Edge Davao 8 Issue 200 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

VOL. 8 ISSUE 200 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2016

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Low arrests on firecracker violations P2 SET wants DQ case vs. Poe junked P3

ONLY IN THE PHILIPPINES. So much for road safety, a motorcycle transport more popularly known as ‘HabalHabal’ carries eleven young passengers along a highway in Mati City. The passengers are loaded in a rattan-woven baskets strewn with two round timbers. John Emmanuel Pang

AFP: BACK TO THE OFFENSIVE

With SOMO over, military to step up operations EDGEDAVAO Sports By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

abf@edgedavao.net

HE Eastern Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP-EastMinCom) will now return to its deliberate offensive operations after the lifting of Suspension of Military Operation (SOMO) on Sunday. Speaking in yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex, EastMinCom public information officer Captain Al-

berto Caber said the communities in the hinterlands have requested for a visitation. “Tuloy -tuloy na po itong aming visitations, patrolya kung ano po yung naging kaugalian na ginagawa ng mga kasundaluhan ng Eastern Mindanao Command (We will now continue our visitations and patrols which is the usual routine of the soldiers of East-

ern Mindanao Command),” he said. The AFP declared a SOMO last December following with the Christmas suspension of offensive operations by the New People’s Army (NPA). The unilateral declaration of SOMO was recommended by the Department of National Defense but did not include law enforcement operations of

the Philippine National Police against threat groups and other wanted personalities. The NPA, however, attacked two military detachments and a community security patrol on December 23. The NPA attacked a military detachment in Bitaugan, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur around 9:20 a.m. and another

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Michael Jordan’s record broken by Butler P16

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 200 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2016

YEARLY GRIND. Dabawenyos from all walks of life endure the long queue under the heat of the sun to obtain their community tax certificates outside Sangguniang Panlungsod building yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Free checks for Montero as SUA probe continues By CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

WNERS of the Mitsubishi Montero can avail themselves of free checkup of their vehicles while a task force that was created for the investigation of accidents allegedly caused by “sudden unintended acceleration” (SUA) is finalizing the terms of reference for a tripartite party that will further probe the matter. “All owners of Mitsubishi Montero with automatic transmission can test their unit for free to ensure vehicles’ road safety and quality assurance,” Department of Trade and In-

dustry (DTI)-Davao City director engineer Edwin Banquerigo said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao yesterday. Banquerigo said the units of 24 complainants from different areas in the country can also avail themselves of the mandatory free testing and can have their damaged car parts replaced at no cost. These were among the recommendations of the task force that were released on December 21, 2015 while the

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NGCP declares‘Yellow Alert’ in Mindanao after tower blast

HE National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has declared a Yellow Alert as Agus 1 and 2 Hydro Plants remain isolated from the Mindanao Grid due to delays in the repairs of a tower that had been bombed on Christmas Eve. “The NGCP puts the Mindanao grid on Yellow alert with the Regulating Reserves at only 45 megawatts as of 6 PM, January 1, due to the isolation of government-owned generating facilities Agus 1 and 2 hydropower plants,” Milfrance Q. Capulong, NGCP regional corporate communication officer for Mindanao said in a statement. The generation plants, with a combined maximum

capacity of 150 MW, were disconnected from the grid due to the bombing of Tower#25 along Agus 2- Kibawe 138kV line in Ramain, Lanao del Sur on December 24, 2016, Capulong said. She said restoration was halted due to failed negotiation with landowner of the property where the facility is located. “The owner refused NGCP entry to repair the toppled tower, alleging that government failed to pay his claims long ago,” she added. Despite lower power consumption brought about by the cold weather and the yearend holidays, NGCP still placed the Mindanao grid on Yellow

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DCPO claims neighbors refused to identify firecracker violators By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

abf@edgedavao.net

HE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) yesterday said it would have arrested more people violating the firecracker ban had neighbors been more cooperative with police officers. The latest DCPO data recorded only five arrests of violation of City Ordinance No. 060-02 Series of 2002 from December 1, 2015 up to January 1, 2016. This is lower than last year’s record 32 arrests. DCPO spokesperson Chief Inspector Milgrace C. Driz said the police had received information through the ISUM-

BONG Mo Kay CDDCPO text hotline on people who were using firecrackers, but when police officers reached the area the violators had already escaped. Driz said the people in the areas would not tell the police who the violators were perhaps out of fear. The persons who were arrested on Christmas were Aljun A. Blasquez and Rogelio C. Polangcos, both residents of Garden Villas in Catalunan Grande. They were caught in possession of piccolos. Arrested on New Year were Angel Suico, 20 and a cer-

tain Carla, 17, both residents of Crossing Bayabas, Toril; and Patrick Ian G. del Rosario, 20, of Polacion Toril. Charges have been filed against all five. Suico and Carla were caught in the act of lighting of “piccolos” along Crossing Bayabas and Lubogan road around 12:45 a.m. of January 1. Police also seized 18 pieces of piccolos from their possession. Del Rosario was caught by barangay police lighting a piccolo and throwing it on the road. A person arrested violating

the ordinance will be slapped with a P1,000 fine or imprisonment of one month for the first offense. For the second offense, the fine is P3,000 or imprisonment for three months, and for the third offense it is P5,000 or imprisonment of six months. The city also recorded zero firecracker injuries during the holiday season based on the records of Police Regional Office 11. Records from PRO-11 said of the 27 health facilities in the city there were no report of firecracker injuries being confined in their hospitals and

allegation. “Ang kalaban ng gobyerno always yan may ibabato sa amin na hindi kanais-nais (The enemy of the government will always have something to at us). They will always resort to accusing us,” he said. In a statement from the NDFP website, NDFP-Mindanao spokesperson Ka Oris denounced Colonel Isidro Purisima, commanding officer of the 402nd Brigade based in Surigao del Sur, “for using the notorious Magahat-Bagani paramilitary group to threaten the lives of journalists who were as-

signed to cover their 47th anniversary celebration.” Caber, however, said the text message might have come from NPA itself because it wants to ruin the reputation of the AFP. “Kung totoo naman, hindi papayag ang EastMinCom na merong mangyaring masama sa media (If it is true, the EastMinCom will not allow any harm to the media),” he said. He said the EastMinCom is willing to escort the reporters because the command will not allow media workers to be endangered. On December 25, some

Davao City-based reporters received a text message from Magahat Commander Bobby Tejero saying that anyone covering the anniversary of the NPA will be included in an ambush. “Kay kun mutambong sa maong anibersaryo nagpasabot nga linya sa NPA,mao ng kinahanglan walay magtungas nga media arun dili maapil sa gira (If you will attend the anniversary it simply means that you are with NPA. That is why no one should go in their camp so that no media will be included in the war),” the text message said. ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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EastMinCom denies being behind threats to journalists

HE Armed Forces of the Philippines-Eastern Mindanao Command (AFP-EastMinCom) yesterday denied the allegation made by the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) that the AFP was behind the text threat to journalists who were planning to attend the anniversary celebration of the New People’s Army’s (NPA) last month. Speaking in yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao Annex, EastMinCom public information officer Captain Alberto Caber said the whole AFP has no knowledge regarding the NDFP’s

Zero firecracker injuries in DC

HE City tallied zero incidence or cases of firecracker related injuries during the New Year celebrations. According to the records of the Southern Philippine Medical Center, no injuries as a result of firecrackers were brought in to the hospital. This is the usual statistics registered by the city which is known for having a tough anti-firecracker ordinance (Ordinance 060-02 series of 2002.) The law prohibits the “manufacture, sell or offer sale, distribute, possess or use any firecracker or pyrotechnic devices or such other similar devices within the territory of Davao City”. Violators of the ordinance will be fined from 1,000 pesos to P5,000 or imprisoned from 20 days to 3 months. Business permits of establishments violating the ban will also be

cancelled by the City Government. The law which took in effect in 2002 was actually preceded by the City Government's move not to renew the business licenses of firecracker and pyrotechnics sellers. In lieu of firecrackers, New Year revelers flock to Roxas Avenue for the annual torotot festival, where the public are encouraged to blow their party horns or torotot to mark the entry of the New Year. The event began in New Year’s eve of 2014 and has been continued ever since. The absence of firecracker and pyrotechnics is evident in the city streets and in the suburbs where people took to clanging their pots, blowing their car horns and turning their car stereos on full volume to compensate for the absence of firecracker noise. (PIA/RG Alama)

DOST calls on Filipinos to sync watches with PST

S you welcomed the new year, have you synchronized your watches with the Philippine Standard Time (PST)? January 4-8, 2016 is actually the second National Time Consciousness Week (NTCW), and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is encouraging every Filipino to synchronize their watches with the PST provided by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). Based on Republic Act (RA) 10535 signed by President Benigno Aquino III on May 2013, every first week of the year shall be declared as NTCW. Also, RA 10535 or the Philippine Standard Time Act of 2013 requires all national and local government offices, as well as broadcasting companies, to display PST in their time sources. It may be recalled that

during the first NTCW in 2015, the DOST led all government offices in the Philippines in the simultaneous holding of the first flag ceremony for the year at exactly 8:00 a.m. Synchronizing watches with the PST aims to create a culture of discipline among Filipinos which allows a shift from the so-called “Filipino time” attitude to one characterized by punctuality. The shift in attitude will show respect to other people and value their time. In January 2014, the DOST has launched the “Juan Time” campaign, which aims to promote the use of PST and help develop the culture of punctuality by syncing watches and bundy clocks. DOST Secretary Mario Montejo noted that time is something that can unite Filipinos. He added that though time is a very important resource, it is often overlooked. (PNA)

NEWS 3

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 200 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2016

EARLY BIRDS. Driver’s License applicants queue up early at the Land Transportation Office along Quimpo Boulevard yesterday morning at the start of the first official working day of the year. NJB

SET: Junk Poe’s DQ case

HE Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) on Monday asked the Supreme Court (SC) to dismiss the petition filed by Rizalito David against Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares over citizenship issue. The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) filed its comment before the SC in connection with the petition of David questioning the decision of the SET ruling that Poe is a natural-born Filipino citizen. The OSG represented the SET, who is the respondent in the case. In a 28-page comment signed by Solicitor General Florin T. Hilbay, the OSG argued that the SET did not commit grave abuse of discretion when it upheld Poe’s natural-born Filipino citizen status.

