Edge Davao 5 Issue 20

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL.5 ISSUE 20 • MARCH 30 - 31, 2012

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Sara awaits Rody’s say on mayoral run n Family has yet to discuss 2013 elections

By Jade C. Zaldivar

Suburbia Page 11

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HE Dutertes have yet to meet and decide on who should run for the city’s top two positions--until then, City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is non-commital about what position she’ll be running for – ‘if’ she does run.

“Wala pa mi nagkaistorya (we have not talked about it),” she told Edge Davao,

referring to her father, Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

“Dili ko kasulti (I cannot say)…I will wait kung unsa ang decision ni Mayor Rody,” Duterte-Carpio earlier said.

Whether there will be re-elections or re-positioning between the father-daughter politicos, these are yet to be decided, Duterte Carpio said.

“Wala pay decision kung kinsa ang mu-

dagan sa ani o ana nga position,” she said.

Asked whether a Duterte would be running for a seat in the House of Representatives, Mayor Sara hinted on the possibility.

“Oo, posible. It’s all up in the air. It can be Mayor Rody. It can be me. Or it can be Paolo Duterte. It may not be a Duterte also.

As I said, it’s all up in the air,” she said.

The city mayor also reiterated that

FSARA, 13

PROTEST.Transport group burns effigies of “noynoying” PNOY and symbols of oil cartel in front of the Department of Energy (DOE) regional office after conducting a caravan rally in Davao City. [ACE MORANDANTE/DAVAO TODAY]

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‘Hugpong’ now a political party H

UGPONG sa Tawong Lungsod (Hugpong), a Davao City-based political organization composed of leaders affiliated with former city mayor, now Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, formally registered itself as a political party March 28 with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio said Hugpong is currently in the middle

of “carving out” a political party out of its membership.

“Karon man gud (Now) it’s just a group, an informal group and they want to create a political party out of it,” the mayor said Wednesday.

Hugpong beat the March 30 deadline for registration of political parties.

The deadline is provided for in Comelec Resolution 9294 approved in October

2011.

Duterte-Carpo said the decision to file a petition for registration to become a political party was reached unanimously.

Being an unregistered political party before, Hugpong had to affiliate itself with political parties in previous elections, like PDP Laban, Liberal Party, the NPC and Lakas, among others.

FSARA, 3

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THE BIG NEWS

PUJ drivers prepare for ‘welgang bayan’

By Lorie A. Cascaro

D

AVAO City drivers and operators of public utility jeeps (PUJ) are building strength and gathering support from different sectors in the region for the upcoming welgangbayan (nationwide protest).

Edil Gonzaga, spokesperson of TransmissionPiston, said during the group’s protest rally in front of the Department of Energy 11 yesterday that the nationwide protest will definitely be soon this year.

Dismayed by President Aquino’s alleged inaction on skyrocketing oil prices, a group of drivers in Davao City yesterday burned effigies of him lounging in a chair or “noynoying”, along with symbols of the big three oil companies in front DOE regional office here.

Earlier, the rallyists conducted a caravan of some 25 jeeps from Magsaysay Park along the city’s main thoroughfares.

Gonzaga said the protest was a build-up activity by not only concerned drivers and operators, but the entire nation to raise the level of nationwide awareness and to intensify protest against the continuing oil price hikes.

Transmission-Piston members comprise 65% of the total number/of PUJ drivers and operators in the city, with 46

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It figures

P33.46billion Worth of grant and loan projects that Japan is lending to the Philippines under Yen Loan Package.

EDGEDAVAO

member associations, and their membership expanded to the cities of Panabo and Tagum.

Gonzaga boasted that their sector has the capacity to conduct higher forms of protest action such as a transport strike and is preparing their ranks for the activity.

To coincide with Holy Week, the group will “KalbaryosaKabus” (Calvary of the Poor), a procession traditionally done and initiated by the urban poor sector of the city on April 4 as well as the massive protest action of workers on Labor Day, May 1.

Fare hike, not solution Gonzaga admitted that his group did not file a petition for fare increase, but that if earlier petitions by other groups are approved, then all drivers and operators are entitled to avail of the fare increase.

The group demands for exemption of oil prices from 12% expanded value added tax as an immediate economic relief.

Sheena Duazo, spokesperson of BagongAlyansangMakabayan, Southern Mindanao, said that fare hikes are not the solution to the problem, but the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law. Duazo added that the P.50 provisional fare increase implemented in some regions is merely a consolation from the government for suffering poor Filipinos.

P0.50 fare rate hike looms HE regional office of the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has recommended to its central office to approve the petition of a transport group for a provisional fare increase of P0.50.

Edgar Violan, administrative officer and spokesperson of LTFRBXI, said the petition of Southern Eastern Mindanao Diversified Drivers Operators Cooperative (Semddoc) got “strong recommendation” from Benjamin Go, regional director of the agency.

“There is no reason for the central office to disapprove the petition con-

VOL.5 ISSUE 20 • MARCH 30 - 31, 2012

sidering that the agency already approved the provisional fare increase of P0.50 in other regions,” he said yesterday in the weekly I-Speak forum at the presidential room in City Hall.

He said the en banc decision of the LTFRB national board will be finalized after the Holy Week.

The Network Transportation Organization also showed intention to file a motion for reconsideration to include Davao and Cotabato in the provisional fare rate hike.

“Only TransmissionPiston did not file a petition for a fare increase,” Violan said.

US$ 800million The total financial losses endured by insurance giant Lloyd’s of London last year due to record-high catastrophe claims emanating from disasters.

REMINDER. City Economic Manager Jose Elmario Guintadcan urges developers and managers of memorial parks in the city to rehabilitate and develop their properties. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

Holy Week security set n 1,500 cops to be deployed

OP officials of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) and anti-terrorist unit Task Force Davao (TFD) assured security for the city during the Holy Week.

The city’s peace keeping units will still meet at the Public Safety Command Center (PSCC), but even then officials said that ‘they are ready.’

TFD commander Colonel Norman Marcos Flores said the anti-terrorist unit is on heightened alert.

“While we have yet to convene formally to launch operation plans, security measures are all heightened to secure the city,” Flores told Edge Davao.

The TFD has increased deployment in busy areas of the city such as churches and beaches even as the populace begins to enjoy the non-working holidays within the Holy Week.

The TFD commander said these actions are part of Oplan Summer Vacation.

“This is in coordination with the DCPO and TF Davao is implementing additional operations on top of what we normally do,” he said.

1,500 police to be deployed DCPO director Senior Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa yesterday said 1,500 police officers will be deployed in the city during the Holy Week.

“Naka-set up na (ang operations namin). Go na ang DCPO,” Dela Rosa said.

The DCPO will be augmented with police units from neighboring provinces, including two companies from Catitipan of 100 plus members.

Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio on Wednesday said the DCPO, TFD and other peace keeping units will be meeting in order to assess and evaluate their operations at the height of the recent Araw ng Davao celebration.

“The meeting will be for post evaluation and the security plan for Semana Santa (Hly Week),” the said in an interview at The Marco Polo Davao where she witnessed the ceremonial signing of the Davao-Clark, Pampanga

sister airport agreement.

“Kung asa mu-dagsa ang mga tao, didto na mutuyok ang mga security,” Duterte-Carpio said.

Motor safety Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) administrative officer for the Davao region Edgat Violan reminded motorists to ‘drive safely’ as many families will be traveling during the non-working holiday.

“Hindi magpadalosdalos sa pagbibiyahe as many will be taking their vacations, perhaps travelling outside of Davao City,” LTFRB 11 administrative officer Edgar Violan said.

“Iwas lang sa disgrasya at init sa ulo habang nasa daan. Kami sa LTFRB strong support safe driving,” he added.

AND Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) of the Davao region is reminding passengers of their right to report erring drivers.

Administrative officer Edgar Violan of LTFRB 11

said this after disclosing that in 2011 the agency received complaints wherein 99 public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers were penalized.

“We saw a rise in the number of complaints in 2011 compared to previ-

ous years, resulting to the penalization of 99 drivers in the region. In past years there were only about 70 drivers who were penalized,” Violan said.

Violan elaborated that out of 99 penalized drivers, some 20 were from

Davao City.

“The offenses of these drivers varied, but as a reminder, people can tell the driver to stop and report him to any uniformed personnel,” he said.

“Hindi lang sa LTFRB, they can also file com-

By Jade C. Zaldivar

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LTFRB reminds passengers to report on erring drivers L 4,000

The number of students who will stand to benefit from the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES), a longtime employment program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and fast-food giant McDonald’s Philippines.

4

The number of rich nations belonging to the European Free Trade Association (Efta) which are seeking a free-trade agreement with the Philippines to increase trade and investments and facilitate the movement of Filipino skilled workers and professionals.

$20trillion

The annual economic losses beginning 2100 due to extreme weather conditions, impacting most on poorer countries like the Philippines, unless urgent actions would be taken now.

FLTFRB, 13

2015

The year that Davao City will experience water shortage if no new water sources are developed or discovered, according to the officials of the Davao City Water District.

EDGEDAVAO

THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 20 • MARCH 30 - 31, 2012

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Davao City picked as Earth Hour site

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HE World Wide Fund (WWF) has picked Davao City as Earth Hour site in Mindanao at 8:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. on March 31.

Greg Yan, WWF-Philippines Earth Hour communications head, said SM City Davao will be the main switch-off site for Mindanao with WWF– Philippine National Ambassador Marc Nelson to host the switch-off.

He said Davao City is one of the three cities picked by WWF as switchoff sites on Saturday. The other cities are Makati and Cebu.

WWF is the world’s largest and most experienced conservation organization operating in over 100 countries.

Yan said as a threetime Earth Hour champion and an official Earth Hour “Hero Country” the world will look on the Philippines for its Earth Hour on March 31 when the world celebrates this year’s Earth Hour.

“The world will be watching us for Earth Hour,” he said.

The Philippines became the top Earth Hour country in terms of town and city participation with 647 Philippine towns and cities to have joined in 2009. It regained its title in 2010 with 1,076 Philippine towns and cities participated and a record breaking 1,661 participation in 2011, making the country as three-time Earth Hour champion.

Yan said the one-hour Davao City Earth Hour is in collaboration with SM Supermalls, the Green Alliance and the City Government. The switch-off at SM Davao will feature a Kadayawan-themed parade around the mall’s vicinities at 6 p.m. as black light fire dancers will woo the crowd with specialized routines in a street party once the city plung-

es into darkness at 8:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. The theme is in consonance with WWF’s aim to highlight the heritage of Filipinos during this year’s switch-off.

“The world will be watching us for Earth Hour,” he said.

Yan said WWF aims to indulge in a radical change in this year’s earth hour from previous years’ earth hour observance by urging the world to commit to do something to save planet earth.

This year’s 60+ Earth Hour logo of WWF symbolizes what the people around the world could do to save mother earth beyond 60 minutes or one hour. Alongside with this is also one’s pledge of “I will, if you will” or a personal dare with the world by asking everyone what are you willing to do to save the planet.

Lynette Lopez, SM Davao mall manager, said they are expecting many participants on this year’s earth hour after the observance became global in 2008.

In the past four years, various sectors including schools, business establishments, government institutions, etc. and numerous households joined the earth hour by switching off lights for an hour.

In a statement, Earth Hour founder and executive director Andy Ridley said that Earth Hour observance last year reached 1.8 billion people in 135 countries across the planet.

Ridley will celebrate Earth Hour 2012 in the Philippines being rewarded as “Hero Country” for Earth Hour.

In the 2009 Earth Hour observance in the Philippines, 10 million Filipinos saved at least 611 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity, WWF data showed. [PNA]

lawmaker on Thursday called for a congressional inquiry into the increasing road accidents involving motorcycles which have already reached 3.4 million all over the country.

Rep. Teddy Casiño (Party-list, Bayan Muna), author of House Resolution 2123, also urged the House Committee on Transportation to investigate the alleged irregularities in the issuance of Restriction Code1 licenses to motorcycle drivers.

Citing data from the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Casiño said the number of motorcycles in the country have reached 3.4 million in 2010. The number of registered cars is 808,000 and public utility vehicles 1.7 million.

“It is time that government seriously consider the implications of a growing motorcycle population in the country, as well as address problems of corruption which continues to hamper the education and discipline of the motorcycle-riding community,” Casiño said.

Casiño said the use of

motorcycles have been increasing exponentially in Asian countries because it is a cheaper and a gasefficient alternative to fourwheeled vehicles, adding that “a large number of the workforce relies on motorcycles to get to work.”

Casiño said Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) data from their Road Safety Unit show that accidents involving motorcycles have increased in Metro Manila from 12,656 accidents and 104 fatalities in 2008 to 16,208 accidents and 177 fatalities in 2010.

Casiño said it is in this light that the Motorcycle Rights Organization (MRO) has expressed concern that motorcycle riders should probably have their own set or road regulations and licensing test given their large number and the slightly different nature of their vehicles.

