Edge Davao 8 Issue 223

VOL. 8 ISSUE 223 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

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DQs JUNKED Duterte camp lauds Comelec decision to dismiss 4 disqualification cases

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

WATCHFUL. Two women walk by the watchful eyes of a colorful mural of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte along McArthur Highway in Matina, Davao City. The camp of Duterte is now on its final preparation for the upcoming national campaign period which will start on February 9 as the disqualification cases filed against the mayor were dismissed by the Commission on Election (Comelec) yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY

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HE camp of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte yesterday welcomed the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) First Division to dismissall the petitions seeking to disqualify him from the presidential race.

“As the mayor has stated in the past, he is confident that his certificate of candidacy (CoC) was proper, legal, and can stand legal scrutiny,” said Peter T. Laviña, head of Duterte’s media bureau.

“We continue to respect the legal processes and call on the Comelec to dismiss with finality all the petitions to disqualify Duterte as candidate

for president. In the light of this recent development, we call on our supporters to continue to pray and resist and expose vicious black propaganda circulating that Duterte would be disqualified,” he added.

The Comelec on Wednesday said it had arrived at a unanimous decision to deny the petitions. First Division presiding Commissioner Christian Robert Lim announced the verdict at a press conference.

The petitioners will be given five days to appeal the First Division decision to the full commission following the promulgation of the decision.

The four petitionersare broadcaster Ruben Castor, student leader JP delas Nieves, Ely Pamatong, and Rizalito David.

The Comelec decision to junk all the four petitions came six days before the campaign period starts for the May 9 electoral exercise.

For his part, Davao City First District Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles said he is “overjoyed” by the Comelec’s decision especially since it was unanimous.

“This is a resounding signal to all who have stayed the course that we are on the right path.

It is also a clarion call to all those who have been ten-

tative; this is the moment you have been waiting for,” Nograles said in his Facebook account.

He said with no more legal impediments to Duterte’s candidacy,“we expect more support from the grassroots and local leaders.”

“The timing is perfect.

With this chapter coming to a close, and the official national campaign about to begin, we shall now consolidate the forces between those who have been with us and those who are going to join us. We expect nothing less than an increase in groundswell for Duterte’s brand of leadership. Change is coming,” Nograles said.

EDGEDAVAO Sports Bryant helps Lakers arrest 10-game skid P15

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 223 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016

WHAT SIGN? Drivers ignore the “No Parking” sign mounted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at the Agdao Public Market. Scenes like this are becoming more and more common in supposedly disciplined Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

City orders removal of fence blocking road to Abreeza

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HE Davao City Engineer’s Office-Office of the City Building Official (CEO-OCBO) ordered the owner of a property in N. Torres, Barrio Obrero to remove a barricade that had been installed blocking the access road going to Abreeza Mall.

Assistant city building official lawyer Joseph Dominic S. Felizarta sent letter to a certain Lynda Coronel Rubio, the owner of the property, giving her a 15-day deadline to remove the fence.

In his letter dated January 28, Felizarta said the barricade has no fencing permit, which is a violation of the National Building Code of the Philippines.

“This letter shall serve as

your formal notice, to cause no actions should be taken against you and your property,” Felizarta said in his letter.

Abreeza Mall general manager Luigi C. Escano had asked for help from the City Council during the regular session last Tuesday.

During the privilege of councilor Al Ryan Alejandre, Escano said the mall management had received reports about the blockage of the road last January 27.

He said the entire community in the area is affected because the blockage residents going to J.P. Laureal Avenue are forced to pass through the mall property.

Escano said the man-

FCITY ORDERS, 10

Sevilla, past president of DCCCII, YMCA dies

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AWYER, businessman and civic leader Jose Sevilla died of cardiac arrest last Monday, February 1 at the age of 91.

This was announced by

Jose Sevilla

current leaders of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) and the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA)-Davao of which he was past president and still active until his demise.

He is survived by sons Joselito, a lawyer, Ruel, Algernon, Jonathan and Patrick and daughter Maria Elena S. Ramirez, son-in-law, daughters-in law, 16 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Wife Lerma passed away last year.

The deceased lies in state at Sardinia Room of the Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes.

Interment is scheduled at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5, at the Davao Memorial Park.

Three men arrested for teen’s rape-slay

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

HREE suspects in the rape-slay of a teenager in Barangay Tawantawan, Baguio District, Davao City were arrested by the police yesterday morning.

Baguio Police Station identified the suspects as Rufino Lamonay, 21; Roldan L. Anie, 27; and Dindo L. Anie, 26, all residents of Sitio Sumpitan in Baguio District.

The three allegedly raped and killed 17-year-old Emma Joy Lorinton, whose body was found in Purok Hanagdong in Barangay Tawan-tawan on at around 5 a.m. on February 1.

The victim had no under-

wear and her pants had been lowered to her knees, leading investigators to believe she had been raped before being killed.

The victim sustained wounds in different parts of her body and a hack in her chin.

The victim’s grandfather told police that his granddaughter had gone to Sitio Camarag in Barangay Tambobong for a religious meeting at around 1 p.m. on January 31.

Police said the suspects were arrested at around 10 a.m. yesterday (February 3) after being identified by wit-

nesses.

In a telephone interview with EDGE Davao yesterday, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Chief Inspector Milgrace C. Driz said the suspects were invited by the police last Tuesday for questions since Roldan was allegedly courting Lorinton.

The other two are neighborhood toughies in the area, Driz said.

The suspects, however, were initially freed because no witness could point to their involvement on the crime.

Driz said the witnesses

came out only yesterday because they were afraid of the suspects.

“Karon pa nigawas ang witness kay nahadlok pagkabalo na namatay ang victim... ato gipanawagan na mugawas para makhatag solusyon sa insidente (They came out just now because they were afraid after learning that the victim had died... We requested them to come out for the resolution of the case),” she said.

She said the witnesses identified the three suspects when asked by investigators who the perpetrators were.

FTHREE, 10

NADECOR denies hand in Navacilla killing, says victim was‘valued ally’

By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY and LEAN S. DAVAL JR.

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HE Nationwide Development Corporation (NADECOR) and its technical partner, St. Agustin Gold and Copper Limited, denied any involvement in the killing of Gumayan purok chair Teresita S. Navacilla, who was shot by a lone gunman in Pantukan, Compostela Valley last January 27 and eventually died three days later.

Saying Navacilla was an active member of the company’s Area Technical Working Group (ATWG), NADECOR joined the victim’s relatives and peace-loving citizens in condemning the attack.

“The company was recently made aware of the unwarranted and ruthless attack upon 60-year-old Teresita (Bebeng) Navacilla last

Wednesday night, 27 January 2016, which led to her eventual expiration on Saturday, 30 January 2016. NADECOR is deeply saddened by her passing and condemns in the strongest possible way this unprovoked and senseless fatal shooting of one of its valued allies,” said Jonathan A. Bañez, community development manager of St. Agus-

tin Gold and Copper Limited, NADECOR’S technical partner.

Navacilla, NADECOR added, was a frequent beneficiary of the company’s Community Social Responsibility (CSR) programs and activities.

“For the past 15 years, the late Navacilla was the purok chair of Gumayan, the mining development site of

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 223 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016

Comelec regional directors reshuffled for 2016 election

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HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has designated a new regional director for Region 12 as part of a temporary reshuffle in preparation for the May 9 local and national elections.

Lawyer Francisco Pobe, who previously headed the Comelec in Region 13 or Caraga Region, formally assumed as director for Region 12 on Monday.

He replaced lawyer Michael Abas, who was reassigned as regional director for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“Director Pobe already arrived yesterday and immediately took over (Comelec-12).

(But) this is just a temporary reshuffle and will be lifted after the elections,” Lawyer Jay Gerada, Comelec-South Cotabato supervisor, told MindaNews.

As in the previous elections, he said another reshuffle will be implemented soon for

provincial election supervisors as well as city and municipal election officers in the region.

Comelec revamps normally happen ahead of the elections to erase suspicions that some election officers are controlled or influenced by local politicians.

Gerada said the directive, which will likely be issued next month, will come from the Comelec regional office.

Comelec-Region 12 has jurisdiction over the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato, and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong and Kidapawan.

Although part of the administrative coverage of Region 12, Cotabato City is under the authority of ComelecARMM Gerada assured the reshuffle will not affect their ongoing preparations for the upcoming polls.

FCOMELEC, 10

City’s business climate remains upbeat, SEC

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

ECURITIES and Exchange Commission (SEC)Davao director Javey Paul Francisco said the business climate in Davao City has been upbeat in the past five years as reflected in the number of new registered corporations last year.

“Sixty-five percent of the total 1,881 new registered corporations in areas under our jurisdiction are in Davao City,” Francisco said at the Wednesday’s media forum at Habi at Kape sa Abreeza.

While the rest of new registered corporation were located in the other provinces of Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, General Santos), and in Magu-

indanao.

Most of the new corporations registered in Davao City last year were in wholesale, trading, and retail, agriculture, and construction.

“There is more confidence in Davao City which is considered to be the financial and economic hub of Mindanao because of the political stability and reliability in institutions here,” Francisco added.

Francisco also said the upbeat economy of the city continued to entice both local and foreign investors.

The SEC-Davao registered a total of 1,881 new firms, which include both stock like business corporations accounting for 55 percent and

FCITY’S, 10

NO HAND. Colonel Casiano Monilla, assistant commander of the Philippine army’s 10th Infantry Division, denies the accusation that the Philippine Army had a hand on the killing of Gumayan Purok chair Teresita Navacilla.

Monilla and Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 spokesperson Chief Inspector Andrea Dela Cerna were among the guests of yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at Ritz Hotel by Garden Oases. Lean Daval Jr.

Suspect in ambush of brgy. captain held

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

HE suspect in the ambush of a barangay captain in Toril, Davao City last year was arrested by police on Monday morning.

Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Chief Inspector Milgrace C. Driz identified the suspect as Jonas A. Sumalinap, 52, a resident of Manuel Guianga, Tugbok District, Davao City.

The suspect was arrested at around 9 a.m. on February 1 by operatives of Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU)-11 and Talomo Police Station through a warrant of arrest issued by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 17 Judge Evalyn M. Arellano-Morales for frustrat-

ed murder Speaking in yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps forum at The Ritz Hotel at Garden Oases, Driz said Sumalinap was positively identified by the victim himself, Daliaon Plantation barangay captain Generoso Bacalso.

“Nag-deny ni siya pero positive na gi- identify ni kapitan (He denied it but he was positively identified by the barangay captain),” she said.

