Edge Davao 6 Issue 216 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 216 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 17-18, 2014

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Serving a seamless society

AFTER THE RAIN. This boy takes to the water like a duck after heavy rains caused by a low pressure area (LPA) which hit most parts of the region, took a lull yesterday morning. Temperature dropped to its lowest over the weekend in Davao City--about the most significant change in weather experienced by Dabawenyos at the start of the year. Lean Daval Jr.

BUILDING OFFICE REVAMP Traders complain vs red tape, mulcting By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. abf@edgedavao.net

MPLOYEES of the Office of the City Building Official (CBO) in the City Engineer’s Office will undergo a revamp, according to City Administrator J. Melchor V. Quitain. “I just want to be assured that the instructions that we have been giving out will be implemented, not only according to the letter but also according to their spirit,” Quitain told reporters yesterday, referring to the revamp. Quitain said that some of the officials and employees of

the office will be transferred to other sections or divisions within the CBO. Although Quitain was mum over the real reason or reasons behind the revamp, the reshuffle followed reports that some businessmen have complained against the way they are being treated while applying for building permits in the CBO. Some businessmen alleged that they are made to go back to the building office several times through the release of requirements by installment. For instance, come complaining busi-

nessmen said they were first given a list of, say, five requirements, when they complied with these, more requirements are issued, so they have to go back for another time. There are also still unverified reports about instances of some employees attempting to mulct money from applicants. Earlier, Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte told a joint meeting of chambers of commerce at Seda Hotel that chiefs of offices are under instruction to process applications for permits within

FBUILDING, 10

DepEd focusing on early enrollment By CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

UBLIC elementary and secondary schools in the region will have an “early registration” for incoming students of school year (SY) 2014- 2015 scheduled on January 25.This is in relation to the theme ‘Makapag-aral ay Kara-

patan Mo, Magpalista Ngayong Enero’. Department of Education 11 (DepEd) public information officer Jenielito S. Atillo said in an interview with Edge Davao that DepEd Order No.

FDEPED, 10

A SOLDIER’S PROTECTOR. This Sto. Nino statue is garbed in military-inspired garments which obviously speaks of its owner-devotee. The statue is one of the several differently-clad images devotees took to the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague Shrine on Tuesday for the annual fiesta. Contributed photo by Tomas Inigo, Jr.

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 216 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 17-18, 2014

City CIDG arrests two gunrunners By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR

BEATING THE DEADLINE. Davao City Business Bureau head lawyer Lawrence Bantiding urges business owners to renew their permits before the deadline on January 20 to avoid the 25-percent surcharge in yesterday’s I-Speak media forum at the City Hall. Lean Daval Jr.

UTHORITIES nabbed another group allegedly involved in gunrunning activities in the Davao region during A buy-bust operation last Wednesday in Panabo City. P/Chief Inspector Warren Dablo, team leader of the Davao City Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, arrested Roverlito Tan Dio, 33, and Rogelio Sugetarios, 54 , both residing in Panabo City, in a joint operation with the Panabo police station led by Supt. Alberio Antonio. Police identified the group as the Torres Gang.

The suspects were arrested for being allegedly engaged in the selling of loose firearms and ammunition to a police poseur-buyer. Police recovered one .45 caliber pistol, two magazines, one .38 caliber pistol, 13 rounds of ammunition and P500 marked money from the possession of the suspects. Dablo said police conducted an investigation after receiving reports from an agent. The suspects will be facing charges of illegal possession and sale of firearms.

LL business establishments in Davao City have four days to renew their business permits. The Davao City Business Bureau urged business owners to renew their permits before the deadline on January 20 to avoid the 25 percent penalty. Lawyer Lawrence Bantiding, Business Bureau officer-in-charge, told reporters in yesterday’s ‘I Speak Forum’ at the city hall conference room that local businessmen should renew their permits within the remaining four days. Bantiding said that their office has received more renewal applications after intensive information dissemina-

tion through the help of media. Establishment of two one-stop shops has also contributed to the smoother processing after it received 23,907 applications in 14 days this year compared to around 22,000 last year. Bantiding said that of the 23,907 applications, 18,702 were at the onestop shop in the Sangguniang Panlungsod and 5,205 at NCCC Mall. Among them, 809 complied completely with the requirements, most of them retail establishments. As of Thursday, the bureau reported a total of 420 new business applications for this year. Meanwhile, renewal time on Saturdays and Sundays will be extended until 9:00 p.m. [ABF]

LPA-caused rains A kill 26 in Mindanao By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

abf@edgedavao.net

HE number of fatalities in Mindanao has reached 26 brought by rains triggered in the low pressure area, as per report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Center (NDRRMC). In their situational report at 6:00 a.m. yesterday, 13 of the victims were in the Davao region , 10 in Caraga, two in Region 10 and one in Region 9. The report stated that there were 36 injured, 34 of them ub the Davao region, 23 being in Davao Oriental and 11 in Com-

postela Valley Province. The other two were in from Zamboanga del Norte. The continuous rain has affected a total of 339,870 people in 355 barangays in Mindanao and 206,120 in 225 evacuation centers. Torrential rain struck the eastern section of Mindanao island at the weekend, unleashing a fresh round of misery for survivors of Typhoon Bopha, civil defence officials said. “Major rivers overflowed, causing people to drown in areas still recovering from Typhoon Pab-

OLICE filed charges last Wednesday before the city prosecution office against two persons nabbed for allegedly stealing belongings of their employers. P/Supt. Ruben Ramos, station commander of the Buhangin police, said Anabel Gonzales, 46, house help and resident of Bilusat St., Bucana, Barangay 76- A, was arrested for allegedly stealing P1-million worth of jewelry owned by her employer, Peter Ngo Yap, 72, a businessman. PO3 Ruben R. Carsino, investigator, said that Yap told the police last Wednesday that Gonzales stole jewelry from Yap’s house in Ladislawa Vil-

lage, Buhangin last January 13. Police recovered from the suspect’s possession several items owned by Yap. Meanwhile, Noel Pedroso, 42, maintenance employee of the SUMIFRU packing plant and a resident of Purok 23, Organic Barangay Catalunan Pequeňo, Talomo district was endorsed to the Tugbok police station by Dave Adit, security guard of SUMIFRU, after Pedroso was caught stealing plumbing materials which were recovered from inside his bag. The two suspects are presently in jail to await their fate. [EPC]

2 face raps for stealing from their employers P

lo,” local civil defence operations officer Franz Irag told AFP, using the local designation for Typhoon Bopha, which struck the region in December 2012. “Many of the victims had not managed to rebuild and were staying in temporary shelters when they were hit by fresh flooding,” Irag said. Weekend floods and landslides killed eight people in Davao Oriental province and five in Compostela Valley, Irag said. Additionally, six were buried in a landslide on the small southern island of

Dinagat while three other people drowned in nearby areas, John Lenwayan, a civil defence official for the region, told AFP by telephone. The bad weather also forced more than 194,000 people to flee their homes, Irag and Lenwayan said. The two officials said the rains started abating on Monday and some of those who took refuge in government-run shelters were returning to their homes. The Mindanao floods occurred amid an interna-

FLPA, 10

epc@edgedavao.net

Local business permit renewals end Jan. 20

WHEN IT’S OVER. Personnel of the City Environment Natural and Resources Office (Cenro) remove Christmas lights attached to the clock tower in front of San Pedro Cathedral along San Pedro Street yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 216 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 17-18, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

4 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 216 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 17-18, 2014

TAGUM CITY

LGU distributes relief packs

HE city government of Tagum through the Sangguniang Panlungsod, upon the recommendation of Mayor Allan L. Rellon, has declared the entire city under the State of Calamity due to flash floods brought by heavy rains as a result of a low pressure area. SP Resolution No. 232, s. 2014 was passed by the City Council thereby allowing the speedy release of the city’s calamity fund which was used for the relief efforts launched by the local government. But even before such declaration was made, the LGU through the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) was already prepared with its relief

DIGOS CITY

packs immediately distributed after the preemptive evacuation. City Social Welfare Officer Nora Lupiba said that 4, 621 families in 10 affected barangays were given relief packs as of January 16, 2014. On January 14, 2014, both the city and provincial governments distributed 2,000 relief packs to all families in all puroks of Pagsabangan , each set having four kilos of rice and canned goods. Rellon, who led in the distribution, said that all families in the said area were given assistance since all puroks were submerged in floodwaters. Official report from the CDRRMO tagged at 4,150,000 pesos the damage in infrastructure. No casualty was recorded in the city. [Louie Lapat of CIO Tagum]

RELIEF EFFORTS. Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon leads in the distribution of the relief goods prepared by the local government for the residents of Barangay Pagsabangan, one of the barangays affected by flooding due to low pressure area. [Leo Timogan of CIO Tagum]

NGCP sets whole-day power interruption in DavSur Sunday T

HE National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has issued a notice of scheduled fourhour shutdown of its transmission facilities in Davao del Sur province on Sunday, January 19. The power outage will run wholeday ( 8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.) on said date affecting the municipalities of Bansalan, Matanao, Magsaysay and part of Digos City which were determined by the Davao

del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (DASURECO), the province’s distribution utility. The cause of the power interruption is due to the correction of the decrease in gas pressure of MatanaoBansalan 69kV T/L associated power circuit breaker (PCB), said NGCP’s Notice of Scheduled Power Interruption (NOSPI). The NOSPI assured that normal operations will immediately resume after work completion.

