Edge 9 Issue 68

VOL. 9 ISSUE 68 • THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

TERRORIST WATCH LIST. Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Chief Inspector Milgrace Driz shows the images of suspected terrorists included in the watch list during yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at Ritz Hotel. Majority of the terrorists are believed to be members of the Jimaah Islamiyah cell operating in some parts of Mindanao who may conduct terror attack in the upcoming “DU31:One Love, One Nation Thanksgiving Party” for President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte at the Davao Crocodile Park on June 4.

Lean Daval Jr.

DEAD OR ALIVE EDGEDAVAO Sports

Duterte offers P3M bounty for drug lords P

By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY RESIDENT-ELECT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Tuesday offered to give P3 million to police and military personnel who can get a drug lord, dead or alive.

“I am not saying you kill them but the order is dead or alive,” Duterte said in a press conference at the presidential guest house, or the Mala-

cañang of the South at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) depot in Panacan Tuesday night.

Duterte, the tough-talking mayor of Davao City, had vowed to suppress illegal drugs and criminality in the first three to six months of his term and his offer to reward law enforcers for their output

underscores his desire to make good his promise.

He said the amount of reward money would depend on how influential the drug trafficker is. For a supervisor of a drug syndicate the bounty is P1 million while a small-time drug pusher has P50,000 reward in his head.

The 71-year-old Duterte

also plans to use the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the fight against illegal drugs, although he made it clear that operations must be done within the bounds of the law. He emphasized that law enforcers know when an operation becomes unlawful.

According to him, a police of-

F DEAD, 10

WHO WILL IT BE AT PSC? P16 Healthy and hungry, Kyrie crucial to Cavs’ success P15

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 68 • THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

Rody: Country won’t go to war with China

CABINET MEMBERS. President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte presents some of his Cabinet secretaries in a news conference held at the Malacañang of the South in Davao City on Tuesday evening. Lean Daval Jr.

Duterte’s Cabinet now 80% complete T HE list of the wouldbe Cabinet of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte is now 80 percent complete.

This was confirmed by Duterte’s Executive Assistant Christopher Lawrence Go prior to the meeting which started at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday.

Go said it will be Duterte who will announce the names of his Cabinet officials.

The initial list of the members of Duterte’s Cabinet obtained by the press includes: 1) Executive Secretary - Salvador Medialdea 2) Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo 3) Secretary to the Cabinet Leoncio Evasco 4) National Security Adviser - Ret. AFP Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon 5) Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process - Jesus Dureza 6) Presidential Security Group - Col. Rolando Bautista 7) Presidential Assistant for Visayas - Michael Dino 8) Solicitor General - Jose Calida 9) National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) - Ernesto Pernia 10) Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) - Ex-South Cotabato Gov. Mike Sueno 11) Usec. DILG - Ret. Special Action Force Chief Catalino Cuy 12) Department of National Defense (DND) - Ret. Scout Ranger commander Delfin Lorenzana 13) Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) - Perfecto Yasay

Jr. (acting) 14) Department of Agriculture (DA) - Emmanuel Pinol 15) Department of Justice (DOJ) - Vitaliano Aguirre 16) Department of Energy (DOE) - Alfonso Cusi 17) Department of Finance (DOF) - Carlos Dominguez 18) Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) - Mark Villar 19) Department of Education(DepEd) - Leonor Briones 20) Department of Budget and Management (DBM) - Benjamin Diokno 21) Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) - Silvestre Bello III 22) Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) - Arthur Tugade 23) Department of Science and Technology (DOST) - Fortunato dela Pena 24) Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) - Raphael Mariano 25) Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) - Andrea Domingo 26) Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff - Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya 27) Philippine National (PNP) Chief - Chief Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa 28) Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID) - Ret. PNP Officer Jaime Morente 29) Land Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) - Atty.

Martin Delgra 30) National Bureau of Investigation Commissioner (NBI) - NBI XI Regional Director

F CABINET, 10

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

I

NCOMING president Rodrigo R. Duterte on Tuesday reiterated he will not go to war with China over the West Philippine Sea dispute.

Duterte said going to war with China will only lead to the massacre of Filipino soldiers.

He also told reporters during a press briefing at Presidential guest house inside the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)

depo compound in Panacan that should war erupts, the battle ground would be Palawan.

Duterte also said that although the Philippines is an ally of the United States of America, the country will ultimately decide independently as to what course of action it will take at the end of the day.

“We are allied with the West, but I want everybody to know that we will be char-

tering a course of our own. It will not be dependent to the America and it will not be a line intended to please anybody but the Filipino interest,” Duterte said.

Asked on what he expects on the relationship between the two countries in terms of investment, Duterte said he will still wait for the result of the arbitration.

“I’m waiting for the arbituation result. It will impact

on so many fronts like business, whatever relationship.

Bilateral, I’ll just wait for it,” Duterte said.

Early this week, Chinese Prime Minister Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Duterte following his landslide victory in the May 9 presidential election.

Duterte said he was honored to receive a congratulatory message from the Prime Minister.

tics and failure of intelligence.

Meanwhile, a combined government forces belonging to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the PNP launched a massive pursuit operation against the lawless New People’s Army (NPA) rebels responsible to the raid of the municipal police station of Governor Generoso town in Davao Oriental on Sunday evening, May 29.

The provincial government of Davao Oriental said the AFP and the PNP forces were also coordinating with the local government units (LGUs) in the area to bring into justice those responsible for the raid that resulted in the wounding of a policeman and the abduction of the chief of police of Governor Generoso.

In an interview with reporters here Monday, Captain Rhyan Batchar, chief information officer of the 10th Infantry (Agila) Division, said the attackers were a combination of NPA forces coming from the provinces of Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte and Davao Oriental.

Leading the assessment on the situation in the area are Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, commander of 28th Infantry Battalion and Police Supt.

Harry Espela, the acting PNP Director of Davao Oriental.

Col. Bienvenido Datuin, commander of 701st brigade of the army also said in the same statement that he already ordered for the clearing of the national highway leading to Governor Generoso.

Batchar added that rein-

forcing troopers on Sunday evening were halted with piles of used tires mounted by the NPAs along the San Isidro-Governor Generoso national highway.

“We are already on top of the situation and are currently in the state of investigation for the quick resolution of the case,” the AFP and the PNP said in a statement.

The provincial police also made inventory of the police station’s armory.

In February last year, a group of lawless NPA members also attacked the police station of Mati City.

Four army troopers were killed when their military vehicle was hit by a landmine that was planted by the NPAs near the national highway.

(PNA)

Body formed to probe GovGen attack T

HE Philippine National Police (PNP) has formed Task Force to investigate the attack by armed men in Governor Generoso on Sunday and determine the real perpetrators and possible lapses in the incident.

Police Regional Office (PRO) XI spokesperson Andrea Dela Cerna said the team was composed of Deputy Regional Director for Operations Sr. Supt. Noli Romana; the Deputy Regional Director for Operations Sr. Supt. Froilan Quidilla; Supt. Danilo Macerin - the Regional Chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group XI and other responsible offices of PRO XI. Dela Cerna said the team already further went back to the area on Monday to assess, including problems on logis-

Dela Rosa: Police are not criminals “P

OLICE are not gangsters and not criminals,” said incoming Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa as he allayed fears that his approach in dealing with drugs and criminality may violate human rights.

In an interview outside the “Malacañang of the South” within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 11 compound in Panacan, Dela Rosa told reporters that the authorities will follow proper police operational procedures so that his men will not violate human rights.

“We assure the public that we, the police, will follow the police operational procedures.

Hindi kami magpapa-disadvantage sa laban na ito. Dapat

kriminal ang mamamatay,” he said.

He said that he will make sure that his policemen will observe due process against suspects in the conduct of police operations.

Dela Rosa, director of Davao City Police Office (DCPO) from 2012 to 2013, said there were no extra-judicial killings and no so-called death squad during his time.

He added that they employed proper police operations to combat criminals.

“There will be due process and we will make sure to observe it. Hindi kami mga gangster, hindi kami mga kriminal kaya alam namin ang police operational procedure,” Dela Rosa said.

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PPI renews call on gov’t to stop media killings

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

T

crc@edgedavao.net

HE Philippine Press Institute (PPI) stood by its position of urging the government to stop media killings in the country.

“The PPI has always been consistent in upholding press freedom, and calling out to end impunity and media killings,” Ariel C. Sebellino, PPI executive director and acting chairman, said in a Facebook post.

Sebellino said the PPI “is one with UNESCO and the global community of journalists in looking into the safety and welfare of media workers.

“We ---or I personally stand by our position- and will not tire urging any government and administration to make perpetrators accountable for their actions - and that justice has to be served,” Sebellino said.

“The growibg statistics are just alarming and we don’t want any more addition,” he

added.

The PPI executive was reacting to the recent remarks made by the President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte on the media killings.

Duterte said in Tuesday’s press conference that most murdered journalists in the country are engaged in corrupt practices such as having accepted briberies from personalities yet proceeded to criticize them.

He cited the murder case of Davao-based radio reporter Jun Pala in 2003.

Duterte said he knew the person behind the death of Pala.

“Just because you are a journalist, you are not exempted from assassination if you are a son of a bitch,” he said. “Freedom of expression won’t save you. The Constitution cannot help you kapag binaboy mo ang isang tao.”

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NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 68 • THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

DEADLINE ATTAINABLE. Incoming Philippine National Police chief Ronald Dela Rosa reiterates that the three to six months deadline ordered by President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte against illegal drugs and criminality is attainable especially if the community will help the PNP. Dela Rosa made

the statement before the start of the joint police and military meeting with Duterte held at Malacañang of the south in Davao City on Tuesday evening.

Lean Daval Jr.

Nothing justifies killing of journalists, NUJP says

By ALEXANDER LOPEZ

T

HE National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) on Wednesday highly criticized incoming President Rodrigo Duterte for what the group said as justifying the killing of journalists on issues of corruption.

“It is appalling that President-elect Rodrigo Duterte should justify the murder of journalists in the country by playing the corruption card,” Ryan Rosuaro, NUJP chair said in a statement sent to the media.

Rosauro added that the incoming president’s pronouncement “not only sullies the names and memories of all 176 of our colleagues who have been murdered since 1986” but also in effect “de-

clared open season to silence the media, both individual journalists and the institution, on the mere perception of corruption.”

In a press conference on Tuesday in Davao City, Duterte said that most journalists killed are corrupt, declaring further: “Just because you’re a journalist doesn’t mean you’re exempted from assassination if you’re a son of a bitch.”

The incoming president pointed out that freedom of expression won’t save journalists and even the Constitution cannot help them once they destroy the people through the media.

Rosauro emphasized that the NUJP does not gloss over the fact that corruption is among the most pressing

problems faced by the media.

Nor do we deny that this could be the reason for a number of media killings.

“However, it is one thing to recognize a possible reason for murder; it is a totally different thing to present this as a justification for taking life. Admittedly, this would not be the first time the perceived corruption of the media has been bandied as a justification for the murder of journalists. And Mr. Duterte tries to explain his thesis by claiming assassination is retribution from private individuals unjustly pilloried by errant journalists. He could not be further from the truth.”

The statement added “While there may be instances where private individuals may have sought revenge

AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum yesterday where they gave updates on the Governor Generoso municipal police station raid believed to be conducted by the New People’s Army (NPA). Lean Daval Jr.

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Vice mayor considers special council session

V

ATTACK UPDATE. Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 spokesperson Chief Inspector Andrea Dela Cerna (right) confers with Captain Ryan Batchar, spokesperson of the Philippine army’s 10th Infantry Division during the

against journalists for soiling their reputations, the data shows that, of the handful of media killings that have actually made it to the courts, the accused are invariably from government – elected officials, government executives or members of the security services – and invariably accused of corruption.”

The NUJP also cited the prominent cases of media killings in the country that include the murders of Edgar Damalerio of Pagadian City, Marlene Esperat of Tacurong City, Gerry Ortega of Puerto Princesa City and the infamous November 23, 2009 Ampatuan massacre where 32 of the 58 victims were media workers.

“We wonder if the Presi-

ICE MAYOR Paolo “Pulong” Z. Duterte will consult members of the Davao City Council on the need to call for a special session in lieu of last Tuesday’s regular session which did not push through due to lack of quorum.

It was the second time this month that the session was adjourned for lack of quorum.

When the vice mayor banged the gavel to start the session, only 12 of the 26 members of the city council were present.

