Edge Davao 8 Issue 91 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

VOL. 8 ISSUE 91 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2015

www.edgedavao.net

SPEED LIMIT IS STILL IN EFFECT

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

Reprimanded but not apprehended: LTO 11 INSIDE EDGE

Police to implement ‘Stop and Frisk’ during Kadayawan P2 Pre-trial of Enrile starts next month P4

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

STRONG WAVES. A group of young boys ignores the risk of being swept away by the strong and huge monsoon waves as they continue to play near the sea wall in Sta. Ana wharf yesterday. Big waves regularly affect some areas in Davao City this time of the year when the wind switches to the monsoon or habagat. Lean Daval Jr.

P4 EDGEDAVAO Sports

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

Jimmy is D getting ready if neccessary

Page 15

AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte yesterday clarified that the speed limit is still in effect in the city despite his order to temporarily freeze the apprehension of traffic violations “Buyagon lang sila pero dili sila dakpon (Violators will be reprimanded but they cannot be apprehended),” Duterte said in an interview at Hotel Elena on Wednesday night.

The mayor said if motorists become abusive, he will be the one to arrest them. Duterte had earlier temporarily frozen the apprehension of traffic violations in the entire city after receiving a complaint that several traffic enforcers are involved in extortion. Yesterday, Duterte said the enforcers of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) 11,

Highway Patrol Group (HPG) 11, and Davao City Police Office-Traffic Group (DCPO-TG) can resume their apprehension of traffic violators after identification cards with “the same size of their face” are provided to them. “Gusto lang nako mailhan kung kinsa ng nagapara-para diha kay lisod man na pasanginlan nimo tanan (I just want to know who are

involved in extortion because we can’t accuse all of them),” he said. He said names and numbers of the traffic enforcers will be printed in large font so they can easily be identified by motorists. The IDs will also be color-coded based on the traffic enforcement unit so that it would be easy for him to call on the respective unit heads if

FSPEED, 10

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 91 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2015

STUDENT TO TEACHER. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte burns the line with his former professor Jose Maria Sison, founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and chief political consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDF), in a telephone conversation on Wednesday night. Lean Daval Jr.

DOH seeks to lower IP maternal death rate By CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

HE regional office of the Department of Health (DOH) in Davao is eyeing to empower barangay health centers and health workers in the outskirts of the region to bring down maternal deaths among indigenous women. DOH 11 regional director Abdullah Dumama Jr. told reporters yesterday that the first semester data of maternal death incidence in the region showed that majority involved IP women. “When we studied the data for Davao, we saw that there’s a direct link between maternal death and IPs,” he said in an interview at the sidelines of the

launching of the Hospital High Impact 5 (Hi-5) at the Southern Philippines Medical Center yesterday. Of the total 25 cases of maternal deaths in Davao del Sur, 15 involved IP women. Of this number, 13 were from the municipality of Malita while the two others were recorded in the municipality of Jose Abad Santos. Dumama said the two top reasons of death among pregnant women were severe bleeding or hemorrhage and the distance from health facilities which force women to

FDOH, 10

Low water pressure to no water in Cabantian

AVAO City Water District advises customers served by Cabantian Water Supply System that they will experience series of low water pressure to no water on August 9 from 12:01 AM to 1:01 AM and from 6:45 AM to 8:45 AM: Ananda Marga, Yoga, Holy Trinity Subd., Countryville Executive Homes, Bacahoa Village, Emilia Homes Subd., Cecilia Heights, Remedios Heights, Precilla States, Chula Vista Subd., Cabantian Country Homes, Greenland Subd. I and II, Medical Mission Group Homeowners, Blue Diamond Village, Communal, Emily Homes, Deca Homes, North Crest Subd., Kasilak Village,

Green Orchard I, II and III, Dacudao Village, Canaan Village, Indangan, Millenium Village and Nagkahiusa Village and all its immediate environs. DCWD’s Cabantian Production Well Nos. 1 and 2 and Indangan Production Wells will be affected by Davao Light and Power Company’s power interruption on said date to facilitate the wire stringing activity near Buhangin fly-over for the upgrading of special line supplying Southern Philippines Medical Center. Although this power cut is shorter in duration, DCWD needs additional time for re-switching on of the af-

FLOW, 10

Police to use ‘stop and frisk’ during Kadayawan Festival By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

abf@edgedavao.net

HE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) will implement a “stop and frisk” policy in the activity areas of 30th Kadayawan Festival which will start on August 17. Speaking in yesterday’s I-Speak Media Forum, DCPO spokesperson Senior Inspector Milgrace Driz told reporters this will be used if there are reports of suspicious persons inside an activity area. “We will implement it

with courtesy to the person,” she said. Driz said the police will invite the person to a corner to protect his privacy. Police will frisk the person and explain to him that someone had reported him to the authorities as a suspicious person. Driz said the DCPO will conduct a briefing on police officers on how to handle the “stop and frisk” policy before deploying them to the field.

Driz reminded the public that backpacks, canisters, and sharp objects are again prohibited from the activity areas. Instead of backpacks, the people can bring transparent bags so that police can easily see the contents. Driz appealed for cooperation from the public for the success of the event. She said around 3,000 personnel will be deployed in different areas and activity of the festival.

Driz said of the total, 1,400 are from the DCPO, 600 from the United Force Multipliers which is a civic group that volunteered to secure the event, 600 from Barangay Peace and Order Unit (BPOU), and 100 from Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) 11. Task Force Davao commander Colonel Macairog Alberto said he will deploy around 300 of his personnel to assist the DCPO during the event.

Ungab committee to start budget hearings Monday By ANTONIO M. AJERO

HE appropriations committee of the House of Representatives headed by Davao City Rep. Isidro T. Ungab will start Monday, August 10, committee hearings on the proposed 2016 national budget submitted by President Aquino after delivering his sixth State of the Nation Address (SONA) last week. The proposed national budget of P3.022 trillion is double the 2010 General Appropriations Act of P1.54 trillion, Ungab said. It is also 15.2 percent

higher than the 2015 enacted budget. Social services As submitted by the Department of the Budget and Management, P1.1059 trillion, or 36.8 percent, of the proposed budget will go to social services covering education, healthcare, housing, and social welfare and employment. Allocation for social services, Ungab said, is 16.1 percent more than the 2015 allocation of P952.7 billion. Economic services

Allocation for economic services comes second biggest –P829.6 billion, or 27.64 percent of the proposed national budget, showing an increase of 17.3 percent from 27.13 percent in 2015. Transport and communication infrastructure spending will get the bulk of the economic services budget, with the Department of Public Works and Highways getting P391.2 billion. Ungab said the DPWH budget will enable the depart-

FUNGAB, 10 Rep. Isidro T. Ungab

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EDGEDAVAO

4 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 91 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2015

Session adjourned anew due to lack of quorum

HE interpellation period for the substitute bill to the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) did not resume for the second day on Wednesday for the same reason it did not on Tuesday: lack of quorum. The period of interpellation for the substitute bill, House Bill 5811 or the Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, was scheduled to resume on August 4 but Tuesday’s session was adjourned shortly before 6 p.m. due to lack of quorum. Wednesday’s session was again adjourned at around the same time due to lack of quorum. Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez told MindaNews Tuesday morning that the interpellation, which was suspended when Congress adjourned sine die on June 10 “will (resume) this afternoon and every session day until finished.” “No quorum again yesterday. We resume on Monday,” Rodriguez told MindaNews Thursday morning. Wednesday’s adjourn-

ment leaves only 37 session days – at the maximum of four session days per week — from Monday, August 10 until Congress goes on recess from October 10 to November 2. The passage of the BBL will pave the way for the creation of the new autonomous political entity called “Bangsamoro” that government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) had agreed in their October 15, 2012 Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and March 27, 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) by June 30, 2016. Congress leaders had earlier vowed to pass the BBL by September because the filing of certificates of candidacy for all those who are running for elective posts — local, regional (ARMM) and national — in the nationwide synchronized elections scheduled on May 9, 2016 is scheduled on October 12 to 16.

MOORED. Passenger vessels plying the Davao City-Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCos) and Davao City-Jose Abad Santos routes stay docked as travel is suspended yesterday due to the monsoon (habagat) which brought strong and big waves. Lean Daval Jr.

City archives building Thousands affected by floods construction hits snag in Maguindanao, North Cot F

LOODS due to heavy monsoon rains in Maguindanao and surrounding provinces have affected at least 2,000 families or 6,000 persons in several towns of Maguindanao, disaster officials said Wednesday. Jo Henry, of the Humanitarian Emergency Action and Response Team (HEART), however said there were no reports of evacuation. HEART-ARMM has been placed on alert since Monday night as light to moderate rain continued due to inclement weather. Disaster officials were closely watching and monitoring at least 17 low-lying municipalities of Maguindanao. The province has 36 towns. “These areas are perennial flood-prone communities in Maguinanao,” Henry said.

