Manila Standard - 2016 September 4 - Sunday by Manila Standard

Duterte cancels Brunei trip By Funny Pearl A. Gajunera and John Paolo Bencito

VOL. XXX • NO. 204 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2016 • www.thestandard.com.ph • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

DAVAO CITY—President Rodrigo Duterte has canceled his planned working visit to Brunei starting today following an explosion at the city’s night market which left at least 14 people dead and 67 injured on Friday, a senior Palace ofﬁcial said Saturday.

“It was only the Brunei [leg of the Asean swing] that was canceled because we have details still to face at the moment, but his other trips will continue as planned. Those things are under control,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella told radio dzMM. The President had been scheduled to go on an Asean swing, with the ﬁrst leg Next page

WE WILL FIND YOU. A crime scene investigator collects evidence next to one of the 14 people who were killed at the bombing of the Roxas night market in Davao City late Friday. AFP Photo

‘Stay calm & uncowed’ Davao City reopens bombed night market

Respond with peace, CBCP tells Filipinos

By Funny Pearl A. Gajunera

AVAO CITY—Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio refused to bow down to the terror attack by suspected Abu Sayyaf jihadists and ordered the Roxas night market to reopen Sunday despite the Friday bombing that killed 14 people and hurt 67 others.

By Vito Barcelo THE Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and lawmakers from the House of Representatives strongly condemned the bombing incident in Davao City that killed at least 14 people and wounded 67 others on Friday, but said the people should respond with peace and not vengeance. In a statement, CBCP president Archbishop Socrates Villegas said, “Violence shocks us. Acts of terrorism jolt us. When fellowmen die, a part of our humanity dies, too.’’ “We pray for peace for the dead victims. We pray for healing for the wounded. We pray for strength for the bereaved families. We pray for the restoration of brotherhood and harmony for Davao and for the nation.” Next page

It takes more than just a rehab center TREATMENT and rehabilitation of drug dependents is emerging as a top concern in the Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal drugs. Setting up more rehabilitation centers, however, is not an easy solution. It takes so much more than putting up buildings to house drug addicts. The government provides stringent quality requirements —assuming these are to be observed. Manila Standard special reports team editor Adelle Chua talks to a family who has been running a rehabilitation center for more than a decade and examines what it truly takes to rehabilitate a drug dependent. (Story on A5)

GOTTA CATCH ‘EM ALL. Pokemon players braved the heavy monsoon rain to attend ‘lure parties’ at 50 SM malls all over the country. At the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, the globe in front of the building was DEEP THOUGHT. A pensive President Rodrigo Duterte inspects the blast site at the Roxas night market

hours before he declared a state of lawless violence that will allow authorities to step up security measures to ensure public safety. Malacañang Photo

Rody declares state of lawless violence By Funny Pearl A. Gajunera and John Paolo Bencito DAVAO CITY—President Rodrigo Duterte declared on Saturday an indeﬁnite “state of lawless violence” in the country, only hours after a murderous explosion in a popular night market here, killing at least 14 people and

injuring 67 others. Duterte told a news brieﬁng on Saturday, soon after the nation of 102 million people woke up to the pestiferous tragedy, the declaration would involve the increase of military and police presence throughout the country to combat not just terror threats, but also to step up his campaign against illegal

ish nationals in Davao to “exercise heightened vigilance, avoid the affected areas, and follow the advice of local authorities.” “The level of our advice has not changed. We continue to advise against all but essential travel to eastern Mindanao, including Davao City, assess a high threat from terrorism throughout the country, and urge a high degree Next page

THE United Kingdom, Australia and Canada have issued travel advisories to their citizens who are traveling to the Philippines after the night market bombing in Davao City late Friday that killed 11 people and injured 67 others. In its travel advisory, the UK government has advised its Brittwitter.com/ MlaStandard

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ties, like the Roxas night market, and it will intensify all security measures to ensure the safety of the Davaoeños. The mayor also reminded other ofﬁcials to be bounded by their own duties in their own position as she will work according to her responsibilities. “Please leave me in peace to do my job and I’ll leave you to focus on your own work,” she said. She also reminded the public to be vigilant as the terror threats Next page continue.

By Francisco Tuyay and F. Pearl A. Gajunera DAVAO CITY—At least two women and a man are considered persons of interest in the Roxas night market bombing in Davao City, Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa said Saturday. Dela Rosa said the three suspects were tagged by at least eight witnesses who were at the night market when it was rocked by an explosion around 11 p.m. Friday that was caused by an improvised explosive device with mortar fragments. “The [two] girls don’t have an artist sketch as of the moment, but we already have the artist sketch of the male,” Dela Rosa said. The PNP chief said the bombing may have involved police

UK, Australia, Canada release travel advisories By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

Cops tag 3 persons of interest in bombing

“We will not be terrorized by this heinous crime and I call on all Dabawenyos to unite and let us help each other rise from this senseless incident,” Duterte said, hours after her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, declared a “state of lawlessness.” The declaration will allow President Duterte to security forces to implement sufﬁcient measures to ensure public safety. Mayor Duterte, who is pregnant with triplets, said Davao City will continue its usual activi-

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FIRST TERROR ATTACK. Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela

Rosa explains initial ﬁndings to journalists at a brieﬁng in Camp Crame. Manny Palmero

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Vigilance urged following blast By Joel E. Zurbano and Lance Baconguis

ENATORS on Saturday condemned the previous night’s bomb attack in Davao City where 14 people were killed and 67 others were wounded, and urged Filipinos to rally behind the country’s leaders. The attack targeted the Roxas night market near Ateneo de Davao University. To prevent similar attacks, Metro Manila is on full alert and police are coordinating with the Armed Forces and other law enforcement agencies to map out security measures in strategic areas in Metro Manila. Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada likewise placed the entire city police force and all emergency and security units on full alert. The National Police-Aviation Security Group (Avsegroup) is taking maximum security measures in all airports nationwide following Friday’s explosion in Davao City, and Manila International Airport Authority general manager Eddie Villanueva Monreal said the Ninoy Aquino International Airport has also been placed in full alert.

Over in the South, Northern Mindanao police are on red alert as well. All concerned authorities advised the public to remain calm and vigilant and to report suspicious persons and packages. Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde, director of the National Capital Region Police Office, declared full alert status in the metropolis and ordered all five district directors and station commanders to tighten security in their area of responsibility. “All district directors are ordered to set up checkpoints where deemed necessary and maximize security and presence in all vital installations, malls, churches, MRTs and LRTs and all places of convergence. Additionally, all DDs are ordered to account all personnel,” said Albayalde.

He also instructed all police community precinct heads to be vigilant, check and validate all activities in all units and double police visibilities in their areas. Albayalde said checkpoints and Oplan Sita are in force on routes leading to Ninoy Aquino International Airports and seaports. “Help us also make the public understand that we are stepping up security measures for everyone’s safety. All community activities remain normal, we will not allow lawless elements to derail our path towards peace. It will still be a weekend for families,” said NCRPO spokesperson Kimberly Molitas. Estrada directed Manila Police District Director Joel Coronel to tighten security around the capital city, the national government’s seat of power in Malacañang, as he condoled with the families of the 14 people killed in the explosion. He said the 4,500-strong MPD will implement more stringent security measures and a 24-hour tight watch on public places in Manila, such as stations of LRT Line 1, hospitals, schools, shopping malls, marketplaces, bus terminals, ports and places of worship.

Estrada said the Davao blast reminded him of the so-called Rizal Day bombings on December 30, 2000, where five bombs were simultaneously set off around Metro Manila, one of which exploded at Plaza Ferguson in Malate and another on an LRT coach at the Blumentritt station in Manila, which claimed the most fatalities of at least 22 people. Estrada was the President when the terrorist attacks were carried out by suspected Muslim extremists. Nine months earlier, he had declared an all-out war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front following alleged attacks in Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Norte, and Cagayan de Oro City, which killed 36 civilians. Meanwhile, “we declared full alert status nationwide in view of the incident in Davao. Maximum security measures in all airports are expected, so we appeal to the public to cooperate with our security forces to ensure their smooth and safe travel,” Avsegroup director Mao Aplasca told Manila Standard. For his part, MIAA manager Monreal said “we have directed baggage screeners to remain vigilant and discerning and to conduct

thorough inspection only when the need calls for it. We do not want to cause inconvenience by creating long lines at the baggage screening checkpoints.” Monreal also imposed a no dayoff and leave of absence policy on all personnel of the Airport Police Department, as a matter of procedure during full alert status. He further advised airport stakeholders and passengers not to be alarmed by increased police visibility within the terminal buildings and outer vicinities of the country’s premier international airport. “Our K9 units will also be a common sight in the complex in this situation,” the airport chief added. Security men at checkpoints shall conduct random inspections on motor vehicles and the public is advised to oblige for their own protection while issuance of access for the purpose of meeting or sending off passengers has also been limited. “Depending on intelligence reports, we may completely suspend issuance of visitor passes for everyone’s safety,” Monreal said. “Together with the PNP-Avsegroup, we appeal to everyone to bear

with us during this time,” he said. Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel condemned “in the strongest possible terms the dastardly and cowardly attack last night against the peace-loving people of Davao City.” Pimentel said there was “no excuse” to hurt and kill civilians enjoying a night out. “My prayers are with the victims of the terrorist attack and their families,” he added, vowing that the Senate will help the survivors obtain justice. Senator Gregorio Honasan II called for the cooperation of all sectors, coordination of the police and military with local governments, and political unity among officials while keeping eternal vigilance. “Let us all pray for our safety and everyone should rally under our flag and behind our national and local leaders,” Honasan said. Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, meanwhile, reprimanded netizens who mocked President Rodrigo Duterte for repeatedly standing by his claim that Davao is a safe city. “This is not the time to mock the President but rather during tragedies like this, we should rally behind him,” he added. With PNA

Cops...

‘Stay...

character Abdul Manap Mentang, who is believed to have been involved in the 2003 bombings at the Sasa Wharf and Davao International Airport. Mentang has a P2.3 million bounty for his capture. In a radio interview, Rhea Rolida, a therapist who survived the blast, said she was only a few meters away from the blast site and her uncle Brando Goc-ong saw two women hurriedly leaving their tent before the bomb went off. “My uncle told me he saw two women going inside their tent and placing a bag on top of a chair and after three minutes the loud explosion occurred,” Rolida said. Aside from her uncle, Rolida said her fellow therapists also noticed the two women arriving, placing bags on the chair and hurriedly leaving. “We did not mind them because we were busy massaging [customers] at the time. But after three minutes or so, the explosion occurred. The explosion took place exactly where the bag was placed,” Rolida said. Rolida said her sister Ruth Merisido was killed in the explosion. “My sister was seated near the chair where the bag was placed and exploded,” Rolida said. Among the dead were Danile Larida, Melanie Faith Larida, Jay Andremesin, Rogelio Cagantas, Mercy Basilisco, Cristelle Deconlongon, Reynaldo Salvador, Eufemia Bichocho, Christian Denver Reyes, Evelyn Sobrecary and two still unidentiﬁed victims. The wounded are still recuperating at ﬁve medical facilities in Davao City. Rolida said most of the dead victims, including her sister, sustained deep shrapnel wounds in the chest, face, head and others parts of their bodies. When asked if she recognized the two women, Rolida said “they looked familiar to me” but lamented that there were no CCTV cameras installed around the explosion site. “I was so lucky that I sustained no injuries because there was a man behind my sister. He was severely injured by shrapnel,” she said. Rolida said that when the bomb went off, she and other therapists ran to nearby Ateneo University where they sought cover. After a few minutes, they went back to look for her injured sister but found her already dead. “The explosion was so loud that it even affected her hearing,” Rolida said condemning the bomb attack. “We were there just to earn a living from massaging and they did this to us.” Rolida was also puzzled how the bombers were able to sneak into the night market venue although the security was strictly enforced by policemen during the occasion.

Duterte also assured the families of the victims that the city government will assist with all their needs for hospitalization, burial and even day to day expenses. City Traffic and Transportation Management Office Chief Rhodelio Poliquit also said that the night market will continue. At 4 p.m. Saturday, the city conducted a memorial mass for all the victims of the explosion. It was the second time Davao City suffered a terror attack after a similar bombing in 2003 at the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal. The city’s airport, seaport and cathedrals also suffered an explosion before. Already, the Department of National Defense has ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines to place all its commands on high alert. “I have directed all commands of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to be on high alert espe-

cially in urban centers for possible other terroristic act attempts by this group,” said Defense Secretary Delﬁn Lorenzana. “The Eastern Command in Davao City has been directed to assist the PNP in maintaining peace and order in Davao City and in the apprehension of the perpetrators. They will also aid in gathering intelligence information and in conducting investigations to get to the bottom of this unfortunate incident,” Lorenzana said. “We are closely monitoring the situation. While nobody has come up to own the act we can only assume that this was perpetrated by the terrorist group Abu Sayaff that has suffered heavy casualties in Jolo in the past weeks,” he added. Lorenzana said the entire DND laments this unfortunate incident and extends its sympathy to those who were killed in the blast, and prays for those injured. “We appeal to our citizens to remain calm but be alert and vigilant, and cooperate with our security forces,” he added.

mains “in prayerful communion” with Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, the vice president of the CBCP, as well as Filipinos in Davao City. “We grieve too over the death of innocent brothers and sisters due to the bombing near midnight,” Villegas said. The military also condoled with the families of the victims, saying they are doing everything to hunt down the perpetrators. “The focus of the AFP’s Eastern Mindanao Command is on helping

the local police restore normalcy and secure the area and in assisting medical responders to attend to the victims,” the AFP said. “The continuing directive by the AFP Chief of Staff General Ricardo Visaya has been for our personnel to be vigilant and ready for any eventuality. The AFP is prepared to undertake any task that will be issued in regard to the declaration of ‘state of lawlessness’ by the Commander in Chief President Rodrigo Duterte,” it added. With PNA

tionals to “reconsider their travel” to eastern Mindanao due to the very high levels of violent crime and the high threat of terrorist attack and kidnapping. “We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in the Philippines due to the high threat of a terrorist attack and the high level of crime. You should play close attention to your personal security at all times. Monitor the media and other sources about possible new security risks. Seek speciﬁc advice for the locations you intend to visit,” the Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade stated. As of press time, other countries has yet to issue any travel advisory. Meanwhile, the United States said that it is ready to provide assistance to Philippine authorities in investigating the explosion in a downtown market in Davao City. In a statement, US National Security Council Spokesperson Ned Price aIso said that US President Barack Obama will offer his personal condolences to President Rodrigo Duterte

next week when the two leaders meet at the sidelines of the Asean Summit in Laos. “We understand that local authorities continue to investigate the cause of the explosion in the night market, and the United States stands ready to provide assistance to the investigation,” Price said. Price also said that the United States offers deep condolences to the families and other loved ones of the victims of the explosion. “The United States offers deep condolences to the families and other loved ones of the victims of the explosion in the Philippines’ Davao City, and our thoughts and prayers are with the injured,” Price said. The ASG claimed responsibility for the blast but President Rodrigo Duterte said that investigators were also looking at other possible suspects, including drug syndicates. ASG extremists earlier threatened to launch attacks amid a weeklong intensiﬁed military operation against them in Sulu province after it beheaded an abducted villager.

From A1

ACT OF DARKNESS. Rescue workers gather body bags containing victims of the Davao City night market bombing late Friday. AFP

Respond... From A1

Davao Rep. Karlo Nograles said, “We condemn in the strongest sense the terroristic attack against innocent civilians of Davao City. We pray for the victims of the blast and their families, and assure them of government’s support. “We also pray for those responsible for this abhorrent act, that you may realize humankind

Duterte... From A1

in Brunei from Sept. 4 to 5; Laos from Sept. 6 to 8; and Indonesia on Sept. 9. In a late Friday night press briefing, only hours after the explosion, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the President is assessing whether to push through or not with his trip to Laos and Indonesia. “The President has said that with the present situation, he is thinking of whether to postpone his planned trips,” Andanar told the Manila Standard after a closed-door meeting with the President. With this new development, the President will only embark on a two-country swing this week, his first foreign trip since he took office on June 30. Under the original schedule, Duterte was supposed to visit Brunei in a working visit before proceeding to Laos for the Asso-

Rody... From A1

drugs and to curb the recent rise in extrajudicial killings. “There is a crisis in this country, including drugs and extrajudicial killings as they say, and there seems to be an environment of lawlessness. So I just might declare a state of lawless violence in this country,” Duterte said after meeting with security ofﬁcials. “Effective today, I am declaring the entire country under a state of lawlessness [while] there is a threat against the country and against the people. Any punitive action that will be taken by the security forces will be to stop terrorism,” he added.

will not succumb to hatred. If you pursue your wicked agenda at the cost of innocent lives, it will only strengthen the people’s resolve to reject it.” Eastern Visayas Rep. Ben Evardone himself said, “The Eastern Visayas Bloc in Congress extend our deepest sympathies to the bereaved families of the casualties of the horriﬁc explosion... we share the agony of the Filipino nation.” On Friday, an explosion rocked the crowded Roxas night market ciation of Southeast Asian Nations Summit. His last stop will be in Jakarta for a meeting with the Filipino community. Meanwhile, the White House said President Barack Obama will be personally extending his condolences to Duterte, a long-time mayor of the southeastern coastal Davao City. “The United States offers deep condolences to the families and other loved ones of the victims of the explosion in the Philippines’ Davao City, and our thoughts and prayers are with the injured,” US National Security Council Spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement. Obama will have an opportunity to offer his personal condolences to Duterte in their scheduled bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Asean summit, Price said. “We understand that local authorities continue to investigate the cause of the explosion in the night market, and the United States stands ready to provide assistance to the investigation,” he added.

The President said he will not lift the order “until such time that I feel [the situation is already] safe.” On Friday, an explosion rocked the crowded Roxas night market, across the Ateneo de Davao at 11 p.m., sending ripples of shock to residents and other Filipinos outside the city who heard broadcast reports immediately after. The casualties were SPO1 Jay Andremesin; Christian Denver Serrano Reyes, 26; Salvador Nagal, 24; Fimia Biscutso, 60; Rogelio Cagantas, 21; Evelyn Sobrecarey, age unknown; Daniel Josh Larida, 12; Melanie Faith Larida, 28; Kristelle Nicolasora Decolongon, 17; Ruth Caburnay Merecedo, 31; Mercy Basilisco, 23; and a still unidentiﬁed Mr. X, Ms. Y, and a Person Z.

accross the Ateneo de Davao at around 11 p.m. The Catholic prelate offered prayers for the victims and “for the restoration of brotherhood and harmony for Davao and for the nation.” He also hoped people would not be vengeful against the perpetrators of the attack. “Let not vengeance be our response but peace. Christ, restore our peace,” the Lingayen-Dagupan bishop said. Villegas said the CBCP re-

UK... From A1

of vigilance nationwide,” the UK government stated in its Travel Advisory that was updated on Saturday. For Canada part, its citizen advise to “exercise a high degree of caution.” “There is no nationwide advisory in effect for the Philippines, however, you should exercise a high degree of caution due to an ongoing terrorist threat to Westerners and Western interests,” the Canadian government stated. Canada has recently advised against all travel to the Mindanao Region due to serious threat of terrorist attacks and kidnapping. Two of the Canadian nationals who were held hostage were beheaded by Islamist group Abu Sayaff Group (ASG) this year. The Australian government has also issued the same travel advisory and urging its Australian na-

Davao City Mayor and presidential daughter Sara Zimmerman Duterte said Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go informed her early Saturday midnight the blast was apparently “a retaliation of the Abu Sayyaf,” following the increased number of soldiers sent to Sulu to crush the terrorist group. Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, the mayor’s brother, said initial eyewitness reports said there were three people seen wearing uniforms of massage therapists, but initial reports indicated the blast was caused by an LPG explosion around the area. The younger Duterte also confirmed the authorities received confidential information there were threats to the city two days ago. “We received confidential information

... there are texts claiming that there will be attacks in Davao and General Santos,” the vice mayor said. Many of those at the blast zone sought refuge at nearby Ateneo de Davao, prompting a school lockdown. While refusing to categorically identify the Abu Sayyaf Group as responsible, Duterte said the Islamist group had made threats prior to the explosion. “They gave us the warning. Not only in Jolo, but in other places. We were forewarned, we were ready,” he said. “Unfortunately, we cannot frisk or order people to stop and search (them) because that could be fascistic. Then that is not a democracy anymore. That is the price of being a democratic state,” he added.

Duterte said that while they already have possible leads on who may have perpetrated the attacks, he said other groups, such as those involved in illegal narcotics trade, may be behind the incident. “Everybody is a suspect. Of course, ASG made the threat. We will look into that,” he said. “There will be a reprisal for all of these things. Maybe because of the Sulu incident. At least we know who made the threats.” Defense Secretary Delﬁn Lorenzana earlier told the Manila Standard that the government is preparing for any attacks that the Abu Sayyaf might launch in urban centers as ‘diversionary tactics’ but played down the need for emergency powers for the President to quash the terrorist group.

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Free public Wi-Fi gets P1.8-b fund By Joel E. Zurbano GOVERNMENT plans to spend P1.76 billion next year for free Wi-Fi in public areas, which, if approved, would bring to P4.81 billion the amount allocated for the project since 2015, Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto said Saturday. Under the 2017 proposed budget of the newly-created Department of Science and Technology (DICT), Recto said funding for what is officially known as the “Free Internet Wi-Fi Connectivity in Public Places” will go up by P107 million, from P1.65 billion this year. “With the proposed funding, the project, which aims to provide free broadband Internet access to 1,462 towns and 44 key cities nationwide, is sustained,” Recto said. Recto helped jump-start the rollout of the first free Wi-Fi hotspots in selected schools, hospitals, government offices, and transportation terminals in 2015 when he initiated the project’s maiden funding of P1.4 billion during discussions on that year’s national budget. Recto also filed the first free public Wi-Fi bill in 2014 as one of several ICT-related initiatives, among which was the bill creating the DICT. He had refiled the Wi-Fi bill in the present Congress and is “upbeat that it will be approved like the DICT measure.” For this year, a progress report sent to him by the Department of Science and Technology officials in May said work on the following areas with the corresponding number of sites will commence in June:

IN BRIEF Laoag gives out hyposol

THE Ilocos Norte Provincial Health Office has distributed 720 bottles of the sanitizing solution, hyposol, to various municipalities to ensure that drinking water is safe and clean. Acting provincial health officer Josephine Ruedas said the office will continue distributing hyposol but residents may ask for it for free from the rural health units. Ruedas advised the public to take precautionary measures to prevent them from contracting water-borne diseases, such as diarrhea, as well as dengue fever and leptospirosis. “[Everyone] must maintain cleanliness of surroundings and remove stagnant water to avoid diseases transmitted by mosquitoes,” she said.

