Imperial Palace opens facility

AFTER three years of construction, the P4.5 billion-peso hotel Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort & Spa opened its facilities yesterday.

Lee Cheol-hee, president of Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort & Spa, said that what makes their hotel unique are their spacious rooms, unique cuisine in their restaurants and a water adventure facility.

The facility, a 10-minute drive away from the Mactan Cebu International Airport, features six 11-story buildings, 557 rooms, and first-class amenities including a water park, Jacuzzi, pool villas, a golf course and business center.

The hotel was developed by Philippine BXT Corp. The water park, which is the hotel's main attraction, is divided into different zones with corresponding adventure themes.

Imperial Palace general manager Richie Kang said the facility tightened it security in the water adventure zone to make sure its users, especially children, are safe.

Kang said he is confident that although the facility is the first business venture in the country by the Korean hotel chain, it will attract both local and foreign tourists. He said Cebu is a world-class destination both for business and vacation.

Kang said Imperial Palace now has 900 employees, 860 of which are Filipinos.

Source: The Sunstar Cebu

Aboitiz sees strong potential for condominiums in Cebu

THE real estate arm of the Aboitiz group sees a strong potential in condominium development in Cebu as more residential units are being built farther from the cities.

“We are seeing a very good uptake of our sales, especially in our condominium units. Some years ago, we made a judgment call that Cebuanos are going to move towards condominium living because house and lot (units) are located farther and farther away (from the cities),” said AboitizLand Inc. chief operating officer Andoni Aboitiz

Buyers

The uptake is shown in the profile of buyers of Persimmon West-the first tower with 157 units that was built at AboitizLand’s The Persimmon. About 80 percent of the buyers are locals, 10 percent are overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and about seven percent are foreigners.

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“Initially, the target was the international Filipino market but the locals bought units very quickly so we are now building the second tower, Persimmon North, to (also) cater to the OFWs,” Aboitiz said in a press conference yesterday at The Persimmon in Mabolo, Cebu City.

The Persimmon is AboitizLand’s first venture into “vertical development” project.

‘Urban village’

Covering 1.4 hectares of prime property, the “urban village” is comprised of four 15-storey towers complemented with a commercial area and various amenities.

The continuous construction of The Persimmon will take up a huge share of Aboitizland’s P2 billion capital expenditures (capex) for 2010, said Aboitiz. He said that each tower is estimated to cost about P400 million.

AboitizLand is already scouting for new and “good” areas in Cebu City where they can build another skyrise project.

Aboitiz said their next condominium project would be after the completion of The Persimmon in two to three years.

Although it sees strong potential in condominium development, the property developer continues to plan on building horizontal residential development projects.

Recently, AboitizLand closed a sale of 15 hectares of land in Cordova, Mactan where it plans to launch a mid-end inland residential development next year.

Aboitiz disclosed that the P2-billion capex also include the launching of the commercial plot and series of townhouses in its high-end integrated community Pristina North, in Talamban, Cebu City as well as continuation of other projects, including Kishanta in Lagtang, Talisay City.

He said that most of the capex would be sourced through bank loans.

“If you think we are busy in 2009, wait what we will do in 2010. We are going to change (the landscape of) the city,” Aboitiz said.

Source: The Sunstar Cebu

Company starts work on 2nd tower

IN response to the strong demand for condominium units, property developer AboitizLand Inc. started building the second tower of its first residential condominium development this month.

While construction is going on, the real estate arm of the Aboitiz group is already pre-selling units of Persimmon North, the second of the four towers composing The Persimmon in Mabolo, Cebu City.

AboitizLand marketing manager Leorelei Ylaya said there is still a huge potential market for Persimmon North, following the fast sales take-up of the first tower, Persimmon West.

Persimmon North is already 15 percent complete while the West tower is already 38.59 percent complete. Ylaya said they are on target.

Turnover of the West and North Tower units are set for third quarter of 2010 and fourth quarter of 2011, respectively.

Persimmon North, which will be formally launched next week, is comprised of 157 residential units, studio, one- and two-bedroom, and loft units, in Asian contemporary design. It will have its own administration and security offices as well as function and boardrooms.

“The main difference between the North and West tower is that the North has maid’s quarters in its two-bedroom units. This (feature) is what the market demands,” said Ylaya.

Prices range from P1.8 million to P2.4 million for studio units, P3.1 million to P4 million for one-bedroom units, and P5 to P6 million for two-bedroom units.

“We are now (offering) pre-selling prices. After the launch, we might increase them,” said Ylaya.

The Persimmon, the firm’s 15th project, stands on 1.4 hectare of prime property in M. J. Cuenco Ave., Mabolo, Cebu City.

According to its management, its “impressive” uptake is attributed to its combination of strategic location, amenities, and “value-for-money” construction.

The urban village’s commercial-entertainment strip, called The Persimmon Plus, will be launched before the end of 2009.

It will house more than a dozen concessionaires, including a coffee shop, dental clinic, laundry shop, food outlets, salon, spa, and services.

Source: The Sunstar Cebu

RP urged to expand BPO sector to draw foreign investments

MANILA, Philippines - To continuously attract foreign direct investments (FDIs), the Philippines needs to accelerate the expansion of the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector in the immediate future, a foreign economist said yesterday.

