Edge Davao 5 Issue 70 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL.5 ISSUE 70 • JUNE 10-11, 2012

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Serving a seamless society

Indulge Page A1

Davao rivals Cebu in economic growth By Jade C. Zaldivar

Nation/World Page 12

Sports Page 14

N terms of growth, Davao City remains bullish according to a local official, saying in terms of ranking “we rival Cebu City.” City Planning and Development Office head Robert Alabado said last June 7 the city

showed continuous growth in 2011 and expects great gains in 2012. “Currently we’re at par with Cebu in terms of growth, but kung ang paguusapan ay ang livability ng lugar talagang we’re up there,” Alabado said during the I-Speak media forum at the city hall.

“We’re doing fine. The city is doing well in terms of economic development, being an education hub in Mindanao, and also investments,” he added. Alabado said the continuing preservation of natural resources has greatly contributed in making the city one of the most livable cit-

FDAVAO, 13

NO TO PRIVATIZATION OF POWER INDUSTRY. Coinciding with the 11thanniversary of the Electric Power Reform Act, hundreds of environmentalists, activists and residents in Davao City staged a march rally to protest the proposed privatization of power plants in Mindanao. [ KARLOS MANLUPIG]

NPA torches 5 vehicles in ComVal

HE Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry (AGILA) Division has reported that the New People’s Army (NPA) recently burned five vehicles owned by mining firms in Compostela Valley province. On June 8, five vehicles owned by the

PHILCO mining company were burned by alleged elements of the NPA in Sitio Tagpura (Sabina), Barangay Camanlangan, New Bataan, Compostela Valley (Comval). Damaged in the incident were two backhoes, two elf trucks, and a driller.

The military report said the attack was done by elements of what it calls an organized crime group of the NPA (OCG-NPA), according to a statement by 10th ID spokesperson, Lt. Col. Lyndon Panizat. On the same day, in Sitio Inupuan, Bgy.

FNPA, 13

THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 70 • JUNE 10-11, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

M-POWER hits DOE, inks petition vs. privatization By Lorie A. Cascaro N the 11th anniversary of Republic Act 9136 or Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), M-POWER, a newly launched multi-sectoral group against privatization of water and energy sources, held a protest action in front of the Department of Energy (DOE) 11 office yesterday. The mass action was participated in by hundreds of protesters, saying that 11 years is enough for power rate hikes, enough of power woes, and that EPIRA must be repealed. Mindanaoans against Privatization of Water and Energy Resources or MPOWER also signed a petition during the protest demanding Senator Edgardo Angara and Representatives Romero Federico S. Quimbo and Karlo Alexie B. Nograles to junk the Senate Bill 2997 and House Bill 5497. Both bills seek to reform the water sector, which is a prelude to the full privatiza-

tion of water resources and utilities through amalgamation of local water districts and creation of Water Sanitation Regulatory Authority that have the power to enter into public-private-partnership (PPP), according to the group. The petition, signed by people from Mindanao, states “the people have the right to participate in decision-making processes that basically affect their lives, such as the control and management of water resources and service utilities, and government officials have a duty to protect this right.” It also cited that millions of Filipinos currently suffer water woes and big local and foreign corporations have responded to this crisis with attempts to commercialize water and transform water management, treatment and delivery into a profit-making activity. The petitioners said water is a key to genuine sustainable development in its social, political, economic

By Jade C. Zaldivar

n Inventor says Fili-

Davao-based invention attracts foreign firms

ITHIN a year since earning nationwide acclaim, Davao-invention Pyroclave Medwaste Solution (Pyroclave) has received offers from foreign companies. The inventor, a group of scientists called RAD Green Solutions (RAD), Pyroclave, has offers worth in the millions of dollars which it has declined. RAD chief scientist Roderick “Ricky” Dayot in an interview June 5 said his breakthrough invention received offers from big ticket companies in Britain, Dubai, the Netherlands, and Singapore but which have been declined. “We do not see this as essential as of the moment. We introduced the new technology in a nationwide competition in 2011. It’s still too early for that,” he said. “Besides, ang gusto talaga namin is mga Pinoy pa rin ang mag-papatakbo nito. Gusto ko mga Filipino ang magpo-produce nito pagdating ng panahon na we go into large-scale production because these can be sold per facility,” Dayot added. Pyroclave, which has earned its international patent, has the capability to reduce mass and volume by 95% of all types of medical wastes, including body parts, chemical and pharmacological wastes and succeed total disinfection with the end result of turning waste into char. Other known technologies in the world which deal with medical waste, the autoclave and microwave technologies, could only reduce mass and volume of medical waste by 85% without total disinfection. RAD’s invention need

pinos should retain ownership

not require a large amount of space thus ICT (Information, communication, technology) Davao executive vice president Erriberto Barriga foresees hospitals abroad owning this facility. “Talagang this could go global. We’re looking forward to having Davao City flagship this invention, that before anywhere else in the world we had this technology here,” he said in an interview. “The invention being a practical solution to the environment this is an address to a need which is global in nature,” he added. “In what better way to introduce this new technology to the Philippines and to the world than by our own local government showing support?” Barriga said. The ICT head also expressed confidence that Pyroclave is the best technology in the world known to obliterate highly toxic medical wastes. “The autoclave, as it is currently called in the Philippines, cannot totally disinfect. If you put in an arm inside the sort of oven machine pag-labas niyan kamay pa rin yan. Kumbaga para ka lang nag-init nga tinidor at kutsara sa canteen,” Barriga said. “Autoclave has a different benefit than Pyroclave. The Autoclave is useful for hospitals disinfecting their instruments. Pyroclave however can turn medical waste from sharps (syringes, etc.) gloves, diapers, and even the medical instruments themselves into char,” he added. “Kaya nitong gawing abo ang medical waste in a man-

and environmental dimensions, and privatizing it will decrease people’s access to clean and affordable water and discriminate against poor and marginalized communities. “The PPP in the water sector is being opposed by other countries because it has resulted to private corporate monopoly control of water which led to high water rate since private operators will be asking for Return of Investment (ROI) to the detriment of the people’s right to access on water,” they said. They also cited that PPP in water sector or water privatization has resulted to mass lay-offs of water employees, graft and corruption and deterioration of water quality. Further, the petitioners are calling on the government of President Benigno Aquino III to promote instead the nationalization of water resources and industry and reverse and/or stop the privatization policy on the water sector.

FARM PROJECT. Philip Shull, US Department of Agriculture Foreign Service Counselor, said that fair prices, that is free from exploitation, and fair treatment of the law of

ethics and nature are vital in having a sustainable agriculture industry in the country. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

Dad objects to K to 12 implementation By Jade C. Zaldivar

n Calls move “drastic”, cites shortages

AVAO City Councilor Leah Librado-Yap expressed objection to the implementation of the K to 12, calling this a “drastic reform.” In a privilege speech last June 5, Librado-Yap said the Department of Education (Deped) itself has shortages and budget lack, thus the educational reform has high chances of failing to meet its goals and instead will lead to another surge of problems in the near future. “The program is such a drastic reform that will only increase the dropout rate in schools,” she said. The K to 12 Program has kindergarten as base, followed by six years of elementary (Grades 1-6), four years of junior high (Grades 7-10), and two years of senior high

(Grades 11-12). The city councilor said the country is not ready to shoulder the cost brought by the additional two years of education before college, and that the government itself is not fully-equipped for the task. “Despite claims that the last two years of high school under the K to 12 program will be for free, we cannot discount the fact that the 12 years basic education will translate to added financial burden to teachers and the government,” Librado said. According to data of activist group Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), the councilor said that in Region 11 there is still a need for 1,278 additional teachers for kindergarten alone, 2,029 for elementrary and 2,881 for high school.

ELINEATION of the city’s watershed areas started last week when the local government celebrated World Environment Day 2012. The commemoration last June 5 marked the launching of the city’s 1 Million Barangay challenge which awards one millon pesos to the the community with the best solid waste management (SWM). The date also marked the beginning towards fulfillment of the Watershed Code’s purpose of properly identifying and protecting watersheds with corresponding action. Mayor Sara Duterte-Car-

“Are we just going to forget that nationwide there is a shortage of 132,483 teachers, 97,685 classrooms, 153 water & sanitation facilities?” she said. “The present condition of our public education system could not meet this expectation as there are basic concerns and problems that have to be addressed immediately,” she added. These concerns need to be addressed first, LibradoYap said, before the government can ensure the effective implementation of the K to 12 program. Librado-Yap said she would author a resolution asking the Deped to “revisit this policy and its implementation.” “Given valid reasons from the sector of pupils, parents,

teachers, this program needs to be revisited,” she said. The K to 12 education reform and the Universal Kindergarten Act, the latter signed into law last February 12, are in the campaign platform of President Benigno Aquino III. It is also one of the most controversial initiatives of his administration. Reasons for implementation are rooted in the Filipino students’ low performance rate in both national and international tests. Filipino graduates were also cited as unprepared to work following their college education. A World Bank survey in 2009 revealed that graduates of 10 years basic education were viewed by employers as lacking in work skills, like problem-solving and initiative.

Watershed delineation starts Faculty fights to exclude

Sara says livelihoods will not be lost

pio emphasized to barangay leaders the need to protect the city’s watershed areas of Subilan River, the Sirawan Area, Lipadas River, Talomo River, Tamugan Rover, Cugan River, and Suawan River and its surroundings. “It is said that the next world war will be over oil and water. Let us protect our environment now as our actions today will become issues of tomorrow, problems that will be faced by our children,” Duterte-Carpio told a gathering of local officials at the

FWATERSHED, 13

USEP from DRSUS bill

ACULTY members from all campuses of the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) are opposing the inclusion of USEP, the lone state university in the Davao region, in the Davao Regional State University System (DRSUS) as proposed by Davao City Rep. Isidro T. Ungab. The DRSUS bill aims to integrate USEP, Davao Oriental State College of Technology, Davao del Norte State College, and Southern Phil-

ippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology. The USEP Faculty Association (USEPFA) Board of Trustees, represented by the presidents of different colleges/campus faculty clubs, approved a resolution last March requesting Patricia B. Licuanan, chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), to exclude USEP from the proposed amalgamation of four state university and colleges

FFACULTY, 13

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 70 • JUNE 10-11, 2012

THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 70 • JUNE 10-11, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Dengue alert up in GenSan Visayan solons reveal after 5 deaths in 154 cases 9 new HIV cases a day H I

