Edge Davao 7 Isssue 08

VOL. 7 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

CARE FREE. An elementary student celebrates the last day of school and welcomes the official start of the summer season at the fountain area of Abreeza Mall along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City yesterday.

Lean Daval Jr.

COMBINED FORCE FORMED

Group tasked to check all points of entry of drugs in Davao City

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

A joint force from different law enforcement agencies in Davao City has been formed into a task group to check the possible entry of illegal drugs into the city.

Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Director Vicente Danao Jr. told reporters in yesterday’s ‘Pulong-Pulong ni Pulong’ at the councilors’ lounge of the Sangguniang Panlungsod that Cocaine 2014 Task Group is composed of members of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Bureau of Customs (BOC) and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

Danao said that the group is mandated not just to investigate the discovery of bricks of cocaine inside the container yard of Sumifro in Tibungco last Saturday but also to guard all points of entry in the city.

“Hindi lang sa port kundi by land, by air and by sea. Kasi just imagine na kahit isang kilo lang po ang intended dito napakalaking effect po yan sa atin,”Danao said.

Danao added that they would also recommend to the Customs Police to

FCOMBINED, 10

FIXED WAGE. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte conducts a dialogue with taxi drivers and operators who opposed his proposal for a fix wage among taxi drivers. Lean Daval Jr.

2

EDGEDAVAO

THE BIG NEWS Another brick of cocaine recovered L

AW enforcers in Davao City yesterday morning recovered another brick of cocaine which was allegedly taken by the people of Sumifro container yard.

Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Sr. Supt. Vicente Danao Jr. said in an interview over TV Southern Mindanao of ABS-CBN that the cocaine was already in the custody of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agen-

cy (PDEA) 11.

In a report, the cocaine which was found within the premises was turned over by the security officer of Sumifro to the operatives.

Danao received a text message from an informant who would turn over another brick of cocaine at around 3:30 p.m. yesterday.

“Hopefully, ma turn over dayon ni para 11 na

VOL. 7 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

FANOTHER, 10

Franklin Baker Co. eyeing expansion Paquibato residents rap

By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

F

RANKLIN Baker Co. Of the Philippines, an international firm producing desiccated coconut is expanding its line of products.

From its flagship product which is desiccated coconut, the company is now planning to produce coco flour, coco water and organic virgin coconut oil (VCO) for export to the

United States and other countries.

“The installation of equipment for the production of coco water, coco flour and VCO is still ongoing,” Edgardo Buligan, corporate human resource manager for the company said.

The industrial ingredient producer will be

FFRANKLIN, 10

PREFERRED DESTINATION. Department of Tourism (DOT) Assistant Secretary Arturo Boncato says during iTalk media forum at Seda Hotel yesterday that Davao City is still the leading tourist destination in the region while the Island Garden City of Samal is the preferred tourist’s hideaway. Lean Daval Jr.

‘harassment’ by military

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

R

ESIDENTS of barangay Lumiad in Paquibato district have asked the Davao City council to investigate alleged harassment by the military in the area.

Barangay Captian Celso

Bughao appeared during the council’s regular session yesterday to ask the committee on civil, political and human rights headed by councilor Karlo S. Bello to probe the alleged forcible signing of waiver made by

Health Forum with renowned Guangzhou doc set Thursday

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

D

njb@edgedavao.net

R. Xiaochi Peng of the renowned Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou will be in Davao City on Thursday as the main speaker of a Health Forum at the Grand Men Seng Hotel.

Dr. Peng, the prominent Chief Oncologist of Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou, will talk extensively on the topic “Minimally Invasive Therapy: New Choices for Cancer Treatment.”

The much-anticipated talk will highlight the forum beginning 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

The Health Forum is open to all medical practitioners, cancer patients, students, teachers and other professionals. Admission to the forum is free. Patients especially those with medical records with them, may avail of a free check up also on Thursday.

DR. XIAOCHI PENG Dr. Peng will be joined by doctors who will be on hand for consulting patients.

Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou is famous for being a comprehensive modern hospital specializing in oncotherapy and operating under the auspices of the Chinese government and Ministry of Health.

The rapid development of China has attracted attention from all over the world.

Chinese medical treatment has been one of the beneficiaries of this development, with Mod-

ern Hospital Guangzhou as a model 21st century health care facility.

The Tumor Consultant Center in Modern Hospital is composed of outstanding cancer specialists who share their expertise through group consultations. This team approach to treatment ensures that every patient benefits from a comprehensive effective therapeutic regimen designed not by a single physician but rather by the finest doctors in their field.

The Tumor Consultant Center in Modern Hospital provides patients with the most advanced tumor treatment facilities and equipment.

This allows the hospital to utilize a new therapeutic model of “minimally invasive energy accumulation target and traditional Chinese and western combined med-

ication.”

This therapeutic approach is safer than traditional therapeutic models. It more directly and effectively destroys tumors while being less harmful to the body. The superior cancer treatment afforded patients at Modern Hospital has attracted membership in the Europe China Commercial Union (ECCU) and the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association Director Unit.

With top medical experts and advanced medical treatment techniques, Modern Hospital provides unsurpassed oncotherapy and welcomes patients and their accompanying relatives from all over the world.

It is committed to maximizing the prospects for recovery and restoring patients to good health as safely and as quickly as possible.

soldiers of theb69th Infantry Battalion to the residents.

Bughao said that the soldiers made a ‘house to house’ campaign in three puroks of his barangay.

Then, one of his barangay

tanod was asked to sign the waiver but aside from signing the military allegedly searched his body looking for any mark such as tattoo and scars that could prove his identity.

FPAQUIBATO, 10

Tourism workers off to SEA destinations in 2015

T

he Department of Tourism is planning to start the deployment by next year of tourism workers to key areas in Southeast Asia as part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) economic integration initiatives.

Arturo Boncato Jr., DOT assistant secretary for Mindanao operations, said they have laid out various measures to fast-track the accreditation or certification and assessment of tourism workers in connection with implementation in 2015 of the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Tourism Professionals.

The agreement, a significant component in the ASEAN economic community’s integration efforts, will mainly allow the free movement of tourism professionals within the region starting next year.

Boncato said the agency has tapped the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority as the main certifying body for tourism workers who take part in the program.

He said the DOT has

partnered with the Tourism Congress of the Philippines, a private sector consultative body, for the assessment of tourism-related training institutions in the country.

“All these are already in place so hopefully by 2015, we can be able to already certify some workers who can be sent to the nine countries,” he said.

He was referring to the nine other members-countries of the 10-nation ASEAN, which comprises the Philippines, Myammar, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore, Laos and Brunei Darussalam.

Under the arrangement, the official said ASEAN will establish a secretariat or a central body that would process the manpower needs of its member-countries.

He said countries needing workers will have to relay their requirements to the secretariat, which will then coordinate with other member-countries and process the deployment of the workers.

Owing to this, Boncato

FTOURISM, 10

NEWS 3

VOL. 7 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

GOV’T PROJECT. Workers are seen piling up stones used as foundation for the concrete dike walls in Doña Pilar Village Sasa, Davao City yesterday. The 160-meter concrete dike project is being implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways. Lean Daval Jr.

Expect 700 college grads to work in summer jobs

By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

S

OME 700 college graduates are expected to be employed under the government internship program (GIP) in the region, an official of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in region 11 said.

GIP will employ young graduates in government service .

“The program is intended for our young graduates from poor families,” DOLE 11 regional director Joffrey M. Suyao said, adding that

the program aims to give a chance fresh graduatesto be employed have work experience applying in companies.

“Most companies require their applicants to have work experience,” Suyao said. According to him, this is a common problem for young people after earning a degree in college.

Under the program, selected graduates will be employed for about three to four months, depending on the schedule mandated to

the labor agency.

Suyao, in a press conference last Monday at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao said that beneficiaries of the program will be receiving 75 percent of the daily minimum wage or P226 of the P301 daily wage.

“We are encouraging young graduates to apply at various government agencies in their locality,” he said.

Sherwin Manual, information officer for DOLE 11 said that the program will

“This agreement is the latest in our long history of close and friendly relations towards more meaningful development cooperation,” said Balisacan, who is also NEDA Director-General.

Programs and projects of the grant extension are outlined in the Philippines-Spain Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Development Cooperation 20142017, focusing on good governance and the rule of law, and disaster risk reduction and management.

“We are honored that the Philippines is the only priority country

in Asia under the Master Plan of Spanish Cooperation 2013-2016. We also appreciate the consultative approach taken by the Spanish Government in the crafting of the CPF. This approach reinforces Philippine ownership of the priorities of our cooperation in line with the Philippine Development Plan 2011 –2016,” said Balisacan.

The fund for this development cooperation will be coursed through the country’s national government agencies, multilateral cooperation through United Nations agencies, and cooperation through partnership

be implemented during the second quarter of the year.

Manual, speaking in Monday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex said that graduates who are interested to avail of the GIP are encouraged to take the Civil Service Examination (CSE).

“Mas okay kung CS passers sila, so that after three month dagkong posibilidad na makakita sila ng employment sulod sa gobyerno,” Manual added.

Councilors defend rights of dismissed employees

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T

abf@edgedavao.net

HE Davao City council yesterday passed a resolution requesting the Senate and House of Representatives to propose a law that would prohibit or regulate the publication of pictures, names and other circumstances of dismissed employees.

The 17th city council approved the resolution requesting Senator Benigno A. Aquino IV and Rep. Silvestre H. Bello III to study the possibility of proposing a law that shall prohibit or.

if not applicable, regulate the publication of the pictures, names and other circumstances of employees dismissed from work and ensure thatvthe dismissal of an employee is final and executory and the basis for publication is just, convincing, and absolutely necessary.

Councilor Karlo S. Bello, chairman of the committee on civil, political and human rights said in yesterday’s session that the resolution

FCOUNCIL, 10

Local MNLF leader vows Spain, PHL sign 4-year extension partnership to refuse honoring CAB

T

HE governments of Spain and the Philippines signed a four-year extension of development partnership with a EUR50 million grant allocation from 2014 until 2017, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan and Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation José Manuel García-Margallo yesterday signed the Statement of the VI Philippines-Spain Joint Commission on Development Cooperation at The Peninsula Manila Hotel, Makati City.

of Spanish and Filipino non-government organizations. Additional funds for financial cooperation and program-based aid will also be considered.

The signing of the statement also came after the Philippines– Spain Joint Commission for Technical Cooperation Meeting convened in NEDA sa Makati. The meeting was co-chaired

by NEDA Deputy Director-General for Investment Programming Rolando G. Tungpalan and Head of Spain’s Development Department Cooperation with the Arab World and Asia Mr. Antonio Gonzalez-Zavala.

O

NE day before the formal signing of the Comprehensive Agreement of the Bangsamoro (CAB) in Malacañang, a leader of the Moro National Liberation Font in Davao City said that the group will not honor nor respect the peace pact.