“As an immediate response, the Philippines must accelerate the growth of the BPO sector,” MasterCard economic advisor for Asia and Pacific region Yuwa Hedrick-Wong said in an economic briefing.

He said global investors are looking for investment opportunities

in the emerging Asian market, particulary India, Vietnam and Indonesia.

He added that the Philippines must also shift its export focus from the United States to China and the rest of Asia.

In 1997, 35 percent of Philippine exports found its way to the US, just one percent of to China, and 42 percent to the rest of Asia. Last year, the US market settled for 17 percent of Philippine exports, a larger 11 percent to China and 50 percent to the rest of Asia.

The MasterCard economist said the Philippines also has the potential to grow by 2.5 percent this year, and four percent next year.

However, Wong said the Philippines needs to lift some restrictions on FDIs and domestic investments if it hopes to take advantage of a strong emerging Asia and the global economic recovery next year.

In the recent 2010 Doing Business study conducted by the World Bank and the International Finance Corp. (IFC), the Philippines further went down in ranking to 144 out of 183 nations included in the study.

When the study started in 2007, the Philippines was ranked 136, and slipped to 140 the following year.

The study indicated that the Philippine government must have an extensive and long-term plan for the country’s economy to improve its ranking.

“The government must make it clear what kind of regulatory environment it wants, and it must design a long-term plan,” it said.

The MasterCard economist said bringing in FDIs will not only mean investments, but the technology to run the business, the experience, and the marketing and distribution network.

FDIs in the Philippines fell from 24.4 percent of GDP in 1997 to 21.2 percent in 2000. It further dipped to 16.1 percent of GDP in 2004 to 14.7 percent last year.

The regional economist said “some of the private monopolies need to be dismantled, and the government controlled companies and industries must be privatized.”

Strategically, the Philippines must also look at developing the agricultural sector if it is to grow and remain competitive in the region.

“Thailand is selling mangoes, and other fruits and vegetables to China, and they are selling them in US dollars. They are considered premium products there, yet the Philippine has the same or better agricultural products,” Wong pointed out.

Source: The Philippine Star

Microtel Inn and Suites Mactan

CEBU, Philippines - A modernly designed hotel with an airy lobby facing the beachfront, Microtel Inn and Suites Mactan offers “easy breezy” accommodations with fantastic prices to suit your taste.

With a total of 160 hotel rooms, Microtel Mactan has 3 room types – a standard with two beds and a sitting area, a double with two beds plus a balcony overlooking the sea/pool and a suite with one bed plus a sofa sleeper, balcony and other extra amenities such as coffee/tea making facilities, kitchen counter with sink, refrigerator, microwave oven and bath tub – rooms with all good use of space.

Guestroom features and amenities are inclusive of complimentary breakfast (intercontinental buffet), chiropractor-approved mattresses, flat TV with cable channels, individually controlled air conditioning units, multi-function telephone system with IDD/NDD, toilet and shower with hot and cold water, electronic keycard entry system, clock, in-room safe, fully automated fire safety system, baby cribs available upon request plus children under 12 years old stay free in parents’ room.

Having visited Microtel Mactan a few times now, I have sampled almost everything on their menu without any complaints at the lobby restaurant/café called Rice. Favorites include plain or chili and coriander roti (an Indian flat-bread), Nasi Goreng (an mildly-spiced Indonesian rice dish with a mixture of prawns topped with chicken skewers and an egg), Tom Yum Goong (a Thai soup dish with a Philippine twist using sinigang) and all of the starters listed in the menu – no doubt you should try all these. If you opt for room service instead, food served up to your room is delivered in styrofoam containers and plastic cutlery, which indeed are easy to clear up and easy to dispose of – what a brilliant idea!

The resort facilities and activities in this designer beach include the 3 pools (one for adults, the other for children and one for wading located by the beach bar), kayaking, water biking, banana boating, island hopping and scuba diving. If you choose to have some quiet time, you could just laze around lying on the sunbeds under the beach umbrellas by just reading a book and sipping a cold drink – what more can you ask for?

As quoted on their flyer, “Fantastic beachfront view. Amazing blue sea. Great beds. Warm and friendly staff that treat you like family. Nothing could be better.” I couldn’t agree more!

In this colourful resort, one tip during your planned stay is to request for a top floor room facing the sea.

Microtel Inn and Suites Mactan (www.microtel-mactan.com) has a current promo available until the end of this month, the Leisure Within Reach for P2,900*, a standard room for two adults with breakfast. *promo is only available to locals.

Source: The Freeman cebu

Microsoft urges government to intensify anti-piracy law

CEBU, Philippines - Despite the government’s constant effort in curbing piracy in the Philippines, Microsoft Philippines reiterates its call to intensify the implementation of anti-piracy laws here as the country remains in the piracy “watch list”.

Microsoft Philippines Inc. license and compliance manager Fortune Abelo-Magsadia said the government should put in place stringent implementation of the intellectual property (IP) laws here as well as shorten the resolution of cases pending to improve awareness of IPR in the Philippine market.

For its part, Microsoft had been introducing programs that will help curb the high piracy rate in the Philippines, especially in using software products, through introducing affordable and easy payment scheme for corporations in availing of genuine Microsoft software.

