost at the newly opened Kagay-an Kidney Cen-ter in Cagayan de Oro City.

“We have successfully treated some 20 patients from as far as Iligan and Pagadian since this ma-chine arrived and none of them have complained of any pain or discomfort during or after the procedure,” said Dr. Dionisio T. Gaw, president.

Story on Page 10

2 BusinessWeekMINDANAOMisOr TodayMisOr Today

JANUARY 11-17, 2010Editor: J. Ruel Villanueva Pelone

‘Tabo sa umahan’ marks80th Misor anniversaryTHE provincial government of Misamis Oriental will hold anew Tabo sa Umahan 2010, which car-ries this year’s theme, “Seguridad sa Pagkaon, Hiyas sa Ekonomiyang Malig-on,” on January 11-15, 2010 at the provincial capitol grounds, as it marks the 80th Founding Anniversary of the Misamis Oriental as a separate province.

A thanksgiving mass will begin at 7 in the morning on January 11 at the kiosk of the pro-vincial capitol grounds, to be followed thereafter by an opening program, to be highlighted by the unveiling of the “Heritage Monument” and the simultaneous raising of provincial and municipal banners.

The weeklong event will feature the display of various Agricultural Products, OTOP (One Town One Product) Exhibits, Ornamental Plants, Agri-Pasiklaban Contests, PINAKA Contest, Cook-ing Contest, Poster Making Contest as well as nightly shows bearing diff erent subtitles, that

Misamis Oriental will hold the Tabo sa Umahan from January 11-15, 2009 at the provincial capitol grounds to mark the 80th Founding An-niversary of Misamis Oriental. Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri is exprected to grace the opening program on Monday.

MisOr turns 80MISAMIS Oriental has just turned 80 this year.

It was carved out from the undivided Misamis province through Legislative Act No. 3537 that the Philippine Legis-lature approved on November 2, 1929.

The other province was named Misamis Occidental. Adoption of the measure how-ever came 10 years later under Legislative Act No. 3777.

As they say, the rest was history. Yet, the vignettes of the past are being captured in the ongoing construction of the Heritage of Misamis Oriental Monument, under the guidance of renown international sculp-tor Eduardo Castrillo, right at the center of the Provincial Capitol ground. This imposing edifi ce is expected to be com-pleted early next month and its unveiling to the public will also be one of the signifi cant events as the province marks its 80th anniversary.

This year, to highlight this historical milestone, the famed Salo-Tabo, an agri-fair which has been staged four times in a year since 2004 will usher in the anniversary activities. This time, the fi rst-quarter edition and just like in the past, it is dubbed as Tabo sa Umahan to highlight the province’s agri-cultural products.

Festive air are expected at provincial capitol ground due to nightly musical and cultural events that would fea-ture the uniquely indigenous beats and tempo, colorful and intricately designed costumes and choreographed steps of the Higaonons, Maranaos and tra-ditional Filipino and Spanish-inspired dances.

But before anything else, Msgr. Rey Monsanto, the parish priest of the Nazareno Parish, will offi ciate the Holy Eucharis-tic Mass right at the provincial capitol kiosk at 7 o’clock in the morning on Monday, January 11. Afterwhich, the opening program of the week-long Tabo sa Umahan (January 11 to 15) to usher in the year-long celebra-tion of the 80th foundation anniversary of the province

Dr. Ma. Lourdes Gaane, head of the newly-created Provin-cial Health Insurance Office (PHIO), said this year’s 173,367 PhilHealth ID cards that will be distributed starting on January 12 this year is 28-percent higher than last year’s 135,000.

“With an average household size of fi ve, we shall have cov-ered about 800,000 residents,” said Dr. Gaane adding, that her office has automatically re-newed the PhilHealth ID cards that were issued last year.

She said enumeration of qualified residents, checking on double entries as well as on

Residents assured of more health insurance coverageMORE than 800,000 residents of Misamis Oriental could now avail of vital health and medical ser-vices in PhilHealth-accredited hospitals and other medical facilities after the provincial government increased its sponsored health insurance coverage to over 173,000 this year.

By URIEL C. QUILINGUINGOF THE MISAMIS ORIENTAL PROVINCIAL PRESS OFFICE

By ZOROBABEL WABE-RABE OF THE MISAMIS ORIENTAL PROVINCIAL PRESS OFFICE

Misamis Oriental governor Oscar S. Moreno

deaths of card-holders are rou-tinely being done by the PHIO, an offi ce which in the past fi ve years was attached to the Pro-vincial Health Offi ce.

PHIO records show an up-trend of PhilHealth coverage from the time Governor Oscar S. Moreno launched the spon-sored health insurance program in 2005 with 76,381enrolees province-wide.

The following year, the number went up to 81,136 and in 2007 the fi gure hit the 100,000 mark.

More than 20,000 enrolees were added in 2008.

Dr. Gaane said that the PHIO which is housed on the ground-floor of the PHO building is manned by 22 personnel and 25 coordinators in the 23 mu-nicipalities and two cities of the province.

She said the PHIO may even-tually occupy the Rural Bank of Misamis Oriental building once it is vacated since the RBMO is currently constructing a new structure beside the provincial tennis court along Juan Luna Street.

The creation of the PHIO as a separate department of the provincial government––the fi rst ever in the country––came about after the Provincial Board enacted Ordinance No. 1161-2009 in November last year.

“This is in support to Gov-ernor Moreno’s development agenda, particularly in institu-tionalizing a provincial health care and hospital system,” said Misamis Oriental vice governor Norris C. Babiera, presiding

offi cer of the local legislative body.

Since 2005, the Moreno administration has been under-taking simultaneous rehabilita-tion of buildings, upgrading the facilities, and enhancing the medical personnel services of seven district/medicare hospi-tals that were renamed Misamis Oriental Provincial Hospitals last year.

These provincial hospi-tals are located in Balingasag, Claveria, Gingoog, Magsaysay, Manticao, Naawan, and Tal-isayan.

Babiera recalled that during the deliberation of Ordinance No. 1161-2009 not one mem-ber of the Provincial Board expressed opposition to the measure, of creating a separate department to directly oversee the province’s health insurance program and in cognizance of its direct impact in the op-eration and maintenance of the provincial hospitals.

Senate majority fl oorlead-er Juan Miguel Zubiri will be gracing and delivering the keynote address during the occasion. This, even as governor Oscar S. Moreno will also give his anniversary message while vice gover-nor Norris C. Babiera will do the honors of welcoming the dignitaries and guests. Zubiri and Moreno will then lead the ceremonial slicing of the “birthday cake” of Misamis Oriental province, toasting of the wine, and in releasing 80 symbolic red-blue-and-white balloons into the air.

will follow. Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri,

the majority fl oorleader of the Philippine Senate, will be grac-ing and delivering the keynote address during the occasion. This, even as Governor Oscar S. Moreno will also give his an-niversary message while Vice Governor Norris C. Babiera will do the honors of welcoming the dignitaries and guests.

Zubiri and Moreno will then lead the ceremonial slicing of the “birthday cake” of Mis-amis Oriental province, toasting of the wine, and in releasing 80 symbolic red-blue-and-white balloons into the air.

Viewing of the exhibits will then follow, after the ceremo-nial ribbon of the Tabo sa Uma-han shall have been cut. Other than the display of agricultural produce, semi and processed agricultural products, as well as exhibits of agri-support ser-vices, the nightly musical and cultural attractions, there will be goodwill basketball games every afternoon. Also, there will be contests on banana cake baking, pinakbet cooking, poster-making, among other crowd-drawing events in the afternoon.

The launch of the Citizens Charter on Thursday (January 14) will also be held at 8 o’clock in the morning. Closing and awarding ceremonies of Tabo sa Umahan is set on Friday evening.

URIEL C. QUILINGUING

depict the diversity of people, race and culture in Misamis Oriental, to be hosted primarily by the 3 Rural-Based Organizations (RBOs), i.e., RIC for Higa-onon Night, the 4H Club for the Muslim Night and the P4MP for the Christian/Hispanic Infl uence Night.

