Edge Davao 9 Issue 07

VOL. 9 ISSUE 7 • SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2016

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

MINIATURE MODEL. A mall goer takes a photograph of a miniature innovation building model using her tablet at the recently opened Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) School of Engineering and Architecture technical exhibit 2016 at the atrium of Abreeza Mall yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

DUTERTE PLOT Aquino allies poised to file murder charges against surging Rody

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

EDGEDAVAO Sports P GREEN ARMY DUE MONDAY p16

abf@edgedavao.net

RESIDENTIAL contender Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s camp allayed fears yesterday that that allies of President Benigno Aquino III are cooking up a grad plot aimed at pinning the mayor over alleged extrajudicial killings in Davao City.

“We have been alerted that the Aquino government is preparing to file charges against Mayor Rodrigo Duterte supposedly for his ‘role and involvement’ in extra judicial killings of known criminals and drug pushers in Davao City,” the Mayor’s spokesperson Peter Laviña said in a statement.

Laviña said the charges reportedly stemmed from affidavits executed by a ranking

FACING CONSPIRACY? Mayor Rodrigo Duterte leads his team during one of their Mindanao sorties. FB Photo of Councilor Danny Dayanghirang police officer and supposed self-confessed gunmen.

“We view this develop-

ment with serious cause for concern,” he said.

Laviña sees this ploy as a

desperate move by administrations bets who are threatened by the surge in the popularity and voter preference for Duterte whose numbers continue to rise in all surveys.

Laviña said Duterte, running on shoestring budget and with little support from big business interests and political parties, is attracting nationwide support from ordinary folks — workers, peasants, youth and students, women, Moro and indigenous peoples, middle class employees and businessmen, from south to north of the nation as the campaign period enters midway point.

“There is no doubt in our

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 7 • SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2016

WHAT REMAINS OF THEIR BELONGINGS. A teenage boy and his younger sibling can’t help themselves but cry while sitting beside the only belongings they salvaged from the ruins of their house which was gutted by yesterday’s fire in Saint John in Barangay Bucana. Lean Daval Jr.

Duterte pledges salary hike for public school teachers

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DP-LABAN standard bearer Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to increase the salaries of all public school teachers if victorious in the May 9 elections.

He noted that he is aware of the financial difficulties being experienced by teachers as his late mother was also a public school teacher.

Majority of public school teachers in the country often fall prey to money lenders because there is not enough take-home pay to feed their families or even send their own children to school.

Saddled with debts, Duterte said public school teachers and employees

continue to depend on money lenders because of their desperation to survive and provide their families with a decent life -- despite the exorbitant interest of the loans.

Public school teachers are currently receiving between PhP18,549 and PhP26,878 a month.

Duterte has also promised to adjust the salaries of police and members of the military -- to keep them away from corrupt practices.

Along with curbing illegal drugs and criminality, Duterte said his political agenda is anchored on ending corruption. (PNA)

SC extends halt of plunder trial vs ex-President Arroyo

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HE Supreme Court (SC) has extended its order stopping the trial before the Sandiganbayan First Division of the case of plunder against former President and now Pampanga (2nd District) Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

In an En Banc resolution dated March 8, 2016, the High Court extended for another 60 days the “status quo order” it issued on Oct. 20, 2015.

This was the second time that the SC extended the “status quo ante order” that stopped the trial at the Sandiganbayan of the Php 366-million anomaly involving the confidential intelligence fund

(CIF) of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

The new status quo ante order will last until April 20, 2016.

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Macapagal-Arroyo

High coliform content found in Davao River

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

HE Department of Health (DOH) has issued a warning to residents near the Davao River against bathing in the river due to high coliform bacteria contamination.

In yesterday’s Kapehan sa PIA at Abreeza Mall, DOH XI senior health program officer Gloria Raut said bathing in Davao River poses danger to children’s health as they might ingest contaminated water.

Raut said children are prone to diseases due to their delicate immune system.

The high level of fecal coliform is a result of waste and septic tank discharge by the households along the riverbank.

“May mga virus diyan, may mga bacteria. Ang usual na nararamdaman ‘pag nakainom sila ng polluted water is diarrhea (The water abounds with virus and bacteria. Usually, the person who ingests polluted water will experience diarrhea),” she said.

Skin rashes, sore eyes, cholera, typhoid fever, and polio are some of the diseases that can be acquired from

bathing in the river.

Raut also linked high coliform content in bodies of water could be a possible source of polio virus.

“The Philippines is already a polio-free nation, but in other countries although they are already declared polio free, the polio virus can still be found in their sewerage systems,” she said.

The threat of the emergence of the polio virus has prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to conduct a check of the sewerage systems in several countries

including the Philippines.

Raut said the WHO and DOH XI will conduct a survey in the Davao River to find out possible presence of polio virus.