“Kanang ilang signing karong Thursday, we will not respect it tungod kay wala mi gikunsolta ana,” Rolando Ulamit, chairman for MNLF- Davao City said in a report by ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol Southern Mindanao yesterday.

“We are being stabbed in the back of our heart.

Giaggrevate nila ang MNLF. Gitamakan nila ang peace

agreement with MNLF [with the Government of the Philippines],” Ulamit said.

It can be recalled that the MNLF signed a final truce with the Philippine government on September 2, 1996.

In a report from Philippine Star, the MNLF “rejected proposals to converge with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in its crafting of a final peace accord with government.

Ulamit said that the signing of the CAB which will be attended by more than 500 representatives from MILF will trigger tension between the military

FLOCAL, 10

4 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

GENERAL SANTOS CITY

Consultation set on possible wage increase T

HE Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) of Region 12 will hold a public consultation here next month to determine the possibility of implementing another adjustment in the daily minimum wages of private workers in the region.

Jessie dela Cruz, RTWPB Region 12 secretary, said Tuesday they decided to hold a consultation on April 28 to know whether there are supervening conditions that would justify the passage of a new wage order.

“We will look into the region’s socio-economic condition and assess the situation of our workers and their employers,” he said in a radio interview.

He said the results of the consultation will serve as basis for the board in deciding whether a new wage increase or adjustment is necessary at this time.

Dela Cruz clarified the

TAGUM CITY

board has not received any petition so far for a wage increase from any of the organized labor groups in the region but the board is exercising its mandate to act motu propio on the matter.

He said that under the law, regional wage boards are allowed to assess and pass new wage orders on its own or even in the absence of any petition, especially if there are supervening conditions.

The supervening conditions could be an extraordinary increase in prices of petroleum products, basic goods and services, he said.

Private workers in the region initially received an additional cost-of-living allowance or cola of P6 to P8 starting April 2012 as provided for in Wage Order XII-17.

It set an additional cola of P4 to P6 for the second tranche starting December 1, 2012.

Region 12, also called

GROUNDBREAKING. Miracle Life Church-Gensan has recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new structure graced by (from left to right) Ptr. Joey Gabac, Ptr. Doming Ysip, Rev. Arne Wood, Bishop Ping Alba, Rev. Larry Mackay, Rev. Baltazar Pascua, Dodong Sabarita, Ptr. Jarry Cortez, Ptr. Jerry Sudio and Mario Fuentes. the Soccsksargen region, comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and

North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

Non-agriculture workers in the region presently receive a minimum daily pay of P270 while agri-

culture plantation and non-plantation workers get P248 and P243, respectively. [MindaNews]

COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE

aims to be one of Davao LGU holds gender and dev’t awareness confab ComVal Region’s cacao top producers T T HE Tagum City Gender and Development (GAD) Council has been taking concrete steps towards the integration of gender and development that is crucial in the development process of the city.

As such, a three-day seminar on gender and development was held at Big 8 Corporate Hotel last March 19-21, 2014 which aims to promote gender equality and empowering women, analyzing the women’s con-

tribution within the context of work done in the household and outside their respective communities.

The participants coming from different sectors in the city headed by Chairperson GAD Council Hon. Allan L. Rellon, Co-Chairperson Hon. Geterito Gementiza, Vice Chairperson Atty. Eva Loraine Estabillo, head secretariat Ms. Anthonette J. Leones, the members from City Prosecutor’s Office, City Health

COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE

Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office, Philippine National Police, WCPDO, City Legal Office, Women Organizations, Senior Citizens Group and Barangay Captains.

Different topics were discussed which include the difference of Gender and Sex, Sexual Basic Gender Concepts and Issues, Using Non-Sexist or Gender Fair Language, Manifestations of Gender bias, Reproductive and Sexual

Rights-Violence Against Women and Children and HIV, STI, and AIDS and other issues related in the development.

The GAD Council also produced the Gender and Awareness Module, which will serve as a focal point in expanding knowledge of Tagumeños on GAD in the 23 barangays, following the goal of eradicating explicit and implicit potential gender bias. [Gleiza Delgado/CIO Tagum]

Zamora bats for higher social pension for senior citizens

I

N view of the immediate need to increase the purchasing power of indigent senior citizens, Rep. Maria Carmen Zamora recently lent her support as one of the authors of House Bill No. 3731 entitled, “An Act Increasing and Expanding the Coverage of the Monthly Stipend of Indigent Senior Citizens, Amending for the Purpose RA No. 7432, As Amended, Otherwise Known as the “Expanded Senior Citizen’s Act of 2010.”

The bill is principally

authored by Davao del Norte Representative Anthony G. del Rosario.

“Under the Expanded Senior Citizen’s Act of 2010, our qualified indigent senior citizens are entitled to receive a monthly stipend of Five Hundred Pesos (P500).

With the skyrocketing prices of basic commodities, especially medicines which are badly needed by many of our elderly, this amount is very minimal. It is necessary that the social pension be adjusted to One Thou-

sand Pesos (P1,000) in accordance with the rising standard of living, hence, the need for the bill’s passage,” Rep. Zamora said.

Apart from increasing the monthly social pension of senior citizens, the bill also provides for the lowering of the age of coverage from seventy-seven (77) years old and above, to seventy (70) years old and above.

“Considering the lifespan of Filipinos, the age requirement of 77 years and

above is not reasonable.

With the lowering of the age of coverage, a greater number of our elderly population will be able to enjoy the benefits of the social pension as they go off into their twilight years,” the ComVal lawmaker added.

“The passage of the proposed measure is not only consistent with the State’s obligation to prioritize the needs of our elderly, but also to do so through just programs of social security,” Rep. Zamora also said.

HE Compostela Valley Province includes cacao production in its farming concentration not just to recover from the mess done by typhoon Pablo but to boost up also its agriculture industry.

Governor Arturo T. Uy is grateful for the assistance provided by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and other industry program partners.

Recently, a ceremonial turn-over of 33,000 hills of cacao from Cacao Industry Development Association in Mindanao, Inc. through its Managing Director, Val Turtur was done at the Capitol Lobby on March 24, 2014.

It was happily received by the provincial government lead by Governor Arturo T. Uy, Provincial Administrator Virgilia S. Allones, Committee on Agriculture Chairman & SP Member Macario T. Humol, and Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Rolando S. Simene.

According to Mr. Turtur, the cacao seedlings are intended for the Barangays of Nabunturan, Montevista, Monkayo, Compostela, and New Bataan. There will be designated training sites with community-based Nursery.

The program

which aims for a sustainable production is packaged with a training component for the farmers and a guarantee that their produce would certainly has a market to go to.

Governor Uy happily shared that the province has been encouraging the farmers to deal on cacao production because the demand is increasing since it is a growing industry. Also, big chocolate producers who visited ComVal find the lands of the province very much potential of raising quality cacao which would be very competitive in the market. Hopefully, the province in the next few years will be one of the top cacao producers in Region XI. Other municipalities also received cacao seedlings earlier from the PLGU, DA, and other program partners like Department of National Defese (DND) through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) under the program “Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan” or PAMANA. [GRACE ALMEDILLA, IDS-COMVAL]

5 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

LGUs, contractors urged to fast track MRDP subprojects T

HE Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) is set to fast track the completion of rural infrastructure projects by June this year with the Program expected to end by December 2014.

“As MRDP implementation is nearing its homestretch, we urge all contractors and concern LGUs to fast track project construction and must ensure that it will be completed before June 2014,” said DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala during the kick-off meeting of the World Bank Implementation Support Mission meeting last week.

“We are also reminding LGUs and contractors engaged in the program of their commitment to finish the project on the agreed timeline otherwise they should complete the remaining works at their own expense,” Alcala added.

Contractors that have pending engagements with MRDP will not be allowed

to participate in upcoming projects under the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP), which is expected to commence this year once MRDP ends.

“They (contractors) have to ensure the project is 100% completed before they can enter into another contract with PRDP. This will be an outstanding requirement,” said Carolina Figueroa-Geron, World Bank Lead Rural Development Specialist and PRDP Task Team Leader.

The PRDP is the upscale version of MRDP where focus is geared towards an inclusive, value-chain oriented and climate-resilient agriculture and fisheries sector.

A total of Php4.51 billionworth of rural infrastructure subprojects have been completed in various provinces in Mindanao.

This consists of farm-tomarket roads, single-lane bridges, the construction and rehabilitation of com-

MRDP REVIEW. Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala briefs the Davao media on the accomplishments of the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) during yesterday’s 11th World Bank Review Mission in Davao City. MRDP posted 85.81 percent physical accomplishment and is set to complete the various rural infrastructure subprojects by June 2014. Also seated are MRDP Program Director Lealyn Ramos, PRDP Deputy Program Director Arnel De Mesa, World Bank PRDP Task Team Leader Carolina Figueroa-Geron and World Bank MRDP Task Team Leader Joey Virtucio. The group also discussed updates on the Philippine Rural Development Program. [Photo by LutzieOdtojan] munal irrigation facilities, potable water supply (PWS) systems and postharvest facilities.

“The rural infrastructure component is a priority intervention of MRDP because this enhances the productivity of our farmlands and instrumental in linking our farmers to the

markets where we can sell their produce,” said MRDP Program Director LealynRamos.

Ramos added that the partnership with the local government units is critical in the completion of MRDP projects as they act as lead implementers.

Currently, actions are

being taken to address materials quality issues in some of the RI subprojects.

Quality assessments are also scheduled to address various implementation issues of ongoing subprojects.

The MRDP is also conducting revalidation of subprojects that are potential

candidates for termination.

“If contractors do not comply with quality assurance standards and specifications even after attempts to correct the erroneous measures in implementation, the subproject will subject for termination,” Ramos said. [Jay Rosas/DAMRDP]

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 2006=100 14.

Headline Inflation Rate

135.2 Oct2.62013

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

Sep 2013

13. Consumer Index Price Index 2006=100

Apr 2013

14. 2006=100 Headline Inflation Rate 15.

Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

2.9 Oct3.12013

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

It figures

VOL. 7 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

Labor-compliant firms lauded L

ABOR laws may be rigid, but those who abide by it are awarded.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) lauds 13 establishments in Davao region which have shown commitment and exemplary adherence to labor laws and standards as they bat to maintain industrial peace, enterprise stability and competitiveness.

As part of DOLE’s Incentivizing Compliance Program, it conferred the Tripartite Certificate of Compliance with Labor Standards (TCCLS) to various industries in the region ranging from agriculture to mining to manufacturing to academe and even cooperative.

Among the establishment issued TCCLS in 2013 and conferred recently during the DOLE’s 6th Social Partnership Event included Apex Mining Co, Inc. (mining industry); Carmen Corrugated Containers (manufacturing); Craft International Services, Inc. (Port services); Davao Doctors’ Hospital (Health Care); Dole-Stanfilco Valley Zone (agriculture); Immaculate Heart of Mary (academe) and Interbev Philippines, Inc. (manufacturing/distribution).