The 4th Night, entitled as Misamis Oriental Today, depicts the widely accepted culture of Misamisnons at present, with the participation of the Provincial Capitol Employees.

Various presentations/competitions will also be featured on separate nights such as Search for Mrs RIC, Dance Contest (Nobody, Nobody But You), Modern Dance Contest (Hugyaw Sayaw), OPM Contest, Kuracha Dance Contest (Sr. Citizens Level) and Doble-Kara Duet Competition.

The Culminating Program and Awarding Ceremony will be on January 15, 2010 at 7-10 in the evening with an encore of OPM and Modern Dance Winners.

THE Department of Trans-portation and Communica-tions (DOTC) on Tuesday announced the govern-ment’s plan to privatize the old Bacolod and Cagayan de Oro airports to avoid being idled as a result of the development of the new Bacolod-Silay and Laguind-ingan airports.

“In view of the establish-ment of the new Bacolod-

DOTC plans to privatize old airports in Bacolod, OroDOTC plans to privatize old airports in Bacolod, OroSilay and the projected completion of the Lagu-indinga, Misamis Oriental airports, the government is now planning to privatize the old Bacolod airport locat-ed at Bacolod City, Negros Occidental and the Cagayan de Oro Airport located at Ba-rangay Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental,” Transportation and Commu-nication Secretary Leandro

Mendoza said. He said that the privati-

zation plan is in line with the policy of the government to recognize the indispensable role of the private sector as the main engine for national growth and development.

He also said that the proceeds of the sale could be used to finance other government infrastructure programs.

Likewise, Mendoza assure that the planned privatization will be done through a public sale process in accordance with Executive Order 323, an issuance governing the privatization program of the government, and other applicable laws, rules and regulations on privatiza-tions of government assets and properties.

SOME of the “must-see” presentations and competitions that will be featured on sepa-rate nights include:

1. Search for Mrs RIC, Dance Contest (No-body, Nobody But You)

2. Modern Dance Con-test (Hugyaw Sayaw),

3. OPM Contest,

4. Kuracha Dance Con-test (Sr. Citizens Lev-el)

5. Doble-Kara Duet Competition.

MUST-SEE

3BusinessWeekMINDANAO JANUARY 11-17, 2010

NEDF: Advancing coff ee research, development in RP

““THE Nestle Experimental

and Demonstration Farm (NEDF) in Tagum City in

Davao province has been at the forefront of advancing coff ee research and development in the Philippines.

Since its inception in 1994, the NEDF has become the pre-miere facility in coffee farm development and production and also trains coff ee farmers on the latest coffee farming methods and technologies that are geared toward sustainability and self-suffi ciency.

The training and technolo-gy being developed at the NEDF also forms a large and very important part of leading coff ee brand NESCAFE’s quest for the best raw materials for use in the production of NESCAFÉ coff ee. That is why Nestle provided the site with the equipment and facilities needed for classroom instruction and practical appli-cation of the knowledge given to trainees

A farmer at the NEDF ensures that the stem cuttings are properly grown.

The NEDF has vast and well-nurtured coffee farms that serve as role models for other developing coffee farms.

4 BusinessWeekMINDANAOAggie NewsAggie News

JANUARY 11-17, 2010Editor: Len Velasco

DIVERSIFIED farming could gain more leverage given shift-ing weather patterns that lead to the irregular occurrence of pests.

“The weather irregularities have favored some pests,” said Marcela D. Aggarao, entomolo-gist of the Peri-urban Vegetable Project (PUVeP), a system simi-lar to the community or allot-ment gardens promoted by civil society groups in Europe.

“In some instances, pests attack ahead of the usual time in the plant cycle and farmers are caught unaware. If rain is constant, for example, plant limbs become softer thus more susceptible to stem borers,” Ms. Aggarao said.

“But in our allotment gar-dens, attacks have been mini-mal because we do constant monitoring. It is also very ad-vantageous that we use the intercropping system [where]

‘Diversifi ed farming’ needed to combat pest occurrences

THIS age-old dilemma has resulted to countless debates for centuries, as it continues to baffl e scientists, academicians, and even your community “tambays.”

It is indeed mind-boggling and may even cause people to scratch their heads, but for Martin Ozaeta, a simple Batangueño who hails from Lumil, San Jose , it is not important which came fi rst, as long as it is economically rewarding.

For almost 20 years, Martin Ozaeta of GEMSUN Marketing has considered chicken eggs as his family’s bread and butter.

Thanks to his in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. Rolando Virtusio, who fi rst ventured into the poultry business, Martin learned the intricacies of

poultry and egg business up-close and very personal. Now managing his own business, 42-year old Martin sees

to it that he attends personally to the needs of the farm. These include taking good care of the chicken, with the help of a consultant. Through the years he has learned and experienced a number of factors that pose health risks to the chicken, leading to infertility or even death.

Martin, who took up Commerce in college, believes that all business is not without hindrances. He remembers facing dif-fi cult times in running his farm in the beginning. Among them, he states, is maintaining a steady cash fl ow.

“Hindi naman basta-bastang negosyo ito, ” he quips, add-ing that this is primarily caused by the tottering supply and demand.

“Kung December, pag malapit na ang Pasko, yan in-demand ang itlog, pag bakasyon yun ang lean, ” he added.

According to Mang Martin, as far as cash is concerned, he has a number of lending institutions and government programs including those of the Department of Agriculture to thank for.

“Malaki ang naitulong ng Department of Agriculture sa amin lalong-lalu na si Secretary Yap. Ito’y dahil nung kinailangan naming mag-expand, naka-avail kami sa ACEF ng loan,” he said.

The ACEF or Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund is a special purpose fund created by Republic Act No. 8178 or the Agricultural Tariffi cation Act of 1996, specifi cally intended to fi nance projects and activities to enhance the ag-riculture and fi sheries sectors. It supports and enables farmers and fi sherfolk, cooperatives and agribusiness entrepreneurs to compete in the globalized agriculture market.

Martin has also partnered with the DA via the marketing as-sistance program Bagsakan Center , thru which he is assured of a ready market for his produce in Marikina and Quezon City.

Martin’s project has indeed come a very long way. GEMSUN today has redesigned its building to an AV-type to

adapt to the changing environment and climate. An automatic drinking apparatus is also being utilized for easier management. Modern equipment such as generators, egg-grading machines, and sprayers are being used as well to ensure the safe and high quality production of eggs. And through the years, martin’s company has acquired a fl eet of transport vehicles: seven closed vans, two refrigerated vans, two trucks for live hogs, and an L-300 van.

Today, the poultry farm that stands on a two-hectare lot along Recto Avenue in San Jose , Batangas, has continued to pro-vide fi nancial stability to the Ozaeta family, as well as to some 55 neighbors who work as farm laborers. It boasts of a daily harvest of close to 58,000 eggs, which are packed and delivered to sev-eral supermarkets in South Luzon and Metro Manila.

It has also diversifi ed into a livestock farm managed by Martin’s better-half, Pilamar. The farm raises dozens of swine, and gives sustained livelihood and incomes to Lumil residents through its Paiwi or grow-out program.

Now, the town of San Jose is recognized as the “Egg Basket of Luzon”, thanks to the eff orts of poultry raisers and egg dealers like Martin…a truly excellent achievement for an egg-cellent enterprise.

crops are alternated per bed. This confuses the insects be-cause they have diff erent ways of eating the crops. Most de-structive insects also do not fl y long distances,” she said.

Intercropping had previ-ously been adopted by farmers in the region but monocropping is still dominant because farm-ers base their crops on market demand.

But with monocrops, Ms. Aggarao said, the pests are free to strike anywhere.

“It is also riskier with mono-

crops. Once attacked by pests, you lose everything whereas with intercropping, even if you sustain damage, you will not lose your entire investment,” she added.

The entomolgist said it was not advisable to continually plant a bed with the same crop because although pests might not attack one planting season, there may be soil-embedded larvae that will attack the suc-ceeding crop.

The continuous rain that has fallen on Northern Mind-

anao in recent days is expected to hike the costs of chemical-using producers.

