Edge Davao 6 Issue 137

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 137 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

www.edgedavao.net

Serving a seamless society

ANNIVERSARY BLAST. The Madayaw Dance Ensemble performs various ethnic dances to entertain the guests and employees of Citi Hardware during the celebration of the company’s 15th Anniversary held at Citi Hardware Buhangin on Saturday night. Lean Daval Jr.

DRUG TEST FOR TEACHERS DEPED eyes drug testing after teacher was nabbed for pot Cutdown at Customs

Daily collection down from P15 M to P2M

T DECLINE IN COLLECTIONS. Edward James Dy Buco, Bureau of Customs - Davao deputy collector for operations, reports a decrease in the agency’s collections after its manpower was reduced by 60 percent as a

result of the implementation of Customs Personnel Order (CPO) B-134-2013 during yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

HE 200-strong personnel of the Bureau of Customs in District Port of Davao has been reduced by 60 percent, adversely affecting the district’s collection of export and import taxes since last week.

This was bared by Deputy District Collector Edward James DyBuco to reporters attending the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao yesterday. DyBuco discussed with the media the initial effects of Customs Personnel Order (CPO) B-134-2013, wherein BOC personnel all over

FCUTDOWN,10

By EJ DOMINIC FERNANDEZ ejf@edgedavao.net

T

HE Department of Education region 11 plans to conduct random drug testing among public school teachers after a mentor of the Francisco Bangoy National High School was arrested during a pot session on Sunday.

“We are supposed to be role models to the students, and what happened, if true, is not acceptable. Drug tests? Why not?” DepEd 11 spokesperson Jenielito Atillo said yesterday, hinting that random drug testing would be pushed to avoid this incident to happen again.

According to a report of the Sasa police station, the suspect, Carlito R. Sumastre Jr, a resident of Block 36, lot 9 Luzville Subdivision, Panacan, was arrested while taking drugs with a certain “Ome” aboard his Green

INSIDE:

Suzuki multicab vehicle with plate number MFL 612.

His car was parked in front of Police Inspector Benjie Santos’ house in Luzville when he was nabbed at around 8:00 a.m. September 22. Recovered from his possession were consummated drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Atillo told Edge Davao yesterday that they are now coming up with a plan of action that would ensure this sort of issues will not happen again, and one program they are eyeing is to conduct random drug tests among teachers.

“There are no concrete programs yet on how to avoid this kind of thing to happen, since discussion on the process will still have to take place,” Atillo said.

FDRUG,10

2 A1 14

Cruz: Rebels not capable of ala-Zamboanga attack Learning from the ‘Maestro’

Agro marches to semis in Sante Barley hoops

2 THE BIG NEWS Robbers rob house of P1M in jewelry EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 137 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

BY EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR

R

OBBERS took P1 million worth of jewelry from an unattended house of a businessman in Palm Village, Barrio Obrero, Davao City, Sunday evening.

House-owner Francis Arquiza, 33, reported to Sta. Ana police station that at about 8:00 p.m that day, he discovered that his house had been ransacked by unidentified persons who carted away expensive pieces of jewelry, such as gold-plated watches, rings, necklaces,

bracelets and earrings.

Based on his investigation, SPO1 Restie Tan said the robbers gained entry by going over the fence and destroying the sliding glass door and forcibly opening the locked rooms of the house and later left through the back gate.

Based on statistics on all crime incidents gathered by the DCPO as of January to August 2013, for index crimes, theft cases topped the list with 1,804 cases while robbery had 691 cases.

HE Supreme Court has allowed its Fiscal Management and Budget Office to deduct taxes on the special allowances of the members of the Judiciary.

This was contained in an internal en banc resolution signed by Clerk of Court Atty. Enriqueta E. Vidal.

The SC authorizes the FMBO “to deduct the corresponding tax due on the Special Allowance for the Judiciary (SAJ) and the Judiciary Development Additional Cost of Living Allowance (JDF COLA) received from January to June 2013 from the SAJ and JDF COLA, respectively, of the members of the court, on a monthly basis in equal amounts for a period of one (1) year[.]”

The resolution was triggered by the letter of authority sent by the Bureau of Internal Revenue asking the SC “to examine [its] books of account and other accounting records.”

Rather than allow-

ing BIR in scrutinizing its books of account, the SC led by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P. Aranal Sereno decided just to allow itself to be taxed with its allowances.

In response to the letter, the FMBO issued a memorandum dated June 27, 2013 informing the SC about the BIR’s request.

Prior to this, SAJ and JDF COLA had not been subjected to taxes.

In the resolution, the SC also allowed FMBO “to deduct the corresponding tax due on the fringe benefits received from January to June 2013 from the additional fringe benefits on a staggered basis in equal amounts for a period of six (6) months; provided that, if the amount of fringe benefits authorized during the six-month period of collection is not sufficient to cover the amount of tax due for the first semester, the deficiency may be charged against fringe benefits that may be granted thereafter.”

[PNA]

ABDUCTION. Florencia Remegio, wife of Kadapa Tin-aw Lubog Farmers Association adviser Roberto Remegio, calls for the release of her husband who was allegedly abducted by unidentified armed men on September 13,

2013 in Tibagon, Pantukan, Compostela Valley in a press briefing initiated by Karapatan Southern Mindanao Region at IFI Church compound in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

SC allows tax deduction on special allowances Cruz: Rebels not capable of ala-Zamboanga attack T

By EJ DOMINIC FERNANDEZ

A

ejf@edgedavao.net

COMBINED force of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), National People’s Army (NPA), and the National Democratic Front (NDF), collectively called CNN, is not capable of attacking a city the way the Nur Misuari faction of the Moro National Liberation (MNLF) attacked Zamboanga City days ago.

This was the assessment of Major General Ricardo Rainier G. Cruz III, commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines made before members of the Davao members during the Hermes Club media forum at Wa-

terfront Insular Hotel last Friday.

General Cruz, who once headed Task Force Davao in his younger days, said theyCarmelito Q. Francisco MATI, Davao Oriental – The provincial government here is incorporating the findings of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau on the exposure of its population to water-caused risks like floods, tsunami and soil erosion especially in coastal areas.

Gov. Corazon N. Malanyaon said the recommendations of the study team will be looked into and analyzed as these would be included when the provincial gov-

ernment discusses the amendments to its comprehensive land use plan.

“We need the cooperation of the other local chief executives like the municipal mayors,” said Ms. Malanyaon during the briefing on the study Monday, adding that she will meet with the mayors within the month to discuss the issue.

Danilo M. Octaviano, senior science research specialist, said about 30 villages within the municipalities, as all of them have coastal areas, are facing the risks of suffering from these calamities.

“There are tell-tale signs of soil erosions (especially in coastal areas in these villages),”

gunned down on September 13, 2013 in Loreto, Agusan del Sur during a press briefing in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

FCRUZ,10

Minor charged with selling MJ

A

CALL FOR JUSTICE. Progressive group members together with Karapatan Southern Mindanao cry out justice for Kasaka leader Benjie Planos who was

Mr. Octavio said, adding that pieces of evidence of these erosions as well as the testimonies of the residents would show that coastal erosions have taken place in these areas.

He said his agency will not recommend structural mitigation, but what the provincial government and the other local government units must do is to strengthen its information dissemination campaign so that the people in these areas will know the risks that they are facing.

Another mitigation measure is tapping bio-engineering, the use of plants to prevent soil erosion or slowdown the

17-year-old was indicted by the City Prosecution Office (CPO) after caught selling 15.0244 grams of marijuana worth P100 to a police agent last Sept.

13 during a buy-bust operation at the Dragon compound in Cabantian, Buhangin.

Prosecutor Panfilo R. Lovitos recommended no bail for the suspect (name withheld for being a minor) after finding probable cause for his indictment.

Based on a complaint, P/Supt. Ruben Ramos

formed a team to conduct a buy-bust operation against the suspect, a student of the Bernardo Carpio National High School in Buhangin.

A police agent posing as a buyer met the suspect at a basketball court in Zone 1, Purok St. Jude, Buhangin. After handing the marked money to the suspect he removed his cap as a signal to the rest of the team to close in and arrest the suspect.

Police said that the suspect had been known to sell marijuana. [EPC]

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 137 •TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

3 Rody issues flag EOs

THE BIG NEWS

D

A poster-making contest participant is in sheer concentration while illustrating her piece in yesterday’s launching of the Department of Social Welfare

and Development (DSWD)’s 2013 National Family Week at the People’s Park in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

AVAO Mayor Rodrigo Duterte issued an executive order No. 25, requiring all government employees to attend the weekly flag-raising ceremony at 8:00 am starting September 30, Monday and the flag-retreat at 5:00 pm on October and every Friday afternoon thereafter.

Erwin Alfaraque, chief of the Human Resource Management and Development Office of the city government said in the event Monday and Friday are declared as holidays, the flag-raising and flag retreat ceremonies will be scheduled on the next working day and the last working day of the week, respectively.

“For instance, Mon-

day will be a holiday, the flag-raising will be held 8:00 am on a Tuesday. If Friday will be holiday, the flag-retreat will be at 5:00 pm Thursday,” he said.

Alfaraque said on the flag-retreat on a first Friday will immediately follow after all employees attend the first Friday mass in the afternoon.

He said a copy of the executive order which was signed by the mayor last September 20 will be distributed to all city government offices for their information and proper guidance.

“We hope that everyone will be properly guided and will comply to the new schedule on the flag-raising and retreat

FRODY,10

Fire breaks anew coupled SM Lanang’s anniv with intermittent fighting features big concert

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AMBOANGA CITY– Fire broke out anew, bringing to at least 16 the fire incidents since the standoff started last September 9 following the incursion of hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels in this city.

Fire broke out around 1 p.m. in the interior part of Barangay Sta. Barbara at the height of intermittent firefight.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Affairs Officer Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said the troops continue to advance to retake positions earlier occupied by the MNLF rebels.

