Edge Davao 6 Issue 241

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 241 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21-22, 2014

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

Serving a seamless society

FRESH. Newly-slaughtered pigs are being delivered at various meat stalls in Bankerohan Public Market few hours before the prospective clients arrive for an afternoon purchase. Lean Daval Jr.

NUMBER ONE KILLER LTO urged: Be strict on motorcycle drivers licenses

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

D

ESCRIBING the motorcycles as “number one killer” in road accidents, the chief of the Davao City Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) is urging the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to implement strict issuance of licenses to motorcycle drivers.

Ret. Gen. Francisco Villaroman told reporters in yesterday’s I-speak media forum that most vehicles involved in road mishaps are

FOR SMEs

motorcycles.

“Dapat dumaan sila sa proper training at saka actual. Kasi yung ibang motor (motorcycle driver) dito, lalo kung maka-inom wala ng brake – nakalimutan ng mag brake. Puro accelerator ang nalalaman kaya pati (other) sasakyan binabangga nila,” said Villaroman.

He added that it is shown on close circuit television (CCTV) of the PSSCC how victims got hurt brought by reckless driving and

over- speeding motorcycles.

“Based on statistics, number one killer and motorcycles,” Villaroman said.

“I have to remind our LTO regional office or city na higpitan and issuance ng motorcycle licenses dito sa Davao City and also the whole region kasi ang nakamotor dito na nakakabangga hindi lang taga-Davao, may taga-Maguindanao – taga ibang probinsya,” he said.

FNUMBER, 10

DTI to pilot climate change adaptation

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

T

crc@edgedavao.net

HE Department of Trade and Industry will piloting the climate change adaptation program for SMEs in the Davao region starting the second quarter this year, an official said.

DTI 11 officer-in-charge Ma. Belinda Q. Ambi, in an interview at the DTI-civil society organizations and stake-

holders consultation at The Pinnacle Hotel and Suites Tuesday, said that the program is a series of trainings and seminars that will enable SMEs to be disaster resilient.

Romeo Castañaga, head of Management Support and Special Concerns Division (MSSCD), said earlier that the

FDTI, 10

OUTDATED. No one seems to care of a hanging dilapidated public telephone as majority of people nowadays own cellular phones. Lean Daval Jr.

2

EDGEDAVAO

THE BIG NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 241 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21-22, 2014

CLIMATE CHANGE

Forum slated today at Cor Jesus College

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

C NOT SO SOON. Davao City Quick Response Team for Children’s Concerns of City Social Service and Development (QRTCC-CSSDO) head Minda A. Silvano says during yesterday’s I-Speak media forum at City Hall that the seven children rescued in an alleged cyber sex den in Bucana, Davao City will be in their custody for a long period before they will return to the relatives. Lean Daval Jr.

CYBER SEX

Rescued kids won’t be home yet

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T

abf@edgedavao.net

HE Davao City Quick Response Team for Children’s

Concerns of the City Social Service and Development (QRTCC-CSSDO) has

to keep in its custody the seven children who were rescued last Saturday from an alleged cyber sex den for a long period before they can be returned to their relatives.

Minda A. Silvano, QRTCC-CSSDO head, told reporters in yesterday’s ‘I-speak media forum’ that they would first need to be assured that the victims will be returned to “a very safe and peaceful environment with family or relatives.”

“Dahil yung mga perpetrators are family members,” said Silvano, adding that there are relatives who want to claim the children but were advised to wait.

She said that five of the seven children are recovering fast from their trauma because of the

support system they have inside the CSSDO shelter.

“The two hindi masyadong affected – medyo walang trauma kay parang sanay sila na hindi with the mother or with the parents,” she said.

Davao Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte has warned operators of cybersex dens that if they would be arrested and prosecuted.

“Pag nasa kulungan ka na ngayon I’d rather that you stay there… lalo na yung nag exploit ng child abuse and everything ginagawa mong capital – buti na lang di kita patayin,” he said.

Last Saturday, the seven were rescued by CIDG’s Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) in Room 3, No. 499, Purok 26, barangay Bucana, Ecoland,

FCYBER, 10

crc@edgedavao.net

OR Jesus College of Law and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines- Davao del Sur chapter will conduct a forum on the impact of the establishment of coal-powered plants on climate change today at Pearl Center, Rizal Avenue, Digos City.

Lawyer Israelito Torreon, dean of the college of law, said during a media forum at the Club 888, The Marco Polo Davao Wednesday that the forum aims to enlighten participants on the impact of coal power plants given that the region is experiencing the effects of climate change.

He said that the right to development and the responsibility to protect the environment despite the Mindanao power crisis will be discussed.

“It will provide an avenue for all stakeholders to express their opinion on the matter,” he said, adding that a coal-fired power plant owned by the San Miguel Corp. (SMC) with a capacity of 600 megawatt is being constructed in Malita, Davao del Sur. Aside from the one in Malita, there are also three other coal-fired power plants that are close to the province of Davao del Sur, namely Therma South Inc. (TSI) (with a capacity of 300MW), the Aboitiz Power in Toril District, Davao City, and 210 MW coal-fired power plant of Alsons in Sarangani province.

The construction of the three power plants is aimed at alleviating the power crisis in Mindanao where

FCLIMATE, 10

DA teams up with Davao for cacao production

T

HE Department of Agriculture will partner with Davao City local government for its highland cacao farming projects in response to a rising interest in the crop, an official of the DA revealed last Tuesday.

Speaking in Tuesday’s privilege hour at the city council’s regular session, DA Regional Executive Director Remelyn Recoter said the agency would work with the city in providing facilities, post-harvest and processing equipment,

research and development, and pest and disease eradication measures for high-value crops.

Recoter said the DA has already turned over similar assistance to the Subasta Multipurpose Cooperative, which received a processing plant and other post-harvest facilities not only for cacao but also for other high value crops.

She said the city’s cacao industry could access funding and other kinds of assistance from the Philip-

FDA, 10

FOR A CAUSE. Andi Baldonado of the Philippine Eagle Foundation, Inc. shows the jersey of the Ride for the Eagle Fun Ride during Club 888 media forum at the Marco Polo Davao on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr.

NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 241 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21-22, 2014

3

City Council OK’s rules on Pasalubong Center

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T

abf@edgedavao.net

HE Davao City council has passed an ordinance to regulate the operation and maintenance of the city‘s Pasalubong Center.

In its regular session last Tuesday, the 17th city council approved on final reading “An Ordinance Establishing Policies, Guidelines, Rules and Regulations for the Operation and Maintenance of the Pasalubong Center, A Tourism-Oriented Project of the City Government of Davao.” .

The legislation is designed to help promote tourism and locally made products or delicacies that tourists can buy while the facility serves as a

marketing outlet for local small and marginal entrepreneurs.

With the approval of the ordinance, a management board for the Pasalubong Center will be constituted to formulate and adopt policy guidelines and standards in the management and administration; promulgate rules and regulations governing the operation, a administration and maintenance; conduct periodic reviews of the center; conduct raffles or drawing of lots for the allocation of stalls or booths, and certify to the approval by the mayor; decide on the revocation or cancellation of lease contracts, closure of

FCITY, 10 ANNUAL EVENT. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte graces the 81st Annual Convention and Seminar Workshop of the Philippine Association of Local Trea-

USeP prexy recipient IN MINDANAO of Datu Bago award Study shows potential P

ERFECTO A. Alibin, an educator who heads the University of Southeastern Philippines, is a recipient of the Datu Bago Award 2014.

The Datu Bago award is the most prestigious and highest award that the Davao City government bestows on its constituents. It is a form of recognition of an individual’s competence and exemplary contribution to the growth and development of Davao City.

Under the leadership of Alibin, USeP has received international recognition that placed Davao City on the map. For three consecutive years, Quacquarelli

surers and Assessors (PHALTRA), Inc. held at SM Lanang Premier’s SMX Convention Center Wednesday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

sites as energy sources

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

Perfecto A. Alibin, president of the University of Southeastern Philippines, is one of the 2014 Datu Bago awardees.

Symonds, a trusted career and education network, listed USeP as one of the top universities in Asia, from 2011-2013. According to QS University Rankings: Asia, which is on its fifth

FUSEP, 10

A

crc@edgedavao.net

STUDY has 15 sites in Mindanao that are viable for 10 megawatt (MW) biomass plants, and 11 sites for 20MW hydro-power plants.

The study was conducted by the First Bukidnon Electric Cooperative (FIBECO) and Energias Renovables, Inc. in partnership with the Mindanao Development Authority, Department of Energy and USAid. The study, which began

in February last year, bared that biomass and hydro power are among the most viable energy sources in Mindanao which can help in addressing the power crisis in the region.

Based on Mindanao Renewable Energy Resource Assessment Projects, the top 15 potential sites for biomass projects are Bukidnon, South Cotabato, Davao del Sur, North Cotabato, Misamis Oriental,

Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, Zamboanga del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Davao City, and Sarangani.

Bern Tadeo of Fibico said that there is 263.9 MW of planned and existing biomass as of October, 2013, adding that based on the study, Mindanao has a net potential of 795 MW on top of planned and existing

biomass projects.

Meanwhile, MinDA’s investment promotions and public affairs director Romeo Montenegro said that it is viable for Mindanao because the island is agriculture based.

“Being the food basket, and having large agricultural lands, we have a substantial amount of agricultural wastes that can serve as stocks for biomass

ALACANANG on Thursday said that the new policy of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on releasing information to media was not an effort to hide the truth but for accuracy.

The PNP issued the policy because of reported infractions in the

past.

In the new policy, media are only allowed to seek information from a designated spokesperson in police stations for consistency.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda in a Palace briefing reiterated the PNP’s earlier statement saying that

they only wanted to be “very clear” with the info they relayed.

“There is no effort to hide the truth from public,” he told media. “It’s just that we want to be sure that whatever we release to the public is accurate.”

Lacierda further said

year.

According to Sevilla, based on the information they gathered from the National Food Authority (NFA), only 50,000 metric tons of rice were issued the required import permits in 2013.

Likewise, Sevilla said that they are now investi-

gating into how and why such volume of rice were smuggled into the Philippines, particularly those which were not issued import permits.

