Edge Davao 8 Issue 138

VOL. 8 ISSUE 138 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2015

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THE FEVER IS ON

2 COVER STORY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 138 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2015

ELECTION FEVER WHO WILL BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT?

* Except for Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, the three Presidentiables have declared their bids officially as of this writing.

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HE election season officially opens on Monday, October 12, as candidates for all elective positions troop to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to file their respective Certificates of Candidacy (COCs).

The five-day period, which ends on October 16, is usually a foregone conclusion since most candidates shall have already made known their intention to run for particular posts.

The week, then, is a matter of formality, and candidates usually take advantage of the time to make noise about themselves before the ban on premature campaign sets in.

Most of the candidates for the country’s top positions have already made their intentions known. Vying for the presidency are Senator Grace Poe, Vice President Jejomar Binay, and former DILG Secretary Mar Roxas. This particular election, however, is proving to be a difficult one to pin down especially in Davao City as the city’s mayor, Rodrigo Duterte, continues to insist that he is not running for the presidency despite giving clues and hints throughout much of the year that he is eying the position.

There has also been a growing clamor for him to run, but he has effectively shrugged this off by saying he has no ambition for the post; besides, he keeps saying, he doesn’t have the money to mount a presidential campaign.

As the clamor continues, however, many Dabawenyos seem to have overlooked one very important thing: they may want Duterte to become President, but they cannot vote for him simply because they have not done their biometrics registration. According to the Comelec, at least 14.25 percent of this city’s voting population

still have no biometrics validation as of October 3.

This is equivalent to 130,208 out of the 913,653 registered voters based on the data released by the poll body.

All voters must submit themselves for biometric registration lest they be delisted and cannot cast their votes in next year’s national elections.

Voters who registered in 2004 and up may not need to be subjected for biometrics registration.

This is mandated under Republic Act (RA) 10367, also known as “An act for Mandatory Biometrics Voter Registration,” which provides that registered voters whose biometrics data have not been captured shall submit themselves for validation in

order to establish complete list of voters with complete biometrics data for the 2016 national and local election.

Last October 3, 2012, Comelec recorded 9.018 million registered voters without biometrics data.

During last Thursday’s iSpeak Forum, lawyer Danilo Cullo, election officer of the city’s 2nd district, urged the voters to submit biometric data ahead and not to wait for the deadline. He also said there have been voters who have multiple entries in their database who have been deleted, which is done quarterly to prevent flying voters.

ALL SET

Cullo said Comelec 11 is all set for the start of the filing of COCs on October 12 to 16. He explained that the purpose for scheduling the filing of COCs early is to give the Comelec time to come up with an official list of candidates for the printing of official ballots.

Cullo, however, said the poll body has no direct control over premature campaigning by politicians since the filing of COCs does not make them candidates yet. He said they become so upon the start of the campaign season, taking place sometime in February for the national positions and March for local posts.

Besides, Cullo said, the Supreme Court has ruled

that there is “no such thing as premature campaigning.”

He said the Comelec can only discourage politicians from mounting early promotional campaigns and leave it up to the voters who they will vote for.

For next year’s polls, there will be new set of machines to be utilized called the Optical Mark Reader (OMR), replacing the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) which had been used since the 2010 presidential elections. However, there is no timeline as to when the OMR units will be delivered to the Davao Region and no schedule yet for the mock elections. EDGE Davao and Antonio L. Colina IV/ MindaNews

SO THEIR VOTES WOULD COUNT. These women register with the Commission on Elections in Davao City tio ensure that they can vote in the 2016 elections.

Lean Daval Jr.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 138 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

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4 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 138 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2015

MANILA BOUND? Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte tells reporters that if he shows up in Manila on the October 15 then it means he is running for president. Duterte made the statement during a brief press conference on Friday night at The Marco Polo, Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

Mayor backs Karlo Bello for 3rd district House seat

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AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte has declared his support for the possible congressional bid of councilor Karlo S. Bello for the third district for next year’s election.

Duterte told reporters in an interview on Friday night at The Marco Polo Davao that he has already promised Karlo’s father 1-BAP Party-list Rep. Silvestre Bello III hat he would support the younger Bello.

“Bebot and I have been together for a long time so it is expected that I will support his son,” he said.

The mayor said although incumbent third district Rep. Isidro Ungab’s brother Alberto Ungab has higher survey ratings, he will still endorse Bello.

“I already committed to the father. He was my roommate in the dormitory before and I am the godfather of Kaloy. I will honor my commitment,” he said.

“Win or lose it will be OK for me, the important thing here is my word of honor,” he added.

Earlier, Duterte said he might declare the city’s third district a free zone for members of the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod who are aspiring to run for the congressional seat in next year’s election.

Other possible candidates reportedly eying the position are councilors Bernard Al-ag and Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz. ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

CSOs, peace panels still hopeful with only 18 session days left to pass BBL

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EVER say never to peace,” Mindanao’s civil society organizations and the government (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panels say even as there are only 18 session days left to deliberate on the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) when Congress resumes on November 3 until December 18. Or a maximum of seven session days for government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer’s hope that the Basic Law will be passed before the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Manila on November 18 and 19.

In Cotabato City, civil society leaders who gathered here on Monday and Tuesday vowed to continue pushing for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) by December 16, the latest deadline set by House and Senate leaders, and the last chance for the measure to pass under the Aquino administration.

But those who attended the two-day “People’s Conversations on Hurdling Roadblocks in the Bangsamoro Roadmap to Peace,” convened

by Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, the Archbishop of Cotabato and lead convener of Friends of Peace, and other civil soci-

FCSOS, 13

No weekend declaration: Rody

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

NCE again, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte dashed the hopes of his supporters who had been expecting him to announce his presidential candidacy this weekend.

“I have no announcement to make tonight because there is none,” the mayor told reporters in a press conference on Friday night at The Marco Polo, Davao.

Reporters had been told that the mayor was going to make an important announcement but were disappointed when Duterte told there would be none.

Duterte, however, still managed to give a glimmer of hope by saying if people see him at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Manila on October 15, it will be because he will file his certificate of candidacy (COC) for president.

“You know if I show my face there on October 15, I will be filing my certificate of candidacy (COC) for presidency.

It would be obvious,” he said.

Duterte said if he does file his COC, he will not send a representative as has been his practice. Every election, Duterte has sent a nun, Sister

Josephine Bacaltos, to file his COC for him.

The mayor, however, said people should not get their hopes up because it is “just a possibility.”

Duterte reiterated his earlier statements that his family does not want him to run for president.

“I’ve been saying that I am not for president pero pinipilit ninyo (but you insist that I am),” he said.

“I am running full speed in a time tunnel. The deadline is fast approaching and I have yet to see a glimmer of that light at the end of the tunnel,”

he said.

He said if he decides to run he will bring the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) as his party.

In a separate interview, PDP-Laban vice president for Mindanao Charito Plaza said she is “very sure” that Duterte will file his COC for president.

“The way I see it, his action speaks louder than words… I am 99.9 percent sure that Mayor Duterte will really run because with the clamor of the people he sees it as his moral obligation,” she said.

port Colmenares because he is with the progressive group in Congress and they both come from San Beda College.

The mayor said he will also support de Lima even if she has been one of his greatest critics since she also came from San Beda.

“I-endorse ko siya (De Lima) kasi patay tayo sa mga pari niyan (I will endorse her because the priests will kill me if I don’t),” Duterte jokingly said.

He said he heard de Lima say during a television inter-

view that a Bedan “will not crucify another Bedan” – referring to her antagonistic relationship ever since she was chair of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

De Lima had conducted an investigation in Davao City in 2009 on Duterte’s supposed role in summary killings in the city.

Over the past months she had also been a vocal critic of the mayor, especially on the issue of Duterte’s alleged backing of the “Davao Death Squad (DDS).”

Duterte’s endorsement was made despite his insistence that he will not run for president.

He named the other people he will endorse for the Senate as boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, former Senator Panfilo Lacson, Senator Serge Osmeña, former Senator Miguel Zubiri, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo, Manila City Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, and ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Samuel Pagdilao.

Duterte adds Colmenares, de Lima to Senate lineup D

AVAO City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte has added two names to the list of people he will be endorsing for the Senate in the 2016 election.

And believe it or not, one of them is resigned Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, with whom Duterte has had a long-standing spat.

In an interview at The Marco Polo, Davao on Friday night, Duterte said he will endorse de Lima and Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares who are each vying for a senatorial slot.

Duterte said he will sup-

FDUTERTE, 13

VOL. 8 ISSUE 138 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 5

‘Fear, prejudice block BBL’ ROADBLOCKS. Cardinal Orlando B. Quevedo, OMI, Archbishop of Cotabato and lead convenor of Friends of Peace, Fr. Joel Tabora SJ, President of the Ateneo de Davao University, and Atty. Christian Monsod, former Comelec chair and a with Yolanda Esguerra, national coordinator of the Philippine Misereor Partnership, Inc., at a press conference Tuesday afternoon after the two-day “People’s Conversations on Hurdling Roadblocks in the Bangsamoro Roadmap member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission. MindaNews photo by CAROLYN O. ARGUILLAS to Peace.” MindaNews photo by TOTO LOZANO HE biggest roadblock to dil, chair of the Peoples’ CART the passage of the Bang- (Coalition for ARMM Reform samoro Basic Law (BBL) and Transformation), “there is is “the fear of the legislators really a need to deepen further about the BBL as originally their (members of the House presented,” Mindanao’s lone and Senate) idea of what is reCardinal said. ally the Bangsamoro.”

