Edge Davao 6 Issue 237

VOL. 6 ISSUE 237 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16-17, 2014

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

VILLAGE

CHIEFS’ PROFILE Most are first-termers, mature, and educated

2 ON THE COVER EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 237 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16-17, 2014

VILLAGE CHIEFS’ PROFILE Most are first-termers, mature, and educated

By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR and ANTONIO M. AJERO

D

AVAO City’s 182 barangay captains who were elected last October are mostly college graduates and majority of them are serving their first term.

More than half of the village chiefs—a total of 95 ( 52.52 percent) -- are aged between 50 and 59 years old; 65 (or 35.7 percent) are aged 40-49; 23 (12.6 percent) aged 60-69. A number of the barangay captains are still in their 20’s and 30’s, while three are in the 70’s.

The youngest is Ivy Lumandas, 22, barangay captain of barangay Dominga of Calinan District.

The oldest of them all is Edgar Millondaga, 76, of Barangay 22 of Poblacion.

Lumandas, who is still single, was an office clerk of Alpha Furniture and Appliances Showroom before she

Danillo Camarillo entered barangay politics.

Millondaga was a retired porter in the Davao port. He started his political career as barangay kagawad in 1982.

It is his third term as village chief.

Lumandas is a graduate of bachelor of science degree in business management.

Still, she said people tended to underestimate her capability because of her youth. In the end, she was able to over-

Editha Erno

Ivy lumandas

Nilo Forro

Jupiter Jorgio

Paulino Tinoy

Rogelio Nocom

Rin Celeste ment to avoid ending up in trial court.

“A punong barangays is responsible for everything that happens in the barangay because he/she is the ‘mayor’ in the barangay and has influence and is supposed to know the rudiments of leadership,” Limbaro said.

He added that those who are elected with less academic preparation should realize that being a public official cannot skip responsibility nor excuse themselves for having no background on the responsibilities of a punong barangay.

Davao City has 112 firstterm punong barangays, 38 second termers, and 32 third termers.

The city has three districts. The first district is composed of 54 barangays, 29 of whose punong barangay are first termers; the second district has 46 barangays, 26 of whose punong barangays are first timers; the third district has 82 barangays, 48 of whose punong barangays are first termers. namely, They joined barangay politics after serving three consecutive terms in the city council, a limit set by law which allows them to run again for the same post after a hiatus of three years.

Davao Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte’s daughter-in-law, Catalunan Grande barangay captain January Duterte, is the newly-elected president of the Liga ng Punong Barangay. She will be representing the 182 punong barangays in the city council.

The DILG has ongoing

come this and won over her lone opponent, 504-268.

Ivy is a daughter of the barangay captain who had served for three terms.

She said she wants to fulfill her promise during the election campaign to continue the development of, and peace and order, in her barangay. She wants to empower the youth and give importance to them so that they will not get involved in illegal activities while she will initiate a livelihood program for the women.

Meanwhile, Millondaga claimed that the people keep on electing him because they know he loves his job and has a varied experience to help him lead the people of his barangay.

This interesting profile of barangay captains surfaced in a study made by Edge Davao in collaboration with the office of the Davao City Director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The barangay, formerly called barrio, is the smallest local government unit in our country. The barangay government serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of government

policies, plans, programs, projects, and activities in the community, and as a forum, as stated in the Local Government Code.

Thus, it is necessary that an elected punong barangay, the highest elected official in the barangay, should possess a basic knowledge on running a government institution, although the Philippine Constitution does not require it, according to DILG city director Merilo Q. Limbaro. Limbaro, who has been in public service for 31 years now.

He, however, said that the position of punong barangay doesn’t require a high academic qualification.

COMELEC Resolution No. 9740 Section 2 states that punong barangay and sangguniang barangay kagawad candidates must be: Filipino citizens; at least 18 years old on election day; able to read and write Filipino or any local language or dialect; and are registered voters of the barangay where they intend to run for office, and residents thereof for at least one year immediately preceding the day of the election.

However, Limbaro said punong barangays who are

Danny Apostol

Nelia Tumabang

January Duterte

Angela Librado

George Culaste

Antonio Guatno

Eduardo Millondaga

Rolando Trajera

academically prepared are highly trainable, as far as governance and leadership are concerned.

“We are not belittling people who don’t have a high educational background, but academic preparation can make a difference and are better than in those who don’t have it,” he said.

Of the 182 elected punong barangays in Davao City, 138, or 76 percent, are college graduates. Of these, two are lawyers, three engineers and five retired officers either of the Philippine National Police or of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Four of the elected village chiefs are former members of the Davao City Council.

The four, who have all served at least three terms as councilors, are Angela “Angging” Librado- Trinidad of Matina-Crossing, Wilberto “Nonoy” Al-ag of Bangkas Heights, Arnulfo Cabling of Ilang and Dante Apostol of Panacan.

Trinidad and Cabling are lawyers.

He said that punong barangays should also learn to mediate cases for the possibility of bringing complainants into amicable settle-

FVILLAGE, 6

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 237 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16-17, 2014

THE BIG NEWS

3

More investors eye to locate in Samal

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

T ONE BILLION RISING. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte addresses the participants of One Billion Rising for Justice, a Valentine’s Day peaceful protest against social injustice, poverty and corruption at Rizal Park along San Pedro Street, Davao City last Friday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

crc@edgedavao.net

HE favorable business climate in Samal Island continues to attract interest of potential investors.

Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) city administrator Cleto Bravo Gales, Jr. bared that there are at least 24 investors who are now scouting the 30, 130-hectare city for possible business endeavors.

Gales said that 13 out of 24 investors are scouting areas for establishment of high-end subdivisions.

Among the existing high-end subdivisions and resorts in Samal are Peal Farm, Island Buenavista, Island Hills, Playa Azaleya of Landco, Kembali Coast of Filinvest, Uraya Land, Ocen View, Secdea, and Marina.

Already in the pipeline is the construction of a 70100 hectares of golf course being developed in Guilon, Samal District by a Korean firm Good Morning Corporation.

Another is the Caputian

ing rally last Friday, Duterte said he will castigate men who abuse women.

“You have to treat wom-

an with dignity... You treat the woman as if like your mother,” he said.

FMORE, 6

Woman, 60, charged Rody: ‘We will protect women’ with illegal detention D A

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. abf@edgedavao.net

By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR epc@edgedavao.net

60-year-old woman, an ex-convict, who took with her a 2-year old girl last Monday and returned her on Thursday night, has been charged with serious illegal detention, a Davao fiscal said.

Prosecutor Jarel Sanchez, who is in charge of the case filed against Judith Antero of Ruiz Village, Agdao, recommended no bail.

Antero took the 2-yearold daughter of Erika Campaňa, 25, while playing out-

side cellphone shop at the Gaisano Mall of Davao at about 3:30 p.m.

Sanchez says Antero may be suffering from a mental problem following her release after serving time in prison for killing her husband.

Sanchez added that Antero was abandoned by her children after the death of her husband and lived by herself.

Antero left the todFWOMAN, 6

N order to ensure efficient and effective importation of motor vehicles, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has revised all Rules and Regulations on the Accreditation and Stock Reporting of Manufacturers, Assemblers, Importers, Rebuilders, Dealers and Other Entities (MAIRDOEs) authorized to import motor vehicles and/or components.

This is under Administrative Order No. AVT-201423, which was published last Jan. 24 and took effect on Feb. 9, 2014.

“This is part of our reform program at the LTO to improve our services, streamline processes, and curb corrupt or illicit practices. This will benefit stakeholders in the automotive industry, which we hope will translate into faster and better services to the general public,” said LTO Assistant Secretary Alfonso Tan Jr. Aside from providing a more detailed and orga-

nized structure of the process, the new AO eliminates unnecessary steps which could be sources of delays, particularly in stock reporting, which will be done by the applicants themselves.

The current reporting system requires accredited manufacturers, assemblers, importers and rebuilders of both brand-new and second-hand motor vehicles to submit an accurate monthly stocks/sales report to the LTO Registration Section, after which LTO personnel will check, encode and approve the reports.

The required documents include a soft and hard copy of the stock report, a stencil of engine and chassis, a Certificate of Payment from the Bureau of Customs and a Certificate of Conformity from the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources for brand-new vehicles.

Meanwhile, second-hand vehicles and parts are required to subFLTO, 6

LTOstreamlinesmotor vehicleimportprocess I

AVAO City mayo Rodrigo R. Duterte has reiterated his commitment to uphold and pro-

tect the rights and welfare of women.

In a speech delivered during the One Billion Ris-

FRODY, 6

4 NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 237 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16-17, 2014

VALENTINE’S DAY

Cops kill 2 holduppers

By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR

T

epc@edgedavao.net

WO persons allegedly responsible for a series of hold-ups in Tugbok district, Davao City, were shot dead in a shootout with responding policemen in Purok 4 Barangay Angalan at about 6:20 p.m. on Valentine’s Day. P/Chief Inspector Ariel B. Acala, station commander of the Tugbok police, identified one of the duo as Rolando Panes, 44, of NHA Bangkal, but the

other fatality remains unidentified Police recovered two handguns, a .38 revolver and a .9mm pistol along with ammunition, at the scene of the shootout.

Acala said they immediately conducted hot pursuit operation after one Grace Murillo, 42, owner of a sari-sari store in Purok 4, Sitio Naming, Barangay Angalan, Tugbok reported to the police that she was held up by the two

at about 5:45 p.m. and fled aboard a motorcycle with the P2,000 they took from Murillo.

Members of the police immediately blocked the possible exit points of the robbers which resulted to the shootout.

Police suspect that the robbers were responsible for the recent holdup of a delivery van and carted P18,000 in Barangay Angalan in Tugbok last February 12.

Carvalho, in a statement, said that millions of Filipinos still require urgent assistance to rebuild their lives and livelihood and ensure that the gains made thus far are not rolled back as devastated communities begin the difficult process of recovery.

As she commended those who have already helped the typhoon victims, the UN official said

that they could not afford to be complacent.

