Edge Davao 7 Issue 263

VOL. 7 ISSUE 263 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

ALL FOUR ONE. A Team Dayap player protects the ball against four Team ADAP defenders during the second half of a basketball game held at Rizal Park in Davao City yesterday, part of the two-day Mayor Rody and Vice Mayor Pulong Duterte Araw ng Dabaw PARA Games. Lean Daval Jr.

RPOC: NO SUPPORT Rody says RPOC has no money from national gov’t

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

INSIDE EDGE

abf@edgedavao.net

M

AYOR Rodrigo R. Duterte has revealed that the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) does not get any funding from the national government.

Instead, it is Davao City that is providing the operational budget of the RPOC. Duterte made the rev-

elation during last Monday’s RPOC meeting held at the Grand Men Seng Hotel.

He said the operational cost of the council, including the honorarium for officials, comes from Davao City.

Duterte was reinstalled as RPOC chair last year but Malacañang has

not given a budget for the council’s operations.

He said neither President Benigno Aquino nor his Cabinet Secretaries have talked to him about the matter.

“I will respect if that is their style of governance,” he said.

Duterte said during the time of then-President

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the national government would reimburse the expenses of the council.

He said the funds given to the provincial police commanders in the region also come from people of Davao City.

Duterte said the money comes from the city’s intelligence funds.

MULAWIN GETS BONUS FROM RODY Sports P15

2 THE BIG NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 263 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

DEAD TIRED. Apparently exhausted, two homeless persons sleep on the concrete planter at Freedom Park in Davao City while a protest rally is being staged right beside them over the weekend. Lean Daval Jr.

Dad accuses firm of polluting river

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

D

abf@edgedavao.net

AVAO City councilor Leonardo Avila III yesterday accused a construction material company of allegedly dumping waste materials onto the river bank in Maa. In yesterday’s regular session, Avila, chair of the Council’s committee on environment and natural resources, said Safecon Industries Inc. has been dumping its waste cement onto the bank of Davao River for many years.

In his privilege speech, Avila showed a video presenting the portion of riverbank which was already covered with white surface, which he said was the waste cement.

“Many years ago, this was just a small pile. But as the years went by it has been growing,” Avila said as he point to the images in the video.

He said he had the chance to see the area during the conduct of a sample test on the wa-

ter since it was reported that the river was contaminated with coliform bacteria.

“When we visited the nearby community, some members of the community said that some of their children now have sores and skin diseases, simply because of this ready mix concrete waste that is being thrown in our rivers,” he said.

Avila said the dumped wastes have gradually covered the banks of Davao River.

He said he brought up the matter in the plenary because there is a clear violation committed by the company under t Republic Act 9275 the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004.

“We have to take care of this river not only from the pollution that comes from the seepage but also from certain companies who are trained to be environmentally conscious that are just dumping their

waste into our beautiful Davao River, ” he said.

In a separate interview, Merlin Agabin of Safecon denied Avila’s allegation, saying the mandate of the company is to reclaim all excess materials so that nothing is wasted.

She said all the leftover sand and gravel are immediately be processed in the company’s reclaimer machine.

Agabin told Edge Davao that the white surface seen by Avila in the video was requested by the barangay officials of Maa, who she said asked for it as a flood prevention measure.

“Ginapangayo na siya sa barangay... Daghan naming gipantambak diha sa may squatters area nga daghan kaayo na nagpundo na tubig (The barangay asked for that...We dumped it in the squatters area where the water is already stored and stagnant),” she said.

Agabin said Avila did not

tell the company about the problem and was surprised when this reporter called to clarify the issue.

“Wala gyud ko kabalo kung unsa ang iyang (Avila) gina-mean kay nganong wala man sad siya nagstorya sa amoa si councilor mismo (I really do not know what he means because he did not talk to us) to clarify this issue,” she said.

City Council Pro-Tempore councilor Karlo S. Bello recommended to Avila to consider his privilege speech as approved on first reading so that the latter’s committee can immediately conduct a committee hearing on the matter.

Bello also told Avila to call the concerned agencies such as the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (EMB-DENR) and officials of Barangay Maa to investigate the issue.

magazine.

The military is conducting a hot pursuit operation following the encounter.

Earlier, 10th ID commander Major General Eduardo Año, ordered field units to intensify security measures against armed groups in connection with the upcoming NPA anniversary and the observance of

the Lenten season.

“As the legitimate protector of the Filipino people, we will always work hard to keep our civilian communities safe from the threats of lawless armed elements such as the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines)-NPA,” Año said.

The NPA will celebrate its 46th anniversary on March 29.

Encounter erupts between Army, NPA

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

T

HE military reported an encounter between members of the 66th Infantry Battalion (IB) and the New People’s Army (NPA) in Purok 3, Barangay Andap, New Bataan Compostela Valley Province yesterday morning.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the rebels belonged to the Sentro

de Grabidad (SDG) Front-25 Southern Mindanao Regional Command.

In a statement, the 10th Infantry Division said the firefight lasted for 30 minutes and resulted in the recovery of an improvised landmine, four backpacks, two VHF radios, two bandoliers, two M16 rifle magazines, and one AK-47 rifle

Lee Kuan Yew (1923-2015)

Rody: Lee Kuan Yew’s passing is world’s loss

By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY

D

AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte expressed his and the City Government of Davao’s condolences to the Singapore government and to the family of Lee Kuan Yew, whose passing he said was “not only Singapore’s loss but the world’s as well.”

“I know that no words can assuage the grief that must be yours today for the loss of a great man who guided Singapore through its most challenging times,” Duterte said in his letter dated March 23 to the Singaporean government and Lee Kuan Yew’s family coursed through to Singapore Embassy Charge d’ Affairs Scott Loh. “But we can comfort ourselves with the thought that he was a life well spent for country and people,” he added.

Lee Kuaan Yew, Singapore’s first Prime Minister, passed away on Monday at the Singapore General Hospital where he had been under intensive care since February for

pneumonia. He was 91.

Duterte made headlines in 1995 when he led the burning of a Singaporean flag in front of City Hall in protest over the execution of Filipina domestic helped Flor Contemplacion in that country.

The incident drew a diplomatic protest from the Singapore government and strained the relationship between the two countries.

Over 10 years later, Duterte made amends with Singapore when he warmly welcomed its delegation to the Asean Tourism Forum that was held in Davao City and even declared during the event that the Singapore judicial system as one of the best just like other Asean countries.

“The passing of Lee Kuan Yew is not only Singapore’s loss but the world’s as well,” Duterte said.

“The officials of Davao City, its people and I, pray for the eternal repose of his soul.”

VOL. 7 ISSUE 263 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

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Duterte backers told to stop TV ad

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

D

abf@edgedavao.net

AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte asked the group behind a television advertisement to stop its airing and wait for his possible declaration to run for President.

The advertisement was aired on national television last week. In it, flies are used to symbolize the problems of the country such as corruption, criminality, insurgency, and lack of political will. A hand then slams on the flies and cleans up the mess, leaving a clean Philippine map and Duterte’s name.

“Mao nang didto ko sa Manila, ako silang giingnan, undang na sila ana kay paghulat mo nako na mo sulti gyud ko na mo dagan ko (That was why I went to Manila and told them to stop it. Just wait for me to say if I will really run),” Duterte told reporters in an interview on Monday afternoon before the start of the Regional Peace and Order Council Meeting at the Grand Men Seng Hotel in Davao City.

Duterte said he suspects

Bikers to ride for Earth Hour

his publicists, whom he did not name, are the ones behind the advertisement.

“Sila na siguro unya naay sponsor nila, ang mga gusto mo tabang udyokon pud nila (It could be them, and they were able to get sponsors who are willing to support),” he said.

Duterte repeated his earlier statement that he is not interested in running for President.

“Until now, I said it has not sunk into my mind about being President,” he said.

Duterte said he is already old and has no energy to run the country. “When I was mayor, I used to work, instead of 24 hours – I do 27 hours. If you are the president, you must have to work maybe 40 hours. How can I do that? I am old already,” he said.

He also said there is no personal benefit for him if he becomes President.

“Pag-sulod nimo humot ka, gwapo ka o pangit ka; pag-gawas nimo baho ka, pinakapangit ka,” he said.

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

M

crc@edgedavao.net

ORE than 500 bike riders and enthusiasts are expected to participate in the Earth Hour Night Ride on March 28, an hour before the lights are turned off for an hour.

“Our event will start by 7:30 p.m., an hour before participants of Earth Hour in SM City Davao will turn off their lights at 8:30,” Verlind Basira, Habagat Earth Hour Night Ride organizer, said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex last Monday.

Basira said Habagat, a nationwide chain stores that offers outdoor products and equipment, partnered with SM to promote Earth Hour to the public.

“We will ride our bicycles to tell everyone to please turn off your lights during Earth Hour,” Basira said He said the night ride event

will be conducted simultaneously in other cities in the country, including Manila, Zamboanga City, Cagayan de Oro City, and Davao City.

Francis Colmenares, part of the organizing team from Habagat, said the ride will last for an estimated 45 minutes. The route will start at SM City Parking C, going to Quimpo Boulevard- Roxas Avenue-Quirino Avenue-Tulip Drive, and back to SM Parking C. “There will be no registration fee,” Colmenares said.

Before the night ride event, there will be a bike clinic, seminar on basic bike maintenance, and road safety for all participants.

There will be also a raffle draw for all participants. Prizes will be sponsored by SM and other companies.

MOUNTAIN OF PAPER. Piles of documents await the attention of Land Transportation Office (LTO) 11 assistant director Macario “Bong” Gonzaga, who says this is a regular sight for him at his office at the start of the week. Lean Daval Jr.

Dope squealer to get reward

Next president must embrace federalism, Mayor Rody says B W

By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY

HOEVER the sitting President will be by 2016 must adopt federalism as a form of government that will address the problems of the country, including the ongoing territorial conflict in Mindanao.

Making this call anew was Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, who said the only way to do this is to amend the Constitution.

“Maybe, the first order of the day is to propose some changes in the Constitution by way of a constitutional convention,” Duterte said during his radio interview with Ted Failon over DZMM

yesterday morning.

“He or she must embrace the idea of federalism,” the mayor added as he stepped up his campaign to shift from the Presidential Unitary form of government to the Federal Parliamentary form.

The local chief executive had gone on a nationwide campaign for his advocacy on federalism for almost three months now, hopping from Mindanao to Luzon and Visayas and vice versa in his attempt to draw support.

Duterte cited the situation Mindanao is in right now once the proposed

Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) is rejected in Congress.

“Mindanao is the battle ground,” he said.

But, when Failon asked him about the infomercial being shown on national television that supposedly indicates his intention to run in the 2016 presidential elections, Duterte said he does not know who was behind the advertisement.

Duterte also reiterated to Failon his unwillingness to join the presidential derby next year.

“I do not have the energy anymore. I do not want it,” he said.

FBARANGAY, 10

SM Davao runner-up in fire combat contest

S SM FIREFIGHTERS. The SM City Davao Fire Brigade Team with SM Supermalls AVP for Operations-Mindanao Debby Go (front row, 5th from the left). Also in the photo are assistant mall manager Engr. Nick Santos, CRS manager Harvey Banzuelo and CRS regional manager Nilo Nogra.

ARANGAY 23-C chair Alimoden “Wating” Usman is planning to give a minimum P2,000 reward to each constituent who can pinpoint drug pushers in the barangay.

This after Mayor Rodrigo Duterte publicly reminded Usman to closely monitor his area following reports of continuous illegal drug activities in his barangay.

