Edge Davao 5 Issue 97

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VOL.5 ISSUE 97 • JULY 18, 2012

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Sara, Rody differ on gun ban publication

By Jade C. Zaldivar

D

AVAO CITY Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said there›s no need for a nationwide publication that a gun ban order is in effect in the city.

This developed as the city’s

application for a gun ban during this year’s Kadayawan Festival set August 1 to 31 was approved by the Philippine National Police (PNP). With its approval, the mayor opined that the city will no

longer have it publicized in the national media.

Duterte-Carpio’s view differs from that of Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte who opposed a gun ban during the Araw ng Dabaw festival

last March. The elder Duterte said that publication is needed in order to render a law’s application valid.

On the other hand, the lady mayor said “There’s no need for

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GUN BAN. Police Chief Insp. Caezar P. Cabuhat shows Tuesday a copy of the memorandum that suspends all Permits to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR) during the celebration of Kadayawan Festival. The suspension is effective August 1 to 31, 2012. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

Rep. Erin Tanada’s wish:

FOI bill to reach plenary by August

By Lorie Ann A. Cascaro

Follow Us On

Q

UEZON Rep. Lorenzo “Erin”Tañada III, author of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill, said last Tues-

day there is still a chance the bill will be enacted by the 15th Congress, hoping that it would be approved by the committee

on August 7.

“We have elicited the commitment from the chair of public information committee that

there will be a committee hearing on August 7,” he said at a forum on FOI in Ateneo de Davao

FFOI, 13

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THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 97 • JULY 18, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Sara pins hope on Sid’s bill vs mining

By Jade C. Zaldivar

D

PCSO BONANZA. Dr. Helen Yambao of Cotabato Medical Center receives a check worth P2.5 million from Ms. Margarita Juico, chairperson of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, during ceremonies marking the

turnover of P7.2 million in checks to 10 Mindanao hospitals as part of the PCSO endowment fund program. (PCSO PhOtO)

AVAO CITY Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said yesterday that she is pinning her hope on the approval of a House Bill declaring the city as “mining-free,” now that President Aquino has issued Executive Order 79 reinstating conditional government support for mining activities in the country.

The mayor was referring to 3rd District House Representative Isidro Ungab’s House Bill (HB) No. 5684 so titled “An Act Declaring the City of Davao as a MiningFree Zone.| authored by Rep. Isidro T. Ungab of the city’s Third District.

The mayor said she understands EO 79 cites the city’s neighboring provinces

10 Mindanao hospitals get P7.2-M PCSO grants T

as hosts to the “Minahan ng Bayan,” hence HB 5684 will officially declare the city as “mining-free.”

“We’re waiting for Congressman Ungab’s bill to be passed,” she said.

HB 5684 aims to prohibit all mining operations in the city.

The word “mining” refers to the extraction of minerals or ores which shall include exploration, feasibility study, development, utilization, and processing.

This does not include, however, quarrying of gravel and sand for projects such as, but not limited to, roads and bridges, school buildings, water and energy utilities.

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Davao and Cebu prioritized for Madrid Protocol–IPOPHL

By Lorie Ann A. Cascaro

T

HE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office awarded 10 government hospitals in Mindanao the first tranche of their subsidies under the PCSO endowment fund program, which provides financial assistance for the hospitalization needs of qualified patients.

A total of P7.2 million was given to the following hospitals: Cotabato Regional Medical Center, P2.5 million; Butuan Medical Center, P1 million; Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital, P1 million; D.O. Plaza Memorial Hospital in Agusan del Sur, P 1 million; Cabadbaran District Hospital, Agusan del Norte, P250,000; Siargao District Hospital, Surigao del Norte, P500,000; Bunawan District Hospital, Agusan del Sur, P500,000; Hinatuan

n Bonanza part of PCSO endowment fund program

District Hosptail, Surigao del Sur, P250,000; Lingig Community Hospital, Surigao del Sur, P250,000; Madrid District Hospital, Surigao del Sur, P200,000.

“PCSO aims to bring its services to the whole archipelago, particularly to remote and hard-to-reach areas where medical assistance is much needed,” PCSO chairperson Margarita Juico said during the checks turnover at the Marco Polo Davao last week.

The size of the grant awarded to a beneficiaryhospital depends on how many needy patients it services. The distribution of the grant is divided into two

tranches per year. All institutional beneficiaries are required to submit annual liquidation reports under PCSO’s internal rules, Commission on Audit requirements on disbursements, and President Benigno Aquino III’s administration’s policies on transparency and accountability.

For 2012, PCSO allocated a budget of P193.1 million for the endowment fund to assist 86 beneficiary government hospitals in line with President Aquino’s policy on universal health care for Filipinos. In June alone, PCSO released P8.5 million to six hospitals in Luzon.

Meanwhile, PCSO is de-

veloping new policies to improve the delivery of its services, particularly through the individual medical assistance program which benefits hundreds of needy patients everyday.

Fund Allocation Department OIC-manager Dr. Larry Cedro said all PCSO social services will be transferred to his department in order to cut the processing time of patient’s requests.

“We are finding ways to make it convenient for the patients so that they don’t have to come to Manila to file their requests,” said Cedro. One strategy is to open more branch offices. Two more have been opened so far this year, in Calbayog, Samar and Tuao, Cagayan, bringing to 27 the total number of PCSO offices all over the country.

HE Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) will prioritize the Davao region and Cebu City in their application for international registration under the Madrid Protocol which starts on July 25, lawyer Jesus Antonio Ros, head of the Madrid Protocol, said Tuesday.

Ros, also division head of the Bureau of Trademarks, IPO, said in a press conference at the regional office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 11, that these areas are prioritized because there are among them large exporters of banana, pineapple and other agricultural products.

The Madrid Protocol is a treaty that provides for an international registration of trademarks by filing a single international application in one language (English) to secure protection for trademarks in 85 countries that signed the Madrid Protocol,

according to IPO Director General Ricardo R. Blancaflor.

All trademark owners who have pending applications for intellectual property (IP) or existing registered trademarks in the IPOPHL may apply for international registration.

Noting that since 2008, there are some 350 trademark applications from the Davao City satellite office at the DTI 11, he said there are 21 companies, which earlier confirmed attendance for the training on Madrid Protocol provided by IPO on Tuesday afternoon.

IPO lawyer Lope Manuel, Jr., office of the deputy director general, said IP is a tool for national development, adding that with the Madrid Protocol, Filipinos can trade globally at lower costs for trademark protection.

He said instead of registering in each country for as

The Air Force at present has no jetfighter in its arsenal after it decommissioned the F-5A/B interceptors in 2005 because they were already obsolete, considering that they were acquired in1965 and spare parts are available only in the international market.

As a consequence, Philippine airspace is devoid of air defense. The same situation is being experienced by the Philippine Navy (PN) whose ships are mostly old, many of them World War II vintage.

With a weak military capability, the PAF and the Navy failed to intercept 26 foreign intrusions into Philippine territory during the

first quarter of this year, not to include the standoff at the Panatag Shoal or Scarborough Shoal by scores of Chinese “fishing” vessels since April of this year.

These could not have happened if the Air Force and Navy had jetfighters and modern gunboats, whereas the PAF and PN were a power to reckon with from 1947 until the ‘70s when the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was delayed.

The AFP has welcomed the announcement by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin that the Aquino administration is determined to modernize the AFP. [PNA]

FDAVAO 13

Responsible mining is the way PHL eyes 4 countries as possible --business leaders Dizon, Bian suppliers of surface attack aircraft

T

HE debate over mining across the country, particularly in mineralrich Mindanao, may still rage among stakeholders, but businessmen remain upbeat over the industry, saying responsible practices should minimize risks and help promote growth across impoverished communities.

Businessman Philip “Sonny” Dizon said in an interview that while mining is extractive, its “effects on the environment will be minimized” if it is done responsibly.

Dizon’s companies are involved mainly in tourism and property development.

He cited the illegal, smallscale mining as an example where operators mostly ignore safety and environmental standards.

n Responsible mining to minimize effects on environment --Dizon Having been an operator himself in the early 1980s, Dizon described the crude and risky processing of gold which employs mercury, a highly-toxic substance.

He said the environment is threatened when mercury is washed from the gold and runs along the water, or when the gold is tested in fire and the mercury contaminates the air and settles back into the population.

He admitted that the term “responsible mining” is becoming common, but that he has yet to truly witness it.

“I only see Compostela Valley and Diwalwal,” he said, referring to two areas known for small-scale mining.

To assure that companies practice responsible mining, Dizon said there should be an independent agency like the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) to certify big firms and their projects.

He said high standards are necessary in order to optimize the benefits of an industry “that generates employment and gives livelihood for the burgeoning population.”

T

HE government is eyeing four foreign companies as possible suppliers for the purchase of 12 brand new surface attack aircraft (SAA) to jumpstart the long-delayed modernization of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

These foreign suppliers are the KAI TA-50 “Golden Eagle” of South Korea; Alenia Aermacchi Agusta M-346 Master of Italy; Yak-130 of Russia; and BAE Hawk of the United Kingdom.

The PAF has stressed the need for the procurement of SAA planes as these will have a dual role as lead-in attack planes and as trainer aircraft for prospective jet fighter pilots.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 97 • JULY 18, 2012

THE BIG NEWS

3

IMF, preferred debtor

By Lorie Ann A. Cascaro

A

N official of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is the central bank’s preferred debtor among foreign financial institutions.

Monetary Stability Sector Deputy Governor Diwa C. Guinigundo said it is stipulated in the BSP charter that the BSP is authorized to lend money to foreign governments and foreign financial institutions, adding that the money will not be coming from the budget of the national government but from BSP’s gross international reserves.

He said the BSP is also authorized to manage its own reserves and can shift from one reserve asset to another.

“So what we’re doing is simply pulling out about a billion dollars from our other instruments like Japanese bonds and Euro bonds which

pay the lowest interest rate compared to the interest rate we get from lending to the IMF,” he said.

Responding to questions on the kind of priority the government has if it lends money to the IMF while there are so many poor and no enough credit, he said, “They are barking at the wrong tree because the $1 billion will not reduce the budget of the national government. It will be the same.”

“We cannot comingle the funds of the BSP and the national government. We don’t ask budget from the national government. We have our own budget, we have our own reserves. We have to manage the reserves of the Philippines. The government cannot touch this money,” he said.

If the BSP would not lend the money to the IMF, he said

ROAD OF PROGRESS. Despite the traffic jam that it is causing, driver and commuters are optimistic that the road construction along Quezon Boulevard would

FIMF, 13 bring in more development to the city through high-standard road accessibility. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]

4

SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

T

HE US is currently suffering its widest drought since 1956, according to data released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

On Monday, NOAA reported that by the

end of June 55% of the continental US was in a moderate to extreme drought.

Crops including corn and soybeans have been hit by the dry conditions, and several states have seen wildfires.

High temperatures

across much of the country in June contributed to the spread of the drought.

As much as 80% of the US is abnormally dry, the report said, noting that the drought expanded in the West, Great Plains and Midwest ar-

cal government. It will be useless to look for a mining site in the city if it will not be endorsed by the mayor,” he said.

The MGB chief identified the existing “Minahang Bayan” in the region namely Biasong, Diat and Boringot in Pantukan, Compostela Valley; Tanding, Lumanggang and Panoraon in Maco, Compostela Valley; Inupuan and Saraban in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley; and Punta Linao, Banaybanay, Davao Oriental.

Arreza said their agency is also studying possible mining sites in Davao del Sur. “The new mining policy is not designed to supersede local ordinances.

It merely provides that local ordinances must be consistent with the national law,” he pointed out.

Arreza explained that Executive 0rder 79 was is-

sued to address concerns like the small-scale mining, increased government share, environmental provisions on the mining law and the local ordinances against the national law.

He said that MGB is awating for the implementing rules and regulations which will be released 60 days following the signing of the EO by President Benigno Aquino III. Arreza said the first to be implemented will be the provisions on the Minahang Bayan.

He said this provision states that all small-scale mining activity must be situated solely in Minahang Bayan.

“Operations within the Minahang Bayan can go on as long as operators have the corresponding smallscale mining contract with the government,” Arreza said. [PNA]

MGB will no longer classify city as mining, reservation site

T

HE Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Region 11 will no longer classify any part of Davao City as a mining site or reservation, according to its head Edilberto Arreza.

Speaking during at the Kapehan sa Dabaw on Monday, Arreza said it is an exercise in futility to push Davao City as mining investment area given the strong advocacy of the political leadership of the city against mining.

Arreza said a mining investment needs the concurrence of the local government in any activity pertaining to mining and surely any investor will have difficulty in getting the corresponding permits if the local government does not allow it.

“One of the requirements in the declaration of “Minahang Bayan” is an endorsement from the lo-

VOL.5 ISSUE 97 • JULY 18, 2012

eas.

June was the 14th warmest and 10th driest since records began, NOAA said.

Agriculture officials estimated that 30% of the corn crops planted in the 18 high-production states were in poor or

EDGEDAVAO

very poor condition by last week.

“Topsoil has dried out and crops, pastures and rangeland have deteriorated at a rate rarely seen in the last 18 years,” the report said.

Over 1,000 counties in 26 states have been

declared disaster areas because of drought, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

Earlier, NOAA said that the last year in the continental US has been the country’s hottest since modern recordkeeping began in 1895.