“Government should dialogue with these motorcycle riders’ groups to help address their concerns. The indiscriminate issuance of R1 licenses to unqualified riders should be stopped, as well as the

strict enforcement of laws to all drivers, regardless of vehicle,” Casiño said.

Casiño said when the MMDA started fully enforcing the use of motorcycle lanes in Commonwealth Avenue and the Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard on October 24, 2011, requiring motorcycle riders to take the first lane from the sidewalk in Macapagal and the fourth lane in Commonwealth called “blue lanes,” they are now being charged with a P500 fine, besides being required to attend on-the-spot seminars.

MRO Chairman Jobert Christian Bolanos is seeking a temporary restraining order on the enforcement of motorcycle lanes from the Quezon City Regional Trial Court citing the issues on safety, constitutionality and lack of consultation.

The MRO also questioned the basis for the scheme, citing that it is supposedly based on an ordinance promulgated by Quezon City and Pasay.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the motorcycle lanes are not exclusive to motorcycles and that other vehicles may

occupy the lane in case other lanes are full, but motorcycles cannot leave their designated lane.

In a position paper, Bolanos stated that it is near impossible imposing a 100 meter rule for the motorcycles to move out of their lane to cross four other lanes to get to a u-turn slot.

Bolanos said it is also difficult and dangerous for them to maneuver and drive in the lane as PUVs, trucks and other vehicles cross their lane.

Casiño said the other ordinances against motorcycle users include the mandatory wearing of a vest with plate number in Marikina; prohibition of having a male backride in Manila with a penalty of a P3,000 fine or 30 days imprisonment and banning of full face helmets and balaclava (cloth headgear) also in Manila.

“Instead of having confusing and inconsistent local ordinances, Congress should pave the way for a national law that is responsive to the needs of motorcycle riders and the rights of pedestrians and other motorists,” Casiño said. [PNA]

By Lorie A. Cascaro

Sibulan, Toril district.

Ricelands in Tugbok, where catfish and Tilapia ponds are propagated, have turned to organic farming after chemical-based farm inputs there had proven detrimental to neighboring fish production.

There will be an additional 400 hectares of upland rice to the existing 1,000 hectares whose recipients have received upland rice seeds donated by the city government.

Meanwhile, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has issued an executive order convening the Organic Agriculture Management Council represented by Avila.

She also created a Technical Working Committee for Organic Agriculture, the core body to promote organic farming, as mandated by the Organic Agriculture Act. Noting that the city has an organic agriculture ordinance, Avila said the City Agriculturist’s Office is fully supportive of organic farming.

Natural farming is already an accepted concept among farmers, said Josephine Lim, president of Earthsoul Solutions, Inc. “We’ve been around the country and teaching these advocacies,” she said, adding that their advocacies include stopping the use of geneti-

cally modified organisms (GMO), pesticides and herbicides.

Earthsoul Solutions facilitates the transfer of technology to farmers, particularly in making their own organic fertilizers, Ibno Hajar Turabin, its president said.

Bio control agents Instead of using chemical-based fertilizers and pesticides, the city promotes the use of biological control agents, according to Avila.

“There are beneficial insects that can be useful for our agriculture. Eventually, we will not find the need for chemicals. Sometimes, we need chemicals only as a last resort,” he said.

He mentioned parasitoid, an insect that develops within a single host and killing it, which is used to control corn borers for instance.

The city government is propagating as much parasitoids as possible, he said.

Biodynamics is also a way of planting certain crops at certain times following

the cycle of nature, which he said if applied will render a better chance for successful farming, he added.

Avila said farmers in the city can attest that organic farming is sustainable, and it was the women sector which first lobbied with his office to promote organic farming.

SHOE SHINE. Shoe-shiners silently work on the shoes left by their customers at the front of city hall. Even if many products are now available in the market for do-it-yourself shoeshine, these men are still bringing food at their tables through this trade. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

Probe on growing number of motorcycles sought

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Organic farming catching fire in Davao City The number of practitioners of organic farming in Davao City is growing--and counting.

City Agriculturist Leo Avila III said his office is still in the process of determining how many organic farming practitioners there are in the city.

Although informing the entire agriculture sector in the method has still a long way to go, he did say that many have already announced their intention to apply it soon.

Already, a hundredhectare vegetable farm has become an organic zone in

Quips

‘TOBACCO kills every day but we are fighting back.’

--New York City Mayor and philanthropist Michael Bloomberg on his advocacy against smoking.

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THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 20 • MARCH 30 - 31, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Lung infections rise in Davao City

By Lorie A. Cascaro

A LINGAP. Davao residents patiently wait in line to claim financial assistance from the city government most particularly for medical assistance. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

PHL, Japan sign P33.4 billion worth of grant, loan projects

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HE Philippines and Japan signed on Thursday eight Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects worth 61.413 billion yen or approximately P33.46 billion.

In a ceremony at the Department of Foreign Affairs, DFA Secretary Alberto del Rosario and Japan Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe signed and exchanged notes and other documents for two grant aid projects and six projects under Yen Loan Package.

Officials from the

Department of Finance (DOF), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-Phivolcs), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Embassy of Japan witnessed the signing ceremony.

The two aid grant projects include the improvement of equipment for

disaster risk management worth one billion yen or P518.7 million and construction of Umiray bridge for Expanded Agrarian Reform Communities Development Phase II worth 1.394 billion yen or approximately P723.1 million.

The Phivolcs and DPWH will implement the first project which aims to improve disaster mitigation works with enhanced capability in emergency response and infrastructure integrity assessment through equipment and technology. It also aims to efficiently provide fast and

reliable volcanic eruption, earthquake and tsunami warning to the Office of Civil Defense, local governments, media, and the public.

On the other hand, the DAR will be the implementing agency of the Umiray bridge which aims to improve the mobility of people and agricultural products in General Nakar, Quezon, and Dingalan, Aurora. The project will help uplift the living conditions of the people in four agrarian reform communities and 11 barangays of Dingalan and 19 barangays of General Nakar.

propriate indicator of the adverse impacts of air pollution on human health,” Paje said.

He stressed, however, that with the levels of TSP going down, the DENR can now focus more in coming up with concrete measures to address PM-10 and PM-2.5 pollution.

The DENR has already set up PM-10 monitoring stations in Metro Manila.

There are nine stations monitoring PM-10, 6 of which are manual and are situated in Caloocan, DOHManila, MRT-Pasay-Taft, Marikina, NPO-EDSA and MMDA-Guadalupe. There are 3 automatic stations and these are located at Radyo ng Bayan in Valenzuela City, Ateneo University and NAMRIA which also measures PM-2.5.

Based on EMB records, most stations showed readings that exceed the

PM-10 annual guideline value of 60 microgram per normal cubic meter as provided for in the Philippine Clean Air Act. These are the stations at NPO-EDSA (74 ug/ Ncm), Marikina (66 ug/ Ncm), Pasay-Taft (130 ug/ Ncm), Valenzuela-Radyo ng Bayan (64 ug/Ncm) and Caloocan-Partisol (168 ug/Ncm).

Paje added that the installation of additional monitoring stations on PM-10 and PM-2.5 is now underway.

For 2012, the DENR will put up seven more PM-10 and PM-2.5 stations, and eventually work towards setting up stations in all cities and municipality of Metro Manila in 2013.

Paje stressed the need for more intervention to achieve healthy air quality. This includes the en-

hancement of anti-smoke belching operations in Metro Manila; the adoption of more stringent emission standards for all types of motor vehicles; and stricter monitoring of private emission testing centers and motor vehicle inspection stations with the use of closed-circuit television or CCTV cameras.

In addition to this, the DENR is currently spearheading a campaign in partnership with the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) and other government agencies and local government units through a memorandum of agreement signed last year to strengthen the implementation of the program to reduce air pollution from motor vehicular sources.

Air quality monitoring strengthened

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HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is working on strengthening the air quality monitoring in the country by focusing not only total suspended particulates but also smaller particulate matter in the air.

DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje said the department, through its Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), has started putting up air quality monitoring stations capable of gathering PM-10 (particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter) and PM-2.5 (particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter).

“The total suspended particulates (TSP) will still be monitored. But, we do recognize the importance of shifting to measuring PM-10 as the more ap-

CUTE respiratory infection (ARI) was the top common disease in all age groups in the 16 health districts of Davao City between January and February this year based on statistics prepared by the City Health Office (CHO).

ARI ranked first among the top three common diseases in 11 districts, with 1,428 cases in Agdao district as the highest.

The World Health Organization has stated that ARI is among the leading causes of death in children under five years old.

Another common disease in the last two months was acute upper respiratory infection (AURI), and Buhangin had 231 cases, the highest among all districts.

Pneumonia and pulmonary tuberculosis were also included in the top three common diseases in some districts.

Last year, ARI, AURI and community acquired pneumonia (CAP) topped the most common disesases in the city, according to Arlene Abellana of the CHO Statistics Division.

There were 7,541 cases of ARI, 6,429 cases of AURI, and 6,335 cases of CAP in the 16 health districts from January to

December 2011.

Since January this year, CAP is also the most common disease among admitted patients at the Community Health and Development Cooperative Hospital, Anda Riverside, Davao City.

Summer diseases CHO chief Dr. Josephine Villafuerte said earlier that heat stroke, diarrhea and sore eyes are common diseases in the summer season.

Due to the high temperature during summer, these diseases are expected to hit most all age groups.

Villafuerte said people who join parades or bask under the sun are prone to heat stroke, which is very fatal, although the city has no recorded fatality yet.

“Everybody should practice drinking plenty of water daily, especially senior citizens who should not expose themselves to heat,” she said.

Diarrhea or acute gastroenteritis was also included in the top three common diseases in four health districts such as District A (which covers Barangay 1-A to Barangay 10-A), Tugbok, Calinan and Agdao with a total of 282 cases in January and February 2012.

Villafuerte said diarrhea is common in rural areas where water source is limited.

Duaw gears up for bigger Davao Summerfest 2012

n Organizers invite private sector to affiliate

with the festivities

By Jade C. Zaldivar

F

RESH from the excitement of Araw ng Davao festivities, the city’s private partner for festivities Duaw Davao Festival Foundation (DDFF) has started to promote the Davao Summerfest 2012 set from April to May. Aware of the city’s aiming for a bigger Summerfest, DDFF executive director Lisette Marques said the foundation will be calling for the participation of sports and arts related activity organizers who will be holding their events this summer.

“As this year’s Summerfest components include (1) sports camps, (2) sports expositions, and (3) games, we are encouraging those who are going to make any activity related to these to inform us and in return we will

accredit them,” Marques said “We will promote all of their activities to visitors we have invited to the city,” she added.

Marques said that in addition to the sports related activities last year, arts and music related activities will also be held this year for a grander celebration.

“We are also inviting those who will hold dance camps, vocal lessons, acting camps to become one with us in the Summerfest,” she said.

Summerfest 2012 sports project head Neil Bravo said the festival is “geared towards attracting sports tourists.”

“You might ask ‘what makes the sports events held during the Summerfest so different from those held during Araw ng Davao?’ The Summerfest is mainly geared to

FDUAW, 13

EDGEDAVAO

Stat Watch

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

3.5% 4th Qtr 2011

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

3.7% 4th Qtr 2011 USD 3,342 Million Nov 2011 USD 4,985 Million Nov 2011 USD -1,643 Million Nov 2011 USD -114 Million Dec 2011 P4,442,355 Million Nov 2011

3. Exports 1/ 4. Imports 1/ 5. Trade Balance 6. Balance of Payments 2/ 7. Broad Money Liabilities 8. Interest Rates 4/

4.71% Oct 2011 P128,745 Million Nov 2011 P 4,898 Billion Oct 2011

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

P 43.65 Dec 2011

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

3,999.7 Sept 2011

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

128.1 Jan 2012

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.9 Jan 2012

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.4 Dec 2011

16. Visitor Arrivals

284,040 Sept 2011

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

19.1% Oct 2011

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

6.4% Oct 2011

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2009 - December 2011) Month

2011

2010

2009

Average December November October September August July June May April March

43.31 43.64 43.27 43.45 43.02 42.42 42.81 43.37 43.13 43.24 43.52

45.11 43.95 43.49 43.44 44.31 45.18 46.32 46.30 45.60 44.63 45.74

47.637 46.421

February

43.70

46.31

January

44.17

46.03

47.032 46.851 48.139

48.161 48.146 47.905 47.524 48.217

48.458 47.585 47.207

VOL.5 ISSUE 20 • MARCH 30 - 31, 2012

5

THE ECONOMY

Chamber inks sisterhood agreement with MACCII

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HE Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) and the Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (MACCII) signed on Monday a memorandum of agreement (MOA) forging a Sister Chamber Cooperation Agreement to establish and strengthen interchamber relations.

The agreement was signed during DCCCII’s 3rd General Membership Meeting held at Marco Polo Davao coinciding with the ceremonial signing of Davao-Clark Sister Airport Agreement. DCCCII was represented by its president Maria Lourdes G. Monteverde, and

I

MACCII by Francisco L. Villanueva, president.