The OSG said that even without specific recognition, foundlings like Sen. Poe are natural-born under the 1935 Constitution, which was the prevailing Constitution when Poe was born in 1968. As a legal basis, the SET cited part of the deliberation of the 1934 Constitutional Convention stating the intention to include the foundlings or the children who had “unknown parentage”, who should be considered as Philippine citizens. In the said deliberation, the SET said it appeared that it need not mention particularly in the Constitution the children who had “unknown parents” because under the international law, they are considered as citizens of the Phil-

ippines. Because of this, the SET added that it appeared that the silence of the 1935 Constitution on the citizenship of the foundlings should not be read in the manner that is “excluded” or not considered as citizens of the Philippines. The SET further argued that the recognition of the foundlings as citizens of the Philippines under the Constitution is based on the prime principle of justice for the innocent children who were abandoned by their parents. It added that it appeared that there are two interpretations of the 1935 Constitution, hence, it is just reasonable to favor the more important principles of the Constitution, and this was not to put the found-

lings in jeopardy. The SET also believes that they did not commit grave abuse of discretion when they declared as “valid” the reacquisition by Poe of her natural-born citizenship under Republic Act No. 9225, or the “Citizenship and Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003”. It added that this was also based on the pieces of evidence submitted by Poe such as the “Oath of Allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines”, filing of the petition for the reacquisition of Philippine Citizenship before the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the order of the BI in favor of her petition. Because of this, the SET asked the SC to dismiss the petition of David. (PNA)

nominees to be included in the shortlist for the replacement of retiring Associate Justice Martin S. Villarama, Jr. In its official website, the JBC announced that to be placed in the public interview in the morning of Jan. 7, 2016 are Joe Santos Bisquera, Department of Justice (DOJ)

Secretary Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa, Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang and Chinchona Cruz-Gonzales. To be interviewed on Thursday afternoon are Deputy Ombudsman Gerard Mosquera, Court of Appeals (CA) Associate Justices Apolinario

Bruselas, Jr. and Rosmari Carandang, and Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Maria Cristina Cornejo. The remaining eight candidates will be interviewed on Friday. The JBC will receive any opposition against the 16 can-

JBC to interview 16 SC aspirants

HE Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) will conduct the public interview on the 16 candidates for the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday and Friday. The public interview will be held at the SC Division Hearing Room to select the

DOH: Firecracker-related injuries climb to 839

T PASALUBONG. These boxes of Davao’s world-famous pummelos come with stickers promoting Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte as the “Pride of Visayan people.” The boxes of pummelo were bought by a tourist from Manila as ‘pasalubong.’ NJB

FJBC, 10

HE number of firecracker-related injuries (FWRIs) recorded by the Department of Health (DOH) since Dec. 21, 2015 climbed to 839 after 79 more cases were reported by the DOH-Epidemiology Bureau as its monitoring and surveillance period entered its 14th and penultimate day at 6 a.m. Monday. According to Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy, DOH spokesperson, the total number of FWRIs was still lower by 11 percent or 104 cases compared with the five-year average from 2010 to 2014 for the same period. In comparison also with

the 850 cases recorded for the same period last year (2015), the FWRIs from Dec. 21, 2015 to Jan. 4, 2016 were lower by 11 cases or one percent, Dr. Lee Suy said. He explained that although the DOH had earlier announced the figures they had monitored so far as of New Year’s Day indicated an “all time low,” they did not discount the fact that there would be upward changes in numbers during the remaining days of the monitoring and surveillance period until Jan. 5, 2016. Based on DOH record last

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EDGEDAVAO

4 SUBURBIA

VOL. 8 ISSUE 200 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2016

More MNLF coops get hauler trucks

HIRTEEN more Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) cooperatives received hauler trucks recently. The latest beneficiaries of the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA)-funded project were cooperatives in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, according to the Regional Agriculture and Fishery Division of the Department of Agriculture in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. ARMM Executive Secretary Atty. Laisa Masuhud-Alamia and DA-ARMM Regional Secretary Alexander Alonto, Jr. led the turnover ceremony of the vehicles to the recipient cooperatives at the ORG Com-

pound in Cotabato City on December 22. DA-ARMM PAMANA Program Focal Person Engr. Guiomla Satol said the beneficiaries in Sulu were Bud Kaha Agricultural Cooperative in Indanan, Kasambuhan Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Patikul, Tandu-Tanduh Agri-Marine Cooperative in Panamao, Saladong Agri-Marine Producers Cooperative in Siasi, Silangkan Agri-Marine Producers Cooperative in Parang. Kambing Agri-Marine Producers Cooperative in Kalinggalang Caluang, Angkaya Agricultural Producers Coop in Maimbung, Lahing-Lahing

FMORE, 10

Malaysian groups eyeing Cotabato City investments

USINESS groups in the State of Johor in Malaysia are considering putting up big investments in Cotabato, Mayor Japal Guiani Jr. reported. Guiani revealed this following his recent three-day visit to the said state in response to an invitation from the Secretary General of Johor. The local chief executive, with city administrator Dr. Danda Juanday, was able to talk with several business groups in the area, including Iskandar Regional Development Authority, the planning arm of Johor’s State Government. Iskandar RDA is a government office that assesses all the incoming investments in Johor. Guiani and officials in Johor talked about the possibility of expanding their investments to Cotabato City. They discussed several opportunities such as importation of goods such as coconuts from Cotabato City as these are considered essential commodities in Johor but are of limited supply. One major deal, the mayor added, is the possibility of Iskandar RDA building a processing plant close to the Halal slaughterhouse of Cotabato City, which he said could open

meat export opportunities for Cotabato City. “The Malaysians are very straightforward people. They wanted to hear the current situation in Cotabato and the areas where they can help us improve our economy. We laid down all the possibilities and thankfully, their response was very positive,” Guiani said. The visit was highlighted by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for a partnership between the City Government of Cotabato and the cooperatives in Johor, headed by the IM Coop. “IM Coop is handling the cooperatives or the MSMEs in Johor and they are the ones selling food and non food items to them at very low prices. This is how they are helping their little businessmen to grow— by selling them high quality products that are also found inside grocery stores but at more than half its price,” Guiani explained. The MOU between IMCoop and the City Government, he said, could start a fruitful relationship between the business groups in Johor and Cotabato City. The third group of investors that city officials met was the Johor Corporation that owns hundreds of compa-

FMALAYSIAN, 10

SACKS OF RICE TURNOVER. Davao Light and Power Co., Inc. as represented by AVP for Reputation Enhancement Rossano C. Luga (4th from right) together with Community Relations Manager Fermin P. Edillon (3rd from right) turns over 75 sacks of rice to Commander of Task Force Davao Col. Cristobal Zaragoza (4th from left) and Lt. Christy Isis Gabasa (leftmost) last December 10, 2015 at the Task Force Davao Headquarters

in Sta Ana Wharf. This is Davao Light’s support to the “Pinaskuhan Para Sa Lumad” project, which is a gift giving advocacy that started in December 2014. This is an annual tradition through the joint initiative of Task Force Davao, Youth For Peace - Davao City Chapter and Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines. These groups have identified 2,000 beneficiaries from the indigenous families in Toril, Marilog, Baguio and Paquibato Districts.

South Cotabato gears up for cloud seeding activity

HE provincial government of South Cotabato is targeting to start within the next two weeks the cloud seeding operations in parts of the province as it moves to save around 7,000 hectares of standing corn and palay crops from the continuing dry spell. Justina Navarrete, acting head of the South Cotabato Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG), said Monday they are currently working for the release of an initial P1.5 million from the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region 12 to facilitate the conduct of the cloud seeding. She said the local government, through Governor Daisy Avance-Fuentes, signed a

memorandum of agreement last week with DA-12 in connection with the funding. Once the funds are transferred to the provincial government, she said the bidding and procurement process will immediately follow. “We’re currently fast tracking this as our affected farmlands really need immediate intervention,” Navarrete said. Citing their monitoring, the official said around 7,000 hectares of corn and palay crops in the province are currently at risk of totally wilting due to the lack of rains since November. She said the affected crops are mainly planted in upland or rainfed farms in the mu-

nicipalities of Polomolok and Tantangan. “These were planted in November and December. Some of these crops are already showing signs of advanced wilting so we really need to start the cloud seeding operations as soon as possible,” she said. Cloud seeding is the process of manually spreading either dry ice or salt into the upper part of the clouds to help stimulate the precipitation process and form rain. The DA central office had identified cloud seeding as among the immediate counter measures to mitigate the impact of the El Niño Phenomenon. Navarrete said they are

currently working on the initial arrangements with the DA’s Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) for the conduct of the cloud seeding. She said the BSWM has been also negotiating with the Philippine Air Force for the use of its aircraft for the operations. DA-12 allotted around Php44 million for various interventions to counter the effects of the El Nino, which has been predicted to last until the second quarter of 2016. The lined up interventions include relief assistance for the affected farmers and workers as well as the conduct of cloud-seeding operations. (PNA)

its effort with no let-up to push for the rights of PWDs or Persons with Disabilities in the region. At a recent RCDA meeting, Erick Sabanal, RCDA 12 vicechair admitted that although they are doing their best to make people understand and acknowledge fully the rights of PWDs as enshrined in Philippine laws, there are still others that either ignore or simply do not implement completely the provisions. “There are still quite a number of establishments in the region that don’t implement the minimum discount of 20 percent among PWDs,” he said. With this, RCDA is set to conduct a consultative meeting where different establishments and institutions would be invited and they will be informed about the existing laws concerning the rights and

privileges of PWDs. According to RA 9442, PWDs are entitled to 20 percent discount from all establishments. This includes discount on bills from restaurants, hotels, and recreation centers. The law also stated that PWDs should enjoy a discount of 20 percent on public railways and bus fare. Sabanal also noticed that some tall buildings in the region are not PWD-friendly since some do not have installed elevators, accessible passageway or ramp with handrails, comfort rooms, easy-to-open-and-close doors, among others that would at least provide comfort and safety especially to orthopedically handicapped. Earlier the NCDA urged local government units (LGUs) to revisit the laws on PWDs as well as their policies in build-

ing permits, where, it said they can consider one of these parameters if not all as requirements in building permits. They have also sought to mainstream the rights and privileges of PWDs among local tourism industries. It also said that monitoring system for hotels and other huge establishments must be in place nationwide to determine whether or not they are complying with requirements of the law. Meanwhile, the conference highlight was the passage of resolutions that would support the implementation of disability-relevant laws and programs, helping PWDs to get to live and enjoy their rights and privileges while feeling protected and safe. One of the notable resolutions passed was the one that urges all LGUs to establish

RCDA 12 furthers effort to push for PWD rights

HE Regional Committee on Disability Affairs (RCDA) 12 is furthering

YEAREND ADVENTURE. A tourist enjoys the waves at Jacking Horse in Barangay Catanganan, General Luna, Siargao, Surigao del Norte. This place is a good spot for neophyte surfers. MindaNews photo by Roel N. Catoto

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EDGEDAVAO

6 ECONOMY

VOL. 8 ISSUE 200 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2016

Investments keep pouring in P214B in business capitalization recorded as of November 2015

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

HE year 2015 was another banner one for Davao City’s economy with investments reaching a record high. The Davao City Investment and Promotion Center (DCIPC) recorded a whooping P214 billion in business capitalization as of November in 2015, which already surpassed the P211 billion business capitalization for 2014, or an increase of four percent. DCIPC chief Ivan C. Cortez said data from the Business Bureau revealed that new businesses applied and issued with business permits had a total capitalization of P4.21, while existing businesses here have P209.89 billion business capitalizations. “This is higher than the P211 billion declared business capitalization in 2014,” Cortez said during the weekly edition of the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex yesterday. Investments poured into the city have been steadily increasing every year. Data from DCIPC revealed that for 2011, business capitalization was only at P187 billion. This increased in 2012 at P196.408 billion, and hiked further the following year at P203.04 billion, breaching the P200-billion mark. The total capitalization hiked by 3.94 percent from