Last Sunday, Duterte greeted Usman a happy birthday during his regular television program Gikan sa Masa Para sa Masa.

The mayor then gave him a subtle warning: “Kapitan, silipa na imohang barangay dira kay daghan droga (Check your barangay because there are a lot of drugs there).”

In an interview yesterday, Usman said illegal drugs have been the major problem of their barangay for the longest

M City Davao Fire Brigade earned the first runner-up slot at the Davao City Fire District 7th Combat Challenge for the Industrial/Commercial Category held at the University of Mindanao Matina Campus on March 21.

The competition had 3 categories—Organic, Barangay and Industrial, of which the mall earned the 2nd spot among the 8 competing teams.

The annual event organized by the Department of Interior and Local Government, Bureau of Fire Protection and the Davao City Fire District is aimed at promoting vigilance against de-

structive fire emergencies as well as updating emergency responses units’ skills and capabilities through friendly competition. This year’s theme was “Kaligtasan sa sunog: alamin, gawin at isabuhay.” Among the competition events were “Busted Hose and Up-the-ladder”, “Rescue and Transfer Relay Operations” and “Flammable Liquid Fire Extinguishment”.

The SM Davao team was composed of security personnel and volunteers from Fireball, BIDA and Topwatch security agencies as well as the mall’s customer service officers—Julius Tayco, Daniel Remolado, Wilfredo

FSM DAVAO, 10

EDGEDAVAO

4 ECONOMY

VOL. 7 ISSUE 263 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

MONEY IN TRASH. A man gathers used plastic bottles of mineral water along Roxas Avenue in Davao City yesterday which he will sell at a junkshop at P6 per kilo. Lean Daval Jr.

Infrastructure spending key to sustained growth: Aquino

P

RESIDENT Benigno Aquino on Tuesday reiterated the government’s commitment to put in necessary infrastructure that would ensure the sustained growth of the domestic economy.

In his speech during the Euromoney-hosted Philippines Investment Forum at The Peninsula Manila, the President said nine projects have been awarded within his term and 16 are in the various stages of the bidding process.

He said the government is committed to attain its goal of increasing infrastructure spending to five percent of

DTI to consult public on plans

T

HE Regional Office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is convening various stakeholders to get their insights on its planned programs and projects for 2015.

Set today (March 25), the half-day consultation will serve as an avenue for DTIDavao Region and representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs) and private sector partners to discuss on how to implement, or even improve the implementation, of

gross domestic product (GDP) by 2016 to sustain the high level of economic growth that the county currently enjoys.

He cited that domestic growth averaged at 6.3 percent from 2010-13 against the 4.3 percent compared in the previous administration.

He, however, stressed that more will still be done especially on infrastructure and power generation. ”Infrastructure is one of the sectors that has greatly benefited from our drive to become more competitive,” he said attributing this to the public-private partnerships program (PPP).

Also, Aquino said the power sector is also placed in focus since it has been complicated for the longest time.

He said the country has about 15,665 megawatts (MW) of dependable capacity, which is enough to meet the highest projected demand of about 10,222 MW for 2015. ”But we cannot be content with this, especially with the potential power supply gap in Luzon this summer, due to the threat of El Niño and rehabilitation of the Malampaya gas field,” he said.

Thus, the President said the government is fast-tracking the rehabilitation of 300

MW Malaya Thermal Power Plant Unit 1 to help increase Luzon’s power supply.

He said they are also asking the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) “to optimize the dispatch of hydropower plants, which will generate additional energy supply during peak hours.”

He said the Interruptible Load Program (ILP), which is being undertaken with the private sector, has about 688.67 MW of available capacity, which can be tapped when demand rises during the summer months.

Under ILP, customers of Distribution Utilities (DUs)

that have generator sets will be allowed to augment capacity when electricity supply is low to ensure that power deficit will be addressed.

These customers will then be paid on the fuel and oil used in running their own generators and on the depreciation of the equipment.

Also, the President said 48 committed projects with a projected capacity of 4,693 MW is scheduled to go online between this year and 2018, thus, ensuring that additional demand for power will be addressed.

He said 21 of these 48 projects are into renewable

energy (RE), which is in support to the government’s bid to tap other energy sources in the country. ”As you can see, we are determined to continue treading green pathways to development, and to maintain our status as one of the driving forces for clean energy in the region. As I have said before, our vulnerabilities to climate risk should not keep us from exerting maximum efforts in pursuing non-conventional sources of energy. We are hopeful that the rest of the world will see the value in such a strategy,” he added.

(PNA)

an immediate door opening solution and adds simplicity to your lifestyle,” he said.

Selected models also come with alarm systems for security against burglary, vandalism and fire.

“Combining cutting-edge technology with practical reliability, Yale Digital locks are the future of door locks,” Soneja said.

He said the line of digital lock collection of Yale is suited for the growing and bustling

economy of Davao City.

“Davao City is one of the fast growing cities in the country, probably, next to Cebu,” he said. “Development would require a higher form of security, but in a more convenient way.”

He said the collection was already launched in Manila and other parts of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), except Cambodia and Vietnam.

Citihardware launches latest Yale digital locks

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

DTI’s identified programs and projects.

DTI-Davao Region Officer-in-Charge Maria Belenda Q. Ambi said the participating stakeholders may also share their opinions on what other interventions DTI can do for both the business sector and consumers.

“We really conduct the CSO and Stakeholders’ Consultation annually so that we’ll know what they think of our plans for a particular year. By

FDTI, 10

C

crc@edgedavao.net

ITIHARDWARE, a Davao City-based home improvement company, launched the newest line of Yale digital lock collections in its Buhangin branch in Davao City recently.

“Basically, the direction of real estate developers and homeowners is going digital,” said Sonny Ver Soneja, business development manager for ASSA ABLOY Singapore Pte. Ltd (Philippines Office)’s business development sec-

tion.

Yale has been a part of the ASSA ABLOY global brands since year 2000.

During the product live demo, Soneja said Yale digital locks “bring keyless convenience to unlock doors and still keep security at the core of it all.”

“Choose from the latest in digital locking technology – fingerprint, RFID card or smart touchpad (PIN code) – to open your door. Each offers

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EDGEDAVAO

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6 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 263 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

SUN LIFE AMPHITHEATER TO RISE IN BGC. Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. has acquired naming rights to the amphitheater that will soon rise in the Bonifacio Global City (BGC). To be built in partnership with the Bonifacio Art Foundation, Inc. (BAFI), the Sun Life Amphitheater will be an open-air venue

with a seating capacity of up to 300 persons, and is designed to be an ideal venue for outdoor plays, concerts, and other entertainment events. In photo are (from left) Sun Life Chief Finance Officer Raymond Ong, Sun Life Pres. and CEO Riza Mantaring, BAFI Trustee Charlie Rufino, and BAFI Managing Director Manny Blas.

DPWH allots P96M to expand drainage system of GenSan T

HE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has allotted around P96 million for the expansion this year of the city’s drainage system.

Engineer Pio Lumungsod, chief of the DPWH’s city engineering district office, said Tuesday the allocation will fund the construction of additional drainage canals as well as the rehabilitation and upgrading of existing structures.

He said around P46 was set aside for the extension of the drainage canal that was constructed last year in Barangao Lagao, specifically at the vicinity of the National Food Authority provincial office here.

The drainage canals will be extended to the coastal village of Barangay Bula by way of Leon Llido Street, he said.

The official said another P50 million was allotted for the extension of the drainage along a stretch of the national highway from the vicinity of the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University to the corner of Santiango Boulevard in the city proper.

The drainage canal will be stretched all the way to the city’s coasts by way of Santiago Boulevard, he said.

“We will be installing bigger box culverts and expand the existing drainage canals to 2x2 meters,” Lumongsod said.

He said they decided to increase the size of the drainage

canals in preparation for the upcoming rainy season.

The areas covered by the project easily get flooded during and after heavy rains and the enlarged canals would help ensure the smooth flow of floodwaters, he said.

The city government had lobbied for funding from the DPWH for the expansion of the city drainage system to address the flooding problems during the rainy season.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera also ordered a review of the city’s drainage master plan to make it more responsive in terms of addressing the perennial flooding in several low-lying portions of the city as well as complement with the area’s continuing development expansions.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Region 12 earlier identified barangays Baluan, Buayan, Bula, Calumpang, Siguel, Lagao and Sinawal as high-risk to flooding.

The seven villages were among 340 communities in Region 12 found to be highly vulnerable and will likely become “uninhabitable” during floods.

MGB said most of these areas are part of a flood plain and are vulnerable to heavy flooding after just two to three hours of rains due to lack of substantial storm drainage.

(PNA)

Sarangani gets DILG seal of financial housekeeping

T

HE efforts of provincial government of Sarangani to maintain transparency and accountability in its operations received a major boost after it was conferred with the Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping Award by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Sarangani Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon formally received the award from DILG officials in a simple ceremony held at the provincial capitol in Alabel town on Monday.

Flor Limpin, DILG Sarangani provincial director, said the award mainly recognizes the local government’s improved performance in terms finance-related operations or systems and the management of its funds.

He said the province was among the 78.8 percent of the country’s local government units (LGU) that accomplished the criteria set by the agency for the award.

“The province is now eligible to avail of incentives and get into some program windows of the department,” he said.

The Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping Award is a component of the DILG’s flagship Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) program.

For an LGU to become an SGLG recipient, it needs to pass all the three core assessment areas -- Good Financial Housekeeping, Social Protection and Disaster Preparedness and one of the essential assessment areas that includes Busi-

ness-Friendliness and Competitiveness, Peace and Order, and Environmental Management.

LGUs meeting the minimum criteria will be conferred with the SGLG and entitled to a package of incentives, such as the Performance Challenge Fund and access to other national performance-based programs.

The DILG launched the initiative last year as part of its efforts strengthen accountability at the LGU level.

Limpin said among the requirements for the award are compliance with the full disclosure policy and acceptable level of findings from the Commission on Audit for the preceding year.

He said the full disclosure policy covers the local budget and finances as well as bids and public offerings.

These are the annual budget, statement of receipts and expenditures, annual procurement plan or procurement list and bid and awarding processes on civil works, goods and services, consulting services, among others.

Solon said the award showed that the provincial government’s efforts to promote transparency and accountability in governance have been gaining.

“This is a manifestation that we’ve been handling our financial transactions in transparent manner and we’re delivering the services due to the people,” he said.(PNA)

Villarosa is next chair of Security Bank I N a disclosure to regulators yesterday, Security Bank Corporation (PSE : SECB) informed the Philippine Stock Exchange that Frederick Y. Dy will be nominated for election as Chairman Emeritus and Alberto S. Villarosa will be nominated for election as Chairman during the organizational board meeting on 28 April 2015. Director Eduardo I. Plana also signified his desire not to seek re-election.

Consumer Banking veteran Alfonso L. Salcedo Jr. was nominated to the Security Bank board replacing Director Plana. He will be nominated to assume the President and Chief Executive Officer position to be vacated by

Villarosa next month.

Bank Chairman Frederick Y. Dy reaffirmed “I have been Chairman for 25 years and will eventually assume the role of Chairman Emeritus. I wish to assure our customers, our investors, shareholders and our other stakeholders, of the Dy family’s absolute commitment and unwavering support as dominant shareholders of the Bank. The organizational change with the step up of Abet Villarosa as Chairman manifests our focus on ensuring continuity of the Bank’s overall business strategy formulation and execution. The appointment of Yogi Salcedo as President and CEO, with his

30 years of experience in retail banking and finance, will serve well in reinforcing our consumer bank strategy as a third pillar to complement the Bank’s existing strengths in wholesale banking and financial markets.

