Reduce global warming now or we perish

THE future is not somewhere we are going. It is something we are creating. Every day we do things that make some futures more probable and others less likely.

Cepalco hit for unattended electric post

THE Cagayan Power and Light Company (Cepalco) was complained Tuesday for an unattended electric post at Balulang, Cagayan de Oro.

A radio report said Cepalco has yet to pay attention to damaged electric post despite a complaint filed by sitio officials to its office in November 2011. The officials and residents noted future accidents and also feared that somebody might be electrocuted.

Tablon housing project based on demand

A HOUSING project in barangay Tablon, Cagayan de Oro, was realized based on the number of demand as presented by realty agents, a realtor and developer said recently.

Dennis R. Leveriza, Chairman of the LeohLand Realty and Development Corporation, said that before coming up with the project, the company consulted first the agents who are the forerunners of selling house units. After finding out how high was the demand, the Monte Cielo Heights, a subdivision to rise in barangay Tablon, was being opened for construction of mixed housing units.

Trade department schedules ICC sticker marking

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Northern Mindanao started accepting applications for inspection and import commodity clearance (ICC) sticker marking for motorcycle helmets Monday.

The DTI-Northern Mindanao said for plate numbers with last digits 1 and 2 are scheduled every Monday; 3 and 4, Tuesday; 5 and 6, Wednesday; 7 and 8, Thursday; and 9 and 0, Friday.

Energy department to gather oil, LPG players

THE Oil and Management Bureau of the Department of Energy (DOE) in cooperation with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) will conduct a Multi-Sectoral Advocacy Campaign on Downstream Oil Industry (DOI) to be held at N Hotel, Kauswagan Highway, Cagayan de Oro City, on Wednesday.

The activity primarily aims to assist concerned agencies and the liquid petroleum products (LPP) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) companies in the formulation and implementation of policies, plans and programs related to the industry.

Hedcor breaks ground for Tudaya hydro plant

ABOITIZPOWER affiliate Hedcor officially broke ground over the weekend for the construction of the P1.8-billion, seven-megawatt (MW) Tudaya Hydropower 2 Plant in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

Hedcor president Rene Ronquillo and the local and government officials of Davao del Sur led the groundbreaking ceremonies.

Mix housing project to rise in Oro

ATTENTION landless and houseless families in Cagayan de Oro, a chance to own one inside a subdivision can be easier with the birth of Monte Cielo Heights in Barangay Tablon, Cagayan de Oro.

The family-run subdivision is expected to start constructing 700 houses in September after its groundbreaking on Saturday, with an average of 10 houses in every 45 days, Dennis R. Leveriza, chairman for LeohLand Realty and Development Corporation, the developer of Monte Cielo Heights, told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

Proposed 2013 budget crumbs MSMEs

CEBU – Representative Teddy Casiño (Bayan Muna party-list) appealed Friday to increase the “scandalously miniscule allocations for the development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) of the Aquino administration in the 2013 budget.”

Casiño was in town for the biggest Obra Negosyo Enhancement Countryside Enterprise Business Upliftment (ONE CEBU) Expo upon invitation of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Fun never ends with Sun’s forever loads

THERE’S something about the idea of “forever” that piques our interest. Perhaps it’s the dream of achieving eternal youth like the everyday vampire, or simply the desire to hold on to something you value for an extended amount of time. Sure, scientists will not win the Nobel Prize for discovering the secret of immortality and/or vampires anytime soon, but mankind has found many ways to make stuff last forever – or at least seem to.

But hey, it’s not like we need stuff like, say, Facebook, to last forever in our hands, right? Right? Well if you’re one of the millions of Filipinos who simply could not last a minute without Facebook and Yahoo Messenger, you obviously need to.

Newly-opened supermarket wows public

HUNDREDS of supermarket goers were surprised by the “super discounts” given away by a newly-opened supermarket at Gusa Highway, Barangay Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City on Friday, August 3.

