Edge Davao 8 Issue 201

VOL. 8 ISSUE 201 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2016

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

SPMahamud HAS NEW GUY attends first session as new SP member

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. abf@edgedavao.net

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ORE than two years after resigning as city councilor to become city administrator, lawyer Jesus Melchor Quitain was finally replaced at the City Council by lawyer John Christopher T. Mahamud.

Mahamud, former counsel of the City Legal Office, attended his first City Council session yesterday.

He was appointed by Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, who is the chairman of the local political party Hugpog sa Tawong Lungsod,

in September 2015 but the appointment was approved only in December by Malacañang in an order signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. Quitain had resigned as councilor of the first district in September 2013 after accepting the post of city administrator offered by Duterte, who had just won another term as mayor after serving three years as vice mayor.

Mahamud, in an interview yesterday at the sidelines of the Council session,

said he was flattered to be appointed by Duterte as substitute for Quitain.

“I am flattered and also challenged since it is a big shoe to fill in. We cannot deny the big contribution of Atty. Qutain as veteran legislator in the City Council,” he said.

“But who am I to question the judgment of our mayor as the chairperson of our political party?” he added.

Mahamud said he will try his best not to fail Duterte’s trust and prove his worth in

the position.

He said given the short span of time of his term, which will end in six months, he will try to look into the amendments of the Davao City Investment Code.

He said some provisions in the code are vague and difficult to understand and prone to misinterpretation.

Mahamud said he is supposed to handle the committees on education, youth or cultural minorities but will leave the decision to Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte.

KICK-OFF. The campaign team for Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte’s presidential bid kicks off its two-day national campaign conference at The Grand Regal Hotel yesterday.

The Duterte campaign team 2016 is composed of experienced personalities from various regions in the country.

Lean Daval Jr.

EDGEDAVAO Sports Farewell fight for Manny P15

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 201 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2016

ALL IN A DAY’S WORK. A City Transportation and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) personnel helps out in pushing a public utility vehicle to the side of the road to avoid further traffic congestion along Magallanes Street yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

City poll body bares official number of bets

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AVAO City has a total of 43 candidates gunning for seats at the City Council in the local polls this year.

Atty. Danilo Cullo, city election officer revealed that among these candidates 16, 13 and 14 will be running for the first district, second district and third district of the city, respectively.

He said three candidates are also gunning for the mayoralty seat, including Atty. Sara Duterte-Carpio who will replace her father, Atty. Rodrigo Duterte who will run for the presidency in the coming 2016 elections.

Cullo said those who filed and died following the submission of the certificates of candidacy are no longer included in the list of candidates.

“Those who died recently are already out of the race,” he said.

Davao City has a total of 873,670 registered voters who will be allowed to vote after they are through with the biometric registration while a total of 97,000 voters can no longer vote in the forthcoming elections after they failed to comply with the biometric registration.

The election period formal-

LEADER of the non-government organization is convinced that Liberal Party (LP) vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo is the right person to work for the welfare and betterment of the urban poor sector.

In a newspaper column, Urban Poor Associates (UPA) executive director Denis Murphy said Robredo is “just the person needed for this crucial work” of uplifting the living condition of the poor.

“She was the wife and co-worker of Jesse Robredo during his many terms as mayor of Naga, when he add-

ed to the city’s prosperity and the wellbeing of its poor and revolutionized urban management,” Murphy said.

“I hope (Robredo) is elected and I hope the next president whoever it is puts her in charge of a program that will empower the poor people of the country,” he added.

With her vast experience in working with the urban poor sector, Murphy said Robredo will effectively lead the program that will educate the poor about their rights under the law.

“Leni Robredo has the cha-

FCITY, 10

Robredo endorsed by civil society org A

FROBREDO, 10

Comelec lays down gun ban requirements

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Davao City asked all the candidates who have bodyguards to secure exemptions from the gun ban.

Speaking in yesterday’s Pulong-Pulong ni Pulong at the City Council’s Lounge, Comelec second district election officer Danilo Cullo said the gun ban will start on the same day as the start of the election campaign period on January 10.

“Kung magdadala sila ng firearm without the gun ban

exemption they will be arrested (If they will bring firearms without exemption they will be arrested),” he said.

Cullo said applications for the gun ban started in December, with the forms available at the Comelec website.

He said the application will undergo threat assessment by the Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC) which is headed by the Comelec regional director along with the higher officials of Philippine National Police (PNP) and

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

He said if the application is approved, the RJSCC will make the necessary recommendation to the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Personnel (CBFSP).

CBFSP, headed by the Comelec, is the sole agency that may issue the Certificates of Authority.

Cullo said if it is really needed, the RJSCC will issue a temporary authority to the firearms of the bodyguards of the

politicians provided that there is a threat to the candidate.

Meanwhile, Cullo announced that starting January 10 there will be also prohibition on the transfer and movement of Civil Service Commission officials.

He said there will also be no hiring of new employees and no salary increases in all government offices.

“Creation of new position for purposes of affecting the result of the election is also prohibited,” he said.

rules, privileges, laws and ordinances.

Under the existing ordinance, projects which are of socio-economic and environmental significance or of national interest with an area of one hectare above should have a 10 percent allocation for more green spaces to be planted with trees and ornamental plants to be developed for water pond purposes. This is in addition to open space required by law.

The proposed resolution, however, says the Subdivision

and Housing Developers Association (SHDA)-Southern Mindanao and the Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing of the Philippines (OSHDP)-Davao Chapter have claimed that the requirement is “burdensome, expensive, and confiscatory” on their part as well as to their clients.

The groups have also said the additional cost will be passed on to the clients.

The resolution pointed out that most of the existing open spaces in the subdivisions remain unplanted. Some of the

areas are used for poultries, piggeries, as grazing yards of goats, sheep, and cows.

Al-ag proposed that instead of allotting 10 percent more green spaces, developers would be required to leave open spaces, setback areas, and sidewalk strips.

These are the areas where trees and ornamental plants would be planted and water ponds would be developed and then turned over to the homeowners.

Al-ag was supposed to

Amendments proposed for CLUP T

HE Davao City Council is set to amend a provision of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan for the accessibility of subdivisions that are being developed.

The proposed resolution to enact an ordinance amending the article 9 of City Ordinance no. 0546 of 2013 or the City Land Use Plan 2013-2022 was discussed on second reading in yesterday’s City Council regular session.

The proposal was initiated by councilor Bernard Alag, chair of the committee on

FAMENDMENTS, 10

5 DavNor towns gain DTI BUB projects for 2016

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IVE towns in Davao del Norte availed projects amounting to P 4.9-million from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) under the 2016 Bottom Up Budgeting (BUB) program.

DTI Davao del Norte Provincial Director Romeo Castañaga revealed that they will turn-over BUB project this year to Panabo City, Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS), Carmen, New Corella and San Isidro.

According to DTI records, the projects are One Town One Product (OTOP) Store Express for Carmen and IGACOS, Yaman Pinoy program for various civil society organizations in Panabo City, Seaweed Industry Cluster Development in IGACOS, Bamboo Industry Cluster Development in New Corella and two Shared Service Facilities (SSF) in San Isidro.

The identified SSF are Tableya processing for Rural Improvement Clubs and small coconut farmers; and Meat Processing.

Castañaga disclosed that the turn-over will happen during the first quarter except for IGACOS and Carmen.

"The two local government units will still have to liquidate their previous BUB projects before we will turn-over their new one," he declared.

In 2015, the DTI gave P 500,000 to Carmen for Fish Processing, specifically for the upgrading of the Lamayo facility, and P 750,000 to IGACOS for Yaman Pinoy projects.

Castañaga stressed that Yaman Pinoy is a capacity building in entrepreneurship for the vulnerable sectors in the society like the women and elderly.

Aside from Carmen and IGACOS, Tagum City and Talaingod also got a share of the P 5.5-million BUB projects in the province. The projects were Industry Cluster Development for Cacao, Coffee and Rubber in Talaingod; and Tribal Display Center, Capacity Building for Night Market Operators and Various Product Development Interventions in Tagum City.

He added that the BUB projects were identified by Local Poverty Reduction Action Team (LPRAT), which is being actively participated by the civil society organizations.

(PIA11, Michael Uy)

OPAPP‘hits ground running’ in pushing for BBL passage

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HE Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) will continue pushing for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) despite uncertainties and challenges as political lines are drawn with the looming 2016 national elections.

“We should hit the ground running. These last six months are going to move fast (during which) we will face challenges,” OPAPP Secretary Teresita Q. Deles said. “This January, we are looking forward, working hard and praying harder, that we will see the passage of (the) BBL when Congress resumes

(sessions).”

Deles said passage of the BBL would ease discussions during the upcoming ministerial meeting this month in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on the Tripartite Review Process (TRP) on the implementation of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the Philippine government (GPH) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

“The House leadership is hopeful that they will be able to muster a quorum and finish the process. This is a message that we should not give up hope and we need to keep pushing for

FOPAPP, 10

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 201 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2016

GAME TIME. A trisikad driver plays a game on his cellular phone to fight boredom while waiting for passengers outside SM City Davao yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Duterte bares Agri plans P

HILIPPINE agriculture will have to go back to the basics and food production will be the major thrust of the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

Duterte, Mayor for 23 years of Davao City which is one of the country’s top food producing areas, said the government’s agriculture programs over the years have strayed to so many other activities and the primary task of producing food has been neglected, “Over the years, the production of cash crops has dominated the agriculture sector’s activities. We have forgotten that the main task of government is to ensure that food is available and affordable to the ordinary Filipino,” Duterte said in a recent activity where he talked about Philippine agriculture.

In his “Back to the Basics” approach in Philippine agriculture, Duterte said his administration, right after his assumption as President, would

immediately embark on the following tasks: 1. Determine the kind of food items that the market needs and quantify the volume food that the Filipino people would consume every year.

2. Identify which regions or provinces of the country would be suitable in the production of the needed food items. This would entail a nation-wide study to produce an agriculture guide map which would indicate soil suitability, climatic conditions and rainfall patterns so that farmers would be know what to plant or raise.

3. Once the key production areas are identified based on crop suitability, government will come in with the needed interventions to support the farmers in their production.

