Edge Davao 6 Issue 230

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 230 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014

www.edgedavao.net

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Serving a seamless society

PAYING RESPECT. Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte kisses the crypt of Nanay Soling’s ashes after offering a prayer on her second death anniversary at the Roman Catholic Cemetery in Madapo Hills, Davao City Tuesday evening.

Lean Daval Jr.

‘YOLANDA’ POSSIBLE IN DAVAO Davao scientist stresses on readiness P7

Coral reefs...

Gilas opens FIBA...

P16

By ANTONIO M. AJERO

A

ajero_antonio@yahoo.com

MONSTER typhoon like “Yolanda” with a devastating storm surge to hit Davao City and elsewhere in the region is a possibility, according to local scientist.

However, it is not possible to predict when it will happen exactly, that is why it is very important for Dabawenyos to be ready when the time comes, according to Fr. Daniel McNamara, dean of Arts and Sciences and physics professor of the Ateneo de Davao University.

Fr. McNamara, a Jesuit priest, who once served as executive director of the iconic Manila Observatory and currently program director Kyushu University’s Space Environment Research Center (SRRC) subcenter, was the main speaker of an interfaith forum organized by the Bishop-Ulama Conference last Monday, February 3.

His talk was titled “Yolanda in Davao City?, Science Can Help”, wherein he discussed how a storm surge can develop in the seawaters somewhere in Davao Oriental and the Island Garden City of Samal and later strike Davao City with a fury similar to what occurred in Tacloban City and neighboring towns in Leyte last November 8.

Although some patterns have been observed, he said it is still difficult to say when typhoons will occur and in what particu-

lar place/s. What is sure, the Jesuit scientist said, is that typhoons will no longer be a rarity in Mindanao unlike in the past, when Mindanaoans, specially Dabawenyos, bragged about their area’s being ty-

phoon-free.

He said climate change or global warming has something to do with the current erratic behavior of nature, such as the oc-

FYOLANDA, 10

CLIMATE CHANGE FORUM. Fr. Daniel McNamara, SJ, Dean of Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) School of Arts and Sciences, stresses tips on how to prevent the effects of climate change during Pre-disaster Science Forum “Don’t be Blown Away, Science will Help Save the Day” press conference at the AdDU Board Room last November 26, 2013. Lean Daval Jr.

2

EDGEDAVAO

THE BIG NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 230 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014

Stop liquor smuggling in PHL-Indonesia border

By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR

B Senator Ralph Recto (right) is welcomed by Marco Polo Davao general manager Anthony Tan during his arrival at the hotel yesterday. Recto was invited as keynote speaker in the Philippine Association of Water Districts 35th national convention at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

epc@edgedavao.net

OTH governments of Indonesia and the Philippines will move to stop the growing practice of smuggling of liquor through the border of both countries.

Stopping liquor smuggling was one of the six matters discussed by officials of both countries during yesterday’s 32nd Philippines-Indonesia Border Committee Chairmen’s Conference.

Captain Alberto C. Caber, spokesperson of the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said that signatories of the bilateral agreement were Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier G. Cruz III, commander

of the EastMinCommand, chairman of the Philippine Border Committee, and Military Area Command VII Maj. Gen. Tni Bachtiar, chairman of the Republic of Indonesia Border Committee.

The six major matters discussed were: 1. To grant navigational lanes and allow Philippine flag fishing vessels to pass through the Indonesian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in going to the high seas pocket to conserve time and expenditure; 2. To set guidelines with regard to the type and size of vessels and the mandatory safety equipment on board the vessels in cross-

City councilors back 2-day forum held on Panama disease mass transit system

FSTOP, 10

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

A

abf@edgedavao.net

FTER an hour of discussion in last Tuesday’s regular session, the Davao City council finally got somewhere in its plan to create a modern mass transport system appropriate for the city as proposed by councilor Leonardo R. Avila III. The council approved a number of resolutions for that to happen, among them the following: (1) To review and update the comprehensive transport and traffic code; (2) To immediately constitute the city transportation and traffic management board (CTTMB)

and city transportation and traffic management office (CTTMO); (3) To request the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to continue their study and look into the financial and social impact viability of the recommended reforms in the study city; (4) To formulate and Implement a real-time traffic information system using the present facilities of the PSSCC in collaboration with media establishments, including utilization of social media tools;

WEATHER FORECAST

(5) To initiate a sustainable transportation plan that would include the rural areas of Davao City (6) To institutionalize an annual public transportation summit and annual public transportation week in May. Avila, chairman of the transportation and communication committee, said that these resolutions were the major recommendations of the initial study from February to November last year.

“In support of the study, the Executive and Legislative branches have constituted a Technical

Team which is tasked to consolidate issues and concerns and identify key recommendations,” Avila said.

Avila added that a review of the city Ordinance No. 0334-12, Series of 2012 entitled “An Ordinance for the Comprehensive Transport and Traffic Code of Davao City.” is called for.

Before the approval, many councilors seriously questioned and scrutinized the resolutions on the ground they wanted to consider the social impact of the plan, especially on public utility jeep drivers who will be affected.

S

crc@edgedavao.net

TAKEHOLDERS from the public, private sector, farmers’ organizations, research institutions and non-governmental organization will convene today at The Marco Polo Davao to address the re-emergence and spread of the Panama disease worldwide.

The workshop will end on February 7, 2014.

Dr. Gert Kema, from, the Wageningen University, The Netherlands, said during the media forum of Club 888 at the The Marco Polo Davao yesterday that the workshop is the first in which stakeholders in the banana industry will gather to discuss Panama disease as a global problem.

The workshop will generate insights on how to diagnose the disease through researches from various institutions in what condition the disease spreads. Kerma said that if Panama disease or Fusarium can be diagnosed, there is a big chance that the cure can be discovered.

There will be also discussions on possible management strategies in areas affected by the disease and for areas not (yet) affected.

The two-day workshop aims to encourage further interaction between the different stakeholders acting on different levels.

The University of the Philippines-Mindanao and

F2-DAY, 10

An electric tricycle used as a motor pool school service for elementary students unloads a passenger right in the middle of San Pedro Street in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 230 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014

3

RODY TO COLOMA:

Don’t teach me!

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

“D

ABANDONED. An abandoned and dilapidated traffic enforcers’ outpost along C.M. Recto Avenue in Davao City becomes a favorite sleeping place of wanderers and homeless people. Lean Daval Jr.

abf@edgedavao.net

o not teach me, I’ll do it my way.”

This was the response of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte to the reminder of Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr.‘s admonition to Duterte referring to his threat aimed at alleged rice smuggler, Davidson Bangayan, which he uttered in the course of the Senate inquiry last Monday.

“Do not remind me of the rule of law, I know the rule of law, but I’ll do it my way kasi ang rule of law

ninyo walang kwenta yan,” said Duterte in the presence of reporters, referring to the admonition of Coloma in a press briefing in Malacanang last Tuesday.

Duterte was at the grave of his mother, Nanay Soling, accompanied by reporters atold reportessaid during his visit at the grave of his mother, Nanay Soling, Tuesday evening.

“Criminals will not be afraid if they are just threatened with arrest and prosecution, Duterte told the newsmen.

“Ingna patyon tika diba

graduating beneficiaries who will either end up in formal employment or business venture.

“It is very beneficial and important for us in the government that as we mainstream the poor into the financial system they need to know their rights, responsibilities and how they can be protected through transparency and disclosure,” BSP deputy director Gerardo A. Butardo said.

Jimenez said attendees from Davao City were practical and more open to financial learning, adding that questions raised were based on their day

to day experience with financial institutions.

“Our purpose here is to eradicate the existing notion. Wag silang matakot sa mga financial institutions kasi kung mag impok sila may tulong ito sa community at sa bansa,” Jimenez said.

“This is more of a knowledge sharing. They are more aware of cooperative, and paluwagan system, “ Jimenez said.

On the other hand, more than 3,000 beneficiaries of the program will graduate in the city. They will be also receiving the SLP for the continuance of the government support.

FRODY, 10

BSP to help boost 4Ps

GARBAGE COLLECTION

Duterte wants it done by private contractors D T

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte plans to turn over garbage collection to a private company to reduce the expenses of the city.

“I’m very seriously thinking of giving it to a private (contractor),” Duterte told reporters last Tuesday, adding that if the people of the city would agree. the government will conduct a public bidding and the lowest bidder will win the contract.

Duterte said there are people in the garbage collection team who have been stealing spare parts of the mechanized garbage trucks.

“Naay sindikato diha, eh. Bisan di pa guba, ingon nila na guba ug mag requisition,” he said, adding

POLICE ROUND UP

that the government spent much for spare parts.

He added that some employees would report that spare parts for the trucks are only available in Singapore, and that it would take six months for the purchased parts to arrive, delaying the collection.

The mayor said if the garbage collection goes to a private contractor it would eliminate the problem of spare parts for the city, and even help speed up garbage collection since the contractor has a contract with the city government.

Duterte also plans to privatize the income-generating establishments of the city government, such as public markets and the terminals. [ABF]

crc@edgedavao.net

O ensure that graduating beneficiaries of the Panatwid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Peace) in Davao City will continue achieving inclusive growth, the Banko Sentrral ng Pilipinas (BSP) held a financial literacy session at the Regency Inn yesterday.

In the program, families identified by the Department of Social Works and Development (DSWD) will receive cash support from the government for five years. It is intended for the improvisation of the health and education of poor households, particularly of chil-

dren aged 0-14 years old.

More than 60 4Peace beneficiaries from district 1 and 2 of the city attended the literacy session and an initiative of DSWD under Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

“It [financial literacy session] is really very helpful in preparing them before we can provide them capacity building or other resources they need,” Rex Fancis Coz, DSWD project development officer said.

BSP Microfinance consultant Eduardo C. Jimenez said that the session empowers ordinary Filipinos, especially the

Bukas Kotse

By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR

S

epc@edgedavao.net

OME P500,000 worth of items belonging to a couple were lost after a member of the bukas kotse gang forced open the couples’ parked vehicle and took off with the lady’s bag Tuesday evening.

Police Senior Inspector Leonardo Tarongoy said that Tarhata Hasan Bajunaid, 45, of Cecilia Heights in Barangay Cabantian, Buhangin reported that an unidentified male took her shoulder bag containing several pieces jewelry, gadgets, cash, and post-dated checks after they forgot to lock the door of the vehicle.

Police said that at about 7: 30 p.m the couple went to a drug store and minutes later they were informed by a bystander that the thief

took the shoulder bag immediately boarded a taxi.

Police are conducting a follow-up operation against the robber.

ROBBERY A TEACHER and a woman lost their belongings worth P40,000 when unidentified persons ransacked their renovated house at Phase 11, Balosa Bangkas Heights, Toril earlyTuesday morning.

SPO1 Byron Imbestro, investigator of the Toril police station, identified the victims as Jane Junilla, 34, and Analou Pleňas, a housewife, who are staying in the same house . Police said culprits gained entry through the backdoor.

