Edge Davao 5 Issue 132 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

The hills are alive with conflicts!

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VOL.5 ISSUE 132 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

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Shrine Hills eyed in zoning changes By Carlo P. Mallo

WHAT to do with the Matina Shrine Hills is one of the most contentious issues in the proposed amendments to Davao City’s Comprehensive Development Plan and Zoning Ordinance. This was bared by Councilor Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling, chair-

Dumoy aquifer a contentious area

man of the committee on housing and urban development which has been holding public hearings on the proposed 2012 to 2021 Development Plan. Cabling told reporters during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at the

SM Annex that the city council is carefully reviewing the proposed amendments to the city’s decadeold Comprehensive Development Plan. “We have to review it and strike a balance with all sectors

that may be affected,” Cabling said. One of the proposed amendments is for the declaration of the posh Shrine Hills area as a park and recreation center which would mean that all proposed

FSHRINE, 11

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SIDEWALK POLICY. Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte meets with about 1,200 vendors of Davao City at the Almendras gym Monday afternoon telling them to respect the 1/3 -2/3 sidewalk policy. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

Meeting with Rep. Mylene, RD Boncato

CAAP chief to act on airport defects

ILLIAM HOTCHKISS III, newly assumed chief of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), has vowed to act on the many defects of the Francisco Bangoy Interna-

tional Airport (FBIA), including purchases of costly equipment like firetrucks. General Hotchkiss, a retired chief of the Philippine Airforce, bared his plan after meeting in Ma-

nila with Rep. Mylene Garcia-Albano of Davao City’s 2nd congressional district and Regional Director Arturo Boncato Jr. of the Department of Tourism.

FCAAP, 11

Garcia-Albano

THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 132 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

2 cop chiefs sacked

EDGEDAVAO

By Anthony S. Allada

WO police station commanders are set to relinquish their respective posts effective today, according to Davao City Police Office director Sr. Supt. Ronald dela Rosa. Dela Rosa confirmed in a text message late afternoon yesterday that instead of the scheduled September 12 turn-over ceremony, it was moved for this morning. He offered different reasons as to the relief of San Pedro police station commander Supt. Antonio Rivera and Sta. Ana police station chief Sr. Insp. Ronald Lao. Rivera, who is only six months in his post, was ordered relieved upon the recommendation of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio over

“unstoppable killings” in his area of jurisdiction while Lao, recently awarded for his intensified drug drive, reached the mandatory twoyear stint and should be replaced. But Rivera will only change places with Chief Inspector Eliseo Malana Jr. as head of the Mobile Patrol Group (MPG) while Lao will be replaced by Chief Insp. Caezar Cabuhat, the deputy chief for operations of DCPO. Cabuhat’s replacement is still unknown. Lao will be assigned to the DCPO’s Investigation and Detection Management Branch (IDMB). It would be Malana’s first assignment as station commander under the DCPO and

F2 COPS, 11

Rody warns vendors to respect 1/3-2/3 rule By Carlo P. Mallo

AVAO City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte warned street vendors to respect the 1/3-2/3 rule on sidewalk occupancy to allow pedestrians to pass through freely. Duterte told an estimated 1,500 sidewalk vendors to police their ranks and avoid conflict amongst them. The commonly accepted rule of thumb for street vendors is for them to occupy only 1/3 of the sidewalk and to keep the remaining 2/3 free for pedestrians use. Duterte also even legitimate business establishments who are illegally using the sidewalks will also be penalized. “We want to reduce the disturbance in the public’s movement,” Duterte said. “We do not want to hear complaints that they are obstructing passages.” Duterte gave the side-

walk vendors only one week to comply with the established rule lest they face the full force of the law. “We will enforce the law,” Duterte said. The vice mayor also discounted the possibility of some vendors being displaced in the process. “Everybody will be accommodaated, but we will limit the space they occupy on the sidewalk,” Duterte said. A number of complaints has been lodged with the vice mayor’s office against sidewalk vendors who block the streets with their stalls and merchandise while some legitimate business estsblablishments have been using the sidewalk as an extension of their stores, blocking passages in the process. The vice mayor said he hopes that their dialogue would provide an acceptable solution to the sidewalk problem.

Koronadal village in state of calamity

FFICIALS declared a village in Koronadal City under a state of calamity due to the onslaught of flashfloods and landslides in the last several days that has resulted in the devastation of some 60 hectares of upland farms in the area. Mayor Peter Miguel said Tuesday officials of Barangay Saravia issued the calamity declaration to allow the immediate use of its calamity funds and facilitate the intervention by the city government, as well as other government agencies. “Our damage assessment in the area is still ongoing, but the initial reports show that an es-

timated 40 to 60 hectares of farmland and four to six local communities were affected by the landslides and flashfloods,” the mayor said. He said a portion of the mountain in the upland portion of Barangay Saravia collapsed at the height of the heavy rainfall last Saturday, burying farms planted to sweet potato (camote), cutflower and other agricultural crops. The mayor said village officials reported that 10 houses sustained partial damage from the landslide which affected Puroks Ilang-ilang, Maharlika, Maunlad, Crismos and Camp Mariano. [ALLEN V. ESTABILLO/MINDANEWS]

Biz leader bullish on PHL growth HIGHER PRICE. Coconut farmers from Talikud Island, IGACOS choose to sell their copra Davao City where the price is higher. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

LEADING figure in the Mindanao business sector is bullish on the Philippine economy which has shown renewed dynamism with many businesses growing under a rosy environment. Vicente T. Lao, president of the Mindanao Business Council, said the 6 -7 percent growth in the GDP (Gross

Domestic Product) is a very good indicator considering that China’s growth is slowing down and the United States showing downturns. Lao, who is also vice chairman of the Regional Development Council 11, said the country is currently enjoying very good economic fundamentals. “We are just a notch be-

low investment grade,” Lao said. An investment grade would mean cheaper loans and lower risks for investors that could spur more investments in the country. The Mindanao business leader said that during a visit by a delegation from the Asian Development Bank, the ADB officials observed

the increased per capita income of $2,200. One delegate said that if the per capita income reaches $2,000 there is no way to go but up. Among the growing sectors Lao cited in an improving Philippine economy is the Business Process Outsourcing industry which is experiencing growth that

and the number of fatalities, adding that the local disaster response plan is in layers where the Emergency Response Center Central 911 acts as first responder. “We will call the police, Task Force Davao, Philippine Army, Air Force and Philippine Navy if the damage is greater plus ha igh fatality rate,” the mayor said. Recalling the earthquake that hit Eastern Samar Friday night which was felt also

in the city, she said Central 911 recommended the immediate evacuation of residents along the shoreline following the issuance of the tsunami warning. Duterte-Carpio said the city through the Information Office posted on the social network for people to stay calm and that Central 911 alerted its barangay functionaries to prepare for any eventuality. The mayor said many

residents inquired about the real situation through the Central 911. “I did not agree to the evacuation since the city was not included in the tsunami alert. We conferred with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) which confirmed that Davao City was not included in the tsunami alert, so we no longer announced an evacuation.” [PNA]

August 29, 2012 in Manila that was sponsored by the Interbev Philippines Inc., the producer of Cobra Energy Drink. He was selected from among 2,000 entries submitted by various sectors all over the country, either by application or recommendation. For his part, Abude did not apply to get the award

but he was recommended by concerned organizations here in the city to be a rightful recipient of the award. And true enough, they did not fail to have a personal handpick for Abude whose passion to help the CICL has become a dedication and a commitment. His area of responsibility has known youth groups involved in crimes like ran-

sacks and “Akyat-Bahay” particularly in Central Park, NHA-Bangkal and Alpha Homes. Those involved were regular prisoners, meaning since they were minors they cannot be detained at the police station. Abude then strategized an intervention program. Those arrested minors in-

FBIZ, 11

Davao City’s emergency response units can handle only 800 fatalities

AYOR Sara DuterteCarpio said the city’s emergency response units can handle only 800 fatalities during times of contingeny. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Duterte-Carpio said she will seek outside help from line agencies should the number of fatalities rise exceed eight hundred. She said the emergency response will depend on the magnitude of the tragedy

Davao cop official gets Pinoy Hero Award

OLICE Supt. Dionisio Abude, chief of the Police Precinct 3 (Talomo police station) of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), was recently awarded with the prestigious “Pinoy Hero Award” for caring and sending to school 34 children in conflict with the law (CICL). Abude received the award with a corresponding cash prize of P100,000.00 on

FDAVAO, 11

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 132 •WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

4 SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 ISSUE 132 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

‘Mystery’ stick insect discovered A

mysterious new species of stick insect has been discovered living in the Philippines by scientists. The stick insect is wingless, lives on the ground rather than in trees, and is spectacularly coloured, having a greenblue head and orange body. The insect also vents a foul-smelling spray to deter predators. The stick insect is so unique that scientists have given it its own genus and do not yet know its relationship to other stick and leaf insects. “Recently a colleague, entomologist Oskar Conle, showed us some museum specimens of a strange-looking stick insect found several years ago on Mount Halcon, a remote locality in the Philippine island of Mindoro,” explains Marco Gottardo, who is studying for a PhD at the University of Siena, Italy. The insect was found on the third highest mountain in the archipelago, which is considered one of the richest areas of biodiversity in the world. “We were baffled. It looked so different from any other known stick insect in the world that we immediately realised it was something very special.” Mr Gottardo and col-

league Philipp Heller carefully examined the specimen. “We concluded that it represented an unknown genus and species of stick insect,” Mr Gottardo told BBC Nature. The scientists have published details of the discovery in the journal Comptes Rendus Biologies. “The new stick insect is wingless, with a stout body and rather short legs,” says Mr Gottardo. The scientists think these features are likely to be special adaptations for living in the lowgrowing vegetation of a montane rainforest. Most tree-dwelling stick insects that live in the forest canopy have slender and elongated bodies and legs, thought to provide good camouflage among stick and leaves. “Another unique characteristic is the spectacular colour pattern. [A male] has dark bluishgreen head and legs, and a bright orange body with distinctive bluish-black triangle-shaped spots on its back,” he adds. It is more likely that the insect uses these striking colours to warn off predators, rather than as a form of camouflage. “In fact we have discovered that the new stick insect has the ability

to release a potent defensive spray from glands located behind its head. “The defensive substance is sprayed when the insect feels threatened, and has a strong distasteful smell, which likely functions to repel potential predators in a similar way to skunks,” says Mr Gottardo. Enigmatic origin The scientists have named the insect Conlephasma enigma. “We have named the new stick insect with the specific epithet “enigma” because its systematic position in the tree of life of stick and leaf insects remains a mystery,” says Mr Gottardo.