According to City Council Secretary Charito Santos, only the following were present: Councilor Nilo Abellera Jr., Joanne Bonguyan-Quilos, Victorio Advincula Jr., Louie John

Bonguyan, Danilo C. Dayanghirang, January Duterte, John Christopher Mahamud, Bonifacio E. Militar, Antoinette Principe-Castrodes, Halila Sudagar and Dr. Mary Joselle Villafuerte.

Santos said that those who were absent were either on domestic leave, vacation leave, sick leave or maternity leave.

However, a number of councilors were absent without valid reason.

Vice Mayor Duterte ruled out the possibility of disciplining the truant councilors, saying it was better that the councilors practice self-discipline and embrace “tunay na pagbabago” (real change).

GALIL JOEY P. MORADOS

4 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 68 • THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

DOH-ARMM issues advisory on dengue, other diseases

A

Niña,” Recoter pointed out.

Some preparations that DA-11 is working on are on the adjustments of the cropping calendar for rice and corn, she added.

Planting season this year is delayed due to the onslaught of the El Niño phenomenon but Recoter hoped that planting could start this month.

“We are hoping that this month of June 80 percent of the areas in Davao region will have to be planted and the harvest to start by September.”

She said that the state weather bureau PAGASA has forecasted that La Niña may affect the country, including Davao region by the last quarter of this year, particularly in

November and December.

“If our farmers can start farming this month or early next month then we can have an early harvest by September and October, ahead of the coming in of La Niña.”

Recoter added that DA11 will also look on the areas usually hit by flooding particularly the towns of Carmen and Dujali in Davao del Norte province.

“We could provide the farmers in these areas with submergence-tolerant varieties of rice seeds so that they could still plant despite of the rainy season,” she said.

The agriculture sector in Davao region is among the badly devastated by the long dry spell that started to hit the area since the middle of

2015.

The National Economic Development Authority in the region (NEDA-11), in its January 2016 assessment said that palay production suffered a 7.3 percent decline in 2015. In the same period, corn production was also affected with a lower output of 21.4 percent.

Davao region’s palay production from the 1st to 3rd quarter of 2015 was only 334,844 metric tons (MT) which was lower compared to the 361,350 MT production in the same period in 2014.

Corn production was only 131,734 MT during the period in 2015 compared to the total output of 185,845 MT produced in the same period in 2014.

S the rainy season officially begins, the Department of Health of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOHARMM) has advised today residents in the region to take precautionary measures against dengue and water-borne diseases.

According to Christine Joy Capin, DOH-ARMM assistant program coordinator for dengue prevention and control and food and water-borne diseases, said the region normally sees a rise in the number of dengue cases during the rainy season.

Based on that observations, DOH-ARMM has started taking steps to reduce the number of dengue infection this year.

“Residents should observe different measures to combat the spread of the disease,” Capin said in a statement.

“Some of the things they should do includes drying stagnant waters in the house, cleaning their roof gutters, immediately seek medical assistance when fever lasts for at least two days, and using insect repellant and wearing long sleeve shirts,” Capin added.

She said the DOH-ARMM is currently conducting an extensive information drive in schools and communities in the region to help minimize the number of dengue cases.

She said health providers down to the barangay level have been encouraging residents to observe the “4S” mechanism in dengue prevention and control.

The “4S” means: Search and destroy; Seek immediate action; Say no to indiscriminate fogging; and Self-protection measures.

Dengue is an acute viral

the DSWD’s contribution to the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Program of the government. The Department downloads the funding requirements to the local government units which directly implements the program.

them in the implementation of DSWD’s other programs.

This would also enable them to have a sure market for their products,” Sec. Soliman stated.

SLP is a community-based capacity building program that seeks to improve the program participants’ socio-economic status through micro-enterprise development and employment facilitation, in partnership with LGUs, other government agencies, and private corporations.

SLP’s partner-private firms provide technical skills training and market access to the beneficiaries.

For the Cambaleon Association, the Department partnered with Pigrolac which provided the technical training on proper hog raising, as well as free vitamins and vaccines for the hogs acquired by the group.

According to Renefe Quilisadio, President of the association, the members undertook

skills training on simple business management and marketing to prepare them to be competent entrepreneurs.

Renefe stated that their hog raising project is another blessing and opportunity to uplift the members’ economic status.

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa tiwalang ipinagkaloob sa aming samahan at magpupursige kami upang mapalago ang negosyong ito (We are grateful for the trust given to us, and we are determined to make this business flourish),” Renefe underscored.

She promised to take good care of the fund entrusted to them and committed to deliver the roll back payment on a quarterly basis.

Renefe made sure that group members also actively attend their weekly meetings while enjoying a 100% collection on their savings mobilization.

Prior to becoming Pan-

tawid Pamilya beneficiaries, Renefe and the members of the association are ordinary housewives focused on doing their daily household chores.

Although their husbands have sources of income, these are not enough to sustain the needs of their respective families. Hence, when the opportunity came to avail of the livelihood program, the women immediately organized themselves.

Renefe and the other beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya stated that the program, aside from providing them cash grants to help them meet the educational and health needs of their children, has also given them new perspectives in life.

“Ngayon ay nakikilahok na kami sa mga aktibidad ng barangay, hindi katulad dati na kontento na kami sa mga gawaing-bahay at pag-aalaga sa aming mga anak (We now join in barangay activities, unlike before when we were just

BRACING FOR LA NINA. Department of Agriculture region 11 director Remelyn Recoter told reporters during the regular Habi at Kape press conference at the Abreeza Mall in Davao City on Wednesday that the

department is now preparing measures to aid farmers as forecasters see the phenomenon La Niña to affect the country by the last quarter of 2016.

(Alexander D. Lopez)

DA-11 braces for La Niña

By ALEXANDER LOPEZ

T

HE Department of Agriculture in Davao region (DA-11) said it is preparing for the coming of rainy season dubbed as “La Niña” that is expected to affect most of the country, including the Davao region starting this month.

DA-11 regional director Remelyn Recoter told reporters during the regular Habi at Kape press conference at the Abreeza Mall in Davao City that technical staff of the office took part of the preparatory meetings and gatherings of the agency that was facilitated in Subic last month.

“Although there’s still no budget allocated for the responses that the agency will implement to help the farmers that will be affected by La

infection acquired from the bite of a female “Aedes Aegypti” mosquito.

This fatal disease usually affects infants and children in tropical and subtropical countries like the Philippines. Its signs and symptoms include fever which extends from 2-7 days, skin flushing, loss of appetite, vomiting, and in severe cases, nose bleeding and bleeding of gums.

During the first quarter this year, DOH-ARMM reported one dengue death and 78 affected by this viral disease across the region composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Compared to last year, Capin said the number is significantly lower. In the first quarter of 2015, 487 dengue cases with five fatalities were reported. DOH-ARMM recorded a total of 2,376 cases with 24 deaths across the region in 2015.

Marawi City recorded the highest number of cases with 758 followed by Maguindanao province with 614 cases.

Capin also cautioned residents against common water-borne diseases like diarrhea, amoebiasis, hepatitis A, and cholera. She added that cold and cough are also very common during the rainy season.

To help prevent the water borne diseases, Capin advised the residents to observe cleanliness and vigilance against possible diseases.

Regular washing of hands before and after meals as well as after using the comfort rooms, will help prevent any disease.

She also advised the locals to wash food that they take outside meals like fruits and vegetables. (PNA)

contented with performing household chores and looking after our children),” narrated Renefe.

“Nag-uusap-usap din kami kung paano kami makakatulong sa aming mga pamilya at sa aming komunidad (We also discuss how we can help our families and communities),” she added.

DSWD opens business opportunities for Pantawid Pamilya women

S

AN ISIDRO, Davao Oriental (DSWD) - Two years ago, 20 women beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program from San Isidro, Davao Oriental organized the Cambaleon Hog Raisers Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran (SEA-K) Association with an initial P200,000 capital assistance from the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Since then until to this day, the association has become the official pork meat supplier for the Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) for day care children in the town. Being a regular supplier meant a steady source of income for the members who had no regular jobs and were plain housewives prior to the implementation of their livelihood project.

SFP is the provision of food to day care children as part of

Model According to Provincial SLP Coordinator Julius Duterte, DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman designated the Cambaleon Hog Raisers SEA-K Association as the SLPSFP Commodity Cluster Model (CCM) in the locality.

CCM links SLP to other DSWD programs such as SFP. Using this model, local government units (LGUs) or communities source their food supply and needs from SLP participants.

“The Department is cognizant of the potentials of women in the rural communities, thus, we are tapping

Other opportunities San Isidro Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer (MSWDO) Elna Arenal is optimistic on the success of the livelihood projects implemented by SLP such as the hog raising of the Cambaleon Association.

“I am very positive that our women will succeed given their enthusiasm and the technical inputs continuously provided by DSWD Project Development Officers and partners,” she said.

Elna is thankful that

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5 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 68 • THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

Rody victory boosts cacao industry

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

T

crc@edgedavao.net

HE election of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte into the presidency and his subsequent appointment of Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol as agriculture secretary were the next good thing to happen to the cacao industry, stakeholders of the cacao value chain said.

Cacao Industry Development Association for Min-

danao (CIDAMI) executive director Valente Turtur said with the incoming administration, the local cacao industry got the needed boost, adding that the incoming president will give more support to the sector and in the process help farmers increase their income and attain inclusive growth in the rural areas.

“We are positive that the

industry will further grow, especially now that the incoming administration has identified the important role of the agriculture sector in attaining food security,” Turtur said during this week’s edition of Wednesdays at Habi at Kape, Abreeza Mall.

President Duterte and Piñol, he explained, knew very well the potential of Mindan-

ao as the prime production area for quality cacao beans because of its vast fertile land planted to coconut.

Cacao is ideally intercropped with coconut which will provide shades to cacao which is an equatorial plant that grows only within 20 degrees from the equator.

Turtur said Duterte had initiated projects that will

improve cacao production in Davao City during his term as the mayor.

In 2014, the mayor encouraged farmers here to plant cacao to seize the opportunity created by the global supply gap exacerbated by the increasing demand for quality cacao beans used in the processing of value-added products in the food, cosmetics, and

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DBM okays construction of P2.6-B NEDA building

T FISHING BAN. Fishermen prepare their equipment before heading out to the Davao Gulf yesterday morning. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 11 has resumed the three-month Davao Gulf fishing ban yesterday to secure the spawning period of fishes in the area. Lean Daval Jr.

pharmaceutical sectors.

Studies revealed that the coconut production increased by 30 percent if it is intercropped with cacao, helping farmers to earn more.

The septuagenarian president also directed his city agriculturist then to conduct seminars on planting cacao for interested farmers.

HE Multi-Year Obligational Authority (MYOA) for the construction of the proposed National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Central Office building from 2017 to 2020 has been issued, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

The DBM said the MYOA issued is in the amount of P2,684,102,000 for the fouryear project.

The General Provisions of the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA) states that government agencies must secure a MYOA from the DBM for the implementation of multi-year projects.

A MYOA ensures that the

succeeding funding requirements of a multi-year project shall be included in the budget program per year of implementation. It is the basis for the Approved Budget Contract (ABC) as provided in the Government Procurement Reform Act. The proposed project covered by the MYOA is the construction of a modern 15-storey office building that will house some 1,000 employees of the NEDA Central Office, as well as attached agencies, namely, Private-Public Partnership Center of the Philippines, Tariff Commission, and the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating

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Megaworld ramps up Davao project with 2 more towers

By KENNETH IRVING ONG

M

EGAWORLD, the Philippines’ largest developer, is ramping up its office development at the 11-hectare Davao Park District in Lanang, Davao City.

In addition to its P1.2-billion, 15-storey Davao Finance Center, which will be completed by the end of 2016, Megaworld will build two more office towers—the One Republic Plaza and Emperador House with a total investment of P3 billion.

Both towers will house an additional 30,000 square meters of office space bringing the total office inventory in Davao Park District to around 50,000 square meters once finished.

One Republic Plaza will be a 10-storey office tower while the Emperor House will be a themed six-storey tower featuring European-inspired architecture. Named after the ‘world’s largest brandy company’ and Megaworld’s sister

MORE TOWERS. Megaworld senior vice president Jericho P. Go (right) and assistant vice president and head of public relations Harold Geronimo (left) announced in a press conference at the Marco Polo Hotel on Tuesday that

company, the Emperor House is designed to be an iconic landmark of Davao Park District along the township’s main avenue.