Police are on the trail of the thieves.

PAWD 35th NATIONAL CONVENTION. Philippine Association of Water Districts (PAWD) 35th national convention delegates and trade visitors check out water valves and latest innovations and technologies on water supply delivery at the convention’s exhibit area at SM Lanang Premier’s SMC Convention Center yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

4 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 230 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014

COTABATO CITY

Mindanao CSOs to hold peace summit in thanksgiving for strides in GPH-MILF talks C

IVIL society organizations (CSO) in Mindanao are expected to attend a three-day peace summit to celebrate the strides in peace process peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and to map out strategies on how the peace movement in the island can help in the transition period for the Bangsamoro government.

Around 200 CSO leaders and members will attend the summit slated on February 10-12 in Davao City, which will carry the theme “Identifying Synergies for Enhanced Cooperation and Coordination in the Transition Period.”

The summit will bring together community leaders from the Bangsamoro areas, indigenous peoples, evacuees, women, youth and the academe and representatives from the local government units, donors and other key players who are currently involved in the public engagements for the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Among those invited to address the peace summit, which is organized by the Mindanao Civil Society Organizations Platform for Peace (MCSOPP), is Presi-

PANABO CITY

dential Peace Adviser Teresita Quinto Deles, who was requested to speak on the government’s transition plan for the Bangsamoro.

The MCSOPP, which is composed of at least 120 groups and networks, was tapped by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) to conduct public consultations to help in the crafting of the BBL. Also invited to the peace summit are the BTC members headed by Mohagher Iqbal, who is also the chief MILF peace negotiator.

Guaimel Alim and lawyer Mary Ann Arnado, MCSOPP steering committee chairperson and secretariat head, respectively, said in a letter the peace movement and CSOs in Mindanao are holding the peace summit “as our collective sense of joy, gratitude and thanksgiving that the fourth and final annex on Normalization has already been signed by the peace panels.”

The GPH and MILF peace panels signed the Annex on Normalization to the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) last January 25 in Malaysia, the third party facilitator. The three previously signed annexes are the Transitional Arrangements and Modalities, Revenue Generation

and Wealth Sharing, and Power Sharing.

The FAB and its four annexes shall comprise the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), the GPH-MILF final peace agreement expected to be signed not later than this March.

The MCSOPP lauded

the GPH and the MILF for signing the FAB and completing its four annexes.

Organizers said the peace summit will also serve as avenue “to pause, celebrate and strategize with us” while preparations are underway for the signing of the CAB and “before we drown ourselves with

HE Davao City police are still investigating on the killing of Panabo City indigenous people (IP) representative Datu Eliezer Mayaki, according to Panabo City Mayor Jose Silvosa, Sr..

“Our own police have coordinated with the Davao City police in charge on the investigation on the killing of our IP representative and the latest info we received,

they are pursuing on one theory which is still held as confidential,” the city mayor said.

Mayaki was gunned down by one assailant last January 17 evening in front of his house at NHA Village, Maa, Davao City.

Mayaki along with his son and wife just arrived on board a red KIA Bongo vehicle from Panabo City.

Davao City’s Talomo police said that the un-

identified assailant appeared from behind and shot Mayaki’s back for several times.

His wife and son rushed him to Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) but the victim was not able to survive.

There are loose talks in the city that Mayaki was killed by one in his tribe jealous to Mayaki’s status.

Mayor Silvosa and the Panabo City Council

have strongly condemned the killing and called for speedy justice to be served to Mayaki, the first IP representative in the city council who sit by virtue of the joint circular on mandatory representation of IP representation of the Dept. of Interior and Local Government and the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP).

[Rural Urban News/Cha Monforte]

She believed that the province exerted efforts to further develop the tourism industry, saying it leveled up to become an ACE destination with its strength on agriculture, culture and eco-tourism.

Aside from having known Davao del Norte as the “legendary” source of bananas for export, Montemayor noted that the province took pride of its culture and heritage, its

festivals and its world-class talents and music, while its rivers, caves, waterfalls make it a place for outdoor adventures.

Montemayor also took note of the Davao del Norte Tourism and Sports Complex with which it can now claim as the sports capital of Davao Region, bringing in visitors during upscale sports events.

However, Montemayor urged everyone in Davao

del Norte “to believe” in the tourism products that the province capitalized on to bring in visitors.

She was referring to the passion, the faith and the commitment of everyone from local officials to ordinary citizens to “press on” to achieve the desired goals of bringing Davao del Norte at the top of list of tourist destinations in the country. [PIA 11/Jeanevive Duron-Abangan]

WATERSHED. A motorist washes his motorcycle at a stream in Pisan, a remote village in Kabacan, North Cotabato. Portions of the village is a declared watershed area. [MindaNews Photo by Keith Bacongco] the gargantuan tasks and demands of the ensuing transition period.”

Arnado said they will present to the BTC, which is drafting the BBL, the initial results of the community consultations conducted through the MCSOPP last December and January.

The peace summit is

SOUTH COTABATO

organized in cooperation with the BTC and with the support of the Facility for Advisory Support for Transition Capacities (FASTRAC), a fund jointly administered by the United Nations and the World Bank, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency. [MindaNews]

Police still on probe on killing of IP rep-councilor Illegal fish cages in Lake Sebu to be dismantled T DAVAO DEL NORTE

Tourism leader urges LGU to develop tour destinations

D

AVAO del Norte has to further develop its destinations and believe in its tourism products to champion tourism.

Davao Region Tourism Council Chairperson Mary Ann M. Montemayor posed the challenges to local government officials citing these as main ingredients to champion tourism which last year hit a two billion mark in number of travellers worldwide.

T

HE provincial government of South Cotabato will start next week the dismantling of illegal fish cages along the critical Lake Sebu as it embarks on an intensive rehabilitation program for the endangered lake.

Siegfred Flaviano, Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) chief, said Tuesday such move is in line with an order issued by the provincial government and the municipal government of Lake Sebu that set the massive cleanup of the overcrowded lake of all illegal fish cages and related structures.

He said the order, which was issued late last year, gave local fish cage operators only until January 30 to voluntarily dismantle their illegal fish cages or face demo-

lition.

“This covers fish cages that have no proper permits, owned by unlicensed operators and those sub-leased by their original owners,” he said in a media forum.

Flaviano explained that the entire lake is classified as municipal waters, thus, barring owners of the lands within its banks to claim ownership and set up fish cages over portions of the lake without securing proper licenses and permits.

Citing provisions of Lake Sebu’s fishery ordinance, he said fish cage operators are also not allowed to sub-lease their allotted areas.

But he said their assessment showed that about 80 percent of the fish cages at the lake had been so far sub-leased to operators from other areas. [MindaNews]

5 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 230 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014

Inflation surges on higher food prices M

ORE costly food items resulting from bad weather conditions pushed headline inflation to 4.2 percent, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

“In January 2014, most food items recorded faster inflation due to tight market conditions as a result of inclement weather,” said Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that prices of food rose by 5.7 percent in January 2014, higher than 5 percent in December 2013.

According to him, the increase in rice prices was particularly faster following tight supply conditions in major rice producing provinces due to lean harvests in the second and third quarters of 2013.

He added that unfavorable weather conditions also affected the production of selected vegetables and weighed in the higher prices of goods last month.

“On the other hand, prices of local petroleum and power were restrained last month, tempering the effect of higher inflation of other major consumer products,” Balisacan, who is also NEDA Director-General, stressed.

Petroleum rate retained their momentum following lower crude prices in the world market, while generation charge of the Manila Electric Railroad and Light Company (MERALCO) was still pegged at November 2013 rates, lower than a year ago.

Thus, inflation among non-food items went up marginally by 2.8 percent in January 2014 from 2.7 percent the preceding month.

Meanwhile, Balisacan noted that despite the acceleration of inflation since September 2013, this year’s prices of basic commodities are expected to remain manageable.

“In the absence of major shocks, we expect that headline inflation in 2014 could average around 4.4 percent, still within the DBCC (Devel-

LATEST INNOVATIONS AND TECHNOLOGIES. Participants of the 35th Philippine Association of Water Districts (PAWD) national convention flock to the exhibit area where the latest innovations and technologies on water supply delivery and wastewater management are on display. Lean Daval Jr. opment Budget Coordination Committee) target of 3 to 5 percent for the year,” the Cabinet Official said.

This is consistent with the Bangko Sentral

ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) forecast of a within target inflation rate for 2014 and 2015 due to manageable demand side pressures and firmly anchored inflation expectations.

Inflation of neighboring countries in the ASEAN region recorded mixed adjustments in January 2014 and December 2013.

Headline inflation

in January 2014 slowed down in Indonesia but edged up in Thailand. In December 2013, inflation in Singapore moderated while it sped up in Malaysia.

6 THE ECONOMY Stat Watch Indicator

Latest

1. Gross National Income 1. GrossRate National Income Growth Growth Rate2000 Prices) (At Constant

7.1 1st Qtr 2013 6.8

2.2.Gross GrossDomestic DomesticProduct Growth Rate Product (AtGrowth Constant 2000 Prices) Rate

7.8 1st Qtr 2013 7.5

(At Constant 2000 Prices)

(At Constant 2000 Prices)

3. Exports 1/ 3. Exports

4. Imports 1/ 4. Imports

5. Trade Balance Trade Balance 6.5.Balance of Payments 2/

7.6.Broad Money Liabilities Balance of Payments

2nd Qtr 2013

2nd Qtr 2013

USD 3,741 million 5,045 FebUSD 2013 million USD 4,708 Sep 2013 million FebUSD 2013 5,711 USD -967 million million Sep 2013 Feb 2013 USD -665 USD -640 million million Sep 2013 Dec 2012 P 4,964,560 USD 692 million million Feb Jun2013 2013 P2.45,980,938 % million Mar 2013 Aug 2013

8. Interest Rates 4/

7. Broad Money Liabilities

P113,609 2.0 % million Sep2013 2013 Mar P P5,281 127,336 billion million Mar Sep2013 2013

9. National Government 8. Revenues Interest Rate 9. National Government

10.Revenues National government outstanding debt outstanding debt

P 5,609 P 41.14 billion Apr 2013

11.Stocks Peso per US $ 12.

Composite

Index 6/

6,847.5 P 43.83 Mar Sep2013 2013

12. Stocks Composite

6,191.8 132.8 Sep2013 2013 Apr

13. Consumer Price Index

135.2 Oct2.62013

10.Peso National government 11. per US $ 5/

Sep 2013

13. Consumer Index Price Index 2006=100

2006=100 14.

Headline Inflation Rate 14. 2006=100 Headline Inflation

Apr 2013

15.

Core Inflation Rate 2006=100 2006=100

Apr 2013

2.9 Oct3.12013

Rate

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100 16.

Visitor Arrivals

2.5

418,108 Oct 2013 Feb 2013

382,022 Aug 2013 20.9%

16. Visitor Arrivals

17. Underemployment 7/ 17. Rate Underemploymen

Jan 2013 19.2%

18.

