Edge Davao 8 Issue 45

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 45 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

www.edgedavao.net

Serving a seamless society

INSIDE EDGE

Senate readies probe on Sasa port project The BIG NEWS P2 Buy-bust yields P1M in drugs The BIG NEWS P2

WARNING. Davao City third district Commission of Election (Comelec) officer Monalisa Mamukid shows the logo “No Bio, No Boto” from her tablet. Mamukid said the logo is part of Comelec’s campaign urging voters to have their biometrics done on or before October 31. Voters who fail to do so cannot vote in next year’s national election. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

NO TO MILITARY PARA TEACHERS ‘We have enough DepED teachers to do the job’ JANIELITO ATILLO, DEPED 11 Information Officer

By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

A

N official of the Department of Education (DepEd) yesterday gave assurance that no military para-teachers will be tapped to teach in the

communities of Ata-Manobo tribe in Talaingod and Kapalong in Davao del Norte.

“We have enough DepEd teachers we can utilize to teach affected

students just to continue the education service in the area. We will deploy our DepEd teachers, not the military,” DepEd 11 Jenielito Atillo told EDGE Davao yesterday.

The recommendation to deploy military para-teachers in the areas was made in a letter by DepEd Davao del Norte Schools Division superin-

FNO TO, 10

Davao boxer Petecio seeks redemption in Sports P16 SEA Games

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 45 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

IP PROTEST. Indigenous people led by PASAKA-Southern Mindanao Region stage a protest in front of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) regional office in Sandawa, Davao City over alleged militarization and human rights violations committed in Lumad communities. Lean Daval Jr.

2 rebels surrender

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HE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday said two members of New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the 57th Infantry Battalion who were on security patrol in Barangay Sallab, Magpet, North Cotabato, past midnight yesterday.

The two were identified as Roger Antipuesto alias Jess and Ryan Calio alias Bunso.

The military said Antipuesto admitted being an NPA squad leader while Calio was a medical aide who was also in charge of the supplies of the Pulang Bagani Command (PBC) 2 of the NPA’s Southern Mindanao Regional Command (SMRC).

Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) spokesperson Captain Alberto Caber said the two surrendered at around 12:15 a.m.

Antipuesto brought with him an M16 rifle with magazines and 250 rounds of ammunition.

Antipuesto and Calio’s surrender was the latest in a series of surrenders by NPA members to the military. On May 30, two NPA members surrendered to the 28th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Las Arenas, Pantukan, Compostela Valley Province.

Since January this year, the EastMinCom has recorded 79 rebel returnees surrender-

F2 REBELS, 10

Louie John eyes vice mayor post

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

AVAO City second district Councilor Louie John Bonguyan is now open to run for vice mayor if no member of the Duterte family runs for the position in 2016.

In an interview, Bonguyan told EDGE Davao that since the Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte has already expressed his intention to run for mayor if his father, Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, runs for President, he is open to running in tandem

with the younger Duterte.

“If ever na kuhaon tang tandem ni Pulong (Paolo) or Mayor Sara (Duterte-Carpio) kung kinsa man, og if bakante ang vice mayorship diri sa atong siyudad walay Duterte na mo dagan basin possible na mo dagan ko (If Paolo or Mayor Sara gets me as running mate, and if no Duterte is running for the post, it is possible that I will run), ” he said.

FLOUIE JOHN, 10

Senate readies probe on Sasa port project

By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY

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HE controversy surrounding the P17-billion Davao Sasa Port modernization has reached the Senate, which is now set to conduct an investigation to determine if there is any irregularity behind the project, specifically its seemingly gargantuan cost.

Former Davao City councilor Peter T. Laviña, who was among those who questioned the project’s massive cost, said the Senate will conduct a hearing regarding the Sasa port modernization and that Senator Sergio Osmeña had already instructed his staff to gather

documents and information on the issue.

Osmeňa, acting chair of the Senate committee on public services, had called Laviña and officers of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) to a meeting at the Senate last May 27 to discuss the matter. Osmeña had also invited Senator Teofisto Guingona III during the briefing.

Osmeña was responding positively to Laviña’s letter dated May 10, 2015 in which he first questioned the cost of the project.

“After the presentation,

we were told that a Senate hearing will be called on this regard. In the meantime, Senator Osmena asked his staff to collect relevant documents and information on the issue,” said Laviña, who now works as a volunteer for Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte’s Federalism Movement.

Laviña said now that the Senate has acted on the matter, their collective voice did not fall on deaf ears.

“We are very happy that the Senate will look into this controversy. No matter the shouts we make here in Davao, DOTC will not give a damn. It

would be different if the Senate itself will act to stop the anomaly,” he said.

Laviña, in one of the media conferences a couple of weeks back, even hinted that the highly overpriced project was a scheme of the administration party to raise funds for its campaign kitty in the 2016 presidential elections.

The P17-billion Davao Sasa Modernization Project will be implemented by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and under a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme.

told Buhangin police about Puyat’s illegal drug activities.

Recovered from the possession of the suspect were a small heated plastic sachet believed to contain shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) which was sold to undercover police, five elongated sachets of shabu, a plastic teabag size of suspected dried marijuana

leaves, a jumbo sized sachet of shabu, and P500 in marked money.

Police estimated the value of the drugs to be around P1 million.

Cases of violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002 were filed against Puyat.

FSENATE, 10

Buy-bust yields P1M in drugs

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

A

N estimated P1 million worth of illegal drugs were confiscated by Buhangin police in a buy-bust operation on Tuesday night at the corner of Ruby and Opal Streets in Marfori 1 Heights Subdivision (Barangay 10-A).

The suspect was identified as Urbiegreen Tanedo Puyat, 34, single, a resident

of Purok Sta. Cruz, Indangan, Buhangin.

Buhangin police officers led by Chief Inspector Alfredo Miguel were supposed to do the transaction with Puyat in Kilometer 5, Buhangin, but Puyat moved it to Marfori for unkown reasons.

According to Miguel, a reliable confidential informant

VOL. 8 ISSUE 45 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

5 ex-DCWD execs get 10 years for graft

By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

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BUSY STREET. A police trainee assists parents and students in crossing the busy Magallanes Street in Davao City yesterday, the second day of classes in public schools. Lean Daval Jr.

Comelec willing to move its third district office

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

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HE Commission on Election (Comelec) third district office in Davao City is open to the suggestion of councilor Bernard Al-ag to transfer its field office to the area but added it will take a long time to do so.

In an interview yesterday, Comelec third district election officer Monalisa Mamukid

told reporters the request of Al-ag will be recommended

by Comelec 11 to the national office for approval.

“Kami diri sa field office, kung unsa ang action na i-recommend sa regional office and then kung i-approve man siya o disapprove ba sa main office... maghulat lang mi kung unsa ilang action (We in the field

STUDENT SAFETY. Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 11 spokesperson Edgar Violan (left) says the agency is currently conducting strict monitoring and inspection of the roadworthiness of school transport services like school buses and carpools around

office just wait for the action of the main office, whether or not if will approve the recommendation),” Mamukid said.

Mamukid said the request will go through a series of processes such as notifying the voters of the transfer of office.

She said for the third district, the nearest area to the

FCOMELEC, 10

the city five days before the opening of classes in private schools. Violan and Captain Ernest Carolina of Task Force Davao graced yesterday’s AFP-PNP press corps press briefing at the Davao City Police Office (DCPO). Lean Daval Jr.

HE Sandiganbayan has sentenced five former officials of the Davao City Water District (DCWD) to 10 years in prison for the anomalous award of a P2.3-million well drilling project in 1998.

A report from the Philippine Star yesterday cited a 37-page decision penned by Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang which found former DCWD general manager William Guillen, department managers Rey Chavez and Arnold Navales, division manager Rosindo Almonte, and assistant general Manager Alfonso Laid guilty of graft charges.

The report said records showed that Ombudsman prosecutors established that the five awarded a communal well drilling project to Hydrock without com-

petitive bidding.

“In the award of government contracts, the law requires a competitive public bidding... it aims to protect the public interest by giving the public the best possible advantages,” the report quoted the Sandiganbayan decision as saying.

The report said prosecutors presented documentary evidence such as notice of award and contract to prove that the project implementation started in December 1997 despite the fact that the award was made only in February 1998.

The report said the cases against co-accused former general manager Wilfredo Carbonquillo and assistant general manager Wilfred Yamson, who both remain at large, were archived pending their arrest.

4 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 45 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

PORT OF CONTROVERSY. International container ships unload cargo at the controversial Davao Sasa Port. The Senate is set to conduct an investigation to determine if there is any irregularity behind the P17-billion port modernization project. Lean Daval Jr.

Military denies involvement in Talaingod school closure

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HE military denied allegations that they are involved in the closure of a school in Talaingod operated by non-government organization.

Lt. Vergel Lacambra, civil-military operations incharge of the 10th Infantry Agila Divison, said that the closure of the school was due to their non-submission of requirements for renewal to operate this school year based on the notice issued by the Department of Education (DepEd) Region XI. The identified school for closure was the Salugpungan Ta’Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center, Inc. located at Sitio Laslasakan, Brgy. Palma Gil, Talaingod.

The school is being oper-

ated by the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines – Southern Mindanao Region, who are offering education from kindergarten up to Grade 6.

On the statement of the 10th Infantry Agila Divison, it stated that the municipal tribal leaders of Talaingod were the persons, who requested the DepEd through a resolution to stop the operation of the said schools because of their alarming lessons on the culture of violence and their conditioning on their students in feeling hatred against the government.

The military division appealed to the RMP, Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation and their affiliate organizations to respect the decision

FMILITARY, 10

Rodriguez: absences affecting June 11 target for BBL approval

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AGAYAN de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez admitted Tuesday night that the issue on quorum is affecting their June 11 target to approve House Bill 5811, the substitute bill to the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

This, as the President Aquino has yet to certify the bill as urgent. “Wala pa” (none yet), Rodriguez, chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law, and principal sponsor of substitute Bill HB 5811 or the “Ba-

sic Law of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region), told MindaNews Tuesday night.

“Problema natin, palaging kine-question ang quorum,” (Our problem is, the quorum is always under question), Rodriguez said.

But he remains confident they would pass the law on or before June 11, the last session day before Congress adjourns sine die. The next session is on July 27, with the President delivering his last State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Barangay league wants mobile listup centers

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

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HE Liga ng mga Barangay in Davao City will set up mobile registration centers to accommodate the 179,967 voters who still have not biometrics.

The mobile centers will be put up in the SangguniangPanlungsod building and in the different political districts to reach those who cannot go to the Commission on Election (Comelec) offices.

Liga ng mga Barangay president January Duterte said she is currently coordinating

with the Comelec for the mobile registration activity.

She said she hopes the issue will be resolved with the help of the mobile registration centers before the deadline for registration in October.

“We will announce the schedule of the registration once the schedule is fixed,” she said.

For his part, Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte said the biometrics issue with Comelec is a serious one since many voters might not be able to vote.

