Edge Davao 6 Issue 143 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 143 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

www.edgedavao.net

Serving a seamless society

RARE EXPERIENCE. A capacity crowd made up of 80 guests was lucky to be the first to experience the maiden planetarium show at the full dome Digital Planetarium during the opening of SM Science Discovery Center at SM Lanang Premier yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

BOMB SUSPECT NO. 3 Police release sketch of bomber THE THIRD BOMBER

By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR

UTHORITIES have released the computerized sketch of the third suspect in the bombing incident at SM City Davao Cinema 1 last September 16. P/Supt. Antonio Rivera, chief of the Investigation Detection and Man-

agement Branch (IDMB) of the Davao City police office , also a member of the Special Investigation Task Force Group for the twin bombings of Cinema 1 of SM City Davao and Cinema 5 of Gaisano Mall, describes the suspect with five feet and eight

inches , with fair complexion, medium build and aged 45 to 50. Davao City police director Ronald dela Rosa said the suspect is considered a suspect based on information disclosed by cinema workers. He

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Librado declares brgy bid By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

njb@edgedavao.net

N a note she posted on her Facebook account and tagged to some friends, former councilor Angela Librado-Trinidad declared on Tuesday her bid for the barangay captain electoral post in Barangay Matina Crossing as the election frenzy for the October 28 polls starts to heat up.

L i b r a d o -Tr i n i d a d , who served as city councilor for three terms beginning 2001 to 2010, ended speculations of her running for the top barangay post with her declaration. She wrote: “I hope to beat the news about me and October 28, 2013. In most parts of Matina

Crossing, rumors about my having been drafted to represent Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod, the local political party I have been associated with for nine years have already spread. And despite pressure upon me to “make my presence felt” in said barangay the

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A computer graphic image of the third suspect of the September 16 bombings in Davao City as released by the police yesterday.

INSIDE:

2 4 16

Mindanao power situation has 200-megawatt deficit Power outages extend to 7 hours

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON

2 THE BIG NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 143• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

October 28 declared as special non-working day

RESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III has declared Oct 28 a special (non-working) holiday throughout the country for the Barangay Elections, a Palace official said. Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte told a Malacanang news briefing President Aquino noted it is important to give the people the fullest opportunity to participate in the elections and exercise their right to vote. “Wala pa ang bill on postponement that’s why, it says “Synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang

Kabataan Elections”....I would refer you to the special pay rules issued by the Dept. of Labor (and Employment) on pay rules for special non-working holidays,” Valte said. The President earlier directed the law enforcement agencies and other concerned agencies to coordinate and cooperate with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in ensuring free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible Synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on October 28.[PNA]

ICT expo slated on October 11 and 13 Mindanao power situation A

LL stakeholders of the Information Communication Technology in the city have set their sights on the holding of the Innovation Expo 2013 iEx 2013 on October 11 and 13 at the Seda Hotel and SM Annex, Matina, respectively. Atty Sam Matunog, chair of the ICT-Davao and organizer of the event said the activity is both expo and conference that will bring local IT product developers, vendors, innovators and business process outsourcing service providers to highlight their capabilities in the local small, medium enterprise market. He said the iEx 2013 will be highlighting Healthcare and Education, two of the key champion sectors of ICT in the region. Matunog said pioneering activities will include information forum, infor-

mation auction and information robotics. He explained the information forum will be held on October 11 at the Seda Hotel to showcase various innovations, business models and applications for effective management in healthcare and education sectors. Matunog said the Robotics will be held at the SM Annex in Ecoland Matina on October 13 and will showcase various creations, innovations and the talent of students in Robotics. “Basic seminar on robotics will be presented to the students and the public free,” he said. Matunog also revealed that on the same day, ICT vendors will auction hardware and software items. Bidders will have to register at One Hundred Pesos only.[PIA 11/Joey Sem G. Dalumpines]

SCIENCE DISCOVERY CENTER. Debby Go (2nd from left), SM Supermalls assistant vice president for operation, Department of Tourism (DOT) assistant secretary Art Boncato (center) and Manuel Atacador (2nd from right), SM Family Entertainment Center, Inc. senior vice president, lead the ribbon-cutting rites to formally open SM

Science Discovery Center at SM Lanang Premier yesterday. With them are Arturo Carballo Jr. (leftmost), SM Science Discovery Center senior operations manager, and Davao City Tourism chief Lisette Marques. Lean Daval Jr.

has 200-megawatt deficit By EJ DOMINIC FERNANDEZ

ejf@edgedavao.net

HE National Power Corporation (Napocor) can provide an average of 1,200 megawatts of electricity for Mindanao, 200 megawatts less than the island’s 1,300 megawatt demand, according to the Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives (Amreco) Amreco general manager, Sergio Dagooc, in yesterday’s i-Speak forum at the Seda Abreeza Hotel, said that as of yesterday, Napocor has a capacity of 946 megawatts of electricity for Mindanao, and

curtailment is zero. Dagooc said, “by 2015 to 2017, the power supply of Mindanao will be excessive, as long as the power demand will be supplied up until the contracted generators run by then.” He said that in Davao City, there are no consistent brownouts like what other provinces are experiencing because Davao Light and Power Company is a private distributor that can also generate its own power. Amreco on the other hand is a non-stock and

non-profit organization that does mission work by lighting up the farflung areas of provinces. Amreco has 33 members in Mindanao, 6 of which supply the islands that are not part of the Mindanao mainland called Small Power Utility Group (SPUG), still under the Napocor. Dagooc said, 80 percent of their members have Triple A standard, which means they are financially, technically, and institutionally stable. He added that, according to Republic Act

Brgy. health workers complete health information training

PAMPERED. Posh Nails owner Cathy Binag interacts with members of local media who enjoyed off-work pampering courtesy of Posh Nails during an exclusive “SPARTY” at Abreeza Mall in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

9136m otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of. 2001 the power industry has 3 sectors, namely, the Generation sector, the Transmission sector and the Distribution sector. At present, it has added one more sector, called the Retail Electricity Suppliers (RES). Napocor is part of the Generation sector, the National Electric Grid Corporation of the Philippines is part of the Transmission sector and Amreco is part of the Distribution sector.

ARANGAY health workers in Toril and Sta. Cruz municipality recently completed their unique course, the first of its kind in the Philippines, to standardize and eventually digitize their Health Information System (HIS) for their communities. The three-day HIS training conducted by public health experts from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) led by public health expert Dr. Renato Torres, was aimed at helping the health workers come up with standardized health metrics and data that are complete, accurate, timely, accessible and readily available to the end users.

With standardized data, local government, policy-makers and even the private sector will be able to set responsive programs that will accurately address the needs of the community. “Before different barangay will have a different diagnosis of patients. A simple cough can have separate terms and separate recommended treatments depending on the barangay and the health center. This training will allow us to see the real situation of our community and we will know what help we need to improve the health of our community,” Binugao, Toril barangay captain Antonio S.

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THE BIG NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 143• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

Volunteer nurse accuses soldier of sexual abuse

APPROPRIATIONS. Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora and Appropriations Chairman Isidro T. Ungab do a thumbs-up sign with colleagues soon after the House of Representatives adjourned early Saturday morning following approval on second reading of the proposed P2.268-Trillion 2014 General Appropriations Act which,

among other salient provisions, promotes transparency and accountability, deleting the controversial lump-sum Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). Instead, funds would be allocated to the various priority programs of government implementing agencies with adequate safeguards to ensure they directly benefit the people and promote inclusive growth.

volunteer nurse in Maguindanao alleged she was sexually abused by a Marine soldier on the night of Sept. 17, provincial health officer Dr. Tahir Sulaik yesterday said. Sulaik said that “Bella” (not her real name) alleged in a report to him that she was molested by one Pfc. Clarito who was reportedly drunk at the time and forcibly entered her room. Clarito’s superiors have refused to give the full identify of the soldier. Bella, a 21-year old registered nurse, is assigned in Barangay Lapaken in Datu Blah Sinsuat town. Sulaik called the incident an “unacceptable and grave attack to noble volunteerism work.” Bella in her report said

she was awakened upon sensing that somebody was lying beside her and was molesting her. She said she then screamed for help to the other medical workers who were staying in the same bunkhouse. Her colleagues drove out Clarito from the place. Three hours after, around 2am on September 18, Clarito came back bringing with him a firearm, Bella’s report added. +But it was not clear in the complaint report +what happened after the soldier returned. Sulaik condemned the reported attack on Bella saying the nurse offered to serve poor communities where her services

HE United States lurched into a dreaded government shutdown Tuesday, October 1, for the first time in 17 years, after Congress failed to end a bitter budget row after hours of dizzying brinkmanship. Ten minutes before midnight, the White House budget office issued an order for many government departments to start closing down, triggering 800,000 furloughs of federal workers, and shutting tourists out of monuments like the Statue of Liberty, national parks and museums. Prospects for a swift resolution of the mess were unclear, and economists say

the struggling US economic recovery could suffer if the shutdown drags on for a matter of weeks. Only workers deemed essential will be at their desks from Tuesday onwards, leaving government departments like the White House with skeletal staff. Vital functions like mail delivery and air traffic control will continue as normal, however. On a day of dysfunction and ugly rhetoric in the divided US political system, Republicans had repeatedly tied new government funding to attempts to defund, delay or dismantle President Barack Obama’s signature health care law.

Robotics in Davao still With no budget, US gov’t shuts down in development stage T By EJ DOMINIC FERNANDEZ

ejf@edgedavao.net

AVAO City is in the talent development stage when it comes to the robotics industry, according to information Communication Technology (ICT) Davao. ICT Davao president, Samuel Matunog, in yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM Annex, Ecoland said there 11 schools that will be showcasing their innovations in the robotic industry in the Innovation Expo (IEX) 2013 which will be held on October 11 to 13 at the SEDA Ho-

tel and SM Annex Ecoland, respectively. He said they want to showcase inventions of the youth through the iRobot program of the iEX 2013 on October 13 to learn what should be done to support this industry, and determine where Davao City stands in terms of robotics. “So far, I haven’t heard of any entrepreneur using robotics,” he said, adding, “I believe, robotics is very useful for business, especially in the Agriculture sector.”