Var Linmyint, M. Fauzi Bin Apandi, Kumaedi, Russetia Wahit, M. Zaiful Hosen and Lau Nai Sing.

“They are all foreigners and are either Malaysian, Indonesian and Myanmar nationals,” Yap said in a statement.

The charges stemmed from the alleged dumping of coal wastes by the two foreign vessels, which were owned by Woodman Miri Sarawak of Malaysia, around 300 meters off the coasts of Barangay Kapatan in Glan last May 26.

TB Oceania 1 and DB Oceania 2 reportedly docked in Kapatan around 5 a.m. on May 26 and allegedly flushed coal debris starting at 4 p.m. in the area, which is part of the 215,000-hectare Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape.

The alleged dumping of the coal wastes was documented by a provincial government employee, who showed local authorities several photographs showing the tugboat and barge releasing dark-colored

wastes into the sea.

Lt. Cmdr. Rejard Marfe, acting commander of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) station here, said the vessels initially unloaded their coal cargo in Manila and proceeded to the city first to load scrap metals that were consigned by Cebu Metal before going back to Malaysia.

But he said the cargo was not yet ready, prompting the two vessels to dock illegally in Kapatan, Glan as allegedly instructed by their local agent Seadove Maritime Agency.

Marfe said the vessels might have just docked away from the Makar Wharf here to avoid paying the docking fee charged by Philippine Ports Authority while waiting for their cargo.

Last June 1, the Sarangani Bay Protected SeascapeProtected Area Management Board (SBPS-PAMB) led by Sarangani Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez decided to initiate legal actions against the owners and crew of two Malaysian vessels. [PNA]

Sarangani town files pollution raps vs officers, crew of Malaysian vessels

T

HE municipal government of Glan in Sarangani province has filed pollution charges against 11 officers and crew of a Malaysian tugboat and barge that allegedly dumped coal wastes off the town’s waters last May. Glan Mayor Victor James Yap said they formally filed the complaint against the all-foreign officers and crew of tugboat TB Oceania 1 and barge Oceania 2 before the Sarangani Prosecutor’s Office on Monday for violation of the country’s environment and fishery pollution laws.

He said the complaint specifically cited violations on the provisions of the Clean Water Act (pollution of water body), the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992, Presidential Decree 979 (marine pollution) and the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 (aquatic pollution).

Cited as respondents were Capt. Samsudin, Kyaw Htay, Shwe Thann, Keso Bin Tarjuki, Tu Kah Hua, Tar

EDGEDAVAO

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

3.5% 4th Qtr 2011

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

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

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

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

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

P 43.65 Dec 2011

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

3,999.7 Sept 2011

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

128.1 Jan 2012

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.9 Jan 2012

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.4 Dec 2011

16. Visitor Arrivals

284,040 Sept 2011

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

19.1% Oct 2011

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

6.4% Oct 2011

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

2011

2010

2009

Average December November October September August July June May April March

43.31 43.64 43.27 43.45 43.02 42.42 42.81 43.37 43.13 43.24 43.52

45.11 43.95 43.49 43.44 44.31 45.18 46.32 46.30 45.60 44.63 45.74

47.637 46.421

February

43.70

46.31

January

44.17

46.03

47.032 46.851 48.139

48.161 48.146 47.905 47.524 48.217

48.458 47.585 47.207

THE ECONOMY

VOL.5 ISSUE 97 • JULY 18, 2012

5

Local franchisers eye 30 countries for expansion F

ILIPINO franchisers now cast their eyes on at least 30 countries as possible gateways for their global expansion.

Samie Lim, co-founder and chairman emeritus of the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA), said the 30 strategic countries are considered “best staging points for Filipino brands” that want to make it big in the international arena.

The identified countries include South Africa for the African continent.

“We can use them as gateways to their regions as much as they are using the Philippines as gateway to our region,” Lim, who is also chairman of Francorp Philippines and president and chief executive officer of Blims Fine Furniture and Canadian Tourism and Hospitality Institute, emphasized during the media launch of the Franchise Asia Philippines 2012 (FAP 2012) slated on July 25 to 27 at the SMX Convention Center.

He said the local franchising industry is bullish it will be able to sustain its annual 30-percent growth this year as franchisers indicate interests to expand further in the domestic and foreign markets.

The industry now ranks 10th in the world in terms of revenue at about US$ 11 billion last year based on figures from the World Franchising Council (WFC). This was a huge jump from only US$ 3.04 billion in 2000.

In terms of job generation, the industry now employs about 1.1 million Filipinos. WFC ranks the Philippine franchise industry in third place globally, next to the United States and Japan in terms of employment generation.

The Philippines currently has about 1,300 franchise concepts, with 124,000 total franchisees, considered as the fourth best in the world.

Ma. Alegria “Bing” SibalLimjoco, PFA vice-chair and Francorp Philippines chief executive officer, said among the Filipino brands that are expanding overseas are Potato Corner, Max’s, Crystal Clear, Pancake House, Generics Pharmacy, and Waffle Time.

“The industry is growing at an average pace of 30 percent annually, and this can be matched this year based on the pronouncements of the franchisers. You can hear our members. They are all bullish and are talking about expansion so

I believe this will be another good year,” enthused Charito S. Estrada, PFA executive director.

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teddy Casino earlier called for an all-out support for the medium and small enterprise (MSMEs), saying this is what the country needs to lower unemployment rate and jump start the economy.

“We can stem the brain drain if we are able to provide enough jobs and livelihoods in the local economy,” he said.

Though there is still no substitute for comprehensive industrialization coupled with genuine agrarian reform for the development of the economy, Casino said, “increased government support for MSMEs will be a good start.”

Meanwhile, Robert F. Trota, PFA chairman and Max’s Restaurant president and CEO, said that with the Philippines’ accession to the Madrid Protocol on the registration of trademarks, going global has become easier and cheaper for Filipino brands.

“Through the Madrid Protocol, Filipino businessmen only need to register their trademarks locally and they can already gain protection in all the 80 countries that have acceded to it,” he said.

“It is easier for me now to convince them to go global.

There are good opportunities for Filipino brands. There are 13 million Filipinos abroad, and they are your brand ambassadors. They will patronize and endorse your products, and they are very good sales people,” he noted.

FAP 2012 Overall co-chair for National and Fruit Magic president Alan L. Escalona said that in the domestic front, franchisors are now turning their sights to provincial areas, particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao regions due to rapid development taking place in these areas.

He noted that Fruit Magic is now opening new branches in Bohol, Puerto Princesa in Palawan and Boracay, where tourism is fueling growth.

On the other hand, Lin E. Deres, Goldilocks franchise relations head and FAP 2012 membership committee chair, said the Philippines should emulate other countries that offer good incentives to their franchisers, including subsidies to trips abroad when they participate in expos and develop new markets.

“We need incentives to grow, especially those which are just starting up,” she said.

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) prepared the Terms of Reference for the port’s privatization.

PPA Davao said volume growth at Sasa wharf is at a rate of seven to 10 percent every year for the last eight years.

The Port of Davao has a total cargo throughput of 5.194 million metric tons in 2010.

Shipping lines such as American President Lines (APL) and Maersk Lines are pushing for the port privatization due to congestion.

The vessels average waiting time before discharging at the port is around 40 hours and they spend extra time, tantamount to additional bunker fuel cost.

ICTSI is also preparing the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT)’s berth 7 in case of accelerated growth in Manila.

“Despite our expansion overseas, we remain bullish on the Philippines and it will always be

our priority. And when the time comes for even brisker Philippine trade, the MICT will be ready with berth 7,” said Razon.

“We’re looking at spending around P3.5 billion to P4 billion for berth 7, because we see continuous growth,” he added.

ICTSI is also promoting heavily on its Subic port to be able to entice more shippers to use its new container terminals 1 and 2 (NCT1 and NCT2) with combined capacity of 600,000 TEUs. Businessmen said in order to increase the cargo traffic in Subic and Batangas port, PPA must issue a policy to shift foreign cargoes from the Port of Manila to Batangas or Subic.

Christian Gonzalez, ICTSI Vice President and MICT general manager, said ICTSI makes sure that the necessary capacity in ports they operate are in placed.

“If Subic port grows, we will be there and we will bring the capacity. We don’t make two ports, MICT and Subic compete

against each other. The market will drive where the volume goes,” he said.

Razon said “MICT will serve the cargo traffic volume in Manila, but you have markets in Central Luzon and Southern Luzon for Subic, which they hope to grow as well.”

Abroad, the Razon-led company invests $300 million for the container terminal in Nigeria.

A number of African countries has been opening up their gateway ports to privatization.

“We are now negotiating the final concession agreement for container terminal in Nigeria. It’s a sub-concession with Tolaram group, having a joint venture with the Nigerian Ports Authority,” Razon said.

“We hope to finalize the concession agreement in August.

Investments amount to $ 300 million,” he added.

The African region provides good opportunity for growth and ICTSI is bent on participating in such growth.

Razon to bid for Davao Port operation

I

NTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), which has proven to be the trailblazer in the Philippines and abroad, plans to bid for the operation of the Davao Port, more commonly known as Sasa Wharf.

In the country, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) plans to bid out the Davao port also known as Sasa Wharf.

PPA General Manager Juan Sta. Ana said the Davao port modernization project is submitted to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) board’s Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) for approval.

“We will have it bid,” Sta. Ana said.

“We want to bid. We don’t want no bidding,” ICTSI Chairman and President Enrique K. Razon Jr. stressed.

ICTSI’s subsidiary, the Davao Integrated Port Stevedoring Service Corporation (DIPSSCOR), handles the cargo handling of the said port.

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

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THE ECONOMY

VOL.5 ISSUE 97 • JULY 18, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

MSMEs fuel Sarangani’s economy T

HE number of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Sarangani is growing each year driven by innovations introduced by the USWAG Sarangani program, according to trade and industry officials.

USWAG, which means “progress” in Visayan, stands for United towards a Strong, Wealthy and Globally competitive Sarangani. Since 2009, existing and new MSMEs kept a steady growth in number as shown by business name registration (BNR) and new products.

“USWAG is our means to help reduce poverty in the province, because we can have more new businesses in the area, that means that our economy is increasing,” Engr. Nenita Barroso, trade and industry provincial director, said.

“More entrepreneurs in the area mean more jobs.

More products mean more sales hence, increasing money in circulation.” Barroso added.

In 2009, Sarangani listed 172 MSMEs, 177 in 2010, 255 in 2011, and 175 in the first half of 2012, according to data from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

New BNR, on the other hand, posted 581 in 2009, 399 in 2010, 633 in 2011, and 417 as of June this year.

From 2009, each year did not pass without at least a dozen new MSME products introduced to the market.

These data shows that USWAG projects were contributing to the economy of Sarangani, Barroso said.

At the USWAG Sarangani 2012 opening ceremony here Monday (July 9), DTI regional director Ibrahim Guiamadel said one of the innovations was the opening of USWAG in different towns each year.

Guiamadel said USWAG’s goal is to create a “vibrant economy” fueled by MSMEs. “Some of these (MSME) products have already reached the national trade fair. In fact the packaging now is globally competitive,” Guiamadel said.

Kiamba already has 686 MSMEs with license and P10 million new investments coming from MSMEs, he added.

For his part, Governor Migs Dominguez lauded Kiamba entrepreneurs for coming up with their own line of “Kiamba’s Best” products.

He also hinted at asking Rep. Manny Pacquaio to be the endorser of “Kiamba’s Best”.

With the “world’s best endorser,” the governor told the entrepreneurs to maintain their products’ packag-

ing, label, quality and consistency.

“Kiamba`s Best”, common brand of the town`s products, are bamboo shoots pickle, corned fish, Spanish sardines, fish paste, Elvie’s nipa vinegar, Elvie’s nipa sinamak, Joe Dels corn coffee, Joe Dels peanut butter, Joe Dels turmeric powder, Joe Dels salabat, Joe Dels native coffee, and Joe Dels tablea.

On the other hand, Cresing’s Food Products of Maitum credited MSME development programs like USWAG to its market sustainability and growth.

“Cresing’s sales considerably increased. Outlets have increased too. Cresing’s has become a by-word among tourists and bloggers,” Cresing’s said in a statement. “Cresing’s has generated local employment. From rice and corn coffee, it has added other product lines with improved packaging.”

Cresing’s Food Products, established in 2006, pioneered the production of organic rice coffee and corn coffee. Some of Cresing’s leading products are rice coffee 3-in-1 plus moringa, Criselda Blend (roasted brown rice-based tea preparation in tea bag, enhanced with dried lemon grass and turmeric powder), colorless

salted egg soaked in brine solution and home-grown herbs in a century-old jar called “wang-ging” by Ilocanos, “bagoong”, “dayok” and half-dried marinated “bangsi” (flying fish).

USWAG Sarangani is an adaptation of the MSME development week held nationwide every second week of July, which Sarangani expanded into a month-long activity. This year banners the theme “Sarangan, Business

Tayo”.

USWAG Sarangani has been institutionalized thru Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution 2006-5-053 “Adopting the Month-Long Celebration of USWAG Sarangani as Socio-Economic Festivity of Sarangani Province.”