“While we still have time, we need to solve the matter immediately or else many of our voters cannot vote next year,” he said.

Last Sunday, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said he will tap the Ligangmga Barangay to address the matter.

The Comelec had earlier said it was alarmed at the big number of voters without biometrics in Davao City.

Under Republic Act 10367 or the Mandatory Biometrics Registration Act of 2013, vot-

ers who lack biometric records in the Comelec will not be allowed to vote in the 2016 national election.

Last week, Comelec 11 assistant regional director lawyer Marlon Casquejo told the media that at least 300 people per day must accomplish their biometrics data before the deadline in October in order to complete the 179,967 voters.

From January to March this year, only a little over 2,000 voters completed their

Ambassador Lopez said.

"They like Filipino teachers. So, there might be a bigger demand for them here in Japan."

He noted that a lot of Filipino professionals, particularly in the Information Technology industry, are working for multinationals in Japan.

Some of them, he said,

do not need to speak fluent Japanese because their bosses are also expatriates.

Lopez further said that many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Japan are seafarers working for the Japanese maritime industry.

Filipino crewmen are manning some 75 percent of Japanese vessels, he added.

"They are very, very pleased with the quality of our seafarers," he said.

There are also Filipino workers in Japan’s construction industry, he noted.

An estimated 220,000 Filipinos are living in Japan, many of whom are permanent residents married to Japanese nationals, Lopez said. (PCOO News Release)

FBARANGAY, 10

Pinoy teachers who speak English needed in Japan J

APAN will soon hire more English-speaking teachers and other professionals from the Philippines, Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel Lopez has said.

"We are starting to send more nurses and caregivers and soon, maybe even teachers, because Japan needs English-speaking teachers,"

5 ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 45 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

Law revision to benefit small coops

By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

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HE Davao City Cooperative Development Office welcomed the revision in the implementing rules and regulations of the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008, saying this will benefit micro and small cooperatives the most.

“This is a very positive development for the cooperatives… especially for small and micro cooperatives,” DCCDO cooperative development and management division head Julius Adrian A. Oxales said.

He said more than 90 percent of the 673 total cooperatives here are micro and small with less than 50 members.

The approved amendment to the IRR of the Republic Act 9520 authored by Senator Manuael M. Lapid, Oxales said, will help small and micro cooperatives who cannot submit on time their requirements to the Cooperative Development Authority.

“Some coops, being small, have a hard time sometimes in hiring accountants that will do their financial statement because of financial constraint,” he said.

Under the revised IRR,

the micro and small cooperatives are excluded from paying the P500 penalty.

However, big cooperatives with thousands of members like the Agdao Multi-Purpose Cooperative (AMPC) and Sta. Ana Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Samulco) will have to pay the penalty.

“Big cooperatives have to pay P500 as penalty,” Oxales said. “Before the amendment, all violating cooperative have to pay P100 per day per document for late submission.”

But, Oxales said this will not mean that small and micro cooperatives are not bounded to file on or before the deadline of submission.

“Small and micro cooperatives still have to follow, otherwise they will not be issued with Certificate of Good Standing. A document necessary for their future transaction with banks and other financing programs and agencies,” he said.

Another highlight of the revision was the simplifying of the reportorial requirements for cooperatives and rationalizing the reports submitted to CDA. Another salient feature of

the revised IRR that will benefit small cooperative which has limited resources is the streamlining of necessary training for the cooperative to be accredited by the CDA.

According to Oxales, only two trainings, namely the trainings on basic course and on good governance, are necessary for each new applicant cooperative to comply to be-

come listed to CDA. “The law before requires each cooperative members to undergo a total of 14 mandatory training before the issuance of the accreditation and

registration in CDA,” he said.

Cooperatives here as well as his office are just waiting for the publication of the revised IRR which was signed on March 18, 2015.

FRESH VEGGIES. A vendor wraps a kilo of freshly harvested eggplants bought by travelers at ssher roadside makeshift store along the Davao City-Bukidnon highway. Lean Daval Jr.

6 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 45 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

Davao fishermen seek assistance

By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

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EVERAL fishermen groups in the city have sought the assistance of the City Government of Davao to uplift the living conditions of its members through sustained economic activity.

Jesus Gioca, president of the Daliao Small Fisherfolk Association, Inc. (DSFAI), said they need at least P100,000 livelihood assistance to help their small fishermen members get increased weekly salary as well as sustain business activity of the association.

“A 100,000 capital for us will be used to buy reject fishes from the fish port inToril, processed it and later sell it to the market,” Gioca said.

DSFAI had already applied for the aid to the City Government’s Enhance Livelihood and Enterprise Program (ELEP).

Aside from DSFAI, other small and micro cooperatives in Davao City also applied for the maximum of P300,000 livelihood assistance by the city to cooperatives and associations.

Inmates get fingerlings from BFAR, city gov’t

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NMATES of the Lanton Penitentiary in Barangay Apopong now have a new source of livelihood, thanks to the fingerlings donated by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the city government.

The BFAR and the City Agriculturist’ Office donated 50,000 catfish (hito) fingerlings during the 2nd Farmers and Fisherfolk Congress in Lagao Gymnasium on May 25.

Among the beneficiaries of this donation is the Lanton jail which houses more than 1,000 inmates.

According to Gerilyn Yee, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) officer, the jail compound has seven freshwater ponds that can grow more than 2,000 catfish-

S

seeking P300,000 were Ubalde Traders Cooperative financial aid, GK Pueblo Cooperatives, San Isidro Consumers Cooperatives and Progressive Highlands Multi-Purpose Cooperatives, while F. Bangoy Teachers Cooperative at P200,000.

“For this year, the City Government has allotted P3 million for the Enhance Livelihood and Enterprise Program,” Dayap said.

Dayap said the City Cooperative Development Office is still processing the application and requirements of

other applicants that will be soon turn-over to her office for a counter legislation.

She said that the P3 million ELEP budget is limited for the applicants only, but the limited resource can be assisted by a budget that can come from the Supplemental Budget (SB) 3.

The SB3 is expected to be discussed by the SP either by next month of August, Dayap said.

Dayap added that the financial assistance to cooperatives here was not limited to the City Government.

“The Department of Trade and Industry is offering loan program to associations and cooperatives at a higher cap with 12 percent interest annually,” she said.

The BankoSentral of Pilipinas has also the Credit Surety Fund (CSF) that can provide financial assistance to our cooperatives.

At present, a total of 18 cooperatives in Davao City are availing the CSF. Member cooperatives have the chance to borrow 10 times of their capital. The minimum capital is P100,000.

es.

“We are glad that the BFAR and the city government have donated these fingerlings. This will be very helpful to us, especially to the inmates, in generating income while they are still locked up,” Yee said.

Yee detailed out that when these fingerlings grow, the inmates can opt to sell them if they want or have them for consumption.

“Either way, it is still good.

We are just glad that we can help our inmates,” Yee said.

Most of these fingerlings were given by the BFAR to individuals and cooperatives who own freshwater fishponds, as screened by the city’s agriculturist office.

Aside from the fingerlings,

FINMATES, 10

Security Bank launches highest cashback credit ECURITY Bank recently launched the Complete Cashback MasterCard – a new credit card that provides one of the most comprehensive rebate rates in the credit card market.

The Cashback MasterCard was designed for people who value getting the most out of their purchases by offering best-in-class rebates in five major categories, with rebate rates of 5% for supermarket purchases; 4% for gas; 3% for utilities; 2% for dining merchants; and 1% for shopping, respectively.

Anyone who uses their Cashback MasterCard for these essential purchases will get their rebate, a maximum of Php1,000 every month automatically credited to their monthly bill without having to call for redemption. On top of offering one of the highest rebate rates among credit cards and in the merchant categories it covers, along with its auto-rebate feature – there is no minimum spend required to avail the rebate.

“We started the design of the Complete Cashback MasterCard by taking a look at where our existing customers used their credit card,” says SB Cards President Dave

By the virtue of Executive Order 01 series of 2015, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte enhanced the city government’s program on giving financial aid and to increase capitalization of association and cooperatives.

Councilor April Marie Dayap, chair of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) committee on cooperative development, said her office is already processing applications from an initial of five cooperatives from Davao City.

Among the applicants

Sarmiento. “Our average customer spends the most on groceries, followed by gas, utilities, dining, and then shopping and so we set up our rebate card accordingly.

This comprehensive rebate is part of our larger plan to offer a customer-friendly service that distinctly speaks of BetterBanking.”

With its comprehensive coverage on the five most frequent usages for credit card, the Complete Cashback MasterCard can still be used in all merchants locally and abroad, as well in online transactions.

Cardholders will still enjoy the common features of Security Bank credit cards such as ChargeLight installment programs and using Security Bank Online to monitor their expenditures.

Security Bank’s pivot toward the consumer-driven segments of its businesses such as credit cards is one of its strategies to prop up its retail banking. Last year, Security Bank rebranded itself with a new brand identity, a BetterBanking brand promise, appointed a new celebrity endorser, and added special privileges for its customers that would better suit their needs.

THE MOST VALUABLE Y’S MAN AWARDEE, Leoncio “Nonoy” Villa-Abrille (third from left), a director of Y’s Men Club of Metro Davao, receives from Asia Area Pres. Yaz Okano of Japan his plaque of recognition for his unqualified and exemplary commitment to carry on the spirit of Y’s Men International and

for selflessly sharing his time and expertise and his dynamic leadership as chairman of the 64th Philippine Regional Convention that contributed to its immense success. Witnessing the awarding are Regional Director Paciencio “Jun” Rosalem (right) and Regional Secretary Paul Lim.

New zonal valuation to slow down Davao’s real estate growth: DCIPC

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

HE Davao City Investment and Promotion Center (DCIPC) warned that the proposed revision on the zonal valuation of real properties might interrupt the growth of the real estate sector of the city.

DCIPC head Ivan C. Cortez said the revision being proposed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) should not match with the market value since the zonal is fixed unlike the market value which fluctuates from time to time.

“The market value might decrease depending on the economic trend,” Cortez said, adding that the increase should be in the allowable projected hike of the real estate players which have the flexibility to proceed with the projects.

Cortez cited the area of

Claro M. Recto Street whose zonal valuation of property before is high. But, when the street was declared as one way road this forced some business establishments to close down.

“Nagbaba an gilang market value kay ang requirement now is the building should have a parking area tapos lisud napud siya usabon (The market value go down since the requirement now for the building is to have their own parking area but the building is now difficult to change),” he said After the closing of several establishments, the economic activity in the street somehow died and, in the process, made the market value to go down.

Cortez said the rule of BIR in taxation depends on which is higher among the market

value, the zonal value of the BIR and the City Assessor’s value.

“If you will peg the zonal valuation in the particular area so high that matches already the market value and there such a time that the market will decrease, then the owner will be tied up with the zonal value,” he said.