Low pressure, water cuts in many city parts Oct. 3-5

HREE separate water service interruptions in some areas in the city have been scheduled by the Davao City Water District to give way to different service improvement projects. For the first set, areas served by the entire Dumoy Water Supply System (WSS) will experience low water pressure for 10-hours from 8:00 PM of October 3 until 6:00 AM of October 4. Specific areas affected include the entire Talomo, Ulas, Bangkal, Matina Aplaya, Matina Pangi, Matina Crossing, Matina, Diversion Rd., Ma-a, Langub, Bucana, Ecoland, Boulevard, Bankerohan, Downtown area,

Bo. Obrero, Bajada, Agdao, R. Castillo, Bacaca, Buhangin, Tigatto, Catitipan, Lanang, Pampanga and Sasa and some areas in Bago Aplaya, Puan, Panacan and Cabantian served by Dumoy WSS. DCWD’s Engineering and Construction (EC) crew will interconnect the existing discharge line of Dumoy production wells no. 13 and 15 from Line 1 to Line 2 of Dumoy WSS in order to add more water supply to DCWD’s twin Panorama Reservoirs. Second set is a sixhour water cut from 8:00 PM of October 4 until 2:00 AM of October 5 and will affect some portions of

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The iEX 2013 is basically an expo and conference that will bring together local IT product developers, vendors, innovators, and business process outsourcing service providers to highlight their capabilities in the local small, medium entrepreneurship (SME) market. Wit Holganza of the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) said, “we have learned that there are actually in-school competitions on robotics, where students create

robots that can do basic chores with their artificial intelligence. Another event that the iEX 2013 will have is the iAuction which will also be held the day after iRobotics. iAuction is an event that will feature vendors who will be auctioning hardware and software items that can cost as low as half its prices. This is the first of its kind in Davao City where the proceeds will go to Summer Workshop for IT kids grades 6 to 12.

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MINING SUMMIT. Mindanao Business Council chair Vicente T. Lao welcomes participants of the two-day 3rd Mindanao Mining Summit held at SM Lanang Premier’s SMX Convention Center yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

4 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 143• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

GENERAL SANTOS CITY

Power outages extend to 7 hours DAVAO DEL NORTE

Govt asked to rechannel PDAF for peace efforts M

INDANAO’S top local chief executive urged the Aquino administration to redirect the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) in bankrolling local peace-building efforts. With PDAF under fire, Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, Chair of the Confederation of all the Local Chief Executives in Mindanao (Confed), proposed the rechanneling of the fund to be used in financing local peace-related actions through the various Regional Peace and Order Councils (RPOCs) in the country. Del Rosario, who is also the chair of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC)-XI, also put forward the renaming of the PDAF into Peace and Development Assistance Fund. In his keynote address during the recent summit

on security sector transformation, the governor made it clear he does not favor abolishing the PDAF or pork barrel, saying it would be better for the fund to be channeled to propel local peace initiatives. “It should be substantially targeted towards peace-rebuilding and peace-enhancing activities on the ground,” he said. The official recommended the fund shall be coursed through the respective RPOCs for the councils to direct the money to the local government units for the proper implementation of important peace-building programs and projects. He further pushed the creation of Human Development Committee in all the RPOCs in the country to handle peace-related activities in the respective regions.

Del Rosario last year created the Human Development Committee of the RPOC-XI, along with the Security Affairs Committee, to focus on improving access to improved health, better education and more income opportunities. These significant interventions, he said, are critical to achieve lasting peace, particularly in the conflict-affected or prone areas. In the same forum, the governor also heralded Davao del Norte’s success in localizing the government’s peace process through its Convergence for Peace and Development program. In partnership with the army and police, he said, the province blazed the trail in bringing together government resources to economically depressed and politically threatened areas every Friday of the week. [NOEL BAGUIO/DAVNOR PIO]

HE daily rotational brownouts in General Santos City and parts of South Cotabato and Sarangani provinces have stretched to seven hours on Tuesday due to a major power load cut imposed by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) after the toppling of its transmission tower in North Cotabato last Friday. Rodolfo Ocat, Socoteco II general manager, said they were forced to increase the area’s rotational outages from 2.5 hours to seven hours daily after the NGCP reduced their load-to-maintain allocation starting Monday to 60 megawatts (MW). He said such allocation is almost half of the daily power demand of around 110 MW of its franchise area, which covers General Santos City, two municipalities of South Cotabato and the entire Sarangani Province. Ocat said they initially set the new curtailment schedule to two days or until Wednesday, depend-

TAGUM CITY

HE Compostela Valley Province local government hosted an “Araw Ng Parangal at Pasasalamat” on September 30, 2013 at Sanitary Function Hall, Poblacion Nabunturan to recognize and honor the Retirees for the year and those loyalty service awardees for being in the government service for 10, 15, 20, 25,

30, and 35 years. Gracing the occasion were Civil Service Commission Regional Director Anabelle B. Rosell and CSC- ComVal Provincial Director Maria Nilda A. Rigodon. Escorted by their respective families and Department Heads during the processional towards the awarding ceremo-

nies, the Retirees each received a Ring and a Plaque from the provincial government given through Vice Governor Manuel E. Zamora and Provincial Administrator Virgilia S. Allones. There was a gift-giving portion also where their colleagues offered gifts for them. [GRACE ALMEDILA, IDS-COMVAL]

nadal City, Lutayan town in Sultan Kudarat and eight municipalities of South Cotabato. Sukelco’s franchise area covers 14 localities in Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao provinces. Ocat said the toppling of the transmission tower has caused congestion on the NGCP’s transmission line from Kibawe in Bukidnon to Kabacan and to its Simuay substation in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. “Being at the tail-end of the transmission loop, Socoteco II suffered very low load-to-maintain allocation,” he said in an advisory. Ocat said the NGCP imposed the power load cut to avoid tripping of the Mt. Apo Geothermal and the Southern Philippines Power Corporation power plants. Due to the congestion of the NGCP’s transmission lines, Socoteco II was temporarily constrained to utilize its contracted power supplies from the Mapalad Power Corporation (MPC) and the Therma Marine Inc. (TMI), he said. [MindaNews]

Kaimunan trade fair previews grand IP fest

NE festival ends and another one will begin. The 11th edition of Tagum City’s Kaimunan Festival offered a prelude to the great festivities of the city’s indigenous peoples by kicking off its week-long trade fair at the Freedom Park last September 30, 2013. Mayor Allan L. Rellon and the city’s first IndigeFRUITFUL DISCUSSIONS. Confed Chair Governor Rodolfo del Rosario discusses local peace initiatives with OPAPP Asst. Secre- nous Peoples Mandatory tary Jennifer Oreta answers questions during the recent Summit on Security Sector Transformation, where he urged the Aquino Representative Datu Rudy administration to redirect the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) in bankrolling local peace-building efforts. [NOEL T. Onlos led in the trade BAGUIO/DAVNOR PIO] fair’s opening ceremony along with some members COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE of the 6th City Council, vis-

‘Araw ng Parangal’showcases ComVal’s pride in public service

ing on the progress of the ongoing repairs on the NGCP’s damaged transmission tower. He said they have divided the area into two feeder groups, with each getting 3.5 hours of curtailment in two sets daily. Key areas of Region 12 have been experiencing long brownouts since Saturday following the blasting by unidentified men of the NGCP’s tower 141 in Kabacan, North Cotabato at around 7:40 p.m. last Friday. Region 12 comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato. On Monday, distribution utilities South Cotabato I Electric Cooperative (Socoteco I) and Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative (Sukelco) implemented rotational brownouts lasting five to six hours daily as a result of the incident. Socoteco I serves Koro-

itors from Indonesia, government employees and members of the IP community. Stalls offering native and commercial delicacies and goods mushroomed in the Freedom Park for the trade fair leading up to the grand celebration of the Kaimunan Festival which will commence on October 6 and will conclude on October 10. This year’s festival is pegged on the theme “Sampuru aw isa kaumay yang Pagdaraday nang Allag Pagkumpas nang Dailaw-Dailaw

nang Tagallang na Magbabaya sang mga Tipanud adi Tagum,” literally translated to “11 years of God’s blessing, protection and guidance to the Tipanuds of Tagum. During the five-day Kaimunan celebration, series of activities are lined up that includes a tipanud art workshop, IP kids day, free civil registration for IPs and the grand celebration on October 10, where the indigenous peoples will converge in the Tagum City Pavilion to celebrate their rich heritage and culture. [Louie Lapat/CIO Tagum]

OPENING CEREMONY. Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon, members of the 6th City Council of Tagum, visitors from Indonesia and members of the indigenous peoples community witness the ritual performed by Datu Suknaan prior to the opening ceremony of the trade fair of the Kaimunan Festival last September 30, 2013. Photo by [Leo Timogan / CIO Tagum]

5 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 143• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

Mindanao biz sector still upbeat on economy amid Zambo crisis M

INDANAO’S business sector expressed confidence that Mindanao’s economy will bounce back following the resolution of the Zamboanga crisis, particularly that situation in the city is now returning to normalcy. Daniel Lim, president

of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) said that Mindanao would definitely overcome the negative effects of the Zamboanga siege. “We will certainly survive from this crisis. This may slow down our growth, but it will definitely not stop

Mindanao from growing,” he said while adding “the incident may have caused Mindanao to step back in terms of economic growth, but we will move forward again.” He said that there is no guarantee that this incident will not happen again, but believed that development will prevail with more people favoring peace and economic stability, after seeing the effects of the crisis in Zamboanga. DCCCII was the lead organizer of the recently concluded 22nd Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon) held in August this year, which gathered the region’s business chambers and convened more than 800 key business players from across Mindanao. “Business chambers should be vocal against and must not be cowed by acts of terrorism, Lim said while adding “chambers must be more upfront in condemning these acts, and express full support to other cities whenever similar incidents happen.” Efren Uy, president of

the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CDOCI) said “Mindanao’s economy will take a rebound from the crisis with members of the region’s chambers working as one powerful force.” “As long as members of the chambers and the private sector will seriously

commit for the continuous promotion of Mindanao and its investment attractions, we will surmount this crisis,” he added. DCCCII’s Lim also applauded the Philippine government for its successful handling of the Zamboanga incident and admired its deliberate intent to solve

MARKET VIABILITY. A group of Korean travel agency executives arrive in Davao City for a five-day field trip cum market viability study starting last Thursday, September 26. The aggressive campaign by local tourism officials to penetrate the rich Korean market

the crisis with a lesser number of casualties among civilians. “I commend the government in handling the crisis in the most humane manner that may have required them a longer time to solve, but ensured the safety of the most number of civilians,” he said.

has shifted into high gear in a move that will involve the chief players of local tourism. The Department of Tourism (DOT) is working on a direct flight from Incheon to Davao under its Route Development Division of the DOT central office.

