Edge Davao 9 Issue 02

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

Helping children with

cancer

2 COVER STORY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 2 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 6 - 7, 2016

Helping children with cancer Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO (Author’s note: The publication of the pictures and the stories for this special report is with the consent of the parents.)

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ORLDWIDE, 175,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year, according to the USbased St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which works closely with leading American pediatric oncologists. In the United States, more children die of childhood cancer than any other disease -- more than Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), asthma, cystic fibrosis, congenital anomalies and diabetes combined.

“Two-thirds of children treated for childhood cancer will suffer long-term effects from treatment including loss of hearing and sight, heart disease, secondary cancers, learning disabilities, infertility and more,” the foundation points out.

Cancer is a rare disease among children, occurring in only 1 of 5,000 children every year. “The types of cancer that we see in children are different from adults,” says Dr. Mae Concepcion Dolendo, the head of the Children’s Cancer and Blood Diseases Unit of the Southern Philippine Medical Center (SPMC), the largest public hospital in Mindanao.

“Childhood cancers are usually embryonal or deep seated and aggressive while adult cancers are epithelial in origin and can be slow growing,” Dr. Dolendo explains. Epithelial tissue, which is made

up of cells closely packed and range in one or more layers, covers the whole surface of the human body.

“In contrast to many adult cancers,” notes The Merck Manual of Medical Information, “cancers in children tend to be much curable.” In fact, the overall outlook for children with cancer has improved greatly over the last half century.

“In 1975, just over 50 percent of children diagnosed with cancer before age 20 years survived at least 5 years,” reports the US National Cancer Institute (NCI). “In 20042010, more than 80 percent of children diagnosed with cancer before age 20 years survived at least 5 years.”

Childhood cancer isn’t just one disease. “There are over a dozen types of childhood cancer and countless subtypes, each requiring specific research to develop the best treatment for every child,” says St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

The most common cancers of children are: leukemia, brain and other central nervous system tumors, neuroblastoma (a cancer that grows in parts of the nervous system), Wilms’ tumor (a specific kind of cancer of the kidneys), lymphoma (including both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin), rhabdomyosarcoma (the most common type of soft tissue sarcoma in children), retinoblastoma (a cancer of the retina, the light-sensing area at the back of the eye), and bone cancer

(including osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma).

Unlike adult cancers, childhood cancers are not given much prominence. “I think childhood cancer is a significant problem among Filipinos because we have a relatively young population and children comprise 40% of our population,” Dr. Dolendo laments.

“I would like to point out though that childhood cancer is still relatively uncommon accounting to only 10% of all cancers and 90% being adult cancers,” she adds. “In Mindanao, we expect about 1,000 new cases to be diagnosed every year.”

Unfortunately, of the 1,000 news cases annually, only 200250 are diagnosed and able to access treatment.

Although childhood cancer is curable, Dr. Dolendo says the treatment may take several months and even years for some. “I think one of the major stumbling blocks in the treatment and cure among children with cancer is the lack of access to health care institutions that can provide multispecialty care,” she says.

The Merck Manual of Medical Information shares this idea: “It is difficult for the health care team and the family to maintain a sense of normalcy for the child, especially considering the child’s frequent hospitalizations and office visits for treatment of the cancer and its complications. Overwhelming stress is typical, as parents

struggle to continue to work, be attentive to siblings, and still attend to the many needs of the child with cancer.”

Despite the fact that there were two very good specialists before 2004 at the SPMC, there was no dedicated infrastructure for pediatric cancer. “Diagnostic facilities were pretty basic,” Dr. Dolendo says. “Treatment was paid mostly out of pocket; patients and families stay in the ward for long periods of time due to lack of places to stay in Davao; and even if patients were diagnosed most of them dropped out of treatment because of the length of treatment.

“Families were exhausted financially and emotionally,” Dr. Dolendo adds. “Survival was less than 10% because of financial incapacity and treatment abandonment.”

According to Dr. Dolendo, almost 150 new patients from all over Mindanao come to seek treatment to SPMC every year.

In 2007, the House of Hope, a single-floor facility with seven rooms, was launched. Since then, more than 2,700 patients and 4,000 caregivers have benefited from its clean and wholesome environment. Two caregivers are allowed for each patient; the caregivers help keep the house and its environment clean in exchange for a free stay.

Those who stay at the House of Hope are not only from the far-flung places of Davao region; some come from provinces as far as Zamboanga,

Cotabato, Saranggani, and Surigao. “In fact, there are those from the Visayas and even from Luzon who came here for treatment,” Dr. Dolendo says.

“We monitor our patients closely after treatment,” she says. “Chances of relapse is higher during the first two years and we sigh with relief after 5 years but we consider ten years without relapse as cure.”

Its data for six years (2008-2014) showed that for acute lymphoblastic leukemia alone, the overall survival is 59% over 6 years. “This is quite good considering majority of our patients come from marginalized families and would not have a chance at all for cure considering the total cost of treatment,” she says.

Pediatric solid tumors require more resources considering they entail surgery, chemotherapy and even radiotherapy; average overall survival is about 50% across

tumor types. Late stage presentation and treatment compliance and abandonment are still major challenges but providing cure for children with cancer does not happen overnight even in the best places.

“We have patients from 2004 who have passed the 10-year mark but we are still in the process of going back now that we have better data management support to collect data so we can get the total picture,” Dr. Dolendo says.

Most people believe that if a person is diagnosed of having a cancer, it mean’s death sentence. This must be the reason why it launched recently the “Survivor’s Day,” which was celebrated last December 8.

“We asked those survivors of child cancer to come here on the said date,” Dr. Dolendo says. “We want to celebrate life and provide inspiration to other patients who are undergoing treatment.”

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4 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

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SALES DIRECTION. Suntrust first vice president for Sales, Marketing and Business Development Jerry R. Rubis addresses the crowd of Suntrustees (Suntrust agents) regarding the company’s sales direction and incentive programs for 2016 during its awards night held aboard The Venue Party Boat on Friday evening. Lean Daval Jr.

DOLE lauds Coca Cola Davao labor settlement

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HE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) lauded the settlement of labor dispute between between the Coca-Cola Femsa (KOF) Davao Plants 1 and 2 and the Samahang Manggagawa sa Coca-Cola (SAMACOKE).

In a statement, KOF Davao Plant Manager Florencio M. Caballero, KOF HR and Corporate Affairs Director Juan Carlos Dominguez and SAMACOKE President Alfredo P. Punay Jr signed the settlement agreement along with DOLE secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz together with DOLE Undersecretary for Labor Relations, Social Dialogue and Internal Affairs Rebecca C. Chato, DOLE

XI Regional Director Joffrey M. Suyao and the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) 11 acting director Ma. Theresa M. Francisco last March 2.

Both parties have come to a compromise agreement on their work schedules and payment.

In their speeches, both Punay and Caballero expressed their gratitude on this settlement and looked forward for a strengthened work relationship in the Davao For his part, Dominguez said the settlement will be the beginning of the new chapter since the dispute has come to an end.

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ARMM candidates sign peace pact for peaceful elections

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ANDIDATES from regional down to municipal elective positions on Friday signed a peace covenant aimed at ensuring a peaceful and orderly elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, standard bearer of Liberal Party in the regional polls and Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Toto Mangudadatu, also of LP, both led the signing of peace covenant for peaceful ARMM elections, witnessed by poll, military, police and election watchdog officials at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Center here.

Maguidnanao 1st district Rep. Bai Sandra Sema and 2nd

district Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu, both of LP and reelectionists, also affixed their signatures to help in the campaign for peaceful balloting.

