Edge Davao 4 Issue 42

highlights

THIS ISSUE: P15 20 PAGES

VOL. 4 NO. 42

December 19-25, 2011

e-mail: editorial@edgedavao.net / marketing@edgedavao.net

www.edgedavao.net

ON THE COVER p2

Emerald: 143 sq.m.

The Business PAPER

Crackdown vs road criminals PROPERTY FORUM p5

Dream houses SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

A new shopping place

figures of the week

STOCK MARKET PERFORMANCE

Philippine Stock Index As of December 16, 2011

US DOLLAR = philippine peso As of December 16, 2011

A & A Securities, Inc.

JIFFYCAR Bldg., Ecowest Drive (Beside SM City Davao), Davao City

Tel. Nos.: 299-0199, 297-7233, 303-0555, 297-8090, 0917-7000911, 0922-8831358 Important: The information contained herein is based on sources which we believe are reliable but is not guaranteed by edgedavao and A & A Securities, Inc. This report is provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the security mentioned herein.

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Rates: De Luxe P1,900 Family Suite P3,500 Executive Suite P3,000

Function Room is now open for all occasions

2

On the cover

VOL. 4 NO. 42 DECEMBER 19-25, 2011

THE BUSINESS PAPER EDGEDAVAO

EU, PHL sign accord on additional P550-million grant for Mindanao T

WO projects on environment and health in Mindanao will be financed through a P550-million grant from the European Union (EU) under agreements inked on last week between the European body and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The financing agreements were announced at the close Tuesday of 7th EU-Philippines Senior Officials Meeting (SOM), and were concluded between DFA Assistant Secretary Elisabeth Buensuceso and EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux.

The environment project is what is known as the SWITCH Policy Support Program led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which promotes sustainable consumption and production and the implementation of key environmental laws in the country.

The SWITCH budget is Euro 3.5 million from the Regional Multi-Annual Indicative Program of 2007-2010. The period of implementation is 2012 to 2016.

Euro 7 million is allocated for the maternal, neonatal and child health and nutrition needs of indigenous cultural communities for implementation from 2012 to 2016. The National Commission for Indigenous People (NCIP) and the Department of Health (DOH) steer the committee for this project.

The other agencies involved in the health program are the local government units, the United Nations Fund for Population Activities, and indigenous peoples’ organizations (IPOs).

It focuses on the needs of Mindanao’s Indigenous People and adds to the large number of EU projects in Mindanao to reduce poverty and thereby contribute to peace and stability in the region.

Ambassador Ledoux said “the new projects address key areas in the expanded bilateral relations: namely environmental protection, including climate change and maternal and child health which are fully in line with the Philippine Development Plan.”

The latest financing agreements are in addition to the more than P65 billion grants that the EU has provided over the past 25 years, Ledoux noted.

It comprises three components focusing respectively on air quality with DENR, eco-labelling with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and renewable energy and energy efficiency with the Department of Energy (DOE). Through technical assistance the EU will support the Government of the Philippines’ objective to triple renewable energy.

This project is on top of the ongoing support to the Mindanao Trust Fund, support to the return of internally displaced people and to the EU contribution to the International Monitoring Team in support of the Peace Process.

EU describes this project as complementing the existing Mindanao Health Sector Support Program, which upgrades health facilities and service delivery across Mindanao. The Initiative makes the EU one of the largest development partners in Mindanao.

SWITCH’s first component will facilitate the implementation by the DOE of policies and regulations related to renewable energy, namely the Renewable Energy Act and the Biofuels Act, as well as energy efficiency.

Through targeted technical assistance, the program will advise DOE on the best ways to increase investment in renewable energy projects in line with

Crackdown on road criminals V

ICE Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, incensed over the rash of killer road accidents in Davao City, marshals the forces of law enforcement agencies in the city, to stop the operation of the notorious “uso-uso” passenger jeepneys and “bora-bora” motorcycles by December 31 and continuously run after reckless drivers.

In a meeting last Wednesday, Duterte and regional officials of the

Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, the Highway Patrol Group, the Philippine National Police and other traffic agencies and special groups, bared strategies of the drive.

Among the rulings to be enforced are the 40-kilometer-per hour speed limit at all times within the city poblacion and a ban on modified engines among passen-

ger jeepneys and mufflers among motorcycles.

The LTO under Regional Director Gomer Dy is also looking into the responsibility of physicians who certify to the health qualification of applicants for driver’s license even if they suffer a form of physical challenge like being sight-impaired.

In photo with VM Duterte are Gomer Dy of LTO and Benjie Go of LTFRB.

the objectives set in the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) launched in June 2011

by President Benigno S. Aquino III. NREP sets a roadmap for the tripling of renewable energy capacity by 2030. Technical assistance under the SWITCH Program will be available to facilitate the implementation of key measures necessary to achieve these objectives, including feed in tariffs, renewable portfolio standards, net metering as well as the development of renewable energy systems for off grid municipalities.

DOE foresees a 4.5 percent annual increase in energy consumption in the main grids

of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao which will only be partially met by existing and projected capacities. To avoid brownouts and ensure supply requires huge energy efficiency gains.

The development of energy efficiency incentives to reduce energy consumption will also be among the eligible areas for technical assistance under SWITCH. The second component will provide assistance to the DTI to revive the Green Procurement and Green Philippines Eco-Labelling programs.

The promotion of green products has not boasted enough success in the Philippines yet, despite instructions to all gov-

ernment agencies to rely on eco- friendly products for their procurement under Executive Order 301.

The project will conduct a diagnostic study of the situation and work with DTI and DENR to promote green public procurement among national agencies and pilot LGUs. For green products, government agencies can turn to eco-labeled products. The main eco-labeling scheme in the Philippines, the Green Philippines Program, is a voluntary thirdparty environmental declaration guided by the principles and procedures of ISO 14024.

It is implemented by DTI and administered by the Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development Inc. (PCEPSDI).

To date, the Green Philippines Label has been granted to about 20 products in categories as diverse as laundry detergent, cement, engine oil, ceramic tiles, paint, paper, hand towels and organic liquid disinfectant.

Under SWITCH, Green Philippines eco-labeled products will be advertised through marketing and awareness raising campaigns. Certified firms will receive renewed support and new companies will be encouraged to join the scheme.

Finally, the third component will reinforce DENR’s capacity to address priority, cross cutting pollution and clean production matters, with a focus on air quality policies, governed by the Clean Air Act (Republic Act No. 8749).

EU noted that air quality in Metro Manila has improved significantly in the last decade but particulate matter concentrations - responsible for a large share of pollution induced respiratory diseases remain higher than standards recommended by the World Health Organization.

The World Bank estimates that close to half a million people on a given year suffer from acute lower respiratory infection in the Philippines.

The majority are children under the age of five. Vehicle emissions are responsible for more than 80 percent of outdoor air pollution. [PNA]

M

Zamora-Apsay

Garcia-Albano

Amatong

Bautista

Del Rosario

Cagas

Ilagan

Lagdameo

Dayanghirang

Nograles

Almario

P3 million

VALUE of smuggled “hot” lauan lumber seized by the Bureau of Customs at the Manila International Container Port.

The lumber originated from Davao, according to Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino Biazon. He said the goods were misdeclared by its consignees as “ various goods and assorted materials.”

P50 billion

7 of 12 Dabawenyo lawmakers sign impeach-Corona complaint Ungab

It figures

AJORITY of 12 members of the House of Representatives --11elected members and one party-list representative from the Davao region—signed the impeachment complaint for the ouster of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.

The representatives who were among 188 lawmakers who signed the complaint are Mylene Garcia-Albano and Isidro T. Ungab of the 2nd and 3rd districts of Davao City; Antonio “Anton” F. Lagdameo of Davao del Norte’s 2nd district; Franklin Bautista of the 2nd district of Davao del Sur; Ma. Carmen “Maricar” Zamora-Apsay and Rommel Amatong of Compostela Valley’s 1st and 2nd districts; and Nelson Dayanghirang of Davao Oriental’s 1st district.

Albano-Garcia and Bautista are lawyers.

Those who did not sign are Karlo Alexei Nograles of Davao City’s first district;

Antonio “AGR” G. del Rosario of Davao del Norte’s first district; Marc Douglas C. Cagas IV of the first district of Davao del Sur; Thelma Z. Almario of Davao Oriental’s 2nd district and Luzviminda “Luz” C. Ilagan of the Gabriela Party-list. Nograles is a lawyer.

Those who signed were representatives in the neighboring Region 12 or Central Mindanao including Reps. Daisy Fuentes of South Cotabato, Jesus Sacdalan and Nancy Catamco of North Cotabato, Pedro Acharon Jr. of General Santos, Raden Sakaluran of Sultan Kudarat, and Bai Sandra Sema of Cotabato City-Maguindanao.

Among the prominent legislators who did not sign are Reps. Manny Pacquaio, Imelda Marcos, the Macapagal-Arroyos (the former President and her sons Dato and Mikey), the brothers Rufus and Maximo Rodruiguez of Cagayan de Oro.

REVENUES state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) expects to earn several idle assets, such as the 26,000 hectares of land in Clark, Pampanga alone which are waiting to be developed.

BCDA president and CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova said the agency will conduct an inventory of all land and other assets under its jurisdiction, including former military bases, under performing airports, seaports and economic zones, and mothballed renewable-energy power plant in Baguio City.

P2.66 trillion

TOTAL loans extended by Philippine banks in October, rising 22.2 percent compared to the P2.64 trillion in September, according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The double-digit loan growth comes at a time when the global environment is marked by credit jitters n account of debt problems in the euro-zone countries and economic problems of the United States of America.

P4.5 billion

G-XCHANGE Inc. (GXI), the mobile commerce subsidiary of Globe Telecom, shall end 2011 with around P4.5 billion worth of conditional cash transfers (CCT) via its domestic cash pickup service GCash Remit over 9,000 barangays nationwide.

33 percent

FOREIGN direct investments (FDI) plunged 33 percent in the first seven months of 2011 to only $671 million from a year ago because of globac economic challenges and strains in foreign financial markets, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The FDI from January to July consisted of equity capital of only $73 million, reinvested earnings of $357 million and net other capital totaling $241 million.

$24.6 billion

ONLINE sales in the US during the holiday season as of this week, up 15 percent, according to comScore. The research company said on Sunday sales on six individual days during the first 39 days of the Novemberto-December shopping season have exceeded $1 billion,

188

NUMBER of members of the House of Representatives who signed the complaint for the impeachment of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona. The number included seven of the 11 elected lawmakers from the Davao Region, namely Reps. Mylene GarciaAlbano and Isidro T. Ungab of Davao City, Antonio “Anton” F. Lagdameo of Davao del Norte, Ma. Carmen Zamora-Apsay and Rommel Amatong of Compostela Valley, Nelson Dayanghirang of Davao Oriental and Franklin Bautista of Davao del Sur.

