Edge 9 Issue 64

VOL. 9 ISSUE 64 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 27 - 28, 2016

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES MIDNIGHT PRESS CONFERENCE. Incoming president Rodrigo R. Duterte gestures while answering queries from members of the media in a press briefing held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday evening where he lambasted authorities for failing to prevent the death of five individuals due to allege drug overdose during the “Closeup Forever Summer” concert in Pasay City over the weekend.

Lean Daval Jr.

MASSIVE REVAMP

Duterte: Shake-up in government to affect PNP, NBI

By CHARLES RAYMOND A. MAXEY

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MASSIVE revamp in government will be implemented once presumptive president-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte assumes office.

Duterte, in a midnight press conference Wednesday, pointed to the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) as the agencies to be affected.

“There will be a massive reshuffle. So I’m putting notice now to everybody. Lahat kayong taga Muntinlupa (All of you from Muntinlupa, you ship out. Be ready. Magbalot

na kayo (You pack up)” said Duterte, who will assume the presidency in the afternoon of June 30.

The top-to-bottom shakeup, he added, will serve as a wake-up call to the officers’ sloppy performance and is being imposed to rid those involved in illegal drugs trade and other nefarious activities, specifically PNP personnel.

Generals will not be spared from the revamp, Duterte angrily announced.

“I’m not threatening you, but I will do it. I’d be sleeping on it tonight,” he said.

Duterte said he is eyeing assignments of those in the

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) particularly the National Bilibid Prison in Muntinglupa and Iwahig Penal Colony where drugs are manufactured; the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA); and other PNP units to hard-to-reach areas or the rebels’ lair in Mindanao.

The Davao City mayor also said he might assign officers in the police stations in Metro Manila to Davao or to the boondocks in Mindanao like Jolo.

To underscore his seriousness in fighting illegal drugs, Duterte will also order a random drug test on all police of-

ficers beginning July 1. He said he would even buy the most sophisticated drug test unit known in Japan.

Duterte made the declaration in the aftermath of the incident in Pasay City where five people had died while attending a concert party. He was outrage that the police failed to prevent the incident from happening.

“There was failure of intelligence. The law enforcement has failed,” said Duterte, who clarified that he was talking as a city mayor and a citizen of the country.

According to Duterte, it

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EDGEDAVAO Sports AAK Davao karatekas ready to lock horns with international rivals P15

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 64 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 27 - 28, 2016

TRAFFIC PLAN. City Transportation and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) chief Rhodelio Poliquit presents the traffic plan for the upcoming thanksgiving party for incoming president Rodrigo R. Duterte on June 4 at the Davao Crocodile Park. The heads of the different agencies, together with the event’s organizers, met for a coordination meeting yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Police to implement stricter measures during TY party

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

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HERE will be a lot of dancing, body-rocking, singing, chanting and some banging on the menu board. But add something to the July 4 massive thanksgiving party—a lot of frisking.

And yes, cross out drinking too.

The expectedly colossal outdoor thanksgiving party the Dabawenyos will be throwing for incoming president Rodrigo Duterte at the Davao Crocodile Park will have to go through stringent security and safety measures.

The police and military will be there in full force and they are not much into party mood either. So brace yourselves for partying the Davao style.

The police are aware of the tragic party that left five people dead at the SM Mall of Asia grounds last weekend and will have their hands full in the Davao party to prevent the same incident.

The spokesperson of Davao City Police Office, Chief Inspector Milgrace Driz said that the police force in the venue will be arounnd 2,000 to insure the safety of the event.

Driz said that the police will implement strict frisking and checking of packages and bags of the people who will attend the party.

Driz said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also committed to de-

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Pulong: Party with caution

VM Duterte tells revellers to submit to security measures

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

“L

njb@edgedavao.net

ET us show this nation how to party.”

Re-elected Vice Mayor Pulong Duterte yesterday Davao City called on Dabawenyos and guests to make a case for partying with caution sans the booze and illegal drugs.

The younger Duterte said while Davao City has no serious party concerns, he cautioned everyone not to put their guards down on June 4.

Touted as the biggest outdoor party event of the year, the June 4 thanksgiving bash to celebrate the victory of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte, is expected to pack

the sprawling Riverfront City, the Maa Diversion Road complex where the party venue Davao Crocodile Park is located.

“While we in Davao do not have serious concerns such as this, we do not put our guards down given that there maybe those who are willing to risk their lives by attempting to come to the City and peddle drugs,” said Pulong in a satement shortly after arriving from a recent trip to China.

Pulong said the June 4 huge celebration will be attended by residents, tourists, supporters and celebrities.

Over the weekend, at least

five people died after suffering breathing difficulties at the Closeup Forever Summer concert on Saturday. According to police investigation and autopsy, the deaths were reportedly caused by drug overdose.

Wary of the trragic event at the SM Mall of Asia grounds, Vice Mayor Duterte said the city will be more careful.

“The revelry will have a tight security and strict policies are put into place to ensure the safety of the partygoers,” he said. “As we always do, let us work together with the authorities and exercise discipline and vigilance during the celebration.”

The younger Duterte asked Dabawenyos to party with caution and be vigilant against anyone who will try to peddle illegal drugs.

Earlier, the Davao City Police Office announced it will deploy some 2,000 police personnel around the Riverfront City. An additional undisclosed number of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) soldiers will also be securing the perimeter of the venue along Diversion Road.

Security checks will be enforced. Revellers have been warned not to bring backpacks, sharp objects and alcoholic beverages to the venue.

and Bacolod City.

Caligdong said during the I-Speak Forum yesterday that the judging period was completed when members of the national validation team for the 2015 Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Cities and Municipalities visited the city last December.

The team made a review of the city’s programs and initiatives promoting and protecting children’s rights and welfare.

In an earlier report, the evaluators visited five barangays for the “on-site validation of local children-cen-

tered policies, activities and facilities. The group also conducted focus group discussions with key city officials and validation of documents and on-ground situations.

Caligdong said evaluators also looked into the city’s budget allotted for the programs of specific offices like the City Health Office, City Agriculturist Office, and CSSDO aimed at promoting children’s rights and welfare.

She said 68 percent or 124 of the 182 barangays in Davao City have operating barangay councils for childen..

Davao City won its first award on “Most Child-Friendly City in the Philippines under Highly Urbanized Category” in 2013 followed by its second in 2014.

Officials said in the same report that the city has a huge chance of clinching the award because of the presence of institutions for children in conflict with law (CICL), infrastructure for daycare children both in the city and remote areas and also the close coordination between the government and non-government organizations.

PAGASA declares CSSDO confident of winning child-friendly city award anew rainy season onset D E

By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

XPECT rainshowers in the coming days as state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) declares the onset of the rainy season.

The southwest monsoon or hanging habagat becomes the dominant weather system from June to early October, affecting the western section of the country. Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon or the “winter winds” normally starts during mid-October and ends

in mid-February.

Vicente Manalo, acting administrator of PAGASA said the widespread rainfall during the past few days suggest new development in the climate system as the prevailing winds previously blowing from the east was noted to persistently change in south to southwest direction. Although weak at times, it will gradually become stronger.

He said these prominent changes suggest a strong manifestation of the shift from dry

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AVAO City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) assistant chief Liwayway Caligdong expressed confidence that the city will become a Hall of Famer in the “Most Child-Friendly City in the Philippines under Highly Urbanized Category” nationwide search.

The awarding is on June 17 in Manila and will be participated in by Davao City officials.

Davao City, which bagged the award for two years already, is competing with Baguio City, Mandaluyong City

VOL. 9 ISSUE 64 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 27 - 28, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 64 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 27 - 28, 2016

Duterte tells cops: Deserve your salaries

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

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RECORDING. Radio reporters stretch their arms towards an elevated speaker to record every details of incoming president Rodrigo R. Duterte’s answers during a press briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday night.

Lean Daval Jr.

NCOMING President Rodrigo Duterte challenged police officers in the country to prove to the people that they deserved the salary that they are getting.

This after Duterte being informed about the tragic concert incident in Pasay City that killed 5 people including a foreigner.

He said that what happened in Pasay City last Sunday dawn is a result of failure of intelligence and police work.

Duterte said that if the police did their job on intelligence, the authorities may have known it before the indent happened and apprehended the people behind it.

“It is unacceptable, bakit hindi napigilan? Karami ng tao dyan, PDEA, Police and there are locals in Pasay it’s a failure of intelligence,” Duterte said.

The incoming president told reporters that he received information that there was one corner at the concert ground where illegal drugs came from.

If the police had done their job, they might have prevented the incident and apprehended the drug peddlers instead, he said.

Duterte said that after he takes oath on noon of June 30, “there must be a massive reshuffle of all security forces.

“There must be a massive reshuffle, lahat kayo pati generals, pati janitors,” he said.

The incoming president said that he is not just giving a warning to the police authorities because they should expect that he will definitely do it.

Duterte explained that as of the moment he is just the city mayor of Davao and outside the city he is just an ordinary citizen of the Philippines and because of this he cannot do anything on the matter as of the moment.

On Sunday dawn, 5 people were found unconscious in different locations of the concert ground in a mall in Pasay City.

The victims were brought to different hospitals but were

declared dead several hours after due to massive heart attack according to results of autopsy done on Bianca Fontejon by Dr. Wilfredo Esquivel Tierra, assistant chief of NBI Medico Legal Division.

The other victims were identified as Ariel Leal, 22, Lance Garcia, 36, Ken Migawa, 18 and Eric Anthony Miller, 33, an American Citizen.

However, despite the Pasay incident, Duterte will not stop the Thanksgiving party set for him on June 4 in Davao City.

Duterte said that he will not stop the people to be happy. However, he sent a warning to the drug syndicate planning to enter the event saying that the authorities will ensure the safety and security of the people.

“Drug pushers are welcome. I can’t prevent people from being happy. that is the problem now of the government, to keep the people safe,’ Duterte said.

Allowing K-12 to continue is like tolerating crime, says Anakbayan AFP sad but willing to see political

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OUTH group Anakbayan today warned president-elect Rodrigo Duterte that allowing the K-12 program to continue is like tolerating crime, saying the additional two years of schooling is a further financial burden to poor families and only serves as milking cow for profiteering private school owners.

Various youth and student groups led by Anakbayan will

be holding a two-day “campout protest” in front of the Department of Education (DepEd) Main Office in Pasig City starting today, May 26, to show the government bureaucracy and the next president the depth of public disgust against the K-12 program.

“Allowing K-12 to continue is like tolerating crime. This is not the change hoped for by many who voted for Duterte.

Cops arrest mother-daughter team in DepEd swindling case

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OLICE here arrested a mother-daughter tandem for allegedly duping a public school teacher of Php 25,000 cash for her transfer from Iligan City schools division to Koronadal City.

In a report, the Koronadal City police office identified the suspects as Lalaine Faeldonia and her 17-year-old daughter.

The Department of Education (DepEd-12) identified the teacher only through her first name “Vangie.”

Vangie, currently a teacher in Iligan City but a resident of Barangay Sto Nino, Koronadal City, sought police assistance after she started doubting the credibility and capacity of Faeldonia to facilitate her transfer to Koronadal City schools

division.

Vangie said Faeldonia claimed to be a close relative of former DepEd-12 Regional Director Allan Farnazo who is now regional director for DepEd-10 based in Cagayan de Oro City.

Iligan City schools division is under DepEd-10.

Vangie said Faeldonia told her to prepare Php 25,000 as “grease money” for DepEd officials who woulill “work” on her papers. She has already given Faeldonia P25,000.

She told police that Faeldonia claimed she had already successfully worked for the transfer of several teachers to other divisions.

But Vangie became sus-

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Ang K-12 ay pabigat at pahirap sa ordinaryong pamilyang Pilipino. Ang oligarkiya na nagmamay-ari ng private schools lamang ang bebenipisyo,” said Anakbayan national chairperson Vencer Crisostomo.

The youth group urged the incoming maverick president to hear the side of students, parents, and teachers instead of being fooled by the promot-

F ALLOWING, 10

prisoners go for the common good

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OT everyone will be cheering to see political prisoners walk away from prison.