Driz said Sumalinap was followed by some RIU 11 members while riding a jeepney from Tugbok District.

“Pag-abot sa Phoenix Matina atbang sa Talomo Police Station gi-serve iyang warrant

MIXED BLESSING. A dilapidated portion of Padre Gomez Street is being dug up to give way to a road rehabilitation project. While the end result is desirable, the work needed to be done will surely cause traffic congestion. Lean Daval Jr.

(The warrant was served to him when they reached the Phoenix Gas Station in Matina in front of Talomo Police Station),” she said.

Driz said the suspect is part of a lawless armed group in the city but did not confirm if Sumalinap is a member of the New People’s Army. (NPA).

The NPA angle had been expressed by 10th Infantry Division spokesperson Captain Rhyan Batchar, who had earlier said rebels perpetrated the ambush.

Driz, however, said investigators are also looking on the angle of politics because while Bacalso has no enemies in his barangay, he reportedly sup-

ported a candidate in the third district.

She, however, did not divulge the name of the candidate and the position.

The ambush was staged on December 5, 2015. Bacalso was driving his Honda XRM motorcycle along with Docris Daug, his barangay councilor as the backrider, going to Toril proper.

When they reached the area, five armed men shot at them. Bacalso jumped off the motorcycle but was hit by a bullet on his left hand.

Datu Docris escaped unscathed while Bacalso was brought to Davao Doctors Hospital.

HE National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) decried the failure of the President Benigno Aquino’s administration to pass a Freedom of Information (FOI) bill which was among the president’s campaign promises in 2010.

In a resolution passed during its 9th National Congress held on the theme of Defending Press Freedom, Ensuring Credible Elections in Baras, Rizal from January 29 to 31, the NUJP cited the refusal of President Aquino to certify as urgent the passage of the FOI bill despite the dominance of his allies in Congress.

The passage of the FOI “will significantly boost efforts to ensure transparency in government and combat graft and corruption,” the media group said in its resolution approved by more than 60 delegates and participants.

The NUJP vowed to pursue the passage of an FOI bill in the

next administration.

During its congress, the NUJP elected a new set of officers for 2016 to 2018 led by its new chair Ryan Rosauro, a Mindanao correspondent of the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI).

Joseph Alwyn Alburo of GMA 7 was re-elected as vice chair while Dabet Castaneda-Panelo (ABS-CBN) is the new secretary general.

Also elected were Fred Villareal (safety office coordinator) as deputy secretary general; Che de los Reyes (ABS-CBN), treasurer; and Kimberly Quitasol (Northern Dispatch), auditor.

The other members of the 15-member national directorate are Melvin Gascon (PDI), Ronalyn Olea (Bulatlat.com), Angel Ayala (BicolToday.com), Nonoy Espina (InterAksyon.com), Jocelyn Clemente (PDI), Raymund Villanueva (Kodao Productions), Julie Alipala (PDI), Virgilio Cuizon (ABS-CBN/NUJP-Europe), and Nestor Burgos Jr. (PDI).

NUJP hits PNoy gov’t for broken FOI pledge T

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SEC monitoring firms for scam

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

IVE other Jacama-like firms in Davao Region are being monitored by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) - Davao for alleged engagement in investment scam.

“We are still on the fact-finding stage,” SEC-Davao director lawyer Javey Paul Francisco said during the Habi at Kape sa Abreeza media forum on Wednesday.

Francisco said once the SEC here complete the fact finding stage to establish prima facie evidence, it will submit a report to the SEC central

office as basis for full investigation.

“The central office will be able to produce the ruling in a matter of two to three after we submitted the facts,” he said.

The five firms are reportedly operating through a Ponzi scheme like the Jacama Sales and Marketing, a local multi-level marketing firm, which was padlocked last month because of the lack of SEC registration. The SEC said the Jacama had to secure registration from the commission since it is “engage in the public offering and sale of securities

NEW building for the Department of Tourism (DOT) and its attached agencies may soon rise on a prime two-hectare land within the Walled City, particularly beside Fort Santiago.

Intramuros Administrator (IA) Marco Sardillo III told reporters in an interview that the building will be known as the Philippine Travel Center, or PTC, which is eyed to be a public-private partnership (PPP) project.

“We developed it with the help of our friends from the PPP center. We sailed through the NEDA-ICC (National Economic and Development Authority Investment Coordination Committee (NEDA-ICC),” Sardillo said.

However, he said that the project was not able to make it to the last NEDA board meeting before NEDA Director-General Arsenio Balisacan resigned last month.

“We’re still focused on inaugurating or at least getting the PTC started here in Intramuros. If it doesn’t proceed as a PPP project there are other options,” he add-

ed.

At present, Sardillo said that the DOT, IA and concerned agencies are undertaking survey and consolidation of property and at the same time looking to annotate the PTC onto the title.

“This site will really be for the PTC,” he said. “We’ve done all the necessary work. We hope to get something started even before we leave (in June).”

Sardillo said that the budget for the project is estimated at around Php 2.3 billion, of which Php 1.4-billion for the PPP constructed building and a about Php 900 million for another building exclusive of the acquisition cost of the property.

“The development cost based on the PPP model is about Php 1.4 billion. It is government land so there’s no problem. This (other) one still privately-owned…this is worth Php 400 million but to develop it will cost around Php 800 to 900 million,” Sardillo said.

He further said another clear possibility was to have the land offered as a long-term lease in development basis. (PNA)

EGISTRATION of real estate projects at the Board of Investments (BOI) remained bullish in the last two years as the investment promotion agency recorded a total of Php91.89 billion worth of projects in this sector.

Data from the BOI show that investment pledges from real estate industry in 2015 posted at Php43.95 billion. However, this was 8.3 percent lower than 2014’s figure of Php47.94 billion.

From 2014 to 2015, registered real estate projects at the BOI are projected to generate some 49,832 jobs.

Five of the biggest projects in terms of value in the past two years came from SM Development Corporation (SMDC).

SMDC’s largest BOI-registered project since 2014 is its Shore Residences Tower C and Tower D worth Php5.86 billion.

This was an expansion of Shore Residences Tower A and Tower B which are registered at the cost of Php2.8 billion.

SMDC’s Shore Residences is in Pasay City.

Its BOI-registered expansion projects for Grass Residences in Quezon City -- Tower 4 and Tower 5 -- were valued at Php2.54 billion and Php2.68 billion, respectively.

In August 2015, BOI also approved the application of SMDC to develop the Php2.26 billion Trees Residences Phase 1 in Novaliches, Quezon City. (PNA)

P2.3-billion DOT building in the works, says IA chief A

BOI registers P92-B real estate projects

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former Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson

in the form of investment contracts.”

Francisco said Ponzi scheme is an investment fraud that pays existing investors with funds collected from their new investors. Organizers of this investment schemes usually entice and promise investors a fast big return of their investment in a short period of time.

“Ponzi scheme is a system that distorts entrepreneurship. It is unsustainable and it is unfair to other investors in the long run,” he said.

Unlike multi-level net-

working, fraudulent investment firms focused on recruiting new members rather than selling legitimate products.

“There is a thin line between networking and pyramiding,” Francisco said.

“If the investor is encouraged to recruit rather than sell then that is a scam. That is pyramiding,” he added.

To raise public awareness, he said the SEC will go to different areas in the country to “sponsor investor information seminars starting in Davao City.”

“We’re planning to hold the first seminar in Davao City since the latest incident was recorded here,” he said, adding that investment scams became more “prevalent in the past five years with the advent of social media.”

The social media, he said, provided maximum publicity of investment scams without getting to much attention from the concerned government agencies.

“The concept is to educate the stakeholders on the pitfall of scams as well as how to identify scams and how to

avoid it,” Francisco said. “We will be also presenting alternative investment to stakeholders that are legitimate and registered to SEC.”

The SEC here is targeting to hold the first seminar in Davao by March, while another seminar in General Santos will be held later this year, according to Francisco.

“We’re targeting about 150 participants, mostly government officials from the local government units under our jurisdictions, policemen, among others,” he said.

DROP POINT. Traders and retailers from the different areas in Davao City purchase vegetables at the bagsakan area in Bankerohan where prices are much lower. Lean Daval Jr.

Davao gets over a hundred leads, appointments during ATF 2016

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AVAO is among the big winners in the 2016 Asean Tourism Forum in Manila drawing attention of most international buyers with about 120 appointments and leads for travel packages this year.

This was disclosed by Davao City Tourism Officer Lisette Marquez, who said that Davao tour groups also sealed bookings from buyers going

on leisure trip to this region.

“The bookings were passed on to the Davao tour operators by Manila travel agents,” she said.

Marquez admitted that they still need to team up with the Manila based travel and tour operators because they take the first contacts.

Based on information, Marquez said they learned that the bookings were not

about interest on incentives but on the distinct packages for both MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibits) and leisure trip.

“That is why we told the tour operators to incentivize their packages which we extended to the ATF 2016 delegates who came to Davao on January 23,” she said.

Marquez also shared experiences and learning during

the post ATF tour in four areas namely Davao, Palawan, Cebu and Bohol.

For the Davao leg, she said the 19 foreign buyers that joined the trip were those that already placed bookings like the Russians, who came to experience the trip’s packages.

Some were treated to specially crafted packages that include welcome performances upon

BOLD national budget reform which promises to end the unequal distribution of country’s financial resources in many parts of the country, especially Mindanao, was proposed in Davao City yesterday by former Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, days before the official start of the campaign for the May elections. The former senator and presidential assistant for reha-

bilitation and recovery under Presidenti Aquino called his initiative Budget Reform Advocacy for Village Empowerment (BRAVE). He told Davao mediamen that BRAVE which he will institute upon his return to the Senate is aimed up at allocating equal amount of funds to all the country’s provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays on top of their Internal Revenue Allotment

(IRA) share.

Under his proposal, all 42,036 barangays of the country will get funding of P5 million each, each of the 1,490 municipalities to get P300 million, the 144 cities P500 million each and each of the 81 provinces will get P1 billion.

He said this is doable, because the total amount of funds needed to implement BRAVE is less than the na-

tion’s total savings of more than P500 billion in 2014 alone.

If this reform is pursued, there would be no need for local government unit (LGU) leaders like governors, mayors and barangay captains to go to the central government and beg for funds. What would happen, he said, is that more money would circulate in local

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Lacson launches national budget reform A

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‘Little Tokyo’ project draws 9 bidders

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

HE P12-billion proposal to revive “Little Tokyo” in Barangay Mintal in Davao City enticed nine bidders, the City Tourism Office (CTO) said.

