Edge Davao 7 Issue 12

VOL. 7 ISSUE 12 • TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2014

www.edgedavao.net

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

FRISBEE TOURNEY AT CIUDADES. A player attempts to block the disc from an opposing team’s pass during a frisbee tournament held at Lapanday Properties Philippines Inc.’s Ciudades along Tigatto Road in Davao City over the weekend. Lean Daval Jr.

MORE DENGUE CASES Davao City tops among areas in Region 11

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

D

crc@edgedavao.net

URING the first quarter of 2014, Davao City topped among other areas in Region 11 in the number of cases and deaths related to dengue, according to records obtained from the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU) of the DepartOf the 1,052 total number of cases, Davao City had 688 cases, higher as compared to 152 cases in Davao Oriental, 94 cases recorded in Compostela Valley, 78 cases in Davao del Norte and 40 cases in Davao del Sur. A total of six dengue-related deaths were recorded in the region with Davao City getting five deaths.

The remaining one was recorded in Davao del Sur. In Davao City, the dis-

trict of Talomo North recorded the highest number of incidence with 138 dengue patients, followed

by Talomo South with 101, district of Buhangin with 76, Agdao with 52 and Bunawan with 44 cases.

RESU recorded two deaths in of Toril, once each for District B, Calinan, and Buhangin.

Dr. Cleofe Tabada, head for RESU told Edge Davao in a text message that cas-

FMORE, 10

CONSULTATION. Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) chair Alistair MacDonald explains to Mindanao Business Council (MBC) chair Vicente Lao during a business consultation between the two organizations at the Marco Polo Davao yesterday that his organization’s mandate won’t influence in anyway the provisions of the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement and its annexes.

Lean Daval Jr.

2

EDGEDAVAO

THE BIG NEWS

VOL. 7 ISSUE 12 • TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2014

FOR MORE EMPLOYMENT CHANCE

Voc-tech trade courses encouraged in summer I

NSTEAD of wasting time idling in malls, playing with computer games, adding consumption of electricity to the household, or just plain lolling around, high school graduates should enroll in technical-vocational courses for better local or international job prospects.

This was the gist of Technical Education and Skills Development Au-

thority (TESDA) Secretary Joel Villanueva’s speech at the University of Sto. Tomas High School during the graduation ceremony on Monday.

Villanueva, also the director general of TESDA and a UST High alumnus said while waiting for a chance to go to college by June or August, new high school graduates should be productive by mapping

their career path and adding industrial skills that would greatly help in financing their higher education.

“Having a voc-tech training is an easy road to the heart of employers who usually want to hire people with experience aside from having an excellent academic credential,” added Villanueva.

to motorists who would initiate carpooling to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and lessen traffic jam.

“Encouraging private motorists to maximize the number of passengers they accommodate in one private car instead of having a onecar-per person situation will ultimately reduce the congestion on the road,” Olivarez

said.

Under the bill, any private vehicle which carries at least four passengers who are all licensed drivers shall get free parking fees in any establishment while vehicles carrying four non-driver passengers will get a 50 percent parking fee discount.

Private vehicles with at

FVOC-TECH, 10

Solon urges motorists to back carpool scheme E

XEMPTION from color-coding scheme and toll fees are just among the incentives being offered to motorists by the proposed “Carpool Act of 2014” in a bid reduce the traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

Rep. Eric Olivarez (1st District, Parañaque City) filed House Bill 3985, which seeks to give out incentives

FSOLON, 10

SPEED LIMIT SIGNAGE. A Traffic Management Center (TMC) employee is seen welding the base of a speed limit signage prior to its installation along San Pedro Street in Davao City yesterday. Speed limit signages are installed in the city’s major streets as part of the implementation of Executive Order 39 or the speed limit ordinance. Lean Daval Jr.

SP to tackle food terminal project

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T

abf@edgedavao.net

HE Davao City council will discuss today the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the city government and national government agencies for the use of property intended for pro-

posed food terminal project in Daliao, Toril.

The city council scheduled for second reading the ‘Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City Government of Davao and the National De-

WEATHER FORECAST

velopment Company (NDC) on the Proposed Site of Department of Agriculture (DA)– Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (APTC) Project.”

The joint report of the committee on agriculture and food and committee on

rules, privileges, laws and ordinances states that the City Planning and Development Coordinator Mario Luis J. Jacinto manifested that a MOU was entered by the city and NDC for their five hectare property that to

be used as the site of APTC Project.

NDC is an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) which was created to function as government’s investment arm. The agency

also aims to develop finances and implements pioneering development-oriented projects vital to the sustainability of the government’s structural reforms and economic policies.

and updating of Basic Safety under the 2010 Manila Amendments.

As such, all seafarers, shipowners, manning agencies, maritime education and training institutions, assessment centers are advised to comply with these new regulations.

Its objective is to implement new competencies, KUPs, ship security-related courses, and refresher and updating for Basic Safety in compliance with the requirements of the 2010 STCW Manila Amendments.

The Circular covers the following courses: -- Revised Ship Security Officer Course (Regulation VI/5, STCW Convention); -- Security Awareness

Training (Section A-VI/6.4, STCW Code) and Seafarers with Designated Security Duties (Section A-VI/6.6, STCW Code); -- Refresher Training for the following modules -- Personal Survival Techniques (Section A-VI/1-1, STCW Code); Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (Section A-VI/1-3, STCW Code); Updating Training for Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (Section A-VI/1-4, STCW Code).

The following Annexes of this Circular are hereby adopted: - Annex I, New Competencies And KUPs of the Ship Security Officer In accordance with The 2010 STCW Manila Amendments;

- Annex II, Ship Security Awareness Training and Seafarers with Designated Security Duties; - Annex III, Refresher Training Course for Personal Survival Techniques and Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting; and - Annex IV, Updating Training Course for Personal Safety and Social Responsibility.

All MARINA-accredited training providers offering the Ship Security Officer’s Course are required to adopt the new competencies and KUPs as shown in Annex I of this Circular; The training for the Security Awareness Training and Seafarers with Designated Security Duties shall

FSP, 10

MARINA updates security provisions I

N line with Philippine efforts to comply with salient provisions of the 2010 Manila Amendments, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) announced that it is adopting new security provisions.

Such provisions include the adoption of the new competencies and knowledge, understanding and proficiency (KUP) for ship security security officers as required by the 2010 Manila Amendments; - Adoption of the course for ship security awareness with designated security duties as required by the 2010 Standards on Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Manila Amendments; and - Adoption of refresher

FMARINA, 10

NEWS 3

VOL. 7 ISSUE 12 • TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2014

‘Task Force Cocaine’formalized

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T

abf@edgedavao.net

HE Davao City local government has issued an order creating a task force to look into the circumstances surrounding the discovery of bricks of cocaine and other illegal drugs cases in the city.

Acting Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte signed the Executive Order No. 17 “An Order Creating the Task Force Davao Cocaine and Other Illegal Drugs, Prescribing its Duties and Functions, and

for Other Purposes.”

“The intendment of this issuance is to consolidate the forces of government and to strengthen the campaign against importation, exportation and transshipment of cocaine and other illegal drugs in the City of Davao” says the order.

The EO states that the task force is created to team up with different agencies and units in the conduct of investigation related to the recent discovery of cocaine

in container yard of Sumifro in Barangay Tibungco, Davao City.

The task force will also conduct continuing surveillance and monitoring operations, investigations, arrests, confiscations of cocaine and other illegal drugs within the limits authorized by law.

“To the end that all activities related to transshipment as well as importation and exportation of cocaine

rious Dishonesty and Gross Neglect of Duty.

The Ombudsman found that Chang was able to acquire significant and substantial properties and assets consisting of three houses and lots in Felville Subdivision, three lots in Goldridge Estate, two lots in Felville Subdivision, two lots in New Intramuros, two Pajeros, a Mercedes Benz MB-100, Mitsubishi L-300, a Toyota Revo and Toyota Altis. The decision stated that the total annual net income of Chang and her husband in 2009 was P933,874.

“Construing spouses Chang’s acquisitions vis-

à-vis their legitimate fixed incomes as of 1997, there is reason to believe that respondent Chang has consistently underdeclared her and her husband’s true net worth to conceal their real wealth and hide the dubious nature of the undeclared sources of their disposable funds”, the decision said.

The Ombudsman further stated that “the loans obtained by the spouses Chang from various creditors are presented as defense to the charge of unlawful wealth acquisitions.

Such defense would have been tenable if the cou-

FOR UNEXPLAINED WEALTH

FTASK, 10

High-ranking BIR official axed T

HE Revenue Integrity Protection Service (DOF-RIPS), the anti-corruption arm of the Department of Finance (DOF), has furthered its anti-corruption drive after it successfully secured the dismissal of a high-ranking official of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for accumulating wealth disproportionate to her salary.

In an 11-page decision by the Ombudsman, Zenaida B. Chang, Assistant Commissioner of Financial and Administrative Services in charge of BIR’s budget and procurement, was found guilty by the Office of the Ombudsman for Se-

FHIGH, 10

RODY FOR PRESIDENT. Supporters of Duterte Pilipinas 2016 Movement, including a foreigner, gather at Rizal Park in Davao City Friday afternoon during the group’s formal launching of its campaign to urge Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte to run for president in 2016. The group, founded by Brgy. Captain Mar Masanguid, is composed of Davao City barangay captains and their constituents. Lean Daval Jr.

Unifrutti sets banana expansion US reaffirms support

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

T

crc@edgedavao.net

HE Unifrutti Group of Companies, a partner of La Frutera, is set to plant around 4,000 hectares with cavendish bananas plantation in Maguindanao province this year.

Unifrutti advisor Edgar Bullecer said that the US

$120 million direct investment will be poured in the municipalities of Talayan, Bugdon, and Barira in the province of Maguindanao .

Bullecer, in an interview during the Third Party Monitoring Team (TPMT) Luncheon Meeting with

Mindanao Business Council at the Marco Polo Davao, said that the expansion is still on the land validation stage.

“The expansion is due because of the success we had in our operation of 2,000 banana hectares in

Maguindanao,” he said, adding that it is easy to negotiate with moro groups such as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

“We have no problem of

FUNIFRUTTI, 10

for PHL arbitration T

HE United States has renewed its support to the Philippines’ move to bring its territorial disputes with China before an international tribunal, calling it a “peaceful means” to resolving maritime row.

Washington’s statement of support issued by the U.S. State Department came after the Philippines

submitted on March 30 a 4,000-page document or memorial containing an array of legal evidence and maps that will bolster its case against China.

“The United States reaffirms its support for the exercise of peaceful means to resolve maritime disputes without fear of any form of retaliation, including in-

FUS, 10

Comelec urges MILF members to register for May 2016 poll

T SECURE. A public utility jeepney (PUJ)conductor ties a passenger’s merchandise atop the vehicle’s roof along R. Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City yesterday.

The said merchandise will be retailed in a nearby town. Lean Daval Jr.

HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) urged members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to register so that they can participate in the May 2016 national and local elections.

“The Comelec is greatly heartened by the MILF’s thrust towards joining the political arena, moving from bullets to ballots,” said Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez in an interview.

He added, “For this move to achieve its maximum potential, it is now

necessary for the members of the MILF to register as voters.”

The poll body official is reacting to the statement of MILF officials that they are planning to register as a political party to enable them to join in the forthcoming polls.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said that the MILF is welcome to register as long as they are able to meet the requirements set by law.

Jimenez noted that it is the perfect time for

FCOMELEC, 10

4 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 12 • TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2014

DAVAO ORIENTAL

Livelihood investments scaled up

T

HE Davao Oriental provincial government’s Pagkain at Kita and Agri-Business Development Program in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture Region 11 recently handed over cacao and abaca seedlings to 461 farmers in Tarragona and Manay towns.

RotchieRavelo, OIC of the Provincial Agriculture (PAGRI) Office, said that this handover is part of the Provincial Government’s commitment to scale up efforts in developing longterm industries that would benefit more farmers here in the province.

“Aside from food security, the provincial government under the leadership of Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon, also thrusts on placing the development of lucrative industries among its strategic priorities,” he said.

In cacao industry development alone, about one million cacao seedlings have already been planted since its launching in 2012 under the Davao Oriental Village Cacao Plantation Model, that covers at least 1,250 hectares. “Some of these crops have already started to get yield,” said Provincial Consultant on Agri-Special Concerns, Dashiel Indelible, Sr. To date, said Indelible, Davao Oriental holds the

SOUTH COTABATO

second spot of the highest number of planted cacao in the entire region. By 2016, the Provincial Government targets to cover at least 15,000 hectares to be planted to cacao, including the typhoon-hit areas in the eastern coast.

Based on reports from PAGRI, the international market demands at least 178,000 metric tons while the domestic demand requires 24,225 metric tons annually. This requirement on the cacao crop is too high in comparison to the meager production in the country today.

Seizing this huge opportunity, the province is now fast tracking cacao production after undergoing intensive industry studies and series of consultations. To date, the program aims at producing at least 17,700 metric tons of quality-fermented beans annually.

This would mean 15,000 farmers getting annual additional income of 80,000 to 90,000 per hectare.

Determined to develop the said industry, the provincial government had been actively engaging in initiatives to accelerate and enhance production of cacao in a commercial level. These include the establishment the Davao Oriental-Cacao Development Center (DO-CDC), which now serves as a venue for

DAREDEVIL RIDE. A young boy squeezes himself at the back of a habal-habal plying the Midsayap-Datu Piang road in this photo taken on March 24, 2014.

[MindaNews photo by Toto Lozano] the transfer of technical skills to farmers in producing high quality cacao based on standards of the international market. And with its established market tie-up with MARS Chocolate—a multinational chocolate manufacturer, farmers in Davao Oriental are already assured of a good market.

Meanwhile, in support to the abaca industry,

where there is also a great demand for high-quality fibers in the market, both local and abroad, the province is also scaling up its efforts in its production.

“With its lucrative market, the farmers will have more opportunities to boost their income,” said Indelible.

Meanwhile, aside from cacao and abaca, the Province had also assisted farm-

ers on the production of corn, vegetables, rubber, and coconut. From 2013 up to the present, some 2,229 farmers have already benefited.

During the turnover ceremony, Indelible told farmers that this project, under the flagship program of Governor Malanyaon, is intended to last in the longterm– an opportunity that

TAGUM CITY

Dogs get free rabies vaccination

DOLE releases P3.44M in livelihood packages C T

HE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Region 12 released around P3.44-million worth of livelihood packages on Monday to some 528 informal workers in South Cotabato province.

Ofelia Domingo, DOLE Region 12 director, said the livelihood packages were part of the agency’s

PANABO CITY

continuing interventions to help uplift the conditions of poor informal workers within the region’s four provinces and five cities.

She said the initiative, which involved the distribution of 528 starter kits for various small business ventures, is a component of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program

(DILP).

The starter kits were formally released to the beneficiaries on Monday morning in a ceremony held at the Hernandez Farm in Koronadal City.

The release of the livelihood packages was made in partnership with the office of South Cotabato (2nd District) Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez.

It was also supported by the local government units of Koronadal City and the municipalities of Surallah, Tantangan, Norala and Sto. Niño.

“These are packages composed of basic raw materials and other inputs that are necessary to help the beneficiaries start with their businesses,” Domingo said. [MindaNews]

for pregnant women on top of accommodating a total 620 women with whom it has served since it opened in 2011.

A resident of Barangay New Pandan this city, Alma Susas, 27 years of age, gave her testimony on the satisfaction she experienced with Panabo Emergency Clinic and Safe Birthing Facility. She said the facility provided caring and supportive services to her and her child without any cost at all.

Susas who recently

gave birth to Miguel, her second child, compared the services of the safe birthing facility citing it as better than the other private maternity clinic where she first delivered a baby. She noted the nurses and midwives as friendlier, and that the ward was made more cozy with air-conditioning units Before her delivery, Susas frequented the clinic to avail of four sessions of pre-natal care as requirement in avail-

ing PhilHealth benefits.

Aside from the pre-natal care, Susas also received free medicine and immunization for her and her child. She was thankful to the city government for establishing the facility for the less fortunate.

The facility is also open to none PhilHealth members who can avail of the facility’s services for as low as P 3,100.

The birthing facility has a ward that can hold up to eight patients. [PIA 11/ Michael Uy]

Maternity clinic offers zero billing to PhilHealth members

T

HE Panabo City government-operated maternity clinic now offers zero billing services to Philippine Health Insurance Company (PhilHealth) members.

Since it became a Philhealth-accredited facility last year, the Panabo Emergency Clinic and Safe Birthing Facility has then served 56 members who have found relief from the burden of paying maternal care and birthing service.

The facility rendered such care-free assistance

would still benefit farmers even beyond her term.

“This is a project of love and its beneficiaries are expected to also work with love and care of this program,” said Indelible, as he encouraged farmers to develop a growing interest to become agents for their own self-improvement, which could lead to sustainable livelihood. [KLD/PIO]

LOSE to 200 dogs received free rabies vaccination as part of the Tagum City local government’s goal of minimizing, if not eradicating, rabies infection in the city as well as promoting responsible pet ownership among per lovers.

City Veterinarian Jesus G. Edullantes said the activity, which was held at the gymnasium of BarangayMagugpo South last March 26, 2014, is in consonance with the celebration of the Rabies Awareness Month.

Also conducted during the event are free neutering and spaying, which he said is an ideal approach in depopulating dogs and cats, which are the main cause of rabies infections.

A pet blessing was also held during the activity.

“We wanted to contribute in the national goal of eradicating rabies in the Philippines by 2015,” he added.

The City Veterinary Office will expand their massive free rabies vaccination until May where they aimed to vaccinate 70-80% dog population in

the city.

Vice Mayor GeteritoGementiza hailed the City Veterinarian Office for spearheading the activity, saying this is a major step towards a rabies-free city.

Extending their professional services during the Pet Care Day are the veterinarians of LGU Tagum and some private practitioners from Mati and Panabo Cities, respectively. The said activity was also made possible with the support of the Provincial Veterinary Office.

Pet owners were also briefed on responsible pet ownership by the members of the Dog Owners of Tagum Association (DOTA), where inputs on pet care, dog training and feeding were discussed.

A separate forum on rabies awareness was also conducted in the University of Mindanao Tagum Campus, which was attended by 1,000 students.

The massive vaccination of dogs is mandated under Republic Act or “Anti-Rabies Act of 2007”. [Louie Lapat/CIO Tagum]

5 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 12 • TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2014

WITH SM LANANG PREMIER STORE LAUNCH

Power Mac Center beefs up Davao City presence P

OWER Mac Center steps up its expansion plans in the Philippines with the opening of its second branch in Davao at SM Lanang Premier. This latest store from the country’s leading Apple reseller carries complete Apple product line and the widest array of premium accessories and audio brands that cater to the evolving digital lifestyle of Davaoeños.

Power Mac Center SM Lanang Premier is located on the 3rd level Cyberzone of the largest shopping mall in Southern Philippines.

Touted as the next big tourism and commercial destination in the country, Davao is a highly dynamic and very solid market for

consumer electronics, making it the ideal host city for Power Mac Center’s 18th retail store nationwide.

“Power Mac Center SM Lanang Premier creates a new retail channel for our technology-forward clientele in Davao, validating our commitment to further develop the robust potential of this market. We look forward yet again to the steadfast support of the Davaoeños in making the new store just as successful as our first provincial branch,” said Power Mac Center Marketing Director Joey Alvarez.

An Apple Premium Reseller, the SM Lanang Premier branch is the first store to be opened by Pow-

er Mac Center this year, which marks its 20th anniversary in the business.

As the most reliable Apple partner in the Philippines, Power Mac Center endeavors to provide its client with the complete Apple experience.

To celebrate the unveiling of its SM Lanang Premier store, Power Mac Center provided exclusive in-store offers and exciting promotions for the public to enjoy.

Visit the new Power Mac Center SM Lanang Premier for all your Apple needs. The store is open daily from 10am to 9pm.

You may also call (082) 285 9553 or (082) 285 9554 for more information.

Guests and customers witness the grand opening of Power Mac Center SM Lanang Premier in Davao City, the 18th store of the most reliable Apple partner in the Philippines and its second in Davao. It is also Power Mac Center’s first store to open this 2014, which marks its 20th anniversary in providing the complete Apple experience to Filipinos nationwide.

6 THE ECONOMY Stat Watch Indicator

Latest

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

7.1 1st Qtr 2013 6.8

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

7.8 1st Qtr 2013 7.5

(At Constant 2000 Prices)

(At Constant 2000 Prices)

3. Exports 1/ 3. Exports

4. Imports 1/ 4. Imports

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

7.6.Broad Money Liabilities Balance of Payments

2nd Qtr 2013

2nd Qtr 2013

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

8. Interest Rates 4/

7. Broad Money Liabilities

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

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

10.Revenues National government outstanding debt outstanding debt

P 5,609 P 41.14 Aprbillion 2013

11.Stocks Peso per US $ 12.

Composite

Index 6/

6,847.5 P 43.83 Mar Sep2013 2013

12. Stocks Composite

6,191.8 132.8 Sep 2013 Apr 2013

13. Consumer Price Index

135.2 Oct2.62013

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

Sep 2013

13. Consumer Index Price Index 2006=100

2006=100 14.

Headline Inflation Rate 14. 2006=100 Headline Inflation

Apr 2013

2.9 Oct3.12013

Rate 15.

Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

2006=100

Apr 2013

2006=100 16.

Visitor Arrivals

418,108 Oct 2013 Feb 2013

15. Core Inflation Rate

2.5

382,022 Aug 2013 20.9%

16. Visitor Arrivals

17. Underemployment 7/ 17. Rate Underemploymen

Jan 2013 19.2%

18.