Everytime that possibility pops up after incoming president Rodrigo Duterte announced he intends to free political prisoners, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) turns emotional.

PREPARING FOR THE BIG DAY. Incoming Presidential Security Group (PSG) head Colonel Rolando Bautista says the security plan for the Thanksgiving party for incoming president Rodrigo R. Duterte on June 4 at the Davao Crocodile Park is still a work in progress as they will continue to coordinate

Duterte had said that he intends to release all political prisoners when the direction of the peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines – National Democratic Front (CPP-NDF) and the Government of the Philippines shal have taken a clearer path.

10th Infantry Division assistant commander Col. Casia-

no Monilla said that they are emotional for the lost lives of their comrades who sacrifices themselves for the capture of political prisoners.

Monilla explained that the rebels are not just considered as a plain political prisoners because some of them have killed several soldiers and even

F AFP, 10

with the concerned agencies to ensure the safety of the president and the public. Bautista made the statement after the coordination meeting yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 64 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 27 - 28, 2016

Lala to youth: ‘Be role models’ N

ORTH Cotabato Gov. Emmylou “Lala” Mendoza challenged the youth to be a role model to the present generation.

The governor issued the challenge to 150 adolescents and youth leaders attending the three-day training workshop for young leaders that commenced Wednesday at the provincial capitol grounds in Barangay Amas,

Kidapawan City.

Mendoza said the provincial government remained optimistic that its investment for the youth will not go to waste as the young leaders will soon reach out to communities as government partners in affecting change and development among North Cotabateños.

She recalled that as a young leader many years

Drought also destroys P239.9-M HVC in R12

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GRICULTURE officials in the Central Mindanao region on Wednesday reported that the long dry spell also destroyed more than Php 280 million worth of High Value Crops (HVC) aside from damages to rice and corn crops, the region’s major agricultural products.

Amalia Jayag-Datukan, Department of Agriculture (DA-12) reported that summary losses to HVC have reached Php 283.9 million planted in 61,757 hectares.

Amalia Jayag-Datukan, DA-12 regional executive director, said the losses included production loss of Php 19.66 million and opportunity loss of Php 262.2 million.

Earlier, DA-12 reported almost Php 1.5 billion total losses to agricultural crops as a result of the dry spell.

Greatly affected were the province of North Cotabato, with a total HVC losses of Php 214.3 million; Sarangani, with Php 60.58 million; Sultan

Kudarat, with Php 7.75 million; and South Cotabato, with Php 1.5 million.

Datukan listed the high-value crops affected by the long dry spell as banana, asparagus, coffee, fruit bearing trees, cacao and vegetables.

Meanwhile, damages to livestock and poultry reached Php 4.5 million, mostly in provinces of South Cotabato and North Cotabato.

South Cotabato suffered Php 103,000 in poultry and livestock, affecting only one barangay with 1,031 heads of animals.

North Cotabato posted a Php 4.4 million losses with 17,953 heads affected, covering 14 barangays.

Region 12, or the SOCCSKSARGEN region, is composed of the provinces of North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Saranggani and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Tacurong, Koronadal and Gen. Santos. (PNA)

Marine wastes, debris threaten health of Tubbataha Reefs

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HE management office of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP) called on residents and visitors of Palawan to educate themselves against throwing garbage and other debris into the sea as they threaten its health.

The Tubbataha Management Office (TMO) made the appeal Wednesday because they continue to collect garbage in the world-famous reefs and dive spot.

Angelique Songco of the TMO said despite incessant pleas to the public, they continue to collect marine wastes and debris in the Tubbataha Reefs that threaten the health of its corals and marine life.

Just a few weeks ago, Songco said they discovered several dead birds in Tubbataha Reefs during a regular clean-up drive.

In the classification of the wastes and debris that park rangers were able to collect, most were plastic wrappers of imported products that they suspect came from cruise and other international ships that traverse the Sulu Sea route.

The others were identified to have possibly come from

residents of coastal areas in Palawan and other nearby provinces.

“The Tubbataha Reefs’ protection is very important because it serves as a food basket of the Philippines. If its marine life is threatened, food security is also threatened. We are preserving this so that the next generation can benefit too,” she said.

“More than anything, the support of the public is important in ensuring the sustainability of Tubbataha that churns out the fish they eat every day,” she said.

The park contains roughly 10,000 hectares of coral reef, lying at the heart of the Coral Triangle - the global center of marine biodiversity.

Scientists have been visiting these reefs since the 1980s, and their research has shown that Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is home to no less than 600 species of fish; 360 species of corals (about half of all coral species in the world); 11 species of sharks; 13 species of dolphins & whales; 100 species of birds, and also nesting Hawksbill & Green sea turtles.

(PNA)

back, she started her political career as Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) official.

Provincial Board Member-elect Jonathan M. Tabara, who represented the governor in a simple opening program earlier, reminded the teenagers of their great role in the society especially that they are being looked up to as future leaders of the coming generations.

The three-day camping event dubbed as SHAPER’s CAMP 2016 has been participated by some 150 selected adolescent leaders from different out-of-school-youth organizations as well as elementary and high schools in the province.

It is designed to reach out to young people and help them develop their personal being with right information,

build their skills, and enhance their leadership potentials for them to become responsible citizens.

The three-day camp include a series of lectures on adolescent’s health and issues affecting them, group discussions, team building games, and series of workshops.

Nelly Bauzon, provincial population management divi-

sion head said the SHAPER’S Camp has been an annual activity in the province under the administration of Governor Mendoza.

Speakers and facilitators of the activity were former participants of previous youth camp in the province who have gained experience and are now local leaders in their respective communities. (PNA)

Panabo City DepEd is set for Brigada Eskwela 2016

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of BE also known as National Schools Maintenance Week aiming to clean, repaint, undertake minor repairs and decorate schools.

For this year, DepEd officials want that all schools are disaster-prepared, clean and conducive for learning with the help of parents, Local Government Unit, National Line Agencies, NGO’s, Religious and Business Sectors.

Meanwhile, Panabo Na-

tional High School (PNHS) Principal, Memia Infiesto urges Panaboans to participate in a program called “Adopt-a-Classroom” as part of the Brigada Eskwela 2016 through community service and stakeholder’s participation.

Since 2014, PNHS was awarded as the Best Implementing School for Exceptional Secondary School category for Brigada Eskwela

National level. They are very hopeful to bag the prestigious award and thus become a Hall of Famer Awardee for this year’s Brigada Eskwela 2016.

For more queries and information, you may contact them at 084-628-4830 or visit PNHS at Barangay Gredu and look for the coordinators in-charge of Brigada Eskwela 2016. Jasz Paras – CIO Panabo

SYMPOSIUM on Gender and Development (GAD) was recently conducted by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for Pantawid Pamilya couples here.

“This is a continuous effort in mainstreaming GAD as a strategy to promote both women and men human rights and eliminate gender discrimination,” Pantawid Regional GAD Focal Ella Charise Antepasado said.

Representing every barangay, the couple participants were oriented on their different rights, having been victims of gender inequality

one way or another.

“Pantawid beneficiaries are the poorest families in the country and most vulnerable to abuse and discrimination. It is important for our beneficiaries to know that GAD is not a war of the sexes, that right to life should not be interpreted narrowly, and that they should know the right to the basic necessities of a dignified life,” Antepasado pointed out.

For Hejiara Malawani Gurodato, 31, Pantawid beneficiary of Barangay Poblacion, the symposium was a great help to her because she was enlightened of her

right as a woman. She also said that everyone especially the couple should be empowered nowadays and not be stuck with the traditional way of living.

Gurodato belongs to the Maranao tribe and has three children benefiting from Pantawid Pamilya.

The symposium is gender-awakening for the couples especially on shared responsibilities in parenting, reproductive rights of women, basic rights of individuals to decide freely, right to be free from all forms of violence, and many others.

“I have many realizations

because of this symposium especially in handling relationships with my wife and children,” Ruben Dico of Barangay Ngan shared.

“We hope that all Pantawid Pamilya couples especially the husbands will be able to know and appreciate the importance of gender and development. Development is for everyone and all has the right to equal opportunities to achieve a full and satisfying life,” Antepasado added.

To date there are 234,705 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in Region XI. (PNA)

MILD earthquake shook the province of Surigao del Sur on Thursday morning, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

In its bulletin, Phivolcs

said the first quake with a magnitude of 4.8 occurred at 3:14 a.m. as the epicenter of the quake was traced 36 kilometers southeast of Marihatag town in Surigao del Sur. The quake, which was

tectonic in origin, had a depth of 39 kilometers.

Phivolcs did not recorded any felt intensity from the quake and there was no casualty or damage reported from the tremor.

It added that no after-

shocks are expected from the earthquake.

The Philippines lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where 20 to 25 earthquakes per day -- mostly imperceptible -- are common, Phivolcs said. (PNA)

HE Department of Education (DepEd) of Panabo City is set for the Brigada Eskwela (BE) 2016 on May 30 to June 3 in preparation for the opening of classes on June 13, with the Theme : “Tayo Para sa Paaralang Ligtas, Maayos at Handa, Kindergarten Hanggang Senior Highschool”.

DepEd Panabo encourages parents and stakeholders to join the weeklong activity

GAD forum for Pantawid couples conducted in Comval barangay A

Magnitude 4.8 quake jolts Surigao del Sur A

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 64 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 27 - 28, 2016

Hao to unveil taxi booking app

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

AVAO City-based taxi operator R.A. Hao Group will launch on July 22 the country’s first locally-developed taxi booking application for android and iOs phones-Taxilink.

“Taxilink is the taxi booking app that can be used exclusively to book Taxi’s from Maligaya Taxi and our whole fleet, including Orange Cab, Visa Cab, Master Cab, Apple Cab, Pacific Cab, Bell Cab, Premier Cab, SMTI,” R.A. Hao Group CEO Martin Angelo Hao said in yesterday’s press conference at Café Demitasse, Torres Street, Davao City.

The application will be automatically used by 1,010 units of the company which are all operating in Davao City and used by more than 1,000 drivers usually taking shifts.

Right after the launching, Hao said two of their units will be roaming around the city offering users with free fare regardless of the destination as long as it is within the Davao region.

Hao said their customers can book taxi cabs easily without booking fee and monitor the taxi because of the mobile application developed by Davao-based Leet

ITH the long dry spell gone, state weathermen today urged farmers in South Cotabato to start planting as the rainy season begins.

“The good news is you can now start planting agricultural crops because the dry spell triggered by the El Nino phenomenon is over,” weather forecaster Dante Ariola told DXOM-AM Radyo Bida.

Arola, weather specialist of Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said the rainy season is officially on in the archipelago.

The rains brought about by onset of Southwest moonsoon affecting the western seaboard have provided the much needed relief following a six-month dry spell in Mindanao.

“You have nothing to worry about the dry spell if your start planting this month,” he advised farmers.

PAGASA has declared Wednesday that the dry season was over and rainy season officially begins.

Ariola said PAGASA has been expecting that in the next days there will be more rains not only in Mindanao but across the country.

PAGASA officials said that the onset of the rainy season applies only for some areas, including the National Capital Region, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Bulacan, Bataan, Pampanga, Zambales, Tarlac, Palawan, Mindoro, Cavite and Batangas.

In Koronadal City, Cyrus Urbano, chair of the city disaster risk reduction and management council, urged the residents to help in the city’s clean up drive by clearing clogged drainage canals of garbage and non-biodegradable materials like plastics and cellophane.

In doing so, he said, floods during light to moderate rains can be avoided. (PNA)

SoCot farmers told: Start planting now W

Authorities arrest 9 counterfeiters

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INE individuals were arrested in four anti-counterfeiting operations of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) Currency Issue and Integrity Office (CIIO) in the first quarter of 2016.

In a statement Wednesday, the central bank said the four anti-counterfeiting operations from January to March this year brought to 61 the successful operations conducted since 2010.

These operations resulted in the filing of cases against 102 suspects and conviction of 28 individuals.

The BSP said 42 cases related to these operations were pending before various courts around the country.

