Edge Davao 8 Issue 85 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

VOL. 8 ISSUE 85 • THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2015

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INSIDE EDGE

Military denies claim soldier raped lumad P2 Zarate to Aquino: Get real P3

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

CLEAN SNAKE. A caretaker plays with a Green Tree Python on his arm after giving it a bath to shed its old skin. Photo taken at the Davao City Recreation Center yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

UNFAIR PROBE Military hits SP on Paquibato murder investigation By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

N official of the 10th Infantry Division yesterday said it was unfair for the Davao City City Council to recommend the transfer a ground commander and his troops over the June 14 incident in Paradise Embac, Paquibato District. 10th ID spokesperson 1st Lieutenant Alexandre Cabales said the councilors made the

recommendation even though they had not heard the side of the soldiers, who have been identified as First Lieutenant Christopher Santos and his troops. Cabales said they still stand on their original statement that the June 14 incident was a legitimate encounter between the military and the New People’s Army (NPA).

The incident happened before dawn on June 14 when three men were killed by members of the 69th Infantry Battalion. The military has claimed the three -- identified as Datu Ruben Enlog, Randy Carnasa and Ologario Quimbo -- were members of the NPA and were killed in a legitimate operation.

But peasant leader Aida Seisa claimed that the three were guests in her daughter’s birthday celebration. The City Council called for an investigation after the incident. Cabales said the City Council can file cases against their soldiers as long as they have evidence to support their

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EDGEDAVAO Sports Daddy to caddy for Ella Sports P16

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 85 • THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2015

DRAINAGE REHAB. Construction workers cut off a portion of the road at the junction of Pelayo and Palma Gil Streets using a concrete saw machine as part of Davao City’s drainage system rehabilitation program. Lean Daval Jr.

Reb killed by own IED

N unidentified member of New People’s Army (NPA) was killed after being hit by his own improvised explosive device (IED) in Maco, Compostela Valley province on Tuesday. The Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) said the incident happened in Purok 1, Barangay Panibasan at around 3:30 a.m. on July 28. The EastMinCom report said the rebel was about to plant the IED when he accidentally detonated the bomb. 1001st Infantry Brigade Commander Colonel Casiano Monilla condemned the use and manufacture of IEDs

because they can also harm innocent civilians and destroy properties. Meanwhile, the military said the NPA also attacked and burned the advanced post of the Monggos Security Agency of APEX Mining Company in Sitio Lumanggang, New Leyte on July 26, 2015. The rebels allegedly abducted two personnel of APEX mining but released them after burning a backhoe. The soldiers from 46th IB and police officers immediately responded to the incident and launched pursuit operations. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

PRO 11 to strengthen screening of applicants

OLICE Regional Office (PRO) 11 deputy regional director Senior Superintendent Aaron Aquino yesterday admitted that some applicants who have previous involvement in illegal drug activities manage to enter the police force. Speaking in yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum, Aquino said this is why PRO 11 will intensify its counter-intelligence on applicants and even police officers. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte had earlier said there are some police officers in the city who serve as protectors of illegal drug operators. “I’ve already talked to the Intelligence Group and we will strengthen our counter-intelligence,” Aquino said. He said police have tried

to verify reports of officers involved in drugs but have found nothing. Aquino said the proposed intensification of intelligence will help police identify which police officers are involved in illegal drugs activities. He also said those who are verified to be involved in drugs will be dismissed from the services. “The usual tendency is that police officers who are reported as being involved in illegal drugs are only transferred to other units or stations where they can still continue their illegal activities,” he said. Aquino said PRO-11 is now investigating a police officer whose service firearm was found during the arrest of an alleged drug pusher in the

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Military denies claim soldier raped Lumad By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

0TH Infantry Division spokesperson First Lieutenant Alexandre Cabales yesterday denied allegations that a soldier had raped a young Lumad girl who later evacuated to the Haran compound of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) in Davao City. In a press conference yesterday, Cabales said there is no police blotter report to support the claims of progressive group Pasaka that a soldier had raped a 14-year-old girl prior to her family’s evacuation.

The girl had been the center of controversy after militant groups claimed she and her mother were whisked away from the Haran compound on July 23 and made to board a police vehicle during a “rescue operation” for Lumads who had been staying there for weeks due to alleged militarization in Talaingod. Police have claimed the girl and her mother escaped from the compound. The two are now at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). “There was no blotter re-

port, no evidences that will prove their (militant groups) claim, so we in the military, we definitely deny that there was a rape incident,” Cabales said. He added that the story was made up by militant groups to cover up the reason behind the escape of the child and her mother. But Senior Superintendent Aaron Aquino, the head of the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Haran, said they will investigate the matter even without a blotter report. Aquino said they will try to talk to the child and her

mother regarding the alleged rape. “We will investigate the claim that she was raped, with or without a blotter report.” he said. For his part, Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte in a telephone interview said the girl had claimed she had been previously raped. He added, however, that there is no evidence yet to support the claim. The SITG was created following the commotion that occurred in UCCP Haran on Thursday last week which injured 12 individuals.

DSWD, NCIP and some tribal leaders and that was recorded in the blotter report of San Pedro Police Station,” Driz said. She also denied that protocol was violated because the DCPO was just performing its duties. Councilors Karlo S. Bello and Leah Librado had earlier said they noted a breach in protocol since the city government was not informed of the operation. “That is their prerogative to say that but on the part of

the police we were doing it in the performance of our duty as police officer,” Driz said. She said the police were not out to arrest the IPs but to rescue those who want to return home but were allegedly being held by some progressive groups. “I just want to clarify that we were just there to clear the way for the Lumads inside who want to go home,” she said. But, the IP group Kaluma-

No violation of protocol in Haran operation: DCPO

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

abf@edgedavao.net

HE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) yesterday clarified that it launched an operation on Indigenous People (IPs) staying at the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP)-Haran Compound not at the behest of North Cotabato Rep. Nancy Catamco but because of a request made by some tribal leaders, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP).

Speaking in yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps Media Forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, DCPO spokesperson Senior Inspector MilgraceDriz said representatives of the DSWD and the NCIP, along with some tribal leaders, had gone to San Pedro Police Station requesting assistance because some of the IPs wanted to go home but were being prevented by militant groups. “It was not the order of congresswoman Catamco but there was a request from

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House resumes BBL interpellation Aug 4 T

HE House of Representatives will resume the interpellation period for House Bill 5811, the substitute bill to the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) on Tuesday, August 4, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on the BBL, told MindaNews Tuesday. Before Congress adjourned sine die late evening of June 10, only eight of 38 representatives who had signed up had completed their interpellation of the sponsors of HB 5811 or what the Committee refers to as the Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BLBAR). At the Senate, Senator Ferdinand Marcos, chair of the Committee on Local Government, has yet to submit his substitute bill to SB 2408, the draft BBL crafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC). Marcos last month vowed to submit his substitute bill before the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July

27, claiming the draft BBL in its present form and substance would “lead us to perdition.” He told reporters at the sidelines of President’s SONA at the House of Representatives on July 27, that he would submit the substitute bill “probably next week.” Later in the interview, Marcos said, “We’re trying it to get it done by next week, baka (maybe) the week after. Soon.” Marcos maintained that the problems the draft BBL are facing now “did not come from Congress.” ‘Not Congress’ fault’ “The problems of the BBL, whatever they may be, the delays that the BBL suffered … that was not Congress that caused those delays. So whatever you might say, delaying or that it was not properly attended to, we certainly do not feel alluded to because we have not stopped working at Congress for close to a year now,” Marcos said, according to the transcript of the interview posted

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PMA to accept walk-in applicants on exam day By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

abf@edgedavao.net

HE Philippine Military Academy (PMA) will accept walk-in applications even on the examination day on Sunday. This was the announcement of PMA Entrance Exam Davao City chief proctor Major Sonny Gonzales in yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps Media Forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel. “We would like to invite the youth of Davao City and Davao Province to take the PMA entrance exam on August 2 at the University of Mindanao Bolton Campus,” Gonzales said. He said applicants who were not able to register online

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can go on August 1 and 2 to the UM gymnasium. Gonzales also said the PMA has now changed the height requirements of males from 5’4” to 5’, which is now equal to that of female applicants. He said the PMA changed the height requirements because the administration noted that there was low turn-out of examinees. Gonzales said applicants should be natural-born Filipino citizens, physically fit, of good moral character, single and never been married, at least high school graduate, and with no administrative or

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NO RAPE. Philippine Army 10th Infantry Division spokesman Lieutenant Alex Cabales (left) denies allegations that a girl who “escaped” with her mother from the UCCP Haran at the height of the tension between the authorities and Lumads and their support groups last week had earlier

been raped by a soldier. Cabales and Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 deputy regional director for operations Senior Superintendent Aaron Aquino (right) graced yesterday’s AFP-PNP press corps media briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel. Lean Daval Jr.

Zarate to Aquino: Get real B

AYAN Muna Partylist Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate yesterday disputed President Benigno Aquino’s claims of gains in the country’s economy in his final State of the Nation Address (SONA), saying the President “should snap back to reality.” “The SONA was like a twohour daydreaming narrative made by the President,” Zarate said in a statement. Zarate, who is from Davao City, was among the Makabayan bloc members of Congress who booed the President after his SONA and held up placards denouncing his administration. “It was a dream where the country was supposedly prosperous, development was creeping into the long-forgotten rural cities and the bad

guys at bay in prisons. Pero ngayong umaga, gumising tayo sa parehong miserableng kalagayan (But this morning, we woke up to the same miserable conditions),” he said. “Aquino and his spin doctors can paint the rosiest picture of the state of the nation, but the people, particularly the ever growing poor majority, can no longer be fooled. Every day, the people are hounded by worsening hunger, poverty, and indignity from the moment they wake up until they rest their weary bodies from low paying work at night,” he added. Zarate said the credit ratings Aquino had boasted about in the SONA are not felt by the ordinary Filipino. “No matter what label they come up with, like ‘Asia’s

Rising Tiger,’ ‘Asia’s Rising Star,’ and ‘Asia’s Bright Spot,’ they cannot hide the fact that families cannot earn enough for their needs. The minimum wage is being kept at P481 in the National Capital Region (NCR) while the cost of decent living in the capital has skyrocketed to P1,088,” he said. “For all the stars given by credit agencies to the Aquino government, wage increase in the past five years has only averaged P62 to P77. Wage increase is even smaller in the regions,” he added. “Region 4-B only received an additional P11, while the country’s poorest region, ARMM, received P28,” he said. Zarate said the country’s richest families are the only ones benefitting from the economic growth under the

Shellfish ban up in DavOr, 3 others

BEAT THE HEAT. A street sweeper uses an umbrella hat to protect herself from extreme afternoon heat along San Pedro Street yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Aquino administration. “The oligarchs have quadrupled, tripled, or doubled their wealth in the stretch of the Aquino administration. It is revealing of whom the Aquino administration has served the past five years,” he said. He said according to the independent think-tank Ibon Foundation, the wealth of the 10 richest Filipinos is up by 250 percent, from P630 billion in 2010 to P2.2 trillion in 2015. “The growth Aquino crows about is still highly dependent on capricious foreign investment, not hard industries. We still export raw materials, and a large chuck of this are from large-scale foreign mining that wreaks havoc to our people, environment, and patrimony,” Zarate said. JON JOAQUIN

HE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources on Wednesday said shellfish collected from the waters at Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental; coastal waters of Dauis, Bohol; Irongirong Bay and Canbatutay Bay in Western Samar; and the coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate remain positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond regulatory limits. In its Shellfish Bulletin NO. 19 issued July 24, BFAR said all types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered from such areas are not safe for human consumption. Fish, squid, shrimps and crab are however safe to eat as long as they are fresh and washed thoroughly and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking. Meanwhile, the coastal waters of Mandaon in Masbate are now free of red tide toxins. In the meantime, BFAR

said that the following areas remain free from toxic red tide: Coastal waters of Cavite, Las Piñas, Navotas, Parañaque, Bulacan and Bataan (Mariveles, Limay, Orion, PIlar, Balanga, Orani, Abucay and Samal) in Manila Bay; Coastal water of Bolinao, Anda, Alaminos, Sual, and Wawa, Bani in Pangasinan; Masinloc Bay in Zambales; Juag Lagoon in Matnog and Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon; Honda and Puerto Bays in Pueto Princesa City and Inner Malampaya Sound in Taytay, Palawan; Coastal water of Pilar, President Roxas, Panay, Roxas City, Irisan and Sapian in Capiz; Batan Bay in Aklan; Gigantes Island in Carles, Iloilo waters; Coastal waters of E.B. Magalona, Ponteverda, Pulupandan, Villadolid, Talisay City, Silay City, Bacolod City, Hinigaran, Cadiz City, Victorias City, Bago City, Binalbagan and

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4 SUBURBIA

VOL. 8 ISSUE 85 • THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2015

Muslim leaders call for passage of original BBL

NOURISHING GIFT. Tagum Cooperative chairperson Norma R. Pereyras leads the distribution of lugaw to patients’ relatives waiting at the Watchers Area of the Davao Regional Hospital (DRH) on July 22, 2015.

