Edge Davao 5 Issue 37

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL.5 ISSUE 37 • APRIL 26, 2012

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Workers’ COLA raised to P15.00

By Jade C. Zaldivar

n P10 added to P5.00 COLA

M

creased from P5.00 to P15.00. COLA is given daily in addition to the basic wage of P286.00.

The addition of P10.00 COLA will be effective on May 1, announced Depart-

INIMUM wage workers in the Davao region can now enjoy a higher salary benefit after their cost of living allowance (COLA) was in-

PROPERTY Page 7

ment of Labor and Employment 11 regional director Joffrey Suyao yesterday in a press conference at Grand Men Seng Hotel.

“The prescribed wage rate, effective under Wage Order No. RB XI-17, shall apply to all workers and employees in the

FWORKERS, 13

Sports Page 15

OBSTRUCTION. Government-owned garbage bins were used to block the entire Padre Faura Street as the barangay celebrates a local event on Tuesday and Wednesday. No notices and early warning devices were seen in the area. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

In Davao City

24 private schools hike tuition fees

By Lorie Ann A. Cascaro

Follow Us On

O

UT of 93 higher educational institutions (HEI) in the Davao region, 24 applied for tuition increase

in Davao City, whose names will be released by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) 11 this week.

There are 222 private schools nationwide permitted by CHED to increase

their tuition fees by an average of 10% or P41.52 from the recent average of tuition fee per unit of P433.95.

However, the number of approved petitions could still rise to 260 as the

F24 PRIVATE, 13

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THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 37 • APRIL 26, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Army chief clueless on Palparan

By Jade C. Zaldivar

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HILIPPINE Army commander Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista on Monday said he has no clue regarding the whereabouts of high profile fugitive ex-Maj. General Jovito Palparan.

Bautista in an interview said he has no ‘knowledge where Palparan is hiding.’

“Sa ngayon wala tayong nalalaman, but the search and eventual arrest naman is not under the responsibility of the Armed Forces. It’s with the Phil-

ippine National Police (PNP),” he said in a recent interview here.

He added that it would be best to ‘leave the investigation to the police.’

Bautista held a met Tuesday with the Eastern Mindanao Command and Task Force Davao at the Sta. Ana Headquarters.

Malacañang on April 20 ordered the hunt for Palparan to continue, although Justice Secretary Leila de Lima admitted that the government has no lead on his whereabouts.

PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome on April 21 said capturing

Palparan is “difficult” as the former military commander has been trained in exactly the same way as his pursuers.

Bartolome, however, assured that the entire PNP forces are on alert for the country’s most high-profile fugitives.

Palparan is wanted for kidnapping and disappearances of University of the Philippines students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño who have been missing since 2006.

The general-turnedfugitive carries a P500,000 bounty for his capture.

In Pantukan

Residents ask Sangguniang Bayan to ban foreign large-scale mining

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ESIDENTS, smallscale miners, farmers, and small-time entrepreneurs of Pantukan, Compostela Valley province (Comval) yesterday filed a petition urging the Sangguniang Bayan to ban foreign large-scale mining in their town.

The petitioners say that such operations are located within the residents’ sources of livelihood, thus threatening their eventual displacement, according to Belen Galleto, spokesperson of the Save Pantukan Movement.

Morever, she added, that the ancestral domain of the local indigenous people have been included in some claims of open-pit mining operations, threatening their cultural, economic, political, territorial, and tenurial rights.

“The residents pushing for the resolution are challenging the members of Sangguniang Bayan to

listen to the voice of the people and adopt the people-initiated resolution,” she said.

The resolution stated that although largescale mineral extraction may generate taxes and employment, still environmental degradation will be aggravated causing destruction in the biodiversity of upland, lowland and coastal ecosystems, including watershed areas.

The petitioners argue that big mining companies cannot simply by-pass the local government unit, which must emulate direct governance and will of the people as provided for by the Local Government Code.

Galleto said the resolution is asserting people’s right stated in the Constitution Article XIII, Section 16 recognizing that the people have the right to effectively participate in all levels of decision-making through their organizations.

In Pantukan, the St. Augustine Gold and Copper Limited, a subsidiary of Russell Mining and Minerals, Inc., acquired a mining claim on 1,656 hectares with the Nationwide Development Corporation (NADECOR) with an estimated $24.8 billion dollars of total value of gold and copper.

The Napnapan Mineral Resources, Inc. (NMRI) also had its claim on 4,912 hectares approved by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

“These mining giants are moving mountains in search of mega profits at the expense of human lives, people’s livelihood and fragile ecosystems.

Their operations will not bring substantial and real development because of 100% repatriation of profits and 5-10 years tax holidays while the cost of damage to the environment and people’s livelihood are huge,” she Gelleto said. [LORIE A. CASCARO]

Health Safety and Development (IOHSAD), Crispin B. Beltran Resource Center (CBBRC) and the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU).

Foreign delegates coming from labor groups in South Korea, United States, Belgium, Australia, Japan and Germany will be joining the ISMM. “These are professionals who’ll be here to examine the extent of plunder of large-scale mining operations specifically those implemented by transnational companies and to look into ways on how communities and workers can be protected from the destruction engendered by mining operations,” Alcantara said in a statement.

Part of the ISMM is for the delegates to visit mining spots in the abovementioned regions.

The ISMM specifically aims to assess the impacts of mining operations in (1) communities’ employment, environment and livelihood

vis-à-vis revenues generated or the profitability of the multinational mining companies; 2) the economic status and working conditions of the workers in the mines such as their wages, benefits and health and safety conditions; and (3) trade union rights of workers especially with regard to fundamental principles and rights at work in line with the international labor standards and international humanitarian law.

“Delegates are also expected to share experiences about mining campaigns and workers’ struggles from different countries” and “create avenues for international solidarity of mine workers and contribute in the strengthening of the struggle of Filipino workers in the mining industry,” Alcantara said.

Findings and recommendation of the ISMM will be presented through a press conference at Quezon City on April 30. [JADE C.

Labor groups hold mining gab

S

IX labor organizations of the country along with foreign delegates are gathered for the annual International Solidarity Mission on Mining (ISMM) to address labor rights violations in mining sites and environmental destruction due to widespread mining operations.

The ISMM which started yesterday and set to end May 2 is taking place in mining hotspots of the Cordillera and Caraga regions.

“The mission is expected to come up with resolutions and recommendations that will further step up the campaign against destructive mining operations in the Philippines,” said Metal Workers Alliance of the Philippines secretary general Reden Alcantara.

The gathering is organized by the MWAP, the Integrated Philippine Electronics Network (iPEN), Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR), Institute for Occupational

ZALDIVAR]

Ateneo de Davao University president Rev. Fr. Joel Tabora, S,J. receives a gift from Senator Loren Legarda during the 23rd national convention of the Association of Law Students of the Philippines on Wednesday. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

P4.5M livelihood grants for release

By Lorie A. Cascaro

T

O include informal sectors in the celebration of workers’ day, the region’s Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will release a total of P4,574,240 in financial grants to 1,632 beneficiaries.

Supported by local government units (LGUs), government officials, and non-government organizations, the grants are in the form of start-up capital, raw materials, equipments, tools, jigs, and starter kits among others.

Starter kits worth P200,000 will be given to 150 women and outof-school youth (OSY) in the third district of Davao City, and worth P241,000 to 120 women and OSY in the first district.A coco coir and bio-organic production facility worth P490,000 was granted to Talomo River Multipurpose Cooperative, benefiting 99 farmers and women at Talomo River, Calinan, Davao City.

A total of P300,900 was allotted for the installation of fish pot fishing project for 83 fisher folks in Caraga, Davao Oriental.

Also in Davao Oriental, particularly at Brgy.

San Isidro, a handicraft production project (bayong, mat and novelties using Romblon & other indigenous materials) worth P465,350 will benefit 150 indigenous people (IP), women and OSY. There will be 86 IPs, farmers and women, also in Barangay San Isidro, Manay, Brgy. Ompao and Limot, Tarragona will benefit an abaca comprehen-

sive assistance in making quality fiber twines worth P480,000.

Seventy farmers in Bry, San Rafael, Cateel, Davao Oriental will be provided with a common service facility for rice production worth P495,000.

A bayong-weaving project worth P198,840 will benefit 27 farmers and women in Tamban, Gov. Generoso, Davao Oriental.

A charcoal production project worth P215,000 will be granted to 50 farmers in Binasbas, Laak, Davao del Norte.

Negokart/starter kits for mobile vendors benefitting 50 informal sector in Maragusan, Compostela Valley (COMVAL) is worth P274,000.

Starter Kits (indigenous beads making) worth P50,000 will be given to 20 IP’s women in New Bataan, COMVAL. Still in COMVAL at Purok 4, Andili, Mawab, 222 informal sector will benefit from a mineral water refilling station project worth P480,000.

A cacao production facility worth P445,000 will benefit 89 farmers Basiawan, Sta Maria, Davao del Sur. Bagsakan ng Barangay (consumers store)

Quips

worth P389,500 will benefit 270 parents of child laborers in Kibuaya, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur. And, 146 wage workers in Brgys. Camoning, San Vicente & Magatos, Asuncion, Davao del Norte will benefit from a cavendish banana peelers project worth P315,000.

On May 1, DOLE 11 will conduct a jobs and livelihood fair in Davao City, simultaneously at Gaisano Mall of Davao and SM City Davao.

During the program, there will be a releasing of livelihood grants to the beneficiaries of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program towards Community Enterprise Development (DILP-CED); and awarding of Certificates of Entitlements for Starter Kits and Equipments to beneficiaries.

The launching of DOLE- SPES (Special Program for Employment of Students) – TESDA TWSP (Training for Work Scholarship Program) Convergence Project for Out of School Youth (OSY) will be held there.

It will include the awarding of Certificates of Entitlement to SPES-TWSP Project Grantees, which last April 24, has benefitted 1,100 OSY.

‘THE inflation numbers for the first three months of the year, pegged at 3.1 percent, are much better than last year’s numbers, this is the best situation.’

--Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo. PDI

EDGEDAVAO

THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 37 • APRIL 26, 2012

North Cotabato brownouts blamed on TMI’s ‘high’ rate

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HE Cotabato Electric Cooperative (Cotelco) has blamed the daily eighthour brownouts in the province on the “high” rate being charged by the Aboitiz-owned Therma Marine Inc. for the use of its power barge in Maco, Compostela Valley.

“The TMI is charging Cotelco too high. Aside from that, they demand that we pay them in advance for the power we have not yet consumed,” Cotelco spokesperson Vincent Baguio said in an interview over Catholicran dxND. Baguio said TMI wanted to charge Cotelco P16.11 per kilowatt, or P4 more than the increase approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

He added the TMI is demanding a P4-million security bond and an advance payment of P14 million.

“This is hurting the electric cooperative so much. We are the most affected here,” he said.

Cotelco said it wants to draw at least eight megawatts from TMI’s power barge, in addition to its 15.4 megawatts of daily load dispatch from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines

(NGCP).

Baguio said they have asked the ERC to intervene saying the brownouts would continue until May if they could not procure additional power supply.

He said Cotelco has three options: buy expensive power from TMI and pass on the cost to its consumers; press the national government into dispatching the needed 26 megawatts from the two geothermal power plants in Mount Apo; wait until the Pulangi IV plant resumes operations next month.

Cotelco’s pronouncement that the brownouts may last till May has dismayed some residents in the city, “We were assured we would get over this crisis, but it seems forever,” said Bernard Capilitan, a trader.

Augusto Sanoy, a tricycle driver from Barangay Singao, said he has spent much on buying candles and kerosene.

Brownouts here are scheduled from 5 to 8 pm and from 7 am to 12 noon.

Local officials and residents have set Friday, April 27, as a “Day of Mourning and Protest” over the power crisis in Mindanao. (MALU CADELINA MA-

Solons want to amend Dangerous Drugs law

W

ITH drug abuse and drug trafficking unabated even in the remotest barangays of the country, lawmakers have filed a bill amending the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 by intensifying the anti-drug campaign of the government.

The proposed amendments are contained in House Bill 5973 authored

by Reps. Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan deo Oro City), Maximo Rodriguez, Jr. (Party-list, Abante Mindanao), and Jeffrey Ferrer (4th District, Negros Occidental).

“It is high time to institutionalize the support mechanism of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to the lead agency, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA),” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said the anti-illegal drug campaign has been weakened by the evolving misconception that the drug problem is no longer a PNP or NBI concern but solely of PDEA. Under the bill, Rodriguez said the PDEA shall be the lead agency in the anti drug campaign.

NAR/MINDANEWS)

Rodriguez said the PNP, NBI and the BOC shall maintain their respective permanent and regular anti-illegal drugs unit to strengthen their support mechanism to PDEA. The PNP, NBI and BOC shall coordinate and inform the lead agency of their anti-drug operations within 24 hours after the termination of the investigation and actual custody of the suspects or seizure of any dangerous drugs and controlled precursor and essential chemicals.

“There must be a holistic approach and consolidated efforts between and among the law enforcement agencies since the drug problem remains a law enforcement/police concern, and the PDEA, in reality, cannot address the drug problem without the indispensable support of other law enforcement agencies,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (PNP-AIDSOTF), the NBI Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force (NBI-AIDTF) and the Bureau of Customs Task Force were created pursuant to Executive Order 218 to strengthen the support mechanism for PDEA.

