Edge Davao 7 Issue 237 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 237 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

CHARMED. An exhibitor examines a Chinese New Year decoration charm she will sell starting today at SM City Davao’s Chinese New year bazaar at the Annex. Lean Daval Jr.

DOUBLE RED ALERT DCPO braces after Mati attack

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. and FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

HE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) is now on double red alert status after the police station in Mati City, Davao Oriental was attacked by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members on Sunday night. In an interview, DCPO spokesperson Senior Superintendent Milgrace C. Driz told Edge Davao that after learning of the attack in Mati City Police Station on Sunday night, DCPO director Senior Superintendent Vicente

D. Danao Jr. immediately released an order to all station commanders to mount checkpoints in their areas to help the Police Regional Office (PRO) 11find the alleged rebels. “CD (city director Danao) talked to the police to intensify our checkpoints in the areas that need them,” Driz said. The attack on the Mati City Police Station by about 50 NPA members resulted in the deaths of four soldiers and one rebel.

An undetermined number of rebels were injured. Driz said Danao doubled the alert status so that police officers can inspect all hospitals and clinics to verify if wounded NPA members are being treated there. She said Danao also told the police stations in Marilog and Paquibato, areas that are known to have NPA presence, to stay vigilant and strengthen camp defenses. “If they have strong camp defense just as Mati City Po-

lice Station had, the enemy will not be able to penetrate their stations,” she said. Driz said aside from the strong camp defense, the presence of the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) 11 also helped Mati police overthrow the rebels. She said the RPSB had been sent to the Mati City Police Station to augment security in the city for the upcoming Davao Regional Athletic Association (DAVRAA) meet

FDOUBLE, 14

INSIDE EDGE

ANGKOR WAT: CITY OF TEMPLES Indulge A1

2 THE BIG NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 237 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

TRIBAL DANCE. Bai Bibyaon Ligkayan Bigkay, the only known woman tribal chief of the Lumad Ata-Manobo, dances with her tribe from Paquibato District at the junction of Roxas and C.M. Recto Avenues during the One Billion Rising Revolution 2015 in Davao City on Saturday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

City Council to discuss P600-million SB1 today By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

abf@edgedavao.net

HE Davao City Council will discuss today the additional P600-million budget for the city’s Solid Waste Management Project. To be tackled on second reading in today’s regular session is the proposed resolution “to enact an ordinance granting legislative authority Supplemental Budget No.1 of the City Government of Davao for Calendar Year 2015,

Consisting of the Budget for the Development Fund with a total amount of P600 million.” The Local Finance Committee and other resource persons have been invited to today’s regular session. Based on the report of the committee on finance, ways and means, and appropriations headed by councilor Danilo C. Dayanghirang, the funds of the proposed SB 1 will be sourced from loans from Land Bank of

the Philippines. “This is to augment the Upgrading of Solid Waste Management and Collection System of the City,” the report said. The report said the project, spearheaded by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), is very important in order to procure all the equipment needed for the upgrade in the garbage collection in the city.

CENRO plans to acquire 22 garbage compactors with a total cost of P364.135 million. CENRO also wants to procure 13, 566 mobile garbage bins with a total cost of P235.860 million. The committee report said the additional loan availment of P600 million, chargeable against the balances of drawdown from the P3 billion Omnibus Term Loan Facility duly approved

by the Land Bank of the Philippines Board last June 2009, is the unavailed portion of the Other Term Loan out of the P2.8 billion funds under the SB Numbers 1 and 2 Calendar Year 2009. CENRO head Engineer Elisa Madrazo had earlier said the city needs additional trucks to collect all the garbage especially in the areas where collection is seldom done. Madrazo said ideally, 100

new trucks should be used in garbage collection to make sure all areas are served, especially in the distant areas in the second and third districts. She said the additional bins will be also used to replace the damage and missing bins. There are more than 10,000 bins installed in the designated collection area of CENRO.

attractions. “Nature lovers can hike their way up to Mt. Apo to enjoy the lush scenery from atop the nations’ highest peak or indulge in various activities at Eden Nature Park, while the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) gives sun-seekers the chance to go beach-hopping around the many pristine shores surrounding the resort

island,” the statement said. Starting March 27, AirAsia will fly from Manila to Davao at 7:50 a.m., 3:05 p.m., and 7:40 p.m. The Davao-Manila flights are scheduled at 10:15 a.m., 5:30 p.m., and 10:05 p.m. Aside from the ManilaDavao route, AirAsia is already offering two daily Davao-Cebu flights.

TEFASCO passes AirAsia relaunches Manila-Davao route random drug test T L By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

HE Terminal Facilities and Services Corporation (TEFASCO) was found to have complied with the Drug-Free Workplace Ordinance of Davao City through a random drug test with its officials and employees on February 6, 2015. In a statement, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 11 said at least 10 percent of the total workforce of TEFASCO un-

derwent the test. The company hired a Department of Health (DOH)-accredited private drug testing center which was dully supervised by PDEA. PDEA said the random drug test was in accordance with the company’s work rules and regulations for the purpose of reducing risk in the workplace. PDEA 11 regional direc-

FTEFASCO, 14

OW cost carrier AirAsia Philippines will relaunch its Manila-Davao route with three daily flights starting March 27 this year. “Davao City is an important gateway to Mindanao,” AirAisia Philippines chief executive officer Joy Cañeba said in a statement. Cañeba said AirAsia has partnered with local

government units (LGUs) and various stakeholders in the region “to develop products and services to further boost tourism and promote Davao as a major tourist destination to local and foreign visitors.” The statement cited Davao City as “more than just a center of trade and commerce for Mindanao” because the region is a host to a myriad of tourist

VOL. 7 ISSUE 237 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS

DSWD warns erring 4Ps beneficiaries By CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

EPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 11 regional director Priscilla Razon warned erring beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) that they could be delisted for their activities. “We’re receiving feedbacks regarding pawned ATMs (automated teller machine cards) of 4Ps beneficiaries in the region who are into gambling, among others,” Razon said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex yesterday. She said more than a thousand 4Ps beneficiaries have been delisted since the implementation of the program in 2009. In a message to Edge Davao, DSWD information officer Carmela Duron said 929 were delisted because of inclusion error while 143 were delisted for being involved in fraud. Aside from gambling, some beneficiaries resort to pawning their ATM cards because of unprecedented incidence of sickness among family members. Others were delisted because of non-compliance with the provisions of the conditional cash transfer pro-

gram. Razon said some parents were delisted from the program for not sending their children to school. She said families recommended for delisting undergo due process and the Regional Development Council (RDC) 11 assesses the recommendation and issues a resolution. Under the program, the government gives poor families P300 per child per month for education and P500 per child per month for health. Razon said a total of 230,000 individual families in the region have been receiving cash grants since 2009. The largest chunk of the beneficiaries are in the province of Davao del Sur with more than 10,000, followed by Davao Oriental. “The first set of 4Ps beneficiaries in the region were from Manay and Caraga, the poorest municipality in the region, located in the province of Davao Oriental,” Razon said. For this year, the regional office of DSWD is targeting to list 700,000 individual families in the region for possible inclusion in the 4Ps program

UNDREDS of Moro civilians from outlying villages here and in nearby Pikit, North Cotabato fled following clashes since Saturday night between rivals Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. Children and work animals in tow, the villagers carrying valuables evacuated the interior villages of Kalbugan in Pagalungan and Buliok in Pikit Sunday night en route to the Pagalungan gymnasium in Barangay Poblacion and in Mahad School in Poblacion Pikit, respectively. “Walang tigil ang putukan, pina-bakwit kami ng mga barangay kapitan,” (There was endless gunfire, the village chiefs told us to evacuate) one of the evacuees said. Obviously tired of the long walk, the children fell asleep easily at 9 p.m. Sunday. Others entertained themselves by viewing movies on portable DVD player. In the gymnasium the children slept close to each other on the concrete floor covered with tarpaulins, malong (shawls) and cartons. Carabaos, cows, goats and chickens litter around the Pagalungan town hall

compound. More civilians arrived early Monday morning in Pagalungan Poblacion, fearing an escalation of hostilities following the death of one MILF commander. Villagers said the MILF and the BIFF have been fighting since Saturday night. The fighting intensified following the reported death of Commander Falcon of the MILF in a clash with the group of BIFF commander Kagui Karialan. BIFF spokesperson Abu Misri Mama said four other MILF rebels were killed when they attacked the group of Karialan. Capt. Joanne Petinglay, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, said both armed groups have been “staring at each other since last week.” “On Saturday night they clashed, leaving one MILF commander dead,” she said, adding the encounter site was deep inside the Maguindanao marshland. She said they the BIFF who figured in a clash with PNP Special Action Force (SAF) commandos in Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Jan. 25 wanted to cross North Cotabato from Maguindanao but the MILF prevented them from coming in. She said the Army is on

FDSWD, 14

ADOPTION CONSCIOUSNESS WEEK. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 11 director Priscilla N. Razon announces the holding of “Legal na Ampon Ako: Anak na Totoo,” an event which is part of the

Adoption Consciousness Week set on February 19 and 21. Razon was a guest of the Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Nabunturan’s ‘Shabu Queen’ arrested in PDEA buy-bust By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

HILIPPINE Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 11 said it arrested Nabunturan, Compostela Vallay Province’s “Shabu Queen” in a buy-bust operation on Friday night inside a room at the King and

Civilians flee as MILF, BIFF clash H

stand by and did not interfere in the fighting but ensured the safety of civilians. Meanwhile, some of the equipment of the 44 SAF members who died in the Mamasapano clash had been turned over to police authorities in Maguindanao, a police official said. Senior Supt. Rodelio Jocson, Maguindanao police provincial director, said an unidentified civilian volunteered Saturday to turn over a Kevlar helmet, one twoway radio set and a ballistic plate for a bulletproof vest. Jocson said the civilian requested anonymity for his security. He said the Maguindanao PNP with the help of the local government of Mamasapano has sent feelers to civilians and armed men who may have the equipment of fallen policemen to turn them over to them. “The civilian said he recovered the items in Barangay Tukanalipao after the encounter on January 25. I am hoping that the firearms of fallen 44 will be turned over to us soon,” he said. Aside from the 44 police commandos, 18 Moro rebels and at least four civilians were also killed in the Jan. 25 operation to get terror

FCIVILIANS, 14

Queen Drive Inn in Barangay Sta. Maria, Nabunturan. The operation was conducted by PDEA led by regional director Emerson Rosales, the Compostela Valley Provincial Police Office led by Senior Superintendent

Albert Ferro, the Nabunturan Municipal Police Station, and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of Compostela Valley Province. The suspect was identified as Rasmia Didato, alias Madam Rose, 41, a resident of Purok 5,

Pangutusan, Nabunturan. Also arrested were Ramon Jumalon, 32, and Primitivo Dela Cruz, 52, also residents of Nabunturan. They were arrested after a PDEA agent bought one sachet

FNABUNTURAN, 14

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 237 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

CHINESE DELICACIES. A staff member of SM City Davao displays tikoy and other Chinese products in preparation for the Chinese New Year bazaar at the Annex of SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

GenSan coastal area evacuated because of suspected sinkhole A

Mayors asked to clamp down on mercury-laced cosmetics

HE city government forcibly evacuated 46 families from an urban coastal community here on Sunday following the emergence of a suspected sinkhole in the area. Joseph Alvin Veneracion, chair of Barangay Dadiangas South here, said Monday they cleared a portion of Purok Tinago in their village of all its residents to prevent possible disasters resulting from the sinkhole, which was initially estimated at around 40 meters in diameter.

