Edge Davao 5 Issue 229

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 229 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

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FLOOD VICTIMS. Evacuees from Barangay 19-B Bacaca, Davao City whose houses were inundated by the flooding Sunday cram the Don Francisco S. Dizon Sr. Elementary School along Bacaca Road, Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

Sports

Page 15

15 brgys under state of calamity

By EJ Dominic Fernandez and Che Palicte

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IFTEEN Davao City barangays totaling over ten thousand families were placed under a “state of calamity” by the City Council yesterday following the overflowing of the banks of the Lasang, Lipadas, Talomo and Davao rivers last Sunday, January 20.

The City Council acted swiftly after hearing reports on the calamity from Emmanuel Jaldon, head of Central 911, the City Social Services and

In Davao region

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Landslides occurred in Sumimao Flood ruined 207 hectares of farmland in Tigatto

Kaluoy!

Development Office (CSSDO), and Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM).

The 15 barangays with a total population of 35,136 comprising 10,280 families are Tigatto,

F15, 11

Floodwaters displace over 93,000

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VER 93,000 people were displaced as of Monday noon by massive flooding that hit southern Mindanao since Saturday, disaster officials said.

In Davao del Norte, two persons are still missing after being swept away by rampaging floodwaters in Tagum City and Asuncion town, according to Sonio Sanchez, Davao del

Norte disaster offical.

A child drowned in Compostela, Compostela Valley while a minor landslide buried an

FIN DAVAO, 11

2 THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 229 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

ITCZ threatens S. Mindanao

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LAShFLOODS and landslides threaten residents in southern Mindanao due to the presence of an intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) in the area, the state weather bureau said on Monday.

Weather forecaster Lenny Ruiz said the ITCZ is expected to bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains (5.0-15.0 mm/hr) and thunderstorms which may trigger flashfloods and landslides in the area.

Ruiz said the weather disturbance may affect the provinces of Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Maguindanao, Davao Del Sur, Davao Del Norte and Davao Oriental. he advised residents of these areas to take all the necessary precautionary measures.

ITCZ is a merge of winds from different directions, which is also a breeding ground for a low pressure area (LPA).

Meanwhile, Ruiz said Filipinos can still expect a storm-free but cold and

rainy weather due to the effects of the northeast monsoon and tail-end of a cold front. he said Metro Manila recorded its coldest temperature at 18.8 degrees Celsius on Monday morning.

In Baguio City, temperature dipped to 10.6 degrees Celsius. he said morning temperatures in Metro Manila later this month could even go down to 18 degrees Celsius, while temperatures in Baguio City may drop to 9 degrees Celsius.

Ruiz said cooler temperatures associated with the northeast monsoon will continue in the coming days.

So far, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that last Friday’s 9.5 degrees Celsius was the lowest morning temperature recorded in Baguio City since the beginning of the cold season last December. [PNA] LDV/CLTC

Collateral damage

Human trafficking in Boston reported

By Che Palicte

E

xECuTIVE Director Inorisa Elento of the Mindanao Migrants Center for Empowering Actions Incorporated bared to media yesterday at the weekly Kapehan sa Dabaw, SM Annex that there has been human trafficking activity in Boston Davao Oriental.

“Oxfam, which is involved in tne humanitarian response consortium, gave us the report that three teenagers aged 15,17 and 19 years were the victims of the illegal activity, “ Elento said,

adding that they immediately responded by coordinating with the Regional Interagency Council Against Trafficking (RIACAT xI) which resulted in the recovery of the three victims.

“This was the only incident reported to us as of now even as we are trying to make sure that there will be no more human trafficking within the Pablo-affected areas,” said Elento who also bared that the recruiter hap-

FCOLLATERAL, 11

ASSESSMENT. Acting city administrator Zuleika Lopez clarifies some details of a report about last Sunday’s flooding with retired colonel Magno Adalin Jr., Davao City Public Safety Command Center head, during the City Disaster Risk Reduction

OATH TAKING. Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) of Davao officers led by lawyer Leoncio P. Villa-Abrille (front) take their oath during YMCA’s 41st Installation and Turnover Ceremonies at the Marco Polo Davao Sunday night. YMCA is an organiza-

T

tion of civic-conscious men and women wishing to contribute to the upliftment of the country through the molding of the youth into future leaders. Lean Daval Jr.

No more issuance of ICC stickers: DTI

hE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in the Davao Region reiterated that it is no longer issuing Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers for motorcycle helmets.

The issuance of ICC stickers was pursuant to the implementation of the joint Administrative Order No. 1:2011 of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and DTI, in consonance to Republic

Act 10054 or the helmet Law. DTI-Davao started the issuance of ICC stickers for motorcycle helmets in August last year and lasted until December 28, the last working day of the year.

DTI-Davao region was able to release a total of 33,714 ICC stickers for helmets that passed product standard during the said period.

In Davao City, close to 20,000 ICC stickers were

Davao Oriental

issued.

“We attended to individual motorcycle owners until six in the evening of December 28.

Although the issuance of ICC stickers to individual motorcycle owners ended in November, we still catered to them until the last working day of 2012,” said DTI-Davao City field office director Teolulo T. Pasawa.

This month, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) started with the

enforcement of the helmet Act by inspecting helmets worn motorcycle riders to see if they bear ICC stickers.

Motorcycle owners and riders who are caught wearing helmets without the required ICC or Product Standards (for locally-made helmets) stickers shall pay P1,500 for the first offense, P3,000 for the second offense, and P5,000 for the third offense. [DTI 11/Jen Mendoza]

person of the Department of Public Works and highways (DPWh) 11, said the Caraga RCDG Bridge with a length of 255.68 l.m. in

Barangay San Jose was rendered impassable after its spans 3 and 4 from approach “B” collapsed

munications and branding.

Luga said as heavy rains continued to pour since Saturday night, the Davao Light crew already started monitoring the rising water level in Davao River early Sunday morning.

“Finally, the company’s personnel decided to conduct manual pow-

er shutdown of its feeder lines to isolate areas experiencing flooding. This is to avoid short circuiting and electrocution,” he said.

Luga said some areas may not have been flooded but were experiencing service disruption as their lines are connected with those flooded areas.

Another bridge collapses A

By Anthony S. Allada NOThER bridge in Caraga, Davao Oriental collapsed Sunday after a heavy downpour triggered by

Management Council post evaluation and assessment meeting at the Davao City Hall conference room yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

the tail-end of a cold front since Saturday brought down huge logs that rammed it.

Dennis Flores, spokes-

Safety first

FDAVAO, 11

DLPC explains power outages in flood areas

T

hE Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) has explained that the power outages on Sunday in several flooded areas in the city were intended to avoid electrocution.

“Customers’ safety during the incident was given top priority,” said Ross Luga, DLPC assistant vice president for com-

FSAFETY, 11

SUBURBIA

EDGEDAVAOVOL.5 ISSUE 229 •TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013 Maragusan town: back on track after days of isolation post-Pablo

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hILE the world focused its attention on Boston, Cateel and Baganga, the three Davao Oriental towns badly hit by Typhoon Pablo, and its neighbor, New Bataan, which posted the highest death toll along Pablo’s path, Maragusan town, the summer capital of the Davao region, quietly tried to get back on track by itself after 15 days of isolation due to landslides.

“We were isolated for 15 days,” Mayor Cesar Colina told MindaNews last week. he explained how the town managed to clear the road especially the nearly one-kilometer stretch of the Nabunturan-Maragusan highway, which was rendered impassable by landslides.

Maragusan is around 60 kilometers from the capital town of Nabunturan.

Colina said the town has three access roads: Nabunturan-Maragusan; Mawab-Maragusan both in Compostela Valley and the Maragusan to Mati City in Davao Oriental. The mayor acknowledged that only a few people pass the Maragusan-New Bataan road because of the frequent landslides before Pablo.

On January 13, MindaNews traveled on motorcycle through the rocks and boulders of Barangay Andap in New Bataan before reconnecting to the concrete portion of the New Bataan-Maragusan highway. But the road ended in Sitio Libuton, some 30 kilometers from Maragusan. One can no longer proceed to Maragusan from there because of the thick debris covering about a meter high of the road.

Records of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council showed three residents of Maragusan were killed -- two from landslides and one from tetanus; three persons were reported missing and 13 others were injured when Typhoon Pablo passed this way on December 4.

A total of 2,929 households or 13,950 persons were affected by Pablo, 69 of them persons with disabilities, 50 pregnant and 5,286 children, the MDRRMC report said.

In terms of priority needs, food still tops among the affected families with 2,300 mentioning this, followed by planting materials (998): corn, vegetable, fruit, cacao and wood; housing materials particularly GI sheets (504), medicines (320), cash/financial assistance (296), nails (198).

A total of 1,588 residents fled their homes to seek shelter from the typhoon. Of this number, 1,009 sought shelter in the houses of theirneighbors or relatives, 156 sought shelter in a “vacant lot, dakong bato (boulder), bukid (farm) and car.

The MDRRMC report said the total cost of damages caused by Typhoon Pablo in Maragusan town was P313.57 million.

Cavendish bananas account for the biggest damage at P136.24M, followed by other crops damaged at P91.62M, P48.17M for infrastructure and other government facilities and forestry at P30M. Colina said they were assured of food ration for the affected families for six months. [Carolyn O. Arguillas/MindaNews]

3

2 studes suspected of killing teacher A

uThORITIES have identified two high school students as suspects in the killing of a 26year old public school teacher in M’lang, North Cotabato, Mayor Joselito Pinol said.

Murder charges was set for filing yesterday for the death of Shernan Mark de Eyoy Duerme, he said.

Pinol said the suspects are both fourth year high school students of M’lang

National high School-Annex in Barangay Lepaga, who allegedly got irked when they were scolded by the victim a week ago during the Citizens’ Army Training (CAT).

Duerme, who was the school’s CAT commandant, was on board his honda xR200 motorcycle when the suspects, also on board another motorcycle, shot him last Thursday along the

highway in Barangay Bagontapay, M’lang.

Pinol did not identify the suspects because they are minors.

One of the suspects allegedly is the son of a notorious criminal hiding in a village near the Ligawasan Marsh, the mayor said.

Based on a recent police investigation, the suspects were also once reprimanded by Duerme for allegedly bringing a gun inside the campus.

“What was so frustrating at that time was that the teacher failed to report it to the police or to the barangay for immediate action. Mr. Duerme thought it was just a situation which he could handle on his own,” Pinol said.

Both suspects remained at large and are subjects of police manhunt. [Malu Cadelina Manar/MindaNews]

MASS BURIAL. Water cannon fired, wreaths laid, balloons freed as families of 352 missing fishermen cried during the symbolic mass burial held in Sarangani Bay last Saturday morning. [Aquiles Z. Zonio]

of emergency Promotion of senior citizens’ State declared in DavNor welfare everybody’s business D

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hE chairperson of the Council of Elderlies in Davao del Norte province called for more laws that will empower the elderly to be alive and be more active even after retirement.

“The promotion of the welfare of senior citizens is everybody’s concern,” Council chair and New Corella Vice Mayor Petronilo Jocson said Monday during the regular convocation held at the Provincial Capitol.

This is actually one of the achievements of the administration of Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, he said, as incorporated in the Governor’s PEOPLE program which stands for People Empower-

ment, Education, Optimum health and Social Services, public-Private Partnershuip, Link to thre World, Employment and Livelihood Opportunities.

