Edge Davao 8 Issue 215 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

VOL. 8 ISSUE 215 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

PASSPORT QUEUE. People applying for passports at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) housed inside a mall in Davao City take a nap while lining up and waiting for the office to open. Applicants must line up long before dawn just to be sure they complete their passport application or renewal. Lean Daval Jr.

‘WHERE’S THE $5M REWARD?’ EDGE

Rody asks where the reward for slain terrorist went

AVAO City Mayor Rody Duterte has urged those responsible for the Mamasapano, Maguindanao raid last year to disclose who claimed the $5-million reward offered for the capture of international terrorist Zulkifli bin Abdul alias Marwan and how it was divided. In a post in his verified Facebook account, former North Cotabato Governor Emmanuel Piñol said Duterte made the statement when he

met with the families of two members of the SAF 44 in Zamboanga City on Sunday, exactly a year after the raid. “Duterte said authorities should tell the families of the slain police commandos how the reward money was shared,” Piñol said. “Where’s the money?” he quoted Duterte as saying. Piñol said according to Duterte, the operators of the raid, which resulted in the death of the Malaysian bomb

maker and international terrorist and also the killing of 44 members of the Special Action Force (SAF) and members the armed groups and several civilians in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, “must tell the truth.” Piñol said Duterte later said that while the grief of the families of the victims could not be eased by material things, the members of the raiding team must share in the reward money because “more than anybody else, they made

the supreme sacrifice.” The US government, which has listed Marwan as one of the top international terrorists, offered the $5-million reward for anybody who could provide information that could lead to the capture or killing of the Malaysian bomb-maker. Piñol said reward money for operations like the Mamasapano raid to get Marwan is supposed to be given only to the informants but in actual

FWHERE, 10

VP bet Cayetano waxes hot with 37 points for City Hall Executives P16

DAVAO Sports

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 215 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

FREE PRINTS. Volunteers offer free t-shirt printing of different Duterte designs to help boost Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte’s presidential bid. The free t-shirt printing is scheduled every Sunday at Rizal Park in San Pedro Square. Lean Daval Jr.

MLM firms told to obey the law By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

abf@edgedavao.net

AVAO City administrator Jesus Melchor V. Quitain warned all multilevel marketing (MLM) companies in the city to follow the laws and ordinances or they will be closed down. This after Qutain bared yesterday that three other two MLM companies that have the same nature of business as Jacama Sales and Marketing met with the city government and

other agencies last week. Quitain said the three companies were requested to cooperate with government agencies in order to clarify how their operations are being conducted. “I just told them to follow the rules, laws, and policies of the city, and if they cannot comply they have to stop,” he said. Jacama’s office had been

locked on January 15 because its business permit was not in accordance with what it had applied for. In its application for business permit, the company indicated it was a “retail” company that would do “a little wholesale.” Quitain, however, said it turned out that Jacama’s operations and transactions “involved investments.” He said during the meet-

Sara goes bald for SAF 44

ing with the three companies last week, it was also revealed two other companies have the same nature of business as Jacama. Meanwhile, Quitain said the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) has not yet started looking into the accounting records of Jacama. He had earlier ordered the CTO to look into the records of Jacama because

FMLM, 10

DOE appeals for assistance vs. NGCP towers bombings

HE Department of Energy (DOE) appealed for the public’s cooperation after sporadic attacks on the transmission towers of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) since 2015 that contributed to the worsening of Mindanao’s power supply. In an emailed statement on Sunday, Energy Secretary Zenaida Monsada encouraged Mindanawons to take part in resolving the spate of bombings directed at the NGCP towers perpetrated by unidentified lawless groups. “We are calling everyone’s cooperation to immediately resolve the ongoing issues in Mindanao, affecting not only NGCP, but the families, individuals and business entities who

are experiencing interrupted power supply,” she stated. The public has been encouraged to “be vigilant and report suspicious activities in critical areas through the NGCP.” The power situation in Cotabato City and the franchise areas of Maguindanao Electric Cooperative Inc. (MAGELCO) was restored Saturday morning after suffering from nine hours of brownout due to the burning of an NGCP transmission pole in Salimbao, Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao. In a post on her Facebook on Saturday, NGCP Mindanao spokesperson Milfrance Capulong said that, based on initial findings, the burning of

FDOE, 10

By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY

ORMER Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio went bald anew, this time in honor of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) troopers who were killed in a bungled police operation in Mamamaspano, Maguindanao last year. Duterte-Carpio had her head shaven exactly a year after the SAF men were slain during a clash with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) on January 25. The elite troops were on a mission that day to arrest Malaysian bomb expert Zulkifli

Bin Hir, alias Marwan, when they were trapped and got waylaid by the Moro rebels in a cornfield. Marwan was also killed during the operation. “SAF 44. Ok lang mamatay para sa bansa kung sinabi sa inyo ang katotohanan kung baket kelangan mo mamatay,” Duterte-Carpio posted on her Twitter account. “#truth #saf 44 I dedicate another #kalbo and another year of my profile pictures in FB, IG and Twitter to the 44 men who bravely faced death to keep us safe and secure in our daily lives. #salute,” she added.

Duerte-Carpio, who is seeking the mayoral post in May as the substitute of her father, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, accompanied her post with a photo of her having her head shaven by a barber. Late last year, Duterte-Carpio and her two brothers – Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte and Sebastian Z. Duterte – had their heads also shaven at the height of their peoples’ clamor for their father to run for president. The vice mayor eventually revealed they had their heads

BALD AGAIN. Former Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio has her had shaven for the 44 Special Action Force

FSARA, 10 (SAF) members who were slain in Mamasapano last year. Photo from Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio’s Facebook account

VOL. 8 ISSUE 215 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

4 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 215 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

Araw ng Davao budget being finalized: Lisette By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

abf@edgedavao.net

HE executive committee (Execom) for the 2016 Araw ng Davao is finalizing the budget for this year’s celebration. In an interview yesterday, Davao City Tourism and Operations Office (CTOO) head Lisette Marques said the budget was discussed by the committee during its meeting last January 20 but no figures were decided on. “We are consolidating all the budget. So I think, it was already scrutinized last week,” she said. Marques said in the next meetings the committee can finalize its final budget design and draft a quotation of

INFORMAL PARKING AREAS. This spot and many other areas along Roxas Avenue near the night market are turned into parking areas without being harassed by the traffic authorities. All kinds of vehicles, passenger and privately-owned use the instant parking areas. Lean Daval Jr.

Water interruption in city parts Jan. 27, 29-30

Murad to Congress: Pass BBL D T

HE chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has appealed to Congress to give importance to peace by passing the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) because it is “very important, more important than the election.” Murad told a press conference on Sunday afternoon after unveiling a peace marker inside the camp with Man Hee Lee, chair of the South Korea-based Heavenly Culture, World Peace Restoration of Light (HWPL), that what is at stake is the fate “not just of one politician but the entire Bangsamoro and the entire Filipino nation.” In Manila, also on Sunday, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles said passing the BBL will not only improve the fate of the Bangsamoro region but also change the discourse on Mindanao as it will signal the

closing of the armed conflict with the largest Moro rebel group in the country. “What we need to see at this point in time is the big picture. The farsightedness… because, in reality, this law is not only for the present but it will also affect the future of the Bangsamoro,” the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) press release quoted her as saying. Deles said the passage of the BBL should not be passed on to the next administration but “rests on the incumbent political leaders we have today.” “We will keep on pushing and not give up hope on this,” she said. She acknowledged that “it’s a very tight window but those who know the legislative process said that it is still possible.” 6 session days, or 3?

There are only six session days left starting Monday, January 25, until Congress adjourns for the election campaign. But Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL said the House agreed to vote on the bill on January 27 or on the third session day this week. The House ended its period of interpellation on December 16 and is now on the period of amendments. Its attendance record last week, however, was dismal. It adjourned on Monday due to lack of quorum, started the turno en contra on Tuesday but Zamboanga Rep. Celso Lobregat didn’t finish because there was no longer a quorum. The session was adjourned on Wednesday, again due to lack of quorum. Session days are Mondays to Wednesdays. The Senate has yet to terminate its period of interpellation. No discussion on the BBL

was made within the three-day sessions last week. On January 27, the target date of the House for passage of its version, the Senate will re-open investigation on the Mamasapano Tragedy that left 66 persons dead last year – 44 from the Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police, 17 from the MILF and five civilians. The tragedy’s other casualty was the Bangsamoro peace process as it became the game changer in the 18-year old peace process, 17 of that in negotiations to reach an agreement, the rest in implementation. The government and the MILF had earlier agreed that “the status quo is unacceptable” and that they would work for the creation of a new autonomous political entity called the Bangsamoro, which would take on a parliamentary form of government. Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews

how much this year’s Araw ng Davao will need. She said the committee is looking for the limitations that the group might encounter in the next days. “Our ways and means committee through Art Milan (executive vice president) of DLPC (Davao Light and Power Company) is doing its best to raise the funds,” she said. She said Milan is going to Manila to look for sponsors for this years celebration. Marques said last year’s celebration cost P9 million, of which P5 million came from the city government She said the next Execom meeting will be on January 27.