He said the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) issued the evacuation order as a precautionary measure pending an evaluation by geology experts of the occurrence. “We did a forced evacuation of the area as we deemed it quite risky for residents to remain there at this time,” he told reporters. The village official said the sinkhole reportedly emerged early Sunday at the shores of Purok Tinago, specifically

near the pier and anchorage area of motorboats ferrying passengers and cargo to and from this city and Balut Island in Davao Occidental. The area is adjacent to the city’s Queen Tuna Park and several commercial establishments, including a hotel and a gasoline station. Veneracion said the sinkhole was just a few meters from a community that hosts some 46 households and threatened the stability of some of the houses there. He said the affected

families, which comprise a total of 206 individuals, are currently taking temporary shelter at the covered court of the Irineo Santiago National High School. Personnel from the City Social Welfare and Development Office are currently attending to the needs of the evacuees, he said. Brenda Maniago, one of the evacuees, said they initially noticed the unusual occurrence in the area at around 5 a.m. Sunday.

Cuyos about the supposed rapists’ cult or about recent rape incidents in the city. Gocon called on the people not to circulate the rumor further through text messages of through Facebook, saying it has alarmed many residents. He said a report about people mobbing members of the cult in Barangay Cagangohan on Sunday was false and turned out to be just “children playing and chasing to each others.” Cha Monforte, Correspondent

HE Department of Health (DOH) has approved the release of around P70 million in grants for the expansion and upgrading of two hospitals in South Cotabato province. Dr. Rogelio Aturdido Jr, South Cotabato Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) chief, said Monday they are now completing the requirements set by the DOH central office to facilitate the release of the funds and the implementation of the projects. He said the grant will mainly fund the construction of additional facilities at the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Koronadal City

and the completion of the Surallah Municipal Hospital in Surallah town. “The DOH has committed to complete the upgrading of these facilities before the end of the year,” the official said in a statement. Aturdido said the two hospitals were among the 20 DOH-retained and local government-run facilities that the agency has prioritized for development and upgrading this year. He said the implementation of the two hospital projects will be funded by the agency’s continuing Health Facilities Enhancement Program. As required by the DOH,

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TOXICS watchdog group yesterday urged the chief executives of 12 cities in Mindanao to clamp down on the unlawful trade of contraband cosmetics containing mercury that it says is “taking place right under their noses.” In a press release, the Quezon City-based EcoWaste Coalition urged the mayors of Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Davao, General Santos, Koronadal, Iligan, Malaybalay, Marawi, Tacurong, Tagum, Valencia, and Zamboanga to assist the national government in purg-

ing the market of dangerous cosmetics, particularly skin whitening creams with excessive mercury content. EcoWaste said the illegal trade of mercury-laden skin whitening cosmetics is rife in most of these cities and are often sold in retail outlets such as herbal and beauty product stores, Chinese drug stores, and general merchandise stores. “The market surveillance we conducted confirmed the unrestrained sale of skin whitening products banned by the health authorities for

he said the local government submitted earlier this month the floor plan of the proposed expansion works at the provincial hospital. He said the plan was developed by the Provincial Engineering Office, in coordination with the IPHO. Aturdido said the floor plan covers the upgrading of the provincial hospital’s main building, expansion of the second level or second floor to house a burn unit and the improvement of the hospital’s emergency room. Aside from the P70-million grant, he said South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes is currently seeking additional funds from the

national government to facilitate the construction of a new three-storey building for the hospital. He said the local government has already committed to fund the initial implementation of the project, which is mainly intended to increase the hospital’s bed capacity. “This will eventually answer the problem of congestion at the provincial hospital,” he pointed out. For the Surallah Municipal Hospital, which is also known as the provincial hospital annex, Aturdido said the DOH grant will be utilized to for the upgrading of vital sections of the hospital, especially its

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Rapists’cult yarn DOH okays P70M for SouthCot hospital upgrading in Panabo belied T

RUMOR about rapists’ cult victimizing children and women – even pregnant ones – has been circulating in Panabo City since last week but a city councilor said it was just that: a rumor. In an interview yesterday, councilor Ferdinand Gocon said he has not received any report or text message from the officials of the city’s 40 barangay or from city police director Thor Valiente

FDOH, 14

5 PROPERTY Lessandra – Camella’s affordable home option I EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 237 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

F you think living in an exclusive and amenity-filled subdivision is beyond your reach, think again. Camella is making it easy for average income-earners to make their dream come true - own a Camella home and live in one of its well-appointed communities.

Camella is offering its newest affordable home option, Lessandra -- two-storey townhouses with cleverly designed spaces that are the trademark of all Camella homes. Lessandra is ideal for Davaoeños and out-of-towners who want to live in this city where life is. It is the homebuyers’ ticket to an affordable home that allows them to live an elevated lifestyle. Lessandra homes are nestled within a Camella community with deluxe facilities normally found only in high-end developments. Lessandra homeowners will get to enjoy the subdivision clubhouse and its amenities such as a swimming pool and playgrounds. There are also pocket gardens, nature parks, tree-lined avenues, and round-the-clock security. Lessandra homes debunk the belief that affordable houses are only found in subdivisions that are devoid of amenities. Other developments that offer homes within reach of average income-earners are usually just rows of houses jam-packed in tight spaces with very limited open areas, if any. Homebuyers will be hard-pressed to find a clubhouse, much less a swimming pool and other amenities in these subdivisions. Camella communities go

beyond the usual standard as it offers desirable amenities for the enjoyment of its homeowners. It reflects Camella’s brand of developing communities, giving its homeowners a convenient and pleasant lifestyle while living in a beautiful home. So while other developers put a stiff price tag on their subdivisions that have amenities, Camella provides the same amenities in their communities while offering reasonably-priced home options such as Lessandra. For Camella, it’s not just about building subdivisions, it’s about developing communities where residents are able to live a full life. Lessandra townhouses can

be acquired in easy-on-the-pocket monthly amortization of only P7,168, quite within the means of middle income workers. Homebuyers are urged to call 226-3100 or visit Camella at Delgar Bldg., JP Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City, to find out how to get their Lessandra homes now. A big plus is the availability of Lessandra townhouses through Pag-ibig financing, making it more accessible to a wider spectrum of homebuyers. It is rare to get a good chance to buy an exquisite home within a community with a high-end brand such as Camella, and be actually able to afford buying it. With the affordable Lessandra townhouses, Camella communities are now closer to more people than before. This is good news to many, especially those who have been aspiring to live in a Camella community but thought they could not afford it. Now, with the Lessandra townhouses, they know they can afford it.

6 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 237 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

Foreign-based BPO firm to set rd Davao City office by 3 quarter By CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

FOREIGN-BASED business process outsourcing (BPO) company will initially establish its Davao City office at the Matina IT Park by the third quarter of this year. Jasper Huang, vice president of Plaza de Luisa Development Inc., the developer of Matina IT Park, said the company is planning to set up 5,000 seats in the four of

IT Park’s the 7-storey facility. Huang, however, did not name the firm yet. He said the first building of the planned three facilities in Matina IT Park, a Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)-accredited zone, is “good to go.” “Unlike any other IT Parks in Davao City, ours will have dining and restaurant establishments that will be

HE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 11 got a total of P14 billion budget for infrastructure this year, higher by almost 50 percent from last year’s allocation. DPWH 11 director Mariano Alquiza said last year’s allocation reached P7.8 billion for infrastructure projects. “We have 227 regular infrastructure projects and a total of 723 infrastructure projects for the region,”Alquiza said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex yesterday. He said most of the projects are already bidded-out but (the construction) have not started. Alquiza said the regional office of DPWH in Davao has to complete documents containing the winning bid prize that will be submitted to the the central office of the construction agency for funding. “Once approved by the

central office that’s the only time we can issue contractors with permit to pursue construction of the project,” he said. One of the delayed projects was the construction and widening project in Bacaca Road because of problems on encroachment, according to Alquiza. “We’re already bit late. We have already completed 69 percent of the project,” he said. Alquiza said his encroachment problems started from JP. Laurel to El Rio side. Aside from encroachment and erring homeowners from El Rio Subdivision Alquiza said that the telecommunication and electric companies have to perform some tweaking on their lines and electric posts because it will be affected by the construction of the road. Among the major projects of DPWH 11 amounting to

DPWH has budget of P14B for 2015 T

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Alcala orders ban on Israel poultry products

EPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso Alcala has ordered the temporary ban on the importation of domesticated and wild birds and their products, including poultry meat, dayold chicks, eggs and semen, from Haifa, Israel. Alcala set the temporary ban through Memorandum Order 4, series of 2015, to protect the health of the local livestock population and food safety in the country from the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). It was reported by the Office of International des Epizooties (OIE) that there has been an outbreak of HPAI virus in Avi’el, Hadera, Haifa, Israel that started on Jan. 14, 2015. The outbreak, according to the OIE, was caused by H5N1 HPAI virus affecting turkey fattening farms as confirmed

by the Kimron Veterinary Institute, Avian Diseases Laboratory through real-time polymerase chain reaction. The OIE Animal Health Information Department said that the H5 HPAI virus is among the notifiable OIE-listed terrestrial animal diseases, infections and infestations in force in 2014. Under the orders, the Secretary specified emergency measures such as the immediate suspension of the processing, evaluation of application and issuance of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Import Clearance to import the aforementioned commodities from said location; and stoppage and confiscation of all shipments of aforementioned commodities from said locations, except heat-treated products with slaughter/production date before Oct. 31, 2014. (PNA)

located the ground floor of the building,” Huang told reporters Monday.. Aside from contact center, the area will be also available for commercial purposes. “Unlike in call centers in Manila and Cebu, we noticed that most BPO centers in Davao City don’t have commercial dining areas for BPO workers and outside custom-

ers,” Huan said. Earlier reports bared that the first structure has a total area of 7,423 square meters, with an estimated project cost amounting to around P100 million. The construction of the first phase began middle of 2013. All three buildings will have seven levels, with a combined lease area of 19,790 square meters, the

REVIEW. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 11 director Mariano Alquiza reviews the agency’s data before the start of Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao yesterday. He

report added. Huang said Plaza de Luisa Development Inc. will start the construction of the second building by the end of the year while construction of the third building will start right after the completion of the second. “We’re implementing the project by phase,” he said. The whole project of Matina IT Park, the biggest IT

Park in Mindanao, is estimated to be finished by 2017. On the other hand, Huang announced during the “Kapehan sa Davao” at SM City Annex that all is set for the Chinese New Year on February 19, Thursday. He said there will be sets of event from 4 p.m. of February 18 to 12 mignight of Thursday at the Sta Ana Avenue.

told reporters that DPWH 11 got a P14 billion budget for infrastructure this year, higher by almost 50 percent than last year’s allocation. Lean Daval Jr.