18.Unemployment UnemploymentRate Rate7/

7.1% Jan 2013 7.3%

Rate

Jul 2013 Jul 2013

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2011-September 2013) Month Average December November October September August July June May April March February January

2013

2012

2011

43.83 43.86 43.35 42.91 41.30 41.14 40.71 40.67 40.73

42.23 41.01 41.12 41.45 41.75 42.04 41.91 42.78 42.85 42.70 42.86 42.66 43.62

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

VOL. 6 ISSUE 230 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014

PHL fundamentals to help counter capital outflows B

ANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. is confident that capital outflows from the Philippines will soon slow as investors take note of the country’s fundamentals.

Central bank data shows that foreign portfolio investments at the end of the third week this year posted a net outflow of US$ 813.5 million, a big reversal from the US$ 976.38 million net inflow same period last year.

Total inflows as of the week ending January 17, 2014 reached US$ 740.92 million, lower than the outflows amounting to US$ 1.55 billion.

Tetangco said the outflows from the foreign portfolio investments, otherwise known as hot money due to the speed it comes in and out of the economy, “are possibly part of the global portfolio rebalancing.”

“At points of inflec-

BIG DAVAO FUN SALE. Department of Tourism (DOT) assistant secretary Arturo Boncato gives updates of the recently launched Big Davao Fun Sale during Club 888 media forum at the Marco Polo Davao yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

tion in market sentiment, there is often an exaggeration in market reaction. In the case of the Philippines, we believe any such overshooting would soon

be tempered as market participants revert to considering the country’s sound macrofundamentals that continue to be solidly in place,” he stressed.

Monetary officials have set a US$ 3 billion net hot money inflow this year, lower than the US$ 4.22 billion actual net inflow in 2013.

“We are keeping the

BOP projections for now, but we continuously perform internal updates. We will announce any changes at the appropriate time,” Tetangco added. [PNA]

they process around 36,000 benefit claims annually but it rose by 40 percent to 49,000 last year.

“It is expected to continue this year,” he said referring to the rise in benefit claims due to rationalization plans of the various government agencies.

The GSIS president explained that their income gets a hit from benefit claims because of the lump sum fund factor.

He said members that will retire from government service are given an option to get a lump sum fund equivalent to five-year pension

but they will start to receive a monthly pension only after five years.

The other option is a lump sum fund equivalent to 18 months and the pensioners will receiving their pensions immediately.

For this year, the GSIS targets an income of about P50-60 billion.

Vergara said their income target this year is about the same level as in the past years noting that the 2013 income is an “abnormal” level given the volatilities not only in the Philippine financial markets but the global economy.

Last year, the government pension fund’s

total asset reached P786 billion, of which P724 billion is investible.

Of GSIS’ total investments, those placed in fixed income have the highest amount at P340 billion, followed by the P212 billion as loans to members, P114 billion placed in stocks, and P31 billion in real estate loans.

Share of fixed income in GSIS’ total investments is about 47 percent while loans is about 29 percent, equities, 16.7 percennt; and real estate, four percent.

The balance on GSIS’ assets are accounted for by cash.

Relatively, the state

pension fund has tapped three more fund managers to manage their investments and these are given additional P2 billion.

The three new entities are First Metro Investment Corp. (FMIC), Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), and Philequity Management Inc. These are in addition to the five fund managers that GSIS tapped namely the Bank of the Philippine Island (BPI), Metropolitan Banking Corp.

(Metrobank), Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. (BDO), ATR Kim Eng Asset Management and Philam Asset Management Inc. [PNA]

GSIS posts lower net income in ’13 at P49-B G

OVERNMENT Service Insurance System (GSIS) posted a lower net income in 2013 compared to 2012 given the increase in benefit claims as some agencies implement their rationalization program.

In a briefing Tuesday, GSIS President and General Manager Robert Vergara said they registered a net income of P49 billion last year, lower than year-ago’s P62.5 billion.

Revenues last year amounted to P139 while expenses totalled to P90 billion.

Vergara explained that in previous years

as of May 2013 Cebu Pacific Daily Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Thu

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cebu-Davao-Cebu

16:45

7 ENVIRONMENT

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 230 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014

Amazing coral reefs (courtesy of Seaweb)

Coral reefs may adapt to moderate climate warming

By GERRY T. ESTRERA

E

Contributor

COLOGICALLY-fragile coral reefs, touted to be the rainforests of the sea, may be able to adapt to moderate climate warming, thus improving their chance of surviving through the end of this century.

“Only if there are large reductions in carbon dioxide emissions,” said a study funded by US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The study was researched by the agency’s scientists and its academic partners, the California State University and the University of British Columbia.

Results further suggest corals have already adapted to part of the warming that has occurred in recent years.

“Earlier modeling work suggested that coral reefs would be gone by the middle of this century. Our study shows that if corals can adapt to warming that has occurred over the past 40 to 60 years, some coral reefs may persist through the end of this century,” said study lead author, Dr. Cheryl Logan, an assistant professor in California State University Monterey Bay’s Division of Science and Environmental Policy.

Warm water can contribute to a potentially fatal process known as coral “bleaching,” in which reef-building corals eject algae living inside their tissues. Corals bleach when oceans warm only 1-2°C (2-4°F) above normal summertime temperatures. Because those algae supply the coral with most of its food, prolonged bleaching and associated disease often kills corals.

Dr. Terry Hughes, a distinguished professor at James Cook University in Australia, said that as climate change intensifies, coral bleaching would also increase at an unprecedented level. “Bleaching events are expected to increase in terms of frequency,” he pointed out.

“The surface of the world’s oceans has warmed by 0.7°Centigrade, resulting in unprecedented coral bleaching and mortality events,” said the Consensus Statement released during the opening of the 2012 International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) held in Cairns, Australia.

In a series of journals some years back, Science reported that climate change

Corals undergoing bleaching

could trigger the death of coral reefs, with coral bleaching being the clearest sign. A particularly severe, worldwide bleaching event occurred in 1998, effectively destroying 16 percent of the world’s reefs. Some areas lost 50-90 percent of their coral in this single event.

In 2010, as much as 95% of the corals in the Philippines suffered bleaching after a warming event.

“The bleaching has been observed at many other sites around the Philippines featuring mass mortality of corals,” a news report said.

The NOAA study explores a range of possible coral adaptive responses to thermal stress previously identified by the scientific community. It suggests that coral reefs may be more resilient than previously thought due to past studies that did not consider effects of possible adaptation.

When asked whether the same phenomenon is happening in the Philippines, Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim replied, “There are actually already studies that show that some of our coral reef areas are more resilient to coral bleaching than others.”

Dr. Lim, the director of Biodiversity Management Bureau, cited those coral reefs teeming within Verde Island passage and those in Tubbataha. Bleached coral reefs in these areas, she said, “recover more quickly.”

The key, she said, is “to maintain these areas so that they can adapt faster and recover more quickly than the rate they are being destroyed by overfishing, unsustainable fishing practices, and siltation, among

Coral polyps (courtesy of Seaweb) others.”

Healthy coral reef areas, Dr. Lim pointed out, “adapt better.”

The NOAA study projected that, through genetic adaptation, the reefs could reduce the currently projected rate of temperature-induced bleaching by 20 to 80 percent of levels expected by the year 2100, if there are large reductions in carbon dioxide emissions.

“The hope this work brings is only achieved if there is significant reduction of human-related emissions of heat-trapping gases,” said Dr. Mark Eakin, who serves as director of the NOAA Coral Reef Watch monitoring program, which tracks bleaching events worldwide.

“Adaptation provides no significant slowing in the loss of coral reefs if we continue to increase our rate of fossil fuel use.”

While the study focuses on ocean warming, many other general threats to coral species have been

documented to exist that affect their long-term survival, such as coral disease, ocean acidification, and sedimentation. Other threats to corals are sea-level rise, pollution, storm damage, destructive fishing practices, and direct harvest for ornamental trade.

The Philippines is part of the so-called Coral Triangle, which contains nearly 73,000 square kilometers of coral reefs – that’s 29 percent of the global total. Aside from the Philippines, it also includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste.

Spanning the marine waters of insular Southeast Asia and the western Pacific, the Coral Triangle is recognized as the global center of marine biological diversity. It has the highest coral diversity in the world (76 percent of all coral species) as well as the highest diversity of coral reef fishes in the world (37 percent of all species).

“The health and liveli-

hoods of approximately 240 million people in the region are currently sustained by the significant biodiversity and ecosystems of the Coral Triangle,” said a part of the Australian Government Support Plan for the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security.

“It is a source of food, income, and protection from severe weather events. The ongoing health of these ecosystems is critical for the people of the region.”

Meanwhile, the NOAA study calls for further research to test the rate and limit of different adaptive responses for coral species across latitudes and ocean basins to determine if, and how much, corals can actually respond to increasing thermal stress.

“Not all species will be able to adapt fast enough or to the same extent, so coral communities will look and function differently than they do today,” Dr. Logan said in a statement.

8

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

VOL. 6 ISSUE 230 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014

Worth trying

O

BSERVANT Dabawenyos are agog over another proposed ordinance designed to instill discipline and enhance law and order in Davao City. This is the proposal of City Councilor Karlo S. Bello to regulate the operation of videoke bars, passenger vehicles and establishments using loud sound-producing equipment and gadgets. The proposed ordinance will include events that also generate sound beyond tolerable decibels tantamount to sound pollution such as parties and other forms of celebration. Even activities such as construction and manufacturing are proposed to be included.

Undoubtedly, the unprecedented proposal is worth trying. However, in crafting the measure, the city lawmakers should consider some caveats, taking care that the ordinance will not

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militate against productivity. One practical example is construction of buildings, especially these days when the city is experiencing a boom. Construction activities which necessarily produce noise should not be restrained because they have deadlines to meet. The same is true with manufacturing firms which have volumes of production to worry about. It is not hard to imagine the losses they will incur once they fail to deliver on time.

While we are at it, we propose that city authorities should review the enforcement of earlier ordinances prohibiting or regulating other acts. These include ordinances against spitting in public, urinating anywhere, vandalism (graffiti) and other objectionable acts. If they are not being enforced, they should be revisited, revised or repealed.

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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

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EDGEDAVAO

I

VANTAGE POINTS

ADICAL SHIFT IN THE BUSINESS OF GOVERNMENT – I think people will agree with Mayor Rodrigo Duterte when he said during his appearance before the Senate committee on agriculture hearing to shed light on rampant rice smuggling that “what the country needs, given the precarious conditions, is not more laws but more good men in public service.”

Our top officials particularly lawmakers have placed too much emphasis in enacting more laws. The Philippines has more than enough laws and what we only need is strict and proper enforcement. Of course, it’s the executive branch that has to act in accordance with the rules and procedures, not Congress.

Although Mayor Duterte commented and answered somewhat wryly when asked pertinent questions during the hearing, the point is that he “hit the nail right on the head.” The country is overwhelmed with laws but according to the feisty mayor “the problem with us in government is that we talk too much, act too slow and do too little” without referring to some officials who were also invited to the senate investigation.