THE ECONOMY

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

7.1 1st Qtr 2013

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

7.8 1st Qtr 2013

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

USD 3,741 million Feb 2013 USD 4,708 million Feb 2013 USD -967 million Feb 2013 USD -640 million Dec 2012 P 4,964,560 million Feb 2013

8. Interest Rates 4/

2.4 % Mar 2013 P113,609 million Mar 2013 P 5,281 billion Mar 2013

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

P 41.14 Apr 2013

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

6,847.5 Mar 2013

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

132.8 Apr 2013

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

2.6 Apr 2013

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.1 Apr 2013

16. Visitor Arrivals

418,108 Feb 2013

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

20.9% Jan 2013

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

7.1% Jan 2013

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2012-April 2013) Month Average December November October September August July June May April March February January

2013

2012

2011

40.67 40.73

42.23 41.01 41.12 41.45 41.75 42.04 41.91 42.78 42.85 42.70 42.86 42.66 43.62

43.31 43.64 43.27 43.45 43.02 42.42 42.81 43.37 43.13 43.24 43.52 43.70 44.17

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 Cebu Pacific Thu

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

VOL. 6 ISSUE 143• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

P842-M poured to Mindanao under WB-funded project A

T least P842 million worth of projects have been completed across Mindanao under a World Bank-funded program for agriculture since the project was launched six years ago, officials said. In 2007, the Department of Agriculture (DA) launched the expanded Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP), mostly funded by a loan facility from the World Bank with counterpart funds from the national and local governments. Under MRDP’s Community Fund for Agricultural Development (CFAD), the government allotted at least P1.2 billion in livelihood assistance to farmers and peoples’ organizations, of which P842 million has been utilized so far, according to a state-

ment issued by the DA Region 12 office in Koronadal City. Region 12, also called the Soccsksargen Region, led the disbursement of program funds at a rate of 93 percent and is also the region with the most number of completed subprojects among the six regions in Mindanao, said Amalia J. Datukan, DA-12 director. Region 12 comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato. Of the 770 subprojects in Region 12, 694 have been completed worth P242.5 million, she said. “Our accomplishment only speaks up how our MRDP per-

sonnel devoted their time and efforts in ensuring that our project beneficiaries do their part in disbursing the funds given to them,” Datukan said. Next to Region 12, Caraga region posted a total of 527 completed subprojects out of 686; Northern Mindanao with 516 out of 775; Davao Region with 398 out of 560; Zamboanga Peninsula with 301 out of 506; and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with 295 out of 483, according to the statement. In terms of the CPAD budget, Northern Mindanao and Caraga have accessed P250 million each, P202.5 million for the Davao Region, P192.5 million for ARMM and P127.5 million for Zamboanga Peninsula, it added. CFAD applies the de-

mand-driven approach where the farmer-beneficiaries plan, decide, procure, implement and manage their livelihood activities, the statement said. Lealyn Ramos, MRDP program director, said their respective local government units endorsed the beneficiaries. Currently, 549 subprojects worth P234.8 million are ongoing and 500 subprojects worth P168.7 million are up for implementation in the different parts of the island, the statement said. The other components of MRDP include Investments for Governance Reforms and Program Administration, Rural Infrastructure and Natural Resource Management. [Bong S. Sarmiento/MindaNews]

the bank on September 16, 2013. Upon takeover, all bank records are gathered, verified and validated. Rural Bank of Sto. Tomas is a three-unit bank with Head Office located along R. Magsaysay Ave., Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte. Its

two branches are in Asuncion and Braulio Dujali, both in Davao del Norte. According to the latest Bank Information Sheet (BIS) as of June 30, 2013 filed by the Rural Bank of Sto. Tomas with the PDIC, the bank is majority-owned by the Estate of Maria-

no S. Solis, Sr. (22.6%), Rosele R. Solis (17.9%), Oscar L. Lacuesta (7.8%), Ma. Lourdes S. Pineda (6.7%), Debin Uraya (4.1%), Abundio T. Merced (3.9%) and Marsman Estate Plantation (3.8%). Its President and Chairman is Rosele R. Solis. [PNA]

PDIC advises borrowers of closed Sto. Tomas bank to pay their loans

HE Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC), the receiver of the closed Rural Bank of Sto. Tomas (Davao del Norte), reminded borrowers of the bank to continue to pay their loans and transact only with authorized PDIC representatives. In a statement, PDIC advised borrowers of the Rural Bank of Sto. Tomas to pay their loans and other obligations directly at any Philippine National Bank (PNB) Branch under account name, PDIC FAO BURL – RURAL BANK OF STO. TOMAS withReference Number 373-0949-00013 . The Receiver cautioned borrowers that it has discontinued the engagement of the bank’s collectors. PDIC has not engaged any person to collect the loans of the bank. To ensure proper recording of payments made by borrowers, it further advised borrowers to keep copies of the PNB Deposit/Payment Slips. The Receiver emphasized that only payments with validated PNB Deposit/Payment Slips shall be considered valid payments. The Monetary Board (MB) placed the Rural Bank of Sto. Tomas under the receivership of the PDIC by virtue of MB Resolution No. 1469 dated September 13, 2013. As Receiver, PDIC took over 5:45 5:45 6:00 6:10 7:50 7:50 8:00 9:10 9:40 11:30 12:00 12:55

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 Manila-Davao-Manila

MINDANAO POWER SUPPLY. Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperative (Amreco) general manager Sergio Dagooc (right) states that the power supply of Mindanao will be excessive by 2015 to 2017 as long as the power demand will be supplied up until the

contracted generators will run by then during yesterday’s I-talk at Seda Abreeza Hotel along J.P. Laurel Avenue, Davao City. With him is Amreco executive director Clint Django Pacana. Lean Daval Jr.

as of May 2013 6:15 6:25 6:30 7:00 8:50 8:10 8:30 9:40 10:10 12:20 12:30 13:25

Cebu Pacific Tue/Wed//Sat 5J965 / 5J968 13:35 Silk Air Mon/Sat MI588 / MI588 13:35 Silk Air Wed/Sun MI566 / MI566 15:20 Silk Air Thurs MI551 / MI551 12:05 Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri 5J507 / 5J598 15:00 Philippine Airlines August 15:55 Mani2Mani 16:50 Zest Air Daily Z2524 / Z2525 16:05

Manila-Davao-Manila Davao-Singapore Davao-Singapore Davao-Singapore Cebu-Davao-Cebu

14:05 18:55 18:55 15:45 15:30

Cebu-Davao-Cebu

16:45

7 ENVIRONMENT

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 143• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

Barangay forest established in Tarragona A

Barangay Forest will soon be established in Tarragona following the recent signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) where 5 upland barangays will establish their nurseries and produce a total number of 50,000 seedlings of native species which will then be planted in the area months from now. Being the signatory of the MOA, Tarragona Mayor Nestor L. Uy is positive that the BFP in his municipality will succeed. “BFP is a good program to address our problem on climate change. As the barangays work for the achievement of this, they also know that they contribute to the healing of Mother Earth,” Uy added. The BFP is being implemented by the DENR and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in order to produce and plant tree seedlings in every barangay of the municipalities

BARANGAY FOREST. Tarragona Municipal Mayor Nestor l. Uy signs the MOA with the DENR for Barangay Forest Program implementation in Tarragona, Davao Oriental. in the country. This is in connection with the implementation of Republic Act 10176 or “an Act Reviving The Observance of Arbor Day By Autho-

rizing The Local Government Units The Responsibilities For Celebrating the Day For Tree Planting As An Annual Event” and Executive Order No. 26

Priority barangays for the BFP are those on the upland ar-

HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 11 is calling on all chainsaw owners and dealers to register their chainsaws or face sanctions for violation of Republic Act 9175 or the Chainsaw Act of 2002. DENR regional executive director Joselin Marcus E. Fragada gave this warning after the recent confiscation of a chainsaw when some mini-sawmills were dis-

mantled in Kapalong, Davao del Norte. “Warnings about illegal possession of Chainsaws have already been made several times in the past, but some may take it lightly not knowing the seriousness of the violation”, he added. “We, together with our partners specifically the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police, Local Government Units (LGUS) are closely monitoring forest

activities in the region and very resolute on stopping illegal logging. So any act that might be link to forest destruction will not be allowed, including the illegal ownership of chainsaw”, Fragada stressed. The Chainsaw Act declares that “the State shall pursue an aggressive forest protection program geared towards eliminating illegal logging and other forms of forest destruction which are be-

ing facilitated with the use of chainsaws. The State shall regulate the ownership, possession, sale, transfer, importation, and/or use of chainsaws to prevent them from being used in illegal logging or unauthorized clearing of forests. Chainsaw registration should be made at the nearest Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs) in your locality [DENR 11/PR].

Several best Southeast Asian practices and lessons learned on managing protected areas (PAs) will be presented during the Fourth ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHP) Conference this week in the Philippines’ Tagaytay City to further help address issues plaguing these sites across the region. ASEAN Center for Biodiversity (ACB) communications and public affairs chief Rolando Inciong noted that information about such best practices and lessons learned must be disseminated as South-

east Asia is reeling from environmental woes. ”Southeast Asia hosts some 18 percent of all known flora and fauna species – this region is considered the world’s biodiversity superpower but environmental destruction here continues,” he said. A 1992 review of PAs also cited management deficiency as “one of the most common threats” to such areas, ACB noted. ACB likewise said experts at the 1992 World Parks Congress identified effective management

as one of the four major PA-related issues of global concern. Among best practices and management lessons scheduled for presentation during the conference are those from the Philippines’ Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park – an AHP - and world-famous diving site Tubbataha National Marine Park. ACB will spearhead the Oct. 1-4 conference that will be anchored on the theme ‘Integrating global challenges for sustainable development and effective management of

AHPs.’ Through the conference, ASEAN countries aim further boosting collaboration on developing strategies for better managing PAs and AHPs. Aside from protecting the environment, such bid targets helping alleviate poverty. Climate change, biodiversity values, benefit-sharing as well as involvement of indigenous and local communities are among challenges to managing PAs and AHPs. [PNA]

or the National Greening Program.

DENR urges registration of chainsaws T

Asean conference seeks boosting management of protected areas

eas, barangays within the 609 focused municipalities identified by the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), barangays within priority

critical watershed areas with approved watershed management plan and barangays affected by the recent calamities [DENR 11 PR]

Palawan risks losing UNESCO status due to planned coal plant

ALAWAN, touted as the Philippines’ final ecological frontier, may lose its status as a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve if the proposed construction of a coal-fired power plant pushes through in the province. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared Palawan as a Man and Biosphere Reserve in 1990, classifying the province as a “site of excellence where new and optimal practices to manage nature and human activities are tested and demonstrated.” The UN body is currently reassessing Palawan’s special status. However, the plan to put up a coal plant threatens the viability of the title. “The question is not whether Palawan should develop. The question is how it should develop. Business as usual will no longer cut it. We need to mainstream next practices. Fifty year old formulas, such as fossil fuel dependence, will fall by the wayside,” says Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan, Vice-chair and CEO of the World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-Philippines). “If we do not want to find ourselves latching on to oldschool technology, we need to break away from centralized grid-dependence, and balance our energy mix. The key is to seize our pow-

er, and spread the risk,” he adds. The current proposed coal-fired power plant in the province is facing stiff, onthe-ground opposition from local communities, such as members of civil society and the academe. On Monday, 30 September, Western Philippines University students organized a march to protest the proposed coal plant in the municipality of Aborlan in Palawan. Doctor Lita Sopsop, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences of the Western Philippines University, estimated the number of people who participated at 1,500, composed of members from the academe, civil society and locals in Aborlan. Dr. Sopsop, who took up a doctorate in Environmental Science at UP Los Banos, said that the WPU’s mandate is clean energy, with the WPU declared as an Affiliated Non-Conventional Energy Center (ANEC) of the Department of Energy in Palawan. “We oppose the coal plant because of the negative impacts to health and the environment, particularly to locally declared fish sanctuaries in the area. Hanapbuhay ng mga tao dun ang fishing. The discharge of waste water from the coal plant will cause thermal pollution that is hazardous to the marine ecosystem, especially coral reefs.”