Biases and prejudices He said he hopes legisthat exploded into the public lators find time to know and sphere after the January 25 understand the Bangsamoro Mamasapano Tragedy also “in- identity. fluenced legislators in their deGuiamel Alim of the Conliberations of the original BBL,” sortium of Bangsamoro Civil Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, Society said the sentiments of Archbishop of Cotabato and residents at the grassroots are lead convener of the Friends mixed because the fate of the of Peace, told a press confer- BBL is uncertain. He said resience at the end of the two-day dents in conflict-affected areas “Conversations Hurdling the have been hoping peace would Roadblocks to the Bangsam- be realized by the passage of oro Roadmap to peace” on the BBL so they could live in Tuesday. peace, send their children to “They wanted to change school and improve their livethe BBL because of these fears lihood. and prejudices about not only what happened in Mamasapa- Challenges, Roadblocks no but also about what the …

In his speech earlier in Bangsamoro would do if given the afternoon, Quevedo said a lot of authority, if given a lot the substitute bills – HB 5811 of power and financial auton- and SB 2894 – “were crafted omy… There’s a lot of fear also in the wake of Mamasapano, based on prejudice,” he said. which was truly a disastrous Yolanda Esguerra, Nation- blunder.” al Coordinator of the Philip“I must confess that I do pine Misereor Partnership, Inc. not see any party that is free of pointed to the understanding responsibility from the trageof lawmakers on constitution- dy. But Mamasapano definiteality. She noted that lawmak- ly changed the horizon of the ers have repeatedly been citing peace process and the BBL. For alleged unconstitutionality from Mamasapano came the of the BBL provisions when roadblocks to peace.” several legal experts and the Quevedo said misPeace Council had carefully trust, bias and prejudice, fear, studied the BBL and said it is and paranoia against Muslims constitutional but “matigas have “determined the opinyung position ng mga lawmak- ion of the Christian majority ers (Lawmakers are firm in population, including so called their position) maybe because intelligentsia, church people, …. of bias and fear,” she said. media pundits, and media netGus Miclat, executive di- works” and that this “biased rector of the Initiatives for In- attitude is at the heart of their ternatioal Dialogue (IID) said rejection of any BBL, including what is more tragic is that “fear the versions being prepared by sometimes emanates from ig- the legislators, despite ignonorance.” rance of the actual content of He cited an example where the BBL.” they brought a team from the The Cardinal cited five MILF to the Visayas to explain major challenges confronting the Bangsamoro peace process peace advocates: “the misperand what the future Bangsam- ceptions of legislators and oro political entity would be. their revisions to the original “Pagkatapos nilang mag-ex- BBL; the continuing dissemiServing a seamless society plain, the audience said ‘gusto nation of such misperceptions namin yan, para sa amin din,’” by media; the fundamental at(After they explained, the au- titudes and misperceptions of dience said, ‘we also want that, the great majority of Filipinos; that’s also for us). the overweening desire to win For Dr. Pendatun PangaFFEAR, 13

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6 NEWS

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 138 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2015

WELCOME. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala is welcomed at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao on Friday by the delegates and participants of the Orientation on the Newly-Amended Philippine Fisheries Code 8550 as amended by RA 10654; and the Turn-over Ceremony of the Bottom Up Budgeting (BUB) Projects. Lean Daval Jr.

NGCP steel towers in NCot bombed

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USPECTED extortionists set off improvised explosive devices on two steel towers of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) Friday night, sending parts of North Cotabato and the whole of Maguindanao, including Cotabato City, in total blackout for about four hours.

The attack was the fourth this year against NGCP towers in Pikit, North Cotabato and nearby Pagalungan in Maguindanao.

Power was restored at past 3 a.m. Saturday.

“We suspect extortion groups were behind the bomb attacks,” Senior Inspector Sindatu Karim, Pikit town police chief, said.

No one has claimed responsibility but Karim believed extortionists operating in North Cotabato were behind the attack.

Responding Army and

police bomb experts belonging to Task Force Pikit found fragments of 60 mm mortars at the toppled towers in Barangay Batulawan, Pikit where the explosives went off at 11:30 p.m. Friday.

Power was cut in parts of North Cotabato, the whole of Maguindanao and Cotabato City.

Power officials said the toppled towers transmit 138 KV line from Kibawe power station in Kibawe, Bukidnon to Kabacan, North Cotabato and Simuay station in Maguindanao.

According to Karim, the towers were located about 300 to 400 meters away from a militia detachment in the national highway of Barangay Batulawan.

He estimated about six to seven IEDs were planted in adjoining steel towers.

F NGCP, 13

2 abductors of former Italian priest identified

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HE police have established the identities of two of the suspects behind the abduction of a former Italian priest in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte.

Superintendent Redentor Retusto, Zamboanga del Norte police director, did not disclose how they established the identities of the two suspects, only saying the actual incident was captured in a video through the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras.

Retusto said two of the suspects were identified as alias Julmin Muloc and Sihar Muloc alias “Red Eye” who were known to be members of lawless group.

“During follow-up investigation of the recorded Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) of

UrChoice Bistro Café showed the actual incident wherein 10 male suspects forcibly abducted the victim, Rolando Del Torchio,” Retusto stated in his report.

Del Torchio, 56, was seized by the suspects around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at UrChoice Bistro Café, which he owns, located along Quezon Avenue, Barangay Miputak, Dipolog City.

The suspects dragged the victim to a waiting silver metallic L-300 van with plate number TMY-490 and sped towards the boulevard in Purok Bularan, also in Barangay Miputak.

They disembarked and abandoned the van and transferred to two waiting motorboats, one painted white and

F 2 ABDUCTORS, 13

8 armed groups operate in Caraga A T least eight armed groups are operating in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur provinces, an internal report by the 4th Infantry Division on the number of so-called Bagani fighters revealed.

Included in the report titled “Profile on the Indigenous People (IP) Bagani in 4ID AOR”, is the Jomar Bocales and Tejero-Belandres armed group, suspects in the Sept. 1 killing of a Lumad school director and two others in Lianga, Surigao del Sur. Killed were Emerito Samarca, 54, Executive Director of the Alternative Learning Center for Agriculture and Livelihood Development, a school for Lumads, and NGO leaders Dionel Campos and Bello Sinzo.

The killings sparked the evacuation of over 3,000 residents from Barangay Diatagon in Lianga and neighboring areas.

The Philippine National Police has filed multiple murder, arson, robbery and grave threats at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Lianga against Bobby Tejero, his older brother Loloy alias Abab, Gareto Layno, and several John Does of the Bagani paramilitary group who were held responsible for the killings.

The Army report said the Tejero brothers belong to the Bagani armed group led by Jomar Bocales, a Manobo tribal chieftain, that operates in the towns of Lianga, Barobo, San Miguel and San Agustin in Surigao del Sur.

DepEd secondary schools and 68 non-DepEd schools will offer SHS, while the province of Compostela Valley has 60 DepEd secondary schools and nine non-DepEd secondary schools.

DepEd schools that will offer in the division of Davao del Norte total 35; Davao del Sur 42; Davao Oriental 18; Dicgos City only four; Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) 15; Mati City 35; Panabo City 10; and Tagum City 10.

Meanwhile, six private schools in the division of Davao del Norte offer SHS; 16 in Davao del Sur; five in Davao

Oriental; five in Digos City; three in IGACOS; seven for Mati City; seven for Panabo City; and 11 in Tagum City.

“We are categorically prepared,” Veloso said. However, she clarified that the department is still preparing the infrastructure and learning material for both student and teacher for the last two years of senior high school.

For instance, she said the education department cannot assure that all four-level school building in three heavily-populated high school in Davao City, namely the Daniel R. Agu-

F8 ARMED, 13

Public schools ‘98% ready’for Senior High

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

UBLIC secondary schools in Davao Region are 98 percent ready for the implementation of the last tier of the K to 12 basic education curriculum which is the Senior High School (SHS) next school year.

“We are giving assurance that every Grade 10 student in the region will have the nearest SHS-ready secondary schools to them,” Department of Education (DepED) 11 SHS focal point person Dr. Jannette G. Veloso said in a recent press conference at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP)-Obrero Campus.

An estimated of 75,000 Grade 10 students are expected to enroll for Grades 11 and 12 in private or public schools.

Veloso said that of the 303 public schools in Davao Region, 295 or 98 percent are already equipped for the full implementation of K to 12 basic education curriculum in a bid to increase the competitiveness of Filipino graduates in the global arena.

For private schools, she said “barely 70 percent” or 137 out of 201 private or nonDepEd secondary schools in Davao Region are SHS ready.

For Davao City, a total of 65

CALLING ALL PARENTS. Davao City councilor Maria Belen S. Acosta calls on parents of students to form a federation and elect a representative who will past of the city’s local school board (LSB). Acosta made the call in a press

FPUBLIC, 13

conference on Saturday organized by the Doctors of Education students of the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP)-Obrero Campus. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

INdulge!

VOL. 8 ISSUE 138 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2015

EDGEDAVAO EVENT

A black and white recognition night

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO IT WAS a glitzy night laced with black and white.

True enough, it was a party thrown by The Matina Enclaves for its agents at the Royal Ballroom of The Royal Mandaya Hotel on October 3.

The prime real estate project of Escandor Development Corporation (Esdevco) feted its agents for their sales milestones in the very first venture of the homegrown real estate developer. Project head Gerald Garces led the awards-giving ceremonies.

Agents who received certificates of recognition for their outstanding sales achievement from June 2014June 2015 are: William Alba Jr. Jonalei Caulin Paolo Payot Ryan Sayson Joe Allen Marata

Solledad Millomeda Myrna Rasalan Cyrel Bautista Armand Lacdaying Ma. Beatriz Levy Maningo Edith Labiao Gian Carla Rivas Merlita Romero Mary Ann Lentuan Likewise, Esdevco also feted brokers who received certificates of recognition for their outstanding sales achievement from June 2014June2015.