City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) head Lisette Marquez said Tourism In-

frastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) is already evaluating the bidders.

Marques said the winning bidder will do the cohesive concept and design for the whole Mintal area which used to be a settlement area of Japanese before the World War II

who were engaged in abaca and agriculture production “We’re hoping that next month, we will be hosting their (winning bidder) visits here,” she said.

Marques said more than 13 sites in the Mintal area will be included in the tourism

development project because it has relevance to “Little Tokyo.”

“It includes the public market and the monuments in the area,” she said adding the revival of the “Little Tokyo” will entice more Japanese tourists and even inves-

tors.

Earlier last year, Marques said the restoration of Little Tokyo “will include the mapping of the Japanese heritage sites and the refurbishment and renovation of existing Japanese monuments and relics in Mintal.”

Dry spell destroys P15.8-M crops in General Santos

A LOVE DAY PROMO. The Ritz Hotel at Garden marketing and communications manager Pia Jopson announces the hotel’s Valentine’s Day promo before the start of AFP-PNP Press Corps forum yesterday. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

Transmission issues up in Davao meeting T OP officials of the country’s power sector will be meeting in Davao City today (Thursday) to thresh out concerns surrounding power transmission and to find long-term solutions to issues on the right-ofway (ROW) and easements of the transmission lines of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) in Mindanao.

The meeting, to be held at the conference room of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), will also tackle the security incidents that involved more than a dozen transmission towers.

“Through the Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee (MPMC), we will convene the top officials of the power industry’s key players in a bid to resolve these problems and mitigate the possible impacts

to the grid,” said Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, chair of MinDA and co-chair of the MPMC. Created in July 2012 through Executive Order No. 81, the MPMC is tasked to coordinate the efforts of national and local governments as well as the power industry stakeholders in efforts to improve the power situation in Mindanao.

The Department of Energy (DOE) and MinDA co-chair the committee composed of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), the National Electrification Administration (NEA), the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR), the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM), the Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives (AMRECO), the National Transmission Cor-

poration (TransCo), the Mindanao Electric Power Alliance (MEPA), and the NGCP. Antonino explained that although Mindanao is currently enjoying a steady supply of power for the first time in about 10 years, the prevailing issues affecting the transmission towers in Mindanao could hamper this positive supply outlook.

“We must immediately address issues on ROW and easements to further prevent unwarranted power disruptions and ensure the steady supply of power in the grid,” she said.

“The local government units together with the land owners must be willing to cooperate in resolving these issues and in guaranteeing the protection of the transmission towers,” she added.

In January this year, NGCP

reported that 18 towers experienced security attacks, with the latest incidents involving towers No. 19, 20, 21, 13, 25 and 50 of the Agus 2-Kibawe 138 KV transmission lines.

Transmission tower No. 4 of the Baloi-Agus 2 138 KV transmission lines and the transmission tower No. 63 of Kabacan-Sultan Kudarat 138 KV transmission lines also experienced security attacks.

“The recent attacks on towers No. 20 and 25 created a dent in the power supply of Mindanao, which isolated the Agus 1 and 2 hydropower plants that produce about 260 megawatts (MW),” Antonino said.

To date, the two towers have not yet been repaired due to issues of land ownership. The isolation of the hydropower plants has also

provide the SSS with a monthly summary of employees’ SSS-related Requests for Assistance received under the labor department’s Single Entry Approach (SEnA) Program.

DOLE will also furnish copies of official records on final and executory orders in all its labor standards involving employer violations of the Social Security Law such as registration of employees, reporting and under reporting

of employees and non remittance or under remittance of SSS contributions.

DOLE will also give the contact details on employment, employees and employers involved in such cases, and allow the SSS to use pertinent documents such as Labor Compliance Inspection Reports and transcripts and evidence obtained from DOLE adjudication hearings.

The SSS, on the other

hand, through its Operations Group Heads will coordinate with the DOLE regional directors within their respective areas for appropriate action on the referred SSS cases.

These SSS Operations Group Heads would also update their respective DOLE Regional Directors of the steps taken against the involved employers and SSS actions on the workers’ requests for assistance relayed by DOLE.

According to an earlier report, anyone can still find relic and ruins of Japanese hospitals at present, the Japanese cemetery, an artesian-well that was constructed and the source of potable water by Japanese abaca farmers and a monument in Mintal.

ROUND P15.8 million worth of agricultural crops here have been destroyed due to the impact of the continuing dry spell triggered by the El Niño Phenomenon.

Elsie Villanueva, assistant head of the City Agriculture Office (CAO), said Wednesday the intense dry weather has so far affected at least 462 hectares of farmlands in eight of the city’s 26 barangays.

She said the areas that were hit hardest by the dry spell were upland farms that were not covered by the irrigation facilities of the National Irrigation Administration.

The official specifically cited portions of Barangays Batomelong, Conel, Bawing, Upper Labay, Sinawal, Tinagacan, San Jose and Olympog.

“Our damage computation mainly covered short-gestating crops like corn and vegetables,” Villanueva said.

She said they are currently monitoring the city’s farm areas for damages on permanent crops like coconut and fruit trees.

CAO personnel are currently conducting weekly monitoring and assessments in the affect-

ed barangays regarding the status of standing crops and possible damages.

“If the dry spell will prolong as predicted, we expect the affected areas and damages to also increase later on,” she said.

The city and parts of Region 12 has been experiencing below normal rainfall since October last year due to the El Niño, which, according to Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), could extend until June.

Also known as Soccsksargen, the region is composed of the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato, and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

The Department of Agriculture in Region 12 launched cloud seeding operations in parts of the region last week to help mitigate the effects of the dry spell.

Cloud seeding is the process of manually spreading either dry ice or salt into the upper part of the clouds to help stimulate the precipitation process and form rain.

(PNA)

F TRANSMISSION, 10

SSS, DOLE ink MOA on info sharing

T

HE Social Security System (SSS) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) formalized their joint commitment to intensify employer compliance and impose penalties on violators of labor and social security policies through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on information sharing that covers SSS-related issues affecting workers employment.

Under the MOA, DOLE will

AGREED. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio S. de Quiros, Jr. (right) and Labor Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz (left) present the MOA they signed on behalf of their respective agencies during ceremonies held at the Executive Lounge of the SSS Main Office last December 22.

EDGEDAVAO

7 AGRITRENDS

VOL. 8 ISSUE 223 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016

Where have all our fish gone?

Raising fish in ponds is now very popular in the Philippines.

Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO (Last of Three Parts)

W

HILE fish is not an important source of calories in the human diet, it does have an important role in food supply of many communities, especially in developing countries like the Philippines.

During his time, Jules Verne suggested that when the world reached the limits of food production on the land, man could turn to the oceans. Unfortunately, many countries have been doing just that over the past several decades.

“Between 1950 and 1989, the fish catch expanded more than four-fold, climbing from 22 million tons to 100 million tons,” Lester R. Brown reported in his feature, Facing Food Scarcity. “During the six years since then, the catch has leveled off. Contrary to the prognosis of Jules Verne, we reached the limits of the oceans first.”

And so it came to pass that the wealth of oceans, once considered boundless, has proven finite. Touted as “the poor man’s protein,” fish is now a resource coveted -and fought over by countries.

“We are running out of fish and running out of time. For a country known for marine biodiversity, there are very few fish left to catch,” Vince Cinches, Oceans Campaigner for Greenpeace Southeast Asia, was quoted as saying.

Fish are the “last wild meal” in the human diet. If the oceans are running low on many of humanity’s favorite fish, the solution would seem obvious: raise more seafood down on the fish farm, expanding the maritime

version of agriculture known as aquaculture. After all, aquaculture has been a source of human protein for nearly 4,000 years, especially in Asia.

In recent years, aquaculture has become big business.

Supermarkets in affluent countries are awash in scallops farmer-raised in China, mussels nurtured in New Brunswick and pen-reared cod from Newfoundland.

One-quarter of the world’s shrimps is raised in ponds in 50 countries, with Thailand and Ecuador leading the harvest.

“The aquaculture harvest has doubled in the last decade, to 39.8 million tons, and now accounts for 30 percent of the global fish harvest,” reports Brian Halweil of the Washington-based Worldwatch Institute. “By 2020, it could produce nearly half of all fish harvested.”

Fish farming is more advantageous than raising livestock. “For every kilogram of dry feed, we get one kilogram of fish meat,” said Dr. Uwe Lohmeyer of the Deutsche Gesselschaft fur Technische Zusammernarbeit (GTZ), a German Technical Cooperation. “This is far more favor-

able rate than in the case of say, pigs: to produce the same quantity of pork, a farmer – given the same quality of inputs – has to provide three kilograms of feed.”

Though a novelty in much of the world, aquaculture has been practiced through the ages. Oyster culture, for instance, thrived in ancient Rome and Gaul. But some records showed that aquaculture originated in China. According to historical accounts, net making and fishing methods were already developed during the reign of Fu Hi in 1953 B.C. The Roman during the first century A.D. considered fish among the most highly prized delicacies. They built fishponds and stocked them with fish. Stocking of lakes and other freshwater units was also practiced.

It was the Malay emigrants who must have introduced the first fishponds of the Philippines long before the Chinese traders came to the country. “Our fishpond practices in most respects are similar to those of the Indonesians rather than those of Chinese,” said a Filipino marine expert.

“Aquaculture must grow faster than the current rate in order to supply up to 48% of the total food fish production,” urges Dr. Mahfuzuddin Ahmed, co-author of the report, Outlook for Fish to 2020: Meeting Global Demand.

The report projects that fish consumption in developing countries will increase by 57 percent, from 62.7 million tons in 1997 to 98.6 million tons in 2020. By comparison, fish consumption in developed countries will increase by only about four percent, from 1997’s 28.1 million tons to 2020’s 29.2 million tons.

“We can expect major shifts in supply and demand for animal protein from livestock and fish as a result of rapid population growth, increasing affluence and urbanization in developing countries on one hand, and stagnant population combined with a saturated market for fish in the developed countries on the other,” said the Kuala Lumpur-based World Fish Center.

In the Philippines, aquaculture contributed the biggest share to the total fisheries output at 49.80%,

according to the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics. Bangus (milkfish), tilapia, tiger prawn and seaweed accounted 90.18% of the total aquaculture production.

But like most technologies, aquaculture has its shares of liabilities. For one, intensive aquaculture is in itself a source of pollution, releasing excess feed and feces in semi-enclosed areas and creating overnutritification and oxygen deficiencies in waterways.