EALTH authorities in General Santos City have raised the alert level against the deadly dengue fever as the number of confirmed cases and related deaths in the area continued to increase in the last several weeks. Dr. Edgardo Sandig, City Integrated Health Services Office (CIHSO) chief, said Friday they have so far recorded 154 confirmed dengue cases and five deaths within the city’s 26 barangays since January, breaching the alert threshold set by the Department of Health (DOH). He said such figure was eight more than last year’s incidence during the same period, which totaled 146 and only four deaths. “We’re now in the alert level but I think our overall situation is manageable. Dengue can be prevented and we can effectively contain it through regular cleanup of our surroundings and proper healthy practices,” he said in a radio interview. Based on CIHSO and DOH Region 12’s records, two dengue patients have died in the city in the last two weeks. The latest fatality was a 23-month-old baby from Purok Magnolia in Barangay Calumpang here who succumbed earlier this week to complications caused by dengue hemorrhagic fever at the city district hospital. The victim, who was identified as Charisse Sofia Barile, died after suffering from recurring fever

and influenza-like symptoms for about a week. Sandig said their monitoring showed that Barangays Labangal, Calumpang and San Isidro have posted the most number of confirmed dengue cases in the city this year. He said all five dengue fatalities came from the three villages, which host a number of crowded residential communities. He said their health teams have been conducting health education sessions and regular cleanup drives in the affected communities to help prevent further spread of the disease. Sandig said they were also making rounds of local public and private schools to raise awareness on various measures against dengue among students, pupils and school personnel. The campaign, he said, is centered on the Department of Health’s (DOH) 4S strategy against dengue that stands for search and destroy, self-protection measures, seek early consultation, and say no to indiscriminate fogging. A report released by the regional epidemiology and surveillance unit of DOH Region 12 cited that Barangay Labangal here was among the six barangays in the region that monitored a clustering of dengue cases as of May 26. The DOH’s National Epidemiology Center said a clustering of dengue cases happens when three or more confirmed cases emerge within an affected barangay or community in

four consecutive weeks. Meantime, the DOH12 reported that it has already recorded 1,137 confirmed dengue cases in the region as of last June 2. Region 12 covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato. The report said such figure was four percent higher than last year’s count in the same period that only reached 1,095 dengue cases. Aside from the five dengue deaths in this city, two each were also recorded in North Cotabato and Sarangani Province and one in South Cotabato or a total of 10 cases. It added that the dengue cases in the region were already “above the alert threshold.” [ALLEN V. ESTABILLO / MINDANEWS]

S HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus ) now an epidemic in the Philippines? This question was raised by two Visayan solons as they urged the Department of Health (DOH) to make a public disclosure on the true state of the country’s HIV situation. The solons said that based on information that they received, there are now at least nine new cases of HIV infection every day or one Filipinos is infected with HIV every three hours. “If this is true, this is alarming because this rate of infection can already be considered as epidemic. We need to take drastic measures to secure the health and safety of our citizens if HIV has really gone out of control,” Western Samar Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento said, adding that his office tried

to verify this information and was shocked to learn that the DOH has exactly the same figure. He said that Genesis May Samonte, chief of the DOH epidemiology center’s HIV surveillance department, bared they have recorded nine new HIV cases a day since January this year. “That is one Filipino infected every three hours! Such statistics should already alert our health authorities to take aggressive measures to stop HIV infections from turning into a full-blown epidemic,” he said. Iloilo Cogressman Jerry Trenas said he had received the same information from occupational medicine doctors who revealed to him that from three cases of HIV per day last year, the number of infections rose to nine per day in the last six months. “That’s a 200% jump

in the number of cases in just a matter of months! If we do progressive analysis, this number of HIV infections could even triple in the next six months if the government fails to come out with the best formula to solve this problem. God forbid but we are already seeing an HIV epidemic,” Trenas said. Based on his information, Trenas said that the sizable increase in HIV infection cases mostly come from the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector, some of whom are still in their teens. “I was told that there were recorded infection of girls as young as 18 and 19 years old and many of the new recorded cases are call center agents. The statistics are truly grim and alarming,” he said.

US$ 3-M new deal inked for Mindanao

HE Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) and two civil society organizations signed on Friday a new, three-year, US$ 3-million partnership under the World Bank-led Mindanao Trust Fund-Reconstruction and Development Program (MTF-RDP) to increase access to basic services in conflict-affected areas of Mindanao. The agreement extends development assistance to over 20,000 households in 21 municipalities across nine provinces in Mindanao. Started in 2006, the MTF-RDP is a US$ 16-million multi-donor facility that supports economic and social recovery and promotes inclusive and effective governance in conflict-affected areas of Mindanao. Administered by the World Bank and cochaired by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and the BDA, the program

serves as a mechanism for international development partners to pool resources and coordinate their support for peace and development in Mindanao. In addition to supporting social and economic recovery, the program supports the capacity of BDA, the development arm of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and is mandated, under the 2001 Tripoli Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the MILF, to determine, lead and manage relief, rehabilitation and development in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. In 2011, despite the challenges of working in conflict-affected areas, the MTF-RDP delivered services – classrooms, health stations, access roads, water supply systems, and community centers – to over 31,000 households, expanding total coverage from 62 to 162 barangays in 75 municipalities. [PNA]

STRUGGLE FOR LAND. Carrying squash on their heads, women farmers from Bukidnon, Davao del Oriental, Negros Island and Batangas reach Mendiola on their march to Malacanang. The march is aimed to press President Aquino to pursue the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program with Extension and

Reforms. Aquino, who is in the US, has instructed top government officials to dialogue with the farmers who have gotten the support of at least 51 bishops. [JIMMY DOMINGO / TASK FORCE MAPALAD]

Del Monte, other agri firms appeal for lifting of expansion moratorium

GRICULTURAL companies like the Del Monte Philippines, Inc. has appealed that the Malaybalay city council lift its resolution imposing a moratorium on the expansion of agricultural plantations. City councilor Anthony Canuto Barroso, chair of the committees on agriculture and environmental protection, told MindaNews via telephone Wednesday Del Monte has sought the lift when it appeared before the city council on May 29. Two other agricultural firms appeared on June 5. Del Monte, Barroso said, cited that they have imple-

mented mitigating measures to address the problems expressed by the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) on agriculture and environment impact, the issue that triggered the moratorium. Francis Rivera, Del Monte’s environmental and safety manager, told the city council on May 29 that his company is implementing mitigating measures to ensure environmental protection and preservation in accordance with the company’s environmental policy. Rivera cited, as quoted by local news service Bukidnon News, that they have established longline block

ditches, check dams, catchment basins, maintenance of easement creeks, steward program, carbon accounting system, baseline water analysis and other programs implemented by the Del Monte Foundation. Barroso said they are likely to take time on the appeal. Three more agricultural firms were invited to shed light on the issue scheduled on June 19. The city council passed the resolution on April 10 citing “environmental and agricultural concerns.” Councilor Roland Deticio, who was among those who filed the resolution, said the

city government must conduct further study before altering the moratorium. He cited the move to create a technical working group to conduct the impact assessment of the plantations on the environment and agriculture condition of the city. Barroso said there is also a plan to create a city-level multi-partite monitoring team (MMT) apart from the provincial MMT. The MMT is tasked to monitor implementation and compliance of the agricultural firms’ Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). [WALTER I. BALANE /MINDANEWS]

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 70 • JUNE 10-11, 2012

THE ECONOMY

World Bank, partners to pour $3-million into Mindanao T

HE Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) and two civil society organizations signed on Friday a new, three-year, US$ 3-million partnership under the World Bank-led Mindanao Trust Fund-Reconstruction and Development Program (MTF-RDP) to increase access to basic services in conflictaffected areas of Mindanao. The agreement extends development assistance to over 20,000 households in 21 municipalities across nine provinces in Mindanao. Started in 2006, the MTFRDP is a US$ 16-million multidonor facility that supports economic and social recovery and promotes inclusive and effective governance in conflict-affected areas of Mindanao. Administered by the World Bank and co-chaired by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and the BDA, the program serves as a mechanism for international development partners to pool resources

and coordinate their support for peace and development in Mindanao. In addition to supporting social and economic recovery, the program supports the capacity of BDA, the development arm of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and is mandated, under the 2001 Tripoli Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the MILF, to determine, lead and manage relief, rehabilitation and development in conflictaffected areas in Mindanao. In 2011, despite the challenges of working in conflictaffected areas, the MTF-RDP delivered services – classrooms, health stations, access roads, water supply systems, and community centers – to over 31,000 households, expanding total coverage from 62 to 162 barangays in 75 municipalities. The range of project activities was also augmented through the new communitydriven reconstruction (CDR) component to include private

goods – core shelters, agricultural inputs and livelihood assistance – to meet the urgent needs of communities most heavily affected by displacement and conflict. Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles, who witnessed the signing said: “Initiatives like the MTF-RDP ensure that communities can enjoy the dividends of development and peace. The gains from the Program show that partnerships among different stakeholders can bring about much good for the communities, whether this partnership happens on the ground, or on the negotiating table.” Deles said that the program had expanded its coverage, allowing more communities to learn about participatory approaches in addressing their development concerns. She also noted the importance of capacity-building for the Bangsamoro Development Agency. “A strengthened BDA is an important building block for a just and lasting

peace in Mindanao,” Deles said. Saffrullah M. Dipatuan, BDA Chairman, said that “though priority attention is focused on the political settlement of the Mindanao problem, projects and programs that will alleviate the suffering of the people in the conflict-affected areas in Mindanao should be implemented while both parties are earnestly engaged in peace negotiation.” World Bank Country Director Motoo Konishi said he was pleased with the new partnership agreement, saying that the deal would boost social services delivery and encourage closer partnership between the government and the MILF. “This new agreement will serve as a confidence-building measure among parties in the conflict. It will also be a vehicle to build capacity among Bangsamoro groups that is needed now and will be even more important in a post-peace agreement

scenario,”Konishi said. Konishi added: “Global experience suggests that achieving and sustaining peace requires cooperation and collaboration between key stakeholders. No single party can achieve peace on their own. By bringing the Government and the MILF together, with the support of the international community, the Mindanao Trust Fund is built on the principle of cooperation. We would like to thank all the MTF partners, particularly the European Union as the largest contributor to the Program.” European Union Ambassador to the Philippines, Guy Ledoux said: “The MTF-RDP is an important mechanism to complement our overall support to peace in Mindanao and has shown significant results by directly helping the poor in conflict-affected areas.” Besides the World Bank and the EU, other development partners supporting the MTF-RDP are the Austra-

lian Agency for International Development, the Canadian International Development Agency, the government of New Zealand, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and the United States Agency for International Development. The civil society groups that signed the partnership agreement with BDA are the Community and Family Services International (CFSI), and Mindanao Land Foundation (MinLand). To ensure smooth operations and fund use, BDA is assisted under the Program by Community and Family Services International, a humanitarian organization which has been involved in reconstruction and development work in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao since 2000, and the Mindanao Land Foundation, a non-government organization which has been working for social cohesion building in conflictaffected communities in Mindanao since 2001.

