ECCP Factsheet

 POLITICS

Senators ponder: Impeach trial, a go or no go vs officially resigned Bautista?

Philippine senators are divided on how to proceed with the impeachment of COMELEC Commissioner Bautista, who announced he would resign on 31 December 2017. Sen. Tito Sotto believes Bautista’s resignation from his post renders the impeachment issue moot as there would be no one to impeach. Sen. Chiz Escudero on the other hand believes the decision still lies with the House of Representatives, which could move forward with the impeachment to impose the additional penalty of perpetual disqualification from public service.

Former COMELEC Commissioner Andres Bautista spearheaded efforts to conduct the 2016 elections in an orderly manner and he was also an appointee of the Aquino administration. Bautista’s troubles began when his estranged wife Patricia accused him of amassing ill-gotten wealth during his time in the Philippine Good Governance Commission and later on as part of the COMELEC.

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/940166/tito-sotto-chiz-escudero-andres-bautista-comelec-resignation-impeachment-politics#ixzz4xEfNDkbX

Recto welcomes BOC suspension of strict rules in sending balikbayan boxes

Senator Ralph Recto welcomed the Bureau of Customs’ suspension of the tedious guidelines and rules in sending Balikbayan boxes. These guidelines include filling up an information sheet, providing an itemized list of the box’s contents along with purchase invoices. “I concede that there must be rules, but not so complicated that the box ends up being wrapped in red tape,” Recto said.

OFW protests against the stringent rules prompted Commissioner Isidro Lapena to start an administrative review which Recto welcomed as an opportunity to purge the current guidelines of “bureaucratic overreach and a wrong interpretation of the law. Recto further states that “It is clear in the CMTA, and in the debate records of the House and the Senate, that an OFW can send home, tax- and duty-free, a balikbayan box valued not more than P150,000 three times a year.”

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/936310/recto-welcomes-boc-suspension-of-strict-rules-in-sending-balikbayan-boxes-recto-senate-politics-customs-balikbayan-box#ixzz4xEnZLmDr

 BUSINESS

$100-M ADB loan for PH infra OKd

The Asian Development Bank has decided to extend a $100 Million loan to the Philippines to fast-track its Infrastructure Preparation and Innovation Facility. The ADB load is set to help finance the “Build Build Build” program. The loan will help the departments of public works and transportation in preparing infrastructure projects using global best practices. The ADB stated that “The new loan, along with the recently approved $5-million technical assistance grant, serves as a catalyst for the government’s project management and monitoring system. It will strengthen the government’s project facilitation and monitoring systems, reduce infrastructure bottlenecks, and help relevant agencies systematically monitor project progress and address operational issues at every stage of project planning, construction and operation”. The ADB also stated that the government will contribute $64.06 million for the $164.06-million IPIF, which was targeted for completion by the second quarter of 2021.

Source: http://business.inquirer.net/239610/100-m-adb-loan-ph-infra-okd

 ECONOMY

PH index firms up above 8,300

The Philippine Stock Exchange index added 69.31 points or 0.84 percent to close at 8,365.26 before the market headed to a two-day trading break. This stop at above 8,300 was precedes a midweek trading break and an expected policy announcement by the US Federal Reserve. This increase is said to be driven mostly by domestic investors’ buying activities as the local corporate earnings reporting season started.

Trading was put on hold for Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 as these two dates were declared as National Holidays to honor All Souls Day.

Source: http://business.inquirer.net/239605/ph-index-firms-8300#ixzz4xF1sO3n1

 INVESTMENTS

Cebu Pacific shelves plans to fly to Honolulu

Airline carrier Cebu Pacific is rethinking its long haul strategy by putting its plans to fly to Honolulu on hold. Several other flights to the Middle East were also scrapped as Cebu Pacific faced “immense losses” on those flights according to CEO Lance Gokongwei. Gokongwei also states that Cebu Pacific is set to satisfy the existing demand such as flights to Cebu, Davao, Hong Kong, Japan and Korea.

