Edge Davao 9 Issue 05

VOL. 9 ISSUE 5 • THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

www.edgedavao.net

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL

Years

DUTERTE TAKES DIG AT BINAY RECORD

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

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MAN AT THE HELM. Edge Davao editor-in-Chief Antonio M. Ajero clutches the Best Edited Community newspaper award--its second in the past two years-from the Philippine Press Institute (PPI). Ajero’s leadership has pushed the community newspaper to new heights in only its eighth year of existence.

ERE’S a stern warning from presidential bet Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

A bleak future awaits the country if incumbent Vice President Jejomar Binay will emerge as the next president.

The warning came during Duterte’s visit in Antipolo where he was welcomed by local government officials of Rizal Province early this week.

“Ok lang matalo ako (It’s ok if I lose), But it’s important for you to know what is at stake in our country and who can solve it — crime, drugs, corruption,” Duterte said in a statement.

He said the misery of the Filipinos is a consequence of having corrupt officials in the government.

The Philippines, he said, is a great nation sinking in the pit of poverty and disorder because of corrupt government officials.

A May 2015 survey conducted by independent think tank Ibon Foundation said 7 out of 10 Filipinos rate themselves as poor.

Duterte said the misery of the Filipino people will continue to haunt them and will only worsen if Binay will be the next president.

“Ok lang sa akin matalo.

Pero saan mo hanapin yan? Kay binay? Nakita ko kay Binay, ang lalaki ng braso. Aba, hindi madali mag

FDUTERTE, 17

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 5 • THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

CARTO SKETCHES. Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 spokesperson Chief Inspector Andrea dela Cerna presents the cartographic sketches of the three suspects in the killing of Maragusan Municipal Police Station commander Chief Inspector Ger Igtanloc last week in Tagum City. Dela Cerna said the suspects are believed to be members of a gun-for-hire gang. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

Businessman urges probe of forest fires

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

A R M E R- E N T R E P R E NEUR Philip “Sonny” Dizon said the Davao City government should seriously look into the continuous burning of forest areas in Davao City which could hamper the growth of the cacao industry.

“I’ve already talked with this with City Administrator Melchor Quitain but he told me to wait the availability of engineer Elieza Madrazo, (head of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office) who will be coming from a vacation, instead,” Dizon said, who is also the president of the American Chamber of the Philippines for Mindanao, during the weekly edition of Wednesday’s sa Habi at Kape in Abreeza Mall

ARAW EVENTS

yesterday.

Dizon said “this is like allowing my house to be completely burned before calling the firemen to put off the fire.”

Showing a photo and a video of fire smokes coming from different parts of the forest which are recently taken from his farm in Kapatagan in the province of Davao del Sur, Dizon said those areas can be used for the expansion of the cacao plantations here instead.

As much as the government is active in promoting cacao planting, he said the government should also take the lead in protecting the forest area which has been declining because of unregulated

FBUSINESSMAN, 17

Cops can secure poll bets, but no campaigning pls

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HE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) said it will provide security to all national candidates who will visit and join in next week’s 79th Araw ng Davao celebration.

In an interview yesterday with EDGE Davao, DCPO spokesperson Chief Inspector Milgrace C. Driz said although their office has not received any request for security, city police are most willing to provide security to the candidates.

“Lahat po (All are) welcome sa (here in) Davao City,” she said.

She said the DCPO will immediately provide security to any candidate who come on the city because its their duty to ensure their safety.

“Kasi kung ano ang mangyari sa kanila, babalik din sa amin yan (If something will happen to them, it will be blamed to us),” she said.

“Yesterday (Tuesday), former Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas was here we provide him security he was here in the city,” she added.

Driz, however, said that

FCOPS, 17

Sketches of 3 suspects in cop chief slay bared

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

HE Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 has presented cartographic sketches of the three suspects involved in the brutal killing of a police station commander of Maragusan, Compostela Valley Province last week.

Speaking in yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps forum, PRO 11 spokerson Chief Inspector Andrea dela Cerna said although there were two suspects who were seen during the killing of Maragusan Municipal Police Station station commander Chief Inspector Ger Igtanloc Dela Cerna bared last March 2 that the witnesses

have different descriptions on the suspects which was the reason why there are three sketches.

“Coming from the description of the witnesses we generated this three as our rough sketch,” she said.

Dela Cerna said the police have already identified the two suspects but refused to divulge their identities because the investigation is still ongoing. She said that the investigators are hoping that the requirements of the filling of case will be completed within the week.

Last week, Igtanloc was shot at around 7:30 a.m. at the

corner of Sobrecarey and Mabini Streets by two men riding a motorcycle.

Dela Cerna said according to a witness, one of the assailants wearing a gray T-shirt, shot the victim several times, causing his immediate death.

“In our initial report the victim sustained 13 gunshot wounds and was declared dead on arrival,” she said.

The assailants fled immediately after the shooting.

Dela Cerna said before the killing, Igtanloc took his child to school. He was shot on his way home.

“Based on our initial information, the victim might have

been followed by the suspects from home,” she said.

Dela Cerna said PRO 11 had not received any report that Igtanloc was involved in illegal drugs in the region.

She said according to Tagum City Police Office director Superintendent Lito E. Patay, investigators will deepen their probe into the killing.

Dela Cerna said the last time she talked to Igtanloc, the victim mentioned the liquidation activities of the New People’s Army (NPA).

She, however, said PRO 11 will still wait for the result of the investigation conducted by the Tagum City Police Office.

ang balitang ito ay makarating sa atin ngayong araw na ito,” Poe said to a cheering crowd.

“Ito po ay hindi lamang tagumpay ko, kundi tagumpay ng ating mga kababayan; at higit sa lahat tagumpay ng mga inaapi; tagumpay ng mga nahihirapan sa sistema at tagumpay ng mga kababaihan,” she said.

Poe, who was abandoned at the Jaro Church in Iloilo as an infant, is the first foundling to run for president. As a senatorial bet in 2013, she gar-

nered over 20 million votes, the highest ever cast for a candidate in Philippine electoral history.

“Sabi nang iba ako raw ay minamaliit dahil ako raw ay isang babae at teacher pa man din. Ano daw ang karapatan ko tumakbo bilang pangulo? Mga kababayan, ang mga babae ay hindi mayayabang pero makikita naman natin na hindi kayo sumusuko sa laban, lalong-lalo na kapag ang pinaglalaban ninyo ay ang mga mahal ninyo,” she said.

Poe: SC verdict a triumph for women, foundlings O N the day celebrating women, Sen. Grace Poe scored a major victory when the Supreme Court allowed her to pursue her presidential bid after months of legal battle.

Speaking at the Gabriela-led International Women’s Day celebration in Liwasang Bonifacio, Poe said the High Court’s decision reversing the decision of the Commission on Elections on her candidacy came at just the right time.

“Mga kababayan, siguro talagang ginusto ng Diyos na

FPOE, 17

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FOUNDATION DAY. People gather at the new city hall building during the 18th Araw ng Tagum last March 7, 2016.

SOCA. City officials pose for a photo after Mayor Allan Rellon’s State of the City Address. Leo Timogan/CIO Tagum Leo Timogan/CIO Tagum

City Hall inauguration highlights Bongbong retains lead in new PA survey 18th Araw ng Tagum celebration D T AGUMENYOS opened another chapter in its colorful history as it formally inaugurated its new City Hall Monday, March 7, 2016, which capped the city’s 18th founding anniversary.

23,000+ Tagumenyos witnessed history as Mayor Allan L. Rellon spearheaded in the blessing and inauguration of the seven-year old building located in the spanking complex in JV Ayala Avenue in Barangay Apokon.

Bishop Wilfredo Manlapaz led the blessing with priests and Christian pastors, while tribal leaders offered their ritual and prayers, re-

spectively - a symbolic gesture of unity of people from all religious community that advocates good governance.

“Ang paghuman niining atong City Hall tagumpay natong tanan kay kini nahimong possible tungod sa atong pagtinabangay ug mga pag-ampo.

Ato kining gi-offer sa Ginoo. As the building signage above the name City Hall of Tagum and logo puts it: God reigns over all,” a jubilant Mayor Rellon told Tagumenyos during his State of the City Address later in the afternoon.

The local chief executive stressed that all transactions of the city government will be

on full-swing after it vacated its former seat of government in Rizal Street.

Tagum’s new seat of government sits on a sprawling 14.5 hectare lot donated by the Ayala family in 2008.

The local chief executive also tasked the City Historical and Cultural Commission for the conversion of the old city hall into a museum.

OMMUNITIES affected by the typhoon Pablo in 2012 will soon benefit from the rehabilitation of P109-million farm-to-market (FMR) project.

Under the Department of Agriculture’s-Philippine Rural Development Project (DAPRDP), the 11.7 kilomenter FMR will cover the two towns of Nabunturan and Compostela.

“This FMR will link production areas to markets to increase efficiencies of rice,

coconut and banana includingcorn, cacao, coffee and rubber,” said DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala who along with Governor Arturo Uy led groundbreaking ceremony.

Alcalca said FMRs under DA-PRDP are now climate resilient as the design was improved from all weather to fully concreted roads.

Uy for his part lauded FMR as it will connect the provincial road to the remote areas of barangays Pangutusan, Basak and Magading

in Nabunturan to barangays Gabi and New Alegria in Compostela.

He also commended DA under Secretary Alcala in pushing for concreting of FMRs as this will be sustained for longer years and at the same time will bring in more economic opportunities in the covered communities.

The FMR in Nabunturan and Compostela is expected to reduce travel time of transporting the produce from the farm to the market at least

STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS Yesterday’s blessing is just one of the five big activities launched by the city government last week leading up to the celebration of the 18th founding anniversary of the

city. The day started with a civic fun parade where 23,000+ Tagumenyos from different offices and groups participated in the largest crowd ever assembled in the history of Araw ng Tagum.

Monday’s event also highlighted the gains of the City Government of Tagum under the EAGLE WINGS Program through Mayor Rellon’s State of the City Address, where he categorically stressed that the state of Tagum is “very strong.”

Point-by-point, Mayor Rellon detailed the significant gains of his administration

FCITY, 17

Pablo-affected communities to benefit from P109-M road rehab

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50% and to also reduce the transport cost of farm products and farm inputs.

As part of building back better from the typhoon Pablo’s devastation, theroad rehabilitation also aims reduce maintenance cost of vehicles plying the road influence areas and increase traffic count by 60 percent.

Meanwhile, DA regional director Remelyn Recoter urged the project beneficiaries to be enaged in the proj-

FPABLO-AFFECTED, 17

ESPITE the all-out campaign to stop his vice presidential bid, Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. retained his lead for the vice presidency, a new Pulse Asia survey showed.

In an ABS-CBN commissioned survey conducted from February 16 to 27, 2016, the week of the People Power 30th anniversary celebrations, of 5,200 respondents aged 18 years and above with biometrics, Marcos retained his lead at 26 percent. He is tied with fellow Senator Francis Escudero who obtained the same rating but representing a drop of 3 percentage points from an earlier Pulse Asia survey conducted February 15 to 20, 2016.

Marcos’ 26 percent rating remained unchanged from the

same February 15 to 20 survey.

They were followed by Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo at 18 percent, Senator Allan Peter Cayetano at 13 percent, Senator Gringo Honasan at 6 percent and Senator Antonio Trillanes at 5 percent.

In a statement, Marcos said while he is thankful for the positive response he has been getting despite the negative campaigning, he remains focused on his getting message of national unity across the country.

“We are happy with the way things are going for us but our focus is really on the campaign and getting more people to hear what we have to say and our plans for the country.

Hopefully more people get to accept our message of national unity,” he said.

GenSan experiences partial solar eclipse

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HE horizon here turned unusually gloomy while the typically warm morning winds eased for over an hour early Wednesday morning as the city experienced a partial solar eclipse.

Renato de Leon, specialist of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s (PAGASA) astronomy division, said the partial solar eclipse started at around 7:51 a.m. and was mainly seen in this city.

He said there were no other areas in the country that experienced the phenomenon, which was seen fully in Indonesia.

De Leon said the partial

eclipse was seen at about 60 percent at around 8:30 a.m. and peaked at 79.85 percent at around 8:55 a.m. It is expected to end at 10:20 a.m.

PAGASA has set up a special monitoring station using two refractor telescopes near the city airport in Barangay Tambler here to properly observe the astronomical phenomenon.

“There’s still some light but the heat we felt from the sun has significantly eased (at its peak),” he told reporters.

De Leon said a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, and with it fully or partially blocking the Sun.

FGENSAN, 17

Magnitude 4.5 quake jolts Davao Occidental

DO IT YOURSELF ROOFING. An ingenious rider places a customized roof on his motorcycle to protect himself from the scorching heat of the sun. Lean Daval Jr.

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MAGNITUDE 4.5 earthquake jolted parts of Davao Occidental on Wednesday morning, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

In its bulletin, the agency said the quake occurred at 3:42 a.m. with its epicen-

ter traced at eight kilometers northeast of Malita in Davao Occidental.

Phivolcs said the tectonic quake had a depth of 183 kilometers.

The agency also said that no damage was reported while aftershocks are not expected as well.

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 5 • THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

PBGEA to DA: Keep Japan trade

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

HE Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) should work “proactively and aggressively” on the renegotiation of the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPE-

PA).

“This is one of our major concerns because Japan is starting to import banana from other banana-producing countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, Peru, and Equador,” PBGEA executive director Stephen Antig told reporters in this week’s

edition of Wednesdays sa Habi at Kape in Abreeza.

Affecting the export volume of fresh banana exported to the Japanese market, the PBGEA sent another letter to the Department of Agriculture to remind the agency of the urgency and necessity to rene-

gotiation which will benefit the multi-million dollar industry of banana.

Pegged as the largest export market for Philippine banana, Antig told reporters that one of their major concerns in the banana industry was the disparity of tariff imposed be-

tween Philippine banana and other banana producing countries.

Signed on September 2006, the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) allows the liberalization and facilitation of trades in goods and services between Japan and the Philippines.

The JPEPA allows the reduction and elimination of tariff on certain products like banana and services exported by the Philippines to Japan.

Earlier, the group also encouraged the Department of Trade and Industry to take the lead of the renegotiation which was pushed by the group since 2010.

“We’re pushing the DA and DTI to have the renegotiation of the present JPEPA,”Antig

said, adding that it will allow local producers and exporters here to continuously enter the Japanese market.

He said there’s urgency for the renegotiation of the trade agreement between Japan and the Philippines because Japanese importers are starting to make deals with banana suppliers from Indonesia, Mozambique, Vietnam and Costa Rica without tariff.

“We’re worried that Indonesia and Vietnam are now exporting banana to Japan, our biggest market,” he said.