He added that, among others, they are determining whether there were fake import permits

FSTUDY, 10

PNP’s new media policy justified M FPNP, 10

200,000 MT of imported rice smuggled into PHL in 2013 MEDICINES AND VITAMINS. RCC Bucana Chair Nanette Macapundag (extreme left) dispenses and vitamins to the young patients while School Principal Emerita Mapila (4th from right) and Dominga Dumat-ol (2nd right) assist.

Photo by Michael Alinsud.

B

UREAU of Customs (BOC) Commissioner John Sevilla on Thursday disclosed at the Department of Justice (DOJ) that almost 200,000 metric tons (MT) of imported rice were smuggled into the Philippines without the necessary import permits last

F200,000, 10

4

EDGEDAVAO

PROPERTY

VOL. 6 ISSUE 241 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21-22, 2014

Mountain Hardwear, Columbia back Ciudades Tierra Series

I

N Mountain Hardwear’s quest for the ultimate performance and Columbia’s motivation to “Try Stuff”, they teamed up with Ciudades of Lapanday Properties to bring to Davao the Ciudades Tierra Series.

Slated on March 29 in the Ciudades property in Mandug, this will integrate the natural terrain of the area and distinctive man-made obstacles and challenges that make it more exciting for runners looking for a fun experience. It is the first trail run in Davao that will be powered by a time chip.

Don’t worry about not being able to keep up with some of your more athletic friends.

There are 3k, 6k and 12k distances you can join, depending on your preference and physical capabilities. On March 30, an adrenaline pumping bicycling event sponsored awaits those who love the thrill of offroad bike trips.

Interested runners can register in this much anticipated event at Mountain Hardwear SM Lanang, Columbia Abreeza and Bratpack SM Davao. There is also 85K worth of cash prizes to be given to the top finishers, as well as 50K worth of raffle prizes to those who want to be part of the Ciudades Tierra Series. If that’s not enough, registered participants can also avail of a 20% discount on all Columbia Sportswear, Mountain Hardwear and Teva regular priced products.

Registration is now open in Mountain Hardwear SM Lanang, Columbia Abreeza and Bratpack SM City Ecoland.

Ciudades, a realty development of Lapanday, is Davao’s first integrated, mixed-used master planned community. A mere 15 minutes away from Metro Davao, Ciudades prides itself to be a first rate eco city where communities rise harmoniously with the commercial. Exclusive housing communities with excellent amenities make it a prime investment among businessmen and venture capitalists alike.

There is no lack of open spaces, bike/run trails and nature escapes in this lush environment. It was here that the

outdoor clinic was held, sponsored by premier international brands- Columbia Sportswear, Mountain Hardware and Teva.

These brands are committed to partnering with people in experiencing a healthy life, as nature intended.

Going alfresco need not be relegated to one’s dining option. Breathe in the fresh air, savor nature’s sights and sounds, enjoy a good old fashioned sweat outdoors—there is no app for this, you need to jump in and experience it for yourself.

Mountain Hardwear Columbia are exclusively distributed by The Primer Group of Companies, Asia’s next retail giant.

About Primer Group of Companies The Primer Group of Companies is a consortium mainly engaged in the retail and distribution of the world’s top consumer brands and products. We are also proud to have expanded our business portfolio in the area of industrial products and services through the production and distribution of chemical printing products, retail and maintenance of ACMV and HVAC units with after-sales services and creative graphic design and services.

Most recently, the company also opened its first professional retail and merchandising academy.

The Primer Group’s network of companies is multiplying in a pace never achieved before. The company is now realizing its vision to become the LEADER in the global distribution and innovation of premium goods and services across the Asian region. After 25 years of continuous and steady growth, its retail authority has grown to over 80 premium brands, 100 free-standing concept stores and over 600 consignment doors in the Asian region. The company is set to reach greater heights through its numerous milestones and marketing commendations locally and abroad.

For more information, please contact: Arian Zaragoza

429

Brand Associate T: +632 567.0611 local

M: +63 917.644.1571 E: arian.zaragoza@primergrp.com

Macel Abejero PR and Events Manager T: +632 567.0611 loc. 512

M: +63 922.843.4708 E: macel.abejero@primergrp.com

5 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 241 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21-22, 2014

Rivera bats for P200M to develop fishing industry G

ENERAL SANTOS CITY(18 February 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera is in partnership with the Mindanao State University-General Santos City (MSU-GSC) and the local fishing industry in trying to get an additional P200 million from Senate Committee Head on Agriculture and Food Senator Cynthia Villar.

During a meeting Monday (February 17), the city mayor disclosed to MSU-GSC Chancellor Abdurrahman Canacan and GenSan’s fishing magnates that he is interested on utilizing the P200 million to develop further the city’s fishing industry in its bid to become “more than just the Tuna capital of the Philippines.”

Rivera asked everyone’s cooperation in coming up with sustainable project proposals that would specify the advancement of the fishing industry of the city.

“We need to justify to the higher ups that we need the auxiliary budget for GenSan to improve its fishing sales in the global market which in

turn, will provide sustainable economy in the country,” Rivera said.

Mayor Rivera said that this move will also help address the challenges that the fishing industry has been facing for years, especially in the presence of the South Pacific Tuna Treaty.

During the Economic Summit last October 2013, Rivera expressed that he wanted to diversify GenSan’s economy and move away from its heavy reliance on the fishing sector, but the mayor clarified that development aid for the industry must still be advanced as an anchor to the city’s growth.

Chancellor Canacan of MSU-GSC suggested that revolutionizing a new curriculum for the marine and fishing courses will be a good threshold for the said project.

Canacan said that only a few undergraduates are taking interest in enrolling in fishing related courses, and may have been the reason why the industry is still suffering.

According to Canacan,

BITCOIN. Some of Bitcoin enthusiast Mike Caldwell’s coins and paper vouchers, often called “paper wallets”, are pictured at his office in this photo illustration in Sandy, Utah. Caldwell recommended their use as a way to store Bitcoins offline. (REUTERS/Jim Urquhart) MSU-GSC has the highest turn out of enrollees in marine courses in the Philippines, but the number is still very low because it never became a trend venue.

Marfin Tan, president of the SocSKSarGen Fish-

ing Federation and Allied Industries Inc., agreed with Canacan’s suggestions and added that the new curriculum should be equipped with comprehensive subjects regarding the modern technicalities of fishing.

Tan said that a part of the P200 million could be used to buy modern fishing equipment such as underwater sonars and radars to expose the students in “actual fishing” methods.

The rest of the fishing

magnates in the city expressed their willingness to open their companies for those who are willing undergo as On-The-JobTrainees (OJTs). (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Ian John M. Lagare)

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 Aprbillion 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

2.9 Oct3.12013

Rate 15.

Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

Apr 2013

2006=100

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 241 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21-22, 2014

Aquino cites 3 drivers to ensure readiness for ASEAN integration P

RESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III has cited connectivity, productivity and complementarity as driving forces in enhancing the country’s competitiveness and readiness for the integration of economies among the 10-member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by 2015, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said on Wednesday.

In his keynote speech during the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) 2nd General Membership Meeting held at the InterContinental Manila in Makati City, the Communications Secretary said the Chief Executive has discussed with concerned government agencies the policy agenda in ensuring that the Philippines is ready for ASEAN integration.

“On the sidelines of the Mindanao Business Forum held in Davao

City last August 8, the President cited the importance of connectivity in terms of airports and seaports considering that the Philippines is an archipelago and, unlike other ASEAN member-countries, it does not have land boundaries with its neighboring countries,” Coloma said.

The President also said the government has crafted measures to alleviate the country’s poverty, he said.

“He also talked about addressing poverty among millions of Filipinos in the agriculture and fisheries sector,” he said.

“Product diversification is another option that is actively pursued.

According to the President, a Bicol University college of agriculture research team headed by its dean, Dr. Justino Arboleda, is presently drawing up a blueprint on the production of coconut by-products such as coco

Php14-M cocoa production to improve economic condition of Zambo farmers

T

HE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Kennemer Foods International Inc. (KFI) embarked on a P14-million cacao production to provide farmers in Zamboanga Del Sur access to global markets for cocoa and arm them with new technology to boost their income and develop sustainable agribusiness enterprise.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II (PARPO) Arturo N. Soria said the business venture will initially cover 200 hectares of lands in Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur for a period of 10 years to assist the private sector to have a steady supply of cacao beans. “The lands to be used are managed by agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), who are members of Midsalip

Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MIFAMCO), the proponent cooperative in the said project,” he added.

“The KFI will market all the harvested cocoa beans they purchased from the ARBs, who will be provided, by the same organization, with technology as well as high quality planting materials, farm inputs, trainings and technical consultancy,” Soria said.

Soria added that the KFI will fund MIFAMCO to extend cocoa production loan to potential producers for the purchase of cocoa seedlings.

KFI is an international organization, producer and marketer of food and agricultural products. The company specializes in growing and trading high quality fermented cacao beans.

It is committed to rural development as their products encompass complete agricultural value-chain from planting materials, training and agri-technology.

Beneficiaries Development Coordination Division Chief Josephine Sisican said this endeavor will capacitate the involved stakeholders, especially the ARBs’ economic activities. “The DAR will continue to provide agricultural facilities in the area to empower the farmer beneficiaries and oversee the implementation of the project,” she added.

MIFAMCO Chairman Andres Rondrique said he is positive that this partnership would launch the growth of cacao industry in Region IX starting in Midsalip.

[PNA]

coir, cocopeat, coco water and charcoal briquette in factories that may be run by coconut farmers themselves. Initial studies show that payback period on initial investment can be as quick as one year,” Coloma said.

President Aquino said the country’s participation in ASEAN integration aims at providing greater access to new markets.

“President Aquino himself is upbeat and optimistic about the country’s participation in ASEAN integration as it should send strong signals to a business community that seems to be skeptical about the country’s prospects,” he said.

“For those who share our President’s view that current efforts are converging towards complementarity both within the country and in the region, then there is cogent reason to believe that, indeed, the Philippines is well-poised to take its place among the region’s

competitive economies in an integrated economic regime,” Coloma said.