Zagala said the troops are cautiously advancing as the rebels are still holding hostage at least 21 people.

Two MG-520 rock-

et-firing helicopters are providing air support to the ground troops that continue to advance.

Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) Chief Insp. Ariel Huesca said that continuous clearing operation is still being conducted by the government forces in the affected barangays.

Huesca said that the government forces suffered 14 killed--11 soldiers and three policemen--and 147 wounded--134 soldiers and 13 policemen.

Huesca said that 11 civilians were also killed while 70 others were wounded since the start of the standoff last September 9.

A total of 98 MNLF rebels were killed while 99 were captured and 24 have surrendered, according to Huesca.

SM City Davao to mount University Fair, Oct 3-5

S

M City Davao will host the region’s first University Fair on October 3 to 5 at the Event Center, Annex.

The fair will bring together some of the country’s top colleges and universities to showcase their programs. The event is aimed at assisting the youth prepare for their college education by providing them with options and choices. The SM City Davao University Fair will also bring to Davao schools from the bational capital region (NCR).

“The University Fair will provide a ven-

ue for High School students—3rd and 4th year--to get a glimpse of the life they will be having when they graduate from high school and enter college. We hope to help them decide what courses interest them most and which schools they feel is best for them. It will be like shopping…but this time, they will be shopping for their future! It will also provide parents an opportunity to inquire about their kids’ future schools in the comfort of our SM Davao mall,” says mall manager Lynette Lopez.

Meantime, Malacañang has yet to determine whether Monday morning’s attack allegedly perpetrated by Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in Midsayap, North Cotabato was connected to the Zamboanga City siege.

“I will not be able to judge whether it is related to Zamboanga,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told a media briefing.

“According to Lt. Col. Demi Zagala, they were on patrol when they encountered the BIFF. So we’ll get more specific reports as to iyong encounter na ‘yun,” he added.

Citing a text message from Zagala, Lacierda said militarymen on patrol encountered an undetermined number of BIFF rebels while conducting

clearing operations in Sitio Mirasol, Brgy. Polomugen in Midsayap at 8:35 a.m.

Lacierda said one solider was killed while another was wounded in the attack.

He also said four teachers of Malingao Elementary School were abducted with one already released.

“Wala na pong firefight ngayon doon. Merong negosasyon doon po sa tatlong guro ayon sa balita ni Lieutenant Colonel Demi Zagala,” he said.

He said the government has enough resources to respond to the hostilities in Zamboanga City, where government forces are on a standoff with Moro National Liberation Front fighters, and in Midsayap.

“We have resources capable of handling both Zamboanga and Midsayap,” he said. [PNA]

S

M Lanang Premier throws one big 1st Anniversary party for all its shoppers and patrons as it presents award-winning Filipino band Up Dharma Down live at the Fountain Courton September 28, 2013.

This Saturday, at 6 pm, the quartet is set to play a free gig, performing a full set of tracks from its latest album, “Capacities,” including the smash hits “Oo” and “Taya,” to its fans in the metro as well as the entire region.

The public will enjoy an all-access pass to watch intimate, riveting performances from Up Dharma Down, composed of Armi Millare on keyboards and vocals, Carlos Tañada on lead guitars, Ean Mayor on drums and loops and Paul Yap on bass and back-up vocals.

Making music since

A SMILE FROM THE HEART. A cancer patient from House of Hope enjoys every moment of the face-painting activity which was part of Park Inn by Radisson Davao’s Responsible Business Action Day on Saturday. House of Hope, a shelter for children with cancer, was chosen by the hotel as its beneficiary. Lean Daval Jr.

2004, Up Dharma Downis known for its eclectic-electronic rock sound with jazz fusion. Its debut album, Fragmented, hit no. 1 and stayed in the charts for many weeks from its release in early 2006.

In 2007, Time Magazine has branded the band’s music as “genre-defying” and “both thoughtful and sensational.” BBC UK’s Mark Coles also singled it out as the Asian band having the most crossover potential to break into the North American market.

Join SM Lanang Premier’s 1st Anniversary celebration this Saturday, September 28th and get to watch Up Dharma Down for free! For more information, contact 285-0943 to 45.

Visit SM Lanang Premier on Facebook and follow @SMLanang Premier on Twitter for news and event updates.

4 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 137 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

DAVAO DEL NORTE

Single-lane bridges offer multi benefits to farmers T hey are no crying ladies but they could cry a river recounting the difficulties of crossing flood-prone rivers just to bring their produce to the market.

“It was really difficult and costly for us farmers as we have to pay as high as P100 per sack in hauling our produce,” said Merlinda dela Vega of New Corella, Davao del Norte.

She said high transport cost is attributed to lack of accessible shorter route especially during rainy seasons where rivers overflow.

“We will have to travel for almost an hour just to deliver our produce to the market. This in turn resulted not only to higher hauling and transport fees but also deteriorates the quality of our commodities leaving as no option but to sell it on lower price, ” dela Vega said.

Rosalina Gabuat of Barangay K’tam in Asuncion, Davao del Norte shared the same plight and can’t hold back her tears while telling how her rice produce was damaged because it was not immediately delivered to the market.

“Our palay begun to sprout and considered damaged. It could have

KORONADAL CITY

been a big help in meeting our daily needs for food as well as for education of our children,” she said,” she said.

Gabuat said after the downpour of heavy rain, it would be difficult to cross the river, as the current is very strong. She said there were times when their produce are damaged due to mishandling which cannot be avoided when passing the narrow and unstable wooden bridge.

Barangay captain Edgar Castillo said Gabuat is just one of the farmers who complained on being isolated due to lack of access to adequate infrastructure.

“When we drafted our Comprehensive Barangay Development Plan, we have prioritize the construction of farmto-market (FMR) roads with bridge component to make transport of produce easier and to help reduce farmers’ overhead cost,” Castillo said.

The risky trading rout and expensive hauling of produce was changed with the construction of single-lane bridges in both barangays. This came after the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte and the Department of Agriculture – Mindanao Rural Development Program

LGU pushes organic farming

U

PBEAT with the prospects of the thriving organic agriculture industry, the Koronadal City local government is pushing for the massive adoption by local farmers of the natural or traditional farming method.

City Mayor Peter Miguel said the local government is presently studying various “best practices” and technologies on organic agriculture for possible implementation in various farming areas within the city’s 27 barangays.

He said they are specifically trying to learn from the experiences of local governments and institutions that have adopted and ventured into organic farming.

“We’ve adopted organic farming as one of our priority programs and we’re

in the process of educating our farmers regarding the method to encourage their adoption,” he said in the city government’s radio program Kanami Koronadal.

Miguel said the city agriculture office has been organizing study tours for local farmers to the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) in Kabacan, North Cotabato and several organic farming areas in Region 12.

Southwestern Mindanao, which produced almost half of the 106.55 metric tons (MT) of premium organic rice exported by the country to various foreign markets from May to July this year, has around 50 hectares of organic rice plantation areas located in M’lang town in North Cotabato and Sto. Nino in South Cotabato. [MindaNews]

SAFE CROSSING. The bridge component of the 3.9 km farm-to-market road in Asuncion, Davao del Norte provides safe crossing for commuters and

farmers transporting their produce to the market.

(DA-MRDP) partnered to open up market access to the said towns.

“Both project have boosted the economic activities in the said towns.

The bridges were linked to existing farm-to-market roads which makes transport of produce faster and safer,” said provincial planning chief Josie Jean Rabanos.

“The bridge in New

other economic activities,” dela Vega said.

Gabuat on the other hand said the bridge did not only provide them faster and safer transport of their produce, it has been their refuge in times of calamities considering that most of the residents are living in low-lying areas.

“During last year’s Typhoon Pablo, most of the

SOUTH COTABATO

Corella is now servicing 808 hectares of rice areas while the Asuncion bridge covers 300 hectares of rice areas,” Rabanos said.

“The bridge have indeed helped us improved our income as we no longer need to pay P100 per sack hauling fee. It has also reduced our travel time in delivering our commodity to the market giving us enough time to engage in

residents sought refuge in the bridge as it highly elevated,” she said.

Things are indeed different now as the two ladies compared their situation before. But they can’t still hold back their tears.

The big difference however is that they are now crying the tears of joy as their dream for a concrete bridge had been realized.

[Noel Provido/DA-MRDP]

DA 12 wants to develop rice terraces T

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region 12 is planning to replicate Banaue’s world-renowned rice terraces in upland areas of South Cotabato province and other parts of the region.

Zaldy Boloron, DA Region 12 acting operations chief, said they are presently exploring several upland villages of T’boli and Lake Sebu towns in South Cotabato for the possible construction and development of the rice terraces.

He said the initiative will mainly take off from the ongoing rice terraces development project being facilitated by the agency in a mountain village of Arakan town in North Cotabato.

“We will expand this

project soon in T’boli and Lake Sebu towns and later on in some other upland areas of Region 12,” he said in a recent gathering of rice farmers here.

Region 12 comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

Boloron said they initially found T’boli and Lake Sebu towns as expansion areas for the project due to the presence of thriving upland farms.

He said the area has several rivers and other water resources that could provide the needed irrigation supplies for the planned rice terraces.

T’boli and Lake Sebu,

which are located in South Cotabato’s upper valley area, has some rice production areas but are mostly concentrated in the lowlands.

The upland or mountainous portions of the two municipalities host some plantations of pineapple, banana and abaca but a large portion of the area remained unutilized or undeveloped.

In Arakan town, DA-12 is presently assisting the construction of rock walls and rice terraces in Barangay Datu Ladayon.

The cement-made rock walls, which mainly prop up the terraces, were being built near the town’s 100-meter-high Matigol Falls in Sitio Inamong of Barangay Datu Ladayon.

Farmers from various

parts of the region helped build the initial rock walls in July in a series of handson trainings organized by the agency.

DA-12 tapped two rock wall-making experts from Batad, Ifugao province for the training program.