Banana coming from Indonesia and Vietnam enters the Japanese market at zero tariff duty, compared to the Philippines bananas.

“We are paying a maximum of 18 percent tariff to

FPBGEA, 17

US stocks slide as oil retreats

HOLE IN THE GROUND. A worker from a third party company commissioned by the Davao Light and Power Company for its underground cabling system project around the Davao City Hall bores a hole on a pavement near a panel box which will be the source of electrical power of the light posts in the area.

Lean Daval Jr.

AboitizPower 2015 annual net income up by 5%

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BOITIZ Power Corporation (AboitizPower or the Company) grew its full-year 2015 income by 5%, from P16.7 billion to P17.6 billion. This translated to earnings per share of P2.39.

The Company registered a net non-recurring loss of P762 million (versus last year’s loss of P136 million) due to the revaluation of consolidated dollar-denominated assets and liabilities resulting from the

movements in the peso-dollar exchange rates. Adjusting for these one-offs, the Company’s core net income for 2015 amounted to P18.4 billion, up by 9% YoY. Business Segments Power Generation On a full-year basis, the generation business accounted for 79% of earnings contributions from AboitizPower’s business segments, recording

Aquino: Development strategy to boost tourism sector growth

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RESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III expects further increase in tourism arrivals over the next few years on the back of the country’s development strategy.

In his speech during the Novotel Manila Araneta Center grand launch on Tuesday, President Aquino cited the Pocket Open Skies policy and reforms in civil aviation that have already increased the number of flights to various locations in the Philippines.

To meet higher demand, the President said his administration also pursued the upgrading and rehabilitation of 63 airports and 18 tourism ports, as well the development of nine new airports.

“Integrated transport systems, including the extension of our Light Rail Transit system in Metro Manila and surround-

ing areas, are likewise on the way,” he noted.

The Chief Executive said international tourist arrivals surged to 5.36 million in 2015 from 3.52 million tourists in 2010.

In 2014 alone, President Aquino said domestic travelers reached 54.6 million, far higher than the 51.7 million target set for 2015.

International tourism receipts also more than doubled from Php112.55 billion in 2010 to Php227.62 billion in 2015, he added.

“These aren’t empty figures alone: they have a direct impact on the incomes of our countrymen—from local tour guides and handicrafts vendors, to the men and women employed in hotels like this one,” the President said.

FAQUINO, 17

an income share of P13.9 billion for 2015, up 3% YoY. Netting out one-off items, AboitizPower’s generation business generated P14.8 billion for the period, which was 9% higher than last year. The growth was attributable to the higher sales volume from the coal and large hydro groups that offset the decrease in revenues from the geothermal group due to steam decline. Moreover, the impact of Magat, Binga, and

Therma Marine plants’ ITH (income tax holidays) expiration were offset by the large hydro group’s lower financing cost and the geothermal group’s and oil business unit’s lower operating expenses.

For full year 2015, AboitizPower’s attributable net generation rose by 11% YoY, from 11,272 GWh to 12,550 GWh, as electricity sold through bilateral contracts, which made

FABOITIZPOWER, 17

U

S stocks ended lower Tuesday as a renewed decline in oil prices weighed on Wall Street.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 109.85 points, or 0.64 percent, to 16,964.10.

The S&P 500 lost 22.50 points, or 1.12 percent, to 1,979.26.

The Nasdaq Composite Index decreased 59.43 points, or 1.26 percent, to 4,648.83.

The West Texas Intermediate for April delivery moved down USD1.4 to settle at USD36.5 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while Brent crude for May delivery decreased USD1.19 to close at USD39.65 a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.

Oil prices tumbled Tuesday on profit-taking after a two-day solid rally, with both US oil and Brent crude falling over 3 percent.

Dragged by the diving

oil prices, the energy sector, the biggest laggard among the S&P 500’s ten sectors, slumped 4.13 percent Tuesday.

Oil prices rose around 10 percent in the past two trading days as Saudi Arabia and Russia announced recently that they would halt production increases, and encourage other major producers to follow suit.

There is no major economic data due out Tuesday.

Overseas, China’s exports in dollar-denominated terms slumped more than 25 percent year-over-year in February, well below market consensus and logging the sharpest drop since May 2009, according to the figures from the General Administration of Customs.

Chinese shares struggled to stay in positive territory Tuesday after drastic fluctuations, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index ex-

FUS, 17

TEMPORARY CABLES. Electricians work on the temporary wirings for the light posts around Rizal Park yesterday. The burying of wires which is part of the city’s underground cabling system project is scheduled to resume after the celebration of the 79th Araw ng Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

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Davao’s 8 tallest buildings

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

Photos from the web

company got its building permit last January 29, 2014.

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AVAO City was described as the city within a jungle being one designed for a small population. The high structures that can be seen 79 years ago were but huge trees.

Decades past, the description is no longer applicable because the huge trees are gone and now replaced by skyscrapers. Most of the tall buildings being built are intended for residential areas to cater the increasing residents in the city who want to live here for good or put up an investment.

To know about these skyscrapers, EDGE Davao picked the top 8 buildings in the city whether the construction is already finished or ongoing.

Data were obtained from the issued building permits of the City Engineer’s Office – Office of the City Building Official (CEO-OCBO) from 2010 up to 2015.

AEON TOWERS (Developer: FTC Group of Companies) The tallest building which is about to rise in the city is the Aeon Towers of FTC Group of Companies, Corporation which is a 33-story building located at J. P Laurel Avenue. The structure is intended for commercial and residential use. The company got their bulding permit last February 6, 2013. The structure has an estimated cost of P2,763,859,419.59 AVIDA TOWERS (Developer: Avencosouth Corporation) The next tallest is the The Avida Towers of Avencosouth Corporation owned

by Reginald D. Alabe. This has two buidlings the first tower has 28 stories and the second tower has 23 stories.

The company go their building permit on November 25,

2013 with an estiated cost of P1,053,697,798.75. The construction of the building is still ongoing.

ACCENDO COMMERCIAL (Developer—Accendo Commercial) The third is Accendo Commercial, Corporation condominium located at Abreeza Barangay 20-B Poblacion West. The building has 26 stories

FELCRIS HOTELS AND RESORTS CORP. (Developer: Felcris Hotels and Resorts Corp.)

The seventh is the Felcris Hotels and Resorts Corporation located at Quimpo Boulevard.The bulding has 15 stories with an estimated cost of P 838,967,815.49 . The com-

pany got its building permit last September 24, 2012.

(UNNAMED, Developer: Jose Cuyos) The last is the commercial building owned by Jose T. Cuyos located at J.P. Laurel Ave., Lanang. The building has 12 stories with an estimated cost of P568,701,928.84 . The company got its building permit last September 17, 2010. █

with an estimated cost of P324,929,221.00. The company got its building permit last April 29, 2014.

VIVALDI RESIDENCES (Developer: Euro Tower Corporation) The fourth tallest is Vivaldi Residences of Euro Tower International Incorporated located at Claro M. Recto Street corner Ramon Magsaysay Avenue. The bulding has 25 stories with an estimated cost of P 464,256,162.60. The company got its building permit last October 27, 2014.

STA. LUCIA (Developer: Sta. Lucia Land Inc.) The fifth is the Sta.Lucia Land Incorporated commercial building located at Davao Riverfront Commercial Subdivision Maa.The bulding has 20 stories with an estimated cost of P 227,916,180.00 . The company got its building permit last November 23, 2015.

CAMELLA NORTHPOINT (Developer: Communities Davao, Incorporated) The sixth is the Communities Davao, Incorporated condominium located at Camella Northpoint Liverpool Bldg., J. P. Laurel Avenue corner Dacudao Road.The bulding has 16 stories with an estimated cost of P 306,586,560.30 . The

From sleeping giant to a roaring city

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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RACES of old Davao remains despite the city going a long way to its march towards inevitable economic progress.

Old buildings along the Claveria Street (Claro Mayo Recto Street),which used to be the center of trade and commerce in city, is now being replaced with sky-high condominiums developed by local and Manila-based real estate developers.

In just less than 10 years, the city moved from a sleeping giant into a promising city that continues to entice investors both local and foreign with its growing population reaching to 1.6 million- an average of 2.36 percent growth rate annually, and strong local economy driven by different industries.

With a stable economic growth, the city became the melting pot to some of the top 200 companies in the country who are engaged in different industries like real estate development, manufacturing, retail and business process management.

Ranked fourth in the cities and municipalities competitiveness index in 2014, Davao City ranks high nest only to Makati City, Cagayan de Oro, and Naga City.

Ivan Chin Cortez, officer-in-charge of the Davao City Investment Promotion Center (DCIPC), said businesses here continued to boom as reflected by the annual increase in capitalization which reached to a total of P214 billion as of November 2015.

crc@edgedavao.net

Cortez said records from the Business Bureau showed a 1.4 percent increase from 2014’s P211.9 billion capitalization. Businesses issued with business permits from January to November 2015 showed that it increased from 34,711 in 2014 to 37,785 last year.

“Every year we really expect and experience growth on the business establishments and capitalizations which can be attributed to the partnership and merging of small businesses into one entity,” Cortez said.

Of the total P214 billion capitalization in 2015, P4.2 billion was contributed by new businesses while the remaining P208.9 billion were from the businesses which renewed its permits.

In the last three years, the DCIPC noted that the companies that consistently placed in the top five firms with huge capitalizations in the city has been topped by the telecom giant Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT), flag carrier Philippine Airlines,Inc., China Banking Corporation, and Holcim Philippines,Inc. In 2015, Manila-based developer Filinvest Land, Inc. placed on the sixth ranked with its various subdivision projects. It was followed by the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Davao-based Anflo Management & Investment Company, DSG Sons Group for its investment in the improvement of Gaisano Mall of Davao, and the Chelsea Shipping Corp.

Apart from these companies, Cortez said the city continued to be a prime destination for foreign and local business process outsourcing.

Employing an approximate of 35,000 talents, the BPO sector is noted to be one of the economic drivers here apart from the fast-growing sector of real-estate development.

Recently, the city of Davao climbed up in list of the top 100 areas in the world that is conducive for the flourishing ICT industry.

Recently, US-based Experts Global Solutions (EGS) opened its door to Dabawenyos. The ICT-Davao expected that more foreign-based companies will come in Davao because of its rich talent pool as well as environment conducive for business operation.

Davao City: investor magnet When asked why the city continues to entice both local and foreign investors, Cortez cited the seven reasons to justify why it is an advantage to pour investments here.

Market is ripe for the picking- it’s the convergence point in Southern Philippines and good logistics make that happen.

Conducive environment for business--- the city has the right mix of ingredients to cook a business and satisfy discriminating palate of producers, service providers, end users.

Life is good in Davao--- it

may not be as big compared to well known megacities in terms of market size but businessmen who took the dip, did it not only for profits’ sake but also for the pleasure of being in Davao City which is a reward in itself.

The best of both worlds - urban amenities and rural pleasures all within arms length. This particular reason is hard to beat.

There is enough space to start a business or expand on an existing one - the sprawl type of urbanization in Davao is highly preferred by those in the BPO industry especially in the voice sector since sprawl means lesser incidences of agents being recruited by a competitor.

Public Private Partnerships and Collaboration- the Davao LGU works closely with business organizations and associations in implementing programs and projects to improve and better the business environment.

High Productivity and availability of talent - being the center of commerce and education in Southern Philippines with over 50 tertiary institutions (colleges, universities and technical schools)- there is a high probability of running a business so smoothly in terms of manpower and productivity With all the growth indicators showing a city ready to rumble in autobahn speeds of modernization, Davao City indeed has gone a long way from a dark, troubled past.

Not just that, there is more than probably meets the eye.

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AVAO City is often touted as the prime hub for Mindanao positioning itself as the center for trade and commerce in Mindanao.

But more than the thriving business climate here, the city continues to become a safe getaway to those who wanted an experience of being close to nature while maintaining a metropolitan life.

EDGE Davao interviewed three expatriates who have been living in the city for quite a time now and why they chose Davao City over other cities in the country which are more progressive.

AMY MURANKO GAHAN, Human Rights advocate Human rights watcher and Global Impact founder Amy Muranko-Gahan has been in and out of the city since 1999 carrying with her the advocacy to end human trafficking here.

Originally from United States, Amy immediately fell in love with the Filipinos here which is not actually new to hear. She described Dabawenyos as “beautiful people” who she continued to worked with on her fight

against human trafficking.

Like the people in the locality, the administration of the Mayor Rodrigo Duterte also enticed Amy to stay longer in Davao City.

Cited as one of the safest city in the world, it is even much safer to stay here than in Manila which is infected by criminality, she said. “I feel safe and secured here,” she added.

As a human rights advocate, Amy also said she feels like the city is calling here to serve the people who can be Dunham

vulnerable to abuses.

MICHAEL GAHAN, businessmanenvironmentalist For Amy’s husband and businessman Michael Gahan, his stay here was originally for business.

“The potential within the society for innovation and growth is so huge. It’s nice to be in an environment of growth,” Michael added.

But Michael’s attachment and close connection with the young Dabawenyos drew him closer to the city. He is now helping his wife to promote their advocacy against human trafficking.

His love for the young people is even made stronger by the absence of a biological child.

“They call me “dad,” he said smilingly. He said back in their country they have an adopted orphanage which they send some financial support.

With programs on leadership development, he envisioned that young Dabawenyos will be empowered enough to defend themselves from perpetrators and fight for others.

“With dad, I become not

3 Davao expats and why they chose to live here

By CHENEEN R. CAPON just a father to a child but a father to a nation,” he said passionately.

Apart from his advocacy, Michael also said the city is one of the best source of seafood which he needs as a chef.

GREGORY DUNHAM, businessman Another expat who has been here in the city for seven years is Gregory Dunham from Texas.

He settled in Davao City in 2009 after years of roaming around Asia to test the ground for his ICT (Information and Communication Technology)-related businesses for ten long years.

Dunham, who is now

the chief operating office of MyDocNow, a system solution that allow patients to easily contact their doctors online, said the availability of pool of talents in the city attracted him as an investors.

Just like any investors who established an operation here, Dunham said, the city created a environment for small and medium enterprises to strive. “Competition is lesser here,” he added.

The city may be far different from his hometown in Texas, but the “quality of life” here which is miles away from his hometown is the kind of life he belongs.

Not only expats saw Davao City as their next home

but also local migrants.

Considered as melting pot, the city became a shelter to local migrants coming from nearby province and regions. There are even migrants who are from areas as far as those provinces in in Luzon.

While some saw the poten-

tial of city as area to live and work, some consider Davao City as a retirement area.

This led to the increase in the demand for real estate development projects like condominiums and subdivisions.