The awardees also included the MAGSIGE Multipurpose Cooperative (cooperative/service pro-

SOLAR DRYER. Lanex Mamadale dries his harvested corn at a solar dryer at Barangay Lion, Datu Piang in Maguindanao province on March 24, 2014. According to him, the price of dried corn in Datu Piang is 13 pesos a kilo. [MindaNews photo by Toto Lozano] vider); Mindanao Integrated Logistics Services, Inc. (logistics and stevedoring); Stanfilco-Plastic Plant (manufacturing); Stanfilco-Vapor Heat Treatment Facility (fresh fruit processing); Therma Marine, Inc. (power generation) and Unifrutti Philippines, Inc. (Support group services).

DOLE regional director Joffrey M. Suyao said

the TCCLS recognition came after tripartite audit process, on-site validation, and assessment by the members of the Regional Tripartite Industry Peace Council (RTIPC).

“The TCCLS recognition, one of DOLE’s reform measure instated in 2012, lauds the companies that voluntarily show commitment and exemplary adherence to the provisions

on General Labor Standards, Occupational Safety and Health Standards, the Child Labor Law under Republic Act 9231, industrial peace, enterprise stability and competitiveness,” Suyao said.

The TCCLS certificate is a requirement to qualify for the National Productivity Olympics, Gawad Kaligtasan at Kalusugan (GKK), and

Child Labor-Free Establishment (CLFE) awards.

It is a basic prequalification requirement to the DOLE Secretary’s Labor Law Compliance Award and the Tripartite Seal of Excellence (TSE), the highest award given by the Department.

The DOLE-Davao has awarded 13 TCCLS in 2012 and another 13 TCCLS last year.

od reached US$5.8 billion, up by 21.8 percent from US$4.7 billion in January 2013. Total trade-ingoods deficit widened to US$1.4 billion in January 2014 from US$716.3 million in January 2013.

“Raw materials and intermediate goods and mineral fuels and lubricants largely contributed to the robust import growth during the month,” the NEDA Director-General said.

Import of raw materials and intermediate goods reached US$2.2 billion in January 2014,

up by 27.3 percent from US$1.8 billion in January 2013. This was due to increased payments of semi-processed goods that grew by 37.5 percent during the period.

“This positive performance may be reflective of the optimistic outlook of businesses on their own operations as their next quarter outlook index (2nd Quarter of 2014) is higher,” said Balisacan.

This outlook, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ Business Expectation Survey for the

first quarter of 2014, was based on new construction projects, both public and private, boosted by rehabilitation efforts from Typhoon Yolanda.

Also contributing to the outlook are the brisk business prospects arising from companies’ competitive marketing strategies.

Meanwhile, imports of consumer goods also expanded in January 2014, growing by 23.2 percent to US$766.9 million from US$622.4 million in January 2013.

Also, capital goods grew

by 7.9 percent to US$1.5 billion in January 2014 from US$1.4 billion a year ago.

In terms of imports source, the People’s Republic of China was on top with a 14.7 percent share, equivalent to US$844 million. Second was the United States of America with a 10.6 percent share, followed

by South Korea (8.7%), Taiwan (7.5%), France (6.3%), Japan (6.2%), Saudi Arabia (6.2%), Singapore (5.7%), Thailand (5.3%), and Indonesia (4.5%).

Imports growth recovers in January 2014 M

ERCHANDISE imports grew by 21.8 percent in January 2014 recovering after a slow performance in full-year 2013, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

“The three-month moving average growth in January 2014 suggests that imports could be trending upwards in line with the expected recovery in exports,” said Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan.

Payments for imported goods during the peri-

P600 million

Amount the Department of Budget and Management released for the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), the administration’s information technology system to integrate all public financial management processes. This is in line with the Aquino administration’s transparency and accountability agenda.

$2.002 billion

Remittances from overseas Filipino workers in January 2014, an increase of 6.8% from January 2013’s $1.874 billion.

P73 million

Amount the Department of Social Welfare and Development released as of March 19, 2014, to nine local government units in Eastern Visayas for the continuing implementation of the cash-for-work program for Typhoon Yolanda survivors in the region.

7 ENVIRONMENT

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 The impact of global warming on crop yields is a critical issue for this IPCC report.

Dissent among scientists over key climate impacts report S

ENIOR scientists and government officials are meeting in Japan to discuss a critical report on the impacts of global warming.

Members of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will publish their first update on the scale of the threat in seven years.

Leaked documents speak of significant impacts on economies, food supplies and security.

But some attendees say the summary, due out next Monday, is far too alarmist.

This will be the second of a trilogy of reports on the causes, effects and solutions to climate change, from a body made up of some of the leading researchers in the world.

Long-term perspective Last September in Stockholm, they produced a summary on the physical science of climate change, arguing that it was real, and humans were the “dominant cause”.

Now in Yokohama, the second IPCC working group will set out the impacts that rising temperatures will have on humans, animals and ecosystems over the next century.

The scientists and government officials will agree on the exact wording of the final summary

over the next few days, with publication coming early next Monday, UK time.

The summary is a short, dense document that sums up the findings of 30 underlying chapters, each made up of detailed assessments of relevant research that has been published since 2007.

A leaked draft of the summary, seen by the BBC, points to a range of negative effects that will in some instances, be “irreversible”.

Millions of people living in coastal areas in Asia will be affected by flooding, and displaced due to land loss.

The draft says that crop yields around the world will decline by up to 2% per decade for the rest of the century.

If the world warms by 4C towards the end of this century, this will pose a “significant risk to food security even with adaptation”.

The summary says that in the near term, at levels of warming that scientists say we are already committed to, there is a very high risk to Arctic sea ice and coral reefs.

They warn that the oceans will become more acidic as they warm, and species will move towards the poles to escape the heat.

The researchers say that in this report they

have been able to call on a broader range of observations. Instead of just adding up all the impacts saying that together they suggest an influence of climate change, they have been able to look at individual events.

“We’ve reached the stage where we can go impact by impact, and say is there an influence of climate change?” Dr Chris Field, co-chair of Working Group II told BBC News.

“We don’t see it with every one but we do see it with a lot. It’s a real difference. Before it was a very general concept, now it is much more specific.”

But some researchers are decidedly unhappy with the draft report.

Prof Richard Tol is an economist at the University of Sussex, who has been the convening lead author of the chapter on economics.

He was involved in drafting the summary but has now asked for his name to be removed from the document.

“The message in the first draft was that through adaptation and clever development these were manageable risks, but it did require we get our act together,” he told BBC News.

“This has completely disappeared from the draft now, which is all about the impacts of climate change and the four horsemen of the apoca-

lypse. This is a missed opportunity.”

Critics say that some aspects of the projected impacts are “alarmist”, such as the effects on conflict and migration caused by climate change.

“You have a very silly statement in the draft summary that says that people who live in wartorn countries are more vulnerable to climate change, which is undoubtedly true,” said Prof Tol. “But if you ask people in Syria whether they are more concerned with chemical weapons or climate change, I think they would pick chemical weapons - that is just silliness.”

The assertions that the summary for policymakers is too alarmist has been countered by Dr Arthur Petersen, the chief scientist at the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, who is representing his government in Yokohama.

He said that this working group had to anticipate all the challenges that might arise from a warming world.

“Working group I (the physical sciences) doesn’t want to sound alarmist.

In working group II, they don’t want to chance not having spotted a particular risk so they have a bias in the other direction,” he said.

“In this report, they are more honest and open

that they have a risk orientation because they do focus more on the risks than the opportunities.”

The report is shaping up to be more nuanced, with far more emphasis on adaptation than the last one in 2007.

According to many familiar with the text, it is about managing the risk

rather than waiting to see if things get worse.

“We are going to frame the issue of climate change as more of a distributional issue,” said Dr Petersen.

“It’s not doom and gloom but an additional stress on countries that are already severely stressed.” [BBC]

AT A GLANCE

The previous report on climate impacts released by the IPCC is been remembered for two significant errors that damaged its credibility.

The first concerned the disappearance of glaciers in the Himalayas, which the IPCC erroneously said could happen by 2035.

The second was a statement that over half the Netherlands lies below sea level; the more accurate figure is 26%.

Dutch scientist Arthur Petersen says that this new summary has been put “under the microscope” to avoid such errors.

There are now spreadsheets for every number in referenced in the report’s underlying chapters.

8

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

VOL. 7 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

EDITORIAL

Enforcement synergy

A

DESIRABLE thing has happened as a result of the sensational discovery of some P300-million worth of cocaine bricks inside an innocent-looking container van in the Sumifru (a Sumitomo fruit company) private wharf in Tibungco, barangay 22 kilometers away from City Hall and coincidentally less than two kilometers away from barangay Ilang, site of another sensational event a few weeks ago, the drug tiyangge bust, wherein many suspected drug pushers perished. The well-publicized cocaine incident last week opened the eyes of the lawmen from various police agencies to the importance of putting their act together. They have formed a task force whose primary job is to guard all the entry points of the city against the transhipment of prohibited drugs through the use of the government and private ports, and the long and largely unguarded coastal stretch of the Davao Region.

Of course, the initiative comes from no less than Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, the man who always has a handle of things having to do with law and order in our city for decades now.

The waterfront, even the airport, is being guarded by a surfeit of law enforcement agencies. Aside from the local

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police, there are the Philippine Ports Authority and the Bureau of Customs, both of which have police units, the highly specialized Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the highly ubiquitous National Bureau of Investigation, not to mention the Maritime Police, the Philippine Navy and the all-embracing Armed Forces of the Philippines.

One doesn’t have to be a police expert to know how advantageous it is if these agencies will be united in fighting not just drug trafficking but all other criminal activities in the ports. Indeed, such a synergy could do wonders.

Of course, the usual spoiler is turf war, and turf wars are usually spawned by corruption in the agencies. It is the fight over dirty money among corrupt agencies that could render all of them inutile in so far as law enforcement is concerned, as indeed, they will be busy scheming against each other rather than doing their mandated jobs.

However, with the management style, political will and strong-willed leadership of Mayor Rody, we trust that nothing of this sort will ever happen. Instead, we can expect some real sensational developments to unfold.

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

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EDGEDAVAO

C

VOL. 7 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

Drugs transshipment point

ITY’S LIGHTLY-GUARDED AND MONITORED SEAPORTS – The seizure of illegal drugs in a private wharf in Davao City may have exposed an international drug syndicate’s stealth operation by making the city as one of its transshipment points in the country.

During the weekend a composite team of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority (PDEA), Davao City Police Office (DCPO) and other law enforcement units recovered 51 square package of high-grade cocaine in one of the reefer container vans of a big shipping company.

The alarming find actually was unintentional when the double wall of the van accidentally collapsed exposing the contrabands worth more than P300 million. A staff of a banana exporting firm where the van supposedly will be loaded with bananas immediately notified authorities of the incident.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who rushed to the area was fuming upon learning that there are still 13 bricks missing. The irked mayor immediately instructed probers to investigate some personnel of the banana firm and reminded those who may have in their position the unrecovered stuff to turn over to authorities otherwise face the grim consequences.