The proposed sampling areas will be at Bankerohan Bridge, Bolton Bridge and at the river mouth near Bucana.

According to the Water Quality Management Area of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) 11, these areas have highest coliform bacteria contamination.

HE beaches along Davao City are highly polluted with coliform while Samal Island’s waters are still within the standards for coliform presence.

These according to a 2015 study released during a meeting of Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Environmental Health (RIACEH) yesterday (March 10). The study conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Environmental Management Bureau (DENREMB) on the level of coliform

in Davao Gulf.

Coliform are rod-shaped bacteria commonly associated with feces of animals and humans.

During the Kapehan sa Abreeza Mall media forum held today (March 11) Engineer Gloria Raut of the Department of Health said that Davao City’s beaches have high coliform content is because of the high coliform content in Davao River and the lack of septage facilities where household dump their wastes to the water.

According to Maria Socorro Mallare of the EMB-XI, the highest fecal coliform reading in a sampling station in Davao River amounted to 16-million MPN (most probable number) per 100 liters.

The passable standard is 200 MPN/ per 100 liters. Total coliform reading also amounted to 16 million MPN/100 liters as compared to the standard of 1000 MPN/100 liters. And these readings are located in the downstream areas.

Based on EMB study sampling stations in Davao

City beaches showed above normal coliform content. The most polluted is Liberty beach near the mouth of Davao River which has total coliform reading of 160, 115 MPN/ 100 liters and fecal choliform reading of 123,433 MPN/100 liters.

Talomo Beach Resort sample had a total coliform reading of 36,971 MPN and fecal coliform of 21,984. Beaches sampled include Guinoo Beach, Bonguyan Beach, Seagull, COACO, Bago Beach, Lanang Apla-

DC beaches polluted, but Samal’s okay T

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 7 • SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2016

NEWS 3 Damosa launches March events

EDGEDAVAO

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N line with the celebration of the 79th Araw ng Dabaw, Damosa Land, Inc. prepared a series of activities for the whole month of March.

On Saturday, March 12, 6 p.m., Damosa Car Park located at Damosa Complex will turn into an ultimate party place as it stages the biggest wet and wild party dubbed as Summer Splash 2016.

FHM hotties Sam Pinto and Yassi Benitez, hunk actor Martin del Rosario, and prominent DJs are expected to entertain and add more surprises to the event.

There will also be a weeklong bazaar at Damosa Market Basket Carpark on March 15–19 from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

A wide array of booths will be set up to cater to vendors of food and apparel.

On the night of March 19, Damosa Gateway will host the “Tugtugan sa Damosa” where local bands and performers will be invited to serenade the patrons of bars and restaurants in Damosa.

A chess tournament for the youth category, will also be held at the Damosa Market Basket Atrium.

The kids and kids at heart will also have have their share of fun as they enjoy the activities made especially for them.

On March 27, the health and fitness enthusiasts can participate at the early morning Zumba Dancing activity at the Damosa Car Park.

It will then be followed by an Easter Egg Hunt, face painting, and egg decorating contests open for children of all ages. There will be fun and cool prizes in store!

You will never run out of things to do in Damosa because MARCHsaya lagi dito sa Damosa!

For inquiries and more details, you may refer to the poster or call 235-2146 loc. 304 and look for Ms. Jeanie Molina or Kj Villanueva.

Damosa Land is the real estate and property development company of Anflocor Group – the company that is responsible for developing business and lifestyle oriented commercial center, Damosa District.

es traffic congestion while motorist slow down to avoid accidents,” Escudero said.

charged,” Escudero said.

Citing the Civil Code of the Philippines, she said anything which obstructs or interferes with the free passage of any public highways or street is a nuisance and subject to abatement without judicial proceedings.

Under the bill, obstruction refers to any structure, permanent. Movable, erected along, or in any manner impeding safe and convenient passage through any public road or sidewalk.

A person who sells goods

Bill to ban the use of sidewalk for business purposes filed

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SING the sidewalks for commercial purposes may put you behind bars under a bill declaring it a criminal act punishable with a fine and imprisonment.

Sorsogon first district representative Evelina G. Escudero filed House Bill 5943 as she noted that sidewalks are occupied by vendors and used as illegal transport terminals while toads and alleys are blocked by illegal structures such as basketball courts and business stalls.

“Pedestrian are forced to walk on the road which caus-

Escudero said the bill imposes imprisonment or fines upon any person who obstructs or uses public roads and sidewalks for commercial purposes.

She said barangay officials who will not implement the proposed act face administrative sanction.

“The mayors or barangay officials who fail or neglect to implement the proposed act may be administratively

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 7 • SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2016

SouthCot cop tested positive to shabu use

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EASTER SUNDAY PREPS. Welders assemble the metal structure of a stage which will be used during the traditional Sugat, or the meeting of Mother Mary and the Risen Christ, in the upcoming Easter Sunday on March 27. Lean Daval Jr.