“This is just the start of our expansion of office offerings.

Being one of the top BPO destinations in the country, we see an upward tick in the demand for office spaces in Davao City in the next three years,” Megaworld senior vice president Jericho P. Go, said at a press

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the company will build two more office towers in Davao City particularly in its 11-hectare Davao Park District in Lanang area. (Photo by Alexander D. Lopez)

6 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 68 • THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

Roadmap to upgrade cacao sector

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

YING for a bigger participation in the global value chain, players in the local cacao industry is planning to present a seven-year national road map for the upgrading of the industry to President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte National Cacao Industry Cluster Coordinator engineer Edwin Banquerigo told reporters yesterday that the 2016-2022 Philippine Cacao Industry Roadmap will serve as the “blueprint for the development of the local cacao

industry.”

“It is the high time to upscale the local cacao vale chain into global value chain,” Banquerigo, who is also the assistant regional director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao Region, said during the Wednesday’s at Habi at Kape at Abreeza Mall.

Banquerigo said the road map is a convergence of three roadmaps crafted by Department of Agriculture, Board of Investment and the private sector.

BCCP seeking to improve UK-Phl food, beverage trade

T

HE British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) aims to improve bilateral trade and investments between United Kingdom and the Philippines, particularly in the food and beverage industry.

During the Food and Beverage Industry Forum organized by BCCP Wednesday, its Chairman Chris Nelson said British and Filipino food and beverage firms should look into opportunities in the sector for both markets.

Nelson added that the Philippine market has a lot of interest in British products through the GREAT British Campaign of the British Embassy in Manila.

Likewise, Philippine products are also getting the interests of British market as UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) is actively promoting the Philippines in the European country.

UKTI Director Mike Moon noted that food and beverage has driven the bilateral trade of UK and the Philippines in 2015 which grew by 35 per-

cent.

UK is the country’s 19th largest trading partner -- 16th largest export market and 21st import source.

Moon also said British food and beverage companies have huge potential in the Philippine market with the growing middle class.

Currently, global middle class is around 1.8 billion.

The population is expected to grow to 3.2 billion in 2020 and 4.2 billion in 2030, with 60 percent of this global middle class are in Asia.

For his part, Dusit Thani Manila general manager Bruno Cristol said the Philippines is a vibrant market for food companies as Filipinos love to eat.

An average Filipino eats five times a day, Cristol mentioned.

He added that Filipinos are also the world’s most curious consumers and world’s most confident consumers.

Restaurant owners in the country likewise have young and growing target market

F BCCP, 10

PNB strengthening deposit, loan portfolios

T

AN-LED Philippine National Bank (PNB) is focusing on its deposit and loan portfolios to further drive the bank’s income as trading gains are seen to remain flat and even lower in the next few years.

In a briefing after the bank’s annual stockholders meeting Tuesday, PNB Executive Vice President and head of Treasury Horacio E. Cebrero III said they continued to target double-digit loan growth for 2016 after achieving this in recent years.

The bank surpassed its 12 percent loan growth target in 2015 after it hit 18 percent, and Cebrero said PNB officials remained optimistic on this front this year since they have been surpassing industry growth levels.

PNB, the country’s fourth largest private domestic bank in terms of assets, has allocated 54 percent of the total for corporate lending; followed by

commercial, 27 percent; consumer, 10 percent; and government banking, nine percent.

During the same briefing, PNB EVP and institutional banking group head Cenon Audencial Jr. said they were able to counter the drop in trading income through the implementation of measures such as ramping up of their provincial account, which are basically commercial banking accounts that have about 31 percent share in total loans portfolio.

Growth of the bank’s lowcost current and savings accounts also boosted the bank’s ability to increase lending to clients, he said.

Audencial said their previous deposit to loan ratio stood at about 50 percent but it had improved to about 74 percent to date. ”(This means) that we are deploying more of our deposits now to more yielding assets like loans,” he said.

F PNB, 10

“It was presented during a meeting in Cebu and everyone agreed on it,” he said, adding the roadmap will lead the Philippine cacao industry to be competitive and sustainable.

Under the roadmap, Banquerigo said it is targeted to “mobilize all stakeholders for concerted industry-wide development efforts and use commodity development to pursue poverty alleviation, environmental protection while advancing economic and inclusive growth.”

He also said stakeholder

targets to increase production of cacao by 40 percent annually and increase value-adding and increase farmer’s income to least P130, 000 per hectare per year.

Cacao Industry Development Association for Mindanao (CIDAMI) executive director Valente Turtur said they target to develop at least 100,000 hectares of plant 50 million trees up to 2018.

Turtur also said the roadmap aims to increase productivity to 2 kilograms per tree per year and increase export

REST. A laborer takes a well-deserved rest during lunch break at the second floor of a construction site along R. Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City yesterday. Real estate developers from Manila are now planning to beef up

to US$250 million per year and generate at least 150,000 direct jobs by 2022.

At present, the average productivity level per cacao tree ranges from half to 1 kilogram annually.

In line with the 2020 cacao challenge, the roadmap targets to produce 100,000MTT of fermented beans by 2020 for the export and domestic markets through a 40 percent annual increase in production.

Among the direction under roadmap is to increase in productivity level, expand

production areas, move up the value chain, and strengthen market presence for branding and level up the quality standards.

Also, identified strategies are the industry strengthening, expansion and promotion, improve farm productivity, increase production and access to quality planting materials, increase in value adding activities, strengthening of market linkage and promotion, continual research and development, and resource mobilization and generation.

their investments in Davao City, a positive economic result for the Davao City after the city’s Rodrigo R. Duterte won the presidency. Lean Daval Jr.

Night market to treble income in 2016: Jimlani

By GALIL JOEY P. MORADOS

D

AVAO CITY’s night market, officially dubbed “Tiangge sa Katawhan,” along Roxas Avenue, is expected to triple its income this year.

Retired colonel Yusop Jimlani, chief of demotion and drainage management unit, told reporters attending last Monday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at the SM Annex that the twoyear old night market is so successful that city authorities are mulling over a plan to replicate the experiment in other parts of the city.

Jimlani, however, clari-

fied that the night market is still a temporary solution to the problem of rampant illegal vending in city streets although this is already covered by a city ordinance.

In 2014, during the first year of its implementation, the Roxas night market earned P2,242, 867, Jimlani said, The earnings more than doubled from January to December 2015 to P5,473, 421, he said.

Jimlani reported than from January to March, this year, the city government’s collection from the night mar-

ket operation reached P1,749, 405, adding that the city treasurer’s office is still collating the income on the months of April and May. The city government is planning to expand the experiment along Ilustre Street, Antonio Pichon Jr., Avenue, Agdao and Toril, Jimlani said.

However, this expansion may have to implemented by Jimlani’s successor as he hinted that he would be turning over his position at the end of June because his position is co-terminus with Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, who appointed him.

Business activities in the night market are in three categories, Jimlani said. They are accessories, food and ukayukay (used clothing). The food business dominates the night market as the stalls occupy the biggest space allocated in the area. Each vendor is provide with a 1.5 meters by 2 meters space paying P25 of rental a day.

Jimlani advised vendors interest to rent a few more remaining spaces to see his staff in their office inside the Ramon Magsaysay Park on how to go about it.

Dillera said the joint project is the vision of DOT-12 and Tacurong City local government as they start training tricycle drivers as part of the tourism front line.

So far, 19 tricycle drivers have undergone and completed the “Drivers as Tourism Frontline Seminar” on Tuesday sponsored by the LGU. They were taught the basics of tourism, its values, customer relation, child-wise tourism,

gender and development, and hygiene and grooming.

Representatives of the Land Transportation Office 12 also presented techniques in defensive driving and driving decorum.

Dillera shared her experiences in the basics of photography.

“If you are a good driver of public transport, you can tell stories about tourist attractions in Tacurong City and you

can take photos, our tourists will surely enjoy,” Dillera said.

“If tourists are happy with our front line services, it is likely that they will spread the word about the place. This will lead to more tourism arrivals,” Dillera said.

“We also see to it that tourism is sustainable and that it will give the locals economic returns,” she added.

Majority of the seminar

Tourism front liners trained in Tacurong A

S TACURONG City develops its tourism promotions and programs, the Department of Tourism (DOT)-12 has trained tricycle drivers to serve as the city “front liners.”

“Soon, Tacurong City will have its own group of drivers who can serve as tour guides and even as photographers,” Department of Tourism (DOT12) regional director Nelly Nita Dillera said.

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EDITORIAL

P

No media prima donnas

RESIDENT-IN-WAITING Rodrigo Duterte’s live interview on Tuesday hinted of what the country’s next leader’s gameface would be when he faces the media.

He’s not at all daunted nor unnerved.

The tough-talking Duterte gave his future daily flock comprising the Presidential press corps what to expect when he is in frornt of them answering questions.

Tuesday’s presscon clearly conveyed the unwritten rules.

First, never ask silly questions, he will answer you more silly.

Second, never ask leading questions, he knows when you are on fishing expedition. And third, listen when he talks and talk when he’s listening or he tells you to shut up.

Above all, brush up on the Duterte-guese. He has his own language and it’s not even pure Cebuano. It’s hybrid Cebuano and Filipino and some English too.

EDGEDAVAO

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ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

AGAPITO JOAQUIN JR. Associate Editor

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OLIVIA D. VELASCO D.D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONA OLIVIA D. VELASCO JOCELYN S. PANES SOLANI SOLANI MARATAS General Manager Finance Advertising Specialist General Manager Director of Sales Finance RICHARD C. EBONA Marketing Supervisor

These are the many things media ought to know of Duterte.

Now, if the prima donnas of the media think they can blow him away, the country’s 16th president is so foxy there is nothing in the trick books of these journalists that can one-up the guy.

Duterte simply knows the media business. He knows the personalities. You can hardly fool him because he seemed like he runs a background investigation on every member of the working media. He knows the corrupt and the corruptible. He knows those who play politics.

Life for the media in the Duterte presidency means serious stuff. They may twist his statements but he understands why the media does it.

Finally, it will also be all square for the Manila media and the provincial journalists. No sacred cows, no fatter asses.

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

GENERAL SANTOS CITY OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING MARKETING OFFICE

LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager EDMUND D. RENDON Unit 6, SouthbankMarketing Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Specialist General Santos City Cagayan de Oro City Mobile: (Smart) 0909-424-7990 Tel: (088) 852-4894

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

ANGELICA R. GARCIA | Marketing Manager 97-1 Bayanbayanan Ave., Marikina Heights, Marikina City Tel: (02) 654-3509

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Suspended, dismissed separated

ONG before the Sandiganbayan, the people’s advocate, and the Office of the Ombudsman, the anti-graft court were created, the power to discipline erring public officials, both appointed and elected, fell on the lap of the President, as chief executive.

In prewar times, especially during the Commonwealth period, an administrative order was usually issued by the President after the Department of Interior had found sufficient basis to declare guilty an erring official of serious misconduct. Today, administrative cases committed by public officials are probed by the Department of Interior and Local Government, while administrative violations are under Civil Service regulations.

For anti-graft cases, the Ombudsman conducts the probe, files the charges, and suspends public servants who violate the ‘Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees’. On the other hand, the Sandiganbayan hears the cases filed by the Ombudsman.

Suspension A little known fact is that undivided Davao governor Sebastian T. Generoso, after whom a bridge in Davao City and a municipality in Davao Oriental are named, had numerous skirmishes with the law, things that were not known until public documents became accessible.

On Dec. 19, 1930, he was dismissed from office as governor by American Governor-General Dwight F. Davis “for the good of the service” after he was charged of participation in “certain land transactions.” He was also “actively involved in amassing lands for the Japanese [and] was known [as] a petty tyrant who used his official position for personal ends.” Five years later, on April 12, 1935, the American governor-general

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reprimanded FAST BACKWARD and suspended him from office for a month “for various irregularities.”

