Edge Davao 8 Issue 131

VOL. 8 ISSUE 131 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015

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RODY: ‘NO POLITICS IN KIDNAPPING’

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

SURF’S UP. A foreign professional surfer shows his form during the 21st Siargao International Cloud 9 Surfing Cup held at Cloud 9, General Luna in Siaragao on Sunday. Lean Daval Jr.

It’s all for money, Duterte says

By Armando B. Fenequito Jr. PEACE TALK. Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte speaks to members of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) yesterday afternoon at the Grand Men Seng Hotel. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

EDGEDAVAO Sports

P16

Gilas avoids the Big 3

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AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte yesterday dismissed speculation that the September 21 kidnapping in a resort in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS), Davao del Norte was politically motivated and intended to break the clamor for him to run for president next year.

“Wala na (That’s not

true). It is all for money,” Duterte told reporters yesterday after the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) meeting at the Grand Men Seng Hotel.

Duterte said it was just a coincidence that the incident happened a few months before election period.

He said with the style of the abduction, it is possible

it was the handiwork of the Abu Sayyaf, which is known for its kidnap-for-ransom activities.

The kidnapping happened at around 11:41 p.m. on September 21. Police said 11 armed men on board two motorized bancas forcibly took the victims from the Holiday Oceanview Resort.

The victims were identi-

fied as Kjartan Sekkinstad, a Norwegian national who is the operations manager of the resort; Canadians John Ridsel and Robert Hall; and Filipina Marithes Flor, the live-in partner of Hall.

Last Monday, Davao City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) head Lisette Marques said it was possible the kidnapping was politi-

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 131 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015

Davao secure from kidnappers: DCPO D

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

AVAO City Police Office (DCPO) director Senior Superintendent Vicente Danao Jr. yesterday assured the public that the kidnapping incident that happened in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS), Davao del Norte will not be repeated in the city.

In a press conference, Danao said he has instructed all police station commanders to take charge of securing the coastline and resorts in their respective areas of responsibility.

He said the station commanders are making sure all resorts have enough trained security personnel to protect the establishments.

“The station commanders are the ones personally monitoring the resorts in their different areas of responsibility. They also checked that all resorts have enough trained securi-

ty guards,” he said.

Danao made the assurance in the wake of the abduction of a Filipina and three foreigners from Holiday Oceanview Resort in IGACOS on September 21.

The victims have been identified as Filipina Tess Flor, Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad.

Mayor Rodrigo has said the four have been taken to Sulu, although authorities have yet to establish their presence there.

Danao said Bantay Dagat (sea guard) was also activated by the different station commanders to further enhance their security forces on the shorelines. Under the program, the barangay members are trained as the first responders in case of criminalities in the coastal areas.

FDAVAO, 10

BIFF killed, explosives seized after clash with Army in Maguindanao

A KATOK. Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Senior Superintendent Vicente Danao Jr. posts a “KATOK” sticker on a police vehicle as part of the city’s information campaign against illegal drugs. KATOK stands for Katilingban og Kapulisan Kontra Droga and aims to educate the public on the ills effects of drugs. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

‘TOKHANG’ REBORN DCPO launches new anti-drug campaign

BY ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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HE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) yesterday launched its anti-illegal drug information drive dubbed KATOK, or Katilingban og Kapulisan Kontra Droga.

Speaking in yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps media briefing at the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), city police director Vicente D. Danao Jr. said the campaign aims to make people aware of the existence of illegal drugs in different areas in the city.

“With this campaign, we will prioritize the barangays that are experiencing the problem of illegal drugs,” he said.

Danao said the DCPO, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement

Agency (PDEA) 11, will identify drug personalities and appeal to them to stop their illegal drug activities.

He also said anti-drug stickers will be posted on different homes that do not necessarily belong to suspected pushers.

Danao said the campaign is similar to those undertaken by previous DCPO directors.

In 2003, city police director Conrado Laza led the spray painting of the houses of suspected drug pushers.

The legality of the campaign, however, was questioned by then-Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)-Davao City chapter president and now Bayan Muna Partyilist Rep. Carlos Isagano Zarate.

In 2012, then-city police director Senior Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa launched Operation “Tokhang” (toktok-hangyo or knock and appeal) in which the police went to the homes of suspected pushers and asked them to stop their illegal drug activities.

Zarate also questioned the campaign, saying it subjected suspected pushers to trial by publicity.

Danao assured the public that KATOK will not violate the rights of the suspects because it will not concentrate to them.

He said in this campaign, the DCPO will post stickers in every house and establishment in the city.

He said he has already

ordered all the police station commanders to coordinate with the barangay captains regarding the posting of stickers within their respective areas of responsibility.

“We really want to eradicate or if not minimize the problems of illegal drugs in the city,” he said.

A DCPO report showed that a total of 670 drug personalities were arrested in 456 operations from January to August. A total of 591 cases were filed.

Danao said because of this, the DCPO was awarded by the Philippine National Police (PNP) National Headquarters as the Best Performing City Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group for this year.

member of outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) was killed in a brief encounter with government forces in Datu Piang, Maguindanao Wednesday, the Army and residents here said.

Quoting reports from 2nd Mechanized Brigade, Capt. Joan Petinglay, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, said the clash erupted at 6 a.m.

Wednesday in Barangay Mayanis when about 20 BIFF members fired at elements of the 2nd Mechanized Battalion of the 2nd Mechanized brigade under Colonel Lemet conducting patrol activities near a school.

After 30 minutes, the gunmen fled to different directions but government forces recovered several live ammunition 60 mm mortars used by BIFF in manufacturing

improvised explosive devices.

The Army halted the manhunt on fleeing guerillas to allow civilians to get out of the way.

Residents said they are worried government forces will arrive and resume operations against the outlawed BIFF after reports that many of them have been charged in connection with the January Mamasapano encounter.

But Petinglay said the soldiers were not serving warrants of arrest since it was not their job. The soldiers were patrolling the village while securing a school compound nearby when attacked.

DatuPiang Mayor Genuine Kamaong, quoting reports from village officials, said the civilians have returned home although may are ready to move out should shooting war resumes. (PNA)

Water service interruptions in some city parts Oct 1-2

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AVAO City Water District has scheduled two separate sets of water service interruption affecting some city parts.

First set is on October 1 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM affecting Riverside Proper in Calinan. This water service interruption is needed to give way to the tapping of the newly installed 50mm diameter Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipeline to the existing 50mm diam-

eter PVC pipeline for the mainline improvement at Sunflower Street in Riverside, Calinan. Once completed, said project will allow for accommodation of additional service connections.

Second set is on October 2 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM that will affect the entire San Pedro Village in Buhangin. DCWD’s Pipelines and Appurtenances Maintenance Department crew will trans-

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EDGEDAVAO

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Danao pinpoints rob gang leader

NEWS 3

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

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AVAO City Police Office (DCPO) director Senior Superintendent Vicente D. Danao Jr. yesterday revealed the identity and showed the photograph of a notorious robbery suspect allegedly behind a series of holdups of public utility vans and delivery trucks in the cities Tagum, Panabo, and Davao.

Danao identified the suspect as Fidel Galgo Flores, a resident of Panabo City who he said has five existing warrants of arrest for different cases and is in the “most wanted” list in Davao City.

Danao said Flores, who leads the Flores robbery group, was positively identified by his victims.

“Ito lang ang sasabihin ko sa iyo Mr. Fidel Flores, huwag ka talagang magpapahuli sa akin, ililibing talaga kita (This is all I will tell you, Mr. Fidel Flores, do not let me catch you. I will really bury you),” Danao said in yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps media briefing.

He said Flores’ warrants of arrest include robbery cases with rape, murder, frustrated murder, and vio-

lence and intimidation.

Danao said Flores was able to carry out his illegal activities because some groups are coddling him in Davao City.

“But I’ve already talked to these groups,” he said without elaborating.

He said Flores operates not just in Davao City but also in other parts of the region.

Danao admitted that it is difficult to stop robbers in the city because of its large area.

“Vulnerable kasi ang city sa mga holdap kasi kahit lagyan mo pa ng 2,000 police parang hind lang sila nakikita sa lawak ng Davao (The city is vulnerable to holdups because even if we deploy 2,000 police, the criminals can’t be detected because of the city’s size),” he said.

“I just hope that bago ako ma-relieve makuha ko muna to siya (before I am relieved I can arrest Flores),” he added.

Danao said Flores’ group also victimizes delivery trucks in the dark areas of Diversion Road in Buhangin and Maa.

N. Cotabato raid yields P1-M worth of stolen motorcycles, illegal drugs

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UTHORITIES seized some Php 1-million worth of carnapped motorcycles and illegal drugs during a simultaneous raid held Wednesday in two villages of Kabacan, North Cotabato.

Operatives of the North Cotabato Police Provincial Office (NCPPO) and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group swooped down on the vil-

lages of Kayaga and Crislam on Wednesday dawn and confiscated the sizeable amount of drugs and stolen vehicles together with four suspected drug dealers.

Sr. Supt. Alexander Tagum, provincial police director, identified the arrested suspects as Arnold Gonsang, Badrodin Gonsang, Edgar Gonsang,

FN. COTABATO, 10

GANG LEADER. Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Senior Superintendent Vicente Danao Jr. shows a photo of Fidel Galgo Flores, alleged leader of the

Flores robbery group responsible for a series of holdups of public utility vans and delivery trucks in the cities Tagum, Panabo, and Davao. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

Drilon: Leni is our VP

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ENATE President Franklin Drilon on Wednesday revealed that Camarines Sur congresswoman Leni Robredo is the running mate of Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Manuel ‘Mar’ Roxas II in the 2016 elections.

“Most likely. Let’s just say that congresswoman

Leni is already our candidate for vice president,” Drilon said in an interview with ABS-CBN’s morning program Umagang Kay Ganda.

Drilon made the revelation on the day that LP was reportedly set to hold a meeting at the Club Filipino to make formal announcement

of their vice presidential candidate.

The event has been cancelled and instead set an LP national executive council (NECO) meeting at the party’s headquarters in Cubao. ”Based on our constitution, the NECO will hold a meeting to nominate our candidates for

president, vice president and senators,” Drilon explained.

Drilon said they have 15 names who will vie for the 12-man senatorial lineup of the ruling party. ”We will discuss which is, or who is the best one we can present to the people,” Drilon added. (PNA)

and working for the passage of an enabling ordinance for the sub-sector by the City Council.

Councilor Eva Lorraine Estabillo said that

the number of solo parents in the city has been increasing through the years and they, especially the needy and poor solo parents, need to be also attended to by the city government.

“Solo parents bear the heavy burden of raising the family and providing their children a better future. They single-handedly do parental duties in the face of adversity, hardship and poverty,” she said.