“We helped organize the rock wall builders in Arakan into a cooperative and we will replicate that in the other areas of the region,” Boloron said.

Amalia Jayag-Datukan, DA Region 12 executive director, earlier said the rock wall-making and rice terraces development are part of the agency’s flagship projects.

Once completed, she said DA-12 will promote the rice terraces as part of the region’s tourist attractions. [MindaNews]

5 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 137 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

Filinvest launches building innovations

F

ILINVEST Land, Inc. (FLI) announced the launching of 8 Spatial Davao, its latest Mid-Rise Building (MRB) project that offers “more space, more value.” This is the second of a series of MRB projects that will be marketed under the “Spatial”product name.

Located on a highly accessible 3.8 hectare prime property along Julian Rodriguez, Sr. Avenue (Maa Road), Davao City, it is within walking distance to NCCC Mall, S&R Membership Shopping And other commercial establishments. Educational institutions like University of Mindanao Matina Campus, Ateneo de Davao University Matina Campus, and Philippine Women’s College of Davao are among other landmarks near 8 Spatial.

8 Spatial is the third joint venture project between FLI and CVA & Sons, the family corporation of the Carlos Villa Abrille clan of Davao City.

The other two projects are Fuente de Villa-Abrille along Tulip Drive in Matina and Le Jardin de Villa-Abrille, also along Julian Rodriguez, Sr. Avenue and fac-

ing 8 Spatial.

8 Spatial features 8 buildings with 6 floors each. The units are larger and are designed for functionality and efficiency. All the units being offered are 32 square meters, ideal homes for start-up families.

Just like FLI’s other MRB projects, 8 Spatial will feature lots of open spaces with the building’s footprint occupying only 30% of the total land area, giving residents a truly spacious sanctuary amidst the urban sprawl.

In addition, 8 spatial MRBs will continue to be built using the construction methodology employed by FLI’s MRBs which allows the units to be free of beams and columns, so homeowners can enjoy bigger and unobstructed livable space.

It also relies on reusable forms which save around 3,000 pieces of plywood and 85,000 board feet of lumber per building. For 2011 alone, FLI was able to save a total of 40,000 pieces of plywood and 1.1 million board feet of lumber. In addition, all the buildings are constructed with the aim of maximizing natural light

SPATIAL. CVA and Sons, Inc. forges its third project venture with Filinvest Land, Inc. called 8 Spatial Davao at the Marco Polo Davao yesterday. CVA and Sons, Inc. was represented during the contract signing by officers Fiscal Antonio V.A. Tan (rightmost), Maria Loreto A. Lopez (2nd from right) and and ventilation.

FLI is the country’s largest MRB developer, currently with 13 ongoing MRB projects, located in Metro Manila,

Cagayan de Oro, Cebu and Davao City. These are One Oasis Ortigas, Bali Oasis, Bali Oasis 2, Sorrento Oasis, Capri Oasis and One Spatial in

Atty. Antonio V.A. Llamas (center) represented CVA and Sons, Inc. while Filinvest Land, Inc. was represented by co-chair Andrew T. Gontianun Jr. (2nd from left) and first vice president Tristan L. Las Marias. Lean Daval Jr. Pasig City; Maui Oasis in Sta. Mesa, Manila; Asiana Oasis in Paranaque City; One Oasis Cagayan de Oro; One Oasis Cebu, Amalfi and Sanre-

mo Oasis in Metro Cebu and One Oasis Davao.

It plans to launch MRB projects in other key urban areas such as Iloilo soon.

6

THE ECONOMY

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

7.1 1st Qtr 2013

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

7.8 1st Qtr 2013

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

USD 3,741 million Feb 2013 USD 4,708 million Feb 2013 USD -967 million Feb 2013 USD -640 million Dec 2012 P 4,964,560 million Feb 2013

8. Interest Rates 4/

2.4 % Mar 2013 P113,609 million Mar 2013 P 5,281 billion Mar 2013

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

P 41.14 Apr 2013

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

6,847.5 Mar 2013

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

132.8 Apr 2013

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

2.6 Apr 2013

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.1 Apr 2013

16. Visitor Arrivals

418,108 Feb 2013

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

20.9% Jan 2013

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

7.1% Jan 2013

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2012-April 2013) Month Average December November October September August July June May April March February January

2013

2012

2011

40.67 40.73

42.23 41.01 41.12 41.45 41.75 42.04 41.91 42.78 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

VOL. 6 ISSUE 137 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

BSP eyes establishment of Islamic banking system in the Philippines

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HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is asking lawmakers for an amendment of its charter to be allowed, among others, to develop regulations for an Islamic banking system in the Philippines.

“This will pave the facility in developing an Islamic banking system, not just individual operation,” BSP Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said.

Currently, there is only one Islamic bank in the country – the Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines (AAIIBP), which the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) acquired in 2008 in a bid to fast-track socio-economic development in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Under the Islamic banking system, loans, for one, do not have interest unlike in conventional banking.

Espenilla said the BSP wants “to create an inclusive banking system including not just the unbanked but also to deliver financial services to Muslim communities.”

He explained that this is also part of the Framework Agreement that the government forged with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in October 2012.

The Agreement, signed last

October 15 in Malacanang by MILF Peace Panel chair Mohager Iqbal and the Philippine government represented by Dean Marvic Leonen, paved for the creation of the Bangsamoro region,

which will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Espenilla said foreign players will be allowed to invest in Islamic banks just like in universal,

commercial and rural banks.

“It’s not a bad idea for an experienced foreign Islamic bank to be invested in such a bank. It makes a lot of sense for that to happen,” he said. [PNA]

HALAL. A trader holds a bottle of Halal preserved milkfish which he is selling for P75 each at Ecoland mosque along Quimpo Blvd., Davao City yesterday.

[Lean Daval Jr.]

Villar pours P1-B into retail business B

USINESSMAN and former senator Manuel B. Villar Jr is expanding his real estate and retail portfolio.

Echoing the business model of other real estate groups that offer retail and commercial offerings as part of their residential developments, Villar announced over the weekend the establishment of MBV Retail Holdings, which carries his initials.

Villar, the country’s 16th richest based on Forbes list, is the chairman of the new company, which was established with a P1 billion capital. Villar said the family is ready to pour in more capital in tranches of P250 million to support MBV Retail.

The following are the brands that MBV will pursue and carry: All Day, a convenience store All Day stores will replace the existing 80 Finds convenience store chain nationwide earlier established by Vista

Land. New branches carrying the rebranded store will be put up in new areas.

The target is to have 100 new stores by the end of this year, and to double the number by 2014.

“We have many communities and these communities need these kinds of stores,” Villar said.

All Day will cater to the Filipino preference as it aims to become a major player in a sector dominated by foreign chains like 7-Eleven and Ministop, Villar added.

All Home, a home appliance and furnishings outlet Villar said the store will provide good synergy with its residential developments of Vista Land, with furnishing packages to be offered to residents in installment.

“It’s a perfect fit for Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc,” Villar said.

Target is to have 5 small outlets this 2013 — one in An-

tipolo, Muntinlupa, Metropolis Alabang, San Fernando in Pampanga and San Jose in Bulacan. A small All Home branch will have 3,000 square meters (sqm) area.

Another 4 bigger outlets will be put up in 2014 with formats that will require 10,000 sqm.

Investment is around P60 million for small All Home stores and P300 million for the larger branches, Villar said.

All Group, a department store business that will eventually be rebranded For the department store business, Villar said the expansion would largely depend on the construction of Vista Malls and Starmalls.

The home improvement and appliance store business expansion, through a P1.5-billion capital spending, will provide logistical support for Vista Land’s housing projects while catering to the needs of home-

buyers.

“We want to go big into retailing as well,” Villar said in a statement. “We’re beefing up our retail capability. We assigned topnotch senior officers to the company and we will be putting more capital as we move along.” “(The commercial centers’) presence is not only a crucial in any master-planned community, but also stands as testimony to a developer’s professional track record,” Listed property firm Vista Land said.

Vista Land has so far built 250,000 homes in 33 provinces, 65 cities and municipalities nationwide.

Villar said MBV Retail is also planning to venture into development of office buildings catering to the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector, add more formats to its portfolio like drugstores, and list in the Philippine Stock Exchange in 5 years, depending on expansion projects. [Rappler.com]

as of May 2013 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 Cebu Pacific Thu

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

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 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 13:25

Cebu Pacific Tue/Wed//Sat 5J965 / 5J968 13:35 Silk Air Mon/Sat MI588 / MI588 13:35 Silk Air Wed/Sun MI566 / MI566 15:20 Silk Air Thurs MI551 / MI551 12:05 Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri 5J507 / 5J598 15:00 Philippine Airlines August 15:55 Mani2Mani 16:50 Zest Air Daily Z2524 / Z2525 16:05

Manila-Davao-Manila Davao-Singapore Davao-Singapore Davao-Singapore Cebu-Davao-Cebu

14:05 18:55 18:55 15:45 15:30

Cebu-Davao-Cebu

16:45

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 137 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

7

New spiny rat discovered in ‘birthplace of evolution’ T

UFTS of harsh, bristly hair and a white tail tip are among the defining features of a new rodent species discovered in Indonesia.

The Spiny Boki Mekot Rat was found in the mountain forests of Halmahera, in the Moluccas (Maluku) archipelago.

It was from these islands that Alfred Russel Wallace wrote to Charles Darwin, outlining his theory of evolution.

The region is rich in biodiversity but its wildlife is under threat from logging and mining firms.

Scientists hope the new mammal discovery will encourage greater exploration and conservation of the area.

Their findings are reported in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.

Under threat The new rat was found in a remote, hilly region of Halmahera by an expedition team from the University of Copenhagen and Indonesia’s Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense.

They laid traps baited with roasted coconut and peanut butter, placed on tree trunks and at burrow openings.

Among their findings was a previously unknown rodent with coarse, brownish grey fur on its back, and a whitish grey belly.

By analysing the rat’s DNA and physical features such as its skull and teeth, they determined it was not only a new species, but an entirely new genus.