“The need for durable shelter for millions of people whose homes were damaged or destroyed is critical. Millions of livelihoods were similarly destroyed or impaired when the typhoon tore down or damaged 33 million coconut trees, flooded fields with salt water and took away or wrecked 30,000

that the nearest hospital or blood center is 10 km away,” Department of Health 11 regional director Abdullah B. Dumama, Jr. said.

He said that the current MMR in the region is 97

per 100,000 live births.

Under the Millennium Development Goal (MGD), the global sets of targets for reducing poverty, the Philippines must lower the maternal mortality rate to

UN asks for more assistance for PHL typhoon survivors

FAMILY BONDING. A family spends meaningful time together at the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague Shrine in Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao City a day after Valentine’s Day. It is believed that family bonding has beneficial effects to children as it helps them behave and exhibit better social skills. Lean Daval Jr.

A

S the Philippines marks on Sunday the 100 days of Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda), which ravaged the country on Nov. 8, the United Nations (UN) on Saturday called for more support to rebuild the lives of millions of victims in the devastated areas.

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Philippines Luiza

FUN, 6

Guiangan folk urged FAILURETO MEET MDG to seek city assistance Maternal mortality remains high T M

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. abf@edgedavao.net

EMBERS of the Guiangan community who have been ejected by a religious group in sitio Diolo, barangay Manuel Guianga are urged to seek assistance from the city government.

“They can bring the matter here sa city council naa man ng kometiba diha ni councilor (Karlo) Bello,” said Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte, adding that an investigation

would be conducted soon after it will officially reach the city council.

He said that they will exert their best effort in knowing the real owner of the piece of land which was inhabited by the tribe but is allegedly claimed by Jesus Christ Cooperative.

Duterte said that they will do what is right since it is their job as tribal leaders alleged that the per-

By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

HE absence of medical facilities particularly in far flung communities forces expectant pregnant women to deliver at homes without the care and assistance of trained health professionals.

This sorry condition contributes to the failure of the region to meet the goal at dramatically reducing the rate of maternal mortality rate (MMR).

“Pinipilit nilang sa bahay muna as they realized

FMATERNAL, 6

FGUIANGAN, 6

GPH-MILF talks trigger surge in ARMM investments--exec

I

NVESTMENTS registered in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) breached the P1 billion mark barely two months into 2014, with the growing investors’ confidence attributed to the strides in the peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

In a statement, the Regional Board of Invest-

ments (RBOI) in the ARMM said it has approved the registration of a record P1.451 billion worth of investments in the area in a meeting last Thursday in Zamboanga City.

Throughout 2013, the investments registered with the RBOI reached P1.463 billion, which are almost the investments registered so far for this year.

“This is the first time

MAINTENANCE. Cable company linemen are installing fiber optic lines along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City yesterday as part of the company’s maintenance

FGPH, 6 and rehabilitation project to meet the needs of the city’s fast growing population. Lean Daval Jr.

5 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 237 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16-17, 2014

Tourist arrivals in R-12 up 18% in 2013 T

OURIST arrivals in Region 12 or the Soccsksargen Region increased by about 18 percent last year with a marked improvement in the region’s peace and order condition.

Nelly Nita Dillera, Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 12 director, said Friday their records showed that a total of 345,328 foreign and domestic tourists visited various attractions within the region’s four provinces and five cities from January to December 2013.

She said such figure was up by nearly 62,000 compared to the recorded arrivals in 2012, which reached 283,502.

“These are visitors or tourists who spent at least a night and were accommodated in various resorts and hotels within the region,” she said in a statement.

Region 12 comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

Dillera said this city

posted the biggest number of visitors last year with around 103,000 or 30 percent of the recorded tourist arrivals.

She said it was followed

by Cotabato City with 62,521 or 18 percent; South Cotabato with 58,705 or 17 percent; Kidapawan City with 44,892 or 13 percent; Koronadal City with around 31,000 or nine percent; Sarangani with 17,266 or five percent; and, Cotabato Province and Tacurong City with nearly 14,000 or four percent each.

Sultan Kudarat province failed to report their tourist arrivals for last year, she said.

In terms of foreign tourists, Dillera said a total of 11,858 visited the region in 2013 and mostly came from the United States, Korea, Canada, Australia and Papua New Guinea.

The official said they also recorded a total of 471,980 day tourists or visitors who opted to go home or stay in accommodation facilities based outside the region.

She said North Cotabato accounts for the bulk of the day tourists at 44 per-

STATE-OF-THE-ART. Department of Health (DOH) 11 director Dr. Abdullah B. Dumama Jr. (3rd from left) and Dr. Maribina T. Lim (3rd from right), head of Brokenshire Memorial Hospital (BMH) Ultrasound Unit, together with Rev. Dr. Ruben L. Dela Cruz (2nd from right), chief executive officer of Brokenshire Integrated Health Ministries, Inc. (BIHMI), Dr. Rosemarie F. Buenaventura (ext. right), chairperson of BMH OB-Gyne Department, Dr. Edgar B. Remiterre (ext. left), BMH medical director, and Engr. Edwin G Juit, BMH administrator, lead the cutting of ribbon and unveiling of two state-of-the-art ultrasound machines held at Brokenshire Women Center in Madapo Hills, Davao City last Friday. Lean Daval Jr. cent, followed by Sarangani at 38 percent, South Cotabato at 12 percent and Tacurong City at six percent.

Dillera said among the most visited tourist attractions by the day tourists were the New Israel Eco-Adventure Park and

Asik-Asik Falls in North Cotabato; Gumasa beach resorts, Maitum river tubing, dive and paragliding spots in Sarangani Province;

Lake Sebu and Mt. Matutum Eco-Park in South Cotabato; and, the Baras Bird Sanctuary in Tacurong City.

[MindaNews]

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mit a stock report, a stencil for engine and chassis and a BOC Certificate of Payment.

With the new system aimed to be implemented beginning on Feb. 24, 2014, authorized representatives of accredited manufacturers will be the ones to encode reports and scan stencil images directly to the LTO-CSR Processing Room which will be uploaded into the system.

If the stocks validation is correct, a transaction summary will be generated together with the Transaction ID and Payment Order Slip which will be printed by the representative.

The representative can easily proceed to the LTO Collection Unit for payment and the Certificate of Stock Reported will be printed at the CSR Processing Room — expediting the process to one to three days — depending on the volume of transactions.

For invalid reports, the transaction will be voided and the representative will be advised to coordinate with the BOC to rectify the discrepancy.

The LTO says this will

eliminate red tape in the agency because the approval of stock reports is not relied on the LTO employee but solely on the authorized representative of the manufacturers, assemblers, importers and rebuilders.

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. welcomes the new accreditation and reporting system.

“The do-it-yourself system will be beneficial to the industry in terms of faster processing time, especially in the light of the continued strong demand for vehicle products,” said CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez.

The Philippine Automotive Association says the new AO has been debated upon in the past LTO leaderships and is long overdue.

“The new project will further reduce the registration period. We may have some problems during its early implementation but if properly implemented and all will cooperate, we don’t see any reason why this program will not succeed.” said Benjie Guererro of PAA. [PNA]

Beach Resort, a 6-hectare land development being developed in Talikod, Samal.

Aside from high-end investments, he also cited the “mushrooming of pawnshops and lending institutions in the island” which he described as an indicator of economic growth in the city.

“This means that

there’s money circulating in the island’s economy” Gales said, adding that there are more than a dozen financial institutions and pawnshops operating in Samal.

He said many gasoline stations are operating the city which also hosts many established businesses Mecury Drug and Goldilocks.

Duterte said that he wants equality to always prevail in the city regardless of gender or age.

He also encouraged the victims of violence not to hesitate to report the case to the police or any local authority.

Earlier, Lorna Mandin, officer-in-charge of Integrated Gender and Development Division (IGDD) said that Davao City is the only city which has an institutionalized women and gender development office.

The office caters violence against women and children (VAWC) cases in the city.

The IGDD already recorded 5,313 VAWC cases since 2004 and 2013 has

the higher record of 1,041 cases.

In 2013, economic abused toped on the VAWC cases which had 567 cases or 54.47 percent of for the period of January 1 to December 2013. Followed by physical abuse with 143 cases, psychological abuse 123, marital infidelity 117, threats 30, seven rape cases, four sexual abuse, three sexual harassment, and one abandonment.

The office also recorded other cases, such as child custody which has 20 cases, six for visitation rights, three cases of separation of property, and two for child abuse. There 15 alleged victims who sought legal advice.

dler at Conching’s Chicken House along Mabini extension last Thursday night.

She denied she kidnapped the toddler, admitting to have taken a liking for the child and kept her

for a few days, unable to contact the parents.

She said she took along with her wherever she went, and even cut her long hair because the child kept scratching her head.

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seminars and trainings for incumbent barangay officials.

Limbaro said the trainings allow barangay officers to be informed of their responsibilities and enhance their skills in dealing with peace and order and local legislation issues.

National agencies will also

conduct trainings for them on budgeting, development and planning.

“They have to learn their trade while on the job while they are serving the people. Dili man kinahanglan nga bright gyud,” Limbaro said.

He, however, has ob-

served that politics in this country does not always make voters look at candidates’ academic preparation but most often its about matters on family ties, friendship and debt of gratitude (utang na loob).

Barangay officials are compensated in the form of

honorarium at an amount not less than P1,000 per month for the punong barangay and P600 each per month per sangguniang barangay member, barangay treasurer and barangay secretary, according to the Local Government Code of 1991.

that investments in the ARMM reached more than P1 billion year-on-year,” lawyer Ishak Mastura, RBOI chairperson, said in the statement.

He projected that investments in the area could hit P2 billion until the end of 2014.

The strong surge in investment in the ARMM comes in the wake of the signing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last month of the Annex on Normalization, the last of the four annexes to the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro (FAB), according to the statement.

Agreed by the GPH and MILF peace panels on October 15, 2012, the FAB consists also of the annexes on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities, Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing, and Power Sharing. The parties signed the three annexes last year in Malaysia, the third party facilitator.

The FAB and the four annexes will compose the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the final peace deal between the GPH and the MILF. In Buluan, Maguindanao last week, Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita Quintos Deles said that the peace panels are ready to sign the CAB likely by early March.