3

SUMMER CLASS. College students taking their summer classes cheerily walk inside a campus of a big university in the city on Wednesday. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

EAGA airlines complement efforts for sub-regional transport linkages A

IRLINE industry leaders from the Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines urged for collaborative efforts between the private sector and government institutions to fast track and enhance air transport connectivity within the sub-region.

During the 1st Equator Asia Air Access Forum and Airline CEOs Summit, executives of Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, MASWings, SEA Air, and Mid-sea Express have expressed their respective concerns in taking on the BIMP routes, specifically infrastructure support, market availability, and cost of doing business.

The airline summit served as a venue for all players and stakeholders of the airline and travel industries to discuss and thresh out strategic recommendations aimed at improving air connectivity within the sub-region.

Of the three concerns raised, business cost was considered the most pressing issue, considering that addressing it would require policy interventions.

In the meantime, Transportation and Communications Undersecretary Jose Perpetuo Lotilla reassured industry players that the Philippines is currently working on improvements to facilitate more flights

from the country to other BIMP destinations.

“We need to come up with the right regulations and infrastructure, and we are happy to say that these are already being demonstrated. Infrastructure programs are already being rolled out to improve our air transportation sector,” Lotilla said.

Moreover, Civil Aeronautics Board Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla reported that the country offers fifty percent discounts on filing, regulatory, landing, take-off, parking, navigational, and passenger terminal fees to all interested airlines that wish to operate EAGA routes.

Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport also proposed for EAGA countries to come up with a flowchart of their respective application processes and streamline best practices that will be identified.

Industry players remain optimistic on achieving better air linkages as MASwings Managing Director Capt. Mohd Nawawi Bin Awang revealed during the summit that the company is looking into reviving the Davao-Manado flights.

“We are looking at the market very closely; we want to ensure sustainability. We do not want to go here for 3-5 months and then be gone,” Awang said.

The sustainability of

such flights has been one of the hurdles of several airline companies that took the BIMP routes, including Bouraq and Sriwijaya Airlines which have stopped flying due to low load factor.

Mid-Sea Express has been flying missionary flights from Davao to Manado for three months now, and will increase flights to twice a week next month.

President Benigno Aquino III along with other BIMP-EAGA leaders discussed strategic thrusts of BIMP-EAGA in the fields of enhanced transport, power and communication, connectivity, and tourism development during the BIMP-EAGA leaders summit held earlier this month.

“We reaffirm our commitment and support to the BIMP-EAGA cooperation initiatives and pledge to step-up our individual and collective actions to more effectively address the hurdles in realizing the BIMP-EAGA vision and goals,” said the leaders in a joint statement.

Industry players also encouraged local government institutions to take part in creating more market for BIMP-EAGA routes, promoting their respective cities to neighboring BIMP destinations and vice-versa.

Meanwhile, Secretary

Luwalhati Antonino, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chair and Philippine Signing Minister for BIMP-EAGA said efforts are continuously done at the EAGA level to strengthen implementation of the existing MOU on Air Linkages, which aims to foster trade and investments initiatives, as well as tourism.

The MOU is set to be amended by the four countries this July, to include additional designated points such as Bandar Serigawan (Brunei); Balikapan, Makasar, Manado, Potiana, and Takaran (Indonesia) Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Labuan, Miri, Sandakan, Tawau, and Mulu (Malaysia); and Davao, General Santos, Puerto Princesa, Zamboanga, and Cagayan de Oro (Philippines).

BIMP-EAGA is an economic cooperation formally created in 1994 covering the entire Brunei Darussalam; 10 provinces in the Indonesian islands of Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku and Irian Jaya; Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan in Malaysia; and Mindanao and Palawan in the Philippines.

The ASEAN subgrouping is primarily intended to spur development in the lagging sub-economies of the member countries by boosting intra-EAGA trade, tourism and investments.

by the Association of Law Students of the Philippines at the Ateneo de Davao University, said that while the regulation of the mining industry and enforcement of mining policies remain a great challenge to the government, there is another emerging concern—the mining activities’ propen-

sity to exacerbate the impacts of climate change.

“The design of mining infrastructure based on weather information prior to the projections of climate change may cause disasters of greater magnitude when extreme weather events occur,” she pointed out.

She explained that in-

tense rainfall could trigger massive erosion especially in areas already prone to landslides as what happened in a smallscale mining community in Pantukan, Compostela Valley. Landslides triggered by incessant rains occurred in the said community in April 2011 and earlier this year, killing no

[MINDA]

Legarda calls for climate-resilient mining

S

ENATOR Loren Legarda called for the sustainable and responsible development of the country’s mineral resources and stressed that the effects of climate change should be considered in mining activities.

Legarda, who is keynote speaker at the mining conference organized

FLEGARDA, 13

4 SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 ISSUE 37 • APRIL 26, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Soccsksargen high-risk to climate change impact A

major portion of Region 12 or the Soccsksargen Region is highly at risk to the threats of a changing climate condition, an official warned over the weekend.

Herlita Caraan, National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) Region 12 chief, said that more rainfall, an increase in temperature and rising sea level would hit the area in the medium term (2020-2050).

In a fact sheet, NSCB12 warned of worse flooding, landslide and storm surges affecting hundreds of villages in the region as a result of climate change.

Based on a mid-range scenario simulations by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), rainfall in Region 12 was predicted to increase in 2020 by as much as 14.8 percent and 15.6 percent by 2050.

The increased rainfall was projected to happen during the north-east monsoon season (De-

cember to February) and during the transition of seasons from September to November.

“This period[s] will be wetter and with potential for increased flooding, storm surge and landslide,” Caraan said.

According to the geohazard maps from the regional Mines and Geosciences Bureau, at least 300 barangays in the region are high-risk to flooding as they are located near major river tributaries and low land zones.

The MGB-12 also classified some 200 villages in elevated areas and those near sloppy areas as highrisk to landslides.

Forty-eight coastal villages are vulnerable to storm surges while 26 other have high potential for tsunami, it added.

Temperatures are expected to increase across all four seasons though it would be much hotter during the summer season (March to May) across all provinces in the region, the NSCB-12 said.

PAGASA further projected an annual mean

temperature increase from the observed baseline by 0.9oC to 1.3oC in 2020 and from 1.9oC to 2.5oC in 2050 in Region 12, it said.

Health authorities have warned that warmer temperatures would result to increase risks to infectious diseases like malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever and encephalitis.

“More people will be vulnerable to cholera as algal blooms may occur more frequently. Red tide in coastal waters will become more frequent and widespread,” it said.

For rising seawater, the NSCB-12, citing a Greenpeace report titled “The Philippines: A Climate Hotspot,“ said that an estimated 11,664,000 square meters of land in Region 12 will be vulnerable to a one-meter sea level rise.

“Areas most likely to be affected are coastal areas in Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, General Santos City, including Cotabato City as 70 percent of the city’s total land area is below sea level, the NSCB-12 said.

government.”

He cited the recent biodiversity assessment conducted in Southern Leyte in November last year that resulted in the discovery of two new species of frogs that belong to genus Platymantis and a total of 229 recorded flora species, 31 of which are unique to the country.

The assessment was jointly conducted by the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) of the DENR, DENR-Region 8, the Flora and Fauna International and the National Museum of the Philippines.

“The discovery of the new frog species brings pride to every Filipino as our country harbors an array of amazing wildlife, many of which are still waiting to discovered,” he said.

The Philippines has been recognized in the international community as having the highest rate of discovery of new species in the world. In the last 10 years, at least 36 new endemics have been discovered in various parts of the country.

The ground assessment on Mt. Nacolod revealed that there were still “some patches of pristine forest” on the mountain where the two frogs were discovered, some portions of it have been opened up due to agricultural expansion and

the pressure of growing human population.

Meanwhile, PAWB director Theresa Mundita Lim said during the event that the discovery of some 40 new species in the country in the last 10 years, including the new frog species from Mt. Nacolod and a new species of cloud rat in Dinagat Island, “make the Philippines a conservation priority country in the world”.

“Biodiversity brings immeasurable direct and indirect benefits not only to the country but also to the global community. This is the reason why the government is continuously working towards providing the necessary conservation measures to rehabilitate and protect the habitats of species,” Lim said.

Also present during the unveiling ceremony were Ralph Timmermann, deputy head of Mission, German Embassy; Dr. Bern-Markus Liss, principal advisor for the Climate –Relevant Modernization of Forest Policy and Piloting of Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) in the Philippines, GIZ; Dr. Neil Aldrin D. Mallari, country director of Fauna and Flora International; and Director Jeremy Barns of the National Museum of the Philippines. [PNA]

DENR calls on research institutions for partnership in biodiversity assessment

E

nvironment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje urged research institutions and support organizations to join the agency in the conduct of comprehensive biodiversity assessment and inventory of the country’s key biodiversity areas (KBAs) and protected areas.

Paje made the call during the recent unveiling of two new species of frog discovered in Mt. Nacolod in Southern Leyte, at the National Museum in Manila.

“With the highest rate of discovery of new species in the country, it is expedient for the DENR and support organizations, especially research institutions, to conduct more comprehensive biodiversity assessments in our key biodiversity areas (KBAs) and protected areas,” Paje said in a speech read by DENR Undersecretary Analiza Teh. Paje said such assessments were important to the discovery of more species and in providing policy and decision makers a sound basis for crafting appropriate conservation measures.

But, at the same time, he admonished that “we must move fast and produce credible results as we are competing against other pressing economic development agenda of the

Soccsksargen

[PNA]

A

Birding sites proposed in Puerto Princesa City

Puerto Princesa City councilor has filed a resolution at the Sangguniang Panlungsod requesting and urging the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS) and other environment agencies to study three proposed birding sites before they are opened to bird lovers and enthusiasts.

Councilor Erwin Edualino, the chairman of the Committee on Tourism in the Sangguniang Panlungsod, wanted the PCSDS, the implementing arm of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), to do a study on the carry-

ing capacity of each site to be able to provide guidelines not only to bird guides, tour guides, but potential guests and visitors as well.

Edualino’s resolution came following proposals from various groups, including the Palawan Ornithological Society (POS), to open bird watching as an ecotourism activity in Puerto Princesa. The sites being proposed are Barangay Simpocan on the west coast of the city, Sitio Sabang, Barangay Cabayugan, and Barangay Tagabenit.

“Unless a study of these sites is conducted, we cannot open bird

watching as part of the eco-tourism tour packages because the areas where they live have sensitive biodiversities.

We need to know how many can be accommodated so the birds, too, won’t be disturbed in their natural environment”, he said, adding biodiversity can’t be sacrificed in the name of tourism, no matter how much money it will bring in to the locals.

At Sitio Sabang, guests are often entertained by the sights of birds, such as the Palawan peacock pheasant, blue-naped parrot, Tabon bird, and talking mynah, among others. [PNA]

mental committee said this year’s theme is “Winning the War on Waste”, which encourages enterprises across different industries to apply the “3Rs” — reduce, reuse, recycle — in their waste management systems.

Macapgal said the theme reflects their optimism for an even bigger staging of the ZBO this year.

He also stressed the importance of the implementation of Republic Act 9003.

“What’s important here is to really get the enforcement of the law and the spirit of the law going,” Macapagal said during the launching of ZBO 2012 in Manila.

The competition aimed

to encourage corporate participants so that they could demonstrate the most efficient ecological solid waste management practices in their respective areas of operation, he said.

The ZBO is an advocacy campaign towards a zerowaste Philippines through a creative mechanism of implementing Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

It is a friendly competition among stakeholders in the local business sector to implement waste reduction, segregation at source, composting, recycling and reuse as well as the application of various green technologies.

PBSP launches ‘Zero Basura Olympics’ 2012

T

he private sector launched Wednesday the “Zero Basura Olympics for Business.”

This means they were encouraging businesses from different industries to apply beneficial practices in their respective waste management initiatives.

The corporate-led Philippine Business for Social Progress, which organized of the ZBO for Business competition with Earth Day Network Philippines Inc., said the ZBO is a biyearly event for industrial, commercial or corporate companies that practice innovative solid waste management.

Chito Macapagal, chairman of PBSP’s environ-

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

5 International brand to revive image THE ECONOMY

VOL.5 ISSUE 37 • APRIL 26, 2012

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TALIAN fashion empire Luciano Benetton, foreshadowed plans to revive the flagging brand when he took control as chairman on Tuesday.

Luciano Benetton, 76, who founded the Benetton Group with his two brothers Gilberto and Carlo and sister Giuliana in 1965, announced he was standing aside after 47 years in charge of the company.

“Now it is the turn of my son Alessandro to become chairman,” Luciano Benetton said. “The challenge, however, is the same as ever. To create, imagine and be innovative: this is what entrepreneurs have always done and will continue to do.”

Assuming his new role, Alessandro Benetton, 48, immediately signalled a new approach as the Benetton Group invested 10 million euros (around 13 million U.S. dollars) for a 2 percent stake in Italian cashmere producer Brunello Cucinelli, which is currently listing its shares in Milan.

“It’s a high-quality investment, an entrepreneur I hold in high esteem,” Alessandro Benetton told reporters at the shareholder meeting at the company headquarters in the northeastern city of Ponzano, near Treviso.

“It’s a purely financial investment and opens a dialogue as far I’m concerned,” he said.

Bruno Cucinelli, which will make its debut on the Milan bourse on Friday, is expected to have a market capitalization of 527 million euros.

But Benetton sought to play down speculation that this could be one of several new alliances for Benetton, which is facing fierce international competition from Zara, owned by Spain’s Inditex, and Sweden’s H&M as both sell quality sportswear at affordable prices.

