Edge Davao 8 Issue 137

VOL. 8 ISSUE 137 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9-10, 2015

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‘DREAM TEAM’ Duterte camp releases ‘Senate lineup’

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FRESHENING UP. A passerby washes his feet with water from the newly-constructed fountain beside City Hall. Lean Daval Jr.

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T

abf@edgedavao.net

HE camp of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has released the names of eight persons the mayor will be endorsing for the senatorial race in the 2016 election.

The “Dream Team” was released despite the fact that Duterte himself has not yet announced if he is running for president.

In a statement, former North Cotabato governor Emmanuel Piñol said veteran lawmakers Serge Osmeña and Panfilo Lacson as well as boxing

champion Manny Pacquiao lead the list of eight candidates for the Senate.

Completing the lineup are Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Samuel Pagdilao, Las Piñas Rep. Mark Villar, Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, and former Senator Miguel Zubiri.

Piñol, however, said according to Duterte, Zubiri’s inclusion in his “Dream Team” for the Senate would have to be referred to PDP Laban head Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

Zubiri resigned from the Senate after a long electoral protest filed by Pimentel showed that he gained by a vote-rigging operations in the 2007 election.

His Senate seat was then given to Pimentel.

Piñol said all of the eight senatorial candidates chosen

by Duterte are either running as independent or under a party outside PDP Laban.

He said Duterte prefers a lean Senate slate because of financial limitations.

“It is better to field just eight

candidates with four of them having real chances of winning than having 12 with only two of them winning. We have no money to give to those who are running for the Senate. They will have to finance their own campaign. But they will gain a lot of votes from Duterte’s diehard supporters,” Piñol quoted an adviser to Duterte as saying.

He said the senatorial lineup was formed during a late night meeting Tuesday with Duterte’s close friends and advisers.

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 137 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9-10, 2015

SHELTER. Two men take an afternoon nap in a vacant space along Tionko Avenue in Davao City. The area has served as their shelter for several months now. Lean Daval Jr.

5 poll hot spots in Maguindanao

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OLICE and military authorities have considered five towns in Maguindanao as hot spots and to be placed in “areas of immediate concern” category to prevent violence and ensure smooth 2016 local and national elections.

Senior Supt. Nickson Muksan, Maguindanao police director, told members of the Maguindanao Peace and Order Council (MPOC) in a meeting Wednesday that violent incidents related to elections are

likely to erupt in these towns unless a comprehensive security plan is in place.

He identified these towns as Datu Unsay, Rajah Buayan, Sultan sa Barongis, Sultan Mastura and Matanog.

“This is based on our intelligence information. Violence could erupt in these areas due to the presence of lawless elements, private armed groups and possible intense rivalry among politicians,” Muksan said.

F5 POLL, 11

R-12 security stepped up as filing of candidacy nears

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OLICE and military units in Region 12 have stepped their security operations in connection with the scheduled filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC) of local candidates in the May 2016 elections.

Lawyer Michael Abas, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Region 12 director, said Thursday such move was set during the regional command conference called by their office on Tuesday for the filing of the COCs on Oct. 12 to 16.

He said the command conference was joined by local election officers as well as representatives of security and law enforcement units, and other concerned government agencies in the region.

“We mainly talked about

the impending filing of the COCs and other matters pertaining to the security preparations and everything is set so far,” Abas said in an interview over TV Patrol Socsksargen.

The official said Comelec offices in the region have already completed their orientations to representatives of political parties and prospective candidates regarding the policies and regulations in line with the filing of COCs. Comelec Region 12 has jurisdiction over the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong and Kidapawan.

Although a part of Region 12’s administrative coverage, Cotabato City is under the

FR-12, 11

25K Muslims to push Duterte’s candidacy

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

A

abf@edgedavao.net

ROUND 25,000 people from the Muslim communities in Davao City and other support groups are expected to gather at Rizal Park today (Friday) to show support for the possible presidential run of Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte in next year’s election.

Speaking in yesterday’s I-Speak Media Forum, former councilor Peter Laviña said the Muslim communities in the city are united in

pushing Duterte to run for president.

“We are happy that our brothers and sisters in the Muslim community in Davao are initiating this activity to express support,” he said.

Laviña said the Muslim people also invited other sectors such as Lumads and Christian groups to join them to call on Duterte to run for president.

So far, Duterte has still not made a final decision

although Laviña had earlier said the mayor may make his announcement this weekend.

Tausug deputy mayor MasilAhalul said the Muslim people believe that only Duterte can solve the problems of the country.

He said Duterte has done many things for the Muslims in the city such as providing a P11.7 million fund for the Madrassah schools and paying the salaries of the Ustadz.

Ahalul said Duterte is also the only mayor in the country who regularly sends around 20 people to Mecca yearly for the pilgrimage.

For his part, Maguindanao deputy mayor Mike Nakan said he believes peace will finally be achieved in Mindanao if Duterte becomes president.

He said he 70 percent of the Muslim population in the country will support Duterte’s bid for the presidency.

nakaboto sila tong ni-agi makaboto na sila. Actually, giignan nako sila na dili mo makaboto kay wala man mo’y biometrics (Some voters have come to my office thinking that they can vote because they were able to vote in the previous election. I told them they cannot vote because they do not have their biometrics),” he said.

Cullo said many people who have no biometrics will go to the polling precincts on election day next year only to realize their names are not included in the list

of voters.

Cullo said Davao City still has a total of 130,208 voters who have no biometrics as of October 3.

Of the total, 65,722 are from the first district, 37,839 are from the second district, and 26,647 from the third district.

Cullo said there will be no more satellite registration in the barangays because the Comelec will conduct this in the malls starting October 19.

First district registration will be at NCCC Mall, second district at SM Lanang Pre-

mier, and third district at Gaisano Grand Mall in Toril.

“If they do not want to go to Magasaysay Park because our office is too small and our air conditioning is not that cool, they can go to the malls,” Cullo said.

He said the voters can go during mall hours but the Comelec will try to request the mall management to open at 8:00 a.m.

Cullo said Comelec 11 will also ask the national office to open even on Sundays so that the district offices can cater to more voters. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

Comelec to deactivate voters with no biometrics

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HE Commission on Election (Comelec) in Davao City will start the voter deactivation process after the last day of the registration on October 31.

Speaking in yesterday’s I-Speak Media Forum, Comelec second district election officer Danilo Cullo said voters who have no biometrics should comply with the requirement before the deadline because the Comelec will remove their names from the list.

“Naay mga botante nga nag-adto sa opisina, nga nagtuo sila nga the fact daw

VOL. 8 ISSUE 137 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9-10, 2015

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

Davao dengue cases drop by 40% W

HILE dengue outbreaks have been recorded in other parts of the country, Davao City recorded a 40-percent drop with 2,874 cases and four deaths from January to September this year as compared to 4,000 cases with 36 deaths for the same period last year.

During the iSpeak Forum on Thursday, Elizabeth Banzon, section chief of the City Health Office’s (CHO) Tropical Disease Control, attributed the decrease to the agency’s massive information drive that involves the collaboration of the barangays in a bid to curb the dengue cases here.

“Here in Davao City, we never stop our campaign against dengue,” she said.

The CHO has been conducting a house-to-house inspection to educate the households on the possible breeding sites of the dengue-carrying mosquitoes, from as simple as crowns of bottled drinks to containers, and other sites where water can accumulate.

The official said residents should be proactive enough to monitor if the water tanks have been infested with mosquito larvae because this major drop may not be sustained if they don’t take measures to control its population.

“If they see a drum infested with larvae, they should throw the water out right away and thor-

oughly brush the inside of the drum because the eggs that adhere may hatch the larvae,” Banzon explained.

Each mosquito usually has a lifespan of one month.

She also noticed that residents now, most especially in areas identified as hotspots, would report immediately to hospitals if a family member exhibits symptoms of dengue.

This is necessary to break the chain because once the mosquito bites the patient who is infected with dengue, the mosquito becomes a carrier itself.

Among the symptoms include severe joint and muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, headache, fever, exhaustion, and rash.

The interventions of the CHO and the Department of Health (DOH) are the distribution of free Olyset-treated curtains and ovicidal-larvicidal (OL) traps.

These methods, however, are effective only up to a certain extent. The Olyset-treated curtains can be effective only if mosquitos make contact with them while the OL traps have to be monitored weekly or they will be a potential breeding site after the effectivity of its chemical, Sumilarv, wears off in a month.

The CHO conducts fogging in an area where there is a reported dengue case. Antonio L. Colina IV

DENGUE DROP. City Health Office (CHO) Tropical Disease Control section chief Elizabeth B. Banzon says dengue cases in Davao City decreased from 4,490 last year to 2,840 this year, crediting this to the strict implementation

of the different preventive programs such as the 4 o’clock habit. Banzon graced yesterday’s I-Speak media forum at City Hall. Lean Daval Jr.

CHANGE THE GAME

Troops capture member of Abu Sayyaf in Sulu fight

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OVERNMENT troops have captured a member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) as firefight broke out Thursday in the hinterlands of Sulu.

Brigadier General Alan Arrojado, Joint Task Group Sulu commander, said the firefight broke out around 2 p.m. Thursday in Sitio Cabun Nyog, Barangay Buhanginan, Patikul.

Arrojado, who is also the Army’s 501st Infantry Brigade commander, said the troops of the Bravo and Charlie Companies under the 35th Infantry Battalion clashed with at least 20 ASG members while scouring Sitio Cabun Nyog, Barangay Buhanginan, Patikul town.

Arrojado did not re-

lease the identity of member of the ASG who was captured in a firefight that lasted for around 10 minutes.

He said the rest of the ASG brigands fled to different directions.

The troops fired artillery rounds towards the withdrawal paths of the brigands.

He said troops from the Army’s 32nd Infantry Battalion and 4th Scout Ranger Battalion established blocking positions against the fleeing ASG members.

The Joint Task Group Sulu launched the FMO targeting the senior leaders of the ASG members and their foreign cohorts in the province of Sulu.

(PNA)

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3 drown, 1 missing in Zambo del Sur T HREE students drowned while one remains missing after their group was swept by strong current while swimming in a waterfalls in Zamboanga del Sur. Inspector Dahlan Samuddin, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) information officer, said the incident occurred around Wednesday afternoon in Barangay Lubid, Aurora town.

Samuddin identified the fatalities as Pauline Bermejo, Luke Christian Besina, and Princess Cadutdut. Missing is Daisy Margarrite Iway.

The survivors were Fern Daga, Blayne Chester Daga, Kirk Geremy Albaño, Mark

Ryan Flores, Jason Dolero, Andy Quismondo, Jan Mark Basinillo, Ethel Lubaton, Glyzza Villoria, Ashley Godinez, Almira Gabod, Jason Mejarez, Jude Andrie Ceniza, Daniel Zamora, Carl Sususco and Mark Lester Tagalogon.

Samuddin said investigation showed the students from Aurora Pioneers Memorial College went to swim in a secluded area below a very steep ravine.

Samuddin said the victims were swept by a strong current spawned by heavy rainfall.