According to Davao City Investment Promotion Center officer-in-charge Ivan C. Cortez said the real estate sector is one of the major

economic growth of the city.

Cortez said in the past 10 years investors in this sector are really bullish due to the increasing demand and the housing backlog.

Among the condominium projects in the city are Abreeza Place by Alveo Land, Arezzo Place by Phinma, Avida Towers by Avida Land, 8 Spatial by Filinvest, Magallanes Residences by Dmc Updi, Matina Enclaves by Esdevco, Northpoint by Camella, One Lakeshore Drive by Suntrust, One Oasis by Filinvest, Seawind by Damosa Land, Verdon Parc by Dmc Updi, Vivaldi Residences by Eurotowers, and WeeSuiYen Condos by KimGuan. █

10 AGRITRENDS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 5 • THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

Going loco over Text and photos

by HENRYLITO D. TACIO (Second of Two Parts) “The coconut scare is foolishness... To get the word to commercial interests terrorizing the public about nothing is another matter.” – Former US surgeon general Dr. C. Everett Koop during congressional hearings in 1988

*** LTHOUGH it is not actually a fruit, Dr. Willie T. Ong included coconut as one of the top 10 healthiest fruits.

In his book, “Stay Younger, Live Longer,” Dr. Ong wrote: “Dr. Conrado Dayrit’s book, ‘The Truth About Coconut Oil’ lists several health benefits for virgin coconut oil, ranging from treating bacterial infection, fungal diseases such as ringworm, and even HIV/AIDS. Coconut water, on the other hand, is good for kidney stones and cleansing one’s digestive tract.”

Coconut has been touted as a “lazy man’s crop.” According to an old legend, coconut is God’s gift to the lazy man. “He sleeps in the shade of the tree, is awakened when a nut falls, drinks the milk, and eat some of the meat. He then feeds the rest of the meant to the chickens and cattle, which produce eggs and milk and meat, respectively. The leaves provide thatch for the roof and walls of his coconut hut, and are also woven into hats, baskets and mats.”

With multifarious uses, coconut is indeed a “tree of life.” In the Philippines, the coconut industry is a pillar of the country’s agriculture. “(Coconut) is the oldest and most strategic industry in the country, comprising 1.14 percent of our gross domestic product,” noted Senator Edgardo J. Angara, who once served as agriculture secretary.

White most Filipinos know of coconut’s economic importance, not too many are aware of the health benefits coconut gives. Let’s start with coconut milk, which is made from water and grated coconut meat. Coconut milk is said to be high in saturated fat but mostly in the form of medium-chain fatty acids, which are not metabolized the same as the long-chain fatty acids found in animal products.

As such, the fats found in coconut milk are not bad for your health, according to a 2006 article published in “The Ceylon Medical Journal.” As a matter of fact, people with diets high in coconut milk have lower cholesterol levels and lower rates of heart disease.

Jill Corleone in an article which www.livestrong.com pub-

A

coco

lished, however, cautioned: “While there is some promising research about the benefits of coconut milk for your heart, the evidence is preliminary and more research is needed before formal recommendations for its use can be made.”

So, what about the fats from coconut oil? Pina LoGiudice, Siobhan Bleakney, and Peter Bongiorno, co-medical directors of the New York-based Inner Source Health, wrote: “Conventional thought used to consider fats like coconut oil to be unhealthy and contribute to heart disease. We now know that this isn’t true. In fact, coconut oil is actually a heart-healthy food that can keep your body running smoother in a few different ways.”

Coconut oil is most potent when it’s virgin – that is, extracted through pressing without the use of heat. Thanks to the pioneering work of the late Dr. Julian Banzon and his protégé, Dr. Teresita Espino, the chemistry of virgin coconut oil (VCO) has been known and its beneficial effects on the human body have been confirmed. Lauric acid is the key element in the VCO that is causing a lot of interest among scientists.

The late Dr. Dayrit was touted to be the Father of VCO. Thanks to his untiring and courageous effort in research on coconut oil, it was found that VCO is sort of a drug “that regulates the body’s functions and defense mechanism. It restores the normal balance of tissues or cells that have become dysfunctional.”

However, much research still has to be done on the benefits of VCO but preliminary findings and anecdotal reports are very promising. It reportedly removes toxins, manages diabetes, controls allergy, strengthens digestive system, and enhances immune system and body metabolism.

Gout strikes like a bolt from the blue. Its excruciating, throbbing pain often hits at night, turning the skin red-hot and leaving the affected joint swollen and tender. Worse, an attack can last for days. VCO can help ease the pain of those suffering from gout. Ask multi-awarded Filipino columnist Conrado de Quiros.

“Taking virgin coconut oil has not made my gout disappear, or lessened its visits,” de Quiros wrote in his widely-read column. “But it has made walking much easier, something I’ve been at pains to do for some time now, my left knee in particular having become a little stiff. A rheumatologist once explained to me that gout attacks deplete the joints of fluids, which makes for stiffness. The equivalent, he said, is motor oil slowly drying

up on a car engine, which causes friction among the pistons. Who knows? Maybe the virgin coconut oil is replenishing the lost fluids on my knee? That is pure speculation, of course. But I personally don’t care; I like what I’m feeling right now.”

In the United States, for instance, VCO has increasingly become popular in natural food circles and with vegans. It was described in a “New York Times” article as having a “haunting, nutty, vanilla flavor” that also has a touch of sweetness that works well in baked goods, pastries, and sautés.

Another coconut product that is making waves in the United States is the coconut water, which is available in supermarkets, health-food stores and even in some vending machines in single-serving sizes.

One US health magazine hails coco water as “America’s healthiest beverage” for providing enhanced hydration, essential nutrition and all five essential electrolytes (calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorous and sodium).

When compared with a popular sports drink per 100 milligrams, coco water has more potassium (294 milligrams versus 11.7 milligrams), less sodium (25 milligrams versus 41 milligrams), more chloride (118 milligrams versus 39 milligrams), more magnesium (10 milligrams versus 7 milligrams), and less sugars (five milligrams versus six milligrams).

American nutritionist Jonny Bowden, author of “The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth,” considers coco water to be a “perfectly good option” for people who want to stay hydrated. “It’s high in heart-healthy potassium, with most brands providing about 700 milligrams in an 11-ounce serving – that’s lots more than you get in a banana,” he wrote.

“It also has only about 60 calories per 11-ounce serving.”

Another coconut product which is not only healthy but good for diabetics is coco sugar. The sugar is derived from coconut sap or toddy, which contains 12-18 percent sugar in its natural form with important vitamins and amino acids.

“A natural sweetener and functional food, coconut sugar is a much welcome development for diabetics and hypoglycemics,” said the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD).

Hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar drops too low. Because keeping their blood sugar at normal levels requires quite a balancing act, diabetics are particularly prone to hypoglycemia.

Coco sugar

Coconut products

Foods made from coconut

Vinegar from coconuts Compared with refined cane sugar, coconut sugar has a glycemic index (GI) at 35. This is much lower than the 54 GI, the level which nutritionists consider as safe for people who have to watch out their glucose level.

GI is a measure of the rate at which carbohydrates as glucose enter the blood stream. “The GI also indicates the rate at which carbohydrates break down during digestion in the small intestine into the simple sugars glucose, fructose and, sometimes, galactose,” explains Dr. Virgilio M. Ofiana in his weekly column for a national daily.

“The glucose is the sugar that is rapidly absorbed and has a reference GI of 100 or greater,” Dr. Ofiana writes. “Both fructose and galactose enter the circulation at a slower rate and need to go to the liver for conversion into glucose: both, therefore, have lower GIs.” Sudden release of glucose into the

bloodstream causes spikes of insulin that, if sustained for some time, is hazardous to health. “Having a low GI means that people who consume coco sugar will not experience sudden spikes in their blood glucose or blood sugar levels,” explained PCARRD, a line agency of the Department of Science and Technology.

“The amazing thing about the coconut palm is that it provides almost all the necessities of life: food, drink, oil, medicine, fiber, timber, thatch, mats, fuel, and domestic utensils, as well as serving important environmental services such as soil erosion control in coastal regions, wind protection and shade for other crops.” That was what Craig Elevitch, author of various books on tropical agriculture, has said.

Well, he failed to mention the stunning health benefits derived from coconuts!

11 BIGGER PICTURE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 5 • THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

Davao City landscape. City Information Office

events that changed

Davao’s social

By Antonio Vn. Figueroa (ON the 8TH founding anniversary of Edge Davao, we have commissioned the author, a Davao historian and journalist, to discuss eight events that influenced the socio-economic growth of Davao City and neighboring provinces and cities in what is now called Davao Region.-The editor) Historically, Davao, as a region, has been a colonial territory under four foreign states, namely, Holland, Spain, United States, and Japan. On Sept. 10, 1688, due to Moro attacks, Datu Buisan of Davao signed a covenant with the Dutch, ceding his territories, including the eastern coast of Mindanao and the Sarangani Island, with the assurance that this would lead to a military alliance that would keep Maguindanao raiders from pestering his area. The Dutch, after considering the huge expense involved in managing the newly acquired land while based in Indonesia, wisely decided not to administer the territory as a colony.

On Feb. 27, 1847, or 139 years later, Spanish governor-general Narciso Claveria issued a decree giving Don Jose Oyanguren, a former Tondo judge, the approval to invade Davao and conquer Datu Bago, ruler of Davao Gulf. In exchange, the conquistador wanted control over the conquered land and a 10-year exclusive trade right of the region, which the Royal Audiencia reduced to six years. With the support of Filipino volunteers and Samal Island natives, the Tausug chief of Davao grudgingly yielded his turf to Spanish incursion after a fierce and bloody battle.

This time, Davao became a colony of Spain.

Five decades later, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris, Spain ceded to the United States the archipelago for the sum of US$20-million within three months after the ratification of the treaty and, for the next 10 years, allowed Spanish ships and merchandise to enter Philippine ports under the same terms enjoyed by American ships and merchandise. The document officially placed the islands under American rule.

On Dec. 20, 1941, or 12 days after Japan bombed Davao, the city surrendered to the Japanese.

The conquest was swift chiefly because the invaders had already put in place the infrastructures needed for the incursion, and had already acquainted themselves with the intricacies of the territory. The occupation was formalized with the installation of puppet mayors, governor, and assemblymen at the instance of the new colonial masters. For the fourth time, Davao was placed under foreign rule.

1

Conquest of Davao Two hundred eighty-three years since the establishment of a Spanish government in Manila, Davao region, with the exception of areas found on the eastern seaboard, was largely an unexplored area. Although the region around the gulf was for centuries hosting fiefdoms ruled by Muslim datus, the economic impact from commercial contacts benefitted only the chieftains of these tiny dominions.

The Spanish conquest of Davao, viewed as an intrusion of a vastly superior foreign foe, provided also numerous positive contributions. For instance, residents who were accustomed to live in scattered houses were reduced in a community. This was the first attempt at introducing an organized settlement, which we call today as “urban planning.”

But the most significant aspect of this influence is in the introduction of Catholicism as a state religion and as a social catalyst of change. Animism gave way to a monotheistic belief, and the organized settlements embraced the concept of Spanish fiesta, which until today remains a central element in our national consciousness. A lasting reminder of this effect is the names of towns, schools, churches, and other key landmarks adopted from the appellation of saints.

The Spaniards also lent their own European

and economic landscape dressing practices, introduced a system of education, built hospices, conducted demographic census, propagated their own concept of press freedom, opened the country to import and export trade, opened diplomatic ties with friendly nations, initiated interisland shipping, established seminaries, and brought in the first steamship, Elcano, which helped subdue Datu Bago.

Another compelling legacy was in legislation, which provided the Philippines a representation in the Cortes, the Spanish legislature. There was also election of village officials and the appointment of gobernadorcillo, alcalde mayor, and teniente del barrio. The concept of internal national defense, the equivalent of the police, the guardia civil and tercio civil, was also put in place but on a reduced scale.

But there were the dark sides to colonialism. Filipinos were forced to pay tributes, underwent forced labor, restricted in their movements, abused of their basic human rights, discriminated against in schools, giving rise to uprisings and revolts. Through it all, Filipino tradition and culture has survived the test of time.

2

American Occupation American rule, on the other hand, has had its own share of influence, which could be construed as a refinement of the legacy of its predecessor. In religion, the new colonizers introduced Protestantism, which is actually a form of Christianity, and in the academic world, adopted a higher level of education consistent with the American curriculum. The trademark rote (memory) system during Spanish rule was replaced with a structure that promoted argumentation and debate.

In law-making, as early as 1900 the colonial regime introduced the Philippine Commission, paving the way to a Philippine Legislature, and eventually the National Assembly during the Commonwealth period. In smaller administrative units, presidente municipal, the equivalent of a mayor, was elected, and provinces were created after the Spanish provincias and distritos.

Aside from strengthening the concept of a plantation economy, the U.S. also introduced telegraph and telephony, brought in heavy equipment for construction and road development; improved the railroad system developed by British engineers; opened specialized treatment centers and hospitals; and established the pearling, shipping, mining, logging, and fishing industries. On top of it all, the bureaucracy was institutionalized.

Although the Filipino intellects, in their struggle to gain independence from Spanish colonizers, were first oriented about universal and human rights in Europe and, in part, inspired by the French Revolution (1789-99), exercising these freedoms more freely was realized only during American rule. Though there were restrictions imposed on Filipinos as a colonized people, the liberty to express one’s opinion in the halls of Congress, in media, and in public places made a difference.

It was also during American rule that land distribution, including homesteads, was systematized with the enactment of laws. To encourage migration in southern Philippines where lands were still forested, the authorities, for the first time, labeled Mindanao as a “promise land.” The influx of migrants led to establishment of new settlements and opening of farming communities, while Westernization, in form of selling toothpaste, cigarettes and canned goods to drinking imported liquors from the U.S., slowly crept into commercial vocabulary.

While Japanese influence in Davao was slowly swaying preferences in areas where Japanese population was prevalent, in the central business district of the city most of the names of establishments were

evidently inspired by American-sounding labels.

Given that the volume buyers of merchandise were American plantation owners, it was obvious that the biggest stores were carrying “made in the US” commodities. Coupled with the fact that American-made products were more superior and long-lasting, these imported goods were considered “best buy.”

3

Rise of Plantation Economy The concept of plantation was originally introduced by the Spaniards through the encomienda system, which giving rise to haciendas. The awarding of lands then was done as a form of grant or reward to Spanish peninsulares. Only in one instance that a royal gift, the mayorazgo, was granted, and this was bestowed on Sun Tua, a Chinese trader who financially supported the colonial administration in 1762 when the British invaded Manila.