Mayor Rody’s appearance before the senate inquiry perhaps would be a wake-up call because leadership should be credible, sincere and relevant. These would determine many things in governance. The mayor who was undeterred by critics’ blunt reaction because of his rather controversial “I will kill you” statement don’t think we have those traits at this time.

some months later after d i s c ove r i n g that there’s someone else seeing the guy.

So, don’t be naïve and stupid. Forget about marriage if you really don’t know each other that much.

Give yourself time to really get to know each other--- your manners, your idiosyncracies, your weird habits, your vices, your bad habits, your close friends, etc Maybe, just maybe you might decide to “live together” for a while, maybe live in the same apartment or the house of one’s parents, for some time, or even for a long time--- until both of you can survive all the “wars, typhoons and earthquakes” of your lives.

Can she stand your smoking and drinking too much? Can he stand your messy room? Can she stand your female friends who spend more time with you? Can he stand guys texting you, the

wife, late at night ? Can he stand her not knowing how to cook simple meals ?

Can he stand her playing mahjong all night?

Can she stand him using his smelly socks over and over ? Can she stand his singing voice even if its out of tune?

Can he stand her not helping wash the dirty dishes? And finally, can both of you stand all your fights and quarrels to the point of you leaving each other and spending overnight alone in a hotel ?

If you can stand all these things, then maybe, just maybe, you might like to sign the dotted line in a marriage contract. And maybe, just maybe, you might like to make your vow before a judge or a city mayor--- not before a priest or a pastor in a church, because you’re careful not to make a “holy vow” to live together.

To be honest with you guys, I hate Valentine’s Day even if it’s a day for people who think they’re in love.

The only way to know if someone really, really loves you is --- if that someone is willing to give his life (or her life) to you, to make you happy the rest of your life…

(Comments ? Email > tradingpost_ davao@yahoo.com)

Lately the mayor generated varied comments when he threatened to shoot rice smugglers who would clandestinely operate their illegal business activities in Davao City particularly primary suspect Davidson Bangayan a.k.a. David Tan. Well, the absurd is well known: rice smuggling is really a major problem in the country. If only all that was spent for rice importation amounting to billions were spent properly and in accordance with government rules and procedures – there is enough rice that can feed the nation.

There is no way we can become a strong nation and a respected race if we don’t have to change our ways.

The main challenge right now for the Aquino administration is get back the enthusiasm derailed because of unabated corruption that permeated all levels of public life. Dishonesty is so widely recognized, accepted and talked about as part of the political fixture. But where it really hurts – and the country is a glaring example – is in governance.

The Aquino administration therefore should put some logic in its systems and policies and has to introduce a radical shift in the business of government. If government wants to vigorously pursue growth and develop-

ment, it should not favor cronies and vested interest. It should not make shortcuts on our democratic institutions and, most importantly, it should not appoint incompetent and undesirable people to crucial government posts, which will only weaken those institutions.

The people’s need is quite basic as envisioned by Mayor Duterte. All they want is a clean and honest government. This, to my mind, should mean that higher authorities must unanimously rule against venalities and other forms of irregularities in public office notably the graft-ridden Bureau of Customs (BoC), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and other income-generating agencies. The theory of some political and economic experts is that the conspiracy between greedy and cash-starved officials and other corruptors has through the years become a deep-seated set-up in government.

Worse, the situation is not improving in favor of public service but is rather deteriorating.

In the end, it all boils down to how effectively and efficiently our self-professed reformist officials and law enforcers issued strict and precise guidelines on what has to be done to restore the dignity, the potential and fulfillment of every Filipino. We urgently need drastic reforms that would ignite an interest among our people so that corruption and other anomalies in their worst forms will be exposed. And for the country to move forward the bottom line of Mayor Rody Duterte’s statement is for government to “talk less, act swiftly and do more.

Wake up call

9

Object lessons

How do you know if someone really loves you ?

F YOU GUYS or gals are thinking of marrying after convincing yourselves that you’re really “in love” with each other--- forget it.

A marriage contract, even if it legally binds you, doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be loving each other “till death do us part” You cannot bind someone to love you forever and ever--- just because he or she signed the dotted line on the marriage contract.

And just because the guy signed that contract doesn’t mean he’s no longer free to meet other people, talk to other guys and gals, enjoy office parties and outings---where the guy will probably spend more time with someone. It always happens, believe me.

So, don’t be carried away so much by the romantic notions of Valentine’s Day, which was probably invented by people in business to boost the market demand for goods and merchandise that plays up to your feelings for “love”.

Young women, especially, are so excited about weddings, about marching the aisle with the man of her dreams--- only to be separated

R

VOL. 6 ISSUE 230 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014

WORM’S EYEVIEW

BY MANNY VALDEHUESA

T

HUS far, the central government’s negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have not yet impacted our lives as Mindanaons directly, especially those of us in the north and eastern parts. But like it or not, what the Bangsamoro Basic Law will contain will change our views and relationships.

For one, it will make us feel and appear as second-class citizens, with them as the privileged ones enjoying an enviable share and control of the wealth of their region.

But nothing else is certain until their basic law is enacted. We won’t know what will characterize their region’s governing structure, policy framework, or operating mode.

We can only hope the basic law draws wisdom from the lessons of recent history: what to avoid or discard, what to refine or strengthen, what to adopt.

Corruption It would be ironic if the very sector of Mindanao society that views literal pork as anathema or a curse were to adopt its figurative sense as an instrument of development or governance.

Avoiding the temptation of allocating pork barrel allowances to regional officials is one lesson the basic law’s drafters must heed.

Any attempt to allow it in any form should be rejected outright. To compromise on this will inevitably corrupt and undermine the regional entity to be established.

Funds are needed for programs and projects. But to make discretionary use of public funds as a major driver or determinant of development and governance will attract and enable scam artists and dirty politicians to dominate regional politics and economics.

Our society tolerated the cavalier use of pork barrel for so long that it thoroughly corrupted the national polity with no exception, corrupting the three branches of government.

Impunity Excessive access and misuse of pork barrel allowances bastardized local legislative councils and executives and infected the bureaucracy. And it trashed the electorate and cheapened their votes, giving rise to the culture of corruption and impunity.

Ultimately, pork bastardized our democracy and made a travesty of our electoral system. Dynastic rule has become widespread.

Only the extremely wealthy can afford to run.

Vote buying and selling are rampant. Rigging elections has become a hobby (in Mindanao especially). Votes are gamely manipulated.

Such is the power of pork to corrupt.

Moreover, once installed, it’s difficult to remove or withhold. It’s like a festering sore upon the body politic that won’t heal because of the political maggots that feed on it.

Thanks to the cases surrounding Janet Lim-Napoles—and the Senate trio of Tanda, Pogi, and Sexy—most Filipinos now know how pork can corrupt officialdom all the way to the top. It is like frying the electorate in their own fat, corrupting them without incurring any consequences.

Bangsamoro as Model Pork or any form of it should have no place in a community that implores Divine Providence for guidance in establishing justice, equality, integrity, and honesty as its governing cornerstones.

This is an important lesson in an age of palusot, especially in a region where corruption is extremely profitable, impunity is par for the course, and elections can be bought.

Like the recently-convicted provincial board members of Sarangani, sworn officials—no matter how many times they take a formal oath—are helpless against temptation where public funds are readily available and easily manipulated.

The Bangsamoro must secure themselves against such temptation, avoiding traditional politicians (trapos) and predatory leaders who cannot resist it.

To be corruption-free and a model of good governance for the rest of Philippine society must be the Bangsamoro’s highest ideal!

[Manny was former UNESCO regional director for Asia-Pacific, secretary-general of the Southeast Asian Publishers Association, director at development academy of the Philippines, vice chair of Local Government Academy, and PPI-UNICEF awardee for outstanding columnist. He heads Gising Barangay Movement as national convenor and president. valdehuesa@ gmail.com]

10

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 230 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014

Yolanda...FFROM 1

NO CURE. Dr. Gert Kema, an authority in fungal disease from Wageningen University, The Netherlands says during yesterday’s Club 888 media forum at the Marco Polo Davao that there’s still no internationally accepted cure for Panama disease or Fusarium wilt which almost wiped out banana plantations in the country nine years ago. Lean Daval Jr.

currence of natural disasters.

Another sure thing, McNamara said, is that typhoon in the coming days will be much stronger and more destructive than in the past.

He stressed the importance of preparedness among the people, especially those residing in vulnerable areas like coastal settlements.

McNamara said it is a must for local government units like Davao City to pour its resources on preparedness against natural calamities and for the people to readily follow the directions issued by government authorities designed to preserve their safety.

To track and monitor behavior of the weather, site-specific, Ateneo is willing to build for the city government as many weather monitoring stations as the LGU wishes and can afford to underwrite.

Fr. Henry Escasinas, professor of scriptures and dean of studies of the St. Francis Xavier Regional Major Seminary, gave a biblical perspective of McNamara’s lecture, while Ustadz Janor Balo, program coordinator of the Ateneo Islamic Stud-

ies, Al-Qalam Institute also at the Ateneo, discussed the Qur’anic perspective.

Councilor Leonardo R. Avila III, an environmentalist, discussed briefly the programs and projects of Davao City on disaster risk reduction management.

He said that the most vulnerable sector to disasters are the informal settlers in the coastal areas which is equivalent to about onethird of the city 1.5 million inhabitants.

Fr. Pedro Lamata, St. Jude Parish Priest, gave the synthesis of the day’s interfaith forum.

Councilor Edgar Ibuyan Sr. thanked the participants in behalf of the city government which co-sponsored the forum. He stressed the importance of prayers in asking God to protect Dabawenyos from harm during catastrophes.

Earlier, Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte issued a proclamation declaring February 1 to 7, 2014 as World Interfaith Harmony Week in Davao City.

The moving spirit behind the forum was Archbishop Emeritus Fernando R. Capalla, board chairman and co-convenor of Bishop-Ulama Conference.

the Wageningen University, The Neatherlands organized the international stakeholder workshop wherein experts from Australia, Costa Rica, Food and Agriculture Organization/ World Banana Forum in Rome,

The Netherlands, Uganda and the United States of America will present their respective insights in the spread of the disease and explore options for monitoring and surveillance, and for disease management.

ing the border; 3. Extend the area of coordinated patrol operations up to Sulu Islands; 4. Modify the concept of operations of coordinated patrols; 5. Harmonize border crossing stations standing operating procedures in both Philippine and Indonesian stations; 6. Assignment of Customs personnel at border crossing stations and restrict transportation of contrabands (liquor) across the borders.

Indonesian Consul General Eko Hartono who was present during the talks told Edge Davao that smuggled liquor products usually come from the Philippines.

“Sale of liquor products is highly regulated in our country and the authorities are now alarmed with the increasing volume of liquor entering through our common borders,” Hartono said.