He said a search and rescue operation is ongoing to locate Iway. (PNA)

Army, police help sought to ensure safety of teachers during election

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CHOOL officials in Maguindanao have asked the military to help ensure the safety of public school teachers who will be serving as poll officials in next year’s national and local elections.

According to Miriam Kawit, Maguindanao Schools Division II superintendent, majority, if not all, teachers serving as board of election inspectors fear of harassment from various groups during election day.

“Our teachers have experienced different kind of harassment before, during and after election, some were even killed,” she said in a radio interview.

Kawit said the teachers deserved to receive protection from police and military personnel during election period.

She said teachers usually get the ire of supporters of candidates when they religiously implement the law on election at the precinct level.

Shortly after the 2013 local elections, two education

VOL. 8 ISSUE 137 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9-10, 2015

officials were separately killed in Maguindanao and educators believed their death were related to the just concluded elections.

Kawit said there was no proof from police investigation report that the motive was election related. However, many teachers believed that was it.

Kawit said the teachers are mandated by law to serve as board of election tellers and non-performance of poll duties means appropriate charges.

She requested the military to be deployed in the door of polling precincts to contain unruly supporters of political candidates. Teachers preferred the soldiers than the local police because many policemen are known in the locality, some have relatives who are working as campaigners of candidates.

After the filing of certificates of candidacy, Maguindanao schools division I and

FARMY, 13

FREE ZONE. Former councilor Peter Laviña says Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte may make the vice presidency a “free zone” if he declares his candidacy this weekend. Laviña, spokesperson of Duterte, was one of the guests in yesterday’s I-Speak Forum at City Hall. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

Duterte could make VP post a ‘free zone’

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

D

abf@edgedavao.net

AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte could declare a “free zone” on the vice president slot if he declares his candidacy for president in next year’s election, the mayor’s spokesperson Peter Laviña said.

This after Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos declared their respective vice presidential candidacies and asked Duterte if they could be his

running mate.

In yesterday’s I-Speak Media Forum, Laviña said both senators are members of the Nacionalista Party and have also vowed to support Duterte if the mayor decides to run for president.

“This is just my personal analysis. We know Mayor Duterte and every election there are candidates who want to be with him. If these two want to be with the mayor

during the campaign they can also do it,” he said.

Laviña said the matter will also depend on the Nacionalista Party. A third member, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, will also run for the same position but will support Senator Grace Poe’s candidacy.

Laviña said the Nacionalista Party itself has not yet identified who it will support for president in next year’s election. He said the party may

Task Force runs after abductors of Italian ex priest in Zamboanga

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SOLID SUPPORT. Maguindanao tribe deputy mayor Mike Nakan (right) says 80% of the total population of Muslims in the country will vote for Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte if ever the mayor decides to seek the presidency.

Nakan and Tausug tribe deputy mayor MasilAhalul (left) were guests in yesterday’s I-Speak media forum at City Hall. Lean Daval Jr.

adopt an independent.

Laviña had earlier told EDGE Davao that Duterte could announce his presidential bid this weekend ahead of the period for the filing of certificates of candidacy from October 12 to 16.

Yesterday, he said Duterte could also opt not to make a public announcement and simply file his candidacy before the Commission on Election (Comelec).

UTHORITIES have activated Task Force Rolando and a Crisis Management Committee (CMC) to address the abduction case of a former Italian priest seized by seven gunmen late Wednesday in this city.

The task force and the CMC were activated during an emergency meeting called

by Governor Roberto Uy who is also chair of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC).

Provincial police director Superintendent Redentor Retusto has been designated as the task force head while Mayor Evelyn Uy as CMC chairperson.

The victim, Rolando del Torchio, 56, an Italian national and a former priest, was seized by seven gunmen around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday from his Pizza house – UrChoice Bistro Café – in Barangay Miputak.

Del Torchio was dragged to a waiting gray van with plate number TMY-490 that sped to the boulevard.

The gunmen abandoned the van and transferred del Torchio to a motorboat and sped to the high seas.

Retusto and city police director Superintendent Ranie Hachuela are spearheading the pursuit operations to rescue the victim.

Blocking forces, to include the “bantay dagat” forces, were immediately established in the towns of Sibuco, Sirawai, Siocon and Baliguian.

These areas are known as haven of lawless elements like kidnap-for-ransom-groups (KFRGs) in the province.

The authorities believe the abductors, along with their hostage, are still within the province.

Del Torchio, who was or-

FTASK, 13

5 ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 137 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9-10, 2015

Aboitiz highlights infra business

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T

abf@edgedavao.net

HE Aboitiz Group of largest private bulk water sup- Philippines, which includes companies highlighted ply facility in Davao with a fully the Iligan cement plant here in its construction and in- renewable energy-powered Mindanao,” Aboitiz said. frastructure business as part water treatment plant.

The Republic, he said, of the company’s business ex“We have signed a supply represents an excellent oppansion venture this year. agreement with the Davao portunity to be involved in a AboitizPower Distribution City Water District to provide big way in nation building and Group executive vice president a minimum of 300 million li- we believe investing in the ceand chief operating officer Jai- ters of potable water per day ment industry will be a great me Aboitiz said their business to the city’s over one million proxy to ride on growing pubdevelopment team has been residents,” he said. lic infrastructure spending and busy building its infrastructure He also introduced Repub- double-digit growth in private business as the newest Aboitiz lic Cement and Building Mate- sector spending on housing core business. rials, Inc. or Republic as their and commercial projects in the “We are very happy that new line of business. country. our first infra business unit, “We are also excited about “Indeed, the past year has Apo Agua, is here in Mindan- the birth of Republic Cement been an exciting one for the ao,” Aboitiz said in his speech and Building Materials, Inc. Group, with a number of signifduring the company’s hosting (or Republic), our partner- icant developments,” Aboitiz of the Media Night Wednesday. ship with global leader CRH said.

Aboitiz said the company for majority stake acquisition The company will conVOL. 8be ISSUE 136 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8,of 2015 will building the country’s Lafarge operations in the DAVAO stantly be on the lookout for

EDGE

INFRA BUSINESS. Aboitiz Power Distribution Group executive vice president and chief operating officer Jaime Aboitiz emphasizes the group’s construction and infrastructure business as part of its expansion venture in his welcome address during the Aboitiz media party held at the SMX Convention Center Davao on Wednesday night. Lean Daval Jr.

other investment opportunities as part of their continuing journey to support the nation’s long-term needs, according to him.

Meanwhile, Aboitiz said their core businesses remain on track “in executing our growth strategies.”

“For AboitizPower, we aim to increase our beneficial net sellable capacity to 4,000 MW by 2019, from a balanced mix of renewable and non-renewable sources,” he said.

He said their Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) contract for their first solar project was awarded to JV partnership with Sun Edison, to Nari Group Corporation

For the love of chocolate When life throws you lemons, make some pie.

TEXT and PHOTOS By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

Mindanao a potential investment destination

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INDANAO has a potential of becoming an investment destination, a top official of the Brunei, Darussalam-Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Trade and Investment Cluster said.

In an interview during the launch of the Department of Trade and Industry 11’s onestop facility Ecofusion at the Abreeza of the Ayala Malls on Tuesday, Caybo Purnomo, acting chair of the BIMP-EAGA Trade and Investment Cluster, specifically cited tourism, processing, and agriculture as investment areas that can be marketed to other parts of the economic sub-region.

Purnomo, a member of Indonesia’s Board of Investments, said they are encouraging their businessmen to seize investment opportunities overseas, specifically in Mindanao.

“I’m also from the investment board of Indonesia. It is also part of our job to encourage the business people to invest overseas. Mindanao can be a good investment destination,” he said.

He lauded the initiative of putting up Ecofusion, a onestop center that houses various products of Mindanao and Palawan, and has vital information on the investment potentials of both islands.

Ecofusion, which was launched in partnership with Davao Ecocrafts Association Inc., represents the three major development principles of the sub-region’s commitments such as ecological balance, eco-tourism and economic development.

Purnomo cited the role of the private sector in giving lo-

cal products the much needed promotion so these can be upscaled for export.

Facilities such as the Ecofusion can be a good start to encourage them to sit down and discuss possible partnerships, he said.

“It is not easy to engage them in a formal meeting, not easy to invite them. Some of them are quite happy with the domestic demand and they have little interest to export because our domestic demand is quite big but through EAGA, we would like to let them know that if you can do, let’s say, business with Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, then people will be encouraged to do international business,” he said.

The official added he envisions a free flow of goods among BIMP-EAGA nations, which is now being undertaken by the transportation cluster.

“We believe that each and every country can benefit from the EAGA. We would like to pursue our national interest but we need to listen from the provincial level. What are the many interests and goals that can be achieved through our national interests,” Purnomo said.

The transport cluster’s discussion might result in opening up of more routes but local governments must identify what their potentials are for export and the needed products for import, he said.

“The idea is how we can become more open to potential opportunities. But it takes two to tango, from our side, we need to work closer to our local government,” he said.

(Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)

5

FABOITIZ, 11

Us, we change the game.

The only thing constant in this world is change.

That said, EDGE Davao is consistently pushing itself to ride the winds of change.

With this young organization’s battlecry “Change the game”, we are again blazing the trail amidst the autobahn speeds of developing technology by going to the social media platform to advance our coverage.

Two weeks ago, we posted the “Crying Lady” photo on our Facebook page and it generated nearly 200,000 views in 24 hours. On Monday, as we took to the social media our coverage on the much-anticipated “Announcement II” of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, a series of posts reached over 100,000 in a matter of minutes leading up to the press conference. In sum, over 200,000 were reached in those hours of “Announcement II” where Mayor Duterte reiterated he is not running for President and is considering reelection for Mayor if his daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio decide not to run.

The numbers speak for the reach of this coverage from our print copy to our online content and we intend to intensify our push towards the optimization of our news reach in the social media platform where the battle has shifted.

These days, most news organizations are taking their content to the social media which has proven to be the most accessible vehicle for news content.

Let’s face it, the game has shifted.

If one has to be in the thick of the fight, one’s presence in this platform would spell the difference. This is where the real demographics are measurable and tangible, not to mention relevant and not limited to a few respondents only of a particular segment.

EDGE DAVAO EDITORIAL, SEPT. 23, 2015

It’s a no-brainer. Hundred thousand views can’t be wrong.

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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6 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 137 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9-10, 2015

SP measure boosts Davao farmers Abella ordinance to eliminate intervention of middlemen

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

HE Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) committee on agriculture and food is eyeing to craft an ordinance that will require all farmers to bring all their produce at the Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (APTC) in Barangay Daliao, Toril District.

Committee chair councilor Marissa Salvador-Abella said she targets to have the draft before the operation of the P70-million food terminal next year.

“We would like to eliminate the intervention of the

middlemen while increasing the income of farmers here,” Abella told reporters.

The proposed ordinance, she said, will require various farmers groups and individuals here to bring their products in the center instead in the Bankerohan Public Market.

“Farmer organizations from Marilog and Paquibato are complaining of the low buying price in the Bankerohan, but they don’t have any other choice because there is still no available venue where

they can sell their products at a higher price,” Abella said.

The price in the center will vary everyday based on the fair market price. The city will manage the terminals until it becomes self-sustaining, she added.