Laisa Alamia, ARMM executive secretary, earlier said the signing was the highlight of a public forum on “Gender related election violence” organized by the Commission on Elections and the Bangsamoro Commission on Women.

“Women are the most disadvantage sector during elections and they usually become victims of election related violence (ERVs) before, during and after elections,” Alamia told DXMS Radyo Bida’s “Aksyon ARMM” program.

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Duterte camp slams Korina presence in DA events

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

HE camp of presidential candidate Mayor Rodrigo Duterte questioned the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III on the presence of broadcaster Korina Sanchez-Roxas, wife of presidential aspirant Mar Roxas, in events where the Department of Agriculture (DA) handed out checks and farm equipment to farmers.

In a statement, Duterte’s spokesperson Peter Laviña said Sanchez-Roxas is always present during DA’s distribution of agriculture equipment to the farmers.

“Korina is now an accomplice in a systematic shameless act that conditions the electorate to accept dole-outs in exchange for votes,” he said in the statement.

“Have you no sense of decency and respect for the intelligence of the Filipino people?” he asked, addressing Aquino and Sanchez-Roxas.

Laviña said there is now a pattern of “creative vote-buying schemes” employed by the administration for its bet.

“Clearly, this is a form of corruption,” he said.

Laviña noted how DA was linked with the the multimillion peso pork barrel scam of Janet Napoles that allegedly benefited a number of lawmakers, including some Liberal Party (LP) members.

He also recalled the scandalous fertilizer scam in the early 2000 involving P728 million in DA funds when the department was headed by Jocelyn Bolante.

“The administration is repeating the sins of the past in its desperation to see its bet win the election,” said Laviña, Duterte’s bid for the presidency stands on a platform against corruption in the government — along with criminality and proliferation of drugs.

In Vigan on Thursday, Duterte told a crowd that once he is elected, he would make sure that “first to go is corruption, and drugs and criminality.”

In Tagum City, Sanchez-Roxas joined DA’s distribution of around P611-million worth of agriculture funds and equipment. She also joined DA in Kidapawan City in North Cotabato and Mexico in Pampanga.

Laviña questioned the authority of Roxas’ wife to handout government funds or implement government projects.

“Is Korina employed by the Department of Agriculture?

Why is she the one giving these out?” Lavina said.

Korina’s presence and involvement in DA events is an upfront to career DA officials who are tasked to undertake the distribution because they are accountable for these assistance to our farmers, according to Lavina.

Earlier, the camp of Duterte blasted LP for using government issued vehicles in campaigning for Roxas, dismissing LP’s Tuwid na Daan slogan as nothing but a sham.

Duterte described the Tuwid na Daan as a fantasy.

percent from the 1,800 respondents.

“We are not worried. Tingnan nyo kelan ba ginawa yung survey (Just look on the dates when the survey conducted)?” he said.

Nograles said the Pulse Asia survey was conducted before the Presidential debate which the mayor really earned the approval of the public due to his straight to the point arguments.

“Abangan nyo na lang ang (Watch on the) next survey because that will factor in Duterte’s performance after the televised survey,” he said.

He said he believed the Duterte surprised the nation when he appeared to be the most “Presidential” during the debate.

“It gave our countrymen a glimpse of his character – totoong tao, prankang kausap, hindi scripted, at gaya ng sin-

abi ni [he is real person, his statements are not scripted and according to] (Senator) Miriam (Defensor-Santiago), hindi kurakot (he is not corrupt),” he said.

“Yan ang kelangan ng bansa natin ngayon (This is what our nation need). And the Filipino people will see to it na yan ang magiging sunod na Pangulo ng Pilipinas,” he added.

Nograles said if Grace Poe

Karlo: Duterte will rise in next survey D

AVAO City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles sees the ratings of presidential aspirant Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte to improve in the next round of survey.

In a statement from his Facebook account, Nograles downplayed the latest Pulse Asia survey rating ratings of Duterte who still lags at third spot in a tie with former Interior and Local Government secretary Mar Roxas with 21

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‘Blue Ocean’ seminar set March 11

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

S-BASED trainers will conduct the first “Blue Ocean Strategy (BOS)“ seminar and workshop in Davao City in a bid to teach businesses here strategies that will allow the “creation of uncontestable marketspace and make competition irrelevant.”

The seminar workshop on BOS will provide organization strategies to find a marketplace that is free of competition. The seminar will be held in the Ateneo de Davao University which can have participants of around 100 to 150 on March 11.,” Global Impact Philippines Foundation founding director Amy Murangko-Gahan told reporters in the recent Wednesday’s sa Habi at Kape at Abreeza Mall.

Gahan said the Global Impact will be organizing the one-day seminar as part of its fund-raising event which will be used to run the foundation’s campaign against all form of child trafficking.

Apart from being a fund-raising event, the seminar “will also provide opportunity for local businesses, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs

advance their competencies and achieve excellence and grow.”

“It is an incredible opportunity for everyone in the industry to developed skills like to think in a greater way like thinking outside the box, to be more creative in thinking, to create value in business like how to we lower cost but still create value for the customers,” Gahan said Developed by professors W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne in 2005, Gahan said the BOS is an output of studying on the strategic thinking and value innovation of 150 companies from 30 industries during competition “in search of profitable growth”.

Gahan said the two developers of the BOS found out in the decade-long study that most traditional businesses tend to engage in a “head-tohead competition” and fighting over a scarce and “shrinking profit pool” just to have a share of the marketplace. This lead to a phenomenon the two developers called as “red ocean” condition.

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GOING ORGANIC. A sales attendant arranges a display of organic rice and organic oatmeal at an establishment selling different varieties of organic products. Lean Daval Jr.

Cut gas and power expense by half, says Recto G OVERNMENT needs only to shell out Php9.1 billion – or equivalent to its water, power and gasoline expenses in six months – to make public colleges tuition-free, Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto said over the weekend.

“The numbers show that it is attainable and affordable,” Recto said. “Free college for all is no longer mission impossible,” he said.

National government subsidy to 114 state universities and colleges (SUCs) will reach Php47.4 billion this year, the amount in the 2016 national budget.

Each SUC then augments the subsidy it receives with what is called “internally-generated income,” mostly tuition

and other fees collected from students.

For 2016, tuition paid by all SUC students is forecast to reach Php7.8 billion. They are also expected to pay Php4.6 billion in other fees. “The total student equity is about Php12.5 billion,” Recto explained.

But not all tuition would come from the students’ pockets since government, through the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), managed about Php2 billion worth of grants, Recto said.

In addition, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will also spend about Php1.33 billion for 16,557 scholars in science-related undergraduate courses.

“If you deduct this Php3.33

billion worth of grants from the Php12.5 billion ‘student equity,’ it will bring down the latter to Php9.17 billion, which the government can write off, if it wants to,” Recto noted.

He said he did not factor in other scholarship programs, including a K to 12 readiness program consisting of 9,365 “faculty development grants” costing Php3.5 billion.

“If we include this, talagang kaunti na lang ang pupunuan ng gobyerno,” he stressed.

The Batangeno lawmaker said SUCs could actually offer free college this June because they would have fewer enrollees due to the start of senior high wherein high schools would stop churning out college-bound graduates.

MINDANAO lawmaker is seeking the full implementation of the use of electronic documents and signatures in government agencies to simplify and promote efficiency in all public transactions.

Rep. Anthony G. Del Rosario of Davao del Norte, through HB No. 80, is seeking to amend Republic Act 8792, or the “Electronic Commerce Act of 2000,” still under consideration by the Committee on Revision of Laws.