She noted that President Benigno Aquino III wants the Bangsamoro Basic Law, which is being drafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, to be finished by March 31 so he can submit it then to Congress as a priority bill.

“We’ve come this far so let us all support this peace process. The negotiations were difficult in adherence to the order of the President to learn from the lessons of the past and that everything must be within the ambit of the constitution,” Deles said.

“The important thing on the part of the government during the negotiations was that it was guided by the principle not to make promises it cannot deliver politically, economically and culturally,” she said.

Mastura said that the new investments are from local investors, who are registering with the RBOI “because of their increased confidence in the improving peace and order situation in the area, brought about mainly by the success of the GPH-MILF peace negotiations.”

“We are actually getting more inquiries about how to invest in the ARMM than is usual from foreign companies,” he added.

With barely two months into 2014, the RBOI registered the P921.56 million biomass energy project of Lamsam Power Corp. in Sultan Kudarat Maguindanao; the P520 million nickel ore mining project of SR Languyan Mining Corp. in

Languyan, Tawi-tawi; and the P10 million import and export trading business of ABSCOR Multi-Trading Co. in Maluso, Basilan.

President Aquino, who was in Davao City last Wednesday as keynote speaker for the 2nd ARMM LGU Summit on Governance and Development, has projected a rosy economy for the new Bangsamoro region once it is established.

“Nananabik na po tayo sa araw na maipasa na ang Bangsamoro Basic Law, upang tuluyan na ngang mabuksan ang bagong kabanata ng kasaysayan sa Muslim Mindanao (We are excited to have the Bangsamoro Basic Law passed so that a new chapter will finally unfold in the history of Muslim Mindanao),” he said.

The ARMM will be abolished once the Bangsamoro Basic Law gets the approval of Congress and ratified in a plebiscite. [MindaNews]

son behind the reported harassment is their close family friend of Dutertes.

“Kung naa kay mali nga nabuhat atong buhatan og paagi pud na nag imong mali na nabuhat maaksyonan og tarong kay trabaho namo na dili kay tungod na close sa

mga Duterte, ” he said.

Last month, 64 members of the tribe were allegedly forced to vacate their homes as about 40 members and workers of Jesus Christ Cooperative allegedly harassed them to reclaim the land.

Chief Inspector Ariel

Acala, station commander of Tugbok police, said that 19 families evacuated to Sitio Kahusayan where other tribe is staying.

Acala said that the cooperative claims the place had been abandoned and denied allega-

tions of the tribe. He suggested the intervention of National Commission of Indigenous People (NCIP) as it involves the right of Indigenous People. The tribe claimed that the land which was allegedly grabbed were their ancestral domain.

52 per 100,000 live births by 2015.

“Most of them die because of heavy bleeding,” Dumama said in an interview during the blessing of the two new ultrasound units of Brokenshire Hospital last Friday, adding that the province of Compostella Valley holds the most number of deaths among pregnant women.

He lamented that the poor health services specially in geographically isolated and depressed areas (GIDA) is one of the reasons that causes death.

Aside from heavy bleeding, complication

due to late referrals during birth and even during pregnancy period contributes to the increasing number of maternal deaths in a developing country like the Philippines.

He said that because of poor medical services in GIDA, many pregnant women failed to access quality pre-natal checkups and cannot keep on track their maternal health which may lead to various complications.

In addition, baranggay health centers in isolated areas lack equipment and machineries that can be used for check-ups and

child delivery.

These health facilities are also beset with lack of doctors, trained nurses and midwives.

Dumama said that for this year, the region is “lucky” to have five doctors detailed to the barrios to attend to communities deprived of primary medical services.

The doctors are hired to provide health services in the region’s poorest and most remote barrios and villages.

The five doctors to the barrios are distributed in the whole region: one in Saranggani Island, Davao

del Sur, one in Diwalwal, Monkayo , one for Davao Oriental, and two for Compostella Valley province.

Ideally, each doctor should cater to 20,000 patients but Dumama said that it is impossible to attain the ideal number because not all remote areas are visited in a span of two years.

To help address the issues related to maternal health, Dumama said the DOH is training more midwives and nurses to assist pregnant women and providing affordable medicine and establish health facilities in the barangays.

fishing vessels,” she said.

The Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) for the Philippines is now prioritizing programming for shelter and livelihoods, while continuing to assist the most vulnerable peo-

ple with life-saving assistance and protection services, Carvalho said.

She said the support for the Philippine government’s early recovery efforts was foreseen in the HCT’s Strategic Response

Plan (SRP), which covers the 12 months following the typhoon.

Of the 788 million U.S. dollars required for the SRP, 45 percent has been received, she added.

The typhoon affected

14 million people and destroyed or severely damaged more than a million homes in the Philippines.

It also left at least 6,200 people dead and more than 1,700 missing. [PNA/ Xinhua]

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Aboitiz Power Corporation Therma South Inc. AboitizPower is the holding company for the Aboitiz Group’s investments in power generation, distribution, retail and power services . It is a major producer of renewable energy in the country with several hydroelectric and geothermal assets in its generation portfolio. The non-renewable portfolio consists of plants throughout the country. The distribution utilities it owns and operates are located in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Therma South Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corp and is responsible in building and operating a 300 -MW circulating-fluidized bed coal –fired power plant in Davao City and Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. The power plant will provide reliable, dependable and afforda ble power to the Mindanao grid, while adhering to the AboitizPower’s principles on responsibility to the community and the environment.

STATION MANAGER The Station Manager is responsible for the overall management of the power plant operations, site employees and facilities. This position ensures that the power plant generates electrical power to its optimum capacity in accordance with established systems and procedures.

• Licensed Electrical or Mechanical Engineer, preferably a Professional Electrical Engineer (PEE) or Professional Mechanical Engineer; preferably with MBA • With at least 10 years of relevant experience in a coal power plant generation facility as Power Plant Manager; 5 years of which in supervisory and 5 years in managerial capacity • With strong background in Power Plant Safety and Environmental System • With technical competence in management of a power generation facility, people management, asset and financial performance • Proficient in MS Office • Expected date of start: March 2014 ADMINISTRATION SERVICES MANAGER The position is responsible for the coordination and direction of the support services allowing the operations to operate efficiently. The jobholder performs a broad range of duties in the areas of purchasing and distributing supplies, directing the work of administrative and clerical staff, maintaining the security and safety of the facilities and making sure the organization adheres to government regulations and carries out approved programs for the community.

• College graduate with a degree preferably in behavioral science, business management or engineering • With at least 8 years of relevant experience in providing administrative services, contract administration, facility management, receiving and warehousing, supply, inventory and distribution; 5 years of which in a relevant managerial capacity • Excellent communication skills, people management, analytical, detail-oriented, flexible and decisive.

• Proficient in MS Office • Expected date of start: June 2014 OPERATIONS SHIFT SUPERVISOR The position is responsible for the direct supervision and coordination of the Boiler and Turbine-Generator operations , Balance of Plant and related auxiliaries during the shift following established procedures in the generation.

• Licensed Electrical or Mechanical Engineer • With 5 years of relevant experience in a power plant operations and knowledge of plant maintenance in coal- fired power plant ; 3 years of which in a supervisory role • Strong background in DCS, control room and balance of plant operations, high voltage isolation and switching, Permit-to-Work System and Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) • Highly analytical and excellent coordination skills • Proficient in MS Office • Expected date of start: March 2014 COAL YARD SUPERVISOR The Coal Yard Supervisor is responsible for the direct supervision and coordination of the plant’s coal handling operations during a shift. The position shall ensure that there is reliable and stable supply of specified coal for boiler operations.

• Licensed Electrical or Mechanical Engineer • With 5 years of relevant experience in a coal handling plant operations; 3 year of which in a supervisory role • Highly analytical, with excellent operational planning skills, coordination skills and with good people management • With strong background on Permit-to-Work System and Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) HELPER (BOILER OPERATIONS) The Helper for Boiler Operations is responsible for performing a variety of relatively unskilled tasks and routine manual labor relative to the daily operation and maintenance of power generating equipment, plant facilities, and premises. His/her area of responsibility covers all areas inside the Plant building and its outside premises, as handling system and the Fire-fighting Station.

• Graduate of technical vocational course • With one (1) year of relevant experience in an industrial facility or construction environment which includes the skilled use of small maintenance power tools and cleaning equipment • Expected date of start: March 2014 ELECTRICAL TECHNICIAN The position is responsible for providing assistance and technical support to the Electrical Supervisor for the efficient / effective implementation of preventive and corrective maintenance of major and auxiliary electrical equipment and electrical systems for the safe and reliable operation of the generating units.

• Graduate of technical vocational course in electrical repair and maintenance, preferably with TESDA Accreditation • With two (2)years of relevant experience in a power plant or heavy industry • With strong background in HV transformers, HV/MV Swithgear, large motors, control systems and UPS system • With working knowledge of plant safety system • With skills in operating & calibrating electrical instruments • Expected date of start: March 2014 CONTROL & INSTRUMENTATION TECHNICIAN The position is responsible for providing assistance to the Control and Instrumentation Supervisor in the efficient and effective implementation of preventive and corrective maintenance of the control and instrumentation system of the plant for safe and reliable operation of generating units • • • • •

Graduate of technical vocational course in instrumentation and control technology With three (3)years of relevant experience in a power plant or heavy industry With strong background in DCS, plant operations logic diagrams, and plant safety system With knowledge in basic electronics and industrial automation Expected date of start: March 2014

MECHANICAL TECHNICIAN This position is responsible for providing assistance and technical support to the Mechanical Engineer for the efficient/effective implementation of preventive and corrective maintenance of major and auxiliary mechanical equipment and other related accessories for the safe and reliable operation of generating units.

• Graduate of a technical vocational course, preferably a Certified Plant Mechanic • With three (3) years of relevant experience in a power plant maintenance • With strong background in maintenance of large boilers, steam turbines and its auxiliaries and plant safety system • With excellent analytical skills and keen to details • Expected date of start: March 2014 IT SPECIALIST The IT Specialist is responsible for performing administrative, technical and analytical information technology (IT) works, ensures reliability and availability of all IT resources and services critical to site operations o IT infrastructure, business software applications, system integration, technology solutions mapping and user education.