AVAO City Water District (DCWD) has scheduled two separate sets of water service interruption affecting some city parts. First set is on January 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.. Affected are these areas in Brgy. Tigatto: Jade Valley Road (from junction of Diversion Road to Jade Valley Subd.), Purok 3, San Vicente Ferrer, Jade Valley Subd., Juliville Subd., NCCC Village, Sitio Uyanguren, Tigatto Relocation, Sto. Niño Hillside and Km. 8, Tigatto. This water service interruption will give way to the tapping of the newly installed 100mm diameter Polyvinyl Chloride () pipeline to the existing 150mm diameter PVC pipeline for the mainline improvement at Purok 3, San Vicente Ferrer in Brgy. Tigatto. Once completed, said project will allow for accommodation of additional service connections. Second set is from 8:00 p.m. of January 29 until 6:00 a.m. of January 30. Areas with

no water are Punta Dumalag, San Isidro Village, Gawad Kalinga, Barrio Baki and Seagull Beach Resort. Areas that will experience low water pressure to no water are Matina Aplaya Road (from Norton Village to Matina Executive Homes), Norton Village, Tan Subd., Victoria Village, Alpha Homes, Del Carmen Village, Seaside Subd., RPJ Village, Matina Aplaya Shanghai Village Homeowners Assn. and Matina Executive Homes. DCWD crew will tap the newly installed 250mm diameter steel pipe crossing at Matina-Aplaya Road, Matina Aplaya for preventive maintenance purposes. DCWD general manager Edwin V. Regalado asks for the understanding and cooperation of would-be affected customers. He also advises them to store enough water prior to the scheduled water interruptions. Water supply may be restored earlier if work goes smoothly or later if unfore-

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Ungab, AGR still working on bills before HR adjournment M By ANTONIO M. AJERO

EMBERS of the House of Representatives are still busy with legislative work a few days days before the adjournment of the 16th Congress. Most knowledgeable constituents in the country’s more than 200 congressional districts understand why their congressmen and women are not yet in their districts despite the onset of the 2016 local and national elections where many of them are candidates or supporters of candidates. Among these lawmakers busy with last-minute legislative work this

late are Davao City’s Rep. Isidro T. Ungab and Davao del Norte’s Rep. Anthony “AGR” G. del Rosario. Rep. Ungab, who heads the powerful House Appropriations Committee, will convene tomorrow (Wednesday) the bicameral conference committee with Sen. Antonio V. Trillanes IV, head of the Senate civil service committee, to consider the proposed government-wide salary increase. The House and the Senate versions will be harmonized in that bicam conference to come with the Salary Standardization Law,

a multi-year pay increase for the bureaucracy. The increase was supposed to have taken effect last January 1, if not for the varying versions of the Senate and the House. The Senate version includes in the salary standardization military and police retirees, while the House version does not. The inclusion of the military and police retirees will mean an additional P20 billion on top of the P58 billion allocated in the 2016 national budget for this year’s implementation alone, Ungab said. The pay scheme is for implementa-

tion for four years. “With two weeks left before the 16th Congress adjourns, I’m currently working on another priority bill, ‘An act removing/ amending investment restrictions in specific laws governing adjustment companies, financing companies and investment houses cited in the investment negative list,’” according to Rep, AGR del Rosario, who heads the House committee on economic affairs and senior vice chairman of the House committee on trade and industry. “The bill will allow up to 100-percent foreign

ownership in the specified companies, thus allowing for further growth in the financial sector, ” the lawmaker from the first district of Davao del Norte, who is running for the governor of the province. Rep. del Rosario is either principal author or co-author of 18 bills Rep. Isidro T. Ungab passed into law. The most significant ones are RA 10667 –The Philippine Competition Law, and RA 10668 –Amendment to the Cabotage Law. Both were mentioned in President Aquino’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) last year. Rep. AGR del Rosario

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 215 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

5 ECONOMY

Old airport retrofitting done by Q1 By CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

HE structural retrofitting of the old Sasa airport to become an “icon of the richness of Mindanao culture” is expected to be completed by March this year, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said. Janet M. Lopoz, MinDA executive director, said different national agencies like the MinDA, National Commission on Culture and Arts, Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines target to transform the decades-old facility into a cultural village which will showcase the culture of Mindanao. “There’s an ongoing discussion on the design of the Mindanao Cultural Village,” Lopoz said. The current design of the old Sasa airport, she said, is fit-

ted for cultural village which will also showcase cultures of member nations of the Brunei Darrusalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) sub-region. Aside from being cultural heritage site, the village will also display champion commodities of the island-region. Lopoz said the contracted local artist who will do the design of the cultural village is Architect Leandro Locsin. Once the village is completed, MinDA will sit as temporary manager of the facility, which is targeted to be a tourist destination for transient tourists. The project is one of the major deliverables of MinDA on the Mindanao 2020 which is a peace and development

FOLD, 10

CHEAP AND TASTY. A sidewalk eatery along Chavez Street is fast becoming a popular hangout of workers, drivers, and students during lunchtime due to its grilled blue marlin sold for only P35 per order. Lean Daval Jr.

6 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 215 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

DLPC to ink contract with 2 firms By CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

BOITIZ-OWNED Davao Light and Power Co. (DLPC) is eyeing to ink a supply contract with two independent power producers in Mindanao to cope with the decreasing power supply from renewable energy sources and at the same time increasing demand in its franchise area. “The distribution utility is now in negotiation with Alsons-owned Southern Philippines Power Corporation (SPPC) for a 32MW supply that is expected to come in by April this year,” DLPC system operations manager engineer Zandro Chad G. Ramon

in yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex. The agreement with the two power companies, once signed, would mean aa combined capacity of 112 megawatt (MW). Ramon said DLPC has already signed service contract with Alsons Power Group Companies for the 18MW supply from the 100MW diesel-fired Western Mindanao Power Corporation in Zamboanga Peninsula. “Once signed, DLPC will have a total of 50MW supply contract from the Alsons,” Ramon told reporters. Apart from the service

contract it is pursuing with the Alsons Group, DLPC also targets to get 80MW supply from the first 300MW coalfired power plant of SMC Global Power Holdings of the San Miguel Corporation (SMC). “The 80MW supply from San Miguel is expected to come by July as the plant is expected to be online by first quarter of this year,” he said. Ramon said DLPC has applied for competitive supply pricing to Energy Regulatory Commission for the procurement of the 80MW contract supply from San Miguel. The distribution utility

has to seek service contracts with other generation utilities as the supply from the state-owned hydroelectric power plants of the National Power Corporation-Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (NPC-PSALM) continues to decrease because of the El Niño phenomenon, he added. At present, DLPC is receiving an average of 92MW to 105MW of its 151MW contract with NPC-PSALM. Supply from other independent power producers like the Hedcor Sibulan and Hedcor Talomo decreased as well as the supply from

BLACKOUT SCHEDULE. Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) assistant vice president for communications and branding Rosano Luga presents to members of local media the schedule of rotational blackouts that are expected to last for a week. Luga graced yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

Collection on permit renewal hits P743M By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

abf@edgedavao.net

HE City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) collected P743.734 from business permit renewal this year, way higher than the P706.036 it recorded for the same period last year. This year’s collection represented an increase of P37,

698 out of 32,340 permit applications of the CTO operations from January 3 to 21. Of the total application, 27,186 businesses are already paid marking an increase from last year’s record of 26,165 during the renewal period. Last year, CTO also had

31,188 business permit applications. Of the total collection, P606.997 million came from business tax and P136.737 million from regulatory and other fees. The total business tax came from the current business tax

dues, franchise holders, printing press and trucks and vans. It also includes the previous balances, surcharges and interests. The total regulatory fee collection, meanwhile, came from business plates, permit fee, garbage fee and other regulatory fees.

neurologist Dr. Oscar Escudero, composed of entrepreneurs, business executives, captains of industry and professionals. He said the late Don Antonio O. Floirendo who came to Davao just after the World War II set up a Ford dealership in Mindanao called Davao Motor Sales or Damosa. “While we are no longer in the business of motor vehicles,

we have grown to 23 operating companies, with a total asset base of P22 billion and over 16,000 employees,” Valoria said. He said that in 2014 alone, the Anflo Group contributed over P1 billion in taxes to the coffers of government, he said, adding there is reason to believe the amount will grow to P1.5 billion at the end of 2015. He said Anflocor today is

divided into three divisions-the Agriculture Division, the Industrial Division and the Real Estate and Resort Development Division. “All divisions and the companies under them are firing strongly on all cylinders and we are actively pursuing expansion or diversification projects in all three divisions,” he said.

Anflocor companies expand operations in 2016: Valoria

IRTUALLY ALL of the 23 firms under the ANFLOCOR (Anflo Management and Investment Corp.) are going to expand operations or open new business ventures this year, according to ANFLOCOR president Anthony Alexander N. Valoria. Valoria spoke about the ANFLOCOR story in a speech Tuesday before the Rotary Club of East Davao headed by

the Aboitiz-owned Therma South Inc. (TSI) because of the implemented corrective maintenance shutdown in preparation for its commercial operation on February 2. “We have an average of 90MW deficiency in our supply,” Ramon said. “This resulted to almost four hours of rotating power interruptions split during peak hours and off-peak hours.” The entry of new power supply from new contracts as well as the full commercial operation of the TSI could spare customers of DLPC from power interruptions, according to him.

However, Ramon feared that the worsening long drought season affecting hydroelectric power plants will continue to pull down power supply of DLPC. The demand of its franchise area, he added, is pegged at 340MW this month while it is expected to hit 370 MW as the highest demand either by summer or by November this year. DLPC has more than 350,000 customers in its franchise area which include Davao City, Panabo City, and municipalities of Carmen, Braulio Dujali, and Sto. Tomas.

