Edge Davao 8 Issue 23

VOL. 8 ISSUE 23 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

DAVAO EAGLES. Delegates from the Davao region carry a huge Philippine Eagle replica during the opening of Palarong Pambansa 2015 at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex in Tagum City on Monday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

RAINS CUT SHORT PALARO OPENING

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO with reports from ARMANDO FENEQUITO and FUNNY PEARL GAJUNERA

W

HAT was to be the grandest opening ceremony in Palarong Pambansa history went down the drain yesterday as driving rains cut short the program before dusk.

The mammoth crowd of some 20,000 who filled just about every corner and space at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex yesterday scampered for cover after the 17 regional delegations raised their banners midway into the ceremonies. The highly

anticipated torch-lighting rites was also abbreviated and Department of Education Seceretary Armin Luistro was forced to make probably the shortest speech in Palaro history.

“Class dismissed,” was all that Secretary Luistro said in his speech. Earlier, Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas practically threw his prepared speech for a short caution to athletes and ensure that all athletes return to better shelter from the rain.

“Bibilisan po natin uitong ating seremonya na ito para ligtas na makabalik sa magandang shelter ang ating mga athletes,” he said.

Despite the heavy downpour, the field demonstrations by the host’s participating schools went on as scheduled.

“The opening program was well planned. Everything was great except for the rain which forced the program to be cut short,” said Atty. Guillermo Iroy,

Jr. Philippine Sports Commission executive director, who took shelter inside the Media Workplace after he was drenched in rain.

When the rain stopped by evening, the organizers decided to push through with the Pyro Musical Display show--the highlight of the opening day show.

The opening program was originally scheduled on Sunday but organizers moved it to avoid a ‘clash of crowd’ with the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather fight.

INSIDE EDGE

GOLD ESCAPES DAVRAA IN PALARO Sports P16

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 23 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

BACKUP. A young Dabawneyo holds a miniature Philippine flag to show his support for boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao during a free screening of the mega fight between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) gym in Davao City on Sunday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

PPA execs meet in Davao but skirt Sasa Port P17B price tag

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

OP officials of the Philippine Port Authority (PPA) central office were in Davao City yesterday to have their regular meeting to discuss important issues – but not the controversial P17-billion bidding price of the modernization project for Sasa Port.

“It just happened that the BOD’s regular meeting was here in Davao,” PPA executive secretary Edith del Rosario told reporters yesterday at the Park Inn Hotel.

“The issue on the modernization of Sasa port is not part of the agenda but there’s a possibility that the directors might talk about it since they

are already here,” she added.

Del Rosario confirmed that the issue has reached the central office already. “It’s all over the news and they’ve read it even before arriving in Davao City,” she said.

She said only BOD vice chair Juan C. Sta. Ana and PPA general manager can comment on the issue.

Reporters received an advisory through the City Information Office and former councilor Peter T. Laviña that PPA officials will have a port inspection and then a meeting at Park Inn by Radissons yesterday.

Laviña, who sat as City

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Paolo wrong on issue of life vests: Duterte

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

D

abf@edgedavao.net

AVAO City Rodrigo R. Duterte said his son, Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, had made a mistake in ranting against the Philippine Coast Guard and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).

In an interview last Friday, Duterte said he had always known that barge operators are not required to make their passengers wear life vests while traveling between Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS).

“Actually, alam ko na yan

noon (I already knew it even before), yung mga barge hindi kailangan ng life vest diyan (passengers are not required to wear life vests in barges).

There is no (such) rule in MARINA,” Duterte said.

“Binigyan kasi niya ng kulay (He gave color to it). I know that he was wrong there,” Duterte said.

The mayor said Paolo should not have lambasted the Coast Guard and MARINA on his Facebook account on during last week’s regular City

Council session and instead called on the agencies to talk about the matter.

“Try to find out which is true which is not, not that you go out blurting then after all it is not a requirement,” he said.

Earlier, Paolo said he was not lambasting the concerned government agencies and their officers but was merely raising his concern in a manner he thought would catch the attention of the officials.

“I was not angry, I was stressing a point. If you think

I went ballistic, then so be it.

I’m not doing this for anyone in particular, but for the safety of the people I serve. Di ko maghulat nga naay maunlod (I won’t wait until someone drowns). I’m sorry but that’s not my style,” he added.

Paolo also said he was “convinced” that Duterte would have done the same thing if the mayor had been in his shoes.

“One does not need to be a vice mayor or a public of-

inality and corruption in the country.

“Mayor Duterte is the solution we are looking for to what ails our country”, Ebdane told a crowd of over 2,000 who patiently waited for the Mayor.

After Iba, Governor Ebdane who was present in Davao City during the launching of the Federal Movement, invited Duterte to a more intimate meeting with business leaders in Subic Bay. The event was attended by groups of Masons and business leaders that include a sprinkling of foreign nationals doing business at the free port.

In his speech Duterte explained his reason why he is espousing the shift of the present unitary system of government to Federal Parliamentary.

The business groups complained to Duterte the rising criminality especially in Masinloc which according to them goes on unabated. In response the Mayor gave them a brief on how he deals with criminal syndicates especially those involved in drugs which he said in one of the factors behind the rise of other heinous crimes.

Before flying back to Davao City for Labor Day break, Mayor Duterte proceeded to Urda-

neta, Pangasinan on invitation of Mayor Bombom Perez and former Pangasinan Vice Governor Gonzalo Duque.

The city gymnasium which had a holding crowd of over 1,000 was fully packed and hundreds more listened to Duterte’s speech on Federalism outside the arena.

In introducing Duterte, Vice Gov. Duque said that they understand why the Mayor has not declared his candidacy for the Presidency. “ We understand the political dynamics why Mayor Duterte has not announced his plan”, Duque said.

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‘Filipinos still not aware Rodygetssupportfrom Zambales,Pangasinan of human trafficking’

By CHENEEN R. CAPON and FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

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VEN with the long history of human trafficking like the recent case of Mary Jane Veloso, there is still low awareness on the issue in the Philippines.

Speaking in yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao Annex, Global Impact founder Amy Muranko-Gahan said the level of knowledge on human trafficking of the Filipino public “is still minimal at

this stage.”

“If you ask some of the people on their perception of human trafficking they would answer seriously ‘is that a lot of people in the street similar to car traffic?’,” Gahan said.

“If they heard the term ‘human trafficking’ they know a little but don’t know in depth what it means,” she added.

Gahan believes issues of

FFILIPINOS, 10

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HEY waited for hours to see in person and listen to Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who had been invited by their governor Hermogenes Ebdane. The crowd which assembled at the sports complex in Iba, Zambales roared in glee when finally Duterte stepped out of car and waived at the crowd expressing his regrets for being late.

Governor Ebdane lost no time in welcoming and introducing Mayor Duterte whom he described as the man who has the clearest agenda among the presidentiables on how to address the problems of crim-

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 23 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

Council to pass mining ban today

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

A

abf@edgedavao.net

FTER more than a month of discussion in the plenary, the Davao City council is set to approve the proposed mining ban ordinance in the city despite of the existence of Republic Act No 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

Item 619 titled An Ordinance Closing off the City of Davao to Mining Operations is set to be approved on third and final reading in today’s regular City Council session.

The resolution states that mining should be banned since the city recognizes the

adverse effects of mining on the environment. Mining also competes with the remaining available land, water, and food resources, it adds.

The resolution says under Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, the City Council has the power and duty to protect the environment and impose penalties on acts that can harm the ecosystem.

It says the city is mindful of the fact that the city is endowed with vast natural resources of which people are very protective.

The resolution also says the city passed the City Ordinance No. 03197-07 or the Watershed Code of Davao City which holds vast areas dedicated as watershed areas of which protection is essential to the lives of the people and the future generation.

Earlier, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) legal officer lawyer Erwin Enad said the proposal will be difficult to implement due to the existence of the Mining Act of 1995 which allows mining companies to

Senate President Franklin Drilon on Monday said the death of long-wanted suspected terrorist Basit Usman will definitely bring back the trust of the people to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). ”Assuming it’s true, if Usman is really dead, this will certainly help in bringing back the trust,” Drilon said in a media interview.

Usman, an expert bomb maker, was reportedly shot dead by MILF commander “Barok” of the 118th Base Command last Sunday in Maguindanao.

Usman was commander of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) which is a breakaway group of the MILF. He has publicly expressed his opposition to the peace talks

between the Philippine government and the MILF. The BIFF commander was one of the two targets of the Oplan Exodus carried out by the Special Action Force (SAF) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to neutralize Usman and Malaysian bomb expert Zulkifli bin Hir alias “Marwan” last January 25 in Mamasapa-

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Drilon sats death of Usman will bring back trust to MILF

STILL WORKING. Laborers work on the pipe bridge of the Davao City Water District (DCWD) between the twin Governor Generoso Bridges which is now more than a month delayed. Lean Daval Jr.

US-supported Davao hospital brings hope to kids with disabilities

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EPRESENTATIVES from the U.S. and Philippine governments and civil society organizations formally opened the Tebow CURE Hospital in Davao City, giving children with orthopedic conditions a chance for a better quality of life.

The six-story, state-ofthe-art facility specializes in pediatric orthopedics, providing charitable treatment to children with conditions like knock knees, bowed legs, and neglected clubfoot.

“The U.S. government is pleased to support the Tebow CURE Hospital in helping underserved children in Mindanao,” USAID Mission Director Gloria D. Steele said, notingthat USAID invests in education, health, economic development, governance and the environment throughout Mindanao. “We work to improve the health of all Filipinos, ensuring that men and women can raise healthy families and that young people can pursue more opportunities, unlocking their potential to advance prosperity and stability throughout the nation.”

U.S. Embassy Manila’s United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through its American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) program, awarded approximate-

ly Php16.6 ($379,000) to CURE, a network of charitable hospitals and surgical programs, to procure supplies that will support surgical services and training at Tebow CURE Hospital.

USAID, CURE International, Tim Tebow Foundation, International Care Ministries, Sacred Harvest, the Philippines’ Department of Health, and the Tebow CURE Hospital all worked together to make the hospital happen. CURE President & CEO Dale Brantner, Tim Tebow Foundation President and Executive Director Erik Dellenback, andDepartment of Health Assistant Secretary Dr. Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial also gave remarks at the inauguration.

“We’re excited to be open for business in Davao City, and we’re grateful for the strong support from the community, our donors, and other partners to make this project a reality,” said Leron Lehman, Executive Director of the hospital. “We already provide life-changing surgeries to children with physical disabilities and are excited about the opportunity to make a difference.”

“The Tim Tebow Foundation is honored to work with CURE International and so many incredible donors to make this hospital a reality,”

said Erik Dellenback, Executive Director of the Tim Tebow Foundation. “Tim, who was born in the Philippines, has always had great passion for this country and its amazing people.”

USAID’s ASHA program assists schools, libraries, and medical centers outside the United States that serve as study and demonstration centers for American ideas and practices. Since 1947, ASHA assisted more than 250 institutions in over 70 countries and currently manages a worldwide portfolio of more than 100 awards. For more information about the program, visit http://www.usaid.gov/ work-usaid/business-funding/grant-programs/american-schools-and-hospitals-abroad.

About USAID The United States Agency for International Development is the lead U.S. Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential. In the Philippines, USAID partners with the national government to create a more stable, prosperous and well-governed nation. For more information, visit http://www.usaid. gov/philippines or email infoph@usaid.gov.

