Edge Davao 6 Issue 185

VOL. 6 ISSUE 185 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2013

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MORE OPTIONS. A young girl accompanied by her grandmother scans a wide array of Christmas lanterns on display along Tionko Avenue in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr

STILL NO SPEED GUNS

Speed limit order cannot be fully implemented

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

T

HE Traffic Management Center (TMC) has to wait for the speed guns they requested from the city mayor’s office before they can fully implement the speed limit order of Davao CitMayor Rodrigo R. Duterte.

PSupt.

Dionesio

Abude (ret), TMC head, told reporters in yesterday’s i Speak forum at the city hall that they cannot fully implement Executive Order (39) 39 that sets speed limits for motor vehicles within the city without the four speed

FSTILL NO, 15

3 charged for theft ofP3.4-Mjewelries

By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR

NEW LOOK. NCCC Mall supermarket president Javey Lim confers with communications manager Aileen Gajo while they are checking out the mall’s newly-renovated supermarket on Wednesday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

T

epc@edgedavao.net

HE City Prosecution Office has charged three persons with qualified theft for stealing jewelry worth P3.4 million from their employer who owns the Time to Shine Jewelry

Shop at the Victoria Plaza mall.

Prosecutor Gaye T. Magdagasang charged Rian Cagatcagat, 24 , Genevei Solarte, 26, both residents of Catalunan

F3 CHARGED, 15

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EDGEDAVAO

THE BIG NEWS Landfill to prevent flooding of school T

HE Josefa Llanes Escoda Elementary School in Gem Village, Ma-a, Davao City, is asking different subdivision developers to donate their spare landfill which could be dumped on low-lying areas around the school to prevent flooding.

Principal Cecilia Cardoza told reporters last Wednesday at the Club 888 forum, Eagles Bar of The Marco Polo Davao, that they asked for the donation as a way to eliminate flooding each time it rains. She said that they only filled half of the 2,500 square meter school

premises and still need some 150 more truckloads to complete the job.

Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta, committee on education, science and technology, arts and culture chair, said that she already wrote to different subdivision developers requesting them to donate the waste land-fill to the school.

“Instead na itapon nila kung saan-saan, doon na lang nila sa Josefa Llanes Escoda (Elementary School). Kasi ma eliminate ang problema kung saan nila itatambak at the same

FLANDFILL, 15

VOL. 6 ISSUE 185 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2013

ROUTINE. A City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) employee trims the trees around Magsaysay Park in Davao City as part of the maintenance and beautification programs of the agency. Lean Daval Jr.

Ex-convict, two others CVD PROJECT shot dead in Davao City

By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR

A

epc@edgedavao.net

34-year-old ex-convict was shot dead by unidentified assailant Wednesday evening while having a few drinks in Purok 5, Sitio Naming, Barangay Angalan, Tugbok district, Davao City.

Police identified the victim as one Elizar Yungot, laborer, from Sta Cruz, Davao del Sur. Also on Wednesday, two other persons were killed on two separate shooting incidents by unidentified assailants.

Police identified the fatalities as Erlito Esperancilla. alias “Nonoy,” 36, a resident of Sto.

Nino Buhangin, and Allan Olazo, 31, of Purok 5, Barangay 23-C. P/Chief Inspector Ariel Acala, station commander of the Tugbok police station said Yungot, together with his live-in partner and friends, were having a drinking session in a karaoke bar at around 6:00 p.m. when a man suddenly appeared and shot him twice in the head and fled.

Police recovered one empty shell and slug of unidentified caliber pistol for ballistic examination.

Investigation said

FEX-CONVICT, 15

City to pursue fight alone if need arises

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

T

HE city government of Davao wants to sustain the Cardio-Vascular Disease (CVD) project even if there is no support from any international group.

Councilor Bernard Alag told reporters in yesterday’s press briefing at the CVD Conference at Waterfront Insular Hotel that they will find a way to sus-

tain the project.

Al-ag added that they want the CVD project to continue so that the fight against CVD in the city also continues.

“The purpose of our convention is to really tell the public and policy makers that there is urgency in fighting CVD. “And we will achieve that, we will succeed in the future,” Al-ag

said.

In 2011, the city council passed an ordinance approving the partnership of Handicap International and the city of Davao, a milestone formal agreement on fighting CVD. He said that Handicap International provides the city with funds, staff trainings and laboratory test equipments in dis-

trict health centers.

Councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte thanked the Handicap International for supporting the project as the partnership with the project is about to end this year.

“And now, the challenge is for the LGUs to continue all the projects we began,” Villafuerte said.

PDAFissuereduces USEP’s enrollment

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

T CONFIDENT. A Quiz Bowl participant appears to be very sure of her answer as she smiles while jotting it down during YMCA City-Wide Academic Olympics held at NCCC Mall activity center Tuesday night. Lean Daval Jr.

crc@edgedavao.net

HE Supreme Court’s decision to declare the PDAF unconstitutional and resulting to the withholding of congressmen’s PDAF in the city means that 3,374 college scholars in the University of Southeastern Philippines (Usep)-Obrero Campus will not be enrolling themselves for the second semester this school year.

Susan Vicente Villarente, director of Office on Student Services- USEP, said that a lot of congressional scholars weren’t able to renew their scholarship. She said that

many of their congressional scholars weren’t able to enroll this year because of lack of financial assistance. These include scholars of first district congressman Karlo Nograles, second district congresswoman Mylene Garcia, and partylists like ACT teacher, CIBAC, Gabriella, Kabataan, and senator Trillanes.

During the first semester before the issue on PDAF surfaced, they had 5,421 externally funded scholars, but only 517 remain in the second semester. The rest are

FPDAF, 15

VOL. 6 ISSUE 185 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2013

Biz group to hold gab on 2015 ASEAN integration in GenSan

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HE Mindanao Trade Policy Center (MTPC) of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) will hold a forum on the island’s agricultural prospects in the 2015 ASEAN Economic Community.

Ricardo Juliano, PCCI vice president for Mindanao, said that under the 2015 ASEAN Economic Integration, “there will be a free flow of goods, capital and services for a single economic market for the 10 member nations.”

“Mindanao as an agriculture area has its competitive advantage in the ASEAN market,” he said in a statement.

Slated on Dec. 5, the forum is dubbed “Maximizing Benefits on Agribility: For ASEAN and International Market Access.” It will be held at the East Asia Royale Hotel in General Santos City in partnership with the Philippine Federation of Exporters in Region 12.

Former Socio-Economic Planning secretary Cielito Habito will discuss the topic “ASEAN Overview and Prospects for the Philippines under ASEAN Economic Community.”

Segfredo Serrano, Department of Agriculture undersecretary for policy, planning, research and development, and regula-

tions, will speak on the topic “Challenges for Hog,

BY THE NUMBERS Poultry, Feed and Corn Industry.”

PHL’s gross domesti c The ASEAN product grew Community will 7 percent be based on three in the July to Septem pillars namely “a ber period, slower than security community, an economic 7.6 percent posted in second qu community and arter. a socio-cultural community,” SOURCE: NSCB according to an MTPC briefer.

The formation of the it added.

The 2015 ASEAN InASEAN Community is expected to lead to the cre- tegration seeks to make ation of a single market the bloc a key player in inand production-based ternational economy and region with a free flow of politics like the European goods, services and capital, Union. [MindaNews]

NEWS

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EDGEDavao Davao Partners

4 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 185 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2013

COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE

LGU to gather partners for ‘Bayanihan’ T

HE Compostela Valley provincial government now prepares for a Partners’ Forum on November 29, 2013 at the Capitol dubbed as Bayanihan Para sa Karunungan Program.

Inviting local leaders, business executives, and other guests, the event seeks to find partners of the Provincial Local Government Unit in supporting the Department of Education (DepEd) provide quality education through in-school reading interventions packaged with series of valuable programs and sessions.

While the province has been constructing classroom-buildings patterned in the GK way (bayanihan), Governor Arturo T. Uy also finds reading an aspect of equal importance in giving quality education to the youngsters in their early years in school.

Senior Board Member Tyron L. Uy who chairs the Committee on Education and Information Technology of the Sang-

guniang Panlalawigan also shared the same vision of creating an environment conducive to the development of reading aptitude for children.

The provincial government has embarked on programs related to reading improvement and comprehension of school children. Compostela Valley Transforming Education Today or COMET is a reading initiative in partnership with the Alcantara Foundation under their corporate social responsibility and with the province’s existing public-private-partnership.

Project ARTURO (Accelerated Readers, Tomorrow’s Ultimate Response to Opportunities) on the other hand, is a reading development program in close partnership with the DepEd, focusing on a child’s reading skills and comprehension. It is also a support of the provincial government to the national advocacy of making “Every Child A Reader.”

“Bayanihan Para Sa Karunungan” is a reali-

LAAK, COMPOSTELA VALLEY

LEYTE-BOUND Cargo trucks loaded with goods and relief aid board a ferry in Lipata port, Surigao City on Thursday, November 28. Lipata port is one of the gateways to super typhoon Yolanda-affected areas in the Visayas. [MindaNews Photo by Keith Bacongco] zation of making these aforementioned reading programs to be part of the “Kalinga sa Kabata-

an” Program of Governor Uy. And as public-private-partnership is visibly practiced in the

Third annual cave festival opens F

OR the third year in a row, the major caves of Laak, Compostela Valley will be the scene of party and fun, not the regular raucous type that is, as the municipality opens Thursday its annual cave festival.

“Who says caving is not fun?” commented Janice Ollave, Laak tourism officer, whose seemingly fragile physique belies the fact that she can slither in and out of caves like any experienced

DAVAO DEL NORTE

cavers.

Ollave explained that based on accounts her landlocked municipality hosts more than 100 caves of which only less than twenty have been explored.

Laak is 50 kilometres from Tagum City in Davao del Norte, the main access to her town.

The annual festival is focused on at least 12 caves – six in Sto. Niño, three in Andap, and three in Sisi-

mon – where more than 300 graduating high school students in the municipality of Laak and other cave enthusiasts in Davao Region will converge starting Thursday (November 21) for their three-day immersion on the cave environment and exposure on the importance of protecting, preserving, and conserving this significant part of the terrestrial ecosystem.

