Edge Davao 7 Issue 33 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 33 • THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2014

www.edgedavao.net

Serving a seamless society

ARMY STAYS PUT READY FOR SALE. A farmer removes the husk from coconuts using a sharp metal, ready for sell and delivery to public markets in the nearby towns. Lean Daval Jr.

Duterte assures no military encampment near Paquibato communities By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

abf@edgedavao.net

In some. Lose some. After giving consent to the demands of the residents of Talaingod, Davao del Norte that the military operations in Ata-Manobo-populated villages shall be temporarily stopped, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte has remained steadfast that army soldiers shall remain in Paquibato district.

He turned down the demands by barangay officials and residents in Paquibato that army soldiers whom they accused of human rights violations shall be pulled out from the area. “Dili ko gusto na ang mga militar mo palayo. Lisud na,” Duterte said during the dialogue between the residents of Paquibato and the military units under the 10th Infantry Division (ID) last Tuesday afternoon at Grand Men Seng Hotel. “Goberno ko, eh. Unya gus-

to pud nako naa gyud ang military. Kung asa man gud ang komunista naa ang sundalo,” he said. Duterte said that aside from insurgency problem in the area, there are other cases that necessitate the presence of the military like the possible existence of illegal logging and illegal mining activities in the hinterlands. However, Barangay Captian Celso Bughao of Lumiad, Paquibato district expressed apprehension that the pres-

FARMY, 10

BOULDER BED. A man sleeps comfortably atop a boulder at Osmeña Park along C.M. Recto Avenue in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

EDGEDAVAO

THE BIG NEWS

VOL. 7 ISSUE 33 • THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2014

ABUNDANT. Sea shells and other sea produce are sold at a much lower price in Bankerohan Public Market due to the abundance of supply which regularly happens during summer season. Lean Daval Jr.

Farmers score DAR for slow processing of claims

arM workers slammed the slow pace in the processing of claims of beneficiaries by the Department of agrarian reform and raised fears that many will not be awarded titles before the June 30 deadline. representatives from different chapters of Katarungan from Davao del norte, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental and north Cotabato said the agency was taking its time in awarding titles to benefi-

ciaries and are yet to start on other land claims. The group demanded that President Benigno S. aquino III order agrarian reform agencies to issue notices of coverage (nOCs) “swiftly and decisively.” However, in a statement dated February, the Dar said that section 30 of republic act 9700 (Comprehensive agrarian reform Program Extension with reforms) provides that the acquisition and distribu-

FFARMERS, 10

WEATHER FORECAST

Labor ‘contractualization’ assailed By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

abf@edgedavao.net

COaLITIOn of labor groups in Davao City will commemorate Labor Day today with protest against massive contractualization of employment and demand for the immediate action on their proposed P80 wage hike. Members of the nagakaisa Davao, a coalition of labor groups such as the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), Partido ng Manggagawa, Sentro ng nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagwa and Federation of Free Workers, are set to at Orcullo Park at 8:00 a.m. and hold a march rally towards Ponciano reyes Street, San Pedro Street, CM. recto

avenue and back to roxas avenue. rodel abenoja, convenor of nagkaisa Davao, told reporters in a press conference yesterday at the alliance of Labor Union– Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (aLU-TUCP) Hotel that they demand that President Benigno S. aquino III makes a “strong policy statement” declaring his commitment to ensure the security of tenure of workers and end labor contractualization scheme in the country. abenoja said that the contractualization of workers has been abused by many employers in the country.

aside from contractualization, he said that there are still many companies that failed to provide minimum wage to their employees. With this, the group demand for deployment of more labor inspectors to assess and ensure compliance from the companies. abaenoja said that last year, they were able to secure a commitment from President aquino to increase the number of inspectors it remains unimplemented until now. He said they are pushing for the immediate passage of House Bill no. 4853 or the Security Of Tenure Bill which seeks to prohibit the practice of contractual-

ization. reynante Billiones, Industrial relation Officer of aLU-TUCP, also urged the regional Tripartite Wage Board (rTWPB) 11 to fast track the approval of their petition for wage hike they filed it last year. Billones said the made constant follow up on their petition but the rTWPB has yet to make its official response. He cited the need to increase the workers’ wages as the prices of basic commodities have been increasing over the years. “2012 pa ang atong wage increase na P15 and until now 2014 wala pa gihapon,”Billones said.

tion’s (nPC) agus 2, 4, 6 and Pulangi 4 hydro-electric power plants. This is the result of the now very low water elevation due to no rain or the lack of it which has forced the nPC to decrease its supply allocation to Davao Light and other electric utilities. as of 7:47 Monday morning, nPC through nGCP only allocated about 150 MW to Davao Light from last week’s allocation of about 180 MW of power. This is way lower than the Davao Light’s con-

tracted supply with nPC of 270 MW. Currently, Davao Light’s total energy supply is about 262 MW while its peak demand is estimated at about 320 MW resulting to a deficiency of 58 MW. This deficiency translates to a 2.5 hours of rotating outages. ross Luga, Davao Light Corporate Communications officer, said that with the decreased power allocation by the nPC, the only option remaining is to stretch the du-

ration of the rotating outages. This is to avoid total collapse of the entire Mindanao transmission grid which happens when the demand for power exceeds the available supply. The electric distribution company will go on with this measure until further advice from the nGCP to lift its implementation is received. Davao Light apologizes to its consumers for the inconvenience brought about by these power interruptions which are beyond its control.

Rotating power outages increased to a maximum of two-hours and 30-minutes T

HE duration of the rotating power outages implemented within the Davao Light & Power Co. franchise has been increased from one hour up to a maximum of two hours and 30-minutes starting april 28 due to the much lower power supply coming from the Mindanao Grid. according to the national Grid Corporation of the Philippines (nGCP), there is a reduction of the capability of the national Power Corpora-

NEWS 3 DOH laments: Anti-malaria nets used for fishing, farming

VOL. 7 ISSUE 33 • THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2014

DEParTMEnT of Health official in region 11 has reported that some of those who received mosquito nets treated with chemicals against malaria and dengue used these for fishing and farming purposes. “We’ve had reports of fisherfolk using the nets in their fishing and farmers using the nets to dry cacao crops,” said antonieta Ebol, head of the malaria and dengue program of DOH-11, during awarding ceremonies for the region’s malaria program at the royal Mandaya Hotel Friday last week. She lamented why the beneficiaries do not use the mosquito nets properly since these would help protect them from the diseases. “The nets are able to protect the beneficiaries for up to five years,” Ebol added. She said that while the

DOH was against the misuse of the nets, the beneficiaries would be better off waiting until the efficacy expired before deciding to use it for other purposes. The beneficiaries would even be given additional nets after the treated nets expire, she added. The treated mosquito nets cost P1,300 each in the market, with a discounted price of around P270 if bought by the DOH through the World Health Organization. She said it was the Department of Social Welfare and Development that identified the beneficiaries from among the poorest of the poor, through the conditional cash transfer program. another priority areas for the nets are far-flung communities with identified cases of malaria and dengue. The mosquito nets, called

long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIn), are part of the agency’s strengthening of vector control against malaria, according to a presentation Ebol showed to awardees and officials from the region’s malaria program at the royal Mandaya Hotel last Friday. Ebol said that communities should also avail of the DOH’s indoor residual spraying program to deter the entry of the mosquitoes from their homes. Vector control prevents malaria transmission by reducing human-vector contact, decreasing vector population, increasing adult vector mortality, and preventing and controlling epidemics, she said. Ebol said new measures were in place to increase awareness and distribute more LLIns in the region’s far-flung communities.

ees to observe proper hygiene and sanitation to avoid contracting diseases. The official said diarrhea and upper respiratory diseases are common in crowded evacuation centers. “The city health office is there 24 hours a day, so you have to report to them if you feel that you or your family member is sick,” he said. Last week, a CHO report showed that three children had already died of measles and sepsis due to dire conditions evacuation camps and in the areas hit by fire. a four-year-old housed at the Zonta Elementary School died of sepsis a day after reportedly ingesting seawater when he plunged into the water to escape from the fire. Two others, a two-yearold and a seven-month-old

child housed at the Magsaysay Park, reportedly died of measles after their parents refused hospital treatment. Symptoms of measles, a high communicable disease, include rashes, red eyes and loss of appetite that usually lasts about 7-10 days. It is spread via direct contact or through the air by coughing and sneezing. City health officer Josephine Villafuerte said they already conducted immunization and outbreak controls when they found out about the case. “Children susceptible to the disease were inoculated with vitamin a,” she said. The evacuees are currently staying at five different elementary schools, two gymnasiums and the park. [MindaNews]

FDOH, 10

P2 M assistance given to fire victims

DEARTH. Water containers owned by Badjaos who are temporary living at Magsaysay Park in Davao City are formed in a long line for orderly access of water from limited number of faucets in the area. Lean Daval Jr.

No security threats forLabor Day celebration

HE Philippine national Police (PnP) said on Wednesday that no security threats have been detected for the May 1 Labor Day celebration. But Senior Supt. Wilben Mayor, spokesperson of the PnP chief Director General alan Purisima, said that this will not prevent them from monitoring and conducting security operations if needed. “We continue monitoring… but so far there are no threat groups,” Mayor told the Philippines news agency in a phone interview. He also said that the PnP will further intensify its anti-criminality patrols to prevent criminal elements from victimizing holiday-goers. Mayor said the national Capital region Police

Office (nCrPO) and other concerned police units will conduct security operations, including civil disturbance and traffic management operations, in connection with this year’s celebration of Labor Day. “There will be security deployment to maintain law and order and peaceful [and] successful celebration of Labor Day. The PnP respects the rights of the people to air their grievances in a peaceful and orderly manner,” he said even as he also appealed to rally organizers to police their ranks. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development authority (MMDa) announced that the Unified Vehicular Volume reduction Program, or the number cod-

OUrTEEn abu Sayyaf Group (aSG) brigands and a Marine soldier were killed in a three-hour clash in Patikul, Sulu on Tuesday, the military reported. Capt. ryan Lacuesta, 2nd Marine Brigade Civil-Military Operations Officer, said 19 other soldiers were wounded in the fighting. The encounter between the two groups started at 4 p.m. and lasted until 7 p.m., Lacuesta added.

Marine troopers, aided by two MG-520 attack helicopters of the Philippine air Force (PaF), fought an estimated 100 aSG members led by Yasser Igasan, Idan Susukan, ninok Sappari, and radullan Sahiron, Lacuesta said. The clash occurred near a one-hectare aSG camp in Sitio Kan Jimao, Barangay Buhanginan, which the troops seized after an assault on Monday. [PNA]

ing scheme, will be lifted on Labor Day, a holiday. “number Coding is automatically lifted in the metropolis (no exceptions) during regular holidays such as Labor Day this May 1,” MMDa said in a Twitter post. If the number rule would be in effect, vehicles with plate numbers ending in 7 and 8 are not allowed in major thoroughfares from 7 a.m.

FNO, 10

HE Department of Health has given around P2 million worth of material assistance to evacuees of the april 4 fire that hit portions of barangays 22-C and 23-C, an official said. In an interview at an awarding program for anti-malaria personnel held at the royal Mandaya Hotel last Friday, DOH regional director abdullah Dumama said the agency has already distributed mosquito nets, medicines, disinfectants, and other medical items to some 3,500 evacuees housed in eight evacuation centers. Dumama also appealed to the evacuees to immediately report symptoms of illnesses to City Health Office (CHO) personnel so that these could be treated. He also urged the evacu-

15 killed in Sulu clash F

DIVERSION. Residents of Dona Pilar Subdivision in Sasa, Davao City use electronic gadgets to fight away boredom during a scheduled rotating power outage which is now increased to a maximum of two-hours and 30-minutes. Lean Daval Jr.

