Since it was first introduced in 2008, the proposed MSME Exchange is still awaiting the approval of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The exchange was supposed to fulfill the lending provisions of Republic Act (RA) 9501, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). It seeks to increase access to credit for MSMEs to boost economic growth in the face of global economic credit crunch. These are the same MSMEs that kept the engines of growth running during the 1997 Asian financial crisis.

Specifically, RA 5901 states that all banking institutions in the country must allocate eight percent of their total loan portfolio for microfinance and small entrepreneurs, while two percent will be reserved for medium enterprises. Failure to comply with this provision will result in penalties for the banking institution worth PhP 500,000.00 per quarter.

The delay in the implementation of the intent of the law came after the Monetary Board of SBP expressed their reservation over the legality of setting up a MSME Exchange. However, Benel P. Lagua, President of Small Business Guarantee and Finance Corporation (SB Corp.), said that the issue about the legal impediments was already settled when the Office of the Solicitor General have opined that they can proceed with the implementation.

There were also reports that some commercial banks have scoffed at the penalties for not complying with the law and are preparing to pay the meager penalty imposed. Worse, some are prepared to devise ways to ‘go around the law.’

Commercial and thrift banks generally lend to medium-sized firms, but are having difficulty attracting small and micro enterprises because of high interest rates (15 to 24 percent) and voluminous paper requirements. On the other hand, rural banks have an over-compliance of loans to the small and micro sectors, but find it hard to comply with the two-percent loan portfolio requirements for medium-sized establishments.

"If we have a rule and institutions don’t follow them, they should be correspondingly penalized. If all they get is a slap in the wrist, the rule will never be followed and everything that the Magna Carta has envisioned will go to naught," Lagua said.

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Buying a car for your family is different from buying a car for yourself. Your own needs are relegated to a lower priority in favor of your family’s needs. Factors such as size and safety become the main drivers for your purchase, while features like speed and style tend to take the backseat.

Car acquisition is a major decision. Here are a few helpful tips to help you determine what vehicle type to buy for your family:

1. Family size
   Take into account the current and potential size of your family in considering the size of the vehicle. Legroom and cabin comfort could be important considerations for your kids. As they grow and become more involved in different activities, you may require more space to accommodate the things they accumulate such as books, art materials, sport equipment, musical instruments, etc.


2. Purpose
   Do you intend to use your vehicle mainly for city driving or do you also plan to take regular trips outside the city? What activities will your family be involved in? Reading the reviews on the car you intend to buy will give you a better perspective of the car’s performance versus your requirements.
   
   The type of engine you may settle for would also be influenced by the planned usage of the vehicle. Diesel-powered cars are normally noisier and slower but have better pulling power. Gas-powered cars on the other hand are faster, produce less smoke and offer smoother rides.
   
   However you intend to use the vehicle, always check on the cars fuel efficiency before deciding on what vehicle to buy. It will not only save you money, but it will also help save the environment.


3. Safety features
   It is also important that you check on the car’s safety features such as airbags, anti-lock brake system, seat belts and traction control. Weight is also a factor in safety, especially when going out of town. Generally, heavier vehicles offer greater protection because it tends to be more stable.


4. Budget
   Last but not the least, check the vehicle’s price. When buying a car, sometimes affordability takes the lead when evaluating one’s options. When faced with a budget constraint, getting a loan can help ease the burden of making such a major purchase decision.

MetroCar, the car loan program of the Metrobank, offers low interest rates and a variety of repayment options.

Wennie Oliveros, Head of the Consumer Lending Group of Metrobank, says, "in line with our thrust of being the trusted partner of our clients, MetroCar addresses concerns on affordability and convenience. Our rates are low and very competitive and borrowers have the option to repay the loan anywhere from 12 months to 60 months."

"We also made loan repayments so much easier with several channels at our client’s convenience. A borrower can pay over the counter at any Metrobank branch, through auto debit from his or her Metrobank saving or checking account or through issuance of post-dated checks."

"To help our clients acquire their dream cars easily, we offer more than an affordable and easy loan package", Oliveros adds. "We are bringing back the MetroCar Great Rates Sale promo."

