Edge Davao 8 Issue 79

VOL. 8 ISSUE 79 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2015

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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ONCE UPON A TIME… Guest storyteller Michelle Robin-Bacsal , news chief of ABS-CBN Davao and executive producer and host of Maayong Buntag Mindanao, reads “Si Kaitlin at ang Game Machine” by Ferdinand Pisigan Jarin to the Grade 2 students of Assumption College of Davao during the National Children’s Book Reading Day at SM Lanang Premier yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

RDC to withdraw support for Sasa Port project P2 Cabbies told: Follow P30 flagdown rate P3

RELEASED ON BAIL 7 KJC members in food poisoning return home

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. and FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

T

HE seven members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ The Name Above Every Name (KJC) who have been charged over the food poisoning of almost around 1,900 people in Surigao del Sur have gone back to their respective homes after posting bail.

This was confirmed by Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy’s legal counsel Charmalou D.

Aldevera in an interview yesterday at the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

“What I know is that, according to them, they are home, they are safe, and they are being taken care of,” Aldevera said.

She said the seven want to go on with their normal lives while the cases are still pending in court. “After all, they are presumed innocent unless

proven otherwise,” Aldevera said.

The seven were identified as Junnil Martinez Teriote, 30; John Oben Dequilla, 36; Joel Alferez Pasa, 29; Richard Lawag Rivera, 28; Martinez Sawit Bocaycay, 19; Genelyn Dorgas Pasa, 26; and a certain Henryto Bitco Amoguis, 21.

Except for Amoguis who is reportedly from Valencia, Bukidnon, the suspects are

reportedly residents of Mc Arthur Highway, Calinan District, Davao City.

The seven were charged in Surigao del Sur last week for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple serious physical injuries in relation to Republic Act (RA) No. 7610 or Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

FRELEASED, 10

EDGEDAVAO Sports Ella begins US jungolf stint Sports P16

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 79 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2015

SHELTER. Construction workers eat their lunch inside the huge culverts to shield themselves from the scorching heat yesterday along Pelayo Street in Davao City. Some roads are currently undergoing construction for the city’s drainage system project. Lean Daval Jr.

Davao Light further increases rotating blackouts to 2 hours

D

AVAO Light and Power Company yesterday said it is increasing the duration of its rotating power interruption to a maximum of two hours per day.

In a statement, Davao Light said this was due to a further reduction announced by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) in the power supply in Mindanao from 60 MW on Monday (July 20) to 130 MW as of yesterday (July 21).

Davao Light said the peak demand for yesterday for its entire franchise was expected to reach as high as 325 MW. “Hence, there’s still a huge shortage despite the power supply that Davao Light gets from Sibulan and Talomo Hydropower Plants, Therma Marine Inc., and its standby Bajada Power Plant,” the company said.

Davao Light also said its customers should expect rotating power interruptions even during off-peak hours, which is from 12 midnight to 8 a.m. and from 8 p.m. to 12 midnight. This will only be for a maximum of one hour “and only as a last resort should there be shortage during these hours,” the company said Davao Light said given the unstable power situation, the duration of the rotating power interruptions may increase or decrease depending on the level of curtailment imposed by the NGCP at any given time of the day and the variability of the load of Davao Light relative to the time of the day.

Davao Light encouraged its customers to be prudent in the use of energy “to help minimize the effects of the current power situation.”

New pipe bridge to be commissioned Sunday

F

IRST the bad news: there will be a 12-hour water interruption this week-

end.

Now the good news: this is because the Davao City Water District (DCWD) needs to cut the supply first for the commissioning of the new pipe bridge in Bankerohan on Sunday morning, a project that been delayed for three months.

In a text message yesterday to EDGE Davao, DCWD spokesperson Bernardo D. Delima said the new pipe bridge,

which serves as the transmission line to water connections going to the northern part of the city, will start its operation on July 26.

The commissioning, however, involves cutting the water supply.

“There will be a water interruption from 8:00 p.m. of July 25 up to 8:00 a.m. of July 26 for the tapping of new transmission line to existing distribution lines,” Delima said.

He said water interruption

FNEW, 10

RDC to withdraw support for Sasa port project: Laviña

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

ITH less than a week left before the scheduled pre-qualification conference on July 29, the Regional Development Council (RDC) 11 is planning to pass a resolution withdrawing its support for the P17-billion Davao Sasa port modernization project.

Former Davao City councilor Peter Laviña said the RDC 11 had set some conditions when it passed a resolution in December 2014 expressing its support for the

project of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) under a public-private partnership scheme.

Amng the conditions was that the DOTC has to acquire the land before proceeding with the bidding.

“The DOTC proceeded with the bidding of the project even without fulfilling the sets of conditionality provided by the RDC 11,” Laviña, who is a private sectors stakeholder in RDC 11, told reporters yester-

day.

Laviña said RDC chair Rodolfo del Rosario has expressed his affirmation to the call of many sectors to pass a resolution recalling the council’s resolution.

Laviña said with only few day’s left, different sectors here can still make more noise to temporarily stop the bidding process.

He said it is not too late to opose the prokect because the awarding of the bidder will be in December 2015.”

“We can protest as long as the project is not yet awarded,” he said.

“Our move is to stop (the project. We appeal to the national government, Philippine Port Authority (PPA), DOTC, Congress, Senate, and now even to the president to stop this because of all this noise,” he said.

“What we are asking is to temporarily stop the bidding so that we can review because we have already proven

have no budget for food handling training since it can cost up to P10,000.

He said has committee has already come up with a recommendation that it is in line with the order of Duterte.

Al-ag said the city will intervene so that small manufacturers and vendors will have no reason not to comply with the regulation.

He said the City Council will assist the CHO especially on the budgetary requirements for the seminars.

“We are now preparing for the annual budget next year. So for next year we can

give them the budget,” he said Earlier, Duterte said he will order the CHO to convene the small food operators and street food vendors for a food safety seminar.

Duterte he will also tap the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Trade and Industry in the holding of the seminars.

The order came after Duterte apologized to the victims of food poisoning in Surigao del Sur which was traced to durian candies manufactured by a company in Davao City.

FRDC, 10

City Council pushes food safety ordinance

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

HE Davao City Council is pushing for an ordinance ensuring food safety practices in the city.

In an interview yesterday, City Council floor leader Bernard Al-ag said the councilors want to institutionalize the directive of the Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte obliging all food manufacturers and street food vendors to undergo food safety handling training with the City Health Office (CHO).

Al-ag said with the proposal, the city can regulate all food handlers in the city to practice safe food preparation.

He said the city will provide free training and ID cards to food handlers to show the people that the person has undergone proper training on food handling.

Al-ag said there is already a proposed street food regulation ordinance but it is still pending in the committee on health.

He said on the side of the food manufacturers, some still lack training on safe food handling even though they are covered by the sanitation code of the city.

Al-ag said most of the small operators and vendors

VOL. 8 ISSUE 79 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2015

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

PNoy signs Competition, Cabotage bills into laws

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ROCKING THE BABY. An infant falls asleep on his older brother’s lap due while playing on a seesaw at Magsaysay Park in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

RESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III signed into law on Tuesday two important bills that would continue to push the country’s progress and inclusive growth.

During the signing ceremonies in Malacanang, President Aquino approved the landmark Philippine Competition Act, giving the country its own law that will level the playing field for all businesses by penalizing anti-competitive agreements and abuses of dominant players.

The President also signed into law the Foreign Ships Co-Loading Act, which would allow foreign ships carrying imported cargoes and cargoes to be exported out of the country to dock in multiple ports.

The Philippine Competition Act is considered the longest-running measure in Congress, taking 25 years before hurdling the legislative mill.

Under the law, a Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) will be established with the Chief Executive appointing a chairperson, four commissioners and an executive director.

As an independent quasi-judicial body, the PCC will look into anti-competitive behaviors, abuses in dominant positions, and anti-competitive mergers and acquisitions.

The PCC can impose administrative penalties of a maximum fine of PhP100 million on the first offense and PhP250 million for the second offense for anti-competitive agreements and abuses of dominant position.

Moreover, courts can impose criminal penalties of imprisonment from two to seven years and a maximum penalty of PhP250 million for anti-competitive agreements done between and among competitors. The imprisonment will be imposed on responsible officers and directors of the entity.

On the other hand, the Foreign Ships Co-Loading Act will reduce logistics costs for producers, create a more efficient import and export system, and lead to lower prices for consumers.

The law will also help in decongesting the major ports in the country. (PNA)

Cab company to drivers: Follow P30 flagdown rate Banana growers call anti-aerial spray bill a ‘recycled allegation’

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

AVAO City-based Holiday Taxi continues to remind its drivers to follow the P30-flagdown rate set by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

This after various reports on the non-compliance by some taxi drivers of other taxi companies in Davao surfaced.

Holiday Taxi radio operator Rhodora Lubiano told EDGE Davao that she has received less than 10 complaints from clients since the implementation of the LTFRB order.

“We immediately called the attention of the drivers involved,” she said, adding that their drivers were reminded at all times to be compliant with the flagdown rate.

Lubiano also admitted that some Holiday Taxi units have no discount stickers.

She said some were removed intentionally while others simply got worn out.

“We cannot immediately provide them new stickers because we don’t have enough for all our units,” she said. “The LTFRB did not give us enough stickers during the

7 Maguindanao food poisoning victims remain in hospital

S

EVEN of the 28 victims of food poisoning in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao remained in the hospital, authorities said.

Mayor Shameen Mastura of Sultan Kudarat town said the rest of the victims, who were downed by what medical officers described as contaminated grilled fish and macaroni salad, were already discharged by the Cotabato Sanitarium hospital.

The seven victims Mohalidin Ugyang, 6; Aliyah Ugyang, 2; Abel Adam Kupi, 16; Esmael Penguiaman, 15; Jael Nguda, 17; Maguid Kusain, 18; and Alice Upi, 46, all residents of Barangay Simuay.

The victims were among the more than 30 persons who went on a Sunday ex-

cursion in nearby Kusiong Beach in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

They feasted on a grilled fish and macaroni salad prepared last Friday yet in celebration of the Eid'l Fitr.

Maguid Kusain, one of the victims who remained in the hospital, said almost simultaneously they complained of stomach disorders and loose bowel movement after eating.

They were rushed to the hospital Sunday afternoon.

Hospital authorities said the victims have traces of amebiasis while others suffered acute gastroenteritis.

Mayor Mastura said the local government has extended medical and financial assistance to the victims. (PNA)

start of the implementation.”

Lubiano said the company had to resort to printing its own stickers.

She said the LTFRB remove the P10 flagdown rate discount in order to help drivers increase their income.

She said some drivers are having a hard time providing for their families because of the high price of petroleum as well as their obligation to pay rent to their operators.

Meanwhile, LTFRB 11 spokesperson Edgar R. Violan said the taxi fare discount

is still in effect and the board has not issued a new resolution lifting the P10 fare discount nationwide.

The LTRFB had imposed a P10 reduction on the flagdown rate in March but did not recalibrate the taxi meters. Instead, it required taxi operators to put stickers that indicated P10 would be subtracted from the final rate.

Violan encouraged the riding public to report to LTFRB drivers who are not giving the P10 discount and those who have removed their discount stickers.