“We are still in the watchlist, [as among those having the highest piracy rate in the world],” said Magsadia, thus there is a need for the Philippine government to intensify its IP Laws implementation.

However, Magsadia said although the piracy rate in the country has plateaud at 69 percent since 2007, companies like Microsoft are also making its move to promote IP in the Philippines.

Microsoft’s Software Asset Management (SAM) program for instance, has helped improve the awareness of Filipinos to use only genuine software. However, this could be boosted if complemented by strong government stance in fighting piracy.

She said enforcement is just one aspect of fighting piracy, “what happens after the enforcement?”

The Philippines should also exercise to seriously put curbing piracy as priority. Longer time in resolving piracy cases is one of the problems that need to be addressed, she added.

According to Magsadia, the introduction of SAM program in the Philippines, has also helped the improvement of awareness especially among companies to use only genuine software.

SAM, enables companies to maximize software investments by letting them identify their needs and match these with the necessary software program available.

SAM is a set of policies and procedures which allow organizations to capitalize on their software resources. This involves conducting software needs analysis and software inventory, comparing installed software with licenses and creating a budget, appointing a software manager and conducting regular audits, and issuing a company policy statement and reminders.

“[Most] Filipinos don’t treat software as an asset. We want customers to practice SAM to maximize their investments,” she said.

Starting this year, Magsadia said SAM will be actively rolled out to other areas outside of Metro Manila, to drum up awareness on using genuine software, and its impact to the businesses.

Magsadia revealed that aside from SAM, Microsoft will also be introducing attractive packages, and programs that will attract different sectors in the society to use only “genuine software”, thereby helping the Philippine improve its piracy rate.

The Bill Gates-led company is on its way to offer special software pricing for Internet Cafes, companies in the economic zones, and intensify its offerings to the academe sector, and good packages for the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) players.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Cebu BPO industry

First the good news, according to the Institute for Development and Econometric Analysis, Inc. (IDEA) latest NewsBriefs, “the Cebu business process outsourcing (BPO) segment is targeting to take hold of 20% of the Philippine BPO market by 2010. Currently, the BPO industry in Cebu is organizing an Information and Communications Technology 2009 Conference aimed at realizing these goals through partnerships with emerging BPO markets and infrastructure development.”

Likewise, corporate giant, San Miguel Brewery, Inc. raised US$800 million with its corporate bond offerings. It priced its three-part peso bond at around 250 basis points higher than reference Treasury bonds. The brewery was able to sell its three-part peso bonds with three-, five-, and ten-year durations to finance its purchases of beer brands and land from its parent company, San Miguel Corporation. The corporate bond offering was the largest in the Philippines. In addition, Japanese brewery Kirin Holdings has expressed its interests in buying a stake in the Filipino brewery in light of Kirin’s goal to expand its market to Asia and Oceania.

Furthermore, the government sold its benchmark seven-year Treasury bonds this week at an average interest rate of 6.05%. The bidding brought in Php8 billion which would help in funding the budget deficit. Overall, the Treasury is optimistic over the demand for benchmark government papers.

However, per same published report, “the country’s external financial position has weakened in February 2009. In the said month, the Philippines had a balance of payments (BoP) surplus of US$469 million, almost a three-quarter drop from the January position of US$1.735 billion surplus. The current position was also more than 50% weaker compared to the same month last year which posited the BoP to US$1.05 billion. Income from investments, National Government loans from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, and foreign exchange transactions by the Bangko Sentral were the factors for the positive status of the country’s BoP surplus.

Finally, the sad news was that, the unemployment rate soared to 7.7% in January, equivalent to about 2.85 million jobless people. The increase in unemployment was due to the weakness of the electronics and manufacturing sectors, which suffered from low export demand amidst the global economic crisis. The unemployment rate is the highest since April of last year which reached 8%. Export targets are expected to downgrade even further as outlook in the electronics sector is growing bleaker for the coming months. Electronics exports are seen to decline by about 20% to 30% in 2009. The forecast adjustment implies an estimated total export contraction of about 6% to 8%, according to IDEA.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Cebu bankers strengthen monitoring of borrowers

CEBU, Philippines - The local network of bankers in Metro Cebu is strengthening its monitoring program to easily spot delinquent borrowers or blacklisted clients through the Automatic Credit Information System (ACIS) of the Cebu Bankers Club (CBC).

In an interview with CBC former president Prudencio Gesta, he said that the organization is going to enhance the capability of the ACIS system that will add more listings of blacklisted borrowers from each bank member, in order to protect the banking business from delinquent borrowers.

Although the rate of non-performing loans (NPL) in the local scene has been declining significantly, after hitting its highest during the 1997 regional economic crisis, Gesta said there is still a dire need for the banking system to strengthen its monitoring program to spot clients that have mishandled their accounts in their respective banks.

Aside from the local network of member banks, the exchange of credit blacklisting is not only limited in Metro Cebu, as the ACIS system is also connected with the national information exchange through the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP).

“We are trying to improve the monitoring technology through the ACIS. We have to protect the credibility of the banking industry, as well as the individual banking business,” Gesta said.

CBC will be managing the system. In fact, it has created a committee that will solely look into the implementation of the enhanced ACIS tool, so that all member banks can easily access the listing of questionable borrowers of clients.

