POLITICS

Congress nod seen for 1-year martial law

“For me who hails from Mindanao, I don’t see any reason why the request won’t be granted. We feel safer if that happens,” Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez told reporters. The Philippine Star also reports that a senior lawmaker has stated that there isn’t any significant opposition to the move, thus they expect the motion to pass the join session. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque also expressed his confidence regarding the Martial Law extension. Roque states that “We have factual basis for the declaration of martial law and we see no reason why Congress will not give its usual support to this initiative of the Chief Executive.”

Source: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/12/13/1767876/congress-nod-seen-1-year-martial-law

Senate, House to convene to tackle provisions of TRAIN

Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, said the bicameral committee is scheduled to meet in the Senate at 2 p.m., 01 December 2017 to discuss the disparate versions of the TRAIN bill in the Senate and House. Despite being certified as an urgent measure by the President, solons face significant challenges in harmonizing the different version of the tax reform bill in the Bicameral Committee.

Source: https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/11/30/senate-house-to-convene-to-tackle-provisions-of-train/

 BUSINESS

BSP cuts TDF volume by P50 B to P80 B

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) again cut the offer size by P50 billion or from P130 billion to P80 billion for the December 6 term deposit facility (TDF) auction. BSP Deputy Governor Diwa C. Guinigundo stated that “Banks have been withdrawing their excess liquidity from BSP facilities to fund loans to various production sectors, buy foreign exchange for clients’ imports and outward investment requirements, and investment in GS (government securities) and retail treasury bonds, among others. Thus, there is less excess liquidity to mop up. The BSP therefore decided that it should offer less volume in the TDF.” This would be the fourth time since September that the BSP reduced the volume of the TDF. The most recent was on November 2 when it slashed the offer size by P10 billion.

 ECONOMY

BSP sees 2.9%-3.6% November inflation

The central bank forecasts inflation for the month of November may hit a high of 3.6 percent from the previous month’s 3.5 percent due to petroleum and electricity price increases.The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’s (BSP) Department of Economic Research yesterday said they expect a range of 2.9 percent to 3.6 percent November inflation. The BSP states that this is due to the increase of domestic fuel power rates could also affect inflation. However, the BSP did not change its 2017 and 2019 inflation forecasts of 3.2 percent and it continues to expect a manageable inflation environmen. Next year’s inflation forecast was duly adjusted because of the peso depreciation, higher oil prices and what could be an acceleration in liquidity growth.

Source: https://business.mb.com.ph/2017/11/29/bsp-sees-2-9-3-6-november-inflation/

 INVESTMENTS

PH capital investment tops those of rest of Southeast Asia

Philippine capital investment exceeds other Southeast Asian countries as government and firms increase spending. In the first nine months of this year, net physical assets in the Philippines grew 10.4 percent from a year earlier. That compared with a 6.9 percent increase in Malaysia and 5.8 percent gain in Indonesia, according to data from statistics offices. The Philippine government spending increased to 28 percent last year with a large budget allotted for 2018. Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and Ayala Land Corp. are also significantly increasing their capital investment. “The government is very committed to keep spending strong and that has maintained the robust momentum of the investment cycle,” said Eugenia Victorino, an economist at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. in Singapore

Source: https://business.mb.com.ph/2017/11/29/ph-capital-investment-tops-those-of-rest-of-southeast-asia/

 INFRASTRUCTURE

$1.7-B credit line from S. Korea eyed

The Department of Finance stated that the South Korean government offered to support energy, information and communications technology, and transport projects through the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Kexim), which oversees South Korea’s official development assistance (ODA) facility called Economic Development Cooperation Fund. “Among the financial tools the Philippines can tap from South Korea is a $100-million credit line for a project preparation facility. It is available at zero interest and payable in 40 years, including a a 10-year grace period. The project preparation facility can be tapped by the Department of Public Works and Highways and the National Irrigation Administration for their infrastructure projects,” the DOF added, quoting a report of its international finance group to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III.