The Province celebrates “Elderly Filipino Week” every October. But more than that, del Rosario has directed the strict monitoring of the implementation of the senior citizens benefit sincluding the cash assistabnce for those 77 years old and over and other benefits as provided under Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

“The elderly have a right to more more years to their lives and each additional year is a bonus year,” Jocson said. he

urged the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to spearhead and “enliven the birthday celebration of the centenarians in the province.” he said that while there is residual strength among the elderly to enjoy their lives, they are retrogressing due to susceptibility to sickness.

They also look older than their age and are ebbing emotionally, he added, because of the growing sense of isolation and abandonment by their families.

“The senior citizens walk slowly and haltingly...ginagmay na ang lakbang, hinay na ang tikang ug dugay na muabot sa paadtuan (they walk slow

and take small steps so they take a long time to get to their destination),” he said.

Jocson said the elderlies are the precursors of the way of life that “we are enjoying now—they set aside their needs so their children can enjoy the fruits of their labor.”

Del Rosario encouraged senior citizens to organize themselves even up to the barangay level so they can avail of the livelihood projects in the province. he said he recognizes the valuable role of the senior citizens considering that they have the experience and capability which they can share with the younger generation.[ Lovely A. Carillo]

AVAO del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario has declared a State of Emergency in the province in view of the continuous rains and flood that has inundated the province for several days now.

“The province is practically under the water for four days now so I have declared a state of emergency,” del Rosario said.

The declaration included the suspension of classes in the elementary and high school department in all municipalities Monday, he said, excluding the three cities.

A report from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center (PDRRMC) shows that as of 9:15 AM of January 21, 2013, a total of 9,425 families comprising 39,037 individuals have been evacuated in the province.

Majority or 5,596 families and 18,752 individuals were evacuated in the

municipality of Kapalong where flooding is at its worst. up to 3,201 families comprising 16,005 individuals have been evacuated in the municipality of Carmen.

A total of 623 families including 3,115 individuals have been evacuated in the municipality of Asuncion while 5 families with 25 individuals haev been evacuated in Sto. Tomas.

New Corella, which has not been included in the list of flooded municipalities before, had 228 families and 1,140 individuals evacuated.

PDRRMC reports show that Barangay Sagayen in Asuncion and Purok 1 in Florida, Kapalong are still passable to all types of vehicles. Bgy. Pagsabangan continue to be passable but not for motorcycles and low vehicles since most areas here including the cemetery are half submerged in floodwaters.

[Lovely A. Carillo]

4 SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT G NGP commodity road map promotes bamboo production

VOL.5 ISSUE 229 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

As agreed by 140 countries

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as thermometers and energy-saving light bulbs to the mining, cement and coal-fired power sectors, according to a news release issued yesterday by the uN Environment Programme (uNEP), which convened the negotiations.

After complex and often all-night sessions here in Geneva, nations have today laid the foundations for a global response to a pollutant whose notoriety has been recognized for well over a century, said uNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner.

Everyone in the world stands to benefit from the decisions taken this week in Geneva, in particular the workers and families of small-scale gold miners, the peoples of the Arc-

tic and this generation of mothers and babies and the generations to come.

I look forward to swift ratification of the Minamata Convention so that it comes into force as soon as possible, he added.

The treaty, which has been four years in negotiation and which will be open for signature at a special meeting in Japan in October, also addresses the direct mining of mercury, export and import of the metal and safe storage of waste mercury.

Pinpointing populations at risk, boosting medical care and better training of health care professionals in identifying and treating mercury-related effects will also form part of the new agreement. [PNA/APP]

OVERNMENT’S 2013-2016 National Greening Program commodity road map allocated nearly 54,000 hectares of land nationwide for planting bamboo. under the road map, regions with the top area allocations for bamboo are Central Luzon (Region III), Calabarzon (Region IV-A) and Soccsksargen (Region xII) at 10,000 hectares each.

Authorities also set bamboo area allocations for Cordillera Administrative Region (2,600 hectares) as well as regions I (5,000 hectares), II (500 hectares), IV-B (1,000 hectares), V (4,000 hectares), VI (1,000 hectares), VII (2,000 hectares), VIII (4,000 hectares), Ix (1,000 hectares), x (2,000 hectares) and Caraga (745hectares).

“Bamboo is being mainstreamed in NGP,” Philippine Bamboo Foundation Inc. (PBFI) President Edgardo Manda said Monday on the side of the exhibit he and several officials opened at Dept.of Environment and Natural Resources central office to help showcase the specie’s economic potential. he raised urgency for increasing the Philippines’ bamboo resources, noting available data show total global bamboo trade already reached some uSD11 billion yet the country accounts for only a fraction of this.

“We produce only about uSD30 million worth of bamboo products annually,” he said.

Manda noted PBFI partnered with DENR on the exhibit to help demonstrate that bamboo can be tapped for livelihood.

The exhibit highlights winning entries from the

First Philippine Bamboo Carving Competition. Authorities estimate such hand-carved entries to fetch at least uSD15,000 each in the market.

“Bamboo products like those are targeted for the high-end market to help provide good livelihood for Filipino carvers,” Manda said. Aside from bamboo, the NGP commodity road map covers timber, fuelwood, coffee, cacao, rubber, rattan and other fruit trees.

Such species will be planted in NGP production areas nationwide for harvesting to help address poverty and promote food security. NGP also targets addressing concerns on biodiversity conservation, environmental stability as well as climate change adaptation and mitigation.

The program aims greening some 1.5 million hectares of open, degraded and denuded land nationwide. Manda cited bamboo as effective in helping the country address climate change.

“Bamboo can sequester about 400 percent more carbon dioxide (CO2) than ordinary trees,” he said. CO2 is among greenhouse gases which experts said accumulate in the atmosphere, trapping heat there and causing climate change-driving global warming.

Plants sequester or remove CO2 from the atmosphere by absorbing and storing this GhG, they noted.

Manda noted bamboo is also beneficial to human health. “Oxygen produced by bamboo is 35 percent more than what ordinary trees give out,” he said. humans need oxygen to survive, he added. [PNA]

damage to a world heritage site, Philippine authorities were deemed useless and in the dark. News reports said the military has yet to receive a ‘request of assistance’ 24 hours since the incident. Why should we wait for a request when we should be the ones on top of the issue? The Tubbataha Park Board had to file a formal protest with the uS government to gain access to the uSS Guardian,” the progressive solon pointed out, noting Malacañang’s wait-and-see attitude and deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte’s statement “There’s no problem with us if our help is needed.” “hindi ba teritoryo natin yan? Kailangan pa natin magpaalam sa uS o antayin ang directive nila kung papayagan nila tayong tu-

mulong habang tuloy ang pag-gasgas ng uSS guardian sa Tubbataha Reef,” said Casiño. Local officials have also commented that the Philippine government should take charge of the operations to ensure the reef’s safety as opposed to the uS Navy’s concern for its ship.

The Bayan Muna representative expressed dismay at the dismissive response of the Aquino administration to the still worsening ecological destruction brought about by the uS Navy minesweeper.

“The Tubbataha reef atolls are invaluable to the health and productivity of the entire marine ecosystem in the Sulu Sea and will directly affect the lives of the fisherfolk and nearby communities,” he explained.

Casiño chides Palace on Tubbataha damage

UN treaty to limit mercury emissions “W

VER 140 governments meeting at a united Nations forum in Geneva have agreed to a global, legally-binding treaty to address mercury, a notorious heavy metal with significant health and environmental effects.

The Minamata Convention on Mercury named after a city in Japan where serious health damage occurred as a result of mercury pollution in the mid-20th century provides controls and reductions across a range of products, processes and industries where mercury is used, released or emitted, according to a news release issued at uN headquarters in New York on Sunday.

These range from medical equipment such

EDGEDAVAO

hAT is a minesweeper doing there in the first place?” was the question posed by partylist Rep. Teddy Casiño yesterday as reports revealed the uS Navy’s uncooperative actions towards the Tubbataha Reef park rangers.

The senatorial candidate said he did not understand why, based on reports by Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board head Angelique Songco, the uSS Guardian’s ship commander would “deploy personnel into battle position,” forcing park rangers to back off when the latter merely attempted to survey the damage and offer help.

“Amid the incident happening in Philippine waters, causing irreparable

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 229 •TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

THE ECONOMY

5

Davao Light starts to restore power in main lines of flood-affected areas D

AVAO Light & Power Co. starts to restore power in main lines of flood-affected areas within its franchise.

Still without power as of the issuance of this advisory are areas of Jade Valley, Gem Village, Matina Gravahan, Juliville, Marfori, Madapo hills and portion of El Rio, Bacaca & Tigatto. This also includes several Davao del Norte areas.

Davao Light, as of today, deployed several crews to these affected areas in order to expedite the repairs of power lines and connections. The inspection team will check the individual connections thoroughly should there be wet electrical outlets and meters.

The team also prioritizes the repairs of its streetlights to provide illumination in affected areas at night. Full restoration of which is expected to be realized today. however, last night, Davao Light set up mobile power lighting to provide temporary illumination in the flooded

SAFETY AND SECURITY. The Davao Light team put up mobile lighting in flooded areas to provide temporary illumination during the night while power is not yet restored.

areas for security and safety reasons.

The power supply is hoped to be restored as soon as possible once repairs are done and thor-

ough inspection on facilities is completed to ensure safety of customers.

Again, Davao Light is exerting its best efforts in order to expedite the

repairs of the power lines. It appeals to its customers to understand should restoration may take longer as their safety is the company’s

main concern.

As a precaution, customers whose houses or establishments were flooded should first make sure that their

outlets are already dry before plugging connections or switching. They may also call Davao Light at 229-(DLPC)3572 for updates.

6

THE ECONOMY

Stat Watch

1. Gross National Income Growth Rate (At Constant 2000 Prices)

5.8% 1st Qtr 2012

2. Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate (At Constant 2000 Prices)

6.4 % 1st Qtr 2012

3. Exports 1/ 4. Imports 1/ 5. Trade Balance 6. Balance of Payments 2/ 7. Broad Money Liabilities

USD 4,931 million May 2012 USD 4,770 million Apr 2012 USD -135 million Apr 2012 USD -209 million Mar 2012 P 4,580,674 million Apr 2012

8. Interest Rates 4/

4.1 % May 2012 P131,403 million May 2012 P 5,075 billion Apr 2012

9. National Government Revenues 10. National government outstanding debt 11. Peso per US $ 5/

P 42.78 Jun 2012

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

5,091.2 May 2012

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

130.1 Jun 2012

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

2.8 Jun 2012

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.7 Jun 2012

16. Visitor Arrivals

349,779 Apr 2012

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

18.8 % Jan 2012

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

7.2 % Jan 2012

VOL.5 ISSUE 229 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Business Bureau records increased permit renewals

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hE Davao City Business Bureau has recorded an increase of business renewals this 2013 as compared to figures last year.

Atty. Tristan Domingo, chief of the Business Bureau bared that there were 28, 824 applications for business permits this 2013 as compared to 28,344 applications listed last year.

Domingo said that the 2013 figures could still rise as people are still transacting at the Business Bureau for business permit renewals which will end today (Jan. 21).

The Business Bureau chief credited the support of the lo-

cal media for disseminating relevant information from the business bureau which would explain the increase in business permit renewals.