EDGEDAVAO THE BUSINESS PAPER

December 19-25, 2011 VOL. 4 NO. 42

3

4

The economy

VOL. 4 NO. 42 DECEMBER 19-25, 2011

THE BUSINESS PAPER EDGEDAVAO

as of august 2010

Cebu Pacific Daily 5J961 / 5J962 Zest Air Daily Z2390 / Z2390 Cebu Pacific Daily 5J593 / 5J348 Philippine Airlines Daily PR809 / PR810 Philippine Airlines Daily PR819 / PR820 Cebu Pacific Daily 5J394 / 5J393 Cebu Pacific Daily 5J599 / 5J594 Cebu Pacific Daily 5J347 / 5J596 Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun 5J963 / 5J964 Philippine Airlines Daily PR811 / PR812 Cebu Pacific Daily 5J595 / 5J966 Silk Air Mon/Wed/Sat MI588 / MI588 Cebu Pacific Thu 5J965 / 5J968 Cebu Pacific Tue/Wed//Sat 5J965 / 5J968

STAT WATCH INDICATIOR

LATEST

1. GNP Growth Rate (At Constant 1985 Prices)

1.9 % 2nd Qtr 2011

2. GDP Growth Rate (At Constant 1985 Prices)

3.4 % 2nd Qtr 2011

3. Exports 1/

USD 4,128 million Jun 2011

4. Imports 1/

USD 4,503 million Jun 2011

5. Trade Balance

USD -376 million Jun 2011

6. Balance of Payments 2/

USD 222 million Jun 2011

7. Broad Money Liabilities

P4,423,849 million Jun 2011

8. Interest Rate 4/

4.48% Apr 2011

9. National Government Revenues

P100,139 million Jun 2011

10. National government outstanding debt

P 4,777 billion May 2010

11. Peso per US $ 5/ 12. Stocks Composite Index 6/ 13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

P 42.81 Jul 2011

5:45 Manila-Davao-Manila 5:45 Manila-Davao-Manila 6:00 Cebu-Davao-Iloilo 6:10 Manila-Davao-Manila 7:50 Manila-Davao-Manila 7:50 Zamboanga-Davao-Zamboanga 8:00 Cebu-Davao-Cebu 9:10 Iloilo-Davao-Cebu 9:40 Manila-Davao-Manila 11:30 Manila-Davao-Manila 12:00 Cebu-Davao-Manila 18:55 Davao-Cebu-Singapore 12:55 Manila-Davao-Manila 13:35 Manila-Davao-Manila

A

MID the continued contraction of merchandise exports in October 2011, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) urged Philippine exporters to pursue cross country and sector partnership agreements to boost production and demand for local products, and benefit from research and development and technology advancement.

These could reduce the country’s vulnerability to adverse external developments as well as make exporters more adaptive to the fast pace of international trade.

Exports in October went down by 14.6 percent to US$4.1 billion, from US$4.8 billion posted in the same period last year.

15. Core Inflation Rate 2000=100

3.7 Jul 2011

16. Visitor Arrivals

317,443 Apr 2011

17. Underemployment Rate /7

19.4% Apr 2011

18. Unemployment Rate /7

7.2 % Apr 2011

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2009 - January 2011)

Month Average December November October September August July June May April March

2011

43.45 43.02 42.42 42.81 43.37 43.13 43.24 43.52

2010 45.11 43.95 43.49 43.44 44.31 45.18 46.32 46.30 45.60 44.63 45.74

February

43.70

46.31

January

44.17

46.03

2009 47.637 46.421

47.032 46.851 48.139

48.161 48.146 47.905 47.524 48.217

48.458 47.585 47.207

15:20 15:30 16:45 17:05 17:45 18:20 19:10 20:30 21:00 21:00 21:50 22:50

“The country’s current trade structure heavily favors the exports of electronic products, thus, making the country’s export performance very vulnerable to the highs and lows in the demand for these products,” said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Cayetano W. Paderanga, Jr. Exports of electronic products plunged by 36.5 percent as it continued to be affected by the sluggish global demand and by the disruption in the supply chain in Asia due to natural disasters.

Export earnings from manufactured goods fell by 21.7 percent in October 2011 to US$3.3 billion from US$4.2 billion in the same period in 2010.

“Philippine export-

ers should also engage in research and development and employ technology advancement on their products. This can help the country adapt to the fast pace of a changing world trade,” the Cabinet official said.

The exports decline in October 2011 was an improvement compared to the 27.0 percent contraction in September 2011. Meanwhile, yearto-date exports amounted to US$41.3 billion, 4.3 percent lower than in 2010.

“The Philippines must also be aggressive in exploring partnerships with foreign companies that would help in establishing the country as a production hub,” added Paderanga, who is also NEDA DirectorGeneral.

He stressed that measures that can enhance productivity and add more value to production should be considered, like encouraging electronics companies to shift to hightechnology items like smart phones.

“Philippine products should be marketed as high-quality products through several channels and strategies.

These include participation in major international trade events, launching of highimpact and high-level in-bound fairs and missions in the country,” said Paderanga Meanwhile, exports growth in wood manufactures (82.7%), mineral products (54.1%), total agro-based products (27.3%), petroleum

products (203.6%), and chemicals (26.0%) prevented larger decline in total export earnings.

Japan remained as the country’s top export destination with 20.3 percent share, comprising mainly of electronic products, wood manufactures, and chemicals.

The United States placed second with a 14.9 percent share, followed

by People’s Republic of China (13.9%), Hong Kong SAR (6.7%) and Singapore (6.7%).

Other countries in the ASEAN region were able to avoid a slump in exports growth. Viet Nam remained the top performer in the region, growing by 33.5 percent due to heavy outward shipments of crude oil, agri-based products, and steel. [NEDA]

PHL ranking in state of financial IMF lowers PHL growth development surges six notches forecast, eyes need for

T

4.6 Jul 2011

Silk Air Thu/Sun MI566 / MI566 18:55 Davao-Singapore Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri 5J507 / 5J598 15:00 Cebu-Davao-Cebu Philippine Airlines August 15:55 Mani2Mani 16:50 Zest Air Daily Z2524 / Z2525 16:05 Cebu-Davao-Cebu Cebu Pacific Daily 5J967 / 5J600 16:35 Manila-Davao-Cebu Philippines Airlines Daily PR813 / PR814 16:55 Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Sat 5J215 / 5J216 18:00 Cagayan de Oro-Davao-Cagayan de Oro Cebu Pacific Daily 5971 / 5J970 18:40 Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu Pacific Tue/Sat/Sun 5J973 / 5J974 20:00 Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu Pacific Daily 5J969 / 5J972 20:30 Manila-Davao-Manila Airphil Express Daily 2P987 / 2P988 20:30 Manila-Davao-Manila Philippine Airlines Daily except Sunday PR821 / PR822 21:20 Manila-Davao-Manila Philippine Airlines Sunday PR821 / PR822 22:20 Manila-Davao-Manila

NEDA urges more partnership agreements to boost exports

4,503.6 HE Philippines’ Jul 2011 state of financial

development rank126.4 ing climbed six notches this year compared to Jul 2011

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2000=100

6:15 6:25 6:30 7:00 8:50 8:10 8:30 9:40 10:10 12:20 12:30 13:35 13:25 14:05

last year, according to Geneva-based World Economic Forum (WEF).

In its Financial Development Report 2011, WEF said the Philippine ranking improves “significantly” over the past year, moving up an “impressive” six spots in the index to 44th, among 60 countries.

Last year, the country ranked 50th.

The report said financial intermediation remains an area of strength for the Philippines as its non-banking financial services and financial markets continue to develop, ranking 20th and 33rd, respectively.

Specifically, the country has a relative advantage in areas such as securitization, ranking 5th; M&A activity, 25th; and derivatives markets, 25th.

The Philippine

ranking in business environment at 55th and financial access, 50th, however, continue to hinder its development.

A weak business environment is the result of a lack of infrastructure, ranking 53rd and an extremely high cost of doing business, 60th.

Other impediments include limitations in financial access in areas such as foreign direct investment at 48th place and the total number of ATMs, 45th.

Hong Kong tops the Financial Development Index, overtaking United States and the United Kingdom.

The WEF said while the challenge for advanced economies will lie in making new credit more available to encourage and support economic activity, emerging economies still need to make further improvements across all of the main variables.

“The need to make different forms of capital available will be essen-

tial for future growth and recovery,” Isabella Reuttner, Senior Project Manager at the World Economic Forum and editor of the report, said.

“The challenge will be how to encourage economic activity while not fueling the next credit bubble, which could cause severe consequences down the line. Therefore, when looking for possible solutions, decision-makers should not lose sight of the long-term consequences while they fix the shortterm situation,” she added.

The Financial Development Report focuses on a set of long-term measures to support the overall development of financial systems.

The report analyzes the drivers of financial system development in advanced and emerging economies to serve as a tool for countries to benchmark themselves and establish priorities for reform. [PNA]

higher public spending

T

HE International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut its 2011 and 2012 growth forecast for the Philippines due to lower domestic output and negative external developments.

IMF now projects a 3.7 percent growth, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), for the country this year, from 4.7 percent last September. For 2012, the GDP forecast is now at 4.2 percent from 4.9 percent previously. “(The cut was due to) a combination of GDP development and the negative global environment,” IMF Article IV Consultation Mission chief Vivek Arora said in a briefing Monday.

Growth in the third quarter this year further slowed to 3.2 percent, a bit higher than the downwardly revised 3.1 percent for the second quarter.

Arora said growth can be boosted next year by increasing government spending, which was low in the earlier

part of the year on account of stricter rules on government processes.

He said monetary policy in the country remained supportive of growth and what should be focused on was the fiscal policy.

“The under-spending this year gives the government the flexibility to substantially expand spending next year while still hitting the 2.6 percent debt to GDP target,” he said.

He said that the IMF latest outlook for the country was a low external support and more on domestic demand.

“The outlook in global economy is sluggish. We don’t expect much support on external demand next year…

We feel that domestic demand will offset the effects of external demand next year,” he said.

As of last October, budget gap stood at P74.25 billion, 72.53 percent lower than the P270.30 billion during the same period last year and way below the P300 billion ceiling set for this year. [PNA]

EDGEDAVAO THE BUSINESS PAPER

PROPERTY FORUM Camella lights up projects:

December 19-25, 2011 VOL. 4 NO. 42

5

Camella Cerritos More than just a festive flair Emerald: 143 sq.m. dream ‘ houses’ A C

AMELLA Cerritos makes it possible for you to live big in your own dream house with its dream home jewel series featuring the Sapphire and Emerald model houses, two jewel homes bearing distinctly elegant designs that make them bonafide trophy homes that any homeowner would be proud to have.

The Jewel Series is the choice for discriminating homebuyers and are available in limited slots only. That does not mean, however, that they are beyond reach as Camella made them more affordable with its “Home for the Holidays” promo offering reduced rates and freebies in view of the Christmas season.

“Now is the most opportune time for homebuyers to get their trophy homes from our Jewel Series offered at huge discounts and easy financing schemes,” said Stephanie Palanca, Camella Marketing Staff.

Homebuyers will get outright discounts of P50,000 for Emerald and P40,000 for Sapphire, both with a low reservation fee of only P25,000. Even down payments are extended up to 18 months with zero interest to boot. Spot cash payments and spot down payment will also be rewarded with a 15% discount.

To find out how to avail of this promo and get closer to acquiring your jewel home, get in touch with Camella at 2220963, 222-5221,222-5223 (telefax) and 0917-8576572, or visit them at 2/F Delgar Building, JP Laurel Ave., Bajada, Davao City.

The Camella Cerritos Jewel Series is the ideal home

Emerald

choice for those who want a home that reflects their life’s achievements. Having reached a level of success, these homebuyers want to reside in a stylish, well-appointed home set within sculpted landscapes, lush foliage, and world-class facilities and amenities.

As a master planned development of Camella Davao—subsidiary of Vista Land and Lifescapes, the largest homebuilder in the country—Camella Cerritos has deluxe facilities such as a clubhouse, swimming pool, multipurpose court, pocket gardens, playground, tree-lined pathways, a grand entry gate, 24/7 security system with CCTV, even a shuttle service for its homeowners.

With a location away from the noise of downtown Davao, it offers a peaceful and laid-back lifestyle amidst its charming neighborhood replete with Mintal’s fresh air.

Strategically located along the national highway, Camella Cerritos is quite accessible to public transportation and public utilities.

Making this 9-hectare development more attractive

is the commercial development that Camella will undertake across the subdivision, to feature commercial establishments and a popular mall from Manila. With this development, Camella Cerritos homeowners will find everything they need on a daily basis within a few minutes away from their homes.

The choices for Camella Cerritos homes are wide as not only the Jewel Series is made within reach of homebuyers who want to live in this ItalianMediterranean-inspired subdivision. The Camella Series and Bungalow Series under P3M are offered at reduced reservation rate of only P15,000.

Lot only packages are available with bank financing of 36 months for down payment with zero interest. Deferred cash payments are also available with zero interest for the first two years and at 6% interest for the following three years.