The MetroCar Great Rates Sale is the perfect opportunity for prospective car buyers to avail of a MetroCar loan at even lower interest rates. The promo will run from 3 July to 30 September 2009.

Metrobank is the country’s premier universal bank. For more information about the MetroCar Great Rates Sale, visit any Metrobank branch or call 898-8540, 898-8502, or 898-8577, or log on to www.metrobank.com.ph.

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Known primarily in the Philippines for credit cards that cater to the highly affluent, American Express is reaching out to younger upwardly mobile market by counting on the strength of its brand name and innovative product benefits. American Express cards are being distributed in the country exclusively by Banco De Oro (BDO), the leading bank in the credit card acquiring business.

"Being an American Express gold credit card member is a badge of achievement for young professionals and entrepreneurs," according to Ma. Nanette Regala, first vice president and marketing head of BDO Consumer Lending group. "The range of dining, shopping, hotel and other privileges offered by the card is appealing to this generation of vibrant and exploring professionals, especially when they check out new dining places and bars and as they head out of town on the weekends," Regala added.

Studies conducted by BDO reveal that this set of upwardly mobile urbanites tend to be 'more outbound than homebound.' Weekend is the highlight of their week and it is spent mingling with old buddies and an ever-widening circle of friends in trendy dining places and lounges as well as indulging in water and other popular sports. Their habits have earned them the marketing classification of being 'mass affluent.'

The study also revealed that, as these millenials or Gen Y-ers get older, they will eventually get married and start families. As a result, their dates with friends may taper as they focus on raising their children. Nevertheless, they continue to enjoy bonding with the family over meals in popular dining spots and jaunts to the beach during weekends.

American Express has tapped this promising market through two new products - the American Express Credit Card and the American Express Gold Credit Card. At the launching of the two products, the access offered by the cards as well as the significant amount of savings that can be generated was warmly received by the crowd. Guest expressed interest over similar offers in over 60 other countries that are available to all American Express card members.

Among the privileges offered by the cards include 24/7 customer service and access to one of the world's largest travel service network s in more than 140 countries. These are expected to be highly appreciated by the highly mobile set of clients who travel frequently as part of their work and as a matter of preference. Another benefit is the round-the-clock medical and legal assistance offered by American Express through the Global Assist program.

In addition to the above mentioned benefits, the American Express Gold Credit Card offers retail purchase protection that allows card holders to replace goods purchased through the card should they lost it, stolen or damaged.

"With increasing experiences on international travels and global exposure, these young affluent customers appreciate world-class services and personal recognition offered by a global brand like American Express," notes Regala.

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The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported on 17 July 2009 that the Philippines Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. has decided to shut down its manufacturing plant in Las Piñas City starting 30 September 2009 after 50 years in the business. This move will displace an estimated 500 employees.

In a briefing, Goodyear Philippines Inc. managing director Dave Morin said the local manufacturing facility was no longer operating competitively in terms of costs due to the erosion of its export business.

"Our business model here has become uncompetitive on the cost side, so we need to make some changes on the cost structure. We need to close our manufacturing operations here and just import tires from our sister companies in the region," Morin said, adding that the company would still maintain its presence in the country through its dealer network.

To continue to be able to provide the tire requirements of its replacement and original equipment customers, he said, Goodyear Philippines would source its supply from plants in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

"The domestic market is improving, but it can’t grow at a rate fast enough to offset the loss in our export business," Morin said.

He explained that exports made up 45 to 50 percent of Goodyear’s overall business in the Philippines.

For employees that would be displaced, he said Goodyear Philippines would be providing retrenchment packages that 'far exceeds what’s legally required.' Morin declined to elaborate more about the package.

Also, the company had set aside PhP 1 million for 'transitional programs' that would prepare workers to be laid for alternative livelihoods or jobs in other sectors, he said.

The company would retain around 100 of its employees for the sales, marketing, distribution and administrative aspects of its business.