DFA warns OFWs over Zika virus

THE Department of Foreign Affairs reminded Filipinos abroad to take extra precautions, especially pregnant women, their partners and others who plan for pregnancy, should observe safe sex to avoid being infected by Zika virus since the infection could be sexually-transmitted. This after the Department of Health urged travelers to take extra care while staying in Zika-affected countries with ongoing, local transmission. The Bureau of Quarantine said it would continue to screen arriving passengers for signs of fever. These passengers are reminded to ﬁll out a health declaration checklist upon arrival and to report or visit any government health facility if they become ill with unexplained fever within 7 days from arrival. At the moment, DoH advises pregnant women to avoid travel to countries with reported Zika cases and transmission.

AFP leads Alay Lakad

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines has announced that it will be extending its full support to the 44th Alay Lakad this Sunday to help out-ofschool youths in the country, AFP public affairs ofﬁce chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said. This year’s Alay Lakad will carry the theme, “Alay-Lakad —May Pag-asa ang Kabataan.” The activity is chaired by four civic clubs known for their contributions in community services nationwide—Rotary International, Lions Club International, Kiwanis International and Junior Chamber International Philippines. Different Walk Groups (WG), led by the Junior Chamber International, will come from various staging areas within the National Capital Region (NCR) and will merge in front of the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park in Manila at 8 a.m. Each Walk Group will be escorted by personnel of the AFP and Philippine National Police to ensure the safety of the participants.

RED ALERT. Policemen

tighten security in urban centers across the country, like these special weapons and tactics (SWAT) cops, managing trafﬁc in Manila Saturday. AFP Photo

DepEd to improve drug, sex education T

HE Department of Education, which got the biggest slice of the government’s P3.35 trillion for next year, will incorporate drug prevention and sex education in the curriculum, Secretary Leonor Briones said in a budget hearing.

“These are President Duterte’s expectations on what he wants to achieve through the educational system,” Briones said at the House briefing on the agency’s proposed budget for 2017. Briones said drug use prevention is actually being taught already in science and health subjects but the program will be

strengthened through alternative learning methods starting in Grade 4. “The President also wants to strengthen the gender and development component of the school curricula, especially in relation to sex education and teenage pregnancy.” Briones said sex education will also be strengthened amid local and international studies showing that the Philippines has the highest number of teen pregnancies in Asia. The Family Planning Organization of the Philippines had earlier said that they had tried to implement stronger sex education programs in pilot areas, like Quezon City, IloIlo and General Santos, with the Department of Education but the effort is actually “not yet comprehensive.” “We are still very, very far from the target,” said FPOP executive director Nandy

Senoc. “The youth, instead of having the capacity to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancy and [human immunodeficiency virus], don’t get the information from their parents.” “Rather, they get the information from their peers, who also doesn’t know any better,” he said, noting that talking about sex is still considered taboo and that prevents girls from knowing their own reproductive cycle. “They [DepEd] have been incorporating it with the new curriculum, but it is still shallow,” he said. Even the Department of Health reported that the standards of CSE are still undeveloped. “DepEd has already included CSE in its K to 12 curriculum although it has not yet adopted the CSE standards developed by a panel of experts in consultation

with teachers, parents, RH providers, and the adolescents themselves,” the agency said in a report.“Teachers have yet to be trained on how best to deliver age-specific CSE within the K to 12 curriculum,” the report read. The CSE is given by teachers to school children and by peer educators to out-of-school youth as part of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law that remains challenged by critics. According to the National Demographic and Health Survey, one in 10 young Filipino women age 15-19 has begun childbearing: 8 percent are already mothers and another 2 percent are pregnant with their first child. Among young adult women age 20 to 24, 43 percent are already mothers and 4 percent are pregnant with their first child.

PNP fetes Espino for drug campaign

PUBLIC SECURITY. Quezon City police chief Senior Supt. Guillermo Eleazar personally leads increased security at the Araneta Bus Terminal in the city’s Cubao district as part of heightened alert to the bombing in Davao City. Manny Palmero

DILG hopes drug war done in 6 mos INTERIOR Secretary Ismael Sueno has expressed hope that by next December, numerous barangay units will be cleared of drug problems, criminality and corruption. “If this happens, there is no doubt that the smallest [administrative division] of the government will be crime- and -corruption free,” he stressed. He added: “The purpose is to eliminate drugs, corruption and criminality in the barangays; and to enhance development in all our barangays.” The Interior Department has formed MASA-MASID [Mamamayang Ayaw Sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw Sa Iligal na Droga], also known as the “People’s Watch,” where citizens will play a much bigger role in the government’s campaign against

illegal drugs. The program MASA-MASID will try to inculcate the spirit of volunteerism in all the barangays in the Philippines. Sueno said the national government in general is enjoining everyone to help in the illegal drugs clean-up in the barangay level and witnessing how volunteerism still works. Sueno also belied insinuations he is in possession of a list of those allegedly involved in the illegal drugs trade in Western Visayas, particulary in Iloilo City, supposedly provided by the slain Melvin Odicta, alias Dragon and his wife Meriam. The couple are both from Iloilo City and have been linked to illegal drugs trade in Iloilo. John Paolo Bencito

LINGAYEN—After the Philippine National Police tagged Pangasinan leader Amado Espino Jr. of involvement in the narcotics trade, PNP Director General Ronald dela Rosa feted Espino’s son and Governor Amado I. Espino III for supporting the PNP’s campaign against illegal drugs. Dela Rosa presented the citation during the 115th police service anniversary celebration conducted by the PNP Ilocos regional office at Camp Florendo in San Fernando City, La Union on Friday. The governor was cited “for his invaluable and continuing support to the PNP’s Anti-Illegal Drugs Campaign Plan [Project Double Barrel] which led to several significant accomplishments against illegal drugs in the province of Pangasinan.” The citation, a testament that the provincial leadership performs well in addressing drug menace in the province, is evidenced with the various support programs the pro-

vincial government have launched in support to PNP’s project double barrel which was launched last July 1. Former governor and now 5th district Representative Amado T. Espino Jr., who was included in the durg matrix made public by President Rodrigo Duterte himself, was also present during the program. The older Espino’s administration had earmarked a sizeable amount of the provincial budget for the anti-illegal drugs campaign when he ordered the full-activation of the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council to strengthen PNP’s efforts to curb illegal drugs. Later on, the province saw the commitment of various municipal and city local government units and the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council activated by the younger Espino, who was then a board member and Liga ng mga Barangay provincial president, to the province-wide war on illegal drugs.

Fil-Ams condemn Davao bombing By Ben Cal FILIPINOS residing in the United States strongly condemned on Saturday the deadly bombing in Davao City that killed 14 innocent people and wounding 67 others Friday night and called on authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice. The US Pinoys for Real Change in the Philippines (USPRCP), a group of community advocates across the US, issued a statement denouncing the bombing “as a senseless act.” USPRCP Convenor Co-Chairman Arnedo S. Valera, area lawyer and community leader based in the neighboring state of Virginia, said that USPRCP would hold a vigil rally on Sept. 11 in front of the Philippine embassy in Washington, DC to pray for the victims of the bomb blast.” “At this point, we do not know who are behind this cowardly act. It appears that the enemies of peace

are provoking and destabilizing the new government, and intending to politically embarrass the administration on the eve of President Duterte’s first and major overseas trip,” Valera said. “The death and injury of innocent civilians is so tragic. We are praying for them and their families,” adding that the group is fully supporting “President Duterte’s agenda for change, and pray for him and the Philippines.” The following is the full text of USPRCP’s statement: “We condemn the bombing in the strongest possible terms. The people behind this senseless act, which has resulted in the death and injury to innocent civilians, should be brought to justice. We join others in praying for the innocent victims and their families. “We do not know at this point who are responsible for this cowardly act. But whether this evil act

was perpetrated by terrorist groups or individuals, or drug lords and their cohorts threatened by the government’s total drug war policy, we should all be united in condemning this heinous crime as we call for peace, democracy, and the rule of law in our motherland.” Other USPRCP leaders are: USPRCP Convenor Co-Chairman Elizabeth Babiera Valera, wife of lawyer Valera and a member of the Philippine Nurses Association in Metropolitan D.C. (PNAMDC) and who hails from Davao; Co-Convenor Mike Ocampo of Anchorage, Alaska, president of Boses ng Pinoy sa Amerika; Jun Teves of Carson, California; Dan Jimenez, Philippine Military Academy (PMA) graduate, of Washington, D.C.; Dr. Tablang Jimenez, and Conrad Martinez of Silver Spring, Maryland; and Pastor Guillermo Gucilatar, senior pastor of Seventh Day Adventist of Las Vegas, Nevada, Pastor Nick Jardin, Vancouver, Canada. PNA

Opinion

SATURDAY, AUGUST SUNDAY, AUGUST 21,20, 2016 SEPTEMBER 4, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Adelle Chua, Editor

Shortchanged A state of confusion

EDITORIAL

Quality of growth

A T T

SENATOR has ﬁled a bill seeking to

The concern has plagued the millions of

We get by, anyway, as we often do—don’t

The decisiveness, however, der since Mr. Duterte had al- his trip to Brunei because of first we were told it applied to HERE is no question prohibit the expiration of prepaid appears and to be mobile subscribers in the Philippines, theyblast say Filipinos resilient lot?and then to the aentire country, Friday night’s in Davao are ready made some appointments only inphone about the resoluteness sometimes electronic load.Rodrigo principle, with the finer andetails estimated 80 percent which the use City. prepaid It will be interesting to see how newest Mindanao only,far andthis then, again, himself, even as itof appeared of President Senator Ralph Recto, the author of Senate credit for their accounts, for so long. bill progresses. After all, did not the President thereafter, Malacañang were—something the holdovers theSoon out by offi- real targets DuterteHE in effecting the grew change6.9hammered economy per- That thePalace administration of Presiprevious leadercess to nationwide. these opportunities.” Billhe 848, wants consumers to be able to use up However much they complain, however, the himself express derision oligarchy—the Thisof is athe crisis and officials said the President was from the previous Aquino adcials and communicated in a that has promised during the cent in the second quarter, dent Rodrigo Duterte has assured ship was not inclined to do with This sounds like asituation, real plan must not in stillmuch going, after few all––members only to decisiveness fashion. campaign. all theaided load they put spending into theirbumbling mobile accounts quoministration. hasand held sway. Thereimmediate is not very of the who determine by the that the public ofstatus consistency conits own predecessor. to sustain theelite growth, andbenot mere principle. confusion it back and say thein The the sametwo Last of month, for Mr.between Forwithout example,having wethe know ismindful and to he beelections a period giant thethat condition and course of theterms. restThe of us? accompanied in May tinuity ininstance, itschoice policies is expected topattern It is emerges atelecommunicasource take of comfort So- that just absolute Previous that Palace officials themselves cancellation holds. with the war on the Abu Sayyaf Duterte ordered more than 6,000 not backing down on his cambeyond their side, money companiesofthat provide the service. Leave Secretary Lowly prepaid consumers not emphasis complain and, on which the supply thegoes goodto waste. maintain thetion confidence busicioeconomic Planning presidents have do given are showing makes the public Palace officials–– Communibandits, which Mr. Duterte represidential appointees to tender paign against illegal drugs, The bill mandates companies to refund subone, and thealike. otherThe mayErnesto just be as bad—even all that muchtobecause they need the service so performance of the industry and nesses and consumers Pernia said: “The chalachieving high growth but insecure, and somehow dilutes cations Secretary Martin Ancently decided he would crush, their courtesy resignations within criminality and corruption even scribers sectors. their lost credit. ViolatorsPresident will facehasworse. Thus, itplans may be smarter totostay put, and muchincluand see alternatives. But it does not services talked lenge make this growth didnolittle to ensure wealth the strength of thethat message that danar, Presidential Spokesman undaunted astohe is by theisarmed of a about amid stinging criticisms from seven days from the issuance the possibility of fine, imprisonment, and a resuffer. mean we must go easy on demanding basic The strong showing offset the further relax business restrictions sive so that more people contribute and opportunity are more justly various groups and the interna- memorandum circular. The move group’s threats to his life and to Ernesto Abella and Special As- is being sent. We are sure this is vocation of license. The same have responsible respect from the telco providers even as drop in agricultural and cut the taxes to attract moregiants into, andbeen benefit from it.Christopher For this, we distributed. not what the leadership haswe in sistant Go––conthetelco nation’s safety. to stem corruption tional community. In fact,production Mr. was meant The measure is not new. Similar bills in prefor the dismal quality of internet service in the know it’s domination and profits they are truly mind. government is styltinued to issue conflicting stateForemployinstance, in view of the the persists in various Duterte takesbyon these brought the critics El that Niño vestment andgovernhence spur must improve competitiveness The Duterte vious congresses have been filed but have not country amid relatively high costs. Again, after. hear only that old this the government’s President’s trip ofto our Southeast himself, telling them that their ment offices. phenomenon. ment for long-term growth. marketsments and about business cli- ing itselfWe aswant onetothat breaks gone beyond first reading. We suppose big leaving one brand for the other is not an atPerhaps the government can stand up for its government is in charge and response to the atrocity. Asian countries for a regional There was subsequent confuopinion has no bearing on how The gross domestic product Notably, the economic manag- mate to take advantage of the new patterns and occasions genuine knows exactly what it must Agive state of lawlessness was by summit, Palace announced sion,politicians however, on administration who were option seriously he intends to do businessgrowth has itsmakes way ofwhat making toe tractive fortheconsumers. people, for change. once, ensuring big business at (GDP) the Philipers of this credited surge ofProviders investments in the region. We should watch how it do––and exactly how. declared, and rightly so. But that Mr. Duterte was canceling and were not covered by the orhe says he would do. the line. equally poor quality, anyway. the very least plays fair. pines the fastest-growing country the previous administration of Importantly, we must look at the would make good on its word to

in Asia and the achievement of the President Benigno Aquino III for sectors and geographic areas that achieve the kind of growth that full-year target of 6 percent to 7 putting in place sound macroeco- have been lagging behind and de- is actually experienced—not just percent likely. nomic, fiscal and monetary policy termine how to improve their ac- read about in the papers.

Suburban The voters shun others HAIL TO TrumpTHE inCHAIR 3 By Abd Doumany key states VICTOR

AVECILLAhave DOUMA, Syria—People

By Albert R. Hunt asked if I was surprised by the

The narco-city of Bistek and Hero Bautista

Nobody wants to join Leisure Putin’s ‘dictators’ club’ Going local on RH Law implementation

LONG STORY SHORT

ADELLE CHUA

IN A recent Facebook post, I conducted a poll by asking friends what they would do if they had just one day to do Bloomberg anything theyEditorial liked. Board The answersPOWER did not vary AT THIS weekend’s G-20 summuch: My friends would like POINT to catch up on sleep and go mit in Hangzhou, China, RusELIZABETH to the spa for a massage. sian President Vladimir Putin ANGSIOCO like toascatch willSome be inwould attendance the up onguest theirof reading, host’s honor. It’ssee quitea Imovie ASKED the watch participants in or binge theirwho faa turnaround for someone this reproductive health forum voritekicked TV series. of the even was if they know ofout who Exercise (oryoung yoga)girls more elite (now thecomes G-7) have gotten G-8 pregnant. There was upchorus more thanago. once, as well. two years ajust of yesses. I again asked Some would gointofortunes theofbeach, Thisthe change for about youngest age these go on a food trip or cook for girls. group of ayoung people Putin,Awho gave swaggering their loved loudly said:toones. “Ten years old!” interview Bloomberg News Yet another wouldwhy loveproto alone explains onThis Thursday, has some people tidy groups up herarehome, rearrange RH not stopping on worried. They fear that, with its things andimplementation. perhaps organize the law’s We increasing ties to too China those shetohad busyand to continue go been to provinces and Iran, and new outreach to Turattend to. cities to help local government keyOne and Egypt, Russia is formdid not want units in said theirshe efforts to make ing a bloc of authoritarian to think of anything at all.their this important law benefit countries to upset global staconstituents. The provincial The question is arelevant for tus quo set by the democratic government of Benguet those of us who, for ﬁveheaded or six nations Europe North by Governor Cresencio Pacalso days a of week, ﬁnd and ourselves is one of these LGUs. America. Is this “dictators’ bogged down by the things write thisdoof inthat Baguio City club” an echo the Tripartite weI have to we have where I was by theto PhilPact between Germany, Italy neither timeinvited nor energy do ippine Legislators Committee the things weWorld want War to do. and Japan in II? on In Population andNo. Development And now, in a increasingly word: Russia’s Foundation Inc. to its “Issue Orieconomy remains weak—and

responding to the question what we want to do, the emerging answer seems to be... “nothing.” smaller than Souththat Korea’s— entation on Reproductive Health I do not mean there is even with hugeDevelopment increases in and Sustainable no answer. I mean that the anits budget recent Goals where in I tackled swermilitary is(SDGs)” “nothing.” “Issues and Challenges in the years, Russia today hardly “Nothing”—“wala” inposTaRH es a Law threatImplementation.” comparable to that of galog—has been underrated speakers were all the Soviet Union. fact, these forThe tooother long. WeInalways beamong the leaders in the RH lieve all the spaces to be closer economic andhave diplomatmovement including ﬁlled, andmay that there to be ic bonds work has to Ifugao make Representative Teddy Baguilat some agenda written on the Russia a more responsible Jr.; DIWA Representative and blank spaces of our organizglobal citizen—more invested Chair of the House Committee ers.an in orderly system, on Women andeconomic Gender Equality silence not andMany morethink vulnerable tois ecoEm Aglipay-Villar; UNFPA Nadesirable—it has to be broken nomic sanctions. tional Programme Officer for by It’s music, inﬁnitely worse, not or, hard toDevelopment see ulterior Population and mindless chatter. Advocacy Jurlano; Presimotives inVic Russia’s energetic Weekends andvisited holidays dent of the Forum for Family deal-making. Putin ChimustPresident beand celebrated and Planning Development, Inc. nese Xi Jinping in June spent outside, going Exto Ben de Leon; and PLCPD’s and pledged, by his tally, $50 bilplaces, meeting people, ecutive Director, Rom Dongeto. lion worth of trade agreements. crammingLGUs up were so amply many Different Since China announced things then, to doand thatyoung “vacation” represented people that itamong would stepparticipants. up aid aid to loses its essence andto turns were the the pro-Russia Syrian governBecause barriers and chalinto hard work. ment, and lenges to conduct the full implementaThose who do military nothingexerare cises with the Russian tion of the law remain, and beeither boring or lazy,navy. missing civil war in Syria has cause are LGU officials outThe onthere many things that life who defy the Russia law, also brought closersucto has to offer. The particularly more the provision ofare modern Iran, as both have a stake the cessful people thoseinfamwho ily planning to dictator theirlive poor survival of the Bashar have a full plate, lifeconto stituents who want and need al-Assad, with Russia strikingtoa

It’s how

number of weaponsit deals and use contraceptives, is always we keeppacts sane, commercial with Iran. heartwarming to meet pro-RH LGU officials. and it’s how we We were told that Benguet create Pacalso wonders. Governor wants to have a Gender and Development (GAD)Delusions Code in the province and is enlisting the assistance of some new of NGOs in the crafting of the ‘axis despots’ the fullest, and wear numercode. Theof province, through the

ous hats. shouldn’t get in These notions are dangerthe wayareofwrong. those ous as they An article published last straightforward and year Opponents on the website Brainlimited goals. pickings.org talks about a of this law have book by the German philosopher Pieper called notJosef stopped in Leisure, the Basis of Culture. derailing it.” The author Russia of the online arMeanwhile, is thawing ticle, Maria describes relations withPopova, Turkey and Egypt. the book aasfailed “a coup magnificent Following in July, manifesto for reclaiming huTurkish President Recep help of PLCPD, has also Tayyip organman dignity in a culture of Erdogan went to Moscow to ized an advocacy group that compulsive workaholicalism, apologize LGU for therepresentatives. shooting down includes triply timely today, an age of a Russian fighter jetinlast While RH is already a year, law, when we have commodified doing advocacy both at loand Putin reciprocated bythe lifting our and aliveness so levels much to miscal national remains travel and import restrictions. take making a living very important because ofhavthe “We see a clear interestforon the ing a life.” hurdles it faces. The initiatives part of Turkey’s president in re-

I have not yet read the book but subscribe to the thinking that leisure—moments of unburdened constoring full-scale relationspreswith of the Benguet govtemplation, of provincial absolute Russia,” Putin told ernment are commendable. ence with the Bloomberg. universe Meanwhile, President To illustrate the fact thatand we within one’sEgyptian own mind need remain on isguard in AbdeltoFattah al-Sisi negotiatabsolute attentiveness to defending ourthe RHsame gains, ining a free-trade pact between life—is not asI becluded in talk the actual Egypt andmy theactivity. Eurasian Ecoing devoid of timeline of legal hurdles faced A tragedy, according to nomic Union, comprising Rusand continue be faced by Popova, that toex-Soviet leisure isstates. not sia and several the law. Consider to these: it was seenNone as essential the human oflawthis, however, signed into on December spirit but to a self-indulgent amounts an effortontoJanuary takeluxon 21, 2012. However, ury reserved for the privileged the West. China may fete Pu2, 2013, the first work day afortin,New deplorable idleness refor example, but in groups almost ter Year, anti-RH served for the lazy. every economic dealing itthe is already started petitioning Butdominant who’s being We the partner, with Supreme Court on lazy? assailing wear ourselves most days the law’s constitutionality. Just Russian entitiesoutincreasingly ofdependent thetwo week that it is incomover months after (March on Chinese cash prehensible we can go 19, the that SCChina’s issued anewStaand2013), markets. from day to day without needtus Quo interest Ante Order the and RH found in on Syria ing a This breather. That breather is Law. meant the law could seeking Russian support for its leisure. not be implemented yet. On July patrols inthe theSC South Sea waking upextended onChina Saturday 16,It’s 2013, SQA reﬂect its desire for a global morning and to indefinitely. It wasdeclaring only in April role commensurate witharguits 2014 after prolonged oral yourself and to everyone that economic might, its support ments, the to SCnot that today isthat going bedecided your “lazy for Putin. RH Law is NOT day”—you willunconstitutiondo exactly Likewise, Russia al save a few provisions. just theforthings you’dand likeIran to rejoiced at last, are friends ofbecause convenience; do,We and nothing more. the law’s implementation could their “alliance” Often, these won’t are thesurvive most already start. However, we are any attempts by Russia disrewarding things we cantothink now finding out that the SC’s turb Iran’s plans to become

of: catching up on sleep, getting a massage, reading, tidying up, spending time with loved ones, conversing with the dominant power in thelegal redecision has put a major friends. gion. As case for and impediment in effectively adIn my itTurkey is writing Egypt, they Pu-a dressing teenage pregnancy, things that domay notflirt havewith a deadmost serious we have tin gains, but line,for butshort-term areproblem as compelling now. Our girls gettinghottest pregboth are greatly dependent on and urgent as are today’s nant leftAnd andUS right. adolesnews.West. staring out the the aidOur pays for cent pregnancy rates aremilitary among window, small and inmany offeeling Egypt’s the highest, if not the highest in significantwhile and Turkey—one yet so alive weapons, the world. In virtually all counamid the view. of Russia’s historic enemies— tries, numbers of say teenage I member dothenot mean to we is a of going Nato and has pregnancies are down— should give in to the leisure strong trade ties to Europe. of but NOT in the Philippines. doing nothing all thedecision time.most We For High now, then, Russia’s The Court’s to are adults—we have commitdirectallow threataccess to thetoWest begins only contracepmentsends honor, reputations to and in Eastern Europe, tives totominors who have been uphold, bills to pay. But how given by weapons their parents and itsconsent strongest are busy we are does not itdefine and/or guardians makes very spreading disinformation, us. difficult for government to adconducting cyber-operations, It the is, problem instead,ofinvery theyoung few dress and fomenting political unrest. precious hours when we allow girls becoming mothers. Minors The US should continue to ourselves to docontexts. exactly what have different Some increase support for its Nato we already feel likesexually doing, whatever it are active, even allies, keep the boyfriends economic is, that we are most alive. cohabiting with their pressure on kind Russia to bring and no longer living their Let’s be to with ourselves about a peaceful resolution in parents or guardians. Having no and assert our claim to leisure Ukraine, and play a more access to modern family planreasonably regularly. It’s how constructive role in Syria. ning methods is a problem for we keep sane, and it’s how we them. Teenage must Delusions ofpregnancy some new “axis create wonders. be curbed significantly. of despots” shouldn’t get in the But the those anti-RHstraightforward groups did not way of adellechua@gmail.com Turn to A5 and limited goals.