Many of the stick insect’s distinctive features are unlike those recorded on other stick insects. One feature, however, has been seen before. The microstructures ofConlephasma enigma’s mouthparts are strikingly similar to those held by another group of stick insects.

The problem is that these stick insects live in tropical America, on the other side of the world, raising the question of how two insects so far apart might share a similar trait. The researchers hope that a more detailed molecular analysis of the stick insect’s genetics may shed

light on its true identity. “We also hope that the discovery of this particular new insect species may draw attention into the problem of rainforest conservation in the Philippines, which are home to unique and still poorly known wildlife,” Mr Gottardo says.

HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) employees pledged anew to a life of committed service to the country and to the Filipino people, to the ways of peace and justice, and to doing their personal share in cleaning up the environment. The DENR personnel made the vow in the wake of the forthcoming commemoration this September of the Civil Service Commission’s 112th Anniversary, the Peace Month and the International Coastal Clean-Up Month. DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje launched during the agency’s flag-raising ceremony Monday morning, the department’s drive to ensure the cleanliness of the DENR offices, declaring every last Friday of the month as clean-up day for the entire department. “DENR must serve as the example in keeping the environment clean. And this drive should also be implemented soon in all government offices,” Paje said. He added that DENR and its officials and staff should lead in the effort to boost the

country’s anti-pollution and waste management drives and help address the flooding problem around the country and other pressing problems linked to the environment like dengue and other infectious diseases. Paje reminded the DENR employees that every little trash that is irresponsibly handled and disposed of, whether land-based or marine-based, affects not only our local environment but also our marine environment. Coastal clean-up actually begins in everyone’s backyard and is the duty and responsibility of everyone, he added. The Secretary also emphasized the need for a kind of public service that stems from the purity of the civil servants’ commitment to be of service to the country, as well as exhorted everyone to doubly work hard “para sa isang maunlad, masagana at mapayapang Pilipinas.’ Paje again cited the good example of the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, particularly his “tsinelas” leadership, for DENR employees to emulate. [PNA]

Tigers ‘taking night shift’ to dodge human neighbors T T

IGERS in Nepal seem to be taking night shifts in order to avoid their human neighbors, a study has shown. The big cats generally move around at all times of the day and night, to monitor territory, mate and hunt. But the study of tigers in Chitwan National

Park - where humans and tigers walk the same paths - showed a nocturnal shift in activity. The research, by an international team, is published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal. The results challenge the conven-

tional wisdom that tigers need lots of peoplefree space. This can lead to people being relocated, or their access to resources compromised to make way for tigers. “It’s a very fundamental

conflict over resources,” said co-author Neil Carter, from Michigan State University in East Lansing, US. “Tigers need resources, people need the same resources. If we operate under the traditional wisdom that tigers only can survive with space dedicated only for them, there would always be conflict. If your priority is people, tigers lose out. If your priority is tigers, people lose out.” Chitwan, nestled in a Himalayan valley, is home to about 121 tigers. People live on the park’s borders, but rely on the forests for wood and grasses, venturing in on roads and narrow footpaths. Mr Carter spent two seasons setting motiondetecting camera traps for tigers, their prey and people who walk the roads and trails of Chitwan, both in and around the park. His analysis of the

thousands of images show that people and tigers are walking the same paths, albeit at different times of the day. The cameras documented a pronounced shift towards nocturnal activity in the tigers. People generally avoid the forests at night, so dusk would seem to provide a signal for tigers to come out and play. Mr Carter said that conditions for tigers in Chitwan were good, with high prey numbers, low levels of poaching, and forests that are re-generating outside the boundaries of the park. But, he explained: “People of different stripes, including tourists and local residents, frequent the forests of Chitwan. “Tigers need to use the same space as people if they are to have a viable long-term future. What we’re learning in Chitwan is that tigers seem to be

DENR workers strengthen commitment to cleanliness

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 132 •WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

THE ECONOMY

Asean Roro meet set in Bitung this month

By Vicky Berdina M. de Guzman

DISCUSSION to finalize the start of roll-onroll-off (Roro) ferry operation between Davao in the Philippines and the city of Bitung in Indonesia will take place in Bitung middle of September. This was learned from Marc C. Ayes, deputy team leader of Research, Education and Institutional Development (REID) Foundation, Inc., the Philippine-based entity to handle the project. Ayes said the key issues of the meeting would be the shippers, tapes of cargo and its volume, the frequency of service, the customs clearance and processing time, the port fees, the freight rates, the incentives and mutual recognition of chassis and trucks. Earlier, he told businessmen attending the August 31 monthly general membership meeting of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) that the Roro ferry route of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) from Davao to Bitung is targeted to start on January 2013. The REID officer said this month’s meeting in Bitung will be joined in by Mindanaobased shippers to Indonesia, officials of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa),

the Philippine Consul-General in Bitung, the proposed Roro operator, representatives of the APEC Business Advisory Council, officials of the AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII). Other participants are Bitung/Manado shippers, the Bitung Governor, local Roro operator, Customs officials and Bitung port officials. The discussion is expected to culminate in the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in November. As stated by President Noynoy Aquino on August 9 ASEAN Foundation Day, “the Philippines has major interests here, with its existing nautical highway or Roro project. Once it is implemented, ASEAN connectivity will bridge our nation to our neighbors, shorten transfer distances and open more economic opportunities for more people.” According to Ayes, Bitung is 350 nautical miles away from Davao City and the transportation from Davao to Bitung would only take less than two days. He said that the benefit of the Roro operation is that the shipping time will be lessened, apart from reducing shipping costs.

PROTEST VS WATER BILL. A group of militants stages a protest rally against Senate Bill 2997 (Water Sector Reform Act) and House Bill 5497, seeking to institutionalize an Integrated Water Resource Management. The rally was

staged in front of the Davao City Water District (DCWD) office in Matina, Davao City yesterday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

El Niño to worsen supply of power in Mindanao M

INDANAO’S already precarious power situation is bound to get worse as the Philippine weather bureau announced the

probable start of the long dry spell or El Niño by this month. A Philippine News Agency report says that “dynamical and statisti-

cal model forecast suggests the El Niño will likely develop in August or September, and will last through the rest of the year.”

The report quoted Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)

FEL NIÑO, 11

6 THE ECONOMY

VOL.5 ISSUE 132 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

Net loan expansion, receivables propel ONB’s 93% net income

Analysis

PHL second quarter T economic performance

By Gico Dayanghirang

HE National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) has recently announced that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Philippines has accelerated from 3.6 percent in the second quarter of last year to 5.9 percent in the second quarter of this year. This has boosted growth to 6.1% during the first semester of this year from 4.1 over the same period last year. But this second quarter growth of 5.9 percent this year is slower than the first quarter growth of 6.4%. But, as I have pointed out in my previous articles, equally important is the extent by which the various sectors of society are contributing to economic growth. Below are the contributions of the major sectors of society to economic growth in millions of pesos: The sector comprising the agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing sub-

INDUSTRY/INDUSTRY GROUP AGRICULTURE, HUNTING, FORESTRY AND FISHING INDUSTRY SERVICES sectors is the largest economic sector in the country. It is also largely rural based. As indicated above, the overall output of this sector is considerably low and has in fact further declined by 1.3 percent over the last quarter. So the trend continues. While overall economic growth seems impressive, only a few are actually productive. A large major-

EDGEDAVAO

Q2 2011 292,113

Growth Q2 2012 Rate (%) 288,297

-1.3

754,440 794,120 1,386,018 1,538,396

5.3 11.0

ity are unproductive and poorer. It is also the sector of society that is largely uneducated and unhealthy. So it’s no surprise that insurgency is more active in the rural areas. But why is this so? It’s really all about political clout. The urban sector has considerably more political clout than the rural sector. So the urban sector gets more attention

from government. In a way, the largely rural based insurgency may yet be a force for good. It may yet compel government to pay more attention to this largely neglected but major sector of Philippine society. This convergence of economics and politics is in fact a major field of study called political economy. I certainly wish our policy makers educated themselves on this.

HE country’s largest rural bank posted another high this year, when its net income this year of 93-percent growth already made it P300 million more than the minimum capital requisite for a commercial bank. The One Network Bank, banking on the Mindanao countryside, said in a recent statement that its first seven months of the year “has outperformed its own 2011 earnings performance.” The operating net income after tax of P336 million as of end July this year “already surpassed the P315 million income [last year] and registered a record breaking growth of 93 percent compared to the P174 million in the same period last year”. “This net income level, if annualized, translates to a 41-percent return on average private equity and 4 percent return on average assets,” the ONB statement said. This performance, the bank said, “indicates a powerful core performance for the leading provider of modern quality banking products and services in the countryside”. Overall, it emphasized, “rural banking giant One Network Bank already exceeded the P2.4 billion minimum capital requisite

for commercial banks as it raised its capital base to a robust P2.77 billion as of end-July this year”. “Despite the obvious capacity to convert to a commercial bank, ONB decided to retain its status as a frontrunner in the rural banking industry,” it added. The bank attributed the “upsurge in net income mainly to the substantial expansion in net loans and receivables, an increase of around 17 percent or P1.83 billion since the onset of 2012”. Half of the net loan expansion and receivables were recorded in the month of July, with a loan portfolio growth of P5 billion or 70 percent higher compared to July 2011. It said it earned P775 million in net interest income as of July this year, a number that accounted for 61 percent of the total operating income. It also generated P361 million in “fee-based income principally derived from service fees on loans”. This amount contributed to another 28 percent to the total operating income. What is to the disinterest of commercial banks in attracting household income the ONB has harvested in leaps and bounds to increase its deposit base to 575,000, and allowing it to continue its policy to reinvest profits. [MINDANEWS]

PROPERTY

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 132 •WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

Northpoint’s Caribbean pine trees – aesthetically useful and value-adding T

HE hundreds of Caribbean pine trees dotting the grounds of Camella Northpoint, Camella’s landmark condo development in Davao, are more than just a pretty sight. These aromatic trees imported from New Zealand and transplanted in this British colonial themed condo community have more value than just simple aesthetics. Caribbean pine trees are evergreen trees—meaning they have leaves yearround—that can grow to 30 meters tall, about a hundred feet high. They tower with a beautiful broad, rounded or pyramid-shaped crown, and have deep-green bundled needles that crowd at the branch ends, and produce adorable brown pine cones. Camella Northpoint’s Caribbean pine trees are of the hardy variety, withstanding all types of weather and ensuring the condo community is green, fresh, and aromatic all year-round. They are easy to maintain, yet yield many benefits to man and nature. Good for the environment. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. It is said that one mature tree absorbs 48 pounds of carbon a year, cleaning our air and making them truly the lungs of the planet. T h e y also

help stop soil erosion, as their roots hold the soil in place and the trees act as wind barriers. Fresh oxygen. As the pine trees take in carbon dioxide, they breathe out oxygen. A mature tree is said to yield oxygen enough for two human beings. The branches and leaves are also known to filter dust particles, which are eventually washed away by rain. Imagine your Camella Northpoint home being surrounded by these pine trees; that’s fresh, clean oxygen all day, every day. Natural shade. The pine trees offer natural shade, cooling down its immediate environment. Northpoint’s condos benefit from this shade, cooling down the buildings and the homes of the unit owners. Cuts energy cost. As the condo buildings benefit from a cool surrounding, homeowners enjoy a cooler ambiance inside their homes, cutting down aircondition use and lowering their energy bills, giving them one significant economic benefit from the pine trees.

