Edge Davao 5 Issue 123

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VOL.5 ISSUE 123 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

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EULOGY. Dir. Francisco Jose of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region XI gives a eulogy for the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo after the mass for the latter at the Lady Ascencion in Matina, Davao City yesterday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

The Economy Page 6

No child labor in cacao farms

By Carlo P. Mallo

Sports

Page 16

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ACAO plantations in the Davao region do not employ children nor do they engage in other controversial agricultural practices.

This was the assurance of business leader Lizabel “Wit” G. Holganza, who is the conference director of Kakao Konek, an international cacao industry conference scheduled in Davao City in November.

90% of country’s cacao production from Mindanao.

Davao del Sur, Davao City region’s top producers Holganza, who is more popularly known as leader of ICT-Davao, Inc. and president of the Mindanao Transcription Academy, bared details of the conference during the Club 888 business forum at The Marco Polo Davao yesterday.

“What we want to happen in

Davao is for our cacao producers to follow the United Nation’s good global agricultural practices. Children should not be used to labor in the farms, instead, they should be sent to school and be encouraged to become better cacao farmers,”

vital in order to check the completeness and accuracy of transport documents and supervise the loading and unloading of forest products at the point of origin, as the case maybe.

In coordination with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), PICO will identify all major ports within their area of jurisdiction where forest products are being loaded and unloaded.

PICO will be operational in PPA-manned ports also to serve as a one-stop shop office aiming to provide easy access and speedy processing of shipping/transport clearances to be secured by clientele engaged in domestic as well as export and import business transactions.

The ports of Terminal Facilities and Services Corporation or TeFASCO and Sasa Wharf are

Holganza said.

Davao City ranks second to Davao del Sur as top producer of cacao in the region, contributing 24% to the total production in Davao Region. Holganza said that 90% of the entire country’s cacao production comes from Mindanao.

The city’s cacao production recorded an average of 848.13 metric tons during the period 2006-

FNO, 11

DENR reactivates port clearance office

Follow Us On

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He Department of environment and Natural Resources (DeNR 11) recently reactivated the Port Integrated Clearance Office (PICO) in Region 11 with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with other national government Agencies (NGAs).

DeNR Regional executive Director Joselin Marcus e. Fragada said the reactivation of PICO is

identified as major ports for domestic and foreign vessels.

PICO will operate in a 24-hour basis, each participating agency assigning personnel for the day or on a three-shift basis, as the situation warrants.

Signatories to the MOA are DeNR, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Customs (BOC),

FDENR, 11

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THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 123 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

NTD forum in Davao

Compostela Valley now filariasis-free

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He PROvINCe of Compostela valley added another feather on its cap by being declared to be declared by the Department of Health (DOH) filariasisfree in the entire country.

This was learned during the opening yesterday of the two-day 1st National Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Stakeholders Forum at the Apo view Hotel in Davao City.

“There are 12 million Filipinos are estimated to be at risk of getting infected with lymphatic filariasis. About 44 provinces are endemic of this disease including all prov-

inces of Region xII but Compostela valley has succeeded in eliminating this disease,” according to a document distributed to forum participants and media practitioners.

Lymphatic filariasis is only one of the six diseases classified as NTDs present in the country.

Others are Schistosomiasis, Soil-transmitted Helminthiasis, Food and Waterborne Diseases, Leprosy and Rabies.

“It is caused by filarial parasites transmitted from person to person through bites of infected mosquito. It can eliminated when endemic com-

FCOMPOSTELA, 11

CACAO. Wit Holganza, conference director of Kakao Konek (left), states that 90% of cocoa production in the country comes from Mindanao during Club 888 media forum at Marco Polo Hotel yesterday. At right is Alfred Corpuz, vice chair of Cacao Industry

DPWH 11 reduces work force by 100 D

By Anthony S. Allada

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He ReGION 11 office of the Department of Public Works and Highways is trimming down the number of its employees from 300 to just 200.

Newly-assumed DPWH regional director Mariano Alquiza said that aside from following the downsizing policy of the DPWH national office, he is also particular about having a few efficient workers rather than having many who are productive or who have nothing to do at all.

Alquiza, a Dabawenyo civil engineer who rose from the ranks, succeeded re-

New RD vows efficient project implementation

tired lady regional director Sinaolan Macarambun.

When he assumed office two months ago, Alquiza reminded DPWH officials and employees of the department’s policy direction and core values.

“In public service, they should value commitment, integrity, excellence, professionalism, performancebased and time-bounded,” he said.

He said that in putting into action the national man-

De Lima suspects existence of kidnap syndicate in NBP

date which is “Matuwid na Daan”, they should be in right project, quality, program, cost, time and people.

Alquiza said that from the time when he was still a lowly employee of the DPWH, he would always let his implemented projects speak for themselves.

Alquiza, who studied in Davao City, was regional director of Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) based in Baguio City before his assignment here. However, he had served in various capacities within the Davao Region in the past. (ASA)

Colmenares grills DND execs at budget hearing

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AyAN Muna Rep. Neri Javier Colmenares will move for the deferral of the Department of National Defense (DND) modernization budget if Sec. voltaire Gazmin cannot satisfactorily explain the possible misuse of the modernization fund through the overpriced communication system worth 1.8 billion pesos.

Colmenares questioned during the DND budget deliberations the P1.645 billion allotted for 6,356 handheld radios which cost a staggering P258,823.00 for each walkie talkie. He also exposed the P138,400,000.00 price of 100 base radios which cost 1.4 million each. The Bayan Muna solon was also shocked that P99.483

Million was used in buying 2,934 Global Positioning system units which cost P33,907.00 each.

“The lame excuse that these units are 10 times overpriced because they have military specs is unacceptable, especially since the AFP cannot explain what specs these units have other than being durable” said Colmenares.

Colmenares also questioned the sincerity of the Aquino government in resolving human rights violations because of the failure of the military to appear before the Regional Trial Court in Negros trying the case of Pfc. Rafael Cordova and Pfc. Reygine Laus who are accused of killing Bayan Muna member Bayles in June 2010.

Development Association of Mindanao, Inc. (CIDAMI). See headline story. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

“The promise of Aquino and Sec. voltaire Gazmin that they will cooperate in the resolution of the murder case of Bayles is an empty gesture considering that for two years Col. Richard Bayhon and Col. edilberto Soratos refused to heed the 4 or 5 subpoenas issued by RTC Branch 55 in Negros trying Pfc. Cordova and Pfc Laus,” he said.

The progressive solon doubted the AFP’s supposed commitment to human rights when the US state department itself has been withholding millions of dollars every year because of human rights violations. Colmenares exposed the US$ 2 million withheld in 2009 during the time of Sec. Gilbert Teodoro.

ePARTMeNT of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila M. De Lima on Wednesday said that the abduction of murder convict Rolito Go was not an isolated case.

De Lima also suspects that there is a kidnapping syndicate operating around the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) area.

During an ambush interview, De Lima said there were reported kidnappings, hulidap incidents, but that the victims opted to keep silent.

“They refuse to cooperate for some reason. I believe there are syndicates

operating within the area, they have a spotter to identify who should be the next victim. The previous incidents involved the wives or loved ones of the inmates,” she said.

“We would want to know exactly how many incidents of hulidap have happened,” De Lima said, adding that she plans to form a dedicated team of members of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to dig deeper into the hulidap/kidnapping phenomenon.

The NBI is the Philippines’ premier investigating body and is an attached

agency of the DOJ. De Lima is currently the officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) after BuCor director Gaudencio Pangilinan took an indefinite leave of absence following the alleged abduction of convicted murderer Rolito Go last week.

The BuCor is also an attached agency of the DOJ, which has administrative control and supervision over the NBP in Muntinlupa City and the penal colonies in Abuyug, Leyte, Davao del Norte, and Coron and Iwahig, both in Palawan province. [PNA]

for good governance has reverberated as inspiration among many of our young leaders in Mindanao,” Antonino said in a statement.

The MinDA chair recalled how Robredo has showed determination in vigorously pursuing initiatives designed to effect genuine governance reforms in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Robredo, along with

Antonino and Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita Deles comprise the core group of Cabinet members overseeing the implementation of President Aquino’s ARMM Reform Agenda.

“In pursuing public service, he has long dedicated his life to something greater than himself. He will deservedly be remembered for a long time,” said Antonino.

[MinDa]

and continued.

Ochoa, who was designated DILG officerin-charge by President Benigno S. Aquino III following Robredo’s death in a plane crash that also killed his two pilots last Saturday, was at the agency Wednesday morning to seek a list of the programs in the pipeline as well as assure

DILG employees that there will be no interruption in the services they provide to the public.

“While we join Secretary Robredo’s family and the nation in this time of bereavement, the President felt also that it is appropriate to designate an OIC for the meantime, in a very temporary

Antonino extols Robredo

M

INDANAO Development Authority chair Luwalhati Antonino said on Tuesday she is saddened by the loss not only of a good friend but also a colleague in Cabinet who devoted a great deal of effort helping national government pursue Mindanao’s progress and transformation.

“Secretary Jesse was a true harbinger of transformational leadership and his passion

Ochoa takes over DILG

e

xeCUTIve Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa on Wednesday sought for a comprehensive review of all the pending programs and projects left by the untimely demise of Secretary Jesse Robredo in the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to ensure that reforms are implemented

FOCHOA, 11

THE BIG NEWS

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 123 •THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

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Pagcor donates P2.7 million for Tagum’s chairs program

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He local government-initiated Care for School Chairs Program was given a boost as the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) donated 2.7 million pesos recently, a thing Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy is thankful for.

On August 22, 2012, Mayor Uy received the check from PAGCOR through the City Treasurer edgar C. de Guzman during the city government’s flag raising ceremony.

The local chief executive announced to the employees of the city government that PAGCOR Chairman Cristino Naguiat, Jr. had assured him that his agency is willing to put in another financial support of the program if there are still logs to be processed into school chairs.

The Care for School Chairs (CFSC) Program -which marks its first year

anniversary this August - is a brainchild project of Mayor Rey T. Uy which fabricates school chairs from confiscated logs donated by Department of environment and Natural Resources (DeNR) and are distributed for free by the city government to schools not only in the city, but also to needy schools in Luzon, visayas and in Mindanao.

Meanwhile, the LyR Group of Companies in partnership with the Rotary Club of Tagum also donated paints worth 500,000 thousand pesos last August 22, 2012 that was formally accepted by Mayor Uy. He also extended his gratitude to LyR and the Rotary Club for flexing its corporate social responsibility that will create a big impact in alleviating the quality of education here in the region.

Penongs, a well-known restaurant with several stores in Davao Region, threw its full support to the program by also donating 30,000 thousand pesos.

Meanwhile during last week’s distribution of chairs led by Mayor Uy, a total of 795 school chairs were separately distributed to Don vicente Romadles National High School in Laak, Compostela valley, Dujali National High School and Tanglaw National High School both in the Municipality of Dujali and Kimamon National High School in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte.

As of August 21, 2012, a total of 66,339 pieces of school furniture consisting of armchairs, desks, tables, kiddie chairs, computer tables, bookshelves, rostrums were already made and delivered by LGU Tagum through the CFSC since August 2011.

AvAO City Water District has scheduled a water service interruption from 8:00 PM of August 25 until 8:00 AM of August 26 to allow the realignment of 300mm diameter Mortar Lined Coated Steel Pipe (MLCSP) and 150mm diameter Black Iron Pipe Crossing in front of Ma-a Brgy. Hall.