With Villarosa and Salcedo at the helm, we are confident that the Bank will move towards being amongst ASEAN’s best managed institutions in terms of good governance and sustainability to enhance shareholder value.”

For his part, Villarosa further explained “Mr. Salcedo will be a prized addition to the bank’s already winning management team. His 30 year experience in retail banking and finance will

serve well in reinforcing our consumer banking strategy.” Villarosa added.

Villarosa assumed the Presidency of Security Bank in 2004.

Under his stewardship, the Bank rose to a position of leadership in returns to shareholders. Security Bank has received recognition from international and local organizations for product innovation, market leadership and best-of-class management practices. In 2014, Security Bank embarked on a rebranding campaign focused on the retail bank business, anchored on providing priority service and superior customer experience in line with the promise of Better Banking.

be warranted before the end of the year, in view of the significant cumulative progress in the economic recovery.

In deciding when the liftoff has come, Fischer stressed the central bank will continue to monitor a wide range of information regarding labor market conditions, inflation, and financial and international developments.

But a smooth path for liftoff will almost certainly not be

realized, because the US economy will encounter shocks, such as the unexpected decline in the price of oil, or geopolitical developments that may have major budgetary and confidence implications, said the vice chairman.

He said that the Fed would be considering moving the interest rate “up and down” in the future, depending on economic information.

Last week, the US central

bank dropped its pledge to be “patient” in beginning to raise interest rates, setting the stage for lifting benchmark borrowing costs later this year.

The Fed said it will “be appropriate” to raise interest rates when it has seen “further improvement” in the labor market and is “reasonably confident” that inflation will move back to its target of 2 percent over the medium term. (PNA/ Xinhua)

US Fed expects to hike rate before end of 2015

T

HE US Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rate before the end of this year, but the path for the rate hike will not be smooth, as the economy will encounter shocks, Stanley Fischer, vice chairman of the Fed, said at a forum in New York on Monday.

According to his speech released by the central bank on its website, the vice chairman believed the liftoff of the target federal funds range will likely

BIGGER PICTURE 7

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 263 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

THE ANTI-DRUNK AND DRUGGED DRIVING ACT

If you know the penalty, you won’t violate this law

By EMMANUEL C. ROLDAN

D

RIVING and drinking alcohol do not mix. It is deadly when they do. But it may not only be deadly but financially catastrophic to the “victim” with the passage of Republic Act (R.A.) 10568, An Act Penalizing Persons Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Dangerous Drugs, and Similar Substances, and for Other Purposes or most popularly known as the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013.

A driver caught violating the provisions of this law may either say goodbye to driving or shell out a fortune to keep him or her out of the hook. Penalties ranged from P20,000 up to a whooping P500,000 plus a prison term and suspension or automatic revocation of driver’s license, notwithstanding other criminal offenses under the Revised Penal Code and R.A. 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

According to Mang Quintin, 63, a public utility vehicle (PUV) driver plying the Sasa-Bankerohan route the penalty would wreck havoc on the livelihood of ordinary drivers and small operators. “Seguradong kulob ang kaldero namo kay di mi kabayad sa penalty og di na mi maka-drive pag-usab” (I’m sure our cooking pots will be empty because we cannot pay the penalty and we can never drive again), lamented Mang Quintin.

He said the intent of the law may be good but the punishment is too harsh especially if driving is their only source of livelihood.

“Wala-on unta nang probisyon sa pag-wagtang sa among pribilihiyo nga magmaneho kay medyo makaya pa” (I hope they will with lighten it by scrapping the provision on license revocation), he continued.

Late Implementation R.A.10568 was signed into law by President Benigno Simeon Aquino III on May 27, 2013 purposely to ensure road safety through the observance of the citizenry of responsible and ethical driving standards. But it has taken center stage only recently after a certain Atty. Ventura then driving his black Honda City was flagged down for “reckless driving” by operatives of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in the National Capital Region.

Procurement of the needed equipment such as the breath analyzer kit and training of deputized law enforcers could be some of the reasons for the delay in the implementation of the law.

According to Section 6 of the said Act, “a law enforcement officer who has probable cause to believe that a person is driving under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs and/or other substances by apparent indications and manifestations, including overspeeding, weaving, lane straddling, sudden stops, swerving, poor coordination or the evident smell of alcohol in a person’s breath or signs of use of dangerous drugs and other similar substances, shall conduct field sobriety tests.

Atty. Ventura when accosted was caught on national TV performing the so-called “field sobriety tests” which we only see on Western movies and TV shows like the horizontal gaze nystagmus, the walk-and-turn, the one-leg stand and later on using the breath analyzer.

Section 6 further says “If the

driver fails in the sobriety tests, it shall be the duty of the law enforcement officer to implement the mandatory determination of the driver’s blood alcohol concentration level through the use of a breath analyzer or similar measuring instrument to determine intoxication.

The law against drunk-driving test puts the blood alcohol content (BAC) limit at 0.05. Drivers of PUVs should show a BAC 0.0 or no trace of alcohol at all, to pass the “breathalyzer” test. On the other hand, Atty. Ventura’s reading was 0.121 or over 100 percent above the BAC limit. He was the first person to be accosted for drunk driving using the breath analyzer kit in the country which officially started on March 14, 2015.

Not only alcohol is the culprit But alcohol is only part of the problem. The said law also penalizes those who are found to have used illegal drugs and other similar substances while driving. Section 3, paragraph (d) of the same act defines ‘dangerous drugs and other similar substances’ as to “drugs listed in the schedules annexed to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotics Drugs, as amended by the 1972 Protocol, and in the schedules annexed to the 1971 Single Convention of Psychotropic Substances as enumerated in its attachment which is an integral part of Republic Act No. 9165, and those that the Board may reclassify, add to or remove from the list of dangerous drugs.”

Again under Section 6 a suspect driver will undergo a drug confirmatory test. It says “If the law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that a person is driving under the influence of dangerous drugs and/or other similar substances, it shall be the duty of the law enforcement officer to bring the driver to the nearest police station to be subjected to a drug screening test and, if necessary, a drug confirmatory test as mandated under Republic Act No. 9165.”

But the story is different if the driver is involved in a vehicular accident that causes harm and injury because he is required to undergo mandatory tests.

Section 7 says “A driver of a motor vehicle involved in a vehicular accident resulting in the loss of human life or physical injuries shall be subjected to chemical tests, including a drug screening test and, if necessary, a drug confirmatory test as mandated under R.A. 9165 to determine the presence and/or concentration of alcohol, dangerous drugs and/or similar substances in the bloodstream or body”.

In order to effectively do it, the LTO shall conduct a random terminal inspections and quick random drug tests of public utility drivers nationwide as stated in Section 15 of this act.

Automatic revocation of license Revocation of driver’s license may be done under three circumstances. One is when the suspected driver refuses to undergo the mandatory field sobriety test and other mandatory tests. The law enforcers shall confiscate and automatically revoke the license of the driver under Section 8 of this act. The second circumstance is when a driver with a nonprofession-

al driver’s license is convicted twice under this law; and third, when a driver with a professional driver’s license is convicted even for the first time.

Section 12, paragraph (d) of R.A. 10568 says, “The nonprofessional driver’s license of any person found to have violated Section 5 of this Act shall also be confiscated and suspended for a period of twelve (12) months for the first conviction and perpetually revoked for the second conviction. The professional driver’s license of any person found to have violated Section 5 of this Act shall also be confiscated and perpetually revoked for the first conviction. The perpetual revocation of a driver’s license shall disqualify the person from being granted any kind of driver’s license thereafter.”

Imprisonment and fine of P300K to P500K Although most drivers’ groups have remained generally silent, many fellow drivers share the opinion of Mang Quintin about the penalties under this act. Drivers may be liable for violating three national laws such as: the act itself, R.A. 9165 or the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Act, and for other criminal offenses under the Revised Penal Code.

Section 12 of the act lists other penalties as follows: “a) If the violation of Section 5 did not result in physical injuries or homicide, the penalty of three (3) months imprisonment, and a fine ranging from Twenty thousand pesos (Php20,000.00) to Eighty thousand pesos (Php80,000.00) shall be imposed; (b) If the violation of Section 5 resulted in physical injuries, the penalty provided in Article 263 of the Revised Penal Code or the penalty provided in the next preceding subparagraph, whichever is higher, and a fine ranging from One hundred thousand pesos (Php100,000.00) to Two hundred thousand pesos (Php200,000.00) shall be imposed; (c) If the violation of Section 5 resulted in homicide, the penalty provided in Article 249 of the Revised Penal Code and a fine ranging from Three hundred thousand pesos (Php300,000.00) to

Five hundred thousand pesos (Php500,000.00) shall be imposed.

The prosecution for any violation of this act shall be without prejudice to criminal prosecution for violation of the Revised Penal Code, Republic Act No. 9165 and other special laws and existing local ordinances, whenever applicable.”

A ray of hope may be shining for Mang Quintin and those who are complaining of the harsh penalties of the act because it provides a provision for a review of penalties. Section 16 states that “The LTO shall, after five (5) years from the effectivity of this act and every five (5) years thereafter, review the applicability and enforcement of all foregoing pecuniary penalties and shall initiate amendment and/or upgrade the same as may be necessary, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the DOTC. Operators are not off the hook The act also introduced a refinement in prosecuting violators of the law as operators and/or owners of the offending vehicle may be also held directly liable. This is a kind of provision that is not always present in most national and local laws of the country.

Section 13 of the act states, “The owner and/or operator of the vehicle driven by the offender shall be directly and principally held liable together with the offender for the fine and the award against the offender for civil damages unless he or she is able to convincingly prove that he or she has exercised extraor-

dinary diligence in the selection and supervision of his or her drivers in general and the offending driver in particular. This section shall principally apply to the owners and/or operators of public utility vehicles and commercial vehicles such as delivery vans, cargo trucks, container trucks, school and company buses, hotel transports, cars or vans for rent, taxi cabs, and the like.”

Under this provision, the operator of delivery vans, school buses, container trucks and others as mentioned in Section 13 may be off the hook only if he or she can convincingly prove to the law enforcement office that extraordinary diligence in the selection and supervision of drivers is done. This is indeed a gray area of the law to prove what evidence of action constitutes “extraordinary diligence” on the part of the operator? Does it mean that the operator in a span of time has to show the records of regular physical and mental check-ups, drug tests, driving seminars and training of his or her drivers?

Business support on drivers’ education and information campaign Massive education and information drive among concerned sector and the public is a key to effective implementation of any law, much so of this landmark Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013. This is important because it entails adequate behavioral change on the part of driving individuals and prudence to law enforcement personnel.

According to educator and

business leader Joji Ilagan-Bian in an interview with local and national media that massive drivers’ education and information campaign must be done at this point and until the full implementation of the law because of the seriousness of the problem of alcohol-and-drug related road accidents in the country and the gravity of the penalties under this act. She said there must be a balance between enforcing the law and constantly educating and informing the drivers, especially the low-income PUV drivers because they are the ones to be hit hard of the law.

Bian said, “This is an area where the public-and-public partnership should work together in helping the most vulnerable sector—in this case the ordinary drivers, to understand the law and to avoid losing their main source of income.” She continued that in the end, it is the economy, and peace and order situation of the city are at stake. “What will happen to the families of drivers like Mang Quintin whose licenses are revoked? They will surely flock to the City Mayor’s Office to find work,” she added.

