Edge6 Issue 252

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 252 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, MARCH 9-10, 2014

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NEW DIRECTION Davao City’s CLUP, new zoning ordinance

2 ON THE COVER EDGEDAVAO

VOL. VOL.66ISSUE ISSUE252 252••SUNDAY-MONDAY, SUNDAY-MONDAY,MARCH MARCH9-10, 9-10,2014 2014

By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

NEW DIRECTION Davao City’s CLUP, new zoning ordinance

By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

DAVAO City’s amended Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) and new zoning plan got the nod from the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) last February 24.

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HE board is chaired by vice president Jejomar Binay.

“We expect anytime soon that we will receive the signed and approved official copy of the amended CLUP,” City Planning and Development Office head engineer Mario Luis J. Jacinto told Edge Davao yesterday.

Jacinto said that it needs publication before the ordinance can be implemented, adding that it was presented to the board last February 12.

“When we presented it to the board, we immediately got a recommendation for approval,” he said.

The board did not make any major amendment to the zoning plan and CLUP because the city was able to justify its purpose which is to provide a suitable residential and commercial area for the growing population and economy of the metro.

The amended CLUP provides expansion in key priority areas that should be considered in the booming city of Davao.

The population and number of business estab-

JACINTO lishments in the city are increasing, as well as the influx of investments both commercial and residential.

This development caused congestion in the downtown area There is a need to consider the spatial development, noting that the downtown area is already congested with commercial and residential development. Information technology and tourism are growing, The “stricter” Clup provides growth for economic, residential, industrial and commercial establishments. It is rezoning areas with high susceptibility to geohazards.

It provides key areas

Davao City conservation area that for economic growth in agriculture, IT and tourism, rezoning of geohazard areas, expansion of commercial areas, relocating of commercial areas nearer to residential zones, making Chinatown as a tourism development zone, and lesser industrial zone.

Earlier reports said the “the amended CLUP includes the declaration of conservation zones and the establishment of buffer zones between conflicting zones like commercial and residential zones or industrial and agricultural zones.

A minimum of 10 meters

of buffer zone planted with trees is mandated in this amended CLUP.” It also includes the addition of Water Resource Areas, as well as the declaration of Marine Protected Areas in the city.

The amended CLUP and zoning ordinance

also provides the no-reclassification policy within five years for all areas identified under general zone (agriculture, conservation, water resource, and non-tillage) and three years for sub-urban zone (residential, industrial and commercial).

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 252 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, MARCH 9-10, 2014

THE BIG NEWS

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‘PABLO’, ‘AGATON’VICTIM

Montevista bank declares ‘holiday’ T

HE officers and staff of the Rural Bank of Montevista (Davao del Norte) Inc. (RBM) have announced that the bank has declared a “Bank Holiday” effective March 6, 2014 to start the process of having PDIC (Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp.) pay all depositors up to P500,000 as mandated by the law and regulations.

RBM is said to be one of the victims of two typhoons which hit Davao del Norte i n succession in 2012 ad 2013 – super howler Pablo and low pressure area (LPA) Agaton.

RBM president Felix Maceda said due to the devastation in the local economy caused by typhoons

“Pablo” and “Agaton” as well as other factors, borrowers, mostly small micro-finance beneficiaries, have stopped paying their loans causing serious cash liquidity problems.

About 90% of the bank’s loan portfolio is in micro-finance. Maceda said that RBM responded to the government’s earlier call to serve the poorest of the poor thru micro-financing loans.

“The rural folk, including the rural bank are victims of the calamity that we have no control of,” Maceda explained.

He appealed to all depositors to be patient and to await PDIC’s acting as their deposits are intact and protected.

February 27 brownouts cost city millions in GDP

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

EAVING Davao City completely without electricity would be a disaster of monstrous proportions.

This was evident in the February 27 total power outage that puzzled Dabawenyos when the Department of Energy and the National Grid Corporation Philippines remained clueless at the time as to what caused the half-day outage.

Households in the city are not used to long brownouts, and business operations suffered losses for sure.

JOKE ONLY?

Water supply, a vital component of commercial, industrial and residential operations, was affected by the outage.

The Davao City Investment and Promotions Center (DCIPC) recorded an estimated economic loss of about 48 to 56 million pesos.

DCIPC officer in-charge Ivan C. Cortez said that despite it being the mandate of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) to determine economic losses, the center comput-

FFEBRUARY, 10

Rody, Kim at launching of BIR’s R-F-P campaign

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte could be the next president of his country if destiny would allow it, so said Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henares.

“Being a president is destiny. Who knows?”

Henares said during the kick-off program of BIR’s 2014 Register. File. Pay (RFP) tax campaign last Friday afternoon at SM City Annex.

Henares added that Filipinos would be happy

if Duterte could bring to the whole country what he brought to his city.

“Hindi ko yata nakikita na may sakit siya. Mas malakas pa po yata siya kaysa sa ibang tao dito,” Henares joked.

The BIR commissioner expressed her gratitude for the assistance given by the mayor not only to the BIR, but also to the Bureau of Customs on the case of rice smuggling.

“That’s the only reason only reason why I attended the Davao kick-

FJOKE, 10

RODY BACKS TAX DRIVE. Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte signifies his support to Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)’s tax campaign by signing on the pledge of cooperation board during BIR Tax Campaign kick-off at the Annex of SM City Davao Friday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

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EDGEDAVAO

BIGGER PICTURE

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INDANAO’S organic black rice and coco sugar earned international attention at the recently held 25th Biofach Organic Fair, the world’s leading trade fair for organic food products held last month in Nuremberg, Germany.

Bios Dynamis, an organic rice producer popular for its sought-after organic black rice, and the TreeLife coco sugar from the town of Carmen showcased Mindanao-grown organic products during the four-day exhibit in Germany, which was attended by more than 42,000 trade visitors from 135 countries.

The event featured 2,235 exhibitors from 76 countries who presented their food and cosmetic products to top buyers from Germany, Italy, France, and the Netherlands.

“The reception of the international community to our locally grown products is very promising. It only shows that indeed, there

is a bigger market for our farmers and small to medium scale businesses, as long as they pass specific international standards,” said North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza who participated in the exhibit.

Mendoza added that the participation of Bios Dynamis Don Bosco Foundation and the Tree Life Coco Sugar to the annual exhibit was spearheaded by the provincial government of Cotabato and funded by the Philippine-European Chamber of Commerce (ECCP).

“Our presence there affirmed the potentials of our local organic products in penetrating markets of more advanced countries and I hope this progress will inspire more farmers in going organic,” she said.

To date, the North Cotabato provincial office is processing confirmed orders from Netherlands, UK, Australia, and New Zealand, which are expected to be formalized in the next six

GOING ORGANIC Attracting bigger international markets BLACK AND SWEET. Organically-produced black rice (left) and coco sugar from Mindanao become instant hits during the 25th Biofach Organic Fair, the world’s leading trade fair for organic food products held last month in Nuremberg, Germany. The Bios Dynamis organic black rice together with the TreeLife coco sugar are among the featured 2,235 exhibitors from 76 countries during the fair who presented their food and cosmetic products to more than 42,000 international buyers. months. Moreover, potential buyers and customers from USA, South Africa, Asia, and Singapore have expressed interest in the featured Mindanao products.

Bios Dynamis has already shipped organic black rice and other food products to Hong Kong, Macau, and China. Tree Life Coco Sugar on the other

Bills sought to enforce city farming I N an effort to encourage every Filipino to take part in the Food Sufficiency target of the government, both legislative houses are introducing a legislation to promote urban farming in the metropolis.

BUTIL Party list Rep. Agapito Guanlao and Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid sponsored House Bill No. 720 and Senate Bill No. 2095 while Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid authored Senate Bill No. 2095 during the First Regular Session of the Sixteenth Congress.

The said bills direct the Department of Agriculture

(DA) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to campaign for urban agriculture and vertical farming in metropolitan areas to address food security concerns and regenerate ecosystem functions in the Philippines.

Guanlao explained that H.B. No. 720 or the Urban Agriculture Act of 2013 will institutionalize city farming in highly urbanized communities nationwide. Urban agriculture is the production, processing and marketing of food crops in response to the demand of consumers through intensive

VOL. 6 ISSUE 252 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, MARCH 9-10, 2014

production methods, such as using and reusing available sources and wastes, to yield a diversity of crops and livestock.

Vertical farming, on the other hand, employs the concept of indoor agriculture in skyscrapers and other modern buildings.

Meanwhile, Lapid said S.B. No. 2095 shall institutionalize, strengthen, and promote urban agriculture and vertical farming in order to meet food sufficiency targets, create agricultural jobs, and develop innovative agricultural techniques suitable for the present time.

hand initially introduced their products to Netherlands and UK. Mendoza said the provincial government of North Cotabato is looking into a regular participation to similar international exhibits, since they serve as platforms in showcasing the best of Mindanao’s products.