THE ECONOMY

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

VOL.5 ISSUE 70 • JUNE 10-11, 2012

DavNor to help banana growers affected by China-PHL trade row D

AVAO del Norte - Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario has directed the Provincial Cooperative Development Council (PCDC) to extend whatever assistance it can give to the small Cavendish banana growers who suffered from the recent trade row with China. “Let us find whatever way we can to help them,” the governor told the members of the PCDC of Davao del Norte at their quarterly meeting on June 7, 2012. The small growers in the region were chiefly affected when China refused the entry of Philippine banana exports following the tightening of their quarantine regulations last May. The big banana export companies did not have any problems with the standoff since they have always com-

plied with strict standards. Although the Chinese government has already lifted the ban and started to accept banana exports from the Philippines, many small growers still find it hard to gain entry again to the China market as they lack the needed quality control mechanisms. But del Rosario said, the small growers, who used to ship at least 45 million boxes worth about P7 billion to China annually, only have themselves to blame for their ordeal. “These problems could have been avoided had the growers toed the line,” he said. He is also saddened when some of them reneged from their grower and marketing agreements with multi-national exporters of Cavendish bananas,

by selling their bananas to third-party buyers offering higher prices in clandestine operations called ‘polevaulting’. He revealed the polevaulters no longer get the technical support and inputs that their partner exporters were providing them, and that the latter also no longer buy their harvests, which resulted to the spoiling of thousands of boxes of their bananas. Worst, many of these growers can no longer apply for additional loans in order to rehabilitate their farms, as they still have outstanding bad loans with financing institutions. The governor required the erring banana growers to embrace the ideals expressed in the cooperative pledge, particularly on unity and cooperation.

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

Indigenous women run cooperative in ComVal

HE Indigenous women of Compostela Valley were able to strengthen and intensify its organization and were able to register their cooperative with the hope of availing benefits for its economic growth and development. Through the help of Provincial Governor Arturo Uy and other non-government organizations like FREEDOM and Abante Katutubo Inc., Comval’s indigenous women now are equally competent of running a business for livelihood. During the gathering of tribal women leaders at the capitol last May 30, 2012, IP Representative SP Member Augusto Blanco Jr. together with FREEDOM Executive Director Antonio Peralta and ABANTE KATUTUBO Executive Director Leandro Piano and its Consultant Hermenegildo Dumlao gladly gave the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Registration Certificate for PTWC. The CDA Certificate of Registration was received by IP women leaders through its Provincial Federation President Bai Elfa Digaynon. PTWC can now engage in business for their economic growth. They can now avail of assistance from the province and other government grants under the Philippine Cooperative Code. They can also enjoy the benefits of the recently released joint Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and CDA rules which provides tax exemptions.

Government foreign debt drops by 0.84%

HE national government’s foreign debt slid by P17.45 billion, or 0.84 percent, to P2.06 trillion in April this year from P2.07 trillion the previous month, data from the Bureau of Teasury (BTr) show. BTr attributed the decline to the P28.97 billion gained from the strengthening of the peso against the dollar and the P2.07 billion net repayment. Domestic debt, on the other hand, expanded by P3.76 billion, or 0.12 percent, from monthago’s P3.02 trillion due to the impact of the P4.07 billion net issuance of government securities and the P0.31 billion net depreciation of the dollar and euro against the peso on multi-currency retail treasury bond (RTBs). BTr data show that total debt of the national government dropped to P5.08 trillion in April this year, down 0.27 percent or P13.7 billion, from the P5.09 billion in the previous month. The bulk, or 59.48 percent, of the total was accounted for by liabilities from onshore creditors at P3.02 trillion while the balance of 40.52 percent amounting to P2.06 trillion was sourced from offshore fund sources. Meanwhile, the government’s total liabilities increased by 7.71 percent year-on-year in April against year-ago’s P4.71 trillion. The domestic debt rose by 12.40 percent, or P333.11 billion against P2.69 trillion in April 2011 while foreign debt rose by 1.49 percent, or P30.21 billion, against year-ago’s P2.03 trillion. Relatively, the government’s contingent debt decreased by 0.10 percent to P548.96 billion last April from the previous month’s P549.5 billion.

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

EDGEDAVAO

47.032 46.851 48.139

48.161 48.146 47.905 47.524 48.217

48.458 47.585 47.207 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

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 70 • JUNE 10-11, 2012

SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

What causes global warming? By Jims Vincent T. Capuno

HE Philippines is among the countries facing great risk if the trend in global warming, caused by carbon dioxide emission, is not reversed, an international conservation group warned. “The Philippines is extremely vulnerable to the ravages of climate change. Food and fresh water shortages, receding coastlines and an increase in political and economic turmoil is the bleak picture that climate change paints for the country,” the World Wide Fund for Nature said in a statement. Global warming refers to an increase in average global temperatures, which in turn cause climate change. “To completely understand why global warming happens, it is important to know that our atmosphere, which is made up of gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide as well as water vapor, has a profound influence on Earth’s surface temperature,” explains the Worldwatch Institute, an independent research organization based in Washington, D.C. So-called greenhouse gases (GHG) such as carbon dioxide and methane absorb heat, thus reducing the amount that escapes back to space. “As the atmosphere absorbs heat energy,»

Worldwatch notes, “it warms the oceans and the surface of the Earth. This process is called the greenhouse effect. Without this effect, the Earth›s atmosphere would average about 50 degrees Fahrenheit colder, making it impossible to sustain life on Earth. Rising levels of heat absorbing greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will increase global temperatures (called global warming).” “Intensive climate research and monitoring over the past few years has given scientists greater confidence in their understanding of the causes and effects of global warming,” said Dr. Klaus Töpfer, former executive director of the United Nations Environment Program. “There is no longer any doubt that the Earth’s climate is changing,” said Dennis Tirpak, chair of a recent climate change conference held in England. “Globally, nine of the past 10 years have been the warmest since records began in 1861. Rising greenhouse gases are affecting

rainfall patterns and the global water cycle.” Carbon dioxide - released when we burn fossil fuels to produce electricity, use gasoline in our cars, or switch on our natural gas stoves for cooking - has been singled out as the biggest factor in changing the Earth’s climatic conditions. Noel Grove, author of Air: An Atmosphere of Uncertainty which appeared in National Geographic, explained the role of carbon dioxide in this manner: “Like panels of glass in a greenhouse, carbon dioxide allows most solar radiation to penetrate the atmosphere but prevents part of the heat radiated by land and bodies of water from escaping into space. As carbon dioxide accumulates, enough heat may be trapped to gradually warm the atmosphere.” Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution an estimated 350 billion tons of carbon dioxide have been released through the burning of fossil fuels. Methane is another GHG cited for global warming. It is a gas created naturally as a waste product of anaerobic bacteria (living with little or no oxygen). These

bacteria produce methane gas in waterlogged soils and wetlands, but also in human-produced environment like rice paddies. “An estimated 19 percent of the world’s methane production comes from rice paddies,” said Dr. Alan Teramura, botany professor at the University if Maryland in the United States. “As populations increase in rice-growing areas, more rice – and more methane – are produced.” Aside from rice paddies, the other top sources of methane gas in the atmosphere are wetlands (20.2 percent), ruminants or cud-chewing animals like cattle (14 percent), biomass fires, such as burning forests(9.7 percent), oil and natural gas pipeline leaks (7.9 percent), termites (7 percent), coal mining (6.2 percent), landfills (6.2 percent), animal wastes (5 percent, and sewage (4.4 percent). Scientists claim that one molecule of methane gas from decaying rice paddies is about 10,000 times more efficient in heating up the planet Earth than one molecule of carbon dioxide emitted by a gasoline engine. Another GHG which is almost exclusively

produced by human activity is the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). These gases were first synthesized about 85 years ago, entering commercial use soon afterwards, first in a refrigerant gas and then in aerosol propellants. CFC are approximately 15,000 times more efficient as greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, scientists say. Once in the atmosphere, CFCs linger for 50 to 100 years or more. But what is alarming is that CFCs destroy ozone and prevent it from reforming. (The ozone layer is a protective shield that surrounds Earth at an altitude of 15 to 30 kilometers.) Nitrogen compounds, the primary pollutants that contribute to air pollution, also augment in increasing the planet’s average temperature. The most common of these compounds are nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide. As with other pollutants, nitrogen compounds come primarily from automobiles and electric power-generating plants. These compounds play a major role in the production of secondary air pollution that create photochemical smog. They also con-

tribute to the development of acid rain. “Dealing with (global warming) will not be easy. Ignoring it will be worse,” said the Nobel-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said in a statement. “Without effective action, climate change is going to be larger and more difficult to deal with than we thought.” Think globally; act locally, so they say. “We can pledge to do our part to conserve energy and pollute less,” the Worldwatch suggests. “Whether at home, on our commute to work or school, or at the store, there are things we can do to lessen our impact on climate change.” “The issue is not stopping global warming - this will almost certainly not be possible within most of our lifetimes,” notes Worldwatch’s Christopher Flavin. “Rather, the challenge is to slow the production of greenhouse gases immediately, so as to avoid the most sudden and catastrophic climate changes. If trends continues unabated, only radical, draconian measures would be sufficient to save the climate later on.”

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 70 • JUNE 10-11, 2012

The maker of growth centers

EDITORIAL

Sin tax won’t eliminate the ‘sins’

HE House of Representatives approved last Wednesday the so-called “sin tax reform bill” which Malacanang hopes the Senate will adopt, thus bringing the country closer to reforming the current tax regime for tobacco and alcohol products which have proven to be “ineffective” and “outdated.” House Bill No. 5727 has a good purpose which should meet with approval from all sectors of Philippine society, except a few: tobacco farmers, cigarette and alcohol product manufacturers, their distributors and dealers and--not to forget--their endusers (smokers and drinkers, who else?) The bill, once enacted into law, will increase taxes levied on the “sin products” and make the national government happy with the expected increae in revenue of P33 billion in just the first year of implementation. In fact in its original form, HB 5727 was expected to generate at least P60.7 billion, to be channeled to 81 beneficiary provinces instead of the 16 provinces now being supported by the present excise tax scheme. Since the bill will certainly have an ad-

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verse effect on Filipino tobacco farmers, 15 percent of sin tax revenues will be used to support them. How it will all work out remains to be seen. Still and all, the additional revenues in the billions of pesos will go a long way to fund critical health services, like health coverage for the indigent and informal sectors under the National Health Insurance Program as well as the development and rehabilitation of health facilities in far-flung regions and provinces. All of which, taken as a whole, is surely what “the doctor ordered” as the saying goes. But, lest we forget, sin tax HB 5727, for all its advantages to the country’s economic health, will not eliminate the “sins” of smoking and drinking. There will always be smokers and drinkers no matter how much these products may cost. The rationale behind the increase in the cost of sin products is laudable--more revenues for the government. But the twin “sins”-smoking and drinking—will remain. For one, it won’t stop President PNoy from indulging in his pet vice—smoking. ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

ALBERTO DALILAN Managing NEILWIN L. BRAVO Sports and Motoring ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

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

JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

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AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

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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.