“With the rapid advance in the electronic world, we cannot but try to keep abreast with it. Congress should not be complacent, otherwise the country will be left crawling in the dustbin of modern technology, and the people will continue to be in the quagmire of hopelessness and poverty,” Del Rosario stressed.

“R.A 8792 recognizes the use of electronic technology in commercial and non-commercial transactions. In particular,

Section 27 mandates all department, bureaus, offices and agencies of the government, as well as all government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), including local government units (LGUs), to issue permits, licenses or certificates of registration or approval or provide for the method and manner of payment or settlement of fees and other obligations to the government utilizing electronic technology,” the author pointed out.

HB No. 80 proposes to amend Sections 27 and 33 of the said Act “to achieve less paperwork in practically all aspects of government transactions through the use of electronic technology/devices.”

“The electronic system will surely save government huge amounts of money in terms of paper use, manpower and other factors attending during each transaction by the citizens and by business entities. And most importantly,

lessen considerably bureaucratic red tape that breeds the pestering corruption in government,” the lawmaker stressed.

The proposed measure seeks to require the government agencies to submit annual report status to the congressional oversight committee to ensure compliance with the mandate of the law, Del Rosario said.

“Likewise, it seeks to impose the corresponding administrative sanctions for non-compliance with the mandates of the law,” he added.

“Requiring all the agencies and offices of the national government, including GOCCs, and local government units to transact business in electronic form will improve and simplify public services and reduce the expense of the government,” Del Rosario concluded, hoping that the bill could still hurdle the 16th Congress and, if time overtakes it, then the 17th Congress must act on it. (PNA)

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THE ECONOMY 7

Department of Fisheries pushed T

O uplift the lives of the poorest sector in Philippine society, senatorial candidate Francis Pangilinan proposed on Thursday the creation of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to be tasked with strategically developing the country’s marine resources.

“Let us fish for progress,” said the former Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization (PAFSAM).

“Other countries such as Brazil and Canada have a Department of Fisheries. In order for progress to take root, we need a Cabinet rank official who will take charge of fisheries and our aquatic resources. One-fifth of our national territory is land, but 4/5 is water. Without the necessary focus, we will be unable to fully benefit from the full utilization of our aquamarine resources. It is time to correct the imbalance by creating the office that will devote full time and attention to fisheries,” he added.

The Philippines has around 220 million hectares of territorial water in its 17,460-kilometer coastline.

“We can and ought to be

an aquaculture ‘super power’ considering that we have the most diverse aquamarine ecosystem in the planet. It is time we make proper use of nature’s gifts to the nation to address poverty among our fisherfolk,” the former senator said According to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, almost 1.5 million municipal fishermen are registered, but the poverty incidence among the fisherfolk is 39.2%-0.9% higher than farmers.

“The fisherman is poorer even than the coconut farmer and the rice farmer. What we must do is to ensure that the interventions in agriculture and fisheries would lead to the increase of their incomes,” Pangilinan pointed out.

“Poverty is primarily a rural phenomenon. Focusing on agricultural services and support systems will benchmark increased incomes, and having a Cabinet rank official will ensure that there is a dedicated body that will address and give priority to the concerns of the fisherfolk. Our failure to tap this God-given resource to lift our people out of poverty is totally unacceptable,” he

added.

He clarified, however, that the creation of the proposed department will not weaken the Department of Agriculture.

“Yes, we do have the DA. But they are already involved in a lot of aspects of agriculture,” Pangilinan stressed.

“If we separate fisheries and aquatic resources, the DA will be able focus on the production side of agriculture.

This is just a paradigm shift that will guarantee that the government’s resources will be fairly distributed, and all priorities be highlighted,” he added.

The veteran lawmaker also said that he will be pushing for an Agriculture and Fisheries Calamity Fund once elected again to a Senate seat.

“They take the brunt of the damage whenever disaster strikes. Our losses in agriculture are even higher than in infrastructure. We must ensure that they will be able to immediately get back on their feet. If not, our food security will be threatened, and the source of income of our farmers and fisherfolk will be imperiled. This should not happen,” he said. (PNA)

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EDITORIAL

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 2 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 6 - 7, 2016

Disturbing

LAWYER’S Peugeot 3008 was vandalized with paint stripper in Davao City last week and now just several days after that incident, another car has been rudely vandalized by car vandals also in Davao City.

This time it has a political twist—either intended or mere pun just to be talked about. Whatever, the car vandalizing took place March 1, Tuesday along Magsaysay Avenue in Davao’s Chinatown populated by restaurants and car-accessories shops. The vehicle in question was a 2012 Toyota Altis.

According to a report, the owner went to the area at around 7:30pm with a friend to eat at one of the restaurants. The Altis owner is reportedly a 33-year-old Chinese businessman who requested not to be named as he feared for his personal safety (he is unsure whether this was a random act or a politically motivated one). He went back to the car after an hour, and saw it spray painted with the word “#MAR2016” which obviously has reference to presidential bet Mar Roxas.

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

The car owner admits to be a Mayor Rody Duterte supporter and he even had a sticker at the back which he noticed had been peeled off.

Question is: Is this really a serious politically-motivated act? Or just a petty prank made to appear political in order to catch attention?

Surely, it is disturbing to see these happen in our streets.

Oh well, the lawyer’s car was even parked in a mall basement parking and yet it met its ugly fate in what is supposed to be a secured parking area. Have political supporters gone too desperate to be doing such dastardly act just to promote one’s candidacy and project some sort of an insult to the mayor of the city whose projection in this campaign trail is one of a tough and feared crime buster?

The police and security personnel should really keep a tight watch on these roaming vandal freaks and pranksters whether in public streets or in private parking areas or we fear more cars are out there to get a nasty spray paint job.

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

GENERAL SANTOS CITY OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING MARKETING OFFICE

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

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

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

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Infrastructure – badly needed

OUTHEAST Asia has made immense development strides over the last 30 years but much more needs to be achieved, if countries in the Region are to reach their full economic potential. The challenge is most apparent in transportation, since ASEAN members still only have a fraction of the roads and railways found in OECD countries.

In fairness, however, the Region is a difficult area to develop, encompassing vast areas of land and sea. Extensive mountain ranges, tropical forests and huge rivers bisect many of the member states’ territory. Additionally, and the Philippines just got plenty of it, natural disasters regularly destroy infrastructure.

Building infrastructure is therefore a daunting, costly exercise and too great a task in many instances, for any one country to tackle on its own. Over the next decade, it is estimated that that Southeast Asian countries will need to spend a total of up to US$ 60 billion a year, to fully address their infrastructure needs.

ASEAN members, nevertheless, have made the development of infrastructure linkages one of the organization’s primary goals. In

this, the aim EUROPE BIZ has been to ensure coo p e ra t i o n and coordination of member states’ infrastructure projects and to ease e c o n o m i c Henry J. Schumacher and political barriers.

Vast expenditure will be needed in numerous sectors, including roads, railways, ports, energy projects, water and sanitation. During ECCP’s Water Challenge Forum, the need for water and sanitation investments were highlighted and Water Czar Secretary Singson made it clear that only public-private partnerships will be able to address the challenges.

It is also obvious that political stability is essential for infrastructure projects, which typically take many years to develop. Power plants can take easily four / five years to plan,

DLPC reacts to editorial

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get them approved by government agencies and local governments, accepted by NGOs and the Church, and finally construct them. For capital intensive projects, predictability and consistency of government policies – both national and local – are vital for developers, so that they can calculate returns of investment.