“This is again a strong

indication of viability of Mindanao’s high value agricultural products penetrating larger international markets,” said Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, whose office, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) has ramped up investment promotion efforts to bring Mindanao products to foreign markets.

In a statement, Lord

Mayor of Nuremberg Ulrich Maly said that BIOFACH is an important flagship and image-builder for the city and for the European Metropolitan Region of Nuremberg.

“One major goal, for example, is to link organic and regionality more strongly and promote regional value creation partnerships,” he added. [MinDA]

5 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 252 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, MARCH 9-10, 2014

Mindanao power watch body responds to supply shortfall A

MEGA TRAVEL SALE. People who like to travel troop to avail themselves of the biggest sale on domestic and international tickets and tours in the 5th Mega Travel Sale until March 9 at the activity center of Abreeza Mall.

Lean Daval Jr.

POWER monitoring body created to initiate immediate and long term steps to address the power situation in Mindanao has recommended quick measures to bridge power supply deficit resulting from the unscheduled shutdown of 210MW Steag coal-fired power plant.

In a meeting called last Friday to assess the situation and determine the cause of the February 27 island-wide blackout, the Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee (MPMC) sought the immediate dispatch of capacities from embedded generators of distribution utilities, including newly-installed modular gensets of several electric cooperatives.

“We find it viable to quickly resolve the supply deficit by tapping what is already available in the system, as measures are being exerted to restore affected power plants back online,” says Secretary Luwalhati An-

tonino, chair of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), which also heads the MPMC. The MPMC had asked private distribution utilities (DUs) to run its embedded capacities such as diesel generators, even as it requested the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to judiciously accelerate provisional approval of pending rate applications for modular gensets that have already been installed.

It also asked DUs and electric cooperatives distribution to urge large commercial establishments and industries to implement demand-side management measures such as adjustment of operating schedules for processing and manufacturing plants and to optin for Interruptible Load Program (ILP), a mechanism where large establishments such as malls and factories run their generator sets instead of tapping from the grid and are allowed to recover

cost.

Antonino stressed that the recent system downtime affecting large capacities should be immediately resolved, in light of the approaching onset of summer months when Agus-Pulangi hydroelectric power complex would be expected to have reduced output.

“I understand that the cause of the problem that triggered series of plant trip-offs is still being determined, but such assessment should be done quickly so that corrective actions are put in place to prevent recurrence,” Antonino said.

The Mindanao system-wide blackout happened at dawn of February 27 when a series power plant trip-offs or automatic shutdown triggered a system-wide blackout across the entire Mindanao grid. According to initial findings of the Department of Energy (DOE), a malfunction of Agus 1 hydropower plant

unit set-off automatic shutdown that cascaded to several other power plants that put offline around 1200MW supply to the Mindanao grid.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has restored stability by noontime of same day, with the system blackout regarded as technical in nature. However, despite system restoration, the 210MW Steag coal-fired power plant remained offline after its plant units 1 and 2 sustained damage to its turbine generating sets.

Steag is still assessing the extent of damage and expects to provide timeline for resumption of plant operations once assessment is completed. Initial technical evaluation indicates Steag may need a substantial amount of time to restore 2 plant units back online.

According to the DOE, the Steag downtime has brought restoration of Mindanao power supply to only about 80 to 85 percent.

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EDGEDAVAO

BIGGER PICTURE Women in the Bangsamoro speak up on

VOL. 6 ISSUE 252 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, MARCH 9-10, 2014

‘Better bangsamoro for all’

By CAROLYN O. ARGUILLAS

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WO women members of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) called on women in the proposed Bangsamoro political entity to collectively raise their voices so they can be heard by the male-dominated BTC and to demand transparency and inclusivity in the ongoing drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

“We want equal rights for all women and men in the Bangsamoro. We want to be free from all forms of violence and discrimination.

We want better access to education, health facilities, and other basic services,” Commissioner Froilyn Mendoza, a Teduray who co-founded the Teduray Lambangian Women’s Organization, Inc. (TLWOI), said in her welcome remarks.

In her keynote address, Commissioner Johaira Wahab, chief of the legal team of the government peace panel from 2010 until her appointment to the BTC in February last year, urged the estimated 200 women gathered at the Em Manor Hotel not only to support the BTC in its work of drafting the Bangsamoro Basic Law but also to “demand from us to be transparent and for you to participate in the process.”

“Transparency and inclusivity. That is the only way we can empower you,” Wahab said.

The 15-member BTC has four women members: Mendoza representing the Lumads (indigenous peoples or IP); Wahab, the youngest member of the BTC; Fat-

mawati Salapuddin, director of the Sulu-based Lupah Sug Bangsamoro Women’s Association, who had earlier served as Director of the Bureau of Peace & Conflict Resolution of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos; and lawyer Raissa Jajurie, a consultant of the MILF peace panel who was former executive director of Saligan Mindanaw, an alternative law group.

A total of 72 consultations on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law were held by the women’s groups from which were drawn what is now an eight-page, ten-point Vision document titled “A Better Bangsamoro for all: Women’s Contributions to the Bangsamoro Basic Law.” The document cites a general provision and specific recommendations for each of these ten sections: Protection from Violence, Conflict and Insecurity, Recognition and Recognition of Indigenous People’s Rights, Shari’a Justice System, Administration of Justice, Truth/Justice/Reparation, Bangsamoro Government, Women’s Political Participation, Normalization and Policing, Education and Livelihood, Reproductive Health, and Cultural Rights.

Crafted by “Moro, IP and settler women in the Bangsamoro,” the document cites general provisions was presented to representatives of the BTC – Commissioners Raissa Jajurie, Abdullah Camlian and Talib Benito-- at the end of the daylong Women’s Summit 2014, whose theme is “Celebrating

FOR HIS FUTURE. Participants at the Women’s Summit 2014 in Cotabato City on March 7 submitted to the Bangsamoro Transition Commission an eight-page, ten-point Vision for a “Better Bangsamoro for All,” for this child and other children in the Bangsamoro. [MindaNews photo by Carolyn O. Arguillas] the Women’s Commitment for a Better Bangsamoro for All” In Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao, at the St Joseph Retreat House, another women’s summit, involving the Lumads, opened Friday afternoon and will end evening of March 8. The IP Women Summit’s theme is “Recognition of the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao for their Empowerment and Sustainable Development.”

At the Em Manor Hotel,

the Vision document presented to the BTC was read section by section by representatives from different tribes within the proposed Bangsamoro, in their respective languages. Women later affixed their signatures on a huge white tarpaulin.

A total of 72 consultations involving 2,750 women were conducted under the project “Entrenching Women’s Participation in the Basic Law of Muslim Mindanao,” implemented

by Conciliation Resources together with the Nisa Ul

VISION. One of the women participants smiles at the symbolic signing on tarpaulin of the eight-page, ten-point document stating the Bangsamoro women’s vision of a “Better Bangsamoro for All.” [MindaNews photo by Gregorio Bueno]

Haqq Fi Bangsamoro, UNYPHIL-Women, Teduray Lambiangan Women’s Organization, Inc., Bangsamoro Women’s Organization Incorporated and Bangsamoro Women’s Action for Development Initiatives, and supported by the British Embassy.

Among the recommendations that the women want the BTC to include in the Bangsamoro Basic Law are the creation of a Department of Women’s Affairs for “promotion of women’s rights and the development of mechanisms to address women’s issue;” ensure that women from IP, Moro and settler populations are “adequately represented and involved in al levels of decision-making processes within the Bangsamoro government” and that women occupy 50 per cent of management level positions in the new Bangsamoro political entity.

They also recommended that part of the Bangsamoro Gender Fund be used to help start-up organizations for grassroots women “to ensure that women in the communities are consulted on issues that are relevant to them.”

The women also want the BBL to enact a law that will recognize the rights of the IPs to their ancestral domains/lands through the issuance of a tenure instrument that is acceptable to the IPS; to create a Bangsamoro Commission on Indigenous Peoples that will be responsible for protect-

ing the rights of the IPs; ensure mandatory representation of IPs in all policy and decision-making bodies.

The women also want the Basic Law to “ensure that the women, children , and other vulnerable groups shall be protected from any form of violence or threats” and that it shall fulfill the provisions of the Convention to Eliminate all forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Magna Carta on Women, Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004 and the Code of Muslim Personal Laws.

The document also recommended that women participation in the normalization process as well as the Moro National Liberation Front be ensured; that the Joint Peace and Security Committee should include women from the committees of the MILF and MNLF; and that the Bangsamoro police force and other protective services such as fire department, jail management and penology, should hire more women.