Cortez said if the zonal value will be lower than the market value it will ‘safeguard’ the investments especially in the real estate sector.

The assessment of the City Assessor’s Office is usually lower than the market price since the city government always welcomes investors in the city, according to him.

Cortez added that the BIR should also coordinate with the implementing agencies in both national and local gov-

ernment units in terms of land acquisition for development projects.

“Maglisud ang government of purchase kung taas na siya (zonal value) because once na ma-approve ang revised zonal valuation that will be the basis na. Fix na siya dili na siya madala’g hangyo (The government will find it difficult to purchase lands if it is already high because once the revised zonal valuation will be approved, that will become the basis. It is already fix and there is no negotiation anymore),” he said.

Earlier, BIR 11 regional director Glenn Geraldino said the proposal will not harm the economy of the city since its technical working group (TWG) is basing the zonal valuation on the actual selling

FNEW ZONAL, 10

INdulge!

VOL. 8 ISSUE 45 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

FOOD

Babu Katips’ Deep Fried Katips .

Fish be with you

OUR craving has opened a number of great opportunities – palate wise, that is. Because of this, we are able to mix and match food combinations that make for a better gastronomic experience for us all. Nonetheless, with every opportunity come two sides that can either make or break one cuisine from the other.

From Davao to Cotabato, I am always on a delicious lookout. I love dining out and discovering something new. I love the idea of rediscovering my surrounding with every bite I take. This time, I was craving for fishy dishes… and it was a very delicious and fulfilling hunting, indeed.

Here are two restaurants that will surely give your fish cravings an ultimate satisfaction.

Babu Katips Cotabato City An old but new favourite, Babu Katips has been feeding more than just the locals – they have also become a favourite amongst tourists and everybody else. Located somewhere south (near the Airport), it sits on a comfortable and easily accessible lot where people could flock and convene with ease.

Babu Katips offers delicious home-cooked meals and the best tasting deepfried katipa (hito) on this side of the city. Indeed, the name is a clear representation of their best

Rekado’s Deep Fried Lapu-lapu.

From Davao to Cotabato, I am always on a delicious lookout. I love dining out and discovering something new. I love the idea of rediscovering my surrounding with every bite I take. seller. From kids to kids at heart, everyone is loving the dishes at Babu Katips.

Here, you get more than just a satisfying meal – the experience of trying out new dishes of different culture is a definite musttry too.

Something fishy and something crispy? Deepfried katipa is more than

enough to make everyone smile from ear to ear.

Want some hot soup to awaken your tired senses?

Order a bowl of their tinolang native na manok to start your delicious journey to satisfaction. Craving a bite of tender-juicy chicken pieces?

Their crispy fried chicken is too good to be true. Eating

Pesang Lamang Dagat. with vegetables? The pansit is a perfect one-dish meal for me and you. They also serve a delicious buko halo-halo to wash all your worries away.

Rekado Davao Davao City Likened to a big box glass house, Rekado Davao is a modern take on all-time favourites we have grown up with but plated with a twist. With its name, you’d expect nothing but perfectly cooked dishes made with the freshest local ingredients you’d ever find on this side of the globe. And most definitely, that’s what you’ll get.

This two-story food haven is truly a haven that’ll cater to your every food

yearning. Their menu is rich and easy to deal with, thus making it easy for you to order and satisfy your cravings. Although a bit on the pricey end, you’ll still get more than you pay for. Their servings are big and their dishes are packed with flavours – a combination that you don’t come across often.

Craving something new? Try their version of kilawin in a jar – Spicy Tuna with Mango.

Crunchy salad, Filipino style? Their Chicharon with Kilawin brings a whole new dimension to a soggy salad experience.

Want something fishy?

Order their Pesang Lamangdagat with Pompano and you’ll love every bite.

Something crunchy and

healthy? Try their deepfried Lapu-Lapu with tamarind and guava sauce and fried basil. If you want a medley of fresh sea catch, then order their Grilled BBQ Seafood platter with Ensaladang Talong and soy sauce.

Rekado Davao is conveniently located at 1050 Jacinto Extension, Brgy 11-B, Davao city. The glass house is open from 10 am to 10 pm with a Merienda cena served from 2 pm to 5 pm.

For the latest news and food updates, follow them on Facebook.com/ RekadoDavao and instagram @RekadoDavao. For reservations, you can call them at (082) 284 2136 or 0917 722 9299.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

VOL. 8 ISSUE 45 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

UP AND ABOUT

Green Windows launch #IStayed Raffle Promo luckily won a gift certificate for an overnight stay and 160 teachers who brought home with them souvenir freebies as a consolation prize.

The guests were really excited to join when they heard about the raffle promo. Most of them really enjoyed their stay in Green Windows because of it.

“Thank you Green Windows Dormitel for this experience. I am very happy to be one of the

lucky winners and I en joyed it,” said Florie Bet Nachon, one of the teach ers who won in #IStaye Raffle Promo. #Istayed Raffle Prom was also extended o Facebook to keep Gree Windows’ page update on the current happen ings in the hotel. Photo of the raffle promo an winners are also poste there to boost up the pag with new likers and wid range of reach in socia media.

THE GWD TEAM. (left to right) Athena Jillian Bravo Marketing Associate (Promotions), Jessielyn Pulvera, Sales Head, and Den Mark Vismanos Marketing Associate (Events) of Green Windows Dormitel.

Green Windows Dormitel launched #IStayed Raffle Promo to promote the tagline “Your place to stay: Feels like home” on May 5, 2015.

at Green Windows Dormitel where they can truly say that staying there is a very fun and relaxing experience. #IStayed Raffle Promo started It is entitled #IStayed to attract when the Department of Educamore guests to book and check-in tion chose Green Windows as one

of their home for the teachers who are having the K-12 Seminar for the entire month of May 2015.

DepEd sent four batches of teachers every week, which consumed all the dorm type rooms of the hotel.

There are a total of 8 teachers who

Park Inn by Radisson Davao offers Dip and Dine pool p WHETHER it’s fun or recreation that you’re looking for, Park Inn by Radisson Davao’s Pool Lounge is the place for you! Take a cityscape, bask in the sun, immerse in the refreshing water, enjoy some scrumptious snacks and have a good time.

The hotel always values a great experience for its guests and by offering this promotion guests can have a perfect day out with their loved ones. This is also a fun activity especially for families with kids fond of swimming. Dip and Dine gives you a place and time to celebrate with family and friends, or simply hang out and enjoy the day.

“There’s no need of going far from the city and carry a bulk of food boxes just to have a great getaway, we’ve got it for you! All you need to do is head to our

Pool Lounge on the 2nd level, relax, have a cool splash in the pool and order delicious snacks of your choice.” says Pavan Kakar, General Manager.

Dip and Dine covers a whole host of experience. For only Php500.00 net per person (fully consumable). Offered daily from 7:00 a.m to 10:00 p.m.

For booking and further information please call us on 272 7600, Email us at fb.manager@parkinn. com or message us at www.facebook.com/parkinndavao.

MEN’S ACCESSORIES FOR M outings? Worry no more! receipt purchase from Men win a trip to Bohol, Palawa Head on to Men’s Accessorie 5 in all The SM Store branch

VOL. 8 ISSUE 45 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

ched o

n#IStayed Raffle Promo th will be expected to haph- pen again every time ed there will be a significant event in Davao City mo just like the Kadayawan on event. en Get updated with ed Green Windows Dorn- mitel’s events and proos motions by liking the nd facebook page http:// ed w w w.facebook .com / ge istayedatGWD. You may de also BOOK ONLINE at al http://www.greenwindowsdormitel.com.

promotion

MEN’S MONTH. Missed your barkada summer ! For every P1,500 single or accumulated n’s Accessories, you and your barkada could an or Boracay! So what are you waiting for? ies and enjoy! Promo runs from June 8 to July hes nationwide.

EDGEDAVAO

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ENTERTAINMENT

Edgar Allan, Jay-R, Melai, and Nyoy vie for public votes in ‘Your Face Sounds Familiar’ grand showdown “YOUR Face Sounds Familiar’s” Final 4 celebrity performers Edgar Allan Guzman, Jay-R, Melai Cantiveros, and Nyoy Volante will undergo their last transformation as music icons as they clash in their Grand Showdown, live at the Resorts World Manila this June 6 and 7.

The grand winner, who will be determined by public text and online votes, will win P2 million, half of which will go to his or her chosen charity.

Be sure to tune in to the Grand Showdown as the Final 4 performers will be revealing the last music icon they will impersonating live during the show.

“Expect that I will give more than what I gave these past 12 performances. I will research, practice, and give my heart and my 110% for all of you,” said Nyoy, who recorded the highest overall score (257 points) among all performers.

Jay-R, who placed second with 246 points, shared, “Every week I get to learn new things and I apply all of them. So the more weeks I do them, I feel like I’m getting better and better. This grand showdown, I think I will be at my best.”

Throughout the program’s run, Nyoy was

Sounds Familiar” with host Billy Crawford and jurors Gary Valenciano, Jed Madela, and Sharon Cuneta on June 6 after “MMK” and on June 7 after “Rated K” on ABSCBN and find out who will win. For program updates, like www.face-

hailed as the weekly top scorer twice for his impersonation of Justin Bieber and Luciano Pavarotti, while Jay-R also topped the scores twice for copying Pepe Smith and Kenny Rogers.

Meanwhile, Melai and EA both got 202 points for their 12 performances. They said both of them didn’t expect to get in, they thank their fans for inspiring them weekly.

“I was really shocked, I didn’t believe it happened. God moves in mysterious ways. I didn’t expect anything because I expected the worst. But being in the bottom 4 is not the worst, because we’re all happy in the show. I feel like I just beat Mayweather,” said Melai.

According to EA, “I want to thank all those who trusted, supported, and believed in me since the start of ‘Your Face.’ I promise that I will do my best to be the grand win-

book.com/yourfaceph, follow @YourFacePH on Twitter and Instagram, or visit yourfacesoundsfamiliar.abs-cbn.com.

Use the hashtag #YFSFGrandShowdown when posting your comments online while watching the show.

ner of ‘Your Face’ – that I promise.”

Melai and EA were also named top scorers once, for their impersonation of Elizabeth and Vice Ganda, respectively.

On Sunday’s live show, watch out for performances from special guests, including celebrity performers Jolina Magdangal, Karla Estrada, Maxene Magalona, and Tutti Caringal.

Since it started airing in March this year, “Your Face Sounds Familiar” has consistently topped the list of the country’s most watched TV programs, as well as the trending topics on Twitter. In fact, it was the number one program last weekend when it recorded a national TV rating of 31.9% last Saturday (May 30) and 31.1% last Sunday (May 31), according to data from Kantar Media.