Estabillo authored City Ordinance No. 710, which has put to life an old and seems to be neglected law enacted way back in 2000, the Republic Act No. 8972 otherwise known as the Solo Welfare Act of 2000.

Estabillo’s measure is an enabling local ordinance, and hence it assures solo parents to avail of the existing city social services and programs, besides emphasizing the rights of the solo parents such as their rights to be entitled of a parental leave of 7 days in a year and flexible

working schedule.

As soon as an indigent solo parent has been living for one year in Tagum City and is registered with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), she is entitled to receive a financial assistance of P4,500 for

Tagum councilor pushes rights of solo parents

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lawyer councilor and herself, a solo parent, has championed the rights of solo parents in Tagum City by successfully authoring

THROUGH THE CRACKS. Two boys maneuver a bicycle through the huge cracks on the jetty at Sta. Ana wharf, which obviously needs immediate repair before anything untoward happens. Lean Daval Jr.

ESTABILLO giving birth for the first time, or P5,000 if she requires a caesarian operation, and if in case she or her child dies, a P5,000 burial assistance.

Moreover, under the ordinance, solo parents or their children are also qualified to avail of the City Educational Scholarship Program (CESPRO), and the City Vocational/ Technical Scholarship

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 131 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015

Bulk water project to protect aquifers T HE P12-billion Davao City Bulk Water Project to be undertaken by the Davao City Water District and the Apo Agua Infrastructura Incorporated will protect the city’s groundwater.

According to Atty. Bernard Delima, DCWD spokesperson, said there are indications that Davao City’s groundwater supply is being over extracted.

“There is really a need to rest our groundwater.” Delima said.

The project entails DCWD buying water from Apo Agua who are obligated to deliver about 300 million liters of water per year at a buying price of P12.25 per cubic meter.

The Tamugan River will be utilized as source of the surface water for the project.

P10-billion will be spent on part A of the project which will involve the development of the treatment plant and other facilities in the Tamugan River while P2-billion to be undertaken by DCWD will be spent on part B which will establish the reservoir.

Delima said that Tamugan’s water is of good quality, likening it to Dumoy aquifer because of its clarity and taste. Dumoy water has been dubbed as the world’s

second best water.

Apo Agua is a joint venture between the Aboitiz Equity Ventures and J.V. Angeles Construction Corporation.

Bobby Orig, first vicepresident for Mindanao of Aboitiz Power said the plant is the first in the country to have a power plant constructed for the treatment plant. The two megawatt hydro power plant will just be enough to power the facilities.

He also said that the water will flow to the pipes through gravity, rather than being pumped by pumping stations. DCWD is paying P400 million per year in power costs majority of which is consumed by the pumping stations.

“In case of brown-outs, the plant will still deliver water.” Orig said.

He also added that the project will only entail about 1% of the conservation area of the Talomo watershed.

According to Delima, they are finalizing the key points being agreed with the Watershed Management Council before it will be passed to the Davao City Council for approval.

The bulk water project is planned to be operational by 2019. (PIA/RG Alama)

DA explores ‘alternative’ palay production areas

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HE Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region 12 is working on the opening of “alternative” palay production areas in a bid to offset the projected reduction in local harvests due to the impact of the looming strong El Nino Phenomenon.

Amalia Jayag-Datukan, DA Region 12 executive director, said on Tuesday they are currently evaluating some irrigated farm areas in parts of Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato provinces for the planting of palay within the next few weeks.

She said the targeted farmlands are located in portions of the Liguasan Marsh that are covered by the two provinces.

“We are continuously looking for alternative production areas so we can sustain our production targets,” she said.

Based on the DA-12’s forecasts, the region’s palay harvests could drop by a total of 98,473 metric tons (MT) this year as a result of the onslaught of the El Nino, which was predicted to begin next month and last until February next year.

It expects the area’s to-

tal palay harvests to reach 1,316,809 MT by yearend or about seven percent lower than its 1,415,282 MT target under its Food Self-Sufficiency Program.

In terms of palay production area, the agency expects a reduction of 17,679 hectares or from its target of 358,567 hectares to 340,888 hectares due to the El Nino.

Despite such projection, Datukan said they are not expecting any rice shortage in the region in the coming months.

She said the region remains rice self-sufficient and they anticipate enough rice supplies in the local markets during the El Nino period.

“We will still be 120 percent rice self-sufficient so that will not likely affect the availability rice supplies in the markets,” she said.

In 2014, Region 12 produced a total of 1.364 million MT of palay and a self-sufficiency rating of 128 percent.

The figure was equivalent to 31.68 percent of Mindanao’s rice production and 7.1 percent of the entire country.

FDA EXPLORER, 10

BULK WATER PROJECT. Aboitiz Power 1st vice president for Mindanao Bobby Orig presents updates on the Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc.’s Davao City bulk water supply project during yesterday’s Club 888 media forum at The Marco Polo, Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

DOE: 23 solar projects get service contracts

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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INDANAO has a huge potential for the development of solar energy projects aside from biomass and hydroelectric power projects, the Department of Energy (DOE) said Engr. Fortunato Sibayan, division chief for the solar and wind energy management division of DOE’s Renewable Energy Bureau, said Mindanao has the “best solar sites” that are scattered all over the island.

Sibayan graced yesterday’s regular Club 888 media forum at the Marco Polo Davao.

As of August 31 this year, the DOE has already awarded a total of 23 solar power projects with a potential capacity of 363.32 megawatt (MW).

Among these solar pow-

er projects that are located in Davao Region are the 29.58 MW Digos Solar Power Projects of the Enfinity Philippines Renewable Resources Fourth, Inc. in Digos City in the province of Davao del Sur. The first phase of the project has a potential capacity of 10 MW, while the second phase has 19.58MW. There is also a solar power project awarded to Sun Option for Livelihood Alternative Resources, Inc., for the Davao Oriental Solar Power Project in Mati City in Davao Oriental.

Other awarded solar power projects in Mindanao are the 20 MW Kirahon Solar Powe Project by rge Kirahon Solar Energy Corporation in municipality of Villanueva in Misamis Oriental; the 10.49MW Kibawe Solar Pow-

er Project of Asian Greenenergy Corp. in Kibawe, Bukidnon; 20.00MW Laguindingan Solar Power Project of the Cagayan Electric Power & Light Company, Inc. in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental; the 60.00MW Claveria Solar Power Project of The Ark Green Dynamic Resources Corp. in the municipality of Claveria in Misamis Oriental, and the Misamis Oriental Solar Power Project of the Astronergy Development Mindanao, Inc. in Balingasag.

The Astronergy Development Dipolog Inc. is also developing the Zamboanga del Norte Solar Power Project in the municipalities of La Libertad and Dapitan in Zamboanga del Norte.

The SunAsia Energy Inc. is also awarded with service contract of DOE for the pre

development of the 2.50MW Midsayap Solar Power Project in Midsayap, North Cotabato.

Among the 10 projects for Region 12 are Philippines Solar Energy One, Inc. is developing the 6.25MW Centrala Solar Power Project in Surallah, South Cotabato; the 10.00MW City General Santos City 1 Solar of the Power Project of the Enfinity Philippines Renewable Resources Inc. in General Santos; and the South Cotabato Solar Power Project of the Astronergy Development GenSan Inc. Awarded solar project for Region 12 are the 88.00 MW GenSan Solar Power Project Phase I and II of the Del Sol Energy CGS, Inc. in South Cotabato; the

ensure a more organized flow of containerized cargoes in and out of the MICT while providing real-time information on container status.

Booking an appointment can be done within minutes through three simple steps. After logging in, port users need to upload their container details in the system. The next step is to search for available booking slots within the given time zones, with users having 15 minutes to select their desired zones for each container. Once all the details have been reviewed and finalized,

users can then proceed to confirm their appointment.

Booked slots further facilitate service levels and all but eliminate truck queues because the container terminal controls the flow of trucks to and from the terminal. This eliminates the current peaks created by road congestion, truck bans, and other external factors while giving importers and exporters a transparent view of when their trucks are meant to process transactions.

Three days prior to the launch, ICTSI conducted a two-day train-

ing to introduce port users to the functionalities and features of TABS. The system was also softlaunched for select user groups early in September for pilot testing.

With container volume expected to increase heading into the Christmas season, TABS’ implementation addresses the unpredictable surge of trucks that ply the city’s roads.

TABS was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Philippine supply chain stakeholders and Australia’s 1-Stop Connections Pty. Ltd.

FDOE, 10

ICTSI rolls out online container booking system

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NTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services, Inc., (ICTSI) the largest port operator in the Philippines, has rolled out the online booking system Terminal Appointment Booking System (TABS) at the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT).

An electronic platform for booking containers at the MICT and other international ports in Manila, TABS was specifically developed to minimize road traffic and prevent container build-ups especially with the approach of the holiday season.

The new system will

VOL. 8 ISSUE 131 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015

5

For the love of chocolate When life throws you lemons, make some pie.

TEXT and PHOTOS By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

Us, we change the game.

The only thing constant in this world is change.

That said, EDGE Davao is consistently pushing itself to ride the winds of change.

With this young organization’s battlecry “Change the game”, we are again blazing the trail amidst the autobahn speeds of developing technology by going to the social media platform to advance our coverage.

Two weeks ago, we posted the “Crying Lady” photo on our Facebook page and it generated nearly 200,000 views in 24 hours. On Monday, as we took to the social media our coverage on the much-anticipated “Announcement II” of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, a series of posts reached over 100,000 in a matter of minutes leading up to the press conference. In sum, over 200,000 were reached in those hours of “Announcement II” where Mayor Duterte reiterated he is not running for President and is considering reelection for Mayor if his daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio decide not to run.

The numbers speak for the reach of this coverage from our print copy to our online content and we intend to intensify our push towards the optimization of our news reach in the social media platform where the battle has shifted.

These days, most news organizations are taking their content to the social media which has proven to be the most accessible vehicle for news content.

Let’s face it, the game has shifted.

If one has to be in the thick of the fight, one’s presence in this platform would spell the difference. This is where the real demographics are measurable and tangible, not to mention relevant and not limited to a few respondents only of a particular segment.

EDGE DAVAO EDITORIAL, SEPT. 23, 2015

It’s a no-brainer. Hundred thousand views can’t be wrong.

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

Blazing the trail in innovative journalism.

6 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 131 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015

Mindanao still top coffee producer M

INDANAO continues to lord it over the rest of the country in terms of coffee production, with Region 12 or the Soccsksargen region remaining the top regional coffee producer of the country.

Jennifer Remoquillo, Department of Agriculture (DA) national coordinator for High Value Crops Development Program, said Mindanao accounts for 77 percent of the country’s coffee production.

Trailing far behind in coffee production is Luzon at 17 percent and Visayas at six percent, she added.

In terms of area planted to coffee, 67 percent is in Mindanao, 23 percent in Luzon, and 10 percent in the Visayas.