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EDGEDAVAO

4 SUBURBIA

VOL. 8 ISSUE 23 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

Tagum City LGU writers hone skills F

WRITING SEMINAR. Multimedia Artist Jojie Alcantara talks about news feature writing and basic photography during the three-day Writing Seminar Workshop organized by the City Information Office, Tagum City Literacy

Coordinating Council and the City Human Resource Management Office of the City of Tagum held last April 13 to 15, 2015 at Eden Nature Park in Davao City. Leo Timogan of CIO Tagum

IFTY of Tagum City Government’s pool of employees who were identified as having writing skills recently underwent a three-day seminar to hone their skills in order to overhaul the city’s official magazine.

Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon had earlier said representatives of every department, division, and section have more in depth knowledge of the newsworthy programs and activities of their respective offices and so should be the ones to present these to the reading public by becoming contributing writers to the official magazine.

Additionally, the writing skills of each of these identified writers are expected to be fully utilized during the preparation of Annual Accomplishment Report of the office, and will also be tapped in the preparation of the Annual Re-

port of the City Government of Tagum.

The resource speakers for the three-day Seminar-Workshop on News Writing, Creative Writing, Feature Writing and Basic Photography included three of Region 11’s notable personalities in relation to journalism: Sunstar Davao’s Lifestyle Columnist Jojie Alcantara for Basic Photography and Feature Writing; Holy Cross College of Davao Professor Derf Maiz for News Writing and Sunstar Davao Columnist; and Rene Lizada for Creative Writing.

The activity on April 13 to 15 held at Eden Nature Park in Davao City was conducted in partnership with the City Information Office, Tagum City Literacy Coordinating Council, and the City Human Resource Management Office of the City of Tagum. (Richi D. Gulle of CIO-Tagum)

HE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through Kalahi-CIDSS (Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services) recently attended the Provincial Inter-Municipal Forum (PIMF) and Provincial Core Team (PCT) joint meeting here on project sustainability.

Held at the Provincial Capitol, the meeting aimed at establishing a mutual partnership agreement in crafting an evaluation tool on project sustainability.

Santos M. Eusebio, Regional Community Infrastructure Specialist of Kalahi-CIDSS, presented the status of completed sub-projects under Ka-

lahi-CIDSS during the Project Sustainability Dialogue cum Workshop.

“Kalahi CIDSS wants to harmonize the evaluation mechanism of the program and the provincial tool to help the Local Government Units in assessing the sustainability of the implementation at the PLGU level,” stressed Ma. Annabelle S. Jabla, Deputy Regional Program Manager for Kalahi-CIDSS. Compostela Valley and Albay Province are the two selected sites for the pilot testing of the Enhancement of PLGU Engagement in Kalahi-CIDSS funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Raymond Fabre, ADB

3 DavSur LGUs to get high impact projects T

DSWD joins gab on sustainability

T

HREE Davao del Sur local government units (LGUs) – Digos City and the towns of Magsaysay and Hagonoy – will be beneficiaries of high impact breakthrough (HIB) programs of the Department of Health (DOH) regional office.

DOH regional director Abdullah Dumama said the agency’s new policy direction is the provision

of HIBs in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Accelerated and Sustainable Anti-Poverty Program (ASAPP).

The provision of HIBs for the three LGUs is part of the 43 priority provinces nationwide identified by the DOH to be in need of accelerated health service improvements in the term of

Albert Martinez

Parents of the child below are requested to visit DSWD - Reception and Study Center for Children in Bajada, Davao City if they are still interested in their child. Non-appearance of the parents compels the DSWD to issue a certification that this child is legally available for adoption based on Republic Act 9523.

Name : Albert Rabis Martinez Age : Approximately 7- 8 months old Name of Parents : Albert Martinez and Venus Rabis Address of Parents: Purok 2, Upper Pindaton and Checkered, all of Panabo City, Davao del Norte Date referred to RSCC: January 20, 2015

Circumstances of abandonment: The child was referred to RSCC for proper disposition. He was left by his parents in Panabo City and did not return anymore to get their child. Hence, a certain James Canon turned over the child to the DSWD Field Office XI on January 20, 2015.

Contact Person: Lolita I. Roble, DSWD-RSCC

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III. Dumama said the DSWD will help identify prioirty health interventions in these areas.

The DOH, for its part, is also planning to hold a health caravan by May. “The idea of the HIB is to hold a simultaneous addressing of health issues in different areas for the rest of the 15 months,” he said.

This means that once the health issue is identified, the DOH would come in and prioritize the health intervention and improve its health delivery network by tapping existing and additional resources.

“It’s going to cover 15 months,” Dumama said.

“We’re going to fast-track the issues and address these one by one.” (MindaNews)

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 23 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

5 ECONOMY

Manny draws tourists: DOT A

THRIVING tourism industry relies on its worldclass destinations and international events to boost tourist arrivals, receipts and even jobs.

That said, where does Filipino boxer and congressman Manny Pacquiao come in?

“Manny Pacquiao is a very big part of our global image,” Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. told reporters.

The DOT chief cited how Pacquiao has done so much as to “complete a personality” showing the side of Filipinos— specifically Filipino athletes—being disciplined, skilled, talented and humble.

“Boxing is a global sport and now a global event and we have one of the most famous boxers in history. (So) has it helped tourism? I will answer that question with another question: Does Memphis benefit from the fact that El-

vis Presley was born there?” Jimenez said.

“Famous people build tourism because there’s a natural curiosity about the person just as there are people who actually go to Liverpool just to see the (Beatles-related spots),” he added.

Jimenez admitted that although tourists may not have reportedly gone as far as visit the country to see, say, Pacquiao’s house in General Santos, there lies the possibility it could happen in the future.

“Right now, there are (already) some tourists who, when they go to GenSan have asked where Manny Pacquiao’s house is,” he said.

Whether or not Pacquiao’s house in GenSan will become a tourist destination, Jimenez said, as he has said in the past, that famous or not famous, the Philippines’ best asset was definitely its people.

(PNA)

FULL SWING. Construction for the 33-level skyscraper Aeon Towers is in full swing along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City. The signature project of local developer FTC Group of Companies is expected to be completed by 2016 making it the tallest building in Mindanao.

6 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 23 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

DOLE exceeds A job fair target

FRUITFUL. A passerby buys some papaya at a makeshift store selling freshly harvested fruits and vegetables during the celebration of the 26th Farmers’ and Fisherfolks’ month at Rizal Park in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

BSP’s Gunigundo positive on PHL growth prospects

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

T

crc@edgedavao.net

HE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 11 recorded a total of 1,624 hired on the spot (HOTS) qualified applicants during the Labor Day job fair, surpassing its 15 percent target.

“Our hires reached 20 percent of the qualified applicants. In our past job fairs, we barely hit 1,000. Now we reached 1,624,” DOLE 11 information officer Sherwin

Manual told Edge Davao yesterday.

Manual said of the 8,967 registered applicants, 5,968 qualified. Of this, 1,624 were hired on the spot by either local or overseas company.

“We recorded high posting of HOTS in local industries like ICT-BPO, manufacturing, agriculture, and front line services like service crews,” he said. “For abroad it included job vacancies like construc-

tion workers and other skilled laborers and nurses.”

Manual said most hires were headed to countries in Middle East countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Manual attributed the growth of hires to DOLE’s pre-registration and to the improvement in the quality of the labor sector.

“We were able to guide applicants through our pre-registration. They were advised

to improve their application letter and resumé before the interview,” he added.

“We are already seeing improvement in the labor supply sector. Colleges are slowly producing graduates that are responsive to the skills requirement of different industries,” he added.

The regional labor agency conducted the annual labor day job fair in four different

FDOLE, 10

MID all the negative factors that may impact the Philippines’ growth momentum, a ranking Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) official is confident of a within-target expansion for the country for 2015 and 2016.

BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said growth factors remain biased for the domestic economy.

One of these is the foreign direct investments (FDIs) which, he said, “continue to be generally strong.”

In the first month of the year, FDIs remained to be in net inflows at US$263 million, although this was 71 percent lower than year-ago’s US$905 million because of lower equity investments as investors’ appetite for US equities increased vis-à-vis the expected Federal Reserve key rates hike within the year.

The central bank official

also said growth of domestic liquidity or M3 along with credit growth “continues to be consistent with resilient economic growth.”

M3, which posted unusual growth of more than 20 percent growth in 2014, is now back at its normal growth with the March 2015 level at 9.4 percent, a tad higher than the previous month’s 8.5 percent.

Year-on-year expansion of both the remittances and revenues of the business process outsourcing (BPO) sectors are also robust and these are expected to grow by five percent and 15 percent, respectively, this year.

Last February, growth of inflows from Filipinos overseas recovered and grew by 4.2 percent from month-ago’s 0.5 percent.

Guinigundo also cited

DOLE-12 said they were able to generate some 30,000 local and overseas job vacancies for the twin activities.

Aside from the 1,434 job seekers who were hired on-the spot, Domingo said they were able to record 1,028 individuals who were “nearly hired.”

She explained that the applications of the said job seekers were accepted by the employers but are still on process.

Some 51 individuals were also referred by the agency to the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority

for skills trainings, she said.

“We will continue to partner with local and overseas employers to help more residents in the region get decent jobs,” Domingo said.

Last year, DOLE-12 was able to generate around 28,000 overseas and local job vacancies in three major job fairs in the region.

A total of 195 employers participated in the two activities, which resulted to the hiring “on-the-spot” of 1,899 of the 3,687 qualified job applicants. (MindaNews)

FBSP, 10

Villar Group ventures into 1,434 GenSan applicants get local, overseas jobs healthcare, education biz

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HE Villar Group is expanding into the healthcare and education businesses to complement its existing residential and retail portfolio.

Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. chairman Manuel Villar said they target to establish hospitals and schools nationwide.

“We need to have hospitals, our (home) buyers are looking for these. There should be schools, buyers are

looking for these,” he told reporters.

Villar said the company has started its healthcare business with the construction of 150-bed hospital within the Vista City township in Daang Hari Road.

“Around 150 beds but expandable to 300 beds so it will be unlimited expansion because the Daang Hari (township) is huge. (It is called) VitaMed,” he added.

FVILLAR, 10

A

TOTAL of 1,434 job seekers from this city and the neighboring areas were hired on-the-spot (HOTS) in the two Labor Day job fairs here organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Region 12.

Ofelia Domingo, DOLE Region 12 director, said Monday the hired job applicants comprise 51.97 percent of the 2,759 individuals who qualified for the job vacancies that were opened during the job fairs held in two shopping malls here.

“We were able to surpass our targets in terms of the overall turnout and the (50 percent) rate for the HOTS,” she said in a statement.

The official said some of 3,575 job seekers registered for the area’s Labor Day job fairs, with 2,962 enlisting for local jobs and 613 for overseas placements.

A total of 200 employers had signed up for the job fairs, which were held at the KCC Mall Events and Convention Center and the SM Mall Conference Hall.

INdulge!

VOL. 8 ISSUE 23 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

TRAVEL

Outside the Presidential Museum and Library.

Inside the Presidential Museum and Library of

Malacañan Palace TO KNOW where one is headed is to understand what one’s past was. This is why I love spending time at museums whenever the opportunity arose. One such opportunity arrived on a press invitation by AirAsia Philippines to try their re-introduced Davao to Manila service.

Thanks to a relatively relaxed schedule as well as friends inside the Malacañan press office, our group was given access to the Presidential Museum and Library located within the historic Kalayaan Hall of the Malacañan Palace complex. After a thorough screening and briefing by the security staff (since we are at where the country’s president holds his office), we started the tour in earnest.

What stated out as a “place for fishermen” by the Spanish, the palace grew later and larger. From a villa in 1863, it was expanded by the American governor-generals and was further expanded by the Philippine presidents who resided in it.