Don’t miss the Grand Showdown of “Your Face

June 3 - 4, 2015

LAST KNIGHTS / *SWORD OF VENGEANCE Clive Owen, Morgan Freeman / *Stanley Weber, Edward Akrout R13/ *R16

12:00 | 2:10 | 4:20 LFS / * 6:30 | 8:15 | 10:00 LFS

PITCH PERFECT 2 Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson PG

EL GAMMA PENUMBRA INSPIRES ON “SPORTS U.” “Asia’s Got Talent” grand winner El Gamma Penumbra shares their inspiring story this coming Thursday (June 4) on “Sports U.” Dyan Castillejo herself traveled to the group’s hometown in Tanauan, Batangas to meet them and even joined their rehearsal to give audience a glimpse on what goes on behind the big white panel. Meanwhile, Kapamilya hunk Ejay Falcon shares his rigorous training regimen as preparation for his role in ABS-CBN’s new show, “Pasion De Amor.” Don’t miss out as well as Dyan teaches a bunch of ways to exercise with participants of the recent fiesta in Obando, Bulacan. Tune in to “Sports U” this Thursday (June 4) at 4:30 P.M. on ABS-CBN. Follow their Facebook (http:// facebook.com/SportsUtv) and Twitter (@SportsUTV) accounts for more information.

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

TOMORROWLAND George Clooney, Britt Robertson PG

R-16

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

SAN ANDREAS Alexandra Daddario, Dwayne Johnson PG

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

EDGEDAVAO

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FOOD

JAPANESE MODERN: Nobu Restaurant Manila

WITH the Japanese food craze catching on all over the world, many Japanese restaurants are not popping up serving dishes that range from specialty ramen or tonkatsu all the way to the modern Asian fusion cuisine that is making waves in the Unites States. On top of the list, however, is the Nobu founded by Chef Nobu Matshushita.

Using expertise in the art of sushi punctuated with Peruvian influences which pan over 30 years of experience, Chef Nobu has created an empire

Nobu’s Black Cod Den Miso.

spanning a total of 32 restaurants in 28 cities across five continents. And just recently, he opened the newest Nobu Restaurant in Manila’s ultra posh City of Dreams.

A food destination in itself, Nobu Manila brings to Philippine shores Chef Nobu’s signature dishes, courtesy of Executive Chef Zachary Hillberry, such as Black Cod Den Miso, Whitefish Tiradito Style, King Crab Amazu Ponzu, Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño, Creamy Spicy Rock Shrimp, and Beef Tobanyaki, among other

highly-favored classics.

I especially loved the rich and silky texture of the Black Cod Den Miso.

The Alaskan cod was perfectly cooked and was punctuated with a rich sweet and salty flavour thanks to the miso. The pickled ginger shoot that was served alongside the cod readied my tongue to taste more food.

Another of my favourites was the Creamy Spicy Rock Shrimp. The shrimps popped in my mouth with every bite, their creamy and spicy sauce with was punctuated with a hint Ye l l ow t a i l Sashimi with Jalapeño.

Creamy Spicy Rock Shimp.

Inside Nobu’s Manila restaurant.

Umami Seabass Taco. of jalapeño paired well with the slight bitterness and freshness of the salad greens.

I do admit that dining at Nobu Manila is not cheap, but the dining experience as well as the good food and unique flavours are definitely worth the visit and still beats flying to the United States to sample.

Follow me on Instagram or on Twitter @kennethkingong for more travel stories, foodie finds, and happenings in, around, and beyond Durianburg.

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 45 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

7 BIGGER PICTURE

OFF THE NEEDLE

HRW slams Sotto for stopping DOH needle exchange study

By JON JOAQUIN jon@edgedavao.net

N

EW York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has criticized Senator Vicente Sotto III for initiating a halt to a Department of Health (DOH) study aimed at preventing the spread of HIV by giving fresh needles to drug users.

(ADB) and is aimed at preventing the spread of HIV through shared needles.

The DDB resolution said according to the Cebu City HIV/AIDS Registry, the primary cause of HIV transmission in Cebu City has shifted from sexual transmission in 2008 to injecting drug use starting 2010.

In a statement, HRW According to the PhilipPhilippines researcher Car- pine National AIDS Council’s los Conde said Sotto III may 2014 annual report, 52.3 “have his way in scuttling a percent of people who inject study on needle exchange, drugs in Cebu City in 2013 which is designed to reverse were infected with HIV, up the rise of HIV infection from 0.4 percent in 2007. among people who inject Under the DOH study, drugs.” persons who inject drugs Sotto had given a priv- (PWIDs) will be given fresh ilege speech on May 11, needles in order to prevent 2015 saying the DOH study, needle sharing. officially called “Harm ReUnder the study, Baranduction Strategy” or “Harm gay Kamagayan — which Reduction Program,” is “in has been identified as one reality a pro-illegal drugs of the key areas of widestrategy.” spread sharing of needles “In a certain barangay in among (PWIDs) and where Cebu City, the government is there is “a growing number authorized to provide nee- of reported HIV and HCV dles and injectible instru- (hepatitis C virus) positive ments to drug addicts and cases — is considered a safe dependents. It is as if it is zone “where there will be no exempted from the opera- arrests or apprehensions in tion of our criminal laws on relation to Section 12 (Posdrugs,” Sotto said. session of Equipment, instruSotto cited a Dangerous ment, Apparatus and other Paraphernalia for Dangerous Drugs) only insofar as the “There is compelling needle/syringe exchange program is evidence that concerned.”

But in his privreducing the sharing ilege speech, Sotto of infected needles said giving clean needles to intraveby providing clean nous drug users is needles helps to like “giving murderers clean knives in combat AIDS.” place of their rusty — Conde ones so that they can kill people without infecting them with tetanus.”

Dugs Board (DDB) resolution He said needle sharing dated October 8, 2014 that is not applicable in the Philapproved the implementa- ippine context and violates tion of a 24-month scientific Section 12 of Republic Act and medical study “to assess 9165. This section penalizes the effectiveness of a com- the possession of equipment, munity-based comprehen- instrument, apparatus, and sive services for people who other paraphernalia for daninject drugs in Barangay Ka- gerous drugs. magayan, Cebu City.”

“These needles, or jerinThe study is being done guilla, o pang iniksyon… (are) by the DOH, the Philippine paraphernalia for injecting National AIDS Council, the any dangerous drugs into the Local Government of Cebu body (and are) illegal to be City, and Population Services possessed all over the PhilipInternational. It is funded by pines,” Sotto said. the World Bank (WB) and He also said the program Asian Development Bank is being opposed by the local

government of Cebu as well as the Cebu City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC).

“Cebu City had passed a resolution requesting the Department of Health to reconsider its approach…

CADAC also passed a resolut i o n showing strong opposition to the… program,” he said.

L a s t week, the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs told the DOH to suspend the distribution of syringes to drug users.

But Conde said there is “compelling evidence” that reducing the sharing of infected needles by providing clean needles helps to combat AIDS. He cited a 2013 Human Rights Watch report, dubbed “in Harm’s Way” which examined drug users and HIV in the US city of New Orleans, which said access to clean syringes “also helps prevent overdose and provide a gateway for drug treatment programs.”

When asked by EDGE Davao if HRW believes the needle exchange program can actually be a “gateway” for drug treatment programs in the Philippines where such programs are expensive, Conde replied: “theoretically, yes.”

“It’s obviously just one gateway for those treatments.

But while this aspect of the program is good, regardless of its elitist implication, it is obviously not designed solely for that. The aim is for government to recognize that

programs like this do work to stop the spread of HIV and act on it,” he said.

Conde also said other Asian countries, including China, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, and Thailand, have already implemented needle and syringe exchange programs.

“China first implemented needle and syringe exchange in 1999 and overall millions of needles and syringes have been exchanged in thousands of sites. A recent meta-analysis found that these programs reduced risk of HIV infection by one-third.

The meta-analysis Conde pointed to was published in the International Journal of Epidemiology) in 2013.

It said there is “evidence to support the effectiveness of NSP (needle and syringe programs) in reducing the transmission of HIV among PWID.” It noted in its conclusion, however, that it is “likely that other harm reduction interven-

tions have also contributed to the observed reduction in HIV risk.”

“NSP should be considered as just one component of a programme of interventions to reduce both injecting risk and other types of HIV risk behavior,” the meta-analysis said.

Conde said for Sotto, “whose anti-drug campaign has increased his popularity, the needle exchange program promotes drug dependency.”

Conde, however, said this

is “a step backwards for the Philippines.”

He also pointed out that the proponents of the study “had to get authorities to declare a ‘safe zone’ and they did. That’s what Sotto seeks to undermine.”

“Adopting needle exchanges is not only cost-effective and good for the health outcomes of people who use drugs, it is also good for their families and the communities in which they live,” he said.

“It’s like giving murderers clean knives in place of their rusty ones so that they can kill people without infecting them with tetanus.” — Sotto

8

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 45 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

EDITORIAL Fire safety in Davao City

N

O LESS than President Aquino has ordered the Bureau of Fire Protection to inspect more than 300,000 factories in Metro Manila, a reaction to the horrible tragedy in Valenzuela City when more than 70 workers were killed when fire destroyed a rubber slipper factory in broad daylight last month.

The President issued the directive after learning that all 23 factories inspected in Valenzuela City are violating fire safety regulations.

The Valenzuela situation reminds us of the status of fire safety in Davao City, not so much in factories, because there are very few here, but of dormitories and other old and dilapidated structures that abound in some of the city’s blighted areas.

Of course, the object of a standing joke and ridicule is no less than the half-century old fire station along Bangoy or Ponciano Reyes street, admittedly a fire hazard for decades

EDGEDAVAO

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now.

Safety conscious Dabawenyos also cringe in fear looking at the stores and malls inside the so-called Chinatown. Many of the stores are selling highly flammable merchandise made mostly of plastic. The stores are in sixes and sevens they are an accident waiting to happen. Somehow, we are lucky there is a total ban on firecrackers in the city. The ban helps in decreasing the number of fire incidents during the Christmas season and other festivities occasions wherein we used to light firecrackers and pyrotechnics. Another thing good going for the city is the presence of two strong volunteer fire brigades put up and maintained by the Filipino-Chinese businessmen.

However, they are no reason for the authorities, especially the fire bureau and building officials, to be complacent. They should not wait for a Valenzuela City-like tragedy to happen here before they see to it that the establishments are fire=safety compliant.

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

GENERAL SANTOS CITY OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING MARKETING OFFICE

LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager EDMUND D. RENDON Unit 6, SouthbankMarketing Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Specialist General Santos City Cagayan de Oro City Mobile: (Smart) 0930-669-3018 Tel: (088) 852-4894

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

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

EDGEDAVAO

9

The terror of earthquakes

L

AST weekend, I had an opportunity of watching San Andreas, a disaster movie which Brad Preyton directed.

The film’s title was taken from the San Andreas Fault, a continental transform fault that extends roughly 1300 kilometers (810 miles) through California.

In the movie, the San Andreas Fault triggers a magnitude 9 earthquake. A searchand-rescue helicopter pilot (Dwayne Johnson) and his wife navigate the destruction from Los Angeles to San Francisco to save his daughter.