In the fourth quarter of 2008, Goodyear Philippines started to feel the impact of the global recession 'severely and swiftly' as its export business shrank to almost nil, Morin said.

Because of that, the company implemented steps to stay afloat, one of which was to retrench 46 employees, or seven percent of its total workforce, he said.

"We hoped that our export business would come back," Morin said of the time. "But it has not come back, and we don’t anticipate it will in the future."

He explained that since there was no longer any overseas demand for tires manufactured in the Philippine facility, the company’s cost per unit went up, owing to the production of a significantly smaller number of tires while maintaining the same overhead costs.

"We’re no longer running at a capacity level that’s sustainable,” Morin said. “We’ve had to deal with unrecovered overheads. The local market is simply not sufficient to offset the loss of exports."

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Many people across the country are starting this new type of small financial venture called an eBay consignment business. Entrepreneurs engage in this kind of business usually run it from the comfort of their homes, but there are some who still prefers doing the actual selling from a real business location. This business is really catching on to everyone because the vast majority of the product that one sells actually costs absolutely nothing. When there is no real overhead, then a small business is worth taking a closer look.

The first step to starting an eBay consignment business is to learn every little detail about eBay. Exposing one self to every aspect of the website, and how each and every auction works is a good start. There is a need to know what items get better bids, and which items to avoid. Also, it helps to understand all the fees, costs, and expenses that eBay charges. This component of the whole process is very important and should not be overlooked.

Once the budding entrepreneur feels that they are already adept in eBay processes, then that might be the time to really start looking at the consignment business. An eBay consignment business is where business-minded individual take their eBay experience and expertise, and use it to sell other people’s items on eBay. This sounds easy enough, but there are still some things to seriously consider.

Once a decision has been rendered to to get started, there is a need to decide if actual work will be done in an office or from home. Their are advantages both ways. The advantage for an office is walk in traffic, and the ability to sell items from a physical address. The advantages of being at home is that there will definitely be smaller or even zero overhead.

There is also an important aspect of marketing and promotion. The entrepreneur needs to drum up their business on their own through word or mouth, flyers, and lots of business cards. Once they have determined that a good number of clients are interested, then they can go ahead now and get the proper business permits and the like to open up a shop.

The basic business model is really simple. The business owner obtain items from others (consignors), find out what these product owners are willing to take for the item, do a little research, photograph the item and write an eye-catching description. The entrepreneur then add their service fee, usually paid upfront and nonrefundable even if the item does not sell, and post the item up for bid on eBay. It is the entrepreneur's responsibility to make sure that the correct reserve on eBay is placed so that the consignor is assured of getting the right amount. Once this happens, the entrepreneur collects the money and ship the item. When the transaction is complete, then they pay their consignors.

Although entrepreneurs will make money on the service fees they charge, the best source of income usually will come from the various bargains that they will come across. There are certain items that will sell on eBay very well. Once these entrepreneurs are familiar with eBay, they will know what those items are. When those items present themselves to through customers, then the entrepreneur should make an offer to buy the product outright. Sometimes consignors are perfectly happy with the offer, and other times they want them to be auctioned off. It is up to consignors which way they go. That said, a vast number of the consignors will opt to sell the item on the spot.

An eBay consignment business can be a very legitimate business, and many do this small business part time for extra income. Regardless of the intentions, an entrepreneur who wants to engage in this kind of business should make sure that they have a number of items to get started. Sometimes, these can be found while cleaning up the house, garage, and other avenues of a similar nature. Generally, everyone has some eBay treasure around in their home to get started.

Based on the experience of several companies engage in eBay consignment, here are just a few of the tested guidelines in the industry:

1. Signing a Contract
   
   Before accepting any item, draw up a consignment contract. This contract protects not only the business owner but the consignor as well in case of disputes. This document should outline the particulars of the consignor, the item(s) and auction terms. An ordinary consignment contract usually has four main sections and a section for internal accounting and bookkeeping information.
   
   
   • Consignor Information:
     List the name, address, phone number(s), email address, driver's license number of consignor.
   