In 2010, an innovation was made by having a component event, USWAG Goes to Town (UGTT), which brought USWAG to each of the seven towns of the province. Previ-

ous opening ceremonies of USWAG were done in Malungon in 2010 and Maitum in 2011.

USWAG Goes to Town (UGTT) aims to bring closer to the constituents in the municipality various business development and enabling services of the government and partner private sector. Is also looks to strengthen linkage and partnership with the municipal local government units.

made.

A Caltex ten-digit number is generated per P500-worth of fuel purchased in a single receipt transaction, which will then produce a thermal receipt that will serve as customer’s raffle coupon.

For customers to officially join the promo, they must register the ten-digit number in three ways, either via the Caltex website (www.caltex.com/ph) by clicking on the promo banner, through text registration by following the syntax and sending the details to 2948 (all network subscriptions are qualified), or via the Caltex Philippines Facebook page (www.facebook. com/CaltexPhilippines) and search for the promo application.

Announcement of winners shall be done via Caltex website and an FM

radio partner not later than 6 p.m. every Friday.

Names of winners will also be posted in all participating Caltex stations.

Winners will also be notified via registered mail and through their landline or mobile number.

A major-prize winner can only win once for the entire promo period.

But a customer may keep winning the consolation prize once per draw until drawn as a major-prizewinner.

Meanwhile, for validation purposes, a customer has to present and surrender a copy of his thermal receipt indicating the winning Caltex 10-digit number. Other than this, a customer also has to present the registered mail sent by Chevron Philippines and at least two valid IDs.

LANTERS Development Bank (Plantersbank) has strengthened its presence in key markets by turning aggressive in its expansion with the goal of increasing its loan exposures as well as other portfolios.

Gary Vargas, Consumer Banking Group head of the bank, said the expansion aggressiveness is part of the bank’s re-engineering as it has ventured into opening more loan windows together with setting up more branches.

Vargas, who was in Cebu recently during the Cebu Business Month, said that among the products that it has gone into were providing loans for housing, automobile, personal as well big loans for companies who wanted to expand their businesses.

The bank, whose main clients are small and medium enterprises, is also planning to open 10 more branches this year with five of the areas already identified. The bank is set to open branches in Bacolod, Vigan, Makati, Tuguegarao and Mandaluyong.

Vargas added that other areas being considered for branching are Naga City in Bicol, Isabela City in Cagayan Valley and other areas in Metro Manila.

He said that for the bank to open a branch, it needs to invest about P8 million for the branch and that the total investment will reach to about P80 million.

About two years ago, officials of the 70-branch bank said they will also look at whether they can

expand in key cities in the Visayas and Mindanao areas.

They said the need to expand was intended to anticipate the growing market, particularly the countryside as the bank wanted to provide better access to its main clients, the small and medium enterprices.

With assets of about P50 billion, Plantersbank is considered among the largest commercial banks offering better lending windows for small and medium enterprises and in the Top 250 of the country’s 1,000 biggest corporations.

A consistent recipient of global and national awards, the bank received the Presidential Citation for MSME Development in 2009.

T

nectivity to the Western Visayas region.

CEB currently operates direct services from Manila, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Davao to Iloilo.

Starting November 8, 2012, CEB will launch twice weekly flights from

Iloilo to Hong Kong, and four weekly flights from Iloilo to General Santos.

It will also add one IloiloManila daily service on the same day, making it a 7 times daily Iloilo-Manila service.

Caltex rolls out ‘roadtrip’ promo

W

ITH the latest promo of Caltex Philippines, customers may get to experience this via its Cool Roadtrip Getaway with Isuzu D-Max National Promo, which runs from July 1 to September 9, 2012.

For every P500-worth of fuel and lubricant product purchased, Caltex customers nationwide get a chance to win a 4X2 LS MT Isuzu DMax, plus a P20,000-worth of Caltex fuel (StarCash) to be raffled weekly starting July 19 to September 13.

A total of 500 Ice Age premium packs are also to be given away as consolation prize.

To qualify, a customer must claim his 10-digit number anytime during the promo period but only at the Caltex station where the purchase was

Plantersbank embarks on expansion

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Iloilo is 5th international hub for CebPac HE Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (PSE:CEB) is set to begin direct services from Hong Kong, Singapore, Puerto Princesa and General Santos to Iloilo this November, maximizing con-

FILO-ILO, 13

EDGEDAVAO

COMPETITIVE EDGE

VOL.5 ISSUE 97 • JULY 18, 2012

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Camella Northpoint to launch first 15-storey green building C

AMELLA Northpoint will launch its fourth green tower, Camella’s first 15-storey condo building in Davao, in an elegant grand ceremony this Saturday, July 21, at Ninyo’s Fusion Cuisine and Wine Lounge, formerly the White Mansion.

The grand launch will provide a sneak peek of Ninyo’s, a fine dining restaurant offering fusion cuisine, a taste of things to come in Camella Northpoint’s commercial center, which promises to have all the makings of becoming the next lifestyle destination in the city.

Camella Northpoint’s fourth tower is the highest so far in Camella Northpoint, five levels higher than its third green condo building, Nottingham.

While all Northpoint condos are green buildings, the fourth will have more green features that will

give enhanced benefits to its homeowners.

At 15 storeys, this green building will have more room for indoor gardens, bringing the fresh outdoor into the condo buildings, providing a fresher ambiance with its oxygen-producing natural plants. With more indoor gardens, Northpoint residents will have fresher air and a cooler environment inside their condo homes.

The indoor air quality will further be enhanced with the Atrium, a vertical shaft that allows cool air to enter the building and expel any hot air. The Atrium will harness the natural breeze to cool the interior temperature of all condo units, lessening the need for air-conditioning.

Not only that, the fourth tower will also have a Sky Garden, a wide open space in the condo building filled with live plants. Homeowners will get the fresh benefits of

enjoying a real natural garden without having to go down the condo to enjoy Northpoint’s verdant green surroundings.

The Sky Garden also allows more natural light to enter, illuminating the interior of the building, requiring less lighting during the day and saving energy. It will let homeowners enjoy a fresh green ambiance while inside the building.

While inside the fourth tower, homeowners can gaze at the growing imported Caribbean pine trees dotting the whole property from the Sky Garden. As these pine trees can grow to a hundred feet tall, its crisp pine scent will blend with the cool natural breeze that enters the Sky Garden.

So when lounging at the Sky Gardens, homeowner get to enjoy the refreshing natural aroma of the pine trees, giving them

a refreshing and healthful experience while basking in a green surrounding that lifts their spirits and helps enhance their wellbeing.

Its green buildings and verdant, pine-filled surroundings make Camella Northpoint a landmark condo development like no other in the region. Its commercial development, with its specialty restaurants, coffee shops, spa, condotel, and lifestyle center located a few step away from the condos, make Northpoint a truly premier address, the city’s next big destination.

Camella Northpoint’s fourth tower will be offering a limited number of bigger condo units at the top floors. More information are available at the Camella office at 2/F Delgar Building, JP Laurel Ave., Bajada, Davao City, telephone numbers (082) 222-0963 and (082) 2225221.

livelihood of Cagayan Valley’s farmers.

To address this, Sun Life Financial-Philippines (SLFP) recently partnered with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Philippines) to conserve and protect the life-giving forests of the Sierra Madre.

Sun Life, through the Sun Life Foundation, has pledged to develop agroforestry sites within the Sierra Madre’s Abuan watershed by funding the procurement and distribution of over 4000 mango and citrus seedlings, which will then be cultivated in 18 hectares of farmland.

“Sun Life customers can now do their part in conserving the environment just by enrolling their policies and mutual

ment of their billing notice and /or statement of account, Sun Life Foundation shall donate PHP5.00 to WWF.” says SLFP Chief Administration Officer Karen Casas.

WWF-Philippines Senior Water Resources Manager Ed Tongson, on the other hand, explains that “Water is the lifeblood of agriculture. By empowering customers to sustain Cagayan Valley’s largest water source, Sun Life and WWF are helping secure our future sources of corn and more importantly – of rice.”

Sun Life customers can enroll for the Sunlink Online e-Notice from today onwards by visitingwww. sunlife.com.ph to create a SunLink Online user account.

Globe network upgrade in full swing, Sun Life partners with World Wide Fund ICTURE a vast emer- unchecked illegal logging, fund accounts under the ald carpet extending swidden farming and land SunLink Online e-Notice. completes 30% of modernization from Cagayan to Que- clearing, threatening the For every e-Notice enroll-

G

LOBE Telecom said that the upgrade of its network facilities is progressively being conducted as new equipment rolls out in various parts of the country. The company added that within a span of four months since its announcement in January this year, Globe has modernized at least 30% of its network equipment located in various cellsites nationwide.

“We are fast tracking certain areas to address strong consumer demand and clamor for better services. Overall, we are on target with the roll-out plan,” said Robert Tan, Chief Technical Adviser of Globe Telecom, “Our goal is to have seamless changeouts of the network with as minimal impact on customer experience as possible. The improvements in our service quality will be felt by our customers in an increasing number of areas across the country as the network upgrade progresses towards completion.”

To date, Globe customers in South Luzon; the Davao Gulf provinces, including Davao City; and Compostela Valley now

enjoy vastly-improved services such as quick call connections, rare dropped calls as well as faster and greater access to UNLI offers. In addition, Davao City and adjacent provinces are now fully equipped with new generation mobile systems supporting high-speed data, which brings speeds up to 5 mbps.

The network modernization of Globe will also significantly enhance its 3G footprint in more towns and municipalities, translating to more stable 3G signal for customers as well improved mobile browsing experience.

Globe is rolling-out over 10,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable, which will significantly increase capacity, resiliency and better traffic management to accommodate and protect more voice, SMS, and data traffic.

Tan noted that handin-hand with the total network change-out, Globe is also implementing mitigating measures to accommodate current voice, text and data traffic in heavy user areas.

“Even as we roll-out the modernization pro-

gram for the network, Globe continues to invest in existing infrastructure to better serve our customers. We are, in fact, implementing measures to boost our 3G signal, particularly in high-traffic areas including Makati City,” added Tan. Globe is also in the thick of a massive, multiyear modernization program that aims to beefup Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and landline services nationwide.

The project costs over $70-Million and forms part of the $700-Million total network modernization investment of Globe.

To date, DSL services of Globe, known as Tattoo@ Home, have been beefedup in the National Capital Region. DSL upgrades in Southern Luzon and the Visayas are already underway.

Globe expects that more of its subscribers will be able to experience service improvements by the third quarter of 2012.

These improvements include faster call connections, less dropped calls as well as faster sending and receipt of text messages.

P

zon. From within, it is a verdant vision of life – where throngs of plants jostle for both space and sunlight.

It is a place where Philippine Eagles(Pithecophaga jefferyi) soar, where Philippine crocodiles (Crocodylus mindorensis) still skulk.

Stretching over 340 kilometers north to south and covering a land area of 359,486 hectares, the Sierra Madre is both the Philippines’ longest mountain range and its largest protected area. Approximately 45% of all known Philippine endemic plants can be found within its lush, primeval forests – which in turn irrigate an estimated 400,000 hectares of rice farms and corn fields in the Cagayan Valley.

Sadly its forests are continuously assailed by

Concretizing the partnership from left to right are WWF Senior Water Resources Manager Ed Tongson, Sun Life Financial-Philippines President and CEO Riza Mantaring, WWF Vice-Chair and CEO Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan, Sun Life

Financial Chief Administration Officer Ma. Karenina Casas and Sun Life Financial Manager for Account Services Lilith Ginete. [FILE PhOtO]

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VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 97 • JULY 18, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

South Korean-made jets as PAF’s next fighter aircraft?

Special Feature

S

EDITORIALS

Impressive

I

T IS heartening to note that there is a big improvement in the peace and order situation in Davao City, particularly during the first quarter of 2012, compared to the same period last year.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio reported Monday that the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) recorded a drop of 66 percent in crime incidents from January to March, this year compared to 2011. The lady mayor handed over cash incentives totaling P519,000 to police stations for their

Not so impressive

A

LTOGETHER, 990 police officers have been dismissed from the Philippine National Police for various offenses during the last 12 years, according to PNP’s Internal Affairs Service.

Not a very impressive record, considering the huge number of police officers usually involved in mischief and various forms of crimes, including heinous ones. Many of the cases are high-profile crimes which have hogged the headlines thereby placing the police organization in bad light.

If only 990 police officers were dismissed after summary hearing, this means that only seven erring policemen are meted

EDGEDAVAO

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OLIVIA D. VELASCO General Manager

excellent performance. The incentives were similar to those handed out to fire service stations for their quick response to fire calls.

No doubt, Dabawenyos who have taken pride in the city’s record as a peaceful community for decades now are elated over this positive development and hope that the DCPO now under the leadership of Sr. Supt. Ronald dela Rosa will continue to prove equal to the law-enforcement challenges of this booming city.

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

the punishment of removal from service in one month during the last 144 months covered by the PNP-IAS report.

Of course, IAS prosecution division head Raymundo Dinsay had reported that 625 police officers were demoted and a total of 3,622 were suspended. Take note that 9,391 others were exonerated.