B

ANANA growers said on Tuesday allegations against anti-spraying, which they preferred because it is a cheap and easy way of administering the fungicide that targets the sigatoka fungus, are recycled and have been answered long time ago.

“The allegations against aerial spraying are recycled and have been answered long time ago. We invite the proponents to visit Davao and see for yourselves how we do things. If need be, you can talk to the people in Camocaan or talk to your colleagues,

the former members of the Committee on Ecology (of the House of Representatives), some of whom are still in Congress while others are still in the same committee,” said Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) Executive Director Stephen Antig.

“We are hopeful that the critical-mindedness and scientific objectivity of our government policy makers will prevail,” he added.

The group claimed they are mindful of the health of

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MUSLIM TRIBES IN KADAYAWAN. Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative to Davao City Council Bai Halila Sudagar expresses her hope in yesterday’s Pulong-Pulong ni Pulong media briefing that Muslim tribes will be included in next year’s Kadayawan Festival in the ‘Lumadnong Dula.’ Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

EDGEDAVAO

4 SUBURBIA

VOL. 8 ISSUE 79 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2015

Sarangani mounts voluntary HIV test T

ECO-PARK. Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao gestures as he presents the blueprint of the planned conversion of his acquired land into an eco-park in Malungon town. Isagani Palma – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE

Pacquiao unveils Eco-Park plans R

EP. Manny Pacquiao has unveiled plans of converting a portion of a three-hectare property he acquired located near the landfill site into a multi-purpose eco-park.

Pacquiao made the announcement during the culmination of the five-day 46th Founding Anniversary of Malungon town in this province.

Pacquiao and wife, Vice Governor Jinkee Jamora-Pacquiao, were assisted by Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino in unveiling on stage the huge

tarpaulin that features the Eco-Park’s blueprint.

The ceremony came two days after an onsite inspection at the 80 percent completed P4.9-million Tourism Center in the Sunken Arena here.

Municipal engineer Rodrigo Palec said the Congressional Office-funded tourism hub is to be equipped with communication and office facilities.

Now in its finishing stages by the Department of Public Works and Highways, the hub is located right at the north-

80 exhibitors join South Cotabato Reg’l Expo

S

OME 80 exhibitors join the 2015 South Cotabato Regional Industrial Technology and Trade Expo located at the Productivity and Technology (PROTECH) Center, Koronadal City, slated from July 1 to 31 as part of the 49th Foundation Anniversary and 15th T’nalak Festival of the province.

The exhibitors were grouped into Food Court, Region 12 Foods and Crafts, South Cotabato Foods and Crafts, Corporate Exhibit, Plants and Ornamentals and Bazaar.

Booths rented by the exhibitors were priced between P2,500 (lowest) up to P10,000.00 (highest).

Food court exhibitors were ND Marbel Batch ’91, Papaul Food Haus, D’An-

chors, Ekay BBQ Hauz, KV’s BBQ, D’ Seminar, Ayeng’s Place, JMFPC Sea Foods, Papa Gino’s Pizza, 3J Food and Drinks, MRJ Food House and BBQ, Ate Febz Barbecue, ME Coolers Food Haus, Rolly’s Food Haus and West Brook Grill.

For LGUs and NGAs, the Province of North Cotabato, City of Tacurong, Fiber Industry Development Authority, Gen. Santos City and DSWD-SEA-K join the Region 12 Foods and Crafts.

Corporate exhibitors, meanwhile, were Communities General Santos, Inc. (Camella), Lakpue Drug, Inc., BEIHE, Philippine Foremost Milling Corp., Cargill Premix and Nutrition, Lao Integrated Farm Inc.,

ern-mid portion of Sunken Arena that was then a public dump site and pasture area for working animals.

For his part Pacquiao, said the eco-park will be a big help for locals not only in terms of employment and preservation of natural wealth.

Officials said the planned eco-park in Sitio Nanima, Barangay Poblacion will be the same site for the construction of an integrated waste management compound, with composting facilities that can accommodate approximately 900 tons of bio waste in 60

days at 15 tons/ day.

For their part, Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian-Solon and Vice Governor Jinkee Jamora-Pacquiao also assured residents of their support with the aim of uplifting their living condition.

The upcoming project was presented by Pacquiao during the Rose Feed the Children (RFC) gathering that was taken on the third day of the recently concluded fiveday (July 11-15) celebration in town. ISAGANI P. PALMA/ MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE

HE Provincial Health Office (PHO) here has performed voluntary HIV testing and counseling to pave the way for treatment of patients.

This would also generate baseline data of HIV in Sarangani Province and help prevent its spread, an official of the health office said.

PHO head Dr. Arvin Alejandro said HIV testing was one of the major activities during the simultaneous nationwide Hi-5 Caravan held at the Capitol gym on June 23.

The health caravan focused on the promotion of health information and services on maternal and child health, men’s health, adolescent health, health for the elderly, and nutrition.

Alejandro said an official report from General Santos City health office showed that 16 people living with HIV (PLHIV) were from Sarangani.

Alejandro treated the report as “very alarming. Even one case is very alarming.”

Dr. Ali Tumama of the Department of Health (DOH) 12 said these cases were traced from 1984 up to the present.

Dr. Tumama is the DOH regional program manager for sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS. Meanwhile, Dr. Mely Lastimoso, coordinator of social hygiene clinic of General Santos City Integrated Health Services Office, earlier reported her office has diagnosed 206 cases since 2007 covering SOCSARGEN area and its nearby cities. Fifty of them have already died, she said.

Tumama disclosed that from the cases Dr. Lastimoso reported, around 170 were from General Santos City.

He said Region 12 has 3% of the total 23,000 PLHIV in the Philippines. As cases increase, he said “chances to be infected with the disease in the country are estimated at 23 persons per day.”

Dr. Tumama said a satellite treatment hub in General Santos City is underway and

the antiretroviral (ARV) drug would be available starting July in the social hygiene clinic in the city.

The government is spending bulk of its funds from sin taxes for the purchase of ARV, a treatment that slows down progression of the disease and may lead to a near-normal life expectancy.

Roughly P70,000 is estimated for the annual treatment per PLHIV per year which the government covers.

Even if ARV reduces risks of death and complications, Dr. Lastimoso stressed a PLHIV should make it a point to follow a treatment adherence program. This means “strictly no delays in taking medicine. The 100 virus count might multiply into a thousand viruses if not taken religiously.”

“ARV is a single dose daily treatment for life.” Dr. Lastimoso said this would react by boosting the immune system level of PLHIV up to 1,800 while normal immune system count ranges only from 600 to 1,200.

Contrary to the extent of 10 years that PHLIV could live which the books say, Dr. Lastimoso said “the longest AIDS can stay in the body these days is six years.”

HIV/AIDS or human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome is a virus that weakens the body’s ability to fight infections and diseases.

It can primarily be transmitted thru sexual contact, blood and blood products like blood transfusion, needle sharing among injecting drug users and thru mother to child transmission during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding.

Dr. Lastimoso said blood transfusion and sharing of needles, however, are the fastest means to transmit the disease with 90% engaging into these would likely become carriers of the disease. While sexual contact is still the lead-

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WATER SHORTAGE. Residents joining a long queue for water is a common sight in Iligan City these days, as in this photo taken Saturday morning, after a big

F80 EXHIBITORS, 10 pipe in Barangay Suarez burst, cutting off supply to some thickly populated barangays near the poblacion area. MindaNews photo by Bobby Timonera

5 ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 79 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2015

Business Bureau will require FDA stamp for food companies

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

S

crc@edgedavao.net

TARTING January next year, the Davao City Business Bureau will not renew the business permits of food processors and manufacturers operating without the stamp from the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).

“We have agreed that the FDA will give us list of establishments that we will block in our system,” Business Bureau assistant office head Maribel T. Paguican told EDGE Davao yesterday.

This came after the food poisoning of about 1,900 people in Surigao del Sur last July 3 which was traced to durian candies made by JJCM Food Products based in Davao City.

The factory has been closed by the Business Bureau after the City Health Office (CHO) found that its workers did not have health cards.

Paguican said following the incident, it is now necessary for food processors and

manufacturers to secure their respective FDA stamps to ensure the safety of the public.

She said those that will be blocked in the system “cannot proceed with the renewal unless they will be cleared in the FDA.” Paguican said the Business Bureau and the FDA had a meeting last Monday and the latter said it would give its list within a month.

The list will include food processors, toy manufacturers, drug and medical equipment manufacturers, bakeries, and all other establishments that need an FDA stamp for their operation.

Paguican said once the plan is finalized and ready for implementation, an FDA personnel will be assigned in the Business Bureau’s offsite venue during next year’s renewal period.

She said the Business Bureau currently allows the issuance of business permit even without the FDA stamp as long as the taxpayer has

LOAD AND PUSH. A porter delivers fresh vegetables to vendors at the public market in Malaybalay City on Friday, 17 July 2015.MindaNews photo by H. Marcos C. Mordeno already applied for the stamp during the application.

This is to follow the 72-

hour mandate of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, she said, since the FDA stamp

takes about a month to be processed.

However, she said es-

tablishments are given one month to secure their FDA permit.

6 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 79 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2015

‘Investments keep coming to ARMM’ T

HE Regional Board of Investments (RBOI) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) approved a P252 million petroleum investment project located in Polloc Free Port, Parang, Maguindanao, the RBOI-ARMM announced Tuesday.

This was after the RBOIBoard of Governors in a joint meeting with the members of the Management Committee in Davao City approved on Monday the registration of DS3 Fuel Tanking and Services Inc., the fourth project registered by the agency in

2015.

In a statement, Lawyer Ishak Mastura, RBOI-ARMM chair, said with this new addition, ARMM has recorded P1.8 billion total investments in the 3rd quarter of this year and continuously going up despite the uncertainty of the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

He added the DS3 Fuel Tanking and Services Inc. is engage into providing storage facilities, marketing and distribution of petroleum products.

Mastura said the company will mainly be involved in

EU-funded project focuses on food safety

I

N a bid to further heighten its impact, the European Union-funded Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) Project 3 is conducting a capacity-building program that reaches MSMEs and government employees serving the food and drug sector.

In a statement, TRTA said the program is carried out in collaboration with the Department of Health-Food and Drug Administration (DOHFDA) and the Department of Trade & Industry-Bureau of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise Development (DTIBMSMED).

The program will address the lack of technical knowledge on food safety laws and standards among the country’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as well as the government employees serving the food and drug sectors.

The collaboration recently organized the conduct of a training-workshop on food Safety for SOCCSKSARGEN

Region.

Over 80 food micro-entrepreneurs attended the training, mostly for the purpose of getting information on obtaining the FDA-issued license to operate and certificate of product registration as a step towards enhanced marketability of their products.

DTI- South Cotabato Director Flora Gabunales of DTI-South Cotabato and the Regional Product Manager for Processed Food Cluster, said this is the second food safety compliance seminar conducted this year.

The first one was conducted last March 19 and 20 with 100 SME participants from all over Region 12.

Gabunales said food safety cannot be compromised and that they are providing the necessary business development services for the assisted processors for them to be compliant.

Meanwhile, DTI 12 regional director Ibrahim Guiamadel

the construction and operation of oil depots with total capacity of 23 million liters per annum at Polloc Free Port, Parang, Maguindanao.