During these operations, not only BSP-issued curren-

cies were confiscated but also US dollars, Malaysian Ringgit, Iraqi Dinar, and Japanese Yen. Counterfeiting paraphernalia like desktop computers, printers, scanners and press machines along with ammunitions and motorcycles were also confiscated.

During the same period, 55 individuals received monetary rewards that amount to as much as Php 201,000 for informing authorities about the activities of the counterfeiters.

Section 50 of Republic Act No. 7653, otherwise known as The New Central Bank Act, gives the BSP police authority to investigate, make arrests, and conduct searches and seizures in accordance with the law to maintain the integrity of the currency. (PNA)

Digital which has also base in Sydney, Australia.

Almost similar to existing taxi booking application like Grab and Uber, mobile application Taxilink will allow a passenger to have a direct communication with the taxi driver when making taxi bookings rather than calling their agents in the call center or text Maligaya, for instance.

“Only 80 to 85 percent of the more than 1,000 calls and texts our call center received is accommodated because there are instances that nearby taxis are already loaded with passengers,” Hao said.

Contrary to existing booking applications, he said Taxilink is equipped with a feature where the passenger and the driver can chat with each other thus making communication easier and faster.

“Our goal is to provide better service to our client at the same time increase the number of taxi riders,” Hao said, adding that Leet Digital is adding more features to the application to make it more enticing and user-friendly.

Hao also said users of Taxilink can earn points whenever they have successful booking and convert those points into goods from

their partner establishment.

Passengers can also leave suggestions and reviews regarding the service of the taxi driver. “This would allow us to reprimand taxi drivers for their inappropriate behavior.”

Aside from the passengers, drivers will also benefit from Taxilink.

With the point system integrated in the application, top rated drivers will receive incentives from the company to recognize their efforts and quality service.

Hao said the company had partnered with Myphone and Globe Telecom as

the mobile phone and internet service providers.

Drivers of taxi cabs operated by R.A. Hao that are using Grab, a Malaysian-based booking application, will use Taxilink.

“We want to bring more customers and increase our sales,” he said, adding the firm is affected by the entry of more small and big players in the taxi industry of the city.

The corporation started in 1994 under the name of Maligaya taxi with only 10 Mitsubishi Lancer taxi units running and became Southern Maligaya Taxi Inc. in 1997.

SOUVENIR ITEMS. Visitors of the Davao Crocodile Park browse the display of different kinds of souvenir items at the souvenir shops area of the park yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Drought-hit farmers get rice subsidy F

ARMERS hardest hit by the long dry spell have been receiving rice assistance from the provincial government of North Cotabato after the ban on local rice subsidy program was lifted.

Rice assistance was aimed at mitigating the effects of El Nino to North Cotabato farmers, some of whom resorted to a protest rally that ended up violently last April 1.

So far the program has served some 198,700 families

in 12 municipalities directly affected by the drought in North Cotabato, according to Vergelita Guilaran, provincial social welfare officer.

She said 19,883 bags of rice had been distributed to farmer-beneficiaries since the operation started in April 25.

Kidapawan City farmers received 2,093 bags while the towns of Arakan had 1,216 bags, Antipas (422 bags), Matalam (1,943), Alamada (2,217), Aleosan (489), Car-

men (2,214), Pigcawayan (1,378), Midsayap (2,565), Banisilan (1,221), Makilala (1,451), and Pikit (2,674).

The distribution has so far covered 367 barangays from the said localities.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) personnel also participated in the distribution, officials said.

Guilaran said distribution will continue today and Friday and next week in areas that have not been served yet.

North Cotabato has been placed by the provincial board under state of calamity when damages to crops reached to more than Php1.1 billion.

Engr. Eliseo Mangliwan, North Cotabato provincial agriculturist said farmers have been given rice and input subsidy by the provincial government and the Department of Agriculture 12.

At the height of El Nino phenomenon, the provincial

of Thailand public prosecutor’s filing of criminal charges to Philip Morris Thailand for under declaration of customs value of cigarette imports from the Philippines.

He stressed that the case of undervaluation was already included in the Dispute Settlement Body 371 (DSB371) case under World Trade Organization (WTO) wherein the Phil-

ippines won against Thailand.

“The same elements presented by Thailand public prosecutor were the very same elements covered in DSB371 case. They should not file the case (against Philip Morris Thailand),” Rodolfo said.

“We have charged Thailand base on the decision of the WTO. But from what the public prosecutor of Thailand

done, basically it’s telling that the WTO ruling is wrong. It was like reversing the case we have won in WTO from what they are doing to Philip Morris with the very basis on why we won the WTO case,” the official explained in Filipino.

“So we were forced to initiate the process of compliance procedures. So that they (Thai-

F DROUGHT-HIT, 13

Phl, Thailand set bilateral consultation for compliance review on tobacco case T

HE Philippines and Thailand set bilateral consultation for compliance review on cigarette dispute on June 2 in Bangkok, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo said.

In a briefing on Wednesday, Rodolfo told reporters that the consultation next week is regarding with the move

F PHL, 13

VOL. 9 ISSUE 64 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 27 - 28, 2016

Villar: Hog sector remains major contributor in agri

H

AVING been bestowed by the World Organization for Animal Health the highest level of recognition for being free from Food and Mouth Disease (FMD), Senator Cynthia A. Villar said the Philippines has an edge over other countries in pork production.

“Along with that, we continue to prioritize and safeguard public health, especially in the presence of threats from animal diseases abroad,” said Villar.

Villar, chairperson of the Senate committee on agriculture and food, was the Guest Speaker during the recent 25th National Hog Convention and Exhibits with the theme “HogCon @25: Putting our Best Pork Forward” held at the SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City.

This year’s theme, Villar said, was a validation of the industry’s leading organizations and stakeholders’ continuing commitment and efforts in the further growth and development of the sector.

Villar noted that the livestock sector, particularly the hog sub sector, continued to be a major contributor to the country’s agricultural production.

Based on the latest available data, Villar said the hog sub sector recorded a 4.21 percent growth in output during the last quarter of 2015.

At current prices, the sub sector’s gross value of output amounted to Php72.1 billion,

which was 1.54 percent higher than the previous year’s (2014) fourth quarter record.

From January to December 2015, production in the hog sub sector increased by 3.83 percent.

“So, this year, we hope that the statistics will be even better,” said Villar, promising her continuous support to the pork industry, particularly the challenges they are facing.

Villar also said they had brought to everyone’s attention the scope of smuggling that remained prevalent in the Philippines.

“I have sponsored in the Senate plenary Senate Bill No. 2923 that will declare smuggling of agricultural products as economic sabotage and a non-bailable offense. We are just waiting for the signature of the President to become a law,” said Villar.

She emphasized that smuggling is one big obstacle for the take-off of our agriculture sector. It also burdened the already suffering Filipino farmers so we really need to put an end to smuggling.

Furthermore, she likewise said they had made provisions in our National Budget for some other areas of concerns affecting the agriculture sector like the El Niño phenomenon.

“Our country, an archipelago, is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. It is good that despite El Niño, we still posted significant growth in farm production,” she added. (PNA)

President Aquino signs law enhancing depositor protection

P

RESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III has signed Republic Act No. 10846 amending the Charter of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) or the deposit insurance law.

The depositing public, consisting of approximately 50 million deposit account holders as of December 2015, stands to benefit from the amendments which further enhanced PDIC’s authority to provide depositor protection.

The law also gives PDIC fiscal and administrative autonomy and authority to resolve problem banks while still open.

It will take effect 15 days following the publication in the Official Gazette or in two newspapers of general circulation.

R.A. No. 10846 is a product of the painstaking work undertaken by the authors in both Houses of Congress – Senator Sergio R. Osmeña III, as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies, and by Rep. Nelson P. Collantes, Chairman of the Committee on Banks and Other Financial Intermediaries of the House of Representatives.

PDIC President Cristina Que Orbeta welcomed the passage of the law.

“The amendments to the deposit insurance law will ultimately redound to the benefit of the depositing public. The enhanced authorities will afford depositors better protection as PDIC may now address risks

posed by problem banks early on. This will also enable PDIC to perform its role in maintaining financial stability and managing the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF),” Orbeta said.

Under the law, depositors will have quicker access to their insured deposits in the event of bank closure since PDIC now has the authority to pay insured deposits without netting out depositors’ loan obligations with the closed bank, and based on evidence of deposits and not on the closed bank’s records alone.

To further protect depositors from unsafe and unsound banking practices of some banks, the law also restored PDIC’s authority to terminate the insured status of banks that engage in unsafe and unsound banking practices.

With its enhanced resolution authorities, PDIC will also be able to more effectively promote financial inclusion through early intervention in problem banks or open bank resolution.

In cases where bank closure becomes inevitable, R.A. 10846 enhanced the chances of recovery by creditors of their claims against the assets of the closed bank by preventing the further dissipation of these assets through seamless transition from bank closure to liquidation.

The law does away with the 90-day receivership period and allows PDIC to proceed directly to liquidation. The immediate

F PRESIDENT, 13

EDGEDAVAO

THE ECONOMY 7

FIESTA FARE. Lechon (roast pig) ordered by customers for the feast in honor of Gingoog City’s patron saint, Sta. Rita de Casia, are lined up for delivery on Sunday (May 22, 2016). MindaNews photo by Walter I. Balane

Rody warns power firms to shape up A

MID the Mindanao power crisis, incoming President Rodrigo R. Duterte warned the major power players in the country that they must shape up or else he will open the industry to foreign investors to deliver a sufficient power supply to the island that has long been plagued by power outages.

Duterte issued the same warning earlier to telephone companies to work on the country’s slow internet speed.

In a late night press conference on Wednesday at the Royal Mandaya Hotel here, the incoming president said that he will be forced to open the country to investors to bring down the electricity costs.

He said consumers take the burden of paying high electricity costs due to the power industry’s penchant to tap expensive energy sources like coal and diesel but failing to deliver sufficient and reliable power supply.

Davao City, for instance, suffered rotational brownouts of up to five hours last month due to the shutdown of the first 150-MW unit of Therma South Inc. (TSI) from April 6 to April 17 and the reduced wa-

ter levels at the Pulangui River and Lake Lanao because of the El Niño phenomenon.

“Kaya sabi ko you shape up. I told you before, shape up because if you don’t and hindi na kaya ng tao, kakainin sa energy (electricity bills) – importations (of fuel) – papasukin ko ang lahat, pati ang Nigeria, meron kayong oil? You want to put up (power plant)? Come here. We will amend the law to allow you. Babaan nyo. Tapos sino pa, Mexico? Sige bagsak (price) ng husto para kayo wala ng kita,” he said.

On privatizing the government’s power assets, Duterte said “not at this time.”

The state-run power assets in Mindanao are the six hydroelectric plants along the Agus River in the Lanao provinces and the one along the Pulangui River in Bukidnon, with a combined installed capacity of 982 MW. During the Aboitiz Power’s Therma South Energy Project inauguration last January 8, President Benigno S. Aquino III said that Mindanao’s power woes started when no investors came in to Mindanao to build more capacities after Mindanao legislators

sought for a 10-year exemption from the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) for the Agus-Pulangui hydropower plants.

The government claimed private power companies are reluctant to pour in investments in Mindanao as they could not compete with the cheaper rates offered by the hydropower plants.

“The result: As the demand for electricity grew, the supply didn’t. In fact, the hydroelectric plants that were once abundant sources of energy suffered from a number of factors, including the lack of regular maintenance, the vanishing watersheds, and the worsening effects of climate change,” he said.

Aquino said that they anticipated the Mindanao power crisis just before he assumed post six years ago.

“In recent years, Mindanao has had very little energy surplus. In 2010, this resulted in rotating brownouts that understandably frustrated our countrymen, and that stifled local economies. This was a problem we had anticipated even before we took office, which is why, from day one,

we made a stern commitment to foster an environment that would encourage the private sector to make massive investments in energy in Mindanao,” he said.