“Unexpected rains will make chemical applications useless. Those using this meth-od will have to add ‘stickers’ to ensure that the pesticides are not washed off ,” Ms. Aggarao said.

At the Peri-urban site, how-ever, crops are grown organi-cally. Produce is then sold from P5 to P10 per kilogram lower than the market price, depend-ing on the walk-in demand, she said.

The PUVeP, a research and social outreach unit under Xavier University, facilitates the establishment of allotment and container gardens throughout Cagayan de Oro City and Bukid-non province with the objective of providing accessible food supply to communities.

LOUISE G. DUMAS

EGG-CELLENT AGRI-VENTURE

Which came fi rst, the chicken

or the egg?

It is not advisable to continually plant a bed with the same crop

because although pests might not attack one planting season, there may be soil-embedded larvae that will attack the succeeding crop.

“The NEDF is at the fore-front of coff ee farm research and development that not only seeks to help coff ee farms but play a major in role in the devel-opment of the coff ee industry in general,” says Arthur Baria, Nestle Agricultural Services Head.

Aside from being the most advanced coff ee development facility in the country, the NEDF has had a lot of fi rsts in diff er-ent levels.

For instance, it takes pride in hosting the only robusta cof-fee germplasm in the country and the biggest robusta mother plant garden in the Nestle, if not the whole world. world. The mother plant garden can poten-tially produce 3 million coff ee seedlings a year––enough to plant 3,000 hectares a year.

It is also the only private sector coffee based research and development facility in the Philippines that has functions for research, instruction, and

extension. These three basic functions are also similar to the ones in the universities and the academe.

Training methodsOne of the main roles of

the NEDF is to provide training to the coff ee farmers on the latest coffee farming tech-nologies and methods that the center has developed.

The NEDF’s facilities in-clude spacious lecture centers, numerous plant nurseries, prototype coff ee production facilities, and demonstration farms, among others where farmers learn about the lat-est and most eff ective coff ee planting methods. It also provides has lodging quarters that serve as the trainees’ “homes” while they are un-dergoing training.

At the lecture centers, well-trained agronomists in-form attendees about ev-erything they need to know about coffee crop manage-

ment—from the planting to the harvesting, good soil man-agement and cultivation and even to the buying and selling of their raw materials. Lec-tures range from a few days to weeks, depending on the farmers’ allocated time.

At present, the train-ing angles of the NEDF are focused on developing cof-fee agri-enterprises and promoting farmer entrepre-neurship.

“We feel that this is the best way to go and it is the only way to sustain coff ee development in the country-side,” says Baria.

The two main training methods being implement-ed in the NEDF at present: End-to-End Training Con-cept (which highlights cof-fee development methods from seed to bean, from bean to brew, and from pro-duction to processing and marketing, and the entre-preneurship) and Training the Trainor (which trains technicians from local gov-ernment units and para-technicians from NGOs and other partners who will then train local farmers in far-fl ung municipalities and barangays which can-not be reached by Nestle agronomists).

Success Story

“In the long-term, the NEDF’s goal is share its knowledge base with pro-active coffee stakeholders like the DA to develop a sustainable robusta coffee industry that supports both the domes-tic and export needs of the country.”

5BusinessWeekMINDANAO JANUARY 11-17, 2010

6 BusinessWeekMINDANAOJANUARY 11-17, 2010

BEN EMATA JR.San Jose City, CA, USA

THE STRIKER THE STRIKER

New year, new challenges

Tele/Fax No.: (088)856-7703, (08822) 72-02-33, (088) 855-1475 , 587-1390

BayanTel Mobile: (088)309-1805

Sun Cel Hotline: 0923-432-0687

E-mail : businessweekmindanao@gmail.com

OpinionOpinion

So many Ms. Philippines in USA

(Last of three parts)One beautiful aspect in the

holding of beauty queens and coronation celebration that fol-low is that Pilipino folk dances in the olden days are enliven and exhibited to the delight of numer-ous nationalities from European countries, Asian, Africans, Latin Americans and everybody who comes along.

So there they come alive and kicking the immortal, the Phil-ippine’s very own: colorful and lively Tinikling, the Pandanggo sa Ilaw, the Ang Maya dance, Abaru-ray, Leron-leron Sinta, Mutya sa Pasig and many other that were destined long time ago in the archives of oblivion.

Another thing is in fiesta events, dozens of booths display any marketable item direct from the Philippines, like the famous pearls from Sulu, jewelry from Cebu, handicraft from Mindanao, Visayas ang Luzon, caricatures, paintings of great Filipinos, musi-cal instruments, songs in CDs and DVDs, Filipino movies in videos and Filipino dishes.

Other nationalities are ex-posed to Adobo, Karikari, Lina-gang Manok, Sitao, Patao, Patani, Kinilaw, Balut, Itlog Maalat, doz-ens of pastries and even halo-halo and so many others.

Filipino community newspa-pers and magazines, as well as television programs via satellite find their way in the celebration site.

SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY

COOKIES & COOKIES & COOFFEECOOFFEE

IT is been roughly a week since the start of the Year of the Metal Tiger, so far it’s been busy for me.

As I write this column I am on my way to the outskirts of Bukidnon to shoot a documentary fi lm about a tribe and its cultural dance rituals, commis-sioned by the Liceo U Researched and Planning Offi ce, headed by Dr. Genaro Japos.

I am quite excited on this project, not only will this give me a chance to clear my head from the buzz of the city lifestyle but tinker on my skills in fi lmmaking.

My team will comprise of two of my best buddies, Ronald and Lawrence. The three of us are looking forward to this project and give it our best shot.

I know this is going to be a busy month ahead of me and I am really preparing myself for this challenge.

On the 12th it’s going to be Valen-cia City for me, I am invited by a good friend of mine, Marven Selecios from the city government, to witness the festivities during their charter day celebration.

I shall share my experiences there on my next column.

Cinemagis 2 Digital Short Film Festival is also brewing its way this January. Cinemagis 2 will feature fi lms done by students and seniors from all over Northern Mindanao.

The fi lm selections will be featured at the SM City Cagayan Cinemas 1 and 2, January 18-20, 2010.

For more information on Cinemagis 2, please visit the XCCA Offi ce at the 3rd Flr. of the Museo de Oro, Xavier University, this city.

May is just a stone-throw away. Elections are well on its way. Our youth will be faced now with a diffi cult task of voting, and needless to say––it’s a tough one, too close to call.

The recent political turmoil has placed us in a rather unfl attering sce-nario, too many choices, yet unclear. Always remember that our choices aff ect and shape our future.

This is the message of my fi lm en-

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try to Cinemagis, “Pili-ay”. I shall give you a spoiler on my film––“Pili-ay” attempts to visualize the thoughts of our young individuals faced with the diffi cult task of voting, especially the fi rst-time voters.

Also, “Pili-ay” is a story about a journalist who tries to expose a cor-rupt system, thereby putting himself in harm’s way.

More updates on the latest happen-ings here in the city on the next issue. LIVE LIFE, ROCK ON! Unleash the TIGER in YOU this year!

------------------For comments, email: shaun_ale-

jandrae_uy@yahoo.com

The recent political turmoil has placed us in a rather un-fl attering scenario, too many choices, yet unclear. Always remember that our choices affect and shape our future.

“

“

It turn-out, though, that they promote the same objective and the love of friendship

and culture are there no matter how high the hatred exist. The heat of friendship and pride of the individual cover quarrels thus to

the eyes of many white people, Filipinos are just so friendly with one another. They

do not know some of them want to fi ght with bolos and grenade already.

History books, book in poetry by famous authors, compositions in music by noted composers are on display too. They had paint-ings too of national artists and all these are sold.

It is the joy of camaraderie, friendship and patriotism that drive these people into what they are doing here. It makes them proud as Filipinos and proud of their history and cultural past.

Identity under the sun is what makes them desire to do things worthy to be proud of. So, every town fiesta that they usually cel-ebrate back home is the time for selecting title of Ms. Philippines.