The improvement of ACIS technology is one of the priorities of the CBC this year, including its active stance on strengthening the security issue of each bank members, on the light of rampant bank robberies.

While the banking sector has remained very strong amid the global recession, Gesta said it has to continuously protect its business from being victimized by clients who have bad credit histories in other banking institutions.

This means that unlike the pre-1997 period that banking credit availability was so laxed, this time, although the economy is already on its recovery road, Gesta said the banking sector remains prudent, and very strict in terms of providing credit to customers.

“We learned a lot from the 1997 crisis. The reason why the banking sector in the Philippines remained strong amid the global recession, because we have put everything in place to protect the system from being crippled again,” Gesta said.

ACIS or the facility that allows banks to exchange information on list of delinquent borrowers

was initiated by CBC about nine years ago. This time, Gesta said CBC had decided to enhance the technology that will also include other applications related to client monitoring and background check.

However, Gesta noted that over the years, the number of delinquent borrowers has declined significantly, as traders as well as banking clients are also now cautious in availing loans from the bank, and also becoming very conscious in protecting their credibility to their banking partners.

“Unlike in the pre-1997 times, where there were a lot of risk-takers or gamblers. Now, borrowers are also become more conservative,” he concluded.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

One Fine Morning At UCC Café

CEBU, Philippines - Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Starting your day with the right company of friends and the superb breakfast fare at the upscale UCC Café at The Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu is like a giant leap forward to a wonderful day.

We arrived at the UCC Café at 7 am and the place was already buzzing with several people also hoping to get that perfect kick start for the day.

Starting off with a healthy blend of tropical juices that titillated our taste buds, we were ready for a breakfast experience that has already changed the lifestyle of several Cebuanos and visitors to this Queen City of the South.

It did not take long for the house favorite, Shitake mushroom omelet to be served along with Hungarian furthers in waffle. There was also the “Breakfast Surprise” that was an English toast muffin with a slice of ham and tomato, topped with a perfectly poached egg and served with Japanese white sauce.

CEBU, Philippines - Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Starting your day with the right company of friends and the superb breakfast fare at the upscale UCC Café at The Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu is like a giant leap forward to a wonderful day.

We arrived at the UCC Café at 7 am and the place was already buzzing with several people also hoping to get that perfect kick start for the day.

Starting off with a healthy blend of tropical juices that titillated our taste buds, we were ready for a breakfast experience that has already changed the lifestyle of several Cebuanos and visitors to this Queen City of the South.

It did not take long for the house favorite, Shitake mushroom omelet to be served along with Hungarian furthers in waffle. There was also the “Breakfast Surprise” that was an English toast muffin with a slice of ham and tomato, topped with a perfectly poached egg and served with Japanese white sauce.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Wonder Girls at 40

CEBU, Philippines - “I want nobody nobody but you/ I want nobody nobody but you/ How can I be with another I don’t want any other/ I want nobody nobody nobody nobody.” Look! Grandma can dance a hip-hop.

Yes the very refrain of South Korean Wonder Girls’ “Nobody” has its own cognitive itch. The beat, rhythm and lyrics have easily made it a song and dance craze. But for women in their 30s, 40s and 50s or so, to be dancing even more graceful than the 20-year-old and 17-year-old Wonder Girls, is wonderfully a wonder.

At Slimmers World International, chic corporate women executives, moms, grand-moms and great grand-moms can be seen dancing with ease, flexibility and gracefulness all because an aerobics routine was especially choreographed such that clients would not have to catch their breath or strain their muscles. Also because music in these routines are in the popularity charts that — well, if you asked your grandma to dance the hip-hop to the tune of “Irony” — she can do it more gracefully than you. And yes she can execute every step timed to the music.

Veering away from the conventional, “sometimes boring,” high and low impact exercises, the Funk-Aero and Powerdance sessions at Slimmers combine fun, therapy, fitness and enjoyment. You don’t get exhausted or tired after more than an hour of dancing. Aero sessions are supposed to be only for one hour but women clients enjoy the dance and exercise so much that they tend to ask for an extension or attend all morning and evening aero sessions. It is as though they are in the gym most of the time. For those who say they can’t dance, they’ll be surprised to find their feet tapping without their knowing.

It’s Not Your Age.

So how does one teach hip-hop to women who are no longer in their “hip-hop” years? Aerobics instructor Marco Brigoli, who handles the Funk-Aero and Powerdance sessions uses techniques in choreography that has much to do with counting and execution. It’s a pretty big challenge for Marco because his students are women who may have difficulties in flexibility or memorizing moves. But Marco does not seem to see age or gender as a limitation.

Having been an aerobic instructor for well over six years, he still uses the eight-count steps of conventional aerobics routine. But the execution of the arms and legs are done simultaneously. Conventional high and low impact aerobics employ gradual movement starting with muscle groups from the legs going up to the shoulders. But Marco’s Funk-Aero and Powerdance routines combine feet, arms, waists and shoulder movements all in eight counts.

Marco creates his own choreography combining twists, turns, dipping, sliding, jumping and bending that can well be executed with ease even by a 50-year-old.