The museum houses many of the past president’s campaign paraphernalia, the original furnitures commissioned

The famous balcony where Marcos bade farewell.

by the presidents as well as artefacts and details of the first ladies of the past presidents. There are also exhibits that gave outsiders a peek into the pomp and pageantry of the palace during a state dinner.

Some pieces that are of note are the chair where Ferdinand Marcos signed the declaration of Martial Law located at the museum’s Old GovernorGeneral’s Office, large portraits of past presidents by National Artist Fernando Amorsolo, and sculptures by National Artist

Guillermo Tolentino. The highlight of the tour was the Main Hall which features memorabilia of all the Philippine presidents.

Unfortunately, Imalda’s famous shoe collection has been transferd to the Marikina Shoe Museum.

The Malacañan Palace Museum is open to the public Monday to Friday from 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm except on public holidays. Tickets are at Php50 for adults and Php20 for students and senior citizens. Reservations must be made seven days prior to your preferred date of tour, the forms can be accessed through the museum’s website at www. malacanang.gov.ph.

Make sure everyone who is visiting is on the guest list as those not included on the guest list will not be allowed to enter the Palace grounds. The museum also enforces a smart casual dress code which means flip-flops, shorts and sleeveless tops are a no-no.

For more information on the Presidential Museum and Library, you can check out their website or email

The Davao media tour group together with AirAsia’s Jenny Bugarin-Tan.

them at pml@malacanang. gov.ph or call (632) 7844286 loc. 4649 to 4945.

AirAsia flies three times daily from Davao to Manila with onward international destinations to destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Seoul, and Hong Kong.

Our guide points of the document Marcos signed declaring Martial Law. One of the many rooms of Kalayaan Hall.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

VOL.8 ISSUE 23 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

UP AND ABOUT

Dabawenyo art in focus at SM Lanang Premier RECOGNIZING the long-standing community of artists in Davao and the pressing need to bring their works closer, more familiar to the public, SM Lanang Premier recently brought together some of the finest homegrown artists in one ground-breaking event called “Davao Art Market.”

An exhibit-marketplace kind of setting, the event underscored the ingenuity of Davaoeño artists spanning multiple generations and provided them a venue to make their creations accessible to the Mindanao market.

Artists were thus given the opportunity to showcase and sell their works at SM Lanang Premier’s Davao Art Market.

The launch of the said event was graced by Councilor Marissa Abella on behalf of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Department of Tourism Region XI Regional Director Robert Alabado III, and City Tourism Operations Office Officer-in-Charge Lisette Marques.

Featured works at the Davao Art Market were those of veteran artists’

Leaf artist Mishael Pueblas with his eco-friendly pieces.

group Tabula Rasa consisting of Bai Manginsay, Dinky Munda, Bong Perez, Daryl Descallar, and Brando Cedeño; pen artist Tanya Gaisano-Lee; industrial artist Gil Bumanlag; the faculty and students of Philippine Women’s College of Davao Helena Z. Benitez School of Fine Arts and Design; members of Artlink; and leaf artist Mishael Pueblas.

Live sketching sessions

by Bai Manginsay and Daryl Descallar of Tabula Rasa allowed exhibit guests to witness firsthand the authentic talent of the artists – how they create a spot-on portrait

from a blank slate.

Folk artist Maan Chua infused a cultural feel to the launch, performing songs about Mindanao and the artistry of its people.

Diverse genres of paintings, sculptures, and art pieces made of various media were placed on display for the public to view and purchase for the duration Sculptor Brandon Cedeño and his work at the Davao Art Market. of the Davao Art Market.

Be at the front and center of art and cultural events at the metro’s premier shopping and lifestyle destination. Check out SM Lanang Premier on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more details.

Fine artist Bong Perez of Tabula Rasa and his works.

Homegrown singer-songwriter Maan Chua treats the crowd to lively folk music.

DOT-XI Regional Director Robert Alabado III, CTOO OIC Lisette Marques, and Emi Englis, Head of Fashion Design Program of Tabula Rasa’s 5-members – (from left) Daryl Descallar, Brando Cedeño, Bai Manginsay, Councilor Marissa Abella with SM Lanang Premier Assistant Mall Manager PWC-Davao, with his mixed media artwork at the Dinky Munda and Bong Perez – at the launch of Davao Art Market.

Jerome Yeo. Davao Art Market.

Globe partners with WhatsApp, offers free access with a prepaid promo or postpaid plan subscription IN ANOTHER revolutionary move to sustain its leadership in the mobile data business, Globe Telecom has forged a partnership with WhatsApp to allow customers to enjoy free access to the mobile messaging app with a prepaid promo or postpaid plan subscription.

Available to prepaid and postpaid customers, free WhatsApp enables users to enjoy real-time messaging and voice calling without data charges on any Globe prepaid promo or myLifestyle Plan subscription starting April 30, 2015.

Prepaid customers registered to any of their favorite text, call or surf promos such as GoSakto, GoUnli25, GoUnli20, and GoSurf as well as postpaid customers

on myLifestyle Plan can avail of free access to WhatsApp. With free WhatsApp, Globe customers can exchange text and video messages, create messaging groups, and send each other unlimited images without having to pay any extra amount on top of their current prepaid promos or monthly service fees (MSF).

Simultaneous to the launch of the partnership, WhatsApp also recently introduced its WhatsApp Calling feature that allows users to make and accept calls, decline or respond to calls with a message, use a speakerphone and mute the microphone feature.

“At Globe, we are proud to be partnering with global companies to give our customers the

best digital experiences on their devices. WhatsApp is a leading global messaging company, and we are very excited to announce our partnership with them, which coincides with the global introduction of the new WhatsApp calling feature,” says Dan Horan, Senior Advisor for Consumer Business Group at Globe.

“As part of our continuing journey to enable the Filipino digital lifestyle, we have collaborated with WhatsApp to let our customers enjoy free access to one of the world’s leading messaging apps with a prepaid promo registration or postpaid plan subscription. With WhatsApp, users can enjoy free calls, texts and photo sharing with other WhatsApp users anywhere in the world with-

out worrying about their data charges or the need to look for Wi-Fi spots. Just register to your favorite prepaid promo or get a myLifestyle Plan and avail of free WhatsApp only from Globe,” says Issa Cabreira, Globe Senior Vice President for Consumer Mobile Marketing.

“With the new WhatsApp Calling feature, our 800 million users can easily call their friends all over the world,” said Brian Acton, Co-Founder of WhatsApp. “We’re excited to be partnering with Globe to enrich everyday communications for Filipinos in the Philippines and abroad.”

WhatsApp is a cross-platform, real-time mobile messaging application that allows millions of people around the world to stay

connected with their friends and family. To access free WhatsApp, customers can just download the app and use it free of data charges instantly.

Aside from free WhatsApp, prepaid and postpaid customers can also enjoy free access to Facebook by subscribing to their favorite Globe promos.

The Globe network also carried significantly higher data traffic at 87,000 terabytes of data, increasing 270% from the previous year because of a significant surge in mobile browsing activity and higher smartphone adoption among its customers.

With its network modernization, Globe has greater capacity for data traffic that translates to better experience for its customers.

VOL.8 ISSUE 23 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

EVENT

Smart hosts Davao’s biggest, most colorful beach party THE COUNTRY’S leading wireless services provider Smart Communications, Inc., in partnership with FrolicFox Productions, recently kicked off Davao’s summer celebrations by hosting the SummerFrolic 2015, the region’s biggest and most colorful beach party and music festival.

Set along the famous Dahican beach in Mati, this year’s SummerFrolic drew hundreds of partygoers for two nights of colorful celebrations and heart-pumping music headlined by some of the best DJs like Las Vegas-based Werwolvz, as well as local party scene staples Ronn Mirage, Katsy Lee, Deuce, and Mars Miranda, among others.

Beside the lively beats, the party featured foam machines,

Smart Prepaid subscribers nationwide a chance to win over P2 million worth of prizes including barkada getaways, GoPro Her04 and Instax cameras, Bluetooth Speakers, as well as tickets to Katy Perry’s May 7 concert at the Philippine Arena.

All Smart Prepaid subscribers may join the ‘Live All Out’ Summer promo through a one-time registration by sending REG<NAME, ADDRESS> to 316 for

water sprinklers, colored powder and paint allowing everyone to let loose in a feast of colors as well as enjoy a shareworthy summer experience.

Share your Summer Story “Our summer experiences become more memorable when they are shared with friends

and loved ones, that’s why Smart urges everyone to share them through our reliable call, text and mobile Internet bundles,” said Joel Lumanlan, Smart Prepaid head.

“Throughout this season, you can rely on Smart’s beefed-up network as you communicate with loved ones, as well as post photos and

free.

New Smart Prepaid subscribers may earn electronic raffle entries by simply activating any Smart Prepaid SIM. On the other hand, existing subscribers may earn electronic raffle entries for every registration to Unli Call and Text 30; Jump All Out 50; or Big Bytes 50.

For more information and updates, check out smart.com.ph/liveallout and follow @SMARTCares on Twitter and Instagram.

updates on your social apps instantly while enjoying your getaway in the country’s top summer destinations.”

Win barkada getaways, gadgets As part of Smart’s huge summer campaign, it recently launched the ‘Smart Live All Out Summer promo, which gives

ENTERTAINMENT

Tunay na buhay features Jao Mapa this Tuesday JOIN broadcast journalist Rhea Santos as she gets up close and personal with former teen star Jao Mapa this Tuesday in the award-winning bio-documentary show Tunay na Buhay on GMA7.

Jao Mapa first appeared on television as a model for a softdrinks commercial. He was a late addition to the hot teen group ‘Gwapings’ along with Mark Anthony Fernandez, Jomari Yllana and Eric Fructuoso.

But he immediately became popular too because of his boy-next-door-looks. He was at the height of stardom in 2000 when he decided to quit showbiz to focus on his studies. Now, Jao has a wife and children and is also an accomplished painter.

Find out the story of Jao Mapa on ‘Tunay na Buhay’ this Tuesday, May 5, 4:35pm on GMA7.

April 30 – May 5, 2015

UNFRIENDED Hannah Sossaman, Matthew Bohrer R13

LIFESTYLE AND WORKING MOM SHOWCASE SPECIAL MOTHER’S DAY PROMO – Lifestyle and Working Mom partner together for a special Mother’s Day promo that will treat moms as queens for a day through a pampering tour via The Luxe Bus. Moms are invited to send in their best answers to the question, “Why I Love Being a Mom” through lifestylenetwork.com.ph. The winners and their companion will be part of the unique celebration of love that moms deserve that include a “Me Time” pampering tour on The Luxe Bus during the #LOVEYOUMOM event on May 9 (Saturday) at Bonifacio High Street. The event on Saturday will include a fashion, beauty, baby and kids fair, a morning fitness activity, arts and crafts workshops for kids, a special celebrity performance, and a whole lot more. The Lifestyle Mother’s Day promo will end on May 4 at 11:59 PM.

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

THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON 3D Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Hemsworth PG

2:00 | 5:05 | 8:10 LFS

GET HARD Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart R16

R-16

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

THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Hemsworth PG

12:45 | 3:50 | 6:55 | 10:00 LFS

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

VOL.8 ISSUE 23 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

TRAVEL

The magnificent

GREAT WALL OF CHINA

“THE GREAT WALL reflects collision and Text and Photos by exchanges between agricultural civilizations Henrylito D. Tacio and nomadic civilizations in ancient China.

It provides significant physical evidence of the far-sighted political strategic thinking and mighty military and national defense forces of central empires in ancient China, and is an outstanding example of the superb military architecture, technology and art of ancient China. It embodies unparalleled significance as the national symbol for safeguarding the security of the country and its people.”