More coal plants are set to be online this year – a 100 MW unit of the Sarangani Energy Corporation in Maasim, Sarangani Province, and two units of San Miguel Power Corporation with combined capacity of 300 MW. Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) vice president for Reputation Enhancement Rossano Luga, speaking in “Wednesdays’ at Habi at Kape” in Abreeza of the Ayala Malls, said that they are negotiating with San Miguel for additional 80 MW to jack up its portfolio.

Luga refused to disclose as to when their negotiation would come to fruition.

DLPC’s franchise area covers Davao City, Brgy. Bincungan in Tagum City, and Carmen, Sto. Tomas and Braulio Dujali towns in Davao del Norte.

The DLPC current portfolio is 183 MW from the National Power Corporation (NPC),

(MWAHC) in Valenzuela City.

The housing projects will benefit 3,104 ISF beneficiaries under the High Density Housing (HDH) project of the SHFC. Of the amount released, P544 million will go to the Ciudad de Strike project, P271 million will go to the SMP project, and P350 million will go to the MWAHC project. This is after their people’s proposals have met all the technical requirements under existing rules and regulations and have hurdled the review and approval process of SHFC’s Accreditation, Credit, and Executive Committees, according to the DBM. The DBM said the funds

were charged against the P50 billion ISF Program Fund approved by President Benigno Aquino III in 2011 to clear the flood-prone waterway easements of informal settlements and provide relocation to safer grounds for affected families.

Under the program, informal settlers’ groups may submit their people’s proposals for resettlement.

The proposals call for the construction of low-rise to medium-rise housing projects in sites identified by the ISF groups through the financing of SHFC. The beneficiaries will amortize the units or avail of a rent-to-own scheme.

The three ISF beneficiary

groups were organized into community associations in order to participate in the program and submit a people’s proposal for their resettlement and shelter needs.

Working as an association, they were able to identify and vet the beneficiaries of the project, as well as undertake community profiling survey, loan documentation, payment of taxes and permits, and project planning and management. The associations will also be responsible for estate management, which includes collection of payments, maintenance of building, and enforcement of community rules and regulations.

F RODY, 13

DBM: P1B for resettlement released T

HE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released today the amount of P1,165,085,751 to the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) to fund housing projects for three groups of informal settler families (ISF) residing along danger areas in Metro Manila.

The funds will cover site development and building construction of projects proposed by the Ciudad de Strike Homeowners Association, Inc.-2 in Bacoor, the Sandigan ng Maralitang Pilipino (SMP) Homeowners Association, Inc. in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, and the Malinta Waterways Alliance Housing Cooperative

EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

I

Partying safely

T’S unimaginable how five people died apparently due to drugs in an outdoor music party in Manila and yet it apparently did not shock to the senses of our present government in a manner that would move it to urgent and drastic action.

Was it because interests have to be protected involving business entities whose names are connected to the event that turned from revelry to tragedy all because there apparently was just unabated illegal drugs passing hands from traders to users and even among the revellers themselves that night?

We wait in desperation as the tragedy slowly walk away from memory. The authorities must have gotten used to parties where illegal drugs and alcohol are freely sold to young people, including minors.

After a while, all these will be gone without the case moving on to a level where the culprits are identified and prosecuted.

On June 4, all roads lead to the Riverfront Corporate City (Davao Crocodile Park) in Maa, Davao City.

Touted as the biggest outdoor party event of the year, the June 4 thanksgiving bash to celebrate the victory of incoming presi-

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dent Rodrigo Duterte, is expected to pack the sprawling complex where the party venue is located. The huge celebration will be attended by residents, tourists, supporters and celebrities.

The revelry will have a tight security and strict policies are put into place to ensure the safety of the partygoers.

As part of the preparations, the Davao City Police Office announced it will deploy some 2,000 police personnel around the Riverfront City. An additional undisclosed number of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) soldiers will also be securing the perimeter of the venue along Diversion Road.

Security checks will be enforced. Revelers have been warned not to bring backpacks, sharp objects and alcoholic beverages to the venue.

In Davao City, people are used to partying with some restrictions. Not all parties are held with unabated fun. There is always a fun-o-meter out there that reminds everyone, the right to party comes with it the responsibility to party safely and cleanly.

On June 4, Davao has a chance to show that to the rest of the nation.

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EDGEDAVAO

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Davao, a forgotten floral garden

ONG before the colonists made their presence felt in Davao, the region, by studying the names of present-day barangays, towns and cities, was a lush floral paradise bustling with diverse plant species whose indigenous names were used by natives to identify a location.

Curiously, many of the names the lumads applied had their provenance from the flora found along waterways or rivers, which served as transport channels in accessing the open sea or bringing in food harvests from remote forest regions to settlement centers.

In ancient times, naming places after rulers, persons, or events was a rare event. Only when the Spaniards arrived that the adoption of proper names as geographic identifies, mostly from saints, village leaders, and high-profile personalities, were institutionalized, albeit informally. As a result, towns like San Isidro, in the provinces of Davao del Norte and Davao Oriental, remind Catholics of San Isidro Labrador, the patron of workers.

But not all names that start with ‘san’ refer to saints or holy people.

The old ‘San Vicente’ (Laak) and ‘San Mariano’ (Maragusan), in Compostela Valley Province, were at first proposed by outgoing Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario to honor Vicente Duterte, father of incoming President Rodrigo R. Duterte, and Mariano Marcos, father of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos and one-time deputy governor-at-large of Davao but President Marcos changed these by adding the saintly appellation, which was adopted and in use centuries ago by the Spanish missionar-

Plants assembly Being a coastal region, Davao’s placenames, from north to east, are an assembly of plants thriving in or Antonio V. Figueroa near brackish water. If you are familiar with names like hagonoy (Chromolaena odorata), padada (Sonneratia caseolaris), and piapi ((Avicennia marina), these appellations refer to indigenously named mangroves.

Going upstream from the river delta, you will be surprised to know that some plants growing along riverbanks have also been adopted as names of existing towns. Popular among them are the kolambug (Cuambog or Mabini), a flowering plant of the Dillenia family; Manay, a wild tree species; and Cateel or catil (Eriosema chinense Vog.), an edible medicinal tuber.

And then there are Tagum or tayum (Indigofera suffruticosa Miller), also known as añil; binuang (Cabinuangan or New Bataan), scientifically known as Octomeles sumatrana Miq.; and bagangan (Baganga), a wild berry.

On the other hand, some municipalities got their names from terms with direct relevance to the water: Tugbok is Bagobo for ‘spearfishing’; Digos is Bagobo for ‘taking a bath’ in the

“Isn’t it high time for us to seriously recognize the potential of this remarkable natural wealth to promote local livelihoods, jumpstart sustainable economic growth, and build a climate resilient future?” Dr. Theresa Mundita Lim, the director of Biodiversity Management Bureau, wrote in her Facebook account *** N the past, it was called biological diversity.

Today, it is known as biodiversity.

“The protection of biodiversity has to be considered a basic requirement of sustainability -- passing on to future generations a world of undiminished options -- and a fundamental moral responsibility as travelers on the only planet know to support life,” wrote John C. Ryan, author of Life Support: Conserving Biological Diversity.

Biodiversity refers to the ecosystem, species, and genes that together make life on earth both pleasant and possible. Habitats include fresh, salt and brackish waters, the soil, and the air.

Until now, no one really knows how many species of flora and fauna inhabit the world. Just recently, I read that another species of Rafflesia had been found by a team of biologists from the University of the Philippines. It is scientifically called Rafflesia consueloae and has been described as the “world’s smallest giant bloom.”

The newly-discovered species has an average diameter of 9.73 centimeters. It thrives only in Mount Balokbok and Mount Pantaburon in Nueva Ecija. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) classified it as “critically endangered species.”

There are 30 known Rafflesia species in the world, of which one-third are found only in

the Philippines.

THINK ON THESE! Prof. Perry S. Ong, a biologist and lead researcher of the study, said Rafflesia consueloae is sixth from Luzon and 13th in the entire archipelago.

In 1998, the Henrylito D. Tacio IUCN identified the Philippines henrytacio@gmail.com as one of the 17 countries in the world which are considered “biodiversity superstars.” In its website the Mongabay Organization has ranked the Philippines 24th among the Earth’s most biodiverse countries. The country is below Panama and above Costa Rica.

“So what’s at stake?” asked Titon Mitra, the country director of the United Nations Development Programme in the Philippines.

In an article published in Business Mirror, Mitra reported that the Philippines has “some 52,000 recorded plant and animal species (the Philippines ranks fifth globally in the number of plant species).”

Not only that. The Philippines has a total of 464 reef-building coral species, or nearly half of all known coral species in the world. It is home to an estimated 10,000 aquatic species or approximately one-fifth of all known species globally. “In fact, the country’s marine waters are seen as the epicenter of marine biodiversity on Earth,” Mitra pointed out.

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VANTAGE POINTS

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ies.

FAST BACKWARD

river; Maragusan is Mandaya for ‘river without water’; Mati is ‘dry riverbed’; Saug (Asuncion) is Bagobo for ‘to sprinkle water’; Malalag refers to ‘yellowish river’; Bansalan is Spanish for ‘boat rudder’; Kapalong is the powerful current of an ‘enchanted’ river that ‘can put out a fire’; and Labo (Santa Cruz) is Bagobo for ‘marsh’; and Caraga, a variation of Kalagan or ‘river.’

Endemic fruits In the 1918 report of the Division of Statistics of the agriculture department, P.J. Wester, an agricultural advisor, observed that fruits cultivated in Davao were rare, but the population of wild fruit trees “grow luxuriantly in the forest and are gathered and marketed.” In particular, he cited the native citrus fruit (Citrus excelsa var. davaoensis West.), which was produced in great abundance. The other fruits mentioned included the lamio (Dracontomelum edule Skeels), buol (Ximenia americana L.), dao (Dracontomelum dao), inyam (Antidesma ghaesembilla Gaert.) and maigang (Eugenia garciae Merr.), which were originally identified by E.D. Merrill, director of the Bureau of Science in Manila, as few of the endemic varieties never mentioned before as food plants found in the country.

The other fruits discovered in Davao and were included in the 1919 agriculture catalogue were the banana (Musa sapientum L.), bauno (Mangifera caesia, Jack.), barobo (Diplodiscus paniculatus Turcz.), bignay (Antidesma bunius Spreng.), breadfruit or kolo (Artocarpus communis Forest.), cacao (Theobroma cacao

Our vanishing biodiversity

And we are losing them at alarming rate.

“When people speak of the loss of biodiversity, they are referring to the exceptionally large numbers of species forced to the brink of extinction due to human activities,” explained H. Steven Dashefsky, author of Environmental Literacy: Everything You Need to Know About Saving Our Planet.

Species becoming extinct is not a new phenomenon but the speed with which these species are being lost is a major concern. A group of distinguished American biologists have called the species extinction crisis “a threat to civilization second only to the threat of nuclear war.”

Harvard biologist Edward O. Wilson estimates that, at a minimum, 50,000 invertebrate species per year -- nearly 140 each day -- are condemned to extinction.

“Of all the global problems that confront us, species extinction is the one that is moving the most rapidly and the one that will have the most serious consequences,” warns Dr. Peter Raven, another well-known American biologist.

In the Philippines scene, at least 700 species threatened with extinction. “Forest cover has dwindled to a meager 7.2 million hectares, or 24 percent of the country’s total land area,” Mitra pointed out. “Only 2 percent of the coral-reef areas are in excellent condition.”

According to Mitra, biodiversity, if managed effectively, can help reduce poverty, preserve livelihoods and traditional lifestyles, and can make a significant contribution to national economic growth. “Almost 70 percent of the country’s population is dependent on the environment and natural resources for a living,” the UNDP country director wrote.