In Davao, the first abaca plantation was opened in 1893 at Lapanday by Juan Awad, a Christian Orthodox migrant from Lebanon, then part of Syria. In 1906, at Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur, an American agricultural estate comprising of 126 hectares, irrigated naturally by water coming from Lobo River, was opened. Local residents initially looked with disdain at the investment, saying the soil of the area was not suited for hemp. But the owners knew better. They invested P600 as original capital, which they used in the purchase of hills or seedlings. In only three years after clearing the lands for abaca, the plantation became home to 50,000 hills of hemp.

A year later, K.S. Ohta, a Japanese entrepreneur, established the Ohta Development Company, his flagship firm. The first three years of the firm’s existence led to the cultivation of 298 hectares of virgin soil, on top of the 1,015 hectares the government granted to his company under Public Act 1926 of 1903. In 1912, with business booming and the scientific knowledge in cultivating hemp expanding, Ohta opened a Manila office for abaca export.

The rise of Japanese plantations was not only an economic issue. To the Japanese, which numbered close to 20,000 before World War II broke out in December 1941, the financial success earned from plantations gave them the leverage to control the major investments in town. Surreptitiously, they also built hangars and opened new farms with military agenda in mind.

When the global conflict erupted, Japanese control of Davao was swift; it happened in just 12 days after the first aerial bombs were dropped in the city.

As a result, the progress the city had achieved during the past four decades under American rule literally turned to ashes. Even the coming of Liberation and the promise of reparation money were not enough to rebuild the socio-economic destruction wrought by the war.

4

Decades of Prosperity (1950-70) Opportunities that came with war-related rehabilitation came in large quantities. In fact, the demand for articles badly needed to restore severely damaged communities was very high. The war refugees did not only demand food to sustain their daily consumption, the rebuilding of homes created a short supply of lumber. In Davao and elsewhere, the tempo to reconstruct villages was no different.

Directly, this inspired the idea to promote large-scale logging.

Post-war logging in Davao region started in the early fifties, less than a decade after the Liberation.

With the government issuing concessions left and right, overnight the roar of heavy equipment constructing roads and the buzz of chainsaws clearing the forests for trails became familiar sounds. And as logging went full blast, the influx of laborers spurred the rise of migrant settlements in deforested areas.

Families of workers were brought into these new residential hubs that would, in later years, become socio-economic and population centers.

The opening of farms carved out of lands denuded by logging benefited many small-scale agricultural ventures. Landless migrants started tilling vegetable patches and opened new lands planted to upland rice and corn. In plains where the terrain and soil were fit for plantation-type cultivation, investors started to move in by acquiring lands within limits provided by law. This development led to the continuation of the abaca industry that was disrupted by war.

In logging, names like Maglana, Aguinaldo, Luga, Munda, Sarmiento, Dalisay, Cuison, Santos, Alxantara and Robillo, to name just a few, became famous as a result of lucrative logging. The concessions they opened, in the long run, gave rise to barangays, some of which have become progressive towns. The opening of roads, the entry of blue-chip investments, and the influx of migrants contributed to the transformation of these former forested lands into evolving communities.

In the field of agriculture, the return of abaca, through the effort of a visionary, Don Antonio O. Floirendo, honored Davao with the recognition of hosting the world’s largest abaca plantation. The abaca boom, though, did not stay very long as a result of the invention of plastic cord. With the demand for the fiber in the global market declining, the shift to banana, occasioned by a strong demand for the fruit abroad, emerged. Once again, honors were reaped: Davao would become home to the world’s largest contiguous banana farm and the world’s biggest family-owned banana corporation, the Tagum Development Corporation (TADECO).

Again, as a consequence, both the abaca and banana industries resulted in another wave of migration and, by extension, resulted in the rise of small villages consisting mostly of families of plantation laborers.

5

Division of Davao The first serious post-war effort to constitute Davao as a contiguous district was in 1952 when the municipal presidents (mayors) of the towns of Cateel, Baganga, Caraga, Manay and Mati, collectively known as “Contra Costa,” passed a resolution petitioning the government to declare eastern Davao into sub-province to be known as Plaridel. In response, Rep. Ismael C. Veloso of the lone district of Davao filed a bill seeking the division of Davao into two provinces.

Under the plan, the towns of Lianga, Hinatuan, Bislig and Lingig, now part of Surigao del Sur, were to merge with the eastern municipalities of Davao Oriental to form Dasur Province, a blend of “Davao” and “Surigao.” The initiative failed to get the nod of the Senate. Veloso later filed another bill dividing Davao into three provinces, which passed the scrutiny of the House.

In 1965, Rep. Lorenzo S. Sarmiento revived the Veloso bill, and with the blessing of Sen. Alejandro Almendras, the measure was passed by Congress and became Republic Act (RA) 4867. As a result, the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental were created from the then undivided province of Davao.

(In 1998, Congress passed RA 8470, which established the Compostela Valley Province as an independent province carved out of the larger territory of Davao del Norte. On Oct. 28, 2013, the province of Davao Occidental, under RA 10360, was ratified.)

The chief aim in the division was to hasten progress in Davao. With only one governor handling the administrative control of a sprawling territory, the political leaders knew the job to develop the region

8 EVENTS 19

EDGEDAVAO

12 VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

T

No violation

HIS one is from a senior lawyer of the administration--President Aquino is not violating any law by campaigning for his chosen presidential candidate, Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and running mate Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo.

And this one is from presidential bet himself Mar Roxas while in Tagum City the other day—“My wife is not violating any law in campaigning for her husband.”

Two defensive statements from the administration camp are obvious signs of passing off acts as legal but tainted with some irregularity.

That is where the questions on their propriety lie.

The President could legally campaign for Mar and his candidates.

In fact, he has the duty and the moral obligation to do so, according Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. There is no problem with that. There too, is no problem with Roxas saying his wife was only invited to the dispersal and distribution programs of the government and she used her private vehicle and her private resources to be there.

According to our jurisdiction, laws and regulations against campaigning apply only to officials and employees in the civil service, and not to elected officials.

The problem is when government resources and programs are be-

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ing used with undue advantage to promote candidates Roxas and Robredo. For example, President Aquino using a national gathering of local officials to promote his chosen candidates. It eats up government resources because the gathering is being paid for by government, hence technically he is using the resources of the government here.

Likewise, the appearance of a private personality like Korina Sanchez-Roxas in a government function in the presence of a career official and civil service employees, and using government resources and programs are clear violations of the law. Why should it be Korina Sanchez-Roxas whom Secretary Alcala would like to invite each time he distributes government resources to farmers? It may be her freedom of expression to campaign for her husband but where is the decency and delicadeza here? The mere fact that Sanchez-Roxas is doing the turnover is already a violation of election laws with the use of government resources as the enticement for luring votes. This is vote buying per se being passed off as legal.

There is too much disrespect for decency and propriety and these are no good signs and images of good governance when the administration is leading the way in circumventing time-honored election principles and legal restrictions.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

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INdulge!

SOMETIMES, YOU NEED TO ACCEPT CHANGE AND MAKE THE MOST OUT OF IT. For one, change is but the only constant thing there is. If you restrict the presence of change, you’d soon find yourself trapped in a realm that even you can’t escape from.

Just like when you crave for something out of the ordinary. Better to expect the unexpected than dwell on what you are used to. Sometimes, it’s the pop of uncertainty that makes the whole experience something to look forward to.

If the usual dishes bore you, then make Zabadani Cafe Restaurant your place to be. For one, their menu is Middle-Eastern inspired hence the unusual aroma, taste and texture you can’t find elsewhere. Aside from it being a dining destination, it is an adventure on its own. The food and the taste is already an adventure on its own.

Zabadani has always been a favorite destination. It’s quiet, clean and perfect for a non-pork eater like me. It’s not everyday that you stumble upon an establishment that is Halal and offers a different flare of flavours and textures on the dishes they serve. What’s more, it is at Zabadani that you get to enjoy a serene dining experience unlike any other.

Here, it is not just about the food. The place itself is very inviting and the staff are always on a happy and welcoming mood. From the moment you arrive until the very second you leave, they’d make sure that you are smiling from ear to ear.

This festive month of March (HAPPY ARAW NG DABAW everyone!),

why not take some off of your schedule and indulge in a foodie spree only Zabadani can offer.

Aside from their usual menu, they are now serving their best sellers – buffet style.

Buffet at Zabadani gives you another reason to momentarily part ways with your calorie counting ways and eat without restrictions.

Available every Mondays and Fridays, their buffet offers a plethora of favorites that you can munch on in one go. From soup to their ever famous Kabsa rice to juicy fish dishes to slices of tender beef strips and vegetables, you’d most definitely have a grand time eating your piece of art – on your plate, that is.

Their buffet is available Mondays and Fridays.

Their Lunch Buffet (from 1:00pm to 3:00pm) is only at Php 299.00 per head inclusive of rice and drinks.

On the other hand, their Dinner Buffet (from 6:00pm to 10:00pm) is at Php 399.00 inclusive of rice and drinks.

Craving for some sweet cold treats to end

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EDGEDAVAO FOOD

Mediterranean indulgence at

Zabadani your Mediterrenean indulgence? Don’t fret, Zabadani now offers Mang Danny’s creamy ice cream. From the streets of Davao to your table, you need not fall in line – for hours -- to have a taste of this sweet cold treat.

Zabadani Cafe Restaurant and Catering is located at RAMP Building, Circumferential Road corner E. Jacinto Extension (across Bioessence), Marfori Heights, Davao City. They are

open Mondays to Thursdays 11:00am to 12:00 am; Fridays from 1:00pm to 12:00am; and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00am to 12:00am.

For orders and reservations, you may call them at 0915 371 3193 Thank you for the photos, Jeff.

Make #TheRoyalChef your Thursday habit! Follow my messy royal food affair at theroyalchefeats. wordpress.com, IG: @theroyalchefleebai

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FOOD URBANISSIMO A4

Assorted Cold Cuts.

apperetivo composed of assorted bruschetta, cheeses, condimenti, and cold cuts to start the meal. Pair these with the freshly-baked homemade focaccia and you already have a nice meal in itself (although these are just for starters).

For the main course, try the Sauteed Shrimps in White Wine and the Crabs in Pink Sauce. I don’t normally eat crabs but I made an exception here. I especially loved the richness of the crab’s sauce which Chef Salvatore revealed was a béchamel sauce with added parmesan cheese to punch up the flavour.

Pescatorians will love the buffet even more as the spread also includes traditional Oven Roasted Fish as well as crispy Calamares while meat eaters can try the Porchetta Romano and Italian Meatballs.

Seda Abreeza’s Italian fusion buffet dinners are on March 10, and 11, 6PM to 8PM for only PHP 980 nett for adults and PHP 480 nett for kids.

Oven Roasted Maya-maya.

Sauteed Shrimps in White Wine.

Parmesan cheese balls.

Chef Salvatore (center) together with Department of Tourism XI Regional Director Robby Alabado, Seda Atria Iloilo’s Chef Shahab Hesni, Seda Abreeza’s Chef Bang Garcia and General manager Kennedy Kapulong.

UP AND ABOUT

Araw ng Davao Sale at SM City, March 11-20 SM CITY DAVAO kicks off its Araw ng Davao celebration with a sale event on Friday, March 11, offering as much as 70% off on great selections. The sale runs until March 20 with extended mall hours until 11PM on March 12, and until 10PM on March 11, 15, 18 and 19.

On March 12, Saturday, catch the Kapamilya Karavan with Iñigo Pascual, Julia Barretto and Miles Ocampo at the Open Parking C. The new breed of young stars from ‘And I Love You So’ are set to melt Davaoeno’s hearts. On March 13, GMA brings to SM Davao the stars of Wish I May and Hanggang Makita Ka Muli, 4PM at the Event Center. Admission to the shows are free.

The multi-talented artist Alex Gonzaga joins the Araw ng Davao fun, on March 16, 5PM at the Annex Event Center. Enjoy her music and be entertained.

Get a chance to meet and greet Alex after the show with a purchase of her album on-site.

Plus, on March 19, join Jason Fernandez at the Open Parking, 7PM, for the Earth Hour Party. Show your

support to the cause for the Earth. The mall will be switching off its non-essential lights at 8:30PM. Dining and shopping continues until 10PM. Holler your friends and celebrate Araw ng Davao at SM City Davao.

For inquiries, call 297 6998. Like and follow @ SMCityDavao on Twitter and @SMDavao on Instagram for event and promo updates.

HEY MOMS AND DADS! Summer travel is more fun with your babies!

Visit our stores for Baby Company’s Travel Gear Sale for loads of discounts! Get up to 50% off on the widest selections of carriers & wheeled goods brands like Ergo, Maclaren, Aprica, Graco, Safety First and more! Plus, get a Free Baby Company Sodexo Gift Pass worth P300 for a minimum single receipt purchase of P4,000 pesos for all Mom Card holders. So hurry, great deals await you! Shop now and save at Baby Company’s Travel Gear Sale, from March 1-31, 2016. Earn points when you use your Mom Card when shopping!

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ENTERTAINMENT

Stories of migrant Filipinos highlighted in ‘The Stories of Us’

THE LOVE STORY OF TIN AND MACOY has just begun in “The Story Of Us,” but the series has already generated over whelmingly positive feedback from viewers and netizens for its engaging storyline and spectacular scenes.

The series – starring the premier love team of Kim Chiu and Xian Lim – is mostly praised for its fast-paced narrative and the breathtaking shots of El Nido, Palawan shown in its first week.

“Feels like watching a movie sa ‘The Story of Us.’ Superb cinematography, and it’s also in HD,” commented a Twitter user.

Aside from the stunning scenery and camera-work, the thing that keeps the series together are the heartfelt performances of the cast, which includes veteran actors Aiko Melendez, Susan Africa, Gardo Versoza, and Zsa Zsa Padilla.

Not to be outdone are Zaijian Jaranilla and Alyanna Angeles, who portrayed the young Macoy and Tin, whose performances reveal

a depth of emotion needed to illustrate the two main characters’ friendship and love.

Many netizens, including Twitter user @ DoYourBestNY88, also commended director Richard Somes by saying, “I cannot stop crying!

Not because of sadness but because of extreme joy and gratitude that I am watching this remarkable show. My faith in Pinoy serye has been completely renewed by this show.”

But what truly made a mark on viewers are Kim at Xian, who have injected maturity into

their performances – a departure from the type of roles they used to play.

“We worked hard to come up with this material. We embraced our characters to show you a very wonderful love story. You still have a lot to see from Kim and me,” said Xian.

And even though titled “The Story of Us,” the series is a reflection of Filipinos’ personal love stories, according to Kim. “There is nobody who won’t be able to relate to this story. Every one of us has experienced it.”