HE P108-million underground cabling project led by the Aboitiz-owned Davao Light and Power Co. (DLPC) and City Government of Davao will be completed once attachments by different utilities are removed. “Human na kami (We are already finished). We are just waiting for other utilities to take out their attachments in our utility poles,” DLPC assistant vice president for reputation enhancement Rossano C. Luga, DLPC said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao Annex Monday. Luga said other utilities like telecommunication and cable TV providers also use the utility pole of DLPC to attach their connection

wires. “I have read in a newspaper article that Sky Cable will also start fixing their cables in the area,” he said. Apart from the Sky Cable, other entities affected by the cabling system project are the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), Davao City Water District (DCWD), PLDT-SMART, Globe Telecom, DC Tech, Abratique and Associates, and BayanTel. For DLPC, Luga said the utility has already energized its primary and secondary lines within the area covering the vicinity of Davao City Hall up to Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) building since De-

DLPC says underground cabling completed soon T

FDLPC, 10

DTI eyeing to put up 15 Negosyo Centers

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the Davao Region is planning to establish 15 more Negosyo Centers this year in a bid to assist entrepreneurs start and manage their business, a trade official said. “The opening of Negosyo Centers in Davao Region shall facilitate business entry and sustainability through provision of services to Micro and Small Enterprises (MSMEs),” said DTI 11 director Ma. Belenda Q. Ambi, in her presentation during the Regional Development Council (RDC) 11 recently. She said six Negosyo Centers were put up last year in the region – Davao City, Digos City in Davao del Sur, Tagum City in Davao del Norte, Mati and Cateel in Davao Oriental and Nabunturan in Com-

postela Valley. She added that the establishment of these centers came following the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 10644, also known as the Go Negosyo Act. This, she said, promotes job generation and inclusive growth through the development of SMEs. Under Sec. 3, it states that the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED) Council will supervise the Negosyo Centers. It also states that the MSMED Council will encourage public-private partnerships in the establishment and management of Negosyo Centers. “The Negosyo Centers shall be responsible for promoting ease of doing business and facilitat-

FANFLOCOR, 10 ANFLOCOR president Anthony Alexander N. Valoria

FDTI, 10

7 BIGGER PICTURE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 215 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

Facing the water crisis Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO (Second of Two Parts)

O much has been written and said about climate change. But there is one crisis that has failed to ignite world leaders: water. And to think that water is one of the most important components for a person to live. “A person can survive only three to five days without water, in some cases people have survived for an average of one week,” says thewaterpage.com. “Once the body is deprived of fluids the cells and organs in the body begin to deteriorate. The presence of water in the body could mean the difference between life and death.” “Water is the most precious asset on Earth,” points out Dr. Sandra Postel, director of the Massachusetts-based Global Water Policy Project. “It is the basis of life.” She believes water problems will be right there with climate change as a threat to the human future. “Although the two are related, water has no substitutes,” Postel says. “We can transition away from coal and oil to solar, wind and other renewable energy sources. But there is no transitioning away from water to something else.” In a new report released by the Washington, D.C.-based World Resources Institute (WRI), the Philippines was one of the countries identified to experience water stress, which is defined as “the ratio between total water withdrawals and available renewable surface water at a sub-catchment level.” Of the 161 countries surveyed by the American think tank, the Philippines was ranked 57th under the “business-as-usual” scenario. The country got a score of 3.01 which, according to the study’s water stress threshold levels, is “high.” The ratio of withdrawals to available water is 40-80%. The study went further, predicting the degree of water shortage for 3 specific sectors: industrial, domestic, and agricultural. Agriculture got the highest score of 3.26, followed by industrial sector (2.96) and domestic use (2.92). The last two sectors were classified under the “medium to high,” which means the ratio of withdrawals to available water is 20-40%. The only two members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations which topped the country were Singapore (ranked first, along with seven others: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, San Marino, United Arab of

Water from the faucet Water is a limiting factor in growing rice. Emirates and Palestine) and Indonesia (ranked 51st). The United States was listed 47th while United Kingdom was 69th. While there is still enough water for every Filipinos these days, the water scarcity will be felt by 2040 -- that’s 25 years from now. “These country-level water stress projections are intended to provide useful information about potential future water situations that can help drive improved water management at the international scale,” notes the WRI study. In the past, water was considered an infinite resource. This thinking was exemplified by Adam Smith who pointed out in his classic work -- The Wealth of Nations -- that unlimited supply of fresh water explained why it cost nothing, even though it was vital to all life. But it’s not the case anymore. “Unlike the energy crisis, the water crisis is life threatening. The level of suffering and misery is almost beyond comprehension,” deplored Klaus Toefer when he was still the executive director of the United Nations Environment Program. “The necessary sense of urgency is lacking,” said the New York-based United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in a statement. “The facts have been staring us in the face for years. While demand increases, the annual available fresh water supply per inhabitant is regularly decreasing and is expected to fall to an average 4,800 cu-

bic meters by the year 2025 against 7,300 cubic meters in 1995.” Earth is a water world as water covers 71% of the world’s total surface. This represents a volume of 1,400 million cubic kilometers, according to United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Ninety-seven point five percent is too salty to be consumed or used for industrial or agricultural purposes. Fresh water represents 2.5 percent of the water total. Water is free when it’s flowing in a river or splashing against rocks, but it isn’t as soon as people start using it. “It costs money to make good quality water available from taps and then return it to the environment after being treated,” writes Cristina L’Homme in article which appeared in UNESCO Sources. “And the consumer doesn’t always pay for it directly when local authorities or the government are responsible for supply.” “Free water for individuals is never free for society,” contends Lionel Robaux of the International Office of Water, especially since the cost of water has spiraled over the past few decades. Prices obviously differ from rich countries to poor. Water is fundamental for life and health. “The human right to water is indispensable for leading a healthy life in human dignity,” the UN Committee on Economic, Cultural and Social Rights said. “It is a prerequisite to the realization of all other

Too many people, less water human rights.” More often than not, people who suffer the most from water stress are those living in urban areas. “It’s a major problem in cities,” Postel says. The Washington, D.C.- based Population Reference Bureau predicts that the urban population of the country will swell to 56% from the current 44%. As such, the problem is likely to go away. The current “crisis in water and sanitation is -- above all -- a crisis of the poor,” notes the UNDP study, Beyond Scarcity: Power, Poverty and the Water Crisis. A World Bank report said that studies of groundwater quality in some parts of the

country found 58% of the sampled groundwater were tested positive for coliform bacteria. Surveys done by some local government units have indicated that one half or more of their public water systems do not meet drinking water quality standards. The UN Children’s Fund estimates some nine million people, mostly children, die annually, from water-borne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery, diarrhea, schistosomiasis, malaria, dengue, and intestinal worm infection. “The toll is equal to 75 large airline crashes daily,” stressed former UNEP Executive Director Elizabeth Dowd-

eswell. “And yet the subject of freshwater is too often crowded off the world media agenda.” Water should be given high priority as crisis is just around the corner. “I believe water will be the problem of the 21st century,” Andras Szollosi-Nagy, a former UNESCO water specialist. “The scientific community is crying out for better water management.” UNDP consultant Roger Berthelot urged world leaders to pay attention to the crisis before it’s too late. “There will be no peace in the world unless we are prepared to insure it now by tackling the problems of water, which in some areas are catastrophic.”

EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

VOL. 8 ISSUE 215 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

No choice

NE of the things many Dabawenyos cannot understand is why the rotational blackouts are still being implemented by Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) even after the inauguration of the 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant of sister company Therma South, Inc. (TSI) just a little over two weeks ago. During the opening, which was graced by President Benigno Aquino himself, the power plant was touted to be the solution to the perennial power shortage that has beset not just Davao City but the entire island of Mindanao for many years now. The plant had had its share of protests from those who believe coal is not a sustainable and environment-friendly form of power generation, and it took a lot of work on the part of its owner, AboitizPower, to convince the city government to allow it to mount the project. The main come-on was that Mindanao needs a more stable source of base power because the hydroelectric plants on which the island has relied are prone to slowing down and even stopping during long dry spells. A coal-fired power plant was the solution, we were told, and we were also promised that the technology it would use is state-of-the-art and would not dirty up the environment. With the rotational blackouts, however, it is apparent that the TSI plant is anything but the solution to our power problems. The finger is being pointed at El Niño, the weather phenomenon that causes drought on this side of the Pacific Ocean and which is leaving the power turbines dry. The TSI power plant notwithstanding, Mindanao still mainly relies on hydropower, and with the rains not having fallen for many months

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now, these generators are having trouble running to fill our electricity needs. Of course other factors are also at play in the current crisis. Among them is the rather frequent bombings of towers of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) which have damaged and sometimes even caused the collapse of these structures. The NGCP has called on the government and the private sector to help secure the towers, but this appears to be a peace and order matter that cannot be solved by mere police or military action alone. A comprehensive plan must be adopted that would address the criminal activity as well as the socio-economic conditions that give rise to such acts of banditry in the first place. One of the fears is that the crisis could stretch out all the way to the month of May — a grim scenario considering that the election is going to be held that month. Indeed, this situation seems to play out almost by clockwork. One remembers that the same issue was raised in the months leading to the 2010 election, with many people expressing the suspicion that the administration then was setting up the entire thing to justify a failure of election should a blackout occur on election day itself. The power crisis also happened in 2013, and now it is rearing its ugly head again. Whatever the reason, it is imperative that Mindanao finds a way to get out of the regular slump it is placed in by the lack of power. Coal, as we are seeing, is not a solution, and so perhaps it is really time government seriously look at more sustainable forms of energy. As we are seeing, we have no other choice.

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F you have an imported pet, please think twice before releasing it into the wild. Such was the appeal of Dr. Theresa Mundita Lim, the director of the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), a line agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Otherwise, you will be contributing to an environmental problem called invasive alien species (IAS). Lim said that once they are released into the wild, there is a tendency that they may multiply exponentially. “Once these invasive alien species start to proliferate, they are very difficult to control because they might have already replaced other species with important functions in the ecosystem. It will require a deeper study before they could be eradicated,” the BMB head was quoted as saying by a national daily. Described by the US Department of Agriculture, IAS are plants, animals, and microbes not native to a region which, when introduced either accidentally or intentionally, out-compete native species for available resources, reproduce prolifically, and dominate regions and ecosystems. AIS have been classified into microorganisms (avian malaria, banana bunchy top virus, rinderpest virus), aquatic plants (water hyacinth), land plant (cogon, mimosa, African tulip tree), aquatic invertebrates (green crab, marine clam), land invertebrate (common malaria mosquito, golden apple snail, common wasp), amphibian (bullfrog, cane toad), fish (carp, Mozambique tilapia), bird (Indian myna bird, red-vested bulbul), reptile (brown tree snake), and mammal (domestic cat, goat, mouse, pig, rabbit, and red fox). In the Philippines, the BMB has identified