Significantly, this is the first foreign investor to invest in the downstream oil industry in the region highlighting business confidence of foreign investors in the region even as the BBL is still being debated in Congress.

Mastura said that such project in the “downstream oil distribution industry” is the most strategic investment because DS3 can provide the common service facilities for

the different oil distribution industry players now and for the future in the region.

“The presence of an oil depot and oil storage facilities can possibly reduce the price of oil in the region,” Mastura added.

According to DS3, about 50 million liters of ground fuel is being consumed by the region per month. The company invested in the region since they see the ARMM and its adjacent municipalities and cities of 10 million people as a huge market opportunity to construct a fuel storage and distribution facility to

service various customers in the region including service stations, agriculture and industrial users.

Further, there are other investments in the pipeline this year.

One of these is a P3.7 billion cavendish banana project intended for export market.

Another, is a 5,000 hectare oil palm plantation in Maguindanao with project amounting to P1.3 billion and a napier biomass fuel production which is estimated to cost P400 million.

Other firms with investment projects that were pre-

viously approved by RBOI this year are Chan C. Mining Inc. spending P741.8 million for its nickel ore mining and quarrying project in Tawi-Tawi.

Also providing employment in the ARMM are the Lamsan Power Corporation which expanded their existing power plant to an additional 5.5 megawatts capacity worth P686.7 million in Maguindanao and; Tawi-Tawian Petroleum Trading in Tawi-Tawi, a company into importation and distribution of petroleum products which invested P121.2 million. PNA)

WELCOME. SM Lanang Premier assistant mall manager Jerome Ryan L. Yeo welcomes the guests and participants of the National Children’s Book Reading Day 2015 at the mall’s atrium yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

South Cotabato eying Lina confident of meeting more EU investments BOC’s 2015 collection goal C

USTOMS Commissioner Alberto Lina is confident of attaining the agency’s P436.6 billion collection goal for 2015 even with the drop in oil prices.

He attributed his optimism to the rise in volume of oil imports as well as higher collection from other items like construction materials. ”Construction of power plants continues and this helps in our collection,” he said.

The agency’s May 2015 collection fell seven percent to P26.7 billion from year-ago’s P28.8 billion.

However, its revenues in the first five months this year rose one percent to P147.1 billion from the P146.1 billion same period last year.

The agency has been generally posting improvements in revenue generation efforts due to reforms such as com-

FEU-FUNDED, 10

puterization of its processes.

Lina disclosed that their June 2015 collection is at record high but declined to give figures.

Asked whether they agree the rise in their target, Lina explained that they cannot question the decision of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) because it was based on both the cash and non-cash collections in the previous years.

Relatively, Lina is considering tax losses from drop in oil prices to reach about P75 billion this year.

This as price of oil in the international market is now at about USD 60 per barrel from record-high of USD 145 in the recent global financial crisis.

Taxes from oil account for 30 percent of BOC’s revenues and the bigger share is from non-oil items. (PNA)

T

HE provincial government of South Cotabato is targeting to attract more investors from the European Union (EU) in the next three years with the rollout in the area of the EU and Germany-backed Partnership for Integrity and Jobs Project or Project I4J. South Cotabato Governor Daisy Avance-Fuentes said Tuesday they consider the initiative a vehicle that could draw major investment and business ventures to the province from companies based in the EU. The program’s implementer Konrad Adenaeur Stiftung (KAS) had chosen South Cotabato as its eight pilot areas in the country.

Co-funded by the EU and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development through KAS, Project I4J focuses on the development of integrity mechanisms and business promotion

procedures in all its pilot areas through the help of the private and business sectors.

“The program mainly aims to create model local government units (LGUs) for integrity.

The key result is to have a local government system that is free of corruption and red tape,” Fuentes said.

The governor said Project I4J chose the province as among the pilot areas when it was launched last year after passing its requirements.

The local government also signified to implement the necessary reforms that will facilitate the establishment of a model LGU for integrity, she said.

Since its launching in the second quarter of 2014, the provincial government’s key officials and personnel have underwent a series of capacity-building trainings in connection with the program’s implementation.

The local government is

currently working on the rationalization of its business permits and licensing system with the help of Project I4J. Program implementers and KAS officials visited the province on Monday to assess the progress of its rollout.

Fuentes said the province is not getting any direct financial benefit out of the project but it will reap tremendous opportunities once it becomes successful.

“If we eventually eliminate red tape and set in a system with integrity, businesses will come in and that means job opportunities for our residents,” she added.

Aside from South Cotabato, the Project I4J is implemented in eight other areas or localities in the country.

These are the cities of Cagayan de Oro in Misamis Oriental, San Carlos in Negros Occidental and Puerto Princesa in Palawan; Naujan town in Mindoro, Tuburan town in

Cebu and the Iranun towns of Maguindanao; and, the provinces of Mindoro Oriental and Cebu.

A project briefer said it aims to include LGUs as key players for clean administrative procedures into the Integrity Initiative earlier set up by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and the Makati Business Club.

It recognizes the role of LGUs as a sustainable network for self-obligation and monitoring of transparent and non-corrupt structures and procedures.

It also aims to create models of transparent, effective small business and investment registration as well as promotion procedures and disseminate them.

Project I4J targets local government leaders and officials, civil society, small business leaders and potential investors as primary beneficiaries. (PNA)

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Blissful

VOL. 8 ISSUE 79 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2015

EDGEDAVAO WOMEN

BLOGGING MOST OF US would say blogging is just a piece of cake.

There’s a wide range of available domains and blog platforms, and interested individuals can just choose freely from any of them. Technically, anyone who has access to the Internet can have their own space online.

However, what makes one blog click and stand out from the rest are all relative to content, relevance and connection with its readers. Despite of it being accessible and inviting, as most of its authors would say, blogging may not really be for everyone. Discipline is a pre-requisite, next to creativity and authenticity.

One of the many things I have observed, though, is the likelihood of females to populate cyberspace.

It could be an indication of the times, I guess, now that women have established and strengthened their voice and place in the society. Blogging, in a way, becomes a supplementary and visible chan-

Despite of it being accessible and inviting, as most of its authors would say, blogging may not really be for everyone.

Discipline is a prerequisite, next to creativity and authenticity. nel for self-expression, a way to connect with the world. Some studies say blogging enhances a woman’s psychological well-being and sense of empowerment from within through collaboration, sharing and mutuality.

I, myself, am an avid follower several blogs which are linked to my craft and lifestyle, most of which are authored by women and fellow moms.

I’ve taken a great interest in stories which are a-tuned with the times, as well as my personal random musings. To a certain extent, I have also dreamed of putting up my own cyber nook where I could share my

creative pursuits and passion projects. I’ve long set this thought aside, having found no chance to really make the first serious move to realize this goal.

My current account on Blogspot is actually just used as an extended news feed for my weekly column entries.

The dominant themes nowadays are personal journals that narrates and shares real-life experiences. I guess this is a manifestation of that concept of mutuality and connectedness that boosts following and readership. An example of those blogs is Make It Blissful by Martine de Luna. A work-from-home mom who has the eye

and heart for meaningful moments, even in the simplest forms, Martine is a collaborator and inspiration seeker who not only blogs about her experiences but also builds a community of voices who speak the same passion and bliss. She is also a blog coach who provides guidance on how to blog, live and create with intention.

Given the rare opportunity to meet and work with Martine, I signed up for her Blissful Blogging workshop to get a better understanding of what it takes to launch a successful site. It was what she called a comeback after a long hiatus as she had to take a sabbatical leave from blog lectures and workshops when she got pregnant and gave birth to her second child. The venue was packed with eager learners and Martine, together with her former students and workshop collaborators Audrey Angcos and Carmel David, welcomed the group with so much warmth.

The notable aspects covered during the 3-hour talk included themes, reach and content. According to her, it’s best to start with an end in mind and decide on what you want your blog to achieve and how it can contribute to the community. The class, composed moms and lady professionals, also went through a group activity wherein each set is tasked to draw an outline for a unique blog following a particular theme, as well as conceptualize possible contents and analyze their marketability. After listening to each presentation, it dawned on me that most women of today are really family centered and are itching to pursue their personal goals and passions.

For those who are thinking of leaving the corporate world to focus on making money out of blogging, Martine advises, “Don’t quit your job until you have a concrete plan. Really think it through. Blogging may not be a regular 8-5 job, but it is work. You have to have the discipline to grow your online business in all aspects. That includes attending not only to events but also endless emails and questions. You have to grow it with love and dedication.”

For inquiries on blog coaching and workshops, please log on to Martine de Luna’s blog, http://makeitblissful.com.

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 79 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2015

EVENT

AirAsia and Nikon launch travel photography contest

TWO office workers, a car salesman and a barista are stepping out of their comfort zones and into the challenges of becoming the first AirAsia Travel Photographer for 2015. The #IamAirAsiaTravelPhotographer contest is jointly organized by AirAsia and ThinkDharma Inc. (exclusive distributor of Nikon Digital Cameras) in partnership with AirAsia’s global loyalty programme, BIG which will award winners with over 200,000 BIG Points or its equivalent free flights to any of AirAsia Group’s 100 destinations.

Assisted by multiawarded photographers from the Philippines and Malaysia as their personal coach, four pre-selected contestants, namely Velvet Lagman-Macasaet, an executive assistant and marathon runner; Sarah Garcia, hotel front desk officer; TJ Nepomuceno III, car salesman; and Paul Delfin, an indie music fan and barista, will be traveling across Asia for one week starting July 21.

Online voting via www. airasiatravelphotographer.

com will be opened to the public in August 20 with Nikon cameras and BIG Points to be given away to lucky voters. Grand winner will be announced in September 11.

AirAsia Philippines Chairperson Maan Hontiveros led the launching of the exciting contest with Strategic Partnership Head Jenny Au and Senior Marketing Manager Caroline Wong of AirAsia BIG. ThinkDharma Inc., meanwhile, is represented by Abrigo Merin, Chief Ex-

(3rd from L-R) AirAsia Photojournalist Adam Lee, contender Velvet Lagman-Macasaet, contender Sarah Garcia, Nikon pro and master photographer George Tapan, Business Unit head of ThinkDharma Paolo Salazar, AirAsia Philippines Chairperson Maan Hontiveros, Startegic Partnership Head of AirAsia BIG Jenny Au, Senior Marketing Manager of AirAsia BIG Caroline Wong, Nikon pro and photographer Raymond Cruz, contenders TJ Nepomuceno III and Paul Delfin with AirAsia cabin crew in their iconic red uniform at the recent launching of #IamAirAsiaTravelerPhotographer contest in Taguig, Manila. ecutive Officer of OPAL, and Paolo Salazar, Head of Business Unit.

Four multi-awarded photographers and respected leaders in the industry will be part of the AirAsia Travel Photogra-

pher contest as mentors of the four contestants.

Nikon Pros George Tapan, Raymond Cruz, Parc Cruz and AirAsia’s resident photojournalist Adam Lee will be traveling around exotic places in Hong

Piolo Pascual makes Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel official Home FAMOUS Filipino actor and heartthrob Mr. Piolo Jose Pascual recently stayed at Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel while he visited Hong Kong for the international premiere of his new movie The Breakup Playlist, starring alongside acclaimed singer and actress Ms. Sarah Geronimo.