COMPOSTELA VALLEY

NGCP customers and the general public are advised to take the necessary preparations and precautions for this scheduled interruption, the NOSPI further notified. Meanwhile, DASURECO general manager Engr. Godofredo Guya said the power supply situation in Davao del Sur has normalized after the cooperative ventured into a 15-megawatt modular power plant in December last year.

Guya said DASURECO has entered into a power supply agreement (PSA) with Alsons Energy Development Corporation for the rental of dieselfueled modular generator sets until 2016. He said this has helped a lot in augmenting the power supply to sufficiently service the growing demand of the provinces of Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental covering 14 municipalities and one city. [PIA 11/Carina L. Cayon]

Comval school grand slam winner on Agri-Pinoy Gulayan sa Paaralan

HE Manat Central Elementary School of Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province excelled in the Agri-Pinoy Gulayan sa Paaralan Program being a Regional Awardee and the Provincial Grand Slam Winner. Next in rank is the

Manat National High School as the 2nd Placer followed by the Mawab Central Elementary School in the 3rd Place, and Corazon Aquino National High School in Compostela in the 4th Place. The awardees received Plaques of Recognition and Cash Prizes during

the Provincial Awarding at the Capitol on January 13, 2013 as led by Provincial Administrator Virgilia S. Allones and Executive Assistant IV Isabelo L. Melendres. Agri-Pinoy Gulayan sa Paaralan is a program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in

partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) for the youngsters to appreciate agriculture and to encourage them to know how important it is to produce fresh, nutritious, and abundant affordable food in the community. [Grace Almedilla, IDSComVal]

PANABO CITY

Importance of barangay information team cited

“A

SIDE from bringing the attention of the people to the programs of the LGU, it is also within the coverage of the function of this group (Barangay Information Dissemination Team or BIDT) to inform Panaboans of their rights and obligations” said Panabo City Mayor Jose L. Silvosa, Sr. during the first BIDT new year meeting last January 9, 2014 at the New City Hall Conference Room. Silvosa stressed the main functions of the BIDT in the city for people who are not properly informed about their duties to the government and the city including their obligation to pay tax. “If you have land, what are your obligations? You have to pay your tax which it is also the lifeblood of the LGU and the nation,” he added. He also talked about the city’s economic improvement by teaching Panaboans how to plan a business or create their own livelihood plans. In July 2013, the BIDT released a Social Preparedness Module which is written in

vernacular to be understood by majority of the city population. It is divided in to certain topics: Espirituhanong K a t i k a r a n , Ekonomikanhong Kalambuan, Active Citizenship, and Politikanhong Reyalidad. The team, through the chairmanship of the city mayor, has 14 members led by the City Information Officer, Narciso Jadraque. The team is comprised of different representatives from different offices such as the City Social Welfare Development Office, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, City Agriculturist Office, City Health Office and City Mayor’s Office, including spiritual leaders from different denominations in the City. The BIDT who has been working for social preparedness in 2013 is chaired by Mayor Silvosa. It refocuses its activities to information dissemination leaving spiritual, economic, social, and political developments to concerned departments. [Michael Angelo A. Resueño/ CIO Panabo]

VOL. 6 ISSUE 216 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 17-18, 2014

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6 THE ECONOMY Stat Watch Indicator

Latest

1. Gross National Income 1. GrossRate National Income Growth Growth Rate2000 Prices) (At Constant

7.1 1st Qtr 2013 6.8

2.2.Gross GrossDomestic DomesticProduct Growth Rate Product (AtGrowth Constant 2000 Prices) Rate

7.8 1st Qtr 2013 7.5

(At Constant 2000 Prices)

3. Exports 1/ 3. Exports

4. Imports 1/ 4. Imports

5. Trade Balance Trade Balance 6.5.Balance of Payments 2/

7.6.Broad Money Liabilities Balance of Payments

2nd Qtr 2013

USD 3,741 million 5,045 FebUSD 2013 million USD 4,708 Sep 2013 million FebUSD 2013 5,711 USD -967 million million Sep 2013 Feb 2013 USD -665 USD -640 million million Sep 2013 Dec 2012 P 4,964,560 USD 692 million million Feb Jun2013 2013 P2.45,980,938 % million Mar 2013 Aug 2013

8. Interest Rates 4/

7. Broad Money Liabilities

P113,609 2.0 % million Sep2013 2013 Mar P P5,281 127,336 billion million Mar Sep2013 2013

9. National Government 8. Revenues Interest Rate 9. National Government

10.Revenues National government outstanding debt outstanding debt

P 5,609 P 41.14 Aprbillion 2013

11.Stocks Peso per US $ 12. Composite Index 6/

6,847.5 P 43.83 Mar Sep2013 2013

12. Stocks Composite

6,191.8 132.8 Sep2013 2013 Apr

13. Consumer Price Index

135.2 Oct2.62013

10.Peso National government 11. per US $ 5/

Sep 2013

13. Consumer Index Price Index 2006=100

2006=100 14. Headline Inflation Rate 14. 2006=100 Headline Inflation

Apr 2013

2.9 Oct3.12013

Rate 15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

Apr 2013

2006=100

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100 16. Visitor Arrivals

2.5

418,108 Oct 2013 Feb 2013

382,022 Aug 2013 20.9%

16. Visitor Arrivals

17. Underemployment 7/ 17. Rate Underemploymen

Jan 2013 19.2%

18. 18.Unemployment UnemploymentRate Rate7/

7.1% Jan 2013 7.3%

Rate

Jul 2013 Jul 2013

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2011-September 2013) Month Average December November October September August July June May April March February January

2013

2012

2011

43.83 43.86 43.35 42.91 41.30 41.14 40.71 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

VOL. 6 ISSUE 216 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 17-18, 2014

DA approves P18-M grant for rice processing facilities T

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) has approved an additional P18 million grant for the establishment of three more modern rice processing facilities this year in South Cotabato province. South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said Thursday the Rice Processing Centers (RPC), which will feature state-of-the-art grains processing and storage facilities, will be put up in the rice-producing towns of Surallah and Banga and in Koronadal City. She said the DA central office has allocated P6 million each for the development of the first level RPCs in Barangay Dajay in Surallah, Barangay New Pangasinan in Koronadal City and in Banga. “These facilities are among the projects committed by DA to the province this year in support of our agriculture sector,” she said in a report from the South Cotabato Information Office. Last year, the agency allotted P32 million for the establishment of the province’s first RPC in Barangay Ambalgan in Sto. Niño town. The third-level facility will be turned over by DA on Friday to project proponent Firmus Farm Service Cooperative (FFSC).

