Edge Davao 8 Issue 203 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

VOL. 8 ISSUE 203 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 8 - 9, 2016

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RED ALERT. The electric transmission line facilities of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) tower over a cornfield in Maramag, Bukidnon. NGCP placed Mindanao on red alert as a possible grid collapse is seen and will affect Davao City and General Santos City. Lean Daval Jr.

IT’S DUTERTE, SAYS GOOGLE In 2010, Google picked PNoy, now it’s predicting Rody for 2016 By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY

HE 16th President of the Republic of the Philippines is none other than Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, according to Google. Google made the prediction after collating the statistics that showed Duterte leading the race in its search queries among the presidential aspirants in the May 9 elections. “If this is any indication, Duterte will be doing a good job in the coming 2016 presidential election,” Google said. Duterte is up against Vice

President Jejomar Binay, administration candidate Mar Roxas, Sen. Grace Poe and Sen. Miriam Santiago in a five-cornered fight. “This is not the first try to find a correlation of Google search trends to potential election outcomes. In 2010 national elections, Sen. Benigno Aquino,” Google said. Google supported and explained its findings with demographics based on the queries of Filipino voters from June to December of 2015. “Even on the average per-

centage of queries, Rodrigo Duterte (26 percent) leads the race from June to December 2015. Behind him are Jejomar Binay (12 percent), Grace Poe (8 percent), Mar Roxas (5 percent), and Miriam Santiago (5 percent),” Google said. “He appears to be the top choice among Googlers from November 9 to December 5: he holds a large lead among other candidates who searched about each one of them. He got 100 points. Behind him were Grace Poe (27 points), Jejomar Binay (10

points), Mar Roxas (8 points), and Miriam Santiago (8 points),” it the search engine added. The Google prediction elated the camp of Duterte. “This is a clear confirmation that Rody is the overwhelming choice of the Filipino people with more than 42 million now using the internet. This, likewise affirm that followers of Duterte are dominant in social media,” said Peter T. Laviña, head of Duterte’s media group in the campaign team.

EDGEDAVAO Sports From business to the Pro Tour P16

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 203 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 8 - 9, 2016

CHO REQUIREMENT. A street vendor sells different varieties of street food in Davao City’s night market center along Roxas Avenue. The City Health Office (CHO) has required ambulant vendors in the city to secure a health card before vending in the streets. Lean Daval Jr.

Rody to campaigners: You are investing on your kids’future

VERY Presidential Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday told his leaders from all over the country gathered here for a two-day pre-campaign conference that their work and sacrifices are “investments in the future of your children.” Departing from his usual cuss-filled public statements, Duterte promised the more than 150 leaders from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, including his Vice Presidential running mate Alan Peter Cayetano, that he will use the full powers of the Presidency to stop graft and corruption, crime and drugs in the first six

months of his six-year term. “If you work for me, you are investing in the future of your children. Whatever I am telling you now, I will really do,” he told his supporters at the end of the two-day campaign leaders meeting at the Grand Regal Hotel here. Duterte, however, warned his leaders that the Presidency is a long shot since his campaign does not have the traditional political machinery and that he has set the rule that he will not receive money from people or companies who do business with government. “If I compromise myself,

FRODY TELLS, 10

Duterte: No to campaign funds from government contractors

RESIDENTIAL candidate Rodrigo Duterte, who admits he lacks funds for a nation-wide campaign, yesterday set a new ethical standard in Philippine politics when he said he will refuse money and contributions from groups and individuals doing business with government. “I will not accept money and contributions from people and groups who have transactions with government because I will have to pay them back with favours when I be-

come President,” Duterte said during his address to his campaign leaders from all over the country who gathered for two days in Davao City Jan. 5 and 6 to prepare for the Presidential campaign. Duterte said while his campaign lacks the funds for an extensive national campaign, he has directed his campaign finance committee members to ensure that campaign contributions would only come from people and groups with no vested interests.

“The presidency is a long shot. We do not have the machiney and we do not have enough funds. But we will not receive money from companies doing business with government,” he said. Duterte said accepting campaign funds from people and companies with interests in government projects and contracts would compromise his independence in decision making as President. “If I compromise myself, I’d rather not be President.

Ayaw ko na may utang ako. The Presidency is not mine to give,” he said. Duterte told his campaign leaders that he has just rejected offers of financial help from individuals known to have dealings with government. “I don’t want to reveal their names but I have just refused contributions from five people, just recently,” he said. Duterte’s campaign finance head, former agriculture secretary Carlos “Sonny”

She added that vendors need to submit the requirements such as urinalysis, fecalysis and chest x-ray before they will be given the health certificate. After the renewal of business permits, there CHO sanitary inspectors will start to check all the ambulant vendors in the city. The CHO chief said some vendors along Roxas Avenue are not practicing safety food handling after the food safety seminar last year. “What we found nung the last time is yung Roxas area, after the training they

did but after a while nangawala na ang hairnets og ang uban (What we found the last time in Roxas area, after the training the hairnets and other food safety gears were gone),” Villafuerte said. Most of the food handlers who attended the seminars were given identification cards. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte directed all food vendors last year to undergo a seminar on proper food preparation, packing and handling to ensure that their products are safe for public consumption.

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City warns of improperly throwing used cooking oil

CHO to vendors: Secure health cards

ON’T look now but improperly throwing away used cooking oil could land you to prison or a hefty fine. The Davao City government has urged all business establishments to cooperate with the city regarding the disposal of used cooking oils in reference to a new directive reiterating Republic Act 6969 or the Toxic Waste Substances and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990. This after executive order no. 32 series for 2015 “an order instituting the proper storage, treatment, transport, export, processing reprocess-

ing, recycling and disposal of used cooking oil in Davao City.” According to the directive, used cooking oils is considered as hazardous substance based on the Republic Act 6969 which imposes the penalty of six months to one year imprisonment and up to P4,000 in fine. It stated the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) the hazardous substance shall be properly regulated its storage, treatment, transport, export and disposal which will be covered with permits. The city government has

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

HE Davao City Health Office (CHO) has required all ambulant vendors to secure a health card before vending their foods in the streets. CHO head Dr. Josephine Villafuerte said the vendors are required to get health certificate this year to assure that the food they are selling is safe for the consumers. “As ambulant vendors, they also need to think of their customers,” Villafuerte said in yesterday’s I-Speak Media Forum at City Hall Conference room.

Vendors who will not comply with the requirements, she warned, will not be anymore allowed to vend in any streets of the city. “Mag-comply gyud sila. Kung dili i-close sila. Kasi, mahirap na magpatrabaho sa kanila o magbenta sila na meron silang diperensya - di mo agad makita ang tao na may TB (Tuberculosis) if starting pa lang (They need to comply or else they will be closed. It is hard to let them vend if they have diseases. You cannot immediately see TB if it is just starting),” Villafuerte said.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 203 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 8 - 9, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

4 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 203 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 8 - 9, 2016

Rody would be a disaster to criminals, drug lords not to country: Cayetano

ENATE Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano disputed on Thursday a statement of fellow vice presidential aspirant Senator Antonio Trillanes IV that Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte would be a disaster for the country if he is elected president in the May 2016 polls. “Yes a Duterte presidency will be a disaster. It will be a disaster for drug lords, criminals and corrupt public officials,” Cayetano, Duterte’s running mate, said. “The only people who are afraid of a Duterte leadership

BIOFUEL UPDATE. Assistant city administrator Tristan Dwight Domingo gives updates on the project which produces biofuel from used cooking oil. Domingo graced yesterday’s I-speak media forum at City Hall. Lean Daval Jr.

PNoy in Davao City for opening of power plant

HE 300 megawatt Therma South Incorporated power plant will be inaugurated today with President Benigno Aquino III slated to grace the ceremonies. The coal-fired power plant located in Davao City and the

town of Santa Cruz in Davao del Sur is expected to provide additional energy to the Mindanao Grid, the 150 MW first unit started commercial operations in September of last year. It currently supplies to more than 20 electric cooper-

atives and distribution utilities all over Mindanao. Built by TSI, a wholly owned subsidiary of Aboitiz Power, the P25-billion power plant utilizes Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB) technology to meet strict environmental

standards. One of the main landmarks of the power plant is the coal dome, the first of its kind in the country and is used to store the plant’s coal supply. Aside from the President, top government officials from

FPNOY, 10

are those who benefit from corruption and unabated criminality. Mayor Duterte already made it clear. If you don’t want a peaceful country and a corrupt-free government, then don’t vote for him. If you want crimes and illegal drugs to thrive in our communities, then don’t support him,” he added. Cayetano belied Trillanes’ claims that Duterte does not have a comprehensive platform that he would implement if he wins the presidency. “Maybe Senator Trillanes

Ex-radioman dies in road accident

FRODY, 10

FORMER radio anchor was killed in an accident involving three motorcycles in the outskirts of Koornadal City in South Cotabato late on Wednesday night. Supt. Nestor Salcedo, Koronadal City police chief, said Thursday victim Romelo “Meloy” Sustituido, 37, was on his way home aboard a motorcycle to Barangay San Jose when he was hit by another motorcycle at around 11:10 p.m. Sustituido worked for several years as anchor and reporter of the Rainbow Global Media Arts’ defunct Super Radyo station in Koronadal City.