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HIEF Justice Renato C. Corona pushed his luck too far beyond the limit in that afternoon of May 22. After that fateful episode, Corona and the Defense must have seen the end not boding well for them. They must have sensed the impending doom – the disaster -- as the drama neared its dénouement. That Tuesday evening, Corona checked in at the Medical City in Pasig; by midnight he was in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit). He must have been really sick. But that did not move the Court. On Friday, May 25, he forced himself to be at the court as ordered – a medical team in tow. The Defense did not conduct a direct examination. While the Prosecution waived its cross examination, the senator-judges did crossexamine to extract damning admissions. Rattled? Back in court, Corona released without condition the waiver he signed three days earlier. That was casting the last straw – gambling on its futility. The Court took note of the offer but did not accept it. Only the Defense or Prosecution could use it to have bank officials summoned. On its own the Court would not summon witnesses. Why did Corona not release the unconditional waiver outright on Tuesday afternoon? By then, the Prosecution might have been tempted to request the Court to summon bank and AMLC officials. There was no more time by that Friday; the Court had already set for the following Monday and Tuesday the closing arguments and the handing down of the verdict through open court voting. Corona acted like rattled. Did he really want bank and AMLC officials summoned to affirm or deny his testimony? As it was, the last minute issuance of the absolute waiver was mere grand show – palabas lamang. That cast doubts on his sincerity and questions on the veracity of his claim to having only $2.4 million in four bank deposits. In reality, with Corona testifying, the cor-

PACEX’S Dragon vehicle and its recent blast into space have gotten plenty of press. Many see the shift to privatized space travel as the nail in the coffin for the United States government’s space exploration. But you likely haven’t heard about another critical deficiency in the US space program: America is quickly losing its scientific satellites and the capabilities to launch them. Can we get industry and the US government to work together to get us back on track? The United States was the first nation to deploy satellites to understand the Earth and its environment. In 1978, the NASA-NOAA SeaSat mission pioneered a number of technologies still good today to monitor the ocean. These space-based observations are critical for forecasting weather accurately, for scientific research, and for managing our natural resources. We depend on these amazing eyes in the sky to build our economy, contain oil spills, monitor flooding, track storms, forecast local and global weather, and even put fish on our dinner tables. I know because as a biological oceanographer I use them every day. But I may not be able to do so for long. A new report from the National Academies of Science entitled “Earth Science and Applications from Space: A Midterm Assessment of NASA’s Implementation of the Decadal Survey” tells us what we have known for more than five years: US satellites are in rapid decline, with few plans to replace them. Several of the oceanographic satellites that we have depended on for the past decade are no longer operating, and there are no plans to replace them. The problem started in the mid-1990s, when the US government decided to drastically scale back NASA’s Earth Observing System. A misguided program was then started to merge all weather and Earth research sat-

Monkey Business

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 70 • JUNE 10-11, 2012

Disastrous testimony COMMENT BY PATRICIO P. DIAZ roboration from bank officials was unnecessary. Enrile and other senator-judges believed Corona had in his possession the most authentic evidence – his bank passbooks and other documents. Why did he not submit these as his evidence? He could be playing smart on the Prosecution and the Court, as if challenging: “Here’s my waiver. I dare you examine my bank records.” But, whatever, the burden to prove the truth of his testimony was on him. Doubts aggravated the disaster. How disastrous was Corona’s testimony? According to Enrile, as of March, the 23 senator-judges were divided. In the first group [3] were Joker Arroyo, Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for acquittal. In the second group [11] were Franklin Drilon, Teofisto Guingona III, Panfilo Lacson, Francis Pangilinan, Sergio Osmeña III, Ralph Recto, Manuel Lapid, Antonio Trillanes IV, Edgardo Angara, Alan Peter Cayetano and Pia Cayetano for conviction. In the third group [9] were Juan Ponce Enrile, Gregorio Honasan, Ramon Revilla Jr., Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, Loren Legarda, Vicente Sotto III, Manuel Villar, Francis Escudero and Aquilino Pimentel III still undecided. Any five of them could swing the vote to either acquittal or conviction. The Prosecution had weak evidence when it rested its case. Enrile said he noticed the third-group senator-judges were positively influenced by the Defense’s presentation of evidence. Lacson observed: “Had the Ombudsman not appeared, the Chief Justice might have been acquitted.” Until he committed his mistakes, Corona appeared to have neutralized Ombudsman Morales. His offer of a waiver on his deposits

elated the senators, Lacson said. But his dare to Drilon and the 188 signatories to the Articles of Impeachment to do the same turned them off. And after his walkout, “Everyone had this fear of a unanimous vote for conviction.” Succeeding events were anticlimactic. On Sunday, May 27, Enrile and six other senators in Group 3 met at the residence of Senator Legarda to discuss their vote. Not only five, but all the nine joined Group 2 to oust Corona from the most exalted position of “Chief Justice of the Republic of the Philippines”. They could not excuse him, “now” or ever! The Prosecution’s closing arguments by House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., Chief Prosecutor Niel Tupas Jr. and Prosecutor Roldofo Fariñas all heavily leaned on Corona’s testimony. He “bends justice to hide his crime”, said Belmonte. He hid “98%” of his cash assets, said Fariñas and ridiculed him for resorting to “palusot” (smart evasion) or lame excuses. The Defense’s closing arguments by Chief Counsel Serafin Cuevas and Counsel Dean Eduardo de los Angeles were pathetic. They invoked lack of evidence, good faith and the laws preventing Corona from disclosing his dollar deposits – the last, the same reasoning of Corona, among the faults in his testimony leading to conviction. The Philippine Daily Inquirer said it all in its lead: “Chief Justice Renato Corona was convicted not because of the prosecutorial skills of his accusers but the blunders committed by his lawyers – foremost of them, presenting Corona as their star witness (May 31: “Enrile cites defense’s blunders”). (“Comment” is Mr. Patricio P. Diaz’ column for MindaViews, the opinion section of MindaNews. The Titus Brandsma Media Awards honored Mr. Diaz with a “Lifetime Achievement Award” for his “commitment to education and public information to Mindanawons as Journalist, Educator and Peace Advocate.” You can reach him at patpdiazgsc@yahoo. com.)

Decline of American satellites OPINION BY FRANK MULLER-KARGER

ellite capabilities. The new program seriously downgraded entire series of satellites and resulted in huge cost overruns and minimal government oversight. But guess who paid the bill? You and I did. Did the government learn a lesson? No. As we started the new millennium, NASA still had not provided a vision for continuing the measurements that its own scientists had proven are needed to understand our planet and to sustain our American way of life. When the science community was finally asked to help, the National Academies of Science put together the Decadal Survey in 2007, which was then largely ignored by the US government. According to the Academies’ newest reports, the US has now lost its wind sensors, an ocean color sensor, and a carbon observatory that did not reach space because of a rocket failure. The NASA Earth imaging sensors are now approaching 14 years in operation – more than twice their expected lifetime, and their cameras are degrading. We now have no US sensors capable of measuring ocean currents. And while the United States plans to launch a replacement of the Landsat remote sensing satellite by 2013 to replace the one that broke 10 years ago, there is still no plan for how to continue this mission. Yet maintaining the US satellite program is mandated by The Land Remote Sensing Policy Act of 1992. Our entire strategy to look at our own planet from space looks like this. The new Academies report alerts us again that the number of in-orbit and planned NASA

and NOAA Earth observing missions will decline from 23 in 2012 to only six in 2020. And the number of Earth observing instruments mounted on such satellites will fall from about 110 in 2011 to fewer than 30 in 2020. NASA has now also lost the capability to launch mid-sized satellites. The rockets to launch this class of satellites for NASA have all failed since 2009. Today the US can only launch very small or very big satellites – but not the class of satellites that we need to look at our own planet for science and good management of resources. Because we are not building satellites, we are rapidly losing the best engineers to design satellite systems, while our scientists and graduate students no longer have access to the raw data we had only a year or two ago – or even 10 years ago. This means loss of expertise and technology with long-term implications for national security. The loss is not just for scientists. The satellite data we use translates into managing everything from fisheries and shipping lanes to tracking red tides off Florida,Texas, California, and Mexico. At universities, scientists and students work with all levels of government agencies to measure water quality conditions of the estuaries and coasts of our entire country as well as other nations. Satellites were a key means to track oil during theDeepwater Horizon disaster and to help prevent more oil from reaching our coasts. Satellites also monitor the effects on the ocean from Mississippi River flooding, track storms, and estimate whether hurricanes will strengthen in warmer sea temperatures. [Frank Muller-Karger is a professor of biological oceanography and remote sensing at theUniversity of South Florida and the director of the Institute of Marine Remote Sensing.]

Mute witness to historic events SPECIAL FEATURE BY SEVERINO C. SAMONTE

HEN I visited the century-old Katipunan tree of Novaliches last week, I once more read the 32-year-old

marker: “This tree was a mute witness to historic events. This very site where it stands was once a wooded hill which was a staging area of the Katipuneros during the Philippine Revolution. Under this tree, the Katipuneros held meetings, treated their wounded. Andres Bonifacio, founder of the Katipunan, was here on several occasions.” The tree, a blackberry tree or “duhat” (scientific name eugenia Cumini), is about two kilometers away from La Mesa Dam and the old Barangay Pasong Putik (now Lagro) in Novaliches, where Tandang Sora, the Grand Old Lady of the Revolution, was arrested by the Spaniards in August 1896 prior to her imprisonment at the Bilibid Prisons in Manila and eventual exile to Guam. The place is also just five kilometers north of the heroine’s birthplace at the now renamed Barangay Tandang Sora, formerly called Gulod ng Banilad or Banlat, Novaliches. The “duhat” tree also witnessed the gallantry of the Katipuneros of 1896, headed by Gat. Andress Bonifacio. In the early months of the 1896 revolution against Spain, the “duhat tree,” located in the then municipality of Novaliches, province of Manila, served as shade to Katipuneros during their various meetings. Historical records show that Melchora Aquino or “Tandang Sora,” was present in several of these meetings held under the protective shade of the duhat tree. It was also there where Tandang Sora used to treat wounded Katipuneros as a result of their frequent encounters with the Spanish soldiers. In recognition of the important role played by this tree for the cause of the then infant revolutionary movement, it was officially named as “Katipunan tree” in l980 to perpetuate the memory of Bonifacio and his brave men. Since the 1980s, the ancient duhat tree remains swaying with the wind until today to witness the yearly celebration of the country’s Independence Day on June 12. Despite its being over 100 years old, the historical blackberry tree in Novaliches, Quezon City continues to bear fruits, although not as big and succulent as those it used to produce during its younger years. Estimated to be more than 150 years old, the heritage tree, renamed “Katipunan” tree after the revolutionary society founded by Andres Bonifacio on July 7, 1892, is actually located in Barangay Kaligayahan, Novaliches, birthplace of “Tandang Sora,” and site of the first bloody encounter between the “Katipuneros” and the Spanish forces on Aug. 26, 1896, or three days after the historic August 23 “Cry of Pugad Lawin.” Being the only one of its kind in the entire country, the tree is considered a pride of Novaliches, a former town of Rizal province which is now divided between Quezon City and Caloocan City. The National Historical Institute (NHI) and the Tree Preservation Foundation of the Philippines Inc. (TPFPI) officially declared the tree as a Katipunan tree in 1980 to perpetuate the memory of the revolutionary organization that launched the Philippine Revolution against Spanish rule in August 1896. The ancient tree, when it was officially marked and renamed Katipunan tree, originally measured six meters in diameter at the base and about 50 feet in height. The shade generated by its outspread branches encompassed about 30 feet in diameter. It sprouted at the compound of the 65-year-old Metro Manila College (MMC), formerly the Novaliches Academy, the pioneer secondary educational institution in Novaliches. Due to its old age, its height is now reduced to about 25 feet (considering the gradual loss of many of its branches which had not re-grown) and the shade it generates is half smaller. Mrs. Natividad M. Villano, director for Student Affairs of the Metro Manila College (formerly the Novaliches Academy), said that every June 12, the heritage Katipunan (duhat) tree is the center of a simple Independence Day celebration under the joint auspices of the Knights of Columbus-Novaliches District Assembly of the Saint Maximilian Kolbe Parish Church and the Metro Manila College. I wish I could grow the same tree species in my own backyard. I picked up about a dozen of its overripe black fruits, which had fallen to the ground. At home, I put them in a big can with soil, hoping that during this rainy season, some of them though smaller than those I had seen last year, would sprout into seedlings, which I can replant someday to replace the historical tree when it “finally bows of existence due to old age.” [PNA FEATURE]