Source: http://business.inquirer.net/239608/cebu-pacific-shelves-plans-fly-honolulu

PLDT investing P7B in transpacific submarine cable system project

PLDT is joining a project to fund a submarine cable to link Asia and the United States. The transpacific cable system is called “Jupiter” and will link with PLDT’s base in Daet. Jupiter has a length of 14,000 kilometers and it will employ wavelength selectable switch technology to be built based on the “open cable” model. Jupiter can deliver a capacity of more than 60 terabits per second from the Philippines to Japan and the US. PLDT hopes that this cable system will improve internet connectivity in the Philippines and help fulfill the increasing demand for bandwidth-heavy tasks like streaming videos. “We are investing in this new cable system in anticipation of the continued explosion of data traffic over the next few years, as households and businesses in the Philippines adopt more and more digital services,” PLDT chair and CEO Manuel V Pangilinan said in a statement yesterday.

In investing in “Jupiter”, the Philippine tech giant joins other heavy hitters such as Amazon and Facebook. Jupiter is set to come online in time for DICT’s own international gateway to enable smaller players to compete with the duopoly.

Source: http://business.inquirer.net/239598/pldt-investing-p7b-transpacific-submarine-cable-system-project#ixzz4xF5mIT8A

 ENERGY

Renewable energy pressed for Negros Oriental

The Department of Energy (DOE) called on local and national government agencies, the academe and the private sector to adopt energy-efficient and conservation measures to curb the effects of climate change. DOE Regional Director Antonio Labios stated in an energy forum that renewable resources is one of the largest sources of energy for Visayas, followed by geothermal energy. Negros and Leyte play host to the largest geothermal plants in Visayas while Aklan and other provinces are equipped with wind farms. The DOE strives to increase public access to clean and sustainable energy and to ensure or increase energy independence and develop more indigenous energy resources.

Regional director Labios called on government agencies to conserve energy at the workplace by using light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs or other energy-efficient lighting. He also suggested that structures and buildings be designed to comply with the government’s energy management program.

Source: https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/10/30/renewable-energy-pressed-for-negros-oriental/

 ENVIRONMENT

Conservation group warns against noise pollution impact

Environmental conservation group OceanCare warns against the impact of oil explorations on marine life as the former causes intense noise pollution. Seismic surveys and other such explorations used to determine the presence of underwater oil is said to be fatal to fish and zooplankton which in turn severely disrupts the ecosystem.

The warning follows after the resolution by the 12th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) adopted on marine noise at a conference held in Manila last October 22 to 28.The resolution includes the world’s first guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for noise-generating activities.

Source: https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/10/30/conservation-group-warns-against-noise-pollution-impact/

 AGRICULTURE

Government steps up drive to boost cacao output

The Philippine Cacao Industry Development Council (PCIDC), through the Mindanao Cacao Link 2017, called for the collaboration and convergence of the public and private sectors to showcase latest scientific and market research developments for the benefit of the different players of the local cacao chain.

The combination of public and private sectors, called clustering, contributed towards driving up the average production of cacao to twice its previous amount in 5 years. As of yet, the Philippines produces about 10,000 metric tons of cacao. Although this is a marked improvement, it still is a long way before it can satisfy deomestic demand of 30,000 metric tons.

Source: http://www.philstar.com/agriculture/2017/10/29/1753410/government-steps-drive-boost-cacao-output

Government eyes bigger share of $2.6-T halal market

Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Special Concerns Ranibai Dilangalen, who is also in charge of DA’s halal efforts, said the halal program has been approved to be part of the agency’s banner programs with an initial P44 million budget next year. Dilangalen states that “We are very late compared to other countries like Malaysia which is the pioneer country for halal and even Thailand and Indonesia which have become so aggressive. It will really take us decades before we equate with them. But what we can promise is to execute and implement our program. Doing that, we will at least be given that recognition that we are competing in the halal industry. That would impress the public not only in the Philippines but also in Asia and Middle East, that our halal industry is also growing,” she added.