As admitted by PNP spokesman Generoso Cerbo, abuses, irregularities and crimes were committed by rookie cops, or policemen with the ranks of police officer 1 and police officer 2. This should give the PNP authorities an idea of how to approach the problem.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO CARLO P. MALLO Associate Features and Lifestyle KENNETH IRVING K. ONG KARLOS C. MANLUPIG • JOSEPH LAWRENCE P. GARCIA LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR., Creative Solutions Photography LORIE ANN A. CASCARO • JADE C. ZALDIVAR • MOSES C. BILLACURA Staff Writers

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

JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

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AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE

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

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

ANGELICA R. GARCIA | Marketing Manager Blk. 1, Lot 10, La Mar Townhomes, Apitong St., Marikina Heights, Marikina City Tel: (02) 942-1503

By Priam F. NePomuceNo

OUTH Korea’s KAI T-50 Golden Eagle, a Mach 1.5 capable jet aircraft, has a very good chance of being the Philippine Air Force’s next-generation fighter aircraft, according to a ranking security official.

“That plane offers us the most in terms of capability and cost,” the official said on condition of anonymity.

The aircraft can also be fitted with heatseeking missiles, 20mm to 25mm automatic cannon, various surveillance equipment and is very capable of undertaking the airsuperiority role due to its sleek design.

“The other good thing about the TA-50 is that we will be buying it straight from the manufacturers. We will be its first-time users and not the second or third as in previous PAF aircraft acquisition,” the security official added.

He also said getting replacement parts for the aircraft is easier as the TA-50 is still on initial production run for the South Korean Air Force.

Projected acquisition cost for the plane is between US$ 15 million and US$ 21 million per unit.

However, this could further be reduced due to close relations between the Philippines and South Korea.

“Once our senior defense officials give the green light for the TA-50, we are looking at the possibility of acquiring 12 to 18 units, which is enough for our minimum credible deterrent program,” the official added.

The T-50 Golden Eagle design is largely derived from the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and they have many similarities: use of a single engine, speed, size, cost, and the range of weapons.

KAI’s previous engineering experience in license-producing the KF-16 was a starting point for the development of the T-50.

The aircraft can carry two pilots in tandem seating. The high-mounted canopy developed by Hankuk Fiber is applied with stretched acrylic, providing the pilots with good visibility, and has been tested to offer the canopy with ballistic protection against four-pound objects impacting at 400 knots.

The altitude limit is 14,600 meters (48,000 ft), and airframe is designed to last 8,000 hours of service.

There are seven internal fuel tanks with capacity of 2,655 liters (701 U.S. gallons) -- five in the fuselage and two in the wings.

An additional 1,710 liters (452 U.S. gallons) of fuel can be carried in the three external fuel tanks.

T-50 trainer variants have a paint scheme of white and red, and aerobatic variants white, black, and yellow.

The T-50 Golden Eagle uses a single General Electric F404-102 turbofan engine license-produced by Samsung Techwin, upgraded with a full authority digital engine control (FADEC) system jointly developed

by General Electric and Korea Aerospace Industries.

The engine consists of three-staged fans, seven axial stage arrangement, and an afterburner.

The aircraft has a maximum speed of Mach 1.4-1.5. Its engine produces a maximum of 78.7 kN (17,700 lbf) of thrust with afterburner.

Other aircraft being eyed as the PAF’s next fighter is the Alenia Aermacchi’s M-311, which incidentally is just a derivative of the country’s crash-plagued S-211 trainer jets.

The M-311 is a small tandem two-seat shoulder-wing monoplane with a retractable tricycle landing gear, powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5C turbofan.

As a basic trainer, the aircraft is designed to complement the Aermacchi M-346 advanced trainer.

The aircraft was designed with a secondary close air support capability with five underwing hardpoints for the carrying of guns, rockets, and missiles, and bomb.

The M-311 is barely sub-sonic as its maximum speed is only 495 miles and a service ceiling of only 40,000 feet.

Only two units have been built as of this time, making costing projection for this jet trainer difficult. [PNA]

EDGEDAVAO

O

NE CAN’T be too sure about the kind of little winged creatures that come, once in a while, at rare moments in your life.

We see these little birds everyday, sometimes by the thousands, especially near the big old acacia trees of Kapitan Tomas Monteverde Elementary School at Ponciano street here, munching at leaves, even wiping out entire foliage of trees.

All these years I suspect them to be God’s little angels, but they might be either Eurasian sparrows , Pinoy mayas or Pacific swallows, just trying to find food and survive in the city jungles of Davao--- just like the rest of us who works from nine to five.

One incident in 1992 I still couldn’t explain was that day when I was trying to learn Japanese in a basic Nippongo summer class at the KTM. In a class of about 25, we were practicing simple Nippon phrases dictated to us by a Japanese language teacher, while flocks of these small birds---sparrows, mayas, or swallows--- flew swiftly around the classroom.

These frantic little birds looked as if they were trying to get inside the little dark holes on the ceiling of the classroom.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a little brown bird fell right on top of me, catching it in the palms of my hands. I held it briefly, then released it but the bird, still looking dazed, didn’t fly off but just stayed there, gazing at me for some fleeting moments, trying to say something, before flying back to the ceiling.

W

HY have the rich turned against President Barack Obama?

That has been a persistent theme of this campaign: We were reminded of it at the beginning of this week, when Mitt Romney’s team raised more money than the president’s for the second month running, and more colorfully in weekend reports of the Republican candidate’s lavish fund-raisers in the Hamptons.

If you were a Martian, or even a European, the animosity of America’s 1 percent toward the president might be rather mysterious. Although those at the bottom and in the middle are still suffering from the downturn that began in 2008, with unemployment above 8 percent, the affluent economy has bounced back quite smartly. The stock market has recovered, corporate coffers are overflowing with cash, and the luxury goods market is booming.

Even Wall Street, where hostility toward the White House is especially acid, has reason to be grateful. Bankers got the biggest government bailout of all – much more than laid-off workers or beleaguered homeowners received from this Democratic administration – and the president resisted calls from the left to nationalize the banks he rescued, as did the British.

Part of the answer is simple self-interest.

As the economics writer Matthew Yglesias has argued, there is one easy and obvious explanation for the animosity of the rich toward the incumbent: He wants to raise their taxes significantly. That is certainly right. On Monday, Obama reiterated his support for letting the Bush-era tax cuts for household incomes of more than $250,000 expire, while keeping the lower rates in place for everyone else.

This is a powerful point. It can be tempting to imagine that the affluent might fret less about their tax bills than the poor, who

Monkey Business

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 97 • JULY 18, 2012

Addressing suicidal person

Birds: when God’s little angels come to you Our Japanese lady teacher was so delighted at what she saw, exclaiming “Penasan, you are very rucky, very, very rucky !” (she meant “lucky” of course!)

At that time, it meant nothing to me, until the following months of that same year when I found myself traveling to Cagayan, Cebu, Manila, then to Indonesia and finally to Germany and Paris, all without spending a single centavo from my own pocket.

I can’t recall how all these travel opportunities came to me so suddenly, as a German aid agency included me at the top of a list of small Davao traders on a “business mission” to visit factories all over Germany, accrediting me as a “documentation officer” of the mission.

It was a great opportunity I never even dreamt of, coming to me, in wave after wave of travels that also included a short business mission to Menado, Indonesia with Davao traders--- all with free air tickets, first-class hotel lodgings and generous pocket money.

And all these travel opportunities came suddenly because a little brown bird landed on my hands!

Today, I see the same kind of birds chirping and tweeting at dawn every day outside my apartment at Nova Tierra. I can hear them around 4:00 in the morning while still dark, even waking earlier than the prayer call from a nearby mosque.

Sweet bird calls come from inside the huge crowns of mango, avocado and macopa trees right in front of our door, waking me up at dawn to hear and see God’s presence as the light of dawn paints the sky with golden hues, as if a heavenly artist wants to show His masterpieces of creation.

From our open door one early morning last week, a little brown bird, looking almost the same one I held in my hands 20 years ago, walked just outside the door, peeked inside, its head bobbing up and down and took fleeting glances at me.

Surprised to find the bird, I asked “ Is that you again? You have something for me ?”.

The bird turned its head, opening its beak, looking like it wants to say something, before joining the two other birds perched on the iron railing above our little Eugenia plant.

Months earlier, I remember seeing these three birds flying outside our screened windows, perching on the iron railings for a while before flying back to those three big trees.

No doubt, I’m convinced now these are God’s little angels coming to me thru these little winged creatures, telling me that my prayers are being answered, as opportunities are starting to emerge, in the form of big projects.

This, I know, will eventually propel me forward to my goal. Naturally, I don’t expect a smooth ride ahead, expecting to wrest with various hurdles, sacrifices and stumbling blocks along the way, but I feel assured that He’ll always be there for me.

For just being there for me, I couldn’t express my gratitude enough and wondered why God cared for us, considering how small the Earth is compared to the immensity and infinity of this Universe.

What is man, that God should be so mindful of him? ( Comments : Text me at : 0942-4052044 )

The 1 percent vs Obama analySiS By chryStia FreelaNd

are struggling to get by, but the elaborate tax avoidance strategies of superrich Americans suggest otherwise.

But this is about more than bank balances.

Some of Obama’s most vehement critics in the private sector insist they are willing to pay higher taxes, if that’s what it takes to get the United States back on track. Their complaint, if you take them at their word, is instead with the president’s attitude toward them, toward their wealth and toward capitalism itself.

Their sense of insult is easy to mock: Do those testosterone-pumped Masters of the Universe really turn out to have the tender feelings of teenage girls? It is a mistake, though, to dismiss the outrage of the 1 percent just because it is so emotionally rendered. The truth is that Obama is telling a very different story about capitalism and its winners from the one Americans are accustomed to hearing, and it is no surprise that the rich don’t like it one bit.

Consider the two narratives on the campaign trail this week. In Colorado, Romney described those who make more than $250,000 a year with the Republican term of art — “jobcreators.” And he warned that the president’s proposal to raise taxes at the top wasn’t bad just for the rich, it would hurt the whole country, too: At the very time the American people are seeing fewer jobs created than we need, the president announces he’s going to make it harder for jobs to be created. I just don’t think this president understands how our economy works. Liberals have an entirely different view about what makes America the economic

powerhouse it is.

Obama, meanwhile, insisted that “we love folks getting rich.” But his focus is different: “I do want to make sure that everybody else gets that chance as well.” One way to do that is to tax the rich. As a new television ad for the president argued this week, Obama’s plan is to “ask the wealthy to pay a little more so the middle class pays less, eliminate oil subsidies and tax breaks for companies that outsource.”

This is more than a fight about taxes. It is a fight about whether 21st-century capitalism is working for the American middle class and who should pay to fix it. The Republicans are telling Ronald Reagan’s story of trickle-down economics – the winners in the capitalist contest are “job-creators” whose prosperity helps everyone else. The wealthier they are, the wealthier all Americans will be.

The Democrats are challenging that winwin story of American capitalism. Their contention is that the U.S. economy is failing the middle class. They argue that those at the top need to contribute “a little more” to help rebuild the American middle. Even more threateningly, they point out, as in their critique of Bain Capital, that some of the business strategies that have enriched the elite have actually hollowed out the middle.

It is this last argument that most enrages the 1 percent – and it should. Obama’s most extreme critics delight in accusing him of being socialist and sometimes communist. That charge is not just overheated, it is plain wrong.

But American capitalists are right to sense a challenge from the White House, which is about more than tax rates or bruised pride.

The president is arguing that what works for the top of the United States isn’t working for the middle, and that is a criticism the country’s lionized elite hasn’t heard from its leader in a very long time.

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Special Feature

By Sweetie de la torre

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OW should I talk with someone who is suicidal?

Dr. Dinah Palmera Nadera, psychiatrist, a faculty of Management and Development Studies, University of the Philippines Open University, Los Banos, Laguna, said that these people who were in suicidal tendency should see what would happen next if they end up their lives.

“They have to consider the reasons why they should go on living, they need to consider the effects of their act, the people that they will left behind,” said Nadera during the sidelines of of the World Health Organization (WHO) informal consultation with media on the prevention of suicide on Friday in Manila.

Discussing “Suicide in the Philippines: A Second Look”, Nadera said that there was an increasing trend of suicide (despite under-reporting of the suicide cases in the country), especially among the youths (from 1975 to 2005) particularly on between ages 5 to 14 and 15 to 24.

She said that greatest proportion of suicides were from ages between 20 and 29 years, with sex ratio of 4:1 from males to females, which found that silver cleaner and home-made gun such like ‘paltik’ as the leading methods of ending one’s life. Also mentioned was hanging, strangulation and suffocation and self-poisoning chemicals such as pesticides.

The distribution of the pamphlet entitled “Suicide First Aid Guidelines for the Philippines” highlighted the informal consultation. The pamphlet aims to help the public to provide first aid to someone who is at risk of suicide, among others things that the public should do during the suicide crisis: * Express empathy for person and tell this person that you care and want to help. Encourage the person to do most of the talking and listen to them without expressing judgement. You should not argue with the person about one’s thought of suicide. You should allow the person to tell about those feelings and their reasons for wanting to die. * Help the person to understand that he/she has a control over their suicidal thoughts, and that these thoughts do not need to be acted on. Point out to the person the fact that he/she is still alive and talking to you about their feelings means that they are not quite sure about suicide and that is a positive things.