Citing data from Philippine Statistics Authority’s Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS), Remoquillo said that a total of 117,451 hectares were so far planted with coffee across the country.

Of this, 26,434 hectares are in Soccsksargen region, added Remoquillo, who was among the speakers of the 2nd Regional Coffee Congress, hosted by the DA Region 12 office, which opened Monday.

Halal seminar in ATOP confab

She said coffee production in the country last year dropped by 4.04 percent to 75,454 metric tons.

Remoquillo attributed the drop in coffee production last year to the cutting and pruning of old trees and the effects of heavy rains and strong winds during fruit development in Sultan Kudarat, the country’s top provincial coffee producer.

In Davao City, she said there was a shift to banana and in Cavite, coffee farms were converted to pineapple.

There was also lower production in Batangas

due to the long dry season during the flowering stage and also due to the infestation of scale insects, she said.

Amalia Jayag-Datukan, DA director for Region 12, said they conducted the second regional coffee congress, which will end Tuesday, to help the industry achieve further growth.

This year’s congress carried the theme “Kape-yapaan: Susi sa Matagumpay at Maunlad na Pamayanan Tungo sa ASEAN Integration.”

Region 12 last year produced 28,000 MT of coffee, said Datukan, adding the regional Ag-

riculture office continues to work to increase the region’s coffee production.

Remoquillo noted that among the factors that hamper the growth of the country’s coffee industry is the lack of quality seedlings.

“We have insufficient knowledge in coffee nursery production, (resulting in) the problem of quality planting materials,” she said.

Viable coffee farming requires good planting material, Remoquillo added.

In the Philippines, coffee farming is dominated by small farmers

with an average farm size of one to two hectares. The most common variety is Robusta which accounted for over 70 percent production, followed by Arabica, Liberica, and Excelsa, it added.

Remoquillo said some other challenges facing the country’s coffee industry include pest and disease control and marketing.

For the marketing challenge, she noted that the market requires producers to deliver consistent quality and sufficient quantity of coffee beans. (Bong S. Sarmiento/MindaNews)

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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OURISM players from Mindanao will be attending a seminar on Islamic or Halal Tourism on the second day of the four-day 16th National Convention of the Aaociation of Tourism Officers of the Philippines, Davao del Norte provincial tourism office Noel Daquioag said.

Slated on October 1 to 4 at the SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City, Daquioag told reporters at the Club 888 media forum at the Marco Polo Davao said there’s a need to develope the Halal component of Mindanao’s tourism industry.

“We need to have tourism-related establishments that offer services on Halal,” Daquioag told EDGE Davao in an interview.

He said there are only a

few establishments in the Mindanao that are Halal accredited. “For instance, many Muslim tourists find a hard time in finding Halal restaurants here.”

Daquioag said Mindanao has a huge potential for the multi-billion Halal industry because of its proximity to Asian Muslim countries and some nations that are part of the Brunei, Indonesia,Malaysia and Philippines- East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

Mindanao could further promote its tourist destinations to the Muslim community if it will be able to have establishments like hotels and restaurants that are Halal accredited, according to him.

Meanwhile, the seminar will be facilitated by Malaysian

MARKET SCENE. A young boy watches his father prepares standard cut of meat they sell at their stall inside the meat section of Agdao Public Market yesterday morning. Lean Daval Jr.

Roadmap to make agriculture sector more competitive, ensure food security Tourism sector, airline firms tie up for MICE conference T T HE Davao tourism industry sector is partnering with airline companies to strengthen the hosting of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) here next month, assuring participants of reduced airline fare rate.

Davao City Tourism head Lisette Marquez said the MICE is one of Davao’s priority programs and “we continue to innovate so that MICE participants enjoy several perks when they come here”.

According to Marquez, the signing of agreement with Air Asia for a special arrangement for MICE participants will be held on September 30. There will also be agreements to be signed between Cebu Pacific on a later date, she said.

She also said that the perk would also include an easier arrangement with no

FHALAL, 10

fee if the ticket holder wants the fare be upgraded or rebooked.

Marquez meanwhile said that hosting the MICE will allow us to show to the visitors how we host events and conventions here.

“This will be our benchmark by showing to them how Davao handles the events,” she said.

In fact, she said Department of Tourism (DOT) assistant secretary Art Boncato told them to make sure that they offer the best and everything must come seamless.

Marquez said, “we have done several hosting of events for both local and international events but we must not put our guards down as we must be ready at all times to be able to serve our guests well with satisfaction”. (PNA)

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) is developing a roadmap that aims to ensure food security and improve the country’s competitiveness in the global market.

The department has been crafting a roadmap that will have three pillars: value chain analysis, benchmarking, and private sector ownership, Agriculture Undersecretary Segfredo Serrano said.

Explaining the first pillar, Serrano said the roadmap must be based on value chain analysis, because through this, DA experts could identify and address the constraints in the various stages of the value chain.

The role of the government and the function of the private sector must also be identified, he said, noting that the government must create a favorable environment that would enable private businesses to thrive.

He said the government’s strengths include building infrastructure -- fishing ports, farm-tomarket roads, transport systems, and cold chain systems -- as well as playing a major role in funding research on new technologies, especially for small farmers.

On the second pillar, Serrano explained the importance of benchmarking for the country’s import and export commodities to ensure the competitiveness of local products.

“If we continue on subsidizing or imposing protection on commodities that are not competitive, even at the border, it will redound to higher cost for our consumers and higher support and protection cost for the government,” he said.

“We have to be able to strategize and plan how we can increase our market share by being much more competitive and presenting attractive products in the

specific export markets.”

He underscored the need to strengthen the country’s export potentials, since exports have a multiplier effect on the economy.

If the origin of the exports is the agriculture sector, it would benefit from that multiplier effect in terms of employment and income, he said, adding that sending high-quality export products would also be a good motivation for Filipino farmers.

“The roadmap cannot just be a roadmap. It must be the subject of an extensive national consultation with our stakeholders so that the elements of this roadmap, including the timelines, the measures, are the ones that are acceptable to the public,” he said.

“We want a roadmap that will have the ownership and the political support of our stakeholders.”

With an agricultural roadmap supported by the

people, the DA can easily go to Congress for funding support, he said.

Serrano further said that they are setting a new target to complete the roadmap by the end of the year.

The DA was supposed to finish it two years ago but the department is having problems with available data, he pointed out, adding that they are working on establishing real data for a specific commodity corridor to have a true picture of a particular value chain in the country.

With this analysis, agriculture experts can see the problems in the value chain, Serrano said.

“We want a more specific value chain analysis that will become the basis of the roadmap,” he said.

“What we want are real numbers, real commodity corridors, and real parts and elements of the value chain.” (PNA/PCOO News Release)

INdulge! moon, temple, vegan

VOL. 8 ISSUE 131 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

FOOD

THE A AND A

feAst

LAST WEEK marked the celebration the Mid-Autumn or more popularly known as the Moon Festival. The most important Chinese holiday in the lunar calendar after the Lunar New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated by families and friends coming together for a good meal and a quick game of dice to win much-coveted mooncakes as well as other prizes.

Normally I would attend my Chinese family association’s celebration as well as a celebration on the eve of Mid-Autumn itself at the Lotus

While normally, a MidAutumn Festival feast would be composed of a rich and festive assortment of meat and seafood dishes my Mid-Autumn temple meal was meat and guilt-free.

Roof of South Putuo Temple’s main hall.

Stir-fried Arrowroot.

Mashed Taro. but feel that my “homecoming” to the Xiamen of my ancestors was perfectly timed for the season.

One destination I visited and was most excited about was the South Putuo Temple. A Buddhist temple founded in the Tang Dynasty, the Buddhist temple is located at the southern hills of Xiamen near the University of Xiamen and is where the Bodhisattva Guanyin is mainly worshipped. The architecture of the temple is simply breathtaking with beautiful wooden eaves and posts as well as impressive tiles swallow-tail roofs.

While impressive, it was what was for lunch served at a nearby vegetarian restaurant located within the temple’s grounds that really completed my Buddhist temple experience. While normally, a MidAutumn Festival feast would be composed of a rich and festive assortment of meat and seafood dishes my Mid-Autumn temple meal was meat and guilt-free.

The vegetarian feast started with a Vegetarian Duck Soup. plate of Mashed Yam, Carrot, and Seaweed.

The dish was nutty and rich, with the crispy Court of the fried seaweed addMarco Polo Davao. This ing texture as well year, I was given an extra special Moon Festival this as as a briny flavour I happened to be at Xiamen to do help so some research to the dish. Since for an upcoming coffee table book on Chinese-Filipinos fortifying soups and

by Cebu’s University of San Carlos Press. stews are de rigueur Xiamen is a city located in the southeast coast of in any Xiamen banquet, China and is where my grandparents, and where most ancestors of Chinese-Filipinos hail from. I cannot help

URBANISSIMO A1

A2 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 131 •THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015

FOOD

salsa lovinG SALSA or sometimes called “red sauce” is widely used as a condiment in Mexican and Southwestern cuisines in the US. Ever since, the world has taken that leap and has since embraced the salsa as part of one’s gastronomic cravings.

In truth, salsa is one of the simpliest recipes to make.

You just need to combine tomatoes, onions, cilantro, lime juice, spices and you are good to go. Also, you can always adjust the level of chillies you put. A definite winwin situation for anyone.

Personally, I’m not that of a big fan but I can munch on salsa anytime. At times, it gets way too spicy or bland.

Never the perfect mix. Until I discovered Tita Rosita’s Meaty Salsa during the OffPrice Show at the Davcon.

I bought a jar and let me tell you, I have been eating more than a tablespoon every single night. I add the salsa to my rice, pour it over fastfood fried chicken and even with fried vegetables. Yes, that’s how addictive their salsa is.

Tita Rosita’s Meaty Salsa is made from fresh beef, tomatoes and spices. It has no preservatives hence you can truly taste the goodness of tomatoes and spices in every single bite. I love how simple yet complex their flavour and texture is. You can truly bite into the juicy tomatoes and savor the mixture of spices and meat. Now, this is the

kind of salsa I want on my meals.

Salsa and chips? Sure, they’re the perfect pair. However, there is more to salsa than just a dip. Here’s how I turned my Tita Rosita’s Meaty Salsa into a whole new salsa-licious experience.

Sweet and Spicy Chicken My dad and mama loves this! Because it’s your birthday Mama (Bai Rowena FSinsuat Ambolodto), this is for you. Sending you my love, kisses, hugs and wellwishes. Love you mama -- to the moon, galaxy and back! I love you!

apricot and strawberry -apricot is best), jalapeno salsa and salt.Mix well.

Make some slits on your chicken breast. Best to take the skin off.

In a deep pot, add the sauce. Add the chicken breasts until submerged.

With a spoon, pour some of the sauce over the chicken to coat.