4. Irrigation services must be considered a vital government obligation to support the growth of Philippine economy, just like the network of roads being used for free. The country’s rice farmers should be supported by providing them free irrigation water and

should be allowed to manage their own irrigation systems for themselves without being obliged to pay for the irrigation fees.

5. Basic infrastructures to facilitate the transport of food and agricultural products from the key production areas to the market will be given priority by the Duterte Presidency.

6. Food terminals complete with cold storage facilities will be established in key production areas to serve as the delivery point for the farmers’ produce. From there, the food items will be distributed to other areas where these are needed in a concept called “Food Positioning.”

7. The processing of food products at the local level would be given the needed support by the Duterte Presidency to add more value to the farmers’ produce and create jobs in the countryside.

8. The country’s potential as a top producer of aqua and marine products given the fact that it is a country which has the fifth longest coastline in

Labor officials laud agri firm for 11 CBA signings

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THE NEW GUY. Newly-installed councilor John Christopher Mahamud chats with fellow councilors during yesterday’s regular session at the Sangguniang Panlungsod. Mahamud was chosen to fill the seat of former councilor and now city administrator Melchor Quitain Jr. Lean Daval Jr.

the world would be given focus and support by the Duterte Presidency.

9. Farmers in areas which could not grow food products will be supported by the Duterte Presidency by introducing crops suited to the area with the needed technical and funding support.

10. Environmental protection and ecological balance will be given priority by the Duterte Presidency to ensure the sustainable production of healthy food for the country.

“No more agricultural experiments. We go back to the basics. Our farmers should only produce what is needed by the market and what the Filipinos would consume,” Duterte said in outlining a new paradigm in Philippine agriculture.

Duterte’s “Back to the Basics” approach in agriculture which spells out that farm production must be guided by the demand of the market makes him the only Presidential candidate to present a solid program on how to feed the 110-million Filipinos.

ABOR officials in the Davao Region has hailed the 11 collective bargaining agreements (CBA) signed in 2015 between Lapanday Foods Corporation and its four unions.

“For proving again that through mutual trust and cooperation under the spirit of dialogue, industrial peace is achieved, while workers’ rights are protected and their dialogue are improved, Lapanday management and the unions in concluding their CBAs are good examples for other companies and unions to emulate in the region.” Department of Labor and Employment-XI (DOLE-XI) regional director Joffrey Suyao said.

The historic signing was held December 17 last year. The unions were led by their respective presidents.

These four unions include Delta Farm Workers Union (Associated Labor UnionTrade Union Congress of the Philippines); Farmingtown Agro-Developers Workers Union (ALU-TUCP); Evergreen Farms Inc. Workers Union (ALU-TUCP) and Samahang Manggagawang Lapanday Guihing (ALU-TUCP).

The National Concilation and Mediation Board region XI OIC Maria Theresa Francisco said the CBA signing has pleased the NCMB as the parties have ensured that they alone arrive at agreements

FLABOR, 10

EDGEDAVAO

4 SUBURBIA

VOL. 8 ISSUE 201 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2016

Five North Cot villages get new covered courts

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TIRED BAKWIT. After a whole night of alert status, a young boy takes a nap at the Kauran Gymnasium in the municipality of Ampatuan in Maguindanao.

The gym hosts 700 families who left their homes since Christmas for fear of attacks by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). MindaNews photo by Ferdinandh Cabrera

ESIDENTS of five villages in the town welcomed the New Year with newly-built covered courts courtesy of the North Cotabato provincial government, officials said Tuesday.

Governor Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza led the formal turnover of infrastructure projects worth P7.5 million to officials and residents of the town’s five remote villages on Monday.

Each covered court costs P1.5-million, funded by the provincial government.

Present during the turnover rites were town Vice Mayor Moises Arendain and the chairpersons of recipient barangays of Nasapian, Manili, Pebpoloan, Kitulaan and Manarapan.

Speaking to recipients, Mendoza said she hoped the covered courts will help the villages through serving as a

venue for community gatherings, barangay activities, sports even and as evacuation center which can provide shelter for people in times of calamities.

Arendain lauded Mendoza for looking into the welfare of the people and for being responsive to the requested priority projects of many villages.

“The construction of these covered courts provided a lot of advantages for the five recipient villages because it will used for various important purposes which is part of the development of their respective barangays,” Arendain said.

“We are so blessed to have this covered court as this will be a convenient and decent venue for our activities here in the barangay,” said Baguinaid Ayob, Chairman of Barangay Nasapian.

He vowed to take care of the structure with the help of the villagers. (PNA)

HE Davao Oriental provincial government again distributed rice subsidy to farmer-beneficiaries here as part of its Rice Expansion Program to further boost rice production in the province.

Some 1,600 farmers in the towns of Banaybanay and Lupon received one bag of rice seeds each. This rice support is set to cover at least 1,600 hectares of rice fields in these towns.

Provincial Agriculture Office (PAGRI) Department Head Rotchie Ravelo said that for the whole province, PAGRI has allotted a total of 3,176 bags of certified and registered rice seeds for dispersal.

He said that the rice distribution is a strategy the provincial government has initiated to help the province attain its 100 percent rice sufficiency level target.

“Attaining this will enable us to supply enough rice to feed the province’s entire population,” he said, adding that it

has been the ultimate goal of the provincial government to assist to improve rice production.

Ravelo said for the past eight years, Davao Oriental has achieved substantial increase on the rice sufficiency level from 41 percent in 2007 to 68 percent in 2014 through its Rice Self Sufficiency Program, which was introduced in 2008.

According to the PAGRI, Davao Oriental has achieved a production of 4.27 metric tons per hectare per year – a figure way above the national average target which is only 3.87 metric tons per hectare per year. “With this outstanding performance in rice production, Davao Oriental ranked fourth in the recent AgriPinoy Rice Achiever Award (APRAA), which was participated by 62 rice-producing provinces in the country,” he said.

Amid this major feat in rice production, Ravelo stressed that there is still a need to fur-

DavOr farmers Families displaced 1,600 receive rice seed support

by BIFF return home T

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AMILIES displaced by hostilities due to attacks by outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Ampatuan, Maguindanao have already returned home, disaster officials said.

However, another 1,000 families in another Maguindanao municipality remained in evacuation centers due to infighting involving armed groups.

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao-Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team (ARMM-HEART) Tuesday reported that families in several sub-villages of Kauran, Ampatuan Maguindanao have returned home as of Monday, January 4.

Captaing Joan Petinglay, spokesperson of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said police and soldiers have been

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deployed in Barangay Kauran, the predominantly Christian dominated community of farmers.

ARMM-HEART is an inter-agency tasked to carry out emergency response in time of man-made and natural calamities in the region.

On Monday, it also distributed relief goods and food packs to some 820 families in nearby Datu Abdulla Sangki which the BIFF also attacked after wreaking havoc in adjacent Barangay Kauran on the eve of Christmas last year.

Myrna Jo Henry, speaking for ARMM-HEART, said about 700 families were also displaced by infighting involving Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) guerrillas in Sultan sa Barongis, also in Maguindanao, about 10 kilometers away from Ampatuan town.

Maguindanao provincial board member Bobby Katambak said the fighting in Sultan sa Barogis has displaced 650 people or about 95 families.

They are now housed at the evacuation center in the Poblacion.

Gov. Esmael Toto Mangudadatu also led separate relief operations to families affected by the MILF clashes and urged the government and MILF ceasefire panels to mediate so normalcy is restored in affected communities.

In North Cotabato, some 1,000 families are still in evacuation sites in Barangay Kidama, Matalam, North Cotabato, refusing to return home for fear armed confrontation between MILF and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) will erupt anytime.

North Cotabato Gov. Em-

mylou Mendoza has led the distribution of food packs and other provisions to affected families, many of whom were Muslim residents and relatives of warring clans.

Military and police officials said the conflict was triggered by a long standing family feud over land ownership.

Senior Insp. Sunny Leoncito, Matalam town police chief, said the fire fight involving MNLF and rival Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) occurred at about 7 p.m. on December 31.

Leoncito told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that the clan war involved MNLF under Kamid Mangadta alias Commander Dragon and MILF 108th base commander leader Kepig Imbong who was a village council member of Barangay Kidama. (PNA)

F1,600, 10

Lake Holon closed to tourists from January 11 to March 5

O tourist will be allowed to visit Lake Holon beginning Monday, January 11, until March 6 this year.

In a memorandum dated January 4, Tboli Mayor Dibu Tuan directed Rodel Hilado, Community-Based Economic Tourism Unit head, to temporarily close entrances to Lake Holon “to allow the lake to recuperate.”

These entrances include the trails in Barangay Tibolok, Sitio Kule and Sitio Nabul.

“The Local Government of Tboli will rehabilitate some physical structures at the site and construct additional comfort rooms as well as conduct trainings of drivers, tourist guides, horse drivers, frontliners,” Tuan said in the memorandum.

Also during this time, the LGU will process accreditation of additional tourism destinations in the municipality.

Lake Holon, the 304-hectare crater lake of Mt. Melibingoy, is becoming a popular destination for nature adventure enthusiasts in South Cotabato, SOCCSKSARGEN Region. It is famous for trekking, camping, kayaking and fish spa.

In an interview with the Philippine Information Agency, Hilado emphasized that closing the lake for almost three months aims to allow the lake and its environment to recover and improve the facilities in the area.

“Repairs will focus on the toilets and bunkhouse to make these more durable and comfortable.

We will also arrange the camp site

and identify areas exclusively for cooking and bonfires,” Hilado said.

Trainings intend to improve the capability of frontline service providers. These will be implemented in coordination with the Department of Tourism 12 and the provincial government. One training will be implemented next week, he said.

“We hope to develop their capability as service providers to be as competitive as those in more established tourism areas in the country,” he emphasized.

Capability-building of the service providers, he explained, is important considering that the local government is determined in developing eco-tourism in the municipality with stronger partic-

FLAKE, 10 File photo of Lake Holon by Olan Emboscado

5 ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 201 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2016

Industrial zones eyed in Sirawan, Bunawan

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

AVAO City Investment and Promotion Center (DCIPC) chief Ivan C. Cortez said the city government is in negotiations with landowners for the development of industrial zones in Barangay Sirawan, Toril District and in Bunawan District.