As the story continues, Tin and Macoy are

bound to start over in Manila as they prepare to go to college and reach their dreams. But amidst the misunderstandings and efforts to make their relationship work, Tin will be forced to go to the United States to be with her estranged mom.

How will Tin and Macoy confront the biggest challenge yet in their relationship? Will the distance between them eventually make them give up on each other?

And to pay tribute to Filipino migrant workers who work hard to provide a better future for their families, ABSCBN is set to launch a series of documentaries as part of its advocacy campaign. It will feature the different stories and colorful experiences of migrant Filipinos overseas and will be aired during “The Story of Us” beginning next week.

Stay tuned to “The Story of Us,” weeknights after “Dolce Amore” on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida.

For exclusive updates, log onto Twitter. com/Star CreativesT V and Instagram.com/ StarCreativesTV.

Matteo tests his physical limits in triathlon on ‘Sports U’ MATTEO GUIDICELLI IS MORE THAN A HANDSOME ACTOR WHO MAKES FANS SQUEAL IN GLEE IN “DOLCE AMORE.” The Fil-Italian celebrity is also one serious athlete who dabbles in triathlon.

This Thursday on “Sports U,” Guidicelli tested the limits of his physical fitness when he partook of the festivities at the recently-concluded Century Tuna Triathlon in Subic as part of Team Ford Forza.

Meanwhile, the Manila Dragonboat team celebrates its 25th year as it campaigns for its advocacy of breast cancer awareness, having six of their members as breast cancer survivors.

The team is one of the pioneers of the dragonboat scene in the country. See more of Matteo’s exploits in Subic and the Manila Dragonboat squad as they push themselves further in “Sports U,” on Thursday after “Bandila” on ABS-CBN. “Sports U” aims to promote athletes who have inspiring stories to share and may possibly become future sports stars of the country. It also promotes fitness and healthy lifestyle by looking into how celebrities stay in shape. Follow their Facebook page at http://facebook.com/ SportsUtv and official Twitter account (@SportsUTV) for more updates.

Author of hit online love story ‘Vince and Kath’ debuts first ‘social serye’ book QUEEN ELLY THE AUTHOR OF THE HIT ROMANTIC ONLINE STORY “VINCE AND KATH,” is ready to make waves beyond social media as she debuts her first book from ABS-CBN Publishing titled “The Wrong Message.”

Touted as a ‘social serye’ book, “The Wrong Message” revolves around a love story expressed through a series of text messages and emojis and attempts to answer the question, “can love begin with a wrong message?”

The story follows Elise, a sophomore college student who bravely sends an “I love you” text message to her long time crush Manuel.

But it isn’t Manuel who receives Elise’s profession of love.

It turns out that a stranger named Gab receives Elise’s “I love you” message for Manuel. As Gab’s girlfriend discovers Elise’s text, Gab and his girlfriend fight

and breakup, which makes Elise feel guilty for the wrong message she sent.

Published by ABS-CBN Publishing, “The Wrong Message” is the first book launched by the company this year.

At the recent book launch held at National Book Store Trinoma, hundreds of fans eagerly waited in line to grab the chance to meet and greet Queen Elly and

“It’s Showtime” Hashtag member Ronnie Alonte, who was personally handpicked by the author to be her book cover model.

Queen Elly, who in real-life is 21-year-old Jenny Ruth Almocera, shot to fame earlier this year with the love story of “Vince and Kath” that she wrote and posted on Facebook that quickly went viral.

The newest Kapamilya author even shared with ABS-CBNnews. com that before “Vince and Kath,” she occasionally writes short stories based on personal experiences. She also draws inspiration for ‘kilig’ lines from her imagination and her friends’ love stories.

Queen Elly’s “The Wrong Message” follows a string of successful releases last year from ABS-CBN Publishing including “Stupid Is Forevermore” and “Besties,” among others. It is exclusively available in all National Book Store branches nationwide priced at P125.

March 9 – 15, 2016

ALLEGIANT Shailene Woodley, Theo James

PG

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

LONDON HAS FALLEN Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman R13

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

KUNG FU PANDA 3 Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman G

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

THE FINEST HOURS/ *GODS OF EGYPT Chris Pine, Casey Affleck/ *Gerard Butler, Abbey Lee, Courtney Eaton PG/*PG

12:20 | 2:40 LFS / *5:00 | 7:30 | 10:00 LFS

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FOOD

Why Pinoys love Italian food I LOVE TO EAT FOOD FROM DIFFERENT ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS. From the freshest Japanese sashimi, the rich and creamy French sauces, to the familiar Chinese dimsums and stews.

I love them all, but I will have to admit that Italian dishes occupy a special place in my heart.

Seda Abreeza’s General Manager Kennedy Kapulong and Chef Salvatore de Vincetis lead the ceremonial toast.

Blame it on the pizza culture I grew up on, the fast food spaghetti we feast during birthday parties, or the fact that one of Davao’s first few authentic western restaurants was Italian, rustic simple cuisine cooked from the heart always puts a smile on my face as so it does to many Dabawenyos.

I believe Pinoys love Italian cuisine since it is immediately familiar to the local palette and that is why Misto, Seda

Crabs in Pink Sauce.

Abreeza’s all-day-dining restaurant is holding its Italian-Culinary Fusion which is on now until the 13th of March featuring dishes by multi-awarded Italian chef, Salvatore de

Vincentis.

I was given a preview of Misto’s Italian buffet spread last March 4 and it was a world of familiar flavours as well as new fusion dishes which made use of

fresh local ingredients cooked together with Italian technique and heart.

Not to be missed are the wide assortment of

URBANISSIMO A2

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FEW hours before I went to bed last Sunday, I read a report posted in Rappler that an American resident who came to the Philippines last January was found to be positive of Zika when she was tested in the United States.

The Department of Health (DOH) quoted a report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “which indicated that a non-pregnant adult showed symptoms of fever, rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis, and muscle pain during her last week of stay in the Philippines, and was confirmed to have the Zika virus upon returning to the US.” According to Dr. Janette Garin, they are now trying to monitor which places the said US resident visited when she was in the country. “Currently, we are coordinating with US-CDC for the profile of the patient, including information on places she visited in the Philippines,” the health secretary was quoted as saying.

The recent finding, she said, should not “cause for alarm as there is no epidemic,” Rappler said. After all, “it is just the second confirmed case of Zika virus in the country,” the report added.

But the following day, when I scrolled by Facebook account, I read with great interest the information posted in the wall of Dr. Willie T. Ong. “Zika virus is a matter of national importance which the government has failed to protect us,” he wrote. “They refused to listen to our repeated calls for widespread Zika testing.”

Last January, Dr. Ong said he urged the health department to conduct a random testing in some barangays on 200 Filipinos for Zika virus.

Dr. Ong is an internist-cardiologist who was given the Outstanding Filipino Physician

F

OR the millions of adoring fans and supporters of Manny Pacquiao, it is must be saddening to know that the 8 division world champion has dropped out of the Magic Twelve in the senatorial surveys.

The 12 percent drop in the Feb 15 to 20 Pulse Asia survey – from 46.9% to a low of 34.8% - put Pacquiao in the number 14th spot, trailing Risa Hontiveros (36.2), reelectionist Sen. TG Guingona (36.7) and ex-TESDA Sec. Joel Villanueva (39.1).

If the good Sarangani congressman is reading this, we would like to point out to him that the battle is simply in organization and media perception & handling.

When the controversial LGBT issue hit the streets, there was barely little effort from his side to expound his stand in the mainstream media. His handlers responded by utilizing the social media portals instead of the mainstream media that have wider and extensive reach.

No tabloid columnists defended him, much more in the major broadsheets. Giant Manila-based radio and TV networks with national coverage lambasted him by focusing on his inept performance and attendance in his six years in Congress.

Deep in his training for the April 9 bout

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Watch out for Zika virus

VANTAGE POINTS 13

by the health THINK ON THESE! department and JCI-Senate in 2007. He is also a recipient of the Jose Rizal Award for Excellence in Medicine in 2006 and was given the Distinguished Fellow Award by Henrylito D. Tacio the Philippine henrytacio@gmail.com College of Physicians in 2004.

Referring on the recent case discovered by the Americans, he wrote: “Kung hindi pa tayo inalerto ng America, ay wala nang makaka-alam na may Zika virus na sa Pilipinas. Paano na ang buhay ng mga Pilipino?”

I don’t want to sound like an alarmist but Dr. Ong believes more than hundreds of Filipinos have now Zika virus. “Ayaw lang i-test ng ating gobyerno,” he pointed out. “Sana naman ay i-test na ngayon ng DOH ang mga barangay para malaman kung gaano karami ang may Zika virus sa Pilipinas.”

Why is there is so much ado about Zika virus? “Sa 80% ng pasyente, gumagaling sila agad sa Zika virus. Ngunit ang kakaiba sa Zika virus ay naaapektuhan nito ang sanggol sa sinapupunan. Nagiging abnormal ang sanggol kapag pinanganak, tulad ng pagliit ng ulo (microcephaly) at posibleng pagkamatay,” Dr. Ong explains.

Microcephaly is the abnormal smallness of the head, a congenital condition associated with incomplete brain development. The CDC says “microcephaly can occur because a baby’s brain

has not developed properly during pregnancy or has stopped growing after birth, which results in a smaller head size.”

According to the Rappler report, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) can test suspected cases. There are also Zika virus kits available for those who want to get tested across the country.

The Zika virus is not known to be fatal and usually causes relatively mild symptoms. “The disease has similar clinical signs to dengue, and may be misdiagnosed in areas where dengue is common,” the World Health Organization (WHO) explained in its website. “There is no cure for Zika virus disease. Treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms.”

Just like dengue, Zika virus is primarily transmitted to humans through bites from Aedes mosquitos, which often live around buildings in urban areas and are usually active during daylight hours (peak biting activity occurs in early mornings and late afternoons). It is the same mosquito that transmits dengue fever.

There are some studies which suggest Zika virus can also be transmitted to humans through blood transfusion, perinatal transmission and sexual transmission. But WHO assures that “these modes are very rare.”

The incubation period is typically between 2 and 7 days. Generally, it is characterized by low grade fever (less than 38.5°C) frequently accompanied by a maculopapular rash. Other common symptoms include muscle pain, joint pain with possible swelling (notably of the small joints of the hands and feet), headache, pain behind the eyes and conjunctivitis.

Some people may think they are infected with dengue. “A high rate of asymptomatic infection with Zika virus is expected similar to

dengue virus and West Nile virus,” the WHO says. “Most people fully recover without severe complications, and hospitalization rates are low. To date, there have been no reported deaths associated with Zika virus.”

Is there anything you can do? Actually, the proximity of mosquito vector breeding sites to human habitation is a significant risk factor for Zika virus infection. Prevention and control relies on reducing the breeding of mosquitoes through source reduction (removal and modification of breeding sites) and reducing contact between mosquitoes and people.

“This can be achieved by reducing the number of natural and artificial water-filled habitats that support mosquito larvae, reducing the adult mosquito populations around at-risk communities and by using barriers such as repellants, insect screens, closed doors and windows, and long clothing,” the WHO suggests.

Since the Aedes mosquitoes are day-biting mosquitoes, it is recommended that those who sleep during the daytime, particularly young children, the sick or elderly, should use insecticide-treated mosquito nets to provide protection. Mosquito coils or other insecticide vaporizers may also reduce the likelihood of being bitten.

During outbreaks, space spraying of insecticides may be carried out periodically to kill flying mosquitoes. Suitable insecticides may also be used as larvicides to treat relatively large water containers.

Basic precautions for protection from mosquito bites should be taken by people traveling to high risk areas. These include use of repellents, wearing light colored, long sleeved shirts and pants and ensuring rooms are fitted with screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering.

against Tim SPECKS OF LIFE Bradley, his handlers forming the cordon sanitaire were unable to effectively refute the accusations mainly because they Fred C. Lumba do not have the media expertise and political savvy which contributed to his fallout from the Magic Twelve.

Frankly speaking, that is not the proper way to promote a senatorial candidate like Manny Pacquiao because his handlers failed to exploit the built-in advantage in terms of name recall.

Alas, today, that advantage has been lost and the odds are now stacked against him.

Realistically, Pacquiao needs to take in his fold a competent and capable spokesperson experienced in national political campaigns who can face the issues squarely, someone who can take up the cudgels for him, face the media and the cameras while he is busy preparing for the Bradley fight.

Anti-Pacquiao bashers, including those he hurt in his anti-same sex marriage stand, are increasing in numbers and have collectively forged a stand. They are not only using the social media to express their unabashed anti-Pacquiao position but they are also using the mainstream media to discredit him by focusing on his unproductive stint in Congress.

Truth to tell, popularity alone will not win him a senate seat. Pacquiao must have concrete advocacies he will pursue in the Senate if and when he gets elected. Up till now, the Filipinos have not been made aware of Pacquiao’s legislative platforms. What specifically can he offer the Filipino nation?

Looking at the survey ratings, those in the top ten are already sure winners, if you consider their backgrounds. Four are re-electionists (Sotto, Recto, Drilon & Osmena); four are returning senators (Lacson, Pangilinan, Zubiri and Gordon), and the other two are former DOJ secretary Leila de Lima (7th) and Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian, who used to be outside of the loop, is now occupying 10th place.

Ex-TESDA Sec. Joel Villanueva is on 11th position while re-electionist Sen. TG Guingona is hanging on to the 12th spot.

Any keen political observer will tell you that

it will take more than a herculean effort to dislodge these top ten. They will be exerting more efforts in media and organization to increase and elevate their ratings.

In political parlance, only two spots are left for grabs - the 11th and 12th slots.

Believe me, a re-electionist like Guingona will not allow himself to lose. Unless Pacquiao remedies the situation NOW, he might find it difficult to sneak back in. Consider that those below him are also going to employ hammer and tongs to dislodge those ahead of them. Matira ang matibay, ika nga.

Soccsksargen badly needs a senator like Pacquiao to advance its socio-economic and development agenda. Sarangani and North Cotabato are among the TOP TEN POOREST provinces in the country and constituents are pinning their hopes on the Pambansang Kamao to get these programs going.

Mindanao is such in a sorry state today that has prompted a Mindanaoan like Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to throw his hat into the political arena and run for president.

Manny Pacquiao, for all the honors and contributions he has given the country, cannot do less. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo. com.) God bless the Philippines!