Between 2000 and 2010, Benetton’s revenues have remained steady at around 2 billion euros. By comparison, sales at Inditex have soared to 12.5 billion euros.

“I don’t foresee any alliance or financial or industrial partner in the short-term,” he told the media. “But by nature, I do not rule it out.”

Alessandro Benetton had been deputy-chairman of Benetton since 2007 and served on the board of directors since 1998.

He was an analyst at Gold-

man Sachs in London until 1992 when he established his own merchant bank “21 Investimenti” which has a network of private equity funds with combined assets of 1.3 billion euros with interests in France, Italy and soon Poland.

His father said he had proved himself as an entrepreneur and had the right skills to lead Benetton into the future.

“Alessandro has shown - not least in his business career when he set up ‘21 Investimenti’ - that he is not a quitter,” the family patriarch said.

“The results testify to this. He is someone who aims for success in everything he does and that is what he will achieve.”

The company has a global network of 6,500 stores in 120 countries and in his previous role Alessandro played a key role in expanding Benetton’s interests in China and India.

“Our presence in five continents will be one of the elements that will allow us to overcome this delicate moment,” he said.

It may be one of the bestknown Italian fashion brands, but the company has suffered from stiff competition in the midst of the global economic crisis and its net profit fell from 156 million euros in 2008 to 73 million euros in 2011.

It also has almost 548 million euros in net debt and is facing pressure to refinance a large portion of that by September 2012.

“We are tackling this critical time with a cohesive, expert and motivated organization, starting with the increasingly international top management team, which I started to put together in just the last two years,” the new chairman said.

However, experts have questioned its business model which relies on a network of franchises and the company’s limited expansion outside Europe, amid pressure on the young Benetton to reenergize the fashion brand.

The company said its decision to leave the Milan Stock Exchange in March and return control of the company to the family was the first step in making it more competitive.

“Leaving the stock market and investing in ourselves and the future of the group is a clear demonstration of

our commitment, determination and intention to move beyond this complex phase,” Alessandro Benetton said.

“We want to invest in our strengths, in particular our worldwide presence, our invaluable network of commercial and industrial partners, the global fame and reputation of our brands, and our colorful fashions,”he said.

Benetton opened its first store outside Italy in Paris in 1969 and its brightly colored

sweaters, pants and jackets became the cutting edge of a new kind of casual Italian fashion around the world.

The company’s controversial advertising campaigns like last year’s “Unhate” campaign created headlines and extended the brand’s reach.

Benetton was forced to withdraw the campaign which featured Pope Benedict XVI kissing a senior Egyptian imam on the lips and other world leaders.

Ayala, MPIC join forces for light rail projects

T

HE country’s two largest conglomerates are joining forces to develop light rail projects in Metro Manila.

Ayala Corp. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp. on Monday signed a memorandum of agreement to form an exclusive strategic partnership to jointly pursue and develop light rail projects in the greater Metro Manila area.

Under the agreement, each of the parties will own a 50 percent interest in the light rail projects and related real estate development undertakings.

The partnership is initially eyeing to bid for the light rail transit projects identified under the government’s Public Private Partnership program (PPP).

However, it is also open to work together on other railrelated opportunities.

Ayala and MPIC are two of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines with a combined market capitalization of over P300 billion.

Each has a solid track record and experience in developing large-scale infrastructure projects. These two companies have proven their respective capabilities in delivering public utilities such as water infrastructure services and toll road operations and management.

The combination of their experiences in these sectors, plus their individual expertise and capabilities in other areas, power distribution and healthcare in the case of MPIC, and large scale mixed use real estate projects in the case of Ayala, create a unique and powerful alliance that can bring immense value as the country seeks to improve its light rail

transit system.

“We are glad to be partnering with the Metro Pacific Investments group for this specific purpose. We each have unique strengths and capabilities that, when combined, create a unique value proposition in rail development. We hope to contribute meaningfully in helping raise the standards of our public utilities. This is vital to our nation’s progress and competitiveness. Developing an efficient mass transit system is a huge endeavor which will be better served by the synergies created by this partnership,” Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, the chairman and chief executive of Ayala said.

For his part, MPIC Chairman, Manuel V. Pangilinan said: “We are pleased to share a common ground with Ayala Corporation through the Light Rail Projects. This strategic alliance will create integrated solutions that will improve public transportation through our vision to transform the country’s light rail transit system into a network very much like those in Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Osaka.”

“The existing system is over capacity and under invested – the need to improve the existing rail systems now cannot be overemphasized. Our initiative to join hands in addressing these concerns, signifies our commitment to help Filipinos become more productive and to contribute to the country’s overall infrastructure development and economic growth, ” Pangilinan said.

This is not the first time Ayala and MPIC forged an alliance. Both companies also combined forces in the bid for the Angat water project in March 2010.

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 37 • APRIL 26, 2012

Domingo sees favorable economic growth in 2012 I T

RADE Secretary Gregory L. Domingo expressed confidence that the Philippines will get more foreign direct investment this year as its competitiveness rating and desirability as an investment destination continue to increase.

“Since the new Aquino Administration took over, we have made significant progress on many sides. A lot of it is anchored on the good governance agenda of the government. We have been working very hard in creating transparency, simple and clearer procedures, and less red tape,” said Domingo during the Euromoney’s Philippines Investment Forum.

He cited the Philippine Business Registry (PBR) as an example of government effort to streamline business registration and eliminate red tape.

The PBR integrates the processes in transacting with several government agencies to start operating a business. It basically provides a real time link with agencies involved in business registration such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Social Security System (SSS), Pag-ibig Fund, PhilHealth, and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Domingo said that the PBR cut down the period for business registration to 30 minutes. The previous registration process normally took one to two weeks.

“We also have rela-

ICTSI set to complete ports abroad

tively stable labor cost. In fact, we now have cheaper labor cost than the coastal areas of China. So, we have seen a lot of firms operating in China now moving some of their operations here,” Domingo said.

He also cited the growing list of Filipino companies expanding overseas as a very good indicator of the country’s current and future competitiveness. As examples of these companies, he cited San Miguel Corp. (SMC) and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), and the group of companies led by the country’s business taipans, namely Lucio Tan, John Gokongwei, and Henry Sy. According to Domingo, the growth of these companies outside the country was a statement of confidence that they would be competitive in foreign markets. Based on their success, these companies are seen to bring back their international practices to the Philippines. In the long run, these practices are perceived to advance the country to the next level of economic development.

Domingo also stated other conditions contributing to country’s good investment environment such as low inflation rate environment, good fiscal situation, improving infrastructure, and strong banking system.

The foregoing conditions should enable the Philippines to capitalize on its traditional competitive advantages, particularly skilled English-

speaking workforce, said Domingo. In fact, 10 percent of the population are overseas workers.

“For this year’s competitiveness surveys, we expect to see a huge improvement since a lot of the reforms are not yet reflected in last year’s surveys,” said Domingo. The country’s competitiveness ranking has been increasing as recently released by World Economic Forum (WEF), Heritage Foundation, and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).

He also mentioned a growing list of industry winners: tourism, electronics and semi-conductor, call centers, back office processing, information technology (IT) outsourcing, tropical fruits, garments, pre-fabricated housing, shipbuilding, large scale metal fabrication, aircraft maintenance, coconut products, and solar cell manufacturing.

“We see a huge increase in approved foreign direct investments (FDI) from investment promotion agencies (IPAs) in 2010 and 2011. The 2011 approved investments broke all the records,” Domingo said.

In 2011, IPA-approved FDI grew by 30.6 percent to P256.1 billion. The Philippines’ IPAs include the Board of Investments (BOI), Clark Development Corp. (CDC), Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) as well as the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) and Board of Investments

Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BOIARMM).

“Twenty-two percent of all Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) registered investments since 1995 happened in the last 18 months. And we are speeding up,” Domingo said.

The PEZA recorded P449.7 billion in investments since the Aquino administration took office in July of 2010. The major sources of investments were Japan and the United States.

Domingo noted that renewed confidence from the global community is also seen in the influx of inbound investment missions early this year. He named investment missions from Qatar, Iran, Czech Republic, Germany, Kuwait and Turkey, as well as big Japanese companies like Toyota, Toshiba, Bank of Tokyo, Mitsubishi, Somitomo, and Marubeni.

“There is so much interest in the Philippines right now. A lot of the interest started with the good governance agenda of President Aquino,“ said Domingo.

“Based on what I’ve seen on the ground, I think we’re going to exceed a gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 7 percent for 2012,” he noted.

“The Philippines is a good place to invest based on our experience in the past 32 years,” Texas Instruments Philippines, Inc. (TI) managing director Noberto A. Viera said during the Euromoney Conference.

a dynamic labor market,” the NCE resolution said. The annual conference is organized by the Employers Confederation of the Philippines.

On the first resolution, the 33rd NCE said that the review of the Labor Code should include reform of pertinent regulatory provisions overtaken by the rapid changes taking place in the global marketplace and which have become archaic and inflexible in terms of providing the environment that would enable enterprises to flourish and compete in the face of relentless globalization.

The resolution also called for the repeal of, and desistance from imposing, harsh penal sanctions against employers for non-egregious violation of Labor Law, and instead prescription of appropriate sanctions with

corresponding civil liability, including damages.

On the second resolution, ECOP further pushed for the implementation as policy and incorporation in the Labor Code of the two-tiered wage system introduced by the Department of Labor-National Wage and Productivity Council, to rationalize regional minimum wage fixing.

The first tier consists of a basic regional floor wage as safety net which uses as additional standard/criterion reference to the prevailing regional poverty threshold and is intended to protect the incomes of the most vulnerable workers such as the unskilled and new entrants to the labor force.

The second tier consists of a productivity-based pay system based on wage advisories to guide enterprises in the design and implemen-

tation of adjusting wages above the floor wages.

On the third resolution, ECOP has urged for the implementation of priority public-private partnership projects to spur the generation of employment and spiral economic activities.

Businesses are also urged to practice Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) that focuses not only on profit but also on contribution to the welfare and the safety of the environment.

The employers group also committed, as its fifth resolution, to strengthen social dialogue with responsible trade unions in tandem with government in addressing issues of mutual concern, particularly in securing an equitable balance of rights and obligations between employers and workers arising from law and policy.

Employers call for reforms T

HE Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) passed a five-point resolution on Tuesday calling for reforms in the labor market to improve competitiveness, productivity and sustain the country’s economic growth.

The two-page resolution of the 33rd National Conference of Employers, with the theme “Pathways to Growth,” calls for: comprehensive and inclusive review of the Labor Code, including all labor-related legislation; the implementation of a two-tiered wage system in the country; practice of corporate social responsibility programs; sustain efforts to improve growth; and continued dialogues with responsible trade unions.

“These measures are critical pathways to sustained growth and the operation of

EDGEDAVAO

NTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) has sped up infrastructure spending to meet the target completion of port developments of Greenfield projects next year.

ICTSI chairman and president Enrique K. Razon Jr. said ICTSI will spend US$ 550 million this year for its greenfield projects Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia as well as other ports such as Manila, Brazil, Ecuador and Croatia.

ICTSI is developing Tecplata S. A. located at the head waters of the River Santiago Este in the Port of La Plata, province of Buenos Aires Argentina.

The development of the port will be done in three phases with the first phase having an estimated annual capacity of 450,000 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEUs) with 2 berth positions.

It is targeted to be completed by the first half of 2013.

ICTSI expects the delivery of 4 quay cranes and 9 rubber tired gantries (RTGs) by the second half of the year. The construction and equipment cost is estimated at US$ 260 million of which 60 percent is for civil works, 21 percent equipment/IT and 19 percent for dredging.

ICTSI’s Contecon Manzanillo S.A. (CMSA) in the Port of Manzanillo, on the Pacific coast of Mexico will develop and operate the second specialized container terminal.

The port development has three phases, with the first phase having an estimated annual capacity of 450,000 TEUs with 2 berth positions. The construction takes 18 to 24 months and is estimated to be completed by the second half of 2013.

By first quarter next

year, it will see the delivery of 4 quay cranes and 10 RTGs. Estimated construction and equipment cost is at US$ 250 million of which 75 percent is for civil works and dredging, 22 percent for equipment and 3 percent for IT. The Sociedad Puerto Industrial Aguadulce S.A. (SPIA) located in the Port of Buenaventura, on the Pacific coast of Colombia has an ongoing tender process for major civil work contract.

The development of the port will be done in three phases with the first phase having an estimated annual capacity of 450,000 TEUs with 2 berth positions. The construction period will take 24 to 36 months.

The Adriatic Gate Container Terminal, on the other hand is undergoing expansion to add 2.9 hectare in yard area and 328 meter in quay length.

It will increase its current annual capacity of 250,000 TEUs to 600,000 TEUs once the expansion is completed next year.

ICTSI will be celebrating its 25th year anniversary on June 12, 2013. Razon vowed to further expand their business to hit the main goal, claiming “we have no accomplishment, until we’re number one in the world.”

“We remain focused on what we are good at: servicing end- destination cargo. We also continue to be on the look-out for new acquisitions. We are not sitting on our laurels.

There is a lot more to be done, more room for improvement, and more shores to explore. We eagerly look forward to our next 25 years. May you continue to have faith in ICTSI,” he said.

He said they are scouring Africa for two port acquisitions, but they have not received ‘official words’ yet. (PNA)

OUPON rate of the government’s freshly-issued seven-year Treasury bond (T-bond) stood at five percent but its average rate went up against previously issued notes with similar tenor.

Average rate of the debt paper rose to 4.99 percent from 4.50 percent on Feb, 16, 2012.

Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran told reporters after the auction that coupon rate of the bond was in line with the secondary market rate.

Done deal rate for the said tenor stood at 4.85 percent on Wednesday while best bid was at

5.19 percent.

“We just aligned with the secondary market rates,” Beltran, who is part of the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr)auction committee, said.

Beltran said that the rise in the rate of the debt paper was not unusual, citing that rate of this tenor declined last February from five percent on August 16 last year.

The government offered the bond for P9 billion and tenders totaled to P10.98 billion.

The auction committee partially awarded the bond at P3.7 billion on account of the rise in the rate.

T-bonds remain at 5 percent C

EDGEDAVAO

PROPERTY

VOL.5 ISSUE 37 • APRIL 26, 2012

7

A student’s dream home

A

S Davao hosts many of the best colleges and universities in Mindanao, it’s not a surprise that many students from other cities and municipalities come here to study. And parents of these students are understandably concerned about their children living far away from them.

Transient parents can have peace of mind knowing their children go home to a secure and respectable home location in Davao, one that allows students to focus on their educational pursuits. And there’s no better home for these transient students than Camella Northpoint, Camella’s landmark condo development in Davao.

A British colonial themed condo community, Camella Northpoint offers the most conducive environment for students to live and study, with its central location and naturefilled surroundings that is fresh, tranquil, and beautiful.

It has deluxe facilities and amenities that residents can enjoy, such as the wellappointed clubhouse, Wakefield Manor, with its multi-purpose hall, a good-sized salinated wellness pool, cabanas and grill pits, and a fitness gym.

Students can study their lessons inside their condo home and from their wide windows, take in the picture-perfect scenery of sculpted landscape, a green carpet of grass, robust trees and shrubs, and the wonderful sight of hundreds of imported Caribbean pine trees growing around the condo property.

They can open their windows to take in the fresh scent of pine, or better yet, amble over to the clubhouse to revel in the green surroundings and open spaces that give them a sense of freshness and freedom.

It’s the perfect place to have a respite from all the pressures of school.

After a stressful day of studying or a mindbreaking exam, they can go home to Camella Northpoint to unwind within its refreshing environment or simply lounge at the cabanas for a much deserved break. They can even huff their stresses out at the fitness gym, then cap their day with an invigorating lap at the pool.

Camella Northpoint is located at the junction of JP Laurel Avenue and Buhangin Road, where public transportation is accessible

right outside the condo property. Students can take a short walk from the condo buildings to the outer gates or take the free shuttle for their convenience.

Getting to their school is a breeze.

Within a three to eight kilometer radius are the University of Immaculate Conception, University of Southeastern Philippines, Ateneo de Davao University, Brokenshire College, Davao Doctors College, Davao Medical School Foundation, San Pedro College, Holy Cross of Davao College, and a host of other reputable colleges and universities.

Whether the students need to go to school, buy groceries, eat out, watch a movie, pay bills, have their laundry done, go to church, get a medical checkup, take a trip, hang out with friends,

or get their daily essentials, they can do all these easily and conveniently while living at Camella Northpoint.

In less than ten minutes, they can get to supermarkets like Robinsons at Abreeza Mall and Robinsons Cybergate, Park & Shop in Victoria Plaza, Gaisano Supermarket at Gaisano Mall, and in another soon-to-open mall.

Also quite near are banks such as BDO, BPI, RCBC, Chinabank, Unionbank, Metrobank, and others, and hospitals like DMSF, Brokenshire, Davao Doctors, and DMC. The airport, seaport, and van terminals to outlying provinces are less than 20 minutes away.

Recreational areas, dining hotspots, shopping centers, department stores, malls and other mixed-use developments are quite

proximate to Camella Northpoint.

It’s not called the newest premier address in town for nothing.

Whether you have one, two or three children studying in Davao, Camella Northpoint has the right home for them with its studio unit, two-bedroom and three-bedroom condo units. The condo units are now easier to acquire through Camella Davao at 2/F Delgar Building, J.P. Laurel Ave., Davao City, or at 222-0963, 222-5221, 222-5223, vismin@camella.com.ph (email) and www.camella.com. ph.

So if you’re a transient parent, rest well knowing your children are secure and happy in their condo unit at Camella Northpoint.

Because here, your children are transients no more. They are home.

8 VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 37 • APRIL 26, 2012

T

EDITORIAL

Elusive, but attainable, peace

T

HE 27th formal exploratory talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has opened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

At this juncture, one wonders how many more such formal meetings will there be before a final peace agreement has been forged, signed and ratified by both parties That is the proverbial ‘sixty-four dollar question’ the answer to which nobody knows.

Whatever, the fact that both sides are still talking—and talking civilly-despite failing to this day to see eye to eye on a number of contentious issues, somehow, is a good sign that indeed there is hope that the number of formal talks will not amount to a marathon-like talkathon.

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Yes, indeed, “we should never be afraid to negotiate,” to quote a late President of the United States of America at the height of the Vietnam war. That conflict seemed impossible to resolve at the time when tens of thousands of lives had been wasted on both sides. Who would ever think that Vietnam could rise from the ashes of war as it is today, even threatening to surpass the Philippines in various aspects of socio-economic development?

To paraphrase a popular quote of recent vintage: “Better to jaw-jaw, than to war-war.”

Here’s hoping that the GRP peace panel headed by chief negotiator Mario Victor F. Leonen, will continue to jaw-jaw with its MILF counterpart mindful of the best interest of the country—and the MILF. 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. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN • NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG

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EDGEDAVAO

The maker of growth centers

here are places that can manage to grow faster than others. Most of these places are the natural and historical growth centers or hubs.

In the Philippines, there are the Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Davao City. They are the so-called primate “cities” or urban places in the country.

Metro Manila serves as model for growing cities – a model of best practices worth replicating in some other cities, and a model of worst and lamentable situations to avoid. On the whole, however, it remains as the country’s dominant showcase of advancement and the main center of opportunities and possibilities.

The growth of Metro Cebu followed the pattern of growth of Metro Manila, albeit in a faster and more dynamic manner.

What is good about Cebu City and Metro Cebu is that they applied most of the lessons learned from the experiences of Metro Manila and other key cities worldwide.

Thus, they were able to avoid some traps and pitfalls of urbanization. Metro Cebu has also allowed market forces to operate while the local governments exist to correct market failures and inefficiencies.

In a sense, their own strengths are reinforced while new and correct measures and directions are constantly provided. It is not a perfect place yet but Metro Cebu, particularly Cebu City, has clearly put itself in the map the way it is right now. Cebu is Cebu period.

Davao City, on the other hand, remains as the third primate city in the country.

Whether a far or a close third to Cebu, it doesn’t really matter. It has its own brand of progress and development – distinct and unique to its socio-cultural and political settings. Yet, as the presumed leader of development in Mindanao, it has to play its role well. It has to project itself not in the way its political leaders paint Davao City to be, but how key development players and stakeholders, such as the business and the civil society, would actually see it.

Development is traditionally measured by esoteric indicators and statistics.

However, real development is something that can be felt and seen. It is not something that can be announced, proclaimed or claimed; it simply becomes apparent and self-evident. At the end of the day, development is something that one cannot hide; it manifests itself in many forms – pleasant to the senses.

In bringing about development, the roles of the business sector and civil society are critical. They also serve as the ultimate indicator of satisfied constituents, investors, service providers and service beneficiaries. They are very sensitive to the signals of opportunities and relevance.

Their radar can likewise detect risks and danger to investments and other economic ventures. The message is that the government must provide the safe environment in which the development players can operate and bring about sustainable growth and development.

Gone are the days when growth could be left to the normal wave of trade and commerce. As can be seen, many cities have taken strong position and have taken great strides to prove that they can also be dominant or be the leaders of their own. Their common denominator is the shared vision between the concerned local governments and the private sector (business and civil society). They have that mutual respect to allow one to correct the failures of the other. That is efficiency working to the advantage of both and, consequently, benefitting the whole society.

Soon enough, primacy in progress and development will no longer be determined by how cities were in the past. Very soon, primacy will just become part of the history unless there is that expressed and apparent determination to take necessary bold actions that go beyond mere palliative and disjointed solutions to basic social and economic problems. Do something more. Attract more investments.

Build and strengthen infrastructure support facilities so that business can thrive.

Construct more buildings and facilities to meet prospective business demands and requirements. Industrialize. Carve your economic niche. Create your own brand.

The bottomline: clearly, it is a game that private sector can excellently play!

The challenge is how to make them play on your home court.

EDGEDAVAO

N

ICE THING about that American lecturer and author, Bob Bare, was that he hardly talked about the little book he wrote on small business tips and strategies to succeed, written especially for small entrepreneurs.

Instead, he listened to Davao editors talk about what their feelings and opinions are about various issues they’ve been writing about, particularly about power generation or the lack of it here in Mindanao.

Of course, we don’t know if his interest to meet local editors was driven by mere personal curiosity or by some kind of agenda by sponsors or institutions backing his visit in Davao.

With a dinner buffet paid for by the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, Bob enjoyed rubbing elbows with editors like Tony Ajero of Edge Davao, Stella Estremera of Sun Star Davao, Hernani of Business World, photojournalist Rene Liwanag and this columnist last week at the Grand Men Seng, a nice mix of people that our writer friend Nikki Gomez put together.

It wasn’t so much that his Philippine visit was sponsored by firms and coordinated by an NGO group called Word Spring Foundation Inc. based in Cagayan de Oro City, but the fact that he came at

R

UMOR has it that a new Broadway musical on Washington will soon be in production. It draws on “Jersey Shore” and “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” which was based on the real, live “Chicken Ranch in La Grange, Texas.”

Real, live material has been cascading for weeks. From elite, take-a-bulletfor-the-president Secret Service agents catnapping in a Cartagena, Colombia, fivestar hotel with pricey hookers while prepping security for POTUS about to attend a lackluster Latin summit with 30 heads of state, to U.S. Government Services Administration workers whooping it up with taxpayers’ money at an extravagant Las Vegas “retreat,” there was no shortage of whoopti-do material for Broadway.

The Las Vegas retreat ran $823,000, including $3,200 for a “mind reader,” who evidently failed to tell them they were out of their minds to be charging the hapless taxpayer for “water bottles for the growing ‘goody bag’ and ‘tux rentals.’”

Keeping up with the taxpayer-funded freebies, Leon Panetta, when he was director of the CIA, flew a C-37 (military version of Gulfstream V) for dozens of long weekends (Thursday evening through Monday noon, former CIA colleagues say) to his Monterey walnut farm in California where his wife lives.

When deficit hawk Panetta moved from the CIA (no media) to the Pentagon (where media are on duty 24/7) last August, weekends on the West Coast became a tad more normal (Friday evening through Monday morning) -- 27 times thus far for a total of $860,000.

In an apology that promises to do something knowing it can’t be done, Panetta said he was still looking for a less expensive conveyance to his Monterey walnut patch “where it’s healthy to get

Monkey Business

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 37 • APRIL 26, 2012

A dinner with an American author this time when US troops are joining Filipino troops in a yearly Balikatan war exercise somewhere on Basilan island. Or the fact that the Chinese Navy is facing off with our Philippine Navy over there at the Spratly Islands.

But of course, I dismissed these thoughts because we all enjoyed talking to Bob whose father, according to him, was a member of the American forces that landed in Leyte in 1944 together with General Douglas MacArthur, and that his Dad ended up in northern Mindanao, joining US army officers helping Mindanao guerrillas fight the Japanese forces on this southern Philippine island. “My Dad had been telling me lots of stories about the war here in Mindanao, so I was curious how this island looked like,” he told the Davao editors.

Bob got really excited when I reminded him that the book titled “The Pacific” written by Hugh Ambrose, included a chapter about a daring escape by four American soldiers from the Davao Penal Colony, making their way for months through jungles, swamps and mountains and reaching Gingoog, Misamis Oriental where they ended up with a US Army Division that was helping Filipino guerrillas in Mindanao.

Hugh is the son of Stephen Ambrose who first wrote the best-selling book “Band of Brothers” with both books ending up as Home Box Office (HBO) ten-part mini series and academy award winners. The latest series--“The

Pacific”--tells the intertwined stories of three US Marines and how they fought the Japanese forces on the islands of Guadacanal, Gloucester, Peleliu, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

Bob was particularly intrigued by a new book titled “Davao” written by one of the American soldiers who escaped from the Davao Penal Colony near the end of the war in 1945 while being chased by Japanese soldiers from Tagum, to Agusan, to Bukidnon up to Misamis. I saw that book displayed at the new bookstore called “Fully Booked” at the Abreeza Ayala Mall some months back, so I figure it’s no longer there, unless one makes a special order for that book.

Of course, I also browsed thru the pages of Bob’s business book on small entrepreneurs and found it very helpful for small traders and entrepreneurs who are just starting a new business, a kind of simple, easy-to-read, how-to book on getting started and following a proven trail to business success. I don’t think you’ll find anything of value on war strategies in his little book unless you’re a war freak, like me and my son Sean.

I also warned Bob that Davao can be very addictive. Many foreigners who visited this place met many Filipino friends and fell in love with Davao and decided to stay here for good….

(Comments?

Email: tradingpost davao@yahoo.com)

Global house of cards COMMENTARY

BY ARNAUD DE BORCHGRAVE

out of Washington periodically just to get your mind straight and your perspective straight.”

Hard to do when faced with the steady drumfire of photos of U.S. military scandals – 82nd Airborne paratroopers posing with Afghan police holding the severed legs of a suicide bombers; U.S. soldiers urinating on Afghan corpses; burning of Muslim holy books; the massacre of 17 Afghan villagers -- while fighting an ever more unpopular war.