• Graduate of an IT related course Computer Science, Information Technology or Computer Engineering • With 3 years relevant experience in Network and System Administration, Lotus Notes Domino, wireless email synchronization • With strong background in MS Operation System, basic IT Security, Web Applications, Microsoft Office and deployment practices • Working knowledge in Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) is an advantage • With excellent problem solving skills, planning & organizing • Expected date of start: March 2014

CONTROL ROOM ENGINEER The position is responsible for the operation of the Boiler, Turbine-Generator and related auxiliary equipment through the Distributed Control System (DCS).

• Licensed Electrical or Mechanical Engineer • With 3 years of relevant experience in a power plant operation of a coal-fired plant as control room operator • Must be a able to read and understand plant operations logic diagrams • With extensive knowledge of plant mechanical or electrical system and DCS operations • With excellent analytical skills • Proficient in MS Office • Expected date of start: March 2014

MECHANICAL SUPERVISOR The position is responsible for the implementation of all maintenance activities of mechanical equipment and all other power plant auxiliaries.

• Licensed Mechanical Engineer • With 5 years relevant experience in power plant or heavy industry mechanical maintenance and troubleshooting, 2 years of which in a supervisory position • With strong background on Permit-to-Work Systems and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), machine shop operation, Plant Safety System, • With skills on work planning, scheduling and budget preparation • With excellent analytical skills and with keen attention to details • Proficient in MS Office • Expected date of start: March 2014 ELECTRICAL SUPERVISOR The Electrical Supervisor is responsible for the efficient and effective maintenance of the electrical systems, control systems, equipment and fixtures.

• Licensed Electrical Engineer • With 5 years of relevant experience in power plant or heavy industry electrical maintenance, 3 years of which in a supervisory position • With strong background on Permit-to-Work Systems and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), plant safety system • With work exposure in HV transformers, HV lines and HV Switchgears, large motors and control systems • With excellent skills in work planning, scheduling and budget preparation, highly-analytical & detail- oriented • Proficient in MS Office • Expected date of start: March 2014 PERFORMANCE ENGINEER The position is responsible for the implementation of the approved plant processes / efficiency movement, and condition- based/preventive and predictive maintenance program. The position is also responsible for gathering, consolidating, monitoring and reporting results of plant operations: • Licensed Electrical or Mechanical Engineer • With 3 years of relevant experience in plant performance testing, combustion engineering and rotating machinery diagnostics • With excellent analytical skills and detail-oriented • Proficient in MS Office • Expected date of start: March 2014 PROCUREMENT SUPERVISOR The position is responsible for the evaluation of canvass data, preparation of necessary documents, and coordination with suppliers regarding the procurement of goods and services in conformance to the specifications set by the requisitioner.

• • • • • •

Licensed Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical or Electronics and Communication Engineer With at least 5 years experience in Procurement With experience in importation processes and handling of customs related matters Supervision and negotiation skills required and tools Knowledgeable in Purchasing / Warehouse Supply Chain and Systems Contraction Expected date of start: March 2014

WAREHOUSE SUPERVISOR The Warehouse Supervisor is responsible for coordinating and supervising warehouse processes and activities engaged in receiving, issuing, and stocking, filing and monitoring stock records of the warehouse; providing supervisory direction to ensure customer satisfaction • Graduate of a Bachelor’s degree preferably in commerce, accounting or engineering • With at least 5 years of relevant experience in warehouse function, 2 years of which in a supervisory role • Strong background in Warehouse Operating System • Has good communication and interpersonal skills • Proficient in MS Office • Expected date of start: March 2014 WAREHOUSE ASSISTANT The job is responsible in issuing materials, supplies and equipment requested by end-users. Jobholder is expected to address queries and needs of end-users.

• Graduate of a Bachelor’s degree preferably in commerce, accounting or engineering • With at least 2 years of relevant experience in warehousing function • Has good understanding of inventory principles in accounting and perform inventory counts (cycle and annual physical) • Working knowledge in the use Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) and Oracle is an advantage • Proficient in MS Office • Expected date of start: March 2014 FIREMAN/SAFETY TECHNICIAN The Safety Technician is responsible for the correct implementation of the government health and safety regulations and standards as well the company’s overall H&S programs.

• Graduate of any Bachelor’s degree, or technical training course in fire protection or safety related field, engineering graduates with license is an advantage for career growth • Holder of government certificates as Firefighter, Fire Protection Specialist, OHSA, basic EMT or paramedic training is an advantage • With valid driver’s license to be eligible to drive fire truck or ambulance • With at least two (2) years relevant experience in power plant or heavy industry as safety engineer • Highly analytical, with excellent documentation skills, problem-solving skills and with keen eye to details • With good communication & interpersonal skills • Proficient in MS Office • Expected date of start : March 2014 POLLUTION CONTROL ASSISTANT The Pollution Control Assistant is responsible for implementing the environmental laws and regulations in the company.

• Licensed engineer • Holder of EMB Accreditation as Pollution Control, preferably Level I • With at least two (2) years of relevant experience in power plant or heavy industry as pollution control staff • With extensive knowledge of environment codes and plant safety system • Highly analytical, with excellent problem solving skills • Proficient in MS Office • Expected date of start: June 2014

CHEMICAL LABORATORY SUPERVISOR The job is responsible for the direct supervision and coordination of field, plant, laboratory and environmental analysis and test following established parameters for work processes, equipment and safety conditions, laws and regulation. Area of responsibility is the Chemical Laboratory.

• Licensed Chemical Engineer or Chemist • With 5 years of relevant experience in a power generating plant or similar facility in a supervisory capacity • With strong background in water, oil and coal analysis, analytical procedures, laboratory techniques, laboratory monitoring equipment and analyzers, various chemicals used in power generation industry • With excellent analytical skills • Proficient in MS Office • Expected date of start: March 2014 CHEMIST The position is responsible for the conduct of laboratory and field testing, analysis and other processes related to power plant following applicable policies, standard procedures, laws and regulations, to support the safe, reliable and compliant operations of the power plant • Licensed Chemist • With 3 years of relevant experience in a coal-fired power plant • With experience in the use of and application of universally accepted laboratory instruments as well as methods and procedures, specifically for the analysis of water , wastewater, oil and coal • With excellent analytical skills • Proficient in MS Office • Expected date of start : March 2014

UNLOADER OPERATOR The Unloader Operator is responsible for the operation and minor routine maintenance of the Unloader and its auxiliaries in accordance with company policies, standard operating procedures, established rules and regulations, and equipment specifications to facilitate safe, reliable, and efficient coal unloading from the coal delivery ship.

• Graduate of technical vocational course in heavy equipment; Engineers with license is an advantage • Holder of a Certification as NC2Heavy Equipment Operator • With working knowledge of plant safety system • With two (2)years of relevant experience in the operation and maintenance of coal-handling equipment and six (6) months training in the operation and maintenance of an Unloader • With excellent documentation skills & keen to details • Expected date of start : March 2014 COAL STACKER / RECLAIMER OPERATOR The Coal Stacker/Reclaimer Operator is responsible for the operation and minor routine maintenance of the Coal Stacker/Reclaimer and its auxiliaries in accordance with company policies, standard operating procedures, established rules and regulations, and equipment specifications, to facilitate safe, reliable, and efficient coal storing and reclaiming.

• Graduate of technical vocational course on heavy equipment ; Engineers with license is an advantage • Holder of a Certification as NC2Heavy Equipment Operator • With working knowledge of plant safety system • With two (2)years of relevant experience in the operation and maintenance of coalhandling equipment and six (6) months training in the operation and maintenance of a Coal Stacker/Reclaimer • With excellent documentation skills & keen to details • Expected date of start : March 2014 TRAINING OFFICER The Training Officer is responsible for the development and delivery of approved training programs focused on technical competencies of the station’s personnel through the in-house experts or outsourced domain experts for various technical trainings, assessment of the training impact and management of the training facilities • Licensed Engineer, preferably Electrical or Mechanical • With 5 years relevant experience in a power plant operations as Engineer; 3 years of which with equivalent teaching experience or as Line Trainer.

• With relevant experience on the use of different facilitation and training methodologies and knowledge in the conduct training needs analysis, • Excellent communication, presentation & interpersonal skills • Proficient in MS Office • Expected date of start: March 2014 CSR ASSISTANT The CSR Assistant is responsible for the implementation of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects and programs created to respond to the needs of the various stakeholders, monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the programs in coordination with the local government units and other concerned government agencies.

• Graduate of Community Development or Socail Science courses • With 3 years working exprience in community relations, sustainability and environment works • With excellent communication skills, community organizational skills, presentation skills, and with keen attention to details • With strong background in data collection process and environmental management system • Proficient in MS Office • Expected date of start: June 2014 ACCOUNTING MANAGER The Accounting Manager is responsible for managing the Accounting functions and operations, ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of financial information, ascertain the propriety of financial transactions in accordance with accounting standards, company policies and procedures.

Responsible for providing support to the management, operations of the facilities and other departments, and the controllership in the areas of financial control, financial reporting, general and payable accounting, payroll and taxation.

• • • • • • •

Must be a Certified Public Accountant With at least five (5) years experience in Accounting Management With extensive knowledge on taxation and new accounting standards Proficient in the use of MS Application and automated financial systems Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills Proficient in MS Office Expected date of start: March 2014

IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER: • Applicant must be willing to work in Binugao, Toril, Davao City.

• Kindly indicate the position/s you are applying for.

• Send your updated CV or resume and application letter to: sherry.tripole@aboitiz.com or donna.azul@aboitiz.com or to tsi.recruitment@aboitiz.com For more information, please visit www.aboitizpower.com

8 EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 237 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16-17, 2014

VOL. 6 ISSUE 237 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16-17, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

9

10

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

VOL. 6 ISSUE 237 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16-17, 2014

Unsafe aviation

A

LTHOUGH the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) reportedly tried to hide it, the hurting truth is out--Philippine aviation has failed anew to regain Category 1 status that it lost seven years ago. Being stuck in Category 2 simply means we are in the shameful list of “unsafe status” of the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States of America. This means major airline companies of this country cannot mount new flights to the USA. Take note that it is not only airports that are unsafe. It is the entire Philippine aviation. Such a status could be a major dampener on the country’s tourism campaign which is slowly taking off if not starting to make waves in certain parts of the world.