The lead actor attended the Caritas Community Centre in Kowloon for a meet-and-greet session where hundreds of fans scuffled for a chance to see the A-list movie star. Directed by Dan Villegas, the movie centers around two musicians whose journeys are chronicled through the songs they wrote, sang and created together. In a heart-melting love story where the protagonist inspires his lovely female counterpart to pursue her

dreams, the possibilities of love and its realities are explored.

Mr. Pascual enjoyed the spectacular views of the Victoria Harbour during his free time and Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel had the pleasure to provide exemplary service to the highly admired celebrity and look forward to his return to Hong Kong.

Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand to help contestants capture their best entries across a range of categories that include landscape, food, portrait, architecture and travel.

Keep updated with

AirAsia Travel Photography contest by using #IamAirAsiaTravelPhotographer and get the latest updates via Twiiter (twitter.com/AirAsiaPh) or Facebook (facebook.com/ AirAsiaPhilippines).

Dip into cool deals with Carlson Rezidor’s summer promotion STAY COOL this summer with Carlson Rezidor’s “Cool Deals, Dip In!” promotion. From July 15, 2015 to September 30, 2015, travelers who book “Cool Deals, Dip In!” will enjoy 15% off the Best Available Rates for stays of two nights or more at participating Radisson Blu, Radisson, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson and Country Inns & Suites

By Carlson hotels.

Club Carlson loyalty program members who book “Cool Deals, Dip In!” and stay two or three nights will earn Double Club Carlson points. For stays of four nights and longer, Club Carlson members will be rewarded with Quadruple Club Carlson points. No registration is required and members can earn up to a maximum of 100,000 points for every stay. And not only that, at Park Inn by Radisson Davao, we are also offering our guests a Kids Eat Free privilege. Children who are 12 years and below are welcome to tuck in at our buffets for free during every qualifying stay.

“There is nothing like a cool dip in summer and kicking back by the poolside with a refreshing drink that has an umbrella in it. So, round up the whole family for Carlson Rezidor’s “Cool Deals, Dip In!” promotion now and enjoy a great summer vacation together at leading resort destinations like Phuket, Davao, Goa and Fiji, while earning extra loyalty points. These are the things that happy memories are made of,” said Sandy Russell, vice president, Commercial Operations, Asia Pacific, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.

For more information and to make your bookings, visit www.clubcarlson.com/cool-deals or www.parkinn.com/hotel-davao. Keep up-to-date with the hotel’s latest offerings by joining us on Facebook (facebook.com/parkinndavao) and Twitter / Instagram (@parkinndavao).

VOL. 8 ISSUE 79 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

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ENTERTAINMENT

Dennis Trillo is all set for new role on GMA’s My Faithful Husband

THIS AUGUST, viewers will get to witness the return of one of the country’s finest and multi-awarded actor, Dennis Trillo to Philippine primetime TV in GMA Network’s upcoming series My Faithful Husband.

The Drama King is back on the Telebabad block as he breathes life to the character of Emman dela Paz, a devoted and doting husband to Mel and father to their children. He is willing to do anything for his family. However, he felt so much pain when he found out that his wife betrayed him.

According to Dennis, playing this character is far from what he portrayed in his previous roles. “Siguro hindi yung typical na lagi na lang porma, laging ayos.

Dito medyo deglamourized siya ng konti kasi yung character ni Emman, mababa lang pinag aralan niya. Hindi siya mayaman. Hindi siya maporma. Galing siya sa simpleng pami-

lya. Simpleng tao lang siya.”

Adding that he is happy to be portraying another challenging role, “nakakatuwa na pinagkakatiwala yung mga ganitong roles sa akin, na this time ako naman yung faithful. Sa Temptation of Wife, ako ang nangangaliwa. Sa My Husband’s Lover, ako yung kabit. Ito yung hindi ko pa siguro nagagawa, so binigay nila sakin.

Kaya natutuwa naman ako na nagagawa ko yung mga iba’t ibang klaseng roles at binibigyan nila ako ng chance na magawa ‘tong mga roles at iba’t ibang situation ng characters, na hindi pare-pareho at paulit-ulit na istorya at kwento ang ginagawa ko.

Playing opposite him in the series is Kapuso leading lady Jennylyn Mercado as Mel, Emman’s wife. They first teamed up in the drama series Gumapang ka sa Lusak and anticipation is high for their reunion

project which will definitely showcase their onscreen chemistry.

Dennis is excited to be working with Jennylyn again.

“Siyempre excited

ako na makatrabaho si Jen. Last time ko siya nakatrabaho five years ago, dramarama sa hapon yung ginawa namin.

Ngayon naman sa primetime. At hindi ito yung pangkaraniwang love story, love tri-

angle. This time makikita naman nila dito na hindi yung lalake yung nangangaliwa. Instead, babae yung nagkaroon ng affair sa ibang lalake kahit kasal na siya. Pero yung plot ng kwento, hindi siya yung typical na plot ng mag-asawa na may kabit. Magsisimula siya medyo magaan, then pabigat ng pabi-

gat.”

Bb. Joyce Bernal helms this interesting and intriguing story and Dennis is also excited since this will be his first time to be working with the acclaimed director.

Find out how Dennis takes on the role of Emman in My Faithful Husband this coming August on GMA Telebabad.

Movie on General Luna inspires the youth through cinema DAKILA, a group creatively building a movement of heroism towards social transformation, and Artikulo Uno, a production company that aims to create artistic, compelling, and entertaining films, in partnership with the National Youth Commission and Department of Humanities of the University of the Philippines Mindanao is proud to present the movie Heneral Luna.

Set during the Philippine-American war, Heneral Luna follows the life of one of Philippine History’s most brilliant military men, General Antonio Luna, as he tries to lead his countrymen against colonial masters new and old, and to rise above their own raging disputes to fulfill the promise of the Philippine Revolution.

The period movie stars Actor John Arcilla as Heneral Luna, together with Aaron Villaflor, Epy Quizon, Archie Alemania, Joem Bascon, Mon Conrado, and Nonie Buencamino among others. Hen-

July 22 – 23, 2015

MINIONS / * ANT-MAN Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin, Sandra Bullock / * Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas

PG / * PG

12:40 | 2:45 LFS / * 5:00 | 7:30 | 10:00 LFS

PAPER TOWNS Cara Delevingne, Nat Wolff, Halston Sage PG

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

CHAIN MAIL Meg Imperial, Shy Carlos, AJ Muhlach R13

R-16

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

THE GALLOWS

eral Luna is directed by awardwinning filmmaker, Jerrold Tarog

and will be screened nationwide on September 9, 2015.

Reese Mishler, Pfeifer Brown, Ryan Shoos R13

12:00 | 2:00 | 4:00 | 6:00 | 8:00 | 10:00 LFS

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 79 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2015

EVENT

Young generation in

SM GREEN FILM FESTIVAL LAST JULY 7, SM re-launched the Green Film Festival (GFF) across SM and Waltermart cinemas nationwide. The GFF featured GMA News and Public Affairs documentary ‘Pagbangon,’ which outlines the rehabilitation efforts, tent cities, houses in no-build zones, people’s struggles to make a living, and stories of both survival and tragedy in Tacloban and other Yolanda-hit areas in the Visayas.

In different parts of Mindanao, over 500 students and out-of-school youths availed of the free moving screening aimed at raising awareness among Filipino youth of the plight of the earth today.

SM City Davao launch was attended by faculty and students of the Agro Industrial Foundation, Good Soil Academy, Brainworks School Inc. and Tecarro College Foundation Inc. SM City Davao mall manager Lynette Lopez expressed her appreciation to the event partners Department of Education (DepEd), National Youth Commission, the Movie and Television Review Classification Board (MTRCB), GMA7, outpost Visual, Climate Change Commission and USAID. Meanwhile, the SM City Cagayan de Oro launch was graced by more than a hundred students as well as faculty members of Lumbia and PN Roa National High School. “We are grateful to SM for this noteworthy endeavor of educating our students,” Eulogio Suaner, DepEd’s Education Program Supervisor said.

SM City General Santos officially launched the Green Film Festival last July 9, at Cinema 4. Assistant mall manager Engr. Hermon Hernandez welcomed the 186 pupils and teachers from Jose J. Catolico Elementary School of Lagao. “We thank SM Supermalls for coming up with this initiative as it is very educational to the pupils which they cannot learn from the four corners of the room,” said Ms. Cecille Agnes Surmillon, school guidance coordinator.

In SM Lanang Premier, the Green Film Festival was launched on July 7 at Cinema 6. It was graced by Councilor Leonardo Avila III on behalf of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, together with Engr. Armando Morales, Division Science Coordinator of DepEd-Davao City, and Willie Jordan, Chief of Licenses, Patents and Deeds Division of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region XI. Out-of-school-youths from Pag-Asa Youth Association of the Philippines (PYAP) in Davao City, through the assistance of the City Social

Services and Development Office (CSSDO), faculty and students of Holy Cross of Davao College and Assumption College of Davao participated in the said event.

Meanwhile, SM Lanang Premier Assistant Mall Manager Jerome Yeo welcomed the guests.

“To our teachers, students and everyone else who will be viewing these documentary films, I hope that these will create within you, within us, a sense of awareness that this planet is ours, we are a part of it, we live in it and thus, we should take care of it,” notes Engr. Morales of DepEd-Davao City.

The SM malls are also expected to hold the 6th Green Retail Agenda within the month. This year’s theme revolves around Risk Reduction Program and Building Corporate Resiliency.

For Green Film Festival inquiries and bookings, interested schools may call SM City Davao at (082) 2976998, SM Lanang Premier at (082) 285-0943, SM City General Santos at (083) 8780667 and SM City Cagayan de Oro at (088) 8592884-88.

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 79 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2015

7 BIGGER PICTURE

ANALYSIS:

Escaping prosecution, Philippines-style

By CARLOS H. CONDE

W

HEN Andal Ampatuan Sr. died of liver cancer in a Manila hospital on July 17, he deprived the Philippine justice system of his ever having to answer for his alleged role in the murder of 58 people – most of them journalists – in the 2009 “Maguindanao Massacre.”

Ampatuan was a former provincial governor on the southern island of Mindanao whose longtime rule was enabled by his close relationships to political

power brokers, including former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He was also the prime suspect in the planning of the killings.

Other suspects included seven of Ampatuan’s close relatives, three of them his sons. According to a longtime employee of the Ampatuan clan, Ampatuan and his co-conspirators allegedly hatched the murder plot over dinner a few days before the killings.

The crime was horrific. Esmael Mangudadatu, a

local politician, was poised to challenge the gubernatorial seat of Maguindanao province then occupied by Ampatuan’s son Andal Jr. On November 23, 2009, members of the Ampatuan family’s “private army” blocked a convoy of Mangudadatu supporters, including his wife, who were going to register his candidacy. The gunmen herded the group, including 32 journalists and media workers, to a nearby hilltop where they shot and buried them in graves dug earlier using government equipment.

More than five years since the massacre, the case is in judicial limbo, bogged down by numerous procedural challenges filed by the Ampatuans’ lawyers and by the sheer number of accused and witnesses. Indeed, the case, technically speaking, is not yet hearing testimony on the killings themselves because the court is still tackling the bail petitions of many of the accused.

