Sunday, July 7, 2013

Mactan Rock pours P100M into infra with gov’t partners

By Katlene O. Cacho
Saturday, July 6, 2013
A CEBU-BASED water solutions provider, Mactan Rock Industries Inc., is allocating P100 million in capital expenditure (capex) this year to finance new and existing public-private partnerships (PPP) in water infrastructure projects.
The company currently has close to 10 existing partnerships with local government units (LGU) and water districts all over the country for bulk water supply and distribution.
Once completed, Lito Maderazo, president and chief executive officer of Mactan Rock, said the partnerships can generate 40,000 cubic meters of water supply.
He said they are on the lookout for more opportunities to grow their water business supply and distribution, given the huge demand for water, particularly in remote areas.
“What we are currently embarking on is bigger than our barangayan project as this already involves a wider scope,” said Maderazo, referring to the company’s water business reach from Aparri to Midsayap.
This year, Maderazo said the firm is expecting to sign three partnerships with LGUs and water districts in central and northern Mindanao, southern and northern Luzon, and eastern and western Visayas.
He said the objective of putting water infrastructure in place is to help municipalities attract more investments and ensure that water supply will not be a huge concern among investors.
Mactan Rock, with plant and business office in Lapu-Lapu City, has been supplying treated water to Metro Cebu Water District in Cebu City, and Puerto Princesa Water District and Coron, both in Palawan.
Asked whether the transition in government leadership would affect their existing and planned partnerships, Maderazo said they see to it that they come up with contracts that stand on solid and legal grounds.
“Water is an important commodity in the community and LGUs play an important role in realizing water infrastructure so we make sure our projects are not affected despite leadership transition,” said Maderazo.
The Aquino administration is pushing for private-public partnerships to sustain growth and meet infrastructure needs. In the first quarter this year, the 7.8 percent growth in the gross domestic product (from 6.5 percent in the same months in 2012), was attributed to sustained government capital expenditure and upbeat consumer sentiment.
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Groups behind ‘Mega Cebu’ vision call for broader private support

By Jessica S. Losorata
Saturday, July 6, 2013
TO ADDRESS floods and traffic issues, public and private stakeholders were encouraged to take part in the campaign for a better Cebu, by the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB).
Their vision includes a drainage infrastructure program.
“Flooding in the metropolis is an old problem, which flows with our economic progress.
There is a need to mobilize Cebu as soon as possible to realize the Metro Cebu drainage master plan for sustainable development,” said MCDCB-Research Program and Organizational Development (RPOD) vice chair Dominica Chua.
Chua, who is also the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) chief operating officer, addressed the EKO Conference: Promoting Green Economic Development last June 19 at Radisson Blu Hotel.
She presented “Mega Cebu: A platform for creating a green city-region” and said the urban vision incorporates doable and practical approaches to make sure most stakeholders participate.
The Local Government Code allows local government units (LGUs) and non-government organizations to coordinate with each other for economic and social development, Chua pointed out.
LGUs and private players were urged to collaborate with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on the drainage program.
The MCDCB, for one, has ongoing discussions with DPWH for a comprehensive study and report on the planning and development of the Metro Cebu Integrated Flood and Drainage System, scheduled for execution late next year or early 2015.
Cities evolving into smart mega-cities and city-regions will have more chances to prosper faster than cities that are isolated in their egional spaces, Chua said.
She said this type of urban atmosphere will attract and retain investments, as well as meet associated demands in traffic and waste management.
Chua also emphasized the urgency of public-private cooperation to combat related challenges such inadequate and aging infrastructure; the decline of the social fabric; continued in-migration; complex trans-boundary urban issues; and slow growth, resulting in Metro Cebu lagging behind other cities worldwide.
The MCDCB was founded in 2011 as a public-private partnership that involves LGUs, national government agencies, business players and civil society groups. It is also works in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency Study Team for the Mega Cebu project.
The group’s working definition of Metro Cebu stretches from Cebu City to Carcar, San Fernando, Naga, Minglanilla, Talisay, Lapu-Lapu, Cordova, Mandaue, Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela and Danao.
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Condo seller’s come-on: golf