   
   • Item Information:
     Title of item(s), age, model number, serial number
     Condition (new, used, antique, reviewers sample)
     Defects or deficiencies
     Cost, new (if known)
   
   
   • Auction Specifics:
     Format (auction, fixed price, store)
     Number of days to list
     Which online site (eBay, Amazon, Yahoo Auctions, Abidon, Austin Auctions, Froogle, etc.) to list
     Starting price, reserve price, buy-it-now price
     Enhancements to listing (bold, gallery shot, highlights, more)
   
   
   • Auction Terms:
     Consignment Terms
     B-N-P charges a sliding commission rate based on final value realized.
     Auction fees (enhancements, listing, final value, etc)
     Disposition of item if it doesn't sell (return to consignor, relist, and try a different online site).


2. Knowing the Identity of Consignor
   
   For the business owner's own protection, both personally and financially, they should know the identity of the consignor. Recording the driver's license number on the consignment contract is a good start. This little extra step may deter someone from using the company to sell stolen goods.


3. Parts Is Parts
   
   The business owner needs to ensure that they have all the correct parts when taking consigned goods. They should check first before listing and obtain all user documentation including owner's manuals. These documents will tell which accessories such as power cords, cables, adapters, discs, and parts are needed. If the consignor cannot find them, the entrepreneur may want to go online and research the items. They can offer to purchase, at consignor's cost, the replacement manuals or parts. If the consignor declines, it is the job of the entrepreneur to inform them that this will decrease the final value realized and list it in the item description.


4. Make Sure the Item Works
   
   If the item is electronic or mechanical, the business owner may want to try it out to see that it performs as specified. Plug those in vacuums, print test pages, record on VCR tapes, charge up the phones and even change the monitors. It is not a good practice to take the word of the consignor at face value. It is the entrepreneur who the customer will deal with; it is the entrepreneur who takes their money and it is the entrepreneur who will receive the negative feedback.
   
   Also, the merchandise should be clean and smell clean. When taking clothing or linen items, the entrepreneur can ask the consignor to have the item dry-cleaned or offer to have it done for them, at their expense. Clean means no spots, stains, frays or tears. All hooks, buttons, zippers should work. Collectibles, jewelry, furniture, books, craft items should be clean and free from dust, lint, pet hair before accepting the offer.


5. Research and Authenticate
   
   If applicable, the entrepreneur may need to get a history of the item. It could be as simple as "I bought this camera, used it for a family vacation and then decided I wanted to go digital." If this is not available, research like items such as year of manufacture, any problems with the units, number sold, etc. These will all help in writing description and help with bidder questions.
   
   Appraisals on jewelry and antiques are very helpful. the entrepreneur could show these in their listing. Coins should be graded. Certificates of Authenticity (COA) do not carry much weight when it comes to autographed items. Reputable members of UACC (Universal Autograph Collectors Club), TMS (The Manuscript Society) and PADA (Professional Autograph Dealers Association) will not issue a COA. Instead, they will issue an appraisal or note stating that in their experience the item is authentic and is valued at a certain price range.


6. Set Consignor Expectations
   
   The most important thing an entrepreneur must do in a consignment auction is to set consignor expectations. The consignor or product owner need to be objective so that they can work through the obstacles of what they paid for an item, what they think it is worth, what someone told them they could get for it and whatever sentimental value is attached to an item.
   
   Grandma's crystal vase is probably worth more sentimentally than financially. "Collector" Barbie Dolls and Beanie Babies are very common and entrepreneurs will be lucky to get face value. The entrepreneur needs to explain to the consignor that it is not what they paid for an item that determines the sales price, it is what is someone willing to pay for it.
   
   The entrepreneur may need to do some research on current and closed auctions to see what similar items have been sold for. What was the final selling price? Was it in a similar condition? Were all the parts there? The entrepreneur will have to provide the information, in written form, to the consignor so that they may see for themselves. This allows the consignors the opportunity to change their mind before listing the item. The last thing an entrepreneur needs is an unhappy consignor who "...was told by my friend I could get US$ 800 for that doll."
   