As thoughts are sometimes caused by mental disorder, so you should find out if the person has such disorder. Avoid asking if one has “mental illness” instead ask if one is receiving help for any emotional or mental health problems. Clearly state the thoughts of suicide may be caused by a treatable disorder, as this may instill a sense of hope for the person. * By discussing specific problems, you can help the person work out practical strategies for effective dealing with difficulties and life problems that seem impossible to cope with. Find out what has supported the person in the past and whether these supports are available. * Consider and use the person’s belief systems and values, including their spiritual and religious beliefs, to encourage a change of mind about suicide. * Ask the person what he/she thinks could help keep their mind away from negative thoughts. Find out whether there is anything important in the person’s life which may reduce the immediate risk of suicide (e.g attachments to children). Encourage the person to consider the consequences of suicide, especially the effect it may have on the people he or she care about. However, do not take the person feel guilty or ashamed . Instead, focus on the importance of the person in the lives of other people they care about, the “good things” in the person’s life, their hopes for the future, and other reasons to live.

Encourage the person to think about their personal strengths.

With a final note to “Remember that despite your best efforts, some people will still die by suicide. However, always do your best for the person you are helping”.

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SUBURBIA

VOL.5 ISSUE 97 • JULY 18, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Ex-DENR exec cites gains under his watch

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Lt. Col. Llewellyn Binasoy, left, accepts the guidon of the 60th Infantry Battalion from 10th ID Commander BGen. Ariel Bernardo, right, during the change of command ceremony in Dona Andrea, Asuncion, Davao del

Norte on July 16, 2012. Binasoy takes the helm of the Mediator Battalion vice Lt. Col. Greg Almerol, who is now assigned as Deputy Executive Officer of the army’s Agila Division.

SoCot intensifies organic farming

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OUTH Cotabato’s first group of trainees will begin their mission next month as change agents pushing for massive adoption of organic vegetable farming in the province.

Dave Nicolas of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) of the Department of Agriculture (DA-12) said at least 39 “change agents,” composed of 32 agricultural technicians and seven farmer-leaders, will complete 16 weeks of comprehensive trainers’ training on organic vegetable growing this month.

“All local government units in South Cotabato are represented in this group of trainees,” Nicolas said, assuring the province’s 10 municipalities and lone city with at least three trainers who can help the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) advocate organic vegetable growing in their respective areas.

“They will serve as OPAG’s extension workers who would guide local farmers in growing organic crops,” he said.

Nicolas said, the

training set up follows the farmers’ field school (FFS) strategy where the participants actually manage a farm and experience the entire production process in one cropping season.

In April, the group set up plots of tomatoes and cauliflowers inside the eight-hectare South Cotabato Research and Demonstration Farm at Sitio Pedregosa, Rizal, Banga as their experimental gardens as well as showcase for other farmers to observe.

Participants are expected to begin harvesting their crops this week.

“Their training started with the study of the morphology of crops as well as the characteristics of pests and diseases that affect them,” he explained.

They heard lectures and practicum on all cultural management aspects from seedbed preparation to postharvest, excluding application of synthetic fertilizers and chemical pest control.

“We are following the Asian Research Development Center’s recommendation for organic soil incorporation of 30

tons per hectare or two kg of organic matter per square meter,” he said.

As part of their integrated pest management, rows of marigold, lemon basil, and lemongrass, were planted as fence of the organic gardens and served as “natural insect repellants.”

Nicolas said that in the course of study, the participants had observed several advantages of growing organic vegetables, “including much lesser production cost and better quality produce,” and that their crops do not look inferior to crops grown using chemicals.

“We should also realize that with organically produced vegetables we also reduce the risk of chemical residue contamination in our food,” he added. “Besides, organically-grown food has better quality and has higher natural value.”

“Not only that, with continuous organic farming, we also prevent further degradation of our environment and over time restore the quality of soil in our farms,” Nicholas added.

Regarding the issue

on reduced production in organic farms, Nicolas said, “Although we have yet to determine our volume of production, we are assured that the difference compared to the traditional approach would not be much.”

“In fact, farmers could earn better return of investment because of reduced production cost since all pest control and fertilizers are already available in nature,” he explained. “Organic products also command better prices.”

The trainers’ training on organic vegetable growing is being implemented by ATI in partnership with the provincial local government unit, OPAG-South Cotabato and DA-12.

At the grand farmers’ field day on Thursday, provincial agriculturist Reynaldo Legaste said around 1,000 hectares of farms in Surallah are now organically producing rice.

Organic farming of vegetables and other food crops is also gaining grounds in Koronadal City as well as in Norala, Banga, and other municipalities.

ORMER Department of Environment and Natural Resources XI regional executive director Jim Sampulna cited the accomplishments of the DENR regional office under his stead particularly in complying with President Benigno Aquino’s Executive Order 23 or the moratorium on the cutting of fully-grown forest trees.

From the period of 2009 to 2012 under his stewardship the DENR-XI has seized a total volume of 12,388.38 cubic meters of illegally cut logs, which is equivalent to P50 million in cash value, Sampulna said.

In a novel effort, the confiscated logs has been turned over to the local governments particularly the LGUs of Compostela Valley, Tagum City and Davao Oriental which have been converted into school and office furniture like school chairs and tables.

As of January 2012, 11,995 school chairs were produced in the motor pool section of Tagum City.

These armchairs have been distributed to schools not just in Davao del Norte but also in nearby provinces and other towns across the country. He said that the local government of Davao City is in the process of trying

out the unique initiative with the DENR-XI supplying a portion of the confiscated timber products.

Apart from confiscation of illegally cut forest products, the DENR-XI has also closed down several wood processing plants, which were unregistered or operating without the necessary permits.

Sampulna said they were also vigilant in acting on tips regarding the movement of illegally cut timber as operations could also be carried out even on nighttime.

The DENR-XI regional director also gave credit to intensified coordination with police, the military and also the members of the Davao media in helping out the Department in anti-illegal logging operations.

Apart from anti-illegal logging, the DENR-XI was also achievers in the government’s National Greening Program.

In 2011 the DENR XI was able to surpass its 2,757,000-seedling target by four percent when the region planted 2,876,000 seedlings excluding the additional 489, 871 seedlings planted by its partner agencies and private companies.

The total area planted covered around 5,734 hectares, which is beyond their 2011 goal of 5,511 hectares.

Dolfo reorganizes regional peace council

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HE Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC XI) has been reorganized, establishing the Security Affairs Committee and the Human Development Committee, to support the peace paradigm of the Aquino administration.

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, who is also the RPOC chair, said Pres.

Aquino favors a shift in the peace framework from military victory to human development approach.

“I noticed that RPOC is more like a committee-of-the-whole tackling only security matters, leaving non-security agencies like DepEd, DOH, DSWD, and others, as mere audience. By creating the Human Development Committee, these non-security agencies, together with the LGUs must also be made to report what they are doing in terms of health,

education, and income opportunities,” del Rosario said in an interview.

He said better health, education and income opportunities are salient prerequisites in attaining and maintaining peace.

Del Rosario intends to utilize the Human Development Committee to endorse to the council potential areas where the region’s share of the P958 million PAMANA funds of Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process is to be invested.

“With certain criteria like intensity of insurgency, levels of poverty, among others, I think that the funds can really be targeted to those communities with critical peace and order situation,” he added.

The reorganization at the regional level is expected to cascade down to the provincial, city, and municipal peace and order councils.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 97 • JULY 18, 2012

Make your own rules with Globe PowerSurf D

ID you know that you can actually make your own rules and be in full control of your mobile browsing minus the fear of excessive charges? With Globe PowerSurf and its new Megabytes (MB)-based data plans, you definitely can.

Recall that an MB is a unit used to measure the size of internet-related activities, which includes mobile surfing. Every internet-related activity requires data, and the MB of each depends on the richness of the activity. Text e-mails, Facebook likes and Twitter posts use less MB than song and photo downloads like sharing photos on Instragram and video streaming like watching videos on YouTube. By knowing how much of these activities you can do with 1MB, you’ll have an idea of the things you can do with Globe PowerSurf MB. So what exactly can you do with 1MB? A lot!

Mad about Facebook?

1MB is already 100 likes, 29 posts or 14 page views. Can’t live without Twitter? 1MB lets you enjoy 33 tweets or 25 page views. E-mail junkie? Send 50 text e-mails with your 1MB. A surfing addict? Use your 1MB in viewing 2 webpages or doing 25 Google searches.

If you can do all those with just 1MB, what more with a Globe PowerSurf MB plan?

With Globe PowerSurf MB plans, you can stay connected on the World Wide Web via your trusty smartphone at a much longer time but at a more affordable price since charging is based on actual data consumption only. They are also best suited for users who want to keep their apps updated and constantly receive notifications, since these updates and feeds usually consume very minimal data, allowing you to be on over long periods of time without having to worry about billshock.

The flexibility of Globe PowerSurf MB plans lets you control how much of it you need, where to use it, and how long it will last. This gives you the power to stay online on your mobile phone longer. Once you fully understand how MBs work, you can compute the number of MBs that fit your mobile internet lifestyle, letting you choose the Globe PowerSurf MB plan best for you and your budget!

Prepaid subscribers on a budget can choose the following affordable PowerSurf plans: 20MB for P15 valid for 1 day, 50MB for P30 also valid for 1 day, and 100MB for

P50 valid for 3 days. Prepaid and Postpaid subscribers looking for plans with higher MB allocation and longer validity can avail of the following 30day PowerSurf MB variants: 50MB for only P99, 300 MB for only P299, and 1GB (1024MB) for only P499.

“We understand that mobile browsing users have different needs so we’re excited to let our subscribers know that they are empowered to choose which PowerSurf MB plan suits them best.

Globe PowerSurf MB plans gives subscribers control over their mobile internet usage, control over the things they love to do on the mobile phone, control over how long they want to be online, and control over their budget. We created PowerSurf MB plans because everyone deserves to make the rules based on their mobile internet lifestyle, a worryfree guarantee only from Globe Mobile Internet,” said Jenny Granada-Echevarria, Head of Globe Mobile Data Services.

Subscribe to a Globe PowerSurf MB plan of your choice now by texting Powersurf to 8888 or dialing *143# for free. To learn more about Globe PowerSurf MB plans, visit http://surf.globe.com.ph.

OWADAYS, people are getting into the trend of sharing photos via online albums, Facebook posts and picture messages. A day won’t go by without them presenting pictures of how great their day was or something that interests them. This fad has become more prevalent since the discovery of the ease and convenience of uploading and sharing photos through mobile phones.

However, it hasn’t always been like that.

Before, people would store and share their photos using physical albums.

Also, the process of taking, processing, printing and sticking photos in an album would take weeks.

It was not until the 80s that digitalization of photography was introduced.

People were then able to hand over a CD of images or attach a photo file by email. Then the evolution of internet opened

more ways of sharing photos and videos online.

Blogging allowed people to post photos and views of just about anything.

In 2000, the first camera phones appeared, followed by the first MMScapable mobile phones.

This started the trend of mobile photo sharing.

Contributing greatly to this phenomenon was Nokia, the world’s biggest camera manufacturer. It has continuously presented numerous devices that have built-in cameras and mobile sharing capabilities.

Nokia makes another milestone in image technology with their new Nokia 808 PureView. This groundbreaking smartphone captures your everyday moments with its world-class Carl Zeiss 41MP lens and then transforms photos into 5MP images that can be instantly and easily shared.

Based upon research from Nokia’s Future

Trends team, which tracks emerging trends in mobility, people use photos to let others know who they are and what great lives they have. Photo sharing websites and social networks like Facebook and Twitter were born from this need. Social media photos were eventually transformed into online scrapbooks and timelines so everyone knows you are leading lives that are happy and fulfilled.

To help make your photos stand out Nokia Store offers apps such as Photofunia, PhotoFX and Camera Lover Pack to add effects and props before you capture a photo. Then you can instantly upload this and share it to your friends through mail or to your social networks.

With Nokia set to deliver more phones enriched with image technology and apps to enhance photos, expect to see more unique and original ways to use and share photos.

Photo sharing made easy with Nokia N

COMPETITIVE EDGE 11

12 NATION/WORLD NATION BRIEFS

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Emerging

HE Philippine stock market is no longer the playground for those hunting for bargains.

Yet there is still a lot of money flowing in, driving stock prices to unprecedented heights as the country-with its much-improved economic fundamentals and resilient corporate sectorhas turned into a sort of a “safe haven” for large funds diversifying out of Europe. With record-low interest rates, cash-awash local investors are also turning more to equities in search of better yield.

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Low rate

HE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said the low conviction rate in drug cases continues to hamper the fight against dangerous narcotics.

But PDEA Director General Jose Gutierrez Jr. said he refuses “to get discouraged by the dismal conviction rate arising from drug cases filed in courts.”

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Plunder

HE Office of the Ombudsman filed plunder charges against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and nine other former state officials, mostly of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), for allegedly misusing P365,997,915 in PCSO funds.

It was the first plunder case against Arroyo who is under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City for electoral sabotage during the 2007 senatorial election.

Transparency

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RESIDENTIAL spokesman Secretary Edwin Lacierda has attended a World Bank-organized international conference in Washington aimed at promoting government transparency and accountability to eradicate corruption.

During the July 10-12 International Open Government Data conference in Washington DC, Lacierda shared steps undertaken by President Benigno S. Aquino III’s administration to promote transparency and accountability, including putting the government budget on line for the public to see.