Marco does not push clients to learn the dance quickly. He teaches pattern by pattern then combines these in continuous movements. As he would tell students “feel the music in the dance and the dance in the music.” So there is mastery in the pattern, Marco repeats the music three or more times until students learn the pattern by themselves. It gives a feeling of confidence and achievement when a dance or routine is completed with minimal coaching.

Choosing the music is another thing. Still it takes patience and creativity for an aero-instructor like Marco to choreograph a dance and exercise routine that is enjoyable, therapeutic and healthy and to use popular music at that. Marco carefully prepares his choreography. He surprises students with something new every week.

Marco’s routines do not over work the heart because the eight-count is maintained which means it follows the normal pace of the heartbeat. If the heart is made to beat a little faster, it is done gradually. And because the heart is made to work and take in more oxygen, the routines are effective calorie-burners. Actually, clients who attend the Funk-Aero and Powerdance sessions are not aware of the hundreds of calories they are burning because they are too busy enjoying the dance and music. They are not even aware they are on an exercise routine.

If you want something cool and upbeat for your weight loss, cardio and fat burning routines, try Marco’s Funk-Aero and Powerdance sessions. Funk-Aero sessions are three times a week and Powerdance once a week. You don’t have to be a 20-year-old or 17-year-old to learn the hip-hop. Hip and hop your way to good health. It’s for nobody –- but you.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

South bus terminal now imposing P5 terminal fee

CEBU, Philippines - All passengers bound for the southern part of Cebu province will now have to pay a terminal fee before entering the Cebu South Bus Terminal effective today.

This was according to Capitol consultant Byron Garcia, who oversees the operation of the terminal, saying that passenger must pay the P5 fee as they now have easier to buses at the newly-refurbished terminal.

Before the passengers can enter the airconditioned passengers’ waiting area, Garcia said he has to drop a P5 coin or five P1 coins at the turnstile and the official receipt that will serve as their boarding pass.

“Mura na unya ni og passenger bus terminal operating like an airport that they will just wait for their bus to arrive,” Garcia said.

Inside the waiting area, stalls with food and drinks can also be found.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia earlier imposed strict rules in the terminal by regulating the presence of dispatchers and by demolishing stalls illegally erected in the terminal.

Byron said the passengers will be safe from snatchers and pickpockets as cameras will be installed in the waiting area and the terminal as well. Pushcarts will also be provided to passengers who have bulky cargo.

But the terminal fee got mixed reactions from the passengers.

“Ka-mahal sab anang P5 uy, nganong dili naman lang himuon nga free ang terminal pareha sa North Bus Terminal,” on of them said.

But some said they appreciate the new system saying they no longer have to climb up bus windows and wrestle with each other just to secure a seat.

“Mas mahapsay na sab siguro ang dagan sa mga bus,” said a passenger who always goes home to the southern part of Cebu every afternoon after work.

Byron admitted that they already expected some negative feedback from the passengers but said they will not be forced to get inside the terminal but just wait outside if they like.

With the new system to be implemented, Byron said they can now monitor if buses are overloading and thus ensure passengers are safe.

An entrance fee of P100 for every bus and mini-bus will be charged.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Of 24.7 hectares Balili property: DENR: Dry land is only 4.5 hectares

CEBU, Philippines - The ground survey conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources confirmed that almost the entire 24.7 hectares Balili property, which the Cebu Provincial Government bought for P98 million last year is actually underwater and mangrove area.

The survey using the Global Positioning System (GPS) showed that 82 percent of the controversial property or 20.2 hectares is submerged and planted with mangroves, which could not be titled for being public land.

Geodetic engineer Aurelio Caña, who conducted the ground survey starting last September 2, told the members of the ad hoc committee of the provincial board yesterday that only 4.5 hectares is dry land.

The result of the survey will be submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas, which is also conducting a parallel fact-finding investigation into the Balili fiasco.

The anti-graft office earlier asked the DENR to conduct the actual survey of the property to confirm reports that a large portion of the property is submerged.

The DENR findings is contrary to the Capitol survey conducted by engineer Roy Cabunillas, which said only 9.4 hectares of the 24.7 hectares is submerged and planted with mangroves.

The DENR said that based on their records the 4.5 hectares dry land was already reclassified from timberland to alienable and disposable since 1986.

Prior to the reclassification however the owner, the late engineer Luis Balili and his widow Amparo, already secured a title in 1978.

But despite having secured a title, the Balilis applied for other land use permit with the DENR for a bathing establishment, which was renewed in July 6, 2006 and expired only in 2008.

Prior to the issuance of the title in 1978 the Balilis were already granted other lawful purposes permits for salt works and beach resort.

DENR regional counsel Tranne Ferrer said that the application of the Balilis for other land use permit in spite that the property was already titled to them is an indication that they were aware that the title was questionable.

Provincial Board Member Victor Maambong said this would establish bad faith on the part of the Balilis in selling the property to the province.

Maambong echoed the statement of Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez on the possibility of rescinding the contract.

Ferrer and the other DENR officials were again summoned to the provincial board yesterday.

PB member Peter John Calderon asked Ferrer if they have issued a notice to the Register of Deeds regarding their recommendation for the reversion of the titles of the Balili lots so as to warn would be buyers.

Ferrer admitted that the agency did not, but said the DENR has already admitted that there was a mistake in the issuance of the titles. She said this is the reason why they have recommended for the nullification of the titles.