FSESSION, 10

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

She added the towns of Sultan Mastura, Datu Montawal, Mother Kabuntalan, Northern Kabuntalan, Pagalungan, Montawal, Sultan sa Barongis, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Shariff Saydona, Mamasapano and Rajah Buayan were already flooded. She said ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman had told them to aim for “zero casualty”. Lynette Estandarte, Maguindanao’s health focal person on Wednesday said 200 bags of rice were ready for distribution. Aside from health personnel, social welfare and engineering teams were on standby for deployment to areas where they may be needed. In North Cotabato, continuous rains flooded 16 barangays in Pikit town affect-

FTHOUSANDS, 10

abf@edgedavao.net

HE construction of the Davao City Archives Building is experiencing delays due to a requirement set by the National Archives of the Philippines (NAP) on the specifics of the structure. Speaking in yesterday’s I-Speak Media Forum, City

Archives and Records Center chief Ann Victoria Silvosa said the NAP is also asking for soil testing on the site before the P20-million building is erected. “Unfortunately, the funding for the soil testing was not included in the annual budget

for 2015,” she said. Silvosa said her office proposed a P400,000 budget for soil testing. This is included in the P64-million supplemental budget no. 3. “Once it is approved, we will count more or less 60 days and then the construction pro-

cess will start,” she said, adding she hopes it can start before the Commission on Election (Comelec) ban on government projects starting October ahead of the 2016 election. The building will be built at the site the former office of

chaired by Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang, issued the ruling after the original schedule of the pre-trial was terminated by the court last Friday due to the vehement objections of the camps of Enrile and his co-accused and former chief of staff, Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes. In the last proceedings, Reyes’ legal counsel, Anacleto Diaz, manifested that

his client was opposing the conduct of the pretrial as the prosecution panel has yet to produce original copies of the documents that it intends to present as evidence against the accused during the trial proper. Diaz maintained that their camp must see the original documents first in order to verify the authenticity of the photocopies of the doc-

uments that the prosecution earlier marked as evidence. To give the prosecution ample time to produce the original documents, Diaz then moved that the preliminary conferences or the offcourt marking of evidence by both camps be extended for another month. But in its resolution, the Third Division denied the

FCITY, 10

Pre-trial of Enrile starts next month T

HE pre-trial of detained Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce-Enrile on his plunder case will start next month, Sandiganbayan Third Division said Thursday. In a resolution dated Aug. 4 but was only made available to the media on Thursday, the anti-graft court set the pretrial of Enrile’s plunder case on Sept. 10 at 1:30 p.m. The Third Division,

Fiber optic project to boost connectivity in Mindanao

SECURITY UPDATES. Task Force Davao commander Colonel Macairog Alberto and Davao City Police Office spokesperson Senior Inspector Milgrace Driz give updates on security preparations for the upcoming 30th Kadayawan Festival. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

FPRE-TRIAL, 10

FIBER optic cable that is seen to boost internet connectivity in Mindanao is set for groundbreaking early next year, an official announced. In a press briefing at the Cafe Demitasse on Wednesday, National Telecommunications Commission IX regional director Edgardo Celorico said the head-end of the fiber optic project dubbed “Best Cable System” will be located in Parang, Maguindanao, tapping the submarine cable connecting Tawau, Malaysia and Guam. Brunei and Malaysia have already been connected through a terrestrial structure. The project aims to make internet speed on the island faster and lower down the cost by at least 30 percent. At present, Mindanao is

served by giant telephone companies such as Globe Telecom and Smart Communications to Luzon, which resulted in high cost of internet and slower speed due to proximity. The target completion for this project will be in 2017. It will initially service the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and later cover the entire island. The head-end facility of the submarine cable will be in Parang, as the project’s proponent in the Philippines EA Trilink Corp. got the franchise from the ARMM, which explains why the additional bandwidth of 1 terabyte that this project will provide will be exclusive to Mindanao. “The ICT is already an enabler in other countries. This is not a very big investment

FFIBER, 10

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 91 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2015

Organic Trading Post opening set

HE City Agriculture Office (CAO) will open the Organic Trading Post along Palma Gil St. this year. The two-storey building will serve as a consolidation point of all organic products produced in Davao City. CAO’s organic division program coordinator Joselito Tabora said the building cost P1.9 million, P1.5 million from the Department of Agriculture (DA) XI and P400,000 from the city government. He said a multipurpose cooperative with around 800 members will occupy the facility while a coffeeshop is being planned to for the second level. Construction started in the last quarter of 2014 and was completed in March this year. The signing of the memorandum of agreement on the project between the city government and DA happened in 2012. The project aims to “ensure availability and accessibility of certified and/or registered organic inputs and organic food for farmers, producers, manufacturers, and stakeholders interested in adopting organic agricultural practices.” It also aims to promote organic inputs and products

in strategic areas and provide an outlet for selling organic food products. Tabora said organic products are slowly gaining ground in the city because people are becoming more health conscious, although there are those who don’t bother knowing how their foods are being produced. The City Government has been conducting information drive, forums, and trainings to farmers to encourage them to venture into organic agriculture. Recently, City Councilor Marissa Abella announced that the city will soon have an Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (APTC) for fresh fruits and vegetables produced in the city and neighboring areas. She said farmers will also get trainings on best farming practices, including those on organic farming, to make local products globally competitive. The APTC, which has a project cost of P70 million, will rise on a five-hectare property in Daliao, Toril. The groundbreaking will be held sometime in September. Abella added they are hoping to receive additional P70 million from DA to develop the next phase of the trading center. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)

CONCEPT STORE. Banana Telecom/Wiltelcom proprietor Wilson Lu (second from right), councilor Mabel Sunga-Acosta (third from right), Microsoft Mobile Device Group marketing manager Pat Villar, and Microsoft staff members pose for a photograph during the opening of Microsoft concept store at NCCC Mall on Saturday. Lean Daval Jr.

DavNor Negosyo Center opens

HE Negosyo Center of Davao del Norte located at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Building, Capitol Center, Mankilam, Tagum City was opened yesterday afternoon. DTI Region XI Director Maria Belenda Ambi and Aram Fernandez from the office of Sen. Bam Aquino led the launching of the Davao del Norte Negosyo Center. Dir. Ambi emphasized that the Negosyo Center will provide business registration assistance especially for startup Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), business advisory services through counselling and business information and advocacy through trainings and orientations. “We may not provide the business registration right away like those needing approval from other agencies like the local government unit and Bureau of Internal Revenue; but information can be provided,” Ambi said. She also stressed that the center is a collaboration among government agency based on its legal foundation, the Go Negosyo Act or Republic Act 10644. “This is not just run by the DTI only but even the lo-

cal government units. We also have the Small Business Corporation for financing, Department of Science and Technology, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Labor and Employment among others,” she added. Dir. Ambi revealed that the center was the fourth in the region, following Davao City, Davao Oriental and Davao del Sur; and 74th in the whole country. “This Negosyo Center will not be the last in Davao del Norte. We will still put up in its local government units starting with the cities, hopefully for this year,” Ambi said. She added that for the whole country, 1,800 Negosyo Centers are targeted to be in place by 2018 in all municipalities and city as mandated in RA 10644. Ambi encouraged the audience of the activity to campaign for users of the Negosyo Center. “To all those who are here, kindly advise the MSMEs to maximize the use of the facility for all the information they would like and the services they would require; so that this will not become useless,” she said. (PIA 11,/Michael Uy)

Per DTI FTEB SPD Permit No. 220 Series of 2015. For more details, you may contact 321.7493 or 0917.777.300.

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Industry sector posts 14.6% growth By CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

AVAO’S industry sector grew by 14.6 percent in 2014, surpassing the region’s target of 7.4 percent. “Among the major sectors, the industry sector grew the fastest in 2014 at 14.6 percent, propelled by the manufacturing, mining and quarrying, electricity, gas and water supply subsectors,” National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) 11 regional director Ma. Lourdes D. Lim

said. Lim said three out of the four subsectors of the industry sector posted a double digit growth rates. “Manufacturing contributed the biggest share at 66 percent and grew by 18.8 percent and surpassed its Plan target of 8.3 percent, due to the sustained performance of processing industries, such as cement, food and beverages, and steel billets,” she said.

Davao del Norte ready for ASEAN integration

HE province of Davao del Norte is ready for the economic integration of the Association of Southeast Asian nations (ASEAN) late this year. Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario assured the readiness of the province during Monday’s Convocation program hosted by the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAGRO). The governor top billed the rich agricultural resources that give the province its comparative advantage in the global arena. “This is an opportunity for us as we move toward ASEAN integration. We have an advantage on Cavendish banana, cacao, bangus and other products,” he said. The Chair of the Regional Development Council (RDC)-XI stressed the importance of instilling good agricultural practices to the farmers, particularly to boost their position in the ASEAN community. He underscored the important role of the PAGRO in adapting to the challenges of the AEC. Aside from the agri sector, the governor also bared the ongoing re-structuring of the provincial government organization is timely in the preparation of the province. He said the reorganiza-

tion of some Capitol offices is meant to strengthen the competitiveness of the province to face the challenges of the AEC. “Davao del Norte has agri products but need to preempt the flow of people. That’s the reason why we are putting emphasis on how to educate our people so that we can improve our human resource. So that we will become more competitive with our ASEAN neighbors,” del Rosario explained. The governor also cited the efforts of his administration in enhancing the capability of provincial employees. “We have the Davao del Norte Learning Institute (DNLI) to help our employees become college graduates, thereby becoming more competitive when the integration happens this year,” he said. He bared the provincial government-owned academy has 180 provincial scholars and we will extend to outsiders like the Barangay Health Workers, DayCare Workers to become accredited and become license holder,” continued del Rosario. While he did not discount the challenges ahead, the governor encouraged everyone to take the integration as a big opportunity rather than a hindrance.

DTI brings industry roadmap to local level

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) hastens its thrust to make the new industrial policy more inclusive. DTI encourages the involvement of local business community, local government units (LGUs), and the academe nationwide to partake in the development of industry roadmaps as well as taking advantage of the opportunities from ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and European Union Generalizes Scheme of Preferences Plus (EU-GSP+). “By engaging our regional stakeholders, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs), local government and the academe, we hope to craft regional roadmaps that reflect a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges that could arise from the AEC

and the EU GSP+,” said DTI Assistant Secretary Rafaelita Aldaba. DTI will hold conferences on “Industry Roadmaps and the AEC Game Plan: Roadmap Localization for Competitiveness” in key areas in the country with high interest in automotive manufacturing, electronics, petrochemical, and information technology and business process outsourcing such as Reion IV. The conference for Region IV will be held on Thursday at Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay City with key executives from both public and private sectors. Aside from Region IV, the same conference will be held in Iloilo for Region VI, Cebu for Region VII, Davao for Region XI, and Baguio for Cordillera Administrative Region. (PNA)

The mining and quarrying subsector continued to post positive growth at 12.8 percent, surpassing its target of 6 percent for 2014 due to increased volume and value of gold and silver driven by better world market demand and prices. Meanwhile, construction activity remained vigorous as the value for private construction reached P12.2 billion, according to Lim.

“In terms of public construction, the government completed nationally-funded projects particularly for road upgrading, National Greening Programs and projects included in the Pablo Rehabilitation Plan, especially for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of elementary and secondary school buildings,” she said. The government, Lim added, was also able to complete Official Development

Assistance (ODA)-funded projects mostly to reduce and mitigate risks to disasters and provide social protection. The NEDA 11 chief also attributed the growth in the construction sector to the continued partnership between the public and private sector. “In partnership with the private sector, the government pursued projects under the Public-Private Partner-

ship (PPP) program and already for implementation is the Tamugan Surface Water Facility with a project cost of P10 billion,” Lim said. Other PPP projects in Davao Region include the P40.57 billion Davao Airport Development project, P18.9 billion Davao Sasa Port Modernization Project, Tagum Bulk Water Facility and the P16.8 billion Davao City Bypass Construction Project.