18.Unemployment UnemploymentRate Rate7/

7.1% Jan 2013 7.3%

Rate

Jul 2013 Jul 2013

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

2013

2012

2011

43.83 43.86 43.35 42.91 41.30 41.14 40.71 40.67 40.73

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

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

VOL. 7 ISSUE 12 • TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2014

Baldoz orders to fast-track, simplify access to livelihood, emergency employment T HE informal sector, including those affected by disaster, now has better and easier access to livelihood and emergency employment.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) recently released the comprehensive and simplified guidelines to access the DOLE’s Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Programs (DILEEP) under Department Order No. 137-14.

DILEEP has two components: Kabuhayan, or livelihood; and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers (TUPAD) or emergency employment.

Under the order, Self-employed workers with insufficient income, marginalized and landless farmers, unpaid family workers, parents of child laborers, low-wage and seasonal workers, and workers displaced by natural and man-made disasters are given priority and those applicants listed in the National Household Targeting System of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and workers profiled by the DOLE’s Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns.

“The times call for us in the DOLE to ensure that whatever intervention or assistance we pro-

IP ASSISTANCE. Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz presents the Certificate of Entitlement to Datu Santos Nogan for the the P146-thousand worth of Corn Sheller Project for the Nogan Clan Association Subordinate in Brgy. Marilog in Davao City. Also in photo (L-R) DOLE Davao director Joffrey M. Suyao and Davao City 1st District Congressman Karlo B. Nograles. [Sherwin B. Manual/DOLE 11] vide to informal sector and vulnerable workers is simple, clear, transparent, and easy to access,” Labor and Employment secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said.

Baldoz added that DOLE makes way to enhance accessibility of emergency employment and livelihood which seeks to strengthen social protection for vulnerable workers, a key target outcome of the DOLE. «Convergence of services, technology-driven, resource-based, and sustainable livelihood, and

full decentralization of approving authority are the principles of the order that makes it more facilitative,» Baldoz said.

In Davao region, DOLE has already implemented some P1.19 Million worth of emergency employment in Davao Oriental in convergence with the International Labor Organization (ILO).

Another P1.70 million worth of salaries for emergency employment is expected to be rolled out soon benefiting the towns of Monkayo and New Bataan in Compos-

tela Valley Province and the towns of Manay, Caraga, Boston and Cateel in Davao Oriental.

“Through convergence, the DOLE facilitates and provides access to emergency employment and livelihood opportunities to shield vulnerable workers and their families from risks due to natural and manmade disasters and enable them to rebuild their lives with better access to social protection and sustainable income sources,” said regional director Joffrey M. Suyao.

Recently, DOLE Davao, led by Secretary Baldoz, has granted 30 livelihoods amounting to P8.37 million to various LGUs and people’s organization .

“Some 1,900 individuals will benefit from these projects, three of which are under the Dole-Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Convergence, nine under the Dole Integrated Livelihood Projects (DILP), and 18 under the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting (GPB),” Suyao said. [Sherwin B. Manual/DOLE11]

Land and Lifescapes. Since Vista Land introduced in 2006, Vista Residences has created 23 mid and high-rise condominium projects across the country, making it a major player in the multi-level, mixed-use property development industry, catering to the midto upper-middle and highend income market.

Giving it a powerful presence in the industry is its prestigious portfolio of vertical projects such as the KL Mosaic, Salcedo Square, and Laureano Di Trevi in Makati; Pine Suites in Tagaytay; The Currency in Ortigas; The Symphony Towers, Wil Tower Mall, Vista Residences Katipunan, Madison Place, Pine Crest, Brescia Residences, all in

Quezon City.

It also includes 515 Shaw in Mandaluyong; Cerritos Residences in Pasig; Marfori and Presidio in Sucat; Vista Residences Taft, 878 Espana, and Crown Towers U-Belt in Manila; Pacific Residences, Avant at the Fort, and The Hudson in Taguig.

Vista Residences’ projects are found at the most strategic locations.

In Mindanao, its mid-rise development, Northpoint, is located at the junction of Buhangin and JP Laurel Avenue, Bajada, two major thoroughfares in Davao City.

Its first high-rise project in Mindanao, The Loop, will rise along Rosario Crescent at the Limketkai Center, within the central

business district of Cagayan de Oro City.

Vista Residences creates masterplanned developments that bear its unmistakable brand of thoughtful designs that are carefully carried out, reflecting its expertise in savvy space-planning and selecting the most prime locations.

It also carries with it Vista Land’s expertise in residential development that spans over 30 years, building 250,000 homes in 33 provinces and 65 cities and municipalities across the country.

It has earned the distinction as the only real estate company in the country that operates nationwide and caters to every sector of the homebuyers’ mar-

ket.

Northpoint moves higher as a Vista Residences development A S a Vista Residences development, the British colonial themed condo community Northpoint, moves up higher in both value and reputation, entrenching its position as a landmark condominium development with a premier address in Davao City.

Northpoint carries with it the prestige of being a Vista Residences project, joining its roster of high-end vertical developments and maintaining its distinction as the only green condo community in Davao and Vista Residences first condo development in Mindanao.

Vista Residences is the vertical residential marketing arm of the country’s largest homebuilder, Vista

Northpoint is a British colonial themed condo community with currently three buildings with its fourth and tallest tower, called Liverpool, expected to start construction soon. It is the top choice for condo homes in Davao that provide the best city living experience.

With Vista Residences setting the new standard for urban living, Northpoint becomes the condo home of choice for families who want to live a better quality of life.

For more on Northpoint, get in touch with Camella Davao at 2/F Delgar Building, JP Laurel Ave., Bajada, Davao City, telephone numbers (082) 2953973.

as of May 2013 Cebu Pacific Daily Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Thu

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

5:45 5:45 6:00 6:10 7:50 7:50 8:00 9:10 9:40 11:30 12:00 12:55

Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Iloilo Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Zamboanga-Davao-Zamboanga Cebu-Davao-Cebu Iloilo-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila

6:15 6:25 6:30 7:00 8:50 8:10 8:30 9:40 10:10 12:20 12:30 13:25

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

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

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

Cebu-Davao-Cebu

16:45

7 ENVIRONMENT

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 12 • TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2014

Climate change hikes conflict risk, flood, hunger: UN panel S

OARING carbon emissions will amplify the risk of conflict, hunger, floods and migration this century, the UN’s expert panel said Monday in a landmark report on the impact of climate change.

Left unchecked, greenhouse gas emissions may cost trillions of dollars in damage to property and ecosystems and in bills for shoring up climate defenses, it said.

The report said the impact of climate change was already being felt and would increase with every additional degree that temperatures rose.

“Increasing magnitudes of warming increase the likelihood of severe, pervasive, and irreversible impacts,” a summary said, in a stark message to policymakers.

The report is the second chapter of the fifth assessment by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), set up in 1988 to provide neutral, science-based guidance to governments.

“It’s a toolkit for managing climate change, but it also provides a framework for understanding, a mindset for understanding climate change and its

implications,” Chris Field of the Carnegie Institution, co-chairman of the group of scientists who authored the document, told the Agence France-Presse (AFP).

These hefty documents – running to thousands of pages – have a political impact that can resound for years.

The last overview, published in 2007, earned the panel a co-share in the Nobel Peace Prize and unleashed a wave of political action that strived, but failed, to forge a worldwide treaty on climate change in Copenhagen in 2009.

The new document, unveiled in Yokohama after a 5-day meeting, gives the starkest warning yet by the IPCC of extreme consequences from climate change, and delves into greater detail than ever before into the impact at regional level.

It builds on previous IPCC forecasts that global temperatures will rise 0.34.8 degrees Celsius (0.5-8.6 degrees Fahrenheit) this century, on top of roughly 0.7 Celsius since the Industrial Revolution.

Seas will rise by 26-82 centimeters (10-32 inches) by 2100.

Warming of around two degrees Celsius over pre-industrial times may cost 0.2-2.% of global annual income, said the new report. UN members have pledged to hammer out a global pact by the end of 2015 to limit warming to 2 C. Security risk The impact amplifies

with every degree and beyond 4 degrees Celsius could be disastrous, said the report.

Climate change can drive turbulence and conflict, prompted by migration from newly uninhabitable areas and jockeying for water and food, it said.

“Climate change has a tendency to act as a threat

the environment. The program enabled communities and individuals all over the country to save trees, recycle wastewater, and redirect volumes of trash from the

landfill. Also, with the said program, SM Supermalls encourages shoppers to reduce waste while earning money.

“Trash to Cash” is SM’s open-to-all recycling market held every first Friday and Saturday of the month at all SM Supermalls. The event provides a venue for families and community organizations to come in with their recyclable-- scrap paper and cardboard, empty ink toner cartridges, plastic bottles and scraps, used lead batteries from cars, aluminum, tin cans, and many other items, and trade them in for some cash.

For its efforts to promote recycling, in 2010, SM was recognized as the “Champion for Re-use/Recycle” by the Zero Basura Olympics (ZBO) during its Earth Day celebration at the SM Mall of Asia Complex. The award is part of DENR’s ZBO program, which recognizes best practices in waste management and also gauges companies’ compliance to RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. SM City Davao on the other hand, earned the WWF Best Environment-Friendly Practices (Industry) in 2009.

SM ‘trash to cash’collects over 600,000 kg recyclables

A

FTER another successful observance of the Earth Hour last March 29, SM City Davao, along with other SM malls nationwide mounts its

monthly Trash to Cash on April 4 and 5.

The Trash to Cash Recycling Market Fair started in 2007 and has then impacted both the community and

SHOW OF SUPPORT. Earth Hour was observed around the world last March 29. In the photo are SM City Davao’s mall manager Lynette Lopez, assistant mall manager Engr. Warren Bautista, WWF’s Project Assistant Junrey Tubongbanua, and assistant mall manager Engr. Nick Santos at the switch off ceremony which was held at the Parking C of SM Davao. The mall has been supporting the movement since 2008 which has helped raise awareness among its shoppers, business partners and the community. The celebration was attended by various government and private organizations.

multiplier whatever the current range of stressors is,” said Field.

“There are many things that make people vulnerable, and when you combine a climate shock with these factors, you can have bad outcomes.”

Rainfall patterns will be disrupted, resulting in a significantly higher flood

risk, especially for Europe and Asia – and magnified drought risks will add to water stress in arid, heavily populated areas.

This, in turn, will have consequences for agriculture. Yields of staples such as wheat, rice and corn will be squeezed, just as demand will soar because of population growth.

Hundreds join clean-up drive on World Water Day celebration

H

UNDREDS of participants join in the simultaneous clean-up drive on “esteros” and creeks in Davao City in observance of the World Water Day 2014 Celebration last March 22, 2014. This activity was initiated by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB 11) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR 11).