They named it Halmaheramys bokimekot after nearby Boki Mekot, a mountainous area under ecological threat due to mining and deforestation.

The rat has unusually coarse, spikey fur on its back and a short tail with a distinctive white tip.

“This new rodent highlights the large amount of unknown biodiversity in this region and the importance of its conservation,” said lead researcher Pierre-Henri Fabre, from the Centre for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate at the University of Copenhagen.

“It’s very important that zoologists visit these islands to explore further.”

Only six of the new rodents have so far been captured: three adult males and three females.

Little is known about their behaviour, but they are thought to be omnivorous, as the scientists found both vegetable and insect remains in their stomachs.

“This discovery shows

how much of the richness of life is left to discover especially in the Indonesian archipelago,” says co-author Kristofer Helgen, of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, US. Prof Helgen was among the team that recently discovered a giant rat living in a volcano crater in Papua New Guinea, as well as a new mammal carnivore in Colombia the Olinguito.

“There are likely to be more undiscovered species of mammals in Indonesia than in any other country in the world,” he says.

“Finding and documenting them is a task made urgent by huge environmental threats, especially logging and mining.”

Birthplace of evolution The new rodent also provides clues to how mammals evolved and spread across the “stepping stones” of the Moluccas - known as one of the birthplaces of evolutionary theory.

It was here in 1858 that the British naturalist Sir Alfred Russel Wallace famously wrote to Charles Darwin, outlining his ideas on the development of new species.

The correspondence led to their eventual co-publishing of a theory of natural selection.

Wallace had been struck by the incredible diversity of animals and insects in the Moluccas - a transition zone between Asia and Australasia. [BBC]

vironment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Climate Change Commission (CCC) for fiscal year 2014 after eight hours of marathon deliberations over the weekend.

Sy-Alvarado, vice chair of the House Committee on Appropriation for DENR, said that the committee has approved P 23.65 billion for DENR while P80 million was approved for the CCC.

The Bulacan lawmaker said she successfully defended the budget for the two agencies involved in the protection and conservation of environment and in addressing the effects of global warming and climate change.

She said that the two agencies needed substantial budget to boost government programs in the conservation of environment and mitigation plans

to counter the ill effects of climate change.

“We all know that the effects of global warming and climate change is already being felt worldwide and governments in developed countries have already earmarked billions of dollars to protect their cities and states from the disastrous effects such as heavy flooding and strong typhoons,” Sy- Alvarado stressed. [PNA]

House approves DENR’s P23.65-B budget T

HE House of Representatives has approved the budget to be used to finance programs against the disastrous effects of global warming and climate change.

Bulacan 1st District Rep. Ma. Victoria R. Sy-Alvarado said the Committee on Appropriation of the House of Representatives has approved the budget of the Department of En-

Other new species in 2013 • The olinguito, Bassaricyon neblina, a new mammal carnivore • Cambodian tailorbird, Orthotomus chaktomuk, found in Phnom Penh • A new, smaller-skulled species of the Hero Shrew called Scutisorex thori • A dinosaur named Nasutoceratops titusi, which means big-nose, horn-face

MATI, DAVAO ORIENTAL

Some villages in Davao Or prone to coastal erosion: MGB

C

OASTAL areas facing oceans like certain municipalities in Davao Oriental are exposed to a number of natural risks like tsunamis, floods and coastal erosion. This was bared

by Danilo M. Octaviano, senior science research specialist of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, during a dialogue with provincial officials led by Gov. Corazaon N. Malanyaon recently.

Malanyaon herself said that the provincial government plans to incorporate the findings of Octaviano’s team which reported that some 30 villages of some towns have been found to be suffering from coastal erosion.

The lady governor said the recommendations of the study team will be factored into provincial government discussions of proposed amendments to its comprehensive land use plan.

“We need the cooperation of municipal mayors in he affected areas,” said the governor during the briefing on the study Monday, adding that she will meet with the mayors within the month to discuss the issue.

“There are tell-tale signs of soil erosions,” Octavio told the provincial officials, said that the team study recorded actual cases of coastal erosions as well as the testimonies of the residents about the phenomenon.

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

A

VOL. 6 ISSUE 137 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

Ideal requirement

FISCAL reform worth watching is the requirement that local government units (LGUs) can no longer make loans without prior approval of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, specifically the Monetary Board. The LGUs will have to seek the opinion of the MB before borrowing funds from local banks and other financial institutions.

The new requirement for prior MB opinion allows the BSP to monitor the borrowing of the public sector, so that it can assess the impact of the transactions on the monetary sector, and also on the country’s external payments position.

Decidedly, this prior opinion requirement will enable the BSP to fulfill its mandate of maintaining monetary and financial stability, pursuant to Republic Act 7653, also known as the New Central Bank Act of 1993. Under this law, the requirement also covers the national government,

EDGEDAVAO

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG Creative Solutions

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the LGUs and other political subdivisions; government-owned and –controlled corporations, local water districts and state universities and colleges.

Considering the huge borrowings of the national government, LGUs and other government institutions, this long unimplemented fiscal reform augurs well for the people’s desire to achieve an ideal fiscal health of the government at all levels.

This, too, will provide an opportunity for people to scrutinize huge government transactions which were not so transparent before.

It is likewise hoped that such a requirement can be used to nip in the bud controversial transactions like the P660-million alleged behest loan extended by the Development Bank of the Philippines to former Trade minister Roberto Ongpin.

Mercifully, this case is now being litigated in the court.

ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Associate Editor

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. • JOSEPH LAWRENCE P. GARCIA Photography Contributing Photographer

EJ DOMINIC C. FERNANDEZ Reporter

Columnists: CARLOS MUNDA • MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • MARY ANN “ADI” C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NICASIO AGUSTIN • VIDA A. MIA VALVERDE • Economic ENRICO“ADDIE” “GICO” G. Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER ANGELO C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA Analysts: • BERNADETTE B. DAYANGIRANG M.QUISIDO PEREZ • Lifestyle Columnists: BAISR., FAUZIAH SINSUAT •AMBOLODTO • MEGHANN STA. INES BORBON • MARY• JONALLIER ANN “ADI” C. • LEANDRO B. DAVAL • NIKKIFATIMA GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY •ZEN NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ

GENERAL OFFICE SANTOS CITY CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OLIVIA D. VELASCO OLIVIA D. VELASCO RICHARDRICHARD C. EBONAC. EBONA SOLANI D. MARATAS SOLANI D. MARATAS MARKETING OFFICE | Marketing Manager General Manager General ManagerMarketingAdvertising Supervisor SpecialistFinance FinanceLEIZEL A. DELOSOLEIZEL A. DELOSO | MarketingFLORENCE ManagerS. VILLARIN

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 137 •TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

T

Solon’s contrary view on PDAF

HE PORK BARREL AGAIN – Under pressure from a cross-section of society, including powerful interest groups, the Aquino administration has succumbed to the will of the majority – total abolition of the highly controversial Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), more derisively known as “pork barrel”.

This is a clear warning from the citizenry that time is running out on the ruling elite to mend its ways. Ruling elite, of course, includes some thick-faced politicians and their corrupt cohorts in the bureaucracy and the private sector who have conspired to rob the citizenry of their money. It is time for elected officials to change and refocus their efforts in providing their constituents what they swore to give when they took their oath of office as congressmen, senators, mayors, governors and other officials— real public service. Instead of focusing their efforts in enriching themselves, it’s time to busy themselves with finding creative ways to address the country’s chronic, if not worsening socio-economic problems.

Our leaders, without exception, should by now realize that with many of them caught with their hands in the cooky jar, the people are very angry with some becoming cynical about their once-respected leaders. The people have shown this lately through a series of protest actions. Indeed, corruption discredits the government, undermines citizens’ respect in authority and subsequently weakens its ability to govern.

Some leaders have perpetuated the culture of corruption, in effect ruining democracy which promises to deliver to the people social, economic and political blessings. Corruption, as we know it for the longest time, has eroded people’s original belief in their leaders’ capabili-

L

VANTAGE POINTS

ty to provide good governance, which may be defined as responsible, efficient and effective policymaking and implementation of the law.

But amidst the loud clamor to abolish the pork barrel system, there are still lawmakers who sincerely believe the PDAF has its good points and therefore deserves to be continued with some refinements that will make the system corruption-proof.

Among the advocates of PDAF’s continuation is Congressman Anton F. Lagdameo, Jr. of the 2nd district of Davao del Norte.

Although he deplored how some legislators misused and abused their pork barrel appropriation, Lagdameo declared in the strongest term his support for the retention of PDAF. Congressman Lagdameo realized the urgent need to utilize the PDAF because if it is being handled true to its purpose and following the strict implementing procedures by different government agencies, it is indeed a great boon for progress and development in the countryside. Since 2007, he showed his best program out of his yearly PDAF allocation. To address the age-old problem of unequal access among poor communities and indigenous peoples to economic opportunities and to the benefits of participation in the social and political mainstream, Lagdameo saw there must be due and proper recognition of their rights and privileges.

Urgent and adequate action on the constituents’ basic social needs, infrastructure development and full and im-

mediate implementation of programs designed to assist the rural folks was Lagdameo’s priority effort. He focused on the sufficient provisions of primary health care and medical services, mini ambulances to all 130 barangays in the 2nd district, health centers, sound basic education, scholarship program, infrastructure development, livelihood programs and including technical training.

Congressman Lagdameo believes that three out of four poor families live in the rural communities and is reason enough to give them the highest priority.

In the light of a successful citizens’ action prompting President Benigno Aquino III to totally scrap the PDAF supposedly a proven necessity-quencher for the poor if handled and utilized appropriately will now become a thing of the past. The government asserted its commitment to exert greater cooperative effort to take necessary steps in transforming PDAF into an effective tool for progress and development. In setting its new strategic directions, government emphasized the importance of funds and speed up work on the draft for a system on channeling appropriations to different implementing government agencies, government organizations (GO) and local government units (LGUs).