USLIM traditional leaders and Royal ladies of the Bangsamoro representing various sultanates in Mindanao have appealed for Congress to act on the passage of the agreed version of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). Traditional leaders have gathered Monday at Alnor Convention Center, Cotabato City and came up with a Manifesto calling on congress to immediately pass the agreed version of the BBL submitted by the Office of the President. “We are now worried, however, by the fact that the document crafted by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission and agreed upon by the Office of the President is now substituted with another version – HB 5811 – whose provisions are inconsistent with the CAB,” the manifesto said.

“There are also provisions that will inevitably result to a Bangsamoro government that is even less autonomous than the present ARMM,” it further said. “We want a basic law that will address the legitimate grievances of – and correct the historical injustices committed against – the Bangsamoro,” the manifesto signed by several representatives of sultanates in Mindanao. The gathering was organized by four local Civil Society Organizations, led by the Moro Women Development and Cultural Center, Inc. (MWDECC) together with Mindanao Action for Peace and Development Initiatives, Inc. (MAPAD); Kadtabanga Foundation for Peace and Development Advocates, Inc. (KFPDAI), and Bangsamoro Center for Justpeace in

Tagum Coop shares blessing Magnitude 4.8 quake with DRH patients’ relatives hits Sultan Kudarat T

AGUM Cooperative served hot porridge (lugaw) to patients’ relatives waiting at the Watchers Area of the Davao Regional Hospital (DRH) last July 22. Dubbed as Gugma ug Gasa Kanimo Higala, individuals who came from as far as San Francisco, Agusan del Sur and Cotabato benefitted from the simple yet nourish-

ing gift extended by Tagum Cooperative. “Despite the hardships that we experienced due to my brother’s hospitalization, we still see hope through the blessing we received,” one of the beneficiaries said. Tagum Cooperative officers came in full force to support the outreach program led by chairperson Norma R. Pereyras together with

DAR turns over P19.8-M road project in ComVal

ARMERS and residents of Compostela Valley are the latest beneficiary of the P19.8-million farm-to-market road project, under the Department of Agrarian Reform’s (DAR) support services projects. DAR Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes recently turned over to the local government the 2.892-kilometer concreted road which covers three Barangays, namely Linoan, Dauman and New Visayas, all in Montevista, Compostela Valley Province. De los Reyes said the completion of the road project would pave the way for provision of other basic services of the government like health, technology and transportation assistance to the three barangays. Some 6,000 residents of the three barangays can easily avail of those services now that the barangays are accessible. In his speech, De los Reyes stressed the key role of the government to alleviate the lives of the Filipinos.

“Unlike super heroes the government does not possess enough power to address the problems of every citizen. “The mandate of President Aquino is to finish what is supposed to be finished before his term ends. Both national and local government units should work harmoniously for the common good of the people,” De los Reyes said. In his acceptance message, Linoan barangay captain Joel B. Hara, said they are very happy and grateful for the realization of the project. He said that it is among the vital components that is badly need their community. “It’s a dream come true for us,” he added. The farm-to-market road was completed under the third phase of the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project (ARISP III). The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) co-financed the project under its official development assistance program with the Philippine government. (PNA)

the members of the Board of Directors (BOD), namely Miriam Baloyo, Fe Adlawan, EveliaSator, Edgardo Silagan, and NenitaMalbas with the OIC general, Vivelyn Fronteras. They also entertained the people in the Watchers Area through dance and song numbers. “It is our way of giving life to the seventh cooperative principle, Concern for the

Community, through reaching out to our less fortunate brothers and sisters” Pereyras said during the program. Tagum Cooperative’s outreach program will continue reaching out to public hospitals to serve lugaw and pan de sal to the sick and poor every first and third Wednesday of the month from July to September. Tagum Cooperative

ANG edukasyon ang isa ka bahandi nga among maikahatag sa among mga anak. Mao kini ang ilang bulawan nga dili makuha sa ilaha (Education is one treasure that we can give our children. This is their brand of gold that could not be taken away from them),” shares Elenita P. Lampera, 43, a mother of three and a Kalahi-CIDSS volunteer. Considering the remoteness of the village, it was a dream come true for the community of miners in Upper Ulip, Mt. Diwata when the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Kalahi-CIDSS PAMANA funded the construction of a Php 679,175.00 one-classroom high school building. Furnished with armchairs and blackboards, the classroom has concrete walls and painted inside and out. It now stands proud, right at the treacherous hills of Mt. Diwata because of the passion and cooperation of Kalahi-CIDSS volunteers.

tistical Coordination Board (NSCB) figure. “Our community here is dependent on gold. Small-scale mining has been our major industry since the 1980s,” said Lampera. Separated from Poblacion Monkayo with a 45-minute rough ride, one of the pressing needs of the community is a decent classroom building to accommodate the increasing number of high school enrollees who are presently using the barangay gymnasium as classroom. The people didn’t feel the pressure to have better classrooms until now because for a very long time, all they cared about was earning more and managing their livelihood as small scale miners.

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MAGNITUDE 4.8 earthquake hit the coastal towns of Sultan Kudarat province early Wednesday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said. Phivolcs said the epicenter of the 2:51 a.m. tremor was traced 134 kilometers southwest of Palimbang, a coastal town of Sultan Kudarat. No casualty or damaged to property was reported.

The quake, which was tectonic in origin, was 598 kilometers deep. Phivolcs said aftershocks are possible. Earlier, at 4:02 a.m. Tuesday, a magnitude 2.5 quake was recorded 53 kilometers west of South Upi in Maguindanao. Phivolcs said no casualty or damage to property was recorded and residents did not even feel the tremor. (PNA)

Barangay Captain Pedro J. Samillano, Sr said one of the reasons why people devote themselves into mining instead of aspiring to provide education to their children was that they felt neglected by the government. “Daghan naabot nga mga proyekto diri, pero dili kini mahuman-human tungod sa kalisud sa sitwasyon sa amoang barangay. Layo kini ug dakong kwarta ang kailanganon sa pagpadala sa mga materyales sa konstruksyon. (There were a lot of projects which were started here but they never got done. This is far and hardto-reach and hauling cost of construction materials is quite high).” Students hold their classes at the gym-turned school

building. A low-hanging makeshift ceiling made from recycled tarpaulins protects the students from the heat and rain since the gym is kind of open-sided covered court. “When the rain pours, students race to a dry corner and huddle until the rain stops,” Samillano said. Worse, the makeshift classrooms divided by a thin plywood don’t make learning as conducive as different levels of classroom clatters are impossible to contain, he added.

Education: The real gold in Mt. Diwata “

Need for a classroom A relatively cold and quiet mountain village with 1,000-meter high range and known for its rich gold ore deposits, Mt. Diwata has an estimated population of 40,000 people based on National Sta-

Enters Kalahi-CIDSS Kalahi-CIDSS or Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services is one of DSWD’s core

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The one-classroom high school building in Mt. Diwata built through DSWD Kalahi-CIDSS PAMANA.

5 ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 85 • THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2015

BPM firm expands to Davao By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

HIGH TECH INVESTMENTS. Information and Communication Technology (ICT)Davao vice president Lizabel Holganza announces that a foreign-based business process managing (BPM) firm plans to expand in Davao City and will initially employ 500 for both voice and non-voice once it becomes operational. Holganza made the

announcement during yesterday’s Club 888 at The Marco Polo, Davao where she and Business Process Ooutsourcing (BPO) Association of Davao, Inc. president Eric Manalastas (right) promoted the upcoming Livelihood Exchange Program 2015 set on August 19 to 22 at SM Lanang Premier’s SMX Convention Center. Lean Daval Jr.

ICT to pitch potential projects in CEO forum By VANESSA KATE MADRAZO, ADDU Intern

S part of the Chief Executive Officers’ Conference and Exhibit on August 19, the Information and Communications Technology Inc. (ICT) Davao will introduce potential projects which

the Philippines can spearhead under the Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-Eaga). “We’re looking forward to move beyond ideation,” Liza-

bel Holganza, event Director of the CEO Forum Livelihood Exchange Program 2015, said during the Club 888 media forum at the Marco Polo Davao yesterday. These projects include

understanding on infrastructure projects, particularly the ones that will enable better broadband internet communication. Holganza said they are

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FOREIGN-BASED business process managing (BPM) firm, formerly business process outsourcing (BPO), will occupy the first entire building of the Matina IT Park starting next month. “The firm will initially employ 500 for both voice and non-voice once it becomes operational,” Information and Communication Technology (ICT)Davao vice president Lizabel Holganza told reporters yesterday. But, the firm targets to employ an additional 1,000 more workers for both voice and non-voice toward the end of the year. There are presently 20,000 existing employees in the ICT sector of Davao. Holganza said the multinational firm focuses on providing medical and health IT services to its clients locally and abroad. The company will occupy the first seven-storey building at the Matina IT Park, which has a total area of 7,423 square me-

ters and an estimated project cost of around P100 million. The construction of the first phase began middle of 2013 and ended last year. For the second phase, the building will rise in a 2,000- square-meter area, while the third phase will have a total lot area of 1,500 square meters. All three buildings will have seven levels, with a combined lease area of 19,790 square meters. The Matina IT Park is a project of Plaza de Luisa Development Inc. Plaza de Luisa Development Inc. managing director Jason P. Huang earlier said the project will have a commercial and contact center purposes. The project also includes development of an ample parking areas to accommodate its tenants and their corresponding customers. The whole project of Matina IT Park, the biggest IT Park in Mindanao, is estimated to be finished by 2017.

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Sasa port project pre-qualification held Five companies submit PQ documents to DOTC

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

NLY five out of the six foreign and local companies have submitted pre-qualification (PQ) documents during yesterday’s opening of the screening of potential contractor for the highly controversial P17-billion Davao Sasa Port modernization project, the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) announced. “So far, five groups have submitted (PQ documents),” DOTC assistant secretary Jaime Fortunato A. Caringal told Edge Davao in a text message yesterday. The submission and evaluation of PQ documents was

scheduled 2 p.m. yesterday as posted in the Facebook page of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Center. Caringal, however, refused to disclose the name of firms which submitted their respective PQ documents for the first PPP project in Mindanao. But, a post at the PPP Center FB page named four of the firms that submitted PQ documents—the Asian Terminals Inc., French firm Bollore Africa Logistics, Portek International Pte. Ltd., San Miguel Corporation and its partner ATM Terminal and Razon-owned International Container Terminal Services

HE Davao ICT sector projected that the installation of the 5,092 kilometer Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines- East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Submarine Terrestrial (BEST) Cable System will lower the cost of bandwidth rate in the country. Pegged as one of the countries in the Asean that have the highest cost of internet connection yet still one of the slowest, ICT-Davao vice president Lizabel Holganza said the project will level the playing field among commercial internet providers. “The completion of the BEST cable system will provide an alternative to existing products provided by commercial internet providers,” Holganza said during the Club 888 media forum at The Marco Polo Davao yesterday. Holganza said the project will increase Mindanao’s competitiveness in its bid to

become an ICT investors’ haven and generate jobs in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The cable will be looped in ARMM, thus making the area viable for operation of business process management (BPM), formerly business process outsourcing (BPO), according to her. Holganza, however, said ARMM must have a statble peace and order in order to entice investors in the ICT sector and achieve inclusive growth. She added that the BEST cable system project should be tapped by Mindanao to improve its internet connection. Earlier, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) executive director Janet Lopoz said the project will hopefully lower the cost of internet in the country. Lopoz also said that the cable which has has an initial capacity of 2.4 terabytes per

Drop in bandwith rate cost expected T

Inc. (ICTSI). Caringal said he was not sure whether the sixth company will submit its PQ document. There were six firms which initially bougth pre-qualification documents for the Davao Sasa Port project. These are the San Miguel Corporation, Bollore, Davaobased Anflocor, Asian Terminals Inc., Netherlands-based global operator APMT and the Singapore-based Portek. Caringal said there will be no changes on the schedule set by the DOTC for the bidding of the project. Based on the timeline of DOTC, the release of invita-

tion to bid and draft of the concession agreement will be by next month, while the bid conference will be on September. The DOTC targets to conduct the bid submission and issuance of the Notice of Award by the end of this year. The start of the first phase of the construction is expected to commence by the first quarter of 2017 and to be completed in 2018, after 18 months of construction.The three phased construction will be completed by 2020. The project involves the expansion and modernization of the existing port, which includes the construction of a

RESCUE BOAT. With around 3,000 residents living in coastal barangay Sta. Ana in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, the newly-donated rescue boat from Aboitiz Power subsidiary Therma Marine, Inc. will not only serve to safeguard Sta. Ana’s marine sanctuary from illegal fishing, but it can also be used for search and rescue operations during emergency situations. Presently, the

new quay and installation of cranes, among others. DOTC said the “Sasa port will be comparable to the country’s top ports in terms of speed and quality of service, cutting down cargo unloading from three days to three hours by using modern ship-to-shore cranes and port operating systems.” DOTC Secretary Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya said in a statement that “a world-class Davao Sasa Port is needed to meet the rapid growth of the country’s export demand over the next few years.” “The modernization of the century-old Davao Sasa port will bring about more

vibrant trade, which will spur economic and social development across Mindanao,” Abaya said. Exporters will have more efficient operations and importers will have better logistics, according to Abaya. The same project was earlier opposed by the business sector and the city government of Davao because of its negative repercussion to both exporters and consumers because of the questionable P17-billion bid price. Both sectors are jointly calling for the suspension of the bidding process to give way on the possible conduct of further study.

two Therma Marine power barges in Nasipit, Agusandel Norte and Maco, Compostela Valley are providing 200 MW of dependable peaking power to Mindanao. It is one of the most efficient peaking power plants in the region and it is helping 23 customers--electric cooperatives and distribution utilities--by cutting brownouts in these areas significantly.