As reported, the saddening evaluation by the FAA of the nation’s state of aviation has to do with the inability of the Caap to upgrade its men’s qualification, lack of training, inferior quality of training that Caap administers, and many other failures.

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

the national association of newspapers

Printed by Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Building, Quirino Avenue, 8000, Davao City, Philippines Tel: (082) 301-6235 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 www.edgedavao.net editorial@edgedavao.net marketing@edgedavao.net

Giving this disheartening situation of our aviation, the question may be asked: What have our Caap officials been doing. Were they just twiddling their fingers all along? Maybe not. Maybe they did their best, but their best has sadly not been enough.

What should the government, the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), or Malacanang do about this lingering headache which is hurting a major industry of the country?

It would be easy to suggest to fire Caap officials and replace them with more competent ones.

Well, Deputy Director John Andrews vowed to resign if by December 2013, the country would fail regain Category 1. He is reportedly on sick leave and is scheduled to report this Monday, February 17. By then, if he is a man of honor, he should resign. There may be some quarters who would consider that “good riddance.” And what about his boss, Caap Director General William K. Hotchkiss, is he prepared to ‘kiss’ his job goodbye, too?

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG Creative Solutions

ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Associate Editor

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

ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR / CHENEEN R. CAPON 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

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 237 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16-17, 2014 EDGEDAVAO Davao scientist discovers way to fight Panama disease

N

O ONE believes you these days if you always think “out of the box” because you don’t want to conform to the “traditional” or “conventional” way of doing things.

Take for instance, the problem of licking the problem of Panama wilt disease, which is wreaking havoc not only to the Philippine banana industry but also to banana plantations in Honduras, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Africa, Australia and other countries trying to grow Cavendish bananas for export.

Faced by a widespread Panama attack to almost all Cavendish banana farms all over Mindanao, the Philippine government thru the agriculture department has set aside hundreds of millions of pesos to fight this plant disease that usually crop up during heavy flooding after heavy rains.

Most of this money goes to the pockets of “consultants” with names followed by “Ph.D’s” , who do a lot of deep research work and experiments and make recommendations, using conventional methods according to the all books they read about this dreadful disease.

Since they all do it “by the book”, they’ll recommend the intensive use of chemical pesticides, chemical fertilizers and other chemicals to fight this plant disease--- a market bonanza for big multi-million dollar foreign chemical companies supplying them to banana companies all over the world.

But the findings of a little-known Davao banana scientist here seemed to be working better than other research experiments being done by other groups, most especially the one funded by the Department of Agriculture, using “Cavendish” clones

P

OLITICAL WHISPERS GETTING LOUDER – It all started with a whisper and more loud whispers and now speculations are thick that Congressman Anton F. Lagdameo, Jr. of the 2nd district of Davao del Norte is keeping a moist eye on the governorship after serving his third and final term in the Lower House. Well, it’s too early make daring predictions simply because Congressman Lagdameo still has much to do to fast track the remaining unfinished projects in his district funded with the already obligated pork barrel funds.

This is supposedly not the appropriate time to talk about politics considering that Lagdameo has to make do with whatever funds available now that the Supreme Court has declared the much-maligned Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel funds as unconstitutional rendering both houses of Congress “porkless.”

As it is, no political breakthroughs are likely until after 2014, but when asked by media about a shot at the gubernatorial post, he simply replied with a broad smile and admits that he is open to all the possibilities.

In the meantime Congressman Lagdameo’s main goal is to stretch out the already obligated fund allocation for different infrastructure, socio-economic endeavor and other welfare-related projects in his district. He wants to sit tight and watch how the socio-economic and political development now taking place unfolds over the next few months with the pork barrel funds gone. But, he cautions, progress in the countryside will be slow as the representative institution finds it hard to reach specific achievement target in the delivery of basic social services, infra-

developed by Taiwanese scientists.

This local scientist, known as “Dr. Castillo” who was formerly a research director of an American banana company in Davao found out that the Panama wilt disease is not really a “disease” problem but a “nutritional problem” --- a theory that was rejected by almost all the banana firms in the Davao Region. Behind his back, they were all laughing at him when he kept insisting that this supposed “dreadful disease” is simply a “nutritional problem”.

This is what happens to you when you think “out of the box”, according to Koronado Apuzen, executive director of the Foundation for Agrarian Reform Cooperatives in Mindanao or FARMCOOP, whose farmers’ coop plantation in Panabo volunteered the use of their affected farm areas to test this theory of Dr. Castillo.

Most of the soil underneath Davao banana plantations, according to Dr Castillo, have “lost all its nutrients” after more than 60 years of absorbing all kinds of chemicals--- pesticides, fertilizers, etc. Fact is, this is something he had known all along since he was still with the banana export firm he was working for, but he didn’t want to antagonize his bosses and the chemical suppliers with his theory on the possible cause

of Panama wilt disease.

Together with six foreign scientists from the Netherlands, Italy, Africa, USA, Australia and Costa Rica, along with Philippine scientists from UP Mindanao, I saw the farm experiment--- how it’s done and the impressive results on treated banana plants. Dr. Castillo’s theory was clearly working and all the banana scientists were all impressed.

“We’re very, very impressed with what you’ve done so far,” says Dr. Gert Kema, a Dutch scientist from Wageningen University, the Netherlands who saw how the treatments were done on the banana plants.

It was all the more impressive because all the treatments made on affected banana plants were done using only ORGANIC pesticide and fertilizer. The organic pesticide was 100% organic from Japan that Apuzen even drank a few gulps just to prove it’s really organic.

Fertilizer used on the affected plants was also pure organic made from chicken manure, coco peat, banana rejects, burnt palay, etc produced by the Organic Producers and Exporters Corporation, the trading arm of FARMCOOP. A scientist from UP Mindanao , visibly impressed after watching the demo by a farmers’ coop on fighting Panama wilt disease, told the visiting foreign scientists that “this can be nominated for a Novel Prize” for discovering a natural treatment for the dreaded plant disease.

Question is : Have we finally found the cure to fight Panama disease in all the world’s banana plantations ?

(Comments?

Email> tradingpost_ davao@yahoo.com)

structure and various welfa re - re l a te d programs.

Indeed, his constituents see in him a leader who has the vision in getting things done and who has delivered much assistance to uplift the plight of the people in his district. And for those who doubt that Congressman Lagdameo has the so-called “vision thing,” it may help to dig deeper and dip into the official records of the House of Representatives. With or without pork barrel funds, he assured to do all what he can do to help the people in his district.

And the description fits well for a leader who can spearhead an even broader political spectrum, meaning province-wide.

And then there is the matter of the next general elections. If Congressman Lagdameo is given the freedom to perform well in his final term, added to the remarkable accomplishments during the previous two terms, he could easily steal the limelight from other leading aspirants and complicate their chances of grabbing up the gubernatorial post. Of course, we’re talking about a tall order, but in the time being Lagdameo is doing his best to stand up for whatever is good for his constituents, solicit and generate money from other sources to fund the right projects because he knows full well what is best for his political turf.

In the days ahead, the assertive media is expected to ask again the same question about where he is in the race for governor.

Adding my little voice and humble opinion would be to hear him telling politely the chuckling audiences: “I’m just getting warmed up to hit the political accelerator.” All we can hear in some occasions are merely whispers and speculations.

But now it can be told. The large number of people mostly barangay and municipal officials who gathered and were invited during his belated birthday celebration last month held in Tagum City confirms recent people’s responses showing more affection with Congressman Lagdameo.

There are stories going around right now and getting louder day after day that Lagdameo will be supported by different political groups if he is really decided to run for governor of Davao del Norte. In tandem with his uncle former congressman and philanthropist Antonio “Tonyboy” Floirendo, Jr. who is likewise reported to contest the post he would vacate in 2016, and wields even more influence in the province, we put Congressman Anton ahead of the rest in the gubernatorial race.

My bold and daring prediction is that the tall and handsome duo of Tonyboy and Anton would be clearly the favorite in the choice lists of the electorate.

It is more enthusing to know that probably by the end of the year there will be already political measures like the realignment of forces among the different contending political parties. Expectedly, there will be a new configuration of power bases in the local front given the continuous enlivening political forecast.

Now it can be told

VANTAGE POINTS

11

Poetry on ice SOMEONE ELSE’S WINDOWS

BY H. MARCOS C. MORDENO

I

T was a fitting Valentine’s Day gift to a nation reeling from the impacts of successive disasters and grappling with the unfolding drama related to the reported misuse and abuse of people’s money by high officials. Michael Christian Martinez, a 17-year old figure skater from a humid country, delivered a performance considered impressive enough for his age, at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

Overall, Martinez, the first Southeast Asian to compete in figure skating in a Winter Olympics, scored 119.44 to settle for 19th place among the 24 finalists. He managed to lead the first six finalists, not bad for a neophyte from a country that sees no winter who vied with seasoned skaters from around the world.

With his gutsy performance, he became the darling of the press in Sochi, although media’s interest in him owes in part to the story of how his family made sacrifices to put him on the world stage.

Every Filipino who watched him perform would have wished he made more triple Axels (a term I only came to know last night) and other stunts to earn more points. But that’s expecting too much from a first-time competitor whose talent is just beginning to emerge, like a bud that promises to become a beautiful flower but still without the fragrance that attracts the birds and the bees.

Here’s a lad who has captivated the world with his dreams to dance on the world stage. Indeed, figure skating is a dance, except that it requires a great amount of athleticism and grace. You lack in either athleticism or grace – or both – better kiss your dreams goodbye.

But Martinez knew even when he was still nine (or was he younger?) that he had both, and so pursued his dreams to the coldest corners of Russia. The first time he saw a skating rink, he could sense that’s where he should carve his destiny. To live is to glide, spin and leap with an athlete’s strength and a ballet dancer’s poise.