P203 billion in 2013 to P211 billion in 2014. Of the 37,785 businesses that applied for business permit, the Business Bureau already issued permits to 34,711 of these as of November 20, Cortez said. He said although the number of business applicants reduced compared to 2014, the capitalization increased because of the good business environment in Davao City. Retiring smaller businesses are now merging with other existing firms to create a bigger business with a higher declared capitalization, according to Cortez. He later told reporters that the real estate industry as well as the service and retail sectors were the prime economic drivers in 2015. The entry of international chain 7-Eleven in 2015, which will have 70 outlets by June, fuelled the city’s thriving retail sector. Cortez said the chain is aggressive in its expansion because of the untapped market here compared to the saturated market in Manila, where other big players in the convenience store industry are mostly located. However, the 7-Eleven, an upscale sari-sari store offering 24 hours services, has a direct effect on the survival rate of

CONTINUED GROWTH. Davao City Investment Promotion Center (DCIPC) head Ivan Cortez says the number of establishments and investments grew by 4 percent in 2015 after big retail and property development companies set foot in the city. Cortez was a guest of the Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao yesterday. Lean Daval Jr. small sari-sari stores here, he said. Cortez said the business process management (BPM) also continued to thrive in 2015 with the investment on construction and expansion of more BPM spaces in the city which led to creation of more jobs in the service sector. “We started with 20,000 jobs generated in January last year from the BPM industry. It

is now at 36,000,” Cortez said. The creation of jobs across all industries, he added, led to the creation of market for the housing and condominium projects. Cortez said the real estate sector of the city will continue to thrive in the next three years and will not reach its saturation point. He further explained that the glut cannot be created in

the real estate sector now because of the high demand for housing projects not only from subdivisions but also from high-rise condominium projects as well. The influx of migrants from nearby provinces and regions also serve as the growing market for the real estate sector. Meanwhile, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 11

regional director, Ma. Belenda Q. Ambi, said the Board of Investment (BOI) recorded a total of P1.4 billion investments in Davao Region, with majority of these going to Davao City. Ambi said that based on BOI data, a total investment of P322 million was poured into the city by different real estate developers for subdivision development and expansion of BPM offices.

san 138kV transmission project; and the two Butuan-Placer 138kV transmission project. “These projects are all geared towards reliability and delivery of quality power to all our consumers,” NGCP-Mindanao regional corporate and communications and public affairs officer Milfrance Q. Capulong said during the Christmas party for members of media at the regional office of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) 11. Other projects in Mindanao include the two Aurora-Polanco 138kV Transmission Project, the Mindanao SS Reliability Project, the Sultan

Kudarat Capacitor Bank Project, the upgrading and rehabilitation project for Agus 6 switchyard, the Opol 75 MVA Associated Transmission Line Project; and the Opol 75MVA Substation project Capulong said the completion of these projects this year as well as the commercial operation of different coal-fired power plants will lessen the implementation of rotating power interruptions throughout the island-region. This will be the first time, she said, that Mindanao will enter a power surplus regime since the last time that the NGCP announced the start of

tight power supply in Mindanao five years ago. Capulong also said the recent bombing of their towers continue to be their problem aside from the issues on acquiring the Right of Way (ROW) in fulfilling its mandate of being the overall grid operator. As of December 28 last year, Capulong said a totalof 16 NGCP towers were bombed. The latest was the bombing of the NGCP’s Tower 4 of Balo-i-Agus 2 138kV line in Nangka, Balo-i on the morning of 28 December. “Per intel reports, eight

delegates/VIPs will be visiting. The annual ATF is a cooperative regional effort to promote the ASEAN region as a single tourist destination and create and increase awareness of ASEAN as a competitive regional tourist destination in the Asia-Pacific. DOT Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. said that the hosting of ATF is rotated among the member countries each year. ATF 2016 marks

the 35th anniversary of the event since its inauguration in 1981. Tourism ministers of the 10 ASEAN-member states are expected to attend the event as well as heads of international organizations, representatives from dialogue partners, and heads of national tourism organizations (NTOs). ATF will involve 200 government meetings, 450 travel exchange (TRAVEX) buyers from 60 countries, 1,500 sell-

ers, 110 international and 50 local media practitioners. Meetings of NTOs will be from Jan. 18 to 20, those of ASEAN tourism leaders happening simultaneously with the TRAVEX will be from Jan. 21 to 22, and post tours for delegates will start from Jan. 23 until 25. While meetings will be held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza, the TRAVEX will be held at the SMX Convention Center, both is Pasay City. (PNA)

North Cotabato gov’t NGCP to construct 13 grid projects turns over infra projects

HE provincial government of North Cotabato started the 2016 with a turnover of projects on Monday aimed at uplifting the living conditions of its constituents. A total of P14 million worth of projects that included water system, covered courts and road concreting projects were turned over today in three barangays in Matalam and two barangays in adjacent town of Kabacan towns. Governor Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza led the turnover ceremonies of the P1-million water system in Barangay Latagan; P1.5 million covered court in Kilada Elementary School, Barangay Kilada and another P1.5 million covered court in Barangay Central Malamote, all in Matalam municipality. Mendoza also turned over two road concreting projects worth P5 million each in the village of Katidtuan (500 meters Katidtuan-Malamote Provincial Road) and Upper Paatan (500 meters) all in Kabacan town. All the projects were funded by the Provincial Govern-

ment of Cotabato and part of the “SerbisyongTotoo” infrastructure, livelihood and other assistance projects. “These are priority projects implemented at the barangays in order to provide the people with the basic services and help them improve their living conditions,” Mendoza said. Mendoza said she was very optimistic the projects answer some of the basic needs of the constituents, especially the farmers and the households who will benefit from the dependable water system and in transporting their products using the newly concreted roads. She urged the beneficiaries to utilize the projects properly so that it will last longer and can be benefited by more people. For his part, Representative Tejada said he will continue to partner with the Provincial Government of Cotabato in the implementation of projects such as the ones turned over in Matalam and Kabacan. “We will continue to realize our common goal of making the Province of North Co-

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HE National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) will construct a total of 13 grid projects in different area s in Mindanao in a bid to improve the quality of power delivery as Mindanao is forecasted to be headed toward a regime of power surplus situation this year. For areas near Davao Region, the grid operator has ongoing construction of three projects, namely the Matanao-Malita 230 kiloVolts (kV) transmission project that would bring power from the northern area of Mindanao up to Malita area in Davao Occidental; the two Matanao-Gen-

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Davao among destinations eyed for ASEAN Forum tours

HE Department of Tourism (DOT) has revealed a list of tourist destinations in the Philippines where it will be taking delegates and VIPs attending the ASEAN Tourism Forum this month. According to the initial list, these places include Ilocos, Cordillera Central, South Luzon, Palawan, Bicol, Visayas (Bohol, Cebu, Boracay and Davao Region. DOT has not yet released a breakdown of which set of

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 200 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2016

THE ECONOMY 7

Empowering Filipino MSMEs in global trade, value chains

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has placed micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) at the forefront of its trade and investment strategies to boost the growth of the sector. With MSMEs comprising 99 percent of business establishments in the country and sharing more than 60 percent of total jobs nationwide, the sector has a huge potential to contribute to the economic growth and employment as well as to promote inclusive growth. As said by former DTI Secretary Gregory L. Domingo, MSMEs should be at the front and center of the department’s agenda. Thus, the Philippines took advantage of hosting this year the premier economic forum in the region, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), making it as platform to push initiatives that will benefit MSMEs. As a result, the Philippine-led initiative Boracay Action Agenda, which was well-received during the Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting in Boracay in May, has put in place concrete and detailed action plans for APEC member economies to increase the participation of MSMEs in global value chains. Under the Boracay Action Agenda, APEC will address trade and investment barriers for MSMEs particularly by reducing and eliminating tariffs and non-tariff measures in the region as well as simplifying and streamlining rules for MSMEs, providing timely and accurate information on export and import procedures and requirements, and strengthening institutional support for the sector, among others. The country also hosted MSME-related APEC meetings this year which include the SME Ministerial Meeting in Iloilo City in September and the first APEC SME Summit in Manila in November. These meetings had provided MSMEs bigger voice in the region. Few of many outcomes of APEC 2015 hosting which will benefit Filipino MSMEs include the following:

--APEC MSME Marketplace, an online interactive repository of information to promote cooperation and linkages between MSMEs and large firms; --APEC Trade Repository, a web-based trade facilitation tool which MSMEs can access for various trade data to help them in global trade; --Financial Infrastructure Development Network, a platform to improve MSMEs access to finance by establishing legal frameworks for Credit Information Systems, secured transactions and the use of movable assets as collateral. Aside from APEC, the Philippines also used other international platforms to gain support in pushing the MSME agenda in global trade. These include the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in November and the 10th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, Kenya this month. But more than economic cooperation, DTI this year is aggressive to push for free trade agreements (FTAs) in order for Filipino MSMEs to have better and easier access to global markets. After the Philippines signed a Joint Declaration on Cooperation with European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in June 2014, the two parties kicked of March this year the first round of formal FTA negotiations. For this year, the Philippines and EFTA had four rounds of formal trade negotiations. According to DTI Assistant Secretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo, EFTA is willing to provide the Philippines duty-free access on industrial goods and tariff rates on agricultural products better than any other FTA partners of EFTA. The Philippines is hopeful to conclude the agreement by February 2016 during the fifth round of formal negotiations. EFTA states include Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, only accounting for 1.0 percent of the country’s total trade. With the Philippines-EFTA

ELCOME the New Year with the best fab finds from SM Lanang Premier! Shop till you drop at the End of Season Sale, which runs from January 2 to 10, 2016. Get items on your wish list with big savings. Enjoy up to 70% discount on great selections at participating stores. Refine your style and upgrade your wardrobe with sale items from The SM Store, Aeropostale, American Eagle, Call it Spring, Celine, Charles and Keith, Clarks, Cotton On, , Forever 21, Guess, Ipanema, Marks and Spencer, Merrell,

Promod, Terranova and Timberland. Grab exclusive markdowns on children’s clothing at Cotton On Kids and Pois Belly and Kids. Avail as well of End of Season Sale promos from JRose Fine Jewelry, Oro China, Kultura, Nailandia, Octagon, Our Home, Prestige, Beauty Bar, and Supreme Tactical. Catch the End of Season Sale at SM Lanang Premier! For more information, call 285-0943. You could also visit SM Lanang Premier on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for sale alerts and promo updates.