“We need to consolidate and fortify the gains we have achieved in terms of breaking out of the vicious cycle that made our country the ‘sick man of Asia’,” he said.

Financial executives gathered on Wednesday to discuss the challenges and opportunities of ASEAN integration.

The ASEAN is pursuing the integration of economies among the 10-member states with the establishment of an ASEAN Economic Community by December 2015. ASEAN is composed of Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Brunei, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar and the Philippines.

The integration will allow companies based in ASEAN member-nations to enter each other’s markets, with lowered tariffs and capital market integration.

[PNA]

BIR falls short of full-year target T

HE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) exceeded its December 2013 revenue goal of P90.79 billion after collecting P96.63 billion.

In a statement Wednesday, the agency said it also surpassed by 9.1 percent its December 2012 collection amounting to P88.57 billion.

For the whole of 2013, the agency’s revenue grew by 15 percent year-on-year to P1.22 trillion but it was below the agency’s full-year goal of P1.25 trillion.

For last December alone, the agency’s collection from BIR operations reached P94.07 billion, 9.62 percent up from year-ago’s P85.82 billion.

It was also higher than the BIR operations’ December 2013 goal of P88.09 billion.

On the other hand, revenues from non-BIR operations failed to meet the P2.69 billion target after it only totalled to P2.56 billion. It was also lower than year-ago’s P2.75 billion collection.

For the whole of last year, revenues from BIR operations amounted to P1.18 trillion, up by 15.9 percent over year-ago’s P1.02 trillion.

It was, on the other hand, lower than the fullyear goal of P1.21 trillion.

Also, revenue from non-BIR collections was below the target of P48.15 billion after it only amounted to P37.99 billion. [PNA]

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 SUBURBIA

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 241 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21-22, 2014

GENERAL SANTOS CITY

South Cotabato to restore denuded forests in T’boli T

HE provincial government of South Cotabato is planning to rehabilitate some 40 hectares of a denuded timberland area in T’boli town as it continues to build up the province’s forest reserves.

Mary Jane Manlisis, chief forester of the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO), said Wednesday the local government

SOUTH COTABATO

has approved an initial budget of P1 million for the project, which is part of the province’s continuing community-based upland and natural resources management program She said the initiative had been endorsed by Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes as among the province’s priority reforestation initiatives for this year.

Manlisis, who heads PEMO’s forest and inland water division, said the project will be implemented in portions of Barangay Talcon in T’boli, which is part of the declared Allah Valley Watershed Forest Reserve.

“We’re now preparing for the procurement of the planting materials and the organic inputs that will be used for the project,” she

said in a statement.

Based on its development plan, she said the reforestation project will be implemented from June to September this year.

She said they earlier conducted a series of studies within the project area to identify the tree species that had thrived there.

“We will utilize the indigenous tree or timber

GenSan eyed as dairy industry hub “T

HE Tuna Capital of the Philippines is chosen to be host city for this year’s Dairy Congress this coming May,” bared Dairy Confederation of the Philippines national chairman Juan Lozano to City Mayor Ronnel Rivera in a meeting Tuesday (February 18) at the City Mayor’s Office.

The statement was

made shortly after Lozano disclosed to Mayor Rivera that GenSan is also being eyed by the National Dairy Agency (NDA), a government owned and controlled corporation, and the umbrella office of the Dairy Confederation of the Philippines to become a “substrate” to grow a dairy industry.

According to Lozano,

aside from GenSan, the entire SOCSKSARGEN Region itself is described by NDA as a possible budding zone for milk production with Gen. Santos leading the pack.

Lozano said that, during the term of Sarangani Governor Miguel Dominguez, a P2 million worth milk plantation in Malungon, Sarangani Prov-

ince was already placed in by the NDA, which currently produces dairy products such as fresh milk and milk bars.

Now, both the NDA and Dairy Confederation of the Philippines want to expand the dairy industry in the Philippines more, starting first here in GenSan and SOCKSARGEN. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Ian John M. Lagare)

species to help restore the area back to its original state,” she said.

Manlisis said they the reforestation project will mainly be implemented by their office in close coordination with the area’s residents.

She said they initially drafted a memorandum of agreement that will be signed by PEMO and the

intended beneficiaries to ensure the sustainability of the project.

Meantime, Manlisis said they are pushing for the adoption by the provincial government this year of an incentive and reward system for informants on illegal logging, poaching and related activities in any part of the province. [MindaNews]

KIDAPAWAN CITY

Kidapawan public high school wins anti-drug campaign award

A

PUBLIC high school here made its presence felt when it was adjudged as Region 12’s “Outstanding Barkada Kontra Droga Awardee,” officials on Thursday said.

As such, the Kidapawan City National High School will represent Central Mindanao region in the national contest, according to Dr. Allan Farnazo, Department of Education (DepEd-12)

regional director said in a statement.

Region 12, also known as SOCCSKSARGEN region is composed of the provinces of North and South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Saranggani and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Koronadal, Tacurong and Gen. Santos City.

KNHS has implemented various programs making it drug-free and student “very friendly school.” [PNA]

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EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

VOL. 6 ISSUE 241 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21-22, 2014

EDITORIAL

T

This online law is killjoy

HE Supreme Court’s recent decision favoring expanded coverage of the Libel Law is an antithesis to the clamor to decriminalize it.

The High Court adopted provisions of online libel in the Cybercrime Law not yet included in the Revised Penal Code. Still, this means, the fundamental right of every Filipino to freely express his opinion is further limited.

As if the chilling effect of RPC’s libel provision is not yet enough, here comes another limitation to a very basic democratic freedom. Now, online libel makes one really think before he tweets, ponder before he posts, and check before he clicks.

There are some clarifications in the SC decision worthy to take notice, though. Section 4 (c) (4) of the Anti-Cybercime Act, or the provision penalizing libel – is constitutional with respect to the original author of the post. That means no penalty for those who simply receive, post, react to the message.

Another important part of the decision is the one that declares the unconstitutionality of the all-encompassing power of the Department of Justice to block access or take down data from the internet posted by an individual or group. This means, the DOJ cannot just block or take down what you post arbitrarily, reminiscent of the Martial Law days where the government

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

the national association of newspapers

Printed by Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Building, Quirino Avenue, 8000, Davao City, Philippines Tel: (082) 301-6235 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 www.edgedavao.net editorial@edgedavao.net marketing@edgedavao.net

can plug what you speak or publish.

Online libel is actually not a new crime as it falls within the province of Article 353 of the RPC. Section 4(c)(4) (or online libel) merely establishes the use of a computer as another means of publication. For this reason, charging the offender under both laws would be a violation of the guarantee against double jeopardy pursuant to Article III Section 27 of the 1987 Constitution.

Be that as it may, do we really have to charge criminally defamatory statements posted on the internet which is a rather personal and comparatively loose medium than traditional media platforms like print, radio and broadcast?

The internet is invented to enhance communication and provide a new medium for people around the world to be in touch with each other. It creates an atmosphere of free expression in a society made seamless by technology. It’s called social media. Admittedly, it’s very loose. No grammatical rules. No language barriers. In the online world, people chat, tweet, post, comment, like or dislike. It’s like a whiff of fresh air in an open, wide world.

However, taking down this spoiler of a law is not as easy as ABC. One can’t just unfriend or delete it.

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG Creative Solutions

ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Associate Editor

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

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

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

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

JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

AQUILES Z. ZONIO Correspondent

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

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

Tel: (088) 852-4894

Salvani St., Oringo Brgy. City Heights Tel: (083) 303-2215

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

ANGELICA R. GARCIA | Marketing Manager Blk. 1, Lot 10, La Mar Townhomes, Apitong St., Marikina Heights, Marikina City Tel: (02) 942-1503

EDGEDAVAO

M

Spirit of EDSA people power is gone

EMORIES VANISH LIKE DUST AND DIE EASILY – It’s been twenty-eight years since the world-famous EDSA bloodless people power revolt and the passage of the years have not erased the hostile memory most especially for those who really suffered during the dictatorial Marcos regime. They are quite bitter about it until now. Throughout the years I have always thought that the life stretch notably of bad memories cannot be more than ten years.

Now I know I am wrong, for even those who never writhed during the dark days of martial law still remember the consequences endured by the Filipino people. In retrospect, twenty-eight years ago, the Philippines top Catholic leader Jaime Cardinal Sin called on the people and urged his compatriot to stand up against the autocratic rule of then President Ferdinand Marcos. The country’s highest prelate called on the people to dissociate themselves from supporting an administration that has lost their trust and respect.

The fearless prelate charged that the Marcos regime was leading the people into the dark days of political dynasties, warlordism, corruption, sham democracy and debilitating poverty.

It was therefore right for the people from all walks of life including children, different religious groups and politicians of all colors and stripes to flock in hordes to EDSA to support groups of disenchanted soldiers who staged a revolt against the Marcos rule. And the rest is history.

But that was in the yesteryears, this is now. Memories whether good or bad easily die in a country wherein the priority concern of the people is survival from social ills. They dry up like fallen leaves and vanish like dust in the air.

Year after year the excitement, eagerness and grandiosity in celebrating

B

VOL. 6 ISSUE 241 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21-22, 2014

ELEAGUERED Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile knows what he is talking about vis-a-vis the legal implications of the planned plunder case against him for his involvement, as a recepient of kickbacks, in the pork barrel scam allegedly masterminded by Janet Lim-Napoles, who is now in the custody of the police.

The battle-scarred Senate Minority Leader, who served in the Marcos regime as commissioner of customs, justice secretary, defense secretary, and much earlier as congressman, knows fully well that he has the right to remain silent because anything he says can be used against him in court.

So his silence is quite understandable and absolutely proper from the legal standpoint. It will not be surprising, or even strange, if he keeps a tight lip regarding Ruby Tuason’s testimony implicating him in the PDAF scandal.

In contrast, Jinggoy Estrada has been raising hell declaring his innocence in the PDAF scam.

Not being a lawyer, and totally unaware or ignorant of the legal dangers of his self-serving utterances on the Senate floor and to the media, Estrada

the peaceful EDSA revolution have gradually faded away and the presence of partakers is declining – slowly without doubt.