reaction to the photos of the Syrian boyTrump’s in the ambulance, DONALD presidenOmran. To tell has you athelottruth, tial campaign of I wasn’t. Here a child, tiny problems. Nearisthe top ofathe child, caughtSuburban in the horrors list is this: votersof war. nothing You would to be want to do have with him, heartless not to be moved by especially in three states where those images. He was lucky hethat needs compete. theretowas a camera to docThe latest ument his pain.indicator But don’twas think this week’s Washington for a second that he is Post alone. survey, Hillary There which have showed been—and will Clinton up by 14 percentage be—countless others. Over the last three years, points in Virginia among reg-ofI COUNCILOR Hero Bautista have documented thousands of istered voters and eight with Quezon City has finally admitpeople injured in Syria and a likely The ted thatvoters. he is the citydriving official staggering number of who tested positive drugthem use force: She enjoys afor 45-point have been Photos of more than inchildren. a week ago. More advantage the voter-rich people carrying wounded or specifically, suburbs, the councilor said Washington almost dead he children fromusing the rubble that hadmargin been shabu double the rolled up of anmarijuana. air strike, or a bombardand Bautista also there years ago by Presimentfour arethat routine. That claimed although hesounds used dent Barack Obama. But that’s harsh, doesn’t drugs, he was ait? victim of the This follows similar find-bewhat it has become. It has drug menace. For whatever it ings in Philadelphia’s suburbs, comeworth, routine. was Bautista suggested images of injured where Clinton’s bigthat lead to Do the certain city council drug kids stay in my mind more threatens to put Pennsylvania testing should be given a than new others? If youreach. asked meabuse that out of Trump’s label—illegal substance two years ago, thenpoll I could intake checking. Good grief! A Marist College out probably give answer. But Days already this weekearlier, showsanword the Demotoday, after witnessing the huge got nominee around with that a 14-point Councilor cratic number flunked of massacres that Bautista the drug test.I lead in Colorado. Lee have, the it’s very hard to Mirinthink of Even news media learned goff, director of the poll,It’s saysbeonethe specific instance. of incident. Evidently, the looking theoccurrence. statewide recome a at daily admission was made to Now presponse, “You can extrapolate imagesastay in my mind for a empt more embarrassing that has almost athey 3-to-1 shortshewhile before slip public exposé by national auaway, to take their place alonglead in the Denver suburbs.” thorities including President side all others.himself. My own perThis is the aDuterte bigger advantage Rodrigo sonal graveyard. than Obama held is while carryHero Bautista the younger Take lastin week. was a few brother of incumbent Quezon ing the state 2008 Itand 2012. days afterthree theandOmran photos City Mayor ex-film acThese states have shocked the “Bistek” world. That day, tor Herbert Bautista been considered crucial for the the firstabusive rocket Liberal from a Party Mig of Trump—among the half-dozfighterof hit a building fullBeof (LP) former President enfamilies or so states he has to switch at 8:30 a.m. Most of nigno Aquino III and ex-House from the Democratic column the people were still asleep. Speaker Feliciano Belmonte toJr. win. The growing suburbs More than 10 children were Although Hero Bautista is inawounded these states seem be he makin councilor, that to strike. Five first-time was minutes later, there If was ing thatthe impossible. he another loses given chairmanship of the strike on another building. Colorado, Pennsylvania city council’s powerful and comSame thing—lots of children Virginia, a pathway victory mittee on public to works and and women It was imposAnalysts attribisinfrastructure. hard to see.hurt. sible whether the ute histoquick rise to power and Trump isverify especially unpopstrike was carried out by govinfluence to his brother. That ular in these venues, which ernment forces of the Russians. idea is anot far-fetched because include lot of college-eduWhenCity I went to the hospital, Quezon isrising known for pocated diversithereresidents, were about 10 kids there. litical dynasties. tyOne andwas voters who areShe more a girl, Noor. was About a week ago, Mayor tolerant onhinted social But eight years old. Her father was Bautista toissues. the public this isHer accelerating a powithonly her. heart had stopped that his councilor-brother beating. Doctors were litical trend in suburbs outside did, indeed, fail the drugdoing test their bestSouth, to save her.officials. Her the Deep which havefafor Quezon City ther, trending crying, kissed her feet as been Democratic forthe This probably prompted doctorsaperformed councilor to insist CPR. to the news almost quarter-century. As Afterthat minutes, docmedia his brother—the recently as151988, theythe were tors gave up. She’s dead, they mayor—was not protecting Republican bastions. said. Demonstrating But the father didn’t achim. a twisted A few things changed. The cept it.of Weeping, he started dosense logic, the councilor growing ofshouting minority-her ing CPRnumbers himself, stressed that he was the one group suburbanites are mainly name. “Noor!” protecting his brother. “Noor!” Democrats. White suburban“Nooooor!!!!!” After 10 minRight after the long-belated ites aren’t drawn to the Repubutes of fruitless efforts, he coladmission, Councilor Bautista lapsed in that sobs on was the floor. lican Party’s campaign to con-on declared he going sceneleave will stay in my nect with religious and cultural an That indefinite from public mind fortoa while. Butrehabilitathen it too conservatives. office undergo will slip away, replacedthe by city antion. JoyRepublicans’ Belmonte, “The posiother. The new announced scene will rural be that just vice mayor, tioning resonates with as heart wrenching. And then ita the cityand council appoint voters somewillworkingtoo will disappear, replaced by Turn to A5 Next page

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Opinion SPECIAL REPORT

By Adelle Chua

LET’S pretend, for a moment, that the issue of extra-judicial killings is not threatening to define the Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal drugs. Let us instead focus on what to do with the many who have fallen prey to the drug menace and found themselves hooked to a habit that has destroyed their lives, frustrated their families, squandered their resources—and, for some, led them to a life of crime. The business of rehabilitating drug dependents has been an old one, but it has taken center stage anew with the thousands of drug users who have surrendered during the first two months of President Rodrigo Duterte’s rule. Photos of drug dependents who have surrendered and who are cramped in our alreadycrowded jails have circulated social media, raising the issue of where they will be made to stay and how they could be effectively reformed into productive members of society again. There is also the question of drug dependents belonging to middle-class and affluent families who, it appears, have yet to be reached by Duterte’s war on drugs. There have been proposals to build more drug rehabilitation centers to accommodate the growing number of drug dependents who have surfaced. Some big names in business have offered to do their share. Putting up more centers through public-private partnerships has been raised. But what is it like to establish—and run—a drug rehabilitation center? Junjun Gonzales and Ces Casas Gonzales, who have been in the business of providing treatment to those with substance-related disorders since 2004, among others, say that the top issue in running a rehabilitation center is not how many people you can take on, but how strictly you comply with quality standards. The husband-and-wife team assists Junjun’s father, Rudin Gonzales Jr., in running The One Algon Place, a fishpond property-turned-rehab center in Barangay Mamatin, Cabuyao, Laguna. “We have seen drug dependents from all walks of life come in for treatment, sometimes voluntarily, more often not,” Junjun said. According to Ces, when they began in 2004, there were about 77 rehab centers across the country. “Soon after, the Department of Health issued its accreditation standards, and the number of centers dwindled,” she said. What the law says The treatment and rehabilitation of drug dependents in the Philippines is governed by Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Article VIII of the law outlines the provisions under voluntary submission and compulsory confinement of drug dependents in rehabilitation centers. Among the salient points of the law: • Voluntary submission to confinement, treatment and rehabilitation may be done by the drug dependent himself/herself or through a parent, spouse, guardian or relative within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity;

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Running a rehab Setting up a treatment center for drug addicts is easier said than done

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Application shall be made to the Dangerous Drugs Board, which would in turn bring the matter to the attention of the court. The court will then order the indivudual to be tested by a Department of Health-accredited physician who will issue a certification that the applicant is a drug dependent. With this, the court will order the applicant to undergo treatment and rehabilitation in a center designated by the DDB for a period of not less than six months. Upon certification by the accredited doctor, the court orders the release of the drug dependent on the condition that he or she report to the DoH for aftercare and follow-up treatment for a period not exceeding 18 months. After this period, the dependent may be certified rehabilitated and discharged by the court. Judicial and medical records will be confidential. Compulsory confinement of a drug dependent is also allowed. The Dangerous Drugs Board or any of its representatives may file the petition for confinement of any person determined to be dependent on dangerous drugs before a Regional Trial Court. The parent, spouse, guardian or any relative within the fourth degree of consanguinity of any person confined through voluntary submission or compulsory submission program shall be charged a certain percentage of the cost of treatment and reha-

bilitation. Guidelines for the cost sharing will be determined by the economic status of the family. • The treatment and rehabilitation centers for drug dependents shall be operated, maintained and managed by the Department of Health. A family enterprise Junjun’s father Rudin, the fourth of 10 children, was born poor but persevered in his studies and became a steel trader. His business took him to many places around the world, but also exposed him—through the children of friends, associates, and people in his network—to the ills of drug abuse. When Rudin was diagnosed with a debilitating muscle disease, he decided he would start an advocacy. He started The One Algon Place—with Algon standing for Almendral and Gonzales, the last names of his parents. Junjun and Ces, who now help in the day-to-day operations of the center, say that the most important part is providing the “student”— what they call the drug dependents put under their care—with treatment in four aspects: biological, psychological, social and spiritual. To be sure, the care is not cheap. Aside from the maintenance of facilities, the center has to pay for medical doctors and other DoH-accredited practitioners, licensed psychologists, house parents (psychiatric caregivers). Payment scheme is in brackets depending on the ﬁnancial capacity of the “student.” Somebody in Bracket A pays, for instance, anywhere between P45,000 and P80,000 a month, not including the cost of doctors and medicines. Bracket B is P35,000 to P40,000. Bracket C,

The... From A4

A Syrian child is killed in an air strike in Aleppo. AFP

another. There will be countless others. When the father collapsed, I couldn’t take any more photos. It was too much. I went to the spot in the city where they bring the corpses before burying them. Similar scenes awaited me there—sobbing fathers seeing the children dead, seeing them for the last time... One child who died in air-

P15,000 to P25,000 a month. A “student” who falls under Bracket D does not have to pay anything at all. “Ideally, for every 25 paying students, we can take one for free,” according to Ces. Of course she concedes the fees are lower for government-run centers. “We don’t really think of what we do as a business. The aim is just to make our operations sustainable. We get people who can pay and then, give some back, too,” according to Junjun. The Gonzaleses say The One Algon Place has two licenses: ﬁrst, as a drug treatment and rehabilitation center, and second as a psychiatric facility. “Sure, there is treatment for drug addicition,” says Ces. “But what about those who are drug addicts AND who also suffer from mental problems?” Many of the rehabilitation centers only cover drug addicition. Standards are key The Dangerous Drugs Board has issued a manual of operations for drug abuse treatment, serving as “standard reference material to aid administrators and practitioners in the management and operations of the different drug treatment and rehabilitation centers in the Philippines.” The manual, available online, presents the minimum standards for facilities, services and re-

sources recommended by the DoH. These will be used as a basis of accreditation of treatment and rehabilitation centers in the country. The requirements vary, depending on whether the center is non-residential (outpatient) or a residential (in-patient) center. For a non-residential center, there has to be one part-time DoH-accredited physician, one licensed nurse, one part-time licensed social worker/psychologist, and one clerk. For residential centers, there must be one center program director or administrator, one on-call DoH-accredited physician, one on-call licensed dentist, one licensed nurse/midwife for every 50 patients, one licensed social worker for every 50 patients, one licensed psychologist for every 50 patients, one clerk for every 100 patients and four non-professional staff for every 100 patients. The manual also itemizes the equipment and instruments needed for either the outpatient or inpatient center. The center must exclusively be for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug dependents. Outpatient centers should be at least 25 square meters for the business area, consultation examination and treatment, toilet with lavatory and a multi-purpose area. Meanwhile, in-patient centers must have an area of at least 400

strikes that day had lost his father in a similar bombardment, in the same area, about the same time last year. His name was Emad. He was ﬁve years old. Children are the main victims of this war. The lives of Syrian children have been affected most by this conﬂict. Every day, countless violations of children’s rights take place across the country—aside from risking death in airstrikes and bombardments, they don’t have access to proper

healthcare, or education. They don’t have access to a normal life. They are innocent souls who are being killed in every possible way. Their only fault is that they were born in the wrong place at the wrong time. They were born in a time of war. With no end in sight to the conﬂict, many fear that this war will produce a “lost generation” of children, who will lack basic necessities and who will not have access to education.

square meters for 30 patients. Size should be adequate for intended use, the building should meet construction and safety standards, must have one bathroom/toilet/lavatory for every 10 patients, and kitchen and dining area should be clear. For those with bedrooms, beds should at least be 1 meter apart. If a double-decked bed is used, there must be at least one meter between the ceiling and the upper bed. The same one-meter distance requirement holds between the upper and lower beds. Among the services to be provided by drug treatment and rehabilitation centers are medical, psychiatric, psychological, social service, spiritual and religious service, referral service, sports and recreation, residential and house care, and aftercare and follow-up. Additional services include placement series, volunteer services, educational opportunities. Therapeutic activities include psychotherapy, counselling, individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, community work projects, sheltered workshops, and social reintegration. As good as new—almost Ces and Junjun would be the first to admit that a drug dependent cannot be restored fully to one’s original state, despite the most earnest of rehabilitation work. “When a person becomes addicted, the anatomy changes,” he says. “It’s like a mirror, or a glass. You can try to put them back together, but there will always be that imperfection when you look more closely.” The most difficult part of the process, they say, is treating somebody who does not wish to be treated. Often, their “students” have to be picked up against their wishes. It could also be difficult for the men and women who work at the center. Despite the fact that the professional and nonprofessional staff received ample training for their jobs, it could be difficult, at times, to isolate themselves from the issues confronting the students they deal with. Often, they find parallels between the students’ lives and their personal situations. But there are success stories that push them to try harder, every day, One former “student” was a woman, abandoned as a baby by her parents, grew up in the slums picking garbage for a living, and who ended up in drugs and prostitution. She was introduced to the center by her foreigner boyfriend who was himself a student there. To be sure, the process was never smooth. The woman tried to escape rehabilitation a few times—but always returned. These days, Ces says, she remains in touch with them, and has made a living supplying soaps and other products to motel chains and other establishments she had dealt with in her life before rehab. Not all rehabilitation centers are created equal. Some existing ones barely comply with the requirements and place emphasis on housing a specific number of patients instead of giving them the quality they need. Others look upon treatment and rehab as an advocacy—a calling to respond to as a way of fulfilling a role in society. Whatever their view, the fact is that establishing a rehabilitation center is no joke. It’s one thing to build the structure, and quite another to run it from day to day. That takes more than just sweeping declarations about fighting the war on drugs. It takes, instead, painstaking commitment, affirmed day after day. I have photographed countless bandaged, bloodied children. I have photographed countless tiny bodies wrapped in funeral shrouds, looking like they’ve gone to sleep. Of course you feel sorry for the children more than you do for adults in this war. I don’t know why. Maybe there is something special in our hearts toward children because they are so innocent and they are being put through so much. Too much for such a young age. AFP

News

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Truce with Reds still on A

BI pushes budget

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MADDEY. Leyte Rep.Yedda Marie Romualdez and her husband Philconsa president Martin Romualdez celebrate the ﬁrst birthday of their youngest child Maddey along with her siblings Minxie (left) Andrew (2nd left) and Marty (right). Ver Noveno

Piñol sees change in agri production AGRICULTURE Secretary Manny Piñol expects the agriculture and fishery sector to register positive growth for the last quarter of 2016 and throughout 2017 after three quarters of sluggish performance. Piñol told reporters that rains would have a positive impact on agricultural production. “They said we will be hit by La Niña. That’s good. Rains bring water in the irrigation canal. So instead of dry season planting, we will have water. And next is wet season planting,” he said. Piñol was optimistic about the positive growth in the agriculture and fishery sector in the last quarter. “Harvest will still start in the third quarter. After harvesting, planting of dry season crops will start in the fourth quarter,” he said, declining to give a growth estimate for this quarter. Farm output decreased by 3.48 percent in the January to June period. For the second quarter alone, crops and fish yields dropped by 2.34 percent due to the prolonged

BoC hikes collection in August THE revenue collection of the Bureau of Customs has improved for the month of August, which reached more than P32.6 billion, citing better collection effort implemented by bureau. Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon said that preliminary figures from the bureau’s Statistical Analysis Division, revenue collection for August has reached P32.653 billion, and may still increase since data from other departments and ports keep coming in. “This initial figure is already 95.2 percent of the P34.308 billion assessed revenue collection target set by the Bureau for the month. It is better compared to the P26.895 billion revenue collected at the same month last year,” he said. Last month’s collection was only 85.9 percent of the BOC’s P36.065 billion assessed revenue collection target then. The following amounts have been collected so far from various ports across the country for the month of August, San Fernando-P139 million; Port of Manila-P5.206 billion; MICP-P10.248 billion; NAIAP2.778 billion; Batangas-P7.443.8 billion; Legaspi-P25.4 million; IloiloP303.5 million; Cebu-P1.409.9 billion; Surigao–P600,000; Cagayan de Oro-P717 million; Zamboanga-P6.8 million; Davao-P1.014 billion; SubicP1.6 billion; Clark-P125.6 million, and Limay-P1.677 billion. The Bureau is yet to receive reports from the ports of Tacloban and Aparri. Despite the improving figures, Faeldon reminded that revenue collection should not be the only parameter used in measuring the agency’s success. Vito Barcelo

N OFFICIAL of the Armed Forces’ Southern Luzon Command said the suspension of military operations against the communist New People’s Army remains in effect even with the declaration of a state of lawlessness. “The SOMO will remain in effect,” said Maj. Virgilio J. Perez Jr., chief of Solcom’s public information office, in a press statement issued Saturday. The communist rebels have declared an indefinite ceasefire following initial peace talks in Oslo, Norway in August between the government panel and the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army and National Democratic Front. Perez said the AFP would continue to perform its mandate of protecting the people and the community through the conduct of security operations focused on the “neutralization of threats to national security.” He identified these threats as the “Abu Sayyaf Group or ASG and other terrorist groups.” Perez said the AFP would continue to protect the communities and ensure the security of government facilities and flagship projects against any armed attacks or sabotage. He said they would continue to support law enforcement operations to ensure peace and stability in all areas and the “unhampered social, cultural, religious, political and economic activities in the region. Reports from the Philippine News Agency showed that 15 people had died and 69 were injured in a bomb blast that rocked a city market in Davao City shortly before midnight Friday. The Department of National Defense had given “full alert” orders to the AFP following the attack that was claimed by the ASG. Lt. Gen. Ferdinand F. Quidilla, Solcom commander based in Camp Nakar, Lucena, Quezon, said they had “stepped up their security monitoring and close coordination with the Philippine National Police” due to the full alert orders. “AFP-Solcom is vigilant and ready for any eventuality,” Quidilla said in a statement Saturday. He assured that all forces under his command in the Southern Tagalog and Bicol regions are prepared and ready to undertake tasks to be issued by Duterte. PNA

IN BRIEF

dry spell caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon. Piñol earlier directed Cagayan Valley’s regional agriculture office to help farmers of Isabela province whose corn and rice farms are drying up due to the lack of rain in recent weeks. Piñol made the order during his recent visit to Quirino province to meet with farmers. He said he has received reports from Isabela’s provincial government that thousands of farmers have been affected by the drought. Piñol said he has tasked executive director of the regional agriculture office, Lucrecio Alviar, to monitor the situation in Isabela and to do what is necessary to help the farmers, without getting clearance from the secretary. He said he will soon visit Isabela, Cagayan and Kalinga to address the concerns of farmers in the three provinces. Piñol visited last Wednesday the provinces of Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino to meet with farmers and turn over to them various farm equipment.

SSS okay to pension hike AFTER claiming during the Aquino administration that an increase in the pensions of Social Security System members would mean the end of the institution, the SSS now agrees that a hike is indeed possible but only if monthly contributions are similarly increased. “We are not opposed to any pension hike,” said SSS president Emilio de Quiros Jr., who had recently submitted his resignation upon the orders of President Rodrigo Duterte for all holdover officials from the previous administration to step down from their positions. “We are just saying that there must be a funding mechanism and one option is increasing [members’] contributions,” Quiroz said during the SSS Kabalikat Awards 2016 on Friday. But De Quiros clarified that the Social Security Commission can only make recommendations but not order an increase. “Only the President can order an increase. All we can do is recommend,” he said,

adding that an increase of five percent to six percent is likely if the P2,000 pension hike is approved. De Quiroz announced the change of tack after renewed efforts to increase pensions, including that of Senator Vicente Sotto III who filed a bill seeking an immediate passage of the bill that would raise the SSS monthly pensions. Sotto said it is high time lawmakers amend the Social Security Act of 1997 and raise the amount of pensioners receiving lesser amount while those already receiving higher pension should be also given minimal increase. The senator said it is high time Congress adjusts pension rates but still ensure that the SSS funds would survive for the next couple of years. The Aquino administration had earlier vetoed similar measure on the ground for fear that the state-run pension fund would be depleted in the long run. In filing Senate Bill No. 1068, Sotto said the mini-

mum monthly pension shall be P2,000 from previous P1,200 for at least 10 credited years of service and maximum of P3,000 from the previous P2,400 for those 20 credited years of service. Sotto said he sees the urgency to pass the proposed measure for SSS pensioners pointing out that most of the minimum monthly pensioners are those who are in their senior years or ripe old age, needing more care, assistance, to sustain and survive on a daily basis. Sotto pointed out the government has to take into account inflation, noting that the peso-dollar exchange rate back in 1997 was at P29.47 to US$1. Today, the exchange rate is already pegged at P46.31 to US$1. He also said the basic minimum wage in the National Capital Region increased from P180 to P185 in 1997 to P444 to P481; and the average annual expenditures per family has ballooned from P99,537 in 1997 to P193,000.