A year later, on June 25, 1936, during the Commonwealth period, President Manuel L. Quezon Antonio V. Figueroa suspended him for two months “for acts of misconduct in office” under Administrative Order No. 14, series of 1936. In part, presidential fiat says: “[Generoso] is charged with (a) conduct unbecoming a public official in that he had been habitually appearing in public places and social functions under the influence of spirituous liquor, and regularly visiting in her [paramour’s] room in the Awad Building… a bailarina who is reputed to be his mistress, during office hours and while the pupils of the Davao Institute were attending their classes in said building; (b) of meddling and unduly interfering in the assignments of members of the municipal police vicesquad of Davao despite the warning by the Department of the Interior not to do so, thus giving rise to suspicion that he is protecting gambling dens and prostitution houses in the municipality; (c) of unduly influencing, through threats, members of the municipal council of Davao to pass resolutions and ordinances according to his wishes; and (d) of improper use of the provincial government automobile by giving transportation to persons who are not entitled to offi-

cial transportation.”

As penalty, the governor was suspended for two months, “with warning that any irregularity committed by him in the future will be sufficient ground for his removal from the service.”

office.”

Dismissal Another case, filed by the City Attorney, was against Davao City councilor Donato C. Endriga who was “dismissed for the good of the service” based on the findings of the Department of Interior. The dismissal was made under Administrative Order No. 124, signed by President Quezon on April 15, 1940. Three issues are raised in this instance. The order states that: “[Endriga] was charged…: (1) with having engaged in and/or tolerated the business of prostitution, together with his paramour,… in his residence in the former municipality of Davao (now City of Davao), during the period comprised between the latter part of 1937 up to the early part of 1939; (2) with having, during the same period, also in confederation with [his paramour], engaged in and/or tolerated gambling in his house situated at Tomas Claudio Street [now Quirino Avenue], City of Davao; and (3) with having received ₱300 monthly from a Chinese gambling club denominated Davao Metropolitan Club [in] 1937 and sometime thereafter.

“After due investigation conducted by the Department of the Interior, the first and second charges were found to be substantiated. No evidence was presented to support the third charge. … The evidence of record fully supports the findings of the Department of the Interior that the respondent is guilty of serious misconduct which renders him unfit to hold any public

Separated In the case of Orlando S. Rimando, a municipal judge, he was separated from office as justice of the peace of Gov. Generoso, Davao Oriental. Prior to this, an administrative case was filed by Catalino Sagulla against him “for various irregularities” as an officer of the law. In its investigation, the district judge found the respondent guilty of the following: “[For] taking advantage of his official position, made immoral advances to [a woman] while [she] was detained in the municipal jail in connection with a criminal case for adultery… That he failed to keep a proper record by means of appropriate orders of the proceedings in Criminal Case No. 764 of his court, particularly the various postponements, which gave reasonable ground to believe that he did not attend his court on the dates set for the trial of the case, except on two occasions. [And third] he violated the Civil Service rules and regulations by failing to file formally an application for leave of absence… when he was absent in his court to appear in [another] case [and] even after his return to his station.”

After finding him “guilty of immorality and dereliction of duty”, President Diosdado Macapagal, in signing Administrative Order No. 82 dated Jan. 29, 1964, said “there is no choice left but to terminate respondent’s official relation with the government”, and upon recommendation of the district judge “considered [him] resigned and separated from the service as justice of the peace of Governor Generoso, Davao.”

In all three cases, the involvement of women, whose names we have purposely omitted, is highlighted openly in all the presidential edicts.

party without THINK ON THESE! crushing one or two of the guests?” God again smiled and said, “They will work. You will see. They will support a small child who wants to scare mice away from a Henrylito D. Tacio summer cab- henrytacio@gmail.com in, or display shoes that will be a challenge to fill.”

God worked throughout the night, giving the father few words, but a firm authoritative voice; eyes that see everything, but remain calm and tolerant. Finally, almost as an after thought, He added tears. Then he turned to the angel and said, “Now are you satisfied he can love as much as a mother can?”

The angel said nothing more.

An unknown author once penned, “The greatest gift I ever had / Came from God; I call him Dad!” “The father who would taste the essence of his fatherhood must turn back from the plane of his experience, take with him the fruits of his journey and begin again beside his child, marching step by step over the same old road,” said Angelo Patri.

Harmon Killebrew shares this anecdote: “My father used to play with my brother and me

in the yard. Mother would come out and say, ‘You’re tearing up the grass.’ My dad would reply, ‘We’re not raising grass. We’re raising boys.”

Had it not been for a father, children would be lost. “The words that a father speaks to his children in the privacy of home are not heard by the world, but, as in whispering-galleries, they are clearly heard at the end and by posterity,” Jean Paul Richter observed.

“Train up a child in the way he should go,” the Bible urged, “and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverb 22:6). More often than not, it’s the father’s responsibility to train his child – whether a son or a daughter. Inspirational author Chuck Swindoll advises, “Cultivate your own capabilities, your own style. Appreciate the members of your family for who they are, even though their outlook or style may be miles different from yours. Rabbits don’t fly. Eagles don’t swim. Ducks look funny trying to climb. Squirrels don’t have feathers. Stop comparing. There’s plenty of room in the forest.”

Of course, you probably heard of the words “father figure.” In most cases, boys want to be like their father (and girls want to marry someone like their father). Why is this so? Roy Z. Kemp theorizes, “Small boys expect their fathers to be walking lexicons, to do two jobs at once, to give replies as they are working, whether laying stones or building models, digging up a shrub, or planting flower beds. Boys have a right to ask their fathers questions. Fathers are the powers that be, and with their power and might must shelter, guard, and hold and teach and love. All men with sons must learn to do these things.

Too soon, too soon, a small son grows and leaves his father’s side to test his manhood’s wings.”

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth’s rite of passage? His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves him alone.

He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night, he is no longer a boy but a man. He cannot tell the other boys of this experience because each lad must come into manhood on his own.

The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him. Maybe even some human might do him harm. The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could become a man!

Finally, after a horrific night, the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold. It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him. He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm.

We, too, are never alone. Even when we don’t know it, our Father up in heaven is watching over us, sitting on the stump beside us. When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him. American statesman Benjamin Franklin himself admitted, “The longer I live the more convinced I become that God governs in the affairs of men. And have we now forgotten that powerful father? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance.”

…And God created the father

F you ask me who my favorite author is, my answer would be plenty. And one of them is Erma Bombeck. In Sunlight of the Spirit, she shares this story: When the good Lord was creating Fathers, he started with a tall frame. A female angel nearby said, “What kind of a father is that? If you’re going to make children so close to the ground, why have you put the father up so high? He won’t be able to shoot marbles without kneeling, tuck a child in bed without bending, or even kiss a child without stooping.” God smiled and said, “Yes, but if I make him child size, who would children have to look up to?”

And when God made a father’s hands, they were large. The angel shook her head and said, “Large hands can’t manage diaper pins, small buttons, rubber bands on pony tails, or even remove splinters caused from baseball bats.”

Again God smiled and said, “I know, but they’re large enough to hold everything a small boy empties from his pockets, yet small enough to cup a child’s face in them.”

Then God molded long slim legs and broad shoulders, “Do you realize you just made a father without a lap?” The angel chuckled. God said, “A mother needs a lap. A father needs strong shoulders to pull a sled, to balance a boy on a bicycle, or to hold a sleepy head on the way home from the circus.”

When God was in the middle of creating the biggest feet any one had ever seen, the angel could not contain herself any longer. “That’s not fair. Do you honestly think those feet are going to get out of bed early in the morning when the baby cries, or walk through a birthday

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ficer does not kill a man who surrenders, but shoots those who fight back.

“I don’t want to see a police dead,” Duterte said.

The president-elect said he will use his remaining campaign funds to source the reward system he will impose once he assumes office on June 30.

“There’s enough money left. I do not want to get hold of it for too long. I’ll dispose of that money,” Duterte said.

At the press conference,

Duterte delivered a stern warning to drug lords.

“Do not destroy my country because I will kill you. Do not destroy the youth of the land, our children, because I will kill you,” he said.

Prior to the press conference, Duterte met the members of his incoming Cabinet and reportedly gave marching orders on how they will implement their specific assignments and programs in helping chart the destiny of the country. (With a report from PNA)

The New York-based watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported a total of 44 media killings since 2000, of which 7 were under Aquino administration.

In 2009, the global me-

dia community was alarmed when 32 media workers were slaughthered in Maguindanao.

Until now, justice has not been served to the families of the victim of the Ampatuan Massacre.

Davao City is the largest producer of cacao in the country, while the Davao Region is the source of more than 80 percent of country’s total cacao production of 10,000 to 12,000 metric tons (MT) produced from the 19,769 hectares of areas planted to cacao.

The rest of the country’s production came from Mindanao at 10 percent and Luzon and Visayas with another 10 percent. Some of the country’s produce went to the export market in Europe and US, while some were retained to be utilized by chocolate artisans.

He said the country has still to tap huge foreign markets like China and India.

The current productivity level of cacao trees in the

country ranges from 0.5 to 1 kilogram (kg) per tree per year, way below the national industry target of 2kg annually.

Turtur said the Philippines is only getting less than one percent in the global cacao supply because of the low production here.

The Philippines is among the countries in Asia seen to have a competitive edge on cacao production given its strategic location, growing condition and taking into account the over 2 million hectares of coconut farms which are ideal for coconut-cacao intercropping.

However, the country remained as a net importer of cacao powder used in food manufacturing.

conference.

“Megaworld is committed to respond to this demand so companies will not think twice of locating here,” Go added.

Megaworld is the country’s largest lessor of office spaces today with an inventory of around 800,000 square meters in townships all over the country. The company also has the most number of companies in its roster of existing clients for office spaces which include Wells Fargo, Accenture, IBM, HP, Canon, Samsung, Colgate Palmolive, and Thompson Reuters among others.

“We will certainly bring first-time, new locators to Davao City. That’s the same thing that we are doing to other cities like Iloilo and LapuLapu City in Cebu. There are so many skilled talents for the BPO sector here, and we are sure about Davao City being a ‘hot’ pick for location,” Go said.

Megaworld projects that by 2020, total direct and indi-

rect jobs that will be generated by the Davao Park District will reach 100,000.

Aside from the office portfolio expansion, three towers of the residential condominium cluster, One Lakeshore Drive are almost sold out with another two towers scheduled for launch by Megaworld’s subsidiary brand, Sunburst Properties within the year.

Megaworld is also building a retail row and shophouses around the township. A hospital as well as a school will also be located within the township to complete its ‘live, work, play’ concept.

“Megaworld’s commitment to nation building and spreading economic prosperity to the provinces remains.

In the next five years, we hope to see more and more people coming home to the provinces because there find more opportunities here. This way, we also help decongest Metro manila,” Go explained.

who eats out more often.

Citing the Third Quarter 2015 Nielsen Out-of-Home Dining Habit Survey, six out of 10 Millenials say they eat out at least once a week.

In Southeast Asia, the

Philippines has the highest number of customers visiting a restaurant at 785 people, advancing Thailand with only 498 people; Singapore with 171 people; and Vietnam with 159 people. (PNA)

PPI... FROM 3

ENVIRONMENT MONTH. Virginia Lobaton, chief of the solid waste management division of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) 11, announces the scheduled activities for the environmental month

Cabinet... FROM 2 Dante Gierran 31) The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRMMC) - Ricardo Halad 32) Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) - Ret. Police Gen. Isidro Lapena

Duterte is currently meeting with most of them at the Presidential Guest House also known as the Malacanan of the South located at the depot of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Panacan here. (PNA)

aside from the SLP, Pantawid Pamilya, and SFP, San Isidro is also a beneficiary of other DSWD programs such as the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) and the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens. These programs complement each other in addressing the needs of the vulnerable sectors in the community.

San Isidro is a fourth class municipality comprising of seven barangays. Majority of the residents are poor and have no access to basic services and small scale infrastructures, hence, they are grateful to the national government through DSWD for implementing social protection programs to help uplift the people’s standard of living.

For instance, under Kalahi-CIDSS, community projects such as potable water system, day care center, grade school classrooms, hanging bridge, road concreting have been constructed in the town. Soon,

a barangay health station will also be implemented in the area.

“These are welcome development for poor village folks like us who have long yearned for access to government basic services. The convergence of DSWD services here in our town has assured us of the holistic development of the townsfolk,” Elna expounded.

Kalahi-CIDSS is a community-driven development program which mobilizes local residents to participate in local governance using strategies that reduce existing gaps in social inclusion, transparency, accountability, and people’s participation in priority-setting, designing, planning, implementing, operating, and maintaining community development projects and activities.