O, a P500-million capitol building of Maguindanao will rise in Buluan, the hometown of Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, reports MindaNews, January 20. The P500 million includes the P50 million for the 12-hectare site. Of the P450 million for the building, P300 million is from the P1.740 billion Land Bank loan of the provincial government, the P150 million from the province. What the report did not clarify is this: The capital of Maguindanao is still Shariff Aguak (originally, Maganoy). The provincial government can transfer the capitol building but not change the capital which only Congress can do. And more: this is the latest movement in the rigodon of capitols which started after the first division of the “Empire Province” and continuing only in Maguindanao depending on where the governor is from. Question: Where next will the rigodon take the capitol? When Cotabato was still the “Empire Province,” its capital was Cotabato Municipality, unchanged for centuries, even after it had become a chartered city on June 20, 1959. The capitol building was on PC Hill. On June 18, 1966 when South Cotabato was created, the capital of the other portion of the “Empire Province” – still named Cotabato with the appellation “Mother Province” – was Pagalungan, the hometown of then Gov. Datu Udtog Matalam and Rep. Salipada K. Pendatun. The capitol complex was built there for the provincial government offices. In 1970, with the Ilaga-Blackshirt atrocities raging, then Gov. Simeon A. Datumanong transferred the provincial government back to the capitol on PC Hill in Cotabato City. Pagalungan

VOL. 8 ISSUE 215 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

VANTAGE POINTS

Invasion of alien species about 170 alien THINK ON THESE! or non-endemic species of plants, animals and insects that have been recorded as causing damage to agriculture and local biodiversity. In Davao City and nearby provinces, Henrylito D. Tacio the most pro- henrytacio@gmail.com nounced IAS is the “golden kuhol.” During the 1980s, “golden kuhol” became popular as it was touted to be a delicacy. Because it was good food and equally good alternative source of income, enterprising farmers started raising “golden kuhol” in their backyards. But barely three years after its introduction to the Philippines, the snail which is said to have originated from the Amazon River in South America was practically everywhere. The snail multiplies rapidly, a characteristic that transformed them from being a rare delicacy to a dreaded pest. “Golden kuhol” are very prolific; a female snail lays 200 to 500 eggs at a time, and between 1,000 to 1,200 eggs during one month. They proliferate rapidly as their eggs and hatchlings are transported by rivers and streams. They are dispersed to the rice fields through irrigation water. “The introduced snail has caused one of the worst biological disasters ever to have affected

Philippine agriculture with its invasion of irrigated rice fields,” said Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III, one of the leading experts on fishery. “Because of its prolific breeding and voracious breeding habits, the snail is highly destructive to newly-planted rice seedlings.” In the past, farmers apply pesticides to eradicate the “golden kuhol.” But these days, however, they utilize ducks to control the population of the pest. In fact, there are some farmers to hire other farmers with ducks to help them clean the rice fields. Leading experts say that in the Philippines, the threat of IAS is more pronounced in the fisheries sector. In his report, “Impacts of Introduced Freshwater Fishes in the Philippines (1905-2013): A Review and Recommendations,” Dr. Guerrero said that during those years in the study, 62 freshwater fishes were introduced in the country for aquaculture (45%), ornamental purpose (42%), recreational fishing (6%) and mosquito control (6%). The same review showed that 48 (77%) of the introduced fishes are beneficial, 10 (16%) are invasive and four (6%) are potentially invasive. “Not all that are good for other countries is good for us,” reminded Dr. Guerrero, who was formerly the executive director of the Laguna-based Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development. “In fact, it can be a big problem.” Such is the case of knife fish, which has already invaded Laguna de Bay. In an article published in Business Mirror, Jonathan L. Mayuga described the lake as “one of the biggest aquaculture hub in the country” as it supplies “70%

of Metro Manila’s daily fish requirement, particularly bangus (milkfish) and tilapia.” Several IAS has been introduced into the lake; janitor fish and Chinese soft-shelled turtle. “The continuing proliferation of the dreaded knife fish in the lake, however, is now considered a major challenge by concerned government agencies as it threatens the lake’s biodiversity and challenges the lake’s economic productivity,” Mayuga wrote. The invasion of knife fish was first reported in 2012. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources believes the infestation “started with the accidental release by hobbyists in the river that drains to the Laguna de Bay. The fish eventually found its way into the lake, where it now thrives and threaten to render other native fish extinct.” According to the Convention on Biological Diversity, IAS is one of the main culprits of biodiversity loss around the world. Just to eliminate those alien species cost the global economy hundreds of billions of dollars annually. “After habitat loss, this biological invasion constitutes the greatest threat to biodiversity, and it has already had devastating consequences for the planet,” says an official of the World Conservation Union. “The economic bill runs into tens of billions of dollars every year. Pests, weeds and pathogens, introduced deliberately or accidentally, reduce crop and stock yields, and degrade marine and freshwater ecosystems.” In the film War of the Worlds (which was top-billed Tom Cruise), the Martians were defeated by an Earthly infection – perhaps a bout of flu – to which they had no resistance. Real world aliens, however, are often made of sterner stuff.

governorship after Sambolawan, established the capitol complex at Simuay Crossing, Sultan Kudarat with Maganoy remaining as the provincial capital. Contrary to the MindaNews report, the provincial government was moved to Shariff Aguak not in 1998 but in 2001. In 1998, Candao was reelected governor. After unseating Candao in 2001, Gov. Andal Ampatuan held office at Simuay Crossing. He transferred the provincial offices to Shariff Aguak after his convoy was ambushed at Quirino Bridge adjoining Cotabato City and Sultan Kudarat on July 3, 2001. (By some reports, it was simulated.) As MindaNews reported, he built a “P120-million capitol complex near his private residence” along the highway. Datu Andal, as he was popularly called, must have planned for his family to perpetually rule Maguindanao. With his third term to end in 2010, he picked his son, Mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr. of Datu Unsay, as his successor. Wanting him to run unopposed, he warned potential opponent Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu not to run. The latter’s refusal to heed the warning led to the November 23, 2009 Maguindanao massacre of 58 including 32 journalists, Mangudadatu’s wife, his two sisters and two lawyers. That was the tragic irony that put an abrupt end to the Ampatuan political rule, perhaps never to rise again. Mangudadatu won the governorship and is now running for his third term. The P500-million capitol building is a sign of his plan to perpetuate his family’s rule in Maguindanao? Will this happen and stop the rigodon de capitol? He will win in the May 9 election? Will his

anointed family successor win in 2019? Winning in Maguindanao provincial election depends on how dominant blocs align and realign. In his 2010 run, Mangudadatu was virtually unopposed; a Mastura was his vice governor. In his 2013 reelection, he had a Sinsuat for his vice governor as Datu Tocao O.Mastura opposed him. He is still allied with the Sinsuats in his May 9 reelection. The Sinsuats may oppose him in the 2019 election if denied the governorship. The Ampatuans and the Midtimbangs can ally with the Sinsuats. Mangudadatu needs the support of other blocs to remain in power. Back to rigodon de capitol, if a Sinsuat is governor will he or she hold office in Buluan? Will the provincial offices not be brought to Dalican, Datu Odin Sinsuat? If a Mastura or Baraguir is governor will the capitol not go back to Simuay Crossing? If one from the Matalam-Pendatun clan, will offices not return to Pagalungan? If an Iranun is elected, will the capitol not be located in Parang, Buldon, Matanog or Barira? Buluan is in the far edge of Maguindanao. Unless the Maguindanao leaders change their political culture, the rigodon of capitols will not stop. The Pagalungan capitol complex rotted to the ground; that of Datumanong in Shariff Aguak was vandalized or cannibalized; that in Simuay Crossing is in state of deterioration; the Datu Andal edifice will soon suffer the same fate. Will the gods be kinder to the Mangudadatu “state-of-art” capitol? Will the gods stop the rigodon? Who wants to bet? (Author’s Note: Mind da News, the alternate of COMMENT, is a comment on current news. The author may be contacted at patponcediaz@ yahoo.com.)

Bet? Not end of Capitol rigodon MIND DA NEWS BY PATRICIO P. DIAZ

remained as the capital of the “Mother Province”. When Carlos B. Cajelo took over as Cotabato governor in January 1972, he held office at the PC Hill capitol. On March 22, 1973, the “Mother Province” was split into three provinces: Cotabato or, popularly, (North) Cotabato (capital: Kidapawan), Maguindanao (capital: Maganoy, now Shariff Aguak), and Sultan Kudarat (capital: Isulan). The capitols of Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat have never been moved out of their capitals. In the case of Maguindanao, Datumanong was appointed governor. The provincial capitol was constructed on his land about two kilometers west of the national highway. Upon the creation of Regional Commission XII on July 7, 1975, he was appointed commissioner. During his less than two years as governor, on complaints due to inconvenience by the provincial employees who were mostly from Cotabato City, the government offices were moved back to the PC Hill capitol only to be later returned to the Maganoy capitol. Datu Sangacala Baraguir, mayor of Sultan Kudarat town, succeeded as governor. Not long after his appointment, he had the provincial government offices transferred again to Cotabato City. After Baraguir, Datus Sandiale Sambolawan, Zacaria Candao (before and after his stint as ARMM governor) and Norodin Matalam, were elected governors. Candao, during his first

10 NEWS WHERE... FROM 1 practice it is usually shared between the informant and those responsible in carrying out the operations. “While government operatives are not supposed to get a share of the reward money, the reality on the ground is that police operatives also get to claim part of the reward in an arrangement made among the participants of the operation,” he said. Piñol said Duterte also lambasted the government handlers of the families of the SAF 44 for their “incompetence” in attending to the needs of the families. “You promised to give them (the families) a house but what was built was a dog house,” he quoted the mayor as saying. He said Duterte told the families of two members of the SAF 44 yesterday that he knew “something” about the ill-fated mission and that he would be willing to tell the truth “under oath.” Saying he was at the command center in Andrews Base in Zamboanga City with President Aquino and then interior

secretary Manuel Roxas III in the afternoon of January 25, he knew something on what transpired in the command center. “I know something about the government action during the Mamasapano incident because I was at the base camp with President Aquino, and if I am called to the Senate inquiry I will tell the truth of what I know because I have the moral obligation to tell what I know,” Piñol quoted Duterte as saying. “If I will be called, I will be forced to tell the truth because I would be under oath, there’s no point in telling a lie with another lie,” he told Erica Pabalinas, the widow of Chief Insp. Ryan Pabalinas, who led the predawn SAF assault on Marwan’s hideout in Mamasapano. Duterte and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, his running mate in the May presidential election, flew to Zamboanga City after a trip to Ipil town in Zamboanga Sibugay to attend a Federalism Forum organized by the advocacy group Hugpong Pederalismo. EDGEDAVAO

a transmission pole at 10:57 p.m. last Friday was due to power line sabotage. She said that repair works were completed at 7:14 a.m. after the NGCP constructed a modified lightweight tower to immediately restore power. “NGCP is doing all it can to ensure continued, uninterrupted power transmission services all over the country,” she said. “However, power interruptions caused by force majeure events like sabotage and tower bombings are beyond our control,” she added. Support from the national government, local government units, law enforcement agencies such as the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines was encouraged to help secure the transmission lines to prevent further worsening the power situation in Mindanao.