The women also recommended that women, men, adolescents and children have full access to gender-responsive information and services on Maternal Neonatal Child and Health Care and Nutrition, health and nutrition, adolescent reproductive health (RH) and Family planning to improve the quality of life; that the ARMM RH Law and the national RH law be filly implemented. [MindaNews]

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 252 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, MARCH 9-10, 2014

MOTORING

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Suzuki answers demand for fuel-injected bikes S

UZUKI Philippines makes its timely revolution to answer the increasing demand for fuel-injected bikes. The new Shooter J115 Fi and the Raider J115 Fi are the newest additions to the Suzuki family that sport brand new fuel-injected engines. These two bikes are just simply the beginning for the Fi revolution which balances out the demand for more economical bikes at high running performance.

This 2014, not only does Suzuki give a sneak peak on the ceiling of its new fuel-injected bike line, it also creates excitement on this revolution. With the availability of new technol-

ogy, possibilities of making things more economical and cost-efficient are now manifesting themselves and Suzuki sees this as an opportunity to strike while the iron is hot.

Both flagship models to the Fi movement are equipped with an Engine Control Module (ECM) that registers at 63 km/liter based on the standard ECE 40 test. This ensures value for money without sacrificing efficiency and performance.

To know more about the Suzuki Fi Revolution, visit a Suzuki dealer near you or visit www.suzuki.com.ph and www.facebook.com/ SuzukiBikersFed.

Make way for Fi bikes

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HE “big three” bikes of Suzuki Philippines are creating the expected buzz in the market as the three new bikes are launched in over 24 different territories within the country.

The Shooter J 115 Fi, the Raider J115 Fi, and the Raider R 150, collectively known as Suzuki’s “big three”, were launched in different parts of the country with 8 territories coming from Luzon, 9 from Visayas and 7 from Mindanao.

Each territorial launch gave Suzuki dealer participants in these areas a chance to know the complete information on the new models and witness their unveiling.

They also had a chance to check out the performance of the new bikes first-hand as Suzuki hosted a test ride activity and used these models in group activities.

The new Suzuki Shooter J 115 Fi and the new the Raider J115 Fi makes the everyday rid-

ing experience both a breeze and easy on the pocket as their new fuel-injected engine clocks in *a minimum average consumption of 63km/ liter based on the ECE 40 test conducted in Japan.

Both bikes are equipped with an Engine Control Module (ECM) to ensure fuel economy and automatic response and at the same time, emitting less polluting fumes. On the other hand, the Raider R 150 gets a visual upgrade while maintain-

ing its speed, power and performance that made it the “king of the underbone”.

Over 800 excited people attended the launches and saw why these models remain to be the most affordable value-packed underbones out in the market to date.

For more details, you may contact the Suzuki dealer nearest to you or visit http://www.suzuki. com.ph and www.facebook.com/SuzukiBikersFed

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EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

VOL. 6 ISSUE 252 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, MARCH 9-10, 2014

EDITORIAL

Justice: Where are we?

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O, fugitive housing developer Delfin Lee has been arrested after almost two years in hiding.

He was caught by operatives of the Philippine National Police last Thursday night at a five-star hotel casino in Manila. He was endorsed last Friday to a Pampanga Regional Trial Court which had earlier issued several warrants of arrest against the multi-millionaire developer for syndicated estafa.

Lee is accused of a housing scam which allegedly used ghost Pag-Ibig members, and the double sale of housing units to obtain P7 billion from the government housing agency for the projects of his Globe Asiatic Corporation in Pampanga.

It is a case of the long arm of the law catching up with a fugitive from justice. This development raises the hope of thousands of Globe Asiatic’s victims to get back their money.

However, in our jaded country, one cannot be too sure anymore about the justice system, represented by a blind-folded lady holdng a sword in one hand ands a weighing scale in the other, giving a

EDGEDAVAO

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ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

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happy ending to the lives of victims of all kinds of injustice.

Yes, indeed, in this country, a criminal can be caught, tried and convicted, but if he has plenty of money to bribe his way, even in jail he can be treated like a king, with such perks as an air-conditioned room and occasional freedom to leave the jail to visit his relatives and concubines. After a few years, when nobody is looking, with his strong political connections, he can even be lucky enough to get a commutation of his sentence and, finally, a presidential pardon. Neat!

So, it is still a long shot for Lee to land behind bars where he belongs. For now, with his money, he can afford to hire a battery of topnotch lawyers who could belong to the most influential and powerful law firms in this country. Until we see him behind bars serving time and his ill-gotten wealth confiscated in favor of his victims or the state, it is grossly premature to be euphoric, shout hallelujah and sing paeans to the country’s justice system.

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./ 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

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EDGEDAVAO

Layers of growing fear

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UTHORITIES’ RELATIVE INACTION AGAINST CONTRABAND DRUGS – Nothing could be a more clear indication than the series of raids conducted by joint police and Food and Drug Authority (FDA) operatives in big warehouses in different areas in Metro Manila that contraband Chinese medicines, health and beauty supplies, food supplement, sex enhancing drugs, infant food products and other merchandises continue to gain trouble-free entry into the country’s major airports and sea ports.

In its continuing drive against these contrabands and other illegal goods, law enforcers reportedly netted several millions worth of banned items. The goods are being repacked for distribution nationwide. But the much-vaunted police operation immediately got mixed reaction.

The consuming public and legitimate drug manufacturers and distributors have been disappointed by government’s relative inaction since it’s a well-known fact that such illegal enterprise has been going on for quite some time. The downbeat is that authorities seemed treating the problem with a lukewarm approach.

In cases like this which is widespread, Davao City likewise has its own share of the problem. I could still remember earlier last year local health authorities say that the banned drugs, health and beauty products, food supplement, infant foods, sexual potency drugs and other commodities sold in stores and peddled in the sidewalks particularly in the Chinatown district can be dangerous for human consumption. The local agency of the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) then conducted an investigation and has warned the consuming public anew on the proliferation of banned drugs.

The FDA, the lead agency tasked to regulate and monitor food and drug products says these are the same stuffs that were target of previous confiscation. Aside from seizure law enforcement units and

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FDA people even have the temerity to rattle certain arrests. Is that so, gentlemen?

Whose legs are you pulling down this time? The serious problem is coming to a head. The FDA found that the banned commodities, most of which are imported from China, although surprisingly they obviously don’t want to mention its origin. The goods contained high level of cancer-bearing chemicals and medical experts have declared the banned drugs health hazard.

Again, as we’ve mentioned the FDA then obviously did not identify the origin of the banned drugs except to give clues that they could have been sneaked into the city using either the cities of Zamboanga and General Santos as the port of entries.

Goodness gracious! Is there something to hide, gentlemen? The banned drugs are becoming a serious health problem and victims patronized the illegal products unknowing of the negative effects. Worse, peddlers are conducting their trade with impunity, and right under the very noses of law enforcement units and concerned government agencies?

The chemically-laced drugs are “hightech” miracle that would promote beauty enrichment, health development; weight loss and promised to enhance sexual potency. However, medical experts and clinicians found that patients who used the products are more than 30 times as likely to develop skin infections or colon cancer and other cancer-related diseases. These infections even when treated with antibiotics are lethal in some 10 percent of

cases. Some studies advised that all prospective users should consult experts for recommendations such as the proper application and use of prescribe drugs.

Unrecognized, chemically-spiked drugs especially those with high mercury content attack slowly and furtively. Initially, it produces subtle symptoms so a person being affected is often unaware that anything is wrong. It would slowly damaged the skin, body tissues, clog blood vessels and injure the internal organs. If taken in large quantity, banned drugs could even result in instant death. Unaware consumers are really helpless, which can be devastating.

They could not hide the truth therefore authorities have to identify the origin of the banned drugs that proliferated across the country. Above all, it’s just a matter of investigating the crucial issue and immediately right after, the consuming public will soon realize that most, if not all of the banned drugs are imported from China. Say what they will but most if not all smuggled Chinese products have no required labeling except for few Chinese characters such as if they contain known toxins, allergins or an entirely new substance. It’s a sort of puzzle and some worried consumer groups are trying to know how these banned drugs gained entry into our seaports and airports and other point of entries without being detected by authorities. Their question: “Is it done on purpose and for what reason?”

When it comes to performance of their designated tasks, we have concerned government agencies and law enforcement pockmarked with inefficiency. The result – layers of increased fear that is passed on to wary consumers and end-users that face the real danger – health problems. The saddest part is that certain arrests of violators and much-hyped crackdown against unscrupulous traders reported in media are nothing but just an image-enhancing gambit.

Who’s Minding the Defenses of Peace?

INCE wars begin in the minds of men,” states the charter of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), “it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed.”

One wonders what precautions have been made, what defenses installed, to ensure that there will be durable peace in Mindanao.

Peace in parts of our region is so fragile and so readily shattered by barbaric malcontents that its defenses need to be shored up on both physical and psychological levels.

Even now peace is under attack on many fronts.