The 20 women- entrepreneurs of San Isidro demonstrate that they are able to contribute to progress and development in their remote village through hard work and determination, and with the help of government. (DSWD)

Agency.

This project is also included in the Three-Year Rolling Infrastructure Program (20172019), the immediate priority infrastructure programs to be undertaken in three-year periods to promote the optimal use of public resources for infrastructure development.

Under the MYOA, the

yearly budgetary requirement for the NEDA building project will be P573.9 million for 2017, P592.9 million for 2018, P747.7 million for 2019, and P769.4 for 2020.

For this year’s budget, the NEDA has a P20 million appropriation to cover the architectural and engineering design of the proposed building. (PNA)

participants were drivers who take the Barangay Baras and Upper Katungal routes. These villages are known tourists destinations.

The conduct of the seminar is part of the preparations of the City Government for the upcoming 2nd Tacurong Bird Festival. (PNA)

DSWD... FROM 4

DBM... FROM 5

Tourism... FROM 6

celebration set during the whole month of June. Lobaton graced yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at Ritz Hotel. Lean Daval Jr.

Nothing... FROM 3

dent-elect is willing to face the orphans and widows of the victims of these killings and tell them they were killed because they were corrupt,” Rosauro stressed.

The group emphasized that leadership, or even its mere semblance, carries weight and what leaders say, right or wrong, seriously or in jest, will resound with their followers.

“Thus, even if this be jest, and we see no reason to believe this was the case, your words may well be interpreted as marching order by those with an axe to grind against a critical press.”

NUJP also expressed doubt in its previous belief that the

incoming Duterte administration would fully push for the enactment of the Freedom of Information (FOI) law and the constitution of a special task force that will investigate media killings, as earlier pronounced by the incoming Palace spokesperson.

“Alas, it seems we were wrong. Or are we to be again treated to the excuse that it was all a joke and we need to be more discerning about your pronouncements? Murder is no joke. Neither is press freedom.”

Rosauro vowed the independent media in the country “will not be cowed from fulfilling its duty to act as the people’s watchdog.”

On Duterte’s promise to address drugs and criminality within three to six months, he said that it will require them to employ “full force of the law” and the cooperation of the people to attain it.

“Gagawin namin yan pero we will see to it na we will apply the police operational procedure to our own advantage at hindi to the advantage of the criminals. Siguraduhin natin yan kasi sunod ng sunod ka pero tatalunin ka ng kriminal,” Dela Rosa said.

He reiterated his warning to drug pushers and criminals that they will get PNP’s wrath if they don’t stop, as he emphasized that he will crack down on drug lords when his term as PNP chief begins with Duterte’s assumption as president by noon of June 30.

“Talagang makatikim sila kung anong dapat matikman nila,” Dela Rosa warned. “Upakan lahat ng drug lord, bahala

ka na mag-interpret nyan basta upakan. It can be physical, bahala na kayo.”

He also vowed to clean the PNP of police involved in drugs and criminality and replacing them with new ones. He will also implement a reshuffling in the agency.

Earlier, the president-elect warned of massive reshuffling in the PNP after he accused police in Metro Manila of being remiss in their duties and failure to curb criminality and drugs.

“Reshuffle natin. We must make sure that once we assume, we hit the ground running. You cannot run if yung naka-pwesto, alam mo na non-performers, medyo kulang sa commitment sa kanilang trabaho. So siguraduhin natin na yung ilagay natin ay talagang bukod na magaling na official, mga palaban din, hidni natatakot lumaban kahit sinong kalabanin nila,” he said. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)

Audencial said he considered the allocation of about 75 percent of bank deposits to loans as ideal figure to give the financial institution an elbow room to manage its funds in the current environment.

He also said that PNB’s consumer lending activities

would be fully boosted by PNB Savings Bank.

At the end of the first quarter of 2015, PNB registered a Php 2.6 billion net income, more than double its yearago level, boosted by core and non-recurring revenues.

(PNA)

Dela Rosa... FROM 3

PNB... FROM 6

Rody... FROM 5

Megaworld... FROM 5

BCCP... FROM 6

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EDGEDAVAO FOOD

Home at Iko’s Garden THE SILENCE IN THE AIR FELT LIKE MY SOUL FROZE. No, this is not a prose.. or maybe it is. Honestly, I got this from a song (Middle by DJ Snake). A song that has been on repeat on my phone. Why, you might ask? Why not, I might reply.

Sometimes, we need to step out of our comfort zones and experience the world in its barest form. Be in touch with nature and embrace that life, despite its perfection, will never be perfect. Not being nega or what, but instead of dvelving into unchartered water, why not do what makes you happy.

Just like Iko’s Garden Davao. While everyone craves for the spotlight, they opt to keep quiet and make those who believe in them satisfied with their food, service and overall ambiance.

Iko’s Garden begun as an idea and is now a reputable dining establishment somewhere north of the city. It’s just 200 meters away from the exit gate of the airport.

The convenience, espe-

cially for those who live and work around, verily enables them to establish themselves and introduce to the public what they can offer.

At Iko’s Garden (which was named after Sir Ferdinand’s bunso, Iko), you’d feel right at the comforts of your home. Though a cliché for restaurants, it’s different at Iko’s. It’s very homey especially if you opt to dine al fresco.

Iko’s Garden begun as an idea and is now a reputable dining establishment somewhere north of the city.

Now, that’s one big landscaped backyard for you.

Not just that. At Iko’s, everyone is in a festive and celebratory mood.

They are every welcoming and friendly that you’d not feel intimidated at all. You’d feel the bond between and amongst everyone. If that is what would welcome you, then you’d surely would like to stay

long.

What’s best at Iko’s Garden?

Everything.

Yes. Everything. Menu wise, you’d love that they have a plethora of local cuisines cooked according to how you like it. Not salty, not bland.

Just right. What’s more, they use fresh locally grown and produced ingredients. That’s dedication right there. From the minutest of herbs to

the meats used for their best-sellers, you’d love that this restaurant not only produces some of the best dishes in town, but more so, support local farmers.

Their crispy fried Tinibook na Manok (whole chicken) is very delectable. With a crispy exterior, you’d not expect the meat inside to be juicy...but it is. With or without a dip, you’d

be chewing on this in an instant. Still, go ahead and try this with their in-house spiced vinegar, exquisite food combo righ there.

Craving for a bowl of hot soup? Their Native na Tinolang Manok is one pot of Pinoy goodness on any given day... or night. The chicken, though native, is very

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FOOD

A double celebration WITH THE DUST SETTLING FROM LAST MAY’S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, IT IS CLEAR THAT DURIANBURG’S DADDY MAYOR RODY DUTERTE IS OFFICIALLY THE 16TH PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES. His oath taking this coming June 30 makes this month even more interesting as we celebrate both Independence Day as well as Father’s Day also on June.

Recognising this back-to-back celebration, the people behind Vikings, the Philippines’ largest buffet restaurant, are offering special dishes for the two halves of this month and I was lucky enough to preview some of these new exciting dishes.

From now until the 15th of June, Vikings will be offering a plethora of Filipino dishes on their Independence Day Menu.

For starters Vikings offers various traditional Filipino street food perfect as appetisers. From isaw, isol, kinilaw, cornic, kwekkwek, chicharron, manga at bagoong, barbecue pork, and fried chicken skin, the choices are varied and fun.

New dishes for the Independence Day service is the Pomelo Gazpacho (a cold vegetable and fruit soup spiked with a little spice), Viking’s version of Chicken Pianggang (grilled chicken marinated in coconut), KKK (Kalabasa, Kamatis and Kesong

Puti) Pizza and Pan Seared Fish with Pomelo Salted Egg Salsa in Guso.

The star dish for me is the Beef Hinalang Pot Roast which is inspired by a hearty and spicy Visayan beef soup. Vikings’ version uses prime rib-eye cooked down with chilis, garlic and spices but instead of serving it as a soup, the

The star dish for me is the Beef Hinalang Pot Roast which is inspired by a hearty and spicy Visayan beef soup. liquid is reduced to a thick and flavourful gravy that is best paired with lots of piping hot rice.

For the second half of the month, Vikings’ will be serving their Father’s Day dishes. Since men are typically meat eaters, Vikings made sure that their buffet is perfect for carnivores thanks to their meat carving station which serves various steaks and ribs complete with side dishes and gravy.

More cosmopolitan dads might want to dig into Vikings’ massive Burger with everything on it, or maybe make their own hotdog sandwiches with Vikings’ own home-

made dogs, both are perfect with a mug of cold draft beer.

Talking about beer, there are also dishes that are perfect pair with beer such as Crispy Drunken Shrip Heads, Black and White Tuna in Soy Wasabi Mayo, and Vikings’ Guinness Beer Pie, a delicious pie stuffed with tender beef, onions, and carrots cooked with a beer gravy.

Since Vikings is a luxury buffet, you can drink as beer (or soda for the ones who don’t drink alcohol), to your hearts content.

Vikings’ in Davao is located at the Fountain Court area of SM Lanang Premier.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Lovi Poe goes solo KAPUSO PREMIER ACTRESS LOVI POE is recently single and ready to take on the world, it seems.

Her Instagram account this past month has been an enviable, visual feast of stunning travel photos as she jetted to France, Monaco and Ireland for a whirlwind vacation.

“I’ll never get sick of this place,” says Lovi of Paris, as she posted a photo of the iconic Eiffel Tower along with the witty hashtag #MerciPoeCoup.

She spent the day biking around the City of Light, saying it was the best way to tour the city.

Among the other beautiful landmarks she visited in France were Château de Versailles and Mont-Saint-Michel.

Her trip also coincided with the wedding of her friend and fellow Kapuso star Solenn Heussaff to her longtime partner, Argentine businessman Nico Bolzico in Combourg.

After celebrating with the newlyweds,

spending her days basking in the sun at Cannes, Nice and SaintTropez in France, and visiting the Principality of Monaco, Lovi flew to Ireland with friends where they went on a sightseeing trip to the Dingle Peninsula, the Cliffs of Moher, and Muckross House, Gardens and Traditional Farms.

After her European adventure, Lovi is poised to fly halfway around the world to celebrate the 118th Philippine Independence Day with her fellow Filipinos in Dubai on June 3.

For the first time in the event’s history, the 118th Philippine Independence Day Celebration in Dubai will be held at the Dubai

World Trade Center in UAE, providing a bigger venue and promising a grander production.

The event is spearheaded by the Philippine Independence Day Organizing Committee and the Philippine Consular Office in Dubai, and is sponsored by Lovi’s home network’s three international channels, GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV and GMA News TV International.

GMA’s partner carriers in the region, My-HD, eLife, and du, will also be available to attendees interested in availing their promotional offers.

Lovi is excited to see her kababayan in the Middle East and is ready to celebrate the rich culture and history of her homeland at the Philippine Independence Day Celebration in Dubai.

And while she may be newly-single, there’s no stopping Lovi Poe from conquering the world – and passing on the travel bug to her many followers – one country at a time.

Sarah Lahbati brings havoc in ‘My Super D’ SUPER D’S (DOMINIC OCHOA) ADVENTURES GET EVEN MORE EXCITING AND ACTION-PACKED as he faces the show’s newest villain Tiradora, played

by Kapamilya star Sarah Lahbati, in the primetime fantasy series “My Super D.” Ulah (Sarah Lahbati) was raised in a simple yet happy family.

And to help make ends meet, she joined several beauty contests and provided for her family’s needs. But an unfortunate incident happened when her face accidentally got burned after Super D detonated a bomb in a battle, deforming her once stunning look.

Because of her deformed features, people have called her names and even accused her of being a monster. But with the help of Zulueta (Ronaldo Valdez), Super D’s archenemy, she will transform into Tiradora and bring chaos using her powerful slingshot to seek revenge against Super D. How will Super D prepare for the imminent danger that Tiradora is set to bring? Will he be able to protect the people’s lives from her? Will he prevent his family from being harmed?

Aside from Sarah, also watch out for Niño Muhlach and twins Fourth and Fifth Solomon as they join the cast of the fantasy series as Negatron and Bilbilly, respectively, and side with Zulueta to bring harm against people.

Don’t miss the drama fantasy that tells everyone that they can be superheroes through the power of love, “My Super D,” weeknights before “TV Patrol” on ABS-CBN or on ABS-CBN HD (SkyCable ch 167).

Catch up via iWant TV andskyondemand.com.ph for Sky subscribers.