Panetta also has to counter pressures to cut back on defense as robotic, cyber and Special Forces warfare demonstrated it can change the course of history more effectively than the deployment of 2 million Americans overseas during the decade the United States has been at war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Spurred by budget-deficit reduction programs, the world’s top Western military spenders (including the United States, United Kingdom, France and Germany) were compelled to cut back. Owed $1.2 trillion by the United States, China’s spending went up 6.7 percent, or $8.2 billion. Russia’s draft budget for 2012 shows a 53 percent increase on funds earmarked for defense 2014-18. This will include $750 billion for equipment through 2020.

Are Western capitalist nations broke?

The Oct. 3, 2008, U.S. Troubled Asset Relief Program was designed to address the subprime mortgage fiasco and authorized to incur expenditures of $700 billion. That was then.

Now, following the semiannual International Monetary Fund meeting in Wash-

ington last weekend, the hat was passed yet again by central bankers and this time $400 billion in funny money was raised yet again to bail out IMF’s bailout needs.

The global house of cards, says Interinvest Global Asset Management Chairman Hans Black, including TARP and other U.S. bailout programs, such as the Long-Term Refinancing Operations, or cheap loan scheme for euro banks and similar bailout packages in Europe, as well as major stimulus programs in China and the United Kingdom, now approaches $15 trillion.

“In other words,” says Black echoing widespread sentiment among the cognoscenti, “governments and central bankers have spent $15 trillion in the past 48 months in order to prevent what … would have been a sure-fire depression.”

That’s also the same staggering total of the U.S. debt that just went over $15 trillion.

“Social Media for Dummies” is a simple guide “to ease busy executives, managers, business owners and anyone with a real job into the insanely overhyped world of social media.”

We now need a new edition. Suggested title: “Complete Idiot’s Guide to TARP and LTRO.” And that’s a potential global bestseller with a market of 99.99 percent of the 7 billion people now huddled on Planet Earth.

Governments and central bankers have run out of cliches and financial mumbo-jumbo. What is $1 trillion?

It would take a military jet flying at the speed of sound, reeling out a roll of dollar bills behind it, 14 years before it reeled out one trillion dollar bills. Or, if that’s too hard to grasp, one trillion dollars, laid end to end, could make a chain that stretches from Earth to the moon and back -- 200 times.

A

Summers in Lolo’s farm

9

S a child and early teener, Ispent many summers in Lolo’s farm, which is roughly five kilometers away from home. Five kilometers may not be far.

But in those days that we had to hike and the fact that the town center looked so different from the barrio where Lolo lived, the distance was more psychological than physical. And, boy, it was more fun then, although I don’t want to compare with the contemporary idea of what a fun summer should be.

Father’s and Mother’s fathers had passed away before I entered school. Lolo was actually the husband of the sister of my mother’s mother. Like my maternal Lola’s family, he hailed from Camiguin, and I presume they had known each other and married before moving to Buenavista, Agusan del Norte where they settled in a barrio called Talo-ao, a place where there were more coconut trees than people.

Coconuts and other trees surrounded Lolo’s house, providing shade that tamed the summer heat and natural music from their leaves that swayed with the winds, not to mention the tamsi, pirok-pirok, manatad, kuratsya and other birds that perched on them.

There’s wisdom indeed in the adage that says “the most beautiful things in life are free.”

During those times that I stayed in Taloao, I tried hard not to become a spoiled apo.

With other cousins who lived in Lolo’s house, I would rise by four in the morning to attend to the animals. We would ake the carabaos from the grazing area to the creek to keep them cool the whole day. Then we’d pick kangkong and grate coconuts for the pigs. There was no need to feed the chickens, there was plenty of food for them around – grass, insects and grains that were spilled on the ground.

But we seldom got to eat poultry meat even if Lolo had many chickens. He reserved most of them for special occasions and for workers who plowed and prepared his farm for planting. We often had vegetables and dabong (bamboo shoots) cooked with coconut milk.

Native fruits were abundant – and free.

Berries called lomboy and sirale as well as mango and arabana (guyabano) grew anywhere around. There were a few buwahan (lanzones). Oh yes, we had our fill of fresh young coconuts.

If we wanted meat, we caught wild ducks called gakit and large birds called kruwakwak and karab with traps or slingshots. Since these birds like to feed in rice paddies, we would place the traps among the rice plants.

They taste even better than chickens.

One time however I felt remorse upon seeing Cousin Julie carry a nest containing the eggs of a karab he had just killed with a slingshot.

Sometimes we turned to fishing in the creek for haloan, pantat, gurami and puyo.

There was kasili (eel) too, but I wasn’t lucky enough to catch one. The night before each fishing trip we would catch frogs in the rice paddies for baits. Cousin Eddie said frogs are better baits because their movement attracts the fish. Yes, we didn’t kill the frogs, though we tortured those poor creatures nonetheless.

We pierced the hooks across the lowermost part of their backs. The fish would normally try to swallow the bait from behind. And whenever they did, the frogs got away and the fish took their place.

Fortunately, we did not have to be sadistic with the frogs all the time. We sometimes caught fish through limas or draining a shallow portion of the pond beside Lolo’s rice field. As the water level went down, the fish would leap into the air, bringing laughter and excitement to all of us. But Cousin Eddie, the most superstitious in the gang, was always quick to remind us not to make so much noise “kay naay balite sa duol” (there’s a balite tree nearby).

Of course, I was quite superstitious too and afraid of the spirits that are said to inhabit a balite tree. That’s why my hair always stood each time I passed that balite tree alone. I coped with the fear by making the sign of the cross and reciting The Lord’s Prayer.

There were times too that that balite became a source of joy instead of fear. I remember the few nights that thousands of fireflies circled the tree, a scene that again elicited another lecture from superstition guru Eddie.

“Basta ra ba naay aninipot naay nagpuyo nga dili ingon nato.” (If there are fireflies, it means there are beings who are unlike us.)

Many summers have past since Lolo had passed away. But I’ll always remember the simple joys of living with him.

Someday, I’d like to go back to Lolo’s farm and see if the creek still teems with fish, if the birds still frolic in the fields, and if the fireflies still cover the balite tree on enchanted nights.

[MINDANEWS]

10 SUBURBIA

VOL.5 ISSUE 37 • APRIL 26, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Lala celebrates Alimango Festival A

N agri-aqua fair, showcasing the abundance of various agricultural and fishery produce, was held at the Town Plaza, Lala, Lanao del Norte recently in celebration of the 11th Alimango Festival and also to celebrate the 63rd Araw ng Lala.

The fair was highlighted by a booth contest displaying their agricultural and fishery products composed of rice, fruits, vegetables, livestock, fish, shells, shrimps, and the crabs in abundant quantities from the nine coastal barangays.

Spearheaded by Mr. Ronel Baroy, the Municipal Agriculture Service Officer, the Agri-Aqua Trade Fair is one of the most awaited events being featured during the

town’s annual celebration as far as farmers and fisherfolk are concerned, as this is the event wherein the locally available produce are given the opportunity to be displayed and marketed other than joining in the best dressed booth exhibits, contest of the biggest and smallest agriculture and fishery products, games, among others.

To commence the program of the fair, a crab rodeo contest was heId in front of the stage.

It was participated in by the fisherfolk from the different barangays.

The Municipality of Lala is known for its calamansi, yet the festival is attributed to the abundance of alimango (mudcrab) in the locality. This is a manifesta-

Comval News

tion that the municipality is abundant in both agriculture and fishery products.

BFAR-10 Regional Director Visa Tan-Dimerin, in her message as the guest speaker during the fair, requested the mayor, together with the Municipal Agriculturist and Fishery Technician, to include BFAR 10 in the celebration of Alimango Festival in booth exhibits and in the conduct of trainings in appreciation for recognizing fishery product such as alimango to be a part of the festival.

“Many years back, the Municipality of Lala was also known for its sugpo, P. monodon because there are more or less 3,000 hectares of fishponds which are vi-

able for prawn culture.

But this will only thrive today if our farmers will refrain from using chemicals so that our water will not be contaminated and our prawn will be free from white spot syndrome virus,” she said.

Director Dimerin also emphasized the need for Panguil Bay to be revived in its state of wellness through the initiative of Panguil Bay Development Program, which would also be the concern of Gov. Khalid Dimaporo.

Dimerin also concealed that there is enough fund for the establishment of aquasilviculture and lying-in hatchery for gravid mudcrabs to release their eggs for more survival of crablets.

LIVELIHOOD FOR STA. MARIA. Sta. Maria Mayor Mila M. Cabanero delivers her Words of Challenge to program beneficiaries following the recent turnover of P1,011,000 capital seed fund to seven livelihood associations benefiting some 140 members in five barangays in Sta. Maria. She urged members to be vigilant in managing their small businesses so they will succeed and be able to help other community members in need. Organized by DSWD, the Self-Employment Assisrtance Kaunlaran (SEA-K) groups are San Isidro Survivor SKG, Sto. Rosario Vendors SKG, San Antonio Mountaineer SKA, Highlander SKG, ARBAMAPA SKG, Tam-si SKG, and Mountain SKG.

7,000 devotees visited Shrine in Davao Oriental

T

HE Shrine here, during this year’s Holy Week season, hosted around 7000 people compared to the 4000 of last year who did the Bisita sa Iglesia in Dalan sa Crus (Way of the Cross) in Pintatagan, Banaybanay, this province.

Although the Dalan Sa Crus is yet to be finished, there were numerous devotees who trekked the 655 senorita steps going up to the 14 Stations of the Way of the Cross.

The blessing of said Shrine of the Way of the Cross on April 4, 2012 was officiated by Fr. Dan Fuentes and assisted by two priests.

Engr. Jose Gulfin Jr. and his sister and the LGU officials and employees headed by Governor Corazon T. Nuñez-Malanyaon, representatives of nation-

al government agencies and parishioners were present to celebrate the opening of the place to the public.

Engr. Gulfin Jr. donated the property to the province for the Dalan sa Cross project. He started the ‹pilgrimage› years back and was very glad that the Provincial office of Governor Cora Malanyaon took over and continued to develop the place not only for worshipers but for the visitors who come by to the Province of Davao Oriental for its many beautiful sites and sceneries.

The entry point of Dalan sa Krus is located at the Welcome Park.

The newest feature in the Welcome Park is the Café Oriental, a favorite brewed coffee of travelers of Davao Oriental.

Conversion of local roads pushed in Butuan City

T Comval Gov. Chiongkee Uy gets a briefing from the medical team where they just had 29 major surgical operations as part of a medical outreach sponsored by the provincial government in Pantukan Hospital on April 21.

(A. DAYAO/IDS COMVAL)

Comval officials led by Gov. Chiongkee Uy, SP Member Ruwel Peter Gonzaga, Brgy. Capt. Roberto Yugo and Sports Coordinator Tyrone Uy to check on Pantukan CVPH improvement and medical outreach conducted last Saturday. (A. DAYAO/IDS COMVAL)

HE Sangguniang Panlungsod here passed a resolution recently endorsing to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) through its Caraga Regional office the conversion of certain local roads into national roads.

The resolution stemmed from a letter of City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. dated Feburary 1, 2012 to Vice Mayor Lawrence Fortun favorably endorsing the letter of Engr. Nicolas O. Alam-

eda, District Engineer of the Butuan City District Engineering Office – DPWH requesting for the passage of a resolution endorsing the conversion of the same.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Human Settlements and Land Use chaired by Councilor Jaime M. Cembrano, Jr., in its hearing last March 9, believed that the conversion of such local roads to national roads is very much beneficial to the city of Butuan and its people.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 37 • APRIL 26, 2012

COMMUNITY SENSE

New set of Ateneo Alumni officers inducted into office

P

RESIDENT: Dr. Robert “Bobby” B. Bandolon (GS›83 HS›87 BSBio›91) Vice-President & Homecoming Chair: Dr. Benedict Edward P. Valdez (GS›83 HS›87) Treasurer: Mr. Jaime “Jimmy” I. Rodriguez (GS›81 HS›85 BSMgtEngg›89) Secretary: Ms. Emy Lou H. Amigleo-Padilla (HS›87 BSBio›91)

Auditor: Mr. Ruben “Sonny” S. Aledia (GS›61 HS›65 AB›69) Public Relations Officer: Ms. Sylvia R. GomezGempesaw (GS›84 HS›88) Legal Counsel: Atty.

Marie Josephine B. de Vera (GS›83 HS›87 BSBA›91 LLB›96) Members: Mr. Melvin O. Lacuna (HS›86 BSBA›90) Mr. Rodolfo «Rudy» N.

(l-r): Mr. Rodolfo “Rudy” N. Togle (GS’61 HS’65), Member; Dr. Benedict Edward P. Valdez (GS’83 HS’87), Vice President & Homecoming Chair; Dr. Robert “Bobby” B. Bandolon (GS’83 HS’87 BSBio’91), President; Ms. Emy Lou H. Amigleo-Padilla (HS›87 BSBio›91), Secretary; Mr. Melvin O. Lacuna (HS’86 BSBA’90), Member; Fr. Renato C. Ocampo S.J. (AdDU Alumni Director); Member; Mr. Ruben “Sonny” S. Aledia (GS’61 HS’65 AB’69), Auditor; Mr. Rico M. Oñate (GS’76 HS’80 BSBA’84), Member; and Ms.