Megaworld to spend P20 billion Collaboration eyed for 12 Fort Bonifacio office towers FDROP, 10

on high value crops M T HE Department of Agriculture said the Philippines and Vietnam have agreed to collaborate on integrated pest management and exchange information on post-harvest technologies and processing in high-value crops, and also strengthen cooperation in the fisheries sector. Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said both parties agreed that their respective plant protection experts will meet and identify specific fruits and vegetables for export and determine the phytosanitary requirements. The agreement was made during the recent First Meeting of the Joint Agriculture Work-

ing Group between the two countries. The meeting was cochaired by Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning Orlan Calayag and Agriculture and Rural Development Vice Minister Vu Van Tam of Vietnam. According to the Secretary, the Philippines expressed interest in knowing more about the technologies on the control of the black pepper disease. He added, the Philippines and Vietnam agreed to effectively carry out the Memorandum of Agreement on Fisheries Cooperation signed by both counties in 2009. We aim to bolster a united effort in aquaculture, fisheries,

FCOLLABORATION, 10

EGAWORLD, the country’s biggest developer and lessor of office spaces, is opening 12 new office buildings in three of its four townships in the bustling Fort Bonifacio in the next three years. The company is spending P20-billion to construct these state-of-the-art towers, growing more than twice its current 300,000 square meters office space inventory in Fort Bonifacio alone by 2018. “We remain upbeat in maintaining our leadership as the biggest developer and lessor of office spaces in the country. By 2018, our total office space inventory in Fort Bonifacio alone will reach around650,000 square meters, still making us the leading office developer in this booming district,” Megaworld senior vice president Jericho

P. Go said. Four office towers are currently being built in Uptown Bonifacio, the company’s 15.4-hectare integrated urban township in the northern part of Fort Bonifacio near Kalayaan Avenue. These are the 15-storey Uptown Tower 1 (30,000 sqm); the 15-storey Uptown Tower 2 (30,000 sqm); the 20-storey Uptown Tower 3 (40,000 sqm); and the 25-storey Alliance Global Tower (50,000 sqm), which will serve as corporate headquarters of the companies under Alliance Global Group, Inc., the holding firm of tycoon Dr. Andrew L. Tan. “We envision Uptown Bonifacio to rise as a bustling CBD of Fort Bonifacio. At present, several multinational companies have already signed up to set up their operations here. Uptown Tow-

ers 1, 2 and 3 are now 90% leased out even before we have completed the delivery of the said towers. These office towers are all LEED-registered,” explains Go. The company is also building six more campus-type office towers in its new township, the 34.5-hectare McKinley West: One West Campus, Two West Campus, Three West Campus, Five West Campus, Six West Campus and Eight West Campus. Each tower is five-storey high with 10,000 square meters of leasable office spaces. “There is a remarkable demand for sustainable campus-type office buildings especially after we built 8 Campus Place in McKinley Hill, the first LEED Gold-certified BPO office building in the country. We look forward to our LEED certification for

these new office buildings in McKinley West as well,” Go added. Within three years, two more office towers are in the pipeline for Megaworld in Fort Bonifacio. Thesenew office towers will add around 140,000 square meters to the company’s office space inventory. Megaworld now has 19 office towers in McKinley Hill covering around 300,000 square meters of office space inventory. The company remains to be the country’s biggest office developer and landlord with around 712,000 square meters of office space inventory, mostly leased to IT-BPO companies. At present, Megaworld has over 130 companies in its portfolio of office tenant partners.

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EDGEDAVAO FOOD

My first taste of

Dakalbi WITH me, every day is a food adventure. I am always in search of something new and something I can call a new favourite. Then Na D Ri came along!

At first, I thought it was a local restaurant that opted for a more local sounding name. Unfortunately, I was wrong. Na D Ri (Korean word which means ‘picnic’) is a Korean restaurant that specializes in traditional Korean cuisines. It’s a modest and quaint restaurant that reminds you of koreanovela houses. The interior is very homey; very relaxing. Aside from such, each table is equipped with a grilling equipment that speaks forth of a

traditional Dakgalbi restaurant. In short, it’s not an intimidating dining place – perfect place to be after a long, tiring day. General Manager and Owner, Girly Jean Kim,

gave us a brief history of how the restaurant came about. Having lived in Korea for 5 years, she says that her cravings did play a big factor. Other than that, she, her husband and partners, believe that the Davao market is ready to taste, savour and love the Dakgalbi and other Korean dishes. Not to mention, they serve 6 appetizer samplers and a mean Kimchi that will have you asking for more. So, what’s a Dakgalbi? DakGalbi is a popular Korean dish. Primarily, it is made by stir-frying marinated diced chicken strips in chilli pepper paste sauce or the more famous, agochujang. The chicken pieces are then cooked with sliced cabbage, sweet potato slices, onion, leeks, perilla leaves and rice cake (teeok). Other than the hearty feast of ingredients, Dakgalbi is cooked on a hot plate thus giving off a rich, savoury taste perfect for the hungry you. What’s more, a Dakgalbi can be eaten in two delectable ways. One is wrapped in fresh, crunchy lettuce and the

other is cooked with rice. Of the two, I love the lettuce more as I was able to neutralize the kick of spice as I take a bite. Yes, my tolerance for spicy food is just so-so. Na D Ri is more than just their delicious Dakgalbi. They have an extensive menu that features the flavours and colours of Korean dishes that have since become local favourites. If you are not familiar with their dishes, you can always ask for their best sellers and you’ll surely love the experience. Here’s a few of their best sellers that you might want to try. You can always tell them your spice tolerance level. Enjoy! Jjampong Their bowl of spicy seafood noodle soup is very delicious. Without a doubt, this has to be the best jjampong I have ever tasted. The noodles are firm

and the choices of seafood are cooked to perfection. It’s packed with flavours thus enabling you to taste everything in every bite. This is perfect on a rainy day and shared with friends. Pork Bulgogi As I am not a pork eater, I let my friends to feast on this dish. According to them, the meat is juicy and gives off a texture of flavours that bursts in your mouth. All in all, they were both raving about the sauce. Rice Cake with Cheese This is a personal favourite. Whenever I am in a Korean restaurant, this is a must! I’ve had this one on its own and with noodles. But, has never had it with cream cheese. Boy, the cheese truly made a big difference. This is a certified must try! Korean style Fried Chicken For the chicken lovers, this is heaven

on earth! It’s crunchy, tender and very juicy. Would you believe this was not marinated, not even seasoned? So, yes, do order one and give this a try! At Na D Ri, you not only get delicious dishes, they’re served big and easy on the budget, too! For your next Korean cravings, head on to Na D Ri House-Korean-Cuisine at Unit C13 Damosa Gateway, J.P Laurel Avenue, Mamay Road, Davao City. For reservations, you can call them up at 0927 817 7562. For their latest news, promos and events, like and browse their facebook fanpage https:// w w w. fa ce b o o k . co m / pages/Na-D-Ri-HouseKorean-Cuisine. Make #TheRoyalChef your Thursday habit. Tag me on instagram @herroyalheiress for your delicious food finds!

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UP AND ABOUT

Ayala Group of Companies launch disaster support app

THE Ayala Group of Companies has launched a mobilebased system for emergencies and disasters to ensure a unified, systematic, and efficient response plan for its thousands of employees.

Called ASSIST (Ayala SignIn System for Immediate Support and Tracking), the mobile app for Android and IOS was developed by Yondu, a whollyowned IT outsourcing and mobile services subsidiary of Globe Telecom, to allow companies to track their employees during disasters and provide assistance, if necessary. “CEOs of the Ayala Group of Companies have lent our time and effort to many national initiatives with respect to potential disasters this country would face. But we cannot be involved in helping the country if we haven’t organized ourselves. It is a new reality that disasters would be part of our lives in the Philippines. The most intelligent thing we can do is to prepare for it,” said Ayala Corporation Chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala II during the launch of ASSIST at The Globe Tower in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. He added: “When disasters happen, most of us are responsi-

ble to a whole range of different services that the public would require. But how can we give those services if our employees are in danger. It is our job to first and foremost help our employees. It is very hard for us to fulfill public or national service in times of emergency if our mind is elsewhere with worry about our position, our families, our situation.” Through ASSIST, employees can immediately report their status and location as well as request for help. They can also receive broadcast alerts, disaster-

related information, and details of preparatory activities from the ASSIST Command Center. At the same time, contact information of critical lifelines are made available for easy access while an Information Hub gathers related feeds from Twitter to inform everyone on activities of government agencies. Eventually, the app would be made available as a source of help in extreme emergency even outside of a national disaster environment. ASSIST is part of Aksyon Klima, a business recommendation

for the Ayala Group Disaster Risk and Response Plan initiated by Ayala Corporation together with BPI Globe BanKO in response to issues on unsystematic recovery efforts and scarcity of resources experienced during the wide scale relief and rescue operations following the onslaught of Typhoon Haiyan almost two years ago. To address the situation, the Ayala Group of Companies, through Ayala Corporation, came up with a three-pronged strategy designed to enable a systematic and efficient plan for

the group. First is to standardize systems, procedures and policies, ensure proper training and preparedness among employees, and assure organized and well-planned disaster relief and recovery operations. Second approach is to ensure involvement, representation and participation of all companies as well as establish a command chain for easier decision-making. The third strategy is the creation of ASSIST as an alert warning app that will serve as a crowdsourcing tool and information hub. For its initial phase, ASSIST may already be used by all regular employees of the following organizations: AC Energy and Infra Group; Ayala Theaters Management, Inc.; Ayala Land Sales, Inc.; Aprisa Business Process Solutions, Inc.; Globe Telecom, Ayala Foundation, Inc.; Ayala Corporation; AC Automotive Business Sservices; ACEIVolkswagen; Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts Corp.; AMAIA Land Corp.; Ayala Property Management Corporation; Avida Land; Cebu Holdings, Inc.; Honda Cars; Philippine Integrated Energy Solutions, Inc.; Isuzu Cebu Inc.; Makati Development Corporation; MDC Buildplus, Inc.; MDC Conqrete Inc.; MDC Equipment Solutions Inc.; Ayala Land International Sales, Inc.; Amicassa Process Solutions, Inc.; El Nido Resorts; and SEDA Hotels.

Great Taste White launches Choose Great, Win Great Promo GREAT TASTE WHITE is making everyday wins even greater with the Choose Great Win Great raffle, its biggest promo to date. More than P27 million worth of prizes is at stake. The promo will have four regional draws in five areas: Greater Manila Area, North Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. For every regional draw, there will be one winner of P200,000 and one winner of P100,000 in each area. Two winners will also get their very own white MacBook Air, four winners will take home a white iPhone 6, and six winners will receive a white iPad Mini. The Great Taste White: Choose Great, Win Great Promo will culminate in the Grand Draw where one lucky winner will take home P3 million pesos in cash and eight others will get to own a white Toyota Vios 1.3 E M/T.

To make his winning moment an even greater experience, the grand prize winner will get an exclusive sneak peek into the Pinoy Big Brother experience. Apart from the P3 million cash prize, he will also receive VIP tickets to the PBB: 737 Big Night, tour the PBB House, and get to meet and greet PBB: All In Big Winner Daniel Matsunaga.

“Through Great Taste White: Choose Great Win Great Promo, we aim to let more consumers savor greater wins,” said Lance Gokongwei, Universal Robina Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer. “This is also one way to thank our consumers for making Great Taste White the leading brand in the white coffee segment.”