Joji Sumaylo, who came all the way from Barangay Macabalan, south part of the city, enjoyed shopping at Robinsons Supermarket in time for the opening of its Gusa branch, the 68th branch to open nationwide.

PDIC, BSP sign pact on SPRB Plus

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) recently signed the Supplemental Agreement to implement the Strengthening Program for Rural Banks (SPRB) Plus to strengthen the thrift and rural banking industry to effectively serve the countryside and improve the delivery of financial services to rural communities.

The SPRB Plus is an enhanced version of the SPRB Module I, a program launched by the BSP and the PDIC in 2010 exclusively for rural banks (RBs).

PDIC, BSP sign pact on SPRB Plus

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) recently signed the Supplemental Agreement to implement the Strengthening Program for Rural Banks (SPRB) Plus to strengthen the thrift and rural banking industry to effectively serve the countryside and improve the delivery of financial services to rural communities.

The SPRB Plus is an enhanced version of the SPRB Module I, a program launched by the BSP and the PDIC in 2010 exclusively for rural banks (RBs).

Governors hail Australia aid to provinces’ roads

EXCLUDING the province of Camiguin, four Northern Mindanao governors hailed on Wednesday the Australian government’s help to maintain the road facilities of their respective provinces even as they expressed optimism that the Provincial Road Management Facility (PRMF) boosts local economy.

Japanese resto opens in Oro

A JAPANESE restaurant opens business in Cagayan de Oro Tuesday.

Tadakuma Japanese Restaurant, located along Corrales corner Chaves Streets, offers delectable Japanese cuisine for Filipinos who loved Japanese dishes.

Imported poultry safe for consumption

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) released statements Tuesday assuring public that imported poultry products are still safe for consumption.

This came following the government’s imposition to ban the import of poultry products and by-products from Mexico due to a reported outbreak of bird flu in said country. Memorandum Order No. 14, dated July 3, was reportedly released in order to protect local poultry industry as well as human health.

Just payments to lot owners backed

THE City Council committee on subdivision and landed estate recommended on Friday a payment of just compensation to lot owners whose properties were affected by city projects.

The projects involve the proposed Golden Mile project in Barangay 6, construction of 5th Bridge Kagay-an and Access Road in Barangay 1 and 5th Bridge located in Barangay Macasandig.

Phoenix wins best booth

LEADING independent Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. bagged the award for Best Booth under Non-Food 54-square meter category in the recent Franchise Asia Philippines 2012. The awarding was held on July 29, 2012 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

Asia’s biggest franchise event, Franchise Asia Philippines, recognized Phoenix Petroleum “for excellence in brand promotion and franchisee recruitment through booth design and aesthetics.”

Pag-IBIG Fund now requires MID

STARTING September 1, Pag-IBIG Fund will require employers and members to present their Membership Identification (MID) Numbers for all transactions.

This is part of Pag-IBIG Fund’s transition to an enhanced system that will make its services even faster and more efficient for employers and members.

Oro’s P360M-bridge to rise Sept

WORKS for the construction of the 250-lineal meter J.R. Borja bridge project will start on September, announced Mayor Vicente Emano in a press statement Tuesday. The mayor said the bridge project will link the heavily congested J.R. Borja Street to Barangay Carmen, one of the densely-populated barangays in the city.

The mayor has worked for the implementation of the project under a Spanish grant for six years.

Bukidnon rural bank placed under PDIC

THE Monetary Board placed the Rural Bank of Valencia, Inc. in Bukidnon under the receivership of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) by virtue of MB Resolution No. 1204.A dated July 27, 2012. As Receiver, PDIC took over the bank on July 27, 2012.

The Julie’s Bakeshop Touch: Good, old fashioned family values

JULIE’S Bakeshop scorecard: thirty-one years in the bakeshop industry with some 130 franchisees throughout the country and soon, all over Asia and probably the world. But the “other” credentials are not based on profit and expansion alone. They include old fashioned values and their application.