Togle (GS›61 HS›65) Mr. Rico M. Oñate (GS›76 HS›80 BSBA›84) Dr. Mark Anthony C. Benignos (HS›86 BSBio›90) Ms. Rhowena G. Cayoca-Panizales (GS›89 HS›93 BSBA›97) Ms. Assunta Maria R. Cabaguio-Teh (GS›83 HS›87) Fr. Renato C. Ocampo S.J. (AdDU Alumni Affairs Director)

Rhowena G. Cayoca-Panizales (GS’89 HS’93 BSBA’97), Member (not in photo): Mr. Jaime “Jimmy” I. Rodriguez (GS’81 HS’85 BSMgtEngg’89), Treasurer; Ms. Sylvia R. GomezGempesaw (GS’84 HS’88). P.R.O.; Atty. Marie Josephine B. de Vera (GS’83 HS’87 BSBA’91 LLB’96), Legal Counsel; Dr. Mark Anthony C. Benignos (HS’86 BSBio’90), Member; and Ms. Assunta Maria R. Cabaguio-Teh (GS’83 HS’87), Member

LOCATION Matina, Davao City Matina(Diversion) Davao City Bunawan, Davao City Indangan, Davao City Bincungan, Tagum City

O

service interruptions 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 appeals for the understanding and cooperation of the affected customers.

The general public may call the DCWD trunk line at 221-9400 and press “1” on their phone dial to listen to the latest daily water updates, or contact its call center through the 24-hour hotline 221-9412 or 09277988966 for updates, complaints, queries and other matters pertaining to DCWD services. [SYLVIA MAY L. VOSOTROS]

17,940

P2,500

3,831

P1,500

41,408

P800

7,056

P1,200

27,411

P1,000

AREA (sq.m.) PRICE/sq.m.

Villa Josefina Resort Village, Dumoy Toril, Davao City

Minimum of 240 sq.m.

P5,985

St. Joseph Homes, Sirawan, Toril,Davao City

Minimum of 150 sq.m.

P3,600

Water interruption on April 27 from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM in Lanang to allow the tapping of the mainline improvement at 6th and 12th streets in Guadalupe Village. Areas with no water are M. Lozano Subd., Summer Hill Village and Guadalupe Village.

Third water cut is from 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM affecting the whole area of S.I.R. Phase 2 in Matina and all its immediate environs. Within the four-hour water cut, the operations and maintenance crew will install gate valve, by-pass line and blow-off valve at corner Aquino and Pag-Asa streets at S.I.R. Phase 2 in Matina as part of the utility’s mainline replacement project to help reduce non-revenue water.

Would-be affected customers are advised to store enough water prior to the scheduled water

AREA (sq.m.) PRICE/sq.m.

LOCATION

N April 27, the Davao City Water District has scheduled three sets of water interruption to allow its crews to accomplish separate service improvement projects.

The first water cut is from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM will affect Countyside Village I and II, Canete Compound and Mountain View Subd. all in Bangkal.

Said water cut is necessary to allow the tapping of newly installed 4-inch diameter Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipeline to the existing 4-inch diameter PVC pipeline for the mainline improvement at Mahogany St. in Countryside Village Phase II in Bangkal. After completion of said project, new service connections can be accommodated.

Another water service interruption is scheduled

11

LOCATION Lot Area Flr. Area Blk. 4, Lot 10 Villa Josefina Resort Village 240 sq.m. 177.31 sq.m Dumoy, Toril, Davao City

For Inquiries: Please Call : PRYCE CORPORATION c/o SONNY MOLE Contact No. : 0922-­‐879-­‐0036 / (082) 224-­‐2686 Email ADD : sonitomole1223@yahoo.com

PRICE P4.8 M

12

NATION/WORLD

VOL.5 ISSUE 37 • APRIL 26, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

WORLD TODAY

NATION BRIEFS

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Rare

T

N

Ambushed

EW People’s Army (NPA) communist terrorists ambushed and killed nine soldiers of the Philippine Army (PA) and a civilian around 9:00 a.m. Wednesday in Barangay Dontogto, Tinoc, Ifugao, Mayor Lopez Pugong confirmed in an interview with the Philippines News Agency.

The ambush site is one of the far-flung areas in the town.

Pugong said the identities of those killed cannot be immediately obtained as other units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are now in the area to retrieve the bodies of their dead comrades and bring the injured soldiers and civilians to medical facilities.

T

Allowed

HE Sandiganbayan anti-graft court has allowed lawyer Jose Miguel Arroyo, accused of graft, to travel to Japan and Hong Kong in May, according to a report on radio dzBB. The anti-graft court gave Arroyo permission to visit Japan from May 3 to 6 to meet with investors who might be able to help with the country’s power crisis, radio reports said.

He will also head to Hong Kong to rest before coming back to Manila.

T

APANESE astronomers said Wednesday they had found a cluster of galaxies 12.72 billion light-years away from Earth, which they claim is the most distant cluster ever discovered.

Using a powerful telescope based in Hawaii, the team peered back through time to a point just one billion years after the Big Bang, the birth of the universe.

Auctioned

HE Philippine government on Tuesday auctioned off a prime property once owned by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos for more than $2 million.

The 3,900-squaremetre (41,000-squarefoot) lot in the mountain resort city of Baguio was acquired by a real estate firm for 93 million pesos ($2.16 million), said Nick Suarez, of the Presidential Commission on Good Government.

Finalizing

HE proposed Executive Order on new mining policy has gone through Malacanang and the proposal is being presented to various mining stakeholders before its final approval, President Benigno S. Aquino III said.

“Dumaan po sa akin ‘yung proposed executive order. I understand this is being run through the various stakeholders,” the President said during the book launching of the People Power Volunteers for Reform (PPVR).

Galaxies

J

HIRTY-six turtles seized from smugglers, including 20 of one of the world’s rarest species, are to be returned from Hong Kong to thePhilippines, an official said Wednesday.

It will mark the first time a protected Philippine species seized from the illegal wildlife trade abroad has been returned, Philippine environment department deputy chief Luz Corpuz said.

PROTEST. A security guard looks at graffiti done by activists in front of the Chinese consulate demanding the withdrawal of Chinese ships from the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea during a protest in Manila’s Makati financial district April 19, 2012. Scarborough Shoal, a small

group of rocky islets, known in the Philippines as the Panatag Shoal but which the Chinese call Huangyan, is about 124 nautical miles off the main Philippine island of Luzon, near a former U.S. Navy base in Subic Bay.

M

Challenges facing world’s 1.2 billion adolescents T

European tour

ADOLESCENTS. A couple embrace each other as they celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Love Park in Lima February 14, 2012. cent of the world’s population, and more than half live in Asia. India is home to the highest number of adolescents, at 243 million, followed by China, with around 200 million adolescents. In sub-Saharan Africa, adolescents

make up the biggest slice of the population, with 23 percent of those aged 10 and 19. The same is true of many of the least-developed countries, where adolescents make up 23 percent of the population, compared with 19 per-

cent in developing countries and 12 in industrialized countries, according to the report. * VIOLENT DEATHS. Although they have managed to avoid many of the infections that are the chief killers of young chil-

mander of the 3rd Air Division of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) based in Zamboanga City, made the startling revelation after conducting a thorough research from various sources of the amount of oil reserves the country has as his thesis when he took an advance course at the Command and Staff College of the PAF in Villa-

mor Air Base, Pasay City.

Nemenzo confirmed the vast oil reserves of the Philippines in various parts of the archipelago, specifically the Reed Bank, the largest of them all, and the Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands called by the Philippines as the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG).

“The Philippines is

like a blind beggar sitting on a mountain of gold.

Within the country’s 200mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are potential recoverable hydrocarbon deposits worth an estimated US$ 26.3 trillion.

More than enough to lift the country from the centuries long morass of poverty and underdevelopment,” Nemenzo said.

C

HINESE Premier Wen Jiabao ends a fournation European tour with a two-day visit to Poland starting Wednesday, focused on a high profile regional trade and investment summit with 16 fellow premiers.

Having already inked an accord with Iceland on cooperation in the oil-rich Arctic region and opened the Hannover Messe -- the world’s leading industry and trade fair -- with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Wen will now turn his attention to the Europe’s up-and-coming ex-communist East.

Untapped PHL oil reserves U in Spratlys worth US$ 26.3 T T

HE Philippines is virtually sitting on a gold mine of untapped hydrocarbon deposits estimated at US$ 26.3 trillion, mostly found in the disputed Spratly chain of islands more than enough to free the country from the shackles of poverty.

Brig. Gen. Eldon G. Nemenzo, deputy com-

Warned

HE White House warned North Korea to refrain from future hostile acts amid indications Pyongyang could soon embark on a newnuclear test or may plan more missile launches.

Pyongyang should “refrain from engaging in any more hostile or provocative actions. They do nothing to advance the cause of peace on the Korean peninsula (or) in Northeast Asia,” White Housespokesman Jay Carney said.

A

new generation of children that has survived the chief killers of early childhood now faces a host of new dangers as it enters adolescence, ranging from car crashes and gang violence to HIV and teen pregnancy, according to a comprehensive report on adolescence from the United Nations Children’s Fund.

Released on Tuesday to coincide with the United Nations Commission on Population Development meeting this week, the report looks for the first time at the major challenges facing the world’s 1.2 billion adolescents - which it defined as those “between ages 10 and 19” - as they make the transition into adulthood.

Here are some key findings of the report, called: Progress for Children: A report card on adolescents. * RAW NUMBERS. Adolescents make up 18 per-

Famine

ORE than a billion people worldwide could starve if India and Pakistan unleash nuclear weapons because even a ‘limited’ nuclear war would cause major climate disruptions, a study warned.

In addition to clouds of radiation which could contaminate farmland far from the center of the blasts, the study found soot released into the atmosphere would devastate crop yields by cooling global temperatures and reducing rainfall worldwide.

Mad cow

.S. authorities reported the country’s first case of mad cow disease in six years on Tuesday, swiftly assuring consumers and global importers that there was no danger of meat from the California dairy cow entering the food chain.

Despite assurances from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack that the finding posed “no risk to the food supply or to human health”, two major South Korean retailers halted sales of U.S. beef and the government there said it may suspend quarantine inspections, a move that would effectively halt imports.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 37 • APRIL 26, 2012

Workers...

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24 private...

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private sector receiving the minimum wage in the Davao region.

This should be followed regardless of the minimum wage earners’ position, destination or status of employment, and the method by which their wages are paid,” Suyao said.

The DOLE 11 regional director said with the additional COLA, nonagricultural workers are now entitled to a salary of P301.00 from the basic pay of P286.00 and the new COLA rate of P15.00.

“For workers in the agriculture sector, they are entitled to P291.00 salary per day composed of the P276.00 basic pay and the P15.00 COLA,” Suyao said.

Employees in the retail and service establishments with more than 10 workers are now entitled to a salary of P301.00 composed of a P286.00 basic pay the new COLA rate of P15.00.

Meanwhile, those belonging to the retail and service establishment with less than 10 workers are now entitled to a daily rate of P270.00, composed of the basic pay of P255.00 plus the P15.00 COLA, he added.

Asked on why the increase in salary benefit was minimal, Suyao said he knows that ‘all employers will object a wage

increase while workers would always want a higher wage increase.’

“I think it comes natural that employers will be against an increase to the salaries of the employees, because it would feel just recently, we had wage order issued last year. On the other hand employees would always feel this increase is not enough,” he said.

“But take note that this recent wage order was resolved motu propio, which means although there were no petitions passed to the Wage Board asking for a wage increase, the body reviewed the socio-economic conditions of Region 11 and approved a higher COLA. We are concerned with the minimum wage earners,” Suyao added.

Suyao however added that the wage order does not cover household or domestic helpers, family drivers, persons employed in the personal service of another, and workers in registered Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs), he added.

The addition of P10.00 to the existing COLA is the second and final tranche of wage adjustment under Wage Order No. RB XI-17, following the first tranche which took effect last January 1, said the DOLE 11 director.

CHED is still about to process the requests of other schools, Rendell Ryan Cagula, regional coordinator of Kabataan Partylist said yesterday.

Cherry Orendain, regional spokesperson of Anakbayan, said that while there are State universities and colleges (SUC) catering to students who cannot afford private schools, SUCs are affected by yearly budget cuts, thus they also increase tuition fees as well to subsidize themselves.

She said it is still difficult for poor students to afford SUCs, considering the hike in prices of prime commodities vis-à-vis stagnant wages of workers.

In Davao City, there are only two State universities--the University of the Philippines Mindanao (P600 per unit); and the University of Southeast-

By Aurelio A. Pena

Philippines (BIMP) to set up routes between each other, will ever work.

“We’ve done this before and it didn’t work! It didn’t last long. We’re the same poles all repelling each other. We all look the same, that’s why we don’t want to visit each other!”

Zapanta told reporters at a press conference recently at the Marco Polo Hotel during the Air Access Forum organized by the tourism and airline sectors of the four neighboring countries.

“These routes aren’t sustainable. The airlines are all losing money.

There’s simply no traffic between these four countries,” says Carmelo Arcilla, executive director of the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) when asked if it was worth investing in routes linking Davao to Manado, Brunei to Zamboanga, Sarawak to Palawan, etc.

Although Cebu Pacific sees a “huge potential” for air travel within the East Asian region, it was still flip-flopping whether or not to plunge in right after the AAF Conference in Davao.

“We’re still figuring out whether or not its worth all the risks and

high fuel costs of flying these routes,” says Alexander Lao, Vice President for commercial planning at Cebu Pacific. “It really depends on the size of the market -- will there be enough passengers to fill our seats?”