Source: http://business.inquirer.net/240337/1-7-b-credit-line-s-korea-eyed#ixzz516gdcBXl

 ENERGY

CNOOC, 2 other foreign firms vie for LNG plant

China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) and Lloyds Energy Group have submitted their respective unsolicited proposals for the $2-billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities that state-run Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) wants to implement. Weeks earlier, Korean Power Electric Corporation also submitted its bid for the said project. The contract for the LNG facilities will expire in 2022 and can be opened to independent power producer.

CNOOC Limited is China’s largest producer of offshore crude oil and natural gas while Lloyds Energy was established in 2013 with the strategic aim of delivering LNG to the global market through the efficient processing of significant pipeline gas supplies. KEPCO is an established player in the Philippine gas market, developing and operating the 1,200-megawatt Ilijan natural gas-fired power project.

Despite this, Cusi said he is still optimistic that the development of the LNG plant could still happen in 2018 so it could finish in two years time.“If a viable unsolicited bid will not turn up by yearend, PNOC’s plan is to hold a formal bidding next year for it to corner a private sector partner. The mode it has been eyeing would either be a joint venture or build-operate-transfer (BOT) scheme,” Business Bulletin reported earlier.

Source: https://business.mb.com.ph/2017/11/29/cnooc-2-other-foreign-firms-vie-for-lng-plant/

 ENVIRONMENT

Syngenta tops Corn Derby in Cagayan Valley

Syngenta’s Agrisure NK8840 bested 14 other corn varieties entered in the Corn Derby conducted recently in San Felipe, Ilagan City, Isabela, by the Department of Agriculture – Cagayan Valley Research Center (DA-CVRC). Variant of corn is Glyphosate Tolerant and yielded 12,823.23 kilos per hectare at a production cost of P3.43 per kilo. Agrisure NK8840 was sold at dry weight basis at P11.20 per kilo. Gross income from this variant was computed at P143,620.18, giving a net income of P99,574.18 per hectare with a cost of production was P44,046 per hectare.

Source: https://newsbits.mb.com.ph/2017/11/15/syngenta-tops-corn-derby-in-cagayan-valley/

 AGRICULTURE

Machinery firm gets interest-free loan from DOST

Central Isabela Agri Manufacturing Corporation (CIAMC) headed by Eugene Gabriel, president and CEO received a check of P2.9 million from the DOST on November 13, 2017. This grant is interest-free and payable in three years and is slated to be used by the company to purchase equipment that will increase production and improve the quality of its products. CIAMC is currently producing various machines and equipment to mechanize farming operations that will result in higher productivity, enhanced competitiveness in the market, and increased profits for the farmers. The company will intensify its production of mounted harrow, disc plow, cage roller for leveling rice fields at planting time, seed cleaners for those in seed production, cassava uprooter, chipper and tiller, corn direct seeder, boom sprayer and more.

Source: https://newsbits.mb.com.ph/2017/11/23/machinery-firm-gets-interest-free-loan-from-dost/

 HEALTHCARE

PH eyes pharma manufacturing

Sec. Ramon Lopez asked top pharmaceutical companies to establish manufacturing hubs in the Philippines in the Manufacturing Summit 2017. Lopez believes this would address the large domestic demand for medicines foster job growth at the same time. Lopez states that “There are those products or brands we believe can be manufactured here. The way to do it is for these MNCs (multinational corporations) to put up plants here and allow toll manufacturing.” Secretary Lopez also noted that there have been initial consultations with between multinational companies and the DTI as to the incentives to be provided for MNCs to produce locally.

Source: https://business.mb.com.ph/2017/11/30/ph-eyes-pharma-manufacturing/

 TOURISM

BOI grants tax perks to 3 tourism projects worth P1.13 billion

The Board of Investments (BOI) recently approved the registration of three tourism projects worth P1.13 billion for tax incentives.The approved projects are from UC-1 Corp., Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts Corporation, and 888 Subic, Inc.