“The immersion

and exposure, as well as tree-planting in the cave vicinity, are the serious side of the festival, the fun is in the get-together nightly activities in the Municipal gymnasium that feature the usual search for ‘Mr. and Miss Caverandia, and of in the second night the Caver’s Show down, singing, and dancing,” Compostela Valley caving coordinator Prescila Decena said. [JPA, PGO-TSS]

Red Cross receives donations for typhoon victims

A

SIDE from giving to church-based entity, Davao del Norte donors for Typhoon Yolanda victims entrust their donations in cash and in kind to the Philippine Red Cross Davao del Norte Chapter.

Philippine National Red Cross, Davao del Norte Chapter Administrator Luzviminda Cacacho-Neri yesterday morning revealed some Tagum City, Davao del Norte-based individuals, organizations and institutions which coursed through their donations to the PRC. Among the donors in-

kind are Tagum Doctors College, Rotary Club of Central Panabo, Maryknoll High School of Panabo Alumni Association, Tough Forty Cooperative of Tagum, Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Agua Fontana, Sureflow Mineral Water and Aces College of Tagum. Neri also identified “Nonoy” Te as in-kind donor.

In-kind donors brought to PRC Davao del Norte food items such as rice, sardines, noodles, canned goods, coffee, milk; bottled water, used clothing, and toiletry.

Nestle Philippines and

Gaisano Grand Mall of Panabo pledged to donate while Mr and Mrs. Pedro San Jose and Tagum City Bankers Association of Tagum City handed over cash donations to Davao del Norte PRC. Neri revealed that the local chapter of PRC already made its first delivery of donations to Tacloban City Chapter of the Philippine Red Cross on Nov. 21 through Dr. Bernardo S. Ang of the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

Davao del Norte PRC will be sending tonight its

volunteers Atty. Mylene Baura, Revidor Pereyras and Arnold Nicolas to take the second batch of donations to Ormoc City Chapter of PRC. Other donors in Davao del Norte were coursed through donations to Oplan Tabang of the Diocese of Tagum through Father Emerson Luego who already made two rounds delivery of donations for typhoon victims in Leyte in tie-up with the Diocese of Leyte based in Palo, Leyte. [PIA 11/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan]

province, this endeavor is another venue for generous partner-donors to share the glory of build-

ing a brighter future for the Comvalenyo children. [Grace Almedilla, IDS-Comval]

ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL

Informal shoreline settlers benefit from core shelter assistance project

F

ORTY three(43) shoreline informal settlers received P70 thousand pesos worth of check from the Core Shelter Assistance Project (CSAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development(DSWD) Field Office XI in coordination with the City government of Island Garden City of Samal at the PHRDC, Brgy.

Catagman, Samal District last November 20.

The CSAP is a protective services project under the Bottoms-Up Budgeting Program designed for disaster victims or relocation assistance for those dwelling along disaster prone areas and needed to be relocated to safe and secure relocation sites certified by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau(MGB).

The grant financial assistance will be utilized for the construction of houses for indigent informal settlers however to strictly comply on the approved standard structural design provided by the Commission on Audit.

“Nagpasalamat kaayo ko sa Ginoo ug sa atong lideres sa atong gobyerno kay unexpected kaayo nga makadawat kami niining pinasya nga dako kaayong

tabang para makapatukod kami sa among puloy-anan”(I’m so thankful to the Lord and our leaders in the government for the unexpected assistance given to us which is of big help for the construction of our dwelling), Pag-asa Neighborhood Association for Shelter Assistance Vice Chair Martiniano Ganados said.

Ganados said they were really happy because they were accommodated in a relocation site in Barangay Tambo and they also received assistance for the construction of their houses.

DSWD Field Office XI Protective Services Chief Rebecca Santamaria explained the importance of owning a dwelling place for a person however she stressed the need for beneficiaries to strictly follow the rules in the implementation of the Core Shelter Assistance Program Santamaria was grateful to the local government for the concerted effort and support to the project since there is also a need to strictly comply with the requirements in its implementation.

[MELROSE ARIG SAMAL CIO]

VOL. 6 ISSUE 185 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2013

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6 THE ECONOMY

VOL. 6 ISSUE 185 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2013

Streamlining of processes in getting permits urged

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

A

crc@edgedavao.net

LTHOUGH doing business in the country has improved because of reforms in some government offices, an official said that this is still not good enough.

There is still a need to streamline the getting of permits for businesses to surpass other growing Asean economies like Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand and eventually get to the top 50’s or 60s three years from now.

“If its too complicated and gets too long, basically that’s anti business and anti development in the economy. We need to streamline, we are going to do that,” National Competitiveness Council (NCC) private co-chairman Guillermo M. Luz told reporters during the NCCC Roadshow at the Pinnacle Hotel.

The Philippine’s leapfrogged 30 places in the 2014 Doing Business survey released by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a winning streak but the challenge is how to maintain the improvement and bypass other countries who already belong in the top 20 of the global survey.

We are still far behind because our target is 50 to 60 [referring to the rank of the coun-

tries that offer ease in doing business], but I think we can get there in two to three years,” Luz said.

In a report, the 2014 edition of the global survey bared that the Philippines placed 108th from 138 in the 2013 edition.This was because trhe Aquino government is keen on improving the number of steps it takes to start a business.

IFC noted that the Philippine economy is one of the best performing economies in the world in terms of competitiveness in the last two years but according to him, the leap is still small.

“I’m not happy with this.

It’s good but not good enough, dapat plus 20s,30s or 40s.” He said that that they cannot be complacent with this growth because there still more to be improved not just in government transactions, but also in infrastructure, education, health services, science and technology.

He also said that there’s a need for more reforms in the government, noting that there’s a need to improve transparency, accountability, and to curtail corruption.

There must also be budget reform.

“If we will not do that,

COMMON INGREDIENTS. Vendors chop animal intestines at Agdao market, Davao City. Intestines are common ingredients in preparing “dinuguan”, a local dish known to foreigners as “chocolate meat”. [MindaNews Photo by Keith Bacongco] businesses will bypass the Philippines.”

The conference was dubbed “Boosting Regional Competitiveness through Pub-

lic-Private Partnership.” He also commented on the strong bond between the public and private sector in the city, adding that development won’t be

possible without the partnership.

“Davao City is lucky to have the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry,

Inc.,(DCCCII) and Mindanao Business Council (MBC). As long as they maintain the partnership, development will be good,” Luz said.

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 185 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2013

PROPERTY

7

Camella rolls out early Christmas blowout W

ITH Christmas just around the corner, Camella will be rolling out its ‘Home for the Holidays Early Christmas Blowout’ this Saturday, November 30, to help spread the holiday cheer.

The Home for the Holidays is Camella’s annual Christmas promo that is anticipated by homebuyers looking to get a great deal when buying a new home at any of Camella’s communities. It is no different this year as even better deals await those who make their home purchase within 2013.

“This Saturday will be an eventful day for our buyers, as there will be an all-day breakfast and free Blugre coffee and burger in the afternoon,” said Anna Mae dela Pena, Camella Davao Marketing Head.

Another activity that will surely be a hit to guests, homebuyers and their kids will be the Goldilocks Decorate your Cake Contests for children up to 13 years of age, enhancing the festive feel of the Buyers Day. “But of course, the most exciting part are our great deals and freebies such as big outright discounts and discount upon loan release,” said dela Pena, urging homebuyers to call 295-3973 or at visit Camella Davao at Delgar Bldg., JP Laurel Avenue, Bajada, for more details.

Down payment terms are extended up to 36 months and monthly down payment for lot only packages can go as low as P2,191. Holiday rebates ranging from 3,000 to 10,000 are also given out on the first down payment. That’s a big load off to new homeowners who can allocate more budget for other necessities.

“Not only that, we also have freebies such as their choice of a split-type air-conditioning unit or a double door refrigerator for selected home packages,” said dela Pena. Buyers who will make their reservations this Saturday will also get a Holiday Christmas basket as a gift from them.

Dela Pena also announced that Camella Cerritos is working roundthe-clock to complete construction of its basketball court to make its recreational amenities available for the homeowners’ use during the holidays.

“We are now fast-tracking its completion to provide more venues for Cerritos homeowners to enjoy the coming holidays with their families through ball games and other outdoor sports,” said dela Pena.

Camella Cerritos is an Italian-Mediterranean subdivision sprawled over prime land located beside the national highway in Mintal. It is proximate to major public utilities such

as markets, terminals, schools and universities, hospitals, banks, grocery stores, and other daily essentials.

Its main entry gate is a few steps away from the national highway, making its location quite convenient for public transportation. It also has a shuttle service that can ferry homeowners within the subdivision or to the downtown area.

Land development and all the roads in Cerritos are already complete, and hun-

dreds of houses are already lived in. Soon homeowners will enjoy the clubhouse, the lush parks and pocket gardens where they can hang out with friends and family.

“What makes Cerritos more attractive is that it is now a thriving community, with homeowners enjoying community spirit and reveling in their tranquil yet rich lifestyle,” said dela Pena. The amenities will give homeowners more opportunities for recreational activities, further

enhancing their social and community life.

Mintal’s rich, fertile soil has made trees and other plant life bloom in Camella Cerritos, giving it a nature-filled environment that makes living here both healthful and pleasant.

With this lush surrounding, fresh air, and a good view of the majestic Mt. Apo at the south, Cerritos offers charming and wonderful living conditions.

“We further enhance that lifestyle with deluxe amenities and 24/7 secu-

rity. Hence, people really wait up for units to open in Camella Cerritos. Luckily, they can also opt for our expansion, Cerritos Trails,” said dela Pena. As an expansion, Cerritos Trails offers the same charming lifestyle to those who want to live in Camella Cerritos.

With the coming yuletide season, Camella Cerritos and Cerritos Trails are made easier to acquire for homebuyers, making them the perfect gift for family and loved ones this Christmas.

Dubai property back in the spotlight US building permits The remarkable resurgence of the UAE property market is continuing apace, especially in Dubai.

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VIDENCE of the return of confidence was underlined when two Emirati property companies raised the possibility of tapping capital markets last week. Damac Properties of Dubai, a luxury real estate firm, is planning a $500-million initial public offering on London’s GDR exchange, and Aldar Properties of Abu Dhabi is considering issuing a sukuk, a bond-like Islamic financial certificate.