Equinox on Sept. 22 signals longer nights

HARD WORK WINS. Senator Cynthia A. Villar, vice chairperson of the Senate agriculture and food committee, joins the graduates of a training course conducted by the Villar SIPAG Farm School.

THE country will experience longer nights beginning late this month. “We are expecting such nights as the sun by then will be moving past Earth’s equator and heading towards the southern hemisphere,” said space science chief Dario dela Cruz of the state-run Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. For this year, he said, the sun will cross the equator on Sept. 22 at 10:21 p.m. He expects nighttime to be longest at December 21 or 22. Other areas in the northern hemisphere will also experience longer nights, he noted. Nights will gradually shorten afterwards as the sun moves past the equator from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere, Dela Cruz said. Such solar movement, he said, will have the opposite effect in the

southern hemisphere where nighttime then will increase. Equinox is the moment when the sun crosses Earth’s equator, during which the length of day and night is almost equal, noted Dela Cruz. He said equinoxes are normal astronomical events, and two equinoxes occur within a year—one in March and another in September. March equinoxes mark the beginning of spring and autumn in the northern and southern hemispheres, respectively. September equinoxes signal the start of autumn in the northern hemisphere and spring in the southern hemisphere. For thousands of years, various cultures have celebrated the spring equinox as a time of rebirth and abundance. Such cultures also attach deep spiritual meaning to autumn equinoxes. PNA

THE Bureau of Immigration has urged Congress to approve its proposed budget of P974 million for next year. Based on the document submitted by the bureau to Congress, a total of P742.812 million will be used for the bureau’s operations as the country’s immigration regulatory and control body of foreign nationals. While a total of P63.375 million was earmark for projects and programs of the bureau. Part of the bureau’s operations is the appropriations of P81.32 million for intelligence and security services. The amount will be used to conduct arrests of fugitive aliens in the country. As of July 2016, the BI only has 1,634 organic employees, far from its ideal 4,000-member workforce. The bureau also want Congress to remove the provision in the General Appropriations Act seeking to require the bureau to deposit express lane fees (ELFs) collected at airports with the National Treasury. The ELF is currently deposited in a BI Special Trust Account (STA) and had been the source of the honoraria and allowances of BI employees, particularly its contractual personnel. Vito Barcelo

Passport victims to leave MOST of the 177 Indonesians that were apprehended last week for holding Filipino passports are headed home on Sunday as the Bureau of Immigration dismissed the deportation charges against them. According to BI Spokesperson Antonette Mangarobang, the 168 foreigners will be flying out of the country on Sept. 4. “The deportation charges against them have been dismissed. Investigation revealed that they are victims of the Filipinos who were found to have facilitated their foiled pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. They are scheduled to depart early tomorrow morning [September 4],” she said. Mangrobang added, “There is already a confirmed booking for tomorrow via Air Asia 7 a.m.” She noted that the nine others will remain in the country to be witness against the Filipinos who victimized them. “The nine will stay behind as they are found to be vital witnesses against the Filipinos,” the BI official explained, noting that they will be under the custody of the Indonesian embassy. Asked if the Indonesians will be blacklisted or will be in the watchlist, Mangrobang said, “No. Because the deportation charges have been dismissed because they are victims.” She said that the Indonesians shouldered their tickets. “May ticket sila pabalik ng bansa nila from here. I’m not sure if they would use the ticket they already bought may round trip naman.” PNA

Sports

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2016 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Elasto Painters make last stand By Reuel Vidal

EIGNING Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup champion Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters will not go quietly into the night. Threatened with the possibility of early elimination in the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup they displayed the heart of champions with a decisive 103-88 rout of the undermanned Mahindra Enforcer at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last Friday. The victory pushed Rain Or Shine (4 wins, 4 losses) into a tie at sixth place with the Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters (4-4). Leading the standings are TNT Ka Tropa (7-1), Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (6-2), San Miguel Beermen (6-2), Mahindra (6-3) and the Meralco Bolts (5-4). Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters big man JR Quiñahan (43) rips down the rebound against San Miguel Beermen, from right: Gabby Espinas, Marcio LasThe other teams include siter and June Mar Fajardo. Beside them are Elasto Painters, from left: Jeff Chan and Beau Belga. the Alaska Aces (3-5), the GlobalPort Batang Pier (3-5), the NLEX Road Warriors (3-5), the Blackwater Elite (1-7) and the Star Hotshots (1-7). Rain Or Shine’s remaining games will be against: NLEX at 4:30 p.m., today, Sunday, September 4 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo; San Miguel Beer, 5:15 p.m., Saturday, September 10, Ynares Center Antipolo; and Star, 7 p.m., Friday, September 16, Mall of Asia Arena. With the victory they’ve improved their chance of making the top eight and advance to the quarterfinals. The Elasto Painters relied on bruisers Beau Belga, JR Quiñahan and long-limbed Raymond Almazan to contain Mahindra’s prolific import James White who was limited to 16 points. White was also boxed out and Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters guard Maverick Ahanmisi (13) deﬁes the defense of Blackwater Elite imports Imad Qahwash and Eric Dawson. pushed away from his comfortable rebounding position on de- Paul Lee tallied 12, Jeff Chan work all-Filipino. Our import fense. This limited Mahindra’s had 10 points and import Jason Jason Forte had only one practransition game which relied Forte likewise tallied 10 markers. tice with us. He came in early heavily on White’s defensive The Elasto Painters led early morning Thursday and pracrebounds that usually resulted with 18 points, relaxed too son ticed with us at 10 a.m. Obviinto Mahindra fastbreak at- and found that lead reduced to ously, we can’t expect too much tempts. three points, but recovered in from him,” said Rain or Shine White’s disruptive, shot- time to tally the victory pulling coach Yeng Guiao in the postblocking was also neutralized by away. game interview. Rain Or Shine’s “bombs away” It didn’t even matter that new “We’ll have the same proboutside shooting which resulted import Forte played less than 17 lem Sunday [today] against in six Elasto Painters tallying minutes. The All-Filipino crew NLEX. Jason will be able to double digit scores. by the Elasto Painters had the practice with us just once be- Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters guard Jericho Cruz (9) elevates to the Almazan had 14 points, Belga game well in hand. fore that game. So we’ll have to hoop against Mahindra Enforcer defenders Hyram Bagatsing and with 13, Jericho Cruz had 13, “We had to do most of the do it all-Filipino again. What- Bradwyn Guinto.

Teodoro wants JRU Heavy Bombers in NCAA Final Four By Peter Atencio FOR Bernabe “Teytey” Teodoro, a Final Four stint for the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers is something he dreams about in the 92nd National Collegiate Association (NCAA) men’s basketball season. A 71-63 victory over the College of St. Benilde at the Filoil Flying V Centre on Friday got JRU back on the right track. In that game, Cameroonian reinforcement Abdel Poutouochi fought his way to 14 points, seven rebounds and two blocks while Paolo Pontejos and Teodoro fired 14 and 11 points, respectively. This helped the Bombers snare their eighth win against six defeats. “It’s been a while since we made it. That’s what the players really want to do. Every game, one game at a time,” said Teodoro. JRU’s 5’8” guard is one of the team’s top shooters with his aver-

Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers guard Teytey Teodoro (14) drives past his defender in the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Filoil Flying V Centre. Peter Atencio

age of 19.7 points. His game is now starting to pick up after the Heavy Bombers experienced a poor first round. They have since won three straight to improve from solo fifth place to a tie at fourth in the team standings. “We know what Teo-

dor can do when he puts his mind to it. At any given time, if he wants to, he is capable of taking charge and he will take charge,” said JRU coach Vergel Meneses. Last week, Teodoro and Poutouochi led the way in the final stretch as JRU won over Lyceum,

68-58. With Teodoro and Poutouochi taking charge, the Heavy Bombers pulled away and eventually tied Mapua at fourth place with identical 7-5 win-loss records. Teodoro fired 21 points, including a triple with 6.2 ticks to go, to finally hold off Lyceum’s stand. After this game, Meneses praised Teodoro for heeding his call to play better defense. Meneses believes that the JRU guard can become a good player even in the Philippine Basketball Association if he can work on his defense. But Teodoro is not thinking so far ahead. He is focused to help boost JRU’s campaign for the elusive crown. “My focus is on JRU. I want the team to enter the championship,” said the 22-year-old Teodoro. It’s been a while for the Heavy Bombers, who have the longest title drought in the NCAA. They last won an NCAA title in 1972, with Philip Cezar showing the way.

Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters import Jason Forte (00) guards Mahindra Enforcer big man Bradwyn Guinto (5).

E-Painters answer Forte’s prayers THE Philippines is virtually basketball heaven for many foreign imports. Just look at how these reinforcement openly gush about loving their stay in the country and their stint in the Philippine Basketball Association. It’s no surprise then that former Alaska Aces and Air21 import Jason Forte has for years been openly lobbying to return to the country to again play as a PBA reinforcement. His prayers were answered a few days ago when the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters, desperate to stay in the race for a berth in the eight-team race to the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals, brought him back to replace ill-fitting import Dior Lowhorn.

“Heavenly Father, there’s nothing more I can say to you than Thank You for opening up that door! You knew I wanted to walk through it again and you did it at your own pace, not mine so I know it will be blessed,” said a grateful Forte in his Facebook account shortly after it was announced he will return to the Philippines as the reinforcement of the Elasto Painters. He was hardly a factor in his first game against the Mahindra Enforcer. Luckily, reigning PBA Commissioner’s Cup champion Rain Or Shine hardly needed his contribution as it beat the Mahindra Enforcer, 103-88, in the 2016 PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum

ever he can contribute will be bonus for us again.” Mahindra was not at full strength. Local top scorer Niño Canaleta was out because he had to undergo an appendectomy on Thursday. Canaleta averaged 12.6 points and 3.4 rebounds. Mahindra put up a tough stand even without Canaleta. They were in the thick of the fight until a late fourth quarter collapse. White drove strong to the hoop to score to cut the Rain Or Shine lead to just three points, 77-74, early in the fourth. Lee then drained two free throws to start a 13-0 Rain Or Shine surge that broke the game wide open as the Elasto Painters led, 90-74, with a little over six minutes to play. Jewel Ponferada scored on a followup; Cruz converted a layup; Belga drilled a triple and Almazan scored back-toback baskets from just underneath the goal as Rain Or Shine erected a fat 16-point advantage, 90-74. Mahindra countered with its own 5-0 run to cut the lead to 11 points, 90-79, with five minutes left to play. But Almazan started another 9-0 Rain Or Shine blast which pushed the Elasto Painters to a 20-points advantage, 99-79, with a little over two minutes left to play. With that starters of both teams went out of the game as Mahindra mentor Chris Gavina and Rain Or Shine coach Yeng Guiao emptied their respective benches. The Elasto Painters, hobbled with a good import who was a bad fit to their team, had struggled early this conference. Import Dior Lowhorn was a potent inside scorer and an efficient rebounder. But he was slow-footed and did not have the range to score from outside and stuck out like a sore thumb in Rain Or Shine’s freef lowing offense. The quick-stepping, high-leaping Forte, who can score from all the way out to three-point distance, will be a better fit and should take the Elasto Painters deep into the playoffs. last Friday, September 2. Forte tallied 10 points, grabbed six rebounds, had one block and one assist in less than seventeen minutes of burn off the bench. Worse, he missed seven of eight free throws prompting Rain Or Shine coach Yeng Guiao to speculate that the 32-year-old was a victim of jet lag. “I’m guessing the free-throw misses was just the jetlag. But on Sunday, there should be no excuses,” Guiao said. The Elasto Painters mentor explained that many games will be decided by three or four points at the most. These are the free throws that are missed or made. With the adjusted PBA rules on physical play and handchecking Guiao noted that there will be plenty of free throws to go around. Forte will need to consistently make those free throws. Forte attributed the missed free throws to first-game jitters. He said he was not physically tired. But confessed that he may have been emotionally and mentally exhausted because of the events of the past few days. He was grateful that they tallied the win just the same and added that he was confident to do better in their next games. There’s no question Forte’s prayers of again playing in the PBA were answered when he got the call to play for Rain Or Shine. The question is whether his arrival will be the answer to the prayers of the Elasto Painters to successfully win the PBA Governors’ Cup crown. Reuel Vidal

Riera U. Mallari, Editor Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor sports@thestandard.com.ph sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2016

Sports Work hard, dream big, stay humble

Philippine Olympian Ian Lariba lights the cauldron to ofﬁcially mark the start of the MILO Little Olympics NCR Leg. Peter Paul Duran

By Peter Paul Duran

HILIPPINE Olympian Ian Lariba provided the inspiration to at least 4,000 young athletes as she graced the opening ceremonies of the 2016 MILO Little Olympics at the Marikina Sports Center recently.

The PH’s flag bearer during the Rio Olympic games and two-time UAAP Athlete of the Year told her young audience the importance of three key things: hard work, striving for more and humility even in times of success. “You have to work hard, dream big and kahit na malayo na narating ninyo, always remember to be humble,” said Lariba, who was nostalgic during the ceremonies as she was a former MILO Little Olympian herself. The table tennis star recalled how she was just the same as the aspiring athletes in front of her, that she too first started in various sporting tourneys that helped her hone her skills. More Little Olympics, please The 2007 Milo Little Olympian hopes that events like these continue to provide the avenue for kids to showcase their talents. “Sana sa future dumami pa ‘yung mga events na ganito,” added the 22-year-old, Lariba stressing that friendly competitions such as the Little Olympics can greatly aid the young contingents in their sporting goals. “Dreams really do come true if you work for it. If you would

be determined in what you do, eventually everything will pay off,” added the CDO native whose own dreams were fulfilled when she made it to the Olympics, becoming the first in her sport to represent the Philippines in the greatest sporting spectacle on Earth. During the opening ceremonies of the Rio games, the weight of the whole moment dawned on her as she was fixated at one single goal—not to drop the huge Philippine flag she was carrying. The walk was just a couple of paces but for her, the end line

seemed a thousand miles away. “Totoo pala talaga ‘yung mga slow-mo moments,” said Lariba. “Noong pinanood ko na ‘yung replay, ang ikli lang pala talaga (ng lalakarin), ilang seconds lang pero para sa akin sobrang bagal talaga.” First to battle The 21-year-old still couldn’t digest the fact that the surreal happened, but after the Rio opener, she still had one daunting task: Be the first PH bet to battle it out against the world. “Noong nasa gitna na ako ng court sabi ko sa sarili ko na whatever happens, gagawin ko

A MILO Little Olympics’ participant in the table tennis competitions eagerly returns the ball to his opponent. Peter Paul Duran

A Little Olympian (right) listens intently to her coach. Peter Paul Duran

lahat, ibubuhos ko na. Beause it’s really a rare opportunity,” recalled Lariba in her game against Congo’s Xing Han. “First set palang feel ko na talaga ‘yung kaba ko, iba kase ‘yung atmosphere eh, iba ‘yung aura,” added the DLSU standout who got blanked in that match, 4-0 but still saw a silver lining after her performance. “Sayang talaga lalo na ‘nung second set, siguro (kapag napanalo ko) maiiba ‘yung momen-

tum,” she said, rueing the crucial set that could’ve spelled a different outcome. Room for improvement “It’s a learning experience for me, marami pa talaga akong kailangan iimprove,” she added, stressing that kids at the Little Olympics should also learn from defeat. “’Yung mga losses, ‘yung mga failures, it’s really part of the journey, kase ‘yan ‘yung makakapag-strengthen sa ‘yo not only as an athlete but also

as a person. Based from my experience, losing is part of the learning process, kelangan mo ma-feel ‘yung ganu’ng struggles for you to be stronger. ‘Yun ang gawin mong motivation.” Lariba lit the cauldron afterwards to officially mark the start of the MILO Little Olympics NCR Leg, symbolizing a bright path ahead for the athletes. But for the wide-eyed MILO throng, her words of wisdom shone brighter.

HK-based Pinoy guru Salvador ends spell, bags ICTSI Splendido title to head training center By Peter Atencio A STRENGTH and conditioning coach, who helped an athlete from Hong Kong win a bronze medal in the 2012 London Olympics was named as the national training director. Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez named Marc Edward Velasco to head the newly formed national training center, which will monitor the training of elite athletes and kids joining national competitions at the grassroots’ level as well. The training center which Velasco will head will have 16 regional offices, patterned after the Australian Institute of Sports and the English Institute of Sports in the United Kingdom. “Marc deserves to be the national training director. He sacrificed his work in Hong Kong, coming here to help Filipino athletes. Yes, it’s a big role,” said Ramirez during the 2-day top-level meeting on the master plan for Philippine sports at the Sheraton Hotel. Velasco, who used to be with the Philippine Center for Sports Medicine, has been in Hong Kong for eight years, working for the Hong Kong Institute of Sports. He later got a job with the HK Rugby Union before the call to return home came. During his stint in the HKIS, an athlete he is training, track cyclist Sarah Lee Wai Sze snared a bronze medal in the 2012 London Olympics. Velasco, who made a presentation after he was introduced during the consultative meeting, said the NTC will take over the functions of the Philippine Center for Sports Medicine when it becomes operational by October. “This will be a better version (of the PCSM). It has a more comprehensive and scientific approach, and a team of specialists to support the need of athletes,” said Velasco. The PCSM, he said, will be renamed as the Elite Athlete Services Unit. Lee’s bronze-medal finish gave Hong Kong their first-ever Olympic medal in a cycling event.

TAGAYTAY—Elmer Salvador battled back from three down with a birdie-binge in the early going then ran off a slew of gutsy pars at the back to card a 67, outgun an equally charging Jay Bayron and snare the ICTSI Splendido Classic crown by one here yesterday. Salvador rattled off six birdies in a 10-hole stretch from No. 2 to wrest control in secondto-last flight as third round leader Jhonnel Ababa and erstwhile pursuer Tony Lascuña cracked midway through the pressure-packed finale and failed to strike back at the backside of the Splendido Taal Golf Club. After birdying Nos. 10 and 11, both par 5s, to take control, Salvador held sway with clutch putts for pars in the last seven holes, the last a five-footer that frustrated Bayron to force a sudden death that has marked the last two tournaments of the circuit sponsored by ICTSI. Bayron birdied the final hole ahead of Salvador to cap a scorching 66 in windy day and was hoping for the latter’s final hole miscue that never came. “My putting clicked today (yesterday). Except for my missed green bogey on No. 1, I played solid from tee to green,” said Salvador, who pocketed the top P360,000 purse on an 11-under 277 aggregate. “It’s nice to win again. I thought I’d go winless this year,” added Salvador, who never figured in the title chase after 13 legs, settling for joint 15th in two of the last three at Aboitiz and Mt. Malarayat while finishing tied for sixth at ICTSI Riviera, which he ruled in emphatic fashion last year. He went on a slump since until he sizzled with that early birdie-splurge and pounced on Ababa and Lascuna’s foldups to get into the

Elmer Salvador savors the sweet taste of victory that has eluded him for more than a year.

winner’s podium again. Bayron also rallied from third-to-last flight with the day’s best six-under card, spiked by a four-birdie string from No. 10 and a final birdie for second at 278. He took home P250,000. Lascuña, who led midway through the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. with a 66 but dropped to joint second with a third round 74, regained control with back-to-back opening birdies. The four-leg winner led by two at nine-under overall and looked headed for another romp after another birdie on No. 10. But he drove out of bounds on the next and ended up with a double-bogey, enabling Salvador

to storm ahead at 11-under. Lascuna struck back with a birdie on No. 15 but failed to cash in on his chances in the last three holes and finished with a 70 for solo third at 279. He received P140,000. Ababa, whose rare double-eagle feat on No. 10 in the third round put him two shots clear of Lascuña and Micah Shin, never recovered from a two-bogey and double bogey mishaps after seven holes although he gunned down three birdies in the next 10 holes to save a 73 for joint fourth with Shin, who carded a second straight 71, at 280. Rey Pagunsan also closed out with a 71 and ended up sixth at 281 while Aussie Peter Stojanovski turned in a second 71 for seventh at 283 and first round leader Seok Jun Min of Korea fumbled with a 73 and finished tied for eighth with Michael Bibat, who fired a 70, at 284. Mhark Fernando fought back with a 69 for a 286 and wound up 10th in the 14th leg of the circuit backed by Custom Clubmakers, adidas, KZG, Summit Mineral Water, Srixon, Pacsports, TaylorMade, Sharp and Champion. Salvador, who started way below the elite field after an opening 73 but rebounded with 68 and 69 in the next two days, actually fell by four behind Ababa with a bogey on the first hole. But the reticent Davaoeño shotmaker made quite a noise when with an amazing iron and putting show that produced six birdies in the next 10 holes. With Ababa succumbing to pressure early and Lascuña reeling with a double-bogey on No. 11, Salvador surged ahead by two over Bayron, who fired seven birdies against two bogeys in the first 13 holes, with a five-under card and clung to the lead—and the victory— with pars in the last seven.