The Great Taste White: Choose Great, Win Great Promo is open to all Filipino residents 18 years old and above. To join, participants must simply collect five empty sachets of any Great Taste White variant (Smooth & Creamy, Smooth & Creamy Sugarfree, Smooth & Caramelly, and Smooth & Chocolatey) or one empty BigSAVE

Pack. They must then put the empty packs in a plain white envelope with a piece of paper containing their complete name, birth date, current mailing address, mobile or landline number, store outlet where the product is purchased, and email address. One envelope qualifies for one entry, which can be dropped to drop boxes located in participating stores, supermarkets, and outlets nationwide. Promo period is from August 2 to September 18, 2015. Nothing is better than the great taste of winning, from small day-to-day triumphs to grand milestones. Savor great wins and take home the most awesome rewards in the Great Taste White: Choose Great, Win Great Promo. Know more about the promo by liking the official Great Taste White Facebook page (Facebook.com/ GreatTaste3in1).

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EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

Barbie Forteza turns 18, does not want an extravagant party “LIKE every girl, excited ako at the thought of turning 18. Pero pwede bang magwish? Pwede po bang wala ng party?,” says Kapuso teen actress Barbie Forteza, who is looking forward to celebrating this important milestone in her life on July 31.

Barbie emphasized that instead of spending so much on a grand debut, she would rather use the money for other more meaningful things. Children have always had special place in Barbie’s sweet heart, thus, in celebration of her debut, Barbie adopted a room at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) in Diliman, Quezon City. She has been helping PCMC in the past 4 years and plans to continue sharing her blessings to the kids in the hospital. The “Adopt-A-Room” program of PCMC enables entities or individuals to choose and

the talented young actress actively participating in the process with the help of GMA Artist Center and Architects Jose Ricky Martinez and Richie Ongteco. Barbie’s partners in making her dreams come to life include her generous sponsors BNY, Unisilver Time,

adopt a private room which they want to renovate and convert into a special private room. Once renovated and occupied, the proceeds

of the room will go to “charity rooms”. Other private institutions and brand giants have already adopted rooms from PCMC, but

Posh Nails, BS Mobile, Fruitas, Belladona Bags, Megawide, Happy Haus Donuts, Pizza Pedricos, Cris-Carl Stuffed Toys, Megasoft Diapers, Muebles De Cristina Furniture, Fernando’s Bakeshop, Chocovron, Ritz Biscuits, Jao Ming Glutathione, Rotary Club of Makati and Flawless.

Barbie is the first ever celebrity to participate in this worthy cause. The renovation for Barbie’s adopted room is currently on-going with

‘Ningning’ debuts as the most watched daytime TV program ABS-CBN’s newest drama series “Ningning” quickly charmed viewers as the telesyere starring child actress Jana Agoncillo debuted as the most watched daytime TV program in the country.

According to data from Kantar Media last Monday (July 27), “Ningning’s” pilot episode scored a national TV rating of 19.9%, which is 11 percentage points higher compared to its rival program in GMA “The Ryzza Mae Show” (8.9%). Aside from TV ratings, the series also conquered social networking sites such as Twitter where the hashtag #Ningning became a nationwide trending topic. Meanwhile, the drama

July 30 – August 4, 2015

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 5

series “Oh My G” ended on a high note last Friday (July 24) as the Janella Salvador-starrer won the ratings game with 16.2%. The ‘Ultimate Test of Faith’ finale episode won against its two rival programs in GMA, “The Ryzza Mae Show” (9.8%) and “The King’s Doctor” (7.5%). “Ningning” and “Oh

My G” are both under the production of the group that created hit teleseryes such as “Be Careful With My Heart,” “Pure Love,” and “Dream Dad.” Don’t miss the beginning of the newest daytime drama series that will brighten your day, “Ningning,” beginning Monday, just before “It’s Showtime” on ABS-CBN.

For more information about “Ningning,” just log on www.abs-cbn. com, or follow Twitter. co m /a bs cb n d otco m . Viewers may also catch up on full episodes and past episodes of “Ningning” through ABS-CBNmobile. For more information, please go to w w w. a b s cb n m o b i l e. com.

Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Jeremy Renner PG

12:20 | 3:00 | 5:40 | 8:20 LFS

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 5 Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Jeremy Renner PG

2:00 | 4:40 | 7:20 | 10:00 LFS

PAPER TOWNS Cara Delevingne, Nat Wolff, Halston Sage

R-16

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

ANT-MAN Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas PG

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

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FOOD

An affordable bite

Michelin proportions

THERE IS no place more popular for Filipino travellers than the former British Crown Colony, Hong Kong. Thanks to frequent flights as well as affordable fares, it is not uncommon to bump into friends while navigating the city’s many malls, streets and alleyways. This summer was no different as me and my constant Hong Kong travel companion Otoi found out that Jayjay V. and her friends are also in the area. We initially panned to have late lunch initially but it proved unsuccessful. Many thanks to Viber, Facebook, and my local simcard, we were

able to finally meet up the following day for lunch at Din Tai Fung at the Silvercord building along Canton Road just across the Marco Polo Gateway Hotel. Originally from Taipei, Din Tai Fung is a musteat whenever one passes by Hong Kong. Known for its Xiao Long Bao as

well as various Chinese small eats, Din Tai Fung’s Silvercord restaurant has been awarded with one Michelin star as is one of the more affordable places where one can taste great Chinese cuisine. Our group had to queue for a few minutes since it was a rather large group but eventually we were

given a table right beside the window. I would suggest arriving early to queue up since the dining area during lunch and dinner can get crowded. Things to order are definitely Din Tai Fung’s world famous Xiao Long Bao which are meaty to the bite and juicy all over. The soup that is encapsulated in the dumpling ensures the filling is moist and tender. Another of my favourites is the Vegetable Dumpling, which features chopped spinach and garlic enclosed in a thin dumpling and steamed to perfection. The sweetness

of the vegetables provide a contrast to the richness of the Xiao Long Bao. Since we needed energy to shop some more, the groups decided to order a couple plates of Pork Chop Fried Rice. More than just pieces of pork mixed together with rice, Din Tai FUng’s version features a generous pork cutlet fried to perfection and seasoned with Chinese spices such as Chi-

nese pepper that impart a woody, and floral note to the meat. The bed of rice that catches the juices of the pork chop is laced with a copious amounts of scrambled egg and vegetables that pair well with the fried meat. Although the meal itself was simple, everything was well seasoned and well prepared. The service was top notch and truly deserved that Michelin star. What impressed me the most however was the bill which did not cost us an arm and a leg even if you were to convert it into Pesos. I cannot wait to go back. Follow me on Instagram or on Twitter at @kennethkingong for more travel stories, foodie finds, and happenings in, around, and beyond Durianburg.

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 85 • THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2015

7 BIGGER PICTURE

BBL remains a priority

N his last State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA), President Benigno S. Aquino III trumpeted the Bangsamoro peace process as one of the successes and legacies of his administration and renewed his call on Congress to pass into law the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). “May mga batas na nais kong ilapit upang maipasa sa loob ng kasalukuyang Kongreso. Pangunahin dito: ang Bangsamoro Basic Law (There are legislative measures which I want to put forward to the current Congress. Foremost of these is the Bangsamoro Basic Law),” said Aquino. The BBL, which was based on the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) -- the peace settlement signed by the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) -- aims to establish a parliamentary political system that will replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). He challenged critics of the BBL to offer an alternative that could be passed into a law. Otherwise, the President added, the critics only mean to preserve the current status in Mindanao where armed conflict plagues its citizens’ lives and its economy. “Ilang buhay pa ang kailangang ibuwis para magising ang lahat sa obligasyong baguhin ang sirang status quo sa Muslim Mindanao? (How many lives have to be offered for everyone to see the obligation to change the broken status quo in Muslim Mindanao)?” asked Aquino during his speech. President Aquino has been pushing for the Bangsamoro peace process since he assumed office in 2010. It would be remembered that one of his first steps into forging the CAB was a meeting between him and MILF chair Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim in 2011. The President also lauded OPAPP Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles and GPH Peace Panel Chair Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and thanked them for their efforts in working toward a peaceful country. For her part, Deles noted: “Mula sa simula ng administrasyong ito, talagang pursigido ang ating Pangulo sa pagkamit ng kapayapaan at seguridad para sa Mindanao at sa buong bansa. Kaya patuloy tayong nagpapasalamat sa suporta ng taumbayan sa adhikaing ito. At nagpapasalamat din ho tayo sa suporta ng liderato ng Kamara at Senado. (Since the start of this administration, the President has been resolute in his quest for peace and security for Mindanao and the entire country. That is why we continue to thank the Filipino public for their support in this endeavor. We also thank the leaderships of the House of Representatives and the Senate for their support.)”

“Sana’y tuluyan na ngang maipasa ang BBL para tuluyan na nating makamit ang kapayapaan na matagal nang hinahangad ng ating mga kababayan sa Bangsamoro (I hope the BBL will be passed soon so that we can achieve the peace that our people in the Bangsamoro have been hoping for),” she added.

BBL to determine 2016 In a televised interview prior to the President’s SONA, government chief peace negotiator Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer discussed the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) in connection to the legacy of President Aquino, adding that the peace process could spell the difference between winning and losing for 2016 hopefuls. “Mga tatlong milyon ‘yan (sa Bangsamoro) na inaasahan natin na voting population. May ganyang bilang tayo na mga tao na sumusuporta dito. At make-or-break yan kung sino man tatakbo sa Senado, sino man tatakbo sa presidential election kung ganyang klase na pagsuporta na makukuha sa mga tao na sumusuporta dito sa pagtatayo ng Bangsamoro Basic Law (We have at least 3 million people (in the Bangsamoro) who are eligible to vote. We have that kind of support. That could make or break whoever is running for the Senate, whoever is running for the presidential election if that kind of support can be secured from the people who are supportive of the Bangsamoro Basic Law),” explained Ferrer. Four years into Aquino’s presidency, the GPH and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the historic negotiated peace settlement that aims to respond to the legitimate historic sociopolitical grievances of the Bangsamoro people by establishing a parliamentary government that will replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The Bangsamoro political entity, furthermore, introduces significant structural and operational changes to the ARMM that will provide the regional government with more fiscal and political autonomy. “Malaking bagay iyan para sa pangmatagalang kapayapaan at kaunlaran dito sa bahagi ng Mindanao. Sana makita iyan ng lahat ng tatakbo sa pagka-presidente. Ayaw naman siguro nila na pagdating ng 2016 ay mamana nila ang problema. Mas maganda kung mamana na nila yung solusyon (That is a big deal to achieve lasting peace and development in that part of Mindanao. I hope that is clear to all aspiring would-be presidents. I think they don’t want, come 2016, to inherit problems. It would be better if they would inherit solutions).” Improvements from past

agreements Ferrer pointed out that the various provisions in the BBL reflected President Aquino’s instruction to the panel since the start of negotiations to “learn from the lessons of the past.” “Ang talagang gusto nating mangyari dito ay magkaroon ng tunay na empowerment yung mga tao through parliamentary system na mag-

tutulak sa kanila na magtayo ng political parties nila na lalahok sa regional elections dito sa Bangsamoro (What we really want to happen here is for people to have genuine empowerment through the parliamentary system that will compel them to establish political parties that will compete during the regional elections in the Bangsamoro).