Camella Northpoint homeowners can enjoy the cool, refreshing, and healthful ambiance created by the Caribbean pine trees dotting the condo community.

Some of the all weather pine trees--seen here beside the clubhouse Wakefield Manor with the condo building Manchester at the back--are now over a dozen feet tall and thriving throughout Camella Northpoint. Offers privacy. Once fully grown, these Caribbean pine trees dotting the landscape of Camella Northpoint create a natural privacy fence for each building, allowing homeowners a sense of seclusion and comfort. Nature’s shelter. The pine trees provide shelter for nature’s wildlife like birds, providing them a home. There’s nothing like waking up to the melodic chirping of

birds, and the sight of these winged creatures soaring among the trees just outside your window. Wind breaks. With their girth and height, these Caribbean pine trees serve as good wind breaks or wind barriers. Acting as a screen against the wind, the pine trees protect the condo buildings from very strong winds. Aesthetic benefits. These Caribbean pines have an ornamental look, adding beauty and value to the homes of Northpoint unit owners. On top of that, trees are known to have a positive influence on people’s disposition, giving home-

Caribbean pine trees growing tall on the grounds of Camella Northpoint, seen here lining the road towards Manchester, the first condo building.

owners a good mood. Pine-scented fragrance. The pine trees emit a wonderfully fresh scent, especially on sunny days. They release a fragrance that make the outdoors smell good, and permeates inside the condo buildings. Reduce ambient sound. Northpoint’s pine trees reduce ambient sound, blocking the city’s noise from reaching the homes inside the condo community. The bigger and denser the pine grove becomes, the more noise it blocks off. Increased property values. Another economic benefit of these pine trees is the value they add to the property. As trees mature, they lend

beauty and function to the property they stand on, upping its value and giving homeowners the satisfaction of seeing their investment grow. Camella Northpoint is the only condo community in the city that is a veritable pine estate, with over P4 million’s worth of imported, all-weather Caribbean pine trees transplanted all over the property. To know more about Camella Northpoint and its charming lifestyle, get in touch with Camella Davao 2/F Delgar Building, J.P. Laurel Ave., Davao City, or at 222-0963, 222-5221, 222-5223, vismin@camella.com.ph (email) and www.camella.com.ph.

8 VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 132 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Can Anyone be Like Jesse Robredo? OPINION BY MAUGAN P. MOSAID, PH.D.

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N his eulogy, Sec. Florencio ‘Butch’ Abad mused about something his friend (a fellow cabinet official) had told him. “Pare, ang hirap naman nitong nangyari kay Sec. Jess.. baka pag tayo ang namatay at hindi ganito ang reaksyon ng taumbayan.. baka iba ang sasabihin sa atin”. (I fear something because of what had happened to Sec. Jess.. that when we die and people’s reaction is not like this, they might say something differently). This evoked laughter among those present. Sec. Abad admits, though, that the way Sec. Robredo lived his public life is “one tough act to follow”. Indeed it is. If your character traits were not molded as to make you so inclined to love what you do above self and beyond personal gains, then it is even more difficult to pretend in the longest time possible. Sec. Robredo’s character traits made him what he loves to do without even trying. ”To become like him, not just in demanding good governance, but in working towards it, every man and woman should be a Robredo, whatever our station in life”, admonished Ateneo School of Government Dean Tony La Vina. Of course, this is easier said than done. However, if we want Sec. Robredo’s death to be meaningful and immortalize his legacy, “everyone must shape up and follow his examples of honesty, simplicity and ethical leadership” (borrowing the words of Ms. Patricia Sarenas).

Feet of clay

HE BIG news yesterday was the absence of seven associate justices of the Supreme Court during the first flag-raising ceremony after the assumption of Chief Justice Maria Luisa Sereno. The absence was interpreted by imaginative journalists as a “snub” of the new CJ, the first ever woman to be appointed to the highest position in the Supreme Court. It could be just a coincidence that that many associate justices were absent on the same day. For all we know, some of them were sick in bed and the rest had gone on vacation last

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Monday. However, granting it was meant to snub the new CJ, no one should be surprised with ‘Have you ever such a childish act, or show wondered why of poor sportsmanship. It only further proves that jus- he was so good? tices are ordinary mortals. For If you ask me, my hadn’t the recent tempest over answer is he was the impeachment of Renato R. good because he Corona only gone to show that knows how to love. He loved his job justices also have feet of clay, that some of them could also and he loved the people.’ lie, perjure and plagiarize? I repeat, to be like a Robredo is not just what he did well. It reWhat is important to ordi- quiresto aimitate more profound transformation time in terms of character and atnary citizens are the reforms over titude and possessing a natural passion for the things that you do. This that the new CJ would institute ofwasloveconfirmed in the words of his second daughter Janine during the in a judiciary whose image has necrological service forPatricia her father at the Naga City hall: “Have you ever wondered left much to be desired. why he was so good? If you ask me, ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

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CARLO P. MALLO Features and Lifestyle

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR., • JOSEPH LAWRENCE P. GARCIA Photography Creative Solutions JADE C. ZALDIVAR • MOSES C. BILLACURA Staff Writers

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

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

(Conclusion)

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my answer is he was good because he knows how to love. He loved his job and he loved the people.” The Robredo magic (i.e. his character traits) is deep within him and not simply his good deeds that we saw. Now, if you have that Robredo ‘magic’ in you, you can be like him. Anyone please? [MindaNews/ Maugan P. Mosaid is presently Municipal Administrator of Pikit, North Cotabato. Occasionally, he gives sermon and acts as imam (one who leads in Friday congregation prayers). He holds a PhD in rural development]

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 132 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

Sereno – ladies’ choice

RESIDENT Aquino must have a gambler’s instinct. In naming Maria Lourdes Sereno Chief Justice, he has gambled on her age and inexperience as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court for only two years. But justifying his unprecedented choice, Mr. Aquino assured the people that Sereno will make a good Chief Justice. Good for whom? For the nation and the Filipino people? Or, for the Aquino administration and the Cojuanco family? That presidential assurance is just an opinion. It is not a fact. An opinion is worthless without a fact. It’s the fact that matters. And that fact ( of being good) has yet to be established by Sereno’s performance. Is Sereno a popular choice? Of course not. She’s a personal choice. (Of PNoy.) Is Sereno the right choice? Now, that’s a subjective matter. It’s open to varied interpretations. Is Sereno the ladies’ choice? O course yes. But don’t begrudge the womenfolk. Their thirst for power is unquenchable. After conquering men, they want to rule nations. Is Sereno, the best choice? Of course

that’s debatable. But to Mr. Aquino, she is the one person who can best serve his purpose. (Kuha mo?). In point of experience as Associate Justice, Sereno is the least qualified to head the High Court. Appointed only in 2012, she ranked last in the seniority ladder. She is also the youngest Associate Justice. In a manner of speaking, she’s a greenhorn, a neophyte, a junior justice, a babe in the woods. She doesn’t have adequate knowledge of the workings of the Supreme Court, the functions, duties and powers of the Office of the Chief Justice. But these experience and age factors do not matter anymore. She is now the Chief Justice, primus inter pares. And that’s that. Come to think of it, we now have two of the highest officials in the land who are of the same age range heading the executive and judicial branches of government. Obviously, Lady Luck has smiled broadly on these two souls. But sometimes you

know, Lady Luck smiles at the wrong people. It’s called mistaken identity. Barring unforeseen circumstances and unexpected life’s twists and turns, (coup d’ etat, assassination, massacre, plane crash, fire, earthquake, typhoon, flashflood, tornado, rebel attack, terrorist attack, heart attack, suicide bombing, bangungot, etcetera, Sereno will serve 18 long years just one year short of Jose Abad Santos’ tenure. Will Sereno be equal to the task? Does she have the skills, the maturity and the knowhow to overcome the challenges that lie ahead? Only time can tell. One year, two years, three years, or 18 years? How much should the government pay the Cojuangcos for Hacienda Luisita? Sereno’s vote on this crucial issue will tell us where her loyalty rests, and what kind of conscience she has. If Sereno turns out to be a good Chief Justice (independent, principled, fearless, fair), the President and the JBC deserve the nation’s eternal gratitude. But, if Sereno turns out to be a bad CJ (puppet, puppy, lackey, yes-woman), then all the heavens will fall on P-Noy and the JBC.