He later joined the campaign team of South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes and had been serving as political affairs officer of the Office of the Governor. Norberto Bañaria, chair of Barangay Sto. Niño in Koronadal City, said Sustituido was traversing the provincial road in their village when his black and white Honda XRM motorcycle with license plate SJ5353 accidentally fell over. He said the victim was then hit by a speeding red and white Honda RS motorcycle, which was also knocked over by a Yamaha scooter. The village official said

Martin S. Villarama Jr., who will retire early on Jan. 16, 2016 due to health reasons. Under the operative fact doctrine, the law is recognized as unconstitutional but the effects of the unconstitutional law, prior to its declaration of nullity may be left undisturbed as a matter of equity and fair play. On the other hand, proponents, implementors and authors of DAP are not spared unless they can prove good faith. Caguioa, who left the private sector to join President Aquino in 2010 as Chief Presidential Legal Counsel insisted

that President Aquino is not the author, implementor or proponent of the DAP. “He [President Aquino] does not fall in the category of an author, proponent or implementor of these program. What the President did was merely exercise his discretion under the Constitution to augment projects using savings and that is completely allowable,” Caguioa said. He added that even the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (SC) and the Senate President are allowed under the law to do that. Caguioa believed that

President Benigno S. Aquino III will inaugurate on Friday. Quoting Energy Secretary Zenaida Monsada, the PCOO chief added that 14 out of the 15 transmission towers bombed last year have already resumed operations. “The provincial government of Lanao del Sur led by Governor (Mamintal) Adiong is working with other concerned local government units as well as the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, to beef up security for these transmission towers and to address right of way issues with land owners where these towers are lo-

cated,” he said. Coloma stressed that the power supply for the Mindanao region is derived from a combination of sources including the existing hydroelectric power plants. “The power grid in the region is not solely dependent on these transmission towers, which are connected to the Agus-Pulangi hydroelectric power plants,” he said. Coloma said these measures are part of DOE program to ensure there will be enough power supply especially during the election period. (PNA)

FEX-RADIOMAN, 10

Caguioa: Aquino should not be charged for DAP

EPARTMENT of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa on Thursday told the members of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) that President Benigno S. Aquino III should not be charged for the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP). “As a matter of law and my appreciation of facts as I know them, I don’t believe he [President Aquino] should be charged precisely because of operative fact doctrine and good faith,” Caguioa told the JBC during his interview as among the 16 candidates vying for the position to be vacated by Associate Justice

FCAGUIOA, 10

Palace assures measures in place to ensure enough power supply in May elections

HE Malacañang Palace on Thursday assured that measures are in place so there will be continuous and reliable power supply in Mindanao that will ensure successful holding of the May elections. Citing the Department of Energy, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said an additional capacity of up to 600 megawatts will come on stream in the first half of 2016. Coloma said 150 megawatts of which will be generated by Aboitiz Group’s thermal power plant which

5 PROPERTY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 203 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 8 - 9, 2016

FTC eyes big sales leap in 2016 F

FTC Group of Companies expects to surpass previous year’s sales standards as more people are expressing interest in the project as it is now very visible with construction moving up to level four above the ground.

TC Group of Companies expect increase in sales this year for its signature project Aeon Towers. Ian Cruz, president of FTC Group of Companies, said the firm will continue to pursue aggressively its sales targets as the project moves into its final year of construction. Cruz said they expect to surpass previous year’s sales standards as more people are expressing interest in the project as it is now very visible with construction moving up to level four above the ground. “We have a very aggressive sales team and with the construction moving up, we are so excited of the prospects this year,” Cruz said. Aeon Towers continue to offer P10,000 reservation fee according to its Marketing team. With the construction already moving on to the fourth level of the 33-story Aeon Towers, its sales and administration team is likewise getting ready to transfer to a permanent office.

“Yes, we are transferring soon to the building where the office and showroom will be located,” said Gen Marchan, marketing manager of developer FTC Group of Companies. The Aeon Towers showroom is currently located at an adjacent property but will be relocated in January. Aeon Towers is the signature project of local developer FTC Group of Companies and is seen as the next iconic building in Davao City. It features 33 stories that will house high-end condominium units, shopping center, BPO center, luxury hotel, multi-level basement parking, skydeck infinity pool, fitness center and jogging track. At the moment, the project is now moving towards the completion of concrete pouring of the first three levels from ground. It has four levels underground. Aside from its showroom, Aeon Towers also has exhibit areas in SM Lanang Premier and SM City Davao.

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 203 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 8 - 9, 2016

BIMP-Eaga strategic meet reset By CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

HE strategic meeting for the crafting of the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines- East Asean Growth Area) Vision 2025 during the 12th BIMP-EAGA Summit has been moved next month. “The meeting is moved to February 23 to 26. Venue in Davao City is still being finalized,” said Romeo M. Montenegro, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) director for investment promotions and public affairs.

Montenegro earlier said the meeting which, will is expected to draw over 200 delegates from member nations, was originally set this month after respective leaders and ministers from each member nations proposed and agreed to finalize the BIMP-Eaga Vision 2025 in a bid to develop a resilient, inclusive, sustainable, and economically competitive sub-regions during12th BIMP-Eaga Summit to be hosted by the Davao City. The blueprint of the

DOT pushes campaign for ‘Visit Davao’again

HE regional office of the Department of Tourism (DOT) is kicking off an aggressive campaign to entice tourists to visit Davao again in line with Visit Philippines 2016. DOT 11 director Roberto Alabado III said the essence of the campaign is to encourage tourists who have visited the city to come back and explore more of Davao’s tourism products. “They still have a lot to do and the three days two nights stay in Davao City is not enough for one who is enjoying what is best in Davao,” he said. The campaign commenced last year when it launched the “Summer In December”, a photo exhibit featuring the tourism sites of Davao in coor-

dination with Park Inn. He said the campaign also includes “where to go” of the best places in Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur and Compostela Valley Province. Alabado said it has been their continuing advocacy for the tourists to come. Meanwhile, Alabado disclosed a continuing increase in tourist arrivals because of the strong domestic market especially that Davao has become a MICE (Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) destination. The foreign market is there to complement our tourist arrivals, he said. He said the new direct air connection of Davao-Singapore will add up to the number of foreign tourists and ‘balikbayans’. (PNA)

DTI eyes to replicate CARS Program package

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) aims to replicate the incentives package of the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) Program to three to five more industries, DTI Secretary Adrian S. Cristobal said. Cristobal, in a press conference on Thursday, said incentives under the CARS Program can be a template package that can be given to selected sectors to support growth of industries and expand their share to economic growth and job generation. “This year, with all the other roadmaps we have, we would like to package three to five more programs of this kind focused on selected industries,” the newly appointed Secretary stated. “As you know, the CARS Program is at the core of our Manufacturing Resurgence Program (MRP). The MRP, spearheaded by DTI, will continue to achieve longterm inclusive growth and much-needed jobs in the econ-

omy, and sustain competitiveness of the country,” he added. Under the CARS Program, which was signed by President Bengino S. Aquino III in mid2015 to boost the country’s automotive industry, the government intends to provide an average of Php4.5 billion annually or some Php27 billion for a period of six years as fiscal incentives to support three car models. These incentives target to attract investments in car parts production that are currently not available in the local market to close gaps in the supply chain. Cristobal said DTI aims to identify industries that needed this kind of support from the government. The manufacturing sector is identified by the Aquino administration as a catalyst for inclusive growth with the number of jobs it can create and its contribution to the economy. MRP was established by the government to also sup-

FDTI, 10

BIMP-Eaga 2025 will also support and compliment the Asean 2025: Forging Ahead Together roadmap, according to Montenegro. It will be also a successor document to the BIMP-Eaga 2016 and Implementation Blueprint 2012-2016. Montenegro said the blueprint will still be anchored on the BIMP-Eaga pillars including tourism, agribusiness, connectivity, environment, education as well as socio- cultural, among other sectors.

The signing state ministers said in a joint statement earlier that the meeting will provide a venue for stakeholders especially “the private sector and the local governments to take advantage of this opportunity to bring their views, inputs, and projects that will generate economic growth and development in the sub-region.” During the 19th BIMP-EAGA Ministerial Meeting last year at the Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, signing ministers from each

nation also urged senior officials and clusters in consultation to identify the second generation of Priority Infrastructure Projects (PIPs) in the development blueprint “to further enhance connectivity and elevate the connectivity agenda beyond 2016.” “We continue to recognize that improvement in connectivity is vital for the seamless movement of goods and people from the EAGA and for its integration to ASEAN and the rest of the world,” the ministers said.

Also taken up during the meeting was the current implementation of the first PIPs which involved the improvement of roads, seaports, and airports. “We are pleased with the significant progress in the implementation of PIPs,” the statement said. Meanwhile, the sub-region members are following the BIMP-EAGA Implementation Blueprint (IB) 20122016 as development plan for the BIMP-EAGA sub regions.

WORKING HARD. Young boys push a cart full of vegetables at the Bagsakan area in Bankerohan yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Fisheries sector primed for global competitiveness

HE Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Thursday said the Philippines is looking at a more improved and globally competitive fisheries sector as it welcomes 2016 with a 5-year national fisheries plan that is ready for implementation. Agriculture Undersecretary and BFAR national director Asis Perez said the agency is set to launch the Comprehensive National Fisheries Industry Development Plan 2016-2020 next month during the first National Fisheries Industry Summit at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City. “The CNFIDP 2016-2020 is a product of a consensus-building via three-part series of fisheries stakeholders’ workshops in capture fisheries, aquaculture, post-harvest and, marketing subsectors. With a plan crafted by the stakeholders for the

fisheries industry through participatory approach, we are very confident that we will be seeing a globally competitive Philippine fisheries sector in the next five years,” he said. Perez added the plan would serve as a vehicle for promoting optimal development and long-term sustainability of benefits derived from fisheries and aquatic resources. Besides being equipped with the all-inclusive fisheries industry plan, BFAR also got an increase in budget from last year’s PHP6.3 billion to PHP6.7 billion which, Perez said, will be utilized in funding tailor-fitted livelihood programs and projects for the fisheries sector. On top of the priority projects for this year is the completion of more than 500 Community Fish Landing Centers (CFLCs) in strategic coastal communities throughout the country.