They are: Alma Apolonio Charito Torefiel Rhoda Cua Jocelyn Asoy Janylene Magan Lalaine Corro Letecia Ablas

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The biggest prizes were reserved for the major achievers who received

ESDEVCO A4 3 1 2

Project Director Mr. Gerald Kent M. Garces TOP 5 AGENTS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING SALES ACHIEVEMENT FROM JUNE 2014 – JUNE 2015. (from L to R) Project Director Mr. Gerald Garces, Top 1 Agent Ms. Jocelyn Santos, Top 2 Agent Ms. Fara Irmina Diaz, Top 5 Agent Joseph Arthur Avila (received the award for Top 3 Agent Mr. Arthur Gonzales and Ms. Rhoda Cua (received the award for Top 4 Agent Mr. Reginald Cua

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TOP 3 BROKERS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING SALES ACHIEVEMENT FROM JUNE 2014 – 2015. (from L to R) Project Director Mr. Gerald Garces, Top 3 Broker Ms. Rizalyn Denaga, Top 1 Broker Mr. Anthony Leuterio, Top 2 Broker Ms. Veljean Villaraiz

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BROKERS WHO GENERATED 10M ABOVE SALES FROM JUNE 2014 – JUNE 2015. (From L to R) Project Director Mr. Gerald Garces, Mrs. Letecia Ablas, Mrs. Rhoda Cua, Mrs. Alma Apolonio, Mrs. Jocelyn Asoy, Mrs. Charito Torefiel, Ms. Lalaine Corro

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EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 138 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2015

UP AND ABOUT

MX3 and AlDub fever at Kapuso Fans Day 2015 MX3 Team and GMA Kapuso invaded Mactan, Cebu City on October 2, 2015 as the “Ultimate Bae” Alden Richards excite the Cebuano AlDub love team Fans for their most awaited event “Kapuso Fans Day”. The show started at 6:00 pm at the Gaisano Island Mall Mactan in lapu-Lapu City. Right after the Eat Bulaga Show in Manila, Alden Richards flew to Cebu to personally extend his gratitude for the support for AlDub RomCom with Maine “Yaya Dub” Mendoza” in the Philippine Television.

The MX3 Team graced the event by their MX3 Hooray Game. The game is similar to the country’s popular game called HepHep Hooray! The MX3 Hooray Challenge used a variation of three different actions with the letters M&X and the number 3. Fifteen players enthusiastically participated by carefully motioning MX and 3 when pointed by the game master. The last one who survived and was not able to commit any mistake won the challenge and was given an MX3 ultimate prize.

Of course, other participants were also given MX3 consolation prizes as a token of their involvement.

As warm as the Cebuanos’ support to AlDub fans, so also is their sustenance in taking different MX3 variants like MX3 Capsule for improving the immune system, MX3 Plus with co Q10 and LCarnitine for healthy metabolism, MX3 Coffee-mix, a tasteful blend that is nonacidic with no sugar added, and MX3 Tea where 1 teabag can serve the whole family.

Alden Richards highlighted the “Kapuso Fans Day” and Cebuanos were given the chance to see him up close as Alden serenade and danced for the audience. The

love team has been a consistent trending on Twitter in the country and worldwide.

With their popularity in the Eat Bulaga! Kalyeserye, the mini-series has gained an un-

deniable nationwide success.

The network is unswervingly grateful for the support that made the show a superb sensation. Just like MX3 with its MXtraordinary business and

mission milestones.

For more information about the MX3 Products, visit MX3 website at www.mx3.ph or call/text 0918-8888-693.

God bless!

A whole weekend of fun just for kids at Abreeza Mall FROM OCTOBER 17 to 18, Abreeza Mall’s Activity Center transforms into a delightful hub of excitement, entertainment, and education just for kids.

Kids Day at Abreeza Mall promises shows, prizes, and fun treats to all young ones who attend this two-date celebration.

On October 17 at 4pm, The Mind Museum, the non-profit science museum based in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, will deliver an afternoon of fun learning through an informative science show. On October

18, also at 4pm, the Kids Talent Show will showcase the amazing abilities of children from local music academy Muzic Skool.

Another exciting activity is the interactive challenge Kids Choice, which allows children to vote for their pick of president among popular animated TV characters on display at the venue. The first 100 children to participate in the voting process will get a freebie. Once all votes are in and the winning animated character has been declared, 10 of the character’s

lucky voters will receive a special gift from Abreeza Mall.

Other fun gimmicks await children at the Activity Center the entire weekend, such as massive kiddie bouncers, a photo wall where little ones can strike a pose, and food booths by Abreeza Mall merchants.

October holds more treats for children, as Abreeza Mall gears up for its eagerly awaited annual Halloween celebration on October 31. Kids in costume are encouraged to take part in the mall-wide trick-or-treat

activity at no registration cost.

Meanwhile, on October 26, the Center for Brighter Beginnings holds its United Nations parade at Abreeza Mall, featuring students in different national costumes.

For inquiries and updates on Abreeza Mall news and events, please visit the Main Concierge at the ground floor or call (082) 321-9332. Stay updated by liking www.facebook. com/AbreezaMall and following @abreezatweets on Twitter and @iloveabreezamall on Instagram.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 138 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

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ENTERTAINMENT

Nora Aunor and Eddie Garcia join GMA’s upcoming primetime series Little Mommy IN what can be described as an almost miraculous comingtogether of two multiawarded Best Actors with more than 80 awards to their names combined, Ms. Nora Aunor and Mr. Eddie Garcia will work together in GMA’s newest primetime offering LITTLE MOMMY.

business.

Little Mommy is a story about the poignant life journey of Lola Annie, Lolo Miguel, Tinay and Letlet.

Tinay, to be portrayed

by Kris Bernal, is a 25year old who has a mind of a 9 year old because of her intellectual disability. Her daughter, Letlet (Chlaui Malayao) is a 6 year old playing the role of Little Mommy to her own mother as she is trying to compensate for her mother’s deficiencies.

Ms. Nora Aunor portrays Lola Annie Batongbuhay, the cool retro lola of Tinay, who still plays

in gigs with her band.

For her, Tinay’s condition is not a disability, but a gift because Tinay will forever remain innocent.

Mr. Eddie Garcia is Don Miguel Valle, Tinay’s long-lost maternal grandfather. For him, one is never too old to learn new things.

Through his grandchildren, Tinay and Letlet, he will learn how to be a kid again.

Little Mommy also stars Bembol Roco, Keempee De Leon, Gladys Reyes, Mark Herras, Hiro Peralta, Renz Fernandez, Juancho Trivino and Sunshine Dizon.

The one and only Superstar Ms. Nora Aunor, with over 175 movies to her name, and FAMAS Hall of Famer Mr. Eddie Garcia, with over 300 films under his belt, are two formidable forces to reckon with in the Philippine film and TV industry and two established personalities that helped shape local show

EVENT

Marco Polo Davao welcomes New Director of Sales and Marketing MARCO Polo Davao has announced the appointment of its Director of Sales and Marketing, Pearl Peralta-Maclang. In her capacity, Pearl is seen to devise and implement a full spectrum of sales and marketing plans and strategies for Marco Polo Davao.

With almost three decades in the Philippine hospitality business, Pearl’s previous roles spans successful terms in most of the country’s reputable business hotel brands like Century Park Sheraton Manila, Manila Pavilion Hotel, and IHG hotel properties. Moreover, her expertise in pre-opening properties and hotel re-branding will benefit Marco Polo Davao in its positioning as a premier business hotel in Mindanao.

“The Marco Polo Hotels Group is pleased to designate Pearl Peralta-Maclang as the Davao property’s Director of Sales and Marketing. We believe that with her expertise, Pearl will bring strategic marketing initiatives and strengthen Marco Polo Davao’s presence as Mindanao’s only deluxe hotel” said Ms. Dottie Wurgler-Cronin, General Manager of Marco Polo Davao.

Prior to her appointment, Pearl was the Director of Sales and Marketing for Marco Polo Ortigas, Manila and spent three years as Vice President for Sales & Marketing under FilArchipelago Hospitality Inc. where she spearheaded significant sales and marketing programs for its current portfolio of three hotel properties.

October 12 – 13, 2015

FELIX MANALO Dennis Trillo PG

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

ETIQUETTE FOR MISTRESSES Kris Aquino, Kim Chiu, Claudine Barretto R13

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

PAN Hugh Jackman, Levi Miller PG

R-16

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

THE MARTIAN Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain PG

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

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 8 ISSUE 138 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2015

EVENT

AGENTS WHO GENERATED 6M ABOVE SALES FROM JUNE 2014 – JUNE 2015. (From L to R) Ferdinand Rasalan (received the award of Ms Myra Rasalan), Alberto Torefiel (received the award of Mr. William Alba Jr.), Project Director Gerald Garces, Leonisa Marata (received the award of Joe Allen Marata), Ryan Sayson, Solledad Mellomeda, Armand Lacdaying, Merlita Romero, Jonalei Caulin, Paolo Payot, Annabelle Lumacang (received the award of Edith Labiao), Cyrel Bautista, Carlos Lentuan (received the award of Mary Ann Lentuan) Male and female Star of the Night - Ms. Veljean Villaraiz & Mr. Martin Escobido

ESDEVCO A1

trophies and cash prizes.

The Top 5 agents (in order) are: Top 5: Joseph Arthur Avila Top 4: Regie Cua Top 3: Arthur Gonzales

Top 2: Fara Irmina Diaz Top 1: Jocelyn Santos Top 3 Realty: Top 3: Rizalyn Denaga Top 2: Veljean Villaraiz Top 1: Anthony Leuterio Re-

5

6

7 5 Hosted by Atty. Alexis Lumbatan 6 Daniela Aliermo - Showtime Kalokalike Phase 3 Grand Winner 7 Dance number from Leuterio Realty

alty and Brokerage Special cash incentive awards were also given to the following: Joseph Arthur Avila received P12,000 cash incen-

tive Veljean Villaraiz received P18,000 Jocelyn Santos received P30,000 Trip Incentive awardees

in a way of cash: Rhoda Cua P30,000 Arthur Gonzales P30,000 Veljean Villaraiz P35,000 Daniela Aliermo, a Vice Ganda Kalokalike, was the event’s special guest.

