Edge Davao 7 Issue 47

VOL. 7 ISSUE 47 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014

www.edgedavao.net

P 15.00 • 24 PAGES

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

B EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 47 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014

VOL. 7 ISSUE 47 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014

P 15.00 • 24 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

WHERE HAVE THE COUNCILORS GONE? The gavel rested on the presiding officer’s table after Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte officially adjourned yesterday’s regular session when the City Council failed to muster a quorum. Only 13 out of 23 members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod were present prompting the first ever premature adjournment under the present administration.

Lean Daval Jr.

LACK OF QUORUM Councilors also late in three previous sessions

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

W

abf@edgedavao.net

ITh one short in attendance, Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte was forced to adjourn yesterday’s regular session of the city council due to lack of quorum.

The session is supposed to start at exactly 10:00 a.m. but by the time the city council secretary made the roll call at 10:12 a.m., only 13 councilors were present.

Under the city council house rules, Duterte said that the legislative body is required to have at least 14 members in attendance to constitute a quorum.

City councilor Nilo M. Abellera Jr., moved to adjourn the session and was seconded by other councilors.

“Kapila naman na gitawag ang ilang attention kana ang ilahang pagka late. Ang uban, naay ni rason kay ‘Brigada

Eskwela’ daw. I don’t care kung ‘Brigada Eskwela’ kay Tuesday is session day. Duty na nato sa katwahan sa Davao City,” Duterte told reporters in yesterday’s “Pulong-Pulong ni Pulong” at the Councilor’s Lounge.

Duterte said that the session is only once a week so they must attend it as part of their commitment to the people of the city.

“Buhaton nila ang trabaho nila diri sa Sangguniang Panlungsod. Sila man nagbuhat anang house rules nila na ibalhin og 10:00 a.m. ang time sa session,” he stressed.

FLACK, 10

IMAGINING. A Badjao boy appears to be imagining that he is driving a motorcyle which is parked outside the “tent city” in Sta. Ana wharf, Davao City with three of his friends ride pillion on his back. Lean Daval Jr.

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EDGEDAVAO

THE BIG NEWS

VOL. 7 ISSUE 47 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014

LIFE GOES ON. A young kid and his playmate try to fly a kite beside the ruins of their former shanties in fire-stricken Isla Verde, Davao City yesterday . Lean Daval Jr.

Sufficient rice supply assured

By ChENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

ITh the onset of a long dry spell period, an official of the National Food Authority (NFA)-Davao yesterday made assurance that Davao Region has enough supply of rice to address the demand of local residents.

Ma. Ellaine M. Respecia, NFA provincial office economist, told Edge Davao in a phone interview that 200,000 bags of additional imported rice from Vietnam are set to arrive by the first week of June.

“This will be an additional buffer stock to the 300,000 bags that were shipped early

January this year,” she said.

Respecia said that about 200,000 bags of NFA rice from the earlier shipment were distributed in the region for the first four months of 2014.

“We still have 100,000 rice bags in our storage facility,” she said.

Last year, the region received 500,000 bags of rice allocated from the NFA central office.

“We have enough buffer stock for this year that can be utilized in times of calamity, disaster. We assure that we have enough supply for the food security of the region,”

FSUFFICIENT, 10

WEATHER FORECAST

TESDA’s NCs a must for drivers

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

T

hE Davao City Council plans to check the operators of bus companies, truck and hauler services if the drivers employed or hired by the firms are holders of National Certificate 3 (NC) in driving issued by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

City councilor Leonardo R. Avila III yesterday told reporters in Sangguniang Panlungsod, that he was told by a TESDA personnel during the Public Transportation Week last May 6 that NC is among the requirements for the ap-

plication of Certificate of Public Convenience (CPCs).

“I want to know if it is being implemented here tong NC 2 which is a requirement for all drivers,” Avila said.

Avila cited a department order from the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) prescribing the NC 2 requirement to all the drivers and NC 3 requirement to drivers of trucks and buses. he said the Land Transportation Office (LTO) should strictly implement the provisions embodied in the depart-

ment order.

“Sila (LTO) tong magtan-aw kung truck driver ka, parahon ka naa ba kay NC (National Certificate),” Avila said. he cited the need for the management of bus and truck companies to ensure that the drivers they will hire are equipped with NC for driving from TESDA. In view of the recent road mishaps involving trucks, Avila said it is timely to strictly implement the requirement to protect the safety of the public.

“Maybe we can do something with the skills of the driver,” he emphasized.

Based on DOTC order, applicants for CPCs should present sufficient proof and the company should submit a list of their drivers who are duly certified by TESDA. It is stated in the order that driver of public buses and heavy trucks should be certified with driving NC 3.

The order further stated, drivers of all other modes of public transportation should be certified by TESDA with driving NC 2.

the ARTA and its implementing rules and regulations.

The Citizen’s Charter, an information billboard listing the step-by-step procedure of services available, the person responsible for each step, time needed to transact, documents required, and fees, should be posted at the main entrance or most conspicuous place in the office written either in English, Filipino, or in the local dialect.

The office or agency shall review the Citizen’s Charter whenever necessary but not less than once every two years. heads of offices or agencies which render frontline services shall adopt appropriate working schedules to ensure that all clients who are within their premises prior to the end of official working hours are

attended to and served even during lunch break and after regular working hours.

Officers or employees at the frontlines or those directly transacting with the clients shall wear an official identification card.

Offices shall establish a public assistance and complaints desk which should be manned during working hours.

Fixing and collusion with fixers are considered grave offenses with a corresponding penalty of dismissal and perpetual disqualification from public service. Penalties for fixers are imprisonment not exceeding six years, a fine of not more than PhP200,000, or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

The end goal of ARTA is

excellent public service and customer satisfaction. The public must see improvements in their overall experience in transacting with government.

CSC already started the Report Card Survey for 2014, an annual nationwide client satisfaction survey to check agency compliance with ARTA. The following service offices shall be subjected to the survey: Bureau of Internal Revenue, Government Service Insurance System, home Development Mutual Fund, Land Registration Authority, Land Transportation Office, Philippine Statistics Authority – National Statistics Office, Philippine health Insurance Corporation, Professional Regulation Commission, and Social Security System. [CSC]

CSC reiterates drive against red tape “T

hE head of office or agency shall be primarily responsible for the implementation of the Anti-Red Tape Act,” said Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairman Francisco T. Duque III upon the release of CSC Memorandum Circular No. 9, s.

2014 reiterating agency compliance with the landmark law aimed at curbing red tape and improving frontline service delivery.

“It is command responsibility,” added Chairman Duque, detailing that appropriate charges may be filed against the head of office or agency in case of failure to comply with the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) rules.

The memo enumerated other pertinent provisions of

NEWS 3

VOL. 7 ISSUE 47 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014

Six sectors eyed as priority investment

By ChENEEN R. CAPON

T

HELPING HAND. Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte helps a child walk down the stairs of the newly-opened Archdiocesan Nourishment Center in Pag-asa Street, Davao City during the blessing and inauguration of the institution on Monday. Lean Daval Jr.

crc@edgedavao.net

hE proposed Investment Priority Plan for 2014 focuses on six sectors eyed as vehicles to promote inclusive growth, generate more jobs and alleviate poverty besetting the country.

Ma. Corazon h. Dichosa, Board of Investment (BOI) executive director, said during a public consultation last week that the investment plan is focused on developing the gaps in the value chain by adding activities and encourage more participation of small, medium and micro enterprises in the supply chain.

She said that the national government has approved the updated Philippine Development Plan 2014-2016 last February which identified six

priority sectors instead of the 13 proposed sectors.

These are the agro-industry, Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM), tourism, manufacturing and logistics and construction.

Dichosa said that the threeyear plan document aimed to create more job opportunities and achieve inclusive growth.

She said that an analysis made on each help them identify the key constraints that inhibit each sector from attaining its goal.

Among the identified key constraints are the high cost of production, high investment cost for agri-industry and skills mismatch for IT-BPM sector

FSIX, 10

Mathematics’key role in P10-B bulk water supply proposal in-depth reporting cited

of Aboitiz, JVACC unchallenged

By ANTONIO M. AJERO ajero_antonio@yahoo.com

D

AVAO CITY’S bulk water supply project worth about P10 billion will most likely be awarded to Aboitiz Equity Ventures and its partner, JV Angeles Construction Corp., following the absence of any other offers challenging the consortium’s unsolicited proposal when the so-called Swiss challenge period ended on April 14.

This was learned from Imelda T. Magsuci, spokesperson of the Davao City Water District, who said the water district’s board has started its deliberation.

Upon receipt of the unsolicited proposal of the AEVJVACC consortium last year, the water district consulted the National Economic and Development Authority on the process involved in the Swiss Challenge, which allows other proponents topresent better offers just like in a bidding.

The AEV-JVACC partnership proposed to develop the Tamugan River and build a system that could provide the city with 300 million liters of water a day.

An earlier study conducted by the water district in 2009

Energy, mining taxes tapped for P837-M release to LGUs

T

hE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released a total of P836.8 million to different regions nationwide as part of the 40 percent share of local government units (LGUs) from national wealth collected from mining taxes and government collections for the use of the country’s energy resources.

Of the P836.8-million-release, LGU shares from the utilization of the country’s energy resources—namely, petroleum, coal, geothermal, hydrothermal, and wind operations—amount to P720.2 million. Another P116.6 million was derived from the collection of excise taxes in mining.

The releases were charged under the Allocations for LGU-Special Shares of LGUs in the Proceeds of National Taxes,

in the 2014 General Appropriations Act. “Primarily, the fund release will augment the income of our LGUs, complementing their local tax revenues and their Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) shares from the national government. Besides that, the LGU share from mining taxes and collections from energy resources will boost our local governments’ capacity to fund programs and projects that will benefit their constituents. This is especially true in terms of health, education, and infrastructure services,” Sec. Florencio “Butch” Abad said.

Of the 12 regions, the province of Antique in Region VI (Western Visayas) will receive the largest ener-

stated that about P8.5 billion would be needed to complete the project. however, after a lapse of some five years, the amount being mentioned for the construction of the bulk water supply project is now P10 billion.

There will also be need for the DCWD to spend some P3 billion to build an improved piping system to match the bulk water project designed to supply potable water to 11 barangays to 106 barangays now being serviced by the water district first built in 1973 by the L.S. Sarmiento Construc-

tion Company. The city has a total of 180 barangays.

Earlier, Manuel “Bobby” Orig, first vice president of Aboitiz Power Corp, told Edge Davao, the operation of a bulk water supplier, would allow the DCWD’s 36 deepwells in Dumoy to be rested for 15 years.

As a result, the district would be able to save year some P400 million in electricity needed to pump out water from the Dumoy aquifers, current source of 99.3 percent of water district’s supply for the last 40 years.

By DANIEl D. JOAQUIN

M

OST journalists disliked mathematics and many journalism graduates admitted that among the factors that led them to take up the degree is the absence or minimum number of mathematics subjects.

Veteran journalist Yvonne Chua, who is a professor of journalism at the University of the Philippines Diliman, stressed the importance of mathematics in what she called “data journalism” where mathematics is used to add more depth to the content of stories.

She said that data journalism refers not to presenting the data by itself but how the writer makes an in-depth anal-

ysis of the date before presenting the story to the public.

Chua said that by plainly showing visual representations like graphs and charts is not considered data journalism as it only makes figures easier to understand, adding that what matters most is how the writer analysis the figures to make instructive findings.