The Davao-Clark Sister Airport Agreement was signed on March 28 at the Marco Polo Davao between Ramon Gutierrez, director of Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and Victor Jose Luciano, president, Clark International Airport Cooperation and witnessed by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and Ms. Gloria D. Steele, Mission Director, United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Meanwhile, the two chambers (DCCCII and MACCII) through the sister agreement

will share opportunities for information exchange on chamber management and development as well as economic including public and private opportunities and trade and investment information.

The parties also agreed to explore ways and means in promoting trade and industrial cooperation and facilitate joint venture arrangements, technical cooperation, market networking and linkages and other similar arrangements between two cities.

It will also focus on joint marketing of the areas as tourism destinations to promote inter-city flow of local and for-

eign tourists.

Best practices in tourism will also be shared by both parties in support to the launching of the inter-city direct flights together with the promotion of inter-city trade and businesses between members of the two chambers.

Also part of the agreement, among others, is the creation of Coordinating Committee which will be composed of two representatives from each chamber for the purpose of drawing up the program of activities of the signed agreement and to ensure that the program of activities is effectively implemented.

use of public funds for our public-private engagements,” Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said.

According to the guidelines — which were identified in a National Budget Circular — the PPPSSF can be used to cover costs of right of way, resettlement, and the government’s counterpart fund in the implementation of a PPP project, among others. The PPPSSF is a lump-sum appropriation included in an implementing agency’s budget to fund the government’s share in executing PPP initiatives.

Moreover, the PPPSSF may also support the cost of designing, building and delivering any part of the PPP project that the government will retain responsibility over, including public infrastructure in the

form of access roads, utilities, and other support facilities that ensure the viability of a PPP project.

The circular also specified that the PPPSSF should not be used for expenses related to unsolicited project proposals, credits and loans to PPP private partners, and support for the regular programs of the implementing agency.

On the other hand, the PDMF can be used only for the preparation of project feasibility studies, required project documents—such as bid documents and draft contracts— and for the hiring of consultants and advisors to assist the implementing agencies.

The PDMF is a revolving fund, created under Executive Order No. 8, series of 2010, for the preparation of pre-

feasibility, feasibility studies and tender documents for PPP projects, as well as assistance in the bidding process.

The budget chief also said that agencies could begin using their respective PPPSSF and PDMF allocations pending the submission of key documentary requirements.

“We’re enforcing strict documentary compliance among agencies so that both the government and our private partners can be assured of efficient fund use for all public-private engagements. PPPs will play a crucial role in improving our economic and infrastructure performance this year, and more than ever, we need to ensure that these engagements will result in palpable and substantial benefits for all Filipinos,” Abad said.

Homeowners, Blue Diamond Village, Communal, Emily Homes, Deca Homes, North Crest Subd., Suraya Homes, Kasilak Village, Green Orchard I, II and III, Dacudao Village, Canaan Village and all their immediate environs.

The Davao Light and Power Company will conduct a reconductoring along Cabantian Road that will affect DCWD Cabantian production wells number 1 and 2 situated in Brgy. Communal in Buhangin

and nearby Cabantian Barangay Hall.

Would-be affected customers are advised to store enough water prior to the scheduled water interruption as water supply may be restored earlier if work goes smoothly or later if unforeseen problems arise.

In behalf of the DCWD management, acting general manager Edwin V. Regalado apologizes for the inconvenience the water service interruption may cause and likewise ap-

peals for the understanding and cooperation of the affected customers.

The general public may call the DCWD trunk line at 2219400 and press “1” on their phone dial to listen to the latest daily water updates, or contact its call center through the 24-hour hotline 221-9412 or 0927-7988966 for updates, complaints, queries and other matters pertaining to DCWD services. [Sylvia May L. Vosotros]

DBM sets guidelines for PPP

N line with the Aquino administration’s vision of expanding infrastructure growth and facilitating proper fund management, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released guidelines for the submission of agency budget proposals for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) funded by the PublicPrivate Partnership Strategic Support Fund (PPPSSF) and the Project Development and Monitoring Facility (PDMF).

“The guidelines are designed to promote transparency in the agency implementation of nationwide PPP projects. In setting parameters for PPP budgetary support, we aim not only to shed light on the technicalities involved in using the PPPSSF and the PDMF; we also want to ensure the proper

Water service interruption April 1

T

HE Production Department of the Davao City Water District has scheduled a temporary water service interruption on April 1 from 5:00 AM until 1:00 PM in Cabantian, namely: Holy Trinity Subd., Countryville Executive Homes, Bacahoa Village, Emilia Homes Subd., Cecilia Heights, Remedios Heights, Precilla States, Chula Vista Subd., Cabantian Country Homes, Greenland Subd. I and II, Medical Mission Group

as of august 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6

THE ECONOMY

VOL.5 ISSUE 20 • MARCH 30 - 31, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

DTI urges Koreans to invest under IPP T

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) encouraged Korean businessmen to take advantage of attractive incentives on the preferred activities under the 2011 Investments Priorities Plan (IPP).

“At the Board of Investments (BOI), our investment opportunities include thirteen (13) preferred activities or industry selection. If you invest in these activities, you will get incentives in these industries whether you will supply the domestic or foreign demand, or both,” DTI Undersecretary for Trade and Industry Promotion Group (TIPG) Cristino L.

Panlilio said during the recent Philippine-Korea Development/ Business Partnership Forum.

This preferred activities include: agriculture, agri-business and fishery; creative industries and knowledge based services; ship building; mass housing; energy; infrastructure; research and development; green projects; motor vehicles; tourism; strategic projects; public-private partnerships (PPP); and disaster prevention, mitigation and recovery projects.

Panlilio also mentioned other priority activities under the IPP such as export activities, mandatory list and the Auton-

omous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) list.

“If you are an exporter, you are entitled to incentives, which are mostly in terms of income tax holidays. You will enjoy zero income tax from 4 to 8 years when you register with BOI,” said Panlilio.

Export activities covers manufacture of export products, export services and activities in support of exporters.

Panlilio also urged Korean businessmen to invest on activities under the mandatory list. This list includes national laws that entitle firms to invest in activities that will help the government implement these laws, and at

the same time allow them to automatically enjoy BOI incentives. Mandatory list covers activities included in the IPP as provide for under existing laws such as the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 (R.A. 9513), Philippine Mining Act of 1995 (R.A. 7942), Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 (R.A. 9275) and Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 (R.A. 8749).

“We also would like to invite you to the ARMM. The ARMM constituents are the poorest of the provinces in the county.

We would like to develop them by encouraging investors in the region,” said Panlilio.

The ARMM list cov-

and the reaction from operators and developers. Get ready to be amazed with the experience that the Nokia Lumia 900 (winner of multiple awards at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show including best-in-show), Nokia Lumia 800, Nokia Lumia 710 and Nokia Lumia 610 (winner of three awards at Mobile World Congress 2012) will bring!

Organic farming pushed

T

HE local government of Davao is pushing for the use of organic natural farming.

According to OIC Leo Avila III of the City Agriculturist Office (CAO), Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio signed an executive order convening the organic agriculture management council and also creating the technical committee on organic agriculture.

Avila said that this will attune all programs related to organic agriculture with the CAO as the lead agency.

The city was the first local government unit in the country to enact an organic agriculture ordinance with the passage of Ordinance 0384-10 in 2010.

Though the city cannot force farmers to shift to organic farming, the advocacy of organic agriculture is embedded in the different

programs of the city government particularly farmer trainings, marketing assistance and research.

Avila said that currently there are more than 100 farmers in the city practicing organic farming. However, the data is a conservative estimate and figures could grow if it includes indigenous farmers in the hinterlands, who grow crops without the benefit of fertilizers and pesticides.

The city is also promoting upland rice with an increase of 400 hectares planted to upland rice this year alone.

Davao city is also identifying an organic zone in Sibulan.

Avila said they had identified 100 hectares of area which can be classified as organic agriculture zones. Another organic

zone is in Los Amigos in Calinan, where productive catfish fishponds sit next to rice fields and any contamination from chemicals could affect the livelihood of fish growers in the area.

He said those practicing organic have seen it as very sustainable and that without incurring costs on expensive fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals there is much to profit.

The CAO head said that there is a need to have a weekend market for organic produce where farmers can sell their products.

They are also looking for a participatory guaranty system where farmers would certify each other’s produce as organic. A third party certifier is often utilized to guarantee that the agricultural produce is grown organically.

mittances are estimated at $20.1 billion.

“In spite the slowdown in the Western economies, our labor force continuous to be hired with no layoffs.

Philippine employment force continuous to be robust,” said Panlilio.

“While the Philippines has plenty of resources and manpower, Korea has a strong manufacturing fundamental and technology. Therefore, economic cooperation between our two countries could bring bigger prosperity,” Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency Executive Vice President SungKeun Oh said.

ing came from various companies in the Davao region, which included Kalayaan Engineering Co. Inc.; A.G.A Construction Company; Dwightsteel Building System Inc.; New Golden City Builders and Development Corporation; and AGA Construction.

Representatives from the City Engineer›s Office, Office of the Building Official, and City Government of Davao also joined the BOSH training, which focused on such topics as OSH standards and regulations in the construction industry; safety and health requirements set forth in Department Order No. 13; mandatory implementation of a Construction Safety and Health Program (CSHP) in every construction project; presence of safety and health personnel/ committee; implementation of a safety plan; and other safety rules.

The participants also benefited from the discussions of resource speakers and safety practitioners from the OSHNET XI, notably Engineers Ruel Acasio of Davao Light and Power Co; Jason Patawaran of Fast Cargo Logistics Corporation; Kishler Pascual of San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corp; and Claro Landeta of PLDT Davao. These resource

persons shared their best practices in handling hazards towards effective safety in workplaces «We are committed to equip both trainers and workers with adequate awareness and basic knowledge on occupational safety and health practices towards a holistic and extensive implementation of prescribed corrective safety measures to ensure workers’ protection in all workplaces in Davao,» Director Suyao said.

“We see the need to start this year with workers’ safety as a priority thrust to protect more Dabawenyo workers,» he added.

Baldoz said the DOLE, through the OSHC and its network of OSHNET partners will deliver to the grassroots its advocacy services on workers› safety and health not only to increase productivity, but also to safeguard workers rights and safety through training and education.

Providing adequate and workforce-focused occupational safety and health is a key strategy under the Labor and Employment Plan 2011-2016 which is anchored on the President’s pronouncement on labor and employment to enhance social protection programs for workers.

DOLE 11 deploys ‘safety officers’ T

Nokia and Microsoft launch Windows phone. Nokia Philippines general manager and head of sales Dharmesh Goshalia and Microsoft Philippines general manager John Bessey showing off their Nokia Lumia 800 smartphones running on Windows. Excitement is building up for the actual availability of the Lumia range in the Philippines thanks to consumer buzz

ers preferred activities that have been identified by the Regional Board of Investment of ARMM (RBOI-ARMM) in accordance with EO 458 or devolving the powers and functions of the BOI over investments within the ARMM to the autonomous regional government and for other purposes.

Panlilio also presented ten (10) economic indicators showing the investment climate in the Philippines as an investment destination of choice. Among these indicators is the record breaking overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) remittances. For 2011, re-

HE labor department in the region has reported to national office that the regional office is now implementing the latter’s directive of strengthening partnership of the DOLE regional offices and the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) in realizing ‘safety first’ in the construction industry through skills and knowledge building.

«With workers’ protection and safety as a paramount priority, we have conducted an extensive basic occupational safety and health (BOSH) training for 46 safety officers in our effort to educate and capacitate more workers, trainers, and inspectors towards ‘accident-free’ workplaces in Region 11,» Director Joffrey Suyao said in his report.

This, after Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz emphasized that a joint effort of the OSHC and the DOLE offices across the regions is deemed significant to achieve the goal of empowering more industry key players to ensure a holistic implementation of safety and health practices and help curb the recurrence of work-related hazards, illnesses, and accidents in all industries in the country.

The 46 safety practitioners were oriented on general labor and occupational safety and health standards to ensure safer and better workplace conditions in the construction industry in the region.

The participants in the week-long train-

Quips

‘..Even North Korea understands the global implications of what it plans to do. So this is not a doomsday scenario, I’m sure diplomacy would come into play.’

--Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan, Senate defense committee vice chair

EDGEDAVAO

AGRITRENDS

VOL.5 ISSUE 20 • MARCH 30 - 31, 2012

7

BFAR pushes seaweed production in Caraga

T

IMG6766: CHEMICAL-FREE. Earthsoul Solutions Inc President, Josephine Gamboa Lim, shows their farm in Tugbok that takes pride on their organically-fed livestock. She urges people who are interested in environmental protection to join the upcoming 1st Mindanaonon Environment Summit on April 20-22 at the Kadayawan Hall of NCCC. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

Seed subsidy helps farmers in irrigation rehabilitation T

HE provincial government of South Cotabato is set to launch a seed subsidy scheme for palay farmers who would be affected by the upcoming closure of two major irrigation facilities in the province.