Why Pacquiao is out of Magic 12

14 2 CLASSIFIEDS

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Republic of the Philippines City of Davao

Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod

17th City Council 26th Regular Session Series of 2015 Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor

Karlo S. Bello Nilo M. Abellera Jr. Ma. Belen S. Acosta Victorio U. Advincula Jr. Bernard E. Al-ag Al Ryan S. Alejandre Leonardo R. Avila III Joanne M. Bonguyan-Quilos Louie John J. Bonguyan Danilo C. Dayanghirang April Marie C. Dayap Jimmy G. Dureza January N. Duterte Leah A. Librado-Yap Rene Elias C. Lopez Diosdado Angelo A. Mahipus Sr. Bonifacio E. Militar Myrna G. L’Dalodo-Ortiz Antoinette G. Principe-Castrodes Marissa P. Salvador-Abella Halila Y. Sudagar Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte Rachel P. Zozobrado

- Temporary Presiding Officer

Tomas J. Monteverde IV

- On Sick Leave

ON OFFICIAL BUSINESS: Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte Councilor Edgar R. Ibuyan Sr. ABSENT: Councilor

- Acting City Mayor

ORDINANCE NO. 0368–15 Series of 2015 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE CREATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CITY DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT OFFICE (CDRRMO) Be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City in session assembled that: ARTICLE I TITLE OF THE ORDINANCE SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE – This Ordinance shall be known as the “CITY DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT OFFICE (CDRRMO) ORDINANCE”; ARTICLE II DECLARATION OF POLICY to:

SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY - It is hereby declared the policy of Davao City

(a) Uphold the people’s constitutional rights to life and property by addressing the root causes of vulnerabilities to disasters, strengthening the city’s institutional capacity for disaster risk reduction and management and building the resilience of local communities to disasters including climate change impacts;

(b) Strengthen the capacity of the City, together with partner stakeholders, to build disaster resilient communities, and to institutionalize arrangements and measures for reducing disaster risks, including projected climate change risks, and enhancing disaster preparedness and response capabilities at all levels; (c) Institutionalize the policies, structures, coordination mechanisms and programs with continuing budget appropriation on disaster risk reduction, towards building disasterresilient communities; (d) Recognize and strengthen the capabilities of the City in mitigating and preparing for, responding to, and recovering from the impact of disasters;

(e) Engage the participation of other government institutions, civil society organizations (CSOs), the private sector and volunteer in the City’s disaster risk reduction programs towards complementation of resources and effective delivery of services to the citizenry; (f) Provide maximum care, assistance and services to individuals and families affected by disaster, implement emergency rehabilitation projects to lessen the impact of disaster, and facilitate resumption of normal social and economic activities.

ARTICLE III CITY DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT COUNCIL (CDRRMC) Section 3. Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC) – The existing City Disaster Coordinating Council shall henceforth be known as the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC).

Section 4. Composition – The LDRRMC shall be composed of, but not limited to, the following: Chairperson: City Mayor or his duly authorized representative Vice Chairperson: Vice Mayor or his duly authorized representative Members:  City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office  City Planning and Development Office  City Social Services and Development Office  City Health Office  City Agriculturist’s Office  Integrated Gender and Development Office  City Engineer’s Office

                            

City Veterinarian’s Office City Budget Office City Schools Division Superintendent, Department of Education Director, Davao City Police Office City Fire Office, Bureau of Fire Protection President, Association of Barangay Captains Chapter Administrator, Philippine National Red Cross (Davao City Chapter) Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry City Administrator’s Office City Environment and Natural Resources Office City Information Office Barangay Cultural and Community Affairs Division City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) Public Safety and Security Command Center Central 911 Regional Community Defense Group XI Task Force Davao, 10th Infantry Division Philippine Coast Guard City Accountant’s Office City Local Government Operations Office, Department of Interior and Local Government City Legal Office Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers – Davao City Chapter Mindanao Land Foundation Davao Association of Catholic Schools Davao Association of Guidance Counselors, Inc. United Architects of the Philippines Davao Light and Power Company Philippine Long Distance and Telephone Company Davao City Water District

Section 5. Functions of LDRRMC – The LDRRMC shall have the following functions:

(1) Approve, monitor and evaluate the implementation of the LDRRMPs and regularly review and test the plan consistent with other national and local planning programs; (2) Ensure the integration of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation into local development plans, programs and budgets as a strategy in sustainable development and poverty reduction;

(3) Recommend the implementation of forced or pre-emptive evacuation of local residents, if necessary; (4) Convene the local council once every three (3) months or as necessary;

(5) Perform such other functions that are incidental to and necessary for the performance of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM).

ARTICLE IV CITY DISASTER RISK REDUCTION MANAGEMENT OFFICE (CDRRMO) Section 6. Organization and Compositon.

6.1. The CDRRMO shall be under the Office of the City Mayor.

6.2. The CDRRMO shall be initially composed of a Local DRRM Officer to be assisted by three (3) staff responsible for: • Administration and training; • Research and planning; and • Operations and warning; and such other staff as may be deemed necessary in the performance of the mandated functions.

6.3. The Local DRRM Officer, who shall lead the CDRRMO for highly urbanized city shall have the following standards on position titles and salary grades: POSITION (SG) Local DRRM Officer IV (SG 22)

EDUCATION

EXPERIENCE

TRAINING

ELIGIBILITY

Bachelor’s Degree

3 years of relevant experience on DRRM

16 hours of relevant training on DRRM

Career Service Professional / 2nd Level Eligibility

Section 7. Position Titles, Qualification Standards, and Salary Grades for Technical Staff of CDRRMO. 7.1. The Local DRRM Officer series of position titles with their corresponding minimum qualification standards and salary grades shall be used in the classification of the technical staff positions for the CDRRMO, as follows: POSITION (SG)

Local DRRM Officer III (SG 18) Local DRRM Officer II (SG 15) Local DRRM Officer I (SG 11) Local DRRM Assistant (SG 8)

EDUCATION

EXPERIENCE

TRAINING

ELIGIBILITY

Bachelor’s Degree

2 years of relevant experience on DRRM

8 hours of relevant training on DRRM

Career Service Professional / 2nd Level Eligibility

Bachelor’s Degree Bachelor’s Degree

Completion of 2 years in College

1 year of relevant experience on DRRM

4 hours of relevant training on DRRM

None required None required 1 year of relevant experience on DRRM

4 hours of relevant training

Career Service Professional / 2nd Level Eligibility

Career Service Professional / 2nd Level Eligibility

Career Service Professional / 1ST +Level Eligibility

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 5 • THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016 Position

Salary Grade

Annual Salary

22/2

Php 517,452.00

Salary Grade

Annual Salary

One (1) Local DRRM Officer III (Development Management Officer III)

18/6

Php 397,356.00

One (1) Local DRRM Officer I (Development Management Officer I)

11/6

One (1) Local DRRM Officer IV (Development Management Officer IV) Administration and Training Unit

One (1) Local DRRM Officer II (Development Management Officer II)

15/6

One (1) Local DRRM Assistant

233,940.00

8/1

One (1) Administrative Aide IV (Driver)

179,172.00

4/2

One (1) Administrative Aide III (Utility Worker) 3/6 Research and Planning Unit

315,432.00

135,504.00 131,172.00

Salary Grade

Annual Salary

One (1) Local DRRM Officer III (Development Management Officer III)

18/1

Php 376,212.00

One (1) Local DRRM Officer I (Development Management Officer I)

11/6

233,940.00

One (1) Local DRRM Officer II (Development Management Officer II) One (1) Local DRRM Assistant

Operations and Warning Unit

15/1

8/1

298,644.00

179,172.00

Salary Grade

Annual Salary

One (1) Local DRRM Officer III

18/1

Php 376,212.00

One (1) Local DRRM Officer I

11/1

222,588.00

One (1) Local DRRM Officer II

One (1) Local DRRM Assistant

15/1 8/1

298,644.00 179,172.00

7.2. The staff of the CDRRMO may be augmented through any or a combination of the following options:

7.2.1. Designation or assignment of personnel of the City Government of Davao to the CDRRMO in concurrent capacities with their existing positions; 7.2.2. Reassignment of personnel of the City Government of Davao to the CDRRMO;

7.2.3. Full-time or part-time detail of existing personnel of the City Government of Davao to the CDRRMO.

Section 8. Functions and Responsibilities of the CDRRMO. – The CDRRMO, within its territorial jurisdiction, shall be responsible for setting the direction, development, implementation, and coordination of disaster risk reduction and management programs, and shall perform the following functions and those that may be authorized by the LDRRMC: 8.1. DRRM Administration and Training.

8.1.1. Organize and conduct training, orientation, and knowledge management activities on DRRM; 8.1.2. Identify, assess and manage the hazards, vulnerabilities and risks that may occur; 8.1.3. Identify and implement cost-effective risk reduction measures and strategies;

8.1.4. Disseminate information and raise public awareness about the nature, hazards, vulnerabilities, risks, effects, early warning signs and counter measures; 8.1.5. Take all necessary steps on a continuing basis to maintain, provide, or arrange the provision of, or to otherwise make available, suitably-trained and competent personnel for effective civil defense and DRRM; 8.1.6. Organize, train, equip and supervise the local emergency response teams and the Accredited Community Disaster Volunteers (ACDVs), ensuring that humanitarian aid workers are equipped with basic skills to assist mothers to breastfeed;

8.1.7. Train the most vulnerable sectors (women, children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities or PWDs) in DRRM, especially in disaster preparedness.

CLASSIFIEDS 15 3

8.2.8. Recommend through the LDRRMC the enactment of local ordinances consistent with Republic Act No. 10121;

8.2.9. Prepare and submit, the report on the utilization of the LDRRMF and other dedicated disaster risk reduction and management resources to the local Commission on Audit (COA), copy furnished the regional director of the OCD and the Local Government Operations Officer of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG);

8.2.10. Maintain a database of human resource and their capacities, equipment, directories, and location of critical infrastructures and their capacities; and 8.2.11. Involve the most vulnerable sectors (women, children, senior citizens, and PWDs) in risk assessment and planning.

8.3. DRRM Operations and Warning.

8.3.1. Operate a multi-hazard early warning system, linked to disaster risk reduction, to provide accurate and timely advice to national or local emergency response organizations through diverse mass media, particularly radio, landline communications, and technologies for communication within rural communities;

8.3.2. Conduct continuous disaster monitoring and mobilize instrumentalities and entities of the City Government of Davao, CSOs, private groups and organized volunteers, to utilize their facilities and resources for the protection and preservation of life and properties during emergencies in accordance with existing policies and procedures; 8.3.3. Develop, strengthen, and operationalize mechanisms for partnership or networking with the private sector, CSOs, and volunteer groups;

8.3.4. Respond to and manage the adverse effects of emergencies, and carry out emergency and recovery activities in the affected area, ensuring that there is an efficient mechanism for immediate delivery of food, shelter and medical supplies for women and children, endeavour to create a special place where internally-displaced mothers can find help with breastfeeding, feed and care for their babies and give support to each other; 8.3.5. Coordinate other DRRM activities;

8.3.6. Establish linkage and/or network with other Local Government Units for disaster risk reduction and emergency response purposes; 8.3.7. Establish the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operation Center;

8.3.8. Give early warning to the most vulnerable sectors (women, children, senior citizens, and PWDs) to respond to their needs; and 8.3.9. Respond to and manage the adverse effects of emergency and carry out recovery activities to the most vulnerable areas especially to the vulnerable sectors (women, children, senior citizens, and PWDs).

ARTICLE V MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS Section 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations – The LDRRMC through its Chairperson shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Ordinance within ninety (90) days after approval of this Ordinance.

The Technical Management Group in consultation with the key stakeholders shall take lead in the preparation of the implementation rules and regulations.

SECTION 10. Honoraria – The LDRRMC members and consultants shall receive honoraria for services rendered and meetings attended, subject to availability of funds and the Government Accounting and Auditing Rules and Regulations.

SECTION 11. Budget – The Local Calamity Fund or the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund shall be used to support disaster risk reduction and management activities in accordance with the prescribed guidelines on the utilization of said fund. Likewise, the funding for the newly created additional plantilla positions shall be subject to the limitation in Sec. 325 (a) of Republic Act No. 7160 as well as honoraria for LDRRMC members and consultants shall also be sourced from the Office of the City Mayor—Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council appropriation.

SECTION 12. Repealing Clause – All previous Ordinances, Executive Orders and other rules and regulations which are inconsistent with this Ordinance are hereby repealed or modified accordingly; SECTION 13. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE - If for any reason, any section or provision of this Ordinance is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect; SECTION 14. EFFECTIVITY – This Ordinance shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its complete publication in a local newspaper of general circulation in Davao City.

ENACTED, July 14, 2015, by a majority vote of all the Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod present, there being a quorum.

CERTIFIED CORRECT:

8.2. DRRM Research and Planning.

8.2.1. Design, program, and coordinate DRRM activities, consistent with the National Council standards and guidelines; 8.2.2. Facilitate and support risk assessments and contingency planning activities;

8.2.3. Consolidate local disaster risk information which includes natural hazards, vulnerabilities, and climate change risks, and maintain a local risk map; 8.2.4. Conduct research and development initiatives on DRRM;

8.2.5. Formulate and implement a comprehensive and integrated Local DRRM Plan (LDRRMP) in accordance with the national, regional framework, and policies on disaster risk reduction in close coordination with the Local Development Council (LDC);

8.2.6. Prepare and submit to the Sangguniang Panlungsod through the Local DRRM Council and the LDC the annual LDRRMPO Plan and budget, proposed programming of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF), other disaster risk reduction and management resources, and other regular funding sources and budgetary support; and 8.2.7. Serve as the Secretariat and executive arm of the Local DRRM Council (LDRRMC);

ATTESTED:

KARLO S. BELLO Acting Vice Mayor Temporary Presiding Officer cns/clad

ATTESTED:

ATTY. JESUS MELCHOR V. QUITAIN City Administrator

CHARITO N. SANTOS Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Government Department Head II)

APPROVED:____________, 2015 RODRIGO R. DUTERTE City Mayor

16

8

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DUTERTE... FROM 1

bilang ng pera. 1 million lang abutin ka ng umaga (It’s ok with me if I lose. But who will solve these problems? Binay? I saw how enormous his biceps are. Of course, it’s not easy to count money. Counting one million will take you until the next morning to finish),” he said.

He scoffed at the failure of Binay to include corruption in his political agenda.

“He cannot talk about cor-

ruption because he has a baggage,” the presidential aspirant from the South said.

Duterte has avoided mentioning Binay in his past speeches but has lately trained his guns as well at the former Makati mayor after repeatedly castigating the government for its ineptness.

Duterte has consistently promised to solve corruption in government if he wins the presidency.

the celebration’s executive committee told the DCPO to prohibit any candidates to conduct their campaign especially during the civic parade on March 16 which is the culmination of the event.

Earlier, Araw ng Davao festival director city councilor Al Ryan Alejandre clarified that the city will not stop any national candidate from joining the people of the city in celebrating its 79th anniversary.