LESSER COST. An employee of a secondhand tire outlet along E. Quirino Avenue in Davao City listens attentively to a customer’s instruction yesterday. Vehicle owners who are on a tight budget prefer to buy used tires due to their low price. Lean Daval Jr. The governor said Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala has confirmed to grace the formal turnover of the facility. Based on a memorandum of agreement signed in quadripartite by DA Region12, National Food Authority, Sto. Niño municipal government and FFSC, the processing center will operate as procurement, marketing arm and linkage of farmers to milled rice buyers within Region 12. Out of the facility’s

P32-million allocation, P23.75 million was utilized for the construction of its grain processing and storage, the agreement cited. It said P6 million was set aside for the initial working and operating capital as well as the capability building aspect while P1 million was allotted for administrative and management fees. Amalia Jayag-Datukan, DA Region 12 director, said that aside from the facility’s turnover, the

agency will release certificates and a check to FFSC worth P3.1 million. She said they will turn over certificates to 10 recipients of multi-purpose drying pavements with storage and a certificate of commitment for the Rehabilitation of the Topland irrigation system in Koronadal City. Datukan said Alcala will later grace the inauguration of a communal irrigation system in Barangay Talisay in Lake Sebu town and the unveil-

ing of an “AA” standard slaughterhouse in Barangay Dansuli in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. The official said these projects were part of their continuing efforts to help strengthen the agriculture and fisheries sectors of the region. The initiative focuses on the upgrading and modernization of the area’s agricultural facilities as provided for by the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act. [MindaNews]

Investments (BOI). In a chance interview with the Philippines News Agency, the two government officials said the government has seen the potential of the industry in creating more jobs and revenue for the country. “(When) we talk about the potential of the gaming industry, it’s quite exciting. Where the BPO industry was in 2001 (is) where the gaming industry is in 2013. So who knows in five to ten years they’ll also be the top leaders in the world when

it comes to gaming development which includes outsourcing, outsourcing services, support and some point probably we will be going to full game development; like full games not just the mobile games,” Senator Aquino said. The Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP) earlier disclosed that it has created the gaming industry roadmap which aims to create the country’s first successful online game in 2019. The five-year plan of

the gaming industry has started only this year. The industry targets to create 10,000 jobs and generate an annual revenue of US$ 500 million starting in 2019. In 10 years, the local gaming industry aims to employ 20,000 personnel creating a revenue of US$ 1 billion a year. In 20 years, the sector aims to create 50,000 jobs generating US$ 5 billion revenue a year. ”It is really a strong signal that the industry is sending not just to government but to po-

tential investors, that they’re serious, that they have the talent, the potential, that we dare to aspire to do in this industry. So, for DTI, it’s very positive. This would be a potentially new revenue stream,” Cristobal said. The gaming sector is part of the creative industries or knowledge-based services which is identified in the investment priorities plan (IPP) 2013 and will probably be included in the IPP 2014, according to the BOI official. [PNA]

Gov’t sees PHL gaming industry to boom like BPO T

HE government is optimistic in the future of the gaming industry in the Philippines, hoping that the sector will fully develop like the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry. This was the viewpoint of Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship; and Undersecretary Adrian Cristobal Jr. of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) who is also managing head of the Board of

as of May 2013 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

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

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 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 216 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 17-18, 2014

Region 11 GRDP up 7% by end of 2013 By CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

HE Gross Regional Domestic Product of the Davao region was expected to grow by 7 percent by the end of 2013, an official of the National Economic and Development Authority said. NEDA 11 regional director Maria Lourdes D. Lim told media practitioners earlier in her 2013 Economic preformance that the annual uptrend is due to the stable inflation and fiscal position, increasing consumption levels and business confidence, good governance and massive public-private sector investments and “steady yet sure movement towards an investment-led and employment-creating regional economy.” Lim said that records show that Davao region remained as Mindanao’s top economy in 2013 in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GRDP). Data as of 2012 showed that the region’s GRDP 7.4 percent growth rate was

the fourth highest among Mindanao regions, yet provided the largest contribution to overall Gross Domestic Product of the country which is 3.8 percent. This can be attributed to the sustained performance of the industry sector as well as the expanding services sector. The service sector remains as the top contributor to the Davao region’s economy with around 53 percent, reports from the Nation Economic and Development 11 bared. This can be “attributed to the influx of private sector investment, particularly in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector and high value trade services. ” The industry sector also surged, growing to almost 9 percent compared to the 2.5 percent standing in 2012. Meanwhile, investments in the region registered high as “private

construction of buildings rose by 76 percent with a value of 18 billion pesos.”

Lim said that the Board of Investment in the region registered a total of P29

BS-CBN Corporation, the country’s leading multimedia company, plans to raise P5 billion through a retail bond issue, with an option to increase the amount up to P10 billion to finance its capital expenditure program for the next five years. The company will invest in their production forward planning initiative, which includes the construction of sound stages. Production Forward Planning provides the company with the ability to produce and develop more content simultaneously and efficiently. The company will also use part of the proceeds for the roll

out of digital terrestrial TV and the expansion of its pay-TV business through Sky Cable. ABS-CBN Chief Financial Officer, Aldrin M.Cerrado stated, “We are extremely pleased to have been given the highest possible rating of PRS Aaa from Philippine Ratings Corporation (PhilRatings) for our proposed bond issuance. I believe this is a reflection of the strength of ABS-CBN’s business and the track record of its management. The triple A rating should give prospective investors confidence in the Company’s ability to meet its financial obligations.” “The strategic initia-

tives being adopted by management should ensure that we continue to provide high quality content to our audiences in an efficient and cost-effective manner,” added Cerrado. “The planned sound stages will deliver improvements to our operations by increasing production quality and reducing costs associated with on-location shoots.” The majority of ABS-CBN’s filming is done on-location. With the sound stages, the need for on-location shoots will be reduced significantly. ABS-CBN is on track for the Philippines’ switch to Digital Terrestrial Television.

Test broadcasts are being conducted in different parts of the nation. It has also successfully expanded its business into print, licensing, music, TV shopping, telecommunications and theme parks. Last year, the company started its TV shopping business, A CJ O Shopping Corporation, and its cellular telecommunications business, ABS-CBNmobile - which allows customers to view ABS-CBN’s content on smartphones in addition to data, SMS, and voice products. The company also plans to open its educational theme park, “Kidzania,” at the Fort Bonifacio Global City later this year.

NGCP spokesperson Cynthia Alabanza said the agency also plans to file an update of the feasibility study of the project within the quarter. “We intend to file it within the year,” she said noting that the filing will be done along with those for

other projects. Earlier, NGCP President Henry Sy. Jr. said some USD 500 million has been earmarked for LMIP. The project is targeted to connect the country’s second largest island group to the power grid as it is the only island group not con-

nected to the national grid. NGCP is still conducting hydrographic survey and targets to finish this in the middle of this year. It targets to start the construction of the estimated 400-kilometer transmission line by 2016 and finish it by 2018. [PNA]

DESIRED DESTINATION. Davao City is fast becoming the desired destination for BPO (business processing outsourcing) firms in the country as another high rise building for a call center company is being constructed along Mc Arthur Highway in Matina, Davao City. Lean Daval Jr. billion investments that fuelled the region’s economy for the first half of 2013.

Investments included energy and manufacturing projects.

M farm-to-market ABS-CBN plans to offer P5 billion in retail bonds DAroad11’tos beP800downloaded to DPWH A T

NGCP eyes filing for LMIP completion before yearend

HE National Grid Corporation of the Philippines eyes to file an application for implementation of the Leyte-Mindanao Interconnection Plan (LMIP) with the Energy Regulation Commission (ERC) by the end of this year.

HE Farm-to-Market Roads (FRMs) that the Department of Agriculture 11 would be implementing this year in Davao Region have a total of budget of P800 million while the FMR’s specifications standard is scaled up as part of the agency’s climate change adaptation. DA-Regional Field Unit 11 assistant regional director Rafael Mercado bared in an interview that that the P800-million budget though would be “downloaded” to the Department of Public Works and Highways 11 which will implement FMR projects including the bidding process, breaking the agency’s tradition since seven years ago where FMR projects were under DA’s domain. “Before, local government units in the region proposed and then we made verification, evaluation and recommendation either to bid FMR project or give it to an LGU which implemented the project by administration,” he said. He further said that the decision to download DA’s FMR projects was reached by

DA’s national officials, noting of the DPWH’s technical capability and manpower. “The department will be in charge of the monitoring,” Mercado said. DA 11 has a total of P2.045 billion budget for the projects, programs and services for 2014, of which P800 million is allocated for FMR projects for Davao Region. Last year it has only P1.8 billion . The assistant regional director also bared that as part of DA’s climate change adaptation, the specifications standard of FMR to be implemented across the country would now be: 5 meters in width and 8 inches in thickness, with 1.5-meter extension in both sides of the shoulder. DA’s FMR standard before is: 4 meters in width and 6 inches in thickness, with 1.5-meter extension in both sides of the shoulder. “Madalas na ang ulan. It’s not mere mitigation, but adaptation to climate change already,” Mercado said. [Rural Urban News/ Cha Monforte]

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 216 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 17-18, 2014

EDITORIAL

Inday’s traffic violation

N interesting police story this week is the reported apprehension of former Davao City Mayor Sara D. Carpio for violating the speed limit imposed by her father and successor, Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte. Using a speed gun, a traffic enforcer of the Traffic Management Center reportedly caught Inday Sara driving at 57 kilometers per hour along Quimpo Boulevard, a 40-KPH road. Realizing that she had, indeed, committed a traffic violation, the former mayor handed over her license and asked that she be issued a traffic ticket. For gamely submitting to authority, supporters believe Inday Sara, now a private law practitioner, somehow turned what could have been an embarrassment into a remarkable show of candor, and respect for the majesty of the law.

