ORO CHAMBER NEW WEBSITE

Dear Members,

Please note that our All New Oro Chamber website is still under construction.  We will update you immediately when it's done.

Many thanks and best regards!

Elmer B. Francisco
Past Trustee
Chairman, Communications Committee

COWD Advisory

Consolidated Petition of the Cagayan de Oro Private Sector to PNoy Seeking Relief for Those Adversely Affected by Tropical Storm Sendong

Oro Private Sector Petitions PNoy for Sendong Relief

By Mike Banos

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The private sector in this gateway city to Mindanao is slated to meet President Benigno S. Aquino III  today to present a comprehensive package of proposed relief measures designed to get the city back on its feet.

Pres. Aquino is scheduled to visit Iligan City in the morning to inspect the Bayanihan Village relocation site before flying back to Cagayan de Oro in the afternoon to speak at the inauguration of the Calaanan resettlement site before proceeding to the Xavier Ecoville Phase 1 relocation site for an inspection and meeting with the private sector.

In a letter to the president, copy of which was furnished to this paper, Oro Chamber President Ma. Teresa R. Alegrio, presents a petition in behalf of the private sector, outlining  a comprehensive package of relief measures for the president’s consideration.

Ms. Alegrio said it is also the private sector’s prayer that concerned government agencies strictly implement permanent “No Build Zones” following the president’s declaration of  riverbanks as "Off Limits to Human Habitation" and a total ban on all types of  mining along the Iponan River.

Besides the Oro Chamber, the petition was also signed by presidents of the various Filipino-Chinese chambers, industrial associations, consumer groups, exporters, bankers and business promotion NGOs.

In their consolidated petition, copy of which was likewise furnished to this paper, the petitioners cited how Sendong paralyzed 40% of Cagayan de Oro’s trade and commerce and affected over 400,000 persons in Region 10 according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation Council (NDRRMC).

A survey conducted by the Oro Chamber (Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. revealed that TS Sendong damaged equipment and structures of micro, small and medium sized enterprises amounting to PhP 158.5-million while equipment losses in the manufacturing sector totaled PhP 809-million.  Business losses arising from cancelled functions in hotel and restaurants as a result of brownouts and the collapse of the water system amounted to 50-60% of expected income.

Reports filed by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) listed at least PhP 969.35 million in damages to 30 infrastructure projects including bridges, drainage and flood control. The Cagayan de Oro City Water District reported at least P30.4-million in damages to its infrastructure including major booster pumps of the city’s water district and its chlorination and laboratory facilities resulting in a water crisis which lasted for almost a month.

The package of proposed relief measures were categorized according to assistance to affected micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) such as a rehabilitation fund for technical assistance and special financing for working capital and equipment/machinery acquisition,

a Banko Sentral moratorium on amortizations falling due within six months after Sendong for

business, consumer, home and loans to large enterprises.

It also requests government to expedite the repair and rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure

and logistics facilities such as river embankment/ flood control projects, bridges, water and electric distribution systems, irrigation facilities and most important, dredging of the Cagayan River.

For workers affected by Sendong, the petition requests  the Social Security System (SSS) and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for additional calamity loans to all affected private and government employees and to restructure the monthly payment for at least six (6) months; and for  PAG-IBIG to extend a moratorium of six (6) months on all existing loans; set up a rehabilitation fund to allow all borrowers to reconstruct and rehabilitate their damaged homes; and avail of a special calamity loan for personal rehabilitation without deductions to balance outstanding on previous loans.

The private sector is also requesting the Dept. of Trade and Industry (DTI) to conduct a stringent monitoring and enforcement of the price freeze on basic commodities and for the Department of Energy (DOE) to enforce a price freeze on all petroleum products in

Cagayan de Oro and Iligan to their Dec. 16, 2011 price levels while the State of National Calamity remains.

In addition, the petition urges DOE to arrange for free servicing and oil change of all public utility and commercial vehicles affected by Tropical Storm Sendong; as well as provide a one-month subsidy for unpaid December 2011 electricity bills of all flood victims; as well as a 50% discount on retail electricity rates for affected survivors in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City, and for the Local Water Utilities Administration to cover a portion of the unpaid December 2011 water bills of all flood victims amounting to PhP 25.3M;

Government agencies like the Dept. of Foreign Affairs, National Statistics Office, Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board are requested to grant free replacement of passports, birth and marriage certificates, driver’s license and all other documents requiring government authentication, free of charge.