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 143• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

EDITORIAL

PDAF, DAP, whatever?

HERE is so much national debate now on the release by the Department of Budget and Management of more than P1 billion to some 20 senators after the trial and conviction of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona. Many Filipinos believe that the financial bonanza was a form of bribe or incentive to the senators, as first hinted in a speech of Senator Jinggoy Estrada, himself beleaguered for being charged with plunder in connection with the P10-billion pork barrel scam allegedly masterminded by Janet Lim Napoles. Malacanang has denied that the money at an average of P50 million per senator was a bribe or incentive. Budget Secretary Florencio Abad declared that the released amount was part of the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), a term which a number of recipient lawmakers said they heard for the first time. There are now reports that some members of the House, not just senators, also received fund releas-

EDGEDAVAO

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

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es of P10 million each months after the Corona trial. There is even an allegation from former senator Joker Arroyo that some congressmen and women were given funds during, not after, the Corona trial. Palace defenders insist that the DAP has legal basis. Whatever, we believe there is still need to investigate how these funds were spent. We agree 100 percent with the proposal of Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago for the Commission on Audit (COA) to conduct a special audit of DAP similar to the special audit that it is conducting into the spending of other public funds. While we are at it, we laud the consistency shown by former senator Panfilo Lacson who is known to have never availed himself of the P200 million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel given annually to each senator. Although he voted for the conviction of CJ Renato Corona, he distanced himself from the DAP.

ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Associate Editor

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. • JOSEPH LAWRENCE P. GARCIA Photography Contributing Photographer

EJ DOMINIC C. FERNANDEZ / EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR Reporters

Columnists: CARLOS MUNDA • MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • MARY ANN “ADI” C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NICASIO AGUSTIN • VIDA A. MIA VALVERDE • Economic ENRICO“ADDIE” “GICO” G. Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER ANGELO C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA Analysts: • BERNADETTE B. DAYANGIRANG M.QUISIDO PEREZ • Lifestyle Columnists: BAISR., FAUZIAH SINSUAT •AMBOLODTO • MEGHANN STA. INES BORBON • MARY• JONALLIER ANN “ADI” C. • LEANDRO B. DAVAL • NIKKIFATIMA GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY •ZEN NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ

GENERAL OFFICE SANTOS CITY CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OLIVIA D. VELASCO OLIVIA D. VELASCO RICHARDRICHARD C. EBONAC. EBONA SOLANI D. MARATAS SOLANI D. MARATAS MARKETING OFFICE | Marketing Manager General Manager General ManagerMarketingAdvertising Supervisor SpecialistFinance FinanceLEIZEL A. DELOSOLEIZEL A. DELOSO | MarketingFLORENCE ManagerS. VILLARIN

JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

AQUILES Z. ZONIO Correspondent

KRISTINE D. BORJA AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Marketing Specialist Circulation

Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Marketing Specialist Cagayan de Oro City c/o PZ Villarin Marketing Cagayan de Oro City Tel: (088) 852-4894

Tel: (088) 852-4894

Salvani St., Oringo Brgy. City Heights Tel: (083) 303-2215

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

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 143•WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

Why banana growers are planting cacao

ANANA growers and farmers in recent years, had been pummeled left and right by various destructive forces in the Philippines--- low buying prices, plant diseases, bank debts, strong winds, floods, pole-vaulting, China ban, typhoon, etc-- it’s a miracle that this multi-million export industry is still standing and growing strong. The Filipino natural instinct to survive, however, are forcing more and more banana farmers and growers to “hedge” their business of banana farming and production with other lucrative crops like cacao, coffee or even oil palms. Of course, the idea is not to replace their more profitable bananas, but to hedge against the possibility of losing income from this fruit due to unforeseen events like what Davao banana farmers suffered from in recent years. This hedging move by growers and farmers seems to be more logical than the idea of “supplementing” their income with the new set of crops they’re introducing to their farms. “Our farmers can no longer depend totally on bananas alone to survive amidst all the problems they’ve suffered from the past, like bank debts, typhoon, diseases, floods, China ban---- they’re forced to look for new alternative crops they can count on when they lost their bananas,” says Rene Dalayon, president of Cacao Industry Development Association of Mindanao, Inc. which is supported by funds from the US Department of Agriculture and the US Assistance for International Development. Dalayon, who also heads the Federation of Banana Cooperatives or FEDCO, like many other banana growers, is still shipping export-quality Cavendish bananas to his loyal buyers in Japan, which is the traditional market for Philippine fresh bananas for the more than 50 years. The weekly banana shipments from his FEDCO-run farmers’ cooperatives in Davao del Norte province are still

VANTAGE POINTS

going strong despite the recent China ban, threat from Panama wilt disease, typhoon, floods, etc that almost wiped out all the banana plantations in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental. Only about one fourth of the Davao del Norte province were badly hit by the typhoon and floods that followed. Banana farms covering about 40% of the entire banana industry’s 70,000 hectares were destroyed at the height of “Typhoon Pablo”, the strongest and most destructive typhoon ever to hit Mindanao island in the Philippine South, known to be free from typhoons for so many decades. ‹»This 40 percent is finally recovering now, plantations are back standing and bearing fruit and waiting to be harvested and shipped to banana markets overseas,” says Stephen Antig, chairman of the Pilipino Banana Exporters and Growers Association or PBGEA, the group that represents big exporters like Dole-Stanfilco, Del Monte, Sumitomo, Unifrutti-Chiquita, etc. Antig said their problems in the industry are not over yet---they’re still faced today by the import ban for Philippine bananas in China and the threat of Panama wilt disease, which are all being tackled by each company in the banana industry with some help from the Philippine government. “That’s still a big threat to us, but we’re handling it well. We’re putting up strict quarantines at our farms to prevent this disease from spreading, you know, like a foot bath at packing plants, as well as lab tests for all planting materials used by our growers,” Antig told

business reporters in Davao. But the bad news is --- Philippine banana export is down 13% in 2012 compared to the previous year. This year, the figure as of June 2013 shows China banana imports down 43% due to the ban in the Mainland while Iran banana import from the Philippines also sank 36%. “It’s really bad for us because Iran was supposed to be a buffer for the China ban on our bananas. We turned on Iran when China rejected all our bananas. But the growing tensions in the Middle East took a toll on our banana exports to that country,” Antig said. All these problems, according to Antig, are helping boost higher FOB prices for bananas bought by buyers from Philippine banana exporters and even farmers’ coops supplying the fruit directly to foreign buyers. “ This is a very good sign for the industry today. Banana farmers will be benefited by this,” Antig said. From an average of $2.50 per carton box of bananas, the FOB price in Davao port had surged lately from $5.80 to $6.80 per carton box. (FOB means “free on board” the term used by exporters to mean the cost per box covering the fruit cost, trucking cost to port, the wharfage fees, customs, port costs, etc before loading the boxes into the ship.) One good news for the industry, according to Antig, was the recent trial shipment of one container van of fresh Cavendish bananas to California, USA. This is the first ever commercial shipment of Philippine bananas to America whose target are the Pinoys living on the US west coast, according to Antig. “Although this is still a trial shipment, we expect more banana shipments to the US in months to come. We’re also looking at Mongolia, Russia, Kurdistan, Turkey, as possible markets,” the PBGEA head said. (Comments ? Email > tradingpost_ davao@yahoo.com)

How trapos corrupt our political system

EOPLE Power, Consent–of-thegoverned Essential to such government is people power and its dynamic role in upholding the principle of consent-of-the-governed, to support what is right, to reject or dissent otherwise. And citizens are dutybound to contribute to the give-andtake of ideas and acts necessary for the governing process. Doing so applies especially at the primal base of the republic—the barangay—where all the people are and where direct democracy operates. As members of the Barangay Assembly, the community’s legislative governing body and its highest authority, everyone is expected to participate in local governance—just as citizens do in Swiss villages and in Israel or in Athens.

WORM’S EYEVIEW BY MANNY VALDEHUESA

(Conclusion) Only in the barangay is it possible to convene an entire community to take up issues that concern them. From municipal to upper levels, it would be unwieldy to convene the entire constituency, which is why they are governed by what is called representative democracy—in which mainly officials (proxies of the people) speak or act on their behalf, although the people may also participate if they so desire. Let No One Equate Elections with Democracy

Active people power or the exercise of citizen sovereignty is important to ensure consent-of-the-governed to acts of government especially during periods between elections. It is needed in times like today—when the public trust has been violated so grossly, and at the highest level at that! In the wake of the general outrage provoked by the pork barrel revelations, restoring trust and confidence won’t be easy. No less than a revolution in our attitudes may be called for. Let’s explore this next. [MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. Manny Valdehuesa writes from Cagayan de Oro and is the president and national convenor of Gising Barangay Movement Inc. He can be reached at valdehuesa@gmail.com]