Bangoy clan to claim payment for 60-hectare old airport land F

AMILIES belonging to younger generation of the Francisco Bangoy clan are reviving a move to have the government pay for the more than 60 hectares of land used for the old Davao Airport. This was learned from some sources who requested anonymity for lack authority to talk about the move. Representatives of fam-

ilies consisting of third and fourth-generation heirs of the Bangoy clan have been holding a series of meetings reportedly to strategize on their move for payment which could reach billions of pesos. The move to have government pay the land which forms part of the new international airport was hatched after research and queries failed to establish that the land was

covered by a valid donation document. The preliminary move for payment was made by a team headed by Vicente Pichon, grandson of Francisco Bangoy and Jose Ignacio, in law of the Bangoy family, who are both deceased now. At the time, the value of the land being discussed by the heirs and some government officials under then President

Erap Estrada was in the vicinity of P6 billion. Talks with some high officials of Congress then had started at the time, but they were halted when Estrada was impeached and subsequently ousted as President. Being hotly discussed now by the members of the clan are the arrears in real estate taxes estimated to have reached some P75 million. AMA

RGANIC products from North Cotabato are again on display in the World Organic Products Trade Exhibit in Nuremburg, Germany. For the second time in two years, these two highly acclaimed organic food products are again part of the leading and considerably the most significant organic trade fair in the world today – the BIO-

FACH. The Tree of Life Coco Sugar of Carmen and Bios-Dynamis Black and other rice varieties were exhibited in the fair held at the Exhibition Center of Nuremberg, Germany from Feb. 11-14, 2015 along with other distinguished organic food products from all over the world. Jimmy Sta Cruz, North Cotabato Media affairs spokes-

person, said the fair is a gathering of organic products from around the globe. It is there where they showcase natural products, household supplies as well as organic agriculture marketing and media services. BIOFACH also offers manufacturers and buyers a perfect international platform for positioning themselves in the market and discussing the is-

sues, Sta. Cruz said. This brings the two products from Cotabato at par and created a strong brand presence that placed the province on the ‘organic’ world map as it competes with the world’s major organic players like the US, Europe, Middle East and other Asian Countries. The highly admired Tree Life Coco Sugar and Bios Dy-

North Cotabato organic products shine in Germany O

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7 AGRITRENDS

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 237 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

Some like it hotter Text and Photos By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

HEN I was still a kid, I only knew two kinds of peppers: atsal (bell or sweet pepper) and sili (hot or chili pepper). I never knew that both were members of the same group of family Solanaceous, which also include eggplant and tomato. In 2000, when I went to the United States for the first time, I found out that atsal came in different sizes and colors. There were as huge as my fist and you can pick what caught your fancy: violet, or-

my or oily syrup when concentrated.” In his article, Sarian reported of a chili pepper called Trinidad Moruga Scorpion which, according to the New Mexico State University’s Chili Pepper Institute, “the hottest chili in the world.” A native of the district of Moruga in Trinidad and Tobago, it has a mean heat of more than 1.2 million SHUs; some individual plants have a mean heat of more than 2 million SHUs. One in four people eats

Green chili pepper ange, green, yellow, or red. My sister Elena smiled when I tried to touch all of them. “They’re for real, Manoy,” she said. “They are not plastic.” Please, pardon my ignorance. I grew up in a country where bell peppers are red. The December 2014 issue of Agriculture featured hot peppers in various forms, sizes, and colors. The article was written by my favorite agricultural writer, Zacarias B. Sarian, the editor of the magazine and a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award. “Did you know that somebody is making ice cream with hot chili and other non-traditional ingredients?” wrote Sarian. “One version is made of chili, ginger, and coco cream and he calls it ‘Be Cool Express.’ Other variants are chili calamansi and tablea chili.” When hotness or coldness of the day is measured, temperature is used. But in chili peppers, the measure of “hotness” is through the Scoville Heat Units (SHUs). It was Wilbur L. Scoville who developed the Scoville Organoleptic Test in 1912 while working at the Parke Davis pharmaceutical company. chili peppers get their kick from a chemical called capsaicin located in the inside wall of the pepper pod. Capsaicin is reportedly about 100 times hotter than the active principle piperine of black pepper. In an article, Rico R. Magda wrote: “The compound capsaicin is almost insoluble in water and needs to be emulsified if used in food. Capsaicin extracted by organic solvent becomes gum-

chilis every day, according to Reader’s Digest intrepid reporter Robert Kiener. chili peppers are used around the world to make a countless variety of sauces, known as hot sauce, chili sauce, or pepper sauce. Indian cooking has multiple uses for it – from simple snacks to wonderfully complex curries. It is dried, roasted and salted as a side dish for rice varieties. Sambal is a versatile relish made from chili peppers as well as other ingredients such as garlic, onion, shallots, salt, vinegar and sugar, which is popular in Indonesia and Malaysia. In Italian cuisine, crushed chili pepper flakes are a common ingredient on pizza, among other things. The leaves, mildly bitter but not nearly as hot as the fruits that come from the same plant, are cooked as vegetable in Filipino cuisine, where they are used in the chicken soup (tinola). In Korean cuisine, the leaves may be used in kimchi. Ripe chilis contain high amounts of vitamin C and carotene. Unripe fruits contain a considerably lower amount of both substances. In addition, chili peppers are a good source of most B vitamins, and vitamin B6 in particular. They are very high in potassium, magnesium, and iron. (The leaves are excellent sources of calcium, and iron and a good source of phosphorus, vitamin B, and vitamin A.) chili peppers originated in South America. They have been a part of the human diet in the Americas since at least

7500 BC. There is archaeological evidence at sites located in southwestern Ecuador that chili peppers were domesticated more than 6000 years ago, and is one of the first crops cultivated in Central and South America that is self-pollinating. Christopher Columbus was one of the first Europeans to encounter them (in the Caribbean), and called them “peppers” because they, like black and white pepper of the Piper genus known in Europe, have a spicy hot taste unlike other foodstuffs. Upon their introduction into Europe, chilis were grown as botanical curiosities in the gardens of Spanish and Portuguese monasteries. But the monks experimented with the chilis’ culinary potential and discovered that their pungency offered a substitute for black peppercorns, which at the time were so costly that they were used as legal currency in some countries. chilies were cultivated around the globe after Columbus. Diego Álvarez Chanca, a physician on Columbus’ second voyage to the West Indies in 1493, brought the first chili peppers to Spain and first wrote about their medicinal effects in 1494. From there, chili peppers spread into their other colony, the Philippines, and from there to India, China, Indonesia, Korea and Japan. Chili peppers are not only known for their food uses but also for their medicinal properties. Arlene May C. Corpus, a therapeutic dietitian at the Manila Adventist Medical Center, shares the following health benefits: Analgesic: The capsaicin in chili pepper depletes then blocks the production of “Substance P,” the main chemical messenger of pain from the peripheral sensory nerves to the brain. Substance P breaks down the cartilage cushions in joints that contribute to osteoarthritis. Without Substance P, no pain signal is received. Digestive aid: Add chili pepper to your dish. Its capsaicin soothes the digestive tract and stimulates the flow of saliva and stomach secretions. Capsaicin also detoxifies the colon, relieving the symptoms of constipation. Antitussive: chili pepper helps ease cold and flu miseries by thinning the mucus. Mixing chili pepper with water is an effective gargle for sore throat. Blood circulation: chili pepper regulates and equalizes the flow of blood from heat to feet. It increases heart action without raising blood pressure and pulse rate, decreasing the risk for heart attacks. chili pepper also helps

reduce blood clot formation by causing an increase in fibrinolytic (clot-dissolving) activity of the red blood cells. It is also effective in reducing cholesterol levels. Weight loss: chili pepper has thermogenic qualities causing the body to burn more of the calories consumed in food, particularly those that are high in fat. In her article, Corpus also mentions some precautions that should be taken when using chili pepper for medicinal purposes. These are: · While it is safe to eat chili pepper during pregnancy, it should not be taken as a supplement.

Commercialized chili pepper

Growing chili pepper

· Those who are allergic to kiwi, chestnut, latex, banana, or avocado should avoid chili pepper. · Capsaicin may make aspirin less effective as pain reliever. It may also increase the risk of bleeding associated with aspirin since it causes irritation to the stomach. · Capsaicin may increase the risk of bleeding associated with certain blood-thinning medications (such as warfarin) and herbs (ginger, ginseng, and garlic). · Regular use of chili pepper may cause your body to absorb too much theophylline, a medication used to treat asthma to toxic level.

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

VOL. 7 ISSUE 237 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

Reckless

HE New People’s Army (NPA) attack on the police station of Mati City, Davao Oriental on Sunday night was an obvious reaction to the claim made by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) a few days prior that the province is “insurgency-free,” devoid of the presence of the NPA. While the military tempered its statement by acknowledging that Davao Oriental is adjacent to Compostela Valley Province which is a known rebel hot bed, the message was still clear: from the AFP’s viewpoint, it had already won the war against the NPA in the province, and it was celebrating accordingly. The NPA, feeling the need to assert itself, launched a brazen attack right in the heart of a budding urban center. Mati, while considered a small city, is a center in its own right and is home to more than 120 thousand people. More than that, it is visited by thousands of outsiders every year who are drawn to its many tourist at-

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tractions, making the NPA attack a particularly sinister as it placed many visitors in harm’s way. Staging an operation against a police target, no matter how “legitimate” it may have been in the eyes of the rebels, was a dangerously reckless act. The AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP) should be lauded for not letting their guards down even in the wake of the military’s declaration of an all-clear in Davao Oriental. Proof of this is the fact that despite the stealth tactics of the NPA when 50 of its fighters attacked the police station, the police and military were still able to repel them and push them back. Four soldiers were killed in the process, but it was a sacrifice that ensured the safety of the civilian population of Mati City. The authorities may have declared Mati safe from armed groups, but they never let their guards down and continue to provide protection for the people. For this the people are grateful. ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

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VANTAGE POINTS

A safe city, indeed

ROM being called “Murder City” (a sobriquet bestowed by the defunct Asiaweek) to one of the world’s safe cities, Davao City indeed has gone a long, long way. Out of the 349 cities ranked by the website Numbeo.com, Davao City was the only metropolis in the Philippines that made it to the top 10. In fact, it was considered the fourth safest place. If the city has a high safety index, the website said, it is considered “very safe.” The safety index of walking alone during daylight in Davao City is 93.75 percent while it was 76.69 percent at night. Davao City, with a land area of 224,000 hectares (approximately 7.8 times the size of Cebu and three times that of the entire Metro Manila), has a very low crime rate. “A great land mass cannot be considered as a hindrance to secure the city’s perimeter and give the 1.8 million Dabawenyos their security,” said a document obtained by this columnist. “The stability of peace and order in the city is manifested in the downward trend of the average monthly crime rate in every 100,000 persons.” According to the Investigation and Detective Management Branch of the Davao City Police Office, the average monthly rate in every 100,000 persons was 60.46 in 2009, 57.94 in 2010, 45.67 in 2011, 47.34 in 2012, and 50.03 in 2013. The document traced the low crime rate in the city to “the increased visibility of the police through the highly reliable 24/7 operations of the city’s Central 911.” It contends that Central 911 “has put into concrete ac-