Just how successful the two companies are will give a strong indication of just how far investor sentiment toward UAE property has changed since the real estate bubble burst in 2008 and property prices fell 50% by the end of 2010.

The return of Emirati property firms to capital markets has come after two or three years of steady gains in the property sector in the region, a trend that has accelerated this year.

Property prices in the Dubai, for example, have

risen 30% year on year by some analyst estimates.

Emaar Properties, the bellwether real estate name, has seen its share price rise 67% from November 2012.

State-linked firm Nakheel has even set out plans to restart work on its ill-fated palm tree-shaped island.

Extensive restructuring of various struggling real estate holding companies has helped, as has the overall GDP growth of the UAE; Abu Dhabi through record oil receipts over the past five years, and Dubai through a resurgence of its services sector.

Dubai has also seen a sharp influx of cash because of instability in the surrounding MENA region.

“It is seen as a haven and many people are buying property here,” one Dubai-based banker said.

All of this has combined to push prices up and prompted some to hail the resurgence of for-

tunes.

However, the memory of 2009-10 is still fresh in many minds, and the “B” word has inevitably resurfaced here and there.

“It is too early to speak of a bubble, but should price increases continue to take place at this pace, action will need to be taken to prevent a bubble,” Harald Finger, IMF mission chief to the UAE, said recently.

Emirati authorities haven’t been idle either.

They recently doubled sales fees in Dubai to limit speculative buying. One analyst pointed out that this doesn’t affect a large portion of the real estate transactions in the emirate, which are done with cash, but it should put a curb on debt-fueled property speculation.

The authorities are willing to do more.

“We don’t want a sharp increase in property prices that will exhaust the market. This is not healthy,

and it is unnecessary.

What we’re trying to maintain is a sustainable growth in the real estate sector over the coming five years,” Sultan Butti Bin Mejren, director general of Dubai’s Land Department, said last month at a Reuters conference.

“I don’t believe there’s a bubble forming. We are and we will be further regulating the real estate market.”

Most analysts and bankers appear to believe that the UAE has “grown up” and learnt the lessons of property crash.

The government has been proactive in bringing in laws to prevent a repetition of the events of 2008.

Apart from increasing sales fees, the UAE central bank last week said Emirati lenders would have to cap lending to state-linked firms at 100% of its capital base, with lending to a single borrower limited to 25%. [Reuters]

surge to 5-year high

U

S home building permits surged in October to the highest level in five years, suggesting stronger momentum ahead in the recovering housing market, government data released on Tuesday showed.

Building permits, a signal of potential residential construction growth, rose to an annual rate of 1.034 million in October, up 6.2% from September’s 974,000, the Commerce Department said.

The growth in building permits over the past two months was well above analysts’ average estimate of 932,000 per month. It was the fastest pace

of building permits issued since June 2008.

Publication of the September and October reports on building permits was delayed due to the partial US government shutdown in the first half of October.

Data on housing starts for those two months, normally published along with building permits, is scheduled for release on Dec. 18 and will include the November numbers.

Permits for multi-family units led October’s rise, soaring 16.9% to a rate of 387,000 homes. Permits for single-family homes rose a modest 0.8% to a rate 620,000. [AFP ]

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 185 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2013

EDITORIAL

B

It’s called prudence, Kim

UREAU of Internal Revenue Kim Henares is at it again, essaying the role of a “villainess” with such tailor-fit proficiency as the typecast characters of show business and comic book series.

We do not want to see our government officials looked up to with such abhorrence, but we could not help but frown at the ill-timed pounding the BIR made on boxing icon Manny Pacquiao who had just fought 12 gruelling rounds with a Tex-Mex brawler in Brandon Rios in Macau. Sure, Manny came out a big winner with another harvest of millions of prize money but it did not come easy. Manny went through months of training and rounds of battering. Yes, he did battered Brandon but the fists also came with a lot of pain. Brandon is like a bull and you can just imagine punching a beast for more than half an hour.

Manny threw 790 punches to be exact hitting 281. Imagine the punishment your knuckles had to go through. That’s not including the hits Manny took from Brandon.

Alright, not to be melodramatic. Manny is a hero who had just brought honor and reprieve at a time when the country is reeling from disasters. But that does not excuse him from not paying his taxes. No dispute with that. The BIR has the power

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NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

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to throw the book on Manny. No exception, superstar or no superstar. Hero or no hero. Rich or poor. Everyone is equal in the eyes of the law.

Kim is right. Dura lex sed lex. The law may be harsh but it is still the law.

However, even the enforcement of the law has to be prudent and this is where the BIR may have hit Manny at an ill-advised time. Kim could have been a little more prudent. Like waiting a while when the ecstasy had died down on Manny’s triumph which came like a whiff of fresh air for the country, most especially the victims of Yolanda.

Our wish now is for Manny to fix his mess and learn from the greats of boxing who had run-ins with taxes. Likewise, we also wish the BIR to help, not just Manny, but everyone else, get their messed up tax infractions fixed. Taxation, the lifeblood of government, is not that easy to deal with and much less understand afterall. Tax implications get complicated once your tax base increase.

It’s not too late. This mess with Manny could still be fixed and everyone will end up with not just a sarcastic grin but a genuine smile.

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG Creative Solutions

ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Associate Editor

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

ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR / CHENEEN R. CAPON Reporters

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

JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

AQUILES Z. ZONIO Correspondent

KRISTINE D. BORJA AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Marketing Specialist Circulation

Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Marketing Specialist Cagayan de Oro City c/o PZ Villarin Marketing Cagayan de Oro City Tel: (088) 852-4894

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S

VOL. 6 ISSUE 185 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2013

True extent of the challenges

TILL NOT A HOPELESS SITUATION – Three weeks after super typhoon Yolanda shattered the eastern parts of the Visayas, some roads remained choked with debris, fallen electric posts and trees making it a big challenge for the government and foreign rescue and retrieval teams to reach certain rural communities.

Survivors in those areas have gone through a horrible experience with the delay in the delivery of relief goods and other essential commodities that the victims almost abandoned hopes of survival.

The good news is that after an initial chaos, the government and UN humanitarian mission assured that national and international aid efforts were already gathering momentum.

That is what motivated all sectors involved in the rescue and retrieval operations and relief distributions to take the approved procedures of sharing their expertise in time of calamities. One of challenges during the early days is the synchronization of all efforts. Not only the foreign endeavor, but in concert with the national, provincial and city authorities and government organizations (GOs) and non-government organizations (NGOs).

Coordinating rescue effort and relief work haven’t been easy during the early stages.

By being more in routine, foreign aid workers started to interact with the urban and rural communities and they get a better sense of what are really happening and the true immensity of the challenges.

Consequently, shifting from survival mode to one of early recovery, more than $270 million foreign aid keep on pouring in to the different typhoon-ravaged provinces.

The progress has chance the wary public’s perception and understanding on how rescue and relief efforts operate in time of distress.

There is hope, however. It is unjust to say that the present dispensation seemed not in the position to stimulate a fast recov-

F

ery and rehabilitation program. Friendly nations are behind the Aquino administration, pledging and extending whatever support it needs and wishing the country and its people the best.

The government has been facing serious issues and still reeling from the terrifying effects of disasters, but then again as I’ve said, the situation is not hopeless. If other countries shattered by disasters could rise from the ruins, literally, so will the Filipino people in the days ahead.

One thing certain, though, is that the problems and tribulations being felt in the disaster-stricken areas are not definite.

However, the increasingly vocal calls for immediate assistance show that despite government and foreign aid efforts, many survivors are still simmering with discontent. These people have experienced some of the worst things when tragedy struck their villages, yet at the same time countless still believe their appeal for help will be addressed. They believe that if the government’s system and policies are keep on the right track, their miseries will be solved – although this cannot be done overnight.

At any given time when recovery and rehabilitation efforts are in full swing, an estimated 1.4 million or so people devastated by Yolanda across a dozen islands can be found in a number of temporary or semi-permanent shelters. Unfortunately, even at the height of a situation when unity and solidarity supposedly are the norm, some quarters still have the audacity to make undesirable statements and bitter side comments accusing the government as maddeningly ineffective. Sadly enough

government can’t take any action or make any decision without someone criticizing.

The mounting criticism is a stark reminder of the lingering ill-feelings toward the government. But severe critics and detractors become inconsiderate without even taking into account the enormous financial requirement needed amounting to P250 billion or $5.8 billion to defray the cost for recovery and rehabilitation program. And the amount is expected to increase dramatically over the next few weeks when the government finally determines the extent of the damages. Certainly criticism draws attention to the fine line between vigilance and paranoia.

Persistent critics and political adversaries are determined to keep pushing government for quick and serious actions. Clearly some of the issues they raised are doubtless phony therefore noted socio-political experts observed that about 80% of the issues are unreasonable. Simply put, they incorrectly portrayed the country as on the verge of anarchy due to the alleged failure of the political leadership to effectively address the recurring intertwining problems. Moreover, they have not offered support to any numerous political pretenders that can rightfully govern the country.

That’s precisely why the country is finally getting what it deserves. Again, to recapitulate isn’t it the voters’ fault to begin with? But despite all the drawbacks things are getting better and that people still can dare chase their wildest dreams. Yes, admittedly we have been swindled by our politicians time and again, but like it or not, our hopes still rest with them. Furthermore its’ good enough if such belief comes with the political awareness that would encourage our current leaders to address posthaste the pressing issues confronting the masses of our people instead of wasting their time on superficial and trivial matters.

Rid of pork, let’s have real democracy now!

OR decades, pork and the perks it afforded to abusive leaders corrupted our political system and dashed our hopes of seeing integrity, honesty, or fair play in the political processes of our democracy.

But now that the pork barrel—or the socalled priority development assistance fund (PDAF)—has been declared by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional, can we now proclaim: LET THE MESSAGE GO FORTH FROM THIS DAY FORWARD THAT DEMOCRACY IN OUR REPUBLIC SHALL NO LONGER BE DISGRACED BY UNFAIRNESS, DECEIT, OR THIEVERY! That would be ideal.