In so doing, we display the dignity of Filipino womanhood, their generally fine attitude. And they celebrate it with church activities complete with Filipino bands, colorful attires, songs and dances Filipino style that truly entertain all races that watch them act.

Overall effect of the grand fi-esta celebration is that American-born Filipinos are exposed to such activities.

They participate actively and they are the young boys and girls involved in the folk dances. And yet they have not even gone to the country yet ever.

They embrace our ways of life so early and associate with their ‘kababayans’ from other regions. They already know how to speak the Filipino language and like to eat all kinds of Filipino foods.

They are proud of themselves and their race and they carry their culture in their schools or anywhere to go to.

But excessive politicking and personal feuds sometimes disturb some Filipino organizations. It seems jealousy or the spirit of ‘crab system’ is at work even on this common affairs. They fight with each other, backbite and pro-mote bickering that in some cases result in break-up of organiza-tions.

But the more they break-up, the better as new organizations are formed and more promotion of culture and geography ensued. So, now-a-days, you can see so many Filipino organizations in California and other states, each one does not see eye-to-eye with the other.

It turn-out, though, that they promote the same objective and the love of friendship and culture are there no matter how high the hatred exist. The heat of friend-ship and pride of the individual cover quarrels thus to the eyes of many white people, Filipinos are just so friendly with one another.

They do not know some of them want to fight with bolos and grenade already.

JHAN TIAFAU HURST

Think A MinuteThink A MinuteTHINK a minute.Former Prime Minister of

England, Winston Churchill, be-came so famous for his speeches that he’s been called the great-est speaker of the century. He was also famous for his quick wit.

Yet amazingly, he was not a naturally talented speaker. In fact, earlier in Churchill’s life he had such a bad speech problem that people made fun of the way he talked.

Do you know how Churchill changed to become the greatest speaker of the 20th century? He studied and wrote his speeches word-for-word on paper, and then he practiced them count-less hours in front of a mirror. He worked at saying each word just the right way with just the right facial expressions.

He also practiced pausing and pretending to struggle to find the right word, even though he knew exactly what he was going to say! So although Winston Churchill was not a

The sweat of successnaturally good speaker, he disci-plined himself and worked hard to become a great one!

You and I can never succeed in life without discipline and hard work.

It takes sweat to succeed in our job and career, in school, in sports, in our marriage and family.

Even if you’re born into a rich family, or with an intel-ligent mind and strong body, you still have to work hard to reach your full potential and truly succeed.

Most importantly, it takes work and discipline to develop the character we were born to have and enjoy.

We must discipline and change our wrong attitudes, thinking, and way of living everyday.

It’s not natural or easy for us to quickly forgive someone who hurts us or our family. It’s not natural or easy to always be honest no matter how much we can get away with or how much

it costs us.But you can start by asking

Jesus Christ to forgive you for living your own way; and then ask Him to take full charge of your heart and character.

It’s only with Jesus’ charac-ter and power in you that you can start changing to become the best person you can be.

Just Think a Minute.

7BusinessWeekMINDANAO JANUARY 11-17, 2010 Views/CommentariesViews/Commentaries

IT is not a secret that Filipinos by and large have not only an innovative drive in doing things but also a creative spirit in redo-ing themselves – their outputs included. And this some kind of an in-born trait extends from the ingenious way they have in living their admittedly dif-fi cult day-to-day lives, to the surprising and even delightful way they continuously reinvent their products. Let it be noted that such inventive and fanciful disposition is more often than not, endowed with a certain fun, not to mention their being naughty as well.

A case in point is that on the occasion of the last 2010 New Year’s eve, this report came about in whispers and confidence: There were new firecrackers on sale for the brave and courageous, for the intrepid and defi ant. But, these fi recrackers of recent vintage were not found with their usual public displays.

It was even said that they

IGNACIO BUNYE

Speaking OutSpeaking Out

ARCHBISHOP OSCAR V. CRUZ

ViewpointsViewpoints

ATTY. KRISANTO KARLO NICOLAS

Your legal map Your legal map to businessto business

A GOOD Year for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the banking system.

All in all, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas did well in 2009. And so did the domestic bank-ing system.

Once again, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas delivered on its principal mandate of maintaining price stability de-spite the twin challenges posed by increasing oil prices and commodity supply constraints caused by Typhoons Ondoy nd Pepeng.

Because of a benign infl a-tion, the BSP could afford to peg its policy rates at an all time low.

This has translated into lower pass-on interest rates charged by banks to their cli-ents. Lower infl ation also helped maintain the purchasing power of the ordinary Filipino.

Also because of low infl a-tion, the Bangko Sentral could

Kudos to BSP and the banking systemaff ord to provide liquidity en-hancement mechanisms, thus providing the necessary envi-ronment for banks to increase lending activities. Indeed, com-mercial loans expanded during the year albeit at a moderate pace.

The external sector provid-ed another source of stability. Supported by record remittance fl ows from overseas Filipinos and receipts from the Business Process Outsourcing sector, the country posted a balance of payment surplus in excess of US $ 3.3 billion.

This in turn has resulted in a record build up of Gross International Reserves––more than enough to pay for nine months of imports and more than enough to cover our short term maturing foreign obliga-tions.

For its part, the Philippine banking system weathered well the global fi nancial storm.

According to BSP Gover-nor Amando M Tetangco, Jr., “Important banking reforms, particularly in the areas of corporate governance, risk management, and asset clean-up, have strengthened the banking system further, boost-ing its overall performance in terms of higher asset growth, enhanced asset quality, im-proved profi tability and better capitalization.”

The banking system’s capi-tal adequacy ratios (CARs), a prime indicator of financial health, showed improvements both on a solo and consolidated basis.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas requires a minimum CAR of 10 percent while the Basel II Accord prescribes a minimum CAR of 8 percent. Owing to signifi cant buildups in qualifying capital as well as issuances of tier capital notes, most banks easily hurdled the

capital requirements. As of the second quarter, CAR on a consolidated basis hit 15.68 per cent while CAR on a solo basis hit 14.81.

2009 saw the BSP continu-ing to be active in launching and conducting various ad-vocacies . Examples of these are the Credit Surety Fund, Economic and Financial Learn-

ing Centers in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, Tulong Barya para sa Eskuwela, Public info campaign and OFW financial literacy campaign.

The Philippines also gained global recognition for leader-ship in microfi nance and mobile banking.

Praises for the Bangko Sen-tral’s model regulatory ap-proach in microfinance and mobile banking came from such prestigious groups as the London-based publication, The Economist, The Financial Times, the World Bank’s Consultative Group to Assist the Poor and the newly formed G20 Financial Inclusion Experts Group.

A signifi cant milestone also occurred in the legal front. The Supreme Court affi rmed in the Legacy rural bank cases the au-

thority of the Monetary Board to determine the insolvency of banks and to place them under receivership.

The ruling effectively re-stricted undue interference by the courts in the Monetary Board’s exercise of its regula-tory and supervisory powers over banks.

Last year saw the produc-tion and roll out by the BSP of e-passports. This enabled compli-ance by the Philippines with the international deadline of 2010. For the opportune implementa-tion of the e-passport project, President Arroyo conferred BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. the Order of Sikatuna (Rank of Datu).

For comments and sugges-tions, email: totingbunye2000@gmail.com.

Novel fi recrackerswere sold in whispers, and purchased with a commitment to some kind of secrecy. Never mind the price whereas what was more important was the profound glee they brought about for the big “bang” they gave.

The carefully absconded and surreptitiously sold “new” fi recrackers were defi nitely not without their proper inherent connotations. It was said that their respective brand names were enough to say that those who buy the unique fi recrack-ers should not fool around with them – with the earnest instruction that there must be an “all clear” signal before any of them were lighted and thereby exploded.

The novel fi recrackers were said to be three in kind here-after mentioned according to their reported ascending order of loud unique “bang” – with their also ascending price tags: First, “BIN LADEN”. Second, “AMPATUAN”. Third “GOOD-

BYE GLORIA”.This is not to say that such

opted nomenclature or brand names are fair or otherwise, disrespected or otherwise. They all have certain common im-plications: One, they all say something rather critical and fatal even. Two, they all imply

something specially discredited and deplorable. Three, they all forward something rare as ex-traordinary awful in being and unacceptable in standing.