Business

Engineer builds PH electric car B2

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@thestandard.com.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2016

Mackay Green Energy Inc. chairman and chief executive James Mackay

Bana grass

Scotsman: Bana grass to solve PH energy needs

ames Mackay, an entrepreneur who first worked as an eight-year-old lad peeling potatoes in the highlands of Scotland, says Filipinos are lucky to live in a great country. “Filipinos, you’re lucky. You’re in a great country. You’re in the top 3 countries in the world with the most commodities. You should not be leaving the Philippines,” Mackay says in a recorded interview, arranged by publicist and 2003 Miss World Philippines Mafae Yunon Belasco. “What I’m surprised with is you’re leaving. I lived in Scotland and Scotland’s a first-world country. The Philippines is becoming a firstworld country. I left Scotland because there’s no need to change because it’s already rich and it’s top of the tree. You guys here, your country is booming, your economy is growing, so your entrepreneurs should not be leaving. They should be staying and evolving because your market is growing so fast internally,” says Mackay, now a successful businessman, despite being unable to complete high school. “You’ll make more money here, so don’t give up and don’t think of yourself as second best by being Filipino. Filipinos, you’re equal with everybody else. And even more equal because you know different languages. So you’re very lucky, in fact, that you’re multilingual,” says Mackay, the chairman and chief executive of Mackay Green Energy Inc. or MGE. MGE is a renewable energy company

that pushes for a zero waste system, by using advanced technologies to convert waste and biomass into energy and fuel. “Right now, employee-wise, we’re at 350 at the moment. But we’re expanding a bit wider at the moment. We’re expanding in Negros this year,” Mackay says. The company plants Bana grass, or bamboo-like crops, in Agusan del Norte, Iloilo, Misamis Oriental, Nueva Ecija, Leyte, Rizal, Cagayan and Zamboanga del Sur. Mackay envisions that by the end of 2016, his company will create 600 permanent and 3,000 indirect jobs in the Philippines, where it plans to expand Bana grass production to 2,000 hectares and build green coal power plants. Bana grass, a crop initially imported from Australia, is used as a feedstock for MGE’s biomass or green coal power plants. Bana grass (pennisetum purpureum X pennisetum americanum) grows ideally in the Philippine climate, according to Mackay. Mackay says while he ﬁrst came to the Philippines by accident, “here I found real people.” “I found God here. It’s also easier here, because it’s multilingual therefore, any business can expand here,” he says. “I’m from the highlands of Scotland. I worked for my ﬁrst break. I started as an eight-year-old, peeling potatoes,” he says.

“I learned very young by watching others. When I was a little fat boy. I went to a shop with my grandmother and there’s this shortbread with caramel and chocolate called millionaire’s shortbread. I said to my grandmother ‘I want to eat this every day.’ She said, ‘do you know what millionaire means?’ I said no and she said, ‘I’ll show you, come.’ She takes me on a walk and there’s my father’s boss,” says Mackay, whose father is a ﬁsherman. Mackay says the boss of his father had a big house and big cars. “My grandmother said ‘That’s a millionaire.’ And she said ‘If you want that, you’ve got to work very hard for it and go for it. And to do that, you have to know people and learn people to understand things.’ That’s why she put me to work as an eight-year-old,” says Mackay. “At 14, I was a full-time ﬁsherman, and then I worked in a nuclear power plant. From there, I went to London, and in London I became one of the largest bar owners in the ‘90s. I would design my own bars but I hated drunk people who are aggressive. These bars, they still exist after all these years,” he says. Mackay says his working experience at a young age became the foundation of his business pursuits. “I never completed high school. I learned business from working, peeling potatoes as an eightyear-old. I learned business there because you have to peel potatoes, stock up the fridge, and you’re rotating the food. So from that basic learning, you understand buy-and-sell and wastage,” he says. He got involved in renewable energy in 2010, because a friend had a contract

in waste-to-energy project. “They asked me to introduce some business people in the Philippines, which I did. When I listened to the [garbage] problem, which I never looked at before in my life, I started to analyze and then we researched for technologies. We acquired the top technologies,” he says. The challenge for a biomass power facility, he says, is the supply of feedstock such as rice and corn stalks to fuel the power plant. “For me as an investor, if we built a power plant and then we’ve got no fuel for the power plant, then we don’t make electricity and we don’t make money. So therefore, I looked for a sustainable biomass that could feed the turbines,” he says. Mackay discovered a crop called Bana grass in Australia, which could adapt well in the Philippines, as it is tolerant to drought and typhoons. MGE acquired the IP rights from Australian biodiesel company BTOLA Pty. Ltd. for the conversion of Bana grass into green coal. A hectare planted to Bana grass yields up to 200 tons a year in the Philippines. He says unlike sugarcane, rice and corn stalks, the use of Bana grass as biomass feedstock does not compete with any food staple. Mackay says Bana grass, once fermented, produces lactic acid and various other valuable enzymes. The lactic acid is being used in the production of biodegradable plastics, specialist car parts and high-value chemicals. MGE now exports Bana grass to Japan and Korea from Zamboanga del Sur where an initial 200 hectares of idle land was planted to the crop. MGE plans to expand the harvest area to 2,000

British bank names first Filipino CEO STANDARD Chartered Bank, a British financial services company and the oldest international bank in the Philippines, has announced the appointment of Lynette Ortiz, currently managing director and head of international corporates and financial institutions, as the new chief executive for the Philippine branch effective Oct. 1, 2016. Ortiz will replace Anirvan Ghosh Dastidar, who has been appointed as the new chief executive of Standard Chartered Brunei effective same date. Ortiz returned to Manila in June this year from her regional posting as head of capital markets for Asean based in Singapore. She has gained reputation as a highly regarded banker both locally and within the region having led a number of landmark transactions for Asean issuers, in both domestic and international markets, in recent years. Prior to assuming her regional role, Ortiz was financial markets and capital markets head for the Philippines. She has over 25 years of solid banking experience starting with Citibank in New York, and has held senior roles in risk management, treasury, corporate finance and capital markets in foreign and local institutions. Coming back to lead the Philippine branch is both pride and tall order for Ortiz. In May, Standard Chartered announced an agreement

with EastWest Bank for the transfer of retail banking business which is expected to be completed within the year. Post the retail business transfer, Standard Chartered in the Philippines will be operating as a purely corporate and institutional bank. “Our corporate and institutional banking business in the Philippines has built a strong track record as a leader in providing client-centered value propositions that are innovative and transformative. Over the recent years, the business has seen sustained growth in securing mandates for capital markets, corporate finance and transaction banking segments,” Ortiz said. Standard Chartered takes pride in having Ortiz as the first female Filipino CEO for its Philippine branch. The bank said that under the leadership of someone with such caliber and solid background in corporate banking, financial and capital markets, it is confident of Ortiz as its new country head. “Her appointment demonstrates the bank’s recognition of a local talent that is truly global in quality and competency. Given Lynette’s extensive banking experience, knowledge of the markets and strong client relationships, she will play a key role in delivering growth momentum and further deepen our corporate and institutional banking business in the Philippines,” said Dastidar, the outgoing

chief executive. Ortiz is expected to lead SCB Philippines’ efforts to build its clout in the developing and growing capital markets in Asean, in a bid to support the ﬁnancing and investment requirements of its clients in the Philippines, including business players who are actively bidding for major infrastructure projects in the public-private partnership program. Standard Chartered has been present in the Philippines for over 144 years, and is the oldest international bank in the country. The bank views the Philippines as a strategic part of its Asean network, and it represents a key part of the bank’s unique international network. Standard Chartered has played a key role in helping fuel the Philippines’ trade, economy and markets, participating in the PPP projects, as one of the book-runners in the Republic’s sovereign bond issuances, developing and growing capital markets, acting as a sovereign ratings advisor and supporting corporate clients’ growth into international markets. “The work that we have done and continue to do both domestically and overseas with large corporates in the country and with the Republic itself is testament to the importance of the market to us, and of the differentiated value that we bring to it,” said Ortiz.

New Standard Chartered Bank Philippines chief executive Lynette Ortiz

hectares within the year and install two 3-megawatt green coal power plants, where gas from the torreﬁed Bana will provide fuel to run the power plant and at the same time produce 100 tons of green coal a day. First green coal production is expected by the fourth quarter of 2016. Mackay says compared to other renewable energy companies, MGE does not need subsidy in the form of feed-intariff, because of the use of Bana grass, which he describes as the only fuel that could compete with fossil fuel on a oneto-one basis. “It will change the whole country, create permanent jobs. From Bana grass, you produce enzymes, chemicals, fuel. So it becomes a currency—a commodity for the Philippines to be exporting. And that’s why we’re here in the Philippines,” he says. “There’s not enough biomass in the Philippines to sustain the Philippines. And if you think like this, with this biomass [Bana grass], we can create oil, diesel, gasoline. If you give it a number, with 260,000 hectares of Bana grass, the Philippines could be independent of oil. So it won’t need to drill for oil. We can get the oil from the grass,” he says. MGE looks at generating $50 million in revenue this year. “Obviously next year, that will multiply tenfold,” says Mackay. Mackay believes that Bana grass is one crop that can uplift the condition of Filipino farmers. “These idle lands are creating extra income for the farmers, for the agrarian reform, for everybody, even for government lands. So this has value for the government and the people,” Mackay says. Roderick T. dela Cruz with Jasmine Mira M. Dy

Business

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Engineer builds PH electric car

LIMA Mobility, the newest member of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines, does not ﬁt the proﬁle of a regular association member.

It is not backed up by a big manufacturing company or a foreign partner or funded by a foreign multinational company. Clima Mobility is a product of an intense passion for automobiles and for the love of the environment. It was founded by Adonis Lagangan, a 1994 mechanical engineering graduate of Mapua Institute of Technology. At a young age, Lagangan had an intense passion for automobiles. He dreamt of one day designing and assembling his own electric car. To acquire the needed funding, he worked as an overseas Filipino worker in coal-ﬁred power plants around Asia as a project-based commissioning engineer for Marubeni Corp. He says he was so passionate about pursuing his dream that between deployments, he honed his skills in forming and 3D Cadd designing. “I then worked to complete the design of the prototype of my dream electric car. I fervently hoped that one day, I will become a full-time EV manufacturer,” he says. Lagangan got his wish. As soon as he had the chance to come home more often, he set up Clima Mobility and

went about building the prototype of the electric car. This became his flagship product, an electric mini sedan he called Genius EV. Genius EV has a seating capacity for five persons and is powered by a 10-kw, 72-volts brushless DC motor. Power is provided by 6-piece 12-volt, 120 ampere-hour Motolite batteries. It has a maximum speed of 75 kilometers per hour with a range of 60 to 70 kilometers after charging for four to five hours. He expects to sell the Genius EV for a suggested retail price of P450,000 to P500,000. Lagangan’s plan is to offer the Genius EV to LGUs and other government agencies, corporate clients, taxi operators, and individuals. “It can be used as a small electric taxi for Metro Manila, as a patrol car for the barangays, as a service vehicle for LGUs, government agencies and big companies and as a delivery car for logistics companies with the rear portion modified as an enclosed van. Even individuals who wish to save on fuel and help reduce pollution in the city will find the Genius EV the per-

Clima Mobility founder Adonis Lagangan (left) and Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines president Rommel Juan

fect solution,” Lagangan says. “However, first, we need to gear up for bigger manufacturing prospects,” he says. “Right now, we manufacture on a build-to-order basis. We need green financing to help finance our operations and an inventory of electric cars. Thus,

we are now in search for grants and funding to build up our plant capacity. We are also open to partnership, whether local or foreign, for funding and technical assistance to improve our product,” says Lagangan. EVAP president Rommel Juan says Lagangan and his Clima Mobility are

now on level 1 and are on the right track towards bringing his dream up to level 2, which refers to the mass production of Genius EV. “At this stage, a little help from the government would be much needed because now, we have a mini sedan that we could proudly claim as Gawang Pinoy!”

Business group provides free entrepreneurship tour

Steveston Pizza Philippines Corp. chief executive Richard Go

Canadian pizza chain eyes Asean expansion By Aries F. Fallorina A LICENSEE of Canadian pizza chain Steveston Pizza Co. unveils a plan to expand the brand from the Philippines to other Southeast Asian countries within the next two to three years. “We probably will be looking at Indonesia, followed by Brunei and maybe Singapore. We really have to do it in time with the Asean integration,” Richard Go, chief executive of Steveston Pizza Philippines Corp., says. Go says the plan is to team up with local partners to bring the brand to other Southeast Asian markets. Steveston Pizza Philippines is a licensee of Steveston Pizza Co., an eight-year-old Vancouver-based operator of gourmet pizza restaurants. Three years ago, Steveston Pizza put up its ﬁrst Philippine branch in Tomas Morato in Quezon City. It has since relocated and now has two branches in Metro Manila, including those in UP Town Center and Corinthian Gardens Clubhouse in Mandaluyong City, which opened July 25 this year. Another will open at Circuit Market, a new commercial district in Makati City. “We ﬁgured this is a concept that is acceptable for Filipinos. Filipinos are becoming more and more cos-

mopolitan. They can enjoy products from all over the world,” Go says in explaining his decision to franchise the Canadian brand. Steveston Pizza offers 30 variants of pizzas and costs around P399 to P1,299 a pie. However, it’s cheaper compared to its original price in dollars, according to Go.

We don’t try to do what everybody else is doing. “We raised the bar for preparing pizzas in the country. When we prepare our pizza, it’s one at a time. So it’s not commercial. We prepare it only when you order. And then we have a sequence of layering the different ingredients, which are all in harmony with one another,” Go says. Steveston Pizza is not offering it in thin crust. “Ours is not thin crust or thick crust. We are chewy and ﬂuffy and it has to be done this way to be in harmony with the toppings we put. These toppings in the thin

crust will not work,” Go says. The Philippine licensee of the Canadian brand also offers appetizers, soups and salads for variety. “In the Philippines, what happens is that we are now bombarded with many new concepts, and everybody always likes to try something new. So, in our operation, it’s a matter of remaining true to our brand and remaining true to who we really are,” says Go. “We don’t try to do what everybody else is doing. While normally, there is a shelf life to a certain concept, pizza is a comfort food that will be there forever,” Go says. He says Steveston Pizza will also expand domestically, depending on available location suitable for the brand. Go says Filipinos are very receptive of the Canadian pizza brand with their outlet at UP Town Center constantly in the Top 5 restauranttenants in the said location. “We are not an impulse concept. We are more of a destination place. We have to be in a place matched to our targeted premium market. We’ll see what happens to the federation idea of our President. If it becomes successful, maybe we will have one in every federated state. With that, I believe the growth of our business will be more. It will be going to be ‘double-digit,” Go says.

ASPIRING entrepreneurs will get a rare chance of learning directly from the experts—for free—through this year’s Business Journey at the 15th Franchise and Business Expo on Oct.14 to 16 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Organized by the Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc., Business Journey is an exclusive expo which reinforces the group’s commitment to empower entrepreneurs. It was first held at the same expo in 2015, and was met with positive feedback from both mentors and participants. “The program is basically a quick tour through the ins and outs of putting up a business or getting a franchise,” says AFFI Expo chairman Ricardo Cuna. “It’s AFFI’s customized guide for anyone who wants to learn about running a business or preparing for a new venture,” Cuna says. There are seven stations or pit stops featuring key areas of entrepreneurship that the participants will visit in the “tour”--from busiAFFI Expo chairman Ricardo Cuna ness-mindsetting, customs and commercial laws, to tax management, financial loans, and digital business solutions. These stations will be managed by longtime AFFI-partner organizations and government agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry, Intellectual Property Office, Center for Strategic Reforms of the Philippines, BPI Ka-Negosyo, PLDT SME Nation and GoNegosyo. Cuna says what participants can look forward to is the chance to sit down and get a one-on-one talk with CEOs and presidents of alreadyestablished enterprises. “There is a station in the tour where they will not only meet but also discuss and consult their business-related concerns with entrepreneurs who have already made a name in their respective industries. It was a huge hit last year. I think it’s because it gave the participants a boost of confidence and inspiration, hearing stories and personal advice from successful businessmen who were once aspirants like them,” Cuna says. The seminar-tour will be done in sessions throughout the event with three sessions every day. Business-aspirants who are interested in joining the tour will have to pre-register online to secure a slot and pay P300 inclusive of expo ticket, Business Journey tour, and snacks. Pre-registrants will get to pick what time slot will best fit their schedules, although walk-in participants on the event day itself will still be allowed. AFFI says as a part of its advocacy and service to the community of aspiring entrepreneurs, the first 90 individuals who will pre-register online will get to avail the package absolutely for free. “We want to encourage more people to start taking the first steps into fulfilling their dreams of owning a business. It’s our primary commitment as an association that hopes to empower the nation by empowering our countrymen,” says Cuna. The Franchise and Business Expo, where the Business Journey will take place, is an annual gathering of some of the best and most successful ventures in the Philippines, aiming to provide a venue where established and aspiring entrepreneurs can learn, share and prosper.

Property

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2016 jdlacsamana@gmail.com

BAY AREA DESTINATION. Aseana Holdings Inc. (AHI), a subsidiary of D.M. Wenceslao & Associates Inc. (DMWAI), broke ground recently for its newest dining and retail strip development, Aseana Square. The 3,507.sq.m.

commercial strip along Pres. D. Macapagal Blvd. in Aseana City, will house 25 leasable spaces—mostly food stores and wellness shops. “All of these developments are part of our vision to provide Filipinos with convenient lifestyles,” said Delfin Angelo “Buds” Wenceslao, managing director of AHI. DMWAI and AHI are deep into the development of Aseana City, DMWAI’s 107-hectare flagship city development fronting Manila Bay. To date, their projects include Aseana PowerStation, three office buildings, namely, Aseana One, Aseana Two and Aseana Three, and Pixel Residences, its first residential condominium.

PLAY IT COOL. Concepcion Building & Industrial Solutions (BIS) was recently tapped by Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation to equip the soon-to-rise Maybank Performing Arts Theater (See photo) with the Midea V5X state-of-the art cooling technologies (Inset). The theater will complement the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) Arts Center, and Midea’ s innovative temperature control system will take care of the facility’s energy efﬁciency and cooling requirements. The Maybank Theater opens to the public late this year, and will host productions, concerts, and art exhibits. The main auditorium can hold up to 500 seats as a theater, and can be converted to an events space. “Like a car’s cruise control system, our system enables the user to set the desired temperature, then the inverter compressor uses only the amount of energy required to maintain that temperature,” said Rajan Komarasu, group director of Concepcion BIS.

ACE IN THE HOLE. ACE Hardware, a retail hardware store specializing in home improvement products, recently opened its 131st store in Harmony Village, San Pedro, Laguna. At more than four hundred square meter store, the facility is a haven for Do-It-yourself (DIY) enthusiasts, with its assortment of hardware products and power tools, electrical and plumbing equipment, paints and sundries, building materials, outdoor equipment, and items for the car and the house. It also has a lawn and garden section for gardening needs, and a pet section for the animal lovers. At the opening were Congresswoman Arlene Arcillas and former Mayor of San Pedro Laguna, both of whom joined ACE Hardware’s John Wesley Cobankiat (center), SAVP for operations; Edwin Ting (5th from left), leasing manager of Harmony Village Mall; and Ernesto Hilario Jr.. Fr. Reginald Mamaril of St. Paul Parish and Robert Lim also graced the event. Roy Tomando

ONE-STOP SHOP FOR HOUSING SERVICES. The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) and Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) recently committed to streamline their services to speed-up the processing and releasing of documents needed by various community associations (CAs) applying for the SHFC’s Community Mortgage Program (CMP). A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed during SHFC’s CMP anniversary celebration in Cebu City last week, which was attended by Vice President Leni Robredo, who doubles as Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) chairperson. With her was SHFC President Ma. Ana Oliveros who explained that the streamlined process would unburden the CAs, and enable citizens to obtain security of tenure at the soonest possible time. Under the MOU, the SHFC and the HLURB will establish a joint onestop shop, as well as a common databank for faster veriﬁcation and processing.

ECO-SCHOOL IN LUZON. Architect James Jao, an advocate of eco-architecture and sustainable development in the Philippines, recently

won the design bid for the construction of the academic building of the College of the Holy Spirit (CHS) in Tarlac (See photo). His environmentfriendly architectural design and spatial planning, which coincided with the school’s thrust of ‘Caring for Mother Earth’, bested four other contenders. All entries targeted the implementation of green architecture in their projects with sustainable materials speciﬁcations and using environment-friendly designs, amidst the spectre of more intense typhoons, radical changes in rainfall patterns and rising temperatures in the Philippines. Jao incorporated HardieFlex®it in his design, particularly HERMAWALL technology, to make the bold and cantilevered structure that resulted in a functionally modern architecture.

Lapu-Lapu... From A1 urbanized cities in the Philippines, while its overall ranking when all Philippine cities are considered, surged to 39th in 2016 from the 70th position in 2015. According to the NCC, the categories in which Lapu-Lapu City excels include presence of investment promotions unit, availability of utilities, and compliance to national directives to LGUs.

ported in 2015 that the number of business establishments in the city surged to approximately 12,000 in 2014, compared to about 7,000 logged in 2010. In addition, the local government reported that the city’s revenue surged 50% to Php1.4 billion, from Php927 million in 2010. Lapu-Lapu City’s mayor was quoted saying: “The sharp rise, she said, is the result of the taxes Buoyant local economy paid by companies doing business in the city because of its rosy ecoWhere else in Cebu province nomic prospects.” will you ﬁnd a diverse range of businesses, where BPO ofﬁces sit Good transport infrastructure close to high-end hotels and beach resorts? Lapu-Lapu City offers Aside from the Mactan airthese. The city government report, road travel within Lapu-

Lapu City and the whole Mactan Island is quick and easy. Major thoroughfares encircle the entire periphery of island, while it is also connected to Mandaue in mainland Cebu via two bridges: Osmeña Bridge and Marcelo Fernan Bridge. And to ease trafﬁc congestion on these two bridges, especially during rush hour, a third bridge is now being proposed. The bridge will connect the town of Cordova south of Lapu-Lapu City to Cebu City on the mainland. The city is also much less prone to ﬂooding during the monsoon season compared to Cebu and Mandaue. In fact, heavy rains brought about Habagat (southwest monsoon) in July

of this year caused major ﬂoods of up to two feet in Cebu City’s busiest areas, but Lapu-Lapu City was virtually unaffected. Most-searched locations online Data from Lamudi Philippines shows that Lapu-Lapu City is one of the most searched locations for properties in the Central Visayas region (and second to Cebu City, which has more inventory and higher population base). Combined search volumes for houses and condos (both for sale and for rent) for Lapu-Lapu City increased 21 percent from the ﬁrst quarter to the second quarter of 2016. In addition, looking at

compound average growth rate (CAGR) using search data from the ﬁrst six months of 2016, condos for sale and condos for rent have the highest growth rate in search volume, at 9.69% and 10.91%, respectively. Crystal ball-gazing Lapu-Lapu City’s population grew an average 2.94% from 2010 to 2015, according to data from the Philippine Statistical Authority, and now stands at 408,112, according to the 2015 Census. This growth may in part be attributed to the city’s remarkable economic performance. Over

the next few years, the city will see the opening of BPO ofﬁces, mixed-use townships, and resortoriented developments, which will bring in more employment opportunities to the citizens of Lapu-Lapu City. These developments are even more visible in the city’s Punta Engaño section and neighboring areas, a peninsula jutting out from Mactan Island’s northeastern corner. This area is where many of the city’s most upscale resorts and developments are located, including Discovery Bay Resorts and Residences, Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa, Mövenpick Hotel, and Megaworld Corporation’s Mactan Newtown.