“Only farmers will be allowed to sell in the center and not traders,” Abella said.

“The traders will be only in the center to make their bulk purchases from the member farmers.”

Farmers who will be listed as members of the center will

be able to sell their products at a higher price to better institutional markets like hotels, hospitals and schools.

Aside from the local market, she said member farmers can also sell their product to other APTC located in nearby provinces. There are more than 40 farmer organizations in the city that could be enlisted as members of the center.

“For instance, the trading center in Siargao which are mostly selling aquaculture products can barter their products to us,” Abella said,

adding that the center here will be focus on fruits and vegetable.

Agriculture products in the center will be available by 5 kilo to 10 kilos, according to Abella.

“We will be training the farmers to produce quality fruits and vegetables,” she said.

The city government will be also conducting information and education campaign to various stakeholders before the operation of the center next year.

Food security to suffer most in longer El Niño

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BASKET MAKER. Baskets and other items made of indigenous materials are displayed for sale along the highway in Barangay Langkilaan, Trento, Agusan del Sur. MindaNews photo by H. Marcos C. Mordeno

NFA: Davao has enough supply of rice T

HERE is more than enough supply of rice for Davao City until next year, an official said.

“We still have 400,000 sacks of 50 kilogram NFA rice that can last until the second quarter of next year,” National Food Authority- Davao City assistant provincial manager Maria Elaine M. Respecia told EDGE Davao yesterday.

Respecia said the rice authority is “confident” that there will be ample supply of rice in the city even with the

advent of the long drought season which is expected to worsen this month.

In fact, she said the city might receive another batch of NFA rice imported either from Vietnam or Thailand by next month.

“We’re expecting about 200,000 bags of 50 kg NFA Rice by next month,” Respecia said.

She, however, said the information was not yet official.

“That’s still general information that reached our

office. We are still waiting for the official communication,” Respecia said.

If delivered, this would further increase the NFA’s buffer stock until next year. The NFA-Davao City is disposing around 2,500 bags daily.

Respecia also said that the price of NFA rice is still stable.

The 25 percent broken variety of NFA Rice remains at P27 per kilogram, while the 15 percent broken variety is still at P32.

The NFA has a total of 184

accredited NFA outlets located in various public markets in Davao City.

Meanwhile, Repecia also clarified that the NFA rice traders in Agdao Public Market did not commit any violation in selling NFA rice.

This was after earlier reports said that a group of rice traders from Agdao allegedly sold 25 percent broken NFA rice variety at a higher price than the suggested price of P27.

vestments in the power, manufacturing, logistics, transportation, and real estate sectors entered Mindanao on the third quarter of this year.

Among the power projects that came in the island last quarter were Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the P2.893 billion 48-megawatt (MW) GenSan Solar Power which has a total cost of more than P5 billion.

The first phase, which has a generation capacity of 48MW, will be constructed in Barangay Conel in General Santos City while second phase, which has the same

capacity, will be located in Barangay Tambler in General Santos City near South Cotabato.

Another power project was the P2.279 billion coalfired power project of Power Source Philippines Energy, Inc. in Iligan City in Lanao del Sur which will have a capacity of 20MW. Gerphil Renewable Energy Inc. will be also constructing a hydroelectric power project in Barangay Poblacion in Masugpong, Bukidnon which has a capacity of .226 MW.

Filsure Enterprise Corp. also invested P154.10 million for the marketing of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Sure Gas LPG Bottling Plant), a new industry participant with investment in storage, marketing, and distribution that has a maximum capacity of 9,900 kilograms on the fifth year.

The plant will be located in Bunawan District in Davao City.

Other investments that entered Mindanao in the third quarter were the P375.288 million new domestic ship-

FNFA, 11

BOI: 89% of Q3 investments in Mindanao was in power

E

IGHTY-NINE percent of the more than P9.2 billion in investments that poured into Mindanao as of the third quarter (Q3) of 2015 was from the power sector, data from the Board of Investment-Mindanao Field Office (BOI-MFO) showed.

The BOI-MFO data showed that investments in power totaled P8.2 billion from four projects. The company implementing a fifth project did not submit its costs to the BOI. The BOI-MFO records showed that a total of 10 in-

FBOI, 13

Abella said the City Agriculture Office (CAO) is planning to come up with a production plan for the city to ensure that there will be a equal production of various agriculture products.

Meanwhile, the five hectare APTC will be part of the 25-hectare Davao Food Exchange Complex (DAFEC) owned by the National Development Council (NDC). It will be constructed by the city government in the next two years with a total cost of about P200 million.

HE El Niño weather will bring drought to many of the country’s food baskets, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warns.

PAGASA’s Rainfall Outlook for October 15 to June 2016 forecasts that 20 percent of the country will likely experience drought and dry spells by the end of October.

Many of the areas affected by drought are major sources of high value crops like corn, rice and fruits and vegetables: Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Quezon, Camarines Norte and Davao Oriental.

The forecast comes from PAGASA’s Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section, Climatology and Agrometeorology Division. It defines drought as three consecutive months of way below normal rainfall conditions. That is, average rainfall observed has been reduced by more than 60 percent.

The drought outlook is based on PAGASA analysis of observed rainfall from January to September and forecast rainfall until the end of October. For example, all of Panay, including Guimaras, will have “way below normal” rainfall this October.

Dry spells will occur in Bataan, Tarlac, Zambales, Cavite, Sorsogon, Antique, Western Samar, Compostela Valley, Sarangani and Maguindanao. Dry spells occur when rainfall has been reduced by 21 percent to 80 percent for two consecutive months.

Dry conditions – two consecutive months of less than 21 percent to 80 percent of the average rainfall – are expected in Batanes, Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, Pampanga, Batangas, Laguna, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblong, Albay, Masbate, Aklan, Guimaras and Iloilo.

By December, drought and dry spells will affect 69 percent of the country. Drought will hit

the provinces of Abra, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Pampana, Tarlac, Zambales, Aurora, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon, Aklan, Antique, Guimaras, Iloilo, Sarangani and Maguindanao.

And it will get worse before it gets better. By April 1, drought will affect 85 percent of the country, PAGASA says in its latest update on the El Niño weather sent to Malaya yesterday. By the end of April it will get a little better when only 79 percent of the country is forecast to have drought conditions.

By the end of June, major rice and vegetable-growing provinces will still be affected by drought: Pangasinan, Bataan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Cavite, Albay, Camarines Sur, Northern Samar and Western Samar.

The dry period during a strong El Niño is “likely to strengthen” before the end of the year and may last even until June, PAGASA says.

By January 2016, much of the country will still have “way below” normal rainfall. “Near normal” conditions will return in May yet. Dry conditions will likely affect most parts of the country from October 2015 until April 2016.

According to PAGASA, rainfall of less than 40 percent of rainfall is “way below” normal; 41 percent to 80 percent is “below normal”. Near normal is rainfall from 81 percent to 120 percent. Beyond that is “above normal”.

A significant reduction in rainfall over most of the country is predicted beginning October lasting until April 2016.

It will be slightly warmer than the average temperature.

Until June next year, only four to eight tropical cyclones may develop and enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility; two to five of them are expected until December. SciencePhilippines

INdulge!

VOL. 8 ISSUE 137 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9-10, 2015

EDGEDAVAO EVENT

Rediscovering the excitement of

Damosa Market Basket

By Bai Fauziah Fatima Sinsuat Ambolodto DAMOSA MARKET BASKET, one of Damosa Land Inc.’s earliest projects, has been known to cater to a varied niche. Since 2007 (February 18), Market Basket, as the locals like to call it, has been making locals, visitors and expats satisfied with their strip of shops, retails and dining places. At Market Basket, you need not look anywhere else to satisfy any of your cravings – everything is here. Life is here.

Still, with the recent development and expansion that Davao City has seen, it’s no wonder that Damosa Land Inc., now has its eyes on reinventing Market Basket to cater to the growing demands of the public.

With their mission to continually innovate and improve, it’s no wonder that they are always in the process of developing projects that holistically caters to the needs and wants of anyone who wants to live the life that they have always wanted.

The revamping, says Ed Villaver, Vice President of Damosa Land, Inc., “is of a total face-lift that will enhance what Market Basket has”. Au-

gust of this year, the first phase which encompasses the Damosa Land customer lounge, office and display area has been inaugurated. It has since been operating to accommodate clients, buyers and tenants who wants to inquire and learn more about what the company can provide them.

Aside from the lounge and display area, a bigger and better Damosa Market Basket will soon be unveiled. The proposed atrium, which has been under renovation, will cater to a broader market with a number of dining shops to satisfy one’s yearning for good food and an ambiance to keep them smiling from ear to ear. More so, a number of retail shops and stalls will deliver an all-in-one experience for anyone who visits Market Basket --- anytime of any day.

Truly, from the words of Cary F. Lagdameo, Vice President of Damosa Land Inc., “2015 will be another exciting year for Damosa Land”. With the many renovations and revamping, soon, the people of Davao will add another reason to why they love Damosa.

2015 will be another exciting year for Damosa Land - Cary F. Lagdameo, Vice President of Damosa Land Inc.

The revamp is a total face-lift that will enhance what Market Basket has.

- Ed Villaver, Vice President of Damosa Land, Inc.

EDGEDAVAO

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ARTS AND CULTURE

VOL. 8 ISSUE 137 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9-10, 2015

Alfred Galvez

to hold classical drawing workshop

A

Dabawenyo artist has come back to Davao to further hone the Dabawenyos’ gift in art, particularly classical drawing, through the conduct of a workshop on October 12-17and October 19-24with available night classes.

Alfred Galvez, one of the three artists behind the establishment of Artalyer in Quezon City, has been keen about coming home in order to share the artist in him with his fellow Dabawenyos.

“While I and my friends are running Artalyer, a workshop and teaching studio, the idea of going home to Davao has always been in my mind because I know for a fact that we have a bunch of artists here. So here I am now, ready to unleash the artist in every interested Dabawenyo,” he quipped.

Galvez, who was born and grew up in (Dumoy, Toril, Davao City), narrated about his fond memo-

ries as a grader at Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) where he first discovered his inclination towards the arts.

“When I was still a little boy here, I used to draw portraits and I would hear comments like admire the likeness.’

And that was the start of my desire to develop this talent,” he shared.

Upon realizing his utmost interest in this craft, Galvez pursued his high school education at the Philippine High for the Arts in Makiling, Laguna.

He then studied Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines.

With his practice that ranges from portraits and murals with faux finishes, he was able to transform their abode into a resplendent space. So in 2003, he set up AG murals.

Galvez’s exposure to arts is definitely vast considering that he has already worked with Philippine Women’s University’s Mariano Madarang in restoring the paintings of the great Filipino artists

Fernando Amorsolo, Carlos Francisco, Felix Resureccion Hidalgo and Juan Luna.

Through the Classical Drawing Workshop, Galvez is optimistic about sharpening the Dabawenyo artists’ skill.

“The workshop aims to develop a foundation in drawing based on traditional methods of the old masters,” he emphasized.

It will be done at Art Portal, the art space which he launched around four months ago. It is located at the second floor of BGC Complex II, MacArthur Highway, Matina, Davao City.