With this year’s international theme “Water and Energy”, the United Nations aims to show the interdependence of water and energy as energy generation and transmission requires utilization of water resources, particularly for hydroelectric, nuclear and thermal energy. In the Philippines, World Water Day is celebrated with the theme “Water is Power”.

World Water Day Celebration is held annually on March 22 as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management

of freshwater resources.

Areas for the said clean-up drive were creeks in Shanghai, Pampanga, Hizon and Mamay as well as the Matina River in Barangays Matina Pangi, Matina Crossing and Matina Aplaya.

DENR Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus E. Fragada said that the clean-up activity is also in relation to EMB 11’s “Adopt An Estero” Program that encourages the business sector, local government units and civil society to join forces in cleaning up and maintaining a particular water channel.

Mandated to implement Republic Act 9275 otherwise known as the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004, EMB enlisted the participation of the different national government agencies, local government units, schools and industries to share the responsibility of rehabilitating and protecting the Davao City’s creeks.

[DENR 11 PR]

8

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

T

VOL. 7 ISSUE 12 • TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2014

Tax delinquencies

HAT real property taxes amounting to more than P1 billion due the city government of Davao have not been paid reportedly is disturbing. A team headed by a lawyer of the City Legal Office has found that the delinquency list includes 97,671 accounts involving unpaid taxes of more than P1 billion last year alone.

It is said that the list also includes certain properties for which taxes are not supposed to be paid anymore as they’ve been donated to the government. Whatever are the real circumstances involved in this seeming controversy should be reported out clearly to the public because it is the right of all

EDGEDAVAO

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NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

the national association of newspapers

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taxpayers, big and small, to know the truth.

Our city fathers must take the findings of the investigation team seriously and make proper steps to assure the anxious citizens that such a situation will not recur in the future If there are people responsible for the mess that resulted in the non-collection of this horrendous amount of tax money, they should be made to explain or be prosecuted if necessary.

It would be tragic to the state of the city, particularly its finances, if this situation is repeated in the future just because our leaders fail to act accordingly now.

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./ 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

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

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

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EDGEDAVAO

T

VOL. 7 ISSUE 12 • TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2014

Cynical and indecisive act

HE VERY SOURCE OF THE COUNTRY’S MOUNTING PROBLEMS– There is certainly plenty of reason especially for the victims of the devastating storm “Typhoon Yolanda” particularly in the most devastated provinces in eastern Visayas – Leyte, Samar notably the city of Tacloban and some parts of the island to raise a howl of protest against the local officials of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD VIII).

Still, the bad memories of the most disastrous typhoon that hit the country are being remembered by the poor survivors. The last time, there were numerous complaints – national government apathy, slow rescue operations, food shortage notably rice and other basic provisions for the thousands of victims who were relocated in different jampacked evacuation centers such as schools, public gymnasiums and covered courts.

Definitely, public sentiment favors an in-depth investigation into the alleged negligence of some local DSWD executives and barangay officials. The maelstrom began with the media’s disclosure that several hundreds of sacks of well-milled rice, noodles, canned goods and other food items intended for the typhoon victims are allowed to decompose inside the different inter-agency relief distribution centers. The media revelation brought into the open a deep-rooted culture of neglect involving some DSWD and rural officials.

The anger stemmed in part from the fact that during the devastation thousands of poor families in Tacloban City and other most affected farming and fishing communities of Leyte and other coastal towns of Samar provinces have nowhere to go – lives, homes and properties are gone after rammed by five-meter high seawater and debris caused by continuous rain and flooding. The devastating typhoon left thousands of people dead and more still missing, and severe damage to

W

properties, agricultural crops and farm animals.

But the bigger problem confronted by the victims is the poor delivery of basic social services and aside from suffering extreme hunger they also endured an awful cool weather due to unceasing rain and thunderstorm, and worse, many evacuees especially children suffered from cough and cold and water-borne diseases. By this time, several months after the terrifying incident public anger was inflamed by the sheer neglect as clearly shown lately by the DSWD and barangay officials’ alleged seeming incompetence in the face of the people’s dire needs.

The upsetting revelation contributed to the food shortage problem by allowing some of the relief goods to rot and allegedly ordered to be buried by the agency, and the saddest part is the suspension of the distribution of supplies. For their part, DSWD officials briefly inform media that only a few decomposed stocks are buried to avoid being gobbled by some people contrary to the reports provided by irate and aghast residents. They say the agency is likewise obliged to distribute the remaining relief goods that are still safe and fit for human consumption. Goodness gracious!

Moreover, they explained that the remaining stocks would also serve as emergency relief goods in the event another catastrophe happens again. Holy cow! Are these people expecting another devastating fury of nature?

The statement may have been meant to assure

the typhoon victims of available rice supply, but it speaks as well of their indecisiveness when it comes to the handling of relief operations. Instigators masquerading as pro-poor advocates took advantage of the situation and lambasted the government citing incidents where thousands of people, many of them actually are not typhoon victims, ransacked NFA warehouses, stores and forcibly seized sacks of rice and canned goods because of the agency’s snail-pace distribution method.

The DSWD reports that it had in its disposition thousands of sacks of rice and other foodstuffs, but it is likewise difficult to understand that all what it has done is to stockpile if not distribute the relief goods very slowly, thus depriving thousands of typhoon victims of a long and much-awaited assistance. Some militant groups and self-professed pro-poor advocates are blaming the whole mess on what they see as a cynical act and indifference shown by neglectful public officials. Many others share those sentiments and urged higher authorities to conduct a no-nonsense probe and include investigating some DSWD personnel and barangay officials who have been in charge of the relief operations at the height of “Typhoon Yolanda”.

Even so, doubts still remain over whether higher authorities are really serious in implementing the government’s “Daang Matuwid” (Straight Path) policy otherwise it may only turn out to be “Daang Natuwad” (Clatter Path). Midway through his reign, President Benigno Aquino III finds himself hapless and unable to keep his campaign and SONA promises to rid all government agencies of undeserving and non-performing officials and personnel. President PNoy is clueless to the fact that some of his “trusted” people actually are the very source of the country’s mounting problems.

Romeo R. Capalla, A Living Water for the Poor: A Reflection on the Liturgy of the Third Sunday of Lent

E know there have been persons in the past, and Romy seemed to like them, persons with great ideas and visions which they exemplified in their personal lives.

Somehow they believed there was an energy and power in these ideas and visions in favor of the poor, for, good ideas and good examples never die. Which might explain why they were not afraid of violent death. They are people who are great in life but are greater in death.

On this very important issue of violence, I have to say the following as bishop of the Catholic Church and as the elder brother of Romy: Our Faith teaches us that God’s Commandments prohibit most forms of violence. Therefore it must be condemned. Romy is the victim of that brutal violence perpetrated in the presence of his 92-year-old mother-in-law, Purificacion Gemarino, whom he was helping to get seated in his car when the assailants shot him from behind hitting him on the upper part of the nape.

This criminal act in the sight of an elderly person aggravates its heinousness.

Therefore we strongly condemn this heinous and unconscionable crime. We demand justice for the unarmed brother Romy and for many other victims like him. We condemn this barbarous act before his disabled mother-inlaw. We ask everyone to pray for the eternal repose of his soul and for strength and composure to his wife Makoy and his three daughters Paula June, Romina and Katrina Ann. We condemn all extra judicial killings and also judicial killings like capital punishment.

Why? Because we are born with inherent goodness, we were created in the image and likeness of God. This inborn goodness can never be erased by sin and crime. So if our education and formation is effective it can reach that inner

HOMILY

BY DAVAO ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS FERNANDO R. CAPALLA

[Editor’s Note: This homily was delivered by the author in Leon, Iloilo during the funeral service for his younger brother Romeo R. Capalla who was slain last March 15.]

(Conclusion)

goodness and make it flower into good thoughts, good words, good actions and good relationships. The sinner then reform and change.

And so, while the demands of justice are being pursued - if still they can be pursued within our flawed justice system -- we as Christians must forgive the criminal assailants and the people behind them, and pray for their conversion because they too like us are children of God. For, without forgiveness there is no future for our country. I repeat, without forgiveness there is no future for our country. To Blessed John Paul II who will be canonized on April 27 “there is no peace without justice, no justice without forgiveness”. The spiral of violence will only increase in intensity and will eventually destroy us all. Active non-violence and a forgiving heart motivated by love is the only Christian way of cutting off the spiral curve of hatred and revenge.

Two thousand years ago Jesus Christ, God in human form, took our sins with Him on the cross, allowed His body to be tortured; He who had no sin paid with His bloody death the punishment our sins and crimes deserve in the dark and ugly horror of that Friday, amidst jeers and insults. Christ’s gracious love, which was beauty supreme, radiated in unsurpassable splendor on the cross to heal the physical

and social wounds created by sin and crime, thus glorifying suffering human flesh and giving meaning to human death. All deaths like the death of people like my brother Romy who had showed humble and compassionate love for the poor acquire a special meaning because of the Cross of Jesus.

Because Jesus resurrected to new life, the crucifixion and death of the humble and the compassionate are like His passage from darkness to light, from the death of winter to the springtime of life. Yes, the deaths of the humble like Romy’s are new springs in the arid desert of our specially dehydrated society. The power of their good example flows as a strong surge of living water that gives hope and new life, a life of love and compassion, of selfless non-violence, justice and freedom, and of total human development and peace.

This is what we celebrate here through the sacramental symbols of Christian liturgy. Here we proclaim the death of Jesus and profess His resurrection, and make Him present in order for us to receive Him and commune with Him heart- to-heart. And thus avoid being spiritually dehydrated.

In the name of Makoy, Corazon Gemarino Capalla, PJ, Mimgming and Katkat, and also in the name of my sisters Gloria, Blanca and Elisea and of my two brothers as well, Paquit and Ramon, I thank everyone here for being with us in prayer and worship. To those who are not here but who condoled with us through the media, the emails and mobile phones, sent flowers and Mass cards, and prayed for Romy and visited his remains during the wake in Oton and here in Leon, our heartfelt thanks. Let us pray for one another and support one another quietly and humbly as Romy used to do. Amen.

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Coping with graduation day

W

HEN

YOU’RE faced by a flurry of so many activities within a span of only a few days, the only thing you can do is to pick your top priority. You can’t be present in all those activities, simply because it’s physically impossible for you.

That’s what happened to me last week when I focused all my efforts to the graduation of my grade six son Sean Anthony--- getting him a pair of new black shoes, a new white shirt with the school seal, producing all those little pesky “requirements” demanded by his teacher who threatened not to sign his clearance, getting a lawyer to draw up an affidavit of loss, etc, etc, and all those nitty-gritty that will made him march on his Graduation Day last March 28.

That was my son’s Big Day and nothing, but nothing, took that away from him.

I made sure he can catch a glimpse of me among the hundreds of parents stretching their necks trying to catch a glimpse of their children on their Graduation Day. That same day, March 28, was also the anniversary of my client’s organization and it was also a big day for thousands of their members out there in Panabo with top government officials as their guests.