“There have been a lot of interest from manufacturers but they want to be located in industrial zones,” Cortez told reporters at the sidelines of the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex last Monday.

Cortez said the city has a lot of PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority)-accredited zones but mostly for the operation of business process management (BPM) companies.

Businesses engaged in manufacturing account for only 5 percent of the total 36,000 businesses registered by the Business Bureau.

Cortez said Davao

City’s economic growth is seen to remain on the fast lane this year but embarking on manufacturing-fueled economy will make it more stable, sustainable, and inclusive.

“Manufacturing has a more sustained activity because of its continuous production. It will need labor force continuously who will engaged in the production activity,” he said.

Cortez said an economy fueled by the activity of the real estate sector is not stable. “Once the construction is done, the job of the laborers also ends,” he said.

Meanwhile, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 11 regional director Ma. Belenda Q. Ambi said the Davao Region has a huge potential in value adding its agricultural commodities like banana, cacao, and coconut.

By value-adding, agri-commodities from the region will be more

competitive in the global export market and give farmers and producers higher income and better life.

Ambi said the manufacturing sector, one of region’s fastest growing priority industries, can be an area “where more jobs can be absorbed.”

She said manufacturing will help Davao City attain a stable growth in the next few years.

She also said the service sector, which accounted for almost 50 percent absorptive capacity among establishing micro-, small, and medium enterprises, remained the number one sector in the region. The service sector is expected to grow even further.

Ambi also projected that there will be growth in the region’s logistics and transportation sector, especially in Davao City which is considered a consolidation center not only for the region for Mindanao.

6 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 201 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2016

Holiday season, weather push up inflation in December 2015

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SUDDEN LULL. Traders at Bankerohan Public Market, like this egg vendor, experience a lull as business becomes slow after the usual excesses of the holiday season. Lean Daval Jr.

Davao LRT project proposal to be submitted to PPP Center

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

HE Davao City Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Board will endorse this week the proposed P40-billion Light Railway Transit (LRT) System to the PPP Center for the review and approval as a national project for Davao City.

“We’re targeting to submit all necessary documents, including the proposal and the feasibility study, to the center by Friday,” Davao City Investment Promotions Center (DCIPC) chief Ivan C. Cortez told reporter last Monday.

Cortez said the proposal was previously endorsed to the National Economic and Development Council (NEDA) for review and endorsement but was sent back to the city because it is the PPP Center that receives such proposals.

He said the NEDA advised the city’s PPP Board to endorse the proposal to the PPP Center in Quezon City.

The development of railways and transport systems is among the projects eligible for public-private partnership.

Other projects are construction of power plants, highways and

roads, ports and airports, telecommunication, canal, dams, and irrigations systems.

Under the law, projects costing more than P300 million, like the unsolicited proposal from Korean Engineering & Construction (KEC) which has estimated cost of P40 billion, should be considered as national projects upon the recommendation of the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC).

According to Executive Order No. 8, Series of 2010, the PPP Center, which replaced the BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) Center, is mandated to facilitate development of PPP Projects, manage project development and monitoring facilities, advocate policy reforms, and monitor implementation of PPP projects.

The PPP Center is involved in every part of the project cycle, which includes project preparation and development, project review and approval, preparation of documents, pre-qualification and bid evaluation, and contract award and implementation.

Davao City’s PPP board had also endorsed the project to the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) in its meeting in October last year.

The initial comment from the national government is that Davao City will need a train system by 2021 due the city’s increasing population and fast economic growth.

The construction of the LRT for Davao City is seen as one of the possible solutions for the worsening traffic congestion in the central business district.

“As Mayor Duterte said, instead of starting to solicit a train project by 2021 and wait for five years for the train to start running, why not do the initial steps now so by 2021, the government has already addressed a transportation need,” Cortez said.

Peak time passenger volume is seen at 4,000 passengers per hour in 2021. Daily passenger volume is projected at 92,000 per day in 2021 and 253,000 passengers per day in 2040.

According to KEC, the con-

struction cost of the LRT would reach an estimated of P30 billion or US$660 million.

Cortez said including land acquisition and contingencies, the total investment cost between 2016 up to 2020 is estimated at P40 billion.

He said KEC estimated that the annual operating cost of the LRT is pegged at US$19.2 million or roughly P880 million.

“The proponent hopes to start commercial operation by 2021 starting with 36 trains,” he said.

The proposed route is from Toril up to the Davao International Airport, a distance of about 28 kilometers.

“The proposed fare is P15 for the first three kilometers and an additional P1.50 per succeeding kilometer,” Cortez said.

The monorail can be constructed along the center islands so there will be less obstruction and disruption during the construction phase, he said.

Cortez said the land acquisition will be done to secure areas for train stops or stations.

Villarreiz said the task force had a meeting with the store’s management yesterday together with city building officer lawyer Joseph Dominic Felizarta and Business Bureau chief lawyer Lawrence D. Bantiding.

The task force had sent a letter last December informing the store chain to stop selling cigarettes or risk the revocation of its business permit.

Villareiz said during an inspection by the task force, 7-Eleven was found to be selling cigarettes as well as selling and serving food in its premis-

es, which is a violation of the Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Davao City.

7-Eleven is classified as an accommodation and entertainment establishment under City Ordinance No. 0367-12 or the New Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Davao City.

In the letter addressed to all 7-Eleven establishments in Davao City, ASTF chair and city administrator Jesus Melchor V. Quitain said the franchisers failed to comply with E.O. No. 4, Series of 2014, Section 7 (e) which states that “selling

of cigarettes or any tobacco products shall not be allowed inside the accommodation and entertainment establishments, and public buildings.”

Quitain told the franchisers to “cease and refrain from selling cigarettes in your establishments, otherwise, the City Government of Davao shall cause the revocation of your business permit.”

Villareiz said the problem arose only recently because no other convenience store in Davao City sells and serves cigarettes and food at the same time. CHENEEN R. CAPON

7-Eleven stops selling cigarettes

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RANCHES of 7-Eleven in Davao City have stopped selling tobacco products in compliance with the city’s Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance, Davao City Anti-Smoking Task Force (ASTF) head Dr. Domilyn Villarreiz said.

“They (7-Eleven management) said they have already complied with the letter sent to them last December which means they are not selling cigarettes or any tobacco product in the 24 stores of 7-Eleven in Davao,” Villarreiz said in a statement yesterday.

PWARD price movements in food and energy pushed inflation to 1.5 percent in December 2015 from 1.1 percent in the previous month, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

This brought the full-year inflation to 1.4 percent, below the government’s target range of 2.0 to 4.0 percent for 2015.

“Price increases were largely due to the upbeat demand during the holiday season. Inclement weather conditions, primarily Typhoon Nona, also adversely affected agricultural areas, hampering the production, delivery, and transport of products, which in turn pushed up prices,” Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said in a statement.

Nonetheless, this December 2015 inflation was within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ forecast of 1.1-1.9 percent for the month and also aligned with the market’s median forecast of 1.5 percent.

“The generally low inflation environment in the past year was expected. It was largely due to favorable supply-side factors such as relatively lower domestic retail prices of corn, oil, and rice, lower international oil prices, and the contraction in the prices of housing and other utilities,” the Cabinet official said.

For December 2015, inflation for the food subgroup accelerated on the back of higher prices of corn, fish, milk, cheese and eggs, which offset the lower prices in heav-

ily-weighted sub-items such as rice, vegetables and non-alcoholic beverages.

Meanwhile, the increase in non-food inflation can be attributed to the slower price declines in housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, accompanied by faster price adjustments in transport, health, and recreation and culture.

Prices of electricity, gas, and other fuels also went up with higher electricity generation charge, given the low supply of cost-effective hydropower plants. Transmission charges were also higher as ancillary service increased charges in December 2015.

On the other hand, the global oversupply and record stockpile levels of crude oil has been instrumental in the unabated downtrend of international crude oil prices, as reflected in lower domestic petrol prices.

Core inflation, which excludes selected volatile food and energy prices, increased to 2.1 percent in December 2015 from 1.8 percent in the previous month partly due to a surge in transport, health, and recreation and culture subgroups.

“This indicates stable price increases across an extensive range of consumer items,” said Balisacan, who is also NEDA Director-General.

Balisacan, however, said that for the first months of 2016, the effects of El Niño may lead to higher inflation particularly for food and pow-

FHOLIDAY, 10

Business urged to seize openings offered by ASEAN integration

B

USINESSES in Mindanao must take advantage of opportunities offered by the island’s proximity to its Southeast Asian neighbors, better infrastructure and policy support, an official of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said Sunday.

In a text message, Romeo Montenegro, MinDA director for investment Promotions and Public Affairs, said Mindanao has good chances of tapping such opportunities due to its rich resources.

Montenegro was referring to the opportunities brought by the Asean Economic Community which took effect in December last year.

“Actually, Jan. 1 simply marks the reckoning period for full compliance of member-economies on the Asean Economic Community, even as integration has already started a few years back with AFTA (Asean Free Trade Area),” he said.

The official said he is looking at more partnerships with Asean counterparts as the leading industries such as agribusiness, retail and manufacturing work on expansion of their operations amid an integrated regional economy.

Montenegro added Mindanao is home to the country’s

top agri-fishery products for export.

The island still has vast areas for the expansion of agribusiness industry, he said.

“It should be able to explore ways to complement and value-add commodities with ASEAN for larger reach. Another strong capital Mindanao should be able to harness is its productive human resource,” he said.

However, Montenegro said Mindanao stakeholders must work on improving connectivity and peace and security situation to take full advantage of the AEC. During the Business Leaders’ Conference at the 2nd Brunei, Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area, and Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand Growth Triangle Growth Triangle in Davao City in October 2014, Datuk Razali Ibrahim, Malaysian Deputy Minister said the integration will make Asean, a region with a combined population of 625 million, an “economic power”.

But he added that growth in the region can only be attained if the member-countries pool their resources together as a single production area of goods and services. Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews

7 CULTURE & ARTS

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 201 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2016

HISTORY OF DAVAO

Davao in the ‘eye of the rat’

By Antonio V. Figueroa

R

EPORTS of rodent attacks in farms, residences, and other structures were prevalent in many accounts that found their way to official chronicles. Unlike in urban centers where proliferation of rats come with favorable spawning places such as dump pits and garbage areas, in rural areas the damage inflicted in farms comes in hundreds of millions.