The workshop is only limited to eight students per class so that he can

“give enough attention and learning will surely be personalized” for everyone.

Thus, enrolment must be made not later than October 10.

For inquiries, interested artists (existing and wouldbe) may contact mobile numbers (0925) 3338789 or (0915) 1806948.You can also check their booking link at www.artportal.articleanddesign.com or add them at Facebook:Art Portal, Gallery for Contemporary Art. “All I want is for my students to discover their innate talent and to draw like a master at the end of the workshop,” he concluded.

Galvez was the guest of Art Talk at Park Inn Hotel last October 6.

October 8 – 13, 2015

FELIX MANALO Dennis Trillo PG

11:15 | 2:30 | 5:45 | 9:00 LFS

FELIX MANALO Dennis Trillo PG

12:15 | 3:30 | 6:45 | 10:00 LFS

PAN Hugh Jackman, Levi Miller PG

R-16

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

ETIQUETTE FOR MISTRESSES/ THE MARTIAN Kris Aquino, Kim Chiu, Claudine Barretto / Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain R13/PG

12:00 | 2:15 LFS / 4:30 | 7:15 | 10:00 LFS

VOL. 8 ISSUE 137 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9-10, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

A3

NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS OF DAVAO DOCTORS HOSPITAL (CLINICA HILARIO), INC. Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings, Inc. (“MPHHI”) (formerly Neptune Stroika Holdings, Inc.), is the current owner of 313,655 common shares of Davao Doctors Hospital (Clinica Hilario), Inc. (“DDH”) which represent approximately 34.82% of the total outstanding capital stock of DDH. MPHHI has offered to acquire the remaining 587,154 common shares of DDH which comprise approximately 65.18% of the total outstanding shares of DDH. Accordingly, on September 29, 2015, MPHHI filed with the SEC a Tender Offer Report (SEC Form 19-1) in compliance with Section 19 of the Securities Regulation Code and Rule 19 of the implementing rules and regulations thereof, setting out MPHHI’s offer (the “Tender Offer”) to acquire the remaining 587,154 common shares of DDH in the hands of all the other shareholders. All the shares tendered shall be purchased by MPHHI on a tiered pricing in accordance with the terms and conditions contained in the summary below:

SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF THE TENDER OFFER OFFEROR: Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings, Inc. (“MPHHI”), a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation SHARES SUBJECT OF THE TENDER OFFER: 587,154 common shares of DDH, which comprise approximately 65.18%% of the total outstanding shares of DDH (“Tender Offer Shares” or “DDH Shares”).

THE OFFER: MPHHI is offering to acquire the Tender Offer Shares on a tiered pricing in accordance with the terms and conditions described below: (i) If as a result of the tender offer, MPHHI acquires less than one hundred thirty six thousand seven hundred forty seven (136,747) DDH Shares: The Purchase Price shall be Two Thousand Three Hundred Pesos (Php 2,300.00) per share. (ii) If as a result of the tender offer, MPHHI acquires at least one hundred thirty six thousand seven hundred forty seven (136,747) DDH Shares but less than two hundred eighty six thousand eight hundred eighty one (286,881) DDH Shares: The Purchase Price shall be Two Thousand Six Hundred Pesos (Php 2,600.00) per share. (iii) If as a result of the tender offer, MPHHI acquires at least two hundred eighty six thousand eight hundred eighty one (286,881) DDH Shares: The Purchase Price shall be Two Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty Pesos (Php 2,750.00) per share.

For the avoidance of doubt, DDH Shares which were initially tendered but withdrawn pursuant to the terms hereof shall be considered as not tendered for purposes of determining the final purchase price.

TENDER OFFER PERIOD: 9:00 a.m. of October 01, 2015 until 5:00 p.m. of November 19, 2015 (“Tender Offer Period”) The duly accomplished Application to Tender Shares form must be received by MPHHI’s Tender Offer Agent (the “Tender Offer Agent”) together with the duly endorsed DDH stock certificates and all the other required attachments and supporting documents specified below not later than 5:00 p.m. of November 19, 2015 at the address of the Tender Offer Agent below: SyCip Salazar Hernandez and Gatmaitan Law Offices Attention: Atty. Dominador Maphilindo O. Carrillo The Penthouse, 17/F, Landco Corporate Centre J.P. Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City 8000 Telephone No.: (6382) 221-3917 Applications presented after the end of the Tender Offer Period shall be rejected, unless the Tender Offer Period is extended by MPHHI with the approval of the SEC. Applications that are not properly completed, or lack any of the required attachments will also be rejected. The Tender Offer Agent will likewise reject an Application if it cannot verify the signature of the stockholder on the Application or the endorsement of the stock certificate.

SETTLEMENT DATE: Within ten (10) calendar days after the termination of the Tender Offer Period, starting November 20, 2015 (“Settlement Date”)

up by the tendering shareholders within the Settlement Date at the offices of the Escrow Agent at the address indicated below.

Banco de Oro - Davao Bangoy Branch Attention: Romeo Cabiling (Branch Manager) and/or Grace Adlawan (Operations Officer) R. Magsaysay Ave. cor. C. Bangoy St., Davao City 8000 Telephone Nos.: (6382) 227-2802/221-4480/222-2860 The check representing the Balance Amount (less allowable deductions as provided herein) shall be made available for pick up within seven (7) calendar days from receipt

by MPHHI’s Tender Offer Agent of the original Certificate Authorizing Registration covering all of the DDH Shares tendered also at the same offices.

In case the stockholder fails to submit the Certificate Authorizing Registration to MPHHI within six (6) months after the Settlement Date, MPHHI and/or the Tender Offer Agent is hereby authorized to file the Capital Gains Tax Return, pay the Capital Gains Tax (together with any applicable penalties, interests and surcharges as the Bureau of Internal Revenue may assess) and apply for Certificate Authorizing Registration for the transfer of legal title over the shares to the Bidder, and all expenses incurred in undertaking such activity/ies shall be deducted from the Balance Amount.

ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERED SHARES: Only DDH Shares validly tendered by the shareholders of record of DDH shall be accepted for payment by MPHHI. All tendered DDH Shares must be free from any claims, liens, encumbrances or restrictions, whether or not valid. Only fully paid, non-assessable and unencumbered DDH Shares shall be accepted and paid for by MPHHI during the tender offer. By tendering their Tender Offer Shares, the tendering shareholders are making the representations and warranties contained in the Application to Tender Shares in Davao Doctors Hospital (Clinica Hilario), Inc. to Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings, Inc. Acceptance of tendered shares shall be conditioned on MPHHI having obtained all corporate and regulatory approvals, consents and authorizations for the purchase by MPHHI of the tendered DDH Shares.

DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS: Please contact the Tender Offer Agent for the list and copies of prescribed forms that must be executed and submitted to the Tender Offer Agent during the Tender Offer Period.

WITHDRAWAL: Any DDH Shares tendered may be withdrawn by the tendering stockholder at any time during the Tender Offer Period upon submission of an original written request to withdraw the tendered shares from the tender offer. All written requests must be received by the Tender Offer Agent before 5:00 p.m. of November 19, 2015.

The request to withdraw from the tender offer must clearly state the name of the tendering shareholder and the number of shares to be withdrawn from the tender offer.

MPHHI shall have the right to exercise discretion in determining the validity of any written request to withdraw from the tender offer.

SETTLEMENT: DDH Shares that are validly tendered shall be paid for by MPHHI under the following terms:

TAXES AND EXPENSES: The tendering shareholder shall be responsible for the filing of the Capital Gains Tax Return, payment of the applicable capital gains tax within the period provided by law and securing the Certificate Authorizing Registration. MPHHI shall shoulder the payment of the documentary stamp tax and filing of the appropriate return. The tendering shareholder shall shoulder all of its own costs and expenses for the sale of the DDH Shares to MPHHI under the tender offer.

1. Initial payment of 80% of the purchase price (“Initial Payment”), payable within ten (10) calendar days after the termination of the Tender Offer period, starting on November 20, 2015 (the “Settlement Date”). It is expected that part of the Initial Payment will be used by the tendering shareholders to pay for the capital gains tax due for the sale of the DDH Shares.

TENDER OFFER AGENT: SyCip Salazar Hernandez and Gatmaitan Law Offices shall act as the Tender Offer Agent for the tender offer. For copies of prescribed forms and other related documents, and for any inquiries regarding the tender offer, please contact the Tender Offer Agent as follows:

2. The balance equivalent to 20% of the purchase price (“Balance Amount”) shall be paid within seven (7) calendar days from delivery of the original and valid Certificate Authorizing Registration from the relevant Revenue District Office of the Bureau of Internal Revenue authorizing the transfer of the DDH Shares from the tendering stockholder to MPHHI. All payments shall be made through check payable in the name of the stockholder of record who made a valid tender of DDH Shares. When collecting payment, the tendering stockholder (or his/her authorized representative) shall present the “Applicant’s Copy” of the application together with a certification duly signed by the Tender Offer Agent, as well as proper identification (e.g. driver’s license, passport). Duly authorized representatives shall be required to present an authorization from the tendering stockholder.

MPHHI, through its Escrow Agent (the “Escrow Agent”), shall issue check payments representing the Initial Payment for validly tendered DDH Shares. The check payments representing the Initial Payment shall be made available by the Escrow Agent for pick

Atty. Dominador Maphilindo O. Carrillo SyCip Salazar Hernandez and Gatmaitan Law Offices The Penthouse, 17/F, Landco Corporate Centre J.P. Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City 8000 Telephone No.: (6382) 221-3917 Email Address: dmocarrillo@syciplaw.com

Bank of the Philippine Islands has confirmed that resources available to MPHHI are sufficient to satisfy the full acceptance of the Tender Offer.

Each stockholder of DDH is advised to read the full terms and conditions of the Tender Offer and SEC Form 19-1. Inquiries and requests for assistance and copies of SEC Form 19-1 may be directed to the Tender Offer Agent, whose address and telephone numbers are indicated above.

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 137 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9-10, 2015

EVENT

Eden is famous for rides and thrills for every adventure seeker from its SkyCycle, to the Sky Swing (left) and the Indiana Jones (bottom left). The less adventurous can relax and enjoy Eden’s lush greens and quiet atmosphere, a perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Eden celebrates 18 EDEN Nature Park and Resort, a must-visit destination in the fast growing and most livable city of Davao, is celebrating its 18th anniversary.

To commemorate the event, Eden offers special Anniversary promotions to travel aficionados starting October 1 to October 29, 2015.

Enjoy an overnight stay in Deluxe rooms for only P1,800.00. Avail of 18% off on Eden’s Family Cottages and Mountain Villas. Dine at Vista Restaurant and avail 18+1 on Snacks and Buffet lunch Daytour Packages.

A special 18% discount awaits guests who will avail of the Skyswing, Skycycle, Skyrider, Guided Shuttle Tour, and fishing at the Fishing Village.

If you are looking for an unforgettable vacation, Eden Nature Park is perfect for you. Eden is designed to complement the wonders of nature, a home to bountiful picturesque landscapes, a variety of natural attractions and a host of recreational activities to suit any travel agenda.