   Also, when someone says, "I want US$ 100 for this item," what does that mean? Do they want to net US$ 100 before or after fees and commissions? The entrepreneur will need to make that they supply the final sales information to the consignor.


7. No Less than US$ 50
   
   The entrepreneur may need to set a minimum threshold for consigned goods. An example guideline is accept no individual item with less than a US$ 50 value.
   
   The entrepreneur should think about the time and effort required to list items and run an auction. Think about the research they need to do, the photography, the item descriptions, the time required answering bidders' questions, and to package and ship. Then, think about the commission rate. Is it worth it for US$ 5 or US$ 10 items?


8. Return Policy
   
   Finally, the entrepreneur will have to set their own guidelines as to type of items they will accept. They are not obligated to accept any item a consignor brings. They can turn down or return merchandise to consignors after research shows that they will not sell at an acceptable price.

These are just a few suggested guidelines and they should be enough for now to help build the entrepreneur's business and reputation as an online seller. The primary goal should be for the consignor to be happy with the entrepreneur's professionalism and service. Business owners want these consignors to bring additional items and to spread the word to their friends and acquaintances. Generating positive feedback coming from both the consignor as well as the buyer is important.

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Now on its second year, the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) brings back the MetroCar Great Rates Sale promo, which will run from 3 July to 30 September 2009. The promo kicked off with a three-day event last 3-5 July 2009 at the Power Plant Mall in Rockwell, Makati City.

"From a very successful turnout of the first Sale two years ago, this is very timely given the low interest rates scenario and the new car models that just came out; the desire for people to buy a car is just there," says Wennie Oliveros, head of the consumer lending group of Metrobank.

MetroCar can finance as much as 80 percent of the net selling price of the vehicle, and offers different packages to meet specific needs. "In line with our thrust of being the trusted partner of our clients, MetroCar addresses concerns on affordability and flexibility. Our rates are very competitive and borrowers have the option to choose repayment terms anywhere from 12 months to 60 months."

"We offer more than an affordable and easy loan package," added Oliveros. "We made loan repayments so much easier with several channels at our client’s convenience. A borrower can pay over the counter at any Metrobank branch, through auto debit from his or her Metrobank savings or checking account, or through issuance of post-dated checks."

Customers enjoyed the lowest interest rates at the MetroCar Great Rates Sale event last 3-5 July 2009 at the Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City. Participating car dealers, including Honda Makati, Hyundai Global City, Isuzu Inteco Quezon Ave., Mitsubishi Citimotors, Nissan U.N. Ave., Motor Image Pilipinas (Subaru), Lexus Manila, Inc., Toyota Cubao, Inc. and Toyota Manila Bay, showcased the latest models of their respective brands.

Metrobank is the country’s premier universal bank. For more information about the MetroCar Great Rates Sale and other financing programs, visit any Metrobank branch or call 898-8876, 898-8553, or 857-5261, or log on to www.metrobank.com.ph and www.metrocargreatratessale.com.

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The Philippine banking system’s ability to protect depositors from risks remained stable as it continued to be at healthy levels despite the turbulence in the global financial markets, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said last week.

As of end of December 2008, the capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of the banking system was at 14.74 percent on solo basis and 15.49 percent on consolidated basis. The figures are slightly higher than the comparable September 2008 ratios and exceeded the BSP’s minimum requirement of 10 percent of lenders’ assets.

The said ratio is used to measure banks’ capacity to absorb losses without stopping operations through Tier 1 (T1) capital and protect depositors in the event of liquidation through T2 capital.

With several banks issuing supplementary capital instruments in the form of unsecured subordinated debt, qualifying capital increased by PhP 23.8 billion on solo basis and PhP 19.8 billion for consolidated basis in the last quarter of 2008 alone. However, such increase in capital was however offset by the PhP 117.7-billion increase in risk-weighted assets (RWA).

The BASP said that this is notable since the incremental increase in RWAs would translate to a ratio of 20.2 percent on solo basis and 16.8 percent on consolidated basis, effectively ensuring that the banking system’s CAR remained robust in the face of the financial crisis at the end of 2008.