EDGEDAVAO

7 ECONOMY 20 finance execs agree on climate investments VOL. 8 ISSUE 138 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2015

L

IMA – Finance Ministers of the Vulnerable Twenty (V20), representing close to 700 million people threatened by climate change and spanning world regions, held their inaugural meeting on October 8, 2015 in Lima, Peru and announced a series of actions to foster greater investment in climate resiliency and low emissions development at home and internationally.

In its first statement the group called the response to climate change a “foremost humanitarian priority”, with the V20 committing to act collectively to “foster a significant increase” of public and private finance for climate action from wide-ranging sources, including international, regional and domestic mobilization.

“In the absence of an effective global response, annual economic losses due to climate

Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima

AirAsia increases Manila Hong Kong to daily flights

A

IRASIA, the world’s best low cost carrier for seven consecutive years running, announced it is increasing flights to Hong Kong from Manila from 4x to 7x weekly starting 25 October 2015.

In conjunction with this exciting news, AirAsia is offering all-in promo fares from as low as P688 one way from Manila to Hong Kong for bookings made today until 18 October 2015 for the travel period from October 25, 2015 to March 26, 2015.Guests can also book their flights via AirAsia’s mobile app on iPhone and Android devices, as well as its mobile site mobile.airasia.com.

Gerard Peñaflor, Head of Commercial for Philippines AirAsia, said, “A quick getaway during long weekends or agrand holiday escape to Hong Kong with your friends and family has never been easier than now with AirAsia’s daily flights at affordable fares. To enhance travel experience for our guests, especially during the holiday season,

the AirAsia’s mobile app is also being constantly updated to feature more options that provide convenience during check-in or to manage bookings.”

As the festive season draws near, Hong Kong offers a magical experience with glittering skyscrapers, a buzzing shopping scene and festive atmosphere.

Discover more of Hong Kong by downloading AirAsia’s travel guides at http:// www.airasia.com/travelguides. The travel guides are free and include essential travel information on each destination such as accommodation, transport and the must-see’s and must-do’s.

All-in promo fares from as low as P799 are also available online now until October 11, 2015 for other AirAsia destinations in the Philippines such as Kalibo/Boracay, Palawan, Bohol, Tacloban, Davao, and Cebu and to international destinations of Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Incheon (Seoul), Busan, Macau and China for immediate travel until February 29, 2016.

change are projected to exceed US$400 billion by 2030 for the V20, with impacts far surpassing our local or regional capabilities,” said Philippine Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima. “Here in Lima, we unite for what we believe is the fundamental human rights issue threatening our very own existence today. Global climate action gives us hope that we can still see a future free from the most devastating effects of climate change.”

Finance Ministers decided to develop and apply innovative fiscal measures. They voiced support for an international financial transaction tax to aid the mobilization of additional resources for the fight against climate change. They also called for improved access to international climate change finance for adaptation and mitigation action, the fulfillment of the

$100 billion commitment to the Green Climate Fund, and acceleration towards a 50:50 balance in resources mobilized given prevailing shortfalls for initiatives to adapt to climate change.

“This is not a typical group of major economies. Instead we represent countries put at high risk by the economic failures to address climate change,” said Jose Francisco Pacheco, Vice Minister of Finance of Costa Rica, calling the event today in Lima “historic”. “We have decided to work together to ensure we are not made victims, but do everything we can to contribute to a resolution to this crisis.”

Dr. AtiurRahman, Governor of the Bangladesh Bank, added: “We want to the world to know that we will not overlook the perils that our economies have been placed at due to the shortcomings, particularly of action

by major economies. The world also needs to know that working together our vulnerable countries are doing everything in our power to bring the climate crisis under control, and we won’t relent until we’ve succeeded in our ambition.”

Additionally, Finance Ministers agreed to establish a sovereign V20 Climate Risk Pooling mechanism to distribute economic and financial risks, enabling participating economies to improve recovery from climate-induced extreme weather events and disasters and to ensure enhanced security for jobs, livelihoods, businesses and investors. Modeled on similar regional facilities, the trans-regional mechanism would increase access to dependable and cost-efficient insurance while incentivizing scaled-up adaptation measures.

When life throws you lemons, make some pie.

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

Blazing the trail in innovative journalism.

8 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 138 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2015

Davao LGUs get P33.2-M aid

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

T

crc@edgedavao.net

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) 11 and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 11 turned-over a total of P33.25-million assistance for the implementation of different projects of local government units (LGUs), fisherfolks and farmer organizations in the Davao Region The DA 11 awarded a total of P23.5 million to 12 LGUs, while BFAR 11 extended P9.75-million assistance to 12 other local government units and organizations.

The funding was turned over during the orientation on the newly-amended Philippine Fisheries Code 8550 as Republic Act 10654 and the turn-over ceremony of BuB Projects attended by more than 1,000 fisherfolks and farmers from various coastal

and agricultural communities in Davao Region at the Water Front Insular Davao last Friday.

DA11 awarded a total of P5.685 million to Compostela Valley for the production of organically–grown vegetable production and annual crops in Laak worth PP500,000 and P5.185 million for the community-based food nursery in Monkayo.

A total of P5.7 million was received by Davao del Norte for the cacao production project in Santo Tomas worth P200,000; P1 million for the procurement of a cold storage or van for Carmen; P2.5 million of the development of barangay upland vegetable production worth P1.5 million and another P1 million for the greenhouse vegetable production in the Island Garden City

of Samal (IGACOS).

Panabo City also received a total of P1.7 million for the sustainable agri-fishery based livelihood and other agri-fishery business investments like processing of banana, cacao, bangus, hito and tilapia, while the municipality of San Isidro received P513,000 for rubber production.

Another two local government units in Davao del Sur also received a total of P1.510 million, namely Bansalan for its P510,000 worth project on organic fertilizer production, and Padada for its organic fertilizer production and program worth P1-million.

Davao Oriental also got P8.1 million from DA 11 for the diversified farming worth P3.95-million project, mobile rice and corn mill worth P750,000, and organic fertil-

izer, repellant and vermicomposting worth P500,000 for the municipality of Boston.

The municipality of Cateel also received P1.1million for the its organic agriculture program and high value crops production, while Lupon received P1.8 million for the provision of one unit of mechanical dryer and establishment of agri-forestry nursery enterprise with skills training in nursery operation and seedling propagation and production.

Meanwhile, implemented under BFAR 11’s Bottom–Up budgeting (BUB), the local government of Davao City received a total of P1.750 million for the P1.250-million fishery project and P500,000 budget for the strengthening of fishery law enforcement.

Three cooperatives and the local government unit of

the municipality of Sta Cruz in Davao del Sur also received P2-million worth of assistance at P500, 000 each for the project on sustainable agri-fishery based livelihood and agri-fishery investment, for the livelihood program of the Tagabuli Deboners Association (TADEAS) and Tagabuli Health Consumer Cooperatives (TAHECO).

The local government of the municipality of Governor Generoso and Boston in Davao Oriental also received P4 million worth of assistance from the bureau for the provision of payao, motorized and non-motorized bancas and fishnets.

Fisher folks from Manay also received P2million of the infrastructure support to agricultural fisheries production and development which include motorized fishing boats

Dry spell to last until summer A

TECH AID. An attendant of the newly-opened Samsung Customer Service Center at the 3rd level of Gaisano Mall entertains a client yesterday. Samsung Customer Service Center is managed and operated by Wiltelcom. Lean Daval Jr.

and fishnet.

BFAR 11 allotted a total of P39.43 million for the BUB projects which will be all turned over within this year.

In the same event, the Department of Agriculture (DA) 11 also turned over its BuB project worth Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, in his speech during the event, said BuB projects under the current administration empowers the grass root level because it is the community that identifies projects based on their actual needs and not the national government.

Alcala said it is important for the farmers and fisher folks to encourage the next administration to continue the BuB approach to attain inclusive growth especially in the country side.

“CONSENSUS” has been reached: the 2015-16 El Niño will be among the four strongest since 1950.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) says international weather prediction centers have agreed it will be among the strongest, right there with the El Niños of 1972-73, 1982-83 and199798.

Since September 1, a mature and strong El Niño has spread in the tropical Pacific Ocean and likely to strengthen further before the end of the year, according to PAGASA, citing a World Meteorological Organization (WMO) forecast.

The outlook reflects the majority of international cli-

mate models, such as that of the Climate Prediction Center at the International Research Institute (IRI), Columbia University, which says that the chance of El Niño is greater than 95 percent continuing through March-April-May 2016 season, and is near 78 percent through April-MayJune.

The Bureau of Meteorology-Australia says the tropical Pacific ocean and atmosphere are reinforcing each other, maintaining a strong El Niño that is likely to persist into early 2016.

The Tokyo Climate Center, Japan Meteorological Agency, says El Niño conditions continue in the equatorial Pacific and is likely to continue through the Northern Hemisphere winter.

FDRY, 13

Elite Institute, DA eyeing Davao as cacao capital Premiere PIIE to conduct seminar

A

GRICULTURE Secretary Proceso Alcala is eyeing to make Davao Region the cacao capital of the Philippines in the next two years.

“Davao Region has the most number of existing areas planted with cacao, making it as the region’s champion commodity,” Alcala said during the Department of Agriculture 11 and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 11 turn-over ceremony of Bottom-Up Budgeting at the Waterfron Insular Davao last Friday.

Alcala said Davao will soon become the center of cacao production also because of the support given to the industry by different agencies.

“We are intensifying our programs on distribution of cacao seedlings in the region,”

he said.

With the projected increase in production, Alcala said he is already crafting plans on how the department will be able to entice more cacao processors in the region.

He said this would sustain the growth and demand in cacao from the region.

At present, Davao has an estimated of 19,000 hectares planted with cacao while Davao City has the largest chunk totaling to 6,060 hectares.

Production in the region contributed more than 90 percent of Mindanao’s cacao production which is 90 percent of country’s total annual cacao production.

Earlier, the regional office of DA here bared its plan to increase the budget for cacao development in Davao to

P123 million in 2016, more than double from the P57 million budget for this year.

“Davao Region got the lion share of the budget for the development of cacao industry (with) its readiness to respond to the growing global demand for cacao beans.