SeaWeb, a project of the Pew Charitable Trusts, says that aquaculture often has resulted in the introduction of non-native species. Sometimes such species are purposely released into the local environment to grow, reproduce, and be harvested. But in some instances, they can escape from their confined culture facilities.

In an article which appeared in Worldwatch in 1995, author Anne Platt McGinn noted: “In tropical freshwater systems, two-thirds of escaped fish species have become established.”

Aquaculture might also

Selecting tilapia fingerlings for aquaculture.

Tilapia is one of the most common fish raised in ponds.

endanger native fish species by exposing them to diseases than run rampant in the overcrowded and stressful conditions of aquaculture facilities.

The use of antibiotics to reduce diseases in the culture systems only adds to the potential environmental problems in natural waters. If sick fish escape, they can easily spread the disease to wild fish.

Some coastal aquaculture practices permanently alter natural habitats. For instance, shrimp ponds are often constructed by cutting down mangrove habitats along tropical coastlines. This activity has been responsible for the loss of two-thirds of mangrove forests in the Philippines.

When there is a problem, there is always a possible solution. As Dr. Mark W. Rosegrant, of the Washington-based International Food Policy Research Institute pointed out: “It is possible to avoid tradeoffs to the environment and the poor, while meeting growing global demand for fish.

Environmental impacts of aquaculture can be minimized through environmentally friendly technologies.”

EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE

VOL. 8 ISSUE 223 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016

EDITORIAL Where is the recognition?

E

RNIE Gawilan, who was born without three normal extremities, has earned the distinction of being one of the Top 10 Sportsmen of 2015 from prestigious online sports network Spin.ph.

The distinction was bestowed on Ernie last January 30 at One Marriott Hotel in Manila. Ernie did not make it to the awards night because he was on a break at the monastery facility he is working at in the Island Garden City of Samal.

Ernie joined business tycoon and sports patron Manuel V. Pangilinan and basketball player Calvin Abueva, world boxing champions Donnie Nietes and Nonito Donaire, among others.

To be named one of 10 top sportsmen (not necessarily athletes alone) on a broad platform is a huge honor indeed for a special athlete like Ernie, who drew raves when he won two gold medals both in record-breaking fashion on the recent 8th Asean Para Games. The achievement also earned for Ernie a ticket to the Rio Paralympic Games this year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. That makes Ernie the first from Davao City and Mindanao to have qualified to the quadrennial games – the equivalent of the Olympics for regular athletes.

Ernie has transcended from whatever bar separates a regular athlete from a special athlete like him. He says when he competes he considers himself a regular athlete – he wears the same tri-colors as regular athletes and brings

EDGEDAVAO

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home the same honor a regular athlete brings when he wins a gold medal overseas.

But while Ernie has earned recognition on a national level, there seems to be nothing in the horizon from the sports agency in Davao City. In fairness, Ernie was honored by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte himself in a courtesy call last month. However, the City Sports Office or any sports association hereof has not made concrete steps to honor the bemedaled athlete with disability.

We recall that an annual sports recognition was to have happened on December 18 last year. That was eight days after the Para Games came to a close.

All things equal, Ernie should have earned the recognition even if his achievements were beyond the deadline set for the awards. Instead of scrapping the whole thing, Ernie should have been given an exemption from the rule.

As it is now, the impasse does not serve Ernie or the rest of our high-achieving athletes well. Recently, the Davao City Under-22 football team placed second in the National Championships, losing only by a hairline to a well-funded team from Bacolod City. There was also 11-year-old Ella Nagayo who placed fourth in the Veritas World Junior Golf Championships last year.

We still have to wait any congratulatory statement either for Ernie, Ella, or for the U-22 men’s football team.

The simple things mean a lot. Absence of it speaks of a lot.

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

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EDGEDAVAO

M

ANY people, including those in my generation, across different social backgrounds have uninformed assumptions about poverty. It’s important to talk about this because the way in which we perceive poverty as a condition also affects how we treat the poor and the policies that we support that affect them.

Needless to say, we live in a country where majority of the population suffer from abject poverty where basic needs are barely met. They don’t have access to proper nutrition or decent housing, but more importantly, access to healthcare. But we also live in a country with a burgeoning middle class, which is a good sign because it means that there are mechanisms to alleviate poverty and improve quality of life.

This also means that we believe in the concept of meritocracy, that abilities plus efforts are rewarded by success. This is true in part, and I wish it were that simple, but it’s more complicated than that.

The following are myths and misguided assumptions about poverty that we need to change right away:

1. The poor are poor because they are lazy Surprisingly, many people, especially from the middle and elite class, believe this as true and this is probably because they’ve worked hard to get where they are right now, which leads them

T

HE Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) has just declared the mosquito-borne Zika virus and its suspected link to birth defects as an international public health emergency.

“Members of the committee agreed that the situation meets the conditions for a public health emergency of international concern. I have accepted this advice,” WHO Director-General Margaret Chan told reporters.

Declaring Zika as a “public health emergency of international concern” singles the disease out as a serious global threat. Since 2007, when it first established the procedure, only three times it was used: in 2009 for the influenza pandemic, in 2014 when polio seemed resurgent, and in August 2014 for Ebola.

Some experts applauded the decision to add Zika to the list. “This should be a global wake up call,” said Lawrence O. Gostin, director of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University.

“An outbreak of the Zika virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, was detected in Brazil last May and has since moved into more than 20 countries in Latin America,” Sabrina Tavernise reported in The New York Times.

“The main worry is over the virus’s possible link to microcephaly, a condition that causes babies to be born with brain damage and unusually small heads. Reported cases of microcephaly are rising sharply in Brazil, ground zero for the disease, though researchers have yet to establish a direct link.”

The current outbreak of Zika has taken the world by surprise. It was first identified in 1947 in Uganda but not on massive scale. For

VOL. 8 ISSUE 223 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Myths about poverty to associate MY MILLENNIAL MIND success and failure to a person’s choice. They associate poverty with begging and laziness because they Vanessa Kate Madrazo are not exposed to the multiple harsh realities that poor people experience.

But the idea that poverty is a choice is simply untrue. Contrary to this idea, poor people are in fact hard workers who work multiple jobs just to get by. Even if some of them are unemployed and resort to begging, that wasn’t a choice they wanted to make.

We have to understand that poverty is a structural problem. It is caused not just by a long history of colonialism that made slaves out of Filipinos and crippled our social structures but also by the modern government’s negligence – failure to give adequate access to welfare services such as healthcare, or failure to achieve social justice such as agrarian reform. Add graft and corruption to the table. These are real bar-

riers that hinder their ability to financially progress.

years, the virus lived mostly in THINK ON THESE! monkeys. Outbreaks were later reported in the Pacific in 2007 and in 2013. Last May in Brazil, cases began increasing drastically.

Aside from Henrylito D. Tacio Brazil, more henrytacio@gmail.com than 20 countries in South America have reported cases of the Zika virus, including Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama, Honduras, Ecuador, Haiti, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Bolivia, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Barbados.

According to WHO, about four million people could be infected by the end of the year. It is believed the virus is spreading fast in the Americas because people there have not developed immunity.

The Zika virus has not been reported in Asia yet. But what should concern Filipinos is that the mosquito that carries the virus is the same mosquito that spreads dengue and chikungunya virus. Yes, the day-biting Aedes aegypti.

The virus is not known to be fatal and usually causes relatively mild symptoms. “The disease has similar clinical signs to dengue, and may be misdiagnosed in areas where dengue is common,” the WHO explained in its website.

“There is no cure for Zika virus disease. Treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms.”

Just like dengue, Zika virus is primarily transmitted to humans through bites from Aedes mosquitos, which often live around buildings in urban areas and are usually active during daylight hours (peak biting activity occurs in early mornings and late afternoons).

There are some studies which suggest Zika virus can also be transmitted to humans through blood transfusion, perinatal transmission and sexual transmission. But WHO assures that “these modes are very rare.”

The incubation period is typically between 2 and 7 days. Generally, it is characterized by low grade fever (less than 38.5°C) frequently accompanied by a maculopapular rash. Other common symptoms include muscle pain, joint pain with possible swelling (notably of the small joints of the hands and feet), headache, pain behind the eyes and conjunctivitis.

Some people may think they are infected with dengue. “A high rate of asymptomatic infection with Zika virus is expected similar to dengue virus and West Nile virus,” the WHO says. “Most people fully recover without severe complications, and hospitalization rates are low. To date, there have been no reported deaths associated with Zika virus.”

Is there anything you can do? Actually, the proximity of mosquito vector breeding sites to human habitation is a significant risk factor for Zika virus infection. Prevention and control relies on reducing the breeding of mosquitoes through source reduction (removal and modification of breeding sites) and reducing contact between mosquitoes and people.

2. Poverty is just like being broke Being broke just means you have to cut spending on things that you just like but don’t really need. Being poor means starving on some days because you literally don’t have money at all. Being broke means getting bailed out by your parents. Being poor means there are no alternatives. Being broke is temporary. Being poor is a vicious cycle.

Think about this: Many poor people are homeless, live under bridges, or live in slums that are filthy, and are also likely to work in jobs with dangerous working conditions like construction or mining. That makes them a hundred times more likely to get sick, injured, and contract disease. If they’re lucky and have minimum wage jobs, they are forced to spend their meager income to pay for medical expenses instead of food. They are forced to loan sums of money they can’t repay, burying them in debt.

The point is that the circumstances under which they live reinforce their poverty. It’s not because they’re lazy or broke. Poor people don’t choose to be born in a poor family in the same way that a rich kid doesn’t choose to be born in a rich family that can give him or her inheritance money and access to privileges.

Understanding the zika virus

3. Hard work will solve everything That may work in a perfect world, but we live in a world of glaringly unequal opportunities and a false promise of meritocracy.

Let’s be real for a moment and accept the idea that poor people do work hard – for instance working as a construction worker in the day, then as a security guard at night. But no matter how hard they work, their ability to move up the social hierarchy is drastically limited because of the meager salary they earn.

And this is a cycle that’s difficult to break, because their poverty requires them to work all the time instead of investing time and money in education to get qualifications for a decent job.

The sad thing is that most people don’t translate their perseverance for what it is. Instead, we imagine hard work as being a manager of a company, while we associate a lack of ambition when we see garbage collectors.

We need to snap out of that and recognize that poverty is largely caused by circumstances that are beyond their control. It is only when we recognize this that we would have the will to strongly support policies of affirmative action for them, and policies that will achieve sustainable development to uplift them.

Poverty is a tragedy, not a choice.