9

L.), carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.); Arabian coffee (Coffea arabica L.), cashew or kasuy (Amacardium occidentale L.), citron (Citrus medica L.), coconut (Cocos nucifera L.), custard apple (Annona reticulata L.), duhat (Eugenia jambolana L.), durian (Durio zibethinus L.), guanabano (Annona muricata L.), fig (Ficus carica L.), guava (Psidium guajava L.), huani, a mango variety (Mangifera odorata Griff.), jak (Artocarpus integra L.); Kabuyao (Citrus hystrix DC.), kalamondin (Citrus mitis Bco.), kalpi (Citrus webberi West.), kamia or balimbing (Averrhoa bilimbi L.), kamanchile (Phecolobium dulce Bth.), kandiis (Garcinia sp.), lanno (Spondias pinnata Kurz.), lanzon or lansones (Lansium domesticum Jack.), lemoncito (Triphasia trifolia P. Wils.), lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swg.), macopa (Eugenia javanica L.), mandarin (Citrus nobilis Lour.), mango (Mangifera indica L.) Marang (Artocarpus odoratissima Bco.), orange (Citrus sinensis Osb.), papaya (Carica papaya L.), pomelo or buongon (Citrus maxima Merr.), pomegranate or granada (Punica granatum L.), pineapple (Ananas sativus Schult.), santol (Sandoricum koetjape Merr.), sugar apple (Annona squamosa L.), talisay (Terminalia catappa L.), and tamarind or sambag (Tamarindus indica L.).

There were also fruits with no herbarium values obtained and known to grow in Davao, among them the angos, balangas, bunani, kamapasiau, kanobi, kape, kalapi, katmon, kagokoo, kolotkolotan, langauisan, lambog, labno, labonao lowaw, monane, olingon, parale, pili, posdan, and the tapaok.

These resources, if utilized sustainably, can make a remarkable difference to the lives of many Filipinos. Consider this: global sales of pharmaceuticals derived from genetic resources accounts for between $75 billion and $150 billion.

An UNDP-commissioned study found that “the net present sustainable bioprospecting value of the Philippines’s forests is approximately $36 million annually in perpetuity. The goods and services provided by marine-coastal resources of the country are estimated to be over $556 million annually. And, of course, the correlation between conserving natural beauty and generating significant revenue from tourism is obvious.”

“Protection of biodiversity should be one of the top priorities of any meaningful strategy to safeguard the world’s biological heritage,” Ryan suggested.

Dr. James Kirchner, an American professor of earth and planetary science at University of California, seemed to agree. “The planet would be biologically depleted for millions of years, with consequences extending not only beyond the lives of our children’s children, but beyond the likely lifespan of the entire human species,” he said.

But there is still a glimmer of hope. “Humans, after all, are not dinosaurs,” wrote John Tuxill and Chris Bright, authors of Losing Strand in the Web of Life. “We can change. Even in the midst of the mass extinction, we still largely control our destiny, but only if we act now. The fate of untold numbers of species depends on it. And so does the fate of our children, in ways we can barely begin to conceive.”

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

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MASSIVE... FROM 1

is common knowledge that rave parties are usually associated with drugs like ecstacy.

He said it should have been strictly monitored by the law enforcers.

“Magpapasahan sila diyan (They are just pass it around),”

he said.

If the officers still fail to reform after the revamp, Duterte said he will ask the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to temporarily perform law enforcement duties particularly the illegal drugs and

the task of guarding the prisons.

Duterte said he will consult the incoming chief of the PNP, Chief Supt. Ronald dela Rosa, about his planned revamp. (With a report from PNA)

ordered the killing of some people.

“They are not just political prisoners because some of them have killed people, they have even ordered the killing of many people, mabigat po yan kasi marami din ang namatay sa hanay natin,” Monilla said.

The commander however clarifies that they do not hold any grudges to Duterte for they know that the release of the political prisoners is for a good cause.

He said that with the resumption of the peace talks the AFP would be the first one to benefit from it.

“Our soldiers would not

worry anymore that they might die in an encounter the following day,” Monilla said.

Monilla said that insurgency has long been a problem of the Philippines and it is now time to have a lasting peace.

Monilla also said that the lost lives of the soldiers will not be put to waste if the country will achieve the lasting peace that the military has been longing long before.

He recalled that when he was the commander of the Task Force Davao, Duterte has been vocal on saying that he would like to release the political prisoners in exchange for a peace agreement with the

CPP-NDF. Monilla said that one important thing about the peace talk is that the CPP-NDF should be willing to have peace with the government and not using the peace talk as an avenue for their own cause.

On Monday, Duterte said that he is willing to release all political prisoners as long as the peace talks has a clear direction.

The incoming president added that the only condition that he will ask from the CPPNDF is for their leaders to go back in the Philippines and resume the talks. FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

AFP... FROM 4

READY, ROLL. Cameramen from all television networks in the country train their videos towards incoming president Rodrigo R. Duterte during his arrival at The Royal Mandaya Hotel where he held a press conference on Wednesday night. Lean Daval Jr.

Police... FROM 2

ploy military men for added security outside the venue.

“We also ask the help of the community in staying alert in any eventualities and not to bring prohibited items like, ballpens, alchoholic beverages among others. We also ask the people to bring transparent bags instead for easy checking,” Driz said.

10th Infantry Division assistant commander Col. Casiano Monilla said that the military will remain outside the venue for inspection and additional security on the ground.

Checkpoint area on the entrance and exit point of the city will also be intensified to make sure that the event will be safe for the public.

The city has remained on heightened alert after the May 9 election because of the influx of people arriving in the city in hope of seeing the incoming president.

Monilla said that the 10th ID will continue their support to the DCPO and Police Regional Office 11 in securing the city.

Meanwhile, City Traffic

and Transport Management Office (CTTMO) chief Rhodelio Poliquit sadi there will be no re-routing to be made during the event.

Poliquit said that they will intensify their manpower for the thanks giving and will implement stop and go in the traffic.

“There will be no re-routing since it will need an approval from the city council, there will also be no road close, instead we will just implement stop and go on the traffic flow,” Poliquit said.

season to wet season.

Cloudy skies with scattered rains particularly in the afternoon are anticipated to continue in the days ahead.

However, possible break in rain events may occur after several days, Manalo said.

Meanwhile, weak El Niño condition is present in the tropical Pacific and expected to end around month of July while La Niña conditions is favored to follow during the second half of 2016.

Vicente said they will continue to closely monitor the situation and advisories shall be

issued as appropriate and the public and all concerned agencies are advised to take precautionary measures against the adverse impacts of the rainy season.

For Thursday forecast, southwest monsoon or hanging habagat will bring cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms will be experienced over Metro Manila, MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula and the provinces of Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite and Batangas while artly cloudy to cloudy

skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms will prevail over the rest of the country.

Moderate to occasionally winds blowing from the southwest to south will prevail over the western section of Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to occasionally rough.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the southeast to south with slight to moderate seas.

The state weather bureau has not issued gale warning as the fisherfolk are safe to venture into the seas. (PNA)

ers of the K-12 program from the Aquino administration who are only out to ensure the profits of oligarchs in the school business at the expense of ordinary Filipinos.

“Many of the votes for Duterte were votes rejecting the K-12. Many supported Duterte’s stand against the Aquino administration’s flagship education program. Reversing his opposition to K-12 now will only be a betrayal of ordinary Filipino families who expected to be part of the change promised by a Duterte presidency,” he said.

While Duterte opposed the K-12 program during the campaign, he said the other day that he will change his

position. “I said I was against it early on when it was being implemented. But some of the bright guys in DepEd came to see me here in Davao and explained to me how we are lagging behind our neighbors,” Duterte told the media.

“These ‘bright guys’ from DepEd apparently only told the incoming president good things about the K-12 program while leaving out problems like the acute shortages of teachers and facilities. They left out telling him that implementing K-12 will force many students to shift to private schools or just drop out from schooling,” said Crisostomo.

According to DepEd, only 800,000 to 1.1 million of 2

million incoming Senior High School students (SHS) can be accommodated by the country’s public school system. The remaining 800,000 to 1 million students will be forced to enroll in private schools through DepEd’s P12.2 billion budget SHS voucher program.

“The K-12 is a criminal program favouring oligarchs with the SHS program designed to ensure more enrolees for private schools and automatic profits in the form of vouchers. Fact is DepEd officials may already have received commissions from private school owners thus their insistence on pushing through the K-12 program,” Crisostomo said.

PAGASA... FROM 2

Allowing... FROM 4

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 Ordinary Regular Service

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 FILCAB Ordinary Regular Service

Case No. 2001-XI-02716 Case No. 2002-XI-00675 MARK ANTHONY L. COLLI, Petitioner x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - --x

NOTICE OF HEARING Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PUJ Ordinary Regular Service on the route: PANABO CITY-DAVAO CITY with the use of ONE (1) unit, which certificate will expire on January 29, 2017..In the petition filed on May 13, 2016, 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 JUNE 21, 2016 at 09:00 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 TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ, Officer-in-Charge, this 16th day of May 2016 at Davao City.

EDGAR CRISANTO R. VIOLAN Administrative Officer V

GLENN A. CELADA, Petitioner

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

NOTICE OF HEARING Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a FILCAB Ordinary Regular Service on the route: ROSALINA III, IWWHA-ROXAS AVENUE with the use of ONE (1) unit, which certificate will expire on February 15, 2017.In the petition filed on May 13, 2016, 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 JUNE 20, 2016 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 TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ, Officer-in-Charge, this 16th day of May 2016 at Davao City.

EDGAR CRISANTO R. VIOLAN Administrative Officer V

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 SCHOOL TRANSPORT Service

Case No. 2006-XI-00094 FELIX A. LORETERO, Petitioner

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

NOTICE OF HEARING Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a SCHOOL TRANSPORT service exclusively for the transportation of Student/Pupils from their respective residences to Davao City Special School, Bangkal, Davao City and vice versa with the use of ONE (1) unit, which certificate will expire on January 18, 2017. In the petition filed on May 13, 2016, 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 JUNE 20, 2016 at 09:50 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 TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ , Officer-In-Charge,, this 16th day of May 2016 at Davao City.

WITNESS the Honorable BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional Director, this 11th day of May 2016 at Davao City.

EDGAR CRISANTO R. VIOLAN Administrative Officer V

INdulge!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 64 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 27 - 28, 2016

EDGEDAVAO TRAVEL

Paradise in Sarangani: Belmar EcoPark and Beach Resort

By Bai Fauziah Fatima Sinsuat Ambolodto WITH MORE THAN ENOUGH REASON TO TAKE A BREAK, YOU’D SURELY LOVE THAT, IN THE PHILIPPINES, YOU HAVE MORE THAN A THOUSAND OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM. Explore the regions, go on a road trip and have your appetite ready – it truly is more fun in the Philippines.

Exploring the country will prompt you to love it even more. Aside from the usual leisure places, Sarangani, in the south, is one hidden gem you need to explore. With a stretch of stunning beach fronts, warm welcoming people and an array of dishes to

savor, you are truly in for a treat.

Sarangani’s newest view deck, Belmar EcoPark & Beach Resort, is a definite must visit when exploring the south. Located just along the national highway, many visitors find the resort relaxing and

comforting all year round.

Welcoming you is a stretch of white-pebbled beach line. But that’s not what catches your attention in an instant. You’d be in awe with their century-old mangrove trees that creates a majestic facade to a vast background of vitamin sea goodness.

Few meters from the shore, you’d find yourself yearning for a good snorkel with the fishes. If snorkeling is not your cup of tea, then enjoy the vast sea with your friends and go boat-

ing.

Belmar EcoPark & Beach Resort has a plethora of attractions for everyone to enjoy. Animal lover? They have a mini zoo to satisfy your curiosity for live animals. You can take picture with them too – just ask before you do. Hungry for something gastronomically delicious?

If yes, then you’d surely love their restaurant by the bay. Appetising food plus breathtaking view equals

BELMAR A4

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 64 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 27 - 28, 2016

EVENT

The great Durianburg bar raid

DRINKING AND PARTYING IS PART OF MANY FILIPINO’S DNA. WE NATURALLY WANT TO MINGLE, DANCE, SING, AND HAVE A ROWDY GOOD TIME. For most of the Philippines this usually means hitting the clubs at around 12 midnight drinking and throwing fist bumps all the way until five in the morning, but for Durianburg, all the drinking promptly stops at one in the morning leaving many first time visitors scratching their heads.