Reynaldo Legaste, South Cotabato provincial agriculturist, said they will distribute subsidized hybrid corn seeds to allow palay farmers in the province’s upper valley area to plant corn as an alternative crop during the three-month closure of the Allah River Irrigation System starting on May 1 to facilitate its long overdue repair and rehabilitation.

“We allocated an initial P750,000 for the purchase of hybrid corn seeds that would be offered at subsidized prices

to the affected farmers,” he said.

Legaste said the provincial government will deduct P1,000 from the price of the 50-kilogram hybrid corn seed as subsidy while the farmerbeneficiary will shoulder the remaining cost.

He said the subsidy scheme, which will be funded and implemented under the provincial government’s calamity preparedness program, will be offered to members of irrigators’ associations in areas that will be affected by the irrigation facility’s closure.

Based on their assessment, the official said around 9,000 hectares of palay farmlands in South Cotabato and 2,000 in Sultan Kudarat will be affected by the scheduled repairs set by the Nation-

al Irrigation Administration (NIA) for dams 1 and 2 of the Allah River Irrigation System.

The repair works will include the linings and distribution canals in the upper valley area towns of Surallah, Sto. Niño, Banga and Norala in South Cotabato as well as Bagumbayan and Isulan in Sultan Kudarat.

NIA originally scheduled the repairs for four months but it later decided to complete them in three months as requested by local government officials and farmers in the affected areas.

The funding for the repair and rehabilitation of the irrigation facility, which was the first since it was opened in 1972, was part of the P427.3 million allocated by NIA for the area based on its

2012 annual investment plan.

Aside from the seed subsidy scheme, Legaste said they have coordinated with various seed companies for possible linkages with the irrigators’ associations within the affected areas.

He said that aside from corn, the local government is also promoting the planting of highvalue vegetables in areas that were found suitable for them.

Legaste said some 5,000 hectares were found suitable for corn production while 2,000 hectares appeared viable for the planting of highvalue vegetables.

“We’ve gathered several corn seed companies for the targeting and identification of areas where they can come in,” he said.

lawmaker has called for a congressional inquiry into the $50 million joint venture deal between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the AMA Group Holdings to operate a 10,000-hectare agricultural farm in Mindanao.

Rep. Rafael Mariano (Party-list, Anak-Pawis) expressed fear that the project would displace thousands of farmers in Mindanao.

In House Resolution 2159, Mariano urged the House Committees on Agriculture and Food and Good Government to conduct an inquiry to

determine if the project will bring prosperity to the Mindanao people.

Mariano said the AMA Group Holdings entered a joint venture with Bahrain’s Hassan Group in 2010, called “RP Harvest”, to cultivate bananas, rice and other crops on 10,000 hectares of land in Davao del Norte in Mindanao.

AMA Group Holdings is owned by the family of Amable Aguiluz V, who serves as the country’s special envoy to Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC).

Mariano said the deal may be violative of Republic Act 3019, which provides that “it is unlawful for any person having family or close personal relation with any public official to capitalize or exploit or take advantage of such family or close personal relation by directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any present, gift or material or pecuniary advantage from any other person having some business, transaction, application, request or contract

with the government, in which such public official has to intervene.”

“It is not only our people that are at stake but also our national patrimony,” Mariano said.

Mariano said the landlease deals, which will allow foreign countries to use vast tracts of land in the country, will further intensify landlessness, poverty and hunger in the countryside.

“Itisalsoforeseenthatjoint ventures of this kind will fuel agrarian unrest and face intense resistance from farmers,” Mariano said.

House to probe AMA Group on $50-M Mindanao deal A

[ALLEN V. ESTABILLO / MINDANEWS]

HE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the Caraga Region is pushing coastal municipalities to embrace seaweed production in the hope to help alleviate the lives of fishing communities in the region.

Seaweed has been identified as the top contributor to aquaculture production, which pitches in more than 80 percent of the total aquaculture production in Caraga.

BFAR Regional Director Nerio G. Casil said that seaweed culture and production among fisherfolks in the coastal communities will provide added income for their families.

“Through the seaweed development program (SWP), we are pushing to expand and make it bigger for Caraga Region.

Our overall target for the region is to develop different fishery programs that would balance protection and conservation to that of production as well,” said Casil.

The regional director pointed out that last year alone, about 800 metric

tons of seaweed had been imported to the country.

“If we could promote livelihood through seaweeds we can greatly reduce the importation and provide a huge amount of income to our fisherfolks.

Right now, we have several towns in the provinces of Dinagat, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur as our seaweed production areas,” he said.

In an interview in Barangay Britania in San Agustin, Surigao del Sur last week, with fisherman Allan Orculo, who was harvesting sea urchin, said that he had also planted seaweeds back in 2011.

“Seaweed culture requires you to take care of the area and check it regularly. But the income was good. I hope this year we could grow more seaweeds side by side our sea urchin harvest,” said Orculo.

According to BFAR report as of 2011, Caraga has an existing expansion area of 768.95 hectares for seaweeds with 520 hectares of potential areas for production. [ERWIN MASCARIÑAS / MINDANEWS]

Corn borer still no match for Bt corn

T

HE Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn has proven to be a tough nut to crack for the dreaded Asian corn borer (ACB), a major pest that ruins up to 80 percent of traditional corn varieties.

Dr. Edwin Alcantara of the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (Biotech) at the University of the Philippines at Los Banos (UPLB) said in a recent lecture that a study he and his team conducted in several sites confirmed the Bt corn’s resistance to ACB. Alcantara said since the ACB could not penetrate Bt corn grains 10 years after the variety had been approved for commercialization, it

Quips

was remote for the pest to suddenly develop resistance to the unique protein used in shielding the biotech corn from attack.

“ACB has simply not overcome the genetic armor of Bt corn,” he said.

In the study, Alcantara said the baseline susceptibility of several ACB populations to the protein Cry1ab was first estimated.

Cry1ab is the protein that battles ACB and prevents it from nibbling away at the corn.

Alcantara said the concentration is now being used to monitor the development of ACB resistance in eight corn-producing provinces. [PNA]

‘WHY the BIR singled me out smacks of bad faith designed to tarnish my reputation. In just one instance, the BIR has tarnished my name.’

--Rep. Manny Pacquiao on the charges filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue against him.

8 VANTAGE POINTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 20 • MARCH 30 - 31, 2012

Wisdom of decision

R

EDITORIAL

C

Disaster waiting to happen

ITY government authorities should expedite action, and quick, on the complaint of residents of barangay Mandug against continuous earth quarrying activities in their neighborhood, particularly in the boundary of Barangay Indangan and Barangay Acacia.

The quarrying operations had gone on in the upper part of sitio Danaw not far from the Rancho Palos Verdes, a high-end golf course and country club.

In danger of being adversely affected is a community of 200 Muslim families living nearby.

So far, the quarrying has allegedly caused flooding in Mandug twice last year. In a petition lodged before the officer of Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio, the complainants said that Mandug gets the bulk of floodwaters from sitio Danaw, not Indangan and Acacia.

Mandug is the same barangay which is also at risk due to perennial quarry-

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ing in the Davao River bed. The continuing erosion of the river bank due partly to this quarrying also threatens DDF (Davao Development Foundation) Village, a thickly-populated low-cost housing project in the barangay.

The city government, through the City Enviroment and Resources Office headed by lawyer-engineer Joey Felizarta, should treat the petition with urgency.

A quick ocular inspection of the place is in order. Of course, this is not to say that the rights of the quarrying operators identified as McPJay San Pedro, Ambao Magulintang, Platinum Corporation, Robert Uy and a certain Baguhin be ignored in the investigation. They should be heard, too, by the CENRO team tasked

by Inday Sara to conduct the inquiry.

In the end, what is important is that city authorities can timely avert another disaster that may just be waiting to happen.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO CARLO P. MALLO Associate Features and Lifestyle KENNETH IRVING K. ONG KARLOS C. MANLUPIG • JOSEPH LAWRENCE P. GARCIA LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR., Creative Solutions Photography LORIE ANN A. CASCARO • 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. QUISIDIO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN • NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG

JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

RICHARD C. EBONA IMELDA P. LEE Advertising Specialists

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE

LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Cagayan de Oro City Tel: (088) 852-4894

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

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EP. Manny Pacquiao is now beginning to feel the challenges in his young political career and his latest brush with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) will just be one of the many legal as well as political issues that will confront him as a politician.

Of course, somebody once said crisis is an opportunity in disguise.

Against the BIR, however, will Pacquiao rise up to challenge and beat the odds like he is wont to do in his phenomenal boxing career?

How many great and not-so-great Filipino athletes like him were able to sustain successes when they joined politics?

We can name two basketball superstars who went on to become senators – Robert Jaworski and Freddie Webb before him. Both were one-hit wonders, however. They failed miserably when they sought a second term. There is not much to be said about athletes who became member of the Philippine House of Representatives.

Pacquiao himself has said he will not be seeking re-election but will instead run for governor in Sarangani where he was elected as congressman of the lone district of the province in 2010.

I find it therefore disturbing that he is taking the high profile route in hitting back at the BIR which filed a criminal case against him – unless he is bent on protecting his riches at all costs from government revenue collectors.

His choice of lawyers who are defending him in this case may also not be a correct political statement.

Everybody knows that former Justice Secretary Artemio Tuquero is one of the lawyers of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who herself is facing a litany of criminal charges from the Aquino government. Tuquero was once nominated by the Iglesia ni Kristo to replace impeached Merceditas Gutierrez. Another lawyer of his, Abraham Espejo, is the dean of the College of Law of New Era University.

These high-profile lawyers do not come cheap. Not that Pacquiao cannot afford them. But their mere presence as Pacquiao lawyers will have some political ramifications.

In case many forget, the lead counsel of embattled Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, whom the government sees a loyal lackey of Arroyo, is a prominent member of the Iglesia ni Kristo.

Whoever advised Pacquiao to hire these lawyers are themselves making a political statement – that they and their client are digging in for a political showdown with Malacañang.

Given the present politically charged atmosphere and considering the future timeline of Pacquiao, his open defiance will only undoubtedly invite more backlash from a government that has been showing propensity to go after everyone remotely associated with the past administration.

Pacquiao himself politically benefited from his close association with the Arroyo government, in the same manner that he became the sanitizer of the former president.

One cannot even be faulted if he sees the Arroyo hand in Pacquiao’s choices of lawyers.

Pacquiao, after all, is one who values friendship come hell and high water.

Maybe there is wisdom in his decision. But who wins in the long run? [Edwin G. Espejo writes for www.asiancorrespondent.com]

EDGEDAVAO

No Sign of Signing (I. From Joint Statements) ILL the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH nee GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) be able to sign a peace agreement by the end of this month or by the end of 2012? There is no sign.

Will there be a signing before the Aquino administration ends on June 30, 2016? Let’s look for signs from the official statements on the recurring exploratory talks and from various reports.

Joint Statements Normally, the joint statements after the formal exploratory talks would indicate the state and progress of the peace negotiation. The joint statements show how the parties explore common grounds to resolve issues in order to save the peace process from collapse – of course, with the intervention of Malaysia, the thirdcountry facilitator.

The joint statement for the 26th exploratory talks that ended on March 21, 2012 shows what was taken up during the three-day negotiation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, March 19-21: “The Parties continued their discussions on substantive issues, including power sharing on governance and wealth sharing.” This was the gist of what they discussed.

The progress can be gauged by tracing back the negotiations from the 23rd round of talks on December 5 to 7, 2011.

This round ended “…with both Parties reaffirming their commitment to move the peace process forward”. During the three days, “The Parties continued their

W

P

EOPLE across the globe will mark Earth Hour on March 31 by simultaneously putting off electric power in their homes and offices. It sounds worthwhile to join what looks like an event that media will surely give much space and air time to.

Honestly, however, I find it more of a gimmick than a serious attempt to curb activities that contribute to environmental degradation, in particular atmospheric pollution that has caused the phenomenon of global warming.

One hour without electricity? Pray tell how significant it is to arresting the overall condition of the earth’s atmosphere. Tell me too if every switch or bulb turned off on Saturday would mean a sharp needle pricked into the conscience, if any, of the biggest polluters on earth.

We’re talking here of the giant oil companies which decades ago assured the world that their fuel would not be harmful to the environment. Of course, even politicians like Al Gore have admitted that the exact reverse has actually happened but industrialized countries, especially the US, have always refused to accept the “inconvenient truth.”

Monkey Business

COMMENT

BY PATRICIO P. DIAZ discussions on the substantive points for purposes of crafting a framework agreement.”

It should be noted that there was a three-month gap between the 22nd round on August 22 to 24, 2011 and the 23rd round – the period of impasse when MILF rejected the “3 for 1 Proposal” of Government. In the 23rd round, the parties agreed re-craft or revise their “framework agreement”.

In the 24th round, January 9 to 11, “The Parties” discussed “substantive issues” among which were [1] “the concept of governance” and [2] “the listing of reserved powers of the National Government, as contained in their respective drafts. Both Parties [3] clarified their positions, [4] tentatively identified areas of common ground and [5] agreed to consult with their principals on outstanding issues. [6] They also considered drafting road maps towards a resolution of the Bangsamoro question.”