Aside from the Business Bureau office at the Sangguniang Panglungsod Building, business renewals can be transacted at the off-site center located at NCCC Mall in Matina.

Domingo also said that by next year the City Government is continually looking for ways to streamline the process for business permit renewals. he said the Business Bureau is targeting only four steps for 2013.

This year alone the bureau has cut the usual 10-12 step pro-

cess into 4 to 5 steps. he said that they have taken away the requirement for signatures from regulatory agencies such as the City health Office and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office unless if these signatures are needed and asked by the regulatory agencies particularly those businesses with prior recorded violations.

Domingo said that in exchange for streamlining the process, this would mean more intensified inspections and monitoring from these regulatory offices and agencies.

Meanwhile Domingo bared that applications for new busi-

ness permits have gone down from 635 applications in 2012 to only 329 this year.

The Business Bureau chief added that this is no cause for alarm and the decrease doesn’t reflect the business climate of the City as the lower figures came from the implementation of new regulations by the bureau.

Domingo said that before establishments can be considered as having applied for a new business application the business should have pre-complied with necessary requirements from different government agencies. [PIA 11/RG Alama]

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2009 - December 2011) Month Average December November October September August July June May April March February January

2012

2011

2010

42.85 42.70 42.86 42.66 43.62

43.31 43.64 43.27 43.45 43.02 42.42 42.81 43.37 43.13 43.24 43.52 43.70 44.17

45.11 43.95 43.49 43.44 44.31 45.18 46.32 46.30 45.60 44.63 45.74 46.31 46.03

SIDEWALK. A soft broom peddler vends her product on the sidewalk along City Hall drive instead of peddling them to the different subdivisions in Davao City to avoid the rain which wreaked havoc on the different parts of the last Sunday.Lean Daval Jr.

Development players tackle Mindanao agenda in upcoming Davao conference

I

NTERNATIONAL development partners making up the country’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) agencies are set to convene here next week to discuss ways to better complement multilateral initiatives, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) announced.

Over 300 heads and representatives of various ODA offic-

es including some members of the diplomatic community as well as officials from national line agencies are expected to attend this year’s Mindanao Development Forum (MDF) which opens February 1 at the Marco Polo hotel.

The MDF is a high-level multilateral meeting designed to provide the platform for dialogue and public discourse on

Mindanao’s development agenda, according to MinDA which is organizing the event.

The event is expected to take on the following imperatives such as the impact of climate change and the proposed longterm measures; strengthening the foundations of peace and development under the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro; the role of Mindanao as the

country’s agribusiness hub, and the attainment of Millennium Development Goals targets.

“This forum seeks to forge ahead greater convergence and better complementation among development partners in the implementation of various foreign-assisted projects in Mindanao,” MinDA chair Luwalhati Antonino said in a statement.

[MinDA]

as of august 2010

Cebu Pacific Daily Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Silk Air Mon/Sat Cebu Pacific Thu Cebu Pacific Tue/Wed//Sat

5J961 / 5J962 Z2390 / Z2390 5J593 / 5J348 PR809 / PR810 PR819 / PR820 5J394 / 5J393 5J599 / 5J594 5J347 / 5J596 5J963 / 5J964 PR811 / PR812 5J595 / 5J966 MI588 5J965 / 5J968 5J965 / 5J968

5:45 5:45 6:00 6:10 7:50 7:50 8:00 9:10 9:40 11:30 12:00 12:55 12:55 13:35

Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Iloilo Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Zamboanga-Davao-Zamboanga Cebu-Davao-Cebu Iloilo-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Manila Davao-Cebu-Singapore Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila

6:15 6:25 6:30 7:00 8:50 8:10 8:30 9:40 10:10 12:20 12:30 09:05 13:25 14:05

Silk Air Mon/Sat Silk Air Wed/Sun Silk Air Thurs Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri Philippine Airlines August Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippines Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Sat Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Tue/Sat/Sun Cebu Pacific Daily Airphil Express Daily Philippine Airlines Daily except Sunday Philippine Airlines Sunday

MI588 / MI588 MI566 / MI566 MI551 / MI551 5J507 / 5J598 15:55 Z2524 / Z2525 5J967 / 5J600 PR813 / PR814 5J215 / 5J216 5971 / 5J970 5J973 / 5J974 5J969 / 5J972 2P987 / 2P988 PR821 / PR822 PR821 / PR822

18:55 18:55 15:45 15:00 Mani2Mani 16:05 16:35 16:55 18:00 18:40 20:00 20:30 20:30 21:20 22:20

Davao-Singapore Davao-Singapore Davao-Singapore Cebu-Davao-Cebu 16:50 Cebu-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Manila Cagayan de Oro-Davao-Cagayan de Oro Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila

13:35 15:20 12:05 15:30 16:45 17:05 17:45 18:20 19:10 20:30 21:00 21:00 21:50 22:50

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 229 •TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013 COMMUNITY SENSE

In Davao del Norte

7

More assistance for ‘Pablo’ victims T

hE distribution of relief goods for the victims of Typhoon Pablo in the province continues with the arrival of more truckloads of food packs coming from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Davao del Norte Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Arlene Semblante said the agency has already sent over P35-million worth of relief assistance to the province.

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario hailed the aid from the DSWD, which,he said, has given a big boost to the relief assistance that wasearlier provided by the provincial government for the typhoon victims in the amount ofP3.9 million.

The Provincial Capitol and the municipal government of Kapalong simultaneously conducted relief operations last January 18, 2013 to distribute the DSWD food packs to thousands of indigenous peoples in Barangay Gupitan.

Over 2,000 IP familieswere affected by “Pablo” in the barangay, some 92 kilometers away from the Capital City of Tagum.

Semblante bared relief operations in the province will continue in the coming days as additional truckloads of food packs keep on arriving from the agency.

“More food packs are still coming from the national government intend-

ALL EARS TO THE AMBASSADOR. The children of Laak in Compostela Valley were all ears as former Foreign Secretary Amb. Delia Albert give her message during an interview Saturday. Albert, along with officials of the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) and Kingking Copper and Gold Project

(KGCP), conducted medical mission in Laak over the weekend. Amb. Albert’s message to the people in the area was to have family planning after learning that one family has nine children while others have as many as 16. [BOT]

ed for the typhoon-affected families in the province,” she revealed.

A total of 43,360 fami-

lies in the whole of Davao del Norte suffered from the impact of the super storm, which inflicted P3.962-mil-

lion worth of damages in agriculture and infrastructure in the province. [Noel Baguio]

N response to the needs of the flash flood-affected families in Davao City, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has released some 6700 Family Food Packs containing 15 kilos rice, 8 cans sardines, 4 cans beef loaf and 12 sachets 3-in-1 coffee.

DSWD Director Priscilla N. Razon who was heading and monitoring the relief operations Sunday, January 20 said 5000 food packs were provided to Davao City First District and 1700 to Second

District, two of the heavily-flooded areas in the city.

Within today, DSWD is set to release food packs to the affected families in submerged areas in Davao Del Norte, Compostela Valley and Cateel in Davao Oriental, Razon said.

“We commend our workers in the field who have been very efficient and quick to report the flooding incidents in their respective area of assignment, enabling us to immediately respond to the needs and concerns of

the affected communities.

The department will continuously monitor status of affected areas,”Razon said.

DSWD Disaster Monitoring Report shows that affected families have reached 10,318 families with 39,938 members.

These families who experienced flooding due to incessant rains are residents of Davao City; Kapalong and Sto. Tomas in Davao Del Norte; New Bataan, Nabunturan, Maco, Mawab, Monkayo and Montevista in Compostela Valley; and Cateel

in Davao Oriental.

Further, DSWD Disaster Report reveals 36 evacuation centers have so far been activated in these affected areas -13 in Davao City, 12 in Davao Del Norte, and 11 in Compostela Valley.

Meanwhile, Search and Rescue (SAR) operations have been conducted by the local government units in coordination with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD). [DSWD]

ERE’S a golden opportunity for poor patients who wish to avail of free surgeries.

The Surgical Mission Team from Florida, uSA, in cooperation with the City Government of General Santos headed by Mayor Darlene A. Custodio, the Mt. Matutum Lions Club and the City hos-

pital will be having free surgeries for the poor.

According to Ms. Bebe-I S. Gonzales, Surgical Mission Coordinator, the screening in now going on.

Those interested should look for Dr. Benjamin Pagarigan or Dr. Gabriel Fernandez at the General Santos City hos-

pital formerly District hospital.

The screening aims to determine if the patient is qualified for the operation.

Surgeries include hernia, thyroid, gall bladder, parotid, breast, tumors and minor cases.

The schedule of actual operations will be from

January 28 to February 1, 2013. Operations will be performed at the General Santos City hospital.

Gonzales added that this free surgeries is open for children and adults, however, the surgeries does not include operations for the eyes and brain.[CPIO/Ping Aponesto]

DSWD 11 releases 6,700 family food packs

I

Free surgeries for the poor set Jan.28 to Feb.1, 2013 h

Mining sector vows rehab of Pablo-affected areas

T

hE Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association-Pusong Minero vowed to help Pablo victims all the way and rehabilitate the affected areas in the next months or even years.

PMSEA Director Atty.

Leo Dominguez acknowledged the fact that it would take more than a year for typhoon-devastated areas to be fully-rehabilitated. he cited the case of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro affected

by Typhoon Sendong in December 2012.

“I was in Sendong, and I know that one year later, rehabilitation efforts is not yet over.

Now, ComVal and Davao Oriental devastation is greater than Sendong so I suspect one year from now we are still together.

This is only the beginning, more help is going to be needed. And this is not just a Pusong Minero thing, everybody must be involved. Let the world know that Pablo devastation is not over. More help is needed,” Dominguez said.

The PMSEA, along with Land Rover Philippines, mission team from Malaysia, Angel Brigade and the St. Augustine

Gold and Copper Limited, conducted a medical mission in Barangay Kilagding in Laak, Compostela Valley on January 19.

Medicines were distributed to the more than 2,000 residents in the said far-flung village. The team was supposed to visit Barangay San Antonio the following day but it was cancelled as the road leading to Laak was flooded due to two days of continuous rain.

They however vowed to distribute the needed medicines to the area anytime soon.

SAGCL chief operations officer Tom henderson said their company is willing to help the Pablo victims not just in their area of operation which is in Kingking, Pantukan but in other neighboring areas of the province and the region as well. he said their rehabilitation efforts will continue for as long as the area needs it.

“We are committed for long term. Our company has been here for two and a half years, we’re here for the long haul so we would fully expect that we would continue to help out with Pablo relief,” henderson said. [BOT]

8 VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 229 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Brunei as the Asean chair ( 1st of two parts )

COMMENTARY

By Kavi ChongKittavorn

B

POOLED EDITORIAL

Helping heroes

W

hILE we mourn for, and commiserate with the relatives of. at least six Filipinos who perished during the recent Algerian hostage crisis, we are heartened that close to 50 others escaped unhurt in the attack perpetrated by Islamist terrorists. A total of 32 of the Al-Queda-linked hostage-takers were killed when special forces of the Algerian government stormed the gas plant to free 685 Algerian workers and 107 Filipinos.

The bloody hostage-taking is just one of the many serious challenges that overseas Filipino workers face while seeking fortune in strange foreign lands in their effort to help improve the economic lot of their families back home. We now know that as a result of their sacrifices, which include losing dear life, the economy of the country is also tremendously helped.