That was what the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said when it has listed the Great Wall as a World Heritage in 1987. Just like a gigantic dragon, this one of the great wonders of the world winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, stretching from east to west of China.

Recently, I had the opportunity of visiting this appealing attraction owing to its architectural grandeur and historical significance. The trip was part of the prize which I won in the 8th Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards last year.

No one really knows how long the Great Wall is but some said it is around 6,300 kilometers in length.

Now, if you measure the length of all the different sections of wall, the distance is more like 22,000 kilometers. Go figure that out!

The wall relics mainly distribute in 15 provinces and regions, including Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Shandong, Henan, Shaanxi, Gansu, and Qinghai. There are 43,721 relics, including the walls, trenches, towers, and fortresses.

Climbing is easier seen than done.

The Great Wall of China is perhaps the longest structure ever built by humans. The widest section of the wall is around 9 meters (30 feet). The highest point of the wall is around 8 meters (26 feet).

The labor force to build the Great Wall includes soldiers, forcibly recruited peasants, convicts and war prisoners. And it has been called the longest cemetery on Earth as over a million people died building the Wall. Some archaeologists have found human remains buried under parts of the wall.

According to our guide, there are three greatest mountain passes of the Great Wall. The first two are Jiayuguan Pass and Shanhaiguan Pass. Most of the leaders mentioned earlier visited the place via Badaling, in the northern part of the 18-kilometer long Guangou Valley, which is one of the two “sub-passes” of Juyongguan Pass. The one located in southern part of the valley is called Nan. It was at the Juyongguan Pass that we went to scale the Great Wall. This mountain pass is located in the Changping District and it is about 50 kilometers away from central Beijing. Travel time was more than hour because of heavy traffic.

People scaling the Great Wall.

When we arrived, there were already people going up. I looked up at the highest part of the Great Wall and assumed it was very steep. But I figured out that I can definitely climb it since I was able to scale Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak.

I was wrong. I was still young when I did climb Mount Apo; I was in my twenties. Now, it’s a different story. I am older and have gained a lot of weight.

The words of Pam Wolf, the wife of my friend, Ben, came into my mind: “It can be a hard climb. I’m so glad we did it some years back. Not sure I would get as far now.”

Actually, it was a breeze at the lower part. It was just like walking in a park.

People stop and take photos (selfies or in group).

Then, it’s a long walk going to the peak. In the beginning, it might be alright but as you continue scaling the Great Wall

through the stairs made of stone, you get a feeling of being dizzy.

Going up was not a problem but it was going down that made me think otherwise. I was almost at the top when I decided to go down. “Where are you going?” Mauricio Victa, a photographer of Business Mirror, asked me.

“I won’t do it anymore,” I replied. But before we parted ways, he took some photos of me in that part of the Great Wall. It happened that Editha Antenor, of the Philippines Graphic, was also there.

So we had a souvenir photo.

“The biggest building the astronauts could see from the space is the Great Wall, which looks very much like a black worm,” someone once said. So the question is: Is the Great Wall truly visible from the moon?

Yang Liwei, China’s first astronaut who was lifted

The author with Ruben Gonzaga, host of TV’s Agri Tayo Dito.

into the outer space by the spacecraft Shenzhou V on Oct.15, 2003, gave a definite answer to a reporter after he reached the

ground. He said: “No!” Whether you can see it from the moon or not, the Great Wall is definitely magnificent!

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 23 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

7 ENVIRONMENT

Growing trees and crops together

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“

ONLY when the last tree has been cut, the last river poisoned, and the last fish caught will we realize we can’t eat money.” -- Native American proverb *** “We are fast losing our forests,” laments Roy C. Alimoane, the director of the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC), a non-government organization based in barangay Kinuskusan in Bansalan, Davao del Sur. “This is one of the reasons why it is very hot wherever you go these days. There are no trees that can help neutralize the warm weather.”

It has been like this since ten years ago. But he observes that the heat of the sun is getting stronger each year. “Once you are directly hit by the sunlight, the heat seems to penetrate your skin,” Alimoane claims.

The center has developed a system that can help arrest further encroachment of the uplands, where most forests are still intact. Sixty percent of the country’s 30 million hectares are classified as uplands, whose slopes ranging 18% upward.

Alimoane calls the system as Sustainable Agroforest Land Technology or SALT 3. “It’s a small-scale reforestation program where one half of the area is allotted for crop production and another half to tree growing,” he explains.

Actually, SALT 3 is a modification of Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT 1), which raises agricultural crops in between the two hedgerows of different nitrogen-fixing trees.

The hedgerows are cut every 15 days and the cuttings are used as mulching materials and fertilizer for the crops.

“The principle of original SALT is the same that used by the Ifugao tribes,” Alimoane says. “All we are doing is using ipil-ipil, kakawate, and other fast-growing shrubs and trees instead of rocks.”

The SALT 1 scheme requires careful management of the strips between the hedgerows.

A combination of permanent (cacao and coffee, for instance), semi-permanent (banana and yam bean, to name a few), and annual crops (beans, pulses, vegetables, upland rice, and corn) is recommended so as to rebuild the ecosystem and maximize yields while enabling farmers to organize their work time efficiently.

In the SALT 1 system, crop rotation is recommended. For instance, strips planted with cereals earlier are interchanged with peanuts or winged beans in the next cropping season.

“Crop rotation helps preserve the regenerative properties of the soil and avoid the problems of infertility typical of traditional agricultural practices,” Alimoane says.

Various crops are planted throughout the farm. “Some of the crops should be planted to feed the farmer’s family, while other crops are grown for sale, so family income is well spread out over the season,” Alimoane says. “Every week or every month, there’s always something to harvest.”

That’s SALT 1. The second modification is called SALT 2, which stands for Simple Agro-Livestock Technology.

Crops are planted in strips betwen the hedgerows Livestock refers to goats, which are good sources of protein for the farmers, especially those living in the uplands. It has been found that most of those who live in the uplands are malnourished because of the lack of protein sources. The manure of the goats are also used a fertilizer for the crops.

With climate change, deforestation, food insecurity and water scarcity the country is now facing, the two-hectare SALT 3 seems to be the possible solution. “Trees are planted in the upper portion of the farm to minimize the impact of the water during the rainy season,” says Alimoane.

The MBRLC director talks about “tree time zones” of 1-5, 6-10, 11-15 and 16-20 years, within which progressively more valuable products are harvested. Some very valuable trees could be left longer, and he dubs this “the grandchild project.” “Plant something for your grandchildren,” he says.

Each tree species are given compartments. The first compartment is planted to rain tree (Samanea saman), where the ground portion are planted to rattan. The second compartment is allotted to mahogany (Sweitenia macrophylla) and two types of Acacia (auriculiformis and mangium). The lower portion is planted to trees that can be utilized for firewood like Sesbania sesban and Leucaena diversifolia, both fast-growing

trees.

The other portion of the farm is allocated for crop production. The system of SALT 1 is followed. Two hedgerows are planted and crops are grown in the strips between the hedgerows. Permanent crops are planted every third strip.

As a boundary between the two portions, bamboo is planted. “The bamboo serves as the filter of the water that goes to the agricultural crops,” Alimoane says. “We know that in steep areas, the water from the top portion comes rushing.”

Alimoane hopes that more farmers will adopt the SALT 3 system in their farms. “It’s high time for Filipino farmers to think of not only for the present but also for the future. The land is not given for this generation alone but also for the next and forthcoming generations.”

It seems that SALT 3 is also the solution to the denudation of the country’s forest. The total forest cover shrank from 10.5 million hectares in 1968 to 6.1 million hectares in 1991, records from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) showed.

However, in the past four years, the country’s forest cover has grown by at least a million hectares -- from 6.8 million hectares to 7.8 million hectares, according to Environment Secretary Ramon JP Paje.

Some studies have shown that over the last 90 years, com-

Various crops in one area

mercial logging has decimated 16 million hectares of the country’s forest cover. In 1989, the government imposed a lumber export ban in an effort to save the country’s forests from uncontrolled illegal logging. The following year, the ban was quietly lifted, but was reinstated after loud criticism.

Logging is not the sole culprit when it comes to deforestation. Slash-and-burn farmers, called kaingineros, can also be blamed. They cleared forests of trees and plant agricultural crops. They make pathways which later become roads for more people to encroach forested areas.

There are also people who cut trees for fuelwood or charcoal for their cooking and household energy needs. What is alarming is that dependence on wood energy is not declining.

Some studies show that

Lumber

supplying wood and charcoal to users provides jobs for people in growing, harvesting, processing, wholesaling, transporting and retailing.

Other causes of deforestation are forest fires, mining operations, geothermal explorations, dam construction and operation; and land development projects such as construction of subdivision, industrial estates, and commercial sites.

Volcanic eruptions have also devastated some of the country’s forests. Recent super typhoons like Yolanda and Pablo have also devastated considerable hectares of forest cover in the country.

As a consequence of the continuous removal of forest cover, particularly those in the uplands, the Philippines now experienced different environmental problems. “Most of these were not seen in such intensity

and magnitude before our time,” Alimoane deplores. “The signs cry out for immediate, nationwide attention.”

According to him, soil erosion is one of the most serious problems Filipinos may encounter with the rapid disappearance of forest cover. In 1988, the environment department said in 13 provinces, more than 50 percent of the total area was eroded. Soil loss ranges from 50 to 300 tons per hectare per year. These rates signify five to 30 times the maximum soil loss levels for any type of soil.

“Soil erosion, especially in the uplands, is now an extremely serious problem in the country,” Alimoane points out. “It does not only result in increasing the impoverishment of the Filipino farmers, but also destroys other things down under.”

Siltation, caused by erosion, shortens the productive life spans of dams and reservoirs.

The Magat reservoir, for instance, has been cut its probable life span of 100 years to 25 years.

The Ambuklao Dam reservoir had its life halved from 60 to 32 years as a result of siltation.

Deforestation also threatens the country’s wildlife resources.

The DENR reports that of the 1,657 identified bird and animal species alone, 46 are on the verge of extinction and another 18 are on the endangered list.

Seven ornamental plants and several others are on the brink of disappearance, the DENR adds.

“At the rate our forests are depleted, many wildlife species may no longer be there when we need them,” argued Samuel Penafiel, former director of the DENR’s Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau.

Deforestation has also altered the climatic condition in the country. Periods of drought have become more common and extensive in the dry season while floods have prevailed in the rainy months.

Time is running out but it’s not the end of the world yet. As Rev. Harold R. Watson, former MBRLC Director and 1985 recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for international understanding, puts it: “We face the reality of what man’s sins against the earth have caused. We see land degradation expressing itself in destruction of forests, loss of topsoil, pollution of streams and even the air we breathe. We are facing not a mere problem; we are facing destruction and even death if we continue to destroy the natural resources that support life on the earth.”

Charcoal

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EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

VOL. 8 ISSUE 23 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

EDITORIAL Preserving our patch of earth

P

ERHAPS for many outsiders, Davao City’s strong stance against mining is unrealistic and even unimplementable.

Mining, after all, is one of the Aquino administration’s priorities, and it has even passed Republic Act No 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 to allow mining companies to explore and extract minerals in the country. While the Mining Act’s tenor is to provide strict guidelines for such mining activities, the overall message is clear: the Philippines is open country for the exploitation of mineral resources, and anyone who has enough money can dive right in and extract as much resources as they want.