MOA SIGNING. Kevin L. Tan, first vice-president and head of commercial division, Megaworld; Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso, chief operating officer, Megaworld; Frank S. Gaisano, chairman and CEO, MRSGI; and Arthur Emmanuel, president and chief operating officer of MRSGI (from left) during a recent signing of agreement.

Phl, Japanese government set to ink agreement for P16.8-B bypass road T

HE Philippine Government will enter into a loan agreement with the Japanese Government for the funding of the P16.8 billion Davao City Bypass Road project this month. This was reported by National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) 11 regional director Ma. Lourdes Lim during an event at the Ritz Oasis Hotel. “The bypass construction project is up for Loan Agreement Signing next month (August), with Japanese Government funding, after having approved by the NEDA Board

in May 2015,” Lim said. The project involves the construction of a 46.88-kilometer super highway which will run from Bunawan passing through Lasang, Baranggays San Isidro, Mahayag, Mudiang, Waan, Tacunan, Mintal, Bangkas Heights, Marapangi, and exit to Sirawan in Toril District. Based on the proposed project, a tunnel will also be constructed in Magtuod Bridge, which is between Waan and Tacunan. The construction of the bypass road is one of the major road projects that are be-

ing pushed by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) through its Corridors Program. Earlier, MinDA executive director Janet Lopoz said in a statement that the project will be divided into two construction packages. The first package, which is the South section of the road, will be 31.08 kilometer and with a 2.28 kilometer tunnel, while the second package, the North section will be 15.78 kilometer. Lopoz said in a report that the Davao City Bypass Road “will allow farmers and businessmen in Bukidnon area,

once of the major food baskets of Mindanao to cut their travel short if they are going to the Northwestern and Western part of Mindanao.” She said those travelers coming from the Southeastern and Eastern part of Mindanao, like Kidapawan and Davao del Sur, can access the bypass roads without the need to go to the main roads of the city. The construction of the road, Lopoz added, is also in anticipation of the continued urban growth of the city and will decongest the traffic in the city caused by its fats economic growth. CHENEEN R. CAPON

insurgents. “This project is the national government’s peace and development framework in empowering conflict-affected areas in the country,” Davin said, adding that it follows a convergence strategy to close the gaps in development and bring progress to areas where they are needed the most. A complementary track to peace negotiations, PAMANA ensures that communities benefit from improved delivery of basic social services and

are served by a responsive, transparent and accountable government. He said residents will be encouraged to till their farms to be planted with high-valued commodities like cacao, banana cardava, rubber, abaca and cassava. Davin said the local government has a counterpart of P7-million, while the P67-million comes from the national government to implement the seven-kilometer farm-to-market road concreting.

Municipal Engineer Haide dela Torre said that the project is already 37 percent complete and is expected to be fully completed before the year ends. Dela Torre said that they are also prioritizing the employment of workers who are beneficiaries of the National Housing Targeting System (NHTS) o the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. (CDIO-Magsaysay/Anthony S. Allada)

Magsaysay gets P74-M concreting project

HE national government is currently implementing a P74-million road concreting project in a far-flung sitio in Barangay Bacungan, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur. Mayor Arthur Davin said the project comes from the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan or Peaceful and Resilient Communties (PAMANA) program of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process, which is targeting areas known to be haven of

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EDGEDAVAO

EVENT

JR Pastry’s cream puffs are to die for.

Cafe El Gato’s guava wood smoked ribs are deliciously tender.

A festival of

FLAVORS THE KADAYAWAN FESTIVAL is right around the corner and from August 21 to 23 SM Lanang Premier’s Davao Gourmet Collective will once again set-up shop at Durianburg’s premier shopping destination.

This year, the collective is going with a food and music vibe as the best of Dabawenyo food as well as new purveyors from Manila join up to form a gastronomic feast and I was one of the lucky few who were invited to a tasting preview last August 1 at the second level of SM Lanang Premier’s Fountain Court. Joining the food collective are regulars La Bodeguita with their classic paella and home-made Spanish chorizos, Classico Pizza, Don Durian with their lechon liempo and chicken, and Crazy Cook with their gourmet satays

Jam Foods’ U.S.D.A Angus Beef Tapa is highly addictive. and other Thai treats. Also joining are Kushiya with their famous yakitori, El Gato with their tender smoked ribs, and Backyard Burger with their trademark grilled burgers. New and notable is Alibaba Shawarma with their wraps and pita pocket. The meat of the wraps are tender while sticking true to authentic middle eastern flavours. Also high on my totaste list is Jam Foods’ U.S.D.A. Angus Beef Tapa. Which will be available cooked as well as frozen to take home. The tapa is rich and flavourful thanks to the marbled angus beef. Meat lovers beware as it is highly addictive especially when downed with lemonade from Stellina’s. For those who wish to have some lighter fare, Soul Kitchen is also setting up a booth at the Davao Gourmet Food

Carmela’s ensaymada comes in a rainbow of flavours.

Collective. take a bite of their healthy wraps as well as various fresh juices as well as tasty salads. For dessert there are specially cakes from Osvaldo’s and different pastries from JR Pastry. I suggest lining up for JR Pastry’s cream puff which is one of the best tasting cream puffs I have ever tasted to date. Carmela’s, a new purveyor, offers scrumptious and soft ensaymada in a rainbow of colours. To complete the gourmet fair dining experience, performances by Techy Romantics on Agust 21, Up Dharma Down on August 22, and Skymarines and BP Valenzuela on August 23 are sure to make the event more festive. Follow me on Instagram or on Twitter at @kennethkingong for more travel stories, foodie finds, and happenings in, around, and beyond Durianburg.

Spicy and tasty beef pockets by Alibaba Shawarma.

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UP AND ABOUT

Arcadia Electronic Music Fest to charge up Kadayawan THE Kadayawan Festival is known for its lively dancing on the streets, cultural exhibitions, as well as wonderful food. This year’s celebration is about to become even more exciting with Arcadia Electronic Music Festival.

A party concept of Davao City’s very own Manic Nightnings Productions, Arcadia is a one-of-a-kind two-day celebration on August 21 and 22 for this year’s Kadayawan Festival. The first night is a pub-crawl through Davao’s premiere bars and nightlife destinations and the second day is a three-staged electronic music festival at the D’Leonor Inland Resort. The Arcadia pub-craw, will be held throughout some of Davao City’s hippest bars and will feature the some of the hottest Philippine DJs. Featured bars on August 21 include Perch Kitchen + Bar, Huckleberry Southern Kitchen and Bar, Club Echelon, STRE3TS Urban Lifestyle Pub, Brewery Damosa, Hybrid, Acropolis Superclub and Brewery Obrero. DJs to watch out for are DJ Arra Pascual, SJ Badkiss, Fuck Avy, Mark Nicosia, Khai Lim, Samir Ayeb, Sonny B, and Therese Garcia aside from the Manic Nightnings stable of DJs. The Pub-crawl events will also be hosted by Cris Lamotan, Benj Bolivar, Miguel Lasala and Loren Burgos of Team Outkast. The highlight event of Arcadia is on August 22 at the D’Leonor Inland Resort. Touted to be the biggest EDM festival

in Kadayawan history and the first in the Philippines, the Arcadia Electronic Music Festival will feature three themed stages in three locations within the D’Leonor resort. “We will have an eagleshaped stage at the Festival Village,” says Manic Nightnings’ “mother” Katrina “Kat” Dalisay “the stage shall be 3D mapped to create a festive vibe to the village. While the main stage

called the Floating Stage shall be placed in the middle of the resort’s wave pool. It will be the first time in Davao where a stage this big will be set-up on water.” Each of the stages will feature different sets of DJs spinning different genres of electronic music Kat added. Notable DJs in the lineups include Martin Pulgar, Travis Monsod, Mars Miranda, Deuce, Clyde Harris, mark Nikosia,

Mia Ayesa, Callum David, Jason Dewey, Ashley Rivera, Sonny B, as well as two international DJs. “I cannot reveal yet who the two are,” says Kat “but both are international caliber DJ who have been featured in the top international DJ charts.” Tickets to the Arcadia Electronic Music Festival are already available. VIP are at Php1,300 for access to all three stages while Gold tickets which access to the

Festival and Carnival stages are available for only Php350. “VIP cabanas are also available with princes ranging from Php5,000 to Php15,000, each with a corresponding number of VIP tickets as well as free sponsored drinks and waiter service.” added Kat. For more information visit the Manic Nightnings Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ MANICNIGHTNINGSPRODS.

SM City Davao Kadayawan Sale on August 14 to 23

CELEBRATE the season of harvest at SM City Davao and enjoy up to 70% off on great selections mall-wide at the Kadayawan Sale happening on August 14 to 23. Checkout the trends in floriculture at the Farm and Agro Trade Fair, one of the country’s largest gathering of farming and gardening enthusiasts, at the Open Parking C from August 1 until August 31. Now on its 10th year, Moda Mindanaw goes global, showcasing the region’s most promising talents. Catch the pageantry of patterns, colors and in-

genuity on August 16 at the Annex Event Center. Delight in the beauty of plants at a special Bonsai and Dish Garden Exhibition by the Floriculture Industry Council of Southern Mindanao, ground floor of the Annex on August 17-23. Apart from the abounding fruits, enjoy the city’s best grilled offerings at the Grill & Music located at the Open Parking D on August 14-16 and 21-23. Also catch live performances from Davao’s up and coming artists. Meet and greet your favorite Kapuso and Kapamilya stars on August 21, 22 and 23! Check out the Ka-

puso Fans Day on the 21st with Megan Young and Tom Rodriguez, ABSCBN’s hottest stars from Pasion de Amor at the Kapamilya Karavan on the 22nd and the ASAP Harana Boys on the 23rd. Enjoy extended shopping hours until 10PM on

August 14-15, 21 & 23, and until 12MN on August 22. Get into the Kadayawan vibe at SM City Davao! For inquiries, call 297.6998. Like SM City Davao on Facebook or follow @SMCityDavao on Twitter and @SMDavao on Instagram for event and promo updates.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 91 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

ABS-CBN maintains strong viewership nationwide in July ABS-CBN remained undisputed in national TV viewership in July with an average national audience share of 47% or 16 points higher than GMA’s 31%, based on data from Kantar Media.