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2016

Property

CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT.

Located in a quiet portion of the Arca South CBD, the Veranda promises a fresh lifestyle beat. Close to generous open spaces in Arca Main Street, and complemented by ofﬁce and retail hubs such as Ayala Malls, Seda Hotel, Qualimed and Ayala Land Ofﬁces BPOs, it has a walkable, in-city campus feel.

P8.2 B ARCA SOUTH CONDO REVS UP

‘CITY in

SYNC’

LEARNING FROM BGC’S WOES. To avoid the niggling access issues at Bonfacio Gloal City, Arca South’s planners have mapped out a, infrastructure buff’s dream : three major routes into the 74-hectare development — the Skyway and C5/C6 connection road, a Skyway Exit (shown in photo) , and the NLEX-SLEX connection road.

By Joel Lacsamana

RIVING through what was the country’s former “bagsakan,” otherwise known as the Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) complex, feels like you’ve wandered into a massive Mad Max movie set. The wide boulevards which used to house warehouses and refrigerated truck bays are now part of a sprawling construction site, with bulldozers and graders working the area. The gameplan is to transform the place into a business district akin to the Makati’s Central Business District (CBD) and Taguig’s Bonifacio Global City (BGC). But with a twist: in the next ﬁve years when Ayala Land’s (ALI) 74-hectare development in the area reaches its ﬁrst phase of completion, this part of the capital will not only become “a city in sync,” but it will turn into a gateway connecting key cities in the metro as well as growth centers in the North and South.

three major infrastructures: the Skyway and C5/C6 connection road, a Skyway Exit, and the NLEX-SLEX connection road. The government’s Southeast Intermodal Transport System (ITS) will likewise make it easy for commuters to access the city as this 5.57-hectare transportation hub, which will be right next to Arca South, is projected to accommodate 4,000 buses a day. This translates to 200,000 commuters served in 24 hours. In all, ALI envisions a business and lifestyle district that will become the representation Modern, synchronized of a modern and synchronized Dubbed Arca South, the devel- city ﬁlled with opportunities, not opment is expected to become only for the metro, but for the home to some 60,000 residents rest of Luzon. and 400,000 ofﬁce workers in the coming years. Your own ‘veranda’ Situated at the heart of the Last week, Alveo Land Corgovernment’s proposed trans- poration, ALI’s upper middle portation hub, Arca South will market unit, launched the last offer prime accessibility via addition to its P8.2-billion sig-

nature residential condominium development in Arca South in Taguig City two years ahead of schedule. Three ALI residential brands will be built in Arca South: Ayala Land Premiere, Alveo, and Avida, a big reason why families are welcome to make Arca South their dwelling place, while five BPO towers are expected to rise within the first five years. In a press briefing, Alveo Land Senior Division Manager for Project Development Antonio Sanchez III said the P1.9-billion North Veranda will complete the four-tower development by 2020. The Veranda was first introduced in 2014 as a rare, midrise residential project in Ayala Land’s latest business and lifestyle hub. “All four towers were initially projected to sell-out in four years. However, in less than two years, we are now launching our final tower with current inventory substantially sold out,” said Sanchez. The Veranda’s estimated property value has risen to about 8 percent in just two years. The first two towers, West Veranda and South Veranda launched at P130,000 per sqm in 2014, with East Veranda following at an average of P137,000 per sqm in 2015. Urban professionals, early nesters

This year, North Veranda is set to launch with an average price of P140,000 per sqm. North Veranda will offer 195 residences at only 15 per ﬂoor, with a low-density mix of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units. Prodded by The Standard, Antonio revealed that the targeted market segment of Veranda “ will be composed of urban professionals and early nesters looking to buy a more relaxed lifestyle within the Metro.” The Veranda covers a 12,988-sqm parcel, with forty percent of the total land area allocated to atrium gardens, open spaces, and amenities such as a gym, game room, function room, board room and children’s play area. With environments planned to incorporate architecture within sight-lines and lavish open spaces, the Veranda also comes with an Aeroflux system, designed to usher in natural lighting and ventilation into one’s home with the bifurcated tower plan, atriums, skylight and corridor windows. The Arca South development is primed with an P80 billion investment for its first phase alone. This will include a transit-oriented mall, a regional and lifestyle mall, the Arca South Corporate Center, Seda Hotel, and a 250-bed Qualimed hospital.

LAPU-LAPU PUTS PH ON WORLD MAP

Next hotspot for business, tourism in Cebu Province LAPU-LAPU CITY is known as the place where local chieftain— the city’s namesake, Lapu-Lapu—defeated and killed Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, putting on hold Spain’s ambition to colonize the Philippine islands for another 40 or so years. Today, the city is known for quite different reasons. Much of the natural beauty of Mactan Island, where Lapu-Lapu is located, is intact, but it looks like the town is looking optimistically into the future. Lamudi Philippines put together five reasons why Lapu-Lapu City is the next business and tourism hotspot in Cebu province and the Central Visayas region, and the exciting future that awaits the city. Home to the country’s second busiest airport For years the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, which is under the jurisdiction of Lapu-Lapu City, has been Central Visayas’ gateway to the rest of the Philippines. The airport, which handled 7.78 million passengers in 2015, is also fast becoming Cebu’s gateway to the rest of the world. Regular scheduled flights operate from the Mactan airport to other major cities in Asia, such as Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul, and Dubai. But just recently flag carrier Philippine Airlines started operating daily nonstop flights from the airport to Los Angeles, a testament to Lapu-Lapu City’s—and the rest of Cebu province’s—position as a favorite Philippine destination by foreign visitors. Mactan airport is currently undergoing a major upgrade. Construction of the airport’s Terminal 2 is on track for a 2018 delivery, according to GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. The new terminal will serve all the airport’s international flights and will have an area of about 45,000 sqm, which can be expanded further in a succeeding development phase. The old terminal is currently being refurbished and will eventually handle all domestic flights. Central Visayas’ major tourism driver Data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) recently showed that tourist arrivals in Central Visayas reached 3.5 million for the first 10 months of 2015. According to the DOT, Cebu province as

MAKE MINE LAPU-LAPU. A city deeply rooted to its past, while looking positively into the future.

a whole accounted for 64% and 84% of total domestic and foreign arrivals, respectively, to Central Visayas. This amounts to approximately 2.5 million tourists during the 10-month period. In addition, Lapu-Lapu City lodged majority of foreign tourists to the province, while Cebu City registered most of local visitors. According to Hembler Mendoza, the city’s chief tourism ofﬁcer, aside from an international airport, Lapu-Lapu City is home to at least 11 marine sanctuaries, bird and other wildlife sanctuaries, white-sand beaches, high-end hotels and resorts, and world-class dive sites. The city also offers leisure attractions not found in other parts of Cebu province, such as sunrise tours aboard a yacht and ﬂight adventures, not to mention that there are 79 hospitality establishments in the city (and one on Olango Island) offering approximately 5,000 room inventories. Competitiveness ranking improving Lapu-Lapu is the only highly urbanized city in Cebu province whose competitiveness ranking improved, according to the National Competitiveness Council (NCC). From the 23rd place in 2015, Lapu-Lapu City moved up to the 21st spot among all highly Turn to B3

LGUs

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2016

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

BAYWALK. A different view of the Manila Bay sunset shows Roxas Boulevard softly lit by street lamps and skyscraper lights and ﬂanked by the boats in the Manila Yacht Club. Miguel Legazpi

Erap to eradicate colorum jeeps M

ANILA Mayor Joseph Estrada said on Friday he has enlisted the help of transport groups to remove “colorum” jeepneys and trafﬁc-causing illegal terminals in the city.

Estrada is set to sign a tripartite memorandum of agreement (MoA) with two major transport groups—Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila & Suburbs Drivers Association (Pasang Masda) and Federation of Jeepney Oper-

ators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (Fejodap)—that aims to decongest major thoroughfares. “Eliminating colorum in the streets and easing traffic flow needs the cooperation of every-

body, especially from the transport sector itself. With this united front, we are confident we can rid Manila of illegal PUVs in the soonest possible time,” Estrada said. Fejodap, headed by Zenaida

Makati conducts sidewalk clearing By Joel E. Zurbano THE Makati City Department of Environmental Services (DES) th rough its Solid Waste Management Division (SWMD) has cleared a total of 78 streets during sidewalk recovery operations in different barangays in the past two months. Mayor Abby Binay earlier called on barangay officials to support and cooperate with the DES in the task of eliminating obstructions from the streets. Binay also reminded them of their duty to ensure that cleared sidewalks and streets are regularly maintained. “As government officials, we must all make a conscious effort to promote walkable streets for the safety of our residents and the general public. Sidewalk vendors and street vendors, for instance, should not be allowed to proliferate in our city,” she said. The mayor noted that pedestrians are unnecessarily endangered when they are forced to walk on the road in areas where sidewalks are blocked or nonexistent. She said motorists and the riding public also suffer because pedestrians and vendors impede the flow of traffic. In his report to the mayor, DES head engineer Leopoldo

Parumog said sidewalk recovery operations in August covered eight barangays in District I and three barangays in District II. They were able to clear 18 streets in Barangays Tejeros, Pio del Pilar, Olympia, Palanan, Bangkal, Kasilawan, Valenzuela and Poblacion of the first district. In District II, they cleared seven streets in Barangays Rizal, South Cembo and Pitogo. The DES monitors the streets in the city to pinpoint areas that need to be cleared. Owners are given two to three weeks to remove properties identified as street obstructions. After the grace period, the unclaimed objects are confiscated and a violation ticket is issued to the owner. The DES sidewalk recovery operations are being carried out in coordination with the Makati Public Safety Department, the Makati Police and barangay personnel. City Ordinance No. 2003-095 or the “Solid Waste Management Code of the City of Makati” penalizes the dumping and littering of waste, refuse, and the like, in any street, public building or property, including waterways, river banks not otherwise designated as garbage dumping place.

Maranan, and Pasang Masda led by Roberto “Ka Obet” Martin, are two of the biggest organizations of jeepney operators and drivers in the country, both of which have about 5,000 memNext page

TRAVEL EXPO.

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Assistant Secretary Bai Shalimar Candao shows Darangen Dolls in traditional Maranao outﬁt during the 27th Philippine Travel Mart at the SMX in Pasay City on Friday. The three-day event showcases the country’s best tourist destinations. Danny Pata

Negros Occ dengue program gets P2m THE Negros Occidental provincial board approved Wednesday the release of a P2-million fund for the dengue prevention and control treatment program of the Provincial Health Office as cases reached the epidemic threshold level in the province. Second district board member Salvador Escalante, chairman of the committee on appropriations, budget, finance, ways and means, said the fund will allow the PHO to take measures

against the deadly disease. PHO records show that from January 1 to August 27 this year, the province saw 3,431 dengue cases, 196 percent higher than the 1,158 cases reported in the same period last year. A total of 16 deaths were reported in Negros Occidental and eight in Bacolod City. Provincial health officer Ernell Tumimbang said that although the dengue incidence has reached the epidemic level, it is

IMPOUNDED. Public

works men and trafﬁc enforcers clear Road 10 in Tondo, Manila on Friday. Lino Santos

not yet alarming. “We’re making necessary interventions. If it’s beyond control, even with the conduct of emergency fogging and larvicide treatment, then that’s the time we prepare for the worstcase scenario,” Tumimbang said. He added that they will continue with the emergency fogging and larvicide treatment in localities with high dengue prevalence. Most of the cases were reported in Silay City (339), followed by

Bago City (281), Himamaylan City (275), Kabankalan City (247), Cauayan (246), Isabela (199), La Carlota City (149) San Carlos City (146) and Hinoba-an (108). In Bacolod, 770 dengue cases were reported from January to August 27, an increase of 162.5 percent from the 2015 incidence, records of the City Health Office show. From July to August 27, eight deaths were reported, all young children aged two to 10 years. PNA

Hataman imposes ARMM total log ban By A. Perez Rimando AUTONOMOUS Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Mujiv Hataman has issued an executive order calling for a total log ban in all the forests in the region’s five provinces. Some 60 percent of the remaining forests in the region have been denuded due to rampant illegal cutting of trees by unscrupulous individuals, ARMM’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Hadji Kahal Kedtag said. Kedtag said based on the latest monitoring by DENR personnel in Maguindanao, Sulu, Basilan, Lanao del Sur and Tawi-Tawi, “barely 40 percent of the region’s forested areas remain untouched, including watershed and forest reserves. He identified Basilan as having the biggest denuded forest area among the five provinces, prompting the DENR provincial officer to issue a memorandum creating a Provincial Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force to monitor

and prevent the further illegal cutting of naturally growing trees in the island. Kedtag stressed that his office has implemented the government’s National Greening Program, which, among other things, enjoins all local and ARMM-based national government officials and employees to undertake mass tree-planting activities in bare forest areas. Seedlings of mahogany and gemelina, fast-growing tree species, are now being propagated in various nurseries of all ARMM provinces, Kedtag said, adding that Maguindanao, through the initiative of Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, has established at least 10 nurseries while the other provincial executives have put up five nurseries each. Kedtag said there is no letup in the region’s information and dissemination campaign asking persons who have vast plantations of trees to register their areas with the DENR “to avoid future problems from the cutting of planted trees in their respective areas.”

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2016

LGUs

CCP starts Xmas lights tilt T

HE Cultural Center of the Philippines and Omni announced on Thursday the start of the Outdoor Light Installation contest.

The competition aims to the CCP Liwasang Asean Park find an attractive and inspiring during the holiday season. The lighting solution to illuminate installation must be innovative

and unique, and must reflect the theme of “Paskong Pinoy.” The mechanics and criteria of the competition may be downloaded from the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph). The competition is open to everyone more than 18 years of age. Applications must be submitted via e-mail by 5 p.m. of

September 20. Applications must include a completely filled out application form and a PDF of the installation proposal. Proposals should include a short (two pages maximum) bio and artist’s statement, the artist’s contact information and description of the work—title, materi-

als, dimensions and installation and technical requirements; one to three illustrations or studies; and a cost estimate or budget for the entire project. No application fee is required. Proposals will be evaluated based on originality and innovativeness, feasibility, ties to the theme and to both the CCP and

Omni’s institutional mandates, appropriateness to the surroundings, and eco-friendliness. For inquiries, please call the CCP Visual Arts & Museum Division, Production & Exhibition Department at landlines (632) 8321125 local 1504/1505, or (632) 8323702, or contact Phillip at mobile (0906) 4803330. PNA

MGB eyes common Davao mining areas THE regional office of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau is working on the applications for the declaration of a Minahang Bayan in the Davao region, said MGB11 officer-in-charge engineer Wilfredo Moncano. “There are 15 applications now pending at the MGB central office and we also have 10 previously declared Minahang Bayan that we wanted recognized by the central office,” Moncano told a press conference at the Kape at Habi in Abreeza Mall on Wednesday. He added that since the MGB central office has not yet recognized the previously declared Minahang Bayan, it would appear that their operations in the region are illegal. A position paper has been submitted to the secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to recognize the 10 previously declared Minahang Bayan in the Davao region. If they are recognized, the number of illegal mining activities in the area would be reduced, Moncano added. “The DENR central office has not yet responded to the position paper,” he said. The position paper was submitted by the Provincial Mining Regulatory Boards (PMRBs) of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental. The long process of applying for Minahang Bayan was also cited by Moncano as one of the reasons in the delay of the declaration. He said the application for Minahang Bayan to be recognized and secure mining contracts must pass through a very long process that includes five major steps and 34 sub-steps. These steps, he said, are stipulated in Executive Order 79 and

the Department Administrative Order 2015-03 of the DENR. In Compostela Valley, Moncano said, there are 1,800 tunnels presently operated by small-scale miners and around 1,100 processing plants. Most of these tunnels and plants are in Pantukan town, he added. Moncano added that the position paper also asked the DENR and the MGB to simplify the steps in applying for Minahang Bayan and in securing mining contracts. He said the PMRBs’ call is also in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s mandate to simplify and shorten the processes of securing business permits from the government. “We oppose small-scale mining because they don’t have the capability to mitigate any environmental problems,” said engineer Alexis Baligod of the Mindanao Association of Mining Engineers (MAEM), who added that big mining corporations are also affected by the presence of small miners in the region. Baligod, in the same press conference, said environment degradation by small-scale miners are often blamed on large mining corporations. “We are not into irresponsible mining. The first issue here is that a big-scale mining corporation, before it starts and the mining feasibility studies are being evaluated by the concerned authorities, we are supposed to put in place all the necessary mitigating measures,” he added. Mining corporations, he said, are also required to put in trust, though not yet into operation, several millions of pesos to mitigate environmental problems and for mine rehabilitation. PNA

PREPARED. Makati Mayor Abby Binay presents the city’s initiatives on climate change mitigation and adaptation during the Seoul Mayors Forum on Climate Change on September 1-2 in South Korea.

Antique acquires 2 DoH dental buses THE Department of Health has donated two dental buses to the Antique provincial government, which will deploy these in the southern and northern parts of the province. Dr. Ric Noel Naciongayo, Antique provincial health officer,

said on Thursday that one of these buses will be deployed in San Jose de Buenavista where the capitol is located and the other one in the northern Culasi town where there is an extension capitol. Naciongayo said the buses were received on Tuesday by the

pine biodiversity frontier. “With businesses continuing to flourish here, along with the influx of tourists, the opening of our new Caltex station in El Nido will not only give easy access to local and visiting motorists, but also create more jobs and fuel more businesses in the community,” Morris said. By complying with Euro 4

other health workers, including nurses, since health was a priority of her administration. The governor holds People’s Day twice a week in San Jose de Buenavista and in Culasi to provide assistance to indigents. PNA

Panay power supply to stabilize in 2017 THE National Grid Corporation of the Philippines said Panay will have a stable supply of electricity by 2017. The NGCP is beginning preparations for the anticipated high demand of electricity during the Christmas season, which is

about four months away. As part of its preparation, the NGCP conducted a forum in Kalibo, Aklan for the media, information officers and local government representatives on Thursday. Rene Sison, head of the NGCP Systems Operations-Panay, said

Caltex opens El Nido service station CHEVRON Philippines Inc., marketer of the Caltex brand of fuels and lubricants, recently inaugurated a Caltex service station across the town’s public market on the National Highway. CPI general manager Peter Morris lauded the robust economic growth and the sustained positive outlook of tourism in El Nido, known as the last Philip-

Office of Gov. Rhodora Cadiao, who in turn turned it over to his office. Meanwhile, Cadiao said the provincial government is hiring more dentists now that there are dental buses to serve the people. She said they will also hire

standards—the second strictest emission measurement of the European Emission Standards—Chevron aims to take part in preserving the country’s last frontier through its environment-friendly fuel. “We believe that protecting the environment is compatible with providing energy,” he added. This year, Caltex has opened

almost 10 stations in strategic locations all over the Philippines, and it plans to open 20 more. Caltex fuels, including Caltex Silver with Techron, Caltex Platinum with Techron and Caltex Diesel with Techron, are all designed to deliver lower emissions, higher performance and cleaner engines.

ANTI-CRIME. ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman (fourth from right), chairperson of Regional Peace and Order Council, presides over a meeting on August

31 at the governor’s ofﬁce in Cotabato City. The meeting focused mainly on law enforcement operations in the region against local terrorists and armed groups, and ‘Oplan Tokhang’ or the campaign against illegal drugs. Establishment of rehabilitation centers for drug dependent surrenderees in the region was also discussed in the meeting.

the high demand for electricity usually starts in December and lasts till the summer. “Usually, when we have a high demand of electricity in Panay, we get the supply from Luzon to augment the needed demand,” Sison said.

“The current electrical system of Panay is unstable since many of our electrical poles were damaged by Typhoon ‘Yolanda.’ We still continue our restoration efforts. We hope to make our electricity supply stable by April 2017,” he said. PNA

Samar town goes into fish processing JAPAN turned over on Tuesday fish processing plants in the Municipality of Basey, Samar for the Japan-funded Quick Impact Projects under the Urgent Development Study on the Project on Rehabilitation and Recovery from Typhoon “Yolanda.” In a statement, the Embassy of Japan said the municipality was also provided submergible fish cages, a disaster-resilient technology developed in Japan, under the same project. The embassy said its First Secretary Koji Otani handed over the donations to Basey Municipal Vice Mayor Ramon Lancanan. The aid projects are expect-

ed to boost the livelihood of Yolanda victims and help accelerate the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the damaged areas. Japan, as the top official development assistance donor to the Philippines despite being a disaster-prone country itself, has supported the Philippines’ disaster mitigation efforts by sharing its experiences and lessons learned from past natural disasters. This project, based on a policy of “Build Back Better,” is expected to further foster the strategic partnership between the two countries and serve as a model for other disaster-prone areas of the Philippines.

Erap... From C1

said a special unit of traffic enforcers is being formed to receive, verify and act on the reports. “Once we have verified the information with the LTO [Land Transportation Office] and the LTFRB [Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, we will immediately arrest the colorum drivers and impound their vehicle,” Alcoreza said. As MTPB’s “spotters,” the driver-members of the two groups will also report traffic congested areas, illegal terminals, corrupt and abusive traffic personnel and even their fellow drivers who wantonly violate traffic rules.

bers. Under the tripartite agreement, the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau and the two transport groups will identify and apprehend drivers and operators of jeepneys plying the city’s main roads and city streets. A system will be established where franchised Fejodap and Pasang Masda driver-members, acting as the city government’s “eyes and ears,” will report directly to MTPB traffic enforcers any colorum vehicles they spot on the road. MTPB head Dennis Alcoreza

World

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2016

China ratifies Paris accord B

eijing—China ratiﬁed the Paris climate change accord on Saturday, with the US expected to do so later in a joint stand against global warming by the world’s two biggest polluters.

onslaught of damage as a result of climate change. It will come into effect 30 days after at least 55 countries, accounting for 55 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, have ratified it. China is responsible for around a quarter of the world’s emissions, The accord sets ambitious ing and funneling trillions of dol- with the US in second place on goals for capping global warm- lars to poor countries facing an more than 15 percent, so their par-

ticipation is crucial. China’s legislature, the National People’s Congress, voted to adopt “the proposal to review and ratify the Paris Agreement,” the official Xinhua news agency said. US President Barack Obama is due to arrive in China later Saturday for a G20 summit in the eastern city of Hangzhou, and is expected to an-

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

load Factor :100% 7.

GUIMARAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. AND PANAY ENERGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION,

Nonetheless, during Testing and Commissioning of the Expansion Plant, PEDC will deliver to GUIMELCO on a non-firm basis electric power, subject to the payment of Electricity Fees for actual energy taken by GUIMELCO computed as follows: Testing and Commissioning at 100% Load Factor

Applicants.