“CFLCs aim to improve the socio-economic conditions of fisherfolk communities with high poverty incidence by reducing fisheries post-harvest losses from 25 percent to 18 percent or even lower,” Perez said. Additionally for this year, BFAR will continue to provide targeted interventions for fisherfolk with the aid of its enhanced registries: the National Program for Municipal Fisherfolk Registration or FishR; and its offshoot, the National Program for Municipal Fishing Vessels and Gears Registration or BoatR. Since its launching in 2013, FishR has now registered over 1.6 million municipal fisherfolk – a very significant increase given that there were only 50,000 registered fisherfolk when it was instituted. Meanwhile, BoatR, which started from zero, has already registered over 138 thousand municipal fishing

vessels. “The creation of both fisheries registries is based on the premise that what gets measured gets managed,” Perez said. Taking off from last year’s increase in the overall fisheries production by 1.80 percent during the third quarter owing to the continued rise in tuna production, the bureau also aims to further achieve good performance both in fisheries production as well as in the management of the country’s aquatic resources. “Furthermore, the government’s resolve to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUUF) remains strong this year. BFAR now has 240 fisheries law enforcers deployed in the country’s major fishing grounds and we are trying to fill in a total of 700 law enforcers to patrol and protect our seas against IUUF,” Perez said. (PNA)

VOL. 8 ISSUE 203 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 8 - 9, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

THE ECONOMY 7

Plant during dry spell, DA execs urge farmers

GRICULTURE officials have urged farmers in Southwestern Mindanao to continue planting crops, as the country started to feel the feared El Nino phenomenon. Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, who was here for the turnover of farm equipment and seedlings to Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peasant communities in Maguindanao, and DA-12 Regional Director Amalia Jayag Datukan assured the public mitigating measures are already in place. “We should not cease planting, we should not lose hope,” Alcala told reporters. “You see despite weather advisory on El Nino, we still experience rainfall in some areas, so continue planting,” he addressed the region’s farmers. Alcala also said DA has programs that will help farmers cope with the feared dry spell, including seed assistance, water projects, among others. South and North Cotabato have started feeling the effect of the dry spell as shown in the drying up rice fields in the town of Mlang. Datukan said DA is mulling cloud seeding operations anytime in response to requests by local government units and farmers. “DA is prepared to replenish damaged crops,” she told a news conference. She said it was not right for farmers not to plant in anticipation of longer dry spell. “Farmers should plant because DA is here to help them

should the crops fail,” Datukan said. “So continue planting, DA will be happy to assist,” she added, noting that her office is attending to requests for cloud seeding and repair of water impounding projects. Replenish seedlings are ready for distribution, she added. In Barangay Buayan, Mlang, where 90 percent of the farmers are into palay production, rice fields have dried up due to limited water from irrigation. Farmers said palay on its vegetative stage have no chances of recovery due to extreme heat. Rice farmers are looking up to water pump as backup to irrigation to cushion the impact of drought in their farms. In the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), agriculture and fishery officials are closely monitoring the agriculture sectors. Alexander Alonto, regional secretary of ARMM’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, said that to date, there have been no reported major losses yet from the farmers and fisheries sectors in ARMM. “The region is yet to experience serious effects of drought, but so far farmers are enjoying occasional rains in the region,” Alonto said in Filipino. “We are ready to respond should the dry spell affect our farmers and fisher folks,” he added. Meanwhile, the Balik Kalikasan Advocacy Group (BKAG), an alliance of envi-

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DOE working with LGUs to secure power supply

HE Department of Energy is coordinating efforts to ensure a continuous and reliable power supply in Mindanao, particularly in areas where transmission towers of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) had been bombed, the Palace said on Thursday. Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Energy Secretary Zenaida Monsada has reported that an additional capacity of up to 600 megawatts (MW) will come onstream in the first half of this year, starting with the 150-MW thermal power plant of the Aboitiz Group, which President Benigno S. Aquino III will inaugurate on Friday. “Also according to Secretary Monsada, on the bombing of transmission towers, the operations of 14 out of the 15 towers have resumed,” Secretary Coloma said during a press briefing in Malacañang. Lanao del Sur’s provincial government, led by Governor Mamintal Adiong, is working with other concerned local government units, as well as the NGCP, to beef up security

for the transmission towers, the Palace official said, adding that the provincial government is also working to address right-of-way issues with landowners where the towers are located. Coloma noted that despite the bombing of the transmission towers, the electricity supply in Mindanao will remain stable because it is derived from a combination of sources, including existing hydroelectric power plants. “The power grid in the region is not solely dependent on these transmission towers, which are connected to the Agus-Pulangi hydroelectric power plants,” he said. Coloma also assured that there would be enough power supply for Mindanao during the upcoming national elections, saying this is part of the efforts of the Department of Energy. He said that despite past concerns on the energy supply in Mindanao, the country was able to conduct a successful election in 2013, and there is no reason for this year’s election to be disrupted by power shortage. (PNA)

DRY SPELL. The effects of El Nino have been felt in the rice fileds of Barangay Buayan in Mlang, North Cotabato these past few weeks, as shown in this picture taken 30 Dec 2015. MindaNews photo by Ferdinadh Cabrera

Aboitiz plant boosts Davao power supply By CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

HE operation of the Aboitiz-owned 300MW Therma South Inc. will boost the power supply for Davao City amid the possible collapse of the Mindanao grid that could lead to seclusion of areas in southern Mindanao. “The TSI definitely provides supply boost to Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC),” Romeo Montenegro, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) director for investment promotions and public affairs, told EDGE Davao yesterday. Montenegro said the grid collapse is “just hypothetical and likely only when there’s massive toppling of transmission towers in vital locations.” He said Mindanao is “served by several transmis-

sion backbones that provide possible redundancy to other location.” Earlier, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) earlier announced that Davao City and General Santos City might be off the grid if the bombed NGCP (National Grid Corporation of the Philippines) tower in Ramain, Lanao del Sur remained unrepaired since it was bombed during the Christmas Eve. “Both Davao City and General Santos City are located in the south, and are in real danger of being completely cut off from the bulk supply coming from the hydro facilities,” NGCP corporate communication officer for Mindanao Milfrance Q Capulong said in a statement.

This was after NGCP declared a red alert status for Mindanao Grid yesterday because the owners of the property where the tower is located identified as Mr. Johnny Sambitori, Mr. Intan Sambitori and Mr. Naguib Sambitori, “refused NGCP entry to repair the damaged transmission facility.” “Negotiations with the Sambitoris were unsuccessful because the owners alleged that the government failed to pay their claims long ago,” Capulong said. She added that the refusal of the owner may cause imbalance between the North and South portions of Mindanao may cause the system to collapse. “Mindanao is facing a pos-

sible grid collapse if the situation persists since there is only one line remaining to deliver power from the Agus Hydro Complex, the Maramag-Bunawan 138-kV line,” Capulong said. “If the said line is in any way compromised, no power will flow from the remaining Agus hydro facilites to south of Mindanao where the bulk of power demand is located,” she added. Bulk of Davao City’s power supplied by the Davao Light and Power Co. (DLPC) was contracted from the National Power Corporation and being cut off with supply from the state-owned generation facilities would entail longer and worse rotating blackouts within the franchise are of DLPC.

EGOSYO Centers will soon be opened at the three cities in Davao del Norte. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Davao del Norte Provincial Director Romeo Castañaga revealed that he had already negotiated with the city mayors of Tagum, Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) and Panabo for the establishment of Negosyo Center this year. Director Castañaga revealed that for Tagum City, he recommended that it will placed in the New City

Hall since it will house the local government offices by March 7 as proclaimed Mayor Allan Rellon. Castañaga also disclosed that he proposed that the center can occupy the ground floor of the new two-storey building that will be constructed in IGACOS. For Panabo City, he said that initial talks with the city government preferred the ground floor of the City Museum as the location of the center. “I hope that everything will be in place before the election so that it will not be

affected by whoever sits after the election,” he said. As the agency’s counterpart, Castañaga said that the DTI will allocate a computer set, furniture and signages for the centers. “We will also capacitate the employees assigned to carry out the functions of the Negosyo Center,” he emphasized. Based on the Go Negosyo Act or Republic Act 10644, the Negosyo Center will provide business registration assistance especially for start-up Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

(MSMEs), business advisory services through counselling, and business information and advocacy through trainings and orientations. Castañaga stressed that he will assign a staff that will regularly sit in the three centers to cater Business Name Registration. Meanwhile, he boasted that the Negosyo Center in Davao del Norte is the only one in the region that has a regular manpower from the Small Business Corporation that caters financing needs of the MSMEs. (PIA 11/Michael Uy)

DTI to open Negosyo Centers in DavNor N

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8 VANTAGE

VOL. 8 ISSUE 203 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 8 - 9, 2016

EDITORIAL Erring vendors must go

HE City Health Office (CHO) has required all ambulant vendors in Davao City to secure a health card before selling food in the streets. No less than the CHO head herself, Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, appeared in a media conference on Thursday to remind the vendors of the policy which requires them to get a health certificate. With this requirement, the City Government of Davao can get assurance that the food they are selling in the streets is safe for the consumers. “As ambulant vendors, they also need to think of their customers,” Villafuerte said in the regular I-Speak forum at the City Hall Conference room. The reminder or the message from the CHO must be sent across for its intended recipients and that these vendors must all comply with this requirement or they will be banned from vending anymore in any streets of

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the city. Safety to human health is of primordial consideration here and the CHO wants to make sure that no ambulant vendor has disease or health problems when they sell their products. Aside from the possible diseases to the vendors, they must also practice proper packing and handling of food to prevent contamination which, if not checked, can lead to food poisoning. The CHO chief noted in the same forum that vendors along Roxas Avenue are not wearing hairnets and other food safety gears despite undergoing training last year on food safety. With this discovery, the CHO should now check regularly if these vendors are still complying with the requirement of wearing food safety gears in selling and preparing their food to the consumers, who are often unaware of the health hazards associated with street-vended foods. Erring vendors must go.

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VANTAGE POINTS

On PH cutting 1B from contraception budget

HE Philippines is a liberal democracy, or at least it aspires to be. And to be a democracy means to be secular, to be strictly separated from religious institutions, to refuse to be dictated by its norms, and to treat people of different beliefs equal before law. Above all, being secular means making decisions in the best interest of the people. Now, it’s not news that this country is predominantly Catholic and has religious leaders who are adamantly against birth control because it’s considered as immoral. But this country, tragically, is also predominantly poor and predominantly reliant on the health care services that this country provides. It’s a disastrous decision for the legislature to scrap the budget for contraception against the law’s mandate. It is obvious that even with the Reproductive Health law in place, the Philippines is still struggling to accept this basic right especially with election season looming over and several politicians who want to pander to the whims of the most influential religious institution in the country.