Insurgents

If it’s not by some out-of-line MILF operative, it’s a breakaway group like the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) that’s breaking up the peace. If not the BIFF, it’s the disaffected Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) or some faction of it.

There are the Abu Sayyaf, the New People’s Army, and disgruntled followers of some warlord, sultan, datu, or what have you.

If it’s none of these, others still unknown or unnamed manage to roil and scuttle the peace of some community or other. So it’s a matter of urgency that firm defenses be constructed, a task that is by no means easy.

We don’t even know how many such groups there are. Those who think they know don’t know what armaments the groups possess or how many and where these are stored.

It’s ridiculous that the police and military

WORM’S EYEVIEW

BY MANNY VALDEHUESA don’t know, considering how large their intelligence funds and personnel are!

Violent Minds Not only must we contend with overt threats from these groups, we must also deal with not-so-obvious threats including the mental-psychological variety. For there are hotheads in our midst, swashbucklers and adventurers—even elected officials who ought to know better than substitute macho posturing and violence for good governance.

There are others who employ “Dirty Harry tricks” to supplant the rule of law. More on this later on.

But such is the weakness of the defenses of peace in our society, so enduring the urge to barbarism, so compelling the resort to violence, and so ironic that it should suffuse the mindset of even those charged with securing public order or mental health.

Thus, many people are confused… many are so addled that they cannot distinguish between the righteous and the barbaric… or so corrupted that the need to uphold peace makes no sense to them. It is such people that cause unrest and insurgency to thrive.

Building Defenses Insecurity is the ultimate threat to peace.

Lack of education or ignorance keeps people unstable and unable to cope with reality.

It ought to have been very obvious to our

policy-makers, decision-makers, and peace negotiators that to secure the peace, more educational facilities, teachers, and books are needed; that the whole array of developmental activities be furnished or made readily available to Mindanao and its afflicted communities.

But as matters stand, there is a dearth of livelihood opportunities; economic viability is very low, and health services poor. And so, lacking the basic defenses of peace, any gains from the long processes of negotiations may be jeopardized by continuing insecurity.

Moreover, with poor educational facilities and inadequate supply of educators, narrow minds cannot be opened and discrimination, distrust, or prejudice cannot be addressed.

The defenses of peace require breaking down of barriers to understanding. The cobwebs of the past into which people have been ensnared need to be cleared.

Through all the time and processes it took for the peace talks to progress who has been minding the build up and institutionalization of the defenses of peace?

And what peace-promotion programs can desirous communities or groups avail of if they wish to help the process along?

[Manny is former UNESCO regional director for Asia-Pacific, secretary-general of Southeast Asian Publishers Association, director at development academy of Philippines, vice chair of Local Government Academy, member of the Cory Government’s Peace Panel, and PPI-UNICEF awardee for outstanding columnist. valdehuesa@gmail.com]

VANTAGE POINTS

9

The claims for Russian imperialism COMMENTARY

BY JOHN LLOYD

A

(Conclusion)

NDREAS Umland, a German political scientist who lives and works in Ukraine, told me he believes that, as Russia’s economy falters, Putin needs a foreign policy success to offset the threat to living standards. “He began to stress the importance of the Eurasian Union (a free trade area planned to take in most of the former states of the Soviet Union) and he needs Ukraine for this to be credible. He needs a political success.

It became quite existential for the regime,” Umland said.

Claim — Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia has had a history of promises betrayed by the West.

The largest complaint — made by former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and repeated often by Putin — is that the West promised that NATO would not expand east to the Soviet border, and it has. There is substantial cause for Russian anger here. It seems likely that at least one western foreign minister — the German Hans-Dietrich Genscher – has made such a pledge, along with probably James Baker, then the U.S. Secretary of State.

All that can be said against the Russian position is that NATO has never threatened Russia; that the former Communist states of central and Eastern Europe demanded membership; and that, even in the present situation, NATO has threatened no retaliation.

Many also blame the West for forcing Russia, immediately after the collapse of the USSR and under the presidency of Boris Yeltsin, to adopt economic “shock therapy” in the form of privatization and deep cuts to social programs. But Russia — and all of the Soviet Union — was bankrupt, and only a desperate effort to create a market got things moving again. The widespread impoverishment and misery was the result of the bankruptcy of the economic system. After the initial marketization, the economy became, under Yeltsin and then Putin, a “managed capitalism” with the state in control.

Claim — The West should be nice to Russia not only because Russia is going to have a hard time, but also because it’s dangerous.

In some ways, this is the most substantial point. The strength that Putin likes to project is increasingly illusory.

Russian growth is less than two percent today, the population is falling fast, there is little modernization, the economy is buoyed by oil and gas prices that are likely to fall and corruption sits at the heart of every enterprise.

Western sanctions will deepen this disastrous situation, and though they should be imposed, it’s still more urgent to find a new form of relationship.

This means finding a solution to the Ukraine issue, which can command the assent of the new government in Kiev and the governments of Russia, the EU and the U.S. But don’t hold your breath. Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel told President Barack Obama after talking to the Russian president, is in “another world” — a world where everything depends on a projection of strength at whatever cost, with no prospect of the Russian parliament voting him out.

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NEWS

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February... FFROM 3 ed that the loss was about 60 to 70 percent of the estimated hourly gross domestic product of the city.

“So, between 3:57 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. of Feb 27, the gross domestic product of the city for this period should have been an estimated P80,773,887.

With due consideration to some transactions not computed hourly but daily (example, a daily rental will cost the same regardless of the number of hours of power outages), and that business transactions were not completely paralyzed, we can safely say that the losses would be around 60 to 70% of the P80 million, so that’s about 48 to 56 million pesos,” Cortez said

in an email furnished Edge Davao.

He clarified that the estimated economic loss is not exact “and are purely estimates based on the expected hourly GDP with due consideration to the premium hours (where the bulk of transactions are being done) as well as the sleeping hours (when most everybody else is asleep and not doing any business transaction).”

DOE’s initial reports bared that the the island-wide outage was caused by the tripping of Agus 1. However, the energy department and NGCP are still investigating the real cause of the power outage was.

off,” said Henares.

But Duterte’s reaction to her observation when his turn to speak came was a reiteration of his previous comments on the matter that the presidency does not appeal to him, nor is he qualified for the position.

“I am not good for anything. I am old – marami akong sakit,” Duterte said.

Duterte added that even if he were president, the situation of the country would is still be the same.

“It could be six years of a meaningless period…ano mang gagawin ko diyan, magtatrabaho ka tapos maghintay ka na magkaron ng bagyo tapos punta ka doon,” he said.

Duterte said in jest that if the people should push him for the position, he would declare a revolutionary government, abolish Congress and raise the salaries of all government

employees.

“Maraming pera na kasi serado na ang Congress,” Duterte joked.

The RFP campaign launched last Friday is to educate taxpayers on the basic steps they should follow to be able to comply with their obligations for paying the correct taxes for nation building.

Duterte said that taxation is the bloodline of the government because if there are no taxes the government cannot move. He said that services Filipinos enjoy come from taxes the BIR collects.

Henares, on the other hand, urged the public to pay the right tax if they love the country so that the government can provide services needed by Filipinos.

The commissioner also asked taxpayers to pay their obligations before April 15 to avoid hassles and inconvenience.

Joke...FFROM 3

Special license urged for PHL’s P.U. drivers L

AWMAKERS have filed a bill requiring all public utility drivers to secure a Utility Driver’s License before being allowed to drive any form of public utility transportation.

Reps. Mariano Piamonte, Jr. and Julieta Cortuna (Party-list, A TEACHER) said House Bill 3832, to be known as Public Utility Driver’s Licensing Act, would pave the way towards improving the skills, attitude and safe driving habits of public utility drivers.

“This is due to the fact that their skills, attitude and driving habits will be considered prior to the issuance of a public utility driver’s license,” Piamonte said.

Piamonte said the number of bus or any other public transport accidents lately has come to alarming rates that leave doubts on the safety of public transport.

In most cases, Piamon-

te said, drivers have been blamed for negligence that leads to these accidents.

On the other hand, Cortuna underscored that under current regulations; any driver without the necessary experience and inherent attitude or habit of safe driving could drive or operate public utility vehicles.

“It is about time that we introduce an improved system of allowing any person to drive or operate a public utility vehicle,” Cortuna stressed.

Under the bill, no public utility driver’s license shall be issued unless the applicant has complied with the mandated 15 days of actual driving examination for public utility train, five days for bus drivers, five days for public utility jeeps and three days for tricycles that will show the actual safe driving habits of the utility bus, jeep or tricycle driver applicant.

[PNA]

KIM ON RODY AS PRESIDENT. Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim J. Henares reminds Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte in her speech during BIR Tax Campaign kick-off at the Annex of SM City Davao Friday afternoon that he can’t help it if he’s destined to be the country’s next president. Lean Daval Jr.