4 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 33 • THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2014 Internet Photo

DAVAO DEL NORTE

7 DNLI scholars receive BPA diploma I

T was a dream come true for seven scholars of the Davao del norte Learning Institute (DnLI), who graduated with the specialized degree of Bachelor of Public administration. Governor rodolfo del rosario presented their diplomas during the commencement program of the Davao del norte State College (DnSC) early this month. The graduates finished the course one year after enrolling in the innovative degree program that credited their combined trainings and seminars attended, relevant work experience and placement examination. They were among the 30 Capitol employees comprising the first batch of DnLI scholars enrolled at the DnSC, the partner institution granting the degree. The other 23 student employees are set to graduate on July 2014. The first in the country, DnLI is an academy established by the provincial government to serve as a learning facility for public employees, barangay functionaries, and out-of-school youths.

The governor launched the program to provide opportunity for undergraduate personnel to upgrade their academic qualification, as well as, enhance governance and public service. The province shouldered the bulk of the tuition fee leaving just 25 percent of the bill to the undergrad regular employees, who have been working at the Capitol for not less than five years. Maritess Macansantos, 57, is forever grateful for the opportunity given her to earn the degree. “This truly is the greatest treasure that Gov. del rosario has given us that we can never repay,” she beamed. The nursing attendant at the Provincial Health Office considered herself a failure when she quit college in 1979 in order to marry during her second year in B.S. in Secondary Education. It took her a long time to get a permanent position and most awaited promotion due to lack of educational qualification. She got her permanent appointment only in 1989 after 12 years of working at the

MAWAB, CoMpostelA VAlley

DIPLOMA. Gov. Rodolfo del Rosari presents the Bachelor of Public Administration diploma to one of the seven Davao del Norte Learning Institute (DNLI) scholars. Capitol. now she cherishes the thought of retiring in few years time bringing home with her the priced diploma. She regards the degree as her

redemption from the disappointment she brought her deceased parents decades back. “now my parents are proud of me,” she said poi-

Risk preparedness, safety highlight ComVal’s caving festival this year

annErInG the theme “Safe Caving, Safe Ecotourism adventure”, this year’s “TapokTunobsaLangob” opened Wednesday the five-day caving festival at the 10th Infantry Division of the Philippine army’s Camp Manuel T. Yan Sr. Eco-Military Park and Tribal Village in Brgy. Tuboran, Mawab focusing on cave rescue preparedness. Provincial tourism officer

Christine Dompor noted that caving activities carry risks from different factors like cave interior flooding and chamber collapse and that, because Compostela Valley is becoming a major tourist destination site for spelunking, groups including cave guides must learn cave rescue preparedness techniques. “We can never tell when disasters inside caves occur, so we better be prepared

GENERAL SANTOS CITY

in time of emergencies and send word to cave adventurers that caving in Comval is safe and our guides are trained and prepared for any eventuality,” Dompor assured. Tourism provincial cave coordinator PrescillaDecenaechoed Dompor’s concerns, saying the regional caving committee of the Department of natural resources regional office has

been helpful in this regard. “The committee has been very supportive of our caving program and has helped us look for cave rescue technical experts to train our guides and participants,” Decena said. The cave coordinator said rescue teams from the 11 municipalities of the province have been invited to widen their areas of rescue capability. [jpa/pgo-tss]

28,000 local, overseas jobs at job fairs

rOUnD 28,000 overseas and local job vacancies will be up for grabs for job seekers here and the neighboring areas in two major job fairs organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in region 12 in connection with the Labor Day celebration on Thursday, May 1. Edna Sales, DOLE region 12’s technical support services chief, said Wednesday a total of 201 employers have so far confirmed to participate in the job fairs that will be conducted at the KCC Mall Events and Convention Center and at the SM

City General Santos Trade Hall. She said 113 companies and job placement agencies are joining the job fair at the KCC Mall and 88 at the SM Mall that would open at 8 am. Some 16,960 job openings or vacancies will be opened at the KCC Mall job fair and around 11,300 at the SM Mall event, Sales said. She said most of the job vacancies are for local placements, “which means immediate hiring or work for the successful job seekers.” “These figures could still increase by the time the job

fairs would open as we’re still waiting for confirmations from a number of companies and job placement agencies,” the official told Mindanews on the phone. aside from the job fairs, Sales said a forum for members of the academe will be held at the sidelines of the activities at the SM Mall trade hall. She said the activity will gather stakeholders of the region’s academic sector to discuss problems on job mismatches and other related concerns in the area. region 12, which is also

known as the Soccsksargen region, comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, north Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato. Sales said a grand skills display dubbed “world of work” will be staged at the same venue by professional groups and industry stakeholders in the region, she said. Sales said the event will feature presentations and demonstrations focusing on various skills involved in “blue collar” jobs.

[MindaNews]

gnantly. after the success of its first batch of scholars in BPa, DnLI’s alternative delivery mode for continuing studies will be offering next the Cer-

tificate in Physical Education (CPE), Certificate of Training in Physical Education, (CTPE) and Diploma in Early Childhood Education (DECE). [Noel Baguio]

GENERAL SANTOS CITY

LGU wants SEC satellite office I

n a bid to enhance the city’s efforts to attract more new businesses and investments, the city council is pushing for the establishment of a satellite or extension office here of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In a resolution, the council said the SEC should consider opening an office in the area to complement with its thriving economy as seen with the entry of major investments and the continuing expansions of various local industries. It said the move will augur well with the emergence of region 12 as a major economic player in the country. “With the number of business establishments and investors in the city continually increasing, this council finds it necessary to put up a SEC satellite or extension office in the area,” the resolution said. SEC, which was established in 1936 by virtue of the Commonwealth act no. 83 or the Securities act, is a government agency responsible for the regulation of the securities industry in the country. It was tasked “to curb fraud, manipulation, and excesses in the stock market and protect the investing public from exploitation.” City Councilor Brix Tan,

who authored the resolution, said Tuesday the opening of an SEC unit in the city will ease the processing of securities-related requirements and enhance the implementation of the agency’s regulatory initiatives in the area. He said businesses and concerned residents presently need to travel to Davao City, which is a three-hour bus ride from this city, for transactions with the SEC’s extension office. aside from Davao City, the SEC maintains extension offices in the cities of Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro. Should an SEC satellite or extension office be established in the city, Tan said it will support the commission’s enforcement and regulatory responsibilities and goals; perform enforcement investigations and inspections through its compliance and enforcement department; and support the work of its company registration and monitoring department. He said the extension unit “shall have the powers and functions provided by the Securities regulation Code; Presidential Decree no. 902-a, as amended; the Corporation Code; the Investment Houses Law; and the Financing Company act, among others. [MindaNews]

5 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 33 • THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2014

Land Bank approves new loan for transport terminal complex T

HE Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) has approved the loan application of the Koronadal City local government for the construction and development of the city’s P230-million modern integrated transport terminal complex. Mayor Peter Miguel said Tuesday they received a notice from the LBP’s monetary board endorsing the financing of the city’s transport terminal project and setting a maximum loanable amount of P560 million for such purpose. But he said the local government has only sought for a P150-million loan or P80 million short of the project’s estimated cost. “The project’s development was set on a phased basis so we decided to lower our loan to P150 million,” the mayor said in a radio interview. Miguel earlier obtained authority from the city council to negotiate a loan with the LBP for the construction of the terminal complex in Purok Yellow Bell, Barangay Sta. Cruz. The city government acquired last year a 5.9-hectare lot worth P40 million for the

proposed transport terminal project’s site. Miguel said the decision to reduce the loan amount was also based on the city government’s financial capacity, especially in its repayment. He said they don’t want the local government to get buried in loans and eventually forced to sacrifice its priority programs and services. With the P150-million loan, he said the project’s original plan and design will not be implemented fully or to the detail but assured that such amount is enough for a “fully functional terminal complex.” “We’re now processing the release of the loan to facilitate the project’s implementation,” Miguel said. The mayor said the LBP loan will specifically be utilized to fund the construction of the main terminal building and related structures as well as the installation of the necessary amenities within the complex. Based on a feasibility study prepared by the local government, the transport terminal complex will be operated as an economic enterprise. The facility is projected to

LABOR FRONT. An artist prepares effigies in time for the May 1 Labor Day protest rally. He was spotted along Rizal Street in Davao City on Monday, April 28, 2014. [MindaNews photo by Toto Lozano] generate an annual income of around P13.2 million from the terminal fees alone. It foresees additional revenues of around P1.7 million a

year from the rentals or leases of its commercial stalls. The proposed integrated terminal’s main building was designed to cover two hect-

ares and the rest of the site will serve as buffer area or spot for future developments. It will adopt the “green” concept in terms of architec-

ture and facilities, specifically the use of natural ventilation, natural lighting (skylight) and energy-efficient light-emitting diode or LED lights.

6 THE ECONOMY

VOL. 7 ISSUE 33 • THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2014

CEB offers P1 systemwide seat sale for Labor Day C

EBU Pacific air (PSE:CEB) celebrates Labor Day with a P1 systemwide seat sale until May 2, 2014 or until seats last. This is for travel from June 1 to December 15, 2014. “We hope guests can take advantage of this seat sale to plan their trips in the 2nd half of the year. It would be our utmost pleasure to bring them home for family reunions, to vacation destinations or to off-the-beaten track backpacking locations with friends,” said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog. “as a low-cost carrier, our goal has always been to enable everyJuan to fly, with our trademark lowest fares and route network. By booking in advance, we offer the biggest possible travel savings,” she added. PHP1 seats are up for grabs to the following 33 Philippine destinations: Bacolod, Boracay (Caticlan), Busuanga (Coron), Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Camiguin, Cauayan (Isabela), Cebu, Clark, Cotabato, Davao, Dipolog, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo, Kalibo, Legaspi, Laoag, Manila, naga, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa, roxas, San Jose (Mindoro), Siargao, Su-

rigao, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Tawi-Tawi, Tuguegarao, Virac and Zamboanga. CEB operates flights from six hubs in Manila, Cebu, Davao, Clark, Iloilo and Kalibo, making inter-island travel fast and affordable. PHP1 seats are also available on the following 24 international destinations: Dubai, Bali, Bangkok, Beijing, Brunei, Busan, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Incheon (Seoul), Jakarta, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, nagoya, Osaka, Phuket, Singapore, Shanghai, Siem reap (Cambodia), Taipei, Tokyo (narita) or Xiamen. For bookings and inquiries, guests can go to www. cebupacificair.com or call reservation hotlines (02)7020888 or (032)230-8888. The latest seat sales can also be found on CEB’s official Twitter (@cebupacificair) and Facebook pages. CEB’s 51-strong fleet is comprised of 10 airbus a319, 30 airbus a320, 3 airbus a330 and 8 aTr-72 500 aircraft. It is one of the most modern aircraft fleets in the world. Between 2014 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 11 more brand-new airbus a320, 30 airbus a321neo, and 3 airbus a330 aircraft.

DOUBLE CITATION. For the second year in a row, Security Bank Corporation was cited in The Asset Triple A Transaction Banking Awards 2014 for Treasury, Trade and Risk Management. The bank was distinguished with the following citations: Best Service Provider - eSolutions Partner Bank, Philippines and Best Cash Management Solution, Philippines for Auto Sweep Post Corporation. The awards night was held on April 8 at the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong. Accepting the awards were (in photo, from left) Debit Cards and Remittance Division Head Henry Navarro and Transaction Banking Group Head Daniel Yu. The Asset Triple A Treasury, Trade & Risk Management Awards identify those Asian corporations and banking institutions who have implemented the most effective and innovative treasury, cash management, capital and trade finance and risk management solutions, as well as recognize individuals, CFOs and treasurers who are creating the industry’s best practice in Asia. The Asset Triple A Treasury, Trade & Risk Management Awards are Asia’s defining recognition for excellence in the industry.