UC-1 Corporation got the nod in establishing and operating the P267 million Seven Seas Waterpark Resort in Misamis Oriental. It formally started operating commercially in October 2017 with 176 personnel. The Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts Corporations on the other hand continues its Seda brand hotel expansion in the country with its seventh outlet known as Seda Capitol Central to be established in Bacolod City. The P661.9 million project is an eight-storey building located just twenty (20 minutes) from the Bacolod-Silay International Airport. Seda Capitol Central aims to be the preferred hotel in Bacolod City for discerning travelers accustomed to international standards of product and service. Last, the 888 Subic Inc. is putting up the P197 million beachfront Central Park Reef Resort in Olongapo. It is a six-storey hotel with 110 guest rooms, two restaurants, two infinity swimming pools and a large function room for 150-200 guests. It is scheduled to open its doors in June 2018 with 64 personnel.

Source: https://business.mb.com.ph/2017/11/28/boi-grants-tax-perks-to-3-tourism-projects-worth-p1-13-billion/

Cebu Factsheet October 2017

SECOND BIGGEST BUYERS OF RTBs. Retail Treasury Bonds (RTBs) are considered low-risk and higher-yielding investments that are issued by the government. Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) national treasurer Rosalia V. de Leon said Cebu investors start to see RTBs as an investment option. National Capital Region (NCR) makes the biggest market for RTBs with its wide scope and population while Cebu makes up the second biggest buyer. Bureau of the Treasury raised P8 billion during the 19th tranche of RTB in Cebu. Money raised from RTB will be used to finance the Build Build Build program of the Duterte administration.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2017/11/24/cebuano-investors-embrace-retail-treasury-bonds-576364

TECH STARTUPS TO GAIN IN EXPORTS. Philippine Exporters Confederation (Philexport) Cebu executive director Fred Escalona aims to see tech-based start-ups exporting their products and services to the global market. Central Visayas contributes 10 percent to the country’s total exports on merchandise export category that is primarily driven by electronics, processed food, housewares, and furniture. Philippine exports recorded its tenth consecutive month of positive growth at 4.3 percent in September.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2017/11/22/tech-startups-benefit-exports-576192

MORE DOLE CLINICS IN CV NEXT YEAR. DOLE 7 OIC-Director Cyril L. Ticao said the clinic intends to bring the department’s services closer to the community by offering information, services, and referrals to appropriate agencies on labor matters such as local and overseas employment, entitlements under general labor standards and occupational safety and health standards, labor relations, and livelihood assistance. DOLE Clinics will be stationed inside Public Employment Services Offices (PESO) of local government units nationwide. Currently, DOLE 7 has not yet identified the number of DOLE Clinics to open next year. DOLE Clinic orientations have been conducted with the Officers and board of directors of the regional PESO managers in Lapu-Lapu City, with the Cebu Association of PESO Managers (CAPESOM) in Siquijor, and with the Bohol Association of PESO Managers (BAPESOM) in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2017/11/22/more-dole-clinics-open-cv-576160

BIG TOURISM PROJECTS IN 2018. Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 Director Joshur Judd Lanete II divulged that there will be big-ticket tourism projects for next year to offer tourists a new way of experiencing Cebu. Despite details of the projects were not revealed, launching of some projects will be late this year or early next year. Projects will not solely be from the government but also with the active participation of the private sector. On the list of the ongoing talks with the investors is a one-stop souvenir center in Mandaue City that will feature products from Aparri to Jolo, and water taxis to provide better connectivity to other tourism areas outside Cebu.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2017/11/16/big-tourism-projects-set-cebu-2018-575002

MORE EXPECTED TOURISTS IN CEBU. Airport management firm, GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC), says Cebu is ready to welcome influx of tourists in the coming months with the opening of Terminal 2 in June 2018 and the opening of the newly- renovated domestic airport a year after. Head of GMCAC’s airline marketing Aines Librodo sees an increase of flights as Philippines and South Korea signed a new air service agreement last November 8 which gives each country 20,000 seats per week between Manila and all international airports in South Korea. Korea remains Central Visayas’ biggest tourist market with 350,317 Koreans in the first five months of the year compared to 330,522 of last year.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2017/11/20/more-korean-tourists-expected-new-services-agreement-575849