Rody chides NPA for landmine use

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

D

abf@edgedavao.net

AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte chided the New People’s Army (NPA) for planting landmines that exploded and injured five civilians in Bansalan, Davao del Sur last week.

Duterte said in an interview Friday after the launching of the 2014 BIR tax campaign at SM City Annex that he would not mind if only soldiers were hurt, but it is a different story if civilians get hurt.

“Landmines are prohibited, na igo ang mga civilian,” said Duterte.

He said he condemns the use of landmines by the NPA since it is against on the Articles of War as stipulated by the Geneva Convention.

“Amigo man mi, way problema na, pero there are things sa atong pagka amigo nga kutob ra pud diha,” said Duterte, adding that the NPA used to invoke the provisions of

the Geneva Convention but they themselves violated it.

“They have declared war against the government. So, it behooves upon them – ilang obligasyon to follow the Geneva Convention on the articles of war. It prohibits (land)mines, ” he said.

But, Duterte said the incident is past and there is nothing more he can do about it.

On March 5, the NPA

apologized to the civilian victims of the blast, saying they (NPA) failed to distinguish between the victims and the military target.

In a statement, the group said that they did not recognize the ambulance of the Davao del Sur Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management as it was not using its siren.

The ambulances were in the area to retrieve wounded soldiers.

Coloma Jr. said the move is necessary as he hopes for public cooperation.

“Paninindigan po ng PNP ‘yan at sa tingin po namin ay makatuwiran ang kanilang ginagawa,” he told dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

“Ito po ay isang mahalagang transitional measure para matiyak ‘yung integrity ng ating firearms registry.

At sana ay makiisa din ang mga grupo ng mga mamamayan na sinasabing sila ay responsible gun owners dahil ‘yan din po ang layunin ng kampanyang ito ng ating pambansang kapulisan.”

Coloma said that according to the PNP, there is a total 1.7 million firearms in the country.

The PNP studied the records of the Firearms and Explosive Office and the civil security groups and found out that 60 to 70 percent of the records of firearm holders are spurious or fictitious.

The PNP observed that there are mismatches in the names, addresses and photos of licensed firearms owners, prompting the PNP to cleanse its gun licensing registry.

“Ibig sabihin, nagbun-

sod talaga ito ng duda at alinlangan doon sa integrity ng records. Kung sinuman ang resonableng tao na malaman ‘yan, siyempre, magiging konklusyon na dapat itong linisin, dapat ayusin ang records at dapat ibalik ang integridad ng firearms registry system natin,” Coloma said.

And with regards to issues on high delivery cost of licenses, Coloma said it could be assumed that anyone buying guns also has the money to pay for the delivery of licenses and cost should not be an issue.

[PNA]

Palace says centralization of gun licensing necessary M

ALACANANG defended the centralization of gun licensing in the country, saying the move is intended to clean the firearms registry of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to eventually reduce the proliferation of loose firearms.

It was reported that pro-gun groups have opposed the centralization on the renewal of gun licenses, arguing it would only result to more loose firearms.

But in a radio interview Saturday, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio

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MUSIKALIKASAN:

Music workshops with Joey Ayala S

INGER-songwriter Joey Ayala who is much-awarded for his songs’ relevance of subject matter to environment, society, values and use of indigenous instruments and influences in his recordings and performances will be sharing his talent and expertise through the MUSIKALIKASAN: Music workshops set on March11-12, 2014 at the Davao Association of Catholic School (DACS) Training Center, Davao City.

Known for his environmental songs, such as Agila: Haring Ibon and Magkaugnay, Ayala will be sharing his expertise through workshops on Elements of Music,

Songs and the Environment; and Voice and Vibration.

As music is a powerful tool for environmental consciousness and social change, it is hoped that Musikalikasan workshop sessions will intensify information and education campaign for the youth and stakeholders on environmental care and protection.

After the workshop sessions, participants will have the chance to witness Joey Ayala’s live performance on March 13, 2014, 7PM at Taboan, Matina Town Square.

Prior to the concert, awarding ceremony of Lunhaw Awards will also take place in the same venue. The award-giv-

ing body in search for innovative and sustainable green initiatives will announce the Top Five Best Practices from the sixteen shortlisted initiatives in the city.

“As one of the co-organizers of this event, we are happy that Joey Ayala has partnered with us. Ayala being one of the DatuBago Awardees in 2000 and has received numerous awards for his Music is an advantage for students who will take part in his music sessions. Students, teachers, musicians and other professionals are highly encouraged to participate and learn from his creative process. “ IDIS Executive Director Mary Ann Fuertes, said.

NOTICE OF LOSS

Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. that CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No.(s) 79355 under LOYOLA PLAN Contract No.(s) 601488-0 issued to SARA JEAN YUEN was lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

2/25/3/3,10

EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SALE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late FLORENCIO CARREDO has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH SALE executed by his heirs per Doc. No.266; Page No. 54; Book No. V; Series of 2013 of the NOTARY PUBLIC CHARMAINE P. VALENTIN 3/3,10,17

DAI Philippines, a representative office of DAI Washington, a global international development consulting firm is issuing request for proposals for the procurement of various Ford Everest and Toyota Revo vehicle spare parts through the issuance of Blanket Purchase Agreements to short-listed suppliers.

Interested suppliers should send a letter of expression and company profile to ENGAGE@ dai.com to receive the detailed request for proposal (RFP) by close of business Monday, March 17, 2014.

12 CLASSIFIED EDGEDavao Davao Partners

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EDGEDAVAO

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A showcase of techincal and design brilliance THE world evolves and changes in the blink of an eye and things and designs that are usually relevant or updated now can be outdated in the span of a couple of months and that is why innovation and ideas have to be fostered.

Enter the Ateneo de Davao University’s School of Engineering and Architecture which recently held their 4th Annual Technical

FA SHOWCASE, A4

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EVENT

Invest and travel with Sun Life YOUR money can not only work harder for you, it can also be your key to luxurious staycations and exciting trips abroad in the “Invest and Travel” promo of Sun Life Asset Management Company Inc. (SLAMCI).

Now on its 4th year, the highly successful promo is back this 2014 with more destination choices for qualified investors, including overnight packages in the country’s premiere hotels and resorts, as well as vacation treats in Shanghai, Seoul, Tokyo, Bangkok, Singapore, Sydney, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The packages are good for two, so a qualified investor can bring along a loved one for a memorable getaway.

These travel treats can be enjoyed by investing a minimum of P1 million or $20,000 in any of the following funds under Sun Life Prosperity Funds: GS Fund, Bond Fund, Balanced Fund, Philippine Equity Fund, Dollar Advantage Fund, and Dollar Abundance Fund.

“With the ‘Invest and Travel’ promo, their money will not only work harder for them through funds that offer potentially higher returns in the long term, but will also provide them with perks that they can immediately enjoy,” said SLAMCI President Riena Pama.

Pama also noted that with a reliable team of professional fund managers handling the work, SLAMCI clients are assured of convenience and peace of mind. “We want the experience of investing to always be a good one for the people we serve, so we do our best to offer exceptional service and special perks,” she added.

Get in touch with a SLAMCI financial advisor now and find out how you can grow your money and also travel the world.

For more information, contact 849-9888 or visit sunlifefunds. com.

SM Lanang Premier and SM City Davao show support for Big Davao Fun Sale THE TWO SM Supermalls in Davao City are teaming up with the Department of Tourism Region XI to launch the Big Davao Fun Sale, the country’s first city-wide shopping festival slated this March 14 to April 16, 2014.

MDuring the said shopping festival, SM City Davao and SM Lanang Premier, together with five of the city’s major shopping centers, will offer a four-week long sale that aims to attract more foreign tourists and shoppers outside Davao.

The Big Davao Fun Sale, which will coincide with Araw ng Dabaw (Foundation Day of Davao) celebration, will help position Davao City as a key shopping destination. It will offer the best-value deals, up to 80% discount on a wide range of products. Shoppers can look forward to product discounts on health and beauty (March 16-23); electronics and gadgets (March 24-30); home and travel (March 31-April 6); and fashion and active lifestyle (April 7-16). They can also avail of great deals on dining, local crafts, fruits and flowers for the entire sale duration.

Aside from that, shoppers will also get a chance to win raffle prizes such as iPhone 5 units, all-expense paid trips, and cash prizes worth up to P100,000.

Both SM City Davao, which is located at the Southern part of the city, and SM Lanang Premier at the Northern portion are gearing up to provide exceptional offers and promotions this Big Davao Fun Sale. Through the campaign called “Celebrate Davao: Shop, Eat, Repeat,” shoppers can indulge in shopping sprees and enjoy premium deals mall-wide including big discounts and freebies at retail shops and restaurants. A series of activities that celebrate the rich culture, lifestyle and diversity of past and modern day Davao – from art exhibits, farm and garden market, food festivals to weekend parties and many more – have also been lined up to ensure an entertaining, colorful and festive experience for all shoppers.