Sulawesi, Indonesia Legarda pushes green jobs Mindanao-North sea route to open this month

EnaTOr Loren Legarda yesterday stressed on the importance of promoting green skills and green jobs, stating that it would provide employment opportunities and boost climate change adaptation efforts in the country. Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committees on Environment and natural resources and on Climate Change, noted that there are already 3.5 million green jobs worldwide and the Philippines has the potential to generate thousands of green jobs, especially if there

It figures

150

are more renewable energy investments in the country. “We take note of the government’s continuing efforts to generate more jobs for our growing population. But despite the various programs to address unemployment, we still need to do more. We can encourage our citizens to train in green skills such as management in agriculture, forestry, horticulture, environmental information technology and other careers that contribute to environmental preservation,” she explained. “We should also

Number of job fairs for new graduates and other job seekers in Metro Manila and other regions for this April, May, and up to June 2014, as announced by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). The biggest and most anticipated job fair is the Labor Day Job Fair that the DOLE will conduct on May 1, 2014 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City under the auspices of the DOLE National Capital Region and the Bureau of Local Employment.

strengthen efforts to encourage more renewable energy investments in the country because this industry can provide thousands of jobs for our people. according to Greenpeace, a geothermal company in the country was able to employ 2,582 individuals for a 1,189-MW plant and that a 10-megawatt solar power plant can provide jobs for 1,000 people for six months during the period of construction and 100 permanent positions for its operation and maintenance,” she added.

P9.91 billion

Amount the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) remitted to the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to cover the pension requirements of more than 100,000 war veterans and retired military personnel for the second quarter.

raDE and economic ties between Mindanao and Indonesia expect to get further boost with the opening of the Davao-General Santos-Tahuna-Bitung sea route this month that will operationalize shipping services between Mindanao and north Sulawesi. an agreement to operationalize the shipping service was sealed in Jakarta on april 11 by the

2nd

representatives of the Indonesian shipping line PT Kanaka, the north Minahasa Chamber of Commerce of Indonesia, Philippine-based cargo company arrEE Freight Express and the Davao City Chamber of Commerce. The sea route has expanded to include Tahuna, a fishing and trading center in Sangir Talaud group of islands

Rank of Manila, Philippines among five cities in Southeast Asia with the highest potential of getting much better in the next two decades, according to report from the Wall Street Journal quoting US-based consulting firm A.T. Kearney.

in the province of north Sulawesi, situated in between Bitung and General Santos City. In the agreement, PT Kanaka will provide shipping services to the route with its conventional cargo-type vessel with a 120 TEU capacity. arrEE Freight Express on the other hand will handle the cargo consolidation requirements for the shipping route.

Number of additional countries that will enjoy visa-free privileges to enter the Philippines for a period stay of 30 days, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs. These countries are Belize, Croatia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

7 ENVIRONMENT

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 33 • THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2014

PETA calls for immediate return of crocodile ‘Malang’ to the wild a

n international organization working for the welfare of animals has appealed to the local government of M’lang, north Cotabato to immediately release a captured crocodile, officials said Tuesday. Mayor Joselito Pinol of M’lang welcomed the suggestion of People for the Ethical Treatment of animals (PETa) but reiterated the local government has no intention of keeping “Malang,” believed to be the country’s largest crocodile in captivity. ”It will be released back to the wild even without a reminder from PETa or an order from the Department of Environment and natural resources,” Pinol told reporters. In a letter to Pinol, PETa officials said the local government has no expertise to keep the 2.18-meter long crocodile captured by fishermen in the marshland of Central Mindanao region on april 12. “We have no intention of keeping the crocodile (as a tourist attraction), we will send it back to the marshland,” Pinol said in a radio interview. He said the local government and the Department of Environment and natural resources (DEnr) officials have agreed to send the crocodile named after the town’s name

back to the wild. “Once the crocodile’s condition improves, it will be released back to the marshland,” Pinol said, adding that the reptile’s health condition has been improving tremendously. The Philippine freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) has been weak since it was captured by fishermen

and tied to a huge tree until Mayor Pinol managed to convince them to turn over the large animal. In its letter, PETa’s letterhead said “animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, use for entertainment, or abuse in any other way.” after several negotiations with the fishermen, who had

earlier demanded P40,000 for the reptile, it was turned over to the local government “for custody and health recovery.” Last week, the crocodile managed to escape from its temporary cage, a 2-meter deep concrete lagoon beside the town hall, walked in the park for about 100 meters but was later recaptured and sent

back to its cage. ”Malang is getting stronger by the day,” Pinol said, adding that it will be sent to the wild after attaching a chip to it. DEnr officials here believed that several crocodiles as huge as “Lolong,” the saltwater crocodile acknowledged by Guinness World records as the largest in captivity be-

will dissect and improve the current version. “Our model is a first working version which will hopefully encourage other scientists to become involved in developing this, or analogous, global models of life,” said Drew Purves, Head of the Computational Ecology and Environmental Science group (CEES) and co-author of the initiative. They will, for example, be able to show what will happen to an ecosystem if bees become extinct and they will be able to show decision makers how our world will look if action is not taken to safeguard our planet’s future. according to the statement, the team first simulated the physical Earth with continents, oceans and a global climate, before inserting digital organisms. [PNA/ Xinhua]

HE Department of Environment and natural resources (DEnr) has classified an additional 206 caves, bringing to 364 the total number of caverns considered as part of the nation’s natural wealth and therefore require sustainable management and conservation. The classification, according to DEnr Secretary ramon J. P. Paje, was pursuant to republic act no. 9072, or the national Caves and Cave resources Management and Protection act, which mandates the agency to formulate, develop and implement a national program to conserve, protect and manage caves and cave resources. “Caves are non-renewable resources with unique, natural features that offer significant scientific, educational, economic and aesthetic value and form part of our historical and cultural heritage,” Paje pointed out. He added: “Caves can also be used for our enjoyment, but only to a certain

UN, Microsoft launch computer lab for environmental issues M

ICrOSOFT research and the Un Environment Program (UnEP) on Tuesday launched open source technology that allows scientists to simulate how all organisms on earth interact in a changing environment. The technology, Madingley, launched by Microsoft’s Computational Science Lab and UnEP’s World Conservation Monitoring Center (UnEP-WCMC) could help scientists and policy makers unravel on crucial questions previously unanswerable. UnEP Executive Director achim Steiner said the technology will improve understanding of the causes and impacts of degradation, helping scientists and governments develop avoidance and mitigation measures. “The model is the first to couple all of the key biological processes and ecological

theory that underpin the life cycle and behavior of living organisms, from energy acquisition, to feeding metabolism, reproduction, dispersal and earth,” Steiner said in a statement issued in nairobi. The Microsoft and UnEP-WCMC team developed the first computer model able to simulate how all organisms interact on a global scale. The Madingley Model creates a simulation of life on Earth, following a set of basic ecological tools found in the real world. With the rapid degradation of ecosystems worldwide, the ability to predict the likely effects of human actions on the natural world could prove vital in the maintenance of the goods and services it provides, upon which we all depend. Steiner said anthropogenic activities are causing

widespread degradation of ecosystems worldwide, threatening the ecosystem services upon all life depends. “Madingley is an exciting new technology which offers the scientific community and world leaders a vital tool to predict how unsustainable development pathways would affect the natural world,” Steiner said. The Madingley model is able to provide this longterm, predictive and truly global insight previously lacking in other models. The Microsoft and UnEP-WCMC team said the solution is able to assess and predict human impacts on a diverse range of ecosystems. It can be applied to any ecosystem, marine or terrestrial, and can be applied at any scale from local to global. The model which is open-sourced, is hoped that the scientific community

fore it died in February last year, could be in the Liguasan marsh, a 220,000-hectare wetland straddling the provinces of north Cotabato, Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat. ”Malang” is a freshwater crocodile and considered critically endangered species which could grow to a maximum of three meters. [PNA]

DENR classifies 206 additional caves T

extent. Classifying caves accordingly will thus help define which human activities are allowed within these areas so that we can preserve them in their pristine state, or improve them if necessary.” Under DEnr Memorandum Circular 2014-03, the newly classified caves are found in 11 regions, with region 2 having the most number of caves at 101, followed by region 11 with 30 caves. among the provinces, Cagayan has the most number of caves with 83, while Davao del norte was far second with 18 caves. Caves are classified into three categories or classes. “Class I” caves are characterized with delicate and fragile geological formations, may be habitats of threatened species, provide archaeological values and possess extremely hazardous conditions. as such, activities allowed in these caves are limited to mapping, photography, educational and scientific purposes.

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

VOL. 7 ISSUE 33 • THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2014

EDITORIAL

It’s going to get worse

HE power situation is not getting any better. To make matters worse, the scorching summer heat has set in. at present, the rotational brownout has been raised from one hour to 2 hours and a half. and don’t look now but at the rate the situation is developing, there is a possibility of a six-hour rotational brownout. reports have it that the Mindanao power deficiency is going to hit 600 megawatts this week. according to DLPC, their total energy supply at present is about 262 MW while its peak demand is estimated at about 320 MW resulting to a deficiency of 58 MW. This deficiency translates to a 2.5 hours of rotating outages. Davao Light said that with the decreased power allocation by the nPC, the only option remaining is to stretch the duration of the rotating outages. This is to avoid total collapse of the entire Mindanao transmission grid which happens when the demand for power exceeds the available supply. DLPC said it will go on with this measure until further advice from the national Grid Corporation of the Philippines (nGCP) to lift its implementation is received. as the power demand reaches an all time-high with

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sweltering summer heat, the nGCP outlook for May 1, Labor Day is reportedly a deficiency of 530 MW. Davao Light has implemented 4 hour power cut during the 9 am to 9 pm window and another 2 hours outside this window. This is due to the shortfall of 100 MW despite the operation of the Bajada Power Plant (40 MW) Therma Marine (30 MW) HEDCOr Sibulan and Talomo (45 MW). Davao Light demand is said to be at 320 MW, and with only 120 MW coming from naPOCOr / PSaLM, adding Bajada Power Plant and HEDCOr Plants, Davao Light is assured of 205 MW, leaving a vacuum of 115 MW. This scenario could result to 6 hours brownouts. The situation is inevitable and we have learned to accept this sweltering reality. However, what consumers— ordinary residents and business owners alike--demand from the DLPC is a fixed schedule of brownouts. This will fairly apprise consumers and business establishments of the anticipated downtime and idle manhours as well as protect machineries and equipment and household appliances.