To top these all, Camella’s “Home for the Holidays” gives homebuyers the chance to win an Asian cruise, a brand new car, or a house & lot in its Christmas raffle giveaways.

t around seven o’ clock in the evening of last December 8, Camella Davao lit up two of its landmark developments in Davao City and one in Tagum City.

But the grand simultaneous lighting at Camella Northpoint on JP Laurel, Camella Cerritos in Mintal, and Camella Tagum was more than just a Christmas decor.

For Marlon B. Escalicas, Camella Davao general manager, the festive flair was more symbolic of the role of Camella in the entire landscape of property development: a “guiding light” in making breakthroughs and innovations in building communities.

“We want to manifest our presence in bringing light, both figurative and literal, in setting direction to our communities in building decent homes for the families,” he said.

In setting direction for Davao City’s development, Escalicas said Camella Davao will jump start a mall at Camella Cerritos in Mintal to spread out the development outside the central business district area. “Hopefully, it will stir the development in the third district. The people there need not to come down to downtown to do shopping. In effect, we will also help lessen the traffic in the downtown,” he said.

“We give prime consideration to the welfare of the com-

Entrance of Camella Northpoint

By Greg G. Deligero

Escalicas

munity. We want our communities to be self-sustaining. We want to build communities. That is why we sell house and lot. If we only sell lots, it will be susceptible to the land speculators who will just left the property idle until its value becomes higher and higher. There will be no community to speak of,” Escalicas added.

At the Camella Northpoint on JP Laurel, Escalicas said a commercial complex will also be developed within the 2.8-hectare property.

“We will allot around 8,000 square meters for the commercial complex which will feature a French fine dine restaurant, condotel, spa and wellness amenities,” he said.

Escalicas said Camella is set to open, among its locators, famous high-end brands that wellness shops will cater to the residents of the project. “We want them to experience the best in living within the community,

“he said.

Within the commercial complex, Escalicas said the group of Antonio R. Floirendo Jr. of the Anflo Investment and Management Corp. is sprucing up the old mansion, the so-called “iconic white house,” within the property to turn it into a French fine-dining restaurant.

The mansion was owned by a Scotsman who died without heirs.

Anflo officials earlier said the company is finalizing the specifics of the restaurant as they are also renovating the restaurant in their Pearl Farm which will be a Spanish-themed one.

Escalicas said the company has also started its third building as those who have bought units in the first buildings have already relocated there while units in the second building are almost all sold.

At the Northpoint project, Camella has spent about P2 million just for planting Caribbean pine trees as the company is making it a “pine tree estate in the city.”

“We want to promote the condominium as if you are not living in a building, within the four corners of the room. We want them to feel they are in a community with a clean and breathtaking environment,” he said.

6

VOL. 4 NO. 42 December 19-25, 2011

THE BUSINESS PAPER EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO THE BUSINESS PAPER

agritrends

December 19-25, 2011 VOL. 4 NO. 42

7

Hedcor builds farm-to-market road for abaca farmers “

WITH abaca bundledstrips on our back, we walk barefooted from our house up to the market before”, said 66-year old Mang Herenio Ante. Ante, an abaca farmer for 49 years in Barangay Tibolo, Davao del Sur, lives 15 kms away from the market of Brgy Kapatagan. Bimonthly, he sells his abaca to the market, for 20 to 30 pesos per kilo depending of its quality.

During the construction of the 42.5 MW Sibulan plants until its commercial operations, a total of 48 kms of access road is developed, including the farm-to-market road in which it is most advantageous both for Hedcor and for abaca farmers. In addition to that, Hedcor developed a bridge worth P 2.2 million at Sitio Tudaya and worth half-a-million pesos to neighboring sitios.

“Bisan ang kabayo, maglisod pud og baktas diri

sa among lugar kadtong wala pa ang Hedcor tungod sa kalapok ug maot nga agianan.

(Even the horse had to suffer walking in our place during the time when Hedcor is not yet here because of the muddy and nasty byway.)”, Ante said.

Abaca is one of the most in demand products of the market nowadays because of its unique characteristics and quality. Abaca tree significantly produces water and is also advantage in the river bank preservation.

“Before, if the horse can transport our products, horse’s owner charged us P2 per kilo of abaca as our fare to them. But, now we only pay P1 per kilo of abaca by the means of motorcycle to transport our products to the market for only P1 per kilo of abaca”, Ante explained.

Farmers have suffered a lot before Hedcor came.

Everyday, they have struggled

to cross the jungle, aslope, muddy, and nasty way.

“Hedcor have aided much the residences here, especially our livelihood and our day to day life becomes more convenient”, Ante added.

Last month through Hedcor’s initiative, some 90 farmers availed the abaca farming training conducted by the experts from the Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA) at Sta. Cruz.

They acquired knowledge on the proper cultural management of abaca, updated on the trends in abaca industry and they were trained to develop personal values, interpersonal relationship and commitment to the welfare of community.

An addition of three kilometers of road will be constructed for the Hedcor’s upcoming 13.6 MW Tudaya Hydropower project also in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

Malacanang’s Rizal Hall.

These plans include the farm-to-plate strategy, which will fast-track government services to farmers and fishermen and ensure that agricultural produce reach the tables of Filipino families.

This strategy includes training personnel for good agricultural practices, food safety as well as the introduction of modern technologies to farmers and fishermen to boost their production.

The government is also forging bilateral agreements

with other countries so that the country’s agricultural produce could easily be marketed abroad, the President said.

“Tuloy-tuloy na ang pagsasaayos ng ating foreign trade policies at ang pagpapatupad ng mga hakbang upang masigurong ang mga produktong iniluluwas natin ay kaya ring mamayagpag sa pandaigdigang merkado. Paiigtingin din po natin ang pagmamatyag laban sa mga pangunahing sakit na sumasalanta

DRYING UP. A farmer dries up the abaca strips before selling it to the market. This will be used for yard, bags, house decors and more.

Agriculture is always a top priority Two farmers bag

P

RESIDENT BENIGNO AQUINO outlined his administration’s plan for the country’s agriculture sector, saying ensuring enough food for the people always remains his top priority.

“Mananatili pong prayoridad ng gobyerno ang pagpapalakas ng agrikultura na alam nating manganganak naman ng pagsulong ng kalakhang ekonomiya sa kanayunan,” the President said before farmers and fisherfolks who attended this year’s Gawad Saka awards at

sa mga pananim at mga alagang hayop,” he said.

To mitigate the effects of climate change in the agriculture sector, the President said, the government started buffer stocking of quality seeds that farmers can use. Government experts are also continuously doing research on climate resilient seeds and rainwater harvesting. At the same time, the government is spearheading organic farming and balanced fertilization, he added. [PNA]

Gawad - Saka prize

T

WO farmers and a farmers’ group in the Davao region bagged the National Gawad-Saka awards, and received their awards last December 13 from President Benigno Aquino in Malacañang.

The Department of Agriculture recently named the Gawad-Saka awardees

from the Davao region to include lady farmer Anna Cagulada of Dujali, Davao del Norte who was cited as the outstanding rice farmer in the country.

Aside from being hands on in her farm, Cagulada also functions as a public servant being a barangay kagawad in her hometown.

8

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL. 4 NO. 42 DECEMBER 19-25, 2011

THE BUSINESS PAPER EDGEDAVAO

Investment politics

T

HE performance of the Philippines as a business hub or a place for investment has plummeted for the last several years.

Worst, in a recent report from the CBNS – the top US business channel, the Philippines ranked fourth among worst countries for investment. The report cited the cost of doing business, policy instability and corruption as the main reasons. What is more surprising is that the country is the worst in Asia, according to the report.

Our trade and investment leaders were quick to defend our position. They said that the country is suffering from a bad image and that the CBNS report is not so accurate. Increased rate of entry of new businesses and money infused into the economy were presented to back up claims that the Philippines is not as bad as perceived from the outside.

No matter how good performing we are, perceptions will always have their strong bases. Other countries too have their own bad images and impressions which are nonetheless reflected by their own verifiable level of standing. I am sure that those who made the ranking – responsible people as they must be have figures to support such a very controversial report.

Instead of ignoring such fact, the more rational attitude would be to take it as a warning signal, a wakeup call for each and every one of us to try harder either to improve the image or to improve our performance.

Even just among us Filipinos, if we are just honest about where we really are, we know and we feel that somehow we are lagging behind our Asian neighbors, not only as a place for foreign direct investment but also in terms of quality of life in general. I am not discounting the fact that Filipinos are good, if not excellent, in some chosen fields. My point is that we look within and ask ourselves why we are ranked that way.

Objectively speaking, there are plenty of areas in business and investment where we should improve on. The first that possibly come to mind is the high cost of doing business in the country – not only in terms of money but also time and effort. The second is all about our level of competitiveness.

Competitiveness is defined as the “ability of a firm or a nation to offer products and services that meet the quality standards of the local and world markets

at prices that are competitive and provide adequate returns on the resources employed or consumed in producing them.” In short, it implies looking not at our own standing alone but comparing or benchmarking our standing with others.

The caution there is that we don’t compare ourselves with those much “weaker” or obviously less competitive than us. Let’s put ourselves side by side with the giants so that we know how much we have yet to scale ourselves up to level off with them.

While we are not in comparison with the more developed economies as obvious as it is, we should at least model our processes in the hope that we become like them. Of course, Filipinos do not want to be branded as “gaya-gaya” or imitator; likewise, we have that pride to deny the fact that we also have some limitations and shortcomings. We also know that some model processes, or development theories drawn from the more developed economies in particular, do not necessary apply to our own situation. Yet, there is some sense if we allow ourselves to learn both from the successes and failures of those who have been there ahead of us.

Becoming more competitive as applied to business would require continuous innovations to improve the quality of products and services we offer to our markets – they be local or international. This is where we lack some efforts. We have strong business firms and establishments willing to take risks and invest; we also have capable academic and research institutions.

The problem is there is no clear mechanism on how to promote creative and innovative endeavors that would ultimately ensure the sustainability of corporate undertakings.

Innovation is a way to go. You might have a good brand but if do not adapt to the ever changing market environment, you will be left behind. Remember that many branded products have stagnated or even left the market simply because they cannot cope with the level of competition.

As a developing economy (yes, we still are – for many decades now, unfortunately!), we need to harness our capacity to innovate from what we already have towards a quality at par with those much ahead of us.

Feel free to send your comments to nic_agustin@ yahoo.com.

BizQUIPS

‘THE councilors could

have reviewed the materials about coal technology, so let history judge them.’

--Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on the override of the city council of her veto of the ordinance approving establishment of the coalfired plant of Aboitiz Power Corp.

editorial

D

Time to shape up

EATHS in road accidents due to reckless driving are not the end of the world for us. But it is the end of the world for those who die and a life of misery for those who lose a limb or two in such mishaps.

The latest example of these grim incidents occurred a few days back in Davao City involving a passenger van plying the Davao-Calinan route that rammed onto a disabled garbage truck which for the past two days had been improperly parked on the road.

It is unconscionable to have accidents like this recurring time and again despite the surfeit of government agencies charged with the responsibility of maintaining order on the road –the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Land Transportation Office (LTO), the Philippine National Police, the TMC, the TMG, the barangay police, and even that special group with the intriguing name, Eagle Squad.

Most accidents can be traced to reckless drivers, many of whom manage to get their license by way

of a corrupt system.

Aside from traffic accidents, also on the rise this season is the number of crimes against people and property. One only has to turn on the television set for the early morning or evening telecasts and be assailed by disheartening news about road accidents and crime incidents that occurred barely hours before.

It’s true that Davao City does not have a monopoly of bad news for such is also a reflection of what goes on in other places in the country.

But Davao City has a reputation to protect—that of being one of the most livable cities in this part of the world. That is the difference and the reason why our concerned authorities should go out of their way to preserve that distinction under the leadership of the Dutertes—Mayor Sara and Vice Mayor Rody.

Father and daughter, despite their hands on management of the City, cannot do it alone. We are all in this together, and that’s the way it should always be.