The large number of people especially the key figures who ignited the EDSA revolt and countless political opportunists are nowhere to be found and undermined the real essence of the annual celebration.

Many of them have since come and gone as president, senators, congressmen and the others are still active in politics, business or retired. Some of them we thought to be particularly despicable for being such sanctimonious asses. We had always wondered why the preceding leaderships tolerated them, but probably they must have had their veiled reasons. Then again, it is expected that there are still motley groups of Cory-inspired crowds called “Yellow Movement,” the symbol of ‘People Power’ who would still flock in hordes to the EDSA Shrine to join this year’s 28th celebration.

Not only does the main characters lost interest in joining the exceptional annual event, but perhaps due to the changes of our political landscape. For some time now, people have been agonizing over the supreme irony; that almost three decades after they have overthrown the dictatorship so many of the important personalities perhaps due to political and vested interest dissociated themselves from the EDSA movement. Even so, I think that it must be even tougher for those who were born after the authoritarian rule

to understand the past events when people want to be awakened from the nightmare of strongman tactics to the full light of freedom.

This year’s celebration will proceed as usual, good or bad weather, but many have also been disturbed by widespread speculations that, despite repeated denials, some political opportunists will take advantage of the event and appear before the crowd supposedly to discuss ways on how to make life better for the Filipinos. In short, it’s plain and simple politicking since politics is the lifeblood of our officials.

However, people must be extra cautious and avoid being hoodwinked by flattering speeches. They should thoroughly examine the backgrounds of the speakers if their real clamor really is for the benefit of the marginal sector.

But then there are also these selfstyled reformists who are so eager to get their hands on the levers of power that they are stumbling over each other in the mad rush to wrist political control.

And yet what are their credentials? Any politicians notably the exploited local pols, political operators and the electorate who have associated themselves with the self-proclaimed reformists out of some unhappiness with the current administration must be either blinded by promises or offered considerable deals – political or otherwise.

These political pretenders claimed they want drastic change and the transformation they have proposed are supposedly to take place after the May 2013 midterm elections – a prelude to the 2016 presidential polls. Sad to note, as some political experts would aptly put it, these people do not possess any credible credentials as social reformers. Their real motivation actually is “Pababago, Ngayon Na! (We Want Change Now!); Tama Na, Kami Naman! “(Enough, It’s Our Turn!), or variations thereof.

is unwittingly jeopardizing his future defense. He should heed Miriam Santiago’s lecture on the Senate hearing last week about denial being the weakest defense in court.

Estrada must be told that evidence, not braggadocio, is the best defense. He should keep his mouth shut and prepare all needed evidence when he is put to trial.

Dramatic posturings and booming eloquence on the Senate floor will do him no good, except reveal his inner and silent fear of being imprisoned for life, and lose the honor, the prestige and perks of a senator of the Republic.

For the moment, and under our democratic system of justice, he is presumed innocent. That should be comfort enough. “Silence is golden” is a fitting motto for him.

------------ 000 -------------Now comes Antonio Trillanes IV, who expressed objection to Ruby Tuason’s becoming a state witness, Trillanes suspects that Tuason held back her testimony and did not tell all that she knows about the scam in order to protect Enrile.

Trillanes, although twice elected to the Senate, is an intellectual dwarf.

Everytime he opens his mouth either on the Senate floor or to the media, he exposes his utter lack of knowledge or ignorance of the subject or issue being debated upon.

This guy is totally unfit to hold such a high position in government. He is politically dumb. He has to hone his knowledge of politics, government and parliamentary fundamentals. He should listen more and talk less. His penchant for suspecting people should easily earn him the monicker “Senator Suspicious” -------------- 000 -------------CHOICE QUOTES: “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise.” - Old Testament, Proverbs.

“Silence is the element in which great things fashion themselves”. – Carlyle

‘Senator Suspicious’

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Complicating Implications COMMENTARY

BY PATRICIO P. DIAZ

Part 2 of 4 torate, would change. Yet, the “how” is the biggest question mark? That is where proper transition will make the difference.

Interim or Transition Stage Upon the ratification of the BBL, the ARMM is deemed abolished, the elective regional officials resign and the BTA (Bangsamoro Transition Authority) takes over. We presume that the BBL will provide in its Article on Transitory Provisions the mandate and powers of the BTA – to be reiterated in the Executive Order creating the BTA. We presume, too, that such mandate and powers will be exercised over the regional government and the local government units. The local government units are components of the Bangsamoro.

We don’t know how the BTA will be constituted. But it can be discerned from the pertinent provisions of the FAB and related Agreements that the BTA will be the Interim Legislative Assembly which will create the ministries according to the BBL and elect the prime minister who, in turn, will appoint the ministers and staff the cabinets.

To give Bangsamoro genuine autonomy, the Department of Interior and Local Government must – and is expected to -- fully devolve to the BTA its jurisdiction over the LGUs which the BTA will assume according to the BBL, applying the relevant provisions of the Local Government Code until the Regional Legislative Assembly can enact the Bangsamoro Local Government Code. The jurisdiction over the LGUs must not be divided between the Bangsamoro and the DILG – the DILG not interfering in whatever way in the affairs of the Bangsamoro LGUs. The creation and staffing of the ministries will take time. Orientation to the ministerial system may take longer. Overhauling the old system to the new will be as complicated or difficult as teaching old dogs new tricks. What ARMM will turn over to the Bangsamoro are not just the inventories of property, financial and other records but office workers oriented to the old system – to be re-oriented by the staffs of the ministries still orienting themselves to the new system.

Can all these be done effectively in nine months?

Changing Values The BTA must be starting on a new code of values – written or unwritten and, most probably ad hoc and evolving. The interim Bangsamoro regional government is expected to model these new values and effect change down to the LGUs. The change should be manifested in the evolving governance both at the regional and local levels.

Governor Hataman might have instituted effective change in the regional level of the ARMM government but as seen from the 2011 and 2012 SGH awards, there had been insignificant change, if any, in the local level.

What does this mean? Two years were short a time for change of values.

Moral, social and political re-orientation must include the entire Moro, IDP and other classes of people in the Bangsamoro. But as this will take time to evolve, the change that they will see during the transition period should trigger the evolution. If they see and feel the effects of the new governance, they will appreciate the officials running the government; they will want to elect the same kind of officials into office. Once done in the first Bangsamoro election and the people are happy with good governance, it will soon become an electoral habit.

The transition proper is for a good start in changing values. Will nine months be enough?

Election The transition proper also means preparing the Bangsamoro people to elect their officials suited for good governance. We believe the first election is very important.

The first element of change is in values.

That we discussed above. Change must start through proper examples during the transition proper and evolve into a habit in due time.

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NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 241 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21-22, 2014

Number... FFROM 1 The PSSCC chief said that there are laws but the implementation must be strictly implemented because of the high number of applications for motorcycle licenses, given that lives are involved.

“Meron ng namatay

diyan,” he said, adding that it prompted the issuance of Executive Order 39 implementing the speed limits in the city because of the high number of casualties in road mishaps caused by motorcycles.

program will also enable small and medium entrepreneurs in the region to recover even after disasters.

Ambi said implementation will be under the SME Roving Academy (SRA), a program of DTI which gives trainings, workshops and seminars to SMEs of different industries in the region.

“Ang napasnin kasi naming during disasters helpless ang mga SMEs, since they are not prepared for what will happen,” she said, adding that the region experienced various disasters the past three years.

In 2012, typhoon Pablo caused heavy damage not just in the agricultural sector but also in the whole business sector of Davao.

Among the provinces that were heavily damaged were Compostella Valley, Davao Oriental and Davao del Norte.

“It’s about time na tu-

lungan natin ang SMEs to be ready sa mga disasters and for them to be prepared,” Ambi said.

She said that the module for the program is being finalized by the agency and targeting to finish it before the start of the second quarter.

The resource speaker for the climate change adaptation program was past director of DTI 11, Marizon Loreto, who is now a private consultant of the agency.

“She is the most fit for the position since she was able to attend seminars on business continuity planning last year.”

The presence of Loreto in the region also made the agency decide to spearhead the program here.

The SME Roving Academy was launched June last year which offers seminars to over 1,127 participants throughout the region.

there are rotating brownouts because of the shortage in the power supply.

The three power plants have a combined capacity of 1,100MW and are expected to become operational starting 2016 and 2017.

Philippine Climate Change commissioner Na-

derev Saño and Aboitiz Power first vice president of TSI Manuel Orig will be on hand today to relay information on the impact, benefits, consequences, and challenges confronting society.

Davao del Sur governor Claude P. Baustista will also join the forum.

Davao City.

The children were rescued while in the act of performing a live lewd show, including a twoyear-old girl whose private part was shown in the webcam to their clients.

The two suspects arrested who also happen to be relatives of some of the children rescued, admitted the crime saying

their family is in dire need of money and that they found the illegal business to be lucrative because they are being paid in dollars via on-line transactions.

The suspects are facing charges of violation of R.A 9775 (Anti-Child Pornography Act) , R.A 9208 (Anti – Human Trafficking Act of 2003), and R.A 7610 (Anti- Child Abuse)

or whether the import permits issued by the NFA were “recycled”.

Sevilla elucidated that the imported rice were smuggled into the country even before “injunction orders” were issued in December 2013 by the courts in Manila and Davao City which restrained the BOC and NFA from seizing the rice shipments with no import permits.

He expounded that 75

percent of the smuggled rice were imported by five consignees, namely: Bold Bidder Marketing and General Merchandise; Starcraft Trading Corporation; Intercontinental Grains; Medaglia De Oro Trading; and Silent Royalty Marketing.

The remaining 50,000 metric tons, Sevilla said, arrived in the ports of Cebu, Davao, Cagayan De Oro, and Misamis Oriental. [PNA]

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DA...FFROM 2 pine Rural Development Program (PRDP) such as strategic agricultural infrastructure, research and development, and training.

“The objective is to respond to the constraints that low-income rural farmers face as they practice cacao farming,” she said.