On the other hand, in populated centers, the menace rats bring comes in fatal form, the leptospirosis or rat catcher’s yellows, which is “an infectious bacterial disease that occurs in rodents, dogs, and other mammals and can be transmitted to humans.”

One story that came out of Davao in recent months was the 2015 GMA7 online article entitled “Rat video prompts probe into Davao mall bakeshop.” A bakeshop in a city mall was reported facing a probe from city health authorities, in particular the environment sanitation unit, over a video showing a rat inside its premises.

The incident was posted on social media and reached the attention of the City Health Office, which ordered an investigation to determine if the bake shop’s management was following the city’s health and safety standards.

Rat infection 1915 was an exceptionally free from any trace of plague infection. Inspection of drainage systems, houses, garbage receptacles, breeding places, and vessels in order to rid Manila of rats was so thorough only three cases of rodent infection were recorded out of the 83,439 rats caught from March to June that year.

“These traces of infection, no matter how slight,” the Bu-

reau of Health reported, “led the Service to promptly lay special stress upon the usual antiplague measures among which thorough cleaning and rat-proofing of sanitary (rat-harboring) premises, extensive rat catching and poisoning as well as disinfections, were prominent.”

To achieve this, over a four-month period, a total of 28,373 houses were poisoned; 322,273 poison baits placed; 11.3 average number of baits per house; and 1,289.8 kilos of poison used. In terms of rats caught, 67,672 were trapped by spring snares; 248, by wire traps; 903, by poison; 46, by dogs; 14,018, by clubs and other weapons; and 552, by other causes, or a total of 83,439. On top of these, 1,506 sanitary orders were issued.

Presidential fiat Outside an almost purely local concern, rat infestation also is a national issue.

On April 7, 1954, President Ramon Magsaysay issued Executive Order No. 28, a directive awarding P100,000 for the best method of eradicating rats by means of microorganism not dangerous to human beings, livestock, animals and plants. By microorganisms, the President was referring to virus, bacterium, bacillus or fungus.

In part the edict, possibly the only fiat issued by a Filipino chief executive to specifically call for the extermination of rodents, stated: “WHEREAS, it is imperative that immediate steps be taken towards the protection of the life and health of the people and of the country’s agricultural crops and valuable plants from the scourge of animal pests that are menace to society and a blight to the national economy; and

“WHEREAS, to give added impetus to the realization of this objective, it is advisable to enlist the support and assistance of every resident of this country by offering the best incentive designed to encourage and inspire his creative effort in this direction.”

More specifically, the microorganisms should be “capable of killing outright and exterminating rats that spread disease or destroy agricultural crops, products, foods, clothing and plants essential to the national economy and useful to the life, health and well-being’ of the people.” (Official Gazette, Volume 60, Number. 4) To launch the campaign, a Committee on the Rat Control Award, composed of the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources, as chairman, and the Secretary of Health and the Social Welfare Administrator, as members, was given the authority to create a Board of Judges of seven competent scientists, to determine and select the winner, and to promulgate rules and regulations governing such award.

Part of ‘vermin’ While the adoption of strategies in the campaign

against rats is prevalent in many agriculture circulars, later issuances adopted the generalized term ‘vermin,’ which refers to “wild mammals and birds that are believed to be harmful to crops, farm animals, or game, or that carry disease, e.g., foxes, rodents, and insect pests.”

In Presidential Decree 856, also known as ‘Code on Sanitation of the Philippines,’ signed on Dec. 23, 1975, Section 70 states that an vermin abatement program shall be maintained by the owners, operators or administrators of places and the vermin control in public places is the responsibility of the provincial, city or municipal governments.

Akin to the Magsaysay edict, the primary aim of the program is “the health of the people, being of paramount importance, [and] all efforts of public services should be directed towards the protection and promotion of health.”

Significantly, the decree, due to advances in the field of sanitation, requires the updating and codifying of sanitary laws “to ensure that they are in keeping with modern standards of sanitation and provide a handy reference and

guide for their enforcement.”

Deadly infection Leptospirosis, a rodent-borne illness, was highest recorded in 2011 when the Department of Health (DOH) disease surveillance report in the first half of the year showed Davao (Region XI) with 56 cases, a 107.4-percent rise from the previous year’s 27 cases, the third nationwide, behind Western Visayas (131) and Bicol Region (64).

Commonly transmitted to humans from water that has been contaminated by animal urine due to flash floods and landslides brought about by incessant rains, this infection causes fever, chills, intense headache. In extreme cases, complications like meningitis, renal failure, respiratory distress, and death.

In Southern Mindanao, Davao was followed by Caraga Region, with a 560-percent increase. In Mindanao, Davao, in ranking, was followed by Western Mindanao (Region 9) and Northern Mindanao (Region 10), and Central Mindanao (Region 12), while the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) had no reported case.

EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

F

Keep talking

ILIPINOS are understandably split over Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s frequent role in the release of captives of the New People’s Army (NPA). The release of Sergeant Adriano Bingil on New Year’s Day in Agusan del Sur, for example, was met with both praise and derision. On the one hand, many people welcomed the development as it meant freedom for one man who had been held hostage for 104 days. One can only imagine the horror and depression that such a person would have to endure in the hands of known “enemies” whose stated goal, for all intents and purpose, is to destroy the very institution he represents.

On the other hand, other sectors have expressed wariness over Duterte’s seemingly over-comfortable position with the NPA, seeing this as evidence that he is virtually “dancing with the enemy” — or even proof that he actually belongs to the enemy’s camp.

Duterte himself has never even tried to hide his relationship with the NPA. He talks with them, visits them, helps them when they need it, and even invites them to come down from the mountains to enjoy holidays in Davao City. He has called the late NPA commander Leoncio Pitao, aka Kumander Parago, his friend, and when the latter was killed by soldiers the mayor allowed a hero’s burial for him right in the city. All these, however, do not warrant the label being tagged on the mayor as being one with the “enemy.” For in Duterte’s world view, the members of the NPA, as well

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as the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the National Democratic Front (NDF), are not enemies but are fellow Filipinos.

This does not sit well with those who see the world as being divided between black and white, good and evil, government and communist. And this is completely understandable. The history of the communist movement has not been exactly pristine, marked as it had been by frequent violence and violations of human rights.

Its adherents claim to bear an ideology that justifies such actions, but this is rebuffed by more democratically-minded citizens who hold on to the ideal that only peaceful means can be used to achieve lofty goals. The ends, after all, do not justify the means.

So a middle road is needed, and this is precisely where Duterte stands. Those who misunderstand him see only that he fraternizes with the rebels; what they choose not to see and hear are his statements in which he says he desires the rebels to lay down their arms and talk with government. Indeed, this has been his stand for many decades now, and it is one that we must make him commit to as he seeks the presidency. Peace in our context cannot not come from one party subduing the other forcefully but in both sides deciding to sit down and simply talk. As Duterte is fond of saying, as long as we talk, we are not firing our guns. And if we must keep talking a hundred years, then by all means let us keep talking.

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I

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Phl’s biggest budget another election budget

N what can be described as an administration coup de grace, the 2016 national budget, valued at a whopping 3 trillion pesos, was recently passed. For those who don’t know, the national budget is passed as a law containing amounts that different government agencies will spend for the coming year and how they will be spent.

Citing a report by budget and expenditure watchdog Social Watch Philippines, former National Treasurer Leonor Briones explained that while the National Expenditure Program (NEP) has indeed totaled P3.002 trillion, more than P930 billion of this figure is in automatic appropriations.

Special Purpose Funds hit P408 billion with Unprogrammed Funds reaching a total of P67.5 billion. Apart from these, she finds insertions for projects that may be identified with certain legislators that will be used come election time.

While this practice is not exactly new,

S

VOL. 8 ISSUE 201 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2016

OMEONE once said: “It is better to know less than to know a lot that isn’t so.” Plato himself added, “The learning and knowledge that we have is at the most but little compared with that of which we are ignorant.”

Well, with the information highway these days, people seem to get information within seconds. So much so that there are some people who are experiencing information overload. In most instances, what we have learned now may just disappear in a matter of days or months.

But despite all the information we encounter today, there are those that remain and have everlasting appeal. Some of the facts may not be new to us (after all, there is nothing new under the heat of the sun, King Solomon said), but they still fascinate us because they challenge our common sense.

Let’s start with the English language.

Bet you didn’t know that “stewardesses” is the longest word typed with only the left hand. “Lollipop,” on the other hand, is the longest word typed with your right hand.

No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, or purple. “Dreamt” is the only English word that ends in the letters “mt.” The words “racecar,” “kayak,” and “level” are the same whether they are read left to right or right to left (known as palindromes).

There are only four words in the English language which end in “dous”: tremendous, horrendous, stupendous, and hazardous. There are only two words that have all five vowels in order: “abstemious” and “facetious.” I know two five-letter

what is more MY TWO CENTS’ appalling is that more than half of this budget is to be spent in Luzon and the National Capital Region. Contrary to the call for incluJohn Tria sive growth, ecisouth@gmail.com the same provinces will receive the same allocations as they have before. The Visayas and Mindanao look like minor siblings who have to share the other half. You can ask the Department of Budget and Management for the figures, and while you are at it, verify the claims made by Briones.

Simply put, this P3-trillion budget is an election budget that can be timed for release to coincide with the current ad-

ministrations campaign for its standard bearer and chosen candidates. Essentially, our taxpayer money may be released to favor these candidates. The fear is not unfounded. In previous years, government has been accused by international agencies as underspending on vital items like infrastructure. We note that perhaps had such amounts been made available in 2013 and 2014 to build more roads and bridges, school buildings and hospitals for example, today’s economic growth could have been higher than the current 6% and higher employment figures been achieved.

Infrastructure spending impacts not only the users but employs the builders and suppliers, most of whom are local residents, as cement, gravel and sand, and GI Sheets, ceramic tiles, and paint are locally manufactured.