Turn your stove to low/ medium heat. Cover the pan and continue to pour sauce over the chicken. Flip the chicken to evenly coat the same.

When done, the sauce should not be too watery.

Chop the onion and 2 cloves of garlic. Set aside.

In a bowl, mix 3 tablespoons of tepid water, chopped onion and garlic, 3 tablespoon jam (I’ve used

Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas THIS IS MY FAVORITE! Indulge with this delectable 4-ingredient dish and have an instant Tex-Mex theme party on any night.

You can swith the chicken with beef or fish.

Steam your chicken -- remove the skin and pull into chunks. Set aside.

In a bowl, add 1/2 cup of salsa (I used Tita Rositas), 3/4 cup cheese and chicken chunks. Mix well.

Spread 1/2 cup of salsa onto the bottom of a baking dish.

Spoon 1/4 cup of the meat mixture onto the centre of tortillas. Roll the tortillas (folds down) and line baking dish until done.

Spread more salsa and cheese on top.

Bake for 20 minutes or until cheese starts to melt.

Beef Fajitas Im a cheat cook -- I don’t like a grandeur of ingredients for a meal. I want to keep it simple yet flavorful until the

last bite. This is perfect. Just like the enchiladas, the dish does not require you to be a scientist.

In a deep pan, combine beef strips (you can use beef steak strips too), ground cumin, fresh lime juice and jarred salsa (I used the jalapeno variant). Cook on low and and serve in tortillas.

You can add shredded cabbage, carrots and onions.

And cheese -- don’t forget the cheese.

Tita Rosita’s Meaty Salsa accepts orders. You can call them at 0923-303 2931.

For that latest on their salsa-licious products, browse and like their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ TitaRositasSalsa Make #TheRoyalChef your Thursday habit. Tag me on instagram @herroyalheiress for your delicious food finds!

VOL. 8 ISSUE 131 •THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015

ENTERTAINMENT

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

Cast of ‘Sunday All Stars’ meet for a reunion RESONANT of their friendship going beyond work, the performers of the now defunct show ‘Sunday All Stars’ reunited last weekend.

Steven Silva, Mark Herras, Rocco Nacino, Kris Lawrence, Wyn Marquez, Enzo Pineda, Lovi Poe, Aicelle Santos, Jay-R, and Mark Bautista were among the attendees of the gathering.

The ‘Tikis,’ the name which they call their group, consider each other as family and make an effort to stay in touch even if they’ve gone their separate ways.

“Great last minute Tiki night last night.

Nice hanging with everyone. It [has] been a long time,” Jay-R wrote.

Last month, Kyla and her husband Rich Alvarez also hosted a gathering for the group.

“Nagkikita parin kahit hindi na magkakasama sa work. #realfriendship,” Wyn noted.

Madlang people relate to ‘Pastillas Girl’s’ story

MORE than just finding new love, the story of Pastillas Girl that the madlang people witness every day in “It’s Showtime” is about a woman hoping to have another chance at life.

Just like any other woman who is in pain, Pastillas Girl, whose real name is Angelica Yap, only wants to pick up the pieces and believe in love once again.

Before laying out her life on national television, she shot to online fame after she posted a video of her describing the process of making pastillas while dropping some “hugot” lines, with angst and spunk that could only be the result of a real heartbreak.

After voluntarily asking for love advice from Madam Bertud in the “Advice Ganda” segment of “It’s Showtime,” she little by little shared her story with the madlang people, who saw her as a relatable character whose painful experiences mirrored their own. And in opening her heart to the public, she piqued the interest of three men – one from the studio audience and two from Twitter – who wanted get to know her better and help her ease her heartache.

Pastillas Girl’s story took an unexpected turn when her exboyfriend, Enzo, bravely faced her last Saturday (Sep 19) to apologize for breaking her heart, answer all the questions about their breakup, and formally get closure from their failed relationship.

“Pasensya ka na rin. Hindi ko naman intensyon na kumalat ang video. Hindi ko intensyon na magviral. Hindi ko plinano na andito

ako ngayon. Tandaan mo na sa mga nangyari sa atin, wala akong pinagsisisihan,” said an emotional Pastillas Girl during her trending confrontation with Enzo.

While she has gained fans and admirers for being true to her feelings, she has also had to endure messages from bashers.

“Totoong tao ako. Hindi po ako artista, Bago po ito lahat sa akin.

Sana kilalanin niyo muna ako bago niyo ako i-judge. Lahat ng tanong niyo kaya kong sagutin, binuksan ko po yung buhay ko para po dito,” she said in an episode last Sept 17.

On social media, netizens constantly tweet about how they can relate to her experiences via the segment’s interactive live tweet component.

“Halos pareho yung nangyari sa akin. I can relate to her feelings. I wanna hug her,” said @dina_terbio.

“Meron din ako. Habang kami e may iba na siya… kababata ko pa.

Kaya relate ako kay #PastillasGirl,” @iamjiroh tweeted.

“Ba’t ba sobra akong naapektuhan dun sa pagkikita ni Pastillas Girl at yung ex niya? Super relate kasi ako noon one year ago,” @ellasogorg shared.

What’s next in Pastillas Girl’s journey to finding her Mr. Pastillas?

Meanwhile, “It’s Showtime’s” most awaited sixth anniversary kick off show dubbed as “It’s Showtime Kapamilya Day: The ANIMversary Kick Off” is happening this Saturday (Sep 26).

Joining this grand celebration are loveteams KathNiel, JaDine, LizQuen and KimXi, Kapamilya Gold and Primetime Bida stars, “The Voice Kids” finalists, “PBB 737” Teen Big Four, the cast of “Etiquette for Mistresses” and Primetime King Coco Martin.

For more information, follow “It’s Showtime” on Facebook and Twitter (@ItsShowtimena).

September 24, 2015

RESUREKSYON/ ATTACK ON TITAN 2 Paolo Avelino, Isabelle Daza / Haruma Miura, Kiko Mizuhara R16/R16

12:00 | 1:35 |3:10 LFS|4:45 |6:30 |8:15 |10:00 LFS

THE INTERN Anne Hathaway, Robert De Niro PG

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

HOTEL TRANSYVANIA 2 Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez

R-16

G

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

EVEREST/ HENERAL LUNA Jake Gyllenhaal, Keira Knightley/ John Arcilla, Epy Quizon PG/R13

12:20 | 2:55 LFS |5:30 | 7:45 |10:00 LFS

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

FOOD URBANISSIMO A4 a Vegetarian Tongui Duck Soup followed. The soup was fragrant and flavourful thanks to Chinese herbs and spices, yet does not overwhelm the palate.

With a texture similar to jicama yet with a slightly more starchy flavour, the Stir-Fried Vegetables with Arrowroot was crisp and fresh. The celery stalks and black fungus add additional texture as well as flavour to the dish. It was at this point that I realised that I am already three dishes in yet still not craving for a morsel of meat.

A braised mushroom and a sweet and sour tofu dish completed my vegetarian spread at the temple, all downed with a cups of piping hot local tea.

Sweet I admit that I am a total meat eater, but surpris- and Sour ingly, I was satisfied with the meal and did not miss Tofu. my steak too much. I guess it is because of how the vegetables were creatively prepared, seasoned, and processed or maybe its because of the inspiring temple surroundings. Another result of my vegetarian feasting is that far from being bloated and tired after a huge meal, I was light, energetic, and ready to explore Xiamen City some more.

Follow me on Instagram or on Twitter at @ kennethkingong for more travel stories and foodie finds in, around, and beyond Durianburg.

One of South Putuo Temple’s vegetarian restaurants.

A braised fungus dish.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 131 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1 2015

VOL. 8 ISSUE 131 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

ENVIRONMENT 7

Bamboo: no longer poor man’s timber TEXT and PHOTOS By HENRYLITO D. TACIO In the Philippines, particularly in the rural areas, bamboo abounds. Mostly, bamboos are found along river banks. Our folklores tell us that our supposed descendants -- Malakas (strength) and Maganda (beautiful) -- came out of bamboo. Of course, everyone knows that.

But what most Filipinos don’t know that what used to be known as the “poor man’s timber” is now gracing many high-end homes, hotels, and offices around the world.

Yes, the humble bamboo has gone a long, long way.

“The global market for

Bamboo chai

Fish pens made of bamboo.

bamboo products amounts to US$12 billion, and much of this is for the engineered bamboo sector,” the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI), a line agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), reports.

Engineered bamboo, designed to be a replacement for wood, is a low-cost product manufactured from bamboo. It has been used as paneling, vehicle beds, concrete formworks, lightweight building construction. It was even used for shelters after the 2004 tsunami.

In comparison to the

woods that have been traditionally used, a number of benefits and drawbacks have been identified with engineered bamboo. Lower cost, especially when replacing wood that would otherwise have been imported, is a key advantage. Further benefits include greater hardness and shape retention, especially in high temperatures.

One of the primary drawbacks of engineered bamboo is that it is not as resilient as most woods. In addition, it will decay more rapidly than other woods if not treated with preservatives.

“We are happy to say

that the Philippines now has its own engineered bamboo industry,” says Dr. Romulo T. Aggangan, FPRDI director.

“Although still immature and bugged by various problems, it is also blessed with a lot of strengths, and given enough support from concerned groups, can be expected to grow strong, and in time be able to meet the needs of local clients or even capture a slice of the global market.”

Currently, about 10 companies are making engineered bamboo products.

“Most of them are smallscale enterprises producing items on a per order basis,” said a press release circulated by DOST. Among the most common species used for engineered bamboo are “kawayan tinik” (Bambusa blumeana), giantbamboo (Dendrocalamus asper), “bolo” (Gigantochloa levis), “botong” (D. latiforus) and “bayog” (B. merrilliana).

In the Philippines alone, there’s a big demand for engineered bamboo. “Since 2010, it has been mandated by law that 25% of all school desks and furniture in the country’s public schools should be made of engineered bamboo,” said Dr. Rico J. Cabangon, a FPRDI official.

About 10,000 hectares of plantations -- using the right

bamboo species -- is needed to meet the projected annual demand of 312,000 school desks and other saleable products such as panels, flooring, décor, and high-end furniture.

Indeed, the future of engineered bamboo is bright.

“The world market for engineered bamboo can reach US$20 billion by 2020,” Dr. Cabangon said.

In an interview with Manila Times, Director Senen Perlada of Department of Trade Industry’s Bureau of Export Trade Promotion, said: “Engineered bamboo can provide Philippine furniture manufacturers the competitive edge over ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) competitors.”

For centuries, the beauty and durability of bamboo have been known among Asians. In China, for instance, bamboo is one of the four noblest plants (the three others are the orchid, the plum tree, and the chrysanthemum). It is also one of the three multi-purpose plants grown in thousands of Indonesian villages today, the other two being banana and coconut.