There seems to be no record how many of the said fi recrack-ers were sold/bought, how much they were enjoyed by those who fi red them as well as those who saw and heard them explode. But with such append-ed names to those fi recrackers, it is hard to imagine the awe and apprehension they made, and the commotion and impres-sion they cause when fi red. And understandably so!

Shrink-wrap agreements: Are they valid contracts?

A PERSON who purchases a cellphone, portable dvd player, a coffee maker, or toy finds warranty cards and other writ-ten contract terms inside the box. If the product is contained in a cellophane-wrapped box, sealed, with tamper-proof packaging, these terms are available for review only after the product has been bought and then opened, in a usually diff erent and distant location from the place where the sale was made.

The same is true when soft-ware or hardware peripheral of a computer is purchased. The li-censing agreements, commonly known as End-User Licensing Agreements or EULAs, are read only during the installation of the software in the computer or before use of the same, and not before the software or hardware is actually purchased.

Finally, there are those transactions which are com-pleted in the Internet, which usually include downloading software or entering a site, for a fee or sometimes for free. The assent of the user to the terms

and conditions required by the proprietor of the website, prior to the entering the site or downloading, is made by click-ing either an “Ok” or “Yes” or “I accept” key. In most instances, the terms and conditions are not seen in the same page, but viewable in another web page.

These are called shrinkwrap agreements. Shrinkwrap agree-

ments are terms and condi-tions of use that accompany products, and are available for review only after the product has been opened or once the product’s seal has been broken. They also accompany software purchased in a similar packag-ing. The term is taken from the method of packaging products in cellophane-wrapped boxes. While the terms and condi-tions are contained inside the box along with the product, the outside of the box usually contains a notice stating “The product is subject to license terms available for review in-side.” The shrinkwrap agree-ment are customarily read something like, “By opening this envelope, you are bound by the terms and conditions of this license” or “Upon breaking this seal, you are bound by the terms and conditions included with the product.”

Under the law, these are actually contracts. They in fact bind the contracting parties, especially the purchaser whose consent was procured,

See NICOLAS/p.10

8 BusinessWeekMINDANAO

JANUARY 11-17, 2010EntertainmentEntertainment

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Word hunt

How to play the game?Fill in completely every rows, columns, and diagonals of each puzzle without repitition of the same digit.

SUDUKO

ARIES. Dare to dream big! Love, fame and fortune can all be yours! However, you will need to take responsibility, of everything, including what you say and do. Trying to achieve everything on the agenda will be challenging, but not impossible.

Lucky Numbers: 1 11 12 5 42 8

TAURUS. Expect the unexpected! A special delivery of good news heads your way. There’s real potential to move forward with your career, but try to keep emotions out of your decisions. With money, be careful of indulging in a reck-less spending spree.

Lucky Numbers: 8 7 16 5 4 31

GEMINI. The love bug can bite, but be careful of accepting someone’s unac-ceptable behavior. If something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t – look closer and ask more questions. You may get a red hot money tip, but do your own research first.

Lucky Numbers: 9 12 14 1 3 8

CANCER. Anything is possible this year! Making definite goals points your jour-ney in the right direction. Something or someone new in your life is not necessar-ily bad, just different. With love, beware of twisting the truth, instead, be honest and upfront.

Lucky Numbers: 40 32 21 5 6 7

LEO. The New Year has started, and busi-ness is booming. Buckle down and you can make your destiny come true. The key to surviving what promises to be a busy year is to be organized and systematic. Get ready to attend to your wellbeing.

Lucky Numbers: 37 32 34 21 6 11

VIRGO. To win someone’s heart, be sincere with words and actions. Business takes over your day–planner; make sure you are organized and ready to rock and roll when opportunities present themselves. Be careful of stretching your dollars too far.

Lucky Numbers: 9 21 29 27 25 28

LIBRA. Your career abilities can be put into action this year, but be clear about what you want. Don’t get depressed if life presents a delay – the key to success is to stay upbeat and positive. Revitalize your home for happy family moments.

Lucky Numbers: 17 35 39 41 40 3

SCORPIO. To attract love, be armed and fabulous with self–confidence. Don’t entertain any thoughts of uncertainty. Work moves in the right direction, but keep your goals within the realms of real-ity. Beware of letting a stressful moment take a hold.

Lucky Numbers: 5 18 13 19 20 30

SAGITTARIUS. The New Year brings a new start. It’s possible to make changes this year, but weigh up the pros and cons first. Accepting a new offer could be a conflict of interest. Mixing money with love can cause chaos, keep finances separate.

Lucky Numbers: 8 16 4 32 33 42

CAPRICORN. Planet madness sends your emotions on a roller coaster ride. When in love, keep your feet firmly on the ground, and your head out of the clouds. With money, be clear and concise about what you want; don’t leave anything to chance.

Lucky Numbers: 7 13 40 39 28 1

AQUARIUS. This is a year of good fortune! Thank your lucky stars, as life is about to move into the success lane. Be crystal–clear about what you want to achieve, and it’s all–possible. With love, beware of having a double standard, equality works best.

Lucky Numbers: 9 8 5 4 31 33

PISCES. Venus can make love and friend-ship a reality, with heartfelt feelings rising to the surface. A secret rendezvous can lead to something special. This year, be strict about who you mix company with, allow only those with positive attitudes to enter your life.

Lucky Numbers: 8 19 13 11 10 1

Weekly HoroscopeWeekly Horoscope Odd vs. evenIsang text ka lang

By TAXMAN

FOREMOST, I would like to thank the publisher of BusinessWeek Mindanao, Mr. Dante Sudaria, for allowing me to share with you my analysis on the 9 p.m. Suertres Lottery draw.

This “Isang text ka lang” column doesn’t intend to be right or precise in predicting the Suertres result for the 9 p.m. draw. What we have here are probable numbers. As in “basin diay.”

Most of those regular bettors or Suertres are basing their numbers combination on the so-called “com-pute system” but my good friend and former Editor in chief of Cebu Gold Star Daily, Mr. Nelson Constantino, strongly opposed.

Well, I tried to argue but it is useless. Why? Whew, daanin na lang natin sa “Isang text at wala na, as in “sanggi.”

I mean, If I would argue, its useless because my friend is not use to betting on the three-digit game.

The 3-digit Suertres draw of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Offi ce (PCSO) is indeed really hard to win. Bettors have a very slim chances of winning thus a bettor is lucky enough to win one exact numbers combina-tion one or thrice a week.

Suertres or the 3-digit 2 p.m., 5 p.m., and 9 p.m. lottery draws are combinations of numbers from 1 to 0 or, 0 to 1.

It is composed of odd and even numbers. If we talk about even num-bers, I am referring to 2, 4, 6, 8, and 0 and the odd’s 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9.

The January 2 9-p.m. result was 4-9-2 or a combination of even-odd-even digit.

It was a combination taken from the 2, 4, 6, 8, 0 even numbers combi-nation that when paired will give us a pairing: 2-4, 2-6, 2-8, 2-0, 4-6, 4-8, 4-0, 6-8, 6-0, and 8-0.

The odd numbers pairing for 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 are 1-3, 1-5, 1-7, 1-9, 3-5, 3-7, 3-9, 5-7, 5-9, and 7-9.

You have now the 10 ultimate pair-ing for any Suertres draws be it the 2 p.m., 5, p.m., and 9 p.m. draws.

Of course, I did not include here the double digits: 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 6-6, 7-7, 8-8, 9-9, and 0-0 as these double digits pairs rarely comes out.

The January 3 result was a combi-nation of odd-even-even. The result was 3-2-4.

The January 4 result was 2-7-1 or an even-odd-odd numbers combina-tion. The January 5 result was 3-2-5 and followed by an odd-even-odd number combinations of January 6 which is 7-2-3.