To see a good skater perform is like reading fine verses. You’d always want to ask for more – more lines from the poet, more gutsy moves from the skater. A poet cares not about the rules of language and grammar, and even invents words, if only for his thoughts and emotions to shine through. A skater defies the laws of gravity and friction, and that’s how he outshines the crystal surface below his feet.

Come 2018, perhaps Martinez can already shine his brightest and give the world the best in him as a figure skater. But that’s for him to figure out. [MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. H. Marcos C. Mordeno can be reached at hmcmordeno@gmail.com]

12 CLASSIFIEDS EDGEDavao Davao Partners

VOL. 6 ISSUE 237 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16-17, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 236 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14-15, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

EVENT

SLDC fetes Top Achievers

By ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO IT was the Grammy’s equivalent of home-grown real estate development firm Santos Land Development Corporation(SLDC) with the company’s top brokers and agents frolicking on the red carpet as the stars of the night.

Make way for the Top Achievers of SLDC as the best of 2013 were feted in on January 4, 2014 in elaborate ceremonies at the Marco Polo Hotel Davao.

The annual awards-giv-

ing event is specially held for agents who worked hard during the fourth quarter and the whole year of 2013.

Making it as the fourth quarter Quota Achievers are Zoilo Hornijas, Sales Executive of Hornijas Realty, who topped the quarter sales with P19.1 million.

Also making it to the top list are Carolyn Medel, Sales Manager of Apolonio Realty with P17.3 million and Alma Apolonio, Sales Director of Apolonio Realty,

ALMA APOLONIO (2nd from left). Top Sales Director.

Monette Cutler, Stars of the Night host.

with P18.4 million.

Elite Eagle Awards were given to agents who topped realty sales. The awardees were Carolyn Medel who contributed P33 million for the sales of Apolonio Realty amounting to P38 million and Alma Apolonio who contributed P38.5 million to their sales of P45.9 million.

The quota achievers were again the Elite Eagle ladies Medel and Apolonio for the year 2013.

Another award given to the agents is the Cash Producer award where they have to amass at least three transactions with their clients in cash. First is Sales Director Dinah Laruga who sold six lots and two house and lots worth P19.5 million followed by Sales Manager Emmanuel Laruga who sold five lots and two house and lots worth P18.6 million and Sales Executive Necomendes Patrimonio who sold five lots and two house

and lots worth P18.6 million pesos.

The top producers of the year award went to Alma Apolonio who made P45.9 million, Carolyn Medel who made P38 million and Sales Executive Zoilo Hornijas who profited P22.6 million.

The grandest award of the year which offers travel incentive for agents with at least 70 percent quota went to Zoilo Hornijas who reached to 91 percent and Necomendes Patrimonio who reached to 79 percent

for Sales Executives. Carolyn Medel who reached 127 percent and Sonia Hornijas who reached 105 percent for the Sales Managers.

The young Sales Directors who will be joining with them are Alma Apolonio with 131 percent and Hannah Joy Hornijas with a perfect 100 percent and Dinah Lagura with 76 percent.

The awardees earned all-expense paid trips to Japan on April or May this year.

Antonio “Tonyboy” S. Domingo, SLDC president, belts out a song.

CAROLYN MEDEL (2nd from left). Top Sales Manager.

SLDC -Sales and Marketing staff headed by Ms Estela B. Aguilos (fourth from left).

The Santos family.

ZOILO HORNIJAS (2nd from left). Top Sales Manager.

SLDC employees dance troupe.

Annual Travel Awardees for the Year 2013 (Trip to Japan)

Fourth Generation Santos family members.

SLDC- 3rd Generation Stockholders with their “Mamma Mia” costumes.

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

Celebrate Valentines Day with taste at the Je T’aime Valentines Bazaar

VOL. 6 ISSUE 236 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14-15, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

ENTERTAINMENT

J.Lo flaunts curves in tiny shorts for World Cup video

CELEBRATE the special season of love this Valentine’s Day as Mocha Productions and Marco Polo Davao bring you Je T’aime Valentines Bazaar, happening this Valentines weekend from February 13 to February 15, 2014, at the JENNIFER LOPEZ and

Ground Floor Ballroom Hall of the Marco Polo Hotel Davao.

The 3-day Valentine Bazaar offers an array of options for everyone to get ready for Valentines Day. Crafts, jewelry, accessories, readymade wares, clothing lines, sweets, food and beverages specially made and prepared for Valentines, either to be used or given as memorable gifts, will be made available for that one special day.

In particular, La Crema (under the Davao Special Italian Coffee, Inc.), of the known Cafe Firenzo coffee shop franchise, will be releasing their Valentines Specials during the event.

Pastries, including the world’s famous French Macaroons and gelatos made solely for the event, and in celebration of Valentines Day, are made available during the bazaar.

A little shopping, a touch of good food, a drop of fine wine and a whole lot of love! Je T’aime Valentine’s Bazaar is happening this Valentine’s weekend, from February 13 to February 15, 2014 at the Marco Polo Hotel Davao.

MUZIC’SKOOL presents “Love is…” A Musical Recital AS A modern music academe, MUZIC’SKOOL enriches their students’ passion for music by providing them opportunities to expose their talent and inclination besides learning the skill. As a center of excellence in teaching and learning music, MUZIC’SKOOL is proud to present their students in a music recital entitled “Love is…” on February 16, 2014 at the Abreeza Activity Center.

“Love is…” will feature performances in voice and diverse musical instruments both by their students and powerhouse instructors. No matter what type of music one prefers, there is something for everyone.

As the summer season is near, MUSIC’SKOOL is also preparing for the influx of students who want a worthwhile break from school by learning to play musical instruments or taking voice lessons. The school is set to launch its summer promo with special packages for students.

Music’skool is located at Door # 7 Damosa Building, JP Laurel Avenue, Lanang Davao City. For inquiries and assistance, you may contact their school administrator Katrine Sarmiento at 282-8246 or check their website at www.muzicskool.com.

Pitbull talked to E! News about the filming of the music video for the World Cup song “We Are One (Ole Ola)” on Thursday in Florida.

Both artists are extremely talented, but it was J.Lo’s famous behind that took center stage! The singer–actress showed off her killer curves in a tight, teeny-tiny pair of colorful shorts and tan fishnet stockings. She paired this look with nude fishnet stocking and neon orange pumps, a slim-fitting white shirt emblazoned with bright colors, a bold red lip and beautiful cascading curls.

The 44-year-old mom of two and Pitbull, who dressed more simply in a breezy white suit, were spotted singing, laughing and dancing as they recorded the music video for 2014’s official FIFA anthem. The two were surrounded by scantily-clad dancers wearing feathers and sequins as they waved Brazil flags overhead.

Jennifer, Pitbull and Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte will all be performing “We Are One” on June 12 at the opening ceremony at the Arena de Sao Paulo in Brazil. The last FIFA World cup song was 2010’s “Waka Waka” by Shakira and South African Group Freshly Ground.

Shakira’s a tough act to follow, but J.Lo (especially with Pitbull by her side) seems up for the task!

Selena Gomez breaks her silence after rehab revelation

E! News has reported that Selena Gomez has spoken to the press since leaving rehab in January, but at the time, few knew the 21-yearold singer had just completed a two-week treatment program in Arizona. Gomez addressed the revelation for the first time in an Instagram caption Monday, writing, “I’ve done everything I could to the best of my ability.

Thank you for the unconditional love and cyber hugs.

You inspire me.”

It was said that the former Disney Channel star was ad-

mitted to Arizona’s Dawn at the Meadows on Jan. 5.

After leaving the facility, she flew to Utah to promote Rudderless at the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 20. The next week, she hit up the Beats Music party and the Hollywood Stands Up to Cancer benefit.

Fellow singer Demi Lovato, who has battled substance abuse and eating disorder issues in the past, supported Gomez’s decision to seek help during a recent E! News interview. “I’ve known her for 14 years and

we’ve been best friends,” the 21-year-old singer-songwriter said of the Spring Breakers star. “That’s all of her business, and I just want to let her do her thing. And yeah, she’s amazing. I love her.”

Joe Jonas echoed Lovato’s sentiments while chatting with E! News during New York Fashion Week: “I want her to succeed and I want her to be happy!” the former Camp Rock star said Saturday, Feb. 8.

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

VOL. 6 ISSUE 236 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14-15, 2014

A special John Lloyd-Sarah movie marathon airs Cinema One THIS FEBRUARY, the country’s number one cable channel, Cinema One, sets the spotlight on one of Philippine cinema’s romantic favorites as it airs the movie series of “A Very Special Love”, “You Changed My Life”, and “It Takes a Man and a Woman”.

The three films featured on Cinema One this month star John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo as Miggy Montenegro and Laida Magtalas, respectively. On February 23 (Sunday), these will air in order, taking viewers through the rollercoaster love story of the two—from the moment they meet to the moment they part ways, and all the way up to the moment where they are

once more reunited.

The third and final part of the installment, “It Takes a Man and a Woman,” will also be airing on other dates on Cinema One, including Valentine’s Day at 7:00pm.

“It Takes a Man and aWoman” stands today as the highest grossing romance film, which premiered on Philippine television through Cinema One earlier this month. With its extended theatrical run, it also received a remarkable critical response, while grossing over P400 million in local cinemas and over P200 million overseas.

In the way it wrapped up their love story, the film ended up offering more than just the usual “kilig”

perspective, according to Direk Cathy, transforming a girl and a boy into a man and a woman with the capability of love and forgiveness…”

Catch the marathon screening of “A Very Special Love”, “You Changed My Life”, and “It Takes a Man and a Woman” on the country’s number one cable channel, Cinema One (SkyCable channel 56). The marathon will be airing on Sunday (February 23), starting at 2:00pm. For updates on the program schedule, follow @cinema_one on Twitter and like its official Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ cinema1channel). factor. Bibsy M. Carballo of the Philippine Star said that

it “answered the challenge of offering a more mature

Well, she obviously cares a little bit.