The latest was Tower 50 of Agus 2-Kibawe 138 KV line located in the municipality of Bubong, Lanao del Sur, which was bombed last January 18. Tower 63 at Purok 4, Barangay Pagangan in Aleosan town, North Cotabato, along the Kabacan-Sultan Kudarat 138-KV line, was attacked last January 14 but restored last January 16. “NGCP stresses that the bombings only aggravate the tenuous power situation in Mindanao. The incoming 600MW of generation capacity from new power plants will not be sufficient to relieve Mindanao of its energy problems unless the bombing of transmission facilities are stopped,” she said. Repair works on Tower 25 in Ramain, Lanao del Norte cannot be conducted and that Agus 1 and Agus 2 have remained to be isolated from the Mindanao grid after landowners Johnny Sambitori, Intan Sambitori, and Naguib Sambitori demanded that the government pay unsettled claims for the lot where the tower stands. At least 58 MW was lost in the Mindanao grid after the incident. Antonio L. Colina IV/ MindaNews

DOE... FROM 2

18 towers down since 2015 Last year, 16 NGCP towers were bombed. According to Capulong, seven towers were downed last December alone: Towers 25, 19, 20, 95, 68, 168, and 153. Two towers were bombed in a span of three days this month.

DLPC... FROM 6

cember 28 last year. “We have already pulled-out our distribution lines in the area,” Luga added. “Since our lines are already energized, it can now serve our customers in the area.” The DLPC initiated the project by allocating P70 million for the excavation process. Once all messy and tangled overhead wires are fixed, the DLPC will also remove the utility poles installed in the surrounding area which the project is piloted in a bid to improve the competitiveness and attractiveness of the city to both tourists and investors. “There will be more spaces in the area once the poles are removed,” Luga said, adding that the area can be compared with the

Bonifacio Global City in Makati City where the underground cabling system is already being implemented. Setting wires underground, he said, make utility services like power and cable TV less susceptible to extreme weather conditions and more business -friendly. Luga also said the city government can replace pole with plants to improve the aesthetic aspect of the City Hall Area. The project is anchored to Davao City’s Ordinance No. 0177 - 14 series of 2014 which states that “all electrical and telecommunication wires and cables within the vicinity of City Hall and the City Council will be placed underground.” CHENEEN R. CAPON

EDGEDAVAO

MLM... FROM 2

he wants to know if it has been paying the right taxes. Quitain had earlier said the capital amount the company declared was only P250,000 even thought it had millions of pesos in transactions. He also cited an adviso-

ry issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that said the company sells products “merely a ruse to make it appear that the company is engaged in the marketing and distribution of products.”

seen problems arise. The general public may visit DCWD website (www. davao-water.gov.ph) and official Facebook page (www. facebook.com/davaowater) or call the Central Information Unit / Call Center through the 24-hour hotline 297-DCWD

(3293) and press “1” on their phone dial to listen to latest daily water updates. They may also call / text 0927-7988966, 0925-5113293 and 09084410653 for other updates, complaints, queries and matters pertaining to DCWD services. (Jamae G. Dela Cruz)

In the Agriculture Division, Tagum Agricultural Development Co. (Tadeco) is the group’s most known company and indeed has been the flagship of the Anflocor Group. “The Philippines is the second largest exporter of Cavendish bananas in the world, and we are second only to Ecuador as Ecuador simply has more hectarageplanted to bananas,” Valoria said. However, the Philippines has the highest yield per hectare and, within the Philippines, Tadeco has the highest yield per hectare by far, he said, “thus we lay claim to the title that Tadeco is the best banana plantation in the world.” According to the Anflocor executive, “Tadeco is one of the very few Global Gap-certified banana companies in the world and I am proud to say that we are a 100% Filipino crew.” Anflo Banana Corporation ((ABC), Anflo’s vehicle for banana expansion, has opened up 800 new hectares in Davao del Sur, Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental, Valoria said. “For the Anflocor group, just as exciting and fulfilling as commercial success is the way we are able to uplift a community and the people therein; to enable the people to achieve their aspirations and dreams for their families and most especially for their children,” he said, addding“we enshrined in Anflocor’s Vision Statement the phrase ‘and thereby be a vehicle for the sustained upliftment of quality of life for the people in Mindanao.’ Valmoria also spoke about Damosa Land Inc.(DLI) which spearheads projects in the

Real Estate Division. He said DLI has launched a number of new residential projects such as DamosaFairlane in Lanang and Seawind in Sasa. “Seawind will comprise of six buildings with over 1,000 units and with exciting amenities,” he said, as he bared that Seawind was launched only last year and already the first three building are sold. “DLI will launch other large projects this year, also with continuing projects under joint venture arrangements with Ayala Land such as Abreeza Mall and its surrounding condominium towers as well as the Avida towers here in downtown Davao,” he said. “We have a similar project with Ayala Land in Cagayan de Oro City anchored on the Centrio Mall.” Under the Industrial Division, Valoria said, their new investments have been primarily in Davao International Container Terminal: first we diversified from only break bulk operations into container port operations as well and now we are expanding such operations that will effectively double our current capacity by July 2016. And by that time, our new investment into container port operations would have reached P4.5 billion. In 2015, the total container through-put in DICT was 267,283 TEUs (or Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) which was up from 2014 by 17.2%. I estimate that to be a market share of around 56% of all the foreign container trade (meaning excluding domestic containers) serviced by the various ports in Davao. ANTONIO M. AJERO

ing access to services for MSMEs within its jurisdiction,” it added. According to Sec. 4 of RA 10644, the center also coordinates and facilitates processes of government related to the set-up and management of MSMEs; accept and facilitate all registration application of MSMEs; coordinate with the respective local government units (LGUs) and liaise with concerned government agencies to process the duly accomplished forms submitted by the MSMEs. It will also integrate a unified business process system for MSMEs; monitor and recommend business-process improvement for MSMEs; encourage government institutions that are related to the business application process to help promulgate infor-

mation regarding the Negosyo Center; provide information and services in training, financing and marketing; and support private sector activities relating to MSMEs development. The center will also co-organize with the local chambers of commerce and other business organizations a mentoring program for prospective and current entrepreneurs and investors; build local support networks and establish market linkages for MSME development; coordinate with schools and organizations on the development of youth entrepreneurship program; and encourage women entrepreneurship by giving women access to information, support, training and credit facilities. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

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shaven in support of their mother Elizabeth Zimmerman, who is fighting cancer. Mayor Duterte, who is now seeking the presidency in the coming electoral exercise, on Sunday said the SAF men were led to the “lion’s lair” that fateful day. Duterte also vowed to tell

what he knew about the operation if ever he gets invited in the re-opening of the Senate inquiry in an attempt to uncover the real truth on the tragedy. Duterte was in Zamboanga City last Sunday and met with the relatives of the two SAF men who died in Mamasapano.

framework plan for the island region, according to Lopoz. She earlier said that project will be a promotions center for Mindanao and will be funded by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZACAAP and MinDA. The rehabilitation and development of the old airport has is projected to cost P179.34 million. The first phase of the project alone which involves the structural retrofitting to

the old structure and rehabilitation costs P93.5 million, she added. Known as the Francisco Bangoy International Airport or Sasa Airport, the facility began operation in the 1940s catering to domestic and international flights. Airport operations, however, were stopped after the opening of the new terminal in 2003. In 2008, there were proposals to convert the old airport area into a business process outsourcing (BPO) hub.

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Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communication LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No. XI Davao City

Petition for Approval of Sale and Transfer Of Unit with Renewal a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a PUJ DUAL Ordinary Regular Service Case No. 2016-XI-00028 (2001-XI-02859) CONRADO U. IBASCO, Petitioner-Vendor LUZ L. ATAMOSA, Petitioner-Vendee

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - --x

NOTICE OF HEARING Petitioners request authority for the Approval of Sale and Transfer executed by CONRADO U. IBASCO in favor of LUZ L. ATAMOSA of a Certificate of Public Convenience with Equipment issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PUJ DUAL Ordinary Regular service on the route: TIBUNGCO VIA BUHANGIN and for cargoes as dual service from said route to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate wil expire on November 4, 2016. In the same petition filed on January 11, 2016, petitioners likewise request authority to extend the validity of said certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.ll valid and subsisting up to December 15, 2019. NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on FEBRUARY 10, 2016 at 09:20 a.m. at this office at the above address. At least, TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a one (1) daily newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time. This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

WITNESS the Honorable BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional Director, this 12th day of January 2016 at Davao City. TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ Chief Transportation Development Officer

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communication LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No. XI Davao City

Petition for Renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a PUJ DUAL Ordinary Regular Service Case No. 2001-XI-02733 ALAN S. SEROY, Petitioner

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NOTICE OF HEARING Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PUJ-DUAL Ordinary Regular Service on the route: BUNAWAN VIA SASA and for cargoes as dual service from said route to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on January 31, 2017. In the petition filed on January 7, 2016, petitioner request authority to extend the validity of said certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized. NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on FEBRUARY 9, 2016 at 09:00 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least, TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a one (1) daily newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time. This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence. WITNESS the Honorable BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional Director, this 8th day of January 2016 at Davao City.

TERESITA DELA PEÑAYÑIGUEZ Chief Transportation Development Officer

INdulge!

VOL. 8 ISSUE 215 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

EDGEDAVAO TRAVEL Idylic Boslon Island.