Although often listed as a “minor” forest product, bamboo is fast regaining its rightful place these days. According to an article, which

appeared in Reader’s Digest, bamboo “is delicate enough to be used in phonograph needles, yet strong enough to be used in bridge construction.” As such, bamboo can replace or indirectly decrease consumption of three critically scarce resources: wood, metal and oil.

Bamboo is also indispensable in the fishing and banana industry. In Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, people use bamboo as material for making rafts, fishing rods, outriggers for bancas and for fish pens. In saltwater areas, bamboo is used as stakes in the culture of mussels and oysters.

In Davao City and nearby municipalities, bamboo poles are used as props to support fruit-bearing bananas.

Bamboo is also used in the manufacture of musical instruments like horns, clarinets, saxophones, flutes, piccolos, xylophones and drums. The world famous bamboo organ at the Roman Catholic Church of Las Piñas is a historic example of the importance of bamboo.

There are also sophisticated uses of bamboo -- charcoal for electric batteries, liquid diesel fuel obtained by distillation, and enzymes and media for shoot ex-

FBAMBOO, 10

EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE

VOL. 8 ISSUE 131 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015

EDITORIAL War vs illegal drugs

T

HE Davao City Police Office (DCPO), in its continuing efforts to eradicate illegal drugs in the metropolis, launched another program aimed at intensifying the campaign starting in the barangays. Dubbed KATOK or the Katilingban og Kapulisan Kontra Droga, the program is an information drive centered in the barangays as the DCPO and other law enforcement agencies step up their campaign to reduce, if not totally eradicate, illegal drugs in the city.

“With this campaign, we will prioritize the barangays that are experiencing the problem of illegal drugs,” city police director Senior Superintendent Vicente Danao Jr, said in yesterday’s AFP-PNP media forum at the DCPO. He said the campaign aims to make people aware of the existence of illegal drugs in different areas in the city.

Following the media conference, Danao and heads of other government agencies like the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 11 and City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) proceeded to the DCPO grounds to officially launch KATOK, a program that involves the posting of anti-drug stickers in police cars, public utility vehicles, government offices, establishments, and homes that do not necessarily belong to suspected pushers.

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The DCPO is not about to sit on its laurels especially in the fight against illegal drugs. It was recently named by the Philippine National Police (PNP) national headquarters as the best performing City Anti-Illegal Drugs Operations Task Group (CAIDSOGT) in 2015 for its numerous accomplishments that reduced activities involving illegal drug trade and resulted in the arrest of several big-time drug dealers. Instead of basking in the glory, it is intensifying its drive against the drug menace specifically in the barangay level.

There have been several serious campaigns by past DCPO directors – f om spray-painting houses of suspected drug pushers to visiting houses and telling suspected pushers to stop their activities – but Danao’s approach is a little bit different as his program centers on information campaign in the city’s villages. How effective the DCPO director’s campaign is remains to be seen, but he may have come up with an excellent strategy to combat illegal drugs with this information drive.

But, then again, the fight against illegal drugs is every well-meaning citizen’s concern and not just by Danao or other law enforcement agencies. We again call on the public to be very vigilant against pushers and even users if we are to win the war.

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

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EDGEDAVAO

“

I have found life an enjoyable, enchanting, active, and sometimes terrifying experience, and I’ve enjoyed it completely. A lament in one ear, maybe, but always a song in the other.” This statement, comes from the mouth of Sean O’Casey, summarizes what life is all about.

Life, as defined by biologists, is “the metabolic activity of protoplasm.” But there are times when it seems even worse than that. “My dear,” a father once told an impatient daughter, “if you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you.”

Jerold Savory said it all: “We may not prefer a world in which sorrow always seems to be so close to joy; in which heartbreak always seems so close to happiness; in which doubt always seems to be so close to faith. But this is the kind of world we’ve in.”

All of us came into this world, courtesy of our father and mother. The father supports while the mother cares and loves. To most parents, a baby is more than just a part of their lives. The world, it seems, revolves around the newborn.

Then, the baby grows and starts learning about his or her surroundings. He or she wants to know more. That’s where education comes in. “What you learn with just the mind is quickly forgotten; what you learn when you are emotionally involved remains imprinted in the nervous system and the first task of education is involvement, not mere learning,” Sydney Harris said.

Clifton L. Hall has this advice: “It is easy – even natural – to think of educa-

W

HAT is often said in corporate circles is that when searching for a CEO, companies must find that balance of intellect, experience, and excitement. Crucial is the choice when the company faces the need to sustain growth and market share, or achieve new heights in performance, profitability, or both.

In the same way these three qualities are needed by a CEO to sustain the good performance of a corporation, these same three qualities are required in pushing the performance of an economy that just yesterday was reported to be going up the competitiveness ladder.

According to the World Economic Forum in its Global Competitiveness Report 2015-2016, The Philippines ranked 47th out of 140 economies this year – up from 52nd out of 144 previously – in 12 “pillars of competitiveness” that build growth and productivity. This puts us in the upper third of countries in terms of competitiveness, reflecting a consistent improvement in ranking since 2007.

This rise is cause célèbre, but not a laurel worth resting on. These rankings need to rise further if we are going to be within striking distance of Singapore, our close neighbor, which stands

VOL. 8 ISSUE 131 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015

VANTAGE POINTS

9

The days of our lives tion as some- THINK ON THESE! thing that ends when one finishes school, or graduates from college, or is decorated with a doctorate. But it might be nearer to the truth to say that real Henrylito D. Tacio education behenrytacio@gmail.com gins when formal education ends. I frequently recommend books to graduate students ‘to be read when you stop taking courses and begin to get an education.’”

Oftentimes, education is what a person needs to get real work. We are not put here on earth to play around. “Life is real,; life is earnest,” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow pointed out. We are not here to “have fun,” which seems to be the chief ambition of so many. There is work to be done.

Walter Hoving advices: “Find a job that’s suited to your talents and then do a lot more work than you’re paid for. In time, you’ll be paid much more for what you do. Workers who get what they can, as fast as they can, as easily as they can, are bound to be disillusioned. Such people fail to make progress simply because they aren’t profitable to the people who hire them.”

Once you have work, marriage would just be around the corner. “For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and

be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh,” Genesis 2:24 stated. “Marriage is not for a moment; it is for a lifetime,” Gina Cerminara said. “It requires long and serious preparation. It is not to be leaped into, but entered with solemn steps of deliberation. For one of the most intimate and difficult human relationships is that of marriage.”

God, through His servant Paul, also instructed what husband and wife must do to have a successful marriage. “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife… Also, wives should submit to their husbands in everything... Husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies… Wives must respect their husbands.”

The general society holds that normal people are either married or wish to be – but single status is an appropriate option to marriage. “Singles should be accepted,” urged Mark Lee. “All persons live for a time as singles – so it must be a normal state.”

Those who get married become parents. “Parents are prone to give their children everything except the one thing they need most. That is time: time for listening, time for understanding, time for helping, and time for guiding,” reminds Emma K. Hulburt. “It sounds simple, but in reality it is the most difficult, and the most sacrificial task of parenthood.”

The Hebrew word for parents is horim, and it comes from the same root as moreh, teacher. “The parent is, and remains, the first and most important teacher that the child will ever have,” Rabbi Kassel Abelson reminds.

And it came to pass that days become months and months become years. And before you know it, you are given your retirement benefits by the company you are working for. “I’m against mandatory retirement,” declared Sam Ervin. “It ought to be left to individuals. It is a shame to assume that all fools are old fools. I’ve found that there are more young fools than old fools.

Nature has a way of getting rid of old fools.”

Frankly, my dear, people retire. “If retirement is a part of your future, no matter how far in the future it may be, plan now to retire not from something but to something,” advises Betty Zachow. “It’s a state of mind, and there are extra years of zest ahead.”

Retirement may not be mandatory but no one can escape death. “People are always serious about death,” observed Bob Harrington. “I never met what you call tough people when they were dying.”

Tell that to Woody Allen. “It’s not that I’m afraid to die,” the Hollywood actor said. “I just don’t want to be there when it happens.”

Whether you’re handsome, beautiful, fat, thin, or anything, all have the same destination – to face our Creator. “I’m not afraid to die,” declared Ethel Waters. “I’m kind of looking forward to it. I know the Lord has His arms wrapped around this big fat sparrow.”

As you exit this world, be sure to leave it with a big bag. As one sage puts it, “When you were born, you cried, and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a manner that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.”

at number 2 MY TWO CENTS’ in the world, and Malaysia (18th), Thailand (32nd) and Indonesia (37th).

Major factors that weigh against continued rise John Tria in these ecisouth@gmail.com rankings include complex and changing tax regulations and an inefficient bureaucracy. These make the set of new investments difficult. Little wonder why we also fall behind the previously mentioned four neighbors in terms of foreign direct investment (FDI).

We need a leader with the intellect to deal with complex situations and take the lead in finding creative solutions to resolve these issues. A perspective that all his or her men will need to marshal efforts and will to work as a team. A sense of history, and a capacity to understand, grapple with, and turn over issues in an efficient and effective manner. We definitely cannot stomach

a leader who depends on advisers for this. Perhaps the men and women of her court are useful in bounding ideas around and validating options, bit not taking initiative. The leader must have that sense of initiative and desire to carry things through. The challenges are formidable: the boundary issues with neighbors, sustaining a 6% GDP, a high tax rate, a third of our citizens poor and hungry, and the need to ensure enough food and resources to make living in the Philippines “more fun.” The leader needs to look deep within him or herself to find that mix of leadership qualities we need to create the conditions that everybody else “gets with the program.”

We need a leader who has the experience. Like a coach for the Gilas, we need a leader who knows not only what it takes to win, but what its like to win. This is someone who has won, and knows how to stay in the winning circle, who no longer has butterflies in his stomach or cringes at the thought of confronting adversities considered insurmountable. How can we be guided by a greenhorn in politics, a proven failure in implementation? Would you trust a man with experience limited to

a small city which not he, but affluent businessmen built, which is not even a quarter of Davao City’s population? The experience we need is that of someone who has been there, who has done that, and knows, and has done what it takes to do it better, and make it happen. All of these, while driving excellence when engaging us and the rest of the world to be at our own best.

A leader with excitement is not just a bonus but a must. Our people have grown weary, lethargic and disappointed at leaders who have failed to inspire them to have faith in government and encourage them to be productive, effective Filipinos. The post-EDSA brand of leadership has thus far not increased the social capital of governance. Thus, most people are cynical about government and other institutions, often seen as inefficient and corrupt.

Just like the CEO, the Philippine president is the man or woman who, in the final analysis, pushes us to be better than we are, to achieve goals we may never have thought attainable. At this point in our history, where the presidency and governance is a fishbowl seen through by almost everyone, we deserve no less.

A leader to make us better than we are

10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 131 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015

Davao... FROM 2

“I’ve asked all the station commanders to activate the Bantay Dagat. They could be a big help for the police and for the community,” he said.