“This can be achieved by reducing the number of natural and artificial water-filled habitats that support mosquito larvae, reducing the adult mosquito populations around atrisk communities and by using barriers such as repellants, insect screens, closed doors and windows, and long clothing,” the WHO suggests.

Since the Aedes mosquitoes are day-biting mosquitoes, it is recommended that those who sleep during the daytime, particularly young children, the sick or elderly, should use insecticide-treated mosquito nets to provide protection. Mosquito coils or other insecticide vaporizers may also reduce the likelihood of being bitten.

During outbreaks, space spraying of insecticides may be carried out periodically to kill flying mosquitoes. Suitable insecticides may also be used as larvicides to treat relatively large water containers.

Basic precautions for protection from mosquito bites should be taken by people traveling to high risk areas. These include use of repellents, wearing light colored, long sleeved shirts and pants and ensuring rooms are fitted with screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering.

Makiko Kitamura, in a report published by Bloomberg, said genetically modified mosquito is being eyed as a weapon to control Zika. It is said that the male Aedes is “genetically modified” so that their offspring die young.

“What we’re offering is a tool that is going to be really powerful in reducing these mosquito populations and reducing the threat,” said Haddy Parry, the CEO of Intrexon Corp’s Oxitec unit. “It needs to be accelerated.”

10 NEWS Three... FROM 2

EDGEDAVAO

Driz said according to the witnesses, Roldan Anie was the one who hit Lorinton with a piece of wood and raped the victim.

“Si Dindo (Anie) ang naggunit sa bata og ang lookout kay si Rufino (Lamonay) (Dindo was the one who held the victim while Rufino served as

the lookout),” she said.

Driz said the suspects could have been under the influence of illegal drugs while committing the crime.

NADECOR, serving as an effectual liaison between the company and the small scale miners and the other community members,” Bañez added in a statement sent to EDGE Davao.

Meanwhile, NADECOR and St. Agustin Gold and Copper Limited have threatened to sue Karapatan for insinuating that the firms are behind the death of Navacilla.

According to NADECOR operations manager Pete Cancino, their opposition “stems from its untarnished record of having had a harmonious and good relationship with the residents of Kingking, Pantukan as well as Gumayan, its mining development site.”

“The late Navacilla was an

active member of the company’s area technical working group. As the purok chair, she received numerous donations and assistance from NADECOR for her community health, development and sports projects,” Cancino said.

The children of IPs and small-scale miners of Gumayan and Kingking are some of the 60 scholars being assisted by the company, according to NADECOR. The company also denied any hand in the incident involving one Alexander Josol, who was first reported to have been beaten to death but turned out to be alive and had only figured in a vehicular accident also in Pantukan.

NADECOR cited a police

blotter from the Pantukan Municipal Police Station stating that “the victim was traversing the barangay road and was observed by the populace to be driving fast in a swerving manner.”

“He accidentally hit a stockpile that resulted to major injuries on his head,” the police report added.

Eddie Moreno, president of the Small Scale Mining Federation of Pantukan, in his statement to NADECOR said he is confused why the company is being dragged into the unfortunate death of Navacilla. He said the company did not have any participation in the incident and that the case must be left to the police for investigation and resolution.

agement has allowed the residents in the area to pass through so they can reach their homes.

The City Council passed request on to the city executive to intervene in the situation.

ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

arrival, drinks, dances and other cultural presentations.

She said this was on top of the seamless service that tour operators had been doing for the visitors.

“The regular tour packages are already there but there has to be an add-on to the usual destinations where we bring our visitors because anything unique and special that the tourists will experience is a plus factor to the satisfaction of their visit here,” she said.

She said the incentivize packages could be of higher cost but it is of quality based on the requirements of the

buyer.

For example, she said if one buyer only wants the beach, the tour operator must think of the best, unique package remembered for a lifetime.

Meanwhile, Marquez said the city’s booth during the ATF 2016 was funded by the city government at a cost of Php1.1 million, showcasing Davao exhibitors.

She said setting up the exhibit booth gave them the opportunity to show to the international buyers about Davao’s destinations, services and the unique culture and resources.

(PNA)

non-stocks which include foundations and non-government organizations at 45 percent.

“We recorded a five percent increase in the number of new registrants from the 1,787 new firms registered in 2014,” Francisco said.

He said capitalization also doubled. “Declared capitalization last year reached to P15.4 billion, higher than the P7.9 billion capitalization in 2014,” he added.

Corporations and businesses formed through partnership are mandated to register to SEC as well as businesses engaged in selling investments to the public.

Foundations and NGOs are also mandated to be SEC-registered to be able to able to enter into transactions legally like sponsorships and solicitations.

Meanwhile, corporation can start filing their financial statements (FS) for the year 2015 starting April 18 until May 20.

Francisco said the schedule of the firm for its filing may vary depending on the last digit of its SEC registration.

Corporations with SEC registration ending with 1 and 2 will be only allowed to file FS on April 18 to April 22, while those with last digits 3 and 4 will be on April 25 to 29.

SEC registrations of firms ending with 5 and 6 can only file their FS from May 2 to 6.

Registrations with last digit of 7 and 8 will be from May 10 to 13, while those with 9 and 0 will be on May 16 to 20.

“Last filings shall be accepted starting May 23 and shall be subject to the prescribed penalties,” he added.

caused rotational power interruption in different franchise areas in Mindanao. In addition to the attacks, issues on the ROWs and the hesitance of the land owners to cooperate are seen to further aggravate the problem.

Currently, there five lines that are out of operation due to the unwillingness of landowners to cooperate and the growing vegetation under the lines. These include the Baloi-Agus 2 138 kV lines 1 and 2; the Baloi-Agus 6 69 kV line; and the Kibawe-Agus 2 138 kV lines 1 and 2.

“The hesitance of the landowners to cooperate in solving the problem is also becoming a serious drawback as NGCP’s personnel cannot enter the area of the damaged towers or lines,” Antonino said.

She said transmission problems have dire consequences in Mindanao like isolating power plants from the grid, rotational and island-wide brownouts, and hampering operations of var-

ious industries.

Aside from updates on the repair of the transmission lines and towers, the principals’ meeting will also discuss mitigation measures, ways forward, immediate solutions, and other initiatives.

“This meeting is crucial as it will allow us to craft plans and initiatives that will mitigate and prevent similar transmission-related problems in the future,” she added.

The energy officials will also discuss other issues revolving around the power sector of Mindanao like the contracting of distribution utilities, updates of incoming power projects, the impacts of El Niño to the grid, and the rehabilitation of the Agus and Pulangi hydropower plants, among others.

“The government is doing as much as it can to solve these problems but we also urge the public to help us in our efforts in addressing these by being more vigilant and by reporting suspicious activities in critical areas,” she added.

economies, more jobs created and LGU leaders will have their hands full in planning for development projects in their localities.

He envisioned a health competition among the LGUs for quality projects given that they have the same amount of money for development projects.

If BRAVE works well, it would become the start of a federalism kind of reform in the non-political sector, he said.

The jobs and economic activities that BRAVE can create would convince many poor families in the urban centers, and even overseas Filipino workers, to return to the rural areas of their origin. The senatorial candidate said.

Lacson said BRAVE is part of his long-time advocacy for the abolition of the pork barrel system because it is truly the root cause of government corruption.

Lacscon refused to take advantage of the P200 million annual pork barrel for each

senator for the 12 years that he had serve in the Philippine Senate, depriving himself of a total of P2.4 billion in pork barrel funds during the 12 years that he was senator.

He stood up twice on the Senate floor to denounce the pork barrel and abolish the system, but his plea fell of deaf ears.

The senator from Imus, Cavite is credited for having authored and co-sponsored 11 laws, including the Anti-Money Laundering Act, the Sin Tax Law, and the Reproduction Health Act. While in the Davao Region, Lacson is expected to officially launch BRAVE and met with BRAVE Warriors, a Mindanao-wide network of men and women who are committed to advance the senator’s advocacy for financial reform.

He said he will align himself with the presidential candidate who will adopt his budget reform during the national election campaign to culminate in May 2016. ANTONIO M. AJERO

NADECOR... FROM 2

City orders... FROM 2 Davao... FROM 5

Transmission... FROM 6

City’s... FROM 4

Lacson... FROM 5

VOL. 8 ISSUE 223 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016

NABBED. Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Chief Inspector Milgrace C. Driz announces in yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps forum

the arrest of the suspect in the December 5, 2015 ambush of Daliaon Plantation barangay captain Generoso Bacalso. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

Comelec... FROM 4 “We’re all following the same set of guidelines and timetable so I don’t it will hamper our preparations in any way,” he said.

As to their preparations, Gerada said the training and orientation of election officers

and personnel on the conduct of the May 9 automated elections is currently ongoing.

He said they have set the training in March for the teachers who will serve as board of election inspectors during the polls. MindaNews

legislative reforms to enhance the entrepreneurial environment and develop a more vibrant private sector to generate broader based job growth,” Heritage Foundation said in the report released Monday.

The country’s economic officials welcomed the positive development, which reflected the virtuous cycle consisting of reforms, improving perception of investors and third-party observers like Heritage Foundation, and economic development.

Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima said: “Underpinning the country’s improvement across virtually all global measures is the guiding philosophy behind the Aquino administration: good governance. Over the past six years, we have worked to better our institutions and improve business environments to facilitate robust private sector growth.”

For his part, National Competitiveness Council Co-chair Guillermo Luz said making the Philippines a globally competitive place of business “has been among the top agenda of government over the past six years.”

Heritage Foundation evaluates the level of economic freedom of countries based on the following 10 components: property rights, freedom from corruption, fiscal freedom, government spending, business freedom, labor freedom, monetary freedom, trade freedom, investment freedom, and financial freedom.

The think tank said the Philippines posted the biggest gains in “business freedom,” as licensing requirements for enterprises have been eased. The

country registered a 32-notch improvement in its ranking under this component, or from 131st to 99th.

“The time involved in dealing with licensing requirements has been notably reduced, and the cost of completing them has been cut,” Heritage Foundation said.

It also said the Philippines registered significant improvement in the area of “freedom from corruption,” consistent with the implementation of good governance reforms in line agencies of government.

Its ranking in this component improved by 8 notches, or from 95th to 87th.

Another area of marked improvement, the think tank said, is “trade freedom” amid efforts to further open up the economy to investments, such as an environment that now allows foreigners to fully own and operate banks in the country. The Philippines’ ranking in this component improved from 99th to 94th.

For Heritage Foundation, monitoring progress of economic freedom globally is important in that it allows people to engage in economic activities without unnecessary constraints, thereby helping boost incomes and accelerating progress.