She said that fear of numbers should not keep a journalist from adding data to daily stories because it involves only the four basic mathematical procedures without the unnecessary complicated steps.

Chua said that once a journalist starts collecting data, a great story should be the end result to be considered.

ASSISTANCE. A security personnel of SM Lanang Premier mans the traffic and assists shoppers crossing a pedestrian lane just outside the main entrance of

FENERGY, 10 the mall. Lean Daval Jr.

4 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 47 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014

GENERAL SANTOS CITY

Disaster preparedness focus of Brigada Eskwela B

RIGADA Eskwela opened Monday with a directive for public schools to implement innovative measures to make local campuses or school communities resilient and ready against possible disasters, officials said.

Dr. Allan Farnazo, regional director of the Department of Education in Region 12 said he issued a memorandum directing all schools within the region to focus this year’s Brigada Eskwela activities on disaster preparedness and other related concerns.

DepEd-12 Memorandum No. 105 specifically mandated the division superintendents of Region 12’s nine school divisions to implement the “2014 Innovative Brigada Eskwela.”

Farnazo said the initiative mainly focuses on the implementation of various mitigation measures to make schools ready against the possible onslaught of weather-related disasters or calamities. he said school officials and personnel should make sure that their buildings and facilities are strong enough to withstand heavy rains and strong winds.

The official reiterated the need for local schools to comply with the provisions of DepEd Order No. 83 or the Disaster Preparedness Measures for Schools.

Such order mandated public schools to implement measures for the protection against rains or floods of all school materials such as textbooks, teaching manuals, school records and equipment; educate all pupils and students on disaster preparedness; conduct of regular disaster

KIDAPAWAN CITY

drills; properly inform pupils and students on early signs of weather disturbances and their effects; and, observe policies in coordination with the local government units on decisions regarding the suspension of classes during disasters or calamities.

Thousands of public school personnel and community stakeholders trooped to various school campuses in Region 12 on Monday morning to join the start of the Brigada Eskwela 2014.

Pancho Balawag, Department of Education (DepEd) Region 12’s Brigada Eskwela focal person, said local schools have reported a significant turnout of volunteers from various sectors for the weeklong initiative. he said the volunteers comprised parents, local government officials and employees, Army and police personnel, workers of private companies and members of community groups and non-government organizations.

“We’re overwhelmed with the turnout of volunteers so far and we’re hoping for more participation in the coming days,” he said.

Region 12, which is also known as the Soccsksargen Region, comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

Around 1,500 volunteers initially joined the regional kickoff of the 2014 Brigade Eskwela on Monday morning at the Koronadal National Comprehensive high School in Koronadal City.

The activity was graced by

AJOR stakeholders in the proposed new political entity have expressed full support to the International Decommissioning Body (IDB) which will oversee the deactivation of Moro rebels following the signing of the Mindanao peace deal.

The Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro (CAB) was signed by the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on March 27 and among its provisions is to decommission rebels as part of the normalization process.

Chief Superintendent Noel Delos Reyes, police regional director of the five-province ARMM, and Major General Romeo Gapuz, 6th Infantry Division commander, were among the those who expressed their support to IDB. The 6th ID’s rank-and-file personnel will support the

programs and activities of the IDB, according to Col. Dickson hermoso, spokesman of 6th ID, which is based in Maguindanao, one of the component provinces of ARMM. Delos Reyes has already ordered all police directors in the region to study the modalities of the IDB’s operation and to help formulate measures on how the ARMM police can complement its decommissioning initiatives.

ARMM is home to most of the MILF guerillas who fought the government for several decades hoping to achieve the right to self determination.

Earlier, chief government negotiator Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said the IDB’s creation was part of recent discussions between the government and MILF peace panels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“The IDB would be the one to supervise, oversee and basically implement the

MODERN BAYANIHAN. These parents of students from Kapitan Tomas Monteverde Sr. Central Elementary School in Davao City work hand and hand to clean up the school’s canal during the second day of “Brigada Eskwela 2014” yesterday. Lean Daval Jr. local government leaders and DepEd officials led by Education Assistant Secretary Jesus Mateo.

Brigada Eskwela, which is also known as the “National Schools Maintenance Week,” is a voluntary initiative that brings together teachers, parents and the community to do cleanup and repairs in public schools to prepare the facilities for the June school opening.

Undertaken in all public schools every third week of May or two weeks before classes begin, it is participated in by private organizations, individuals, national and local

ZAMBOANGA CITY

on Monday for the conduct of the 2014 Brigada Eskwela. he said all school heads in the area have committed to complete all necessary preparations before the scheduled opening of classes on June 2.

“By June 2, our schools will immediately start with the regular classes. Our pupils and students only need to report to their assigned classes because everything should be in place by then,” he said.

In Malaybalay City, DepEd-Malaybalay schools division superintendent Edilberto Opinia also urged stakeholders to make schools prepared

OMMUNITY leaders have signed a pledge of commitment to support the ecotourism program the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has envisioned for the Mount Timolan Protected Landscape (MTPL) in Tigbao, Zamboanga del Sur. Rosevirico Tan, DENR regional information officer, said the signing took place during an information drive on community-based ecotourism program on Wednesday last week in Barangay Limas, Tigbao.

Tan said the event aimed to instill awareness among the different stakeholders on the management of the MTPL as an ecotourism site, their respective roles in the proposed program, and the importance of a protected

area for biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. he said the program is an investment that could provide alternative livelihood to the host communities. he added DENR officials led by Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Adelaida Borja initiated the information campaign that was attended by municipal and barangay officials as well as some residents of Tigbao.

Tigbao is a fifth class municipality in Zamboanga del Sur comprising 18 barangays inhabited by 19,300 individuals or 3,327 households as of the 2013 census on population.

Tan said the MTPL, which was formerly known as the Zamboanga del Sur Provin-

government agencies, local businesses, and international organizations and foundations, among others.

Volunteers paint classrooms, repair furniture and clean up the school grounds, with materials and supplies donated by the parents or by private businesses and foundations.

This year’s Brigada Eskwela coincided with the start of the enrollment in all levels in public elementary and secondary schools.

Farnazo said all 2,190 public elementary and high schools in the region opened

for disasters aside from doing routine cleanups.

Oplinaria cited that with the recent occurrence of typhoons, flooding, and other calamities in Bukidnon and the rest of Mindanao, the Brigada Eskwela was now designed to help keep the schools safe from disasters.

Romulo Ongkiatco, chair of the local Brigada Eskwela committee, said the weeklong effort will focus on developing a disaster-resilient school environment aside from doing physical improvements. [With Walter I. Balane/MindaNews in Malaybalay City]

ARMM leaders, Army, PNP vow ZamboSur’s Mt. Timolan eyed support to deactivate MILF forces as ecotourism destination M C decommissioning process,” Ferrer said in a statement released by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

Explaining the details of the discussion, Ferrer said the MILF has agreed to submit a list of its weapons and combatants, to be verified by the IDB, which will implement the decommissioning process.

Ferrer also said the MILF combatants will undergo training according to the procedures set forth by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and definitely no “wholesale” integration.

ARMM Regional Gov. Mujiv hataman said his administration welcomes the creation of IDB’s. hataman said all the elected town mayors in the region’s more than 100 municipalities are ready to extend support to the IDB. [PNA]

cial Park, is one of the natural monuments of this province being the highest peak with a crater lake known as Lake Maragang.

It was declared as a protected area pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 354 dated August 14, 2000.

Tan said the MTPL has an area of 2,691,189 hectares spanning in six barangays in Tigbao and one each in Guipos and San Miguel towns, Zamboanga del Sur. he said Tigbao Mayor Danilo Dalid fully supports the DENR ecotourism plan as it would provide livelihood opportunity to the local residents. he said the information drive is part of the preparations for the opening of MTPL as an ecotourism destination. [MindaNews]

5 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 47 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014

Binay says economic growth needs manufacturing, agriculture, tourism V

VICE PRESIDENT BINAy

ICE President Jejomar Binay said manufacturing, agriculture and tourism industries are essential to sustain the economic growth of the country.

In a speech at the Financial Times-First Metro Philippines Investment Summit Tuesday , Binay stressed that the economic development of the Philippines is “meaningless” if poverty remains. ”In the end, this is the real challenge of economic growth—that expansion is meaningless without inclusion, when it does not alleviate poverty, when economic gains are not shared with the marginalized sectors of society,” he said.

Binay said inclusion is achieved when the execution is aligned with sectoral, geographic and ground level realities, accrue to all citizens, both rich and poor, and one

member of the society at a time. ”It means that we must understand the unique requirements of each economic, geographic or political sector and adjust our execution strategies accordingly.

Inclusion must have a name, a face and an address,” he said. he said that development in the Philippine economy can be achieved by diversifying the manufacturing, agriculture and tourism industries into job-generating sectors.

Binay also said that various local and national issues in the country need to be addressed by the government to create a pull of investments in the sectors.

In addition, he explained that a review of the Constitution must be set to allow a flow of foreign direct investments in economic priming sectors like infrastructure, energy

and telecommunications to the country.

Binay said that an increasing infrastructure spending and fast-tracking the implementation of private-public partnership (PPP) Programs in the transport sector will also help to raise the Philippine economy.

“Parallel to our relaxation of the restrictions on foreign investments in the power sector, we must revisit the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, or EPIRA. We need to unlock investments in alternative power-generating systems to reduce the cost of electricity and expand power-generation capacities in the power-short areas of Mindanao and the Visayas,” he told. he also said the Philippines “must make [the] higher minimum wages irrelevant by raising workers’ productivity

through expanded and aligned technical vocational education.”

In the tourism sector, Binay said it will boost through a true open skies policy, airport development program, and expansion of the portfolio of tourist destinations and activities in the areas of gaming, culture and tourism, health and wellness, and retirement. he also said that a modernization must be implemented in agriculture through energizing the development of small and medium scales, and liberalizing the government regulations for business start-ups. ”We need to expand the already vibrant micro finance sector and seed capital formation initiatives for small and medium-scale enterprises in the philippine stock exchange,” Binay claimed.

[PNA]

6 THE ECONOMY

VOL. 7 ISSUE 47 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014

APEC leaders want protectionist measures stopped until 2018 M

OSCOW, (PNA/ITARTASS) -- APEC ministers responsible for trade on Monday agreed to continue refraining from protectionist measures in trade among members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) at a two-day meeting held in Qingdao on May 17-18, 2014. The proposal is contained in a joint declaration adopted by the 21 APEC ministers responsible for trade (MRT), including Russian Minister of Economic Development Alexei Ulyukayev.

The ministers also suggested studying possibilities for using the existing APEC funds for eco goods before the end of 2015.

Promotion of regional economic integration, innovative development, economic reform and ways of achieving economic growth and increasing integrated inter-dependence as well as infrastructure development were part of the agenda of the two-day APEC ministerial meeting. China’s proposal to outline 4 key directions in implementing the

idea of forming an Asia-Pacific free trade zone caused a lively debate. Ulyukayev backed up the Chinese initiative. he considers it expedient to set concrete temporary targets.

Besides, the Russian minister noted that the study should be exclusively analytical.

Russia supported a project initiated by China and the United States for the creation of the APEC alliance for complementary development of supply chains. Its main task is to reveal and solve problems as part of the APEC action plan to ensure the interconnection of supply chains, interaction of technical experts and define resources needed for effective realization of projects. The action plan is a document, comprising various aspects of international interaction, designed to step up closer and more effective ties among the APEC economies.