PNoy to open Aboitiz plant

ANNUAL REQUIREMENT. A business owner undergoes assessment process during the second day of business permit renewal at Sangguniang Panlungsod building yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

HERMA South Inc.,, a subsidiary of the Aboitiz Power Corp. is set to inaugurate its 300megawatt (MW) baseload coal-fired power plant in Barangay Binugao in Toril District, Davao City on January 8. “This power plant is one of the critical power projects need to finally solve the longterm perennial Mindanao power shortage,” the Aboitiz Power said in a statement. During the inauguration, President Benigno Simeon Aquino is expected to arrive as well as Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and other officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and well as Department of Energy. Meanwhile, the power

plant will supply power to more than 20 electric cooperatives and distribution utilities all over Mindanao. Manuel Orig, Aboitiz Power Corp. first vice president for Mindanao Affairs earlier said the second 150MW Unit 2 of the coal-fired power plant is expected to be commercially operational by next month. Earlier, the NGCP reported that the commissioning of the other unit of TSI will improve the power supply situation in Mindanao starting March. The Unit 2 of TSI was previously scheduled to be online by March last year but was rescheduled after its broiler attained damage. The first 150MW Unit 1 of TSI has been operational since June last year.

The TSI’s production was already contracted by different electric cooperatives and distribution utilities all over Mindanao. The electric cooperatives are Agusan del Sur Electric Cooperative, Bukidnon Second Electric Cooperative, Cotabato Electric Cooperative, Cotabato Electric Cooperative (P. Palma), Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative Davao Oriental Electric Cooperative, Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative, Misamis Occidental I Electric Cooperative; South Cotabato I Electric Cooperative, South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative, Surigao del Norte Electric Cooperative, Surigao del Sur I Electric Cooperative, Surigao del Sur II Electric Cooperative, Sultan

Kudarat Electric Cooperative, Zamboanga del Norte Electric Cooperative, Zamboanga del Sur I Electric Cooperative and Zamboanga del Sur II Electric Cooperative. The private DUs are DLPC, Cotabato Light and Power Company and Cagayan Electric Power and Light Company. “The whole of Davao Region, Sokcksargen, Caraga, parts of Bukidnon, Cotabato and parts of Zamboanga Peninsula have power supply contracts with Therma South,” Aboitiz Power manager for corporate affairs Willie Rodolfo said earlier. Rodolfo said that major cities like Davao, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Butuan, Cotabato, Tagum and Kidapawan will be getting power from TSI.

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region 12 has surpassed its targets in terms of actual project deliveries or physical accomplishments last year as it emerged anew as one of the agency’s top performing regional field units. DA-12 posted a rating of 115 percent in 2015 on their deliveries for support projects and farm machineries to local government units (LGUs) and farmers’ groups in the region, said DA-12 Executive Director AmaliaDatukan. It received a total budget of P2.8 billion last year for its operations and implementation of agricultural support programs and projects. Also known as Soccsksar-

gen, Region 12 comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato. “We did not receive any additional allotment but we were able to deliver more projects and machineries through competitive bidding and transparent procurement processes,” Datukan said in a press conference. She said the agency’s strict adherence to the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act allowed them to generate some savings, which were eventually utilized for the additional deliveries.

For instance, Datukan said they were able to generate savings of around P2.4 million for every 10 tractors with a capacity of 95-horse power that they acquired. She said they used the savings to acquire additional tractors and other machineries like corn mills and threshers. In terms of small equipment like hand tractors, the official said they were able to increase their deliveries to 58 or 10 more from their original target due to their savings. For the construction of warehouses and support facilities, Datukan said they strictly implemented the “remove and replace” policy to ensure their quality.

She said there were instances wherein they forced contractors to rebuild completed projects due to problems with specifications. Datukan cited the case of an 8x8-meter warehouse that only measured 6x6 meters upon their inspection. “We’re very strict with this. Kahitiiyak pa ang contractor, talagangpinapapalitannaminyungmga projects,” she said. DA-12 released around P2.4 billion in project grants and farm machineries to LGUs and local farmers last year under its 2015 budget. It released around P538 million in November, P1.52 billion in July and P400 million in April. (PNA)

DA 12 exceeds target in project deliveries Score up to 70% off at SM Lanang’s End of Season Sale T W FEMPOWERING, 10

EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE

VOL. 8 ISSUE 200 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2016

EDITORIAL A legacy of failure

S the revelry winds down, we bear witness to yet another batch of firecracker injuries, including one death. In spite of the light rains falling all throughout December 31 in Metro Manila, a pall of pyrotechnic-induced smog nonetheless fell on the metropolis, growing even thicker as the temperatures dropped in the small morning hours due to a phenomenon called cool air inversion in which lower temperatures induce the air, and the substances contained in it, to lower near the earth’s surface as opposed to it rising into the atmosphere as surface temperatures rise during the day. The confined spaces in many inner cities exacerbate the smog presence, trapping it further in the crannies for residents to breathe in. Woe to the asthmatic, bronchitic and the drunk, one of whom – identified as 45-year-old Ronald Vericio of Sta. Mesa, Manila – died after drunkenly detonating a “Goodbye Philippines” firecracker while he was hugging it. While Department of Health Secretary Jeanette Garin glowingly reports that the incidents have gone down by 57 percent from 2014’s celebrations, the main nature of the injuries remain persistently in favor of improper handling and misuse of oftentimes illegally manufactured fireworks. Some of these so-called pyrotechnics are actually improvised explosive devices that are capable of maiming and severely injuring users. With such a capability, they may well be used against people. Forget about importing explosives as part of the AFP modernization program – our fireworks are just as potent. The environmental impact of pyrotechnic use is also documented and worrisome. The Washington Post has reported that a study by the Unit-

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ed States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA published in the journal Atmospheric Environment shows that firework use temporarily increases particulate pollution by an average of 42 percent. Imagine the particulate matter like dust harming sensitive breathing passages amid the New Year revelry and people succumbing to massive attacks of asthma. Furthermore, many firecracker injuries occur within low income neighborhoods where dwellings are colocated and where there is limited room for recreation and the proper and responsible use of pyrotechnics. Often, firecrackers are detonated near households and areas where people congregate. Hence, the latest statistics report that 30 percent of injuries come from the City of Manila alone, where many inner city neighborhoods are located. For a people barely able to make a living, a firecracker injury is an expense that should be avoided at all costs. One wonders why such injuries are absent in places where fireworks are banned. Beyond the obvious reasons, perhaps the political will of certain local governments is to be admired for consistently implementing policy that protects its citizens from the health risks and environmental impact of pyrotechnic use. In turn, the citizenry understands and adapts, using other safer means of celebrating. Such persistent injuries are a combination of two things: a government legacy of inability to rein in the sale and manufacture of fireworks, and the legacy of people stubbornly clinging to the notion that fireworks usher in good luck and peace. Tell that to the injured and the loved ones left behind by Vericio.

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ND so it came to pass that a farmer planted three trees in his farm. Growing together, the trees talked with each other about their hopes and dreams. “Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty,” said the first one. The second tree shared, “Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull.” The third tree had this ambition, “I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me.” Several years later, the farmer was ready to harvest his trees. “This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter,” the farmer said and cut it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest. To the second tree, the farmer said, “This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard.” Again, the second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship. When the farmer came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. The farmer said, “I don’t know what to do with this one but I still have to cut it anyway.” When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with

DON’T know about you but as for me I will always look positively as 2016 comes into my life. Why positive? Because if you understand the laws of prosperity, there is this seed of prosperity planted into us since the days of Abraham. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not preaching any kind of religion here, incidentally nor by accident. Okay, I would presume you want to be prosperous, not exactly wealthy as the rich are oftentimes described. (I intentionally omitted the adverb “filthy”). We live today in an era of difficulty, marked by chaos and conflicts, economic rollercoasters, greed and avarice, injustice and terrorism, political despotism, treachery and betrayal. Let us discover the biblical basis of prosperity. In Genesis 17:4-7, the Bible says: “As for me, this is my covenant with you. You will be the father of many nations. No longer will

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VANTAGE POINTS

This purpose-driven life hay. This was THINK ON THESE! not at all what he had hoped for. The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat; his dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying Henrylito D. Tacio kings had come henrytacio@gmail.com to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark. The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams. Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time. Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn’t think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said “Peace” and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat. Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to

stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus Christ had been crucified on it. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. “Cherish your visions and your dreams, as they are the children of your soul; the blueprints of your ultimate achievements,” Napoleon Hill reiterated. Years ago, while unearthing an ancient Egyptian tomb, an archaeologist came upon seeds buried in a piece of wood. Planted, the seeds realized their potential after more than 3,000 years! “I visualized where I wanted to be, what kind of player I wanted to become,” American basketball superstar Michael Jordan disclosed. “I knew exactly where I wanted to go, and I focused on getting there.” We are who we are because that is what we want ourselves to be. Some of us would to become stars but not everyone could reach the “impossible star.” If you cannot be a star, then be a tree that bears fruits. And if can’t still be a tree, then be a grass. But just don’t be contented of being a grass; instead, be the best grass of all grasses. Don’t be a mediocre – even in the work you have chosen. Martin Luther King Jr. reminds, “We are challenged on every hand to work untiringly to achieve excellence in our lifework. Not all men are called to specialized or professional jobs; even fewer rise to the heights of genius in arts and sciences; many are called to be laborers in factories. All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence. If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the host of heaven and earth

will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.’” Of course, you know Pablo Picasso. At one time, his mother told him when he was still a teenager, “If you become a soldier, you’ll be a general; if you become a monk, you’ll end up as the Pope.” Instead, he became a painter and became one of the world’s greatest painters. Our purpose in this life differs from each other. But we are the one who shape our destiny. “The human race may be compared to a writer,” Felix Adler once wrote. “At the outset a writer has often only a vague general notion of the plan of his work, and of the thought he intends to elaborate. As he proceeds, penetrating his material, laboring to express himself fitly, he lays a firmer grasp on his thought; he finds himself. So the human race is writing its story, finding itself, discovering its own underlying purpose, revising, recasting a tale pathetic often, yet none the less sublime.” We only have one life to live in this world. We are here to uplift our fellow beings. We have to follow the golden rule: Do to others what you would like others do to you. You reap what you sow. An unknown author penned these golden rules for living: If you open it, close it. If you turn it on, turn it off. If you unlock it, lock it up. If you break it, admit it. If you can’t fix it, call in someone who can. If you borrow it, return it. If you value it, take care of it. If you make a mess, clean it up. If you move it, put it back. If it belongs to someone else and you want to use it, get permission. If you don’t know how to operate it, leave it alone. If it’s none of your business, don’t ask questions. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. If it will brighten someone’s day, say it. If it will tarnish someone’s reputation, keep it to yourself.” Just remember this. “The purpose of life,” said Robert Byrne, “is a life of purpose.”

you be called SPECKS OF LIFE Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make Fred C. Lumba nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.” Right from the beginning of creation, God has already planted the seed of prosperity in Abraham thus fulfilling His promise to give him and his barren wife Sarah a son (“for I have made you a father of many

nations”).

YOU HAVE TO SURPASS YOURSELF. Do not be the average person who is satisfied with average grades in school, the person who is satisfied with his employee’s income and wages, the person who exerts just average efforts. Success follows a prosperous positive attitude. It can never be otherwise. Believe it when someone said that “the glory of a man lies not in his never falling but in his rising everytime he falls.” Even if Abraham did not desire prosperity, GOD blessed him and fulfilled the covenant He promised the former. Ergo, that divine gift of prosperity cascaded from Abraham down to his descendants from generation to generation. God, in His overflowing grace, does not want us to live in poverty. So, get up and go, go, go! (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com). God bless the Philippines!