The Kapamilya network’s dominance is a result of the viewers’ strong support for its primetime offerings led by “The Voice Kids” season 2, which topped all shows with an average rating of 43.9% in July from 39.5% in June. Other leading weekend programs include “Maalaala Mo Kaya” (36%) and “Wansapanataym” (34.3%). ABS-CBN’s Primetime Bida block also continues to soar higher in the national TV ratings game with its top caliber drama series “Nathaniel” (36.1%), “Pangako Sa’yo” (35.5%), “Bridges of Love” (24.2%), and “Pasion de Amor” (20.7%). Kantar Media uses a nationwide panel size of 2,609 urban and rural homes that represent 100% of the total Philippine TV viewing population, while the other ratings data supplier AGB Nielsen reportedly has only 1,980 homes

Love” (1.3 million views), “Pasion de Amor” (1.3 million views), and “Gandang Gabi Vice” (858,465 views). Kantar Media is a leading television (TV) audience measurement provider with capabilities in gathering TV viewing data in both

based solely in urban areas that represent only 57% of the Philippine TV viewing population. ABS-CBN, the only Philippine media company in FinanceAsia’s list of “Asia’s Best Companies 2015,” kept its stronghold in the primetime block (6PM-12MN), after scoring an average audience share of 53%, which is more than double of GMA’s 26%. The primetime block is the most important part of the day when most Filipinos watch TV and advertisers put a larger chunk of their investment in to reach more consumers effectively. Meanwhile, ABSCBN’s daytime programs also captured the hearts of viewers with the newly launched

Prime-Tanghali drama series “Ningning” and the recently concluded “Oh My G.” The Jana Agoncillostarrer was off to a good start scoring an average national TV rating of 18.3% vs. its rival program in GMA “The Ryzza Mae Show” (9.1%). In the same time slot, the finale episodes of “Oh My G” also got viewers hooked with an average national TV rating of 15.1%. The Kapamilya Gold drama series “Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita,” on the other hand, won on its timeslot with 15.8% despite having a new rival program in GMA “Buena Familia” (12.8%). The programs of the Kapamilya network also

digital and analog platforms. It is a multinational market research group that specializes in audience measurement in more than 80 countries, has 26 TV networks, ad agencies, and pan-regional networks subscribing to its ratings services.

captured all the slots on the list of the 10 most watched shows in the country in July. Also included in the top 10 programs in July are “TV Patrol” (29.7%), “Home Sweetie Home” (27%), “Rated K” (25.7%), and “Goin Bulilit” (24.1%). Aside from TV viewership, ABS-CBN programs also gained audiences among online and smartphone users as proven by the pageviews garnered by the video-on-demand and livestreaming service of iWanTV which rose from 74.6 million in June to 81 million in July. Leading the most watched Kapamilya shows online are “Pangako Sa’yo” (4.6 million views), “Pinoy Big Brother 737” (1.9 million views), “Bridges of

Rhian Ramos portrays Babaeng Ubas in Wagas THIS SATURDAY, Rhian Ramos’ pretty face morphs into a barely recognizable one in Wagas. She brings to life the love story of Naty, a woman who contracted a rare skin disease that covered her once beautiful face with grape-like lumps.

Her disease subjected her to insults and ridicule from other people that led to her low self-esteem—made even worse by the abuse she suffered in the hands of the man she first loved after the illness changed her appearance. When Naty decided to finally leave her abusive boyfriend, she found herself in Zambales where she met Dolfo, the man whom she believes is the one destined

August 7 – 11, 2015

FANTASTIC 4 Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan PG

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

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 5 Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Jeremy Renner 11:20 | 2:00 | 4:40 | 7:20 | 10:00 LFS

PAPER TOWNS / * OUIJA RESURRECTION Cara Delevingne, Nat Wolff, Halston Sage / *Swisyzinna, Shanon Snedden PG/*R13

to love her truly despite her disease. In a special episode featuring Rhian Ramos and Mark Herras,

witness a story of a love that looks beyond what meets the eye and into the heart. Catch Wagas this Saturday, 7PM on GMA News TV.

R-16

11:30 | 1:50 | 4:10 LFS / *6:30 | 8:15 | 10:00 LFS

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

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

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 8 ISSUE 91 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2015

EVENT

MX3 and The Global Pinoy Singing Idol in Sydney, Australia MX3 Team and ABSCBN’s highly-rated radio arm – DZMM, arrived at Burwood RSL Sydney Australia last June 28, 2015 for the ‘Global Pinoy Singing Idol’ search. Organized by DZMM and entertainment group Flagcom, this international talent search gave light to amateur Filipino singers in Sydney as they battle at the entertainment dome for the Australian Finals. Prior to the main event, MX3 heightened the excitement of the Filipinos and foreign audience as the team doled out gift packs through their amusing games. The first game about MX3 Q&A has given the odds to thirty players with one winner receiving a grand prize. The next game showered gift packs to thirty winners with either M, X or 3 symbols on the samples that were handed upon their entrance at the dome. MX3 Products has been

a blessing for many people’s health challenges, improving fitness and wellness because of its high Xanthone content. Those who have attended the event inquired about ordering online as they were eager to buy different product variants like MX3 Capsule for improving the immune system, MX3 Plus with co Q10 and L-Carnitine for healthy metabolism, MX3 Coffee-mix, a tasteful blend that is non-acidic with no sugar added, and MX3 Tea

where 1 teabag can serve the whole family. The ‘Global Pinoy Singing Idol’ search was intensified as Erik Santos, Matteo Guiddicelli and Miss Saigon London Roanne Monte serenade the audience. MX3 as one of the sponsors in the event showered a total of one hundred gift packs including the prize given to the 1st runner up and Grand Winner of the 2015 Global Pinoy Singing Idol. This act of sharing and giving is the MX3 Team’s way of giving back to the people the blessing they received from Above. This event paved a way for brighter opportunities to those extremely talented Filipinos. The MX3 Team is very pleased to be part of this fun and gift-filled experience through the initiative of DZMM. Let us continue to support our Filipino OFWs through love and sharing. For more information about the MX3 Products, visit MX3 website at www.mx3.ph or call or text 0918-8888-693.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 91 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2015

7 CULTURE & ARTS Nature’s bounty

KADAYAWAN: Festival of all festivals Street dancing showdown

Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO Floral float

The Kadayawan’s floral motif

Dancing in the street

HIRTY years after it was launched, the Kadayawan sa Dabaw indeed has gone a long, long way. In fact, it is now touted to be festival of all festivals in Mindanao. “As the longest-running community festival in Mindanao, Kadayawan has metamorphosed into a grand celebration that honors Davao’s rich cultural heritage and the many blessings bestowed on the city,” said the Davao Tourism office. “Kadayawan’s sights and sounds remain unparalleled.” Once again, the streets of Davao City will be filled with various exotic fruits, particularly the controversial durian and the mouth-watering mangosteen. On the weekend of the celebration, the streets will be filled with people watching street dancing and floral float parades. The government has approved the P15-million budget for staging the one-week festival, which will start on August 17 and end on August 23. However, only P5 million of the budget will be shouldered by the city government and most of the money will be used as cash prizes for different competitions. The P10 million will come from the private sector in cash and in kind. During the festival’s highlight events, these sponsors will enjoy banner allocation, buntings, advertising, and promotions. The festivity will be officially opened on August 17 with an Ecumenical Mass, from 4:30 to 5:30 pm at Rizal Park. From 6:00 to 8:00 pm, a program for the opening of the 30th Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival will be staged at San Pedro Square. Two street parties will be done: on August 17 and August 20, both at San Pedro Square. On August 18, the preliminary of Sayaw Mindanaw, an indigenous-based dance competition, will be held at the Davao City Sports and Recreation Center from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The finals will be done at the same venue from 6:00 to 10:00 pm on August 19. But unlike in the previous years, which had children and open categories, this year’s Sayaw

Mindanao has only one category. Also scheduled on August 18 is the Tunog Mindanao, a pop music composition competition that incorporates Mindanaoan indigenous and folk music. It will be done at the San Pedro Square from 6:00 to 12 midnight. Only one event is scheduled on August 20, Lumadnong Dula, a Davao tribal sport to be held at the People’s Park. August 21 will be a very busy day as four activities are to be held: Davao River Festival, from 7:00 to 9:00 am at Tionko Field; Panagtagbo, from 9:00 to 12 noon, also at Tionko Field; Lumadnong Bantawan from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at Rizal Park; and Hiyas sa Kadayawan, from 6:00 to 10:00 pm at Davao City Sports and Recreation Center. On August 22, the most anticipated Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan will be held. The street dancing has two main components: A parade, which normally takes place in the morning from Roxas Avenue to San Pedro Street; and the showdown, which is done in the afternoon and to be staged at San Pedro Street near the City Hall. “The Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan is wildly popular because of the distinctively Mindanaoan beat and costumes,” one visitor commented. “Several tourists come to Davao to watch hundreds of people dancing with vigor in the streets, clad in their native attire and carrying extravagant props that would give Hollywood studios a serious run for their money.” According to Lisette Marquez, the city tourism operations office head, this year’s street dancing competition has only one category: Open category. This means that Davao City contingents will have to compete with those from other areas beyond the city. The Pamulak Kadayawan (August 23) is a sight to behold as it is patterned after the Pasadena Parade of Roses in the United States – where flowers and fruits are set in colorful floats by business establishments, community assemblies and peoples’ organizations as they promenade on the

streets symbolizing all the bounty sustainably enjoyed by the city’s residents. One scribe summed up the Kadayawan celebration in these words: “The festival honors Davao’s artistic, cultural and historical heritage, its past personified by the ancestral Lumad people, its people as they celebrate on the streets, and its floral industry as its representatives parade in full regalia in thanksgiving for the blessings granted on the city. A celebration that interfaces the three aspects: tribal; industrial and; arts and entertainment.” Actually, the festival started way back in the 1970s when then Mayor Elias B. Lopez initiated tribal festivals featuring the lumad (native) and the Muslim tribes of Davao City where they showcase their dances and rituals of thanksgiving. In 1986, the government initiated a program called “Unlad Proyekto Davao,” whose main objective was to unite the Dabawenyos after the turbulent Martial Law era. The festivity was called “Apo Duwaling,” in honor of the three royalties for which Davao is famous for: Mount Apo, durian, and waling-waling. In 1988, then Mayor Rodrigo Duterte renamed the festival as “Kadayawan sa Dabaw.” Kadayawan is derived from the Mandaya word “madayaw,” which means “good, valuable, superior, or beautiful.” The festival is structured as “the celebration of life, a thanksgiving for the gifts of nature, the wealth of culture, the bounties of harvest and serenity of living.” Indeed, those are worth a big celebration. Rina de Jesus, in a letter which appeared in a local daily, wrote: “The consonance of vibes of the varied tribes in Davao City is worth celebrating and we hope that the message conveyed from this event finds meaning in the hearts and minds of those who have not found peace because of their adamancy to participate in the quest to eliminate the radical elements who find happiness in the misery of others.”

EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

Two-way street

AYOR Rodrigo Duterte’s order freezing the apprehension of traffic violators is a welcome move in light of allegations that some traffic enforcers are engaged in extortion. Such stories are rampant in the country, and even Davao City, which is known to have some of the most disciplined law enforcers, has its share of bad eggs. Most of us know of at least one person who has been stopped on the road by a rogue traffic enforcer whose mission is to earn his “snack” or “cigarette” money — a euphemism because in truth the amounts that such miscreants demand can be quite steep. These things are an open secret, and everyone knows that getting out of a traffic citation is possible as long as the officer in question is willing to accept some grease money. And that’s where the bigger problem lies. While the mayor is correct in pressing his thumb against rotten traffic enforcers who extort from drivers, it is really only half of the equation. In truth he also needs to train his sights on motorists who bribe

EDGEDAVAO

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the enforcers in order to avoid getting a ticket. As the saying goes, it takes two to tango; in many cases it takes a briber and an extortioner to complete an irregular transaction. On the highways, the line is often blurred between who is mulcting and who is offering a bribe. Whether we want to admit it or not, corruption is often a two-way street. One aspect is what the mayor has addressed in ordering a suspension of traffic violation apprehensions throughout the city. The other is the willingness of the people to take the easy way out even if it means subverting the rules in order to favor ourselves. There is a culture of corruption that has seeped into almost every fabric of our society and it is most easily felt on the streets where we spend a large percentage of our time. Not all of us have the need to go to government offices, but we all travel on the roads on a daily basis and it is there where we congregate most often. If we cannot become a nation of laws on our highways, then what future do we have? 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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EDGEDAVAO

9.4% GRDP: Yahoo! But….. (Sinigang in two parts)

HE pleasant surprise greeted me as I read the latest reports on Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of the Davao region. It looks like Davao’s regional economy is the runaway winner in terms of performance, besting the National GDP two years in a row. GRDP is the aggregate measure of performance of three major economic sectors, namely Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry (AFF, from where many of our less fortunate hinterland residents obtain their income), Industry and Services. While Industry and Services grew, Agriculture remained steady enough to keep inflation at a low 3.7% to keep food prices stable. To illustrate, I still get my pork sinigang cut at my favorite supermarket at P108-P110 per kilo, and chicken at below P120 per kilo. Being two major livestock subsectors in the region, prices of these have remained the same since 2010. This, even as the numbers in AFF slightly dipped. Pork sinigang being my son’s favorite all-in-one dish, it is cooked every week without fail. As such, it is my barometer for how well the regional economy is performing. Mind you, I have computed that it is 30% cheaper to make the same pot of sinigang in Davao than in Metro Manila. The regularity of cooking this dish has enabled me to establish a trend over the last five years.

The worrying part What bothers me, though, is that over the years, the share of the Service sector (52%) relative to the other two sectors is increasing (Agriculture at 14%), and with this announcement has already dominated the other two. This can mean two major things: wealth is generated more in the cities rather than the countryside, as malls and call centers increase, and the productivity of our agriculture, fishery, and forestry is diminishing. It therefore characterizes Region 11 as a service economy. What is bothersome is that impact from the income from services, and the purchasing power of every peso earned from service enterprises, will depend also on whether food and prices of related commodities coming from forestry, fishery, and agriculture remain stable. While being relatively smaller than the service sector is not necessarily a bad thing, we have to make sure it grows as the

VANTAGE POINTS

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The hope over the next five years The international Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts that the nominal GDP of the Philippine economy as a whole will surpass Singapore in 2019, giving us the third highest GDP after Indonesia and Malaysia. While this paints a rosy picture, some must criteria must be developed to encourage us to be on that path. Likewise, as Davao’s GRDP remains higher than the nations GDP, the key to sustaining this growth will hinge on five key factors: 1. Manufacturing enterprises must come in to add value and create stable incomes. Agricultural incomes are not that stable, judging from the volatility in commodity prices, and the recent climate issues, such as the emergence of typhoons and El Nino droughts hovering over the horizon. Thus, incomes from AFF need to be bolstered by income from industry. At the same time, industry taking raw materials from the AFF sector create a more stable buying environment that can enable famers and fishers to engage in longer term investments that depend less on climate and other issue, such as aquaculture, investing in water retention and impoundment systems. The regularity with which industry brings demand will create a more stable milieu for agricultural production.

2. Food self sufficiency and stable food prices. With the recent announcement of the set-up of the Daliao Food Terminal, small farmers are encouraged to produce more since they will have a bigger market to sell a variety of produce to. Likewise, the construction of the Katipunan to Arakan Road and the Marilog-Dallag Road promises to bring more productivity to hinterland farms where many of our lumads reside. We hope that with the higher production volumes from slam farm holdings and those from within ancestral domain areas, food prices can remain stable or even go lower than present levels. 3. Agricultural exports to Malaysia and Singapore must begin. Malaysia and Singapore account for a total population of about 37 million people as of 2014. With Malaysia’s agriculture sector turning to monocrops like palm oil, it increasingly is dependent on food imports from Thailand and Vietnam. With a nominal GDP per capita four times that of ours (10,304 dollars per annum), Malaysia is poised to be a manufacturing and service economy well into the future. Singapore, on the other hand, is a knowledge and service economy with a GDP per capita four times that of Malaysia. Obviously, it imports practically all of its food. Taking in roughly 20 million tourists per year, it contains almost 7-8 million people per day at any given time throughout the year, with a daytime population slightly higher than its residential population. These two countries alone can consume much of what we can produce, especially livestock like pork and chicken. One in five Malaysians are non-Muslim Chinese who consume pork. We need export markets for our Mindanao based producers in order for them to achieve higher scales and efficiencies and enable expansion in a manner that doesn’t break the bank. Being a day away by ship compared to Manila, and with a bigger market of buyers compared to the Philippines, our exports can be made more competitive as scale and efficiency are driven by greater demand and eventually, lower cost. 4. Inclusive growth must be real. A third of our population living below poverty means that roughly 30 million cannot eat well enough on a daily basis. For them, current food prices are the highest they can ever be, no matter how cheap they are for

Malaysians and Singaporeans. They cannot afford to consume more food than we can produce. So while prices are stable, many remain hungry and need to be fed, but cannot afford to drive demand. If we were to change the equation and assume that this third can better afford to buy food, then our local producers probably would have their hands full producing to feed domestic demand. This will also drive higher production, and encourage more to go into food production. Compared to Luzon, our hinterland areas are ideal to food production, and with relatively lesser skill and smaller capital, more people can partake a decent living. 5. Disaster preparedness and resiliency. The impact of Typhoon Pablo and Yolanda has had their effect on the GRDP of the Visayas and Mindanao from 2012-2014, creating negative growth for sectors such as agriculture and industry. Only in the last years have these sectors rebounded a bit. The challenge, therefore, is for production areas to be prepared to get back into production at the soonest possible time. This enables affected people to get on their feet more quickly, and depend less on relief goods for a lesser amount of time. It also empowers them to help others also facing impending disaster. It must be remembered that in the case of Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng in Luzon in 2009, the unaffected areas of Northern Luzon were the first to share their food with the affected citizens from Southern Tagalog and Metro Manila, but when typhoon Pepeng reversed course and slammed into the Ilocos and Cordillera regions after a week, it was their turn to receive relief goods and emergency food supplies from places as a far as Cebu and Davao. Thus, we cannot afford to be in disaster mode for too long, lest everyone be mired in the same flood, which has, and can happen again.

But his stint as Congressman THINK ON THESE! was cut short after he was appointed by then President Joseph Estrada as Secretary of Trade and Industry. At the height of EDSA Revolution of 2001, he resigned from the position but was Henrylito D. Tacio later re-appoint- henrytacio@gmail.com ed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her new Cabinet, only to resign anew to run for a Senate seat in 2004. With 19 million votes, he made a record as having the highest ever garnered by a national candidate. Although former Akbayan Representative Walden Bello in a news report which appeared in Philippine Daily Inquirer described Roxas as “nice guy,” “harmless,” and “clean,” he is “unfortunately, hollow.” The academician and veteran activist explained: “He reminds me of passages from T.S. Eliot’s ‘The Hollow Men,’ especially the lines, ‘Shape without form, shade without color, paralyzed force, gesture without motion.’” As for Binay, Bellow considered him “bad news” -- due to charges of corruption hounding the Vice President and his family. Should Binay win as the next president, he would be the copy-

cat of “the corrupt GMA (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) presidency.” Right now, these are the only two options we have. However, some pundits are thinking that Mary Grace Sonora Poe-Llamanzares -- also commonly known as Grace Poe -- might run (although she has been asked by Roxas to run as his Vice President). She was born in Iloilo but abandoned by her biological mother at birth. She was later adopted by Philippine National Artist Fernando Poe, Jr. and his wife Susan Roces. Poe spent much of her adult life in the United States (where she graduated with a degree in Political Science at Boston College). She returned to the Philippines after learning that her father, who ran in a disputed presidential election in 2004, died later that year. In 2010, she was appointed by President Benigno Aquino III to be the chairman of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), a post she held until 2012. In 2013, she ran for the Senate and unexpectedly won a seat with the most votes out of all candidates. “She’s a blank slate,” said Bello of Poe. She is receiving a lot of attention these days because of her “famous name” that could prevent Binay from becoming the next president as Roxas “does not have the mass appeal to be able to do this.” Another rumored to run as the next president of the Philippines is Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte. Although he said he would not be running, he admitted he might consider it “if only I have the money.”