She added the PRDP is an inclusive program catering to agriculture and fisheries, and targets marginal and sustenance

farmers.

“The cacao industry has a high accessibility to the program,” Recoter said.

She said the City Agriculture Office (CAO) has already attended a value chain analysis seminar given by the DA last week, where they learned to analyze constraints to the city’s cacao industry.

Councilor Marissa Salvador Abella, chair of the committee on agriculture and food, said they

are pushing for the creation of satellite agricultural areas in Paquibato and Marilog districts, and the promotion of cacao production.

Abella said the decrease in the production by Western African countries of cacao beans and the production of “proudly Davao” askinosi chocolates presents an opportunity for Davao farmers to make it in the industry.

Davao City is second

to Davao del Norte in cacao production, the councilor said during the privilege hour.

She added a shortfall is expected to reach one million metric tons by 2020 because of lower production in Western Africa.

City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said two weeks ago he would order the CAO to provide facilities and trainings to cacao farmers in the upland areas. [MindaNews]

that the media was already skilled when it came to acquiring information and saw no prob-

lem with the PNP setup.

“Media is not without its resource and ability to get scoops,” Lacierda

said. “You know how it works.”

He also stressed the importance of accurate

information on certain crimes to facilitate the smooth investigation of the cases. [PNA]

energy sources,” Montenegro said.

Feed stocks of agriculture that can be used for biomass, according to the study, are wastes from rice, sugarcane, coconut husk, and corn. Tadeo said during a press briefing at the Waterfront Insular Hotel last Tuesday that to produce a 10 MW capacity, they will be needing to use 110 metric tons of feed stocks annually.

It would take 18 months to build a single biomass plant and would cost P1.1 billion each.

On the other hand, the 12 potential sites for hydro-power projects based on the study are in the Davao region, Caraga, and Socsksargen.

Potential sites for mini-hydropower plants in the Davao region are Mangkangay river and Dumago-ok river in Davao Oriental, and Miral Reservoir Site and Kapatagan in Davao del Sur. Potential sites for micro-hydropower plants for the region are Aloop Falls and Kidadan Falls, Davao del Sur.

Mangkamay river has an estimated potential capacity of 300 kilowatts (kW), Dumago-ok river has 3,000 kW, Miral reservoir site has 300 kW, Kapatagan has 300 kW, Aloop falls has 12 kW while Kidakan falls has 60 kW. For the Caraga region are Bega, Misli, Maug and Gibong rivers identified as potential sites for run-ofriver hydropowert plants.

The study showed that Bega river can be capable of producing 1.4 MW, Misli 800 kilowatts (kW), and Maug river and Gibong

river have a combined potential capacity of 8.5 MW. In Soccsksargen, the potential sites for mini-hydro power plants are Badtasan River in Sarangani with 8,000 kW and Tran river in South Upi, Maguindanao and Lebak, Sultan Kudarat with estimated potential of 350 kW. The study was conducted to ensure that there will be a balance in the usage of renewable and non-renewable energy sources by 2020 despite the surging power demand.

edition, USeP occupies the 251-300 bracket in 2013.

This was the same bracket occupied by the University in 2012, while it was rated as top 201+ in 2011. USeP has consistently ranked fifth among the Philippine universities for three years.

It is noteworthy that USeP is the only school outside Luzon that was cited as best schools in Asia.

This recognition improved the academic landscape of Davao City, and placed the City map in a salient position in the Asia continent by having an academic institu-

tion that is able to compete with other schools in Asia.

During the term of Alibin, the Commission on Higher Education recognized the University as Center of Excellence in Teacher Education; Center of Development in Agriculture; Center of Development in Agricultural Engineering; Center of Development in English program; National University for Agriculture in Region XI; and Provincial Institute for Agriculture. As a Center of Excellence in Teacher Education, USeP has become

national training hub for school administrators and special education teachers in upgrading their competencies and skills. Recently, USeP started providing educational management and other trainings to foreign organizations like the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee, Pakistani teacher-educators and other foreign nationals. Some schools in South Korea have also chosen USeP as venue of global English study.

Through the initiative of Alibin, Davao City citizens can now watch con-

certs, boxing, and other entertainment and sporting events through the newly-constructed USeP Gymnasium and Cultural Center that has recently become the PBA home.

Alibin also pushed for the establishment of Innovations and Technology Support Office (ITSO) at USeP. With ITSO in USeP Obrero, Davao City, safeguarding of the Davao City peoples’ own innovations, inventions, and technology as an output of research and development can now be done in the University.

stalls or eviction of lessees for breach of contract or violation of existing laws and ordinances.

The board will recommend action on the resolution of problems in connection with the use and occupancy of stalls.

Recommend, as the need arises, for the creation of similar centers in the three districts of the city as well as adopt a budget for the administration and operation of the center that will come from the budget of the City Economic Enterprise (CEE) and perform any and all acts, necessary, proper, or incidental to the attainment of the purpose of the center.

The center should be operated and managed by CEE under the supervision of the board. They will be responsible for providing overall administrative and secretariat services to the board.

The budgetary requirements of the center, including compensation of its personnel that may be assigned shall be taken from the existing budget of the CEE. The board should publish an invitation for prospective qualified tenants to lease available stalls in the center, at least once a week for two consecutive weeks in local newspapers or posted in two conspicuous places.

In the section 8 of the ordinance, any person or entity residing in the city engaged in producing locally made delicacies or food products, goods or souvenir items using local and indigenous raw materials may apply as tenant of the center.

The CEE should evaluate the products of all interesting lessee-applicants based on criteria, as prescribed under

the implementing rules and regulations to be adopted by the board and submit a list of qualified applicants and their products for the approval of the board.

In section 10, the products that will be presented in the center should adhere to categories or groupings such as; Souvenir and gift items but not limited to handicrafts, handmade paper products, fashion accessories, shirts, home decorations, indigenous costumes and other native accessories.

Preserved or processed foods but not limited to snack foods, bottled jams and candies.

Healthy, beauty and wellness products Musical instruments, guitars, flutes Fresh fruits and deriva-

tives or preservatives Shell craft, wood craft and coconut coir Other city locally made delicacies and food products, goods or other souvenir items using local and indigenous materials.

The stalls in the center have a rental fee of P450 per square meter which will be paid to the City Treasurer’s Office on or before the 10th day of the following month.

The rental fee does not include the cost of utilities, such as water and electric bills, the actual cost shall be to the account of the lessees.

Failure to pay the rental within the period shall be subjected to 25 percent surcharge of the rental fee plus an interest of 14 percent per annum on the unpaid amount from the due date until the rental fee is fully paid.

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 241 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21-22, 2014

Some Pinoy fishers still practice cyanide fishing

By GERRY T. ESTRERA Contributor

I

F you love eating “lapu-lapu,” “mameng” and other reef fishes, you better watch out. Those fish may be tasty but they may not be healthy to eat all.

The reason: they may be loaded with cyanide.

“Cyanide fishing may not be as rampant as in the 1970s and 1980s, it is still being done in the Philippines,” said Dr. Alan White, who used to be the chief of party of the Coastal Resource Management Project in Central Visayas. He now serves as senior scientist based in Hawaii of the Asia-Pacific Program of the Nature Conservancy.

“I believe that most cyanide used presently is for food fish and it is difficult to know how wide spread its use is,” Dr. White pointed out. “It is still a major problem in Palawan and other areas where the live food fish trade is important.”

Cyanide fishing is not a Filipino discovery but an American ingenuity.

A certain Bridges first used sodium cyanide to stun and capture tropical fish in 1958 in Illinois. A Filipino aquarium fish collector picked up the practice.

The practice spread throughout the country in no time. At that time, reef fish were collected for the fish aquarium trade and exported to the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and France.

The Philippines is home to 70 percent of

the world’s ornamental fish. According to a study done in 1981, some 200 of the 2,177 tropical fish species found in the country are exported.

Today, cyanide fishing is no longer confined to gathering aquarium fish.

The demand for live fish from the reefs in restaurants in Beijing, southern China, Hong Kong, and other countries where Chinese abound has made the practice prevalent not only in the Philippines but other Asian countries as well.

The reason for its popularity among poverty-stricken fishermen: money. Michael Fabinyi, a researcher with Australia’s James Cook University who studied the live reef fish trade in Palawan province for several years, cites the case of leopard coral grouper.

“From approximately 50 cents per kilo in the late ’80s when the trade began,” he explained, “the price of leopard coral grouper has risen gradually and consistently. In 2011, a good-sized leopard coral grouper in good condition fetches a price of between 700 pesos and 1,000 pesos per kilo for fishermen.”

“The total retail value of the live reef food fish was around $350 million per year from 1997 to 2001,” notes Andrew Bruckner, an American coral reef ecologist who works closely with government and nongovernment groups in the United States. “By 2002,

it increased to about $486 million for Hong Kong and $810 million for the entire trade. Individual fish can sell for up to $180 per kilogram, depending on species, taste, texture, availability and time of year.”

It may be easier to catch reef fishes using cyanide but it has a price.

“Cyanide is a deadly poison not only to people and fish, but also to other marine animals like corals,” says Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero, a national scientist who used to head the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development.

Corals are fragile creatures that host microscopic organisms on which larger creatures feed and provide shelter for a variety of marine life like fish, lobsters, octopi, eels, and turtles.

To catch elusive fish hiding in coral reefs, fishermen use cyanide, which is illegal. A study commissioned by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in 1982 established that two applications of cyanide on coral reefs four months apart caused high coral polyp mortality.

“Unlike blast fishing, which reduces corals into rubble,” deplores marine scientist Vaughan R. Pratt, “cyanide keeps coral structures intact, but dead.”

The Philippines has around 26,000 square kilometers of coral reef area, the second largest in Southeast Asia. Some 500 species of stony corals are known to occur, 12 of which are considered endemic.

Today, poor coral cover is found in 40

percent of the country’s reefs, while areas with excellent cover have steadily declined to less than 5 percent from 2000 to 2004. “Despite considerable improvements in coral reef management, the country’s coral reefs remain under threat,” said Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim, the director of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau.

Fifty percent of the fish exposed to sodium cyanide die in the reef.