Prosperity outlook

IN SHORT, PROSPERITY IS DIVINELY ORDAINED. Doesn’t this encourage you to be more positive in your outlook and not let fear and doubt overcome you? What do we need to do to grow and breed that seed of prosperity? First, a person must desire it. The seed of prosperity comes from a divine heritage, not from some business guru who pontificates in a prominent business school or university. It was a divine gift that only the Giver could recall. But if you have no desire to claim and harvest the crop planted by the seed of prosperity, you will remain where you are, in the quagmire of poverty and ignorance. A person’s character traits, habits and disposition must change for the better. If you were good last season, you must be better this year. You cannot stagnate by being just good year after year after year.

10 NEWS AFP... FROM 1

detachment in White Kulaman, Bukidnon at 6:15 p.m. After the detachments, the NPA attacked soldiers who were on community security patrol in Sumimao, Paquibato

District. Caber said the harassments during the holiday season “only indicates that the CPP leadership has no control over the NPA.”

clinics. Meanwhile, the DCPO conducted the removal of the tape to the muzzle of all issued firearms yesterday led by outgoing DCPO director Senior Superintendent Vicente D. Danao Jr. “We are happy to note that the Davao City Police Office PNP personnel is committed to implement the laws and ordinances of the City,” Driz said in a text message. Driz said that their commitment not to indulge or

engage in illegal discharge or indiscriminate firing during Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve had been successfully complied with, resulting in a peaceful and enjoyable holiday season. “This is because of our presence in all places of convergence with our Lambat Sibat Operations and our distribution of safety tips leaflets by our police to the public that made them aware of our security measures in times of their need,” she said.

investigation is ongoing. One of the recommendations said a third party whose members will be announced by the middle of this month will conduct the testing for the units owned by complainants. Banquerigo said the testing has to be done again after the task force failed to identify the cause of the SUA. “The task force was not able to prove its two earlier hypotheses on the possible cause of the sudden acceleration,” he said. “Hopefully, the third party will look on the computer box.” He said results of earlier investigation revealed that the SUA were not caused by any mechanical malfunction. At present, a total of

60,000 Mitsubishi Monteros have been sold throughout the country. Of these, 97 SUA-related accidents were reported in the whole country but only 24 owners filed formal complaints. One of these complainants was from Davao region, Banquerigo said. DTI 11 regional director Ma. Belenda Q. Ambi said similar cases have been reported in Japan two years ago. The DTI will be waiting for the result of the further investigation which it will use as basis for its next action. At present, Montero units are not still subject for recall since the cause of SUA is still not yet determined.

Agri-Marine Producers Coop in Omar, Bud Daho Agricultural Producers Coop and Tandu Bagna Agri-Marine Producers Coop in Patikul. Each got a six-wheeler KIA Bonggo hauler truck worth P350,000. Meanwhile, cooperative recipients in Lanao del Sur were the Pagayawan Urban Poor MPC in Pagawayan, Salipongan Producers Cooperative in Balindong and Frontline National MPC in Poona

Bayabao. Given to them were six-wheeler Isuzu Elf trucks worth P800,000 each. For this batch of trucks, the PAMANA Program of DA spent P6.050 million. Since November, PAMANA has already distributed almost P 24 million worth of similar assistance to 37 MNLF cooperatives in Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi at Lanao del Sur. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with report from RAFID-DA-ARMM)

FTA, the country eyes to double trade with EFTA countries two years after the FTA implementation. Another development this year to strengthen the country’s European trade and investment strategy was the announcement of the Philippines and the European Union (EU) to launch formal FTA negotiations. Through the FTA, the Philippines and the EU aims for elimination of customs duties and other barriers to trade, improving services and investment, access to public procurement markets, as well as additional disciplines in the area of competition and protection of intellectual property rights, among others.

This FTA poses improving trade and investments with 28 member states of the EU which Filipino MSMEs can benefit. Currently, some 6,274 Philippine products enter the EU market tariff-free through the EU Generalised Scheme of Preference Plus (GSP+) which took effect December 2014. Aside from European countries, the Philippines is also engaged this year for exploratory discussions for FTA with Canada. Moreover, the United States Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 signed by President Barack Obama mid-2015 reauthorized the US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). The US-GSP gives duty-free access to US market

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alert, with the reserves falling below required levels. The NGCP, however, said it expects the power supply situation to worsen come starting Monday (January 4) when classes and work resume. NGCP appealed to the public, the local and national governments, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to help monitor the safety of the towers so that transmission services remain uninterrupted. “The company also appeals to local community leaders to help identify the perpetrators of the bombings, and to negotiate with uncooperative landowners to prevent longer power interruptions,” she said. For its part, Aboitiz-

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Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) which is enjoined under RA 10070 series of 2010. The law is labeled as ‘An Act Establishing An Institutional Mechanism To Ensure The Implementation of Programs And Services For Persons With Disabilities In Every Province, City And Municipality, Amending Republic Act No.

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tabato more developed and its people continue to attain their utmost potentials,” Rep. Jose “PingPing” Tejada, who accompanied Gov. Mendoza, said. “In behalf of my constituents, I am elated to receive the water system which will be utilized by some 500 families here,” according to Jessie Horbidalla, Village chairperson of

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towers are to be bombed by lawless elements over the holiday seasons. This is the 4th tower to be bombed since 24 December,” she said. Earlier, two NGCP towers, namely the Tower 25, located at Brgy. Gandamatu, Ramain, Lanao del Sur, along NGCP’s Agus2-Kibawe 138 KV line and tower 95 located in the vicinity of Brgy. Aroman, Carmen, North Cotabato, along NGCP’s among 122 designated beneficiary countries and territories like the Philippines. However, the program excludes textiles, watches, footwear, handbags, luggage, flat goods, work gloves, and other leather apparel from the zero-tariff-rate benefit under the scheme. But the Philippine government filed the petition last Oct. 16 under Section 204 of the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 which will provide zero tariffs on travel goods such as luggage, handbags, pocket goods, backpack, sports and travel bags to US-GSP beneficiaries. The petition will undergo hearings and the decision is expected around the first half

owned Davao Light and Power Co. (DLPC) said it has not implemented any rotating power interruption in its franchise area, which includes Davao City, Panabo City, and some municipalities in the province of Davao del Norte. “Although there is a schedule (of power interruption), implementation of rotating power interruptions will only be our last resort,” Rossano C. Luga, DLPC assistant vice president for reputation enhancement, told EDGE Davao yesterday. Luga said the DLPC, one of the customers of NGCP, is currently “undertaking usual contingency measures like running the 30MW diesel-fueled Bajada Power Plant.” CHENEEN R. CAPON

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didates until 5 p.m. on Monday. The JBC is constitutionally mandated to screen and vet nominees for the vacant positions in the Judiciary and the Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman).

It shall submit a shortlist of nominees to President Benigno S. Aquino III for the replacement of Justice Villarama, whose early retirement due to health reasons will take effect on Jan. 16, 2016. (PNA)

year (Dec. 21, 2014 to Jan. 5, 2015), there was a total of 850 FWRIs for the 15-day surveillance period for the “Iwas Paputok” campaign. “Everyday, figures may change… Maybe because also of our aggressive call for those who were injured to seek consultation, and have their Anti-Tetanus Shots (ATS),” the DOH spokesperson said. He added that the figures may also change from time to time as patients go to the hospital to seek consultation 7277, Otherwise Known As because based on their experithe “Magna Carta For Disabled ence, there are some patients Persons”, As Amended, And who only go to hospitals after they feel that they can no lonFor Other Purposes. RCDA is chaired by Bai ger manage the pain. He said that the trend Zorahayda Taha, regional dithat people go to hospitals is a rector of the Department of good sign that they are getting Social Welfare and Developaware that prevention versus ment Office, Region 12. (CT Apelacio with Lipsy Grace tetanus and other irreversible Carayo, PIA-12 General San- conditions is far more important. tos City) “Iyung apela natin na magpatingin, naging maganda rin, kasi we are able to encourage them that no matter how Latagan. small the wound is, there is a After expressing grati- tendency for that to develop tude to the provincial officials, into tetanus, and that definiteRowena de Leon and Amelo- ly matters,” he stressed. denGanyon, barangay chairMajority of the FWRIs or persons of Kilada and Central a total of 467 equivalent to 56 Malamote, respectively, vowed percent were from the Nationto protect the project and reg- al Capital Region (NCR). ulate its usage so everybody in Cases of stray bullets retheir respective villages could mains at a total of seven. benefit from it. (PNA) However, one case of firecracker ingestion was reported after an eight-year-old girl accidentally ingested sparkler Kibawe - Kabacan 138 KV lines firecracker in Manila last Dec. 1&2, were also bombed last 31. The patient was brought December 24. These two towers area to the Philippine General already repaired, the NGCP re- Hospital in Manila and was discharged on Jan. 2 after her ported. “NGCP is calling on the condition improved. A total of 358 or 43 perpublic to report any suspicent of the 839 FWRIs were cious activities at or around its facilities, to prevent further due to piccolo, injuring young bombing-related power inter- children who were attracted in ruptions,” Capulong said. CHENEEN R. CAPON

using them. Aside from piccolo, other causes were due to kwitis (96 cases), least known firecrackers (86 cases), luces (49 cases), and 5-Star (34 cases). A total of 168 FWRIs were monitored in Manila, followed by Quezon City with 89 cases; Mandaluyong, 52; Marikina, 39; Valenzuela, 26; Pasig and Navotas, 20 each; Caloocan, 15; and Paranaque and Las Pinas, 10 each. Of the total cases, about 83 percent or 692 involved males. The youngest victim was a nine-month-old baby while the oldest was 78 years old. A total of 461 victims or 55 percent were children less than 14 years old. Altogether, 511 persons or 61 percent sustained hand injuries, meaning the firecrackers that exploded had hit portions of their hands, which happened if the hand of the one holding the firecracker was sticky due to the presence of food particles. A total of 113 victims or 15 percent sustained eye injuries because firecrackers when ignited or lighted have the tendency to hit some portions of the face like eyes upon explosion and therefore are not really safe for merry-making activities. From the blast injuries that totaled 726 or 87 percent, at least 28 cases or four percent of the total required amputations because the body parts like hands, fingers, feet and legs that were hit were wrecked as a result of the strong blasting. Majority of the victims or 578 (70 percent) were active igniters or had been using firecrackers in the past. The others were classified as passive victims or did not use firecracker but were just hit or affected. (PNA)

nies around South East Asia. This corporation owns all the branches of KFC and Pizza Hut in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and India. Guiani revealed that in the said meeting, Johor Corporation executives expressed plans to visit Cotabato City for the possibility of putting up stores here. “Our visit to Johor has been very fruitful and successful. We have talked to many business groups and we were able to see how they are doing it in Johor. This is the main purpose of this trip, we want Cotabato City to have a direct link with Malaysia for us to have successful business partnerships with them soon,” Guiani said. Engr. Rey Trasmontero, one of the city government’s electrical engineers, also joined the team to Malaysia to

inspect the two generator sets that the Government of Johor was supposed to donate to Cotabato City. However, since these generator sets were already used and some parts needing replacement, the Malaysian government has opted to give two brand new generator sets to Cotabato City. Engr. Trasmontero said although the new generators are smaller than those originally scheduled for donation, the new sets can still supply sufficient energy to the entire City Hall. Officials from the State Government of Johor is planning to come to Cotabato City anytime next year to reciprocate the visit. (DEDoguiles-PIA12 with report from Cotabato City Information Office)

DOH... FROM 3

Malaysian... FROM 4

of 2016. More than the large manufacturers of bags based here in the Philippines, local MSMEs which make handbags made of recycled materials, leather, water lilies, and other local materials, can also be competitive in the US market with zero tariffs on travel goods and handbags. However, Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development Director Jerry T. Clavesillas noted that MSMEs’ compliance to global standards is one of the major constraints for this sector to participate in the global value chain. Hence, the government needs to push trade facilitation interventions for MSMEs to help them access the global market. (PNA)

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TRAVEL

destinations in

2015 The Mövenpick Mactan Cebu at night.

THE MAIN REASON why one travels is the creation of memorable experiences. From the food we eat, the scenes we see, and the people we meet, travelling soothes and refreshes the soul as well as feeds the mind with new ideas. What that is mind, here is a round up of some the places I was able to visit this year, local and international, which left an indelible mark on my memory.