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To many Dabawenyos who have a long memory, the incident calls to mind a similar situation that occurred in the early days of Rodrigo Duterte as mayor of Davao City. Unbeknownst to many, a couple of government cars issued to Mayor Rody’s office were caught being used without the required trip tickets in violation of the law against use of government vehicles for private or personal purposes. Government cars then were marked “For Official Use Only.” Upon being informed of the violation, Duterte immediately paid the fine of P1,000 per violation. Justice Cesar Nitorreda fondly recalls the incident as one of the interesting snippets of his watch as first Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao. In a sense, it is like father, like daughter.

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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

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 216 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 17-18, 2014

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes

ETTING OLD gracefully is probably what every man look forward to, but I don’t imagine myself sitting in a rocking chair, an old man who could hardly stand up to get a glass of water from the refrigerator. I still can’t figure out why most people imagine retirement from a so-called “permanent job” in the government or a “stable job” in a corporation as simply resting, doing absolutely nothing at home, waiting for a heart attack or cancer to end it all for us. What people can’t figure yet is that many people in their 60’s and 70’s find these ages the very peak of their mental capacities--- this is the time when the best ideas come to us to keep us going, to keep us alive for the next decade or so. The truth is, you suddenly realized that you should have done a business project much earlier when you were younger, when you still have a “stable job” that turned out to be unstable for you after many years. Maybe it was even a better idea if you just quit and started something for yourself, even if you fail in several attempts, until you finally come out with something that really work: a business

ISGRACEFUL TRADE ALLIANCE IS NOTHING NEW – When the crime situation becomes petrifying one theory done by other advanced countries is a complete overhaul of the usual method in dealing with criminal elements. Like for example, if you can’t stop criminals, drive them to distraction. That seems to be the scheme behind a new wave of tactical tricks becoming more useful among urban cops. The fact that it’s becoming more effective even members of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) and other law enforcement units adopted the method. As a result after weeks and months of persistent efforts as well as the main objective to provide city residents with confidence and security, several transient illegal drug traders who are sustaining “unholy alliance” with Davao City-based drug peddlers, finally were rip to shreds by a joint operatives of the DCPO and Philippine Drug Enforcement Administration(PDEA XI). The law enforcers have not been slow in reacting to the slew of criticisms hurled against them because of the worsening problems on drug dealing activities in Davao City and neighboring provinces. The urgent initiative launched by elements of the police and the PDEA bore tangible results. The arrests and filing of appropriate charges against notorious drug pushers and users is considered to be a sign that authorities are seriously cracking down on the illegal but highly lucrative trade. Police operatives and drug enforcers steered a continuous raids on suspected lairs of drug syndicates operating in different thickly-populated areas in the city that eventually yielded numerous volume of illegal drugs notably methamphetamine hydrochlo-

of your own that generates income for you that is 20 times what you were earning as an employee. That’s why I’m so happy when friends in the government tell me that they’ve “retired” from the government and now doing full-time consultancy work that gives them a lot of free time for themselves and earning even a bigger income than their government salary. I’m happier too, seeing close friends leaving their “stable jobs” in private firms to resign or retire and putting up their own businesses that are competing strongly with the business where they came from--- even turning a product better than the product of the company where they worked for. I have the highest admiration for former employees who quit or retire and doing some kind of business or project

on their own, having faith and confidence in themselves to succeed. If they fail several times, they’ll still stand up, feeling confident that they will succeed. When people asked me how to go into business for themselves, I just tell them what other successful people tells me to do. To learn to swim, just jump into the water. You will survive or drown---but you’ll end up a better swimmer. I’ve seen this happening to many of my friends---friends who aren’t afraid of making mistakes and bad decisions. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Make all the mistakes you can make-- and learn from them. I’ve always told my son never, never to be afraid of making mistakes in class or at home. I never scold him if he did something wrong that other fathers would explode in anger, something I would never do. And lastly, to me wealth isn’t something measured by the size of your wallet or even by having your own house and car and a wildly successful business. It‘s how much of what you do, touches other people’s lives and making their world a better place to live in…. (Comment? Email me > tradingpost_ davao@yahoo.com)

ride popularly known as “shabu” and marijuana. However, still unanswered is why bigtime drug dealers believed to be so well-connected and privileged were able to elude arrest? Authorities might not be so anxious to let the “big fishes” out of their sight. They have enough knowledge about the workings and trade secrets of the illegal but highly-profitable trade to keep the police intelligence networks busy for weeks and were also particular on the “ins and outs” of the lucrative but risky undertaking. Knowledgeable people say drug syndicates from Cotabato and Lanao areas were believed to be the key groups handling the clandestine illicit drug sales operations in the city and elsewhere in the region and other parts of the country in cahoots with homegrown connections. Intelligence reports likewise revealed that these people are also well-connected with unscrupulous government officials aside from establishing links with alleged thick-faced and corrupt law enforcers, of course, for a “financial tribute.” Not surprisingly, some authorities were looking at the opposite direction for obvious reason. Probers firmly believed that drug lords were likewise responsible in the stealthy operations; the primary reason that their illegal trade has certainly prospered because of alleged police protection and strong connections. The newsmaking haul on drug-related issues may have overshadow other law-

lessness in the city, but still operatives of the DCPO are determined to address other prevailing crime incidents – car break-ins, gang wars, robbery-holdup, murder and other fraudulent activities like rice smuggling. Through the directive of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, the operations of the DCPO and other law enforcement units had been expanded to intensify their campaign against all forms of lawlessness. Right now all options, including cash rewards offered by the city government are said to be on the table. But the main focus has been on the immediate arrest of big-time drug dealers and maybe to include rice smugglers. Not only does Mayor Duterte had issued stern warning against notorious and high-profile criminals operating in the city, not least due to the rising crime incidents in the city and its suburban areas that happen at a time when the economic prospects are high, he has also proven to be a no non-sense and resolute leader perfectly capable of defusing criminal activities. In addition, his long stint in public service – prosecutor, mayor, congressman and vice mayor has given him a strong sense of duty to the city and its population. He is not likely to back down from a cause if he believes it is beneficial to his constituents. Although Mayor Rody has been the driving force behind the total crackdown against lawless elements in the city, the DCPO leadership, various law enforcement units, the city officialdom and the vigilant public likewise played major roles in the drive against law-breaking in the city. Everybody deserves a pat on their shoulders for the support and cooperation and the effort by trying all their best to sustain peace and quiet in Davao City. Let’s keep on beatwatching, folks!

Driving force

VANTAGE POINTS

Don’t fear the Internet of things COMMENTARY BY JACK SHAFER

(Conclusion)

NDER the records provision of the Patriot Act, the U.S. government already collects our telephone and email metadata. Surely the Patriot Act could be used to hoover up IoT data, too. Setting privacy worries aside for security worries, IoT devices will give criminals new ways to hack our identities, defraud us, steal our medical data, and break into our homes and businesses unless made secure. Other horror scenarios abound: “Financial systems, power grids, sewage systems, oil and natural gas pipelines communications” could be compromised, and malware could be inserted on low-level devices to cause mayhem in upstream targets, as Stuxnet did with Iran’s centrifuges. (For more privacy and security fretting, see the transcript from the recent Federal Trade Commission “workshop” on the IoT.) Of course, the IoT isn’t the only or even the best path to personal data. As Bruce Schneier wrote this week, most of the home routers that Internet users rely on can be easily breached, and all your data hijacked, destroyed or altered. So for the time being, we should probably be more paranoid about the integrity of the loading docks that move our most sensitive personal and financial data — routers, smartphones, and computers — than we are about newly enlightened toothbrushes, capable of blabbing only our incisor secrets. Unlike Philip K. Dick, I’m not so afraid of the IoT future. The IoT devices ballyhooed at CES are trivial compared to what we will soon see coming out of the silicon foundries. So many life-improving economic efficiencies can be potentially captured — from energy consumption to healthcare — by IoT sensors chatting over the Internet that we’d be mad to avoid them. The key to integrating IoT devices in our culture is in consumers demanding 1) secure devices, which start with computers, routers, government-collection-by-warrant only and 2) ownership of the data. For too long, too many Internet consumers have wanted to have it both ways: We’ve expected free — i.e., advertising-supported — services (email, calendars, smartphone apps, navigation, cloud storage, news, information and entertainment), but been shocked when the companies supplying the free goods built and sold dossiers on us. The IoT revolution provides a mental pause that we should use to rethink what we want from the Internet. If we expect privacy and security from the IoT, surely we should expect the same from the regular Internet, which means renegotiating our email, storage, and navigation accounts to put a premium on privacy and security. Privacy and security can’t be free. In real life and on the Internet, you get what you pay for. As for Ubik‘s Joe Chip, did he ever escape his apartment? Yes. Luckily, a visitor arrived and dropped a coin in the slot on the other side of the smartdoor.