“ECO-FUN” DESTINATION TO RISE IN MACTAN. Property giant, Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), and its subsidiary Cebu Holdings Inc., and Metro Gaisano’s property arm, Taft Property Venture Development Corp. (TPVDC) together formed the Taft Punta Engaño Properties, Inc. (TPEPI) for the development of Seagrove. TPEPI is the owner and developer and appointed ALI as the project manager. Seagrove will sit on a 14-hectare property that will bring various attractions to help boost Cebu’s tourism economy. The P35 billion project is marketed as an “eco-fun” destination that will complement existing tourism establishments around Mactan and affirm Cebu’s position as one of the main leisure centers of the country.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2017/11/10/new-eco-fun-spot-rise-mactan-574124

Davao Factsheet October 2017

Anflo Industrial Estate, Davao region eyed for foreign investments

Davao region is briskly picking up the growth pace in terms of investments and economic activities that help put this once sleepy region on the map. Hence, foreign countries who are eyeing for viable investment locations are taking notice of this region in the southern part of the Philippines.

This was manifested recently when Japan’s national public broadcasting organization, NHK World, visited Anflo Industrial Estate (AIE) to feature this special economic zone in one of its morning segment.

NHK World got a glimpse of AIE’s facilities that range from warehouses, agro-industrial and processing plants. It is different from most special economic zones because the strategic location of AIE which is adjacent to the Davao International Container Terminal (DICT), the most modern container port terminal in the Philippines. DICT is an affiliate of AIE.

Accredited by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) as a special economic zone, the 63-hectare AIE can accommodate companies that are into agro-industrial and light manufacturing operations and is equipped with modern facilities.

Mindanao, particularly the Davao Region, is now earning the attention of foreign investors because of its huge potentials, with untouched land areas and the rich availability of raw materials and fresh produce. Companies such as ANFLOCOR, the management company of AIE and DICT, envision a growing local region similar to the neighboring Asian countries Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand to name a few, where agricultural and industrial operations are the lifeblood of the local community. Mindanao, in particular, the Davao region, is definitely ready for the big leagues as it is becoming one of the country’s key sources of economic growth.

Source: http://edgedavao.net/the-economy/2017/12/05/anflo-industrial-estate-davao-region-eyed-foreign-investments/

Cacao meet to link farmers to market

The 4th KakaoKonek 2017 conference that ends today at the SMX convention center does not only cement Davao City’s unofficial title as the cacao capital of the country.

It is also expected to motivate more farmers to plant cacao trees “because they can the market through these conference,” according to Valente Tutur, executive director of the Cacao Industry Development Association of Mindanao.

He said that when CDAMI was just starting, they only had around 7,000 hectare but now they have 50,000 hectares of land planted with Cacao trees.

“There is really a big significance of these conferences because we are able to connect people. We are connecting the market” he added.

He said that the farmers are more motivated to plant more cacao trees because they can see that market through these conferences.

The organizers expected 500 participants nationwide but as of yesterday there are already 481 participants, including representatives from the 37 exhibitors and sponsors from the event.

“The significance compared to before without the conference like this the average yield is around 350 to 400 kilograms lang per tree per year and somehow now we were able to increase na nato to one kilogram per tree per year,” he said.

Source: http://edgedavao.net/latest-news/2017/12/06/cacao-meet-link-farmers-market/

DOT launches chocolate tour in Davao

IN A bid to further promote the cacao industry in Davao Region, the Department of Tourism (DOT) launched Tuesday, December 5, the Davao Chocolate Tour Overload. The tour program is being done in coordination with the Cacao Industry Development Association of Mindanao Inc. (Cidami), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Davao City Tourism Office, and the Visit Davao Consortium. "This is being done in partnership with the private sector, we have the Visit Davao Consortium and all the accredited tour operators. This is for everyone (partner tour operators) to sell this (Davao Chocolate Tour Overload), the role of the Department of Tourism (DOT) is to brand Davao. For destination marketing, we would want people to have that recollection that once we talk about chocolate, we think of Davao," said Eden Josephine L. David, DOT assistant secretary, in an interview at the sidelines of the Kakao Konek 2017 on Tuesday at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier.