CAR is a ratio that regulators in the banking system use to watch bank's health, specifically bank's capital to its risk. Regulators in the banking system track a bank's CAR to ensure that it can absorb a reasonable amount of loss.

Regulators in most countries define and monitor CAR to protect depositors, thereby maintaining confidence in the banking system.

Technically, it determines the capacity of a bank in terms of meeting the time liabilities and other risk such as credit risk, market risk, operational risk, and others. It is a measure of how much capital is used to support the banks' risk assets.

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The recent global financial crisis has taught investment-savvy Filipinos one valuable lesson: Find other ways of saving up for the future.

And today, more and more Filipinos are beginning to find mutual funds as a viable alternative investment instrument and with reason. The ability of mutual funds to provide returns higher than inflation and other traditional deposits makes it a wise investment option. Still, while some have begun to appreciate the rewards of investing in mutual funds, others have yet to discover it.

Mutual funds defined

A mutual fund is an investment company that pools money from numerous investors and in exchange, issues corresponding shares to the latter. The pooled funds are then invested by professional fund managers in various securities according to the investment objectives and policies of the fund.

The investment is aimed at increasing the value of the fund and consequently, the value of the shares of its investors. While there are no guarantees, its growth potential is limitless.

The concept of mutual fund in the Philippines is not all that new. It first came to be in the early 1950s but its existence was short-lived due to scams that hounded the industry then.

The absence of stringent regulations at that time led to such practices as the charging of exorbitant fees and sales loads, making it very difficult for some investors to beak-even.

So, when the stock market fell in the late 1950s, the mutual fund industry crumbled. Three of the four companies closed and the only one left eventually shifted its business.

In response, the government later enacted the Investment Company Act (Republic Act No. 2629), which contained stringent laws that in turn hampered the revival of the industry.

It was only in 1969 when Trinity Shares registered its business and made mutual funds available to the Philippine market again.

With the success of Trinity Shares in terms of its sales growth and fund performance, two other fund companies soon followed suit.

During this time, however, the mutual fund industry was very heavily dependent on the equities market for lack of other instruments to invest in.

So when the First Quarter Storm came and all the political instability led to a stock market drop of 30 percent in the 1970s, the mutual fund industry also fell.

But that was not the end of mutual funds in the Philippines.

Rebirth

The SEC in 1989 attempted to revive the industry by coming out with implementing rules and regulations of the Investment Company Act, meant to protect the interest of mutual fund investors. And so, mutual fund companies were on the rise again.

Today, with necessary controls and regulations in place, the mutual fund industry has regained investor confidence. There are now 41 mutual funds in the market with over P60 billion in assets under management as of April 2009.

Not just about money

While the returns of the funds are slowly picking up in the aftermath of the financial crisis, it is wise to say that, "It’s not always about the yield. When investing, one needs to look for three things, at least: Yield, Safety and Liquidity."

Diversification is another inherent advantage of investing in mutual funds.

The more instruments one has in his investment portfolio, the better protected are his investments.

In mutual funds, a minimal investment can give the investor access to a wide range of securities precisely because his money is pooled with the money of others.

With a mere PhP 10,000, one enjoys the benefits of mutual funds.

Investing in mutual funds also allows investors to benefit from the expertise of professional fund managers who have the research capabilities, skills, knowledge, experience and commitment that allow them to decide when and what securities to buy and sell so as to yield the best possible returns to the fund and its shareholders.

Some mutual fund companies offer free inter-fund transferability feature. This is so because of the fact that investors’ needs, preferences and investment objectives may change, so companies allow investors to shift their investments among certain funds up to four times a year, free of charge.

The world of mutual funds is indeed growing and opening up.

More and more investors are slowly realizing why mutual funds are a viable investment option.

After all, who would not want the limitless growth potential? And while they say returns are proportionate to risk, it is clear that there are enough safeguards to protect the mutual fund industry.

(This financial literacy piece was prepared by Sun Life Financial-Philippines in partnership with the Inquirer.)