VOL. 7 ISSUE 237 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

tions the city THINK ON THESE! government’s strong commitment to minimize, if not totally suppress, all forms of criminalities.” That brings us to Central Communications and Henrylito D. Tacio Emergency Rehenrytacio@gmail.com sponse Center, or more popularly known as Central 911. “(It) has made a tremendous impact in ensuring peace and order to the city and keeping the citizens of Davao safe at all times,” the document said. “With a relatively high crime solution efficiency,” Davao City has become “the safest city in the Philippines and in the world.” Central 911 was launched in September 2002 “to address emergency calls for criminal incidents needing police assistance.” With that, the Philippines became the only country outside of North America to adopt the system. In the United States and Canada, dialing 911 from any telephone will immediately link the person to an emergency dispatch center -- called PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) by the telecom industry -- which can send emergency responders to the caller’s location in an emergency. Davao City, however, is not the only city in the Philippines which uses 911 as the num-

ber to be dialed in case of emergency. The other city is Kidapawan in North Cotabato. Since its inception up to 2013, Central 911 received over half a million distress calls or 543,240 to be exact. Each day, the center receives an average of 190 calls. According to the document, Central 911 puts in place a fully integrated, computerized response system which enables authorities to locate where distress calls are coming from. The system even tracks how fast the police could respond to emergency calls. “By dialing 911, residents needing assistance can immediately summon responders to the scene of emergency,” the document said. “Central 911 has simplified the process by integrating in one system all the government’s emergency response resources: ambulance, rescue technicians, firefighters, K-9 and the police.” In an article I wrote for Reader’s Digest on medical emergency, the allotted time for emergency response is matter of only six minutes. More than that, the person is most likely to die. “As a doctor I take high pride of Davao’s 911,” said Dr. Richard Mata, a Davao physician. “In medical care, time is gold.” Today, Central 911 now boasts of its capability to respond to almost any type of emergency. Aside from police services, it also responds to emergency medical services, urban search and rescue operations, fire auxiliary services, and K-9 units. “The presence and the availability of a response mechanism resulted to increased awareness among the constituents and visi-

tors of Davao City to report crime and emergency incidents which serves to mitigate or avoid further aggravating the situations and minimize the loss of lives and properties,” the document said. I have been to other parts of the world and yet I can still say that Davao City is still the best place to live, the best place to visit, and the best place to unwind yourself from the stress of too much work. But like any developing cities in the world, Davao City is not spared from criminal activities -- even terrorism -- and casualties during calamities (like typhoons, landslides, floods, and sea level rise). “Serious accidents happen every so often and natural calamities strike everywhere leaving a trail of destruction on its path,” the document said. “There is a growing specter of crimes and terrorism, a global phenomenon, which potentially changes the lifestyle and landscape of countries and cities. “These are the ever present threats that the citizens and government can only deal with through vigilance and preparation,” the document added. “It is in this light that the city government of Davao has placed a heavy emphasis on calamity preparedness and increased the notch in emergency response and crime prevention through the establishment of Central 911.” In his first State of the City Address on January 28, 1990, Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte pointed out: “Comparatively speaking, Davao City today is a much safer place to live in than say, two, three or four years ago.” Today, Davao City still is!

been no mention of preparedness training or organizing for disaster so far. Nothing has been heard about local mobilization systems or models for coping with the unexpected. Not even a citizens’ orientation on their role in assuring good local governance, no drills or simulation exercises for communities or barangays. ***** Then there’s what happened in Mamasapano in Maguindanao, a municipality consisting of 18 barangays where close to 30,000 people live. The “misencounter” between the elite police units and the Moro forces took place in two barangays—Tukanalipao (population: 1,605) and Pidsandawan (population: (1,167), each populated by several hundred families. Reports from the government and media made no mention of the local officials in them, or their constituents. It would seem that the officials and their constituents played no role in the operation. Nor were precautions reported on what were done to ensure their safety. It’s as if the affected municipal and barangay governments were insignificant or irrelevant when in fact they have primary claim to their community’s security and wellbeing. After all, they are the sovereign citizens there. ***** The impression given is that neither the officials nor the people matter, that they can be taken for granted and simply shunted aside, left to their own devices as they face dangers from

cross-fire or worse. This is an all-too-familiar scene when police and military operatives overrun neighborhoods in Mindanao. People are left to fend for themselves, scattering in all directions, displaced as chaos disrupts their lives. What hurts to contemplate is when such predicament results from badly planned, badly executed, or poorly-led operations. And now they make a big deal out of investigating what really happened, to discern what lessons can be derived from the debacle. What this tells us is that the decades of turmoil, trauma, and displacement of hapless Mindanaons have not taught the authorities how to handle predictable disasters caused by violent encounters and botched initiatives. The biggest fallout from all this is the damage to attitudes of officials and constituents. Conditioned to being taken for granted, to be blithely manipulated, they cannot cope without dictation from above. The idea of autonomy, self-governance, or self-reliance, is lost on them. Manny is former UNESCO regional director for Asia-Pacific; secretary-general, Southeast Asia Publishers Association; director, development academy of Philippines; member, Philippine Mission to the UN; vice chair, Local Government Academy; member, Cory Govt’s Peace Panel; awardee, PPI-UNICEF outstanding columnist. He is chairman/convenor of the Gising Barangay Movement Inc. valdehuesa@gmail.com

Belittling, taking local governments for granted

OVERNMENT and media reports on police and military operations in Mindanao’s localities and other regions rarely mention the role, if any, of the local governments or the people in them. This is bad; it belittles the local governments and the people to whom national agencies are answerable. And it discourages the notion that constituents and their local administrators are primarily in charge of arrangements in their own community, including its security. Local governments have primary jurisdiction over local affairs; it’s their constituents that are affected. It’s not right that external authority—civilian, military, or police—take over their jurisdiction at will. It’s bad enough that the local governments are not adequately capacitated to react to emergency, disaster, or armed threat. It’s worse that no program keeps constituents in a state of readiness for any contingency. ***** There should be measures to minimize harm to persons and property in case of emergency or assault like the one staged by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) over a year ago. Civilians ought to be oriented and trained to mitigate damage and disruption to their lives. This need is all the more important in view of the fact that more and more people are getting marginalized or displaced by natural or man-made disasters, scattered and reduced to

THE WORM’S EYEVIEW BY MANNY VALDEHUESA disarray as conditions keep getting worse. It accounts for the rising population in slums— increasing stresses in the community, adding trauma, discomfort, and misery all around. Local governments, especially barangays, and their constituents should be assisted so they can cope better with emergencies. The grassroots need appropriate training and orientation. They need to be empowered and ushered into the proper ways of political involvement so they can more effectively manage their community and mitigate poverty and privation. ***** Take what happened in Tacloban City when Super Typhoon Yolanda struck. Scores were killed, lifeless remains of victims of all ages lay scattered on the streets. But neither the officials nor the constituents reacted in a disciplined, organized manner. Ill-prepared and taken by surprise, they were stunned, paralyzed into inaction. Many of them could only stare at the sight of unexpected devastation, uncomprehending, unable to act. They didn’t know what to do. If a similar tragedy strikes again, will they act the same way? It’s a valid concern, because there has

10 ICT HUB EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 237 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

Hackers steal $1B from banks A

HACKING ring has stolen up to $1 billion from banks around the world in what would be one of the biggest banking breaches known, a cybersecurity firm says in a report scheduled to be delivered Monday. The hackers have been active since at least the end of 2013 and infiltrated more than 100 banks in 30 countries, according to Russian security company Kaspersky Lab. After gaining access to banks’ computers through phishing schemes and other methods, they lurk for months to learn the banks’ systems, taking screen shots and even video of employees using their computers, the company says. Once the hackers become familiar with the banks’ operations, they use that knowledge to steal money without raising suspicions, programming ATMs to dispense money at specific times or setting up fake accounts and transferring money into them, according to Kaspersky. The report is set to be presented Monday at a security conference in Cancun, Mexico. It was first reported by The New York Times. The hackers seem to limit their theft to about $10 million before moving on to another bank, part of the reason why the fraud was not detected earlier, Kaspersky principal security researcher Vicente Diaz said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. The attacks are unusual because they target the banks themselves rather than customers and their account information, Diaz said. The goal seems to be financial gain rather than espionage, he said. “In this case they are not interested in information. They’re only interested in the money,” he said. “They’re flexible and quite aggressive and use any tool they find useful for doing whatever they want to do.” Most of the targets have been in Russia, the U.S.,

Germany, China and Ukraine, although the attackers may be expanding throughout Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe, Kaspersky says. In one case, a bank lost $7.3 million through ATM fraud. In another case, a financial institution lost $10 million by the attackers exploiting its online banking platform. Kaspersky did not identify the banks and is still working with law-enforcement agencies to investigate the

Apple ‘working on electric car project’ Y OU’VE heard of the iPhone and iPad. How about the iCar? The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple has hired hundreds of people to work on a secret project — code name “Titan” — to develop an electric vehicle. The newspaper cites people familiar with the project who spoke under condition of anonymity. Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr declined to comment. The article says that the vehicle will resemble a minivan and that it would be branded as an Apple product. Apple’s industrial design team is staffed with several people with automaking experience, the article says. That group includes Marc Newson, a designer who once created a concept car for Ford. Apple has confirmed that Newson is on its staff. If Apple does sell an electric car, it will face some competitors. General Motors announced on Thursday that it

attacks, which the company says are ongoing. The Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center, a nonprofit that alerts banks about hacking activity, said in a statement that its members received a briefing about the report in January. “We cannot comment on individual actions our members have taken, but on balance we believe our members are taking appropriate

actions to prevent and detect these kinds of attacks and minimize any effects on their customers,” the organization said in a statement. “The report that Russian banks were the primary victims of these attacks may be a significant change in targeting strategy by Russian-speaking cybercriminals.” The White House is putting an increasing focus on cybersecurity in the wake of numerous data breaches will build an electric car, the Chevrolet Bolt, with a 200mile (320-kilometer) range at a factory near Detroit. The car will cost $37,500, not including a $7,500 federal tax credit, GM said. The car will be built starting in 2017. Silicon Valley automaker Tesla Motors plans to start selling a 200-mile (320-kilometer)-per-charge car about the same time. The price of Tesla’s Model 3, including the tax credit, is likely to be

iCAR? Italian industrial designer Franco Grassi’s version of a possible Apple “iCar.” (from coroflot.com)

of companies ranging from mass retailers like Target and Home Depot to Sony Pictures Entertainment and health insurer Anthem. The administration wants Congress to replace the existing patchwork of state laws with a national standard giving companies 30 days to notify consumers if their personal information has been compromised. MAE ANDERSON, AP Technology Writer

well below $30,000 after the tax credit. Nissan is already selling an electric car, the Leaf, though not many — 158,000 around the world. The Journal notes that Apple is always experimenting with new products, many eventually abandoned. But it says the senior people involved in the electric car project suggest that it is serious venture. BERNARD CONDON, AP Business Writer

11 SUBURBIA

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 237 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

Mamasapano, Maguindanao

ARMM health chief calls for toys, books for Mamasapano children T

O help children in conflict affected villages here, the health department of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) appealed for donations of used but playable toys. Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr, regional health secretary of the ARMM, is seeking help from anyone to donate “used but playable toys and children books” to help children in conflict afflicted town of Mamasapano, Maguindanao overcome fear and anxiety. Sinolinding led a series of medical and psychosocial intervention in the village of Tukanalipao and other areas in Mamasapano following the January 25 carnage that left 44 elite police, Moro rebels and civilian killed in the 10-hour fire fight. “After a series of health interventions in the war affected communities in Mamasapano, we found out that trauma brought about by the January 25 clashes is the most difficult to manage,” Sinolinding said of the children of Mamasapano. “Fears, anxiety, uncertainty and worries were the most common terms to describe feelings of the affected population,” he added. “Five or six of 10 children have been traumatized

Tagum City

and we pity them. We need to help them cope with the sufferings they are in now,” Sinolinding said. To arrest the psychological effect of the conflict, Sinolinding launched a campaign aimed at giving the population an intervention for them to overcome fears and anxiety. Dubbed “Laruang Pambata, Alay sa Kapayapaan,” the campaign solicits donations in kind such as toys, children’s books, and other toys that will help the young minds forget about the conflict and refocus their attention on something worthwhile. “May I therefore appeal for used but playable toys, children books and magazines for children of Mamasapano,” he said. “Please avoid items that will remind them of war like toy guns, blades, weapons, and toy tanks,” he added. “Please help us help these Mamasapano children cope with the effects of conflict so they will leave like normal children in other areas,” he said. For those who have extra used toys and would like to donate, Sinolinding suggested that these be dropped off at collection units in the ARMM.