Load Factor

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

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Parties to the Case

19. The supply of additional 2 MW from the Expansion Plant to GUIMELCO (and ultimately, to its consumers) will not only secure the power requirements of GUIMELCO but also lessen GUIMELCO’s exposure to higher prices during peak hours as well as the volatility of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) prices and reduce its dependence on the Negros-Panay submarine cable.

Statement of Facts and of the Case

20. Under the terms of the EPPA, among the conditions precedent to the performance by GUIMELCO and PEDC of their respective obligations thereunder is the approval of this Application by the Honorable Commission. 21. Thus, for PEDC to be able to deliver and GUIMELCO to be able to receive power from PEDC as early as the Testing and Commissioning and the PreCommercial Operation Period of the Expansion Plant/it is imperative that a provisional authority be granted for the EPPA to allow PEDC to deliver and GUIMELCO to receive power during these periods.

Prior to the execution of the EPPA, in November 2013, a competitive selection process was undertaken by GUIMELCO, through the Panay-Guimaras Power Supply Consortium (PPSC), using the Swiss Challenge method. The initial offer/bid of PEDC was published in two separate newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines, each newspaper publishing the notice for two consecutive weeks. Since, the consortium did not receive any offers or challenges despite the time given for other generation companies to submit their offers, PPSC awarded the supply contract of the consortium to PEDC. As a result of the award by the consortium, each cooperative member, including GUIMELCO executed separate EPPAs with PEDC. 8.

The salient features of the EPPA are indicated below:

Moreover, upon completion of the commissioning of the Expansion Plant, GUIMELCO shall take the proportionate net electrical output of the Expansion Plant delivered by PEDC during the Pre-Commercial Operation Period on a firm basis, subject to the payment of Electricity Fees computed as follows:

Type of Plant

Coal-fired power plant expansion located in Brgy. Ingore, La Paz, Iloilo City

Installed Capacity

1 x 150 MW

Pre-Commercial Operations at 100% Load Factor

Cooperation Period

Twenty Five (25) years commencing on the Commercial Operation Date and ending on the 25th year anniversary of such commencement Date

Load Factor

When the Expansion Plant has been completed, inspected, tested and is ready to commence operation as confirmed in a written communication from PEDC to GUIMELCO, which date should not be later than 26 July 2016 or such later date as PEDC and GUIMELCO may agree upon in writing

Billing Month January February March March (Leap Year) April May June July August September October November December

Delivery Point

Outages 6.

22. As mentioned in the foregoing paragraphs, should the Honorable Commission grant a provisional authority for PEDC to deliver and GUIMELCO to receive power during Testing and Commissioning, there will be an indicative net reduction in its generation cost of PhPi.98 per kWh during this period. Should a provisional authority be given for the Pre-Commercial Operation Period, there will be an indicative net reduction in its generation cost of PhPi .66 per kWh during this period. Compliance with Pre-Filing Requirements 23. Applicants manifest their compliance with the pre-filing requirements mandated under Rule 3, Section 4(e) of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2011, or the “EPIRA”, and Rule 6 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedures, as evidenced by the following attachments: 23.1

Affidavit of Service re: service of the Application with Annexes to the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Iloilo City, a copy of which is attached as Annex “B”;

23.2

Affidavit of Service re: service of the Application with Annexes to the Sangguniang Bayan of Jordan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Annex “C”;

23.3

Affidavit of Service re: service of the Application with Annexes to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the Province of Guimaras, a copy of which is attached as Annex “D”;

23.5

Affidavit of Publication stating that the instant Application had been published in a newspaper of general circulation, a copy of which is attached as Annex “F”;

23.6

Newspaper issue where the Application appeared, as published, a copy of which is attached as Annex “G”;

23.7

A copy of the Board Resolution authorizing GUIMELCO to jointly file the instant application with PEDC, which is herein attached as Annex “H”;

23.8

A copy of the Board Resolution authorizing PEDC to jointly file the instant application with GUIMELCO, which is herein attached as Annex “I”; and

23.9

Proof of payment of filing fees, a copy of which is attached as Annex “J”.

2 MW In addition, subject to availability of capacity of the Expansion Plant, PEDC is given priority to supply GUIMELCO any additional capacity requirements it may have, subject to mutually acceptable terms and conditions.

Minimum Energy Off-Take

INCREASE/(DECREASE)(rounded off fiqure)

18. Considering that GUIMELCO is in need of additional supply of power beginning 2016, it is imperative that GUIMELCO obtain this Honorable Commission’s approval of the EPPA with PEDC.

Pursuant to Rule 20 (B) of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure of the Energy Regulatory Commission (“ERC”), this Application is submitted to this Honorable Commission for its review and approval of the Electric Power Purchase Agreement dated 14 April 2015 between PEDC as Seller and GUIMELCO as Buyer (the “EPPA”).

Contracted Capacity

Minimum Contracted Energy, kWh 1,488,000 1,488,000 1,344,000 1,392,000 1,488,000 1,440,000 1,488,000 1,440,000 1,488,000 1,488,000 1,440,000 1,488,000 1,440,000

24. The Applicant GUIMELCO and PEDC prayed that the Commission will:

The delivery point shall mean the physical point(s) at which GUIMELCO receives power from PEDC where billing meters to measure electricity energy flowing to GUIMELCO’s electric system are installed

Upon initial review of the instant Application and pending trial on the merits, issue a provisional authority for the terms of the 14 April 2015 EPPA between PEDC and GUIMELCO, thereby authorizing PEDC to charge and collect from GUIMELCO the respective Electricity Fees corresponding to the (1) Testing and Commissioning, (2) PreCommercial Operation Period, and (3) Commercial Operation Date, and authorizing GUIMELCO to pass the full amount thereof to its consumers;

After trial on the merits, issue a permanent approval of the terms of the 14 April 2015 EPPA between PEDC and GUIMELCO, thereby authorizing PEDC to charge and collect from GUIMELCO the respective Electricity Fees corresponding to the (1) Testing and Commissioning, (2) Pre-Commercial Operation Period, and (3) Commercial Operation Date, and authorizing GUIMELCO to pass the full amount thereof to its consumers; and

Grant such other reliefs just and equitable under the premises.

The allowable scheduled and unscheduled outages are forty (40) days per year.

As indicated above, PEDC agreed to supply and deliver, and GUIMELCO agreed to take and pay for electricity supplied by PEOC at a contracted capacity of 2 MW (the “Contracted Capacity”), at 100% load factor, commencing on the Commercial Operation Date of the Expansion Plant (i.e., the date when the Expansion Plant has been completed, inspected, tested, and is ready to commence operation as confirmed in a written communication from Seller to Buyer, which date should not be later than 26 July 2016 or such later date as the parties may agree upon in writing), at an Electricity Fee (Schedule 4 of the EPPA) computed as follows:

RATE

Rate,PhP/kWh 7.21 5.88 (1.33)

17. It is expected that GUIMELCO’s current demand will increase to over 6.47MW by 2016 and 6.82MW by 2017 based on GUIMELCO’s load forecast.

Applicant PEDC is a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines with principal office address at Brgy. Ingore, La Paz, Iloilo City. PEDC owns and operates a 2x82 MW coal-fired power plant (“Existing Plant”) located in Brgy. Ingore, La Paz, Iloilo City. It has embarked on an expansion project through the construction of a 1x150 MW coal-fired power plant (“Expansion Plant”) in the same location.

Commercial Operation Date

Without PEDC EPPA With PEDC EPPA GENERATION

Allegations in Support of the Prayer for Provisional Authority

Applicant GUIMELCO is an electric cooperative duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at Brgy. San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras. It is a franchised electric utility servicing its member-consumers in the Province of Guimaras, specifically the Municipalities of Jordan, Nueva Valencia, Buenavista, Sibunag, and San Lorenzo.

Salient Features of the EPPA

Projected Rate Impact at Commercial Operation, as follows:

16. The current demand of GUIMELCO is 6.32MW. To meet this demand, GUIMELCO sources 3.0MW of its electric power requirements from Green Core Geothermal, Inc. Also, it sources about 2.8MW from the diesel plant of Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corporation during peak hours. Likewise, it secures power deficit from its existing suppliers with the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).

In the said Application, GUIMELCO and PEDC alleged among others, the following:

Rate, PhP/kWh 7.21 5.56 (1.66)

15. Should the Honorable Commission approve the Electricity Fees under the EPPA, there will be an indicative decrease in generation cost of PhPi .33 per kWh on the Commercial Operation Date.

Notice is hereby given that on 29 April 2016, Guimaras Electric Cooperative, Inc. (GUIMELCO) and Panay Energy Development Corporation (PEDC) filed a Joint Application for approval of their Electric Power Purchase Agreement (EPPA) with a prayer for the issuance of Provisional Authority.

Without PEDC EPPA With PiEDC EPPA GENERATION RATE INCREASE/(DECREASE) (rounded off figure)

14. The foregoing agreed terms, among others, are embodied in the EPPA, a copy of which is attached to this Application as Annex “A” and made an integral part hereof.

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:

Rate, PhP/kWh 7.21 5.23 (1.98)

Projected Rate Impact during 2016 Pre-Commercial Operation, as follows:

ERC CASE NO. 2016-095 RC

Alvin Lin of the US-based Natural Resources Defense Council. “Both countries are transforming their economies to grow through clean energy rather than fossil fuels, so their citizens can benefit from a cleaner environment and be competitive in the green economy,” he told Agence France Presse. AFP

Without PEDC EPPA With PEDC EPPA GENERATION RATE INCREASE/(DECREASE) (rounded off figure)

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE ELECTRIC POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENT (EPPA) BETWEEN THE GUIMARAS ELECTRIC COOPERATrVE, INC. AND PANAY ENERGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY.

nounce the formal joining of the accord with President Xi Jinping. Campaigners welcomed the move. “China and the US, the two largest developing and developed country economies and emitters, joining the Paris Agreement shows that the global community can come together to address the threat of climate change,” said

The EPPA thus proposes separate rates on the power delivered by PEDC to GUIMELCO, depending on the stage of the plant development (i.e., during Testing and Commissioning, during the Pre-Commercial Operation Period, or on Commercial Operation Date).

10. The cost of fuel shall be on a pass through basis in all stages (i.e., during Testing and Commissioning, during the Pre-Commercial Operation Period, or on Commercial Operation Date). In deriving Fuel Cost, the actual consumption rate of coal or up to the consumption cap, whichever is lower, shall always be multiplied by the actual energy delivered. 11. It should be noted that the expenses to be incurred by PEDC for the testing and commissioning the Expansion Plant during Testing and Commissioning and the Pre-Commercial Operation Period was not included in the rate agreed upon in the EPPA inasmuch as the Parties agreed on a tariff formula for energy delivered during Testing and Commissioning as well as during the PreCommercial Operation Period which PEDC intended to serve as recovery for testing and commissioning costs to be incurred by PEDC for the commissioning cost of the Expansion Plant. 12. It should be pointed out however that during testing and commissioning, the Parties agreed that PEDC would deliver to GUIMELCO the proportionate net electrical output of the Power Plant on a non-firm basis and subject to the payment of the applicable Electricity Fees. However, once testing has been completed but prior to Commercial Operations, the proportionate net electrical output of the Power Plant shall be delivered by PEDC and shall be taken by GUIMELCO on a firm basis and subject to the payment of the applicable Electricity Fees. 13. As seen in the Rate Impact below, for the duration of the term of the EPPA between PEDC and GUIMELCO, the simulated delivered price thereunder would result in an overall savings of PhPi.98 per kWh, PhPi.66 per kWh, and PhPi.33 per kWh during Testing and Commissioning Period, Pre-Commercial Operations Period, and Commercial Operations Period, respectively. Projected Rate Impact during 2016 Testing and Commissioning, as follows:

The Commission has set the application for initial hearing, expository presentation, pre-trial conference and evidentiary hearing on presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on 15 September 2016 (Thursday) at two o’clock in the afternoon (2:00 P.M.) at GUIMELCO’s Principal Office, Brgy. San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras. All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the proceeding may become a party by filing, at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements in the ERC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, a verified petition with the Commission giving the docket number and title of the proceeding and stating: (1) the petitioner’s name and address; (2) the nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding, and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and (3) a statement of the relief desired. All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the proceeding may file their opposition to the application or comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before the applicant concludes the presentation of its evidence. No particular form of opposition or comment is required, but the document, letter or writing should contain the name and address of such person and a concise statement of the opposition or comment and the grounds relied upon. All such persons who wish to have a copy of the application may request from the applicant that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. The applicant is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours. WITNESS, the Honorable Chairman, JOSE VICENTE B. SALAZAR, and the Honorable Commissioners, ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC, JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT, and GERONIMO- D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 27th day of July, 2016 at Pasig City.

ATTY. NATHAN J. MARASIGAN Chief of Staff Office of the Chairman and CEO Standard – Aug. 28 & Sept. 4, 2016

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2016

World

PEACE. Soldiers stand during commemoration of the Nicaragua Army’s 37th anniversary in La Fe Square in Managua on Friday. AFP

Scientists uncover longevity secrets ACCIAROLI—Some of the secrets of an Italian village that has long fascinated scientists because of its high number of active centenarians are set to be revealed this weekend. Scientists have spent the last six months looking into why residents of Acciaroli and nearby tiny communities enjoy such extraordinary longevity—while also seeming to be largely immune from dementia, heart disease and other chronic conditions associated with ageing in most of the Western world. Scientists from Rome’s Sapienza University and the San Diego School of Medicine will unveil their findings at a conference in the village on Sunday. Acciaroli is part of the Cilento coast, a largely industryfree area of outstanding natural beauty that now has national park protected status. It was in the Cilento that the late US nutritionist Ancel Keys first established convincing evidence of the health benefits of a Mediterranean diet based on olive oil and rich in fresh fruit, vegetables and fish. Sixty years later, it is not hard to find supporting evidence for Keys’ core thesis in Acciaroli itself. More than one in 10—81 at the mayor’s last count—of the village’s population of 700 has passed the century mark. Among them is Antonio Vassalo, 100. “We only eat healthy stuff,” he confirmed to AFP on a visit this week. Antonio’s wife Amina Fedollo, a sprightly 93-year-old, develops the point. “We eat a lot of fish, fresh produce from the countryside that we grow ourselves. “We have our own rabbits, our chickens. Only local products. And olive oil: we consume what we produce.” Alan S. Maisel, the San Diego cardiologist heading up the project, says the explanation for the longevity and sprightliness could lie in any number of factors -- from the villagers’ high consumption of the pungent herb rosemary to the active lifestyles imposed by their home’s steep streets, which means everyone has to do a little bit of tough walking every day. “Is there something in their genes that may, along with something that they do make them live longer and healthy?” he said. “They eat rosemary almost every day, and they grow it— maybe this does something that helps. We know that rosemary improves brain function.” AFP

EU army not a priority T

HE EU is not going to get an army of its own in the near future but in the meantime it should play a greater security role, EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said Friday. “We all agree that the European army is not something that is going to happen any time soon,” Mogherini said after an informal meeting of the 28 European Union foreign ministers in Bratislava. “But what can happen very soon, if member states are committed, is to advance in the field of

European defence and that is what I put on the table today,” she said. Member states, led by Britain, agree with the principle of increased defence cooperation but baulk at the idea of giving up the crucial sovereign right to decide their own security policy. However, a growing list of se-

curity challenges, from the migrant crisis to international terror, have emboldened theEU’s executive arm, the European Commission, and Mogherini to push the idea forward. “Fifty, 60, 100 years from now, who knows?,” Mogherini told a briefing when asked about the possibility of a “European Army.” “The important thing is that all the ministers appreciated the plans... now is the time for real stuff and this is only the beginning,” she added. Earlier this year Mogherini unveiled a “Global Strategy for For-

eign and Security Policy,” winning approval fromEU leaders to develop her plan. Mogherini said Friday that the foreign ministers were unanimous in backing the concept and she would now work on concrete proposals to put it into effect, suggesting the first operational results could be seen early next year. British foreign minister Boris Johnson -- who campaigned for Brexit -- attended the meeting in Bratislava and said earlier that Britain remained committed to defence cooperation with

the EU even though it had voted to leave the bloc. Britain is an important, nuclear armed military power, plus it holds a veto as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Its shock June vote to quit the EUstoked intense speculation that the other member states might now press ahead with the type of joint defence initiative London had stymied. EU leaders and top officials have recently stressed the possible role the bloc could play in ensuring security for its citizens in a dangerous world. AFP

NASA photographs reveal Jupiter’s poles NASA published Friday the firstever images of Jupiter’s north pole and its southern aurora, taken during the Juno spacecraft’s first orbital flyby of the gaseous giant. Juno came within 2,500 miles (4,200 kilometers) of Jupiter on August 27 during a six-hour transit from the north pole to the south. “It looks like nothing we have seen or imagined before,” said Scott Bolton, principal investigator of Juno from the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio. “The largest planet in our solar system is truly unique. We have 36 more flybys to study just how unique it really is.” A camera dubbed the “JunoCam” took the high-definition images. It is one of the nine instruments onboard the spacecraft. Juno notably sent the first infrared close-ups of the planet’s north

and south poles. “These first infrared views of Jupiter’s north and south poles are revealing warm and hot spots that have never been seen before,” said Alberto Adriani, of the Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali in Rome. Adriani is one of the researchers who developed the Jovian Infrared Auroral Mapper (JIRAM) that allowed scientists to acquire the images. “While we knew that the first-ever infrared views of Jupiter’s south pole could reveal the planet’s southern aurora, we were amazed to see it for the first time,” he said. Auroras are streamers of light in the sky caused by energy from the sun and electrically charged particles trapped in the magnetic field. AFP

Rennaissance art saved from Italy quake rubble

POLE. Jupiter’s north polar region comes into view as NASA’s Juno spacecraft approaches the planet on August 27 when Juno was 437,000 miles away. AFP

Hall and Oates get Walk of Fame star LOS ANGELES—Top-selling rock duo Daryl Hall and John Oates, know for such hits as “Out of Touch” and “Maneater,” were honored with a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame on Friday. “It’s an honor to be part of the great sidewalk of fame,” Oates said during the ceremony attended by music executive Jerry

Greenberg and Eurythmics guitarist Dave Stewart. “LA has a really special place in my memories,” he added. “We recorded three albums out here in the mid-70s. And it’s always been a blast to come out here, and the entertainment business and the entertainment fans are the best.”

Hall and Oates formed their partnership in 1972 and then went on to record 21 albums that have sold more than 80 million copies. The pair, who still perform together at concerts, were recognized as rock’s all-time best selling duo in 1987 by the Recording Industry Association of America, a distinction they still hold. AFP

ROME—Several precious works of art from the 15th and 16th centuries have been salvaged from the museum in the small central Italian town of Amatrice which was ravaged by an earthquake on August 24. The culture ministry said the pieces included a painting of the Madonna with Child by 16th century Renaissance artist, sculptor and architect Cola dell’Amatrice, as well as silver objects from the 15th century. “The precious works of the museum and the Holy Shroud of Arquata are now safe,” said Culture Minister Dario Franceschini. Nearly 300 people died in the quake. Most were from Amatrice. Meanwhile, a Charlie Hebdo cartoon depicting victims of the Italian earthquake victims as la-

sagna has sparked outrage in the country which is still mourning the nearly 300 people who died in last week’s as lasagna has sparked outrage in the country which is still mourning the nearly 300 people who died in last week’s tragedy. “The drawings are repugnant,” said Italian Justice Minister Andrea Orlando, as furious reactions began flooding social media sites. “I don’t think it’s useful to comment further as I think that would produce precisely the sought-after effect... that is to create a scandal,” and draw attention to the cartoons, he added. The drawings in the current edition of the French satirical weekly depict bloodied victims of the quake. AFP

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2016

SUNDAY LIVING

Pink and blue are the go-to colors of Dr. Kang

ESCENDANTS of the Sun (2016, GMA 7), perhaps the most talked about Korean drama on primetime TV these days, shows a career-driven and hardworking surgeon. Dr. Maxine Kang, struggling to gain respect not only among her peers but among the members of an elite military force she has worked with in a mission outside of Korea.

Dr. Kang started from the bottom. As a doctor who is passionate about her job, she feels most beautiful when she is in her scrubs and lab gown, and when she’s taking the least effort in keeping her appearance on point. But what makes her the ultimate #stylegoals is her balance in comfort and sophistication. Dr. Kang’s daily style is a monochrome color palette with a touch of the 2016 Pantone Colors, Rose Quartz and Serenity. She can effortlessly don an ensemble of everything without looking too overwhelming. On her days off, she is completely relaxed in a light-colored shirt-still sticking with pastels and either a skirt or a pair of shorts. She is also a fan of the classics as her staple footwear is a pair of white sneakers. For young professionals who are just beginning to get the sense of the adult world, power dressing can be a challenge. But fortunately for the millennials, Dr. Kang is always ready to display the admirable clash of fun and class. Snatch the look from Dr. Kang as she makes it easier to plan our outfit for the day: 1. Monochrome color palette In this country, we can only expect sunshine and rain and they have a major say on what to wear for the day. In Descendants of the Sun, Dr. Kang shows the best monochrome pieces that we can easily pull off especially during the rainy days. 2. Pantone Color 2016 On most days she is required to put on a professional look and she trusts herself with monochrome pieces. But with her fun personality, a touch of pink and blue is also a necessity. 3. Earrings Who said doctors can only work pearls and diamonds? Dr. Kang proves this wrong by wearing dangle and drop earrings in the series. And did we see more than one earring per ear? If that is so, then we can say that she is the coolest doctor ever.

BALER, known as the Philippines’ surfing capital, recently hosted its beauty pageant, Binibining Baler 2016, in celebration of its town fiesta. Shaina Angela Reyes bagged the crown. Runners up were Rhejeann Julienne Duran, 1st (Bb. Brgy. 4), Shara Faye Argonia, 2nd (Bb. Pungit), Airalyn Zuniga, 3rd (Bb. Zabali), and Nichole Aragon, 4th (Bb. Brgy. 5). Baler Mayor Melianto Bihasa and daughter Claiza Bihasa spearheaded the event in cooperation with Smart Communications, Aurora Telcomms and PEPSI.

STYLE TO FALL IN LOVE WITH. Dr. Maxine Kang (right) performs her duties as surgeon wearing clothes that strike the balance between comfort and sophistication

The new

STYLISH YOUNG WOMAN on the go 4. Dress shirts Time is important for professionals, and so it is testified in the series that dress shirts are lifesavers. This effortless one piece can be easily put on and at the same time can define our style as sleek and edgy. 5. Pencil cuts It probably is a great time to say goodbye to bandage skirts and embrace the recurring penchant for pencil skirts. Dr. Kang wears this well with literally anything. She can put on a simple jersey shirt and a jacket, or the more sophisticated button-down. 6. Flare pants Never forget that our muse is a hybrid

Judges were Pedro San Juan Amilbangsa, Mr. Earth 2015, blogger Norman Tinio, 2015 Binibining Pilipinas Supranational Elaine Moll, Mayor Bihasa, 2015 Binibining Pilipinas International Janice Lubina, 2015 Mr. Worldwide Philippines Jolo Yolo, and Leonidas Pena of Philippine Airlines. Department of Tourism Undersecretary Kat de Castro chaired the board of judges. The candidates stayed at Luxus Residences, their official residence, while the judges were booked at Costa Pacifica. Baler has other projects in the future to promote tourism.