Project execution is a big risk, with complex hurdles still to overcome, including issues such as land acquisition, right of way issues, temporary restraining orders or adverse ordinances of local governments.

More clarity in the legal framework and dispute settlement and a greater role for public private partnerships (PPP) are needed for better development of infrastructure projects.

It is hoped that the new PPP Law, presently discussed in both Houses of Congress will pass before Congress adjourns at the end of this week.

Private sector funding is becoming part of the mix for large scale infrastructure financing in Southeast Asia. However, the high degree of perceived risk on long term tenor infrastructure tends to deter private investment. The ASEAN Infrastructure Fund (AIF), created

with ADB support in 2012, with initial equity contributions of US$ 485.2 million, could help mitigate these risks, providing financing for a portion of PPP. The AIF would help that governments don’t change the rules mid-stream and that integrity governs the process of getting projects approved and implemented.

Several ASEAN countries have already announced that they intend to apply for AIF financing for a range of developments, including an Indonesian shipping lane project and a cross-border project in Indonesia and Malaysia. The fund is expected to finance approximately six infrastructure projects a year.

These are to be selected on the basis of sound economic and financial rates of return and for a potential impact on poverty reduction.

Establishing the fund is a watershed moment for the Region, working together to finance infrastructure projects, and ranks as the largest ASEAN-led financial initiative in the Association’s history. The fund will help forge road, rail and energy links that the Region needs to create a greater degree of well-being for its people and make the Masterplan on ASEAN Connectivity a reality.

What next in the Mindanao peace

HE non-passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) by Congress did not come as a surprise. It was a scenario foreseen by many since early after the Mamasapano tragedy in January last year. In fact, given the risks that Congress might enact a law that was not compliant with the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), there was a shared understanding by stakeholders in the peace process that “no BBL is better than a bad BBL”.

And yet the non-passage has come with a heavy toll for all. It has led to deep disappointment and frustration at all levels, from the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) negotiating panels down to the grassroots. And it has opened up the fundamental question of what next?

It is clear that the political aspect of the peace process enters a period of hibernation: no major decisions on solving the Bangsamoro issue are expected at this final stage of the Aquino administration.

Without a BBL there will be no plebiscite, no transitional authority, and no abolition of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Consequently, the decommissioning of MILF combatants and weapons is also put on hold, as the next phase is conditional to the enactment of the BBL.

PEACETALK

By KRISTIAN HERBOLZHEIMER and EMMA LESLIE, Conciliation Resources

Taking stock of achievements This immense setback may lead many to wonder whether the peace process has achieved anything? Whether it is back to square one?

The reality is that the prospects for peace in the Bangsamoro today are far better than they have ever been before. The Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) signed by the two parties in October 2012 and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed on 27 March 2014 are here to stay. Both documents frame a win-win scenario, as they articulate the needs and expectations of the people in the Bangsamoro, as well as the structural reforms the central government feels are necessary to consolidate a more inclusive and cohesive nation.

Another development that cannot be overstated is the unprecedented explicit support to the peace process by a number of key stakeholders: the military, the business sector, the Catholic church and the international community are strong champions of the CAB, and key promoters for the resumption of agreement implementation during the next

administration.

At the same time the multiple consultations during the drafting of the BBL, and the subsequent discussions in Congress have had two positive effects. On one hand people in the Bangsamoro have a better understanding of the content of the BBL and the envisioned change it will bring about. And in conducting their awareness-raising and advocacy campaigns, civil society activists are themselves much better equipped to articulate their needs and expectations; they also have a better understanding of the limitations of the national legislative process and, thereby, a clear vision of how different the regional legislative should be. In other words, the advocacy activities over these past months have significantly increased the social capital of the Bangsamoro and its allies in the rest of the Philippines.

The Bangsamoro stage of the peace process While the ball is currently in the government’s court, it might also be relevant to reframe the situation and consider the challenges from a different, more empowering perspective.

Several years ago, the MILF framed the peace negotiations as taking place first under a domestic stage (direct peace talks, 1997-2000), and later under a diplomatic stage

(facilitated negotiations in Kuala Lumpur, since 2001).

After the signing of the CAB the peace process has probably entered a Bangsamoro stage.

The fundamental game-changer of the CAB is indeed that the Bangsamoro people are to take on the responsibility to lead the transformation of their society relying primarily on themselves.

Had the BBL been passed, an all-Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) under the leadership of the MILF would be in charge of the transition from the ARMM to the Bangsamoro entity. In this journey, the BTA initially, and the Bangsamoro government shortly after, would take on the huge responsibility of managing the devolved power and responding to the expectations of their people.

This scenario has now been prevented by the lack of progress in Manila. It may therefore sound futile to discuss the challenges of Bangsamoro transition in the absence of a BBL. And yet a successful resumption of the peace process would bring this agenda back sooner than expected. With a CAB-compliant BBL in place, the responsibility of good governance transfers from the central government to the Bangsamoro. And that is a major paradigm shift that requires comprehensive preparation. (To be continued)

10 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 2 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 6 - 7, 2016

Aeon Towers: Majestic View of Davao’s skyline D

AVAO’S breath-taking landscape will be in full view when the state-of-theart Aeon Towers project of local developer FTC Group of Companies majestically stands proud at 33 levels.

The soon-to-be tallest skyscraper of Mindanao project along J.P. Laurel Avenue boasts of the best view of Davao’s panoramic landscape and the crystal view waters of the Davao Gulf.

“The building has a very ‘futuristic look’ and with its smart home technology and other advanced features, what more can homebuyers could be asking for?,” said FTC president and CEO Ian Cruz.

Aeon Towers also distinguishes itself with fiber optic capability, wi-fi connectivity in common areas and for some units, the Smart Home technology may be availed of.

The technology allows one to control major functionalities of his home fixtures from hundreds of miles away.

The Aeon Towers, according to Cruz, will have four (4) spacious, high speed passenger elevators exclusively for condominium use.

Security and protection will also be a main characteristic feature of the building with advance fire protection alarm and sprinkler system and a 24-hour CCTV security camera.

Aeon Towers is also using Green Building Technology – by using UV protected glass for the entire building wall. It will be fitted also with LED lighting system.

Inside every unit, provision of meticulously-selected pieces of complete facilities is in place. The entire building will be managed by NYC Property Management Corp.

Cruz said unit merging will be allowed with a fee and specified layouts for combined units. If the buyer or buyers avail of this, TCT’s will be consolidated.

Each unit measures a floor to ceiling height of 2.80meters or 9.18 feet.

Aeon Towers is a mixed use real estate project with a land area of 4,574 square meters. The building’s 33 levels will have 473 units with 300 parking slots at the basement. It will have a commercial space on the ground floor, a Sky Deck on the 33rd floor and a luxury hotel on the 7th to 10th floors.

Turnover is scheduled on December 2016.

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

As creative as you can get.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 2 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 6 - 7, 2016

Karlo... FROM 4

is disqualified, her voters will gravitate towards Duterte.

“Why? Because Poe and Duterte are both victims of disqualification cases filed by people moved by unseen hands,” he said.

“Pareho silang mga biktima kaya ang simpatiya ng tao mapupunta kay Duterte. Natural lang yan dahil the supporters of Poe will ventilate their grievances through a protest vote. They will feel they were bullied by those who wield tremendous power,” he added.

Peter Laviña said, earlier, the latest Pulse Asia survey result gives it “more encouragement to work harder on the ground.” “(We are) motivated by the trust of the people on Duterte’s political agenda of genuine change for the Filipino people and the country,” he said in a 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 Convenienceto operate a PUJ-DUAL Ordinary Regular Service.