The Mövenpick Mactan and Manny O’s Private Wine Cellar

Thanks to the invite of fellow EDGE Davao columnist and Movenpick Mactan’s marketing manager, Meg Sta. Ines-Hernandez and Philippine Airlines, I was finally able to experience the beauty of Mactan Island at the Mövenpick Mactan Re-

who showed us around his own private wine cellar within the resort. The secure, oak-lined, climate controlled room is where he keeps his multi-million peso wine collection and is only accessible by Manny and his assistant.

sort. The sea views of the resort was spectacular as was the food and entertainment at the property’s trademark Ibiza Beach Club. The experience was made extra memorable by the main man himself, Mr. Manny Osmeña,

High Tea at the Ritz Carlton Hong Kong

Manny O in his private wine cellar at the Mövenpick Mactan Cebu.

Every visit I have to Hong Kong has been a rush to go around to look for the latest trend or shopping find. This year, me and travel buddy Otoi Mercado decided to take it easy for an afternoon and have high tea at the Ritz

High tea at the Ritz Carlton Hong Kong comes with a million-dollar view of Victoria Harbour.

Island Buenavista lives up to its “Own your own island” promise. Carlton Hong Kong. From the moment we stepped into the high-speed elevator that whisked us from grind level to the 103rd floor of the International Commerce Center where the Ritz Carlton Hong Kong is located at, we knew we

were in for a one-of-akind experience. The view of Victoria Harbour from where we sat was truly breathtaking as we sipped our properly prepared tea, biscuits, and sandwiches. We did not notice the time while we took in the views of Hong

Kong Island which slowly turned from afternoon to sunset.

The luxe life of solo island living at Island Buenavista

If there is an island ex-

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EVENT

A very Blondie December DECEMBER has always been a month of celebration, the month where we look back at all the things we did for the past 11 months, be thankful for the blessings the year gave and share some of it to those who need it, and of course, reflect on what we’ll do for the incoming new year. My December kicked off with the grand opening ceremony of Paskuhan sa Gensan and the Pyrotechnic Competition. with an awesome night out with friends at the newest and hippest club in Gensan, WAVE Superclub, at Gensan Hughstreet. That was on Dec 05 same night #1 Hottest DJ in Ma-

nila, DJ Arra Pascual, was spinning. Dec 7, had lunch and shared gifts at t DSWD’s Gensan’s Home for Boys. We played a few songs with their guitar, shared stories, played with Snapchat filters and took selfies. Dec 11-12, was in Davao for Carte Blanche’s 3rd year. Had an epic weekend with friends. Fresh from the party, headed back to Gensan on Dec 13, for the The Red & White Christmas Party with Sox Bloggers and Google Business Group - Gensan powered by SMART. Laughter and cheer echoed at Paseo del Sol, as the program went on. Christmas is not all about the parties and gifts but also is a season of giv-

ing, so on Dec 17, I and fellow Sox Bloggers volunteered and joined Doleful Cares; Piñaskuhan 2015 at Galamang Elementary School with the Matutum

Growers Department and Atty. Mel Hernandez, distributing gifts to 600+ happy kids of the school. A few days after, Dec 19 volunteered again for the

Pasko ng Batang Heneral on its 3rd year, brought by the LGU, Gensan Tourism council, along with Gensan’s first-lady, Jane Rivera. Where 520 children from different barangays came together and had an awesome afternoon of smiles, faceprinting games, gift giving and a magic show at SM Trade hall 1. Ended the year with a bang, along with Up Dharma Down and grand fireworks display at SM City Gensan’s Year End Party. Cheers for the New Year everyone! Follow me on Twitter or Instagram, @kyriem00n for more adventures in and around my wonderland that is Gensan, Tuna Capital of the Philippines.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Celebrity fitness tips for a healthier 2016 2016 is finally here and with the new year, one can be sure that he or she has gained a few pounds around the belly and hips thanks to holiday season. Being that it is difficult to avoid eating during Noche Buena and Media Noche, here are some fitness tips as shared by some Kapuso stars on GMA News for a healthier new year. Gabbi Garcia Actually matakaw talaga ako ever since so I just try to keep in mind na kailangan kong i-maintain ‘yung katawan ko.

Valeen Montenegro I still watch what I eat kahit na ang saya talagang magkain-kain lang. And also I still workout and run so hindi ‘yon nawawala. It’s very very hard [at first] but you’ll get used to it. Christian Bautista Siyempre kumain kayo, magsaya kayo, pero i-workout niyo rin afterwards. Huwag niyong sayangin ‘yung lahat ng workout na ginawa ninyo sa isang taon para mawala lang nang isang buwan. I-balance niyo lang ‘yung kakainin niyo.

Ruru Madrid Ang gusto ko sa sarili ko, kahit na gaano ako karami kumain, hindi po ako lumalaki, hindi po ako lumolobo. Kunwari ngayon [ay] kumain ako nang marami, kinabukasan gym po talaga ‘yon. Juancho Trivino Konting gym, nagba-basketball ako. Cardio pa rin and jog para hindi lumobo nang sobra.

‘Tawag ng Tanghalan’ returns to TV NOONTIME SHOW “It’s Showtime” starts the year with a bang as it launches the grand come back of the classic singing contest that gave rise to today’s OPM legends, “Tawag ng Tanghalan.” Now respected artists in the music industry, Nora Aunor, Pepe Pimentel, and Bobot Mortiz started out as contenders in the said contest. With its return in 2016, “Tawag ng Tanghalan” once again calls for new talents from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and Metro Manila to find the country’s next singing superstar. Four contestants will battle daily and will prove their singing prowess to the madlang people and the hurados. However, when the singer goes out of tune, “Jhong the Gong” (Jhong Hilario) will hit a gong that signals the contestants to stop singing.

Big prizes awaits the defending champion as he or she could win P25,000 while the runners up will get P5,000 as consolation prize. Last Saturday, four contestants battled it out and showed what they got to the madlang people and the hurados. Michelle Arcain from Davao City emerged as the

first weekly finalist and returned yesterday to defend her title. This week, OPM’s greatest singers Rey Valera, Rico J. Puno, and Bobot Mortiz with today’s top singers Nyoy Volante and Yeng Constantino serve as judges and give feedback on the contestants’ performances. Meanwhile, with the launch of “Tawag ng Tanghalan,” Amy Perez and Mariel RodriguezPadilla are now officially part of the “It’s Showtime” family. Amy and Mariel thanked the ABS-CBN management and the madlang people for the trust and support they are getting and greeted everyone a Happy New Year. Don’t miss the return of “Tawag ng Tanghalan” in “It’s Showtime,” Mondays to Saturdays noon in ABS-CBN. For more information, follow “It’s Showtime” on Facebook and Twitter (@ ItsShowtimena). CARDO FACES NEW ENEMIES IN “ANG PROBINSYANO”. Cardo (Coco Martin) welcomes the New Year with a bang as he faces new enemies and continues his search for Demetrio (Ronaldo Valdez), the syndicate’s leader, in “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.” Now that Isabel is (Maricar Reyes) in jail, the group of Raymond (Joem Bascon), Brad (Polo Ravales), and Jenna (Hanna Ledesma) takes over their syndicate’s operations. Having a target house to rob, they put their plans to work by alluring the household help and securing her trust. Can Cardo stop them in making their plans happen or will they outsmart him with Demetrio’s help? Don’t miss the action-packed scenes in “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” weeknights in ABS-CBN. For more information about the program, visit the official social networking site of Dreamscape Entertainment Television at Facebook.com/ DreamscapePH, Twitter.com/DreamscapePH, and Instagram.com/DreamscapePH.

January 1 – 7, 2016

BEAUTY AND THE BESTIE Vice Ganda, Coco Martin, James Reid, Nadine Lustre PG

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

WALANG FOREVER Jennylyn Mercado, Jericho Rosales PG

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

HAUNTED MANSION Janella Salvador, Marlo Mortel, Jerome Ponce PG

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

MY BEBE LOVE: #KILIGPAMORE Ai-Ai de las Alas, Vic Sotto, Alden Richards, Maine Mendoza PG

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

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TRAVEL URBANISSIMO A1 perience in 2015 that was hard to top was my stay at the Island Buenavista. Promising guests their own private island, the Island Buenavista delivers all that in aces. You get your own stretch of powder-fine white sand beach, your own private villa (there are eight different villas to choose from), your own private lounge and pool as well. Owning your own private island does not mean you get to go there alone though, as you can bring along up to 9 of your friends to tag along and experience the island. All meals, snacks, and drinks are also provided for.

Lost at Tokyo’s Ameyoko Shopping Street

Many travellers love to shop and a visit to a local mall is always part of any shopper’s itinerary. My favourite places to shop for unique and quirky finds though would be at the many shopping streets that can be found especially around Asia. I travelled to Tokyo this year and had the time of my life going around and getting lost at the Ameyoko shopping street. While

many traditional shopping streets focused on specialty goods and are often zoned around the goos they sell, the Ameyoko is a hodgepodge of many different independent stores selling different goods right beside each other. A store may be selling cosmetics and right besides it is a store that is selling sports shoes and right besides that is a shop selling fresh fish. This juxtapositioning is what makes the Ameyoko so exciting for travellers and shoppers alike and that is why it made it onto my list.

Philippine Eagle Conservation Center

It had been a while since I last visited the Philippine Eagle Conservation Center at Malagos that is why I was pleasantly surprised at how the centre now looks. Diola may have passed on but new ambassador eagles such as Pag-Asa and Mindanao are now spearheading the campaign to save our national bird. My recent visit to the centre truly opened my eyes to the beauty and strength of the Philippine Eagle as well as what still

Mindanao, the Philippine Eagle Conservation Center’s eagle ambassador.