The 12-hour water cut will affect some areas in Ma-a specifically Metroville Subd., Pantinople village, Garcia Settlers, Di-

naville Subd., Anahaw village, Diho village 4, Salcedo village, Ma-a People’s village, Ma-a Riverside, Las Terrazas, Purok A, Del Pilar village, New Washington village and Roldan village.

DCWD Acting general manager edwin v. Regalado appeals for the understanding and cooperation of the would-be affected customers and advises them to store enough water prior to the scheduled water service interruption

as water supply may be restored earlier if work goes smoothly or later if unforeseen problems arise.

The general public may call the DCWD trunk line at 221-9400 and press “1” on their phone dial to listen to the latest daily water updates, or contact its call center through the 24-hour hotline 221-9412 or 0927-7988966 for updates, complaints, queries and other matters pertaining to DCWD services.

[Sylvia May L. Vosotros]

T

higher than month-ago’s US$ 14 million surplus and year-ago’s US$ 1.3 billion surplus, data released Wednesday by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) show.

BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr., in a text message to reporters, said the

national government paid some of its liabilities last July but this failed to offset the BOP surplus due to gains from central bank’s foreign exchange operations and income from its investments overseas as well as deposits of the national government.

FORUM. Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag of the Department of Health graces the 1st National Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Stakeholders Forum at the Apo View Hotel yesterday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

Water interruption Aug. 25 - 26 DFA debunks reports on Angara

D

PHL posts US$ 4.5-B BOP surplus in first 7 months He Philippines posted US$ 4.5 billion balance of payments (BOP) surplus in the first seven months this year, lower than US$ 6.3 billion in the same period last year.

But for the month of July alone, the BOP surplus reached US$ 3.2 billion,

5,725 AND COUNTING. Dr. Kirbe Labarcon interviews a mother with her three children prior to their check-up in Brgy. Lasang, Bunawan Districts, while Dr. Jojo Salvacion (dentist) examines a young patient in Brgy. Sasa, Buhangin District. A total of 219

questioning quality of diplomats

T

He Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)on Wednesday refuted reports that Sen. edgardo Angara is dismayed by the quality of Filipino diplomats being assigned by the Philippine government abroad.

Reports said Angara criticized the Filipino diplomats’ lack of foreign language training.

Angara also reportedly said many Filipino envoys who have been assigned to non-english speaking countries could not speak the local language.

During a Senate deliberation on the DFA’s budget last week, Angara was quoted as saying: “We get dismayed that some people receive postings not even knowing the language used in the post.”

“I think it’s really a shame like when I meet Thai diplomats and they speak the language of Madrid and elsewhere so fluently,” he said.

The DFA said the senator’s statements have been misconstrued by the media.

“To put things in their proper context, the good senator did not question the quality of our foreign service corps. He merely proposed ways in which we could improve the Foreign Service Institute or FSI, the existing training arm of the DFA,” department spokesman Raul Hernandez said in a text message.

To increase the competence of Filipino diplomats, the DFA said the senator

has suggested the DFA to maximize the use of grants from various countries and financial institutions.

While the DFA agrees with Angara that Filipino diplomats should speak the language of host countries, it said the department is not lacking in terms of diplomats who can fluently speak the language of their countries of assignment.

Nevertheless, Hernanadez said the DFA continuously strives to further enhance the quality of its diplomats.

“FSI will continue to train our people through post-graduate studies and/or intensive language courses,” Hernandez said. [PNA]

residents were treated in the two barangays by a team of doctors and dentists assembled by 2nd district Congressman Mylene J. Garcia. The weekly health program has so far served 5,725 patients/residents in 40 barangays.

4 SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 ISSUE 123 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Star is caught devouring planet

The team thinks the planet was destroyed as its ageing star expanded in size

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STRONOMeRS have found evidence for a planet being devoured by its star, yielding insights into the fate that will befall earth in billions of years.

The team uncovered the signature of a planet that had been “eaten” by looking at the chemistry of the host star.

They also think a surviving planet around this star may have been kicked into its unusual orbit by the destruction of a neighbouring world.

Details of the work have been published in Astrophysical Journal Letters.

The US-Polish-Spanish team made the discovery when they were studying the star BD+48 740 - which is one of a stellar class known as red giants. Their observations were made with the Hobby eberly telescope, based at the McDonald Observatory in Texas.

Rising temperatures near the cores of red giants cause these elderly stars to expand in size, a process which will cause any nearby planets to be destroyed.

“A similar fate may await the inner planets in our solar system, when the Sun becomes a red giant and expands all the way out to earth’s orbit some five billion years from now,” said

co-author Prof Alexander Wolszczan from Pennsylvania State University in the US. Lithium boost The first piece of evidence for the missing planet comes from the star’s peculiar chemical composition.

Spectroscopic analysis of BD+48 740 revealed that it contained an abnormally high amount of lithium, a rare element created primarily during the Big Bang 14 billion years ago.

Lithium is easily destroyed in stars, so its high abundance in this ageing star is very unusual.

“Theorists have identified only a few, very specific circumstances, other than the Big Bang, under which lithium can be created in stars,” Prof Wolszczan explained.

“In the case of BD+48 740, it is probable that the lithium production was triggered by a mass the size of a planet that spiralled into the star and heated it up while the star was digesting it.”

The second piece of evidence discovered by the astronomers is the highly elliptical orbit of a newly discovered planet around the red giant star. The previously undetected world is at least 1.6 times as massive as Jupiter.

Co-author Andrzej

Niedzielski of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland, said that orbits as eccentric as this one are uncommon in planetary systems around evolved stars.

“In fact, the BD+48 740 planet’s orbit is the most elliptical one detected so far,” he added.

Because gravitational interactions between planets are often responsible for such peculiar orbits, the astronomers suspect that the dive of the missing planet toward its host star before it became a giant could have given the surviving massive planet a burst of energy.

This boost would have propelled it into its present unusual orbit.

Team member eva villaver of the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid in Spain commented: “Catching a planet in the act of being devoured by a star is an almost improbable feat to accomplish because of the comparative swiftness of the process, but the occurrence of such a collision can be deduced from the way it affects the stellar chemistry.

“The highly elongated orbit of the massive planet we discovered around this lithium-polluted red giant star is exactly the kind of evidence that would point to the star’s recent destruction of its now-missing planet.”

al drought as of the end of July, according to Mannava Sivakumar, director of the WMO’s Climate Prediction and Adaptation branch.

Apart from the United States, India is also going through a serious drought and rainfall there is 70 percent below normal countrywide, which could have a major impact on food production.

While in Mexico, 2.5 million people have suffered from droughts, and some areas of south-eastern europe such as Roma-

nia and Slovenia saw temperatures rise and water deficits, said Sivakumar.

“Climate change is projected to increase the frequency, intensity and duration of droughts, with impacts on many sectors, in particular food, water, health and energy,” WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud said.

“We need to move away from a piecemeal, crisis-driven approach and develop integrated riskbased national drought policies.”[PNA/XiNhuA]

World Meteorological Organization calls on nations to develop drought policies

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IveN the serious drought gripping the United States and its ripple effects on global food markets, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on Tuesday called on all nations to develop more coordinated and proactive polices to manage drought risks.

The United States is enduring the worst drought it has experienced since 1895 and 63 percent of the country has been affected by moderate to exception-

The discovery was made using the Hobby-Eberly telescope in Texas

Sustainability partnership sealed I

N recent years, the international community and business sector have adopted environmental protection and sustainability initiatives based on the Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the Rio+20 or the United Nations (UN) Conference on Sustainable Development.

To help companies develop and maintain sustainability programs and acquire environmental certifications, F-I-R-S-T Carbon Solutions Corporation, a leader in sustainability services, and Bureau veritas, an international certification body, have launched a strategic partnership in support of sustainable development.

The UN reports that energy accounts for 60 percent of GHG emissions causing global warming and if not acted upon, GHG emissions could potentially cause the extinction of over a third of earth’s species.

“Globally, there is a call

for companies to be more sustainable in their practices,” said James Donovan, Chief executive Officer of FI-R-S-T Carbon Solutions.

“This partnership will help them effectively address business challenges such as energy savings, and GHG and carbon emissions reporting.” According to Donovan, the partnership is also a response to an evolving regulatory environment and the growing need for environmental certification.

F-I-R-S-T Carbon Solutions offers consultancy services that help companies prepare for certification requirements.

The company provides software tools—such as its Sustainability Workbench and ghgTrack™—that make sustainability tracking easy and manageable for businesses.

On the other hand, Bureau veritas, an international certification body, provides certification services for ISO

14064 (Greenhouse Gas Accounting) and ISO 50001 (energy Management System), among others, as well as independent assessments of a company’s management systems.

“This collaboration between two industry leaders demonstrates our commitment to enabling companies to operate with more sustainability,” said emmanuel Danion, Bureau veritas Country Chief executive.

“We foresee long-term impact that will create continuous and beneficial business results for many companies,” Danion said.

A Philippine-based company, F-I-R-S-T Carbon Solutions also seeks to establish a stronger regional presence.

“With this partnership, we hope to create stronger awareness on sustainability initiatives among the business community, both here in the Philippines and across the region,” Donovan said.

[PNA]

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 123 •THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

5

6

THE ECONOMY

Stat Watch

1. Gross National Income Growth Rate (At Constant 2000 Prices)

5.8% 1st Qtr 2012

2. Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate (At Constant 2000 Prices)

6.4 % 1st Qtr 2012

3. Exports 1/ 4. Imports 1/ 5. Trade Balance 6. Balance of Payments 2/ 7. Broad Money Liabilities

USD 4,931 million May 2012 USD 4,770 million Apr 2012 USD -135 million Apr 2012 USD -209 million Mar 2012 P 4,580,674 million Apr 2012

8. Interest Rates 4/

10. National government outstanding debt 11. Peso per US $ 5/

P 42.78 Jun 2012

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

5,091.2 May 2012

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

130.1 Jun 2012

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

2.8 Jun 2012

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.7 Jun 2012

16. Visitor Arrivals

349,779 Apr 2012

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

18.8 % Jan 2012

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

7.2 % Jan 2012

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2009 - December 2011) Average December November October September August July June May April March February January

EDGEDAVAO

Banana industry is headed for crisis

By Carlo P. Mallo

T

He banana industry is hanging on by a thread, according to Pilipino Banana Growers and exporters Association executive director Stephen Antig.

Based on their assessment, the industry is being battered from all sides.

“All the writings on the wall point to a worldwide crisis. The markets are down, there is an abundance of supply, and there are diseases that we have to battle with,” Antig said, adding that the

same factors caused the worldwide banana crises in 1989 and 1994 to 1995.

Come the winter months, Antig said that the banana industries will be tightening their belts further as demand for bananas in the northern countries are expected to dwindle.

“Their own produce will be saturating their market, it is an annual cycle.” Antig said.

Recently, the industry was in a meeting with the US Department of

Agriculture wherein they discussed how to fast track the importation of bananas in US territories like Hawaii, the Marianas, and Guam.

“If things work out as planned, we might be able to export before the year ends. However, packing houses will have to pass their quality control,” Antig said.

While the future looks gray and overcast for the Cavendish exporting industry, the largest agricultural industry at present in Mindanao, Antig remains hopeful

for a better 2013.

“I hope the odds will be in our favor next year, we don’t know how much longer we can hold on if this continues for long,” Antg said.

At least two members of PBGeA have expressed their intent to shut down their operations due to the continuous losses that the industry is experiencing since March this year when China imposed stringent quality control for Cavendish imports from the Philippines.