In a briefer on the Davao Chocolate Tour Overload, DOT said the program will be an educational tour that highlights the transformation of the cacao fruit into a chocolate. "The tour also touches on the social and environmental issues related to cacao and cacao farmers. One will get to try the many chocolate products from various cacao farms and chocolate manufacturers," DOT said. Interested groups can book the tour to any DOT accredited tour operators and Visit Davao Tours Consortium. Promo rates are pegged at P3,594 for two persons; P2,344 for three; P1,927 for six; and P1,719 for eight.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/business/2017/12/06/dot-launches-chocolate-tour-davao-578338

Blugre Coffee eyes New Zealand branch

BLUGRE Coffee, one of the homegrown businesses in Davao City, plans to bring its coffee lifestyle to Wellington, New Zealand in 2018. The Blugre Coffee has been making waves in Davao since 1990s for its signature drink, the Durian Coffee. Blugre owner Benjamin M. Cuaresma Jr. said they have agreed with their partners to open a branch in New Zealand by second quarter in 2018. Cuaresma said the New Zealand branch is estimated to be a 130-square meter area. He added that the logo of the shop and coffees will be the same. "We are just finalizing everything, particularly when it comes to food, though we're still going to offer some cakes and pastries, may iba din," Cuaresma said. Blugre co-owner Judilyn Pagulayan said aside from New Zealand, Blugre Coffee will also open branches in Gaisano-Buhangin, Mintal and Toril next year.

They will also open in Palawan, Iligan City, Zamboanga City, Baguio City, Cebu City, Marbel town in South Cotabato, Digos City, Kidapawan City, and Cotabato City soon. Thus, it will be a busy 2018 for Blugre as they will also open new branches through franchising.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/business/2017/12/05/blugre-coffee-eyes-new-zealand-branch-578213

PAL eyes Davao-Surigao flight

THE Philippines flag carrier Philippine Airlines will fly directly from Davao to Surigao soon. PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista said Monday, December 4, during the opening of its new ticket office in Matina, Davao City, that the new route is part of their expansion in Visayas and Mindanao. “We are looking at other destinations possibly the Davao to Surigao route, we are planning to operate this soon, as we are now accelerating our presence in Visayas and Mindanao,” he said. Last November, the airline launched the Davao to Cagayan de Oro (CDO), Davao-Tagbilaran, Bohol Davao-Zamboanga flights. The opening of its new ticket office will serve the customers in the southern part of Davao City.

This (opening) manifests our commitment to continue serving our passengers from Davao and other nearby cities and municipalities,” Bautista said. He said Davao is one of PAL’s busiest routes. PAL flies eight times daily from Manila and two to three times from Cebu. “We are also expanding operations in other destinations from Manila. We are expecting two brand new 777-300ER this December. We will be flying these planes to US, Canada and London,” he said.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/business/2017/12/05/pal-eyes-davao-surigao-flight-578186

Hotels, event venues in Davao City 80% booked

HOTELS and other venues for events in Davao City for December are already 80 percent booked, an official of the Davao Event Suppliers Association (Desa) said Monday, December 4. Desa president Elinor Marcelino said several events like weddings and Christmas and company parties are already booked in different hotels, convention centers, and clubhouses in the city. “Although it’s not too late to book, but chances are they are going to put you as second priority because they also have other bookings for that day,” he said. She added the ideal timeline to book events is six to 12 months earlier in order to get a good supplier at a good rate and to properly lay down monthly budgets especially if the event is as big as a wedding. Booking several months earlier can also help minimize conflict with event schedules, reception and church venues, and other unexpected --- . Even if it is already December, there are still a number of companies who call Desa-accredited events organizers to book with timeline as limited as two weeks. Marcelino said they still accept these but oftentimes clients’ request may be toned down to a minimum due to limited time and limited suppliers who are ready to accept rush services.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/business/2017/12/04/hotels-event-venues-davao-city-80-booked-578185

More young farmers needed in Davao’s agri sector, says group

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – A non-government organization (NGO) campaigning for more youth to participate in the country’s agricultural sector aims to raise the number of young farmers in the city to a thousand by next year.

Richard C. Año, executive director of TEAM Humanity, said based on their study, there are only at least 668 young farmers who actively participate in Davao City.

“We want to increase the number of active youth farmers in Davao City from ages 15-30 so in this way we can increase the number of participating youth farmers in Davao City,” Año said Monday, December 4.