While the special court has taken steps to expedite the process, such as assigning another judge to handle administrative matters, these

have proven to be insufficient. Even worse, several witnesses have been killed or harassed.

The death of Andal Ampatuan Sr. deprives forever the families of the victims the full measure of justice for their loss. But many defendants remain, including other Ampatuan family members linked to the planning of the crime. Ampatuan’s death should send a strong message to the Philippine government that justice demands a judicial process that is both fair and tolerates no unnecessary delays.

EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

T

The crime of libel

O many observers, the news that Vice President Jejomar Binay has sued the Philippine Daily Inquirer along with Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Antonio Trillanes IV, Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, and eight others for libel may not be that big of a deal. After all, it is a political season and the case Mr. Binay filed against the 13 serves to spice things up ahead of the 2016 national election. Mudslinging is a regular occurrence in these islands, happening every three years as candidates throw everything they have against each other. Think 2010 and the concerted effort to discredit then-candidate Manny Villar who was thought to be leading the presidential race. He was accused of corruption and of using his position to enrich himself, and his claim of being born to a poor family was attacked so constantly that hardly anyone believed in him anymore by the time of the election. In the end he landed not second but third in the race, lagging behind the convicted but pardoned plunderer Joseph Estrada.

As far as we can remember, however, Villar never filed a libel a case against his attackers. Perhaps he understood that such actions are par for the course and that there was no point going to court over something that he probably did himself against his opponents. Not so Vice President Binay; in retaliation for what he claims as “orchestrated persecution” to malign and discredit him ahead of the 2016 election, he filed a

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libel case against the 13 respondents. Again this may seem like stuff for telenovelas, especially since the damages Binay is seeking amounts to P200 million, but it must be remembered that we are not just talking of money here. Indeed, if it were just about money then we would view this with some form of amusement because the combined wealth of all those involved could probably come up with P200 million easily. What makes this case take on a sinister twist is that, unlike most of the civilized world, libel in the Philippines is a criminal offense, which means 13 are facing time in prison if they are convicted.

Philippine media have been calling for the decriminalization of libel for years now but our government has so far resisted. Obviously it is to our officials’ benefit that libel be kept a criminal offense because then it can be used to threaten and silence the media — and the people. Libel is a Damocles’ sword that hangs over the head of every journalist nay, every citizen, who dares voice out anything negative about a government official.

The irony is that Binay was a human rights lawyer who fought the Marcos regime back in the day. Of all people, he should have understood the importance of freedom of speech in fighting corruption and abuse among government officials. Filing a libel case is bad form for a man who has vowed to uphold the rights of the citizens.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

AGAPITO JOAQUIN JR. Associate Editor

CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY Consultant

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

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

the national association of newspapers

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

VOL. 8 ISSUE 79 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2015

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

GENERAL SANTOS CITY OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING MARKETING OFFICE

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

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

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

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 79 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2015

9

Coconut or oil palm? We can have both

HERE is a continuing debate regarding coconut and oil palm planting in the Philippines. I refer to the conflict between supporters of the two crops, even in the halls of government. And this debate has generated half-truths and lies. Take these examples:

• Palm oil is supplanting coconut oil in the world market... let us oppose oil palm planting.

• Coconut levy funds will be used to plant oil palm.

• Oil palm is an alien crop, and will affect biodiversity.

• Oil palm drains the soils of nutrients in the same way as cassava.

• Oil palm will destroy forests.

These unnecessary debates are delaying poverty reduction and job creation.

What are the stumbling blocks?

First, we are not market-driven. While Indonesia is nearing 10 million hectares of planted area (which environmentalists oppose), Malaysia is nearing six million hectares, and Thailand one million. The Philippines is stuck at around 65,000 hectares.

In 2014, of the total world export valued at $34 billion, Indonesia supplied $17 billion, Malaysia $12 billion, Thailand $200 million, and the Philippines $36 million. These did

W

VANTAGE POINTS

HILE reading a local daily, one report caught my attention: that of a 10-year-old boy who was bitten by a dog and died later of rabies. The doctor said the boy was already on stage 4 and it was already too hard to save him.

But what made it newsworthy was that the dog was killed and then given to people who butchered it. They cooked the meat and ate it as “pulutan” during a drinking session. About eight people took part in eating the meat.

Dog is man’s friend. But the animal can be deadly if it bites you, especially if the dog is not vaccinated. After all, dogs are one of the carriers of rabies, a viral infection of the brain.

While Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan are considered rabies-free, the disease is a serious threat elsewhere in Asia. In the Philippines, rabies claims 400 people each year, according to the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO).

Health experts, however, fear the real toll may be much higher. “We believe the death toll could be higher because of the many deaths that go unreported in remote parts of the country,” Dr. Mary Miranda, leader of the rabies research program at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, told us for an article I wrote for Reader’s Digest some years back.

People almost always contract rabies from the saliva of rabid animals. Any warm-blooded animal can be infected, but dogs are by far

not include EXPERT VIEW downstream products like oleo-chemicals and bio-diesel.

In 2014, Malaysia exported some 500,000 tons ($420 million) of palm oil products Dr. ROLANDO T. DY to the Philippines. Indonesia shipped also just to the Philippines 200,000 tons ($180 million). By contrast, the Philippines exported $36 million.

The evidence is that the Philippines has a palm oil market good for around 200,000 to 250,000 hectares to replace the imported volumes. So, why not plant and replace imports?

Second, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) is responsible for coconut development.

Palm oil was added a few years ago. So, what will happen? Indeed, the coconut lobby is a Goliath at PCA. People are hesitant to move for oil palm development.

Third, oil palm is an alien crop. The first oil palm plantation was started in Basilan in the late 1950s, in Sultan Kudarat in 1960s, and Agusan in the 1980s. Oil palm is as alien as avocado, cacao, coffee and corn (all from Mexico?).

Fourth, oil palm drains the soils of nutrients as it uses up to 20 bags of fertilizers. And what about sugarcane, two crops of irrigated rice, two crops a year of corn, cassava?

Fifth, oil palm planting will destroy forests.

There are few forests to destroy in this country, unlike in Indonesia. Oil palm uses upland areas which are cogon lands and planted to low-yield crops. Our forests were destroyed by irresponsible loggers and kaingineros decades ago.

Sixth, there is competition for land between coconut and oil palm. How can this be?

There are some 3.5 million hectares of coconut lands versus 65,000 hectares of oil palm.

There are millions of hectares of low -- yield corn lands, upland rice areas and grasslands that can be developed for oil palm. We need evidence on how much coconut lands have been converted to oil palm!

The choice of what to plant should be given to investors. A well-managed oil palm farm can generate about P100,000 per hectare in sales versus P30,000 per hectare for traditional coconut farm. A well-managed coconut farm with cacao or banana intercrop can match oil palm. This system, of course, demands work discipline.

Rural poverty incidence in this country is about 40%, or nearly 20 million people out of some 50 million rural residents. Much of this poverty is due to low productivity in corn, co-

conut, coffee and other crops. Entrepreneurs will not invest in oil palm, unless good farm practices are applied.

While oil palm will have above-poverty income from two hectares of family-owned farms, commercial farms will only employ one full-time worker for five hectares. Not that labor intensive, but it is job-creating for 30 years, nevertheless. With so much unemployment and underemployment in the farms, oil palm provides a stable income and jobs as harvest comes every 10 days.

Is it wrong to put oil palm under the aegis of the PCA? If not in PCA, where? Other tree crops are less attended too -- cacao, coffee, rubber. There are minimal or no tree crop experts at the Department of Agriculture and at the local government levels.

It is time to conduct a strategic analysis of how this country can really make tree-crop development a priority just like in other ASEAN countries. Too much resources and focus on a few crops will not solve the mass rural poverty in the countryside, which is the highest in the ASEAN. The sound option is coconut and oil palm.

They are not mutually exclusive.

Rolando T. Dy is the Vice Chair of the M.A.P. AgriBusiness and Countryside Development Committee, and the Executive Director of the Center for Food and AgriBusiness of the University of Asia & the Pacific.

the commonest THINK ON THESE! source. In fact, dogs are responsible for over 90 percent of rabies deaths in the country. “The usual pattern of transmission is dog to dog,” explains Dr. Mi- Henrylito D. Tacio randa, “and then henrytacio@gmail.com from dog to human.”

Among Filipinos, rabies is a highly misunderstood disease. Many, especially those in rural areas, still believe that garlic and a few drops of vinegar can cure rabies. Others believe that a quack doctor have the power to eliminate the virus from the body with the use of a stone or by sucking with the use of a carabao horn.

But how can you tell if an animal is rabid?

“A common clue is a sudden change of behavior, like drooling, unprovoked aggression, biting, aimless running and difficulty breathing,” informs Dr. Silvius Alon, a veterinarian who once worked with the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center in Bansalan, Davao del Sur. However, some infected animals may become paralyzed or die suddenly without showing signs of illness.

If possible, any dog that bites a person should be confined and observed. “If the dog

remains healthy for ten to 14 days, it’s safe to assume it’s rabies-free,” said Dr. Miranda. If the animal does show symptoms, the owner should contact the local health department or a veterinarian immediately and the dog should be humanely put down.

In humans, rabies symptoms can take weeks or months to appear. This presents a real problem when treating the disease because by the time symptoms have developed it may be too late to prevent death. When an infected animal bites a person, the virus travels along the nerves to the central nervous system where it incubates for up to three months. In this period the victim shows no signs of illness.

At the end of the incubation period, the virus multiplies rapidly, spreading to the brain and throughout the body, even to the eyes and extremities like hair follicles. Initial symptoms, in what doctors refer to as the “prodromal stage” of the disease, may be mild. They last from two to ten days and include a slight fever, headache, nausea and persistent loose cough. There may be pain, itching, tingling or a sensation of cold at the bite site.

Then, in the “acute neurological stage,” symptoms become more and more frightening. For the next two to seven days, the patient becomes nervous, agitated, restless and irritable, and may salivate excessively. As the virus replicates in the brain, the victim experiences eye problems (like enlargement of the pupils),

weakness of the facial muscles and hoarseness.

In one out of six cases, there’s hydrophobia – a fear of water. “In this stage, there is forceful, painful muscle spasms of the throat, which expel liquids administered orally,” says Dr. S.N. Madhusudana, associate professor of the Department of Neurovirology at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience in Bangalore, India.

Finally, the virus overwhelms the brain and central nervous system. The patient falls into a coma, becomes paralyzed and dies.

What should you do if you’re bitten by a rabid animal? First, attend to the wound immediately. “Wash it with plenty of soap and running tap water,” instructs Dr. Alon. “Then apply an antiseptic like iodine or betadine to kill the virus.”

As soon as the wound has been cleaned, seek medical help. Victims must be immunized as soon as possible so that antibodies can develop before the virus incubates. Injection must be done into the bite sites to neutralize the virus.

“Once the virus reaches the brain, the antibodies are no longer effective,” says Dr. Miranda.

“Without timely treatment, rabies infection is 100 percent fatal,” pointed out Dr. Nancy Nazaire-Bermal, head of the clinical research and development of the Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics. “Rabies is the best example of an illness in which prevention is better than cure, as it is a vaccine-preventable disease.”