The document will reflect the achievements of APEC economies and regional problems; formulate approaches to overcoming trade barriers and set concrete quality targets.[PNA/ ITAR-TASS]

ice President Jejomar Binay on Monday said that economic expansion is meaningless if it does not eliminate poverty in the country.

“Allow me therefore to add nuance and character to these ideas as we discuss what ought to be, in the end, the real challenge of economic growth -- that expansion is meaningless without inclusion, when it does not alleviate poverty, when economic gains are not shared with the marginalized sectors of society,” said Binay in his speech during the Financial TimesFirst Metro Philippines Investment Summit.

The Summit is a gathering of senior policy-makers, financiers, economists and business leaders to discuss strategies for the impending ASEAN integration.

The Vice President noted the economic gains under the Aquino administration, calling it a “springtime” for the Philippine economy.

According to Binay, the economic growth must be sustained by diversifying into job-generating sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism. he added that various critical areas need to be addressed to attract investments in these sectors.

At the same time, he pushed for revisiting the Constitution to allow the entry of foreign direct investments to the country.

“The goal is to liberalize the entry of foreign investments in economic priming sectors like infrastructure, energy and telecommunications,” he said. he also urged increasing infrastructure spending, as well as fast-tracking the implementation of public-private sector partnership (PPP) programs, particularly in the transport sector.

“Parallel to our relaxation of the restrictions on foreign investments in the power sector, we must revisit the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).

We need to unlock investments in alternative power generating systems to reduce the cost of electricity and expand power generation capacities in the power-short areas of Mindanao and the Visayas,” he noted.

“We must make our higher minimum wages irrelevant by raising workers’ productivity through expanded and aligned technical vocational education,” he added.

Binay also said that a true open skies policy, airport development program, and expansion of the portfolio of tourist destinations and activities in the areas of gaming, cutural and eco tourism, health and wellness, and retirement would boost tourism in the country.

The Vice President added that the Philippines’ ag-

NEW A330 PLANE. The Philippines’ leading airline, Cebu Pacific (PSE:CEB), took delivery of the second of three Airbus A330 aircraft it will receive this year.

CEB’s brand-new Airbus-A330 arrived at the NAIA Airport last May 18, 2014. CEB is due to take delivery of one additional Airbus A330 in August 2014. By end of 2014, the airline will be utilizing five wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft for its long haul operations. With this delivery, CEB now operates a fleet of 52 aircraft comprised of 10 Airbus A319, 30 Airbus A320, 4 Airbus A330 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. Between 2014 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 11 more Airbus A320, 30 Airbus A321neo, and 2 Airbus A330 aircraft.

Economic expansion is meaningless if poverty remains, says VP Binay V riculture industry should be modernized.

“And we must energize the development of small-, medium-scale community based enterprises by liberalizing government regulations for business startups. We need to expand the already vibrant micro finance sector and seed capital formation initiatives for

small and medium scale enterprises in the Philippine Stock Exchange,” he said.

The Vice President also reiterated the need for a new execution paradigm for development plans that does not solely follow a top-down approach and is aligned with realities on the ground to truly achieve inclusive growth.

“Inclusion is achieved when the execution is aligned with sectoral, geographic and ground level realities. It means that we must understand the unique requirements of each economic, geographic or political sector and adjust our execution strategies accordingly,” he stressed.

provinces, claiming thousands of lives, and rendering many more homeless and without livelihood.

“We cannot ignore the resounding message that Typhoon Yolanda said to the world: If we do not tackle it head on, this ‘new normal’ brought about by climate change will be here to stay and we will be forced to make unfair choices between disaster risk management and development,” he warned. he noted that each country must come up with a more focused and more organized strategy to adapt to the risks of climate change.

“This entails each country revisiting the way they approach every facet of governance to take into account how they affect the environ-

ment—from infrastructure, to agriculture, to energy. Needless to say, one of the sectors deeply concerned with the evolving demands of the new normal is tourism,” he continued.

The Chief Executive recounted how Donsol, Sorsogon, with the help of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Worldwide Fund for Nature, was able to capitalize on its whale sharks, locally known as “butanding,” to promote eco-tourism.

In less than five years, he said, Donsol went from a sixth-class municipality to a first-class municipality, with an annual income of P55 million. he, however, noted that the long-term viability of such programs is tied to how the problem of climate change is dealt with.

“Inclusion, after all, is not just statistics. It must accrue to all citizens, rich and poor, one member of society at a time. Inclusion must have a name, a face and an address,” he added. he recalled that his ideas on economic inclusion were honed over his 20-year leadership of Makati. [PNA]

Aquino urges ASEAN nations to help mitigate impact of climate change P

RESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday urged member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to work together to mitigate the impact of climate change.

Addressing some 2,000 delegates from 32 Asia-Pacific countries attending the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) – ASEAN International Conference on Tourism and Climate Change in Legazpi, Albay, President Aquino said that climate change should not be ignored.

“Climate change is real. It is a threat not simply to our industries or to our economies; it is a grave threat to all our peoples,” he said, citing Typhoon Yolanda, which he described as “unprecedented in scale”, affecting 44 of the country’s 81

Such efforts cannot come from just one country, he said, expressing hope that countries could continue to share ideas, new technologies and best practices through conferences like the UNWTO-ASEAN Conference on Tourism and Climate Change.

“Let us work even closer together; let us begin turning the situation around before it gets worse; and let us endeavor to leave behind a world still teeming with opportunities— one that is, without doubt, better than how we found it,” the President said.

Delegates to the five-day conference are expected to come up with measures that would strengthen the tourism sector’s ability to address the threats of climate change.

[PNA]

7 ENVIRONMENT

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 47 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014

DA: El Niño mitigation complete T

hE Department of Agriculture announced on Monday that mitigation and adaptation measures intended to cushion the impact of an expected long dry spell due to the effects of the El Niño phenomenon are already being put in place even as sources of additional budgetary requirements are being identified.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said government interventions include putting in place policy initiatives, water management and conservation measures as well as modern and innovative farming and fishery technologies, among others, to soften the effects of the dry weather.

“The DA is also mobilizing local government units, civil society, non-government organizations and others to actively participate in implementing the intervention programs,” Alcala added.

“We will also engage in a massive information and education campaign to create awareness and motivate a wider participation among all stakeholders,” he said.

For these interventions, the DA estimated it will need an initial budget of P1.61 billion, of which P764.3 million is readily available while the remaining P842.6 million is still being sourced with the Department of Budget and Management.

Alcala said that more than a third of the financial requirement – P583.3 million – will be used to putting in place policy interventions which include buffer stocking and the provision of seeds, planting materials and other production inputs.

At P339.83 million, the second biggest allocation would

fund water management and conservation measures such as the establishment of smallscale irrigation facilities, repair and rehabilitation of irrigation systems and the application of technologies adaptable to El Niño which include cloud seeding operations.

“We have already begun introducing drought-tolerant rice varieties along with the use of water-saving technologies to rice farmers and at the same time urging others to plant dry weather crops like sorghum, cassava and sweet potato,” Alcala said. he said that the DA has also been proactively responding to the threats of a long dry spell ahead of announcements from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) of the El Niño phenomenon that may start affecting the country in June and peak by year’s end.

“As early as March, the Bureau of Soils and Water Management has carried out cloud seeding operations to ensure water reserves in all major dams,” Alcala said.

“The cloud seeding operations has resulted to sufficient water levels in all our dams except Angat Dam which is below its critical level,” he said.

Alcala added that for this month, cloud seeding operations will continue in the provinces of Bulacan, Nueva Vizcaya and Isabela to increase water levels not only in Angat dam but also in Magat dam.

Apart from these, we have reactivated the El Niño Task Force and strengthened capabilities of all DA agencies tasked to provide direct interventions, he stressed.

Meanwhile, the DA reported that the current dry spell

had already caused P823.3 million in damages covering more than 34,000 hectares.

Most of the damages were in Region II with 23,539 hectares affected, amounting to about P426.5 million in production losses due to moisture stress.

Corn accounted for ma-

jority of the losses which is estimated at P583.6 million while rice losses accounted for P221.3 million.

Alcala said that present losses in rice production –which stands at 0.31 percent of the total national rice production volume -- were still negligible.

dramatically affects the weather in many parts of the world.

It is therefore important to predict its appearance. Various climate models, seasonal forecasting models, ocean-atmosphere coupled models, and statistical models attempt to predict El Niño as a part of interannual climate variability.

Predicting El Niño has been possible only since the 1980s, when the power of computers became sufficient to cover very complicated large-scale ocean-atmosphere interactions. historical Observations El Niño were observed as early as the 1600s. More systematic study began at the end of the 19th century, when Peruvian geographers noted unusual oceanic and climatic phenomena occurring periodically along the Peru coast. They noticed that eastern Pacific

warming was sometimes very strong. In the 1920s The British scientist Sir Gilbert Walker empirically identified that some notable climate anomalies— changes in atmospheric pressure and circulation—happen around the world every few years. he invented the term for those climate oscillations, “the Southern Oscillation.”

While stationed in India studying monsoons, Sir Gilbert observed pressure differences in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. he noticed “a seesaw” of atmospheric pressure measured at two sites: Darwin in Australia, the Indian Ocean, and in Tahiti, an island in the South Pacific.

When atmospheric pressure rises at Darwin it falls in Tahiti, and vice versa.

In the 1950s, it was observed that climate anomalies connected with the Southern Oscillation coincided in gen-

eral with El Niño occurrences. Around 1960, scientists realized that the warming of the eastern Pacific is only a part of the oceanic oscillations that extend westward along the equator, out to the dateline. At about the same time the famous meteorologist Jacob Bjerknes proposed that El Niño was just the oceanic expression of a large-scale interaction between the ocean and the atmosphere, and that the climate anomalies could be understood as atmospheric “teleconnections” spreading from the warm-water regions along the equator in the mid-Pacific.

Since approximately 1975 scientists have been researching El Niño and the Southern Oscillation phenomena together. Today we know that El Niño is a part of an interannual climate oscillation called

“The early harvesting of the dry season cropping as well as other mitigation measures contributed to the minimal loss in rice,” Alcala said.

In the meantime, Alcala said that they have already prepared and positioned early-maturing rice seed varieties, corn seeds and other crop

seeds for distribution to offset early losses.

“The DA is prepared for the long haul as far as the anticipated El Niño is concerned.

But we are also hoping that the ‘habagat’ would come before the year ends so that production would return to normal,” he said. [PNA]

The El Niño phenomenon explained

T

hE term El Niño— Spanish for “the Christ Child”—was originally used by fishermen to refer to the Pacific Ocean warm currents near the coasts of Peru and Ecuador that appeared periodically around Christmas time and lasted for a few months. Due to those currents, fish were much less abundant than usual. At the present time we use the same name for the large-scale warming of surface waters of the Pacific Ocean every 3-6 years, which usually lasts for 9-12 months, but may continue for up to 18 months, and dramatically affects the weather worldwide.

El Niño events happen irregularly. Their strength is estimated in surface atmospheric pressure anomalies and anomalies of land and sea surface temperatures.

The El Niño phenomenon

the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event. El Niño is a warm phase of ENSO; the cold phase of this event is called La Niña.

El Niño’s Impact The strongest El Niño events of the 20th century occurred in 1982-’83 and in1997-’98. The effects of 1982-’83 included significant storms throughout the southwest United States and one of Australia’s worst droughts of the century.