Lt. General Cruz described the meeting as a confidence building measure designed to improve the security relations of both countries. “I pray that everyone work together as one team so that we could

come up with mutually beneficial solutions to both our concerns. We are hopeful that whatever is finalized in today’s activity will doubly serve our countries and friendship.”

The Philippines and Indonesia are both signatories of the United Nations on the Convention of the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS) which later created the Regional Fisheries Management Organization and thereafter created the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission aimed at developing resolutions, conservation and management measures relating to fishing operations on the High Seas of the Pacific Ocean.

Eastmincom hosted the occasion at the Grand Regal Hotel attended by regional directors and officials from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Social Welfare and Development 11, National Statistics Office 11, Maritime Industry 11, Mindanao Development Authority, Bureau of Immigration and Bureau of Quarantine and Department of Foreign Affairs.

Gov’t to institute reforms to curtail illicit financial outflows from crime T 2-day...

HE Aquino government has undertaken reforms to curtail illicit financial outflows from crime, corruption, and tax evasion that beset the country from 1960 until 2011, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said on Wednesday.

The Communications Secretary issued the statement following the release of the report of the Global Financial Integrity (GFI) that the Philippines had suffered US$ 132.9 billion in illicit financial outflows from crime, corruption, and tax evasion for the period of over five decades.

“In yesterday’s briefing, we discussed the report of Global Financial Integrity, a Washington, DC-based research and advocacy organization that pointed out the “...Philippines (had) suf-

fered US$ 132.9 billion in illicit financial outflows from crime, corruption, and tax evasion, while US$ 277.6 billion was illegally transferred into the country... over a 52-year period from 1960 to 2011,” Coloma said.

“We note that while this study covers only the first year of the Aquino administration, it addresses vital issues pertaining to quality of governance spanning more than five decades and covering the administrations of seven Presidents from Carlos P. Garcia to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Hence, it is important to address the concerns expressed in the report as it affects the country’s reputation in the world community,” he said.

Since 2010, Coloma said the government has undertaken reforms and has made headway to curtail smuggling and curb money laundering activities.

According to Coloma, the Financial Action Task Force excluded last year the Philippines in its blacklist citing “significant progress to improve anti-money laundering” measures.

Several other international agencies have cited considerable improvements in the country, especially in the areas of governance, transparency, government and business efficiency and economic performance, he said.

“The country’s ranking in the International Finance Corporation’s ‘Doing Business 2014’ report, jumped 25 places to 108 from 133 in 2013, while its standing in Transparency International last year improved significantly to number 94 from 105 the previous year,” Coloma said.

In the latest 2013 World Economic Forum, Coloma said the Philippines’ rank-

ing rose to 59th spot from the previous year’s 65th out of 148 countries, while the 2013 Grant Thornton Global Dynamism Index showed the Philippines ranking rising to 25 places to 21st among 60 countries.

“In addition, the Philippines achieved consecutive ratings upgrades to investment grade status, which was granted by prominent credit ratings agencies Standard and Poor, Fitch, Moody’s and Japan Credit Agency that are globally recognized as credible endorsers that a country has attained the seal of good financial housekeeping and management,” he said.

Coloma said the Aquino administration continues to pursue and institutionalize these reforms anchored on principles of good governance and to build stronger public institutions. [PNA]

mo sibat. Ganun yan eh.

Kung mo balik tiwasan gyud nimo, alangan. Kung di pud nimo tiwasan di pud mo bilib ang tao nimo,” he added.

“Kung mag sige smuggling diri, ang taumbayan,

the popular notion ia that it is controlled by the mayor.

Ano ang sasabihin ng mga tao; kung nandyan yan sige smuggling meron nyan si mayor,” Duterte said.

Duterte also rapped the comment of Department of

Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila De Lima on his threat to Bangayan, the ‘I will gladly kill you’ statement.

“She’s not supposed to comment in the Senate or.. mabigyan siya diha. Kita ka niya na wala’y nituo sa

iya nga senador,” He said that the statement of De Lima was ‘unwise’ and she must not teach the senators what to do which simply shows that she never studied the separation of powers.

Rody...FFROM 3

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

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

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AGRITRENDS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 230 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014

11

Small farmers bring out the best flavor in Davao cacao S

MALL-scale farmers here have bonded themselves to produce quality cacao beans.

Through fermentation process, farmers here bring out the best in flavor of cacao when processed as it removes tannins that cause astringent flavor.

Eduardo De Vera of Balingaeng Multipurpose Cooperative (BMPC) said fermented dried cacao beans are more aromatic compared to traditionally dried beans.

De Vera is a member of CacaoNet - a federation of 26 cacao farmers’ cooperatives in Davao Region.

The CacaoNet was organized by the Task Force Mapalad (TFM) an agrarian reform group that supports small farmers in securing ownership of lands under agrarian reform.

Postharvest facility is one of the assistance the coop availed itself of from the Department of Agriculture - High Value Crops Development Program (DA-HVCDP).

“Before we only sell wet beans at P30 per kilo or P90 per kilo of selected unfermented dried beans but with the support of the DA we are now into production of fermented dried beans which commands premium price at P120/kilo as it is more aromatic compared to traditionally dried beans,” De Vera said.

De Vera said that their co-op normally sell their cacao beans directly to traders “but with the facility that we have now, we can look for other markets,” he added.

DA-Region 11 Director Remelyn Recoter said a total of P2.239 million worth of production materials, postharvest facilities, processing equipment, and hauling truck were provided to the CacaoNet for the farmer-members to expand production area and to enhance the quality of their product.

Dagohoy Magaway of Task Force Mapalad shows of fermented cacao beans dried in tunnel type solar dryer. Fermented beans command premium price in the market as it bring out cacao’s best flavor and aroma. Photo by: Gian Enrique.

CacaoNet President Musa Sajid said they used to suffer huge losses at 30-40% especially during rainy season as the quality of their cacao beans deteriorates due to improper drying.

“Now that our co-op has the tunnel-type solar dryer from DA, it is easy for us to dry our cacao beans with less rejects even during rainy season as the dryer is covered with transparent plastic sheets.,” he said.

Sajid who is also the chairman of the Tamayong Tausog Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TTMPC) said DA-HVCDP has also provided their co-op with a storage building (bodega) which enabled them to schedule harvesting cacao beans without worrying of its storage.

He also urged his members to consolidate and sell their produce to CacaoNet as they will not only help strengthen the federation but will also earn from their dividends and patronage refund.

He said that during peak season (October-January) their co-op could produce at least 20 metric tons. In a one-hectare cacao plantation, a farmer could earn at least P100,000 within six months or P200,000 a year aside from his main income from other crops.

Cacao is usually just an intercrop with traditional crops such as coconut.

Lolita Tadios of the Biao Joaquin Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (BJARBC) said consolidating farmers’ produce is easier now with the

Eduardo De Vera of Balingaeng Co-op in Mintal, Davao City checks on the 8-in-1 cacao processing equipment from the Department of Agriculture-High Value Crops Development Program. Photo by: Gian Enrique.

hauling truck provided by DA-HVCDP. “We can now reach remote site so most of the member will no longer have to travel long distance just to deliver their produce to our co-ops. They save on hauling cost and time saved can be devoted to other farming activities,” she said.

Advocating Fair Trade TFM and CacaoNet actively promote fair trade to help producers get a fair price for their products and sustain their income.

Cacao farmers including their cooperative usually sell their produce to traders who dictate the price, putting farmers at the losing end.

“Before, If you look at how the business is being

run, it is not transparent.

Farmers should not depend on traders but rely among themselves in marketing their produce,” said Dagohoy Magaway TFM enterprise development officer.

At present, Magaway said, the federation regularly supplies cacao beans to Dalarich Foods, a leading tablea (choco block) processor in Bohol.

They are about to start exporting their cacao beans to Singapore, which requires at least 50 metric tons per month. They are also working on a marketing agreement with Taiwan who requires them to supply cacao nibs.

Magaway said that they are also eyeing the increasing demand for cacao in the local market as an

opportunity for cacao as ingredient for other products like butter, powder, liquor, and chocolate confectionery.

“Those in the grassroots especially the small farmers like us were usually neglected as we observed more attention is given to big players in the industry. Unlike now that the three organizations: TFM, CacaoNet, and DA-HVCDP XI converged to uplift our livelihood,” Sajid said.

Sajid said CacaoNet did not only improve their income but boosted small cacao farmers’ confidence as a group to seek for support and assistance. It has also enhanced their capacity as source of quality cacao beans.[Noel T. Provido/DA 11].

CacaoNet President Musa Sajid explains how the assistance from DA-HVCDP enhances their capability to produce quality cacao beans. Photo by: Gian Enrique.

There’s a better way to get attention.

Advertise with EDGE Davao

12 CLASSIFIEDS Realty

VOL. 6 ISSUE 230 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014

EDGEDavao Gensan Partners

FOR SALE:

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.

Tel No. (083) 553-2211 / (083) 877-0019 / (083) 878-0308

EDGEDavao Davao Partners

13 COMMUNITY SENSE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 230 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014

Hedcor, DASURECO join forces to power communities A

BOITIZ Power’s subsidiary Hedcor is helping Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative (DASURECO) to implement the annual P3 million worth of free electrification project for 680 households located in farflung barangays and sitios in the province this year.

Hedcor turned over housing electrical materials to the electric cooperative’s board members which included energy saving bulbs, wires, and circuit breakers.

The turnover came after determining which areas are to be energized.

“We have identified a total of thirteen sitios and barangays for this particular project. It is our aim in the province to electrify all areas,” said DASURECO general manager Engr. Godofredo Guya.

This endeavor is Hedcor’s initiative to also help the government’s pursuit of Sitio Electrification Program (SEP) and Barangay Line Enhancement Program (BLEP) to achieve the total rural electrification target set

by President Benigno Aquino through the Department of Energy.

According to the National Electrification Administration website, a government-owned and controlled corporation, committed to the ideals of the Rural Electrification Program, the gov-

ernment is targeting to light up all the unenergized sitios in the country by 2015 and 90% household electrification by 2017.

Electrification is a vital ingredient in uplifting the lives of the marginalized in the rural areas. Through giving them access to electricity you are opening up opportunities for development.

“Our partnership with DASURECO started years ago and in fact we were able to dispense a total of P9 million worth of assistance for electrification project for the good of DASURECO consumers,” said Rolando Pacquiao, Hedcor vice president for Mindanao Operations.

“Our committed assistance to Davao del Sur will prosper as years go by,” Pacquiao stated.

One of the residents from Barangay Sibulan, Sta. Cruz town in Davao del Sur, said, “We are using lampara for quite a long time now.

We are blessed that Hedcor took the initiative to help us light our houses through this free house wiring project. It is a dream come true for all of us.”