Although the Philippine Airlines (PAL) has no immediate plans to open routes in the region, it is still optimistic that the East Asian region air travel market can be developed thru sustained promotions of EAGA tour and travel destinations by all the four countries.

“Yes, we’re still very optimistic about the growth of air travel market in this region in the next five years,” Richard Miller, PAL chief aviation adviser told the Philippines News Agency, stressing that business prospects still look good if all the four countries share in the cost of promoting travel within the region.

This was also echoed

by Capt Mohd Nawawi Bin Awang, managing director of Malaysian Airlines System, who cited the “huge potential” of air linkages between the four countries in EAGA if they could only get together and come up with one

FFROM 3

ern Philippines (P247 per unit).

Youth groups in Davao City planned to stage protest against the tuition hikes and exorbitant fees in colleges and universities.

Students from various universities, members of student councils and publications, leaders of different organizations and other youth formations picketed in front of the CHED national office here yesterday to demonstrate their protest.

During the demonstration, students carried Tetris blocks, saying that they signify “how the Aquino administration continues to toy with students’ right to quality education while students carry the burden of having to shell out money for innumerable miscellaneous fees.”

“Every man’s work shall be made manifest.”

1 Corinthians III. 13.

Asian airlines still wary of BIMP-EAGA routes

L

OOKING out the oval-shaped window of the Garuda turbo-prop aircraft flying from Davao City to the little Indonesian city of Manado on the island of northern Sulawesi, the 40 plus Davao traders on a business mission, saw nothing else but coconut trees everywhere as the plane descended for a smooth landing.

This was several years ago when the chambers of commerce of the two sister cities agreed to exchange business missions in a maiden effort to promote trade and investments in the East ASEAN Growth Area (EAGA) region. Coming in to land at the Manado international airport, I remember thinking we seemed to be returning back to Davao airport because of all the coconut trees we saw all around us.

“The coconut trees we see in Manado are the same coconut trees we see in Davao!” says Avelino Zapanta, chief executive officer of SEA Air, who isn’t so sure that another attempt by airline companies in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the

Legarda...

13

common marketing plan to promote and sell the region as one to the global tourism market.

“Let’s promote this region to the world! Foreign tourists love to come to Asia and see our exotic islands, enjoy our beaches, try our kind of food, meet our friendly people -- we have so much to offer to tourists coming from China, America, Europe,” Awang told reporters at the press conference.

We’re still wondering if Awang and Miller can see eye to eye with Lao and Zapanta, considering these pairs can’t agree on the business prospects of BIMP-EAGA -- both pairs are optimists and pessimists about the region.

From our vantage point, these two groups of airline execs seemed to be looking at the same horizon, but with different kinds of lenses -- one is using a narrow, telescopic lens seeing a closer but limited vision, while the other is using a wide lens seeing a wider panoramic vision.

Whether or not this new attempt by airlines to tap the BIMP-EAGA travel market will finally work this time, still remains to be seen.

less than 50 individuals.

Legarda noted that a geo-hazard map of Pantukan revealed that its topography and geological features make it vulnerable to landslides, among other hazards. Despite a “no habitation policy” ordered in areas identified as landslide-prone, smallscale miners opted to stay in the mining sites.

“These instances reveal the need to strictly regulate the mining sector, from small-scale to large-scale operations.

As espoused by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the Philippine Strategy on Climate Change Adaptation, the government must delineate areas suitable for mineral resources development based on scientific information on climate change risks and vulnerability of ecosystems and communities,” the Senator explained.

“Community-based management programs of mineralized and mining areas must be reviewed to ensure direct participation of host and climate-vulnerable communities in decisionmaking. Current and future mining operations and infrastructure must be climate-proof and a

communication plan on hazards related to mining and climate change must be implemented,” she added.

Among the other concerns she raised include the practice of responsible mining especially the mining companies’ commitment to implement environmental protection programs and social development initiatives that would ensure the progress of host and neighboring communities.

Legarda also stressed that the government should get fair share from mining activities by private companies thru royalties, and that the rights of indigenous peoples, especially over their ancestral domain, must be respected.

“Every decision we will make is crucial, it can either build better lives for our people and contribute to national development or cause the destruction of the communities, our environment, and the very lives the State aims to protect. We must aim for sustainable and responsible development of the country’s mineral resources and the protection of our people’s means of life and progress,” Legarda concluded.

Hackers deface DBM website, important data still intact

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UDGET and Management Secretary Florencio Abad on Wednesday said hackers have defaced the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) website but assured the public that all important documents on the site are still safe.

He said the website, www.dbm.gov.ph, was defaced at about 2 p.m.

Wednesday, the culprits are still unknown.

“Our initial findings indicate that all important data in the website remain intact. We are at present conducting a security audit on the site, which will remain offline until the audit has been completed and the necessary repairs are made.

In addition, we have yet

Quips

to establish the true identities of the parties or individuals responsible for the attack,” he said.

Abad explained that the department had a soft launch of their new website last week.

He said the new website was made to make it more user-friendly, navigable, and interactive for web users and visitors.

“It is fortunate that we shifted to the new platform, which presents fewer security risks than the DBM’s previous content management system,” he said.

Abad stressed that he announced the hacking to “alert other agencies to possible vulnerabilities in their respective websites.” [PNA]

‘THERE is an ongoing study on the possible use of nuclear power in Mindanao by the DOST.’

--President Aquino commenting on the proposal of cousin Rep. Mark Cojuangco to develop “small modular reactors.”

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VOL.5 ISSUE 37 • APRIL 26, 2012

Ernie and his roots

PHOENIX MAN. Chieffy Caligdong, mainstay of the Philippine Air Force-Phoenix squad in the United Football League (UFL), scored the first marker for the Airmen against Kaya FC but the gritty stad of the defending champions was not enough as they took a second beating from Kaya over the weekend.

Caligdong was supposed to fly in for the Suzuki U23 National Cup opening in Tagum but begged off at the last minute due to an injury.

I

Discus double for UM bets A

GOLD. Adrian Linao of University of Mindanao.

Pacquiao prepares to spar with Russians

B

AGUIO CITY-- Reigning pound for pound world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao is set to spar Thursday with three foreign boxers, two of them Russians who are bit taller than him.

Ruslan Provalikov, who stands five feet, six inches and Ruslan Nugayev who is five feet, eight inches promised to give the Filipino boxing idol a good fight in their scheduled sparring sessions.

California-based Francisco Santana was also observed to be seriously preparing for the forthcoming sparring sessions with Pacquiao in the remaining week

of his high-altitude training before flying to the United States for further training.

Pacquiao will face undefeated American boxer Timothy Bradley on June 9 in Las Vegas, Nevada for a title fight.

Buboy Fernandez, one of the trainers in the Team Pacquiao said “he resumed hard work today in preparation for sparring sessions probably by Thursday.”

Pacquiao concentrated on biometrics training and other lighter work Tuesday in time for the celebration of the birthday of his younger brother, Bobby, former world intercontinental boxing champion. (PNA)

EDGEDAVAO

pair of University of Mindanao standouts carried the Davao-powered Southern Mindanao (Region 11) contingent to a doublegold haul in the discus throw events on Monday to raise its gold medal harvest to five in the 2012 PRISAA national Games held at Cebu City Sports Complex in Cebu City.

Capitalizing on the absence of national record holder Miaka De Oro of University of St. La Salle, UM- Davao’s April Rose Guiang asserted herself in the women’s discus throw heaving the iron plate to a distance of 32.49 meters against CAR John Zel Udaundo (29.29 meters) and Western Visayas Christine Capaspas (28.26).

Another UM athlete Adrian Linao made it a double victory for the Davao Region in the discus by dominating the men’s side in 35.77 meters.

“I congratulate April and Adrian for winning the gold medals. With

several finals on Wednesday, I hope we can still win more,” UM athletic director Joaquin Sarabia told EDGE Davao after obtaining the report from its own source. The PRISAA XI contingent failed to deliver results to media outlets in Davao.

The twin golds raised Davao Region’s medal haul to 5 golds, 9 silvers and 15 bronzes.

Another bronze came on Monday courtesy of Michele Padian in the women’s long jump.

Former Palarong Pambansa standout for Central Visayas Irin Baluran dominated the women’s long jump in 5.19 meters, beating Padian (5.02) and CV teammate Chen May Dagcuta (4.97) to settled for bronze.

Western Visayas is catching up by winning two relay event gold medals late Tuesday afternoon but still stalled at third overall behind defending champion Central Visayas and CALABARZON in athletics event. (WITH PNA REPORT)

was in Tagum City last Sunday for the opening of the 2012 Suzuki U23 National Cup eliminations taking the ride with Ernie Ortonio, a good friend and certified football purist.

Ernie, who officially turned senior citizen yesterday, is a member of the board of the Davao Football Association and through the years has been one of the indefatigable movers of football development in Davao.

Ernie’s football heart is without question. He is a former football player bred from the hotbed of football in the country— Iloilo.

Taking the leisurely one-hour drive with Ernie was a no bore. There was nary a heartbeat that we did not talk football and other sports. But Ernie practically eats, drinks and sleeps football learning the sport from Spanish friars in the 70s and playing goalkeeper. He almost made it to the National squad had he chose football over his work.

But being a poor man’s son, Ernie had to secure his future. Now, Ernie is in charge of the insurance division of the Uy-owned conglomerate that includes Phoenix Petroleum.

By stroke of fate, Ernie met a familiar face when we reached Tagum for the press conference set up by Suzuki and the local government of Tagum City. The guy’s name is Cyril Doffitas and he just happens to be the National Competition Director of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF).

“I used to play football with this guy,” Ernie whispered to me. Then he disappeared. Next time I saw, he was shaking the guy’s hand and exchanging pleasantries.

Cyril also played

football. Also raised in Iloilo. Also a football purist. Like Ian Araneta and Roel Gener, Cyril and Ernie spoke sweet and suave Ilonggo.

All of a sudden, there was a reunion of sorts. Circa 70s and current Ilonggo stars.

I realized how football is treated like a religion in Iloilo. Every Ilonggo boy is born and raised playing football.

Not basketball.

Ernie even said that in Barotac Nuevo, hometown of both Ian Araneta and Roel Gener, is a very small town and its main convergence every afternoon is the town plaza with its football field. Every Barotac resident goes to the town plaza to play or watch football like attending a Sunday mass.

That is the reason why football development comes naturally.

It’s a culture. A religion, even.

Then it flashed back to me. I was in high school then. A campus sportswriter competing in the National Secondary Schools Press Conference. Barotac Nuevo and its dialect sounded like Greek to me. But I knew the town is crazy about football.

My first victories in sports journalism was recorded in that town.

Covering football in the hot afternoon at the town plaza of Barotac.

I am not a stranger, Ernie.

I am one of you in some ways.

DAVAO PRIDE. Davao’s Under-13 Girls squad pose after sweeping their assignments in the recent PFF U13 Girls Selection Tournament in Bacolod City. Twelve Davao standouts led by Zuleika Lee, Moira Calizo and Mica Co made it to the national training pool.

INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 37 • APRIL 26, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

FOOD

Eating and Dining Tsokolate flan

By Carlo P. Mallo Photos by Rudolph Alama

FILIPINOS eat all the time, but very few dine.

With fast food joints on every corner of the city and quick fix meals in every aisle of the grocery, it comes as no surprise that there are less and less people who actually sit down and dine.

On weekends, maybe, but it is rare to see people nowadays, even here in Davao City, wherein it is said that life is lived at a leisurely pace, that you see people sit down and spend two hours for dinner.

But not in this warmly lit restaurant along the busy stretch of J.P. Laurel Ave, wherein dinner is always an event for family and friends to come together and life shifts into a leisurely mode for the next couple of hours.

It seems that time has stopped or has slowed down at Binggoy’s as it is one of the few remaining

Pomelo salad

restaurants in the city that actually feels like a restaurant. Dinner at Binggoy’s is still how your abuela would want you to have dinner – home-cooked meals with light conversations punctuated by hearty laughter, and, of course, the entire family.

With tables covered in two layers of table cloth, the cutlery giving off that perfect sheen without being glossy, and the soft ambient light gives the place its relaxing ambience without losing its class.

By far, Binggoy’s is the only one restaurant in Davao City that has enamored the wide spectrum of guests that I’ve had.

It must be the way of cooking that Tita Baby does – turning the ordinary Davao fare into gourmet, or sourcing her ingredients from cooperatives and groups from all over the region. Or it must be the ambiance of the restaurant, which makes you feel like you are just having dinner

at a tita’s place.

Who can forget how flavors burst at every bite of the pan seared tuna and pomelo salad? Or the famous kinilaw sans the vinegar? Or the lumpia roll stuffed with seaweed?

I think what makes Binggoy special is that it has incorporated the important things that make up a dining experience. The food, the ambiance, and, most importantly, the company.

Now, who wants split the tsokolate flan with me?

Dinabaw chicken

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 37 • APRIL 26, 2012

FOOD

Hail the Chef!

Lotus Court welcomes Chef Rolando Bulilan

WHILE everyone else was busy with their meetings, finishing reports, getting the latest scoop in the local news, or halfway between Manila and Cambodia, I was at the Marco Polo Davao’s Lotus Court binging.

It wasn’t some form of depressed

or stress eating. The food was just too good to pass up. And with Marco Polo Davao’s general manager Bruno Simeoni seated beside you, your plate will never go empty of food.