The Department of Agriculture crafted a 10-year halal roadmap which aims to address the gaps in the industry, the first of its kind in the Philippines. The roadmap is expected to be launched in December. The Philippine STAR further states that having a halal food standard would open avenues for world-class halal food production and processing enterprises that would eventually create employment opportunities.

Source: http://www.philstar.com/agriculture/2017/10/22/1751092/government-eyes-bigger-share-2.6-t-halal-market

 HEALTHCARE

Did You Know: Metro Manila has 14.4% of dengue cases

Metro Manila registered 11,244 dengue cases out of the 76,391 cases reported nationwide from Jan. 1 to Sept. 2 this year. The National Capital Region recorded the highest number of dengue cases nationwide followed by Central Luzon with 13.8 percent or 10,570 cases and Calabarzon with 9,380 cases.

The amount of reported dengue cases is up 29.02% from the same period in 2016. 2017 also had 68 recorded deaths due to dengue in Metro Manila from Jan. 1 to Sept. 2 this year. This was up from 29 deaths during the same period in 2016.

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/938450/did-you-know-metro-manila-has-14-4-of-dengue-cases#ixzz4xFr9wnNw

Duque favors medical marijuana

Newly appointed Health Secretary Francisco Duque III stated that he is for the selective use of medical marijuana in the Philippines. Duque told reporters that “It [medical marijuana] is supposed to be for compassionate use. So there must be very narrow applicability and must be strictly regulated. The cannabis oil, which is its most important ingredient, has shown in researches to be effective against seizures, epileptic seizures, cerebral palsy seizures, among others,” he said.

Duque is currently providing expertise to lawmakers to prepare House Bill No. 180 or the proposed Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act.

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/942019/duque-favors-medical-marijuana#ixzz4xFyRzYdB

 TOURISM

Promoting PH is everyone’s task–DOT exec

Department of Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo sees tourism as a tool to improve local economies and for poverty alleviation “Since Day 1 [of my appointment as secretary], I had only one goal in mind—to rally [everyone] behind one simple idea, that tourism [promotion] is a shared responsibility,” Teo said in her address to the annual Media Congress organized by the Media Specialists of the Philippines at Camp John Hay here last week. Teo also stated that her mandate as Tourism Secretary is not only to increase arrivals but to make sure that these arrivals translate into employment.

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/930958/promoting-ph-is-everyones-task-dot-exec#ixzz4xG0ThCNa

Cebu Factsheet September 2017

INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE IN CEBU. To oversee traffic management in key cities, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary Thomas Orbos proposed for an interagency committee (I-ACT) in Cebu similar to Metro Manila. I-ACT in Metro Manila is composed of the Philippine National Police- Highway Patrol Group ((PNP-HPG), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and Metro Manila Council composed of mayors. The creation of I-ACT gives motorists the benefit of dealing with uniform rules and regualtions including uniform penalties for traffic violations. DOTr official Orbos welcomes unsolicited proposals on transportation in his office to improve mobility and solve traffic woes in Cebu.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2017/10/26/dotr-eyes-traffic-council-cebu-571566

MORE BUSINESS NAME REGISTRATIONS IN CEBU. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Cebu consumer welfare division chief Zaide Bation, revealed that the support of local government units (LGU) together with the private sector has boosted the number of business name registration of the province. Single proprietorship businesses grew by 30 percent from 3, 960 business name registrations in July- September 2016 to 5,148 of the same period in 2017. Of this 5,148, 90 percent are classified as new registrations while 10 percent are renewals. Food enterprises, general merchandise, and transportation led the number of new businesses. In terms of capitalization, third quarter investments also increased from P1.1 billion in 2016 to P1.2 billion this year. On the top list of capitalization category are transportation, real estate, and construction. Jobs created this quarter reached 6,702 wherein more than 60 percent are for male workers. In the first nine months of this year, Cebu has reached 14, 436 business name registrations.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2017/10/25/30-rise-business-name-registrations-571172