Mall hours will also be extended until 12 midnight on March 14 (Friday) and 15 (Saturday) to provide extra shopping convenience.

The Big Davao Fun Sale will be held in partnership with Cebu Pacific Air, Retail Association of Davao, and Silk Air. For more details, visit www.facebook.com/TheBigDavaoFunSale or email DOT at dotr11@gmail.com. You may also check out SM Lanang Premier and SM City Davao on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for sale alerts, promos and event updates this Big Davao Fun Sale.

DTAA holds 5th Davao Mega Travel Sale

TRAVEL, whether within the country or in international destinations, has become within reach for the average individual or family.

With the increase in tourism players in the industry, airfares and travel packages arenow easy on the pocket, providing a great opportunity for rest and recreation, bond with family and friends and experience new cultures and destinations.

To support the national tourism initiatives and provide travel opportunities in the Davao region, the Davao Travel AgenciesAssociation (DTAA) will once again spearhead its annual travel fair dubbed as the 5th Davao

Mega Travel Sale : EXPLORE. ENCOUNTER. EXPERIENCE on March 7-9, 2014 at Abreeza Mall.

The travel sale is in partnership with Cebu PacificAir (CEB), the leading airline in the Philippines. CEB flies to Davao eight times daily from Manila, with two of these daily flights utilizing CEB’s brand-new wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft until June 14, 2014.

CEB also flies from Davao

to Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Puerto Princesa, Dipolog, Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro, as part of its extensive network in the Philippines, Asia and the Middle East.

The event will be participated by different travel agencies, tour operators, airlines, hotels, resorts and destination promotions agencies from all over the Philippines and Southeast Asia. It will serve as a ven-

ue for bringing together major industry players for an opportunity to launch new services or products and establish new marketing connections.Another highlight of the travel sale is an inter-school Search for Mr. & Ms. Travel Ambassadors 2014, to be participated in by various schools in Davao offering tourism and hospitality courses. For Dabawenyos and regional visitors, this is the best time to plan for summer vacations and other travel requirements with the low airfare offers and packages up for grabs during the travel sale.

So whether you’re planning to laze away in the beaches of Boracay or Phuket, dive in Coron or Bali,or go on an adventure in Kota Kinabalu or Siem Reap, you can make your dream vacation come true with the great offers in store for you at the travel fair. For more details, check out the 5th Davao Mega Travel Sale on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/davaomegatravelsale.

EDGEDAVAO

‘Suits’ star Gabriel Macht to visit Ormoc for Project Wonderful

GABRIEL MACHT, known the world over as legendary law practitioner HARVEY SPECTER in the provocative television drama SUITS, is confirmed to arrive in the Philippines on 8 March 2014 to visit Ormoc in the province of Leyte.

His visit is made possible by Globe Telecom, the country’s leading telecommunications company, in fulfilling its commitment of building a wonderful and resilient Philippines through its Project Wonderful nationbuilding efforts by helping Typhoon Haiyan survivors in Ormoc City, Leyte.

In partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Globe has been granting business to beneficiaries identified by DSWD as part of its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), a community-based capacity-building program that seeks to improve the socioeconomic status of program participants.

“We are committed to contribute to nation-building by providing relevant entrepreneurship and livelihood opportunities among typhoon Yolanda survivors

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in Ormoc City so they can rise again and move forward,” said Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu. “We hope that through this project, we will be able to teach them to manage sustainable micro-enterprises that will help them move from survival to self-efficiency,” he added.

“Project Wonderful is thankful to Mr. Gabriel Macht for coming in to support us.”

As part of its Project Wonderful program, Globe takes strides in rebuilding the nation with initiatives which will benefit schools, homes, and livelihood opportunities. Bringing global attention to its commitment to livelihood, Project Wonderful is hoping that through the support of a high- caliber actor such as Macht, more support will come in months to come.

“Witnessing the devasta-

tion of typhoon Haiyan, I felt compelled to raise awareness and financial aid to help thousands of people still struggling to get back on their feet. There is so much work still to do. I’m excited to be a part of rebuilding and I’m hoping that so many more will join the effort,” Macht shared.

Project Wonderful is a program that reinforces Globe Telecom’s commitment to subscribers, businesses, and the nation. Project Wonderful has three (3) pillars: Nation-building, which aims to build a wonderful and resilient country with programs that will rebuild homes and schools as well as provide livelihood opportunities to individuals and families in need, Culture-building, which shapes Globe to become a more customer-centric organization, fueled by a common passion to help and live a culture of service guided by its renewed mission, vision, and values, and Brand-building, which brings to life the telco’s passion and commitment to the customer as a strong challenger brand that leads the industry with innovative and relevant products and services.

Hot or Not? JENNIFER LOPEZ stepped out wearing this deep red romper that looks like a set of tight pyjamas made of shiny fabric. But the classic curvy shape hits the right places making her waist tiny and her booty totally slamming.

ABS-CBN’s master drama series ‘Ikaw Lamang’ premieres on Monday ABS-CBN’s master teleserye “Ikaw Lamang” will begin to capture the hearts of primetime TV viewers on Monday (March 10) as the ‘once in a lifetime TV event’ gathers some of the country’s most brilliant actors.

“Ikaw Lamang” will feature the first team-up of Teleserye King Coco Martin and Teleserye Princess Kim Chiu, together with two of the most talented actors of their generation, Jake Cuenca and Julia Montes.

Completing the powerhouse cast of “Ikaw Lamang” are multi-awarded actors, namely Ronaldo Valdez, Tirso Cruz III, Cherry Pie Picache, Cherie Gil, John Estrada, Daria Ramirez, Meryl Soriano, Spanky Manikan, and Lester Llansang.

“Ikaw Lamang” revolves around the story of the hardworking son of a farm worker named Samuel

(Coco) who falls in love with a haciendera named Isabelle (Kim). Despite being apart from each other because of their families’ differences, Samuel and Isabelle will find their way back to each other’s arms after so many years.

How long can a person wait for his greatest love?

Will time be able to erase what the heart holds true or will it strengthen the ties of star-crossed lovers who are ready to fight for their relationship against all odds?

Also featured in the upcoming drama series are Kapamilya child stars Zaijian Jaranilla, Louise Abuel, Alyanna Angeles, and Xy-

riel Manabat, and Kapamilya teen star Ella Cruz for their special participation.

“Ikaw Lamang” is the newest TV masterpiece of Dreamscape Entertainment Television, the group that created “Juan dela Cruz,” “Ina Kapatid Anak,” the phenomenal drama series topbilled

by Coco and Julia “Walang Hanggan,” and the first project of Coco, Jake, and Kim, “Tayong Dalawa.” It is under the direction of Malu Sevilla and Avel Sunpongco.

Don’t miss the beginning of the timeless master teleserye, “Ikaw Lamang” on Monday on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida.

For more information about “Ikaw Lamang” visit the show’s official social media accounts Facebook.com/ IkawLamang.Online, Twitter. com/IkawLamang_TV and Instagram.com/IkawLamang_TV.

STARTING OVER AGAIN 2D / * 12 YEARS A SLAVE 2D Piolo Pascual, Toni Gonzaga / * Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender PG 13 / * R 13

12:00 | 2:30 | 5:00 LFS / * 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

NON-STOP 2D Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore R 13

12:40 | 3:00 | 5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

R-16 THIRD EYE 2D Carla Abellana, Ejay Falcon PG 13

12:25 | 2:20 | 4:15 | 6:10 | 8:05 | 10:00 LFS

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EDGEDAVAO

EVENT

A showcase...FFROM A1 Exhibit at the Atrium of SM Lanang Premier last March 7 and 8.

Showcasing the projects made by the engineering and architecture students, the exhibit opens the school’s doors to the public and teases exhibit-goers to new ideas, designs, solutions and concepts that the students of Ateneo de Davao propose for the various industries and society as a whole.

I loved the idea of recycling PVC and turning them into outdoor paving blocks as well as the many technical innovations of such as a car door locking and unlocking system with the use of one’s mobile phone as well as the idea of harvesting energy based on vibration waves.

The architecture department also pulled the stops when it come to proposed design solutions for many of the city’s needs such as the re-use of Smoky Mountain and turning it into a usable and viable green space, the establishment of a rainwater catchment park to solve the flooding problem of Obrero, and the creation of storm-resistant seaside communities for fisher-folk.

The two-day event also served as a venue for the school to inspire and encourage more young people to chase higher studies, and eventually, careers in the field of engineering and architecture through interaction with the exhibiting students as well as side-events such as the Engineering Quiz Show, a robotics competition and talks from HP, Mobil, and CREATE.