The 24-year-old Red artist apparently wasn’t too attached to the hair-whipping move she busted out at the

Grammys while performing “All Too Well.”

But in the meantime, her short little curly ‘do is reminiscent of another famous hairstyle and shire enough Swift tweeted earlier today saying: “Sitting backstage at the O2 in London, thinking about what an impressive and extraordinary life Shirley Temple led. Thanks for the memories.” She also Instagrammed a Temple quote, “There’s nothing like real love. Nothing.”

Did Swift’s inspiration come straight from the Good Ship Lollipop? As a child star, Temple, who passed away at the age of 85 yesterday, was known for her bouncy ringlets.

Either way, the results are adorable.

Inspired by Shirley Temple, Taylor Swift chops off her hair

IT MAY SEEM that Taylor Swift really did have a haircut party!

And it turns out that Cara Delevingne and Ellie Goulding were witnesses to Swift getting her long locks chopped off backstage in London.

Swift can be heard saying “This is how many people are watching me get a haircut right now...We don’t do anything without an audience, do we?” in a video she posted to Instagram as her camera pans across a room full of people.

Taylor’s hair may not exactly in pixie-cut territory, but stylists can call her new style a shoulder-length bob.

“London, I could never thank you enough. See you next time! P.S. short hair,

don’t care. (!!!),” Swift wrote on Facebook alongside the reveal pic, a photo of a Polaroid in which the country-pop superstar is giving Goulding a squeeze.

‘Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition’ ditches gym equipment in franchise-defining twist THE 10 official pairs of “The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition Doubles” got the surprise of their lives when it was revealed to them that there will be no gym inside the Biggest Loser camp – a first in the history of the global TV franchise.

“We Filipinos will prove to the whole world that we can exercise and lose weight without using expensive gym equipment.

This is your challenge,” said host Iza Calzado to the pairs.

The pairs then endured

their first strenuous “gym” training in the camp’s open field under fitness coaches Jim and Toni Saret and went through their first major challenge given by challenge masters Matteo Guidicelli and Robi Domingo – each pair must drag a jeepney toward a finish line 400 meters away.

Contestant Jepoy, meanwhile, was excluded from the first challenge following the departure of his partner Tristan, who temporarily left the com-

petition to visit his family in the United States and mourn the death of his father-in-law.

While Tristan was allowed to leave the camp, he will only be admitted back if he continues to slim down while he is away and if he returns just in time for the show’s first competitive weigh-in, which happens in two weeks.

Another consequence that can make or break the pair is that when Tristan and Jepoy fall below the yellow line during the weigh-in,

they will get automatically eliminated from the competition without deliberation.

Watch “The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition Doubles” from Mondays to Fridays after “Aquino & Abunda Tonight” on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida, and on Saturdays after “Maalaala Mo Kaya.” For updates on the program, follow @ BLPinoyEdition on Twitter and @biggestloserdoubles on Instagram or like www. facebook.com/abscbn.biggestloserpinoyedition.

STARTING OVER AGAIN 2D Piolo Pascual, Toni Gonzaga PG 13

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

WINTER'S TALE 2D Colin Farrell, Russell Crowe PG 13

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

VAMPIRE ACADEMY 2D Zoey Deutch, Lucy Fry, Danila Kozlovsky R 13

R-16

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

ROBOCOP 2D / * ENDLESS LOVE 2D Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton / *Alex Pettyfer, Gabriella Wilde PG 13 / *R 13

1:00 | 3:30 LFS / *6:00 | 8:80 | 10:00 LFS

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 236 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14-15, 2014

EVENT

Peak Pursuits with Mountain Hardwear

IT HAS always been said that the Philippines is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. There are untouched natural reserves, awesome beaches and majestic mountains that litter this archipelago’s horizon. We are fortunate to have a rich terrain like the Philippines as our backyard. It would be a waste for it to go unnoticed and unused by the people living in it.

This is why Mountain Hardwear Philippines is making it their business to raise awareness and support in reacquainting people with their love for the outdoors. Life is not about letting ourselves be run by deadlines and bills to pay. Sometimes we need to take a step back and enjoy the simply joy of experiencing nature’s most spectacular views.

What better way to start things off than with a fun and stimulating climb

to Mt. Apo. As some of you may know, Mt. Apo is the highest mountain in the Philippines, and the home of diverse and interesting plant species. It is a favorite among professional mountain climbers who love the challenge of the terrain, and the breath taking view of Davao that one sees when he or she finally scales this mountain’s peak.

The 2-day trip for the Mt. Apo climb is on April 11to13.

Participation

Faoie Zhiah Khalidd a nursing student of SPMC won a Mountain Hardwear Beanie during the trek.

Peak Pursuits participants Crossing the Marble River enroute to Mt.Apo.

Participants of the Epic Day hike at Mt. Puting Bato in Samal.

Hardwear is free for a minimum Mountain purchase of P20,000.00 products. These are the Mountain Hardwear dates and places where you products, while the reg- can be part of the Mounular registration fee is tain Hardwear Epic Day P4,500.00 per person for Hikes: Quimasog Falls Mt. Apo, with a 14 to 20 on March 8, Kipilas Falls people per climb. The on May 31, Matigol Falls group climb will include on July 19, Toril Fallson– van transfer, meals, re- September 6, and Kwagsik freshments, BMC (Basic Falls on November 15.

The Primer Group beMountaineering Course), certificate and of course lieves in nurturing young the free use of world class explorers and that is why Mountain Hardwear tents Mountain Hardwear toand sleeping bags worth gether with Columbia is around P15,000. People also launching its first who avail of this trip can ever KID’S DAYBREAKalso enjoy 20% discount ER event. Kids from 7 to on Columbia Sports- 14 years old will have the wear, Teva and Mountain opportunity to hike, climb Hardwear regular priced and do river trekking on March 22 in Torres Falls products.

Aside from the April then an overnight trip to trip on Mt. Apo, there Mt. Puting Bato on May are also 2-day trips to Mt. 2 to 3. The fee is free upon Matutum on August 8 to purchase of P20,000.00 10, and another one to Mt. worth of Columbia prodCapistrano on October ucts or a fee of P1,500.00 24 to 26 with a P4,000.00 (inclusive of one kid and registration fee but is also one guardian) and will infree with a P20,000.00 clude van transfer, lunch, purchase of Mountain refreshment, BMC, certificate and event Shirt.

Hardwear gear.

The Mountain HardPeople have this mindwear Epic Day Hike is set that the outdoors is available for people who a scary place to be. Yes, want to get started on the there are factors that we outdoor, mountain climb- cannot control, but it only ing experience. These makes the experience day hikes are priced at more thrilling and beauP1,000.00 inclusive of van tiful— not scary. When transfer, lunch , refresh- people spend more time ment, BMC, certificate with nature, they gain a & Event Shirt but these greater appreciation of can all be free if you avail what they have, hence, beof P15,000.00 worth of come more responsible for

the environment.

There are things to be done and places to go to— but let your priority be

the one that enriches your inner life first before anything else. Remember, you are more than worth it.

EDGEDavao Davao Partners

13 COMMUNITY SENSE Maligaya homeowners’ officers inducted EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 237 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16-17, VOL. 6 ISSUE 237 •2014 SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16-17, 2014

Realty FOR SALE:

1) 1-hectare commercial lot at P10,000/sq m, along National Highway, facing east, beside NCCC Panacan, Davao City. 2) 17,940sq m commercial lot at P2,500/sq m, along Matina Diversion Road. 3) 3,831 sq m lot along Matina Diversion Road. 4) 41,408 sq m commercial/ industrial lot at P800/sq m along the National Highway, Bunawan. 5) 7,056 sq m at P1,200/sq m commercial/residential lot along Indangan Road, Buhangin District. 6) 27,411 sq m commercial/ industrial lot along the National Highway in Bincungan, Tagum City. 7) 116.15 to 245.92 sq meters , at P5.5M to P12.3M commercial/ office condo units in Bajada, Davao City. 8) 699 to 1,117 sq m at P4,100/sq m commercial lots at Josefina Town Center, along the National Highway, Dumoy, Toril. 9) Ready-for-Occupancy Residential Properties: 4BR/3T&B in a 240 sq m lot with 177.31sqm floor area (2-storey) at P4.8M in an exclusive beachfront community in Dumoy, Toril.; 3BR 2-storey in a 71.25 sq m 2-storey in a 143sq m lot in an exclusive flower village in Maa, Davao City; 180 sq m lots with 71.25sqm to 126.42 sq m floor areas, priced at P3.751M to P5.773M in an exclusive mountain resort community along Matina, Diversion Road. 10) 1BR/2BR residential condo units located in Bolton, Maa, Obrero, Davao City. 11) FOR ASSUME (RUSH): 1BR res’l condo unit in Palmetto, Maa. P600K negotiable. Note: Items 1-9 can be paid in cash, in-house or bank financing. If interested, please call Jay (PRC REB Lic. 8237) at 0922-851-5337 (Sun), 0908-883-8832 (Smart) or send email to propertiesindavao@yahoo.com.

O

FFICERS of the Maligaya Homeowners Association, Inc. located at Maligaya Village, Catalunan Pequeno in Davao City, were inducted during simple ceremony held last January 10.

The officers for the year 2014 were earlier chosen last December at Disway Restaurant, also located within the subdivision. The Christmas party of the homeowners was held after the election. There were 23 attendees composed of homeowners, lot owners, lot renters and gardeners, together with 13 proxy holders.

The group first elected the members of the board of directors, who in turn elected among themselves the set of officers for 2014.

Inducted were Atty. Regina Mercado, president; Juli Pitiquin, vice president;Ms Josefina Tejada, secretary; Ms Susan Rengel, treasurer; Ms Shirley Sucuahi, auditor; Ms Liza Parreno, business manager; Ms Corazon Quinones, press relations officer; and Ms Ava Santiago and Ms Daisy Andaluz, directors.