Second leading cause of death after assault Driving in the influence of drugs and alcohol tops the causes of road accidents in the country.

Road accidents is one of the leading causes of death in the Philippines as more and more Filipino have the capacity to own and drive motor vehicle according to the data from the Philippine Police Highway Patrol Group (PNPHPG). With a measly amount of P2,000 down payment, a person can own a motorcycle unit of his or her choice at a very easy installment plan.

According to Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, “road traffic injuries rank fourth among all causes of mortality and are the second leading cause of injury-related deaths after assault in the Philippines. In 2010, the estimated road traffic death rate was 9.1/100,000, and in 2006, there were 1,185 reported deaths and 5,870 injury reports. Three hundred seventy-one deaths were reported in Metro Manila, 51 percent of which were pedestrian deaths. In 2003, 24.6 percent of males and 8.3 percent of females who used alcohol in the Philippines had at least 60 grams (six standard drinks) or more of pure alcohol at least once a week”.

The PNP-HPG says “despite government warnings and road accidents, drunken people still get behind the wheel”. There is no denying that alcohol, and certainly other prohibited drugs, slows reflexes, weakens reasoning, and affects one’s motor skills.

Danger of abuse But the danger of being outof-job and economic peril is only a top of the iceberg. Mang Quintin and other PUV drivers say the law may also be another “milking cow” of “Kotong” police and law enforcement gangs. Their fears are not without basis. According to the 2014 Anti-Red Tape Act Report Card Survey (ARTA-RCS) conducted by the Civil Service Commission (CSC), out of the 39 failed offices that they survey, LTO topped the list with 21 failed offices. The ARTA-RCS is a tool to measure client satisfaction and get feedback on government frontline services in accordance with R.A. 9485.

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EDITORIAL The hurdle to federalism

M

AYOR Rodrigo Duterte has been pushing for a change from the current presidential unitary to a federal parliamentary form of government, saying this is the solution to the problems the country is facing. Under the current system, the hands of local government unit (LGU) are usually tied behind their backs when it comes to implementing programs and projects because the purse strings are controlled by the central government. To make matters worse, the national government usually allots more funds for areas that are already more developed, especially Metro Manila which enjoys infrastructure that other places can only dream of. This is ironic because the money that the capital distributes ultimately comes from the regions, which pay for the convenience Metro Manila denizens enjoy at our expense.

Federalism will indeed address this problem of over-centralization, but what many people probably do not realize is that

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changing to this form of government is not as easy as it seems. To be sure, Duterte has been getting positive responses from people all over the country through his “listening tour” on federalism, but the enthusiasm must be tempered by the fact that a change in government needs an amendment to the Constitution. The problem is that the Charter cannot be changed without opening it up to other changes as well. This is what stopped federalism supporters from pursuing it a number of years ago: the people suspected that government officials would also move to remove term limits that are prescribed in the Constitution.

The question now is if the people are ready to trust the leaders to handle the Charter so that only a change in the form of government is introduced and nothing else. This remains to be seen, and this is the problem with federalism. It is a good idea – nay, it is a great idea – but there is also a huge hurdle in achieving it. Are we mature enough to handle it properly? That is up for us to decide.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

AGAPITO JOAQUIN JR. Associate Editor

CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY Consultant

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9

The sweet smell of success

“

WE’VE all heard that we have to learn from our mistakes, but I think it’s more important to learn from successes,” Norman Vincent Peale said plainly. “If you learn only from your mistakes, you are inclined to learn only errors.”

Get that? Now, here’s a formula for success: Find a job that suits you. Most people work in order for them to earn a living. That would not bring you any success at all. “Find a job that’s suited to your talents and then do a lot more work than you’re paid for,” Walter Hoving advises. “In time, you’ll be paid much more for what you do.”

Napoleon Bonaparte failed as an essay writer, William Shakespeare as a wool merchant, Abraham Lincoln as a storekeeper, and Sean Connery as coffin polisher – but none of them gave up. They moved into other fields, tried other things for which they were better fitted, with the results we all know.

“The average human being in any line of work could double his productive capacity overnight if he began right now to do all the things he knows he should do, and stop doing all the things he knows he should not do,” Elmer G. Leterman quipped.

Never give up. A great oak is only a little nut that held his ground. That is what persistence is all about. Once you have identified that work you really want in life, you should not give up.

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence,” said Calvin Coolidge. “Talent

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will not; noth- THINK ON THESE! ing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.

Education will not; the world Henrylito D. Tacio is full of eduhenrytacio@gmail.com cated derelicts.

Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”

Try and try again. “Many people fail in life because they believe in the adage: If you don’t succeed, try something else. But success eludes those who follow such advice,” states Don B. Owens, Jr. There is no such thing as an overnight success. There is hardly a bar of his music which Ludwig van Beethoven did not rewrite at least a dozen times. William Cullen Bryant rewrote Thanatopsis a hundred times.

Edward Gibbon rewrote his autobiography nine times. Plato wrote the first sentence of his Republic nine times. Virgil spent 12 years writing his Aeneid.

“People of mediocre ability sometimes achieve outstanding success because they don’t know when to quit,” George Allen once said. “Most men succeed because they are determined to.”

Risk if you must. After Sylvester Stallone

wrote the screenplay of Rocky, he told producers that he wanted to star in the movie. At that time, the struggling actor was offered a huge sum if he would sell the script.

Kevin Costner was already a big star when he decided to direct Dances With Wolves.

Movie industry people told him to change his mind: the film would flop as it tackled about American Indians using their own language which most people didn’t know.

Stallone’s and Costner’s gamble paid off.

They both starred in their respective film, earned Oscar nominations, and the movies themselves were chosen as Best Picture of the Year by the Academy.

Don’t rest on your laurels. “The quickest and shortest way to crush whatever laurels you have won is for you to rest on them,” Donald P. Jones once said.

Multi-awarded actor Eddie Garcia is a fine example of not resting his laurels. He started his career as a character actor but went on to become a leading man to some of the country’s versatile actresses. But despite his status as a big star, he keeps on experimenting with the roles he does: sex, drama, action, and comedy. He even directs some of his movies (he was the man behind the award-winning Atsay, which earned Nora Aunor the coveted Best Performer trophy).

Today, the actor is still very much around.

Irving Berlin (who composed a song entitled “Heaven Watch the Philippines”) once wrote: “The toughest thing about success is that you’ve got to keep on being a success.”

And you do that by reinventing yourself every now and then. That is what Madonna has been doing all these years.

Share your talents with others. Someone asked a famous conductor of a great harmony orchestra which orchestral instrument he considered the most difficult to play.

The conductor thought a moment, then said: “Second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists. But to find one who can play second fiddle with enthusiasm – that’s a problem.

And if we have not second fiddles, we have no harmony.”

The conductor’s reply reminded me of the words of St. Francis of Assisi. “All getting separates you from others,” he said, “all giving unites to others.” Poet W.H. Auden was right when he rhapsodized, “We’re here on earth to do good for others. What the others are here for, I don’t know.”

Success is not success if you don’t share it to others. “The service we render for others is really the rent we pay for our room on this earth,” Wilfred Grenfell reminds.

Allow me to end this piece with these words from Charlie Brower: “He was one of those men who struggle for success long after they have it, who are still making touchdowns when the stands are empty, the other team long gone, and the shadows lengthening toward them. Like most of us, he was seeking happiness, and was baffled that success had not brought it. But success itself is a sort of failure. You reach the end of the rainbow, and there’s no pot of gold.”

nity.

MY TWO CENTS’ Chronic scarcity of essentials drives up cost, abundance lowers cost. Allowing such scarcities are the mark of John Tria incompetent ecisouth@gmail.com g o ve r n a n c e over the last few decades. This is a chronic situation that must be stopped. It can be done. But it is not done. The availability of cheap power, food, and free high quality education is the hallmark of being an advanced economy.

You don’t hear of problems meeting supply in advanced countries. But here it seems to be the rule. Over all, costs of doing business are high and therefore, entry of new businesses is more difficult. How can you have inclusive growth when barriers are too high for new investment by those other than the current class of businesspeople? Lower costs allow a greater number to participate in economic growth, and allow more wealth

to be shared.

Smart money policies are not enough.

At the moment you have clever monetary policies to create growth and lower inflation by encouraging rating agencies to look favorably on our economy. These are what have created the opportunities at the moment. But the comments on the lack of inclusive growth show that these policies are temporary measures that cannot substitute for real low cost inputs that can feed the growth of industry by lowering the cost of establishing and manufacturing enterprises, and keep future workers happy through the low cost of power food and affordable, quality education. Seven years of seven percent growth cannot be sustained by smart monetary policies alone. Inflation will need to be kept low, and this can only be done by increasing food and power production to lower cost. Low costs are what make growth more inclusive through the lower cost of doing business. International financial institutions themselves are saying so.

Lower costs keep talent in. These high costs are also what drive talent away from the Philippines, especially if you live in Metro Manila. Little wonder why we

elect many incompetent leaders and why the talent pool is siphoned off abroad.

Wages can be kept high as other costs are lowered, and more talented people will stay. Moreover, the higher quality of life for a bigger portion of the populace creates the political stability need for sustained growth. Happy families at home are the result of strong economic policies at home.

Local initiative and governance has worked for us. The key, as always, is the enabler. As such, achieving this is to capitalize on the strengths of individual regions that so far are the bright spot in Philippine governance. A preponderance of local initiative in pushing reforms and proper implementation of national rules is what has created the boom cities of Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu and Iloilo. Hence, a federal form of government will help institutionalize these gains obtained under autonomous governance brought in by the Local Government Code. Political will from Manila is not enough to drive change and performance. National programs can serve as guidelines and benchmarks, but should not be the locus of effort. Local initiatives to create responsible governance are the way forward – this is where change will happen.

Financial ratings good but inclusive growth still slow(Part 2)

BUNDANT Agriculture, cheap power, and high quality free public education are what will serve as the long term driver of inclusive sustainable economic growth. These are the foundations that make great nations.

At present, a third of our citizens live below the poverty line. This is about 30 million Filipinos who have difficulty making ends meet. Is it because of their incapability? No. It’s their capacity. In other Asian countries, lower food and power costs have driven industrial development. Here scarcity is always the rule. The problem is always meeting demand. In this situation, costs will always be high, and government is compelled to lower the barrier of entry through incentives, tax breaks, and other sweeteners. Over the last two decades we have been a net importer of basic commodities like rice, coffee, chocolate, even beef! We cannot import power and are thus doomed to pay expensive rates for the locally available yet scarce and expensive supply. Encouraging greater participation in the economy will reduce poverty and create a bigger market to enlarge the economy further, as more people buy more locally produced items, creating more employment and opportu-

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

Barangay... FROM 3

EARTH HOUR. Verlind Basira, Habagat Earth Hour Night Ride organizer explains the event to members of the media during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex last Monday. Cheneen R. Capon

Abella pushes MOA with DTI for Toril food terminal

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

D

abf@edgedavao.net

AVAO City councilor Marissa Salvador-Abella is pushing the city to enter into an agreement with the Department of Trade and Industry-National Development of Corporation (DTI- NDC) for the establishment of a food terminal in Toril.

In yesterday’s regular session, Abella, chair of the City Council’s committee on agriculture and food, said she received a copy of a proposed memorandum of agreement (MOA) between NDC and city government for the establishment of the Agri Pinoy Trading Center (APTC) which will be funded by Department of Agriculture (DA).

“NDC will provide a five-hectare portion of its property in Daliao, Toril as site for the APTC for a period of 15 years,” Abella said.