After three days authorities remained clueless as to how the illegal drugs gained entry into the city’s seaport. Would it mean that the stretches of our sea frontiers are lightly monitored and guarded, and thus safe for drug dealers who had the reasons to ship their goods undetected into the city? Nonetheless the catch was at least as important as to the identity of the suspects.

The startling recovery of a big volume of high-grade cocaine suggests a long-term and well-planned operation by an international drug syndicate to make the city a

I

transshipment location for their global market. The “hot items” found in the reefer container van supposedly are bound for South Korea and fired up investigation for the faceless shipper’s identity.

Apart from the investigation conducted by the PDEA and city police, the Bureau of Customs (BoC) likewise is tracing the origin of the cocaine-bearing van. Also a Task Force group was formed to conduct a no non-sense probe surrounding the safe entry of the drugs into the city’s seaport. But always remember gentlemen, “too many cooks oftentimes spoiled the broth.”

Not everyone is convinced it was the first time that several millions worth of illegal drugs have slipped into the city. It’s about four years since authorities intercepted and confiscated at least 16 kilograms of high-grade cocaine in one of the reefer container vans of the same shipping company. That was in 2009 and a year after illegal drug charges have been filed before the City Prosecutor’s Office (CPO) against some officers and staff of the shipping firm for trying to conceal some bricks recovered inside their compound.

They were charged with violations of the R.A. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002. But since then nothing has been heard about the case probably prompting the drug dealers to continue their illegal but highly profitable trade.

What worries Mayor Duterte and the po-

lice right now was the missing hot stuff that perhaps was taken out by some curious personnel of the banana firm. The main problem is if the high-priced drugs will reach the mainstream.

The unnoticed entry of illegal drugs into the city’s seaports is a central focus in all this. The Mayor firmly believes that more container vans are used to ship illegal drugs into the city and elsewhere in the country. He also has the belief that the drug rings are using the city and other bustling ports as transshipment point towards other countries.

Members of the well-entrenched drug syndicates should be the focus of a manhunt nearly on the same scale of the searches for foreign nationals involved in the drug trade and were captured recently in several areas in Metro Manila. Meanwhile authorities say they are still clueless and have no firm idea where the syndicate members are, but they suspect that these people have maintained an “unholy alliance” with local clones.

It is therefore difficult for authorities to identify the suspects and the location of some hidden illegal drugs given the big number of container vans in both public and private ports in the city. The only way to capture the culprits is laid out a trap, but then again it is like dropping seeds for the chicken, saying, “come, come and the catching it.”

Experts estimate that a square package of high-grade cocaine is about 1.082 kilograms and worth not less than P5 million. You can just imagine why the illicit business is thriving and given the tremendous profit and strong demand for drugs, there’s no way the daring drug dealers would stop their operations even to the extent of losing their lives. That’s how this endeavor works.

People Power: The Barangay Assembly

DEALLY, beginning Saturday, March 29, when the Barangay Assembly convenes nationwide, People Power should awaken in every community. It is the surest way to energize the development of the immediate community, which is the locus of our republic’s primary government.

Since 1992, when barangays first became full-fledged governments as well as public corporations and an economy in their own right, the law has hardly been observed with respect to the role of the people in their own community.

Local officials and the higher-ups have distorted the letter and spirit of the law that ennobled the people’s role, function, and essentiality in the barangay’s operations, especially in the Barangay Assembly. Result: there is power failure at the primary level of our republic.

Barangaynons do not have an effective voice in their own community, not even its knowledgeable citizens--they do not influence the direction of politics or the behavior of democracy in their immediate surroundings. And the irony is, they make the loudest noises at upper levels and on national media. But at grassroots level, which is their neighborhood, they leave things to the devices of the servants of the people, sidelining the people themselves.

Mandate The essence of democracy is People Power. It thrives on the people’s participation. It is sustained by the popular will. The popular will is manifested not only by votes during elections but by consent of the governed. Their consent to official acts or decisions embodies their sovereignty and authority.

Unfortunately, what the Constitution says about the people’s role is not made clear. “The Philippines is a democratic and republican state,” it states. “Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them” (Article II, Section 1).

The term “democratic” means rule of the people, while “republican” means it is the peo-

WORM’S EYEVIEW

BY MANNY VALDEHUESA ple who choose who shall rule and decide what decisions are acceptable.

The second part (on sovereignty and authority) simply means that People Power or the popular will is paramount. But the tricky part is how or whether people do manifest or define People Power and assert it.

Manifesting the substance of People Power or expressing the popular will requires discussion, sharing, or exchange of views and sentiments. The result is consensus, then harmony, which produces solidarity. Thus it is important for the community to engage in free or open exchange.

And this is where the Barangay Assembly comes in—as the venue and process for issues to be taken up and exchanged, then for resolutions that manifest the popular will to be passed.

In other words, in order to summon the genie of people power, it is imperative for everyone to convene as a community and engage in what advanced democracies term as “deliberative conversations.” Only if they do can they define or determine the popular will, which is a collective decision or agreement usually made through a motion and expressed in a resolution.

It is the formal, open exchange of views and positions that enable the people as a community to reach consensus. Popular will emerges through this participatory process. Unless this process takes place, democracy is frustrated and people power cannot energize the engine of government and the economy.

What happens then is the take-over of the community by an oligarchy—in which political power is held by only a handful, trapos usually.

So democracy suffers a setback and People Power is dimmed.

The Barangay Assembly as both process and venue of governance exemplifies direct democracy—which is unique to our basic communities. It is this direct democracy that distinguishes grassroots governance from the representative democracy of the upper governments (municipal to national).

And because the Barangay Assembly comprises the entire local polity, it is literally a Constituent Assembly with all that this term implies.

It is the home of sovereignty in our community, the seat of government authority.

As such, it is the authentic voice of the people. No other body or unit can claim to speak for the entire community. It is the literal embodiment of “a government of the people” and “a government by the people”—all of the people collectively governing!

Congressmen and Senators (who can transform themselves into a “constituent assembly” on occasion) are mere proxies of the people. It is the people who comprise the Barangay Assembly who are the real, actual constituents.

Let us not belittle our Constituent Assembly on Saturday, March 29. To be there is to raise the voice of People Power and let it be heard and felt. It is to assert the will of the sovereign citizens from whom every vote for every official at every level comes. It is to exercise one’s authority over all officials and bureaucrats.

Any Filipino who ignores the Barangay Assembly, or who willfully absents himself from its session, belittles his own sovereignty and authority and denigrates his role as a citizen of our republic!

[Manny among others is former UNESCO regional director for Asia-Pacific, secretary-general of Southeast Asian Publishers Association, director at development academy of Philippines, member of the Permanent Mission to the United Nations, 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

Russia’s imperialism vs globalization COMMENTARY

BY JOHN LLOYD

(Conclusion)

W

HEN the EU offered Ukraine an association agreement that would have given the former Soviet state trade and investment advantages in return for reforms in the economy and in politics, this ran directly counter to the new spirit of the Russian leadership. For Putin, the risk was to “lose” Ukraine. The Kremlin mindset is zero-sum. You are with us, or with them; to be with the West is thus to be against us.

President Putin is presently riding high in popular support. His approval rating is near 72 percent. President Barack Obama, to say nothing of President Francois Hollande of France, would kill for such ratings. Russians, barraged by TV-borne propaganda celebrating the taking of Crimea, are prepared to indulge in some leader-worship.

Guriev thinks the enthusiasm will be short-lived. The new elite, including those closest to the president and the big oligarchs, are increasingly tied into the rules and customs that go with globalization. They have reasons to be grateful to Putin. But gratitude is short-lived when wealth and influence begin to suffer.

Russia is rich in energy. Part of the hesitation that was evident on Thursday when the EU leaders debated sanctions was because European states — Germany above all — rely on its oil and gas supplies. London feeds richly on its financial transfers.

But the longer-term threat to Russia’s well-being will be the consequences of its present behavior and its tendency to use gas supplies as a cudgel against those it wishes to whip into line.

Europe has long worried about its dependence on such a capricious neighbor. Increasingly they are making plans to diminish it. Crimea, as James Surowiecki writes, “Will give more impetus to these efforts.” It will take at least two years for a real shift in the supply networks, but when it comes, it will blow a large hole in Russian export earnings.

The EU is not a fighting organization. Some of its leaders desperately hope that a red line can be drawn after Crimea and that, bit by bit, trade and business can continue as before. They are encouraged that Putin on Friday drew back from imposing sanctions in response to those announced by the EU. But no red line can be drawn.

Ukraine has a government that is dependent on the West, especially the EU, for financial and political support.

Its leaders now look at those fortunate ex-Soviet states — the three little Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania that are secure in the EU and in NATO — and can only envy them.

Putin did not take Crimea to “lose” the other 95 percent of Ukraine. He must find a friendly, or at least not hostile, government in Kiev after the election in May. He must destabilize it and frighten or bribe a future administration back on to his side. The tragedy for him, temporarily hidden by his small victory, is that such an outcome is likely to be impossible.

10

NEWS

VOL. 7 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

Combined...FFROM 1 have a drug sniffing dog to check on container van shipments in the port.

Meanwhile, the BOC is looking for the enhancement of monitoring and accounting flow of empty container vans used for export and import in coordination with shipping lines and container yards.

In a statement, it said that the shipment of the empty container van was a local transaction therefore it was not subject for monitoring of BOC. On the evening of March 22, joint forces of different law enforcement agencies recovered 24 kilos of cocaine concealed in 24 bricks inside a container van’s ceiling .In an initial investigation, the van came from Hong Hong Kong

Another...FFROM 2 lang ang atong I account,” said Danao.

Danao reiterated his call to the public to return the remaining 12 cocaine bricks which were reported missing.

“Regardless, kung naay reward ni o wala, you are obliged to return the items kasi illegal na droga ni,” he said.

On the evening of March 22, joint forces of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) – 11, Davao City Police Office – Investigation and Detection Management Branch, Bunawan Police Precinct and Bureau of Customs recovered 24 kilos of cocaine

Fraklin...

which arrived in Manila last December 21, 2013 and later ended up in the city last January 8. It was allegedly placed in the container repair area beside Sumifro Wharf and later transferred to the compound on March 19.

The next day, another 27 kilos were recovered by the Binawan Police Precinct. The 23 kilos were turned-over by Noel G. Tamayo driver of Sumifro after he found the cocaine at the back seat of the truck while it was parked inside the container yard at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday. Around 12:05 noon of the same day, the four kilos were found by Eliseo F. Jupore in a generator set.

The total value of the 51 kilos is P306 million which are now in the custody of PDEA - 11.

concealed in 24 bricks.

The next day, another 27 kilos were recovered

by Bunawan Police Precinct. Of the 27, 23 kilos were turned-over by Noel G. Tamayo driver of Sumifro after he found the cocaine at the back seat of the truck while it was parked inside the container yard at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday. Around 12:05 noon of the same day, the four kilos were found by Eliseo F. Jupore in a generator set.