“Hindi yan magiging batayan ng patronage na nanggagaling, halimbawa, sa national government papunta sa regional government; kung hindi isang free and fair election na maaaring makalahok lahat: MILF ka, MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) ka. Hindi dahil ikaw ang pinapaboran ng kung sino mang presidente, ikaw na ang maluluklok

diyan. (That will no longer be the source of patronage, for instance, from the national government to the regional government; but a free and fair election wherein everyone can participate: regardless if you are MILF or MNLF. And not because you are being favored by whoever is the president, you will be automatically elected),” added Ferrer. (PNA)

EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

Good breeding

ENATOR Francis “Chiz” Escudero resigned this week from being chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance and the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Public Expenditures, both powerful committees having something to do with allocation of funds. The gentleman from the Bicol Region is now seriously considering running for a higher elective position, that’s why. “I believe that it behooves me to step down at this juncture to ensure that deliberations on the General Appropriations bill – considered the single most important piece of legislation passed by Congress each year – are untainted by suspicions or perceptions of partisan politics, “ Escudero said in the resignation letter he submitted to Senate President Franklin Drilon. Escudero’s resignation came within hours of the submission by President Aquino of his proposed P3-trillion national budget for 2016. The resignation from the two important committees which took effect July 28, 2015 is just like a declaration that he is running for either vice president or presi-

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dent. Having become a virtual candidate, he is now fair game to political attacks and demolition jobs, including black propaganda, not unlike what Vice President Jejomar Binay has been subjected to for several months now. Escudero knows this as a possible result of his action, and probably already knows what to do if this happens. He may be a young politician but he is no longer naïve in the ways of politics, including dirty politics. What may have impressed a lot of people about his resignation is the delicadeza that prompted him to resign from the committee, in effect shielding the budget process from being tainted by partisan politics. His resignation is an act of decency that shows his good breeding as a person. The significance of his action was not lost on Senate President Franklin Drilon who praised him for it. Some newspapers even headlined his resignation. Definitely, Filipinos look for decency and delicadeza in their national leaders. ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

AGAPITO JOAQUIN JR. Associate Editor

CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY Consultant

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 85 • THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2015

MIND DA SONA: To Be Honest

RESIDENT Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III stepped down the podium about fifteen minutes ago, somber-faced. He did not shake hands with members of the Congress and of the audience but went straight ahead with his aide and security. That was a last farewell State of the Nation Address – two hours and fifteen minutes, thereabout, including farewell amenities and parting words. It was as if the “PNoy,” the President, would speak on until June 30, 2016. Our mind flashed back to 1985 when his mother, Cory, stormed the country during the snap election campaigning against the dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos rousing and rallying the people with her immortal “Tama na! Sobra na!” (Enough! More than enough!) That could have been said of her son’s “last farewell” one year before leaving. From the text, we will know whether the last 20 minutes of “Thank You’s”, et cetera, were part of the prepared SONA or just the ad lib or extemporaneous. From the news report tomorrow, we want to know about those streamers unfurled in the back of the audience rebutting what the President had said – one reading, “Palpak ang Serbisyo”. The SONA summarized what the Aquino III administration has accomplished in five years under the auspices of his “Daang Matuwid” (Straight Path or Road) policy. His parting word was “Ang susunod na election ay referendum ng Daang Matuwid” (The next election is a referendum of the “Daang Matuwid”). Much has been done. That should not be denied. But to be honest, the statistics and facts

MIND DA NEWS BY PATRICIO P. DIAZ – highlighted with pictures and video testimonials – must be checked with reality. Yes, much has been done. But how does the “much” compare with what “could have” and “should have” been done?

lections. There was big increase of the 2014 collection over that of 2012. But the 2013 collection was not shown. Why? The collection in 2013 (P2.28 trillion was higher than that of 2014 (P1.91 trillion), according to a study by multisectoral Movement for Good Governance, composed of prominent economists, with other economist from allied groups (Philippine Daily Inquirer, July 27, 2015: Aquino gets lackluster grade on dev’t goals). • Except one, all new roads and bridges mentioned and shown in pictures are in Metro Manila and Luzon. The exception is the Jalaur Bridge in Iloilo spanning Barangay Tiring in Cabatuan and Sta. Barbara. Tiring is the site of the new Iloilo airport. The old Jalaur Bridge had to be modernized since tourists check in at hotels in Iloilo City, 20 kilometers away. No picture of similar development in Mindanao was particularly mentioned and shown. • Nothing categorical was mentioned about the Bangsamoro Basic Law bill pending in the Congress. It was not in the list of “priority legislations”. • The President lavishly praised DILG Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas III. That can be the prelude to his “anointment” as Liberal Party-led Coalition standard bearer.

Just a quick recall and comment: • The SONA opened recalling the corruption under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and involving Arroyo. That turned me off. Why nag? The integrity of his administration must stand on its own merits, not on the demerits of Arroyo. That will only expose the dirt in his closet. PNP Director General Alan Purisima is his close friend. Budget Secretary Florencio Abad is in trouble with official acts ala Gloria. Vice President Jejomar Binay was his cabinet member. And more! • Comparing his achievements with those of Arroyo is incomplete assessment. To see the complete picture, the comparison must start with his mother’s government. Development is cumulative – the present builds on the past under varying factors. For instance, he made much of electrification. Electrification of the barangays started with Marcos. Every President was expected to continue the program. His statistics includes the accomplishments of Marcos and the next presidents. • He presented a chart of Internal Revenue col-

In passing, let this be noted. President Arroyo’s last SONA was as glowing as Aquino III’s. Yet, within the year after leaving Malacañang she was accused of plunder and since then she has been detained without bail – and, without trial, too.

“Mother’s milk THINK ON THESE! is a living substance of great biological complexity that not only provides unique protection against disease, but also stimulates the baby’s own immune system,” the WHO points out. Henrylito D. Tacio As such, the henrytacio@gmail.com WHO endorses b re a s t fe e d i n g . “The vast majority of mothers can and should breastfeed, just as the vast majority of infants can and should be breastfed. Only under exceptional circumstances can a mother’s milk be considered unsuitable for her infant.” The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, after which “infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond.” The American Academy of Pediatrics pointed out the importance of breastfeeding. It said: “Extensive research using improved epidemiologic methods and modern laboratory techniques documents diverse and compelling advantages for infants, mothers, families, and society from breastfeeding and use of human milk for infant feeding. These advantages include health, nutritional, immunologic, developmental, psychologic, social, economic, and environmental benefits.” Breast milk is easily digested by babies, so they don’t have to face the problem of constipation. Breastfed babies rarely have ear or respira-

tory system infections, allergies, stomach problems like diarrhea and vomiting. Children who were breastfed exclusively for at least three months had better intelligence scores later in life than those who received formula, according to a study in the Archives of General Psychiatry. What are some of the benefits a mother gets from breastfeeding? For one, it delays fertility. A study, which appeared in Journal of Biosco Sci, found out that women who nurse frequently during exclusive breastfeeding remained amenorrhoeic longer than infrequent nursers, introduced supplements later and did not resume menses as promptly thereafter. Amennorhea is the absence of a menstrual period in a woman of reproductive age. Breastfeeding protects women from having uterine cancer, according to a study which appeared in Medical Journal of Australia. “A protective effect against uterine cancer was found for women who breastfeed,” said Dr. K.E. Brocke. Of course, there are reasons why a mother doesn’t breastfed her child. A study done in the Philippines showed these reasons: does not have enough milk, 31%; working, 17%; nipples or breasts ache, 17%; child does not want to breastfeed, 11%; child is sick; 11%; mother is sick, 9%; and others, 4%. Every year, 1.8 million babies are born in the country. It reportedly costs an average of P4,000 a month to feed a newborn to young baby, with the costs covering the prices of formula milk, bottles, and teats. If all these babies were breastfed exclusively for the first six months of their lives, each of their families would be able to save P24,000 for six months. Collectively, the savings amount to over P41 billion.

The benefits of breastfeeding

ID you know how the Milky Way came about? According to the Greek legend, the milk spurted from the breasts of Hera, the Queen of Heaven to form the galaxy. “And where drops fell to the earth, lilies sprung forth,” so goes the tale. There is also this myth where Zeus put his infant son Hercules to suckle at the breasts of his sleeping wife, thereby imbuing in the child the strength and indestructibility of an immortal. But the potency of breast milk is not confined to legend alone. “The sole truly universal food for the entire human species” was how Dr. Hiroshi Nakajima, former director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), described breast milk. As the best source of nutrition for babies, breast milk has been proven many times over to have components that help protect the child against infection and disease. Dr. Nakjima said breast milk, until recently, has served as “a vital link for nutrition and survival across the entire span of human existence, nurturing the newborn, the infant, and the young child during the most vulnerable years, all the while providing a powerful source of protection from infectious disease.” Breast milk, the United Nations health agency explains, is more than a simple collection of nutrients. It contains all the essential nutrients like protein, fats, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and sugars, in exact proportion. It meets the needs of the growing infant at every stage. For thousands of years, in all continents, babies have been breastfed for simple reason: mother’s milk is natural. “It comes ready-prepared, pure, warm, does not require mixing or sterilization and above all it is free. It is a living substance,” says one physician.

VANTAGE POINTS

Restoring faith and organizations

H E re-

MY TWO CENTS’

cent Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) scandal brings to light more than a few thoughts John Tria among ecisouth@gmail.com m a n y people regarding the influential, 3-million member church. Often chided for the way it supposedly “encourages’ members to give heavy tithes in spite of their poverty, it is now accused of turning these tithes into a billion dollar business, replete with large private jets for the family that founded it, sprawling edifices in their Churches and sports complexes, and properties in major world capitals. Recent accusations within the founding Manalo family allege impropriety among the Church leadership in the reallocation and reinvestment of Church funds. The supposed scandal and divisions within all stem from accusations of mismanaging the billions. The INC is perhaps the most well-known religious organization in the country, often associated with furthering Filipino personality politics as the unity voting among its members and congregations can make or break a candidates’ chance of winning elections. As a voting bloc they wield such power within government even after the elections, influencing crucial appointments. It is also known for engaging other religions in philosophical debates, often to display its mastery of thought in religious and spiritual matters, creating an impression of religious superiority as it criticizes other older religions and religious organizations. It has been particularly keen on engaging former members who have left the church, such as Bro. Eliseo Soriano. With the recent events, what is most striking is that the very aspects that people associate it with are the very reasons for the scandalous accusations: money and pride. More than the money and the efforts to keep it away from the eyes of others, what makes many curious about this organization is the response not to address the concerns being raised, nor the desire to be transparent about the processes that supposedly created the scandal. It therefore appears to be too self-righteous for its own good, trying its best to fend off accusations by basically denying the existence of such scandals and impropriety. Some have called it part of the excessive pride which they feel is evident on the surface with the deep Tagalog language they use in communicating with the world. Perhaps the INC leadership can learn a thing or two from the different Churches that it often debates with and criticizes, such as the different protestant Churches and the Catholic Church, which has decided to file cases against errant clergymen, especially those associated with the sex and paedophilia scandals. No less than Pope Francis has called for justice for those victimized by abusive clergy, and sought reforms in the Vatican Bank. By doing so, an organization restores itself as it rebuilds confidence and trust from among its members. It starts with publicly calling for and enforcing the truth. The INC has to work quickly and thoroughly to assure its members that their leadership is doing its best not only to protect the name of the Church against scandal but to actually root out and destroy the source of the scandal, lest it be accused of being just like, or being less than, the other religions it likes to criticize.

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claims. “It’s unfair. You do not allow the creation of an investigation and then not hear the other party. They can’t defend themselves, especially on this allegation,” Cabales said. “They are charging our soldiers of murder. In the first hearing the military was not invited, but we learned from media reports that we did not show up,” he added. Cabales said the soldiers were not given the chance to talk when they were invited by the City Council. Cabales admitted that he has not read the committee report on the investigation con-

ducted by the human rights committee headed by Councilor Karlo Bello. When asked if they conducted an investigation on their soldiers regarding the incident, Cabales said there was no need to do so. “Why would we investigate a soldier who figured in a legitimate encounter?” he said. On Tuesday, Bello presented the committee report on the Paradise Embac incident. The report suggested the reassignment of Santos and the soldiers under him outside of the city due to the distrust and lack of confidence to protect the rights of the residents.

ran (Kusog sa Katawhang Lumad sa Mindanao) said it was not a rescue operation but a dispersal. In a statement, Kalumaran secretary general Dulphing Ogan said the dispersal was a “blatant and desperate” move by the government, as instigated by Catamco, “aimed at concealing the longstanding mass evacuation of Lumads who are perennial targets of harassments, threats, sexual abuse and killings wrought by

militarization.” Police had tried to go inside the UCCP-Haran Compound on July 23 in an attempt to “rescue” more than 1,000 indigenous peoples allegedly being held by IP officials and militant groups. The IPs, however, have claimed they had left their homes because of military harassment. The incident resulted in the injuring of two policemen and 10 Lumads.

area of Sasa Police Station last week. He said the 9 millimeter Glock 17 engraved with the words “PNP property” was found in the possession of suspect Ariel dela Victoria, who was arrested with P80,000 worth of shabu in his possession. Aquino said police found that the pistol was issued to PO3 Eduardo Tumol, assigned at the PRO 11 Regional Police Holding and Accounting Office. “Indeed, he (Tumol) admitted that it was his service firearm,” he said.

Aquino said Tumol told him he had pawned the pistol for the payment of hospital bills of his wife. Aquino, however, said the suspect claimed Tumol pawned the gun to him for P20,000 last February to pay the tuition of his children. Aquino said PRO 11 is looking into the possibility that Tumol might be procuring drugs in exchange for his service pistol. Aquino added, however, that Tumol tested negative of drugs. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

looking towards the creation of submarine cables. “We want to bring the cost of bandwidth down because the cost of broadband is high now,” Holganza said, adding that they want to extend internet access to a wider area with the help of telecommunication companies. Furthermore, this will enable communication for peace especially in the Mindanao region. The price for this will still follow a fixed usage policy and will depend on usage volume, according to Holganza . More than that, there’s also a project on talent development particularly E-Learning technology which, they believe, will propel learning. “This is a game changer in the delivery of education,” Holganza said, adding that they are looking towards integrating media solutions to facilitate the learning process. There’s also a project on e-commerce platform that

will enable commercial transactions to be done in the Internet. Small and medium-sized enterprises are expected to utilize and benefit from this project especially in expanding their market and making transactions easier on their part. These are only three of the five projects that ICT-Davao is expected to pitch during the CEO forum. The CEO forum is a gathering of private sector representatives which will highlight key development trends, potentials and prospects of the sub-regions as well as discuss and address issues and concerns to pursue the goals of economic integration to ICT Development to be held on August 19 at the SMX Convention Center. The activity is part of the Livelihood Exchange 2015, a series of associated events organized to drive ASEAN integration within EAGA.