In the case of the Philippines, the improvement in its economic freedom came along with solid growth performance of the economy.

Touted as one of the most resilient emerging markets in the world, the Philippines posted an average growth of 6.2% from 2010 to 2015 despite a challenging external environment.

Phl... FROM 11

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EDGEDAVAO FOOD Steamed Parrotfish.

A Lunar new year

Vikings’ Corporate Executive Chef Anton Abad shows off Vikings’ Patotim.

Viking Feast

FOR ANY TYPICAL FILIPINO FAMILY, the feasting season stops a little after New Year’s Day when the parties start to wind down and everybody settles back into the daily grind. For for the Chinese-Filipino community, the festivities are just beginning as they start to prepare for the Lunar New Year.

Held on the first day of the lunar calendar which typically falls on a February, the Lunar New Year is when family members from far and wide get together to catch up with each other over a festive meal featuring traditional Chinese dishes that are symbols of good luck and prosperity.

To share the festivities, Vikings, the Philippines’ largest buffet restaurant, is serving up some of the most delectable Chinese dishes from February 8 to 15 and I was one of the lucky ones to have a first taste. On the menu are a variety of homemade cold cuts such as Suckling Pig, White Chicken, Century Egg, Smoked Sausage, Roast Pork Asado, Jelly Fish, and Lechon Macau.

The one bite of the Suckling Pig’s crispy skin transported me back to the time I had the same dish in Hong Kong. It was salty and smoky with the flavour of anise

URBANISSIMO A4

Appetizer platter.

The one bite of the Suckling Pig’s crispy skin transported me back to the time I had the same dish in Hong Kong.

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FOOD

Tikoy for me and you

FILIPINOS AS WE ARE, we have always believed in the many other traditions brought upon by years of invasion and colonization. One of these is how we anticipate and celebrate Chinese New Year. Of course, Chinese New Year in the Philippines won’t be complete without some colorful sticky tikoy in the dining table. Be it ready-to-eat or those that come in colorful and heavy boxed packages, the tikoy charm truly adds a notch of happiness to any of our Chinese New Year celebration.

Aside from the usual tikoy on the dining table, it has been part of the tradition to hand out these sticky rice cakes to family and friends during this festive celebration. Believed to bring prosperity in the coming years, we Pinoys also equate these sticky bundles of sweet joys with good luck sticking with us all year round.

Truly, it’s nice to give and, of course, receive some tikoy come this Lunar New Year. However, when you end up with so many, you’d soon be faced with more than you can chew -- literally.

Here are some easy to cook and prepare tikoy recipes that’ll surely be your next favorite.

Happy cooking and Kung Hei Fat Choi, royalties!

Depp-Fried Tikoy Definitely the easiest tikoy recipes of them all, I love how you can whip this in an instant.

With just 2 ingredients -- egg and oil for frying -- you can enjoy sticks of tikoy minus the hassle.

Take the extra mile and make it even more special. Top blocks

Believed to bring prosperity in the coming years, we Pinoys also equate these sticky bundles of sweet joys with goodluck sticking with us all year round.

of deep-fried tikoy with vanilla ice cream and some chocolate syrup and it’s a tikoy ala mode party in an instant. Add some nuts and it’s a celebration like no other.

Cheesy Tikoy Lumpia Surprisingly, having leftover cheese at home is always a lifesaver. Who would have thought that tikoy and cheese together

make for a great food combo. wanton wrapper (you can also use lumpia wrapper) tikoy cut in sticks cheese cut in sticks (best to use quick melt) water (glue for wrapper) egg yolk (for coating the wrapped tikoy and cheese) oil for deep frying In a wanton wrapper, line tikoy and cheese sticks together.

Roll wrapper and seal with water. Repeat until done.

Refrigerate sticks for 30 minutes.

Heat oil for frying.

Brush each lumpia with egg wash and deep-fry.

As long as we are in the lumpia topic...

Tikoy and Langka Turon Something sweet for the kid in all of us. Instead of banana, you can also use tikoy.

Slice the tikoy into strips and prepare slivers of langka.

Wrap the tikoy and langka together in lumpia wrappers (or wanton wrappers).

Fry until golden brown.

Drizzle with caramel or chocolate syrup for a sweeter ending.

Ginataang Halo-halo A personal favorite that I have loved since I was a kid. I love how certain recipes remind us of the past and make us crave for a sweeter future. Also, this sweet recipe is always perfect especially on gloomy days.

Saba banana, sliced Kamote (sweet potato), diced ripe Langka (jackfruit), strips Sago (Tapioca Pearls), cooked 4 cups Gata (coconut milk) Bilo-bilo (Sticky glutinous rice balls) 1 cup granulated white sugar 1 cup water 1Boil water in a larger cooking pan. Add 1 1/2 cups of coconut milk. Wait until it boils.

2When boiling, add kamote (sweet potato) and simmer until slightly tender.

3Add remaining coconut milk, sugar, and glutinous rice balls.

Stir and simmer.

4Add the saging. Simmer.

5Add the langka (jackfruit) and simmer.

6Slowly add the cooked sago (tapioca Pearls) and stir. Simmer until slowly bubbling.

Serve hot.

Make #TheRoyalChef your Thursday habit! I am on Instagram (@theroyalchefleebai) and twitter (@royalchefeats). Blog: theroyalchefeats.wordpress.com

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ENTERTAINMENT

GMA Pinoy TV kicks off Europe caravan with Solenn Heussaff K A P U S O AUDIENCES across Europe are guaranteed to have a thrilling February as actress and host Solenn Heussaff sets out for London, Rome, Paris and Copenhagen in a series of exciting events in celebration of Kapuso Month.

The European caravan is staged by GMA’s flagship international channel GMA Pinoy TV, in partnership with Lyca TV, one of the largest ethnic content providers in the world, along with Prismworks Productions and local community organizers.

Solenn, who co-hosts the GMA lifestyle show Taste Buddies with Iya Villania, is primed to entertain her kababayan across the continent with vibrant performances alongside local Filipino talents. Fans of the multi-talented star, who has two music albums and a number of hosting recognitions to her name, will also have the

opportunity to meet her up close after each show in the four key cities.

The European caravan begins in the United Kingdom as Solenn says “Hello, London!” on February 12. The show, held in cooperation with the European Network of Filipino Diaspora (ENFiD), will open at 6:00PM at the Holiday Inn Bloomsbury, Coram Street, London WC1N

1HT, United Kingdom.

GMA Pinoy TV brings the fun over to Italy the next day as Solenn greets her fans with “Ciao, Rome!” on February 13. In partnership with Dreamers, the show begins at 6:00PM and will be held at the Sala Ouverture Roma, Via Tripoli 22, Rome, Italy.

Truly the station with a heart, GMA celebrates the day of love with

Solenn, who is of FilipinoFrench descent, as she graces the “Handog 2016: PhilippineParis Ball,” a black tie event that honors outstanding Filipino youth, entrepreneurs, c o m m u n i t y organizations and businesses on February 14. The ball starts at 7:00PM at the Club Haussmman on 23 Rue Taitbout, Paris, France.

The last stop on the European journey is Denmark, where Solenn says “Hej, Copenhagen” to Kapuso fans in the country on February 16. In cooperation with the Filipino Danish Center, the show opens at 6:00PM and will be staged at the Sankt Annæ Kiŗke, Dronning Elisabeths Allé 3, DK2300, Copenhagen S., Denmark.

Don’t miss the exciting festivities with Solenn Heussaff in Europe brought to you

by GMA Pinoy TV, Lyca TV and Prismworks Productions.

For ticket information, please call 07903547676

or email enfid.org@ gmail.com (London), +39 328 492 3701 (Rome), +3362 860 0385 (Paris) and 0045 285 55180 (Copenhagen).

Be updated with the latest Kapuso news and entertainment by subscribing to GMA’s three international channels – GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV and GMA News TV International – which are available

across various platforms in over 16 countries across Europe through Lyca TV. To subscribe, you may call 0203 318 2004 (London, UK), 024 792 1666 (Rome, Italy), 097 518 0123 (Paris, France) or 078 77 2943 (Copenhagen, Denmark), and visit www.gmapinoytv.com and www.lycatv.tv for details.

GMA Network keeps nationwide ratings leadership in January BROADCAST LEADER GMA Network welcomed 2016 in a position of strength as it continued to rule in nationwide TV ratings in January, according to the industry’s most trusted ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

Driven by its lead in the daytime blocks, GMA garnered 37.5 percent in NUTAM (National Urban Television Audience Measurement) in January (with the dates of January 24 to 31 based on overnight readings), up 2.2 points from ABS-CBN’s 35.3 percent and up 29.3 points from TV5’s 8.2 percent.

GMA also continued to be the most watched channel across all timeblocks in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila, where most of the urban TV households are found. Urban Luzon accounts for 77 percent, while Mega Manila increased its urban population share to 60 percent effective January 2016.

In Urban Luzon, GMA posted a total day audience share of 42.5

percent, higher than ABS-CBN’s 30.1 percent by 12.4 points and TV5’s 7.4 percent by 35.1 points.

The Kapuso Network was also largely ahead in Mega Manila with 44 percent, leading ABS-CBN’s 27.4 percent by 16.6 points and TV5’s 7.8 percent by 36.2 points.

Compared to its rival ABS-CBN, more Kapuso programs entered the top 30 programs (including specials) list in NUTAM, Urban Luzon and Mega Manila.

The reality sitcom Pepito Manaloto took the top spot in Urban Luzon; while multiawarded news magazine program Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho emerged number one in Mega Manila and led the list of Kapuso shows in NUTAM. Magpakailanman, Eat Bulaga, Marimar, 24 Oras, Ismol Family, Sunday Pinasaya, and Little Nanay also ranked among the topperforming programs in January.

Completing the list are Because of You, That’s My Amboy, Celebrity Bluff, Wowowin, 24 Oras Weekend, The Half Sisters, Karelasyon,

Kapuso Primetime Cinema, Vampire Ang Daddy Ko, IMBG 20 I Am Bubble Gang, Wish I May, Wanted: President, Buena Familia and i-Witness.

Nielsen has a nationwide urban sample size of 2,000 homes; while in Mega Manila, it increased its sample size to 1,200 homes effective this year.

As the leading ratings service provider, Nielsen TV Audience Measurement service boasts a total of 31 clients/subscribers including 8 local TV networks, 4 regional clients, 2 blocktimers, and 17 media agencies.