PDEA– 11 chief Emerson Rosales said earlier that cocaine has a market value of P6,000 per gram or P6 million a kilo. [ABF]

FFROM 2

exporting coco water in July while coco flour and organic VCO will be commercially available by the fourth quarter of the year.

“We are still waiting for the VCO to be organically certified by therbFood and Drugs Administration (FDA,” he said.

The auditors from the certifying body will be arriving in the country by the end of April.

Buligan said that the certification and accreditation for the VCO are expected to be honored by August.

Guesting in the i-Talk media forum at Seda Hotel yesterday Buligan said that the additional products are now in demand in the global market specifically in the United States.

At present, 75 percent of their total output proceeds to to the US market while the remaining 25percent goes to the Asia-Pacific region, Middle East, and Europe.

It took the company

awhile before it was able to come up with new lines of products for industrial manufacturing.

BuIigan also announced the expansion of the company.

“We are targeting to double our inputs in the next three years,” he said, adding that the firm is currently processing 500 metric tons of coconuts a day.

The increase of 500MT in input will be sourced out from the provinces of Zamboanga, the ARMM, Cotabato, and Lanao.

“We may penetrate the province of Davao Oriental if the supply is short,” he said, adding that their production was not affected by typhoon Pablo in December 2012 which caused damage in coconut plantations in the areas.

Buligan, meanwhile, is encouraging coconut farmers to become their suppliers.

AWARD-WINNING. Davao City-based inventor Cesar Bravo shows off during last Monday’s edition of Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao one of his two award-winning inventions, the Bravo Quartz Watch Detector Machine, which won 1st place in the 2013 Regional Invention Contest and Exhibit.

Lean Daval Jr.

Tourism... FFROM 2 said tourism appears to be the most ready industry in the country so far for the ASEAN integration.

“To begin with, ASEAN has been always looking for Filipino workers.

And even now, without

the integration, we already have workers settled or deployed in key areas within the ASEAN,” he said.

Boncato said Mindanao can take advantage of such opportunity by

sustaining the quality of tourism workers coming from the area.

He said tourism stakeholders should also make sure that tourism-related training institutions in the island are properly

updated with the international standards. “(Mindanao) can become a key player in this arrangement since we already have a ready pool of quality tourism workers,” he said. [MindaNews]

“Ako naghangyo unta kung duna man sila’y pag suspetsa sa mga tao og pipila sa akong mga residente dinha, unta ipatawag lang nila sa barangay hall kay naa man mi mga barangay officials na maka tan-aw kung unsa maning porma ilang gina pirmahan,” said Bughao adding that most of the people who signed the waiver did not understand

it.

The waiver which was distributed to the reporters in the gallery was in the form of a of a certification’ that the signatory voluntarily submitted himself’ ‘to clear his name from the list of active New People’s Army (NPA) membership, supporter and sympathizer.

“I see this as a kind of threat to our residents,”

Bughao said.

Bughao said that he worried about people who already signed the waiver that their life would be at risk knowing that the NPA has a presence in the area.

In an interview, the barangay captain said the he already asked a certain Lt. Santos of 69th IB to act on the matter, however, no action had been taken, hence

he brought the issue to city council.

Bello said that city administrator Jesus Melchor V. Quitain referred the case to him to conduct a public hearing on the matter. Bello reportedly assured him that this matter would be discussed by the body and that they would also invite the parties involved to get know their side.

and MNLF The last time that the panels met was during the signing of the Annex on Normalization, the last of the four annexes to the Framework Agreement of the Bangsamoro (FAB) on January 25 in Kuala Lumpur A report from Mindanews said that it “was during the January meet-

ing when the two panels agreed to refer to the final document as the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro or CAB instead of the “comprehensive peace agreement.’”

It also stated that under the FAB which was signed on October 15,2012, both partied agreed that the “status quo is unacceptable and that they would

work for the creation of a new autonomous political entity called the Bangsamoro, to replace the 24-year old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), by June 30, 2016.”

Once signed the ARMMs’ three year term will be cut short to give way to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority

(BTA), which will take over when the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is ratified.

Meanwhile, the drafting of the BBL is done by the Bangsamoro Transition Commission. It is cheduled to be submitted to President Simeon Aquino III on March 31, just four days after the signing of the CAB. [CRC]

was filed after the dismissal of Bernadith Ipanag former public relations officer of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) was published even if the Civil Service Commission (CSC) has yet to yet to rendering her dismissal as final and executory.

The dismissal of Ipanag was published in two newspapers in the city with her picture and address. It was also posted in PhilHealth’s website and in hospitals.

“This resulted in her and her family’s suffering indignitiy and humiliation in the eyes of the public,” Bello said.

Bello added that the dismissed employee is entitled to human dignity which is the basis of human rights.

He added that Ipanag is entitled to her right to privacy and the right to preserve her honor and reputation.

In his committee report, PhilHealth should refrain from publishing Ipanag’s name as dismissed employee since there was no decision yet from the CSC. The CSC guidelines require publication of the dismissal of employees due to disciplinary grounds after the dismissal has become final and executory.

“The PhilHealth exer-

cised a different approach when its local leadership decided and ordered to publish the dismissal of Mrs. Ipanag,” the report says.

It says that that there was no proof that the publication of dismissal is a normal practice of their office since no representatives from their office explained the guidelines for publication.

Lawyer Faith Presbiterio of CSC says in the report that there are no guidelines from their office on the publication of dismissed employees.

“Although the com-

mission itself practices the publication in its own website where only the name and address are encoded but without the picture, the purpose of which is to inform other government agencies the fact of dismissal and their barring from government service,” says Presbiterio in the report.

The report further states that Presbiterio averred during the committee hearing that the case of Ipanag appears to be the first time that the dismissal of a government employee was published.

Paquibato...FFROM 2

Local...FFROM 3

Council...FFROM 3

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 SHINGLE LADIES: Women in Gigaguit, Surigao del Norte produce nipa shingles to augment their household income.

[Photo by Sherwin Manual]

BIGGER PICTURE

11

Reshaping the Face of Rural

Women in Mindanao

By NOEL T. PROVIDO

F

ROM simply doing domestic chores, a profound change is taking place with the way rural women in Mindanao are engaged in agricultural activities.

Far from the old notion that women are confined at home while their husbands are busy making a living, several women›s organizations are doing livelihood projects that enabled themselves to be productive.

«As I move around Mindanao, the impact of the MRDP (Mindanao Rural Development Program) in the lives of rural women can be heard, seen, and felt from testimonies of women beneficiaries themselves,» said Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso Alcala.

Speaking during the World Bank Review Mission held recently in Davao City, Alcala cited how MRDP, a special project of the DA, has empowered rural women to make significant contributions in Mindanao›s rural economy.

Data from the MRDP Infographics revealed that 47% or almost one-half of the total number of beneficiaries under the Community Fund for Agricultural Development (CFAD), the program’s livelihood portfolio, are members of rural women’s organization. This is 32% higher of World Bank’s loan agreement that requires at least 15% of women beneficiaries should have accessed CFAD funds.

«CFAD caters to rural women to correct gender and culture biases among development projects. In agriculture sector, there is a need to develop livelihood projects that address the physical as well as the economic capabilities of rural women,» said MRDP

program director Lealyn Ramos.

Ramos said the livelihood projects adopts a community-driven development approach in which rural-based women›s organizations are given a chance to implement projects based on their identified needs and capacities.

Squid Works One of the projects cited

by Alcala is the dried squid production in Malimono, Surigao del Norte, which is now earning well after MRDP has upgraded their dried squid-processing center.

Virgie Vargas, chair of the Women›s Livelihood Vision for Tomorrow (Wolivit) in an interview said the Program’s assistance enabled them to double their production from 100 kilos to 250 kilos of dried squid during peak season.

Vargas attributed the increase to the improved facility and equipment they have availed themselves of from the project. They are selling P580 a kilo, which could gross up to P145,000.

“We are now regularly supplying Lovely Pasalubong, a souvenir store in Surigao City which places an order of at least 50 kilos a month. We have also expanded our markets in the cities of Butuan, Davao and Cagayan de Oro and even in Metro Manila,” Rivas said.

‘Gossip Girls’ turned entrepreneurs A livelihood project in the remote village of Maligang in Kiamba, Sarangani has also transformed their idle women into abaca entrepreneurs.

«Gossips used to be widespread in this remote barangay prompting local officials to issue ordinance declaring it an offense with a penalty of P3,000,” said Bev-

DRIED SQUID. Virgie Rivas (right) of Malimono, Surigao del Norte with two co-op members show off their vacuum-sealed dried squid being sold in major cities in Mindanao. [Photo by Remjim Salido] erly Grace Pacquiao, treasurer of the United Maligang Multi-Purpose Cooperative (UMMPC).

“Most of the women here used to be idle and spent more time conversing on other people’s affairs,” she said, comparing how different their situation now than before.

“If before women were used to braiding each other’s hair while engaged in gossips, their hands are now busy weaving tinagak [abaca fiber] to be sold to our cooperative,” she said.

With the assistance from MRDP, the co-op availed itself of a stripping machine, handloom weaver, and a heavy-duty sewing machine.

This enabled the co-op to tremendously increase their abaca from barely 50 to 80 kilos a month to 300 kilos a month.

“The equipment did not only help us to keep up with the increasing demand

from our buyers but also enhanced the quality of the abaca fiber,” Pacquiao said adding that they have expand their markets to as far as Cebu, Cavite and Tarlac.

Shingle Ladies Women in the towns of Gigaguit and Marihatag in Surigao del Norte, ventured in nipa shingle production not only because of its economic potential but also for its manageability as a source of livelihood.

«Our members, who are mostly housewives, don›t have enough time to engage in economic activities, while our elder members don›t have enough capability to go into farming,» said Lourdes Olais, chair of the Villafranca Women’s Association (Viwa).

«We acknowledge the need to help augment our household incomes but we cannot abandon our household chores, which are very demanding on

our part. As housewives, we tend to our children›s needs while our husbands are busy earning a living, either through fishing or farming,» she said.

“The production of nipa shingles is simple and does not require special skills. The nipa’s compound leaves are simply cut from nipa trees. The small long leaflets are then folded over a bamboo stick of a convenient length and then sewed together with nipa midribs. After that, the shingle is ready for sale,” said ViWA treasurer Lucina Humunong.

«Unlike farming or food processing, shingle production does not require long production time, so we just rely on volunteer magpapawod or weavers from our association. Each volunteer can produce 50 to 60 sheets of nipa shingles, just enough to make their spare time productive,” Hu-

munong said.

She said they sell nipa shingles at P450 per hundred sheets to local traders.

The association grosses P4,500 a week out of the 1,000 sheets of nipa shingles they produce. Buyers regularly contact their association for a steady supply of nipa shingles.