The Season’s Greetings to All!

vantage POINTS

EDGEDAVAO THE BUSINESS PAPER

FACE OFF

December 19-25, 2011 VOL. 4 NO. 42

Trial of the century

Corona vs P-Noy “I have not wronged you, Mr. President. I don’t have any sins against the people. I oppose this relentless persecution, intimidation and bullying. I oppose this dictatorship that President Benigno Simeon Aquino III is slowly establishing.”

“Mr. President, I am the primus inter pares (first among equals) in the Supreme Court. If you don’t understand this, it means that I should be at the forefront in the fight to defend the Supreme Court. We will not allow them to disrespect and trample on our democracy and the Supreme Court.”

“While I respect the constitutional process in filing a complaint against members of the Supreme Court, I cannot allow the abuse of power and processes in an attempt to designate their own magistrates in the Supreme Court.”

---Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona

“Well, perhaps, that is their position. Let’s look at whose actions show whatever. Isn’t it when we go to the court, we expect… fairness and certainty in the law. So, if that certainty and predictability of the law are lost, when the interpretation of the law is changed, who’s the one followed?

Who’s the one dictating?”

“I don’t think it is the Supreme Court and the Executive (branch) that has an issue … It is certain personalities who are not doing their branch of the government due service that are causing these problems.”

“Mr. Corona, in Congress and in the Senate, face the real source of your power, the people.”

---President Benigno Aquino III

T

HERE is some sort of money laundering taking place at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

But it’s not of the criminal kind.

Following a successful bid in breaking the existing world record for the longest line of coins the other week, the project organizers are now in the documentation stage.

Before the Guinness officials formally confirm and validate the record-breaking feat, they require detailed documentation (in the form of photos and videos) of the project.

The record-breaking project, called “Barya ng mga Bayani: The Power of Small Change”, was held in front of the Quirino Grandstand (near Rizal Park or Luneta) in Manila for two days starting November 30. 2011 The organizers, led by the BSP Officers Club, the BSP Employees Association and Kabayanihan Foundation, collected 25-centavo coins from the public for the past several weeks, in a bid to highlight the importance of coins amid the artificial coin shortage in the country.

The BSP has noted that despite the annual production of coins, a large part of

Money laundering’ at the BSP

SPEAKING OUT

By Ignacio R. Bunye these fail to circulate in the market, resulting in a significant shortage in some parts of the country.

As much as possible, the BSP emphasizes, coins should not be left sitting in one place (piggy banks, donation cans, etc.) for long.

Dr. Greg Suarez, president of the BSP Officers Club, said there is now a need to “untape” and wash the millions of coins (roughly 6.5 million) that were used during the Nov. 30 event.

The coins had previously been taped together to ensure the straightness of the coin chain.

The chain, stretching to 73.02 kilometers, broke the United States record of 64.8 kilometers.

“An effective way of doing this (untaping the taped coins) is soaking it in soap and water,” said Suarez.

BSP employees, aided

by Manila Youth volunteers, “laundering” the coins during their free time.

Major supermarket groups in Metro Manila have offered to buy the “laundered” coins at par. The proceeds will be used to build three public school classrooms.

Atty. Vicente Aquino, executive director of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), even encouraged this “money laundering” activity.

“No worry everyone.

The AMLC will not examine or freeze your assets... whether cash or in kind, liquid or hard,” Aquino said in jest in an intranet message.

Just two years ago, the BSP employees in its Kalibo Branch engaged in similar “money laundering” and for which they received a special citation from BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr.

The Kalibo Branch employees, whose office was severely damaged by floodwaters, successfully saved P755,047,678.00 worth of new bills and coins in the aftermath of typhoon “Frank” in June 2008.

The BSP’s Kalibo Branch, headed by Deputy Director Leonora Templonuevo, is one of 21 regional offices and branches that report to BSP Managing Director Pedro Tordilla Jr., of the Regional Monetary Affairs Sub-Sector.

Kalibo services the cash and other banking requirements of Aklan, Antique, Capiz and Boracay.

At the height of typhoon Frank, the muddy floodwaters had reached the cash vault and damaged all the money inside.

To save the wet bills, the BSP Kalibo officers and employees worked hard and fast 24/7 cleaning and wiping them, drying them on a makeshift charcoal stove, (there was no electricity after the typhoon) and ironing (using charcoal flat irons) the crumpled bills one by one.

Thus, the two words that have earned such a global bad rap managed to save the day. [PNA]

EDITORIAL The Business Paper

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HELPING YOU MAKE INFORMED BUSINESS decisions.

9

[ERRATUM. In this column last week, the caption “kick their asses” was a reprint of the caption of an earlier column in which we criticized the country’s sports leaders for the debacle in the recent SEA Games held in Indonesia where the Philippines ended up 6th (36 gold medals) among eleven participating countries.

The same caption was inadvertently repeated in lieu of the original “On different wave lengths” which we referred to the unfortunate misunderstanding between the NPA’s Rigoberto Sanchez and Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio after the latter had reportedly suggested that she and the NPA commanders operating in Davao City sit down and talk peace. It evidently irked Sanchez to the point of rebuffing the mayor’s call. The typographical error was traced to our new layout man who has been with Edge Davao less than a month. Sorry for the inconvenience].

W

HAT are we ordinary cirizens supposed to make of the escalating “war” between President Benigno Aquino III and Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona?

Now that Corona has been impeached and will be tried by the Senate in its role of impeachment court, we all expect a lot of fireworks when the trial is held on consecutive days early next January.

Even now lines have been drawn, with the President being supported by his Liberal Party and most members of the House of Representatives while the Chief Justice has his own sympathizers among congressmen and presumably certain senators as well as members of the judiciary and its personnel.

Conviction of Corona will require two-thirds vote of the Senate, in this case 16.

If we may recall, when

former Ombudsman Mercedita Gutierrez was threatened with impeachment, the embattled fighting lady chose to resign than be tried by the Senate, thus escaping the possibility, nay ignominy of being subjected to embarrassment during the course of the trial and the spectre of conviction.

Corona, however, has chosen not to resign but will face his accusers, confident that he will win his case and prove his detractors wrong.

Corona was described by a national daily as “coming out swinging at President Aquino and his allies in the House of Representatives, claiming his impeachment was part of a plot to make the Supreme Court subservient to the whims of the administration.”

We wondered what he meant by the reference to “subservience to the whims of the administration”.

Would he say that he was not subservient to GMA who appointed him Chief Justice on the very eve of her exit from Malacanang?

At any rate, this latest development where both sides—Executive and Justice departments—are girding for battle is not doing our country any good in the eyes of the world.

A lot of people say the case is purely a legal one that will enrich jurisprudence and eventually prove a healthy exercise that will be good for the country.

On the other hand, there are those who see this “war” between the Executive and Justice departments as more a political one than legal, and that the country will be the eventual loser.

Lest we forget, many of our politicians will be taking sides in the hope that it will somehow, one way or the other, enhance their own chances in the 2013 national and local elections. See?

BizQUIPS

‘SOUTHERN Mindanao is fast becoming the center for agro-industrial business, trade and tourism.. These road improvement projects are necessary to transport agriproducts from the production areas to the centers of commerce and trade.’

--Public Works and Highways Sec. Rogelio Singson on the P3-billion World Bank projects being started in southern Mindanao.

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VOL. 4 NO. 42 December 19-25, 2011

THE BUSINESS PAPER EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO THE BUSINESS PAPER

December 19-25, 2011 VOL. 4 NO. 42

11

12 VOL. 4 NO. 42 DECEMBER 19-25, 2011

competitive edge

Eden Resort celebrates Polka New Year 2012

D

OT your calendars with merriest party to welcome 2012. Be at the Vista Kiosk of Eden Nature Park and Resort on December 31, 2012, starting at 5 PM for the “Polka New Year 2012 Party”.

Don your most dazzling dotted dress and attire, and have a blast of an evening that will welcome the coming of the New Year. To kick off the festivities, a thanksgiving mass will be celebrated at 7:00 PM. Fun henna tattoo, face painting and photo party booths will be available for free for families, friends and guests.

Musical performances and fire dancers will also keep the par-

ty peppy until the wee hours of New Year morning.

All-night games, raffles and surprises are in store for all party guests. More music and dancing with “DOTS the Way We Like It!” starting at 10:40 PM. Countdown to midnight will start at exactly 11:30 PM. Stay and enjoy Eden Nature Park’s and Resort’s accommodations on New Year’s Day and get special rates on suites, rooms, villas and cottages.

Make your reservations now. Call tel. nos. 299-0313 / 299-1020 / 296-0791, mobile no. 0918-930-7590, email info@edennaturepark.com. ph, or visit the website at www. edennaturepark.com.ph.

2 Davao woman law enforcers cited for outstanding work

A

lady soldier and a lady jail officer recently received citations as among the women outstanding achievers of Mindanao for epitomizing empowered women in fields traditionally ruled by men.

Major Rosa Ma. Cristina R. Manuel of the 10th Infantry Division, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Chief Inspector Grace Taculin of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology gained their recognition from the Mindanao Commission on Women (MCW).

Manuel was cited for actively engaging in fields traditionally ruled by men and for breaking barriers in the military service, being the being the first female line officer to be assigned outside the 8th ID division headquarters based in Samar.

She is also the first female and current Battalion Executive Officer of the 10th Civil Military Operations Battalion of the AFP. Previously, MCW said Manuel improved the system and database management of the G1 office and the massive clearing operations in Samar showed her as a seasoned female line officer.

In 2007, the lady soldier joined the 10th ID and was assigned to launch and operationalize the 10th Division Public Affairs Office which continues to function efficiently and works closely with members of the media.

Manuel also received military honors and civilian

appreciation for her exemplary contributions and support to the military service in pursuit of a just and lasting peace in the communities.

Working in the service for more than ten years, the Battalion Executive Officer has consistently proven herself as an asset to the Philippine Army.

Being able to balance work and personal life, Manuel is also a champion in her own home being a wife and a mother of two kids. She also actively participates in civic and religious organizations.

Manuel was placed in the ranks of Hadja Bainon Karon, chair of the Moro National Liberation Front Women’s Committee of the Central Committee and founder of the Federation of United Mindanawan Bangsamoro Women’s Multi-Purpose Cooperative; Bo-i Era España, tribal chieftain of the OboManobo tribe in Barangay Mua-an, Kidapawan and chairperson of indigenous peoples organization Tuddok; and Atty. Raissa Jajurie.

These women were cited by MCW for breaking the normal norm of society, for improving existing practices and for showing that women too can contribute in the public sphere.

Meanwhile, Davao City Jail chief inspector Taculin was recognized for making innovations and breakthroughs and being instrumental to the establishment of the Ray of Hope Village inside the city jail facility.

THE BUSINESS PAPER EDGEDAVAO

Phoenix Petroleum fetes business partners to a g‘ rand celebration’ P

HOENIX Petroleum Philippines, Inc. celebrated a successful 2011 with a night of glam and fun last December 8 in Davao City.

Over 600 dealers, distributors, suppliers, commercial clients, and business partners wore their best suits and gowns to the Las Vegas-themed event.

The entire ballroom of Davao Convention and Trade Center was transformed into an elegant Vegas-dinner-style venue with glittering chandeliers, skyscrapers and lighting displays.

Philippine master impersonator Willie Nepomuceno walked in as “P-Noy” and entertained the crowd with his spot-on impersonations of other popular personalities.

Phoenix Petroleum President and CEO Dennis A. Uy welcomed the business partners to the grand thanksgiving and recognition event.

“2011 was another record year for the company,” he said. “The Board of Directors declared 40% stock dividend and 10 cents cash dividend. Our

AWARDEE. Phoenix Lube Distributor of the Year awardee, Ms. Meline Ngo Lo of Exceedall Distributors, Inc., receives the award from Phoenix Petroleum

president Dennis Uy, COO Romy de Guzman, and AVP for Lubes Alberto Alcid.

stock is up over 20% this year – making Phoenix truly an investment that pays off.”

In October this year, Phoenix opened its 200th station in Luzon, in Mindanao Avenue, Valenzuela City. Uy looks to end the year with 220 stations nationwide, sharing that 2012 will be a bigger year for Phoenix. “We are close to achieving our goal: To be the country’s number one independent oil

company in the retail business by the end of 2012!”