To reward their heroic role for

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the country’s economic well-being it is hoped that the government strengthens its capability to extend assistance to Filipino workers in distress.

The Algerian crisis, we’re sure, will not be the last serious threat that OFWs will face in their heart-warming saga.

The next time we hear about an incident like the one in Algeria, we hope the Philippine government would be quick to come to the succor of hapless OFWs. This is not to mention the help that it will have to extend to their families back home. This should not be difficult considering the huge amount of funds that government collects for this purpose from the OFWs themselves.

As of latest reckoning, this fund has already reached P7.73 billion, indeed a huge amount that can go a long way to rewarding the heroism of OFWs. ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

ALBERTO DALILAN Managing

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RuNEI Darussalam, with a population of a mere 400,000, will this year play host to a series of summits among the world’s most powerful countries to determine the future of Asean and the Asia-Pacific region.

As the current Asean chair, whatever agenda the oil-rich nation chooses to take up, it will reflect the grouping’s prospects and challenges. One thing is clear: the nation is truly Asean as it joined within the first week of independence in 1984. Throughout its nearly three decades of membership, it has never stirred up any controversy.

Given the unprecedented political development within the grouping last year, and its ongoing comprehensive community building until 2015, Brunei has a huge task to perform.

There are three basic issues Brunei must tackle to ensure the sustainability of Asean centrality and relevance over regional concerns.

First, the chair has to manage the major powers’ relations with Asean whether they come under the so-called plus one or Asean-led forums, as well as the conflict in the South China Sea. Second, the completion of the Asean Community in 2015 will mean zeroing in on its economic pillars. Finally, instilling the spirit of Asean among its youth across the region so they can carry the torch for future generations.

Engaging with the major powers, especially within the framework of the East Asia Summit, has become a big headache for Asean due to the intensification of power projections and competition as never before seen between the uS and China. Throughout four decades of history, Asean served as a fulcrum, for those powers to agree and disagree on regional or even global issues, without hurting its longstanding impartiality and intra-Asean relations.

After all, Asean has never taken sides. Big or small powers, when they come into the Asean-led forum, will receive the same treatment and hearings.

Without its much valued non-threatening and neutral character, Asean will find it difficult to function as effectively as before.

Top of the political and security agenda is the ongoing conflict in the South China Sea. Brunei’s first priority is to lower the current tempo of war-beating rhetoric, fired by nationalistic sentiment, so that it will not get out of hand.

Brunei can ideally perform this role, particularly in restoring mutual trust among all claimants, as it has always been discreet in its diplomatic approach both bilaterally and multilaterally without raising any decibels.

Furthermore, Asean records also show that Brunei is very Asean-related to positions and policies on maritime disputes, since the grouping has negotiated for peaceful solutions with all concerned parties. It has never broken ranks with Asean.

For the next twelve months, Brunei needs to exercise its limited power through reservoirs of creditability and goodwill, to push forward the Asean-China dialogue and drafting process of a code of conduct (COC) in the South China Sea. Progress, or the lack of it, will serve as a barometre of future relations and indirectly shape the parameters in which outside players can get involved.

Since July 2010, the uS has helped to highlight the strategic values of freedom and safety of navigation in the disputed sea. Other stakeholders such as Japan, India and Australia have stressed the importance of international rules of law.

For Brunei, this could be a tricky situation. Over twenty years, China and Asean have perfected the art of procrastination, citing myriad obstacles - imagined or real - to block further moves. Crunch time is here, as Asean is feeling the heat.

EDGEDAVAO

M

Government knows the gripes

ORE ThAN A TOuCh OF hYPERBOLE AND ThE ART OF DECEPTION – Now it can be told. There is widespread dissatisfaction with what has happened last week along the national highway in the town of Montevista, Compostela Province. An indignation rally attended by about 2,000 victims of super typhoon “Pablo” through the provocation of some leaders of the militant and progressive groups successfully blockaded the main highway notably the roads going to the towns of Compostela and New Bataan. Sad to lament, the deplorable scene affects the free flow of vehicular traffic, perishable goods and other basic items and rendered thousands of motorists and commuters hapless and helpless due to the militant-inspired public disturbance.

In the midst of socio-economic imbalances brought about by the latest devastating fury of nature, the top leadership and different LGus and general public in particular, raised this dominant question: “What are these people trying to prove?”

Government officials, Governor Arthur “Chongkee” uy above all, as much as anyone, knows about the left-leaning organizations’ history of exploiting the marginal sector in society in the furtherance of their hidden agendas and vested interests. Together with the military and police, Governor uy confirmed that the rally was indeed a “well-planned and well-fueled” stealth activity initiated by the so-called legal fronts of the underground movement using the typhoon victims as unwitting tools to air their own grievances. understandably enough, more than human lives were squandered by “Pablo”. Some P30 billion in damages to crops, properties, private and government infrastructures in badly affected areas were tallied after the horrible occurrence. The government knows the gripes and launched an all-out relief and rescue operations im-

I

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 229 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

mediately right after the storm.

The Aquino leadership, LGus, concerned government agencies and military and police establishments exerted all efforts that the operations would be efficient and orderly as possible. It became clearer, though, that some groups with alleged ill motives “penetrated” the position of the protesters with the sole purpose of sowing confusion to make it appear that government has been remiss in its function at the height of the people’s despondency.

The leaders of militant and other pseudo organizations perfected the art of deception. One glaring example is the protest rally instigated by red flag-waving activists in the town of Montevista. In that occasion, they were allegedly convincing the protesters to join them as boxer-politician Manny Pacquiao and popular Davao City Vice-Mayor Rodrigo Duterte were coming over to personally distribute relief assistance. All this may explain some enthusiasm at the rally site where hard-nosed militant leaders took turns in divulging “ambitious and make-believe” advantages for the typhoon victims who were used as unwitting tools in a dubious scheme. As their wont, they acted and talked for hours like loose cannons with runaway mouths without tiring.

Furthermore, these devious figures speak the jargon of the little people so fluently, straying from one issue to the next, most if not all are not related to the legitimate demands of the typhoon victims such as mining, logging, land reform,

human rights and the haughty demand to recall military presence especially in areas badly hit by the disaster. holy cow! Again, what are these snooty people really trying to prove? Better still, if they have nothing else to do except to find fault – shut up their big loud mouths. Actually, their highly improbable stand hadn’t change in terms of their devotion to their cause.

With more than a touch of hyperbole, they promise the poor with a good life – details coming like blasts from a verbal machine gun.

Over the years the public is very upset.

They feel they should see and hear something from the militant groups beside worn-out statement, hackneyed phrases and empty rhetoric. They want to know what the legal fronts are up to. Echoing widespread disenchantment, the vast majority says these vested-interest groups have done nothing except act like politicians, argue to socio-economic and political issues a lot and strut around explaining to the poor sector that government is anti-poor and anti-masses. There are growing doubts, though, even among their ranks that their advocacy is really for the welfare and benefit of the marginal sector.

But things are entirely different right now. Despite their flair for self-aggrandizement, one would readily notice that slowly but gradually they’re losing themselves in flights of rhetoric or pure boosterism. Devoting their lives in shaking up the systems and structures of government resulted to their “wear and tear.” Some noted analysts and political experts fret some vested-interest groups with hidden agendas are using them as propaganda tools – it’s all for publicity. however, people are more upbeat now. They want progress and development, not flights of rhetoric and lofty promises offered by groups who pride themselves as pro-people and pro-masses.

SPECIAl FEATURE

ting on the fence right now,” said an undecided young man.

Nevertheless, experts predict that Netanyahu will succeed himself -- if only by default.

“Not because he’s better, but because he’s the least worst,” Regev noted.

A far second in the electoral race, Labor party chairwoman Shelli Yechimovitch focuses on socio-economic issues.

“So long as Netanyahu remains at the helm,” she stated a recent Labor party rally, “the gap between rich and poor will remain.”

“We shall remove Netanyahu,” she pledged. “And if we don’t, we shall lead the opposition.”

Whether peace -- not society -- should be the election’s front- running issue divides the Center and the Left. And thus, with no prospect of change in power, an encompassing moroseness has settled on the campaign.

“Netanyahu is a very bad prime minister but it’s not the main issue. The most important thing is the peace process with the Palestinians,” a Labor supporter claimed.

Not peace and security as in the past, but security and stability are Netanyahu’s motto. Israelis are still reeling after their country’s recent military onslaught on the Palestinian Islamist movement hamas in Gaza.

“We see the Palestinians; Syria, who knows what’s gonna happen; our relations with Egypt are changing; Iran; who knows what’s gonna happen in Jordan right next door; and not only that, internal issues as well. We saw the social uprising here. There’s so much at stake,” Regev explained. [PNA 11/xinhua]

Israel’s election race--- largely a one-man show

SRAELIS go to the polls on Tuesday, but the dice are already cast, so it appears.

In all probability, according to polls, the incumbent Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will succeed himself.

“You’re the greatest!” an Israeli pop singer sang Netanyahu’s praise at the campaign kick-off of the Likud-Beitenu union.

The Likud leader, who has served as the Israeli premier twice, indeed looks irresistible on his way to winning a third term.

Well before casting their votes on Tuesday, many Israeli voters know what was and what will be. According to latest opinion polls, the union of Likud and the far-right Yisrael Beitenu party would be the biggest winner of the vote, gaining 32 seats in the 120- member one-chamber parliament, the Kenesset.

“The notion is that everything’s settled; that Likud with Benjamin Netanyahu is gonna win, no matter what. Nothing’s gonna change. We’re gonna wake up with the same government,” said Yonatan Regev, political analyst of Israel’s state TV Channel 10.

Ever since Netanyahu’s election four years ago, polls invariably predict him at the helm for four more years. No wonder that at Channel 10’s newsroom, the election campaign’s just business as usual.

“The campaign’s dormant -- no pros and cons, no passion, no drama, no anticipation of change, neither in economics nor in politics,” said hezi Simantov, a reporter of Channel 10.

Yet, because Netanyahu seems unbeatable, the number of parliamentary seats his electoral list would garner is on steady decline, as if victory validated the law of diminishing returns.

Too much support might paradoxically

By Pierre KloChendler lead to too much disaffection.

General elections in Israel are conducted in accordance to a proportional parliamentary system of coalitions. People vote for political parties’ lists of candidates. The party scoring the highest number of seats in the 120-seat Knesset is usually chosen to form a governing coalition.

The diminishing support is largely to blame on his decision to unify under the same ticket his right-wing Likud list to the more right-wing Yisrael Beitenu (Israel is Our homeland) party, pundits concur.

In politics, “united we stand” doesn’t necessarily show at the polling station.

“They went to this move thinking, ‘We’ll combine our forces and we’ll have 45 mandates.’ But they’re gonna be much smaller, and if they’re smaller they’re weaker,” Regev said.

Some of Netanyahu’s alienated supporters appear to prefer lists reflecting more accurately their personal expectations.

Many intend to follow the call of the party which Netanyahu tries to emulate -- the even more right-wing Jewish home party which caters settlers’ interests.

“I trust Netanyahu but I want to strengthen his right flank,” said an unnamed supporter of the Jewish home party.

Some are so disaffected that they don’t know yet for whom to vote. “I’m sit-

9

Fighting inflation.

But where is it? ( 1st of two parts ) OPINION

By ZaChary KaraBell

E

ARLIER this week the Bureau of Labor Statistics released its monthly inflation report. The numbers came in at 1.7 percent a year for all items.