Terms of confidence

XPLORING I N V E S TM E N T PROSPECTS – At present we have seen a lot of interest from foreign capitalists in the city’s diverse businesses. Letting in global business players will be a wonderful thing for Davao City’s business environment because they provide fairer competition and better service. The news generated around that doing business in the city is steadfast have been exactly what the city officials were hoping for. Such expressions of confidence are more than just a welcome in the city these days. All this may explain why many investors, especially those that were already here, are more interested in diversification. Nevertheless, it is an important step towards rapid economic growth and development. There are lots of opportunities for other industries in Davao City that prospective investors should be excited about. The city’s flourishing investment climate prompted both domestic and foreign investors to explore more trade opportunities. The present investment trend is increasing the city’s exposure for many companies based either in Manila or abroad who are looking to diversify into the local market. Many dauntless capitalists are very bullish on the investment prospects in the city and region because they can choose from a wide range of businesses. For the determined investors, trade is very encouraging and the city is good value. They have shown a lot of interest in tourism, food industry, furniture making aside from processing of homegrown fruit produce. Likewise they are interested in fast-growing sectors. Business process outsourcing (BPO) and information technology (IT) are two sectors that investment managers understand. We will see more and more local and foreign investors coming to the city in the months and years ahead. Aside from being a big market, the city government aggressively continued its effort in offering strong business potential in the domestic and global market. The pace of establishing new businesses improved rapidly during the second and third quarter of last year and the long-term business outlook for the city and the entire Davao Region is superb. On the other hand, the city’s far larger domestic sectors – construction, retailing, agriculture, among others have likewise thrived. With the completion of additional modern shopping malls, world-class hotels, commercial buildings and high-end condominium units, analysts predict occupancy rates of 75 to 80% - higher than in the previous years. But other market forecasters are pessimistic still, for one; they observed that there has been over-investment in the property market. Despite spikes of negative observation, self-assured investors seem unwilling to change course on these. Trade opportunities can be attractive for any industrialist where growth and profits exist and the city’s competitive positioning is improving at accelerating pace. This prodded city officials and captains of trade and industry to report with confidence that increased investments will ultimately lead to higher employment rate. If there is business here, if there are contracts to be done and trade opportunities to get excited about, investors will keep on coming. City officials still expect big domestic and foreign companies with new investment portfolio to rush to the city with subcontracting deals and other spending. They are predicting that the latecomers will need to do everything to catch up with the prompt stakeholders. Even the normally upbeat local officials admit that the prediction about foreign and domestic investors storming the city was on the mark. The city is an extremely robust, vibrant and educated metropolis and there are lots of trade opportunities to explore. And most importantly the basic institutions are righty in place. Being an entrepreneur based in the city may be the most comforting and reassuring jobs in business today. The influx of investors in the days ahead would accelerate growth and drive an economic boom. It is one glaring indication that Davao City has much more to offer and is more important to the potential investors than the other bustling cities in this part of the country.

10 NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 143• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Volunteer...FFROM 3 are most needed without thinking of her security and the meager pay. As a volunteer nurse, Bella only receives an P8,000 honorarium. “It is so painful to realize another health worker will suffer this way,” he said over the phone. The health official said Bella’s mother recently passed away, and the incident added to her grief. “The victim is determined to push the case and we will be with her in this battle”, Sulaik added. The provincial health office has sent its complaint to the national headquarters of the Philippine Marines. Brig. Gen. Alexander Balutan, the commanding officer of 1st Marine Brigade based in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat said they

received the report on Monday, September 30. “We have to see yet the formal complaint, but what we have learned is that our bachelor soldier is a suitor of the nurse. I think there is a misinterpretation here. What we knew [is that] the two are communicating, so I think molestation is an overstatement at the moment until we can ferret out the truth after the conduct of investigation,” Balutan said. He assured he will not tolerate abuses by his men. Balutan, however, said he was disappointed that the issue has reached the media and to their national headquarters even before he was informed as the soldier’s immediate superior. [Ferdinandh Cabrera/MindaNews]

But each time their effort was killed by Obama’s allies in the Democratic-led Senate, leaving the government in limbo when its money ran out at the end of the fiscal year at midnight Monday. “This is an unnecessary blow to America,” a somber Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said on the Senate floor two minutes after the witching hour. Obama, heralding the first government shutdown since 1996, told US troops in a video that they deserved better from Congress, and promised to work to get the government reopened soon. The president’s team sent out a tweet from his official account soon after the shutdown went into effect reading “they actually did it, a group of Republicans in the House just forced a government shutdown over

Obamacare instead of passing a real budget.” Sylvia Mathews Burwell, Obama’s budget director urged Congress to swiftly pass bridge financing that would allow the government to open again. “Agencies should now execute plans for an orderly shutdown due to the absence of appropriations,” she said in a memo. Obama had earlier accused Republicans of holding America to ransom with their “extreme” political demands, while his opponents struck back at his party’s supposed arrogance. House Speaker John Boehner rebuked Obama in a fiery floor speech after an unproductive call with the president. “I didn’t come here to shut down the government,” Boehner said. “The American people don’t want a shutdown, and nei-

ther do I.” Blame game Republicans accuse Obama of refusing to negotiate in good faith, but the White House says Obamacare is settled law and says there is no way to stop it from going into force, with a goal of providing affordable health care to all Americans. The crisis is rooted in the long running campaign by “Tea Party” Republicans in the House to overturn or disable Obamacare – the president’s principal domestic political achievement – key portions of which also come into force on Tuesday. More broadly, the shutdown is the most serious crisis yet in a series of rolling ideological skirmishes between Democrat Obama and House Republicans over the size of the US government and its role in national life.[AFP]

Agdao. Areas without water are Tancontian, Sitio Bagong Buhay, New Salmonan Village, Maglana Settlers, Ruiz Village, Denia Village, Ibula Village, Sto. Niño Kasadya Village, Belisario Village (Agdao) and NHA Agdao. Areas that will experience no water are San Francisco Village, San Miguel Village, South San Juan, Mintrade, Nagsil, Sta. Lucia Village, Sto. Niño Pelayo Village, Fatima Village, Ubalde, Davao Farms Subd., Southbay, Bay Side Village and Olingan Village. This water cut is needed to allow the Operation and Maintenance crew of DCWD to tap the 150mm diameter Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride (uPVC) main pipeline to the existing 150mm uPVC main pipeline over the newly laid concrete culvert at R. Castillo St. in Agdao for preventive maintenance

purposes. Third set will be on October 5 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and will affect some areas in Cabantian specifically from the corner of Forestal Road going to Achievers Homeowners Association, Achievers Homeowners Association and Ramonena Subdivision. The EC crew will tap the newly installed 100mm diameter Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipeline to the existing 100mm PVC pipeline for the mainline improvement at the Achievers Homeowners Association. Once this Php374,000 project is completed, 50 new service connections can be accommodated. In behalf of the management, DCWD acting general manager Edwin V. Regalado is asking for the understanding and cooperation of would-be affected customers. He

likewise advises them to store enough water prior to the scheduled water interruption as water supply may be restored earlier if work goes smoothly or later if unforeseen problems arise. The general public may visit DCWD website (www.davao-water.gov. ph), official Facebook account (www.facebook. com/davaocitywaterdistrict) or call the DCWD trunk line at 221-9400 and press “1” on their phone dial to listen to latest daily water updates or call directly its Central Information Unit / complaints center through the 24-hour hotline 221-9412 or call/text 0927-7988966, 0925-5113293 and 0908-4410653 for other updates, complaints, queries and other matters pertaining to DCWD services. [Jovana T. Duhaylungsod]

ASSISTANCE. Residents of Barangay Daliaon Plantation in Toril receive food and clothing assistance from Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte as part of his Pulong-pulong ni Pulong program Monday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

Bomb... FFROM 1

With... FFROM 3

kept coming back to Cinema 1 before the incident happened wanting to know if there were many moviegoers inside, a cinema worker told the police. Dela Rosa added that before the last full show this third person of interest came back and again asked if there were many people inside the cinema. “If ever he is still in Davao we can apprehend him,” he added. P/Supt Julius Silagan, commander of the Talomo police station, said the computerized sketch was

based on the description of witnesses who said the suspect was wearing a white shirt with long sleeves, black slacks, dark gray bonnet, sported a white mustache and wore reading glasses. This new suspect‘s image was captured only by the SM City Davao CCTV camera. As of the moment there are still no updates on the two persons of interest, although the police have already identified the second person of interest.

“We know his name, address and his affiliation,” Dela Rosa said, adding “we cannot yet disclose information about him because our investigarion is ongoing.” Although there is as yet no confirmation that he is a member of a terrorist group, he is “affiliated by virtue of his activities,” Dela Rosa clarified, adding that the second person of interest may be engaged in making bombs while the two other suspects are mere planters or carriers of bombs.

soonest and after weeks of neither confirming nor denying these rumors, I finally stood before and sat down with some of my friends and people I had the opportunity to work with and for during my stint at the City Council in Matina Crossing to confirm what they had heard about my bid.” L i b r a d o -Tr i n i d a d , daughter of the late labor leader Nonoy Librado and former city councilor Marlene Librado, also quashed rumors about the concerns spread by some camps of her limitations. “Perhaps it is the best time to assert that these

are none of the disqualification against women which at this earliest time must be discouraged and criticized,” the lady lawyer said. She stressed that her family’s “advocacy for non-traditional and genuinely pro-people politics knows no boundaries, neither is it selective nor discriminating.” Librado-Trinidad has since shied away from politics after bowing out of office in 2010. She also prudently stayed away from the office of her younger sister Leah Librado-Yap who won a council seat after the expiration of her term.

L i b r a d o -T r i n i d a d appealed to her fellow barangay candidates to engage in real issues that matter to the people of Matina Crossing the most. She cited among others, women’s rights, women empowerment, employment and economic security for all, poverty alleviation, lack of social services, disaster preparedness and other social concerns. “As my track record in my 9 years in the City Council would attest, I shall not only discuss these issues, I shall also engage government itself to address them,” she said.

Saniel said. Aside from health volunteers from Binugao, there were also volunteers from Sirawan, as well as barangays Darong and Inawayan in Sta. Cruz who joined the training. Organized and sponsored by AboitizPower and its subsidiary Therma South Inc., the first phase of the program was the training last April 23 to 25 at Felis

Resort Complex, which followed the baseline health data conducted by experts in 2012. More recently, the barangay health workers received medical equipment donation from AboitizPower, like sphygmomanometers, digital thermometer, measuring tape weighing scale for adults and infants among others. Their health centers also received equip-

ment that will help the barangay health workers improve their records-keeping and basic health diagnosis. The next phase of the program is the Barangay Management Information System, where attendees from the different barangays will go to UP Los Banos to train on health data management. Expenses for the training will be shouldered by AboitizPower.