But our problem is, will the people in power, the election high rollers, and the callous predators of our electoral system respect the Supreme Court’s declaration? It is very important that everyone does.

Otherwise we, the citizenry, will once more lose a fighting chance to reform the system and transform our society into a real democracy.

The allure and temptation of pork and its variations should not be allowed to play a part in Philippine politics again.

It deadens patriotism and dilutes idealism as a motive force for entering the noble service of society. And it tempts power-greedy and badly-motivated individuals to regain their dominance over the electoral system.

WORM’S EYEVIEW

BY MANNY VALDEHUESA A Level Playing Field Democracy demands equal opportunity.

It requires electoral competition to take place without nepotism or advantage to any contender—not especially to those already favored by incumbency and dynastic ties.

As long as certain candidates are favored by pork—financing their campaigns, boosting their image, with government funds—elections cannot be said to be equal, fair, open, or free.

But with pork out of the picture, talented men and women of integrity can aspire to public office and expect fair competition. Unlike before, when government-funded projects could be claimed by presumptuous politicos as their personal contribution to the community or to development, there will now be a level playing field for honest elections. There will be room for idealism, integrity, and honesty.

Our Task: Keep Politics from being Corrupted Again It is incumbent upon us now to ensure that graft and corruption cannot easily infect public affairs. To do so, we must never tire of exposing and denouncing any attempt to bring back the

culture of impunity.

No one who makes a mockery of integrity should be able to get away with it again. If we cannot terminate corruption entirely, we must at least curb tolerance of it by stigmatizing hypocrisy and dishonesty in public service for all time.

Not least, we must restate the proper role of a legislator—which is to articulate directions and norms for society and formulate good, wise laws in pursuit of progress and justice. In a word, a lawmaker.

Then we can focus on the task of restocking both Houses of Congress with men and women of probity, a passion for justice, and a commitment to the rule of law.

And as we do so, we must see that anyone who aspires to be a legislator may no longer fool around with public works and leave that task to the Executive Branch where it properly belongs.

Then perhaps all the fire and fury of the First Quarter Storm of 1970 and of the 1986 People Power Revolution can finally burn our society’s reform agenda into the conscience of our muchabused nation. [MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. Manny Valdehuesa writes from Cagayan de Oro and is the president and national convenor of Gising Barangay Movement Inc. He can be reached at valdehuesa@gmail. com.]

VANTAGE POINTS

9

The twisted politics of enforced economic pain COMMENTARY

BY NICHOLAS WAPSHOTT

(Conclusion)

B

USINESSES like the cheapness and weakness of labor that policies of mandatory unemployment for millions produce. Politicians congratulate themselves for taking “hard” decisions that inflict untold misery on the blithe assumption that the more harsh and bitter the medicine, the more it will do good. Many voters, too, appear to believe they deserve to be chastised for living high on the hog for too long.

Where did they get this idea? There is nothing in economic theory to suggest that being poor is a virtue. On the contrary, most theory is directed toward finding ingenious ways to maximize prosperity despite the vagaries of the business cycle. Yet deep in the psyche of many of the Austerians and Austrians who are summoned to provide some intellectual justification for the beggar-thy-neighbor policies is a sense that only by feeling bad can you feel good, only by inflicting misery can pleasure result, only by paying off past debts can prosperity be restored.

There is both a religious as well as a psychological basis to passing off punishment as a virtue. John Maynard Keynes recognized it and asked, is it the sado-masochistic make-up of some economists that causes them to enjoy pain and welcome inflicting pain on others?

Hayek acknowledged a righteous dimension to his cheese-paring economics. His eternal pessimism led him to believe Keynes’s revolutionary notions about borrowing at the height of a depression to be “immoral.” This has led some to believe Hayek was implicitly condemning Keynes’s sexuality, though, perhaps because of the circumstances of his own failed marriage, Hayek did not press the notion as far as he might.

Religion and morality may have little to do with economics but a great deal to do with politics, particularly in America. The thrust of many western religions is that the good life is one that minimizes material possessions and that a simple life in this world will lead to untold rewards in the next. Calvinism, the creed the sociologist Max Weber believed was the key to understanding the emergence of capitalism in northern Europe, both insists upon hard work without reward and a modest outward display of wealth to signify being part of an elect heading for heaven.

It is the Protestant/Roman Catholic divide that underlies the economic debate about debt in the European Union today. The northern European Protestant nations, including Britain, admonish the southern Catholic nations — and Catholic Ireland — for not treating wealth creation seriously enough.

When Martin Luther launched Protestantism and set off the Reformation, he could not have imagined he would be encouraging the debt wars that dominate today’s European politics.

In America, political battles over personal morality — such as homosexuality and women’s health rights, which used to preoccupy conservatives — have given way to arguments over the role of debt in society. The old plea for “family values” has been replaced by the charge that those who do not prioritize the paying off of debt are poor parents and grandparents as their descendants will be left to pay the check.

It was when pandering to a question based on such sentiment that Harvard history professor Niall Ferguson suggested Keynes did not care what happened to children and grandchildren because he was gay and had no offspring.

A more persuasive family values argument would suggest that families are kept together and work at their best when everyone is working, well-housed, and comfortably well-off.

The best way to destroy family life is to impose the stresses and strains of living without a wage-earner in the family. Just as it is virtuous to work, it is virtuous to provide work. To punish the victim of structural joblessness for being poor and a poor parent to boot is doubly harsh. And to disguise such an assault on the poor as an act of morality is the height of hypocrisy.

10

VOL. 6 ISSUE 185 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2013

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

EDGEDAVAO

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE INTERIM CAPITAL EXPENDITURE (CAPEX) PROGRAM FOR THE YEAR 2014 SOUTH COTABATO II ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC., Applicant.

ERC CASE NO. ______

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

APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE INTERIM CAPITAL EXPENDITURE (CAPEX) PROGRAM FOR THE YEAR 2014 AND FOR THE AUTHORITY TO SECURE LOAN/S THEREFOR WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY Applicant, South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (hereafter SOCOTECO II), through the undersigned counsel, and to this Honorable Commission, respectfully states that: THE APPLICANT

1. SOCOTECO II is an electric cooperative duly organized and existing under and by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 269 (PD 269) and other laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office at J. Catolico Sr. Avenue, Lagao, General Santos City, represented herein by its General Manager, Rodolfo G. Ocat, as per Board Resolution No. 65, Series of 2013, a copy of which is attached as Annex “A”; 2. SOCOTECO II is the holder of an exclusive franchise, issued by the National Electrification Commission (hereafter NEA), to operate electric light and power services in General Santos City and the municipalities of Glan, Malapatan, Alabel, Malungon, Kiamba, Maasim and Maitum in the province of Sarangani and Polomolok and Tupi in South Cotabato; THE APPLICATION AND ITS PURPOSE

3. The Instant Interim Application is in compliance Resolution No. 26, Series of 2009, “A Resolution Amending the Rules for the Approval of Regulated Entities’ Capital Expenditure Projects)” adopted by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) pursuant to section 43 of Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), and its implementing Rules and Regulations, in relation to ERC Resolution No. 20, Series of 2010, which categorically provides that all capital expenditure projects shall be submitted for approval of the Honorable Commission prior to their implementation; 4. The instant Interim Application is likewise in accordance with ERC Resolution No. 20, Series of 2011, “A Resolution Adopting the Revised Timeline for the Filing of Multi-Year Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) Applications of Electric Cooperatives Prescribed in Section 6.2 (Transitory Provisions) of the Amended Rules for the Approval of Regulated Entities’ Capital Expenditure Projects”; THE PROJECTS

5. The following Table 1 details SOCOTECO II’s Interim CAPEX Projects for 2014:

Other Network Projects

TABLE 1: Projects for 2014 Interim CAPEX

Count

1

2 3

Proposed Project

Location

Quantity

Capacity Augmentation and Mandatory Projects Malandag, Malungon Sarangani Province

Development and construction of Malandag Substation

extension of 69 kV line Going to the proposed substation at malandag (25 CKT Kms)

Malandag, Malungon Sarangani Province

Modification of Existing 69 kV Subtransmission line from 336 ACSR to 795 ACSR Conductor.

Unit Cost

Cost

1

9,353,678

1

62,500,000

GSC

1

16,342,831

16,342,831

Construction of Double Circuit 69 kV Line from NGCP Substation to Existing Ligaya Substation.

GSC

1

45,039,015

45,039,015

Relocation of 20/25 MVA Substation from main office to POLOMOLOK S/S

Municipality of Polomolok

1

10,000,000

10,000,000

GSC

1

27,000,000

27,000,000

SOCOTECO II System

15

750,000

11,250,000

13.2 kV Reliability Improvement Projects

5 6

7

18

19

20

21

22

Count

Modification of New Society Substation to Maximize the 12 Hectares Land Area of New Society SOCOTECO II Property.

Installation of Automatic Circuit Reclosers at strategic locations of selected feeders with longer line reach for public protection & Safety

Unit of 15 KV (seimens) outdoor type circuit breaker Battery Charger spare 48VDC & 125VDC Spare Industrial Batteries

Set of station class 69 KV lightning arresters

Set of station class 13.2 KV lightning arresters Proposed Project

SPARES

1

1,712,896

1,712,896

150

5,000

750,000

6

2 4

Quantity

120,000

500,000 105,000 Unit Cost

720,000

1,000,000 420,000 Cost

Other Network Project # 1 1

Transfer of NGCP billing meter at connection point in Klinan substation. (5 Meters, 6 Instrument Transformers and torrets structure)

Other Network Project # 2

5

1,700,000

8,500,000

1

5 units of 3 Phase IEC for M1 New Society

1

331,000

331,000

3

4 units of 3 Phase IEC for M9 Fishport

1

281,378

281,378

2 4 5

4 units of 3 Phase IEC for M4 Calumpang

5 units of 3 Phase IEC for M12 Main Office 4 units of 3 Phase IEC for M14 Leon Llido

Other Network Project # 3

1 1 1

281,378 281,378 281,378

281,378 281,378 281,378

1

24 units 70:1 Potential Transformer, 15 kV Single Bushing PT

72

42,000

3,024,000

2

24 units 15 kV Extended Range Current Transformer, 200:5

72

58,000

4,176,000

1

Installation of new Meters for 15 Substation in replacement for TRANSCO Meters

15

120,000

1,800,000

1

6,000,000

6,000,000

6

54,500

335,123

80,385

2,221,981

126,000

1,841,932

253,000

792,532

Other Network Project # 4 Other Network Project # 5 1

CCTV Cameras and Radio Frequency Repeater

1

10 kVA Distribution Transformer

3

25 kVA Distribution Transformer

Other Network Project # 6 2 4 5

6 7

15 kVA Distribution Transformer

11

37.5 kVA Distribution Transformer

5

125,900

3

159,335

28

50 kVA Distribution Transformer

15

100 kVA Distribution Transformer

3

75 kVA Distribution Transformer

Other Network Project # 7 1

Forecasted Kms of 240 Volts secondary Lines to be constructed

1

kWhr meters for add on 2014 customers

Other Network Project # 8

70,000

763,411

598,883 485,258

47

296,000

13,771,623

6,809

1,750

11,915,869

11

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 185 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2013 6.