She said on April 8, 2014, the City Council enacted City Ordinance No. 0139-04 series of 2014 authorizing the City Mayor to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) of both parties relative to APTC. Abella said the MOU was signed on June 9 last year in which both parties signified their intention for cooperation and collaboration for the development of APTC that will benefit the agricultural communities not just in the city but also the neighboring provinces.

“The increase of efficiency as well as productivity in agricultural sector is empirical in sustaining the economy as well as food security,” she said.

Abella said the proposed APTC will source out and sell

products directly from the farmers and agri-processors within the locality or in target catchment areas.

“This will reduce the interventions of middlemen and, in turn, will provide consumers access to cheaper commodities,” she said.

Abella said she witnessed how the farmers were motivated to increase its production due to the increase profit brought by APTC during her visit in the APTCs in Sariyaya and Tayabas City in Quezon Province and Urdaneta City in Pangasinan.

Earlier, DA Secretary Proceso Alcala said the DA and Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte have agreed to form a team for the establishment of a P70-million food terminal in Daliao, Toril.

Alcala said the team will formulate a transparent mechanism for the bidding process of the project.

He said the project was supposed to be implemented last year but Duterte opposed the provision that the city government will be the one to implement it with funding from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Alcala said Davao City is the center of trade of the region and other neighboring regions.

If the food terminal is established outside Davao City, he fears that the money used will be wasted.

Alacala also the food terminal will “revolutionize” the agricultural sector in the city.

He said the facility could change the lives of the farmers because they can sell the products

doing it, we can have more inputs on how to improve our interventions for MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) and consumers,” she said.

Pursuant to the National Budget Memorandum No. 123 dated January 28, 2015, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has provided procedures to strengthen the conduct of agency consultations at the central and regional levels to secure feedback on programs and projects of departments and corporations.

This is also in accordance with the current administration’s thrust of inclusive growth, transparency, and financial accountability.

“We are optimistic about getting valuable inputs from our partners from the government and the private sector,” she said.

Among DTI-Davao Region’s plans for this year are the setting-up of six Negosyo Centers, establishment of 49 Shared Service Facility (SSF) projects, implementation of 21 Bottom-Up Budgeting (BuB) projects, distribution of 130 Timbangan ng Bayan to 65 public markets (each public market will be given at least two weighing scales), conduct of Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Roving Academy and Presyo Diskwento Caravans, and strengthening of priority industry clusters.

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without the intervention of middlemen.

Duterte had earlier said he did not accept the project because he does not want to handle money.

He said he just wanted the DA to give the facility to the city.

Duterte said he accepted the project but on the condition that teams from the city government and the DA will monitor it.

time.

He said despite their continuous foot patrol at night, drug peddlers still manage to continue their drug peddling activities.

“Nagapatrolya man mi.

Lunes sa gabie gani nag ronda mi, pero mingaw man. Ako lang gyud na ilahang gina bantayan dira (We conduct patrols. In fact on Monday night we made the rounds but we found nothing. The drug pushers are watching out for me),” he said.

Usman also said known drug dealers in the barangay

are already being monitored by the authorities.

He said he plans to give his constituents at least P2,000 each if they can pinpoint drug pushers operating in their barangay.

Usman said the reward could be bigger if the information is on big time drug peddlers.

“Mag funding ko para sa makatudlo o makadakop sa mga tig baligya og illegal nga droga. P2,000 akong ihatag, pero depende na kung dako ilahang matudlo, mas dako akong ihatag,” he said.

He said even if their barangay does not have a budget for the reward, he will find ways to provide cash in order to clean up his barangay.

Usman, however, insisted that the illegal drug activities in his barangay is not as big as before.

He said he was dismayed by the mayor’s warning but added he was also challenged by it.

“Nahi-ubos ko, pero maayo to kay nakabalo ta nga naa gihapon nakalusot nga droga sa atong barangay,” he said. Funny Pearl A. Gajunera

Gines, Julius Caduyac, Joeylo Atis, Edgar Callanta, Silverio Suazo, Jomar Laude, Joseph Gary Mandreza, Francisco Tan, Rodel Gambe, Ian Rey Saban and Jimar Pateres.

Team Captain and Customer Relations Manager Harvey Banzuelo said that the mall has set-up a program for regular skills development and updating

with the help of the Bureau of Fire Protection as well as the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, 911 and other civic and government agencies.

“The economic performance of a country is an important indicator to assess whether it is ready for this kind of technology, and the Philippines is ready to experience the sets of locks of the future,” Soneja told reporters.

He said the lock sets will

be soon launched in Cagayan de Oro City. “We are planning to launch these products in other key cities in Mindanao.”

He said Yale will be launching next year another set of products “that will define the future of locks in the country.”

SM Davao... FROM 3

Citihardware... FROM 4

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

Petition for Renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a PUJ DUAL Ordinary Regular Service Case No.2012-XI-00522 REMUS L. LLANTO, Petitioner

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NOTICE OF HEARING

17th City Council 21st Regular Session Series of 2013 PRESENT:

Councilor Bernard E. Al-ag - Temporary Presiding Officer Councilor Nilo M. Abellera, Jr. Councilor Ma. Belen S. Acosta Councilor Victorio U.Advincula Jr. Councilor Al Ryan S. Alejandre Councilor Leonardo R. Avila III Councilor Karlo S. Bello Councilor Joanne M. Bonguyan Councilor Louie John J. Bonguyan Councilor Danilo C. Dayanghirang Councilor April Marie C. Dayap Councilor Jimmy G. Dureza ON OFFICIAL BUSINESS

Councilor Edgar P. Ibuyan Jr. Councilor Edgar R. Ibuyan Sr. Councilor Rene Elias C. Lopez Councilor Diosdado Angelo A. Mahipus Sr. Councilor Berino L. Mambo-o Sr. Councilor Bonifacio E. Militar Councilor Tomas J. Monteverde IV Councilor Myrna G. L Dalodo-Ortiz Councilor Antoinette G. Principe Concilor Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte Councilor Rachel P. Zozobrado

Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte

ABSENT: Councilor Leah A. Librado-Yap - On Vacation Leave Councilor Marissa P. Salvador-Abella - On Sick Leave

ORDINANCE NO. 077-13 Series of 2013

AN ORDINANCE GRANTING LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY TO MR. ARNEL ANGELITO GARRIDO, HEAD NEMESIS SITE ACQUISIRION, HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES PHILIPPINES, FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, INSTALLATION, IMPLEMENTATION AND OPERATION OF GLOBE’S TELECOMMUNICATION CELL SITE AND ANTENNA FACILITY AT BARANGAY LIZADA, TORIL DISTRICT, THIS CITY,SUBJECT TO THE COMPLIANCE OF THE REGULATORY FEE AS PROVIDED FOR UNDER ORDINANCE NO. 0463-13.

Be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City in session assembled that:

SECTION 1. TITLE - This ordinance shall be known as “AN ORDINANCE GRANTING LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY TO MR. ANGELITO GARRIDO, HEAD, NEMESIS SITE ACQUISITION, HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES PHILIPPINE, FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, INSTALLATION, IMPLEMENTATION AND OPERATION OF GLOBE’S TELECOMMUNICATION CELL SITE AND ATENNA FACILITY AT BARANGAY LIZADA, TORIL DISTRICT. THIS CITY, SUBJECT TO THE COMPLIANCE OF THE REGULATORY FEE AS PROVIDED FOR UNDER ORDINANCE NO. 0463-13”

SECTION 2. LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY – The City Council grants legislative authority to Mr. Angelito Garrido, Head, Nemesis Site Acquisition, Huawei Technologies Philippines, who requested in a letter dated September 4, 2013 for approval of the construction, installation, implementation and operation of Globe’s Telecommunication cell site and antenna facility at Barangay Lizada, Toril Disrict, this City, subject to the compliance of the regulatory fee as provided for under Ordinance No. 0463-13;

SECTION 3. REPEALING CLAUSE – All other laws, decrees, orders issuances, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 4. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE – if for any reason, any provision of this Ordinance, or any part thereof, is declared invalid or unconstitutional, all other sections or provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect;

SECTION 5. EFFECTIVITY – This Ordinance shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in a newspaper of local circulation in the City of Davao.

ENACTED, December 5, 2013, by a majority vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian present.

CERTIFIED CORRECT: “For and in the absence of the Secretary;

ATTESTED

ATTESTED

Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PUJ-DUAL Ordinary Regular service on the route: BUNAWAN VIA BUHANGIN and for cargoes as dual service from said route to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which certificate will expire on November 21, 2015. In the petition filed on February 26, 2015, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of said certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on APRIL 6, 2015 at 09:10 a.m. at this office at the above address.

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

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

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

WITNESS the Honorable BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional Director, this 26th day of February 2015 at Davao City.

TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ Chief Transportation Development Officer

ICT HUB 11

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More smartphones penetration to boost eCommerce in PH C

ARMUDI, the online vehicle marketplace from the world’s largest incubator Rocket Internet, announced that as more Filipinos could afford smartphones, the country could see a healthier e-commerce industry.

In a press statement, Subir Lohani, country manager of Carmudi Philippines, said, “The expansion of the e-commerce industry is limited foremost by the number of smartphone users in the country.”

Lohani explained that because of this trend Carmudi has released their Android and iOS applications last year.

Their website has also been made mobile responsive, so even people browsing on the Internet could easily navigate their website.

He also disclosed that of the 700,000+ monthly page views that their site (www. carmudi.com.ph) receives, almost half comes from mobile sources (smartphone and tablet). Of which, it provides, more than 13 percent of its 25,000+ leads.

Bridging the gap A mobile centric-browsing Philippines, however, has a long way to go because of several challenges that most CAR MUDI. Subir Lohani, country manager of Carmudi Philippines, said, “The expansion of the e-commerce industry e-commerce sites deal with. is limited foremost by the number of smartphone users in the country.”

The country’s Internet speed,

for example, is still pegged at 4 Mbps, the fourth fastest in the ASEAN region, according to Ookla. This is still a far cry, from Singapore which leads its neighboring countries at 16 Mbps.

“Improvements in the country’s Internet structure and a better service from telephone companies can easily bridge this gap, in time for the Philippines transition to mobile browsing,” Lohani said.

He also expressed a positive outlook that this will happen sooner as there is a market demand that will force telcos to be more competitive on how they package their Internet offers.

Lohani also said that the local e-commerce industry can change drastically on how telcos can address the issue of mobile data cap.

Freeing up mobile data The Carmudi exec, however, is not that worried as online businesses are expected to provide free mobile data to mobile users who uses their services. Several platforms, such as Safezone.ph from Voyager- Smart Communications, is already providing free mobile data to users who access brands that are under its services.

Aside from Carmudi, oth-

er apps and websites that can be accessed for free through Safezone include co-Rocket ventures such as Lamudi, Zalora and Lamudi.

2015 projections Carmudi has also projected that 2015 is the year it will solidify its hold as the number one go to site for those who wants to buy or sell any type of vehicles- from cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles.

“We simply need to ride the trend of ever-increasing vehicular sales and give people the ease of using our online services,” Lohani said.

Last 2014 was a banner year for the automotive industry which grew to 30-percent with 234, 747 units sold for the year.

About Carmudi Carmudi was founded in 2013 and is currently available in Bangladesh, Cameroon, Congo, Ghana, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Mexico, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam.

The vehicle marketplace offers buyers, sellers and car dealers the ideal platform to find cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles online.