«These are just some of inspiring stories on how MRDP had been improving lives in the rural communities particularly rural women. There are a lot of lessons learned and best practices that we can take stock from,” Alcala said.

While MRDP has introduced several reforms and innovations in terms of project implementation, Alcala said the program should also be cited on how it empowered rural women by giving them opportunity that boosted their confidence and made them productive.

12 CLASSIFIED EDGEDavao Davao Partners

VOL. 7 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

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INdulge!

VOL. 7 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

HOUSE & HOME

Perfect combination

Photos by Ayie Hernandez

MIMI Vergara – Tupas is one woman who lives a multifaceted life. When she graced my page about 2 years ago, she talked about her style inclinations and how she manages her time in between family and building her fashion empire (better known as Soul Lifestyle).

Months after hearing about her new print-worthy ventures, I finally got the chance to catch her in between press time and get the latest on the life of the “Pinkmother” (as she calls herself on social media). This time around, we also hear a male voice --- Mimi’s soul mate, Jun --- sharing episodes from their daily occurrences and happy memories.

Everything feels very light and GP (General Patronage) when you’re around Mimi and Jun. They complement each other in all that they do.

In business, Jun takes over the financial aspect while Mimi, who has a knack for selling anything and for cultivating brands, works on the marketing campaign. There, I’d say two heads are definitely better than one. Theirs have sired a brood of profitable investments which are centered to what’s close to their hearts. Mimi and Jun’s partnership proves to be a fruitful one, not only in terms of business but also in raising a family. Open communication is one of the key principles they apply into their parenting style and they’ve maintained a cool, fun, friendly and creative environment in their home.

Their family life is probably one I’d look forward to see on TV. Think reality series with touches of other genres --- Martha Stewart Show, The Apprentice, Rachel Ray Show and Oprah all rolled into one.

The family wakes up to an array of delectable recipes carefully put together

by Mimi (that’s a cooking show happening right there). Right after sending off the kids to school, the couple visits their stores (3 branches of clothing boutiques for her and 3 pet

paw-lors and 1 dog hotel for him) to check on operations and tend to staff meetings. All those brainstorming, strategic planning and special projects are enough to remind you of a business oriented game show. Late afternoons we’d find the family congregating over some homework or carrying on with their personal interests. Daughters Yllana and Ysabella have inherited their mom’s talent in writing and crafting while unico hijo, Uno, takes after their dad’s interest in music and photography. On other days, the couple continues work via satellite office located in their home. Chitchats resume over sumptuous dinner, which usually last until right about bedtime. On weekends, the girls bond over anything and everything DIY (a Martha Stewart moment) followed by a

talk show of some sort with dear friends and family.

Had we caught the family in between furniture hunting and home development, we would have had an interior design element added into the show.

Too bad we can’t document that part anymore as the family has just moved into their dream house a few months ago.

The family lived in a townhouse for more than a decade. A few years ago, they bought a vacant lot in a subdivision within downtown Davao, which they later on divided between their family and Mimi’s mom. “To me, it’s so convenient having my mom next door. We get to check on her as well. One of the best parts of having your mom as neighbor is the abundance of food being sent in!” squeals Mimi.

They made use of their lot to build a two-floor dwelling, one with big windows to invite natural light in.

“I’d say, the timing was just right,” says Jun. “Had we built this dream home back when the kids were young, it would have looked totally different.

We’d have to tailor it according to needs of the kids. Imagine toys in every nook and cranny? This kind of design we have now won’t work if you have toddlers. The kids are now all in middle school. They have grown into their own

The simplicity of style in this modern home is indicative of how the couple complements each other’s character. interests and preferences and they are old enough to style up their rooms according to their personality. This house project also gave us, as a couple, an opportunity to revisit and bring to life our dreams and aspirations. We built this house with that purpose in mind.”

True to their nature, there is also nothing pretentious about their home.

The simplicity of style in this modern home is indicative of how the couple complements each other’s character. It was like translating fashion sense to design preferences. They streamlined their interiors and optimized space with white walls, added mirrors to reflect light and make the place look bigger,

and doubled the ceiling height in the living room for more breathing space and to keep the natural energy flowing. The goal was to balance aesthetics with functionality, sticking to only objects and design elements that will really fulfill a purpose in their home.

“That goes the same for our closets,” quips Mimi. “I learned to say goodbye to clothes which I think won’t be of use to me anymore.”

Amidst the polished and glistening appeal of the house are hints of Mimi’s flair for visual display. Creative inspirations are everywhere with a few framed word art which speaks of positivity and love for family --- all lovingly made by the Pinkmother herself. The dining and entertainment rooms are common areas where the family congregates for hours to end.

Mimi adds, “We made sure that the WiFi signal won’t reach the dining area because we want the family to communicate openly especially during the time we’re together. It’s a good thing I have such good kids who are not addicted to the internet. They may be tech savvy, but their lives are not centered on the internet. I’m happy to see them enjoying their craft. Yllana just won in a feature writing contest. Ysa has inherited my love for scrapbooking and crafting.

FPERFECT, A4

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

VOL. 7 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

UP AND ABOUT

Step into the latest dimension in premium entertainment at SKY Zone ENTER into a world of first-class entertainment like never before. Discover the premium innovations and variety of services in cable TV viewing and online content selections atSKYZone.

SKYZone is a 3-day mall event giving regular mall-goers a chance to witness a showcase of superior offerings from SKYcable, the country’s pioneer cable TV provider, and SKYbroadband, the widest source of online entertainment at the fastest speed. Now on its 3rd year, you can definitiely expect more fun and excitement in this year’s event!

Bring your entire family and discover infiinite ways to get the most out of your cable TV viewing with SKYcable. Enjoy first-hand experience of almost real-life graphic imagery and superb sound quality of high-definition viewing.

With its 42 HD channels, SKYcable offers the widest, most diverse collection of channels catering to each one’s viewing preference. From thrilling sports to action-packed specials, top-rating series to wholesome family shows, reality TV programs to musicals, up-to-date news and information to the trendiest talk shows, plus animated series and viewing treats for kids… all your favorite programs are brought to life in excellent high-definition features.

Plus, explore the pioneering feature of iRecord, which allows you to capture any SKYcable program you prefer and closely follow. With iRecord, you can continue doing the things you need to do without missing your all-time favorite shows. Simply record your desired program and watch playback of your much-loved scenes anytime you want.

What’s more, treat yourself to blockbuster movies and top-rating orginals brought to you by HBO, the featured channel partner of SKYcable for this event. If you love movies, you will surely revel in being updated of the latest featured flicks by HBO. On top of regular cable TV viewing, tech-savvy individuals will also be treated to a wide-array of online entertainment at blazing speeds of up to 200Mbps with SKYbroadband. Responding to the growing trend of online viewing, SKYbroadband evolved from simply providing the fastest internet connection to offering the widest sources of information and entertainment. Subscribers can now have online access to HBO Go, Fox Movies Play and iWant TV! at their most convenient time. SKY Zone will bring you to a world of discoveries with SKYbroadband’s superior internet offering.

Further enhancing your total experience at the SKY Zone is Sony, the leading manufacturer of quality electronic products. Sony, a valued partner for the 2nd year, will be providing state-of-the-art LED TV sets during the 3-day event. This will indeed guarantee better viewing experience for everyone.

All these and more are indeed a foretaste of quality entertainment which awaits you and your family at SKYZone.

SKY Zone will be held from March 28 to 30, 2014 at these venues: Robinson’s Place Ermita (for Metro Manila), SM City (Cebu), and SM Lanang Premier (Davao).

Get to know more about the latest package, bundles, and offerings from SKYcable and SKYbroadband at the SKYZone and step into the latest dimension in quality home entertainment.

For more information on SKYCable and SKYBroadband, log on to www.mysky.com.ph, or call the 24-hour customer service hotlines at 02 381-0000 for Metro Manila, 032-421-1818 for Cebu; 082-305-5456 for Davao.

THE SM STORE GADGET HUB SUMMER ESCAPE. Make great memories by documenting every summer destination you go to this season!

Visit The SM Store Gadget Hub at SM Lanang Premier, SM City Davao and SM City General Santos, and grab yourself an awesome camera of your choice!

Sushi and ikebana

WHAT can be more Japanese than sushi and ikebana? It is with that in mind that the Ikebana International Davao Chapter 133 led by its ever active president, Danney Barnett, held a “Sushi For Beginners” gathering at the newly-renovated Tsuru Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar along Camus Street last March 19.

Present for the occasion were of course members of Ikebana International Davao Chapter 13 as well as the honourable consul of Japan, Koichi Ibara, together with his wife madam Mariko Ibara, and other invited guests.

The simple sushi-making workshop featured six different kinds of sushi such as Ebi Sushi, Spicy Tuna Sushi, California Maki, Salmon and Cream Cheese Maki, Crazy Maki, and the Godzilla Roll, all ably demonstrated by Tsuru’s sushi chef Art assisted by the restaurant’s manager Christian dela Paz. Light sushi snacks was served after the quick workshop.

The event was another

activity held by the chapter to foster more interaction between its members and for the members to learn a new skill that could inspire them to be more creative.

Follow me on Instagram or on Twitter at @ kennethkingong for more travel tales, foodie finds, and events in, about, and beyond Durianburg.

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

VOL. 7 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

ENTERTAINMENT

Angel-Jericho-Maja love triangle heats up ‘The Legal Wife’

ABS-CBN’s most followed ‘TV affair,’ “The Legal Wife” keeps viewers at the edge of their seats as the characters of Angel Locsin, Jericho Rosales and Maja Salvador are caught in a passion-filled love triangle.

The program proved its following remains strong when “The Legal Wife’s” won its time slot proven last Thursday (March 20) with a national TV rating of 18.5%, compared to its rival show on GMA, “Rhodora X” that only scored 16.8%, based on data from Kantar Media.

On the same night, the show’s official hashtag, #TLWTheFirstMove, be-

came the number one worldwide trending topic on Twitter as netizens posted their comments on Nicole’s (Maja) fearless moves to get closer to Adrian (Jericho)—the husband of her best friend, Monica (Angel).

How will Monica discover the budding affair between the two people closest to her? Can Adrian still fight temptation?

Don’t miss the nation’s most followed ‘TV affair,’ “The Legal Wife” after “Ikaw Lamang” on ABS-

CBN Primetime Bida. For more updates about the show, simply visit its official social networking sites at Facebook.com/ thelegalwife2013, Instagram.com/iam_thelegalwife, and Twitter.com/ IAmTheLegalWife.

Hot or not?

ANOTHER DAY... another terrifying accessory on Lady Gaga...

Though, this time the “Pokerface” singer appears to be dressing with purpose. Given the fullcoverage coat, could Mother Monster’s new favorite face cover be some kind of protection from a surprise killer bee infestation in Manhattan?

Or does she know something about crazy chemicals in the air that we should know about?

We suspect the answer is C. none of the above. The ARTPOP artist didn’t need an excuse to wear a dress made of meat, so chances are there’s no real reason behind the shield made of plastic.