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on his website. The Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), the 15-member body tasked to draft the BBL and composed of eight representatives from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and seven from the Philippine government (GPH), submitted it to Congress in ceremonial rites held at Malacanang on September 10, 2014. The draft BBL became HB 4994 in the House and SB 2408 in the Senate. Asked if he thinks the BBL can still be passed within the Aquino administration – it will end its term on June 30, 2016 — Marcos replied, “kayang mapasa, pero kung kelan ma implement, mahirap kasi may plebisito pa, may eleksyon pa, may mga Supreme Court challenges pa. Hindi natin masasabi kung gaano katagal yang mga ‘yan” (it can be passed but when it will be implemented, it’s difficult because there is still a plebiscite, an election, and Supreme Court challenges. We cannot say how long that will take). He hinted on the changes that his substitute bill would introduce: “Yes, we tried to fix all the unconstitutional problems, we tried to fix administrative problems, we are presently grappling with the economic provisions, and the checks and balances on the large amounts of funding that National Government will provide, and who will be accountable for that, and the transparency that is necessary for it to be known that I can only describe is vast amount of money being given to Bangsamoro will be taken to the right place.” Supreme Court petitions While Congress is deliberating on the BBL, petitions have been filed before the

Supreme Court “to declare as unconstitutional and void” the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed by the government and the MILF on October 15, 2012 and March 27, 2014. The GPH and MILF agreed under the FAB that “the status quo is unacceptable” and that they would work for the creation of a new autonomous political entity called the Bangsamoro, that would replace what is now the 25-year old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). President Benigno Simeon Aquino III had earlier dubbed the ARMM a “failed experiment.” The Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa), which filed the petition before the Supreme Court and which also sought the issuance of a TRO (temporary restraining order) and/or writ of preliminary injunction, is being represented in the petition by its President, Lakas Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, former Senator Francisco “Kit” Tatad, Arcbhishops Ramon Arguelles of Lipa and Romulo dela Cruz of Zamboanga, Davao City’s Archbishop Emeritus Fernando Capalla, and Norberto Gonzales, who held several positions in the Arroyo administration, including Defense Secretary and National Security Adviser. The Philconsa filed its petition on June 19, the same day former Lakas Rep. Jacinto Paras of Negros Occidental also filed a similar petition. Both Marcos and Rodriguez said deliberations on the BBL would continue despite the SC petitions, unless the High Court issues a TRO. Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews

second will provide stronger and faster internet connection. “This will be a very big boost to the internet connection of at least Mindanao because we have a source of redundancy of high speed internet connectivity. At present, our internet connection is dependent on Hawaii so if something happens there at least we have a back-up,” Lopoz said. The third phase, where the Philippines is included, will start third quarter next year. The laying over of cable by land started last March in Brunei, which was the jump point of the interconnection project across BIMP-EAGA regions. The Best Cable System, initiated by Best Cable Corporation Pte. Ltd. (BCC), “is a regional high bandwidth fiber optics cable system that allows telecommunication connectiv-

ity in the BIMP-EAGA region with the rest of the ASEAN and Asian countries, particularly Singapore, Hong Kong and US.” Lopoz said the 5,092 kilometer high bandwidth cable system links BIMP-EAGA region specifically Brunei, Sabah, Malaysia, Southern Philippines and Kalimantan of Indonesia, with extension to Guam, and to connect with the US and the rest of Asean countries. The cable system will be constructed by the China National Technical Import and Export Corporation (CNTIC) in partnership with the NMV Development Corporation of Canada, which entered into a Memorandum of Understanding in May 2014, in Davao. The project is expected to be completed by next year and fully operational by 2018. CHENEEN R. CAPON

processing and marketing, including but not limited to advanced technology transfer, training and capacity building, culinary or processing practices, post-harvest technologies and exchange of visits, Alcala said. A hotline to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and to support humanitarian search and rescue operations at sea

is also aimed to be established. “The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Philippines and the Directorate of Fisheries of Vietnam will work on specific details to report to their respective Department and Ministry, respectively, so that the hotline can be permanently established by the end of 2015,” Alcala said. (DA)

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criminal case. Applicants must be born from April 1, 1994 to April 1, 1999. Gonzales said if the examine is accepted, he or she will be able to avail of a free college education with a well-rounded curriculum as well as receive monthly pay and allowances.

Gonzales said after graduating from the Academy, one is guaranteed a progressive career as an officer in the Army, Navy, or Air Force. He also assured applicants that PMA has made a firm stand against maltreatment in the Cadet Corps, Armed Forces of the Philippines (CCAFP).

San Enrique in Negros Occidental; Mosqueda Bay, Villareal Bay and coastal waters of Calbayog City in Western Samar; Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar; Ormoc, San Pedro, Cancabato and Carigara Bays in Leyte; Biliran waters in Biliran province;

Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Tantanang Bay in Zamboanga Sibugay; Mucielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental; Hinatuan, Bislig and Liang Bays in Surigao del Sur; and Taguines Lagoon in Benoni Mahinog, Camiguin Island. (PNA)

programs that aims to empower ordinary citizens to directly participate in local governance by identifying their own community needs and collectively responding to it. PAMANA or PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn is one of the modalities of Kalahi CIDSS that aims to improve access of conflict-affected barangays (CABs) to quality basic social services and responsive, transparent and accountable local governments. The implementation of Kalahi-CIDSS PAMANA in Upper Ulip, Mt. Diwata has motivated a group of miners to work together for the benefit of their children. Sans monetary remuneration, miners, women and barangay officials gathered and volunteered. They agreed on a shifting scheme during the construction. “Sila tanan nagsakripisyo para sa proyekto. Para sa ilaha, ang paghatag sa ilang mga anak og edukasyon maoy solusyon aron mouswag ang ilang komunidad. (They all sacrificed for the project. To them, educating their children is key to development),” related George Nasula, Kalahi-CIDSS community facilitator. He said the parents wouldn’t wish their children working in unsafe tunnels in the future. They’d rather that their children pursue careers in the big cities or land other jobs apart from mining. “Since the sub-project implementation is directly carried out by the community, they felt that they are valued

by the program,” Nasula said. It’s a big deal for them that the grant is released directly to the community account and managed by community volunteers themselves, he added. The Local Government Unit and Civil Society Organizations also extended full support in the hauling of construction materials. Kalahi-CIDSS volunteer Danny Banares, Sr, reported, “Daghan na nga pagsulay ang among naagihan. Kabahin na ini ang kalayo sa among lugar, ang bagyong Pablo, ug daghan pang kalamidad. Pero sa among pagtinabangay, nahuman gyud namo ang sub-proyekto nga mas sayo pa sa gitakda nga petsa (We have experienced a lot of trials in our area. These include the remote location of our place, Typhoon Pablo, and other calamities. But with everyone’s cooperation, we completed our sub project earlier than the due date).” A total of 4429 Kalahi-CIDSS household-beneficiaries and 832 Pantawid Pamilya households in the barangay are benefiting from the sub-project. But more importantly, the number of enrollees increased by 25%. “Kaya nako ang pag bag-o kung kita sa isig-komunidad magtinabangay (I can change for the better if we all help each other).” This is the collective cry of the community and this conviction gave them their brand new classroom. (DSWD/Julie Ace Brandon F. Ramos/ccd)

the Philippines, Inc. (BCJP). Baina T. Samayatin, MWDECC executive director, said that this is one of the series of activities under the “Popularizing the Peace Process program” that are currently implemented to ensure that the peace process is widely supported by all stakeholders. Samsodin C. Amella, Executive Director of MAPAD, said that the dialogue was aimed at hearing the views and opinions of the participants on the peace process. “The participants were

composed of various Sultanates such as the Sultanate of Buayan, Sultanate of Kabuntalan, Sultanate of Dikaya, Sultanate of Linatangan Dar usSalam, Paramount Sultanate of Linantangan Buayan Dar usSalam, Society of Empowered Royal Ladies in Cotabato Empire, among other principalities in the Bangsamoro core territory, he disclosed. Copies of the manifesto were already forwarded to the Office of Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and Malacanang. (PNA)

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ICT HUB 11

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Globe Labs intensifies drive against fraudulent activities

ACEBOOK founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg plans to connect four billion people around the world to the internet through the social network’s Internet.org initiative. In a post on his Facebook timeline on July 27, 2015, Zuckerberg said since launching Internet.org exactly a year earlier in Zambia, more than a billion people in 17 countries have been using its free online access. This includes the Philippines, where over 4.5 million subscribers have used the service through Smart Communications.

Smart is the first telco in Southeast Asia to roll out the Internet.org app and provides subscribers free access to 30 websites, including Facebook and Messenger. Smart and Sun subscribers are also able to enjoy the free sites on the Internet.org app and mobile site. Zuckerberg said through Internet.org, “more people are getting online, using these free tools for health, education, jobs and communication, and discovering the value of the internet.” The initiative has also proven profitable for network carriers. Zuckerberg said after

launching free basic services, mobile operators are seeing people adopt mobile data “50 percent faster than before.” “More than half the new people coming online through Internet.org choose to pay for data and access more internet services within the first 30 days. In June, people used Internet.org to access online health services more than one million times,” he said. More than just having the ability to go online, Zuckerberg said studies show that for every 10 people who gain access to the internet, around one person is lifted out of poverty. “If we can connect the 4

billion people without internet access, we can help raise hundreds of millions out of poverty,” he said. Zuckerberg said to continue making progress,Facebook is expanding free basic services to even more operators by making it easier for them to offer Internet.org. “We also recently announced the Internet.org Platform to help any developer worldwide offer their services,” he said. “We’re going to keep working to connect more countries until every person in the world can share their story,” he added.

LOBE Labs, the developer community of digital lifestyle leader Globe Telecom, is stepping up its drive to combat fraud by offering solutions to help address the connectivity gaps and security challenges in the Philippine banking industry. This is in response to the growing threat of fraudulent activities such as phishing attacks which often target bank customers who have online accounts. While usernames and passwords are supposed to be confidential, such sensitive information sometimes fall into the wrong hands, thus making it imperative for customers to use another form of authentication to thwart unauthorized access to their accounts. Thus, Globe Labs introduced the Sponsored Access Solutions (SAS) and Telco APIs (application program interface) during the recent ASEAN Financial Institution Conference (ASEANFIC) 2015 at Makati Shangri-la Hotel. The event was organized by SecureMetric Technology Inc. to provide deeper understanding on banking and financial issues and concerns as well as to share technology information that will benefit companies operating in the said field. Armando L. Encarnacion, Jr., Business Development Manager for Globe Labs said that through Globe Labs Telco APIs, banks will be able to leverage on additional security layer for customers’ online transactions. Globe Labs, for instance, can provide onetime passwords (OTPs) that will be sent to the registered mobile phone number to complete the login process. The OTP is unique with every login and expires after a few

berto, head of Public Affairs at Smart. “The SWEEP roadshow is a venue to promote the culture of innovation in schools, and to involve our students in the creative process of utilizing technology to enable more Filipinos to live more,” added Isberto.

with unpredictable weather. Dr. Randy Gamboa, IT professor in USEP said that teaching students to deviate from the usual thought process involved in problem-solving is an important part of their “technopreneurship” curriculum. He believes that students should always be motivated to learn and to discover that there’s so much that they can do with the existing technologies available.

SWEEP Innovation and Excellence Awards with this year’s theme of “Enabling Lives through Mobile and Digital Innovations.” Starting this year, the 12th SWEEP Awards will be open to all college students, with participating teams required to design mobile applications

that address consumer pain points in areas of Consumer, Business-to-Business, Social Innovations, Big Data, and Machine-to-Machine or Internet of Things. The grand champion will win P300,000, and the secondand third-placers, P200,000 and P100,000, respectively.

CONNECTIONS. “This is a map of all of the friendships formed on Facebook across the world,” Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg says of his cover photo.