The allocation of funds has been challenged by the changes because of what the pork barrel funds have done making some cash-oriented lawmakers ‘profitable’ for years. The recent experience and government decision to abolish the pork barrel funds has caused so much disorder and anarchy in the streets.

Nonetheless, lawmakers like Lagdameo who have been proven to have utilized their PDAF wisely said they are committed to support a new government fund allocation strategy as the first step in reform.

Depends on Misuari

AST month, he repeated for the nth time the declaration of the Bangsamoro Republik – this time including the Malaysian federal states of Sabah and Sarawak. Obviously, the Zamboanga City “invasion” is his gambit. His message for the Aquino government: if you don’t give me the two birds, I’ll continue this war of independence.

Unfortunately for Misuari, the Aquino government has called his bluff – his tantrum. The President sounds firm and stern. To the MNLF fighters, he said: “Surrender now or face the full force of the government” (Inquirer Mindanao: September 19).

Obviously, to Misuari, his advisers and spokesmen” “We will talk only to those who want peace” (Inquirer.net, September 19). This is Aquino’s response to Misuari’s offer to free the hostages in exchange for the fighters’ safe passage back to Sulu and Basilan.

Does this mean a bloody end for the MNLF fighters still fighting? It depends on Misuari. The President said

MIND DA NEWS PATRICIO P. DIAZ

Conclusion he will stay in Zamboanga City “until the crisis is over” (philstar.com, September 19). Does he want peace? The President, by his dictum, will talk to him. With an olive leaf, he should seek the President while still in Zamboanga City. The bloody ending as the end of the crisis can be avoided.

Misuari’s demand for the “one bird” is only to satisfy his pride. According to Secretary Deles, the MNLF had been invited to nominate delegates to the Bangsamoro Transition Commission. The BBL draft is where the MNLF and the MILF can complement each other’s vision of the Bangsamoro. Misuari declined the invitation. The fact I see is: For Misuari, for MNLF to sit with MILF is undignified.

He is looking at 1976, not 2013.

His demand for the “other bird” is

out of order by Deles’ account. The bill to amend RA 9054, end phase of the review, is ready for submission to the Congress. However, Misuari would not agree to until his three additional demands are granted. Two of them, Deles said, had been complied with (plebiscite on territory and provisional government); the third had already been agreed upon (sharing on strategic materials). Obviously, the compliance and the agreement did not satisfy Misuari.

In short, all depends on Misuari.

But former President Fidel V. Ramos disagrees. All the mess is the making of the Aquino III government.

He has advised President Aquino to clean up the mess. Don’t blame Misuari.

The mess is there for all to see.

Who is primarily responsible? We will discuss this in a separate COMMENT. [Author’s Note: Mind da News, the alternate of COMMENT, is specifically an opinion on current news. patpdiazgsc@yahoo.com]

9

Of water spinach, dalag, and Lustre COMMENTARY

BY RICK R. FLORES

I

Conclusion

managed to walk around Lustre and realized communities alter and change. There was nothing to complain except that life teaches us in ways that are unimaginable.

And the unimagined took place on the 9th of September 2013.

As a reiteration, “I witnessed the Rizal Alih military overtures in the early 80s, the massive displacement of local residents of Lustre after two irreconcilable clans violently claimed their individual family’s amor propio in 1988, and armed activism in Isabela City, Basilan in 1990 resulting from alleged corruption of some officials of a state college situated in a coastal barangay where the infamous ambush of a Marine barracks took place.

In the 80s, full-geared military, especially Marines, was a common sight especially before entering the village of Rio Hondo which lies just beside my former alma mater, the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology. Now and then even during school days, me and my schoolmates would rush near the college gates once Army tanks and a battalion of government soldiers uniformly queue to conduct “clearing operations” in Rio Hondo. Military visibility was more pronounced after People Power and during the challenging stages of negotiations with the Moro National Liberation Front but there was limited consciousness and understanding amongst us about the historical struggles of the Bangsamoro, why the massive and heavy presence of state forces, and unabated proliferation of small weapons in our neighborhood.

“People don’t deserve being displaced and forced to leave their homes due to armed confrontation between forces that draw out their victories from military might. Civil liberties, freedom of movement, and human protection are guaranteed in times of conflict and must be observed, equally provided and ensured by combatants but what we saw in very disturbing circumstances in Zamboanga City are blatant disregard and violation of human rights. The people of Zamboanga and Basilan have suffered much; they don’t deserve this war, this is not their war!”

I refuse to forget the landscape filled with water spinach and dalag.

A place where simple dreams and hopes for better future become more necessary day to day, from one rainy season to another. “Lustre is now in ashes,” my Aunt Celia told me over the phone last Monday. The sons and daughters of Lustre may be gone but their spirits continue and shall continue to defy the harsh conditions and difficult testaments of our time like the defiant water spinach and dalag.

(Rick R. Flores is a Davao Citybased freelance development consultant and journalist.)

10 NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 137 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

SK polls postponed M

AGRI PROGRAM. Department of Agriculture 11 regional director Remelyn Recoter reports that DA 11 has submitted to its national office an agricultural program proposal to help coconut farmers in Davao Oriental who

were badly affected by typhoon Pablo during Kapehan sa Dabaw yesterday at the Annex of SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

Death toll in Zambales landslides rises to 25

O

LONGAPO CITY (PNA) -- The death toll in landslides in Zambales due to heavy rainfall rose to 25.

This, after two more bodies were recovered by rescuers in Subic town late Monday afternoon.

Subic town Mayor Jefferson Khonghun said the total number of fatalities re-

covered in Barangay Cawag is now 11 while in Barangay San Isidro, the number of dead bodies retrieved is now at 6, bringing the total number to 17.

Khonghun said there is still one missing person in barangay Cawag buried by landslide that the rescue teams are trying to retrieve.

He said another person

who was earlier reported missing person in Barangay Sto. Tomas was also recovered.

Reports from the Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said that four persons were also reportedly killed due to landslide in barangay Aglao in San Marcelino town.

the country were ordered

by Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon to return to their mother units.

DyBuco said that the immediate effect of the CPO’s implementation was dislocation of 60 percent of the 200 officials and employees in the ports of Davao, General Santos and Mati, most of whom have been assigned in the area for years now.

Most of those affected were not holding plantilla positions, DyBuco said explaining that plantilla positions were mostly created by law as early as the 1970s yet and have not been updated despite the fact that the transactions have already quadrupled through the years.

As an example, the Customs official cited the number of personnel in the assessment division, which evaluates the value of imports and exports and imposes the amount of taxes, used to number 24 appraisers and examiners. When the CPO took effect, what remained were five examiners and appraisers, as this was the number in the old plantilla. As a result, the collection of this unit was greatly hampered,

he said, adding that the daily average collection of from P15 million to P20 million was down to only P2 million, at least during the first days of the CPO’s effectivity.

As a result of the CPO’s implementation, many Mindanaons, “including our brother Muslims,” DyBuco said, found themselves reassigned to Appari, Isabela and other areas in the North.

As a result of the CPO, the new BOC District Collector is lawyer Raymond Ventura, who holds the rank of District Collector V, why DyBuco who used to be acting district collector, is back to his old position as deputy district collector for operations.

He said Ventura has organized a skeletal force to mitigate the lack of personnel in the office, a reason they are optimistic that the collection and general operations of the district will soon stabilize.

He said that Commissioner Biazon has up to Friday this week, to appoint new employees and replacement of those displaced by the CPO. He said

by Friday, the election ban on appointments and transfers of government

employees will already take effect, because of the onset of the campaign for barangay elections in October.

DyBuco believes that the CPO, just like the other reforms introduced by Commissioner Biazon are generally accepted by the BOC rank and file.

One indication is that so far, nobody has come forward to petition for temporary restraining order of for injunction in order not to be moved from his current position, DyBuco said.

“We all realize how low our reputation has become, especially after we were singled out in the SONA (State of the Nation Address) of President Aquino, and there is that desire to gain back the confidence of the people,” he said.

He appealed to the citizenry and the media to give the bureau, the country’s No. 2 tax collection, to cleanse itself from the bad image that has haunted.

DyBuco also said District Collector Ventura, offficials and employees that everything will soon stabilize in Davao and the rest of the 17 other collection districts in the country.

[EJF]

Cutdown... FFROM 1

ANILA, Sept. 23 (PNA) -- Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. presided over plenary Monday as members of the House of Representatives approved on third reading, the substitute bill resetting the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections to the last Monday of October 2016.

This was by a vote of 185-12.

House Bill 2849 is in substitution of six separate but similar measures -- HB Nos. 722, 893, 1987, 2062, 2090 and 2537) authored respectively by Reps. Winston “Winnie” Castelo (2nd District, Quezon City), Joselito R. Mendoza (3rd District, Bulacan), Xavier Jesus “XJ” D. Romualdo (Lone District, Camiguin), Anthony G. Del Rosario (1st District, Davao del Norte) and Edgar Erice (2nd,

District, Caloocan City).

House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms Chairman, Rep. Fredenil H. Castro (2nd District, Capiz), ably sponsored and defended the postponement measure in plenary, with Rep. Edgar Erice seconding the motion for final approval.

Authors of the measure were one in saying that the postponement of the October 28, 2013 SK polls to the next synchronized barangay and SK elections in 2016 would give Congress sufficient time to seriously consider the various pending proposals for the abolition of the SK as an institution.

Castelo, echoing the sentiments of the other principal authors, explained that the “seeming issue of the effects

of a hold-over, or from 2013 to 2016, will be far outweighed by the more significant and lasting benefits of a political environment insulated from partisan politics as well as a level playing field.”

As a consequence, the committee-approved HB 2849 that mandates that the scheduled SK elections shall be postponed to the next scheduled barangay and SK elections on October 2016 and every three years thereafter.

HB 2849 also mandates the Commission on Elections and the Department of Interior and Local Government to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations within 30 days after effectivity of the proposed Act. A parallel measure had earlier been approved by the Senate.