4.1 % May 2012 P131,403 million May 2012 P 5,075 billion Apr 2012

9. National Government Revenues

Month

VOL.5 ISSUE 123 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

2012

2011

2010

42.85 42.70 42.86 42.66 43.62

43.31 43.64 43.27 43.45 43.02 42.42 42.81 43.37 43.13 43.24 43.52 43.70 44.17

45.11 43.95 43.49 43.44 44.31 45.18 46.32 46.30 45.60 44.63 45.74 46.31 46.03

LOADING STATION. Students of a university along C.M. Recto Ave. visit a loading station before attending their respective classes yesterday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

A

Solon wants taxpayers to pay VAT in regions with business branches

lawmaker is seeking an amendment to Republic Act 8424, or the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, to prompt taxpayers to pay their value added tax (vAT) in the region where their business branches are located.

Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez (1st District, Leyte) said the wisdom for his proposal was that those business branches were enjoying the local services of the local government units.

“Thus, it should follow that the vAT should be paid in the location of the business branches for the mutual benefit of LGUs,” said Romualdez, an Assistant Minority Leader.

He said taxes were the lifeblood of government, without which the government would become “anemic.” “Hence, the revision, amendment and modification thereof are the order of the Filipino people,” he said.

In House Bill 6424, Romual-

dez sought the amendment of Section 114 (B) of RA 8424 so that “except as the Commissioner otherwise permits, the return shall be filed with and the vAT paid to an authorized agent bank, Revenue Collection Officer or duly authorized city or municipal Treasurer in the Philippines located within the revenue district where the taxpayer is doing business.”

Presently, the law provides the vAT payment and filing of tax

returns shall be done within the revenue district where the taxpayer is registered or required to register.

The law also provides that in general, every person liable to pay the vAT shall file a quarterly return of the amount of his gross sales or receipts within 25 days following the close of each taxable quarter prescribed for each taxpayer. Furthermore, vAT-registered persons shall pay the vAT on a monthly basis. [PNA]

as of august 2010

Cebu Pacific Daily Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Silk Air Mon/Wed/Sat Cebu Pacific Thu Cebu Pacific Tue/Wed//Sat

5J961 / 5J962 Z2390 / Z2390 5J593 / 5J348 PR809 / PR810 PR819 / PR820 5J394 / 5J393 5J599 / 5J594 5J347 / 5J596 5J963 / 5J964 PR811 / PR812 5J595 / 5J966 MI588 / MI588 5J965 / 5J968 5J965 / 5J968

5:45 5:45 6:00 6:10 7:50 7:50 8:00 9:10 9:40 11:30 12:00 18:55 12:55 13:35

Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Iloilo Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Zamboanga-Davao-Zamboanga Cebu-Davao-Cebu Iloilo-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Manila Davao-Cebu-Singapore Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila

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

Silk Air Thu/Sun Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri Philippine Airlines August Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippines Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Sat Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Tue/Sat/Sun Cebu Pacific Daily Airphil Express Daily Philippine Airlines Daily except Sunday Philippine Airlines Sunday

MI566 / MI566 5J507 / 5J598 15:55 Z2524 / Z2525 5J967 / 5J600 PR813 / PR814 5J215 / 5J216 5971 / 5J970 5J973 / 5J974 5J969 / 5J972 2P987 / 2P988 PR821 / PR822 PR821 / PR822

18:55 15:00 Mani2Mani 16:05 16:35 16:55 18:00 18:40 20:00 20:30 20:30 21:20 22:20

Davao-Singapore Cebu-Davao-Cebu 16:50 Cebu-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Manila Cagayan de Oro-Davao-Cagayan de Oro Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila

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 ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 123 •THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

Petron hikes oil prices A

day after its competitors lifted the price freeze on oil products in selected areas earlier hit by massive flooding, largest oil refiner Petron Corp. followed at past midnight Tuesday to impose the same level of pump price hikes that had earlier been enforced by its rival oil companies.

In a text message sent to reporters on Monday night, Petron said “it will be matching the price adjustments of competition in areas affected by the floods last week effective 12:01 a.m., August 21.”

Oil firms on Monday morning implemented price hikes of P1.80 per liter on premium and unleaded gasoline, P1.70 per liter on regular gasoline, P1.60 per liter on kerosene and P1.50 per liter on diesel.

The adjustment specifically took effect in areas that were previously covered by an industry-wide price freeze last week, particularly Metro Manila, Bataan, Pampanga, Zambales, Bu-

lacan, Laguna, Cavite and Tarlac.

With the price increase, Petron said fuel prices in the said areas would now “normalize”, or be at pace with prices in other parts of the country that were not covered by the one-week hike moratorium.

This week’s hike was practically a cent-by-cent deferment of the one imposed by petroleum companies the previous week, which took effect only in non-calamity areas.

Oil firms decided to defer last week’s wave of fuel hikes in order to allow the various communities to recover from the recent episode of devastating floods caused by heavy southwest monsoon rains.

On a nationwide scale, oil firms have now jacked up pump prices for six consecutive weeks. They pointed to the uptrend in international prices as reason for the successive upward adjustments. [PNA]

Senate threatens to hold Indian rice importer, 3 others in contempt

T

He Senate has directed an Indian national and three local contacts to show cause why they should not be cited in contempt for their contradictory statements regarding an alleged attempt to smuggle 420,000 sacks of rice at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Freeport Zone.

On a motion of Senate President Juan Ponce enrile, Senate committee on agriculture and food chairman Senator Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan ordered Protik Guha, chief executive of India-based rice importer Amira C. Foods International to show cause why he should not be cited in contempt.

The panel also directed Cesar Bulaon, vice president of consignee Metro eastern Trading Corp; vicente ‘Bong’ Cuevas III, president of CAMJ Construction Inc.; Stefani Sano, senior deputy administrator for business and investments of SBMA; and, local buyer Purok Malakas Cesar Ramirez to submit in writing their explanation. ”We’re asking these persons to submit in writing to show cause documents. Therefore, the motion is approved,” Pangilinan said before suspending the Senate inquiry into the nearly P500-million rice shipment now warehoused inside SBMA Freeport Zone compound.

In a written statement, Guha said the 420,000 bags of Indian rice were not intended for the Philippine market but for Indo-

nesia. ”This shipment was part of a batch of six vessels that were bound for Indonesia, specifically for Perum Bulog, an Indonesian state-owned company.

Due, however, to unforeseen circumstances, the (sixth) vessel could not be discharged in Indonesia due to expired import permit,” Guha said.

However, Bureau of Customs (BoC) commissioner Rufino Biazon presented a document showing a memorandum of agreement between Metro eastern and Amira to sell 200,000 sacks of the Indian rice to Dasmarinas in Cavite and Cabuyao in Laguna.

Biazon also denied accusation of Guha that Amira has not been given due process when the BOC decided to seize the 21,000 tons of Indian rice. ”The BOC denied Amira accusation that they have not been given due process. It was baseless.

The absence of admission of entry and import permit from the NFA (National Food Authority) was the basis to render that decision (seizure). Actually, we conducted hearing and Amira was present,” Biazon told the panel.

Guha insisted that the goods were not intended for transshipment only and not to sell domestically though he said: “Metro eastern continued to send interested buyers to me, even though at no time did I request him for such.”

[PNA]

7

HOT CAKES. Sales ladies of a snack stall along Roxas Avenue start to display freshly cooked hotcakes early to make sure their customers will have something to eat when snack time comes. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

ERC okays GenSan power co-op deal

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He energy Regulatory Commission (eRC) has approved the power sales agreement (PSA) between the Alcantara-led Sarangani energy Corp. (SeC) and South Cotabato electric Cooperative 2 (Socoteco 2), an electric distribution utility here.

Under the 25-year PSA, Sarangani energy would supply Socoteco-2 with 70 megawatts (MWs)of base load power.

With supply from Sarangani energy, electricity rate of Socoteco-2 in turn will sell the electricity from Sarangani energy at P6.31 per kilowatt hour (kWh), lower than the P8.24 per kWh if otherwise, from 2017 to 2027, the eRC decision said.

The projected rate, however, does not assume increases in the cost of fuel, it said.

The eRC’s 75-page decision was signed by Zenaida Cruz-Ducut, eRC chairperson, and commissioners Maria Theresa A.R. Castaneda and Alfredo J. Non. The decision was dated

last July 30 but a copy was only made available recently.

Sarangani energy will build a 120-megawatt Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustor Boiler Coal-Fired power plant in Maasim, Sarangani at a proposed cost of US$ 280 million, or P12.05 billion.

Sarangani energy plans to expand the capacity of the power plant to 200 MWs for a total project cost of US$ 450 million.

Tomas Alcantara, chairman of Alsons Consolidated Resources, Inc., said in a statement that the PSA would ensure that consumers of Socoteco-2 enjoy “the benefits of safe, reliable and affordable energy.”

“We remain steadfast in our dedication to building a secure, ecologically sustainable, and prosperous future for the people of Socssksargen and the rest of Mindanao,” he said.

Socoteco-2 serves this city, the whole of Sarangani and parts of South Cotabato.

Power interruptions

have hit the service area of Socoteco 2 intermittently since the start of the year due to insufficient supply.

Socoteco-2 used to get 110 MW from the National Power Corp. but the allocation was reduced to nearly 55 MW due to generation deficiency, Crisanto Sotelo, the utility’s technical services department chief, said.

To bridge the deficit, Socoteco-2 has contracted electricity from Therma Marine, Inc, a subsidiary of the Aboitiz Power Corp.

Under the PSA, Sarangani energy proposed that power to be supplied to the cooperative will be directly connected to the utility’s transmission facilities.

Oscar Benedict Contreras III, Alsons Power Business Unit manager for communications and stakeholder relations, said that drilling activities have commenced in preparation for the actual construction of the coal-fired power plant in Barangay Kamanga.

South Korean firm Daelim Industrial Co. Ltd has

been awarded the contract to construct the power plant that is expected to go on stream in 2015.

“The drilling activity is part of the geo-technical engineering study being conducted under the supervision of Daelim in order to determine the condition of the soil underneath where the plant is to be built,” Contreras said.

Contreras said that the detailed design and engineering of the power station would run through the third quarter of 2012, leading to the actual erection and installation works of the power plant.

Sarangani energy had acquired an environmental compliancecertificate in 2009 from the Department of environment and Natural Resources.

The project site sits near a world-class diving spot and is facing opposition from groups like the local Catholic Church and Greenpeace on concerns over the environment and human health. [PNA]

He public-private partnership (PPP) program of the national government and the water sector reform bills now pending in Congress are all roadmaps to privatization, employees of 10 water districts from different parts of Mindanao said.

Senator edgardo Angara has filed Senate Bill 2997, while Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles and Rep. Romeo Quinto have sponsored House Bill 5497 for this purpose, they added.

Rudy Aranjuez, president of the Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa Davao City

Water District (Namadacwad) said both measures are schemes of the Aquino administration to pass to the private sector the responsibility to provide basic social services such as water.

Alejo S. Roxas, assistant general manager for operations of the Zambo-

anga City Water District, said they have to improve their services to preempt the entry of private water distribution firms through the PPP scheme.

He admitted that they are serving only 52 out of the total 98 villages in Zamboanga City. (LoRiE ANN

Gov’t eyeing privatization of Mindanao water utilities T CAsCARo/MiNDANEws)

8 VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 123 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Fareed Zakaria’s ‘mistake’ Commentary

By Steven Brill

S

EDITORIAL

T

An open challenge to DPWH 11

He open declaration of President Aquino of his administration’s treading the straight path (Matuwid na Daan) in governance has been openly betrayed by the men mandated to build good roads.