According to the World Meteorological Organization, the 1997-’98 El Niño was a major factor in 1997s record high temperatures.

The estimated average surface temperature for land and sea worldwide was 0.8°F higher than the 1961-1990 average of 61.7°F. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

(NOAA), 1998 has set all-time highs of global land and ocean surface temperatures, above record high levels in 1997. In 1998 the mean temperature was1.2°F (0.7°C) above the long-term (since 1880) mean of 56.9°F (13.8°C).

The impact of the 1997/8 El Niño has been felt in many parts of the world: Droughts have occurred in the Western Pacific Islands and Indonesia as well as in Mexico and Central America. In Indonesia drought caused uncontrollable forest fires and floods, while warm weather led to a bad fisheries season in Peru, and extreme rainfall and mud slides in southern California.

Corals in the Pacific Ocean were bleached by warmer than average water, and shipping through the Panama Canal was restricted by below-average rainfall.

8

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

VOL. 7 ISSUE 47 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014

EDITORIAL

Egalitarian Davao City

A

N elating portion of a recent study conducted by the research center of the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) is the perceived equal treatment received by people of all social and economic classes in Davao City.

The numbers reveal that a total of 95 percent of the survey respondents agreed that the lumads, or members of the indigenous peoples (IPs), the elderly and the specially-abled persons (persons with disability) are treated fairly well by local citizens. Christians received an extraordinarily high treatment, with an answer posted as high as 98 percent, the highest rate so far in the survey, with members of various Muslim tribes, only two percent behind, at 96 percent.

The results are even more amazing in the gender department. A high 97 percent of the respondents treat women fairly, while members of the lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT) community also received a very high rating at 91 percent.

EDGEDAVAO

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The recent passage by the city council of local ordinance against discrimination, including a more localized form of the same at the barangay level, is considered a high point in the Dabawenyos desire to achieve an egalitarian society, one in which nobody is discriminated against due to color, race, gender, and educational qualification, political and religious beliefs, among other aspects.

It may recalled that the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance, authored by City Administrator J. Melchor V. Quitain, then a city councilor, on encouragement

by Mayor Rody Duterte himself, was one of the first measures tackled by the Sanggunian when Duterte assumed as mayor for the seventh term last June.

Duterte has publicly declared that he believes that discrimination is one reason minorities like believers in Islam and lumads rebel against mainstream society and the authorities. The Ateneo survey finding is an affirmation of sort of that belief.

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG Creative Solutions

ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

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GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Associate Editor

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

ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR./ CHENEEN R. CAPON Reporters

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

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

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EDGEDAVAO

C

VOL. 7 ISSUE 47 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014

Cutting through the worsening sidewalk vending

ITY’S SIDEWALK VENDORS ARE ABUSIVE LOT – There is plenty of reasons city drainage and demolition czar retired military officer Yusof Jimlani is enraged these days. And this is also something that brings the incensed public a startling thing in the law, which is the increasing number of ambulant and permanent sidewalk vendors that conducted their trade with looseness right under the very noses of authorities.

I’m sure many will agree that Davao City has more than enough laws that regulate sidewalk peddling business. What it need is full enforcement – the will to strictly implement the ordinances to the letter. As a rule, it’s the executive branch that has to act, not the lawmaking body.

This to my mind must mean that the executive department must direct in accordance with the existing laws.

Aside from getting rid of criminal elements Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and the demolition group headed by Jimlani still had much to do to clean up the city –cleaning flood control and sewerage system, clamping down on fly-tippers, clearing squatter areas and most importantly the worsening sidewalk vending. For the past several years even during his early years as mayor, the crusading city top honcho has had to deal with the recalcitrant sidewalk vendors.

Despite persistent reminder and warning from city hall, stubborn and abusive sidewalk merchants are busy conducting their prohibited trade with imperviousness. For decades, they clearly violated the existing one-third, two-third policy that regulates the utilization of the city’s sidewalks. Not only noncompliant vendors occupied almost the entire sidewalks in busy thoroughfares specifically in the commercial districts, but likewise throw their litters and other refuse wherever they want.

M o re ove r, one have to check on the vendors’ activities and you will see that many of them are building semi-permanent wooden structures while others chose to display their merchandise not only on the sidewalks, but of all places, on the sides of the streets. And you’ve got to understand that they’re also an abusive lot. More serious still is the safety of the pedestrians who have to walk through the flow of vehicular traffic instead of using the sidewalks to avoid inconvenience, which is exactly the kind of scene concerned citizens could have imagined.

This hasn’t escaped the attention of Mayor Rody, which immediately called the attention of the demolition team urging them to strictly implement the rules regulating sidewalk vending.

The dissatisfaction over the wanton abuse in the use of the city’s sidewalks emanate from a series of complaints raised by the deprived and aghast pedestrians. The grievances had set off a chain of reaction across the social spectrum that is putting city officials on the spot.

But all throughout the sidewalk vending problem, the mayor remains almost uncannily calm. his mind was made up, thus strictly ordered the hard-headed and immovable sidewalks vendors to immediately follow lawful orders to avoid facing the consequences. The only thing Mayor Duterte was surprised about is the sheer number of lives involved in the sidewalk vending business. But just the same people want

to know if he is still determined to stop the sidewalk vendors from trekking the dangerous path of ignoring the rule of law especially now that the city is deemed a model livable metropolis.

Sidewalk vendors notably the abusive and stubborn kind have already ingratiated themselves with the infuriated public. This is certainly the case when it comes to explaining the move to reinvigorate the process of government.

During a meeting when he was still the vice mayor, sidewalk vendors promised to observe the existing regulation. Mayor Rody at that time has been clear enough about his directive giving the sidewalk merchants only three months to strictly follow and respect the agreement otherwise he would execute appropriate measures against erring vendors.

The time given had lapsed yet people have seen no result at all, and worse, the sidewalk vendors are increasing in numbers. Now that he’s at the helm of the city governance, a new deal means that the mayor and his trusted adjutants will have a relatively free hand to oversee the activities of all sidewalk vendors and crack the whip sternly if need be. As a matter of tradition sidewalk vendors are tolerated to conduct their business for humanitarian consideration, however, as their wont, took advantage of the situation by simply ignoring the one-third, two-third policy.

It is about time the city under a reformist mayor issued a strict, precise guidelines and regulations on what to do and how to deal with the worsening problem on sidewalk vending.

Above all, the welfare of the majority must always take preference over the interest of the abusive few. The pedestrians and commuting public expect that the mayor is determined to cut through the worsening sidewalk vending situation.

Melting Point: Grappling with Sea Level Rise

T

hE first part of this series cites three findings related to global warming in reports released recently by climate experts: [1] Sea level rise has become irreversible; [2] There is no stopping the collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet; and [3] Accelerating emissions of greenhouse gases that have caused global warming are mainly to blame for these dire developments. Worse, the ongoing meltdown in Antarctica happens alongside the loss of glaciers in Greenland, another vast reservoir of frozen fresh water.

Unfortunately, GhG emissions, mostly from fossil combustion, have accelerated despite reduction efforts, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change pointed out. On a global scale, the failure to curb emissions can be attributed to the demise of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol and the inability of the Copenhagen Accord of 2009 to exact substantial commitments to reduce emissions to levels that would stabilize GhG concentration in the atmosphere.

Kyoto, whose first commitment period covered 2008-2012, was amended in 2012 for the second commitment period (20132020) but has not entered into force. For the first commitment period, 37 industrialized countries committed to reduce their emissions by at least five percent against 1990 levels. For 2013-2020, the commitment by Parties is at least 18 percent below 1990 levels. however, the US, the world’s biggest GhG emitter, did not ratify the treaty.

Copenhagen, on the other hand, aside

Part 2

SOMEONE ELSE’S WINDOWS

By H. MarcoS c. Mordeno from being non-legally binding, was criticized by several developing countries as an instrument that will only justify the high emission rates of industrialized countries.

In several post-analyses, experts doubted the reduction targets volunteered by some countries who have “engaged” with the accord could limit global average temperature to no more than two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels as envisioned. Skepticism also abounds if it would be possible to limit warming to below two degrees Celsius, the level required by science to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.

The absence of real targets in emissions reduction and the open-ended nature of a country’s engagement is clearly the biggest undoing of the Copenhagen Accord.

For one, not all countries engaged with the accord have made commitments to reduce GhG emissions by 2020. Of the 141 engaged countries, including the 27-member European Union, only 29 (EU counted as a single entity) has set emission reduction targets. The US, which contributes 15 percent of GhG emissions worldwide, only set a target of 17-percent reduction, the lowest among the leading countries of the

accord.

There can only be one conclusion: the accord would not bring GhG emissions down in the near future.

Now, consider these points raised by the IPCC: To stabilize atmospheric concentration global emissions need to fall to zero; to limit warming to two degrees Celsius, net zero emissions must be achieved between 2050 and 2100, otherwise temperature might increase by 3.7° to 4.8° Celsius over the 21st century; and, delaying reductions increases the difficulty and cost.

The IPCC said this requires shifting investment to energy efficiency and renewable energy and away from fossil fuels. It cited that “renewables accounted for 43.6% of all new generation capacity in 2013, but still only 8.5% of total”. In contrast, global subsidies for fossil fuel have remained at US$500 billion per year, which is more than the combined subsidies for renewable energy (less than US$100 billion per year) and total investment in climate change mitigation and adaptation (about US$ 350 billion/year).

Is anybody listening? Not the Philippine government, with President Aquino himself giving a smirk to proposals to invest in renewable energy and opening the doors wide to coal-fired power plants as ThE solution to rising power demand.

(MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. H. Marcos C. Mordeno can be reached at hmcmordeno@gmail.com)

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Why is the West betting against climate change?

COMMENTARY By ricHard ScHiffMan

W

Part 1 of 2

ITh wildfires ravaging San Diego County, this year’s fire season is getting off to an early — and destructive — start.

A hotter and drier Southwest may result in the loss of the lion’s share of its forests to fire before this century is done, if extraordinary measures to protect them aren’t soon undertaken. Instead of extraordinary measures, however, Washington has made only token efforts to address this looming crisis.

That danger is already here for much of the West. Drought in Southern California and Texas, and near-drought elsewhere, means that forests are tinder-dry and expected to get even drier during summer. Which is scary — considering so many Americans now live or spend their summers in the “wildland urban interface,” the wooded areas in the West where fire danger is the greatest.

The number of homes located within a half mile of a national forest soared from 484,000 in 1940 to 1.8 million in 2000, Forest Service Chief Thomas Tidwell testified before a Senate committee last year. It is even higher today.

I’m one of the people who live there.

My neighbors and I knew the dangers when we built our homes on the edge of the Carson National Forest in northern New Mexico. We accepted the risk in exchange for to-die-for views of a thousand square miles of high desert plateau and snow-capped peaks.

That risk became a reality eight years ago this month. A wind-whipped inferno incinerated more than 7,000 acres in a matter of hours. I was lucky: The firestorm narrowly bypassed my cabin and those of my nearest neighbors. But 18 other homes in our village of Lama burned to the ground. Most have not been rebuilt.

Losses from forest fires have increased exponentially. In Colorado last year, fire destroyed 648 structures and caused a record $538 million in property damage.

In the 1960s, about 200 homes a year were lost to wildfires. By 2011, that number had jumped to nearly 3,000, as land developers recklessly push up against the forests’ edge.