CEBU PROVINCE TO BOOST MEDICAL FACILITIES. In order to strengthen Cebu’s position in medical tourism, Cebu Provincial Government has pledged modernization of facilities in the countryside alongside with its aim to de-clog the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center. On the list of strategies are enhancing provincial hospitals in Bogo, Danao, Carmen, and Balamban, making 12 other hospitals as referral centers, hiring medical professionals, and improving infrastructure. According to Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino, upgrading the medical hospitals in the countryside will not only ensure quality health care services for Cebuanos living from far from the city but also boost the country’s image in the niche market of medical tourism. In addition, Napier Healthcare Solutions Pte Ltd CEO Tirupathi Karthik pointed out that if the country wants to be a leader in global medical tourism, medical institutions across the globe should invest in innovative use of technology to address healthcare issues in the community immediately.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2017/10/25/cebu-upgrade-medical-facilities-571347

MORE CEBU ONLINE PROPERTY BUYERS ONLINE. More Filipinos turn to online platforms when looking and buying for properties according to OLX’s real estate partner, Property 24. An OLX study shows property buyers’ searching online (43 percent) is as much as the buyers who are using the traditional face-to-face method (57 percent). In Cebu province, 47 percent look for properties within the capital, 17 percent in Mandaue City, 12 per cent in Lapu-Lapu City, 7 percent in Talisay City, and 5 percent in Consolation. Buyers consider proximity to shops as a major consideration in choosing a location followed by accessibility, kids, infrastructure, public services and safety. OLX head for operations and real estate, Ferdie Perez, reveals that there are about 6,000 listings from Cebu, mostly condominium units.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2017/10/24/more-home-purchases-done-online-571167

CEBU TO POSITION AS THE COUNTRY’S RETIREMENT CAPITAL. W+B Advisory executive director, Professor Eric Soriano, urged Cebu to take the lead in offering retirement options to foreigners due to its ability to cater retiree needs. Soriano believes that the province can deliver a balance of modern comfort and countryside offerings. Cebu Province has proposed to Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) retirement ecozones in the areas of Dalaguete- Argao, Bantayan, and Camotes Island. International Living’s Annual Global Retirement Index identified the Philippines as an emerging top global retirement destination. In 2017, it became the 19th world’s best places to retire. Philippine Retirement Agency (PRA) reported 49,711 registered foreign retirees within 31-year period. Americans, Chinese, British, Germans, and Australians are on the top 10 retirees.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2017/11/02/cebu-should-be-retirement-capital-572700

Davao Factsheet September 2017

Food processing plant to rise in Davao

YOVEL Agri Enterprise, in partnership with a Japanese company, is set to establish a fruits and vegetables puree plant in Davao City by March 2018. During the tourism and investment roadshow attended by Davao City local government unit (LGU) representatives and private sectors from October 17 to 22 held at the different cities in Japan, Yovel Agri Enterprise signed the memorandum of understanding with Bioactive Japan to establish a puree plant in the city. According to Yovel Agri Enterprise president and CEO James Amparo, the partnership took a year and a half of negotiation before they are able to come to finality. He added this partnership will answer the slow growth of the agriculture sector of the region. Bioactive Japan is a natural food processing company that has been known to supply to different countries as well as sourcing out raw materials from other countries as well. They process these raw materials into food and medicines. Amparo said the Japanese company also has a 20,000-acre of property in India which is also into food processing as well.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/business/2017/10/31/food-processing-plant-rise-davao-572275

ICT gab for SMEs slated in 2018

INFORMATION and Communications Technology (ICT) Davao Inc. will bring together developers of applications and IT-based solutions that are geared towards assisting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the region to be digitally-able in their respective fields. In an interview with ICT Davao president attorney Samuel Matunog, he said by early next year, they are set to bring together about 50 Mindanao-based developers as well as interested SMEs for a conference called Livex Davao. They have yet to finalize the exact venue of the event. “We will promote applications that are already existing and some are already being implemented by our developers. We will promote these to the SMEs so they will be able to use it. The SMEs will be able to articulate the kind of applications that they are looking for,” Matunog said. According to Matunog, the digital transformation of the different sectors of the Philippine industry – may it be agriculture, tourism, trade or health – is very crucial as everything now are converting into digital means. “That’s the only way if you want to survive. Everyone is going digital. You cannot do anything now without being (digitally) equipped. The companies that grow and expand and continue to be profitable are all digitally-equipped companies,” Matunog said adding that being digitally-equipped will help players of the respective sector be more profitable.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/business/2017/10/31/ict-gab-smes-slated-2018-572274