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11 NATION

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 143• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

MANILA

Drilon describes Syjuco’s complaint as ‘demolition job’ S

FIXING POTHOLES. A DPWH worker fixes potholes along P. Burgos Street at the sprawling Luneta Park Tuesday for eventual smoother vehicular traffic flow in the capital. [PNA photo by Avito C.Dalan]

MANILA

House to probe DAP’s origin, use, distribution

O finally put to rest the issue of Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and ABAKADA party list Rep. Jonathan dela Cruz on Tuesday filed a resolution seeking for a congressional investigation into the “origin, use and distribution” of the said fund. House Resolution 358 penned by Romualdez and dela Cruz aimed to seek for clarity and transparency in the use of DAP released by Budget Sec. Butch Abad several months after former Chief Justice Renato Corona was found guilty in the Impeachment Trial. “This is the only way to clear the air what DAP is all about and remove speculations that this has been used to bribe or give bonus to lawmakers who participated in the prosecution of CJ Corona,” dela Cruz said. Then Senator Joker Arroyo who voted to acquit Corona was among the recipient of DAP while administration ally then Senator Ping Lacson who voted to convict Corona was not given DAP funds. Aside from the two solons of the independent bloc

the rest of the group signed as co-authors of the bill. With this congressional inquiry, Romualdez believes that Abad who is a former colleague can explain the P10 million and P15 million in DAP that was given to each representative last year so it will not be perceived as an alleged “reward or incentive” for impeaching Corona. “Whereas, reports indicate that billions of pesos of public funds have been consolidated and used by DBM in a so-called DAP as some sort of a ‘economic stimulus fund’ in the years 2010, 2011 and 2012,” the resolution stressed. “Whereas, the same reports indicate that in FY 2010 and 2011, the DAP funds were released through various implementing agencies such as the DPWH, DA and DAR among others; whereas, in FY 2012 a substantial portion of the DAP funds amounting to P1.1 Billion and counting were allocated to members of the legislature instead of the implementing agencies presumably in consideration of their requests for such funds,” it stressed. [PNA]

enate President Franklin M. Drilon described Tuesday the plunder case filed anew against him by former Iloilo Rep. Augusto Syjuco Jr. as a pathetic and desperate move to malign him. ”This is part of the demolition job against me. That Syjuco will not stop from filing nuisance cases against me until he fulfills his obligation to his bosses financing him to implicate my name in corruption and malfeasance,” said Drilon. ”They will continue to bombard the Ombudsman with unfounded cases against me. It is obvious that his objective in doing all these is to distract the attention of the public from the real issue,” he added.

He said Syjuco has been doing media rounds to dishonor him before the public. “At the proper time, I will hold him responsible for these malicious and baseless cases,” he said. Drilon stressed that he had nothing to do with the land as mentioned in the graft complaint of Syjuco. ”It was the Iloilo City government which purchased that land. I had no participation whatsoever in the purchase of that land,” said Drilon. Last week, Syjuco filed a graft case against Drilon in connection with the construction of the Iloilo Hall of Justice which happened 22 years ago when Drilon was the secretary of the Dept. of Justice.[PNA]

OSG’s motion to lift TRO vs. pork barrel, Malampaya Fund opposed A

group of petitioners Tuesday opposed the motion of the Office of the Solicitor General and the Congress seeking to lift the temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court against the release of the remaining pork barrel of congressmen for the year 2013 and the Malampaya Fund. In the reply submitted Tuesday by the group of former Manila Councilor Greco Belgica to the SC, they

MANILA

stressed the argument of the respondents that the right of the petitioners was not violated in the sense that the SC previously declared the pork barrel fund as constitutional lacks merit. According to the petitioners, their right against illegal expenditure of public fund is continuously being violated due to the existence of the Priority Development Assistance Fund. They argued the earlier decision of the SC in the case

of the Philippine Constitution Association and the Lawyers Against Monopoly and Poverty cannot be applied in the case they filed before the SC. They cited the case of the Philconsa and the LAMP did not tackle the alleged overstepping of the Congress on the power of the Executive Branch in the implementation of the proposed budget. They said that the Commission on Audit itself stated that the PDAF system

violated the principle of separation of powers when the congressmen were authorized to implement public projects which is the function of the Executive Branch. On the motion seeking for a partial lifting of the TRO on PDAF to fund the education and medical needs of the poor, the group of Belgica said the Congress can enact a special appropriations bill into a law to address the necessities of their scholars and the poor patients.[PNA]

Sen. Cayetano to Blue Ribbon: Pursue all leads in PDAF scam

“L

ET’S pursue all leads and search for the truth...no matter who or what will be exposed.” As a step toward this, Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter S. Cayetano has asked the Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon Committee) to subpoena the Senate staff who were implicated in the pork barrel scam [see list of staff in the

attached letter] after being mentioned by whistleblowers during the previous hearing. “I write to pursue leads provided by the whistleblowers so that the committee may gather more facts and be able to see the whole truth,” Cayetano said in a letter he sent Tuesday to panel chair Senator Teofisto Guingona III. “We should leave no stone unturned. No special

treatment must be accorded to any of the individuals implicated in the scam,” he added. Go after Napoles properties, assets now In the letter, the Majority Leader requested that a subpoena ad testificandum be issued for the senate staff and that invitations be sent to representatives of the AntiMoney Laundering Council, Office of Ombudsman, Department of Justice,

Bureau of Immigration, and Land Registration Authority for the next Blue Ribbon hearing on pork barrel scam. Cayetano said he wants to inquire from these people what the government is doing to preserve and recover properties “that are probably fruits of the crime” of Janet Napoles and others who were accused by the DoJ and National Bureau of Investigation team.

12 CLASSIFIEDS There’s a better way to get attention.

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 143• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

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LEGAL NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that an ExtraJudicial Settlement of the Estate With Sale and Assumption of Mortgage and Special Power of Attorney was executed by the heirs of the late Lani M. Teh,leaving a parcel of land covered by TCT No. T-213129, containing an area of 300 sq.meters more or less. Acknowledged before Notary Public Atty Beethoven L. Orcullo; per Doc. No.195 ; Page No.48;Book No. VIII; Series of 2013. 9/18,25,8/02

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Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late SERAPIO S. BABATUAN has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT with partition among heirs per Doc. No.374; Page No. 7; Book No. XCI; Series of 2013 of the NOTARY PUBLIC ANGELA A. LIBRADO

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 143â&#x20AC;˘WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

14 SPORTS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 143• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Pinoy Pride boxers battle pugs from Mexico, Panama P INOY Pride boxers, Genesis “Azukal” Servania and “King” Arthur Villanueva from the ALA Promotions stable in Cebu will face off with Panama’s Rafael “El Torito” Concepcion and “Jose”Matador” Cabrera of Mexico, respectively on Oct. 24 in Cebu City. The 22-year old Servania of Bacolod City is a junior featherweight who currently holds a record of 21 wins with eight knockouts and no loss, fights aggressively with authoritative jab that sets up fluid combinations and is poised

beyond his years while his Panamian opponent was WBA interim super flyweight champion AJ Banal’s conqueror on the 10th round in the evening of July 26, 2008. “El Torito” owns a record of 18 win with eight KOs, six losses of which three are by KOs and one draw, ALA events manager Claire Lukban told Tuesday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate ”Should Genesis beat Concepcion, he will be sent to the US for further training and if he performs well, an international stint will be possible because de

la Hoya is interested in promoting him,” added Lukban. The encounter between Banal and Concepcion five years ago was the biggest promotions staged in Cebu Coliseum by ALA Promotions in partnership with Golden Boy Promotions of Oscar de la Hoya that pulled in some 15,000 fans. This month, 31-year old, orthodox, bantamweight Concepcion will have a much younger but a less experienced foe in Servania who holds victories over three world title challengers. (PNA)

the Boosters to pull out a victory over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. Petron is looking to make the finals for the first time since it won this tournament two years ago. Now on a 10game winning streak, the Boosters look primed to do just that. But Cabagnot isn’t thinking too far ahead, especially against a tough semifinals opponent in Rain or Shine.

“I hope we have a good chance, but to be frank, I haven’t really thought about it. I want to take it one game at a time,” said Cabagnot in an exclusive interview with InterAKTV. The series is a battle between the last two champions of the tournament, with Rain or Shine winning the first title in franchise history in the same conference last season.

One game at a time for Petron NEW ‘DO. Junmar Fajardo (left) of Petron guards Jeff Chan of Rain or Shine sporting a new blond hairdo. Nuki Sabio

Fajardo sports new blond hairdo P ETRON Blaze rookie big man June Mar Fajardo debuted a new hair color on Monday night, coming out with blonde ‘do for the Boosters’ semifinal matchup against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. “Hindi naman kasi bawal eh,” Fajardo told television network InterAKTV in an exclusive interview. “Ito talaga yung gusto kong kulay.” His hair was not enough to overshadow his performance, however, as he dominated the paint in the Boosters’

victory, finishing with 15 points on just six shots from the field along with 17 rebounds, eight off the offensive glass. He did it against Rain or Shine’s imposing Extra Rice, Inc. frontline of Beau Belga and JR Quinahan. “Focus lang ako sa laro,” said Fajardo. “Kailangan hindi ka mapikon at saka nasanay na ako sa physical game.” With Fajardo imposing his might down low, Petron won the battle of the boards, 56-48. The 6-foot-10 slot-

man said that like many other people, he gets a new hairdo to pick himself up whenever he’s feeling down. “Kapag na-de-depress ako, buhok ang napag-di-diskitahan ko, eh walang ibang magawa,” said Fajardo. But at least one person in the family might not approve of his new hair color. “Kapag umuwi ako sa probinsya, babaguhin ko na. Papaitim ko ito, kasi baka hindi ako papasukin ni Mama sa bahay.” (AKTV)

grid position at the qualifying rounds. Engine roared; the anticipation of the crowd who gathered in spite of the storm also grew. The race director gave the racers the green flag, two lights illuminate then they’re off! Riders from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao representing various manufacturers and private racing teams battled it out on one track. Every rider was trying squeeze out every ounce of skill and determination in order to get the win. As the races heated up, the storm intensified. This prompted the race director to stop the races for 10 minutes at one point. But not even that dampened the resolve and racing

spirit of the riders. In the end there were champions crowned, A T 160 Novice: 1st Place-Aljon Valencia, 2nd Place-Axl Teves, 3rd Place-Dan Carlos, A T 160.

HE Petron Blaze Boosters are finally back in the PBA semifinals. And just like in big playoff games in the past, Alex Cabagnot came up with clutch shots for the Boosters. He finished with 18 points, including a crucial three-pointer with 1:19 left in the game to give Petron a fourpoint lead that served as enough cushion for

Winners ride through storm in 2013 Nat’l MotoROC R

ACE fans converged in Manila last September 21, 2013 at the Aseana City, Paranaque City for the championship leg of the 2013 National Motorcycle Race of Champions as presented by Shell Advance Motorcycle Oils. Winners from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao legs braved the bad weather brought on by super typhoon Odette. The morning started out with practice sessions amidst the wet conditions but by noon time the rains have ceased, giving way to an action-packed race day. As the afternoon approached, the track temperature rose, so did the intensity of the racers as they fought for the best

ONE ON ONE. Arizona Reid of Rain or Shine drives against Elijah Millsap of Petron in the match between Rain or Shine and Petron for the PBA Governors Cup.