Celebrating 18 years marks a milestone as Eden treasures the privilege Savories and sweets come on a three-tiered tower. of providing exceptional and memorable travel experiences for its guests. Eden aims to deliver complete destination experiences infused with nature, adventure, gastronomy and culture.

Through the years, the resort expects to see an influx of adventurers, travelers, and nature lovers giving local tourism a qualitative additional boost.

In order to keep up with times and the guests’ expectations, the resort has committed to create innovation in order to offer something new to its patrons.

Following the big hit of Eden’s adventure rides– Indiana Jones, Skyrider (Zipline) and Skycycle, the resort raised the bar of extreme rides to an elevated level as it introduces another intense ride attraction, the first-of-its kind in Davao City, the Skyswing. Opened to the pub-

lic on June 12, 2015, Skyswing will hoist you 80 feet above the ground which reaches up to 95 feet at its highest. Ride individually or in tandem, securing one a body harness and safety gears significantly enhances Skyswing. Hanging from your harness, you will be notified by a whistle before you will be dropped. The ride will take approximately 10 minutes including putting on of safety gears.

Another heart-pumping adventure in the resort is Skycycle, which was first opened in the public on August 2, 2013. Skycycle started with two bicycles. It was a big hit that the resort had to expand to a total of four bikes to accommodate more riders in December 2014. The Skycycle entered a new phase of development, with another expansion set to double the size of its riders. The expansion of Skycycle will have a total of eight bicycles before the end of the year.

Safety is a paramount concern. All of the rides are significantly designed with

body harness and safety gears ordered from Tetzel, a France-based company, renowned for security and safety equipment. The resort has trained attendants and operators to ensure the guests’ safety while giving them intense feeling of fun, and excitement.

While outdoor opportunities abound, Eden is also the perfect place to unwind and rejuvenate. Each of the resort’s 54 rooms, 3 Mountain Villas, and 2 Family Cottages reflects integrated elements of nature and mountain backdrop.

The resort’s new Mountain Villa 3 offers its guests privacy, as well as comfort with its three spacious rooms, dining area, and kitchen. Guests can enjoy the company of family and friends in the cozy accommodations that feel just home.

For 18 years, Eden saw remarkable accomplishments as one of today’s most popular and most visited leisure destination in the Philippines.

7 SCIENCE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 137 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9-10, 2015

El Niño could trigger more dengue cases

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

N

O one knows precisely when El Niño first struck. Historians are dating the phenomenon at least as far back as the early 1500s, when the Spanish conquistadores entered South America amid raging storms. Some 400 years before that, there were some records of terrible sweeping through pre-Columbian communities.

Originally, Spanish fishermen named the event as “Corriente del Niño.” The word “corriente” describes the appearance of a warm ocean current flowing from time to time in the eastern equatorial Pacific region along the South American coasts. The word “Niño” was traditionally associated with the birth of Baby Jesus, as it was observed around Christmas. It was used to be considered a local event along the coasts of Peru and Ecuador. Through the years, “corriente” was dropped out, leaving only “El Niño.”

According to the Global Environmental Outlook 2000, El Niños are not natural disasters but natural variations in climate. They normally occur every three to five years, lasting 6-18 months.

Between El Niños, there are often periods marked by a cooling of the surface waters of the same area of the Pacific, a phenomenon called La Niña (“the girl”). The whole cycle is called the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO).

The ocean current is characterized as “a mysterious, massive pond of warm, nutrient-poor seawater” which produces a periodic shift in ocean temperatures and atmospheric conditions in the tropical Pacific. El Niño varies the surface temperature of the central eastern part of the tropical Pacific by up to 4 degrees Centigrade, with associated changes in the wind and rainfall patterns. This condition disrupts weather around the world leading to nasty extremes.

Sparks Dengue Cases A report released by the Agence France-Presse (AFP) said an epidemic of dengue fever cases in Southeast Asia is likely to happen as a result of the on-going El Niño.

“Cases of dengue fever have been shown to rise along with the ocean warming trend, which occurs some years but not others. The current El Niño, which has already begun and is forecast to last into next year, is expected to be among the most intense in 20 years,” AFP said quoting international researchers.

“Our analysis shows that elevated temperatures can create the ideal circumstance for large-scale dengue epidemics to spread across a wide region,” said Dr. Willem van Panhuis, lead author of the study which was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a peer-reviewed US journal.

Researchers analyzed 18 years of monthly dengue surveillance reports across the region. During the last particularly strong El Niño season, in 1997 and 1998, “dengue transmission was very high, matching up perfectly with high temperatures that allowed mosquitoes to reproduce faster and spread dengue virus more efficiently,” the study said.

And it is happening in the Philippines. According to a news report carried by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, “the number of dengue cases nationwide surged to over 78,800 in the first nine months of the year, about 15,000 more than recorded in the same period last year, and resulting in 233 deaths.”

“The dengue incidence in seven regions also increased,” wrote Jerry E. Esplanada, author of the Inquirer report.

He quoted Dr. Ana Maria Teresa de Guzman who claimed “the number of cases in some areas, which she did not identify, had gone past the threshold for the declaration of an epidemic.”

Dengue hemorrhagic fever Dengue fever actually doesn’t kill. It’s when dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) takes over that it becomes lethal. Some five percent of DHF cases are fatal; without proper treatment, the rate rises up to 15 percent DHF was first recognized during the 1950s. The Philippines reported a DHF epidemic in 1953-45, according to the Philippine Journal of Pediatrics. Before 1970, only nine countries had experienced dengue and DHF epidemics. Today, the disease is now endemic in more than 100 countries.

“Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a potentially deadly complication that is characterized by high fever, hemorrhagic phenomena -- often with enlargement of the liver -- and in severe cases, circulatory failure,” explains the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO).

FEL NIÑO, 11

Dengue patient (Photo courtesy of Dr. Richard Mata) VOL. 8 ISSUE 135 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 07, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

“For allowing the readers to arrive with a stand, succeeded in manifesting the conviction of the community members while embodying transparency and excellence in delivering the news to the community.”

BEST EDITED COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER (DAILY) 2014

“Demonstrated the highest standards in terms of creativity, quality, utility and style of writing that uphold the highest journalistic standards and tradition. It presents with more consistency a strong and concise community relevant stories. The style of writing is such that even as an article deals on local events it is never myopic and parochial in treatment because its perspective also transcends beyond the locality. As a whole, Edge Davao is a paragon of high quality journalism; a local newspaper that combines, in seamless meld, high quality writing and community value.”

BEST EDITED COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 2013 “Actively dedicating regular coverage of environmental reports through news, features, columns and editorials that help promote high degree of environmental consciousness among the public. EDGE DAVAO is mindfully aware of the power of information in molding an environmentally-critical public.”

BEST IN ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING 2014 “Precisely exercised its excellence in a community-oriented culture, arts and history articles. It really focused on the preservation, protection and promotion of the cultural practices, local artists and presented to the readers the impact of arts and culture on community life.”

BEST IN CULTURE, ARTS AND HISTORY REPORTING 2014

The PPI. Or your pie.

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

Blazing the trail in innovative journalism.

5

Aedes aegypti (from Wikipedia)

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8 VANTAGE

VOL. 8 ISSUE 137 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9-10, 2015

EDITORIAL Worsening traffic woes

D

AVAO CITY Councilor Rachel Zozobrado-Nagayo has discussed one of the city’s most serious problems in a privilege speech last Tuesday –the worsening traffic situation.

In her speech, the lady lawmaker from the city’s Third Congressional District urged the city government to revisit the various studies about the problem and seriously consider implementing suggested solutions.

The studies –done separately by the Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS) and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA)—both point out the debilitating financial effects of traffic gridlocks in the city and many other parts of the country. The daily losses being discussed are in the billions of pesos.

This very depressing fact of life is an argument against the claim of Dabawenyos about the livability of our city. It also negates the hype that the city is tops in law and order. This is because a messy traffic situation is symptomatic of lack of discipline among motorists and commuters and of the inability of authorities to enforce rules and related laws that govern traffic.

As we hear more and more drivers and ordinary commuters cursing the traffic jams each passing day, we realize that the chaos on the road is more a national problem rather than just a local one.

EDGEDAVAO

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OLIVIA D. VELASCO D.D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONA OLIVIA D. VELASCO JOCELYN S. PANES SOLANI SOLANI MARATAS General Manager Finance Advertising Specialist General Manager Director of Sales Finance RICHARD C. EBONA Marketing Supervisor

For instance, the unchecked increase of motor vehicles both for private use and for carrying passengers is a failure of policy, if not an inability to enforce policies, granting there is any. The national government is not able to build new roads and expand old ones to accommodate more vehicles that it allows on the already congested roads. The legions of undisciplined drivers who exacerbate the bedlam is a product of inefficient and corrupt system of granting driver’s licenses.

As correctly pointed out by Ms Nagayo, increase of motor vehicles on the road will worsen greenhouse gas emission and spawn health problems. She quoted JICA as saying greenhouse gas emissions will increase to 5.72 million tons in 2030, compared to 4.7 million tons in 2013.

It looks like we recognize the existence of the problem. However, more than just recognizing the existence of the problem, what is a must at juncture is decisive action by both our leaders and ourselves.

A good start is making the traffic problem a political issue in the coming election season. Candidates for all positions should be required to articulate their suggested solutions during the campaign debates.

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

GENERAL SANTOS CITY OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING MARKETING OFFICE

LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager EDMUND D. RENDON Unit 6, SouthbankMarketing Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Specialist General Santos City Cagayan de Oro City Mobile: (Smart) 0909-424-7990 Tel: (088) 852-4894

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

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

EDGEDAVAO

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VANTAGE POINTS

9

Small disciplines build consistent character and winning teams

“S

MALL disciplines repeated with consistency every day lead to great achievements gained slowly over

time.” ― John C. Maxwell, The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth: Live Them and Reach Your Potential Joey is a supervisor in one of the city’s fruit growers. He has been working in the same company for the last 15 years, and has seen the growth of the company as it has been able to obtain new foreign markets for its fruits. As the company embarks on a process of getting product certification, he knows how potentially tedious such an exercise will be. Unfortunately, he is one to shirk from responsibility for tough, important tasks while seeking to claim adulation for the achievements and advances in setting up the system needed for the certification.

Clearly, he does not bear the commitment and the sense of duty needed to face difficulties, and, likewise, thinks that all endeavors are a matter of playing internal politics. His disgust for non-performing leaders has bred a mistrust for his work and for the company. Thus, any initiative and endeavor meant to make the company better is met with nothing more than cynicism. He coasts along, avoiding responsibility

N

EVER underestimate the power of a smile. At one time, I was mad as hell when someone took the book I bought.

I left it on top of my table before I left for work.

When I returned home, it was gone. I really would not have had any problem if the person who took it had just left a note that he was borrowing it. At least, with a note I could always ask the person if he was already done with the book.

But what really got my nerve this time was the fact that I had some scribbled notes on the said book which I inserted. I was afraid that whoever took the book might just throw away the notes I had written.

I was about to give up when my niece came to my room. “I am very sorry, uncle,” she said.