The six substantive points of agreements covered in the 24th round were encouraging. Of course, they had to be weighed against the related differences which, in the 25th round, the parties acknowledged.

The 25th round, February 13 to 15, ended “… with both sides expressing satisfaction on the progress of their discussions, and recognizing the many

An hour of hypocrisy

challenges that have yet to be resolved in order to find a political solution to the Bangsamoro Question and the armed conflict in Mindanao”.

What particular challenges stood out? “The Parties acknowledge the need to explore creative approaches that will address the political, legal and other dimensions of the problems.”

Impliedly, the parties were encountering contentious political and legal differences in their respective positions.

Stuck The rounds of exploratory talks in last four months -- December, January, February and March – show that Government and MILF have been stuck in “substantive issues” but have expressed their determination to pull through. How seriously stuck are the parties? The opening statements of the chief negotiators and various media reports will tell.

In their opening statements, the chief negotiators assess the progress of the peace process, state or restate their positions on the substantive issues, warn in the most diplomatic way the dire consequences of failure to resolve contentious issues and suggest options as well as compromises. They imply the extent and seriousness of their differences.

What the parties refrain from revealing in their joint and opening statements they may be constrained to reveal to media. The people must be informed. One party cannot bear to let the people know the other party’s side of the coin only.

Media have a way of telling the untold including the “off-the-press” statements.

(Next: Opening Statements)

its industrial emissions. Time to cook up something that will make the world think the problem lies elsewhere.

BY MARCOS C. MORDENO/MINDANEWS Surprisingly, only a few seem to question why the world should go loco On the same hour that parts of the over devoting one hour each year – yes, world will go into darkness, millions of cars and other vehicles will continue to each year not each day – to an endeavor run. So will plants and factories. Never that touches the issue of global warming but tends to e x p e c t ‘Honestly, however, I find it more of sideline the major these incause. It looks like dustries to esteemed adrest a sina gimmick than a serious attempt our vocates now love gle second to shoot from the from emitto curb activities that contribute hip. ting carbon Should we and reduce to environmental degradation, in turn off our lights their profit on March 31? margins.

Time is particular atmospheric pollution that People in Mindanao may no longer gold, and in have to do it given has caused the phenomenon of the world of the daily power capital it’s interruptions as infallible global warming.’ they are experias the word encing. of the Pope.

How about giving our power firms In fact, Earth Hour may in fact be a ploy to divert global attention away an award for being Earth-friendly? I from the major source of atmospheric don’t mean to be sarcastic. I just want pollution and global warming – the use to look at the brighter side of things in of bunker fuel. The Kyoto Protocol has these literally dark times in Mindanao. failed, no thanks to the refusal of the [H. Marcos C. Mordeno can be reached at US to ratify it and subsequently reduce hmcmordeno@gmail.com.]

SOMEONE ELSE’S WINDOWS

9 No such thing as neverending economic boom VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 20 • MARCH 30 - 31, 2012

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(Conclusion)

B O V E all, Dabawenyos must learn to live with flexible growth because there is no such thing as a never-ending economic development. The trick, however, is to treat any slowdown as a breather to map out new strategies for the next leap forward. In other words, continue moving forward – but do it with deliberate speed. oooOooo IT’S FUN TO EAT GRILLED FOOD – Whatever the reason, many people will pay to eat good, affordable food.

At different locations throughout the city – public parks, sidewalks, vacant lots and food junctions, you will see and hear groups of friends, families and couples gravitating to to their favorite grill restaurants, there to laugh and chat while enjoying steak, pork and chicken barbecues.

Grill joint owners here have long served sauce-dipped pork and chicken barbecue aside from other popular fare such as litsong manok and manok inasal. Most of the time, diners are amused and the owners say that people have “so much fun” using their bare hands to swirl slices of grilled pork, chicken or even beef.

Still, grill joint owners insist that the customer knows best. The secret is out, there’s no flickering candlelight on their tables, but family-size plates or spread banana leaves full of mouth-watering slices of pork and chicken barbecue sizzling over hot, glowing embers of charcoal in the grill pit.

Local food connoisseurs call the grill restaurants the future “great date food” centers. Brimming with enthusiasm, every diner embraces the great food experience. And grill restaurants are not just for groups, families or dating couples, but for everybody who has the penchant for paying good money for reasonably and delicious fare.

What’s more, all the preparatory work is done for customers – which is one reason, one barbecue chain in the city has spread out to more locations in the past two years. With families, groups of friends or even couples spending about 25% of their food budget on meals outside the home, they enjoy the experience – sort of.

Quips

‘IT should be a factor. We are supposed to be representatives of the people, so we are answerable to them. If our vote in this impeachment trial is not acceptable to them, they may not renew our mandate.’

--Senator Antonio Trillanes IV

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COMMUNITY SENSE

VOL.5 ISSUE 20 • MARCH 30 - 31, 2012

OWWA scholars W pass board exams M

EDGEDAVAO

Nokia calls on music enthusiasts to join regional ringtones contest

OST Filipinos have been driven by their desire to leave our country with a sense of purpose and urgency to send their children to school, to build a house and to save for future investments. To help them realize these aspirations Overseas Workers Welfare Administration developed several educational support program by providing a scholarship grant to deserving OFW dependents. Today, with pride and distinction, RWO XI announces that three of their scholars passed the Licensure Examination for Nursing and Certified Public Accountants Board Examination namely: JOANIE FAITH F. TINAGAN, RN , NIKKO ANTONIO N. TAOTJO, RN and MARIA HEIDELIZA N. YPIL, CPA. JOANIE FAITH F. TINAGAN was born on Oct. 12, 1990 in Iloilo City and the daughter of First Marine Engineer Felizardo S. Tinagan, Jr. and Connie F. Fernandez. A year after she was born, her family transferred to Tagum City,

Davao del Norte. The eldest among three siblings, she took her primary and secondary studies in public schools and graduated with honors, a recipient of a bronze medal for academic excellence. As an OWWA scholar she took up Bachelor of Science in Nursing at San Pedro College and graduated in 2011. She passed the Nursing Licensure Examination last February 2012.

As she savors the joys of her success, Joanie Faith did not forget the people who supported her for making her dream come true, she quipped, “I am grateful to my friends, OWWA and my family who contributed to my recent success and most importantly to our God who has guided me in every step of the way- from school, review. The examination day and until the examination results came out.”

Nikko Antonio N. Taotjo, hails from Davao City and the son of OFWs, Hamabar R. Taotjo and Amellyn Pepino. As an OWWA scholar, he took up Bachelor of Science in Nursing

AMILIES can now enjoy the benefits of the only personalized group postpaid plan available in the country today.

Globe My Super Plan Family Combo is the first and only customizable group postpaid plan with three lines, three phones and three unlimited services all in one account. For only P1,499 a month for the whole family, Globe allows subscribers to create a group plan that’s perfect for every member.

With Family Combo, each family member can choose the unlimited service that’s right for them, whether it’s unlimited call and text to Globe/TM, unlimited call to Globe mobile and landline, or unlimited text to all networks. So dad can connect to his officemates with unlimited call and text, Mom can talk to the entire extended family with unlimited mobile and landline calls, and little sister can send unlimited text messages to all her friends.

Better yet, everyone can change their unlimited service as often as monthly!

Each family member also gets to pair up their cho7ice of unli with their dream gadget. Dad can get a BlackBerry to keep up with his work, Mom can tinker

with her iPhone and sister can explore the latest Android device for free or at a discount.

Each line can be further boosted with additional unlimited services such as unlimited call and text to 1 Globe/TM, unlimited text to Globe/TM, or unlimited mobile internet.

“My Super Plan Family Combo is the first of its kind.

With its customizable menu, every member of the family can get the plan they need,” says Martha Sazon, Head of Globe Postpaid.

Adds Sazon, “Bill settlement is also very convenient. You only pay one bill for all the lines, so you can dedicate more time to bond with the whole family.”

Globe Postpaid subscribers are also guaranteed a worry-free experience with a P999 bill cap for mobile internet charges, a 7-day phone warranty, and exclusive access to Globe customer service channels which now include a real-time chat feature via the Globe website and Yahoo Messenger, as well as a text hotline with faster response time and conversation tracking feature. Add the Talk2Globe account (Talk2GLOBECHAT) on YM! or text HELP to 1234 for free to access the Globe Text Hotline.

(BSN) at the Ateneo de Davao University in 2007 and graduated in March 2011. Months later upon receipt of the information from OWWA, he decided to take up another course, BS Prosthetics and Orthotics at the University of the East, Manila as a partial scholar. The course is the first offering in the country. While still enrolled in this course, he took the Nursing Licensure Examination last December 2011 and with God’s grace passed the examination last February 2012. Meanwhile, he has yet to finish his BS in Prosthetics and Orthotics. “I wish to thank the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration for the scholarship grant” Nikko exclaimed.

MARIA HEIDELIZA N. YPIL was born on March 27, 1990 in Guihing, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur. She’s the daughter of OFW, Engr. Tadeo Kiamco Ypil and Letecia N. Nerosa. She took her primary and secondary education in public schools with a self-imposed responsibility on her shoulder to put

her best foot forward in her studies. She felt that it was her only way to express her gratitude to her parents. Ma. Heideliza took up BS in Accountancy at the Ateneo de Davao University from S.Y. 2007 to S.Y. 2011. Right after graduation from college, she took the Certified Public Accountants (CPA) board examination and successfully passed.

During her visit to the OWWA office last February, she was quoted saying, “All of these achievements that I had in life, OWWA was a big part of it. I really love being a part of the OWWA family. Although I’ve only attended few scholars’ conferences and other OWWA scholars’ programs, I still created friendship with my co-scholars. I would never forget the experience of volunteering in “Araw ng Pasasalamat” for the OFW’s, hosted by OWWA. I’m happy to be able to extend whatever assistance I could offer to the agency.

And if needed, I will still gladly offer my assistance to OWWA.”

A perfect plan for your family F

Taking Up Classroom Problems (TUCP) in Mindanao is a project that addresses the shortage of classrooms in public schools that is facilitated by the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association, Inc (PBGEA) through the congressional funds of TUCP Party List. TUCP Rep. Raymond Mendoza is flanked by school principal Alexander Redaniel, Vice-Gov. Victorio Suaybaguio, Mayor Edgar Timbol, executive director Stephen Antig of PBGEA and barangay chairman Joevin Doriman. Aside from the P1.5-M priority development assistance funds (PDAF), the building was completed with fi-

OULD you like your own composition to be featured in millions of Nokia phones around the world?

You now have the chance as Nokia, the global leader in mobile communicaitons, launches Regional Ringtones, Designed by You, a regional crowdsourcing competition for people to create ringtones that are relevant to their specific regions.

Nokia believes in the importance of a thriving local music culture while providing locally relevant content to its customers around the world. Nokia prides itself on maintaining this principle and drive over the years, and now Nokia is empowering everyone to have a shot at creating these ringtones for themselves, and giving participants a unique opportunity to have their work featured on millions of Nokia handsets.

“Nokia has been providing locally relevant content for nearly a decade now, so offering ringtones based on music styles and instruments that are specific to a certain region is not new to us. Feedback for the local ringtone offering has been positive, based on us testing those ringtones within the regions they were targeted at,” said Henry Daw, from Nokia’s Sound Design team.

Together with Audio Draft, a group that organizes sound design contests and helps companies outsource their audio pro-

ductions, Nokia introduces the competition in five different regions – China, India, Southeast Asia and Pacific, Middle East and Africa as well as Latin America.

Each of these regions will have five winning ringtones to be determined by the Nokia Sound Design team, who is looking for ringtones that are first and foremost original and should not resemble the classic Nokia tune. The judging team also wants to hear tones that are upbeat, engaging and exciting and that are not longer than 30 seconds.

“The secret is to be bold and creative,” Henry Daw said.

The winning ringtones will be included in the ringtone selection on certain Nokia phones and their creators will also receive a cash prize of USD 1,500 each.

If you are interested in joining, you may visit the competition website for South East Asia and Pacific and simply register as a user. You may then submit your entry anytime from March 20 to April 17, 2012.

The Nokia Sound Design team will listen to all the entries and will select the winners on April 24.

Everyone is also encouraged to visit the competition sites and rate the entries throughout the duration of the contest.

For more information, you may visit http://www. audiodraft.com/contests/ nokia/southeastasiapacific

nancial support from the banana exporting company NEH-Philippines, Dana Foundation, Municipal Government of Kapalong, and the barangay council of Semong. Dr. Cristy Epe, DepEd OIC-superintendent, thanked all the donors for the legacy they are leaving to Semong’s schoolchildren. Meanwhile, Mayor Timbol pledged to donate 150 desks to be used in the three (3) new classrooms. PBGEA’s TUCP Project is a component of its Sagip Karunungan under its corporate social responsibility program.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 20 • MARCH 30 - 31, 2012

SUBURBIA 11 200 teachers, students join newsletter seminar in GenSan

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total of 229 public school teachers and students have availed of the free newsletter layout training of the city government ofGeneral Santos under its SHEEP Computer Literacy Program (CLP).