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But this country will MY MILLENNIAL MIND be doomed if it does not respond to the reality of sexually transmitted diseases, of unwanted and unprepared for pregnancies, and Vanessa Kate Madrazo of children born out of accidents and leading a life of poverty and suffering—the reality even of high birth rates and high maternal mortality rates. Congress seems to refuse to face the need for responsible sexual activity. Let’s face it—the privileged isn’t affected from this cut. The budget was crucial for poor people,

more so, poor women who are possibly mothers, to access the contraception that they otherwise wouldn’t because they can’t afford it and they need to prioritize their food, and education. Even and especially for couples who want to limit their number of children but at the same time want to remain sexually active—a basic human activity, by the way, and one that couples are most entitled to do whether or not they are married—that kind of choice is impaired. Cutting the budget for contraception that’s supposed to be made accessible to the poor is not just negligence of the abest health care available but also a prescription of a choice—recommending them to abstain or follow a method that would otherwise be inconvenient or incompatible with how they lead their lives just because it’s the dominant norm, not the best one. Without the budget, you compel these people into an impossible choice to exercise something that they rightfully should and a risk that may doom them to poverty without even giving them

the opportunity to take precautions. We’re looking at more chances of STDs among poor people, or more unwanted pregnancies that will most likely end up to irresponsible parenthood without guidance because they became parents even when they weren’t prepared yet. But sex is an activity that government can’t and don’t have a right to regulate, as a secular democracy, and to do so is to infringe upon individual autonomy and privacy. It can’t tell people to abstain, or be celibate. But it is in a position where it can help those people be responsible in that aspect of their lives and in a position that can prevent further harm from happening. For the legislature to neglect this reality out of an ambiguous moral standard without any rational and valid reasons is symptomatic of a democracy failing to be secular and one that is biased not to the people’s interest, but towards a belief that not everyone subscribes to, but more importantly, a belief that incarcerates people into choices that they did not make for themselves.

Davao taxi drivers give back fare change to the last peso. Lately though I just tell the driver how much change I want back as a token of gratitude to their good manners. It feels good to be generous when you are not extorted. While many people were still convincing him to run, Duterte shared his predicament of having no money to oil a full-blown campaign. What’s happening now is that people are using their own money and resources to make wrist ballers / wrist bands, tshirts, caps; to have tarpaulins printed; wood scraps to make billboards — all bearing Duterte’s name. Musicians and artists composed songs, held concerts; netizens produced their own videos and uploaded it on youtube. The graphically endowed made memes of notable Duterte quotes — without having Duterte pay them for it. FB pages and blogs are dedicated to the good that he had done for the people of Davao over the years. I wonder how much these would all cost if given monetary equivalent. I say that the good energies that came with the last peso of taxi fare change were returned back to Duterte exponentially. Other politicians can learn from this lesson on how to fund a campaign without really trying.

son’s lack of knowledge for being so sure of the wrong things about Duterte. Deepak Chopra says that people will do their best according to their level of awareness. It would really be unfair for us to keep non-believers in the dark. Factual information would beat falsehood anytime. Whatever unfounded fear non-believers had in their hearts would hopefully be assuaged. Reminding each other to be compassionate towards those who still need to know more about Duterte is a good way of protecting the ranks. For my part, it was not difficult to see the benchmarks, the progress on how Duterte transformed Davao City. Through the years, I have always used him as a reference to question myself on theories/ideas I encountered on peacebuilding, governance, accountability, conflict resolution, law enforcement — all those lofty concepts. Nine out of ten he still defies conventional beliefs of being prim and proper, using peaceful language, living a righteous life, having monotheistic spirituality, etc when faced with the magnitude of work Davao had then. By now, any self-respecting netizen would have already been able to detect how paid hacks and fictitious accounts look like on Facebook or Twitter (I just learned they are also called Trolls); not unlike the press releases of falsehoods and half-truths PR Agencies of yore used to destroy an opponent. Rather than sharing nonsense, there are a lot of credible sites that can multiply understanding rather than confusion. You may find these useful too: On Facebook I follow Davao Dailynews Service, Peter Tiu Lavina, Inday Sara Duterte, Thinking Pinoy, and Carmen Navarro Pedrosa. And because of Duterte I saw more substance and objective reporting on CNN Philippines, Rappler and InterAksyon compared to the two TV giants who are always at loggerheads with each other as to who dishes out more cut-anddried no-brainers on primetime. Gikan Sa Masa Para Sa Masaon YouTube is the nearest you can get to his answers to questions; compared to articles, interpretations and opinions written about what he said. Searching Duterte on YouTube also generates plenty of material, not to mention the city’s official web page. I really do not have an idea how Ninja Turtles ended; but win or lose, I’m sure Digong DuTurtle would be a good case study on effective governance for years to come. [MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. Aveen Acuña-Gulo posts herself on Facebook as a Monumental Operations Manager (MOM). She is a Bukidnon-born Cebuano mother of three (3) Maguindanao-Ilonggo-Cotabateño children; who will always be a child at heart even if she is a hundred years old. She wrote a column “The Voice” for the Mindanao Cross from 1991-2006. She likes to challenge stereotypes. “Don’t worry about my opinions. It won’t make a dent to the conventional,” she says.]

THE VOICE: Friday Du30 and Ninja DuTurtles

HEN you live in a household where most members are movie buffs and have a term of endearment for practically anything, you must have taken name-calling and labeling to the next level. Ever since that willful mayor from Davao City built a no-nonsense reputation, Raj called him Friday Du30. Like the movie, Duterte must have sown horror in the hearts of those who broke the law. (Ram on the other hand called that pockmarked-mask movie character “Mushroom”. Let’s see if there’s is some interesting association there), Fast forward several years. The country’s political landscape changed when the man who horrified criminals ran for president. So horrifying was he that even those who are not criminals were so blinded with fear they did not hear! And because he does not fit the traditional mould, his supporters are called DuterTards, a word play around “retarded” aka dimwits, halfwits, nincompoops. (There’s always google to fill in what’s left in the thesaurus). Someone defined a DuterTard to be a person who says he will vote for Duterte because he hears everybody else saying so. Herd behaviorkumbaga. Sunod-sunod lang sa uso. Another offered the label DuterTista — one who supports the candidacy of Duterte through thick or thin, come hell or high water, sa hirap at ginhawa. Whatever the definition, the man has caught the public’s attention. Conversations over dinner in the Gulo Household is never complete without Duterte as the topic in the last couple of years or so. While I abhor personality-based politics and Jun ever hopeless about Philippine elections, Raj and Ram (and even Josh, their cousin) kept sharing posts and articles about the man on our FB accounts; sometimes mentioning our names as a heads up for those they cannot catch up sharing. (I figured their generation must be trying to associate themselves with the diminishing number of men-leaders who protect the weak and the oppressed). “Ninja DuTurtle: that’s him. Ninja DuTurtles: that’s him and us,” declares Raj. (Bulb lights). Indeed, don’t ninja turtles protect their city from criminals? The new year is just a few days old and in a few months elections will be held. Those who are confident say: DuTurtle would win in 2016. Those who are confident with a heart say: if elections were held this moment and 2016, DuTurtle would still win. And because criminals do not want a non-trapo like DuTurtle, high chance they would do everything to cheat him. Well, many things have been said about him. Here’s my layperson aka ordinary citizen’s assessment of my favorite DuTurtle. There may be more but we can start with these: Change Is Here 1. Duterte is anything but conventional. He defies stereotypes. He wears the same type

MINDAVIEWS BY AVEEN ACUNA-GULO of shirts. He is not epal. He shuns awards. You don’t see his face and name splashed on every billboard announcing this is where your taxes go; or aping this and that slogan. (Funny how 2016 is called The Year of the Monkey: politicians have aped each other’s strategies without really offering anything new). If ever you see Duterte in the news, it’s rarely partying, socializing, this launching or that inauguration, the works. That’s a change from and a total opposite of the usual strategy of politicians who hire publicists and trainers on how to project a polished image to the public, spending taxpayers’ money on airtime, newspaper space and tarpaulins. 2. Duterte does not smooth-talk his way just to get good press. When he gets angry at kidnappers, drug pushers, unruly taxi driver/operators etc, he is not bothered if media catches him in his element oncam or on audio recordings. Many politicians wouldn’t dare snap at media people or in the presence of media people lest they would suffer unilateral warfare of loose talk. Duterte talks the way he does in a language understood by criminals and lawbreakers but grates the senses of those who have not fought the underworld toeto-toe eyeball-to-eyeball. And because Davao media sees that his work in making a city rise from a cesspool of crime is more important than the way he speaks, they report on relevant issues that affect the collective good rather than on his manners or his personal life. In short, don’t ask Duterte stupid questions or you will get stupid answers. He even helped you understand his quirks: “If it sounds ridiculous, it must be a joke!” I think if he is putting his tongue on his cheek he is testing your wits. Bantayi ba. And if you still take his jokes and his sarcasm literally, your problem must have something to do with transcending the ego. 3. Duterte does not come from a landed clan. Neither did he enrich himself in office. In short, he does not have private money nor money from taxpayers — to fund a presidential campaign. Bumalik Ang Piso In the early 2000s a taxi driver gave me change for my fare. I didn’t want to take it but he insisted because“mao’y sulti niMayor.” Interesting. According to him, Digong said that they taxi drivers are the first faces of Davao that a visitor will see. How they treat their passengers will reflect the character of the city. Makes sense, huh? (I think calling their mayor just “Digong” is also very endearing; the way some people also call Pope Francis “Lolo Kiko”. It gives one the feeling that this person is one of you or one among you). Since then it became public knowledge that

Protecting their ranks Taxi drivers seem to be a good barometer of life that we don’t see on mainstream media. One time Kuyang Taxi Driver told me they just mauled a fellow driver the night before. “Kay ngano man pud?” I ask. “Naa man gu’y ni-text Ma’am nga iyang hut-hotan ang pasahero (Someone texted that he wanted to fleece a passenger),” he answered. “Unya?” “Gihulat lang namo siya mogarahe Maam unya kaming mga drayber tagsa-tagsa mi ka sumbag niya (We just waited for him to return the taxi after his shift and all of us who were there gave him a punch each.” “Nah, wa sya mo balos? (Didn’t he fight back?)” “Di man sya kabalos Maam kay daghan man mi (He can’t fight back because there were many of us).” “Di kaha mo adto dumtan? (Don’t you think he will make a revenge?)” “Di to modumot Maam kay kabalo man sya nga sad-an sya (He won’t because he knew he committed something bad). Wow. Gives credence to the saying “The pace of the leader determines the speed of the pack” or something like that. Self-correction and protecting one’s ranks are a hallmark of law and order. The new year is just barely a week old and I am grateful that Manny Pinol on his FB page provided an advice of brotherly correction not to intimidate Duterte non-believers. Even that has to change. Positive campaigning is the change. Mudslinging has become a conventional thus very boring, thing. You cannot blame a per-

10 NEWS

ANTI-DENGUE VACCINE. Davao City Health Office (CHO) head Josephine Villafuerte shares details about the anti-dengue vaccine which will be given free to students from three regions with high incidence of dengue.