SUBURBIA

VOL.5 ISSUE 70 • JUNE 10-11, 2012

LAKE SEBU ECO-TOURISM TASK FORCE. The Department of Tourism and the Mindanao Development Authority initiated the creation of the task force chaired by Lake Sebu Mayor Antonio Fungan (seated, 4th from left) composed of government and nongovernment organizations in Region 12. The first mission is to consolidate all existing plans and programs for the lake into one

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unified effort as a tourism development area identified in the National Tourism Development Plan.Lake Sebu is the Philippines’ primary community-based ecotourism (CBET) product enrolled in the roster of CBET in the BIMP-EAGA

DavNor info officers trained on disaster communication

24,000 jobs up for grab I on Independence Day A

BOUT 24,000 jobs will be offered during the Kalayaan Jobs Fair this coming June 12, Independence Day, in Davao City. The jobs fair will be simultaneously held in two large malls in the city, each sponsored by two large TV networks. The jobs fair in Abreeza Mall in Lanang will be sponsored by GMA Network and the other event in NCCC Mall Matina is held in partnership with ABSCBN. According to Alan Baban, OIC Chief of the Technical Support and Services Division Department of

Labor and Employment Regional Office XI, there are 79 companies joining the event, 52 local companies and 27 overseas agencies. Guesting at Marco Polo Davao’s Club 888 Media Forum last June 6, Baban said that most of the work will come from the service sector, particularly demand coming from the call center industry, while a significant percentage of the jobs will come from the industrial sector. He likewise said that overseas jobs are mostly bluecollar work in Middle East countries. Jobseekers are ad-

vised to preregister for the jobs fair either thru the internet by accessing the site PhilJobs.Net or by going to the preregistration booths set up in the malls. This is to minimize the long queues during the jobs fair itself. Baban said that the Region XI job market is more on mining and agriculture and accountancy in the services sector. He said that there is a job mismatch in the labor market as many have enrolled in courses that are not needed by an industry; a fact being remedied by the DOLE efforts thru career guidance network

among students. “Know yourself,” Baban advises jobseekers before going to the jobs fair. While looking for vacancies, they have to know if they have the right educational background and experience for the job they want to apply. They also have to look at their emotional quotient as companies particularly in the service sector look at it, particularly in interpersonal and people’s skills. Also important is the person’s ability to be multi-skilled or capable of multi-tasking, Baban said.

non-government organizations, and individuals joined in the celebration with the migrant workers. She said the agencies provided services during the fair such as information and dissemination, lectures on business and livelihood opportunities, and other programs. She cited the City Health Office to have given lectures on reproductive health and the National Statistics Office that accepted applications for birth certification during the event. There was also an awarding of two checks to OFW beneficiaries who availed of OWWA’s “2B Livelihood Loan”

OFW Reintegration Program, Ador bared. In the afternoon program of the fair, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority provided skills demonstration, while the Bank of the Philippine Island shared a short talk on financial wellness. Ador disclosed that there have been 55,210 OFW members registered at OWWA in the region since the last five years up to the first quarter of 2012. This year’s Migrant Workers’ Day celebration carried the theme: “Serbisyo at Oportunidad para sa OFW at Pamilyang OFW.”

mining company has distributed school knapsacks for around 100 pupils from the kinder, Grades 1 and 2 levels of Matanagad Elementary School and Malinao Primary School in Brgy. Upper Ulip, Monkayo, Compostella Valley on Monday, June 4. Philippine Mining Development Corporation (PMDC) Community Relations Officer Ferdinand Dobli said the school bag distribution was a project under PMDC’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) program dubbed as “Health, Environment and education, Rural infrastructure and Other opportunities for livelihood (HERO).” PMDC will also be

OFWs observed Migrant Workers’ Day

VER 1000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families in Davao City were treated last Thursday, June 7, to a day of fun, entertainment, and skills demonstration in celebration of the Migrant Workers’ Day 2012. Ma. Elvira Ador, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWAXI) regional director, said the Migrant Workers’ Day Fair held at NCCC Mall, Davao City was a way of recognizing the significant contribution of the OFWs to the country’s economic development. Ador told the media that 30 government agencies, private sector,

NFORMATION officers from the various local government units of the province honed their skills in preparing a disaster communication plan in a recently held seminarworkshop. The province conducted the activity on June 1 at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan in Tagum City, as part of preparedness and mitigation measures, recognizing that proper communication is one of the most critical requirements of disaster management. OIC-Provincial Information Officer Romulo Tagalo said the workshop is in response to Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario’s call for the members of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council to intensify their preparedness campaign, especially during normal times. Susan Madrid, Civil Defense Officer III of the Office of Civil Defense-XI hailed

the effort of the province to orient the community information officers in formulating their disaster communication plan given their important role as harbingers of truth and relevant information in the communities. “Effective and accurate communication can save lives and properties,” she said. Nelson Casiano, former head of the Human Resource Management and Development Office of the Enterprise Bank, Inc. introduced the information officers to the fundamentals of preparing their own disaster plans. He said it is crucial for the information officers to be able to give clear, timely, consistent and accurate information in order to adequately prepare for and reduce the impact of calamities that may happen in their respective communities.

giving away school bags to 70 pupils of Letter V Primary School also in Brgy. Upper Ulip while pupils in a primary school in the Municipality of Compostela will also be receiving their share of 100 bags from PMDC. In its school bag distribution project, PMDC got support from Paraiso Consolidate Mining Corp. (PACOMINCO), which contributed 70 pieces of school bags containing pad papers, rain coats and white tshirts. As recipient school children belonged to indigenous peoples communities, PMDC invited the presence of United Council of Elders and Leaders (UTCEL) chairperson Carlos Duron,

Upper Ulip Barangay Capt. Ferdinand Latiban who formerly was the chairperson of Upper Ulip Tribal Emancipated Cooperative (UTEC). On the same day, PMDC also sponsored the a medical mission which had become one of the highlights of the 22nd founding anniversary celebration of Araw ng Mt. Diwata, a barangay within the Mineral Reservation Area. The medical mission brought to Mt. Diwata medical consultation services, blood typing, circumcision administered by medical doctors and nurses of the Municipal Health Office of Monkayo in cooperation with the Department of Health (DOH), which provided medicines.

Mining firm distributes school bags

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 70 • JUNE 10-11, 2012

All I ever needed to know, I learned in kindergarten H By Chelsea Howe – Montessori Kid

AVE you ever heard the quote, “All I ever needed to know, I learned in Kindergarten?” I’ve seen this quote many times before, and, as most people, I have read it as an innocuous statement of someone’s judgment, dismissing it before ever really appreciating it. But, the other day, in an airport, I came across this statement. Before dismissing it, as I had previously, I actually took a moment to ponder the statement. What did I learn in kindergarten, and where was I when I was in kindergarten? I was sitting in Patti and Susan’s class on a big taped circle singing, Deep Blue Beluga, taking naps in the afternoon, learning to share my midmorning snack with other children, learning the art of tying my shoes taught by older children, even building big pink towers in an attempt to master the best plan to make it, successfully, stand taller each and every time. I remember the playground and learning that there are different areas of the playground, divided by different children and different activities; but, there was a collectivism that was shared, in that we were invited and encouraged to participate in all of the groups and all of the activities. But, most of all, I remember Patti and Susan and appreciating that I could go to school every day, be welcomed with a hug, and dismissed back to my parents with a good-bye hug. Twenty-one years later, I am still in the same place, however, Patti and Susan are not my teachers, but they are represented in any “authority” figures I meet, as they do not need to be feared, but can be appreciated. I still know how to share, and to appreciate the diversity that life offers. I recognize the gifts that people bring

in their everyday personalities that allow me to learn from them---whether it’s in teaching me how to tie my shoes (which I’m proud to say I’ve mastered), or in sharing with me something that’s totally unique to them. I have always internalized the desire to respect diversity not only in backgrounds, but in perspective as well. And, I appreciate that I am immersed in various different backgrounds equally, as I can learn and share with all, rather than be limited in my associations. I am in graduate school for psychology, with one year left in this program. Many ask the scary question of: “What will you do when you’re done?” But, I know the answer to this question, “I will go on. I will learn more. I will go to more school to achieve enough education that I can be and do what I want to in this world.” It may be a lawyer, a writer, a psychologist, even a television personality – but, I respect that there is more for me to discover in myself for now. I take comfort that my education and my experience will help lead the way. Montessori provided me with the wonderful gift of appreciating learning---not just from books, but learning from within. It fostered in me the independence, the drive to excel and succeed in all that I do, and most importantly, the love and appreciation I have for myself in that I was taught to celebrate who I am and use my potentials as my very gifts in my everyday experience. I can honestly say that I have so much curiosity for life because I was given the opportunity from a very young age, to question why things happen the way they do. I was given the luxury to learn at my own pace, though still covering all of the

Police Regional Office 11 Regional Director PCSUPT JAIME H MORENTE graced the Philippine National Police - International Committee of the Red Cross (PNP-ICRC) Training on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, where he served as the Guest of Honor and Speaker on June 5, 2012 at the Waterfront Hotel, Lanang, Davao City. Said event was attended by the rep-

material, to further excel and master the things that were more fitting to me. Essentially, I have carried that Montessori experience with me through all of these years---learning all that is required of me, but really focusing on the most salient and stimulating things that are unique to me. My education, therefore, is not restricted to the classroom or books, but is omnipresent in all facets of life. I am aware of how fortunate I am to be where I am and to have accomplished all that I have in my life. But, in reality, I have to thank my parents for having chosen Montessori. My teachers, however, may have been my greatest asset for opening the doors of exploration, encouraging me to be confident in myself, and to have courage to learn, on so many levels, what life is about. I won’t dismiss that quote anymore, as I once did. I will embrace it, appreciate it, and communicate this with others. If others’ kindergarten experience can be as poignant, comforting, and stimulating as mine, we can make a huge difference in what we, as the next generations, can make of the future. After all, everything I ever needed to know, I really did learn in kindergarten. This article was taken from The Importance of the Kindergarten Year in the Montessori Classroom by Tim Seldin, President, Montessori Foundation, USA. Give your child the best, give her the authentic Montessori Education at Vines and Branches Montessori School, 2 Ruby St., Marfori Heights, Davao City, Tel. No. 226-2339. VBMS is affiliated with the American Montessori Society (AMS), the largest accrediting Montessori organization in the world. Visit us now!

resentatives from Human Rights Affairs Office and ICRC; Deputy Regional Directors for Operations and Battalion Commanders of RPSBs of PROs 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and ARMM; Special Action Force Officers based in Mindanao; commanders of Provincial Public Safety Companies of Davao City Police Office and Davao Norte PPO; and Human Right Desk Officers of PRO 11.