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Increase

HE weekly average price of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) continued to increase slightly last week, reaching 97.26 U.S. dollars per barrel, the Vienna-based cartel said Monday.

The U.S. intensification of embargo on Iranian crude oil was considered as a major reason for the price rise. The U.S. Department of Treasury has announced that dozens of Iranian companies and banks that helped Iranian government against the Western sanctions had been exposed and put on the sanctions blacklist.

VOL.5 ISSUE 97 • JULY 18, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

US Pacific chief affirms commitment to Philippines M

WORLD TODAy Anti-nuclear

ORE than 100,000 anti-nuclear protesters marched through central Tokyo on Monday to voice their opposition to atomic power, racheting up the pressure on under fire Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda.

On the hottest day of the year, protesters forsook their air-conditioned homes to say the country does not need nuclear energy after last year’s Fukushima disaster raised concerns about the safety of atomic power.

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HE head of US forces in the Pacific reaffirmed American commitment to support the Philippines Monday, amid the country’s continuing territorial dispute with China.

Admiral Samuel Locklear met with President Benigno Aquino and voiced his support in helping modernise the country’s ill-equipped armed forces, considered to be among the weakest in the region, the presidential spokesman said.

Locklear “reaffirmed the long-standing partnership between the US and the Philippines,” Aquino’s spokesman Ramon Carandang told reporters.

The admiral also “reiterated the commitment of the US to help the Philippines establish a minimum credible defence”, Carandang said.

The two officials discussed the South China Sea issue in “broad strokes” with no specific details given, Carandang said.

The Philippines, which has a mutual defence treaty with the United States, has been seeking greater support from its main defence ally after a face-

Opportunity

US and Filipino soldiers are seen during joint training on Palawan island in April 2012. The head of US forces in the Pacific reaffirmed American commitment to support

the Philippines Monday, amid the country’s continuing territorial dispute with China. [AFP]

off with China over the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea in April.

Locklear was due to meet with Filipino defence officials later Monday, in which he would discuss “domain awareness” amid a changing security climate, according to the US Department of Defense website.

“So what we are looking for is to try to provide [the Philippines] assistance that builds the interoperability of our

defence forces over time,” the website quoted him as saying.

He also warned that a possible “miscalculation” in the dispute could threaten regional stability and reiterated that the US and Philippine militaries needed to learn to work together better.

“I’m looking forward to giving the message to the Filipino military and to the leaders there that the United States is a very reliable ally. We want the

Filipinos to be a reliable ally to us as well,” he was quoted as saying.

Chinese-Philippine tensions have increased due to the standoff with the Philippines accusing China of “duplicity” and “intimidation” in a recent regional forum in Cambodia.

China claims the entire South China Sea as its historical territory, even up to the coasts of other Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines. [AFP]

that the money can support the continued survival of both the Games and national teams.

Rogge said: “’For those companies, we’ve said to them: ‘Listen, there is an issue in terms of the growing trend on obesity, what are you going to do about that?’” He cited McDonald’s offering healthier menu options, along with Coca-Cola’s zero-calorie drinks, as proof that the companies are taking public health into account.

McDonald’s has four restaurants in London’s Olympic Park, including its biggest in the world, which can seat 1,500 people. Back in January, the fast food giant extended its 36-year backing of the Games by signing up as a sponsor for the next eight years. Coca-Cola, a sponsor since 1928, has also signed up until 2020.

“It’s very sad that an event that celebrates the very best of athletic achievements should be sponsored by companies

contributing to the obesity problem and unhealthy habits,” said Terence Stephenson, a spokesman for the Academy of Royal Medical Colleges. In May, the UK group called upon the British government to restrict advertising by McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, and Heineken during the Olympic Games.

“Sponsors provide a huge amount of the funding required to stage the games,” a spokesman for the organizing committee told the Christian Science Monitor. “Without our partners such as McDonald’s, the Games simply wouldn’t happen.”

But that doesn’t change the stats: about 25 percent of Britons are obese, with experts estimating that the rates could soar to 50 percent by 2030. Obesity and related health ailments cost the UK health system about 4 billion pounds ($6.5 billion) every year, according to the Christian Science Monitorreport.

Food fight continues over McDonald’s sponsorship of Olympic Games

A

MID concerns of soaring obesity rates in the UK, International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge admits “question mark” over McDonald’s and Coca-Cola sponsoring the Olympic Games.

But he told The Financial Times last week that while it wasn’t an easy decision, the organization needed the sponsors’ financial support for backing sport at “grassroots levels,” and

The McDonald’s restaurant London Olympics Central. [AFP]

U

.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, arriving in Jerusalem from newly Islamist-controlled Egypt, told a wary Israel on Monday to treat the Arab Spring as an opportunity as well as a source of uncertainty convulsing the Middle East.

It was Clinton’s first visit to the Jewish state since U.S.-brokered peace talks between Palestinians and Israelis broke down in 2010 over Israel’s refusal to halt the building of settlements on land where Palestinians hope to found a state.

Vaccine

A

T an ill-fated press conference in 1984, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Margaret Heckler boldly predicted an effective AIDS vaccine would be available within just two years.

But a string of failed attempts - punctuated by a 2007 trial in which a Merck vaccine appeared to make people more vulnerable to infection, not less - cast a shadow over AIDS vaccine research that has taken years to dispel.

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Removed

ORTH Korea’s army chief has been removed from all his posts due to illness, state media announced Monday, which analysts said showed new leader Kim Jong-Un tightening his control over the powerful military.

Ri Yong-Ho is regarded as one of the key figures who supported the young, untested leader in the transition following the death in December of his father Kim Jong-Il who ruled the reclusive state for 17 years.

M

Suing

ONACO’S Prince Pierre Casiraghi, who was punched in the face during a brawl in New York in February, is suing two men and a popular Manhattan nightclub over the incident and seeking unspecified damages.

Casiraghi, third in line to the throne in the principality, filed the complaint on Saturday in civil court in New York saying that he and three other men were attacked by former restaurateur Adam Hock, 47, at The Double Seven club in New York’s trendy Meat Packing District.

EDGEDAVAO

FOI...

Sara...

Ilo-ilo...

reason of protecting their life and limb,” the vice mayor said earlier in his TV program Ato ni Bay. His second reason is that only “good citizens” follow the law, while transgressors have the intention of breaking the law.

“Would a lawbreaker follow the law? Would he leave his gun at home because there›s a gun ban?” he said.

It may be recalled that while the gun ban was effective in the city during Araw ng Dabaw, one Vince Estupito, forester II of the Department of Enviroment and Natural Resources (DENR) based in Lianga, Surigao del Sur, was arrested at Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) in Ecoland on March 8 for gun possession.

The elder Duterte said the case was dismissed by the fiscal because there was no valid publication of the localized gun ban.

Other reports however said City Prosecutor Raul Bendigo dismissed the case on the ground that the arresting police officers of the Talomo police station failed to include a copy of the memorandum order issued

by PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome which declared a month-long gun ban in the city.

Meanwhile, Duterte-Carpio said the city still awaits the answer of the PNP to the resolution of the City Peace and Order Council requesting the PNP chief to approve the proposed gun ban.

University, Davao City.

He added that it is urgent for the bill to be out of the committee by then as the legislative calendar of the House of Representatives is very tight, citing that the from July 24 up to the end of August the plenary will act on all pending legislative measures.

“Once first week of September comes, everything will be set aside temporarily to discuss the 2013 budget in the plenary up to the second week of October,” he said.

Plenary discussions on all pending legislative measures will resume from second week of November up to second week of December.

Tañada said that at the committee level, there is already enough number of votes to ensure the passage of FOI bill, adding that it is important for voting by committee members to happen on August 7 to be able to submit a committee report for plenary discussion before the 2013 budget hearing.

He noted that delaying tactics by some representatives who are not for the FOI may be a possible scenario that would hinder the passage of the bill once it reaches the plenary.

Also one scenario that would prevent it from being approved in the plenary, he said, is by the time it reaches the plenary, there is no time to squeeze it in as there are still other legislative measures pending.

Three items or questions raised will be tackled

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in the committee hearing, according to him, which are (1) whether or not the right to reply should be included in the right of FOI; (2) the right to FOI will not be limited to government agencies but also private companies; and, (3) there should be a penalty imposed if there is misuse of correct information.

Tañada said the third item, which was raised by Cavite Representative Lani Mercado-Revilla, seems to be acceptable to the advocates because they want information that is taken from government agencies should be used properly.

“We are looking at possibilities on how to try to accommodate that request by Congresswoman Lani Mercado,” he said, adding that the two remaining items need to be voted upon by the committee members whether or not to accept them.

“At the end of the day, it’s the committee doing the democratic process, and we want that to happen on august 7,” he said.

He also noted that if the bill will not be passed on to the plenary on August 7, it is not the end of the day for FOI yet, saying, “There are still windows of opportunity to be passed all the way up to September, but as soon as we get it out of the committee, we get to start the debate in the plenary.”

“If it will not be passed in this 15th congress, this will be another three years. So, 15 years waiting for this bill to pass,” he said.

IMF...

Minahan ng Bayan Declared as Minahan ng Bayan (Peoples’ Mining Sites) are Dinagsaan, Banay-Banay in Davao Oriental; and Gupitan and Talaingod in Davao del Norte.

In Compostella Valley, declared as Minahan ng Bayan are Diat, Biasan, and Boringot in Pantukan; Maco in Compostela Valley; Inupuan and Saraban in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley.

EO 79 outlines the administration’s policy on mining, included, among others, the need to raise government’s share in mining revenues.

Section 1 of the EO states that sites considered as tourism de-

Davao...

velopment areas under National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) should be declared as mining-free zones.

No mining operations are allowed in critical areas, protected areas and prime agricultural lands.

Small scale mining is limited to operate within Minahan ng Bayan, which are subject for application and approval of the government.

The preceding provision is mainly directed at small-scale miners which in past years were operating illegally and not rendering taxes to the government nor operating with safety guidelines of the government.

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much as US$ 2,000 plus incidental costs for lawyers and other expenses, a trademark owner will only pay about P40,000 to apply for Madrid Protocol per country.

Manuel also cited that a local mango exporter bared losing millions of pesos due to infringement of trademark in China, adding that this case will be avoided with international registration through Madrid Protocol which is cost-effective for local traders.

Ros said the IPO satellite office at the DTI 11 will assist a trademark owner in preparing documents for the application, however, the actual filing will be at the head office in Taguig City.

IPOPHL will certify the authenticity and validity of

the mark in the international application, and will forward the international application with the International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization.

Application for international registration involves payment of a basic fee, a designation fee, a supplementary fee, and a handling fee. The fees are to be paid in Swiss francs, which will be paid directly to the International Bureau.

A fashion designer, Robin Tomas, who has a shop in the United States is waiting for July 25 to file for his trademark, Ros said, adding that a banana company from Davao City signified interest to file for international registration through Madrid Protocol.

country instead of helping a “some backward European struggling economies.”

He also called for reforms in the monetary system such that the President and finance officials shall be prohibited from lending public funds to foreign banks, and financial institutions, saying, “This will become detrimental to domestic growth and development needs.”

An independent think tank in the Philippines, the IBON Foundation, Inc. reportedly said despite lending US$1 billion loan to the IMF, the country remains deeply indebted to IMF. IBON said the Philippines’ foreign debt was still at US$62.9 billion as of March 2012 – US$79.1 billion if other debt monitored by the BSP. Up to 77% of this, or US$48.3 billion, IBON said, is owed by the government including the BSP. “And while the country stopped being a net borrower from the IMF in 2006, it still has US$11.7 billion in multilateral debt, including

US$3.3 billion to the World Bank (WB) and US$6.0 billion to the Asian Development Bank (ADB),” IBON said.

The outstanding national government debt has reached Php5.1 trillion as of April 2012 and Php2.1 trillion of this, or 41% of the total, is foreign debt.

“Government may have wanted to give the impression that the Philippines is now able to lend the IMF US$1 billion because of its sound management of government finances and of the economy,” IBON said.

However, it added, “The international reserves are not really funds that the government has earned and can lend or spend in the same way as, for instance, its projected Php1.6 trillion in revenues for 2012. The international reserves are foreign exchange assets accumulated by the economy from various foreign exchange inflows, but which are not like money held by the treasury.”

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On November 9, 2012, CEB will also launch thrice weekly flights from Iloilo to Singapore and thrice weekly flights from Iloilo to Puerto Princesa. The airline will also launch thrice weekly flights from Cagayan de Oro to Bacolod on the same day.

Iloilo is home to the popular Dinagyang Festival, a religious and cultural festival held every January, and is widely known for its local cuisine. It is also the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Miag-ao Church, Guimaras Island, and the provinces of Negros Occidental, Aklan, Capiz and Antique.

“These new routes will make Iloilo and Western Visayas more accessible to foreign and local tourists, as well as overseas Filipino workers. Without the need to pass through Manila, Cebu or Clark, our passengers can book lower fares and spend more

Sara pins...

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publication”, adding that “the gun ban will be applied locally.”

Inday Sara was referring to Article 2 of the Civil Code which states: Laws shall take effect after 15 days following the completion of their publication in the Official Gazette (OG), unless it is otherwise provided.