Danao said all closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the shorelines have been checked to make sure the areas are continuously monitored.

fer the 150mm diameter check valve at said affected area for preventive maintenance purposes.

DCWD general manager Edwin V. Regalado asks for the understanding and cooperation of would-be affected customers. He also advises them to store enough water prior to the scheduled water interruptions. Water supply may be restored earlier if work goes smoothly or later if unforeseen problems arise.

The general public may visit DCWD website

(www.davao-water.gov. ph) and official Facebook page (www.facebook. com/davaowater) or call the Central Information Unit / Call Center through the 24-hour hotline 297DCWD (3293) and press “1” on their phone dial to listen to latest daily water updates. They may also call / text 09277988966, 0925-5113293 and 0908-4410653 for other updates, complaints, queries and matters pertaining to DCWD services. (Jamae G. Dela Cruz)

Program (CIVOTESPRO), the Sulong Dunong educational assistance programs, Kaagapay medical program, and the city’s low-cost housing projects.

Estabillo’s solo parents ordinance mandated an annual funding of P1 million from the general fund to be appropriated annually with the CSWDO as the implementing department of the city government.

Solo parent is not only referred to a female solo parent. He can be male as long as he is living solo and has in his custody his child or children.

Under R.A. No. 8972, a solo parent can also be any other person who

solely provides parental care and support to a child or children, or any family member who assumes the responsibility of head of family as a result of death, abandonment, disappearance or prolonged absence of the parents or solo parents, for a period of at least one year.

The law also cites circumstances why a person becomes a solo parent such as giving birth as a result of rape, death of spouse, detention of a spouse due to criminal conviction for at least 1 year, legal or de pacto separation, annulment of marriage, abandonment of spouse, and others. - Cha Monforte, Correspondent

15.00MW Alabel Solar Power Project Solar of the Pacific Energy Corporation in Alabel Saranggani; and the Magpet President Roxas Solar Power Project of the Energy Development Corporation in North Cotabato.

The DOE awarded only one service contract in Region 12 which is the development of the 10MW Butuan City 1 Solar Power Project of the Enfinity Philippines Renewable Resources Inc. in Agusan del Norte.

The Saguiaran & Marawi

City Local Government Unit of the Islamic City of Marawi is also awarded with service contract for the development of the 35MW ICOM Solar Power Project in Tagoloan II, Saguiaran & Marawi City in Lanao del Sur. The SunAsia Energy Inc. will also develop a 2MW Bukidnon Solar Power Project in Bukidon.

Sibayan said that there are still eight pending applications for development of solar power project in Mindanao.

Chain: Ensuring Resiliency for a Sustainable Future; and Destination Marketing: Imaging and Promotion.

The four-day event will be joined by more than 1,200 tourism officers from the country. This will be the first time that Davao City will host the event.

Participants will be also visiting various tourist destinations in Davao City and in the Island Garden City of Samal for

bench marking on the third day.

There will be also tour on other provinces of the Davao Region like Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Sur and the rest of Davao del Norte.

Among the destinations for bench marking were the tour on Davao City including the D’ Bone Collection, Public Safety and Security Command Center, Central 911, Crocodile Park, and Tribu K’Mindanawan. CRC

Water... FROM 2

RENEWABLE ENERGY TRAINING. Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 11 director Anthony C. Sales (left) promotes the ongoing three-day Southeast Asia Regional training program on renewable energy resource

assessment and mapping. At right is Technology Transfer APCTT-ESCAP coordinator Dr. Krishnan Srinivasaghavan. The two were guests in yesterday’s Club 888 media forum at The Marco Polo, Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

Rody... FROM 1 cally motivated and intended to destroy the image of Davao City.

Marques told reporters the kidnapping could have been staged because there is a growing clamor for Duterte to run for the presidency in 2016.

“We hope that the people behind this will not deceive the people. I hope this does not have political motivation,” she added.

In yesterday’s interview, Duterte said he is still waiting for the word from Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chair Nur Misuari regarding his request for help to solve the case.

“I have yet to hear (from) Nur but the person I asked, his lieutenant, is still talking to Nur until now,” he said.

Duterte said he just wants the negotiation to be done immediately.

“Hindi naman natin kontrolado ang motiviation nila (We don’t control their motivations) but I will be very happy if the hostages will be released,” he said.

Duterte had earlier said he will not meddle in the search for the abductors and the victims since the incident happened in Davao del Norte and not Davao City.

Right now, however, the mayor is working on the case because the Canadian and Norwegian embassies have asked him for help.

Marques had earlier the tourism sector cannot stop foreign embassies from issuing travel advisories because it is their responsibility to take pre-

and Fatima Onding Encarnacion, All suspects belong to the police’s list of big-time drug dealers operating in Kabacan and nearby towns of North Cotabato.

Recovered from the suspects were 100 grams of shabu, drug money worth Php 90, 000; one fragmentation grenade,

four pistols, dried marijuana leaves and more than 100 motorcycles believed to be also used in their illegal activities.

The suspects are currently detained at the Kabacan police headquarters while appropriate cases are being readied against them. (PNA)

Based on rainfall data released to DA-12 by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, some parts of the region already posted “way below normal” levels as of the end of August.

It said the rainfall level in the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato will drop to below normal and in Sarangani to way below normal starting the end of

the month.

Datukan said the provinces of Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato will experience dry spell this month that will intensify to drought from October to February.

She said North Cotabato will experience dry condition starting this month until January and dry spell by February.

Dry spell was described as three consecutive months of below normal or 21 to 60

N. Cotabato... FROM 3

DA explorer... FROM 4

cautionary measure to protect their citizens.

“We do not say that their advisories are wrong but some of the advisories are sometimes being exaggerated. However, we cannot do anything,” she

said.

Marques said the only way to counter the advisories is to strengthen the promotional campaign.

“Word of mouth is still effective in promoting tourist destinations,” she said.

ing the squad at the last minute.

All in all the Middle East team, once handled by current Gilas Pilipinas coach Tab Baldwin, has won only a total of two games — against Chinese Taipei and Jordan.

In a report by sports portal Spin.ph, Baldwin and his coaching staff was seen staying on at the Changsha Social Work Colleges gymnasium to watch and scout the Lebanon-Jordan game.

“Now the games are tough, all the opponents are tough. We just have to prepare and get ready, the players will have to prepare themselves physically and the coaching staff will do the mental preparation,” said Baldwin in an interview with Spin.ph.

“We will have to bring it all together and work as a team, which is what

we’re supposed to do, and I think we’re doing better and better as we progressed.”

China, unbeaten in all of its six games so far, meets lightweight India (2-2), which finished No. 4 in Group E, with Qatar (No. 2 in Group F) battling Japan (No. 3 in Group E) in another knockout pairing.

The host country came away with an 8965 rout of the Qataris (3-2) late Tuesday night, while early in the day India lost to Gilas, 9965, but advanced in the playoffs over Palestine by virtue of the winnerover-the-other rule Not unless India comes up with the mother of all upsets, China is expected to breeze to the semifinals against the survivor of the Iran-South Korea sudden-death match.

Safer... FROM 16

percent reduction from average rainfall conditions or two consecutive months of way below normal or more than 60 percent reduction from average rainfall conditions.

Drought was defined as consecutive months of way below normal or more than 60 percent reduction from average or five consecutive months of below normal or 21 to 60 percent reduction from average rainfall condition.(PNA)

Halal... FROM 6

Islamic Tourism Centre director Yuhaini Yusoff.

Daquioag also said the Department of Tourism might be also launching its newest program that will assist Mindanao’s Halal industry.

There will be also discussions in topics like Strengthening Policy and Practice in Protected Area Management and Biodiversity Conservation: Mt. Apo Natural Park Success; Greening the Tourism Value

Tagum... FROM 3

DOE... FROM 4

VOL. 8 ISSUE 131 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015

CULTURE AND ARTS 11

Republic of the Philippines City of Davao

17th City Council 17th Regular Session Series of 2015

Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod

PRESENT: Councilor Rene Elis C. Lopez Councilor Nilo M. Abellera Jr. Councilor Victorio U. Advincula Jr. Councilor Bernard E. Al-ag Councilor Al Ryan S. Alejandre Councilor Leonardo R. Avila III Councilor Joanne M. Bonguyan-Quilos Councilor Danilo C. Dayanghirang Councilor April Marie C. Dayap Councilor Jimmy G. Dureza Councilor Leah A. Librado-Yap Councilor Diosdado Angelo A. Mahipus Sr. Councilor Bonifacio E. Militar CouncilorMyrna G. L’ Dalodo-Ortiz Councilor Antoinette G. Principe-Castrodes Councilor Marissa P. Salvador-Abella Councilor Halila Y. sudagar Councilor mary Joselle D. Villafuerte Councilor Rachel P. Zozobrado ON OFFICIAL BUSINESS:

- Temporary Presiding Officer

HISTORY OF DAVAO 7 of a Series) ( th

Rise of prostitution and STDs

By ANTONIO FIGUEROA

Councilor Ma. Belen S. Acosta Councilor Karlo S. bello

– Palarong Pambansa, Tagum City - Manila

Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte Councilor Louie John J. Bonguyan Councilor January N. Duterte Councilor Edgar R. Ibuyan Sr. Councilor Tomas J. Monteverde IV

- On Vacation Leave – On Vacation leave - On Sick Leave - On Domestic Emergency Leave – On Sick Leave

ABSENT:

ORDINANCE NO. 0333-15 Series of 2015 AN ORDINANCE ALLOWING DESILTING OPERATIONS IN THE RIVERS AND STREAMS IN THE WATERSHED AREAS OF DAVAO CITY, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE ORDINANCE NO. 0310-07, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE WATERSHED CODE OF DAVAO CITY

Be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City in session assembled that: Section 1. TITLE- This ordinance shall be known as “AN ORDINANCE ALLOWING DESILTING OPERATIONS IN THE RIVERS AND STREAMS IN THE WATERSHED AREAS OF DAVAO CITY, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE ORDINANCE NO. 0310-07, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE WATERSHED CODE OF DAVAO CITY”; Section 2. PURPOSE-This Ordinance amends the Watershed Code of Davao City in order to allow desilting operations within the watershed areas, to address the heavy siltation problem in the rivers and streams which could result to the overflowing of water and flooding during rainy seasons;

Section 3 , DEFINITION OF TERMS- Article 5 of Ordinance No. 0310-07 shall be amended to include the definition of DESILTATION, thus: ARTICLE 5. DEFINITION OF TERMS` a. x…x…x…; b. x…x…x…; c. …; …

1.x…x…x…; m.”DESILTATION” - the process of removing the sand, gravel and rocks in rivers and streams.