SHEEP-CLP head, Percival Pasuelo explained that as of March 22 “Newsletter Layouting” using Adobe InDesign topped the list of the “must-have and most requested” among the free modules they have offered so far.

“This is attributed to the Department of Edu-

cation’s (DepEd) requirement to all public schools in the city to come up with their respective school papers,” Pasuelo said.

Because of the high demand, Pasuelo revealed that the SHEEP-CLP is intensifying its technology trainings by offering Newsletter Layout Training to any interested group with at least ten members.

“Everybody is invited to join from elementary pupils to senior citizens with only one requirement to be admitted in the training: interest,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, Pasuelo disclosed that teachers of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) program of DepEd are currently undergoing hands-on workshop using Adobe InDesign at the Mabuhay IT Park.

The same training, he said, will also be offered to interested local journalists in the City starting April 13.

These training workshops aim to empower residents of the Tuna Capital to be globally competitive as envisioned by Mayor Darlene AntoninoCustodio, he added.

operation, credit lines with identified government banks, and managing Employees’ Canteen.

With the Mandate of R.A. 9520 or the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008 which was automatically adopted in the amended By-Laws, there are statutory appointive committees such as Credit Committee, Conciliation and Mediation, and Ethics Committee. Other Committees are Audit & Inventory Committee and Election Committee.

As part of the Coop’s advocacy, it is very active and supportive to the programs and activities provincewide relative to Cooperative develop-

ment. Always in unison with the provincial government’s responsibility programs, the CCMPC also shared in the housing project through the Gawad Kalinga of ComVal, and disbursed an amount of P80,000.00.

The general assembly was indeed successful and well-attended by the officers and members.

“Cooperativism is best manifested if it is felt by all members. My only hope is that the pursuit for honesty and excellence in service will always be our Cooperative’s centerpiece,” says Melendres who also ranked first in the result of the election of the Board of Directors.

ComVal Co-op posts gains on 3rd year

Planting Trees. Forester Ludy Mirafuentes shows seedlings of Mahogany at the ENRO-DavOr Provincial Nursery in Magay, Don Martin Marundan, Mati City, which is part of the Million Trees Movement.

The Million Trees Movement (MTM) of Davao Oriental planted an additional 10,000 seedlings of hardwood trees.

“The trees to be planted included falcata, narra, mahogany, neem tree and acacia,” Mirafuentes said.

The Million Trees Movement of Davao Oriental blossomed the idea for other cities and municipalities to start planting trees.

The Movement paved the way for the creation of the National Greening Program of President Noynoy Aquino.

T

HE ComVal Capitol Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CCMPC) in its 3rd year has posted remarkable gains in its business operations.

With 788 members, the Coop has now a paid-up capital of P5,331,800.00 This data was bared by the Chairman, Executive Assistant IV Isabelo L. Melendres during the Coop’s 3rd Annual General Assembly on March 21, 2012 at the Capitol’s Social Hall with the theme, “CCMPC: Onward to Stability and Strong Cooperative.”

Its main business operations and capital sourcing include lending

DOLE OUTS. DSWD Secretary Corazon ‘Dinky’ Soliman confers with Mati City Mayor Michelle N. Rabat . Secretary Soliman was in Mati for the initial release of funds amounting to P13,412,700.00 intended for 6,728 families who are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program

(4Ps). She also turned over to the Mayor Rabat 3.85 million worth of core shelter housing constructed in Sambuokan Village, a 3-hectare relocation site acquired and developed by the City Government for homeless residents.

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WORLD/NATION

NATION BRIEFS No ceasfire

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HE Communist Party of the Philippines on Wednesday said it will not declare a Lenten ceasefire with the Armed Forces of the Philippines because of the alleged continuous brutal attacks carried out by the government against civilian communities.

“The brutality of Aquino regime’s war in the countryside has stepped up in the past few months, with state forces resorting to aerial bombings, massacres and shootings directed against unarmed people waging struggles against oppression and exploitation,” the CPP said in a statement.

Abandonement

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OOKING after your parents or other elders in the family may no longer be just a moral obligation. This, as Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Godofredo Arquiza filed a bill seeking special protection for parents should they be abandones by their own children.

“Many children nowadays, after having been reared, loved, nurtured and sent to school by their parents, have totally abandoned their parents for selfish reasons,” Arquiza lamented.

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Wary

EVERAL senators cautioned their colleagues at the House of Representatives and the Senate against extending emergency powers to President Aquino to address the power crisis in Mindanao.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., however, said the House is ready to grant the President emergency powers to quickly address the worsening power shortage in Mindanao. But Belmonte stressed that Malacañang must be clear in the scope of the powers and justification.

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Conviction

LOSE to three out of four Filipinos want Chief Justice Renato Corona convicted in the impeachment court, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) poll.

Citing their a survey held from March 10 to 13, SWS said 73 percent of 1,200 respondents wants the Senate to render a guilty verdict against the embattled Chief Justice.

A quarter of respondents meanwhile said they preferred acquittal for the Chief Justice.

VOL.5 ISSUE 20 • MARCH 30 - 31, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

WORLD TODAY

‘What does a pope do?’ Cuban Pres. Fidel Castro asks Benedict A P

‘Ghost ship’

OPE Benedict and Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, both octogenarians, joked about their age in a brief meeting on Wednesday and then Castro popped the question: so what do you do?

The two world figures chatted for about 30 minutes at the Vatican embassy in Havana near the end of the pope’s three-day visit to Cuba, where he called for greater freedom and a bigger role for the Catholic Church in the communistled nation.

Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said Benedict, 84, and Castro, 85, had an “exchange of ideas” in a “very cordial” atmosphere.

Castro led a 1959 revolution and transformed the Caribbean island into a communist state, ruling it for 49 years before stepping down due to poor health in 2008. Under his rule, Cuba for years called itself an atheist state, although relations with the Church have improved over the past two decades.

Castro arrived for his meeting with the pope on Wednesday in a green Mercedes SUV amid heavy security that included armed guards in a phalanx of sur-

N empty Japanese fishing boat drifting off the coast of western Canada could be the first wave of 1.5 million tons of debris heading toward North America from Japan’s tsunami last March.

The wreckage from flattened Japanese coastal towns - including refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, roofs and fishing nets - is heading inexorably east across the Pacific and could arrive sooner than expected, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Pope Benedict XVI meets former Cuban leader Fidel Castro in Havana March 28, 2012

rounding black Mercedes cars.

He was helped out by two assistants, who supported him as he walked slowly up the steps into the stately white building where Benedict spent Tuesday night and where Pope John Paul II stayed during his landmark 1998 visit.

“What does a pope do?”

Castro asked Benedict, who is just one year his junior. The pontiff told him of his ministry, his foreign trips and his service to the Church, saying he was happy to be in Cuba and with the welcome he received.

Dressed in a dark Reebok track suit and wearing a scarf despite the searing heat outside, Castro told the pontiff he had watched his whole visit on television.

Two of his children were also presented to the pope.

Castro handed the reins of power to his younger brother, President Raul Castro, four years ago and he has since largely retired from government but he still writes columns and meets with visiting leaders.

He told the pontiff he was spending most of his time reading and reflecting on the state of the world.

His columns are posted on the internet and read aloud on state television, and cover his fears of impending Armageddon, the evils of consumerism and his criticisms of arch ideological foe, the United States.

CASTRO SEEKS FOOD FOR THOUGHT Castro questioned Benedict about changes in Church liturgy and asked the pope to send him a book to help him reflect. The pope said he would think of which one to send, but had not yet decided, Lombardi said.

manunulat at mang-aawit sa kanilang akda. Mulat po kasi tayo sa bawat ilegal na pag-download ng musika, o pagbili ng album na pinirata; ang pangunahing tinatamaan ay ang mga OPM artists,” the President said.

“Wala silang kinikita.

Ang masakit pa po rito, alam din nating kasabay ng talento, puspusang dedikasyon ang kanilang ibinubuhos upang maibahagi sa atin ang kanilang mga awitin. Kaya naman, nararapat lang na masuklian natin ang kanilang pagsusumikap, ‘di po ba?,” he added.

President Aquino noted that the music piracy does not only affect the artists and musicians but also the music industry in general.

“Ang totoo po, sa pamimirata, hindi lamang ang mga manlilikha ang nagdurusa, kasama po rito ang buong industriya at kultura ng musika.

Kapag hindi natin binigyan ng sapat na insentibo ang mga musikero, baka ipagpalit nila ang gitara at panulat para sa mga

trabahong sisigurong may maihahain sila sa kanilang mga hapag,” he said.

“Maaaring kumitid, kung hindi man magsara, ang mga bintanang pinanggagalingan ng kanilang mga obra. Ang resulta, mababawasan ang mapapakinggan ng mga tao; mababawasan ang mga malilikhang mga produkto; mababawasan nang malaki ang buting idinudulot ng musika,” the President stressed.

The OPM2Go website also aims to become the online repository for all Filipino music. Through the newly unveiled website, Filipino artists and musicians will be able to economically and rapidly release their material.

“Sa pagbubukas ng online music store na ito, may bago nang tahanan ang musikang Pilipino.

May bago nang lugar ang mga musikero kung saan maipaparinig nila ang kanilang mga obra,” the President noted.

“Bubukas ang pinto upang mas madaling maihandog ang musikang Pil-

ipino sa masang Pilipino, at sa iba pang tumatangkilik nito sa buong mundo. Sa pamamagitan din ng proyektong ito, hindi lamang mas nagiging abot-kaya ang pakikinig sa awiting Pinoy, nagagantimpalaan din natin ang mga lumikha nito,” he added.

President Aquino also expressed confidence that the OPM2Go website will be a success. He also thanked the people behind the said project, including PLDT’s CEO and chairman Manny V. Pangilinan.

The President likewise lauded singer-songwriter Herminio “Ogie” Alcasid Jr., the chairman of OPM2GO Inc. and the president of the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) for this worthwhile project.

“Kinakatawan ni Ogie ang klase ng artistang kinakailangan ng panahon ngayon -- gumagawa siya ng paraan, hindi lamang upang lumikha ng obra, kundi upang makatulong din sa kanyang kapwa,” he said.

Pres. Aquino leads launching of online store for Pinoy musicians, music lovers

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RESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III led on Wednesday the formal launching of the OPM2Go website, an online music store dedicated to serving Filipino artists, musicians and music lovers that hopes to address the proliferation of music piracy.

The website OPM2Go. com aims to help the Filipino music industry by providing a distribution avenue for artists, bands, and musicians so that they may be able to reach a broader audience. It was publicly unveiled during its launch at Eastwood City walk in Quezon City.

During his speech, President Aquino said that the OPM2Go.com will help stop the proliferation of pirated Filipino music in the country as well as protect intellectual property rights musicians and Filipino artists.

“Magandang hakbang din po ito upang malabanan natin ang pamimirata sa musika, kasabay ng pagpo-protekta sa karapatang-ari o intellectual property rights ng mga

T

Failure

HE United States accused Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad of failing to respect a UN-Arab League peace plan as Syrian forces continued their assault on rebel bastions Wednesday.

And as UN chief Ban Ki-moon urged Assad to implement the plan, UN rights chief Navi Pillay told the BBC that enough evidence had been gathered to bring human rights charges against Assad over the crackdown on opposition protestors.

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Vowed

UDAN and South Sudan vowed to step back from the brink of all-out war after growing international alarm at three days of border violence that included air strikes and tank battles.

Fighting on the ground had reportedly ceased on both sides of the unmarked border, but dead bodies and wrecked tanks lay strewn in Sudan’s contested oil centre of Heglig, the site of fierce fighting from Monday.

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Safe

ALI’S ousted leader Amadou Toumani Toure, whose whereabouts have been unknown since he was overthrown on March 22, told AFP he was safe in Bamako and not being held by the junta.

The president was chased out of power just five weeks before the end of his time in office ahead of elections on April 29 which have now been suspended by the junta and no fresh poll date fixed.

EDGEDAVAO

Sara...

FFROM 1

Hugpong is interested in winning the 1st District congressional seat held

by Rep. Karlo Nograles, son of the Dutertes’ bitter political rival, erstwhile House Speaker Prospero Nograles.

The 2013 local elections are bound to be colorful as there is a possibility that the elder Nograles would run, either for congressman or for mayor which he lost to Duterte-Carpio in the 2010 by a landslide.

Duterte-Carpio admitted that Hugpong’s 1st district congressional bet should be strong.

“It has to be someone who is credible and can stand up to whoever is the candidate of the other side, so kinahanglan kusog na kandidato na dapat naa puy ‘say’ sa 1st district,” she said.

Asked what she would be running for if not for mayor, the city’s iron lady paused for a long while before replying, “I could run for president of the associa-

LTFRB...

tion of homeowners sa Ecoland. Kay gusto ko ug playground unya wala mi playground.”