Duterte... FROM 2

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The anti-dengue vaccine will be available in the Philippine market next week. Villafuerte was a guest during yesterday’s I-Speak media forum at City Hall. Lean Daval Jr.

City... FROM 2

Dominguez who was his high school classmate and friend, has been given clear guidance to be discriminating in accepting campaign contributions. Even as Mayor of Davao City for 23 years, Duterte has been known to refuse contributions from people whose intentions are not very clear to him. In the 2013 elections, he ordered the return of campaign contributions to at least three big companies saying he did not need the funds as he was running unopposed. Duterte is the poorest among the five Presidential candidates with less than P10-M in his savings account which he said he has set aside for his medicines and hospitalisation when he grows old. While his father, the late Vicente G. Duterte, was Governor of the undivided Davao Province, the Presidential candidate stays in a low-cost housing subdivision in Matina, Davao City. In a recent report by an ad-

vertising survey firm, Nielsen, Duterte was reported to have the least expenses for advertising at a little over P120-million in TV ads which were paid for by his personal friends. Administration candidate Manuel Roxas III was the biggest spender for advertising at nearly P800-M, Vice President Jejomar Binay spent almost P700-M and disqualified Presidential candidate Grace Poe almost P500-M. All of these gargantuan amounts were spent even before the actual election campaign could start. Duterte’s pronouncement on how his campaign finance committee would handle contributions has set a new ethical standard in Philippine politics which is now rife with corruption where candidates accept money from interest groups, criminal syndicates and even drug lords. “This is a tough act to follow,” said campaign spokesman Peter Tiu Laviña. MANNY PIÑOL

identified that used cooking oil is being re-used by the public without knowing the health risk. Some of the used oils were also disposed indiscriminately causing the clogging of drainage in the city making it prone to flooding. In yesterday’s I-Speak Media Forum, Assistant City Administrator Tristan Dwight Domingo said based on their initial survey, about 90 percent of business establishments in the city are not aware of the law on the proper disposal of the used oil accompanied with a DENR permit. “I would like to emphasize that the executive order mandates the closure of particular business establishment who will not be cooperating or not properly disposing their use cooking oils,” he said. Domingo said the conversion of used cooking oil as biodiesel fuel initiated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Biomass

Japan, is a big help to minimize the spread of hazardous substance. “Through this, the city is now encouraging the business establishments and individuals to cooperate with us for the proper waste disposal,” he said. He said the city already identified 13 barangays who will be the first to donate their used cooking oils to the city government. Domingo said the city already conducted meetings with restaurant and hotel associations and mall firms SM Malls and Abreeza Mall for the possible partnership. He said the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of DENR has required before they will issue permit to the city, to have partnerships through a memorandum of agreement stating that the city is the their sole partner to transport and store their used cooking oils. ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

the national government and local government units along with executives from Aboitiz companies will be present in the event. The TSI power plant is among the new power investments in the region which is expected to address the power supply problems of the Mindanao Grid. According to the Department of Energy about 550 megawatts of energy from four new power plants in Min-

danao will augment the grid by the first half of 2016. Among these is the 2nd unit of the TSI power plant with a 150 megawatt capacity, the San Miguel Consolidated Power in Malita Davao del Sur with a 300 megawatt capacity and the 100 megawatt coal-fired power plant by Sarangani Energy Corporation (SEC) in Maasim town, Saragani Province. (PIA/RG Alama)

is not paying enough attention. Of all the presidential candidates, only Mayor Duterte has bold solutions to address crime, corruption and illegal drugs. He also has a comprehensive framework on how to spread development to the regions and alleviate the plight of the working people. This is what the Filipino people find inspiring in Mayor Duterte,” Cayetano said. ”Today, Mayor Duterte and I will officially unveil our platform and start touring the country to present our plat-

form to the broader public. Everyone is very much welcome to attend and listen,” Cayetano added. It was reported that part of the Duterte-Cayetano tandem’s platform includes reducing by half the crime rate and number of big-time drug lords operating in the country by mobilizing the military to help the police force. They would also push for workers to have a living wage and the implementation of federalism to promote regional development. (PNA)

the President should not be charged on DAP, “but in today’s world, he probably will [be charged].” However, Caguioa assured that once appointed to the SC, he would not serve the interest of the outgoing Aquino administration. Caguioa said that he will be independent, not be biased or maintain a debt of gratitude to the appointing authority.

“My father was a judge for 12 years. As a judge, I will wear an altogether a different hat,” Caguioa said. He added that as a member of the Judiciary, it is important “to be impervious to any kind of influence whether monetary, filial or any kind. The primary duty of the judge is to resolve the controversy on the basis of the facts and evidence and applying the law.” (PNA)

the unidentified driver of the Honda RS motorcycle and back rider, who was reportedly a minor aged about seven year-old, immediately escaped from the scene. “Responding residents immediately rushed him (Sustituido) to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival,” he said in a radio interview. Bañaria said the driver of the Yamaha scooter with license plate MA 97245, who

turned out to be a minor, and his two other companions have surrendered to the police. Salcedo directed the Koronadal City police station’s traffic section to conduct a comprehensive investigation regarding the incident. A team of police personnel has been also dispatched to identify and track down the driver of the Honda RS motorcycle. (PNA)

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I’d rather not be President. Ayaw ko ng may utang ako. The presidency is not mine to give,” he said. Saying that crime, drugs and corruption and the lack of infrastructure facilities contribute to the worsening poverty of Filipinos, Duterte said he could promise the nation that change would be felt in the first six months of his Presidency. “I can hack it if I have the support of the military and the police. I will use them against criminality and the drug problem. Corruption? I can stop it. The key word is Stop,” he said. “The lifestyle of everybody in government will be affected. BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) and Customs (officials) whose salaries are a pittance compared their income from corruption will be the first to complain. I expect them to complain that I am strict and an authoritarian but we have to stop corruption,” he said. Duterte related that in Davao City, City Hall processes business papers and permits within 72 hours and the same thing could be done in national government offices. “We reduce the number of signatories from 14 to 15 now to only 5 or 6 and the processing period from 40 to 60 days now to only 12 days,” Duterte said. “Agents of drugs are already parlaying in the rural areas accepting chicken and hogs as payment for the drugs. The tragedy of it all is that this administration never really addressed the problem squarely. The drug problem is getting serious everyday. It is cutting across all dimensions of society,” Duterte said adding that

a whole generation of Filipinos now is threatened by drug addiction. He said the revolutionary movements like the New People’s Army, the Moro National Liberation Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front will be addressed immediately but that it would take two to three years before he could come up with an arrangement that would be acceptable to the different groups. “I don’t know the full dimension of what they want to happen. But I am willing to talk to them,” Duterte said referring to the Communist insurgeents who have been waging a 40year rebellion against government. Duterte said he believes that a peaceful settlement with the Communist rebels will end the forced taxation imposed by the NPAs on businessmen and even professionals and farmers especially in Mindanao. “I will enforce law and order, build roads and infrastructures. build farm to market roads since we are an agricultural country. We will make food available and affordable for all Filipinos,” he said. “I cannot promise you more than that. Hindi ako papasok ng alanganin. I will stop corruption, criminality and drugs and start building the nation again,” Duterte said. While he admitted that the limited funds for his Presidential campaign would affect his chances of winning, he said he leaves his and the Filipino people’s fate to God. “This is a matter of destiny. If God wants me to be President, I will arrive at Malacañang,” Duterte told his leaders. MANNY PIÑOL

port agriculture-based manufacturing industries that generate employment and support small-holder farmers and agri-cooperatives through product development, value-adding, and integration to big enterprises for marketing and financing purposes. In 2015, the government allocated Php239 billion for MRP while another Php289 billion will be poured in to the program this year. Cristobal added that the budget is distributed among several key agencies such as DTI, Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and Department of Labor and Employment, among many others. Government agencies’ interventions range from physical to soft infrastructure, training, and capacity building, among others. “The revival of the man-

ufacturing sector is key to inclusive growth because it will generate much-needed employment and help the country tap regional production networks,” DTI Industry Development Group Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo said. For the full year of 2015, the Board of Investments (BOI) registered a total of Php27.01 billion investments in manufacturing sector. It grew by 10 percent from 2014’s figure of Php24.47 billion. “The continued growth of the manufacturing industry is a clear indication of the efforts to boost the growth and further development of the sector through the MRP,” Rodolfo pointed out. Average growth of the manufacturing sector improved to 8.2 percent in 20102014 period compared to its 3.0 average expansion in 20042009 period. (PNA)

ronmentalists and reforestation advocates in ARMM, calls for water conservation to all stakeholders. The group appealed to household owners to check on leaking water pipes and recycle the use of water. “It’s not too late yet,

plant trees in your surroundings,” BKAG said in a statement. It also urged villagers to help prevent forest fires, especially near watershed areas in the region. (Ferdinandh Cabrera/MindaNews)

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EDGEDAVAO EVENT

Eden Nature Park & Resort’s

COUNTDOWN TO 2016

EDEN NATURE PARK AND RESORT staged a grand countdown celebration to welcome 2016! With a magnificent setting at the lower veranda of Vista Restaurant overlooking the city, it was a night of indulgence. The resort’s culinary team laid out a lavish sumptuous holiday feast of international buffet dinner where guests enjoyed mouthwatering dishes. To add a sparkle to the evening was an exceptional live entertainment by various performers. More than the usual countdown show, the resort featured two local schoolbased performing groups, Kultura Edeng and the Elias B. Lopez Memorial National High School together with Kalumon Performing Ensemble, and the women-led world music band, Mebuyan. The members of Kultura Edeng and the Elias B. Lopez Memorial National High School are all students of Elias B. Lopez Memorial National High School, which is located just below the resort. Both groups are extracurricular school activities supported by Eden Nature Park and Resort and the Kauswagan sa Timogang Mindanaw Foundation as

part of the resort’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts. A huge crowd of revelers joined the throngs of cheering as the resort also featured the delightful cultural performances of Kalumon Performing Ensemble, an Internationally acclaimed, Davao-based, dance-theater performing group composed of students, independent artists, and young professionals. A show of this scale allowed the resort to bring together Davao’s pride to entertain the guests throughout the spectacular evening to enjoy live music of mesmerizing sounds and high energy.