TEAM Humanity, or Transformation through Environment and Agriculture Management for Humanity, is an NGO that advocates biodiversity and organic agriculture. It was established in this city in December 2005.

Their call to “federate” young farmers in the Philippines is part of their “Kabataang Magsasaka Program.”

“For how many years, young farmers weren’t given attention when they can be the strength needed for the agricultural development in the country,” he said.

Source: http://davaotoday.com/main/economy/more-young-farmers-needed-in-davaos-agri-sector-says-group/

Job loss fears over PUV modernization scheme

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Forty four-year-old Eric Baron drives a tricycle for a living for more than two decades.

He starts plying the route of Jerome Village to R. Castillo street in Agdao District from 5 am to 7pm.

A good day would earn him P400. But in most cases, he said, his earnings would only reach P200 a day.

On Tuesday morning, December 5, Baron was at a protest rally with other drivers, mostly public utility jeepneys (PUJs) in front of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) regional office here.

Tricycle drivers like him are affected by the PUJ modernization program of the government.

“What will happen to jeepney drivers who will not be able to modernize their unit?” he said.

They worry they will no longer be allowed to ply outside the main highway along R. Castillo road.

Along R. Castillo, Baron shares the road with hundreds of other tricycle drivers traversing Holy Cross Agdao, San Juan Agdao, South Bay and Jerome Village. Jeepneys going to and from Sasa and buses from Davao del Norte also pass on the same road.

Source: http://davaotoday.com/main/economy/job-loss-puv-modernization/

Davao’s Halal lab to boost Mindanao’s emerging industry

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) launched its Halal Verification Laboratory here on Friday, November 24, in a bid to further strengthen the halal industry.

The P50-million facility has been installed at the compound of the DOST and it is geared with high technology equipment that shall fast track verification of Halal products including food, beverages, pharmaceutical and cosmetics. It is eyed to be fully operational by first quarter of 2018.

The project is part of DOST’s promotion of Philippine Halal products in support to the recently instituted Republic Act 10817 or the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Act of 2016.

“This offering will be a great boost to our fellow halal manufacturers and to our Halal consumers. We are optimistic that through this we can optimize and take advantage of the global Halal opportunities presented to us,” Dr. Anthony Sales, regional director of DOST region 11 said in his speech.

Sales said the advanced equipment in the facility would shorten the entire verification process to less than one day compared to other laboratories wherein it would at least take several days before results come out.

He said the cost of verification will be lower than the regular laboratory testing facilities because the government will subsidize some of the cost, pointing that this is to help the Halal industry develop and increase productivity and competitiveness.

Dr, Norhaida M. Lumaan, regional director of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF)has expressed her gratitude on the government’s effort in supporting the halal industry.

“The NCMF is grateful for the opening of Halal Verification Laboratory in Davao City. Halal entrepreneurs will no longer go to other places for verification. We have now easy access on the laboratory which is needed in certifying Halal products,” Lumaan said.

The facility is the first Halal laboratory in Davao City and among the four Halal testing facilities in the entire country.

Source: http://davaotoday.com/main/economy/davaos-halal-lab-to-boost-mindanaos-emerging-industry/

CDO Factsheet October 2017

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY HOSTS MANGO CONGRESS 2017

CAGAYAN de Oro City hosted the 19th National Mango Congress and Summit Workshop on November 27 to 29 at the Limketkai Mall with the theme: "The Magic 20 Productivity: Achieving Productivity of 20 metric tons per hectare in 5 Years. This the second time the city is hosting the mango congress. The congress is organized by the Philippine Mango Industry Foundation Inc. (PMIFI) with the Cagayan-Misamis Oriental-Bukidnon (CMB) Mango Growers Organization Inc. as their host and co-organizer and in partnership with DA. The PMIFI, in their proposal addressed to DA, said the mango congress and summit workshop aims to formulate and recommend programs, strategies, legislation to strengthen and improve mango production chain, and establishing adequate and sustainable supply in the domestic and national market, for a much stable yet reasonable price. The event also intends to develop strategies and programs for better quality produce for global competitiveness in the international fresh market; intensify value-adding for mango products; and set up additional Demo Farms in strategic locations in different regions for easier consultation and conduct of hands on training, and to be able to take immediate action on the needs and concerns of the growers pin the communities and localities where they belong.