SPECIAL FEATURE

For instance, in some areas of the United States, families make grand celebrations when a girl becomes “sweet sixteen.” Here, cultural conventions come to play. For instance, Jewish boys become bar mitzvah on their 13th birthday anniversary while Jewish girls become bat mitzvah on their 12th birthday anniversary, or sometimes on their 13th birthday anniversaries in Reform and Conservative Judaism. Religion experts say this marks the transition where they become obligated in commandments of which they were previously exempted and are counted as part of the community. In some Hispanic-American countries, as well as in Portuguese-speaking Brazil, the quinceañera (Spanish) or festa de quinze anos (Portuguese) celebration traditionally marks a girl’s 15th birthday. In India, Hindu male children of some castes like Brahmins have the 12th or 13th birthday anniversaries replaced with a grand “thread ceremony.” The child takes a blessed thread and wears it, symbolizing his coming of age. This is called the Upanayana. This ceremony is practiced among boys in the Hindu Brahmin culture. In predominantly Christian Philippines, girls on their 18th birthday anniversary or boys on their 21st birthday milepost celebrate a debut – complete with 18 roses in the former. In some Asian countries that follow the Zodiac calendar, there is a tradition of celebrating the 60th birthday anniversary – the year when Filipinos, under an existing law, become senior citizens and start to enjoy discounts in hotels and restaurants as well as transport facilities. In the Philippines, many families celebrate their 50th and 75th birthday and wedding anniversaries in style – and often in posh hotels with prominent friends in the political and cultural fields. [PNA]

Are celebrations of birthdates important?

OYCE, Maria Natalie, Carmen and Czarina share one thing in common -- they were all born in September in different years and, at some point, marked their birthday anniversaries in the manner according to their culture. When Joyce was a growing up young girl in her northern hometown, her annual anniversaries were celebrated by a shower of husked grains on her while visitors sang their own version of birthday greetings composed by an anonymous poet-lyricist of Ilocos Norte. Maria Natalie herself grew up in the metropolis, and her first three birthday anniversaries echoed with the birthday song whose melody and lyrics were written by American siblings Mildred and Patty Smith Hill. Patty was a kindergarten principal in Louisville, Kentucky, developing various teaching methods at what is now the Little Loomhouse while Mildred was a pianist and composer. Cousins Carmen and Czarina both grew up in the rice-producing province of Tarlac and, while they grew up remembering new clothes and pairs of shoes on their birthday milestones, eventually discarded the yearly ritual when they had become adults and hacking out a living in their respective callings and disciplines in the capital before leaving for overseas. Rommel Dionisio, a massage therapist, has a line for this: “We do not have to celebrate our birthdays every year – celebrate in the sense that we have to have big parties.” ”In my case, for instance, I go to church on my birthday, and think of the opportunities on the road ahead. That’s my kind of celebration,” he told the Philippines News Agency. Some feel that birthday celebrations have gone down the commercial zone – with birthday cakes and discounts offered by name establishments and restaurants for X number of guests to be able to avail one’s self of the

BY HONOR BLANCO CABIE discounts. Indeed, there are those who think: what indeed if those marking their birthday anniversaries suddenly stopped celebrating every single birthday in their lives, and instead concentrated on just the important ones? Those who advocate this idea believe – and many agree – that the families would be able to save wads of bills, spending on food to

‘Rommel Dionisio, a massage

therapist, has a line for this: “We do not have to celebrate our birthdays every year – celebrate in the sense that we have to have big parties.” ”In my case, for instance, I go to church on my birthday, and think of the opportunities on the road ahead. That’s my kind of celebration,” he told the Philippines News Agency.’ flatter the taste buds and the memory but become thousands of pesos poorer the next day while thinking of the next episode for some house rental. These advocates argue there is nothing really important about annual celebrations anyway, unless the affair is an excuse for some get-together, a gathering of friends and what the now generation call “some bonding.” In some countries, they don’t celebrate their anniversaries except in specific years.

VANTAGE POINTS

Lenient drug policies

NTIBIOTIC OVERUSE – There is a perception that if you got either a cold or cough, you need antibiotics. Antibiotics aren’t considered dangerous drugs. Doctors prescribe them freely and are readily available even without prescription from drug stores and corner shops. Pharmacists likewise will give you a mixture of different colored antibiotics or brand of your choice. Another opinion is that if the doctors or pharmacists do not give them, they’re not doing their jobs. The problem, of course, is that antibiotics don’t always work. In recent days, as a matter of fact, it was reported on nationwide television that a female OFW who is working in Dubai was hospitalized after taking antibiotics. Perhaps overly concerned of her ailment, she resorted to self-medication or maybe using different kinds of antibiotics. As a result, an allergy reaction caused her body to swell severely. Infectious disease experts say that such infection causes abscesses on the skin and internal organs, and if left untreated can lead to digestive-tract infections, meningitis and inflammation of the heart valves. Right now the issue on antibiotics is coming to a head. Medical authorities and scientists in several countries in Asia reported that strain virus of different diseases had already developed resistance to antibiotics. To assess what bacteria the patient has requires extensive testing and check-ups. Like all evolving organisms, bacteria population included elements with unusual characteristics. There traits allow bacteria to withstand antibiotic attacks. But by taking antibiotics a patient most likely kills the microbes, however, some bugs survive the chemical assault. Then the multiply quickly and a new, tougher drug-resistant strain is born. Even with responsible antibiotic usage, this is bound to happen in the case of the OFW in Dubai when the wrong kinds of antibiotics are used. There is no question about that because as a norm doctors have to make decisions about giving drugs to patients. They are trying to cure their patients as much as possible and the best way to do that is to apply broad spectrum antibiotics at them. In other words, drugs that kill a variety of strain virus but let tough breeds develop resistance. Often it is a question of whether the doctor is persistent enough to explain – to prescribe or not antibiotics. Most doctors find it more difficult not to give antibiotics. They don’t have to think if they give them – but they may have to have good reasons not to give them. Medical and health authorities argue that drug resistance is not relegated to bacterial infections or common cough and cold, especially in poorer countries therefore researchers and scientists need to develop new drugs that cope with super strains. In many parts of Asia, health experts noted that gonorrhea becomes resistant even to pricey second-generation antibiotics. Likewise tuberculosis must be treated with four different antibiotics over a six-month treatment period. This only goes to show that patients are often exposed to up to three kinds of antibiotics, but not even enough to make the microorganisms die. Based on medical findings, in the 70s there were many different antibiotics being developed, but in recent decades it has been going very slowly. Many drug companies have even stopped making too many antibiotics because they aren’t very profitable – and due to the misperception that they are no longer needed. Antibiotics do not have high street value and agents from government drug enforcement organizations are not scouring medical institutions for these kinds of drugs notably in the Philippines. If some physicians are prescribing too many antibiotics maybe government should at least take some necessary action. The health system found many hospitals prescribing antibiotics to some 70% of patients regardless of their diagnoses. And the country’s lax drug policies mean anyone can buy antibiotics even from unlicensed vendors. The Philippines is among the countries in Asia, which is quickly becoming the breeding ground for multi-drug resistant bacteria – capable of evading the most sophisticated antibiotics and people eventually will suffer from it. Elsewhere, there are no regulations and people continue to find a ready supply of antibiotics. But what happens when someone gets a bacterial infection resistant to all known drugs? Shall we return to the time when we did not have antibiotics and all we could do is let the patient rest and see if his immune system could recover or not. Not a healthy diagnosis.

10 SUBURBIA

VOL.5 ISSUE 132 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

ARENA Caravan, a fiesta of services

ORE than 4,000 people flocked to the poblacion of Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental turning the day into fiesta when the ARENA Serbisyo Caravan hauled on August 30 varied government services from more than 30 national line agencies. Micro enterprises were earning as people spread around the venues of distribution of conditional cash, social pensions, medical and dental services, legal consultation, information and education sessions, and seedlings. Vendors of ice cream, water and candies could be seen at the corners serving the immediate need for refreshment and quick bites for people coming from near or far to get their government benefits and to avail of services they otherwise would get at the regional center in Davao City, 175 kilometers from Gov. Generoso. The turn-over of conditional cash grants by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI to 3,527 households was held at Sigaboy Elementary School while the social pension grants for 209 senior citizens were distributed at the Municipal Social Welfare Office. A big crowd filled the municipal gym where the program was held, attended by local government officials and heads of 32 national line agencies which took part in the ARENA Serbisyo Caravan in Gov. Generoso. Among the government agencies which brought along their services In Gov. Generoso were the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Civil Service Commission (CSC), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), National Statistics Office (NSO), Department of Education (DepEd), Department

of Science and Technology (DOST), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Commission on Human Rights (CHR). Other government offices who joined included; Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Professional Regulations Commission (PRC), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Commission on Audit (COA), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Commission on Population (PopCom), Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Public Attorney’s Office, Quedancor, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) XI and the Department of Agriculture (DA) XI, Government Service and Insurance Services and the National Irrigation Administration. Municipal Mayor Vicente D. Orencia said the ARENA Serbisyo Caravan drew quite a huge crowd which he viewed to have surpassed the number of target beneficiaries but he assured that those who had not been served would be given their desired service in a separate occasion. ARENA President Achilles Gerard Bravo noted a remarkable improvement of the ARENA Serbisyo Caravan in Governor Generoso saying the list of local needs was sent quite early by the municipal government and that many government agencies joined the delivery of services. [PIA 11/ JEANEVIVE D. ABANGAN]

Dengue cases surge in Central Mindanao

HE Center for Health and Development in Central Mindanao has appealed to the public to join the campaign against dengue as the number of cases recorded from January to August 31 had increased. Jenny Ventura, CHD-12 information director, said a total of 2,672 dengue cases were reported by the provincial and city health offices in the region composed of the provinces of North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Saranggani, South Cotabato and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Tacurong, Koronadal and General Santos. Of the total number of dengue cases, 21 deaths have been reported, according to Ventura. General Santos City reported 432 dengue cases

with 12 deaths and Cotabato City 334 with zero fatality. North Cotabato province had the highest cases with 1,038 while Saranggani which has 183 cases had four fatality. South Cotabato, on the other hand, had 556 cases with five deaths; and Sultan Kudarat with 119 cases and one fatality. As compared to the same period last year, Ventura said this year is higher because in 2011, CHD-12 through the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU), only recorded 2,137 cases. While Ventura admitted that dengue, brought about by dengue causing mosquitoes, is a preventable diseases, the health department could not contain it all by itself. [PNA]

EDGEDAVAO

LUMAD GAMES. Tourists try to mount a “kadang-kadang”, a popular game among the lumads, as they compete to win the indigenous games at the Malasag Eco-Village in Cagayan de Oro on Sept. 3, 2012. [MINDANEWS/FROILAN GALLARDO]