The January 7 result was 7-5-5 and

the January 8 result was 9-4-8.If you observed, the result were

indeed composed of odd and even digits or vice versa.

So, what now? Well, if you want to win in Suertres, you have to base your numbers on the 1,3,5,7,9 and 2,4,6,8,0 pairing schemes.

How? Let me cite as an example the January 2 result which is 4-9-2.

Now if you have the pairing 2-4 your option would be to get the numbers 6,8,0,1,3,5,7,9 so that your numbers would be 2-4-6, 2-4-8, 2-4-0, 2-4-1 and so on.

But as I said winning in the Suer-tres or the 3-digit lottery draw is hard without basis. And that we need to have one exact number combinations out of the 1,000 numbers combina-tion.

This week, the numbers that will be possibly drawn randomly are the numbers combination that will be 1-8-6-0.

Well, they’re good numbers to mix with the even numbers 2,4,6,8,0.

Next week, I will deal more on these odd and even schemes. I will go into the details as I know most of you are still confused on how to get these odd and even schemes work.

Also in the next issue, I will tell you those digits that frequently drawn in the 3-digit Suertres draw,

In the meantime, just relax be-cause gambling will do you no good but misfortune of you let yourself addicted to it.

Suertres even if it is legal are stil gambling.

And please to not attempt to send me any message asking for numbers even if the title of this column is “ISANG TEXT KA LANG!”

Just read it here. Of course, the BusinessWeek Mindanao.

DONT FORGET THE PASAKAY HA!

6-0

Pairing to watch2-4, 2-7, and 4-7

Keep these numbers2-7-8, and 4-7-8

9BusinessWeekMINDANAO JANUARY 11-17, 2010Corp.boardCorp.board

Dedicated to the late ROWJOE SERAFIN FELICILDA,who died of COLON CANCER

on July 2, 2005 at the very young age of 30 years.

Slash Your Cancer Risk in Minutes a Day (7 of 13)Litt le lifestyle changes can lower your odds

of hearing the dreaded diagnosis. Slip them into your routi ne and sleep bett er tonight.

By Aviva PatzContent provided by:

More women may soon benefi t from Gar-dasil, a vaccine that protects against the two strains of human papillomavirus that cause 70 percent of cervical cancer cases. The FDA decided in March to give priority review to the potenti al use of the vaccine, currently approved for women ages 9 to 26, for women ages 27 to 45.

“Older women have likely already been exposed to several HPV strains, but the vac-cine could protect against other strains they haven’t yet come in contact with,” explains Debbie Saslow, Ph.D., director of breast and gynecological cancers for the ACS. (Re-searched and Emailed by Fe Felicilda-Chisley, Maryland, USA) director of the Center for Environmental Oncology at the Uni¬versity of Pitt sburgh Cancer Insti tute. (Researched and emailed by Fe Felicilda-Chisley, Mary-land, USA.

ROWJOE SERAFIN FELICILDA MEMORIAL CANCER INFORMATION PROJECT

Cagayan de Oro City, PhilippinesText Line : +63909-6555396

E-mail : jdelpf@yahoo.com and jFelicildq@gmail.com

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“The best way to heal is to help others.”

THE Regional Development Council (RDC-10) highly supports the country’s prestigious “Search for Outstanding Teachers for 2010” of the Metrobank Foundation.

The said Search is in partnership with the Department of Educa-tion (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and is now on its 26th year of recognizing teachers who manifest profound commitment to the development of the youth through exemplary com-petence, remarkable dedication to their work and effective educational leadership.

The RDC-10 enjoins the participation of all levels of education in the region. This is to sustain the performance of Northern Mindanao (Region 10) as a consistent top producing region outside of NCR with 20 Search Awardees or 7.25% of the national total as of the 2008 report.

Copies of the guidelines on the Search and the nomination form can be secured from the National Economic Development and Authority (NEDA-10) offi ce located at RDC-10 Bldg., Capistrano-Echem Street Cagayan de Oro City. Please note that the deadline of submission of nominations to the nearest Metrobank Branch is on February 15.

THE Government Service Insur-ance System (GSIS) provided the country with a much needed economic stimulus last year through its Consolidated Loan (ConsoLoan) program, a loan window that consolidates fi ve different loan packages into one.

Figures showed that the state-run pension fund dis-bursed P43.98-billion in Con-soLoan proceeds in 2009, a growth of 26.74 percent from P34.70 billion disbursed for the entire 2008.

The ConsoLoan program provides GSIS members with an alternative source of funds at a time of a credit crunch.

“We understand the strin-gent requirements that banks have put up on loan applica-tions to protect their invest-ments. We also understand that many turn to loan sharks in times of fi nancial distress. Through our ConsoLoan, we are able to help GSIS members get financial assistance eas-ily and at fl exible terms,” GSIS President and General Manager Winston F. Garcia said.

The ConsoLoan is a con-solidation of the Salary Loan, Restructured Salary Loan, En-hanced Salary Loan, Emergency

GSIS ConsoLoan proceeds reach P43.98-billion in ‘09

Metrobank’s 2010 Search for Outstanding Teachers

Tomas Alcantara, ACR chairman, said the holding firm would expand its mining operations through its wholly owned subsidiary, ACR Mining Corp. (ACRMC), which owns 75 percent of Manat Exploration Joint Venture. The remaining 25 percent of Manat Explora-tion is held by Southern Ex-ploration Corp., an affiliate of Australia’s Indophil Resources NL.

The joint venture is now completing the exploration of the parent firm’s mining claims in Compostela Valley and Davao del Norte.

“Various options are being considered in the operation of the mines post-exploration, including the expansion of the coverage and a tie-up with other mining outfits with long

Alsons eyes partnershipsALSONS Consolidated Resources Inc. (ACR) said it is open to partnerships with other mining fi rms or may opt to list its unit in the Philippine Stock Exchange next year to be able to grab oppor-tunities in the mining sector.

and proven track records on extractive operations,” the ACR executive said.

“[A] second alternative being considered is the listing of ACRMC by introduction, after obtaining shareholders’ approval and the requisite clearances from the regula-tory bodies,” he said.

He added that the com-pany is bullish on mining prospects as “the discovered deposits have since almost doubled in value since the last independent valuation, due

to the increase in the price of gold.”

ACR would continue to invest in Mindanao despite the peace and order problems in the area since it has been operating on the island for more than half a century.

“We are aware of the recent problems that have recently received wide attention, but we are confident that these crises will pass and Mindanao will continue to surge for-ward,” Alcantara said.

The holding firm has en-

ergy and power subsidiaries—the main contributors to ACR’s total revenues—that operate power generation plants in Southern Mindanao.

Conal Holdings Corp., a subsidiary of ACR, is currently developing a 200-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant in Maasim, Sarangani.

“The bids by invited con-tractors to build the facility have already been submitted and a bid award is expected before the end of the first quarter of 2010,” he said.

He added that the new plant would address the prob-able power shortage that could hit Southern Mindanao by as early as 2011 and the projected increase in demand for the next decade.

Also in the pipeline are the proposed 100,000 liter-per-day bioethanol plant in Cagayan de Oro City and the 42-MW mini-hydroelectric project in Siguil, Sarangani.

Next year, ACR’s earnings may rise by more than half and is on track of hitting its target net income of P158 million, 57 percent higher than last year’s earnings.

BEN ARNOLD O. DE VERA

Loan Assistance, and Summer One-Month Salary Loan thus, making them easier to manage. The outstanding penalties or surcharges incurred from these fi ve loans are also waived when availing of this loan.

Furthermore, the Con-soLoan, which has a repay-ment period of up to six years, gives members higher loan-able amount. Members who passed all requirements and have at least 20 months of creditable service can avail of a loan equivalent to three months of their monthly salary subject to the premium-based policy of the GSIS.

For members who have been in government service for at least 10 years, they can avail of a ConsoLoan equivalent to 10 months of their monthly salary.