Davao Region population increases by 424,000

THE Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Monday, October 30, reported that the total population in Davao Region increased by 424,000 persons based on the results of the 2015 Census of Population (Popcen). PSA-Davao revealed that the official population of the region reached 4,893,318 as of August 2015. The total population is higher by 424,755 as compared to the 2010 Popcen and Housing count with 4,468,563 persons. Davao Region has 4,159,469 population in 2007, 3,676,163 in 2000, 3,288,824 in 1995; and 2,883,614 last 1990. Of the 4,893,318 total population as of August 2015, Davao City has 1,632,991; Davao del Norte province has 1,016,332; Compostela Valley province has 736,107; Davao del Sur province has 632,588; Davao Occidental province has 316,342; and Davao Oriental province has 558,958 population. The increase in Davao Region's population translated to an average population growth rate (PGR) of 1.74 percent annually during the period 2010 to 2015, which means there were about 17 persons added every year for every 1,000 persons in the population, according to the statistic office. PSA also reported that one in every three persons in the region is living in Davao City, the highly urbanized city in the region. Davao City posted 1,632,991 persons in 2015 and among the four highly urbanized cities that surpassed the one million population mark in the country.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2017/10/31/davao-region-population-increases-424000-572255

Davao mayor to be feted as Clean Air champ Read

DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio will be awarded as the Clean Air Champion advocate by the Clean Air Philippines for pushing forward clean air initiatives in the city during the Clean Air Month celebration on November 6 at NCCC Mall Davao activity center. A symbolic ceremony will also take place declaring the city as "Clean Air City," attributing to the various clean air-related local ordinances that were strictly implemented here. Melvin Dapitanon, Airshed focal person of Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environment Management Bureau (DENR-EMB)-Davao, during Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao, said the mayor is active in implementing the existing ordinances in the city such as the non-smoking, Anti-Smoking Belching Unit (ASBU), open burning which are in place as well as the planned modernization program on vehicles. The award will be given by Mike Aragon of Clean Air Philippines. This is the first time that they will award a local government official. Socorro Mallare of DENR-EMB also said the city is also considered as the Clean Air City because of the sustained air quality as the city still has good to fair level of air unlike other highly-urbanized cities nationwide.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2017/10/31/davao-mayor-be-feted-clean-air-champ-572258

Phoenix Petroleum to acquire 100% of FamilyMart

Davao-based independent oil company Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc (Phoenix) announced Monday, October 30, that it plans to acquire the entire shares of Philippine FamilyMart (PFM) from its current owners.

“We are pleased to have it as a strategic addition to the group as we broaden our products and services and offer greater convenience to our customers,” said Dennis Uy, president and chief executive officer of Phoenix.

The company disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Monday that it recently signed a memorandum of understanding between SIAL CVS Retailers Inc, the firm which currently operates the Japanese convenience store chain in the Philippines. It is a joint venture between an Ayala Corporation subsidiary, FamilyMart Co. Ltd and Itochu Corporation.

It can be recalled that the convenience store chain began operating in the Philippines in 2013 – with its first few stores opened in Makati City. Years later, it carried out aggressive expansions and planned of opening branches in Davao City.

But in 2017, it said it was looking for new investors as its current owners planned of a possible divestment.

The acquisition of Phoenix, a refined petroleum trader with over 505 retail stations in the Philippines, will mark its entry into the convenience retail market industry.

The company’s president, Uy, also recently finalized a deal acquiring a $1-billion logistics hub in Clark City.

The hub, including his planned acquisition of PFM, are both subject for approval of the Philippine Competition Commission.