Meanwhile, Driz said that the security preparations for the celebration are already in place.

She said that there will be

1,500 DCPO police and 800 barangay peace and order unit (BPOU) who will be deployed during the celebration.

Driz said the police will concentrate on the entrance and exit point of the city by mounting random checkpoints to ensure that the celebration will not be infiltrated with any terrorist people.

She said the police will also implement tight security measures in the areas of convergence such as prohibiting people to bring backpacks, covered canisters and bladed weapons. ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

She paid tribute to her adoptive parents, movie icons Fernando Poe Jr. and Susan Roces. She said they raised her to always fight for what is right.

“Pinalaki ako ni FPJ na magmahal sa kapwa at huwag sumuko. Pinalaki rin ako ni Susan Roces na maging matapang na babae, magtrabaho at tulungan ang pamilya,” she said.

Poe, who is running under the “Gobyernong may Puso” banner, said it takes compassion to address the many challenges that confront women today, including poverty and the impacts of migration on their families.

According to Poe, 26 percent of Filipino women are poor. In other areas, the poverty incidence among women is even higher: 45 percent in Eastern Visayas and 55 percent in the Autonmous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

“Alam naman natin na sa bansa natin bagama’t maganda at maraming oportunidad at mayaman ang Pilipinas,

hindi kumakalat ang yaman sa lahat at marami pa ring napapag-iwanan,” she said.

Should she win the presidency, Poe said she will ensure that women will have income and livelihood opportunities.

She said she will push for the strict enforcement of the Magna Carta for Women and the passage of the Anti-Discrimination bill.

“Kailangan natin palakasin at tulungan ang mga programang pambabae. At ito ang mga nais naming gawin: Unang-una, ang mga babae ay hindi binubugbog. Ang mga babae ay minamahal,” Poe said.

“Ang ating mga barangay ay dapat turuan kung paano reresponde sa mga problemang karahasan sa mga babae,” she said.

The senator stressed that women should not be limited because they have the ability to lead and change society.

“Gawin po natin ang 2016 bilang taon kung saan nagwagi ang mga kababaihan sa gobyerno,” she said.

Cops... FROM 2

Poe... FROM 2

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 17

4 concurring, 5 dissenting opinions T HE majority decision of the Supreme Court (SC) En Banc rendered on Tuesday will have four concurring and five dissenting opinions which ruled that Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares is qualified to run for

president in the May 9, 2016 elections.

“I am authorized to say that there will be four concurring opinions to the Majority Decision, and five dissenting opinions,” SC Public Information Office (PIO) Chief and

Businessman... FROM 2

Spokesman Atty. Theodore O. Te said in a statement on Tuesday.

Te added that “since the Court has only authorized the release of the vote, it may not be safe to report which ground the Court ruled upon

City... FROM 4

and used as basis for the vote, i.e., between citizenship and residence.”

“Thus, it may be best to simply say, the SC grants Senator Poe’s petitions, 9-6, allowing her to run for the presidency,” Te said. (PNA)

burning of trees for cultivation process, more locally known as kaingin system.

Dizon estimated that only around 50 to 100 hectares of forest areas between the boundary of Davao City and Barangay Kapatagan in Davao del Sur are already burned since November last year.

Only 10 percent of the forest area was left in the Digos City, while Davao City has still retained around 50 percent of its forest areas, he added.

Dizon explained that forest areas are ideal for expansion of cacao plantations in the region which is now bannered by the government as one of the top commodities that has a huge potential in the international market.

He said cacao trees are intercropped with shady trees.

Not only it poses another opportunity to farmers but it also increases income of coconut farmers.

He said coconut farmers can increase their income to P100, 000 per hectare by simply intercropping cacao with coconut.

Dizon said the country has huge potentials of becoming a major cacao producer and exporter with its vast coconut plantations.

However, he added the technical aspect of the farmers should be improved to ensure that they will be able to produce cacao beans that are within the international standard.

for 2015 which he said was a result of the cooperation of the whole city which gave him an overwhelming mandate on the agenda on continuing positive change and continuous development.

Mayor Rellon’s SOTCA ran for 1 hour and 20 minutes and was interrupted by 44 rounds of applause from the crowd gathered at the atrium of the new city hall.

ect implenentation by being vigilant and ensuring quality standards are observed. Recoter said PRDP has instituted a grievance redress mechanisms where beneficiaries and stakeholders suggestions or complaints are being heared

and promptly acted upon.

PRDP is a special project ofthe Department of Agriculture (DA) jointly funded by the World Bank, the national and the local government units.

(Janelle T. Flores/DA-PRDP 11)

ido Sucnaan (Culture and the Arts), Anecita Ang (Educational Innovation), Dr. Roger Montepio (Science and Technology), Vicente Gonzales (Peace and Social Cohesion) Rotary Club of Tagum Golden LACES and Rotary Club of Tagum North (Community Service-Community-based Category) and St. Mary’s College (Community ServiceSchool-based Category).

This year’s Estorya ng Tagumpay awardee - the highest citizenship awardee bestowed to any Tagumenyo by the City Government - is Mr. Lorenzo Y. Rubinos, Sr. who was recognized for his tremendous success in business largely fueled by determination and perseverance, which according to the City Government, serves as an inspiration to every Tagumenyo.

The 18th Araw ng Tagum celebration was capped with a grand fireworks display. Louie Lapat/CIO Tagum

He said an eclipse is a normal occurrence and part of the regular cycle of Earth, Sun and the Moon.

“As the Earth rotate, the Sun and the Moon continually revolve around it so they would eventually align with each other at some point,” he explained.

Thousands of residents here took to some open public

areas to observe the partial solar eclipse.

As advised by PAGASA, some used telescopes, welder’s glasses and exposed film to observe the phenomenon.

The city and parts of South Cotabato and Sarangani provinces experienced a total solar eclipse on March 18, 1988 that lasted for more than three minutes. (PNA)

Japan during winter and eight percent during summer, but Vietnam and Indonesia can export banana to Japan at zero tariff,” he said.

Antig added that the Phil-

ippines stands to lose its biggest market since Japan would resort importing its banana requirement to countries with zero tariff because it would bring down cost.

tending its winning streak into a sixth day.

European equities decreased broadly Tuesday as oil prices plunged. German benchmark DAX index at Frankfurt Stock Exchange fell 0.88 percent, while British benchmark FTSE 100 Index lost 0.92 percent.

The CBOE Volatility Index, often referred to as Wall Street’s fear gauge, rose 7.61 percent to end at 18.67 Tuesday.

In other markets, the US dollar gained Tuesday as market expected the Federal Reserve to continue the interest

rate hike this year.

In late New York trading, the euro fell to USD1.1007 from USD1.1012 in the previous session, while the dollar bought 112.57 Japanese yen, lower than 113.28 yen of the previous session.

Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange fell slightly on Tuesday as the US dollar showed strength, despite weaker US equities.

The most active gold contract for April delivery inched down USD1.1, or 0.09 percent, to settle at USD1,262.90 per ounce. (PNA/Xinhua)

Pablo-affected... FROM 4

GenSan... FROM 4

PBGEA... FROM 6 US... FROM 6

TAGUMPAY EXCELLENCE AWARDS The City Government of Tagum also rolled out the red carpet for this year’s honorees of the Tagumpay Excellence Awards, the highest recognition bestowed by the City Government to its outstanding individuals.

Among the awardees this year are Jail Officer Robert Dawn Rodriguez (Community Empowerment), Norma Pereyras (Gender Equality and Development), Datu Agu-

Aquino... FROM 6 Further, President Aquino cited continuing investments in the country’s tourism particularly in the hotel industry, which he considers “a sign of our collective optimism.”

“In fact, I am told that AccorHotels alone is set to open

another five more properties in the future. Hopefully, in the very near future,” he said.

Novotel is a mid-scale hotel brand within the French group AccorHotels. Its broad portfolio of hotel brands also includes Sofitel. (PNA)

up 91% of total energy sold during the period, expanded by 18% to 11,383 GWh. On the other hand, spot market sales decreased by 28% from 1,612 GWh to 1,168 GWh. In terms of capacity, higher sales through bilateral contracts and ancillary services resulted to a 6% YoY increase in AboitizPower’s attributable sales to 1,900 MW. The new capacities from Therma South and Hedcor Sabangan, along with the higher ancillary revenues of the large hydros and higher dispatch of the oil business unit, more than offset the decrease in APRI’s available capacity due to steam decline.

Meanwhile, ancillary sales improved by 41% due to better water inflows as compared to the previous year.

The completion of the construction of the 14-MW Sabangan run-of-river hydroelectric and 260-MW (net) Davao Coal resulted to an increase in the Company’s net attributable sellable capacity to 2,532 MW. “We remain on track with our project pipeline as we welcomed new capacity from a number of power plants last year. This puts us well on the path to hitting 4,000 MW in national capacity by 2020 to meet the country’s energy needs,” Antonio R. Moraza, AboitizPower President and

Chief Operating Officer, said.

“Our portfolio of power plants composed of a right mix of renewable and non-renewable technology is a testament to our commitment to provide reliable, ample, and reasonably priced power with the least impact on our environment and our host communities,” Moraza said.

AboitizPower... FROM 6

Power Distribution The power distribution group’s earnings share for 2015 increased by 19%, from P3.2 billion to P3.8 billion.

This is equivalent to 21% of earnings contributions from AboitizPower’s business segments. The group’s gross margin on a per kWh basis in 2015 decreased to P1.61 from P1.71 a year ago. This was brought about by the continued operations of Davao Light’s embedded plant to meet the shortfall in the Mindanao grid. Strong demand growth of lower-margin industrial customers also contributed to the decline in the per kilowatt margins. The overall improved performance of the group is mainly from higher attributable electricity sales which increased by 6% YoY, from 4,480 GWh to 4,759 GWh as energy sales grew across all customer segments as well as the full year contributions from LiMA EnerZone, which was acquired last year.

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8 EVENTS 19

was near impossible. Creating provinces with municipalities under it would promote competition in management style and, in the long run, growth. Also, the matter of securing funds from the national government would be faster because the need of each new province was smaller than when the old province was still undivided.

As anticipated, the rise of new settlements, in part encouraged by the aspiration of towns to become future cities, created competition.

While there were occasional disturbances felt due to insurgency, political maladministration, limited opportunities, and lack of infrastructures, the strength of mind of the new local leaders to achieve prosperity provided the difference between stagnation and expansion. Consequently, the old plantation territory has so far produced five progressive cities, two new provinces, and a handful of enterprising new towns.

6

Ascent of the “Alsa Masa” The Marcos administration, in its last years, was facing a volatile situation. Social mistrust towards the government and the clamor for social justice, especially on the issue of land reform, provoked public anger and encouraged the birth of new underground movements.

The First Quarter Storm that rocked Manila campuses in 1970 signaled the commencement of leftist unrest and secessionism. Pro-grassroots groups, notably those allied with the Communists, established cadres, or core groups that indoctrinated rural folks on the abuses committed by the state. Elsewhere, the Muslims, disgusted at the way they were treated by the government, adopted the radical concept of secession that would make Mindanao a separate state.

These brewing sentiments reached critical stage when President Ferdinand E. Marcos declared martial rule in 1972. The initial public reaction to the creation of an armed regime was ambivalent; later on, the activists used the military abuses as a perfect tool to foment subversion, and labeled Marcos, albeit obliquely, as the “recruiter of communists.”

The conflict between the state and anti-government factions escalated into a violent and bloody struggle. The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) created their respective armed components that challenged the stability of the government. In Davao, acknowledged as the birthplace of insurgency in Mindanao, was slowly transformed into a “communist laboratory.”

While military abuses were more pronounced in remote areas, in Davao City the cases of extrajudicial killings committed by the insurgents had turned it into a “killing field,” derived from award-winning American movie title “Killing Fields” about the murder of four million Cambodians by the Khmer Rouge communist regime. To its dishonor, Agdao was dubbed as “Nicaragdao,” after Nicaragua, a Central American country that was then in turmoil, and the small patch of land inside it which old timers used to call Ipil Beach overnight became known as “Barrio Patay” (Village of Death). Sadly, most of those who were “salvaged,” an underground slang for summary execution, were innocent civilians.

The disorder and disquiet brought by communist insurgents to the heart of the city eventually angered the public. With murders on city streets becoming a common sight, public anguish became the catalyst that led to the rise of anti-communist causes, with Alsa Masa (Rise, masses!) leading the charge. The popular sentiment against the rebels swiftly spread out and, in no time the city, once dubbed as a communist hotbed, succeeded in chasing the insurgents to the hills. Expectedly, normalcy returned, and peace and order became palpable again.

The People Power Revolt in 1986, largely as anti-Marcos uprising, also effectively turned the tide against the insurgents and, as an aftermath, the movement lost its most prolific recruiter—the Marcos dictatorship!

7

Duterte’s Headship The flight of Marcos to Hawaii, courtesy of American intervention, offered many positive returns, foremost of these was the return to normalcy. True enough, with the rise of new political leaders, the ratification of the new Constitution, and the granting of local autonomy to local government units, the opportunities to succeed, whether in business or in state, became abundant. Still, the issues on political dynasty, monopoly, insurgency, partisanship, smuggling, and human rights violations, to name just a few, were still prevalent.

In Davao, the elevation of lawyer Rodrigo Duterte, a former assistant city prosecutor, as first elected post-Marcos local chief executive became a turning point for the city. His rise, in a sense, was accidental because he was opposed by political stalwarts when then city mayor Elias B. Lopez endorsed him to contest the mayoralty. His electoral triumph was eventually sealed when voters originally supporting his two rivals jumped ship in his favor.

Duterte’s headship has been described as iron-fisted, out of the ordinary, and, at times, contrary to the tenets of human rights. Underscoring the perceptions were the allegations of extrajudicial killings, electoral terrorism, penchant for foul language, coddling of offenders, and political dynasty. But those who intimately understand his persona describe him as pro-poor, generous to a fault, the punisher of drug lords and criminals, protector of the grassroots, and friendly to all sectors, including the rebels, the underprivileged, and the social outcasts.

After 21 years of reign as Davao City mayor, Duterte’s strongest success is etched on the subject of peace and order. It’s a singular legacy with political weakness on either side but these are strengthened by his resolve to follow the popular and the unorthodox. A testament to this concept is Task Force Davao, an army contingent that has assumed the co-equal role as anti-insurgency guardians reserved only for cops!