NEWS

Building... FFROM 1 72 hours. If after 72 hours, the requested document is still not issued, the concerned office is directed to stop processing it and make a report to the city mayor’s office explaining the delay. During the joint meeting of the chambers of commerce, attended by some foreigners, Mayor Duterte encouraged businessmen to report to him instances of graft and corruption in the city government, vowing to act on complaints with dispatch. As part of the personnel revamp, Quitain said that he would also designate former city environment chief Joseph Dominic Felizarta

as the assistant city building official “just to oversee what is exactly going on “ inside this office. “So that I will know, or the higher authorities will know, what is the exact situation and be able to act accordingly,” said Quitain, adding that Felizarta can handle the assignment because, aside from being a lawyer, he is also a civil engineer who used to be an employee of the City Engineer’s Office. “Before he became a lawyer he worked in the City Engineers Office. So he knows the dynamics inside the office and he would be in the best position to tell me what should be done in

that office,” Quitain added. Meanwhile, Quitain bared that the verdict on the five erring City Treasurer’s Office employees will be forwarded to the office of Mayor Duterte today as per the administrative tribunal, adding that it is the mayor who will have the final say on the case. “Whatever the decision may be, it will deliver a strong signal to all city employees that we are dead serious,” Quitain said. Quitain expects the mayor to immediately act with dispatch on cases involving corruption without violating due process of law as required.

2 s. 2014 dated January 13, 2014 on Early Registration Day aims “to gather information to base its preparations to address potential gaps that may rise even before regular enrolment.” Atillo said that through early registration they can determine as early as January the number of teachers, students, classrooms, chairs and textbooks needed for the incoming school year. He said the budget for this year will depend on the needs of the enrollees. In an earlier report, the early registration targets to “achieve universal par-

ticipation and completion of DepEd’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) program and Education for All (EFA).” Atillo, meanwhile, said that the number of enrollees is expected to increase by three percent. Data gathered by the Division of City Schools in the region bared that in SY 2010-2011, of the 1383,171 enrollees, 51.97 percent were male and 48.03 were female. For SY 2011- 2012, the number of elementary enrollees were 186,435 of whom 52.17 percent were male and 47.83 were fe-

male. For the secondary level, there were 76,972 enrollees in the city, of whom 48.57 percent were male and 51. 43 percent were female. There was a slight decrease in SY 2011- 2012 when only 76, 015 enrolled of whom 48.34 percent were male and 51.66 were female. Based on the Socio-Economic Indicators 2013 prepared by the City Planning and Development Coordinator, there were 286 public elementary schools in the city and 72 public secondary schools.

tional rehabilitation effort for areas destroyed by Super Typhoon Haiyan in November last year. Haiyan left at least 7,986 people dead or missing across the central Philippines, according to a running government tally. Bodies are still being recovered from under the rubble. An average of 20 typhoons and storms kill hundreds of people across

the Philippines every year, but the last three years have been exceptional in the ferocity of some of these disasters. Bopha, which struck the region in December 2012, left 1,900 people dead or missing on Mindanao by government count. Tropical Storm Washi also unleashed floods that killed 1,080 people in December 2011. (with reports from AFP)

DepEd...FFROM 1

DECREASED. Traffic Manangement Center officer in charge P/Supt. Rhodelio Poliquit says that road mishaps in Davao City dramatically decreased after the enforcement of Executive Order No. 39 setting speed limits for private and public vehicles running on city streets and highways. Photo taken during the I-Speak media forum at the city hall yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

ILLEGAL DRUGS

CIDG 11 busts ComVal gang By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 216 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 17-18, 2014

epc@edgedavao.net

OLICE apprehended a group allegedly involved in the illegal drugs trade in Compostela Valley Province and confiscated P50,000 worth of shabu during a buy-bust operation last Wednesday morning. Sr. Supt. Joel Pernito, head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Region 11, said

police nabbed the group led by Elmer Nuňez, alias Mike Nuňez, 33, and five others in Purok 12, Poblacion, Compostela, ComVal. Chief Inspector Renante P. Lambojo, who headed the CIDG team, identified the rest of the group members as Jonathan Bonyogan, 27; Alfie Jay Cello, 29; Hensley Beron, 29; Honeylette Caderao 24, and Peter Apa-

ricio, 42. Lambojo formed a team to conduct surveillance after receiving information that the group was responsible for the proliferation of illegal drugs in Compostela. Police recovered eight sachets of suspected shabu weighing 10 grams and worth P50,000; one .45 pistol with one magazine con-

taining seven live rounds of ammunition; one empty caliber .45 magazine; one unit .38 revolver loaded with four (4) rounds of live ammunition; cellphones; cash worth P6,785 and assorted illegal drugs paraphernalia. The group faces a charge of illegal possession of firearms and selling illegal drugs.

LPA...FFROM 2

TMC charges two for drunken driving By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

abf@edgedavao.net

HE Davao City Traffic Management Center (TMC) has already sued two persons who violated the Republic Act No 10586 or the “Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013″. P/Supt. Rhodelio Poliquit, TMC’s officer-in-charge, told reporters in yesterday’s ‘I Speak’ forum that they apprehended two drunk drivers on different occasions. The first person apprehended was a hauler truck driver of a soft drinks company in Ulas last December who was

driving while under the influence of liquor. The other one was a law student from a prestigious school in the city who collided with a tricycle on Quezon Boulevard, Wednesday night. Poliquit said that their office sued the student because the collision injured the tricycle driver. Under the law, any person who drives a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs and/or ‘other similar substances’ will be arrested and charged accordingly.

11 ENVIRONMENT

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 216 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 17-18, 2014

Environmental degradation is poverty driver--DENR E

NVIRONMENT chief Ramon Paje is calling for more multi-sector efforts on conserving biodiversity nationwide, warning environmental degradation and loss of natural resources will worsen poverty in the country. ”We can’t expect high productivity from degraded resources,” he said Wednesday (Jan. 15) at the biodiversity conference in Metro Manila. He noted lower or no productivity will continue driving poverty nationwide. Paje made the call as authorities reported natural resource-rich Philippines continues being a biodiversity hotspot with a number of endemic flora and fauna species under threat that’s often man-made, making conservation efforts crucial. He’s expecting environmental degradation to worsen from increasing competition for natural resources due to the ballooning Philippine population. Over-exploitation of natural resources is common in countries with large populations and results in environmental degradation, he noted. Degraded environ-

ments are a bane to development, he continued. ”At present, we’re at the vortex of this cycle and must break loose from it,” he said. Citing Commission on Population reports this month, he said the Philippine population is expected to reach an estimated 100 million people in 2014. The country’s projected 2013 population is about 97.35 million people, noted National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB). Latest available NSCB statistics also place the 2012 Philippine poverty incidence at 25.2 percent of population nationwide. Earlier at the conference, Paje received from the environment department’s German partner-agency Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) a copy of the landmark study that assessed management of Philippine protected areas (PAs). The study ‘National Management Effectiveness and Capacity Assessment (NMECA) of PAs in the Philippines’ by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

country’s coastal waters. “That manual will help guide communities and LGUs concerned on what to do,” BMB director Theresa Mundita Lim said Thursday (Jan. 16) during a briefing on the baby dugong the agency’s personnel rescued

and GIZ raised urgency to improve planning, legal, financial and protection systems of and legislation for PAs so these can be better managed for present and future generations. RA 7586 (National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992) defines PAs as “portions of

land and water set aside by reason of their unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance biological diversity and protected against destructive human exploitation.” NMECA covered 61 local sites representing over 25 percent of 240 key PAs

in Infanta, Quezon early this month. She noted sea cows must be handled properly to help increase the chance for survival of these aquatic mammals while in captivity so more of such animals can be eventually returned to the wild in due time. Director Lim said care in handling is important as available data show low survival rate of sea cows in captivity. BMB and its partners will continue caring for the baby dugong rescued in Infanta until it’s fit for releasing into the sea, she assured. Marine consultant Romy Trono highlighted need for public-private sector partnership on conserving sea cows, noting these mammals’ sparse distribution in the country make it difficult to manage this specie. A sea cow gives birth to one calf only in three to seven years, BMB also noted. Trono cited lack of data on sea cows’ population but said efforts must be made to conserve these mammals. “The aim is to stabi-

lize sea cows’ population and one agency can’t do that alone,” he said at the briefing. Lim said BMB will continue conducting its nationwide information campaign on conserving sea cows which play a vital role in preserving health and balance in the marine ecosystem. Sea cows are the world’s remaining herbivorous aquatic mammals that solely eat sea grass, she noted. By eating sea grass, she said, the dugong in effect clears the area where this plant grows. Clearing the area enables new sea grass to sprout there and nutrients from the sea bed to be released so fish can feed on these, she added. According to BMB, the dugong belongs to Class mammalia and is also locally known as ‘baboy dagat.’ . BMB noted International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources in 1982 classified the dugong as vulnerable to extinction. [PNA]