Not the least, the petition proposes the following measures relating to disaster risk mitigation and management to preclude a repeat of the disaster: creation of a Task Force charged with updating geohazard maps, aerial topographical surveys, sonar imaging surveys and satellite imagery needed for a detailed in depth study of the Cagayan de Oro River Basin, watershed and delta areas needed for efficient and accurate modeling studies needed to create a new Master Plan for the city.

In addition, DOST and DENR-MGB are requested to install flood water level gages and warning system in strategic areas of riverbanks and for DENR to strictly enforce the law prohibiting the cultivation of annual row crops on lands with over 15 percent slope and near river banks which previously resulted in massive erosion and silting.

Important Notice to CEPALCO Customers Subject: NGCP Power Interruption on Saturday, January 21, 2012

CAGAYAN ELECTRIC POWER & LIGHT CO., INC

Important Notice to CEPALCO Customers

Subject: NGCP Power Interruption on Saturday, January 21, 2012

The Cagayan Electric Power & Light Co., Inc. (CEPALCO) would like to inform all customers that the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has advised CEPALCO that power supply will be interrupted on January 21, 2012 as shown below:

Reasons:	THE NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (NGCP) WILL CONDUCT LINE MAINTENANCE WORKS ALONG THEIR LUGAIT – CARMEN 69KV LINE. TO MAKE USE OF THE INTERRUPTION, CEPALCO WILL CONDUCT LINE UPGRADING WORKS ALONG DON APOLINAR VELEZ STREET. OTHER LOADS NOT AFFECTED BY THE SAID LINE WORKS WILL BE SHIFTED TO OTHER SOURCE.
Date:	Saturday, January 21, 2012
A. Interruption Time:	7:00 AM - 6:00 PM (11 hours)
Affected Areas:	CARMEN FEEDER #2 (13.8-KV): 1.    Along Montalban St. from near Tiano Bros. St. towards Burgos St., del Pilar St. and Magsaysay St. including portions of Macahambus St. and Abellanosa St. from Burgos St. 2.    Portions of A.Luna St. from corner Corrales Ave.; towards vicinities along A. Velez St. up to corner Mabini St. including portion of:  Macahambus St. from A. Velez St. and Tiano Bros. St. from Macahambus St.
B. Interruption Time:	Maximum of one hour starting at 7:00 AM & again a maximum of one hour starting at 5:00 PM
Affected Areas:	CARMEN FEEDER #1 (13.8-KV): 1.    Greater portion of Carmen proper along Lirio St. from Trinity Tree St. towards Oak St., Max Suniel St., Vamenta Blvd. up to corner Jasmin St. including Waterlily St. and Carmen Market area. 2.    Along Mabolo St. from Lirio St. towards corner Rosal St. including portion of Marigold St. from Mabolo St. 3.    Portion of Carmen: vicinities along Vamenta Blvd. from Fernandez St. towards greater part of Ilaya including: portions of Ipil St. and Mahogany St. from Fernandez St.; Madonna & Child Hospital; and; Seriña St. from COA towards Gumamela Ext., Guani Coliseum (former O. Roa’s) and Maharlika Police Station. 4.    All of Macanhan, Carmen towards all of Lower Balulang. CARMEN FEEDER #2 (13.8-KV): 1.    Portion of Carmen along Yacal St. towards Lirio St., Vamenta Blvd., Waling-waling St. up to GSIS area including Ferrabrel St., Mango St. and portion of Rosal St. and Marigold St. 2.    All of Kauswagan proper, Bonbon and Bayabas.

Power will however be restored immediately without notice when Line works of NGCP and CEPALCO are completed earlier than scheduled.

We hope the affected customers and the public in general

will be guided by this announcement. Thank you.

Released by:

Ms. Marilyn A. Chavez Senior Manager Customer & Community Relations Dept.