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG Creative Solutions

ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Associate Editor

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

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

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 33 • THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2014

High degree of security

HE IDEaLS OF TraDE UnIOnISM – On the occasion of Labor Day today possibly there will be official ceremonies nationwide to remember and recognize the founding fathers and living leaders of the country’s labor movement. I was brought up to believe that ceremony like a Labor Day celebration had to be observed even among different labor factions – some bitter adversaries, in a civilized society. There has always been an ideological division between the various mainstreams of the labor movement in the Philippines. accorded with recognition usually are the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), national Labor Union (nLU), Federation of Free Workers (FFW) and Kilusang Magbubukid sa Pilipinas (KMP). The Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and Bayan Muna and other militant groups although not invited in many occasions surely will also be around during the event. Instead, thousands of their members, waving red flags, brandishing placards and burning effigies will swarm over the different venues across the country. For over a century, labor unions fight for the right to self-organization and collective bargaining, basic rights guaranteed under the Constitution and the conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO). The ideals of trade were devoted to collective bargaining for higher wages, security of tenure and other benefits. In their sustained struggles and sacrifices, trade unions often risked life and limb to organize the workers in the industrial and commercial enterprises as well as the sugar plantations and other big agricultural-based businesses. Without the struggles and sacrifices of the trade unions the dignity of labor and the dignity of human life

at work would largely be imaginary. It is therefore appropriate to remember and honor the pioneers of the labor movement – living and dead, on the occasion of Labor Day be it in Metro Manila or the provinces. Meanwhile, government should not also be remiss in remembering and honoring the founding fathers of the Philippine labor movement that fostered the culture of industrial peace based on justice. THInGS THaT Can BE TaLKED, DISCUSSED anD DEBaTED – For the time being, there are signs that the Enhance Defense Cooperation agreement or EDCa entered into between the US and the Philippine government most likely will be meet with drastic brickbats and criticism by different groups notably the so-called progressive organizations. This is possibly a signal that there is a problem with EDCa, a ten-year defense deal signed during a two-day state visit of US President Barack Obama. Severe critics including some former and incumbent anti-US lawmakers say EDCa is like suggesting that the Philippines put itself in the line of fire in the event that war, possibly with China, breaks out. They further emphasized that such a geopolitically naïve defense agreement will draw attention from neighboring countries especially those who have expansionist ambition. They instantly shot the EDCa down

saying that the same naivete’, that any deal with the U.S. only benefits american interests. That’s one way of looking at it. another is that, there are also reasons to believe that the U.S. will most likely honor its promise and commitment and give the country a high degree of security. The Philippine government believes that the preservation of a stable, peaceful and secured environment will defend not only on america’s sincerity in keeping its promise to protect the country from any aggressor, but also on the active effort of the Filipinos to protect and promote their rights and interest. The desire of the U.S. to maintain stability, security and prosperity in Southeast asia is driven more by the Philippine situation. The most important factor in the mind of the U.S. government in terms of security in the region is the association of South East asian nations (aSEan). We are talking here of geopolitics and there are countless of U.S. interest in the region. It has been very much in the mind of the U.S. in assuring the future of the Philippines, because if they do something suitable to the country, it will have wider implications in aSEan countries. I do not believe that we should discontinue our partnership with the U.S. as desired by people who have furthered anti-US sentiments because of their own self-interest. The security threat and tension in the West Philippine Sea prodded the U.S. to increase their military presence in the region, which is the last thing, China in particular, do not want to see. But all of those things can be talked about, discussed and debated. We have more U.S. troops, modern and sophisticated war armaments in the country, it will be.

Reinventing US military presence

rESIDEnT Barack Obama’s state visit to the Philippines and other asian countries, seen as a move to consolidate US hold on affairs in the region, has again sparked debates on the long-term wisdom of hosting US troops in the country in the context of Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea. Defense officials and others who favor stronger US military presence in this part of asia through the Enhanced Defense Cooperation agreement see it as an effective deterrent to the threat posed by China. (It does not seem to matter that the Obama administration has always issued nuanced statements when it comes to US-China relations. It has given no categorical statement that the US would help the Philippines in a war with China.) Others view the signing of the agreement as something that would only increase China’s resentment, which seems to have reached tipping point after the Philippines went on to submit her claim on parts of the Spratly Islands to international arbitration. However one sees it, EDCa categorically aligns the Philippines with US geopolitical and economic interests, endangering relations with her strongest neighbor. But for now let’s postpone the cost-benefit debate on EDCa and revisit how US troops have managed to return 10 years after the Jovito Salonga-led Philippine Senate voted to

SOMEONE ELSE’S WINDOWS

By h. MarcoS c. Mordeno kick them out. ‘Permanent visit’ In May 1999, US troops slipped back into the archipelago, mainly in Mindanao, through the Visiting Forces agreement. There are actually two VFas, although only VFa-1 was submitted to the Senate for ratification. Since VFa-2 contains a provision for supplementary agreements, it stands on shaky legal grounds, as Senate concurrence to VFa-1 bars the president from unilaterally binding the country to amendments of the treaty. But legal questions aside, events since the re-entry of US troops in 2002, purportedly for training and joint military exercises, have shown that their presence is anything but temporary. It is more like a permanent visit, clearly a contradiction in terms. The title of the treaty – treaty from the viewpoint of the Philippines but considered a mere executive agreement by the US – simply seeks to go around the constitutional ban on permanent foreign military bases in the country. In 2005, former US ambassador to the Philippines Francis ricciardone described such “visits” as “semi-continuous, not permanent, but semi-continuous (military pres-

ence), that is to say, some number of our personnel rotate at the pleasure of the command, your command.” For all intents and purposes though, the US has reestablished permanent presence in the Philippines. US troops are no longer in places like Clark and Subic because the constitution prohibits that. What they have done is co-locate in Philippine military camps. For example, Camp navarro in Zamboanga City hosts an american installation guarded by US Marines and which is off limits to Filipino military officials. US and Philippine authorities may say that Camp navarro remains a Filipino military installation, and the presence of US troops and facilities there should not be considered a violation of the constitution much less a diminution of national sovereignty. Indeed, a clever way to skirt article 18, Section 25 of the constitution which states: “Foreign military bases, troops, or facilities shall not be allowed in the Philippines, except under a treaty duly concurred in by the Senate…” The same deceptive manner can be used by the US in establishing permanent presence in any part of the Philippines. and the country’s ever subservient foreign policy leaves no doubt the americans are here to stay for as long as they want. [MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. H. Marcos C. Mordeno can be reached at hmcmordeno@gmail.com.]

VANTAGE POINTS

Time to get serious about autonomy, especially in Mindanao WORM’S EYEVIEW By Manny ValdehueSa

Part 1 of 2

EOPLE can talk as much as they like about wanting good governance but nothing will improve unless they learn to do their part in governing their community (barangay)—which is their proper jurisdiction. It’s just too bad that neither the authors of the Local Government Code nor the DILG have bothered to explain the nature of governance in the barangay—as a direct democracy. To this day, there has been no attempt to clarify this to the resident citizens so they will pay closer attention to local governance and development. It’s really too bad because this is where citizens can be most effective. The upper levels—municipality and above—are properly the concern of their officials, under the representative form of government. Orientating Filipinos to their responsibilities and role in the community government is the surest way to get the feel of self-governance and institutionalize autonomy at the base of our republic. But because this hasn’t been done, the base of our republic remains shaky, even unwieldy. It is not effectively anchored on the people. The traditional politicos have reduced the role of their citizens to virtual irrelevance. They think and act as if governance is their vested monopoly. One wonders how many there are of the 42,000+ barangays of our archipelago in which the officials yield to the people’s role and right to determine the community’s priorities, to decide what activities to undertake, to formulate what programs to implement. More likely, the officials just manipulate the people and resources of the barangay for their own (mostly political) purposes. Thus what obtains is a mere caricature of democracy. The people are supposed to assume the tasks of governing the immediate community, with the officials as their facilitators and enablers. But they’re either in default or the officials simply arrogate their role and no one bothers to correct them. ***** If the government is serious about local autonomy, it would promote the citizenry’s sense of responsibility by encouraging local folks to convene their Barangay assembly as often as they wish, guided by their own agenda. This will get them used to open, community-wide deliberations and communitarian problem-solving. It would strengthen the primary level, the base of the republic, and assure national stability and progress. But there is this habit among supposedly responsible citizens of entrusting governance to neighborhood trapos. In turn the neighborhood trapos are beholden to the Big Trapos in the capital. This solidifies control by the Big Trapos over voters of the neighborhood and crowds out any hope of local reform or good governance. The upper classes in the barangay are especially to blame for this bastardization of grassroots democracy. In surrendering matters to the trapos, they cause the poor and the impressionable to be victimized by wily politicos. They also cause the local quality of life to be sacrificed on the altar of personal convenience at upper levels. Control by the upper level politicos over the barangay officials enables them to shape the community’s political culture. It gives them effective control of the attitudes, values, and votes of the neighborhoods.

10 NEWS

Army...FFROM 1

THREE-DAY SALE. SM City Davao assistant mall manager Engr. Nick Santos announces during this week’s edition of KapehansaDabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao the mall’s scheduled activities including a three-day sale which starts tomorrow until May 4. Lean Daval Jr.

DPWH appeals to LGUs to call attention of people living under bridges, esteros

HE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has appealed to local government units (LGUs) to call the attention of residents, particularly informal families living under bridges and on esteros. DPWH Secretary rogelio Singson noted that it is the responsibility of the LGUs to protect the infrastructure facilities as they are in the position to notify the people in their areas. He made the call as the department is preparing to repair the Quezon Bridge after it was damaged by a fire that broke out recently at

Quiapo area involving shanties under the bridge. It will be recalled that an investigation was conducted by the DPWH’s Bureau of Design and national Capital region on the bridge, and they found out that there were deformation/buckling on steel members located at three (3) end bays of the steel truss. During the probe, the department ordered the limiting of passing vehicles up to 10 tons only for the safety of motorists. The DPWH added that if there are people living under the bridge, the structures are weakened when they are

cooking beneath it. Meanwhile, the DPWH Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Engineering Office (CDOSDEO) facilitated the clearing operation of more than 60 informal settler families (ISFs) under Marcos Bridge. “To allow full utilization of the bridge, all or a total of 64 illegal settlers, with their stalls were removed,” said CDO-SDEO OIC-District Engineer anastacio Marundan in a statement. He noted that the clearing operation went smoothly, with proper notices and warnings facilitated ISF’s voluntary demolition and

by the USTr to track “countries that deny adequate and effective protection for intellectual property rights (IPr) or deny fair and equitable market access for persons that rely on intellectual property protection.” In a statement, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the USTr’s announcement recognizes the recent reforms champi-

oned by the aquino administration, as a consequence of significant changes in IPr legislation and regulation. “This serves as a testament to the government’s continuing commitment to uphold the rights of professionals and consumers alike, ensuring that their hard work is recognized and protected by legislation. We welcome this recognition

to 7 p.m. Thursday. The traffic reduction scheme is automatically lifted every time the country ob-

serves a regular holiday. Under the scheme, private vehicles, based on the last digit of their plate numbers, are

prohibited to traverse the metropolis’ roadways for a certain day of the week, specifically on Mondays for vehicles with

plate numbers ending in 1 and 2; Tuesdays, 3 and 4; Wednesdays, 5 and 6; Thursdays, 7 and 8; and Fridays, 9 and 10. [PNA]

But the city isn’t safe from the disease yet, she said. as of 2013, Davao City’s malaria situation fell under the stable-medium category, with three cases recorded as of 2013. She said there were three cases in Paquibato and that the DOH was already treating the patients and provided the

communities with the necessary response. “actually, what’s more dangerous are factors that are external from the communities,” Ebol said. She said that any community that was safe from malaria would be placed in danger if there was a visitor who came from an area with a recorded

case. DOH regional director abdullah Dumama said the region is aiming to become malaria-free, with no indigenous case declared for at least five years. “We’re targetting that, maybe by 2016,” he said. “But as far as attaining the disease-free region status is con-

cerned, we’re still a little behind so far.” However, Dumama said that Davao del norte was on its way to being declared malaria free. “It’s within striking distance.” Ebol said Davao City is also affected by threats of cases from neighboring areas such as Bukidnon. [Mindanews]

evacuation from the vicinity. The Quezon bridges is the biggest and busiest bridge in Cagayan de Oro City, which served as a nest to illegal settlers that have long used its bottom part for residential and commercial purposes, leading to activities like cooking and usage of the bridge’s area as an integral part of their establishments. “The next step is to clean the area, repaint and beautify it as our contribution to the city’s campaign for orderliness, cleanliness and beautification” Marundan said. [PNA]