In summary, the foregoing projects are as listed in the following Table 2:

TABLE 2: Summary of 2014 Interim CAPEX Projects Capacity Augmentation and Mandatory Projects 69 kV Reliability Improvement Projects 13.2 kV Reliability Improvement Projects SPARES Other Network Projects Total

71,853,678 61,381,846 48,250,000 4,602,896 57,683,124

243,771,544

JUSTIFICATION 7. Generally, the projects subject of the instant Interim CAPEX Application are either necessary or mandatory or both for SOCOTECO II to meet the criteria specified in the Philippine Distribution Code (PDC) for performance standards and the Philippine Electrical Code (PEC) for safety; 8. Specifically, the construction of 25 Circuit Kilometers 69kV Line and 5MVA substation in Malandag, Malungon is a mandatory project that will bring about improvements in power quality, system reliability and capacity; 9. Similarly, the modification of the 8.7 kM sub-transmission conductor from Barangay Ligaya to the SOCOTECO II main office from 336.4 ACSR to 795 ACSR will result in a more efficient system, will enhance power quality, reliability and availability, and will reduce line inherent losses; 10. On the other hand, the construction of double circuit lines from the NGCP General Santos City - Klinan Substation to the SOCOTECO II Ligaya 69 kV Line is necessary to ensure the security of power supply to the municipalities of Alabel, Malapatan and Glan; 11. After the commissioning of the 35/43.75 MVA power transformer in SOCOTECO II’s main office in 2013, the relocation of the existing 20/25 MVA power transformer (M12) from the main office to replace the existing 10/12.5 MVA power transformer (M6) in the Polomolok substation to address the increasing demand for electric power in Polomolok; 12. Another relocation, that of the New Society substation, will maximize the usage of the land and will give way to future developments and the integration of the facilities in the commercial district and the development of a loop system a step higher than the existing radial configuration to primarily improve the reliability of SOCOTECO II’s distribution system; 13. The installation of automatic circuit reclosers will eliminate the possibility of failure and insure the safety and protection of the public; 14. Finally, the purchase of materials, supplies and spares will provide an insurance against possible breakdown or failure of equipment/component while the other network projects are indispensable for SOCOTECO II’s operation in order to comply with some provisions of the regulatory requisites, e.g., the Distribution Services and Open Access Rules (DSOAR), the Philippine Distribution Code (PDC) and the Philippine Grid Code (PGC); RELATED DOCUMENTS

15. The details of SOCOTECO II’s technical performance, as well as an analysis of its existing distribution system and its forecasts, are detailed in the Distribution Development Plan (Proposed 2014 Interim Capital Expenditure Project), a copy of which is attached as Annex “B”, while a copy of the Financial Analysis is attached as Annex “C”, both of which are made integral parts hereof; BOARD APPROVALS

16. Board Resolution No. 65, Series of 2013, (Annex “A”) evidences the approval by the Board of Directors of SOCOTECO II of the filing of the instant Application for the Approval of the Interim CAPEX Projects for 2014, as well as for SOCOTECO II to secure loans to finance said projects, and the authorization of General Manager, Rodolfo G. Ocat, to represent SOCOTECO II herein; SOURCES OF FUNDS

17. With a total project cost of PhP243,771,544, the RFSC fund for 2014 can only finance Php13,771,623 of the proposed Interim CAPEX Projects. The remaining Php229,999,921 cost of the projects will sourced from various lending institutions such as the National Electrification Administration, banks and other financial institutions, for which authority to secure loans is herein sought.

The details of these funding are shown in the Financial Analysis (Annex “C”); 18. Rate Impact. Table 3 below shows that the financing options yield small variances in their amortization repayments. The least minimal option is the 10 years 7% financing scheme with Php 311,170,726 amortization payment for 10 years, while the option which yields the most amortization repayment is the 10 years 9% financing scheme with Php 334,362,385;

TABLE 3: Cumulative Rate Impact Under Various Financing Plans OPTION

1 2 3 4 5 6

I N T E R ES T R E PAY M E N T C U M U L AT I V E CUMULATIVE CAPEX RATE IN TERM in Years AMORTIZATION RATE Impact Per KWH – Percent (%) sufficiency (insufficiency) In Pesos (PhP) 7 5 270,920,740 (0.0443) 8 5 276,766,572 (0.1345) 9 5 282,612,403 (0.0476) 7 10 311,170,726 0.0087 8 10 322,766,556 0.0074 9 10 334,362,385 0.0060

19. SOCOTECO II’s current average distribution, supply and metering rate is P 1.1866 inclusive of the MCC rate of PhP0.1518. The rate applied by SOCOTECO II to its consumers is based on the latest approved unbundled rate issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) last February 04, 2004 as per ERC Case No.2001-1009; 20. There is no rate increase for the proposed interim CAPEX projects for 2014.

As the simulations show, at the most probable rate of 8% for a 10-year term loan, the 10-year forecasted sales at the existing RFSC rate of 0.1518 is sufficient to cover the additional loan amortization resulting from the amount to be loaned from outside financiers for the portion of the Interim CAPEX that cannot be funded through the Reinvestment Fund for Sustainable Capital Expenditures (RFSC); 21. The results of the rate impact analysis show that the implementation of the Interim CAPEX projects, even at the most economic and financially viable option will render the cash flows of the cooperative positive at the most probable scenario of a 10-year term loan at a fixed rate of 8%; 22. At 7%, a 10-year loan yields the lowest rate, but is not the preferred option because this interest rate is only available at a variable long term loan. This means that the loan interest rate shall be repriced annually, or every 3 years, at SOCOTECO II’s option, which will make it more difficult for SOCOTECO II to predict its cash flows because of the volatile nature of the interest rates; 23. The preferred option, 10 years at 8%, shows that the RFSC (at the rate of P0.1518) revenue for the next 10 years is sufficient to cover the additional loan amortization. This rate is available at a fixed term loan which will make it easier for SOCOTECO II to manage its cash flows because of the fixed nature of the annual amortization. There is no need for repricing within the 10 year term of the loan; COMPLIANCE WITH PRE-FILING REQUIREMENTS

24. In compliance with Section 2, Rule 6 of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, copies of this Application together with all its supporting annexes and accompanying documents, were furnished to legislative bodies of the relevant local government units (LGUs) within the franchise area of SOCOTECO II. Copies of the Certifications of the LGUs are attached as Annexes “D” to “D-10”; 25. The Application was likewise published in its entirety in a newspaper of general circulation in the provinces of Saranggani and South Cotabato. Copies of the Affidavit of Publication and of the issues of the newspaper are attached as Annexes “E” to “E-2” and “F” to F-2”; 26. The Application is primarily intended to allow the Applicant to improve its distribution system and to provide better, reliable, adequate and efficient electric service to the member-consumers in the coverage area; JUSTIFICATION FOR THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

27. The ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure authorizes the Honorable Commission to issue provisional authority prior to a final decision when the facts so warrant the remedy, which in the instant case is the mandatory nature of many of the projects and the urgency of their implementation to allow SOCOTECO II to provide service to its customers in accordance with the requirements of law; and 28. The Interim CAPEX Projects are necessary to be implemented in 2014 to address capacity, reliability and power quality problems in the franchise area of SOCOTECO II. PRAYER

WHEREFORE, premises considered, it is respectfully prayed that; 1. Pending hearing, the Honorable Commission issue provisional authority for SOCOTECO II: (i) To immediately begin implementation of the above 2014 Interim CAPEX Projects in the total amount of PhP243,771,544; and (ii) To secure loans to finance the aforementioned Interim CAPEX Projects; and 2. Subsequently, after due notice, hearing and evaluation, grant final approval of the instant Application for SOCOTECO II to implement the 2014 Interim CAPEX Projects and to secure loans to finance the same.

Other relief, just and equitable in the premises are likewise prayed for.

Marikina City for Pasig City, 11 November 2013.

DE LOS ANGELES AGUIRRE OLAGUER SALOMON FABRO & OJEDA 240 J.P. Rizal, Sta. Elena, Marikina City Tel. Nos. 646-1809; 646-1820 Counsel for Applicant SOCOTECO II By:

ATTY. MARIA CONCEPCION O. OJEDA PTR No. 7620044; 01-09-13; Q.C. IBP Lifetime No. 01066; Q.C. Attorney’s Roll No. 41112 MCLE Compliance No. III-0003820

ATTY. SHIRLEY MENCIANO OLAGUER-OBENZA PTR No. 4466946; 01-04-13; Marikina City IBP No. 873642; 12-13-11; Rizal Attorney’s Roll No. 37481 MCLE Compliance No. IV-0016237

12 CLASSIFIEDS

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1) 1-hectare commercial lot at P10,000/sq m, along National Highway, facing east, beside NCCC Panacan, Davao City. 2) 17,940sq m commercial lot at P2,500/sq m, along Matina Diversion Road. 3) 3,831 sq m lot along Matina Diversion Road. 4) 41,408 sq m commercial/ industrial lot at P800/sq m along the National Highway, Bunawan. 5) 7,056 sq m at P1,200/sq m commercial/residential lot along Indangan Road, Buhangin District. 6) 27,411 sq m commercial/ industrial lot along the National Highway in Bincungan, Tagum City. 7) 116.15 to 245.92 sq meters , at P5.5M to P12.3M commercial/ office condo units in Bajada, Davao City. 8) 699 to 1,117 sq m at P4,100/sq m commercial lots at Josefina Town Center, along the National Highway, Dumoy, Toril. 9) Ready-for-Occupancy Residential Properties: 4BR/3T&B in a 240 sq m lot with 177.31sqm floor area (2-storey) at P4.8M in an exclusive beachfront community in Dumoy, Toril.; 3BR 2-storey in a 71.25 sq m 2-storey in a 143sq m lot in an exclusive flower village in Maa, Davao City; 180 sq m lots with 71.25sqm to 126.42 sq m floor areas, priced at P3.751M to P5.773M in an exclusive mountain resort community along Matina, Diversion Road. 10) 1BR/2BR residential condo units located in Bolton, Maa, Obrero, Davao City. 11) FOR ASSUME (RUSH): 1BR res’l condo unit in Palmetto, Maa. P600K negotiable. Note: Items 1-9 can be paid in cash, in-house or bank financing. If interested, please call Jay (PRC REB Lic. 8237) at 0922-851-5337 (Sun), 0908-883-8832 (Smart) or send email to propertiesindavao@yahoo.com.