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This guide was based on the booklet developed by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to increase the technical knowledge of the public and enhance the integration of plant protection and plant production practices in farmers’ efforts to grow a healthy crop of cassava. The booklet was based on the extension and farmer training experience of the regional project "Ecologically Sustainable Cassava Plant Protection" (ESCaPP), 1993 – 1997.

According to the booklet, cassava is one of the most common food crops grown and consumed in many parts of Africa and even in Asia. The crop grows well in various soil types and ecologies. It can be planted alone or in association with many other crops, like maize, groundnuts, vegetables, and rice.

Growing cassava is not very labor intensive and usually requires 75–125 person-days per hectare from land preparation to harvesting. The storage roots can be harvested 9–18 months after planting. Under traditional farming practices, one can expect between 8 and 15 tons of storage roots per hectare of land planted only with cassava. Even under harsh environmental conditions cassava will provide some food when other crops fail. In most places there is a good market for cassava. The storage roots can be processed into various food products, and starch for domestic consumption, local, and/or export markets.

Cassava leaves are nutritious vegetables. The leaves and storage roots can also be used as animal feed. The stems can be sold as planting material. In order to grow a healthy crop of cassava the farmer will need to combine plant production and plant protection practices. These include site selection, soil improvement, variety and planting material selection, and planting and post-planting measures against weeds, pests, and diseases.

How to select a good site for planting cassava?

Cassava grows best in areas with deep and well-drained loamy soils, adequate rainfall, and warm and moist climatic conditions. The factors which can guide the farmer in determining if an area will be suitable for growing cassava include the following:

• An area with thick vegetation cover


• An area with good soil texture


• An area with fertile soil


• An area with flat or gently sloping land


• The history of the site

How to improve the soil for planting cassava?

If a farmer does not select a good site for growing cassava they may have to spend a lot of time and materials to improve the soil. Cassava plants on good soils grow vigorously and are able to withstand some damage by pests and diseases. The following are examples of cultural practices farmers can use to improve soil properties:

• Manure the farm


• Prepare suitable seedbeds


• Mulch cassava seedbeds


• Plant cassava in association with other crops

How to select the best cassava varieties to plant?

The best cassava varieties are those that are liked by consumers, grow fast, give good yields, store well in the soil and are tolerant to major pests, and diseases. The particular variety chosen by a farmer depends on her/his objectives for planting the crop, and the factors looked for in selecting cassava varieties usually include the following:

• Varieties with high dry matter and good food quality


• Varieties with good mealiness or cooking ability


• Varieties that bulk early


• Varieties with good ground storability


• Varieties that are tolerant to weeds, pests, and diseases

How to select healthy cassava stem cuttings?

The most common sources of cassava stem planting material are farmers’ own farms. Occasionally, cassava stem cuttings are sold at village and town markets. Researchers and extension agents sometimes provide their contact farmers with cassava stem cuttings. Many cassava pests and diseases are stem-borne and spread by distribution, sale, and planting of infested or diseased stem cuttings. By planting healthy stem cuttings, a farmer can greatly reduce the spread and damage caused by these cassava pests and diseases. The following guidelines will assist the farmer avoid unhealthy stem cuttings and to select healthy planting material for a healthy crop of cassava:

• Look for healthy cassava plants (i.e. robust stems, lush foliage)


• Avoid plants with pests and diseases
  
  
  1. cassava mealybug
  2. cassava green mite
  3. spiraling whitefly
  4. white scale insect
  5. cassava mosaic disease
  6. cassava bacterial blight
  7. cassava anthracnose disease
  8. cassava bud necrosis

How to best plant cassava?

The important factors to consider when planting cassava are time of year, land tillage methods, seedbed type and preparation, and preparation, handling, and planting mode of stem cuttings.

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GMANews.TV reported that wireless technologies innovator Qualcomm expects emerging markets such as the Philippines to drive growth in 3G, the third generation wireless standard that allows high-speed multimedia data and voice transmission.

This is among the reasons why the company will open an office in the Philippines, Qualcomm president for Southeast Asia John Stefanac told Manila-based reporters last 3 June 2009.