Seasoned firefighters are also increasingly at risk. Nineteen highly trained elite “hotshot” firefighters died in Arizona, caught in a vortex of flame when winds suddenly shifted — the worst such disaster in 80 years.

Even aside from these human tragedies, the cost for fighting forest fires is soaring. The price tag more than doubled from 2002 to 2012. This year, it is projected to top $1.8 billion, $500,000 more than what has been budgeted to fight fires.

When fire-fighting costs go over budget, the Forest Service typically makes up the shortfall by cutting back on programs designed to prevent catastrophic fires.

These cuts are a serious mistake, however. They are an extreme example of being penny-wise and pound foolish. For they leave us fighting the symptoms — but ignoring the disease.

Forest experts now realize that aggressive fire-suppression policies, followed in the West for much of the past century, have been misguided. Natural forests depend on fire to keep them lean and healthy.

10 NEWS

VOL. 7 ISSUE 47 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014

Lack...FFROM 1

SESSION ADJOURNED. Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte talks to members of local media at Sangguniang Panlungsod after he declared the adjournment of yesterday’s City Council regular session for lack of quorum. Only 13 of the 23 city councilors were present during rollcall of the 19th regular session as some Councilors joined Brigada Eskwela in their respective districts. Lean Daval Jr.

ASEAN countries urged to help mitigate climate change impact P RESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday urged member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to work together to mitigate the impact of climate change.

Addressing some 2,000 delegates from 32 Asia-Pacific countries attending the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) – ASEAN International Conference on Tourism and Climate Change in Legazpi, Albay, President Aquino said that climate change should not be ignored.

“Climate change is real.

It is a threat not simply to our industries or to our economies; it is a grave threat to all our peoples,” he said, citing Typhoon Yolanda, which he described as “unprecedented in scale”, affecting 44 of

the country’s 81 provinces, claiming thousands of lives, and rendering many more homeless and without livelihood.

“We cannot ignore the resounding message that Typhoon Yolanda said to the world: If we do not tackle it head on, this ‘new normal’ brought about by climate change will be here to stay and we will be forced to make unfair choices between disaster risk management and development,” he warned. he noted that each country must come up with a more focused and more organized strategy to adapt to the risks of climate change.

“This entails each country revisiting the way they approach every facet of governance to take into account how they affect the environment—from

infrastructure, to agriculture, to energy. Needless to say, one of the sectors deeply concerned with the evolving demands of the new normal is tourism,” he continued.

The Chief Executive recounted how Donsol, Sorsogon, with the help of the Department of Tourism and the Worldwide Fund for Nature, was able to capitalize on its whale sharks, locally known as Butanding, to promote eco-tourism.

In less than five years, he said, Donsol went from a sixth-class municipality to a first-class municipality, with an annual income of P55 million. he however noted that the long-term viability of such programs is tied to how the problem of climate change is dealt with.

Such efforts cannot

come from just one country, he said, expressing hope that countries could continue to share ideas, new technologies and best practices through conferences like the UNWTO-ASEAN Conference on Tourism and Climate Change.

“Let us work even closer together; let us begin turning the situation around before it gets worse; and let us endeavor to leave behind a world still teeming with opportunities—one that is, without doubt, better than how we found it,” the President said.

Delegates to the fiveday conference are expected to come up with measures that would strengthen the tourism sector’s ability to address the threats of climate change.

[PCOO News Release]

gy resource shares at P580.9 million, covering the municipality of Caluya and barangay Semirara. This is followed by the province of Leyte in Region VIII (Eastern Visayas) which will receive P55.5 million, covering the city of Ormoc and the municipality of Kanang and, effectively, the barangays respectively under them: hiluctugan, Lim-ao, Rizal, Tongonan (Ormoc City), Lake Danao, and Tongonan (Kananga).

Region V (Bicol Region) will receive P37.8 million, covering the provinces of Albay and Masbate, and benefiting two municipalities and nine barangays: Pagcolbon (Albay), Amoroy, Balawing, Bangon, Capsay, Lanang, Panique, Puro, and Syndicate (Masbate). This is closely followed by Region VII (Western Visayas), which will receive P30.3 million for the provinces of Bohol and Cebu, bene-

fiting two cities, three municipalities, and five barangays in total.

“It bears noting that through the Open Government Partnership (OGP), we have embarked on the Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (Ph-EITI) so we can become even more transparent about how public funds move in and across the country’s extractive industries. For example, we

now disclose the revenues received by the government from extractive industries and the contribution of these industries to local economies.

“Through EITI, we intend to reinforce trust and openness between firms and host communities and, ultimately, empower our LGUs to fully own and take part in the process of inclusive growth and development,” the budget chief added. [DBM]

Energy...FFROM 3

The vice mayor emphasized if the councilors cannot follow the house rules they can easily make an amendment and transfer the time even at 8:00 in the evening.

“Lesson na para sa ila og sa mga sumsunod na vice mayor.

Na dili na sa tanang panahon na syudad maghulat ninyo kay namintura pa mo sa pader sa mga skwelahan na session day,” he stressed.

Those who are present were councilors Joanne M. Bonguyan-Quilos, Louie John J. Bonguyan, April Marie Dayap, Jimmy G. Dureza, January N. Duterte, Edgar R. Ibuyan, Diosdao Mahipus Sr., Berino L. Mambo-o, Tomas J. Monteverde IV, Antoinette G. Principe, and Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte.

Based on the agenda from the council secretary, there are 15 items in unfinished business, nine items set to be taken up in the first reading and 17 items for the second reading.

Last March 9 session, Duterte chided the councilors who came to session late. he said that time that they do not need to be reminded of the 10:00 a.m. schedule.

At that time, there was no quorum in the early minutes of the session as there were only 13 members, including the vice mayor, who responded during the roll-call.

During the session last March, majority floor leader Tomas Monteverde IV asked for a 10-minute recess because he was informed that some of the members were attending the district celebration of Araw ng Dabaw and were caught in traffic. After councilor Bernard Al-ag came in, the session began at 10:03 a.m.

The vice mayor already called the attention of the councilors during the January 7 regular session when they have to begin the session at 10:05 a.m.

she added.

Respecia said that 20 percent rice consumption of Dabawenyos is supplied by imported rice from NFA while the remaining 80 percent comes from the local production.

NFA is supplying two varieties of imported rice: the 25 percent broken, which is commercially sold at P27 per kilo and the 15 percent broken, which is being sold at P32 per kilo.

Earlier, the Regional Agriculture and Fishery Council (RAFC) vice chair Arman-

do Angsinco projected a 20 percent decrease in local rice production because of intense heat that may affect the water supply in irrigation systems.

The Department of Agriculture 11 is encouraging farmers in the region to plant root crops that can stand the drought.

DA 11 regional director Remelyn Recoter said that farmers can resort to planting cassava and other roots crops not just as source of additional income but also for food security.

and others.

“We are more specific this time because we aim to close the gap between the supply chain and the value added chain,” she added.

“Our previous IPPs have been focused on what is the end goal. Now we are now identifying constraints that affect the output,” Dichosa said For example, based on BOI’s sectoral analysis on agribusiness specifically on poultry, the price of chicken in the market is still high because during the production stage, the producers have address several constraints like the high cost of corn feeds.

“Maybe, to address this we need to lower the pricing cost in the corn mills,” she said.

Dichosa said that the government is now pouring in more budget allocation on research and development in each sector.

“Maybe through R and D, production in terms of quality and quantity will move up the value chain,” she said, adding that the government is encouraging cooperation among agencies that can improve the manufacturing, agribusiness and labor sector.

In view of the forthcoming

Asean integration by 2015, Dichosa said that every sector is vulnerable but identifying factors that affects the supply chain is essential to become competitive.

Compared to other countries, qualified investors in the Philippines receive the highest fiscal incentive offer with 30 percent corporate income tax (CIT) rate with three to eight years. While countries like Singapore offers only 17 percent CIT, its holiday tax period is up to 15 years. China, on the other hand, offers 25 percent CIT and a tax holiday period between two to three years.

“We are also considering the non-fiscal incentives because maybe it’s not only the tax incentive that will invite more investments and boost the industries to become more productive and competitive,” she said.

“We are working with other agencies that will develop strategies to make doing business in the country easier and more accessible,” she said.

Dichosa said that they are set to wrap up the results of all public consultations which will end this month to be submitted to the Office of the President.

Sufficient...FFROM 2

Six...FFROM 3

EDGEDAVAO

MOTORING

VOL. 7 ISSUE 47 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014

11

Mazda expands to Davao City M

AZDA in the Philippines extends its reach to the south with the opening of AUTOhUB Group’s all-new Mazda Davao, their latest full-service Mazda dealership facility in the country.

Located at Kilometer 7, Lanang, Davao City, the all new 2,000-square meter facility boasts a 7-vehicle showroom and 10 service bays, with services that include sales, after-sales, parts and accessories as well as body repair. Consistent with new Mazda standard for advanced new green technology, Mazda Davao showroom and customer area are illuminated by more 400 LED lights that save up to 70% of energy costs versus conventional lighting - perfectly complementing Mazda’s innovative SKYACTIV powertrain technology for fuel efficiency without compromising performance.

“Davao is a key market for Mazda because it is a vibrant city and a key commercial center for Mindanao” says Steven Tan, President and CEO of BAP. “Finally Mazda’s new lineup of products featuring

the advanced SKYACTIV technology and the striking KODO design are now available in Davao to delight to the discerning car lovers of Davao City and the surrounding provinces.” he adds, “With the opening of Mazda’s latest showroom, our high-quality, beautiful and fuel-efficient car models will now be more accessible to a larger market in the region.”

Mazda Davao represents an expansion of the AUTOhUB Group’s business with Mazda in the Mindanao. Led by the President of AUTOhUB Willy Tee Ten, the Group has been operating Mazda Cagayan de Oro since 2011. “We really like Mazda as a premium Japanese brand,” shares Tee Ten, AUTOhUB Group President. “We see the Mazda brand as a growth pillar for the AUTOhUB Group as it perfectly complements our portfolio of other automotive brands.” he adds, “We see a tremendous potential for Mazda in Mindanao.”

Year-to-date April Mazda sales numbers in the Philippines show a 57.5%

increase compared to the same period last year. This makes Mazda one of the fastest growing brands in the country. The opening of Mazda Davao will further help fuel the growth of the brand in the country as it makes owning and maintaining a Mazda more convenient for the people of Davao City.

The current product line-up of Mazda Philippines includes the Mazda2 sub-compact sedan and hatchback, the recently launched all-new Mazda3 SKYACTIV compact sedan and hatchback, the Mazda6 SKYACTIV executive sedan, the CX-5 SKYACTIV compact SUV, the CX-9 seven-seater SUV, the MX-5 2-seater sports roadster and the BT-50 pickup truck. There are 14 Mazda sales and service dealerships located across Metro Manila – Mazda Greenhills along EDSA, Mazda Pasig along C5, Mazda Quezon Ave., and Mazda Alabang – and in key provincial locations – Pampanga, Dagupan, Cabanatuan, Batangas, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Tarlac, Cavite, Iloilo and now Davao.

5th PIMS set September 18-21

Ford unveils new Ranger models T

hE Philippines’s best-selling pick-up, the Ford Ranger, gets new additions to its growing family to bring the total to 13 variants. The new additions expand the range-topping Wildtrak trim by adding two 2.2-liter 4x2 models and the 3.2-liter 4x4 equipped with a manual transmission. The prices for the new Wildtrak models are: 2.2L Ranger Wildtrak 4x2 M/T – P 1,219,000; 2.2L Ranger Wildtrak 4x2 A/T – P 1,289,000; and 3.2L Ranger Wildtrak 4x4 M/T – P 1,490,000.