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

EDGEDavao Davao Partners

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 252 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, MARCH 9-10, 2014

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH Judicial Region Branch 15, Davao City

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11th Judicial Region Branch 17, Davao City

IN RE: PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF ENTRIES IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF HANNA F. MADERA, ANGELO F. MADERA AND JOSEPH F. MADERA IN THE CIVIL REGISTRY OF DAVAO CITY, SP. PROC. CASE NO. 12,897-2013

INGILINE FERNANDEZ MADERA, Petitioner Versus The Local Civil Registrar of Davao City, Respondent x------------------------------------------------x ORDER Petitioner Ingiline Fernandez Madera file the instatnt Amended Petition, praying that after due notice, publication and hearing, an Order be issued directing the Local Civil Registrar of Davao City to cause the following corrections of the respective Certificates of Live Birth of the following to wit: (A)HANNA F. MADERA

ERRONEOUS ENTRY TO CORRECT ENTRY Mother’s Name March 10, 1989 December 28, 1998 Order of Birth Third Fourth Total Number of Children born alive 3 4 Total Number of children still living Including this birth 3 4 (B)ANGELO F. MADERA

Mother’s name Date of marriage of parents

(C)MARK JOSEPH F. MADERA Mother’s Name Date of marriage of parents If Muliplebirth, child was

INGELINE March 8, 1991 INJELYN March 15, 1989

INGILINE December 28, 1998 INGILINE December 28, 1998 Second

Finding the Amended Petition to be sufficient in form and substance, set hearing of the Amended Petition on March 17, 2014 at 9:00 o’clock in the morning ordering all interested persons to appear on the said date and show cause, why this Petition should not be granted.

Petitioner is directed to publish this Order, at least once aweek for three (3) consecutive weeks, prior to the date of hearing in a designated qualified newspaper of general circulation, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1079.

Furnish a copy of his Order to the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Davao City, for raffling of the publication.

Given this 22nd day of January, 2014 at Davao City Philippines

(SGD) EVALYN M. ARELLANO-MORALES Presiding Judge

2/24/3/3,10

BENJIE TE MOSOT, Petitioner MIRVAH SARAH SALIGO MOSOT, Co-Petitioner

CLASSIFIED 13 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF DAVAO CITY

SP. PROC. NO. 12, 936-14

FOR: PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF ENTTRIES IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH -VERSUS-

THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF DAVAO CITY Respondent x---------------------------------------------------------x ORDER

This is a verified petition for correction of various entries in the Certificate of Live Birth of petitioner.

Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the petition shall be heard on March 26, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. at the session hall of this Court, on which date, hour and place, all interested persons are hereby cited to appear and show cause if they have any, why this petition should not be granted.

Let a copy of this Order and Petition be published before e hearing date at the expense of the petitioner in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Davao once a week for (3) three consecutive weeks. Give the Davao City Civil Registrar and the Solicitor General copies of this Order.

SO ORDERED.

Davao City, Philippines, February 10,2014

(SGD) RIDGWAY M. TANJILI Judge 2/24/3/3,10

NATIONAL HOME MORTGAGE FINANCE CORPORATION (NHMFC) Mortgagee, -versusEJF-REM CASE NO. 14, 540-14 NATIVIDAD A. REYES, married to Carlo Danilo E. Reyes Mortgagor/s. x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE

Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by the above-mentioned mortgagee against Natividad A. Reyes married to Carlo Danilo E. Reyes with postal address at EMILY HOMES BLK. 10, LOT 14, CABANTIAN, Davao City, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of September 30, 2013 amounted to Php 995,604.80, Philippine Currency, plus other legal expenses incident to foreclosure and sale; the undersigned Sheriff IV of Regional Trial Court, Davao City; the undersigned will sell at public auction on MARCH 28, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland ,Davao City to the highest bidder for Cash or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property together with all the improvements thereon, to wit: Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-248143

“ A parcel of land (Lot 14, Blk. 10xxx, Pcs-11-002119, xxx) situated at Cabantian ,Davao City Island of Mindanao xxx. Containing an area of ONE HUNDRED FIFTY (150) SQUARE METERS, more or less xxx.”

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

That in the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on APRIL 25, 2014 without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the titles herein described real property/ies and the encumbrances thereon , if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines, February 19, 2014.

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF: (SGD) TERESITA M. CEBALLOS Sheriff IV

Noted by: (SGD) ATTY. EDIPOLO P. SARABIA, JR. Clerk of Court VI & Ex-Officio Provincial Sheriff

2/24/3/3,10

14

SPORTS

FUTILE TRY

VOL. 6 ISSUE 252 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, MARCH 9-10, 2014

P

Chot tried to convince Greg, Marcio

HILIPPINE national men’s basketball coach Chot Reyes made an effort to convince Greg Slaughter and Marcio Lassiter not to withdraw from the pool of players training to represent the country in two international basketball events this year.

The two men announced their withdrawal from the pool on Wednesday, a decision they had told Reyes last Monday.

“Kinausap ako nung dalawa after nung practice on Monday to tell me nga that they were begging off because they didn’t want to take a slot away from anyone of the 12 players na naghirap noong FIBA Asia,” said Reyes.

“So sabi ko naman sa kanila, dalawang bagay: The 12 players told you that they don’t mind, and that’s a fact. OK lang sa ating mga 12 players na may pool. Alam naman nila yun eh.

For them, kung ano lang ang makakabuti sa team.

“And No. 2, sabi ko, the pool is not only for the World Cup. It’s also a pool for the Asian Games.

And for the Asian Games, you are not taking away anybody’s slot. Siyempre labu-labo yan for the Asian Games.”

But Slaughter and Lassiter had more reasons for begging off.

“Sabi ni Greg Slaughter he needs to strengthen his body.

He needs to continue working on his game,” said Reyes.

“Si Marcio yung injury niya from a year and a half ago, kailangan pa daw mag-heal, so I took it at that.”

Naturalized center Marcus Douthit teamed with Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro, Ranidel De Ocampo, and Larry Fonacier of Talk ‘N Text; Jeff Chan and Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine; Japeth Aguilar

GREGZILLA. Greg Slaughter, shown here shooting over Barako Bull’s Dorian Pena last Friday night, has nixed playing for the national team. Nuki Sabio

and LA Tenorio of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel; Gary David of Meralco; June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer; and Marc Pingris of San Mig Coffee to lead the Philippines to a silver medal finish in the FIBA Asia Championship last year.

That feat gave the country a ticket to the FIBA Basketball World Cup in August.

HIGH FLYING. These ladies parlay the exciting volleyball action during yesterday morning''s opening of the 77th Araw ng Davao volleyball tournament at the Philippine Women's College high school gym. The Holy Cross of Davao College went up against Jose Maria College in the first game. (SKIPPY LUMAWAG/SDD-CMO)

Reyes named the 12 players to the pool that will train for that tournament, adding Beau Belga and Paul Lee of Rain or Shine and Jared Dillinger of Meralco along with Lassiter and Slaughter to the selection. Reyes was also hoping to add NBA player Andray Blatche, whose naturalization as a Filipino is underway in

Congress, to the pool.

Apart from the World Cup, the team has been given the go-signal by the PBA to represent the country in the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

Reyes said the loss of Lassiter and Slaughter was a big blow to the program.

“Sayang lang, because I really think that they could have added a lot to the pool. Greg could have added a lot because of his height and Marcio Lassiter a lot of his toughness to the pool, to the team, and for the country,” said Reyes, adding that the loss of the two men narrowed his options for the two upcoming tournaments.

“Mahirap kasi yung sitwasyon namin dahil wala nang pagitan eh, between the FIBA World Cup and the Asian Games. They’re only a few days apart, kaya wala na talagang chance, kailangan ma-desisyunan na agad nang maaga.

That’s the reason why I wanted to have a pool, I wanted to have the luxury of having different lineups sa FIBA World Cup and then have a different lineup sa Asian Games, kaya gusto ko sana mas madami.”

In the end, however, Reyes accepted the decision of Lassiter and Slaughter.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 252 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, MARCH 9-10, 2014 VOL. 6 ISSUE 252 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, MARCH 9-10, 2014

SPORTS 15

FOOTBALL:

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

Petition for Approval of Sale and Transfer of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a FILCAB Ordinary Regular Service.

CLARITO A. QUIÑANOLA. Petitioner-Vendor Case No.2014-XI-00098 (2001-XI-01686) SUSANA C. CELADA, Petitioner-Vendee x- - - - - - - - -- - - -----x

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

by CLARITO A. QUIÑANOLA in favor of SUSANA C. CELADA of a Certificate of Public Convenience with Equipment issued in this case authorizing the operation of a FILCAB Ordinary Regular service on the route ECOLAND SUBDIVISION (SM CITY OF DAVAO) ROUTE with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate is still valid and subsisting up to April 14, 2016.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on MARCH 24, 2014 at 09:40 a.m. at this office at the above address.