Cinema One Originals wins an award of excellence at the 2016 Quill Awards WE’RE ONLY HALFWAY THROUGH THE YEAR AND PHILIPPINE CINEMA PROVES TO BE FLOURISHING VIGOROUSLY, having Pinoy actors and films gain recognition from around the world, win after win.

Just recently, Cinema One Originals Film Festival was lauded at the 2016 Quill Awards for the “Cinema One Originals 2014: Intense” promo campaign on its 10th anniversary celebration.

Cinema One Originals has been spearheading the production of films that fully showcase the artistry, creativity, and talent of Pinoy filmmakers.

Alongside the full-length films made by today’s most creative Filipino directors, the film festival also features innovative short films, restored Pinoy classics, and new works by globally renowned masters.

Cinema One Channel

Head Ronald Arguelles said that the 10th edition of the Cinema One Originals was bigger, bolder and better compared to the previous Cinema One Originals film festivals, hence the theme, “Intense.” The festival started in 2005 but the tenth year was the most memorable of the bunch, as “That Thing Called Tadhana” by Antoinette Jadaone made it to theaters nationwide, with 133 million pesos revenue of ticket sales in four weeks – making it the most successful independent film release in 2014.

The “Cinema One Originals 2014: InTENse” won an Award of Excellence under Division 1: Communication Management, Category 7: Marketing, Advertising, and Brand Communication for its overall Marketing and Promotions campaign at the 2015 Philippine Quill Awards held at the Marriott Grand Ballroom.

ABS-CBN Corporation bagged a total of 12 recognitions including the Cinema One entry, making it the most awarded media and entertainment company at the 14th Philippine Quill Awards held at Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City.

The Philippine Quill Awards is the country’s most prestigious awards program in the field of business communications given every year by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).

Cinema One, the Number One Cable Channel in the Philippines, is a Filipino cable television network owned and operated by ABSCBN Cable Channels, a subsidiary of the media and entertainment company ABS-CBN Corporation.

The programming of the network includes a line-up of mainstream and independent local

and foreign films, film related programming, and original content for television.

Its tagline, “Ang Buhay Natin, Parang Sine” (“Our Life Is Like the Movies”) reinforces its affinity with the movieloving audience who tune in to experience larger than life entertainment on the small screen.

The channel also includes programming of Original Productions like Cinemanews, Inside The Cinema Circle, Numero Uno, awards specials and Single/Single series, now on its second season. Its annual film event is the Cinema One Originals Festival.

Cinema One is on Skycable channel 56, Destiny Cable Analog 37 and Digital 57. For more information and updates, like Cinema1channel on Facebook ( facebook.com/ Cinema1channel) and follow on Instagram (@ cinemaonechannel).

June 1-7, 2016

WARCRAFT Travis Fimmel, Toby Kebbell, Ben Foster R13

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

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 2: OUT OF THE SHADOWS Megan Fox, Stephen Amell, Alan Ritchson PG

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

LOVE ME TOMORROW/ *THE NICE GUYS Piolo Pascual, Coleen Garcia, Dawn Zulueta/ *Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling PG/*R16

12:00 | 2:30 | 5:00 LFS /* 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

X-MEN: APOCALYPSE/ *TENIENTE GIMO James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender/ *Joshua Dionisio, Eliza Pineda, John Regala PG/*R13

12:30 | 3:15 LFS / *6:00 | 8:00 | 10:00 LFS

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 68 • THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

UP AND ABOUT

Smart and Jollibee team up for ‘Smart Rewards’ LEADING WIRE- Smart Rewards.

LESS SERVICE Close to 70 million P R O V I D E R Smart, Sun, and TNT SMART COM- subscribers nationwide MUNICATIONS can now enjoy their fa(SMART), has vourite Jollibee meals partnered with the simply by using their country’s leading Smart Rewards points. fast-food chain, JolWith Smart Rewards, libee, to allow its subscribers can accumusubscribers to have late points simply by usmore enjoyable ing their mobile service.

They can then redeem their accumulated points at any of over 950 Jollibee stores all over the country, to receive their favourite Jollibee treat.

The partnership is a perfect fit, according to Smart and Jollibee officials.

“We know how close Jollibee is to the heart

FROM left: Jonathan Garcia, Finance Manager for Jollibee Foods Corp., Manuel Yap II, VP and National Business Channels Head for Jollibee, Kat Luna-Abelarde, FVP and Head of Wireless Consumer Operations for Smart, and Victor Carlo Endaya, VP for Partnerships for Smart.

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fork tender. But the highlight of the dish is the broth. Theirs is flavorful yet not at all salty. Now that’s something you’d want to try.

Meat lover? Go ahead and indulge with a bowl of their Bulalo.

Like their tinolang manok, the meat is exquisitely tender and juicy – an indication that the meat has absorbed the flavours and broth – making it easy to enjoy. Again, their broth

is unlike any other. It’s potently meaty but not salty. It reeks of rich taste that’s not nakakaumay.

On a fish binge? Their savory Steamed Pompano is a dish you’d surely need to try. Not at all fishy, the best thing about this is you can enjoy it even without rice.

The fish meat is tender and flavorful but not at all flaky.

Iko’s Garden is located Along Diversion

Road, between Davao Airport and Panacan, Davao City and is open Mondays to Saturdays from nine in the morning to eleven in the evening, and on Sundays from eleven in the morning to ten in the evening.

Make #TheRoyalChef your Thursday habit.

Follow my messy food affair at theroyalchefeats.wordpress.com or on Instagram at @theroyalchefleebai.

of every Filipino. Our Smart Rewards program is designed to do exactly what the name implies – to reward Smart, Sun, and TNT subscribers with products that they love, simply for using the services that they enjoy,” according to Katrina Luna-Abelarde, First Vice President for Wireless Consumer Operations at Smart.

“For us at Jollibee, this presents a great opportunity to share the joy of our well-loved Chickenjoy, Jolly Spaghetti, and Yum Burger with close to 70 million loyal Smart, Sun, and TNT subscribers nationwide,” said Manjie Yap, Vice President for National Business Channels at Jollibee.

For as low as 21 points, subscribers can already enjoy a langhap-sarap Jollibee treat.

Summer’s out, school is in! SM Kids has a special treat this Back-toSchool season. Get a FREE P100 David’s Salon GC with a minimum purchase of P1,500 from SM Kids at The SM Store nationwide from June 1-30, 2016.

GENSAN PARTNER ESTABLISHMENT

DAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENT

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 68 • THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

The value of reading

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“I

F you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten; either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing.” – Benjamin Franklin *** “Reading,” Sir Richard Steele once said, “is to mind what exercise is to the body.”

Jeremy Collier (1650-1726) had the same view in his mind when he remarked: “A man may as well expect to grow stronger by always eating as wiser by always reading.”

It was my mother, Saturnina, who taught me how to read when I was still a kid. And it was my father who, unknowingly, made me loved reading.

From time to time, my father would bring illustrated comics like “Hiwaga,” “Aliwan,” “Pinoy Komiks,” “Pioneer,” “Espesyal,” and the like.

So, when I entered primary grade, I didn’t have any problem with reading. In fact, I was so fast in reading that my teacher asked me where I learned reading. At first, I was hesitant to tell but after a thorough explanation, I told her. You may wonder: how did I remember the past? Simple: my teacher told me years later.

It was not until I was in Grade Six that I had the opportunity of going to the library. It was there that I discovered the value of reading. I learned to meet some of characters which were figments of the author’s imagination. But more importantly, I was able to segregate the myths from the facts.

When I was in high school, friends won’t have a hard time finding me: library (from the French “librairie” or Latin “liber,” which means “book).

In the past, you can only find books in the library. But today, library provides physical or digital access to materials that can include books, periodicals, newspapers, manuscripts, films, maps, prints, documents, microform, CDs, cassettes, videotapes, DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, e-books, audiobooks, databases, and other formats.

At the high school library, where I used to spend most of my time during off hours, I discovered something new – in the form of magazines and newspapers. I also had the privilege of getting the latest copy of “Reader’s Digest” (not knowing that years later, I would be writing for its Asian edition).

When I took my college education in Davao City, I found myself having more time in the library doing some researches not only for my assignments but also for the articles I contributed to such publications as “Mod,” “Woman’s Home Companion,” “Focus Philip-

pines,” “Mr. & Ms.,” and “Expressweek.”

These days, physical library seems to be losing its come-ons – thanks to the increasing use of the Internet in gathering and retrieving data. In the United States, for instance, the average American academic library saw the overall number of transactions decline approximately 2.2% between 2002 and 2004.

In addition, there is an increased availability of e-resources. A 2003 report by the Open E-book Forum found that close to a million e-books had been sold in 2002, generating nearly US$8 million in revenue. Another example of the shift to digital libraries can be seen in Cushing Academy’s decision to dispense with its library of printed books — more than 20,000 volumes in all — and switch over entirely to digital media resources.

One expert puts it this way: “As the prominence of and reliance on the Internet has grown, library services have moved the emphasis from mainly providing print resources to providing more computers and more Internet access. Libraries face a number of challenges in adapting to new ways of information seeking that may stress convenience over quality, reducing the priority of information literacy skills. The potential decline in library usage, particularly reference services, puts the necessity for these services in doubt.”

Now, should Filipinos follow what Americans are now doing – in terms of reading habit?

The reality is: Some Filipinos are into it already. Regina Layug-Rosero, writing for GMA News Online, wrote: “Growing up, I didn’t think words like epub, saved bookmarks, downloads, synchronized items, or e-ink would get to be associated with the reading habit. About six months ago, these words were alien to me.

“Until very recently, reading meant hardbound books, paperbacks, pretty fonts, illustrations, textured pages

and the smell of paper. But e-books? A travesty! And many friends agreed with me. So if e-books are such a horror, why am I now inseparable from my Amazon Kindle?”

According to Layug-Rosero, the Kindle Touch can hold up to 3,000 books, while the 6” Kindle holds 1,400 books, and the Kindle DX can carry up to 3,500 books.

She considered paper books as “always a treasure,” but added why she seemed to lose interest in them: “it’s a little impractical when the volume you’re reading is hardbound and half as heavy as your laptop.”

But reason like this should not deter anyone from reading printed materials like books (hard or paper bound), magazines, periodicals, and newspapers.

In fact, the 2012 Readerhip Survey of the National Book Development Board showed some hopeful figures. It said there is an increase in the number of Filipinos who start reading at a younger age and that people are spending more time reading.

The survey “also brings to light several factors that affect readership, most notably education, income, civil status, and the availability of reading materials. These factors are difficult to address comprehensively, so there is still a lot of work to be done if we are to raise a nation of readers.”

“Read not to contradict or confute, nor to believe and take for granted, nor to find talk and discourse, but to weight and consider,” Francis Bacon once wrote. “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.”

Reading expands us, so to speak. It scratches those itches down deep inside. As John Berger puts it, “When we read a story, we inhabit it. The covers of the book are like a roof and four walls. What is to happen next will take place within the four walls of the story. And this is possible because the story’s voice makes everything its own.”

Reading navigates us through virgin territory we would not otherwise explore.

“Reading makes us more interesting to be around,” a friend once said. Have you ever wonder why the boredom factor in social gatherings is so great?

After you’ve run through the weather, the kids, the job, and your recent surgery, what else is there?

Being a reader adds oil to the friction in conversation. Here are some words of wisdom from the mouth of C. Neil Strait, a famous American author: “The hours spent in reading are investments in tomorrow. For reading sends us into the future with a great reservoir of knowledge from which we can draw at various times.”

Strait adds that reading is one good way to keep boredom from closing in upon life.

“Reading introduces new people, new ideas, and new events into life. And boredom is a stranger to the new, exciting things,” he declares.

Reading is an arduous chore, some of you may remark. What you are really trying to say is that you’re slothful to read. Thomas Carlyle reminds, “Learn to be good readers, which is perhaps a more difficult thing than you imagine. Learn to be discriminative in your reading; to read faithfully, and with your best attention, all kinds of things which you have a real interest in – a real, not an imaginary – and which you find to be really fit for what you are engaged in.”

Reading literary fictions,

for instance, is a good way of making yourself become a better thinker. An article posted on Salon.com said the study by three Toronto scholars led by psychologist Maja Djikic said this is one of the benefits of “exposure to literature.”