This is what Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and the City Council have in mind in opposing mining in Davao City. In today’s regular City Council session, the Council is set to approve on third and final reading an ordinance “closing off the City of Davao to mining operations.” The city recognizes the adverse effects of mining on the environment and that it competes with the remaining avail-

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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

able land, water, and food resources. Davao City is known as a resource-rich area, but opening it up to mining can strip it bare of these and render it useless to future generations.

The resolution says under Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, the City Council has the power and duty to protect the environment and impose penalties on acts that can harm the ecosystem. As to whether the city can cite this against the Mining Act remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: this generation of Dabawenyos does not want to deprive the next ones of the bounty we are now enjoying. Legal battles may later ensue as mining companies insist on exploring the city’s wealth, but at the very least we have laid an obstacle that will be difficult to hurdle. Indeed, as Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte has pointed out, if the ordinance is later on declared null and void, the ban on mining can still be implemented by simply not issuing business permits to mining companies. It is not a matter of being stubborn; we are simply preserving our patch of earth for our children.

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

GENERAL SANTOS CITY OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING MARKETING OFFICE

LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager EDMUND P. RENDON Unit 6, SouthbankMarketing Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Specialist General Santos City Cagayan de Oro City Mobile: (Sun) 0925-357-3460 Tel: (088) 852-4894 (Smart) 0907-202-3844

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EDGEDAVAO

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9

Federalism in a society of oligarchs

HAT happens if we adopt the federal form of government?

Not much, really; not especially at the local level—and more so in constituencies that seem enamored of political dynasties and strong-arm tactics.

A shift to federal now will simply place the same oligarchs who control power today into more secure positions of control under the federal system tomorrow.

In other words, the same autocrats, oligarchs, and traditional politicians (trapos)— with their political dynasties—will be the lords of the federal system. With politics in captivity, reform will be largely be a pipedream; and government will behave and perform the same as today.

Like a new year’s resolution, a system is only as good as the deeds people do to fulfill its mandates. No matter how well-crafted it may be, it can do little good if the people and officials do not act out its precepts, intents, or purposes. ***** Thus, if the public servants will still behave like masters and the community or the constituents like spectators and puppets manipulated by patronage, nothing much will change.

Look at the power structure today, do a little projection into the future, and see if there’s any chance that a Binay, a Duterte, a Guingona, or an Angara would ever yield to anyone outside their dynasty or without its approval and

T

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL. 8 ISSUE 23 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

HE experts have spoken. You don’t need to exercise only to have a body to die for – but also for your health’s sake.People who exercise regularly live longer, are physically fit, and are happier.

There are 1,440 minutes in every day.

Schedule some of them for physical activity!The American Heart Association and the Atlanta-based Center Disease Control and Prevention recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week.

Exercises are generally grouped into three types depending on the overall effect they have on the human body: flexibility exercises such as stretching improve the range of motion of muscles and joints; aerobic exercises such as walking and running focus on increasing cardiovascular endurance; and anaerobic exercises such as weight training, functional training or sprinting increase short-term muscle strength.

Functional fitness and functional exercise are the latest gym buzzwords. They focus on building a body capable of doing real-life activities in real-life positions, not just lifting a certain amount of weight in an idealized posture created by a gym machine.

“Conventional weight training isolates muscle groups, but it doesn’t teach the muscle groups you’re isolating to work with others,” says Greg Roskopf, MS, a biomechanics consultant with a company called Muscle Activation Techniques who has worked with athletes from the Denver Broncos, the Denver Nuggets, and the Utah Jazz.

“The key to functional exercise is integration. It’s about teaching all the muscles to work together rather than isolating them to work independently,” Roskopf adds.

support.

Oh, some may fall off the wagon, but chances are those who take their place will come from the same mold, supported and financed by them, and practice the same sort of politics that elevated them and their forbears to power.

At best, the shift to a federal system will be merely cosmetic, not substantial. People will only be minimally involved in government, while actual control will still be with the officials and their dynasties—whose control of the barangay, municipality, city, or province will be even tighter. As Rizal feared if reforms are halfbaked and careless: the tyrants of today will be the rulers of tomorrow. ***** Moreover, in promoting the federal movement, one mustn’t confuse individuals with the system, not especially imperious individuals with a penchant for dominating everything and everyone.

In politics, few individuals can be trusted and relied upon—sapagkat sila’y tao lamang (they’re only human) and politics is all about power.

There’s something about power that transmogrifies ordinary people into greedy oli-

garchs. Like the siren song of Greek mythology, power is irresistible, and its embrace is fatal to ordinary mortals. About the only ones immune to lust for power and its obsessive appeal are statesmen and leaders with extraordinary character.

This explains why it is important in politics to seek power in the context of a team and within the framework of a common platform, philosophy, or ideology; in other words, through a party. ***** Members of a bona fide political party are committed to a set of goals and objectives designed to bring about an improved quality of life for all. Each party member is bound by this commitment as an individual and as a member of the group.

In turn, his membership with the group binds him to support everyone and assures him of their support. In the process, they balance each other out, temper the excesses of individual members, and solidify one another’s loyalty to the common cause.

Membership provides togetherness of kindred ideas, ideals, and aspirations. And the same membership also serves as a reminder of what the party stands for as a team, that it is on a mission to pursue a social contract with the community.

If the party is victorious, the members, individually and collectively, enter into the social

contract with the community as a group, not as individuals. ***** In the course of the party’s life, each one may perform a different role but performs it in coordination and harmony with one another, democratically, consensually.

But if the party is dominated, manipulated, or dictated upon by one person or a clique, it is not a bona fide party, merely an oligarchy. And this, I’m afraid, is the ugly reality of our political system.

It is very doubtful whether a federal system will take root readily and thrive in a society of oligarchs, dynasties, and thoroughly traditional, self-serving, greedy politicos.

How can you build a federal system on a foundation of autocracy and oligarchic governance—in which only one person (your self!)—and others you designate—call the shots and anyone who says otherwise could get shot? (MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. Manny Valdehuesa is former UNESCO regional director for Asia-Pacific; secretary-general, Southeast Asia Publishers Association; director, development academy of Philippines; member, Philippine Mission to the UN; vice chair, Local Government Academy; member, Cory Govt’s Peace Panel; awardee, PPI-UNICEF outstanding columnist. Author of books on governance, he is chairman/convenor of Gising Barangay Movement Inc.)

The Min- THINK ON THESE! nesota-based Mayo Clinic cites seven reasons why exercise is good for you: E x e r cise controls weight: Exercise can help prevent excess Henrylito D. Tacio weight gain or henrytacio@gmail.com help maintain weight loss.

When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn. You don’t need to set aside large chunks of time for exercise to reap weight-loss benefits. If you can’t do an actual workout, get more active throughout the day in simple ways — by taking the stairs instead of the elevator or revving up your household chores.

Exercise combats health conditions and diseases: No matter what’s your current weight, being active boosts high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good cholesterol” and decreases unhealthy triglycerides. This onetwo punch keeps your blood flowing smoothly, which decreases your risk of cardiovascular diseases. In fact, regular physical activity can help you prevent or manage a wide range of health problems and concerns, including stroke, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, depression, arthritis, and certain types of cancer.

Exercise improves mood: A workout at the gym or a brisk 30-minute walk can help blow off some steam after a stressful day. Phys-

ical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed. You may also feel better about your appearance and yourself when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem.

Exercise boosts energy: Regular physical activity can improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance.Exercise and physical activity deliver oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and help your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. And when your heart and lungs work more efficiently, you have more energy to go about your daily chores.

Exercise promotes better sleep: If you having insomnia or struggling to stay asleep, you need to exercise.Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep. Just don’t exercise too close to bedtime, or you may be too energized to fall asleep.

Exercise puts the spark back into your sex life: Do you feel too tired or too out of shape to enjoy physical intimacy? Regular physical activity can leave you feeling energized and looking better, which may have a positive effect on your sex life. But there’s more to it than that. Regular physical activity can lead to enhanced arousal for women. And men who exercise regularly are less likely to have problems with erectile dysfunction than are men who don’t exercise.

Exercise can be fun: Exercise and physical activity can be a fun way to spend some time. It gives you a chance to unwind, enjoy the outdoors or simply engage in activities that make you happy. Physical activity can also help you connect with family or friends in a fun social setting. So, take a dance class, hit the hiking trails or join a soccer team. Find a physical activity you enjoy, and just do it. If you get bored,

try something new.

Those are the benefits you get from exercise.But if you haven’t exercised for some time and you have health concerns, you may want to talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise routine.

Although moderate physical activity, such as brisk walking, is safe for most people, the Mayo Clinic suggests that you talk to your doctor before you start an exercise program if you have a heart disease, asthma or lung disease, arthritis, diabetes, and liver or kidney disease.

You should also check with your doctor if you have symptoms suggestive of heart, lung or other serious disease, such as: pain or discomfort in your chest, neck, jaw or arms during physical activity; dizziness or loss of consciousness; shortness of breath with mild exertion or at rest, or when lying down or going to bed; ankle swelling, especially at night; a heart murmur or a rapid or pronounced heartbeat; and muscle pain when walking upstairs or up a hill that goes away when you rest.

On the other hand, the American College of Sports Medicine recommends that you see your doctor before engaging in vigorous exercise if two or more of the following apply: (1) you’re a man older than age 45 or a woman older than age 55; (2) you have a family history of heart disease before age 55; (3) you smoke or you quit smoking in the past six months; (4) you haven’t exercised for three months or more; (5) you’re overweight or obese; (6) you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol; and (7) you have impaired glucose tolerance.

“Working with your doctor ahead of time is a good way to plan an exercise program that’s right for you,” the Mayo Clinic points out.“Consider it the first step on your path to physical fitness.”

THE WORM’S EYEVIEW

BY MANNY VALDEHUESA

So, you want to exercise?

10 NEWS Paolo... FROM 1

ficial to fully understand the perils that the people get thru once on the vessel. I have all the right to raise the issue. We were paying passengers and our safety is their priority and concern. It’s not all about the money. Expect a louder voice if this goes unheeded again,” he said.

The barges plying the said route is owned by the Bangayan family, which also owns a fleet of taxis operating in the city. The Bangayans are friends of the Dutertes and had been very supportive of the Duterte

administration.

Paolo, however, said his family’s close ties with the Bangayans must be set aside since the welfare of the public is already at stake.

Paolo had earlier posted a rant on his Facebook account and followed up with a privilege speech in last week’s regular City Council session calling on the Philippine Coast Guard, the MARINA, and the Bangayan family which owns the fleet of barges to take action on the non-wearing of lifejackets by thousands of passengers.

When he asked those in the audience to stand if they will support the Davao City Mayor should he decide to run, every-

body stood up in a deafening uproar. Later, they queued to sign a pledge of support for Duterte.

Council committee chair for trade and industry, was among the people who pushed for the modernization project of the port. However, he was surprised at the P17-billion floor price for bidders.

He said PPA study for the project put the cost at only P4 billion.

In a report, Laviña said the current cost of the project is more than four times that of the PPA project cost and three times the cost of the redevelopment of the Hijo Port in Tagum, Davao del Norte which is pegged at P5.7 billion.

It is also more than six times the development of the Davao International Container Terminal (DICT) of the San Vicente Terminal and Brokerage Services, Inc. in Panabo City which only costs P2.65 billion Davao City councilor Danilo Dayanghirang last week also questioned the allegedly “high cost” of the Sasa Port modernization contract

which will be implemented through public-private partnership build-operate- transfer scheme.

Dayanghirang said the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) had allegedly “undercut, ignored, and totally undermine the study done by the Philippine Port Authority, to favor a much costlier proposal by a foreign consultancy group under the World Bank.”