GMA subscribes to Nielsen along with TV5 and Aksyon TV, CNN Philippines, Net 25, Ebiquity-Faulkner CBN Asia and TAPE Inc., and major advertising and media agencies such as Dentsu Aegis Network (Carat, Mediaforce Vizeum, Dentsu), GroupM (Mediacom, Mindshare, MEC and Maxus), Omnicom Media Group (OMD, PHD and M2M), Zenith Optimedia, and Starcom Mediavest.

February 3-4, 2016

LAKBAY2LOVE Dennis Trillo, Solenn Heussaff PG

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

EVERYTHING ABOUT HER Vilma Santos, Angel Locsin, Xian Lim PG

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

THE REVENANT Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy R16

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

13 HOURS/ *THE BOY James Badge Dale, John Krasinski/ *Lauren Cohan, Rupert Evans R13/*R13

12:00 | 3:00 LFS / *6:00 | 8:00 | 10:00 LFS

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FOOD URBANISSIMO A1

and five-spice. Another favourite of mine was the Lechon Macau. Made using pork belly, the Lechon Macau’s balance of crisp skin, tender meat, and fat literally melts in the mouth.

“We wanted to stay true to the recipes of the dishes,” said Vikings’ Corporate Executive Chef Anthony “Anton” Abad.

“That is why we do all the dishes in-house with quality ingredients.”

Main dishes are composed of all-time favourites such as Garlic Crab, Boiled Shrimp, Salted Pork Belly, Beef Hofan, and Salted Fish Fried Rice.

There are also new twists to old favourites such as Roasted Fried Chicken, Fat Choi Patotim (stewed duck done Pata Tim style), and Steamed Parrot Fish with Peanut and Kinchay in Light Soy Sauce.

The Steamed Parrot Fish was a surprise. Normally used for grilling, the steamed parrot fish was firm and meaty yet delicately flavoured which reminded me of steamed lapu-lapu. The addition of peanut and kinchay as well as the light soy sauce added a fragrant note to the fish dish, which is a must in any Lunar New Year spread.

Tempura style tikoy.

Fried Roast Chicken.

Serving the garlic crab.

Salted Pork Belly.

Desserts featured are sweet and tart Mango Pomelo Sago cold soup and the traditional buchi filled with mung bean paste. The quintessential star of the Chinese new Year table, the tikoy or glutenous rice cake takes on a new form as the chefs from Vikings serves it up tempura style with a crispy airy batter covering the

warm, soft, sticky and not too sweet rice cake.

Aside from the special Lunar New Year dishes, diners at Vikings can still enjoy the many other stations of Davao City’s biggest buffet. Individuals who are born in the Year of the Monkey and who dine at Vikings on February 8 get a free weekday lunch certificate.

Buchi

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Phl again posts gains in economic freedom

T ABOITIZ REPOWERS NONA-STRICKEN AREAS. The Aboitiz Group ramped up its relief initiatives in Typhoon Nona-stricken areas by deploying technical teams to lead re-electrification efforts in Oriental Mindoro and Sorsogon.

Aboitiz repowers Nona-hit Oriental Mindoro, Sorsogon

T

HE AboitizPower Distribution Utilities Group (DU), together with the Aboitiz Foundation, stepped up its reconstruction efforts in Oriental Mindoro and Sorsogon, deploying technical teams to lead re-electrification efforts in the two provinces following the onslaught of Typhoon Nona in December 2015.

In Oriental Mindoro, three Visayan Electric Co., Inc. (VECO) teams assisted Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (ORMECO)

in fixing over 35 kilometers of 13.2-kilovolt lines, secondary lines, and service wires in Calapan City and the municipalities of Victoria and Naujan. Forty-five transformer units and several customers’ electric meters were also energized there.

In Magallanes, Sorsogon, Davao Light and Power Co., Inc. (Davao Light) teams assisted Sorsogon I Electric Cooperative (SORECO 1) in fixing poles, wires, and transformers, as well as re-energizing customers’ me-

ters.

“Nearly a month after Typhoon Nona struck, many provinces still find themselves without power. We are working hard to ensure that we are able to rebuild these communities and bring back stable and reliable power to those who need it,” AboitizPower Distribution Vice President-Engineering Group Raul Lucero said.

In December 2015, the Aboitiz Group allotted P2 million for relief efforts for 1,000

families affected by Typhoon Nona in Oriental Mindoro.

“The Aboitiz Group continues its efforts to extended much-needed help to our kababayans affected by Typhoon Nona. Through the efforts of our partners and various Aboitiz team members, we will work hard to ensure that brighter days are ahead for the people of Oriental Mindoro and Sorsogon,” said Sonny Carpio, Aboitiz Foundation Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

resentatives from the Department of Trade and Industry held a branding and selling workshop.

Several seminars on animal husbandry and nutrition, including a cooking competition and cooking demos by Mahalin Pagkaing Atin Ambassador Chef Boy Logro, were also held, where the different flavors of Caraga were showcased using pork dishes.

The Mahalin Pagkaing Atin-Caraga Pork Festival forms part of Pilmico’s Mahalin Pagkaing Atin program, a campaign introduced in mid-2014 that aims to promote sustainable entrepreneurship through local produce and instill a “pride of product,

pride of place” mindset for both farmers and local consumers, thus enabling operators to maximize profit without passing through middlemen.

During these campaigns, Pilmico donates piglets and egg machines, which consist of a complete kit of pens containing 48 sixmonth-old ready-to-lay hens and rearing cages with built-in feeding trough, waterer, and one month worth of feeds.

Pilmico held its Mahalin Pagkaing Atin program in Butuan City last November 2014, where 450 piglets were donated to deserving beneficiaries. These donations enabled local farmers to sustain

their livelihood through an easyto-manage business with a quick return on investment, despite the threats of poverty, tragedy, or conflict.

To date, the results of Mahalin Pagkaing Atin have been truly encouraging. Nationwide, Pilmico— through the funding of the Aboitiz Foundation, the corporate foundation of the Aboitiz Group—has already donated a total of 796 piglets and 223 egg machines, as well as assisted 14 agri-posts where beneficiaries receive feedbags as restart-up capital. In addition, 411 families nationwide are benefitting from the Mahalin Pagkaing Atin program at present.

HE Philippines has scored anew in the area of “economic freedom,” being recognized internationally for the sustained improvement in the capacity of its citizens and investors to own properties, to generate income, to consume goods and services, and to do business.

In the 2015 Index of Economic Freedom, an annual global survey conducted by US-based think tank Heritage Foundation, the ranking of the Philippines leaped by six places to 70th out of 178 countries from the previous year’s 76th.

The Philippines is one of

the most improved countries over the past six years, with its global ranking jumping by a total of 45 notches since 2010.

The latest global ranking of the Philippines was made possible by its latest score of 63.1 points out of 100 points, better than the 62.2 points recorded the previous year.

With the latest score, Heritage Foundation describes economic freedom in the Philippines as “moderately free.”

“The Philippine economy has been growing steadily at an average annual rate above 6 percent the past five years.

The government has pursued

F PHL, 10

Pilmico stages pork festival in Butuan

CABANTIAN PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX. The Cabantian Public Safety Complex, which includes police, fire, and 911 stations, was recently inspected by Davao City Administrator Jesus Melchor Quitain. The complex, donated by Alsons Development and Investment Corporation (ALSONS DEV) to the city government of Davao, is slated to be completed this March. In attendance were Central 911 Administrative Officer Philip Henry Ilagan (rightmost), Design Consultant

Source: Heritage Foundation

P

ILMICO, the food subsidiary of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc., is kicking off 2016 in high gear as it stages the Mahalin Pagkaing Atin-Caraga Pork Festival as part of the company’s ongoing sustainable entrepreneurship program across the country.

The event, organized in partnership with Winrock International-PCCP-COP, was held last January 29 at Big Daddy’s Convention Center in Butuan City and was targeted toward the region’s local farmers and entrepreneurs.

Dan Guhdal of Winrock International and Norie Bermudez, Pilmico Vice President-Feed Sales addressed the festival, while rep-

Architect Patrick Tan (fifth from right), BFP Assistant Regional Director for Administration Senior Superintendent Alladin Guiomala (sixth from the right), ALSONS DEV AGM for Operations Luis Conrado de Jesus (seventh from the right), BFP District Fire Marshall Superintendent Carlos T. Duenas (eighth from right), PNP Buhangin Station Commander Police Chief Inspector Alfredo Miguel (tenth from right), and the rest of the project team.

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New malware targets Android users

K

ASPERSKY Lab’s Anti-Malware Research team has discovered a new malware that targets Android users for financial gain.

When first identified, Asacub displayed all the signs of an information stealing malware; however, some versions of the Trojan are targeting users of online banking in Russia, Ukraine, and the US. With millions of people worldwide using their smartphones to pay for goods and services, 2015 saw cybercriminals exploit this by focusing their efforts on developing malicious financial programs for mobile devices.

For the first time, a mobile banking Trojan entered the Top-10 most prevalent malicious programs targeting finances. The Asacub Trojan is yet another example of this worrying trend.

The first version of the Asacub Trojan, discovered in June 2015, was capable of stealing the contact lists, browser history, list of installed apps, sending SMS messages to given numbers

and also blocking the screen of an infected device – all standard functions for a typical information stealing Trojan.

However, in autumn 2015 Kaspersky Lab’s experts discovered several new versions of the Asacub Trojan which confirmed its transformation into a tool for stealing money, with the new version equipped with phishing pages mimicking log-in pages of banking applications.

At first it looked like Asacub was targeting only Russian-speaking users, because the modifications contained fake log-in pages of Russian and Ukrainian banks.

But after further investigation, Kaspersky Lab’s experts found a modification with fake pages of a large US bank.

These new versions also contained a new set of functions including call redirection and sending USSD requests (a special service for interactive non-voice and non-SMS communications between the user and cellular provider), which made

Asacub a very powerful tool for financial fraud.

Although Kaspersky Lab has been aware of several different versions of the Trojan for some time, the company’s threat detection systems found almost no sign of active Asacub campaigns until the end of 2015.

Within just one week, Kaspersky Lab identified more than 6,500 attempts to infect users with the malware making it one of the 5 most popular mobile Trojans of that week, and the most popular Trojan-Banker.

“When analyzing this Trojan, we found that the Asacub malware has connections to criminals with links to a Windows-based spyware called CoreBot. The domain used by Asacub’s Command&Control center is registered to the same person as tens of domains that were used by Corebot. It is therefore highly likely that these two types of malware are being developed or used by the same gang, who see huge value and criminal gain

in exploiting mobile banking users,” Roman Unuchek Senior Malware Analyst at Kaspersky Lab USA warned.