The ones caught and later recover are transferred to clean water, but they are doomed to die within weeks or months because of the damage caused by the poison to their internal organs.

Researchers estimate that more than a million kilograms of cyanide have been squirted onto

Philippine reefs alone over the last half century. “(Cyanide fishing) is illegal, so people should just stop doing it,” says Dr. Arnel “AA” Yaptinchay, director of the Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines. “There may be short term gains now but we have to really think the serious repercussions for the future generation. Remember this: no reef, no fish.”

Some believe that banning the export of live reef fish is one possible solution to the problem.

Davao City Councilor Leonardo Avila III thinks otherwise.

“As long as there are Chinese/Filipino restaurants willing to buy at a good price for live fish, and customers willing to pay for it, there will always be cyanide fishing,” he says.

12 CLASSIFIEDS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 241 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21-22, 2014

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INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 241 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21-22,

EDGEDAVAO

STYLE

Abreeza unveils Style Paradigms

IT WAS to pulsating music and a prestigious lineup of Davao’s art and design icons that Abreeza Mall unveiled its Style Paradigms show and exhibit last February 14.

The two-pronged style proposition was composed of an event dubbed ‘juxta:pose’ wherein select apparel brands and an elite group of designers showcased their takes on the latest and upcoming fashion trends and the launch of ‘juxta:positions’, a series of constellation sites situated around the mall that exhibit artistic insights on global warming through thematic photographs and creations by a chosen set of Davao artists and designers. This collaborative effort by Abreeza Mall, the Philippine Women’s College Helena Z. Benitez School of Fine Arts & De-

sign and the artists themselves was done in celebration of National Arts Month this February.

Abreeza’s Marketing Manager Ruby Ochoa kicked off the show by introducing the event’s ten arts honoraries, namely

Full length cutout gown with lace appliques

by Aztec Barba.

Among the 10 recognized Davao icons for design and the arts.

Edgar Buyan

Dodjie Batu

Aztec Barba

Menswear look from Dodjie Batu.

Colorful plumes from Egay Ayag.

Risque in black by Popoy Barba.

A look from Soul Lifestyle.

Alfonso Boy Guino-o the coming months.

A rousing success, Style The show’s style quo- Paradigms was a celebra(Fashion Design), Tita Lacambra-Ayala (Liter- tient then escalated some tion of Davao talent and ary Arts), Agnes Locsin more when it came time arts excellence. It was a (Dance), Brenda Zafra- for creations from Davao’s coming-together of artists Barba (Visual Arts & Art very own group of de- who created spatial, tanEducation), Aida Rivera- signers Egay Ayag, Aztec gible and moving works Ford (Literary Arts), Ann Barba, Popoy Barba, Dod- to invite people to delve Tiukinhoy Pamintuan jie Batu, Edgar Buyan and further into the arts as a (Jewelry & Furniture De- Emi Englis to take center- vehicle for reflection and sign), Dr. Macario Tiu stage on the show’s ramp. hopefully change.

Exhibits from (Literary Arts), Chef Ed Fashion accessories were Tuazon (Culinary Arts), also duly represented by Juxta(positions): The ColKublai Millan (Visual local multi-awarded ar- location of Art and Design Arts), Arnel Marduquio tisans such as Yvette Celi can be viewed around (Film) and Joey Ayala Punzalan and Fumiko Abreeza Mall from February 14 to March 5.

Kuroda.

(Music).

This was followed by cocktails served by Marco Polo Hotel Davao which is helmed by Chef Ed Tuazon and Italianni’s. After the guests were able to settle down, the fashion show commenced straight after.

Apparel brands Marks & Spencer, Freeway, Plains & Prints, RRJ, Bayo, Penguin, Cocoon, Bauhaus, Artwork, Mags, Petrol and Soul sent models sashaying down the runway garbed in what they fore- Chef Ed Tuazon (right) and his staff putting the finishing touches cast to be sartorial hits in on the buffet.

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

Upgrade to the wonderful world of postpaid with Globe BEING on a postpaid plan has its perks and privileges. There are attractive plan bundles tailor-fit for every kind of user, and the security it offers you is unbeatable. In cases of theft or robbery, you can easily have your mobile phone replaced and number retained. With a postpaid plan, your number is not just a string of digits which people can dial to reach you, it becomes part of your identity.

Your postpaid plan indeed becomes who you are, especially with how Globe Telecom made postpaid plans more customizable with mySUPERPLAN, allowing subscribers to create and design a postpaid plan that fits their communication needs.

Taking personalization to the next level, Globe recently unveiled its latest roster of devices packed with features that let users enjoy an upgraded mobile experience beyond calls and texts, while catering to varied interests and lifestyles.

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For the couch potato on the go There’s no need to rush home to catch your favorite local TV show, not when you have the super cool Cloudfone Excite 451TV. This handy and slim smartphone is not only a minicomputer in your pocket, it doubles as a TV, too! This Globeexclusive device can be yours for free at Plan 599, allowing you to watch your latest TV addiction anytime, anywhere using the device’s built-in TV feature. You can call a friend afterwards to gush about the latest episode since your plan is equipped with unlimited calls and texts to your fellow Globe and TM subscribers.

For the all-around gamer If your social life has been wrecked by Xbox, you can now rejoin the living and leave home because you can now play Xbox games with your Nokia Lumia 1320 LTE, another Globe LTE-exclusive handset. This slim and colorful “phablet” runs Windows Phone 8, and combines user-friendly features with powerful specs. The stylish Lumia 1320 houses a crisp and vivid screen that makes it perfect for games like Assassin’s Creed, NBA Jam, Need for Speed Undercover, and many more. The Nokia Lumia 1320 LTE is free at Plan 1299 complete with mobile surfing of up to 42 Mbps and free calls and texts.

“From a an affordable device that lets you enjoy LTE, a smartphone that gives you access to your favorite TV shows, to a gaming device that allows you to play XBOX games wherever, whenever, Globe allows you to create a postpaid plan that fits your needs as well as upgrade to a new smartphone of your choice, giving you a premium postpaid experience like no other,” said Raul Macatangay, Head of Postpaid Business and Devices at Globe.

All postpaid plan offers for the new devices are bundled with one month free Globe Gadget Care, the most comprehensive mobile phone protection against theft, robbery, and accidental damage in the market today. Apart from perks and privileges, Globe postpaid subscribers also get 24/7 access to Globe customer service channels available on the mobile phone and landline, e-mail, online chat, Twitter, and Facebook for after-sales queries and concerns.

What are you waiting for? Upgrade to a wonderful experience with a postpaid plan and gadget of your choice with Globe. Know what gadget and plan best fit you by visiting www.globe.com.ph/upgrade-to-mysuperplan or calling the Globe Sales Hotline at 730-1010.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 241 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21-22, 2014

Skin Station now open at SM Lanang Premier ON February 11, 2014, a multi-branch clinic chain opened its newest outlet at the Lower Ground Level of SM Lanang Premier in Davao City.

Skin Station, a leading skin care company, aims to provide high-end dermatological services, the best value in skin solutions and pampering experiences at affordable prices. Backed by its founder and CEO, 2011 PRC Chemist of the Year Fred Reyes, it utilizes science to craft products and treatments, solidifying the company’s expertise and unique philosophy on skin care.

The launch of Skin Station’s 16th branch at SM Lanang Premier was graced by the company’s CEO Fred Reyes, his wife Carleen Reyes and Skin Station’s official celebrity endorser, Chin Chin Gutierrez. SM Lanang Premier Assistant Mall Manager Jerome Yeo was on hand to welcome the guests.

Skin Station makes use of state-of-the-art equipment to offer clients quality services such as laser hair removal treatments, facials, and slimming ser-

Skin Station branch at SM Lanang Premier. vices, among many others.

It also has its own exclusive professional skin care line, Dermax, with products for anti-aging, under eye repair, skin whitening, lip plumping, anti-acne, skin moisturizing and other skin needs.

For inquiries, visit Skin Station at SM Lanang Premier’s Lower Ground Level or call 0917-576-8172.

Skin Station’s endorser, Chin Chin Gutierrez graces the launch of Skin Station at SM Lanang Premier.

Skin Station CEO Fred Reyes (right), his wife Carleen (left) and Skin Station celebrity endorser Chin Gutierrez (center) lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony at SM Lanang Premier.

The opening team of Skin Station.

It’s more fun at Eden Nature Park

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Enjoy 50% off on Eden’s cottages with the “It’s More Fun at Eden” room Package!

Rate starts at Php 2,000 per night.

To ensure an even more delightful experience, this package includes dinner,

breakfast, complimentary entrance to the Swimming Pool and Fishing Village

and a complimentary access to Skycycle or Skyrider or Guided shuttle tour for two persons!

The “It’s More Fun at Eden” package is available until March 31, 2014 only.

For inquiries and reservations, please call 299.1020 or 299.0313 or visit our Sales & Reservations Office at Door 3, Matina Town Square, Davao City.

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EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

VOL. 6 ISSUE 241 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21-22, 2014

ENTERTAINMENT

Shining moments at the 2014 Brit Awards THE British awards season is in high gear with the 2014 Brit Awards giving viewers plenty of memorable moments!

The British music industry honored some of the world’s hottest artists in London, but it wasn’t just about handing out awards.

There were also some awesome performances and funny show moments, thanks to host James Corden.

For example, at one point Corden took the stage and jokingly turned up with a blazing sleeve which was put out by security staff after Arctic Monkeys opened the show with a performance of their track “R U Mine?” with flaming letters spelling out the name of their fifth album AM. But one of his most-shining moments of the night was, of course, his mini makeout session with Nick Grimshaw. The two men engaged in a little peck during last year’s award show, but they decided to turn things up a notch this year, and we appreciate that.

Aside from Corden’s antics, a number of superstar singers took the stage to give blowout performances.

Beyoncé gave the debut TV performance of her single “XO” while looking

Here is the full list of winners from the 2014 Brit Awards:

absolutely stunning in a Vrettos Vrettakos gown that contained—wait for it—140,000 blue zircon crystals! Bruno Mars also hit the stage with a high-energy performance of his hit “Treasure,” giving fans flashbacks of his amazing Super Bowl halftime show.