By Mia A. Aznar
Saturday, July 6, 2013
AS property developer Cebu Green Peaks Development prepares to turn over units of its condominium project The Padgett Place Cebu next year, they announced that new buyers will be treated to playing rights and other privileges for another development they are completing in Liloan town.
Cebu Green Peaks chief operating officer Gladys Ceniza announced that investors of premium units will be given a certification for playing rights to the Duros Mountain Resort and Golf Club in Liloan, which is being developed by Duros Land. Duros Land and Green Peaks are subsidiaries of the Duros Group of Companies.
Though they declined to give details of the Liloan developments, Ceniza said that the project is a 130-hectare property in San Roque, Liloan that comprises an 18-hole executive golf course, hotel, residential villas and retreat center. Ceniza said the company will announce the project at a later date, but promised that once it is completed, it will be “a source of pride” for Cebuanos.
On schedule
Other planned amenities include a spa, playground, cable cars and other facilities for family members of golfers. Duros Group chairman Lito Barino said golfers can expect to tee off by 2015.
The company expects that this will entice investors to buy units from The Padgett Place Cebu, a 191-unit condominium project in Lahug, Cebu City.
Ceniza said they are on schedule for the turnover of units, expecting it to be done by the third quarter of next year. For now, they hope to sell off remaining units, having sold over half of them.
The company considers their flagship project an “investment grade” condominium. Ceniza explained that the features of their building are what attract investors.
She noted that even with 3,500 square meters of land, they are only building one tower with just a few units, allowing them low density and higher resale value. They are confident that their property will be in demand among expatriates and business owners that they are offering investors a guaranteed rental income program.
Safety and leisure
She added that the structure is designed for earthquake resistance, with a strength of 8,000 pounds per square inch that is double the standard strength of most buildings.
“Our construction did not compromise on the structure by using pre-fabricated walls as almost all condos today do. And for the safety of our residents, our master deed of restrictions does not allow LPG brought into the unit, nor do we have gas pipes running across the building,” she said.
Ceniza described The Padgett Place Cebu as a leisure condominium, offering lounges,
decks, gardens even on the top floors, chambermaid services, investment management services and unit management services. They have signed up with international property management firm Colliers for building maintenance and condominium operation management.
The project was named The Padgett Place because it was formerly called the Padgett Compound, once home to American Cyrus John Padgett, who retired in Cebu after a career in the US Army. It is also home to some century-old acacia trees, which, Ceniza assured, have been preserved around the property. For Project details, contact us +63917.3236123.

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Central Visayas’ BPO, ICT yield P22 billion