There were raffle draws for lucky guests who won overnight accommodation in Seda Abreeza Hotel, Park Inn by Radisson Davao, and Waterfront Insular Hotel. Lucky winners won a one (1) month gym membership at Holiday Gym and Spa and Gift Certificates from Elysia Wellness Spa. The event was hosted by ABS-CBN’s TV Personality, Ms. Claudette Centeno and directed by Oscar Casaysay. Roland Jumawan was the official photographer of the event. While teens and adults are hooked up to the celebration, kids had fun at the kiddie corner at Cafe Vista hosted by Happyface Partyhaus. As the clock stroked to midnight, awe-inspiring performers, confetti and balloon showers, and wine toasts surrounded guests as they created their most memorable start to 2016. Guests celebrated all night long singing and dancing their favorite songs with Flight99 Band. The resort reinforced its good image as a tourist destination, and as a venue for a stellar celebration of welcoming the New Year.

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EVENT

Abreeza Mall holds

annual treat for Barangay 20-B kids EVERY HOLIDAY SEASON, Abreeza Mall makes it a point to throw a celebration for the children of Barangay 20-B of Davao City’s Poblacion District, to which Abreeza Mall belongs. The previous year was no different, and on December 29, 2015, Abreeza Mall’s Barangay Kids Day brought games, gifts, and loads of great surprises to gathered kids. With the help of Barangay Captain Gina Murillo, Abreeza Mall invited 200 children from the barangay’s resident families to Abreeza Mall’s Activity Center, where a kiddie bouncer had already been set up for their enjoyment. After welcome remarks by Abreeza Mall Marketing Associate Manager Jenny Abear-Perez, the Barangay Kids Day festivities officially begun. A series of exciting games let kids whisk away cool prizes, followed by scrumptious meals that satiated the appetites of the active youngsters. The afternoon held more surprises for the gathered children, with a magic show, a balloon twisting segment, and a bubble show keeping them amazed

and entertained. Ben 10 and Strawberry Shortcake mascots later came out, much to the young audience’s pleasure. Finally, each child got to bring home a massive Christmas gift—a delightful finale to a fun-filled holiday celebration. For inquiries and

updates on Abreeza Mall news and events, please visit the Main Concierge at the ground floor or call (082) 321-9332. Stay updated by liking www.facebook.com/ AbreezaMall and following @abreezatweets on Twitter and @iloveabreezamall on Instagram

VOL. 8 ISSUE 203 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 8 - 9, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

Pia Wurtzbach to use popularity to promote causes MISS UNIVERSE 2015 Pia Wurtzbach became an instant celebrity worldwide because of her controversial crowning moment.

The actress-model is now using her popularity to propagate her causes in the international scene. She said in a report on Unang Hirit, “I feel like now that I have a lot of attention, I can use that to get a broader reach for my causes. Now that I have their attention, let me tell you this, let me tell you

that. I think if anything, it’s going to help me reach out to more people.” Everywhere she goes, Pia is recognized even in the streets of New York City. According to her mentor and beauty queen maker Jonas Gaffud, “Everywhere we go in Manhattan in New York, nilalapitan siya tapos kinocongratulate siya at sinasabi, ‘You deserved to win!’” The Filipina beauty now resides in the Big Apple where she gushes about her own apartment.

Gaffud explained, “Kasi nakatira siya sa Manhattan, Cubao [sa Pilipinas]. Sabi niya kapag naglalakad kami, ‘Imaginin mo, nasa Manhattan, New York na ‘ko, hindi na Manhattan, Cubao!’ So ‘yun ‘yung mga joke namin.” He is proud of what his protégé has reached, “Bago siya umalis, may maririnig kang ‘Clapper naman ‘yan! She will clap hard in Miss Universe.’ At least, she proved everyone wrong ‘yung lahat ng detractors niya. She’s our Miss Universe 2015!”

MYX welcomes newest MYX VJs MYX is starting the new year with a bang by welcoming Kapamilya love team Sharlene San Pedro and Jairus Aquino and former “Pangako Sa’Yo” stars Sarah Carlos and Alex Diaz in the music channel’s family to add nonstop fun in dishing out the top hits and best music videos for 2016. Sharlene and Jairus who are better known together as JaiLene, started their MYX stint in early 2015 when they were handpicked as MYX Celebrity VJs. Since then, fans have constantly expressed their demand to see them again on the music channel.

Sarah meanwhile, made headlines last year when she snagged the role of Bea Bianca in the 2015 remake of “Pangako Sa’Yo,” among hundreds of girls who auditioned for the role. But before breathing life

into Bea Bianca, Sarah already tried her hand in hosting as a radio jock. Actor-model Alex Diaz has proven how persistence can reap success. He tried out to become a MYX VJ twice before finally

earning a spot as one of the music channel’s VJs this year. Alex was also seen in hit Kathniel movies and teleseryes including “She’s Dating the Gangster” and “Pangako Sa’Yo.” The four new MYX VJs will join VJs Robi Domingo, Ai dela Cruz, and Tippy Dos Santos in bringing excitement to MYX viewers nationwide. MYX is a youthoriented music channel in the Philippines that aims to showcase music from artists across all genres. For 15 years, it has grown into a strong youth brand on TV as the number one music channel in the country and online with over five million followers on both Facebook and Twitter.

Jodi and Ian admit getting carried away in ‘Pangako Sa ‘Yo’ proposal scene AFTER moving fans to tears with their marriage proposal scene in the top-rating “Pangako Sa ‘Yo,” Ian Veneracion and Jodi Sta. Maria admitted to being overcome with emotion and enthusiasm when they were filming the highly anticipated scene.

“When we shot the proposal scene, I really felt it. Maybe because we know our characters so well, their past, and where they’re coming from,” shared Ian in an interview with “TV Patrol.” “I was excited for Amor and Eduardo because they’ve been waiting for that moment. Viewers should watch out for whatever it is that will happen in the wedding,” teased Jodi. While Eduardo and Amor are deep in their preparations for

the wedding, Claudia (Angelica Panganiban) is grappling with her memory as she struggles to understand why she feels strongly about the name “Amor.” When will they see each other

again? Will Eduardo and Amor finally tie the knot? Meanwhile, “Pangako Sa ‘Yo” conquered 2015 not only the ratings race and social media. The Kathryn Bernardo-Daniel Padilla starrer was also the most searched TV show in the country, according to search engine Google Philippines. Don’t miss the exciting continuation of the classic Filipino love story on television, “Pangako Sa ’Yo,” weeknights after “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida. For exclusive updates, log onto Twitter.com/StarCreativesTV and Instagram.com/StarCreativesTV. Meanwhile, viewers may also catch up on full episodes and past episodes of “Pangako Sa ’Yo” through ABS-CBNmobile. For more information, please go to www.abscbnmobile.com.

January 8 – 12, 2016

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

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

STAR WARS VII: THE FORCE AWAKENS Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher PG

1:00 | 4:00 | 7:00 | 10:00 LFS

SNOOPY & CHARLIE BROWN: THE PEANUTS MOVIE Francesca Capaldi, Madisyn Shipman, Mariel Sheets G

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

EXTRACTION / * LEGEND Kellan Lutz, Bruce Willis, Gina Carano / * Tom Hardy, Emily Browning R13 / * R16

11:45 | 1:30 | 3:15 LFS / * 5:00 | 7:30 | 10:00 LFS

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 203 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 8 - 9, 2016

EVENT

Bringing joy

to kids in a season of giving

CHRISTMAS is for children, and so nothing can be fulfilling than seeing happiness written all over the kids’ faces when the staff of EDGE Davao and its publication arm Zion Accu Print Publishing Inc. visited them at the Missionaries of Charity during the holidays. For the third straight year, personnel from EDGE Davao and Zion went to the home for the sick and malnourished children and brought food for lunch. The activity was EDGE

Davao and Zion’s contribution to the children as its corporate social responsibility (CSR) every Christmas in cooperation with McDonald’s, which donated the food.