Although on first glance, some would say that the nightlife in Davao feels a boring, but if one were to party like a local Dabawenyo, then the magic and fun of Davao’s party scene quickly unfolds. Here are some of my tips on how to enjoy and survive Durianburg’s liquor ban which I gathered while on a Davao Bar Raid together with the Department of Tourism regional office for the Visit Davao Fun Sale.

The key to enjoying a night out in Davao City is to start drinking early.

Although bars are not allowed to serve liquor past one in the morning, you can start drinking as early as 6am if you want to.

Ideally though I prefer to drink while having a good dinner in one of Davao’s many restaurants around seven or eight in the evening and wrapping up at around 9:30 before meeting up with friends.

We started the tour at Stre3ts, a happening new resto bar located along Loyola Street near J.P. Laurel Avenue. It was a good choice to start a pub crawl as they serve good food aside from beer and beer-based cocktails. Even at eight in the evening, the bar is already starting to get full with urbanites chilling out and getting a good meal and some drinks to start the night.

Our tour group left Stre3ts at around 9:30pm and proceeded to Runway Sports Bar. Located at Brick Lane along Palma Gil Street, Runway’s sporty vibe allowed participants to relax and get to know each other more, another tip to survive the liquor ban in Davao.

Dabawenyos are always friendly and places where people can mingle while enjoying a drink or two, or three, or four.

Since time is always a factor, Dabawenyos partygoers have also embraced purchasing drinks and spirits by the bottle. It is

more affordable to do so and the extra shots are prefect when you get to meet up with friends or make friends in the club.

To top off the bar raid, we made our way to Davao’s only dance club with a view, Club Echelon around 11pm. Located at the topmost floor of

Gaisano Mall’s The Peak, Club Echelon’s state-ofthe-art light and sound system could rival any club in Asia. For Manila’s night owls, eleven is the time when one wakes up to change and prepare for a night out. In Durianburg though, one can be sure that the dance floor is

packed with bodies dancing to the sounds spun by the in-house DJs. Beer and cocktails are also the choice drinks at Club Echelon. Since smoking is not allowed in any enclosed space, party-goers are sure that they will not smell like tobacco smoke after a night out.

And as the clock struck one and the evening wound down, it is clear that weekends, parties, and dancing are still alive in Durianburg despite the liquor ban. This may be because Dabawenyos have learned to adapt and moved forward to enjoy an earlier nightlife or it

could be the friendly attitude of Dabawenyos that make going out to socialise and mingle worth every minute.

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

VOL. 9 ISSUE 64 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 27 - 28, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

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ENTERTAINMENT

‘The Voice Kids’ S3 starts this Saturday TOP-RATING SINGING COMPETITION “THE VOICE KIDS” IS BACK to give young singers a shot at stardom and help them achieve their dreams for their family as another season begins on Saturday on ABS-CBN. In its third season, the best singing competition for kids will again try to search for the next singing superstar with the help of its superstar coaches: broadway diva Lea Salonga, rock superstar Bamboo, and new coach Megastar Sharon Cuneta.

“Our Top 4 last season was pretty crazy. It’s like, where do we go from here? Now, we’re turning for special kids who have immense potential for improvement. Our standard is pretty much the same – you got to have something we can absolutely work with and we have to be able to see that you have the potential to be the champion of this competition,” said coach Lea. Coach Bamboo, meanwhile, will try to score a back-to-back win after her artist Elha Nympha was named grand champion last season. “I’ll try. I can’t control things but I’ll try my best. That’s my goal – to pull out the best

Sid Lucero is 19th Los Angeles Comedy Festival Best Actor

from every child and see which of them reaches the finals. Here in the country, we have a lot of great singers. But a kid or an adult who can connect, that has a heart and character, is rare.”

But Sharon is not letting the two coaches get their way easily, as she is ready to pull out all the stops for the competition. “It’s my first time to coach here. Every one all over the world knows ‘The Voice.’ It is prestigious. Just to be part of this family gives you a lot of extra points.

I am praying that the champ comes from my camp. I’ll really give it all I’ve got – my 38 years of experience.”

This Saturday, the blind auditions – the first part of the competition – will kick off with the coaches using new tricks

to try to woo young artists to join their respective teams.

“So far we have found some amazing, talented boys and girls. They’re not just vocally wonderful but they’ve got some really interesting personalities, which have been entertaining for all of us,” shared coach Lea. The chemistry among the three coaches is also evident in their banter.

“I am so grateful to God for the chemistry.

There was no way to find out if there was such a thing among us until we started taping. It seems like the audience laugh a lot, we laugh a lot, we have a lot of fun bantering. It’s a great to be working with two super pros, experts, and icons. I am so honored to be in such great

company,” Sharon said.

“It feels great. It feels at home. Ang sarap ng pakiramdam especially with these kids I got recently. It’s been great and fun so far working with Sharon. It’s fun for me because it’s something different. It’s a change, and change is always good,” added Bamboo.

Meanwhile, the third season of “The Voice Kids” will be led by the country’s premier host Luis Manzano, reality star-turned-host Robi Domingo, and the newest addition to the family: “chinita princess” Kim Chiu.

As they join forces, they will guide every young artist in every stage of the competition to help them achieve their dreams.

JUST DAYS AFTER HIS CO-STAR JACLYN JOSE BECAME THE FIRST FILIPINA TO WIN AS BEST ACTRESS IN THE CANNES FILM FESTIVAL, The Millionaire’s Wife actor Sid Lucero bagged the Best Actor award in the 19th Los Angeles Comedy Festival for the film ‘Toto.’ The dark comedy directed by John Paul Su also won as Best Foreign Film.

‘Toto’ is the story of a young Filipino room service attendant, played by Sid, and his various schemes to obtain a US visa. It will eventually put his loved ones in danger, and will lead him to question and re-evaluate his actions. It was graded A by the Cinema Evaluation Board of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, and received the Special Jury Prize in the New Wave category of the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival.

The LA Comedy Festival is the largest comedy festival in the United States, featuring film, live comedy acts, and a screenplay competition.

Jaclyn Jose reacts to ‘show-stealing’ of Maria Isabel Lopez in Cannes MARIA ISABEL LOPEZ WAS GIVEN FLAK FOR ‘STEALING THE SHOW’ FROM MA’ ROSA DIRECTOR BRILLANTE MENDOZA AND LEAD ACTRESS JACLYN JOSE IN THE CANNES FILM FESTIVAL PHOTO CALL. Jaclyn, who won the Best Actress Award in the prestigious festival, thought it wasn’t a big deal.

“It’s her call. Ako, basta, Brillante is a friend. I will never leave him. I will stay side by side sa kanya,” she said during the press conference of her new show A1 Ko Sa ‘Yo yesterday, May 24.

The veteran actress also noted how they talked about uniformity of outfits, but respected that the former beauty

May 25 – 31, 2016

WARCRAFT Travis Fimmel, Toby Kebbell, Ben Foster

queen chose to not follow it.

“We have a dress code color – beige, white and black. [Pero] okay lang ‘yun. Kasi that’s her prerogative. Nagapologize naman…,” she added.

She, however, expressed a bit of regret for actor John Paul

Duray who seemed to have been secluded from the group photo.

“Kawawa lang kasi [si John Paul] na hindi nakita, na-crop [na sa ibang photos]. Hiwalay.

‘Yun lang [kaya] medyo na-[off] siguro ‘yung iba,” she declared.

For her, she is in no position to decide for

others.

“Hindi ako na-offend kasi it’s her call. Basta ako, we went there as a team, at uuwi ako as a team. Kahit ‘yung panalo [ako], inakyat ko sila [Brillante at Andi].

That shows [the] type of personality I have – Hindi kita iiwan,” she concluded.

R13

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

WARCRAFT 3D Travis Fimmel, Toby Kebbell, Ben Foster R13

1:00 | 3:40 | 6:20 | 9:00 LFS

LOVE ME TOMORROW Piolo Pascual, Coleen Garcia, Dawn Zulueta PG

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

X-MEN: APOCALYPSE James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence PG

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

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 64 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 27 - 28, 2016

TRAVEL

BELMAR A1 quality time with nature – at its best.

Accommodation wise, you’d love the view. Yes, the view is what sets this beach resort different from the rest. Their rooms, like the restaurant, has that “by the bay” view. Start the day with a radiant sunrise and end the day with a breathtaking sunset within the comforts of your room.

Not to mention, accommodation rates are very affordable. Just have to call ahead for reservations.

Words may not be enough to describe this beautiful southern paradise. Go ahead, take some time off work and enjoy quality time with your

family and friends. Enjoy some time under the sun and frolic like every day is summer.

Go for Life (Learn, Immerse, Fun and Excitement). Go at Belmar Eco Park & Beach Resort, the view deck of Sarangani.

Belmar EcoPark & Beach Resort is located at Sitio Kabog, Brgy. Kapatan, Glan, Sarangani For queries and reservations, you may call them at 0919 482 6324 or 0929.243.4448 Operating Hours: Always Open Email: belmar.bizz@gmail. com or 1996beletangaro@ gmail.com Facebook: https://www. facebook.com/BelmarEcoParkBeachResort

GENSAN PARTNER ESTABLISHMENT

DAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENT

11 COMPETITIVE EDGE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 64 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 27 - 28, 2016

1st PH telco to tap TV white Security Bank wins ‘Best Electronic Bank’ Globe space frequency for broadband use at The Asset’s Digital Enterprise Awards 2015 Initiative expected to provide high-speed internet

S

ECURITY Bank was declared as ‘Best Electronic Bank for the Philippines’ at The Asset’s Digital Enterprise Awards 2015 held recently at Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong.

“This award is among the many milestones that signify how far we have come in our journey to BetterBanking,” says Security Bank President and CEO Alfonso Salcedo, Jr. “We continuously customize solutions for the specific needs of corporate and institutional clients which, in turn, enable them to serve their customers with higher efficiency. This

commitment goes as far as making sure that our promise of a BetterBanking experience is translated into the digital space.”

The Asset, the leading financial publishing and research firm based out of Hong Kong, has the widest audited reach among Asian banks and institutional investors. The Digital Enterprise Award Programme for 2015 recognizes financial institutions and technology trendsetters that have excelled in innovating and developing the digital experience for customers across the Asia Pacific, including Japan and

Australia. The coverage period is from October 2014 to October 2015.The review period for the submitted documents is from September 2015 to January 2016.

In the February 2016 issue of The Asset Magazine, it cited: “A homegrown champion, Security Bank has focused on revamping its technology offering the review period. Its reprogrammed mobile app offered users a simplistic platform to do necessary banking tasks such as bills payment and reloading of mobile credits. A key mandate for the bank over the review period includ-

ed working with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in handling its online premium payment facility.”

In the past three years, The Asset has cited Security Bank’s electronic cash management solutions. In 2014 and 2015, the bank won the ‘Best E-Solutions Partner Bank in the Philippines. In 2013, The Asset Triple A Transaction Banking Awards recognized the bank with two awards: Best Service Provider – e-Solutions Partner Bank, Philippines and Best Cash Management Solution, Philippines.

Security Bank representatives accepted the award for ‘Best Electronic Bank for the Philippines’ during the awards night held on April 11 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong : (from left) iChannel Systems Head Amiel De Guia, Transaction Banking Group Head Daniel Yu and Cash Management Division Head Dennis Joy Ejercito.

DOF ready with proposals for incoming secretary

T

HE Department of Finance (DOF) has prepared a transition document that discusses tax reform proposals for the incoming Duterte administration and these include lowering tax

rates both for individuals and corporates.

Also part of the proposals, which will be submitted to incoming Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, is the cut in the number of income tax brackets

DAVAO HELEN’S PAWNSHOP CORP. De Guzman St., Davao City Telefax (082)225-4473

NOTICE OF AUCTION SALE

All unredeemed items pawned during the month of January 2016 ,if not redeemed/renewed on May 31, 2016 will be put on Auction Sale June 1, 2016 at 9:00 A. M. to 5:00 P.M. Pahibalo nga ang tanang wala malukat nga prenda sa bulan Enero 2016,kung dili malukat sa Mayo 31, 2016 isubasta sa bulan sa Hunyo 1, 2016 sa alas 9:00 sa buntag hangtud sa alas 5:00 sa hapon.