After the President’s speech, outstanding business partners from Visayas and Mindanao were awarded.

The night’s most distinguished award, the Dealer of the Year, went to Esther B. Diaz of Shepherds Phoenix Station in Balutakay, Digos City, Davao del Sur. Receiving the Top Volume

Performer Award for Retail Accounts among Dealer-Owned, Dealer-Operated (DODO) stations was Mr. Celso Agbones of Phoenix Visayan Village in Tagum City. He also received the Top Volume Performer Award for Retail Accounts among Company-Owned, DealerOperated (CODO) stations for managing Phoenix Mankilam in Tagum City. Agbones manages four Phoenix stations.

nomic development of the region by enhancing global trade through the construction of the modern container port facility,” said Anflocor president and CEO Alexander N. Valoria last December 7, 2011 during the signing of memorandum of agreement (MoA)for the engineering services, which the Aboitiz Construction Group, Inc. will handle, in the construction of the third birth of Tadeco Wharf.

He noted that this project is seen to create faster turnaround time of vessels,

orderly ingress and egress resulting to faster turnaround of delivery trucks, reliable plug-in facilities for reefer cargo, and the capacity to accommodate larger vessels due to its deep draft.

Valoria added that the Anflocor Group of Companies saw the opportunity to invest in container terminal primarily because of the continued conversion in the handling of banana and pineapple shipment from break bulk to containerized.

In this light, the Anflocor Group of Companies is

upbeat about the advantage that this container terminal can contribute to Panabo City since the influx of traffic of containers is seen to generate investments and in turn, job opportunities.

“We know that this investment will attract and multiply investments here in Mindanao,” ANFLOCOR Group of Companies vice chairman Antonio “TonyBoy” Floirendo, Jr. said.

The Davao International Container Terminal is expected to start its operation by first quarter of 2013.

flown close to 11 million passengers, keeping it on track for its 12 million target for the year.

“CEB’s low fares, extensive network and timely frequency increases were factors in the airline’s more than 1 million passengers each last April, May, October and now November. It is a privilege on our part to be the airline of choice for so many Filipino and foreign travelers. We look forward to serving more passengers this December,” said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog.

“We are adding flights to Hong Kong Boracay, Davao, Cebu, Iloilo, Tacloban and Dumaguete, for the benefit of more travelers during the holidays. CEB remains committed to boosting travel and tourism within the Philippines and to key destinations in the Asia-Pacific,” she added.

CEB earlier reported that its December 2011 bookings increased by 23% this year compared to last year, driven by a 27% increase in international bookings.

Given the upcoming peak travel period, Iyog en-

couraged passengers to avail of CEB’s free web checkin and free seat selection through the website’s ‘Manage Bookings’ section. “Passengers should also go to the airport earlier, in anticipation of traffic and airport security queues,” she said.

CEB’s free web check-in service is available on all Airbus flights, from 48 hours up to 4 hours before the flight.

Guests who already checked in online only need to drop bags off or present travel documents (for international flights) at the web check-in counter 45 minutes before the flight. Those on domestic flights with no check-in luggage may proceed to the boarding gate at least 30 minutes before the flight.

For bookings and inquiries, guests can go to www. cebupacificair.com, or call the reservation hotlines (02) 7020-888 or (032) 230-8888.

They may also book online and pay via CEB partner banks. The latest seat sales and promos can also be found on CEB’s official Twitter and Facebook pages.

CEB currently operates 10 Airbus A319, 19 Airbus A320 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. By the end of 2011, CEB will be operating a fleet of 37 aircraft – with an average age of 3.6 years – one of the most modern aircraft fleets in the world. Between 2012 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 23 Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft orders, and 2 Airbus A320 aircraft on operating lease agreements.

Davao International Container Terminal to break ground by 1st quarter of 2012

T

HE Davao International Container Terminal, foreseen to be the most modern container terminal in Mindanao, is set to break grounds in the first quarter next year.

What used to be the Tasdeco wharf in Panabo City, the Davao International Container Terminal will soon operate using brand new and modern container handling equipment and state-of-the-art container yard and facilities.

“We are bullish that this project will catalyze the eco-

CEB breaks record: 1M passengers

T

HE Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (PSE:CEB) flew yet another one million passengers for the month of November 2011, a traditionally off-peak month for travel in the Philippines.

The airline flew more than 800,000 domestic and close to 223,000 international passengers from November 1 to 30, 2011, with an average load factor of 84%. Load factor refers to how full the planes are.

From January to November 2011, CEB had already

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Comvalenyos start Christmas celebration A

MID intermittent rainshower residents of Cabidiananm Nabunturan , the site of the provincial seatof Compostela Valley was aswarm with people who trooped there the evening of December 8, 2011.

The occasion ushered in the Comvalenyos’ Christmas celebration that featured popular comedian-singer Blakdyak and sultry songbird Geneva Cruz who treated the large audience to pop and theire famous original songs.

The capitol building was festooned with colorful

Crhistmas decor and buntinges along with multicolored lights that higlighted thew giant Christmas tree which towered overall while Santa Claus and his equally famous team of reindeers hang from the ample ceiling.

Not to be outdone, the various offices which were also gaily bedecked with Christmas decors.

The fireworks wowed and dazzled the throng of wellwishers who braved the cold to join everybody else in the early Christmas treat. [FEM/

IDS/COMVAL]

HOTOGRAPHY enthusiasts and budding hobbyists composed mainly of students are among the members of the (CCT) Camera Club of Tagum which was formally organized last December 10, 2011 at BonHomie Leisure and Resort in Banay-Banay, Davao Oriental.

Taking the helm of the camera club’s leadership is a Lightform International Photography graduate in (UAE) United Arab Emirates – and trained in Dubai Eric Castillo as president with Kits Quilla

as vice president. John Castillo sits as the club’s secretary, Carlo Chan as treasurer, Rick Randolph Coraje as Auditor and James Lou Castillo and MJ dela Cruz as public relation officers. Astrophil Reyes, one of the city’s highlysought photographer, serves as CCT’s adviser.

The set of officers will be serving for a one-year term where they are expected to propel the vision of the club of bringing together photography aficionados in “one caring and sharing community.”

suburbia

EMERGING PEACE ARCHITECT. Davao del Norte Governor and RPOC XI Chair, Rodolfo P. del Rosario facilitated the broad-stroke discussions on the proposed workings of the Mindanao Peace and Development Security Committee during its 1st Organizational Meeting at Grand Regal

December 19-25, 2011 VOL. 4 NO. 42

13

Hotel, Davao City last December 09, 2011. With him are WestMinCom Commanding Officer, Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, MinDA Chair Luwalhati Antonino, EastMinCom Commanding Officer Gen. Arthur Tabaquero, and other high-ranking members of the Security Sector.

Camera Club of Tagum organized Seal of Good Housekeeping Award earned by Sarangani P S

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH Judicial Region Branch 12

Tagum City Information Officer Edwin B. Lasquite led the swearing-in of the pioneering members while renowned shutterbug Rolando “Chiaw” Yap of the Camera Club of Davao did the same for the officers.

A picture paints a thousand words, as the saying goes, and that’s what precisely the Officers and Members of the Camera Club of Tagum as they better acknowledged the club as “Painters of Light”, actually does after their oathtaking ceremony. [B LOUIE LAPAT OF

CITY INFO OFFICE– TAGUM]

ARANGANI province has earned the Seal of Good Housekeeping Award in recognition of its exemplary performance in governance, transparency, and accountability.

The award also entitles Sarangani to avail of the Performance Challenge Fund in the amount of P10 million as financial incentive to support the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

As explained in Memorandum Circular No. 2010-83, this award from the Department of Interior and Local Government

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH Judicial Region Branch 12 Davao City

Davao City SP PROC. NO. 11, 448-11 IN THE PETITION FOR ADOPTION OF MINOR KIERSTEN DOMINIQUE ELCANA ARANA WITH PRAYER FOR CHANGE OF NAME FROM KIERSTEN DOMINIQUE ELCANA ARANAS TO KIERSTEN DOMINIQUE ELCANA ANDRADA, SPS ERNESTO C. ANDRADA AND MELANIE E. ANDRADA Petitioners

ORDER Petitoners filed a verified petition praying that they be allowed to adopt as their own child, KIERSTEN DOMINIQUE ELCANA ARANAS, a minor, whowas born in Davao City on May 27, 2008, that the proposed adoptee is the illegitimate child of Petitioner Melanie E. Andrada having been born out of lawful wedlock of the child’s parents; that Vic Donald Aranas, who is the biological father of the proposed adoptee has abandoned the subject child from the time of her birth, and that her name be changed to KIERSTEN DOMINIQUE ELCANA ANDRADA. In the Child Home Study Reports previously file by Social Welfare Officer Nelsie A. Magsalay of the Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Davao City, she favorably recommended the adoption of said child by the petitioners.

Wherefore, let the petition be set for hearing on February 8, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. at which date and time, all persons concerned may appear to show cause, if any, why the prayer in the petition shall not be granted.

Let this Order be published,at the expense of the petitioners, in Edge Davao, a newspaper of general circulation in the City and three (3) provinces of Davao, once a week for three(3) consecutive weeks.

Notify all parties concerned and the Solicitor General through this Order SO ORDERED

(SGD) PELAGIO S. PAGUICAN Judge

Edge 12/12,19,26

MENCHIE PADILLA VALDEZ

SP. PROC.NO.11,423-11

x----------------------------------------------------------------------------x

IN THE MATTER OF PETITION FOR ADOPTION OF MINOR

Davao City, Philippines, November 18, 2011

SPOUSES ELMER D. BERDIN and MA. LUZ V. BERDIN Petitioners x--------------------------------------------x ORDER

Petitioners filed a verified petition praying that they be allowed to adopt as their own child, MENCHIE PADILLA VALDEZ, a minor, who was born in Muntinlupa City on June 14, 2000 and the illegitimate daughter of petitioner Ma. Luz P. ValdezBerdin; and that her surname be changed to that of the petitioners.

In the Child and Home Study Reports previously filed by Social Welfare officer Nelsie A. Magsalay of the Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Davao City, she favorably recommended the adoption of the said child by the petitioners.

WHEREFORE, let the petition be set for hearing on February 28, 2012 at 8:30 a. m. at which date and time, all persons concerned may appear to show cause, if any, why the prayer in the petition shall not be granted.

Let this Order be published, at the expense of the petitioners, in Edge Davao, a newspaper of general circulation in the City and three (3) provinces of Davao, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks.

Notify all parties concerned and the Solicitor General through this Order.

SO ORDERED.

Davao City, Philippines, November 28,2011.

(SGD) PELAGIO S. PAGUICAN Juge Serve on: The Solicitor General Makati City Pros. Minerva P. Pepino-Estremos, Davao City Atty. Edgard B. Cuanan, Jr. DSB Law, Door No., 4 Babao Bldg. San Pedro St. Davao City OCC-RTC, Davao City Sps. Elmer D. Berdin and Ma. Luz V. Berdin B18 L24 P3, Pag-ibig Wellspring Catalunan Pequeño, Davao City (Edge 19,26,Jan. 2)

(DILG) is a commitment “to aggressively scale up interventions to elevate the practice of governance that values transparency, accountability, participation and performance into an institutionalized status.”

Marife Tenorio, chief of operations of the Sarangani DILG provincial office, said the province will avail of the incentive in the form of a project grant, but she stressed the objectives of the projects should be aligned with the MDG. This, however, requires Sarangani to put up a counterpart in the form of MDG-related projects under the ongoing Annual Investment Programs (AIP) of the province.

“It’s not necessary for the province to shell out a separate funding as their counterpart” but may instead identify any from among the province’s AIP projects.

Governor Migs Dominguez endorsed to the DILG last December 13 a Project Proposal Profile for 2012 as administrative requirement under the Seal.