Meanwhile, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) 11 regional director Maria Lourdes Lim said the modernization of Sasa is necessary to make the shipping industry in Davao to be more competitive amidst the Asean integration.

Based on the published invitation bid, the Sasa Port has a total area of 18.1 hectares, including a 4.15 hectare container yard, and an annual capacity of 550,000 20-foot equivalent (TEUs).

human trafficking can be addressed through education which will increase public awareness.

If people are aware, they will be able to make safer decisions when deciding whether to work locally or abroad, she said.

“The problem with human trafficking in the Philippines is very serious,” she added. This despite the fact that laws have been crafted and implemented like the Republic Act 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.

Gahan said the latest statistics revealed that almost 35 million in the world are experiencing different kinds of slavery.

Meanwhile, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said the country should credit President Benigno Aquino for the suspension

of the execution of Veloso in Indonesia, saying the President’s actions made the Indonesian government change its mind at the last minute.

“Let us give to Caesar what Caesar deserves. May nagawa talaga dito si Presidente,” Duterte said.

The country is apparently divided on the matter, with some supporting the President and others saying he had neglected Veloso’s case.

Duterte said he was happy that the execution did not push through, saying God intervened.

“Hindi lang naman yun kagagwan ni Presidente, si God talaga yung may kagagawan, gipaagi lang niya kang Presidente (It was not just the President that did it. God was the one who did it, he just used the President),” he said.

Likewise, Villar said they have established Georgia School which offers initially a primary education.

“We will eventually ex-

pand into College (education).

We started small and hopefully, we’ll be expanding. We have now four school branches,” he said. (PNA)

Rody... FROM 2 PPA... FROM 2

Filipinos... FROM 2

Villar... FROM 6

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 23 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

ALL FOR MANNY. Thousands of Dabawenyos gatherat the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) gym in Davao City on Sunday to watch and support boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao against American rival Floyd Mayweather Jr. during their boxing match dubbed as “Fight of the Century.” Lean Daval Jr.

Council... FROM 3 explore and extract minerals in the country.

But Vice Mayor Paolo Z Duterte said the City Council wants to pass the total mining ban in the city since Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte is firm in his opposition to mining.

The vice mayor said if the ordinance is declared null and void, the ban on mining

can still be implemented by simply not issuing business permits to mining companies.

He said if the companies insist on their exploration and extraction projects, the city is willing to face charges just to prevent the city from environment exploitation due to mining.

no, Maguindanao.

Marwan, an international terrorist with US$ 5 million bounty on his head, was killed but Usman, who was wounded, was able to escape in the bloody operation that left 44 SAF members dead after an almost 11-hour firefight between the combined forces of the MILF and BIFF and the PNP-SAF troopers.

The Mamasapano incident has delayed the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) hearings both in the Senate and the House of Representatives to give way the series of investigations on the incident.

The bloody encounter prompted some lawmakers to withdraw their support on the passage of the BBL, some of them accusing the MILF of

protecting Marwan.

Drilon said the BBL, a piece of legislation that will provide for the creation of the Bangsamoro political entity in Mindanao, is still the top priority agenda of the Senate in the six remaining weeks of the second regular session of the 16th Congress. ”That (BBL) is on top of our priority agenda once it (BBL committee report) is submitted at the plenary,” Drilon said.

The Senate president earlier said the target to pass the BBL is before the sine die adjournment on June 11.

The BBL was the result of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed between the government and MILF in March last year. (PNA)

representative said, the PLGU engagement strengthens coordination among the program implementers, local government units, and targeted communities.

“We want to build harmony down to the grass roots level to form best practices and discover what can be replicated into future projects.”

ComVal is among the PLGUs that have demonstrated innovations in adopting the community driven development (CDD) approach in the past through their implementation of Kalahi-CIDSS. In 2010 to 2011, it implemented the Assistance Toward Unity for Progress thru Empowerment, Accountability, Cooperation, and Efficiency (ATU-PEACE) initiative, which

was based on Kalahi-CIDSS and uses CDD in implementing small-scale projects, with financial support from the PLGU. Kalahi-CIDSS is one of DSWD’s flagship anti-poverty programs. It recently scaled up into a national community-driven development program and is implemented to provide poor communities access to services and increase their participation in more inclusive local planning, budgeting and implementation.

The Enhancement of PLGU Engagement in Kalahi-CIDSS strives to collaborate with MLGUs at the provincial level to mobilize resources and technical assistance to communities and adopt community identified priorities. DSWD/Julie Ace Brandon F. Ramos/ccd

Drilon... FROM 3

DSWD... FROM 4

DOLE... FROM 6

venues: Gaisano Mall of Davao, SM City Davao, Gaisano Mall of Tagum, and the gymnasium in Barangay Daring, Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur. A total 136 local and overseas companies with a total of 34,096 posted job vacancies participated in the recent job fair.

Manual said the next big job fair DOLE 11 will host is on June 12 – the Kalayaan job fair – at NCCC Mall of Davao in Maa, Davao City.

Manual said despite surpassing its target in the recent job fair, DOLE 11 will still maintain the 15 percent target in the next job fair.

the continued growth of consumption expenditure which, he said, helps sustain the domestic economy’s growth momentum. ”We share the government’s target of seven to eight percent real GDP (gross domestic product) growth for 2015,” he added.

In 2014, the economy grew by 6.1 percent, lower than the government’s 6.5-7.5 percent due to the impact of calamities that hit the coun-

try in the last quarter of 2013 and the expanded truck ban implemented by the City of Manila from February to September last year.

In the last quarter of last year, the economy posted a recovery after it grew by 6.9 percent from the previous quarter’s 5.3 percent.

This recovery is expected to happen this year on back of expected increase in government spending, among others.

(PNA)

livering a great experience to our customers. With it, network key performance indicators will see significant improvement,” he added.

“We are impressed with the capabilities of the SingleSON, in so far as improving operation and maintenance (O&M) efficiency and performance are concerned. It will allow us to continuously deliver a great user experience to manage an increasingly more complex network and will enable us to manage the explosive growth and expansion of mobile data services traffic which is foreseen to continue in the coming years,” Estrada said.

According to Estrada, the SingleSON solution effectively covers the entire lifecycle of networks as it is designed for automation to provide efficiency and improve network performance. Its main characteristics in terms of O&M consist of self-configuration, self-optimization and self-healing. Likewise, it is also capable of supporting equipment from other vendors. It is powered by a SONMaster

as the core product and engine which detects coverage problems and adjusts radio frequency parameters automatically.

The telco recently announced that as the first in the world to employ Huawei Technologies’ SingleSON in its modernized mobile broadband infrastructure.

The SingleSON, or the self-organizing network solution, provides Globe with an intelligent, future-proof wireless broadband network which ultimately translates to a wonderful customer experience.

The solution was recently tested live on the Globe mobile broadband network and is the largest commercial deployment thus far for SingleSON. According to Globe, the performance of the solution achieved remarkable results and exceeded expectations with immediate improvement on both drop call rates as well as users’ throughput. It also showed better mobile broadband traffic management & sharing of radio resources between layers and technologies.

BSP... FROM 6

Globe... FROM 11

ICT HUB 11

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 23 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

RESCUE WORK. Relief workers and civilians sift through the rubble in the aftermath of the 7.8 Magnitude earthquake in Nepal on April 25, 2015. Photo from Mark Zuckerberg’s timeline.

Facebook raises $10M for Nepal F

Globe widens rollout of SingleSON solution Network now ‘future-ready’ with nationwide deployment

F

acebook raised more than $10 million in two days for victims of the April 25 Nepal earthquake after activating its “Safety Check” in the disaster’s aftermath.

In a post in his timeline, Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the $10 million was donated by more than half a million people to support the International Medical Corps relief effort.

Facebook, for its part, will donate an additional $2 million to local recovery efforts to help those in affected areas.

“We gave people the op-

tion on Facebook to support local relief efforts,” Zuckerberg said.

The 7.8 Magnitude earthquake killed an estimated 7,000 people and injured more than twice as many. The quake also triggered an avalanche in Mt. Everest, killing at least nine people, and another avalanche in Langtang Valley, where about 250 are missing.

Aside from the money, Zuckerberg said Facebook’s Safety Check also allowed users to mark seven million people in the area as safe.

“We’ve seen our commu-

nity come together in some amazing ways since the earthquake in Nepal. We activated Safety Check and more than 7 million people in the area have been marked as safe. More than 150 million friends were notified and those updates let people rest easier and relief efforts remain focused,” he said.

Zuckerberg said people were able to use modern communication technology to help each other in time of great need.

“In times of crisis, the need to connect and share becomes even more critical. WhatsApp

to mClinica’s client base which includes some of the world’s largest healthcare companies.

For mClinica, the deal includes an undisclosed equity stake in the company as well as access to Medix’s technologies and development resources. These technologies will help power Connect Physician, a new service from mClinica that enables doctors to build stronger relationships with their patients.

“We expect strong synergies from our partnership with Medix,” said Farouk Meralli, CEO of mClinica. “As we help them grow their business, we plan to use their impressive technologies to improve doctor-patient relationships, which will increase health awareness, adherence to treatment regimens, and

overall health outcomes for patients.”

On the other hand, Marc Medina, Medix’s CEO and Founder said: “mClinica’s track record shows that they have the mindset to achieve regional scale. Since we share their goal to extend the reach of care in Asia’s emerging markets, we are excited to be working with them.” mClinica currently operates a similar service called Connect Pharmacy. The service, which won the 2015 Hack Osaka Award in February, allows pharmacies to connect with their patients through loyalty and health education programs. By bringing pharmacies onto a single digital platform, the service also allows pharmaceutical companies to access fragmented

mClinica makes strategic investment in Medix

M

CLINICA, a global provider of mobile health technology for pharmacies and the pharmaceutical industry, has acquired a stake in Medix, a cloud-based clinic management service based in the Philippines, laying the foundation for a strategic partnership that supports their shared goal of improving healthcare in Asia.

Medix was launched in 2013 as a service for dental practices, but recently developed an electronic medical record (EMR) platform that has gained traction among hospitals and clinics in the Philippines. By partnering with mClinica, which maintains digital networks of pharmacies across Asia, Medix will gain operational expertise for entry into new markets and access

and Messenger are being used in Nepal and across the region to get help. Aid workers are using Groups to coordinate and figure out how to get to affected areas. Journalists and media outlets are using Instagram as their primary way to share photos of the events,” he said.

“It is inspiring to see our community coming together to help people in their time of need. We’re grateful to be serving you, and for all your efforts to support those affected by the Nepal earthquake,” he added. Edge Davao networks of pharmacies at scale, which increases access and reduces prices for essential medicines.

Piloted in the Philippines, Connect Pharmacy now boasts a network of over 1400 pharmacies in the country, which together provide access to over 20 million patients na-

URTHER bolstering its modernized broadband wireless network, Globe Telecom said it is progressively rolling out the adoption of the new SingleSON solution in the entire country, which will provide for a highly-intelligent infrastructure, leading to an overall enhanced user experience for the telco’s 46 million mobile customers.

The telco will start to deploy SingleSON on its LTE cells as base software and will be the critical solution to integrate 2G, 3G, and LTE together and have them work seamlessly across the technologies.

According to the network’s technical executives, the nationwide commercial rollout is earmarked to be completed before the third quarter of 2015, with new features being

tionwide. These numbers have enticed many of the country’s leading pharmaceutical companies to join the platform.

Based on this initial success, mClinica has since expanded into Vietnam and Indonesia, and is eyeing other high-potential markets around the region.

developed to further improve SingleSON solution, leading to an overall enhanced Globe customer experience.