The movie was not only about them but also the disaster that earthquake brought into the city. What if it happens in Metro Manila or in Davao City? Are the residents prepared?

Earthquakes -- called lindol in Tagalog and linog among the Visayans -- occur along tectonic plate margins and active faults, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvocs).

Our planet has an outermost shell, about 80-kilometer thick, which is solid and rigid. This shell is called lithosphere, which is subdivided into small and large pieces with some pieces large enough to contain continents. These pieces of lithosphere are called tectonic plates.

So-called faults are breaks or zones of weaknesses in rocks akong which displacements had occurred or can occur again. They may extend for hundreds of kilometers downward, even down to the base of the lithosphere. Faults showing signs or documented history of recent displacements are called active faults.

The Philippine Archipelago lies between two major tectonic plates: the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate.

“Philippine Sea Plate is moving towards

T

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 45 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

the Philippine THINK ON THESE! Archipelago at the rate of about 7 centimeters every year,” Philvocs explains. “The Eurasian Plate is being subducted along western side of Luzon and Henrylito D. Tacio Mindoro at the henrytacio@gmail.com rate of 3 centimeters per year except on Mindoro and northwest of Zamboanga where collision is taking place.”

Earthquakes also occur in trenches -those deep, narrow cuts under the ocean.

The Philippines is unfortunate to have two long trenches: the Philippine Trench in the east and the Manila Trench in the west. Other trenches include the East Luzon Trench, the Negros Trench, the Sulu Trench, the Cotabato Trench, and the Davao Trench.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the earthquakes that took happened in Mindanao. These were based from the records gathered by Wikipedia: On June 7 and 9, 1999, a magnitude of 5.1 struck Bayugan, Agusan del Sur. The towns of Bayugan and Talacogon were the most devastated.

Three years later, on March 5, a magnitude of 7.5 quake struck Central and Southern Mindanao at a depth of 31 kilometers. At least 15 people were killed, 100 injured and 800 buildings were damaged or destroyed.

The following day, a magnitude of 6.1

quake struck Sultan Kudarat. Office of Civil Defense (OCD) records show that 8 people had died and 41 were injured due to the earthquake. It affected 7,684 families in the provinces of Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and South Cotabato including four cities and 17 municipalities.

On November 8, 2011, a magnitude of 5.2 quake struck Valencia City, Bukidnon at a depth of 1 kilometer. Thirty-nine people were injured, and several establishments were damaged.

Four months later, on March 16, 2012, a magnitude of 5.9 quake struck Surigao City. Several people were injured in the city as it was the grand opening of Gaisano Capital Surigao. An estimated 6,000 people were in the mall when the earthquake happened.

An earthquake with magnitude 7.6 struck 106 kilometers near Guiuan, Eastern Samar on August 31, 2012. It was felt in certain areas of Visayas and Mindanao.

The Abreeza Mall in Bajada reportedly suffered minor cracks on the floor due to the earthquake.

A series of earthquakes, struck the cities of Malaybalay and Valencia, and the sitio of Musuan, Maramag in Bukidnon on September 3–4, 2012. The quake was felt as far as Cagayan de Oro, Kidapawan, Butuan, and Cotabato cities.

A 6.2 earthquake struck off the coast of Southern Mindanao on February 16, 2013, 28 kilometers southeast of Caburan, Davao del Sur. According to the United States Geological Survey, the quake struck at a depth of 98.2 kilometers.

On June 1, 2013, a 5.7 earthquake struck the island of Mindanao. The quake’s epicenter was located in Carmen, Cotaba-

to and struck with a depth of 5 kilometers.

The said quake injured six people, 4 of them were children, and fully or partly destroyed several houses, and some school buildings.

According to Philvocs, at least 5 earthquakes per day occur in the Philippines.

For almost four decades now, the country had been affected by 10 earthquakes with magnitude greater than 7.0. As such, the possibility of these destructive earthquakes occurring again in the future “is very strong.”

The destructive effects of earthquakes are due mainly to intense ground shaking or vibration. “Because of severe ground shaking, low and tall buildings, towers and posts may tilt, split, topple or collapse, foundation of roads, railroad tracks and bridges may break, water pipes and other utility installations may get dislocated, dams and similar structures may break and cause flooding, and other forms of mass movement may be generated,” Philvocs explains.

“Earthquakes do not kill people; unsafe structures do,” said Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.

“Earthquakes turn into major disasters due to unsafe structures -- poorly built buildings in inappropriate places, inadequate design and materials specification, and shortcuts in construction.”

Earthquakes can also cause tsunamis. “Tsunamis are giant sea waves generated mostly by submarine earthquakes,” Philvocs says. “Not all submarine earthquakes, however, can cause tsunamis to occur.”

The question is: Is Davao City ready should an earthquake happen tomorrow?

the monMY TWO CENTS’ eyed and high-powered play.

That our senators and congressmen belong to a certain class of people has become a norm that, John Tria like their ecisouth@gmail.com own distance and disempowerment from political participation, most have accepted. Many political analysts apologetically point out that it takes a “Manila pedigree” to succeed in Philippine politics. Not only because politics is played there, but because almost half of the electorate reside and vote within the Dagupan to Lucena corridor, in what marketers call the Greater Manila Area. A strong result here is needed apart from your own bailiwick if you want to win.

searing incompetence, and made the bureaucracy its lackey. Hence, bureaucratic reforms meant to make services more efficient and effective are lost to the whims of Balete politicians. Consider this: where once it took a week to get a passport, it now takes 45 days. Imagine the long lines at the DFA regional offices commencing in the early morning hours, of the millions renewing and applying for passports mainly to obtain livelihoods offshore.

When I asked the travel agency about faster ways to get the renewal done I was told to get it in Manila where the wait is about 10 days. The last time I renewed mine it took about a week. Delivered. Wow. Just because I’m in Davao I have to wait three times longer for this basic service?

Take the renewal of driver’s licenses. Where over the last decade it took three hours to get our drivers licenses renewed, it now takes 90 days for them to issue the card. What you take home after three hours is the official receipt attesting to your having a license but having no card.

Both instances reveal a crass inability to deliver what is a basic service of establishing our identities as Filipinos (with a passport) and renewing your driving

privilege. All the while I thought the hotly contested computerization projects would make these agencies work faster.

What makes it worse is that we have received barely a holler from affected sectors. Are they more enthralled with the scandals in the Balete tree?

The Balete Tree and the forced hand

HE Philippine Daily Inquirer’s John Nery last week put forward an apt metaphor for Philippine politics as usual: the Balete Tree. That impressively haunting giant of a tree, the substance and success, stems from its being a parasite to other plant life. Truth be told, the politics-as-usual is great fodder for the news and the main conquistador of our daily imagination. We are enthralled no end by it: the personal lives of our politicians and how they perform in the public sphere, their speeches and statements, and the dichotomies and their nasty mudslinging – pro vs. anti RH, pro vs. anti-Binay, Aquino, and Erap. So great in fact, that the enthrallment obscures the necessary substance needed for meaningful debate.

Balete tree is the brand of Pinoy politics The problem is not politics per se. It’s the brand of personality and entertainment driven politics that reflects a deep social divide between those who can participate and cannot participate in political processes. Star quality, money, and networks are required to participate effectively in our political area, much like the high stakes cockfighting derbies where

The fruit of the Balete tree is a 45-day passport and a 3-month license The Balete tree has thus far produced

Forcing the hand Philippine bureaucracy has been called notoriously slow and therefore ineffective. The judicial system, even with recent reforms like courts on wheels and the drive for third party mediation, is still a complicated giant by itself. Doesn’t it make you wonder why there is such a fascination for people with the iron hand who can get things done? Often they are derided for using the extrajudicial extreme in obtaining justice. But in the crass reality of Philippine politics and bureaucracy, would not the iron hand serve a higher purpose of helping the same bureaucracy achieve a proper level of service?

It’s the Balete tree of Philippine politics that has forced some to wield that iron hand. For once, we are seeing an iron with the potential to uproot the imposing Balete tree.

10 NEWS NO TO... FROM 1

tendent Dr. Josephine Fadul to DepEd regional director Alberto Escobarte.

“She just made the recommendation as someone who knew the situation in the area well,” Atillo said. “Just like a mother, she is just concerned for the welfare of her children, which are the students.”

Atillo said the recommendation made by Fadul “is a recommendation that will not be employed as a solution by the regional director.”

Fadul’s recommendation would have affected the Salugpongan Tatanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center (STTICLC), Inc. in Talaingod and MISFI Academy in Kapalong. Combined, the two schools have a total of around 1,700 students.

Fadul said the temporary closure of the indigenous schools was based on the order of the Talaingod Municipal Council of Tribal Leaders “and the reinvestigation, reinspection, and reevaluation of the said school in terms of performance in providing efficient, quality and relevant educational services consistent with DepEd and National Education policies, plans and standard.”

Officials of the two schools have criticized Fadul for her recommendation, saying allegations that they were infiltrated by the New People’s Army (NPA) were baseless.

No permit But while no soldiers will be allowed to teach the Ata-Manobo students in Talaingod, STTICLC itself cannot open this school year because it did not renew its permit to operate for the current school year.

Atillo said the STTICLC failed to renew its permit to operate as mandated by the DepEd order 21 series of 2014, or the special order for IP schools which says no school can operate without government authorization.

He said the management of STTICLC knows its responsibility to renew its permit annually from August 1 to September 30 of the preceding year.

The status of MISFI was not immediately known as of press time.

“This means that the STTICLC did not renew its permit last year for this school year 2015-2016 and there’s no excuse for them because they knew this regulation since they’ve been operating for so many years,” Atillo said.

He said the two-month renewal period “is enough” and is much longer than the oneday renewal period for private schools which is scheduled every February 2 of the year.

Atillo said DepEd does not need to send a notice to STTICLC because the operation of the school will automatically stop if there is a failure to renew the permit.

“Indigenous schools with recognition status are still allowed to operate. We will not close those schools,” he said.

Atillo said the regional office will start to apply possible solutions before the end of next week as a short-term solution but will soon establish secondary public schools in the area.

“We have three choices. One, establish integrated schools. Two, set multi-grade class in affected areas, and three, have combination grade level just to continue the education services in the area,” he said.

Atillo said for the first choice, DepEd is planning to integrate either the secondary or elementary level to any existing nearby public school in the area.

“For the meantime, we’re looking at integrating the elementary level within the area of secondary public schools or vice versa,” he added.

Atillo said another solution that DepEd might resort to is the deployment of DepEd teachers in affected sitios to teach in a multi-grade class or in a combination grade level.

He said the education of the Lumad students will not be affected as Deped plans to extend the days of their classes just to complete the required 210 school days.

price on the daily transactions made by the taxpayers of the city.

Geraldino said proposed zonal value is lower than the actual market price of the property.

Geraldino said the basis of the taxation of the real property will depend on which has the higher value among the actual selling price, zonal value of the BIR and the City Assessor’s value.