PEACE WALK. In this file photo, Mamasapano school children stage a “peace walk” as they march around town calling for an end to the violence in their municipality. MindaNews photo by Ferdinandh Cabrera Collection units include all Rural Health Units and government hospitals in the ARMM. The region is composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. Sinolinding also sought partnership with local media organizations in Central Mindanao region with its offices as drop-off points. Donors outside the

region may contact Dr. Tato Usman, Dr. Analyn Dimapanat and Ms. Faisalea Ungkakay at Department of Health (DOH-ARMM) regional office in Cotabato City through telephone numbers (064)421-6842 and (064)421-3988, email www.doharmm@yahoo. com or visit its website www.doharmmgov.ph. (PNA)

16 couples wed in Tagum’s ‘Kasalan sa Palengke’

N a bid to aid 16 couples reach their goal towards marital bliss, the city government of Tagum launched the “Kasalan sa Palengke,” a civil mass wedding held at the Bagsakan area of Tagum City Public Market on February 13, 2015. The event, which was officiated by Mayor Allan L. Rellon

by virtue of Section 444, Paragraph 18 of the Local Government Code, was sponsored by the city in partnership with the City Economic Enterprises Office, the City Civil Registrar’s Office, select members of the 6th City Council, and various associations of dealers, stallholders, and vendors of the Tagum City Public Market.

The 16 couples whose wedding rites were fully sponsored by the groups were some of the laborers, vendors, and butchers of the public market. The celebration and all the legal processes prior to its holding, including the facilitation of the couples’ application for marriage at the LCR,

SEALED WITH A KISS. Sixteen couples seal their love with a kiss at the Kasalan sa Palengke organized by the city government of Tagum on February 13 and officiated by Mayor Allan L. Rellon. Kelvin Palermo of CIO Tagum

was part of the EAGLE WINGS program of the current administration under Social Services. In his message, Rellon said the city government co-sponsored the wedding rites of a select number of people who work in the public market as a measure of acknowledging them as having contributed to the city’s economy. Prior to the launching of the Kasalan sa Palengke, the city government, through the City Human Resource Management Office and the City Civil Registrar’s Office, celebrated the second year of Kasalanan ng Bayan, Para Sa Mga Kawani, a civil mass wedding involving employees of the city for a total of 14 couples on February 13. It also co-sponsored with Pag-ibig Fund-Tagum Branch the fourth installment of a civil mass wedding dubbed “I Do. I Do. Araw ng Pag-ibig” with a total of 56 couples on February 12. Richi D. Gulle of CIO Tagum

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EDGEDAVAO

TRAVEL

ANGKOR WAT: Text and Photos by Henrylito D. Tacio

City of Temples

HOLLYWOOD movies have a big influence on me. After watching the movie, Killing Fields, I told myself: “I will never, never visit Cambodia!” But that changed after I watched another Hollywood movie, Tomb Raider, which starred Angelina Jolie. The thing that attracted me: Angkor Wat, the magnificent Hindu temple built by King Suryavarman II at the height of the Khmer empire in the 12th century. After all, it is included in the World Heritage List of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) which recognizes sites with cultural, historical and natural significance. Nate Thayer, in a piece which appeared in the book, AllAsia Travel Guide, described it in these words: “Angkor, the world’s largest temple complex, is spread over 228 square kilometers and consists of sandstone temples, chapels, causeways, terraces, and reservoirs. The walls of the temples are covered with thousands of carvings or battles between gods and demons from classical Hindu mythology, sensual dancing women, and royal processions with kings riding elephants.” Since then, Angkor Wat was on my bucket list of places to visit. So, when an opportunity came, I immediately grabbed the occasion. Actually, I was invited to cover an international gathering but since we arrived a day earlier, we had time to go to the famed temple. UNESCO, in its website, considered Angkor Wat as one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. “It contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th centuries,” it said. “The influence of Khmer art, as developed at Angkor, was a profound one over much of South-East Asia and played a fundamental role in its distinctive evolution.

“Khmer architecture evolved largely from that of the Indian subcontinent, from which it soon became clearly distinct as it developed its own special characteristics, some independently evolved and others acquired from neighboring cultural traditions. The result was a new artistic horizon in oriental art and architecture,” the UN agency further stated. “(Angkor Wat) is of such extraordinary construction that it is not possible to describe it with a pen, particularly since it is like no other building in the world. It has towers and decoration and all the refinements which the human genius can conceive of.” That was what Antonio da Madalena, a Portuguese and one of the first Western visitors to the temple. The tourism office of Cambodia describes Angkor Wat in these words: “… In its beauty and state of preservation, (Angkor Wat) is unrivaled. Its mightiness and magnificence bespeak a pomp and a luxury surpassing that of a Pharaoh or a Shah Jahan, an impressiveness greater than that of the Pyramids, an artistic distinctiveness as fine as that of the Taj Mahal.” Actually, Angkor was abandoned in the 15th century as Cambodia turned to Buddhism and the capital was moved to near its current location in Phnom Penh. Good that it was “rediscovered” by a French explorer in the 1860s that it remains the symbol of Cambodia today. French experts worked to restore the temple only to be driven out by war in 1970. Actually, Angkor Wat is just one of more than 70 temples and monuments in the area.

Ta Prom.

Tuktuk. The Bayon temple, known as Angkor Thom, features more than 200 magnificent, slightly smiling stone faces. Although it is a Buddhist temple, it retains elements of Hindu cosmology and imagery. Standing in the exact center of the walled city, it represents the intersection of heaven and earth. The Japanese Government Team for the Safeguarding of Angkor has described the temple as “the most striking expression of the baroque style” of Khmer architecture, in comparison to the classical style of Angkor Wat.

Equally famous as the Angkor Wat is the Ta Prohm. The Lonely Planet described it this ways: “It is a series of dark galleries and pillars held hostage under the iron clasp of gigantic roots. The walls are decorated with carvings of sensuous celestial nymphs with smaller roots crawling across them like a rash.” The Sanskrit inscriptions on the walls said the temple held thousands of pearls, precious stones and golden dishes weighting more than 500 kilograms. But unfortunately, this temple has been neglected and

largely left to the clutches of the living jungle. You see great trees tower the temple with leaves filtering the sunlight. The trees growing out of the ruins are perhaps the most distinctive feature of Ta Prohm, and “have prompted more writers to descriptive excess than any other feature of Angkor.” Maurice Glazie, an Angkor scholar, deplores: “On every side, in fantastic over-scale, the trunks of the silk-cotton trees soar skywards under a shadowy green canopy, their long spreading skirts trailing the ground and their endless roots coiling more like reptiles than plants.” According to Thayer, the temple complex near Angkor is best done in two to three days, but all can be viewed in one full day. Some people to go Angkor Wat by hiring a tuk-tuk, a motorcycle with a cabin attached to the rear. Since automobile traffic is still not that bad -- unlike in Bangkok, Thailand -- tuk-tuk is the most common form of urban transport. You can hire a tuk-tuk and driver by the day. Be sure to negotiate first.

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UP AND ABOUT

ENTERTAINMENT

Globe direct carrier billing service drives customer shift to digital lifestyle GLOBE TELECOM’S pioneering direct carrier billing service for apps on Google Play and Apple App Store has become a major driving force in the continuing shift to digital lifestyle, as more smartphone owners are now getting into the habit of purchasing apps for a richer mobile experience. The number of Globe customers per day who have either bought an app or bought items inside apps on the Google Play Store have more than doubled since the service was launched in October 2014. Meanwhile, there are over 300,000 customers using the GCash American Express® Virtual Pay to date, allowing them to conveniently purchase apps from the Apple App Store, with iTunes App purchases comprising 27% of total GCash American Express® Virtual Pay purchases in 2014. Total transaction growth of GCash American Express® Virtual Pay from 2013 to 2014 was re-

corded at 65%. Globe introduced the direct carrier billing service for Android smartphone users last year to enable customers to purchase apps and charge their purchases to their postpaid bill or prepaid load without the need for a credit card. It has since attracted a significant number of customers to buy premium apps and other content on the Google Play Store. Aside from the direct carrier billing service for Google Play Store, customers were able to purchase apps, media, and games from the Apple Store using the GCash

American Express® Virtual Pay since 2012. Customers just need to register their GCash American Express® Virtual Pay card details to their Apple account and begin purchasing right away. “As the leading digital service provider in the country, Globe pioneered direct carrier billing service in the country in line with our commitment of providing products and services relevant to our customers. We are delighted to see that this particular service provided an impetus in making customers’ lives easier and more convenient as they shift to a digital lifestyle,”

Dan Horan, Globe Senior Advisor for Consumer Business Group. Horan pointed out that prior to Globe Telecom’s introduction of direct carrier billing service, many Filipinos availed only of free apps to use on their mobile devices, due to non-ownership of a credit card, which remains to be the most popular way of paying for premium apps on Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Based on the CIA Fact Book in 2013, only 4% of Filipinos own credit cards. To begin purchasing apps on Google Play Store, first time users just need to select the app they wish to purchase, accept the app permissions and on the payment options menu, select “Enable Globe Telecom Billing”. After agreeing to the Terms of Service, register your phone number, name and address then payment will be processed successfully. For succeeding purchases, customers need to enter your Google ID and password to continue processing the payment. Over a

million apps are available to customers on Google Play Store. Meanwhile, users can get a GCash American Express® Virtual Pay account via different platforms such as the GCash mobile app available on the App Store, Google Play Store, BlackBerry App World and GCash website. GCash American Express® Virtual Pay is a virtual prepaid card linked to a user’s GCash wallet that allows a secure way of shopping from online retail sites that accept American Express. With the service, buyers can transfer funds to their GCash wallets by cashing in from the customer’s bank account or through any of over 7,000 GCash outlets nationwide. GCash American Express® Virtual Pay allows buyers to provide a personalized US address where the item can be delivered to, granting Filipinos direct access to exclusive US goods. From this address, the item will then be shipped to the buyer’s preferred delivery address in the Philippines.