His leadership, some pundits say, is a contradiction. He indirectly supports punishing recidivists through disciplinary action, a legacy that is more pronounced when it comes to erring policemen. Against the insurgents, he promotes camaraderie instead of hunting them down in the mountains. To Muslims, he maintains a bond that makes him their favorite go-to guy. Not too keen in building public works, his campaign against crime has given the city a rainfall of billion-peso civil works. As a lawyer who always invokes legality, he sneakily allows ‘options’ his detractors call as ‘extralegal.’

During his watch, the city has experienced a dizzying roster of achievements. Many of them trendsetting, such as the first overpass, first truly international airport and seaport, first high-scale subdivision, first condominium, first high-rise building and skyscraper, first international convention, first information and technology hub, first mall, and first overpass and underpass. A testament to his impressive contribution to socio-economic growth is the sobriquet honoring Davao as one of the world’s most peaceful cities!

Minus Duterte—Rodrigo, that is—the Davao City mayoralty will surely be a very tough act to follow.

8

The BIMP-EAGA Resurgence First proposed in Singapore in December 1989 by then Singapore’s First Deputy Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, the concept of an economic triangle, a borderless, geopolitical trade arrangement, was initially launched with the creation of Singapore, Johor (Malaysia) and Riau (Indonesia), the SIJORI Growth Triangle, with an objective of creating “a program of coordinated public and private development projects that would combine Singapore’s industrial expertise, technology, infrastructure and services with Johor and Riau’s cheaper land labor to accelerate development for all.”

The economic idea quickly attracted less developed states from Indonesia and Malaysia, prompting its rename to Indonesia-Malaysia-Singapore Growth Triangle (IMS-GT). In January 1993, Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos proposed the idea to Brunei Darussalam Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, during his official visit to the oil kingdom, the creation of an East ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Growth Triangle, now known as BIMP-EAGA. Under the concept, the provinces in East Indonesia (east and south Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Manado City and Maluku), East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak), and southern Philippines (Mindanao and Palawan) comprised the new economic deal.

A month thereafter, the city government of Davao launched ‘Invest in Davao,’ a project designed in partnership with the Philippine Exporters Confederation of Region XI (PhilExport-XI) and the financial backing of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the PhilExport national confederation. To add muscle to the initiative, Davao City approved City Ordinance No. 2269, also known as ’Davao City Investment Incentive Code,’ in 1994. That same year, the city hosted its first international business gathering, the East ASEAN Business Conference and Exhibits (EABCE), which brought to Davao over a thousand economic managers, investors, and prospectors for business-matching activities.

Satisfied with the outcome of the ‘Invest in Davao’ undertaking, the city extended the program in February 1996 under contract with PhilExport-XI. That year the project took in Php5 million in investments.

Months later, the first selling mission to the US was dispatched.

Two and a half years thereafter, the initiative, through Exec. Order No. 36, became an investment promotion unit of the City Planning and Development Council (CPDO) with an annual budget earmarked for its operation. In August 1999, the unit was renamed Investment Incentive Board and 13 months later its jurisdiction was moved to the Office of the City Mayor.

The impact and, by extension, success of the BIMP-EAGA, along with a stable peace and order condition of the city, may be summed up briefly by citing tangible and ongoing developments that have forever altered the economic landscape of the city.

To cite a few, international flights to and from Davao have become regular; backdoor trade using maritime links has intensified; skyscrapers are setting local engineering records; population has exploded to nearly two million; hotels, resorts, convention centers, and eco-tourism destinations have quadrupled; educational institutions from Manila are opening new campuses; and traffic, with transport volume expanding, has started to challenge urban planners.

As the city starts to earn honors for itself as the most livable, child-friendly, and investment attractive destination, there’s no arguing where the one rustic pueblo is heading to.

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VOL. VOL.99ISSUE ISSUE55••THURSDAY, THURSDAY,MARCH MARCH10, 10,2016 2016

SPORTS 21

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Drug in Maria Sharapova doping case little-known in US but used

by Soviet troops in 1980s

WHAT AWAITS MARIA? T

HE drug at the center of Maria Sharapova’s doping case, regularly given to Soviet troops in the 1980s to boost their stamina while fighting in Afghanistan, is normally prescribed for medical use for periods of four to six weeks.

Sharapova faces possible sanctions after testing positive for meldonium, also known as mildronate, a drug the Russian tennis star said she started using 10 years ago for various medical issues. Sharapova did not indicate in her announcement on Monday how often she has taken it.

Her lawyer, John J. Haggerty, declined to go into specifics on Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time) but said during a conference call he wanted “to disabuse the concept that Maria took mildronate every day for 10 years because that’s simply not the case.”

Grindeks, the Latvian company that manufactures meldonium, said in an emailed statement to The Associated Press: “Depending on the patient’s health condition, treat-

ment course of meldonium preparations may vary from four to six weeks. Treatment course can be repeated twice or thrice a year. Only physicians can follow and evaluate patient’s health condition and state whether the patient should use meldonium for a longer period of time.”

Haggerty said “Maria at all times took the mildronate in accordance with the recommendations of her doctor.” He repeatedly declined to go into specifics about Sharapova’s treatment, claiming he had to adhere to the “strict confidentiality” of the International Tennis Federation’s process.

An ITF spokesman told The Associated Press, however, that the organization places no restrictions on what players and their representatives can say publicly about an ongoing case.

Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam champion, said Monday she failed a doping test at the Australian Open in January for meldonium, which became a banned substance under the World Anti-Doping

Agency code this year.

Meldonium is a heart medicine that improves blood flow and is little-known in the US, but it was once common in the Soviet military.

The drug’s inventor, Ivars Kalvins, told Latvian newspaper Diena in a 2009 interview that meldonium was given to soldiers during the 1980s, when Soviet forces were fighting in Afghanistan.

“High altitudes. Oxygen deprivation. If they have to run 20 kilometers with all the gear, at the end they would get ischemia (a blood circulation condition),” Kalvins was quoted as saying.

“They were all given meldonium. They themselves were not aware they were using it. No one was being asked (if they agree to it) back then.”

Kalvins said meldonium was “not doping,” adding that it “allows you to withstand more physical pressure, but the body still spends its spare reserves.”

Sharapova said Monday she had taken meldonium for a decade following various health problems including reg-

ular sicknesses, early signs of diabetes and “irregular” results from echocardiography exams.

“I was first given the substance back in 2006. I had several health issues going on at the time,” she said.

Meldonium was banned because it aids oxygen uptake and endurance, and several athletes in various international sports have already been caught using it since it was banned Jan. 1.

The wave of meldonium cases has echoes of a doping scandal involving another Soviet military drug, bromantan, which was banned after being found in Russian athletes’ samples at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

While Grindeks has previously stated that meldonium can provide an “improvement of work capacity of healthy people at physical and mental overloads and during rehabilitation period,” the Latvian company said on Tuesday that it believed the substance would not enhance athletes’ performance in competition and might even do the opposite.

Big brands suspend deals with Sharapova after doping confession

A

BUNCH of international renowned brands announced on Tuesday to suspend their sponsorship deal with Maria Sharapova after the Russian tennis star admitted that she had failed a drug test.

German super car brand Porsche, which said it was disappointed by the news, has decided to cancel all events involving the former tennis world No. 1 while her use of banned drug is investigated by the International Tennis Federation.

Sportswear company Nike has already terminated its long-running sponsorship of Sharapova, saying it was “saddened and surprised” by the news.

“We have decided to suspend our relationship with Maria while the investigation continues,” Nike’s statement read.

Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer said it would not extend its sponsorship

contract with the five-time grand slam champion.

On Monday, Sharapova announced in Los Angeles that she was informed by the World Anti-Doping Agency that she failed a drug test at the Australian Open in January.

The 28-year-old star said the test found her positive to a substance called “mildronate”, which she has been taking in the last 10 years for health issues.

Mildronate is also known as meldonium, which is used to treat diabetes and low magnesium. It was added to the prohibited list this year.

Earlier in the day, the Russian Tennis Federation gave its public blessing to the tennis star, saying they are confident that Sharapova would “withstand this test with dignity,” and promising to do everything they can do help her. (PNA/ Xinhua)

Serena says Sharapova showed courage in taking responsibility

RIVALS. Serena Williams (right) shakes the hand of Maria Sharapova (left) at the net after another encounter.

S

ERENA Williams, the top-ranked player in women's tennis, said on Tuesday she was shocked to hear her friend and fellow tennis star Maria Sharapova had failed a drug test, but she commended Sharapova for showing courage in taking re-

sponsibility.

"As Maria said, she's ready to take full responsibility and I think that showed a lot of courage and a lot of heart," Williams told reporters at a briefing ahead of a match she will play on Tuesday night in New York.

22 MOTORING EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 5 • THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

HINO DAVAO (owned and operated by Motormall Davao Corporation) is the recipient of the

“2015 DEALER OF THE YEAR”

H

INO DAVAO b r o u g h t home the most coveted award, “2015 DEALER OF THE YEAR” besting fourteen (14) other Dealers nationwide during the 6th Annual National Dealers’ Conference and Awards Night 2016 held at Acacia Hotel in Filinvest Corporate City, Muntinlupa with this year’s theme of “HINO MOTORS PHILIPPINES and DEALERS: Unity in Progress” last February 19, 2016.

This award is presented to the Dealer who achieves the best overall across a wide range of areas in both sales and after sales activities.

To complete its supremacy among the other dealers nationwide, Hino

awarded by HINO MOTORS PHILIPPINES CORPORATION Davao was also adjudged as the “Service Dealer of the Year”.

Hino Davao has been in the dealership for thirty one (31) years selling quality Hino Trucks and Buses.

Its product variations ranges from Light Duty, Medium Duty and Heavy Duty Trucks and Buses.

The company is headed by the President and Chairman of the Board, Mr. Vicente T. Mills Jr., Chief Operating Officer/ Treasurer, Mr. Felipe S. Barroga, AVP-General Manager, Mr. Valentino L. Dionisio and the Marketing Manager, Mr. Joel J. Romero.

It is situated at Km. 8, Bo. Pampanga, Davao City with a newly constructed showroom and upgraded service facilities.

EDGEDAVAO Sports 23

VOL. 9 ISSUE 5 • THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

EURO TRAINING Gilas Pilipinas heading for Europe training

G

ILAS Pilipinas is heading back to unfamiliar territory for its training ground as the national team will be heading to Europe prior to the start of the Fiba Olympic qualifying meet this July in Manila.

Coach Tab Baldwin put emphasis on the urgent need to have the nationals train overseas once the ongoing PBA Commissioner’s Cup is over to get down to the serious business of preparing against France and the rest of the field in the qualifier which Manila will host from July 5-10.

“We got some plans in place. We’re still awaiting confirmation on those so we’re not revealing where we’re going and who we’re going to be playing,” said the American-New Zealander coach.

“We’re looking to go to Europe, in a camp environment for 7-10 days and get some games while we’re there.

Come back here and hopefully, get a game or two.”

Baldwin flew over to this southern city on Tuesday afternoon to visit the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu and foster better school and alumni relations. The national coach also happens to be the new mentor of the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

Back in the place where Gilas held camp right before the Fiba Asia Men’s Championship last year, Baldwin held nothing but fond memories of the team’s week-long stay in Lapu-Lapu City, where he felt the team bond the most.

“It was beneficial for sure.

We started out with training that was supposed to be in isolation and ended up play-

GILAS. The national squad set to launch its Olympic qualifier stint this July under coach Tab Baldwin (leftmost, below) could be made up of (clockwise) Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson, Asia’s top pointguard Jason Castro, the exciting Terrence Romeo and Calvin Abueva, tallboy Junmar Fajardo and naturalized slotman Andray Blatche. ing in front of thousands of people,” recalled Baldwin of the experience.

“It wasn’t just basketball.

It was a chance for them to relate as people and not just as

players. That’s really important in a national team because by right, all of these guys are outstanding basketball players. And the subjugation of the ego is something important

that needs to take place.”

The 57-year-old veteran mentor though, all but ruled out a training camp in Cebu for Gilas this time around.

“I don’t know if we’ll have

the time this year. It’s a very tight time frame and we need to get over to Europe, get some games in,” Baldwin said.

“So I don’t know how much time that will leave us

to have a camp but if ever we do, I think Cebu will be at the top of the list because of the success that we had and the hosting of the people here was memorable.”

LA looks forward to playing Tony T

LA TENORIO

HE Manila leg of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament should be a dream come true for LA Tenorio.

Four months before the July 5-10 meet, the veteran playmaker is already looking forward to Gilas Pilipinas’ first game against France as it gives him the chance to go up against no less than his idol Tony Parker.

Tenorio is a self-proclaimed San Antonio fan, a lot of it because of Parker.

“I’m looking forward to playing against him (Parker). Siya talaga ang idol ko dati pa after Michael Jordan,” said the Ginebra point guard as he sat on the bench icing both his feet shortly after the national team’s weekly Monday session at the Moro Lorenzo gym inside the Ateneo campus.

“Kaya San Antonio ako, eversince. San Antonio talaga ako because of him (Parker).”

Parker has already committed to suit up for France in the Manila qualifier, whose lone winner will book a seat to the Rio De Janeiro

Olympics in August.

“Kaya looking forward to play against him. Sana nga mabigyan ako ng opportunity to play against him,” said Tenorio.

While an avid Parker fan, the 31-year-old Tenorio said he won’t be totally awed by Parker’s mere presence, let alone playing against the popular Frenchman.

He also noted Gilas already played France in a pocket tournament in Antibes, France as part of the team’s preparation for the 2014 World Cup. The meet also featured the Australian and Ukraine national squads.

“Siya (Parker) lang ang wala, pero the whole team andun. Before World Cup ‘yun, umikot kami (sa Europe). It was a great learning experience,” said Tenorio, recalling playing against Australian guards Matthew Dellavedova and Dante Exum during the tournament.

Since two years had passed since the World Cup, Tenorio also said the Olympic qualifier serves as a perfect gauge if Philippine basketball

has improved or declined in the last 24 months or so.

‘It’s an opportunity na makita kung talagang nasaan na tayo sa world stage ng basketball. Dun natin makikita kung nasaan na ang Pilipinas sa mundo,” he said.

“Kasi alam naman natin na puwede na tayong mag No. 1 or No. 2 sa Asia. So, ito naman ‘yung bigger stage para sa atin.”

But the point guard out of Ateneo admitted the caliber of France and the other world power in the sport is indeed, above par compared to Asian countries, the Philippines included.

“I would really say na it’s a completely different level. Magaling talaga, iba yung laro nila,” said Tenorio.

“After mo ngang maglaro (against them), tapos naglaro ka ulit sa Asia, makikita mo yung level of competitiveness. Ibang level talaga sila.”

Aside from France, New Zealand is the other team grouped with Gilas in the qualifier, although also part of the Manila leg of the meet are Canada, Senegal, and Turkey.

TONY PARKER

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