The region has also the available areas for expansion, the technology and experienced farmers,” DA said in an earlier statement.

Meanwhile, the DA 11 in collaboration with the Departments of Agrarian Reform, Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), has already distributed about 2,000 cacao seedlings to farmers. The agency targeted to provide a total of 700,000 cacao seedlings this year.

Another program that aims to increase the region’s and Mindanao’s cacao production is the cacao double-up program that intends to increase the production in the island to be implemented by the DA and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) MinDA executive director Janet M. Lopoz earlier said under the program, a total of 17.8 million cacao trees will be planted annually starting next year until 2019 which will be intercropped with coconuts trees to reach the goal of producing 109,400 metric tons by 2020.

If implemented, the program will boost Mindanao’s current production as the industry is projected to grow 40 percent annually. CHENEEN R. CAPON

P

REMIERE Elite Institute, Inc., (PEI) the latest English review hub in the city in partnership with the Philippine Institute of Industrial Engineers (PIIE), Davao Chapter will be conducting a seminar entitled “How ASEAN is Changing the Business Landscape of the Philippines” on October 24 at Waterfront Insular Hotel in Davao City.

The seminar is an initiative to strengthen the city’s business sector in line with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional economic integration, in time for its first year of implementation this 2015. An ASEAN Economic Community is created, establishing the region as a single market and production base with the goal of making it dynamic and competitive.

There will be two speakers for the seminar who are inno-

vative thinkers and industry shapers — Dr. Donald Louis Amoroso, Ph.D. and Mr. Francis “Jay” M. Bernardo III, MBA. The former has consulted with over 60 international organizations to develop strategic plans, marketing strategies, innovation strategies and projects for information technology; while the latter earned his Master of Business Administration at the Asian Institute of Management and currently the Director of Ateneo de Manila Graduate School of Business.

Organizers of the event have invited big companies as well as small and medium enterprises. Participants are expected to learn from three topics: How ASEAN is Changing How We Do Business in the Philippines, Innovation Tools to Enhance Creativity, and Leading Innovative Change.

FPREMIERE, 13

9 AGRITRENDS

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 138 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2015

Growing ginger is a profitable venture TEXT and PHOTOS By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

G

INGER is a crop that grows best in the Philippines. In fact, it is so versatile that it can be grown almost any part of the country.

But in spite of its suitability to Philippine conditions, ginger is still a “neglected” crop. Few farmers plant it and their produce is not enough to meet domestic consumption.

Big money awaits the entrepreneur who goes into production of good quality ginger.

There is a big demand for ginger in special powdered form in Japan and Germany. In the domestic market, food factories engaged in meat canning and meat processing desperately need high-quality ginger.

Sadly, local sources cannot meet the demand.

However, farmers who want to grow ginger should consult first the Department of Agriculture to determine the feasibility of the venture in their respective areas. Those intending to tap the export market may inquire the Department of Trade and Industry about the requirements and standards to be met.

Ginger can be grown in flat to slightly rolling areas with well-drained, light to medium textured soil high in organic matter and pH of 6.8-7.0. It can grow in elevations of up to 1,500 meters above sea level with about 200-300 centimeters annual rainfall every distributed throughout the year.

A farmer needs about 800 to 1,500 kilograms of seedpieces to plant a hectare. Ginger roots are stored under shade and covered with banana or coconut leaves. Only healthy rhizomes with sprouts or eyes are selected for planting.

It takes 8 to 10 months for ginger to be ready for harvest.

The land must be thoroughly prepared. It is plowed and harrowed to pulverize the soil.

Then beds, 30 centimeters high and one meter wide, of any length, are prepared. To prevent soil-borne diseases, the beds are sterilized by burning dried rice straw on bed surface three times.

The beds are fertilized with complete fertilizer (1224-12) at the rate of 400 kilograms per hectare at planting time, if soil is sandy. For clay loam soils, 300 kilograms of complete fertilizer are applied at planting time; at second and fourth month, another 400 kilograms of complete fertilizer are applied.

Before planting, the seedpieces are washed in running water. Then, these are soaked for 10 to 15 minutes in a solution of acidulated mercuric bicholories (met 5.67 grams of mercuric bichloride in small porcelain cup field with hot water; mix with 5 gallons of water and add 180 mL. of concentrated hydrochloric acid).

This treatment is done to protect seedpieces from pests.

The seeds are cut into 20 to 50 gram sizes.

The seedpieces are buried 5 centimeters deep, arranged

in triangular pattern, 30 centimeters apart o n

each bed. After planting, the crop is watered thoroughly or the canals between beds are flooded.

Generally, ginger requires regular hand weeding during its growth period. One month after planting, hand weed is recommended. The frequency of subsequent weeding depends on weed density. To suppress weed growth, the plants may be mulched with coconut leaves or rice straw.

When leaves are yellowing and withering, the crop is ready for harvest. However, harvest time depends on the requirements of consumers.

For the local market, after 10 to 11 months; for pickling and salting, 5 to 7 months; for dehydration, 6 to 8 months; and for fresh ginger export, after 7 to 10 months. Harvesting should be done before the rhizomes become fibrous or when the leaves or stalks are yellow and withering.

Three men can harvest the crop. One digs up every hill with a spading fork; another pulls out the plants, shakes off the soil and lays them on the bed in wind rows; the third cuts off stems without breaking ginger bulbs.

“Everything good is found in ginger,” so goes a popular Indian proverb. It can be consumed fresh, dehydrated, powdered, or pickled. The Filipino traditional health drink called salabat is made from boiled fresh or powdered ginger. It also adds flavor to some common dishes like tinola, goto, arroz caldo, paksiw, batchoy, and pinakbet. Likewise, it is used as an ingredient in the manufacture of softdrinks and in the preparation of preserved.

But what most Filipinos don’t know is that ginger is also a medicinal plant. In the United States, ginger is “generally recognized safe” by the Food and Drug Administration, though it is not approved for the treatment or cure of any disease and is sold as an unregulated dietary supplement.

The Minnesota-based Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research recommends ginger for nausea and vomiting. “To prevent nausea after surgery,” it in-

structs, “ginger has been given as one gram by mouth one hour before surgery. For chemotherapy-induced nausea, capsules of ginger root powder have been given orally one gram per day for 5 days, starting on the first day of chemotherapy.”

Ginger does not prevent morning sickness but it may help ease some of the nausea experienced by pregnant women, Australian researchers reported in the April 2004 issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Researchers from the University of South Australia in Adelaide gave nearly 300 women either

350 milligrams of ginger or 25 milligrams of vitamin B6 three times per day for 3 weeks. The researchers found that both ginger and vitamin B6, which is sometimes taken to counteract morning sickness, worked equally well at alleviating nausea symptoms.

Some sources warn against higher doses in pregnancy due to concerns about mutations or abortion. “Supervision by a qualified healthcare professional is recommended for pregnant women considering the use of ginger,” the Mayo Clinic suggests.

Mounting evidence suggests that ginger has natural anti-inflammatory properties.

“And you don’t have to use a lot,” says Dr. Neal Barnard, author of Foods That Fight Pain.

“It works like ibuprofen, but

without the side effects.” Thing is, you need some ginger every day to feel the results. Slice a half-teaspoon to a teaspoon of fresh ginger and use it to flavor your stir-fry vegetables or sauces, or mix it with some boiling water and let it cool down before drinking.

Now, here’s a word of warning: Though generally recognized as safe, ginger can cause heartburn, bloating, gas, belching and nausea, particularly if taken in powdered form. Allergic reactions to ginger generally result in a rash.

Individuals who have had ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease or blocked intestines may react badly to large quantities of fresh ginger. Ginger should not be used by children under two years of age.

“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.

EDGEDAVAO

10 VANTAGE

VOL. 8 ISSUE 138 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2015

EDITORIAL

No filing fanfare

T

HE rule is out. Only 3 guests can accompany each national candidate when politicians file their certificates of candidacy (COCs) at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from October 12 to 16.

The new rule was announced by Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista in a media briefing last October 6 as the poll body expects the usual fanfare politicians create in filing their COCs in Comelec offices around the country.

Based on previous elections, the filing of COCs could sometimes become a circus, with candidates posing for photos and granting interviews. Nuisance bets also make their own scene at the Comelec.

The Comelec is also implementing other changes in the

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ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

AGAPITO JOAQUIN JR. Associate Editor

CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY Consultant

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO CHENEEN R. CAPON MEGHANN STA. INES Reporters NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN Lifestyle FUNNY PEARL GAJUNERA LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. CHA MONFORTE ARLENE D. PASAJE Photography Correspondents Cartoons Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. Columnists: CARLOS MUNDA • HENRYLITO D. TACIO • B. EDCER C. SR., ESCUDERO • ATTY. EMILY ZEN CHUA •ANGELO GREGORIO G. DELIGERO BORBON • MARY ANN “ADI” C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO DAVAL • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN • NICASIO AGUSTIN • EMILY • JOHN CARLO TRIA • VIDA MIAEconomic S. VALVERDE • Economic “GICO” G.• DAYANGIRANG ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Analyst: ENRICO Analysts: “GICO” G.ENRICO DAYANGIRANG JONALLIER M. PEREZ

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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

filing of COCs. One of these is to designate a separate venue for interviews, away from the area where candidates file their COCs. Another is to set up a lounge for candidates waiting for their turn. The Comelec is also installing screens for supporters who want to watch their candidates, but cannot join them inside the Comelec because of the 3-guest limit.

There will be no sanctions for politicians who will break this new rule and the Comelec will simply try to strictly implement this new requirement. No matter how simple these new rules are, we are looking at how candidates respect them come filing time.

It’s the first real test on how they will conduct themselves as public servants.

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

T

VANTAGE POINTS

11

FTA between the EU and the Philippines – soon?

HE EU has been discussing FTAs with various ASEAN countries for quite some time, has concluded one with Singapore, has finished negotiations with Vietnam and hopes to finalize negotiations in other ASEAN countries, including the Philippines, soon.