Barangay Sibulan, Barangay Darong, Barangay Balasiao, Sitio Buligan, Sitio Kumase, Sitio Bio are among the barangays and sitios that are entitled to avail of the free house wiring through partnership of Hedcor and

RESEARCH COLLABORATION. Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) for research collaboration and knowledge sharing. PIDS President Gilberto Llanto and DAP President Antonio Kalaw Jr. signed the MOU for PIDS and DAP, respectively. Under the agreement, PIDS and DAP shall cooperate to identify opportunities for research collaboration; implement seminars, conferences, and workshops; develop cooperative mechanisms and other forms of cooperation; and identify other forms of cooperation for research. PIDS and DAP formally seal their partnership on February 4, 2014. PIDS President Gilberto Llanto (left) and DAP President and CEO Antonio Kalaw Jr. (right) sign the memorandum of understanding for collaboration in research and knowledge sharing. Behind them are Dr. Sheila Siar (left), director for research information at PIDS, and Carlos Sayco Jr. (right), Vice-President for International Relations, Innovation, Strategic Convergence Initiatives & Partnership at DAP. DASURECO. DASURECO is the power distribution utility of Davao

del Sur and Davao Occidental, covering 14 municipalities and a city. Davao del Sur

is host to the Hedcor-owned 42.5-megawatt run-of-river Sibulan hydropower plants

and the 13.6-megawatt Tudaya hydropower project.

[Hedcor]

EDGEDAVAO WANTS YOU!

-

Serving a seamless society

Account Executives (3)

Male / Female, not more than 30 years old Candidate must posses a Bachelor/ College Degree in any Business field.

Willing to work under pressure, flexible, persuasive, can speak fluently and computer literate A team player With Basic Salary, Transportation, Communication, allowance + Commission

For interested applicants, you may send your resume to: HR Department EDGEDavao

Doors 13 & 14 Alcrej B;dg., Quirino Ave., Davao City Tel. No. (082) 221-3601 Email: edgedavao@gmail.com

14 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 230 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014

Pacers end Atlanta skid A TLANTA (AP) -- It’s over. This time, the Indiana Pacers had a successful regular-season trip to Atlanta.

David West scored 22 points, Paul George added 18 and the NBA-leading Pacers beat the Hawks 8985 on Tuesday night. ‘’This has been a tough place for us, but I thought we came in with the right motivation tonight,’’ West said. ‘’They blitzed us the last time we were down here.’’

The Pacers’ most recent win in Atlanta came last May in the clinching Game 6 of their first-round playoff series. But Indiana (38-10) had dropped its last 12 regular-season games at the Hawks, including a 97-87 decision on Jan. 8. ‘’I don’t have to answer questions about it anymore, so that’s good,’’ Indiana coach Frank Vogel said. ‘’We’ve had some struggles here, but it’s not anything we were losing sleep over.’’

Atlanta (25-22) failed to place a starter in double figures. It had won two straight and five of seven.

Jeff Teague and Kyle Korver had nine points apiece for the Hawks. AllStar forward Paul Millsap went 2 for 11 from the field and finished with seven points.

Teague made a 3-pointer to give Atlanta a 41-35 lead with 1:06 left in the second quarter, but the Hawks were outscored 3816 over the next 17 minutes.

Cartier Martin’s 3 cut Indiana’s lead to 86-84 with 14.9 seconds left. C.J. Watson and Danny Granger then combined for three

free throws to help the Pacers hold on for the win. ‘’Offensively, it just wasn’t one of our better nights,’’ Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. ‘’I think you have to give Indiana and their defense credit for that.’’

Elton Brand, a 14-year veteran, had 12 points and was the only Hawk to score in double figures before Mike Scott scored nine of his 15 points in the fourth quarter.

Scott said it’s no surprise that Atlanta’s offense couldn’t get much going against a defense that holds opponents to just 90.2 points a game, lowest in the NBA. ‘’They’re very good,’’ Scott said. ‘’That’s why they’re the best team in the league defensively. We just missed open shots and couldn’t get it in.’’

The Pacers had not won in the regular season at Philips Arena since Dec. 22, 2006. ‘’I thought our resolve took over,’’ West said. ‘’We were really precise with our movement and what we wanted to do. And we made plays when we needed to make plays.’’

Ian Mahinmi gave Indiana its biggest lead of the game with a tip-in that made it 73-57 with 8:10 left.

View galleryWest, George helps Pacers end Atlanta skid Atlanta Hawks power forward Elton Brand (42) collides with Indiana Pacers power forward Luis Scola ( …

Pacers guard Lance Stephenson hit the floor hard on a layup at the 7:56

Atlanta Hawks power forward Elton Brand, right, collides with Indiana Pacers’ Luis Scolain the first half of an NBA basketball game on Tuesday in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

mark of the third, falling over Millsap in the lane and landing on his left shoulder and hip.

Stephenson then converted the three-point

play to make it 55-47, but he sat out the last 16 minutes.

George stole the ball from rookie point guard Dennis Schroder late in

the fourth and scored a fast-break layup to make it 82-74. ‘’Our guys buckled down on the defensive end,’’ Vogel said. ‘’(Atlan-

ta) made a few shots in the last minute or two, but for the most part we held a pretty explosive team down to 85 points. That’s a pretty good effort.’’

Bulls snap Suns’5-game win streak Wolves hand Lakers P

Chicago Bulls’ Taj Gibson, center, shoots over Phoenix Suns’ Markieff Morris, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Tuesday in Phoenix.

(AP Photo/Matt York)

HOENIX (AP) -- A trip to the desert was enough to get the Chicago Bulls back on track.

Carlos Boozer had 19 points and 12 rebounds, and the Bulls snapped the Phoenix Suns’ five-game winning streak with a 10192 victory on Tuesday night.

The Bulls shot 45 percent from the field and had five players score in double figures, bouncing back from an ugly 99-70 loss at Sacramento on Monday.

The Bulls shot 28 percent and were outrebounded 53-30 against the Kings.

One night later, it was a completely different story. ‘’You could have used an excuse if you chose to do so, but that’s what I love about the team,’’ Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. ‘’They come out and they’re going to fight. They

picked themselves up and did it together and you could tell in the first quarter the commitment to get back, the commitment to get to put their bodies in front of people and take charges, make hustle plays, make effort plays.’’

Jimmy Butler and D.J. Augustin had 18 points apiece for the Bulls, who won for the fifth straight time in Phoenix. Joakim Noah, who was ejected in the third quarter of the loss at Sacramento, had 14 points and 14 rebounds.

Chicago (24-24) had dropped three of four, including an 88-79 loss at New Orleans on Saturday. ‘’We got punched in the mouth in New Orleans, we got punched in the mouth in Sacramento and we just wanted to come out and compete for 48 minutes as a team,’’ Noah said.

7th straight loss

M

INNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Kevin Love landed hard on his hip after a foul late in the game. His head snapped back from the impact and hit the floor.

The All-Star power forward was all right afterward, a relief for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The win over the languishing Los Angeles Lakers was nice, too.

Love had 31 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Timberwolves to 10999 victory on Tuesday that spoiled Steve Nash’s return and stuck the Lakers with their seventh straight defeat. ‘’I just want to continue to keep playing and give this team all that I can,’’ Love said. ‘’Yeah, I’ve

taken a physical beating, but you’ve got to expect being one of the top guys that they’re going to come at you.’’

Kevin Martin helped the Timberwolves get off to a fast start, scoring 14 of his season-high-tying 32 points in the opening 10 minutes as the NBA’s highest-scoring first-quarter team surged to a 25-point lead midway through the second period. They stumbled some after halftime, letting the Lakers pull within seven points early in the fourth quarter. ‘’It’s just one of those things where the game isn’t going to be as easy as you think,’’ coach Rick Adelman said. ‘’You just have to persevere.’’

INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 230 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

FOOD

Boys, love and food!

LOVE is in the AIR . . or literally has painted the town red. Hearts and cupids of shapes and sizes pop in just about every corner of the world. Chocolates, flowers and stuffed toys line malls to be that ‘special something’ for your special someone.

Tangible gifts aren’t the only ones that make valentine’s day special. Want to make it extra special? Of course, you do – we all do! Why don’t you say I LOVE YOU with a delicious specially cooked food? Yes, food is a universal symbol for love and everything that radiates positivity!

Surrounded with boys, guys and men of ages and beliefs, I asked these self-confessed foodies and romantics to spill the beans on how they keep the fire burning with their love ones.

A 3 course meal If I were to cook for In-in Olaguer, I would cook a 3 course meal of delicious chicken liver pâté, a hot plate of seared rib steak with arugula, mashed potatoes and roasted tomatoes and super silky Chocolate Q: If you were to Crepes to end a night cook a dish for your of pure bliss. I am significant other for not a cook but I can Valentine’s Day, what dream, right? Anything for her. And I LOVE YOU!

Meat in red wine marinade is a must grill on Vday.

Adrian Acas, Social Media Specialist Baby Back Ribs This is our favorite!

Every time we have a date or go out, especially when it is our monthsary or even anniversary, we alIvan is a romantic at heart. would it be and why? ways look for the best Adrian and Christie. plate of succulent ribs.

Ivan Ray Bagtas, We have already gone metro just to try it. So, Lou Gonzales, a plate Training Manager and in a number of amaz- I would cook for my of luscious baby back Internet Marketer ing restaurants in the girlfriend, Christie ribs!

Jacob’s love for pasta is as intense as his love for Michelle.

Steve’s mom loves his adobo.

because I both love a delicious mango float and most specially her.

Steve Oliver Mabanding, Social Media Strategist I will cook something special for my Jacob Abraham Un- mom. She may not be son, Website Devel- alive today to see my oper siblings and I but deI adore the simplic- spite that, I will cook ity of dishes and how for her an adobo – it can influence just the first dish that I about anyone. For my learned to cook thus, girlfriend, Michelle it is special to me.

Kaindoy, I would whip up my signature Making Valentine ’s pasta dish and maybe Day even more special a cake or something is achieved with the misweet on the side. nutest of detail. Talking about food made me Dodz Lendle Pasaol, think of a special mariSEO Specialist nade best for chicken or I do not know how beef grilled dishes. Here to cook but given the is RED WINE MARIchance to cook for my NADE for those who girlfriend, Ria Awad, I would want to impress will make mango float their partners. and share it with her – In a clean dry bowl,

combine 2 cups dry red wine, 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup soy or teriyaki sauce, 4 sliced native onions, 2 minced garlic, 3 tbsps brown sugar, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated and a generous dash of freshly ground black pepper.

Mix well and keep in airtight container.

Pour over meat and marinate for 3 hours to overnight for a more intense flavor. Serve meat with flavored butter and blanched vegetables with salt and pepper.

Be a part of Davao’s Thursday habit! Send me your recipes, questions, suggestions and comments and be featured. Email me at leebay457@yahoo.com (subject:RoyalChef) or tag me on instagram (herroyalheiress) for your delicious pics!

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

Celebrate Valentine’s Day the Marco Polo Way MARCO POLO DAVAO celebrates the season of love with a special room promotion from February 13 to 16, 2014.

Enjoy a blissful overnight stay in a Superior room with buffet breakfast for two for only Php 3,300 net.