I was surprised; what had she done to me, I asked myself. She took something from her bag and with a big smile, “Here’s your book which I took without your knowledge. I forgot to leave a note.”

It didn’t matter if the book was lost. What mattered most was the fact that here was my niece and with a broad smile eased all those worries. “A smile is central to our evolution and one of the most powerful tools of human behavior,” explains Dr. Cacher Keltner, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, who has studied the importance of facial expression – including the variety and impact of smiles.

In 1872, Charles Darwin proposed in his

while seeking MY TWO CENTS’ credit.

Clearly Joey exhibits a sad case of a lack of discipline. But looking closely at the case bears another reality: leaders do not set the example John Tria for discipline. ecisouth@gmail.com Our Asian culture puts a premium on leaders taking initiative and thereby being good examples for people to emulate. When the example is not set properly, credibility of programs, just like the certification initiative, fall on less than willing, even resistant ears.

It is nice to see the value of consistency in small but important practices build a winning behavior in teams or groups. Management coach John Maxwell takes the value of consistency apart by focusing on small disciplines.

Eschewing the big picture for a moment by focusing on little tasks done well, confidence is built as small, and eventually big groups of individuals work together and create a unity

under a sense of purpose. The corner stone of grand initiatives is the crew of individuals doing their part with a confidence and character that comes from being both enabled and empowered to do things well in a repeated, demonstrable fashion, and with a smile. It is then that we are graced with experience to face larger tasks with a greater confidence, and lesser stress and anxiety that destroy team effort.

Doing small things well and with a sense of discipline prepares us to take on bigger tasks, and build within us an awareness that even difficult challenges can be surmounted as long as teamwork and the right attitude is present.

It is so easy to be overwhelmed and demoralized when things don’t go well at the start – this creates confusion, chaos, and breaks the bonds of trust that ought to cement the needed teamwork. It takes a person and a team character to perform consistently especially when the getgo is not great, as is often the case in the Philippines.

Thus, just like our Gilas basketball team, we, in our own companies and organizations would do well to develop discipline in little tasks and inspire them to a larger calling.

Small things like disposing our wastes properly, wearing personal protective gear, observ-

ing proper timing in and out, filing necessary leaves, submitting reports on time. All these small things add up to make a great organization that performs consistently well given new challenges. Chaos in little things creates disorder, bringing down morale and destroying discipline. The team loses as a result.

They key, however, is to begin at the top.

Highest leaders should be the first to apply the rules on themselves. Walking the talk is a byword and a standard to make sure that people down the line follow the necessary rules and procedures without which effective organizational movement is lost. Discipline builds consistency, which, in turn, reinforces discipline.

It is not just meant as a show for auditors or evaluators, or clients, or done in pursuit of popularity or promotion. Living a disciplined life ought to be a reward in itself, as it functions as good bacteria that make the organization healthy. As it slowly but surely progresses, and is done consistently, it becomes not a burden but a source of contentment. Character thus develops, and makes us strong to deal with fears and worry, challenges and doubts. We become happier and stronger people as we live a disciplined life. Like a winning team, discipline is lived everyday, with a smile.

book, The Expression of THINK ON THESE! Emotion in Man and Animals that facial expressions are biologically based and universal among humans.

However, the celebrated anHenrylito D. Tacio thropologist henrytacio@gmail.com Margaret Mead thought the smile was a cultural behavior that varied between societies.

There are several reasons why a person smiles. One indicator is that he or she is in love.

Barry Manilow, referring to his beloved, croons, “I can’t smile without you.”

“A smile costs nothing but gives much,” someone once wrote. “It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None is so rich or mighty that he cannot get along without it and none is so poor that he cannot be made rich by it. Yet a smile cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give.”

“Smile and others will smile back,” Jean Baudrillard thinks. “Smile to show how transparent, how candid you are. Smile if you have nothing to say. Most of all, do not hide the fact you have nothing to say nor your total indifference to others. Let this emptiness, this profound indifference shine out spontaneously in your smile.”

But more often than not, people stop smiling. It seems they are carrying the whole problem of the world. Even in the early morning, when they should face the new day with gladness, they are already frowning. There are several reasons but those reasons are not enough to let yourself not to smile.

Here’s one poet said, “If at times you feel you want to cry and life seems such a trial.

Above the clouds there’s a bright blue sky, so make your tears a smile. As you travel on life’s way with its many ups and downs, remember its quite true to say one smile is worth a dozen frowns.”

The poet continues: “Among the world’s expensive things, a smile is very cheap. And when you give a smile away, you get one back to keep.

Happiness comes at times to all but sadness comes unbidden and sometimes a few tears must fall among the laughter hidden. So when friends have sadness on their face and troubles round them piled, the world will seem a better place and all because you smiled.”

A smile can make a woman more beautiful. I have not seen a beauty contest where the contestants are not smiling. “Beauty is power; a

smile is its sword,” Charles Reade pointed out.

And someone commented, “I’ve never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful.” (Frank) Gelett Burgess also said, “Thinking a smile all the time will you’re your face youthful.”

After all, a smile, according to Charles Gordy, “is an inexpensive way to change your looks.” George Eliot surmises, “Wear a smile and have friends; wear a scowl and have wrinkles.

American humorist Mark Twain also stated so: “Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.” Just a reminder: It takes seventeen muscles to smile and forty-three to frown.

If you can smile, why don’t smile at all. How unfortunate a person is, if he can’t smile anymore. Twice in his adult life, Ross Main had has his face paralyzed by Bell’s palsy, a disorder in which the seventh cranial never becomes inflamed, probably from a viral infection. “I could only smile with half my face, and the result was this weird grimace,” he says.

Looking for peace between a husband and wife, or between enemies? The answer to that question is a big smile. As Nobel Peace Prize winner Mother Teresa said, “Peace begins with a smile.” A smile, nonetheless, is a powerful weapon; you can even break ice with it.

“Today,” urged H. Jackson Brown, Jr., “give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day.” A poet puts it more succinctly. “Smiling is infectious; you can catch it like the flu. Someone smiled at me today and I started smiling too.”

The power of a smile

10 ICT HUB Globe to PLDT: Do ‘total, unconditional peering’ EDGEDAVAO

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LOBE Telecom confirmed it is currently in talks with PLDT for an IP peering arrangement but laments PLDT’s proposal will prevent Globe customers from accessing content and applications hosted by PLDT data centers (which includes ePLDT, Vitro, Sun, Smart, etc.)

“The proposal does not go far enough even to meet the definition of peering. We are hoping any bilateral arrangement with PLDT would effectively reduce latency of local intent and improve internet speed. As is, PLDT’s proposed peering agreement won’t be effective in improving the country’s internet speed as it doesn’t allow Globe customers to directly access content

and applications hosted by the PLDT group without exception,” Globe Chief Operating Officer Gil Genio said.

Genio said it has already pointed this out to PLDT executives, who will look at the possibility of revising their proposal.

“Having an agreement on IP peering is one thing and monitoring to make sure all websites, content and applications are in fact visible to us is another thing and should be a constant process,” he said. Both parties should ensure that an ideal peering relationship is established, adding that IP peering entails generally accepted practices of peering where one has access to the other and vice versa, uncondi-

Business leaders to discuss digital disruption in Asia

C

HANGES fuelled by digital technologies are happening at exponential rates, creating a highly unpredictable environment for today’s businesses to operate in.

According to Constellation Research, since 2000, 52 percent of companies in the fortune 500 have either gone bankrupt, been acquired or ceased to exist.

Incumbent business models and companies face the threat of obsolesce caused by new ways of value creation and evolving customer behaviors. Cisco predicts that digital disruption will displace about 40 percent companies in at

least 12 industries within the next five years.

Key business leaders in Asia are attempting to challenge the statistics by coming together to discuss and act on the implications of digital disruption on businesses its Asia, at the Digital Disruption Asia Summit.

“This is a time to reinvent businesses. Evolving your workforce culture to be more like a tech company; an agile enterprise equipped for rapid change,” said Neal Cross, MD & Chief Innovation Officer of DBS Bank.

“It’s about capitalising on

tionally.

Nonetheless, Genio stressed that PLDT’s decision to bring the issue at the negotiating table is commendable, noting that Globe has been actively advocating for IP peering for more than six years now.

“We are optimistic as PLDT has finally responded positively to our long-standing call for IP peering. We are confident that ongoing discussions will lead to better quality of internet services benefitting customers of both parties and the country as a whole,” he said.

Globe earlier emphasized that an all-inclusive IP peering arrangement among major internet service providers in the country is still needed to boost local internet speed, following

FBUSINESS, 11 Source: www.digitaldisruptionasia.com

PLDT’s recent decision to host a local IP peering exchange, Philippine Open Internet Exchange (PHOpenIX).

PLDT’s arrangement with PHOpenIX does not require the dominant carrier to exchange traffic with other ISPs via the local Internet exchange. Instead, the deal will only allow PLDT clients to peer directly with government websites through the PHOpenIX. About 20 percent of internet traffic is local. This means that domestic traffic originates in the Philippines and terminates in the Philippines. However, given the current peering limitations, up to 70 percent of this local traffic has to be routed outside the country, such as in Asia, US and Europe, before

returning to the Philippines.

When traffic is routed outwards, it incurs additional IP transit costs aside from causing delay in data transmission and latency in downloading sites.

Research released by We Are Social (based on Internet Live Stats, Internet World Starts, government data, TenCent Worlddata, GSMA Intelligence, We Are Social Analysis), about 44 percent or 44.2 million of the Philippine population are active internet users as of March 2015. The number represents an 18 percent growth from January 2014.

Also, about 42 percent or 42 million are active social media users. This number represents a 24 percent growth from January 2014.

An all-inclusive IP peering arrangement among ISPs will keep a substantial portion of local data traffic local which means access time is shorter and faster. It is expected to benefit customers with better experience and reduce delays in customer applications such as games, Genio explained, noting that IP peering arrangement in developed economies usually covers all data traffic of ISPs concerned.

If implemented, such arrangement will encourage multinational companies to locate their websites, services and businesses in the country.

Such facility will also ease the country’s dependence on International cables and improve data resiliency, he added.

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Comelec in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

In line with the security preparations, Abas advised local candidates to exert the necessary efforts to avert possible untoward incidents during the filing of the COCs. He said local political camps should properly watch over their supporters and make sure that their planned activities will be peaceful and orderly.

“We’re calling on our candidates to watch their own ranks and make sure that they are orderly when coming to our offices to file their COCs,” he said.

Although the filing of COCs in the region had turned out generally smooth and orderly in the past elections, authorities are not discounting possible disruptions as seen in previous incidents that occurred in other regions.

Among them was the grisly massacre of 58 people, including 32 media workers, in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao on Nov. 23, 2009.

A group of armed men allegedly led by Datu Unsay, Maguindanao Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. held and later killed members of the family of then Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu, their lawyers and 32 media workers who were on their way to file Mangudadatu’s certificate of candidacy for Maguindanao governor at the Comelec provincial office in Shariff Aguak town.