Case No. 2001-XI00323-DP PANFILO B. PAREJA, JR., 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-DUAL Regular Service on the route: MATI CITY-TAGUM CITY and for cargoes as dual service from said route to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on October 31, 2016. In the petition filed on February 26,. 2016, petitioner request authority to extend the validity of said certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on MARCH 28, 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 BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional Director, this 29th day of February 2016 at Davao City.

TERESITA DELA PEÑAYÑIGUEZ Chief Transportation Development Officer

statement.

The survey showed Senator Grade Poe and Vice President Jejomar Binay sharing first place with 26 percent and 25 percent, respectively.

Duterte and Roxas were tied at 21 percent — not far behind the frontrunners.

Laviña said on the ground, the group were heartened and inspired by the positive and overwhelming responses from the people since it hits the campaign trail.

He, however, insisted that the survey results “do not reflect what they believe are the real sentiments of the Filipinos.

Earlier, Marketing and Opinion Research Society of the Philippines Inc., president Nicco de Jesus surveys do not really influence the choice of the voters.

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

Petition for Approval of Sale and Transfer Unit with Renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a PUJ DUAL Ordinary Regular Service.

Case No. 2016-XI-00255 (2001-XI-02934) SALUDESA M. BENTOY, Petitioner-Vendor

GRECERIA BALILI-ARGUELLES, Petitioner-Vendee x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - --x

NOTICE OF HEARING Petitioners request authority for the Approval of Sale and Transfer executed by SALUDESA M. BENTOY in favor of GRECERIA BALILI-ARGUELLES of a Certificate of Public Convenience with Equipment issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PUJ DUAL Ordinary Regular service on the route: MINTAL and for cargoes as dual service from said route to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on December 31, 2016. In same petition filed on February 24, 2016, petitioners likewise request 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 MARCH 28, 2016 at 09:30 a.m. at this office at the above address.

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

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

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

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

TERESITA DELA PEÑAYÑIGUEZ Chief Transportation Development Officer

NEWS 11

EDGEDAVAO De Jesus said that what can influence the voters are issues, emotions and feelings, and programs that can resolve problems of the country.

He said whatever the media reported in the television and radio broadcast, newspapers and online new page, on who are the leading candidates in the survey has no bearing in the minds of the people.

De Jesus said that based on the research of the World Association on Public Opinion Research (WAPOR) published at wapor.org, it shows that the proportion of the voting population during the conduct of the surveys do not have huge effect during the election.

He said the other factor that a candidate can win is the debt of gratitude of the people to a certain candidate. Armando B. Fenequito Jr. Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communication LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No. XI Davao City

Petition for Approval of Sales and Transfer of Units with Renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate an AIRCONDITIONED TAXI Service Case No. 2016-XI-00293 (2012-XI-00712) LOLITA G. LARGO, Petitioner-Vendor

MA-RO CONVEYANCE AND ALLIED SERVICES CORPORATION, Petitioner-Vendee x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - --x

NOTICE OF HEARING Petitioners request authority for the Approval of Sale and Transfer executed by LOLITA G. LARGO in favor of MA-RO CONVEYANCE AND ALLIED SERVICES CORPORATION of a Certificate of Public Convenience with Equipment issued in this case authorizing the operation of an AIRCONDITIONED TAXI service on the route: WITHIN DAVAO CITY to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on December 31, 2016. In the same petition filed on February 29, 2016, petitioners likewise request 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 MARCH 21, 2016 at 10:00 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 BENJAMIN A. GO, CESO V, Regional Director, this 1ST day of March 2016 at Davao City.

TERESITA DELA PEÑAYÑIGUEZ Chief Transportation Development Officer

RIBBON CUTTING. EGS Philippines director and site lead for Davao Roy Sy (leftmost), EGS Philippines president and country head Bong Borja (second from left), Councilor Joanne Bonguyan (second from right) and ICT Davao president lawyer Sam Matunog lead the ribbon cutting ceremony to formally open EGS Davao at Matina I.T. Park along McArthur Highway in Matina on Friday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

DOLE... FROM 4

“This is a time for love, construction, and volunteering…that is our invitation and our commitment to the management, the union and the department of labor and employment, this is a time to build together to construct and the time for war and the time for death and the time for sadness is over,” Dominguez said.

Baldoz also thanked SAMACOKE for setting as an example for other unions.

“Nagpapasalamat ako kay sir Punay at ang kanyang negotiating team (I thank sir Punay and his negotiating team) because he let the Davao Plant pave the way and take the lead in this, after they have seen how they have done it the oth-

er plants will just follow and fall into their proper places,” she said.

She said this is the first settled labor dispute among KOF plants’ union in the country.

Baldoz also lauded the DOLE team who rendered technical assistance and handled the labor dispute headed by Chato for their success.

She said that it took about five months before the two parties had come to an agreement.

“It was not easy. We worked together since September 28, 2015. During that time we are looking for mutually acceptable solution, I would say that it was patience from both sides: mutual trust and respect that we shared for the settlement agreement

on what matters on this day,” Baldoz said.

She said the relationship between KOF and DOLE was made stronger along the way.

Baldoz added that she had to cancel previous commitments just to join the ceremonial signing of KOF and SAMACOKE. “I had to exit two previous commitments and have to dedicate those to other officials just to show that our commitment from day one has not fade and was made stronger by the signing of the agreement today. It is a complete package now. Both sides declared to fast track the early settlement and designing of the agreement today,” she said.

Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

“Most if not all the members of the board of election inspectors are teachers who are women,” Alamia added.

“What they have learned form the forum will help them cope with the threats and intimidation that usually accompany elections in the ARMM,” she added.

The forum, Alamia said,

provided women workers during elections how to defend themselves and what to do when dangers come.

Maj. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan, 6th Infantry Division commander, led the military in signing the peace covenant aimed at saving lives during elections.

The four ARMM provinc-

es of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi are traditionally hot spot areas during local, regional and national elections.

Alamia said it was the first of its kind in the ARMM and in the country where women’s safety is assured during a forum participated also by officials of the poll body. (PNA)

“Red Ocean is where competition is bloody. Everybody’s competing. Everybody’s fighting and there’re a a lot of blood in the water. To attain success, businesses either stealing rival’s customers or engage in the competition,” she said.

Blue Ocean, moreover,” is about creating value, creating

new market space, and thinking creatively within my own industry and within what’s happening, she added.

Among the international companies that have succeeded after choosing the BOS are Apple, Uber, Ford, Alibaba, Cirque de Soleil, Comic Relief.

Locally, Davao-based Bluegre

Coffee has been adopting the strategy since 2009.

Gahan said participants will be able to learn new tools on how to grow their business which can be applied immediately after the seminar.

Meanwhile, Gahan said the BOS has its headquarter in Malaysia for Asia.

Under the K to 12 plan, Grade 10 finishers are kept in high school for two more years of senior high school beginning 2016.

“Because of SUCs’ savings, free college for all is possible,” Recto said.

The Senate leader issued the statement after holding consultation-dialogues with administrators and students of the Bohol Island State University (BISU) in Tagbilaran City and Cebu Technological University (CTU) in Cebu City last Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.

During his visits, Recto was informed that the start of two-year senior high under the

K to 12 Law, which the senator authored, will free a substantial portion of the budget allocated to SUCs for this year.

“Since there will be fewer enrollees for first year college this year, a substantial amount of the SUCs’ budget may be realigned to subsidize tuition fees or provide post-graduate grants and trainings to faculty members,” Recto said.