Source: http://davaotoday.com/main/economy/phoenix-petroleum-to-acquire-100-of-familymart/

Exporters hope Duterte can ask Japan to lower tariffs on Philippine bananas

The executive director of the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) hopes President Rodrigo Duterte will be able to encourage the Japanese government to relax if not lift the imposition of hefty taxes on Philippine bananas during his two-day working visit in Japan.

Duterte and his economic team will leave Davao City for Japan Sunday evening y and will return home on Tuesday.

PBGEA Executive Director Stephen Antig said he hopes Duterte can at least negotiate with the Japanese to lower the tariffs to encourage more shipment of Philippine bananas.

Antig said said exporters pay 18.4 percent tariff rates during winter (December to February) and 8.4 percent during summer (June to August).

“That will definitely increase volume of bananas going to Japan and give the industry a breathing space,” he said.

He appealed to government to expedite the negotiation as their global competitor, Ecuador, is eating into the country’s market share not only in Japan but also in South Korea and Middle East.

Source: http://www.mindanews.com/business/2017/10/exporters-hope-duterte-can-ask-japan-to-lower-tariffs-on-philippine-bananas/

Bangsamoro Asssembly postponed to “third week of November”

The Bangsamoro Assembly scheduled November 3 and 4 in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao has been reset to “third week of November” due to “reasons beyond our control,” Ghazali Jaafar, chair of the Bnagsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) announced.

“We regret to inform you that due to reasons beyond our control, the said Bangsamoro Assembly has to be postponed,” Ghazali Jaafar, the MILF’s 1st Vice Chair and chair of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), said in a press statement.

Jaafar did not divulge the reason but MindaNews sources said President Rodrigo Duterte, the Assembly’s guest of honor, will not be available until after November 18, after he hosts the ASEAN Summit.

The BTC is the joint government-MILF body that drafted the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and is convening the Bangsamoro Assembly.

Jaafar said new dates are still being determined “but at this point we are already looking at the third week of November 2017.”

Source: http://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2017/10/bangsamoro-asssembly-postponed-to-third-week-of-november/

MinDA, Siargao LGU partner for mangrove conservation

Forming part of its long-term goal of responsible use and protection of the environment, Mindanao Development Authority through its Mindanao Nurturing Our Waters (MindaNOW!) Program celebrated the International Mangroves Day with the local government of Del Carmen in Siargao, a municipality renowned for its mangrove management efforts.

Siargao Islands is the largest protected area under the National Integrated Protected Area System Act due to its mangrove forests. Four thousand hectares of contiguous mangrove stand in Del Carmen, the largest in the Philippines.

In his presentation, Rolando Pinsoy, MindaNOW! Program head emphasized the importance of sustainable coastal management in the agency’s larger efforts of developing and managing the Mindanao’s river basins and watersheds to ensure that water, which is critical for human survival, is maximized through sustainable means. MindaNOW! adopts the “ridge-to-reef” approach that requires the protection, utilization, and rehabilitation of the environment from the mountains to the seas.

“Mangrove forests serve as sanctuaries for fishes and other coastal species, which happen to be one of primary food sources of the municipality,” said Pinsoy during the Mangrove Forestry Forum, one the lined activities for the International Mangroves Day Celebration. The forum was followed by a mangrove planting activity and mangrove protection workshop for junior environmentalists of the municipality.

Source: http://www.minda.gov.ph/news/226-minda-siargao-lgu-partner-for-mangrove-conservation

P129-M Polloc Port investment to boost Mindanao Economic Corridor

The recent registration by the Regional Board of Investments (RBOI) of the investment of Bangsamoro Terminal Services, Inc. (BTSI) amounting to P129 million, a company based in Polloc Freeport in Parang, Maguindanao is seen to boost the Mindanao Economic Corridors strategy for Mindanao economic development. This is because Polloc Port provides easy access for bulk cargo in Central Mindanao, particularly Maguindanao, the land-locked areas of North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and the coastal municipalities of Lanao del Sur.