Such news forces us to think deeply about how exactly our national wealth is generated, who gives it, and how it is

spent. Can this new budget spur economic growth further? Can it bring more of our kids to school? Will it help the vulnerable third of our population who cannot reach the 2,000-calorie requirement eat more?

True inclusivity is an economy multiplying opportunity for those who previously are unable to partake of the income.

While we talk more about Grace Poe’s parentage, these sideshows only divert our attention away from the numbers that matter. It is hoped that the difference this election makes is that we are able to evaluate our choices more effectively, seeing how these choices will improve our performance in these numbers that matter.

It’s high time we paid more attention to these things, and I humbly ask our political analysts to give more attention to these important numbers. That’s more than a budget, but knowing where it goes and how and where it ought to be spent is a start.

words where THINK ON THESE! the pronunciation is still the same even if you drop the four letters: queue and aitch.

Typewriter is the longest word that Henrylito D. Tacio can be made henrytacio@gmail.com using the letters only on one row of the keyboard. The sentence: “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” uses every letter of the alphabet.

The average person’s left hand does 56% of the typing. Our eyes are always the same size from birth, but our nose and ears never stop growing. Babies are born without kneecaps. They don’t appear until the child reaches 2 to 6 years of age.

A cat has 32 muscles in each ear. A goldfish has a memory span of three seconds. A shark is the only fish that can blink with both eyes. A snail can sleep for three years. An ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brain.

Peanuts are one of the ingredients of dynamite! Rubber bands last longer when refrigerated. The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket.

Who says one is useless? Contrary to common notion, there is power in one.

In 1645, one vote gave Oliver Cromwell control in England . Four years later, one vote decided the execution of Charles I of

England . In 1776, one vote gave America English instead of German as a language.

In 1868, one vote saved Andrew Jackson from impeachment. And in 1923, one vote made Adolf Hitler leader of the Nazi Party.

Some of the world’s famous people die in grand style. King John of England was such a glutton that he eventually died of dysentery, caused by too much fruit and cider. The always flamboyant dresser Isadora Duncan broke her neck when she went for a ride in a sports car and her long scarf got caught in one of the rear wheels. Elvis Presley was found dead in a fetal position on the floor of his bathroom.

Here are some famous last words. “I’m bored with it all,” said British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. “I am not the least afraid to die,” scientist Charles Darwin gasped. “It is very beautiful over there,” reported Thomas Alva Edison. Ballerina Anna Pavlova commanded, “Get my swan costume ready.” Poet Heinrich Heine said, “God will pardon me, that’s his line of work.”

Today’s millionaire pros are cousins to the ancient Olympians. Some people like to think of Greek athletes as idealistic amateurs, but the word “athlete” is derived from Greek words meaning “one who competes for a prize.” Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates whine about the declining morality that money brought to the Olympic Games.

Galen, a Greek physician asked, “Are athletes to be worshipped like kings because they have large incomes?” Hmmm.

Florence Nightingale didn’t invent nursing. The female nurses in British hospitals at the time were mostly Roman Cath-

olic nuns or prostitutes. She made it a safe and respectable profession for women. The small booklet she wrote, Notes on Nursing, published in 1861, was a multi-million-copy bestseller.

Now, let’s talk about health. Gout is one of the oldest diseases known to mankind, first identified by the Egyptians in 2640 BC and later recognized by Hippocrates, the father of medicine, in the fifth century BC. American statesman Benjamin Franklin debated whether gout was his friend or his enemy. The best advice was thought to be to hold on to your gout, and make sure it stayed in the foot. This did not help Edward Gibbon, whose gout didn’t protect him from a swollen testicle, which went septic after surgery and killed him. The worst fate was imagined by Jonathan Swift. “As if the gout should seize the head,” he wrote, “doctors pronounce the patient dead.”

American president Harry S Truman took to walking briskly until the ripe old age of 88. Astronaut John Glenn credited his celebrated return to orbit at age 77 to his two-mile daily power walk. Famous author and naturalist Henry David Thoreau admitted he couldn’t have preserved his health and spirit without walking at least for four hours through the woods or fields everyday.

Samuel Johnson walked 52 kilometers of muddy road out of Birmingham , England , everyday. The philosopher Immanuel Kant walked so regularly through town that shopkeepers set their clocks by his passing. Charles Dickens walked around London by day and by night (his novels captured life as seen at a walker’s pace).

Bet you didn’t know that!

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 201 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2016

Amendments... FROM 2 move to nominal voting for the passage of the amendment but there were not enough councilors inside the session hall

yesterday. He moved to defer the item to next week’s session. ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

risma, experience, family tradition and desire to work with the poor,” he said.

Murphy also sees Robredo as an ideal oversee to a government agency devoted to the empowerment of all the poor in cities, rural and tribal areas.

“As a young lawyer, (Robredo) worked with Saligan, an alternative law group that served the rural and urban poor in Naga City and Camarines Sur,” Murphy said.

Before being elected rep-

resentative of the third district of Camarines Sur, Robredo worked as lawyer for the Public Attorneys Office.

After that, Robredo joined a non-government group Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal (SALIGAN), which provides free legal aid to the poor.

Robredo is also an active member of different civil society groups that push for the welfare of various sectors, especially the poor and women and the urban poor.

ly starts on January 10 when the Commission on Elections gun ban implementation will be strictly imposed on police checkpoints up to June 8.

The campaign period starts on February 9 for those running for the national elections ranging from the senatorial to the presidential races

while March 25 for those running for local positions from the municipal, city and provincial legislative seats to the vice mayoralty, mayoralty, vice-gubernatorial and gubernatorial races.

The local and national polls will be on May 9, 2016. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

the completion of the most important milestone on the peace table.”

As stipulated in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), two separate components will run through its implementation simultaneously; the political process that will lead to the establishment of the Bangsamoro political entity to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) through the enactment of an enabling law which is the BBL, and the normalization process which seeks to restore communities affected by decades-long armed conflict to peaceful and civilian lives.

Once all provisions in the CAB have been implemented, both sides will sign an exit agreement.

In a statement, GPH peace panel chair Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said the government and MILF will remain steadfast in upholding the ceasefire in pursuit of lasting peace in the southern Philippines since both

parties are committed to isolating groups that continue to foment violence in Mindanao.

“The best thing about the peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is that the two parties have not gone back to war,” she said. “We are gradually transforming the lives of the people on the ground, nurturing their hopes and dreams for a better future.

And we are so close to putting firmly in place the needed institutional reforms to realize meaningful autonomy and democracy in the Bangsamoro.”

The government chief peace negotiator said both peace panels will continue to collaborate in strengthening the joint mechanisms, and building mutual trust and confidence among and between their respective organizations.

“In rising to the tasks before us, we have fortified our confidence in the process. We shall continue to carry on in order to get to our destination sooner than later,” Ferrer said.

(PNA)

that are mutually beneficial.

ALU-TUCP Southern Mindanao Vice President Rogelio Bullina echoed the federation’s gladness that its affiliated unions have matured and

showed their strong commitment to the principle of shared responsibility with Lapanday’s management in order to ensure and maintain industrial peace. (PIA/RG Alama)

mind, David is speaking in South Lounge Café for onetime only on Thursday January 7. People pay £1,697 (Php 120,000) for his 2-day training in London, yet for only PHP400 he is allowing 50 people to experience his new “Instant Internet Business” presentation.

DO NOT DELAY! THERE

ARE ONLY 50 PLACES AVAILABLE! GO TO WWW.DAVIDLEELIVE.COM/ and get registered now for David’s FREE 5-part video preparation series and his personal downloadable books. You will be instructed later on the exact venue address and payment alternatives.

Robredo... FROM 2

City... FROM 2

OPAPP... FROM 3

Labor... FROM 3

Internet... FROM 14

NO NOON BREAK. Employees of the Davao City Treasurer’s Office continue to serve business owners even during lunch time as the agency strictly implements the “No Noon Break” policy specially this time of the year when business permits are being renewed. Lean Daval Jr.

Water service interruption in Tugbok areas on Jan. 8 D

avao City Water District advises of a water service interruption on January 8 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM affecting the areas from Biao Guianga to Biao Escuela in Tugbok.

This water service interruption is needed to give way to the tapping of the newly installed 4-inch diameter Polyvinyl Chloride pipeline to

the existing 350mm diameter Mortar Line Coated Steel Pipe for the water supply system project at Biao Guianga in Tugbok. Once completed, said project will allow for accommodation of additional service connections.

DCWD general manager Edwin V. Regalado asks for the understanding and cooperation of would-be affected cus-

tomers. He also advises them to store enough water prior to the scheduled water interruption. Water supply may be restored earlier if work goes smoothly or later if unforeseen problems arise.

The general public may visit DCWD website (www. davao-water.gov.ph) and official Facebook page (www. facebook.com/davaowater)

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

ipation of the local residents, most of whom are Tboli indigenous people, who are not yet fully exposed to tourism.

Hilado explained that the closure of Lake Holon is only for tourists entering the area because part of the training of the frontline service providers are activities in the lake.

“Some environmental protection groups will also be invited to conduct cleanup drives and tree planting in and around the lake,” he said, “but participation in these activities will exclusively be on invitation by the local government unit.” (DEDoguiles-PIA12)

making the difference in service delivery and efficiency.

“Globe continues to provide best-in-class IT solutions to our partner enterprises, and this includes those who belong to the logistics and transport industries. The industry

is fast-moving so our portfolio of innovative ICT solutions can definitely help and enable efficiency in operations and manpower, giving companies the leading edge and the sustained growth that they look for.”

er. El Niño is expected to peak from November 2015 to January 2016, and gradually weaken starting February 2016.

“Guided by the Roadmap for Addressing the Impact of El Niño or RAIN, accurate determination of food import requirements to avoid scarcity in supply is important to keep inflation stable in the coming months. This also has signifi-

cant impact on poverty reduction as the poor spend more than half of their budget on food,” said Balisacan.

Balisacan also noted the still unstable energy situation in Mindanao and stressed that on-going power projects, which are expected to be delivered between November 2015 and March 2016, should not be delayed.

ther boost Davao Oriental’s rice production in order to also increase its rice sufficiency level from the current 68 percent to 100 percent.