Ferrer added that prudent buyers should have inquired the status of the property with the DENR and should not have relied on the “mirror principle” by looking at the four corners of the titles only.

According to Ferrer, if she was the buyer and considering the amount involved is P98 million she would inquire the status of the land with the DENR.

PB member Juan Bolo, who is tagged of facilitating the transaction, questioned why it took 20 years for DENR to initiate the reversion after it was issued.

But Ferrer said she could not answer it because she was not with the DENR that time yet. She however surmised that it must have been because it was only in 1989 that the Bureau of Lands was merged with the DENR.

The members of the ad hoc committee also tried to establish yesterday the flow of the transaction documents following the mystery behind the voucher which was made as basis for the issuance of the checks payment to Atty. Romeo Balili, executor of the Balili estate.

None of the Capitol officials would admit preparing the vouchers. Although provincial treasurer Roy Salubre earlier said that as a practice, it is usually the requisitioning office that would prepare the voucher.

However, Salubre could not determine whether it was the office of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia which prepared it.

Budget Officer Emmy Gingoyon, planning officer Adolfo Quiroga and pre-audit chief Manuel Gial were called yesterday to the board but none of them could also tell who prepared the voucher.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

CICT executive confident RP to hit BPO growth target

CEBU, Philippines - Despite the global financial crunch that hit most industries, a Commission of Information and Communication Technology (CICT) executive is confident that the Philippines’ Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry will meet the 20 percent growth target this year.

One of the growth drivers of the Philippines is strongly anchored on its attractiveness as preferred site for offshore operations, said CICT secretary Ray Anthony Roxas-Chua.

“As of now, we are on target for the 20 percent growth this year,” said Roxas-Chua, although he said that the industry is now very cautious in hitting ambitious growth target as companies around the world are still having second thoughts whether or not to pursue expansion plans.

He said Cebu for instance has already gained the international spotlight as preferred BPO destination, and this could give boost to the industry’s growth this year.

Roxas-Chua noted that although most BPO investors are very cautious in their expansion plans, some on the other hand, have bravely pursued investment plans this year.

He mentioned that Cebu will be able to continuously attract new BPO investments saying “Cebu has respectable international business community because of its friendly environment.”

The CICT secretary also lauded Cebu’s active stance on industry-academe linkage that impress the BPO investors.

Once the world recovers from the recession jitters, Roxas-Chua is confident the Philippines will be able to capture a bigger chunk of the BPO investments, which will then domino to more jobs for the Filipino people.

“Despite the current global economic crisis, the IT-BPO industry is expected to grow approximately 20 percent for 2009. While the bulk of revenue still comes from voice services, the industry is now focusing on diversifying into the higher value-added non-voice services, such as software development, which will provide higher paying jobs to Filipinos,” he stressed.

The industry employed about 372 thousand workers as of year-end 2008 and generated 6 billion US dollars of export revenue for the year.

Meanwhile, the Business Process Association of the Philippines (BPAP) earlier announced that while the Philippines already created a leverage in the BPO voice service as well as growing software development segment, it is also fighting to seize the multi-million-dollar BPO creative industry.

BPAP executive director for talent development Jamea S. Garcia earlier said there is a huge potential that the Philippines could rake in a bigger share in job contracts from other countries, as Filipinos are known for their excellent creativity skills.

“We already have a lot of content development companies here that do jobs for Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, and most of Japanese animation companies,” said Garcia.

In 2008, the creative BPO sector generated total revenue of US$150 million. The Philippines currently is getting 15 percent of the total creative outsourcing market, while India is getting 37 percent.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

CHI launches "Greenology" campaign

CEBU, Philippines - With climate change now becoming one of the most important issues that needs utmost attention, Cebu’s real estate giant Cebu Holdings Inc. (CHI) recently launched a sustainable development campaign promoting environmental awareness.

“It is time that we involve not only our mall tenants but also the mall-goers to be proactive in helping protect the environment,” said CHI President Francis Monera during the launching of the mall’s “Greenology” campaign.

CHI, the developer and operator of Ayala Center Cebu (ACC) shopping center, will pioneer a very active move in educating shoppers to embrace full responsibility on environment awareness, through introducing year-long activities that promotes environmental protection.

One activity is the drive to eliminate or reduce the use of plastic shopping bags.

Monera explained that shoppers are given incentives when they turn over plastic shopping bags that contain items purchased inside ACC.

The Greenology campaign will also feature environment-friendly bags produced by Filipino designers, “green” garments and recyclables fair, among others.

This campaign according to Monera came as an offshoot of CHI’s sustainable development policy by implementing a sound management system that involves a collaborative effort by the company’s employees, partners, and tenants.

According to CHI, the system involves creating of a sustainability committee; raising awareness among employees, tenants and partners on the importance of environmental protection and sustainable development; implementing energy and water conservation programs; tree planting; and setting in place a solid waste management program.

CHI supports the principle of sustainable development, in which the property developer undertakes measures to ensure that its business activities have little or no impact on the environment, Monera said.

“We put sustainability at the core of the business,” Monera said, citing for instance the mall’s The Terraces, which carries a resort-theme- combining several plant varieties and water fountains surrounded by shops and restaurants.