South Cot gov seeks RDC assistance over worsening floods in Koronadal T HE provincial government of South Cotabato is seeking the intervention of the Regional Development Council (RDC) of Region 12 over the perennial flooding at a portion of the national highway and the regional center site in nearby Koronadal City. South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. said Tuesday they have asked the RDC to help assess the area’s situation and formulate immediate and long-term solutions to the problem, which has already hampered the movement of travelers and products to this city and the neighboring localities. He said the RDC 12 secretariat headed by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region 12 included the matter in the agenda of its scheduled regular meeting next week

in Kidapawan City. “We want the RDC to look into matter and help us find solutions as well as possible funding sources for the construction of the necessary flood-control structures in the area,” Pingoy said. The governor said they requested the RDC to specifically look into the P50 million line canal project implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) South Cotabato Engineering District in the area that have turned out ineffective. DPWH district officials earlier said the project, which involved the construction of line canals beside the flood-prone portions of the national highway in Barangays Saravia and Carpenter Hill as well as a drainage structure that will connect and redirect the floodwaters to the Marbel River, was in-

tended to help resolve the area’s flooding problems. But Pingoy said the 1.8-meter line canals constructed by a contractor commissioned by DPWH have so far failed to endure the volume of floodwaters passing by the area and have caused severe flooding in the last several weeks along the national highway, the nearby regional center site and local communities. Portions of the highway were closed to traffic for several hours due to the buildup of huge volumes of floodwaters in the area. In a meeting called by the governor, officials and residents of Barangay Cerpenter Hill in Koronadal City claimed that portions of the concrete drainage and line canals constructed by a DPWH contractor were not steelpropped and eventually collapsed following a re-

centheavy rain. DPWH officials led by district engineer Eddie Amir acknowledged the problem but stressed that the P50- million project was only a temporarily solution to the area’s flooding problem. “We don’t want to point fingers at this time and put the blame on some people. The DPWH will have to answer to the RDC but our main priority at this time is to find doable and immediate solutions to this problem,” Pingoy said. Acting on a request from local officials, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson approved last year the funding and implementation of the line canal and drainage project for the flood-prone portions of the Carpenter Hill-Saravia section of the Marbel (Koronadal)Makar (General Santos) highway.

electric plants in Lanao del Norte. He said such shortfall was relayed to the cooperative on Monday morning by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). In the advisory, he said the NGCP noted that NPC’s Agus 5 and 7 plants were cut off from the Mindanao grid over the weekend due to transmission problems. “The reasons were still not clear to us but there was a report that a fire broke out in one of the Agus substations. Another report was that a portion of the transmission line in Iligan City

was bombed anewbut this is still being verified,” Tudio said in a radio interview. Owing to this, he said the NGCP reduced the area’s power supplies to 24 MW from its peak demand of 31 MW or short by 6 MW. He said the supply shortfall is equivalent to about an hour of rotating brownout per feeder station within its service area. Socoteco I covers Koronadal City, Lutayan town in Sultan Kudarat and eight municipalities of South Cotabato province. “The power load cuts were imposed (by NGCP) to all electric cooperatives in

Mindanao. So far, our curtailment (one hour) is considered the most minimal,” Tudio said. In this city, officials of the South Cotabato II ElectricCooperative (Socoteco II) cited that it is implementing two-hour daily rotating brownouts due to the supply shortage in the Mindanao grid. Socoteco II serves this city, the entire Sarangani province and the municipalities of Tupi and Polomolok in South Cotabato. It said the power outages cover four phases daily based on the distribution of its 44 feeder stations. [PNA]

Two-hour rotating brownouts hit GenSan, nearby areas anew

OWER cooperatives in General Santos City and nearby areas imposed one to two-hour daily rotating brownouts starting on Monday as Mindanao’s power supplies dropped anew to the critical levels due to the reduced power generating capacity of the NationalPower Corporation’s (NPC) hydroelectric plants. Engr. Santiago Tudio, South Cotabato I Electric Cooperative (Socoteco I) general manager, said Mindanao’s power shortfall plunged to 320 megawatts (MW) on Monday reportedly due to the shutdown of two hydro-

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 132 •WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

CELL PHONE. A man buys a mobile phone cover to protect his cell phone from scratch at the Annex of SM City Mall Davao yesterday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

Shrine...

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developments on the site would have to be cancelled. Cabling said several real estate developers have spent millions buying property in the area which commands a breathtaking view of the Davao Gulf and city proper. “We do not want to jeopardize investors who have already invested, we want to strike a balance,” Cabling said. While Shrine Hills is a much sought location by real estate developers, concerns have been raised about its stability due to its steep slope. Another contentious proposal is the declaration of areas wherein the Davao City Water District water pumps are located as water sources areas, which would limit the kind of develop-

Biz...

ment in the area, if allowed at all. Should the proposal be approved, one of those who will be affected is businessman Francis R. Ledesma, who was planning to develop his six-hectare property in Baliok, Toril into a highend memorial park. The property is bordered by a water pump of DCWD and is suspected to sit atop one of the city’s aquifers. “So be it. What’s important is for the law to have a sound basis. As long as the law treats everyone equally, it’s ok. But if they approve the same projects near my area, then that would be unfair, right?” Ledesma told Edge Davao Tuesday. Ledesma’s project was rejected by the city council after some sectors com-

plained that the cemetery would contaminate the water source of the city. Meanwhile, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. chairman Sebastian Angliongto said that while they welcome the proposal to amend the City Comprehensive Development Plan, they have some reservations about the proposals. “We want to give an educated and well-rounded comment on the matter that is why I cannot comment right now. We have to study the provisions properly before we give our recommendations,” Angliongto said in a previous interview. “Also, we’d want to make sure that should the proposed revised zonification be passed, there will be proper implementation in place.”

DFA shuts down five of 10 PHL diplomatic posts

HE Department of Foreign Affairs has shut down five of its 10 Philippine diplomatic posts due for closure this year as part of restructuring plan and austerity measures. As of July 31, the embassies in Caracas in Venezuela; Koror, Palau; Dublin, Ireland and consulates general in Barcelona, Spain and Frankfurt, Germany have ceased to operate, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis said. The embassies in Stockholm, Sweden; Bucharest, Romania; Havana, Cuba; and Helsinki, Finland and consulate in Saipan in Northern Mariana Islands began scaling down their operations in preparation

CAAP...

for its closure on Oct. 31, Seguis said. Closing down the 10 diplomatic missions is part of the department’s restructuring plan and austerity measures. Seguis said. Savings from the closures are estimated at P100 million, which can be allocated to other cashstrapped posts that serve a greater number of Filipinos, he said. “We are re-aligning our budget where they are most needed like in the Middle East,” Seguis told reporters in an interview. “We need to maximize our resources and budget.” The nearest Philippine embassy or consulate will assume jurisdiction and functions of the closed

diplomatic missions. Prior to the closure, the Philippines had 94 diplomatic posts abroad, 67 of which were embassies, 23 consulates, and four were missions to international organizations.The selection of posts to be closed down was made based on each of the post’s performance and economic and political importance. Host governments of the terminated posts as well as its respective diplomatic missions here in Manila have already been informed of the closures. The Filipino communities, under the jurisdiction of the said embassies and consulates, have also been informed, Seguis said. [PNA]

It was learned from Rep. Garcia-Albano that General Hotchkiss is coming to Davao City on Friday and is expected to have a look-see at the Davao international airport situation. Earlier, the RDC asked CAAP to take steps to arrest the deterioration of the facilities and services at the facility. The RDC recommenda-

tions include: --purchase of a new firetruck to replace the old unit; --provide fire extinguishers as required under the Fire Code; --undertake regular inspections of the airport by the Fire Services Bureau; --regular review of the overall security arrangement in the airport.

tress Cherryl Gay Grafilo, was found dead at the same place where the victim was murdered. Another suspect in the killing of Grafilo, Chearamae Fuertes, was also killed in a shootout with the police in the morning of August 30. Fuertes was killed in a shootout with arresting policemen at his house on Panganiban Street, Barangay 10-A on Thursday.

In her letter, the mayor denounced any form of murder, saying this will affect the image of the entire police force of Davao City. She said she wants Rivera’s replacement to be an “equally competent officer who can manage effectively and execute the duty of law enforcement and the protection of lives and properties.”

MW. Mindanao’s biggest back up power plant, the 200-MW bunker-fired barges of AboitizPower subsidiary Therma Marine is already sold out and contracted to 23 electric cooperatives and distribution utilities. The only available capacity that could be immediately injected into the grid -- the Iligan Diesel Power Plant which could provide up to 100 MW is still facing legal problems while the four power barges of the government being bidded out is facing a lack of interest from investors. AboitizPower which is actively constructing at least two major projects -- the 300-MW clean coal

power plant in Davao City and an 11-MW runof-river hydro pwoer plant in Davao del Sur, announced the two facilities will be completed by 2015. “Our construction efforts are ongoing and we are doing our best to complete the construction of our plants as scheduled by 2015, so it can provide a more reliable and sustainable long-term solution to the power supply problem in Mindanao” “The onset of the El Nino will definitely be very challenging for Mindanao. This underlines the need for Mindanao to pursue a more balanced mix of energy sources to secure its future.”

FFROM 1

The lawmaker and the DOT regional official discussed the various problems faced by the decade-old international airport which are detailed in a thick report prepared by a technical working group commissioned by the Regional Development Council in the Davao region headed by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

2 cops...

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could mean new investments and more jobs for more Filipinos. Lao said Davao is reacting fast to the growth in the economy, particularly in the BPO industry. He said the City Government has identified key priority areas for investment and this includes Information Communication Technology (ICT). Among the city’s priority investment areas are tourism, agri-business and prop-

Davao...

erty development. According to data from ICT Davao, a group of ICT stakeholders in the city, they have tracked 67 BPO companies in Davao with a work force of 6,000 people. Meanwhile Lao said part of the growth comes from infrastructure spending. “If you notice a lot of infrastructure projects going on, it is not just in Davao but it is nationwide.” Lao said. The simultaneous infra-

structure developments he said comes from the new policy of the national government in which next year’s budget is already being approved which allows the Department of Public Works and Highways to bid out and implement projects in the early months of the year. Lao said infrastructure development is a great way to pump prime the economy as it usually has a big multiplier effect. [PIA/RG Alama]

El Niño...