Excluding the ever-volatile food and energy, it was 1.9 percent.

That’s about as low as inflation has been in the last 50 years. Only 1986 (1.1 percent), 1998 and 2001 (1.6 percent), 2008 (0.1 percent) and 2010 (1.5 percent) have come in lower, and a few years in the mid-2000s registered the same.

The disappearance of inflation over the past 20 years, however, has barely dented the pervasive belief that inflation remains one of the greatest threats to economic stability. These convictions persist in spite of all evidence to the contrary: Inflation is nowhere visible. For many, that is just proof that we are living in a lull — a phony war soon to be disrupted when that age-old enemy reappears and wreaks havoc.

At the Federal Reserve – legally mandated guardian of price stability and responsible for monitoring and containing inflation – the president of the Richmond Fed, Jeffrey Lacker, has beenwarning that the current policy of very low interest rates and expansion of the balance sheet is almost certain to spark inflation in the near future.

In Europe, those views are even more deeply held. The German Bundesbank – still seared by memories of hyperinflation in the 1920s and the collapse of political order that gave rise to the Nazis – remains ever vigilant. Its president, Jens Weidman, is strongly opposed to many of the recent sovereign bailouts to preserve the euro on the grounds that good money chasing bad will spark inflation.

These officials tend to be firm yet measured in their concern something that cannot be said of populist politicians and analysis. The Tea Party is fueled not just by debt animus but by a deep-seated belief that “real” inflation is much higher than what the government reports, and it insists that the spending habits of the government will end in the collapse of the dollar, hyperinflation and the government’s de facto stealing from hard-working Americans’ money.

That is the fear of gold bugs, and added to the mix are the views of former Representative Ron Paul and his son, Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.), that the Fed is putting the united States in inflation peril. Many professional investors and economists are similarly convinced that the current policies of zero interest rates and deficit spending are setting the stage for massive inflation. how to explain the inverse relationship between inflation concerns and inflation realities? Yes, low inflation in recent years has been juxtaposed with modest economic growth and wage stagnation for most Americans as well as for most Europeans and Japanese. Given that perceptions of economic well-being are ultimately tied to disposable income, these forces have largely canceled each other out.

In addition, people tend to be acutely aware of the volatility of energy and food prices, which have spiked – and then receded – many times in past years.

Yet even with food and fuel, inflation perceptions can be deceptive. Many people are aware that the price of a loaf of bread has risen from less than 40 cents in the 1970s to an average of more than $2 today. Food prices have also risen periodically over the past few years in the face of global demand and droughts. That cements a perception of inflation.

10 NATION/WORlD NATION BRIEFS Failed

S

enator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV swore he had the support to oust Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. But he failed, as Enrile managed to keep his post after senators voted to keep him as the top Senate official Monday.

In an 11-3-2 vote, Senators rejected Enrile’s motion to declare his position as vacant that implied his intent to resign.

Dismissed

A

ctor Aga Muhlach may push through with his congressional bid for now, as the poll body dismissed a disqualification case filed against him. The disqualification case stems from moves to remove him from the 2013 voters’ list.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) first division has resolved to dismiss the petition to cancel Muhlach’s certificate of candidacy for lack of merit, a resolution signed Jan. 15 showed.

Time bomb

F

eisty Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, who is locked in a bitter verbal fight with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson over Senate funds, “is a walking time bomb.”

This assessment of Santiago’s health status was made by a doctor not named in a press bulletin released by the lady senator’s office.

The unnamed doctor stated that Santiago was diagnosed last Friday at the Philippine heart Center (PhC) with chronic bone marrow disorder resulting in low blood cell count, known in layman’s term as “slow bone marrow.”

C

Unlimited

andidates in the 2013 polls may still bombard the Internet with ads despite a new rule limiting online campaigns, as long as they do it for free. This, as Commission on Elections Chairman Sixto Brillantes noted that limits on ads across all media are put in place to control campaign spending.

For online ads, all costs except for the website which acts as the candidates’ main website will be considered part of campaign finance, the poll chief said.

T

VOL.5 ISSUE 229 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

US Fleet commander regrets damage to Tubbataha Reef

V

ICE Admiral Scott h.

Swift, commander of the uS 7th Fleet, said he regretted the grounding of the uSS Guardian, one of the fleet’s minesweepers, on Tubbataha Reef, a uNESCO World heritage Site.

“As a protector of the sea and a sailor myself, I greatly regret any damage this incident has caused to the Tubbataha Reef,” said Swift in a news release posted on the uS 7th Fleet website.

“We know the significance of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and its importance as a World heritage Site. Its protection is vital, and we take seriously our obligations to protect and preserve the maritime environment,” he added. The uSS Guardian, which just completed a port call in Subic Bay, ran aground on the reef in Sulu Sea on Thursday on its way to Indonesia due to strong currents.

Rear Adm. Thomas Carney, commander of the Logistics Group Western Pacific, has been tasked as the on-scene commander effective Jan. 21 to oversee recovery efforts for the Guardian.

“Carney will embark the destroyer uSS Mustin (DDG 89), which, along with several other u.S. Navy vessels, is focused on preventing any further environmental damage to

The USS Guardian, a U.S. Navy minesweeper, is seen at the Vicinity of South Islet in Tubbataha Reefs after it ran aground in Palawan province, west of Manila January 19, 2013 in this handout picture distributed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines on January 20. The USS Guardian ran aground in the Sulu

Sea off the Philippines on Thursday, and was stuck on a reef, the Navy said. The ship, with a crew of 80, had just completed a port call at Subic Bay in the Philippines, when the grounding occurred. [REUTERS/Armed Forces of the Philippines/Handout]

the reef and surrounding marine environment,” the statement said.

The 68-meter-long uSS Guardian, which ran aground on the Tubbataha Reef on January 17, was spun around 90 degrees by the current, possibly causing more damage to the protected sanctuary.

The news release also said that once the uS ship is safely recovered by their navy, the uS government “will continue to work with the Republic of Philippines government to assess the

extent of the damage to the reef and the surrounding marine environment caused by the grounding.”

Meanwhile, according t o an article in the uS military community periodical Stars and Stripes, the Guardian was on its way to Indonesia after leaving Subic Bay. From Indonesia the ship was supposed to go on to East Timor to join a training exercise.

Also, the Guardian official website said the mine-countermeasures ship is presently com-

manded by Lt. Cmdr. Mark Rice. he was a former instructor at the Navy’s Surface Warfare Officer School and the former executive officer of the Guardian.

Stars and Stripes said that commanders are often relieved of duty when incidents such as the grounding occur. It cited such examples of ships’ captains being relieved as when, last June, Capt. Chuck Litchfield was fired when his amphibious assault ship uSS Essex crashed into a refueling ship.

at a 1330 GMT press conference on Monday.

“I fear that it (the death toll) may be revised upward,” Algerian Communications Minister Mohamed Said told a radio station earlier.

Governments scrambled to track down missing citizens as more details emerged after the final

showdown on Saturday between special forces and extremists who had taken hundreds hostage, demanding an end to French military intervention in Mali.

The interior ministry reported Saturday that 23 foreign and Algerian hostages were killed during the siege of the In Amenas gas plant

in the deep Sahara desert, which ended with Algerian forces storming the remaining part of the complex still in militant hands.

Algeria’s private Ennahar television reported that 25 bodies were discovered at the plant on Sunday, while French daily El-Watan gave a toll of 30 hostages found dead at the site the same day.

Survivors’ photos seen

by AFP showed bodies riddled with bullets, some with their heads half blown away by the impact of the gunfire.

“They were brutally executed,” said an Algerian who identified himself as Brahim, after escaping the ordeal, referring to Japanese victims gunned down by the hostage-takers.

Witnesses have said nine Japanese people connected to plant builder JGC were killed in the 72-hour ordeal. One Japanese man who survived gave a chilling account published Monday in the Daily Yomiuri newspaper. [AFP]

Algeria warns toll to worsen from hostage bloodbath A

LGERIA warned other nations to prepare for a higher body count after a fourday siege of a gas plant by Islamist militants ended in a bloodbath, amid fears as many as 50 hostages may have died.

Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal was expected to unveil the final grim tally

WORLD TODAY

R

Emotive

ahul Gandhi embraced his role as a leading contender for India’s next prime minister in a speech on Sunday that spoke of his family’s tragic history but yielded few clues about his views on politics and the economy.

Gandhi is heir to a dynasty that began with India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and is now headed by his mother, Sonia Gandhi, president of the ruling Congress party. his background and relative youth make him the party’s main hope for elections due next year in the world’s largest democracy.

Power outage

Romantic

he Philippines received yet another tourism award this month, emerging as the “Most Romantic Destination” in a Chinese publication’s consumer survey. In an article posted on its website Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the award came from the Shanghai Morning Post.

“More and more Chinese are traveling to the Philippines especially during this winter season in China and for the upcoming weeklong Chinese New Year holiday in February,” it noted.

EDGEDAVAO

Algerian security forces patrol an area in In Amenas deep in the Sahara on January 19, 2013. Algeria warned other nations to prepare for a higher body count after a four-day siege of a gas plant by Islamist militants ended in a bloodbath, amid fears as many as 50 hostages may have died. [AFP]

R

esidents of central Damascus said they spent Sunday night without power as rebels fought Syrian troops half a mile from the Old City in the heart of the capital.

Long a stronghold of President Bashar al-Assad, central Damascus is increasingly feeling the impact of a slow advance by rebel fighters who control a crescent of suburbs to the east and south of the city. The price of basic commodities has soared and fuel shortages are affecting services.

Second term

u

S President Barack Obama took the oath of office to begin his second term at a simple ceremony stripped of the hope and historic promise that greeted his inauguration four years ago.

“I, Barack hussein Obama, do solemnly swear...” Obama said, promising to “faithfully execute the office of President of the united States” and to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the united States.”

T

Probe

hailand’s army chief called on Monday for a probe into senior army officials suspected of helping to traffic Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar through Thailand and on to a third country.

“This problem has been going on for some time. Anyone found to be involved -- especially soldiers -- will be prosecuted, expelled and charged with a criminal offence,” army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said.

F

Flush out

rench and Malian troops entered the central frontline town of Diabaly on Monday as they pushed north in their bid to flush out fanatical Al Qaeda-linked rebels who have threatened reprisal attacks.

A convoy of about 30 armoured vehicles transporting some 300 Malian and French troops moved into the town early Monday morning without meeting any resistance, an AFP journalist said.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 229 •TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

15...

FFROM 1 Wa-an, Barangay 5-A, Barangay 9, Barangay 1-A, Barangay 76-A, Barangay 74-A, Calinan, Mandug, Barangay 19-B, Barangay 8-A, Barangay 10, Barangay 2-A, Ma-a and Lasang.

Tigatto has a total of 2,144 families, with Jade Valley the worst hit and its 499 families evacuated to the Juliville gym and the chapel of Deca homes.

The breakdown by barangays is as follows: Mandug, 23 families; Wa-an 1,023 families; 19-B, 938 families; 5-A 1,250 families; 8-A 534

In Davao..

families; 9 and 10, 402 families; A-1 306 families; 2-A 195 families; 74-A 819 families; Ma-a 2,176 families; 78-A 120 families; Lasang 266 families, and Calinan 84 families Calinan.