Recto estimated that only about 800,000 students, from 1.34 million two years ago, will enroll in SUCs this year.

“Imagine, we need only to add Php9 billion to the existing Php47.4 billion in order to fund this free college-forall program beginning next

school year.

“Wala nang Pilipino na hindi ga-gradweyt ng kolehiyo,” he pointed out.

He noted that the actual additional budget needed may even be smaller, if existing scholarship grants would be factored in.

The Senate, acting on Recto’s initiative during budget deliberation, earlier restored the almost Php3 billion cuts in the 2016 budget of 114 state universities and colleges.

National government spent Php12.3 billion for power and water of its offices, and Php7 billion for fuel, oil and lubricants in 2014, the Commission on Audit reported. (PNA)

ARMM... FROM 4

Blue Ocean... FROM 6

Cut... FROM 6

12 CLASSIFIEDS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 2 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 6 - 7, 2016

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EDGEDAVAO EVENT

EGS levels up Davao’s ICT sector

By Kenneth Irving Ong DAVAO’S ICT SERVICES SECTOR GOT A BIG BOOST LAST MARCH 4 as Expert Global Solutions (EGS) Philippines, one of the country’s largest BPO operator officially opens its doors in at the Matina I.T. Park which was attended by officers of EGS Philippines, members of the ITS Davao, as well as representatives from the Davao City government.

Taking up all five floors of Matina I.T. Park’s sprawling Building One, the opening of EGS Davao was the realisation of EGS Philippines’ President and CEO Rainerio “Bong” Borja’s vision of putting Davao City on the global contact/call center map.

“I first visited Davao City in 2003 and back then there were only a few multinational firms and most were into agriculture and banking,” shared Mr. Borja “at that time, it was too early to set up an office but the previous firm I worked with realised the human re-

source potential and set up a recruitment office.”

“Fast forward to today and we have a dream come true,” beamed Bong “We have a very nice building which is soon to be occupied by 1,300 people by the end of 2016.” Bong also added that Davao’s pool of talent and great government support also helped in the creation of their Davao center.

EGS Philippines Vice President for Human Resources, Atty. Ma. Jamea Garcia also shared her experience with employees from Davao City. “We are

surprised with the talent and skills of the locals.” She also added that the opening of the new center allows employees to have a career path and grow together with the company. “Although there is some amount of turn-over, we have employees who have happily stayed with us for over ten years.”

Mr. Borja ended his speech by saying that he is happy that EGS is finally in Davao. “We are very happy to be here, and the performance of the Davao team last November and December validates our decision to open in Davao.”

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 2 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 6 - 7, 2016

EVENT

Art to the people Metrobank Foundation holds Art MADE Public at SM Lanang Premier IN THEIR DESIRE TO DISCOVER NEW CREATIVE TALENT as well as bring art closer to the masses, the Metrobank Foundation, Inc., together with SM Lanang Premier opened an exhibit of winning artworks by contemporary Filipino artists at the Atrium of SM Lanang Premier last March 3.

Marking the 32nd year of the Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE), one of the country’s most prestigious art and design awards, the 2016 Art MADE Public is a travelling retrospective

that aims to show Filipino creativity as well as bring art closer to the realm of the average Filipino to appreciate and enjoy.

With the theme “Finding Phenoms in Art,” MADE hails Filipino

artistry and creativity through its annual recognition programs for painters, sculptors, interior designers and architects.

Already on its third leg, Art MADE Public exhibit features largerthan-life prints of award winning works by notable artists who were past MADE winners such as Anthony Palomo, Stan-

Marking the 32nd year of the Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) the 2016 Art MADE Public is a travelling retrospective that aims to show Filipino creativity as well as bring art closer to the realm of the average Filipino to appreciate and enjoy.

ley Gallermo, Ferdinand Montemayor, Dominador Pamisa, Jr., Bryan Teves, Andre Tan, Nelson Ferraris, Ronald Jeresano, Jonathan Carpio, Ronson Culubrina, Arthur Moreno, Salvador Ching, Elemer Borlongan, Lester Rodriguez, and Don Bryan Bunag to name a few.

“The Art MADE Public exhibit is a way to raise public appreciation for the arts and promote MADE to young Filipino artists to join its recognition pro-

grams and be provided opportunities to launch their respective careers.” said Metrobank Foundation’s Art & Design Unit program coordinator Henri Shalimar Palma.

“Aside from the art exhibit, there is also a lecture series on visual arts and design for students as well as a ‘HeART for Healing Workshop’ for the differently abled will also be held in partnership with the Autism Society of the Philippines.”

Although there has never been a winner from Davao, Palma encourages Davao-based artists to join the MADE competition which is still currently on-going. “We at the Metrobank Foundation are here to encourage Dabawenyo artists to join the Metrobank Art & Design Excellence,” beamed Henri “Who knows, the next winner of the competition might come from Davao.”

The Art MADE Public exhibit is ongoing and will last until the 7th of March.

Entry forms to the 2016 Metrobank Art & Design Excellence competition are available at http:// www.mbfoundation.org. ph/arts-design-painting. html

VOL. 9 ISSUE 2 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 6 - 7, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

Kapuso stars delight fans in Panagbenga Fest

KAPUSO FANS IN BAGUIO were treated to a wonderful weekend as their favorite GMA stars drove to the City of Pines to add color to the Panagbenga Festival last February 26 and 28.

Around 4,000 people flocked to SM City Baguio Event Center last Friday, February 26, to share the love brought by the stars of afternoon drama series Wish I May. The Kapuso Mall Show became an extended Valentine’s Day celebration as Bianca Umali and Miguel Tanfelix—collectively known as “BiGuel”—showcased their blossoming love team amid the wild cheers of the audience.

Adding excitement to the show were their co-stars Ashley Ortega and Prince Villanueva.

After witnessing the vibrant Panagbenga Grand Float Parade in the morning, Baguio residents and tourists gathered in SM City Baguio on Sunday (February 28) to be part of the Kapuso Fiesta.

Lead stars of GMA’s two high-rating primetime shows mesmerized the pack of almost 5,000 people. Little Nanay’s Tinay, played by Kapuso actress Kris

Bernal, was joined by co-stars Mark Herras and Hiro Peralta in entertaining the crowd.

Meanwhile, Because of You leading man Gabby Concepcion left the audience swooning as Boss Yummy serenaded them with song numbers. Joining Gabby were Kapuso actresses Valerie Concepcion and Joyce Ching.

“We are very happy that we are again part of the colorful celebration of Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City. Through these regional festivals, our Kapuso stars are given the chance to personally thank their fans for their unwavering support to GMA Network,” says Oliver Amoroso,

GMA’s Senior Assistant Vice President for Regional Business Development Division.

The Panagbenga or Baguio Flower Festival is the biggest fiesta celebration in the Philippine Summer Capital. GMA Network never fails to take part of this annual festivity as part of its thrust of bringing fans closer to their favorite Kapuso stars and programs.

To know more about the Network’s regional events, follow GMA on Facebook at www. f a ce b o o k . co m /g m a n e t wo r k and GMA Regional TV at www. facebook.com/GMARegionalTV and on Twitter and Instagram via @GMARegionalTV.

ABS-CBNinspiresFilipinostovoteforthe FilipinofamilyinnewsummerstationID ABS-CBN launches its muchanticipated summer station ID that will carry the theme “Ipanalo ang Pamilyang Pilipino” that calls on the people to elect the leaders who will champion the Filipino family -- leaders who are trustworthy and who will take action on the important issues of the Filipino families.