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FFROM 2

cluding hardcore ones numbering to 34 were housed at their station and called the attention of their parents for counselling and parenting responsibility. He has to maximize their meager food allocation to feed them since they have no other means to source out their food sustainability. But he has no qualms

he could be facing the biggest challenge of his life to stop the unabated killings in his jurisdiction. The mayor expressed dissatisfaction with Rivera’s performance after the latter failed to contain the spate of killings in a span of just three days. This came after a certain Romar Mercado Salinas, one of the suspects in the robbery-slay of gym instruc-

about it. After all, crime occurrences in those three identified areas were significantly reduced. Later, Abude was very happy that the Emar Human and Environment College, formerly Emar Learning Center, for partnering with them in making the 34 CICL to be scholars until college graduation.

ERRATUM

In the Notice Hearing of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Regional Office No. XI Davao City involving a Petition for Renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a FILCAB Ordinary Regular Service of Antonio P. Del Mundo (Case No. 2001-XI-00531),published in the August 26-27, 2012 issue of Edge Davao, “JP Lauren” should read “JP Laurel”.

“Right now, these children are enrolled at Emar and we are very grateful for the institution that it gives the opportunity for these children to have a brighter future,” he said. A day before receiving the award, the Talomo police station and the Soroptomist International, a woman group supporting women and children, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to adopt the station’s Women and Children’s Desk for support. Abude said that he would use the winning cash prize for the establishment of a Shelter intended for the 34 children, the youngest of which is 12, and their personal belongings, lockers, pails, school uniforms. [ANTHONY S. ALLADA]

administrator Nathaniel Servando who said. warmer sea surface temperature has strengthened in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific ocean since June, which is a typical development stage of El Niño. Around 55-percent of Mindanao’s power comes from hydro power plants around Lake Lanao. The last time a severe El Nino hit Mindanao, many parts of the island suffered up to 12 hours of brownouts. At present, with all power plants in the grid running, Mindanao is already suffering on a daily basis around 180 MW deficit out of the 1,200 demand for the island. The deficit for Monday, September 3 was at 320

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VOL.5 ISSUE 132 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

Realty Realty

FOR SALE: 1) 1-hectare commercial lot at P10,000/sq m, along National Highway, facing east, beside NCCC Panacan, Davao City. 2) 17,940sq m commercial lot at P2,500/sq m, along Matina Diversion Road. 3) 3,831 sq m lot along Matina Diversion Road. 4) 41,408 sq m commercial/ industrial lot at P800/sq m along the National Highway, Bunawan. 5) 7,056 sq m at P1,200/sq m commercial/residential lot along Indangan Road, Buhangin District. 6) 27,411 sq m commercial/industrial lot along the National Highway in Bincungan, Tagum City. 7) 116.15 to 245.92 sq meters , at P5.5M to P12.3M commercial/office condo units in Bajada, Davao City. 8) 699 to 1,117 sq m at P4,100/sq m commercial lots at Josefina Town Center, along the National Highway, Dumoy, Toril. 9) Ready-for-Occupancy Residential Properties: 4BR/3T&B in a 240 sq m lot with 177.31sqm floor area (2-storey) at P4.8M in an exclusive beachfront community in Dumoy, Toril.; 3BR 2-storey in a 71.25 sq m 2-storey in a 143sq m lot in an exclusive flower village in Maa, Davao City; 180 sq m lots with 71.25sqm to 126.42 sq m floor areas, priced at P3.751M to P5.773M in an exclusive mountain resort community along Matina, Diversion Road. 10) 1BR/2BR residential condo units located in Bolton, Maa, Obrero, Davao City. 11) FOR ASSUME (RUSH): 1BR res’l condo unit in Palmetto, Maa. P600K negotiable. Note: Items 1-9 can be paid in cash, in-house or bank financing. If interested, please call Jay (PRC REB Lic. 8237) at 0922-851-5337 (Sun), 0908-883-8832 (Smart) or send email to propertiesindavao@yahoo.com. PRIME PROPERTY FOR SALE ROBINSONS HIGH LANDS, 173 sq. meters, 1.5 M, Direct Buyers only Contact: 0926-305-1555 0942-966-2444

PROPERTY FOR SALE IDEAL FOR INDUSTRIAL / MANUFACTURING PLANT, 3 hectares, Santa Cruz along the National Highway, Direct Buyers only Contact: 0927-706-2510

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Deadline for submission of materials is 12:00 NN. Deadline for Friday and Saturday issues is 5:00 PM. Deadline for Sunday and Monday issues is Saturday 12:00 NN. For more information, please call our Advertising Office 221-3601; 301-6235 and ask for Jane or Chay.

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CLINIC HOURS: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM Address: Door 3 & 4 Ground floor CVA & Sons Bldg. along Quirino & JP Laurel Ave., Davao City Telephone No.: (082) 284-1978, 295-6894 Email Add: med_laboratory@yahoo.com Website: www.meddiagnosticslab.com

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DAVAO LILA DEPT. STORE SHOPPING PARADISE OF THE BUDGET-WISE AT ITS NEW LOCATION NEAR MANILA BULLETIN CAYETANO BANGOY ST. (FORMERLY PONCIANO REYES ST.) CORNER RIZAL STREET, DAVAO CITY CONTACT: TEL. #: 225-5258; 227-3959 CEL.#: 0932-2246429; 0915-4102303

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Ana in QFinals

Ana Ivanovic of Serbia reacts against Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria in another fourth round clash at the US Open.

ERB 12th seed Ana Ivanovic reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinal in four years, and first ever at the US Open, when she defeated Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova 6-0, 6-4 on Monday. The 24-year-old, whose last major quarter-final came on the way to her one and only Grand Slam triumph at the 2008 French Open, swept through the first set in just 23 minutes, firing 13 winners and giving up just 11 points. Pironkova, the world number 55 who became the first Bulgarian to make a Grand Slam semi-final when she charged into the last four at Wimbledon in 2010, was the first woman from her country to make the last 16 in New York since 1994. But her challenge was restricted by a neck injury and she twice needed treatment, including a medical time-out at the end of the first set. She battled gamely in the second set, breaking Ivanovic twice, including the ninth game

when the former world number one was serving for the match. But the Serb hit back immediately for victory in the 10th game with the match’s 10th break of serve in the 16 games played. “I hardly made any mistakes in the first set but she is a tough opponent and I knew she would come back in the second set,” said Ivanovic after her 71-minute win, where she finished with 28 winners and 21 unforced errors. “It’s amazing to be in my first quarter-final at the US Open.” Ivanovic will next face either three-time champion Serena Williams, who is targeting a 34th career Grand Slam quarterfinal spot, or Czech world number 82 Andrea Hlavackova. Olympic and Wimbledon champion Williams has a lifetime record in New York of 61 wins against just nine defeats. Hlavackova, 26, is making her US Open main draw debut having lost five times in qualifying and will be playing in her first last-16 match at a major. But she has tasted Grand

Slam success, teaming with compatriot Lucie Hradecka to win the 2011 French Open women’s doubles. Ivanovic has lost all three meetings with Williams, failing to win a set. Two of those defeats came at the US Open in 2006 and 2011. She has never faced Hlavackova. German sixth seed Angelique Kerber, a semi-finalist in 2011, faces Italian 10th seed Sara Errani, the French Open runner-up. Errani defeated Kerber, who has a season-leading 56 wins in 2012, in the quarter-finals in Paris on her way to the final in June. The winner of that tie will face either Polish second seed Agnieszka Radwanska, who has equalled her best performance in New York of runs to the last16 in 2007 and 2008, or Italian 19th seed Roberta Vinci. Radwanska has won all of her four previous meetings with the 29-year-old Vinci who had made the last-16 for the first time.

VOL.5 ISSUE 132 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 5 ISSUE 132 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

HEALTH

8 diet and exercise mistakes that age you

EATING too much sugar certainly isn’t wise for your waistline, but did you know that overindulging in dessert can add years to your face? And even if you do strenuous cardio workouts each week, you’ll be missing out on potential anti-aging body benefits if your schedule doesn’t include yoga, weight training, and rest. “Good nutrition is a fundamental building block of healthy skin,” explains Leslie Baumann, MD, a Miami Beach dermatologist. The natural ingredients in whole foods such as romaine lettuce and strawberries help increase cell turnover, and boost production of collagen fibers to help keep skin smooth and firm. Conversely, foods with little-tono nutritional benefits, like sugarpacked doughnuts, can actually damage the collagen and elastin that keep skin firm and youthful. These aging effects start at about age 35 and increase rapidly after that, according to a study published in the British Journal of Dermatology. Even if your diet is wholesome, you could be making exercise mistakes that age you as well. For example, if you only do cardio at the expense of other types of exercise, like yoga and strengthtraining, you could be missing out on skin-protective benefits. Find out if you’re making one of these 8 common aging diet and exercise mistakes, and get smart prevention strategies that can keep you slim and youthful for years to come. You overdo dessert The breakdown of sugars, called glycation, damages the collagen that keeps skin smooth

and firm. To prevent this natural process from careening out of control, Naila Malik, MD, a derm in Southlake, TX, sticks to low-glycemic carbs like whole grains; they’re naturally low in sugar, and the body processes them slowly to limit the loss of collagen. If you want to sweeten up your tea or oatmeal without making your skin look older, try all-natural stevia. It’s an easily digested herbal sweetener that doesn’t trigger glycation, according to board-certified dermatologist Nicholas Perricone, MD, an adjunct professor of medicine at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. You spin away stress Taking your work angst out on the Spinning bike or treadmill might make you feel better for a little while, but incorporating yoga into your fitness routine regularly may help you look younger and prevent breakouts while whittling away stress. Sounds like a winning workout to us! “Yoga moves like Child’s Pose, Downward-Facing Dog, and Sun Salutations improve circulation-the boost of oxygen is what gives skin that lovely yoga glow,” says Hema Sundaram, MD, a Washington, DC - area dermatologist. New research finds regular yoga practice may reduce the inflammation and stress that speed skin aging. If you need another reason to om away your stress: High levels of tension can spike hormone production that leads to breakouts or aggravates conditions like psoriasis. “Controlling stress keeps your skin calm,” says Annie Chiu, MD, a derm in LA. You always choose coffee over tea Research suggests that green and black tea contain protective

compounds--like EGCG and theaflavins--that help prevent skin cancers and the breakdown of collagen, the cause of wrinkles. You pretend to be allergic to dumbbells Following a regular strengthtraining routine that creates better, more supportive muscle tone will help you firm sagging skin from the neck down. “I am religious about strength-training, and I always tell patients to do it more as they get older,” says Patricia Farris, MD, a dermatologist in Metairie, LA. “It’s like adding volume to the face with fillers, except on your body,” says Dr. Farris. Your meat and dairy aren’t organic “Hormones in traditionally produced dairy, poultry, and meat may contribute to acne,” says Katie Rodan, MD, a dermatologist in the San Francisco Bay area. She says that her patients who eat those less frequently--or at least choose grain-fed beef and poultry and organic dairy--often notice their skin looks better.