Fortune forecast, performances, and free treats at SM City Davao Chinese New Year weekend TAKE the whole family and celebrate a brand new start. Usher in the year of the Sheep at SM City Davao.

Discover your fortune forecast at the Chinese Zodiac Wall located at the Ground Floor of the Annex. On February 19, catch the Lion and Dragon dances around the mall as we bid farewell to the year of the Horse and start a fresh year. Learn to harmonize the forces of the environment. Solicit Feng Shui tips from expert Richard Yu on February 20-21. Chinese charms fit for your zodiacs as well as traditional Chinese treats and trinkets are available at the Chinese Bazaar located at the Event Center. Also, immerse in traditional Chinese culture

with live performances at SM malls on the weekend. To complete the celebration, dine at SM Foodcourt and get a free bean cake for a minimum purchase of P250. Usher in prosperity and good fortune at SM

City Davao this Chinese New Year! For more information and event updates, call 297.6998. Like SM City Davao on Facebook and follow @SMCityDavao on Twitters and @SMDavao on Instagram for event and promo updates.

The Year of the Green Wooden Sheep is trotting in to the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao. On February 19, celebrate and bring in prosperity with a Lion Dance at the Lobby and hang angpaos on the Prosperity Tree, Head right over to Cafe Uno for an opulent and authentic Chinese-themed lunch buffet for only Php888 nett per person. Come in a group of five and one gets to dine for free. For reservations and inquiries, call the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao at (82) 3008881 or 2332881 local 8700.

Janella mission KAPAMILYA teen star Janella Salvador’s character is ready to take on a new mission in ABS-CBN’s most-watched daytime program, “Oh My G.” “I’m excited for the new challenge that Sophie is about to face as she searches for the mysterious Anne Reyes,” said Janella about her character’s mission to find the woman whom her father Paul (Eric Quizon) wanted her to look for. “Because of Anne, Sophie will discover a lot of things about her life and the pur-

pos has sha ble Kap acc vie a ve N con one wit do the is te W she wil her D

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Dingdong Dantes back in primetime this March in GMA’s ‘Pari ‘Koy’

DIFFERENT and challenging. Those two adjectives describe the upcoming role of Kapuso Primetime King Dingdong Dantes in his newest program in GMA Network.

In the story conference of Pari ‘Koy last Friday, February 13, the Kapuso actor expressed his excitement. “I’m very ex-

cited and very energized to go back to work. Ito ay isang storya na magbibigay inspirasyon sa mga manonood.” It will be Dingdong’s first time to portray a priest, as Father Kokoy. According to the Kapuso Primetime King, “Si Kokoy ay lumaki sa isang magandang pamilya na pinili ang landas ng pagsisilbi sa simbahan. Na-assign siya

sa isang community kung saan masusubukan ang kanyang kakayahan dahil sa mga taong nakapaligid sa kanya. Bilang mga Pilipino, we have our ways of practicing our faith kaya naman malapit talaga sa puso ko ang role ko rito.” Pari ‘Koy is under the helm of award-winning director, Maryo J. Delos Reyes. Direk Maryo and Dingdong first collabo-

rated in the primetime series, Pahiram ng Sandali. Pari ‘Koy also stars Gabby Eigenmann, Sunshine Dizon, Chanda Romero, Jeric Gonzales, Carlo Gonzales, JC Tiuseco, Rap Fernandez, Luz Valdez, Dexter Doria, Hiro Peralta, Jojit Lorenzo, Lindt Johnston, Jhiz Deocareza, and Jillian Ward. Pari ‘Koy is set to air this March in GMA Telebabad.

takes on new n in ‘Oh My G’

se of everything that s happened in her life,” ared Janella, who feels so essed to be a part of the pamilya series, which, cording to her, teaches ewers important values in very light and fun way. Now that she is already nvinced that God is the e who is communicating th her, Sophie is willing to everything to decipher e signs and messages He telling her. Who is Anne and how is e related to Sophie? How ll G (God) be able to help r in her mission? Don’t miss the continua-

tion of the feel-good drama series that will bring everyone closer to God, “Oh My G,” weekdays before “It’s Showtime” on ABS-CBN Prime-Tanghali. For more information about “Oh My G” log on to www.abs-cbn. com, or follow @abcbndotcom on Twitter. For more updates, log on to www. abs-cbn.com or follow @abscbndotcom on Twitter. Meanwhile, viewers may also catch up on full episodes and past episodes of “Oh My G” through ABSCBNmobile. For more information, please go to www. abscbnmobile.com.

tween love and time in ‘Future’s Choice’ REGRET is one of the most heart-breaking truths of life. Mistakes are made, and sometimes we wish we can go back in time to correct them. Lucky (or not?) for Mirae Na, an old lady claiming to be her future self travelled all the way back to her time to guide her in making big decisions. Witness how it can be possible to stand against the course of fate as GMA Network brings a funny, yet heartwarming asianovela Future’s Choice. The story tells about the life of Mirae Na (Yoon Eun Hye), a 32 year old telemarketer, who dreams to be part of the broadcast-

ing industry. Despite being warned not to work for YBS station, she follows her dream and gets a job as a writer at the company. She meets and catches feelings for an obnoxious and overthrown news anchor, Brix Kim (Lee Dong Gun) who is apparently responsible for her future’s misery. Xander Park (Jeong Yong Hwa) is the secret successor of YBS, and works a cameraman to learn the ways of the company in preparation of taking over the position as CEO. Quiet, reserved, and passionate, he gets drawn to Mirae’s straightforward personality. His being a gentleman attracts a career-oriented Tori Seo (Han Chae-ah) who tries to work her charm on him.

However, he remains to be unfazed by it and only has the eyes for Mirae. Their lives will be meddled with by the older Mirae played by Choi Myunggil, as she tries to provide herself a better future. Feel the struggle of changing the past with the show’s theme song, ‘Kung Maibabalik Ko Lang’ sung by Julie Anne San Jose and be part of the time-inflicted love story of four people who will struggle as they choose between love and career beginning February 16 after My Name is Kim Sam Soon on GMA. For more updates, like the official Facebook page of Future’s Choice https:// www.facebook.com/GMAFuturesChoice.

February 16-17, 2015

JUPITER ASCENDING/ *THAT THING CALLEDTADHANA PG13/ *PG13

Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum/* Angelica Panganiban, JM De Guzman 12:30 | 3:00 | 5:30 LFS / *8:00 | 10:00 LFS

FIFTY SHADES OF GREY Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan R18

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

PADDINGTON / *EVERLY Hugh Bonnevilles, Xian Lim (Voice of Paddington) / * Salma Hayek

R-16

PG13/ *R16

12:25 | 2:20 | 4:15 LFS / *6:10 | 8:05 | 10:00 LFS

THE WEDDING RINGER Kevin Hart, Josh Gad R13

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

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TRAVEL

Peranakan cuisine: A fusion of cultures and flavours THE 16th to 17th centuries saw the flourishing of the spice and tin trade between Asia and Europe. This rise in interactions between cultures gave rise to many towns that eventually became trading centers where cultures mix creating unique architecture as well as fabulous cuisines. One product of the fusion of cultures is the Peranakan of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and some portions of Thailand. Primarily descendants of Chinese immigrants who have intermarried with the locals, Peranakan culture as well as their food form a unique mix unlike any

A delicious Nyonya spread.

Chicken Ngo Hiang rolls.

Inside Kocik Kitchen.

other in the world. I was able to have my first taste of Nyonya (what they call the Peranakan women) cuisine at Kocik Kitchen just off Jonker Street at the UNESCO Heritage Town of Malacca. Occupying a traditional shophouse, I was immediately transported back in time with its checked

The storefront of Kocik Kitchen. floors, huge wooden altar, and old wooden furniture. The menu of Kocik Kitchen was simple and straitforward, with dishes that are immediately familiar but with a Peranakan twist. For starters I had the Lemak Nenas Prawn which had delicious fresh prawns and lots of spicy coconut gravy. This was followed by some Chicken Ngo-Hiang Rolls which are reminiscent of the Ngo-Hiang Rolls we have in the Chinese restaurants here in the Philippines. Kocik Kitchen also has Chicken Ponteh, considered one of Malacca’s signature dishes, which is a light chicken stew that is reminiscent of our Hum-

Stir-fried wing bean with blachan.

ba but less sweet. I later found out that most Peranakan were ofHokkien Chinese descent; no wonder the dishes were immediately familiar yet tasted slightly different. Case in point was the stir-fried wing beans which we would normally have here in the Philippines with just garlic. Kocik Kitchen’s stir-fried wing beans came with an

added punch of blachan, fermented shrimp paste formed into cakes, and spices. There were also various ‘kweys’ or Peranakan desserts, but due to the lack of time for the onward road trip to Johor, I was not able to taste them. Hopefully I will be allowed to go back to Malacca to finally sample these treats.

Many thanks to Tourism Malaysia which is currently celebrating the Year of Festivals this 2015, kicking it off with the Lunar New Year celebrations this coming February 19. Follow me on Instagram or on Twitter at @ kennethkingong to share your travel and food stories from Durianburg and beyond.

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DSWD 11 to give awards to partners, employees, media T

HE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office here highlights the Department’s 64th Founding Anniversary by giving tribute to its development partners through the Pagkilala sa Natatanging Kontribusyon sa Bayan Awards (PaNata) on February 20 at the Grand Men Seng Hotel, this city. DSWD 11 regional director Priscilla N. Razon said the PaNata Awards recognizes non-government organizations (NGOs), local government units (LGUs), People’s Organizations (POs), media persons and organizations, as well as volunteer groups and individuals who have selflessly dedicated their time, energy, and resources in helping DSWD carry out its mandate of improving the lives of the disadvantaged sector of society. She said the recognition likewise aims to encourage more individuals, groups, and organizations to support the programs and services of the Department. PaNata Awardees for this year are the Davao City Police Office, Sta. Ana Police Precinct, Pagasa Youth Association of the Philippines, Gov. Corazon N. Malanyaon, Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina-Gov. Generoso, Davao Del Norte Province, LGU Braulio E. Dujali, Federation of Senior Citizens Association of

the Philippines-Davao City, LGU Maragusan, Commission on Higher Education, Josephine R. Delos Reyes, Manuelito C. Uy, El Shaddai Teaching Ministry, Padre Pio’s Home for Children, Lope Maglana and Camilo A. Sevilla. PaNata recipients under Gawad Ulat are GMA Network, Inc., UNTV, Sun Star Davao Superbalita, Mindanao Times, The Mindanao Daily Mirror, RGMA Super Radyo, DXMF Bombo Radyo, Marilyn C. Roque, Rhona O. Goc-Ong-Villariasa, Temujin B. Ocampo, Louell T. Requilman, Jan Christian L. Bautista, Leonila G. Duallo, Alger P. Dura, Arnold B. Colama, Renato B. Lumawag, Seth C. Delos Reyes, Robert Vincent G. Gonzales, John Quineth G. Rodriguez, Davao Press Club, Philippine Information Agency, and the Philippine News Agency Davao Bureau. Meanwhile, PaNata