Semafone Partners with AsiaPay Experience the best Samsung S6, S6 edge data plans from Smart

A

SIAPAY, the premier electronic payment service and solution provider in Asia-Pacific, is pleased to announce that Semafone, the international provider of secure payment technology for call centres, has signed a two way partnership with AsiaPay . As Semafone continues to expand its presence in Asia , the solution will provide existing and new AsiaPay customers with a secure way to make payments over the telephone throughout the region.

AsiaPay’s Payment Gateway is a proven and feature-rich multi-channel, multi-currency, multi-lingual, highly customizable and expandable payment gateway solution. It is widely recognized and certified by acquiring banks as well as card associations and has been adopted by leading banks and wellknown corporates worldwide.

Semafone will work seamlessly with its comprehensive payment processing capabilities, reporting and fraud monitoring system.

Semafone’s payment method allows customers to enter card numbers directly into their telephone keypad when they make a payment over the phone. From here, the numbers are transmitted directly to the bank so no details are stored on the contact centre systems.

This completely removes the contact centre from the scope of Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) regulations. The keypad tones are disguised so that numbers cannot be identified by their sound, leaving the agent free to continue the conversation with

the customer while the payment is made.

The partnership between AsiaPay and Semafone will benefit the customers of both companies. Semafone will be able to offer AsiaPay’s well-respected PayGate product to its new customers in the region, while AsiaPay can recommend Semafone’s secure payment solution to merchants who accept credit or debit card payments over the phone.

Tim Critchley , CEO of Semafone, stated, “We are looking forward to working with AsiaPay to provide a comprehensive offering for contact centres in the Asian market. AsiaPay’s e-commerce expertise is complemented by our own experience in secure telephone payments.

This is a great opportunity for the two companies to join forces and offer customers in the regiona l secure multi-channel payment solution.”

“This highly anticipated PayGate collaboration is a crucial outcome of the strategic partnership and marks the strengthening of the relationship between Semafone and AsiaPay , “ said Joseph Chan , CEO and Founder of AsiaPay, “AsiaPay has more than 14 year s experience in international business service and credit card payment processing, holding a consolidated position as the major ePayment player in Asia . With t he choice of AsiaPay, the partner confirms the relevance and value of our own strategy, which is based on our advanced, secure, integrated and cost-effective electronic payment processing solutions and services.”

F

ILIPINOS can soon enjoy the all-new Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge smartphones with the best data plans from wireless services leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), which gives them significantly more data volume allowance every month plus exciting perks and freebies for early availers.

Users can get their hands on the next-level Samsung Galaxy S6 or S6 edge starting at Plan 999, which already comes with a sizable 5GB of monthly data volume allowance that gives them the Internet for all their needs, plus calls and texts to all networks.

All Philippine telecom firms and retailers will release the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge by midApril, but interested subscribers can already get first dibs at purchasing any of these two exciting Samsung flagship devices by visiting smart.com.ph/Postpaid/ galaxy-s6 today.

“The Galaxy S6 and S6 edge from Samsung are mobile powerhouses that work best with the largest and most advanced mobile network from Smart,” said Kathryn Carag, Postpaid Marketing Head at Smart. “Users can get the best mobile Internet experience from these two Samsung flagships with the best data plans from Smart, the only Philippine network that offers significantly more data volume allowance for every user’s online needs.”

Exclusive perks Aside from bigger data volume allowance, those who avail of the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge with the best data plans

from Smart early on can get the following freebies: · FREE one-month Gadget Care smartphone insurance; · FREE Deezer Premium+ access for 24 months (worth P6,000 in total), which gives them access to more than 30 million songs on their Galaxy S6 or S6 edge device anytime, anywhere; · And a chance to choose one item from a lineup of exciting freebies, including: a Samsung wireless charger, Samsung accessories, tickets to the Katy Perry Prismatic concert, movie tickets, and gift certificates, among many others.

Meanwhile, those who will avail of any Samsung Galaxy S6 or S6 edge plan online from today until April 20 will automatically get a FREE Samsung Wireless Charger from Smart.

Exclusive look To help them decide which new Samsung flagship smartphone to get, prospective customers can proceed to Smart Stores in the following areas to

check out the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge preview kits: Power Plant Mall, Jump Store Megamall, Shangri-La Plaza, SM Dasmarinas, SM Cebu, SM Davao, and SM Baguio.

The sleek new flagship devices from Samsung feature next-level upgrades in specifications, including a bumpedup 5.1-inch 2K display, a 16-megapixel rear camera with f/1.9 lens, plus a powerful quadcore processor to handle all your mobile multimedia needs.

Aside from improved specifications, the new Galaxy S6 and S6 edge phones also feature a refreshed metal-clad design that screams premium from every angle. To top it all off, the S6 edge sports a curved screen on both sides that literally pushes the boundaries of smartphone design.

Affordable cash-out Interested subscribers can get the Samsung Galaxy S6 at Plan 999 with a P19,200 cashout for the 32GB model, or P800 a month for 24 months. The Gal-

axy S6 edge (32GB), meanwhile, is available on Plan 999 with a P24,000 cash-out, or P1,000 a month for 24 months. This means they only pay P1,799 a month for the Galaxy S6 or P1,999 a month for the Galaxy S6 edge from Smart.

Alternatively, users can get their hands on the Galaxy S6 (32GB) and S6 Edge (32GB) at Plan 2000, with P5,500 (P229/ mo) and P12,000 (P500/mo) cash-out, respectively.

But those who want a taste of the premium lifestyle can opt to get these two new Samsung flagship devices with Smart Infinity, Smart’s premium postpaid brand. Both the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge are available at Prestige Plan 5000 and Premium Plan 8000, which comes with a FREE phone plus Mabuhay Miles which can be used for international and domestic flights.* To know more about the best data plans for the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge from Smart, visit smart.com.ph/Postpaid/galaxy-s6.

12 CLASSIFIED

EDGEDAVAO

GO BOLD

GO COLOUR

• All text • Telephone Number (bigger point size) • Bold Header Price: 100.00

VOL. 7 ISSUE 263 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

ADD-ON

• Background • Text Price: 175.00

• Pictures/Logos • Graphic Elements Price: 230.00

DAVAO CITY MAIN OFFICE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY MARKETING OFFICE

Director of Sales

Marketing Specialist

JOCELYN S. PANES

Door 14 ALCREJ Bldg., Quirino Ave., Davao City Tel: (082) 224-1413 Telefax: (082) 221-3601

EDMUND P. RENDON

General Santos City

Mobile: (Sun) 0925-357-3460 (Smart) 0907-202-3844

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

ANGELICA R. GARCIA Marketing Manager 97-1 Bayanbayanan Ave., Marikina Heights, Marikina City Tel: (02) 654-3509

INdulge!

WOMEN

VOL. 7 ISSUE 263 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

Sister Act

Photography: Paul Borromeo Styling: Meg Sta. Ines and Otoy Mercado Outfits: Marks & Spencer Shot on location at Marks & Spencer and SM Lanang Premier

Complementary in more ways than one. Angel in Per Una knitted top in red, Classic crop pants in white & M&S Collection sunglasses; and Marydict in orange linen top & indigo pull-on leggings, all from M&S Collection.

SOMETIMES people think sisterhood is the one of the most complex of relationships ever existed, a source of rivalry and frustration... That is until you realize how it opens you to look beyond personal perspectives and appreciate another human being for who she truly is --- not as her being an extension of you, but as an individual with unique qualities and experiences.

She may be that frenzied voice which drives you crazy with resounding anecdotes or the gracious soul who inspires and encourages you.

However different you are to one another, you guaranteed to have a friend for life. It’s one of the most gratifying bonds that see you through the good and the bad. A sister understands and knows you better than anyone else and would sacrifice anything on your behalf. She’s someone you can turn to at any time of day or night.

Here’s an inspiring tale of sisters who, despite the stark contrast in personalities and preferences, believe that living as opposites can help you appreciate. Just like every piece of a puzzle, you find a greater connection in what could make you whole.

To them, life is a picnic especially when they’re together, basking in simple joys and cheering each one on with shared experiences and cup of tea.

Opposites attract. This law of attraction is best mani-

fested in these two ladies— the Togonon sisters. Both are married with children.

Marydict, 38, is wife to Emerson Rosales and mother to their four kids, and younger sister, Angel, is 33 and married to Conrad Go with three kids between them.

The sisters can’t be two peas in a pod with their personalities on the opposite ends of the pole. Marydict is the serious, unsmiling type while Angel is the perennially the jolly prankster with a grin. “Everything about us is the opposite,” said the giggling elder sister.

“I am so crazy and silly, and will always be the shy, little girl. Marydict is the composed and knowledgeable one,” said Angel.

Though they agree on their love for clothes, bags and shoes, their fashion senses don’t fall on the same page—Marydict’s wardrobe is on the single tone of black with pieces the basic cuts while Angel’s is popping with colorson the more playful designs.

“I don’t like social functions because that means I have to think of an outfit to wear, and the only style I know is something in black and killer heels. Angel on the other hand, loves to dress up for parties. She will look fashionable and I will end up looking serious and formal,” confessed Marydict.

Even on food, their choices clash. “I’m the healthy eater and she eats crap,” shared Angel, but Marydict refers to it as something else, “She eats healthy, yucky tasteless food. I cook and eat gourmet meals.” They both laugh.

Surprisingly, they’re like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle that fit perfectly together. They don’t clash. In fact, they’re each other’s support system, filling each other’s needs like cheerleaders at a game. They totally complement each other.

Metro Mom A4

Here’s an inspiring tale of sisters who, despite the stark contrast in personalities and preferences, believe that living as opposites can help you appreciate.

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UP AND ABOUT

ENTERTAINMENT

Easter-rific Holiday

at Park Inn by Radisson Davao THE Holy Week gives you that much needed time to reflect and immerse oneself in a tropical urban resort.

Indulge in the serenity and calm of togetherness as you take a break from the usual busy life and spend time with loved ones.

Make family time more meaningful this Holy Week at Park Inn by Radisson Davao and book the Easter-rific room package for only Php4,599.00 net, applicable for stays from March 29 to April 5. This seasonal promo already includes breakfast and a choice of either lunch or dinner for two, plus an Easter bunny and egg. Guests who are checking in April 2, 3 and 5 get to partake in RBG’s buffet events, while those who are staying on other dates will be given a set meal featuring a few of RBG’s top rated dishes.

The hotel is your perfect hideaway where you can enjoy a good sleep and relax at the pool deck.

Walk-in guests are also invited to dip and dine at the pool lounge for a minimum F&B spend worth Php500.00 net per person.

For those who are looking for a lunch or dinner get-together outside of their home, RBG will

also be open to accommodate guests from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday. The lunch and dinner buffet on April

2 and 3 feature a variety of intercontinental cuisine and select seafood and chicken for grilling. Lunch is priced at Php550.00 net per person while dinner is at Php650.00 net.

Cap your long family holiday and celebrate Easter Sunday at RBG. The hotel’s special lunch buffet will feature the best of the East and West, plus a wide selection of meat cuts and seafood for

grilling. All children also get free access to the Kids’ Zone where they can join in the fun activity, games and egg hunt. Dress them up in the most creative superhero getup for a chance to win gift certificates in the costume contest!

Lunch is at Php650.00 net per adult and Php375.00 net per kid (ages 6 to 12 years old).

For reservations and inquiries, call +63 82 272 7600 or email reservations.davao@parkinn.com.