When the construction season began for the Department of Public Work and Highways (DPWH) early this year, there had been a series of complaints over the failure of the government agency to strictly impose upon private contractors all the requirements for road safety on repaired road sections. There had been reports of road accidents, some resulting to death of motorists in these “highways of death.”

We had pointed this out earlier and expected the DPWH would take positive action in the form of corrective measures. We even singled out the death of one fresh nursing graduate of the San Pedro College who was killed in Mati City last May 17 after hitting a metal plate earlier left on the road by the contracting firm.

The local government of Mati City immediately conducted an investigation on the incident and concluded that no warning devices had been installed along that section of the repaired road. The report on the finding was forwarded to the DPWH sec-

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ond engineering division office in Mati City.

But, lo and behold! the DPWH regional office through a certain engineer Peter Riel B. Roque issued a certification on July 19, 2012 or two months after the fatal accident purporting to show that the contractor, Maverick Builders Inc., had complied with all the requirements of the project.

A drive along the repaired road section a few days ago revealed only a few blinking lights, three pairs to be exact, in a span of some two kilometers, except that of the three pairs of blinking lights, only one single light was flashing, albeit weakly like its batteries were about to conk out. The signages along the road had seen better days with most of their reflectorized letters already peeled off the board.

This is the real situation on the ground.

We do not know how else could the DPWH or its engineers certify to its safety without being guilty of perjury and false statement.

They cannot just sit in their offices all day without attending to the mounting complaints from the public.

We challenge DPWH 11 and its second engineering district office in Davao Oriental to drive to Mati City and discover for themselves if the road in question is indeed safe for motorists, especially at night!

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Associate

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Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEñA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN “ADI” C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN • NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG

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(1st of two parts)

UPPOSe I steal my neighbor Jill’s flat-screen television and install it in my living room. Jill or one of her friends who knows about Jill’s missing television comes over to my house a few days later, notices the television and asks, “Hey, isn’t that Jill’s television?”

I immediately confess. “yes, it is,” I say. I’m really sorry. It was a mistake.”

Jill or any interested observer or even the police might ask, “What do you mean by ‘mistake’?

Did you mistakenly break into her house and mistakenly haul her huge flat-screen into your living room and set it up on the wall?”

Well, so far, most of the press seems content to let a colleague - Fareed Zakaria, who writes for Time and the Washington Post and has a Sunday CNN talk show - get off with exactly that explanation for stealing something. In this case, the theft was plagiarism.

As has been widely reported, it was discovered the week before last that Zakaria’s essay in that week’s edition of Time and on an accompanying blog post on CNN.com about gun control had a key, fact-filled paragraph that was almost identical to a paragraph in an April issue of the New yorker by Harvard professor Jill Lepore. Two other important paragraphs, while not nearly as wordfor-word, basically track what Lepore wrote. The three paragraphs - tracing the surprisingly long history of gun control laws in America - are by far the meatiest and seemingly most original parts of Zakaria’s 11-paragraph Time column.

After media reports - which started with a blog post by Newsbusters, a conservative media watchdog organization -detailed the apparent copying of Lepore’s work, Zakaria issued the following statement on August 10: “Media reporters have pointed out that paragraphs in my Time column this week bear close similarities to paragraphs in Jill Lepore’s essay in the April 22nd issue of The New yorker. They are right. I made a terrible mistake. It is a serious lapse and one that is entirely my fault. I apologize unreservedly to her, to my editors at Time, and to my readers.”

Following that statement, Time and CNN said they were suspending Zakaria pending their own investigations; both statements said or implied that they were seeking to find out how Zakaria’s “mistake” happened and, more important, whether any of his other work might have contained similar lapses. The Washington Post, noting that his column was “on vacation” in August, said it, too, would investigate his prior work but that his column was expected to resume in September.

Just six days later, Time and CNN announced that their investigations were over and Zakaria was being reinstated. Here’s what Time’s statement announcing that all is forgiven said: “We have completed a thorough review of each of Fareed Zakaria’s columns for Time, and we are entirely satisfied that the language in question in his recent column was an unintentional error and an isolated incident for which he has apologized. We look forward to having Fareed’s thoughtful and important voice back in the magazine with his next column in the issue that comes out on September 7.”

Time, CNN and Zakaria owe their readers and viewers a lot more than that, and the rest of the press should be embarrassed if it lets those statements end the story.

What was the “unintentional error”? Other cases of plagiarism in the digital age have been explained by a writer cutting and pasting something someone else has written into what he or she is writing and then forgetting to put it in quotes and attribute it. That excuse is dubious enough, but here - as well documented by Atlantic.com (which attributed its discovery to a reference in a National Review Online article) Zakaria’s self-described “mistake” or “lapse” was doctored a bit with slight changes in language in the key paragraph and with more changes in the offending paragraphs that followed. These alterations strongly suggest that this was no accident, that he intentionally used Lepore’s work, and instead of attributing it thought he would cover his tracks by tinkering with some of her words.

Or at least that’s what I will think until some reporter sits down and asks Zakaria exactly those questions and gets a full and verifiable explanation of exactly what his “lapse” was - and then asks Time and CNN to explain exactly what their six-day “investigations” consisted of.

On Monday, the New york Times took what was at best a perfunctory stab at pinning Zakaria down in a story by Christine Haughney, headlined, “A Media Personality, Suffering a Blow to His Image, Ponders a Lesson.” As with prior Times coverage , Haughney dwelled on the pressure Zakaria has put himself under as he juggles two columns, a Tv show, regular tweeting, writing books and doing paid speaking gigs. “Many writers now market themselves as separate brands, and their journalism works largely as a promotion for more lucrative endeavors like writing books and public speaking,” she explained. The “lesson” Zakaria says he had learned from the incident, she concluded, was: “There’s got to be some stripping down” of his frantic schedule.

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 123 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

9

Death, Hachiko and Jesse Robredo

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A

Modernizing PHL coastal defenses

US-based think tank has suggested the Philippines should look into the possibility of improving its coastal defense systems.

This is in line with the country’s efforts to protect its maritime claims, the Philadephiabased Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) said.

It said this should be done in the meantime that the country is waiting for deliveries of equipment that would improve the capabilities of its Air Force and Navy.

The think-tank raised the suggestion after noting Manila might not have enough funds to acquire potent weapons like the submarine which can deliver a devastating attack on intruders with little or no loss to itself.

“An alternative strategy would be for it to take advantage of its geographic location to the Spratly Islands and meet (an intruder’s challenge) from an asymmetric angle,” the think tank said in its website.

“Rather than directly confront strengths in air and naval warfare, the Philippines could pose a challenge with a strategy built around new technologies for coastal defense that would have lower long-term procurement and maintenance costs,” it said.

These missiles include America’s RGM84L Harpoon, RGM-109B Tomahawk, India’s BrahMos, and Russia’s P-800 yakhont.

Denmark, egypt, South Korea, and a small number of other countries have used RGM-84 anti-ship cruise missiles as part of their coastal defenses. vietnam recently ordered two batteries of P-800 missiles to protect its South China Sea claims.

FPRI stated four batteries of such antiship missiles mounted on wheeled or tracked vehicles and dispersed along Palawan’s long road network could satisfy the Philippines’ capability requirement to deliver the massed firepower necessary to penetrate any intruding fleet’s shipboard defenses.

It added the weapon systems’ mobility would reduce the possibility that they could

SPECIAL FEATURE

By Priam nePomuceno suppress them with either air or ballistic missile strikes.

FPRI said the Russian P-800 missile is part of the K-300P Bastion-P coastal defense system.

A single battery’s standard configuration consists of four launchers, each with two P-800 missiles, two command-and-control trucks, a combat alert vehicle, and four transporter loaders.

Designed for rapid deployment, the battery can ready all eight missiles for launch in five minutes.

The American RGM-84L missile’s smaller size would allow each launcher to mount four missiles, as Denmark’s launchers were configured for its coastal defense batteries that operated from 1988–2003.

If organized like the K-300P system, each RGM-84L-equipped battery could launch 16 missiles in a single salvo, it said.

Although modern ships have improved air and surface search radars, their sensors have limited ability to peer ashore.

And while reconnaissance satellites may be able to find fixed installations and help target land-attack missiles against them, mobile targets are far tougher to locate, as Coalition forces discovered during their hunt for Iraqi Scud-B mobile ballistic missiles in 1991.

With ample jungle cover and good emissions discipline, Philippine coastal defense batteries could remain hidden from intruding forces, it said.

To counter these batteries, the latter would have to send aircraft, helicopters, or unmanned aerial systems deep into Philippine airspace over Palawan to pinpoint them, placing them at risk from land-based Philippine air defenses.

FPRI added coastal defense batteries would require over-the-horizon detection and

tracking to provide targeting data for their missiles, and command-and-control coordination to enable a synchronized salvo launch from multiple batteries.

It said: “Ideally, the Philippines could acquire e-2C airborne early warning aircraft to meet both requirements. Given the over 350 kilometer detection range of its AN/APS-145 airborne surveillance radar, an e-2C patrolling over Palawan and well-defended by land-based air defenses on the island could scout for intruding ships anywhere in the Spratly Islands.

“But such an aircraft may prove too costly to acquire and maintain. And it would likely be based on Luzon where it would have better access to service infrastructure, but far from the Spratly Islands, lengthening its response time.”

The think-tank added a more flexible alternative may be the MH-60R naval helicopter.

“Since the Philippine air force already has experience operating helicopters from the same S-70 family, it would not have to create a wholly new spares inventory or training program for aircrews, as an e-2C would require.

In addition, the MH-60R’s AN/APS-147 airborne surveillance radar has a detection range of probably over 300 kms —- extending deep into the contested waters around the Spratly Islands -— and a substantially lower power output than other maritime radars, making it more difficult to detect,” FPRI said.

Better still, four helicopters could be acquired at the cost of one e-2C. With a fleet of six MH-60R helicopters, two could be forward deployed at Puerto Princesa, while the other four could remain at Sangley Point for repair or local duties.

Though the MH-60R platform may not have the full range of capabilities as the e-2C, they would not be tied to airfields and could be reinforced with the balance of the helicopter force should tensions escalate.

In the future, when unmanned aerial systems become more reliable and less costly, they may also play a role in maintaining persistent surveillance over the South China Sea, FPRI said. [PNA]

HeN Rizal was captured, he was on his way to Cuba in service of Spain. eventually, he was sentenced to death for rallying the Filipinos against Spanish abuse. Ninoy died in the hands of his compatriots, having decided to go home and fight the Marcosian conjugal dictatorship.

Bonifacio was murdered by revolutionary troops, acting upon orders of his fellow revolutionary leader. When his nemesis soon betrayed his country by selling its independence for several thousands of pesos, he then left the country and enjoyed Hong Kong’s sterile beauty. Jesse Robredo was killed in a plane crash off Masbate shores. He was in a hurry, wanting to go home in Naga City to attend the swimming awarding ceremony for his youngest daughter.

Death is the great equalizer, an old adage explains. Death reduces anyone, mighty or low in life, to a mass of decaying organic matter. Microorganisms do not make distinction between a body of a hero and that of a pauper.

Only the coffin does. In cultures that traditionally burn their dead, it is the length of the funeral march. Death is a mere transition to another life---a prelude to immortality. Well, we do not see any sane person killing himself now just to attain immortal life. Only fanatics do.