“Others commented that we could have utilized the garden portion to accommodate more tenants and rake more revenues. But the ‘green portion’ is our way of sending out a message that our projects carry with it our efforts in raising environmental awareness,” he said.

As part of its sustainability program, CHI will start calculating this year the carbon footprint of each employee. The activity is meant to raise the awareness of CHI employees on how their activities contribute to climate change.

Monera said CHI will eventually require employees to reduce their carbon footprint. But the company has to educate employees before establishing benchmarks and setting targets, he added.

Elson Homez, CHI head for property management division, reported that since it implemented energy and water saving measures last year, CHI has cut power consumption by 8.7 percent and achieved a three-percent reduction in water consumption.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Israel reiterates offer to lend infra expertise

CEBU, Philippines - The State of Israel has reiterated its offer to share its expertise in infrastructure development in the Philippines, in partnership with various local government units (LGUs) in the country.

Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Zvi Aviner Vapni emphasized the need for the Philippines to augment its water infrastructure technology, and he believes that Israel could largely help in this area.

Already, Israel has already done partnership with the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), in some water projects in Cebu and Baguio City.

“We would like to [further] share our expertise and intensive information on the field [water technology],” said Vapni adding that aside from partnering with the LGUs, some private companies in Israel which are into providing water technology are also interested to partner with Philippine-based water solution companies.

In Israel, where water is scarce, it has developed a good technology that would preserve water efficiency, how to use every drop of water—not waste it, the Ambassador said.

In Cebu particularly, wherein water shortage is foreseen, LGUs as well as private water technology firms will have to act now, in developing good technology that will augment the water supply available for the province.

Now, that Israel has recently opened its Cebu Consular office headed by Emily Benedicto-Chioson, Vapni hopes that stronger partnership in terms of trade and technology transfer will be started.

The looming water shortage in Cebu in the next few years is now one of the concerns expressed by existing and potential investors in Cebu, especially in the tourism industry.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Franchising: Safest way to start up, expand a biz

CEBU, Philippines - With the current state of the economy, starting up a business seems too risky, that is unless if you are investing in something that is already well-established or on something that has already gained considerable consumer patronage, which can only be done through franchising.

Those planning to try their hands on operating their own business flocked to the SM City Cebu Trade Hall last September 11 for the opening of the 10th Cebu Franchise Expo with over 70 booths offering around 200 franchise and business opportunities.

Established companies and even start-up businesses from different industries ranging from food, garment, to health and wellness among others, exhibited what they could offer to interested partners.

Business owners admit that offering their businesses for franchise entails risk, however, it is also the most prudent way to expand one’s business.

Christian Cuenco, General Manager of six-month-old family KTV “Song Hits,” located in Mango Avenue, Juana Osmeña St., said that even though they just started with the business, they decided to accept franchisees since they have noted high sales owing to the love of Filipinos, Cebuanos in particular, for singing.

Cuenco said that they initially offer a franchise deal for P450 thousand but is also encouraging interested partners to take their P5 million franchise package, which already includes the franchise payment, a 24 room KTV, and guidance on how to run the business.

He said that through the franchise, they are optimistic that they would be able to achieve their goals of expanding and reaching farther places in Cebu and other provinces.

Meanwhile, the chief executive officer of OH! My Sisig, Angela Suarez said that though their main goal was to expand through their own efforts as a company, the inquiries from interested partners that flooded their office prompted them to decide to finally offer the business for franchising.

Suarez said that this is also part of their means in order to bring their product and company to other places, which presently is only found in Manila.

However, Suarez said they are very meticulous in terms of choosing the franchisee of OH! My Sisig, which is also done accordingly by other companies to make sure of the safety and quality of their company.

OH! My Sisig franchise costs P185 thousand, which already includes the OH! My Sisig cart, microwave oven, rice cooker, gulaman container, freezer, crew uniform, initial food supply, pre-opening assistance, use of the trade name and the operational manual, training of service crew, and training of the authorized dealer.

The 3-day expo, which ended yesterday was organized by the Filipino International Franchise Association, CEO Events and Expos Organizers Inc., and endorsed by RK Franchise Consultancy.

A franchise seminar was also conducted at SM City Cebu Conference Hall D, which tackled pertinent facts about franchising.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Franchise Expo meets target of 5K visitors on second day

CEBU, Philippines - More people are becoming open and interested in franchising as a means to invest their heard-earned money with an assurance of return of investments.

This was noted during the 10th Cebu Franchise Expo 2009 held recently at SM City Cebu Trade Hall, with exhibition organizers attesting that they have already achieved the 5,000 target of number of visitors on the second day of the three-day event.

RK Franchise Consultancy CEO Rudolf Kotik said that they are very happy with the turnout of participants, which they noted have been continually increasing every year.

Kotik said that more people see the successful effect of franchising, and in times of crisis like this, it is the safest way of doing business.

Pek Jen Lim, a Cebu-based businessman said that he believes in the success of franchising as the turnover is fast, especially in the food industry which he is interested in.

Lim said that he saw potential businesses that he could venture into through the Franchise expo but he is much more interested in franchising on food products. Lim said that he already deals with food in his current businesses but he wishes to continue such as it is the most supported sector saying “all people eat.’

Lim also said that he sees franchising as the best way to do business even in times of the crisis, since he does not need to experiment therefore not risking his money.