Facebook aims to connect 4 billion people to internet By JON JOAQUIN

jon@edgedavao.net

minutes. On the other hand, Encarnacion said solutions like SAS would be able to bridge the gap of internet connectivity or data access for consumers. “Globe Labs’ capabilities make it possible for businesses such as banks to create more value for their customers through self-serving tools or apps to increase usage, branding, and eventually result in higher customer retention. With our participation in ASEANFIC 2015, we hope to position Globe Labs as an enabler as well as an innovative arm of Globe Telecom, thus, put our business at the forefront of the banking industry,” he said. “Although this is our first time collaborating with Globe Labs for this event, I am very impressed by the professionalism that the Globe Labs team has shown. The efficiency and integrity presented by them were second to none. I hope that there will be more areas that we can partner with towards mutual growth of both companies,” said SecureMetric Chief Executive Officer Edward Law. As e-commerce and mobile banking continues to grow in South East Asia, banks in the region are realizing the need to assess how new technology will impact their overall business while ensuring that their business remains competitive and secure. Thus, ASEANFIC 2015 brought together the most experienced people in the business to talk about how they became successful by embracing change and delivering great customer experience through modern payment solutions, advanced channel mix and commitment to delivering high quality service, among others.

Schools of the winning teams will also receive grants. The SWEEP roadshow is headed to Ateneo de Naga University in Naga City on July 24; Angeles University Foundation (AUF) in Angeles City, Pampanga on July 31; and the University of Santo Tomas, Manila on August 12, 2015.

Smart challenges students to solve real-world problems via technology LECTRONICS Engineering student, Ket Villasencio, 21, believes that real-world problems can be solved through the innovative use of technology. With his smarts and background in engineering, Ket wants to help his father – who is a banana grower in his hometown Compostela Valley – deal with common agricultural problems. Because of his passion for learning, he attended the Davao leg of the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP) roadshow at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) last July 10. The SWEEP roadshow was organized by wireless leader Smart Communications to promote the culture of innovation among IT and engineering students all over the country. SWEEP is the country’s biggest industry-academe linkage program that seeks to enhance engineering and IT education. “Smart has embraced technology for development. We have harnessed web and mobile technologies for social good in education, disaster preparedness, environment sustainability, livelihood, and agriculture,” said Ramon R. Is-

Tech to give back Ket believes the things he learned in school will ultimately not just be for himself but for the development of his community as well. He said the relevant lectures and workshops conducted during the SWEEP roadshow reinforced his desire to bring his school projects into the real world as solutions to existing problems. For instance, his thesis on technology for agriculture – a heat stress analyzer that aims to protect agricultural crops from the irreversible effects of heat stress. His device, along with a cloud-based mobile app, can also analyze results for harvest, and can monitor status of the crops remotely. Ket said that technology – no matter how simple – can help people. His thesis can help his father and the many crop growers in Mindanao deal

Tech for people Phil Smithson, co-founder and director of On-Off Design Technology, a Hong Kongbased consulting firm, and co-founder of User Experience Manila (UXMNL) – a company devoted to building a community of user/customer experience and service designers in the Philippines – said that it will be the next generation of young professionals who will be building stuff in the future. The workshop on user experience design that he facilitated taught students that the best solutions can be created by learning about people and their needs. With this roadshow, Smart aims to get more students from schools all over the country to participate in the 12th

SWEEP. Grouped in teams, student participants were asked to simulate on paper a beta version of a mobile application that will provide a solution to the problem presented during the user design experience workshop that was facilitated by User Experience Manila.

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GENERAL SANTOS CITY MARKETING OFFICE EDMUND D. RENDON Marketing Specialist Mobile: (Smart) 0930-669-3018 MANILA MARKETING OFFICE ANGELICA R. GARCIA Marketing Manager 97-1 Bayanbayanan Ave., Marikina Heights, Marikina City Tel: (02) 654-3509

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EDGEDAVAO

BFAR bewails radio report on sharks ‘eating’ humans A

N official of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic resources (BFAR) here on Wednesday bewailed reports of sharks attacking humans in the coast of Misamis Oriental. The BFAR was reacting to reports of sharks feasting on the floating body of an unidentified male person off the coast

of Molugan, a fishing village in El Salvador, Misamis Oriental Tuesday morning. Teodoro Bacolod, of the BFAR in Northern Mindanao assigned as provincial fisheries officer in Misamis Oriental, said that “sharks do not eat humans.” He said that there are instances that the shark behav-

ior, getting wild when they are “super starving,” which might compel them to attack humans, but in the case of El Salvador, the shark did not attack humans. Still on Wednesday, Joel Caballa, the head of the “Bantay Dagat” (coast guard), in Molugan went on air on a local radio station giving a public

apology for their failure to retrieve the unidentified body out of the seas. “We were afraid because the sharks, which circled and feasted on the human cadaver, would threaten to attack our boat every time we would attempt to get near,” Caballa said. He described the corpse as that of a male, bald, dark complexion, with an age of from 30 to 40 years old. Anglers found the body floating about 10 kilometers off the coast of Molugan Tuesday morning, Caballa said. Caballa said that two big sharks took turns in feasting on the body until it lost sight prompting the “Bantay Dagat” team to withdraw empty handed. However, the BFAR is now conducting a probe on the “very rare incident” of the reported sharks eating human flesh, the first time in Northern Mindanao in recent decade, Bacolod said. He said that the deep off the coast of Macajalar Bay is laden with sharks, which sometimes getting near fish landing areas.

NEWS 13

ITCZ to bring rains over Mindanao M OST parts of Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains due to the presence of Inter-tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting southern Mindanao, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Wednesday. The ITCZ affecting Mindanao, which is the thick clouds coming from the south of Asia, is considered a breeding ground for low-pressure areas (LPAs) or potential cyclones. For Wednesday forecast, PAGASA said the presence of ITCZ will bring cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thun-

Bacolod said that two weeks ago the BFAR has monitored the presence of sharks in the waters of the coastal town of Opol near the town’s fish landing area. “The sharks that the anglers and “Bantay Dagat” saw in the neighboring coastal waters of El Salvador and Opol were about 4 meters long and weighed around 60 to 80 kilos,” Bacolod said. A recent study blamed

derstorms over Zamboanga Peninsula, South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City. (SOCCSKSARGEN), the provinces of Maguindanao, Davao Del Sur and Davao Occidental. The rest of the country, including Metro Manila, will continue to experience fair weather or partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms. It added light to moderate winds blowing from the east will prevail over Northern Luzon and coming from the northeast to east over the rest of the country. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate. (PNA)

“global warming” as the principal cause of sharks migrating from one place to another because of the depletion of marine resources and sudden change of temperature, Bacolod said. He said that global warming has destroyed the abode of the sharks and the scarce resources have now endangered the shark species because their life span is now getting shorter. (PNA)

14 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 85 • THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2015

SyCip Law Davao turns 20 O

NE of Davao City’s topnotch law firms just turned 20 years old. The Davao Office of SyCip Salazar Hernandez and Gatmaitan, the largest law firm in the Philippines, which also celebrates its 70 years of existence this year, celebrated the milestone Friday night with a cocktail party at their spacious office at the Penthouse of LandcoCorporate Centre in Bajada. SyCip Davao opened in July 1995 with Atty. Dante T. Pamintuan as partner-incharge, and Atty. Carlos Roberto “Tito” Z. Lopez and Atty. Dominador Maphilindo “Lindy” O. Carrillo as associates. Attorneys Lopez and Carrillo are now partners of the firm, with Carrillo as partnerin-charge of SyCip Davao. SyCip Davao represented Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, headed by Manuel V. Pangilinan, in the recent acquisition of around 35 percent of the Davao Doctors Hospital Inc., reputed to be the biggest and most modern private hospital in Mindanao today. According to Atty. Carrillo,

in its 20 years of operations in Davao, SyCip Davao also acted as counsel for and/or provided legal assistance to BHP Billiton, San Augustine Services, Inc., Philex Mining Corporation, Davao Doctors Hospital Inc., Marubeni, Holcim Philippines, Inc., Aboitiz Investments, Del Monte Fresh Produce Philippines Inc., Julu Enterprises Inc., Sumifru Philippines, Dole StanfilcoPhils., Delta Air Lines, Lufthansa Airline Company, ABC 5, Bank of the Philippine Islands, and Hongkong Shanghai Bank Corporation (HSBC), IBEX Global Philippines Inc., among several other corporate clients. Among those who attended the Davao law firm’s cocktail party onFriday night werethe Makati partners of the national law firm, including its managing partner, Atty. Rafael A. Morales, Atty. Rolando V. Medalla, Atty. Imelda A. Manguiat, Atty. Dante T. Pamintuan,Atty. Rose King-Dominguez, Atty. Arlene M. Maneja, and the members of the firm’s Executive Committee.

M malls once again conduct the Green Retail Agenda this July, with SM City General Santos mounting its forum last July 9 while SM City Cagayan de Oro and SM City Davao held theirs last July 14 and 16, respectively. This year’s theme “Building Corporate Resiliency: Risk Reduction Program” is aimed at opening an arena for discussions on how businesses can manage risk brought about by disasters and climate change. In SM City General Santos, City Councilor Ms. Elizabeth Bagonoc discussed Climate Change Adaptation while Office of Civil Defense Assistant Regional Director Jerome B. Barranco talked about Utilizing Current Technology for Disaster Risk Reduction Management. At SM City Cagayan de Oro, professor Dexter So, founding director of the Xavi-

er University Engineering Resource Center discussed on why disasters happen. He also presented Cagayan de Oro’s Flood Damage Maps of 2009 and 2011 as well as the DPWH-JICA Flood Risk Management Project along the Cagayan de Oro River. Meanwhile, Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office Chief Emmanuel M. Jaldon’s talk at SM City Davao focused on the city’s vulnerability to disasters. He further elaborated on the facilities and programs that the city has put in place in order to manage risks. Award-winning social entrepreneur and founder of Switotwins Arch. Gloryrose Dy shared how architectural designs can be utilized to mitigate effects of risks. SM Davao CRS manager Harvey Bansuelo on the other hand discussed the mall’s practices and programs for risk reduc-

OUTREACH AT HOUSE OF HOPE. Lawyers headed by attorneys Dominador Maphilindo “Lindy” O. Carrillo and Carlos Roberto Z. Lopez and members of the staff of SyCip Davao Law (SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan) spend a good day with the patients and staff of the famed House of Hope for children

with cancer at the South Philippines Medical Center as part of the topnotch law firm’s 20th anniversary in Davao. On top of sharing food, gifts, fun and frolic with the cancer patients and their caregivers, the lawyers donated P50,000 to the House of Hope. Contributed

proud of two OFWs SM Malls conduct Green Retail Agenda OWWA making waves in photography S O tion. “We hold this event for our business partners and friends in the community. SM Green Retail Agenda is a yearly event offered for all mall tenants across all SM Supermalls. Each year, the conference features topics that addresses the environment or climate change and its relationship to business sustainability and development,” mall manager Lynette Angala-Lopez said. SM has been very active in disaster risk reduction management. In 2012, SM Prime Holdings Inc. president Mr. Hans T. Sy was invited during the Top Leaders Forum to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – Private Sector Advisory Group by Ms. Margareta Whalstrom, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Disaster Risk Reduction. DRRM has been

a personal advocacy of Mr. Hans. Several SM Malls are built to be disaster resilient. The SM Mall of Asia Complex features innovative designs on its seawall and reclamation methodology. Also, the buildings are built above the national building code. SM City Marikina is built on stilts which allows the free-flow of water on its 2 basement parking levels when the water rises in the Marikina River. SM City BF Paranaque and SM City Masinag are built with a holding tanks with enough capacity to reduce the effects of flooding during the typhoon seasons. Also, SM City Muntinlupa is built with a two-way slab system to minimize the effects of earthquakes exceeding a magnitude of 8.0 SM Lanang Premier will be holding the Green Retail Agenda on July 31.

GREEN AGENDA. Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office chief Emmanuel M. Jaldon (left) talk at SM City Davao focused on the city’s vulnerability to disasters while award-winning social entrepreneur Switotwins founder architect Gloryrose Dy (right) shared how architectural designs can be utilized to mitigate effects of risks.

WWA Administrator Rebecca J. Calzado is elated over the news that two overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are gaining international recognition through their talents and skills in the field of photography. OFW Rizalde Lumapas Cayanan, 39, is included in the shortlist for this year’s finalists in the Atkins Ciwem Environmental Photographer of the Year competition. Atkins is one of the world’s most respected design, engineering and project management consultancies which employs 18,462 employees worldwide. Established in 1938, Atkins is the world’s 15th largest global design firmand one of the top 10 firms in the Middle East and the United States. . Cayanan’s photo, along with other finalists’ artworks, will be exhibited at the Royal Geographical Society in London this year from June 25 to September 2015. The talented OFW, a resident of Quezon City, works as a broadcast sound technician in Dar Al Athar Al Islamiyyahin Kuwait. This camera buff started his flair for photography seven years ago as an event photographer in his church in Kuwait. He specializes in landscape, cityscape, travel, and concert photography. Cayanan has been working abroad since 2007 and has been an active OWWA member all these years. His entry, ‘Sandstorm in the City,’ captured the sandstorm that shut down Kuwait’s International Airport in 2011, reducing the area’s visibility to less than 500 meters, or in some areas, zero visibility.