Born in Maasin, Southern Leyte, Duterte is the son of the last governor of Davao and a school teacher and civic leader. He is a lawyer who obtained his law degree from San Beda College in 1972, the same year that he passed the bar exam. After the 1986 People Power Revolution, Duterte was appointed officer-in-charge vice mayor. In 1988, he ran for mayor and won, serving until 1998. Because of term limits, he ran for the House of Representatives and won as Congressman of the First District of Davao City in 1998. In 2001, he ran again for mayor in Davao and was again elected for his fourth term. He was reelected in 2004 and in 2007. In 2010, he was elected vice mayor, succeeding his daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, who was elected as mayor. Currently, he is the mayor of Davao City. Duterte “would be the second coming of the Marcos regime, with its disregard for basic human rights,” said Bello. However, the mayor downplayed Bello’s comment. In fact, when asked by a local daily about his reaction on it, he instead “reiterated his previous statements that he would liquidate criminals if elected.” In the final analysis, who would be the next president? Binay is losing steam (with the charges of corruption attached to his name) while Roxas is still warming his seat for next year’s election. Although popular, Poe may not make it due to her citizenship controversy. On the other hand, Duterte has mass appeal but is not popular among the elite. The answer to the question, my friend, is blowing in the wind.

service share MY TWO CENTS’ grows, so that food prices can remain constant and inflation is kept in check. In real terms, what it means is that if a BPO worker’s or nurse’s salary goes up, prices of commodities should John Tria remain relativeecisouth@gmail.com ly the same or at least not shoot up as well for his salary to be more meaningful and able to provide for his and his family’s needs, and perhaps have some leftover income for other investing activities.

Other economists will review the numbers and ponder the prospects, cultivate the hopes and imagine scenarios. I concretely hope that my household food and electricity expenses in my monthly budget stay the same as my income (yes, I hope) goes up. That’s growth I can feel as I slurp my pork sinigang, which has cost the same to make and enjoy over the last five years. I nurture the faith that making sinigang it will cost the same, if not lower, over the next five years.

Who wants to be the next president?

OW we have two confirmed candidates who will run for president in next year’s election: Jejomar “Jojo”” Cabauatan Binay Sr. (also known as Jesus Jose Cabauatan Binay) and Manuel “Mar” Araneta Roxas II. Let’s take a closer look at the two contenders. Binay is the only surviving son of a librarian and a school teacher (his older brother died even before he was born). He was orphaned at the age of nine and his uncle, Ponciano Binay, adopted him. During the presidency of Corazon C. Aquino, Binay was appointed as officer-in-charge of Makati City from 1986 to 1987. He was elected Makati City mayor from 1988-1998. During this term, he acted as chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority from 1990 to 1991. In 2001, he was reelected as mayor until the end of his term in 2010. In the last election, he became the 15th Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines. Last June 22, 2015, he resigned as Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and as Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers. Roxas, on the other hand, is the son of former Senator Gerry Roxas, and the grandson of former Philippine President Manuel Roxas and of industrialist J. Amado Araneta. A graduate of the Wharton School, Roxas worked as an investment banker, mobilizing venture capital funds for small and medium enterprises. From 1993 to 2000, Roxas served as the Representative of the First District of Capiz.

10 NEWS

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fected facility, pressure build up and line delivery. DCWD general manager Edwin V. Regalado asks for the understanding and cooperation of would-be affected customers. He also advises them to store enough water prior to the scheduled water interruption. Water supply may be

restored earlier if work goes smoothly or later if unforeseen problems arise. The general public may visit DCWD website (www. davao-water.gov.ph) and official Facebook page (www. facebook.com/davaowater) or call the Central Information Unit / Call Center through the

24-hour hotline 297-DCWD (3293) and press “1” on their phone dial to listen to latest daily water updates. They may also call / text 0927-7988966, 0925-5113293 and 09084410653 for other updates, complaints, queries and matters pertaining to DCWD services. (JJLeonida)

resort to home-based delivery. Dumama also said deaths among pregnant IP women was caused by lack of checkups because of their distance from clinics and hospitals. He said the beliefs and culture of IPs are also among the reasons that hinder pregnant women from availing themselves of health services. Dumama, however, said the DOH does not intend to change the IPs’ culture when it comes to giving birth. “We want to meet them halfway. We want to learn from their culture and we want them to learn from us,” he said.

He said IPs can resort to their traditional birthing method as long as it is executed by a skilled birth attendant in medical facilities like birthing homes, clinics, and hospitals. “If you focus on improving, adding, or intensifying healthcare and access to health services of IPs, there’s a possibility that we can decrease maternal mortality rate among IPs by 50 percent,” he said. Dumama said the DOH will be assisted by international organizations like the World Health Orgranization (WHO). He also said he has already asked his personnel to start

identifying IP areas that have high incidence of maternal mortality. Among the priority areas for the region are the districts of Marilog and Paquibato in Davao City. He said there will be capacity-building for birth attendants and barangay health workers as well as tribal leaders. He also said there were been plans to allocate budget for the travel allowances of health workers who can conduct pre-natal check up in the far flung area. Dumama said he is planning to implement this plan this year.

ing close to 7,000 families, according to the report by Tahera Kalantungan, the town’s disaster response chief. The continuous rains also caused landslides along a road leading to Mt. Apo High School in Barangay Sibawan, Kidapawan City, according to teacher Ely Dulay. “It has been raining here for almost a week,” Dulay

said, adding three landslides were reported along the road leading to elementary and high schools in Sibawan. The rivers originating from Mt. Apo were monitored to have turned murky. He said they might suspend classes if the same situation persisted once typhoon Hannah entered the country. In Kabacan town on

Tuesday, flood waters covered Villanueva Street. Low-lying communities in Midsayap town were also flooded with water reaching waist-high. The North Cotabato Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council had been placed on red alert status. (Ferdinandh Cabrera/MindaNews)

the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) 11 in front of the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT). Silvosa said the NAP is the one that dictated the architectural design and the engineering measures of the building. These include the electrical design, thickness of the walls, and the tiles that will be used. “They also gave the mandate on the lighting that will be used in the building,” she said.

She said the NAP also prohibited the planting of trees and garden plants within the vicinity because the insects that will be attracted by these might go to the documents. Silvosa said the building will also have high ceilings so that that the documents will not easily rot. Last year, city administrator J. Melchor V. Quitain said the city’s records should have a place where they can be kept

safe. Quitain said if the records are not given a specific place for safekeeping, they can vanish quickly in the event of a fire. He said the proposed structure that will be constructed should be less vulnerable to both fire and flood. Quitain said the building will be separate from City Hall and all the records of the city will be placed in the proposed building.

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DELAY. Davao City Archives and Records Center chief Ann Victoria Silvosa says the construction of the City Archives Building is experiencing delays due to the strict requirements of National Archive of the Philippines. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

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there are complaints. He said motorists who feel they are being mulcted can take note of the name and number of apprehending enforcers. For her part, DCPO

spokesperson Senior Inspector Milgrace Driz said Duterte’s order imposing an ID system on traffic enforcers can lessen corruption in the roads and highways.

Speaking to reporters in yesterday’s I-Speak Media Forum at City Hall, Driz also told motorists not to bribe traffic enforcers in order to avoid sanctions when they violate traffic laws. ABF

ment to accomplish its target of completing the concreting of all national arterial and secondary roads.

Defense budget The third biggest allocation of the proposed annual budget

is for national defense spending to get P129.1 billion showing an increase of 11.5 percent compared to last year’s defense budget. Ungab said his committee will be the busiest House committee starting Monday

because all laws which need appropriations are referred to the committee. He said the committee will hold hearings almost daily in August and hopes to submit the committee report to the plenary by September.

When it suspended interpellation on June 10, only eight of 38 representatives who had signed up, had finished their interpellation since it started on June 2. But other priority measures such as the 2016 budget and the seemingly perennial problem of lack of quorum will likely reduce further the number of days left to complete the interpellation, period of amendments, and other steps involved in the legislative process. As of August 5, HB 5811, which has been criticized by various sectors as producing an autonomous entity that is “less than the ARMM” that the Bangsamoro seeks to replace,

has not been certified urgent by President Aquino. “Original form” The Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), the joint GPH-MILF body created by Executive Order to draft the BBL, passed a resolution on July 29 to support the passage of the BBL “in its original form,” or what was House Bill 4994 and Senate Bill 2408, in effect rejecting HB 5811. The BTC, composed of eight representatives from the MILF and seven from government, submitted the “mutually agreed” draft BBL to Congress in ceremonial rites in Malacanang on September 10, 2014. The BTC said the provi-

sions of HB 4994 / SB 2408 are “consistent with the letter and spirit of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro and the peace talks.” It also said this draft BBL “is the most appropriate version based on the FAB and CAB and considering that it is the one that underwent the legitimate process of consultation with the people and engagement with the Office of the President.” The draft BBL took several versions until the framers, as well as Malacanang, came up with what President Aquino had earlier referred to as a “mutually acceptable” draft or what became HB 4994 and SB 2408. Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews

motion of Reyes’ camp “for lack of merit.” The court pointed out that there was no longer a need to extend the marking of evidence for another month just to give way to the prosecution to produce the original documents as it was the “sole responsibility” of the prosecution to produce them whether or not there was an order from the court. “While the prosecution

may make reservation on the presentation of the originals of some of its exhibits…it is its (prosecution) sole responsibility to produce the said original documents for the purpose or suffer the consequence thereof should it fail to do so,” the court said. The anti-graft court also did not give merit on the argument of Enrile’s lawyer, Joseph Sagandoy, that the court must first await the ruling of

the Supreme Court (SC) on his client’s pending motion for bill of particulars which the Third Division had denied. In its motion for bill of particulars, Enrile questioned the validity information of the plunder and graft cases that the Office of the Ombudsman filed against him in June 2014 in connection with his supposed involvement in the pork barrel scam. (PNA)

as compared to airport in order to connect Mindanao to the rest of the world,” Celorico said. Celorico, who heads the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) ICT cluster, considered the cable system project critical to the success of the sub-region, by linking them up together through better internet connectivity, and eventually to the

world. This development will also position the province as the next Business Process Outsourcing hub of the Philippines, according to Lawyer Samuel Matunog, president of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Davao Inc. He considered the project as the peace dividend from the government and the private sector to the province long

disturbed by the armed conflict between the government and Moro rebels. ICT Davao vice president Lizabel Holganza said the challenge now for the ARMM is to develop local talents and improve security so as to attract investors to the region. Lowering down the cost of internet will develop the small and medium enterprises in the long run, she said. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)

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11 COMPETITIVE EDGE

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P&A Grant Thornton welcomes 2 new partners

FREE TEST. A senior member of Tagum Cooperative gets her blood tested during the Senior Citizens’ Day celebration on July 25 in Davao City.