He said that there are things he makes sure though before he goes into franchising like ask for the assurance of his ROI, the kind of food he will be selling and if it could be maintained in the market.

Lim also said that he also sees to it that the Suggested Retail Price would fit the target market and the place where he would want to put up the business.

Ernie Alix, who is new to the business and decided to franchise in a food establishment after he retired this year, said that since he is just starting, it would be a wise move to “use the expertise of other people.”

Alix, who was a former executive of a known-oil company, said that franchising is a safer option for those starting in the business since it would mean making use of the management system of the franchiser.

Alix said he sees the location and the affordability of the products as important factors for the success of a franchise outlet.

Also, he said that he asks for a sample of the cash flow from the company in order to ensure the ROI.

He said that market research is also important and he personally does actual research on the growth of the same franchise outlets to see how it is accepted by the market.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

PDIC approves P2.26 billion claims to Legacy depositors

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) recently announced that it approved payment claims to Legacy Bank depositors amounting to almost P2.26 billion.

Of this amount, PDIC has paid almost P1.43 billion to Legacy Bank depositors while the balance worth P834.3 million is currently being scheduled for release.

In an official statement, PDIC president Jose C. Nograles said that the seasoned PDIC examiners and external auditors painstakingly combed through about 2,000 boxes of documents to examine and process claims.

Still, a total amount of P2.83 billion representing 21,819 claims was found to document deficient. Depositors, however, have been notified of documents they need to submit to substantiate their claims.

PDIC reported that a total of 39,020 claims amounting to P4.76 billion are in process. Once these are validated, claimants will be sent their check payments or letters notifying them of the status of their claims.

Meanwhile, the state deposit insurer has denied payment for 4,164 claims amounting to P204.07 million. Of the denied claims, 709 claims for P78.68 million represented questionable or fictitious accounts.

The remainder of 3,429 claims worth P125.4 million was claims for non-existent accounts in the Legacy banks.

A total of 19,070 claims amounting to P2.55 billion were put on hold pending further verification.

Nograles expressed confidence that all valid claims will be paid soon. PDIC has completed the examination of accounts end of August 2009 which has resulted in the validation of 109,791 out of the total 134,653 accounts. The rest were accounts with incomplete documents or referred to Legal.

He said that claims processing was in full swing. Claims processing is the second phase of the validation where individual claims filed together with required documents are verified prior to payout to ascertain that the right depositor is paid.

In cases when the documents submitted are insufficient to validate a claim, PDIC is authorized under the law to require additional documents from the depositors to support the claim.

Nograles added that PDIC had been meticulous in the first and second phases of the validation in accordance with the standard procedures in claims processing. This is in response to the post-audit review that the Commission on Audit (COA) undertakes after payments are disbursed and sent to depositors through registered mail.

PDIC has also been cautioned by legislators to be extra diligent in paying deposit insurance claims amidst earlier reports that these Legacy-affiliated banks have engaged in fraudulent transactions.

PDIC has engaged the services of forensic experts from private accounting firm Punongbayan & Araullo to investigate the fraudulent schemes initially unearthed by PDIC in the course of its investigation. These schemes were utilized by Legacy banks to defraud the public and the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF). The DIF is the funding source for payouts of valid deposit insurance claims. Initial reports indicate that fraud may have been heavily committed on the asset side of the banks’ transactions involving siphoning of funds.

Punongbayan & Araullo is affiliated with Grant Thornton, International PA. Forensic fraud audit is an investigation geared towards uncovering transactions intentionally hidden in a maze of paper trail and deleted computer files.

It aims to identify and document possible fraud schemes, irregularities and anomalies that may have been perpetrated against the banks and which may be used as basis for the filing of criminal, civil and/or administrative cases.

Source: The Freeman Cebu

Qualfon to hire more workers

CEBU, Philippines - Mexico-based call center Qualfon aims to strengthen its workforce in its Cebu operations targeting 1,000 more employees by the end of this year, to boost its current 1,500 workers.

Qualfon chief executive officer Alfonso Gonzales said that they attribute their successful operations through their Cebu branch and expanding is their way of helping Cebu’s economy by providing employment.

Gonzales was in Cebu recently to grace the grand opening of their office at the Skyrise 3-Qualfon building Asiatown IT Park, where they are now occupying floors 9, 10, 11, and 12 and also soon to occupy the 14th floor.

Gonzales shared that since they brought their company in Cebu in June of 2006, they only started with 150 employees and was only using one floor of their recent office which was also in the area, but in the first Skyrise building.

He said that due to the growth of their company in Cebu throughout the years and a positive anticipation of how it would continually develop, they saw the importance of expanding their office as well.

Starting as the only call center outsourcing in Asia, Gonzales said that they particularly chose to bring their company to the country because of the good working attitude of the Filipinos, which includes commitment to the company and the profession, and how Filipinos handle customers properly.

This, Gonzales said are traits that have been known by many to be possessed by the Filipinos, which made them not to think twice of bringing Qualfon to the country. “Cebuanos are already a package. They possess a lot of these good traits.”

With a “Bigger, Bolder, and Better” workplace for all their employees, this is the company’s way of saying that, “we’ve made it to the next level.”

Source: The Freeman Cebu