Dugong manual for release soon HE environment department’s Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) will release to coastal communities and LGUs nationwide beginning this year its manual on handling sea cows (local name: dugong) stranded in the

nationwide, providing the country for the first time a comprehensive view of the areas’ state. ”The study will influence resource management fundamentals of the Philippines,” Paje said. NMECA is part of the five-year Protected Area Management Enhance-

ment (PAME) project government and GIZ commenced in 2012. DENR earlier said PAME aims to enhance management of 60 existing terrestrial and marine PAs nationwide. PAME also seeks to establish 100 new PAs by 2017, DENR added. [PNA]

A landmark study raised urgency to improve planning, legal, financial and protection systems of and legislation for Philippine protected areas (PAs) so these can be better managed for present and future generations. Released Wednesday (Jan. 14) in Metro Manila, the study ‘National Management Effectiveness and Capacity Assessment (NMECA) of PAs in the Philippines’ by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Germany’s Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale ZusammenarbeitGmbH (GIZ) indicated need for such improvement, noting public biodiversity conservation efforts have been undertaken over the years but much work must still be done to further improve PAs’ on-site management. ”The study will influence resource management fundamentals of the Philippines,” DENR Sec. Ramon Paje said at the biodiversity conference that focused on NMECA. He noted PA management must continue improving to further guard

against environmental degradation and biodiversity loss nationwide. Efficient management is one key to PAs’ survival particularly since the projected Philippine population increase will expectedly take its toll on natural resources nationwide as people’s tendency is to over-extract these, he said. ”The common tendency of countries with high populations is to over-exploit its natural resources – the effect is degradation,” he continued. RA 7586 (National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992) defines PAs as “portions of land and water set aside by reason of their unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance biological diversity and protected against destructive human exploitation.” NMECA covered 61 local sites representing over 25 percent of 240 key PAs nationwide, providing the country for the first time a comprehensive view of the areas’ state. [PNA]

Landmark study identifies measures for better protected areas management

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14 SPORTS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 216 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 17-18, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

Australian Open halted NOTougherMELTDOWN due to extreme heat Djokovic cruises to 3rd round ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

ELBOURNE (Reuters) - Play on the outer courts at the Australian Open was called to a halt on Thursday when temperatures hit 43.3 degrees Celsius (110 Fahrenheit) on a third straight day of sweltering heat at Melbourne Park. Organizers, who had been slammed for forcing players to play on in searing temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday, enacted the third stage of their “Extreme Heat Policy” for the first time at about 1.50pm local time (0250 GMT). “FINALLY!!!! Play suspended because of the heat... Heat policy should have been in 2 days ago already.. #burning #crazy #nothealthy,” tweeted Belgian player Kirsten Flipkens. Play would not resume until conditions had eased and definitely not before 5pm (0600 GMT), organizers said. The exception would be on the Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena show courts, where play would continue after the retractable roofs were closed. With players having to finish the ongoing set before play ceased or the

ELBOURNE (Reuters) - The Novak Djokovic that bowed out of his first Australian Open title defence with heat sickness in 2009 has now been replaced by a mentally and physically tougher upgrade not prone to meltdowns, the world number two said. After a rusty opening round, Djokovic’s bid for a fourth successive title at Melbourne Park shifted up a gear on Wednesday as he trounced Argentine Leonardo Mayer 6-0 6-4 6-4 in Rod Laver Arena to march to the third round on another day of stifling heat. Players have grumbled about the conditions, and a Canadian in the men’s draw described the tournament’s organisers as “inhumane” after he fainted on Tuesday when temperatures peaked at 42 degrees Celsius (108 Fahrenheit). In 2009, a 21-year-old Djokovic was criticised by players and pundits for pulling out of his quarter-final when trailing American Andy Roddick on a day of extreme heat, having earned a reputation for retiring when the going got tough.

NOVAK 2.0. Novak Djokovic is a lot better, and more resilient to weather.

THE NEW TEEN QUEENS. Belinda Bencic (top) and Eugenie Bouchard (below).

roofs were closed, Maria Sharapova’s match on Rod Laver Arena continued in the full glare of the sun for 50 minutes after the Extreme Heat Policy was enacted. The third seed eventually finished off Italian Karin Knapp 6-3 4-6 10-8 to reach the third round. “I remember being really close to passing out but I’m feeling much better now,” Sharapova said in a courtside interview. “I think I’m just getting numb to it.” With forecast highs of 44 degrees Celsius, another day of suffocating heat at the year’s first grand slam was guaranteed to keep the debate on whether play should continue rumbling on. American Varvara Lepchenko clearly struggled in the heat in the first match on court eight, which she lost 4-6 6-0 6-1 to Romanian Simona Halep. “I think they definitely should have not started the matches at first place,” Lepchenko said. “I think they should have started the matches after the temperature cooled down a little bit because this is just too much.

‘Teen Queens’emerging M

ELBOURNE (Reuters) - When Martina Hingis was busy winning grand slam titles in the late 1990s, it seemed like teenage stars were ten a penny in the women’s game. Fast-forward to 2014 and it is now eight years since a teenager won a grand slam title, when Maria Sharapova the U.S. Open at 19. Since then, only three teenagers - Sharapova at the Australian Open in 2007, Ana Ivanovic at the French Open the same year and Caroline Wozniacki at the U.S. Open in 2009 - have even made it to a grand slam final. More promising teenagers have bitten the dust in the first two rounds of the Australian Open but there are signs that youth may be coming of age. Five teenagers ended last year inside the world’s top 50, led by number 12 Sloane Stephens, and the sight of 16-year-old Belinda Bencic pushing world number four Li Na hard on Wednesday suggests big things for her future. Having won through qualifying, she looked overwhelmed as she lost the first

set but took Li to a tiebreak in the second before going down 6-0 7-6, impressing the Chinese in the process. “She played exactly like Martina Hingis, I feel,” said Li, a compliment Bencic is yet to tire of hearing. “She gave me a very tough time at the end of the second set.” A junior champion in Paris and Wimbledon last year, Switzerland’s Bencic already has 11 sponsors, including Rolex, and is coached by Martina Hingis’s mother, Melanie Molitor. Like all juniors, Bencic is restricted in the number of WTA events she can play, a rule designed to avoid the burnout that affected the sport in the 1980s and 1990s. BEST PERFORMANCE A 16-year-old is usually restricted to 12 events on the WTA Tour, but by reaching two junior grand slam finals (she won them both) and finishing in the top five of the junior rankings, she can add three events, making a total of 15. “It’s not frustrating now,” she told reporters, referring to the restrictions. “It’s OK, because I get three extra tournaments. “I think I showed also in

qualifying I can beat players and also some people in the main draw. It’s great I had this experience at the age of 16.” Eugenie Bouchard, who turns 20 next month, saw off Virginie Razzano of France 6-2 7-6 to reach the third round, clinching victory on her seventh match point to equal her best grand slam performance to date. The Canadian, a former Wimbledon junior champion, is developing a large following wherever she goes and was given a cuddly koala by one of her fans after the match. Seeded for the first time at a grand slam, Bouchard admitted that breaking through at grand slam level is far from easy. “It think it’s still really tough,” she told reporters. “There are some of us who are kind of breaking through a little bit but we still have a lot of tough moments. “I think the older, experienced players are still dominating but as time goes on, I think I’ll do better. “I’ve gained experience in the past year and hopefully I can start doing better right away.”

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EDGEDAVAO EVENT

Blue Knight night

Ateneo de Davao’s Grand Alumni Homecoming IT was a night for the Ateneo de Davao record books as more than 1,300 Blue Knights attend the Ateneo de Davao Grand Alumni Homecoming at the SMX Convention Center last December 30, 2013. Hosted by Ateneo de Davao High School Batch ‘88 Silver Jubilarians hand-in-hand with the Batch ‘63 Golden Jubilarians, it was a party to worth remembering. In attendance were Ateneo de Davao President Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ., Ateneo de Davao High School Principal Fr. Michael Pineda as well as Ateneo de Davao’s teachers and the various batch representatives of Ateneo de Davao High School who were there to attend and support the event.