To qualify for the Conso-Loan, the applicant should be an active member with no pending administrative case. Active members are defined as members who are still in the service and have paid and remitted at least three monthly premium contributions for both Personal Share and Government Share within the last six months prior to the application of the

GSIS ConsoLoan.Judges and justices appear-

ing as such in the GSIS database are also qualifi ed to avail of the ConsoLoan.

However, employees of sus-pended agencies will not be qualifi ed to avail of this loan facility.

Members with a GSIS eCard Plus can apply for the Con-soLoan via the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System or G-W@PS kiosk or over the counter in their servicing GSIS offi ces.

There were a total of 384,728 GSIS members who availed and benefited last year from the ConsoLoan program, compared to 342,765 GSIS members who

availed in 2008. The GSIS had earlier de-

clared a one-year moratorium program for members badly hit by typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” covering their Con-soLoan and Housing Loan ac-counts. This is to enable the calamity victims to attend to more pressing fi nancial needs like food, clothing, relocation and/or repair of shelter.

The one-year moratorium program covers only the amor-tizations within the period of October 2009 up to September 2010. All ConsoLoan and Hous-ing Loan accounts not declared in default as of Sept. 30, 2009 are eligible to be applied for this program.

Borrowers with arrears shall be allowed to avail of the moratorium. However, the moratorium period shall be lim-ited to the diff erence between 12 months and the number of months in arrears.

10 BusinessWeekMINDANAOJANUARY 11-17, 2010

Tel. Nos. 856-7703, 855-1475, 72-02-33Tel. Nos. 856-7703, 855-1475, 72-02-33PLDT mobile: 587-1390,Bayan: 309-1805PLDT mobile: 587-1390,Bayan: 309-1805Cell Nos. 0917-712-1424, 0923-432-0687Cell Nos. 0917-712-1424, 0923-432-0687

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Such as: EXTRA-JUDICIAL NOTICES

DEED OF SALE INVITATION TO BID

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TAX DELINQUENCY NOTICESREAL PROPERTY TAX NOTICES

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and other forms of legal noticesVisit us at FICCO Bldg., Lapasan, Hi-way,Cagayan de Oro City, near Bank of the Philippine Islands, Lapasan Branch.

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albeit irregularly. But are they valid under Philippine contract law?

There are foreign cases which treat these agreements with skepticism. They hold that since the parties form the contract at the time of the purchase, the terms con-tained “inside the box” are not binding for lack of consent. These additional conditions and terms which the parties left out during the formation of the primary contract and which are contained in the shrinkwrap agreement are void. Because they are not

Nicolasfrom page 7

CNN HERO OF THE YEAR VISITS ORO. Cagayan de Oro mayor Tinnex Jaraula welcomes Efren Peñafl orida, the “2009 CNN Hero of the Year,” who started a “pushcart classroom” to bring education to poor children as an alternative to gang membership, during a courtesy call on January 8. The street educator is in Cagayan de Oro City to speak before delegates in a youth forum. PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY INFORMATION OFFICE

for thousands of jobless resi-dents of the city and neighbor-ing provinces, Jaraula said.

The city government has already given the company a go signal to start the construction phase of the project even as their papers are yet to be completed.

In 2006, Ayala Land Inc. also launched Alegria Hills, the 53 hectare high end residential subdivision that lies 240 meters above sea level and approxi-mately eight kilometers from the city proper. It is the first phase of a master planned 200

Mallfrom page 1

hectare property that straddles Brgys. Indahag, Macasandig and Camaman-an.

The project is a joint under-taking of ALI and joint develop-ment partners Manny Boniao and Ricardo Murillo. Started by the Boniao couple as a land banking project in 1993, they were joined by Mr. Murillo 20 years ago when he also became convinced of the development potential of the property.

Mr. Boniao cited the city gov-ernment’s South Diversion Road and Emmanuel Pelaez bridge as concrete evidence of the city government’s all-out support for the project.

“Although this initiative was already in the drawing boards of previous administrations, it was former Mayor Vicente Emano who actually implemented it as a strong show of support for investors,” Mr. Boniao said.

Jaraula said that Ayala’s move indicates the company’s confi dence in the city’s vibrant economy.

Other ALI high-end residen-tial projects include Ayala Ala-bang, Dasmarinas Village, Forbes Park Makati, Ayala Westgrove Heights, Ayala Greenfield Es-tates, Amara, Ayala North Point, The Residences at Greenbelt, One Serendra and Anvaya Cove.

Railwayfrom page 1

2004,” Dacanay said. “The FS was prepared by Thaipicon and Industry Company Lim-ited of Thailand.”

During the 1st August 2006 Cabinet Meeting Presi-dent Gloria Arroyo instruct-ed the DOTC to include the Cagayan de Oro City-Iligan City Railroad Project in her SONA listed projects as a BOT project.

Later, however, DOTC Undersecretary Guiling A. Mamondiong advised NEDA-10 that the FS for the Cagayan

de Oro City-Iligan City Rail-road Project shall be revised due to consideration in the alignment to avoid substan-tial tunneling to reduce its project cost.

On 30 September 2009, NEDA-10 received from NEDA-Public Investment Staff (PIS) the Mindanao Railway System Feasibility Study Report for the Cagayan de Oro-Iligan Corridor (CIC) covering the municipalities from Linamon, Lanao del Nodte to Jasaan, Misamis Oriental.

The project cost is about U S $ 1 , 3 2 8 . 0 3 2 M i l l i o n o r PhP66.402 Billion (at US$1

=PhP50) and shall be sourced from ODA loans from Saudi Arabia and China and the equity to be provided by the Philippine Government.

To resolve further confu-sion arising from its mode of implementation, the the RDC-10 Infrastructure Committee agreed during its 29 October 2009 meeting to request the approval of the Offi ce of the President through RDC-X to undertake the Cagayan de Oro-Iligan Corridor (CIC) Mindanao Railway Project through Of-fi cial Development Assistance (ODA) instead of Build-Oper-ate-Transfer (BOT) scheme.

Growthfrom page 1

Oro area is expected to in-crease by some 150,000 metric tons, or 4.5 percent, annually from 2007 through 2010.

Conventional cargo is ex-pected to increase by some 50,000 metric tons and contain-erized cargo by some 120,000 TEUs annually.

MCT has a 300-meter berth space, with depth of 13 meters,

and can handle two container vessels at the same time. MCT has two gantry cranes and four rubber-tired gantries.

Last year MCT handled 109,438 containers, more than half of which were handled by ICTSI, when it took over the operations.

In March 2008 ICTSI bested the bids of Asian Terminals Inc. and Harbour Centre Port Termi-nals Inc., both of which operate its fl agship facility in the Port of

Manila, for the 25-year conces-sion of MCT.

The 24-hectare MCT is about 20 kilometers away from Cagayan de Oro City, where another terminal owned by Philippine Ports Authority is also in operation.

Phividec, the Philippine Veterans Investment Develop-ment Corp., was operating the port before ICTSI after two failed biddings during the past years.

part of the bargain, they are generally not binding under contract law. Being new terms or additional agreements, they require new and unambiguous consent by the purchaser and the consent previously given cannot be deemed to extend to these new terms, conditions and stipulations.

Whether these agreements are valid or not in the Philip-pines will be finally deter-mined only by a Supreme Court ruling, hopefully in the near future. However, since these agreements are becoming very common today, the most that a person can do is be wary of its terms and if possible, read them before purchasing the electron-

ic equipment or software.The best consumer is always

an informed consumer. If, upon reading the shrinkwrap agree-ment, you feel that the item you are purchasing is laden with impossible or burdensome conditions, then that should be a red fl ag for your not to make the purchase.

(Atty. Krisanto Karlo Nicolas is a founding partner of Nicolas & De Vega Law Offi ces located at Unit 101 One Primrose Place 663 Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila. He practices corporate law, franchise law, intellectual property law and litigation. He graduated from the Ateneo de Manila School of Law with honors. You may contact him at knicolas@ndvlaw.com.)

SUPPORTERS of Cagayan de Oro City fi rst district Rep. Rolando “Klarex” Uy show their full support to the lawmaker during the latter’s fi ling of Certifi cate of Candidacy for City Mayor.