POLICE officer assigned in Polomolok town in South Cotabato is facing administrative proceedings after yielding positive of using illegal drugs following a random drug testing.

Supt. Joedy Lito Guisinga, Polomolok police chief, said Friday he immediately relieved the police officer from his assignment after failing the drug test conducted by the Police Regional Office 12’s crime laboratory last Feb. 15.

He said the erring male police officer, whose identity was initially withheld, was specifically found positive of using metamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu based on his urine samples.

“He will be subjected to further confirmatory tests and the necessary administrative proceedings,” he said in a radio interview.

Guisinga said he personally sought the conduct of the random tests among their personnel as part of their “internal cleansing” measures.

He said 10 police officers assigned at the Polomolok

police were subjected to the drug tests through urine sampling.

The police official expressed disappointment over the results of the screening but noted that it was necessary to ensure that their ranks are free from illegal drug users.

“We’re also investigating the extent of his drug use and possible involvement in related activities,” he said.

Supt. Romeo Galgo, public information officer of the Police Regional Office 12, said they are regularly conducting the random drug tests as part of their continuing cleansing process.

He said a number of police officers in the region have been relieved and subjected to dismissal proceedings in the past months after failing the drug tests.

The official added that Philippine National Police’s policy guidelines regarding use of prohibited drugs has set the outright dismissal from service of any police personnel who will be tested positive of drug use. (PNA)

GSC allots P24-M aid for El Nino-hit farmers Retirement benefits sought

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HE General Santos City government has allocated an initial P24 million for the rollout of assistance programs for local farmers who are directly affected by the continuing onslaught of the worsening long dry spell in the area.

City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) head Dr. Agripino Dacera Jr. said on Friday,they are currently finalizing their preparations for the implementation of cash-for-work, food-for-work and livelihood initiatives for around 8,000 farmers who are reeling from the effects of the intense dry weather.

He said the beneficiaries are mainly from 14 of the city’s 26 barangays that were hit hard by the dry spell, which is triggered by the prevailing El

Nino Phenomenon.

“We’re now ready with our action plan and we’re ironing out some arrangements to ensure their proper implementation,” he said in an interview over a local television station.

Dacera said the funds for the assistance programs will be drawn from the city’s calamity or quick response fund.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod or city council initially declared the city under the state of calamity last Feb. 23 due to the effects of the El Nino, which already destroyed nearly PHP30 million worth of agricultural crops.

The council made the declaration despite the absence of a recommendation from the CDDRM Council.

The City Agriculturist Office countered the move noting that the local government “can

DOH-ARMM tells public to remain vigilant vs Zika

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EALTH officials in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Friday reminded residents of the region not to be alarmed by reports on Zika infection cases in the country.

According to Christine Joy Capin, Department of Health (DOH-ARMM) assistant program nurse coordinator on emerging and re-emerging diseases, instead of panicking, the public should be “ready and aware” of the virus and its possible complications.

While health officials said residents should not be alarmed, it is best to to be vigilant and follow DOH advisories.

Recently, an American woman who visited the country in January was tested positive for Zika virus upon return-

ing home.

She was the country’s second laboratory-confirmed case of the mosquito-borne disease. The country had its first reported case of Zika virus infection in 2012, specifically a 15-year-old boy in Cebu.

Capin said Zika virus is transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, the same type of mosquito that causes dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. Zika infection symptoms are similar to those attributed to other mosquito-borne infections such as fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, pain behind the eyes and vomiting.

In a radio message, Dr. Kadil Sinolinding, DOH-ARMM regional secretary, has appealed to the public to be vig-

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only declare a state of calamity for a certain region or area if 20 percent of the agricultural yields are already damaged.”

“This is the reason why we can’t declare a state of calamity to the entire GenSan because only few barangays have been seen to be significantly affected by El Niño,” said city agriculturist Merlinda Donasco.

But on March 3, CDRRMC assented to the council’s calamity declaration to prevent further damages from the El Niño.

Earlier this week, the Department of the Interior and Local Government concurred with the city council’s Feb. 23 calamity declaration citing the city is already qualify to make the move.

“So we’re now officially under the state of calamity due to the El Nino,” Dacera said.

The official said the cashfor-work and food-for-work programs will mainly benefit affected farmers who were validated by the City Agriculturist Office.

It will also include other sectors who were listed by the City Social Welfare and Development Office based on its social impact assessment.

He said the city government will also launch an animal dispersal program for the affected farmers through the City Veterinary Office.

Dacera said they will tap the Philippine Red Cross to lead the distribution of the assistance to the beneficiaries due to a temporary prohibition for local government due to the upcoming May 9 local and national elections.