Polloc Port is a key node in the South Central Mindanao Corridor under the Mindanao Development Authority’s (MinDA) Economic Development Corridors strategy for economic growth. The Mindanao Development Corridors is a spatial development strategy that aims to increase the competitiveness of Mindanao industries by providing them with common service facilities. The program also aims to achieve physical integration among key economic clusters in Mindanao in its bid to become self-reliant and internally dependable. The program will also prepare the island-region towards greater economic cooperation with BIMP-EAGA and other member countries of the ASEAN Economic Community.

"The development of the port will significantly reduce transport cost of products and spur economic activities in the South Central Mindanao Development Corridor, and was will easily open up more direct links for international trading for this area," said MinDA Chairman Datu Abul Khayr Alonto.

Alonto added that the establishment of efficient inter-regional and connectivity infrastructure in Mindanao is one of the the strategies of the agency to deliver lasting peace and development in the island-region.

"If we want people to truly feel what the government is doing for them, we first need to ensure that the physical access to where development is needed is there. This is why we are glad to that some of the major connectivity projects for Mindanao are included in the Build build build strategy of this administration," Alonto said.

Source: http://www.minda.gov.ph/news/225-p129-m-polloc-port-investment-to-boost-mindanao-economic-corridor

CDO Factsheet September 2017

NORTHERN MINDANAO POSTS HIKE IN INVESTMENTS

NEW investments generated in Northern Mindanao region has increased to P4.6 billion for the second quarter of 2017 compared to the P3.6 billion posted on the second quarter last year. Engineer Cecilio Clarete, Nation Economic and Development Authority-Northern Mindanao chief economic development specialist, said the increase is due to the new investments poured, particularly the new power plants established in Bukidnon province. Bukidnon remained the province with the highest investments, posting investment growth of 211 percent, bringing up the investment level to P1.7 billion. In the same period last year, Bukidnon only posted P560 million of investments. Clarete said the investments came from construction projects of power plants and feed mills in Manolo Fortich and a new mall in Valencia City. Misamis Oriental, meanwhile, has the highest share of the investments coming from construction industry, which comprised 57 percent of the total investments in the region.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/business/2017/09/26/northern-mindanao-posts-hike-investments-566116

NGCP UPGRADING GRID AHEAD OF HIKE IN POWER GENERATION

THE National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is expecting the completion of its reinforcement of the Mindanao transmission backbone within the first quarter of 2019, months ahead of its target cessation on June 2019. NGCP's Mindanao 230 kiloVolt (kV) Transmission Backbone Project will address the anticipated addition of bulk power generation in the area by strengthening the existing capacity of the Matanao-Toril-Bunawan and the Balo-i-Maramag-Bunawan transmission lines from 138 kV to 230 kV.

In a statement, NGCP said various key substations will also be upgraded in order to accommodate the line and the additional power expected to flow through. The transmission backbone will accommodate renewable and conventional power plants in the northern and southern part of Mindanao. This will ensure stable and continuous power from Lanao del Norte, passing through Agusan del Sur, all the way to Davao del Sur.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/business/2017/10/11/ngcp-upgrading-grid-ahead-hike-power-generation-568841

ORO, USAID TO ROLL OUT LAND INFO SYSTEM TO ASSIST INVESTORS

THE City Government of Cagayan de Oro (CDO), together with the United States Agency for International Development-Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (USAID-Surge) and the Land and Governance Innovations Consultants Inc., has developed a system that will provide integrated data on land and properties in the city to investors.

The CDO Land Information System (LIS), a touch screen kiosk, is an integrated land information platform that will provide both the public and private sectors information on basic and relevant features of each lot for property rights, revenue generation, disaster risk mitigation and other socio-economic development initiatives for Cagayan de Oro City. "What that will provide is information that will tell you whether that area is flood prone or the property is titled or not, the schools, hospital, those kinds of information)," Eileen San Juan, Cagayan de Oro City Investments and Promotions officer said. The LIS will also show the type of land, usability, and classification, whether the land is residential or commercial.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/business/2017/10/12/oro-usaid-roll-out-land-info-system-assist-investors-568974