EXPLORING SURIGAO

By Henrylito D. Tacio

IF YOU HAD A CHOICE, how would you want to spend the most celebrated season of the year: with your family or with your friends in some of the finest tourist attractions in Surigao del Sur? Last Christmas, I did the unthinkable to most Filipinos. I went together with my friends to see a soon-to-be-opened beach resort, did some island hopping, got mesmerized by a river, and climbed the upper portion of the Niagara Falls of the Philippines. Two days before Christmas, we -- Armando Mortejo, Kent Abe, Nelcil Cyrus, and myself -- left Davao City even before the first rays of the sun came out. So early that Fritzie Avelino (the reigning Mutya ng Davao del Sur) was left behind. It was already 10 in the morning when we arrived at Cagwait, 32 kilometers away from the capital Tandag. Being a fourth class municipality, it was so peaceful. In fact, if someone drops a coin, you could probably hear Selfie time at Naked Island.

it.

After eating our breakfast, we immediately went to the place where we would be staying for a couple of nights. Sunday Pareja, the owner himself of Wonderland Beach Resort, brought us there. It was a bungalow type, located at the upper portion of the two-hectare resort. There were twostory but we decided to stay at the second floor in order for us to see the clear view of the sea. A new different type of bungalow was being built just a few distances from where we were staying. Eight more will be built in the coming years. “A few guests have already stayed here,” Pareja told us. The place is not far from the town proper. Each unit has a bathroom and a kitchen; more than half of it is enclosed with

Surigao’s famous Enchanted River

The sand is powdery white and even if you don’t wear slippers, you won’t have a hard time standing out there as there are no “stones” that may cut the skin of your feet.

Sunday Pareja interviewed by the author glass. It is not air-condi- time standing out there as tioned but the sea breeze there are no “stones” that is enough to make you may cut the skin of your fresh and cool. feet. In the early morning of A few hours before the 24th, I saw Armand Christmas Eve, we went and Kent already swim- to a nearby beach resort ming at the beach front. where we had our dinI joined them later after ner. A band was playing taking some photos of before a group of visitors. them playing in the water. Kent even sang a song The two girls also came which stunned us as we running. The sand is didn’t know that he could powdery white and even sing. if you don’t wear slippers, SURIGAO A4 you won’t have a hard

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EVENT

2000-strong crowd turns up for SM Lanang Premier’s

New Year’s Eve party ON DECEMBER 31, the Countdown to 2016 New Year’s Party at SM Lanang Premier saw over 2,000 guests joining the revelries at the mall Fountain Court grounds.

The crowd got into the festive spirit, raving to the mixes of Davao-based DJs Niel Recinto and Pae Dobles and live percussions from DJ Elmer Dado and Gruppo Tribale. Local boy band, Next Option, performed songs while DJ Wacky Masbad hosted the event. Confetti and multicolored balloons rained on the guests as the clock struck 12 midnight. The Fountain Court was filled with families and friends having a ball at the al-fresco restaurants – Vikings, Mesa, French Baker, Dayaw Coffee & Tea, Kuya J Restaurant and Banana Leaf, which opened from 9pm to 1 am. The Countdown to 2016 New Year’s Party at The Fountain Court grounds was simulcast live nationwide via GMA 7. It was organized by SM Lanang Premier with the support of Manic Nightnings Productions and GMA Davao (Regional TV). Now on its third year at the mall’s Fountain Court, the said event was set to draw tourists and locals alike to a fun party sans fireworks at the city’s premier lifestyle destination.

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EDGEDAVAO

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ENTERTAINMENT

Barbie Forteza reacts to being called ka-peg ni Judy Ann Santos by Bb. Joyce Bernal

DURING THE PRESS CONFERENCE of That’s My Amboy, the show’s director, Bb. Joyce Bernal, declared: “Nakitaan ko na siya ng Judy Ann Santos na peg,” referring to the teleserye’s star, Barbie Forteza.

When asked by the press why she thinks Direk Joyce feels that way, the young actress quips, “Feeling ko alam ko na kung bakit ‘yun ang naisip ni Direk Joyce,” talking about her once

“chubby cheeks.” Reporters were quick to comment, “Payat na payat na nga siya,” to which the actress jokingly admitted, “Hanggang ngayon naman po, ‘wag na po tayo magsinungaling.” On a serious note, Barbie confessed, “Nakakatuwa ng sobra sobra, dahil batikang director na po talaga si Binibini (Joyce Bernal). Tapos, ngayon ko lang nalaman, actually ngayon lang talaga, na ganun ‘yung tingin niya sa akin, nakaka-pressure tuloy,

dahil alam naman nating lahat na sobrang sobrang galing ni Ms. Judy Ann Santos.” She elaborates, “Masyadong, parang, hindi siya makatotohanan for me. Kasi parang ang layo, as in sobrang sobrang layo po talaga. Pero, I will do my very best, para ma-maintain ko ‘yung ganung vision sa akin ni Direk Joyce.” The actress also added, “Lalo akong nai-inspire mag-work, kasi parang ‘yung mga idols ko nakikilala na ako. Dream come true.”

Stephanie Sol shows off abs for shoot IT’S BEEN A YEAR since the Kapuso artist started her #projectStephFITup. It looks like her hard work paid off since she did an abdominal shoot for her birthday this year. “Bawal huminga,” she said on her Instagram post while

looking all serious in the video. During her free time, Stephanie spends time in the gym to focus on developing her physical features. She said pertaining to her abdominal muscles, “Konting push pa, mapapasa akin ka rin. Pakipot ka sobra ha. Pinapahirapan mo ako pero pusuin kita.”

She also told her followers to accompany her to the gym, “Samahan niyo kasi ako para mas ma-inspire at ma-motivate ako.” The actress-TV host may not have her dream body yet but she’s up to get it, “Far from where I want to be… but I will get there #OneStephataTime.”

Watch Groundbreaking Indie Films for only P25 Exclusively on SKY PAY-PER-VIEW

MORE AND MORE groundbreaking independent films have been making waves in the Philippine cinema industry these days. In fact, modern Filipino viewers are looking for more of these quality, unique, and creativelycrafted cinematic productions. If you

and your family are into indie films, you don’t have to wait for annual film festivals just to enjoy these films. Get to experience the artistic wonder of indie films right in the comforts of home with SKY’s latest offerings. Catch two quality indie films, Bitukang Manok and Resbak exclusively on SKYcable and Destiny Cable. Bitukang Manok, directed by Alec Figuracion, is a horror-

suspense film about a seemingly neverending road leading nowhere. It features Quezon Province’s famed Old Maharlika Highway, referred to as “Bitukang Manok” because of its sharp curves, where three groups of strangers find themselves isolated and trapped by mysterious, supernatural forces. As they try to leave and survive the long and winding road they must confront their psychological demons and challenge the unknown, unexplainable forces behind their situation. Bitukang Manok stars Missy Maramara, Guji Lorenzana, Ken Anderson, and Mara Lopez. Bitukang Manok will be aired on channel 22 (SD) and channel 702 (HD). Kapamilya stars,

Nash Aguas and Ejay Falcon, star in the indie film, Resbak, directed by Toto Natividad. This is Nash Aguas’ first indie action film where he portrays the role of a street kid whose father (Ejay Falcon) used to be a notorious hitman. Eventually though, he found himself in the same criminal path as his father. However, despite attempts by his father to leave behind his old life, a random act of violence will bring him back to his old ways in order to save his son’s life. Catch Resbak in HD on channel 703 and SD on channel 23. As part of SKY’s 25th anniversary celebration, you can enjoy 3-day unlimited viewing of these two indie films right in the comforts of your home when you subscribe within January 16 to 29 for only

P25 each. SKY continues to offer viewers with diverse options to enjoy TV entertainment with its value and premium service offerings. Only SKYcable provides quality home entertainment with the widest range of standard and high definition channels and other top-of-the-line services such as flexible subscription options via SELECT, iRECORD that records, pauses, and rewinds live TV, as well as real-time coverage of live concerts and sporting events via FREE VIEW and PAY-PER-VIEW. To subscribe and to know more about SKYcable, log on to w w w.mysk y.com.ph, send a free text to SMS hotline 23662, or call the 24-hour customer service hotline at 3055456.

January 22 – 26, 2016

ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP Bella Thorne, Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting, Justin Long G

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

THE 5TH WAVE Chloe Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson PG

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THE BIG SHORT/ *STAR WARS VII

R13/ *PG

Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt/ *Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher 12:00 | 2:30 LFS / *5:00 | 7:30 | 10:00 LFS

CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES/ *JERUZALEM John Travolta, Michael Pitt/ * Yael Grobglas, Yon Tumarkin R16 / *R16

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EDGEDAVAO

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TRAVEL SURIGAO A4

On Christmas Day, we made it to the Britania Islands of San Agustin. Lianga Bay, which faces the Pacific Ocean, has 24 islands and islets scattered all over its water. The group of islands is called Britania, named after its barangay. Most of the islands are unoccupied with minimal or no vegetation but are surrounded with crystal clear waters. During our trip, we first went to Naked Island. There are no trees or huge boulders. It’s just plain white sand floating on top of the water. Next was Hagonoy Island. From a distance, we were mesmerized The author at Tinuy-an Falls.

by its beauty. Scattered throughout the island were few coconuts, which provided us some shade during our brief stay. The clear water was too good to be true. When our naked feet touched the powdery white sand, it felt great. We took more steps and before we knew it, we were running here and there. It was a haven, indeed. The third we visited was named Boslon, the largest among the group. After taking our lunch, we couldn’t resist the temptation of the cool waters. We took a plunge and really had fun time swimming. It was too good to be true. It was the

Hagonoy Island.

perfect island to chill and afternoon when we left stay for a while. Boslon. Our final stopIt was almost one in the over was Hiyor-hiyoran, the island with the most vegetation. There two boats docking and some people were swimming along its shores. But since we were tired already, we didn’t explore the island. After taking some photos, we decided it was time to go home. On the 26th, we visited the two most-often talked about: Enchanted River and Tinuy-an Falls. Staring at the Enchanted River looks like viewing a photograph being photoshopped; it reminds you of the movie Blue Lagoon. . The waters are so

crystal clear that you can see even the deepest part. If you don’t know much about swimming, try to swim in the area where there the shade of color is from blue to green; once it is darker blue, it means it is deep already. But what is baffling is that the waters look so shallow but no one really knows how deep the river is. There were some stories circulated that a foreigner tried to plunge into the visible riverbed and finds it unfathomable. Meanwhile, Tinuy-an Falls is touted to be the widest waterfalls in the country. Its critically acclaimed majestic and

unique natural formation landed in some pages of international travel magazines. What makes Tinuy-an Falls exceptional is that the 95-meter wide waterfall plunges 55 meters (180 feet) high from the top of the three tiered cascading waters that looks like a huge white theatrical curtain. Wonderland Beach Resort, Britania Islands, Enchanted River, and Tinuy-an Falls. Indeed, what a wonderful time to see these places during the Christmas season. Perhaps this coming summer, I may plan to go back. Who knows?