Meanhwile, Xyradela Cruz Bacani is also getting attention from the international arena also in the field of photography when she bagged a scholarship slot at the prestigious Magnum Foundation (MF), based in New York, USA. Bacani, 27 and a college graduate, works as a household service worker (HSW) in Hong Kong along with her mother. Both are employed by an affluent family there. The Bacanis are from Nueva Vizcaya. Bacani’s love for photography started during her college days. Unable to buy her own camera, she was able to purchase one from the money she borrowed from her employer. During her days off, she would bring her camera to capture the ‘moving black and white street shots’ depicting the life of migrant workers like her. Bacani is one of the seven Human Rights Fellows selected by Magnum Foundation (MF) to spend six weeksof studyin Tisch School of Arts in New York City. The fellowship’s objective is to give aspiring documentary photographers the skills andsupport to pursue socially conscious photography in their home countries. OFW Xyra’s name is listed in the 2015 MF website, along with other grantees from Palestine, Syria, South Africa, Haiti, Ukraine, and China. “We at OWWA, are very happy indeed to hear and read news on the achievements of OFWs as they display their respective prowess, not only asglobally-competitive workers, but also as talented individuals who excel in artistic aspects,” Calzado said.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 85 • THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS15

US envoys beat CMO

2016 OLYMPICS

HE US Sports Ambassadors bounced back after tasting their first loss in the series of friendly games in Davao City with a 109 – 90 victory over City Mayors Office on Tuesday night at the Davao City Recreation Center Almendras Gym. The basketball playing missionaries, who came from various part of the US, laid it out right from the opening tip to run the tempo of the game and pull away with the victory. Josh Wrakler took the charge with 25 points for the sports ambassadors who bowed to Goldstar Hardware, 79 – 74, on Monday night. John Gross contributed 20 baskets as Trevor Mabalon and Colton Rayburn had 12 points apiece. CMO ace gunner Christopher “Bong” Go drew the impression of the Americans as the sweet-shooting guard

delivered a flurry of baskets that came from various fronts. Go, the sweet-shooting executive assistant of Mayor Rody Duterte, struck for game-best 32 points, including seven three pointers. JR De Guzman and Rodel Bantilan made 14 and 12 respectively for the City Hall dribblers. The back-to-back friendly matches of the US sport ambassadors was organized by the Duterte Basketball League in cooperation with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Regional Office 1. Regino Cua, the SBP regional director, thanked Goldstar Hardware team owner Winston Ho and Go for their support to the activities of the US Sports ambassadors. The US sports ambassadors playing exhibition games, conducting basketball clinics and undertaking outreach programs in the city.

HE Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas will delay revealing the final lineup of the Philippine team for the 2015 Fiba-Asia Championship until Monday as it focuses efforts on promoting the Fiba 3x3 Manila Masters set August 1 and 2. “I told our group that parausin muna natin ‘yung 3x3 hosting kesa matabunan ng kuwento tungkol sa Gilas,” said Barrios during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Shakey’s Malateu. “Monday na tayo mag-aanunsyo tungkol sa line-up,” Barrios said. The 3x3 event is set at

Robinsons Place in Ermita. A list of 26 players was submitted by Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tab Baldwin to the SBP for possible inclusion to this year’s Fiba-Asia Championship in Changsa, China, a qualifier for the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympics. Baldwin and SBP, however, have been tight-lipped on the line-up even as practice is expected to begin this week in preparation for the Fiba-Asia joust opening in September. “Nagsimula sa 26 ‘yan. I prefer not to even look at it. I can’t even tell you kung nasa 15 ba. Definitely, it will be more than 12,” said Barrios.

side hill slope to dismiss tee balls beyond 220 yards towards the pines and a more conservative drive is rewarded with a level lie and easy pitch. Southern Pines also has several blind tee shots (2, 5, 6 and 13 among them) to provide a mystery about the proceedings but even though the greens are often at the high point of the holes the target always fairly presents itself. This is particularly evident on the set of three-pars that each require a crisp midiron with a distance expertly judged. Anything less than ideal planning and execution

will make recovery a precarious business. OPENING CEREMONY: PARADE OF NATIONS The U.S. Kids Golf opened on Tuesday with the annual Parade of Nations for all participants, friends and families. Over 1,440 players are competing on ten courses. Ella is playing in the Girls 11 division which has a huge field of 109 golfers including her rivals at Brookside, Athena Nguyen and Madison Starke of the United States. Countryman Annyka Cayabyab who won the title will not be seeong action in Pinehurst.

A year to go before samba and sun Gilas list deferred R T IO de Janeiro conjures clear images of sun, samba and soccer. Organizers of the Olympics that start a year from now hope that’s what people remember after the games — not images of polluted water, inefficient transportation and incomplete venues. The Rio Olympics that start Aug. 5, 2016, follow last year’s World Cup, which ended with mixed results. A year of protests over lavish spending on soccer stadiums dissolved once the World Cup started. Fans from around the world embraced Brazil, and the stadiums looked ready enough on television even if many were still incomplete. Several have become underused “white elephants” that cost local governments millions to maintain. Now come the Summer Games, which are more complex and put Brazil under scrutiny again. Instead of a one-month tournament with 730 players, the 16day Olympics feature 28 sports, 300 events and 10,500 athletes; almost all in a metropolitan area of about 12 million people. Construction got off to a slow start. And so did ticket sales. “If you compare our numbers with the classic London numbers, you’re going to see that we got off a little late,” said Mario Andrada, spokesman for the Rio

Olympics. He called Brazilians “last-minute people.” “But there’s no doubt in our minds that we are going to sell out the tickets.” It will take years to know if the Olympics improved life for Cariocas, as Rio residents are known. And if so, who profited the most from spending $12 billion in public and private money. The head of the local organizing committee Carlos Nuzman says Rio will be the Olympic city with the “greatest transformation,” surpassing Tokyo in 1964 and Barcelona in 1992. An Olympics can change a city’s reputation for good or bad. Beijing showcased a rising power, but outsiders also glimpsed the control of an authoritarian state. Athens took a beating for preparations __ similar to Rio — and some of Greece’s financial problems are linked Olympic spending. At quick look at preparations with South America’s first games opening Aug. 5, 2016. WATER POLLUTION The sailing and wind-surfing venue in Guanabara Bay, and the rowing and canoeing

THE CADDY. Danny Nagayo with Dabawenya pro golfer Sarah Ababa during the opening ceremonies of the 2015 US Kids World Championships. Danny Nagayo FB photo

venue at the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon, feature beautiful backdrops spoiled by sewage-filled water and floating debris. Rio officials promised cleaning the bay would be an Olympic legacy. But Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes has said that won’t happen. A dramatic photo in the Rio newspaper O Globo recently showed trash wrapped around the tail of a dolphin in the bay. Rio hopes to get by with stopgaps; a fleet of rubbish collection boats and barricades built where garbage gushes in from hilltop slums. Some sailors competing in test events in Rio have called Guanabara Bay “an open sewer,” and many have tried to minimize contact with the water to avoid illnesses. “I don’t think I would go swimming in that lagoon,” said Matt Smith, head of the World Rowing Federation. LEGACY PROJECTS The new Olympic golf course and the athletes’ village will become luxury real estate develpments after the Olympics. The units at the golf course start at about $2 million. The projects

involve public and private money, with much of the income going to the private developers. Two largely government-funded developments are a subway extension from central Rio into Barra da Tijuca — the heart of the games — and rapid transit bus lines that reach many corners of the city. The subway line extension faces a tight deadline. “The subway line is going to be delivered just before the games, so of course we’re worried about that,” said Sidney Levy, CEO of the organizing committee. Part of the Olympic Park will serve afterward as Brazil’s Olympic training center. A section of the Olympic Park will become residential space. Some of that space has yet to be vacated with residents in a slum called Vila Autodromo holding out for better compensation. CRIME Street crime in Rio has spiked as drug traffickers in the city’s slums — known as favelas — fight back against police and soldiers trying to “pacify” the neighborhoods. Muggings are increasing in the upscale south and west of the city, which will host most of the Olympics. A cyclist was recently stabbed to death at the Olympic rowing venue. City officials are confident the problems won’t leak over to

According to its website, the Southern Pines navigates the rolls and pitches of the terrain. The longest hole on the course, the 542-yard fifth, can be more reachable in two shots than the par-five second that is fifty yards shorter – providing a drawing tee shot clears the top of a ridge and plummets down the fairway. At no. 2, an uphill green with a bowl carved into its front rejects long approaches into the green while at the fifth balls flow directly from the fairway towards the putting surface. Local wags say the art of shotmaking takes prece-

dence over power at Southern Pines on Ross’ drive-andpitch holes. This is why it is crucial for Nagayo to hone the pitch-putt side of her game. For example, the fairway bunker tucked into the gentle dogleg of the 375-yard 8th hole lures the player into challenging with a driver which if not perfectly executed will chase down a slope to the right into a lake unseen from the tee. In this hole, Ella must play a shorter tee shot into the fairway which will feed to ball down towards the green. There is also the inviting 335yard no. 10 which features

DADDY CADDY... FROM 16

the Olympics. “The World Cup was organized without any major incidents, and we expect that this will be the same for the games,” said Christophe Dubi, Olympic Games Executive Director. INSPIRATION President Dilma Rousseff, whose popularity has plunged as the country slides in recession, said recently she will be more involved in Olympic preparations. She’s hoping the Olympics will improve the country’s mood, and boost her poll numbers.

Levy says the games should inspire Brazilians, and they could use some. State-run oil company Petrobras lost $2.1 billion in a kickback scheme that saw firm executives take bribes for awarding inflated contracts. In June, police arrested the CEOs of two of Brazil’s largest construction companies, including the head of Odebrecht, which helped build many World Cup and Olympic venues. Levy, the CEO, has repeated often that Rio is running clean games devoid of corruption.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. VOL.88ISSUE ISSUE85 85• THURSDAY, • THURSDAY,JULY JULY30, 30,2015 2015

PRACTICE ROUND. Ella Nagayo at the driving range of Southern Pines. Inset, Ella Nagayo’s caddy bib to be worn by her dad in the 2015 US Kids World Championships. Danny Nagayo FB photo

DADDY CADDY Ella’s dad Danny to carry her bag in World Championships

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

PROUD TO REPRESENT THE COUNTRY. Ella Nagayo during the opening parade of the 2015 US Kids World Championships. Danny Nagayo FB photo

ITH the cradle of American Golf as the obstacle, Alessandra Christine Nagayo’s chances will be safe in Daddy’s cradle. Yes, it’s going to be no one else but her father Danny Nagayo who will caddy for Davao golfing phenom Ella Nagayo when the 2015 US Kids Golf World Championships tees off on Friday (July 31 PH Time) at the Southern Pines course at Pinehurst in North Carolina. The big gambit to put Danny as bagtoter with his unfamiliarity of the course was a consensus decision for the father-daughter team. However, Danny made sure he is ready for the biggest

njb@edgedavao.net

competition in the young career of his 11-year old daughter who finished a strong fourth last week in the Veritas Junior Golf World Championships in Pasadena, California. Danny went through a Daddy Caddy seminar on Tuesday and received Ella’s official tournament caddy bib with ‘Nagayo’ emblazoned on the back. Ella and Danny will get a feel of the par-72 layout. If at all, Danny is a familiar name in the course which was designed by architect Danny Ross in 1906. Ella’s mother, city councilor Rachel Zozobrado-Nagayo told EDGE Davao that Ella and Danny arrived at Pinehurst last July 26 and did 18 holes and some pitching and putting practice. “She said mahirap daw ang course kasi makitid at maraming trees,” said councilor Nagayo. Ella and Danny will have their first official practice round today at the Southern Pines.

“Naga focus sya sa pitching and putting nya,” said her mother, stressing the weak points of Ella’s game which cost her what could have been a better performance last week at Brookside. “Kinakabahan na daw sya.” DIFFICULT COURSE At Southern Pines, Ella is playing in a hilly course that’s typical in true links fashion where there is no return to the clubhouse until the round is complete. The course is also unique because the next tee is seldom more than a few steps from the green and even though there is usually a one-club elevation change on every hole the walking golfer is never aware of engaging a hilly course. The notable elevation shifts have inspired golfers to call Southern Pines “the longest 6,000 yards in the Sandhills.” The course stretches to 6,450 yards for black tees to 6,300-yard on blue tees.

FDADDY CADDY, 15