PHOTO BY ROLANDO SUDARIA

IT is now possible to have kidney stones removed with a medical pro-cedure that guarantees faster recov-ery, lesser pain and cheaper cost at the newly opened Kagay-an Kidney Center in Cagayan de Oro City.

“We have successfully treated some 20 patients from as far as Iligan and Pagadian since this ma-chine arrived and none of them have complained of any pain or discomfort during or after the procedure,” said Dr. Dionisio T. Gaw, president.

Until 20 years ago, Gaw said open surgery was necessary to re-move a stone and often required a recovery time of 4 to 6 weeks.

“Kidney stones one centimeter or smaller are best treated with oral medications,” said Dr. Harry G. Longno, vice president. “However, those bigger in size up to 2.5 cm. when treated with Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) enjoy a success rate of over 90 per cent.”

With the Kagay-an Kidney

Lower cost, less pain and faster recovery with new kidney stone removal procedure

Center’s third-generation, state-of-the-art Dornier Compact Sigma lithotripter, Longno said patients undergoing ESWL can go home im-mediately after their sedation wears off with no need for even a short stay in the hospital, thereby considerably cutting total treatment costs.

“The stone is easily located us-ing a safe combination of low dose x-ray and ultrasound,” said Dr. Gregorio Cordovez. “Once the stone is located, we can start treatment. This will take approximately one hour after which the patient will rest for a short period before returning home.”

In many cases, ESWL can be conducted on an outpatient basis. Recovery time is relatively short, and most people can resume normal activities in a few days, Cordovez added.

Compared to open surgery, ESWL using the Dornier Compact Sigma lithotripter costs up to 60% less and does not require hospital-ization, resulting in much lower costs

compared to an invasive, surgical procedure.

Offi cially inaugurated December 17 by the Center, the new generation lithotripter is made by Germany’s Dornier company which pioneered the procedure in 198. It has now installed over 1,000 lithotripters and successfully treated over 5,000,000 patients worldwide.

Dr. Arturo F. Surdilla, assistant administrator and board member, said the Kagay-an Kidney Center has applied for Philhealth accredi-tation and is now talking to major health care companies to bring down the cost of treatment even further.

Interested parties can contact the Kagay-an Kidney Center through tel. nos. (88) 857-8855, mobile 0917-545-0480, by email through kagayankidneycenter@yahoo.com or visit them at their clinic at the ground fl oor of the CDT-KAI Building, Archbishop Santiago Hayes St., Pini-kitan (facing Maria Reyna Hospital) Cagayan de Oro City.

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12 BusinessWeekMINDANAOJANUARY 11-17, 2010 NewsNews

YOU may already eagerly antic-ipate the launch or release to retail market for one or more of these consumer electronic gadgets, or even own one or a lot of them in your digital household.

However, i f you think you’re the unique individual or unique pioneer who are the only one own the lovely gadgets, think again.

According to Topology Research Institute located in Taiwan, one of the world’s electronics manufacturing base, the following list of top 10 technology products will have either high, extremely high or exponentially growth rate in year 2007 and beyond, till at least 2010.

TOP 10 UPCOMING MUST HAVE GADGETS1.Apple iPhone – Not even

yet released (expected in com-ing June 2007), but the hotly anticipated music-playing cell phone has already generated enough buzz and interest for its advanced and revolution-ary software and touch-screen panel. And due to the fact that no pre-order or waiting list is allowed by the iPhone exclusive carrier AT&T (Cin-gular), expect a long multi-days/nights queue and crazy bidding war on eBay. Apple iPhone is expected to grow more than explosive 50% in coming years.

2.Electronic Photo Frame – Google gave away one to its Google AdWords and AdSense customers as Christmas gift for 2006 season. But expect more and more owning this device that able to display digital pictures as the price of electronic photo album falls in price, and slowly become favorite gadget as gift in holi-day season. Expect sales peak during Christmas season and as iPhone, experiences expo-nential growth rate of more than 50% each year.

3.Apple TV – Apple TV (styled tv is a media extender network device that play digi-tal content originating from any Mac OS X or Windows computer running iTunes onto an enhanced-definition or high-definition widescreen television.

4.LEB NB – Notebook com-puter that using LED back-lighting. LED backlight unit

Top 10 consumer electronic gadgets

TWENTY-five years ago on December, a store of single pro-prietorship was born, awfully occupying a very small rented space of 32 square meters.

Too small a place for 100 bags of assorted fertilizers and a few bottles of agricultural chemicals that the owners, An-tonio B. Bayagna Jr. of Valencia City and the former Graciosa Porticos of Bohol, could just aff ord by then.

Out of sheer luck, guts and lots of hard work coupled with strong determination, the busi-ness zoomed up enabling the owners to acquire the rented property, on which a warehouse

Enterprise of generations marks 25 years

Mr. Antonio B. Bayagna Jr. (seating left), proprietor of De Oro Maramag Agricultural Sup-ply, Inc., pose for posterity with his family and staff during the fi rm’s 25th anniversary Last December at the main store in Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City.

Mr. Jet Parma of Pioneer Hi-bred Seed Technologies, Inc. draws the fi rst prize winner in the “Pahalipay sa Mag-uuma” raffl e promo highlight-ing the 25h anniversary of De Oro Maramag Agricultural Supply, Inc. earlier at the main store in Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City. The raffl e draw was supervised by DTI Representative Paz Lepallos (back to camera). The one unit Multicab was won by Ms. Nerissa C. Baculado of Kulambog, Lapasan in Cagayan de Oro City.

was later erected. Fortune for the Bayagnas

did not stop right there as along the way, a network of dealers have been established in Cagayan de Oro City, as well as in the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte.

That time, they were al-ready gaining the trust and confidence of the country’s major suppliers that granted them with credit terms, which they––in turn––religiously met. Such business partners, include the Syngenta Philippines, In-corporated; BACPHIL; Bayer Crop Science; Jardine Distribu-

tion, Inc.; PHAT; ICTC; and Lead Corporation, among others.

Eventually, the fi rm became a family corporation, with the Bayagna siblings themselves, namely March Ann Suzette, who is married to Dennis Anthony Malbasias; AG Donna Cristita, married to Keith Alan Gioscio; and Marc Grant Bayagna, being the major stockholders.

The business enterprise that we are talking about is the De Oro Maramag Agricultural Sup-ply, Incorporated (DOMAS).

As it marked its 25th year of service to the farming com-munity on (date), DOMAS con-tinues to live by its corporate mission: “A going and growing corporation for the present and the next generations.”

(BLU) is more environmentally friendly, light, energy saving and other advantages such as more natural colors repro-duction.

5.Portable Navigation De-vice (PND) or more commonly known as GPS global positiing and navigation system – This alone is expected to ship more than 17 millions units worldwide, and is expected to grown in term of unit sold and revenue for about 30% to 50% in coming years.

6.Electronic Paper, also called E-Paper or Electronic Ink – It is a display technology that mimic the appearance of regular ink on paper. However, its contents or text is erasable and been changed or replaced with new text of images, making it an environmentally friendlier than an actual paper, although less flexible.

7.Satellite Radio or Sub-scription Radio (SR). You can receive digital radio signal over much wider geographi-cal area with the signal that is been broadcasting by a com-munications satellite.

8.Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3) – Even with slower start and lukewarm response so far, nobody dare to write it off. However, expert the sales volume to increase at a lower growth rate of between 10% to 30%.

9.Nintendo Wii – The mo-tion detection gaming con-sole is popular now, and will continue to be popular in the coming years.

10.Electronic Toys or Ro-botic Toys – Typical of them is Furby (used to be a ‘must-have’) and Pleo, which can interact with human and even has some sort of intelligent learning capabilities.

Unfamiliar with the list? All the usual suspect such as digital camera, DVD player, MP3 Player or Digital Media Player and LCD TV are now mature commodity with low sales growth rate, where most already been sold more than 50 million units, some even more than 100 million units worldwide.

The top 10 future gadgets list was established based on recognition of consumers to-wards the products, price, the need of market and etc.

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