Prompted by this target, the big-ticket irrigation system in Cateel town, situated in the province’s first district, was constructed. Funded by the World Bank, Mindanao Rural Development Program and the provincial government, the irrigation dam will further expand Cateel’s areas of production to an additional 1,600 to 2,000 hectares, thus, would also increase rice production in the whole province.

Launched in October 2014, the irrigation system is already operational and is now covering wide swathes of rice fields which have not been irrigated for many years in the past. Aside from significantly increasing the cropping season and rice production in Cateel, it will also boost the income of rice farmers.

“This is our concept for our development in our province—that is ensuring that we develop all areas that have the potential to produce our food and boost our economy,” said Governor Corazon Malanyaon.

She said that improving agriculture is one of the goals

of the provincial government to defeat poverty. Under this agenda is the governor’s flagship program – the Pagkain at Kita Program, a factor in achieving a large drop of 6.5 percentage point in poverty incidence rate. From 42.7 percent in 2007, poverty incidence plummeted down to 37.8 percent in 2012 – the highest reduction in poverty incidence among the provinces in Davao Region.

Malanyaon lauded the important contributions of the farmers in propelling the economy and feeding the people of the province. “We in the government are only instruments in providing the resources, but it is you [the farmers] who nurtures and grows these resources,” she said.

Meanwhile, first district representative, Congressman Nelson Dayanghirang lauded the provincial government in addressing food security in the province.

“All the Provincial Government efforts have now come into fruition. We are now achieving sustainable increase in our agricultural production, we are raising rural income, and more importantly, we are addressing hunger,” he said.

(PNA)

Lake... FROM 4

Technology... FROM 14

Holiday... FROM 6

1,600... FROM 4

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EDGEDAVAO WOMEN

Amber Morris Hao and her art beat THE FIRST TIME I met Amber Morris Hao was when she was still a year old, full of cheeks and giggles aplenty. Little did I know that she’s be a great many things even before she finishes school.

Now, at 18 years old, the eldest daughter of Alex and Bion Hao is a budding visual artist and writer, making waves in her own right.

Aside from taking charge of creatives for her mom’s business needs, she is also commissioned to do work for some clients and sells her own line of stationeries.

“I never planned on being an artist, it just happened,” Amber reveals.

“Growing up, I thought arts seem to be the only thing I am good at and it was logical for me to pursue my passion for the arts because I am terrible at more practical things like math.”

“I’ve been drawing for fun for as long as I can remember, but I gave it up for a while because other interests, like dancing and academics, got in the way.

I only started selling cards last Christmas. I found that I enjoyed doing the layouts to help advertise our family’s business online. Since then, the inspiration in me grew and I decided to sell my works and accept special projects so I could continue

METRO MOM A4

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STYLE

Made for the beer connoisseur, the Beer Journal has a glossary, pouring tips, glass types, tasting notes, homebrewing log, as well as space for your recipes, your cellar and your The Art Journal has a leading exhibitions’ calendar, art history timeline, and space for noting your art experiences, your visits, favorite addresses. and your collection.

New Year new passions MOLESKINE, publisher of legendary notebooks, is pleased to announce new titles in the Passions collection, dedicated to keeping track, organizing and recording the passions of our lives. Designed to host notes, clippings, drawings, memories and thoughts on a variety of specific leisurely topics, each Journal includes a set of themed page layouts, themed calendars, glossaries, listings, and a core part of alphabetically organized and tabbed pages for you to fill in.

The five new titles for 2012 are Art, Beer, Chocolate, Home Life, and RestaurantDinning-Out Experiences.

The Art Journal has been created with a contribution from Art for Business, a young and passionate association that focuses on artistic language and its effect on people and organizations. Ernst Knam is the award-winning chocolate gourmet who has been involved in the creation of the Chocolate Journal. Knam’s special Moleskine praline recipe is included inside one of the notebook’s tabs to celebrate his collaboration in developing the Journal. Both Art for Business and Ernst Knam are available for interviews.

The new five titles join the existing Passions Journals for Style, Gardening, Dog, Cat, Travel, Baby, Recipes, Wine, Book, Film, Music and Wellness. All journals feature the iconic attributes of the Moleskine notebooks with their rounded corners and elastic closures. The black cover is fully embossed with a tight texture of themed images and writings. They come with a different series of themed stickers and icons, for page and tab customization. On

the back end paper there is a double pocket, for clippings, tickets and card collections.

The classic Moleskine elastic band keeps everything closed, tidy and neat.

Each Passion Journal is connected to the digital world with MSK, a Moleskine digital tool designed to transfer online content to paper. With this tool users can personalize their notebook pages by easily printing and pasting an

MSK of a Moleskine Passion page into their notebook and fill it in with themed information found online, reviews on blogs, comments, documentation, etc. Users can also download other page layouts to personalize their Journal.

Passions Journals page layouts can be downloaded at moleskine.com/templates.

You can easily print them out and paste them into your Moleskine notebook. Enjoy filling your notebook with Passion.

The complete Passions Collection is available online at store.lifestylebrands.com.ph and in Fully Booked, National Book Store, Office Warehouse, Chimes Specialty Store Davao, Pormada, Zalora Philippines.

A Chocoholic’s best friend the Chocolate Journal includes a map of cacao varieties, glossary of chocolate making, tasting notes, space for your recipes, events, shops, and special recipes including instructions on how to make Moleskine pralines.

Making home living more organized, the Home Life Journal has a project Made for the foodie, the Restaurant Journal has space for restaurant, bar and planner, maintenance log, party organizer, as well as space for checklists, café notes, chef’s tips, takeaway ratings, and a wish list. neighborhood info, and inspirations.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Julie Anne San Jose’s latest album inspired by Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber EVEN IF she may seem like the busiest go-getter of this generation, she never forgets to spend time with her first love, music. As Julie Anne San Jose works on her final requirements in school and runs back and forth for taping, she is also back in the studio recording her third album.

Japs says that her third album will be released in the first quarter of 2016. She says that it will sound more modern and she will try her best to be more innovative and make it sound like Taylor Swift’s 1989 or Justin Bieber’s Purpose.

“Mixture siya ng Taylor Swift 1989 or Justin Bieber na feel. As much as I can, tina-try ko [to] pull off ‘yung ganung sound. For me, nag-evolve

din music ko from Country Pop to R&B and Pop,” she says after being commended on her new sound with singles, “Tidal Wave” and “Forever.”

The multi-awarded recording artist aims to master her craft and offers her upcoming album to her supporters.

Let’s not jinx it but I’m sure Japs is cooking up another record-bagging album. Who else is excited?

IS TEEN QUEEN GABBI GARCIA A PIA WURTZBACH IN THE MAKING? WHEN Pia Wurtzbach was crowned as Miss Universe, young beauty queen hopefuls were watching and wishing that one day they would have their own crowning moment—Gabbi Garcia was one of those girls.

She says in an interview that it has been her childhood dream to be a beauty queen.

“It’s my childhood dream. [I think] it’s every girl’s dream to be Miss Universe.

You just have to find the right girls to help you,” she says The 17-year-old beauty also says that she wants to train as soon as she turn eighteen.

“When I turn 18, gusto ko na magtrain for Miss Universe. Paghahandaan ko muna; I don’t want to go out there na wala akong laban.”

Gabbi shares that her advocacy would be about women empowerment.

“I would like to boost girls’ self esteem because I believe that your love for yourself is greater than your failures,” says Gabbi Now that’s a winning answer!

Cinema One Originals calls for film entries CINEMA ONE ORIGINALS, the country’s premier Filipino film festival is ready to shake things further in the film industry as it adds the documentary film category to the annual film festival, which is accepting entries until January 15, 2016.

Adding the documentary film category for 2016 is Cinema One Originals’ way to encourage more Filipino filmmakers to go to great lengths in exploring other forms of storytelling. To submit an

entry, interested filmmakers need to download and fill out the entry form for the documentary film

category or full-length feature film category, which is available in Cinema One Originals’ official Facebook page. The 10 finalists who will be shortlisted will receive Php2 million to produce their film in time for the festival.

Deadline of entries is on January 15, 2016. Join the growing community of movers and shakers in the film industry by becoming part of Cinema One Originals 2016.

For more information, visit Cinema One Originals (facebook.com/ CinemaOneOriginals).

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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WOMEN METRO MOM A1

on with my practice.”

“I didn’t take my drawings seriously until I noticed my practice evolving,” she continues. “My early drawings were of women and clothes I enjoyed designing. I’m still at the experimental stage, but I like drawing lines.

When I’m drawing a line, I know where it’s going, but when I put several together, they create a texture which I didn’t foresee early on. I like the surprise of that.”

Amber says she prefers not to stick to one style.

“I treat each project as a chance to experiment and try new things. Maybe, eventually, I will find a style that I am both comfortable and satisfied with.

I have this weird mindset that I think it has to be hard to be any good. The more I draw, the more I realize it’s the simple processes that produce more beautiful pieces.”

When commissioned for special projects, Amber keeps it as simple and honest as possible. “The less I worry and plan, the better my work turns out.

I’m happy when I’m asked to customize designs because this gives me room to experiment with different styles and media.

What’s integral and chal-

lenging to me is giving each artwork a certain character, depth and personality. I was once asked to draw a set of Disney Princess cards, which I painted with watercolours to look like paper dolls. I didn’t want to draw princesses that looked exactly like the original. For me, what’s the the point in recreating something if you’re just going to copy every single detail?”

Amber points out Art Spiegelman as the artist she most identifies with.

“I’d like to think he and I have the same attitude and mindset. He wrote one of the best comic books out there, Maus which is about his father’s experience as a Jewish prisoner in Nazi Europe.

He depicted the Jews as mice and the Nazis as cats, thus the title which means

mouse in German. He has a very complex drawing process involving several layers of tracing paper and and a light box, and his drawings struck me as spontaneous and impressive when I first saw them.

Maybe the process does not speak of the artist as much as the product. As

the default Tumblr post says, ‘It doesn’t matter how slow you go as long as you do not stop.’”

Follow @clothespin_ designs on Instagram to view more of Amber’s works. You may also contact her at 09299711459 and ambermhao@gmail. com for special projects.