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13 COMMUNITY SENSE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 185 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2013

Thousands of bananas, relief packs for Yolanda survivors

T

HOUSANDS of bananas, relief packs, and bottled water were distributed to Ormoc and Tacloban, Leyte as the Anflocor Group of Companies and the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) responded to the need of the survivors of typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

Six thousand boxes of export-quality Cavendish bananas, close to 8,000 re-

lief packs which consisted of food and basic items, and 10,000 bottles of water were loaded to trucks and reefer vans that set foot to typhoon-stricken communities.

Employees of Anflocor, themselves, volunteered to pack the relief items as sacks of goods poured in from other members of PBGEA such as Tristar Group of Banana Companies, Lapanday Foods Corporation,

General Santos Drive, Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506

Tel. No. 083-228-2511 ; Fax No. 083-228-2654

General Santos Drive, Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506 Tel. No. 083-228-2511 ; Fax No. 083-228-2654

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Qualifications: Qualifications:

1. Male, 28 – 40 years old 1. least Male, high 28 – school 40 yearsgraduate old 2. At 2. At least high school graduate 3. With 5 years driving experience (bus, trucks) 3. With 5 years driving experience (bus, trucks)

Requirements: Requirements: 1. Driver’s License with Official Receipt License (2 with Official Receipt 2. 21.x Driver’s 2 I.D. picture pcs.)

2. 2 x 2 I.D. (2 pcs.)or clearance from 3. Certificate of picture Employment 3. Certificate of Employment or clearance from previous employment

May apply in person at Human Resource Department, YBLIinOffice, General Santos Resource Drive, May apply person at Human Koronadal City. YBLI Office, General Santos Drive, Department, Koronadal City.

Close to 8,000 packs are ready for to be transported to Tacloban and Ormoc, Leyte while volunteer employees at the back continue repacking. and Del Monte Fresh Pro- nanas are one of the best ing has just started. and food packs to comduce (Philippines), Inc. immediate sources of enAnflocor, thru its ba- munities in Bohol that In the aftermath of the ergy and nutrition for the nana company Tadeco, were hit by the 7.2-magmost devastating typhoon survivors who still lack and PBGEA also distribut- nitude earthquake last to hit the Philippines, ba- decent shelter as rebuild- ed thousands of bananas October 15.

14 SPORTS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 185 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Nietes: I’ll be as patient as Pacquiao

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

T

njb@edgedavao.net

HE age-old adage “patience is a virtue” has a new disciple in Donny Nietes.

The reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) light flyweight champion launched his determined chase for the ring record of the great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde with what he calls as contained aggression—the same branch of boxing science that propelled two great Filipino fighters recently to rebounding wins.

Nietes has a lot to thank Manny Pacquiao and Nionito Donaire for, taking the two ring idols’ recent successes in the ring like a fighting manual he takes to heart from the first page to the last.

“Hindi ako mangigigil, kung may opportunity para sa knockout kukunin natin, kung wala idadaan natin sa decision basta convincing lang ang panalo,” Nietes told Edge Davao yesterday shortly after the official press conference of PInoy Pride XXIII: Filipinos Kontra Latinos at the Gloria Maris Banquet Hall inside the Araneta Center’s Gateway Mall.

Before he revealed his fight plan, Nietes surprised everyone in the hall, including his promoter Michael Aldeguer, when he boldly said he considers the championship fight as a “tune-up fight.”

“This is a championship fight but it’s a tune-up for me,” Nietes, who owns

an impressive ring record of 31 wins without a loss, with 12 of those wins coming within the distance.

That fight in the radar of Nietes is a return match against Moises Fuentes whom he has beaten earlier in defense of his light flyweight title—the second world championship across his name.

Nietes will be defending the title he won in 2011 against dangerous former WBO minimumweight champion Sammy “Guty” Gutierrez of Mexico, who is known for his knockout power. Gutierrez has a 33-win 9-loss 2-draw record with 23 knockouts.

The Nietes-Gutierrez fight, which banners the biggest fight card in years with

READY TO RUMBLE. Filipino WBO lightflyweight champion Donny Nietes (left) and challenger Sammy “Guty” Gutierrez of Mexico (right) strike a fight pose during yesterday’s pre-fight press conference at Gloria Maris Banquet Hall at the Gateway Mall. Lean Daval Jr. two world championships championships, is set on Milan “El Metodico” Meand two international Saturday at the SMART lindo takes on Jose AlfreAraneta Center. do “Torito” Rodriguez of Nietes will have an Mexico for the WBO inadded motivation in this ternational flyweight title, fight. A win will move and Jason Pagara will vie him closer to passing the for the WBO internationseven-year championship al light-welterweight title reign of Elorde. He won against Vladimir Baez of the WBO minimumweight the Dominican Republic. title in 2007 and a win Two other interesting here will get him possibly fights will pit comebackone win away from break- ing AJ “Bazooka” Banal ing that record. going up against Puerto “Knockout? KO is a in- Rico’s Lucian Gonzalez cidental but I will go for while Jimrex “The Exethe title,” said Gutierrez cutioner” Jaca takes on through an interpreter.

Indonesia’s Wellem Reyk Pinoy Pride XXIII is the in a lightwelterweright biggest fight card ever put clash. up by ALA Promotions in “We are asking everycollaboration with ABS- one to come out on SatCBN. Part of the proceeds urday and support our of the fight will go to the boxers. This is one of the ABS CBN Kapamilya Relief most difficult cards to put Operations for the victims up and with the recent of supertyphoon “Yolan- calamities, we were realda.” ly challenged to put this In the main supporting one up,” said Aldeguer of fight of the evening, Mer- the fight card originally lito “Tiger” Sabillo stakes set for Dubai but transhis WBO minimumweight ferred to Manila in the title against Nicaragua’s last minute to showcase Carlos “Chocorroncito” the country’s readiness Buitrago of Nicaragua, for the big ticket fights.

TEAM PINOY. Filipino boxers (left-right) Milan Melindo, Merlito Sabillo and Donny Nietes listen to questions from the media during yesterday’s press conference of the Pinoy Pride XXIII card set on Saturday night at the Smart Araneta Center. Lean Daval Jr.

BIGGEST CARD EVER. ALA Promotions CEO Michael Aldeguer (center) says Pinoy Pride XXIII is the outfit’s biggest fight card ever. Lean Daval Jr.

INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 185 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

ARTS AND CULTURE

FROM London, to Paris, Rome and even our very own Manila, many of the world’s major cities are founded upon the riverbanks and Singapore is to exception.

In fact, much of Singapore’s history is actually founded upon the three-kilometre long Singapore river.

From the founding of the once British Colony to the island nation’s rise as a trading centre, the Singapore river has seen it all.

Fast forward to the present day and the river still retains much of its original state with many historical as well as new additions along its banks an don a recent trip with friends we decided to walk along the riverbank to explore its many bridges as

Romance of the bridges Exploring the historic bridges of the Singapore River

FROMANCE, A4

07,

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

Get the iPhone 5c for as low as P1,349 monthly from Globe

The iPhone 5s now available at P1,799 monthly with unlimited LTE GLOBE Telecom is now offering the iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s at more affordable price points under its fully-customizable Best-Ever mySUPERPLAN, a next-generation postpaid plan that features fully-customizable plan components and a bigger plan value.

The iPhone 5c 16GB is now available for as low as P1,349 monthly at Plan 499 with a monthly cashout* of P850 for a 24-month contract period. The postpaid plan bundle comes with 300 megabytes (MB) of mobile Long Term Evolution (LTE) surfing and free calls and texts.

On the other hand, the iPhone 5s 16GB is offered for as low as P1,799 monthly at Plan 999 with a monthly cashout* of P800 for a 24-month contract period. The plan is bundled with unlimited LTE surfing and free calls and texts.

“Customers can now purchase the newest iPhones under our suite of fully-customizable postpaid plans at a price that’s easier on their pockets and enjoy the same best deals and innovative offers only from the leader in postpaid and trusted expert in iPhone,” shares Raul Macatangay, Head of Globe Postpaid.

On top of the offers now made more affordable, Globe subscribers also get free subscription to Globe Gadget Care, the complete mobile phone protection program against theft and accidental damage available in the market today, as well as free access to Facebook along with customer experience innovations until January 2014.

Globe is also offering the iPhone 5c 16GB in prepaid for only P29,000 and the iPhone 5s 16GB at P34,400 payable via credit card for up to 12-month installment at 0% interest. The prepaid kit comes with a free prepaid nano-SIM and free 900 MB of mobile browsing for 3 months.

New and existing Globe subscribers who are loyal iPhone users can also avail of the iPhone Forever plan, an exclusive phone upgrade program that allows them to swap their current devices to get a new iPhone every year for free or with minimal cashout. The iPhone 5c 16GB is available at iPhone Forever Plan 1599, while the iPhone 5s 16GB is available at iPhone Forever Plan 1999, both for a contract period of 24 months. Both plans are bundled with 1 gigabyte (GB) of mobile LTE surfing and free calls and texts.