By Jujemay G. Awit
Sunday, July 7, 2013
CEBU -- The information and communication technology (ICT), business process outsourcing (BPO), and tourism industries continue to gain ground in Central Visayas region.
The Regional Development Council (RDC) in Central Visayas reported that the region generated US$516 million (about P21.67 billion at P42 to the dollar) in revenues in 2012 from the ICT and BPO industries. The said figure represents a 12 percent increase compared to the 2011 revenue.
According to the report, 17 new foreign BPO companies opened in Cebu in 2012. Negros Oriental province is also becoming an ICT hub, with 12 locators.
In the region, the ICT and BPO industry has over 100,000 employees.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, also RDC chairperson, said he will try to ride on this momentum for his next three years in office.
The mayor, referring to the international research company, said he expects more saying: “Let us continue to make our city a great city. In January this year, Cebu City was chosen as the number eight global outsourcing destinations by Tholons,” said Rama.
Waves
“The BPO industry is said to achieve its target of US$25 billion in revenues and 1.3 million full-time employees by 2016,” Rama said when he made his inaugural speech last July 1, 2013.
The newly reelected mayor said he will also support the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB) in its program called Mega Cebu 2050: Making WAVES (wholesome, advanced, vibrant, equitable and sustainable).
Rama serves as co-chairperson of the MCDCB but the Cebu City Government is not an active participant, as the previous Cebu City Council did not authorize Rama to join in behalf of the city.
As far as tourism is concerned, Central Visayas saw an increase of 14.6 percent in tourist arrivals.
A total of 2.9-million tourists visited at least one of the four provinces in Central Visayas: Cebu, Negros Oriental, Bohol, and Siquijor.
Of the figure, 1.75 million were domestic tourists, while 1.18 million were foreign tourists.
Domestic tourism increased by 13.2 percent and foreign tourism increased by 16.8 percent.
Koreans, 40%
Close to 40 percent of the international tourists were Koreans. About 17 percent were Japanese tourists.
“Growth in tourism fueled air travel, resulting in more domestic and foreign flights. The number of domestic flights increased by 10 percent to over 60,000,” the RDC 7 report read.
Passenger traffic in Mactan, Dumaguete City and Tagbilaran City airports reached 7.9 million in 2012 or an increase of seven percent from the 2011 figure.
Rama was surprised late last month that Cebu City was also named as one of the top destinations for retirees. His policy direction would also be geared toward the development of the city to be more attractive to tourists.
According to the US News and the World Report, Cebu is one of 21 “great choices for retirees.”
Meets needs
Cebu was the only one from the Philippines and was named along with Abruzzo, Italy; Cayo, Belize; Copper Coast, Ireland; Hoi An, Vietnam; and Panama City Beaches, Panama.
“These are places where all the things of importance to retirees, including the weather, health care, cost of living, the options for establishing residency and the quality of life qualifies as the best the world has to offer,” said the article published online last Jan. 25.
Rama, meanwhile, is still tight-lipped on whether or not he has decided to run for the presidency of the League of Cities of the Philippines, but said his final decision hinges on President Benigno Aquino III’s blessing.
“If the President tells me not to run, then I won’t be a spoiler,” Rama said.
Vice President Jejomar Binay and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, the leaders of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), already know about his decision. (Sun.Star Cebu)
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SEC/PSE warn anew vs dubious investment firms


By Neil Jerome C. Morales (The Philippine Star) | Updated July 7, 2013 - 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines - The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) have warned investors against conducting business with several dubious companies.
An email scam, unauthorized mutual fund company and a fake stock market seminar organizer are preying on the investing public, the corporate regulators said.
In a memorandum, the PSE said it received reports that SGVN Events Management has been conducting seminars on stock market investing in Baguio City and San Fernando, La Union.
SGVN Events Management, which collects registration fees, claims to have organized the forums in partnership with the PSE.
“Please be advised that the PSE did not authorize any of its employees or representatives to conduct a stock investing seminar in Baguio City and San Fernando City,” PSE said.
It also never entered into any kind of partnership with SGVN Events Management.
The complete list of market education events and seminars sanctioned by the PSE are available at the stock exchange’s website.
For its part, SEC warned the public against an email scam that targets business ventures.
“The public is warned to take precautionary care and diligence in transacting through email with foreign suppliers/manufacturers,” SEC said.
Under the “Change of Supplier Bank Details” scam, the suspect pretending to be the supplier/manufacturer sends fictitious emails advising the victim of a change in the suppliers’ bank account details.
“Thus, the victim is misled into remitting his payment to the wrong bank account, consequently to the wrong payee,” SEC said.
The corporate watchdog is also discouraging investors from doing business with a Mindanao-based company.
SEC said Centralized Mindanao Mutual Benefit Association Inc., while registered as a corporate entity, “has not been issued a license by the Insurance Commission as a mutual benefit association.”
SEC is stepping up its efforts to warn the public against fraudulent business practices.
Late last year, Pagadian-based Aman Futures Group Philippines Inc. was exposed as a P12-billion investment scam, defrauding thousands of politicians, professionals, businessmen and employees.
For this year, priorities of the agency include the alignment of accounting standards with global best practices, public information against investment scams, development of information technology infrastructure and improvement of the registration, licensing and enforcement systems.
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