The event will tackle the problems and issues involving the mango industry such as the strategies in production, planning and marketing mango products; depressed farm prices; low productivity; and cecid fly control and preventive integrated pest management.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/business/2017/11/02/cagayan-de-oro-city-host-mango-congress-2017-572717

NORMIN’S TOP EXPORTERS, IMPORTER CITED BY CUSTOMS

FUEL companies, power producers and food processing facilities were among the entities given recognition by the Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Northern Mindanao for helping the agency in its collection of taxes and duties over the years. The Customs in the region has recognized the contribution of private companies operating in the region for their diligence in paying their duties and taxes to the agency. According to BOC-Northern Mindanao Collector Jamail Marohomsalic, they have cited the top 10 exporters and importers who have transactions in the region’s various seaports.

The top 10 importers are Nestlé Philippines Inc., Jetti Petroleum Inc., Minergy Coal Corp., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Phoenix Petroleum Phils Inc., Cagayan Corn Products Corp., Seaoil Philippines Inc., Steelasia Manufacturing Corp., FDC Misamis Power Corp., and Steag State Power Inc.

Recognized as the top 10 exporters are Pilipinas Kao Inc., Del Monte Philippines Inc., Axelum Resources Corp., Newtech Pulp Inc., Phil. Sinter Corp., Granexport Manufacturing Corp., Wilmar Edible Oils Philippines Inc., Jacobi Carbons Philippines Inc., Cargill Oil Mills Philippines, Inc., and Donau Carbon Philippines Corp. Nestlé paid the Customs a total of P1.199 billion in duties and taxes, while Jetti paid a total of P1.016 billion. They are two of the highest payers. Many of them ship and received their products to and from other countries at the Mindanao Container Terminal sub-port in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/business/2017/11/07/normins-top-exporters-importer-cited-customs-573608

CUMC IN CAGAYAN DE ORO OPENS SSR KIDNEY INSTITUTE

Capitol University Medical Center (CUMC), one of the largest and leading private medical facilities in Mindanao, is set to officially open its Sesenio S. Rosales (SSR) Kidney Institute on November 25, 2017, envisioned to be Mindanao’s most preferred kidney institute adhering to global standards.

Named after Engr. Sesenio S. Rosales, the husband of CUMC Founder Madame Laureana San Pedro Rosales, the SSR Kidney Institute will be the first kidney institute in Mindanao that offers state of the art machines from Fresenius Medical Care that provides Conventional Hemodialysis, Online Hemodiafiltration, Peritoneal Dialysis, Kidney Transplant and Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Capitol University Medical Center is located at Gusa Highway, Cagayan de Oro City.

ORO WINS EGOV DIGITAL FINANCE EMPOWERMENT AWARD

CAGAYAN de Oro City bagged the top prize in one of the five categories of the 6th Awards for Excellence in ICT for Good Governance for Local Government Units, or eGov Award Friday, November 17. The city won first in the Best in eGov Digital Finance Empowerment Award, an award that commends the initiative of the local government unit (LGU) to promote e-commerce or e-payment facilities and systems to ensure effective revenue generation and collection and improving the over-all financial management of the LGU as well as giving convenience to the public. The city's winning entry is the Internet Online Service (IOS) of the City Treasurer's Office which is an online tax payment and billing system that promotes fast and convenient transaction. "The Internet Online Services allows the constituents or the clients of the City Government to pay their taxes, real property, business permit, penalties and any financial matters, through online payment, so they can pay it anytime, anywhere, but they also have the option to pay the taxes by visiting the office," Jose Angelo Lorenzo Gomos, the sales and promotions supervisor II of Cagayan de Oro City Trade and Investment Promotions Center, said. According to engineer Leonil Mistula, assistant city treasurer, the IOS, which includes payment for taxes such as business permit, real property taxes, market for rental, road and traffic violation penalties, and among others, is one of its kind.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/business/2017/11/22/oro-wins-egov-digital-finance-empowerment-award-575917