It includes the P3.465million improvement/rehabilitation or construction of 13 day-care centers across the province. Day-care centers boost the provincial government’s pursuit of Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) as the foundation of its “Education Revolution!” campaign. At the same time, Supervised Neighborhood Play (SNP) workers armed with learning materials from UNICEF are deployed to far-flung villages on horseback

to reach their wards.

Also listed are the P2.5million Kalinaw Fort Sarangani Landmark and P4 million for the completion of the regional trial court building.

Aside from the provincial government, three out of the seven municipalities of Sarangani bagged the award with corresponding monetary incentive of P2M for Glan and P1M each for Maitum and Alabel.

The award recognizes local government units (LGUs) with good governance and practice the values of good planning, sound fiscal management, transparency and accountability, and valuing of performance monitoring.

Tenorio said “instead of penalizing LGUs that are not performing,” the DILG is giving incentives to performing LGUs to encourage others to follow suit.

One of the requirements for the award is the full disclosure of local budgets and finances, and bids and public offerings.

Tenorio said Sarangani complied with the mandate for the posting of budgets, expenditures, contracts and loans, and procurement plans in conspicuous places, website, and in print media in December 2010.

She said her office is still waiting for the notice for Gov. Dominguez to personally receive the Seal of Good Housekeeping award in Manila.

For more news and updates, please visit <http://www. sarangani.gov.ph>. [SARANGANI IN-

FORMATION OFFICE/BEVERLY C. PAOYON]

LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late PERFECTO CABASAN DAGOON and CYNTHIA SARION DAGOON has been EXTRAJUDICIALLY SETTLED executed by their heirs per Doc. No.65; Page No.15 ; Book No. XIII ; Series of 2011 of the NOTARY PUBLIC AURELIO R. CORTADO III. (Edge 12/19,26, Jan.2)

/

THE BUSINESS PAPER EDGEDAVAO

14 VOL. 4 NO. 42 DECEMBER 19-25, 2011

governance

Davao River proposed as WQMA D

AVAO River is proposed as a water quality management area (WQMA) by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB-11) in line with Republic Act No. 9275 or the Clean Water Act of 2004.

In a meeting with barangay officials and other concerned sectors December 12 at the Grand Men Seng Hotel, EMB-11 discussed the criteria for the selection of WQMA as spelled out In RA 9275.

WQMA is one of the approaches identified to protect water quality from pollution which creates economic and financial losses to the country.

EMB regional director Metudio U. Turbella said under RA 9275, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through EMB is mandated to designate certain areas as WQMA using appropriate physiographic units such as watershed, river basins or water resources regions.

Turbella further said that

the coverage of such designation include: surface waters, either natural or man-mad,e such as streams (rivers and creeks), lakes as well as marine waters and land within the hydrologic unit such as residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, forest and protection areas.

“We will be conducting a series of consultations with various stakeholders in line with the proposed WQMA. This first meeting is one of the things we need to do, aside from the data gathering activities and the creation of the Governing Board”, Turbella added.

To date, EMB has nine water monitoring stations established located at the mouth of Davao River, Bolton Bridge, Bankerohan Bridge, Marfori Heights, San Rafael Bridge, Bacaca, Riverwalk Crocodile Park, Maa Bridge (Diversion Road) and Waan Bridge.

The water quality of Davao River from 2006 to 2010 is classified as Class B- Down-

stream Stations 1-4 (mouth of the river, below Bolton Bridge, Below Bankeroha Bridge and Davao River, Diversion Bridge, Maa) and Class A – upstream stations 5 and 6 Davao River at Mandug area and Davao River approximately 800 meters downstream from the confluence of Tamugan River. These classifications are based on the parameters monitored such as temperature, pH, Dissolved Oxygen, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), total suspended solids and total dissolved solids.

Class A or Public Water Supply Class II are sources of water supply that will require complete treatment (coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection) in order to meet the NSWD Standard. Class B or Recreational Water Class I are for primary contact recreation such as bathing, swimming and skin diving or particularly those designated for tourism purposes.[BING CORDOVA/

DENR 11]

Authority, Securities and Exchange Commission, Bureau of the Treasury and related agencies.

The ways and means committee is primarily in charge of legislative matters pertaining to the fiscal, monetary and financial management of the national government.

Born in Calinan, Davao City, Ungab is a graduate of the University of the Philippines in Los Banos, Laguna.

He was a high officer of Mindanao-based bank for years, before he entered politics. He cut his legislative teeth as three-term member of Davao City’s Sangguniang Panlungsod where he was topnotcher councilor representing the Third District.

He was about to file his certificate of candidacy for another term in the Sanggunian in 2007 when he was tapped by then Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte to run for congressman. Ungab is now on his second term in the House.

HE Parents Teachers Association of the Davao City National High School (PTA-DCNHS) will hold a “Dinner for a Cause” dubbed as “Paglingon sa Pinanggalingan” at 6 to 10 pm on December 21 at the Grand Men Seng Hotel, Davao City.

The event is designed to raise funds for the computerization program of the schoo, specifically a cozy computer room with 100 computer with internet connections to be made available for the use of 8,000 DCHS students.

Tickets at P500 apiece good for 500 attendees are now available.

Interested parties may contact 302-7639 or at 0921-985-1223 and 0932787-0360. Look for Anne or Rommel.

HE Philippine government continues to make representations with United States officials on behalf of Filipino veterans who have been denied benefits pursuant to the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation (FVEC), wherein Filipino World War II veterans are given a one-time lump sum.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia Jr. met with officials of the U.S. Army, Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), and U.S. Congress to “make strong representation for assistance to ensure that no veteran is unjustly denied the benefit due them.”

Army Deputy Undersecretary Thomas Hawley committed to look into particular compelling cases that the Embassy may wish to bring to their attention, as well as work closely with the DVA to ensure that no one is denied their due benefit because of administrative error.

While the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri is tasked to certify and validate the military service of Filipino veterans using two lists, a Roster and a

dence of TIP in the region, noting that victims were as young as 14 years old lured to sexual trade in the guise of domestic or overseas employment.

“Many children were lured to work, especially outside the country,” said Raquel Nuñez, technical assistant division chief of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, one of the lead agencies in the RIACAT and DCIACAT. Nuñez warned the public, especially parents of young children, to be waryof job recruiters, saying that people in the communities should scrutinize the legality of the recruiting agency or individuals.

“There were also professionals who fell victim to illegal recruitment and human trafficking,” she stated, adding that no one is an exemption to human trafficking.

Davao City-based Talikala, Inc. cited a documented case of a 25-year old woman who was promised a job as waitress in Cebu, but was forced into

sexual exploitation.

Talikala executive director Jeanette Ampog disclosed that the victim was made to work as a waitress from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.

The waitress would turn into a guest relation officer (GRO) from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and as a dancer from 8:00 pm to midnight.

The victim was rescued by a religious organization, Ampog said.

She reported that 90 percent of the 35 cases they have so far documented this year involved young girls aged 14-17 years who were deviously recruited to become call girls, guest relation officers (GROs), entertainers and dancers.

Talikala, a non-government organization that caters to prostituted women and children, goes to the barangays in Davao City to conduct preventive education and conduct forums on Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons.

The DSWD has also strengthened its anti-human trafficking advocacy in the communities with the

help of the agency’s municipal and provincial offices all over the Davao region.

Nuñez said that part of DSWD’s advocacy program is training children to say “no” to employment invitations and offerings.

She urges parents to give time to their children, including adult members of the family as a way for them to avoid being victimized by human trafficking syndicates.

Meanwhile, Department of Justice assistant regional prosecutor Barbara Mae Flores urge victims to come out in the open, adding that a lot of agencies are ready to assist them with services such as legal and psycho-social.

Flores said that victims who feel threatened need not worry because DOJ provides them a protection program and other services.

She said public or concerned individuals could report TIP incidents to RIACAT’s hotline numbers (082) 330-3058 and 09177185588. [PIA-11/CARINA L. CAYON]

Ungab now chairman PTA-DCHS sets of ways -means body dinner for a cause

T

HE loss of Batangas is the gain of Davao City.

REP. Isidro T. Ungab (Davao City-Third District) was elected during a plenary session last Wednesday as new chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee of the House of Representatives.

He replaced Rep. Hermilando Mandanas of Batangas who was ousted by the majority, following his refusal to sign the impeachment complaint against Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Ungab was vice chairman immediately before his election to the top post of the committee. He has been involved in the debates in the committee and plenary levels of the newly-approved P1.8 trillion 2012 budget of the country, specifically the budget proposals of the Department of Finance, the Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Internal Revenue, National Economic and Development

T

KALAHI-CIDSS CONNECTS VILLAGES. Mayor Edgar Flor V. Saulon of San Isidro, Davao Oriental and Director Ester A. Versoza of DSWD sign the Mutual Partnership Agreement during the launch and inauguration of the doublebarrel box culvert in Brgy. Iba. Completed through KALAHI-CIDSS (Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan –Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services) and with a funding of P852,119, the community project will serve

PHL asks U.S. officials to grant Filipino veterans their benefits

T

Anti-human trafficking drive boosted C

OMMUNITIES here are urged to be vigilant against human trafficking that victimizes young women for commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor.

The Regional and Davao City Inter-Agency Councils Against Trafficking also called on the public’s help and cooperation in a campaign addressing human trafficking or trafficking in persons (TIP).

The call corresponds to this year’s theme in the observance of the International Day Against Trafficking in Persons last Monday urging Komunidad Palakasin, Child Trafficking Sugpuin.

DCIACAT and RIACAT led the event at the People’s Park which brought together about a hundred advocates and children from about 43 member-agencies of the Councils of the government, non-government and civil society organizations.

The Councils raised the need to educate and mobilize communities following the increasing inci-

some 200 direct beneficiaries. Other KALAHICIDSS sub-projects in the town include two units classrooms, a trading center, two Day Care Centers, three double-barrel box culverts, and a barangay road. All these community sub-projects were constructed through a KALAHI-CIDSS grant of P 7.2 million and a P 1.8 million local government contribution. [DSWD/CARMELA CADIGAL-DURON]

Discharge List, instances of lapses in the NPRC certification process have been found.

Although the Embassy insists that being in either of the list should serve as sufficient proof of service, Army officials stated that the two lists were diligently prepared and are meant to complement each other. Hawley added that it would be difficult to alter the certification process.

Hawley pointed out that the U.S. Army, through the NPRC, denies certification to any veteran whose name appears in a list of those who collaborated with the Japanese Imperial Army.

He also disclosed that the DVA has the discretion to assess information submitted by veterans and make its own determination.

On the issue of veterans who have become U.S. citizens and have been denied the benefits, Hawley said

that requirements for immigration are different from those for veterans’ benefits.

Cuisia also met with Rep. Bob Filner and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki to pursue the matter, in particular to assist 3,600 Filipino veterans who have submitted appeals.

In view of the various sources of Filipino World War II records, Shinseki said that certifications from the Adjutant General of the Armed Forces of the Philippines may be acceptable provided they were issued sometime immediately after the war (1947).

Secretary Shinseki promised to look into pending cases and work closely with all concerned.

For his part, Rep. Mike Honda suggested that a comprehensive study be made on this important subject, including the possibility of an executive order to address the concerns. [PNA]

GSIS set to release P1.62 B cash gift to estate pensioners

T

HE more than 200,000 pensioners of estate pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) will receive a total of P1.62 billion as Christmas cash gift this year.

GSIS president and general manager Robert G. Vergara said they have approved the release of the cash gift, which is given before the end of the year to eligible active old-age, retirement and disability pensioners who are receiving their regular monthly pensions as of December 15, 2011.

He explained that “those who are on suspended status as of December 31, 2011, but who will activate their status

by April 30, 2012 are also eligible to receive the cash gift.”

“We will credit the cash gift to our pensioners’ accounts

by December 15,” he said.

Vergara said pensioners who received more than P10,000 Christmas cash gift last year “shall be granted an amount equivalent to their current monthly pension but not to exceed P12,600.”

“While those whose 2010 Christmas cash gift is P10,000 and below, shall be granted a cash gift equivalent to the amount of their one-month current pension up to a maximum of P10,000,” he said.