Julie Gandionco’s success (I fondly call her Ma’am Julie) is a testimony to the proper application of ageless wisdom. She is a spokesperson for the values of service, discipline, forgiveness, and “hands on” knowhow.

Sun introduces most affordable plan

DRIVEN by its continuous thrust of delivering best-value mobile services to Filipinos, Sun Cellular introduces its newest postpaid offering for as low as P299 per month.

As the lowest-rated regular plan of Sun Cellular, the Sun Plan 299 offers unlimited Sun texts, 30 minutes of Sun calls and 200 texts to other networks. Subscribers also get to choose between an Android MyPhone A618 and a full touch Alcatel 720D for the complimentary handset of the plan.

Oro remains top performing LGU in NorMin

DESPITE being badly battered by a catastrophe last Dec. 16 and 17, 2011, Cagayan de Oro remains a top performing city.

Based on the Collection Performance Report as of June 30, 2012 prepared by the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) in Northern Mindanao Region, the city ranks first among cities and municipalities in Region X in terms of collection efficiency in three out of four collection areas—Business Taxes and Other Local Fees; Fees and Charges and Receipts from Economic Enterprises.

Mindanao coops group to raise P8B

AN ORGANIZED group of Mindanao cooperatives is expected to raise P8 billion to bid out the purchase of Agus-Pulangi hydro power plants, the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) in Northern Mindanao announced Wednesday.

Business confab backs Mindanao energy plan

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental -- Local business players in Zamboanga Peninsula are backing the Mindanao energy plan that is expected to provide the roadmap for adequate supply of affordable and reliable electricity for the island-region.

In a resolution signed by the eight local chambers comprising the Zamboanga Peninsula Business Council during their business conference held here recently, the group lauded the Department of Energy (DOE) for facilitating the formulation of a Mindanao-specific energy plan.

Coops can invest P100M into medical industry

IT’S not anymore impossible for multi-purpose cooperatives to venture into the medical industry and buy millions-worth capital share and become co-owners of hospitals especially when they create a consortium of millionaire cooperatives, said an official of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) in Northern Mindanao Wednesday.

Edwin Pelosas, Cooperative Development Specialist, CDA-Northern Mindanao Region, said cooperatives in the region would likely invest to own a share with Maria Reyna Xavier University Hospital (XMRHU) for the benefit of its thousands of members, who, most of them are afraid to be hospitalized due to deposit inconveniences.

Experience fun and adventure with Nokia Asha 305

NOKIA introduces the first product in the Asha Full Touch range, the Nokia Asha 305, a smartphone that’s sure to delight young, urban and aspirational users.

Nokia Asha 305 is an entertaining device that’s designed for great browsing experiences, social networking, and fun apps and games. It has a vivid and colorful 3” touch screen that’s quick and responsive and a newly designed Series 40 OS that’s fun, intuitive and easy to use.

Firm to launch ‘Koryente’ program

THE Consumers and Users Productive (CUP) association is set to launch its new business undertaking when its partnership with power distribution utilities is realized by August this year.

CUP President Marcelina B. Buyco said the “CUP Koryente Program” is a new project of the company venturing into electric bill payment centers all over Northern Mindanao.

Local food player pushes franchise financing

RECENT robust growth of the Philippine economy, more notably the 6.4 percent first quarter growth earnings in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the recent upgrade in the country’s credit rating, makes the country an attractive option both in foreign and domestic investments.

Globe boosts smartphone use in PH

SMARTPHONE use in the Philippines is on a steady rise on the back of more low-priced internet-enabled mobile devices, giving more Filipinos access to internet surfing on their mobile phones.

According to a report from research firm GfK Philippines, the average price of smartphones in Philippines has dropped 23 percent from last year’s USD317 or roughly P13,000 to USD244 or a little over P10,000 this year.