Section 4. Article 11 of Ordinance No. 0310-07 shall be amended to include the provision on de-silting operations, thus: ARTICLE 11. PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION MEASURES – x…x…x…

(a)x…x…x…; (b)x…x…X…; … (g)x…x…x…; (h) DESILTING OPERATIONS – the Davao City Government, through the City Engineer’s Office as its lead office, shall be solely responsible for all desilting operations in all rivers and streams within the watershed areas where such operations are needed.

i. TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP – In order to better facilitate the process, a technical working team shall be created, for this purpose, with the City Engineer’s Office as its lead office: it shall be composed of 1) the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) , 2) the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), 3) the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) , 4) the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB), and 5) the Davao City Mining Regulatory Board (DCMRB). ii. This team shall be responsible in determining the need for the desilting operation, the amount or volume of materials to be extracted during the desilting process; determine a private entity to conduct the desilting operations, in the event that the local government lacks the necessary equipment and manpower to conduct the de-silting operation. iii. Where a government project is undertaken by any government agency, a government gratuitous permit must first be secured in accordance with RA 7944, otherwise known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995. iv. However, when the desiltation operations shall be undertaken by a private entity, the latter shall be allowed to be compensated with 50% of the materials extracted to compensate for the logistical expenses incurred in the operations: provided, however that it shall deliver the other 50% of the extracted materials to a preagreed site or stockyard for the use of the government in its projects.

Section 5. EFFECTIVITY- This Ordinance shall take effect five (5) days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation in Davao City; ENACTED, May 05, 2015, by a majority vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian present, there being a quorum.

CERTIFIED CORRECT:

ATTESTED:

ATTESTED:

CHARITO N. SANTOS Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Government Department Head II) RENE ELIAS C. LOPEZ City Councilor Temporary Presiding officer Cns/mvbm

ATTY. JESUS MELCHOR V. QUITAIN City Administrator

T

08.06.2015

HE opening in Davao City of the first legally recognized house of prostitution, also known as the brothel, predates the 1918 banishment of over 170 commercial sex workers (as it is termed today) from Manila to the city. It was established in 1910 but “prostitution did not begin to flourish until the business boom of 1917, when thirteen brothels were in operation.”

Statistics from the “Consular Population Survey of Expatriate Japanese

by Occupation” found in the Diplomatic History Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan present interesting facts hardly known to many researchers, indicating that for the period 191821, there were already 70 prostituted women in Davao. The figures did not change the following year, but dropped to 40 in 1920 and to 14, in 1921.

The decrease in the number of prostituted women was attributed to the drop of the price of abaca in the world market which, by extension, affected the productivity of the brothels.

In 1920, Japan opened its consular office in Davao, which coincided with the issuance of an anti-prostitution order.

Despite this event, “four or five brothels registered under Filipino names and about three Japanese restaurants (operating as prostitution fronts)” were recorded in 1923, two years before the new governor of Davao, Sebastian T. Generoso, took a strong stance against prostitution. Fearing this development would result in anti-Japanese sentiment from local residents, the local Japanese Society decided to eliminate prostitution, which led to the closure of Japanese restaurants serving as

fronts of prostitution.

Five years earlier, or three years before Scottish bacteriologist Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928, Davao was already regarded as the ‘gonorrhea capital’ of the country.

The rise of this sexually-transmitted disease was attributed to the 1918 exile of over 170 prostituted women of Gardenia, a house of pleasure in Manila opened in 1910 and frequented by American servicemen, to Davao. The event became one of the most celebrated cases in Philippine jurisprudence. A 1919 government report said it all: “The arrival of the prostitutes from Manila also increased the incidence of gonorrhea. Out of a total of 130 cases reported in the Province of Davao, 126 occurred in the town of Davao. Once free from medical supervision, these girls began to spread around the province and with them the infection. This remittance was likened to an intravenous innoculation [sic] of the Province of Davao, with pathogenic organisms which spread all over its blood vascular system of transportation… Davao is especially prone to react to such a remittance because of the lack of women, and the use the men make of registered prostitutes.

Of [the] 1,952 laboratory specimens in Davao, 1,765 were uterine discharges from the prostitutes.”

The closure of Gardenia on Oct. 16, 1918, the day the women were rounded up and placed under house arrest, also led to the decline in sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in the old city.

Dr. Jose Fabella, then the public welfare commissioner, in his ‘Memorandum on Prostitution’

address to the mayor of Manila, declared: “I have been able to obtain statistics showing the prevalence (based on admission) of venereal diseases among the enlisted men in the Philippine Islands from 1898 to 1922,” [and the] “significant… drop of venereal diseases in the [United States] Army coincided exactly with the deportation of several hundred diseased prostitutes to Davao. The small increase since 1918 may be in part due to the fact that many of these women have returned to Manila and are spreading their infection without molestation. There is no law against prostitution, and there is no farm to which these girls can be sent.”

Prostitution started to become a social issue with the arrival of the Americans. As early as 1900, Dr. L. F. Barker, professor of Pathological Anatomy at the John Hopkins University, in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, when asked by the Schurman Commission on the most prevalent disease in the islands, was quick to respond that syphilis was not the most common venereal disease but “soft chancres and gonorrhea… because a great many who have a mild attack do not go up for treatment. They appear at sick roll and ask treatment locally.”

The rise of gonorrhea cases in Davao encouraged the government to conduct a serious study on the potentials of native herbs as treatment, with applications ranging from decoction to intravenous.

In 1918, according to an official report, Davao also recorded five (5) cases of syphilis, aside from the ten cases of pregnancy complication resulting from gonorrhea.

12CLASSIFIED

EDGEDAVAO

DAVAO CITY MAIN OFFICE JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales Door 14 ALCREJ Bldg., Quirino Ave., Davao City Tel: (082) 224-1413 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 GENERAL SANTOS CITY MARKETING OFFICE EDMUND D. RENDON Marketing Specialist Mobile: (Smart) 0909-424-7990 MANILA MARKETING OFFICE ANGELICA R. GARCIA Marketing Manager 97-1 Bayanbayanan Ave., Marikina Heights, Marikina City Tel: (02) 654-3509

VOL. 8 ISSUE 131 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015

VOL. 8 ISSUE 131 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015

ZION

Bamboo... FROM 7 ACCUPRINT PUBLISHING, INC.

Is in need of:

MACHINE OPERATOR (Printing Press)

Qualifications:

- At least high school graduate, not more than 30 years old - Physically and mentally fit - Can handle minor repairs of the machine - Has the ability to be cool under pressure of deadlines and complex projects - Experience of at least one year

Send application letter & resume to: HR Supervisor ZION Accuprint Publishing, Inc. Door 14 Alcrej Building, Quirino Ave., 8000 Davao City, Philippines E-mail: marketing@edgedavao.net zion_publishing@yahoo.com Telefax: (082) 2213601 Website: www.edgedavao.net

Black bamboo

EXTRA JUDICIAL PARTITION WITH DEED OF SALE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late QUINTIN DOYOHOY has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH SALE executed among his heirs per Doc. No.253; Page No.51; Book No. XI; Series of 2015, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ARNOLD L. BARCENILLA

13 tracts used for culturing disease-causing bacteria. The white powder produced on the outer surface of young culms for the isolation of a crystalline compound is medicinally useful.

Bamboo can also fight hunger. The young bamboo shoots are a good source of vitamins and minerals.

In Thailand,bamboo salt seasoning and bamboo salt soybean paste can be bought in public markets. In the Philippines, bamboo shoots are cooked with saluyot and shrimps sautéed with coconut milk.

Bamboo shoots emerge during the wet or rainy season. About 7-17 days after emergence, they may be harvested for food. The shoots are harvested using a sharp bolo or hatchet. To harvest, a sharp crowbar may be used.

But there’s more to bamboo than its contribution to the economy. Unknowingly, it can also be used as weapon against climate change. It has been said that a hectare of bamboo is capable of isolating or removing up to 12 tons of carbon dioxide every year.

“It’s a pity that we have neglected this important crop for so long,” says Roy Alimoane, the director of the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center, a non-government organization based in Kinuskusan, Bansalan, Davao del Sur. But it’s never too late to plant bamboo now!

14 COMPETITIVE EDGE

VOL. 8 ISSUE 131 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015

Search for next chancellor of UPMin on U

SHELTER AID. Vircelina E. Suarez, [3rd from left] a DSWD program beneficiary of Barangay Ilang, Davao City receives on Monday her P70,000.00 shelter cheque from DSWD Director Priscilla N. Razon [3rd from right]. Some 129 families of Barangay Ilang are the latest recipients of the DSWD Modified Shelter Assistance Program in partnership with Holcim Philippines, City

Social Services and Development Office and BLGU Ilang. Also in photo are [from left] Holcim CSR and Administrative Manager Basilia M. Devilleres, Ilang Barangay Chair Arnolfo Ricardo B. Cabling, DSWD Assistant Director for Operations Rebecca A. Santamaria, and DSWD Assistant Director for Administration Ma. Vilia L. Vigil. (DSWD)

Convergys’supports hiring of 7,800 agents

C

ONVERGYS, the country’s largest private employer, is launching the “Time to Dream” recruiting promotion as its hires 7,800 call center agent positions for its sites in Baguio, Clark, Metro Manila, Laguna, Bacolod, and Davao for the remainder of the year.

With “Time to Dream,” 1,000 lucky new hire Agents will win Casio G-Shock watches! Each Agent hired from October 1 to December 15, 2015 at the abovementioned

locations automatically earns a raffle ticket for a chance to win said prize. To learn more about this promotion and how to apply, job applicants may visit Convergys Philippines’ accounts on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ ConvergysPhils, Instagram, and Twitter. They may also apply directly at any Convergys recruitment center in the abovementioned locations.

“Convergys’ continued growth enables us to provide new jobs as well as career

growth opportunities to the talented Filipinos nationwide. The 7,800 open agent positions, which the company will fill in Q4 include new clients as well as expansions across existing customer service, technical support and sales work, and we are pleased that these opportunities are spread across our many locations. As the largest group in our workforce, an Agent job paves the way to multiple career options in the long-term, whether it is

in operations management, recruiting, training, or our other support services. At least 80% of our leadership positions today are promoted from within the company, many of whom started as Agents,” shares Ivic Mueco, Senior VP and Country Manager for Convergys in the Philippines.

In addition to “Time to Dream,” Convergys is also running a “Famillion” promo particularly for its 4,000 Agent hiring in Cebu, also in Q4.

According to Carmudi, “The car demand in the Philippines continues to grow as more sellers offer attractive rates coupled with very low downpayment from financial institutions.”

In 2010, car loans reaches to P436 billion pesos with more attractive products and low interest are being offered by leading banks. However, global auto finance witnessed the decline in 2012 due to earthquake and tsunami in Japan and flooding in Thailand, resulting in supply shortages

from most Japanese manufacturers.