ORO TO HOST NATIONAL ICT SUMMIT IN NOVEMBER

THE National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) on Wednesday, October 11, announced that Cagayan de Oro City will be hosting the 9th NICP Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Summit this November 16 and 17. The summit will be attended by stakeholders and ICT councils composed of the academe, local government units, and industries that work together to attract investments and to drive innovation and ICT development. "We are targeting about 700 participants as a minimum coming from all over the Philippines, we also have some delegates coming from other countries as well, in fact we have speakers coming from other countries," NICP President Stephanie Caragos said, adding that about 50 speakers will attend the summit. The Department of Information and Communications Technology and NICP will also launch the Digital Cities PH program on the first day of the summit with theme: CDOx or Countryside Digital Opportunities Exchange. "This is our version of smart cities. Right now there is a global movement of cities becoming smart cities, how big data is affecting even our policy making process in the city level," Bacolod lawyer Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, NICP Founding Trustee, said.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/business/2017/10/13/oro-host-national-ict-summit-november-569195 

ORO NAMED LGU WITH HIGHEST LOCAL REVENUE IN NORTHERN MINDANAO

 

CAGAYAN de Oro is Northern Mindanao’s city with the highest collections from local resources in 2016 and in the second quarter of this year. Joy Marjorie Manlegro, financial analyst of Department of Finance-Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF), said these local resources or revenues of local government units are the real property tax, business tax, fees and charges, and economic enterprise.

 

As of the second quarter of this year, Cagayan de Oro has collected a total of P 1,187,051,824 out of the P 1,730,968,488 total annual target collections of local resources in the city.

 

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/business/2017/10/20/oro-named-lgu-highest-local-revenue-northern-mindanao-570381

 

LAGUINDINGAN AIRPORT IS CEBPAC’S 7TH HUB

 

LAGUINDINGAN, Misamis Oriental -- Cebu Pacific (CEB) is strengthening its domestic route network and air connections to and from Mindanao by designating Laguindingan Airport as its seventh hub in the country, aside from just launching two new routes that link Northern Mindanao to Caticlan (Boracay) and Dumaguete City. Cagayan de Oro was among the first domestic destinations launched by CEB when I started operations in 1996. Today, the CEB network, including inter-island routes of subsidiary Cebgo, boasts of a total on nine connections to and from the Laguindingan Airport – Manila, Bacolod, Caticlan, Cebu, Dumaguete, Tagbilaran, Davao, Zamboanga and Iloilo. CEB said that what was originally the 4th destination launched back in 1996, is now a hub. It follows the path of Manila, Cebu and Iloilo, also hubs.

 

Located in Misamis Oriental, Laguindingan Airport serves the gateway to Northern Mindanao, catering Cagayan de Oro City, and neighboring areas, including Iligan City, Marawi City, and Bukidnon province. The Airport complex currently has 7,200 square meter passenger terminal and a 2,100 meter runway, capable of four takeoffs and landings per hour. Since it opened in 2013. The airport has become the sixth-busiest in the country, serving over 1.7 million passengers per year.

 

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/business/2017/10/20/laguindingan-airport-cebpacs-7th-hub-570538

 

ORGANIC AGRICULTURE CONGRESS IN ORO SET

 

THE Department of Agriculture (DA)-Northern Mindanao is set to conduct its 14th National Organic Agriculture Congress (NOAC) at the Atrium, Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City on October 24 to 26. "This is the first time wherein the Department of Agriculture Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) will be hosting a national activity for organic agriculture," Carlene Collado, the officer-in-charge-regional director of DA, said, adding that they will be inviting all organic practitioners nationwide. Collado said they are expecting about 1,600 organic farmer-practitioners, agricultural extensionists, exhibitors, enthusiasts, and other relevant stakeholders of the organic sector in the country to participate in the congress. Samuel Natindim Jr., DA regional organic focal person, said the congress aims to strengthen the advocacy and promotion of organic agriculture in the Philippines. The congress also plans to showcase organic products and link them to potential markets, to recognize stakeholders having exemplary performance in the practice of organic agriculture, and to update agriculture stakeholders on recent organic agriculture best practices and technologies.

 

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/business/2017/10/20/organic-agriculture-congress-oro-set-570540