(PNA)

The DepEd 11 has not implemented a random drug testing among public school teachers in Davao City although random drug testing has been implemented by private high schools and colleges.

He added that DepEd 11 would like to make sure that due process would be observed in the case of teachers allegedly involved in illegal drugs.

However, if it is proven that a teacher is into

drugs, DepEd 11 itself will file appropriate criminal and administrative charges.

Sumastre will be charged for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

impact of floods, he explained.

Mr. Octaviano also pointed out that instead of relocation, government agencies must also be prepared to evacuate the population within the villages, many of them found in the coastal towns and the city, in times of disaster.

“Relocation must be the last recourse,” he said, although he could not quantify how many of the about 517,000 people living in the province could be facing the risks. The population was based on the July 2013 report of the National Statistics Coordination Board.

He added that the onslaught of typhoon Pablo - which hit three towns

of the province and other areas in Compostela Valley, Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur – has also reduced the number of people living in the risk areas as they have evacuated to higher grounds.

Nationwide, Mr. Octaviano said, about 46% of the population could ba facing risks for living in the coastal areas and areas prone to floods and erosions.

Meanwhile, the provincial government is also studying an option on whether to abandon the stretch in the Mati-Tarragona highway which has been prone to landslide.

Dolores Valdez-Co, provincial supervising environmental management specialist, said one alter-

native is to build a coastal road connecting Tagabakid, the last village that is part of this city, to Lucatan. Ms. Valdez-Co said the road will have to pass a rock formation that will make the construction of the road a bit expensive.

The plan to build the road was first hatched during the time of then governor Francisco G. Rabat as the problem has been recurring.

Early this year, three people died when a landslide hit the place again as the vehicle of the victim fell as the cascading soil pushed it into a ravine.

Several other vehicles were buried as motorists were stranded by about half a day as the road became impassable.

ceremonies,” Alfaraque said.

City Administrator Melchor Quitain said the new executive order gives reprieve to all government employees who would no longer have to wake up early in the morning every Monday to attend to the flag-raising ceremony.

He said he would not require employees to stand under the heat of the sun.

Quitain said that since the sun is already up at 8:00 am, he would allow employees to gather in sheds where they can protect themselves from the heat of the sun.

“This is a pro-employ-

ee administration. We are always ready to listen to you especially on suggestions on how we can make the delivery of services efficient,” he said.

Quitain also warned the employees against involving in corrupt practices stressing that they will surely regret it. [PIA 11/ Joey Sem G. Dalumpines]

Drug... FFROM 1

Cruz... FFROM 2

Rody...FFROM 3

11 NATION

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 137 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

MANILA

DepEd preparing to resume classes in Zamboanga City E

DUCATION Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC says the Department of Education (DepEd) will be ready to resume classes but wants to focus on assessing schools and students first. “We are currently preparing, with our division personnel, principals, and teachers to be ready for school opening as soon as the Crisis Management Committee declares it safe to do so. Based on our assessment 80% of public schools can resume classes.”

Out of 205 public schools (including annexes), 13 schools are being used as evacuation centers.

According to DepEd division officials, 167 schools can already resume classes next week as long as they are given 24 hours’ notice by the Crisis Management Committee.

“We want a return to normalcy but after an ordeal like this, students and teachers need psychosocial intervention and debriefing,” explained Luistro. “On the first day back teachers need to do a headcount of their students first and assess if intervention is needed. The following days should also be devoted to planning by the principals to organize make-up classes. There will be no regular lessons yet.”

Undersecretary for Regional Operations Rizalino Rivera believes the organization is ready to re-

MANILA

ENDANGERED SHANTY TOWNS. Informal settlers living along creeks in Paranaque City in the national capital region are at risk yet again Monday following incessant monsoon rains overnight in the area. [PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan] sume with a day’s notice “We have 253 personnel trained on psychosocial intervention just last month.

However, 53 of them were directly affected so we need to debrief them first. We’ll also tap volunteers from other regions to assist.”

Rivera adds that the DepEd will also set up temporary learning spaces in non-school evacuation centers. An estimated 12,000 students will need to undergo Alternative Delivery Modes (ADM) or non-traditional means of learning for the next three months because their schools have been affected by the crisis.

[DepEd]

Lacierda to quit post if Tatad shows proof of ‘Napoles-Aquino lunch’

I

F former Sen. Francisco “Kit” Tatad could show proof Pres. Benigno Aquino III had lunch with detained Janet Lim Napoles on the day of her surrender, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda would quit his post.

He said the former senator should apologize for failure to prove these allegations.

“I’m still waiting for it.

If he can prove to me that Napoles had lunch with the president, I will resign. If he doesn’t prove his claim, then he should apologize to us... it’s all not true obviously,” he said.

The Palace official also hit Tatad anew for alleging that Napoles served as the

“conduit” to release “pork barrel” funds to lawmakers in exchange for votes to impeach former Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.

“Not true... if they have documents to prove it, show it. They’re just giving innuendos. We’re a very transparent administration,” he said.

He said one could check on the website of the Department of Budget and Management the date of pork barrel disbursements and that the lawmakers voted based on their judgment.

“It was based on the judgment of the congressmen and senators,” he said.

[PNA]

MANILA

Whistle blowers not allowed to attend Senate hearing on pork barrel scam J

USTICE Secretary Leila M. De Lima Monday left it to the Office of the Ombudsman to decide whether the whistle blowers in the pork barrel scam should be allowed to appear at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing Tuesday.

This was contained in a two-page letter of De Lima to Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, Chairperson of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, in reply to the invitation of the Senate to

MANILA

her and the whistle blowers to again attend the hearing.

According to De Lima, she did not allow the whistle blowers to attend the hearing tomorrow in recognition of the role of the Office of the Ombudsman who has the sole authority to make public the testimonies of the whistle blowers.

De Lima said the Ombudsman already has the jurisdiction in any matters involving the com-

plaint filed by the National Bureau of Investigation against the lawmakers, government officials and private individuals implicated in the Priority Development Assistance Fund scam.

De Lima added the Ombudsman should also decide whether to release to the public the information pertaining to the pieces of evidence and the merit of the case.

De Lima further said this is also pursuant to

the provisions of the Ombudsman Rules of Procedure prohibiting the discussion in public of cases which may put in jeopardy the safety of the witnesses and the resolution of the cases.

However, De Lima did not directly confirm whether she can attend the hearing Tuesday although she gave assurances for the continued support in the investigation of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. [PNA]

Zamora co-authors positive discipline bill A

CCLAIMING the measure as a convergent policy to eradicate domestic violence, Compostela Valley Representative Maria Carmen S. Zamora recently co-authored House Bill No. 155 entitled, “An Act Promoting Positive and Non-Violent Discipline of Children and Appropriating Funds Therefor.”

The bill is principally authored by Rep. Susan A. Yap of the 2nd District of Tarlac.

“We have been wit-

nesses to many unfortunate instances wherein parents and elders instill discipline among children through physical violence, the threat of it, or even psychological punishment.

This kind of parenting has become archaic in the modern world. Children must be raised under an environment that fosters positive behavior to facilitate learning and discipline. This is the main reason why we are pushing for the bill,” Rep. Zamora said.

Under the bill, prohibited acts include the following: forcing a minor to kneel on stones, salt or pebbles; squatting; public humiliation; deliberate neglect of a child’s physical needs; exposure to substances that can cause discomfort; and imposing tasks that the minor is incapable of doing such as forcing him or her to skip sleep and verbal assaults.

Penalties of violations under the proposal are being seen to reinforce penal laws under the Re-

vised Penal Code; RA No. 7160, otherwise known as the “Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act;”; and RA No. 9262, otherwise known as the “Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act.” The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is tasked under the measure to be the lead agency in the law’s implementation, if the same is eventually enacted into law.

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VOL. 6 ISSUE 137 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 137 •TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

CLASSIFIEDS 13

EDGEDavao

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14 SPORTS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 137 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

Agro marches to semis in Sante Barley hoops A

GRO-Industrial Foundation Colleges remained perfect going to the Final Four after disposing Precious International School of Davao, 76 – 55, at the close of the elimination round of the Sante Barley Inter-school Juniors Basketball Tournament action yesterday at the GS Skygym.

The Seahorses, last year’s runner-up, shrugged off a slow start to complete a sweep on its Group A eliminations with a 4-0 record.

It was Poypoy Soronio’s time to shine in Agro’s final game of the preliminary round as the scrappy back-up playmaker banked in 16 points on top of excellent quarterbacking plays.

The rarely -used Soronio responded well to the challenge as coach Arman Villanueva visibly unloaded playing minutes to his key players in the game.

Jeinard Talo-talo and Archie Estrelante made 11 and 10 points respectively for Agro which takes on Group B No. 2 seed Emar

College in the semifinal round next-weekend.

John David Mitchell and Justin Panelo scored 12 and 10 points in that order for PISD which stayed within striking distance in the first two period.

But Agro came alive in the second half taking a 56 – 34 lead at the end of third and was never threatened all the way.

PISD remained winless in three outings in the tournament supported by Nike Athletic Club.

Emar (3-1), which edged defending champi-

ons Assumption College of Davao few weeks back, barged its way to the semis after beating Holy Child College of Davao last week.

Group A top-seed Ford Academy of the Arts that also swept its group preliminaries will face Ateneo de Davao University in the other semifinal clash.

Ateneo placed second in Group A with 3-1 winloss slate. The tournament is organized by Duterte Basketball League and sanctioned by SBP regional office. (RB)

EDGEDAVAO

P R E S S E D. Courtney Fells of Talk N Text gets sandwiched by Rico Maeirhofer and Chris Ellis of Ginebra in the PBA Governor ’s Cup duel last Sunday. The two squads meet again tonight.