Emerging markets such as the Philippines are expected to provide as much as 70 percent of the expected increase in 3G users around the world, according to the World Cellular Information Services (WCIS).

WCIS, which sources its data from the global mobile industry, said that 3G subscribers will grow to 1.4 billion by 2012 from the current 720 million.

“There is a lot of interesting innovations that is going to be very applicable to emerging markets like the Philippines, which is an important emerging market. Wireless is becoming more and more part of everybody's lives," he told reporters.

Moreover, mobile commerce will help boost 3G usage and growth in the Philippines, a country is considered to be more advanced than others in the said field.

Besides involving the transmission of cellphone credits and cash, mobile commerce also covers transactions – financial or otherwise – over wireless phones and other related devices.

"People in the emerging market have no less the desire to access the Internet as anybody else in any other more developed markets," Stefanac said.

Stefanac also predicted that a "dramatic shift" would occur in the capability of devices beyond mobile phones.

"We see consumer electronics convergence taking place, convergence of computing platforms and devices. We want to ensure a whole plethora of devices. We don't think of 3G as just being these handsets. It is more than that in terms of capabilities," he said.

But 3G is not without its challenges, Stefanac admitted.

After all, different markets may have different needs.

"You will have several market segments that can be divided by geographical location, age, job roles. It becomes a little bit more complicated for operators – They have to look at various market segments that is going to require specific devices that only do limited functions," he added.

Qualcomm has helped enable a $350-billion industry through its chip sales, licensing and services and applications.

"We are a technology innovation company. Our business revolves around 3G. We believe in the functionalities that 3G can bring. We will work with various stakeholders in the 3G ecosystem. It includes government ministries, regulators, operators, OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and media," he added.

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Whether a person loves sweet chocolates or cannot stop watching television shows or blogging for money, these addictions could bring danger to one's health, livelihood, or emotional stability if not addressed early. When a member of the family gets into the habit of abusing substances, displaying caustic behavior, and/or following negative lifestyle patterns, they will need all the support of the other members to break the cycle of self-destruction.

However, the road to recovery is not an easy one to take. It should start with understanding what addiction really means. When the word "addiction" is brought out in a conversation, the initial thinking is that drugs and alcohol are the main source of the problem. It does not really follow in some cases. However, the confusion is understandable considering the general observation that a growing number of the population is losing control over substances and alcohol by exhibiting destructive behavioral patterns or habits that they normally do not have.

When one is addicted to something, regardless of whether it is substance or alcohol, they usually feel as if they have to possess, use, or take advantage of whatever circumstance or substance that is consuming their everyday life. Addiction can take over the psychological stability of a person or attack their physical well being. In many cases, both conditions are present.

Fortunately, InTheRooms, a global recovery social network, is available for families and friends who want to help a love one find recovery from their addiction. Because of its innovative design and user-friendly features, the site itself was recognized by some experts as one of the top recovery sites on the Web.

Aside from that, InTheRooms Meetings database is considered as the most current and comprehensive compilation of data regarding the meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Overeaters Anonymous (OA) and Gamblers Anonymous (GA) members in the world. It features the latest dates, times and locations of local fellowship meetings across the United States and around the world.

The site's Wiki platform also allows knowledgeable individuals to update information regarding telephone numbers, meeting locations and times through its "Add Meeting" and "Edit Meeting" functions, making the entries as accurate and up to date as possible. Editing capabilities will be enabled only for the registered users of the site.

Dealing with addiction is rather difficult to master, but recognizing the signs and utilizing the information provided by InTheRooms will help immensely in eradicating the dependency. Drug addicts may use illegal substances to forget their daily problems and relieve stress. Sex addicts may place themselves in dangerous situations to bring someone home with them. Gambling addicts may steal money from family and friends so they can visit casinos or play the lottery. Those addicted to food may display the signs of eating disorders, such as bulimia. Alcoholics may exhibit anxiety, anger, depression, and/or mood swings. All of these addictions can be addressed through the InTheRooms fellowship programs, which are safe and secure.

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