FBLUE, A4

Photos by Silvia Gomez-Gempesaw

The evening also witnessed the return of the Blue Knight Excellence Award which is an award by Ateneo de Davao High School bestowed upon an individual whose per-

A2 INdulge! UP AND ABOUT

CEB partners with PDOT for Bangon Tours THE first airline partner of Bangon Tours, CEB mounted humanitarian flights for stranded passengers in Tacloban and transported cargo to aid victims of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). It remains committed to assist in rehabilitation and tourism efforts with the launch of a special Bangon Tour seat sale in the coming weeks, promoting travel within the Philippines in its marketing materials. The Bangon Tours Project is an initiative of the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board. This project is in line with the government’s recovery and rebuilding efforts for the victims and survivors of calamities through the promotion of domestic tourism. It is an invitation to the Filipino market to travel within the Philippines during the holiday period (December to February), visit fun destinations, and participate in rebuilding efforts. Some of the areas featured for Bangon Tours include Ilocos, Manila-Tagaytay, Puerto Princesa, Bicol, Cebu, Davao, Bohol, Iloilo, Boracay, Siargao, and Cagayan de Oro-Camiguin. For more information about the Bangon Tours, email bangontours@tpb.gov.ph

Domingo Ramon C .Enerio III, Chief Operating Officer-Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) together with Candice Iyog, VicePresident for Marketing and Distribution-Cebu Pacific Air (CEB), shake hands after signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in support of Bangon Tours, a project of the TPB – the marketing arm of the Philippines Department of Tourism (PDOT). The signing was held last 6 January 2013 at the Cebu Pacific’s Airline Operations Center in Pasay City.

International jazz scene’s finest artists gather for Jazzfest 2014, a benefit concert for storm victims THIS year, the jazz scene’s brightest stars will be coming together in a night filled with the finest music, which will also be a benefit concert titled “Heal Our Land,” set to be mounted at the Mall of Asia Arena on January 31, 2014. ‘”Heal Our Land” is produced by All That Jazz Promotions, Inc., with the support of ABS-CBN, Lifestyle Network, and other partners. With explosive talents taking on one stage, it is set to be the most star-studded Jazzfest yet, unique in that it will be led by pianist David Benoit and singers David Pack and Kevyn Lettau, with keyboardist Brian Simpson, American saxophonist and singer Jessy J, percussionist Richie “Gajate” Garcia, and guitarist-singers Ray Parker, Jr. and Jonathan Butler, whose song has inspired this concert’s title. Also joining “Heal Our Land” are Filipino-American saxophonist Michael Paulo, pianist-singer-songwriter Spencer Day, pianist Gregg Karukas—and Freddie Schreuders, Eric Valentine, and Nate Phillips of the LA All-Star Band. Some of today’s local talents will also be joining the Jazzfest, including host Billy Crawford, Sitti, Side A, South Border, Free Style, Mulatto, Bituin Escalante, Zoo, True Faith, Chad Borja, and recent “voice of the Philippines” contender Thor Dulay. The concert will be directed by the Philippines’ own Bert de Leon. All the participating artists in “Heal Our Land” chose to generously wave their fees for this concert, directing proceeds to the relief efforts of ABS-CBN’s Sagip Kapamilya and Gawad Kalinga projects. Tickets are available at SM Tickets. For more information, please contact 470-2222 or visit www.smtickets .net.

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Endless opportunities with cents and scents

A fashionable getup is never complete without a spritz of eu de toilette or a light splash of cologne. The whiff of flowers, fruits and wood create an aura of mystique, energy or excitement that is sure to make one’s day great.

There are literally thousands of different scents in the market but what if you can make your own signature scent using your own favourite essential oils and essences? You can now thanks to the opening of Chemworld Fragrance Factory which holds a perfume making seminar every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at their newly opened Davao store located at the second level of SM City Davao. Already a known supplier of fragrances online, Chemworld Fragrance Factory is a one-stop-shop when it comes to perfumery and perfumery supplies. From imported essential oils, to pre-mixed versions of popular perfumes, to alcohol bases to even colourful perfume bottles and labels, Chemworld is a budding entrepreneur’s dream with the only limit being one’s creativity. The perfume making seminar costs Php500 which includes the ingredients to be used for the seminar but I would suggest purchasing the starter

The Chemworld Fragrance Factory store at SM City Davao.

Chemworld Fragrance Factory president Fred C. Reyes gives the media a crash course in perfumery. package for Php3,500 which also includes the perfume making seminar as well as four fast selling fragrance oils, a perfume making manual, laboratory

glassware, perfume bottles and excipients which you can use for yourself or actually sell. I really love the idea of having an independent

perfumery and can just imagine the possibilities for spa or hotel owners to formulate their own scent or making scents as gifts, the possibilities are endless.

Bottles in many shapes sizes and colours.

Chemworld Fragrance Factory president Fred Reyes introduces the store’s concept and history.

The staff at their SM City Davao store.

The perfume making starter kit.

Various essential oils.

Alcogel base and containers.

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 216 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 17-18, 2014

ENTERTAINMENT

Wilma Doesnt and Alex Medina join Taste Buddies adventure this Saturday

A new year calls for new outfits. This is the reason why Taste Buddies Solenn Heussaff and Belle Daza go shopping with Alex Medina and Wilma Doesnt at the new Tiendesitas mall this Saturday. The Taste Buddies team this Saturday are off for their outfit-hunting activity which turns into a showdown when they challenge each other to find a workto-gimik (day to night) outfit with only P 1000.00. Also, Alex attempts to prepare classic Pinoy inihaw dishes for the girls at the Claire dela Fuente Grill and Seafood Stall. The whole barkada then visits the Purple Groom shop at the

Pet Village where they try to groom the pet dogs. From shopping to eating to pet care, Taste Buddies

will share how to choose value for money this Saturday at 5:45 PM on GMA News TV.

QUEEN of All Media Kris Aquino remains a Kapamilya as she renewed her contract with ABS-CBN last Tuesday afternoon. “Who would want to leave if you’re with the number one? If it’s not with ABSCBN, I would have gone in a different direction and not in the field of television,” Kris stated. She admitted that she had negotiations with another network, but she cleared that they did not talk about her possible transfer. “I thought of using the revenues from ‘My Little Bossings’ to set-up my own production company,” she explained. Aside from hosting “Kris TV,” she confirmed that she will have an online show that can be viewed via ABSCBNmobile and an upcoming talk show with King of

Talk Boy Abunda. Fans must also watch out for “Kris RealiTV Dubai Adventure.” Present during the contract signing were ABS-CBN business unit head and Kris’ talent manager Deo Endri-

nal, broadcast head Cory Vidanes, chairman Eugenio Lopez III, president and CEO Charo Santos–Concio, and ABS-CBN Convergence president and managing director Carlo Katigbak.

Kris says she always wants to stay with the number one

47 RONIN 2D Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada PG 13

BRIDE FOR RENT 2D

Andi willing to fight for love against all odds Andi Eigenmann said that she is willing to fight for the man she loves, just like her character in the top-rating ABS-CBN series “Galema.” “Loving means taking chances and doing your best for the one you love,” said Andi. “I think the man I love deserves nothing but the best. I’m willing to fight for our love against all odds.” While Andi’s personal life seems to be filled with joy, her role in “Galema: Anak ni Zuma” continues to long for her love Morgan (Matteo Guidicelli) and bear the sufferings caused by her

beastly father, Zuma (Derick Hubalde). How will Galema reveal to her loved ones that she is alive? Will her return solve all problems or will it make her family’s life more miserable? Don’t miss the captivating story of “Galema: Anak ni Zuma,” everyday, after “Kapamilya Blockbusters” in ABS-CBN’s Kapamilya Gold. For more information, visit the show’s official social networking sites at Facebook.com/galemaofficial and Twitter.com/galemaofficial.