Katy Perry traded in her broomstick from the 2014 Grammy Awards for an Egyptian-themed performance of “Dark Horse,” while Pharrell closed out the show by singing “Happy.”

Then, of course, there were the big winners of the night! 1D walked away with the awards for Global Success and Best British Video

British Female: Ellie Goulding International Female: Lorde British Male: David Bowie International Male: Bruno Mars British Group: Arctic Monkeys British Breakthrough Act: Bastille Critics’ Choice: Sam Smith Global Success: One Direction British Single: Rudimental, “Waiting All Night” International Group: Daft Punk British Album: Arctic Monkeys, AM British Video: One Direction, “Best Song Ever” British Producer Of The Year: Flood & Alan Moulder

for “Best Song Ever.” Joining the hunky boy band in the winner’s circle was Lorde,

who also performed “Royals,” was named International Female winner.

Diamond Star Maricel Soriano signs with GMA DIAMOND STAR Ms. Maricel Soriano is now a Kapuso as she signed a contract for a primetime soap opera with GMA Network, Inc. The contract signing was held today at the GMA Network Center and attended by the top officers of the Network.

Present in the contract signing were GMA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, GMA Entertainment TV’s Senior Vice President Lilybeth G. Rasonable, GMA Vice President for Entertainment TV Marivin T. Arayata, GMA Vice President for Drama Productions Redgie AcuñaMagno, GMA Assistant Vice President for Corporate Communications Angela Javier-Cruz, GMA Assistant Vice President for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, Program Manager for ETV Redgynn Alba and Ms. Maricel’s manager Shirley Kuan.

Ms. Maricel, one of the country’s most respected and multi-awarded television actresses, is part of the network’s upcoming primetime drama series with a working title Ang Dalawang

Mrs. Real.

The Diamond Star says her role in Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real is very challenging and she looks forward to work with Primetime King Dingdong Dantes and Kapuso Premier Actress Lovi

Poe, “Excited na excited ako kasi maganda yung story.

Ibang set ng mga kabataan naman yung mga makakatrabaho ko ngayon. Alam ko ito ay magiging masaya.”

As she officially becomes part of the Kapuso Network,

Ms. Maricel wants to start anew and be an inspiration to her fans and supporters. She feels very honored and excited about this new chapter in her life as a Kapuso, “Lahat tayo pwedeng mag-move on. Positive na lahat. Gusto ko maging happy ako. At gusto ko silang lahat makatrabaho ko. Masarap maging masaya.”

Rasonable says she is very happy that Ms. Maricel is joining GMA’s stable of stars because she is an excellent dramatic actress, “We’re very happy na pumayag siya sa project na ito. We’re looking forward sa tagisan ng acting ng show na ito na dapat abangan ng mga manonood.

She is a precious actress na makakadagdag sa drama ng GMA. At sana maging pleasant na experience sa kanya ang maging isang Kapuso. We look forward na mapanood natin siya sa telebisyon sa mga susunod na buwan.”

Among the Kapuso stars, Ms. Maricel also wishes to work with Dennis Trillo, Tom Rodriguez and Carla Abellana.

STARTING OVER AGAIN 2D Piolo Pascual, Toni Gonzaga PG 13

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

POMPEII 2D Kit Harington, Emily Browning PG 13

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

THE BOOK THIEF 2D Sophie Nélisse, Nico Liersch PG 13

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

R-16 ROBOCOP 2D Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton PG 13

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

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 241 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21-22, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

EVENT

A whole lot of rocking with Urbandub

By Kenneth Irving Ong

SHOWING that love is not all about sweet nothings, SM Lanang Premier recently held a show called “Love Rocks” featuring Urbandub, one of the most critically-acclaimed bands of this generation, at its The Fountain Court grounds.

An indie rock act from Cebu City, Urbandub consists of Gabby Alipe (vocals, guitar), John Dinopol (guitar, vocals), Lalay Lim (bass, vocals) and Janjan Mendoza (drummer). It is known for its notable

hits laden with heavy, raw emotions such as “A New Tatoo,” “First of Summer,” “Guillotine,” “Soul Searching” and “The Fight is Over,” among many others. The band won numerous NU 107 Rock Awards

and in 2008 bagged the “Best Group” at the Junk Magazine Regional Music Awards in Malaysia. Its recent tour of Singapore has allowed them to garner more fans throughout

Southeast Asia.

Before the show, a meet and greet session with Urbandub happened inside JB Music Store where fans can get to have their photos taken as well as well as have their copies of Urbandub’s latest album signed.

The show at the mall’s Fountain Court grounds was front-lined by various local indie bands showcasing their own compositions as well as covers of famous rock songs. The seats quickly filled to capacity as Urbandub finally came out on stage after their meet and greet session rocking their popular hits making the evening a night to remember and a Valentines celebration like no other.

The Love Rocks Urbandub concert was staged in partnership with JB Music Store at the 2nd Level of SM Lanang Premier.

EDGEDavao Davao Partners

13 COMMUNITY SENSE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 241 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21-22, 2014

Realty 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.

Boy who needed surgery gets help from Pacman

By AQUILES ZONIO Contributor

G

ENERAL SANTOS CITY – For more than a year, an eight-year old boy Christian Mark Era of Fatima village here has been suffering from hernia.

May Era, mother of the patient, claimed they could not afford to pay P70,000 for his surgical operation.

“Our income could hardly make both ends meet. But we were so grateful for the surgical mission sponsored

by Sarangani Congressman Manny Pacquiao,” Era said.

She added that “God really works in a mysterious ways. He helped us through Congressman Pacquiao.”

Pacquiao digged from his own pocket to shoulder the air fare, food and accommodation of volunteer nurses, doctors and surgeons who joined in the surgical mission.

The 45-man team, led

by Dr. Domingo Alvear, president and founder of World Surgical Foundation (WSF), arrived here on Sunday to start the screening of patients.

Alvear claimed they are targeting to serve 250 indigent patients from Sarangani and Gensan.

The actual medical and surgical mission started on Monday and will end up on Saturday.

SSS DONATES TO GAWAD KALINGA FOR YOLANDA REHAB EFFORTS. The Social Security System (SSS) turned over a total of P2.52 million as donation to Gawad Kalinga (GK) in support of rehabilitation projects for families affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda during ceremonies held at the SSS Main Office in Diliman, Quezon City on February 10. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio S. de Quiros, Jr. (4th from left) led the presentation of the two checks---which represent SSS employees’ voluntary contributions of P1.26 million that was matched with an equal donation from SSS management during the annual SSS Christmas Fund Drive---to GK Executive Director Jose Luis Oquiñena (center). Photo also shows (from left) SSS Vice President (VP) for Public Affairs and Special Events Marissu G. Bugante, Alert and Concerned Employees for Better SSS (ACCESS) VP for Main Office Nilo V. Natividad, GK Partnership Group Head Reynaldo M. Cajulis, SSS Assistant Vice President for Performance Management and Employee Relations Daisy S. Real, SSS Executive Vice President for Investments Edgar B. Solilapsi, SSS VP for Human Resource Management Jesse J. Caberoy and SSS VP for Management Services and Planning May Catherine C. Ciriaco.

“Tutulong lang din tayo, lubos-lubusin na natin. We have been doing this for two consecutive years already,” Pacquiao said.

Screening of patients and surgical operations were done in eight different operating rooms of a government-owned General Santos

City Hospital.

Among the cases served include hernia, bowel issues, anorectal repair, penile malformations, cleft lip and

cleft palate, goiter (non-toxic), thyroid, bladder repair, TURPS (prostate/ kidney), hydroceles (prostate), tumor, cysts and hysterectomies.

14 SPORTS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 241 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21-22, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

DARING DRIVE. PJ Simon of San Mig Coffee barrels through Jeff Chan of ROS.

MISSED THREE. Jeff Chan (16) of Rain Or Shine is guarded by PJ Simon (8) of San Mig Coffe in Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals. Nuki Sabio

GAME 3 MISS Not the best shot: Chan R

AIN or Shine sharpshooter Jeff Chan had a chance to win the game for the Elasto Painters in the dying seconds of Game Three of the PLDT Home DSL Philippine Cup finals.

Unfortunately for him, he was forced into a tough look — a long three-pointer with San Mig Super Coffee Mixers defensive ace Marc Pingris draped all over him.

Chan rued the missed opportunity and chalked it up to wrong timing on the part of himself and his teammates.

The Rain or Shine star explained that the play was drawn up for Paul Lee to create with the ball in his hands but the guard took a chance on a pass with Chan finding a little bit of daylight off a screen.

“Well dapat mag-create si Paul dun. Pero parang nakita niya na na-open ako ng konti. Medyo napaaga lang kasi matagal pa eh,” Chan said of the play.

“Yung timing nung screen lang dun sa amin ni Beau (Belga). Siguro kung nag-drive (si Lee), yung timing mas maganda, siguro mas na-open pa ‘ko

nun.”

But the Elasto Painters don’t feel like the game was lost on that last possession.

“Yung dalawang straight na basket ni Joe. Yun yung pumatay sa amin. I think we were up by three. Tapos dalawang basket siya sunod eh,” Chan said.

“Siguro ‘di nag-usap yung dalawang tao namin kung mag-si-switch or what. Kailangan naming mag-adjust dun. Kasi yun yung pumapatay sa amin ngayon eh. Yung paikotikot lang sila sa loob, naghahanap ng mismatch.”

Love not itching for Lakers I

N the midst of a recent grooming session — which means it’s time for me to shave, too, I suppose — Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star power forward Kevin Love briefly and colorfully addressed the widespread speculation that he’s more than likely going to return to Southern California, where he was born and where he played his college ball, to don the purple and gold of the Los Angeles Lakers.

From GQ’s Steve Marsh: Now that he looks like a leading man — and with free agency looming as an option at the end of next season, and the Wolves not exactly killing it on the court — everyone assumes that his next big move is to Los Angeles. He’s dating actress Cody Horn, a California girl, and his Beach Boy uncle, Mike, co-wrote “California Girls.” So fess up, Kev: You’re gone, right? “People think it’s so far-fetched that I would stay in Minnesota,” he says.