COMMUNITY SENSE 11

12 NATION/WORLD

UN reaches Syria massacre site, West seeks sanctions U N monitors on Friday finally reached the site of a massacre of villagers in Syria on their second attempt as Western powers pressed at the United Nations for sanctions against Damascus. The sanctions push came as international envoy Kofi Annan called for “additional pressure” in the wake of the latest massacre as he went into talks in Washington with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. UN spokesman Martin Nesirky told reporters in New York the observers

managed to reach Al-Kubeir, a day after they were shot at when they tried to enter the village. “We are not in a position to give further details until the teams have returned with their findings.” Activist Abdel Karim alHamwi told AFP in Beirut “the observers first headed to the village of Maarzaf where the victims were buried and then to Al-Kubeir to survey the damage from army shelling.” At least 55 people were killed on Wednesday in an assault on Al-Kubeir, a Sunni farming enclave of some

A Syrian man carries a wounded girl next to following an explosion that targeted a military bus near the Qudssaya neighbourhood in the Syrian capital Damascus. UN monitors have finally reached the site of a new massacre in Syria at a second attempt, activists said, as Western powers pressed at the United Nations for sanctions against Damascus.

150 people circled by Alawite villages in the central province of Hama, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Paul Danahar, a BBC correspondent travelling with the UN convoy, reported seeing gutted buildings in Al-Kubeir and no sign of life or bodies. “The stench of burnt flesh is still strong,” he wrote on Twitter, and quoted activists as saying government forces had removed victims’ bodies on Thursday while the observers were being hindered from reaching the village. “In front of me there is a piece of brain, in the corner there is a mass on congealed blood,” he wrote. “In front of a burnt out building is carcass of a donkey inside the buildings are gutted. The UN have not found any people yet. “Who ever did this may have acted with mindless violence but attempts to cover up the details of the atrocity are calculated & clear.” According to preliminary evidence, troops had surrounded Al-Kubeir and militia entered the village and killed civilians with “barbarity,” UN chief Ban Ki-moon told the UN Security Council.

VOL.5 ISSUE 70 • JUNE 10-11, 2012

The United States pledged to help the Philippines step up its defenses in the face of a rising China as it wel-

EDGEDAVAO

comes President Benigno Aquino, seen May 4.

US pledges support on Aquino visit

HE United States pledged Thursday to help the Philippines step up its defenses in the face of a rising China as it welcomes President Benigno Aquino, seen by US officials as a promising partner. President Barack Obama will meet Friday at the White House with Aquino, who has raised the profile of the Philippines in Washington through his pledges to tackle corruption and to boost the military relationship with the United States. Top US military officer General Martin Dempsey, who met Aquino on Monday in Manila, said that he spoke about expanding cooperation with the former US colony beyond recent efforts focused on fighting Islamic insurgents. The Philippines “has

been inward-focused on its internal terrorism and insurgent issues for some time -- for decades really -and so have a very limited capability to project power or to influence activities around it,” said Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “We think that they need some of that, particularly in maritime security,” Dempsey told reporters in Washington. The United States has already been helping to upgrade the notoriously antiquated Philippine military and Aquino has agreed to let a greater number of US troops rotate -- but not set up bases -- in the archipelago. An Obama administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the two leaders on Friday would review

defense ties and also “talk about the work ahead in broadening cooperation.” The cooperation comes as the Philippines -- a US treaty ally -- sees particularly tense relations with China, which has butted heads with a number of its neighbors in recent years over territorial disputes in strategic waters. Friction escalated in April when Chinese and Philippine vessels approached the Scarborough Shoal, which lies near the main Philippine island of Luzon. Manila says the rock formation falls within its exclusive economic zone, but China claims the shoal along with nearly all of the South China Sea. Dempsey said he spoke with Aquino about the need to “ensure freedom of navigation” in the South China Sea.

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Davao...

NPA..

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ies in the world. “We have lower pollution here, we have ample hotels, malls, we have our forestry and natural resources intact, no mining, in general terms of livability talagang we’re a highly recommended most livable city in the world,” he said. “Plus looking at our peace and order, although we remain affected by the negative impact brought about by some armed conflicts in Mindanao, the city has maintained a high number of tourist arrivals which in projects the city as a safe area fit for investments and leisure,” he added. Development hub Among the aspects cited by Alabado which spur the growth of Davao City is the presence of prestigious schools. “Davao City is not just the educational hub of Mindanao, but it is also garnering the respect of foreign nationals, such as the influx of educational tourists from South Korea and India who come to enroll in our schools,” he said. “ADDU (Ateneo de Davao University) and San Pedro College are having expansions. Indians who have graduated from the Davao Medical School Foundation garnered high results in international examinations,

so don’t be surprised to see more Indians coming to Davao City,” he added. The City Planning Office head also cited the high quality of Davao Doctors College medical graduates as being at par with international standards. Alabado said Davao City, with its international airport sea port, is the busiest city in Mindanao. “Davao City is becoming a leader in fulfilling the principles behind the BIMPEAGA (Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines - East ASEAN Growth Area) by connecting to these countries,” he said, adding that the city in recent years has been witnessing land development projects mushrooming into hotels, malls, and residential areas, hence should not be surprised if more investments come in. “We’re we’re becoming a magnet for economic growth in the southern part of the Philippines. We can trade here. The local government is very supportive of investments by having perhaps the lowest cost in business registration in the country. And we are ready with human resource,” he said. Alabado said the city’s BPO (business process outsourcing) industry contin-

ues to grow at the rate of 20% every year, which is the same as that of Cebu, also one of the highest BPO hubs in the country. “What we’re currently experiencing, as you can see, there are more activities in the city, more investments, renewed urban living. Davao City has the most investment activity in Mindanao,” he said. “We are at the stage wherein fast growth should be responded to accordingly by the local government through provision of social services. The administration is aware of all these and we’re determined to meet the demands of the time,” he added, baring the city’s plan to invest in a million-peso drainage plan which will add three main drainage canals in the city. The plan will cost of P20 million per kilometer which the city is willing to spend, aware of its long-term benefits. “We’re not looking at this as if we’re only going to use this once. These drainage canals are going to be kumbaga the main highways ng ating drainage system which will be huge,” he said “It will serve the present and the next generation, so gagastos talaga tayo. The city is going to have to bite the bullet,” he added.

Watershed..

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Mainit, Nabunturan (Comval), one Nissan Terrano (sports utility vehicle) was burned by the OCG-NPA, Paniza said, adding that civilians saw about 20 rebels at the scene of the incident. Meanwhile, at about 1 a.m. of June 9, an undetermined number of OCG-NPA disarmed guards of Milagrosa Mining at Bgy Saranga, Maragusan, Comval and fled aboard two hijacked Sadam trucks. By 5:40 a.m. the same day, troops of the 71st Infantry Battalion encountered elements of the OCG-NPA which resulted in a firefight. No casualties were reported. Paniza rapped the use by the rebel elements of landmines which he said “was another violation and blatant disregard of the provisions as stipulated under the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) - Part 3 Article 3 No. 15 on the use of landmines.” [JADE C.

Grand Men Seng Hotel. The terrain study involves classifying these conservation areas as agro-forestry and agricultural non-tillage. “Kinahanglan nato maidentify kung asa gyud nagasugod areas sa atong mga aquifers or recharge zones sa atong mga watershed area aron ma-protektahan nato. Sa pagka-karon wala ta kahibalo kung asa sila exactly,” the city mayor said. “Kauban mo mga barangay, we need your cooperation and support for the protection of Davao City’s environment,” she added. “The gathering was primarily a forum on the implementation of the city’s Wastershed Code. At the end of the ceremony, barangay leaders from the 3rd District of the city were asked to stay and given instructions on how there will be surveys conducted in their areas,” said Councilor Arnolfo Cabling, co-author of the Watershed Code, in an interview last June 7 at the City Hall. “There will be teams going to their barangays for inspection, and they will be composed local government officials, Watershed Management Council (WMC) members and national representatives from the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources),” he added. Along with cooperation on terrain study to be conducted by the WMC, barangays are expected to develop and conduct SWM practices all aimed at protecting the city’s natural environment. Misconceptions The mayor said there should be no misconceptions in carrying out the area study prior to the identification of the watershed areas. “It does not matter if your area is private or public land. The results of the study will not dictate that you have

to leave your area once it is found to be part of the watershed area. You should remove that misconception from your mind,” she said in an interview. “We are rather encouraging you to shift to environmentally-friendly practices. We will provide the means and guidance as to how your area should be protected. (For example) if you’re area is into mono-crop planting then we’re encouraging you to alter portions of your land for you to plant other crops such as cacao,” she added. Councilor Marissa AbellaSalvador said she has led the cultivation of high-grade crops in upland communities which were formerly unaware of SWM practices. “Recycling and gardening mixes well together kasi. You could recycle solid containers into pots. Sa ngayon marami nang communities ang nagpapractice nito,” she said. Cacao-cultivating communities of recent count are in Mapula, Malabog, Butay, Colasas in Tapak Proper, Mapula, Pradise Embac, Fatima, Sumimao, Paquibato, Salapawan, Pandaitan, and Panalum. City Planning and Development Office head Robert Alabado also emphasized that the city is ‘willing to spend for that process that must occur in fulfilling the Watershed Code.’ “We know that adjustments will be made but we are willing to spend for that shift. Tanggalin niyo po sa inyong isipan na magugutom kayo. We will not take away from you your livelihood,” he said in an interview June 7. “The city will provide you with high-grade crops. May initial budget na of P800,000 for the study and the DENR has also given their word to support the city’s government’s efforts in protecting its watershed areas,” he added. [JADE C. ZALDIVAR]

no duplication of courses are among the reasons for amalgamation of the SUCs as stated in HB 5311. USEPFA says there may be chaos and disruptions if USEP is included in DRSUS, considering that it has many programs accredited while other SUCs have different development levels. Meanwhile, the USEP council of deans also passed a resolution strongly supporting amalgamation of the three state colleges and for USEP to br left alone being one of the top five universities in the country as per evaluation by the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). The university was cited as in the top five of 15 Philippine universities included in the QS 2011 list of top Asian universities, following the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, University of Sto. Tomas, and De La Salle University in descending order.