Jaldon added said three houses were totally destroyed in Tamugan while a 10-wheeler truck was swept away in Callawa. Landslides occurred in Sumimao but with no major damage reported.

According to City Veterinarians Office head, Dr. Che Pinili, also lost were 1,566 heads of poultry, 26 heads of

goats, and 45 heads of swine. A total of 255 farmers in Ma-a, Tigatto and Wa-an suffered damage to their crops.

City Agriculture head Val Turtur said the flood ruined 207 hectares of farmland in Tigatto and 35 hectares in Wa-an.

Meanwhile, Ma. Luiza Bermud, CSSDO head, said they will be giving out ten thousand pesos for every totally damaged house and five thousand pesos for every partially damaged house and three thousand pesos for each affected family.

missing victims are still subject to verification.

“We have this feedback from the communities, but we are still verifying the veracity of the reports,” Jaldon said, adding that the flood swept away four houses in Barangay Tamugan and one 10-wheeler truck in Barangay Callawa along Davao River.

The affected barangays along Davao River are Tigatto, Mandug, Waan, Barangays 5-A, 8-A, 9, 10, 1-A, 2-A, 74-A, 76-A in the downtown area, Ma-a, Calinan, Tamugan, Callawa and Sumimao and Sitios Tambongon and Bucana along Lasang River in Barangay Lasang. he thanked the prompt support given by the barangay governments, local rescue groups, national agencies of the police and military, local emergency units, the city government of Island Garden City of Samal and Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur and other private organizations which sent lifeboats, jet skis, trucks and rescuers to save endangered residents.

Jaldon proposed the purchase of more solid-hulled lifeboats, megaphones and other rescue equipment which can be used in a large-scale emergency situation like what happened Sunday.

Marilou Bermudo, chief of the City Social Welfare and Development Office, recommended giving financial assistance to survivors---P3,000 for affected families, P5,000 for partially-damaged houses and P10,000 for totally destroyed houses.

She said as of 12:00 p.m. Sunday, evacuees at the evacuation centers had already received porridge and relief goods.

Acting City Administrator Zuleika Lopez said recommendations from the Central 911 and the CSWDO would be sub-

mitted Monday afternoon during an emergency session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod for deliberation.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio suspended classes from kindergarten, elementary to high school levels Monday due to the severe flooding that partially submerged 17 city barangays following a 20-hour light to moderate to heavy downpour since 4 p.m. Saturday triggered by the tail end of a cold front.

Jaldon said since 9 p.m. Saturday, Tamugan River, one major tributary of the Davao River started to overflow which prompted them to warn the downstream communities to ptrpare for the worst as the water level was expected to rise in just a few hours. he said Lasang River also swelled as early as Saturday, causing 90 families along its river banks to evacuate to the Navarro National high School.

“No one was reported drowned since the water level rose and the subsequent rescue operation in various areas,” Jaldon said. he said more than 20 distress calls asking for rescue were received by their office since the rise of the water level occurred.

Jaldon also observed that since the affected areas are used to flood, the coping threshold of the residents is so high that they only evacuate when the water reaches the critical level. he said initial warning had been issued as of 9:00 p.m. Saturday due to the flooding upstream but many did not heed the advice. “Most of them did not want to leave their homes despite the warning,” Jaldon rued. [Frinston L. Lim/Joey G. Dalumpines/ PNA]

FFROM 1

abandoned bunkhouse at a mining village in Nabunturan town on Sunday, according to the provincial disaster risk reduction management council (PDRRMC) there.

Romulo Tagalo, Davao del Norte assistant administrator, said that as of 5 p.m. yesterday, the total number of evacuees had reached 10,434 families or 58,126 individuals, most of them from the towns of Asuncion, Carmen, Kapalong, Sto. Tomas and Braulio E. Dujali. he said at least two villages in the city of Tagum were also under water as of Monday noon.

Sanchez said rescue teams had been dispatched to assist in the evacuation of residents as well as to search for the missing two.

Over 200 families have also fled their homes due to flooding in the towns of Monkayo, Montevista, Nabunturan, Mawab, Compostela and New Bataan, in Compostela Valley, according to Senior Superintendent Camilo Cascolan, provincial police chief.

Meanwhile, Davao City authorities continue to monitor the extent of the flood caused by the overflowing of the Davao, Lasang, Lipadas and Talomo rivers which affected a total of 10,280 families with 35,136 dependents in 17 barangays Sunday.

Emmanuel Jaldon, chief of the Emergency Response Center Central 911, told a meeting of the members of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) at the city hall building that all displaced families are housed in covered courts, elementary schools, health centers and chapels turned into temporary evacuation centers. he clarified that reports about dead and

11

Comelec: No poll hotspots in SoCot, General Sanrtos T hE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has cleared General Santos City and South Cotabato province of any potential election watchlist area or “hotspot” for the midterm national and local elections on May 13.

Lawyer Jay Gerada, South Cotabato election supervisor, said Monday their assessment showed that the area’s peace and order situation has remained relatively stable and that “they don’t foresee any major election-related security problems coming up in the polls.”

Comelec-South Cotabato’s operational and administrative coverage comprises Gen, Santos City and the province’s 10 towns and Koronadal City, the provincial capital.

Collateral...

Citing a security assessment released by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, he said the area was so far considered as among the most peaceful in the entire Mindanao.

“We have not identified any hotspot in the area, although we’re looking at some possible areas of concern,” Gerada said in a press conference.

The official clarified that election “areas of concern” are localities wherein poll-related rivalries have started to heat up but are still considered manageable in terms of their overall peace and order situation. he said those under the election watchlist or hotspot category comprise areas that were

already considered for placement or declaration under Comelec control due to the possible escalation of election-related violence.

The identified areas of concern are the entire municipalities of Tampakan and T’boli and Barangay Ned in Lake Sebu, he said.

Tampakan town was previously considered as a hotspot area due to the recorded election-related murders in the locality during the 2001 and 2004 elections.

But the area’s security classification has been downgraded by the PNP and Comelec due to its “clean record” in terms of election-related violence since the 2007 polls. [Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews]

tima ay nag kakaroon ng chance na makapag isip na-ipa adopt nalang mga anak nila dahil sa kawalan ng tirahan at makain,” Elanto explained.

She added that there are 45 families from Cateel and Baganga who are internally displaced persons (idp’s) seeking help from their office and hoping they can go back to home with their family access cards to be able to avail of relief goods.

The 45 idp’s are now in Davao City staying with

relatives.

Joenilyn Casangyao, one of the idps and a resident of Purok Pasil in Cateel, said that since the typhoon struck their area she has not been given a family access card.

“Sukad nahitabo ang bagyo tulo lang ka kilo na bugas ra gyud ang akong nadawat,” Casangyao said.

Meanwhile, Elanto has submitted the request of idps for help to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

odoro Palma Gil Bridge) in San Mariano, Caraga also collapsed at the height of Typhoon Pablo on December 4, 2012.

Flores said that even the the detour bridge for the downed Manurigao bridge is also impassable after as it is underwater.

“The construction of the detour bridge is ongoing while the embankment

for craneway has been completed although pile driving was temporarily stopped after the crane, welding machine and delmag hammer was submerged in water,” he said.

Some major national highways rendered impassable on Sunday by floodwaters became passable yesterday after the water receded.

One and Five of the El Rio Subdivision at Barangay 19-B; Puroks Sanguilangan, Padaman and Gem Village in Barangay Maa; Gravahan at Barangay 74-A; Barangays 1-A, 2-A, and 5A; San Rafael at Barangay 9A; Barangays 17 A and B; Teachers’ Village in Barangay Calinan; and

Barangays Waan and Tamugan.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA), the heavy downpour was caused by the tail-end by the cold front affecting Mindanao.

ASA

FFROM 2

pens to be a resident of Boston. She didn’t divulge the name of the suspect pending further investigation.

She added that some of the concerns of their office are the matter of forced labor involving Typhoon Pablo victims and the issue of child adoption.

“Yung mga biktim na under age pa ay talagang napipilitang magtrabaho, particularly ditto sa Davao area para may maibigay sa pamilya nila at yung iba naming bik-

Davao..

FFROM 2

when the logs hit pier 3.

“We are have issued a traffic advisory, warnings and informative signs in the area that the bridge was closed to traffic,” Flores said, This was the second major national bridge connecting the isolated towns of Baganga, Cateel and Boston after the Manurigao Bridge (Gov. Te-

Safety..

FFROM 2

however, he said restoration of power was done after floodwater subsided.

Flooded areas included Sitios Tambungon and Bucana in Barangay Lasang; Jade Valley, Juliville and Deca homes in Barangay Tigatto; Puroks 7, 8, 8A and 8B Phases

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EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 229 •TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

SPORTS 13

Howard ejected in Laker loss T

Laker star center Dwight Howard was ejected in the loss to the Raptors.

ORONTO – Toronto guard Jose Calderon scored 22 points and handed out nine assists Sunday as the Raptors handed the Los Angeles Lakers their fifth straight NBA road defeat, 108-103.

The Lakers were without center Dwight howard for the second half, after he was ejected with 1:18 left in the first half for his second technical foul of the contest. howard and Raptors forward Alan Anderson were whistled for a double-technical after they tangled while jostling for position under the basket. howard picked up his first technical in the first quarter for arguing for a foul call.

In the second incident, Anderson appeared to initiate contact and jaw with howard, but after the officials conferred the double-technical call stood.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” said howard, who had never been ejected from a game until December 26, when he was tossed for a flagrant foul on Denver forward Kenneth Faried.

“I didn’t do anything to get ejected,” howard said. “(Anderson) pulled me.

They called a double tech.”

Landry Fields added

a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds for Toronto, who had 18 points from Ed Davis and 14 from Anderson.

“We played well enough this week to win a couple of games, but we didn’t,” said Raptors coach Dwane Casey, whose team snapped a four-game slide.

“Today, our guys stayed together, followed the game plan and played together as a team.”

Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 26 points but connected on just 10-of32 from the field and had six turnovers.

Bryant put his shooting woes down to “dead legs” and prescribed ice baths for himself.

“I’ve just got to rest my legs, man. My shot’s just short,” he said. “That’s on me. I’ll take this loss on me, gladly. There’s a lot of easy shots, a lot of them, that I should put down.

And I will.”

Bryant didn’t have much time to rest, with the Lakers continuing a three-game road trip on Monday in Chicago.

Pau Gasol added 25 points for a Lakers team that lost their second straight and are languishing in 11th place in the Western Conference and third in their division.

ENVER (AP) -- Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook teamed up on another scoring spree for Oklahoma City. In a tightly contested game, though, Kenneth Faried’s driving layup made the difference for Denver.

Faried scored the goahead layup in overtime, and the Nuggets overcame 30-plus point performances from Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook to beat the Thunder 121-118 Sunday night, snapping Oklahoma City’s six-game winning streak.

Corey Brewer scored 26 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, to lead the Nuggets, who reversed a 20-point loss to the Thunder last Wednesday.

Danilo Gallinari added 18 points and Faried finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Brewer also set up Faried with a pass on his decisive drive to the basket. ‘’he gave me the ball and said, ‘Go to work,’’’ Faried said. ‘’They weren’t going to come double me, and I said ‘I’m going to

score on this.’ There were no ifs, ands or buts about it. I was going to score.’’