URGENT! Petroleum Products Price-freeze Resolution

RESOLUTION #2012-003

A JOINT RESOLUTION REQUESTING PETROLEUM DEALERS AND RESELLERS TO FREEZE THE PRICES OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS TO THEIR DECEMBER 16 LEVELS FOR AREAS DEVASTATED BY TYPHOON SENDONG AND ARE DECLARED UNDER STATE OF CALAMITY

WHEREAS, Cagayan de Oro City and its influence areas are badly hit by Typhoon Sendong affecting more than 50,000 families and totally damaging *11,382 houses while 26,011 houses are partially damaged;

WHEREAS, President Benigno S. Aquino, per Proclamation No. 303 dated Dec. 20, 2011 declared Cagayan de Oro, Iligan City in Region X and Regions VII, IX, XI, and CARAGA under a State of National Calamity;

WHEREAS, DOE Undersecretary Jose Layug, Jr. during a Stakeholders Forum on the Downstream Oil Deregulation Law held in Cagayan de Oro City last January 5 announced that DOE directed petroleum companies to freeze the prices of related products to their December 16 levels due to Typhoon Sendong;

WHEREAS, reports had it that local petroleum dealers and resellers are implementing consecutive price increases;

WHEREAS, the quick recovery of Sendong-affected areas as well as the respective residents thereof requires the full support and cooperation of everyone;

WHEREFORE, the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (OROCHAMBER), Misamis Oriental Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MOFCCCI), Promote CDO Foundation and Philexport10A are appealing to local petroleum dealers and resellers to freeze the prices of petroleum products at December 16 levels up until the lifting of the State of Calamity status.

RESOLVED FURTHER that ORO CHAMBER, MOFCCCI, PROMOTE CDO and PHILEXPORT10A will monitor the strict compliance of DOE’s order among petroleum companies in the area;

RESOLVED FINALLY that a copy of this resolution be furnished to Hon. DOE Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Hon. Mayor Vicente Y. Emano, Hon. Congressmen Rufus Rodriguez, Hon. Maximo Rodriguez, Jr., the Regional Development Council in Region X, City Council through Chairman Hon. President Elipe and the Petroleum Dealers Association in the City and Region.

DRRMC alerts public against La Niña

PIA Press Release

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

DRRMC alerts public against La Niña

by Elaine O. Ratunil

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan. 17 (PIA) – The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), Northern Mindanao, has called on all the local DRRMC’s to undertake precautionary measures in their areas of responsibility (AOR) against the likely occurrence of floods and rain-induced landslides in hazard prone areas.

This, after the National DRRMC, has issued La Niña Advisory No. 3, on January 16, 2011, to inform and warn communities to take proactive actions to aim for zero casualties and avoid loss of lives and properties that may result from this phenomenon.

The La Niña advisory issued talks about proactive actions which may take the form of evacuation rather than rescue or mitigation and prevention rather than response and rehabilitation, said Regional Director Ana C. Cañeda of the Office on Civil Defense (OCD), region 10.

The ongoing oceanic and atmosphere patterns in the equatorial Pacific reflect the continuation of a weak to moderate La Niña. The latest observations, combined with model forecasts, suggest that La Niña will be weaken and expected to dissipate between March and May. Its peak is likely this January.

Meanwhile, the weather systems that influenced the country’s climate during December were Northeast (NE) monsoon, ridge of High Pressure Area (LPA), tail end of the cold front, wind convergence, Low Pressure Area (LPA) and one tropical cyclone, said Cañeda.

Tropical Storm ‘Sendong’, on Dec. 15-18, ranked first for the top ten (10) 2011 Philippine destructive tropical cyclones with the most number of deaths totaling to 1,275 as reported of which cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan in region 10 suffer the most.

Climate pattern during the month was influenced by the on-going La Niña event enhancing rainfall distribution in most areas in the country.

By this January, slightly warmer than normal surface air temperatures are expected to affect the country. However, cold surge is expected over extreme northern Luzon. Predicted ranges of temperature for January will be 17oC to 33oC over the lowlands of Luzon, 11oC to 24oC over the mountainous areas of Luzon, 20oC to 31oC for Visayas, 22oC to 34oC over the lowlands of Mindanao and 17oC to 24oC over the mountainous areas of Mindanao.

Weather systems that will likely affect the country in January are NE monsoon, tail end of the cold front, LPA and ridge of HPA.

One tropical cyclone is likely to develop or enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) during the month. Rainfall distribution in most areas of northern and central Luzon will likely above normal including the western section of Mindanao. Flooding, flashfloods and landslides are likely to happen in some affected areas, particularly over Visayas and Mindanao. The rest of the country is expected to have near normal rainfall condition. (PIA-10)

Membership Renewal Letter

January 10, 2012

Dear Fellow Oro Chamber Members,

In order for business to get back on its feet after the devastation made by typhoon Sendong, your Chamber-- the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (OROCHAMBER) is now moving forward in mobilizing private and government sector support for the much needed economic recovery , rehabilitation  and resettlement of affected families. 