It is an odd topic, I must admit. A thirtysomething like me is too young to talk about death. Let us leave that to the old and the dying. They are in best position to elucidate on death. Remember, though, that death brings about rebirth---a new beginning. And that is what I am most interested in at the moment.

Hachiko is a tale of probably one of the most loyal dogs I have ever known. It is based on a true story of a dog of the same name in wartime Japan. There are two movie versions of this splendid story of an extremely faithful canine; the one starring Richard Gere is the more popular one. Pax Americana!

Hachiko regularly sent off his master at a train station. He would then fetch him every late afternoon. One day, his master, a Japanese professor, suffered from stroke or heart attack, I am not certain, and eventually died.

Without fully understanding what happened to his master, Hachiko did what most human beings would never do---wait for a master who would never return for nine years! Hachiko died at the time when Japan was preparing for a world war. His death emboldened a loyal people and was used by propagandists to rally the Japanese behind a demigod emperor. Japan eventually lost the war and its emperor was stripped of his divinity but Hachiko’s memory lives on. A bronze statue put up at the same spot where he died is still a favorite place for lovers to swear their loyalty.

Maybe, few know that the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo is the youngest mayor ever elected in Philippine history and, so far, the only Filipino mayor who was given the Magsaysay Award, Asia’s version of Nobel Peace Prize.

And far fewer people know how simple and unassuming he was. This is not eulogy, of course.

It is best to leave it to his friends and publicists to extol the good things about the good man, devoted father and model leader. Jesse was so simple that he did not care so much about how he appeared in public. Once, a close elder called his attention and even scolded him for wearing an ordinary shirt while being interviewed on Tv. He used to bike alone around a once backward city; thanks to him, Naga is now a bustling first class city in the region. He took the bus when shuttling from Manila to Naga, even when he was already one of the top cabinet officials. He visited his constituents, many times wearing only shorts, collarless shirt and slippers. He was a far cry from a lowly and ambitious barangay kagawad who wears barong tagalong during sessions.

A hero’s death changed a nation forever.

A dog’s demise continues to inspire people. A government worker’s journey into the world of immortals stirs a nation.

10

SUBURBIA

VOL.5 ISSUE 123 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

DavNor offers haven for youth offenders

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Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario receives the P2.5-million check from An Jikain, Team Leader of DSWD-XI’s Special Programs, for the construction of the Bahay Pag-asa in New Corella, Davao del Norte. Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

22 rebs get livelihood assist in Alabel town

T

WeNTy-two former rebels (FRs) who have returned to the folds of the law received on Tuesday (August 14) livelihood assistance from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) through Sarangani’s comprehensive local integration program (CLIP) for its rebel returnees.

OPAPP area coordinator emmanuel Fable said the aid would provide FRs start-up capital to support them as they start a new life as he pointed out “ito (assistance) ay tiwala na binibigay namin sa kanila na pwede silang magbagong-buhay.”

The checks amounting P419,000 where each FR received from a range of at least P5,000 to P50,000 depending on the pro-

posal of FRs and the assessment of the provincial social welfare and development office.

This is the second batch of check awarding under CLIP, a new program under the Internal Peace and Security PlanBayanihan of the government which enjoined more participation from the local government units to make the program more sustainable.

Same livelihood opportunities and assistance were also provided to FRs last year but was funded under the Social Integration Program of the Arroyo administration which has been shelved.

Governor Migs Dominguez reported that for the past 10 years, Sarangani already facilitated more than 300 surrenderees

Sarangani village gets P4-M irrigation project

A

Communal Irrigation System (CIS) worth P3,932,718 at Upper Biangan village was turned over by the Silway-Buayan Regional Irrigation System/Sarangani Province during a program last August 15.

The local irrigator’s association accepted the project for operation and maintenance from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

Irrigator’s association Pres. Juralde Deposo and Brgy. Captain Reumero Geonson received the project while Gov. Migs Dominguez, Board Member eleanor Saguiguit and

engr. Gina Lozano, acting chief of office of SilwayBuayan RIS/Sarangani Province, led the turnover ceremony to the recipient barangay.

The project is one of the newly-completed irrigation projects of the NIA to rehabilitate, restore and construct various irrigation projects in the country.

The CIS project at Upper Biangan includes the construction of 290-meters lined main canal and 2,320-meters lined lateral canal. The construction started March 14, 2012 and was completed on August 14.

topping other provinces in terms of the number of FRs. “Dito mo makikita ang cooperation ng local government at national especially sa Armed Forces of the Philippines, 73rd Infantry Battalion at ang mga rebelde na gustong mag-surrender.”

He told FRs that there are countless reasons behind joining the rebel groups but he pointed out “wala’y barrio, wala’y barangay, wala’y probinsya nga mulambo tungod sa giera. Naay balaod nga kinahanglanon ipatuman pero ang pagrebelde dili solusyon sa pag-arangkada sa kumunidad.”

Lt. Col. Adolfo espuelas Jr. of the 73rd IB also told them it is in this intervention “makikita ang pagmamahal, pag-aaruga and care sa mga nahisalaag.

Magpasalamat kita sa mga

leaders nato that are really ready to embrace you back to the mainstream society.”

“Obviously,” he said, “the program has been very effective in encouraging others to come down also dahil sa pagbibigay natin ng livelihood na naipapakita natin ang katotohanan at sincerity ng gobyerno para tumulong para sa mga handang magbalik-loob.”

The FRs, which mostly came from the farthest barangays of Glan, were screened by the joint authentication and validation committee composed by representatives from the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, the provincial government and from the civil society organization before they underwent the re-integration process conducted by the PSWDO.

BP CHECK. Terumo (Phils.) Corp., through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), distributes sphygmomanometer (blood pressure meter) to seven state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the Davao Region. The turn-over ceremony was led by DTI-Davao Regional Director Marizon S. Loreto (middle) last August 2 at the DTI-Davao Regional Office in Davao City. The recipient-schools are the University of

He upcoming establishment of a shelter for young offenders in New Corella town, here, will boost the prominence of the province as a “healing field.”

Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario said the soonto-be-constructed Bahay Pag-asa, a residential facility for the rehabilitation of children in conflict with the law (CICL), will bolster Davao del Norte’s position as a safe haven for the transformation and rehabilitation of delinquents.

The construction of the transition home for erring minors is set to start in September this year after the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recently turned over P2.5 million for the project.

Del Rosario said the sanctuary is going to give essential care, protection, and social services to juvenile delinquents until their values and social

functioning are mended.

Besides physical, emotional, and spiritual development, technical and vocational skills will be a part of their rehabilitation program, in order to amply prepare them for their integration back into the mainstream of society.

The governor stressed the facility offers a safer place for the CICLs, compared to putting them in jails alongside hardened criminal-prisoners.

He is confident the temporary shelter will dramatically reduce, if not eliminate the volume of unlawful acts committed by the youngsters.

The province shall operate the center, which will be built adjacent to the Luntiang Paraiso Regional Rehabilitation Center, a provincial governmentrun facility that has been accommodating drug dependents and alcoholics on a subsidized scheme for over a decade now.

So.Cot pays tribute to Sec. Robredo through awards scheme for barangays

A

T least 100 “performing” barangays in South Cotabato received a financial grant of P50,000 each from the provincial government on Wednesday as part of a local awards system patterned after the Department of Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) Seal of Good Housekeeping award.

South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. said they released the incentives as a tribute to the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, who earlier introduced the awards system to promote effective, accountable and transparent governance among local governments in the country.

“I’m sure he’s happy that we’ve adopted his program and actually doing it right now,” the governor said.Robredo Dubbed “Dungog Sang Barangay,” the provincial government launched the program to recognize the outstanding or top-performing barangays within the province’s 10 towns and lone city. South Cotabato

has 199 barangays.

Pingoy said a selection committee created by the local government endorsed the 100 awardees based on their compliance with “internal housekeeping” regulations set by the DILG. “The awards system mainly recognizes barangay officials and stakeholders who uphold the principles good governance and have performed well in terms of internal housekeeping, especially in the areas of good planning, sound fiscal management, transparency and accountability and valuing of performance monitoring,” he said.

The governor said the program complements with the provincial government’s policy that promotes and encourages excellence in barangay governance, specifically in the areas of legislation, finance, resource administration, people’s participation and empowerment, delivery of basic services, poverty alleviation, and environmental protection and preservation, among others. [PNA]

the Philippines-Mindanao Campus, University of Southeastern Philippines (Main and Mabini ComVal Campuses), Davao del Norte State College, Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology, Southern Philippines Agriculture, Business, Marine, and Aquatic School of Technology, and Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku. (DTI11/ UP-Min)

11

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 123 •THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

Co named as BuCor OIC PHL plans to buy two Italian

D

ePARTMeNT of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila M. De Lima on Wednesday designated Parole and Probation Administration (PPA) Administrator Manuel G. Co as Officer-in-Charge of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

Both the PPA and the BuCor are attached agencies of the DOJ. In Department Order No. 678 issued on Wednesday, Co was designated as OIC of the BuCor during the effectivity of the leave of absence taken

by Director Gaudencio S. Pangilinan.

The OIC will oversee the day-to-day adminis-

tration and operations of the BuCor under the direction of the DOJ Secretary.

De Lima will continue to directly attend to the management of the Bucor with the assistance of Co. Co’s designation will be in addition to his existing duties and responsibilities as PPA Administrator, but will not include the power to act on matters involving policy determination, the approval of long-term contracts, the appointment or dismissal of personnel, and other matters that go beyond acts of mere supervision or administration, or which by nature, are

essentially within the authority of the DOJ Secretary.

De Lima also modified the partial detail of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Deputy Director Rafael Z. Ragos to the BuCor, directing the latter to report and render assistance to both the DOJ Secretary and the BuCor OIC. The NBI is the Philippines’ premier investigating body and is also an attached agency of the DOJ. The order took effect immediately and will remain in force until further orders of the DOJ Secretary. [PNA]

tour Air, and Nepalese copilot Khitiz Chand, were killed while Robredo’s aide-de-camp Police Sr. Insp. June Paolo Abrazado survived the accident.

DOTC Secretary Mar Roxas already ordered the CAAP to conduct a thorough investigation and get into the bottom of the plane crash.

The CAAP formed a team to serve as the Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board headed by Capt. Amado Soliman, an aviation industry expert in flight safety for over four decades, Capt. Ramon Flores, and Capt. elmer Pena.

Hotchkiss said the

CAAP was among the government agencies that readily mobilized their unit last Sunday.

This immediately sent the CAAP Go Team headed by Capt. Soliman with Capt. Lorenzo Gumba and engr. Reyner Bucalinao to Masbate after the plane crash to gather all information and facts that could shed light on the accident.

Hotchkiss said CAAP will keep the plane wreckage at Masbate airport under tight security.

This will be thoroughly examined by the CAAP team to gather accurate data on the real cause of the tragedy. (PNA)

affiliated with groups like Fair Trade and Rain Forest Alliance, proof that the manner of cacao production in the region is done in very humane and environmentally acceptable manner.

Kakao Konek is a conference and exhibit that will bring together the world’s industry experts, farmers, nursery operators, plant breeders, traders, manufacturers, and service suppliers on November 21 to 23 at the Apo view Hotel.

Invitations have also been sent out through the embassies of the US, Turkey, Canada, China, UK, and Japan, among others.

“After the conference, we want people to realize that Davao is an alternative source of cacao, where we do things right,” Holganza said.