The Department of Justice had filed 58 counts of murder against the late former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr.; his sons Andal Jr. and Zaldy, former governor of ARMM; several clan members; and at least 180 militiamen in connection with the massacre.

MindaNews

“We will continue monitoring, we will compare notes with the military,” he added.

Although surprised Matanog was included in the list to be included in “areas of immediate concern” category, Mayor Mohammad Kits Guro welcomed the inclusion of his town.

On second thought, Guro said, the recommendation will work for the good of the people of Matanog. “I think it is good for us because an increased police and military presence will ensure peaceful and credible elections,” Guro said. “I see it as positive development.”

Maj. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division who has overall jurisdiction of all military forces in Maguindanao, was present during the MPOC meeting. He said police and military officials, including intelligence operatives will regularly meet “to compare notes, discuss the information we have and plan better.”

“The illegal armed groups always pose threats to any exercise like election,” Pangilinan said, referring to the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters

(BIFF).

Lawyer Sarip Tago, provincial director of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), told MPOC participants that the poll body is leaving the security issues to police and military authorities. His concern was the practice of politicians using police and military as security escorts.

“We should not make use of our police and soldiers as security escorts. You can hire highly trained security guards,” Tago suggested.

Gov. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, who chairs the MPOC and who is seeking his last term as provincial governor in next year’s election, has urged political leaders to level up the campaign in Maguindanao.

“Let us do away with violence, bloody elections that will only add to the negative impression about Maguindanao,” he said in Filipino.

“Please, let us not make this election like sparring [of a boxing bout]. It’s just a numbers game and may the best man win,” Mangudadatu said.

Maguindanao has about 500,00 registered voters. Ferdinandh B. Cabrera

last August.

“We are building a 59-MW solar energy facility in Negros Occidental, which is set for commercial operations in the first quarter of 2016,” Aboitiz said.

Aboitiz said that for the next 3 years, the firm is looking at building up to 300-MW of solar facilities.

The full commercial operations for the first of two 150MW units of Therma South in Davao City already started last September 18.

“We are proud to report that Southeast Asia’s first “coal dome” is now officially supplying Mindanao with reliable and cost-effective base load power utilizing the circulating fluidized bed (CFB) technology to ensure security of the fuel and safety and well-being

of the surrounding areas,” he said.

Aboitiz said for UnionBank, the company remains focused on its 2020 strategic objectives: double market share to 9 percent, 15 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) volumes, balance revenues and becoming a great retail bank.

He said for Pilmico, their growth strategy is focused not only in the country, but also in the region, actively pursuing opportunities to diversify the food group’s portfolio and spread geographic risks through mergers and acquisitions.

“We are expanding existing capacities of our flour plants, feed mills, and farm units to meet our 2020 goal,” Aboitiz said.

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EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 11

FISHERS’ ROW. Fishing boats line the stretch of Dawis River in Tandag City on a foggy morning. MindaNews photo by H. Marcos C. Mordeno

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Reports said that the traders sell the rice variety at P30.

“That’s not true. We went to the area to check the report ourselves and we found out that it is the 15 percent broken variety and not the 25 percent broken variety.”

Especial said the NFA rice traders are actually selling the rice at a lower price.

“The price is supposed to

be P32 per kilo but they pulled it down to P30,” she said. “Our selling price here is P30 also.”

She said the NFA-Davao City asked traders to help them in fast-tracking the disposal of the NFA rice.

However, she said the NFA-Davao City has already ordered the rice traders to set the original price. CHENEEN R. CAPON

According to Ang, a threeday unloading by a Panamax vessel now, takes only three hours in Singapore against the outmoded and inefficient manual system the BoC personnel are using in scanning cargoes.

Ang had earlier proposed that the Davao port be developed into a food transshipment hub in Asia, but this was not done as Ang’s planned fish cannery in Toril failed to push through. It may be recalled that Ang’s family, through his father, pioneered in tuna canning in General Santos City.

Ferdinand Maranon, managing owner of Southern Agro Export Corp. (SAGREX) and Philexport Davao Region president, also backed Ang’s call urging the BOC to reopen the x-ray machine in the Designated Examination Area (DEA) inside Aquarius Container Yard (ACY).

“Containers carrying import cargoes ought to be examined by x-ray machine for tax purposes and in order to determine whether the incoming cargoes are legitimate and not misdeclared or contraband like anti-social cargo like arms and illegal drugs,” Maranon said in a text message.

The huge X-ray machine as part of the DEA was installed inside the ACY after the BoC signed in 2009 contract with ACY owner, businessman Rodolfo Reta, making the container yard the exclusive DEA outside the BoC zone for 25 years.

However, in 2010, former customs collector Anju Nereo Castigador illegally padlocked the DEA alleging that owner Reta refused to examine containers.

Claiming that no less than his lawyer reported to Castigador that the DEA found smuggled rice in some containers, Reta questioned Castigador’s action and sued him before the Ombudsman.

After a couple of years, the Ombudsman dismissed Castigador and an assistant wharfinger and suspended two customs examiners in connection with the rice smuggling. Castigador is now facing criminal charges before the Regional Trial Court.

Due to the dispute and its related court cases, the X-ray machine said to be part of the 30 X-ray machines acquired by the BOC with a 75-million-dollar loan from China in 2006 has been mothballed for the last five years now.

During a visit to the Davao Customs Port last August, Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina reportedly ordered acting Davao Customs Collector Ricardo Butalid to reopen the DEA and make use of the costly X-ray machine again, after a series of consultation with stakeholders.

Butalid still has to submit his report to Lina, despite the fact that he had already completed consultation with various stakeholders like Customs brokers, importers, and civil society organizations two months ago. (PNA)

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Generally, dengue starts with a sudden rise in body temperature, accompanied by facial flush and other non-specific conventional symptoms.

The fever usually persists for two to seven days and can be as high as 40-41 degrees Centigrade, possibly with febrile convulsions and hemorrhagic phenomena.

In moderate dengue cases, all signs and symptoms abate the fever subsides temporarily. But in severe cases, the patient’s condition may suddenly deteriorate after a few days of fever.

“The temperature drops, followed by signs of circulatory failure and the patient may rapidly go into a critical state of shock and die within 12 to 24 hours, or quickly recover following appropriate volume replacement therapy,” the United Nations health agency says.

About 20 million dengue cases occur each year and require 500,000 hospitalizations, the WHO estimates.

“Dengue is the world’s most important viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes,” declares Dr. Duane Guble, health administrator of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “The mosquitoes become infected when they feed on someone who has the virus.”

Also known as “breakbone” fever, dengue is the Swahili term for “a sudden overtaking by a spirit.” Caused by four distinct virus serotypes (varieties recognized as

Dengue-carrying mosquito Dengue viruses are transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. It bites only during daytime but its peak biting time is after sunrise and at dusk – especially one hour before sunset.

However, not all Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are carriers of the dengue virus, but only those that have bitten people infected with the virus. Once infected, a mosquito remains infective for life, transmitting the virus to susceptible individuals during probing and blood feeding. However, an infected person cannot transmit the dengue virus directly into another person.

When a person is bitten by an infected mosquito, the dengue virus is deposited in the person’s bloodstream.

The time between the bite of a dengue-carrying mosquito and the start of dengue fever symptoms averages four to six days, with a range of three to 14 days. An infected person can be a source of dengue virus for mosquitoes for about six days.

“Although dengue is rarely lethal, its contribution to disease and ill health, especially among young children, should make dengue control a primary public health concern,” says Dr. Dominic L. Garcia, an infectious disease specialist.

the digital landscape to create new products and services, and revenue streams,” added Sunita Kaur, Managing Director of Spotify.

Neal and Sunita will be part of the distinguished speaker lineup at the two-day event. Taking place on 2-3 December 2015, the summit will address key issues from the boardroom and serve as a platform for business leaders

to discuss strategy, benchmark digital transformation for their businesses as well as uncover opportunities enabled by emerging technologies and investments in innovation.

With presentations by top management leaders and attended by practitioners from across Asia, the inaugural event is the first prime gathering dedicated to the issue, to set precedence for the region.

distinct by the immune system), it is a distant cousin of yellow fever.

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DAVAO CITY MAIN OFFICE JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales Door 14 ALCREJ Bldg., Quirino Ave., Davao City Tel: (082) 224-1413 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 GENERAL SANTOS CITY MARKETING OFFICE EDMUND D. RENDON Marketing Specialist Mobile: (Smart) 0909-424-7990 MANILA MARKETING OFFICE ANGELICA R. GARCIA Marketing Manager 97-1 Bayanbayanan Ave., Marikina Heights, Marikina City Tel: (02) 654-3509

VOL. 8 ISSUE 137 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9-10, 2015

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ping operation of a roll-on roll-off (RORO) vessel of Archipelago Philippines Ferries Corp. with a route of Batangas Port- Jagna, Bohol-Balingoan in Cagayan de Oro. Another investment on the logistic sector was the P331.21 million operation of a cold storage facility of the Allforward Warehousing Inc. in Purok Lasong in Barangay Calumpang in General Santos City with a capacity of storing 1.8 million MT of products.

Investments in the manufacturing sector in Mindanao included the P167.06 million production of crude palm oil, among others of Palm Asia Milling Corp. located at Barangay Cabligan in Matanao in the

province of Davao del Sur. Another was the P30.38 million manufacturing of plastic products of the Sammito Packaging Corp. located in Panabo City which has a capacity of producing more than 21 million pieces of plastic products for export.

Investment in housing in Mindanao cost a total of P118.02 million for the development of economic and low cost housing of Amaia Land Corporation in Cagayan de Oro. The BOI recorded an increase of about 248 percent compared than the P2.6 billion investment on the same period of 2014. CHENEEN R. CAPON

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice are hereby given that the estate of the late JULIAN FUENTES SR. and EXEQUILA GEVEROLA has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT executed among their heirs per Doc. No.209; Page No.42; Book No. 108; Series of 2015, of the NOTARY PUBLIC FATIMA IRENE T. ADIN 9/25.10/02.09

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 13

DA-XI intensifies info drive against banana disease T

HE Department of Agriculture in Davao Region has intensified its campaign against the Banana Fusarium Disease that afflicts the banana industry by enhancing broadcast

skills of community information officers involved in the disease management.

Noel Provido, Regional Information Officer of the DA 11 said the activity is outcome of the initial

dained priest in 1984, was a missionary of the Pontificio Istituto Missioni Estere (PIME).

Del Torchio was born in Angera, a town located in the province of Varese, in the Lombardy region of northern Italy.

He was assigned in 1988 in the nearby town of Sibuco and

stayed in that municipality until 1996. He moved to this city and worked with a non-government organization that provide assistance to farmers.

He left the priesthood a few years later and settled in this city, opening UrChoice Bistro Café. (PNA)

II will determine who among the teachers will not perform election duties because of their relationship to local candidates.

But Lawyer Udtog Tago, Maguindanao election supervisor, said policemen and soldiers are only allowed to stay 50 meters away from polling precincts except for police officers performing election

duties.

Unless the area is under Comelec control, police and soldiers must stay 50 meters away from polling precincts.

Maj. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan, 6th Infantry Division commander, assured the teachers that soldiers will help the local police in securing poll officials, especially during election day.