“The Ranger continues to be one of our top-selling nameplates and we are very

excited to offer customers even more options to meet their needs,” said Kay hart, managing director, Ford Philippines.

The new Ranger Wildtrak 4x2 variants come with the proven Duratorq TDCi 2.2L engine in both 6-speed automatic and manual transmission, guaranteed to deliver more power in its segment, achieving peak torque output of 375 Nm and power output of 150 PS. These new variants also include additional safety technologies that used to be exclusively available on the 3.2L Ranger Wildtrak such as the Side and Curtain Airbags. These airbags deploy

from the headliner to provide a protective cushion for the head of outboard occupants in the event of a significant side impact while the curtain is designed to protect both rows of occupants by covering the upper side structure and glass from the A-pillar to the C-pillar.

Additional notable features are the 3-point seat belts in all positions, driver and passenger beltminder, seatbelt pretensioners, and ISOFIX Child Seat Anchorage Points – the international standard for attachment points for child safety seats.

Premium styling is enhanced for the range-topping Wildtrak. Sitting high

on 18-inch alloy wheels, the Wildtrak features an attractive Sport Package with Roof Rail, Sport Bar, Box Rail, Bedliner and Special Wildtrak Leather Seats, Steering Wheel and Door Trim. The exclusive Wildtrak badging and graphics, accentuates its aggressive look and sporty stance.

Meanwhile, the 3.2L Ranger Wildtrak M/T is powered by the state-of-the-art Duratorq TDCi 3.2L engine, delivering a substantial 470 Nm of torque and power rated at 200 PS. It comes with 6-speed manual transmission, promising to continue delivering excellent fuel economy and class-leading power.

T

hE Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) announces the much-awaited 5th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS), a four-day event from September 1821 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City.

The prime industry-led motor show in the country brings together (16) top automotive brands to showcase their latest vehicle releases, services, and technologies: BAIC, BMW, Daewoo, honda, Isuzu, JMC, Kia, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Suzuki, Toyota, and Volkswagen.

This year’s PIMS carries the theme “Progress in Motion”, highlighting the local automotive industry’s role in propelling the country toward greater mobility and economic growth.

“PIMS has always been more than a motor exhibit.

This year, it serves as our platform in conveying how the automotive industry is

a vital player in the Philippines’ thriving economy.

The industry’s robust performance in the past two years is also proof that we are progressing toward better mobility and transportation,” said CAMPI President Rommel Gutierrez.

In the first four months of 2014, the local automotive industry sales were up 22%from last year. Moreover, 2013 marks an important milestone for the industry as it breached the 200,000 level, achieving a record high of 212,000 units in total sales. The introduction of new models and promotion packages has led to the positive sales performance and has given the automotive industry improved consumer confidence.

“The 5th Philippine International Motor Show is also the perfect venue to show that CAMPI is one with the government in driving economic progress.” Gutierrez added.

12 CLASSIFIED

VOL. 7 ISSUE 47 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 47 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014

EDGEDAVAO

WOMEN

It’s a piece of cake Who doesn’t love cheesecakes? Every bite of this decadent, creamy, dreamy dessert always brings joy and satisfaction to any sweet tooth. It sweetens up any occasion, meal, and, in some cases, relationships and even career.

“Desserts brought me and my husband closer.

We both love sweets and we’d always share a slice or two,” reveals Aimee Go-Bonguyan, a proud homemaker and owner of Chloe’s Cheesecake (a dessert factory offering bite sized cheesecakes). “of all the pastries invented, cheesecake is my all-time favorite,” shares Aimee. “Baking has always been my passion since I was in high school.

I used to enjoy the no-bake recipe for cheesecake, but I eventually learned how to bake one. This love of cheesecakes followed me throughout my years in school and even during my travels. It was in one of those travels that I took time to immerse myself in the world of cheesecakes. I went around New York City to check out various shops known for their cheesecakes. If others splurged on shopping, museum visits, and watching plays in NYC, I was on a hunt for the perfect and unique cheesecake recipe and went on numerous food tastings. It was a delicious experience and research is always a good excuse to try different restaurants, especially when you’re out of town.

Everything I learned came in handy when I opened Chloe’s Cheesecake in 2012.”

Sweet beginnings “My husband, Brian, and I have been together for many years before we decided to take the big leap. he was very supportive of my need for fulfillment in terms of career. I have a degree in Medical Technology and I worked in hospitals after graduating college. And then there was that short stint in a telecommunications company. over time, I realized that what I really wanted was to work abroad. Soon, I landed a job with Qatar Airways. I worked as cabin crew for 4 years before residing back in Davao City.”

“Brian and I got married in 2010. Life after the wedding has been nothing but beautiful. We’ve been blessed with a daughter, Chloe, who is now 2 years old. I focused life around my family and thought of turning a hobby into a business (so it would never have to feel like work).”

“I opened Chloe’s Cheesecake just in time for the Christmas season.

Since then, business has been doing well. My main products are the baked cheesecakes which come in different flavors and toppings such as strawberry, blueberry, dulce de leche, mocha, chocolate, durian, chocolate chip and ube. Aside from my signature products, I also sell oatmeal fudge bars, choco moist and yema cupcakes, rainbow blondies, soft and chewy cookies and cake in jars. other specialties include 3 oz cheesecakes in different variations --Snickers, oreo, KitKat and Black Forest. To this day, I have clients who order and ship boxes of our cakes to Cebu and Manila. There are even some who order in bulk for weddings and special occasions.”

Striking balance

Aimee juggles work with motherhood. “I work around my daughter’s schedule. I still devote time and energy to breastfeed my child and it gives me that satisfaction of being able nourish her with the best milk. I’m with my child day in and day out. Baking only comes in when Chloe is taking her nap or when my husband comes home and takes my place as Chloe’s playmate.

I’m lucky that I get to do my work in the comfort of my home, where I can still watch over my daughter. Family is one of the reasons why I chose to be self employed. I’ve fully committed myself to this family, but it doesn’t mean that I’m not going to work anymore. I realized that it’s important to invest in your skills and interest because these experiences and learnings will all come in handy eventually.

I’m more than happy and grateful with our family and the life we lead. The success of my little business is just the icing on the cake.”

For inquiries and orders, please follow and message Chloe’s Cheesecake on Facebook or call 09321292220.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

Stress-free travel with Delsey’s new built-in overweight indicator DUE to weight restrictions imposed by airline companies we have all been faced with choosing between our favourite clothes, our computer and our holiday souvenirs when packing our suitcase. With the new Montmartre collection there is no need to be worried of going overweight at the check-in desk.

Backed up with nearly 70 years of expertise in innovating luggage, Delsey invented the exclusive Overweight indicator system, allowing you to know if your luggage exceeds the basic weight limit of 23kg, every single time. it’s easy; just pack your luggage, close then lift it. if the warning on the top of the handle turns red, then you would you know have packed too much.

No surprises and no excess baggage fees to pay, allowing you to have a worry free Check in.

Delsey once again made packing and traveling much simpler.

Delsey’s Montmarte collection is available at the Delsey store located at the the Delsey Paris store located at the ground floor of The Annex of sM City Davao.

SM Lanang Premier marks1st anniversary of Pet-Friendly campaign with Canine Health Awareness Conference This whole month of May, sM Lanang Premier is celebrating the 1st anniversary of its ‘Pets Are Welcome here’ campaign, which coincides with the National Pet Month, by supporting a conference for pet owners and their beloved animals.

On May 25, at 3 pm, the Canine health Awareness Conference organized by the Philippine siberian husky Club, inc.

(PsChi)-Davao Pack will be happening at The Fountain Court grounds, sM Lanang Premier.

This conference aims to educate all dog lovers in Davao about essential information they need to know about killer viruses for dogs such as Parvovirus and Distemper (killer viruses for dogs). students from southern Mindanao University will talk about the importance of neutering and rabies prevention.

Free vaccination and consultation for pets may be availed during the event. Pet owners just need to present their health Card to benefit from these free health services.

Apart from this, sM Lanang Premier is first to introduce ‘Pet Day sundays,’ which invites pet owners to share precious bonding moments with their furry little ones at the Fountain Court grounds every sunday. sM Lanang Premier is the first pet-friendly shopping establishment in Davao City. in May 2013, it launched its ‘Pets Are Welcome here’ campaign to provide a venue where all pets’ needs are met and ensure a pleasurable shopping experience for pet owners and their pets. sM Lanang Premier allows pets to be carried inside mall premises and dog owners to walk their dogs at the mall’s Fountain Court grounds.

Pet litter bins are set up just outside the mall building so dog and cat owners can easily clean up after their pets.

For more information, contact 285-0943. You may also visit SM Lanang Premier on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 47 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014

A Mad Science Kids’ Day at SM City Davao KIDS of different ages were treated to a geeky fun afternoon at SM City Davao last May 4 as the country’s premier provider of dynamic science edutainment dazzled science-loving brainiacs at the Mad Science Kids’ Day.

The show started with Enzyme Eddie creating goo for kids to play with. After that, the mad scientists discussed fire where they demonstrated the necessary ingredients for combustion to take place—heat, oxygen and fuel. Among the demonstrations performed were the dust explosion and the “egg and flask” experiment.

The second part of the showcase then discussed about the properties of ice. Autobot Aren gave the audience an opportunity to play with bubbles on stage. The audience also had the chance to feel dry ice, as if they were in the clouds! highly interactive and experiential, Mad Sci-

ence encouraged kids’ scientific inquiry, creative hypotheses and analysis, and built discussions on the learners’ ideas. It was definitely a fun way to learn science.

Catch more exciting and educational activities at SM City Davao! For inquiries, call 297-6998 local 126. Like SM City Davao on Facebook or follow @ smcitydavao on Twitter and @smdavao on Instagram for event and promo updates.

Metro Silver Linings Party held to launch its 25th anniversary issue TWENTy-FivE years have passed since the magazine that changed the face of Philippine fashion first hit the stands, and now that it has evolved into the country’s premier authority in style, Metro magazine chose to hold a grand thanksgiving celebration for its grand anniversary with the Metro silver Linings Party, held last May 13, 2014.

The Metro silver Linings Party presented itself as a

night of revelry, bringing all those in attendance the best and latest in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle that the stylish Filipina deserves—all up close and in person at today’s hottest night spot, 21 Gramercy.

The event was held in

with the official launch of Metro’s 25th Anniversary issue, which brings to the spotlight ways for readers to get their best look right now.

The magazine also gave its guests a special treat during its silver Linings Party,

with twenty-five lucky attendees being given the chance to take home big gifts from Metro.

Grab a copy of Metro Magazine’s latest issue, available in bookstores and magazine stands nationwide. Metro’s digital issue is also available on the App store and on Google Play.

For updates, visit Metro on Facebook (www.facebook. com/metro.magazine) and follow @MetroMagPh on Twitter and instagram.