After helping them re-write and edit all the articles of their news letter, I told them I couldn’t make it to their anniversary because I need to be with my son on his Graduation Day. I was supposed to be present also, as a guest and one of the judges of the Awards Night of the journalism class of Ateneo de Davao at a big hotel along Lanang the day before, but there were things I needed to do for my son, so I had to beg off and told them I couldn’t make it. I already made and submitted my ratings and the winning student journalists identified, so my job was done and over with.

The biggest event, of course, was the final signing of the Bangsao Moro peace agreement between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Philippine government last March 27, a day before my son’s graduation from elementary school. It overshadowed all other national news as our Muslim brothers all over the country cheered this historic event.

On that same day, March 28, was the Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting and they usually have very important guests who are news makers whose views and opinions are terrific for serious reporters looking for serious news stories to write. This usually takes place nearing lunchtime, which was the climax of the Graduation Day that very same day. (At that time, we were having a special graduation lunch for our son.)

I even forgot all about Earth Hour after getting SMS alerts on my cellphone which didn’t mention the date, so I thought it was either March 28 or 29 which happened to be the founding anniversary of the communist New People’s Army, so these events left me confused and disoriented after the flurry of so many activities last week here in Davao.

A father’s time well spent with his son marking a milestone in his life, to me---- is more important and meaningful than all the flurry of activities and historic events marking the milestones of all organizations in this country.

(Comments ? Email me > tradingpost_davao@yahoo.com)

10 NEWS More...FFROM 1 es of dengue may increase.

“I hope mali ako pero mukhang tataas pa dahil matapos ang init meron tayong pockets of rainfall na pwedeng makakolekta ng tubig sa manmade containers kung saan pwedeng maitlugan ng mga lamok,” she said.

However, the number of cases of dengue recorded in the region this year dropped by 63.49 percent as compared to 2,882 dengue cases recording during the same period in 2013.

The number of deaths also decreased 75 percent as compared to 24 deaths recorded during the same period last year.

On the month of Janu-

ary this year it has recorded the highest number of incidence, with more than 500 cases.

Tabada noted a trend in their monitoring which showed that the number of dengue incidence surges every three years which last peaked last years, thus, she forecasts a decrease in the number of incidence not until 2016.

She however attributed the decrease in the number of cases during the first three months this year to the intensification of government’s information dissemination campaign and other activities aimed to eliminate the breeding places of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

The report states that the goal of the project is make a ‘ready-market’ for the products of small independent farmers in the city.

“And they will get good prices for the commodities that they will bring to the center because in this manner there will be a good consolidation and storage facility that will enhance the value of their products,” it says.

The DA will allocate P193 million to fund the project.

With the materialization of the proposed project, the report says the city government hopes to see consolidations of agricultural products in the center from the farmers of North Cotabato, Davao del Sur, Southern Bukidnon and other neighboring provinces.

The report further states that in expressing support to the project, the

City Planning and Development Office stated that there will be a joint effort of the City Agriculturist Office, City Agricultural Cooperatives, and Department of Agrarian Reform for consolidation and encouraging famers to work together in producing leverage in order to get good price.

The project was initially conceptualized in 2004 by the city and DTI – 11 which identified and agreed to pursue developing the area for the establishment of a food exchange complex envisioned to become the food processing center in Eastern Mindanao.

It states that the officials of DA, DTI, Department of Tourism (DOT), and the city officials already convened for the project which resulted for the conduct of Master Plan and Feasibility Study and the allocation of budget by DA in support of the proposal.

be in accordance with Annex II of this Circular; The Refresher Training for Basic Safety shall follow Annex III and the Updating Training for Personal Safety and Social Responsibility shall follow Annex IV of this Circular.

The training certificates for Refresher, on the other hand, shall be in accordance with Annex V and the training certificate for updating shall be in accordance with Annex VI. Only MARINA-accred-

ited training centers offering the Basic Training are allowed to offer the above Refresher and Updating training.

The accreditation, training and assessment for the above shall be in accordance with the provisions of MARINA Circular No. 2013-01. IV. The fee for the MARINA accreditation of Security Awareness Training and Seafarers with Designated Security Duties shall be P8,000. [PNA]

least four passengers who are all licensed drivers will get 20 percent in toll fees and 20 percent in all gasoline stations.

The bill prohibits the driver of a vehicle to demand any kind of payment from their passengers. Violators face a punishment of two years imprisonment and a fine of not more than P100,000.

Free parking fees and

other discounts under the proposed Act shall be availed of only when the driver’s licenses of the passengers have already been presented.

“The help of every institution, public or private alike is needed so as to prevent unnecessarily causing a great disadvantage and inconvenience to the general public,” Olivarez said.

[PNA]

SP...

FFROM 2

Solon...

FFROM 2

Marina...FFROM 2

VOL. 7 ISSUE 12 • TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

Gov’t move to resume peace talks with Left lauded

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UEZON City Rep. Winston Castelo on Monday praised the determination and willingness of the Aquino administration to resume negotiations for a political settlement with the communist-led National Democratic Front (NDF) even on informal level this May. However, he said a cease-

fire of hostilities would be necessary to build up confidence and mutual trust between the two parties.

“The May informal talks could lead the peace panel representing the Government of the Republic of the Philippines to talk for a declaration of a bilateral cessation of hostilities with the NDF counterpart as a start-

ing point of any resumption of formal negotiations for a political settlement,” Castelo said in a statement.

“A ceasefire accord would go a long way to create that atmosphere of trust and confidence, as the two parties sit down again and seek a political settlement for the insurgency issue that has been nagging the country for

almost five decades,” Castelo added.

The veteran lawmaker made the statement even as Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. earlier floated the possibility of holding informal talks in May before the two parties go for the nitty-gritty of resumed formal negotiations. [PNA]

He also urged parents of high school graduates to encourage and support their children who want to get into tech-voc, assuring that it would be a worthy investment.

Villanueva said that TESDA has currently close to 20,000 programs in institutions that are registered with the agency.

In terms of partnership with companies, TESDA

also has apprenticeship programs that involve actual work exposure and prepare the youth to the world of work.

Vilanueva also graduated with a degree of Bach-

elor of Science in Commerce, major in Economics at the UST before finishing Special Studies in Business Administration at the Harvard University in the US. [PNA]

MILF members to register after the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) last week.

“The first steps to peace have been taken.

Now is the time for our brothers to move farther down that road as ever

more significant partners in our democracy,” he said.

The voter registration is set to resume on May 6

until October 31, 2015 in all Offices of the Election Officer (OEOs) at the city/ municipality where the applicant resides. [PNA]

timidation or coercion,” the State Department statement said.

All countries, it added, “should respect the right of any States Party, including the Republic of the Philippines, to avail themselves of the dispute resolution mechanisms provided for under the Law of the Sea Convention.”

“We hope that this case serves to provide greater legal certainty and compliance with the international

law of the sea,” it said.

China claims the South China Sea nearly in its entirety, including areas that are within Manila’s territorial waters that have been renamed West Philippine Sea. Manila took a bold step on January 2013 when it filed a case against China before a United Nations-linked international tribunal in a bid to declare Beijing’s sea claims excessive. A five-man court that

was assembled to hear the case ordered the Philippines to submit a memorial on or before March 30 to substantiate its complaint.

The U.S., a Philippine defense ally, maintains it does not take sides in the disputes but has declared that it is in its national interest to ensure freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and that the disputes are resolved peacefully in accordance with international law, particu-

larly the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan are also claimants to the resource-rich waters, a major trade route where oil and gas deposits have recently been discovered.

It is expected of China to submit a counter memorial under international arbitration procedures. However, Beijing stated that it will not participate in the legal process. [PNA]

tax collection from armed group unlike here where the National People’s Army (NPA) asks for tax from business operating in their areas,” he said.

“In fact, we have MILF working for us in our existing plantations in Maguindanao,” he said

“Hindi mahirap mag-invest sa Muslim areas,” Bullecer said.

The expansion is expected to employ a total of 6,000. The planting stage is set to start on June.

Currently, the company has a total of 12,000 hectares of cavendish ba-

nana located in Davao City, Bukidnon, and Lanao del Sur. The firm is exporting monthly 4,000 boxes of cavendish banana to Japan, Middle East, Iran, and China.

The yield from expansion area will also proceed

to these markets.

On the same event, businessmen expressed bright investment opportunities in the Muslim areas in Mindanao, especially now with the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro signed last March 27.

ple’s net worth remained unchanged as the increase in assets would have been offset by the debts payable.

The defense of respondent’s availment of ‘paywhen-able’ from liberal personal creditors is a matter too tenuous to believe considering their consistent spike in net worth despite the presence of these supposed personal loans.”

Chang started with the BIR in 1987 as a Revenue Document Processor with a salary of P18,636 per annum. Prior to her transfer

to the BIR, she held the position of Chief Accountant at the Professional Regulation Commission in 1974 with an annual salary of P30,636.

Adding to her woes, the Ombudsman also issued a Joint Resolution recommending the filing of eight counts of Perjury against Chang for falsely declaring her yearly net worth in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth for the period 2000–2007.

The resolution also recommended the filing of forfei-

ture proceedings against her for her unexplained wealth. Chang’s dismissal from the service, which takes effect immediately, includes the cancellation of her eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits and perpetual disqualification for reemployment in the government service.

DOF-RIPS is currently experiencing a string of successes in the cases it has filed against corrupt officials of the BIR and the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Just last week, the Ombuds-

man ruled favorably on the cases filed by DOF-RIPS by dismissing from the service spouses Marlon and Emma Pascual, both BIR employees, and Eduardo Wong, BOC Acting Chief of Assessment at the Port of Cagayan De Oro. DOF-RIPS is exhorting the public to partner in its anti-corruption campaign by reporting corrupt practices and extravagant lifestyles of BOC, BIR, Bureau of the Treasury and DOF employees and officials via www.perangbayan.com. [PNA]

and other illegal drugs are stamped out from the city and persons responsible for such illegal activities are arrested, prosecuted and incarcerated,” the EO states.

The group is also tasked to coordinate and share information with other inter-

national agencies which are assigned in fighting drug syndicates and drug related activities.

The task force will be headed by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) – 11 director Emerson R. Rosales and his

agency will act as its secretariat. The members will be composed of Davao City Police Office, Investigation and Detection Management Branch, Eastern Mindanao Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, Customs Intelligence and Investi-

gation Service of Bureau of Customs, Naval Intelligence Service Group of Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard Eastern Mindanao, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency – 11 and PNP Maritime Unit -11.

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BIGGER PICTURE

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Smoking ban reduces pre-term births, childhood asthma--study B

ANS on smoking in public and the workplace led to a 10% drop in premature births and in emergency asthma treatment for children, researchers said Friday, March 28.

The evidence, based on the records of more than two million children, comes from 11 published investigations into the impact of local or national smoking bans in the United States, Canada and four European countries.

Within a year of a ban being imposed, rates of pre-term births and hospital treatment for childhood asthma each fell by more than a tenth, researchers found.