The provision was amended by Executive Order 200 which states that other than the OG, a newspaper of general circulation will suffice in announcing the approval of the law and upon accomplishing the premise of publication renders it effective.

Duterte-Carpio said since the gun ban will be implemented only within Davao City, the city does not need to comply with the requirement of publication.

“There›s no need to publish it since it will be effective only here in the city. It›s not a national law,” she said.

When the gun ban was implemented during last March’s Araw ng Dabaw observance by the local police and Task Force Davao set up checkpoints.

According to Vice Mayor Duterte, publication is needed because without it, it would be unfair to tourists who will come to the city unaware that there is an ongoing gun ban.

“Tourists who carry with them licensed firearms will be deprived of equal protection of law. They are law-abiding citizens who took pains in having their firearms licensed for the

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time at their destination,” said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog.

“We are launching these routes in time for the delivery of three more brand-new Airbus A320 aircraft in the 2nd half of 2012. CEB will continue to stimulate travel to, from and within the Philippines with the most extensive route network and trademark lowest fares,” she added.

To introduce the new routes, CEB holds a seat sale until July 19, 2012 or until seats last. This is for travel from November 8 to January 31, 2013.

Passengers can buy P488 all-in seats from General Santos or Puerto Princesa to Iloilo, and from Cagayan de Oro to Bacolod. They may also book P1,488 all-in seats from Hong Kong or Singapore to Iloilo.

“Passengers can take advantage of this seat

sale as it covers the peak travel period from November to January. This will greatly benefit those coming home for the holidays, or planning Christmas vacations for family and friends,” Iyog said.

For bookings and inquiries, guests can go to www.cebupacificair.com, or call the reservation hotlines (02) 7020-888 or (032) 230-8888. The latest seat sales and promos can also be found on CEB’s official Twitter and Facebook pages.

CEB currently operates 10 Airbus A319, 20 Airbus A320 and 8 ATR72 500 aircraft. Its fleet of 38 aircraft – with an average age of 3.6 years – is the largest aircraft fleet in the Philippines. Between 2012 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 22 more Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft orders. It is slated to begin long-haul services in the 3rd quarter of 2013.

the money cannot be used by the government for infrastructure or debt servicing, adding, “We cannot use it for foreign debts because it’s the debt of the national government, that’s not the debt of the BSP. The debt of the BSP to the IMF has been fully paid as early as 2006.”

As of June 2012, the BSP has $76 billion reserves which, according to Guinigundo, is sufficient to finance around 11 months of imports of goods and services.

The rule of thumb, he said, is only about three to four months for the IMF loan of $1 billion, so the BSP has a comfortable level of reserves.

“And this is what reserves are for. Reserves are for contingency events in case something happens in Europe, in case something bad happens in the Philippines,” he added.

Meanwhile, Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Teddy Casiño earlier said it is better to lend the US$1 billion pledge as loan for the IMF micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the

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EDGEDAVAO Francis Gabriel Escandor bulldozes his way inside against HCDC defenders during their match in the Royal Mandaya Hotel Cup at the Genesis 88 Gym. Ateneo won, 90-55.

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

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NBA 3X Phl set Aug 17-19 T

HE NBA 3X Philippines 2012 returns to Manila at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall and the SM by the Bay from August 17 – 19, 2012 The fast-rising three-onthree event is a collaboration of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and beverage giant Coca Cola through its basketball carrier brand

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Sprite.

Following the success of last year’s edition, the event, which combines exciting oncourt competition with authentic NBA entertainment

and experiences for fans of all ages, is back to thrill basketball-loving Filipinos.

NBA 3X Philippines 2012 presented by Sprite will feature a 3-on-3 tournament that will provide players with an opportunity to hone their skills and compete amongst their peers. There are competition groups for boys ages 10 – 18, girls ages 13 – 17, and

open divisions for men and women. Registration begins July 14 on a first come first serve basis and runs until August 10. Information on the event, including registration locations, game format and rules is available at www.nba3X.com/Asia/Philippines.

Regular updates will also be made on the local twitter feed @NBA_Philippines.

INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

International DJ Clyde Harris live at STARR ON July 20 and 21, 2012, 2 exciting nights will be shaping up in the City of Davao as STARR DINE. PARTY. SHINE brings to the metro the internationally-acclaimed DJ, DJ Clyde Harris.

DJ Clyde Harris has played for clubs in Milan, New York, Japan and California, and has been a resident DJ for clubs in Maryland and Guam. He was nominated twice in a row, in 2009 and 2010, as the “Best Club DJ’ in the Island of Guam, is a co-DJ for “The 111 Show” every Saturday with Jeramy Roberts, and is presently one of the prestigious resident artists in Los Angeles’ 6AM Group.

This twice-in-a-lifetime party takes place on July 20, Friday, and July 21, Saturday at STARR Dine. Party. Shine.

Pre-sold tickets are available at P500, good for 2 nights (July 20 & 21). Door charge is P350, good for 1 night only.

For early ticket reservations, contact Angel Abella at 09324562146.

Saying it sweet from Sugarkids from SM!

THE sweetest shoes in town are now available at the most delightful prices!

And little girls can now walk in the prettiest Mary Jane and Ballerina Flats at only P399.75 for two pairs!

Better still, they will love its lightweight outsoles and elasticized straps that ensure a perfectly comfortable fit.

Imagine, two pairs of Sugarkids shoes at P349.75 for your little princess!

Sugarkids Mary Jane and Ballerina flats are available at the Children’s Shoes Department in all SM Stores.

It’s Crunch time at Pizza Hut THERE’S something new that’s cheesy, crunchy and great tasting and will surely please pizza fanatics from all over.

The pizza geniuses at Pizza Hut have introduced its best selling Thin ‘N Crispy in the Philippines. Yes, the USA’s Thin ‘N Crispy pizza is finally here and was officially launched last July 5th, 2012 at Pizza Hut SM Araneta Center.

It’s Crunch Time Pizza Hut’s new Thin ‘N Crispy is perfect for Filipino pizza-lovers who want to eat light, yet enjoy Pizza Hut’s premium toppings on an incredibly thin and extremely crunchy crust. You can choose between the Regular (10inch) or Super Family (14-inch) and comes in a variety of flavors: Super Supreme, Meat Lovers, BBQ Ribs, 3-Cheese, Supreme, Bacon Supreme, Hawaiian Supreme, Bacon Cheeseburger Supreme, Veggie Lovers Supreme, and De Luxe Cheese. It’s served with imported 100% mozzarella and cheddar cheese!

“We have been listening to our customers and here is one great pizza that they will really enjoy eating with friends and family: crunchy, cheesy and great-tasting!” says Raymund Nobleza, Head of Marketing for Pizza Hut. Guests at the festive launch also got a chance to share the New Thin ‘N Crispy Experience with the lovely Venus Raj, Miss Universe 2010 4th Runner Up along with the reigning Bb. Pilipinas 2012 ladies.

It’s the Crunch!

If you’re wondering what makes Pizza Hut’s new Thin ‘N Crispy different, there are three things: Crunch, Taste and Cheese.

The new Thin ‘N Crispy is available in all Pizza Hut restaurants nationwide and even delivers the crunch to your homes or offices via its delivery hotlines, 911-1111 for Metro Manila, or visit our website www.pizzahut.com.ph for provincial delivery numbers.

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EDGEDAVAO HEALTH

Veggies in our midst

Yes, vegetables are in our midst thru gardens and in our diet! Here are reasons why growing your own vegetables is a wise move: 1) saves money that would have otherwise been used to buy vegetables, 2) ensures adequate supply of quality and safe food plus food cost is also reduced, 3) keeps health of the family safe and ensures a varied diet, 4) builds stronger family ties, especially if each family member shares part of the responsibility in caring for home gardens, 5) ensures food security in the community and help to fight climate change, 6) provides enjoyment and a way to relieve stress and 7) provides exercise to the body to prevent obesity.

There are several technologies available vegetable gardening. These include: • FAITH (Food Always In The Home) Gardening is an intensified organic backyard gardening system designed to empower a family of four to six persons to produce, on a 150 square meter lot, 50-80% of their daily nutritional needs the whole year round. The surplus can be sold as an added income for the family. At least 24 kinds of vegetables, small fruit trees, fish, poultry, eggs and medicinal herbs can all be grown and varied for the entire year in this small space. It requires just an hour of maintenance work in the morning and another in the afternoon.

In addition, no harmful chemical fertilizer or pesticide/herbicides are used since F.A.I.T.H. Gardening is an organic system that uses natural methods in controlling pests and ensuring plant growth for a guaranteed bountiful harvest.

• Urban gardening. Uses any type of container such as used baskets, drums, gallons, cans, plastic bags, hanging baskets, old tires or wooden boxes.

• Fence gardens. The fence is a good frame and support for shade-loving plants. One can also build a practical fence garden. Use malunggay as fence.

• Garden in water-logged areas. In places where drainage is a problem, make a “floating garden”.

• Natural canning. Involves planting seeds in cans for eventual use as seedlings.

• Magic square garden. A one square meter lot area

The fence is a good frame and support for shade-loving plants. One can also build a practical fence garden.

can be planted to MACK-P or malunggay, alugbati, camote, kangkong, and petsay. One may also plant KPMS – kadyos, papaya, malunggay and sigarilyas (kalamismis) or winged bean. experts recommend these vegetables because they are easy to grow and retains nutrients such as protein in the soil. In addition, these vegetables are rich sources of vitamins A, B and C, and iron.

• Hydroponics. A method of growing plants without soil because it uses mineral nutrient solutions (water containing fertilizers) instead of soil. Home gardeners have used hydroponics on a smaller scale to grow fresh vegetables year round and to grow plants in smaller spaces, such as an apartment or balcony.

There are several ways to increase the consumption of vegetables of Filipinos.

These include: • Increase supply of vegetables • Establish vegetable gardens in homes, schools, workplaces, communities

and other places with vacant spaces. For urban areas, use urban gardening technologies.

• Support vegetable farmers by adding value to their produce • Help small-scale growers of vegetables find niche markets - Promote the consumption of vegetables as part of a healthy diet - Conduct promotional activities about vegetables.

Use the syllabus developed by the National Nutrition Council for promoting vegetables in the community and in schools.

- Know more about vegetables to correct existing misconceptions and fallacies.

- Teach children the value of vegetables, their nutritional benefits as well as vegetable gardening.

- Refrain from using camote or kalabasa to refer to being stupid or dull.

This will help in promoting a culture where vegetables are held in high regard.

- Integrate consumption of vegetables in the school curriculum. Use vegetable gardening as a venue to imbibe positive eating habits among school children.

• Make vegetable dishes accessible to consumers • Food establishments including cafeterias, school canteens, carinderias are encouraged to serve more vegetable dishes and dishes with vegetables for consumers to have healthier food options.

• Institutions such as hospitals, military camps, prisons can offer more dishes with vegetables. Kitchen vegetable gardens can be set-up to provide regular supply of vegetables and reduce food expenditures.

• For events, meetings and other fora, make sure that vegetables are served not just as garnish but as main dishes, appetizers, desserts and snacks.

• Patronize indigenous vegetables.

• In feeding programs, always include vegetables in the menu; serve using recommended amounts per serving.

• Food manufacturers can develop new vegetablebased food products that preserve nutritional quality and ensure safety.

Let’s do our share. Anytime, anywhere can be veggie time! GO GREEN! GO VEGGIES!

A2 INdulge!

EDGEDA

STYLE ENTERTAINMENT

Hijos de Da CONTRARy to the perception of Hijos de Dabaw as an exclusive organization, the organization has progressed in nature over the years, opening its doors to the new generation of Dabawenyos with much grandiose in the form of an annual ball. saint, San In celebration of its tradition, the Dabawenyos gathered for a night of merry making on the feast day of Davao City’s patron

annual Hijo baw Ball a series of belles and s ing men who were

DAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 97 • JULY 18, 2012

abaw Ball 2012

Pedro. The os De Daturned up terno-clad suave lookin barong, selected to

dance the Rigodon de Honor. The rest of the attendees, personalities and individuals from a wide cross section of government, business, media and social circles, also paraded in their cocktail best attire and winning smiles.

Soccorro Medinaestanislao, the organization’s current president, presented this year’s muse, Angela soriano-Diano, and her escort, Jiolo Velez.

The event was hosted

by Arch. Michael Ebro Dakudao.

INdulge! A3

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

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ENTERTAINMENT

Will the Dark Knight rise or fall?

THE Dark Knight Rises, well, rises in theaters this Thursday.

And while we’re guessing this is one flick that is probably pretty criticproof, some of them have already weighed in with their opinions regardless.

So what’s the initial verdict? Read on!

“Few blockbusters have borne so heavy a burden of audience expectation as [director] Christopher Nolan’s final Batman caper, and the filmmaker steps up to the occasion with a cataclysmic vision of Gotham City under siege in The Dark Knight Rises,” writes Variety’s Justin Chang.“If it never quite matches the brilliance of 2008’s The Dark Knight, this hugely ambitious action-drama nonetheless retains the moral urgency and serious-minded pulp instincts that have made the Warners franchise a beacon of integrity in an increasingly comic bookdriven Hollywood universe.”