12:40 | 3:00 | 5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

Kim Chiu, Xian Lim PG 13

12:00 | 2:30 | 5:00 | 7:30 | 10:00 LFS

GRUDGE MATCH 2D Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone PG 13

12:40 | 3:00 | 5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

R-16 JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT 2D Chris Pine Kevin Costner PG 13

12:00 | 2:00 | 4:00 | 6:00 | 8:00 | 10:00 LFS

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EVENT

Blue...FFROM A1

sonal achievement and community service , best exemplifies the objectives of Ateneo de Davao and this year’s honours were given to Atty. Llewellyn L. Llarillo The party progressed after the awards with a special dance presentation by Ateneo HS Batch ‘63 followed by the homecoming hosts Ateneo HS Batch ‘88 with their production number featuring songs from the 80’s and 90’s. The party mood remained high thanks to old fashioned rock and roll performed by RJ Jacinto as well as dance music spun by DJ Elmer Dado and Gruppo Tribale. Capping of the evening was DJ Jon Tupaz with the best of 80’s club music which had everyone up on their feet dancing to the beat. The Ateneo Grand Alumni Homecoming sponsored together or in part by Globe, HP, San Miguel Beer, AMDG88 Manila Group, Playa Azalea, Viventures, AMDG88 US & Canada Group, United Neon, Prime Billboards, MX3, Corssover 93.1 Davao, and The Royal Mandaya Hotel Davao.

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS 15

VOL. 6 ISSUE 216 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 17-18, 2014

RETURN OF THE GIANT. Greg Oden announces his return to action with a vicius dunk against the Washington Wizards.

TRMH CUP. The Royal Mandaya Hotel executive assistant Jek Melendres explains the TRMH Cup Final Four during yesterday’s DSA Forum at the NCCC B3. Lean Daval Jr.

Another Ravena for Ateneo

Oden returns but Heat tumbles to 3rd straight loss W

ASHINGTON (AP) -- Raise your hand if you had Greg Oden as the Miami Heat MVP. Or if you had any inkling the Washington Wizards were capable of taking a 34-point lead against the two-time defending champs. Or if you thought LeBron James and Co. would follow a White House visit by dropping their third straight against the heart of the middling Eastern Conference. Oden played his first game in more than four years Wednesday night, and that might have been the only positive for the Heat. He played all of 8 minutes, 24 seconds and made a pair of dunks to help start a rally that had loads of promise until it fell flat in the fourth quarter of a 114-97 loss to the Wizards on Wednesday

night. ‘’They came here, whatever. Went to the White House, whatever,’’ Wizards forward Nene said. ‘’We just came here to play.’’ John Wall scored 25 points, and Bradley Beal and Nene had 19 apiece to lead seven players in double figures for the Wizards, who had their lead cut to nine before closing with a 17-9 run. They had dropped seven of eight at the Verizon Center, having blown a fourth-quarter lead to the Houston Rockets on Saturday in a game twice delayed because water was leaking onto the court through a hole in the roof. Chris Bosh scored 26 points, and James had 25 for the Heat, who had been off since Friday and therefore had time to be

feted by President Barack Obama on Tuesday for winning a second consecutive NBA title. For one half, the Wizards made Miami look like a team that will never again be invited to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington went on a 20-0 run in the first quarter. James had three of the Heat’s six first-quarter turnovers. The Wizards, with their first sellout crowd of the season, taunted the Heat fans in attendance with the ‘’Bandwagon Cam’’ that mocked those wearing the visitor’s colors. Washington didn’t even commit a foul until the 8:48 mark of the second quarter. ‘’They was playing at another speed,’’ James said. ‘’They was playing at, like, 15 and we was

playing at, like, seven.’’ James paused, then corrected himself. ‘’Don’t even gonna give us that much of a credit,’’ he added. ‘’We was playing at, like, five.’’ James said he even lost his voice during the second or third quarter. He was still hoarse after the game. ‘’We love adversity more than anything. We’re definitely at that point,’’ he said with a smile as his voice cracked. ‘’As you can tell, my damn voice is gone. I gotta try to find it, too.’’ At least the Heat found Oden, who stepped onto the court for his first regular-season game since Dec. 5, 2009. He scored six points, going 2 for 3 from the field with a pair of dunks. He made both of his free throws and grabbed two rebounds.

HE Ravenas have finally decided that they won’t do a Teng. Thirdy Ravena expressed his decision to join his brother Kiefer as the Ateneo Blue Eagles seek to bounce back after missing the Final Four during the last UAAP season. The incoming freshman announced his decision to join his brother with the Blue Eagles through Twitter. “Of course I’m very happy we’ll be together, playing for the same team. I’m happier for my parents because I know they’re excited to see us as teammates,” Kiefer told Yahoo Sports Philippines through SMS. “Who knows this might be a once in a lifetime chance that we’ll be on the same team so I’m very happy that it will actually happen.” Jeron and Jeric Teng captivated the basketball-crazy country with their rivalry that reached the finals of the UAAP. They became household names in a short span and they are now enjoying the fruits

of their labor with multiple endorsements. The Ravenas could have done things using the Tengs’ blueprint but they figured that playing alongside each other was more important. Thirdy is the reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player of the Juniors Division. They lost to the National University Bullpups in the finals. He averaged 18.7 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, even notching triple-doubles, en route to winning the individual award that his older brother failed to win. The Ateneo Blue Eagles are currently re-tooling after their five-year UAAP reign was ended without them getting a chance to defend it in the finals. They lost Ryan Buenafe, Frank Golla, and Poy Erram to graduation but the UAAP Juniors MVP will surely plug a lot of holes in Ateneo’s line-up. Ateneo also hired Ricky Dandan and Ronnie Magsanoc to be head coach Bo Perasol’s assistants.

DABAWENYO PRIDE. PJ Simon of San Mig Coffee shoots one over Alex Cabagnot and Doug Kramer of Petron in the PBA Philippine Cup match won by the Mixers. Nuki Sabio

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

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SAME OLD WOES

No funding for Batang Pinoy, athletes scamper for sponsors

AME old woes are still bugging sports in Davao City—lack of sports facility, no funding. After bragging of a fat P25-million 2014 budget only last week, the City Sports Development Office has cancelled the participation of the Davao City delegation, the reigning Mindanao Batang Pinoy champions, to the Batang Pinoy National Finals on January 28-Feb. 1 in Bacolod City. The Batang Pinoy Nationals, the national sports competition for athletes aged 15 years old and below, is originally scheduled in November last year but was postponed due to the devastation of typhoon Yolanda. Last week, William “Butch” Ramirez, former Philippine Sports Commission chairman and now the city’s sports czar, announced that his office boasts of a P25-million war chest for the year 2014 which he said will fund four key sports focus areas including the participation to the Batang Pinoy Mindanao qualifiers and Batang Pinoy National Finals.

All of a sudden, the office decided not to send any athlete to the National Finals in Bacolod City. Without any funding, the city’s participation was scrapped. Originally, the city allocated P1.5 million to fund the participation of athletes going to Bacolod City. CSDO spokesperson Charles Raymon Maxey told EDGE Davao yesterday that the P1.5 million budget that was supposed to fund the city’s participation in the 2013 Batang Pinoy National Finals comes from the City Mayor’s Office and not the budget of their office. “It was the discretion of the Mayor where to spend the budget,” Maxey said. Yesterday, a father-coach of a promising chess player and the coach of the cycling team bewailed the cancellation of the city’s participation but nonetheless decided to go to Bacolod on their own initiatives. Alfred Moulic, father-coach of Ella Grace Moulic, said he asked the help of his daughter’s school Holy Cross of Davao which is funding her participation along

with Tahseen Saludsong. Two other chess players are competing with their school’s funding-- Jose Maria College’s Bhing Joel and Joerlz Gimony. “We asked for funding pero wala talaga. We wanted to request if some personnel of the sports office can come with us to assist us there. Di pa namin alam kung meron,” Moulic told EDGE Davao in yesterday’s DSA Forum at NCCC B3 where his daughter and Saludsong guested. Also competing on sponsor’s funding are young cyclists Brylle

Chavez Cocjin and Jayson Caceres who will be funded by manager Jovita Tan and coached by Salvador “Jun” Paholio, Jr. Paholio said Tan spent for the two cyclists’ participation and bought them their road bikes. Maxey said their office is planning to send a representative from the Department of Education. “ W e cannot find a n y

sources (of funds) since this is another calendar year. However, we have budget for this year’s Mindanao eliminations and national finals,” he said. The Davao City athletes ruled the 2013 Mindanao eliminations of the Batang Pinoy in Tagum City. The enormous budget require-

ment needed to bring athletes to the National Finals forced the city sports office to send only the gold medalists on a P1.5 million budget. However, the Nationals got stalled with the supervening events. Another problem plaguing the athletes are training facilities which are rarely available unlike in Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur which now boasts of world-class facilities.

ON THEIR OWN. Chess standuts Ella Grace Moulic (right) and Tahseen Saludsong of Holy Cross of Davao College, talk about their chances in the Batang Pinoy National Finals in Bacolod City during yesterday’s DSA Forum at NCCC B3. Lean Daval Jr.