Premature births are associated with a low birthweight and health problems for the child later in life.

Previous research into the benefits of smoking bans have focused mainly on adults, but children are disproportionately affected by passive smoking because their developing lungs and immune systems are more easily irritated.

A previous study in 2011, of 192 countries, found that children account for more than a quarter of the annual toll of 600,000 deaths attributed to second-hand smoking.

The new investigation, published in The Lancet,

covered more than 2.5 million births and 250,000 hospital admissions of children who suffered an asthma attack. The data was for the period 2008-2013.

“Our research shows that smoking bans are an effective way to protect the health of our children,” said Jasper Been of the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Population Health Sciences in Scotland.

“These findings should help to accelerate the introduction of anti-smoking legislation in areas not currently protected.”

In a comment, smoking experts Sara Kalkhoran and Stanton Glantz at the University of California in San Francisco said the figures showed, among other things, that smoking bans pay for themselves.

“Medical expenses for asthma exceeded $50 billion (36.5 billion euros) in the USA in 2007 and $20 billion in Europe in 2006,” they said.

“If asthma emergency department visits and admissions to hospital decreased by even 10%, the savings in the USA and Europe together would be $7 billion annually.”

A 2012 analysis found a 15% reduction in heart attacks and strokes and a 24% drop in hospital admissions for respiratory disease after anti-tobacco laws were passed. [AFP]

NO TO SMOKING. A study shows rates of pre-term births and hospital treatment for childhood asthma both fell after smoking bans were put in place

Young women who eat lots of veggies are healthier later Y

OUNG women who eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables

show significantly lower rates of hardening in the arteries 20 years later, said

US research out Friday, March 28.

However, men did not

appear to benefit the way women did, raising questions about why a heart

ONLY WOMEN? A recent study shows that when it comes to eating vegetables, men do not appear to benefit the way women do

healthy diet may benefit one sex over the other, according to the study presented at the American College of Cardiology conference.

The research was based on 2,508 participants in the government-sponsored Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, which began in the 1980s with the aim of tracking heart health among 18-30 year olds over time.

Women who reported eating eight to nine servings a day of fruits and vegetables in their 20s were 40% less likely to have calcified plaque in their arteries in their 40s, compared with those who ate the just three to four servings a day.

The association remained even after researchers accounted for other lifestyle behaviors that could impact cardiovascular health.

“These findings confirm the concept that

plaque development is a lifelong process, and that process can be slowed down with a healthy diet at a young age,” said lead author Michael Miedema, a cardiologist at the Minneapolis Heart Institute.

“This is often when dietary habits are established, so there is value in knowing how the choices we make in early life have lifelong benefits.”

Researchers are not sure why the same benefits were not apparent in men, and said one possibility is that not enough men were included in the study to provide a clear picture.

63% of the people in the study were female and 37% were male.

“Several other studies have also suggested that a diet high in fruits and vegetables is less protective in men, but we do not have a good biological reason for this lack of association,” Miedema said. [AFP]

12 CLASSIFIED

EDGEDavao Davao Partners

VOL. 7 ISSUE 12 • TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2014

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EDGEDAVAO

TRAVEL

Bani Falls:

Arakan Valley’s secret jewel

The emerald water of Bani falls was simply hard to resist. My group composed of travel companions Louie Bryan Lapat, Leo Timogan, Keir Ashley Lim and Sarah Razeli, we all dare explored, discovered, climbed and delve the depths in reaching the falls, found it hard to defy the urge to take a dip in its swimming hole and has a basin in the center that acts like natural pool.

Words and Photos by Edwin B. Lasquite, MM I recently explored the lush Arakan Valley, a second-class municipality in the province of North Cotabato, in search of Bani Falls.

What makes Bani Falls unique? Well, if Mindanao is a treasure trove wonders, and then Bani Falls is one of its jewels, hidden in the wild, waiting to be explored.

From City of Tagum, where we are based, it took our group around three and a half hours to reach Sitio Inamog in Barangay Datu Labayon, Arakan Valley, passing through Davao City via the Bukidnon-Davao or Buda Highway. Then from Sitio Inamong, we hiked and took a “habal-habal” (motorcycle) ride for another hour

through the verdant hills of Arakan to reach Matigol Falls.

At Matigol Falls, our group took a brief break, and wandered around and enjoyed the rustic surroundings. Like anyone with a camera these days, we had a seemingly neverending picture taking of the falls until finally we decide to proceed with our journey.

It was not an easy hike.

The trek took another two and half grueling hours, climbing narrow trails and going downward on slippery footpaths. Thanks to the awesome panorama of our surroundings, it kept us enthused as we were nearing exhaustion.

In a trek, which we thought would last forever, we were glad to start hearing the whooshing and

splashing sound of water, gently echoing in the wilderness. Yes, we finally reached our destination: Bani Water Falls.

Silent as wisher, we gawked at one of nature’s finest wonders, cascading from a river’s mouth on top of a hill. From afar, it looked like it sprung from a crack, knifing through the forest and then plummeting in different tiers.

Bani Falls actually has five cascades originating from one source that plunges in different directions then converging once again in a natural basin below. It is said that Bani Falls has an astounding height of approximately 500 meters.

For me, the emerald rugged falls location gives it three things, great trekking potentials, fabulous scenery panoramas and absence of crowds.

Some of my companions even got a soothing hydromassage from the gentle showers in some parts of the falls. We also drank directly from the falls, enjoying its fresh and cool water that immediately relived us from fatigue.

After enjoying the overwhelming panorama of Bani Falls, we finally decided to return home and savor our memories of this natural jewel.

We realized that it took us a dumbfounding seven hours of travel to get to Bani falls. It also meant that it would take the same on our way home. Nevertheless, the experience was all worth it.

There is just much beauty in different areas in Mindanao. We are proud that we have finally found one, concealed with nature’s care deep in the blossom of Arakan Valley.

EDGEDAVAO

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UP AND ABOUT

Vice Ganda celebrates Starmobile Day in Davao PREMIUM local brand Starmobile spread happiness in Davao with good buys and good vibes courtesy of its unkabogable endorser Vice Ganda.

Box office star Vice Ganda, well-loved for his talent, wit and humor, makes for an ideal match to Starmobile—a brand committed to providing Starmobile celebrity endorser Vice Ganda at satisfaction and happithe Starmobile Concept Store at the 3rd level ness to Filipinos through of the Gaisano Mall quality dual SIM Android phones and tablets at prices within reach.

Starmobile President Michael Chen shares, “Vice Ganda is a fitting complement to Starmobile’s very own Happy Man as he personifies what the brand is all about—being happy, Jameson Say with the Starmobile Engage 9i. hopeful, and successful. At the relaunch of the Starmobile Concept Store in Gaisano Mall- Uly Lao, Vice Ganda, Wilson Lu, Hector Lao & Jameson Say. Having him onboard is area. a testament to the happy The much-anticipated mobile lifestyle that our Starmobile Day drew in users can expect only a massive crowd of shopfrom Starmobile.” pers all eager to see Vice Expressing his exciteand take advantage of the ment over the partnerStarmobile Sale, which ofship, Vice Ganda states: fers discounts up to P5000 “Severe ang happiness ko off on selected models. to celebrate with my StarQuality Starmobile mobile family! Ngayon, Powered by Android hindi lang mga jokes at devices are now availmga punchlines ko ang able nationwide. Check magpapasaya, pati na rin out www.starmobile.

A customer checking out the Engage 9i. ang mga high tech na Star- THUMBS UP! Starmobile executives with celebrity endorser Vice Ganda. com.ph, Happy Man by mobile Android phones at to be part of a brand that mas Unkabogable pa sa ing of Starmobile’s flag- the concept store serves Starmobile on Facebook, tablets. Mura pero hindi shares the same passion Starmobile!” ship store in Mindanao. as Starmobile’s main hub and @happymanPH on cheap. That’s why I am I have for making people The celebration also co- Located at the 3rd Level for experiential retail and Twitter for more exciting so grateful and blessed happy! Wala na talagang incides with the re-open- of Gaisano Mall Davao, customer support in the news from Starmobile.

Cebu Pacific launches new flights to Tokyo, Nagoya THE Philippines’ leading airline, Cebu Pacific Air (PSE:CEB) launched two new international destinations on March 30, 2014.

The airline became the first Philippine low-cost carrier to operate direct daily flights from Manila to Tokyo (Narita), and four times weekly flights from Manila to Nagoya.

“We are very excited to finally be able to offer Cebu Pacific’s trademark lowest fares to these two new destinations in Japan.

With our seat sales, seamless Manila airport terminal connection and extensive network, we hope to stimulate travel and bring Japanese tourists to various destinations in fun Philippines,” said Candice Iyog, CEB VP for marketing and distribution.

“Similarly, we hope these two new destinations will enable many Filipinos to explore Japan for leisure or business travel. Japan is now more accessible and more affordable with Cebu Pacific flights,” she added.

Lowest year-round fares start at P5,499. CEB fares to Nagoya and Narita are up to 70% lower than other full-service airlines.

CEB also operates daily flights between Manila and Osaka, for as low as P3,999.

On March 30, 2014, CEB launched daily services to Tokyo (Narita), utilizing the airline’s brand-new Airbus A320 fleet. The flight departs Manila at 5:25am, arriving in Tokyo at 10:35am. The return flight departs Tokyo at 11:45am, and arrives in Manila at 3:45pm.

On the same day, CEB launched its Manila-Nagoya-Manila service, with a Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday frequency.

Departing Manila at 3:20pm, the flight arrives in Nagoya at 8:25pm. The return flight departs Nagoya at 9:10pm, and arrives in Manila at 12:10am the next day.

For bookings and inquiries, guests can go to http://www.cebupacificair.com/, or call the reservation hotlines (02)7020-888 or (032)2308888. The latest seat sales can also be found on CEB’s official Twitter (@cebupacificair) and Facebook pages.

Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao celebrates World Water Day IN LINE with our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao, we have partnered with the Environmental Management Bureau XI (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to celebrate World Water Day on March 22, 2014 through a joint coastal clean up drive. Led by the hotel’s General Manager, Mr. Rouel P. Guanzon, and ably assisted by Brgy. Capt.

Ralph Abella of Barangay Hizon, Saturday morning was spent cleaning up the coastal area around the waterway located inside the property. Armed with rakes and brooms, driftwood and an assortment of trash were all segregated and placed in garbage bags and sacks. Apart from the camaraderie and teamwork between local government

agencies and the private sector, our common goal was to clean the estero of wastes, debris, and silt to ensure unimpeded water flow, most espacially during the rainy season. The long term objective is to reduce incidence of flooding which causes damage to properties and, in extreme cases, puts lives at risk.

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ENTERTAINMENT

ABS-CBN throws back-to-back Araw Ng Dabaw treats for 15,000 Dabawenyos OVER 15,000 Dabawenyos joined ABS-CBN’s fun and star-studded celebration of the annual Araw ng Dabaw via the network’s back-to back events last March 14 and 15.