To know more about the Globe iPhone offers, visit www. globe.com.ph or call the Globe Sales Hotline at 730-1010.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 185 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Starmobile shines brighter in Davao with new store opening at SM Lanang Premier STARMOBILE, premium local smartphone maker, launches another concept store in Davao City’s prestigious shopping address, SM Lanang Premier, this Saturday, November 30, 2013, following the successful opening of Starmobile shops and kiosks in various Davao locations.

Located at the 3rd level of SM Lanang Premier, the new Starmobile store will deliver best value mobile devices and solutions to the Durian Capital with a full range of smartphones and tablets at prices within reach. Leading the pack are 12 new Android devices that include quad core tablets, large screen phablets, and sleek smartphones that rival today’s most popular brands in the market.

Great finds at the Starmobile Gold Rush Leveling up the opening day thrill, Starmobile brings to town the Starmobile Gold Rush Promo, a limited time special treat for shoppers that will run from November 30 to December 8 only.

The Starmobile Gold Rush Promo offers shoppers golden discounts up to P3800 off their favorite Starmobile phones and tablets. Included in the sale are the bestselling Starmobile Astra for only P3,990, which is the first Android Jelly Bean smartphone with mobile TV and the Twitter-trending Starmobile Flirt for only P5,490. More great finds come with every

purchase of the Engage 9 and white Engage 7HD tablets, which will be bundled together with stylish Starmobile InstaCases.

Extra treats await shoppers only on Saturday, November 30, as Android Jelly Bean cameraphones like the Starmobile Jump will be on sale at P3,490 and the Engage 7 3G tablet with Digital TV for only P4,990. Shoppers can also get the Starmobile Fea-

tureSmart Mini on sale for only P999, a 2.8” touchscreen phone with mobile TV and over 100 free games, which is perfect for the young and the young at heart. All Starmobile phones and tablets come with the same Starmobile brand of craftsmanship, build design, and include 12 months warranty on parts and services.

Happy Man cares and shares

In line with the company’s cause to help the typhoon Yolanda victims, Starmobile pledged a portion of its nationwide November 2013 sales, including those that will come from the promo, to be donated to the Red Cross. Earlier this month, Starmobile has also made advanced donations in cash and kind to support immediate relief efforts.

For the latest news from Starmobile, check out www. starmobile.com.ph, or follow Happy Man by Starmobile on Facebook and @ happymanPH on Twitter & Instagram.

French government honours Tony Fernandes with Commander of the Legion d’Honneur award

THE French government has conferred Tony Fernandes, Group CEO of AirAsia with the Commander of the Legion d’Honneur award, signifying Fernandes’s outstanding contributions towards the economy of France through the aviation industry.

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Francois Hollande, President of France conferred the honourable award to Fernandes in a ceremony held yesterday at the Elysée Palace in Paris, France.

The Legion d’Honneur award was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 to recognize outstanding service of individuals to France, and the Commander of the Legion d’Honneur is the highest rank of honour that the French government can award to a non-French citizen.

“It is truly an honour to be con-

ferred the Commander of the Legion d’Honneur, and I am humbled with the recognition given by the government of France. Aviation is an important industry that not only contributes to the economy of countries, but also provides jobs, connects communities and enhances livelihoods. As the Group CEO of AirAsia, I am proud that we have positively contributed both directly and indirectly towards many peoples’ lives. This is great motivation for me to continue to steer the group to greater heights, and once again, I am grateful for this incredible honour,” said Tony Fernandes.

Fernandes was previously conferred the Officier of the Legion d’Honneur award by the French Government in 2010.

The AirAsia Group operates an allAirbus fleet, with operations based

in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. This has contributed significantly towards the French and European economies through the European-owned, and Toulouse-based Airbus, an EADS company; with firm orders of 475 Airbus A320s for AirAsia; and 25 Airbus A330-300, and 10 Airbus A350-900 for AirAsia X. Tony Fernandes co-founded AirAsia and has led the airline in its transformation from a loss-making airline into a global brand today. Under his leadership, AirAsia has grown from two aircraft to 164 aircraft for both AirAsia and AirAsia X, and from 250 staff workforce to nearly 12,000 today.

AirAsia has also flown over 200 million guests in less than 12 years of operations, with an extensive route network that spans across 87 destinations throughout 22 countries.

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

VOL. 6 ISSUE 185 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2013

ENTERTAINMENT

Engelbert Humperdinck Live In Davao!

LOCAL music enthusiasts will get an early Christmas treat through an awesome array of classic love songs and romantic ballads from one of the world’s greatest singers and performers when Engelbert Humperdinck comes for a live concert on Dec. 5 at the SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao.

The pre-Christmas musical event by Engelbert Humperdinck dubbed as “King of Romance” who has captivated millions with his rich repertoire will take the audience to an enchanting time of love and romance showcasing his musical brilliance and excellent vocal technique which have earned him a permanent niche in pop music.

Among the hits popularized by Humperdinck in his sweet, powerful voice are “Release Me,” “Quando, Quando, Quando,” “The Way It Used To Be,” “Strangers In The Night,” “After The Loving,” “Dance The Night Away,” “Spanish Eyes,” “There Goes My Everything,” “Am I That Easy To Forget,” and many more.

The musical success of Engelbert Humperdinck had its foundation in a life lived with a love for music at an early age when, as Arnold George Dorsey in Leicester, England, he started studying music and playing the saxophone at the age of 11 and discovered his vocal talent for impersonation at 17.

Under the outrageously memorable name of Engelbert Humperdinck (after the Austrian composer of the 19th century opera, “Hansel and Gretel”), and with his deep voice and thick sideburns, he burst into the music scene in the ‘60s with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Tom Jones, during which the erstwhile shy and handsome boy was catapulted almost instantly to the status of world icon.

His debut single “Release Me,” became an instant hit when it went into

the Guinness Book of Records for staying 56 weeks in the charts and became No. 1 in 11 countries.

Humperdinck was subsequently acclaimed by The London Times as “the premier voice of the 20th century” for his inimitable three-and-a-half octave range and ultra-smooth onstage charisma that captivated fans of every generation in every corner of the world.

In the ‘70s, he scored a steady stream of hits, including the Grammynominated “After The Lovin’,” “Winter World Of Love,” “Am I Easy To Forget?,” “The Last Waltz,” “There Goes My Everything,” “Les Bicyclettes des Belsize,” “This Moment In Time” and “A Man Without Love.”

During the next four decades, Humperdinck has generated record sales in excess of 150 million records, including 64 gold albums and 24 platinum albums, and won four Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Aside from touring the world before sell-out crowds in Great Britain, United States, Australia, Germany, Belgium, Canada and Southeast Asia, he has performed for Queen Elizabeth II, several US presidents and many other heads of states.

In 2007, he marked four successful decades

in the music industry with his critically-acclaimed 40th Anniversary Tour, a 100-city worldwide celebration that coincided with the release of “The Winding Road,” his album which featured “contemporary British classics” by such illustrious composers as John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Sting, Eric Clapton, Christine McVie and James Blunt.

Now on his 46th year in music and show business, Humperdinck remains a formidable force in pop music, a true icon of entertainment whose honeyed, mellow voice has transcended time and continues to reach out to and inspire people of the present age who exalt him as an extraordinary performer and a quintessential romantic balladeer..

Engelbert Humperdinck Live in Davao!

Brought to you by Park Inn

by Radisson (Official Residence), Prime Billboards and Signs, Air 21 Sagot ko padala mo, Edge Davao, Sumo Sam, Archipelago 7107 by Barrio Fiesta, Mindanao Daily Mirror, Cellar de Boca, Mindanao Times and Sunstar Davao and is produced by OVATION PRODUCTIONS. Tickets available at the Customer service counter of the SM Store of SM City Davao and SM Lanang Premier or call 09326376185 / 09177007088.

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A4 INdulge!

ARTS AND CULTURE

VOL. 6 ISSUE 185 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

The Alkaf Bridge painted by Filipino artist Pacita Abad.

First Generation by Singaporean artist Chong Fah Cheong.

A river cruise .

Romance...FFROM A1 well as artistic and historic quays.

We started our journey at one of the newest additions to span the Singapore River, the colourful and unconventionally-shaped Alkaf Bridge.

The Alkaf Bridge or the ArtBridge as it is more lovingly called was built in 1999 and was originally painted a dull battleship grey and it was not until 2003 that Filipino Artist Pacita Abad would get the Singapore government’s approval to paint the bridge in its current bright hues.

After the Alkaf bridge, we walked our way to Clemenceau Bridge and then we eventually made our way to Clarke Quay and its famous Read Bridge.

The Read Bridge, completed in 1889, is also a pedestrian bridge that spans the Singapore River and links Clarke Quay on the north to the Swissotel Merchant Court and Clarke Quay MRT station to the south.

Restaurants, bars and pubs at Boat Quay.

The Memorial to the Founders of Singapore.

The bridge is popular to the younger set of Singaporeans as it is usually where people converge and meet up in the afternoons or evening before heading out to the bars and restaurants of Clarke Quay.

Walking past Clarke Quay we crossed the New Bridge Road and South Bridge Road and arrived at Boat Quay.

Boat Quay is composed of old shophouses that line the southern bank of the Singapore River. The area used to be the busiest part of Singapore being the centre of trading and commerce during the 1860s. Today the area is an area is full of bars, pubs and restaurants with banking and commercial institutions located just beyond the area.

A short walk takes us to the steel Cavenagh Bridge which was built in 1867 and the fabulous Fullerton Hotel which was built on the original structure of what was once Singapore’s Central Post Office. This is the area where

The Fullerton Hotel. the Singapore River used to empty into the sea and a Memorial to the Founders of Singapore is tucked away right besides the Fullerton Hotel.

The simple memorial that was erected on 1970 as a tribute to the many races that contributed to Singapore’s achievement.

And walking the Singapore river was also an achievement for our group even when there are actually boat cruises

The group at Clarke Quay.

available. The cruise may be convenient, but to actually walk and spend time exploring the shores and the many bridges of the Singapore River was really an experience to remember and enjoy. How I wish we could have our own river walk here in Davao too.