“The thinking a person engages in while reading fiction does not necessarily lead him or her to a decision,” they said, adding this lessens the reader’s need to come to a definitive conclusion. In some instances, the reader can even get a feel of the thinking styles of the characters he or she might personally dislike.

Such a “double release” – of thinking in ways different than one’s own — “may produce effects of opening the mind,” the researchers write in the Creativity Research Journal. “Exposure to literature may offer a (way for people) to become more likely to open their minds,” they added.

Reading can be a lot of fun if you know how. Allow me to give you some ideas: Maintain a healthful routine. That’s the first rule. This simply means that to read at your best, you should be in good physical condition. Most of us read only when we are confined in the hospital or when we are stranded in an island.

One good thing to remember: Do not strain your eyes by reading in poor light or for excessively long periods. If you have not had an eye examination for some time, you should have one now. And if you are abnormally and frequently tired, arrange to have a physi-

cal condition.

When reading, avoid unnecessary distractions. Some people I know have trained themselves to read in noisy surroundings. Most persons, however, find it easier to read in an atmosphere of quiet, away from disturbing sights and sounds. Quiet music on the radio usually will not interfere - in fact, it is rather an asset than a liability - but most other programs are likely to reduce reading efficiency.

Have a clean objective for your reading. Why do you read? And why do you read that that kind of book? When you turn the printed page, you should have in mind a clear purpose for reading. Just saying the words silently while your mind is elsewhere, or when you have no goal for your reading, is a waste of time.

Ask questions while you’re reading; reach out for the answers. Reading is an active process, not a passive one.

When you read a short story or a novel, for instance, try to ask yourself: “What will happen next? What will May do; now that June has left her?”

When you read a description of a scene, read in order to visualize it in your mind, to fill in the missing details. Make the printed page your servant; do not let it be your master.

Your aim in reading will determine how you read. In some instances, as with an easy story, you will read rapidly, perhaps skipping passages that are not too relevant. At other times, as with a history book, you will read slowly, with careful attention to every detail presented or otherwise you will overlook some necessary information.

“They that have read about everything are thought to understand everything too; but it is not always so. Reading furnishes the mind only with the materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what we read ours. We are of the ruminating kind, and it is not enough to cram ourselves with a great load of collections – we must chew them over again,” William Ellery Channing advises.

Finally, get the habit of reading widely. You can improve you reading ability only by reading profusely. Get the habit of reading a great deal.

You may wish to start with a facile material - with the daily newspaper, a popular magazine like “Philippines Graphic” and “Reader’s Digest,” or a book of easy short stories.

As you acquire fluency and pleasure in reading, try something complex. Pick an encyclopedia article dealing with

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EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 13 Cayetano to gov’t men: Shape up or ship out

Outgoing DOST chief lauds Rody for picking an insider successor “S

O

UTGOING Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Mario G. Montejo lauded President-elect Rodrigo Duterte for picking an insider as the next head of DOST. Speaking to employees here on Tuesday, Montejo said the appointment of Undersecretary Fortunato dela Peña

will ensure continuity of what the department has been implementing in the past years.

“I am happy that he’s from the ranks because there will be continuity. As a nation, we should develop technology self-reliance and it can be easily achieved if someone from the ranks will lead,” Montejo said.

The outgoing DOST chief reiterated the need to sustain existing efforts such as the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program, launched during the Arroyo administration and expanded by the Aquino government.

SETUP is DOST’s response to their public’s demand to improve access to technologies and breakthroughs developed by the different facilities of DOST. This program is focused in helping SMEs utilize and adapt technological innovations and scientific processes that improve business productivity and efficiency.

“We have many programs that should not be stopped.

These are multi-billion peso programs, which are bearing fruits,” he added.

Other key programs are food innovation and processing center, scholarship, technical and consultancy services, and standards and testing.

Dela Peña is the DOST’s current undersecretary for science and technology services.

Under his watch is Science and Technology Foundation Unit, International Technology Cooperation Unit, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Joint Scientific Cooperation program, gender and development, human resource development, biosafety committee, and biosafety clearing house.

Dela Peña’s stint in DOST started when he became head of the planning service division of the National Science and Technology Authority (DOST’s forerunner) in the early 1980’s. (PNA)

a subject that really fascinates you - hunting or fishing, electronics and computers, motion pictures, arts and sciences, or some similar topics.

Try also to scan the pages of a novel that calls for more than customary effort to read - like “Gone with the Wind,”

“The Good Earth,” or some other that your friends highly recommend. Have patience with the book; do not give up after the first few pages. Stay with it for several chapters until you know definitely whether or not you like it. Probably you will find yourself enjoying it.

BIGGER PICTURE... FROM 11

A ilalim ng administrasyong Duterte, hindi na pwede ang mga opisyales na korap, mabagal at pateka-teka. Its either they shape up or ship out. They have one month.”

This was the warning issued by Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano to all officials currently working in government, now that Davao City mayor Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte has been officially proclaimed as the next president of the Philippines.

The incoming administration under Duterte will assume office on July 1, 2016. Cayetano said that government officials and employees should use the time before Duterte’s inauguration to prove their worth to the people, whom he said have high expectations from the new government.

for real change by making sure that we become the best agents of change,” Cayetano said.

“It is not the reading of many books which is necessary to make a man wise or good, but the well-reading of a few, could he be sure to have the best,” Richard Baxter points out. “And it is not possible to read over many on the same subject without a great

deal of loss of precious time.”

When you read, don’t just read but think as well. John Locke reminds, “Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what we read ours.” (All photos taken from the net)

Agents of change “Sanay si Presidente Duterte sa mabilis na aksyon at matapang na solusyon. We must therefore match his political will and the people’s expectations

Days are numbered for the corrupt Cayetano also warned corrupt public officials that their days are numbered.

“Kayong mga kurakot sa gobyerno, bilang na ang araw ninyo. Kung hindi ninyo kayang magbago, umalis na kayo sa pwesto ninyo. The Duterte government will give no quarter for the corrupt,” Cayetano said.

Duterte’s legislative agenda The senator, for his part, reassured the public that he will remain supportive of Duterte’s plan of ending the disorder in the country by pushing for his legislative agenda in the Senate.

“I have always believed in President-elect Duterte’s vision and leadership. I will help him by pushing and passing laws that are necessary for him to build a government that will be truly responsive to the people’s needs and aspirations,” Cayetano concluded.

14 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 68 • THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

DOLE EMPLOYEES CARE. Representatives of the DOLE XI-ACES together with Kaugmaon staff during the gift giving ceremony at the Barangay Hall of Barangay Ilang in Bunawan last May 27, 2016. KMGL/LCO-DOLEXI

Project Angel Tree: 100 studes get Alliance Select looks at larger UK market share school supplies from DOLE 11-ACES F T HE Davao Department of Labor and Employment –Association of Concerned Employees and Staff (DOLE –ACES) recently served as “Angels” to 100 students in Barangay Ilang in Bunawan, Davao City.

Since it is the back to school season, DOLE-ACES with the assistance of Kaugmaon Center for Children’s Concerns Foundation, Inc. turned over backpacks and school supplies to the beneficiaries in the said area last May 27, 2016. Snacks were also served during the short program.

Project Angel Tree is an activity under the DOLE’s Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program which aims to build a community of sponsors or benefactors referred to as “angels” who are committed and supportive in providing social services such

as food, clothing, educational assistance, and even work and training opportunities to children at risk to become child laborers and their families.

The program is a continuing effort of the department to prevent these vulnerable children who due to their economic situation and environment in becoming child laborers.

“Alang sa grupo sa mga ginikanan sa kabataan ug sa Kaugmaon, lugod kami na nagapasalamat sa among nadawat na tabang kana kay dako kaayo nga tabang sa among mga bata.

Nag-hinaot mi nga dili unta mo mapul-an nga mutabang namo nga mga kabos (In behalf of the parents, the children and Kaugmaon, we are very thankful with the help that we have received because this is a great help to our children. We hope that you (DOLE) would not grow tired of helping the

poor),” Nenita Justol, one of the parent leaders, said.

Victor Sicam, representative of the DOLE-ACES in his message emphasized the importance of education especially in finding a better job in the future.

“Nindot na makakita ta ug kwarta na bata pa ta pero ang gina huna-huna sa gobyerno kay ang mga bata dapat naga-eskwela kay kani ang pag-eskwela lumalabay lang ni pero ang pagtrabaho naa rajud na permi (It is good to earn money while we are still young but the government thinks that the children should be going to school because education is just a passing phase but working is always be there),” Sicam said.

“Sugod pa lang ni sa atong mga ihatag na hinabang sa atong ginikanan pwede pa pud mag-mugna ang kapunungan

kay kami sa Department of Labor wala mi ni-undang ug pag-hunahuna ug mga programa para ma-employ ang atong mga ginikanan atong mga trabahante. Hinaot unta na mao ni ang sinugdanan sa atong partnership (This is just the start of the help that we will be giving to the parents as the association can still come up with other activities because we in the Department of Labor will not stop in thinking of programs for the employment of our parents and workers. We hope that this will be the beginning of our partnership.),” he added.

The gift giving of DOLE-ACES was from the fun run event that they organized last December 2015 wherein some of the proceeds were dedicated for the benefit of the children at risk. Kriztja Marae G. Labrador/LCO-DOLEXI

LDT wireless unit Smart Communications was recently named one of Asia’s top mobile service providers, having been shortlisted by the prestigious Asia Communication Awards (ACA) for the Operator of the Year distinction.

Smart is competing against five other telcos – namely, Telstra, Indosat Ooredoo, KT, NTT Communications, and Roshan – for the award which will be given on June 1 in Singapore. Smart already received the said honor twice – first in 2011, and again in 2012.

Organized annually by London-based industry publication Total Telecom, the ACA recognizes outstanding per-

formance by Asian carriers, multimedia content providers, vendors, and other communication service providers.

Smart was cited for, among other things, launching the Free Internet promo in 2014 to provide 30 MB of free mobile data per day to 70 million Smart, Sun, and TNT subscribers. The offer, which was meant to bring the benefits of mobile Internet to more Filipinos, is also in the running for the Best Emerging Market Initiative award.

As soon as the Free Internet offer ended, Smart through its value brand TNT teamed up with Facebook to launch the Internet.org platform – now called Free Basics – in the Phil-

ippines, marking its debut in Southeast Asia. Through the service, subscribers are able to enjoy free access to a number of websites offering informative and practical content, including Facebook and Messenger, on their mobile phones.

Smart followed this up with a growing portfolio of partnerships with the best in the global digital space, to enable more Filipinos to live the Smart Life and enjoy the relevance of mobile Internet in their daily lives. Partnerships were forged with the likes of iflix, Uber, Airbnb, Zalora, Fox, and Disney.

To fortify its network in anticipation of the surge in data usage, Smart and parent

company PLDT had invested approximately $3.7 billion in the last five years ending 2014, and over $900 million in 2015 alone.

Meanwhile, the Choose Better campaign of Sun , another mobile brand under PLDT, was nominated for Best Brand Campaign. Choose Better encouraged the youth to celebrate practicality – to not go along with the hype and choose options that give them more than what they pay for.

To concretize Sun’s promise of providing better value, Sun Postpaid increased its text and data allocation for Plan 450. Sun Broadband improved its Non-Stop Surf Plan 450 and Non-Stop Surf 25 load

Smart nominated as Asia’s best operator P

OLLOWING the listed tuna and salmon company’s initiatives to expand existing market presence in the European Union (EU), Alliance Select Foods International, Inc. (“Alliance Select” or “ASFII”) looks to increase its market share in the UK. The company had previously stated that the GSP + status granted to the Philippines makes it possible for Alliance Select to significantly expand its existing market in the EU. After the Philippines gained GSP+ in 2015, allowing for zero percent duty trade of tuna products with the European Union Member States, Alliance Select, one of the country’s leading manufacturers of tuna products, is set to attract more clientele because of the competitive price it is now able to offer.

In particular, Alliance Select aims to bring more of its products to the United Kingdom to take

with a hybrid wallet, allowing subscribers to have an unlimited-like surfing experience for light Internet activities, while giving them a different allocation for downloading and streaming. Moreover, Sun prepaid boosted its Call & Text Unlimited 100 load with 100 MB of free data.

Nominated for the Social Contribution Award was Smart Technocart, a compact mobile laboratory donated to public schools to develop literacy among kindergarten students. Each TechnoCart

advantage of its unique market.