You don’t give your body a break When your exercise routine is so intense that you’re tired all the time but can’t sleep at night, you’re setting yourself up for overuse injuries--not to mention dark circles and bags under your eyes from those sleepless nights. These symptoms could be a sign of overexhaustion, says Ryan Halvorson, personal trainer, IDEA Health and Fitness Association expert, and author. Other clues that you’re working out too much include extreme muscle soreness that persists for several days, unintended weight loss, an increased resting heart rate, interruptions in your menstrual cycle, or decreased appetite. “Plan your rest as well as you plan exercise,” says Polly de Mille, RN, a registered clinical exercise physiologist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. “If there is no balance between breakdown and recovery, then the muscle is in a state of chronic inflammation and what may start as a simple case of soreness after a hard workout can turn into an

actual overuse injury.” You drastically cut fat, carbs, or calories When your diet isn’t balanced, your skin, hair, and nails will suffer. Cutting calories can deprive your body of certain nutrients that promote healthy cell division, cell regeneration, and overall skin tone and texture, explains David E. Bank, MD, FAAD, director of the Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic and Laser Surgery in Mount Kisco, NY. “The skin also requires essential fatty acids--which the body can’t produce on its own--to maintain hydration. A diet that’s too low in fat could cause dry skin, hair loss, and brittle nails.” Other key youth-boosting nutrients include vitamins A, C, and E. Being deficient in A can cause acne, dry hair, dry skin, and broken fingernails. Get your daily vitamin A fix by eating five baby carrots each day. A lack of vitamin C can affect collagen synthesis (the “glue” that binds our ligaments, bones, blood vessels, and skin), impair wound healing, and make you more likely to bruise. Incorporate vitamin C - rich foods in the form of citrus fruits, brussels sprouts, peppers, and leafy greens. Low levels of vitamin E can result in easy bruising and cause chronic skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis to flare up. Get more vitamin E in your diet by eating almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, spinach, and fortified cereals. You’re missing alkaline-rich foods Kimberly Snyder, a Los Angeles nutritionist and author of The Beauty Detox Solution ($9.77; amazon.com), says she sees a big improvement in her clients’ skin and hair when they eat more alkaline-forming foods, such as parsley, almonds, kale, pears, lemons, and apples. “If your body is too acidic, which can happen when your diet is unbalanced, it leaches the alkaline minerals, such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium, that allow us to have strong, healthy bones, teeth, and hair,” Snyder explains. (From Yahoo! Health)

Organic food no healthier than non-organic: study NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Organic produce and meat typically isn’t any better for you than conventional varieties when it comes to vitamin and nutrient content, according to a new review of the evidence. But organic options may live up to their billing of lowering exposure to pesticide residue and antibioticresistant bacteria, researchers from Stanford University and the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System found. “People choose to buy organic foods for many different reasons. One of them is perceived health benefits,” said Dr. Crystal Smith-Spangler, who led the new study. “Our patients, our families

ask about, ‘Well, are there health reasons to choose organic food in terms of nutritional content or human health outcomes?’” To try to answer that question, she and her colleagues reviewed over 200 studies that compared either the health of people who ate organic or conventional foods or, more commonly, nutrient and contaminant levels in the foods themselves. Those included organic and non-organic fruits, vegetables, grains, meat, poultry, eggs and milk. Many of the studies didn’t specify their standards for what constituted “organic” food - which can cost as much as twice what conventional food costs - the researchers

wrote Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine. According to United States Department of Agriculture standards, organic farms have to avoid the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, hormones and antibiotics. Organic livestock must also have access to pastures during grazing season. Many conventional farms in the U.S., in contrast, use pesticides to ward off bugs and raise animals in crowded indoor conditions with antibiotics in their feed to promote growth and ward off disease. The Food and Drug Administration has been examining that type of antibiotic use and its contribution to drug-resistant disease in humans.

SAME VITAMINS Smith-Spangler and her colleagues found there was no difference in the amount of vitamins in plant or animal products produced organically and conventionally - and the only nutrient difference was slightly more phosphorus in the organic products. Organic milk and chicken may also contain more omega-3 fatty acids, they found but that was based on only a few studies. There were more significant differences by growing practice in the amount of pesticides and antibiotic-resistant bacteria in food. More than one-third of conventional produce had detectable pesticide residues,

compared to seven percent of organic produce samples. And organic chicken and pork was 33 percent less likely to carry bacteria resistant to three or more antibiotics than conventionally-produced meat. Smith-Spangler told Reuters Health it was uncommon for either organic or conventional foods to exceed the allowable limits for pesticides, so it’s unclear whether a difference in residues would have an effect on health. But Chensheng Lu, who studies environmental health and exposure at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, said that while the jury is still out on those effects, people should consider pesticide exposure in their

grocery-shopping decisions. “If I was a smart consumer, I would choose food that has no pesticides,” Lu, who wasn’t involved in the new study, told Reuters Health. “I think that’s the best way to protect your health.” He said more research is necessary to fully explore the potential health and safety differences between organic and conventional foods, and that it’s “premature” to conclude organic meat and produce isn’t any healthier than non-organic versions. “Right now I think it’s all based on anecdotal evidence,” Lu said. SOURCE: http://bit.ly/ PShmuj Annals of Internal Medicine, online September 3, 2012.

VOL. 5 ISSUE 132 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

Heidi Klum: We’re both moving on

HEIDI KLUM is moving on.

Following Seal’s statements about her supposed hook-up with her bodyguard Martin Kristen, a rep for the former Victoria’s Secret supermodel told E! News, “I cherish all of the great memories Seal and I created together over the years. Our separation was based on issues between the two of us. Seal has moved on and so have I. My priority has and continues to be protecting and providing for our children.” During a family vacation in Sardinia, Italy recently, the Project Runway host was spotted looking cozy with her bodyguard of four years, a man named Martin Kristen, according to People, leading to speculation that the duo had c o u p l e d up. Heidi shows off sexy bikini bod Klum, 39, looked relaxed and content in a white visor and blue cover-up over her bikini. Her security guard wore camo shorts and a red T-shirt; he appeared to be part of the family as he played in the sand with Klum and Seal’s four children. And the “Let’s Stay Together” crooner was not amused by the rumors. When asked by TMZ what he thought about Klum’s supposed new man, Seal said on video, “That’s what happens when two people separate. They move on and that generally means other people in their

lives. I certainly don’t expect Heidi to become a nun. My main priority is the emotional well-being of our children and to be quite honest if there is going to be someone in

their lives, I’d rather it be a familiar face.” “I didn’t

expect any better from him…but I would’ve thought Heidi would of shown a bit more class... before deciding to fornicate with the help, as it were,” Seal added. Responding to Seal’s statement, Klum’s rep tells E! News, “It is sad that Seal has to resort to false accusations.” Shortly after his statement, Seal clarified his previous comment o n Sund a y , with his rep telling E! News his words were not what they seemed. The singer’s rep said that Seal was “pointing out that they are separated and the divorce is not final, so they are legally still married.” Since splitting with Seal in January, Klum has been candid about her feelings on love. “I don’t know if I’ll get married again,” she told German publication Bild am Sonntag. “Although I really enjoyed being married. I’m a dreamer. I loved our annual fairy-tale weddings that were our big family parties. But sadly, it somehow didn’t work out.” (E! Online)

Prince Harry goes public, well dressed

PRINCE HARRY is finally getting back into the swing of things…fully dressed.

In his first public appearance following his now-notorious Las Vegas trip, the red-headed royal arrived at the WellChild Awards at the Intercontinental Hotel Monday afternoon in London. Prince Harry, who serves as patron of the charity, was on hand to give a speech at the ceremony. The charity supports terminally and critically ill children in the U.K. And it appears adults aren’t the only ones who are aware of the prince’s naked romp in Las Vegas. According to the Daily Mail, Prince Harry“wagged his finger” and laughed at a little boy who wanted to ask him about his naked night in his VIP penthouse suite, but lost the nerve.

“You keep looking at your mum,” Harry said to the little one. “It looks like you’re dying to say some-

thing but you’re worried she’ll tell you off.” Kids say the darndest things. (E! Online)

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 5 ISSUE 132 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

Brokenshire Memorial Hospital opens new operating room complex By Vicky Berdina M. de Guzman