Follow me on Instagram or on Twitter @kennethkingong for foodie and travel finds as well as happenings in, around and beyond Durianburg.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 185 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2013

Still No...FFROM 1 guns they requested for.

Abude said that once the agency receives the speed guns, TMC personnel who are deputized by the Land of Transportation Office, will use them.

“Naa koy gipasearch sa internet, nay amount didto na P9,000 – P8,000 ako pud tong gi submit for costing,” Abude said.

Abude explained that the speed guns can determine the speed of any vehicle and if the driver is complying with the speed limit order.

Abude said that they don’t know yet when the speed guns will be avail-

able, adding that the city cannot penalize violators of the speed limit since there are implementing rules and regulations included in the order.

Last month, Mayor Duterte issued EO 39 to minimize traffic accidents resulting from over-speeding and reckless driving.

With the EO, drivers must observe a maximum speed of 60 kilometers per hour (kph) from Sirawan to Ulas Crossing, from Lasang to Panacan, from Calinan to Ulas Crossing, and from C.P. Gracia Highway-McArthur Highway to Panacan.

A maximum speed of 40 kph is set for drivers traversing from Ulas to Generoso Bridge/Bolton Bridge, from Panacan Crossing to J.P Laurel Avenue-Alcantara, and from Ma-a Road Diversion to McArthur Highway.

Likewise, 30 kph. is set for vehicles traveling from J.P Laurel Ave. Alcantara to Bolton/Generoso Bridge, from Buhangin Crossing-Milan to Bolton/ Generoso Bridge, from C.P. Garcia Highway-Bacaca Road to Bolton-Generoso Bridge, and from C.P. Garcia Highway-Angliongto St. to Bolton/Generoso Bridge.

Grande, and Edmon Borlagdan, 27, a security guard and resident of Quezon Boulevard.

All accused are employees of the jewelry shop owned by Eillene Ignacio.

Magdagasang recommended P56,000 bail each for temporary liberty of the three who are detained at the Sta. Ana

police station.

Ignacio said in her complaint that last November 19, around 10:00 a.m. she conducted an inventory of sales and of displayed items and discovered that several items of jewelry worth P3,554,036 were missing.

She saw no traces of forcible opening of the

vault which prompted her to conduct a surprise inspection of her staff at about 5:30 p.m. She found two boxes of white gold rings with diamonds in the pockets of Cagatcagat and Solarte worth P55,000 each one set of gold earrings and a gold ring with diamonds in the possession of Borlagdan worth P100,000.

The three admitted to her that they conspired with one another to steal several items on different occasions and pawned at different pawnshops.

Ignacio and her husband filed a complaint the following day with the police that resulted to the apprehension of the three.

time the Josefa Llanes Escoda is willing to accept the land-fill,” Acosta told reporters, adding that this would help the stu-

dents to go to school as they cannot attend their classes when there flooding.

She added that before

the city government will give the funds allocated for the construction of a two-storey, six-classroom building they need to el-

evate the ground of their school first at least two feet as recommended by the City Engineer’s Office.

[ABF]

that Yungot was involved in criminal activities in Davao del Sur. Honilyn Buisan Resomadira, common-lawwife of the victim and a resident of the barangay said that Yungot was only recently released from the Digos City jail.

Police theorized that the killing may be connected with his previous criminal activities. They are trying to identify the

killer.

Meanwhile, Supt. Ruben Ramos, commander of the Buhangin police station, said that at about 6:00 p.m. they received a report from a concerned citizen of the shooting incident. He sent policemen to the Condrado Billiard Hall on Watusi St., Buhangin, place of the incident.

Investigation showed that at about 5:00 p.m.

Esperancilla was inside

the billiard hall when two men riding in tandem on a motorcycle entered the hall and the one wearing a helmet suddenly shot the victim thrice in the head resulting to his instantaneous death.

Police recovered empty shells of a .45 caliber pistol for ballistic examination. Meanwhile, police from the Sta. Ana police station said Olazo was found lifeless at about

9:30 p.m in Purok 2, Barangay 23-C, He had gunshot wounds in the head that caused his death.

Rodrigo Largo, a resident of the place, said he heard gunfire which prompted him to report to the police.

Supt. Ceazar Cabuhat, station commander in Sta. Ana said they are conducting an investigation to identify the perpetrators.

funded by mining companies and private companies like PLDT, Rotary Clubs, and San Miguel Corporation.

Vilarente said that the PDAF issue has decreased the population in the main campus, noting that they had recorded 13,365 students in the first semester but only 9,991 presently.

Villarente said that half of the student population are scholars and 95 percent of these are congressional scholars. Last semester, Nograles’ Oplan Kaalam had 2,820 scholars and Garcia 1,278. Partylists like ACT teacher

had 24; CIBAC 129; Gabriella 10; Kabataan had one and senator Trillanes had 25 scholars. All of these students weren’t able to renew their scholarship grant.

Villarente added that they had extended the enrolment period but most of the students who belong under the poverty line weren’t able to continue their by the second semester.

“Ang among downpayment is P2,000, but we have lowered it. If they have P500 or P1,000, they can already enroll themselves pero mahirap pa rin yan para sa kanila,”

she added.

Two weeks before the first semester ended, Nograles reportedly met his scholars in the university and briefed them, saying that he would try to endorse his grantees to the scholarship program hosted by Commission on Higher Education by summer of 2014, but the students fear that they will not pass the high requirements of CHED. Scholars of Nograles received full grant scholarship while Garcia gives P5,000 financial assistance to freshmen and P4,000 to succeeding years.

At present, only the scholars of third district congressman Isidro Ungab remain enrolled in USEP. Villarente said that Ungab’s increased from 1 scholar to more than 100 this semester. Each grantee receives P2,500.

She said that of the 13, 365 total population in the Obrero campus last semester, it cut down to 9,991 this sem. Half of the total population are scholars and 95 percent of this are congressional scholars. District 1 congressman Karlo Nograles has 2,280 scholars while district 2 congresswoman Mylene Garcia has 1,278

IN DANGER. The proposed establishment of bicycle lanes in Davao City seems to be urgently needed to help protect bike riders like this father who’s seen traversing the busy J.P. Laurel Avenue with his two young sons in tow. Lean Daval Jr. Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communications LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No. XI Davao city Petition for Approval of Sale and Transfer with Renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience with Equipment with Dropping and Substitution of Unit to operate an AIRCONDITIONED TAXI service.

RICARDO S. GATCHALIAN, JR. Petitioner-Vendor Case No.2013-XI-00683 (2003-XI-00776) ARLYN L. GATCHALIAN, Petitioner-Vendee

x-- - - -- - - -----x NOTICE OF HEARING Petitioners request authority for the Approval of Sale and Transfer executed

by RICARDO S. GATCHALIAN, JR. in favor of ARLYN L. GATCHALIAN of a Certificate of Public Convenience with Equipment issued in this case authorizing the operation of an AIRCONDITIONED TAXI service on the route WITHIN DAVAO CITY to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate is still valid and subsisting up to December 31, 2014. In the same petition filed on November 21, 2013, petitioners likewise request authority to EXTEND the validity of said Certificate as well as to DROP the authorized unit and to SUBSTITUTE the same with another unit bearing Chassis No. NCP929067567 to operate along the same route previously authorized.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on DECEMBER 9, 2013 at 09:40 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least, TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a one (1) daily newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

WITNESS the Honorable BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional Director, this 21st day of November 2013 at Davao City.

TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ Chief Transport Development Officer

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communications LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No. XI Davao city

Petition for Renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a FILCAB Ordinary Regular Service SANDRA N. PEÑAFIEL, Petitioner Case No.99-XI-00918

x-- - - - -- - - -----x NOTICE OF HEARING Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a FILCAB Ordinary Regular Service on the route:CABANTIAN ROUTE with the use of ONE (1) unit, which certificate will expire on December 31,2013. In the petition filed on November 13, 2013, petitioner request authority to extend the validity of said certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on DECEMBER 10, 2013 at 09:10 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least, TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a one (1) daily newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

WITNESS the Honorable BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional Director, this 13th day of November 2013 at Davao City.

TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ Chief Transport Development Officer

NEWS 15

3 Charged... FFROM 1

Landfill...FFROM 2

Ex-convict...FFROM 2

PDAF...FFROM 2

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 6 ISSUE 185 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29-30, 2013

Go returns, leads CMO

C

PINOY PRIDE WARRIORS. Edge Davao’s managing editor Neil Bravo with Pinoy champions Donny Nietes (left photo) and Merlito Sabillo (right). Lean Daval Jr.

HRISTOPHER “Bong” Go returned to basketball action immensely, propelling the third time defending champion City Mayor’s Office to a 87- 66, debut victory over National Support Unit in the Mayor Rody Duterte and Vice Mayor Pulong Duterte – 11th AFP-PNP Basketball Tournament at the Davao City Recreation Center yesterday.

Go, who suffered a groin injury last August and was advised not to engage in any sporting activities for six months, made an earlier than expected come back and scattered a game-high 24 points to lead CMO open its quest for a rare 4-peat on a right track.

Despite playing not at his best form, the executive assistant of Mayor Rody Duterte made six three pointers and was a key in the CMO’s third period surge that gave them a commanding, 65 – 49, lead entering the final canto.

Roy Bangkas and Rodel Bantilan chipped in 16 points each for the City Hall-based dribblers who were never threatened all game long, leading as much 20 points.

The struggling NSU remained win-less in three matches. Gogoy Arellano had 16 baskets for the team composed of personnel from CIDG, SAF and PDEA. On the other hand, Bureau of Fire Protection subdued Regional Public Safety Battalion, 81 – 62, to grab its third straight win and take the top spot of the standing.

John Lumogda fired 22 points for the BFP which started hot behind the first canto outburst of Donald Concepcion.

Concepcion made 10 of his total 16 points in the opening period to engineer the Firemen took a double digit lead and never looked back to pull away with the win.

Carlos Salinas scored 15 points for RPSB, which absorbed a backto-back loss after winning its opening game.

Romel Cameros had 12.

In the other match, Police Regional Office downed Davao City Police Office, 85 – 71 while the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao defeated Philippine Air Force, 100 – 84. [RJB]