COMPETITIVE EDGE 11

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 203 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 8 - 9, 2016

DENR, Smart cite most eco-friendly schools

HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) recently named the country’s

“greenest” and most sustainable schools in its 4th National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools (NSSES). The nationwide competition, launched in partnership

with the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education and private institutions, including wireless leader Smart Communications (Smart), was designed to help

develop the skills and understanding among students, faculty and school administrators in initiating active responses and increasing community awareness and involvement on

environmental concerns. “The NSSES is a level up from environmental awareness. The competition pushes the schools to develop programs and create practices in their schools and communities that can actually help reduce carbon footprint and change people’s behavior towards the environment,” said Ramon Isberto, head of Smart Public Affairs. “This is why we are very happy to support the NSSES of DENR,” Isberto added. A staunch advocate for the environment, Smart has been supportive of initiatives that promote conservation and protection of the planet. The company has been a partner since 2009 when NSSES was first launched. The nationwide tilt, done every other year since 2009, is being implemented in accordance with Republic Act No. 9512, otherwise known as the National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008. This year, the winners in the elementary school category are Divisoria Elementary School in Santiago City, Isabela (1st place); Ara-al Elementary School in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental (2nd place); and Bonuan Boquig Elemen-

tary School in Dagupan City, Pangasinan (3rd place). The top three in the high school category are Bintawan National High School in Villaverde, Nueva Ecija; Baguio City National High School in Baguio City, Benguet; and Sumoroy Agro-Industrial School in Palapag, Northern Samar. In the college category, Foundation University in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental landed on the 1st place. St. Paul University in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental; and University of La Salette in Santiago City, Isabela both secured the 2nd place spot while Central Bicol State University in Pili, Camarines Sur finished third. The winners of the national search are automatically sent as entries to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for the ASEAN Eco-Schools Awards, which is part of the ASEAN Eco-Schools Program that aims to create a school culture geared toward environmental protection and preservation through management, commitment and infusion into curriculum, co-curriculum and greening activities. To know more, visit www. sustainableschools.ph.

fied Public Accountant (CPA) headed DENR-XI’s Finance Division until 2015. During the turn-over ceremony held at PENRO Digos, Davao del Sur, Dumagan expressed her gratitude to her DENR family and to Regional Director Joselin Marcus E. Fragada for the opportunity given to her. “This is one big opportuni-

ty for me and with this, comes a great responsibility. I assure all employees of Davao del Sur that I will do my best to be of service to them and to the clients as well,” Dumagan said. Under PENRO Davao del Sur are Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs) of Digos, Malalag and Davao City. (DENR-XI)

Doc Audan back Dumagan appointed PENRO of DavSur as TTD president A

R. RICARDO AUDAN, the founder of the Team Titans Davao is back as the new president for 2016. Audan, who is the Chief of Clinics at the Southern Philippines Medical Center, was voted unanimously to succeed Ricard Cagape. Audan founded the TTD with only 13 members on April 30, 2012 and became the president for two years. Cagape also served for two years as TTD grew bigger with 150 members already. “However, only 75 percent are now active,” said Audan, who is an ultra marathoner. The other newly-elected

officers are Frankie Tongco as vice-president, Jay Bustamante (secretary), Cecil Larobias (treasurer) and Marl Sales (auditor). The board members are Ramon Amable, Raymond Deveza, Adel Lisondra, Nestor Manipes and Jayvee Pizaro. TTD has successfully organized its 70K National Ultra Marathon Season 2 held last year at the Victoria Plaza. The proceeds was donated to the SPMC Pediatric Ward. TTD also had its annual gift giving program for its adopted community of the Indigenous Peoples in Sitio Malikongkong in the 3rd District of Davao last year.

TTORNEY Ma. Mercedes Villarosa Dumagan is the newly-appointed Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) of Davao del Sur taking over Forester Melchor Ozaraga. Ozaraga, on the other hand, assumed as PENR Officer of the newly-created Davao Occidental Province.

Said offices are two of the five provincial offices of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ((DENR) in Region XI. Dumagan started her DENR career last 1999 as one of the lawyers under the Legal Division. Shortly after passing her Career Service Executive Eligibility (CSEE) exam last 2004, Dumagan, also a Certi-

National Oral Surgeons Association to hold confab in Davao Jan 28-29

HE Philippine College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (PCOMS) will hold its 39th Annual Scientific Conference on January 28 and 29 at the historic Apo View Hotel in Davao City. This annual scientific conference, entitled “Solid Basics, Outstanding Expertise,” is also PCOMS’ first National Oral and Maxillofacial Congress to be held in Mindanao. PCOMS is a Dental Specialty Society accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission and an affiliate of the Philippine Dental Association. Davao City was chosen as the venue for the 39th an-

nual scientific conference in response to a desire of a large number of dental practitioners based in Davao and nearby provinces to participate in more seminars and conferences. “Provincial dentists are very interested to attend such conferences but are unable to do so because organized conferences rarely reach their areas,” said Dr. Cynthia B. del Castillo, incoming President and Organizing Chair of the 2016 annual convention. The Davao conference is also designed to “contribute to their professional uplift in order to become better mem-

Changing of Guards. Newly-appointed PENRO of Davao del Sur Atty. Ma. Mercedes V. Dumagan accepts the key of responsibilities and official records from PENRO Melchor Ozaraga during the turn-over ceremony held at PENRO Digos, Davao del Sur. bers of the healthcare team in the communities they serve,” del Castillo added. The two-day convention will feature scientific lectures and cutting edge product in-

formation, talks, and seminars. The talks include “Putting the Pieces Together in Panfacial Trauma Management” by Prof. Thomas Abraham; “Gap Arthroplasty and Fat Graft

for TMJ Ankylosis” by Prof. Nobumi Ogi; and “The Role of Induction Chemotherapy for Lip and Oral Cavity Cancer” by Prof. Yi-Jan Hsia. For more information and

details on the PCOMS 39th Annual Scientific Conference, please call the PCOMS secretariat at telephone numbers 579-25-99/ 0942-394-4710/ 0922-839-1206.

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

VOL. 8 ISSUE 203 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 8 - 9, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 13

ASG weapons, equipment seized in Sulu

ROOPS from Joint Task Group Sulu, a focused military operation, have recovered several Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) firearms and oth-

er equipment in Patikul town, Sulu province on Wednesday afternoon. Seized were an M-14 automatic rifle and a magazine containing 19

rounds; an empty M-16 magazine; three ICOM VHF transceivers; a bandolier, one pair of binoculars, and a laser red dot (vertical hand grip) for a M-4 rifle.

stituted under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through Executive Order No. 130 dated Oct. 25, 1993. “The existing BSP needs to be institutionalized and strengthened to provide better incentives and benefits that would draw Filipino experts to return to their beloved country and share even for a limited period of time, and hopefully for good, their knowledge and expertise, thereby helping the country attain its objective of accelerating economic and social development,” said Yu. The substitute bill defines a “Balik Scientist” as a science or technology expert or professional, as certified by the DOST, who is a Filipino citizen or a foreigner of Filipino descent, residing abroad, and contracted by the government to return and serve in the Philippines along his or her field of expertise for a short term program or award with a duration of at least 30 days per award to be served within one year from the date of the award, or long term award with a duration of 24 to 36 months subject to renewal when necessary to be determined by the DOST and to be served within five years from the date of the award. The measure provides various incentives for short and long term programs for the Balik Sci-

entists. For the short-term award, the incentives are: provision of one free round-trip airfare originating from a foreign country to the Philippines; daily allowance to be determined by the DOST shall be exempt from income tax; participation in Grants-in-Aid (GIA) research and development project/s of the DOST subject to guidelines to be provided in the implementing rules and regulations; and exemption from the licensing or permit requirement of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). Other short term award incentives are: reimbursement of expenses for excess baggage allowance related to scientific project or activities; exemption from taxes and duties of instruments and materials related to the scientific program or activities; and subject to the applicable provisions of Section 29 of Commonwealth Act No. 613, grant by the Secretary of Justice to the Balik Scientist of foreign citizenship special non-immigrant visas under Section 47 (a)(2) of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, as amended, after compliance with the requirements therefor. Said Balik Scientist shall be exempted from the payment of visa, immigration and registration fees in accordance with Section 251 of the Philippine Foreign

Ungab committee okays ‘Balik Scientists’bill

HE House committee on appropriations has approved a substitute bill seeking to strengthen the Balik Scientist Program (BSP) to include more incentives and benefits that will lure Filipino scientists, technology experts and researchers staying abroad to return to the country and share their knowledge and expertise to help accelerate the country’s economic and social development. The appropriations committee chaired by Rep. Isidro T. Ungab (3rd District, Davao City) approved the substitute bill to House Bill 5388 or the proposed “Balik Scientist Act” principally authored by Rep. Victor J. Yu (1st District, Zamboanga del Sur). The main objective of the substitute bill is to strengthen the scientific and technological human resources of the academe, public institutions, and domestic corporations to promote knowledge sharing and accelerate the flow of new technologies into the country. Yu, chairman of the committee on science and technology, said due to the success of the “Balik Scientist Program,” which was established through Presidential Decree 819 dated Oct. 24, 29175 for a period of five years, the BSP has been revived and in-

Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, Joint Task Group Sulu commander, said the capture of these items took place at 1:30 p.m. while his men were conducting

operations against ASG bandits at Sitio Tambang, Barangay Timpook, Patikul. In the same operation, an undetermined number

of the bandits were killed and wounded. No losses were reported among government troops. Pursuit operations are still ongoing. (PNA)

DUTERTE SUPPORTERS. (L to R) James Macasero aka Moymoy Palaboy, world boxing champ Nonito Donaire Jr., Skye Dionela (tour guide from City Tourism) and Brgy. Captain Wating Usman of Brgy 23-C. Taken during a recent visit to the city. Service Code of 1983, as amended by Section 831 of Department Order No. 19a-95, series of 1995, otherwise known as the Regulations of the Department of Foreign Affairs, if applicable. For long-term award or program, the incentives for Balik Scientists are: provision of one free one-way airfare from a foreign country to the Philippines, including airfare for the spouse

and two minor dependents, and one free return trip airfare after completion of the award or program; reimbursement of expenses for excess baggage allowance related to scientific project or activities; Relocation allowance to be determined by the DOST; monthly allowance to be determined by the DOST shall be exempt from income tax; housing may be ar-

ranged by pre-determined host institutions; and as determined by the DOST, duty and tax-free importation of personal effects and professional instruments and materials in quantities and of class suitable to the profession, rank or profession of the Balik Scientists importing them for their own use and not for barter or sale in accordance with Section 105 of the Tariff Code. (PNA)

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 203 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 8 - 9, 2016

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 203 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 8 - 9, 2016

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SPORTS15

ROUNDUP RAINING THREES Suns drop record 19 triples in win vs. Hornets M

SOLID START

TOP PINAY GOLFER. Top Filipina amateur Princess Superal comes up with a solid 70 at HK Golf Club.