Having fun at Tokyo’s Ameyoko street market.

Going back in time at Gulang Yu.

needs to be done to save our national treasure.

Tracing My Roots in Xiamen

Looking back at 2015, my trip to Xiamen City on the South-east coast of China was special. Given that I trace my roots back to the area, Xiamen was both familiar and unfamiliar to me. The cuisine

of the city was familiar to me, dishes such as oyster omelette, mee-sua, and ho-pia offer familiar flavours to what I had tasted in Davao and in manila’s Chinatown. What was unfamiliar to me though was how much Xiamen has changed though the years. The main city of Xiamen is modern and pulses with life, yet there are still districts such as Zhong San Road and Gulang Yu Island where one can have

a peek at the harbour city’s past glory and how it looked like when my ancestors left it for a better life in the Philippines.

Looking Forward to Talikud Island

Looking at 2016, I believe Talikud Island will be seeing more visitors thanks to the valiant effort of Davao del Norte’s Provincial Tourism Council president Ms. Araceli Ayuste as well as the island’s natural beauty.

Talikud Island’s pristine white sand beaches.

Although there are other white sand beaches in the Davao region, Talikud Island’s long stretches of natural powder-fine white-sand public beaches that can rival those of Boracay are closer to Durianburg with just a ferry boat ride from Davao City to the island’s Sta. Cruz port. This, together with the new Talikud Island inland tours will now allow travellers more access to the island’s attractions beyond the shore.

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A mangrove tree.

Mangroves against natural disasters Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO (First of Two Parts)

ANGROVES store up to times the carbon of tropical forests. Such was the finding of a new study in New Guinea which highlights the value of Indonesia’s mangrove forests, both on the global carbon market and for local communities. “Threatened mangroves and marine ecosystems in general get far less attention than tropical rainforests in climate negotiations, despite the many useful ecosystem services they provide,” wrote Johnny Langenheim in article which appeared in the website of The Coral Triangle. “Mangroves are highly efficient carbon sinks, absorbing up to 10 times as much carbon dioxide as terrestrial forests.” This was supported by a study conducted by a team of U.S. Forest Service and university scientists. Coastal mangrove forests store more carbon than almost any other forest on Earth, surmised the findings which was published online in the journal Nature Geoscience. “Mangroves have long been known as extremely productive ecosystems that cycle carbon quickly, but until now there had been no estimate of how much carbon resides in these systems. That’s essential information because when land-use change occurs, much of that standing carbon stock can be released to the atmosphere,” says Daniel Donato, a postdoctoral research ecologist at the Pacific Southwest Research Station in Hilo, Hawaii. The research team examined the carbon content of 25 mangrove forests across the Indo-Pacific region and found that mangrove forests, per hectare, store “up to four times more carbon than most other tropical forests around the world.” The Science Daily gives this bit of information: “The mangrove forest’s ability to store such large amounts of carbon can be attributed, in part, to the deep organic-rich soils in which it thrives. Mangrove-sediment carbon stores were on average five times larger than those typically observed in temperate, boreal and tropical terrestrial forests, on a per-unit-area basis. It further explains: “The mangrove forest’s complex root systems, which anchor the plants into underwater sediment, slow down incoming tidal waters allowing organic and inorganic material to settle into the sediment surface. Low oxygen condi-

tions slow decay rates, resulting in much of the carbon accumulating in the soil. In fact, mangroves have more carbon in their soil alone than most tropical forests have in all their biomass and soil combined.” Mangroves are a “very efficient living system in terms of sequestering carbon dioxide,” says Daniel Murdiyarso, a climate change expert at the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) in Bogor, Indonesia. The carbon dioxide, he continues, is “stored in the leaves, and the leaves will be consumed by the feeders, including crabs and all those microorganisms below the ground.” According to the Science Daily, the high-carbon storage suggests mangroves may play an important role in climate change management. Aside from the main greenhouse gas contributor of fossil-fuel burning, the forestry sector can play a part -- especially carbon-rich forests that are being cleared rapidly on a global scale, such as mangroves. “When we did the math, we were surprised to see just how much carbon is likely being released from mangrove clearing,” Donato was quoted as saying. This suggests, according to Donato, that where consistent with local management objectives, mangroves may be strong candidates for programs aiming to mitigate climate change by reducing deforestation rates. Mangroves are communities of trees in the tidal flats in coastal waters, extending inland along rivers where the water is tidal, saline, or brackish. “There are 25 to 30 species of true mangrove trees and an equal number of associated species,” says Dr. Miguel Fortes, a professor of Marine Science Institute at the College of Science of University of the Philippines in Diliman. Dr. Theresa Mundita Lim, Biodiversity Management Bureau, says its agency has identified 42 species of mangroves in the country. None of them are facing extinction yet. But the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is considering of putting 11 out of 70 mangrove species assessed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. “Mangroves form one of the most important tropical habitats that support many species, and their loss can affect marine and terrestrial biodiversity much more widely,” pointed out Beth Polidoro, who led the first-ever global assessment on the

Mangrove areas are places where marine creatures live in their earlier stages of life. conservation status of mangroves. Mangroves are very important to marine life, says Dr. Rafael Guerrero III, former director of the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development. They serve as sanctuaries and feeding grounds for fish that nibble on detritus (fallen and decaying leaves) trapped in the vegetation, and on the bark and leaves of living trees. “(Mangroves) are important feeding sites for many commercially important fish species (mullet, tilapia, eel, and especially milkfish), shrimps, prawns, mollusks, crabs, and sea cucumbers,” a

World Bank report on environment adds. “Fry that gather in mangrove areas are very important for aquaculture.” But still, mangrove forests are being denuded. “Despite legislation and programs to protect mangroves, the country has lost most of its mangroves due largely to fishpond development, charcoal production, industrial conversion, reclamation, and pollution,” deplores Dr. Fortes. Studies have shown the country’s original 500,000 hectares of mangroves has whittled down to 100,000 hectares or less. To think of, mangroves are considered as the best

Mangroves thrive in areas where fresh and sea waters meet. hope of the Philippines for mitigating climate change, according to a news item carried by the Rappler. “Mangroves in general are one of nature’s best ways for combatting global warming,” Dr. Filiberto Pollisco, policy and research specialist of ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), told participants of the panel discussion on the relationship between biodiversity and climate change. But on the other hand, mangroves also act as “a ticking carbon time bomb.” The Rappler report explained that “when a mangrove forest is uprooted and deforested, the enormous amount of carbon

stored in its roots are released into the atmosphere as carbon emissions.” According to Dr. Pollisco, digging up only two meters of soil in a mangrove forest for conversion into, say, a shrimp pond, already releases 1,400 tons of carbon per hectare per year. CIFOR’s Murdiyarso says mangroves account for less than 1 percent of the world’s tropical forest area, but their destruction produces 10 percent of all carbon emissions from deforestation. Deforestation, meanwhile, is the second-largest source of carbon emissions after the burning of fossil fuels.

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Aboitiz team members bring smiles to kids at annual Christmas Outreach

O share the spirit of the yuletide season, Aboitiz team members in the company’s Cebu and Taguig corporate centers simultaneously conducted their annual Christmas Outreach last December 5. A total of 372 Aboitiz team members, scholars, and Aboitiz Future Leaders Business Summit alumni served as big brothers and sisters to the Christmas Outreach beneficiaries, composed of 250 children in Barangay Hagonoy, Taguig City and 296 children from Cebu City’s Agsungot Integrated School,

Badjao Tribe in Sitio Puntod, Alaska, Mambaling, and SOS Children’s Village Talamban. The Aboitiz Christmas Outreach, a team member-initiated activity, has become an annual tradition for Aboitiz team members to give back and bring joy to less fortunate children during Christmas. Led by a Christmas Outreach Committee, Aboitiz team members this year initiated fundraising activities such as a trivia night, a rummage sale, and “Love in a Shoe Box.” Meanwhile, to supple-

ment the Aboitiz team members’ own efforts, the Aboitiz Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the Aboitiz Group, matched the amount raised from these activities. The funds raised were used to prepare the outreach activities and purchase gifts and grocery packs for the children and their families. “We are here to show how we live out our core value of responsibility. You can be sure that we value our time together and hope to make a positive impact, particularly on the lives of these children,” Erramon I. Aboitiz, Aboitiz

Equity Ventures President and Chief Executive Officer, said. “Seeing them smile reminds us that our purpose is being fulfilled. After all, Christmas and excited kids go hand in hand,” Aboitiz added. The Aboitiz Group encourages active involvement from its team members for various corporate social responsibility activities such as the annual Christmas outreach. This forms part of the Aboitiz Group’s drive to make Aboitiz a truly sustainable enterprise that can be entrusted to future generations.

ABOITIZ HOLIDAY CHEER. Aboitiz team members bring smiles to the faces of over 500 children at the Aboitiz Group’s Christmas Outreach activities in Manila and Cebu. “You can be sure that we value our time together and hope to make a positive impact, particularly on the lives of these children,” said Erramon I. Aboitiz, Aboitiz Equity Ventures President and CEO.

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A grand Kia Carnival surprise

IA Philippines ended 2015 with a big surprise (literally): the launch of the 11-seater version of the Grand Carnival. Dubbed the Grand Carnival 11, this version of Kia’s large MPV offering is catered towards larger families (who don’t find the second-row Captain’s Seats useful) or those who’re looking to maximize the Grand Carnival’s cavernous interior. At the same time, the Grand Carnival 11 starts at a much more pocket-friendly price. The Kia Grand Carnival 11 starts at P 1,575,000 putting it squarely against the Hyundai Starex and Toyota Hiace Grandia. Of course, it carries less opulence than the fully loaded 7-seater Grand Car-

nival. You lose things like the 18-inch alloy wheels, leather seats, and the moon roof. Still, it’s reasonably loaded with anti-stain YES Essentials fabric seats, power side doors, and even a rear backup camera. Furthermore, unlike the Starex and Hiace Grandia, the fourth row seats in the Grand Carnival can be stowed flat into the floor with a single action mechanical lever. Like the luxury-oriented Grand Carnival, the Grand Carnival 11 is powered by the R 2.2-liter 4-cylinder CRDi engine with 200 horsepower and 431 Nm of torque. The sole transmission remains a 6-speed automatic minus the cruise control function.

Subaru Earns top marks in IIHS safety standards

UJI Heavy Industries Ltd. (FHI), the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles, recently announced that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS; a nonprofit organization supported by auto insurers in the US) has awarded the highest standard of safety, 2016 TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+), along with the highest possible rating of

“Good” for five crash-worthiness tests as well as “Superior” for front crash prevention with the highest possible score of 6 points, to the 2016 Subaru Legacy, Outback, Forester, Impreza, Subaru XV, and WRX. IIHS has strengthened the requirements for both 2016 TSP and 2016 TSP+. To qualify for 2016 TSP, a vehicle must

earn “Good” ratings in five crashworthiness tests – small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints – as well as a “Basic” rating for front crash prevention. To qualify for 2016 TSP+, a vehicle must earn “Good” ratings in the five crash-worthiness tests and an “Advanced” or “Superior” rating for front crash prevention.