Millsap scored 41 points to carry Petron to victory over Rain or Shine in the opening game of their semis series. Nuki Sabio

INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 143• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

ARTS AND CULTURE

Michael Dakudao’s origami art installation

“MOM, are those made out of paper?” asked my 6 year old daughter, pointing out to the five-piece origami art installation seen vividly even from my office window. The structure was still on its way to completion at the time, but it didn’t fail to call attention from both the young and old. The visually arresting size and bright colors of the origami cranes filled my daughter’s mind with wonder and excitement, prodding Mommy to take her out into the field so she could have a closer look. She is no stranger to origami and paper crafts, and, as such, she was swept away with the full-scale, 3-dimensional piece. Her eyes were wide with amazement as she looked up at the giant crane in the middle, still

skeptical on how one can “fold metal into a shape of a crane.” This innocent sense of wonder is just typical of children of her age. As parent, I try and give her discerning mind the freedom to dissect mysteries on her own to develop

her cognitive thinking. A couple of theories thrown here and there, I jumped into her analysis and cited examples of different art mediums. Origami, in the primary sense, is the traditional Japanese art of paper folding with which a flat sheet of paper is transformed into different forms without the aid of scissors and glue. In the case of the origami rotunda, which now takes center stage in the SM Lanang Premier compound, the art was translated into metalwork by one of Davao’s highly respected artists, Arch.

Michael Ebro Dakudao. The first of its kind in the Philippines, the origami art installation was inspired by the designer’s family history and association to the Japanese arts and culture. In Arch. Dakudao’s speech, during the inauguration of the origami rotunda he named after his grandparents Dr. and Mrs. Santiago P. Dakudao, Sr., he proudly shared, “Honestly, I have long wanted to pay homage to my grandparents. As the Japanese figured prominently in my grandparents’ history, my design inspiration came easy in the form of the art of origami. The origami is a universally accepted art form signifying beauty, peace and hope. And the most famous among the origami forms is that of the crane. The crane is a symbol of long life as well as happiness, honor and loyalty, and good luck. The metal crane sculptures I used in the installation are painted in carefully selected bright automotive colors like red (love, passion and desire),

orange (enthusiastic energy), yellow (freedom and joy to celebrate a new beginning), blue (meaningful spirituality), and finally, white (hope for the future and joyous eternity).” The inauguration was attended by VIP’s and local personalities, with Japanese Consul Koichi Ibarra as the Dakudao family’s guest of honor. Dance and visual artists also came to witness the launch of the city’s newest and most colorful landmark. “I want to honor my grandparents as they were the most influential people in my family’s life besides our parents. Call it filial

piety as we Filipinos value with great esteem the important and wonderful elder members of the family. With this in mind, the clan wants to celebrate our grandparents’ memory with a lasting memorial to honor them with. After all, the heirs wouldn’t be here in Davao City if not for them. The Dr. & Mrs. Santiago Pamplona Dakudao, Sr. Origami Rotunda is as much a tribute to the pre-war Japanese migrant workers of Davao who contributed immensely in making The Land of Promise into what it is today--- a modern and bustling City of Davao.”

A2 INdulge! UP AND ABOUT

NU, St. Benilde, PNU and St. Scho join SM Davao University Fair, Oct 3-5 MANILA-BASED educational institutions are set to join SM City Davao first ever University Fair on October 3-5 at the Annex Event Center. Among the schools that will showcase their program and facilities are the College of St. Benilde, National University, De La Salle University, St. Scholastica’s College, and the Philippine Normal University. The first-of-its-kind exhibition at SM City Davao aims to provide high school students in the Davao region access to the different universities and colleges. The exhibitors will be putting up booths where interested students can inquire about the courses offered, school facilities, campus culture and scholarship opportunities. Also joining the fair are Ateneo de Davao University and the University of the Philippines Mindanao which will be open to inquiries not only for their Davao campuses but for their affiliate schools and campuses as well. The Philippine College of Technology and MOST Institute will also be featuring their programs. The 3-day event which is supported by the Department of Education XI, National Youth Commission and the Department of Science and Technology XI will also hold forums on career guidance and other topics which will be helpful for students who will soon be enrolling in college. Admission to the exhibition is free. For inquiries, interested parties may call 297.6698 local 126. Like SM City Davao on Facebook or follow @smcitydavao on Twitter for event and promo updates.

First science center in VisMin opens at SM Lanang Premier SM Lanang Premier brings another breakthrough in Davao City and the entire region with the forthcoming opening of SM Science Discovery Center Lanang, the first interactive, technology-based science center in Visayas and Mindanao. This cutting-edge educational facility will be launched to selected guests on Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 2pm, at the 3rd Level entrance near IMAX and Bowling Center at SM Lanang Premier. It will be officially opened to the public on Saturday, 5 October 2013. The SM Science Discovery Center Lanang features 10 interactive galleries, which allow students and their families to learn about geology, biology, climate, the body, energy and transportation, technology, engineering, and the future, among many other topics, in the most enjoyable and entertaining way. At the heart of the facility is an 80-seater full dome planetarium powered by the world’s most advanced and sophisticated planetarium projector system, Digistar 5. The SM Science Discovery Center Lanang is a business unit of SM Family Entertainment Center, Inc. Its advocacy is to bring new and innovative ways to aid educators in helping children and youth reach their full potential. For inquiries, contact 285-4428 or check out Science Discovery Center-SM Lanang Premier on Facebook.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 143• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

EVENTS

Davao celebrates International Day of Peace at Abreeza Mall

IN LIGHT of ongoing political tensions that have devastated communities not just in the Philippines, but in nations as far away as Syria, it is now more important than ever for each citizen of the world to pause and reflect on the senselessness of the widespread culture of violence, and instead, advocate for peace that heals and builds. In celebration of the United Nations’ International Day of Peace on September 21, the Davao Peace Fair 2013 was held at the Abreeza Mall Activity Center on the same day. Following the theme “Education for Peace”, the event brought together 21 organizations representing different sectors, from socio-civic groups to government offices to the armed forces, to spark awareness of the peace cause. The Davao Peace Fair kicked off at 10 a.m. with welcome remarks by Dr. Ma. Theresa Ungson of the National Nutrition Council. The affair’s keynote speaker, distinguished former Senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani, delivered an insightful speech condemning violence and promoting harmony and peace. Pledging on “Pause Muna, Peace Muna”, a national movement that aims to decrease violence by encouraging people to redirect their energy to positive thoughts and actions, featured a choreographed dance to the cam-

paign’s jingle. Participants also witnessed a cultural presentation by the Apako Indigenous Group and joined in a symbolic exchange of balloons. The Davao Peace Fair continued with a daylong exhibit and interactive activities attracting both event supporters and mall-goers. At 7:30 p.m., the celebration came to a close with a harmony

prayer, feedback messages and reflections, and closing remarks by Lt. General Rainier Cruz III, Commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom). The Davao Peace Fair 2013 at Abreeza Mall was made possible through the joint efforts of convenors Brahma Kumaris Foundation, Silsilah Forum Davao, EastMinCom, and

National Nutrition Council. For more information on Abreeza Mall, please visit the concierge at the ground floor or call (082) 321-9332. For updates, please like Abreeza’s official Facebook page at w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / AbreezaMall, and follow @abreezatweets on Twitter and @iloveabreezamall on Instagram.

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 143• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

ENTERTAINMENT

Mitoy named “The Voice Of The Philippines”

VETERAN band vocalist Mitoy Yonting of Team Lea was hailed as the firstever winner of “The Voice of the Philippines” after garnering the highest percentage of public votes in the singingreality show’s final showdown at Resorts World Manila’s Newport Performing Arts Theater Sunday night (Sept 29).

“I feel very happy. I’m so blessed today. I thank God and those who voted for me,” said Mitoy in an interview with the media minutes after his victory. Mitoy received 57.65% of the combined text and online votes to beat second placer, Team Sarah’s Klarisse de Guzman (42.35%) in their ultimate face-off. Their scores were reset back to zero before the poll for them opened. His coach Lea Salonga, meanwhile, said, “Whenever I won something, my mom would also feel like she won it because she contributed to it. Now I feel as if I had a son who won and did something right. That’s how it feels.” In Sunday’s finale, Mitoy crooned the Beatles hit “Help” and performed with his coach Lea and comedian Vice Ganda in a comic take of “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” In Saturday’s (Sept 28) Live Show, Mitoy sang Freddie Aguilar’s “Anak” and his original song “Bulag.” The 43-year old winner also beat other final four artists, Team Apl’s Janice Javier and Team Bamboo’s Myk Perez, who got 13.56% and 12.81% of the votes, respectively, from the initial poll. As the winner of “The Voice of the Philippines,” Mitoy won P2 million, a home entertainment package, a new car, an Asian tour package for two, and a four-year recording contract with MCA Universal. Mitoy had been an early favorite since the show’s Blind Auditions where he delivered a spectacular performance of “Bakit Ako Mahihiya,” which had Lea and Bamboo fighting for him to be on their respective teams. Since then, Mitoy had consistently delivered superb performances that impressed the coaches and viewers through the Battle Rounds and Live Shows. Most Filipinos watched the Sunday finale of “The Voice of the Philippines” as

it recorded a national TV rating of 30.3%, based on data from Kantar Media. It also had Twitter abuzz and landed on its list of trending topics in the Philippines and worldwide with the hashtags and topics #VoicePHFinale, #TheVoicePHFinale, #MitoyForTheWin, #Westlife, Man in the Mirror, Ted Filan, Lolita Carbon, Vice Ganda, #TeamLea, #PopstersUniteForTeamSarah, Morning Rose, among others. The finale opened with an energetic performance from the Top 24 artists of “The Voice of the Philippines,” Journey frontman Arnel Pineda and singer Jed Madela. Earlier in the show, the other final contenders also performed with their coaches and surprise guests to urge the public to vote for them. Klarisse took on “Your Song” with coach Sarah and theater actor Robert Sena, while Myk and Bamboo, who danced the waltz with Linn Oeymo, performed “Morning Rose.” Janice, meanwhile, sang

“Himig ng Pag-ibig” with Asin’s Lolita Carbon before joining coach Apl in an electrifying performance of “The Time (Dirty Bit)” that earned cheers from the audience. The four coaches also shared the stage to give an inspirational performance of “Man in the Mirror,” while Mitoy, Klarisse, Janice, and Myk later joined Shane Filan of Westlife in “Fool Again” and “Uptown Girl.” “The Voice of the Philippines” is only one of the 40 local versions of the hit global franchise in different countries, including the more popular US version of “The Voice” hosted by Carson Daly with Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green, and Blake Shelton as coaches. Before the finale drew to a close, host Toni Gonzaga and V Reporters Alex Gonzaga and Robi Domingo announced that auditions will soon be held for the second season of “The Voice of the Philippines.” for updates, like www.facebook.com/ thevoiceabscbn or follow @ thevoiceabscbn on Twitter.