“Big-time Hollywood filmmaking at its most massively accomplished, this last installment of Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy makes everything in the rival Marvel universe look thoroughly silly and childish,” notes The Hollywood Reporter’s Todd McCarthy. “Entirely enveloping and at times unnerving in a relevant way one would never have imagined, as a cohesive whole this ranks as the best of Nolan’s trio, even if it lacks -- how could it not? -- an element as unique as Heath Ledger’s immortal turn in The Dark Knight.

It’s a blockbuster by any

standard.”

The Dark Knight Rises doesn’t lack for ambition or vision,” states Tim Grierson over at Screen Daily.

“Nonetheless, this final installment in director Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy is the first of the series not to smoothly execute its grand aspirations. The film suffers a bit from a glut of new characters, but is helped along

by Nolan’s continued insistence on emotional resonance over mindless spectacle.”

“With spectacle in abundance and sexiness in (supporting) parts, this is superhero filmmaking on an unprecedented scale,” offers Empire’s Nev Pierce. “Rises may lack the surprise of Begins or the anarchy of Knight, but it makes up for that in pure emotion. A fitting epitaph for the hero Gotham deserves.”

“I suspect that the reaction to the film will be hotly divided, but I’m firmly on the side that this is a triumph, a victor for all involved,” writes Drew McWeeny of HitFlix.“Whoever Warner Bros hires to reboot the Batman films a few years from now, I wish you luck. The bar is as high as it could possibly be.”

Suri goes to a new school NOT since Harry Potter and Hogwarts has one pupil attending one institution been so newsworthy.

But after all, this is Suri Cruise we’re talking about, the only begotten daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, and wherever this 6-yearold goes (no, seriously: the museum, gymnastics class, the pet store, you name it, wherever she goes) the news cycle follows.

And while it’s just Suri that’ll be sitting in the Upper East Side classroom of the Convent of the Sacred Heart come fall, it might as well be all of us, right? So, what can we she expect?

Forget reading, writing and ‘rithmetic, what we want to know about is uniforms, boys and all the rest.

So, here’s everything you need to know about Suri’s foray into big-girl school: • It’s a Cootie-Free Zone: No boys allowed! The Roman Catholic all-girls school is indeed a fella-free environment, and come the 2012-2013 academic school year, Suri will be one of approximately 690 pupils enrolled in the institution, which spans pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The grades themselves are divided into three levels, Lower School, Middle School and Upper School, and Suri will of course be joining the Lower School.

• It Costs a Pretty Penny: Should Suri stay at Sacred Heart through her high school years, her brain will be worth a whopping $471,180. Give or take. That’s because one year’s enrollment in grades 1-12 at the institution will set mama and papa back a cool $39,265. Hands up if you’re feeling inadequate right about now • To Oui or Not to Oui: Sacred Heart introduces both French and Spanish in kindergarten. Once students have advanced all the way to first grade, they’ll choose one of the two to pursue all the way through grade 12.

Oh, but fear not: Latin is introduced in grade 7, and once they’re in Upper School, they can branch out further into Arabic, Greek or Mandarin. Pardon our French, but sacre bleu.

• Making the Grade: With tuition like that, rest assured, this ain’t no Mickey Mouse curriculum. The school’s repu-

tation as one of the most prestigious and selective schools in the city is well-earned. There is an average of 50 girls per grade, and the student to faculty ration is an impressive 7:1.

That’s some hands-on learning. In addition to the language courses, the Lower School academic program also fosters writing skills, problemsolving and logical thinking exercises, math and creative expression, as well as instruction in both the visual and performing arts. Why do we get the feeling Suri’s going to excel in that last one?

• Bye-Bye, Fashionista: Yes, indeed, the bane of fashion-conscious private school children everywhere will befall our dear Suri, and her education’s gain is Fashion Police Jr.’s loss.

Come September, she’ll be one of the uniformed elite, as the Lower School children are required to wear crisp, Peter Pan-collared short-sleeved white blouses (with red trim!), button-down jumper and white and red pinafore (so kicky are their uniforms that they even merited a mention in the Gossip Girl book series).

• State of the Arts: Quick stats coming at ya: Sacred Heart contains three science labs, two gyms, three performance spaces, a darkroom studio,

rooftop playground, three libraries and a soon-to-open state-of-the-art athletic and wellness center. It also issues iPads to every student in grades 8-12 and contains SMARTboards and Apple TVs in all classrooms. Additionally, for Suri’s school level, more than 40 extracurriculars are available through the school year.

• WWJD: Dad’s a Scientologist and mom’s a registered member of the St. Francis Xavier parish in New York, and that’s just fine with Sacred Heart.

Only 65 percent of their students are Catholic, and the first of their stated mission goals is to “commit themselves to educate a personal and active faith in God.” • She’s in Esteemed Company: While Suri is undoubtedly the most famous student currently enrolled in the school, she’s hardly the first boldfaced name to grace their halls. Just take a gander at some of these attendees: Lady Gaga, Nicky Hilton, Caroline Kennedy, Jordana Brewster, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Elaine Stritch and Gloria Vanderbilt. And special shoutout to rising senior-turned-London Olympics-bound Lia Neal, who will be joining Natalie Coughlin-Hall in the women’s 4x100 meter freestyle relay swim team later this month.

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS

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15

Auspicious debut for Asilum

By Neil Bravo

A

Davao boy fires 12 for Maroons

S young as 12 years old, basketball experts have already seen the potential of Renzar Henry Asilum.

Asilum was then playing for Assumption College of Davao when scouts from Manila came one after the other to lure him to their teams in Manila. Far Eastern University was among those who strongly pursued for Asilum since he was a high school freshman in Davao. He was about to enrol with the FEU campus when a last minute change of heart saw him make his way to Cebu.

On Sunday, Asilum finally made his debut game in the big league when he jerseyed for the University of the Philippines Fighting

Maroons. Wearing his favourite no. 14, Asilum made quite an impact for the State U squad as he fired 12 points to become the second highest point maker behind the veteran Mike Silungan who had 18.

Despite Asilum’s auspicious debut, the Maroons dropped a 68-73 loss to the fancied Green Archers.

Asilum went a long way from his younger days in Davao to his high school stint with Sacred Heart of Cebu (Ateneo de Cebu) where he impressed coaches of the national team to take him in the Under 16 squad. He played for Energen-Pilipinas in international competitions as the country’s premier quarter-

back. He teamed up with another future bluechip rookie Jeron Teng who incidentally played for La Salle against UP. It was Teng who saved the day for La Salle in the match against UP scoring a clutch 3-point play in the final 27.8 seconds to give La Salle a 70-68 breather.

Game Scores: La Salle 73 – Torres 16, Teng 15, Revilla 15, Andrada 10, Dela Paz 9, Mendoza 6, Webb 2, Van Opstal 0, Paredes 0, Vosotros 0, Gotladera 0, Tallo 0, Maguera 0.

UP 68 – Silungan 18, Asilum 12, Lopez 10, Soyud 8, Padilla 7, Manuel 5, Ball 4, Romero 2, Hipolito 2, Wierzba 0, Montecastro 0, Gamboa 0, Gallarza 0.

ITH less than two weeks to go before the Olympic Games, hordes of competitors are pouring into London from across the globe and limbering up -- but they’re not athletes.

Promising coverage on an unprecedented scale and record-breaking use of social media, the 21,000 journalists, photographers, cameramen and technicians will in fact be twice as numerous as the athletes they are covering.

The BBC, Britain’s official Olympic broadcaster, will offer up 2,500 hours of live coverage and “more online and mobile services than ever before”.

“This will be the first truly ‘Digital Olympics’, with

the BBC offering viewers the most comprehensive coverage of an Olympic Games ever,” the public broadcaster said.

With 765 staff accredited for the Games, the BBC’s team will be a third bigger than the one it sent to the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

The broadcaster’s Facebook page will stream the TV coverage live for the first time, and in a second innovation, viewers with 3D televisions will be able to watch athletes lurching off the screen into their living rooms.

The BBC will show the opening and closing ceremonies in 3D along with nightly highlights. The men’s 100 metre finals will be the only sporting event shown live in

the format.

NBC, the Games’ broadcaster in the United States, is also planning to air more than 200 hours of 3D coverage with a next-day delay.

The US giant is sending a 2,700-strong team to London to produce at least 5,500 hours of coverage across several channels. And in another first, its website is set to broadcast every sporting event live.

“This will be the most comprehensively covered event in television history,” said Mark Lazarus, NBC Sports Group chairman.

Of the international news agencies, Agence FrancePresse will deploy a multilingual team of around 150 text, photo and video journalists to the British capital, plus

thirty journalists from its German subsidiary SID. The US newswire Associated Press will have around 200 staff on the ground, while Yahoo!, the US website which aggregates news articles and agency dispatches, will send 26 journalists -- 10 more than it sent to Beijing.

In addition to the 21,000 “accredited” journalists reporting from the venues,

EWPORT, R.I. (AP) — Jennifer Capriati’s tennis career — and her teenage life — took a number of twists and turns.

She started as a teenage prodigy, was later sidetracked with off-court troubles, rebounded to become a three-time Grand Slam champion and, now, her journey is complete with her induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Capriati and several others were inducted into the Hall during a 90-minute ceremony Saturday.

Joining Capriati were recently retired player Gus-

tavo Kuerten, master player Manuel Orantes, tennis industry executive Mike Davies and wheelchair champion Randy Snow, who was honored posthumously.

In a tear-filled acceptance speech, the 36-year old Capriati remembered her great moments in the game and touched on some of her troubles off the court.

Capriati was presented by 2009 Hall of Fame inductee Monica Seles.

“I still managed to overcome some adversity, win a Gold Medal, win some Grand Slams and stand at the podium at the Hall of Fame,” said Capriati, breaking into tears during her acceptance speech. “This is

one milestone I thought I’d never achieve.”

She now feels as though her tennis career is fulfilled.

“It’s been quite a journey,” Capriati said at a morning press conference.

“Here, I look back at all those really great things I’ve accomplished and the achievements I’ve had and those achievements I overcame.”

As a 14-year old, she burst onto the scene fresh out of the eighth grade and reached the semifinals at her first Grand Slam event — the 1990 French Open.

Three years later, drug and other problems sidetracked her life and career.

She temporarily dropped off

the tour following the 1993 U.S. Open.

Her downturn didn’t stop there. She was arrested that year for shoplifting at a Florida mall, and again the next year for marijuana possession. She also spent time in drug rehabilitation in 1994.

Capriati also feels she left the game a little earlier than she wanted because of injuries.

“It was tough having to leave the game,” she said, cracking a bit with emotion.

“It’s like mourning a loved one that’s gone and a relationship’s that gone, a part of yourself. It wasn’t easy, but something that’s gone and what you loved to do.

21,000 mediamen to cover Olympics W

NOW AND THEN. Renzar Henry as a UP Maroon rookie last Sunday against De La Salle and as a young standout of the Energen-Pilipinas Youth squad with Miami Heat coach Eric Spoelstra.

between 6,000 and 8,000 of their colleagues are due in London to cover the “nonsport” aspects of the Games, from transport to security.

Games organisers have built two huge press centres at the heart of the Olympic Park in east London, with state of the art IT facilities and a miniature “high street” designed to cater for their occupants’ every need.

Banks, newsagents and a post office have been set up, along with a gym, grocery store, hair salon and medical centre. Stressed reporters can even relax at their very own massage parlour.

“The media are with us for such a long time, and they’re working such long hours,” said Mandy Keegan, manager of the Main Press Centre.

Jennifer Capriati: From troubled teen to Tennis Hall of Fame N International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee Jennifer Capriati.

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EDGEDAVAO

Ateneo, ACD, Ford advance in RMH Cup

By Neil Bravo

P

OWERHOUSE Ateneo de Davao University’s cadet squad booked two straight wins to make its way to the next round of the 2012 Royal Mandaya Hotel Cup basketball tournament at the Genesis 88 Gym over the weekend.

The two big wins were matched by Ateneo’s chief rival Assumption College of Davao and upstart Ford Academy which also advanced to the Round of 8 of this tournament sanctioned by the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas Davao Chapter and sponsored by the Royal Mandaya Hotel.

Ateneo demolished Holy Cross of Davao 90-55 after its opening day win over Emar Learning Center.

The quartet of Miguel Belen, Edward Blanco, Paolo Coquilla and Francis Gabriel Escandor combined for 43 points aside from dominating the boards to frustrate HCDC. The Blue Knights thus clinched the quarters berth in Group D of the Under-14 division.

Haitam Sedomar paced

Holy Cross with 19 markers and Mark Origenes backed him up with 12 but their efforts were hardly felt in the face of a vicious Blue Knights’ offensive.

In Group A, Assumption College of Davao kept abreast with the Blue Knights after completing its own version of a 2-0 slate. ACD bombarded University of the Immaculate Conception 78-43 with Dennis Reyes and Mahloney Tarranza conspiring for 30 points between them. Mark Constantino led UIC with 14.

In Group C, Ford Academy also booked a quarterfinals seat with an emphatic 70-42 win over Agro Industrial Foundation College. In another Group D match, SPCT (1-0) defeated Stella Maris Academy of Davao (0-2) 59-45.

The tournament opened on Saturday with RMH VP and league Founder Glen Escandor and Liga Dabaw commissioner William “Butch” Ramirez.

Jekjek Melendres heads the tournament committee.