High trust, popularity ratings Mayor Sara and Vice Mayor Rody garnered high scores in trust and popularity ratings based on a survey conducted by the Institute of Popular Opinion of the University of Mindanao under its Research and Publication Center.

In the first district survey released March 20, the Dutertes tied with 98.8 percent in their trust rating and 99.4 on popularity rating.

Perfect scores were gathered from the 2nd District wherein both got 100% in popularity and trust ratings.

Asked to comment on these results, DuterteCarpio said “it’s too early” for the results to influence the political climate come 2013 elections.

However, the city mayor was thankful for the results.

“Nagapasalamat ko sa taga-Davao for their trust and confidence sa akong leadership as well as to the City Council,” she said.

Duterte-Carpio added that she would aim for higher results.

“We’ll work harder and siguro make it 101 next time,” she said.

Dr. Maria Linda Arquiza, IPO director, said the Dutertes received a “relatively strong support,” specifically in the Agdao district.

“This is expected as this was the place of the controversial and famous ‘Davao Punch’ episode during a demolition incident,” she said.

Arquiza was referring to Mayor DuterteCarpio’s punching of court sheriff Abe Andres who reected her request to delay by two hours the scheduled demolition in Barangay Soliman in Agdao while she was still attending to flood victims elsewhere July of last year.

ter are commonly experienced, according to our records of complaints.

But as to the actual instances, these incidents could be happening more frequently,” Violan said.

For any of the following offenses: (1) operating taxicab with fast taximeter with special gadget; (2) operating with a manipulated taximeter (to make it fast); (3) painting of fraudulent or unauthorized base of operations (for taxi cabs); (4) for operating an unauthorized unit, motors, or plates (ie. illegal transfer of motor/plate no.) (for taxicabs); and operating without LTFRB taximeter, Triplex seal; the erring driver is fined P6,000 on first offense, 60 days suspension on 2nd offense, and cancellation of certificate of public convenience (CPC) of the unit.

Other offenses with corresponding penalties mentioned in Memorandum Circular 2007-005 are overcharging or collecting unauthorized fares or rates - Unauthorized use of trade name - For operating with an expired CPC - For operating taxicab on contract basis I flagged-up meter - Racing with other vehicles or other forms of reckless driving - Operating defective taximeter or not functioning - Operating unsafe or dilapidated unit or unsightly body - Excessive emission

of smoke and for emitting smoke of fumes inside - Operating vehicle without good and efficient service brakes and without mechanically operated, handpowered emergency brakes - Not issuing fare tickets - Operating taxicab Without driver’s uniform, no seat cover and/ or driver’s ID - Allowing door of buses open to be opened while in motion - Overloading of passengers - Allowing passenger on step board (buses) - No Waybill (TH) - No inside marking of plate number - PUJ operated as Cargo Jeep - Operating with broken windshield - Loading cargo on passenger seat - LTFRB sticker not officially posted - No driver’s ID - Driving with slippers - No capacity marking - No head and/or stop light - No name and address of operator painted - No usable spare tire - Smoking while driving - Operating without speedometer or speedometer not functioning - And all other violations not specified - Operating unit illegally registered under a “Kabit System” - Using, taximeter with fake or unauthorized LTFRB seal. [JADE C. ZALDI-

FFROM 2

plaints with the Land Transportation Office, the Highway Patrol Group, the Traffic Management Center, and even sa Davao City Police Office,” he added.

Violan said the LTFRB estimate that there are 35,000 PUV drivers in the region.

The LTFRB officer added that the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) has a gallery of registered public utility drivers.

“In case may naiwan kayo sa isang taxi o sa jeep, the CPDO has a gallery, they have pictures and names of the taxi drivers and PUJ drivers in the city,” he said.

Penalities Violan said the LTFRB follows Memorandum Circular 2007-005 in implementing fines and penalties against PUV drivers.

“This is in line with the government’s policy for all public utilities (transportation) to improve their service, and in response to public demand,” he said.

Penalties of suspension and eventual revocation of driver’s license are given under the violations of: (1) operating taxi cab with fast meter; (2) hostile, arrogant, and discourteous driver; (3) discrimination and/or refusal to convey passengers; and (4) operating with manipulated taxi rneter (to make it fast).

“Actually the violations, especially disrespect for passengers and tampering with the me-

13

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VAR]

DOE secretary finds allies amid quit calls D

EPARTMENT of Energy (DoE) Secretary Rene Almendras found allies in senators amid calls for him to resign over the power shortage in Mindanao.

Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero said there was no basis to call for the DOE chief’s resignation even after some quarters were pushing to extend emergency powers to the President Benigno Aquino III to immediately address the Mindanao power crisis. ”The resignation of Secretary Almendras has nothing to do with the emergency powers. The reason why we are giving the President this power is because it’s not available to begin with. It is not to take the place of the powers of the DOE secretary because he is merely an alter ego,” Escudero, a member of the Joint Congressional Power Commission (JCPC), said.

Escudero proposed the granting of standby power to the President rather than emergency powers. ”The standby power is a readily available extraordinary power that the Chief Executive can exercise under extreme circumstances without needing congressional nod. It is temporary and should be defined within the framework of extreme circumstances and sub-

ject to certain limitations and safeguards,” Escudero explained.

For his part, Senate committee on energy chairman Senator Serge Osmena III believes that Almendras remains the best for the position as DoE chief, adding calls for the energy secretary to resign is counter-productive. ”He is one of the best energy secretary that we ever had. Except that he is not a politician so he doesn’t know how to brag about what he does, he just does it,” Osmena said.

Osmena said it is not true that the government is not doing anything to solve the power shortage in Mindanao, saying the problem is the resistance in Mindanao not to sell Agus-Pulangi plant. ”In Mindanao, because government still owns about 60% to 70% of the total output, there will be really shortage because private sector will come in only up to the demand curve, they will not go beyond that,” Osmena said. ”We said to them, it will not work under the market-driven, competitive regime under the EPIRA. I said to them, in Luzon and Visayas, there is no brownout. Only you here in Mindanao has brownout because you refuse to follow us,” said Osmena. EPIRA stands for Electric Power Indus-

try Reform Act. Osmena said he warned Mindanao on the power shortage back in 2001 and it happened in the 2010 elections and “now it happens again.” ”I told our people in Mindanao “We have tried our best, we have planned ahead because the power industry has to be planned 10 to 20 years in advance. You can buy Eveready battery if there is power shortage.

It takes 3 to 5 years to build a plant,” Osmena said.

As part of the solution to power shortage, Osmena said the people of Mindanao have to accept “that they will have to face higher rates.” ”A little bit higher, by about 50 centavos. The P3.70 to P4.20 per kilowatt hour,” Osmena said.

Escudero agreed with Osmena that the supply deficit in Mindanao was partly due to the separation of Mindanao from the national power grid. The Luzon and Visayas grids are interconnected which allow their respective grids to share capacity loading.

“Only one line rotates in Mindanao. All generated power is brought to one single grid, one private company – the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) – which has the sole decision to distribute the load,” Escudero said.

pagsuporta sa kandidato they will be coming up with a full slate under Hugpong from city mayor, to the councilors, to the congressional representative of each district,” Duterte-Carpio explained.

The Comelec Resolution 9294 states that any organized group or

persons may register as a party, organization or coalition for purposes of the party-list system.

The petition should be filed not later than 90 days before the election, and as declared in the Comelec Resolution, the deadline for the filing is on March 30. [JCZ]

Sports Office, said the city is optimistic the Summerfest will also attract sports coordinators from all over the country.

“With the Philippine Sports Commission we will be gathering sports coordinators here wherein we can establish Davao City as a hub for sports in Mindanao. We have a lot of excellent athletes here, we just need to promote them,” Elegino said.

Marques said in 2011, the Summerfest activities gathered more than 3,000 tourists into the city.

“April to May last year talagang puno ang mga hotels natin. From the athletes pa lang talagang ang dami. As we’re making the festival bigger this year, we’re expecting more tourists to come which in turn will be good for Davao City,” she said.

Hugpong...

FFROM 1 Advantage The advantage in becoming a formal political party, the city mayor said, is in solidifying support it will receive in the 2013 local elections and avoiding conflict among members of Hugpong simply because of politics.

“Para mas kusog ang

Duaw...

FFROM 4

promoting Davao City as a sports destination. We will be bringing in big names in the sports world which will definitely attract sports tourists and enthusiasts,” Bravo said.

Among the highlights of the Summerfest, he said, will be the Mt. Apo International Boulderface Challenge, and motorcycle and bicycle races.

Pocholo Elegino, officer in charge of the City

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EDGEDAVAO

Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, watches a return to Marion Bartoli, of France, during the Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne. Bartoli won 6-3, 6-3.

Williams sisters bow out, Ivanovic, Wozniacki win

V

ENUS Williams saw her remarkable comeback cut short in the quarterfinals of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami. She was eliminated in straight sets by world no.

5 Agnieszka Radwanska, 6-4, 6-1.

It was the first tournament Venus had entered since she shocked the tennis world with her withdrawal and subsequent announcement at last year›s U.S. Open. Venus told the world she is suffering from Sjorgen›s syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that among other things, causes her to be easily fatigued.

Venus had long been the more likable of the Williams sisters, and her drive to comeback endeared her to more fans.

Venus made it to the final eight going through some strong players, in-

NBA

cluding the recently improved Ana Ivanovic and

world no. 3 Petra Kvitova.

Venus didn›t have enough game to challenge Radwanksa, however. In 2012, there›s only one player who has.

Serena downed by Wozniacki Recent world no. 1 Caroline Wozniacki ousted Serena one day earlier in their quarterfinal, winning 6-4, 6-4. Speaking along the lines of what has made so many fans dismayed at her, Serena made the comments about Serena.

«Everyone I play always plays the match of the year,» Williams said.

What Wozniacki did was to play a smart game that capitalized on errors made by Serena, and helped force her to make them. Wozniacki deserves credit for playing a good game, but I wouldn›t call it her match of the year.

Radwanska vs. Azarenaka looming

The drama between Radwanska and world no. 1 Victoria Azarenka extends beyond the lines on the tennis court.

Radwanska has only lost to one player in 2012, but she has been beaten each time they have met. That player, of course, is Azarenka, who hasn›t lost to anyone this year.

Their on-court story is very similar to what happened between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in 2011. Off the court, it’s been remarks by Radwanska that have drawn attention. She has complained about Azarenka›s shrieking, and she also questioned the validity and severity of an ankle injury the Belorussian sustained.

Radwanska is already into the semis, and will face the winner of the match between Azarenka and Marion Bartoli in their quarterfinal.

WHEN PRETTY GIRLS PLAY. Ana Ivanovic of Serbia walks off the court with Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia after defeating the latter at Crandon Park Tennis Center at the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, Florida.

Knicks rout Magic

N

EW YORK (AP)— Carmelo Anthony knocked down three long jumpers, finding a rhythm that’s been missing most of the season.

Then the Knicks really got rolling—on their biggest run in 8 1/2 years.

Anthony and the Knicks climbed above .500 for the first time since mid-January in overwhelming fashion, scoring 21 straight points in the third quarter and routing the Orlando Magic 10886 on Wednesday night.

Anthony and Iman Shumpert each scored 25 points for the Knicks (26-25), who won for the eighth time in nine games despite playing without the injured Amare Stoudemire and Jeremy

Lin. New York outscored Orlando 65-30 in the middle two quarters and has a winning record for the first time since it was 6-5 before a loss to Oklahoma City on Jan. 14.

“I said this at the top, as a coach I’m always interested in when you’re shorthanded who’s going to step up and make plays? And we’re getting it from everybody and that to me is a sign of a good, quality team that wants to win,” interim coach Mike Woodson said.

The Knicks moved 2 1/2 games ahead of Milwaukee for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and pulled within 2 1/2 of Philadelphia and Boston for first place in the Atlantic Division. New York

could get Stoudemire back before the end of the season, announcing Wednesday that he could be back in two to four weeks after non-surgical treatment for a bulging disk in his back.

Anthony knows he must step up until then without Stoudemire and Lin (sore left knee), and he had his second straight strong performance since they were hurt. Anthony scored 28 points Monday, and would have easily surpassed that had he not been limited to 26 minutes.

Playing despite a strained right groin, Anthony shot 9 of 15, his jumper that has been off all season falling in a third-quarter flurry that blew open the game.

OS ANGELES (AP)—Magic Johnson is about to learn $2 billion only buys you so much.

Now he’ll need to bring the Los Angeles Dodgers the same success he brought the Lakers.

News that Johnson and his partners agreed to purchase the team sparked a groundswell of excited chatter and optimism Wednesday

that the man who ran “Showtime” could restore luster to the onceproud franchise.

The amount Johnson and his partners are paying would be mindblowing if it was just for the team itself. But it also gives Johnson’s group the right to reel in future riches from TV and real estate associated with the Dodgers.

“A big part of the pur-

chase price is all those other things,” said David Carter, executive director of USC Sports Business Institute. “You’ve got a great piece of property you can develop and make a gameday experience around Chavez Ravine. A likely billion-dollar cable (television) rights deal that will come out of it makes it a very unique sale.”