“The adoption of the SingleSON in the entire Globe network nationwide will empower us to effectively manage a more complex network and deliver on our promise of superior customer experience,” Globe Senior Vice President for Network Technical Group-Technical Services Division Emmanuel Estrada said.

“SingleSON allows automatic near-real time diagnostics of our mobile broadband network and optimizing it intelligently. From the point of view of Globe, it means less resources needed to manage complex networks and de-

FGLOBE, 10

Both Medix and mClinica are part of the investment portfolio of Kickstart Ventures, the venture capital arm of Globe Telecom. Medix joined Kickstart in 2013 while mClinica followed a year later through a funding round that also included 500 Startups and IMJ Investment Partners.

12 CLASSIFIED

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DAVAO CITY MAIN OFFICE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY MARKETING OFFICE

Director of Sales

Marketing Specialist

JOCELYN S. PANES

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

EDMUND P. RENDON

General Santos City

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

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

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

VOL. 8 ISSUE 23 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

PAGASA: Tropical storm expected to enter Thursday

T

HE tropical depression outside the`Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) has intensified into a tropical storm, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Monday.

PAGASA defines a tropical storm as moderate tropical cyclone with maximum wind speed of 64 to 118 kph (25 to 75 mph).

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Shelley Ignacio said that as of 4 a.m., the tropical storm with international name “Noul” was estimated based on all available data at 1,555 km East of Mindanao (10.0˚N, 140.4˚E) packing maxi-

mum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

It is forecast to move West Northwest at 9 kph.

Ignacio said with its speed and movement, the tropical storm is expected to enter the PAR by Thursday and also expected to make landfall in the Bicol Region by Saturday or Sunday.

Once it enters PAR, the storm will be locally named “Dodong” the fourth tropical cyclone to affect the country this year.

PAGASA expects at least one to two cyclones to affect the country this May. She added the trough or extended cloudiness of the tropical storm will bring

NOTICE OF LOSS

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EDGEDAVAO

cloudy skies with light to moderate rains over Eastern Visayas while the rest of Visayas and Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rains. Thunderstorms are likely to occur over this areas.

For Monday forecast, Ignacio said the public will continue to experience warm and humid weather due to the easterlies or warm air from the east which continues to be the dominant weather system affecting the country She said that due to easterlies, the whole country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

However, she noted that the chances of isolated rains are high in the areas located in the eastern section of the country since it is affected by the easterlies.

She explained that since the easterlies or winds from the east are “warm,” the convective activity brought about by its intense heat triggers the formation of

localized thunderstorm clouds.

She added that its “rich in moisture” quality also contribute in the formation of thunderstorm clouds.

She said the presence of easterlies will continue to bring high temperatures and sunny weather in the coming days as he advised people to wear lightweight and light-colored clothing, and drink plenty of water.

She said residents of places directly hit by the heat of the sun, without trees, and surrounded by concrete roads would feel much hotter.

Monday’s temperature in Metro Manila will range from 24-35 degrees Celsius.

In its advisory, PAGASA said light to moderate winds blowing from the east to southeast will prevail over Luzon, coming from the east to northeast over Visayas and from the northeast to north over Mindanao. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate. (PNA) LAM/CLTC

13

DCWD bares new laboratory testing rates

D

AVAO City Water District announces new rates for the services of its laboratory on the analysis of various physical – chemical parameters effective May 1 per Board Resolution No. 15-097 approved on March 21, 2015 during the fifth regular DCWD Board of Directors meeting.

The following are the services with corresponding new rates: AAS Method Antimony – PhP 495 Arsenic – PhP 525 Barium – PhP 495 Cadmium – PhP 495 Calcium – PhP 510 Chromium – PhP 490 Copper – PhP 490 Iron – PhP 490 Lead – PhP 495 Magnesium – PhP 510 Manganese – PhP 490 Mercury – PhP 500 Nickel – PhP 495 Potassium – PhP 495 Selenium – PhP 530 Sodium – PhP 495 Zinc – PhP 490

Colorimetry method Aluminium – PhP 500 Bromine – PhP 330 Chromium Hexavalant – PhP 345 Chlorine – PhP 325 Color – PhP 320 Cyanide – PhP 445 Fluoride – PhP 380 Nitrate – PhP 370 Nitrite – PhP 360

Nitrogen Ammonia – PhP 1,110 Phosphate – PhP 345 Silica – PhP 490 Sulfate – PhP 350 THM – PhP 1,920 Electrometric method Conductivity – PhP 175 DO – PhP 230 pH – PhP 190 TDS – PhP 175 Temperature – PhP 175 Turbidity – PhP 245 Titration method Acidity – PhP 200 Alkalinity – PhP 250 Bicarbonates – PhP 280 Chloride – PhP 325 Hardness – PhP 265

For 15 years now, DCWD’s laboratory has been accredited by the Bureau of Health Facilities and Services of the Department of Health (DOH) as a Water Testing Laboratory to conduct water monitoring and testing. It has also received excellent ratings in the Proficiency Testing Scheme for Water Microbiological Testing in 2009, 2010 – 2011 and 2012.

Said test ensures the accuracy and quality of the laboratory test results issued by the DOH-accredited water testing laboratories.

DCWD’s laboratory is located at Madapo Hills. For queries and other concerns, the general public may contact (082) 2215132. (Jovana T. Duhaylungsod)

14 MOTORING EDGEDAVAO

CAR REVIEW

W

ITH the exception of MyFord Touch (MFT), everything else is what Ford needed. It’s what the compact crossover segment needed.

It’s what you needed, you just don’t know it yet. It brings curiosity. It brings excitement. It brings intrigue. Whoever said that this genre was cornered by the Japanese makes didn’t tell Ford.

The question now beckons: is the Ford Escape the best compact crossover out there.

It’s certainly come a long way, but it’s still not the super-uber best one out there. Still, you’ve got to hand it over to the Ford guys. A for effort—high five and slow clap. For starters, it looks nice. Nice like a spaceship landed on the roads, nice.

There’s not a single weak point to the Escape’s sheet metal. It’s modern, sleek, and filled with all the correct angles and none of the curves. It’s as chiseled as Ben Affleck’s Batman chin. Even the 19-inch rims are nicely done.

It’s garnered enough inquisitive looks from motorists, passersby, and gasoline station attendants.

More importantly, it’s made one owner of the other “turbocharged compact crossover” salivate with envy. It’s like the Focus and the Explorer gave birth to a handsome crossover. This thing will give you a man crush, guaranteed.

But that admiration wears off and turns into confusion the moment you step inside the cabin. It’s like bubby cute Miley Cyrus suddenly turn all crazy and twerky on you. Without looking at the owner’s manual, just firing up the Escape requires a minute or two. After locating the oddly positioned Engine Start button, press it and you’ll be greeted by an avalanche of flashing screens, beeps, and chimes. It’s a sensory overload. And this experience doesn’t get any easier with time.

Simply put, with the exception of the great seating position and the location of the major driving controls (steering wheel, shifter, and stalks), it’s an ergonomic nightmare.

The biggest culprit is the dual colored screens with one sandwiched between the speedo and tach, and the other, serving as MFT central. Both display a wealth of information, which is good, but navigating through

VOL. 8 ISSUE 23 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

2015 Ford Escape 2.0 EcoBoost Titanium AWD

them is confusing, which is bad.

For instance, the small screen in the instrument cluster shows the multi-function display which is controlled by the left set of steering wheel buttons. That’s easy enough. So you’d think the story’s the same with MFT which is controlled by the joystick looking thingy? Nope. The joystick isn’t even a joystick; it simply operates the Tune and Seek functions. You want to access MFT? You have to use the touchscreen.

And boy, is it laggy. The annoyance continues when you find that vehicle functions aren’t centralized either on the multi-function display or MFT. You want to change fuel consumption units?

That’s in the multi-function display. Clock settings? MFT. Driver aids? Multi-function display.

Rear camera? MFT. There’s no fast and easy rule. You simply have to go through all the menus and discover a nugget of new sub-menus. Well, at least you won’t get bored.

This crossover isn’t for the technologically challenged. But the ‘confuse and conquer’ attitude of the Escape doesn’t end there. There are other gripes, albeit less major. First, the CD slot is located on top of the center console, where the natural driver’s line of sight is. The MFT screen should have been put there. Second, controls for the customizable mood lighting aren’t located in the lighting panel.

They’re on the panel controlling the sunroof (as a side note, the mood lighting does double as a door ajar warning, letting you know which door wasn’t closed properly; a nice touch). Third, see that high-gloss piano black accent running through the dash? It looks nice, but not when it’s blinding you half the time when sunshine hits it. Finally, it comes with a huge array of sensors like front and rear proximity sensors, but it only knows how to beep. There’re no visual representations where the beeps are coming from. It’s hard to understand how the Focus could have a visual indicator of where the obstacle is, while the Escape doesn’t. It’s so annoying, you’ll end up turning off the sensors before driving off, relying instead on the rear camera during parking.

For all its ergonomic pitfalls, the Escape is the segment’s

most comfortable offering. Driving four to five hours straight is peanuts. It’s clearly built for interstate driving in the US. The four-spoke tiller is nice to hold, though the leather does have a weird fake texture. The front seats are highly supportive with adjustable lumbars and power adjustment for the front occupants (with memory for the driver) while the rear ones have reclining seat backs. Plus, there are eight air conditioning vents upfront and two at the back ensuring everyone gets his or her fair share of machine-chilled air. Space-wise, it’s much more cramped than its generous exterior dimensions suggest, akin to a Focus. So bringing your four friends along for the comfortable ride may not be a great idea, unless they’re really close or they’re Sports Illustrated swimsuit models. Items in the cargo hold fair much better than the passengers with a low and flat loading space.

It’s tall enough to fit a common 18-liter (four gallon) water container upright with room to spare for the tonneau cover.

The blacked out portion of the bumper’s a nice touch as well, preventing unwanted nicks and scratches when you have to slide heavy stuff out like luggage. And speaking about the cargo hold, you can’t talk about the Escape without discussing its most talked about feature: the hands-free tailgate. Anyone can do a power tailgate (the best execution so far, by the way), but the kick below the rear bumper to open? Magic.

Now comes the much-awaited part: the drive. With 240 horsepower and 366 Nm of torque, it easily stands toe-to-toe with another turbocharged compact crossover, the same one that caused salivation to its owner upon seeing the Escape. But despite the on-paper power specs, the on-road behavior is rather different. The direct-injected, turbocharged powerplant will largely disappoint Paul Walker wannabes because it gives the feel of a large displacement engine with its linear power delivery. It doesn’t give that “VTEC (or turbo) just kicked in ‘yo” moment nor does it dig you into the seatback. Instead, there’s locomotive-like progression. The aural quality is muted and muffled, with just a hint of a growl at the top end. Progress may not be felt

by the seat of the pants, but it’s there. The speedometer doesn’t lie nor will any potential speed gun. What’s even lovelier is that it doesn’t rely on any fanciful switchable drive mode. It only has D and S. The lack of a selectable drive mode though means there’s no real way to curb its insatiable appetite for fuel: 5.55 km/L in the city, 15.38 km/L on the highway (good for a mixed figure of 7.14 km/L). That’s compared its rival which when left in ‘Intelligent’ mode still does 8.19 km/L in the city! Thankfully, the Escape balances that out by not being too picky with its fuel. It can run on regular 93-octane unleaded with no problems.

The six-speed automatic plays a supporting role in the Escape’s great on-road behavior.