PHL welcomes removal from U.S. Special 301 watch list

aLaCañanG on Wednesday welcomed the announcement made by the Office of the United States Trade representative (USTr), removing the Philippines from its Special 301 Watch List after consistently appearing in it for the past 20 years. The Special 301 Watch List is prepared annually

No... FFROM 3

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 33 • THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2014

from the USTr, along with their promise to maintain a positive engagement with the Philippines,” he said. Lacierda added that this development “marks a significant step forward as we harmonize our IPr protection efforts with those of other nations, never tiring in the task of safeguarding the rights of our citizens.” [PNA]

ence of the military will only endanger the lives of the residents as it will make their community a legitimate target of the new People’s army (nPa) Bughao admitted there is active presence of nPa in Paquibato area. If they accommodate the army soldiers in their community, he said they might be accused of being spy for the military side. Duterte, however, assured that the military will not make an encampment near the community so as not to endanger the lives of the people during possible armed encounters between the soldiers and nPas. He also asked the 10th ID commander Gen. ariel Bernardo to look on the alleged encampment of soldiers inside the schools and barangay halls in the area. “The army is not there as suppressors. It’s protector of the people,” Duterte said. Bughao said that the soldiers made a ‘house to house’ campaign in three puroks of his barangay. Then, one of his barangay tanods was asked to sign the waiver. The tanod was reportedly bodily searched

by the military to look for any mark such as tattoo and scars that could prove his identity. Bernardo assured the residents during the dialogue that their allegations will be formally investigated with erring soldiers to be imposed with corresponding sanctions if it is found out that there are indeed human rights violation committed. But he already denied the alleged red-tagging of the residents who have claimed that they were forced to sign a waiver indicating they are not supporters or sympathizers of nPa. Earlier, 1003rd Brigade commander Lt. Col. Harold Cabreros said that the 69th Infantry Battalion and units under him were just conducting needs assessment surveys, an activity he described as “mandated” by the national Economic and Development authority (nEDa). Cabreros said that through the survey, they will able to know the needs of the community like a farm to market roads, health center and water system.

tion will still continue even beyond the June deadline. agrarian reform Undersecretary anthony Paruñgao said Congress is already working on a bill that would clarify whether lands acquired and distributed after the deadline would still be legal. The Dar added that lands 10 hectares and below, the nOCs were only distributed starting april 2013. “To date, the Dar is primarily distributing private agricultural land, most of which have to be acquired through compulsory acquisition,” Paruñgao said. Dar issued two years ago 25,841 nOCs which covered 239,337 hectares for land more than 10 hectares, according to the statement. In 2013, the Dar issued around 30,558 nOCs for 281,192 hectares of landholdings. national anti-Poverty Commission labor sectoral representative Malou Cueto Tapia said that in Mindanao, there are 8,124 hectares of lands that have yet to be distributed to beneficiaries, with the properties coming from at least 70 landholders. The landholders comprise both government and private-sector properties. The land titles were located in the four provinces, with processes that have started as early as 1999. “Does this mean that the government is not interested in awarding the lands to the farmers?” Tapia said. In Compostela Valley, Katarungan-ComVal representative rolando Torenti-

ra said farmers found it difficult to process their certificate of land ownership awards (CLOa), with some claims still at the ocular inspection level even in 2014. Torentira said support services for farmers were also problematic, citing a difficulty in applying for loans from the Land Bank because of stringent requirements. He said around 31 arBs tried to avail of a Land Bank loan but were not permitted because they were identified as non-stock, non-profit entities. Katarungan-north Cotabato representative Juliet Cordero said in their province at least 5,000 hectares of land have not been distributed yet. Similar problems were found in Davao del norte, according to Katarungan-Davao del norte representative Dionisia Malaya. She said the province’s declared distribution balance amounted to 2,385 hectares, with at least 1,900 hectares not being declared by the Dar as CLOa awardees as of 2013. The group asked the aquino government to issue all notices of coverage before the June deadline. The Dar as well as the Department of Environment and natural resources, the group said, should account for more than one million hectares of land and show a list of landholdings per area as soon as possible. The group also criticized the Dar announcement that the land reform distribution was “almost complete.” [MindaNews]

Farmers...FFROM 2

11 COMMUNITY SENSE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 33 • THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2014

Rivera, Smart launch ‘Community Teach’ By IAN JOhN M. LAgARE

EnEraL SanTOS CITY – The city government led by Mayor ronnel rivera has partnered with Smart Communications, Inc. in innovating another educational initiative called the “Community Teach” Program. In line with the thrust of Mayor rivera to raise the standards of the educational system in the city, a partnership has been forged with Smart for Community Teach, which was officially launched on april 30, 2014 (Wednesday) at SM GenSan. aside from Smart, Mayor rivera also coordinated with Department of Education (DepEd) GenSan and rD Foundation Incorporated (rDFI) for the conduct of the said program. Haydee Bernabe, Smart Public affairs Senior Officer, explained that Community Teach is a joint initiative of various stakeholders who like Mayor rivera see education as a way to alleviate poverty. “Community Teach is aligned to the Education program of Smart under its corporate social responsibility. It is the right vehicle to extend help to the children of General Santos City,” Bernabe added. Community Teach is a program designed to develop the reading skills

and comprehension of selected incoming Grade 3 pupils through the participation of their respective communities. These students were pre-selected by the DepEd based on the data from the Philippine Informal reading Inventory (PHIL-IrI). a Community Teach class is composed of 20 student-beneficiaries per school. The 10 pre-selected public elementary schools are Pedro acharon Elementary School (Brgy. West), romana acharon Elementary School (Brgy. Calumpang), Jose Divina Gracia Elementary School (Brgy. Bula), Dadiangas South Elementary School (Brgy. South), Calumpang Elementary School (Brgy. Calumpang), Lagao Central Elementary School (Brgy. Lagao), Lanto Elementary School (Brgy. apopong), Dadiangas north Elementary School (Brgy. north), GSC School of arts and Trade (Brgy. apopong), and J.P. Laurel Elementary School (Brgy. north). There will be one Community Teach class in the aforementioned schools. The program will implement remedial reading classes for four hours for 15 days this summer from May 5 to May 23. at the start of school year 20142015, the remedial class will be every Saturday. Two DepEd teachers

Collect limited edition NBA Playoffs car sunshades at Phoenix Stations

HOEnIX Petroleum Philippines partners with the national Basketball association (nBa) to give Phoenix customers collectible nBa Playoffs car sunshades with the “Phoenix Fastbreak to Summer Promo”. Basketball fans will get a chance to collect eight limited edition car sunshades featuring nBa Western and Eastern Conference Teams: San antonio Spurs, Los an-

geles Lakers, Houston rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder (OKC), Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, new York Knicks, and Chicago Bulls. Every Phoenix fuel purchase worth P1,000 single or accumulated receipt entitles customers to purchase nBa Playoffs car sunshade for only P200. Promo runs in participating Phoenix stations nationwide from May 5 to July 5, 2014.

Officers of AboitizPower subsidiary Therma Marine join educators from Amontay Elementary School in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte for the groundbreaking of a two-classroom AGAPP Silid Pangarap Building. Therma Marine, which operates two power barges in Nasipit and Maco, Compostela Valley has built a total of 14 AGAPP classroom buildings since 2011. Leading the ceremony are Nasipit Vice Mayor Dick Carmona (third from right) and Therma Marine president and COO Jovy P Batiquin (second from right). They are joined by principal Milagros Caseres and Therma Marine officers Jan Risager and Paquita Rafols. and three youth-volunteers from rD Foundation who will serve as assistant facilitators will conduct each remedial class. There is a separate curriculum for Community Teach Program designed by DepEd GenSan under the direction of Schools Division Superintendent Gildo Mosqueda and his assistant Mario Bermudez. This curriculum involves effective teaching strategies that would engage the students into

an interactive learning system in a holistic and child-friendly environment. The remedial classes will be conducted on designated classrooms per school. An officer from the City Social Welfare Development Office (CSWDO) will supervise the remedial classes. With the participation of the parents of the beneficiary students, the CSWDO will also conduct supplemental feeding program for every remedial

class. Two meals (breakfast and lunch) will be served every reading session. Mayor rivera is hopeful that the Community Teach program will help these targeted pupils boost their reading abilities as a primary block of learning. “I believe that if a child can read and understand well what he is reading, then he can also understand other lessons as well,” rivera emphasized. rivera also plans to

expand the Community Teach program by the next school year in which another 10 schools will be added. aside from Community Teach, Mayor rivera also initiated other educational programs for the city such as alay sa Kabataang Generals Lahat ng alaga at Talino-Early Childhood Care Development Initiative (aKLaT-ECCDI), PTa Donation, and armchair Donation. (GEnSan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

Heights, Cecilia Heights, Emilia Homes Subd., Victors Homes Cabantian, Bacahoa Village, Dela Peña Village, Country Ville Executive Homes, Holy Trinity, portion of Ciudad de Ezperanza served by Cabantian Water Supply System and a portion of Cabantian road particularly from Holy Trinity to Emily Homes Subd. Said water cut would have been intended for the tapping of the newly installed 100mm diameter

Polyvinyl Chloride pipeline to the existing 450mm diameter Mortar Line Coated Steel Pipeline. The tapping works will be moved to a later date, hence the water service interruption would likewise be postponed. DCWD will inform the public of the definite date of the interruption when all technical preparations are in place. The general public may visit DCWD website (www. davao-water.gov.ph) and

official Facebook account (www.facebook.com/davaocitywaterdistrict) or call the Central Information Unit / Call Center through the new 24-hour hotline 297-DCWD (3293) and press “1” on their phone dial to listen to latest daily water updates. They may also call / text 0927-7988966, 0925-5113293 and 09084410653 for other updates, complaints, queries and other matters pertaining to DCWD services. (JJLeonida)

practices of banana and its value-added products. With funding support from the Commission on Higher Education, the initial five-hectare banana technology innovation center also aims to strengthen the capability of the school’s faculty and students in research and

development and in the delivery of its extension services. at the ceremonial launching of the banana facility held Friday in Barangay Kapoc here, Dr. Irvin Generalao, SPaMaST president, said that the country’s banana industry is one of the biggest banana

exporters in the world. In 2012 alone, Generalao cited that the Davao region produced at least 3.79 million metric tons of banana, “which comprised 41 percent of the country’s total banana production that year according to the Bureau of agricultural Statistics,” he said.

May 2 water cut at Cabantian postponed

UE to unforeseen problems during the technical works preparation, Davao City Water District will postpone its seven-hour water service interruption scheduled May 2, 2014 from 10:00 aM until 5:00 PM that would have affected Phase 1, 2 and 3 of Emily Homes, Cabantian Country Homes, Phase 1 and 2 of Chula Vista Greenland Subd., Victors Subd., Communal, Precilla Estate 1 and 2, remedios

SPAMAST puts up P7M banana facility in DavSur

aTanaO, Davao del Sur – The Southern Philippines agri-Business and Marine and aquatic School of Technology (SPaMaST) is putting up a P7-million banana facility here in a bid to promote the Philippine standards on good agricultural and manufacturing

12 CLASSIFIED

VOL. 7 ISSUE 33 • THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2014

INdulge!