Tagum Coop gives back to Davao senior citizens E

LDER members of Tagum Cooperative registered in the Bajada and Matina branches in Davao City benefited from the cooperative’s third Senior Citizens’ Day celebration on July 25 at the San Roque Elementary School Gymnasium, Obrero, Davao City. A total of 68 senior citizens joined the activity, which offered free FBS (fasting blood sugar) screening and check-ups from its partner doctors representing San Pedro Hospital, Inc. and Davao Medical School Foundation (DMSF) Hospital. While some 50 of the seniors waited for an FBS and cholesterol screening, other

active participants enjoyed a Zumba Fitness exercise early in the morning. Representing Tagum Cooperative chair Norma R. Pereyras, Director Monica L. Salido, vice-chairperson of the Board of Directors (BOD), said the members are aware that the services are initiated “because Tagum Cooperative cares” and that it gives importance to the senior members who have been with Tagum Cooperative from the start. Director Miriam R. Baloyo, BOD member, also shared some tips to the elderly members on how to stay healthy and beautiful despite aging, telling them that the activity is specially made for

them as “payback” for their untiring support to the cooperative. Other members of the BOD who attended were Fe J. Adlawan, Edgardo T. Silagan, and Nenita R. Malbas together with OIC general manager, Vivelyn D. Fronteras and managers of Davao branches, Jerry Cabanisas (Bajada), Nathaniel Disierto (Matina). Being a partner of Tagum Cooperative, in behalf of San Pedro Hospital, Inc., Ancillary Director, Sister Evangeline Castillo expressed gratitude to Tagum Cooperative for giving them the chance to serve the senior citizen members, adding the service was “a blessing from God channeled through

the hands of the volunteers.” Dr. Jonah Adtoon from DMSF also appreciated the effort of the participants who, despite distance and weather, joined the event. All participants also bagged several prizes from videoke and dancing contests. They also received gift packs. The Senior Citizens’ Day in Davao was the third celebration for this year. The first was conducted in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province on February 21 while the second was held in Panabo City on May 17. The final round of the activity will be held in Tagum City in October. Tagum Cooperative

&A Grant Thornton announced the admission of two of its employees to the partnership. Joining the ranks of the firm’s esteemed partners are Wendell D. Ganhinhin and Sheryl G. Llovido. Ganhinhin, a certified public accountant, has over 20 years of professional experience in providing tax services to local and multinational companies in diverse industries. He specializes in tax compliance audit and tax due diligence work. Aside from doing tax planning work on corporate restructuring and making recommendations for tax-saving measures to clients, Ganhinhin also represents clients in securing rulings and tax assessment cases before the Bureau of Internal Revenue. On the corporate side, he handles incorporation and merger projects with the Board of Investments and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority. Ganhinhin is also a recipient of the Primus Award, the highest form of recognition for individual excellence at P&A Grant Thornton Llovido has been in public accounting her entire profes-

Wendell D. Ganhinhin, Partner -Tax Advisory and Compliance; Sheryl G. Llovido, Partner- Audit and Assurance

ASEAN praises AdDU High School for environment awareness efforts

Dabawenyos join 1st Phl Clash of Clans T G

LOBE Telecom and Clash of Clans (CoC) Philippines, the biggest Clash of Clans community in the country, recently held the country’s first and biggest Clash of Clans Tournament and gathered hundreds of participants during its opening round held in Abreeza Mall in Davao and TriNoma Mall in Quezon City. Globe launched the #NextLevelKa Clash of Clans Tournament as part of its foray into mobile gaming to enable the Filipino digital lifestyle by giving customers access to top mobile games such as Clash of Clans for free with a GoSURF subscription. The first run of the #NextLevelKa Clash of Clans Tournament saw a total of 24 winners, 18 coming from the Individual sub-categories - Rookie, Master and Champion, and 6 champions for the clan matchup. Over the course of the 2-day tournaments, all participating Clashers put out their best strategies accumulating an overwhelming 50,000 game trophies. For the Davao leg, Individ-

ual category winners are as follows: Rookie Category 2nd runner up: Francis Rodriguez (COC Name: DM5 Mariel); 1st runner up: Ronald Palangan (COC Name: DC Optimus); Champion: Lloyd Ampoloquio (COC Name: Nikki Manilaay). Master Category 2nd Runner up: Ferdinand Nazario (COC Name: Andy); 1st Runner up: Jay Mark Nuena (COC Name: Mark_14); Champion: Rex Villafuerte (COC Name: Jenex). Champion Category 2nd runner up: Marvin Aaron Pinuela (COC Name: Pot-pot); 1st runner up: Gherish Tinio Pasinio (COC Name: The weeds) and Champion: Nikko Manalo (COC Name: Shadow) For the Manila leg, individual category winners are as follows: Rookie Category 2nd runner up: Alvic Ycascas (COC Name: Shintaro); 1st runner up: Rowell Cuan (COC Name: Lansky 13); Champion: Jeronimo Santillan (COC Name: ACC. Darenooo). Master Category 2nd runner up: Stephen Sanceda (COC Name: hsggdvdv); 1st runner up: Jopet Mejos (COC Name: manjyomethunder); Champion: Paul Paguio (COC

Clashers competing for the individual and clan category finalize their strategies before the actual competition begins. Name: Anto). Champion Category 2nd runner up: Jonald Talosig (COC Name: deltaJD); 1st runner up: Immanuel Losanes (COC Name: Manny Knoxville) and Champion: Earl Benedict Zuniga (COC Name: erby) For the Clan category, the winners in Manila are 2nd runner up: Clan Gaboon led by team leader Ryan Nel Panganiban; 1st Runner up: Clan

Filipino Champs led by team leader Jeric Paniza and Champion: Clan Pinoy Playhouse led by team leader Edenlyn Garcia. For Davao, the Clan category winners are: 2nd Runner Clan Mga Imba! led by team leader Iqard Murod; 1st runner up: Clan #NextLevelKa led by team leader Dave Richard Olaer and Champion: Clan Filipino Champ DC led by team leader Rhonson Ng.

sional career, gaining extensive experience in the audit of various financial institutions such as lending, insurance and other financial services. She has also been involved in the audit of local and multinational companies in retail, distribution, manufacturing, and service industries. As a participant in P&A Grant Thornton global exchange program, she worked for nearly two years with Grant Thornton LLP in Portland, Oregon, USA. She also currently participates in the Advanced Manager Program sponsored by Grant Thornton International Ltd. Llovido has been with P&A Grant Thornton for 13 years. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy, Magna cum laude, from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. With its two new partners and access to over 38,500 Grant Thornton experts in over 130 countries, P&A Grant Thornton is more equipped to help clients grow their business, expand their reach, and go beyond borders. Punongbayan &Araullo (P&A) is the Philippine member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd.

HE Ateneo de Davao University High School (AdDU-HS) unit was one of the recipients of the 2nd ASEAN Eco-School Award as part of the ASEAN Environment Year (AEY) 2015 celebration last July 29 and 30 in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. AdDU-HS is the only secondary school in the Philippines to be given the award. Dubinan Elementary School of Santiago City, Isabela was the primary school awardee. Held every three years, the AEY celebration showcases the ASEAN’s commitment to environment protection and environment education. The 2nd ASEAN Ecoschools Award recognized the exemplary efforts of the ten primary and secondary schools from ASEAN member states promoting environment awareness in all aspects of education to the students and nearby communities. As part of the Ateneo formation into men and women for others, students are taught to properly segregate waste, understand the workings of the environment, and reverence God’s creation. “I think ASEAN is recog-

nizing the school for taking our green initiatives to the next level when we launched the greening program called Ecoteneo in 2011,” Fr. Michael Pineda, SJ, said. As AdDU HS Principal, Pineda represented the school to the Myanmar awarding ceremonies. An ongoing program, Ecoteneo began by implementing the school’s own Ecological Solid Waste Management plan in accordance with Republic Act 9003. AdDU-HS was also one of the national champions in the 2013 National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools organized by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), an attached agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Ateneo de Davao University is a Filipino, Catholic and Jesuit University in Southern Mindanao. A premier University, its tradition of excellence is evident in its strong programs of study, relevant research, and commitment to integrating environmental awareness and involvement in its instruction. To learn more, visit www.addu.edu.ph or send an e-mail to contactus@ addu.edu.ph.

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Pikit church blast suspect falls A

CHURCH bombing suspect who is considered this town’s most notorious criminal was

arrested after an informant tipped off his location to local police. Inspector Sindato Karim,

the town’s police chief, said Mastur Edu Akil did not resist arrest after they surrounded the house in the poblacion where he was staying, around 7:30 on Wednesday night. Akil is facing murder, multiple murder, car theft and several other cases. He was tagged as the mastermind of the bombing of the local United Church of Christ of the Philippines that killed two persons and wounded three others. The bombing occurred

sometime in October 2014 while a prayer meeting was going on. Karim said they began tracking down the suspect after the local court issued arrest warrants for him. Aside from the church bombing, Akil was also implicated in the slay try of a local policeman and the killing of a local media man. The suspect is temporarily detained at Pikit municipal police station. (Ferdinandh Cabrera/MindaNews)

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late AGUSTIN V. DONEZA has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF STATE executed among his heirs per Doc. No.291; Page No.59; Book No. XLVII; Series of 2015, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN

8/7,14,21

NEWS 13 Int’l Folklore Festival draws 400 performers

ROUND 400 foreign, national and local performers will take center stage in various cultural showcases next week in parts of Region 12 in line with the 10-day “Pyesta Kolon Datal: Koronadal International Folklore Festival.” Koronadal City Mayor Peter Miguel said Thursday the participating performers are expected to arrive in the area within the next three days, in time for the grand opening of the festivities on Monday night. He said a total of 196 international folklore dancers and music groups as well as 175 national and local performers have confirmed to join the festivity, which is slated until Aug. 18. Among those that confirmed to take part in the festivity are contingents from Poland, Russia, Slovenia, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Mexico, Sri Lanka and Japan. The other participants are the ECD Dance Company of the Philippines, PNU (Philippine Normal University) Kislap Sining Dance Troupe, Philippine Barangay Folk Dance Troupe, University of the Philippines Filipiniana Dance Truope and Koronadal City’s Hinugyaw Cultural Dance Troupe. A 25-person delegation from Sri Lanka was the first contingent to arrive in Koronadal City on Wednesday. “We’re now all set and very excited with the festival. We worked hard to bring it here so we’re hoping for the best results,” the mayor said.