According to WTO data, a total of 395 FTAs were in effect globally in January 2015 and the agreements reach every corner of the planet. Including the agreements currently under negotiation, there are more than 600 agreements and it is estimated that at the end of 2015, FTAs will account for 60% of global trade. FTAs have thus become the ‘new normal’ in international commerce.

ASEAN has been particularly active in negotiating and entering into FTAs. The ASEAN FTA was established about 20 years ago and has steadily developed into an increasingly integrated Free Trade Area. In the past decade, ASEAN has established a number of FTAs with external trading partners to boost trade integration and economic growth. To date, ASEAN has FTAs in force with China, India, Japan, Korea and a joint agreement that includes Australia and New Zealand. There are ongoing discussions for FTAs, on either a bloc or bilat-

D

VOL. 8 ISSUE 138 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2015

R. Jose P. Rizal, the country’s national hero, once said: “We need criticism to keep us awake.”

But when you criticize be sure you know who you are putting in the light. There was this well-known New York photographer who went to a socialite party. On his way in, the hostess told him, “Oh I love your photos; you must have an amazing camera!”

The photographer never replied. And so they had dinner and at the end of the night, on his way out, the photographer commented to the hostess, “I really loved the food; you must have an amazing stove!”

“Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain – and most fools do.” That’s a reminder from Dale Carnegie, an American writer and developer of famous courses in self-improvement, salesmanship, and public speaking.

To criticize means, according to my dictionary, is “to find fault with” or “to point out the faults of.” But criticism also means “to consider the merits and demerits of and judge accordingly.”

The usually unflappable Winston Churchill could handle anything; he endured the chaos and terror of World War II without losing his cool. But at least one event in his life had a humbling effect: the day that Lady Nancy Astor became the first woman to sit in the British House of Commons.

At one time, the two were staying with Churchill’s cousin, the Duke of Marlborough, at Blenheim Palace. During the dinner, Lady Astor told the British prime minister: “Winston, if I were your wife, I’d put poison in

eral basis, EUROPE BEAT with many more, including the EU. T h e Philippines is involved in FTA negotiations with the Henry J. Schumacher European Free Trade Association (EFTA); the negotiations are quite advanced covering Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Discussions with the EU are ongoing with the ‘scoping exercise’ well advanced.

The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) organized last week an exciting dialogue between Philippine and EU competition policy experts. Participants enjoyed the presentations of DOJ ASec. Sy, Head of the Office for Competition, ‘Mr. Competition’ Tony Abad and EU Competition Expert Tiina Pitkanen. It became clear during the discussion that an FTA with the EU would not fly without a c competition legislation; we

are happy to note that the President signed the Philippine Competition Act into law a few weeks ago. In media discussions Tiina Pitkanen outlined that, in terms of the progress on the EU-Philippines FTA, they are just at the tail end of the scoping stage, and formal negotiations have yet to be launched. The European business community looks forward to the launch and fast conclusion. We are happy to note that the incoming EU-Head of Delegation, Franz Jessen, is coming in from Vietnam where he succeeded to finalize the FTA negotiations before he was transferred to Manila. His expertise should help to drive things forward here. It is hoped that the negotiations can be finalized with the Aquino Administration so that we don’t have to start from scratch again.

It’s important to be aware of the Top ten issues faced by companies wishing to utilize FTAs: 1. Information gathering –finding out what applicable FTAs are in place 2. Understanding FTA legal text – what does the legalese mean?

3. Cost benefit analysis – is it worthwhile to utilize the FTA, or even possible to quantify the benefit?

4. Understanding the Rules of Origin

5. Application of Rules of Origin – do you qualify for FTA preferences?

6. Mapping commercial supply chain realities to FTA ‘assumptions’ 7. Getting documentation in place from different company departments 8. Approval from government authorities – what, who and when?

9. Defense against government post-verification challenges 10. Keeping up-to-date with existing and future opportunities.

Despite the many opportunities on offer, the above listing makes it clear that benefiting from FTAs is not a walk in the park. Particularly in the light of increasingly complex international supply chains, FTA texts are often inadequate when dealing with the realities of modern business. It appears that more effort is required to ensure that the efforts made by governments in negotiating the FTAs are not undone by red tape and administrative difficulties. Often unnecessary obstacles go against the underlying principles of FTAs and create barriers for preferential treatment, rather than facilitating and encouraging market access.

Pulling down others your coffee.” THINK ON THESE! He looked her straight to the eyes and remarked, “Nancy, if I were your husband, I’d drink it.”

But there’s a Pinoy version to it. In a party, a woman told a Henrylito D. Tacio young man who henrytacio@gmail.com imbibed too many drinks, “You are drunk.” The young man mumbled but still managed to say, “Tomorrow, I will be sober, but you will still be ugly!”

Their exchange of words may be funny but what if you were the recipient of such offending words? What if someone will tell you any of the following statements: “Your work put a first grader to shame” (which actually means you don’t know what you’re doing) or “Your acting is no brainer” (another way of saying “It’s boring”).

Some people criticize others because the recipient is better than them. In the movie, Bituing Walang Ningning, singing sensation Cherrie Gil told the upcoming phenomenal Sharon Cuneta, “You’re nothing but a second rate, trying hard copycat.”

“What people say about us is never quite true; but it is never quite false, either; they always miss the bull’s-eye, but they rarely fail to hit the target,” Sydney Harris once said. On his 90th birthday, American president Her-

bert Hoover said, “Criticism is no doubt good for the soul but we must beware that it does not upset our confidence in ourselves.”

There are two sides of criticism: bad or good. As Donald H. Rumsfeld, former US Secretary of Defense, puts it: “If you are not criticized, you may not be doing much.”

However, take heed of your critics.

Take the case of Samuel L. Jackson. The award-winning Hollywood actor no longer loses his cool when playing golf, thanks to one critic. “One day, I did get angry with myself and threw a club,” he recalled. “My caddie told me, ‘You’re not good enough to get mad.’”

A fair lady once wrote an author if he accepts comments. What she actually means if he can live with criticisms. “Sure, I acknowledge both good and bad comments,” the author replied. “The good comments tell me that I am on the right track. The bad comments are my gauge to strive better. In other words, what I am doing is not good enough.”

The trouble with most people is that they would rather be ruined by praise than saved with criticism. O.A. Battista said, “One of the surest marks of good character is a man’s ability to accept personal criticism without malice to the one who gives it.”

What the Bible says about being a critic?

It said, “Be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.” Here’s a tip from Henry Ward Beecher: “We should not judge people by their peak of excellence; but by the distance they have travelled from the point where they started.

There are people who don’t believe what critics say about him or his ability. Bill

Cartwright, who became one of the famous basketball players from National Basketball Association (NBA), comments: “I remember when I was in college, people told me I couldn’t play in the NBA. There’s always somebody saying you can’t do it, and those people have to be ignored.”

In our daily activities, we tend to criticize others because it’s 100 times easier to do so than to praise someone. “It is much easier to be critical than to be correct,” Benjamin Disraeli surmises. “Lots of faults we think we see in others are simply the ones we expect to find there because we have them,” Frank A. Clark contends.

One of the surest marks of good character is a man’s ability to accept personal criticism without malice to the one who gives it. A woman at a mall was looking at the ice cream. Another woman came up behind her and grabbed hold of her hand. “Get away from there. You don’t need that. You’re already overweight.”

The startled woman turned around to face her critic. The woman who had approached her realized she had confused this woman with a friend. The woman gained her composure and responded to her critical assailant with these words: “You mean you have a friend!?!”

Lord Alfred Tennyson advices: “No man ever got very high by pulling other people down. The intelligent merchant does not knock his competitors. The sensible worker does not work those who work with him.

Don’t knock your friends. Don’t knock your enemies. Don’t knock yourself.”

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 138 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2015

Duterte... FROM 4

Fear... FROM 5

The mayor did not mention the name of Las Piñas Rep. Mark Villar who was included in the so-called “Dream Team”

that was bared by former North Cotabato governor Emmanuel Piñol on Thursday. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

ety partners, are also preparing for the possibility that the draft BBL submitted to Congress on September 10, 2014, will not be passed under the Aquino administration but passed on to the next administration which will take over

by June 30, 2016.

Ferrer on Wednesday said she hopes Congress passes it next month, before world leaders arrive for the APEC Summit.

“Why pass it in December if we can do it this November?

After all, with the APEC here, the world will once again be watching the Philippines and it will be good for the whole country to have a BBL before then,” a press release from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process on Wednesday quoted Ferrer as saying.

“Leaders around the Asia Pacific would want assurances that the Philippines is peaceful, progressive, and ready for development and integration.

Let us not let that international meet be a missed opportunity,” she said.

At the press conference in the House of Representatives in Quezon City on “the Status of the Bangsamoro Basic Law” on Wednesday afternoon, Ferrer explained that if both Houses pass the BBL before APEC, the bicameral conference can happen after the APEC meeting and hopefully be finished before end of November.

“We see no reason bakit hindi pwedeng ma-prioritize itong pagpapasa ng panukalang Bangsamoro Basic Law given the fact that number one, a lot of resources have already been invested here by Congress itself.” She mentioned the “more than 50 committee hearings that have been conducted.”

One moment in history Mohagher Iqbal, chair of the MILF peace panel and the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), the government-MILF body tasked to draft the BBL, said Wednesday’s press conference is a “wake up call to all concerned, including the two branches of Congress to do some last-ditch belt-tightening measures, otherwise the passage of the BBL is a foregone conclusion.”

“What should be done, therefore, to save the BBL from being relegated to the dustbin of history?” he asked.

For Iqbal, “the only window of opportunity” is between November and December because “after that, it is all politics that (will) fill the air.”

He appealed to lawmakers to “rise up to the occasion and be statesmen even for one moment in the history of this country. The fate of the BBL is in your hands, and history will judge you on how you dispense with the BBL, which is the key solution to the Bangsamoro Question, a problem that has pestered us not only for decades but even for cen-

turies.”