VOL. 7 ISSUE 33 • THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

FOOD

Lunch at the Food Opera Good eats are often just around the corner and when at singapore’s orchard Road, the choices can be endless thanks to the many food courts that are a regular feature of the malls in the area and one such food court is Ion orchard’s interestingly named Food opera that is located at the lowest level of the mall. Unlike the typical food courts in the Philippines, Food opera is a hyper interactive dining experience, with a touch of shabby chic and modern artwork for good measure. aside from the hawker stalls that are a regular feature of singapore, the food courts offer another inexpensive alternative for singaporean diners with stalls that offer singaporean and Chinese fare. There are also stalls that offer Indonesian, Malay, Thai, Japanese, and even taiwanese dishes as well. The sheer amount of choices and the smells whiffing in the air assault my being. after taking everything in and walking around to see what I fancy I finally settled on some Fish Balls in soup and served with a side of noodles in a spicy sauce from Li Xin teochew Fish Ball Noodle stand. Much different from the commercially available fish balls we have locally, the hand-made fish balls had lots of meaty fish flavour with a texture that was like biting into perfectly cooked shrimp. The side of spicy noodles adding a punch to an already delicious dish. Wanting to veer away from the usual chicken rice, I decided to try some Chicken Wings from Good Luck BBQ Chicken Wings since I observed that the queues in front

Ion Orchard’s Food Opera.

Teochew fish balls and noodles.

BBQ Chicken Wings.

All smiles with my BBQ Chicken Wing. of this stall gets long once with your hands make the some wings are finished BBQ Chicken Wings a degrilling. licious, fun, and filling exFinally getting my perience. wings on the table, I was and the best part of eatglad that I did try it. a ing at the Food opera, or deceptively simple dish, at any singaporean food biting into a crisp and court for that matter, are fatty chicken wing was the relatively inexpensive like biting into a slice of prices of the food being bacon, heaven! The ren- served which is welcome dered skin of the chicken treat for every traveller. was smoky yet sweet with Follow me on Instagram a caramelised coat and or on Twitter at @kenneththe meat of the wing was kingong for more travel stosucculent and tender. add ries, foodie finds, and hapinto the mix the fact that penings in, around, and you need to eat the wings beyond Durianburg.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge! uP AnD AbOut

Job Fair to be held at SM Supermalls this Labor Day JOb hunting is undeniably a challenging experience and although technology and social media provide many tools to connect applicants to potential employers, a call for an appointment is not always guaranteed. to address this issue, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), together with the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), will hold the biggest Job Fair of the year on Labor Day, May 1, 2014 at all SM Supermalls nationwide. this event will allow jobseekers to explore from various job opportunities, be interviewed by potential employers, and even get hired on the same day. SM Supermalls, being home to over 300, 000 employees, continues to make efforts in providing jobs to the growing Filipino workforce. Coming from a huge success last year in which 2,400 companies joined and 394,000 jobs were offered, this year’s Job Fair is expected to be as successful. in Davao, SM malls will give jobseekers the opportunity to get access to job vacancies on May 1. the Event Center of the Annex, SM City Davao will be the venue for the biggest Job Fair in Region Xi, which will gather 10,000 job openings for both local and overseas employment. the said Job Fair is in partnership with DOLE Region Xi, AMA Computer Learning Center and PLDt. Prior to the event, a Mini Job Fair and preregistration is ongoing at the 2nd floor of the Annex to accommodate early applicants. On the same day, SM Lanang Premier will also be putting up a dropbox at the upper ground Level, where jobseekers can submit their resumes. the dropbox will be made available until May 4 to accommodate spillover of applications from the May 1 Job Fair. to provide easy reference for jobseekers, a list of job vacancies from the mall’s tenants and affiliates will be posted as well. in general Santos City, SM City general Santos and DOLE Region Xii will be having a Job Fair on Labor Day at trade halls 1 and 2, from 9 am to 5 pm. in addition, the World of Work Fair (WWF) at the 3rd floor bridgeway and the industry-Academe Forum at the trade hall Meeting Room will also be conducted simultaneously by DOLE Region Xii as supporting activities for the Job Fair. Food sponsors for the event are Chowking and greenwich. be sure not to miss this big opportunity this coming Labor Day. Ready your resumes, dress to impress, and go to the nearest SM malls near you. For a complete list of the 53 participating malls and drop boxes for the Job Fair, please visit www. smsupermalls.com or www. facebook.com/smsupermalls.

Smart ‘Live All Out’ Summer heats up ‘LaBoracay’ weekend SMARt subscribers heading to boracay this Labor Day weekend are in for the ultimate summer experience as Smart ‘Live All Out’ Summer edition offers special access to the hottest events and exclusive perks on what is now dubbed as Asia’s 24/7 party island. From April 30 to May 4, a total of 11 summer parties will bear the Smart ‘Live All Out’ Summer brand of grand partying, featuring sights and sounds guaranteed to keep everyone on his feet all night and make a lasting mark on a much anticipated getaway. On top of these events is the SunKissed boracay, a series of four parties at the Pearl of the Pacific from May 1 to 4, featuring the hottest international beatmakers, such as DJs Alvaro, Amely and Mia, along with an impressive list of homegrown DJs like Ace Ramos, the Zombettes, Marc Marasigan, Deuce Manila, travis Monsod, and Katsy Lee, among many others. Smart subscribers may get access to the much coveted SunKissed boracay mosh pit area plus a free drink just by loading their devices at designated Smart booths on the island: Smart Prepaid subscribers only need to load up PhP300 and register to All-in 99 or LtE 50, while Smart bro users only need to show their device and Smart bro SiM plus load up PhP 300. On the other hand, Smart Postpaid and infinity subscribers may get these perks by heading to the Smart Postpaid booths and simply texting REWARDS LAO bORA to 9800 for free. Aside from Sunkissed boracay, also bearing the Smart ‘Live All Out’ Summer trademark of epic partying are: Sunkissed Starworld Party at Club Epic (April 30); Son of the beach Party at Club Epic, the Plunge Pool Party at tides hotel, and boracay Sand Dance Festival 2014 at White house beach Resort (May 1); Sun Dazed 2014 ViP Foam Party Series at the tides hotel (May 2); groove Foam Party at the tides hotel on (May 3) and El hombre’s Summer hangover at White house beach Resort (May 4). For more information and updates, check out Smart.com.ph/ liveallout and follow @SMARTCares on Twitter and Instagram.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 33 • THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2014

SM Davao holds PET EXPO: Canine Series Launches Pet Friendly Mall campaign

sM City davao’s Pet eXPo: Canine series was held last april 24-27 at the annex event Center. over a hundred dogs strut their stuff as different breeds were showcased at the Pitbull and dog Conformation last april 24 & 25. shoppers were treated to a very entertaining dog olympics and informative Pet training seminars last april 26 & 27. Free dog vaccination was also conducted by the City Veterinarian’s office.

at the Pet training, renowned dog behaviour counsellor Jojo Isorena talked about the psychology of dogs while Mr Ryan ong Cabahug proudly demonstrated his dog training skills with his pet amiga. “The dogs perfectly know how to become dogs. They need pet owners to train them. This ensures that dogs do not become nuisance in the homes as well as cause inconvenience to the neighbours,” Isorena shares. In 2009 Jojo established Betterdog Canine Behavior Center, the first professional training facility in the Philippines that educates owners in building better relationships with their dogs through positive training methods. Cabahug shared his fascination with aspins

(asong Pinoy), “They are very intelligent and relatively easy to train.” Isorena added that he finds aspins very sociable. This is why he employs 3 aspins in his facility to teach problematic canines “dog social skills”. on the same occasion, sM City davao was launched as a “Petfriendly” mall. The mall unveiled their new facility which promotes responsible pet ownership. Pet waste stations will be

deployed around the mall for the convenience of the pet owners. “We welcome pets in our mall. In due consideration of other shoppers, we encourage pet owners to put their dogs in carriers or bags when inside the mall. When outside, they may have them walk or run around with a leash,” sM City davao mall manager Lynette Lopez said. The event was supported by the davao City

Veterinarian’s office, Philippine dog athletics association, Philippine Canine Club Inc., davao Canine exhibitors Club, davao agility Unified Group, and Clusterstorm Kennel Club. It is also made possible by PetCo, Homecrest and Bosch. For event inquiries, call 297.6998 local 126. Like SM City Davao on Facebook or follow @smcitydavao on Twitter and @ smdavao on Instagram for event and promo updates.

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EntERtAinMEnt

Sen. Chiz confirms marriage Photo of plans with Heart the day

DESPitE the parents of heart Evangelista’s public disapproval of Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero for their daughter, the senator still confirmed his intention of marrying the actress. “i really want to marry her. i’m just fixing some things and i hope to seal our relationship as soon as it’s done,” Sen. Chiz shares in “tapatan ni tunying” airing this thursday (May 1). Rumor has it that the two are already set to wed next year. the senator currently works on the church annulment of his marriage with estranged wife Christine Flores. Sen. Chiz says he is very happy and content, and that his two-year relationship with the actress cannot be compared with any of his previous relationships. “i found what i’ve been looking for. So definitely i can’t compare my happiness to anything else. this is the first time i’ve felt this,” he reveals.

EvEryOnE has the desire to get that “ideal” summer body and that was the challenge given to John Lloyd Cruz for a tuna brand. Given 42 days, the matinee idol was able to shed 18 lbs and plans to continue shedding some more and this photo from StarMagic’s Instagram account shows it. He clarified however that he is not after bulky muscles or sixpack abs but want to achieve a more healthier lifestyle with the body as a secondary result. Kudos to you Lloydie and keep it up!

Meanwhile, in a separate interview, celebrity stylist Liz uy finally speaks up on her rumored romance with President noynoy Aquino. Liz denies that she had a short-lived romance with the president. So how is Liz’ love life now? “they say my job is my boyfriend. i don’t have enough time to be in a rela-

tionship because of my hectic schedule,” she says. Liz shares that despite her success, she would be willing to give up everything for love under one condition. “if i gave up everything for someone, i would make sure he’s worth the sacrifice,” she tells. Aside from their controversial relationships, Sen.

Chiz and Liz will also talk about their career and families in the episode. Don’t miss “Tapatan ni Tunying” (TNT) this Thursday (May 1), on its new timeslot at 4PM on ABS-CBN’s Kapamilya Gold. For updates, follow @ TNTunying on Twitter and Instagram, or like its Facebook page www.facebook.com/ TNTunying.

Summer beauty must-haves in ‘Mars’ tAKE a break from work and spend a relaxing night as comedienne Marissa Sanchez and Fabio ide visit MARS this thursday on gMA news tV. the Labor Day episode of MARS will feature how to create summer beauty must-haves on Momergency segment plus list down ingredients for homemade body mist and waxing gel. On MARS Sharing group, learn how to harness one’s ESP in finding a lost possession with the help of a guest

psychic. Meanwhile, enjoy a healthy version of dinuguan as the owner of a vegetarian restaurant reveals her secret recipe! And get that beach body that most people dream of as MARS features the rotator cuff workout. hosted by Camille Prats and Suzi Abrera, MARS airs from Mondays to Fridays at 7pm on gMA news tV with updates on Facebook @ MARSnEWStV and on twitter @ MARS_gMAnEWStV.

Jodie Foster & Alexandra Hedison step out for first time together since weekend wedding JODiE FOStER and Alexandra hedison may have just gotten married, but that doesn’t mean they’re on a honeymoon. not only was the Oscar winner spotted shopping in West hollywood yesterday, but E! news exclusively revealed that the newlyweds made their first public appearance since their wedding later in the day at the ViP preview of the Paris Photo Los Angeles. hedison is a photographer who has shown in the u.S. and in Europe. the couple, whose wed-

ding took place in L.A. this past weekend, spent a few hours touring the exhibit. “they held hands while walking through the show,” a

source said. they also ran into and chatted with Jamie Lee Curtis and spent a considerable amount of time at unedited!:

the LAPD Photo Archives, one of the 81 exhibitors in the show. Foster and hedison were first romantically linked last summer and by September a source was telling us that their relationship was “pretty serious.” “they’re totally in love,” the source said. Also at Paris Photo Los Angeles was brad Pitt, who also spent several hours there but reportedly didn’t run into Foster and hedison. he did however cross paths with his troy costar Orlando bloom and his adorable son Flynn.