ENVIRONMENT 11

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 201 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2016

Mangroves against natural disasters Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

(Second of Two Parts)

M

ANGROVE forests grow where saltwater meets the shore in tropical and subtropical regions, thus serving as an interface between terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems.

These forests provide at least US$1.6 billion each year in ecosystem services.

“The loss of mangroves will have devastating economic and environmental consequences,” says Greg Stone, Senior Vice President of Marine Programs at the Washington-based Conservation International.

“These ecosystems are not only a vital component in efforts to fight climate change, but they also protect some of the world’s most vulnerable people from extreme weather and provide them with a source of food and income.”

A couple of years ago, a powerful storm surges brought by typhoon Gener caused flooding in Manila’s bay area, forcing the Senate to shut down for a second time in a week and the US Embassy to cancel work at its chancery and suspend consular services.

Concrete seawalls that supposed to shield Roxas Boulevard were destroyed causing flood waters to submerge the area.

Concrete seawalls are not permanent solutions; they are expensive and will ultimately breakdown,” says Dr. Elmer S. Mercado, former undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Dr. Mercado cites the case of the tsunami that hit Japan recently. “The 10-meter high seawalls did not save them,” he says. “What was worst was they got complacent that they continued building infrastructures along the coastal areas.”

If it happened in Japan, he says it will also happen in the Philippines. “We are worst here,” he reminds. “So the best solution is to remove all settlements further back from main coastal areas and shorelines.”

Dr. Mercado also suggests that drainage systems be improved, natural catchment areas be built, and all obstructions in waterways be removed. “(If these recommendations are not followed) then people living in Metro Manila should be prepared to have Ondoy and Sendong scenarios every year and every time there is a typhoon.”

The Philippines is hit by an average of 20 typhoons a year.

Asked whether mangroves can help minimize the impact of storm surges, Dr. Mercado replies, “You just can’t plant mangroves anywhere.

You should plant them in places where mangroves thrive.”

Mangroves can’t be planted in the whole coastal areas of Metro Manila.

But should mangrove rehabilitation be done, it “should be combined with other factors I mentioned earlier,” Dr. Mercado says.

The former environment official is currently connected with a German project and helps on training local government units to integrate forest, coastal (including mangroves), and climate change/disaster risk mitigation into their community land-used programs.

Most Filipinos don’t consider mangroves – touted to be the forests in the coastal areas – as important. “Coastal forests…. are not familiar to the average Filipino due to their early loss,” write Jurgenne Primavera and Resurreccion Sadaba in the just-released

Mangroves growing in the river delta of Tagum City These mangroves protect buildings in Surigao del Sur.

These are mangroves protecting the Malipano Island.

Beach Forest Species and Mangrove Associates in the Philippines. “They’ve long gone unreported in the yearly Philippine Forestry Statistics.”

But the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 and sea level rise from brought about by global warming changed all that. These highlight the neglected but increasingly needed “bioshield” role of “beach forest-mangrove belts.”

“Mangroves serve as coastal buffers and reduce

coastal erosion,” points out Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III, a national scientist and former head of the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development.

“The coastline of Manila Bay used to be full of mangroves,” he informs.

“But with overexploitation and human settlements, they were denuded.”

As such, Dr. Guerrero suggests mangrove rehabilitation.

Mangroves are the best line of defense against

sea level rise and storm surges. “Its three-dimension structure offers much resistance to incoming waves and wind energy,” says Dr. Miguel D. Fortes, a professor of marine science institute of the University of the Philippines in Diliman.

But there’s one problem: “It will take a lot of money and efforts to enable mangroves to grow in such degraded area,” says Dr. Fortes, the first Filipino to receive the prestigious International Biwako Prize for Ecology.

In an earlier interview, Dr. Mercado claims the government can save money if mangrove rehabilitation is done as it is cheaper than building 100-meter of protected seawalls.

“The new seawall constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (in Manila Bay) is estimated to cost PhP94 million for a 1.5-kilometer stretch,” he says. “That money in mangrove hectare terms would be more than 752 hectares of mangroves – enough to cover the whole stretch of Manila Bay from Luneta to all the way to Cavite City twice.”

Dr. Mercado is thinking of around 75.2-kilometer stretch of mangroves and a protective barrier of 100-meter of mangroves from the seafront area of Manila Bay – with a 100-meter by 100-meter dimension per hectare.

According to him, it only costs PhP25,000 per hectare to establish a mangrove and another PhP25,000 per hectare a year to maintain them for another 4 years.

“That’s a total of only PhP125,000 per hectare in 5 years,” he says.

In the case of the mangroves as seawall in Manila Bay, “there will be minimal need for maintenance plus the added bonus that this will bring back fishes and crustaceans back to Manila Bay which would be a boon to all the marginal fishermen from Manila, Paranque, Las Pinas, Cavite and even Bataan.”

But before mangrove rehabilitation can be fully done, the government must “remove all physical obstructions and illegal settlements along the waterways and embankments and proper handling of solid wastes along the major rivers and coastal areas.”

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EDGEDAVAO

Advertise with Tel No. 082.221.3601/224.1413 Email: edgedavao@gmail.com marketing@edgedavao.net

VOL. 8 ISSUE 201 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2016

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 201 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2016

Mindanao faith, dialogue of cultures proclaimed in new Ateneo chapel I

N joyful ceremonies, His Grace Romulo G. Valles, D.D., Archbishop of Davao, presided over the blessing of the new Ateneo chapel along Roxas Avenue in Davao City on December 30, 2015.

More properly known as the “University Chapel of Our Lady of the Assumption,” the sacred space accommodates about 700 faithful on the main floor and the mezzanine.

The chapel interiors are rich with cultural symbols and images of Mindanao in brass, wood, and fabric. Murals depict Bible stories in oil on canvas. Artworks were created by Tausug brass sculptor Juan Sajid Imao, Davao painters Mark Tolentino and Bong Espinosa, the Zamboanga Ya-

kan weaving family of Krishnan Kin Nasser Ilul, and Paete woodcarver Paloy Cagayat.

“Our intention was to provide the University with a place of worship and prayer that would support its catholicity in the multiethnic context of Mindanao and its culture of Ignatian spirituality,” said Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ, President of the Ateneo de Davao University.

The Ateneo chapel was one of three structures in the Jacinto Campus that were blessed that day. The others were the Community Center of the First Companions and the Fr. Edgar Martin SJ Hall.

The Community Center hosts a student study center, faculty workspaces, academic

department offices, research and advocacy offices, the Jesuit Residence, and a dialogue center in its eleven floors. It is named after Jesuit saints: St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Francis Xavier, and St. Peter Faber.

Martin Hall has sports and athletic facilities—vol-

NOTICE OF LOSS

Notice is hereby given by HILZROM E. COSTAN that PNB OFFICIAL RECEIPTS 216401 to 216450 was lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

The walkway of the new Ateneo chapel

leyball and basketball courts, jogging track, and a fitness center as well as a multipurpose hall—in four of its seven floors. The other floors have the Office of Student Affairs, offices of student organizations, and parking spaces.

On hand to help bless

the campus structures were Rev. Fr. Antonio F. Moreno, SJ, Provincial Superior of the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus, Fr. Daniel J. McNamara, SJ, Rector of the Davao Jesuit Community, Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ, and other Jesuit fathers.

The celebration of space for work and worship was participated in by members of the University Board of Trustees, faculty, administrators, alumni, and friends of the Ateneo in the spirit of ad majorem Dei gloriam (for the greater glory of God).

14 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

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BOI gets ‘excellent’ performance rating

T

HE Board of Investments (BOI) has received an “Excellent” performance rating in the Stakeholders’ Engagement Survey conducted by Novo Trends PH. The survey showed that 78 percent of the total number of respondents are “very satisfied” with BOI’s performance,

giving the agency an “Excellent Net Satisfaction Rating.”

The BOI commissioned the service of Novo Trends PH, an independent social research survey company specializing in collection and analysis of social, political, economic, and business data, to measure satisfaction of stakeholders in BOI’s services.

Technology drives growth of logistics, transport industry

A

RECENT study by the Transport Intelligence, a leading independent source of research and analysis for the global logistics market, showed that the logistics industry in the Philippines is expected to have a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10-16 percent from 2013 to 2020.

The actual growth rate will depend on how well the country’s performance will improve in the Logistics Performance Index. Some of the key factors considered are the quality of logistics services and the ability to track and trace consignments.

The adoption of technology plays a crucial role in ensuring the delivery of quality logistics and transport services. Information systems and transport and logistics chains intertwine with each other since good information management is essential for a transport company to perform and conduct fully-integrated operations.

Information and communications technology (ICT) facilitates the interconnection of service production processes which could improve functions and services, thus affecting the demand for transport.

With this trend, the logistics and transportation industry looks to Globe Business and its portfolio of ICT solutions to meet the demand for faster

delivery and routing.

Globe Business offers an array of solutions that address the challenges of logistics companies.

With Canvas Mobile Forms, manual writing of delivery details and the risk of committing an error while encoding customer information becomes a thing of the past. Users can now capture information like e-signatures, images, GPS, barcodes and QR codes electronically on a smartphone or tablet and send it in seconds.

On the other hand, the M2M Fleet Management System allows companies to remotely monitor their delivery vehicles via GPS and get timely, complete information that their clients might need.

Another solution offered is TxtConnect where pick-up and the delivery update can be shared with customers.

Companies can also avail themselves of Globe Charge to avoid mishandling or theft of cash payments. Globe Charge can also be used as an alternative mode of payment for customers. Companies can use it to receive debit and credit card payments too.

Globe Senior Advisor for Enterprise and IT Enabled Services Group Mike Frausing expects e-commerce as a driver of growth for the logistics industry, with ICT solutions

“The high level of satisfaction was attributed to the agency’s staff complement wherein three out of four respondents said were knowledgeable, helpful, and courteous,” Novo Trends PH results read.

The survey also aims to measure the level of awareness of stakeholders on ser-

vices and facilities offered by the agency.

“Majority of the stakeholders surveyed were also aware of BOI’s functions including investments registration, grant of incentives, and investments supervision and monitoring,” it added.

However, the survey noted that one out of three respon-

dents were not aware of the agency’s investment activities such as business matching and outbound and inbound missions.