He also reiterated that the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) provide that the BBL should be certified as urgent to fasttrack its passage in Congress.

As agreed by both parties, the President is supposed to certify the bill as urgent, as soon as the BTC, the government-MILF body tasked to draft the BBL, submits it to Congress. The final draft BBL, the result of the work of the Iqbal-chaired BTC and the Office of the President, was submitted to Congress on September 10, 2014, in ceremonial rites held in Malacanang.

The President, however, has not certified it as urgent.

No quorum The quorum problem has been hounding both houses of Congress since they resumed sessions in late July. But mustering a quorum in November and December is expected to be even more difficult as reelectionists and third-termers by then had filed their certificates of candidacy for another term or for another post, and the political configurations shall have changed by then.

Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chair of the House of Representatives’ Ad Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law and principal sponsor of HB 5811, was a no-show in Wednesday’s press conference. Committee Vice Chair Bai Sandra Sema of Maguindanao was present, along with Anak Mindanao party list Rep. Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman.

Rodriguez, a third-term representative of Cagayan de Oro, announced last month that he would run for mayor of Cagayan de Oro City.

In the Senate, no interpellation could be done this week as Senator Ferdinand Marcos, principal sponsor of SB 2894, was absent. Marcos declared early this week that he would run for Vice President. Four other senators are running for Vice President: Francis Escudero, Alan Cayetano, Antonio Trillanes IV and Gregorio Honasan. Another Senator, Grace Poe, is running for President, while several senators are seeking reelection, including Senate President Franklin Drilon.

Prof. Abhoud Syed Lingga of the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies said he is optimistic the BBL can still be passed “with push from President and for President to certify the bill as urgent.”

“To me this is the only remaining chance that the BBL will pass. Otherwise BBl can be considered dead in Congress,” he said.

“While there is still a window of opportunity left under the Aquino administration, the size of the window is shrinking day by day until it will be closed at the end of the year,” Lingga said. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)

CSOs... FROM 4

EDGEDAVAO

the votes of the majority in the 2016 election; and the inexorable constriction of time for the passage of an acceptable BBL.”

Mistrust and Prejudice Reducing biases and prejudices is a “life-long task of family upbringing, formal and informal education, reinforced by faith-formation by religious denominations,” Quevedo said. He said this requires engaging institutions, declaring schools as zones of peace and harmony through a dialogue of life, and collaboration among religious denominations through Inter-Religious Dialogue.

He urged parishes, mosque communities, Christian worship services to do advocacy work through seminars, workshops, fora, assemblies, to “know the original BBl, read and learn, form your mind and conscience on the basis of your personal indepth knowledge of the original BBL and not on the basis of bias and prejudice.”

He also urged the public

8 armed... FROM 6

“Although the group is under the leadership of Jomar Bocales, the most vocal warriors are the groups of Bobby Tejero and Marcial Melendrez (another former NPA rebel),” the report said.

Bocales, in an interview with MindaNews, admitted that Bobby Tejero, his brother Loloy and Layno used to be part of the armed group he formed with Datu Calpit Egua in October 2014.

He said Calpit and the Tejero brothers including Layno had a falling-out when their group leader, Hassan Flores, went back to the New People’s Army in Surigao del Sur bringing with him five high-powered firearms last July 11.

NPA commander Ka Emman confirmed that Flores, a former rebel, returned to their ranks bringing the firearms he seized from Bocales and the Tejero brothers.

The military report said the armed group led by Calpit is operating in the towns of Bayugan and Prosperidad in Agusan del Sur, and San Miguel in Surigao del Sur. It also identified armed groups that are with Datu Jasmin: Datu Alah, Datu Benhur Mansalunay, and Datu Sunjay.

Bocales said Calpit, who is his uncle, is the richest among the datus (tribal chieftains) having a gold ore mining site in the boundary of Barangay La Purisima in Prosperidad town and Barangay San Juan in Bayugan town, all in Agusan del Sur. He said it was Calpit not the military who armed the Baganis after a failed attempt by the NPA to overrun his camp in Barangay Sta. Irene, Prosperidad town in July 2014.

Calpit was wounded while his brother, Nestor, died in the attack where at least 13 NPA rebels were killed.

During the Senate public

to “engage your local LGU executives; help them know the original BBL, and disengage them from their misperceptions and biases” and engage as well the Representatives in Congress to “let them know the original BBL and disseminate personally to them a comparative analysis of the original BBL and the versions they are supporting,” and to “point out to them the practical consequences of their revisions that make the Bangsamoro less autonomous than the present ARMM.” Members of both House of Congress, he said must be made “aware that social justice long denied the Bangsamoro is in their hands, and now is the time not to squander the opportunity of laying down the foundations of a just and lasting peace” and to appeal to their sense of the common good of all “especially of peoples’ long deprived of their right to self-determination accorded by the Constitution.”

(Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)

hearing on the Lumad killings in Tandag, Surigao del Sur, Father Glen Acosta, assistant parish priest of Barobo, Surigao del Sur said town residents told him the camp of Datu Jasmin is located near an Army detachment in Barangay Mamis, Barobo.

In the report, Jasmin is described as “sympathetic with government forces especially to the Philippine Army.”

At least one armed group—the Datu Alah tribal group—was described in the report as having been “augmented by elements of the PNP Surigao del Sur Provincial Office” to restore order in Barangay Pantukan in San Miguel town.

The report identified logging and rattan-cutting operations as the main sources of livelihood for most of the Bagani armed groups especially those with Mansalunay.

Several violent incidents involving these groups were mentioned in the report notably the seizure of mining equipment of CNC Mining Company in Carrascal town last May 11. The Baganis reportedly demanded P24 million for the return of the equipment.

The report also said several datus including Romel Alah of Barangay Pantukan, Carrascal were killed by NPA rebels.

Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar has called for the disbandment and disarming of all paramilitary groups that are accused of sowing terror in Lumad communities believed to be sympathetic to the NPA. Surigao del Sur Gov. Johnny Pimentel has urged the Philippine Army to disband and disarm the Baganis calling them “a security threat to the residents.”

The Army has denied it is supporting and arming the Bagani armed groups. (Froilan Gallardo/MindaNews)

NEWS 13 Public... FROM 6

inaldo National High School (DRAHNS), Davao City National High School, and Sta Ana High School, will be completed before the opening of classes in June next year.

However, she said the construction has already started.

Veloso said the present administration continues to support one of President Aquino’s flagship program by giving the biggest bulk of the P3.003 trillion budget for next year.

Of the P435.93 billion DepEd budget deliberated for only 20 minutes and approved in the House of Representative last Friday night, P63 billion will proceed for the construction of classrooms and laboratories in different parts of the country.

The other portion of the

budget, if approved in the Senate and in the bicameral conference, will also go to the hiring of more teachers who will teach in the senior year as well as for the subsidy to private education.

“Students who will not be catered by public schools can choose to avail their remaining two years in private schools offering SHS,” she said, adding that about 22,500 vouchers will be given to highly urbanized cities and 17,500 in rural areas.

These vouchers can be used to pay their education in private schools, she added.

Veloso said Grade 10 students all over the region are called to have the early registration slated on October 19 to 23.

“These were very powerful bombs that it toppled the steel towers,” Karim said.

Police and Army bomb experts are still in the area conducting post blast investigation.

Following the incident, NGCP transmit powers from Tacurong Sub-Station to Simuay station at past 2:30 a.m.

Previous attacks on NGCP power lines were blamed to outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) which also operates in Pikit.

Large areas of Central Mindanao were plunged into darkness Sunday night when another transmission tower of the NGCP was bombed in Pikit,

North Cotabato.

On January 13 and 18 this year, suspected extortionists toppled Tower 26 and Tower 41 in Barangay Ginakit, Pagalungan, Maguindanao and Barangay Batulawan, Pikit, North Cotabato, respectively.

Like last night’s attacks, bombs were crafted from 60 mm or 81 mm mortar shells with mobile phones as triggering devices.

The January bomb attacks also sent part of North Cotabato, the whole of Maguindanao and Cotabato City in total blackout for about three hours.

Authorities blamed the outlawed BIFF in the January attacks. (PNA)

the other, blue, that sped towards south direction.

Retusto said a follow up investigation showed the van is registered to a resident of Katipunan village, Taguig City, Metro Manila.

He said five of the 10 suspects were wearing baseball caps during the incident while one of them, a jacket with hood.

He said they were armed with high-power handguns and rifles.

Retusto said continuous conduct of checkpoints, seaborne patrols and monitoring are being conducted in closed coordination with other law enforcement agencies to include the military in order to determine the whereabouts of the victim. (PNA)

“We hope to strengthen our partnership with PIIE and to contribute more to the economic development of Davao City,” Ms. Cyrleen Cole, president of PEI said.

PIIE is a professional society dedicated to provide a venue where members will have

the opportunity to enhance and strengthen their industrial engineering capabilities.

For inquiries and reservations for the event, you may contact them at 0977-3447172 or at 0942-0440-741.

You may also email them at peidavao@gmail.com.

The APEC Climate Center (APCC) in Busan, South Korea, sees a strengthening of the El Niño, with a peak during the last quarter of 2015. Its forecasts for 2016 suggest the persistence of the El Niño with a belt of above-normal rainfall in the equatorial Pacific surrounded by areas of below normal precipitation.

The APCC’s latest model forecasts for October 2015 to March 2016 indicates persistent positive temperature anomaly across the tropical

Pacific consistent with the strengthening El Niño.

The APCC forecast indicates that the positive temperature anomalies will continue to prevail over much of the globe.

Strongly enhanced probability for below normal precipitation is predicted for the tropical and subtropical North and South Pacific, the Philippines and southern Indochina and Malay peninsulas, Amazonia and equatorial Atlantic.

NGCP... FROM 6

2 abductors... FROM 6

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 138 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2015

Seda execs, associates take training S

EDA Abreeza, the urban lifestyle hotel, recently concluded its third batch of participants for the Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP) Training on September 29 to October 1, 2015.