He said the zonal valuation in the city has been left untouched for 17 years and now is the right time to revisit it.

Geraldino cited Ladislawa Garden Village as example, saying in 2002 the price of per square meter lot was around P7,000. With the proposal, it will be P19,750.

He said it is also his office’s mandate to revisit the zonal value since the BIR Central Of-

fice is urging the regional office to look into it.

Geraldino said the proposal will also help the increase of internal revenue allotment (IRA) of the city.

He said the proposal will not be implemented in the near future since the TWG is still on the second stage of its evaluation.

Geraldino said the last revision of the zonal valuation was in 1998 but it was implemented in 2002.

The proposed zonal value is lower than the actual market price of the property and that zonal valuation in the city has been left untouched for 17 years now, according to him.

Geraldino cited Ladislawa Garden Village as example, saying in 2002 the price of per square meter lot was around P7,000 but with the proposal it will be P19,750.

New zonal... FROM 6

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 45 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

Louie John... FROM 2

Senate... FROM 2

Bonguyan, however, said he will still consult his party, the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod, regarding his plan for 2016.

He said if the vice mayor position is not available, he will search for other options.

Bonguyan is serving his third and last term as councilor and is barred from running for the same position again next year.

He said he wants to continue his public service since his constituents in the second district did not fail to support him since 2007, always making him top councilor during elections.

Earlier, two councilors from the third district who are also in their last terms said they are still waiting for Hugpong to decide on their political fate next year.

Councilor Karlo S. Bello said he will just continue his work as a public servant for now while waiting.

Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz said she will also leave her fate to the party.

The names of these two councilors cropped up as the next third district representative who will possibly the successor of incumbent Rep. Isidro T. Ungab.

Aside from Laviña, also expressing their opposition to the controversial project were Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani T. Zarate.

Zarate last week stood up in a personal and collective privilege in the Lower House to denounce DOTC for increasing the cost from P4 billion to P17 billion as proposed by the IFC-World Bank.

Zarate said he feared that pushing through with the Sasa port project at such mas-

sive cost will only burden the lowly Filipinos as docking and port fees will automatically shoot up.

“The investor or whoever will be the winning bidder will definitely seek a return of investment right away out of the project,” he said.

“Gawa ba ito ng ginto o diyamante ang materyales na gagamitin sa rehabitasyon sa Puerto (Is this made of gold or are the materials to be used for the rehabilitation of the port made of diamonds)?”

Zarate said in his privilege speech.

ing to the military forces.

The NPA returnees will undergo psychosocial reorientation, medical screening, spiritual enhancement, al-

ternative learning system, educational tours, and sports prior to their return to their respective communities. Funny Pearl A. Gajunera

biometrics data.

Casquejo said the Comelec has sent notices to voters without biometrics to tell them to complete it before the deadline.

“Every week we send

5,000 letters, but out of that only 20 respond,” he said.

Davao City has a total of 888,442 registered voters.

Casquejo said those who were registered before 2004 have no biometrics.

Magsaysay Park Comelec office is Tugbok District while the farthest is Marilog District.

But she said there might not be enough time to transfer the third district office since the deadline of registration is only five months away on October 31.

She said if the transfer does not materialize before the deadilne, her office will conduct satellite registrations in the barangays in the third district.

Mamukid said in 2014 her office conducted satellite registration in 56 barangays in the third district. That leaves only 26 barangays where satellite registration needs to be done.

She said her office is just waiting for the barangay captains to submit their request for the holding of satellite registration.

In last Tuesday’s regular City Council regular session, Al-ag urged the Comelec to transfer its second and third

district offices to places that are accessible to the people in remote areas.

Al-ag said the location of the Comelec office inside the Ramon Magsaysay Park along Quezon Boulevard is very disadvantageous to the people in second and third districts who people need to spend a lot of money just to register or have their biometrics taken.

He said transferring the Comelec’s second and third district offices near their constituents will improve the commission’s services to the voters.

Al-ag said while the people are now speculating on who will run in the 2016 election, the people might forget that in the city there are 179,967 out of 888,442 registered voters who still have no biometrics with the Comelec.

He said these people might be delisted if they fail to complete their biometrics on or before October 31, which is the last day of registration.

Petition for Renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a FILCAB Ordinary Regular Service

Petition for Renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a PUJ DUAL Ordinary Regular Service

of the tribal community in Talaingod.

The statement added that military division supports in every step of the way, the

indigenous people community, the local government of Talaingod and the DepEd in At least, TEN (10) days prigiving proper education to the or to the above date petitioner children. (mlu)

the BFAR also gave 35 sets of tuna hand lines and 35 sets of squid jiggers to fishermen from the city.

Sammy Malvas, OIC director of BFAR Region 12, said that the donations were an act of thanksgiving to the fishermen and farmers not only here in the city, but the entire country as well.

“There won’t be any progressive country in the entire world without farmers and fishermen. These people are the core of our economy. It is a must that we should be thankful to them,” Malvas said at the congress.

For City Mayor Ronnel Rivera and councilor Brix Tan, both scions of the two largest fishing magnates in the city— the RD Fishing and San Andres

Fishing Industries, respectively—the fishing and agricultural sector of Gensan is still its main economic driver.

“As an individual molded by the fishing industry, I acknowledge the contribution of the fishermen as well as the farmers in establishing the city as it is now today,” Tan said.

The statement of the councilor was backed by Mayor Rivera, who indicated that Gensan still owns the title Tuna Capital of the Philippines.

“We became the Tuna Capital of the Philippines because of these fishermen who continuously bring us good catch.

I am from the fishing industry that’s why I know the struggles of each of these fisher folks.

This time, I am thanking you all,” Mayor Rivera said.

2 rebels... FROM 2 Comelec... FROM 3

Military... FROM 4 Inmates... FROM 6

Barangay... FROM 4

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

Case No.2001-XI-01239

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

Case No.2013-XI-00188

REMEGIO B. PERONO, JR. Petitioner

LEONILO PACTURAN PACE Petitioner

NOTICE OF HEARING

NOTICE OF HEARING

Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a FILCAB Ordinary Regular Service on the route: MA-A - AGDAO with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on May 10, 2016. In the petition filed on May 15, 2015, petitioner request authority to extend the validity of said certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PUJ-DUAL Ordinary Regular Service on the route: PUAN and for cargoes as dual service from said route to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on April 3, 2016. In the petition filed on May 20, 2015, petitioner request authority to extend the validity of said certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - --x

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on JUNE 23, 2015 at 09:30 a.m. at this office at the above address.

shall publish this Notice once in a one (1) daily newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao

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

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

WITNESS the Honorable BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional Director, this 15th day of May 2015 at Davao City.

TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ Chief Transportation Development Officer

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - --x

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on JUNE 23, 2015 at 09:10 a.m. at this office at the above address.

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

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

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

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

TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ Chief Transportation Development Officer

11 CULTURE & ARTS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 45 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

Only in the Philippines

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“

THREE hundred years in the convent, fifty years in Hollywood” -- Old Philippine adage, which was repeated in Michael Palin’s “Full Circle,” 1997 *** Some people, particularly those from other countries, say Filipinos are the greatest imitators. We usually take pride in having an “Elvis Presley of the Philippines.” Or the “Niagara Falls of the Philippines.” There are even those who imitate their idols -- from clothes to hairstyles to shoes, and even the way their idols walk and talk.

But on second thought, we have the world’s most perfect cone volcano (Mayon), a lake within a lake and a volcano within a volcano (Taal), a waterfall that looks like a stairway to heaven (Aliwagwag in Cateel, Davao Oriental), and the world’s smallest buffalo (tamaraw).

And yes, we have some traits and customs that we can be truly proud of. Those characteristics which are truly Filipino and could claim as “Walang ganyan sa States” -but in a positive way.

Alfredo Roces and his daughter, Grace, have come up with a very informative book

entitled, Culture Shock! A survival guide to customs and etiquette. Imagine this, a 324page book that talks about our way of living.

The book was written for foreigners, particularly those from the United States. In its introduction, the authors wrote: “Westerners may find sending correct behaviour complicated because Filipinos stress public harmony and overt conviviality. The faintest indication of conflict is readily buried. Direct confrontation is frowned upon and regarded in the worst light.”

The two authors further wrote: “Behind the Western façade is a unique society.

Many aspects of Western culture have been selectively assimilated, adding a distinct dimension to Filipino culture.”

The book features so many cultures, traditions, and beliefs of Filipinos. They are too many and so I am picking some things which make Filipinos unique people -- which set us aside from other people around the world: In rural areas, when the child is born the placenta is buried in the ground underneath the house.

The first object that a new-

Street scene in rural areas

ly married couple should bring into a new house is a pot of rice.

All these beliefs revolve around hopes for prosperity associated with the young couple establishing their own nuclear family in their own house.

Death rituals do not end with burial and the mourning period. Filipinos commemorate a death anniversary, holding Mass or visiting graves and inviting relatives and friends to a reunion.

In the circle of Filipino relationships, every Filipino has utang na loob (literally a “debt of the inner self”) to someone, while others have utang na loob to him. In effect, utang na loob binds a group together. A Filipino avoids as much as possible placing himself in such a debt to an outside group, especially a rival or opposing group.

A traditional working-together method in rural areas for work requiring many hands, such as planting and harvesting is called bayanihan. When a villager has to move his house (literally carrying it on its main posts), the community helps.

The house owner offers some refreshments and would offer similar help for those in the same predicament.

One who is leaving for a long period is given a special feast called a despedida (Spanish for farewell). Close friends are invited and the departing guest of honor may submit names of friends to be invited.

During a birthday celebration, presents or gifts are not opened in front of guests. They are put aside in another room to be opened when the guests have left.

A respectful greeting, particularly for elders or for a godson to his godfather, is to place the elder person’s hand or knuckles on one’s forehead.

While mano po, as it is called, is no longer seen except in smaller towns and villages, it is still considered the traditional Filipino

A day in the lives of rural folks

Smile

acknowledgement of respect for elders.

The baptism ritual creates a bond not just between godparents and godchild, but also between godparents and the parents of the child, who then recognize each other as kumpare and kumare.

Weddings move fairly promptly with only the bridge allowed a leeway for tardiness.

(A bride must not seem too eager by appearing too early at her wedding.) Only a very important sponsor can get away with being later than the bride.

On the other hand, Handbook Philippines -- edited by Niklas Reese and Rainer Werning -- provided some dos and don’ts when dealing with Filipinos. These are: Never expect a clear yes or no whenever you ask a Filipino a question.

Pay close attention to the nuances -- tone of the voice and facial expression. A close reading of non-verbal clues will allow you to gradually recognize the expectations harbored by the Filipino you are with.

Do repeat an invitation for dinner or any social event at least twice to underline the seriousness of your gesture.

Do expect that if you invite one person for a meal or snack, that person is likely to bring along another person, who in turn will have tipped off another colleague.