It shifts smoothly. In stop-and-go traffic, it goes largely unnoticed, giving the same shift shock-free feel of a CVT. It’s that good. It’s also flexible and anticipates your needs. It will adjust according to driving conditions instantaneously. During more spirited driving, it will hold the gear for you and will even allow you to bounce the limiter a tad before shifting up. It’s so good and responsive that you’ll forget that there’s a +/- rocker on the shift lever. And speaking about that rocker switch, that’s the least favorite thing about the entire driving experience, so good thing you don’t need to use that thing. Ever.

Outfitted with beefy 235/45 R19 Continental ContiProContacts, you’ll expect the Escape to have a firm and crashy ride. But, that’s far from the truth. In reality, suspension tuning is one its greatest strengths. It’s best experienced at mid to high speed where it quells road imperfections excellently. Concrete road ribs are absorbed very well and no crashiness makes it to the cabin. At low speeds, potholes and humps are much more noticeable, perhaps because of limited suspension travel, but again, they are mitigated before they reach the driver’s seat. It’s got a well-balanced ride that leans more toward the “comfort” side of the equation. And speaking of comfort, it’s serenely quiet with minimal road, tire, and wind noise. It’s too quiet in fact that those boy racers who refuse to grow up will feel somewhat disappointed.

Meet the compact crossover all-new Tucson

H

YUNDAI is showing off a bolder, more sophisticated, and technologically rich compact crossover in the all-new Tucson. A constant best-seller in its line-up, the allnew 2015 Tucson combines a bold and athletic exterior with a stylish and ergonomic interior. All in all, Hyundai is confident of getting back its leadership in the segment.

The bold and athletic new Tucson is the latest Hyundai product to benefit from the brand’s Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language. President and Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer describes the Tucson as filled with “refined, flowing surfaces, bold proportions, sharp lines, and the brand’s newest signature—the hexagonal grille.” It’s rugged and classy, distinguished by its slanted, square-shaped wheel arches and wedge-shaped lighting fixtures.

Inside, the Tucson promises to be much more voluminous than ever before with a smartly packaged interior that optimizes the vehicle’s exterior-to-interior dimension ratio.

The new horizontal dashboard orientation also maximizes space while leading to a highly ergonomic driving experience.

The use of non-reflective displays and easy-to-understand cluster indicators communicate a driver-centric experience.

Available in a purely black cabin, the Tucson has premi-

um materials and detailed cabin textures all over. The seats come with power adjustment, heating and cooling functions for the front seats, a power tailgate, and a Smart Key with push-button start-stop. It’s also aiming to be one of the safest offerings in its class with its list of comprehensive safety features such as a full suite of airbags, Hill-start Assist Control, Advanced Traction Cornering Control (ATCC), and even an adaptive cruise control system—the first in its class.

The all-new Tucson is promising uncompromising performance thanks to its choice of gasoline and diesel-fed engines. The gasoline variant is powered a 2.0-liter Nu MPI engine with a twostep VIS system developing 155 horsepower and 192 Nm of torque. Meanwhile, the R CRDi with variable geometry turbo packs 186 horsepower and 402 Nm of torque. Both engines are mated to a 6-speed automatic with manual shift override (Shiftronix).

Hyundai is pulling out all the stops to make sure that the Tucson takes the market lead once more. With its bolder exterior, driver-centric interior, and richer set of technology features, this is one compact crossover that’s not only engineered for fun and play, but engineered to lead as well.

The all-new 2015 Hyundai Tucson will be sold beginning middle of this year.

VOL. 8 ISSUE 23 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO

BEFORE IT RAINED. Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo Del Rosario (left) and Vice Governor Baby Suaybaguio raise the Davao del Norte banner during the opening of the 2015 Palarong Pambansa. The flag rites came before heavy downpour cut short the program. Lean Daval Jr.

Warriors star Stephen Curry to be named NBA MVP

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Manny Pacquiao tags Floyd Mayweather with a right straight.

Manny laments injury after loss F

LOYD Mayweather Jr. didn’t want to listen to any excuses, and Manny Pacquiao said he never intended to give one.

But after Mayweather extended his unbeaten record to 48-0 Saturday night with a unanimous-decision victory over Pacquiao at MGM Grand, a dispute over a denied injection Pacquiao said he needed for his pained right shoulder cast a cloud over the long-anticipated bout between the world’s top two boxers.

A miscommunication involving Pacquiao’s promoter, Top Rank Inc., the Nevada State Athletic Commission and the fight’s drug-test-

ing supervisor, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, prevented Pacquiao from receiving an injection containing the anesthetic lidocaine and two other pain-relieving prescription medications.

On April 4, Pacquiao suffered a twisted right shoulder when he and a sparring partner tangled while each threw overhand rights. Two days later, he was examined, and a tear underneath the rotator cuff in a joint was found, and he was given a cortisone shot to alleviate the pain, said his manager, Michael Koncz.

The injury limited Pacquiao’s ability to train with his right hand. In an inter-

view at his hotel suite Sunday, Pacquiao said he went into the fight with his right arm functioning at 60%.

But Pacquiao’s camp was told by his orthopedist that he could take the injection if he wanted, and USADA approved the in-competition use of the remedy in a document.

The problem was that USADA never shared its approval with the state commission, Chairman Francisco Aguilar said Sunday, and when Pacquiao’s camp told the commission it wanted the fighter to take the injection at 6:08 p.m. on fight night, the request was rejected.

Aguilar said that Pacquiao’s camp noted the possible need for the lidocaine cocktail on a medical form filled out at Friday’s weighin, but a check mark in the “no” box was placed next to the question of whether the fighter had a shoulder injury.

“If the injury was disclosed at the weigh-in, we could’ve had a conversation and handled it differently,” Aguilar said. “When you come at 6:30 with the fight at 8, that’s a different conversation.”

Pacquiao was still seething over the rejection Sunday.

“I’m so disappointed,” he said.

OME called him too small.

Others too fragile.

The Golden State point guard has won the league’s most coveted individual award, a person familiar with the decision said Sunday.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the league has not released the voting results. An official announcement and news conference are expected Monday, and Curry will be presented with the award on the court before Game 2 of the Warriors’ Western Conference semifinal series against Memphis on Tuesday night.

Curry had 22 points and seven assists in Golden State’s 101-86 victory over the Grizzlies on Sunday. Asked about the MVP award following the game, Curry said he had no idea. ‘’It’s obviously just, in the middle of a playoff series, it’s hard to kind of separate yourself with other things that may or may not happen,’’ he said. ‘’Obviously, I know what the situation is, and just trying to focus on the game, and if I get a call (Monday), I’ll definitely be happy, and there will be a lot of people that can be proud of that moment, as well, and we’ll enjoy it.’’

Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, the official television partner of the Warriors, first reported Curry won. He beat out Houston’s James Harden, Cleveland’s LeBron James and Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, among others, for MVP honors.

Curry carried the top-seeded Warriors to a franchise-record 67 wins,

surpassed his own record for most 3-pointers in a season and added to his growing reputation as one of the most entertaining spectacles in sports. He’s the franchise’s first MVP since Wilt Chamberlain in 1960, when the Warriors played in Philadelphia.

Curry, nicknamed the ‘’Baby-Faced Assassin’’ and a member of the ‘’Splash Brothers’’ duo with teammate Klay Thompson, has overcome obstacles at every level.

He grew up in the shadow of his famous father, former NBA player Dell Curry. Most major colleges didn’t offer him a scholarship coming out of high school in Charlotte, North Carolina, believing he was too small. And some professional scouts wondered whether his game could transition to the NBA, where point guards are bigger and defenses are tougher.

Instead, Curry has gone from a shooting guard who dazzled at Davidson during the NCAA Tournament to a polished professional point guard who can shoot, dribble and distribute with the best of them. In a game dominated by big men and played by some of the world’s greatest athletes, the 6-foot-3, 190-pound Curry controls the flow without physically overpowering defenders.

But there were times when it seemed Curry’s potential might not be reached.

Two surgeries on his right ankle in his first three seasons with Golden State fueled questions about his durability. He even had to prove his worth to the team that drafted him seventh overall in 2009.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. VOL.88ISSUE ISSUE23 23• TUESDAY, • TUESDAY,MAY MAY5,5,2015 2015

SOARING EAGLE. A Davao Region athlete soars in the girls long jump event of the ongoing Palarong Pambansa in Tagum City, Davao del Norte. DavNor photo

ALMOST BUT NOT QUITE Davao bags 2 medals in chess, NCR roars in front

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

Palarong Pambansa Overall Standings

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As of May 4, 2015

njb@edgedavao.net

AGUM CITY, Davao del Norte--Host Davao Region came tantalizingly close to bagging its first gold medal yesterday but it slipped away by just the sheer misfortune of a tiebreak.

Iris Yngayo of Davao City lost the gold medal after the tiebreak in girls elementary blitz chess but the Davao Eagles, bidding to improve on its 8th place finish last year in Laguna, nevertheless barged into the medal column on Day 2 of the 2015 PalarongPambansa with two medals in the elementary division.

Yngayo tied for the lead with six points apiece with eventual gold medalist Me Ann Joy Baclayon of Northern Mindanao but she lost the most previous hardware after the tiebreak to settle for the silver at the BulwagangPanlalawigan inside the Provincial Capitol in Mankilam, Tagum City.

Japheth Arron Careso-

sa of Panabo City won the bronze medal in the boy’s side to give the Davao Eagles something to celebrate after Day 2 of this week-long sports conclave among the country’s crème dela crème in elementary and secondary sports.

ChecyAlienaTelesforo of Western Visayas took the bronze medal.

Northern Mindanao, with Baclayon playing the top board, won the team gold while Davao was left out in the medal race. Bicol Region won the silver while West Visayas settled for the bronze.

Caresosatook the bronze in the field dominated by Calabarzon’s Daniel Quizon. Michael Concio, also of Calabarzon, took the silver. The 1-2 finish by Calabarzon also gave it the team gold.

NCR finished with the silver while Northern Mindanao took the bronze.

The DAVRAA Eagles were perched at 10th

place after the hostilities were halted on Monday to give way to the opening ceremonies. The hosts have set their goals at a fifth place overall finish this year on top of its biggest agenda of making this year’s games the best national games ever.

Putting behind the outcome of the first day hostilities where they were overshadowed by a determined Western Visayas delegation, the Big City athletes assumed the overnight leadership with a total harvest of seven golds on top of five silvers and a bronze medal.

NCR’s 13-medal haul shoved them on top of the leaderboard, four golds clear of the second-running West Visayas who were stymied at threegolds to go with three silvers and five bronzes.

NCR harvested just a pair of golds and silvers in elementary, but made big in secondary with five

golds, three silvers and one bronze medal.

Region IV-A (Calabarzon) is in third place with three golds, a silver and five bronzes while Northern Mindanao is the best placed Mindanao contingent at fourth with a 2-01 tally.

Rounding out the rest of the standings are Bicol Region at fifth place with a 1-1-0 count followed by Central Visayas (1-0-1), Eastern Visayas (1-0-0), Socksargen (0-3-2), Central Luzon (0-2-0), Davao (0-1-1), Cagayan Valley (0-1-0), and Ilocos (0-01).

Still looking for their first mint are Mimaropa, Zamboanga Peninsula, ARMM, Cordillera Autonomous Region and Caraga.

Yesterday’s rainswept opening ceremonies at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex attracted a mammoth crowd estimated at 20,000.

DELEGATION

G

S

B

NCR

7

5

1

Calabarzon

3

1

5

WVRAA NMRAA Bicol

CVIRAA EVRAA

Socksargen CLRAA Davao

CAVRAA Ilocos

Mimaropa

Zamboanga ARMM CAR

Caraga

3 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3 0 1 0 0 4 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

5 1 0 1 0 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0