Watch out for rabies

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 8 ISSUE 79 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2015

RDC... FROM 2

that many of the rationale and design are flawed,” he said.

Laviña said among the fl8aws of the project was the omission of the cruise tourism aspect of the modernization project.

He said the Davao Sasa Port was earlier identified by the Department of Tourism as one of the priority hubs for the development of cruise tourism in the country.

But he said the DOTC focused on developing Davao Sasa Port to be purely containerized.

He said this will not sustain the port’s operation because 40 percent of the present cargoes like banana

exported to Japan are in bulk.

He also said essential cargoes needed by the agriculture industry of Davao like fertilizers and farm equipment will have a hard time finding an area to dock.

He also that it would be impossible to imagine that Sasa port will accommodate Panamax vessels with a capacity of 10,000 containers.

“Davao City has no capacity to have a product which can be catered by Panamax vessels,” he added.

Laviña said the P17-billion bid price and the concession fee are a “fraud” that will only promote corruption in the agency.

the people and the protection of the environment. As such, these plantations are relying on scientific research and development and advanced technologies.

Banning aerial spraying, industry supporters contend, would cripple the industry.

House Bill No. 3857 entitled “An Act prohibiting aerial spraying as a method of applying chemicals and similar substances on agricultural crops,” was authored by Gabriela Women’s Party-list Reps. Luzviminda Ilagan and Emmi De Jesus; BAYAN Muna Party-list Reps. Neri Colmenares and Carlos Isagani Zarate; ACT Teachers’ Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio; Anakpawis Party-list Rep. Fernando Hicap; and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon.

Aerial spraying is a generally accepted agricultural practice by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations under certain limitations which the banana industry is strictly adopting, otherwise its importers might stop buying from them. A multi-sectoral monitoring team that focused on banana plantations oversees the compliance of these regulations.

The Philippines is the world’s second largest exporter of fresh bananas. The top major export destinations for fresh Cavendish bananas are Japan, China, Korea, the Middle East and New Zealand with stringent policies on food product.

“The very survival of the industry rests on the health and well-being of our growers, the workers, their families and the communities around our farmlands, which must be protected from all forms of environmental degradation and never did we sacrifice people’s health and integrity of the environment for our rich harvests,” said Antig.

The banana growers’ track record for the past 45 years proved that low-dose fungicide poses no risk to people’s health and environment. It is milder than table salt, coffee, nizoral shampoo

or of the obnoxious and deleterious carbon monoxide which people from all walks of life are exposed daily, or of the acetaldehydes, chloromethanes, dioxane, phosphates and alkylbenzene sulfonic acid in laundry soaps and detergents used daily by millions of households in the country.

Although the Philippines has no specific law on aerial spraying, government regulations require pilots to observe buffer zones -- 20 to 30 meters away -- from plantations, according to the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority. The rule is meant to spare humans, animals and plants from the ill effects of the spraying.

The Department of Agriculture (DA), for its part, said the claim that aerial spraying is hazardous to animals and human beings remains an allegation and assumption unless otherwise scientifically proven by concerned authorities and agencies.

This issue can be addressed by following Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), which the DA is promoting among fruit and vegetable growers and plantations.

“Any method of agri-chemical application whether aerial or non-aerial if not properly done in accordance with established procedures and code of good agricultural practices and if the chemical applicators and handlers lack of necessary competency, certainly it could be hazardous,” it said.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in a position paper, said that aerial spraying “is an internationally accepted Good Agricultural Practice and is being used all over Davao Region as an efficient and effective method of fungicide application to control the Sigatoka disease.”

“The testimonies of our health care community, as well as the testimonies of the best scientific minds in the Philippines and in the world have proven beyond doubt that the declaration of the anti-spray campaign are hearsay, half-truths and lies,” said Antig. (PNA)

Banana... FROM 3 WORKING HARD. A very hungry goat climbs atop a vehicle to munch on the leaves of a tree at Camp Domingo Leonor yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

RELEASED... FROM 1

New... FROM 2

They were also charged for violation of RA 10611 or the Food Safety Act of 2013 and violation of RA 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines.

The seven allegedly sold durian candies that downed around 1,900 people in Surigao del Sur last July 3.

Aldevera said she cannot bare the total bail paid for the temporary release of the members.

“I do not know how much in detail, but I will confirm that they have already posted a bail,” she said.

She said the seven were provided legal assistance by the religious organization. She also said the KJC is willing to face the charges.

When asked if KJC has already extend help to the victims, Aldevera replied that coordination with the local government in Surigao del Sur has been already done.

“I would rather not so be detailed about it because there is already case filed. It might be construed in a negative way,” she said.

“Whatever help we give, we would rather not to broadcast it,” she added.

The durian candies have been traced to JJCM Food Products based in Davao City which makes Wendy’s Delicious Durian candy.

The owner, Janet Aquino, said the products were repacked and not in their original packaging when sold in Surigao del Sur. On Monday, City Health Office (CHO) environment and sanitation chief Robert Oconer said his office has already identified the place where the durian candies were repacked.

“Sa house of worship sila nag re-repack ng mga durian candy. We have pictures to prove our claims. Kumpleto ang mga documents namin,” Oconer said.

On Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Manila said the samples of the durian candy positive for Staphylococcus aureus, which is a common cause of skin infections, respiratory disease, and food poisoning.

will start from NCCC Mall in Matina, the whole downtown area, Barrio Obrero, Agdao, and Bucana areas such as Savina, SitioNarra, Manggahan, Sto. Niño, Bilusa, Sanasa, and Busna.

Delima said some areas will experience low water pressure such as Bajada, Lanang, Pampanga, and Sasa.

The pipe bridge project was initially scheduled for completion on March 28 but was moved to April 27.

DCWD blamed congestion at the Port of Manila from where the pipes would be delivered to Davao City.

Delima said the contractors were not able to fabricate the steel pipes in time due to the delay on the delivery of the raw materials.

The contractors, however, still missed the April deadline for the same reason.

Delima said DCWD imposed a penalty of 1/10 of 1 percent per day of the unfinished work item on the consortium of RD Policarpio & Co., Inc., Allado Construction Co., Inc., and TGV Builders, Inc. The mainline pipe that supplied water from the Dumoy pumps to the downtown area up to Sasa area was broken in December 2012.

The pipe was replaced with two smaller ones with a diameter of .725 meter.

The new pipe’s diameter measures 1 meter and will result in a 7 percent increase in water pressure. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

of DTI Regional Office 12 also explained that an FDA license to operate is among the basic requirements for companies to be able to participate in the DTI-initiated regional, national and international trade fairs and similar event.

The department also implemented the Shared Service Facilities project by way of providing the necessary equipment to qualified cooperators for use of our food processors.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given its full support to the successful conduct of the activity as part of its intent to enjoin microenterprises to exploit the advantages offered by its newly established e-registration system, which facilitates the issuance of licenses to operate and certificates of prod-

uct registration for low-risk food products and food raw materials.

Moreover, the FDA has introduced an electronic platform licensing system for micro-enterprises engaged in food processing, as required by the Food Safety Act of 2013 (RA 10611) and FDA Act of 2009 (RA 9711).

The EU-PH Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) Programme is a continuing development project that promotes trade and investment to achieve inclusive growth and poverty reduction. Its third phase, the TRTA 3 started in December 2013 with the signing of the Financing Agreement between the Republic of the Philippines and the European Union. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with report from DTI 12)

ing common cause, it is accounted for only 0.5% to 1%.

Dr. Alejandro said there are plans to create a provincial HIV/AIDS council for Sarangani. A proposal on this, he said, was submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in 2014.

Last May, health providers in Glan Medicare Community Hospital conducted a crusade to support the global call to end the spread of HIV/ AIDS.

Dr. Eden Rose Malanao, Medical Officer V of the hospital, said raising social awareness on the disease was pursued to bring down the “stigma and discrimination” for people living with HIV. Since the medication is already obtainable, “all it takes is for people from all walks of life to undergo tests to avail of the medicine,” Malanao said.

(BCPaoyon-Sarangani Information Office/DEDoguiles-PIA 12)

Green Valley Machineries, Kamback Wood Furniture, Kohdian Holdings Corp., Nueva Essentials, Chiu Kim Enterprise, D’Box by K & Co., Marbiels Chocolate & Baking Supplies, Sure MPC and Megaworld – Suntrust Properties, Inc. Plants and Ornamentals exhibitors were Alice Garden, D’Lucky Bamboo, Rosas Palmas Garden, Meet Your Garden, MVDENS Garden, City Garden, AG Garden, JenJoyMae Garden, Cold Mountain Garden, Pop’s Ornamental Garden, Isy Ornamentals and Lia’s Garden.

Likewise, bazaar exhibitors were Chrissannia Selected Ukay-Ukay, Mix and Match, Clippers Ukay-ukay, Print It, RAMGO International Corp. Inc., Tano’s T-shirt Souvenirs, Jessica Souvenir Shop, Macel Shop, Ashly Fashion Dress, Davao Printing and Home Depot.

Earlier, Regional Expo Chairperson and PROTECH Center Manager Emmanuel Jumilla disclosed that the expected revenue to be generated from exhibitors may reach P300,000.00. (Fruto C. Sumagaysay Jr., PIOSouth Cotabato)

EU-funded... FROM 6

Sarangani... FROM 4

80 exhibitors... FROM 4

11 HEALTH

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 8 ISSUE 79 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2015

Garlic:

Nature’s herbal wonder drug

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

I

F you have to pick an herb to take with you in a deserted island, what would it be? The good answer would be garlic. After all, it has been used a long, long time ago by the builders of the Egyptian pyramids for strength and endurance. An Old Welsh rhyme states, “Eat leeks in March and wild garlic in May, / And all the year after physicians may play.”

From the earliest times, garlic has been used as a food.

It formed part of the diet of the Israelites in Egypt (Numbers 11:5). It was consumed by the ancient Greek and Roman soldiers, sailors and rural classes.

But garlic is not just only for cooking. In fact, it is hailed as “nature’s herbal wonder drug.” In the past, garlic was said to strengthen the heart; protect against the plague; cure colds, athlete’s foot, toothache, and snakebite; repel vampires and demons; grow hair; stimulate sexual performance; and rid the dog of fleas.

Today, scientists all over the world are examining the folklore’s claims of garlic’s benefits. But the therapeutic qualities of garlic are nothing new. Sanskrit records reveal that garlic remedies were pressed into service in India 5,000 years ago, while Chinese medicine has recognized garlic’s powers for over 3,000 years. Even Louis Pasteur, who solved the mysteries of rabies, anthrax, chicken cholera, and silkworm diseases, recognized the anti-bacterial powers of garlic way back in 1858.

During World War I, surgeons regularly used garlic juice to stop wounds turning septic.

So, what is it about garlic

that makes it such a boon to our health? When cloves are chewed, crushed or cut, they release a sulphur-bearing compound called allicin – the chemical that gives garlic its pungent aroma. And it’s the allicin that scientists have discovered is the magic ingredient thought to be responsible for garlic’s therapeutic qualities.

“Allicin is the remarkable agent that fights bacteria,” points out the editors of Super Life, Super Health. “It seems to even fight some infections that are normally resistant to antibiotics.’ But allicin is unstable and sensitive to heat,” the editors remind. “Cook the garlic lightly, if at all, and always mince it to release the most allicin.”