Awardees for Gawad Listahanan are the municipalities of Malalag, Asuncion and New Corella. Employees with outstanding performance will also be honored along with employees who have served in the Department for five, ten, 15, 25, 30, 35 or 40 years, who will be presented with the Loyalty Award. With the theme DSWD@64: Tuloy ang Pagbabago at Pag-unlad, the regional office will run a weeklong observance culminating with the Thanksgiving Mass, PaNata Awards, and Opening of Sports Festival on Friday. Other activities lined up include Bazaar and Products Festival, Cheer Dance Competition, setting up of Adoption Inquiry Desk at SM City Davao and SM Lanang malls, participation in the Kapehan sa Dabaw Press Conference, and Radio Guesting. (PNA)

NOTICE OF LOSS

Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. That CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No.(s)7280 under LOYOLA PLAN Contract No.(s) 295942-4 issued to CARMENCITA F. BUENAFE was lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void. 2/17,24/3/3

NEWS

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on February 24 to 28. Gun battle In a press conference yesterday, Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) chief Lieutenant General Aurelio Baladad said the rebels belonging to the Pulang Bagani Command (PBC) 3 and 6 attacked the police station at around 7:30 p.m. on February 15, 2015. The rebels disarmed desk officer Police Officer (PO)3 Danilo Babao and then engaged the police officers in a gun battle. Babao was injured in the firefight while a rebel was killed. Baladad said a reinforcement team from the 701st brigade immediately responded to the incident. Baladad said three soldiers were hit when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded. Two were killed on the spot while another one died in a hospital yesterday. The three slain soldiers were identified as Private First Class (PFC) Daniel T. Damansila Jr., PFC Wil Christian S. Resuello, and Private Ryan M. Amigo. Another soldier, identified as Sergeant Adel Lucanan of the 67th Infantry Battalion and reportedly a bodyguard of Davao Oriental Governor Corazon Malanyaon, was killed in a checkpoint set up by the NPA. Two NPA members were apprehended following the incident, one of whom was identified as a certain “Kadoy.” The military also recovered 31 backpacks, one Elf

truck, and two Toyota Hi-ace vans at the Mati City Police Station. Insurgency-free? The attack came days after the military claimed that Davao Oriental, along with Camiguin and Dinagat Island, was “insurgency-free.” The military, however, also admitted that there are still armed groups in the area due to its proximity to Compostela Valley Province which is still a hotbed for the NPA. Baladad said the NPA mounted the attack to show that it still has a presence in Davao Oriental. “The NPA wants to show that it is still strong in Davao Oriental, but then again we will protect Davao Oriental especially the boundary area. They are now targeting soft targets like the PNP which is located in an urban area,” he said. He said as early as February 3, the military was already verifying intelligence reports that the NPA was planning to attack several places in Davao Oriental. 10th Infantry Division Commander Major General Eduardo Año said the military engaged the NPA in several encounters last week as part of the counterattack on the rebels. Meanwhile, the convoy of regional police director Chief Superintendent Wendy Rosario encountered a land mine at around 9 a.m. yesterday while heading to Mati City. The military said one civilian was injured in the explosion. The AFP right now is on hot pursuit operation against the NPA.

tor Emerson Rosales commended TEFASCO for its efforts in fighting illegal drugs in the workplace. Rosales also urged all business establishments in the region to promote and implement the national DrugAbuse Prevention Program in the Workplace. “This program is a big help in establishments, particularly in the use and proliferation of illegal drugs in the workplace. You can also ensure the safety of your establishments and employees as well as the welfare of your customers,” he said. PDEA said pursuant to City Ordinance Number 0506-16 series of 2013 known as “Drug-Free Workplace Ordinance of Davao City,” all business establishments are required to conduct mandatory random drug testing on their officials and employees as well as

contractors and concessionaries. Service-oriented establishments are mandated to conduct mandatory random drug testing in 2015 as a pre-requisite for the renewal of their permit for 2016, and every three years. Also, service and product-oriented establishments are mandated to conduct a mandatory random testing this year as a prerequisite of their renewal of their permit for 2017 and every three years. Product-oriented establishments are mandated to conduct the mandatory random drug testing in 2016 as the prerequisite for the renewal of the permit in 2018. PDEA said all drug testing activities will be done in coordination and supervision of its office. If not, it will be declared null and void. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

suspects Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan and Abdul Basit Usman. Marwan was reportedly killed but Usman managed to escape. Earlier, PNP acting chief Deputy Director Leonardo

Espina appealed on national TV for Moro rebels and civilians to turn over the firearms, mobile phones and other equipment of the slain policemen. (Ferdinandh B. Cabrera/MindaNews)

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Nabunturan... FFROM 3 of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) with street value of P2,000 from them. Recovered from their possessions were one sack of suspected shabu with street value of P600,000. The suspects are now temporarily detained at the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) detention facility, while the seized shabu

was submitted to Regional Laboratory of PDEA Regional Office XI for qualitative and quantitative examination. Cases for violation of Section 5 in relation to Section 26 and Section 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are being prepared against the suspects.

of the government. Razon said that the region is planning to hire about 1,600 encoders and enumerators to attain their goal. She said that the national annual budget for 4Ps program for 2015 is 2,900 percent higher than 2014. “From P3-billion it went up to 109 Pbillion,” she added. Razon said Davao Region has received a total of 4.5 billion for 4Ps Program.

However, there will be no increase in the amount of the cash grant because the target is to widen the coverage of the program specially in the remote areas of the region. Razon also said that the agency will be intensifying the modified cash transfer program for Indigenous People (IPs). She said that about 3,000 were already listed from Paquibato and Marilog, Davao City. CRC

“We saw the sand slowly sinking and with bubbling water coming out of it. It was a small area at first but it expanded after a few hours,” she said. She said the sinkhole engulfed a huge concrete structure where operators or owners would usually pitch their motor boats while on anchor. Maniago said one of their neighbors dived into the sinkhole on Sunday afternoon and tried to determine its depth and possible cause but failed to make any progress. Veneracion said they

have assigned some of their personnel to watch over the sinkhole and prevent residents from getting near it. He said the CDRRMO has also sent some of their employees to assist in the monitoring of the affected area. He added that personnel from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Region 12 and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and seismology are scheduled to study and assess the site on Monday. (MindaNews)

wards. The DOH and the provincial government signed a memorandum of agreement in July last year for the operationalization, expansion and development of the hospital. The agency allotted an initial P63 million in 2014 to fund the necessary improvements on the facility, which would later be converted into a regional medical center. Under the agreement, the DOH will fully assume the administration and manage-

ment of the hospital as well as its expansion and development. The provincial hospital annex sits on a five-hectare property beside the national highway in Barangay Dajay in Surallah that was donated by the municipal government. The construction of the facility was completed in October 2013 but its opening was put on hold by the provincial government due to the lack of personnel and problems with its budget. (MindaNews)

namis black rice and other rice varieties make the Province of Cotabato as one of the ‘what not to miss’ booths of the fair. Part of the success of Tree Life Coco Sugar and Bios-Dynamis organic rice is the support of the Provincial Government of Cotabato who knows the potentials of these two companies in organic food production. Gov. Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza and a team from the province personally went to the trade fair and helped in overseeing the exhibit as well as marketing of the products in Nuremburg. “Organic farming and organic food production continue to gain support from the

people of North Cotabato and on our level as provincial officials, we are extending wide support to this endeavor,” said Gov. Taliño-Mendoza. “We are aware of the high potentials of organic foods in the global market that’s why we encourage everyone to patronize them especially that it came from our very own province” she added. The governor again manifested strong support to Tree Life Coco Sugar and Bios-Dynamis this year by sending Board Members Shirlyn Macasarte and Airene Claire Pagal along with Romano Laurilla, Manager of Don Bosco Multi-Purpose Cooperative (DBMPC) of M’lang to the 4-day trade fair.

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Mayors... FFROM 4 containing mercury above the permissible limit,” EcoWaste Coalition coordinator Aileen Lucero said. “We appeal to the good mayors to seize the dangerous goods and castigate unscrupulous traders to protect their constituents and the environment from the toxic effects of mercury,” Lucero said. The Food and Drugs Administration, in line with the ASEAN Cosmetics Directive, has set 1 part per million (ppm) as the allowable limit of mercury in cosmetics. Since 2010, the FDA has banned 116 skin whitening products for their mercury content or for being sold without the required market authorization from the agency. To ascertain the prevalence of illegally traded mercury cosmetics in the country, the EcoWaste Coalition deployed its “AlerToxic Patrollers” to 50 cities in Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and the National Capital Region from November 9, 2014 to February 2, 2015. The group said out of the 355 samples of skin whitening cosmetics procured and screened for mercury using a handheld X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) device, 316 were found to contain mercury above 1 ppm. 139 of the 355 samples were from Mindanao with 110 of the 135 testing positive for mercury. EcoWaste Coalition said the top 10 samples from Mindanao with the highest concentrations of mercury are: 1. Xuefujiaolan Herbal Whitening and Embellish Classic Set (3 small jars) from CDO, with 96,100 ppm of mercury, 2. Beauty Girl Egg White and Tomato 6 Days Specific Eliminating Freckle Whitening Cream from CDO, with 48,700 ppm of mercury, 3. Yu Dan Tang Gingseng and Green Cucumber 10 Days Whitening Speckles Removed Essence from CDO, with 48,700 ppm of mercury, 4. Feique Cucumber Anti-Wrinkle Whitening Set from Zamboanga, with

25,800 ppm of mercury, 5. Zi XIn Mei Face Beauty Vegetable Red in White Series (purple and gold box) from Zamboanga, with 10,700 ppm of mercury, 6. Zi Xin Mei Face Beauty Vegetable Red in White Series (pink and white box) from Zamboanga, with 9,839 ppm of mercury, 7. Collagen Plus Vit E Day and Night Cream from Zamboanga, with 9,003 ppm of mercury, 8. Jiaoli Herbs Essence Whitening AB Set from Marawi City, with 6,758 ppm of mercury, 9. S’Zitang 10 Days Whitening & Spot Day Night Set from Zamboanga, with 5,092 ppm of mercury, and 10. Erna Whitening Cream from General Santos, with 5,012 ppm of mercury. The high levels of mercury in these contraband cosmetics pose a significant health risk to users and non-users, including children and women of child-bearing age who are most prone to the toxic effects of mercury, the group warned. According to the report “Beauty and the Risk” published by the EcoWaste Coalition, users of mercury-containing skin whitening cosmetics may experience skin discoloration, rashes and scarring and reduced skin’s resistance to bacterial and fungal infections, while repeated applications can cause damage to the brain, the nervous system and the kidneys. For non-users, the report, citing a US health advisory, said that “the mercury spreads from the hands of anyone using the cream to other things they touch (and) then gets into the air and anyone in the home can breathe it in.” General signs and symptoms of mercury exposure include abdominal pain, anemia, depression, diarrhea, heart abnormalities, muscle cramps, nausea, nervousness, numbness or tingling in hands, feet, or around the lips, pink hands and feet, tremors, and weight loss.