Grand Regal Hotel joins International World Water Day GRAND REGAL HOTEL DAVAO joins the noteworthy event celebrated worldwide, the International World Water Day last March 22, 2015, which focuses attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for sustainable management of freshwater resources. But since the worldwide date of event falls on a Sunday, the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment & Natural Resources slated the clean-up activity last Friday, March 20.

The selected cleanup venue was at Coaco Beach, Barangay Hizon, Davao City, where private companies were

enjoined to send few employees for the synchronized clean-up activities. The Environmental Management Bureau-DENR being a supporter of the international event, is a partner in the “AdoptAn-Estero/Water Body Program, thus, sent invitations the community residing nearby and academe to show support by sending participants.

A select team was sent by the hotel who joined the clean-up while a prominent tarpaulin was displayed on the hotel’s façade to raise consciousness of hotel guests and passers-by along the highway.

As prime hospitality provider, Grand Regal Hotel believes in the significance this global

awareness advocates of managing our water resources. It is almost impossible to imagine how our daily chores, whether at home or on travel without water. Though comforting to think of water as a renewable re-

source, but we must be aware what limitless exploitation of a resource can lead to. We are but inhabitants of the blue planet where 326 million trillion gallons of water abound, yet only less than 3% of these is fresh-

water and it still seem an abundance to wade us through our drinking, washing and bathing in this lifetime. But like all things utilized endlessly in all ways imaginable, might one day become precious by the droplets.

JAN True

Cinema One or leads digital m AFTER the phenomenal success of the Cinema One Originals “That Thing Called Tadhana” last month, another Cinema One Originals film, “Mater Dolorosa” has become the top Filipino movie released on iTunes since it became available in January 2014 as one of ABS-CBN’s offerings on the popular music and movie purchasing site.

“Mater Dolorosa,” a family drama film by Adolf Alix Jr., is the first Cinema One Originals title that became available on iTunes.

“I am proud that Cinema One is able to provide an alternative lineup of movies that suits the taste of our audience. ‘Mater Dolorosa’ is an edgy family drama that is well-received locally and has bagged major awards in various prestigious local award giving bodies. Its success does not surprise me because the film’s story is impeccable. It is what viewers enjoy,” said Cinema One channel head Ronald Arguelles.

“Mater Dolorosa” features a star-studded cast led by Gina Alajar, Alessandra de Rossi, Anita Linda, Phillip Sal-

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NE OINEZA: ue love waits KAPAMILYA teen star Jane Oineza believes that just like her role’s belief in “Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita,” time can never be a hindrance when it comes to true love.

“Like my character Corinne, I believe that true love waits. She believes that all things must happen rightly. If the love that two people share is true, then it can withstand the test of time,” shared Jane about her role in the trending Kapamilya Gold drama series which she stars with Vina Morales, Denise Laurel, Loisa Andalio, Joshua Garcia, and Jerome Ponce.

Meanwhile, tension rises in “Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita” now that Joel (Joshua) has decided to court Corinne, who is also getting closer to her schoolmate Ryan (Jerome). How

will Joel’s feelings for Corinne affect her relationship with her sister Bea (Loisa)? How will Cecilia (Vina), Corinne, Bea, and Toni’s (Denise) lives change now that Leandro (Christian Vasquez is ready to do everything for the annulment of his first marriage?

To thank their avid supporters, Jane, Jerome, Joshua, Eslove Briones, and Emmanuelle Vera will throw a fans day on March 28 (Satur-

day). It will be held at SM City Lucena, at 5PM. Don’t miss the heated scenes and confrontations in teleserye that will show the different faces of love, “Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita,” everyday, 3:15PM, after “Flordeliza” on ABSCBN’s Kapamilya Gold.

For more information about “Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita,” log on www.abs-cbn.com, or follow @abscbndotcom on Twitter.

Viewers may also catch up on full episodes and past episodes of “Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita”

through ABS-CBNmobile.

For more information, please go to www.abscbnmobile.com.

riginals Mater Dolorosa movie purchases

vador, Jason Abalos, Carlo Aquino, Felix Roco, Cogie Domingo, Rossanna Roces, Alwyn Uytinco, Mercedes Cabral, and Evelyn Vargas.

The Cinema One Originals film chronicles the story of a woman who takes over her husband’s crime empire while trying to keep her amily intact. While she tries o manage the issues enveloping her family, a new mayor steps in, forcing her to change the way she runs her business and how she deals with ghosts from the past.

The Gina Alajar-helmed film also harvested major awards, such as the 2013 Gawad Urian Best Director or Adolf Alix, Jr., the 2013

KZ Tandingan to stage first major concert in April Golden Screen Awards Best Actress award for Gina Alajar, and the 2013 Star Awards for Movies Best Supporting Actor for Carlo Aquino.

“Mater Dolorosa” is available on iTunes in the Philippines and the United States for $12.99 (HD version) and is priced at $3.99 for rent (HD version). It is also available for $9.99 (SD version) and is priced at $2.99 for rent (SD version).

For more information, visit Cinema One’s official Facebook page (www.facebook. com/Cinema1channel) and Mater Dolorosa’s page on the Apple Store (https://itunes. apple.com/ph/movie/materdolorosa/id797060748).

“MAHAL Ko O Mahal Ako” hit singer KZ Tandingan will stage her first ever self-titled solo major concert on April 17 at the Music Museum.

“This is my chance to show all sides of my music. I’ll perform songs in various genres. I’ll surely do everything to give my best for everyone who will take part in this big milestone in my music career,” said KZ, who first became popular as the first grand winner of “The X Factor Philippines.”

Joining KZ in her concert are Ebe Dancel, Abra, Richard Poon, Harana Boys, Kokoi of “The Voice of the Philippines Season 2,” and her “X Factor” mentor Charice. The concert is under the production of ABSCBN’s Star Events, stage direction by Marvin Caldito, and musical direction by Karel Honasan.

Tickets for KZ’s concert may now be purchased by calling Music Museum at 721-6726 and TicketWorld at 891-9999 or simply logging on to Ticketworld.com. ph.

For more information about “KZ: The Concert,” visit Starmusic.ph or follow Star Music’s official social media accounts at Facebook.com/starrecordsphil, Twitter. com/starrecordsph and Instagram.com/Starmusicph.

March 25, 2015

INSURGENT Shailene Woodley, Theo James PG

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

CINDERELLA Lily James, Hayley Atwell, Richard Madden G

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

SONG ONE Anne Hathaway, Johnny Flynn PG

R-16

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

RUN ALL NIGHT/ * THE GUNMAN R16/ *R16

Liam Neeson, Joel Kinnaman/ * Sean Penn, Idris Elba 12:10 | 2:40 | 5:10 LFS / * 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 263 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

WOMEN Metro Mom A1 “I’m sort of the fashion-savvy. So, if she has a fashion emergency she calls me.

She’s the brain-savvy. So, if I have brain emergencies, I call her,” admits Angel, to which Marydict nodded to and added, “She teaches me the coolest and newest styles, I bail her out of sticky situations.”

There is this other thing that binds the sisters—their love for tea and collecting tea sets. Both of them started collecting at about the same time some fourteen years ago.

Marydict recalls her fondest moment on drinking tea. It

The green season begins. Marydict in a M&S Collection ensemble for Spring: chartreuse zip front top & black leggings.

Cool as the sky in Spring. Angel in chambray plain top linen, leggings in natural color, turquoise mix necklace & red belt, all from M&S Collection.

was when her grandmother taught her proper table etiquette including the right way to prepare and drink tea.

With Angel, her fondest memory was more recent. It was when her eldest daughter said that she wanted to start drinking tea like her. “I was so happy. I now have a tea buddy in the family. My daughter fired up the kettle, chose the loose leaf she wanted to try, searched for the tea strainer and picked her own teacup. Mind you, she is more choosy than me,” shared Angel.

As for the sisters’ advice to budding collectors, Marydict’s advice is this, “Start with one. Expensive or inexpensive tea set, share a cup of tea with your loved one, even your children.

No distractions. You will be amazed at how much you’ve missed out on each other.”

Angel agrees with her older sister, she added, “Just have fun.

Enjoy your pieces and use it since you paid quite a lot for it.”

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Moto clubs vie to break World Record M

EMBERS of local motorcycle clubs belonging to the National Federation of Motorcycle Clubs of the Philippines, Inc. (NFMCP) will converge in Tagaytay City from April 6 to 12, 2015 for the 21st National Motorcycle Convention. An estimated 5,000 motorcyclists from more than 120 member motorcycle clubs and guest clubs are said to be gearing up for the grand event dubbed as the “Gran Vientiuno

Convencion Nacional”.

Hosted by the Law Enforcer Riders’ Association of the Philippines (LERAP), this year’s convention promises to be the grandest one ever with concerts, motorcycle displays, stunt shows, bike features and competitions. Bazaars and bike shows will be held from April 6 onwards at the Tagaytay Convention Center grounds while a track day will be held on April 9 at the Batan-

gas Racing Circuit (BRC).

The convention proper will commence on April 10 with the arrival of delegates from all over the Philippines and some guest delegates from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Dubai, Australia, and more.Motorcycles for rent will be available for delegates who want to ride around the Tagaytay and Batangas venues to enjoy the scenery and the camaraderie among

bikers. A brand new 2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S will be raffled off as the grand prize.

One of the highlights of the event is the simultaneous motorcycle tire burnout activity which will attempt to top the Guinness Book of World Records that currently stands at 213 motorcycles achieved

by Team Harleystunts and Smokey Mountain Harley-Davidson in Maryville Tennessee, USA in August 26, 2006. The

Federation plans to exceed that by inviting 500 riders to do tire burnouts on April 11 under the watchful eye of a Guinness Book representative.

“LERAP would like to promote Respect, Unity and Brotherhood among all motorcyclists, whether they ride big or small motorcycles”, said LERAP and current NFMCP President Gen. Fernando “Ding” Pace. “We hope that this year’s convention would do that and more, especially with the growing population of motorcycle riders in the country, which has now exceeded 6 million riders. We also hope to instill pride among our local riders by breaking a world

record.”

The 21st National Motorcycle Convention is sponsored

by Von Dutch, Department of Tourism, Kawasaki Leisure Bikes, Ropali Classics, Ducati Philippines/Access Plus, Harley-Davidson of Manila, BMW Motorrad, Royal Enfield/ Hardcore Brothers, KTM/ Granstar Motors Industrial Corporation, Nissan Philippines, Inc., the City of Tagaytay Tourist Council and PAGCOR. For more information please visit www.facebook.com/ groups/21st.NFMC or NFMCph.org or call the NFMCP Secretariat at (+632) 376-7323 or 410-1068. Let’s all ride to Tagaytay!

NOTICE OF AUCTION SALE All Jewelry and other items pawned at Jaskin Pawnshop San Perdo Street, Davao City during the months of September 1 to October 31, 2014 if not redeemed or renewed will be sold to the public on April 16, 2015 at our pawnshop premises.

March 23,24,25

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Jr NBA/WNBA at UIC Gym March 28-29

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO

T

HE Jr. NBA/WNBA goes to Davao City on March 28-29 at the University of the Immaculate Conception Gymnasium along Bonifacio Street.

Project manager Yam Maramba of M2M Advertising Philippines announced the event in an email to Edge Davao.

“The Jr. NBA presented by Alaska is back in the Philippines for the 8th consecutive year. The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program started officially last January 24, 2015 and will be in Davao City this weekend,” Maramba said.