As new owner, Johnson hopes to weave magic L

Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France during Day 10 of the Sony Ericcson Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center in Key Biscayne, Florida.

INdulge!

STYLE

Pretty, young, and hip

F

OR what it is worth, fashion has always appealed to the younger set. With their unbridled passion and love for experimentation, these bright young things truly push the boundaries of style as evident by SM’s Fashion Edge.

Now on its 5th year, SM’s Fashion Edge celebrates the city’s Bright Young Faces: Jed Diamante, Javier Romero-Sales, Alicia Jaldon, Bea Ledesma, Ana Alexia Medina, Margarita Alexandra Antonio, Annika Lopez, Kim Canizares, Vincent Marasigan, Jessica Pineda, Abigail Belisario, Bien Christopher Estanislao and Eric Barnett; who captured the crowd with their unique individual charms.

On the runway were the latest looks from SM Davao’s hip retail brands Accessorize, Arrow, Espada, Folded and Hung, Maldita, Mental, Team Manila, Lee, Levi’s, Jag, Kipling and SM Department Store. All of which are chic, preppy, cool and edgy.

The show had a party groove many thanks to the upbeat club music spun by DJ Gary of the Marco Polo Davao’s Eagles Bar. As a Fashion Edge tradition, this year’s featured designer was the bright and industrious up-andcoming young Davao talent Junnie Artajo. Artajo presented his winning creation from Japan with a fresh collection of featuring amazing patterns and silhouettes.

The City’s hippest fashion event was also presented by The Cyberzone, Digital 1001, Medispa, Blugre and Jollibee.

Follow me @kennethkingong on twitter for more urban sightings.

VOL.5 ISSUE 20 • MARCH 30-31, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

TRAVEL

Art in the City:

Singapore

By Carlo P. Mallo

A

RT is no longer limited to the art galleries of Paris, New York, or Hong Kong.

Art is everywhere. Just look around you and you will be surprised at the many forms of expression. During a recent trip to Singapore, I took snapshots of the beautiful curves, lines, sculptures, and other forms of art that makes the Merlion City a sight to behold.

Send your comments and suggestions to carlopmallo@gmail.com

VOL.5 ISSUE 20 • MARCH 30-31, 2012

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EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

Summer fun on Esquire ESQUIRE Philippines unleashes everything that is entertaining in its April issue themed as the Fun Issue. More than just a “bucket list”, the Fun Issue lists down a lot of fun things to do, know about, or consider.

The Fun issue of Esquire also features the awesome trio of Magic 89.9’s Boys Night Out. Deejays Sam YG, Tony Toni, and Slick Rick reveal the fine line between the types of fun they are having in and out of the radio booth. “You know you’re having fun when you don’t remember the next day [and] you put ‘What the eff happened?’ as your Facebook status,” DJ Tony says in the interview.

On the cover of Esquire Philippines’ Fun Issue is model and TV personality Bianca Gonzalez as this month’s Woman We Love. Bianca gamely accepted the challenge of writing her own piece for this issue. Bianca shares, “It is an honor to be on the cover of Esquire’s Fun Issue, and an even bigger honor for a beginner writer like me to write my own cover story!”

Bianca lists downs the ten things that she thinks are fun like getting lost in a new city, randomness, doing something for the first time, and more. “It’s the unpredictability and the non-presence of expectations that make random plans the most enjoyable,” she says.

Esquire Philippines’ Fun Issue also features a complete guide to backyard cooking and summer drinking by food and drinks editor Erwan Heussaff, and the top ten things you don’t know about women according to Teresa Herrera.

Shoe Queen buys Doc Martens

By Calo P. Mallo

THE world’s most popular shoe lover bought another pair of what may seem to be the most surprising pair she’ll ever have in her collection of Jimmy Choos, Manolo Blahniks, Christian Louboutins, and many other brands of shoes that adorn her feet, and well, her life.

Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the country, and wife of strongman Ferdinand Marcos, was spotted at the Dr. Martens store at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. The shoe icon was purchains a pair of Mary Janes, a classic pair from the brand.

Her grandson, Borgy Manotoc, is one of the owners of the Dr. Martens store.

Yahoo! Philippines reports that according to Ralph Mendoza, assistant store manager, Mrs. Marcos showed up unannounced “with some helpers and a friend.” They did not have to close the store, however, he said.

“She was laid-back and gracious, even smiling from time to time. We’re honored that she took the time to visit the shop,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza said Mrs. Marcos bought a pair of Corins, which the Dr. Martens website says is a “mary-jane shoe” with an adjustable buckle strap and features “formal, refined styling.”

“She wanted something comfortable and casual, which we were happy to provide,” Mendoza, to whom

Mrs. Marcos handed over her money, said.

“I guess we’ll see if we can preserve the official receipt...for good memories,” he added.

Mrs. Marcos was known for her collection of thousands of shoes. Many of those shoes, left behind when Marcos was ousted in 1986, were given to the Marikina City Footwear Museum.

In an interview with Yahoo! Southeast

Asia last year, Mrs. Marcos denied having so many.

“They said I had thousands of shoes, which was not true. It was a lie in the end because when Malacañang gave it to the Marikina museum it was even less than 200,” she said.

“At this point in time of my life, I think I deserve more shoes than what was lied to the world.”

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

SEEN ON THE STREET Kyrie Eleison

fashion blogger kyriekouture.blogspot.com

VOL.5 ISSUE 20 • MARCH 30-31, 2012

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

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

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HAVEN BODY WORKS SPA & SALON Door 5 Kaykay Baloons Bldg., Laurel North Cor. Bayabas St. General Santos City Tel # (083) 301- 1991

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HELPING YOU MAKE INFORMED BUSINESS DECISIONS.

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 20 • MARCH 30 - 31, 2012

15

Mt. Apo Boulder Face to kick off Davao Summerfest

By Neil Bravo

T

HE 2012 Davao Summerfest will formally open on April 27 and what better way to kickstart the summer festivities with no less than the 2nd International Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge.

Some 46 teams including foreign entries from Australia, Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia will add international flavour to this year’s Davao Summerfest. The elaborate opening ceremonies will be held at the People’s Park grounds after a brief introduction of teams and parade of colors.

The Department of Tourism-organized Mt. Apo climbfest, which will feature several terrain challenges on the way up the country’s highest peak, usher in the summer-long festival of the city which will also include various sports, music and arts summer camps, Davao Sports Expo, sports summit and the 1st Davao Summer Games.

The Davao Summerfest is organized by the Duaw Davao Festival Foundation on behalf of the City Government of Davao.

Other participating teams to the Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge will come from Manila, Cabanatuan, Cebu, Bukidnon, Davao del Norte, Butuan, Gen. Santos City, Digos City and host Sta. Cruz.

The foreign cast will be led by five teams from TCRP of Singapore, Viet Adventure of Vietnam, and Team Australia. The Manila teams are Team Nomads-Conquer, and three squads from the Philippine Military Academy.

Team Casidsid and Climb Machine will represent Cebu; Tri Ne Mo for Cabanatuan; Bibwak,Malaybalay and Grupong Panahik for Bukidnon; Team Shiloh and Philmoto-Viventis for Sta. Cruz; Team Sibayan and Team Carmen for Davao del Norte; Dole of Gen. Santos; Kagrupo, HADAMS, and Care Group for Digos; and Davao’s Yokeimun, A2A, AMOSS, Junjie Evangelista, Basecamp, Team Merell, Apo Ville and Mindanao Travel Channel.

From the sponsors, the teams are R.O.X., San Miguel Beer and Franklin Baker.

Big things for Summerfest

T

HE heat is on.

By all indications, summer is here and it’s time for activities that will keep kids (and parents alike) busy during the summer.

Davao City will be abuzz with sports activities this summer and that’s because of the Davao Summerfest— one of the four organized festivals passed by the city government. The other three are the recent Araw ng Dabaw (March), Kadayawan (August) and Pasko Fiesta (December). The Summerfest will run from April to May. Last week, the Summerfest was formally announced during the I-Speak Forum of the City Information Office.

Lisette Marques, executive director of Duaw Davao Festival Foundation, and this Hangtimer gave media the walk through of this year’s Summerfest. Duaw Davao is on top of the Summerfest in the same way as it is handling the other three festivals as the conduit of the city government.

So what can we expect from the Summerfest this year? Really, I must say this is going to be exciting.

The Summerfest will be a fusion of arts, culture and sports tourism. It is designed to make Davao as the destination for sports tourism during the summertime.

How is that going to happen when just about every city in the country girds for the summer with its own activities in this hot season.

We take off with the 2nd Mt. Apo International Boulder Face Challenge. The opening salvo of the Summerfest will be timed on the day prior to the climbfest.

This year’s climbathon will have an international cast from Vietnam, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia and some participants coming from the UK and USA. Duaw Davao has laid out some exciting things for the Summerfest and this will include summer camps for sports, arts and music, the first ever Davao Sports Expo and the Davao Summer Games.

Most of these events will be mounted by participating private partners in the sports events business and sports merchandise. The Sports Development Office under its OIC Cholo Eligino will also be collaborating in the Summerfest with the planned Sports Summit for coaches and sports coordinators.

For sure, this year’s Summerfest will be blazing a new trail that will ultimately put Davao City as the prime venue for sports events during the summer in the years to come.

In the coming days, the Summerfest Secretariat will be coming up with the list of accredited camps and events as well as its schedules and venues. By enrolling with accredited camps under the Summerfest program, you can be assured of the high standards required of camp organizers. You are also assured that these camps are duly registered and licensed and handled by professionals.

Those hunting for sports camps will be guided with our list. Likewise, the accredited camps will bear the official Summerfest logo.

While we are promoting these private-run camps, we also encourage the initiative of the City Sports to hold free camps for those who could not afford the fees in these private-run camps without having to unfairly compete, nor jeopardize the camps mounted by private organizers. With these, we provide equal opportunities for all.

For inquiries on the Summerfest, please call the Secretariat at (082) 2864103.

Let’s get it on.

Ginebra Gin Kings’ Rudy Hatfield muscles his way in during their PBA encounter against Air 21 Express won by the Kings 103-87 to move into a collision course with leagueleading Talk N’ Text (7-2). The Kings face fellow no. 2-ranked B-Meg Llamados (6-3) today. Right photo, Kelly Williams slices his way through tight defense in a game against Petron Blaze Boosters (3-6).

Run with the Masters to honor late Davao sports leader

T

HE much-awaited Run with the Masters 2012 will be dedicated to the late Victorio Sai and set on April 15 at 5 a.m. in an out-and-back course at the Davao Crocodile Park in Maa. Sai, race organizer of many running events in the past including the MILO Marathon, died four years ago on March 16 and will be celebrating his birth anniversary on April 9.

His son Kenneth took over as the Davao organizer of the MILO Marathon and Vantage Sports Promotion (VSP) president is now the most sought-after race organizer in Davao today.

The Vantage Sports Promotions, on its celebration of the company’s fourth year anniversary, is now co-presenting with the Castrol Phils. Inc., the young Sai said.

“But of course it is also our tribute to my late fa-

FUTURE STARS. Members of the Pilipinas 13-under team who were in town to play a series of exhibition matches. The squad has two Davao boys in Francis Escandor and Noel Bonleon. The rest of the team are Clint Escamis, CJ Balingit, Coleng Garcia,

ther,” he said.

Also present at the special public service sports program were Castrol Visayas-Mindanao area business manager Edgar Ponce and Sai’s wife Honey, also of Vantage Sports.

“We are giving special discounts of 10 percent for our products during the race day. They can also get discount on the registration fee, except for the 500-meter category, if they will purchase any Castrol product,” Ponce said.

The categories are the Ceelin 500m Kiddie Run for 7-9 and 10-12 years old, 5K age group, 10K age group, 15K Power Run (18 years old and above) and 21K half marathon (18 years old and above).

The entry fees are P250 for 500m, P350 for 5K and 10K and P500 for 15K and 21K. Free singlet, race bib, finisher’s kit, light meals and loot bags will be given to all

the registrants. The 500m runners will also receive Ceelin bags.

“But the 15K and 21K runners, however, will also each get a medal,” Sai said.

The top two finishers in the 21K for men and women will earn P2,000 and P1,500 with medals in the age categories for 18-19, 30-39, 40-49, 5059 and 60 and above.

The top two winners in the 15K will pocket P1,200 and P800 with medals for the same age categories. The top finishers in the 10K will each earn P1,000 plus a medal for the age categories in 13-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 and above.

The first placers in the 5K with the same age categories will win P700 each, while the top two winners in the 500m for kids 7-9 and 10-12 will receive P500 and P300 with medals.

Diego Rodrigo, Pawandeep Singh, Mathew Concepcion, Fort Dazo, Dean Martin, Mark Marty, and Clark Quijano. Also in photo are Glen Escandor (5th from right) of the Royal Mandaya Hotel and coach Mark Herrera and assistant coach Nonoy Bonleon.[BOY LIM]

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FMCGEE-LAS, 15