The conference will also showcase a culinary competition and a ‘sikwatehan sa baryo’ during which suppliers and buyers can transact business.

and partnership among multi-agencies – from the provincial, municipal and down to the barangay level.

“We, as government officials, are one to implement programs like health.

Unity plays a vital role here,” he told reporters during an ambush interview.

Uy said that with the assistance of the DOH to

combat the problem on filariasis, their meager resources are substantially augmented.

He said though they have still a lot of work to do to combat other diseases like malaria and dengue that are observed to be taking its toll in the province.

“We are in a preventive side to address these problems,” he said. (ASA) [ANtho-

CAAP grounds Aviatour Air planes pending result of probe

C

IvIL Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) director general William Hotchkiss II announced Wednesday the grounding of all aircraft of Aviatour Air pending results of the investigation of one of its planes that crashed in the sea of Masbate. ”A suspension order has been issued by CAAP grounding all aircraft used by Aviatour Air,” Hotchkiss said in a press release issued by the Department of Transportation and Communication.

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo and Capt. Jessup Bahinting, the plane pilot and owner of Avia-

No...

FFROM 1

2010. In a five year data, production had its peak in 2006 at 885 metric tons while the lowest is in 2008 at 832.22 metric tons.

Land area allocated to cacao remained constant to 1,288 hectares from 20072010. The price of cacao in 2006 was pegged t P58.94, while in 2010 it reached to P70.10/kg. yield per hectare posted an average of .66 metric tons per hectare in the past 5 years.

Holganza said that most producers in the region are

Compostela...

FFROM 2

munities take the drugs once a year until DOH could declare the community free of this disease,” the information material said.

For his part, Compostela valley Gov. Arturo T. Uy, who was requested to join the panel of guests, said that the secret of eliminating filariasis in his province is through full cooperation, collaboration

Ny s. ALLADA]

warships worth US$ 30M

T

He Department of National Defense (DND) plans to buy two Italian warships worth US$ 30 million (P6 billion) each to upgrade the Philippines’ defense capabilities.

Defense Secretary voltaire Gazmin, at the hearing of the House of Representatives’ appropriations committee of its proposed P121.6-billion budget for next year, said the purchase of Italian warships or frigates were part of the DND’s modernization plan.

The proposed budget is P15 billion higher than this year’s capital outlay.

Gazmin said the budget increase would be used for big investments aimed at beefing up territorial defense.

Meanwhile, to ensure the safety of the President and his Cabinet, the House minority bloc said it was in favor of purchasing new planes dedicated for their use.

House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, in a press conference, said the government needed at least six new aircraft -- one regional jet, one jet for local travel, two propellerdriven aircraft (1 Queen Air and 1 King Air) and two helicopters.

Suarez said the new planes would cost about US$ 85 million (roughly P3.6 billion).

“We should not put a tag price in the security of our leaders. We are expressing our concern for the safety of the

President and his family because, as we are all aware, our country does not have a dedicated Presidential plane and he takes chartered flights for official travel,” he said.

Besides, Suarez said the new aircraft would also benefit political leaders after the term of President Benigno S. Aquino III. The House minority leader also asked the government to review all modes of public transportation following the death of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, whose plane crashed off Masbate last Saturday afternoon on the way to Naga City from Cebu City.

(PNA)

field sa tobacco industry, the tobacco farmers will themselves profit from that kasi tataas ang presyo ng cigarette prices,” Lacierda said.

He further said that the concerned government agencies, which include the Department of Finance led by Secretary Cesar Purisima, have discussed and explained the proposed bill in the Lower House, adding that the same will be presented in the Senate.

“So magkakaroon ng mas malaking income po para sa ating mga tobacco farmers. But, first and foremost, we regard this as a health issue and I hope the Senate will also recognize the cost to the economy. May safety nets po tayo sa mga tobacco farmers, and I think that was already explained in the House —25 percent will be part of the safety

net,” Lacierda noted.

It will be recalled that in the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Benigno S. Aquino III, the Chief executive explained that the government will be using the revenues from the sin tax reform bill for universal health care. Sin tax reform will be raising the taxes on cigarettes and liquor.

The sin tax reform bill is one of the Aquino administration’s priority measures, which has been certified as urgent.

The Lower House has already approved the bill thereby setting a two-tier system for tobacco products and three-tier system for alcohol products, depending on the net retail price. However, the Senate has yet to pass its counterpart measure. (PNA)

Bureau (eMB) and Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (MGB).

By virtue of Memorandum Circular No. 129 issued by the Office of the President, PICO was estab-

lished last April 16, 1991 and through Memorandum Order No. 01-97, it was institutionalized within the Forest Management Service of the DeNR. PICO became inactive in 2008. [DENR 11]

Ochoa particularly mentioned the ongoing reforms which Robredo put in place in the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, as well as his plans to relocate informal settlers.

Initially, Ochoa said he has started putting together the signing and

approval system for administrative matters and logistics to prevent any interruption in the services.

He said employees should expect him to be visible in the agency in the coming days until the President appoints a permanent DILG chief.

[PNA]

Malacanang says passage of sin tax reform bill will provide government more funds for health care

M

ALACANANG said that the passage of the sin tax reform bill would not only provide the government more funds to take care of the public’s health but will also level the playing field that could increase the income of the local tobacco farmers.

In a press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday, Presidential Spokesperson edwin Lacierda made it clear that the passage of this measure also provides safety nets for the farmers to ensure a better income for them.

“We regard the sin tax reform bill as a health issue. Like we said smoking contributes, costs the economy around 177 billion pesos. Doon po meron tayong safety nets po para sa mga farmers and in fact, if you open it up, if you level the playing

DENR...

FFROM 1

Philippine National Police (PNP), Maritime Industry Authority Regional Office (MARINA RO-11), National Telecommunication Commission (NTC), environmental Management

Ochua...

FFROM 2

nature to ensure that the DILG is running and its service to the public is continuous,” Ochoa said.

Ochoa had already asked an inventory of all the pending matters for review and their status, particularly the reforms that Robredo began in several offices under the wings of the DILG.

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14 SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 123 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Davao sports history

Dr. Elias Dacudao: Patron of lawn tennis

By Roger Fernandez

T

He game of lawn tennis was invented in england around the 19th century and was introduced in the Philippines before World War II. The core of Filipino racquet wielders was composed of accomplished professionals foremost of them lawyers, doctors, engineers and accountants, businessmen and government officials notably bureau directors, judges, clerks of court, fiscals and military officers.

Formidable tennis players were Felicisimo “Mighty Mite” Ampon, Raymundo Deyro, Alfredo Cruz, Delfin Contreras Jr., Jose brothers and eddie Cruz. They were the best in Asia and Asia Pacific during their time.

“Mighty Mite” set his mark in the lawn tennis world by defeating great players from the United States, Australia and New Zealand, becoming the Pan American Pacific Champion. In europe, Mighty Mite came closest to a Wimbledon semi-final berth but his witty “soft diet” strokes were mercilessly outpowered. The eagle-winged eddie Cruz broke his back serving and volleying to the end precipitating a long tennis slump, until Felix Barrientos reclaimed Asia once again.

Among the ladies, Desideria Ampon dominated the topmost slot, while FilipinoAmerican Cecile Martinez showed her flair for the game in the United States.

Many young girls turned to tennis playing to win. Some found the game truly enhancing physical fitness such as Aurora Pijuan who was crowned Miss International in 1970.

The courts In Davao City, twin cement courts of unique surface were constructed by the Japanese at the back of the City Hall along Magallanes Street. They were to be long considered as the best cement courts ever built in the country playable in only a few minutes after rain. About 27,000 Japanese nationals populated the city before the war.

Many of them planted abaca, crops, fruits and flowers, while some operated food, clothes and pharmaceutical stores. When news about the bombing of Pearl Harbor broke out, many Japanese in Davao were rounded up by the Philippine Constables and packed like sardines at the PTA stadium. They were freed shortly by the invading Japanese Army.

Upon liberation, the cement court became the home of the Davao City Tennis Club which added a second court made of clay fine shell from the Davao Gulf.

Shortly thereafter, another club was formed --the

Dr. Dacudao Capitol Tennis Club along San Pedro Street fronting the Cathedral. The court was carved out of the grounds of the Provincial Capitol Building located in what is now the Sangguniang Panglunsod building. A third group organized the PTA Tennis Club at the back of Palma Gil elementary School inside the PTA Stadium in what is now the People’s Park.

At the Davao City Tennis club, Dr. Leocadio Sexon, a dentist, ably presided as the “court general” of a platoon of jolly playing tennisters composed mainly of nearby residents and workplace habitués. The roll of members included Dr. elias Dacudao; Apo view Hotel proprietor and Kidapawan rubber plantation tycoon Mariano Pamintuan Sr.; Davao Theater owner Mike Aquino; taxi operator Leopoldo Poblete; motorcycle cop Francisco L. Fernandez; business executive Maurice Cowan; Pedro Abastillas; lawyers Santiago L. Fernandez, Mariano Mata, Bobby Sencio, Honesto Cabarroguis and Leo Delante; Architect Romy Solitaria; Accountant vic yambao; Army Reserve Colonel Itoy Barlis; Honorary Consul Lito Iñigo; Brokenshire Hospital Doctors Dominador Cabrera; “Right Hand Drive” esperidion; Caltex officers Ching Rodriguez and Jess veloso; Larry Garcia; CFI Judges vicente Cusi, Antonio M. Matinez, Godardo Jacinto, and Mariano Tupas; Clerk of Court Manuel Mulet; Chemical engineer Calvin Camino; Pilot Captain Concepcion; spouses victor and Jean edades; DBP Manager Ramirez; Old man Sion and son Bong; Ruben Gatchalian; yolando “Macao” Salazar; PC Provincial Commander

vicente Luna; brothers Dodong and Apyong Alonte; PNO Auditors Nick Fernandez and Hector Dizon; Honor Hernandez; Dodong veloso; Dr. Alfredo Tan; Sgt. Florentino Babila; Borras; Waling Waling; Doming Manulat, sons boy, Donnay and daughter Inday; brothers eddie and Rene Abastillas; brothers “Boy”, Jun, Renato and Leo Fernandez; Ador Mata; and Itoy Barlis’ sons.

Dr. Dacudao’s benevolence elias Dacudao led his sons Ramon, Gus and Tony in playing in the Magallanes court despite a private family court at their Tugbok farm.

Benevolent, Dr. elias contributed to the well being of the court, the players and the ball boys. He brought in national players to play exhibition matches to the great delight of local tennis enthusiasts.

His love for the game extended his much sought benevolence nationwide. For this, the Philippine Lawn Tennis Association (PHILTA) named its center court in his honor as the “elias Dacudao Court.” ever determined to bring skills in tennis to the youth, he spent for each summer stay in Davao City of Felicisimo “Mighty Mite” Ampon, Raymundo Deyro, Alfredo Cruz and Delfin Contreras Jr. to train the youth.

The graduates led by Rogelio “Boy” Fernandez organized the Davao City Junior Laws Tennis Association.

“Ben” valleramos, Jose “Joe” Racho, Santiago “Jun” Fernandez and Severo “ver” dela Cruz won singles and doubles championship trophies at the Interscholastic Meet and privately-sponsored tournaments.

Atenean “Boy” Fernandez founded the Utopia Law Fraternity at Ateneo de Manila and the Tau Mu Law Fraternity at the Ateneo de Davao, earned a Master of Laws degree from the University of Sto. Tomas and became an international law practitioner and lucrative captain of industry exporting 100% silicon metal.