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

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

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

WITNESS the Honorable BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional Director, this 26th day of February 2014 at Davao City.

TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ Chief Transporation Development Officer

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

Petition for Renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a PUJ DUAL Ordinary Regular Service MARY ANN MOLINA, Case No.2008-XI-00719 Petitioner x- - - - - - - - -- - - -----x

NOTICE OF HEARING Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PUJ-DUAL Ordinary Regular Service on the route: EL RIO VISTA VILLAGE ROUTE and for cargoes as dual service from said route to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on April 22, 2014.In the petition filed on February 26,2014, petitioner request authority to extend the validity of said certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on MARCH 24, 2014 at 09:40 a.m. at this office at the above address.

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

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

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

WITNESS the Honorable BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional Director, this 26th day of February 2014 at Davao City.

TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ Chief Transportation Development Officer

Building a better world

By ALTHEA SANSON

Z

AMBOANGA City ---Football. To others, it is a mere sport of kicking a ball into goal posts. But for Sharifa Mae Jumar, it was a window of opportunity.

“Malaking tulong po ito para sa akin (This is a big help for me),” she said.

Sharifa is a shy high school student in her fourth year at the Western Mindanao State University and an avid fan of football. Through her passion and through the efforts of the Football For Peace Program (FFP), she has been able to reach milestones she never thought she could reach before.

“Nag start ako maglaro nung second year palang ako sa Jolo (I started playing during my second year in Jolo),” Sharifa explained when asked about her first encounter with the FFP. And from then on, Sharifa became one of the many, including those from poor communities in Sulu, who have had their lives softened by the FFP, which has come a long way from a sports clinic to a powerful instrument in shaping amity among the youth and their communities.

Football for Peace Every great idea has its humble beginnings.

“It all started one afternoon,” began Lt. Colonel Stephen Cabanlet of the Marine Batallion Landing Team 3, “Kame mga football enthusiasts, naglalaro kame, pampalipas oras. (We football enthusiasts were playing to pass the time).”

“That afternoon, may mga batang interesado sa ginagawa namin (there were children who showed interest in the game),” he continued, “So what we did was we

invited them.”

Cabanlet explained that while playing football with the children that afternoon, he saw how these children simply wanted to learn. He realized they needed to teach the children. “Sabi ko, mas magandang mataniman sila ng values. (I said that it’s better to instill values in them).”

They started with simple football clinics in different schools. But they wanted to reach out more. With the help of other Marines, the Philippine Marine Corps Football for Peace was instituted.

More than meets the eye Although it started with football, the program ultimately evolved into a higher form of advocacy and played a part in literacy training in the form of four other sub-programs.

“The FFP is not only for playing football,” Cabanlet articulated. “It has four sub-programs.

First the “Character Development Program” where we teach discipline, values of friendship, sportsmanship and camaraderie.”

“Second is the sports program. We have been invited to join national and hopefully, international, tournaments,“ he added.

Just recently, the FFP concluded a two-day tournament held at the Edwin Andrews Air Base last February 15-16 with over 550 participants.

The third is the educational program, which includes scholarships, educational trips and tutorials for the children, he said. The literacy rate in the region (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) where Sharifa used to study was lagging

behind compared to other regions in the country.

“The last is the mentorship program, Cabanlet said, noting that the program shows children what life is like in the Marine Corps.

“For us marines, our trademark is our being disciplined soldiers. We show them how we live as marines,” he said.

Not just the children The FFP has not only left a mark on the children but also to their families as well.

The students, the children and perhaps the communities involved have become somewhat like family to the marines, said Lt. Caesar Gandeza, a previous director of the program.

“Initially, nakukuha lang namin ang atensyon ng mga bata. After a while, pati na rin yun teachers and parents (Initially, we caught the attention of the children and then the teachers and parents),” he imparted. “Habang tumatagal na nagtuturo kame sa mga bata, minsan yun mga matatanda, mga father nila, ate, kuya, sumasama na rin sila.

Naging malapit yun mga magulang nila sa amin through the children na tinuruan namin. (As we teach the children, their older folk, father, their older sisters and brothers joined along the way.

We became close to the parents of the children we’re teaching).”

When asked how long he could keep up with the FFP, Gandeza responded: “As long as nandito yun passion for football and passion for helping, and there will be children willing to give you their time, ipagpatuloy parin namin to (As long as the passion for football and helping

others remain, and there are children willing to give their time, we will continue this).”

Gandeza believed that his rewarding experience in the program “is not something to boast about but something that makes you happy.”

Hope for the Future Sharifa is currently setting her sights on playing as varsity for Far Eastern University.

When asked if she was ready, she smiled a genuine smile and timidly said “Sana po.”

The road ahead of her is bright and full of promise, all because compassion and soccer started walking hand in hand together. The FFP is set to continue on helping the people Jose Rizal would call the “Pag-asa ng Bayan” (hope of the nation).

Lt. Col. Cabanlet perfectly summarizes the main encouragement of the “Football for Peace Program” with a single statement: “Magkaisa tayo para sa peace and development (Let us unite for peace and development).”

(Althea Sanson/PIO-USAID-ENGAGE) (This article by Althea Sanson, 1st Year Mass Communications student of Western Mindanao State University, was awarded the Best Peace Journalism Story by the Public Information Office of the City Government of Zamboanga and the USAID ENGAGE Project in a recently concluded Peace Journalism Training and Internship, held from February 22 to March 7 in Zamboanga City.

Sanson bested 14 other collegiate students who participated in the internship program.)

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 6 ISSUE 252 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, MARCH 9-10, 2014

Manny goes organic diet

LADIES TAKE OVER. Part of the exciting volleyball action during yesterday morning''s opening of the 77th Araw ng Davao volleyball tournament at the Philippine Women's College high school gym.

The University of Mindanao squared off with San Pedro College in the second match.

(SKIPPY LUMAWAG/SDD-CMO)

G

ENERAL SANTOS CITY – The new strength and conditioning coach of world boxing eight-division champion and Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao is using an organic diet to keep the Pinoy boxing icon’s health in superb, if not perfect, condition.

Cecilio Flores, a Mexican-American strength and conditioning coach of Pacquiao, told Edge Davao “I go for organic.”

This means that Pacquiao’s diet is comprised mainly of natural foods, such as fish, vegetables and meat without chemicals.

Flores arrived here the other week together with Pacquiao’s Hall of Fame trainer and coach Freddie Roach.

Hardly anyone noticed a

low-profile Flores until Roach introduced him to some reporters here.

Flores, whose specialized field is nutrition, worked with the Team Donaire during the latter’s return bout with Vic Darchinyan.

Donaire knocked out Darchinyan in the ninth round during their November rematch last year.

Aside from Donaire, other world boxing champions who hired the services of Flores included WBC Middleweight champ Sergio Martinez, former WBO and WBC Middleweight king Kelly Pavlik, Argentinian WBA Welterweight titleholder Marcos Maidana and International Boxing Federation Featherweight champ Evgeny Gradovich. [By Aquiles Z. Zonio]

Is Boone done?

J

OSH Boone played his first game with the San Miguel Beermen but his supposed replacement Kevin Jones is already on his way to the Philippines.

Boone struggled in the first half with only six points but he came back strong in the second half to finish the game with 16 points and 16 rebounds in 32 minutes to lead the Beermen to a 94-76 win against the Meralco Bolts.

“It was good. The team played well,” Boone said while watching the second game of the night. “Unlike in the practice game, we didn’t have a letdown in the second half and we were able to put them away early. We played really well defensively as we only gave up 76 points. We need to continue to do that because we really pride ourselves with our defense. If we could keep that up, then I really like our chances in this league.”

Boone was whistled for five fouls in the game but he was able to finish it without fouling out.

“They let you get away with a little more here. They’re a little bit more physical,” Boone explained. “I’m starting to get acclimated to the game and every minute I play will make me

better and better.”

Yahoo/Carlo Pamintuan

The coaches and management of the team refused to divulge details on their import situation. They only said that Boone would be their import until they say otherwise.

“I’ll leave personnel movement to management,” said team consultant Todd Purves.

“But Josh Boone was a true professional tonight. He played hard. Until I’m told by management about personnel changes I’m not going to comment on it because it’s very unprofessional and unfair for Josh.”

San Miguel Beer head coach Biboy Ravanes also had good words to say about Boone.

“I would like to commend our import. With everything that has been going on, still naglaro pa rin siya. We really appreciate his professionalism.

Saludo ako sa attitude niya.”

Jones, who last played for the Canton Charge in the NBA D-League, tweeted that he was heading to the Philippines.

He averaged 16.9 points and eight rebounds per contest.

Last year, he played with the Cleveland Cavaliers where he normed a three points in only 32 games played.