“And I’m not s******g on the

NO LOVE FOR LA. Kevin Love shoots over noted Lakers foundational piece Robert Sacre. (Jordan Johnson/NBAE)

Rivera, Pacquiao Basketball Cup highlights Kalilangan 2014 sports G ENERAL SANTOS CITY – “Kalilangan is not only for the celebration of heritage, but also a venue to promote sports activities here in GenSan,” this are the words of City Mayor Ronnel Rivera during the opening of the 1st Cong. Manny Pacman Pacquiao and Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera Kalilan-

gan Basketball Invitational Monday (February 17) at the Oval Gymnasium.

Mayor Rivera emphasized that the current local government of GenSan is open for any athletic competitions such the basketball competitions to test the city’s potential as a “breeding ground” for sports champions.

Rivera also said that he timed the opening of the basketball competition during the Kalilangan 2014 so that the participants may also enjoy the city festivity as well.

The city mayor also thanked Cong. Manny Pacquiao for making GenSan as the host city for the event.

Mike D'Antoni: Lakers' Steve Nash, Steve Blake, Jordan Farmar could all play Tuesday SB Nation Stephen Curry's 34 pushes Warriors past Bulls Automated Insights The Warriors have agreed to acquire Steve Blake from the Los Angeles Lakers for reserve guards Kent Bazemore and MarShon Brooks, a person familiar with the deal said Wednesday night.

The person spoke to

The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade was still pending NBA approval. The Los Angeles Times first reported Blake had been traded.

Word of the deal started to spread just before the Warriors played in Sacramento and the Lakers hosted Houston. Blake reportedly told his teammates and coaches goodbye in the locker room before the game in Los Angeles.

Lakers deal Blake to Warriors S

Lakers, but we have the better team, the better foundation.

I’m having fun.” Note the present tense.

ACRAMENTO, Calif.

(AP) -- The Golden State Warriors are making another move in hopes of finding a suitable backup to point guard Stephen Curry.

Related Stories Warriors recall C Kuzmic The SportsXchange Nash, Blake back for Lakers vs. Timberwolves The Associated Press Warriors recall Kuzmic from Santa Cruz Comcast SportsNet Bay Area

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 241 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21-22, 2014

SPORTS 15

Gracie Gold of the USA performs in the ladies short program during the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games at Iceberg Skating Palace. (Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

SHE FLIES. Half-Pinay Anne Line Gjersem of Norway competes in the women’s short program figure skating competition at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Winter Olympics, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)

Gold in the hunt for figure skating medal S

OCHI, Russia – Gracie Gold put herself in medal contention with a fighting short program performance on Wednesday, after shrugging off the distraction of her coach Frank Carroll suffering a huge noseblood just before she competed.

Gold scored 68.63 at the Iceberg Skating Palace, landing several jumps that she feared may end in falls, giving herself a shot at the podium on Thursday.

If she appeared tight, it would be understandable.

During preparation for her

program, Carroll disappeared to receive treatment on his severely bleeding nose. He returned just in time to give Gold final instructions before she took to the ice.

“Frank wasn’t there for 30 minutes of my warm-up because he had the most horrible nosebleed that I have ever seen,” Gold said.

“We were in the lounge and then he disappeared.

They had to replace the tissue three different times and they were asking if he should get it cauterized.

ANNE ADVANCES Half-Pinay skater barely makes next round Yuna takes short program

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ILIPINO-Norwegian Anne Line Gjersem barely qualified for the long program posting a score of 48.56 to make the Top 24 on a night reigning world and Olympic Champion Kim Yuna moved one step closer to defending her title with a win in the ladies short program on Wednesday (February 20 in Manila) but not as convincingly as she would have wanted.

Yuna scored 74.92, just over a quarter of a point ahead of her closest rival Russia’s Adelina Sotnikova (74.64) and less than a point over Carolina Kostner of Italy (74.12).

The South Korean figure skater landed all her jumps cleanly including a triple lutz-triple toe, triple flip and a double axel but lacked transitions within elements keeping her

almost 4 points off her world record 78.50 set at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. She also only received a level 3 (out of a the highest level 4) on her layback spin.

Yuna took her starting position with nerves written all over her face.

She struggled through her warm-up popping her first attempt a triple lutz.

Speaking to journalists after her performance, the skater many refer to as “Queen Yuna” said, “I couldn’t jump at all in the warmup. I was more nervous than I expected. I tried to trust in myself. I didn’t feel any pressure.”

Following her victory at the 2013 World Championships Kim Yuna missed the rest of the competitive season due to a leg injury.

If she wins gold in Sochi she will be only the 3rd

ORWEGIAN half-Filipino figure skater Anne Line Gjersem was following in the footsteps of illustrious countrywoman Sonja Henie when she took to the ice in Sochi on Wednesday night.

The 20-year-old from Malmo, the first Norwegian to qualify for figure skating in the Olympics since 1964, advanced to the free skating final after the short programme.

Norway were a figure skating superpower in the early Olympics with figure skating legend Henie winning gold three times -- in 1928, 1932, and 1936.

Henie was also a 10-time world champion before finding success in Hollywood where she was one of the

highest paid stars during the height of her career.

“I’m very happy that Norway has a spot here.

I’m very proud to represent my country and I’m very excited,” said Gjersem after taking the 24th and final qualifying spot in the short programme.

“I’m quite satisfied with my programme. It could be a little bit better, the first jump, and I could have had more speed. I could feel it in my body that I was a bit tense. I enjoyed skating and was trying to do my best.”

She scored 48.56 points and it was enough to claim the final qualifying spot for Thursday’s free skate final.

She became the first Norwegian figure skater to compete at the Olympic

woman in history to win back-to-back ladies figure skating Olympic titles. The last woman to do it was Katerina Witt of Germany in 1984 and 1988.

2014 European silver medalist Sotnikova was the surprise of the event.

While her triple toe-triple toe combination was not as difficult as the other ladies in the top 3, she received higher technical element marks than Yuna courtesy of her level 4 spins.

Costner the 2012 World Champion was in rare form when it mattered most. The Italian changed a planned triple toe-triple toe combination to a more difficult triple flip-triple toe. The risk paid of, her flawless rendition of Ave Maria also earned her marks almost enough to beat Yuna.15-year-old Lipnits-

kaya already a gold medal winner in the team figure skating competition, and favored to chase Kim Yuna for the gold buckled under pressure falling on her triple flip jump to finish 5th with a score of 65.23.

American skaters Gracie Gold, Ashley Wagner and Paulina Edmonds finished 4th, 6th and 7th respectively. Gold the current US champion fought to finish her triple lutz-triple toe combination despite a wonky landing on her lutz.

Two-time world champion Mao Asada of Japan, also expected to be a contenter for gold, fell apart falling on her opening triple axel and doubled a planned triple loop not managing to perform the required combination jump after it. She ended up 16th overall.

Gjersem: In the footsteps of Norway’s great skater N

Julia Lipnitskaia of Russia competes in the Figure Skating Ladies’ Short Program on day 12 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on February 19, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/ Getty Images)

GJERSEM. Next generation star of Norway.

Winter Games in 50 years after qualifying at the Nebel-

horn Trophy in September 2013.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. VOL.66ISSUE ISSUE241 241••FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FRIDAY-SATURDAY,FEBRUARY FEBRUARY21-22, 21-22,2014 2014

Strong start by Palos swingers Luisita leads PAL Seniors, Apo 9th, DCGC 15th

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ACOLOD CITY – Rancho Palos Verdes carried the fight for the three Davao City squads seeing action in the Founders Division at the start of the Philippine Airlines Seniors Interclub golf team championships Thursday.

The Cabantian swingers scored an aggregate 125 points on the Molave system of scoring to find itself at 5th spot only four points behind first round frontrunner Wack Wack with 129 points.

That set the tone for a six-horse race in the Founders division with Wack Wack finding tough competition from the rest of the top six standings: Alta Vista 128, Villamor 127, Marapara 126, Eagle Ridge 125 and Rancho Palos Verdes 125.

WW’s scorers were Buddy Velayo 46, Takanobu Taira 43 and Isaac Go 40.

The four-to-play, three-to-count event uses the Molave scoring system which awards 3 points for par, 2 for bogey, 1 for double bogey and 4 for birdie.

Apo Golf and Country

Club is mired at 9th place with 116 points while Davao City Golf Club is at 15th place with 104.

Luisita Golf Club rode on the heroics of new recruit Eddie Bagtas to take a one-point lead over defending champion Canlubang in the premier Championship division.

Bagtas, the 58-yearold former pro, shot a twoover par 74 or 52 points under the Molave scoring system. He had four birdies against four bogeys and a double bogey.

Pepot Inigo provided solid support with 49 points while Seve Roxas Chua added 43 as Luisita finished with 144 points.

Failing to count was Lino Magpantay who limped home with 37.

Bagtas, who had a number of pro titles under his belt, reverted to amateur to help Luisita, the team he played for during his young amateur days.

Canlubang kept Luisita within arm’s length despite a so-so performance from top gun Dave Hernandez who struggled with 46 points.

Rolly Viray took the

cudgels for the Sugar Barons with 51 points.

Rounding out team scoring was Tony Olives who had 46.

Orchard settled for third place after one of its players was disqualified for signing the wrong scorecard.

Jun Bailee submitted 48 points – the team’s second best score – but was found to have made a wrong score on the 15th hole, resulting in his disqualification.

Luis Miguel Garcia matched Bagtas’ 52 points to lead Orchard which trails Luisita by seven points. Also scoring for the team were Nestor Sevilla 44 and Lee Jim Gon 41.

This year’s Interclub is being co-sponsored by CrossOver with Boeing, Philippines Graphic, Stargate Media (People Asia) and Rogue as corporate backers. Also lending support are Airbus, Business Mirror, One Mega Group (Travel Now), Philippine Broadcasting Corporation, Manila Broadcasting Corporation and Manila Bulletin.

TRUE TO FORM. Ex-pro Eddie Bagtas watches his putt.