It was a good decision that I imposed a moratorium on my diet the night before as my flight out of the city was scheduled late that afternoon. Alas, who knew that I will be throwing away weeks of diet over lunch?

With masterpiece after masterpiece of its newest chef, Chef Rolando M. Bulilan, served in front of us, I had no choice but to throw caution to the wind alongside with my diet.

If first impressions last, then chef Bulilan definitely made quite an impression on my palate as his creations showcased his expertise on Cantonese cuisine.

Chef Bulilan is the new Head Chef of Marco Polo Davao’s Cantonese restaurant, Lotus Court.

A quick background check would show that Chef Bulilan brings close to 20 years of experience in the Chinese culinary world to the table. A young and eager learner, Bulilan’s humble beginning in the kitchen, then taking on a junior position, soon blossomed into a promising career in culinary arts. As a professional, he worked at several cosmopolitan restaurants and through formal training, perfected his style in Metro

Manila, Taguig, Quezon City, and Cebu City. Chef Bulilan is known for his Asian palate and great artistry.

Commenting on the appointment, Chef Bulilan said, “I want to create entrées that enhance the variety of the menu while keeping the classic Cantonese flavors intact.”

VOL.5 ISSUE 37 • APRIL 26, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

ENTERTAINMENT

INdulge! A3

5 things you didn’t know about Simon Cowell Well, don’t we feel all cleaned out inside?!

Oh, wait...that’s Simon Cowell who feels that way.

And now we know why after getting a glimpse at Sweet Revenge: The Intimate Life of Simon Cowell.

The proudly salacious tome by Tom Bower, on U.S. shelves today, is being touted by publisher Random House as a look behind the curtain at a man who is “at once insecure, yet confident; ambitious but easily bored; vain and above all: ruthlessly competitive.”

As if we didn’t know!

But here are five things that we’ve learned from Sweet Revenge: 1. He Put the XXX in X Factor: According to Bower, who is said to have had unprecedented access to Cowell (though it’s still considered unauthorized), the record and TV producer had a fling with fellow British X Factor judge Dannii Minogue. “I had a crush on her, Dannii’s hair, sexy clothes, and the t-ts. It was genuine love,” he says. (Perhaps it

ended after he spelled her name with only one i too many times.)

2. He’s Clean as a Whistle: Cowell schedules monthly colonics to keep his interior self ship-shape, per the book.

“It’s so cleansing—and it makes my eyes shine brighter,” he’s quoted as saying. We sense a connection between his dislike of, er, waste to his preference for black toilet paper, but that’s for Bower to delve into, not us.

3. He Says Yes to Botox: One look at that tightblack-T-shirt-ready physique and you can tell he’s a man who cares about what he looks like. The wrapping may appear simple (50 pairs of the same pants, for instance), but the package is said to be chock-full of vitamins, slathered with top-of-theline grooming products and, every six months, plumped with Botox.

“It simply works,” Cowell says, per Bower. “You do it twice a year. Who cares?

And it balances my smoking and drinking.”

4. He’s a Quick Study:

HOTorNOT Heidi Klum wears body paint only IT’S no secret that designs by Joanne Gair.

Heidi Klum likes to According to Klum’s pose in her birthday blog, it took a whopping suit.

12 hours for Gair to decoA week after we were graced with a black-andwhite nude Klum for Allure magazine, a new naked photo of the 38-year-old model pops up, but this time, she’s somewhat covered with body paint.

The pictorial was done for Astor Cosmetics’ 60th anniversary and included some funky body paint

rate Heidi’s body with the paint. “This was probably close to the 13th time I’ve been body painted by her,” Klum writes. “You have to be good at being patient!

I don’t mind sitting still for such a long time, though; it’s a living piece of art that I’m so honored to be a part of.”

So, is she hot or not?

Cowell supposedly turned down an offer to be a judge on Britain’s Popstars, saying, “I can’t see how that’ll work.” But once he did see how such things totally work, he fashioned himself after the so-called mean critics like Idol executive producer and So You Think You Can Dance judge Nigel Lythgoe.

5. He Is That Nice of an Ex: Bower writes that Cowell did indeed give ex-fiancée Mezhgan Hussainy a $5 million home in Beverly Hills when they parted ways. It doesn’t have a garden pathway that gives the illusion of walking on water, as Simon’s humble abode in Beverly Hills does, but it’s supposedly pretty nice.

A4 INdulge!

FOOD

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 37 • APRIL 26, 2012

Summer coolers ginger style!

By Bai Fauziah Fatima Sinsuat Ambolodto

“Eat more radish in winter and ginger in summer, you will not need doctor’s prescriptions.”

-anonymous LET us welcome the summer with these cool and healthy recipes that are not only easy to prepare but a guaranteed hit to(at) any occassion. As an ingredient, ginger root smells fragrantly spicy. When cooked and mixed in dishes, it can remove the rather unappeticing ‘fishy’ smell, can stimulate one’s appetite and add freshness and sweetness to the dishes. Furthermore, it is believed that the human stomach is cold thus, it is best to eat some ginger in the summertime.

Nutritional Benefits: Ginger is low in fat, low in sodium and is cholesterol free.

It also contains vitamin C, magnesium and potassium.

MANGO GINGER MEDLEY Here is a delicious and easy to whip dessert that would guarantee seconds before you know it.

Ingredients 30 g finely chopped ginger, chiffoned 1 c fresh mango, cubed 2 pcs egg whites 2 tbsps white sugar 80 ml water Procedure 1. Place the ginger, mango and 80 ml (1/3c) water in a small saucepan. Cook covered over very low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely.

2. Beat the egg whites in a clean, dry bowl until soft peaks form. Add the sugar and beat for another 3 minutes or until thick and glossy. Quickly and gently fold the cooled mango mixture into the egg mixture and divide among four (4) chilled serving glasses.

NOTE: the mango can scorch easily, so cook over very low heat. Serve immediately or the egg white will slowly break down and lose volume.

LEMON GRASS AND GINGER INFUSED FRUIT SALAD An asian alternative to the usual cream based salads Ingredients

1/4 c white sugar 2cm x 2cm fresh ginger, thinly sliced 1 stalk lemon grass, bruised and halved 1 c papaya, peeled, deseeded and cubed 1 c watermelon, deseeded and cubed 1 c mango, peeled and cubed 1 c pineapple, peeled, cored and cubed 2 tbsps sago (Soak in water over low heat.

Simmer and let boil until cooked or transparent.

Strain and set aside.

125 ml water Procedure 1. Place the sugar, ginger and lemon grass in a small saucepan, add 125 ml water and stir over low heat to dissolve the sugar. Boil for 5 minutes or until reduced to 80 ml or 1/3 cup and cool.

Strain the syrup.

2. Place all the fruits and sago in a large chilled serving bowl. Pour over the syrup or serve separately if preferred.

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 37 • APRIL 26, 2012

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World Peace suspended E Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace gives an elbow to Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden, rear, earning him a double flagrant foul and ejection during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles.

It was announced that Lakers’ World Peace has been suspended 7 games for elbowing Thunder’s Harden in Sunday’s game.

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L SEGUNDO, Calif.

(AP) The NBA responded to Metta World Peace’s latest act of aggression with a seven-game suspension that will lighten the Los Angeles Lakers troublemaker’s wallet and playoff schedule.

World Peace was suspended Tuesday for throwing a vicious elbow at Oklahoma City’s James Harden, keeping the Lakers’ starting small forward sidelined for most of the first postseason round.

World Peace was ejected from Sunday’s

Celtics cool Heat

OSTON (AP) With much more to lose in potential injuries than gain with another victory, the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat let their reserves decide the second-to-last game of the regular season.

Rest and recovery were of much greater importance as both teams looked ahead to the postseason and patched together lineups that hardly resembled last year’s second-round playoff series.

The result was sloppy at times, but turned into a relatively even matchup before the seldom-used Celtics rallied for a 78-66 win over the starless Heat on Tuesday night.

Sasha Pavlovic led Boston with a season-

high 16 points, scoring 12 in the fourth quarter as the Celtics pulled away by shooting 50 percent (11 for 22) in the period and forcing Miami into eight of its season-high 25 turnovers. ‘’Well, someone had to win the game and we did, which was really nice,’’ Boston coach Doc Rivers said. ‘’You know, these games are still important, probably for both teams.’’

But not important enough to risk anybody’s playoff status.

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh were out for the Heat. Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo didn’t play for the Celtics.

Rivers said Rondo and Garnett should be back in

game against the Thunder for striking Harden in the head with the back of his elbow, giving Oklahoma City’s top reserve a concussion.

The former Ron Artest claimed the blow was an accidental, overzealous celebration of a dunk, yet even Kobe Bryant and his Lakers teammates weren’t defending his inexplicable actions. ‘’It’s hard to get into a guy’s head and know exactly what happened in that situation,’’ Bryant said. ‘’I haven’t really spoken to him about it.

You’ve really got to ask

him.’’

World Peace will miss the Lakers’ season finale on Thursday at Sacramento and the Lakers’ next six games.

The playoffs open Saturday, and Los Angeles is likely to be the Western Conference’s third seed - and Oklahoma City is locked into the No. 2 seed, meaning the clubs could meet right after World Peace’s suspension ends in the second round.

He will lose nearly $348,000 in salary if he serves the entire suspension this year. If the

Lakers exit the playoffs swiftly, the remainder of the suspension must be served next season.

World Peace still hasn’t answered media questions about his actions, but he issued a brief statement on his website, promising to follow up with a podcast. ‘’I apologize to the Oklahoma City Thunder fans and the OKC organization,’’ World Peace wrote on ronartest.com. ‘’I look foward (sic) to getting back on the floor with my teammates and competing for the Lakers fans.’’

the lineup on Thursday when Boston hosts Milwaukee in the final game of the regular season. By rallying for a win Tuesday, the Celtics - locked into the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference as a division winner - can still get home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs against Atlanta with another victory on Thursday and a loss by Hawks. Atlanta heads into the season finale with a one-game lead but Boston won the season series.

The Celtics would prefer to open the playoffs on the road with a healthy lineup than be back at home with Rondo (back), Garnett (hip flexor) or Allen (bone spurs) still hobbled by injuries.

Atlanta Hawks shooting guard Joe Johnson, middle, is fouled by Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Atlanta.

Durant scores 32 in Thunder win

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Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans, right, shoots around Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City won 118-110.

KLAHOMA CITY (AP) When Oklahoma City Thunder All-Stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook head to the bench to rest in the fourth quarter, that’s usually James Harden’s time to take over.

Daequan Cook proved to be the perfect substitute for the NBA’s top-scoring bench player.

Durant scored 32 points and Cook had all 19 of his points in the fourth quarter to rally the Thunder to a 118-110 win against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night in their first game since Harden took an elbow to

the head.

Harden wasn’t able to pass league-mandated tests to allow him to return after the concussion he suffered when he was hit by the Los Angeles Lakers’ Metta World Peace, formerly known as Ron Artest.

Cook broke out of a slump to help ease that pain, at least for one game. ‘’He’s a big factor on our bench. Not just our bench but our whole team,’’ Cook said. ‘’The bench guys had to step up big.’’

Cook started the fourth quarter with a jumper and a 3-pointer to erase a fourpoint deficit, and he went

on to score Oklahoma City’s first 14 points of the period and put the Thunder ahead for the first time since the first quarter. ‘’Fortunately with James out, Daequan was that guy,’’ Durant said. ‘’He was able come through for us and make some really big shots.’’

The performance by Cook and the other backups was enough to convince coach Scott Brooks to leave his starters on the sideline in a game without much on the line.

The Thunder are locked into the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs but did ensure

that they’ll finish ahead of Miami - the No. 2 team in the East - and would have home-court advantage if that star-studded NBA finals materializes.

DeMarcus Cousins led Sacramento with 32 points after finding out about 3 hours before game time that the league had rescinded his 13th technical foul and he wouldn’t have to serve a one-game suspension.

The Kings were without leading scorer Marcus Thornton for the third straight game with a left quad contusion, and reserve Terrence Williams was out sick.

16

SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 37 • APRIL 26, 2012

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SUZUKI U23. Action between Compostela Valley and Davao Norte during Sunday’s Suzuki U23 National Cup eliminations at the E-Park in Tagum City. Comval won the match against DNFA, 3-2. (TAGUM CIO)

Butuan blanks CDO in U23 elims

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UTUAN CITY – With enthusiasm and a tight offense, the ButuanAgusan del Norte Football Association (BANFA) defeated Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental Football Association (CMOFA), 3-0 last Saturday, during the Philippine Football Federation Suzuki Under-23 National Cup qualifying round match held at the Caraga State UniversityCabadbaran campus football

field in Cabadbaran City.

“The victory of BANFA demonstrated the vast potential our football players have. Although this team was organized only recently for the PFF Suzuki Cup, they have already shown superiority in terms of skills,” said Butuan City vice mayor Lawrence Fortun, who is also president of BANFA. Fortun added that as they continue to play together and

gel as a team, they will rise to be a deserving frontrunner in this qualifying round.

“With each game they have shown a huge improvement with their cohesiveness and has built up their confidence. They have what it takes to win, we just have to optimize their potentials,” he said.

“I think in terms of fitness, BANFA have faster strikers but they need to work

on their defense. If they can work it out and strengthen their defense as well as offense, BANFA has a chance to make it represent Northern Mindanao in the Mindanao finals,” said Erwin Protacio, PFF competitions coordinator for Mindanao.

Protacio pointed out that the beauty about the homeaway games is that it is hard to predict the result, especially if it is played on the home turf.