The hotel’s executives and associates from the Sales and Marketing, Reservations, Finance, Front Office, F&B, Housekeeping, Engineering, and Human Resources joined the said training.

Being the highest salutation of awarding-winning guest service for ho-

tel associates in the hospitality industry, the Certified Guest Service Professional designation offers recognition for those individuals who know how to complete and express extraordinary service by engaging with their guests and creating unforgettable experiences.

This is under the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) and Asia World Hospitality (AWH).

The three-day training was facilitated by Seda BGC’s Assistant Director for Human Resources, Em-

Facilitator and Seda BGC Asst. Director for HR Manny San Luis during one of the sessions manuel R. San Luis, CGSP and a representative from AWH. San Luis is a Certified Hospitality Trainer, the most respected certification obtainable to a hospitality training executive. It classifies the recipient as one who is part of a lead-

ing group of hospitality experts who by conjoining education and experience with commitment to the industry have attained a top level of proficiency.

The certification is conducted by AHLEI. During the training, participants were exposed

to various scenarios and situations wherein their guest service is challenged and put to test. Hands-on and interactive, the CGSP Training aims to instill to hotel executives and associates this mindset: to always provide “guest service gold” to clients.

The third day of the training was intended for the CGSP Certification Examination. Successful candidates will receive a certificate and CGSP gold lapel pin, to be worn on their uniform in recognition of their knowledge and skills in guest service.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 138 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2015

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Republic of the Philippines City of Davao Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod

17th City Council 17th Regular Session Series of 2015

PRESENT: Councilor Rene Elias C. Lopez Councilor Nilo M. Abellera Jr. Councilor Victorio U. Advincula Jr. Councilor Bernard E. Al-ag Councilor Al Ryan S. Alejandre Councilor Leonardo R. Avila III Councilor Joanne M. Bonguyan-Quilos Councilor Danilo C. Dayanghirang Councilor April Marie C. Dayap Councilor Jimmy G. Dureza Councilor Leah A. Librado-Yap Councilor Diosdado Angelo A. Mahipus Sr. Councilor Bonifacio E. Militar Councilor Myrna G. L’ Dalodo-Ortiz Councilor Antoinette G. Principe-Castrodes Councilor Marissa P. Salvador-Abella Councilor Halila Y. Sudagar Councilor Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte Councilor Rachel P. Zozobrado ON OFFICIAL BUSINESS:

- Temporary Presiding Officer

Councilor Ma. Belen S. Acosta Councilor Karlo S. Bello

- Palarong Pambansa, Tagum City - Manila

Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte Councilor Louie John J. Bonguyan Councilor January N. Duterte Councilor Edgar R. Ibuyan Sr. Councilor Tomas J. Monteverde IV

- On Vacation Leave - On Vacation leave - On Sick Leave - On Domestic Emergency Leave - On Sick Leave

ABSENT:

ORDINANCE NO. O325-15 Series of 2015 AN ORDINANCE CLOSING OFF THE CITY OF DAVAO TO MINING OPERATIONS

Be it ordained by the Sanggunian Panlungsod of Davao City in session assembled that: SECTION 1. TITLE – This Ordinance shall be known as “AN ORDINANCE CLOSING OFF THE CITY OF DAVAO TO MINING OPERATIONS”; SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY - The City of Davao hereby declares as its policies, the following, to wit:

a.) The right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature shall be protected and advanced by the City, consistent with the policy enshrined in Article II, Section 16 of the Constitution:

b.) Under the provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991, in Section 458 (a) (1) (vi) and its implementing Rules and Regulations, the SangguniangPanlungsod has the power, the duty and function to protect the environment and impose appropriate penalties for such acts which endanger it; c.) The Local Government of Davao City ,pursuant to Section 16 of the same code, shall exercise the powers expressly granted, those necessarily implied therefrom, as well as, powers necessary, appropriate or incidental to its efficient and effective governance, and those which are essential to the promotion of the general welfare;

d.) While mining has been identified as a highly-important economic program of the national government, the city recognizes the irreversibility of the destructive effects of mining on the earth’s fragile ecosystem, especialyy to an island ecosystem such as Mindanao, and in worsening the magnitude of hunger and conflict as mining competes with the remaining available land, water and food resources; e.) The ravaging effects of extreme climatic events and other natural disasters which had visited the country with more frequency and worsening magnitude, demand that government policies and programs must integrate biodiversity protection in order to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy a healthy and balanced ecology;

f.) The local Government of Davao City is mindful of the fact that the city is endowed with vast natural resources, of which the people are very protective of; g.) With the view of protecting the city’s people and its rich biodiversity, the local government has enacted and passed legislations, notably among them Ordinance No. 03197-07, otherwise known as the “Watershed Code of Davao City”;

h.) Pursuant to the Watershed Code, a closer view of the terrain analysis of the territorial jurisdiction of Davao City reveals that the city is comprised with areas which are already declared watershed areas, protected areas, prime agricultural areas and the areas inhabited by the people, such that mining in any form or stage poses a most detrimental impact on the ecological balance and the very lives of the people;

i.) The Local Government of Davao City has taken upon itself the duty and responsibility to protect and preserve the environment for the generations to come under the context of “inter-generational responsibility” enunciated by the Supreme Court in the case of Oposa vs. Factoran; and j.) Within the same context of “inter-generational responsibility”, it is hereby declared that no approval shall ever be issued to any mining project within the territorial jurisdiction of Davao City;

SECTION 3. PURPOSE - This Ordinance is enacted in order to protect and conserve the city’s rich biodiversity, under the principle that the environment should not be degraded in the name of economy and development, to ensure that future generations will still be able to enjoy a healthy and balanced ecology; SECTION 4. DEFINITION OF TERMS - As used in this Ordinance, the following terms shall mean as follows:

a.) “Minerals” refers to all naturally occurring inorganic substance in solid, gas, liquid, or any intermediate state, excluding energy materials such as coal, petroleum, natural gas, radioactive materials and geothermal energy; b.) “Mining operation” means mining activities involving exploration, feasibility, development, utilization and processing;

c.) “Quarrying” means the process of extracting, removing and disposing quarry resources found on or underneath the surface of public or private lands;

d.) “Quarry resources” refers to any common rock or other mineral substance as the Director of Mines and Geosciences Bureau may declare to be quarry resources such as, but not limited to, andesite,, basalt, conglomerate, coral sand, diatomaceous earth, diorite, decorative stones, gabbro, granite, limestone, marble, marl, red burning clays for potteries and bricks, rhyolite, rock phosphate, sandstone, serpentine, shale, tuff, volcanic cinders, and volcanic glass: Provided, that such quarry resources do not contain metals or metallic constituents and/or other valuable minerals in economically workable quantities: Provided, further, that non-metallic minerals such as kaolin, feldspar, bull quartz, quartz or silica, sand and pebbles, bentonite, talc, asbestos, barite, gypsum, bauxite, magnesite, dolomite, mica, precious and semi-precious stones, and other non-metallic minerals that may later be discovered and which the Director declares the same to be of economically workable quantities, shall not be classified under the category of quarry resources; e.) “Biodiversity” refers to the variety of life formed and found on earth; comprises all living things and the genes they contain, the ecosystem they build and the way they live and interact together;

SECTION 5. NO APPROVAL OF MINING OPERATIONS – No approval shall be granted or issued by the city through its Sangguniang Panlungsod to any person, natural or juridical, to undertake any and all forms of mining operation in any area within the territorial of Davao City, except rocks and mineral substances classified under the category of quarry resources.

Pursuant thereto, no permit shall be issued by the local government and/or any of its offices, allowing any entity, natural or juridical, to engage in any business involving, whether directly or indirectly, mining activities or operations of any kind or stage, within the territorial jurisdiction of Davao City.

SECTION 6. INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY – The City Government, in cooperation with the academe, civil society and the business community, shall implement a continuing information and education campaign to encourage awareness and vigilance among the citizenry on biodiversity protection. In particular, this information campaign shall be given to schools in order to educate the young citizens of the importance in protecting the environment. For this purpose, the City Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) shall take the lead in the campaigns; SECTION 7. PENALTIES – Any person found guilty of violating any provision of this Ordinance shall be punished with imprisonment of not exceeding one (1) year or a fine of not more than Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000.00) only or both at the discretion of the court, without prejudice to the filing of the appropriate administrative, civil or criminal action;

SECTION 8. ADMINISTRATIVE SANCTIONS – Government officials and employees who fail to comply with and enforce the provisions of this Ordinance shall be charged administratively in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations;

SECTION 9. REPEALING CLAUSE – All Ordinance, Executive Orders, resolutions and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed or modified accordingly; SECTION 10. EFFECTIVITY – This Ordinance shall be posted in all government offices, including barangay halls and shall also be published in full text once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within the jurisdiction of Davao City. This Ordinance shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date of the last publication thereof; ENACTED, May 5, 2015, by a majority vote of all the Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod present, there being a quorum.

CERTIFIED CORRECT:

ATTESTED:

ATTESTED:

CHARITO N. SANTOS Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Government Department Head II) RENE ELIAS C. LOPEZ City Councilor Temporary Presiding officer Cns/mvbm ATTY. JESUS MELCHOR V. QUITAIN City Administrator

ZION

ACCUPRINT PUBLISHING, INC.

Is in need of:

MACHINE OPERATOR (Printing Press)

Qualifications:

- At least high school graduate, not more than 30 years old - Physically and mentally fit - Can handle minor repairs of the machine - Has the ability to be cool under pressure of deadlines and complex projects - Experience of at least one year

Send application letter & resume to: HR Supervisor ZION Accuprint Publishing, Inc. Door 14 Alcrej Building, Quirino Ave., 8000 Davao City, Philippines E-mail: marketing@edgedavao.net zion_publishing@yahoo.com Telefax: (082) 2213601 Website: www.edgedavao.net

16 CLASSIFIED

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 138 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 11-12, 2015

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