GMA 7 hailed Outstanding TV Network in the 5th Golden Screen TV Awards FROM an A-list of celebrities to best television programs, GMA Network was hailed as the Outstanding TV Network at the 5th Golden Screen TV Awards which was held at Teatrino Greenhills last Friday, March 21.

Phenomenal television series My Husband’s Lover was named as the Outstanding Original Drama Program and four of its cast members took home top acting honours: Dennis Trillo (Outstanding Actor in a Drama Program), Carla Abellana (Outstanding Actress in a Drama Program), Kevin Santos (Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Program), and Glydel Mercado (Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Program).

In the field of comedy, several Kapuso personalities and programs took home several recognitions.

Michael V. received the top award for Comedy as he took home the trophy for the Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Gag or Comedy Program while Sef Cadayona and Nova Villa were the Outstanding Supporting Actor and Actress in a Gag or Comedy Program.

Bubble Gang and Pepito Manaloto were named as the Outstanding Gag Program and Outstanding Comedy Program, respectively.

Internationally acclaimed broadcast journalist and GMA News pillar Jessica Soho was recognized as the Outstanding Magazine Program Host while her toprating program Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho was awarded

as the Outstanding Magazine Program in the country.

In-depth primetime news program State of the Nation with Jessica Soho received the award for Outstanding News Program.

Pioneering wish-granting program Wish Ko Lang and host Vicky Morales earned the Outstanding Public Service Program and Outstanding Public Service Program Host awards, respectively.

Reel Time was awarded as the Outstanding Documentary Program while Kara David was recognized as Outstanding Documentary Program Host.

Television program Born To Be Wild which is devoted to animal, environment and wildlife conservation is the recipient of the Outstanding Natural History Wildlife Program while Ferdinand Recio earned the Outstanding Natural History Wildlife Program Host.

Undisputed noontime program Eat Bulaga bagged the Outstanding Variety Program award while Allan K. was named as the Outstanding Male Host in a Musical/Variety Program.

GMA Artist Center talent

Ruru Madrid garnered the Outstanding Breakthrough Performance by An Actor for his effective performance in Dormitoryo.

The Pinoy adaptation of Temptation of Wife that dramatically captured the hearts of the Filipino viewers

received the Outstanding Adapted Drama Program.

Award winning comedienne Eugene Domingo and game show Celebrity Bluff won the Outstanding Game/Talent Program Host and Program, respectively.

Tropang Potchi received the Outstanding Education Program award while Nomer Limatog, Miggy Jimenez and Miggs Cuaderno were the Outstanding Education Program Hosts.

Special citations were given to Master Showman German Moreno, recipient of the Gawad Dolphy Lifetime Achievement Award and Ryzza Mae Dizon who took home the Special Award for being the youngest TV host on Philippine TV.

NEED FOR SPEED 2D Aaron Paul, Dominic Cooper PG 13

ANDI MAKES A BIG SACRIFICE IN “GALEMA” FINALE. Andi Eigenmann’s character in ABS-CBN’s hit afternoon fantasy series “Galema: Anak ni Zuma” is set to wage an ultimate battle against her mother, Galela (Sheryl Cruz), whom Zuma (Derick Hubalde) turned into a deadly monster. Will Galema find in her heart to kill her own mother to protect the lives of her children, or will she do everything to bring Galela back to her normal life? In the end, will Galema realize her dream of giving her loved ones a complete and normal family?

Don’t miss the captivating finale of “Galema: Anak ni Zuma” this Friday (March 28) after “Kapamilya Blockbusters” in ABS-CBN’s Kapamilya Gold. For more updates about “Galema: Anak ni Zuma,” visit the show’s official social networking sites: Facebook.com/ galemaofficial and Twitter.com/galemaofficial.

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

MAKE YOUR MOVE 2D BoA Kwon, Derek Hough PG 13

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

DEVIL'S DUE 2D Allison Miller, Zach Gilford R 13

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

R-16 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE 2D Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green R 16

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

A4 INdulge!

HOUSE & HOME

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

Perfect...FFROM A1 She’d surprise us with her little cards and sweet notes.

Uno is very much like Jun. He spends time mixing music in his room which he designed to look like a bachelor’s pad.”

“We really wanted a house that spells simplicity and cleanliness,” explains Jun. “We realized that the only thing that stands in between spic and span is the lack of organizing solutions. So, we invested in storage options and multifunctional furniture. That whole block of built-in full-length mirrors at the ground level opens to a home office where Mimi and I work.”

For the kitchen, the couple decided to open up the counter space to create more room for prep work.

In a way, it also draws conversations from anyone between the dining area and the kitchen.

The husband rates Mimi’s cooking skills with a thumbs up. “I am in full support of Mimi’s kitchen adventures. She didn’t have any formal training in culinary arts, but she is a good cook. She can spruce up anything in the kitchen and the kids and I buy it.”

One of the delicious adventures Mimi has stumbled upon in their dream home is her new line of cold-pressed vegetable and fruit juices.

Jun tells us how this concoction welcomed him home. “Mimi is so dedicated to juicing --- not for weight loss but for proper nutrition. She religiously prepares all these healthy mixes for the kids. She has been doing this for about a year. Then, one Sunday afternoon, I came home and discovered that Mimi has just created her own brand for cold-pressed juices. Everything was done within that same day --- logo, labels, Facebook, Instagram and all. It was that fast.

As I understand it, more and more Davaoeños are hooked to this new trend in health and wellness. I guess she has seen the potential of turning this existing healthy practice of hers into a business. The difference between then and now is that she spends more time in the kitchen than in any other space in our house during the day.”

Soul Kitchen Co.’s lineup of juices has 6 varieties: Whisk (apples, cucumber, celery, spinach, lemon ginger), Cleanse (cucumber, celery, spinach, lemon, carrots, apples), Jolt (carrots, apples, pineapple, lemon, ginger, cayenne pepper), Boost (apples, carrots, orange, pineapple), Flow (beets, apples, cocowater), and Glow (tomato, cucumber, lemon, sea salt, celery).

Aside from the bottled

juices, other bestsellers include her variety of Almond Mylk: Coco, Soy and Choco. Made entirely of almonds, each almond mix is high in protein, antioxidants, phytochemicals, living enzymes, calcium, zinc, manganese, vitamin E, iron, B12 and potassium. Mimi’s own recipes for meatloaf and chunky chicken cream are also a hit among locals.

To date, the brand is a little over a month old and has sold more than 500 bottles all over Davao City.

Jun has nothing but pride and gratitude with how far Mimi has gone, translat-

ing her own passion into something she can share with the community. “All our brands are really about lifestyle and family --- be it style essentials, pet care, or personal wellness. I guess what makes our business partnership work is the fact that we are family-oriented.

We always go back to what is close to our heart and what we love doing together.

We always help each other out. We function as support system for each other. You just have to trust each one’s capabilities and strength.

That won’t only benefit you in business, but also in marriage and parenting.”

13 COMMUNITY SENSE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

Kalahi-CIDSS completes drainage canal A

MIDST the heat and humidity, the people of Barangay New Panay, Maragusan, Compostela Valley, were overwhelmed as they finally witnessed the Turnover and Blessing of the drainage canal community project that they’ve been working on for the past few months.

Held in New Panay Elementary School, said turnover of the 200 linear meter drainage line canal was attended by Mayor Caesar C. Colina Sr., Barangay Captain George Jacosta, barangay officials, family beneficiaries, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistant Regional Director for Operations Ma. Vilia L. Vigil, Kalahi-CIDSS Community Development Specialist Mr. Nick Elvi Digol, teachers, students, and Kalahi-CIDSS community volunteers.

Kalahi-CIDSS, now known as National Community-Driven Development Program (NCDDP) is the flagship program of DSWD along with the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and the Sustainable Livelihood Program.

It is a poverty reduction project where decision-making resides in the community.

Volunteers, through the NCDDP Community

Empowerment Activity Cycle (CEAC), are taught to analyze their situation, identify their needs, manage their finances and procure materials for their prioritized sub-project.

This drainage project here was initiated to alleviate problems that hinder the community from attaining economic stability as it aims to mobilize the people’s active participation in implementing projects.

For the past years, the community struggled with their recurrent drainage problem. The water would continuously overflow when heavy rains pour in the barangay.

Students, especially, would suffer from this because the flood also seeps into their classrooms leading to high rate of absenteeism.

Consequently, students will be deprived of education -the higher the illiteracy rate, the bigger the chance that the economy of the community would waver.

“Students are our investment to attain a better life in the future. We agreed on a project that would serve as a foundation in reducing poverty. Poverty is like a cycle in the community and we want to cut the chain,” Barangay Sub-Proj-

Kalahi-CIDSS Barangay Sub-Project Management Committee Chair Rey E. Jaboneta observes the Construction of the 200 linear meter drainage line canal in his village in Barangay New Panay, Maragusan, Compostela Valley. ect Management Committee (BSPMC) Chair Rey E. Jaboneta explained.

Mayor Caesar Colina stressed, “No words could contain my happiness, for this project helped my constituents in New Panay. The project embodies transparency. Despite the differences that surfaced during the

planning stage, the community has put their acts together and now I am very happy to announce that this project, through the help of Kalahi-CIDSS, finally came to reality.”

One of the Community Volunteers Mary de Guzman said, “It’s hard to determine the main problems

that we have in the community. There were different opinions from left to right.

But through the process of Kalahi-CIDSS, it became easier for us in identifying our primary needs and how to address these.”

Even the children in the village were pleased. Their boisterous sounds of laugh-

ter were heard all over the place, heralding that their own community is once again taking another leap towards progress.

Along with the turnover, DSWD also conducted a Municipal Orientation as Kalahi-CIDSS/NCDDP starts another cycle in the municipality. [DSWD]

14 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

Garduce inspires Smart employees with ‘Akyat’. Veteran mountain climber Romeo Roberto “Romi” Garduce inspired Smart employees with his book, Akyat! A Filipino’s Journey to the Seven Summits. Citing the challenges he faced as a mountaineer, he encouraged the telco’s employees to do their best no matter the difficulties. Employees who bought copies of his book were treated to an exclusive book-signing.

Garduce also joined the Smart Mountaineering Club in its weekly “Stair Climb” where they climb the stairs of the Smart Tower from ground up to the 33rd floor as part of the group’s wellness campaign. With Garduce in photo are members of the Smart Mountaineering Club.

Garduce inspires Smart employees with ‘Akyat’ Veteran mountain climber Romeo Roberto “Romi” Garduce hoped to inspire Smart employees with his book, Akyat! A Filipino’s Journey to the Seven Summits. Citing the challenges he faced as a mountaineer, he encouraged the telco’s employees to do their best no matter the difficulties. Employees who bought copies of his book were treated to an exclusive book-signing. Garduce also joined the Smart Mountaineering Club in its weekly “Stair Climb” where they climb the stairs of the Smart Tower from ground up to the 33rd floor as part of the group’s wellness campaign. With Garduce in photo is Smart Public Affairs Head Ramon R. Isberto.