Sultan Kudarat bets top GenSan netfest S

ULTAN Kuradarat’s domination of the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Padala through 11-year olds Vince Tugade and Caryn Bless Guarde could have not come at the most opportune time when the youngsters won via straight set victories at the City CourtTennis Club in Gen.Santos City on Sunday.

“This series of nationwide age-group tournaments is part of Palawan Pawnshop’s commitment to give our young players, especially from the countryside, a venue where they could hone their talent and skills,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro.

Tugade upset second seed Merwin Estrellado, 4-2, 4-0, in the quarters, held off Jeff Alquiza, 5-4(4), 4-2, in the semis before tackling No. 4 Alfred Directo, 6-3, 6-1, in the finals to win the Boys’ 14-and-under title in the 18th leg of the nationwide circuit put up by Palawan Pawnshop and Babolat.

Earlier, he downed the top seeded Directo, 4-0, 4-1, in the semis then blasted No. 2 Nicole Gorospe, 6-0, 6-1, to bag the 12-and-U diadem in the event hosted by CCTC, headed by its president Dr. Mario Dideles.

In the distaff side, 11year old Guarde matched Tugade’s two-title romp by ruling the Girls’ 14and 12-and-U classes, beating April Bentillo twice, 6-4, 6-2, and 6-1, 6-2, respectively.

Sharyl delos Santos also scored a twin-kill, trouncing Shaira Rivera twice, 6-2, 6-1, and 6-4, 6-2, to cop the girls’ 18and 16-and-U plums, respectively, while No. 4 Jeric delos Santos topped the boys’ 18-and-U category with a 6-3, 6-0 win over Abubakar Pendiwata.

Unseeded Ralph Diama also pulled off a big surprise, taking the boys’ 16-and-U crown with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Lyle Ibali while top seed April Minet Bentillo rolled past Angelica Novis, 6-3, 6-2, to cop the 10-unisex diadem. (PNA)

SCOOP, DSA support Takbo Para sa Mga Atleta

T

HE Sports Communicators Organization of the Phils. (SCOOP) Davao and the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) have thrown support to the “Takbo Para sa Mga Athleta” Fun Run slated on October 27 at 5 a.m. at the Jaltan Magallanes corner City Hall Drive.

“SCOOP Davao and DSA

are now media partners of our event,” said Salvador “Jun” Paholio Jr., chairman of the organizing Davao City Sports Consumer Cooperative (DCSCC).

The other media partners are sister companies 102.7 FM One Radio News and 783 khz AM Ang Radyo ni Juan both of the RMC Broadcasting Corporation.

INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 137 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

TRAVEL

Learning

with the

‘Maestro’

By ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO Photos by Atenews and www.circuitmag.net

F

ILIPINO music in contemporary times is almost synonymous to one name—the “Maestro” himself, Ryan Cayabyab.

Mr. C, as he is called by peers in the music industry, together with finalists of the Philippine Popular Music Festival, visited Davao City for the event “Songwriting with the Maestro” hosted by the Ateneo de Davao University at the ADDU Finster Auditorium.

The finalists from last year’s festival who came with Mr. C were Ganny Brown, Jungee Marcelo, Adrienne Buenaventura and Raffy Calicdan.

The songwriting workshop was part of the national tour of the Philippine Pop Music

Festival Foundation that aims to promote and preserve Filipino music by empowering Filipino songwriters.

The festival will be held annually now as part of Mr. C’s advocacy to bring back Filipino music through motivating Filipino songwriters.

“Walang madali. No one’s gonna approach you and tell you I’m gonna produce your song. You just need to do it,” Mr. C said.

Davao’s aspiring artists were comfortable communicating with the Maestro because of how approachable and funny he was to everyone in the event, including the finalists who also made friends with the crowd.

“Get much exposure as you can. Sing your

songs in events like fiestas or join the Philippine Pop Music Festival 2014 to enhance your skills in songwriting,” one of the finalists advised the aspiring artists.

The event was not just any workshop, it was a rare experience coming from most the expert maestro himself.

“I’m really proud seeing people from the music industry here in the Philippines fight in getting our music back into everyone’s awareness again. I wish I could be there doing that by now, but I guess I have to leave it to these guys and, hopefully, aspiring artists like me will get to do the same in building or leaving a new legacy,” Mikhail Tuboro, an aspiring artist, said.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

CEB grows Visayas hub passengers by up to 33% THE PHILIPPINES’ leading low-cost carrier, Cebu Pacific Air (PSE:CEB) increased operations from its Visayas hubs, in line with its continued push for more tourism and trade in the destinations it flies to.

From January to August 2013, the number of passengers through the airline’s Iloilo hub went up by 33%, while guests to and from its Cebu hub increased by 15%.

Cebu remains the airline’s second largest hub, with over 2.3 million CEB passengers passing through the MactanCebu International Airport (MCIA) in the first 8 months of the year.

Late last year, CEB doubled the routes it offered to and from the Iloilo International Airport. It provided direct connectivity to Tacloban, Puerto Princesa and General Santos, and pioneered the first international flights out of Iloilo to Hong Kong and Singapore. Previously, CEB only flew from Iloilo to Manila, Cebu, Davao and Cagayan de Oro. Meanwhile, the airline further strengthened its teeming Cebu hub, by launching more CEB routes from the MCIA. CEB launched direct flights from Cebu to Coron, Bangkok, Camiguin and Masbate in a period of nine months. It now flies from Cebu to 25 domestic and 5 international destinations.

“We hope that our direct air linkages empower everyone to travel in the fastest way possible, and discover tourism and trade opportunities all over the Philippines. Cebu Pacific will always explore how else it can assist in the country’s tourism agenda, with the delivery of more brand-new aircraft until 2021,” said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog.

CEB currently operates more than 2,200 weekly flights to over 90 routes or city pairs. The airline flies to 34 domestic and 22 international destinations. Its newest international routes include Manila-Phuket, launched last August 16, 2013, and Manila-Dubai, to be launched on October 7, 2013.

For bookings and inquiries, guests can go to www.cebupacificair.com, or call the reservation hotlines (02)7020-888 or (032)230-8888. The latest seat sales can also be found on CEB’s official Twitter (@cebupacificair) and Facebook pages.

CEB currently operates 10 Airbus A319, 27 Airbus A320, 2 Airbus A330 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. Its fleet of 47 aircraft is one of the most modern aircraft fleets in the world. Between 2013 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 15 more Airbus A320, 30 Airbus A321neo, and 4 Airbus A330 aircraft.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 137 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

STYLE

Rainy day fun for kids from the SM Store LEFT: Go bright and playful with a green raincoat with floral designs paired with these green rubber boots will keep little feet dry and safe.

LEFT: Brighten up a rainy day with this bumblebee raincoat, yellow rubber boots and panda umbrella.

RIGHT: Poncho Princess: A purple umbrella, a pink poncho and pink patterned rubber boots will surely make the little princess go dancing in the rain.

THE RAINS have come, but everything is bright and fun with practical and stylish raingear from the SM Store.

Banish away the stormy day blues with umbrellas with ruffle accents, graphic prints, and prin-

cess designs for little girls.

Animal friends – bunnies, bees, butterflies, pandas in raincoats and ponchos will also keep the little ones company and lift their spirits up.

Keep little feet safe and stylish with fashionable rain boots in solid colors

and playful prints, as well as cool leather boots. Who said singin’ in the rain wasn’t fun?

The collection is available at the Children’s Accessories and Children’s Shoes sections of the SM Store.

Do a fun bunny hop in the rain with this pink raincoat paired with leather bucked boots.

Rainy day blues: Blue rain coat, blue ruffled umbrella and floral boots

CALLING ALL FASHIONISTAS! Here’s your chance to win P20,000-worth of stylish clothes and be seen in the pages of Candy Magazine! Introducing SM Girls Teens’ Wear STYLEBOOK, the search for the ultimate Stylista— style mavens who have a unique personal style and a flair for everything fashion. For more details visit the SM GTW Facebook page: https://www. facebook.com/SM.GTW

Photography by: RAYMOND CELESTINO of Edge of Light Studios Hair and Make-up by: SHASHA TAGUD of Lowell Buenaventura Salon

VOL. 6 ISSUE 137 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

Judy Ann to demonstrate world-class hosting skills in ‘Bet on Your Baby’ IN THE tradition of taking on the best and most exciting shows to Philippine television, acclaimed actress Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo is set to bring her unparalleled charisma to the stage as the host of ABS-CBN’s newest game show, “Bet On Your Baby”.

“Bet On Your Baby”, an international game show for families, aims to put to the test how well parents know their children. Designed for kids aged two to three and a half years old, the game show began airing this same year in the United States and Turkey and immediately gained a huge following as one of television’s most well-loved programs.

Aside from being set to air in the Philippines, the game show is also on its way to touch the shores of China— where the said country is also in the process of developing their own versions of “Bet On Your Baby”.

Following two successful seasons as host of “MasterChef Pinoy Edition” and “Junior MasterChef Pinoy Edition,” for which she received an Anak TV award, “Bet On Your Baby” host Judy Ann is once again

more than ready to take on another grand hosting stint, venturing into the realm of game shows for the first time.

Being a program designed for families that proves the importance of the bond between parents and their children, “Bet On Your Baby” aims to deliver a message that is close to the heart of Judy Ann, w h o

knows the real rewards in being a hands-on mom.

The game show involves three rounds for three families—the initial round, the puzzle round, and the jackpot round. In the first two rounds, one parent from each family will be the decision-maker, guessing whether or not his or her child will be able to accomplish a given task along with the other parent inside a separate room called the “Baby Dome”. Families that successfully accomplish the challenge in the first round are automatically awarded with P10,000.

The second round, a test of speed and wit, allows the winning family to proceed to the third and final round, where they will be given the chance to win up to P1 million.

The new and exciting game show “Bet On Your Baby”, hosted by Judy Ann Santos, will hit Philippine television soon. For updates on the program, visit and like “Bet On Your Baby” on Facebook (www. facebook.com/betonyourbabyph) and follow @betonyourbabyph on Twitter or betonyourbabyphilippines on Instagram.