Do not place too much emphasis on handshakes, as such gestures are considered to be excessively formal and usually reserved for official occasions.

When coming back from a trip or when you are invited to some occasion, make sure to bring some pasalubong (souvenirs or presents). Fruit, chocolates or small snacks are always welcome. Such simple tokens are signs of thoughtfulness and will be reciprocated with warmth and appreciation.

To end this piece, allow me to quote the words of

A bridge too far Lindsay Bennett, author of the globetrotter island guide entitled Philippines: “The Philippines is unique amongst its neighbors. A devoutly Christian country, it has melded conservative ‘Old World’ influences with ‘New World’ trends, without losing its most ancient traditions.

“The phrase ‘the sun of its parts’ could well have been invited to describe the culture here. Just like the bulbs of garlic that grow in abundance, you

can pull apart each ‘clove’ and discover more about how it contributes to the whole.

“Life has been hard for most and still is for many, but Filipinos are known for their resilience. What may be more of a surprise is the palpable joie de vivre that’s apparent wherever you travel. Exuberance and openness are national characteristics, which helps to ensure that Filipino culture is diverse, energetic and evolving.”

Father and son

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 45 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

SUBURBIA

13

MGB 11 conducts mapping of caves prone to collapse

T

HE Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau (MGB) 11 has taken off the conduct of Karst Subsidence Mapping to determine the vulnerability of limestone caves to collapse during earthquakes.

In an interview Monday (June 01), MGB 11 chief geologist Beverly Brebante revealed that the Karst Subsidence

Mapping was a response to the request of the national government after the earthquake in Bohol two years ago.

She recalled that some houses in Bohol sank as grounds on which they were built on , collapsed during the earthquake.

“Wala nila na nahibal-an nga sa ilang gipatungan (They were not aware that they were liv-

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT AND PARTITION OF ESTATE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late FERNANDO LOPEZ has been the subject of an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT executed among his heirs per Doc. No.116; Page No.24; Book No. XXVI; Series of 2015, of the NOTARY PUBLIC JOSE M. BALINGIT JR. 5/19,26,6/2

ing on top of ) cave systems,” she said. “Didto nag propose ang government (It was then that the government proposes) that we are to locate this year all caves systems,” she added.

MGB has identified the Island Garden City of Samal and the Shrine Hills in Davao City as areas where to run the ground penetrating radar (GPR)

to determine the lateral extent and the width of existing caves, she said.

Brebante said MGB 11 had already run the GPR in May this year in the three districts of the Island Garden City of Samal where it identified about 100 caves.

Citing one particular instance, she said one cave was found to have a lateral extent reaching

an area proposed to be developed into a housing project.

Meanwhile, in July this year, MGB 11 will conduct the Karst Subsidence Mapping in Davao City’s Shrine Hills which, she said, is made of limestone and that the area has high-end subdivisions.

The MGB has already conducted landslide susceptibility of Shrine Hills

but Brebante said she has yet to know any seismic assessment or study on ground acceleration on Shrine Hills.

She made it clear however that ground karstic or limestone characteristics have no specific relation to earthquakes.

“Buslot ang karst, mas prone to collapse if naay mahitabo nga earthquake.

ment is fast,” she said. “At least while their development is still starting, they would know their land use,” she said.

On top of actual field work, MGB is requesting from the city government second-hand data “to overlay with our existing maps” such as population down to the purok levels, building footprints, infrastructure and facilities to use during disaster.

“Basically this is a continuation of the geo-hazard mapping that we completed last year,” she said as she revealed that

MGB 11 had already come up with a 1:10,000 scale map which only delineates areas as to low, moderate, high and very high susceptibility to flooding and landslide.

“What we would like to show is the vulnerability of every town specifically to flood and landslide.

So let us say, if the area is highly susceptible to landslide or flooding but it probably would have low vulnerability depending on its preparedness and existing facilities such as rescue operation center and health facilities,” Bre-

bante said.

Using the vulnerability map, local government units (LGUs) highly in need of disaster preparedness technical assistance will be identified and that LGUs identified to have high level of disaster preparedness will serve as models, she explained.

“This will also point out what they still need to do to prepare for disaster,” Brebante said referring to the cities of Tagum and Mati which are the first sites of the VRA. (PIA 11/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

Tagum, Mati cities subject to vulnerability assessment

T

HE cities of Mati in Davao Oriental and Tagum in Davao del Norte are two target areas of the Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau (MGB) 11 to conduct the Vulnerability Risk Assessment (VRA).

In an interview Monday (June 01) MGB 11 chief geologist Beverly Brebante revealed that the two cities are among the priority areas nationwide subject for VRA done this year in two areas per region.

“They are highly urbanized and that the growth of their develop-

14 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

ASSESSORS IN ACTION. Grace Villamsero and John Romel Vivas assess the students of Room No. 1 during the first day of the Oral Reading Assessment.

FBNHS Grade 7 students undergo reading assessment T

HE F. Bangoy National High School (FBNHS) English Department initiated an Oral Reading Assessment to incoming Grade 7 students as basis for the Reading Remediation Program with the aim of strengthening the students’ ability to read skillfully.

A pupil’s diploma from an elementary education cannot be an assurance of his/her

proficiency in reading. There are cases in which the lack of reading competence of a pupil may be overlooked due to several possible reasons such as overpopulation in a class or lack of reading materials.

The problem is addressed by the Reading Remediation Program. Upcoming Grade 7 students are assessed as to which reading level they be-

long. Their reading difficulties are diagnosed and those who are recommended for remediation will undergo reading sessions after or during English classes.

Started last May 21, the assessment period continued until June 1, the first day of classes. The faculty members of the English Department, led by department head Dr. Man-

uel P. Vallejo and the Reading Access Center coordinator Jojane N. Gelbolingo served as the assessors for the entire program. About 100 to 300 students can be catered to per day.

The program is free of charge so that students need not to worry. All they have to do is to be present and read.

Sydney Adorico

WiFi Hub, alongside a Globe DUO number that allows unlimited calls to landline and Globe/TM numbers, and a dedicated after-sales support.

The WiFi Hub has a builtin printer to generate and print individual log-ins and passwords for customers for better security and management.

It comes with unlimited PINs to service more customers at no extra cost and without the inconvenience o f

to 20 simultaneous users and business owners can modify access to either time- or volume-based internet connectivity. The WiFi Hub is a secure connection and is not prone to abuse by non-paying customers.

The WiFi Hub is also an affordable add-on to existing Globe myBusiness broadband customers at only P299 per month for 24 months. Other broadband

to 15 Mbps.

“Our thrust in inspiring success among entrepreneurs continues with the launch of the myBusiness WiFi Hub that will allow our SME customers to offer internet connectivity to their customers, definitely a sound opportunity for them to grow their businesses and increase profits,” Globe myBusiness senior vice president Martha Sazon said.

Globe myBusiness also continues to provide SMEs more opportunities to put their business on the map and ultimately serve more customers by making business solutions more accessible.

Solutions include business websites, marketing tools, inventory and asset management systems and Google Apps for Work. Other solutions are also available designed to maximize profits through services like Globe Charge credit card terminals, vehicle trackers that boost efficiency, CCTVs for full visibility on assets such as store front and employees, and large format displays (LFD) that aid in additional business advertisements.

Globe gives SMEs more opportunities to earn with new myBusiness WiFi Hub A

S the demand for internet connectivity increases, more customers are looking for establishments that offer WiFi access as today’s lifestyle has become more on-the-go and digital.

The same is true for establishments such restaurants, cafés, and bed and breakfast inns that are looking into growing their businesses with WiFi availability. From a customer’s point of view, an establishment with WiFi internet is more advantageous so he or she can stay connected for work or personal reasons.

This opportunity led Globe myBusiness, Globe Telecom’s small and medium business arm, to introduce the myBusiness WiFi Hub, a new package that allows businesses to earn more by offering customers access to a WiFi connection.

Establishments will be able to offer WiFi for free or for a fee, opening up opportunities to attract more customers and at the same time, earn from this additional revenue stream.

New customers can opt for the Plan 1899 with speeds of up to 5 Mbps for a DSL or LTE connection. It comes with the

purchasing a new set of pins each time.

The WiFi Hub can serve up

plans are available starting at Plan 1599 for up to 3 Mbps to Plan 4299 for up

VOL. 8 ISSUE 45 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

Sun Life announces promotions S

UN Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. and the Yuchengco Group of Companies have announced the promotion of Richard S. Lim to President of Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (SLGFI).

In a statement, Sun Life said Lim joined the company in 1990 as Operations Supervisor at the Asia Pacific Information Systems Department , rapidly climbing the ranks until he became Director, Computing Services in 1999, then Director, Individual Insurance and Wealth Accumulation Systems.

He transferred to the Philippine operations and in 2006 was appointed VP, Information Technology. He was seconded to P.T. Sun Life Indonesia Services from 2006 to 2010.

Upon his return to the Philippines, Lim was appointed Chief Business Operations Development Officer and was primarily responsible for the integration of Sun Life and Grepalife back offices and operations. He was appointed Chief Operating Officer of Sun Life Grepa Financial in October 2011 and then Head of Bancassurance in late 2013.

“Richard Lim’s vast experience in both the life insurance industry and key aspects of both Sun Life and SLGFI business operations will strengthen even more the joint venture synergy between the Yuchengco Group of Companies and Sun Life of Canada Philippines, Inc.,” said Helen Y. Dee of the Yuchengco Group of Companies.

Lim graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from the Mapua Institute of Technology.

He was awarded the designation Master Fellow, Life Management Institute and also Associate, Customer Service by the Life Office Management Association.

In a related development, Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc, President & CEO Rizalina Mantaring announced the promotion of Karenina M. Casas to Chief Operations Officer.

Casas joined Sun Life in 1993 as a Training Specialist

Lim

Casas from Assumption College and Ateneo de Manila where she had been a teacher and lecturer. She took on progressively more responsible positions and moved to Operations as Customer Service Manager in 1998. She became Director in 2004 and then AVP for Client Services in 2006, and finally, Chief Administration Officer in 2007.

Casas has been instrumental in the Operations group’s ability to cope with the rising demands of the company’s customers and its rapidly growing business. She also continues to have responsibility over the Administrative Services Department and recently also added the Process Management team under her wing.

“Karen’s appointment reflects her enormous dedication and hard work, commitment to excellence, and recognizes her leadership and significant contributions to Sun Life’s vision of success,” Mantaring said.

Casas graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) from the Ateneo de Manila University. She also attended the Management Development Program at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and holds the designation Professional, Customer Service (with Honors) and Associate, Customer Service from the Life Office Management Association (LOMA).

VOL. 8 ISSUE 45 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO

SEA GAMES ROUNDUP

PH fencer finishes 5th

SAVE. Goalkeeper Florencio Badelic Jr. saves an attempt at the goalmouth for the Philippines. The U-23 Azkals, however, lost to Singapore 0-1 in their first outing in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games in Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore.