“Based on current trends,

ing high-profile security breaches that often expose user login and password details.

According to the 2014-2015 Cybercrime Report released by the Department of Justice, there were a total of 614 cybercrime cases reported in 2014, a 113 percent increase from the previous year. The majority of the incidents reported were cases of Internet fraud, constituting 22 percent of all incidents logged for that year, as well as identity theft (9 percent), and credit card fraud (1 percent).

In a separate report by security software firm Kaspersky Lab, it was revealed that 9 out of 10 Filipinos are vulnerable to phishing – or the attempt to acquire sensitive information such as usernames and password through a fake site – as only 11 percent of the respondents in their survey were able to successfully identify a safe webpage.

These issues have given rise to the need for a more simple and secure way to access services. Mobile Connect provides a “two-factor authentication” service whereby identification of users is by means of the combination of two different components. These components may be something that the user knows – their PIN or a one-time

code – and something that the user possesses - their mobile phone.

“With the spate of cybercrimes occurring over the years, Smart, by joining the GSMA’s Mobile Connect initiative, aims to help users ensure that their identities and sensitive informa-

tion are always protected whenever they log on to their accounts online,” Limcaoco added.

Smart will be one of the first mobile operators around the world to deploy the GSMA solution. The telco is also the first to test such a service within its mobile network in the Philippines.

Smart joins global initiative to secure online log-ins

T

O help protect subscribers from the increasing number of scams and fraudulent activities online, PLDT mobile subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. has joined a global initiative led by GSMA, a worldwide mobile industry group.

The GSMA’s Mobile Connect service enables users to create and manage a universal identity that will securely authenticate them and allow them to safely access mobile and digital services such as e-commerce, banking, health and digital entertainment, as well as e-government portals, via their mobile phones, (www.mobileconnect.io).

“The unique advantage of Mobile Connect is that it is secure and private,” explained Mellissa Limcaoco, Innovation and Product Development Group Head at Smart. “Logging in through your social networks or online accounts may be convenient, but users are not made fully aware about the safety and privacy of their data being exchanged between the two services. Mobile Connect was created to address this persistent problem.”

Mobile Connect is designed to simplify consumers’ lives by offering a single, trusted, mobile phone-based authentication solution that addresses the vulnerability of online passwords, while also respecting online privacy. Users only need to enter their mobile number in order to access a Mobile Connect-enabled online service.

They don’t need to remember any passwords, since they would be able to verify their identities by entering a PIN sent through their mobile phone – a device which is almost always in their possession.

Combating cybercrime The initiative aims to address a pervasive problem with securing online accounts follow-

we can assume that in 2016, the development and prevalence of mobile banking malware will continue to grow and account for an even

greater share of malware attacks. Users need to be extra vigilant to ensure they don’t become the next victim,” he added.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 223 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

13

FOR IMMEDIATE HIRING A leading distributor of Irrigation System, Agricultural Machinery, Generator and Heavy Equipment immediately needs sales personnel to complement its staff, with the following qualifications: 1. Licensed Agricultural Engineers or Licensed Mechanical Engineers; 2. Male or female, 24-35 years old; 3. Background knowledge or sales experience in agricultural machinery, irrigation system, generators or heavy equipment is an advantage; 4. Must be willing to travel within the island of Mindanao.

Interested applicants should submit application letter, bio-data and transcript of records to:

INTERNATIONAL HEAVY EQUIPMENT CORPORATION

Km. 7 McArthur Highway, Bangkal, Davao City Tel. Nos.: 285-0685; 297-5851 Fax No.: 2975849 Email add: info@ihecdavao.com, info@ihec.com.ph

14 CLASSIFIEDS

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All set in 5th Notre Dame Cup

E

VERYTHING is now set for the much-awaited 5th Notre Dame Cup golf tournament this Saturday, Feb. 6 at the Apo Golf and Country Club.

“The fabulous prizes and giveaways are now ready. We’re expecting more than 100 players,” said tournament director Atty. Dan Calica.

This 18-hole individual tournament is open to everyone with a registration fee or ticket pegged at only P1,500 per player, which entitles the participant to several giveaways, including a dri-fit shirt and Pepsi products, one practice round and free green fee on the actual tournament, lunch and participation in the raffle.

Tickets are now available at the AGCC front desk.

Fabulous prizes will be given to the over-all champion, lowest gross score, champion, Class A, B and C champions, first and second runners-up. A 32-inch LED TV is the hole-in-one prize.

Alumni and students of the Ateneo and Notre Dame will also compete in the Ateneo v. Notre Dame Golf Duel during the event. The 5th Notre Dame Cup is an annual golf tourney organized by Batch 85 – Notre Dame of Kidapawan for Boys and Girls HS Alumni Association, Inc. and Batch 86 – Notre Dame of Kidapawan for Boys and Girls.

It is a charity fun golf tournament aimed to raise funds for its socio-civic programs and projects.

Participants may pre-register if they want to also join the Ateneo ver-

sus Notre Dame Golf Duel at the Apo Golf Front Desk c/o Grace Solis (09228922955) or they may send an email toateneovnotredamegolf@yahoo.com.

Interested participants may also register with their respective Team Captains and representatives. Dr. Ferdie Pascua is the team captain of Ateneo while Notre Dame skipper is Engr.

Danilo Robles.

Ateneo golf players may also contact Darius Gloriani at 09209549129 while Notre Dame players may contact Gary Santiago at 09202485252.

The winner of the Ateneo v. Notre Dame Golf Duel will receive the team trophy and bragging rights until the 6th Notre Dame Cup. The organizers will also give a special award to the winning team.

Tournament director Atty. Dan Calica (left) shakes the hand of Karloz Juan Alba, general manager of the Apo Golf and Country Club, venue of the 5th Notre Dame Cup golf tournament slated on Feb. 6. Contributed photo

Roach:‘I don’t think this is Pacquiao’s last fight’

M

ANNY Pacquiao seems firm on his decision to retire after he fights Tim Bradley on April 9 but Freddie Roach, his trainer, isn’t so sure.

“A lot depends on whether he becomes a senator or not,” Roach said at the Wild Card Boxing Club on Tuesday, referring to Pacquiao’s planned run at a senate seat in the Philippines later this year. “If he doesn’t win the senate race, what will he do? Does he go back to being a congressman?

Being a congressman and a boxer is OK. Being a senator and boxer may be a little too much. …

“I do know Manny well, though. He would love to be the senator who defended his title someday. I don’t think this is his last fight for some reason. I just don’t see it because he has a lot left in him. His work ethic is still great. I’d be disappointed if this was his last fight. I’ve been

Lakers main man Kobe Bryant makes 10 of 21 field goal attempts. AP

with him a long time, we had a great run. I’ll support whatever he does.”

Roach went on: “So far he says he’s going to retire no matter what. I might be the one that hopes something happens, maybe Floyd (Mayweather Jr.) one more time. He’d be healthy and do much better than the first time. I was very disappointed with the first fight.

I know Manny can do much better than that. I would love to see that fight one more time.”

Roach acknowledges that Pacquiao, 37, has slipped to some degree but remains formidable.

“I think he’s still 80 percent of what he was when he was at his best,” he said. “He’s still up there, he still really works hard, he still has a lot of speed. I think religion gets in the way a little bit. He doesn’t want to hurt people sometimes. He tells me all he has to do is outpoint them.

Bryant helps Lakers arrest 10-game skid Sharapova tops Serena off the court

K

OBE Bryant hit seven 3-pointers while scoring a season-high 38 points, and the Los Angeles Lakers snapped their 10-game losing streak with a 119-115 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night (Wednesday, Manila time).

Lou Williams scored 20 points for the Lakers, who avoided the longest losing streak in the 16-time champion franchise’s history despite blowing a 16-point lead in the second half. Los Angeles had lost 10 straight for the first time since 1994.

Bryant took charge with a vintage performance in his

farewell season, repeatedly scoring from the perimeter in the Lakers’ first win since Jan. 12.

After Minnesota took the lead in the waning minutes, Bryant put the Lakers back ahead with dramatic back-toback 3-pointers.

He also drained a 19-footer with 26 seconds last to put them up 113-110.

Bryant hit six free throws in the last 16.7 seconds. He scored 14 of the Lakers’ 18 points in the final 5:02, evoking memories of the best years for the third-leading scorer in NBA history.

Andrew Wiggins scored 30 points and led an impres-

sive second-half surge by the Timberwolves, who have lost five straight and 16 of 18.

Gorgui Dieng scored 19 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns had 14 points and nine rebounds.

Wiggins made a turnover with 17 seconds left after Bryant’s big jumper, and Bryant salted away the game at the line amid countless chants of his name from nostalgic fans.

Rookie D’Angelo Russell had 18 points for the Lakers.

The Timberwolves played without injured Kevin Martin, Nikola Pekovic and Kevin Garnett, whose sore right knee robbed him of his last chance to suit up against Bryant during their two parallel

decades in the NBA. The Lakers met Garnett’s Celtics in the 2008 and 2010 NBA Finals.

Several Lakers have said they didn’t pay attention to the history behind their streak, but they came out against Minnesota seemingly determined to end it.

Los Angeles roared to a 16-point lead while scoring a season-high 39 points in the second quarter. The surge was led by Bryant and Russell, who was chosen right behind Towns last summer with the No. 2 pick in the draft.

The Lakers still led by 16 late in the third, but Minnesota went ahead on Zach LaVine’s layup with 5:16 to play.

W

HILE Russian Tennis superstar Maria Sharapova was beaten by top rival Serena Williams on18th match in a row, allowing her to reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open 6-4, 6-1 Tuesday last week, she’s got nothing to be upset about when it comes to her overall earnings inside and outside of the court.

Sharapova was ranked first among sportswomen, in an annual list by Forbes magazine.

The her total earnings of a whooping $29.7 million from June 2014 until June 2015.

These figures were accumulated earnings out of her endorsements and prize money as she takes on her 11th consecutive year in the survey.

Sharapova and Williams will always bump heads not

just only in the court but also in the eyes of the public and media as the two tennis sensations were compared to each other, especially on who gets more out of the court.

And the result? Sharapova slamming Williams with $29.7 million compared to her rival whose net worth amounts only to $24.6 million out of the three titles she won in the 2015 Grand Slam.

Despite Sharapova being the crowd favourite, Williams still has not been dethroned yet in her reign as champion in women’s singles.

Meanwhile, Williams is currently looking for her 22nd major singles title and has a 8-0 head-to-head record against Agnieszka Radwanska in semi-finals according to a report by The Guardian.

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 223 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2016