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EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 7 ISSUE 33 • THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2014

FOOD

Summer love: Paella negra

I have had my fair share of paella experiences inside the kitchen. From burned wrists to cut fingers, there already exists a love and hate relationship between us. Kidding aside, even before culinary school, I have already been intrigued and curious of this beautiful and bountiful dining star. Hence, when the time came, I was one happy fan to oblige a tedious but gastronomically rewarding task ahead. a little bit of trivia on the Paella: • It is a Valencian rice dish that originated in the mid19th century near a lagoon in Valencia, on the east coast of spain. • Although many view paella as spain’s national dish, most spaniards consider it to be a regional Valencian dish. In turn, Valencians regard paella as one of their identifying symbols. • There are three widely known types of paella: Valencian paella (spanish: paella valenciana), seafood paella (spanish: paella de marisco) and mixed paella (spanish: paella mixta), but there are many others as well. • Most paella chefs use calasparra or bomba rices for this dish. other key ingredients include saffron and olive oil. of its varieties, I love the Paella Negra because of its myriad spices and bursting flavors. More so, the black-

ness of the dish makes me quiver with anticipation – something that would make you think twice before digging in. In the metro, I love the paella negra from Tiny Kitchen and Bellito’s. You could really taste the rich, velvety texture o the dish without any after taste. Before we all drool and crave for that one plateful of paella, here’s my take on this classic gastronomical indulgence that has made its way into our hearts – and stomachs. enjoy! Ingredients:

EDGEDavao Davao Partners

The Paella negra of Tiny Kitchen. 1 cup fragrant rice 1 cup malagkit rice 1/2 kilo medium size shrimp, shelled blanched 3 pcs. big squid, blanched, cut into rings 3 ink sacks from the squid, diluted in 1/2 cup water 4 pcs. small size crabs, cooked, cut in half 1/2 kilo clams and/or mussels, boiled 1 red bell pepper, cut into strip 1/2 head garlic, chopped 1 medium size onion, chopped 1 pc. roasted bell pepper, chopped 1 cup tomato sauce 1/2 cup green peas, boiled cooking oil salt and pepper kalamansi 3 pcs. hard boiled eggs, cut into wedges Cooking procedure: In a big pot, sauté garlic and onion. add in tomato and roasted bell pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes. stir constantly. add 1/2 cup of tepid water and continue to cook until most of the liquid has evaporated and turn into an oily thick sauce. add in squid ink, fragrant rice and malagkit. You have to stir until the rice is coated and infused with the sauce and tinted with the ink. add 4-6 cups of water and cook rice making sure to stir occasionally. add more water if necessary. When done, add in green peas and arrange cooked seafood on top. Cover and leave the rice

to finish cooking in the steam for 20 to 30 minutes. transfer black paella in a platter, arrange seafood on top, drizzle with kalamansi juice and garnish with wedges of hard boiled eggs.

Prepare this delicious meal for a picnic on the patio or a simple gathering with family and friends. You can mix and match your seafood for a more personal touch. Be a part of Davao’s

Thursday habit! Send me your recipes, questions, suggestions and comments and be featured. Email me at leebay457@yahoo.com (subject:RoyalChef) or follow me on instagram (herroyalheiress)!

13 COMPETITIVE EDGE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 33 • THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2014

Smart employees to undergo emergency preparedness training L

eading wireless services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has kicked off this year’s series of training programs on emergency and disaster preparedness for its employees nationwide. This initiative is in line

with the company’s efforts to ensure business continuity even during emergency situations or especially during major disasters, including the Big One earthquake that is seen hitting Metro Manila. The first training pro-

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gram participated in by Smart engineers and employees of Smart subsidiary, i-COn, was conducted by Emergency research Center, Inc. (ErCI) an nGO specializing on emergency response under its Safety awareness for Everyone (S.a.F.E.!) training module. S.a.F.E.! is an awareness level program that promotes emergency preparedness through experiential education. Participants go through four interactive stations where they are exposed to simulated reality based scenario. These scenarios are on fire prevention, multiple casualty simulation, emergency preparedness, and anti-terrorism and anti-crime. “as a utility company, we owe it to the public to make sure we continue to provide vital communications services especially during emergency situations or disasters. It is not enough that we promote the culture of preparedness among our ranks. This series of training programs will make sure that our em-

Smart employees are taught how to deal with emergency situations via simulated reality-based scenarios. ployees are also equipped with the right skills and mindset especially in major emergencies,” said ramon r. Isberto, head of Public affairs at Smart. “During these trainings, we also put special emphasis on family preparedness. Each of our employees must have a family preparedness plan for emergency situations, which

they can also cascade to their respective communities. For a country that is becoming vulnerable to disasters, it never hurts to have everyone prepared,” added Isberto. as part of its advocacy on disaster preparedness, Smart is holding in the second half of the year the second leg of its Pamilyang ready, Pamilyang Panalo

disaster preparedness caravan, which promotes the culture of preparedness to households and individuals of vulnerable areas. This is a follow-through to the noah’s ark Project, which builds the capacities of high-risk communities to prepare for, and manage the impact of hazards brought by disasters like floods.

14 SPORTS

VOL. 7 ISSUE 33 • THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2014

SPORTS SUPPORTER. Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon, in file photo during the just-concluded PRISAA National Games, will be hosting the Vis-Min Karatedo Cup this month. (Boy Lim)

Underbone, scooter circuit race on May 4 T HE 2014 Shell advance Youth Cup underbone and scooter circuit racing is on May 4 at the SM City Davao. The categories are 100125 Mix Super Stock Beginners (Underbone), 4aT 130cc Beginners(Scooter), novice 130cc (Underbone), 4aT 160cc novice(Scooter), Intermediate 130cc (Underbone), 4aT 160 Intermediate (Scooter), Expert 130cc (Underbone), 4aT Open (Scooter) and Expert Open (Underbone). Qualified to join are rac-

ers 18 years old and below. “We may also allow racers 18 years old and above to join,” said race organizer Jong Uy at the SCOOP Session of The royal Mandaya Hotel. If the more than 18 years old riders will win, they will have a chance to compete in the Sepang all expense paid trip. “It is not a guarantee that they will be chosen by Dorna (MotoGP organizer), because last year the riders that were chosen are 18 and below,” Uy said.

15th Davao Horse Show May 1-3 Grandeza vows AFTER ANOTHER LOSS

HE 15th Davao Horse Show and Competition is set on May 1-3 at the riverfront Stables, riverfront Corporate City (Davao Crocodile Park) in

Maa. “Year 2014 marks not only the Year of the Horse but it is also significantly the year we are proudly celebrating a milestone in

DRIVING THROUGH. John Wall (L) of the Washington Wizards drives past D.J. Augustin of the Chicago Bulls during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at United Center.

its trailblazing history,” said Davao Horse Club president George Misa. More than 100 horses are expected coming from Bukidnon, Iligan, Cebu, Cagayan de

Oro Cotabato and Davao City. “It is bigger and more successful than ever making it as the longest running horse competition in the country” Misa said. Misa said that the assembly of the Horsemen is on May 1 at 2:30 p.m. followed by the parade of horses at 3 p.m. followed by the opening ceremonies. Events to be played are the Best in Tricks Horse Competition, First Elimination round, Oval race and Team competition. There will be a bar-b-q night at 6 p.m. The events on May 2 are the Best Groomed Horse competition at 9 a.m. followed by the Barrel race competition and the Oval races for Class C (53’’ and below), Class B (54’’-57’’) and Class a (58’’ and above) from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. The events on May 3 are the Obstacle race and Parlor Games while the awarding night and fellowship is at 7 p.m. at the DHC clubhouse.

to train harder By MOSES BILLACURA

eam Gan Soo Do coaches reviewed the fight over and over again but concluded that judges saw it differently as they came to accept the split decision loss of their fighter, Davao City’s Steve Sur Grandeza to countryman Jessie Salvador in the Kunlun K8 Fight 4 World Tour at the Solaire resort Grand Ballroom in Pasay City last Sunday. “We reviewed the fight. I clearly won the first two rounds. We gave the third round to them but the result was not on our side,” said Grandeza. Grandeza said the recent fight could not be his best performance but based on the video that they reviewed, he managed to gain the needed points and started protectig the lead in the

third round. “But that usually happens in every fight. This time, the other side won. Kudos to my opponent,” he said. The World Kickboxing Federation super welterweight K1 champion is back home and has drawn up plans for another training while managing the Gan Soo Do Philippines Central Gym and red Knights Gan Soo Do students. Grandeza thanked his coaches Jerry Fornolles, Jojo Gatmaitan, noel Penales and supporters Davao City Mayor rodrigo r. Duterte, city sports chief William “Butch” ramirez and the mayor’s executive assistant Christopher “Bong” Go. “Losing by just one point will inspire me to train harder,” he said.(mpb)

Wizards advance to second round J OHn Wall scored 24 points to lead the Washington Wizards to a 75-69 victory over the Chicago Bulls and into the second round of the nBa playoffs. Wall added seven rebounds and four assists in the victory, which gave the Wizards a 4-1 triumph over the Bulls in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference firstround series. Washington’s Brazilian big man nene, who returned after serving his one-game suspension for grabbing the head of Chicago’s Jimmy Butler’s in game three, scored 20 points and pulled down seven rebounds. Bradley Beal added 17 points for the Wizards, who

are in the playoffs for the first time since 2008 and last won a post-season series in 2005, when they beat the Bulls in the first round. The fifth-seeded Wizards will face either Indiana or atlanta in the second round. Kirk Hinrich and Butler netted 16 points apiece for the Bulls, who shot just 33.3 percent from the floor and scored just 11 points in the third quarter. Chicago lost Taj Gibson to a sprained left ankle in the fourth quarter. Gibson hit the court holding his ankle after he tried to block Wall and apparently came down on the Washington player’s foot. Chicago’s nBa Defensive

Player of the Year Joakim noah also appeared to be hobbled in the second half, massaging his right thigh above the knee. noah still managed six points, seven assists and 18 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to stave off elimination for a Bulls team that started the season buoyed by the return of star Derrick rose, only for rose to suffer another season-ending knee injury in november. The Bulls didn’t go down without a fight. Trailing by nine going into the final quarter, Chicago pulled within 72-69 after D.J. augustin’s two free throws with 2:18 to play, but the Bulls couldn’t get over the hump.