Five thousand fans flocked to the Abreeza Mall for “Salamat Kapamilya” last March 14 to bond with ABS-CBN’s newest love team, young stars Enrique Gil and Julia Bar-

retto.

The two displayed undeniable chemistry as they performed a special production number and invited the crowd to watch their primetime fantaserye “Mira Bella.”

The fun continued on March 15 as 10,000 people trooped to the ‘Kapamilya Karavan’ held at the SM City (Ecoland) parking lot to enjoy special treats from the cast

members of ABS-CBN’s teleseryes.

“Dyesebel” leading man Gerald Anderson received the loudest cheers when he performed a sizzling song and dance number that delighted the crowd.

Adding color and luster to the celebration were “The Legal Wife” stars Maja Salvador and Joem Bascon.

Davaoenos were also entertained by the cast of ABS-CN’s long-running hit teleserye “Be Careful With My Heart” that included Tart Carlos, Vivieka Ravanes, JM Ibanez, Marlo Mortel, Janella Salvador, and Jerome Ponce.

The ‘Salamat Kapamilya’ and ‘Kapamilya Karavan’ events were organized by the ABS-CBN Regional Network Group.

Disney’s Frozen becomes the highest grossing animated film of all time at the box office FROZEN enters the record books as it claims the number one spot.

The heartwarming Disney film became the highest grossing animated feature this weekend, Walt Disney Studios announced in a press release. The fun-loving flick earned an estimated $398.4 million domestically and raked in an additional $674 million internationally, making a grand total of $1.072 billion worldwide. Frozen is also the first billion-dollar film for Walt Disney Animation Studios.

This highly impressive feat surpasses the mark Toy Story 3 set in 2010.

In case you haven’t seen Frozen and don’t

know every word to “Let It Go”...

The film is based on Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, The Snow Queen, and features the voices of Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff, Idina Menzel and Josh Gad. Princess Anna (Bell) joins forces with mountain man Kristoff (Groff) as they try to locate her sister, Elsa (Menzel). Elsa’s icy powers have trapped the kingdom in eternal winter. Gad is the very humorous and hapless snowman, Olaf.

Frozen took home the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film. Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez won Best Song for “Let It Go.”

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER 2D Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson PG 13

12:00 | 3:00 | 6:00 | 9:00 LFS

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER 3D Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson PG 13

12:30 | 3:30 | 6:30 | 9:30 LFS

DIVERGENT 2D Shailene Woodley, Theo James PG 13

11:40 | 2:15 | 4:50 | 7:25 | 10:00 LFS

R-16 CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER 2D Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson PG 13

1:00 | 4:00 | 7:00 | 10:00 LFS

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 12 • TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2014

HEALTH & BEAUTY

A terrific Thera-fish experience I just had and extremely exhausting past few months from prom season to grad season,running a dress shop wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. I rarely find time to just chill and unwind. Luckily something new and exciting made its way to the tuna city, just this March 15, 2014, the Tibiao Fish Spa opened its tubs to the Generals.

Tibiao Fish Spa started its fishy adventure from Tibiao, Antique back in 2009, their Gensan branch if their first branch in Mindanao, after becoming a hit also in Pampanga in 2012, where locals and tourist alike enjoy the fishtastic therapy.

So when I was able to see an opening in my schedule I immediately took the chance to try this out and unwind. When me and my Mom got into the spa, we were welcomed by their hospitable and jolly staff. Then we were asked to take off our shoes, since our feet have to be disinfected for health and hygiene reasons for the safety of both the customers and the fishes.

Mr. Flord Nicson Caliwag, General Manager and Franchiser of the spa

walked us through our first fish spa experience.

He’s an avid fish collector, and a series of events led to an accidental discovery of the fish’s capabilities. Tibiao Fish Spa is the first to use local fish for spa purposes. The fishes in the tanks are a specially hybridized species that feed on dead layers of skin, once rough areas became smoother and softer, at the same time

the ticklish feel you when the nibble on your feet. stimulate pressure points to relax the body and relieve stress.

When I finally immersed my feet on the tub,

I cant shake off the tickling feeling, as my Mom and I laughed, Mr. Flord mentioned that “Aside from the fish cleaning your skin, laughter itself is good for you. It relaxes the heart, boosts our immune system, and reduces the level of stress hormones.

Plus, we all know it feels good to laugh especially in the company of our family and friends,” The ticklish feel lasts only a minute or two, was shocked on how fast I got used to the feeling, ] you could feel the good vibes flowing through your veins. As if the fish are munching your stress away. The music and ambiance also plays a huge role on the Titbiao Fish Spa experience.

The time flew by, I didn’t want to leave, but duty called, I had to go.

After 30 minutes of fish nibbling action and relaxation a relaxing foot massage turned out to be the cherry on top of the ice cream.

The Tibiao Fish Spa of-

fers specials on Wednesdays where they have a 5 + 1 promo, birthday celebrants could also go for free if they bring along a party minimum of 4 people. The fish spa exhibit will only be in Gensan for 3 months. So move those feet and feed them to the fishes at Tibiao Fish

Spa fronting BDO at SM City Gensan.

For more info email them at flord@tibiaofishspa.com Follow me on Twitter or Instagram @kyriekoutre for more adventures in and around my wonderland that is Gensan, Tuna Capital of the Philippines.

EDGEDavao Davao Partners

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 12 • TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2014

City Econ Enterprise wins DCWD world water day photo contest L

DLPC conducts replacement of meter: from Electromechanical to Electronic

T

HE photo titled “Regulating Wastewater to Bring Energy to Life” of Sherwin A. Miguel from the City Economic Enterprise bagged the first place spot out of the nine submitted entries in the first government agency World Water Day photo contest sponsored by Davao City Water District. Coming in second was “Crossover” of Gerardo D. Madrazo from the City Assessor’s Office and third was “Nature’s Beauty” of Tomas Jose S. Iñigo from the Sports Development Division.

Judging of entries and awarding of winners were conducted last March 18 at

the activity center of SM City Annex in Ecoland where the top three winners received plaques and cash prizes of P10,000, P7,000 and P4,000, respectively. All contestants received DCWD customized bags and umbrellas.

The winning photos are on display in an exhibit at SM City Annex from March 19 to 23 together with the other six entries: “Flowing Energy” of Marlito D. Ayala from the Department of Labor and Employment XI, “Hope by the Mangroves” of Kevin Terence N. Olmedo from the Department of Public Works and Highways XI, “Tubig at Katutubo” of Estelito L. Ocampo

from the National Commission on Indigenous People’s XI, “Reminiscence” of Rollin John C. de la Cruz from the Philippine Statistics Authority, “Endless Drift” of Jefferson V. Escobello from the Public Safety and Security Command Center and untitled photo of Alrey D. Villagonzalo from the Business Bureau.

Renowned and multi-awarded city photographers Renato “Rene” B. Lumawag, Roland L. Jumawan and Jojie F. Alcantara judged the entries. Winners were chosen according to how the subject matter was photographed in a unique and interesting way, how

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES UNITE IN CELEBRATING WORLD WATER DAY IN DAVAO CITY. DCWD officers, professional photographer judges and the contestants of the first World Water Day photo contest among government agencies during the awarding ceremony last March 18, 2014 at the activity center in SM City Annex.

the elements in photography were used in the picture, how the photo was able to grab and hold the viewers’ attention and how well the photos interpreted any of the objectives of the 2014 World Water Day celebration. The objectives are: (a) to raise awareness of the inter-linkages between water and energy; contribute to a policy dialogue that focuses on the broad range of issues related to the nexus of water and energy; (b) to demonstrate, through case studies, to decision makers in the energy sector and the water domain that integrated approaches and solutions to water-energy issues can achieve greater economic and social impacts; (c) to identify policy formulation and capacity development issues in which the UN system, in particular UN-Water and UN-Energy, can offer significant contributions; (d) to identify key stakeholders in the water-energy nexus and actively engaging them in further developing the water-energy linkages; and (e) and to contribute as relevant to the post-2015 discussions in relation to the water-energy nexus. [Jovana T. Duhaylungsod]

IKE any other commodity, we would need instruments to measure the amount of goods we buy. And to ensure that we get our money’s worth, as consumers, we always want these instruments to be as accurate as possible.

Just like in our electricity, electromechanical meters have always been proven of its accuracy and quality when measuring our consumption. These meters are the most common type of electricity meter which are widely used by electricity consumers.

However, the electric meter has been improved to be in tune with the times. Hence, the electromechanical meters have been phased out of production worldwide.

Consequently, Davao Light and Power Company has started to replace electromechanical meters with electronic ones.

The electronic meter, as accurate as the electromechanical meter, is today’s most innovative way of measuring customer’s electricity

consumption. One of its unique features is its ability to provide the customer’s consumption in kWh enabling a customer to easily read his meter.

Moreover, with the introduction of these new meters, Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) can be implemented in the future. AMR is the technology of automatically collecting consumption, diagnostic, and status data from the metering device and transferring that data to a central database for billing, troubleshooting, and analyzing.

The AMR technology also saves power firm the expense of periodic trips to each physical location to read a meter.

Another advantage is that billing can be based on near real-time consumption rather than on period reading. This timely information coupled with analysis can help both the power utility and the customers better control the use of energy.

Davao Light’s implementation of this will be on a gradual basis until all meters are replaced.

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EDGEDAVAO

SONY OPEN

Djokovic wins 4th title

Novak Djokovic celebrates after defeating Rafael Nadal during the men’s final match at the Sony Open Tennis tournament. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

K

EY BISCAYNE, Fla. (AP) -- Novak Djokovic won his fourth Key Biscayne title, while Rafael Nadal failed again trying for his first.

Djokovic dominated from the start and closed out the victory by winning a remarkable exchange to beat Nadal 6-3, 6-3 Sunday in the final of the Sony Open.

Nadal fell to 0-4 in finals at Key Biscayne, one of just

three ATP Masters 1000 events he has yet to win. As for Djokovic, only six-time champion Andre Agassi has won the men’s event more.

Djokovic erased the only break point he faced, committed just 15 unforced errors and won a scrambling, 30-shot rally on the final point. He completed a March sweep after beating Roger Federer in the final at Indian Wells two weeks ago.

Even so, Nadal will remain ranked No. 1 and Djokovic No. 2. Either Nadal or Djokovic is the reigning champion in all nine Masters 1000 tournaments.

Nadal and Djokovic have played 40 matches, the most of any men’s pairing in the Open era, and few have been so lopsided.

View galleryDjokovic beats Nadal to win 4th Key Biscayne title Novak Djokovic of Ser-

bia, celebrates after defeating Rafael Nadal of Spain, 6-3, 6-3 during the men& …

Nadal stood six feet behind the baseline to return and often remained on the defensive from there, with his shots lacking their normal depth. Djokovic was quick to step into the court and even won a point playing serve and volley.