DAVAO HELEN’S PAWNSHOP CORPORATION

Davao City: 252 San Pedro St., 167 San Pedro St., CVA Bldg., C. M. Recto St., G/F Victoria Plaza Bajada 120-B Lapu-lapu St., Agdao 75C R. Magsaysay Ave., 2nd Level Gaisano Mall Bajada, G/F NCCC Bldg., R. Magsaysay Ave., Centerpoint Plaza Matina Fronting San Pedro College Guerrero St., Carlson Bldg., Lapu-lapu St.,Agdao NCCC Mall Matina Saavedra St., Toril Gaisano South Citimall, Ilustre St., Km. 11 Sasa

Km. 13 Panacan Boulevard Buhangin Cabantian Bankerohan Calinan

Davao del Norte Gaisano Mall, Panabo Davao del Norte Gaisano Grand Mall of Tagum, Tagum City Gaisano Mall of Tagum, Tagum City Purok Marilag 11, Quezon St.,Tagum City Davao del Sur Gaisano Grand Mall of Digos , Quezon St., Digos City

for wage earners from the current seven to four and the lowering of the top tax rate from 32 percent to 24 percent in the next six years.

To date, these brackets have rates that range from five percent to 32 percent.

Corporate income tax is also proposed to be cut from the present 30 percent to 25 percent on a staggered basis in the next five years.

The comprehensive tax reform package document explains that “tax rates will go down if the set trigger tax to GDP (gross domestic product) ratio level is reached.” ”If not, lowering of rates is postponed to the year when the trigger level is hit,” it said.

Based on DOF estimates, the revenue impact of lowering tax rate on its first year of implementation would be about Php 158-222 billion, with the trigger tax:GDP ratio set at 14 percent.

The proposed trigger tax:GDP ratio goes down by 0.5 percent annually for the next six years with the expected impact on revenue on the sixth year amounting to about Php 250-316 billion.

The proposal also include the exemption of 11 million wage earners from paying income tax and this is seen to result to about Php 1 million all-in income tax exemption.

On fiscal incentives rationalization, the current administration is suggesting a four-year income tax holiday (ITH), a five percent tax on gross income earned (GIE), 15 percent tax on net taxable income (NTI) to export-oriented enterprises, and 15 percent tax on NTI to strategic enterprises.

It also proposes a “sunset provision on all fiscal incentives and board membership of the DOF in all investment promotion agencies.”

Also, it is suggesting that taxes on gas, diesel and other oil products be indexed to inflation, by about four percent annually, citing that there was no upward adjustment on these since 1997.

It also suggested that subsidy be given when crude oil price reaches more than USD 90 per barrel.

The Value Added Tax (VAT) is also suggested to be increased from the current 12 percent to 14 percent. (PNA)

experience to far-flung areas in Visayas, Mindanao

G

LOBE Telecom is the first Philippine telecommunications company to adopt the TV white space frequency for broadband use in line with its commitment to improve the state of internet in the country especially in remote and outlying areas in the country. The move would maximize available spectrum given rapid increases in data consumption amid growing smartphone penetration.

In partnership with the Information and Communications Technology Office of the Department of Science and Technology, Globe is currently pilot-testing the use of the frequency for broadband service in several areas in the country, including Bohol and Cebu. The initiative is expected to provide an alternative wireless network that will provide data connectivity in far flung areas in Visayas and Mindanao.

“To help improve the internet experience of our customers, Globe is working on enhancing cell site density of our network, a prerequisite in providing additional bandwidth capacity amid exponential growth in data use. However, building a cell site has proven to be a major challenge for us and we couldn’t build cell sites as fast as we want to. We hope that making use of available spectrum would enhance bandwidth capacities and allow our network to transmit enormous amount of data at faster speeds,” Globe Senior Vice President for Network Technologies Strategy Emmanuel Estrada said, noting that construction of a single cell site involves about 25 permits with at least 8 months lead time.

According to Estrada, another obstacle in rolling out broadband service in rural areas is that the concentration of establishments and households does not make it economically viable for telecommunication providers to deploy broadband facilities.

He said the TV white space technology is expected to address this concern. TV white space is considered an ideal wireless data delivery medium in the Philippines because of its long distance propagation features and the ability of its signals to travel over water and through thick foliage. The latest TV white space equipment can deliver up to 10 megabits per second of data throughput at a maximum range of 10 kilometers and can accommodate numerous customers at any given time.

Estrada said increasing demand for wireless data

traffic and growing pressure to network capacity has spurred an interest to utilize these unallocated portions of the radio spectrum. The TV white space’ long range of reach means utilization of this frequency for broadband use would require less number of cell sites to provide coverage for a given geographic location compared with existing wireless technologies, he said.

This means that the use of the TV white space spectrum for propagation of broadband technologies is more cost efficient for ISP providers.

TV white space refers to the either unassigned or unused frequencies located between broadcast TV channels, which can be used to provide wireless data connectivity to remote communities in the country. These vacant frequencies are located between broadcast TV channels in the UHF and VHF range of 54 MHz and 806 MHz. Utilizing TV white space for propagation of internet service is relatively a new technology as TV broadcast began transitioning from analog to digital, paving the way for the availability of more TV channels or frequencies that could be utilized for broadband use.

DOST Undersecretary Louis Casambre, for his part, said there is a need to enhance internet service in the provinces, stressing the use of the TV white space for broadband use would provide data connectivity among local government units and national agencies, hospitals and health centers as well as among educational institutions in rural areas.

The ongoing TV White Space pilot testing in the country is the most extensive in the Asian region. So far, only the United States has already undertaken commercial deployment while many other countries are holding trials.

In addition to the TV white space frequency, Globe is also calling for the harmonization and equitable distribution of the unused 700 MHz band as part of its bid to enhance network capacities, emphasizing that utilization of this particular spectrum would allow the telecommunication companies to provide broadband and data services at faster speeds and in a more cost-efficient manner. Even with the utilization of the TV white space frequency, Globe needs an allocation from the 700 MHz as this spectrum has existing technology for stateof-the-art LTE, currently not available for TV white space frequency.

EDGEDAVAO

12 HEALTH

VOL. 9 ISSUE 64 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 27 - 28, 2016

Irradiated food: To eat or not to eat Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“T

HERE is a common misconception that irradiated food is radioactive. The radiation used to process foods is very different from the radioactive fallout that occurs after, for example, a nuclear accident.” -- Better Health Channel of Australia *** Contrary to what most people may think, irradiated foods are safe to eat! This assurance came from Luvimina G. Lanuza, head of the Irradiation Services Section of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), a line agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

“Irradiated foods are not radioactive and are therefore safe to eat,” said Lanuza during a techno forum held a two years ago at SMX Convention Center. She explained that food items are subjected to gamma irradiation technology, whose energies used in irradiation don’t make the foods radioactive.

“Irradiated food has been exposed to radioactivity but does not become radioactive itself,” pointed out the Food Standards Agency (FSA) of the United Kingdom. Irradiating food is similar to that of pasteurization, cooking or other forms of heat treatment.

The most common techniques of food irradiation, aside from gamma rays, are X-rays and electron beams.

Gamma radiation is used routinely to sterilize medical, dental and household products. In addition, it is used for the radiation treatment of cancer. X-rays, produced by reflecting a high-energy stream of electrons off a target substance into food, are also widely used in medicine and industry to produce images of

internal structures. Gamma rays and X-rays share some characteristics with microwaves, but with much higher energy and penetration.

Electron beam, which is similar to X-rays, is a stream of high-energy electrons propelled from an electron accelerator into food.

“Food absorbs energy wen it is exposed to ionizing radiation,” the FSA said. “The amount of energy absorbed is called ‘absorbed dose,’ which is measured in units called grays (Gy) or kilograys (kGy), where 1kGy is equal to 1,000Gy. The energy absorbed by the food causes the formation of shortlived molecules known as free radicals, which kill bacteria that cause food poisoning.”

A join expert committee on food irradiation concluded that “the irradiation of food up to an average close to 10 kGy causes no health hazards and guarantees no nutritional or microbial problems.”

Food poisoning is one of the main reasons why astronauts and cosmonauts generally bring irradiated foods when traveling to outer space.

With so many things to worry about, the space travelers try to eliminate fear of possible food poisoning from their list of problems.

Several studies show irradiation can effectively eliminate organisms that cause foodborne illness, such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria and Escherichia coli.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved irradiation of meat (beef, pork and lamb) and poultry (chicken) and allows its use for a variety of other foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables and spices. Some foods, such as

dairy foods and eggs, cannot be irradiated because it causes changes in flavor or texture.

While irradiation cannot make food radioactive, it does reduce the nutritional and change the flavor, just like cooking. “Irradiation causes a multitude of chemical changes,” notes Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. “A few of these products are unique but not considered dangerous. Cooking, smoking, salting and other less novel techniques cause the food to be altered so drastically that its original nature is almost unrecognizable.”

But irradiated foods are still nutritious. “All known methods of food processing -even storing food -- can lower the content of some nutrients, such as vitamins,” says a brochure, Preserving Food and Agricultural Products by Radiation, published by DOST-PNRI. “At low doses of radiation, nutrient losses are not significant.

Even at higher doses, irradiation does not adversely affect the nutritional quality of food.”

However, irradiation cannot be used to make spoiled food good or to clean up “dirty foods.” The brochure pointed this out: “Neither irradiation nor any other food treatment can reverse the spoilage process and make bad food good.

If food already looks, taste or smells bad (signs of spoilage), it cannot be ‘saved.’”

The first definite work with radiation preservation was carried out on hamburger at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1943. It showed that hamburger could be sterilized by high doses of X-rays.

Considerable scientific research over the past five decades indicates that food irradiation is a safe and effective

form of processing. In fact, it has been approved in 50 countries including Australia, the United States, Japan, China, France and Holland.

At least three internationally recognized bodies support food irradiation: the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Dietetic Association and the Scientific Committee of the European Union.

But despite this, food irradiation has not gain popularity among food consumers. Until now, people are extremely reluctant to accept the irradiation process for the preservation of foods.

“The reluctance of consumers in some countries to accept irradiated food arises

from the fact that anything associated with nuclear energy is considered by many people to involve danger and radioactivity,” said an article which appeared in World Health, a WHO publication.

The article said most consumer resistance to the irradiation process has been based more on emotional rather than technical factors. “The general public should come to terms with irradiation and accept it as another important method of food preservation,” it pinpointed.

Aside from food preservation, irradiation can also control pests. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, about 25% of

all food production around the world is lost after harvesting to insects, bacteria and spoilage.

“Food irradiation can help reduce losses and can also reduce dependence on chemical pesticides, some of which are extremely harmful to the environment,” said a brochure prepared by the Food Irradiation Education Group of the University of Wisconsin (UW).

Irradiation can also be used to sterilize foods, “which can then be stored for years without refrigeration.” Sterilized foods are useful in hospitals for patients with severely impaired immune systems, such as patients with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or undergoing chemotherapy.

In Australia and New Zealand, only herbs and spices, herbal infusions and some tropical fruits are approved for irradiation. In Europe, no foods other than dried aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings are permitted for the application of irradiation.

In the Philippines, the Bureau of Food and Drugs has issued conditional clearance for the irradiation of onions, garlic (for sprout inhibition) and spices (for microbial decontamination).

“Food irradiation is still in the pilot stage in this country, but fruit irradiation for quarantine processing to export to the US is expected to take place in the near future,” said a news report.

Again, here’s Lanuza: “The irradiation of food is justified when it fulfils technological requirements and if it is beneficial for the protection of consumer health.”

Just a reminder: “Irradiation is not a replacement for proper food-handling. Irradiated foods need to be stored, handled and cooked in the same way as non-irradiated foods, because they could still become contaminated with disease-causing organisms after irradiation if the rules of basic food safety are not followed.”