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A4 INdulge! ENTERTAINMENT EDGEDavao Davao Partners

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Dingdong, Bea, Enrique team up for Star Cinema

THEY are three of this generation’s biggest stars. He is a two-time Best Actor winner and one of the top leading men in television and film. She is the undisputed box-office queen and he is one of the hottest young actor today. They have earned the respect of critics and the support of their audience. But they have never done a project together—until now.

This October, on its 20th anniversary, Star Cinema brings to the big screen Dingdong Dantes, Enrique Gil and Bea Alonzo in “She’s The One”, a story that combines the excitement of an unexpected romance with the epiphany that comes with finding the one person you can’t live without. “She’s The One” hits theaters on October 16 and is directed by Mae Cruz from a story and script by the award-winning Vanessa Valdez. It also stars upcoming screen sweetheart Liza Soberano in her biggest, most important and most challenging film role to date. After giving life to some of the screen’s most iconic female characters—Basha in One More Chance, Lara in And I Love You So, Mia in Miss You Like Crazy and Sari in The Mistress—Bea Alonzo brings viewers another one in this, her latest film project. Cat Aguinaldo is a young woman for whom family responsibility has always come first. The cat always stands by the side of her best friend Wacky (Dingdong), a morning show host and serial dater who unwittingly pushes his best friend into a complicated romantic situation just to save his TV career. By the time he realizes what he’s done and confronts his own feelings, it may be too late. Dingdong returns to the Star Cinema fold after successful team-ups with Kris Aquino in Segunda Mano and Angelica Panganiban and Angel Locsin in One More Try. “She’s The One” is his first time to work with Bea Alonzo. The film is woven around the idea of an “epiphany”, or that one moment in life when we finally find the answer that will change everything. But we may find ourselves asking, how far are we willing to go when we do? For more updates about the movie, visit Star Cinema on the web at www.StarCinema.com.ph, on Facebook at http://facebook.com/StarCinema andhttp:// twitter.com/StarCinema.

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 143•WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

Nets want to win Atlantic first N

EW YORK (AP) -Paul Pierce won plenty of Atlantic Division titles during his days with the Boston Celtics, but at the end of the seasons when he exited the playoffs without lifting the Larry O’Brien trophy, none of those six divisional titles didn’t carried any weight. The only one that mattered was the one he captured during the 2008 season, en route to his first and only NBA title. Pierce, along with his teammate Kevin Garnett, made it known that they’re in Brooklyn for one thing only: to win it all in June. Beating out their new rivals, the defending division champs New York Knicks, isn’t what’s on Pierce’s mind. ‘’Truthfully, that’s not that important to me. I came here to win a championship. I don’t even want to see an Atlantic banner put up if we win it,’’ Pierce said during Monday’s Nets media day session at Barclays Center. ‘’I don’t even know how many Atlantic Division championships we won in Boston. ... I don’t remember getting a hat, a T-shirt, a call for winning an Atlantic Division. You don’t get anything for it,’’ the 15-year-veteran added. With the Celtics letting Doc Rivers head to the West Coast to take charge of the Los Angeles Clippers, it became apparent that Pierce’s and Garnett’s futures in Boston were ending. Russian billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov gave general manager Billy King the green light to bring over the Celtics’ core after a first-round loss to an undermanned Chicago Bulls team in seven games ended the team’s inaugural season in Brooklyn. It took a good sales pitch from Pierce and the Nets front office to get Garnett to waive his

no-trade clause and accept the trade, a series of moves that King made in overhauling last season’s roster. In that deal, Brooklyn also landed Jason Terry, another veteran with championship pedigree, and then went out and signed free agents Shaun Livingston, Alan Anderson and Andrei Kirilenko. Top to bottom, the Nets think they are as good as any other team in the Eastern and Western Conference, but according to Pierce, it will come down to how that new equation plays out once training camp opens and the season tips off at Cleveland on Oct. 30. ‘’I think every championship team has its own different ingredients on how they go about it. Obviously, Miami has theirs, Dallas had theirs and it’s up to us,’’ Pierce said. ‘’Boston had theirs. So I think with this different group, it’s up to us to come up with something that we can kind of use to bond together, to help us understand our clear goal as a championship (team) and what we need to do. ‘’The way you win one championship is certainly not going to be the way you win the next one. Every team is different. All the personalities are different and so it’s just up to us to figure it out.’’ Pierce’s perfect example was how it all changed once the Celtics made their move, acquiring Garnett and Ray Allen, eventually lifting the team’s championship hopes. But he did caution that just because a certain formula works for one team, the possibility exists that it won’t pan out for the next. ‘’(Before the trade) we still were the Boston Celtics. We still were a team (that) probably that didn’t have championship aspirations at the time, but I think every team, every championship team has their own chemistry set,’’ Pierce said.

NEW NETS. The new-look Brooklyn Nets.

Gensan riders win Race to Paradise Xtreme Jet Ski Challenge

IENT Buhisan and Yanick Elnar of General Santos City shared top honors in the Race to Paradise Xtreme Jet Ski Challenge held Sunday at the Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort in Samal Island. The 21-year old Buhisan of the Socsargen Jet Sports Association (SJSA) beat teammate Elnar in the finals of the Novice/Expert 4-Stroke Stock (300hp). Third was Dennis Arquiza of the host Jet Sports Association of Davao (JSAD). Elnar, 40, however, won the Novice/Expert 4-stroke Stock 260hp category. He beat Mayor Rody Duterte’s chief of staff and Tunafest champion Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go also of JSAD. Third was Angelo Inting of Jetwave Samal. Inting, 18, also topped

the 215hp category by beating Nathaniel Cabanas of Bluejaz and Vic dela Cruz of SJSA, who finished second and third, respectively. Jodax Daquil of JSAD won the Off Shore event after an almost tragic ending at the finish line that resulted to three jet skis landing on top of each other. Daquil, who was rushed to the hospital for minor injury, was followed by SJSA’s Michael Buhisan and Cocoy Gudaya in that order. Stingray Davao’s Rene Militante, 46, won the Veterans category by besting 47-year old Buhisan. Third was JSAD’s Efren Eribiano. Militante also ruled the Open 2-Stroke Run About (550-800cc) while his 22-year old Renette settled for second place. Renette also took second place behind Skye

WINNERS. Team Mintal Inter-rage (left) and Indangan FC (right) show their medals in the recent #iscoreforpeace Football Festival for Bangsamoro.

Diola of SJSA in the Ladies division. Third was TV host Cherry Maning of JSAD. Cash prizes and trophies were awarded by

Paradise Island assistant resort manager Jun Diamante and race chairman Dr. Marlon Garcia of the DocRC Hobby Shop and Aqua Sports.

Djokovic, Serena win in China

EIJING (AP) -- Topranked Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams advanced with straight-set victories Tuesday at the China Open, while Venus Williams was eliminated. Djokovic beat Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic 6-0, 6-3 in the first round, while Serena Williams downed Francesca Schiavone 6-4, 7-5 in the second round. Venus Williams, a wild-card entry, fell to Sabine Lisicki of Germany 6-1, 6-2. Lisicki didn’t face a break point and broke Williams three times. Djokovic’s run of 100

weeks at the top of the ATP rankings is in danger this week from Rafael Nadal, who was scheduled to open against Santiago Giraldo of Colombia. Nadal will retake No. 1 if he reaches the final. Djokovic will take on Fernando Verdasco in the second round after the Spaniard beat Indian qualifier Somdev Devvarman 7-6 (6), 6-3. Fifth-seeded Richard Gasquet of France beat Florian Mayer of Germany 6-3, 7-6 (2), and sixth-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland overcame Andreas Seppi of Italy 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 6 ISSUE 143• WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2013

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON World slam dunk champion Paras dreams of more titles

OWERING 16-year old Kobe Paras, son of PBA’s only player to have achieved the Rookie of the Year and the MVP in 1986 and a member of the play for pay league’s legends-- Venancio “Benjie” Paras -- is one of the country’s huge potential basketball players, according to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas top gun Sonny Barrios. Kobe, named after his father’s favorite NBA player, Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, said at first he was intimidated when he saw the competitors in the FIBA Under 18 3X3 tournament in the Indonesia slam dunk finals where he emerged world champion last Sunday but his dad told him to concentrate and “believe in yourself and that you are better them.” Prior to that, the older Paras said his son told him,”But dad, I am the thinnest, the smallest and the youngest.” “I told him to focus on his play and luckily, he picked up so well my instruction,” said the proud father. The De la Salle Greenhills guard perked up, scored perfect points in the first round and then carried it further by doing a reverse dunk over

teammate Thirdy Ravena atop a Honda motorcycle which was a team sponsor to convince the judges that Kobe is better than his US and Spanish counterparts. Accompanied to the Tuesday PSA Forum because he can’t drive, Kobe said that he would like to represent the country. And of course, he is still savoring the thrill of what happened on top of his fledgling career. PBA Hall of Famer Benjie said he never taught his sons basketball until they transferred to a house where there was a hardourt when Andrei (now 18) and Kobe they were still under the age of 10. “There were times when I’m already sleeping in the night and I would wake up to find them still playing outside. Soon they were asking me to teach them how to play better basics I never tried to interest them in my sport.” The 6’5” Kobe told mediamen he was curious about his dad’s plays and he viewed his games on video. “I envied him so I tried to play like him,” said boy whose fair facial features strongly resemble that of his former showbiz mom, Jackie Forster. Would he also join the

SLAM DUNK KID. Kobe Paras soars for a dunk during the recent Lebron James exhibition tour in Manila. entertainment circuit now that he’s grown up? “Oh no, I would like to be focused on my basketball because it’s what interests me at present. I would like to play more international games for the country.” Benjie, asked who is the better player between them, quickly replied, “Well, I think he will be

better as he grows older but should some showbiz offer come to Kobe, he should take it. It would be a waste of money if the amount is real big!” And who is the better looker? “Kobe is handsome but I am the better-looking man.” Kobe said his dad is close and caring — he tries to be available to

them all the time although he is also a busy man. The best thing is he is not a stage father — he does not interfere with their games and coaches. He just wants Andre and him to become complete players by perfecting their dribbling,consistency in defense and offense and respect for the skills and talent of others.

Fair enough since Kobe is likely to shoot up more in height while essaying the role of a point guard. Very few players like Magic Johnson can be as dexterous, fast and capable of leadership inside and outside the hardcourt. Surely, Kobe wants to be like his father’s NBA idol, instead of just being a No. 2 or 3 player. (PNA)

TWO-EDGED WEAPON. Genesis 88 will be banking on playing President-CEO Glen Escandor (left) and former pro Mike Manigo (right) in the finals of the Escandor Group of Companies basketball tournament against White House. Lean Daval Jr.