more than P200 million were the P238 million concreting of Asuncion-San Isidro Baraela Road at the Compostela Valley , P242, 650,000 concreting of Cateel–Compostela Valley road on the Davao Oriental side; P264million for the construction of Davao City Diversion Road to TorilBangkal- Puan section; and P250 million for concreting of Montevista-Cateelroad in Compostela Valley. Alquiza said the P264-million project that includes the construction of extension of the Diversion road is one of the big ticket projects in Davao City.. Alquiza said that the road

will be from Diversion Road to Old Davao-Cotabato road. It has an estimated length of less than 3 kilometers and will includethe construction of a bridge along Talomo River. For 2014, Alquiza said that as of January 31 DPWH 11 has an accomplishment of 90.61 percent. “Given with that percentage we were not able to maintain being number one even last December nag slide down kami to number two in the national ranking,” Alquiza said. DPWH was cited for being the highest performing regional office for two consecutive years in 2012 and 2013. CHENEEN R. CAPON

DPWH... FFROM 6

SPORTS

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NOT YET SET

Floyd disputes report that megafight with Manny already a done deal D ON’T get too excited, boxing fans. Unbeaten fighter Floyd Mayweather said Sunday that neither he nor Manny Pacquiao have signed a deal for a May mega-fight, but he still hopes to get into the ring with the Filipino icon. Mayweather, attending the NBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden, said in a brief television interview during the contest that global reports about a virtually done deal for the long anticipated bout were premature. The Sunday Telegraph in London, citing a source in the Pacquiao camp, reported “Pacman” had signed a deal for a fight expected to be worth $250 million. “That’s not true,” Mayweather said. “I ha-

ven’t signed yet and he hasn’t signed yet. “It’s just been speculations and rumors,” Mayweather said. “But I’m hopeful we can make the fight happen.” Buzz about a potential Pacquiao-Mayweather fight on May 2 in Las Vegas has been growing all month after the Asian star’s promoter Bob Arum said a deal could be looming. Filipino southpaw Pacquiao is 57-5 with two drawn and 38 knockouts while Mayweather is 47-0 with 26 knockouts. The two were longtime rivals as the “best pound-for-pound” boxers of their generation, but the dream fight has never materialized to the disappointment of the boxing world. Various issues have

scuttled previous attempts to make the fight, including a falling-out between Mayweather and Arum. Drug testing protocol issues contributed to the breakdown of talks five years ago, but after the fighters met at an NBA game in Miami in late January talks seemed to be progressing. One issue that must be resolved is the fighters’ contracts with rival telecasters. Mayweather has a contract with Showtime while Pacquiao has a deal with HBO, so the rival telecasters must also decide how to divvy up the spoils. The last time Showtime and HBO made such a deal was for a Mike Tyson-Lennox Lewis matchup in 2002.

Messi hat trick helps Barca sinks Levante

L Barcelona forward Lionel Messi vies with Levante’s midfielder Jose Luis Morales Nogales.

This is actually a watered down version of my column which should have come out yesterday. Due to some glitch, I had to make some tweaks to make it still relevant today. By this time, the NBA All-Stars would have been a foregone conclusion. The West, which I picked to win, celebrated in the grandest stage in New York. I did not correctly pick the MVP though. Russel Westbrook made it after exploding for 41 points. I picked the troika of James Harden with the Splash Brothers Klay Thompson and Steph Curry to be the MVPs. Just the same, the trio gave us a great show. As I was revising this earlier, there were a lot of unexpected winners in the All-Star sideshow. Steph Curry had won the three-point shootout over his Splash Brothers partner Klay Thompson in a battle of Golden State’s top guns. Klay was my bet in that contest to beat defending champ Marco Belinelli but Steph was just in the zone. Zach LaVine won the Slam Dunk title with a creative twist of the betweenthe-legs slam that was first executed by Isiah Rider with his infamous “East Bay Funk” dunk. LaVine’s “Space Jam” dunk was the clincher last Sunday.

Boxing superstars Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

IONEL Messi marked his 300th La Liga appearance with his 31st Barcelona hat-trick as the Catalans moved within a point of Real Madrid at the top of the table with a 5-0 win over Levante. However, champions Atletico Madrid remain seven points off the top in third after losing 2-0 at Celta Vigo. Barca have now won

11 straight matches in all competitions and never looked in danger despite coach Luis Enrique making eight changes from the side that beat Villarreal in the Copa del Rey in midweek. Messi teed up Neymar to open the scoring early on and then took over scoring duties himself to push out his alltime La Liga tally to 269 goals.

Yet, even the Argentine was upstaged by a stunning overhead kick from substitute Luis Suarez to round off the scoring. Victory tied Pep Guardiola’s best ever run of consecutive wins during his hugely successful four-year spell in charge at the Camp Nou. But Enrique insisted it is winning at the season’s end which matters

West as I placed my bet

A n d LET’S GET IT ON then there was Patrick Beverley snatching the Skills Challenge title. I say ‘snatched’ because I placed Isiah Thomas as Neil Bravo the man to beat in that contest. Team Bosh won the Shooting Stars Challenge and that meant I lost with my bet Team Curry. Before the All-Star game was decided and this column got botched, let me share my thoughts on the 64th edition of the mid-season classic. West coach Steve Kerr is not known to be a fast ballplayer when he playing for the Chicago Bulls and the San Antonio Spurs. He was a spot up shooter constantly looking for pick-and-roll screens to pop his three-pointer from time to time. Yesterday morning, Kerr steered a Western Conference All-Star squad that’s meant to run like a Ferrari and fire like a machine gun.

It’s crazy looking at the line-up of this Western squad. Imagine this as Kerr’s starting unit: James Harden, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson forming a three-guard combo and Marc Gasol manning the middle. Dirk Novitzki (replacing Anthony Davis) is the 4-guy slash pistolero. Off the bench, Kerr had these superstars at his beck and call: Kevin Durant, Tim Duncan, Russel Westbrook and Chris Paul. The East All Stars are no pushovers if at all that word is not a misnomer in analysing All-Star games. Lebron James teams up with Carmelo Anthony, Pau Gasol, John Wall and first-time selection Kyle Lowrie. Off the bench there’s Chris Bosh and the Hawks connection of Paul Millsap, Kyle Korver and Jeff Teague. How did I saw that game shape up to be? I placed my bucks on the West and by now, I would have known if I’d eat my words or chill my drink. Harden and the Splash Brothers should be a joy to watch. But the question was how Steve Kerr could put the acts together of this deadly trio. Steve needed to make the three form a boys choir humming the same tune, then he’s off to heaven. Oth-

most. “Records are obviously positive, but they don’t interest me,” he said. “The players aren’t overly euphoric because they know how hard it is to win titles. “If the fans are euphoric then great. We need to be optimistic, but it isn’t important how many games we have won. What counts is if they help us to win trophies.”

erwise, Steve had better jump off a sky glider with both hands tied on his back. This year’s All-Stars was without some familiar faces—Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Derrick Rose, Paul George, Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce and Blake Griffin. Was it less glitzy without these stars? Naah. Not a bit. That usual razzle-dazzle plays was taken cared of by the young guns in Lowry, Damian Lilliard, Teague, Kyrie Irving and of course, Harden, Thompson and Curry. Before yesyerday, I had this weird thinking the All-Star game may end with three co-MVPs—Harden-Thompson and Curry. Not far-fetched. Or there’s Melo torching the hoops at home in Madison Square Garden like a Mamasapano madman. But Westbrook had other plans. He went 27 after the first half for an All-Star record and his total of 41 was just one shy of Wilt Chamberlain’s mark. So goes another All-Star break. I hope you enjoyed it, buddies. A drink on hand, chips on the side. Next up, the final push for the season. Postscripts: Listen to “Let’s Get It On with Neil Bravo” on 105.9 Balita FM every Saturday 8-10 a.m.

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WEST SIDE STORY West outlasts East O

KLAHOMA City’s Russell Westbrook poured in 41 points to lead the Western Conference to a 163-158 victory over the East in a record-setting NBA All-Star Game. The total points scored in the 64th edition of the mid-season showcase on Sunday surpassed last year’s 163-155 Eastern Conference win for the highest-scoring NBA All-Star Game in history. Westbrook earned Most Valuable Player honors as he fell one point shy of the All-Star game record of 42 set by Wilt Chamberlain back in 1962. Westbrook’s 27 first-half points were a record for an All-Star half and he closed out the contest with two free throws -- a rarity on a night when spectacular offensive moves were the order of the day and defense was conspicuously absent.

The Western Conference’s 25 three-pointers were the most ever for one team in an All-Star Game, and the combined 48 three-pointers from both teams were also a record. “It’s amazing,” Westbrook said after he accepted the MVP trophy from NBA commissioner Adam Silver. “I came out and made a few shots and when I made a few shots, I stayed aggressive,” Westbrook added. In fact, Westbrook made a dazzling eight of his first nine attempts and finished by connecting on 16 of 28 from the floor. Westbrook, who has had to shoulder the load in Oklahoma City at times this season with reigning NBA MVP Kevin Durant missing 27 games so far because of injuries, said he was looking forward to the rest of the campaign.

West Team’s Russell Westbrook, of the Oklahoma City Thunder, dunks during the first half of the NBA All-Star basketball game on Sunday in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Westbrook named 2015 All-Star MVP

USSELL Westbrook was the brightest AllStar in the Big Apple. Westbrook scored 41 points - one shy of Wilt Chamberlain’s 53-year-old record - and was selected MVP of the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday night after leading the West to a 163-158 win over the East at Madison Square Garden. Oklahoma City’s flashy point guard set a record with 27 first-half points and nearly topped Chamberlain’s mark set in 1962. Westbrook didn’t realize he was within reach of Chamberlain until it was too late and the West was

trying to maintain its lead. ‘’I missed about six or seven layups,’’ he said. ‘’I could definitely have had it.’’ Westbrook is a showman and he delivered a scintillating performance on basketball’s biggest stage, pleasing a crowd that included President Bill Clinton, Jay-Z, Beyonce and some of the game’s alltime greats. Westbrook became the third player to score 40 points in an All-Star Game, joining Chamberlain and Michael Jordan, who had 40 in 1988. ‘’It’s definitely an

honor to be grouped with those two guys,’’ he said. In the first half, Westbrook helped the West build a 20-point lead that was eventually erased. And beyond his array of high-flying dunks - he grazed his head on the bottom of the backboard on one slam - drives and 3-pointers, Westbrook celebrated almost every one of his buckets with some kind of celebration, either strutting back down the floor, raising his arms or pointing to the crowd. ‘’It was a spectacular show of athleticism,’’ said Golden State guard Ste-

phen Curry. Westbrook’s biggest basket came with 2:22 left when he drained a 3-pointer to give the West a 158-149 lead. He made the most of his 25 minutes on the floor, attempting 28 shots. Chamberlain played 37 minutes, shot 17 for 23 and had 24 rebounds when he set the record. With the West clinging to a three-point lead in the final seconds, Westbrook went to the free throw line for two shots. He made the first and then arched his second attempt high, trying to miss. It went in anyway.