Mindanao Collegian

“Ben” valleramos who fathered his brothers “Jun” and “Ling Ling” is one of the many beneficiaries of a college degree by the grace of tennister veronica “Inday” Dalisay Tirol.

Atenean “Joe” Racho became a certified public accountant and engaged in a lucrative career overseas in Hong Kong and the United States.

Mindanao Collegian “Jun” Fernandez became an engineer and established the Sanshell Construction and Development Corporation building a coconut oil processing plant, a soap and shampoo processing plant, numerous commercial buildings and thousands of low-cost housing units.

Mindanao Collegian “ver” dela Cruz became corporate president of eMCOR and the Philippine Jaycee Senate.

Ballboy Manuel “Ling Ling” valleramos copped and held on to the much coveted No. 1 tennis player of the Philippines title for many years. elder brother “Jun” became an international trainor overseas who settled in Hong Kong.

Their fellow home court national player, Rene Abastillas, turned internationalist as well as playing in U.S. and europe and trained foreign players in the Arab countries.

Closely following their footsteps were “Boy” and “Inday” Manulat who played in local, regional and national tournaments.

At the Capitol Tennis club, the brothers Bing and Hose Pila became legendary but chose to play only in their home court except for Danny “Gigi” Pila who became a No. 1 ranked player in the Philippines in the early 80’s.

The exemplary effort of elias Dacudao kept many

families to play together in the same court and inspired the younger breed to develop extraordinary skills playing the angles, acquire mental toughness to excel and lead as well as in their chosen fields of endeavor and live longer, happier lives. The sports drew out-of-school kids away from the streets, mischief, drugs, crime and violence.

Tennis courts “demolished” The government’s use of public land once devoted to tennis, however, disbanded the major clubs with no relocation site and playing field.

The site on which the Davao City Tennis Club once stood is now occupied by a public elementary school, the land having been titled in the name of the Republic of the Philippines for the benefit of the Department of education in 1952. The land on which the Capitol Tennis Club once grounded are reconveyed to the city and is now the Sanggunian building. The land on which the PTA Tennis Club once dwelt is now the People’s Park.

The role of judges in tennis growth Members of the bench contributed largely to the propagation of lawn tennis among the youth in Davao with their exemplary conduct and human relations in court.

The late CFI Judge Antonio M. Martinez retired as Supreme Court Associate Justice. Two others ended their judicial career as Court of Appeals Justice. The late Fiscal Pedro Gabaton presided at the Capitol Tennis Club as Perennial President. The late Judge “Inting the Dragon” and then proceeded to preside at 8:30 a.m. at his Judicial Court and played in all three courts

on Saturdays and Sundays.

Today, many retired professionals, government officials, military officers, bank managers, big businessmen, captains of industry and balikbayans still play at over 80 years old.

The great painter victor edades played his last doubles match at 90 years old.

His American wife, the grammar guro who wrote a column in the pre-Martial Law Manila Times called “How’s your english,” played tennis in her 80s.

Practically all those appointed as director of the Bureau of Lands and PC/INP Regional Commanders have played at the Magallanes Court.

In those days, there were no street scavengers, drug pushers, gang wars nor apathy for the youth who were kept at home doing daily chores and studying and after school playing a sporting game or two. even the weather was finest with no storms and floods ,only drizzle in late afternoons watering the earth’s fruits and flowers and ( even grass) to grow, bloom and bear fruit.

No other man knows the great value of lawn tennis in the threatened human environment than the late Dr. elias Dacudao who knew that playing the angles develop extraordinary skill and playing to win in both singles and doubles team play and acquires mental toughness not only in the game but in living a longer, happier life in their old age.

Lawn Tennis in Davao City produced in the Judicial Bench one supreme Court and two Court of Appeals Justices, numerous members of the bar who excelled and led as judges, fiscals and law practitioners of consequence, top medical practitioners, highly-skilled engineers, crack-shot military regional commanders and officers, and captains of industry, as well top-rated national players and internationalists out of the ball boys, age group champions and club champions out of the sons and daughters of members, “Generics” who are no longer classified as Class “A”, “B”, or “C” but who still play at the old age of 70, 80 and 90 and an ever growing population of good humored men and women physically, mentally and spiritually fit.

In his lifetime, Dr. elias Dacudao was the grand patron of lawn tennis and chess that both developed healthy bodies and minds for countless schooled and outof-school youth who grew much wiser and older than the rest in their time. And he exemplified best.

Salamat gid Senior Dacudao, Don elias!

INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 123 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

FOOD

Red Mango opens at Gaisano Mall’s Peak

Red Mango, the world’s pioneer nonfat frozen yogurt, is now in davao and their dabawenyo fans just can’t get enough of the store’s refreshingly tangy frozen yogurt with fresh and exciting toppings that can be enjoyed any time of the day. Free of unhealthy additives like high-fructose corn syrup and artificial ingredients, Red Mango’s all-natural frozen yogurt is a treat that I would gladly sink my spoon into.

With so many different toppings to choose from, I literally had a hard time picking the flavor profiles and combinations to want in my bowl of frozen yogurt. I finally settled on Red Mango’s blueberry swirl yogurt topped with adzuki beans, kiwi, and

blueberry. The yogurt was tart but not too sour, with a rich creamy taste accented by the different toppings.

I also loved the candied lemon topping in my second serving of yogurt, that went nicely with the mochi, peaches, kiwi, and sliced almonds. This was dessert heaven. also on my “to taste” list would be their addictively delicious waffles which are crisp on the outside while warm and soft on the inside. green tea lovers will definitely love Red Mango’s green Tea Waffles which are paired with delicious cream and adzuki beans. of course the all-natural

frozen yogurt is just one part of the experience.

Red Mango’s first store in Mindanao is stylish, with modern contemporary interiors that are comfortable and relaxing.

Visit Red Mango at the

Peak area of gaisano Mall of davao now and have a taste.

Follow me on Twitter @ kennethkingong for foodie finds, travel buzz, and happenings in and around Durianburg.

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL.5 ISSUE 123 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

eNTerTAiNmeNT

Cruise and Ryan Lochte vs. Prince Harry Tom Katie Holmes

LOOK OuT ryan Lochte, you’ve got some royal competition.

The Olympic hottie and potential Bachelor was partying in Las Vegas monday night when he ended up agreeing to an impromptu race with Prince Harry!

Lochte, who’s been in sin City since Thursday celebrating his 28th birthday, ended up crossing paths with the Prince of Wales at the Wynn Hotel’s Xs nightclub and, after a few drinks, the latter challenged him to a friendly meet—at 2 in the morning! “it was really fun swimming against Prince Harry.

He’s a great guy, and it was an huge honor to meet him!” the gold medalist said in a statement to e! News about the face off, which took place in the pool of Xs’ encore Beach Club. “i was surprised that he challenged me actually. i didn’t know if he had any skills in the pool, but i definitely wasn’t going to take it easy on him!”

Given Lochte’s logged more hours in the water, you can probably guess who won, but ryan was

very gracious to his Highness—the New York Daily News shared a video of the showdown.

“He was a great competitor but in the end it was Team usA all the way to the wall!” added Lochte.

“Next time i’m in the uK it’d be fun to challenge him to something on his own turf ! maybe motocross? i heard he’s pretty good but i’m a competitor so…Prince Harry whenever you’re ready!”

An eyewitness who watched the encounter from start to finish tells e! News how it all went down.

“Harry was at a table with his friends. He was having a laugh and really enjoying himself,” said the witness. “i think they had been drinking a bit all day. Harry was popping in and out of the pool— he was wearing jeans and no top—he would get in, float around on one of the inflatables.”

As for Lochte, the bystander said ryan was topless on the dance floor, surrounded by a bevy of beauties. Afterward, he and his entourage noticed Prince Harry and went up and introduced themselves and both par-

ties got on—um—swimmingly.

“Then someone thought it would be a good idea for the boys to race one another,” added the witness. “Their friends cleared a path in the pool of the scantily clad girls who were hanging around and ryan, Harry and a couple of their friends competed in around three 10-meter races. someone would say, ‘ready, set, go,’ and then they would be off.”

Per the eyewitness account, the duo did the breast stroke and front crawl, but weren’t taking themselves all that seriously.

“After three races, ryan seemed to win as he got out of the pool and jumped up and down with jubilation and then Harry got out and ryan hugged him. i am not quite sure where the finish line was—there didn’t seem to be one, [but] i think it was a girl in a bikini.” sounds about right for these gents.

Harry left the pool area first with bodyguards in tow about 4 a.m. and ryan departed about a halfhour later.

officially divorced

TOm Cruise and Katie Holmes’ five-year marriage is officially over.

The couple’s divorce case was closed on monday after a New York judge signed off on the final judgment, according to court records obtained by e! News.

That was fast!

The news comes just a month-and-a-half after the 33-year-old Holmes shocked the world by filing for divorce from her 50year-old Top Gun hubby and seeking sole custody of their six-year-old daughter, suri. The twosome formerly known as TomKat entered negotiations almost immediately and worked out a settlement in a matter of days, the details of which

remained confidential.

A source close to Cruise tells e! News today that the actor is pleased that he is moving on from the divorce.

“Tom is very happy and relieved that he is moving forward,” says the source, who’s familiar with the terms of the deal. “His priority is being a good father and this settlement will make sure that continues.”

Cruise and Holmes began dating in April 2005 and a month later the mission: impossible star proclaimed his love for the actress with his infamous Oprah Winfrey couchjumping appearance. The pair tied the knot in Nov. 2006 in a lavish ceremony in italy.

VOL.5 ISSUE 123 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

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arah G Live!

By Vicky Berdina M. de Guzman Photos by Lean Daval, Jr.

T

at

He unbeatable mall tour had just blown away Dabawenyos during Sarah G’s mini concert at the Abreeza Mall last August 17.

Nicolai and Julianne pose for a photo with Sarah Geronimo during the latter’s show at Abreeza Mall.

The opening number was superb and grand as it brought excitement to the people waiting for the Popstar Princess. The performers were in their full gear in celebration of the Kadayawan festival as they performed the cultural dance.

They mobbed the stage and there were even performers on the second and third levels of the mall.

As I went to the Abreeza Mall, the traffic was so heavy, and I had realized how Sarah is truly a Popstar as she drove many fans to come for that event.

There were also special guests that were present which include the Assistant VP of Commercial Business Group of AyalaLand Mr. Javier D. Hernandez and also

the Floirendo family.

When Sarah finally stepped on the stage, the fans cheered out until the end of her performance.

Her voice is so amazingly and she danced gracefully.

It was like a concert for free for the Dabawenyos and I am so happy I was one of those who experienced the show.

Present during Sarah G. show at the activity center of Abreeza Mall are (from left to right) Javier D. Hernandez, assistant vice president - Commercial Business Group of Ayala Land, Inc., Bal Dominguez of Marco Polo Davao, Rowena M. Tomeldan,

Her mall tour is also a promotion of her album entitled One Heart which is available in all music stores nationwide. The first 200 fans who bought the album of Sarah were also given the chance of to meet and greet Sarah personally one by one and have an album signing by the star after the show.

vice president and head for operations - Commercial Business Group of Ayala Land, Inc., Cora G. Dizon, vice president - Business Development, Ayala Land, Inc. and Jinky Aguinaldo, executive assistant - Office of the President of Ayala Land, Inc.