The association also states that the region, having a big population, should have more schools to protect the right of stakeholders to accessible, equitable and quality education, rather than reducing the existing schools into one university system. The faculty members cited that the budget allocation for the entire region is only 1.28% in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2012 for the four SUCs, the second lowest budget, followed by Region 13. Based on GAA for 2012, the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, having only three state colleges, is allocated 8.3% of the total SUC regional allocation of P22,093,503,000. DRSUS will also deter the chance to expand quality education in Compostela Valley where there is no state college/university, USEPFA said. [LORIE A. CASCARO]

ZALDIVAR]

Faculty... FFROM 2

(SUC) in the region. “We have agreed to campaign against DRSUS and remain vigilant because, although Sir Ungab is not really active for it anymore, there might be a chance for him to bring that issue up again. We have to always be on guard,” Milagros M. Villas, USEPFA secretary, said in an interview. House Bill 5311 or an act creating the integration of four SUCs in Region 11 to be known as DRSUS, filed by Ungab last September, has not been discussed in the House Committee yet. While the bill is still about to be discussed in Congress, Villas said, USEP teachers and students are campaigning against it. Ungab, noting that all USEPFA members are against the bill, has stopped campaigning,Vilas said, “Murag narevive na pud daw (it seems to have been revived), adding that ” She mentioned that the student council and publication of USEP also registered opposition to the bill. Florencio S. Chua, USEPFA treasurer, said Rep, Teddy Casiño assured the USEP faculty that he would block the passage of the bill because “no college can just be instituted by the legislature but it must undergo a process like how USEP was established. Weng C. Nuera, USEPFA member and head of the anti-DRSUS movement, said budget concentration and

SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 70 • JUNE 10-11, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Boxing ex-champ Margarito retires

EXICO’S Antonio Margarito, the former world welterweight champion who was suspended for 16 months after plaster was found in his gloves, has retired after an 18year pro boxing career. Margarito, 34, becomes the third notable fighter in four days to hang up his gloves, following Shane Mosley and Winky Wright out of the ring and into retirement with a posting on his website and Facebook page. “After much thought and extended conversa-

Margarito

tions with my family and team, we have all agreed that the time to hang up my gloves and begin a new chapter in life has arrived,” Margarito said on Thursday. “I always told my family and team that I would walk away from boxing when I felt I could no longer compete at the level I believed I needed to be in order to be successful. “Although the passion and drive are still there, I have to accept that my time to walk away has arrived.” Margarito won the

World Boxing Organization welterweight crown in 2002, and won eight fights in a row in the division until losing the crown to American Paul Williams in 2007. Margarito won the International Boxing Federation welterweight title in 2008 and took the World Boxing Association welterweight crown in 2009 by stopping Puerto Rico’s previously undefeated Miguel Cotto in the 11th round. But before Margarito’s next fight, plaster was found in his hand wraps before he faced Mosley and after a re-wrapping, Margarito was stopped in the ninth round. Then came a 16-month ban and, after a comeback victory over compatriot Roberto Garcia, two final defeats, a unanimous 12-round decision loss at the hands of Filipino star Manny Pacquiao in 2010 and a stoppage last December after 10 rounds against Cotto due to swelling around the Mexican’s right eye. “I leave the cuts, bruises, and sweat, but I’m not leaving the sport,” said Margarito. “I will continue in the sport that gave me so much, Now, however, it is time for me to give back to the sport.”

INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 70 • JUNE 10 - 11, 2012

Style Guy

EDGEDAVAO

STYLE

TO stand out from the crowd, a guy will need more than a good family background and an influential family name. Yes, it takes so much more than that to stand out these days – one must have the right character, the right attitude, and the right style. Take a look at these three young men who are slowly creating their own names and making a niche for themselves – ready to show the world the (good) stuff that they are made of.

Ethan Smith

20, model

HE may have Caucasian features and in the ever-controversial modeling industry, but Ethan Smith is not like all the other guys who would want to get into the pants of every other girl he meets – not even when the girls are throwing themselves at him. “I am just waiting patiently and don’t want to rush into any relationship. I want to wait until after I graduate and when I am ready,” Ethan said. While Ethan is a devout Christian, he also knows how to have clean fun. “I like working out, going to the gym, listening to music, and yes, Facebook,” Ethan said with a grin.

Photo by Gik Jabile Shot on location at Ellesse, Abreeza Mall Shirt: Decenne, P4790; Jacket: Dagoberto, P6990; Pants: Delmo, P3290, all from Ellesse. Shoes: NY Lite canvas, P2990 from Tretorn

Photo by Gik Jabile Shot on location at Bauhaus, Abreeza Mall Shirt: 80/20 KM12, P2790; Jacket: Brad Leather, P14990; Shoes: Fitflop, P6490, all available at Bauhaus

Clark Lorenzo Yap Merced 21, hotelier

MARRIAGE is not yet on the mind Clark Lorenzo Yap Merced, who recently finished his college degree in Nursing.

Martin Ravelo 20, student

WHILE he admits that he has good looks, Martin Royeca Ravelo doesn’t believe that good looks is the end all of things. “I don’t make a big fuss out of it,” Martin said while giving us his boyish grin. It’s understandable why a lot of girls are falling head over

heels for this young chap – he has the moves to sweep any girl off her feet with his talents in basketball and in being a disc jock. Martin may look unassuming and quiet but there is that certain confidence in him when he walks and smiles, like some spark that cause his eyes to glitter.

Photo by Gik Jabile Shot on location at Tretorn, Abreeza Mall Clothes by Bauhaus; Shoes: Tretorn Skymra, P5490

“I would want to enter into a relationship after work. I have to prepare everything before starting any relationship,” Clark said, just like how a true gentleman would. And if ever Clark finds the right girl, there is one thing that would matter most to him: “It is important that she loves her family as that would show how she will love your family as well.” One day, aside from having a family of his own, Clark also wants to own his own hotel, following the footsteps of his parents. “It’s something that I’ll find out in the future. Right now, I’m focused on the board exam for nurses in December,” Clark said.

EDGEDAV

A2 INdulge! SPECIAL FEATURE ENTERTAINMENT “MY father, Atty. Gregorio ‘Loloy’ Caneda…I shall always cherish in my heart his thoughtfulness and generosity. Even when he is away for long periods of time, he sends us loving greetings through telegram. During my birthday, when he is away, he sends me kilometric greetings via telegram. I was also amazed to discover that he had about a hundred scholars, especially the poor lumads coz he made me in charge of paying their tuition and allowance every single month – as it was a well kept secret between my dad and myself. Behind the ‘torpe’ façade is a very gentle loving father and champion of the poor.” – Pilar Braga, councilor

My Dad, My Hero

“MY late father, the late Felix Sur Jr., was a hardworking and patient man. He was a good family provider to his 9 children, whom he named alphabetically! He didn’t get enough education but made sure all of us gets a degree whom he said is our passport to a successful life. A smiling friendly Spanish mestizo, whose strong charisma always made my mom uneasy and suspicious! He was a friend to all and he always had a heart for the poor. Traits I always miss that seems like a treasure I always unearth on Father’s Day. Oh, he was a public figure, too! Happy to give movie passes to friends as he had several theaters operating before – Ideal, Life, Avenue, and Tagumpay to name a few. He was then president of the Theater Association of Davao, who brought to Davao such movie stars to ride on floats during parades like FPJ, Dolphy, Erap, Eddie Garcia, Ramon Revilla Sr., etc. He was a business partner of the late Vice Mayor Manuel ‘Noli’ Sotto, whose family owned a chain of movie houses.” – Ben Sur, Phoenix Petroleum executive

TO many of us, our father is not only the haligi ng tahanan, who provides support for the family, but he is also the hero whom we all look up to, admire, and aspire to become – of not even better. He is the man who we all first love and who will always love us for all our flaws and imperfections. To all the fathers out there, thank you. As we celebrate Father’s Day, INdulge! asked what are the traits of our fathers that we admire the most. Here are some of the feedback that we got: “ROGELIO ‘Noning’ Lizada was a pa“ERIBERTO Sr or ‘Berting’ was a simple man of deep integrity who loved and took care of his family to the core. He was strict but generous and bighearted. He was an athlete and a very good one as he held a national record in the 400-meter low hurdles in the 60’s. He was a sportsman and helped found the basketball referees association in Mindanao. My fondest memory of my father was the chicken barbeque he brings home every night from officiating a basketball game. He would wake us up and gather everyone on the table and give each one a stick of delicious chicken pecho or paa from a barbeque stall in Claveria. We would all happily (and noisily) nibble away our midnight snack. Papa was not a rich man but he taught us that poverty and hardships are God’s blessings in disguise. This beautiful reminder has kept the family in check, that no matter how difficult and painful the going gets, God will always carry us through. Salamat kaayo, Pa.”– Engineer Eriberto ‘Bert’ Barriga Jr., ICT Davao executive vice president “HUMILITY is the trait of my father, Atty. Manuel Luna Borbon, that I admire most.” – Addie Borbon, columnist

tient and loving father.” –Benjie Lizada, businessman

“MY dad’s love for us is all encompassing. His love included giving us the material comforts he could afford, his time whenever he could, his boundless patience with us in our growing up pains and our times of folly, his knowledge and wisdom about values, relationships, business, and legal practice. Dad emphasized God above all else. I am a million times blessed and grateful to have a dad like him. He and my mom, Estrellita Suva Tolentino, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last June 2.” – Atty. Dinah Toelntino Fuentes, law practitioner, on her dad Atty. Raul Oliveros Tolentino “HE is a happy man. Nothing can put my father, Iluminado P. Quinto, down.” –Engr. Robert “Boyet” Quinto, past president DCCCII

“FORMER vice governor Emilio T. Dayanghirang Jr or papa’s best trait was his capacity to forgive, forget, and live a life without enemies. These traits that he demonstrated throughout his active life was best exemplified when he personally re-established friendship, soon after the dismissal of the case, with the guy who caused him years of imprisonment in connivance with the defunct Philippine Constabulary for a fabricated criminal offence during martial law.” – Ednar Dayanghirang, former peace panel member

VAO VOL.5 ISSUE 70 • JUNE 10 - 11, 2012

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

Will Prometheus successfully invade the box office?

THE big box-office question about Prometheus has not been whether it is (or isn’t) a prequel to Alien, but how many people will (or won’t) buy tickets to the shrouded-inmystery Ridley Scott film.