Department of Tourism Undersecretary Kat De Castro and Baler Mayor Melianto (fourth and fifth from left) led the board of judges that picked this year’s Binibining Baler

of fun and class, and we should know by now what to expect when she carries wide-bottom pants or what we can simply call the flare. She best pairs this with a tucked-in button-down shirt. 7. The fringe Memes on social media tell us that the only way to get a funny soldier like Captain Lucas Yoo fall in love with us is by having sultry bangs. Should we trust the power of the fringe to prove this? More and more celebs are donning the fringe and we should probably do too. Make sure to stay inspired with Dr. Kang’s fashion in Descendants of the Sun, which airs weeknights on GMA.

Dr. Kang’s pretty fringe has made Captain Lucas Yoo and many fans worldwide fall in love with her

Baler’s beauty pageant

BEAUTIES OF BALER. From left: Nichole Aragon (4th runner up), Shara Faye Argonia (2nd runner up), Bb. Baler 2016 Sahina Angele Reyes, Rhejeann Julienne Duran (1st runner up) and Airalyn Zuniga (3rd runner up)

Life

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

Taiwan Youth Ambassadors A visit the Philippines GROUP of 22 bright and talented university students from the Republic of China (Taiwan) are in town until today as part of the annual Taiwan Youth Ambassadorship Program.

Headed by Minister Odi Shri-ren Sun, they held a public performance on Aug. 31, at 4 p. m at the Medicine Auditorium of the University of the Santo Tomas. Aside from the cultural performance, they also visited the Philippine Senate, the local governments of Makati and Tagaytay, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, among others. With this year’s theme “Dynamic Youth, Friendly Taiwan,” Dr. Gary Song-Huann Lin, Representative of Taiwan (ROC) to the Philippines, is sure that the visit of the Taiwan Youth Ambassadors will further strengthen the growing interaction between Taiwan and the Philippines. They are here not only to reflect Taiwan’s goodwill and showcase the authentic Taiwanese culture, but also to enhance their understanding of the Philippines, as Taiwan and the Philippines are close neighbors. The visit of the Taiwan Youth Ambassadors is very timely as the ROC (Taiwan) Government, under newly elected President Tsai-Ing-wen has launched the “New Southbound Policy.” Under this policy, the Philippines, which has always been on top of the agenda, will be the gateway and major partner for Taiwan to expand an array of multifaceted cooperation and partnership among ASEAN countries. Based on the New Southbound Policy, Taiwan will speed up and broaden its cooperation with the Philippines not only in trade

Dr. Gary Song-Huann Lin, Representative of Taiwan (ROC) to the Philippines

22 university students from Taiwan perform in the Philippines as part of the annual Taiwan Youth Ambassadorship Program

and investment, agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, SMEs, ICT, climate change, but especially in education and culture which is well exemplified by the visit of the Taiwan Youth Ambassadors.

For more information on Taiwan Youth Ambassadors, please call TECO’s Press Division at (02) 887-66-88 ext. 141 or email pressdivisionteco@ gmail.com.

Dr. Gary Song-Huann Lin, Representative of ROC, Taiwan to the Philippines (center) with Rev. Fr. Herminio Dagohoy O.P., Rector, UST (1st row, 5th from left); Madame Sophia Lin (8th from left); Minister Odi Shri-ren Sun, Group Leader (6th from right); Minister Samson T.L. Chang, Deputy Representative, TECO in the Philippines (5th from right)

The showcase of Taiwanese talents in the country is seen to further strengthen the interaction between Taiwan and the Philippines

Taiwan’s culture is highlighted through the performances of Taiwan Youth Ambassadors

Filipino home’s perfect partner in taking care of the family SAMSUNG Philippines brings its home appliances closer to Filipinos’ reach with the help of its key partnership with Abenson, one of the most trusted dealers in the country. Together, Samsung and Abenson launched the Filipino household’s perfect partners in taking care of their family. Samsung showcased home appliances that intuitively understand and care for the family’s needs in the “Samsung Digital Appliances: Perfect Partners” launch held at Abenson’s flagship store in Bonifacio Global City. The event highlighted easy-to-follow life hacks homemakers can accomplish using Samsung’s Digital Appliances. Partner in freshness Fresh food and energy savings are important for all families. Samsung Twin Cooling Refrigerators are engineered to keep food fresh up to two times longer, allowing family members to enjoy fresher and better-tasting food. Samsung’s innovative Twin Cooling Technology allows for the refrigerator and freezer to have separate temperature controls, which gives flexibility for five different conversion modes. This allows users to easily convert the freezer into a fridge to store more groceries, or keep only the freezer or the fridge on if one would go on vacation. Partner in convenience Sometimes the wash just started then mom would see socks or a towel

less vibration and noise, while its Wi-Fi function via Smart Control enables the user to control the airconditioner using their smartphone or tablet.

Samsung Consumer Electronics PH Vice President Jun Filart talks about the new Samsung smart appliances

Samsung PH Business Unit Head for Digital Appliances Mon Medina

on the floor, or realize that she forgot to include school uniform to be used tomorrow. Addressing this common problem, the Samsung Front Load

Washing Machine with Add-Wash technology allows more clothes to be added in the middle of a wash cycle. Its Wi-Fi capability via Smart Control feature allows the washing machine to be controlled remotely, giving family members the freedom to do other things. These innovative features mean less time and energy washing every piece of laundry and more time for moments that truly matter.

Partner in comfort The sweltering heat in the Philippines makes airconditioners a must in every home. However, these can jack up electricity costs considerably. Aiming to provide maximum comfort to Filipino families, Samsung Airconditioner with Digital Inverter offers hours of reliable cooling and unparalleled energy efficiency. It uses an 8-pole inverter that ensures a more efficient operation with

Partner in delight The Samsung Smart Microwave Oven gives access to easy and healthier cooking. Beyond its sleek and premium design, this microwave oven is packed with features that reduce cooking time, grill meats, and even ferment dough or yogurt. Samsung’s Smart Microwave Oven is designed with ceramic enamel coating to quickly and conveniently prepare healthy and delicious meals. It also makes the microwave oven easy to clean, making it a partner in delight in the kitchen. “Our latest suite of home appliances go beyond their usual functions to help the modern homemaker do daily chores easily, efficiently and stylishly. Through our partnership with Abenson, we can let more customers experience why Samsung home appliances are the perfect partners of modern Filipino homes,” said Stephanie Chua, head of Product Marketing, Digital Appliances. “As part of our mission in bringing ‘the good life’ to every Filipino, we are making sure that we are offering the best products that fit our customers’ lifestyle. We are proud to partner with a trusted brand like Samsung to give our customers access to the latest innovations in home appliances,” said Jephanie Ma, Abenson marketing manager.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

IOLO Pascual is best known as an actor and singer, but this year, he will take on the role of a foodie and explore the ﬂavors of Japan in The Crawl, Lifestyle’s special food and travel show that premiered yesterday and return on the 10th of September.

FOODIES. Actors Piolo

Pascual and Lui Villaruz visit Osaka’s famous dining spots as they embark on a food adventure in ‘The Crawl,’ Lifestyle’s newest food and travel show

Piolo’s gastronomical

trip to Japan

In The Crawl, Piolo together with his crawl buddy Lui Villaruz, and a Japanese interpreter, embark on a food crawl challenge where they visit the favorite dining spots of locals to score the best okonomiyaki and ramen in Osaka, a city known for its vibrant street food scene. The buddies also try out Japan’s signature dishes like yakisoba, gyoza, takoyaki, and tepanyaki. Tippy Benedito, Lifestyle Channel head, explained the concept saying that a “food crawl is an event where people hop from one restaurant to another to sample dishes.” Piolo remarked, “We particularly loved Osaka because of the gastronomic experience. I have been to Osaka before but in this trip, we discovered more about Japan, their food, and why their cuisine is so special. I deﬁnitely enjoyed this trip because it didn’t feel like work.” As a food and travel

show, Lifestyle’s The Crawl aims to showcase the culture of a particular place through a culinary expedition by hitting the streets to restaurant-hop to uncover the best places to sample the rich cuisine of a city. The show, through its hosts, also provides tips on how to maximize one’s food and travel experience. Viewers are also treated to breathtaking sights in Osaka like the Universal City Walk Osaka, the Kuromon Market, and the Takoyaki Museum, among others in between crawl spots. Don’t miss Piolo and Lui’s exciting gastronomical trip in Osaka in Lifestyle’s The Crawl, every Sunday 1 p.m., Monday 2:30 p.m., Tuesday 7:30 p.m., Wednesday 11:30 a.m., and Saturday, 6:30 a.m. Lifestyle is available on SKYcable channel 52. For updates, follow Lifestyle on Facebook (facebook.com/ lifestyletvph), Instagram (@lifestyletvph), and Twitter (@lifestyletvph).

ABS-CBN and SKY win 6 SPARK Awards ABS-CBN Corporation and its subsidiary Sky Cable Corporation carried the ﬂag for the Philippines at the recent SPARK Awards for media excellence 2016 in Singapore, collecting a total of six awards - the most among Filipino media companies - and even contended for the biggest prize of the year. ABS-CBN won a gold for “Best Use of Branded Content by Media Owner” for its breakthrough series Single/Single (Season 1), a co-production of PhilStar TV and ABS-CBN cable channel Cinema One. The company’s partnership with Twitter (Twitter Amplify Pioneering Social Media Innovation), meanwhile, won the gold as “Best Media Solution” in the Social Media category. ABSCBN, the country’s broadcast pioneer that is now rapidly transitioning into an agile digital company, also won a silver for “Best Media Solution – Integrated Media for its “ABS-CBN TVplus 1999

Todo Saya Presyo Promo.” Dubbed the “Happiest Price Offer,” it enabled more Filipinos to enjoy a richer viewing experience through digital terrestrial TV technology with the “mahiwagang black box, offered at a more affordable price. The network was also honored with a silver award for “Best Acquisition Team” for its YouTube Monetization Strategy, while Sky bagged a silver for “Best Corporate Branding by a Media Owner” for its me&mySKY campaign. ABS-CBN currently has two of the Top 3 most subscribed and most viewed YouTube channels in the country (ABSCBN Entertainment and ABS-CBN News). SKYcable, meanwhile, continues to expand its digital offerings, giving its subscribers more power to access their favorite cable shows and other premium content. Completing the haul is ABS-CBN’s bronze award for “Best Media Solution – Experiential” for the microsite

OTWOLISTA.com, the country’s ﬁrst after show companion that extended people s experience of hit teleserye “On The Wings of Love” from television to online. Apart from these awards, SKYcable was also nominated for “Best Event by a Media Owner” for its 25th anniversary celebration SKY Alive!, the country’s ﬁrst experiential cable fair. With two gold awards, three silver awards, and a bronze award, the Philippines’ leading media and entertainment company almost notched the top title, landing a close second to BBC Global News in the prestigious award-giving body that celebrates the best media solutions, products, and services from media owners, publishers, and technology companies in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. It was able to achieve this feat in the inaugural Spark Awards two years ago, when it was given the Gold Award in the “Best in Show” category.

From left: ABS-CBN’s Karen Cesario and Sierra Borlongan, Rezwana Manjur, Editor of Marketing Magazine, Singapore, Jennifer Love Reyes of Sky Cable and June Gerard Maralit, ABS-CBN Customer Marketing

Hashtag Nikko joins Kuya Kim in ‘Matanglawin’ PINOY Big Brother Season 7 housemate and Hashtags member Nikko Natividad joins the fun in Matanglawin today as he goes on an adventure with Kuya Kim Atienza. Natividad and Atienza will search for giant snakes, acquiring knowledge about the reptiles and even encountering dinosaurs along the way. Another thing to watch out for

Nikko Natividad joins ‘Matanglawin’ host Kuya Kim in their search for giant snakes

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Sunday, September 4, 2016

ACROSS 1 — does it! 5 Pasture grass 11 Cream puff 17 Winsome 21 Hops stem 22 They make scents 23 Origin 24 Soyuz launcher 25 Gin-fizz flavor 26 Potato garnish 27 Coils about 28 Not bogus 29 Of Venus and Mercury 31 Organic compounds 33 Unheard-of 35 Dendrite opposites 36 Parka closers 37 A singing Jackson 38 MSNBC rival 41 Dessert favorite 42 Minority groups 43 — in a poke 44 Bulrushes 48 Came to an end 50 Enjoy to the max 51 A good time 52 Stained-glass art 53 Place for a pin 54 Pocket change 55 Hazards 57 Cookie-selling grp. 58 Elvis’ middle name 59 Become entrenched (2 wds.) 60 Unnerves 61 Close violently 62 Hall-of-Famer — Ott 63 Goes for the gold 64 Money handler 65 Nerd 66 Ancient indeed 68 Bishop’s domain 69 USN rank 70 Abysses 71 Idaho neighbor 72 “Bop — You Drop” 73 Co. 74 Clever remark 75 Lessens 78 Rome wrecker 79 Ref. volumes 80 Eliminates (2 wds.) 84 “Oklahoma!” aunt 85 Flashlights, to Brits 87 Closet nicety 88 Two-piece part 89 Turnpike 90 Crockpots 91 Wildlife refuges 92 Galaxy unit 93 — too late now! 94 Favors 95 Like a honky-tonk piano 96 Main force

97 Former U.S. Rep. Dennis 99 Inspect 100 Tybalt’s slayer 101 Chagall’s homeland 102 Like a grove 103 “— Gratia Artis” 104 More bleached-out 105 Retainer 106 Listener’s need 107 Well-behaved kids 109 Thick cords 110 — -ante 112 Bought by mail 115 Pave over 116 Jar 120 “If — — a Hammer” 121 Dirty pool 123 Of high mountains 125 Town with a tower 126 Apollo’s mother 127 Plod on 128 Brief promo 129 “A Summer Place” actor 130 Connery of “Dr. No” 131 Donny or Marie 132 Canvas supports 133 Feng — DOWN 1 Three tsps. 2 Upgrade 3 Dwarf buffalo 4 “Lovergirl” singer — Marie 5 Bit of trivia 6 Fuel gas 7 Blends in 8 Capybara cousin 9 Suffix for press 10 Gists 11 Legally impedes 12 Monks’ hoods 13 Tiant or Aparicio 14 Queen Aleta’s son 15 Sprain soother (2 wds.) 16 Pine product 17 Vicars’ helpers 18 Consumer 19 Autocrat of yore 20 Whodunit name 30 Oust 32 USA-wide 34 Mere nothings 36 Early evening 37 Clinks 38 Mini-vise (hyph.) 39 Less distant 40 Cleveland baseballer Mike — 42 18-wheelers 43 Drop-kicking 45 Aerie residents 46 Charm 47 Rascals 49 Upper house mem.

50 51 52 54 55 56 59 60 61 63 64 65 67 68 70 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 85 86

Supergiant in Orion June honorees Half a couple Alice’s cat Ivan’s affirmatives Poetic adverb Prima donnas — Dawn Chong Barters Parking nuisance Movie frame Pickpocket, e.g. Toned down Heartfelt Sifts through Film flops Rubber-stamps Ask about Hawks’ refuges Ink spot Iditarod locale Tap dancers Nile god of pleasure Jungle charger Thick-skulled Muse of astronomy Seafood sauce Boot part Coll. credits

87 90 91 92 94 95 96 98 100 101 103 104 105 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 122 124

More rational PC monitor Margarita ingredients Grads-to-be He played the Wiz Allow Yerba — (old San Francisco) Annexed (2 wds.) — Nui (Easter Island) Most tenants Birches Did a greenhouse chore Sausage herb Resulted in (2 wds.) Hold sway Hover, as a bird Cry of surprise Van Gogh’s medium Syngman of Korea It can be raw Start all over Form 1040 experts Almost, in verse Hairy twin Rajah’s consort Magna — laude Open meadow

in this week’s episode is the mindboggling ability of Lolo Tony to mimic the sounds of everything around him using everyday objects thanks to his keen observation skills. The Matanglawin team also meets Malajya Fernandez who tours the crew around the Crescent Moon Café where simple lumps of clay are transformed into works of art thanks

to pottery. Watch and learn fascinating stuff about science and animals, among other wonderful trivia, 10 a.m. today on ABS-CBN on free TV, ABS-CBN HD Ch. 166 on SKYCable, and www. iwantv.com.ph online. Follow their Facebook page at http://facebook. com/MatanglawinTV and ofﬁcial Twitter account (@MatanglawinTV) for more updates.

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2016

Kapuso Primetime Queen Marian Rivera

Showbiz

Pambansang Bae Alden Richards

‘Sunday PinaSaya’ promises more fun

ANNIVERSARY. The cast of ‘Sunday PinaSaya’ celebrates the show’s ﬁrst year of giving audience a different kind of Sunday entertainment

VER since breaking the Sunday noontime habit, Sunday PinaSaya has become unstoppable in redefining the typical variety show with its comedy-musical format. It proved its success, winning PEP List Year 3’s Comedy Show of the Year award and along with that, it is celebrating its first birthday filled with new hosts and exciting, new segments.

Featuring the most-sought after Kapuso artists, Sunday PinaSaya opens a new chapter of fun with its original hosts Philippine Comedy Queen Aiai delas Alas, Comic Duo Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola, and Kapuso Primetime Queen Marian Rivera with Pambansang Bae Alden Richards, Kapuso Teen Queen Barbie Forteza, Asia’s Pop Sweetheart Julie Anne San Jose, Jerald Napoles, Joey Paras and Valeen Montenegro. Comedy royalty Ai-Ai is excited to share what they prepared to celebrate the show’s ﬁrst anniversary. “Patuloy po namin kayong bibigyan ng saya at katatawanan dito po sa Sunday Pinasaya. Abangan niyo po ang lahat ng Sunday na aming hinanda para mapaligaya namin kayo. Happy birthday po to us!” Jose feels grateful to be part of the ground-breaking show. “Salamat sa mga taong sumusuporta sa Sunday Pinasaya. Kaming lahat, mula sa boss, creative, prod, even sa utility. Kaming lahat, sama-sama kami sa kung ano man yung narating ng show dahil hindi naman namin magagawa yan, kaming mga artista, lahat if wala yung mga tao sa likod mo. Kaya nakaka-proud na bahagi ako nito,” says Jose. Meanwhile, Alden did not expect the show to become a hit but he is thankful for its success. “Noong una, ang talagang gusto namin ay mag-offer ng something new for the Filipino audience. In short, suntok sa buwan ang concept ng Sunday PinaSaya and hindi namin inakala na people will like the show, the concept of it, hanggang sa nag-number one pa siya, kaya thank You, Lord. Natutuwa kami na binigyan kami ng chance to shake things up a bit.” Get ready for a whole new Sunday PinaSaya experience and meet the new hosts of the show. Everyone is invited to join the party for its two-part birthday celebration, which will be telecast live today and next Sunday. For more information, follow the show’s ofﬁcial Facebook account (http://facebook.com/GMASundayPinaSaya).

Globe pioneers

first online film festival

ADVOCATING Filipino talent and championing original content, Globe, through its film productions arm Globe Studios launched the Globe Independent Film Festival, or GIFF. The first online film festival in the Philippines. GIFF sets the bar for film festivals by maximizing the online platform to reach a wider audience. Veering from traditional film fests, GIFF adds a whole new dimension to digital entertainment by bringing the film entries online. This way, more people will be able to access and watch on demand, right on their device. Open to all amateur filmmakers, GIFF will be accepting entries for any of these 5 genres: Narrative, Documentary, Animated, Experimental, Music Video, and Webisode. Film submissions will be evaluated by an esteemed panel of judges from the entertainment industry namely, Antoinette Jadaone, Bianca Gonzalez, Philbert Dy, and Sid Maderazo. “The launch of Globe Studios gave us a whole new way of bringing wonderful entertainment to our customers. With GIFF, our vision for Globe Studios is realized – to be able to advocate local talent and eventually collaborate with them for content. GIFF allows us to fuel creativity among filmmakers and we look forward to the entries and bring these amazing films closer to every Filipino,” says Globe Senior Advisor for Consumer Business Dan Horan.

In the course of the film fest, the public will be able to watch the shortlisted films on GlobeStudios.ph, the Globe Studios YouTube channel, at the Globe ICONIC store, or at select cinema screenings. Winners per category are set to bring home up to P200000.00 and will be announced at GIFF’s culminating event in November. Interested groups can learn more about the complete mechanics by visiting www. GlobeStudios.ph. As a special showcase, GIFF kicks off the film fest with 5 laudable short films led by 5 esteemed Filipino directors. Available on GlobeStudios.ph and the Globe YouTube channel, everyone can watch the following titles: How to Find Love directed by Quark Henares; An Open Door by Paul Soriano; Trapik by Dan Villegas; Ang Painting ni Tatay by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo; and Bestfriend by Bb. Joyce Bernal. In addition to the major film categories, GIFF also launches another program: “The Globe 5-Minute Video Challenge”. This joint initiative with the Singtel Group and its telco associates comprised of Singtel, Optus, AIS, Airtel, and Telkomsel, the 5-minute video challenge is part of the group’s efforts to drive content innovation across its markets and it will be conducted at two levels – local and regional. Globe invites aspiring or experienced local filmmakers to submit

5-minute entries based on the theme “Connecting Lives”. The entries will be judged on criteria such as originality of content, storytelling and cinematography. The top two video entries from the Philippines will win P350000.00 each and will automatically qualify for the regional level of the competition. Mark Chong, CEO, International, Singtel, said, “We are making a big push in digital content as consumers have radically changed the way they consume entertainment. For many of Singtel’s more than 600 million customers, the mobile phone is also the only way for them to access the Internet. A pan-regional competition makes a lot of sense, as the power of content is its ability to transcend geographical and language barriers. Our customers will be able to enjoy access to a rich variety of original content created by the most talented content-makers from the region.” The grand ﬁnals will be held in Bangkok, Thailand on Nov. 21, with cash prizes of $30000.00 and $15000.00 to be awarded to the grand winner and runner-up, respectively. The regional winners will also get the opportunity to promote their videos on each associate’s mobile and video platforms to customers in the Group’s markets across Asia, Africa and Australia. To ﬁnd out more about The 5-min Video Challenge, visit www.the5minvideo.com.