The summer station ID, which will air after “TV Patrol” on Monday, (Mar 7), encapsulates the very urgent and timely message for Filipinos who are faced with the important task of electing the leaders on May 9.

The campaign sends the strong message that we cannot just sit and watch election mistakes to happen. The station ID hopes to help Filipinos to make the right moves if we want to never again experience graft and corruption, among other political wrongdoings.

The Halalan-inspired summer station ID will feature a mix of Kapamilya stars, ABS-CBN News anchors, and executives led

by Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz, Noli “Kabayan” De Castro, Bernadette Sembrano, and Ted Failon of “TV Patrol,” and ABS-CBN chief content officer, executive adviser to the chairman, and ABSCBN University president Charo Santos-Concio. They will be seen rallying on the streets, markets, schools, and depressed areas, calling for change and talking to the people about their views on

what kind of leader the country needs. Kapamilya stars who are running for office and those who are endorsing or are related to a candidate were not included in the station ID. Piolo Pascual and Sarah Geronimo sang the theme song together with Ebe Dancel and Elmo Magalona. They are joined by a star-studded ensemble of artists that includes Erik Santos, Angeline Quinto, Yeng Constantino, Jed Madela, KZ Tandingan, Richard Poon, Morissette, Bradley Holmes, Jason Fernandez, Daryl Ong. The ABS-CBN Creative Communication Management Division (CCM) produced the “Ipanalo ang Pamilyang Pilipino” station ID. Inspired by the musical composition of Thyro Alfaro and Yumi Lacsamana, the station ID

theme song was given a special musical arrangement by Marcus Davis and Jan Duran. The words were written by Lloyd Oliver Corpuz and Christian Abuel.

ABS-CBN, through its Integrated News Division, has mounted a comprehensive, in-depth, and up-to-the-minute news coverage of the 2016 national elections via its year-long “Halalan 2016: Ipanalo Ang Pamilyang Pilipino” campaign, which includes series of election-related special reports in “KampanyaSerye,” debates and forums, mobile application, and citizen journalism and engagement via “Bayan Mo, i-Patrol Mo.” Don’t miss the premiere of the “Ipanalo ang Pamilyang Pilipino” summer station ID after “TV Patrol” this Monday (March 7) on ABS-CBN.

CALLING ALL SHOE AND BAGAHOLICS! The much awaited Shoes & Bags Sale is here! Get as much as 50% OFF on great selections of your favorite shoes, bags and luggage brands now until March 31, 2016 in all branches of The SM Store nationwide. Don’t miss this!

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THE FINEST HOURS Chris Pine, Casey Affleck PG

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EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 2 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 6 - 7, 2016

EVENT

Works of

PASSION

By Kenneth Irving Ong STUDENTS OF TAGUM CITY’S Sining Mata Art school launched an art exhibit entitled The Hobbyist last February 6 at the ground floor atrium area of Felcris Centrale.

The exhibit is the brainchild of Sining Mata Art School teacher Victor Agustus Dumaguing as a way for his art students to express their creativity and passion, as the featured students are not

taking art in an academic capacity but are learning art as a hobby.

As conveyed by Victor in his remarks, “There are various approaches in dealing with artistry to start with. However in

the case of this exhibit, art not taken as a discipline but as a hobby, a refreshing activity which allows an individual to break away from life’s daily routines.”

Formally opening the

exhibit were Davao del Norte Congressman Anthony del Rosario, Board Member Atty. Raymond Joey D. Millan, University of Mindanao’s Debbie Diamante, and Arch. Illu-

minado Quinto Jr. Featured artists in the exhibit are Queen Kristelle M. Albano, Joyce A. Cabigao, Rucel C. Cayetano, Karina Sandra M. Dumaguing, Vivian M.

Galang, Maria Fatima D. Godinez, Venah M. Hernaez, Elma S. Perandos, Angelica D. Sagario, Joanvith A. Sevilla, Juliana Roseanne L. Tambis, and Caroline G. Taojo.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 2 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, MARCH 6 - 7, 2016

NEWS 13

EDGEDAVAO

Calamity declaration pushed in Koronadal City due to El Niño

T

HE City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) has recommended the declaration of the entire city under the state of calamity due to effects of the continuing drought that already destroyed around P44 million worth of agricultural crops.

Cyrus Urbano, city administrator, said Friday the council issued the recommendation following a comprehensive assessment of the impact of the intense dry weather, which is triggered by the prevailing El Niño phenomenon.

He said around 4,000 hectares of farmlands, mostly palay and corn, within the city’s 27 barangays have been so far devastated by the drought, which started late last year.

Around 4,000 farmers and farm workers have been listed as directly hit by the drought, which has affected 90 percent of the city’s agricultural areas.

Aside from agricultural crops, Urbano said the drought also affected the city’s agro-forestry areas and the livestock sector.

As of Friday, he said a total of 11 barangays in the city have declared a state of calamity due to the effects of the drought.

Six barangays -- Cacub,

Esperanza, Magsaysay, Namnama, Mabini and Carpenter Hill -- separately issued the declaration in the third and fourth week of February, he said.

Urbano, who heads the CDRRM Office, said five other barangays -- General Paulino Santos, San Jose, Assumption, Rotonda and Topland -- made the declaration from March 1 to 3.

“Most of these barangays are agriculture-based and majority of their farms have totally dried up already due to the drought,” he said in a radio interview.

The official said they already submitted the recommendation for the calamity declaration to the Sangguniang Panglungsod or city council.

He said City Mayor Peter Miguel, who heads the CDRRMC, endorsed the matter as urgent.

In May last year, the city government also placed the entire city under the state of calamity due to the effects of a long dry spell.

The dry spell, which affected the area for nearly three months, destroyed around PHP44 million worth of agricultural crops, mostly palay and corn, in more than 3,000 hectares of farmlands within the city. (PNA)

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ANIMO LASALLE Green Archers squad to play for CMO-TRMH in Araw hoops

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

F

njb@edgedavao.net

OR this year’s Araw ng Davao Inter-Commercial Invitational Basketball Tournament, reigning 2015 Kadayawan champion CMOThe Royal Mandaya Hotel is ready to paint the court green.

The Hoteliers will be parading the full complement of the popular Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) De La Salle University Green Archers in the forthcoming 2016 Araw ng Davao cagefest which begins March 16-19 at the Davao City Recreation Center.

Athletic combo guard Jeron Alvin Teng will lead the Green Archers’ campaign along with 6-7 Cameroonian Benoit Mbala. The team will also have the services of brothers 6-0 Paolo Ricci Rivero and 6-3 Rashleigh Paolo Rivero, 6-6 Abu Jahal Tratter, 5-9 Lorenzo Fernando Navarro, 6-3 Andrew Stuart Langston, 5-10 Joshua Andrei Caracut, 5-7 Jay Aljun Melecio, 6-5 Leondro Amiel Josn, 6-2 Mark Anthony Dyke, 5-11 Kirell Brandon Montalvo, 6-5 Daryll Louie Pascual, 5-10 Jose Go IV, 5-7 Thomas Christopher Torres, 6-5 Larry Muyang, and 6-5 John Winifred Gob II. Reserves Joshua Gonzales and Erick Socka are also in the lineup.

Newly-acquired head coach Aldin V. Ayo, who steered Letran to the 2015 NCAA title, will call the shots for the Hoteliers with assistants Glenn Capacio, Luis Jose Gonzales, Bethune Tanquingcen, Paolo Sauler, Austin Jeremy Erestain and Rommel Lantin.

CMO-TRMH co-manager Glenn Escandor said they have finalized the negotiations with the Green Archers and they are optimistic the team will figure well in this year’s

tournament which will also include defending champion Montana Pawnshop, Goldstar Hardware, and a fourth squad yet to be named.