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 47 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014

ENTERTAiNMENT

Search for the next young singing superstar begins on May 24 in ‘The Voice Kids’ MEET the kids behind the big and unique voices who are ready to make their dreams come true in the highly anticipated premiere of the ultimate singing-reality search “The voice Kids” this May 24 on ABs-CBN. Expect the same tension in the battle for vocal supremacy as returning coaches Popstar Royalty sarah Geronimo, Rock superstar Bamboo, and Broadway Diva Lea salonga find the best voices of Filipino kids aged eight to 14. Like the other international versions of “The voice Kids,” only three coaches will sit in the red swivel chairs and select the artists they want to mentor just by listening to the aspirant’s singing voice in the Blind Auditions. “it’s a big privilege to get to work with some amazing kids, and hopefully be able to influence them the right way,” said Lea. sarah said she feels a deep connection with the young artists as she herself joined several amateur and Tv singing contests as a child. “i see myself in them. i believe it’s my strength and it will help me in coaching them, because i went through everything they are going through,” shared sarah.

Bamboo, meanwhile, admitted coaching in the kids edition of the program

would be difficult just as he had predicted, but sees it as a huge challenge.

“With adults, you already know where they’re headed as an artist. With kids, it’s still a gray area. so i carefully listen to every child so i can give justice to their performance when i comment, whether i turn around or not,” he said.

By the end of the Blind Auditions, the coaches must have selected 18 artists for their respective teams who

will proceed to the next rounds of the competition.

The Battle Rounds in the kids version is slightly different from the adults version in that in the former, each coach will have to pit three members on their team by singing one song together.

Only one from each grouping will advance to the sing-Off, where six artists from each team will try to give their all to impress their coach. in the sing-Off, each

coach must pick two artists who will get into the semiFinals. From these six semifinalists, the Top 4 artists will be selected that will battle it out in the grand finals.

This means that one of the coaches might have two star artists who will compete in the finale.

“The voice Kids” will be hosted by Luis Manzano with Alex Gonzaga. “i’ve been exposed to kids, so more or less i already know what to say to them and how to make them feel better. i like the backstage area, because they still don’t have that nervousness in them. i get to know their stories, why they’re here, the things they want to accomplish,” said Luis, who previously hosted “star Circle Kid Quest,” “Junior Minute to Win it,” and “Pilipinas Got Talent.”

For the very first time, Luis will be working with Alex, one of the v-Reporters in “The voice of the Philippines” season 1.

“Members of the staff tell us we shouldn’t be working together, because we just laugh and joke around the whole time. But we’ve known each other for the longest time, and it’s honestly a pleasure to work with her,” Luis said.

Alex, for her part, prepared so much for her hosting duties especially that

she’s tasked with interacting with the young artists in the ‘tension room.’ According to her, she is able to refresh everything she learned as an Education major in college. “you have to use different techniques to deal with children, because some of them feel like ‘The voice’ is their last shot. Before they take the stage in the blind auditions, i am there to boost their morale. They’re kids, so

they might get starstruck by the coaches or get intimidated by the lights. i encourage and make them feel at ease,” shared Alex.

Don’t miss the premiere of “The Voice Kids” this May 24 on ABS-CBN. For updates on the program, visit thevoice. abs-cbn.com, like www.facebook.com/thevoiceabscbn, or follow @thevoiceabscbn on Twitter and @abscbnthevoice on Instagram.

Maja and Jericho, flattered with the many Nicole-Adrian haters DEsPiTE haters and bashers of their controversial roles, “The Legal Wife” stars Maja salvador and Jericho Rosales are flattered with the many positive feedback they have been receiving from the Tv viewers and netizens because of their effective portrayal of Nicole and Adrian in ABs-CBN’s top-rating primetime series, which they co-star with Angel Locsin at JC de vera.

“The viewers hate Nicole (Maja) and Adrian (Jericho) but they support us as actors because they love watching the show every night. And that strong support really inspires us to do better,” shared Maja.

Jerico, on the other hand, feels blessed having the chance to essay Adrian’s character--a married man who had an affair with his wife’s best friend.

BRICK MANSIONS 2D Paul Walker, David Belle, RZA

“For an actor, Adrian’s ordeal is something that is challenging to understand and deliver. Because right now, he is in search of answers to the problems he caused. And it’s interesting to discover the next decisions he will make, especially now that he and Monica (Angel) are temporarily separated and Nicole

is pregnant with his child,” Jericho said. how will Monica accept Nicole’s pregnancy? Will this be her breaking point that will push her to leave Adrian for good or will she continue to fight to rebuild her family?

Don’t miss the nation’s most talked about ‘Tv affair’ “The Legal Wife” week-

nights after “ikaw Lamang” on ABs-CBN Primetime Bida.

For more updates about the show, simply visit its website www.thelegalwife.abscbn.com and official social networking sites at Facebook. com/thelegalwife2013, Instagram.com/iam_thelegalwife, and Twitter.com/IAmTheLegalWife.

R 13

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

GODZILLA 3D Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Bryan Cranston PG 13

1:30 | 4:00 | 6:30 | 9:00 LFS

GODZILLA 2D Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Bryan Cranston PG 13

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

R-16 THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 2D Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone PG 13

1:00 | 4:00 | 7:00 | 10:00 LFS

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 7 ISSUE 47 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014

EvENT

One big Jollibee family picnic SuMMEr is all about families coming together and having a jolly good time. This is especially true as thousands of families converged in five different venues across the country and enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon during Jollibee’s Family Bee Day, dubbed as the grandest picnic ever! held simultaneously at the Quirino Grandstand in Metro Manila, Bayanihan Park in Pampanga, Nuvali football grounds in Laguna, Plaza Independencia in Cebu and Crocodile Park in Davao, the event was highlighted by performances from topnotch celebrity guests, live bands, side attractions and overflowing Jollibee treats.

“We are very excited to mount an event of this magnitude that celebrates

Event host Resci Rizada.

Imago belting out their hits. the Filipinos’ love for bonding over good food.

We are very happy with the turnout and pleased

Jollibee and friends dance on the stage.

EDGEDavao Davao Partners

to see everyone enjoying the company of other people whom they treat like family. Talagang dito sa Jollibee, ang sarap maging pamilya,” said Jollibee vice-president for Marketing harvey ong.

Maja Salvador, Slater Young and Imago topbilled the list of performers who entertained families at the Jollibee Family Bee Day picnic-goers at the Crocodile Park while local stilt walkers and jugglers paraded around the venue.

Dance performances from Jollibee and friends, Jollibee Kids Club members and leading dance crews kept the excitement up throughout the afternoon picnic hosted by Davao’s very own resci rizada. Kids and kids at heart had a grand time playing at the inflatable slide and basketball shootout, while families also enjoyed posing by the giant picnic basket and special photo frame wall installations to capture the fun moments.

It was definitely no ordinary summer afternoon as the country’s number one family fast-food chain filled the celebration with fun and exciting entertainment from some of the country’s leading celebrities and bands, outdoor fun and games and greattasting food making the Family Bee Day the grandest picnic ever.

The basketball shoot out.

Kids posing with the jugglers.

Maja Salvador and Slater Young take a photo together with JolThe giant inflatable slide. libee executives at the giant basket installation.

13 COMMUNITY SENSE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 47 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014

MX3 celebrates Vigan’s Binatbatan Festival

T

he City of Vigan celebrated the week-long Binatbatan Festival of Arts with various cultural events featuring the City’s historical significance as the World heritage Site.

The City is known for its unique architecture combining the Philippine and Oriental structural designs, with colonial European architecture.

The Binatbatan Festival is one of the biggest festi-

vals in Northern Luzon. A showcase of Filipino traditions reflecting religious and cultural presentations: Binatbatan street dancing, religious rituals, Santacruzan, trade and food fairs and exhibits.

A Kapuso Night filled with dancing, music and other party-making activities took place at Vigan Convention Center.

Multi-awarded recording artist and dubbed as the

FOR SAlE (Direct Buyer Only)

Asia’s Songbird Ms. Regine Velasquez-Alcasid graced the festivity. People from different walks of life

cheered as Ms. Regine serenaded and played with them.

Intensifying the cheers

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of the audience was MX3 hooray as MX3 openhandedly gave out MX3 Product Bags as prizes of the game to participating residents. Folks and visitors who joined the celebration treasured the momentous event with surprises and gift-giving from MX3.

14 SPORTS

VOL. 7 ISSUE 47 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014

PROMOTIONAL LICENSE. ALA Promotions recorded an important milestone for Philippine Boxing after being officially granted a license by the California State Athletic Commission as the first promoter in the whole Asia to hold events in the United States. After working on the license since November 2011 , ALA Promotions is now ready to invade the US, particularly California.

In photo taken last 15 May 2014, of ALA Promotions President/CEO, Mr. Michael Aldeguer (right) with California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) Executive Officer, Mr. Andy Foster (left). PR

Mayweather sets date for next fight

PACQUIAO-MARQUEZ

Give ‘em five W

ILLIE Pep had Sandy Saddler (4 times), Sugar Ray Robinson had Jake LaMotta (6x’s) and Muhammad Ali had Joe Frazier (3x’s).

They are just three rivalries and six all-time great fighters whose names will be forever linked together in fistic history.

Today, we have Manny Pacquiao 56-5-2 (38) and Juan Manuel Marquez 56-7-1 (40) who have fought each other four times and had the eyes of the boxing world focused on them every time. Pacquiao and Marquez don’t need anything to build up a fight between them. Four fights=four great fights. Each one had fireworks, each one was close, each was hard to predict. And there’s no reason why the fifth wouldn’t continue the tradition.

Of the four fights between them, the first three resulted in very close and controversial decisions. Their first fight was a draw and Pacquiao was the benefactor in the second and third meetings via a split decision in fight II and a majority decision in fight III. In their last meeting, the fourth between them, Marquez, who was trailing at the time, won the only non controversial bout between the duo when he knocked Pacquiao out with one punch with only seconds remaining in the sixth round.

And that brings us to why there will most likely be a fifth and final meeting between these two future hall of famers this coming November.

For starters, there is nobody substantive left for them to fight with something significant to gain other than Floyd Mayweather. Marquez had his shot at Mayweather and was

jobbed on the scales at the weigh in when Mayweather came in above the contract weight and had to cough up a lot of dead presidents. But Floyd didn’t care and was happy to buy the advantage. In the ring that night it looked like a welterweight versus a lightweight and Marquez didn’t compete. Although Marquez would probably like another shot at Mayweather, there’s no way that happens because Floyd would have nothing to gain by fighting him again. Sure, the boxing world would love to see Mayweather and Pacquiao fight, and it will happen, but not this year, so forget about it for now. There’s another formidable terror out there named Ruslan Provodnikov 23-2 (16), who is promoted by Bob Arum who would love to fight either Pacquiao or Marquez. however, he’s too dangerous for both of them. his style, toughness and aggression would make it really tough for Marquez to overcome at age 40. Perhaps Pacquiao’s unorthodox style and speed would lead Provodnikov into walking into a killer shot that he didn’t see. But Ruslan’s chin has shown to be upper-tier and very sturdy.

Provodnikov beat up and hurt Timothy Bradley much more than Marquez did when they fought and more than Pacquiao did in two fights against him. Forget either Manny or Juan going near Provodnikov.

They have nothing to gain by fighting him and it could easily end badly for both. Something else to keep in mind is the names Pacquiao and Marquez matched together can’t miss as a draw. Boxing fans know when they share a ring they’ll see professional fighting exhibited at its highest level.

The fight will have many ebbs and flows with the outcome being in question until the very end. And the stakes and bragging rights on the line in a fifth fight between them will be monumental. how can it not be? Marquez handed Pacquiao the most devastating and humiliating defeat of his career a year and a half ago.