In 2013, local auto sales gained its full recovery when the country received its first-ever investment credit ratings along with steady GDP consumer auto financing sustained a 16-percent growth.

The online portal also revealed that in the first quarter of 2015, local auto industry set another milestone with a record-breaking of 21-percent growth. Passenger car sales dramatically increased by 30-percent due to new models

launched by manufacturers.

Subir Lohani, managing director of Carmudi Philippines, said, “Car financing has always been an option that consumers in the Philippines look at when buying a car, and data shows that the demand for auto loans in the country continues to increase.”

Meanwhile, auto loans in Indonesia forecast to reach between 13 to 15-percent due to rising foreign direct investment, flourishing consumer spending, and improved credit ratings.

Auto loans in PH faces bright future: Carmudi

A

CCORDING to startup firm Carmudi, car loans in the country will continue to grow at a double-digit rate with 25-percent increase in the first quarter of 2015.

In a recent Whitepaper event, the company report the growth of car financing in the Philippines as well as other emerging markets. The survey provides an outlook into current and future state of flourishing car financing and how consumer attitudes towards credit have transformed in recent years.

NIVERSITY of the Philippines President Alfredo Pascual issued a memorandum dated September 21 instituting a search process for the next chancellor of UP Mindanao.

The memo states, “The term of office of the Chancellor of UP Mindanao will end on 28 FEBRUARY 2016.

This Memorandum is hereby issued to commence a search process for the next Chancellor of UP Mindanao pursuant to Section 18 of RA 9500 which provides that: ‘The Chancellor of the constituent university shall be elected by the Board upon nomination of the President of the University, following a process of consultation with the constituents of the constituent university based on standards and guidelines set by the Board.’”

The timetable for the search process were set down as follows: Nominations to the Search Committee, 6-16 October 2015; constitution of the Search Committee, 21-23 October; last day to submit nominations for Chancellor, 6 November 2015; submission of the report of the Search Committee to the President, 27 November; Meeting of the Board of Regents to choose the next Chancellor, 28 January 2016.

Regarding the Search Committee, the memo states, “Crucial to the process is the creation of a Search Committee whose members shall consist of men and women of unquestionable, unassailable integrity who enjoy the respect of their constituents and maintain the highest regard for the interests of the University.

The Search Committee is not a Comelec whose job is to count votes. It is a fact-finding body whose job is to gather all relevant information for the President and the Board of Regents.

The Search Committee shall consist of two (2) senior faculty members (Associate Professor/Full Professor/ University Professor/Emeritus Professor); and one (1) junior faculty member (Assistant Professor/Instructor); one (1) Reps; one (1) administrative staff; one (1) student; and a representative of the UP President (from outside the constituent university).

Nominations for membership in the Search Committee may be made by any individual, group or groups in each constituent university (faculty, students, REPS, administrative personnel, and alumni).

Nominations to the Search Committee shall be sent through fax, e-mail, mail or messenger to the Office of the Secretary of the University, University Hotel, Guerrero St. Cor. Aglipay, UP Campus, Diliman, Quezon City not later than 5:00 pm on October 16.

The UP President shall appoint the members of the Search Committee on or before Friday, 23 October 2015.”

Regarding the nomination process for the Chancellorship, the memo states, “a nominee must possess the following qualifications: Commitment to academic freedom and the values and ideals of the University; Distinction in the nominee’s chosen field of expertise coupled with a generalist view and an appreciation of other disciplines; a Filipino citizen with a strong nationalist commitment; a demonstrated observance of the principles of collegiality and democratic process; with unquestionable moral integrity; with academic leadership and administrative skills; and a willingness to serve as Chancellor on a full-time basis for the full term of three years.”

Also, “the nominee need not be presently connected with the University. He/She, however, must have previous ties with the university (e.g., as a graduate or former faculty member).”

Regarding who may nominate, the memo states, “any person or a group in the university is encouraged to submit their nomination.”

The memo proceeds to enumerate the documents required of the nominee and details of the search process.

Finally, “The nomination papers must be submitted to the Office of the Secretary of the University, University Hotel, Guerrero St. Cor. Aglipay, UP Campus, Diliman, Quezon City or to the Chair of the Search Committee not later than 5:00 pm, Friday, 6 November 2015.”

Copies of the full memo and nomination forms may be availed upon request from <raestremera@up.edu.ph>.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 131 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015

BEST IS YET TO COME Terrence Romeo is getting better each game T ERRENCE Romeo had his best game with Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba-Asia Championship as he finally got his rhythm going in the team’s 99-65 shellacking of India at the end of the preliminary round on Tuesday.

The prolific shooting guard exploded for 20 points on 6-of-13 shooting while adding three rebounds, four assists, and three steals in the win that formally clinched for the Philippines the top spot in Group E going into the quarterfinal phase of this Olympic qualifying tournament.

But even in the aftermath of his best performance yet in the biennial meet, Romeo said he’s far from being satisfied and is looking forward to even getting better beginning in the knockout stage on Thursday.

“Kailangan hindi ako makuntento dito.

Para sa akin, hindi pa rin ito ‘yung totoong game ko,” said the 22-year-old Gilas stalwart out of Far Eastern University, who caught the fancy of Asian basketball fans following his scintillating performance in last month’s Jones Cup in Taipei.

Romeo admitted

having to adjust playing in the Fiba Asia that it took him a while before finally coming through with a breakout game.

That is not lost to coach Tab Baldwin.

“Terrence kinda had a silent tournament in the first round. But he certainly came to life against Iran, and today

again he helped us out in the first half,” said the Gilas coach, noting how Romeo had 11 points in the first half to keep Gilas afloat at the break, 42-36, following a slow start.

Romeo later joined forces with Calvin Abueva, Marc Pingris, Andray Blatche, and Gabe Norwood as they sparked Gi-

FRIENDLY MATCH. Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano with his teammates from CMO squad led by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s executive assistant Bong Go. Armando Fenequito

SPORTS 15 EXPLOSIVE. Terrence Romeo exploded with 20 in the game against India.

las’ second half breakaway on the way to registering the team’s fifth straight win after losing its opening game against Palestine.

His confidence somehow boosted, Romeo said he still has a lot to show.

“Alam ko may maipapakita pa ako,” said the

star.

Globalport

Still, he was quick to acknowledge the big help he got from his team to finally showcase his true game.

“Team effort pa rin ito. Hindi naman ako makakapaglaro ng ganito kung hindi dahil sa mga teammates ko,” he said.

1st Nat’l Inter-Clergy hoops in Tagum City T HE 1st National Inter-Clergy Basketball Tournament sponsored by the Catholic Bishop Conference of Philippines-Caritas Manila is slated to be held in Tagum City on October 19-23.

The tournament will be composed of a field of 16 teams from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The week-long hoopfest for dribbling priests in the country dangles a top prize of P1 million

which will be given in the form of Church project, according to Fr. Emerson “Fr. Em-em” Luego, Caritas Manila project director for Visayas and Mindanao.

During the five-day tournament, Caritas Manila- Tagum social action office will also launch medical mission and tree-planting activities with the participating priests, religious leaders and laymen. (Cha Monforte)

BPI surged in the second period behind its fast plays anchored by Erickson Baranda, Carl Tech and Stun Apurada to keep the game close.

Michael Peloton hit a bank shot at the buzzer to give the City Hall dribblers a lead at the end of the first half.

Joel Aberilla and Warren Cloribel put up significant contribution in the second half for the CMO. Go also took the spotlight few weeks back with

his implausible trey that sent the CMO-Anflocor friendly match to a 103103 draw.

He scored 52 points on that game capped with a three pointer that save the CMO in the brink of defeat.

The sweet-shooting executive did it by taking a pass at the top of the circle, dribbled his way to the right wing and launched a quick shot that swished off the net.

(Rico Biliran)

Go saves day anew for CMO, Sen. Alan joins friendly match C ALL it a hard habit to break but since it has effectively produced the wins, City Mayors Office do not hesitate to turn to its ace gunner Christopher “Bong” Go when the game is on the line.

Almost every time, the clutch sweet-shooting aide of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte never failed his team with epic performance time and again.

For yet another time, Go bailed out his team with his game tying three

pointer in the closing seconds to hold the Bank of the Philippine Islands to a 94 – 94 standoff in their friendly game with Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday night at the Davao City Recreation Center.

Amid pressure-packed situation, Go calmly hit a catch and shoot right corner triple, knotting the game at 94-all, with 13.5 seconds remaining.

BPI had the chance to win the thrilling game but

the Art Lopez heave went overhead the board as the time expired.

Go did the remarkable shot by curling at the high-post screen, took a pass and launched a high-arching and well-defended trey that swished off the net.

He shot 10 triples to finish the game with 50 points, including fifteen in the pivotal final period. It was his third 50-plus output of the month.

Sen. Cayetano, who

announced his vice presidential bid before the game at local hotel, shared the spotlight with his 17 points performance for the CMO. J. Perez top scored with 20 points for the bankers who fought hard against the City Hall executives all game long.

CMO dictated the tempo of the match early establishing a near double digit lead behind the first period outburst of Go and Cayetano.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

SAFER BUT NOT EASY

Gilas takes a safer route to Finals without the Big 3 as roadblocks

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO

G

ILAS Pilipinas, riding high on the perks of its huge win over Iran and its conquest of India, is headed to a rather safer route in the Fiba Asia Championship in Changsha, China.

It’s a ‘safer route’ because there won’t be Iran, China and Korea in the horizon. Thanks to that victory over Iran followed by the dominating win over India which vaulted the Philippines to the top of Group E at the end of the preliminary round Tuesday night.

With that, Gilas avoid-

ed a possible semifinal collision with host China, which emerged No. 1 in Group F going into the knockout stage of the qualifier to the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympics.

Still, it won’t be easy.

Gilas will play Lebanon (No. 4 in Group F) today, while Iran faces Group F No. 3 team South Korea in an interesting crossover quarterfinal match up. The Gilas-Lebanon game will be played at 9:30 p.m. at the Changhsha Social Work College gymnasium.

Gilas relegated the de-

fending champions to No. 2 in its group, owing to its stunning 87-73 win on Monday despite the two countries finishing tied with similar 4-1 records.

The seedings gave the Gilas a favorable position which eradicated collisions with defending champion Iran, host China or nemesis Korea until the finals.

If Gilas wins over Lebabon, they will face either Qatar or Japan in the semifinals in its quest for a first Asian championship since 1986.

Lebanon clinched

the last berth to the next round after edging out Jordan in a do-or-die match, 80-76. The Lebanese and Jordanians had identical 2-3 marks, but the former made it via the winner-over-the other rule.

The win clinched Lebanon (2-3) the No.4 spot in Group F. Lebanon is playing in the tournament without national team star Fadi El-Khatib who begged off from join-

FSAFER, 10

VOL. 8 ISSUE 131 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015

JAYSON CASTRO