Djokovic also had the superior serve, and his

agility allowed him to chase down shots Nadal usually counts as winners.

Nadal’s lone breakpoint chance came in the opening game, and he failed to convert. Djokovic broke in the sixth game, hitting three consecutive winners before Nadal put a backhand in the net.

Djokovic broke again in the opening game of the second set by winning a 22-shot exchange, and

he held serve the rest of the way. With Nadal’s loss, Spanish men fell to 0-7 in Key Biscayne finals.

Djokovic won all eight sets he played in the tournament, and twice advanced because of walkovers.

The clay-court season looms, and the result might be different when the rivalry resumes on Nadal’s favorite surface. He still leads the rivalry, 22-18.

AN Antonio (AFP) - Australia’s Steven Bowditch claimed his maiden win on the US PGA tour on Sunday, carding a four-over 76 for a one-shot victory in the Texas Open.

The 30-year-old Bowditch tapped in a short bogey putt on the par-five 18th to seal the win over

runners-up Will MacKenzie and Daniel Summerhays.

The victory earns him a trip to the Masters where his Aussie compatriot Adam Scott is the defending champion.

Bowditch, who is ranked 339th in the world, had a roller-coaster round

Sunday that included that bogey on 18 as he finished with an eight-under 280 total at the TPC San Antonio.

Bowditch entered the fourth round with a three-shot cushion over Matt Kuchar and Andrew Loupe.

The Newcastle native

needed all of it as his Sunday round included two birdies, four bogeys and one double bogey.

MacKenzie (70) and Summerhays (71) shared second place at seven-under 282, while Kuchar and Loupe shot matching three-over 75s to share fourth on six-under 282.

Viloria marks Bowditch captures Texas Open return with win S

B

RIAN “The Hawaiian Punch” Viloria returned from a nearly yearlong hiatus with a unanimous decision victory over Puerto Rican boxer Juan Herrera Sunday at the Texas Station Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

The former world champion Viloria marched to the 33rd win of his career with a straightforward victory, 98-92, 9892 and 97-93, ably controlling the less experienced Herrera (9-8).

Viloria used his jab early to take control, but his one year of inactivity showed as he rarely threw combinations, settling instead for single punches.

Viloria’s last

fought in April 2013, when he lost a split decision to Mexico’s Juan Francisco Estrada that saw him drop the World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Association flyweight belts.

The bout against Herrera served as a tune-up for Viloria’s May 31 fight date in Macau, which will be headlined by Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire.

He has no opponent yet for that card, but his manager, Gary Gittelsohn, told RingTV.com that they want a “meaningful fight” for Viloria.

“I’ve discussed our ‘wish list’ with (Top Rank chief executive) Bob (Arum), but nothing is yet locked in,” said Gittelsohn.

Steven Bowditch, left, walks with his caddie to the third green during the final round of the Texas Open golf tournament on Sunday in San Antonio. (AP Photo/ Eric Gay)

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 12 • TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2014

Pacers stumble again

C

LEVELAND (AP) -- Sitting in the last chair on Indiana’s bench, David West stared straight ahead, unable to look at the court.

As the final seconds ticked off the clock on an-

other disheartening loss, West seemed dazed.

The Pacers’ promising season is unraveling Dion Waiters scored 19 points, Luol Deng added 15 and the Cleveland Cava-

liers kept their playoff push going with a 90-76 win Sunday over the skidding Pacers, who are losing their grip on the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Tristan Thompson had

16 rebounds as the Cavs snapped a nine-game losing streak against Indiana.

Cleveland came in three games behind slumping, idle Atlanta for the conference’s final playoff spot.

Cleveland Cavaliers’ Tristan Thompson grabs a rebound ahead of Indiana Pacers’ David West during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game on Sunday in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

With seven games left - six against teams with losing records - the Cavs still have a chance.

The Pacers, meanwhile, are falling apart. They lost their fifth straight road game and now lead Miami by one game for the East’s top record and home-court advantage throughout the postseason. Since beating the Heat at home last week, Indiana has lost to Washington and Cleveland. ‘’We’re losing games at an alarming rate to teams that are inferior to us,’’ said West, who picked up a technical four in the fourth quarter. ‘’We can’t figure out a way to perform better.

We’ve done what you do.

We’ve had team meetings.

We’ve had players-only meetings. We’ve had players and the coaches (meetings). We’re kind of looking for answers right now, and things don’t get any easier.’’

Paul George scored 15 and West 14 for Indiana, which fell behind by 21 in the fourth quarter.

Once thought to be a lock to make the conference finals, the Pacers are in disarray as they enter the final weeks of the regular season. ‘’We’re lost right now,’’ guard Lance Stephenson said. ‘’We just have to play through it.’’

Indiana’s offense lacks rhythm, and other than their win over the Heat, the Pacers aren’t showing the same intensity or energy that has made them one of the NBA’s top teams. ‘’We’re all frustrated,’’ coach Frank Vogel said. ‘’I think we’re playing against ourselves. It’s a level of play

that we’re trying to reach that we’re not close to where we need to be.’’

The Pacers trailed the Cavs by 13 at halftime, and after pulling within six in the third, Indiana let the Cavs go on a 14-5 run, capped by Jarrett Jack’s 3-pointer that made it 6954.

Indiana never got close enough to threaten the Cavs in the fourth, and Vogel pulled West and his other starters for the final 1:20 - a surprising sign of surrender.

Midway through the quarter, West was assessed the technical and a flagrant-1 after a mix-up with spunky Cavs rookie guard Matthew Dellavedova and Cleveland center Spencer Hawes.

There’s still time to get things fixed, but the Pacers have lost nine of 15 since March 4 and it won’t get any easier with San Antonio coming in for a visit on Monday. The Spurs have won 17 straight. ‘’We’ve got to get to playing better,’’ West said. ‘’We’ve got eight games left. It’s going to get real.

We don’t want to be disappointed in April and May. We’ve got to figure something out. Everybody, individually, all of us have to look at ourselves and figure out what we can do to right this ship.’’

The Cavs, on the other hand, are peaking at the right time. They won for the fourth time in five games despite playing without AllStar point guard Kyrie Irving, who missed his eighth straight with an injured biceps.

Durant leads Thunder past Jazz Lakers surprise Suns

O

KLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The drama was sapped early from Oklahoma City’s blowout win over Utah, except for one detail.

Thunder forward Kevin Durant is nearing Michael Jordan’s mark for consecutive games with at least 25 points.

With the crowd buzzing late in the third quarter, Durant reached the mark for the 38th consecutive time, leaving him two games short of Jordan’s accomplishment, which is the most in the past 50 years.

He finished with 31 points and nine assists to help Oklahoma City defeat the Jazz 116-96 on Sunday afternoon.

Jordan did it for 40 straight games for the Chicago Bulls during the

1986-87 season. Durant is aware of the mark, but the NBA’s leading scorer left worrying about it to the crowd at Chesapeake Energy Arena. ‘’I’m just going out there, playing my game,’’ he said. ‘’If it happens, cool.

If it doesn’t, cool. That’s how I approach it - just playing within the offense.

If a shot’s there, shoot it. If a pass is there, pass it. I try to play as simple as I can.

If that (25 points or more) comes with it, then so be it, but if not, I’m not going to lose any sleep.’’

Durant was fouled on a 3-pointer with 4:02 left in the third quarter and was awarded three free throws.

He scored his 24th point on the first one, and the crowd got into it before the second one.

L

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant shoots in front of Utah Jazz’s Enes Kanter and Serge Ibaka in the third quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City on Sunday. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

OS ANGELES (AP) -The Lakers have been giving playoff-contending teams more trouble over the past week than clubs that are way out of contention - like themselves.

Chris Kaman had a season-high 28 points along with 17 rebounds while starting at center for the vertigo-stricken Pau Gasol, Jodie Meeks scored 22 points, and Los Angeles snapped the Phoenix’ Suns’ six-game winning streak with a 115-99 victory Sunday night.

It came just five days after the Lakers put a crimp in the New York Knicks’ postseason plans with a 31-point drubbing at Staples Center. In between that game and this one were a pair of road losses to the league-worst Milwaukee Bucks and the Minnesota Timberwolves, who beat the Lakers by 36

points Friday night. ‘’We’re trying to be the player-haters of the year.

That’s definitely what we’re trying to do, and we embrace it,’’ said point guard Kendall Marshall, who had 13 points and 11 assists. ‘’We want to keep teams out of the playoffs and mess up seedings.

That’s our motivation right now. Any type of motivation we can get to grow as a team is good for us right now.’’

The undermanned Lakers shot 53 percent from the field, avoiding what would have been Phoenix’s first season sweep over them since 2004-05. The Suns won the first three meetings by an average margin of 13.3 points, including a 117-90 rout on Dec. 23 at US Airways Center. This was the first meeting between the teams in 2 1/2 months.

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VOL. VOL.77ISSUE ISSUE12 12• TUESDAY, • TUESDAY,APRIL APRIL1,1,2014 2014

DavNor gov hails

resilience of Dabaonons

By NOEL BAGUIO

D

AVAO del Norte – Governor Rodolfo del Rosario’s 7th State of the Province Address (SOPA) generously paid tribute to the courage and capacity of the Dabaonon people to readily bounce back from unfortunate events.

In his annual report card to the people, the governor attributed the unprecedented progress the province has achieved despite the financial and climatic challenges last year to the resiliency of his people.

He recalled that Davao del Norte started the year 2013 “stuck in waist-deep” mud brought by tropical depression Pablo the pre-

vious year and the ensuing flooding caused by the series of low pressure areas.

“Armed only with sheer Dabaonon determination, and the utmost trust in God Almighty, we found our way to where we are today,” the governor beamed.

Del Rosario said the achievement of the province in pursuing the P.E.O.P.L.E. development strategy has inculcated among development stakeholders, the value of putting a human face to development.

The governor noted significant achievements on health, education, and income opportunities, among other essential

government programs and services.

These include 4.8 percent prevalence of underweight children under-5 years of age in 2013, as compared to the Millennium Development Target for the Philippines which is pegged at 13.6 percent, as well as, the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) award of the province, among others.

The governor also bared Davao del Norte became a billionaire province at the end of 2013, courtesy of efficient tax collection, which posted a 13 percent increase in real property tax, as well as, 6.5 percent increase in other local sources.

The celebrated Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex (DNSTC), which is the flagship program under the public-private partnership component, made the province the sports capital in the

Davao region.

Pro-active preparedness and mitigation measures have further resulted to the achievement of zero casualty in the province since Typhoon Pablo.

Pressing global concerns have prompted the governor to integrate disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) and climate-change adaptation (CCA), including the ASEAN integration into his six-point strategy.

This is to protect important development gains and ensure that Davao del Norte will benefit from the regional liberalization.

“Our over-arching goal is to make our communities adaptive to climate change and resilient to disaster risks, while increasing the competitiveness both in skills and products, and ensure linkages within and outside of our Davao del Norte,” he said.