Barbara Miguel wins Best Actress award in New York

GMA Artist Center lauds child star Barbara Miguel for winning Best Actress at the recently concluded Harlem International Film Festival in New York City.

The Harlem International Film Festival honours films that offer honest, thoughtprovoking portrayals of our world.

After being named as Best Child Actress in this year’s 61st Film Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS), the Kapuso child actress was internationally recognized for her remarkable portrayal of one of the youngest moms in Philippine history via Joseph Israel Laban’s “Nuwebe”, the only Philippine entry in the said competition.

Barbara Miguel became a household name in the Phil-

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A4 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT EDGEDavao Davao Partners

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 137 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

SMART backs int’l microfinance summit MICROFINANCE stakeholders from all over the world, led by Nobel Peace Prize Awardee Dr. Muhammad Yunus will be in Manila for a three-day summit in October that will showcase development strategies for poverty alleviation.

Organized by the Washington-based Microcredit Summit Campaign in partnership with the Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc. (MCPI) and wireless leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), the 2013 Microcredit Summit: Partnerships Against Poverty Summit will be held on Oct. 9-11, 2013. This is the first time the Philippines is hosting this international event.

The Philippines was chosen to host the 16th international summit on microcredit being one of the countries with the best microfinance regulatory framework and for its many innovations in microfinance and poverty alleviation. Government has also utilized public-private partnerships as a development strategy leading to inclusive growth.

Microfinance practitioners, advocates, educational institutions, donor agencies, international finance institutions, non-governmental organizations and others involved in microfinance will look into best practices and work together to elevate these programs to a larger scale for a more significant impact on the global fight against poverty.

As the exclusive telco sponsor, Smart will be providing wireless connectivity in the venue during the entire duration of the summit. A number of internet kiosks will also be deployed in the events hall. It can also be viewed online via live streaming.

“We are proud to be part of this summit that hopes to address the pressing global problem on poverty. This couldn’t have come at a more critical time with only two years left to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals,” said Smart Chief Wireless Advisor Orlando B. Vea. The Millennium Development Goals target to cut global poverty by half in 2015.

In the Philippines, the recorded poverty incidence for the first half of 2012 was 27.9 percent, which means an estimated 24.3 million Filipinos live below the poverty line. Government data showed the statistic has hardly changed over the past six years.

“With the summit, we hope to learn from other countries and at the same time, share how we have utilized mobile communications technology to help improve lives,” said Vea. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Smart e-Money, Inc., the telco has been pursuing service innovations in the areas of mobile banking and microfinance.

“With our series of innovations on the e-money domain, we remain steadfast to be at the forefront in advancing our advocacy in providing the enabling environment for inclusive growth through trailblazing technology within a dynamic payments ecosystem,” said Lito Villanueva, head, Innovation, Ecosystem Development and Global Engagements for Smart e-Money.

Smart’s mobile wallet services have won several awards from distinguished international organizations and have led to strategic alliances with leaders in the remittance and payment industries.

With over 10 years of experience in the mobile commerce industry and a pioneer in mobile banking and mobile wallet services, Smart has implemented a proprietary mobile commerce infrastructure that spans different products and services across different market segments, partnered with various financial institutions in catering to the financial transaction requirements of both the banked and unbanked sectors.

PARTNERS AGAINST POVERTY. Telco leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has partnered with the Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc. (MCPI) have joined forces for the hosting of the 2013 Microcredit Summit: Partnerships Against Poverty Summit here in Manila. In photo, from left, are Jose Benjamin Fernandez, Managing Director, Smart e-Money; Jane Basas, Group Head, Prepaid; Charles Lim, Smart EVP and head of wireless consumer business; Orlando B. Vea, Smart e-Money president and CEO; Mila Bunker, Chairperson, MCPI; Allan Robert Sicat, Executive Director, MCPI; Aileen Paglinawan, Administration and Finance Manager, MCPI; and Lito Villanueva, Head, Innovation, Ecosystem Development and Global Engagements for Smart e-Money.

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 137 •TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

FRENCH KISS France wins first ever Eurobasket title L JUBLJANA – France ended their long wait for European glory by beating Lithuania 80-66 on Sunday to win the 2013 EuroBasket title — their first continental crown.

Portland Trailblazers star Nicolas Batum collected 17 points and six rebounds while Boris Diaw had 15 points and his San Antonio Spurs teammate Tony Parker added 12 points for France, who were runners-up to Spain in 2011.

It was a huge relief for France, who had failed to take the title after 13 previous top four finishes didn’t produce a crown.

And also for Parker, who comes back to play for Team France every summer.

“It’s hard to describe how I feel. The journey was unbelievable. I wouldn’t change a thing,” said Parker.

“I won the title. I’m a little tired. I felt it in the quarters and semis.

And before the game the coach said trust your teammates. If you score 10 points we will win the final. And he was right.”

French coach Vincent Collet was proud that

Parker had finally gotten his title.

“For so much time he has tried with French basketball to reach this trophy. Finally he got it.

That’s simply the natural reward. But it was not the easiest way,” said the Frenchman.

Lithuania were hoping to finally claim a fourth European crown after titles in 1937, 1939 and 2003. But the Baltic side will have to be happy with a second silver after 1995.

Linas Kleiza tallied 20 points while Mantas Kalnietis scored 19 points for Lithuania.

“Today we had a chance to win but they were better than us. We didn’t do anything to give ourselves a chance to win,” said Lithuanian veteran Robertas Javtokas.

Batum scored 10 points in the second quarter and led the decisive 21-3 French run to close the first half — effectively taking control of the game with a 50-34 lead at halftime.

Lithuania were able to cut the deficit to 14 points early in the third quarter and late in the fourth, but France would not allow them any closer.

Stenson wins Ginebra-TNT knockout game today FedEx Cup D SLIPPERY. France’s Tony Parker (L) attempts to get past the defense of Lithuania’s Darjus Lavrinovic during their European championship basketball final at Ljubljana’s Arena Stozice September 22, 2013. REUTERS/Srdjan Zivulovic

ROUGH NIGHT. Harvey Carey of Talk N Text (light) goes up against William Wilson and Rico Maeirhofer of Ginebra in the PBA Governor’s Cup duel last Sunday. The two squads meet again tonight.

UE to heavy rains brought by southwest monsoon, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has decided to move on Tuesday the knockout match between Barangay Ginebra and Talk ‘N Text for eighth and quarterfinals slot of the PBA Governor’s Cup. The do-or-die match is set at 7:15 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

The Tropang Texters forged a knockout game after trouncing the crowd-favorite Gin Kings, 113-99, last Sunday night at the MOA Arena.

The winner between Ginebra and TNT will advance against top seed and twice-to-beat Petron Blaze in the quarterfinals while the loser will join Air21 for an early vacation.

The quarterfinals will begin Wednesday with Meralco facing Barako Bull and San Mig Coffee taking on Alaska in the second game.

A

TLANTA (AP) -- At this stage in his career, Henrik Stenson never expects anything to come easily.

He already had poured in hours upon hours of work to even get to this stage - a four-shot lead going into the last day of the Tour Championship, giving him a clear shot at the FedEx Cup and the biggest payoff in golf. He was reminded what was at stake when he saw the two trophies displayed on the first tee at East Lake. ‘’I knew it was a lot of things on the line,’’ he said.

He figured his best move was to play his best golf, and he delivered a 2-under 68 on Sunday to claim both trophies.

With a birdie on the 15th hole that thwarted a late charge by 20-year-old Jordan Spieth, followed by three pars from the sand, Stenson wound up with a three-shot victory over Spieth and Steve Stricker in the Tour Championship. Equally important, if not more, he captured the FedEx Cup

and its $10 million bonus. ‘’The main thing is to block everything out and go play golf, which I was pretty good at in the long run,’’ Stenson said Sunday.

The short run hasn’t been bad, either.

No one has played better over the last three months. Stenson tied for third in the Scottish Open, and was runner-up a week later at the British Open. He was runner-up in the World Golf Championship at Firestone and finished third at the PGA Championship.

And when the FedEx Cup playoffs began, the 37-yearold Swede didn’t lose his stride. He won the Deutsche Bank Championship to get the No. 2 seed, and then capped it off with the first wire-to-wire win (no ties) in the Tour Championship since Tom Watson in the first year of this 30-man showcase. ‘’Hats off to him,’’ Stricker said. ‘’He played great. He played great in the playoffs.

He won two of these events.

He deserves to be champion.’’

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 6 ISSUE 137 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

STILL NO. 1. Tiger Woods finished the year as the Tour’s top player.

Despite losing FedEx Cup, Tiger Woods wins 2013 player of the year

BEST OF THE BEST A

TLANTA (AP) -- Tiger Woods wrapped up at least one award as player of the year.

Woods has won the PGA of America’s pointsbased award for player of the year on the strength of his five PGA Tour victories, the money title and the Vardon Trophy.

Adam Scott would have had to win the Tour Championship and the Vardon Trophy for the race to end in a tie.

Woods had 90 points - 10 points for each of his five wins, 20 points each for the money title and Vardon Trophy for lowest adjusted scoring average.

It was the 11th time that Woods won PGA player of the year, and ninth time he won the Vardon.

He had not won either award since 2009, the year

TOP ROOKIE. Jordan Spieth in action during the final round of the FedEx Cup.

that ended with his personal life unraveling.

Woods earlier this month wrapped up the Arnold Palmer Award on the PGA Tour for winning his 10th money title with just over $8.5 million.

Steve Stricker won the Byron Nelson Award by the narrowest of margins, averaging 68.945 per round to Woods’ 68.985.

Unlike the more prominent Vardon, the Byron Nelson does not require a player to have at least 60 rounds.

Stricker played 51 rounds this season, ten fewer than Woods.

Still to be determined are PGA Tour awards for player of the year and rookie of the year. Both are a vote of the players, and the electronic ballots were to be returned quickly for a Friday announcement.