The members spent the rest of the evening to dance and party, receive raffle priz-

Maligaya Village 2014 Officers. From left: Atty. Regina Mercado, Juli Pitiquin, Ms Josefina Tejada, Ms Susan Rengel, Ms Shirley Sucuahi, Ms Corazon Quinones, Ms Daisy Andaluz, and Ms Ava Marie Santiago. es, enjoy the sumptuous food

and get to know the new

faces/newly transferred residents in the subdivision.

The induction of the officers for 2014 was held at Atty. Joson’s residence at Mayon St., Maligaya Village.

The affair was attended by the officers and the representatives from the Office of the Barangay Captain of Catalunan Pequeno. Among those present were barangay kagawads Jun Duray and Apolinar Quines. Kagawad Quines swore in the 2014 officers, in behalf of Barangay Chairman Albert Baguilod.

The officers under the leadership of Atty. Mercado swore to keep faith and put into practice the functions of the office to which they have been elected, and to perform to the best of their abilities and capacities with the aim of advancing the interest of the association.[Cora S. Quinones]

14

EDGEDAVAO

MOTORING

VOL. 6 ISSUE 237 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16-17, 2014

Kings of Raider Breed Wars crowned T

HE pulse-racing Suzuki Raider Breed Wars (RBW) 2013 National Finals held at the New Municipal Grounds in Tagum City, Davao last February 9, 2014 featured all the best riders who outraced their competitors in their respective areas and regions. The RBW National Finals dubbed as “Battle of the Kings” highlighted top drag racers in the Scooter 130, Underbone 115 and Raider R 150 categories.

John Paul Lantape grabbed the 1st place at the Scooter 130 category.

Following Lantape are Neil Perino and Anver Antonio.

Manuelle Sumog-Oy maintained his place for four consecutive years as the champion for the Underbone 115 category followed

by Joven Millana and Jeffrey Teopengco for the 2nd and 3rd place respectively.

Meanwhile, hitting the 3rd spot in the Underbone 115 category didn’t stop Jeffrey Teopengco from zooming his way to be the “King” of the Raider R 150 category. Adrian “Boboy” Gonzales landed at 2nd place while Joel Tatunay striked the 3rd place.

The 3 podium finishers for each category were awarded with trophies, cash prizes (P 10,000 for the 3rd placer, P 20,000 for the 2nd placer and P 50,000 for the champion). Special prizes were also given courtesy of Phoenix Cyclomax and Talk ‘n Text. The ceremonial popping of wine by the winners capped the night.

Added excitement to the event were from Suzuki’s 3s shop in Tagum – Rhean Cyclemart who offered big discounts on Suzuki apparel, motorcycle accessories and spare parts. Likewise, RBW co-presenter Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. offered discounts on their Phoenix Cyclomax products.

The 2013 Suzuki Raider Breed Wars was powered by Phoenix Cyclomax - a brand of motorcycle oils distributed by Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc., one of the fastest growing

independent oil companies in the country today. Talk ‘N Text and Denso Spark Plugs also supported the event as major sponsors. The RBW is sanctioned by the National Motorcycle Sports and Safety Association of the Philippines (NAMSSA), the sole body affiliated with the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 237 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16-17, 2014

SPORTS

MCM makes country proud

H

E may not come home with a medal, but Filipino figure skater Michael Christian Martinez certainly won a lot of admirers after giving a good account of himself in his Winter Olympics debut.

Picking up from where he left off in the short program, the 17-year-old Martinez displayed a “performance to be proud of” during the men’s figure skating free program Friday night at the 22nd Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

Performing to the tune of “Malaguena” by Ernesto Lecuona, the proud Muntinlupa City native captivated the live audience and his countrymen glued to their television sets with a stunning combination of breathtaking stunts like triple and double axles plus double toes, double flip and double circles in close to four minutes of performance.

Skating third, Martinez garnered 119.44 points in the free program and, adding his score of 64.81 in the short program, jacked up his overall score to 184.25, enough to temporarily push him to the top spot after the first seven skaters.

“He’s giving everything he’s got,” said a TV commentator. “He fought his

way through. He really skated the program very, very well. He really looked very, very impressive indeed.

He’s a very talented spinner because he is very flexible.”

But eventually the quality of the competition eventually caught up with the young skater as he eventually slid to second behind Misha Ge of Uzbekistan and then third behind Ge and Jorik Hendrickx of Belgium.

Then after the ninth competitor, the United States’ Jeremy Abbott, turned in a 160.21 that gave him the overall lead at 232.70, Martinez slipped to fourth to formally bow out of the medal race.

Martinez finished in 19th place. Yuzuru Hanyu went on to win the gold with a total score of 280.09 while Patrick Chan of Canada copped the silver with 275.62, The bronze went to Denis Ten of Kazakhstan, who submitted a score of 255.10.

Still, it was an experience of a lifetime for the youngster, and one that captivated the nation. In a live phone patch interview with Sports5’s Patricia Bermudez-Hizon shortly after his performance, Martinez sounded satisfied with his two-day showing.

15

PINOY PRIDE. Michael Christian Martinez of the Philippines waves his jacket to spectators as he waits for his results after the men’s free skate figure skating final at the Iceberg Skating Palace at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)

Team USA’s half-Pinoy skater advances to finals

S

OCHI, Russia –Fil-Am skater J.R. Celski stayed on track for two medals Thursday at the Winter Olympics, even though his U.S. 5,000-meter relay team slid right off it at the Iceberg Skating Palace.

But teammate Eddy Alvarez’s fall, and subsequent smash into the padded wall, was ruled to be caused by a Korean skater’s glove imped-

ing his path as both crashed.

The U.S. was, therefore, automatically advanced to the five-team Feb. 21 final.

Earlier, Celski advanced to the quarterfinals in the 1,000 by gliding to victory in his heat.

More Olympics coverage at the KING 5 Olympic Zone But the 5,000 relay, in which Celski was part of the U.S. bronze-medal team at

the 2010 Vancouver Games, was a key event for the U.S. and making the final was important.

When Alvarez was tripped, there was a period of uncertainty that quickly turned to relief after officials looked at video and determined Alvarez had been interfered with.

“The moments between the fall and the call, there

was a lot of doubt and disbelief that we didn’t make it into the final,” said Celski, 24, from Federal Way, Wash.

“But our coaches and Eddy were pretty confident that his foot got swept out from under him and, fortunately, when we looked at the replay we saw that happen and we got advanced because of that. So we’re very happy.”

WORLD’S FASTEST SUIT? Brittany Bowe of the United States warms up for the women’s 1,000-meter speedskating race at Adler Arena during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. After a strong season on the World Cup circuit, the U.S. speedskating team has had a miserable performance the first week of the Sochi Olympics and much of the speculation has turned to its new high-tech Under Armour skinsuit developed with help from aerospace and defense giant Lockheed Martin. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin, File) General Santos Drive, Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506

Tel. No. 083-228-2511 ; Fax No. 083-228-2654

General Santos Drive, Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506 Tel. No. 083-228-2511 ; Fax No. 083-228-2654

WANTED FOR IMMEDIATE HIRING!

WANTED FOR IMMEDIATE HIRING!

BUS DRIVER

BUS DRIVER

Qualifications: Qualifications:

1. Male, 28 – 40 years old 1. least Male, high 28 – school 40 years old 2. At graduate 2. At least high school graduate 3. With 5 years driving experience (bus, trucks) 3. With 5 years driving experience (bus, trucks)

Requirements: Requirements: 1. Driver’s License with Official Receipt 1.

License (2 with Official Receipt 2. 2 x Driver’s 2 I.D. picture pcs.)

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May previous apply in employment person at Human Resource Department, YBLI in Office, General Santos Resource Drive, May apply person at Human Koronadal City. YBLI Office, General Santos Drive, Department, Koronadal City.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

BIDDING BATTLE CDO, Koronadal, Lanao to challenge Davao del Norte in 2015 Palaro bid

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO njb@edgedavao.net

A

FOUR-CORNERED bidding battle looms for the hosting rights of the 2015 Palarong Pambansa when Mindanao’s turn to host the annual sports conclave comes.

Cagayan de Oro City, Koronadal City and Tubod, Lanao del Norte— the past three Mindanao cities and province which have hosted the Palarong Pambansa are pushing their “experience” factor once more in a bid to bring the Games in their respective turfs next year.

The only bidder without Palaro hosting experience is Davao del Norte which hopes to latch on to the biggest annual national sporting spectacle for the first time.

But while Davao del Norte does not have the “experience” factor in the Palaro, it hopes to fill that disadvantage by going on an “on-the-job” training this summer when it

hosts the 2014 Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games.

The PRISAA National Games is the annual national competition for collegiate athletes of PRISAA member-colleges and universities. It will be composed of some 8,000 athletes from 17 athletic contingents.

“We are looking at the PRISAA hosting as our dry run for the Palaro if ever we will be successful in our bid,” said Giovanni Gulanes, Davao del Norte provincial sports coordinator.

Davao del Norte hosted the past two editions of the Davao Regional Athletic Association (Davraa) meet and the 2013 Batang Pinoy Mindanao qualifying championship.

Davao del Norte provincial governor Rodolfo del Rosario, under whose administration

the province built its world-class 11-hectare Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex, earlier said he is looking at one single venue for all sports events in the Palarong Pambansa.

Gov. Del Rosario said he plans to add more sports facilities in the DNSTC. “We have a good chance of making it as host because the Department of Education has made ocular inspection of our venue and facilities and so far they liked what they saw,” Gulanes told EDGE Davao.

No formal bids have been filed as the DepEd will be doing the bidding during the Palarong Pambansa in Sta. Cruz, Laguna this year.

Last year, Davao del Norte was given the opportunity to present to the Palarong Pambansa Board its initial offer to host the Palaro.

VOL. VOL.66ISSUE ISSUE237 237••SUNDAY-MONDAY, SUNDAY-MONDAY,FEBRUARY FEBRUARY16-17, 16-17,2014 2014 MICHAEL FINISHES 19TH. Filipino figure skater Michael Christian Martinez finished 19th at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics men’s figure skating finals on Saturday morning (Manila time). The lone Filipino Winter Olympian Martinez, 17, garnered 119.44 points in his final free skate routine for a two-day total of 184.25. Martinez skated third and held an early lead after six performances.