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gathering among community information officers in Tagum City recently, where they asked for improving their knowledge in handling agriculture information through broadcast.

“We need to hone the skills of our partners for them to effectively address this problem that affects the banana farmers through the broadcast media,” he said.

Several information officers from the local government units in Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Compostela Valley and other line government agencies participated in the activity while the DA provided the inputs for the Fusarium wilt based on the perspective of a government agriculturists.

The Promusa, a knowledge-sharing platform on bananas defined Fusarium wilt of banana or Panama disease as a lethatl fungal disease caused by the soil-borne fungus

called Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense where it enters the plant through the roots and colonizes the xylem vessels thereby blocking the flow of water and nutrients. Disease progression results in the collapse of leaves at the petiole, the splitting of the pseudostem base and eventually plant death.

Once established in a field, the fungus persists in soil for an indefinite period of time and cannot be managed using chemical pesticides.

The solution best adapted to the continued production of bananas in infested soils is replacing susceptible cultivars by resistant ones. Fusarium wilt is the first disease of bananas to have spread globally.

The activity also involved several media personalities who would also share their know in handling public affairs programs in both radio and television. (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

14 NEWS

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GenSan orderly despite shootings: police T

HE city has remained generally peaceful and orderly despite the recent surge in shooting incidents and other crimes, a top police official said on Thursday.

Senior Superintendent Maximo Layugan, city police director, said the area’s peace and order situation is currently under control and continually improving as seen with the noted decline in the number of recorded

crime incidents in the last nine months.

He said that as of the end of September, the city’s total crime volume dropped by 559 cases or from 7,234 in 2014 to 6,675 this year.

Theft cases have topped the list of the recorded crime incidents with 1,676, followed by physical injuries with 880, robbery with 496, rape with 87 and carnapping or motorcycle theft with 83.

“The city is generally

peaceful and we’re continually working double time to sustain that,” he said in a briefing with city council members.

The council’s committee on peace and order had summoned city police officials to give light on the recent crime incidents and an update of the city’s peace and order situation.

City Councilor Franklin Gacal Jr., the committee’s chair, earlier expressed

alarm over the rising shooting incidents in the city that was initially reported to have reached 75 cases.

But Layugan said they only recorded a total of 68 shooting incidents in the last nine months within the city’s 26 barangays.

Such figure is down by 15 cases when compared to the same period last year that reached a total of 83, he said.

As of last week, twenty-nine of the cases were

already solved while 39 are still under investigation, he said.

He said most of these incidents were related to illegal drugs and that the victims were either drug pushers or users.

“There’s nothing to be alarmed (with these shooting incidents). As you can observe, is there any good citizen among the victims?

If there is then we should be alarmed,” he said.

Davao businessmen to BOC: Reopen Sasa X-ray machine

B READY. Commission on Election (Comelec) Second District election officer lawyer Danilo Cullo assures the public during the I-Speak media forum at City Hall yesterday that the agency is prepared for next week’s filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2016 election. Lean Daval Jr.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera had ordered the city police to step up its campaign against illegal drugs, which he identified as among the root cause of a number of crime incidents occurring in the area.

Since January, the city police already arrested a total of 262 illegal drug pushers and users and recovered around Php5.06 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu and dried marijuana. (PNA)

USINESS leaders in Davao are urging the Bureau of Customs (BoC) to make use of the mothballed expensive X-ray machine of the Port of Davao in Sasa to prevent the entry of smuggled goods and anti-social imported materials, as well as improve the import revenues of the local Customs office.

Domingo Ang, Philexport Region 11 chairman and chief operating officer of Davao Marituna Corp., said the x-ray machine intended to scan containers bringing imported goods of all kinds should be reopened and operated jointly by the government and the private sector and witnessed by a credible civil society group to insure transparency.

Ang said the credible CSOs “could include the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCIII) and Philexport.”

The X-ray machine which is much more efficient and reliable than manual examination is “definitely needed for import cargoes to avoid smuggling and misdeclaration of goods,” Ang said.

“Once the world class Sasa port is in operation, it would be impossible to manage it without X-ray machines for all cargoes,” he added, referring to the multi-billion peso improvement of the seaport being proposed by the Aquino government, through the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC).

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Floyd-Pacman II took huge blow M

ANNY Pacquiao announced on Wednesday that he will have one last fight next year and then retire to pursue a full-time career in politics, according to an AFP report.

Pacquiao has served as a local congressman in the Philippines since 2010, but announced this week that he will run for senator in the national elections in May. “I think I’m ready (to retire).

I’ve been in boxing for more than 20 years,” Pacquiao said in an interview. “I prayed to God for guidance and I am happy about it.”

As recently as last month, Pacquiao was still demanding a rematch with Floyd Mayweather, keeping hope alive for one more battle between the sport’s most recognizable stars. However, that now seems less likely than ever.

“I will have to give up the

other things that require my attention. If you are a senator, your focus should only be your job and your family,” Pacquiao said in the interview.

While Mayweather has steadfastly said that his recent bout with Andre Berto was his last and he is now retired, there has been plenty of speculation that he will come back for at least one more bout to push his career record to 50-0.

In addition, while it would be a stretch to think Mayweather and Pacquiao could duplicate the revenue and pay days they grabbed in their first bout, a rematch would still be one of the bigger matches in boxing history and one last huge check for both fighters.

But while it would be easy for Mayweather to get back into the ring after retiring — he is seemingly just traveling the world with Justin Bieber — that is not the case for Pacquiao, es-

pecially if he wins an election as a senator in his native Philippines.

According to the AFP report, polls have Pacquiao winning one of the 12 senate seats up for grabs, and he has vowed to be a “serious” senator despite recent reports that he missed 66 of 70 legislative sessions this year.

If there is a shred of hope for a rematch, it is that Pacquiao hasn’t announced the opponent for his final fight and that he is not ruling out a match with Mayweather. But with Mayweather seemingly in no hurry to come out of retirement, time is running o u t fast.

SPORTS 15

Manny Pacquiao lands a punch on the back of Floyd Mayweather Jr. during their welterweight unification championship bout on May 2, 2015 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

MVP steps down as SBP head B

USINESSMAN V. Pangilinan announced on Thursday that he is ‘retiring’ as head of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to give way to a ‘young, energetic’ leadership in the country’s basketball body.

Pangilinan’s term as president actually lapsed in February and he is disqualified from seeking another term owing to the eight-year term

limit under the charter drafted by the SBP after it took the place of the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) as the Fiba-recognized body for Philippine basketball.

“I don’t want to violate the rules that we have crafted,” said Pangilinan in a hastily called press conference at the PLDT head office, hinting that he will not just step down but

also step away from the association he helped form after a long battle to strip the BAP of Fiba recognition.

“It’s for the best that I retire,” he said.

Pangilinan confirmed that his second term as SBP head, as well as those of other members of its board, had expired in February. But elections were not held because of “the busy schedule.”

He announced that the SBP will be holding a special annual asembly in January for a new election which he said should mark a changing of the guard in the association. “it signals a change of leadership and membership of the board,” Pangilinan said.

“Perhaps the new membership needs fresh blood for Philippine basketball.”

N

the house that Barnes shared with his estranged wife, Gloria Govan, the former star of the “Basketball Wives LA” reality show, sources said.

Barnes, who had concluded Grizzlies training camp in Santa Barbara, arrived at the house and a physical confrontation ensued on Saturday

night, sources said. Barnes has known for “over a month” that Fisher is engaged in a relationship with his estranged wife, a source close to him told Yahoo Sports.

The New York Post first reported the altercation.

Barnes, 35, told friends that two people at the house – including a relative of his estranged wife – interceded on Fisher’s behalf, sources told Yahoo Sports.

Barnes found Fisher, 41, in the backyard with Gloria and family members, and the altercation escalated from there, into the kitchen and then the home’s front room, one witness said.

Fisher filed for divorce

from his wife in March.

Fisher is considering legal action for the incident, sources said, but had not yet filed any charges.

The Knicks, Grizzlies and NBA security have been made aware of the incident and are expected to soon start working together on a probe of Saturday night’s events. A significant part of the NBA’s security department is overseas working closely on the league’s preseason games in Europe, sources told Yahoo Sports.

“We are aware and currently gathering information regarding today’s report involving Matt Barnes,” the Grizzlies said in a statement.

NBA to investigate Fisher-Barnes altercation TOUGH START. Joan Morales of Alabang reacts after missing her putt at Hole no. 18 of the Negros Occidental Golf Club during Day 1 hostilities of the PAL Ladies Interclub in Bacolod City.

EW York Knicks coach Derek Fisher and Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes had a physical confrontation on Saturday night in Los Angeles, sources told Yahoo Sports.

Fisher had traveled to California on Saturday to visit his children and was visiting

US takes control in Presidents Cup

P Phil Mickelson and partner Zach Johnson win 2-up over Jason Day and Steven Bowditch. AP

HIL Mickelson and Zach Johnson won the only match that reached the 18th hole and finished off another dominant day for the Americans in the Presidents Cup on Thursday.

The rest of the foursomes matches were not much of a contest, and the Americans built a 4-1 lead after the opening session.

The South African duo of Louis Oosthuizen and Branden Grace won the only match

for the International side.

It was the fifth straight time in the Presidents Cup that the United States took the lead, and its largest since a four-point advantage in 2007.

The International team hasn’t won since 1998, and this wasn’t the start it wanted.

Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson proved a formidable partnership, while Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler won the shortest match.

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SBP mum on Gilas’ future

T

HE Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is mum about the future of Gilas Pilipinas after falling short of its campaign in FIBA Asia Championship.

SBP executive director Sonny Barrios said that he would rather talk about the heroic silver medal finish of Gilas against the mighty Chinese squad.

The basketball federa-

tion will be having a board meeting on Oct. 8 to report about the FIBA World Cup bidding and Gilas’ campaign in the FIBA Asia.

Barrios however, couldn’t say whether it will be discussed if Gilas would compete or not in next year’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

“Mas gusto ko na munang bigyan ng papuri yung 12 players natin sa

ngayon,” he said.

Barrios lauded the effort and sheer guts of the 12-man Gilas Pilipinas team that finished runner-up in the FIBA Asia Championship despite having a short time preparing for the Olympic qualifying tournament in Changsha, China.

Not lost to Barrios was the fact the team of coach Tab Baldwin had to cramp

a seven-week training highlighted by a whirlwind stint in an Estonia pocket tournament and the Jones Cup competition, before leaving for the Sept. 23 to Oct. 3 tournament.

Yet, the Filipinos just fell short of a win from ending the country’s more than four decades of Olympic quest after losing to the host country in the

championship game, 7867.

“Kaya pupurihin mo talaga ‘yung 12 na ito from the very start,” said Barrios in the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday, noting how the champion team went on a seven-month European stint just to prepare for the FIBA-Asia meet.

“You should prepare

them (team) for enough time. Tayo less than two months, alam nyo yung China? Seven months lang naman,” the SBP executive added.

Barrios also got to understand why Baldwin, whom he describes as someone who’s extensive in international coaching, needed longer time to prepare Gilas Pilipinas for a major tournament.