Faried’s driving layup gave the Nuggets a onepoint lead they would not relinquish with 46.5 seconds remaining in overtime. ‘’he made a big-time play,’’ said Nuggets guard Ty Lawson, who finished with 11 points and nine assists. ‘’he took two dribbles, and the little jumphook he’d been working on, he hit.’’

The Thunder, who beat Dallas in overtime Friday night behind a career-high 52 points from Durant, lost for the first time in five overtime games this season. They got 37 points from Durant and 36 from Westbrook. ‘’They’re great players,’’ Faried said. ‘’That’s what they’re going to do.

We’ve just got to neutralize the players around them, because once they really get involved, then here come the blowouts and the tough losses.’’

Westbrook said the Nuggets deserved credit for their play.

Nuggets snap OKC win run D

14 SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 229 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

JR NBA

EDGEDAVAO

Who will be the next Davao player to the All Star team?

By Neil Bravo

h

ENRY Renzar Asilum, Kline Aranjuez and Miguel Competente. Who will be the next Davao junior player to make it to the elite Jr. NBA All Star Team?

The next junior star cager could just be a few baskets away when the Jr. NBA returns to the country, and what more significantly, in Davao City.

The three Davao junior players distinguished themselves as members of the Jr. NBA All Star Team in 2010 and 2011, respectively. They were rewarded with an all-expenses-free trip abroad to watch a live NBA game and to play goodwill games with counterpart Jr. NBA teams for their outstanding performances in the National Training Camp.

The Jr. NBA presented

by Alaska tipped off in the Philippines for the sixth consecutive year, with stops in Metro Manila, Dagupan City (hosted by Community Service Idol), Lucena City (hosted by the Provincial Government of Quezon) and Davao City (hosted by Davao-based Phoenix Petroleum). Alaska Powdered Milk Drink will serve as Presenting Partner of the Jr. NBA program for the third consecutive year.

The Jr. NBA is the league’s international youth development program that promotes basketball participation, sportsmanship and teamwork, and an active lifestyle among children. The 2013 Philippine schedule includes school clinics as well as coaching seminars in the lead up to Regional Selection Camps in each of the four cities.

The program, open to kids between 10 and 14 years old, will conclude in Metro Manila with the Jr. NBA National Training Camp.

“Alaska has played a central role in the growth of the Jr. NBA program as they share the NBA’s com-

mitment to the development of both the sport of basketball and the youth of the Philippines,” said Carlo Singson, NBA Country Manager, Philippines.

“Thanks to the support of all our partners, the Jr. NBA program continues to expand and touch the lives of aspiring young players, coaches, educators, and parents.”

“Alaska is committed to developing talent early on and we are pleased to return once again as the presenting partner of this youth-inspiring event,” said Wilfred Steven uytengsu, Jr., President and CEO, Alaska Milk Corporation. “The Jr. NBA is a great fit with Alaska’s mission to nurture talent and promote a healthy lifestyle through sports from an early stage, and we look forward to yet another successful program this year.”

This year’s program began with a coaching clinic in Manila on Jan. 19, followed by school and coaching clinics in Davao City, Lucena City and Dagupan City. Regional Selection Camps will be held in March and April, after which the top 50 participants from all over the country will participate in the Jr. NBA National Training Camp in Manila from April 26 – 28. As part of Alaska Milk’s support of the Jr. NBA, 10 of the 50 National Training Camp participants will be selected from this year’s Alaska Basketball Power Camp.

The Jr. NBA National Training Camp will culminate with the selection of the Jr. NBA All-Star Team, providing the 10 best campers a unique NBA experience and the opportunity to play against a Jr. NBA team from another country.

NBA Asia’s Director of Basketball Operations, Sefu Bernard, will serve as the Jr. NBA coach and oversee the program along with local coaches selected by the NBA,

and coaches of the Alaska Power Camp, led by PBA Legend Jojo Lastimosa.

The top 10 finalists for the 2013 Jr. NBA Coach of the Year presented by Alaska will also join to assist in teaching the NBA skill stations as well as communicating the importance of the Jr. NBA core values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude, and Respect (S.T.A.R.). The Coach of the Year award winner will be announced at the National Training Camp, which will also be attended by an NBA legend and feature NBA Cares community outreach.

In addition to Presenting Partner Alaska Powered Milk Drink, Official Partners include the NBA’s official sports drink, Gatorade, unilever’s flagship brands Rexona and Master as well as new partner Phoenix Petroleum.

Returning as Jr. NBA Supporting Partners are KFC and Spalding. Official NBA broadcasters are Basketball TV, NBA Premium TV and Studio 23. Jr. NBA is also supported by the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines (BCAP).

The Jr. NBA program was first conducted in the Philippines in 2007 and has more than doubled in participation in the past five years. Each year a new city benefits from the grassroots basketball program that involves not just young players but also their parents and coaches.

The program remains free in all its stages for local coaches and young Filipino kids who want to join the program. Registration is now ongoing through the Jr. NBA event website www.jrnba.com.ph. Fans can also follow on Facebook at www.facebook. com/jrnbaphilippines. For all things NBA, visit us at www.nba.com or follow on official Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/NBA_ Philippines.

nesia.

The team of coach Chot Reyes joins Indonesia in Group B along with the host country and Malaysia.

With the exception of PBA players KG Canaleta, Jay R Reyes, and Ronjay Buenafe, Gilas practically parades the same roster that finished sixth place in the 24th Dubai International basketball tournament last week.

Gary David is the lone pro player reinforcing the team built around young

guns Greg Slaughter, Kevin Alas, RR Garcia, and Garvo Lanete.

“Just like in any international tournament, our aim is to always win the title,” said Gilas team manager Butch Antonio shortly before the team left for hong Kong.

Also with the team are Jake Pascual, Ronald Pascual, and Filipino-Americans Matthew Rosser, Isaac holstein, Justin Melton, and naturalized player Marcus Douthit.

Gilas kicks off HK stint

G

ILAS Pilipinas embarks on another journey as it kicks off its campaign in the 19th Super Kung Sheung Cup International Basketball Invitational Championship in hong Kong beginning today.

The Nationals, comprised mainly of cadet players from the national pool, arrived in the former British Colony on Monday and will plunge into action less than 24 hours later against Indo-

Henry Asilum (top), now playing for the University of the Philippines in the UAAP, is a member of the 2010 Jr. NBA All Star. Miguel Competente (below) is a member of the 2011 squad.

INdulge!

TRAVEL

VOL.5 ISSUE 229 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

The Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace Resort and Spa.

A Khmer feast

They say a country’s cuisine is the window to their soul, or at least that is the way I see things. Davao’s food is eclectic mirroring the diverse cultures and subcultures that populate its streets while hong Kong’s food reflect Cantonese passions mixed with a bit of British eccentricities. Cambodian cuisine however is totally new for me until I got to experience it first-hand at the Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace Resort and Spa. It was actually the last day of my Siem Reap romp and everyone in our tour group had been eating out a lot but we have yet to get to taste some authentic Khmer cuisine.

We got to sample bits and pieces of it, but to actually sit down, taste, and experience Cambodian food from appetiser to dessert

Stir-fried Kai Lan with Pork.

Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace Resort and Spa’s grand lobby.

Wok-fried Morning Glory.

was something else.

For starters we had Green Mango Salad with Pork Belly that reminded me of a Thai Green Mango salad, only this was had lesser spices but had more flavour coming from the fatty pork belly. this was followed up with another salad course, Fermented Fish with Minced Pork in

Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace Resort and Spa’s koi pond.

Khmer-style Roast Chicken.

Coconut Cream, that was served similar to an Indonesia’s Gado-gado with a more pungent fish smell.

I am not normally a fan of fish soup but their version of fish soup reminded me of our own Pinoy Tinolang Manok which is comfy and rich in flavours.

For the main course, we were served Stir-fried Kai Lan with Pork, Wokfried Morning Glory, Roasted Chicken Khmer Style, and Wok-fried Fish with Khmer Spices. I love how the Cambodian cuisine balances vegetables and meat. They also love spices, but instead of the heady, heat and spiciness of Thai cuisine, Khmer cuisine is savoury with a little heat plus some delicious savoury notes coming from the extensive use of fish sauce.

All-in-all, the Khmer lunch our group had was spectacular, add to the experience the fact that we were having lunch with views of Grand Soluxe Angkor Palace Resort and Spa’s gardens, one can say it was a beautiful Khmer feast.

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @kennethkingong for more travel and foodie finds in and around Durianburg.

Fresh fruits for dessert.

Fermented Fish with Minced Pork in Coconut Cream.

Green mango and pork salad.

Vegetable and fish soup.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

VOL.5 ISSUE 229 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

ENTERTAINMENT

Barack Obama’s Inauguration: BlackBerry Curve 9220 now Five things to watch free at Globe My Super Plan 299 for at Barack Obama’s

swearing-in ceremony

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TheRe’S no doubt President Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremony is the event to watch Monday.

From the superstar performances, to the celebrity attendees and the historic swearing-in itself, we can’t wait to see how the event will turn out.

But, before the re-elected POTUS is sworn in on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we rounded up five things to look out for at the president’s inauguration.

• The OMG moments: Aside from the obvious big moment (the swearing in) in 2009 at President Obama’s inauguration ceremony, nothing topped our list of OMG and meme-worthy moments more than Aretha Franklin’s over-the-top, absolutely fantastic hat. We’ll definitely be on the look out to see which star or politico’s attire, expression or catchphrase nabs its own Twitter handle this year and lands a place in history as the unforgettable inauguration moment of 2013.

• Michelle, Sasha and Malia Obama’s inauguration duds: Let’s be honest…we are dying to see what this lovely trio will be wearing as they watch

President Obama take his oath. The ever-sophisticated FLOTUS, who just celebrated her 49th birthday (and kicked it off with a bang, literally), wowed us during the 2012 presidential debates with her chic attire, and we’re expecting nothing less when she makes her sure-to-befashionable appearance Monday. Although famed fashion designers like Monique Lhuillier and Nanette Lepore have given their takes on what they think the first lady and her daughters should wear at the main event, details about their Inauguration attire have been kept under wraps.

• The Performances: Beyoncé, Kelly Clarkson and James Taylor, oh my!

These three music superstars were all tapped to perform at the President’s inauguration ceremony, and are set to sing national-themed songs. Beyoncé will be performing the National Anthem, Clarkson will sing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” and Taylor will croon “America the Beautiful.” Perhaps there will be a surprise musical guest in the mix as well? We’ll just have to wait (with bated breath) and see.

• Celebrity Attendees: It’s no secret President Obama has numerous celebrity supporters, including eva Longoria, George Clooney and Katy Perry.

So, which stars will show up at the main event? Perry, Alicia Keys, Usher and Brad Paisley are all per-

forming at balls throughout the holiday weekend, and Longoria, Will.i.am., and George Lopez are all in town for the festivities, so it’s a possibility they will be in the audience. And if the last inauguration ceremony is any indication of which stars will attend, big names like Oprah Winfrey, Denzel Washington and Steven Spielberg should be in attendance as well.

• Will Chief Justice John Roberts keep it together this time? During Obama’s 2009 swearingin ceremony, Roberts famously made the ultimate slip-up, flubbing the inaugural oath. hopefully, this time around, Roberts won’t make the same mistake. either way, we’ll be watching.

VOL.5 ISSUE 229 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

James Franco: Justin Bieber not too happy with my ‘Boyfriend’ video, didn’t mean to ‘diss’

UH-OH! Could there be a feud brewing between Justin Bieber and James Franco?