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SWEEP scholars observe technological innovations being developed at the Smart headquarters.

Phl secures another credit rating upgrade T

Smart presents latest batch of SWEEP scholars

HE credit image of the Philippines got another boost with the latest positive rating action from NICE Investors Service, which cited governance reforms and investment prospects resulting from an intensified campaign for infrastructure development. NICE upgraded the country’s credit rating by a notch from the minimum investment grade of BBB- to BBB. The move has tightly secured the Philippines’ place within the investment-grade territory. In a statement released recently, NICE said the upgrade was anchored on “improved government transparency as well as enhanced environment backed by expanded infrastructure and social overhead capitals in the form of public-private partnerships.” The upgrade came amid sustained rise in infrastructure investments. From 1.8 percent of gross domestic product in 2010, the government’s infrastructure budget rises to 5 percent of GDP this year. Also, infrastructure contracts amounting to $4.8

billion has been awarded to private-sector investors since 2010, making the Aquino administration the most active in promoting public-private partnerships for infrastructure. The Philippines’ new credit rating with NICE is assigned a “stable” outlook, indicatingit may stay the same at least over the short termdespite challenges posed by external developments. Compared with peers, NICE said, the Philippines is seen more resilient to shocks, including the impact of a slowing Chinese economy and market volatility arising from higher interest rates in the United States. “Considering its trade structure and strong FX [foreign exchange] liquidity, the impact of global economic uncertainties such as slowdown of Chinese economy and US interest rate hike will be manageable,” NICE said. The credit watchdog expects the Philippines to sustain a robust economic growth of 6.3 percent over the medium term. Meantime, economic officials welcomed the latest cred-

it-rating upgrade, which marks the 24th positive rating action for the Philippines under the Aquino administration (9 outlook changes to “positive” and 15 actual hikes in credit ratings from various agencies). “The string of favorable actions from credit rating agencies, the latest of which is from NICE Investors Service, resonates the process of economic strengthening that the Philippines has undergone over the years. Contributory to this process were sound monetary policy and bank supervision, which have played crucial roles in promoting a stable inflation environment and a strong financial system,” BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. said. Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima remarked, “Virtuous cycles come from dogged discipline, even when political headwinds seem too strong. Expanded fiscal space has opened up a pandora’s box of opportunities in infrastructure, allowing us to play a fast game of catch-up with our neighbors. With increased transparency, we have empowered

collaborate on files anytime, anywhere on any computer or device with an Internet connection. Shakey’s signed up for over 800 Microsoft Office 365 licenses and will use the cloud-based solution as their collaboration platform within the company, going beyond just email and Microsoft Office. With the Office 365 licenses, Shakey’s employees gain access to collaboration and productivity apps such as OneDrive, SharePoint, Yammer, and Skype for Business, as well as strengthened privacy and security through Information Rights Management (IRM). OneDrive and SharePoint enable convenient and secure file sharing, and save backup copies of company files by automatically synchronizing documents, pictures, and videos to the Mic-

rosoft cloud. Equally important is IRM or Information Rights Management which protects sensitive company information from unauthorized access (inside or outside organization premises). Where quick and easy collaboration and communication is key in delivering results, Yammer brings together people, conversations, content, and business data in an enterprise social private network across departments, locations, and business apps. To complete the collaboration suite, Skype for Business connects employees everywhere with a secure platform for presence, instant messaging, voice and video communication, and virtual multiparty conference meetings over the internet that can be done from any device.

citizens who participate in the process of governance, and who--having known the gains reforms can bring--will refuse to roll back progress.” Purisima also noted that with this latest credit rating action, Fitch remains the only agency to assign the minimum investment grade to the Philippines. The Investor Relations Office (IRO) said upgrades in credit ratings have provided concrete benefits for the economy, including improved business confidence and reduced borrowing cost for the government. The latter has helped lower commercial lending rates for consumers and businesses as well. “The investment grade sovereign credit ratings that the Philippines now enjoys are a result of a long a tedious process of economic transformation. Taking the country’s favorable credit image for granted -- and reversing the reforms implemented over the years -- would be costly. It is upon each Filipino to see to it that the economic transformation of the Philippines is sustained over the long haul,” Martin said.

WELVE engineering, information technology, and math undergraduates have received financial assistance as well as internship and other opportunities after being presented with scholarship grants by mobile leader Smart Communications, under its Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP). The latest batch of SWEEP scholars are Clarence Bermillo of Bataan Peninsula State University, Nicole Leonor and Roseanne Bautista of Batangas State University, Vener Quioge and Ma. Honey Santiago of Bulacan State University, Newnie Mendoza and Adean Ladia of Mindanao State University, Lemuel Doronio of Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, Janica Valenzuela of Polytechnic University of the Philippines, JV Gervacio and John Carlo Puno of Technological University of the Philippines, and Amethyst Honor of University of Southeastern Philippines. The SWEEP scholarship program was launched in 2011 to offer last-mile support to deserving graduating students taking engineering, IT, and science courses. Smart has awarded scholarships to 67 students in the last five years, many of whom have gone on to work for the company. Ladia considers the schol-

arship a big help for his family. “My father died many years ago. Being the eldest boy, I now stand as father to my six siblings, one of whom is visually impaired. This scholarship is a big blessing for us,” he said. Bermillo is similarly thankful for the financial support. “My father who used to work in Libya has not been able to go back because of the situation there, so I am very grateful for this scholarship.” Ladia added that he is thankful for the opportunity to see firsthand how innovations are being developed by Smart. The 12 scholars, some of whom came from as far as Mindanao, recently toured Smart’s main headquarters in Makati City and the office of its innovations unit Voyager. Gervacio said the scholarship has motivated him to do better in school. “I have observed great improvement in my grades. The scholarship also helps me focus more on my studies because I no longer have to worry about money for school expenses.” The scholarship is one of the components of SWEEP, Smart’s industry-academe linkage initiative which seeks to improve engineering and IT education in the country, and help schools produce industry-ready graduates or future technopreneurs (technology entrepreneurs).

Globe brings cloud tech to PH service industry

LOBE Telecom information and communication technology (ICT) arm Globe Business, through its IT Enabled Services Group, continues to be the leading ICT enabler of enterprises in the country with its new partnership with globally-renowned pizza restaurant chain Shakey’s. Globe Business is boosting Shakey’s operations with its cloud-based solution offering Microsoft Office 365. Microsoft Office 365 provides enterprise-grade tools that bring together the new Office 2016 desktop applications which offer real-time communication and collaboration capabilities. With Office 365 provided by Globe Business, Shakey’s employees can easily access, store, transmit, and manipulate information and applications, and

(From left) Gerald James Garcia, Globe Business Industry Head; Dion Asencio, Globe Business VP for Sales; Mike Frausing, Globe Senior Advisor for Enterprise and IT Enabled Services Group; Vicente Gregorio, International Family Food Services, Inc. (IFFSI) President and CEO; Jorge Concepcion, IFFSI General Manager; and Mauch Franco - IFFSI Chief Information Officer.

12 CLASSIFIEDS

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

EDGEDAVAO

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EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 13

‘Lunhaw Awards’ for environment opens

ABAWENYOS who advocate for environment-friendly practices are encouraged to join the 4th Lunhaw Awards that “recognizes more exemplary environmental initiatives” by the people who heed the environmental policies implemented in Davao City. In a statement, Interface Development Interventions, Inc. (IDIS) executive director Ann Fuentes said that she is hoping to receive more entries on the rainwater catchment systems (RCS) initiatives of the residents, communities, schools or businesses this year. “Since 2013, the city government has implemented a number of new environmental ordinances like the Rainwater Harvesting Ordinance which mandates the construction of rainwater catchment systems (RCS) for new buildings and residences. This year, we hope to recognize successful and best practices of RCS initiatives in residences, communities, schools or business establishments,” she said. IDIS is co-organizer of Lunhaw Awards along with the City Agriculturist’s Office (CAO), the City Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO), the Davao Association of Catholic Schools (DACS), and the Davao City Water District (DCWD). Fuentes added the RCS allows households and estab-

lishments re-use the water for domestic or industrial purposes. “Even the simplest RCS can go a long way towards reducing our human footprint on the environment. Every small initiative that we take in protecting our environment is in fact a larger step towards realizing our collective dream for a Greener and Sustainable Davao City for our children and future generations,” she added. “The Lunhaw Award is open to individuals, peoples organizations, schools, small and medium-sized enterprises, and civil society groups in Davao City. Entries will be selected along the following thematic categories: Energy & Water Conservation, Marine Resource Management, Green Building & Urban Greening, Forest-based initiatives, Pollution Control, Organic Agriculture and Environmental Education/Advocacy,” the statement read. The criteria for judging will be 25 percent for environmental benefits, 20 percent for economic benefits, 20 percent for sustainability, 15 percent for replicability, 15 percent for innovation, and five percent for the number of years of existence/practice. The deadline for submission of entries will be on February 19, 2016 while the winners will be announced during the Araw ng Dabaw cel-

GOLD EAGLE BEER GIVES BACK. Barangay Centro Norte in Culasi, Antique was the recipient of a GEB Multicab via Gold Eagle Beer’s Jamming sa Taboan promo. The program included an Interbarangay Crown Collection promo which engaged barangays in Visayas and Mindanao. Photo shows ebration in March 2016. Among the winners of Lunhaw include Jojo Rom (2012) under Organic Agriculture category, Ric Obenza (2015) under Forest-based initiatives category, and Noel Ba-

tario (2015) under Energy and Water Conservation Category. Rom was recognized for his efforts to mainstream and democratize organic urban container gardening as a strategy for food security