“We are showcasing young collegiate talents for our young players here in Davao to be exposed on how these UAAP players perform and aspire to one day become,” said Escandor who also brought in the San Beda Red Lions squad last year to represent the team.

Christopher “Bong” Go, executive assistant of presidential bet Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, is the other co-manager of the squad.

The line-up: TRATTER, ABU JAHAL 6’ 6” NAVARRO, LORENZO FERNANDO 5’ 9” LANGSTON, ANDREW STUART 6’ 3” CARACUT, JOSHUA ANDREI 5’ 10” RIVERO, RASHLEIGH-PAOLO 6’ 3” MELECIO, ALJUN JAY 5’ 7” JOSON, LEONDRO AMIEL 6’ 5” DYKE, MARK ANTHONY 6’ 2” RIVERO, RICCI PAOLO 6’ 0” MONTALBO, KIRELL BRANDON 5’ 11” PASCUAL, DARYL LOUIE 6’ 5” GO, JOSE IV 5’ 10” TORRES, THOMAS CHRISTOPHER 5’ 7” MUYANG, LARRY 6’ 5” GOB, JOHN WINIFRED II 6’ 5” TENG, JERON ALVIN 6’ 2” MBALA, BENOIT 6’ 7” GONZALES, JOSHUA* SOCKA, ERIC* COACHES: ALDIN V. AYO GLENN CAPACIO LUIS JOSE GONZALEZ BETHUNE TANQUINGCEN PAOLO SAULER AUSTIN JEREMY ERESTAIN ROMMEL LANTIN

DCPO Bike Fun Ride on March 6

T

HE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) in coordination with the Citywide Cycling Association of Davao City (Cicad) is spearheading a Bicycle Fun Ride this Sunday.

Dubbed as “Kuyog tag sikad kay CD Bai …Aron sa Kalinaw ug Kalambuan|”, the 30-kilometer fun ride is open to all kinds of bikes with no registration fee.

Assembly time is at 5 a.m. at the DCPO headquarters along San Pedro extension.

“This is for all the bike enthusiasts in Davao,” said DCPO Chief PSSupt. Vicente D. Danao Jr., who has been joining the DCPO Bike Patrol since last year.

The fun ride will start at 5:30 a.m. It will start and finish at the DCPO headquarters.

The bikers will proceed to R. Castillo St., Sasa, turn left towards Panacan-Buhangin Diversion Highway, turn left to Ma-a, turn right to McArthur Highway in Matina, turn left to Quimpo Boulevard and back to DCPO. “Biking is a very good exercise and also environmental

friendly,” said Danao, also who supports the creation of a bike lane in Davao.

Free breakfast will be given to all participants after the ride.

“We (PNP) also want to meet all the bike enthusiasts in Davao,” said Danao.

Aside from the DCPO, also joining are the CICAD, Terrain Challenge 611, Davao Living Strong Builders, Mumho Riders, Bureau of Jail Protection and Management, Bureau of Fire Protection and the PNP XI. Among those expected to join are Police Chief Superintendent Federico Dulay Jr., Police Community Relations Branch (PCRB) Chief PSupt.

Emmanuel Caquilala, CICAD interim president Salvador “Jun” Paholio Jr., Davao Livestrong Builders treasurer Maria Jovita Tan and staff Angelica Acedo, Terrain Challenger president Joseph Sabaricos, Mumho Riders president Ferdie Nervida, Batang Pinoy medalists Myra Regina Acedo, Jason Caseres, Brylle Cocjin, Richard Handumon Jr. and Joannes Paulus Rulona.

GREEN ARCHERS. Benoit “Big Ben” Mbala and Jeron Teng will lead the Green Archers in the CMO-TRMH lineup for the Araw ng Davao cagefest.

Southwoods destroys Cangolf, finally repeats as PAL champion

C

LARK Field, Pampanga – Manila Southwoods got its A-Team performing at full throttle yesterday and, after several failed bids, finally scored its first-ever repeat as PAL Interclub Men’s champion.

National pool member Justin Quiban tamed the Mountain View layout of the Mimosa here, carding a weekbest five-under-par 67 for 41 points to spearhead Southwoods to a closing 141 and a 10-point victory over Canlubang.

Quiban gunned down 10 birdies – a mark considered as a record in Interclub play – in a superlative round that also underscored his readiness to turn pro and give Southwoods the finishing kick it needed to break away from a tight match with the Sugar Barons at the start of the day.

Yuto Katsuragawa assembled 37 points, the veteran Jun Jun Plana was efficient with 34 and Ryan Monsalve scored 29 as the Carmona-based squad tallied 552 and finally won back-to-back titles after two failed bids in a rich history in the event unofficially known as the country’s team golf championship.

Jobim Carlos fired 37 points to pace Canlubang but didn’t get enough help with Carl Corpus and Aidric Chan shooting 33 and 32, respectively, and the Sugar Barons’ fourth man, Gab Manotoc, tallying just 30 for 132 and 542 overall.

Cangolf started the fourth round just a point behind but simply couldn’t keep up with Quiban’s smoking hot play.

“There was no doubt we had the best team in the final round,” Southwoods non-playing skipper Thirdy Escano told reporters. “I would like to congratulate the organizers for discarding the handicapping system. It’s good for Philippine golf.”

Luisita, a team being prepared for the future, drew 39 points from Brian Kim and 34s from Chan Jung-park and Lanz Uy, and with Gido Mandanas shooting 30, tallied 137 for the day for 531 and third spot, ahead of 2014 champion Orchard.

Former pro Raymund Sangil shot 38 and Krsitoffer Arevalo fired 35 as Orchard assembled its best round of

the week, a 139, to finish with a 520 total. Tomas Joson and Niko Santiano fired 33 each for Orchard.

Cebu Country Club, meanwhile, closed out with 124 points built around burly Bayani Garcia’s 35 and the 33 of Mark Dy, to rule the Founders Division by eight points over hard-fighting Villamor with 468 total.

Marko Sarmiento fired 30 and Jon Alvarez had 26 for Cebu, which threw away the 26 of Jovi Neri at the Lake View and Acacia nines.

Richard delos Santos fired 37 and ex-pro turned businessman Gary Sales had 36 as Villamor pooled 132 but fell short in its last-ditch rally. A

third round 103 did Villamor after it had set the first round pace with a 119.

Tagaytay Highlands pooled 113 and was third another four points behind.

The Interclub was sponsored by People Asia, Travelife, Mareco Broadcasting Network (Crossover), Manila Broadcasting Corporation, Airbus, Business Mirror and Philippine National Bank.

Other supporters are Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inquirer. net, Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, Tanduay Distillers, Asia Brewery, Splash Corporation, RFM Corporation, Goldilocks, Eastgate Publishing Corporation, Robinsons Land and Rolls-Royce.

S’WOODS DEFENDS INTERCLUB TITLE. Manila Southwoods successfully defended its championship crown in the 69th PAL Men’s Interclub that ended yesterday at the Mimosa Golf & Country Club in Clark, Pampanga. Southwoods’ 4th Interclub championship trophy since 1999 was captured by the squad of (shown from left) Junjun Plana Jr., team captain Thirdy Escano, Southwoods golf director Jerome Delariarte, Yuto Katusrugawa, Ryan Monsalve, Ira Alido, Ivan Monsalve, Justin Quiban, Tonton Asistio, Chepe Dulay, Jets Sajulga. Other Southwoods players not shown in photo are Brixton Aw and Vince Lauron

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