The GSIS chief also said that “pensioners who resumed their regular monthly pension after December 31, 2010 (after the five-year guaranteed period) shall be granted an amount equivalent to one-month current pension up to a maximum of P10,000.” [PNA]

BizQUIPS ‘OUTSOURCING is not a unilateral exercise of management. If there’s a union, there should be a collective negotiation.’

--Labor Secretary Rosalina Baldoz, in defense of outsourcing during the recent International Labor Organization regional meeting in Kyoto

EDGEDAVAO THE BUSINESS PAPER

December 19-25, 2011 VOL. 4 NO. 42

E-mail: edgedavao_editorial@yahoo.com.ph

YOUTH TRENDS

Holiday cocktail collection

C

hristmas is all about merry-making. We know that already. It is about attending and throwing a thousand and one parties that all feel the same, look the same, and oddly taste the same. And even though the thought of attending countless social events in a span of two weeks or so may seem enticing, the truth is, after the third party it gets kind of boring. So here is what you can do: instead of bringing food to the regular potluck party or serving beer for the next party you host, why not try sharing the experience of new cocktails with your friends and co-party attendees? Here are some Holiday-inspired cocktails that should do the trick.

Merry Christmas: The Merry Christmas may sound the most Christmasy out of all the cocktails in this list, but it actually plays on one of the most iconic flavours of another holiday—Thanksgiving. This highball drink is a gorgeous melange of cranberry, citrus, and just the right amount of alcohol. Here is how you make it: Grab a highball glass and fill it halfway with ice. Then, add an ounce of regular Gin, an ounce of Cranberry Juice, and a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice. Stir the liquids until it comes together and top it off with some canned club

color. It tastes opulent, rich, and indulgent---perfect for the Season. Here’s how you make this velvety drink: In a cocktail shaker, combine one ounce of cream, ¾ ounces of triple sec, ¾ ounces of gin, and a couple dashes of Grenadine syrup ( which is now readily available in supermarkets). Shake well and serve in a chilled cocktail glass. You may opt to serve it with a piece of strawberry for

soda or soda water. Garnish the drink with fresh or dried Cranberries or a slice of lemon or lime and serve.

Angel’s Delight: This festive cocktail makes the cut as a holiday cocktail thanks to its creamy texture and dreamy

garnish.

Apple Pie Martini: One of the most familiar holiday tastes is the taste of apple pie.

The juicy freshness of apples combined with the kick of cinnamon is captured perfectly in easy-as-pie cocktail. Here is how you make it: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine one shot of Goldschlager (cinnamon

schnapps with 24karat gold flakes), one shot of vodka, and three shots of apple juice. Shake well and pour over a cocktail/martini glass.

Remember not to strain the drink as this will leave the gold flakes inside the shaker instead of staying in your drink.

The Christmas Cocktail: This cocktail is an exciting concoction of the flavours people associate with the Holidays: Coffee, Cinnamon, Cream, and Chocolate. Plus, it comes down smooth and ends with just the right amount of alcoholic kick. If you want to feel all warm and fuzzy while chugging down this glorious cocktail, follow these instructions: In a shaker filled with ice, pour one once each of Vodka, Bailey’s Cream, and Cinnamon Schnapps and shake well. Strain the concoction over a cocktail glass and top it off with some powdered coffee. You may garnish it with a Cinnamon stick.

Mimosa: The Mimosa is one of the more popular cocktails in history. Thus, you would find a gazillion and one recipes of it. However, I find that the simplest recipe is still the best. Make this simple cocktail for your next Yuletide event for some added fizz and flair. Here’s how:

It’s Christmas at SM City Davao

15

P16

Grab a champagne flute, fill it halfway with chilled orange juice (and please do not use powdered orange juice) and then top it off with cold champagne.

Catch Confessions of a Partyphile on the radio every Wednesday evenings from 6 to 9 in the PM on 105.9 Mix FM or www.mixfm1059.com.

For comments, suggestions, and more confessions from this partyphile, log on to http:// party.i.ph or tweet the columnist at twitter.com/zhaun

The Business PAPER

Tagum

Partner

Establishments

You can now buy your weekly paper fill of in-depth business news and features from any of these establishments still at Php 15.

National highway, tagum city 8100 Tel 6384 2188380 cel 63917 7193982 facebook

email emeralduy@gmail.com yuyu cafe and dessert shop

Jose Abad Santos St., Corner Arellano St., Tagum City 8100 Philippines Tel. No.: (084) 216-3003 Cell No,: 0939-243-8539

HELPING YOU MAKE INFORMED BUSINESS decisions.

EVENTS

16

VOL. 4 NO. 42 December 19-25, 2011

You can now buy your favorite Business Paper from any of these establishments still at Php 15.

KoronadalPartner Establishments

Gen. Santos Drive, Koronadal City Telefax No.: (083) 520-0816 Mobile No.: 0922-843-9427 email: manggorio09@yahoo.com

General Santos

THE BUSINESS PAPER EDGEDAVAO

It’s Christmas at SM City!

It was a musical Sunday afternoon at the SM Davao Event Center last December 11. It’s Christmas! The Musical is a story of a little girl who fell asleep inside a mall, waking up to a world of magic and adventure.

When the little girl wakes up (or so she thought), she meets the Christmas Fairy who lost her magical key which allows access between the magical world and the little girl’s. The story proceeds with the little girl helping out the fairy and the Mannequin (who came to life) in their search of the key.

In the process, the girl also met the Grumpy Elf, the Chef, and the Toy Maker. The Grumpy Elf, who hated Christmas, seemed least interested in the problem.

The Chef complained that his ‘inspiration’ was stolen from him in his sleep. Here, the little girl shows the Chef

Partner Establishments

2F Meetrovi, South Osmeña St., General Santos City Tel No. (083)- 301-1991

Tel No. (083)- 553-2211

The Chef and the Little Girl.

that inspiration is everywhere.

The Fairy, the Mannequin and the girl then interrogated the Toy Maker who also claimed that somebody took his game code. The girl played the game and helped the Toy Maker complete it.

Half time strikes, the key is not yet found. This means the characters only have few hours left to find the key. Otherwise, the girl will be trapped forever.

With an act of kindness from the little girl, the Grumpy Elf had a change of heart and admitted he caused the hullabaloo. He then returned the key and the world of magic was in balance again.

When the girl finally awoke, she realizes that it was all a dream but then, she notices her ‘new friends’ disguised as people inside the mall.

UP AND ABOUT

Yuletide Dog Pageant at Abreeza Mall Christmas is also for the dogs as Abreeza Mall holds its first Yuletide Dog Pageant on December 23. Have your pet blessed or join the Dachshund YuleRace. There will also be a Dog obedience demonstration followed by a Dog Pageant featuring Dogs in Christmas Attire and Formal/Semi-formal attire.

Photographers may also join the Phodography contest and snap away.

Forms now available at The Ark Veterinary Clinic (Jacinto Ext - in front of Bo’s Coffee Shop). For more information call

Adopt-A-Bear, Make a Child Happy at SM

HELPING YOU MAKE INFORMED BUSINESS decisions.

Show that you care and buy a child an SM Cares Bear today.

Stop by the SM City Davao Atrium and send a gift of warm fuzzies to less fortunate kids this holiday season. Until December 31, mall goers may adopt an SM Cares Bear for P100 and hang it on the Christmas Bear Tree.

A Donation Certificate will be given to acknowledge the sponsorship. Proceeds of the program together with the SM Cares Bears will be donated to charitable institutions nationwide.

For inquiries, call 297.6998 or visit the Ecobag Booth at the Ground Floor of SM City Davao.

Christmas Fairy tries out the Toy Maker’s new game console.

The musical directed by veteran theatre actor Michael Williams featured original songs especially arranged for show. The show by the Theatre Down South will be touring selected SM malls nationwide.

Catch more exciting events at SM City Davao this holiday

season! SM City Davao extends its mall hours until 10 PM on December 2-30 and until midnight on December 23.

For inquiries, call 297.6998.

Visit www.smcitydavao. blogspot.com or like SM City Davao on Facebook for event and promo updates.

The Grumpy Elf, the Little Girl and the Christmas Fairy.

EDGEDAVAO LIVING THE BUSINESS PAPER

FOOD

Holi-dazed

Christmas parties around Durianburg Part 1

W

ith Christmas just a few days away, the season ushers in images of friends and families getting together, people with full bellies, and sometimes with thin wallets. Frankly, I do not mind much, if my wallet goes on a diet every December as long as I see genuine smiles that are as good as gold.

Such is the philosophy behind every Christmas party and I am so happy that there are also other people out there who share my same ideology of giving during the holiday season. These are some of my favorite Christmas parties (so far) for 2011.

Instead of lavishing on expensive gifts, Globe Telecoms opted to share gifts to 50 young girls from Tambayan Center for Children’s Rights. It was a unique opportunity for the company to spread some holiday cheer to Davao’s media practitioners and at the same time contribute to the development of the invited kids while still having a wonderful time with the people of Globe.

In contrast, Security Bank held a more intimate affair with Davao’s Business and Lifestyle reporters and columnists at the Lotus Court at the Marco Polo Hotel. The event was not merely a Christmas party but was also part of Security Bank’s way of giving thanks for 60 years of banking excellence. Of course being intimate did not mean boring as Davao’s media personalities bested each other in the evening’s version of “Pinoy Henyo”.

And speaking of geniuses, who would have known that there is a lot of hidden talent hiding under the guise of a bellhop or a security officer? The

Marco Polo Davao Associates’ Night made every associate of the hotel shine by throwing an all-out party for everyone working at the Marco Polo Davao, everyone that is except the one’s who are unlucky enough to have their shift that evening. The performances are

actually competition numbers with teams composed of the many departments of the hotel performing fabulous sing and dance numbers taken from famous hollywood movies and broadway musicals. I was impressed by the amount of effort and gusto exerted by

the participants, I could say that every team deserved to win. But in the end it was the team from Security and Food and Beverage who took home the grand prize. And on that high note, I wish everyone a merry Christmas and look out for part two.

December 19-25, 2011 VOL. 4 NO. 42

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THE BUSINESS PAPER EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 4 NO. 42 December 19-25, 2011

The Business PAPER

You can now buy your favorite Business Paper from any of these establishments still at Php 15.

Davao Partner

Establishments

Officers and Staff of Marco Polo Davao

Spreading the spirit of Christmas J

Tulip Drive, Ecoland, Davao City

OINING the entire Christendom in observance of the Yuletide Season, the management and staff of Edge Davao and Zion Accuprint, Inc. visited the Home for the Sick and Malnourished Children run by the Missionaries of Charity at Juna Subdivision

last December 10 to spread good cheer in the spirit of Christmas by singing carols and giving gifts to 63 children who were abandoned by their parents and are now being cared for by Religious Sisters.

Mc Donaldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also joined the activity by pro-

viding the children with delicious fried chicken, rice and soft drinks after about an hour of fun and parlor games graced by no less than Ronald McDonald, the primary mascot of the popular fast-food restaurant chain. The children received toys and balloons as

part of the prizes.

Three days earlier, on December 7, Edge Davao also received a visit from the management and staff of The Marco Polo Davao who serenaded the staff with Christmas carols and served cake, pastries and tea.

F. Torres St., Davao City Tel No. 227-3773 - (72) Fax: 295-3485

HELPING YOU MAKE INFORMED BUSINESS decisions.

Management and staff of Edge Davao, Zion Accruprint Inc. and Mc Donald outside the Missionaries of Charity

Wtih Ronald Mc Donald

Gift-giving

EDGEDAVAO THE BUSINESS PAPER

games

Franco Victor Reyes cops in Macau Kart Grand Prix

B

UCKING the odds, Franco Victor Reyes, the country’s No. 1 junior karter, took runner-up honors in the recent Asian Karting Open Championship Round during the Macau International Kart Grand Prix.

The 15-year-old Ateneo de Manila sophomore gave everything he’s got in the final to go head-to-head with eventual winner Thai Sasakorn Chaimongkol.