Stay in our Cabana Terrace room for only Php 8,888 net, inclusive of breakfast buffet for two, an intimate set dinner for two at the patio on February 14, 2014 and a special gift for the ladies.

For reservations and inquiries, please call (82) 221-0888 local 7340 to 7342.

A private affair at the Waterfront!

Avail of our exclusive VALENTINE PACKAGE @ Php 5,600.00 nett which includes a sumptuous Valentine Dinner for Two and a Gift Certificate for an Overnight Stay with Buffet Breakfast for Two which can be availed from February 1-28,2014!

Valentine’s Day Set Menu consists of Appetizer, Soup, an Entree of (3) choices: Herb Crusted Lamb Chops served with Wild Mushroom Risotto,Asparagus and Red Wine Rosemary Jus OR Baked Norwegian Salmon and Dill Mashed Potato served with Tomato Confit in Cucumber Cream Sauce OR Grilled Marinated Herb Chicken set on home-made Potato Gnocchi Melted Cheese with Garlic Sauce plus Selection of Dessert items, inclusive of a glass of Wine, a glass of Soda and Cappucino or Tea to end the sumptuous meal.

For reservations, please call 082-300-8881.

Biggest PAL booth at Travel Expo ‘14 This year’s Travel Tour Expo (TTE) of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) will have Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) biggest-ever participation at any trade fair – at 1,100 square meters – to accommodate the volume of customers availing of PAL’s low-priced tickets that can only be bought at the TTE from February 14 to 16, 2014.

The huge PAL booth at the second floor of the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City, will have more than 50 ticket counters and various amenities to keep customers entertained while waiting to be served.

Dedicated counters will also make queuing less stressful for Elite and Premium Elite Mabuhay Miles members.

Rock-bottom tickets that entitle passengers to fullservice amenities annually attract overflow crowds to the PAL booth that will be manned by more than 50 ticketing agents from10 AM to 9 PM to handle all types of transactions.

PAL is a platinum sponsors and official airline of this year’s 21st TTE, having been a regular participant since its inception by PTAA in 1994.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 230 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014

Flaunt the Chinese New Year’s lucky colors with the Smart’s iPhone 5c

AS THE year of the Wooden Horse gallops in, Chinese Feng Shui experts recommend cheerful and warm colors to summon good luck and prosperity in a year that represents “stubbornness, hostility, stability and independence.”

Supposedly, the colors green, blue and yellow will balance out the metal, fire and wood elements of the year, and a great way to brandish these lucky colors is through the new iPhone 5c, the most colorful iPhone yet, which is free at Smart Unlisurf Plan 1500.

Under Unlisurf Plan 1500, the iPhone 5c comes with unlimited surfing on Long Term Evolution or LTE, the fastest fourth generation wireless technology. It also comes with 120 text messages and 60 minutes of calls to all networks, under a 30-month contract.

Offered in vibrant colors of green, blue, yellow, pink and white, the newest iPhone is powered by an efficient A6 chip that allows you to swoop from one application to the next smoothly, without sacrificing battery life.

It also takes stunning images with

its 8MP iSight camera, and shows these vividly on its 4-inch retina display. With its LTE-capability, the iPhone 5c also allows you to download and upload files at blazing speeds using Smart’s LTE network, which offers the widest LTE coverage in the country.

“Designed for those who want to express themselves, the iPhone 5c is about adding a dash of color in your daily life – and more,” said Kathy Carag, Smart Postpaid head.

“The iPhone 5c gives users both form and function, and it works best with Smart’s widest, fastest and most reliable LTE network, which the iPhone 5c needs to maximize its use. In many ways, you’ll be lucky to have one from Smart,” she added.

For more information on Smart’s complete suite of iPhone offers, visit smart. com.ph/iPhone. To subscribe to Smart’s iPhone Plans, apply now at the nearest Smart Store or visit store.smart.com.ph.

BPI Globe BanKO grants firstever e-tricycle loan in Boracay BPI Globe BanKO, the first mobile-based, microfinance-focused savings bank in the country, ventured into a tripartite agreement with the local government of Malay, Aklan and Gerweiss Motors Corporation to grant the country’s first-ever electric tricycle (e-trike) loan to help local drivers and operators in Boracay to purchase their e-tricycles that will spur continued business growth in the island.

Operating e-tricycles is in compliance with the local government unit’s initiative to promote environmental sustainability in the island, as well as help promote and reinforce the green efforts in Boracay.

The 10-seater e-trikes developed by Gerweiss Motors were given to the local drivers through BanKO’s e-trike loan.

“BanKO is committed to provide innovative banking products that foster corporate social responsibility and sustainable development.

The e-trike loan program will help increase the local driver and operator’s income and at the same

(L-R): BPI Globe BanKO Head John Rubio and Malay Aklan Mayor John Yap beside one of the e-trikes granted to a local driver in Boracay.

time provide a cleaner and greener Boracay. Through this program, we can support the local government of Malay, Aklan in making the island environmentallysound and tourist-friendly.

Eventually, we will expand these programs to other tourism areas, carrying the same objectives of financial inclusion and sustainable development,” said John Rubio, Head of BPI Globe

BanKO. “More of our tricycle operators will be able to own an e-trike with the help of BanKO. Because these vehicles are energy-efficient, their income will be higher, as it is more economical to power an e-trike than a petrol-fuelled tricycle, leading to a better quality of life.

Hopefully, our program will become a model for others in the country to promote a

safer, more productive community,” said Hon. John Yap, Mayor of Malay, Aklan.

The e-trike project is considered as the best solution to replace Boracay’s 536 fuel-powered tricycles with environment-friendly etrikes in compliance with the local government’s vision of making Boracay as the first major tourist destination in the world to become an “etrike island.”

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

VOL. 6 ISSUE 230 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014

ENTERTAINMENT

Alfred Vargas and Lucy Torres reveal political plans

CELEBRITY congressman Alfred Vargas shrugs off rumors that he will run for a senatorial seat in the 2016 national elections after he serves his first term in the fifth district of Quezon City.

“I think I will truly achieve something when I finished three terms as congressman,” Alfred shares with Anthony Taberna in “Tapatan Ni Tunying” airing this Thursday.

However, the politicianactor emphasized that he is not aiming for a higher position because he plans to quit politics as soon as he finishes three terms in Congress to focus on his two daughters.

“During the campaign, I was too busy. I almost did not see my family,” he says.

“For me, a person’s biggest achievement is to become a good father and a good husband,” he adds.

Meanwhile, if Alfred seems to be sure of his future after politics, Leyte’s fourth district Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez is still uncertain

about it.

“I always say that no matter how much you plan, when God has a different will, it will not happen,” she explains.

Lucy says, however, that people have been urging her to run for a higher position.

“Even before my first term, there are people saying that I should aim for a higher position, but that’s never been

my plan,” she says.

She adds that while she is thankful for the opportunity given to her, politics is exhausting and would really test your patience.

Don’t miss “Tapatan ni Tunying” (TNT) this Thursday, 4:45 PM on ABS-CBN’s Kapamilya Gold. For updates, follow @TNTunying on Twitter or like its Facebook page www.facebook.com/TNTunying.

GMA Network puts heart first in Kapuso Month campaign THIS FEBRUARY, GMA Network departs from the conventional concept of the love month by highlighting how love deepens all kinds of relationships in its Kapuso Month campaign titled “Puso Ang Una.” The different slices of life show diverse expressions of love depicted between a couple, a father and son, and among colleagues that will surely make their mark in the hearts of Kapuso viewers everywhere.

“At the heart of this Network are its viewers,” explains GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon. “That is why we always aim to develop a deeper bond with them by sending the message that in the Kapuso Network, we put our hearts in everything we do.”

Moreover, GMA Network President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr. shares, “Moving beyond the typical Valentine’s Day fare, we thought it timely to celebrate the broader types of love – and how much more love can be felt in such relationships through small acts of the heart, be it through reconciliation, forgiveness, even solidarity.”

The campaign imparts the message that in our daily lives, many little things

given and received become more touching and gain a deeper meaning because they come from the heart.

As the Kapuso station, GMA believes in “putting the heart first” and this manifests in the heart that goes into delivering entertainment, news, and public service to its Kapuso viewers here and abroad.

Puso Ang Una was spearheaded by members of the Network’s Program Support Department (PSD): Regie Bautista (First Vice President), Grace Feliciano (Assistant Vice President), Dino Garcia (Creative Director), Joy Comia-Ashipaoloye (Junior Associate Creative Director), Jason Faustino (Sr. Visualizer), Raymond Ignacio (Sr. Visualizer) and Hasmin Marable (Senior Project Manager).

Working hand in hand with PSD are representatives from the Post Production

Department: Paul Hendrick Ticzon and Vince Gealogo (Directors), John Paul Arojado (Director of Photography), Neil Nanquil (Colorist/ Master Editor/Edit Supervisor), Nep Rebao and Ryan Reyes (Colorist/Master Editor), Allyn de Ocampo (Main Cam/Ari Operator), Percival de Leon (Assistant Director), Rey Coloma (Digital Imaging Technician), Isagani Mauleon (1st Cameraman), Janros Avellana (2nd Cameraman), Michael Ongleo (Live Sound Recording), Angie Reyes/JR Lobitos (Audio - Sound Design), Ingrid Navarro (Shoot Producer), Hazel Joy Raymundo (Post Production Admin), Jann Buencamino and Jewelyn Archie Dave (Project Managers), CriseldaDacanay (Production Designer) and Steve Salvador (Costume Supervisor).

The three clips can be seen on GMA-7 in the entire month of February.

AMERICAN HUSTLE 2D Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Jennifer Lawrence R 13

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

LEGO THE MOVIE 2D Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell GP

12:00 | 2:00 | 4:00 | 6:00 | 8:00 | 10:00 LFS

HAUNTER 2D / * GEOGRAPHY CLUB 2D

R-16

R 13 / * PG13

Abigail Breslin, David Hewlett / *Cameron Deane Stewart, Justin Deeley 12:25 | 2:20 | 4:15 LFS / * 6:10 | 8:05 | 10:00 LFS

ROBOCOP 2D Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton PG 13

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

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

FOOD

EDGEDavao Davao Partners

VOL. 6 ISSUE 230 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014

Shellfish around Valentines Day

& Spirits is located at Damosa Gateway. I suggest you call or text them first at (0917) 7925903 or (082) 3053649 to ask for the availability of the oysters and tables as the shipment of oysters can sometimes be affected by the weather.

VA L E N T I N E ’ S DAY is just around the corner and for the ones who already have their soul mates, this is the holiday for you.

For most of us singletons however, Valentine’s Day is when we get together with other single friends and just have a grand time painting the town red, and what better way to spend time with friends than with a big pile of shellfish that are good eats even when it not on Vday.