(l-r) Panay Provinces Beer Region Sales Supervisor Jeckel G. Pansacala, Brgy. Centro Norte Chairman Lerma E. Salazar, and Culasi, Antique Mayor Ariel T. Alagos with the barangay’s new GEB multi-utility cab. Batario, who is an electrician, was recognized for efforts as an advocate for renewable energy. His eco-friendly house is equipped with full solar-powered lighting system. Obenza, who is a long-time

environmental steward, plants seeds on a daily basis and teaches communities about reforestation. He continues his advocacy to regenerate endemic and indigenous biodiversity. Antonio L. Colina IV

14 PROPERTY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 215 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

Camella terrain houses offer beauty, style, and function A NEW year is a good time to have a fresh start with a new home. Think of styling your house to add drama and flair to it, separating spaces to make them more functional as well as to lend more privacy to a certain area. Wouldn’t it be exciting to opt for a house that is already designed with these separate areas within one cohesive space? It would save the homeowner a lot of effort, time, and money, not to mention the hassle of thinking what to do to achieve their desired home design. Camella’s newest and unique series of home design offers such style. Called the Terrain Houses, these attractive homes are designed with ceilings up to 4.6 meters high, giving it an elegant and spacious look. A high ceiling lends more comfort because it has more breathing space, making the whole house look not only classy but homey, too. What sets the Terrain Houses apart from other home designs is that the

different functional areas, such as the dining area, bedrooms, and living area, are all designed in different heights. The stairs separates the dining area from

the living area. The bedrooms are also set apart from the functional areas to give it more privacy. The Terrain houses give homeowners a lot

of opportunities to style their homes according to their tastes. It is easier to do so with each functional area already separated and cleverly done so. There is no need for dividers to separate areas, saving even more space for them to enjoy. A house on a sloped lot has the advantage of having different levels of views from their windows.

This gives the whole house an exciting vibe, not having the one-level, one-look feel to it. Entertaining in a terrain house would be interesting for the homeowners, who will definitely be proud of owning such a home. The Terrain House series is a product of Camella’s decades of expertise in building homes across the country. As a subsidi-

It’s TIME to CHANGE THE GAME.

ary of Vista Land & Lifescapes, the country’s largest homebuilder, Camella has a solid history of creating communities where homeowners thrive and live the good life. More on Camella’s Terrain Houses are available at the Camella offices at Delgar Bldg., JP Laurel Avenue (fronting Northpoint), Bajada, Davao City, or at telephone number 221-0716.

Your ads come to life with vivid, clear, crisp colors. Get the value for your money and don’t settle for an awful copy on a badly printed space. Advertise wisely.

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

As creative as you can get.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 215 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

RIVALRY

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO

Serena Williams vs Maria Sharapova rivalry comes again to Australian Open

Maria Sharapova reaches for a forehand return to Belinda Bencic during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday.(AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

ERENA Williams says she doesn’t remember much about the first time she played Maria Sharapova at the Australian Open. It was 11 years ago, after all, way back in 2005. But she does remember the outcome. ‘’I was down a match point. I remember hitting it as hard as I could,’’ recalled Williams, who ultimately saved three match points in that semifinal. ‘’I remember, obviously, winning and that was really great.’’ Sharapova remembers

it, too. Mainly because her 17-match losing streak against Williams started that day. Both players advanced Sunday to the Australian Open quarterfinals where they will meet in a high-profile rematch of last year’s final and the latest installment in their long running rivalry. ‘’I look forward to playing the best in the world, and that’s what she’s proven in the last year - the last many years,’’ Sharapova said about Williams after beating Belinda Bencic 7-5, 7-5 in the

fourth-round Sunday. Williams’ dominance of the women’s game has created a gulf that is enormous between her spot at No. 1 and everyone else. She has won 21 Grand Slam titles, including last year’s Austra-

lian Open, French Open and Wimbledon. She’s won the Australian title a record six times in the Open era. She came agonizingly close to winning all four majors last year, which would have made her the first person to complete a calendar-year Grand Slam in 27 years. But losing, Williams said Sunday, just makes her want

Pacman not sweating KO loss to Marquez F ILIPINO boxing icon Manny Pacquiao will retire without getting the chance to avenge his brutal knockout loss to great Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez, but the “Pacman” isn’t sweating it. “It’s okay,” Pacquiao said, as quoted by Boxing Scene, during a press conference in New York. Marquez was included in

the list of potential opponents for Pacquiao for his farewell fight on April 9, but the Mexican boxer was adamant that he does not want to face Pacquiao again, believing that his victory in December 2012 should be the last chapter in their saga. In what was the fourth meeting between the rival boxers, Marquez knocked Pacquiao out with just a second to

go in the sixth round to finally get a decisive victory over the “Pacman.” Pacquiao and Marquez battled to a draw in their first fight, and Pacquiao won disputed decisions in their next two rematches before Marquez definitively defeated him in their fourth – and it appears, final – encounter. “Let him enjoy what he did to me,” Pacquiao said of

Marquez. “Give him credit.” Instead of Marquez, Pacquiao will instead fight American boxer Timothy Bradley Jr. for the third time. Bradley controversially defeated Pacquiao in 2012, months before he was knocked out by Marquez. Pacquiao has already avenged that loss, having outpointed Bradley in their 2014 rematch.

AY Parks continued his upward surge, delivering quality minutes in his first start as the Texas Legends recovered from a sluggish start to turn back the Idaho Stampede, 114-106, in the NBA Development League on Sunday at CenturyLink Arena in Boise (Monday, Manila time). The Fil-Am guard regis-

tered his D-League high eight points on 3 of 4 shooting as the Legends shook off a slow start to score their 14th victory in 24 outings. Parks also had five rebounds and an assist in 22 minutes of action to help the Legends complete a weekend sweep of the Stampede. The two-time MVP in the UAAP also played 22 minutes in the

108-101 win over the Stampede the night before. Brandon Ashley led the Legends with 25 points and Tu Holloway added 20. Patrick Miller scored 19, Jamil Wilson had 17 and Toure Murry chipped in 15 for the Legends, who still have three games left in the road trip. The Legends did not take

control until early in the third on a Wilson layup with eight minutes to play, 68-66. The Stampede started hot and took a 30-25 lead and was six points ahead at halftime, 60-54. Brandon Fields scored 21, EJ Singler had 16 points and Phil Pressey added 12 for Idaho, which suffered its 18th loss in 28 games.

Parks impressive in 1st NBA D-League start R

Ray Parks gets his first start and goes 3 for 4 in 22 minutes of action for Texas. Photo from Texas Legends twitter

to win more. ‘’For my whole career, I have been motivated by losses,’’ Williams said after beating Margarita Gasparyan 6-2, 6-1, in just 55 minutes. ‘’That’s just been my thing. When I lose, I just get better.’’ Williams has powered through the first week at the Australian Open without dropping a set. Asked if her record against Sharapova gives her extra confidence, she said it doesn’t matter to

her who she plays. ‘’I just feel like I’m really confident in my game right now, not against her or against any other opponent’’ in particular, William said. ‘’I’m just really looking at me right now, and I feel like if I can just continue to play well, then it could be good.’’ Put another way, when Williams is at the top of her game it is incredibly hard to beat her.

James Harden of the Houston Rockets handles the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)

Harden’s triple-double leads Rockets over Mavs

REVOR Ariza has rediscovered his long-range shooting, and that is really good news for James Harden and the Houston Rockets. Ariza scored a season-high 29 points, Harden had 23 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists, and the Rockets rallied for a 115-104 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. Ariza made a season-high six 3-pointers after making five on Friday following a three-game stretch when he made just four combined. The always low-key Ariza downplayed his big game. ‘’I was just getting a lot of open looks,’’ he said. ‘’I had a bigger guy on me and I had the option of going by him when I shoot the ball, and I just felt good shooting.’’ Harden isn’t surprised to see what Ariza has done the past two games. ‘’He finally found a rhythm,’’ Harden said. ‘’We knew it was go-

ing to come.’’ The Rockets trailed by one entering the fourth quarter, but they used 14-4 run, highlighted by consecutive 3-pointers by Ariza, Jason Terry and Josh Smith, to take a 98-89 lead with about nine minutes left. Chandler Parsons made a layup for the Mavericks before Houston scored five straight points to push the lead to 103-91. Terry started that stretch with a 3-pointer and Smith juked Dirk Nowitzki to get open for a hook shot, and the Mavericks didn’t threaten again. ‘’We just can’t let them knock down shots and shots and shots and let them get good looks after good looks,’’ Dallas guard Wesley Matthews said. ‘’We got away from our game plan and things just didn’t work out for us.’’ Parsons had a season-high 31 points for the Mavericks, who dropped their second straight game.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

ALAN SIZZLES

VOL. 8 ISSUE 215 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

VP bet Cayetano waxes hot with 37 points for City Hall Executives

ICE presidential candidate Alan Peter Cayetano put on an impressive play to lift the City Hall Executives to a 122- 118 victory over Everball Columbia in their friendly basketball game on Saturday night at the Davao City Recreation Center. Cayetano, the tandem of presidential contender Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, came through with gamebest 37 points. Christopher “Bong” Go scored 31 points, including five baskets from behind the arc, for the City Executives who outlasted Everball in the high-scoring contest. Everball battled toe-to-toe with City Hall Executives all game long as it showed

its more balance offensive firepower. But they could not pull the trigger down the stretch to pull away with the win over the much-compose City Hall Executives. Seven Everball players scored in double digits that pushed the City Hall Executives defense to the limit. Mending led all scorers with 15 points as Suarez, Kwantiu, Balisalisa and Angsinco made 14, 13, 12 and 11 in that order. Barriga and De Guzman had 10 each for Everball. Joel Aberilla made 17 points as Ricky Sumagang had 15 for the City Hall Executives. RJB

CHAT. Senator and vice presidential candidate Alan Peter Cayetano (left) chats with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte’s executive assistant, Christopher “Bong” Go, during a friendly basketball game at the Davao City Recreation Center Saturday night. RAPPLER PHOTO