Manny was out, face down, on the canvas for over a minute.

After the fight his wife pleaded with him to retire from boxing.

Since the last Marquez fight, Pacquiao has fought twice. he won a lopsided decision over a limited tough guy in Brandon Rios and then out thought and out boxed Timothy Bradley in their rematch. But he didn’t look spectacular in either bout and it’s obvious to anyone who knows what they’re watching that Manny doesn’t carry the same punch he used to - nor is he the non-stop punching machine he was going back just three or four years ago.

That said, there’s no way in the world I could be convinced that Pacquiao doesn’t want Marquez one more time. he was beating Marquez up, leading in the bout and had his face a mess when he let his guard down for a second and got nailed and put to sleep by the best right hand Marquez ever landed. And if we know nothing else, it’s that Manny has not suffered any residual effects from that knockout and certainly isn’t glove shy as a result of it.

As for Marquez, he’s fought twice since beating Pacquiao. he lost a decision to Timothy Bradley in his next fight, but that was more of a style conundrum than it was Bradley being the better fighter. For the better part of 12 rounds Brad-

ley used his better hand and foot speed to do just enough to win a couple more rounds than Marquez en-route to a split decision victory. And this past weekend Marquez won a lopsided unanimous decision over Mike Alvarado 34-3 (23), who was coming off a stoppage loss to Provodnikov in his last fight. After beating Alvarado, Marquez said he wants to be the first Mexican fighter in boxing history to win a world title in five different weight classes. Guess who holds the WBO welterweight title? Yep, Manny Pacquiao. What could be sweeter for Marquez than winning his fifth title and further enhancing his legacy at Pacquiao’s expense?

Think about the drama/ soap opera and back story attached to Pacquiao-Marquez V. Manny wants to avenge being knocked out by Marquez and Juan wants to make history and solidify himself historically as being Pacquiao’s superior. If Pacquiao were to knockout or beat Marquez convincingly in their fifth meeting, most would look back at his knockout loss to him as being a fluke. That would give him a 3-1-1 advantage head to head and the debate as to who got the better of whom between them would be settled. On the other hand, if Marquez stopped Pacquiao again or beat him beyond question in a fifth meeting, the series would be 2-2-1. And most would say that Marquez deserved at least one of the two decisions he lost to Manny, and he scored the only clear cut wins between them - so Marquez would be thought of as the superior fighter between them, at least in a head to head comparison.

B

ARELY two weeks since Floyd Mayweather Jr. outpointed Marcos Maidana to unify welterweight world titles, the pound-for-pound king has set his next fight date.

Mayweather will fight an opponent to be determined on Sept. 13, Mayweather Promotions chief executive Leonard Ellerbe told ESPN.com on Monday night.

“Floyd will go on Sept. 13 and we looking at who he’s going to fight and where he is going to fight,” Ellerbe said. “Obviously, Las Vegas is his home and the MGM Grand is always the leading candidate but we will take a look at our other options.”

Floyd Mayweather’s camp has set a Sept. 13 date against a yet-to-be-determined opponent.

The Showtime pay-perview fight will be the fourth of a six-bout deal worth around $200 million that Mayweather (46-0, 26 KOs) signed with Showtime/CBS in early 2013.

Although Mayweather defeated Maidana by majority decision in one of the toughest fights of his career on May 3 at the MGM Grand - where he has fought nine times in a row

-- he gave strong consideration to accepting an offer to fight at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Ellerbe said that Mayweather would again consider fighting in New York for the first time in his career this fall. “[Barclays Center chief executive] Brett [Yormark] and those guys at the Barclays Center made a tremendous offer for the Maidana fight and I’m sure they’ll be looking to be in the Floyd Mayweather business again come September, but the MGM is Floyd’s home and they are always the leading candidate,” Ellerbe said.

Ellerbe said they have not yet determined Mayweather’s Sept. 13 opponent.

“We’re looking at opponents now,” he said. “In the next two weeks we’ll have that part figured out.”

There was a lot of postfight discussion about a Mayweather-Maidana rematch because of how competitive and entertaining the fight was.

Mayweather said immediately afterward that he would consider fighting the Argentine brawler again and Maidana, of course, said he would like another crack at him.

Scott takes over no. 1 spot from Woods

A

USTRALIA’S Adam Scott has surpassed Tiger Woods as the number one player on the official world golf rankings, seizing the top spot despite not playing this past week.

Scott, who spent the past 38 weeks as the second ranked player, has had chances to overtake Woods through high tournament finishes but has instead done so with both players out of action.

The updated rankings are released on Monday.

Woods last played in March and is out indefinitely following back surgery, making his fall from the top inev-

itable.

The 33-year-old Scott is just the second Australian to reach the top ranking, following Greg Norman’s final reign which ended in 1998.

“This is another outstanding achievement for Adam Scott,” Brian Thorburn, Chief Executive of the PGA of Australia, said in a statement.

“The Australian golfing community is very proud of Adam and we look forward to watching his progress throughout the year.”

The 2013 Masters champion, Scott, ends Woods’ stretch of 60 straight weeks at the top.

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nips Navy, DCPO wins 2 in a row for BFP B Blue Knights

By NEIlWIN JOSEPh l. BRAVO njb@edgedavao.net

I

F it ain’t broke, why fix it?

Ateneo de Davao University used the same winning formula in their previous game against Chiang Kai Shek College and came through with the same result. This time, it was a massacre of a win 80-36 over Philippine Cultural College for its second win in as many starts in the St. Stephen’s Basketball Tournament in Binondo, Manila.

The Blue Knights unleashed its dreaded run and gun attack mode that left their foes distraught from the get go.

Shuffling his players like cards, coach Miggy Solitaria

made sure he had a full tank crew on the floor to keep the torrid pace going while clamping down the PCC dribblers with a fullcourt press. The Blue Knights threw the game wide open midway into the first half and it was no turning back from there.

The win gave the Blue Knights a 2-0 card and remained the only unbeaten team in the six-team field for players aged 18 years old and below.

Ateneo earlier defeated a tall CKSC Blazing Dragons side 101-92 in their opening game.

In the CKSC, Ateneo overcame a huge disadvantage in

ceiling and an 18-point deficit to score a huge 101-92 win.

The Blue Knights will face Philippines Chung hua team today at 11:00 a.m. before taking on host St. Stephen at 3:00 p.m. They will play tournament favorite University of the Philippines IS in their last outing. “”We stuck to our type of playing style. We just did what we wanted to do and it worked. Tomorrow will be tough though and we have to make adjustments. I am sure na-scout na rin kami ng kalaban,” Solitaria said through a text message from Manila.

rebounded from a loss at the hands of City Mayor’s Office and held a tight grip of second spot in the standing.

Earl Angsingco chipped in 11 markers for the BFP which handed the Navymen their sixth loss in seven games.

John De Luna had 17 for the Navy.

DCPO used a huge run in the third canto as the Policemen grabbed their fifth win in seven outings and stayed in third place.

Robinson Palomares

banked in 21 points and Anthony Padua made 20 to lead the charge for DCPO which shared third spot with Police Regional Office-XI with 5 – 2 record.

The loss left the PAF the only winless team in the league sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Region XI. 10th Infantry Agila Division trounced National Support Unit, 116 – 91, to boost its little chance to enter the semifinal round. [Rico Biliran]

UREAU of Fire Protection clobbered Philippine Navy, 112 – 80, while Davao City Police Office routed Philippine Air Force, 117 – 86 to boost their place in the standings in the preliminary round of the Davao Summer Sports for Peace AFP-PNP Basketball Tournament at the Davao City Recreation Center Almendras Gym on Monday.

Playing officials Donald Concepcion and Alex Pamaybay pumped in 14 points apiece as the Firemen (5-1) re-

bounded from a loss at the hands of City Mayor’s Office and held a tight grip of second spot in the standing.

Earl Angsingco chipped in 11 markers for the BFP which handed the Navymen their sixth loss in seven games.

John De Luna had 17 for the Navy.

DCPO used a huge run in the third canto as the Policemen grabbed their fifth win in seven outings and stayed in third place.

Robinson Palomares

banked in 21 points and Anthony Padua made 20 to lead the charge for DCPO which shared third spot with Police Regional Office-XI with 5 – 2 record.

The loss left the PAF the only winless team in the league sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Region XI. 10th Infantry Agila Division trounced National Support Unit, 116 – 91, to boost its little chance to enter the semifinal round. [Rico Biliran]

BFP nips Navy, DCPO wins

B

UREAU of Fire Protection clobbered Philippine Navy, 112 – 80, while Davao City Police Office routed Philippine Air Force, 117 – 86 to boost their place in the standings in the preliminary round of the Davao Summer Sports for Peace AFP-PNP Basketball Tournament at the Davao City Recreation Center Almendras Gym on Monday.

Playing officials Donald Concepcion and Alex Pamaybay pumped in 14 points apiece as the Firemen (5-1)

YOUNG JINS. Two young competitors show their wares in the recent 5TH ITF Taekowndo Davao Championships at the MTS Pavillon last May 18. The event was organized by ITF Davao Blackbelts Ryan Cordero, Lyra Cordero, John Aphard Salatandre, Bobby Sapar, Popong Sapar, Junno Hiramis, Mich Hong and Mark Banzon. The participating clubs are Bagani ITF (HQ, Kids Camp School, Royeca Studio), Kampilan ITF Maa, K’sag ITF Buhangin (Immanuel School and Prime Movers)

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 47 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2014

Spurs silence Thunder in Game 1

S

AN ANTONIO (AP) — Tim Duncan scored 27 points and the San Antonio Spurs took advantage of Serge Ibaka’s absence to dominate the paint, beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 122-105 on Monday night in the opener of the Western Conference finals.

Manu Ginobili added 18 points and Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green had 16 points each. Tony Parker did not appear limited by a hamstring injury, scoring 14 points and having 12 asssists.

Kevin Durant scored 28 points and Russell Westbrook added 25. Oklahoma City’s remaining starters, Nick Collison, Thabo Sefolosha and Kendrick Perkins combined to score five points.

The Thunder struggled without the defensive presence of Ibaka, who will miss the remainder of the postseason after suffering a calf injury in the Thunder’s series clincher against the Los Angeles Clippers.

San Antonio had 66 points in the paint and shot 58 percent from the field.

The Spurs fed Duncan early with Ibaka out, and the veteran responded by scoring 12 points in the first

quarter, making six of his seven shots.

The Spurs beat the Thunder for the first time this season, but it wasn’t easy despite Ibaka’s absence.

Despite missing his first four shots, Westbrook continued to bull his way into the lane and it paid off as the game wore on.

Westbrook had 12 points in the third quarter, continually driving past Parker and the Spurs before they could settle in defensively.

With the exception of a pair of free throws by Derek Fisher, Westbrook and Durant scored all of Oklahoma City’s points in a 23-22 third quarter.

The extended efforts exerted by the Thunder’s two All-Stars eventually took a toll, especially with the Spurs bench coming to life.

Westbrook and Durant were limited to seven points in the final quarter.

Spurs forward Aron Baynes entered with 2:43 remaining in the third and had an immediate impact. his 6-foot-10, 260-pound presence halted Westbrook’s drive in mid-dribble, creating a turnover and he also later forced a miss by altering Reggie Jackson’s short jumper.

ONE ON ONE. San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan, right, shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins during the first half of an NBA playoff basketball game on Monday (Tuesday PHL Time) in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

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