Superal tied for lead in Hongkong Amateurs

RINCESS Superal is off to a solid start to the new year, firing a two-under 70 to take a share of the lead in the first round of the Hong Kong Ladies Amateur Open on Wednesday at the HK Golf Club in Fanling. The young Filipina golfer hit three birdies on the back nine against a missed green bogey on No. 14. She shares the top spot with reigning World University Games gold medalist Tiffany Chan for the lead in

the tournament that stakes a spot in the HK Ladies Open, a pro event in June. “I missed a couple of birdie putts at the front but made some good reads at the back,” said Superal, who racked up four victories abroad in 2015. “I hope to get better in the next two rounds but I also expect some tough challenge from the rest of the field.” Pauline del Rosario hit a three-putt miscue on No. 17 as the reigning Thailand Ladies Amateur and Singha

Thailand Junior World champion settled for a 71. Sam Martirez, the other TCC bet and winner of the Kids World Malaysia crown last month, fumbled with a four-over 76. Superal, who has also won two tournaments on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, brandished hit birdies on Nos. 11 and 13 to take command. The former US Girls’ Junior champion, however, missed the 14th green and

muffed a seven-footer for par but rebounded with birdie on the next before watching Chan hit one late birdie to fall into a tie for the lead. Del Rosario hit two birdies and a bogey on the first nine before trading two birdies for two bogeys on the back nine. “Pau could’ve forced a three-way tie but misread her putt on No. 17. But she’s okay and I expect her to rebound in the next two rounds,” said TCC coach Nestor Mendoza.

IRED in a nine-game losing streak, the Phoenix Suns took Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time) off. Instead, they went bowling. The next day, they made a season-high 19 3-pointers, showed purpose on defense and ended that skid with a 111-102 win over the Charlotte Hornets. Mirza Teletovic made five 3s, Brandon Knight added 18 points and seven assists, rookie Devin Booker notched his first career double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds and T.J. Warren added 17 points for the Suns in the win. Suns coach Jeff Hornacek was asked if the team will go bowling again. “Maybe we should,” he said with a grin. “We’ll probably take it easy on them (Thursday). After Friday’s game we have three days that we can really work on things.” Kemba Walker had 25 points to lead the Hornets, who lost their fifth straight. Jeremy Lin and Marvin Williams each added 15 and Cody Zeller had 13 with 11 rebounds. The Hornets trailed by eight at halftime but cut the lead to one, 78-77, on a pair of free throws by Walker with 3:02 to go in the third quarter. They took the lead 24 seconds later when Walker found Zeller for a dunk. Walker scored 11 as Charlotte went up by as many as five points in the third, but back-toback 3s by Teletovic gave the Suns an 86-85 lead going into the fourth. “You feel confident once you defend,” Teletovic said. “Everybody was sharing the ball and then the confidence just goes up and you make those shots, easy.” The Suns scored the first seven points of the fourth quarter and got a key 3 from P.J. Tucker with 54.9 seconds to play for a 109-102 lead. The Hornets got only as close as four points in the fourth after Phoenix’s early run. “Too many errors in the defensive end,” Walker said. “Not controlling the basketball and letting guys get to the paint. That kind of hurt us all game.” Hornacek won his 100th game as an NBA head coach and became the eight Suns head coach in team history to reach that

mark. “Just get a win,” he said. “It’s been a rough stretch for us.” Neither team led by more than four points in the first quarter and both teams shot the ball well. Lin made 5 of 7 first-quarter shots and had 13 points, while the Suns made 5 of 6 3-pointers and took a 34-32 lead into the second quarter. “They had 53 points of the bench. Those guys had 11 threes,” Hornets coach Steve Clifford said, referring to Teletovic, Booker and Warren. “We changed coverage time after time, didn’t matter.”

BUZZWORTHY BLOCKS The Hornets had blocked shots on four straight possessions by the Suns in the first quarter. Zeller, Williams, Walker and Frank Kaminsky were credited with blocks from the 5:49 mark of the quarter to the 4:34 mark. TUCKER INJURED BUT RETURNS Tucker took a knee to his right thigh in the third quarter and had to be helped to the bench. He left the game at the 9:30 mark of the third but returned in the fourth quarter and finished with 10 points. He rode a stationary bike in the tunnel to get loose but was still in pain during and after the game. “I was going back out regardless,” Tucker said. “If I could walk, I could play.”

TIP-INS Hornets: The Hornets were without C Al Jefferson, F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and G Nicolas Batum due to injuries. . G Jeremy Lamb played seven minutes despite wrist and hip injuries. ... Lin played despite dealing with a right ankle problem. Suns: G Ronnie Price got his first start of the season, in place of Booker. Booker had been starting since Eric Bledsoe was lost for the season with a knee injury late last month. ... NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne and Tucker swapped uniforms in an exchange before Wednesday’s game. Tucker got a fire suit and Kahne a personalized Suns jersey before he attended the game as part of a trip to the Phoenix area to promote the upcoming start to the 2016 NASCAR season.

Clippers win seventh in a row, turn back Blazers

HE Los Angeles Clippers got their seventh straight win — and sixth without Blake Griffin — but all the attention was on a guy who didn’t play. Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum sat out of Portland’s 109-98 loss to the Clippers on Wednesday night (Thursday, Manila time) because he was mistakenly left off the active roster that was turned in before the game. The “clerical error” caused confusion at the start of the game, but ultimately it meant that Portland’s second-leading scorer couldn’t play. That took some of the attention away from Chris Paul, who had 21 points and a season-high 19 assists for the Clippers, who have the league’s longest active winning streak at seven games. And that’s come despite the absence of Griffin, the team’s leading scorer with an average of 23.2 points a game, because of a partially torn left quadreiceps tendon. “Now we’re playing a lot smoother; we’re just trying to hold it down until the big fella gets back,” Paul said. “I’m going to keep saying this, we’re holding this together ‘till 32 gets back.” DeAndre Jordan had 14 points and 14 rebounds for his sixth consecutive double-double

for the Clippers. Damian Lillard had 20 points and nine assists, while Mason Plumlee had a season-high 19 points for the Blazers, who trailed by as many as 23 points but closed the gap in the fourth quarter. Mo Harkless dunked to narrow Portland’s deficit to 9791 with 4:35 left. Paul Pierce’s 3-pointer pulled the Clippers out front 101-91 and the Blazers couldn’t catch up. The uncertainty over McCollum, who is second on the team with an average of 21 points a game, marred the start of the game for the Blazers. Allen Crabbe started in place of McCollum, who was dressed and on the bench at the start of the game but left for the locker room after the first quarter. Shortly before the break, the Blazers announced that McCollum was inactive “due to a clerical error in the NBA’s active list reporting.” Afterward, Blazers coach Terry Stotts took full responsibility for the error. “I signed the paper without really noticing it, but it’s my fault for not looking at it,” Stotts said. “Although we caught the error, we thought we’d caught it in time, apparently we did not, so CJ was ruled inactive, and that’s that.”

DOMINATION. Chris Paul finished with 21 points and 19 assists to dominate his match up with Damian Lillard 20 and 9. AP

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports TURNING PRO. Dabawenyo businessman Joel Yamyamin will test the pro waters after dominating the local golf scene. Boy Lim

VOL. VOL.88ISSUE ISSUE203 203••FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FRIDAY-SATURDAY,JANUARY JANUARY88--9,9,2016 2016

JOEL YAMYAMIN

NEVER TOO OLD TO

TURN PRO I

T’S never too late to chase your dreams. Take it from Davao’s top amateur golfer Joel Yamyamin who will be turning pro this year at a ripe age of 52 years old. “It’s another big challenge for me. I just want to level up from the amateur ranks,” said Yamyamin in an interview at his own driving range – The Golf View – located at the Gem Village in San Rafael, Ma-a. At 52, Yamyamin is qualified to join the Senior Tour but he opted to give the younger guys a run for their money. Not that he needed the prize money at all, the successful businessman is out there for the challenge. Yamyamin is probably the first non-former caddie from Davao to turn pro after making the cut in the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour Qualifying School at the Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club’s

Aoki course in Cavite last month. Yamyamin ended up tied for 43rd at 309 after a 72 in the fourth and final day of action in the tournament organized by the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments. Four other amateurs also made the grade. Jobim Carlos, who humbled the pros and topped last year’s Q-School but stayed as an amateur, finished fourth at 292 after a 69. Justin Quiban of Southwoods rallied with a 68 for joint 23rd at 304, Gary Sales placed joint 46th at 310 after 77 and Nico Evangelista shared 48th at 311 after a 78. “I just wanted to try the qualifying tournament. Eh, nakalusot man tayo. Itutuloy ko na lang ito,” said Yamyamin, who now practices five hours a day. Yamyamin joined the Philippine Golf Tour together with three pros from The Golf View Driving Range – Ramil Bisera, Joseph Labajo and Ebarra Quiachon – who also all made the grade. Bisera birdied two of the last three holes to card a 71 and settled for second at 287 behind champion Richard Abaring

(286). Labajo placed joint 20th with 303 while Quiachon shared 30th with 306. Yamyamin started playing golf at the Lanang Golf Club in 1990 due to the constant invitation of golfer Al Barreto. “Siya talaga yung nag enganyo sa akin na maglaro ng golf,” said Yamyamin, who won the Class B division title in the 1998 Philip Morris Golf Classic national tournament. He also became the Mindanao Regional over-all champion and was part of the Riviera team that won the Founder’s Division title in the Philippine Airlines Inter-Club Golf Championships. He paired with Bicera and placed second in the 2013 Emcor Pro-Am Golf tournament held at the Apo Golf and Country Club. Yamyamin also plans to join the Asian Senior Masters Tour this year. Meanwhile, The Golf View Driving Range is now the authorized dealer of Adidas Golf. Taylor Made and Nike Golf. It also has golf products of Bridgestone Golf, Adams, Tour Edge, Volvik, Precept and Srixon.