Survey respondents include BOI-registered firms, prospective investors, wouldbe investors who previously made investment inquiries with the agency as well as in-

dustry groups, associations and chambers.

In its recommendation, Novo Trends PH’s survey noted the BOI needs to strengthen its information dissemination activities in a clear, timely and accurate manner to further increase the stakeholders’ awareness of various services.

(PNA)

Internet marketing seminar features international speaker I

NTERNATIONAL Business/Marketing Speaker David Lee will hold a oneday only seminar that talks about the technological and marketing challenges that many small business owners face to generate leads and income.

Are you struggling with your online marketing presence? David Lee’s upcoming workshop will address the technological and marketing challenges that many small business owners face to generate leads and income.

The event will take place at South Lounge, Kanto Motors Building Corner Mangga Street, Quimpo Blvd., (in front of the Commission on Human Rights building), January 7, 2016 8:30AM-5:30PM

FTECHNOLOGY, 10 LIMITED SEATS ONLY

For BUSINESS OWNERS that don’t want to end up as computer programmers, but want to: * Understand online effective marketing strategies! * Discover Effective English To Get Better Understood! * How To Personalize Your Business For Profit! * Generate LEADS and INCOME by being different! * Learn the 5% you need to know and delegate the rest!

WHO IS THIS FOR? Startup Entrepreneurs • Large Corporate Marketing Managers • Small And Medium-Sized Business Owners • Independent Hotel Owners • Property Professionals • Restaurant Owners • Retail Shops •Tradespersons • Internet Professionals • Medical Service Providers • In fact,

WHO IS THE PRESENTER DAVID LEE? David Lee is a British-Australian business entrepreneur that understands the power of effective communication skills. Whilst visiting Davao City he has been invited by a local business to speak and share his expertise to our community.

To demonstrate the importance of key communications skills, David and his business partner were responsible for developing and launching new real-estate strategies in the UK called, “How to Buy a House for £1”.

Speaking from his first-hand experience, “The concept was unconventional and immediately controversial. What

enabled our national success was being able to explain a complex system in simple English that even a child could understand.”

Married to a Filipina for over 30 years, and with family living here in Davao, David is therefore familiar with the Filipino mindset as well as anything to do with small-to-medium sized businesses. So what’s the purpose of taking time off to give a one-off presentation? “I have nothing to sell, as what I offer my international clients would be out of the price range of many Filipinos. Simply, this is my way of giving Filipino entrepreneurs an insight into many core strategies that they can replicate in their own businesses.”

With all those New Year resolutions still fresh in the

FINTERNET, 10

Clinic partnership steps up efforts to reduce maternal deaths in Phl

D

HONEST SECURITY GUARD. SM City Davao security personnel Anthony Lee Morata returns found a P100,000worth gold necklace to its owner Nancy Villasana. Morata is from Topwatch Security Agency and has been with the SM Security force for almost a year.

most professions that deal directly with the general public!

ESPITE ongoing rehabilitation efforts in the areas struck by Yolanda, countless survivors are yet to fully recover from the destruction left by the super typhoon in November 2013.

Some of the challenges the survivors still face include the lack of decent housing and inadequate access to clean water.

In Tacloban, the hardest hit among other affected areas in the Visayas, families are also experiencing an urgent need for quality and accessible maternal care services due to the rise of pregnancies. With a local healthcare system unable to provide sufficient coverage for struggling communities, maternal deaths remain a serious issue.

To address the inadequacy of maternal care in Taclo-

ban, Philips, the FriendlyCare Foundation, and the Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF) launched the FriendlyCare Birthing Home and Family Health Clinic on December 8 at the Sagkahan district in an event called “Buntis Fiesta.”

Aside from the clinic opening, the event included family planning sessions, prenatal

checkups, and a fun-filled talent competition among pregnant women from the barangays.

The birthing home, which is operated by FriendlyCare, powered by Philips technology, and supported by PEF, will initially serve as a birthing and lying-in facility for mothers in the disaster-stricken city.

SPORTS15

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MANNY’S LAST FIGHT Manny seals ring career with last fight against Bradley

M

ANNY Pacquiao said he is retiring from boxing after his April 9 fight with Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Pacquiao said the fight against Bradley will be his last, to be more focused on a “new job.”

“My April 9 fight against Timothy Bradley will be my last. I’m retiring from boxing to focus on my new job,” Pacquiao told Philboxing. com’s Aquiles Zonio in an interview at his mansion in General Santos City.

Pacquiao denied a

report that he wants a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr. before he calls it a career.

“Wala akong sinabing ganun. Wala namang nag-interview sa akin tungkol diyan,” said Pacquiao.

Pagkatapos ng laban ko sa April 9, magreretiro na ako sa boxing,” Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao started boxing in small promotions in 1995, rising to become one of the superstars of the sport in an incredible rags-to-riches story.

There has been talk

about Pacquiao retiring from boxing whe he filed for candidacy in the Senate although Top Rank Promotions chief Bob Arum said they are not marketing the Pacquiao-Bradley III card as the Filipino superstar’s last fight.

It appears Pacquiao’s focus will now be in politics as he expressed confidence about his chances of winning a seat in the Senate, based on the surveys.

“Consistent ‘yung ranking natin sa mga surveys. Among the top

10, palagi tayong nasa No. 7 or No. 8. I expect na aakyat pa ang ranking natin lalo na ‘pag naikot natin ang buong bansa,” Pacquiao said.

Blatche gives hope for PH in Rio qualifiers

T

TRIPLE DOUBLE MAN. Draymond Green is the only other Warrior after Tom Gola in 1959-60 to post triple-doubles in three straight games. AP

HE decision of former NBA Brooklyn Nets standout Andray Blatche to play for Gilas Pilipinas has given hope to the Philippine basketball team that it could qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil later this year.

In a story by Adrian Stewart Co, FIBA.com reports that there is plenty of optimism that the current Gilas squad coached by Tab Baldwin will break a 44 year old drought of failing to qualify for the Olympic Games when it competes in one of the three FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments with the winners of each six-team event booking a place in the Rio Olympics.

The FIBA story noted that while Asia hasn’t been the powerhouse continent of international basketball there is no doubt that the level of play has improved and the Philippines is one of the teams that are on the up.

The Philippines added Blatche to the line-up after he

was naturalized by an act of Congress and the American surpassed expectations at the 2014 FIBA World Cup of basketball.

Blatche led the team in points and rebounds and helped the Philippines stay close in its first four games before leading Gilas Pilipinas to victory over Senegal in their final game.

Although he was clearly out of shape, Blatche quickly buckled down to work and helped the Philippines reach the finals of the 2015 FIBA Asia Championships before losing to hosts China.

Team manager Butch Antonio told Panay News that after it was decided to compete for a place in the Rio Olympics qualifying tournament “we immediately informed Andray who gave the Filipinos the nod that yes, he’s ready to play for the national team. Antonio said Blatche “gave his assurance that he’ll be available and is okay.”

points in all in the first half as Golden State took a 62-54 lead at the break.

Warriors: Green is the 15th player in NBA history to have three straight triple-doubles. He has seven overall this season. ... Barnes returned from a 16-game absence from a sprained left ankle. He got a standing ovation when he checked in for the first time since getting hurt Nov. 27 at Phoenix. Barnes scored eight points. ... G Leandro Barbosa (left shoulder sprain) and F James Michael McAdoo (sprained toe, left foot) remain sidelined.

Third triple double for Green gives Warriors another win

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RAYMOND Green became the second Warriors player ever to post three straight triple-doubles and Golden State rolled to its 35th straight regular-season home win, 111-101 over the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night (Tuesday, Manila time).

Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson scored 30 points apiece and Marreese Speights had a season-high 15 off the bench to help the Warriors sweep the season series

from Charlotte.

But the night belonged to Green, who had 13 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists to join Tom Gola in 1959-60 as the only Warriors players ever to get triple-doubles in three straight games. The last player in the NBA to do it was Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, who had a fourgame streak last season.

Kemba Walker and Jeremy Lamb each scored 22 points for the Hornets. Charlotte has lost a season-high

four straight games.

The Hornets cut a 12-point lead down to one following back-to-back 3-pointers from P.J. Hairston and Jeremy Lin early in the third quarter. But Thompson answered with a layup and a 3-pointer to restore the lead to 71-65 and start a 12-0 run that put Golden State in control.

A jumper by Harrison Barnes early in the fourth expanded the lead to 20 points and the Warriors cruised

from there.

Curry missed two games and then played less than 15 minutes in his return to the lineup Saturday before leaving with a bruised left shin. He did not participate in the morning shootaround and was questionable right about until game time when he made it through his usual pregame routine with no issues.

He drained a 3-pointer in the opening minute on his first shot and scored 14

TIP-INS Hornets: Lamb left the game briefly to undergo X-rays on his bruised right hand and wrist. ... Swingman Nicolas Batum sat out with a sprained toe on his right foot.

He could also miss Wednesday’s game in Phoenix. ... Big man Spencer Hawes returned after missing five games with a back injury.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

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ICTURE multiple major winners led by Jordan Spieth gunning for birdies and a gold medal on the same course as Miguel Tabuena.

If the Rio Games tournament teed off now, the world No. 1 Spieth and

Philippine No. 1 Tabuena would be walking the same fairways on the controversial Reserva de Marapendi, competing for the first Olympic golf medals to be staked in 112 years.

Tabuena has risen to 210th in the world rankings

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EYES ON RIO Tabuena in the hunt for Olympic slot

and 48th on the Olympic eligibility list after ruling the Asian Tour’s season-ending Philippine Open.

Asian Tour veteran Angelo Que is also still in the running at 50th.

The Filipino golfers, however, still need to play

well in tournaments offering world ranking points because the cutoff is still a few months away on July 11.

The Olympic field is limited to 60 players, including the top-15 world-ranked players with a limit of four

players from a given country.

Tony Lascuna got into the list in the middle of last year but struggled in the latter part of the season and has slipped to 379th in the world.

That list of qualifiers

now has American players Spieth, No. 4 Bubba Watson, sixth-ranked Rickie Fowler and No. 8 Dustin Johnson.

Jennifer Rosales has also stayed in the list for the women’s tournament, although she has slipped to 58th from 57th last year.