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 123 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

SM City GenSan introduces latest fashion trends

sm CiTY General santos introduces new fashion trends, from clothing to accessories to footwear, to the people of sOCKsArGeN area and the rest of southern mindanao. sm Gensan features fresh and hip ensembles fit for the youthful and the daring.

Carrying different brands such as Airwalk, Dexter, Champion, and American eagle by Payless with budget-friendly price tags, the popular u.s. retailer, Payless shoesource, makes sole searching for the perfect pair much more exciting.

Together with Dickies, Oxygen, Forme, Penshoppe, and Jag at the Ground level, is G by Guess that carries casual apparel and accessories featuring only the hottest and trendiest styles for young men and women.

Affordable yet fresh and stylish, Arrow, can spruce up your wardrobe for work and play. Create styles that reflect your personality and bring yourself into the spotlight.

Visit Arrow store at the second Level of the mall.

Known as the “fashion for less” apparel store, surplus shop carries a wide selection of international branded export excess merchandise and ready-to wear fashions which has greatly contributed to its popularity as a shopping haven for young patrons.

Fashion watchers will love Collezione, one of the pioneering local brands in the garment industry which took the fashion world by storm with well-made well styled clothes is also now open.

Local brands like south shore, Camisa, Juego, Hot issue and Ziya, round up sm City General santo’s fashion line-up.

Hurry! Take shopping to the next level at sm City General santos from 10am to 9pm and get the latest trends in fashion apparel from all these exciting shops. Watch out for more apparel stores coming your way and for updates on newly opened shops, Like sm City General santos (Official) on Facebook.

SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 123 •THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

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Gilas turns back Koreans 82-79 T

AIPeI -- It took a while for Gary David, a manytime national player as an amateur, to return to the international stage since turning pro.

Once he did, it didn’t take him long to make his mark.

The hot-shooting PBA star came off the bench to score 13 points against Korean side Anyang KGC on Tuesday, including the two biggest baskets of the game as Smart-Gilas Pilipinas pulled off an 82-79 victory to stay unbeaten in the 34th Jones Cup at the Taipei Physical education College gym.

David, a Southeast Asian Games gold medallist as an amateur but a first-timer in the national team as a pro, combined with Sol Mercado and Gab Norwood to lead Gilas back from a 12-point deficit

in the second half then simply took over in the stretch run.

David first gave the Philippines a 79-77 lead with a running jumper in tight traffic with one minute, five seconds left, a shot which the Koreans answered with a layup from Jung Hyun Lee. No shot was bigger, however, than the contested stopand-pop jumper ‘el Granada’ scored that broke the game’s final deadlock and gave Gilas the lead for good, 81-79.

Topex leaves Baste

T

OPex Robinson shocked the NCAA basketball world Tuesday after resigning from his post at the helm of the San Sebastian Stags.

“I felt that at second place and still very much in contention for the championship, this is a good time for me to resign,” said Robinson, a San Sebastian alumnus who helped the Stags win several titles as a player in the 1990s.

He said that he will concentrate on his duties as a member of the Alaska Aces coaching staff under Luigi Trillo.

“As much as possible, kung puwedeng mag-full time with Alaska, kailangang gawin, that’s what Coach Luigi and our boss Fred Uytengsu told us,”

said Robinson. “I see this as a good opportunity to learn more. We have a good bunch of coaches now with the acquisition of Coach Louie Alas, Coach Leo Austria and Alex Compton. That’s an opportunity that’s hard to pass up.”

At Alaska, Robinson will continue to get the opportunity to coach his San Sebastian star player, Calvin Abueva, who was selected by the Aces with the No. 2 overall pick in last Sunday’s draft.

The former PBA guard took over the reins of San Sebastian last season and piloted the Stags to a second-place finish in the NCAA tournament. He also led the team to the Philippine Collegiate Champions League title.

Helterbrand returns, Menk uncertain

TIMEOUT. Smart Gilas coach Chot Reyes maps out plan for the Philippines in the game against Korea.

B

ARANGAy Ginebra San Miguel will continue to feature at least two Most valuable Player awardees on its team for the 38th season, as coach Siot Tanquingcen confirmed the return of point guard Jayjay Helterbrand to team up with Mark Caguioa.

But the future of another Ginebra MvP, eric Menk, still remains uncertain.

“Jayjay will be back, but eric remains doubt-

ful, although may plano naman kami na isama siya sa line up,” Tanquingcen told InterAKTv in a telephone interview.

“It depends on his condition. Last time, he was in the line up, but we just used him gradually. Ayaw naman naming na biglain siya kasi matagal siyang nawala.”

According to Tanquingcen, Menk is still in the United States and he hopes the veteran slotman will be ready for the com-

ing season.

If he does return, the veteran center will have to battle it out in a crowded frontcourt that will feature rookie forwards Chris ellis and Keith Jensen.

But Tanquingcen said even the two blue-chip first rounders will have to earn their stripes. “everyone should pass the training. They have to fight for their spots. No one is already guaranteed of a spot in the team,” said the coach.

The Ginebra frontline also includes Dylan Ababou, Allein Maliksi, Willy Wilson, Rudy Hatfied, Rico Maierhofer, enrico villanueva, Billy Mamaril, and Kerby Raymundo apart from Menk.

Before the draft, Tanquingcen said that there were redundancies in the Ginebra roster. One forward, KG Canaleta, is scheduled to be traded to the Air 21 express pending the finalization of deal details.

tures on the team’s official website.

The Bahrainis are no stranger to Filipinos, who fell to a 3-1 defeat against the Middle east side’s Under-23 squad in July 2011.

But the Azkals will first face Southeast Asian rivals Cambodia on September 5, Singapore on September 7 and Laos on

September 10 before participating in the Paulino Alcantara Cup, which is slated from September 25 to 29 in Bacolod City and will feature Guam, Macau and Chinese Taipei.

The Filipinos are coming off their training tour in the United States this August, where they fell to USL Premier Develop-

ment League side Chicago Inferno, 3-1, and saw their match against the US virgin Islands cancelled due to misunderstanding among organizers.

The Azkals are using the matches to prepare for the 2012 Suzuki Cup in November, where they look to surpass their historic semifinal run two years ago.

Chairman and CeO Stacey Allaster said in a telephone interview. ‘’We’re trying to continue to engage with fans and increase our fan base, and I’m thrilled the celebrities have donated their time to be part of it.’’

Top players such as 14-time Grand Slam singles title winner Serena Williams, four-time major champions Maria Sharapova and Kim Clijsters, and currently topranked victoria Azarenka also are part of the ‘’Strong is Beautiful’’ campaign.

That slogan was first used in the WTA’s global marketing efforts last year, with players at the forefront of the ads.

Now the tour wants to broaden its reach. ‘’In today’s congested marketing space, we’re trying to cut through that with

an inspirational and creative campaign. The use of celebrities with our own celebrities is very much being done, in fact, to draw upon the celebrities’ fan base and introduce their fans to the world of women’s professional tennis,’’ Allaster said. ‘’If someone is a fan of one of those celebs, the ultimate goal would be to try to engage with those fans and have them watch and follow WTA tennis and ultimately become a fan.’’

In one 15-second ad, Trump appears alone onscreen and says: ‘’’Strong’ is knowing that as much as it takes to get to the top, it takes twice as much to stay there, knowing that legends are made one shot at a time. That’s what champions are all about. ‘Strong’ is women’s tennis.’’

Azkals to face Bahrain in Suzuki buildup

T

He Philippine national men’s football team will be battling Bahrain as part of its preparations for the upcoming 2012 ASeAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup. The Azkals will play against Bahrain in a friendly match on October 12 in its capital Manama, according to the latest fix-

Women’s tennis steps up pitch

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Sugarpova, anyone?

N

eW yORK (AP) -Maria Sharapova is going into the candy business.

The four-time Grand Slam title winner launched her Sugarpova brand of 12

types of sweets on Monday.

At this year’s French Open, which Sharapova won, she called Sugarpova ‘’the most exciting project that I’ve ever done ...

because it’s my own business, my own investment, my own money.’’

Sharapova is ranked third heading into the U.S. Open, which starts next week.

He WTA is counting on Donald Trump, Aretha Franklin, Susan Sarandon and other celebrities to draw new fans to tennis.

The women’s professional tour launched a print and broadcast marketing campaign Tuesday that features various famous faces in a bid to boost the sport.

More than a dozen celebrities agreed to appear for free in spots, including real estate mogul and reality Tv host Trump - a regular visitor to the main stadium during the U.S. Open tournament - Grammy-winning singer Franklin, Oscarwinning actress Sarandon and two-time golf major champion Rory McIlroy. ‘’All of those celebrities like the sport, so we’re using like-minded people to try to build a brand,’’ WTA

16 SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 123 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Another battle royale seen in Timex Run

By Neil Bravo

e

xPeCT another headto-head clash among the rivals of the local running scene in Sunday’s Timex Run-Davao.

The field has reached over 800 with just four days

before this much-anticipated footrace but the numbers will have to be just 1 or 2 for back-to-back Kadayawan race winner Brian Lupo and erstwhile Davao’s top long distance runner Anthony

Nerza.

All eyes will be on Lupo who completed a rare Kadaywan double after winning the two races in two weeks during the Kadayawan Festival. But Nerza will surely

PAL pilots and cabin attendants exchanged their uniforms for triathlete suits to represent the flag carrier during the recent Ironman Triathlon held in Cebu. The two PAL teams – a maiden appearance for the airline at the annual triathlon – gave respectable finishes in the corporate category that had 22 teams. The PAL triathletes are, lower photo from left: International Flight Steward Christian Casalla, International Flight Steward George Carag, Capt. Ramon Jose Balinghasay, Second Officer Katherina Pijuan, Capt. Michael Ugalino and First Officer Raymund Pabalan.

have redemption in his mind as he tries to recover lost ground.

Kenneth Sai of vantage Sports said there are already over 800 runners or more than half of the expected

1,500 runners expected to be at the starting line on Roxas Avenue for the event handled by Runrio and sponsored by Timex Watches.

Registration will continue at the Timex shops at SM City Davao and Abreeza Mall. There will also be online registration via www. runrio.com. Registration is pegged at P400 for 5K, P500 for 10K and P600 for 16K categories.

Registered runners will receive a race kit of singlet, race bib with timing tag and they can avail of 20 percent discount on select Timex watches valid until September 30, 2012.

Bannering the array of celebrity runners taking part in the race this Sunday are the members of Team Pangilinan made up of couples Anthony and Maricel and siblings ella, Hannah, Donny, Benj and Solana and renowned running Coach Rio dela Cruz.

Team Pangilinan joined the Cebu leg over the weekend along with Dela Cruz in a race that was supported

by Cebu City Sports Commission.

The Timex Run-Davao Leg is also supported by Powerade Ion, viva Mineral Water, Black Beauty, United Neon and Grand Regal Hotel.

PAL bets shine

T

WO Philippine Airlines teams made it to the top ten finish of the corporate category in the recent 4th Cobra energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippine Triathlon.

The PAL squads recorded the remarkable result for first-time competitors in the high-level international event.

PAL Team A bagged sixth place in the 22team field with a respectable time of 5 hours, 54 minutes and 25 seconds, well behind the 4:20:02

turned in by corporate division champion First endurance-CPK Tri Team but still impressive for a rookie squad.

PAL Team B was less than seven minutes behind Team A in eighth spot, with a time of 6:01:09, also a highly notable finish for a side with no prior triathlon experience.

Both PAL teams were composed of employees from the flag carrier’s flight deck and cabin crews.