“The UK is one of the leading destinations of processed tuna in the EU and Alliance Select is well-positioned to meet that demand,” says ASFI president Raymond See. The European Union is listed as top two in the world in terms of tuna import market while the UK is among the top five importing countries in the EU. In 2015, PH exports to the EU registered an increase of 27% valued at €743 million.

The UK is the fifth biggest export market of the Philippines. Most recent data from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) show that the country has exported a total of 17,324 metric tons in fishery exports to the region valued at P2.4 billion. Moreover, 29% of the seafood consumption supplied in the UK is imported, with the top two species consumed being salmon and tuna.

contains tablets for students, a laptop, projector, and mobile WiFi. The tablets are preloaded with the Batibot mobile application, the first educational app for kids in Filipino which is aligned with the official kindergarten curriculum.

So far, dozens of schools from as far as Pangasinan in the North and Tawi-Tawi in the South have received Smart TechnoCarts. Some of these were donated by Smart, while the rest were contributed by sponsorships from Smart’s partners.

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 68 • THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

Durant: I thought it was our year K

NOT TIME YET. Kevn Durant of the OKC Thunder congratulates Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors after Game 7.

Healthy and hungry, Kyrie crucial to Cavs’success

K

yrie Irving fractured his kneecap in Game 1 of last season’s NBA Finals, had surgery two days later and played for the first time in the 2015-16 season on Dec. 20.

Those are the known facts.

What wasn’t known is what Irving, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ fifth-year point guard, went through between surgery and that first game – the grueling physical rehab and mental strength required to get back.

And not only get back to where he was but be better.

“I wasn’t going to settle for just being OK and not being everything I thought I could be,” Irving told USA TODAY Sports.

It wasn’t easy or fast.

“It sucks because you have to re-teach yourself to do a lot of the things that you were already good at,” Irving said.

“I had to learn how to walk again. I had to teach myself how to walk without a limp and without favoring my leg. I had to re-teach myself how to finish around the basket, how to shoot a mid-range pull-up, how to stop on a dime. It’s all confidence. It’s all mental, and it takes a lot of time.”

Look at Irving now.

Through 14 playoff games, he is averaging 24.3 points, 5.1 assists and 1.5 steals and shooting 48% from the field and 45.6% on three-pointers.

“The last three weeks of the (regular) season, that’s

when Kyrie really started to come around,” Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said. “(He) trusted his knee. Having the trust to do certain things. Make a crossover move or getting to the basket moving off of that leg, and also just getting the leg underneath him for a shot.

“Once we started the playoffs, he had all the confidence in the world in his leg.”

The difference is obvious. During the regular season, Irving struggled with his three-point shooting and his shot-making at the rim. One trainer told Irving it would be about a year before he was back and explained how he would know.

“He told me the day I wake up and don’t worry about stepping down from my bed with two feet is the day I’m back,” Irving said. “I’m getting out of bed pretty OK now. You’re not worrying about whether your knee is going to hurt, whether it’s going to be swollen. I dealt with that for eight months. It was a process.”

Now, Irving’s game – offensively and defensively – is central to Cleveland’s success against the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. He has a challenge, too, with NBA MVP Steph Curry on the other side.

Irving has been fantastic in the postseason. He led Cleveland in scoring in the first round against Detroit – the first

time LeBron James hasn’t led his team in scoring in a playoff series since the 2011 Finals – has averaged more than 20 points in each series and has scored 30-plus points three times, including 30 in Game 6 against Toronto.

When Irving is on the court during the playoffs, the Cavaliers score 118.3 points per 100 possessions, and when Irving, James and Kevin Love are on the court this postseason, the Cavs score 122 points per 100 possessions. ““Those three have

been playing great together,” Lue said.

That leads to a topic Irving wanted to address: the idea that he couldn’t thrive in a setting with two other stars.

CRUCIAL ROLE. Kyrie Irvinng will play a crucial role for the Cavs in the Finals.

Tanduay 5 on 5 Basketball Reg’l Finals all set Saturday

T

HE regional finals of the Tanduay 5 on 5 Basketball tournament finally tips off this coming Saturday June 4, with the venue to be finalized at a later date.

This according to event director coach Rael Diaz during the weekly SCOOP Sports Session at the Royal Mandaya Hotel last Tuesday backed by the Philippine

Sports Commission (PSC).

Diaz told local sports media that the Davao City eliminations ended just last week with teams from Barangay Talomo, Sasa, Panacan, Bo. Obrero, Mahayag and Tibungco seeing action in the affair.

‘The champions for the elimination round here in Davao City is the team from

Barangay Panacan, who will be facing the other champions from Cagayan De Oro, Butuan and General Santos City. The team is composed mainly of former collegiate and active varsity players,’ Diaz who was accompanied by Jerrold Plaza and Raymond Villegas cited.

‘We are actually discouraging ex pro’s or commercial players to join since this is

supposedly dedicated to developing and giving more exposure to players from the barangay level, including those who are school based and non-school based,’ he said.

The winners of the regional finals get to take home a cash prize and a trophy, along with the runners-up.

They will also be getting gift packs from Tanduay.

EVIN Durant has learned, painfully and repeatedly, that championships wait for no one. The game moves on, it evolves.

What once seems promised quickly can vanish. As his latest best chance to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to that elusive title evaporated late Monday under a confetti shower at Oracle Arena, Durant hugged the triumphant Stephen Curry while seething and mourning inside.

“I hate to [expletive] lose.

It sucks. I thought it was our year,” Durant told The Vertical while shaking his head after his Thunder lost to the defending champion Golden State Warriors 96-88 in Game 7 of an incredible Western Conference finals series that won’t soon be forgotten, “but sometimes it doesn’t pan out that way.”

Durant tried to the keep the most high-stakes season of his career going a little longer, staging a one-man rally that simply wasn’t enough to dethrone a team that’s on a quest for immortality more than anything else. The Thunder seemed destined for a similar chase when Durant and his dynamic running mate Russell Westbrook made their first NBA Finals in 2012.

Kevin Durant will become a free agent on July 1. (Getty Images)LeBron James stood in the way that year, then injuries mostly caused the delay in subsequent years. Then, while Durant was away recovering from three foot surgeries last season, Curry and the Warriors jumped him in line while also spoiling James’ grand homecoming plans in the process. Golden State wasn’t going to move aside so a former MVP and four-time scoring champion could claim a spot he has long coveted. And, after becoming just the 10th team in NBA history – and the first in a conference finals since the 1980-81 Boston Celtics – to overcome a 3-1 series deficit, the Warriors don’t appear interested in getting out of the way anytime soon, leaving Durant to ponder if his moment will ever come.

“I’m certain. I’m certain,” Durant told The Vertical about his belief that he eventually will win the championship that cements a Hall of Fame legacy.

“They don’t love the game like I love it. Nobody knows how much I put in the work, how much I care about my teammates, about everything. I’ve given my heart and soul into this since I was 8 years old.

Whatever happens, I’m certain.

I feel confident that that moment will happen. I’m 27 years old. Hopefully, I can play a long time in this league but nothing is guaranteed. I know one thing for sure, I’m going to put the work in.”

But as he walked out of the arena, flanked by his father, Wayne Pratt; agent Rich Kleiman of Roc Nation Sports; and manager Charlie Bell, Durant dived into another level of uncertainty that superseded when and if he will stop being the game’s most accomplished active player without a ring.

Durant will become the most coveted free agent this summer and very well could’ve donned a Thunder uniform for the final

time.

Durant played his final game in a Seattle SuperSonics uniform in the same building eight years ago, before the franchise moved on to the plains of the mid-South. The wounds of Monday’s loss to the Warriors were still fresh and Durant wasn’t ready to immediately speculate on his future.

Soon, he won’t be able to avoid the question he has effectively dodged for nearly two years.

“What I got, a month? I don’t know,” Durant told The Vertical. “I’ve got to decompress, just reflect. And I really can’t tell you. I’ll know in the next couple of weeks – if I even think about it. But as of today, I have no thoughts, I have nothing to really think about. Just enjoy, reflect on this season and all we did as a team.”

Despite the endless rounds of rumors and guessing games surrounding Durant, some in the Thunder organization have felt confident about retaining him beyond this season. General manager Sam Presti has assembled one of the deepest and most dangerous rosters in the league – one that was a few fourth-quarter meltdowns from upsetting a team that set an NBA regular-season record with 73 wins.

Durant has never been closer to a Finals return, never been paired with a better version of Westbrook and never had so many weapons with whom to share the ball.

The Thunder made significant strides in the postseason under first-year coach Billy Donovan and knocked off a 67-win San Antonio Spurs team in the second round (“We weren’t supposed to be in this position,” Durant said). Donovan was a successful recruiter during his time in college at Florida and already seemed to be at work after the game as he shared a hug and chatted with Kleiman outside the tunnel leading to the court.

The past year has presented its share of challenges for Durant – from the grueling road back from the most serious injury of his career, to the death of Thunder assistant coach Monty Williams’s wife, Ingrid. Durant used those situations as motivation and never lost focus of where he was, and what he wanted to accomplish in Oklahoma City. Opposing players sent text messages, asking him to consider coming.

Opposing fans showered him with affection when he went on the road. He couldn’t avoid that he was in demand, but did a superb job of not letting a distraction become a disruption.

“I just think it’s being able to play the game of basketball again, it was taken away from me. So I just wanted to enjoy every moment,” Durant told The Vertical. “Of course, [thoughts on free agency] creep in. That’s natural. That’s part of this whole situation. That’s natural for those thoughts to creep in, because you hear a lot of stuff.

But I thought I did a good job of not letting it creep in to me being a basketball player and a teammate. And I was emotionally, physically invested, 100 percent, every single day. From practice to shootarounds, to games, to playoff preparation, everything, I was totally invested in it all.”

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 9 ISSUE 68 • THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

WHO WILL IT BE AT PSC? Mix array of names make up sports agency hopefuls

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

F

njb@edgedavao.net

ROM the get-go, the frontrunning candidate to be the next czar of Philippine sports has already DQ’d himself. And that leaves some interesting mix of names clattered on the table in a wild and woolly chase for the coveted post at the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

The name of William “Butch” Ramirez, former Commissioner and later Chairman of the PSC, has already crossed himself out in the PSC Chair’s sweepstakes.

Reports have it that it was Ramirez who would have been the choice of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte having joined the latter’s campaign team in charge of engagements and advance party.

“He has told us he is not interested so the search is on,” said Peter Lavina when interviewed by Edge Davao

earlier.

“If you can find us who is fitting, then tell us who would you like,” Lavina even went as far as inviting for nominees.

Because Ramirez is out of the picture, or so it seems, the race has become wide open.

For one, let’s begin with the incumbents who are still interested to stay at the Vito Cruz building—Chairman Ricardo Garcia and Commissioner Jolly Gomez—although they do not qualify in the first requirement which is “shared vision.”

There is also the incumbent Executive Director in Atty. Guillermo Iroy Jr., who enjoys the support of the Davao City Sports Council Inc. “We are fully behind the appointment of Atty. Iroy who we believe is the best candidate to head PSC,” said DCSCI president Dexter So. Iroy was the executive director under the early

Atty. Guillermo Iroy Jr. chairmanship of Ramirez but the relationship of the two soured leading to Iroy’s exit from the agency. He came back in 2010 when Garcia appointed him.

The Garcia PSC leadership caused two pending administrative charges against Ramirez which should serve as a stumbling block to his appointment to any position under the Duterte adminis-

tration.

“I think he can, he is not convicted yet,” Lavina disagrees.

The other candidates being floated are swimming’s Nikki Coseteng, sports columnist Fred Lumba and University of Mindanao athletic director Joaquin Sarabia. Also eyeing for Commissionership positions are former executive director Joseph Encabo,

Nikki Coseteng sportswriter and City Sports Development Office staff Lolito delos Reyes and Association of Persons with Disability-Davao City president James Infiesto.

The name of former Commissioner Leon Montemayor was also floated but he he said he is not interested being Chairman.

“I am happy here in Davao,” said Montemayor.

Ricardo Garcia Members of the PSSCPOC media based in Manila have been eagerly awaiting the announcement which could come anytime this week.

Duterte has shunned making appointments to the sports agency due to the existing conflicts of which he said he is aware of.

“Alam ko magulo diyan,” he said in an earlier interview.