All hands on deck Nothing says barkada fun more than a bag of freshly-boiled spicy mussels served with boiled corn on the cob, spicy sweet sausages and boiled potatoes at the Blue Posts Boiling Crabs and Shrimps. There are three levels of heat you can chose from, from mildly spicy, regular spice or screaming hot spice.

For big groups, I suggest the regular spiced bag so as not to burn off some of your friends tongues.

Since the Blue Posts Boiling Crab and Shrimps is a crab place, utensils are indeed optional, making

for hilarious moments when friends try to grab a mussel or try to race for the last piece of sausage in the bag with their fingers.

It is also good to know that yes, the mussels taste fantastic.

Blue Posts Boiling Crabs & Shrimps is located along J.P. Laurel Avenue.

For reservations, you may call (082) 2218360. I suggest bigger groups make reservations as the tables tend to fill up quickly.

A platter of love If spicy is not your thing, then why not visit The Wine Cellar and have a platter of their famous oysters?

Oysters are hard to find in Davao City mainly be-

cause our area is just not conducive for growing the succulent mollusk. Luckily for us, The Wine Cellar flies in their oysters straight from Roxas City every Tuesday and offer them free for every purchase of a bottle of wine.

Yes, you read me right!

The succulent morsels are free whenever you buy a bottle of wine (in my case a nice white wine) which you can share among friends. You have a choice of either fresh or baked oysters on a half shell.

The Wine Cellar Wines

Comforting fare If wine and oysters are not your barkada’s thing then maybe mussels and fries paired with beer will.

Served every other Thursday at Bon Appetit, the Mussels Session is a pot of piping hot mussels cooked to succulent perfection in a white wine and cream sauce. The sauce when paired with the fries (cooked in duck fat mind you), make for delicious eats.

Personally though, I would eat the mussels together Bon Appetit’s home-made artisanal bread dipped in the white wine sauce. Add a bottle or two of San Mig or imported European beers and you and your friends will have a smashingly unique shellfish meal.

Bon Appetit is located at Plaza del Carmen. You can call 321-2574 for reservations.

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

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS 15

VOL. 6 ISSUE 230 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2014

Pacman, Bradley both seek redemption in rematch

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EVERLY HILLS, Calif.

(AP) — Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley intend to leave no doubt this time.

Nearly two years after Bradley beat the Filipino congressman in a hotly disputed split decision, the welterweights both seemed uncommonly confident Tuesday as they began promotional work for their April 12 rematch.

That’s because each man is still unshakably certain he won their first meeting.

“I want to maintain my name at the top and prove I can still fight,” Pacquiao said. “My career is not done yet.”

The June 2012 decision was savaged by fans, media and even Bob Arum, both fighters’ promoter. They all believed Pacquiao’s power and combinations had beaten Bradley’s elusiveness and tactical approach.

Bradley (31-0, 12 KOs) still feels wronged by the reactions to the biggest win of his life, ranging from catcalls on the street to death threats in the mail.

“With all the controversy, this fight is about redemption,” Bradley said.

“I want to redeem what I didn’t get, which is the credit. It’s important for me to make the win decisive in the people’s eyes this time.

I’ve already got a win. This is so I can walk down the street and nobody says, ‘Hey, you didn’t win that fight, man.’ That hurts me.”

Pacquiao (55-5-2, 38 KOs) and trainer Freddie Roach both believe Pacquiao won essentially every round in the first bout.

But the Pacman still wants to prove he’s back on top of his game by avenging the loss that snapped his 15-fight winning streak.

“I’m not angry anymore,” Pacquiao said. “I was surprised by the decision, but I’m the kind of person that I respect the decision of the judges.”

But did Pacquiao agree that Bradley gave him “a boxing lesson,” in the infamous words of judge Duane Ford?

“I think I gave him a boxing lesson, and the judges gave him that,” Pacquiao said with a smile.

Pacquiao and Bradley will meet again for the WBO 147-pound title at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas. Bradley is opening camp in his native Palm Springs area on Monday, while Pacquiao will train in the Philippines before moving back to Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood in March.

“To be honest, I wasn’t as motivated when I was training for our first fight,”

Manny Pacquiao, left, and Tim Bradley pose at a news conference to promote their upcoming WBO welterweight championship boxing rematch in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) Pacquiao said. “I guess I didn’t take him seriously enough.”

The split decision was so reviled that the WBO hired five independent judges to re-score the bout on video, and all five favored Pacquiao. The WBO didn’t overturn the result, but asked for a rematch — and after both fighters boosted their careers with

victories last year, they were ready to do it again.

Pacquiao was knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez a few months after the Bradley bout, and he took nearly a year off before returning to dominate Brandon Rios in Macau. Bradley watched both fights, but wasn’t impressed.

“He still has all the skill sets,” Bradley said. “I just

feel like that killer instinct is gone.”

Bradley turned himself into one of boxing’s biggest names in 2013 with a sensational brawl against Ruslan Provodnikov and a classy decision win over Marquez.

Bradley acknowledges being a bit star-struck before he got in the ring with Pacquiao, but he was sur-

prised how easily he could handle the man who was on top of the sport at the time. Bradley feels he won the first fight, but believes he can win the rematch clearly enough for everybody to see.

“I know what to expect this time,” Bradley said.

“It’s like when you learn to ride a bike. The second time is easier.”

Bayern Munich, Diego Scans show Nadal on mend from back injury Costa top AP soccerpoll M

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ayern Munich’s 5-0 thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt has helped the Bundesliga leader remain atop of The Associated Press global soccer poll this week, and Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa has topped the player rankings.

It’s the fourth time this season Bayern is the weekly poll winner. ‘’Everyone must be running out of adjectives to describe just how good Bayern Munich is,’’ Mark Rodden of Eurosport said. ‘’The European champions are still on course to go through the Bundesliga season unbeaten though, so we may need to find a few more.’’

Bayern’s only representative in the player poll was Thiago Alcantara, in fourth, after he scored an acrobatic scissor kick in injury time for a 2-1 win against Stuttgart on Wednesday.

Costa, the players’ poll leader for the second time this season, scored in Atletico’s 4-0 rout of Real Sociedad,

sending the side three points clear atop of the Spanish league.

The victory came after Atletico fans paid tribute to former player and coach Luis Aragones, whose death was announced on Saturday. ‘’Remarkably, this is the first time that Atletico Madrid have led Spain’s La Liga outright since winning the title eighteen years ago,’’ Chris Tait of The Herald in Scotland said. ‘’It would seem a fitting tribute to Luis Aragones.’’

Atletico polled second among the clubs, six points behind Bayern. Its emphatic win over Frankfurt meant it was 13 points ahead of second-place Bayer Leverkusen, a winner of 17 out of 19 league games and unbeaten in 44 games overall.

Valencia was third for beating Barcelona, Juventus fourth after beating Inter Milan 3-1, and Chelsea fifth, for inflicting a first home defeat on Manchester City in a tactical masterclass from coach Jose Mourinho.

ADRID (AP) -Medical scans have revealed no serious problems as Rafael Nadal continues his recovery from a back injury sustained at the Australian Open.

A statement from the world’s top-ranked player says all checks ‘’were satisfactory and showed positive evolution’’ regarding the injury, which contributed to his loss to Stanislas Wawrinka in the final in Melbourne.

Nadal is continuing to work out in the gym and his return to the tennis court - starting on Thursday - will decide ‘’when he is ready to return to competition.’’

The Spaniard is scheduled to play in Buenos Aires next week. Tournaments in Rio de Janeiro, Indian Wells and Miami follow.

Doctors had prescribed anti-inflammatory medication and physical therapy to speed his recovery.

Rafael Nadal grimaces as he receives a medical treatment to his back in the men’s singles final against Stanislas Wawrinka at the Australian Open. (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. VOL.66ISSUE ISSUE230 230••THURSDAY, THURSDAY,FEBRUARY FEBRUARY6,6,2014 2014

Gilas’ Group B foes will be Argentina, Senegal, Greece, Croatia and Puerto Rico (Photo: Czeasar Dancel/NPPA)

Gilas opens FIBA World Cup campaign against Croatia

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RACKETED with former Olympic champion Argentina and two-time European titlist Greece in Group B, Gilas Pilipinas faces what many armchair pundits consider a daunting task in the 2014 FIBA World Basketball Cup that gets going on August 30 in four different cities in Spain.

The Nationals are expected to immediately have their hands full in the preliminary round in their bid to advance to the knockout Round-of-16 stage that head coach Chot Reyes and long-time patron Manny V. Pan-

gilinan have long set their sights on.

Although they failed to be grouped with Ukraine and Finland which he both claimed as “beatable”, Reyes vowed they will leave no stone unturned as they try to make their countrymen proud in the Philippines’ return stint to the world stage for the first time since 1978.

Ranked 34th in the world, the Philippines will open its lofty campaign on August 30 against Croatia, which finished third overall in last year’s European qualifiers.

Gilas will then square off with the Greeks, rated fifth in the world, on August 31 followed by another testy battle against Argentinians, ranked third in the world, on September 1.

After a one-day breather, Gilas Pilipinas will plunge back to action against world No. 17 Puerto Rico, which finished second to Mexico in the FIBA Americas, before winding up its preliminary campaign against Senegal, which claimed the bronze medal in the African qualifiers and is ranked 41st in the world.

Although the odds are stacked against them, Reyes is unfazed, tweeting: “Tough sked, pero di tayo patitinag. Lalaban ng patayan #PusongPinoy.”

The Palacio Municipal de Deportes San Pablo in Seville will serve as the battleground for Group B protagonists and Gilas Pilipinas skipper Jimmy Alapag is already looking forward to the trip.

The top four teams from each group will move on to the knockout Round-of-16 stage that will be played in the iconic cities of Barcelona and Madrid.

Guiao fined P100,000, suspended one game

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BA Commissioner Chito Salud slapped a hefty penalty on Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao stemming from the tactician’s back to back ejections in their semifinals series against the Petron Blaze Boosters in the 2014 PLDT myDSL Philippine Cup. Guiao was summoned

by Salud for a meeting followed by the PBA Office releasing the decision.

“Following this morning’s meeting with Coach Yeng Guiao regarding his use of a dirty finger pointed toward the commissioner’s and tech committee table, this Office hereby metes out on Coach Guiao the penalty of one (1) game suspension and a fine of one hundred thousand pesos (Php 100,000.00) for persistent conduct unbecoming of a Coach exhibited in a manner positively indicating disrespect, if not disdain or scorn,

Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao reacts after a call by the referee during the Semi-Finals of the 2014 PLDT MyDsl PBA Philippine Cup held at Mall of Asia arena, south of Manila Last Wednesday. Rain or Shine won 103-94. (Czeasar Dancel/NPPA Images)

for the league as an institution and its fans,” the statement read.

“I would like to state unequivocally that this disciplinary sanction cannot fully

convey the sense of regret of this Office for the insulting and unsavory antics Coach Guiao continues to display and foist on the players, the referees, his peers and the

entire viewing public of the PBA, especially the youth, despite repeated well-meaning advice and counsel from this Office in the past,” Salud added.