Serena, Sharapova on collision course M

IAMI (Reuters) Six-times Miami champion Serena Williams and five-times runner-up Maria Sharapova remained on another Sony Open collision course after each recorded fourthround wins on Monday.

While Williams and Sharapova clashed in last year’s final there will be no championship rematch on Saturday at Crandon Park with the American and Russian on the same side of the draw and closing in on a semi-final showdown.

After getting her title defense off to a slow start world number one Williams, who lives an hour’s drive from the Crandon Park Tennis Center and considers the event her home tournament, stepped it up a gear against Coco Vandeweghe sweeping past the young American qualifier 6-3 6-1 in 79 minutes.

“I was definitely happier today,” Williams told reporters. “I was really struggling my first two matches, so I just wanted to have a

better performance today.

“Going into the match I knew I could only do better. That kind of helped out, too.”

Fourth seed Sharapova got a much-needed wakeup call after sleep-walking her way through the opening set before dispatching Belgian Kirsten Flipkens 3-6 6-4 6-1.

Former world number one and 12th seed Ana Ivanovic seemed headed for a quarter-final berth after comfortably taking the first set against eighth seed Czech Petra Kvitova but fell apart after that, committing 11 double faults en route to a stunning 3-6 6-0 6-0 loss.

Williams, a minority owner of the National Football League’s Miami Dolphins, once again stepped onto the court dressed in her team’s turquoise and orange colors and kicked off the match by claiming the only break of the opening set for the early lead.

In the second set, Williams simply blitzed Vandeweghe, overpowering the

Maria Sharapova reacts during her match against Kirsten Flipkens during the Sony Open at Crandon Tennis Center. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports 22-year-old who managed to hold her serve just once against the 17-times grand slam winner.

“It doesn’t feel great

(playing bad tennis),” said Williams. “That also gave me confidence to know if I’m winning these matches when I’m playing some

Nadal continues Miami rampage M

IAMI (Reuters) - World number one Rafa Nadal continued his ruthless rampage through the Sony Open on Monday, crushing Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin 6-1 6-0 to reach the fourth round at Crandon Park.

Also through to the next round is Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka, who looked sharp in a no-nonsense 7-5 6-4 win over Frenchman Edouard Roger-Vasselin.

Nadal, who has reached the final three times but never lifted the Miami title, blew past Lleyton Hewitt in the second round before overwhelming Istomin in less than an hour in a centre court master class.

Next up for the Spaniard is a fourth round meeting on Tuesday with Italian 14th seed Fabio Fognini, who advanced with a 4-6 6-3 6-3 comeback win over Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut.

Further down the road is a possible semi-final meeting with third seed Wawrinka, who beat the Spaniard in the final of the Australian Open to claim his first grand slam title.

Nadal has shown no signs of losing focus, however, and broke Istomin twice to open the match and grab a 4-0 lead.

The 57th ranked Istomin finally held serve at 4-1 but that would be the only time as Nadal

thundered through the next eight game to complete the rout.

“I played a very complete match,” said Nadal, who was given a warning for slow play. “No match is perfect but I did a lot of things very well. No mistakes, serving with good percentage, and playing a lot of winners.

“My movements were better than what I did last event events. That’s a very important thing for me.”

of the worst tennis I have personally played in the past couple of years, then, you know, it gave me a lot of hope.

“I’m in a better mood now. It was impossible for me to be in a good mood after I played those last matches.”

Gasol diagnosed with vertigo

L

OS ANGELES - Los Angeles Lakers star center Pau Gasol was diagnosed with vertigo on Monday, a day after leaving an NBA victory over Orlando at halftime due to dizziness and nausea.

The 33-year-old Spanish 7-footer (2.13m), the Lakers’ top scorer and rebounder, was listed as doubtful by the club for Tuesday’s home game against New York but he will be re-examined on Tuesday morning.

That encounter will mark the first meeting between the Lakers and New York since former Lakers coach Phil Jackson took over as president of basketball operations for the Knicks earlier this month.

Gasol, a two-time NBA champion with the Lakers and two-time Olympic silver medalist with Spain behind a US collection of NBA stars, had an MRI scan on his head return normal readings after he spent the night in a hospital.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

SPORTS 15 SPORTS

Montana, DASIA lead way in Unity Cup

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO njb@edgedavao.net

TEAM STANDINGS Davao Division Montana DASIA GMA Kapuso Davao Light DOLE 11 Millennium Security Ateneo Philguard

W 4 3 3 2 1 1 0 0

L 0 0 1 2 3 3 2 4

Davao Norte Comval Division Tadeco/SMFL 3 Dole-Stanfilco 1 TCBC Musahamat Farm Marsman

W 0 1 1 1 0

L

M

ONTANA Pawnshop and DASIA Security Agency remained the only teams undefeated in the Davao Division of the RTIPC Basketball Unity Cup. The Pawnbrokers are on top among eight squads in the Davao Division with 4 wins in as many outings.

That record is matched by DASIA Security Agency with an immaculate 3-0 card.Tadeco-SMFL meantime is the only unbeaten squad in the ComVal-Davao del Norte division.

“We are happy to find ourselves on top. The aim is merely to participate and finish decently but things went well for us and now we are on top,” said Jek Melendres, basketball direc-

1 1 3 tor of DASIA. Atty. Joffrey Suyao, DOLE 11 Regional Director,said during the opening ceremony that “the RTIPC Basketball Unity Cup is a testament that the banana industry, construction industry, academe, Davao Tripartite Industrial Council and marine industry are active partners of DOLE XI for our various programs.”

Suyao added that the unity cup is a form of social dialogue so that the workers, employers and government may interact with each other. It would likewise foster camaraderie among the stakeholders.

Atty. Jason Balais is the overall chairman of the tournament.

DURIAN TEE GOLFERS DONATES. The golfers of the recently concluded 24th Durian Tee Invitational Gold Tournament held at Apo Golf and Country Club did a “pass the hat” during the awarding ceremony, proceeds of the said activity were matched by EMCOR, INC. and were able to raised 50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand Only.). The said amount was formally turned over last February 14, 2014 to the Philippine Red Cross, Davao City Chapter, as donation to the victims of typhoon Yolanda. Present during the turn-over are: from left to right; Juan Karloz C. Alba - Apo Golf - Handicap Committee Chairman, Engr. Rogelio U. Aca, Jr. - Administrator Phil. Red Cross - Davao City Chapter, Edwin M. Cayamanda - Apo Golf - Sports & Committee Chairman and Gwen Clarisse G. Cachuela, RN Phil. Red Cross - Davao City, Chapter Service Representative for Found Generation.

WALL FAN FOR THE PUPILS. The Apo Golf and Country Club donated 17 units of wall fan for the pupils of Baliok Elementary School, fulfilling its promise that part of the proceeds of the 24th Durian Tee Invitational will go to the said school. The donating party were very much welcomed by the school’s dignitaries as well as thier pupils. Thier gratefulness is really a sign that giving is not yet forgotten in this part of the world.

‘Still too soon’to know if fit for Masters - Tiger

W

ASHINGTON (AP) -- Tiger Woods is not sure whether his ailing back will allow him to play in the Masters, which is two weeks away. ‘’For Augusta, it’s actually still a little too soon, to be honest with you,’’ Woods said Monday at a news conference to announce that Quicken Loans is the new title sponsor of his golf tournament. ‘’That’s kind of the frustrating thing about this.’’

The Masters is the only major tournament the

38-year-old Woods has never missed. Four of his 14 major championships came at Augusta National, including his first in 1997.

He last won the green jacket in 2005.

This year’s Masters is April 10-13.

Woods is off to the worst start of his 18 years on tour, and he’s been troubled lately by back problems.

He stopped playing in the final round at the Honda Classic on March 2 because of what he called back

spasms and pain in his lower back. He tried to defend his title the following week at Doral, only for his back to flare up again in the final round, when he shot a 78, the highest Sunday score of his PGA Tour career and his first closing round without a birdie.

Then last week, Woods withdrew from the Arnold Palmer Invitational because of persistent back pain. ‘’I’ve had a couple weeks off and getting treat-

ment and just working on trying to get ready for Augusta,’’ Woods said Monday. ‘’As of right now, it’s still too soon, which is, as I said, pretty frustrating.’’

This has been the longest sustained problem Woods has had with his lower back.

He first showed signs of back pain at Bethpage Black at The Barclays in 2012, which he attributed to a soft bed at his hotel. He felt twinges during the final round of the PGA Champi-

onship last year, and when his back bothered him in the final round of The Barclays two weeks later, he said it was unrelated.

At Monday’s news conference, Woods discussed a deal through 2017 for his tournament to be called the Quicken Loans National. It will be played June 26-29 at Congressional this year.

AT&T was in the final year of its contract as sponsor.

The AT&T National began in 2007 with a military theme built around

the Fourth of July in the nation’s capital. It has been held at Congressional for all but two years, in 2010 and 2011, as the course prepared to host the U.S. Open. In those years, it was played at Aronimink outside Philadelphia.

Congressional is under contract through 2014, and Woods said there will be a vote next week to determine whether the club would host every other year in 2016, 2018 and 2020.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

BLUE SUNDAY. The Ateneo Blue Knights (top) receive their trophy from Gerome Escandor of The Royal Mandaya Hotel shortly after winning Game 3 of the Best of 3 Series against Holy Child for the 4th Royal Mandaya Hotel Cup cadets championship. (Left) Francis Gabriel Escandor of Ateneo cradles the trophy, while runners-up Holy Child Reds (below) receive the second place trophy. (NJB)

IT’S ATENEO

A

YON Angeles took a clear pass from a driving Josh Barrientos with 20 seconds remaining and the spitfirish wingman wasted no time sinking the open triple from the corner.

The shot reverberated to the right side of the arena like a firecracker where blue-shirted parents and family of Ateneo de Davao University celebrated a looming

EDGEDavao Davao Partners

VOL. 7 ISSUE 8 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

victory.

On the other side of the arena where red-shirted fans sulk in disbelief, the triple connection sounded off a funeral horn, ending another heated battle between two schools whose rivalry has become a much-anticipated running epic in Davao hoopdom.

The Blue Knights finished off bitter rival Holy Child School of Davao Reds, 69-60,

to annex the Cadet Division title of the Royal Mandaya Hotel Cup inter-school basketball tournament.

Darren Manliguez fired 13 of his 15 points in a maddening fourth quarter show to lead the Blue Knights who gifted teammate Francis Gabriel Escandor a belated birthday present. The burly Escandor, coming out of a fivemonth hiatus due to an injury,

played sparingly in the match.

The Reds, who were trailing by a solitary point going into the final three minutes, fumbled several attempts from the free throw line when the game was on the line, allowing Ateneo to deal the final blow with the Angeles triple.

“It was a tough match. We simply had the breaks in the endgame,” said coach Miggy Solitaria. [NJB]