The early returns suggest the answer will be quite a few. Prometheus grossed an estimated $3.6 million in midnight Friday screenings, its apparently pleased studio reported. Midnight grosses are tricky—they may or may not mean much, although good ones, like Prometheus’, usually

mean good things are in store for the weekend. “[It’s] a telling sign that there is a lot of interest in this film, which is to be expected,” Exhibitor Relations box-office analyst

Jeff Bock said Friday. Prognosticators have pegged the ensemble scifi flick, featuring Charlize Theron, to finish the weekend at No. 1, although it’s expected Madagascar 3,

Just her luck:

Lindsay Lohan figures in car crash!

LINDSAY Lohan’s bad luck on the road continues.

The actress was taken to the hospital Friday after her Porsche was totaled in a collision with a semi-trailer truck on the Pacific Coast Highway. Santa Monica Police confirm to E! News that they are actively investigating the accident and that Lohan was one of two parties involved. But just how serious is Lohan’s condition? Larry Thompson, executive producer of Lohan’s latest project, the Lifetime movie Liz & Dick, tells us that the star, who was apparently on her way to their Malibu set, was seeing a doctor. “We are shooting around her waiting on a definitive medical answer,” Thompson says. “Lindsay was involved in an automobile accident today on her way to the set,” her rep, Steve Honig, wrote in a statement to E! News. “She was brought to Santa Monica UCLA hospital as a precaution. She is fine and was released less than two

hours later and is already headed back to the set to resume work. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured in the accident.” Her assistant, Gavin Doyle, was with her and was taken to the hospital for treatment, as well. A photo taken at the scene showed her mangled Porsche, its front passenger side all smashed up and debris littering the right side of the road. Santa Monica Police later told E! that a 911 call came in at 11:42 a.m. reporting a collision on PCH between a large dump

truck and a black 2011 Porsche while both were headed north. Officers determined at the scene that Lohan had been behind the wheel of the Porsche. She complained of pain, her passenger had minor visible injuries and both were taken to the hospital by ambulance. The male driver of the truck was uninjured, according to police. Both drivers were checked out for signs of being under the influence and that was quickly ruled out as being a factor in the crash.

the other major new release, could debut just as big, if not bigger. Grosses from Madagascar 3’s midnight screenings—and, yes, there were witching-hour showings

for the kid-friendly animated comedy—were not known. Prometheus’ midnight take is twice as big as Men in Black 3’s from a couple weeks back. Overall, MiB3 posted a $55 million Friday-Sunday debut, which is about where Prometheus (and maybe Madagascar 3) are expected to end up. As of Thursday, Prometheus held the edge over Madagascar 3 in advance-ticket sales, per stats from the advanceticket-seller Fandango. For now, Exhibitor Re-

lations is holding to its Prometheus prediction of a box-office-topping, $57 million Friday-Sunday bow. “Inception debuted with $3 million at midnight and took in $62 million for the weekend,” Bock said of the Christopher Nolan-Leonardo DiCaprio mind-bender. “Looks like Prometheus will hit about the same sweet spot, although it is a bit less accessible as an R-rated film instead of PG-13.” It’s got about as much mystery, though.

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SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 70 • JUNE 10-11, 2012

PACQUIAO-BRADLEY FIGHT David sets milestone GenSan folk treated to ‘ringside view’ in Tigers’ win

S in the past, the local government of General Santos City will treat anew local boxing fans with a ringside view of the highly-anticipated showdown on Sunday between world boxing sensation and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao and undefeated American brawler Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas, Nevada. Avel Manansala, media liaison officer of the city mayor’s office, said Friday the city government has purchased a pay-per-view subscription worth around P300,000 to allow local residents witness for free the Pacquiao-Bradley fight via live telecast at the 5,000-capacity city gymnasium. He said Mayor Darlene

Antonino-Custodio personally endorsed the purchase of the pay-per-view subscription as show of support for Pacquiao, who hails from this city. The eight-division champion, who is staking anew his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title against Bradley, grew up in Barangay Labangal here and is considered a local hero. Manansala said they already released 5,000 tickets for the free live viewing of the fight at the city gymnasium in Barangay Lagao here. “The tickets will guarantee reserved seats inside the gym,” he said. He said they tapped the city’s 26 barangay councils to facilitate the distribution of the free tick-

Boxer Manny Pacquiao (C) steps on the scale as Joel Diaz, Timothy Bradley’s trainer, looks on during the official weigh-in for their bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on June 8, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao will defend

ets, which local residents may avail of on a “first come, first served” basis. Manansala said the gymnasium will open at 8 a.m. on Sunday for the live telecast – starting from the undercards to the main event. He reminded residents who availed of the free tickets to strictly observe the city gymnasium’s standing policy against the bringing of food and any beverage inside the facility. For residents who failed to avail of the free tickets, he said they will set up television sets outside the gymnasium to accommodate them. Aside from the city government, the barangay councils of Apopong and Labangal here will also be offering free the live telecasts

of the fight at their barangay gymnasiums. In Sarangani, officials of the province’s congressional district office said a free live telecast of the Pacquiao-Bradley fight will also be beamed at the provincial capitol gymnasium. Several restaurants, entertainment establishments and shopping malls in the city are also offering live viewing of the Pacquiao-Bradley bout for fees ranging from P50 to P400. In Koronadal City, a mall offered as shopping freebie tickets for a live viewing of the fight at the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center. [ALLEN V. ESTABILLO / MINDANEWS]

his WBO welterweight title against Bradley on June 9 in Las Vegas. [KEVORK DJANSEZIAN/GETTY IMAGES]

Reformed Pacquiao to visit Jerusalem

ALL of Fame promoter Bob Arum is laying the groundwork for a landmark visit by Manny Pacquiao to Jerusalem next month. Arum said on Thursday night that the trip was Pacquiao’s own idea and the Top Rank chief said he will make the most out of the event by making it truly unforgettable. If the trip happens, Arum said Pacquiao will visit the Christian communities in Israel and will likely even ride a fighter jet of the Israeli Air Force.

Pacquiao has been so immersed in the Bible that he has gotten rid of all of his bad habits like high-stakes gambling, partying and womanizing. Even at the height of his training for this Saturday night’s meeting with Tim Bradley at the MGM Grand, Pacquiao recited Bible verses and sounded like an ordained pastor. Pacquiao and his immediate family and Arum will join him in the journey to the Holy Land as well as close friends from here and the Philippines,

according to the 80-yearold Arum. The trip will take place in mid-July, said Arum. Meantime, world super-bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire expressed the belief on Thursday that an 80 percent Manny Pacquiao will be enough to repulse the challenge of Tim Bradley. “Even if Manny is about 80 percent (he can beat Bradley),” said Donaire, who blew into town to formally announce his July 7 fight with Jeffrey Mathebula of South Africa.

The fight will be held at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, with Donaire putting his World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization 122-lb crowns on the line against Mathebula’s International Boxing Federation jewels. Donaire said that if Pacquiao is below 80 percent, he will have a hard time dealing with Bradley, whom Donaire has known since they were in their early teens while they were in the amateur ranks.

OVAK Djokovic used to doubt if he would ever be able to beat the two “strongest players” in tennis but he ruthlessly dispatched Roger Federer on Friday and now Rafa Nadal stands between him and an achievement that would eclipse them both.

The world number one swept aside third seed Federer 6-4 7-5 6-3 in the semi-finals with an imperious display of consistent hitting to move one step closer to holding all four grand slam titles at the same time. That would be a feat unmatched by the 16-times

major-winning Swiss or the Spanish battler who Djokovic faces in the final on Sunday. It will be the Serb’s first French Open final - and the seventh for Nadal - but Djokovic is unlikely to be overawed. After a lukewarm start

to the tournament, he seems to have hit form at the perfect time and made light work of Federer. In blustery early evening sunshine, the 30-year-old’s forehand lost its bearings and Djokovic was able to apply the sort of relentless pressure that few can resist.

ARY David notched another milestone in his already storied eight-year career. A thrilling victory over erstwhile unbeaten Rain or Shine Friday night made it doubly sweeter. Arguably the league’s most prolific scorer, David pumped in 11 of his teamhigh 30 points in the pivotal period as Powerade snapped Rain or Shine’s four-game winning streak with a stirring 104-98 stunner in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the SmartAraneta Coliseum. David, who went 9-of24 from the field spiked by an impeccable 10-of10 outing from the charity stripe became the first local to post 20-and-more points in 19 consecutive games, tying equally offense-minded Danny Seigle who last did the trick in 2006 with San Miguel Beer (now known as Petron Blaze). More importantly, David’s superb offensive display lifted the Tigers into a two-way tie with the Boosters at third spot 3-2 mark behind the Elasto Painters (4-1) and idle BMeg Llamados (3-1). “Panalo pa rin talaga ang mas importante,” said David, 33. “Lahat naman ginagawa ko para mapanalo ang team. Hindi ko iniisip yung record. Talagang pinagtatrabahuhan ko ang mga natatamasa ko.” Earlier, LeRoy Hickerson returned with a bang, leading Barako Bull Energy to a 111-107 comefrom-behind victory over the Boosters. Hickerson, who flew in late Friday noon to replace the ineffective Jamine Peterson, scattered 32 points, seven boards and as many assists to help the Energy gain their second win against two defeats, good for fourth alongside Barangay Ginebra Kings. Omar Sneed backstopped David with 28 points, capped by a game-

clinching lay-up that pegged the final count with 14.5 ticks left, while JV Casio, the top overall pick in last year’s draft, finished with 12 markers aside from making life miserable for Rain or Shine ace guard Paul Lee.

Drafted second behind Casio, Lee went scoreless in the opening quarter but managed to finish with 15 points while import Jamelle Cornely collected a game-high 31 markers, 13 of them coming in the third quarter capped by a buzzer-beating trey off the glass that trimmed their deficit at 71-74 going to the fourth. A coast-to-coast made lay-up by Lee cut the Tigers’ lead to three, 94-91, with 2:44 left. Then David, as expected, presided over the Tigers’ decisive push. David sank a twisting reverse lay-up off of Jondan Salvador’s feed followed by a jumper and two charities off a foul from Gabe Norwood, pushing the Tigers comfortably ahead 100-94 time down to just 82 seconds. “What’s important is the people who must deliver for us delivered like Gary and Sneed,” stressed Powerade coach Bo Perasol. “We were contemplating on giving the ball to Omar at the post but better judgment told me to give it to Gary.” Lee scored another lay-up then Lordy Tugade wisely tipped-in Sneed’s air-ball attempt to preserve the Tigers’ lead at 102-96. Cornely made a jumper again but Sneed delivered the final blow with his gutsy drive against three Painters’ defenders. ”We held down their offensive players during the crucial and critical times. We defeated the unbeaten team and it’s satisfying for us to be the first team to defeat them,” added Perasol.

Djokovic crushes Federer to close on ‘Novak Slam’

FedererRoger Federer of Switzerland reacts during a news conference after losing his men’s singles semi-final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris June 8, 2012. [REUTERS]

VOL.5 ISSUE 70 â&#x20AC;˘ JUNE 10-11, 2012

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