The 127 Hours star recently posted a video on his WhoSay page that showed him lip-synching the teen sensation’s hit single “Boyfriend” while wearing a crooked baseball cap over very Biebsesque bangs and frolicking through a house with Ashley Benson, his Spring Breakers costar and maybe-girlfriend.

However, the video disappeared not long after it went up.

“I was asked to take it down by some peo-

ple,” Franco explained to me yesterday at the Sundance Film Festival, where he’s been promoting three movies, Interior. Leather Bar., Kink and Lovelace. “Bieber didn’t contact me, but I don’t think he was too happy.”

Offending Bieber wasn’t his goal. “I wasn’t trying to diss him,” he said.

Well, maybe he didn’t.

A source insists the singer has never seen the Franco video.

Bieber certainly isn’t the first pop star to get the James Franco treatment.

In fact, Franco posted a short video of himself pseudo-singing Selena

Gomez’s “Love You Like a Love Song,” during the making of Spring Breakers (Gomez is also in the Harmony Korine-directed indie, out in March).

Gomez praised Franco’s send-up of her song.

“I loved it,” she told me not long after the video went viral. “It was so good.”

That’s not all we have from Franco. Make sure to come back here later on to find out what he has to say about his sex-filled Sundance films.

Now we want to hear from you! Which music superstar would you like to see Franco have some fun with? Leave your suggestions below.

Barbara Walters hospitalized after suffering head injury BARBARA WALTERS is on the mend.

The 83-year-old View cohost is recovering after falling and cutting her forehead while visiting the British Ambassador’s residence Saturday night in Washington, D.C. “Barbara Walters fell on a stair last evening while visiting the British Ambassador’s residence and the fall left her with a cut on her forehead,” a rep for ABC News tells E! News.

“Out of an abundance of caution, she went to the hospital to have her cut tended to, have a full examination and remains there for observation.

Barbara is alert (and telling everyone what to do), which we all take as a very positive sign.”

Walters was scheduled to contribute to the net-

work’s coverage of the inauguration events, but will not be on-air Mon-

day and possibly several more days after that, according to TV Newser.

INdulge! A3

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

TRAVEL

VOL.5 ISSUE 229 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

Hijo’s Banana Beach

By Kenneth Irving Ong

DAvAO may be the home of many exotic tropical fruits like durian, marang, and mangosteen, but for the rest of the world, Davao is known for it’s bananas.

One of Davao’s largest agricultural exports, the banana is the fruit that placed Davao on the international map. Grown in large estates or plantations, the banana took-over from where its relative, the abaca used to be grown. One can say it was revolutionary shift of the 80’s.

Today, one plantation in Davao del Norte is also revolutionising the way they run their banana plantation and it is called hijo.

Merging modern sensitivities and plantation life, the hijo Plantation has now ventured into agritourism, blending farm life with the more sophisticated needs of anybody who wants to kick-back and relax and one of the plantation’s R&R attractions is their Banana Beach.

Located along the shoreline fronting Samal Island,

The nearby fishing village.

Banana Beach’s infinity pool.

Sculptures by Davao artist, Kublai Milan dot the grounds of the resort.

Banana’s at Banana Beach.

Banana Beach offers a wonderful view of Davao Gulf and Samal Island. The sand of the beach may be black but is well kept and managed by the resort.

The main attraction though is the beautiful in-

The pool also features interactive water features and a pool bar.

finity pool with interactive water features, and the pool bar that are also located near the shoreline. The adjoining restaurant, with its Balinese style architecture, serves home-style Filipino dishes which one can enjoy at the many sunken gazebos that surround the pool.

Guests who wish to stay for the evening by the beach can rent out one of the many beach huts located in the area. The huts utilise the natural sea breeze and harken back to much simpler times around the plantation. For those who can’t sleep without air-conditioning however, Banana Beach just recently added air-conditioned garden rooms called Casitas.

Aside from swimming,

Banana Beach’s souvenir shop.

the resort also offers bikes for rent for guests to explore the plantation and its nearby mangrove forest.

There is also a nearby fishing village where one can try their luck at fishing for milkfish, pompano, or the notorious barracuda that occasionally get into the fishponds. Guests need to pay for the fish they take out, except for the barracuda, which they can take for free (since they are considered pests in the fish pond).

Banana Beach Resort is located at the Hijo Plantation, Brgy. Madaum, Tagum City, Davao del Norte. You may call +63 82 282 3662, +63 82 282 3757 or visit their website at www.bananabeachdavao. com for more details.

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EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 229 •TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

Novak Djokovic (left photo) rips his shirt after the five-set win. Djokovic ((right) played over 5 hours to beat Stanislas Wawrinka 1-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 12-10.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN

MARATHON MAN Djokovic disposes Wawrinka in over 5 hours Sharapova, Azarenka in QF

M

ELBOuRNE, Australia (AP) -- The opponent was different, the match three rounds earlier. Still, the result gave Novak Djokovic a familiar feeling, and another chance to rip off his shirt in celebration.

Djokovic needed just over 5 hours to beat Stanislas Wawrinka 1-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 12-10 in a fourthround match Sunday night at the Australian Open, on the same court where he needed 5:53 to beat Rafael Nadal in last year’s final.

“I just had flashback of 2012,” Djokovic said.

“It was maybe 45 minutes less this match than the one 12 months ago, but still it was still as exciting.

I tried to enjoy the moment and couldn’t ask for more.

What a match point ... unbelievable.” he wasn’t exaggerating about the match point. On his third attempt to end it, his backhand cross-court shot zipped past the valiant Wawrinka, who, Djokovic conceded, had outplayed him for most of the night. “he came up with great tactics today,” Djokovic said. “he didn’t give me a lot of the same rhythm that I could get into the match. he was the one being in charge. I was passive. “ The win was Djokovic’s 18th in a row at Melbourne Park after winning the last two Australian titles and advanced the Serbian star to the quarterfinals of his

15th consecutive major tournament.

Wawrinka, who had been receiving treatment to his upper leg muscles from late in the fourth set, said he would take more positives than negatives out of the match. he led 5-2 in the second set after outplaying Djokovic in the first.

“For sure, I think the best match I have ever played,” Wawrinka said.

“I fought like a dog like always. At 4-4 in the final set, I thought I might have won the match, but he was just better.”

Djokovic will next play No. 5 Tomas Berdych, who needed five match points in the tiebreaker before beating South Africa’s Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (13).

Fourth-seeded David Ferrer won 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 over No. 16 Kei Nishikori of Japan to set up a quarterfinal against fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, who was leading 6-2, 5-1 when No. 8 Janko Tipsaveric retired from their fourth-round match.

The Djokovic-Wawrinka match overshadowed Maria Sharapova’s accomplishment earlier in the day.

Sharapova advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Kirsten Flipkens in another impressive display - last year’s French Open champion has lost just five games through

four rounds, breaking the Australian Open mark of eight held previously by eventual champions Steffi Graf and Monica Seles.

“A couple that I’ve won, I felt like I was playing great from the beginning and I was able to carry that through the whole tournament,” said Sharapova, who won titles in 2004 at Wimbledon, 2006 at the u.S. Open and 2008 in Australia before completing her career Grand Slam with a victory at last year’s French Open.

She can’t remember ever winning so few games through four rounds of a tournament, but realizes this means nothing if she doesn’t make it to the latter stages.

“Well, I’m certainly happy to be playing this well but ... it only gets tougher from here,” said Sharapova, who is playing her first tournament of 2013 after withdrawing from a warmup event at Brisbane because of an injured right collarbone.

She next plays fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova, who beat fifth-seeded Angelique Kerber 7-5, 6-4.

Sharapova defeated Makarova in the quarterfinals here last year on her way to the final, which she lost in straight sets to Victoria Azarenka.

Li Na, who reached the final here in 2011 and won the French Open later that year, saved a set point in the tiebreaker before beating Julia Goerges 7-6 (6), 6-1. She’ll play No. 4 Agnieszka Radwanska, who beat No. 13 Ana Ivanovic 6-2, 6-4 for her 13th consecu-

Ana Ivanovic (top) has bowed out of the Australian Open while Maria Sharapova (below) is going o the quarterfinals.

tive win. Radwanska won the Auckland and Sydney titles before coming to Melbourne.

On Monday, Roger Federer plays Milos Raonic, and u.S. Open champion Andy Murray faces Gilles Simon. Azarenka,

Serena Williams and fellow American Sloane Stephens also have their fourth-round matches.

Thy will have a tough time matching the spectacle of Sunday’s latenight encounter.

Djokovic had beaten

Wawrinka - the perennial No. 2 among Swiss tennis players to 17-time major winner Roger Federer - in their 10 previous matches. he hadn’t lost a head-tohead since 2006 and had won 11 straight sets between them.

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VOL.5 ISSUE 229 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Maria Sharapova keeps her amazing run in the Australian Open with another breezy 6-1, 6-0 win over Kirsten Flipkens. See Australian Open story on page 15.

Phoenix backs Jr. NBA

By Neil Bravo

A

FTER TAKING the cudgels for junior hoops in Davao cagedom, what else could be a bigger leap than putting that Phoenix brand side by side with the world’s most popular basketball league?

Phoenix Petroleum has forged a partnership with NBA Asia in bringing the Jr. NBA basketball program to local shores.

In an unofficial release, Phoenix marketing supervisor Neb Bulaclac announced the partnership with a tagged news clip and photo of the formal announcement of the Jr. NBA program in the Philippines. The news clip and photos were tagged to EDGE Davao although the leading independent petroleum company has

yet to make an official announcement.

The Jr. NBA has been brought to the country in recent years and will be in Davao City for the third time.

Alaska Milk is bringing the Jr. NBA as lead partner of NBA Asia.

“We will be sending the details soon once we get the clearance from NBA Asia,” said Bulaclac in a message to this writer.

A check with its official website revealed that the Jr. NBA Philippines presented by Alaska is returning to the Philippines for the sixth consecutive year with a more extensive program. This year, the leading youth basketball program tips off in Manila, and moves

The Coaching Staff of ALASKA Power Camp led by PBA legend JoJo Lastimosa. Far rights is Sefu Bernard,the NBA for Basketball Operations in Asia. Sefu oversees the

to Davao City (hosted by Davao-based Phoenix Petroleum), Lucena City (hosted by the Provincial Government of Quezon) and Dagupan City (hosted by Community Service Idol) — reaching over 400 schools and communities nationwide.

The program is free and open to players aged 10 to 14 years old. More than 40,000 students, parents, and coaches will benefit through Jr. NBA activities including camps and clinics, NBA Cares outreach activities, television programs and digital initiatives.

The search for the third Coach of the Year will kick off on January 19 in Manila. This year’s Jr. NBA will be led by Jr. NBA Coach Sefu Bernard,

who also acts as Director of Basketball Operations for NBA Asia.

Jr. NBA 2013 is composed of four stages, the Jr. NBA Touring Clinics for coaches and players from January to February, the Regional Selection Camps in March, the National Training Camp in April and the NBA Experience later in the year.

Jr. NBA was introduced in the Philippines in 2007. In 2008, the program expanded from 16 schools to more than 200, reaching approximately 20,000 students, parents, and coaches across the country. In 2012, the program reached more than 500 schools and 60,000 students, parents, and coaches across the country.

management and continued growth of NBA’s basketball development initiatives throughout ASIA.