Starting third in the final race, Reyes got stuck behind erstwhile overall leader Yasuo Senna Iriawan of Indonesia when the lights went off, enabling the sec-

ond-positioned Sasakorn to grab the lead going into the second corner.

Malaysian bet Daim bin Hishamudin seized the opportunity and followed Sasakorn. The fast-charging Reyes bolted from Senna and chased the leaders, overtaking Hishamudin a lap after.

Reyes, cheered on by Filipino expatriates in the grandstand who included Consul General to Macau Renato Villapando, continued his charge on Sasakorn, lapping the 1.2-kilometer Macau circuit one-tenth of a second faster than the Thai

midway in the 18-lap final.

But Reyes’ effort went for naught.

With a few laps left in the final race, Reyes made a last-ditch effort to take Sasakorn at the end of the long straight and into the hairpin at the second corner.

The Thai held his ground, forcing Reyes to back off and allowing Sasakorn to prevail.

Reyes will be moving up to the senior 125cc class starting next season, and will be doing more races in the Japan series, with a couple of major races in Europe in between.

December 12 at Shakey’s U.N. Ave. “He’s (Banchero) been the guy we’ve been looking at since we first formed the Smart Gilas team, so we’re definitely happy that he joined us,” said Eala, a former commissioner of the PBA and onetime Executive Director of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

The San Miguel executive described Fajardo, star center of the University of Cebu, as the `future of Philippine basketball’.

“I’ve won three state championships (with Seattle Pacific University) so I know what it takes to win. “I’m excited to be here and we’ll be a fun team to watch,” said the 6-foot-1 point guard Banchero.

But other than individual talent, Parks said he’s trying to develop the cohesion within the team, which he describes

as a mixture of rookies and veterans.

The Beermen will have Dalron Johnson and Richard Jeter for imports in season three of the league that kicks off on January 14. Johnson once played for Red Bull, while Jeter suited up for the defunct Sta. Lucia team.

Comprising the rest of the San Miguel squad are Froilan Baguion, Allan Mangahas, KC Dela Pena, Benedict Fernandez, Davao’s RJ Rizada, Junjun Cabatu, Hafer Mondragon, Norman Gonzales, John Colina, Chris Luanzon, Neil Raneses, and Marlon Basco.

The Beermen are in Bangkok, Thailand seeing action in the ABL pre-season tournament featuring inaugural champion AirAsia Philippine Patriots, defending titlist Chang Thai Slammers, and expansion team Bangkok Cobras. [PNA]

ABL: San Miguel Beer worthy challenger in the 2012 season

A

CQUIRING the services of two promising players, including a towering 6-foot-10 center, makes the San Miguel Beermen confident about their initial campaign in the coming third season of the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL).

With highly-touted FilAm guard Chris Banchero and intimidating big man Junmar Fajardo making up the core of the franchise known for its rich, winning tradition, Noli Eala believes the Beermen are a competitive lot capable of challenging for the championship of the fastest growing regional cage league in this side of the world.

Eala, San Miguel Corp.

Director of Sports and Special Assistant to the Office of the President, accompanied team coach Bobby Parks, Banchero, and Fajardo in the final session of the PSA Forum for 2011 last

December 19-25, 2011 VOL. 4 NO. 42

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Tennis

‘King Djoko’ reigns supreme

W

ITH three Grand Slam titles, five Masters, a 70-6 winning year and a record cash haul of $12.6 million, Novak Djokovic was the tennis king of 2011.

Spurred on by leading Serbia to a maiden Davis Cup title at the back end of 2010, the 24-year-old put together a 43-match winning run in the first half of 2011.

It was a surge which brought him the Australian Open title in January and was only ended by a rejuvenated Roger Federer in the semifinals of the French Open at Roland Garros.

As well as claiming a second title in Melbourne, Djokovic won all the season’s opening four Masters at Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and Rome, defeating Rafael Nadal in the finals of all of them.

The Serb then defeated Nadal to win Wimbledon — taking the Spaniard’s world number one spot in the process — before clinching the US Open.

Again Nadal was the vanquished opponent in the final after Djokovic had defeated Federer from two sets, and two

match points down, in a breathtaking semi-final.

Djokovic’s landmark season eventually took its toll with a combination of back and shoulder trouble condemning him to four defeats in the year’s closing stages.

“I had an unbelievable year. Nothing can really ruin that. I will always remember this year as the best of my life,” he said.

Even John McEnroe, whose season winning record of 82 wins against just three defeats, set in 1984, was briefly within the Serb’s sights after his US Open victory when he was at 64 wins against two losses, was in awe.

“He has had the greatest year in the history of our sport,” said the American.

Djokovic probably played one of the shots of the year on match point against Federer at

Flushing Meadows when he unleashed an all-or-nothing forehand service return which left the great Swiss rooted to the spot.

Federer double-faulted on the second match point and Djokovic was on his way again.

The figures back up Djokovic’s year of dominance.

He beat Nadal six times out of six, Federer four out of five and world number four Andy Murray, two in three, with the Briton’s win coming courtesy of an injury retirement in the final in Cincinnati.

The world’s leading three men have now won 29 of the last 32 Grand Slam crowns.

public sports forum sponsored

by RMH, Genesis 88, Beefit Gym, High Ponds Resort, Yellow Gate Resort, Philippine Sports Commission and Stadium Buffet Restaurant and Sports Lounge was Astudillo’s wife Cathy, also of King’s Sword Dojo.

One of the welfare organizations that will benefit from the said activity is the Light in Asia Mission: Rescue a Child, which is “saving and feeding malnourished kids, who will present a Christmas Carol as part of the event program.”

Registration fee to the

aero-marathon is P250. It has only one category – mixed male/female with the top 10 winners will be awarded.

Aside from Astudillo of Metrolifestyle, the other presenters are Vicky Javier of Beefit Gym and Aerobics, Kornn Cocjin of Holiday Spa and Bonn Sarabia.

Meanwhile, the first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Christ Invitational Jiu Jitsu tournament is set on Dec. 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the NCCC Mall.

It will be followed by the Power Combat Competition at 7 p.m.[LDR]

Christmas Aero-Marathon Dec. 23 T

HE Christmas Aero-Marathon: The Reunion is set on December 23 at 7 p.m. at the activity area of the NCCC Mall to raise funds for the gift giving, feeding and outreach program of the different children’s welfare projects in Davao and nearby provinces.

“Come and join us sharers of blessings at this meaningful time of the year,” said organizer Nell Jone Astudillo of the King’s Sword Martial Arts & Values at the weekly SCOOP at the Royal Mandaya Hotel last Tuesday.

Also present at the weekly

Hornets, Clippers agree on Chris Paul trade Foreign bets in PHL C

HRIS PAUL is going to Los Angeles after all, but to join the Clippers, not the Lakers.

The New Orleans Hornets traded Paul to the Clippers on Wednesday for guard Eric Gordon, forward Al-Farouq Aminu, center Chris Kaman and a firstround draft choice.

The deal required the approval of NBA Commissioner David Stern because the Hornets are owned by the league.

It ended a tortured week in which the Hornets’ season sat in limbo while the NBA took a beating over everything from potential conflicts of interest, to retarding the Hornets’ pursuit of free agents, to disrespecting the New Orleans fan base.

“I knew we were doing the best thing for New Orleans and that was my job,” Stern said.

“You have to stick with what you think was right. I must confess it wasn’t a lot of fun, but I don’t get paid to have fun.”

Paul gets to play in one of the NBA’s biggest markets, even if his new team plays in the shadow of the Lakers. That’s the club Paul was almost traded to last week, only to have Stern nix the deal.

The 26-year-old Paul is a four-time All-Star who averaged 18.7 points and 9.8 assists last season, his sixth in the NBA. He will earn $16.4 million this year and has a player option for the 2012-13 season — in which he is due $17.8 million.

Paul’s move to the Clippers unites him with forward Blake Griffin, who averaged 22.5

PAUL points and 12.1 rebounds last season, his first as a pro.

The Hornets get a prolific young shooting guard in Gordon, who turns 23 on Christmas Day and averaged 22.3 points last season. Gordon would be a restricted free agent after this season unless he signs an extension with New Orleans.

Aminu is a second-year pro who averaged 5.6 points and 3.3 rebounds as a rookie.

Kaman, 29, is an eightyear veteran who averaged 12.4 points and seven rebounds last season, but played in only 32 games because of a left ankle injury. He’s in the last year of his contract, which will pay him $12.2 million this season.

“With this trade, we now have three additional players who were among the top

eight draft picks in their respective drafts as well as our own first-round pick and (another) first-round pick,” Hornets general manager Dell Demps said.

“Aminu is a young talent with a bright future, Gordon is a bigtime scorer and one of the best (shooting) guards in the league and Kaman is a proven center and former All-Star.”

New Orleans also sent two 2015 second-round draft picks to the Clippers.

“We wanted to make sure that we got the best possible deal for a player of Chris’ caliber, and we feel great about the outcome,” said Jac Sperling, who Stern appointed as the Hornets’ governor after the league bought the team in December 2010.

Paul, whom the Hornets drafted fourth overall in 2005,

told New Orleans earlier this month that he was not going to sign an extension, and Demps had been trying to trade him since to avoid losing him in free agency with no compensation after this season.

Demps came close to making a three-team deal last Thursday that would have sent Paul to the Lakers. The Lakers would have sent Lamar Odom to the Hornets and Pau Gasol to Houston, while the Rockets would have sent Luis Scola, Kevin Martin, Goran Dragic, and a first-round draft choice to New Orleans.

Stern, however, told Demps to take that deal off the table because he thought the Hornets could do better, both in terms of personnel and salary obligations.

The Hornets have only five returning veterans under contract: center Emeka Okafor, forward Trevor Ariza, point guard Jarrett Jack, second-year swingman Quincy Pondexter and shooting guard Marco Belinelli.

The addition of Gordon, Aminu and Kaman give New Orleans desperately needed depth while opening the way for the franchise to further strengthen its roster through free agency.

Meanwhile, the Hornets also could look forward to an additional first-round draft choice next summer. The pick originally belonged to Minnesota, meaning it will be tied to where the Timberwolves finish in the standings this season.

Am Golf Open 2012 A slew of foreign players from SEA Games rivals have confirmed participation in the 2012 Philippine Amateur Open Golf Championships, ensuring a talent-laden field in one of the country’s premier events slated January 5 to 8 at the Canlubang Golf and Country Club in Laguna.

The organizing National Golf Association of the Philippines said the ace shotmakers from Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore have agreed to join the title hunt both in the men’s and ladies sides of the stroke-play championship featuring the country’s leading shotmakers in the ranks and the top junior players.

Wang Jeung Hun cruised to a six-shot romp over Jobim Carlos at the tough Riviera’s Langer layout last year to claim the crown but the Korean teener is expected to encounter stiff resistance in the upcoming tournament toughened up by a scratch player from France.

Expected to join Wang and Carlos in the title chase are national team mainstays Art Arbole, Zanie Boy Gialon, Lloyd Jefferson Go, Clyde Mondilla and reigning junior and national champion Rupert Zaragosa.

Keen competition is also seen in the ladies category with Andie Unson hardpressed to defend the crown against the expected charge of ICTSI teammates Chihiro Ikeda, Dottie Ardina, Jayvie Agojo, Sarah Ababa and Lovelynn Guioguio.

The PHL Am Open serves as the kickoff leg of a series of events lined up by NGAP next year in its continuing effort to provide members of the national pool top-level tournaments.

The NGAP will actually hold a first-ever National Doubles Championship on December 26 to 28 at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Golf Club (formerly Camp Aguinaldo GC) exclusively for local players.

The novel tournament, tipped to generate interest and lure the country’s leading players, will have the foursomes (alternate shot) in the first day and four-balls (bestball) in the second round while the final round will have the combined aggregate of the team.

Interested parties must call the NGAP Office at (02) 517-9778 or cell number (0917) 560-7074 to sign up.

[PNA]

games 20

VOL. 4 NO. 42 December 19-25, 2011

THE BUSINESS PAPER EDGEDAVAO