Paras-led PH 3x3 squad opens bid K OBE Paras and Co. face rough sailing when the Philippines plunges into action on Thursday in the 2015 Fiba U18 3x3 World Championship in Debrecen, Hungary, located 231 kilometers east of the Budapest capital.

The quartet of Paras, Mike Nieto of Ateneo, Ricci Rivero of De La Salle-Greenhills and Richard Escoto of Far Eastern left for Hungary on Monday with LSGH coach John Flores and Kobe’s father Benjie, the PBA’s only MVP and Rookie of the Year winner in 1989.

Grouped in Pool A with host Hungary, Kazakhstan, Russia, Poland and Uruguay,

the Philippines was seeded

by Fiba to the world championship in recognition of the strides the country has made in the novel competition.

In Pool B are Andorra, Egypt, Germany, Guatemala, Lithuania and Romania. Pool C has Brazil, Estonia, France, New Zealand, Turkey, Vietnam, and Pool D brings together Argentina, Georgia, Indonesia, Puerto Rico, Spain and the United States.

Side events include a shootout contest, women’s skills competition and a slam dunk event, where the UCLA-bound Paras reigned supreme by soaring over a motorcycle and wowing the

CHANGE OF MIND

crowd with a between-thelegs jam in Jakarta, Indonesia two years ago where the Philippines qualified for the Fiba U16 World Championship.

The ‘Filipino Fab Four’ takes on the Poles for its first game, followed by the Hungarians, Kazakhs, Russians and Uruguayans.

Meanwhile, leaving on Saturday to join the team is Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas legal consultant Atty.

Edgar Francisco to attend the Fiba 3x3 World Congress at the Kossuth Square.

Ongoing are the qualifying matches in 16 municipalities nationwide leading up to the SBP-Talk ‘N Text U18 Tatlu-

han National Championship at Robinson’s Place in Ermita on June 21.

The winner here will gain a slot in the three-team Philippine delegation competing in the Asia Pacific World Masters in August also at Robinson’s Place. The two other teams will come from selections made up of players from the Philippine Basketball Association.

Last year, the Manila West team comprised of Terrence Romeo, Rey Guevarra, KG Canaleta and Aldrech Ramos made it all the way to the Fiba 3x3 World Masters in Sendai, Japan after ruling the Manila leg at SM Megamall.

Days after being reelected, Blatter says he is stepping down

T

HE end for Sepp Blatter came suddenly, just days after he had seemingly solidified his hold on FIFA. The 79-year-old leader of the world’s most popular sport defied global animosity last week to win four more years in office. But his re-election only increased the pressure from col-

leagues, sponsors, athletes and fans for Blatter to step down as FIFA’s president.

At a hastily arranged news conference on Tuesday, Blatter announced he would leave office within months and called for a fresh election to appoint a successor.

“I cherish FIFA more than

anything and I want to do only what is best for FIFA and for football,” said Blatter, who could still be a target of US investigators delving into decades of corruption and bribery accusations against FIFA officials.

After generations under Blatter and his mentor, Joao Havelange, the announcement left FIFA without a leader and without a clear course forward.

It sets off a global power struggle for control of the organization as a criminal investigation intensifies.

A strained and serious Blatter read a six-minute statement in French before exiting without taking questions.

Blatter had been defiant and feisty in the same room on Saturday, fending off questions about FIFA’s battered reputation and the chance he could be arrested.

His mood had changed in the 24 hours before his announcement, Blatter aide Walter Gagg told The Associated Press.

A federal indictment last week detailed apparent bribes from a FIFA account totaling $10 million to senior officials for voting South Africa as the 2010 World Cup host. Late Monday,

reports laid a clearer trail of complicity to the door of FIFA headquarters, if not Blatter himself.

“We know that the in the last 48 hours he was thinking of the future and perhaps what happened in the last hours, this gave him the conviction,” Gagg, a long-time confidante of Blatter, told the AP in a telephone interview.

“We had lunch with him yesterday (Monday). He was relaxed he was fine,” Gagg said. “I had a very good meeting with him early in the morning (today). Then came the different information from the U.S. with this and that.”

The South African angle threatens to tarnish memories of a bid campaign that brought Nelson Mandela to Zurich for the winning vote in 2004. At risk also is the legacy of a World Cup that was an organizational triumph for FIFA and South Africa, and bolstered Blatter’s reputation as a friend of Africa whose loyalty stood firm in Friday’s election.

Even before the election, Blatter’s ability to travel to the U.S., or other countries where a Swiss national risked arrest and extradition, had become a distracting story.

P

hilippines’ Eric Brando II finished 5th in the Men’s Fencing Individual Sabre Pool Round to get a “Bye” for the Round of 16, and directly advance to the quarterfinal round at the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.

Brando will face Malaysia’s Peng Kean Yu in the quarterfinal round scheduled at 16:20 yesterday. A win over Yu assures Brando of at least a bronze medal.

Compatriot Gian Carlo Nocom failed to advance to the Round of 16.

Justine Gail Tino advanced to the Women’s Fencing Individual Foil Round of 16 after placing 8th the Pool Round Competition.

She will face Myanmar’s May Tinzar Kyaw in the Round of 16 scheduled later yesterday. If she hurdles her Round of 16 match, she will face Top Seed Thi Anh Do of Vietnam in the quarterfinal round.

Compatriot Wilhelmina Lozada sadly failed to advance to the Round of 16.

Noelito Jose Jr. and Gian Franco Rodriguez have made it to the Top 15 of the Men’s Individual Epee Fencing event, and will advance to the Round of 16 scheduled yesterday afternoon at 14:00pm.

Unfortunately, Jose and Rodriguez are grouped in the upper bracket and could possibly face in the semifinals if they will successfully hurdle their Round of 16 and Quarterfinal opponents.

Rodriguez will face Indonesia’s Muhammad Haerullah, while Jose will face Singapore’s Mun Hou Samson Lee at the Round of 16.

Synchronized Swimming The Philippines’ Synchronized Swimming Pair of Alyssa Salvador and Jemimah Tiambeng finished 8th in the Duet Technical and Free Routine Free Preliminary at the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore. Finals is scheduled tomorrow at 13:00pm.

Table Tennis

The Philippines’ Table Tennis Mixed Doubles Pair of Sendrin Balatbat and Ryan Rodney Jacolo lost to Singapore’s Yu M. and Yang Z. in straight sets at the quarterfinal round of the Mixed Doubles event of the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.

The pair has already bowed out of contention, which leaves Team Philippines now with three remaining medal events on Wednesday: 12:00 : Men’s Fencing Individual Sabre Pool 1 (Eric Brandi II) 12:00 : Men’s Fencing Individual Sabre Pool 2 (Gian Carlo Nocom) 14:00 : Men’s Fencing Individual Epée Round of 16 [ Gian Franco Rodriguez (PHI) VS (INA) Muhammad Haerullah) 14:00 : Men’s Fencing Individual Epée Round of 16 [ Noelito Jose Jr. (PHI) VS (SIN) Mun Hou Samson Lee) 14:45 : Women’s Fencing Individual Foil Round of 16 [ Justine Gail Tinio (PHI) VS (MYA) May Tinzar Kayw ] 15:10 : Men’s Fencing Individual Sabre Round of 16 (Eric Brandi II & Gian Carlo Nocom) [QF at 16:20; SF at 18:20; & Finals at 19:40] Here are our NON-MEDAL EVENTS for today: 13:00 : Synchronize Swimming Duet Technical and Free Routine Free Preliminary (Allyssa Salvador & Jemimah Tiambeng) 14:10 : Women’s Table Tennis Singles Group B Prelims [Sendrin Balabat (PHI) VS (MAS) Rou You Lee] 14:50 : Women’s Table Tennis Singles Group C Prelims [Ian Lariba (PHI) VS (THA) Saweetabut S) 15:30 : Men’s Table Tennis Singles Group A Prelims (Ryan Rodney Jacolo (PHI) VS (VIE) Tien Dat Le] 16:10 : Men’s Table Tennis Singles Group C Prelims [Richard Gonzales (PHI) VS (VIE) Tuan Quynh Tran] 19:00 : Women’s Netball [ Philippines VS Singapore ] 20:30 : Men’s Football [ Philippines VS Cambodia ]

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. VOL.88ISSUE ISSUE45 45••THURSDAY, THURSDAY,JUNE JUNE4,4,2015 2015

ROAD TO REDEMPTION Petecio ready to avenge bitter loss

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO njb@edgedavao.net

N

ESTHY Petecio remembers her heartbreaking loss in the bantamweight finals of the 27th Myanmar Southeast Asian Games in 2013.

A loss she would rather forget.

The 23-year old amateur standout from Davao del Sur has vowed to reverse the outcome this time around in Singapore when she returns for some redemption and hopefully, a date with glory.

She swears it would be different if she ever meets her Burmese rival New Ni Oo again.

Petecio remembers that fight vividly in Myanmar. Of course, she would not forget that name too. She was clearly domi-

nating the fight in her second straight SEA Games finals appearance. But when the verdict came, everything fell like a douse of cold water. The hometowner Burmese was declared the winner by unanimous decision.

“Just like I was telling my colleagues in the Philippine Olympic Committee, I will pit Nesty every week of the day and twice on Sunday and she would win (over Oo),” said boxing executive director Ed Picson, who witnessed the fight at ringside.

Before she left for the SEA Games, Petecio said in an interview that the bitter loss was behind her now. “Kapag dikit ang laban at alam kong nanalo ako, sabi ko na lang charge t o

she had flexing his muscles after believing NIGHTMARE. This image of Petecio3 haunts her to this day. won over Burma’s New Ni Oo in 201 experience, na may dahilan si God kaya ako natalo. May dapat dagdagan sa training,” Petecio told Malaya in a report.

The Education undergraduate has vengeance in her eyes though. If she meets the Burmese anew, there will be no mercy. No let up. “Sabi ko rin sa sarili ko, kapag nagkita tayo sa akin na ang laban na ‘yon,” she added in that interview.

But Petecio admits she cannot concentrate on the Burmese rival alone. There are others more formidable now than the 2013 gold medalist. She admits she is not even considering the Burmese bet as her strongest rival this time, noting the Vietnamese and Thai boxers seem to be stronger.

The 5-4 Petecio will go into battle in Singapore

boosted by her recent triumph in the President’s Cup in Indonesia, where she emerged as the tournament’s best female boxer.

In an interview, national women’s boxing coach Roel Velasco said it’s “harvest time” for his hardworking and dedicated ward.

“Palagay ko eto na ‘yong harvest time ni Nesty,” Velasco, a 1997 world championship bronze medalist, said.

“Siyempre, huwag lang tayong pasisigurado. Dapat lang huwag magbilang ng sisiw hanggang sa hindi nababasag ang itlog.”

The 28th Singapore SEA Games boxing tournament opens this Saturday, a day after the opening ceremonies, at the Expo Hall 1.