VOL. 9 ISSUE 64 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 27 - 28, 2016

Cops... FROM 4

picious when Faeldonia demanded for another Php 15,000 so the “transactions” will be completed. This prompted her to seek police assistance.

A police entrapment operation was carried out where Vangie handed over the Php 15,000 additional cash to the suspect at a fast food chain in Koronadal City on Tuesday.

This led to the arrest of Faeldonia, jobless and a resident of Barangay Sta Cruz, Koronadal

City.

It turned out Faeldonia was not in any way related to Farnazo or to any DepEd official.

Vangie said every time she met with Faeldonia, the latter’s daughter was with her. The daughter, not identified in the report being a minor, joined her mother at the Koronadal police office detention cell while cases of swindling and extortion are being prepared against Faeldonia. (PNA)

EDGEDAVAO

Drought-hit... FROM 6 government in partnership with DA-12 has conducted a two-week cloud seeding operation that cushion the impact of dry spell to crops that could still be recovered.

On top of rice assistance, the provincial govenrment also implemented animal dispersal program where qualified beneficiaries received livestock animals to augment the family’s source of income.

The project includes 516 heads of carabao/cattle already dispersed, 1,000 heads of goats, and 1,000 heads of swine. Another set of work animals are ready for distribution to drought hit farmers.

DA also dispersed seeds assistance such as corn, rice and vegetables for farmer-beneficiaries on top of provincial government initiated farm input assistance. (PNA)

assignment of encumbered assets to closed bank creditors, adoption of purchase of assets and assumption of liabilities as a mode of liquidation, and ex-

press prohibition on reopening of banks ordered closed by the Monetary Board will help enhance recovery rate for creditors of closed banks. (PNA)

President... FROM 7

Phl... FROM 6

NEWS 13

land) will comply. But that starts with consultation which is under the compliance procedure,” he said.

Philip Morris Thailand faces a USD2.2-billion fine if found guilty of undervaluation of cigarette imports with the criminal case filed against the tobacco firm in January this year.

Rodolfo explained that this will affect Philippine tobacco exports to Thailand as the latter country is among the major

markets for Philippine-based Philip Morris.

Figures from National Tobacco Administration show that around 1.93 million Filipinos are dependent on tobacco farming and industry.

The industry provides direct employment and supports livelihood of 43,960 Filipino farmers and about 30,000 other members of families and some 1.56 million other industry workers are dependent on tobacco industry. (PNA)

49.5 MW from Hedcor Sibulan, 4 MW from HEDCOR-Talomo, 30 MW from Therma Marine

Inc., 100 MW from TSI, and 50 MW from Southern Philippines Power Corp.

Rody... FROM 7

14 CLASSIFIEDS

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 64 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 27 - 28, 2016

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

EDGEDAVAO GENSAN PARTNERS Serving a seamless society

VOL. 9 ISSUE 64 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 27 - 28, 2016

EDGEDAVAO Sports 15

MISSION MALAYSIA AAK Davao karatekas ready to lock horns with international rivals

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

D

njb@edgedavao.net

AVAO City’s karatedo kids from the Association for the Advancement of Karatedo (AAK) will once again don the country’s tri-colors as they compete in the 17th Milo-Malaysia Karatedo Championships which opens today.

AAK Davao head coach Rommel Tan is towing along last year’s gold medalists Jam Ramirez, Darlene Maramara, JP Ponce and wonder kid Atsuko Kaiyel Tan. Also competing is the vastly improved Sophie Agulo and rookie Christian Tarnate.

The team represents various schools in Davao City.

Ramirez, Ponce and Tarnate are from Davao Precious International School, Maramara from Davao City National High School, Tan from Davao City Christian School and Agulo from the University of the Immaculate Conception.

Tan said he is confident the team can bring home some medals although he refused to make any concrete predictions.

“Every year the competition gets tougher so we cannot say if we are in good position to win gold medals but we will be there to fight for the flag and for Davao City,” Tan said.

The team’s participation is

supported by the AAK Davao parents group and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) through Atty. Guillermo Iroy, Jr..

Over 600 participants from 300 international clubs from different countries are taking part in the annual event reputed to be the biggest karatedo tournament in Southeast Asia.

The tournament will be staged at the Stadium Badminton Cheras in Kuala Lumpur from Saturday to Sunday.

Registration of athletes will be on Friday from 11am 5pm also at Stadium Badminton Cheras.

Abap’s respect for Pacquiao, the Abap head said, is transcendent.

“Not fighting in the Olympics will not tarnish in any way our respect and admiration for Sen. Pacquiao, although he is so much welcome, of course, if he decides to compete,” said Vargas. “We await his decision.”

Vargas issued the clarification three days before Abap forwards its officials lineup to the Baku organizers, stressing that Pacquiao will be a prized guest in Rio de Janeiro this August regardless of his decision.

“He is most welcome if he does decide,” said Vargas.

“If not, we will invite him to watch our boxers fight in Rio to inspire and cheer them on.”

All these talks of the eight-division world champion joining the Philippine team in Rio as a junior welterweight started after Aiba president Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu invited Pacquiao to gun for the

country’s first Olympic gold medal during a visit in Doha for the World Championship last October.

Pacquiao expressed interest but did not commit as he set his sights on winning a Senate seat in the May polls.

The proposal was shelved for more than six months until it was dusted off and revived after Pacquiao announced his retirement from pro boxing following the Timothy Bradley fight, became a senator of the republic and kept the door slightly open for a possible Olympic swan song.

Abap executive director Ed Picson said that although a wildcard pass to Rio isn’t totally discounted, it is most likely Pacquiao, if he decides to compete, will have to go through the Azerbaijan Olympic qualifying tournament.

“But it’s all up to Manny,” said Picson. “He has until Friday and then we’ll proceed from there.”

DEADLINE TODAY Last day for Pacquiao to take a shot at Rio

B

OXING superstar and incoming Senator Manny Pacquiao has only today to say yes to an Olympic qualifier and take a shot at the Rio Olympics.

Pacquiao has not mae any decision nor an indication he would take the challenge an duntil today, the country will have to wait.

Whatever the decision, the Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (ABAP) will respect the Filipino boxing icon will arrive at as the deadline looms for the submission of entries to the last Olympic qualifier in Baku, Azerbaijan.

“Sen. Pacquiao has already given so much pride to the Filipino and our country,” said Abap president Ricky Vargas. “We, as a people, are grateful. Just his presence watching our boxers fight in the Rio Olympics is already a great honor and an inspiration to our boxers.”

IT’S NOT OVER

Warriors can only look at NBA’s 1-3 history to be hopeful

H

ERE’S good news for Golden State: It’s not over.

Close, but not over.

There are nine teams in NBA history who have successfully overcome 3-1 deficits to win a series, which is the task the defending champion Warriors now face in their Western Conference finals matchup with Oklahoma City.

Otherwise, the greatest season in NBA regular-season history — 73-9 — will end without even a trip to the Finals.

Here are the nine who overcame the odds:

Boston vs. Philadelphia, 1968 East Finals Game 5: Celtics 122, at 76ers 104 Game 6: at Celtics 114, 76ers 106 Game 7: Celtics 100, at 76ers 96 The Celtics did it the super-hard way, winning two of the final three games on the road.

Boston trailed 57-56 at the half of Game 5 but went on a 38-23 fourth-quarter run to extend the series, then survived 40 points from Hal Greer to win Game 6 and got double-digit scoring from six players to take Game 7. That sent Boston to the NBA Finals, where it topped the Los Angeles Lakers 4-2.

L.A. Lakers vs. Phoenix, 1970 West Semifinals Game 5: at Lakers 138, Suns 121 Game 6: Lakers 104, at Suns 93 Game 7: at Lakers 129, Suns 94 Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West each scored 36 points in Game 5 as the Lakers pulled away late. Game 6 was tied going into the fourth quarter and the Lakers found separation again, and then Game 7 was a rout. The Lakers swept the next round against Atlanta to extend their winning streak to seven, but fell in the NBA Finals to the New York Knicks 4-3.

WILL HE? Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao can take a swing at Rio if he says so but only until today.

Washington vs. San Antonio, 1979 East Finals Game 5: at Bullets 107, Spurs 103 Game 6: Bullets 108, at Spurs 100 Game 7: at Bullets 107, Spurs 105 George Gervin led a huge Spurs comeback try in Game 5 that fell just short, and the Bullets

broke a tie with a 21-10 run late in Game 6. And in Game 7, Bobby Dandridge scored 37 points — the last of those a 12-footer from the baseline in the final seconds — as the Bullets moved on to the NBA Finals. There, they lost to the Seattle SuperSonics 4-1.

Boston vs. Philadelphia, 1981 East Finals Game 5: at Celtics 111, 76ers 109 Game 6: Celtics 100, at 76ers 98 Game 7: at Celtics 91, 76ers 90 This was a series for the ages.

Boston erased a six-point deficit in the final 1:51 of Game 5 to stay alive, scoring the final eight points.

In Game 6, Boston was down by 17 in the second quarter and 15 in the third before rallying again. And one more comeback awaited in Game 7, the Celtics finding a way back from a seven-point hole midway through the fourth quarter. Boston then beat Houston 4-2 for the title.

Houston vs. Phoenix, 1995 West Semifinals Game 5: Rockets 103, at Suns 97, OT Game 6: at Rockets 116, Suns 103 Game 7: Rockets 115, at Suns 114 Hakeem Olajuwon scored late to send Game 5 to overtime, where Houston escaped. In Game 6, Olajuwon scored 30 and the Rockets pulled away in the fourth quarter.

And then in Game 7, Mario Elie’s corner 3-pointer in the final seconds was the decider as Houston went to the West finals. There, the Rockets ousted San Antonio 4-2, then swept Orlando in the NBA Finals.

Miami vs. New York, 1997 East Semifinals Game 5: at Heat 96, Knicks 81 Game 6: Heat 95, at Knicks 90 Game 7: at Heat 101, Knicks 90 Some probably remember this series for “The Fight.” The Knicks and Heat battled in Game 5 and the penalties were fierce — New York played without Patrick Ewing, Allan Houston and Charlie Ward for Game 6, then were without Larry Johnson and John Starks for Game 7. Tim Hardaway scored 38 points

for Miami in the deciding game to oust the Knicks, but the Heat would lose to Chicago 4-1 in the East finals.

Detroit vs. Orlando, 2003 East Quarterfinals Game 5: at Pistons 98, Magic 67 Game 6: Pistons 103, at Magic 88 Game 7: at Pistons 108, Magic 93 The top-seeded Pistons lost homecourt because they couldn’t contain Orlando’s Tracy McGrady in Game 1, but they figured out a solution in time to advance. A 14-0 run in the third quarter sparked a blowout, Chauncey Billups scored 40 points in Game 6 and followed that with 37 more in Game 7. The Pistons beat Philadelphia 4-2 in the East semis, then got swept by New Jersey in the East finals.

Phoenix vs. L.A. Lakers, 2006 West Quarterfinals Game 5: at Suns 114, Lakers 97 Game 6: Suns 126, at Lakers 118, OT Game 7: at Suns 121, Lakers 90 Kobe Bryant’s layup at the buzzer of Game 4 gave the Lakers a 3-1 series lead, but the second-seeded Suns fended off the upset bid. Boris Diaw scored 25 points in Game 5 for Phoenix, Tim Thomas hit a long 3 late in regulation of Game 6 to force overtime and Game 7 was decided quickly.

Phoenix went seven games again in the West semifinals to beat the Los Angeles Clippers, then lost 4-2 in the West finals to Dallas.

Houston vs. L.A. Clippers, 2015 West Semifinals Game 5: at Rockets 124, Clippers 103 Game 6: Rockets 119, at Clippers 107 Game 7: at Rockets 113, Clippers 100 The Clippers won Game 3 by 25, then won Game 4 by 33 for a 3-1 series lead. James Harden had 26 points in Game 5 to lead Houston’s win, and then the Rockets outscored the Clippers 40-15 in the fourth quarter on the road in Game 6 to make a 13-point deficit with 12 minutes left more than disappear.

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 64 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 27 - 28, 2016