Garlic is also rich in with the vitamins A, B, and C; the minerals calcium, potassium, and iron; and the antioxidants germanium and selenium.

Antioxidants reportedly block free radicals, the potentially harmful elements that circulate in the body and may lead to cancer and heart disease.

Having a problem with cholesterol in your body? Get a health kick from garlic. Researchers have long known that large quantities of raw garlic can reduce harmful blood fats. But here’s a word of warning from Duke Robert I of Normandy: “Because garlic has the power to save from death; / Endure it, though it leaves behind bad breath.”

When Dr. Benjamin Lau of Loma Linda University in California gave people with moderately high blood cholesterol one gram a day of the liquid

garlic extract (about one teaspoon), their cholesterol levels fell an average of 44 points in six months. In 1993, the Journal of the Royal College of Physicians reviewed data on cholesterol and found that after just four weeks there was a 12 per cent reduction in cholesterol levels in the research groups that had taken garlic.

Scientists have also looked at the role garlic plays in helping prevent the formation of blood clots. A review of recent clinical trials, published in the Journal of Hypertension, showed that taking garlic tablets cut volunteers’ blood pressure by between one and five per cent. These results led the report’s authors to conclude that taking supplements could cut the incidence of stroke by anything from 30-40 per cent, while heart disease could be reduced by 20-25 percent.

In 2007, a BBC news story reported that garlic may prevent and fight the common cold. “Garlic can actually kill germs and clear up your cold symptoms rapidly,” says Dr. Elson Haas, the author of Staying Healthy with the Seasons. He recommends two to three oilfree capsules three times a day.

If you have sore throat, load up yourself with garlic.

“When a sore throat is caused by a virus infection, as opposed to bacteria, eating garlic can bring quicker relief,” suggests Dr Yu-Yan Hey, a nutrition professor who researches on the healing properties of garlic.

Dr. Eleonore Blaurock-Busch, the physician behind The NoDrugs Guide to Better Health, recommends taking garlic-oil capsules six times a day. She

advises though that if the prescription causes you any adverse reaction, try another remedy.

Here’s a good news for mothers who breastfeed their babies. Researchers at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia found that mothers who ate 1.5 grams of garlic extract two hours before nursing got an odor in their milk that prompted infants to suck longer and possibly ingest more milk. Besides that, the babies experienced no abdominal cramps or other problems associated with spicy foods.

As stated earlier, garlic may strengthen the immune system and may help the body fight diseases such as cancer.

Laboratory studies suggest that garlic may have some anti-cancer activity. Studies which follow groups of people over time suggest that people who have more raw or cooked garlic in their diet are less likely to have certain types of

cancer, particularly colon and stomach cancers.

A large-scale study in the United States, called the Iowa Women’s Health Study, looked at the garlic, fruit, and vegetable consumption in 41,000 middle-aged women. Results showed that women who regularly consumed garlic, fruits, and vegetables had 35% lower risk of developing colon cancer.

Garlic may battle breast cancer, too. Pennsylvania State researcher Dr. John A. Milner exposed rats to huge amounts of chemicals that cause cancer.

Then he gave some of the rats “chow full of garlic.” The rats that ate garlicky chow had 50 percent fewer precancerous changes in their breasts.

Garlic is considered “to have very low toxicity” and, in fact, the US Food and Drug Administration listed garlic as “generally recognized as safe.”

But despite that recognition, the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC)

in Baltimore gives this warning: “Side effects from garlic include upset stomach, bloating, bad breath, body odor, and a stinging sensation on the skin from handling too much fresh or dried garlic. Handling garlic may also cause the appearance of skin lesions. Other, more rare side effects that have been reported by those taking garlic supplements include headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, muscle aches, dizziness described as vertigo (dizziness), and allergies such as an asthmatic reaction or contact dermatitis (skin rash).”

In addition, garlic has blood-thinning properties.

This is also important to know if you are going to have surgery or deliver a baby. “Too much garlic can increase your risk for bleeding during or after those procedures,” the UMMC reminds. Garlic should not be taken with warfarin, antiplatelets, saquinavir, antihypertensives or hypoglycemic drugs.

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VOL. 8 ISSUE 79 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2015

VOL. 8 ISSUE 79 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 13

Malungon highlights PhilHealth’s TseKap P

HILHEALTH’S Tamang Serbisyong Kalusugang Pampamilya (TSeKaP) was highlighted in the 46th Foundation Anniversary of Malungon town in Sarangani.

The event, according to a statement from PhilHealth 12, was carried out under the municipal government’s flagship Grand LINGAP Project.

LINGAP, which stands

for Local Ingenuity in Alleviating Poverty, is a priority project of Mayor Reynaldo Constantino to propel a better life for the constituents of Malungon, including among others easy access to PhilHealth benefits.

About 1,000 NHTS-PR indigent members, including pregnant women and senior citizens, attended the event on July 15 at the Municipal Gymnasium of

said LGU for the profiling.

They also availed of TSeKaP services like free consultation, diagnostic and laboratory services provided by the Municipal and Provincial Health Teams.

PhilHealth Regional Office XII-Local Health Insurance Office General Santos personnel conducted an orientation to ensure that members are made fully aware of their PhilHealth

benefits, the No Balance Billing policy as well as explain to them who may avail of these benefits aside from the member and how and where to avail of these.

Regional Vice-President Dr. Miriam Grace Pamonag emphasized the rights and privileges of members and their responsibilities. She also discussed the new and improved benefit packages including hemodialysis

and updates on maternity care and normal spontaneous delivery packages.

In his speech, Mayor Constantino shared that he prioritized the accreditation of their Rural Health Units and Birthing Home to prevent if not significantly reduce malnutrition and maternal mortality rate in the municipality.

As a manifestation of support to PhilHealth, Mayor Constantino and

RVP Pamonag signed a Collection and Remittance Agreement.

The signing of the agreement will provide better payment venue for residents of Malungon, eliminate the need as well as the expense of travelling to the General Santos City to pay for PhilHealth premium. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12 with ASNicolas and GALSequito-PhilHealth 12)

The GEN3 Cebu store will feature the latest technological innovations that will shape the Filipino digital lifestyle. This will be seen in the reconfigurable store displays that give Globe the ability to change the content every quarter. It will house four major lifestyle zones namely music, entertainment, life and productivity, that will illustrate mobile and broadband technologies as connected solutions—featuring the latest devices, apps, digital connectors and services that contribute to the total interactive customer experience.

Aside from the latest products and services, the new GEN3 store also serves as a platform to feature inspiring stories of must-watch

personalities who are blazing new trails in their respective industries. With the store opening in Cebu, GEN3 highlights the cheering story of select artists featured in the recently-held online music talent hunt Spotify Emerge powered by Globe. Grand winner Shehyee and finalist Marion Aunor share their musical journey and how they succeeded in pursuing their love for music.

The new store is also equipped with a Play Bar where customers can learn about the latest apps through one-on-one service consultations, as well as self-service kiosks like the video hotline that allow Globe representatives to better interact with customers. Payment ma-

chines are also available that accept cash and credit cards for quick payment transactions.

As Globe Head of Retail Transformation and Stores Management Joe Caliro shares, “Globe has always considered Cebu as one of the key areas in the Philippines where we strive to expand our presence in. We are very happy to finally bring our world-class GEN3 store here to give our customers a taste of world-class retail experience. With the concept and design of the Globe GEN3 Store in Cebu, we are able to set up a space where everyone who walks in can have a totally different experience and come out learning something new every time.”

Globe... FROM 14

14 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

IPs wearing their new bags

VOL. 8 ISSUE 79 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2015

Bag distribution

Tagum Coop donates bags, school supplies to IP children

“

FIRST time!”

This was how the teachers of first two recipient schools described this year’s Gasa alang sa Eskwela, a bag and school supplies donation activity extended by Tagum Cooperative to Indigenous People (IP)-dominated elementary schools.

Done successively on July 14 and 15 at Talos Elementary School, San Jose,Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte and Datu Davao Elementary School, Laak, Comval, Tagum Cooperative officers and staff drove on uphill, rough, dangerous

roads and even rivers to reach the far-flung and highland areas which cooperative chair Norma Pereyras described as “LUKSOrious.”

Wearing their tribal costumes, IP children welcomed the donors with warm greetings and happy smiles, presenting their tribal dance about harvest, showcasing their talents, rendering both tribal and English songs, and sharing their culture with them through IP language.

A total of 375 bags with school supplies inside were distributed by the Cooperative

Hydro power firm brightens 3,000 smiles in Davao Sur

H

EDCOR Sibulan, Inc. and Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. helped some 3,000 school children prepare to face their future with brighter smiles as they were reminded of good oral health care through a comprehensive information education campaign drive.

This month, Hedcor implemented its dental health program in its eight adopted public schools in the municipality of Sta. Cruz.

The school recipients were Tudaya Elementary School, Pogpog Elementary School, Tibolo Elementary School, Idong Elementary School, Sibulan Elementary School, Don Amancio Elementary School, Darong Elementary School and Almendras Elementary School.

The program is in partnership with the Dental Chapters of the Municipality of Sta. Cruz, Provincial Local Government of Davao del Sur, and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.

Dental experts Dr. Rosalita M. Juadiong and Dr. Ruby Ann R. Limpot assisted by dental aids Lea Nepomuceno and Mary Rose Gavilan lectured and demonstrated proper tooth brushing, flossing and mouth rinsing.

They also made the children aware of the existence of oral cancer and how proper dental care helps in reducing the risk from this dreaded disease.

Hedcor vice president for Mindanao operations Ro-

lando Pacquiao said, “We are helping our beneficiary-public-teachers promote good oral hygiene among students, analyze and evaluate dental needs, and maintain dental records of students for future reference”.

Pacquiao also said, “To increase our host communities’ level of awareness on the importance of good oral health, we are giving much needed support to the local government and the dental society in order for them to continue with their advocacy on good dental health.”

“I feel delighted that the parents were able to attend this campaign because dental care starts at home. Parents should be the first to teach their children how to properly brush their teeth,” Dr. Juadiong expressed her delight during her lecture.

At the end of the demonstration, each student was given a hygiene kit containing a face towel, soap, and two pairs of toothpaste and toothbrushes.

They will be using one dental care kit in school while the other will be for their home use.

Hedcor, a subsidiary of AboitizPower engaged in runof-river hydro development and operations.

It is currently expanding its operations in Bukidnon with the 68.8-MW Manolo Fortich Hydro. To date, Hedcor operates 22 hydropower plants with a total capacity of 185MW.

led by Pereyras along with the members of the Board of Directors (BOD):Fe Adlawan, Evelia Sator, Edgardo Silagan, and Nenita Malbas with OIC general manager, Vivelyn Fronteras.

“It is our way of giving life to what Pope Francis said that we should ‘take the road less travelled’ and that we should ‘go the peripheries to serve,’” Pereyras said.

Supervisors, school heads of recipients chools, the teaching force, barangay officials, and even the Army thanked Tagum Cooperative for the culturally sensitive act.

Darwin C. Jose, Datu Davao Elementary School teacherin-charge, expressed personal thanks to Tagum Coop for, through it, he was also able to complete his studies in post-graduate degree due to the products and services offered from then on.