The event, which was organized by the city government in coordination with the Paris-based Council of International Organization of Folkloric Festival (CIOFF), is the first-ever international folkloric festivity that will be held in the county. CIOFF is an official partner of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization or UNESCO and is accredited with its Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee. The festivities will be held mainly in Koronadal City but performances will also be staged in other key areas of Region 12. Demonstration performances and lectures will be held in this city, Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat and in the municipalities of Polomolok, Tampakan, Tantangan, Surallah, Lake Sebu and Norala in South Cotabato. “I’m encouraging everyone to watch the shows and witness the showcases of authentic cultures from around the world,” Miguel said in a press conference. The mayor said the scheduled performances and other related activities are all open to the public for free. He said the festival’s opening at the South Cotabato Sports Complex in Koronadal City on Monday night will be followed by cultural shows in the succeeding days at the Rizal Park and at the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center. (MindaNews)

14 CLASSIFIED

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DAVAO CITY MAIN OFFICE JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales Door 14 ALCREJ Bldg., Quirino Ave., Davao City Tel: (082) 224-1413 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 GENERAL SANTOS CITY MARKETING OFFICE EDMUND D. RENDON Marketing Specialist Mobile: (Smart) 0909-424-7990 MANILA MARKETING OFFICE ANGELICA R. GARCIA Marketing Manager 97-1 Bayanbayanan Ave., Marikina Heights, Marikina City Tel: (02) 654-3509

VOL. 8 ISSUE 91 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2015

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TEAM LEADER Kobe Paras leads team in scoring, rebounding

BRIGHT HOPE. Kobe Paras of the Philippines in action during the recent FIBA 3x3 tournament.

Paras leads team in Jimmy is ready if need be scoring, rebounding J

ILIPINO teenage sensation Kobe Paras posted impressive numbers again in an international camp as he emerged as his squad’s leading scorer and rebounder in the recently concluded adidas Nations Global 2015 in California. Paras, playing for Team Nations Select, led all scorers and rebounders from his squad with an average of 17.5 points and six boards in four games. He also dished 1.3 assists per outing. He came up with his best performance against Team Canada last Sunday when he posted a double-double numbers of 28 points in

AVAO City sports lost another leader with the passing of Davao Football Association (DFA) president Edward “Chaya” Lam. Chaya lost his long battle with the Big C at the Metro Davao Medical and Research Center at a young age of 57. He is survived by wife Meina and children Mariza Kamille and Kevin. In my more than two decades of sportswriting, I am blessed with the opportunity to meet the pillars of Davao football. Let’s begin with the late So Kim Cheng, the revered sports patron of Davao

47.4 percent shooting (9 out of 19) and 14 rebounds in a 92-81 loss. Paras’ exploits, however, weren’t enough for his team to nail a single win in the tournament. The 17-year-old Paras also participated in an earlier camp by adidas last July, also putting up decent numbers in the Uprising All-American Camp. The adidas Nations Global gathered the best players aged 18-and-under from around the world, exposing them to competitive basketball games guided by renowned US coaches. Paras was the only Filipino in the field.

who gave birth to the Davao City Sports Council. When Mr. So died in an unfortunate incident to the hands of kidnappers back in the 90s, his sidekick Vic Sai who happens to be my sports editor with the Mindanao Daily Mirror, took over the reins of Davao sports specifically Davao football. Aside from Vic, there was also Jose “Sensei” Te as the head drillmaster of Davao football. The tandem brought a number of national football titles from the age group division to the Men’s seniors and Ladies. While Vic and Sensei were the acknowledged fa-

IMMY Alapag is ready to come out of retirement if he is needed by the country. Though Gilas coach Tab Baldwin has made it clear that Alapag’s place in the team will depend on availability of players, the former Talk ‘N Text star has made it clear he’s there to fight every single player in the current pool for a spot in the national team bound for the 2015 Fiba Asia championship. The longtime Gilas leader retired from the PBA last February but was forced to unretire and join the national team since the first day of practice last Wednesday amid the spate of withdrawals that hit Baldwin’s pool. Now that he’s here, the 36-year-old guard said he’ll fight for a spot in the 12-man team. Otherwise, he won’t be doing his legacy justice, Alapag said.

“It wouldn’t be like Jimmy Alapag if I wasn’t here competing and fighting. At the same time, it (me giving my all) only helps the team in preparation for Fiba Asia,” said the former PBA MVP. “I wouldn’t do the team justice if I wouldn’t fight. The decision will rely on the coaching staff and coach Tab, if I’m here... I am ready to play,” he added. Alapag said he has has kept himself in top shape since his retirement, joining Talk ‘N Text practice from time to time and doing his own conditioning program. “My body is ready. Always ready. I always do workout. I have been with TNT and enjoying practice every now and then. I still kept time to get in shape,” he said. All that training came in handy when he was forced to step up after LA Tenorio and Paul Lee’s availability for the latest Gilas mission became

in doubt. “It’s no secret. There’s a shortage of personnel right n o w due to health a n d personal r e a sons... I am here. I am here to help. It’s really up to coach Tab what happens moving forward,” said Alapag, who after his retirement stepped into new roles as Talk ‘N Text manager and assistant coach of Gilas.

comes to the PTA football field every afternoon to play the sport. Aside from playing, he also put up a team Columbia FC and sponsored some tournaments like the Acer Cup. It was soon moot and academic that when the old pillars are gone, Chaya would be the logical heir to the leadership. When Sensei and Vic left us one after another, the torch was passed on to Chaya who as a young and dynamic leader, instituted major innovations to the local football programs. He encouraged development of

coaches and referees which resulted to the increasing number of FIFA licensed coaches and referees not only in Davao City but also in neighboring cities and provinces. With his generosity and leadership, Chaya helped shore up the grassroots football program with such autonomy that it did not rely on government support. Chaya’s leadership also had its ups and downs. Football leadership went through some shake up but in the end, Chaya returned to the helm and kept it there as the unifying force until his

Remembering Chaya LET’S GET IT ON

Neil Bravo thers of Davao football when it had its glory days at the old Palaruang Lungsod (PTA Grounds), a young leader was also emerging and his name was Edward Lam. Chaya, as the football community knows him, frequently

TRUE LEADER. Jimmy Alapag is willing to come out of retirement to play for the country.

demise. Throughout his leadership, Chaya kept the football community united and undaunted even if a splinter group slash foundation is also seeking recognition. However, there is no doubt that the recognized body in football this part of the country is the one Chaya embraced like his own family. To Chaya, we doff our hats for a job well done. You can now rest in God’s cradle as you watch over this football field of ours from the rafters above where you are now in good company with the football elders of this city.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. VOL.88ISSUE ISSUE91 91••FRIDAY, FRIDAY,AUGUST AUGUST7, 7,2015 2015

IT’S RAINING 66 Angelo Que, 6 others share lead at Aboitiz Invitational

CO-LEADER. Angelo Que of the Philippines hits from the bunker in file photo.

NGELO Que fired a five-under 66 to join six others on top of the leaderboard after the first round of the Aboitiz Invitational at the Manila Southwoods’ Legends course on Wednesday in Carmona, Cavite. Malaysia’s Arie Irawan hit four straight birdies on the front nine en route to a bogey-free round, while also submitting 66s with preferred lies in play were Finland’s Janne Kaske, Thailand’s Pijit Petchkasem, Singapore’s Eugene Sim, Japan’s Masaru Takahashi and Sweden’s Malcolm Kokocinski. Heavy rains on Tuesday night rendered some spots on the par-71 layout muddy and with the rule switch, 44 players scored under par and 15 others matched par. Irawan, winner at Eagle Ridge Invitational in April, had a chance to take the outright lead but flubbed a six-foot birdie putt on the 18th. Que recovered from an opening bogey, on the short par-4 No. 10, hitting six birdies including back-from-back from No. 15. “The front nine was a bit easier but at the back, it’s important to make critical putts on birdie holes,” said Que, a three-time champion on the Asian Tour and winner of two legs in this year’s ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour. Eight players hit four-under 67s, including Filipinos Jay Bayron, club bet Anthony Fernando, Clyde Mondilla, Tonton Asistio. Leon Ang of Singapore was also at four under, matching Sejun Yoon of the US, Mark Leich of Australia and Thailand’s Nirun Sae Ueng. “The course was set up for birdies and I took advantage

of it. Overall my drives and iron shots were good but I just have to putt well more,” said Takahashi, out to snap a long title drought that started after he won an ADT event in Kuala Lumpur in 2013. Defending champion Tony Lascuña also put himself in the mix with a 68, leading another big bunch at three-under, including Australia’s Jake Stirling, Taiwanese Chan Shihchang, Orlan Sumcad, Art Arbole, Joenard Rates, Robert Pactolerin and amateur Jobim Carlos. “I could’ve also shot a 66 but missed my birdie putts on Nos. 16 and 18,” said Lascuña. Juvic Pagunsan, who led his team to the pro-am victory last Monday, kept a bogey-free card but hit just two birdies, finding himself down in joint 24th with Ferdie Aunzo, Aussie Paul Donahoo, Alvin Engino, American Micah Shin, India’s Himmat Rai, Artemio Murakami, Charles Hong and amateur Angelo Gandionco. Eleven others scored 70, including Mars Pucay, John Kier Abdon, Marvin Dumandan, Mhark Fernando, Zanieboy Gialon, Reymon Jaraula and Miguel Ochoa. PGT money list leader Miguel Tabuena had an even par 71 and was tied with Elmer Salvador, France’s Erwan Vieilledent, Americans James Bowen and Paul Harris, Japan’s Mitsuhiko Hashizume, Cookie La’O, Benjie Magada, Rey Pagunsan, Rolando Marabe, Paul Echavez, Singapore’s Quincy Quek and Reagan Png, Australia’s Sean Riordan and Willliam Sjaichudin of Indonesia in the third ADT event in the country this year, sponsored by Aboitiz Equity Ventures and co-sanctioned by the ADT and Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.