The Jr. NBA & Jr. WNBA presented by Alaska, is just one of Alaska’s Sports Development Program that inspires children realize their dreams through teaching them skills to play the game while incorporating the values of determination, hard work, team work, discipline and sportsmanship. The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program has reached hundreds of schools and communities nationwide and benefited thousands of children, parents, and coaches through grassroots activities like basketball training camps and school clinics.

The Regional Selection Camps -- where outstanding young players in various regions will be chosen for inclusion in the National Training Camp -- is Phase Two of the program which kicked off last February 21-22 at Seminario de San Jose in Puerto Princesa.

In line with its thrust this year to make it fresh by bringing the program to more schools and communities nationwide, Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA presented by Alaska Regional Selection Camp was also held on February 28-March 1 in Biñan, Laguna at Alonte Sports Arena; Iloilo City on March 7-8 at Ateneo de Iloilo, Baguio last March 14-15 at St. Louis University Laboratory High School Gym and Bacolod on March 2122 at St. John’s Institute.

Aside from the next stop in Davao on March 28-29 at the University of Immaculate Concepcion, Bonifacio St., another

camp will be held in Poblacion District and Manila on April 11-12 at the PICC Forum. The best of the best players in these cities will undergo series of skills stations such as Lay-ups, Shooting, Passing, Footwork and Dribbling. Fifty boys and 24 girls will be chosen to participate in the 8th annual Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA National Training Camp in Manila (the third phase of the program) from April 24-26.

The National Training Camp is the high point of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program where ten Jr. NBA and five Jr. WNBA standouts will be named as the 2015 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA AllStars and a Coach of the Year will be chosen. The National Training Camp will be held at the PICC Forum Tent on April 25 and 26 and at the SM Mall of Asia on April 27.

All the best players from each region will pit skills and the ways in which they express the STAR values during the three-day boot camp that will prepare them to be exceptional athletes and total persons on and off the court. The 10 best male performers selected in the National Training Camp will be this year’s Jr. NBA Philippines All Star Team, while the 5 best female performers will be the first-ever Jr. WNBA All-Star Team. The male and female All-Stars will be rewarded with an authentic NBA experience and the chance to play with a counterpart youth team abroad.

The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program, is free for boys and girls across all stages – from the school and open clinics, through the Regional Selection Camps, the National Training Camp and the NBA Experience.

NBA coaches and Alaska Basketball Powercamp Director Jeffrey Cariaso will lead the Regional Selection Camps. Other coaches who run the drills and conduct the learning sessions include PBA Legends Rodney Santos, Eric de la Cuesta, John Ramirez and Topex Robinson, and Perlas Pilipinas national players Melissa Jacob, Ish Tiu, MJ Galicia and Justine Formata.

RETURN TO QUEEN’S CLUB. Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a return.

BLIND PASS. Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, right, passes behind the back of Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (4) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oakland, Calif., Monday, March 23, 2015. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

RDR: DavNor now 98% ready

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

D

abf@edgedavao.net

AVAO Del Norte is now 98 percent ready for upcoming PalarongPambansa which will be hosted by the province on May 3-9.

In an interview, Davao Del Norte governor Rodolfo Del Rosario told reporters after the Regional Peace and Order Council meeting at Grand Men Seng Hotel on Monday afternoon, the province is ready in terms of security and sports facilities,.

“We are just finishing the last minute fixing,” Del Rosario said.

Del Rosario said that they are just fixing the preparation of billeting

of the participants where they will stay during the seven-day sports event.

“We are still working out with places which have lack of water supply and sanitation. We want to be very sure that all of the billeting areas are really ready to cater the athletes,” he said.

He said the participants will start to come in the province on the last week of April and they will be housed in the public schools in Tagum City and also in Panabo City and Municipality of Carmen since it is closer in the event area.

Del Rosario said that

the security plan is already in place as they will deploy more than 1,000 security forces composed of the Provincial Police, Philippine Army and security volunteers.

He said he proposed to RPOC chairman Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte to adopt its security plan since the athletes will mostly come first in Davao City through the Francisco Bangoy International Airport, seaports and land transport terminals is in the city.

“Our expectation, the overall crowd will be about 20,000,” he said.

Del Rosario said they expect around 12,000 athletes, 1,500 technical officials without counting the coaches, managers and even the families who will accompany their children.

He said that the event will also boost the tourism industry in region especially in Tagum City.

“But, of course, we included a program for them during their off hours, the tourism. We are trying to promote Davao City, Island Garden City of Samal and the other LGUs (Local Government Units) of Davao Del Norte,” he said.

AFAEL Nadal will start his bid to win a third Wimbledon title by returning to the grass-court tournament at Queen’s Club later this year.

Nadal, a 14-time Grand Slam champion, has reached the Wimbledon final in each of the five years he played at Queen’s, but UK tax laws forced the world number three to turn his back on the west London event.

The 28-year-old Spaniard had instead prepared for Wimbledon by playing in Germany at the Gerry Weber

Open in Halle in recent years.

Since his last visit to Queen’s in 2011, Nadal has failed to get past the fourth round at the All England Club and the former world number one, who last won Wimbledon in 2010, has decided to return after a three-year absence.

“I’m very happy to be back,” said Nadal, who won the Queen’s title in 2008.

“Queen’s is a great event, I always enjoyed it. I had some great feelings there, the atmosphere of the Club - a real tennis club - is very special,

the courts are unbelievable.

“I enjoyed Halle but the results have not been perfect for me in Halle, so I want to try Queen’s again where the grass courts are a little bit more similar to Wimbledon.

That’s the reason for my decision.”

Former Wimbledon winner Andy Murray, defending Queen’s champion Grigor Dimitrov and 2014 Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka are among the leading players already confirmed to appear at the event in June.

Nadal returning to Queen’s Club R

VOL. 7 ISSUE 263 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015

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THE PUNISHER MEETS MULAWIN. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte looks at the championship belts of John Vincent Moralde, including the WBC Asia featherweight one on his right shoulder, during the boxer’s courtesy call at the local chief executive Monday at the Grand Men Seng Hotel. Right, a rare photo of Moralde with Brayden Smith (middle) who lost to the Dabawenyo and passed away two days after.

MEETING HIS IDOL O

Run for Palaro lures over 3,000 runners

ended tragically for his fallen rival.

Moralde’s opponent, Brayd Smith of Australia, had collapsed inside his dressing room after losing a 10-round unanimous decision to the Filipino and died at the Brisbane Hospital two days later.

After the flag-raising, Moralde, who hails from NHA, Buhangin, appeared in the Kapehan sa Dabaw forum at SM City Annex and had a field day answering questions from the media. (SDDCMO)

VER 3,000 runners answered the starting gun last Sunday for an advocacy run as part of a series of activities aimed at guaranteeing a successful staging of the 2015 Palarong Pambansa in Davao del Norte this summer.

Organized by the Tagum City Division of the Department of Education (DepEd), the participants helped raise additional funds for competition-day maintenance of the billeting venues especially for the water requirement of student athletes and officials during the May 3 to 9 Palaro.

“The schools [officials] are busy preparing the billeting sites so we can have a very good hosting and give delegates the best accommodation that we can offer,” Tagum City DepEd Division Head Cristy Epe said.

The runners covered various distances during the event that started and ended at the Rotary Park at the heart of Tagum City. Tagum City Mayor

Allan Rellon led the run and joined his family and friends and local government officials as well as police and military officers and personnel in the run.

At least 30 billeting facilities have been harnessed for the Palaro which is expected to gather more than 10,000 athletes and officials competing in 17 sports in the annual grassroot sports development program supervised by the DepEd. Also on the pre-Palaro program prepared by del Rosario are the official website and games launch set later this week and dry runs for the various events in the competition venues.

It will be the first time in Palaro history that the competition venues will be confined within city limits of the Davao del Norte Sports Complex.

Most of the billeting facilities are also within walking distance to the complex with the farthest needing a mere 30-minute bus ride.

Jamaica in Carson, California in October 2014 as a learning experience and is aching to get back on the winning track.

Donaire has since admitted learning his lessons after the loss to Walters. “I learned a valuable lesson from the previous fight, learned the hard way, learned patience is a virtue for my style, learned to listen to my dad, learned to listen to my corner.”

He considers the fight against Prado as a gauge whether or not to continue fighting or hang up his gloves for good.

Nonito sure wants to know if he still has the urge

and the power to go with it.

Another bright spot in this boxing card is Albert Pagara, who will face Rodolfo Hernandez for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Intercontinental junior featherweight crown. Pagara is considerd as the next best thing in Philippine boxing.

AJ Banal, still trying to make his way back to the elite circle, also sees action in this card against John Bajawa of Indonesia.

I must say D-Day is one of the biggest cards of ALA ever and should be a big hit at the SMART Araneta Center where the highest-priced ticket is at

P15,000 and could go higher than that on fight night.

However, I have another personal D-Day on Saturday as my daughter Jill marches for her college graduation and I need to pass up on PP30. Nevertheless, Charles Maxey will be bringing the action close to us as he takes my place for Edge Davao.

Again, thanks boss Mike and Dennis. Cheers to ALA and Philippine boxing!

Notes: Listen to “Let’s Get It On with Neil Bravo” at 105.9 Balita FM every Saturday 8 am to 10 am. You may write the author at bravoneil@rocketmail. com.

Moralde gets bonus, advice from Duterte M

AYOR Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday gave boxer John Vincent Moralde cash incentive of P20,000 for winning the World Boxing Council (WBC) Asia featherweight crown last March 14 in Australia.

Duterte also has one piece of advice for the 20-year-old Moralde if he is to become a successful athlete: stay away from vices, specially smoking.

Moralde nodded to assure Duterte he will heed the advice while grinning from ear to ear following

F

OR being in the regular list of invited sportswriters by ALA Boxing Promotions in their blockbuster boxing show Pinoy Pride, my sincere thanks to ALA president and CEO Michael Aldeguer and his trusted vice president Dennis Cañete for yet another invitation to cover Pinoy Pride 30: D-Day which headlines two of the country’s most important foghters today--Nonito Donaire and Donnie Nietes.

In the D-Day card, Nietes, now the longest reigning Pinoy world champion, will again put his World Boxing Organization (WBO) light fly-

his very first encounter with the colorful mayor.

The boxer brought along with him his newly-acquired championship belt and posed with Duterte and several other local officials--including Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario--before a horde of photographers.

“I’m very proud that I finally was able to meet him in person,” Moralde told reporters in the vernacular after emerging from the brief meeting with Duterte at the conclusion of the joint City Peacer and Order Coun-

weight title on the line as he faces Mexican Gilberto Parra in the main event this Saturday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Donnie, whom I have interviewed right after he defeated Carlos Velarde via a seventh round knockout last year at the Waterfront in Cebu, aims to improve his 341-4 win-loss-draw ring record against the dangerous Parra, who has a 19-2-0 slate.

Nietes wants to knockout Parra and set himself up for a big fight possibly in the US or Dubai.

D-Day will also have the former five-division world

cil-Regional Peace and Order Council (CPOCRPOC) meeting late Monday afternoon at the Grand Men Seng Hotel.

Earlier in the day, Moralde was introduced during the regular flag-raising ceremony at the Quezon Park fronting City Hall and briefly chatted with City Administrator Atty. Jesus Melchor V. Quitain.

Quitain and several department heads congratulated Moralde and couldn’t help but discuss the boxer’s latest conquest atop the ring that

Missing the D-Day

LET’S GET IT ON

Neil Bravo champion “The Filipino Flash” who will make his ring return against William Prado of Brazil in the co-main feature.

Donaire considers the embarrassing sixth round knockout loss to Nicholas Walters of

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 263 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015