Arlene A. Suazo, Talos Elementary School head, also counted the presence of the people behind Tagum Cooperative as the most important thing to note more than the bags and snacks given.

In line with the 7th cooperative principle, Concern for

the Community, the Gasa alang sa Eskwela in both schools was initiated by the Education Committee of Tagum Cooperative Main Office aimed at providing useful school supplies to IP elementary schools children who lack sufficient study materials.

The activity will continue going to marginalized IP schools and communities to donate bags andschool supplies together with the 10 Tagum Cooperative branches which also have other recipient schools. (Tagum Cooperative)

Kabacan, Midsayap proclaimed among most competitive LGUs

N

ORTH Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Talino-Mendoza was elated over the recognition of the towns of Kabacan and Midsayap as among the most competitive local government units of the Philippines.

Mendoza said the inclusion of the two towns in the 2015 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index is “a recognition of our collective efforts to deliver sustainable development and progress to the people.”

The index is an annual ranking of cities and municipalities by the National Competitive Council through the Regional Competitiveness Committees with the assistance of the United States Agency for International De-

velopment.

Board member Shirlyn Macasarte said the ability of the towns to deliver service to the public has been made possible because of the all-out support of the provincial government to the programs of the LGUs. She noted that local budgets are almost not enough to meet the demands of infrastructure and other development projects.

Both Kabacan and Midsayap are first class municipalities and inhabited mostly

by Ilocanos. The towns are the province’s top rice producers.

Both towns also have their own experiences of bomb attacks in the past.

The Overall Most Competitive Municipality Award was

given to the municipality of General Trias in Cavite.

The awarding rites were held during the 3rd National Competitiveness Summit held on July 16, 2015 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Reception Hall in Pasay City.

Based on the framework index, LGUs were ranked both on three pillars, namely economic dynamism, government efficiency, and infrastructure.

For the infrastructure pillar for the Component Cities Category, Dasmarinas City, Cavite bagged second place while Naga City was in first place.

Imus City, meanwhile garnered third place in the Overall Most Competitive City under the Component Cities Category. Contributed.

its business and operations in the Visayas region, Globe opened the GEN3 store at the Queen City of the South to offer customers a differentiated customer experience that is up to par with global retail outlets around the world.

The GEN3 store format has veered away from the basic transactional set-up to a venue where customers can discover and learn new things in the digital space. It brings to life the telco’s undertaking to be the purveyor of the digital lifestyle not only with its products and services but also in customer experiences and touchpoints.

The Globe GEN3 stores

are designed by Tim Kobe, founder and CEO of Eight, Inc. His most famous work is the Apple Store in New York, alongside his other dynamic designs for international retail stores such as Nike, GAP and Coach, among others.

“Since we introduced the GEN3 stores last year, we have set a new global standard in retail and customer experience. The focus is no longer on selling just another postpaid plan or a device, but on creating strong emotional connections between Globe as a global digital brand and our customers,” says Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu.

Globe opens world-class GEN3 store in Cebu

G

LOBE Telecom is set to boost its presence in Cebu as it opens its revolutionary Generation 3 (GEN3) store at the Ayala Center Cebu in a bid to transform the retail experience and enable the digital lifestyle of Cebuanos and nearby markets.

The GEN3 store in Cebu is the telco’s first store in the Visayas region and is the biggest among the GEN3 stores that Globe has opened to date.

It measures over 400 square meters and can accommodate up to 200 customers and store personnel at the same time.

Further strengthening

FGLOBE, 13

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

Petition for Renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a PUJ DUAL Ordinary Regular Service Case No.2011-XI-00558 JILLMAR L. ORONG, Petitioner

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NOTICE OF HEARING 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: MATINA 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 July 10, 2016. In the petition filed on July 3, 2015, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of said certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on AUGUST 3, 2015 at 09:40 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 3rd day day of July 2015 at Davao City.

TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ Chief Transportation Development Officer

VOL. 8 ISSUE 79 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2015

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS15

BEAUTIES ON THE SANDS. Alexa Micek (right) digs in the sand for a save as Petron teammate Fille Cainglet-Cayetano looks on in this bit of action during the PSL Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup at the Mall of Asia Sands by the Bay. PSP photo

Comeback falls short as LTO beats CMO T HE Land Transportation Office trounced City Mayors Office, 109 – 99, in their elimination round clash in the Apollo C. Quiboloy Cup Commercial B League on Monday night at the Davao City Recreation Center Almendras Gym. LTO, one of the emerging tough Commercial B ball clubs in the region, broke out of two game slump and dealt the CMO its fourth loss in seven games.

Former collegiate star Allan Ardenio and veteran commercial league campaigner John Gonzaga carried the chores with 22 and 18 points respectively for the LTO which led as much as 20 plus points.

Christopher “Bong’ Go, the

sweet-shooting executive assistant of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, went into three point shooting rampage once again to help the CMO remains in the contest.

Go, who finished the game with 34 points, shot eight baskets from the rainbow area, including 2 straight shots that sparked a CMO rally to cut the LTO lead to six points early going in the second half.

But the Quimpo Boulevard-based dribblers got back the control by imposing its willpower perpetrated by much seasoned players.

Ardenio, Gonzaga and Clemente Ruiz who had 12 baskets put up big plays that enable the LTO to control the game down the stretch.

WINNER. Zach Johnson kisses the Claret Jug.

LUCK SMILES ON ZACH

US Sports Ambassadors to play Goldstar and CMO Johnson wins British Open as Spieth falls short

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HE US Sports Ambassadors, composed mostly of foreign collegiate players, are here for a series of friendly matches to be held at the Davao City Recreation Center.

Led by Sports Ambassador coordinator and former PBA cager Alex Tan, the US-based squad will play local commercial team A Goldstar Hardware set on Monday, July 27 and the City Mayor’s Office ballclub on Wednesday, July 29. Gametime starts at 7 p.m.

“We arrived here in Davao last July 15 and from then we have been doing exhibition games in respective barangays, basketball clinics for the kids and preaching the word of God,” Tan said in yesterday’s SCOOP Session at the Royal Mandaya Hotel. He came along with members of the team which included US Sports Am-

bassador Director Dave Erickson and headcoach Dr. Joseph Cole.

“We are excited to play against this two teams and we hope local basketball fans will come to watch our games,” Cole added.

The US Sports Ambassadors parades its eight-man line-up having Josh Winkler, John Gross, Riley Nelsen, Colt Rayburn, Joshua Erickson, Dave Cole, Trevo Mabalon and Logan Thalen. All of its cast are playing and exhibition match against the University of Southeastern Philippines collegiate squad as of presstime yesterday.

“We enjoyed playing with Filipinos. In our short stay here, I learned to love the food, the people and eager to help them especially the kids improve their game,” said Winkler who plays guard for the squad.

Z

ACH Johnson cradled the silver claret jug in his arms.

Jordan Spieth let it slip through his fingers.

Spieth was right where he wanted to be in his spirited bid for the Grand Slam — tied for the lead with two holes to go in the British Open, right after making a 50-foot birdie putt that made it feel as though he were destined to win at St. Andrews for his third straight major.

And he was still there at the very end Monday, but only as a spectator.

The slam gone, Spieth graciously returned to the steps of the Royal & Ancient clubhouse to watch Johnson finish off a sterling performance of his own.

Johnson rolled in a 30-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole that got him into a three-man playoff, and he outlasted Louis Oosthui-

zen and Marc Leishman to win the British Open.

Johnson described himself as a “normal guy” from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, when he won the Masters in 2007.

And now?

“I’m a normal guy from Cedar Rapids ... with a green jacket that has something that most guys don’t get to drink out of right now,” Johnson said, smiling as he looked at golf’s oldest trophy with his name etched alongside most of the game’s greatest players.

Spieth was close to having his name on that jug. No one ever came closer to the third leg of the Grand Slam.

He fought back from taking four putts for a double bogey on No. 8 with back-to-back birdies.

He rolled in that long birdie putt on the 16th for a share of the lead. After missing an 8-foot par

putt on the tough 17th hole, Spieth needed a birdie on the closing hole to join the playoff.

“Up and down for a playoff,” was the last thing Spieth said to caddie Michael Greller from about 90 yards away. It was too far right and quite hard enough, and it rolled to the edge of the Valley of Sin short of the green.

His birdie attempt up the slope stayed inches left of the cup, and he tapped in for a 69.

“We gave it a great effort,” Spieth said.

At least he was in elite company. Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods — the three biggest names in golf over the last 50 years — were the only other players to capture the Masters and US Open in a bid to sweep the four professional majors in the same year. All came up short in the British Open. Spieth was the only one who had a

share of the lead so deep in the final round.

“I’m going to go home and reflect,” Spieth said. “It won’t hurt too bad. It’s not like I really lost it on the last hole, and 17 was brutally challenging. I just didn’t hit a great putt there, and I just picked the wrong wedge out of the bag on 18. I made a lot of the right decisions down the stretch and certainly closed plenty of tournaments out. And this just wasn’t one of those. It’s hard to do that every single time.

“I won’t beat myself up too bad, because I do understand that.”

It took a superlative effort from Johnson, who now has two majors among his 12 PGA Tour victories, an astounding record and a reminder that a good wedge game and a putter can still go a long way in this era of power.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 8 ISSUE 79 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2015

WORLD STAGE

Ella Nagayo begins US jungolf stint

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

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PRACTICE ROUND. Ella takes a few swings during practice at the E.O. Nay Brookside Course in Pasadena, California.

njb@edgedavao.net

LESSANDRA Christine “Ella” Zozobrado-Nagayo began her quest for world prominence as she saw action in the Veritas Junior World Championships starting yesterday in Pasadena, California in the United States.

Councuilor Rachel Zozobrado-Nagayo told Edge Davao that her daughter, nicknamed Ella, will participate in two tournaments in the US. “Dalawang tornaments ang sasalihan ni Ella sa US. Nasa Pasadena, California sila now sir. For

the Veritas Junior World Championship. Tuesday July 21 (USA time) ang first round ng Veritas,” Councilor Nagayo-Zozobrado said.

The Veritas Junior World Golf Championships is one of the most prominent jungolf tournaments in the world. It is a 54-hole tournament which lures the world’s best young players.

Ella will next play in the prestigious US Kids Golf World Championships in Pinehurst, North Carolina where most of the world’s best touring professionals began to

hone their skills. The US Kids will begin in July 29 but Ella will be in Pinehurst by July 26.

The US Kids World Championship is expected to draw some 1,200 of the world’s finest golf amateurs across the U.S and from more than 30 other countries.

“Dami daw magagaling. Ella will try her best daw,” said her mother.

Nagayo, a Grade 5 student at Brainworks School Inc., earned a spot to the world stage after she won the girls 11 years old division qualifying tournament held last May

25 to 27 at the Orchard Golf and Country Club.

Alessandra’s mother recounted that her daughter scored 88 on the first day, 89 on the second day and 81 on the third day enough to earn a slot on the big event for kids 12 years old and below.

Zozobrado-Nagayo said to qualify for the tournament, Alessandra needed to score 88 at least in one day of 54hole tournament.

Alessandra picked up golf clubs and started swinging when she was only seven. She now totes a mean 18-handicap.