For 2012, your Chamber intends to pursue four  major programs in response to city’s  rehabilitation programs : 

1. Business development  assistance to member SMEs thru various bridge financing schemes ,

Senior expert services, trade and market  linkages from local and foreign partner Chambers

Technical and management trainings , and most of all streamlining business processing of local permits and taxes;

1. Advocacy on corporate responsibility along environmental protection,  disaster preparedness,  and investment for additional  power generating facilities; 
2. Work with national, local  and international agencies in fast tracking the reconstruction of major infrastructure projects damaged by Typhoon Sendong such as river embankment/ flood control projects, repair/maintenance of bridges, repair of the water and electric distribution systems , and  most of all  installation of warning systems  and devices along the riverbanks. The need to  update the land use development  plan of the city is also very vital at this point in time. 
3. Campaign for private sector support in the planning , designing, and implementation of a comprehensive community development program on the relocation sites that will be established. 

In the succeeding months,  your  Chamber will be organizing several  dialogues with local authorities,  national government agencies ,  and international donor institutions   to jump start the necessary reforms and rehabilitation process. 

Against this backdrop, I would like to appeal for your cooperation and support by renewing your membership with the Oro Chamber and likewise to get involved in the various undertakings mentioned above. Your  renewed commitment will certainly go along away as we pull ourselves in rebuilding our beloved City .. 

Very truly yours,

Ma. Teresa R. Alegrio

President

Local gov’t grants break to businesses | BusinessWorld Online Edition

CAGAYAN DE ORO -- The city government has agreed to grant business chamber members adversely affected by tropical storm Sendong (international name: Washi) relief from unpaid real property penalties and surcharges.

This follows earlier meetings of a delegation from the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (Oro Chamber) with the city finance committee to follow up a letter request dated Jan. 11 to Mayor Vicente Y. Emano, through Councilor Simeon V. Licayan as chairman of the city ways and means committee, that requested the tax relief.

Among the measures requested through chamber president Ma. Teresa R. Alegrio were:

• deferment of new assessment fees provided in the new Revenue Code of Cagayan de Oro pertaining to the renewal of business permits for a year;

• application of the old assessment rates for affected micro, small and medium enterprises;

• condonation of penalties on all unpaid real estate taxes since the global crisis of 2007 up to the present; and

• extension of the processing of business permit renewal for another month.

“We had a successful final meeting with the city finance committee and essentially, all our requests were granted except for the extension of the business renewal period to February,” said chamber executive director Lordilie C. S. Enjambre in a memorandum to the board of trustees.

“Hence, payment of outstanding real property taxes from 2007-2011 can now be done less interests and surcharges until April 30, 2012 while the old business permit assessment rates will be applied to directly affected MSMEs (micro and small and medium enterprises),” she added.

Partial results of a survey conducted recently by Oro Chamber revealed that 57 member MSMEs were directly affected by Sendong with damage to equipment and structures amounting to P129.5 million while equipment losses in the manufacturing sector totaled P224 million.

Member companies in the hotel and restaurant sector also reported a 60% drop in income due to canceled functions and bookings, personnel and client fatalities, and shortage of electricity and water.

“The business sector is doing its best to provide relief assistance to all affected families including its own employees and workers,” read the chamber’s letter to the mayor.

“The road to economic recovery, however, may take some time and for this reason the Oro Chamber is appealing for your consideration on the subject requests,” it added.

The city treasurer’s office has requested the chamber to submit its list of affected MSMES by Jan. 16 as basis for collection.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, in a situationer report on the impact of Sendong as of 8 a.m. on Jan. 15, tallied the dead at 1,257, unchanged from the previous data, with 181 still missing since the calamity struck on Dec. 17, and over 6,000 injured. Damage has reached P1.456 billion, about two-thirds of which was in infrastructure and the rest in agriculture. The storm affected 13 provinces in eight regions in the Visayas and Mindanao, or more than 1.14 million persons. -- Michael D. Baños

URGENT MEMO TO MEMBERS RE TAX RELIEF REQUIREMENTS

QUICK SURVEY RE: TS SENDONG DAMAGES