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SPORTS 15 SPORTS

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Mayweather wants to buy LA Clippers L

aS VEGaS -- Boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. said he wants to buy the Los angeles Clippers, hours after nBa commissioner adam Silver banned owner Donald Sterling for life and said he would urge league owners to force Sterling to sell the team. Mayweather, who is a regular at Clippers and Lakers games, was speaking with a group of reporters in a VIP lounge at the MGM Grand, where he will face fellow welterweight titleholder Marcos Maidana in a unification fight in a Showtime PPV main event on Saturday night. Mayweather said he was serious about his interest and that he had spoken with his adviser, al Haymon, about teaming with Mayweather Promotions chief executive Leonard Ellerbe, Golden Boy Promotions chief executive richard Schaefer and possibly others to make a bid for the Clippers. nBa commissioner adam Silver announced a lifetime ban and $2.5M fine for Clippers owner Donald Sterling, in the wake of Sterling’s racist comments. Full coverage “I called al today about that to see if me, Leonard and al, and hopefully richard and a couple of other guys, a couple other of my billionaire guys, we can come together and see what we can come up with,” Mayweather said. “Hopefully, we can do it, and it’s not just

talk. “With me, I can’t come in talking about Mayweather only gonna get 3 percent, 4 percent. I got to get a solid percentage. Do we want to buy the Clippers? Yes, we do. We are very, very interested in buying the Clippers. We’ll keep the Clippers right where they’re at. When I’m not boxing, I’m at the games all the time. We do want to buy the Clippers. Me and my team do want to buy the Clippers and we can afford the Clippers.” Mayweather, an avid sports gambler in Las Vegas, where he lives, added, “Once I get ownership in the Clippers I can no longer bet, so I have to stop that completely.” Mayweather, whose $73.5 million in minimum purses for his two fights in 2013 made him the world’s highest-paid athlete, did not weigh in on the comments that Sterling made, but said his interactions with the Clippers owner were positive. “Donald Sterling, he’s been getting a lot of negative press and my thing is this -- I don’t have nothing negative to say about this guy,” Mayweather said. “He’s always treated me with the utmost respect. He has always invited me to games, always. Has always told me, ‘Floyd, I want you to sit right next to me and my wife.’ I don’t know about the [alleged] mistress. But I’m talking about him and the wife.”

Sterling banned for life by NBA

EW YOrK (Pna/Xinhua) -- Los angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling was banned for life by the national Basketball association (nBa) on Tuesday for his racist remarks recorded in his conversation with his girlfriend. Sterling was banned from any association with the Clippers and the nBa and was fined USD 2.5 million, the maximum amount allowed under the nBa Constitution. “Mr. Sterling may not attend any nBa games or practices, be present at any Clippers office or facility, or participate in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team. He will also be barred from attending nBa Board of Governors meetings and participating in any oth-

er league activity,” said nBa Commissioner adam Silver at a news conference here on Tuesday afternoon. Silver also announced that he will urge the Board of Governors to exercise its authority to force a sale of the team. “The owners have the authority subject to three quarters vote of the ownership group, of the partners, to remove him as an owner,” Silver said. “I fully expect to get the support I need from the other nBa owners to remove him.” Sterling acknowledged it was his voice on the tape, and he has not expressed to me directly any other views, Silver said. This is one of the most severe punishments ever taken by a league to an owner in professional sports. Former

SLAM. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER FORWARD SERGE IBAKA, RIGHT, DUNKS IN FRONT OF MEMPHIS GRIzzLIES FORWARD zACH RANDOLPH, LEFT, AND FORWARD TAYSHAUN PRINCE IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF GAME 5 OF AN OPENING-ROUND NBA BASKETBALL PLAYOFF SERIES IN OKLAHOMA CITY (WEDNESDAY PHL TIME). (AP PhoTo)

Grizzlies stop OKC in OT, leads series 3-2 O

KLaHOMa CITY (aP) — It took a fraction of a second for the Memphis Grizzlies to take control of their first-round series with the Oklahoma City Thunder. With 2.9 seconds remaining in overtime, Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant missed a long 3-point attempt. Teammate Serge Ibaka tipped the ball in on the rebound, sending the crowd into a celebration. The shot was reviewed, however, and it was determined that it was released just after the buzzer, giving Memphis a 100-99 victory Tuesday night and a 3-2 lead in the series. “I had a good look at it and I thought it was good when it left my hand,” Durant, the nBa’s scoring champion, said.

“and then Serge’s follow shot was just late. It was a tough finish but we’ve got to come back.” It was a record fourth straight overtime game in the series, and Memphis has won three of them. The seventh-seeded Grizzlies can close out the second-seeded Thunder on Thursday night at home. “nothing comes easy for us,” Grizzlies forward Zach randolph said. “We get it out of the mud, we grind and we’re underdogs. It’s what we do.” Before the final overtime sequence, Durant made the first of two free throws with 27.5 seconds left to cut Oklahoma City’s deficit to 100-99. Before his second shot, refer-

ee Joey Crawford took the ball from Durant and walked over to the scorer’s table. Moments later, Crawford was screaming at the scoreboard operator, asking him to make a change. after the delay, Durant, an 87 percent free throw shooter during the regular season, missed the second attempt. “I’m not sure what happened, but I’ve got to focus and I’ve got to make that foul shot,” Durant said. The Grizzlies didn’t understand what was going on, either. “We just looked at Joey and we were like, ‘What is Joey doing?’” Memphis guard Mike Conley said. Mike Miller scored 21 points, randolph had 20 points and 10 rebounds and

Conley added 17 points for the Grizzlies. russell Westbrook had 30 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds for the Thunder, but he made just 10 of 31 shots from the field. Durant scored 26 points on 10-for-24 shooting. He has struggled throughout the series, but Thunder coach Scott Brooks said he’s not worried. “He’s going to get his shots and he’s going to make his share,” Brooks said. “He’ll get himself ready for the next game.” Overall, the Thunder shot just 39 percent. The Thunder, one of the league’s most potent offensive teams in the regular season, have shot below 40 percent in four of the five games in the series.

James had condemned Sterling and Kevin Johnson, Sacramento Major and national Basketball Players association

search committee chairman, said the players wanted the nBa to do the most to punish Sterling.

IRATE FANS. Fans of the LA Clippers send their message across after the league banned owner Donald Sterling. Cincinnati reds owner Marge Schott was banned from running the team in 1996 by the Major Baseball League after

several racist comments. Magic Johnson, Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan and Miami Heat player LeBron

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 7 ISSUE 33 • THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2014

Ford clinches PBA Young stars Davao Leg Crown

BLOCK. DeAndre Jordan of the LA Clippers blocks Andre Igoudala of the Golden State Warriors.

OrD academy pulled off an improbable run to the top, besting assumption College, 80 – 67, in the do-ordie finals to clinch the 2014 Coca-Cola PBa Youngstars Davao Leg crown at the Gaisano Skygym on Tuesday. Playing three knockout games in three days, Ford banked on a complete team effort and remarkable performance of Louie Jay Batoon in the finale to earn the right to represent the city to the Mindanao finals in Zamboanga City. Batoon fired 31 points, including fourteen in the second half, for Ford that will depart to Zamboanga City today in time for the May 1 to 3 regional qualifier. Julius Caezar requillo chipped in 19 markers as

Ezequil Leo austria and Jose Darell agunta had 11 and 10 respectively for Ford which turned things around in the pay off period. Ford reeled off a huge run midway of the final canto after a tight contest in the first three period that came to an end at 62 – 57 with the Buhangin-based dribblers on top. Batoon made a pull-up jumper and requillo converted an uncontested lay up to give Ford a double digit lead under three minutes to go and the Bambi Santander-mentored squad held off several assumption rallies down the stretch to secure the win. Cris Marvin Vistal scored 20 points for assumption which was trailing most of the game. Dennis reyes made 19.

HE Talk n’ Text-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (TnT-SBP) Under-18 3x3 “Tatluhan” will hold its Davao regional eliminations on May 8 and 9 at the Davao City recreation Center (DCrC), known as the almendras Gym. according to regino “Boy” Cua, SBP region XI director, the tournament is open for competing teams representing schools, barangays, clubs, civic organizations, non-government organizations or commercial entities. Players born January 1, 1996 onward are eligible to play, he said. “Only four players will be allowed to play per team. registration is pegged at P100 per player,” Cua said.

The champion team for the Davao regional elimination, organized by Duterte Basketball League (DBL), will earn the right to represent Davao region to the national finals slated May 24–25 in Manila. registration is now ongoing at the City Sports Office inside the DCrC almendras Gym compound while at the Gaisano Skygym starts on april 23. Deadline of submission is on May 6. The two-day event is one of the sporting activities in this year’s Davao Summer Sports for Peace Festival. Cua added three other regional qualifying legs will also be held in Mindanao in the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, and General Santos City. [PNA]

TNT-SBP U-18 3X3 Davao leg kicks-off on May 8–9

Clippers: We are one T L

OS anGELES (reuters) - Preaching the mantra of unity, the Los angeles Clippers got back to winning ways against the Golden State Warriors just hours after disgraced team owner Donald Sterling had been banned from the game for life on Tuesday. With the national Basketball association having also fined Sterling $2.5 million for racist comments that drew outrage from players, fans and commercial sponsors, the Clippers rocked their home Staples Center venue as they beat the Warriors 113-103. Two days after being

pounded 97-118 in Oakland, where they were clearly distracted by the first reports of Sterling’s divisive comments, the Los angeles players were energized as they seized a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven playoff series. Chants of “We are One! We are One!” echoed around the arena during the fourth quarter as impassioned Clippers fans roared their team on to victory, center Deandre Jordan pouring in 25 points, a playoff career high, along with 18 rebounds. all-Star guard Chris Paul weighed in with 20 points while Jamal Crawford con-

tributed 19 from the bench but it was the sense of closure following nBa Commissioner adam Silver’s tough stand against Sterling that set the tone. “I think it put a lot of guys’ minds at ease in that locker room,” Paul said of Sterling being barred from any role in the operations of his franchise or from serving as one of the league’s governors. “It’s definitely been tough the last few days, but we’ve been getting through it. “When we ran out for warm-ups, it was one of the most emotional things I think I’ve ever been a part of. We

have a tough locker room, all of us are tough, but it almost brought tears to your eyes just to feel the support from our fans.” ‘SaFE HaVEn’ Clippers head coach Doc rivers had predicted before the game that a soldout Staples Center would be a “safe haven” for his team, but even he was taken aback by the crowd’s high-octane energy. “They were awesome, that’s as good as I’ve ever seen them,” rivers told reporters. “They’re unbelievable. Everybody was going through this. It’s almost like everybody wanted to exhale tonight.

Bouchard in winning debut C

anaDIan Eugenie Bouchard made a winning debut at the aTPWTa Portugal Open on Tuesday as third seed Samantha Stosur’s downward spiral continued with a first-round exit. The 30-year-old australian Stosur was beaten in just 72 minutes, going down 6-4, 6-0 to Swiss qualifier Timea Bacsinszky, and will now need to make amends quickly next week in Madrid as the French Open draws nearer. Stosur was roland Garros runner-up four years ago and reached a semi-final in 2012, but her best result this season came four months ago when she reached the semi-finals in Hobart. Second seed Bouchard, who was a semi-finalist at the australian Open in Melbourne in January, beat russian alisa Kleybanova 6-4, 6-1 to reach the second round, winning in 73 minutes. Bouchard broke five times

and made a spectacular recovery on a point in the second set in which she completely lost her footing but managed to win anyway with some luck and a shot hit while sitting down. “I thought I was out of the point when I fell but she hit right back at me,” said the world number 18. “For fun, I hit it back and ended up winning. This has never happened to me in my life.” Bouchard fired four aces and was helped by five double-faults from her opponent, whom she also beat last summer on hardcourt in Toronto. “For a first match, it felt pretty solid,” said the winner. “I concentrated on serving well, and I was happy to be able to do that. I wanted to control the points from my serve. I also tried to take the ball early. “She has some big shots but I was able to neutralise

well today.” Bouchard will next face Kazakh Yaroslava Shvedova for a quarter-final place. Top seed Carla Suarez navarro recovered from last week’s wrist injury to start with a defeat of alla Kudryavtseva 6-1, 6-2. Italian fourth seed roberta Vinci needed three sets to beat alexandra Cadantu of romania, while 2012 champion Kaia Kanepi, the Estonian fifth

seed, started with a crushing win over austrian Yvonne Meusburger 6-2, 6-1. russian seventh seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, a 2013 quarter-fi-

nalist, and eighth seed Elena Vesnina are also through.