Honda holds fuel economy test, achieves exceptional figures

ONDA Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) achieves remarkable fuel efficiency results for their vehicles in an internal fuel economy run observed by an Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP) representative with the highest figure at 33.88 km/L recorded for the Brio Amaze. Eight Honda vehicles were put to a fuel efficiency test in both highway and city courses using normal driving style with running air conditioning system. Each vehicle was assigned a driver and navigator. The City, Brio, Brio Amaze, Mobilio, Jazz, HR-V, CR-V and Odyssey were driven for 166 kilometers of highway and 55 kilometers stretch of city traffic. To ensure realistic results are achieved, stringent mechanics or standards were applied in relation

to gas up, tire pressure and air conditioning settings. All settings were sealed prior to vehicle dispatch from starting point. Furthermore, third-party observer, AAP representative, Francisco Reyes strictly monitored the whole process. For highway driving leg, participants tackled the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) on the way to Urdaneta, Pangasinan from Petron Marilao station. Meanwhile for city driving portion, participants passed through the traffic congested roads of EDSA, Roxas Boulevard, Gil Puyat Avenue, Kalayaan and C5. As a result of this activity, the most fuel efficient vehicles in the fleet for both highway and city legs were the Brio Amaze 1.3 E

MT, Brio 1.3 V Navi AT, and City 1.5 E CVT for passenger cars and the CR-V 2.0 S AT and Mobilio 1.5 V CVT for commercial vehicles. The 4-cylinder, 1.3 liter i-VTEC engine mated with 5-speed automatic transmission and 5-speed manual transmission proved to be an efficient combination for the Brio and Brio Amaze to achieve remarkable fuel economy. The Brio Amaze 1.3 E MT model recorded 33.88 km/L for highway driving and 20.37 km/L for city dr\iving. Meanwhile, the Brio 1.3 V Navi AT recorded 31.92 km/L and 18.27 km/L for highway and city driving respectively. Their compact size and powerful engine, enable passengers of the Brio and Brio Amaze a comfortable mobility in various driving situations – highway or city – with exceptional fuel economy.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 200 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2016

SPORTS 15

DCPO stops CMO, enters finals

AVAO City Police Office defeated City Mayors Office, 98 – 92, in their do or die semi-final duel to advance to the finals of the 2015 AFP-PNP Basketball Tournament at the Davao City Recreation Center Almendras Gym on Saturday. DCPO held off the gutsy City Hall dribblers as the Camp Domingo Leonor-based squad made a return trip to the finals for the first time since 2012. Five DCPO players finished in double digits led by bullstrong forward Robinson Palomares who came through with 20 points. Marlon Cabanog banked in 15 baskets as Daniel Pumecha and Estong Uganap made 14 each for DCPO which also drew 10 from Mark Innocentes. Christopher “Bong” Go dished out a remarkable performance in the crucial match and CMO big men responded fairly to the challenge. But it was not good enough to propel CMO back to the finals as breaks of the game went to the Policemen’s side. Go, the trusted-aide of presidential contender Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, put on a memorable shooting perfor-

mance finishing the game with 37 points. The CMO scoring leader was so hot that he nailed 11 baskets from beyond the arc and all of them finding the bottom of the net. JR De Guzman made 23 markers while Weng Farochillen had 19 for the City Hall dribblers who stunned DCPO in the first encounter of the semifinal duel to force a rubber-match game. DCPO entered the Final Four as the second-seed that earned the Policemen a twice to beat privilege. CMO was third-seed. DCPO and CMO played at its best in the rubber match encounter displaying their offensive lethal weapons all throughout. But when the dust settled, it was DCPO marched its way to the best of three finals foiling CMO’s own bid for a return trip to the titular showdown. The Mayors men’s last entry in the finals was in 2012 when they eventually completed a rare “three-peat” under the banner of Team VMO. The team achieved the feat by sweeping the DCPO in the finals. (Rico Biliran)

TOP GUN. CMO’s top gunner Bong Go fired 37 points in a losing cause. Lean Daval Jr.

STEPPING UP. Lou Williams plays 34 minutes, making 11 of 17 field goal attempts including 6 of 7 from beyond the arc. AP

Kobe-less Lakers on a roll

OU Williams scored a season-high 30 points, and the Los Angeles Lakers sent Phoenix to its ninth straight loss with a 9777 rout of the cold-shooting Suns on Sunday night (Monday, Manila time). The Lakers, coming off victories over Boston and Philadelphia, have won three in a row for the first time since Feb. 22-27 against Boston, Utah and Milwaukee. Rookie Larry Nance Jr. had 15 points and tied a season high with his second straight 14-rebound game. Kobe Bryant sat out his second straight game because of a sore right shoulder, the same one he had surgery on last January to repair a torn rotator cuff. The league’s third alltime leading scorer, who turned 37 in August, is averaging 17.2 points in 29 games. Bryant announced on Nov. 29 that this would be his the final season of his 20year NBA career.

Brandon Knight had 25 points, nine assists and three rebounds for the Suns, who shot 36 percent from the field and trailed by as many as 38 points en route to their 21st loss in 27 games since beating the Lakers at Phoenix on Nov. 16. Phoenix center Tyson Chandler, who was ejected midway through the third quarter of Saturday’s 142119 loss at Sacramento, played only 19 minutes in this one and missed his first five shots before finishing with two points on 1 for 6 shooting. The Suns were playing their fourth game in five nights and looked tired, making only nine of 46 shots in the first half (19.6 percent) and scoring just 10 points in the opening quarter before the Lakers built their lead to 43-22 by intermission. Williams ended his 11-point second quarter with a buzzer-beating 3 off an inbounds pass after the

Injured Serena withdraws from Hopman Cup opener

ERENA Williams withdrew from her opening match at the Hopman Cup due to a knee problem, an early setback in preparations for her Australian Open title defense. No. 1-ranked Williams practiced on Monday ahead of her scheduled season-opener for the US team against Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in the international mixed team competition at Perth Arena, but withdrew from the match citing knee inflammation. Vicky Duval filled in for Williams in the Group A match, losing, 6-4, 6-1, to Svitolina in the first

singles match and giving Ukraine a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three match round-robin encounter. Williams said she was confident she’d be able to join Jack Sock in the US team to play the Australia Gold team on Tuesday. After winning the Australia, French and Wimbledon titles in 2015 Williams had two months off after the US Open, where she narrowly missed completing a season Grand Slam by losing to Roberta Vinci in the semifinals. The 20-year-old Duval returned to tennis in August after overcoming Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

SERENA WILLIAMS. Injury in Perth.

Lakers took a 20-second timeout with 1.1 seconds on the clock. The Suns had won nine of their previous 10 meetings with the Lakers. But despite this loss, they still have a three-game lead over Los Angeles in the race to stay out of the Pacific Division cellar.

TIP-INS Suns: The Suns (12-25) are 0-15 when scoring fewer than 100 points. . C Alex Len, limited to 6 1-2 minutes of playing time on Saturday because of a sore left hand, came off the bench for the third straight game and had six points and nine rebounds in 28 minutes. “They’ve taken X-rays and it’s not broken, but it’s really sore and he has a hard time squeezing his hand,” coach Jeff Hornacek said. “He’s going to continue to play and try to be a presence out there — at least on the defensive end and spell Tyson in some of those min-

utes. With all the traveling, every time he goes up in an airplane, it swells up again. So it probably won’t calm down until we get back home.”... The Suns are 0-10 when an opposing player has scored 30 or more points against them. . Phoenix is 0-5 since point guard Eric Bledsoe’s season-ending injury to his left knee and subsequent surgery to repair a torn meniscus. Lakers: A fan won a $95,000 for hitting a halfcourt shot after the third quarter.... Nance made seven of 10 shots in his first start against the team his dad starred for during his first 6-1/2 NBA seasons... Roy Hibbert, the only Laker to start all 35 games, had 13 points and six boards. . Bryant’s highest-scoring game without a 3-point basket was against the Suns, when he scored 48 points on Jan. 10, 2012, at Los Angeles. . The Lakers snapped a nine-game home losing streak against Western Conference teams.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. VOL.88ISSUE ISSUE200 200••TUESDAY, TUESDAY,JANUARY JANUARY5,5,2016 2016

JORDAN’S RECORD SHATTERED

Butler rips MJ’s halftime mark

IMMY Butler broke Michael Jordan’s franchise record for the most points in a half with 40 as the Chicago Bulls rallied to beat the Toronto Raptors 115-113 on Sunday. Butler, who scored two points in the first half before exploding for 40 in the second, surpassed Jordan’s mark of 39 which the NBA icon set against the Milwaukee Bucks in February 1988. The 26-year-old shooting guard rattled in a clutch three pointer with 30 seconds left as the Bulls beat the Raptors for the second time in six days. Asked about breaking Jordan’s record, Butler said, “Do not compare me to him.” Butler’s superb second half allowed the Bulls to come from behind after trailing by as many as 15 points at the Air Canada Centre arena. “He just couldn’t miss. It was unbelievable,” teammate Taj Gibson said of Butler.

The Bulls have now won seven straight over the Raptors, including a 104-97 win last Monday in Chicago. Centre Pau Gasol added 19 points and 13 rebounds and forward Nikola Mirotic scored 17 points for Chicago. Guard DeMar DeRozan led the Raptors with 24 points but missed a shot as the final buzzer sounded. Forward Luis Scola and point guard Kyle Lowry each scored 22 points and Lowry added 10 assists for the Raptors in front of a crowd of 19,800. With the game tied 109109, Lowry hit a turn-around jumper with 40.9 seconds left to put the Raptors ahead by two points. Butler came back with a three-pointer to give the Bulls a 112-111 lead with 30.6 seconds remaining in regulation. Lowry missed a running layup and Toronto forward DeMarre Carroll was called for a foul that sent Gasol to

the free throw line. Gasol made one of two to give the Bulls a two-point lead with 23 seconds on the clock. On the Bulls’ next possession Gibson made one of two free throws and Chicago led by three. Centre Jonas Valanciunas cut the lead to one with 4.6 seconds left. Butler made one of two free throws and DeRozan missed a long shot from beyond the arc at the buzzer. The Bulls won despite injuries to key players, including guard Derrick Rose who missed his third straight game. Rose will have an MRI done of his sore right hamstring on Monday. Joakim Noah also did not play because of an injured left shoulder. Jack out for season Brooklyn Nets point guard Jarrett Jack will miss the rest of the season after an MRI revealled he had a torn ACL and a partially torn MCL in his right knee, the team an-

nounced Sunday. Jack, 32, will require surgery to repair the damage. He suffered the injury during Saturday’s win over the Boston Celtics. Jack averaged 12.8 points, a team-high 7.4 assists and 4.3 rebounds this season in 32 games. Faried feeling “much better” Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried said Sunday he was feeling “much better” was released from hospital following an injury scare the day before in a game against Golden State in Oakland. Faried was taken off the court on a stretcher Saturday with an apparent neck injury.

RECORD BREAKING NIGHT. Jimmy Butler had 42 points over all and shot 14 of 19 in the second half on Sunday.