Actual blessing of Brokenshire Memorial Hospital’s New Operating Room Complex

The Brokenshire Memorial Hospital opened its newly renovated Operating Room Complex last week, August 30, 2012. This L-shaped complex is composed of 10 operating rooms with a special room for patients of the popular Operation Smile program. Operation smile program are performed surgeries in treatment of facial deformities. State-of-the-art Equipment Installed in the operating rooms are newly acquired high-end, state-of-the-art equipment and instruments. One of the sophisticated equipment acquired by the Brokenshire Integrated Health Ministries, Incorporated (BIHMI) is the Philips Surgical LED (light-emitting diode) light which is also first in the Philippines. This Philips Burton Surgical LED light model OR 160 with 160 lux (air sensor) is first to be used in the Philippines. LED is a semiconductor light source and is used as indicator lamp in many devices. According to Dr. Edgar Ramederre, the Medical Director of BIHMI, “it also uses the latest advances in the state-of-the-art OR lighting technology to achieve incredible performance and unsurpassed value and energy efficiency.” Dr. Henry D. Derla, OR Chairperson, also said that the Philips Surgical LED light is the best and is very easy to use. This would give more time for nurses and doctors to do more important matters in the operating room than to spend much time on adjusting the light. Dr. Derla, said that there are nine other newly acquired state of the art surgical equipment and instruments. These include MERIVAARA Operating Table model OP1650 with special adjustment ranges in terms of its side tilt, leg section, back section, trendelenburg and antitrendelenburg, headrest, with kidney elevator to a maximum patient weight of 245 kilograms and orthopedic extension device which mean the patient

can be tilted in different angles favored for the operation. Another newly acquired equipment of BIHMI is the Edan M9A Patient Monitor which has a crystal clear screen that shows every signal of the heart beat clearly and gives an accurate measurement of the pulse. This technology also has standard parameters such as Electrocardiography (ECG), oxygen saturation in the blood (SPO2), blood pressure monitoring (NIBP) and others. Other equipment are: -Omni II Cardiac Monitor (Infinium Medical Inc., USA) with NIBP, SPO2, multilead ECG monitoring, Temperature, IBP (neonate, pedia, adult), drug dose calculations, has a large font display and other specifications -Omni III Cardiac Monitor (Infinium Medical Inc., USA) with NIBP, SPO2, ECG (3 or 5 leads), has dual temperature monitoring, IBP, Gas Analyzer and other specifications -the US top of the line HILL-ROM Transporter and Specialty stretchers which has a 700 pound weight capacity, has a low height for safer stretcher ingress and egress, has a 3-inches thick mattress, has dual-locking-four-wheel brakes for stable platform and is Power washable. -Lifegain CU-HD1 Multifunction Defibrillator and Monitor which is a Biphasic Technology of Defibrillator with ECG monitoring, SPO2, NIBP, and is a non-invasive pacing mode and also has a built-in printer. -PENLON PRIMA SP2 Anesthetic Machine with AV-S Ventilator v.188 Standalone and Remote Screen (touch screen)

-BOVIE Electrosurgical Machine model IDS-400 which is an innovative electrosurgical generators with fully digital implementation for use in today’s modem OR and surgical outpatient center. This is also easy-to-handle yet capable of covering a whole spectrum of electrosurgical interventions. Its monopolar and bipolar functions satisfy all surgical demands with maximum safety and has a user-friendly interface. -and complete General Surgery, OB-Gynecology, Orthopedic, ENT, Vascular and Colo-Rectal surgical instruments Councilor Bernardo Al-ag, Chairman of the Davao City Committee on Health, said that in the increasing population or growth in Davao city comes bigger challenges which include health services. He added that the government also needs private partners in attaining their goal in serving the needs of Dabawenyos. He wishes that the Brokenshire Hospital will be a good steward for the people as assisted by their facilities and good services. Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio also sent her message to BIHMI which mainly speaks about her appreciation for the staff and administration for their newly acquired equipment and new operating room complex. She thanked them in helping the government respond to the health needs of

the Dabawenyos. The patients will surely benefit from the assured quality and service brought by the newly acquired facilities and equipment. They will also benefit from ensured better surgical care among patients who will undergo operation. Development does not necessarily mean high cost. This is what BIHMI would like to reach the recipients of their service. It is their vision to develop and improve the lives of the community, therefore, the procurement of the stated state-of-the-art equipment and facilities will definitely improve patient surgical care at a very least cost incurred. Other services of BIHMI include Mindanao Kidney Stone Center ; Eye Laser Center ; Brokenshire Woman Center that caters all Obstetrics and Gynecological cases including Sonology, Colposcopy, and Fertility Care Center; Renal Dialysis Center; Davao Hemophilia and Other Blood Disorders Center; Child and Adolescent Neuro-Development Center; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Center; OutPatient Care Services; Newly Upgraded Operating Room Complex; Delivery Room Complex; Newborn Complex; and Endoscopy Center. Other Ministries in BIHMI are the Brokenshire HotelResort and Convention Center and Brokenshire Community Health and Development Center.

Chairperson on Committee on Health Hon. Bernard Al-ag congratulates BIHMI for helping the government in serving the health needs of the Dabawenyos

SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 132 •WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

Guirado missing A

FTER he was cleared of the sexual harassment charges filed by former POC head Cristy Ramos Jalasco, Fil-Spanish Angel Guirado is all of a sudden missing. Guirado has reportedly inked a contract with an Indian club since August and has not left word with the Azkals. Guirado’s future with the Philippine national men’s football team thus remain uncertain. Rafael Garcia, Guirado’s cousin, manager and translator when he was still in the

country, said that he has not heard anything from the FilSpanish striker since learning about the signing, leaving him puzzled if Guirado would still come back to play for the Azkals. “We’re still in the dark,” Garcia said, referring to Guirado’s future with the Azkals. “We don’t know the terms of the contract.” Garcia added that it was a different agent who helped Guirado ink a one-year deal with Salgaocar FC, a team which plays in India’s top professional league, I-League. United Football League

champion Global, for which Guirado suited up last season, was also surprised with the sudden departure of one of their prized players, according to Garcia, also the team’s marketing head. But just like the other foreign-based members of the Azkals, Guirado could still come back and play for the national team in its matches if his new club permits him, Garcia said. Last August, Guirado was initially part of the Azkals lineup in their United States training tour. However, he still didn’t make the trip.

EW YORK—Serena Williams didn’t drop a game Monday as she moved into the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open. Roger Federer advanced with even less work when Mardy Fish pulled out of their fourth-round match for precautionary reasons. Fish missed about two months this season because of an accelerated heartbeat and had a medical procedure in May. Fish’s agent said he wasn’t sure if the problem related to his previous health issues. “I was reluctant to do so, but am following medical advisement,” Fish said about his withdrawal in a statement. “I

had a good summer and look forward to resuming my tournament schedule in the fall.” The 30-year-old American’s third-round match against Gilles Simon went five sets, lasting more than 3 hours and ending after 1 a.m. Sunday. Afterward, the 23rdseeded Fish did not appear at a news conference. Tournament officials said he was getting treatment, but didn’t give specifics. “I am really sorry for Mardy. I just want to wish him a speedy recovery,” Federer said in a statement. “We all want to see him back on tour soon.” Federer, in his 34th consecutive quarterfinal at a major tournament, will meet

sixth-seeded Tomas Berdych, who defeated 11th-seeded Nicolas Almagro 7-6 (4), 6-4, 6-1. The man Federer beat in July’s Wimbledon final and lost to in August’s Olympic final, Andy Murray, muted 15th-seeded Milos Ranoic’s big serve and won 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to reach an eighth consecutive major quarterfinal. No. 3 Murray will play No. 12 Marin Cilic of Croatia, who put together a 7-5, 6-4, 6-0 victory over 50th-ranked Martin Klizan of Slovakia, the last lefthander and unseeded man remaining. Murray has won 6 of 7 matches against Cilic over their careers, but the lone loss came at the US Open in 2009.

OUT OF AZKALS? Fil-Spaniard Angel Guirado has taken his playing skills to India.

Serena blanks foe in US Open N TIGER. Former world no. 1 Tiger Woods breached the $100 Million mark in earnings.

Serena Williams of the United States looks on against Andrea Hlavackova of Czech Republic during their women’s singles fourth round match at the 2012 US Open.

Rory is new world No.1

ORY McIlroy finally put the PGA Tour Player of the Year debate to bed with an impressive 4-under 67 that saw him win the Deutsche Bank Championship by one shot and pick up his third win of the season. But forget about the Player of the Year hardware for a second; the win ended another, far more important, debate that’s been raging recently: Who’s the best golfer on the planet. Prior to McIlroy’s win at the PGA

Championship, you could have kicked around a couple of names around for the top spot in the sport. Following McIlory win in Boston? Well, there’s no need to debate who the king of golf is at the moment. It’s the kid from Northern Ireland. After spending the last year questioning his lack of closing ability and his inability to put consistent finishes together, the 23-year-old managed to add another eight-shot major win and a come-

from-behind victory at the Deutsche Bank to his resume in less than a month. Say what you will about McIlroy still be young and having moments where his game inexplicably disappears for stretches, but for the first time, it seems like the he finally has a handle on closing out tournaments -- something that didn’t seem possible back in April after he fell out of contention on the weekend at the Masters for the second straight year.

ularity -- there’s a good chance we’ll never see another golfer get anywhere close to that number in the future, due in large part to the quality of today’s tournament fields. “Well, I just think the purse increase helps,” Woods said after his final round 66. “I’ve won fewer tournaments than Sam Snead has. Obviously he was in a different era. It’s just that we happened to time it up right and happened to play well when the purses really had a

nice spike up. It was nice to have a nice start to my career, and I won some majors early. I think we got some interest in the game of golf.” Woods has a chance to add $10 million to that $100-million figure in a three weeks at the Tour Championship. He’s currently No. 3 in the FedExCup standings and if he can put together another strong week at the BMW Championship, he’ll have a great chance to end 2012 on a high note in Atlanta.

Tiger breaks $100M mark

IGER Woods’ comeback bid at the Deutsche Bank Championship came up short on Monday. But don’t feel too bad for the 14-time major winner. With the $544,000 he earned from finishing solo third, Woods became the first player in PGA Tour history to eclipse the $100 million mark in career earning. That, friends, is what we call “crazy money.” Even with the increase in purses over the years -- thanks to Woods’ pop-

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VOL.5 ISSUE 132 â&#x20AC;˘ WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Yamyamin, Tan win in Motortrade Cup By Neil Bravo

OEL Yamyamin carded a gross 51 to take the overall gross championship in the recent 2nd Mindanao Motortrade Cup at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club over the weeked. Yamyamin led the big winners which also include Boy Tan who took home the Class A Gross title with a 50, Ninot Galicia (51) in Class B, Andy Ugdoracion (46) in Class C, and Korean expat Lee Kwang Tae (41) in Class D. Apo Luna (49) and Boy Tapucar (48) finished second and third behind Tan in Class A. Jun Serado and Jung In Kyu both had identical 48s but the former took runner-up honors in Class B via tiebreak. Jigs Calixto, who actually tied Ugdracionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 46, placed second in Class C after the tiebreak while Alex Rivera (44) was third. In Class D, Ruben Paul Quiogue (41) was second and Ed Deguzman (38) was third. Long-hitting Joe Marfori, who knows the Racho Palos Verdes layout like the palm of his hand, recorded the longest drive at 230 yards. Lee Chul Ju went nearest the pin at 30 inches.

CHAMP. Boy Tan won the Class A gross title of the recent 2nd Mindanao Motortrade Cup at the Racho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club. (BOY LIM)