For his part, City Mayor

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HEALTH HAZARD. Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 11’s Socorro Mallare (left) and Conrada Vinluan confirm that the coliform content of the Davao River and other body of waters surrounding Davao City are much

for elected barangay officials

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PROPOSED law seeking the grant of retirement benefits to elected barangay officials for their years of service as public officers is under consideration by the House Committee on Local Government.

Pampanga representative Joseller “Yeng” M. Guiao is author of HB 4358 entitled “An Act granting retirement benefits to all elective Barangay officials and appropriating funds therefor.”

“My proposal is meant to give due recognition to barangay officials who often give the best years of their lives to public service,” Rep. Guiao stressed.

The author is proposing that Barangay Chairmen

should get Fifteen Thousand Pesos (PHP15,000.00) for every year of service while Barangay Councilors should receive Ten Thousand Pesos (PHP10,000.00) for every year of service as retirement benefits.

The barangay, as the basic political entity, serves as the front-line unit in the delivery of government services especially to the most remote areas of the country, he said.

“Likewise, the barangay serves as the primary and implementing unit of government programs and projects. These and other important functions of the barangay, are executed and implemented by barangay

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higher than the normal as communities living near these areas continue to throw their wastes in the sewage. Mallare and Vinluan were among the guests of Kapihan sa PIA at Abreeza Mall yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

5 ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 7 • SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2016

DOST’s P3-B wi-fi project hit for being ‘slow’

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

N internet rights advocate group hit the Department of Science and Technology - Information and Communication Office’s (DOST-ICTO)’s P3-billion free wi-fi project for its low speed and data collection.

Dubbed as “Free Wi-Fi Internet Access in Public Places,” the DOST-ICTO said the project will serve 105,000 concurrent user once it is completed this year.

The Wi-Fi hotspots will be available in public places like town plazas; regional, municipal, and barangay health units; libraries; offices of various government agencies; lobbies of hospitals; and all public elementary and secondary schools Digibak-Dakila project manager Julia Jasmine Sta. Romana, internet rights advocate, said the government’s project will not prosper because of its low speed and data allocation.

“It will not provide a maximum opportunity to people living in the fourth, fifth, and sixth class municipalities because of its low data and speed allocation,” she said.

Earlier, DOST executive director for E-Society Bettina Quimson said the project will connect third, fourth, fifth, and sixth class municipalities that are known to be the poorest areas of the country. She said residents will be able to check email, call through Skype, access Facebook, send messages through Viber, and use Wattpad.

Based on the project preview, the Department of Science and Technology- Information and Communication Office (DOST-ICTO) “shall install hotspots having a speed of 256 kilobytes per second (kbps) being the lowest prevailing speed requirement for a broadband service.”

Reports said a data volume based Fair Usage Policy will be implemented to ensure that there will be equitable distribution of the service.

“This is not even enough to watch an educational video or access an educational website,” Sta. Romana said.

“The low allocation will definitely defeat the goal of the project which is free internet access in public places,” She added.

Sta. Romana, however, added that the project is “a small step in the creation of necessary ICT (information and communications technology) infrastructure for more municipalities in the country to be connected.”

Sta. Romana suggested that government make use of the program to expedite government transactions in low-level municipalities, where internet connectivity is a serious challenge.

With the implementation of the program, the government is hoping to promote online jobs as an alternative source of income.

However, with the speed of only 256 kbps, creating an online industry in the municipalities will not prosper.

$40-M renewable energy plant in Clark inaugurated

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HE first renewable energy project inside this Freeport was inaugurated on Friday.

The inauguration was led by Clark Development Corporation (CDC) president Arthur P. Tugade with Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) president Arnel Casanova, Robert Driscoll, president of Sindicatum Group-the mother company of Sindicatum Renewable Energy, and Jose P. Leviste, Jr., chairman of Mabalacat Solar Philippines, Inc. (MSPI) The 40-million U.S dollar Clark Solar Power, located in a leased 25-hectare property inside the Freeport, is expected to produce 22.325-MW power that could provide alternative power supply to the growing power needs of the locators.

It is a joint venture of MSPI and two Singapore-based renewable energy developers – Sindicatum Renewable Energy Company and Armstrong Asset Management.

The solar plant project could energize at least 100,000 households in Pampanga and Clark once fully operational.

It would form part of the so-called Basket of Power be-

ing envisioned by the current CDC management for Clark and local communities.

The CDC welcomed the establishment of the solar project as it meets several of its objectives that include ensuring adequate and low cost power supply to current and future locators within the Freeport Zone.

The project is also in parallel to state-run firm’s commitment to reduce carbon footprint inside Clark as well as to meet the environmental objectives of the locators here and the BCDA. The project also supports the development of the Clark Green City, which will be a major new integrated city involving commercial, industrial and residential development.

It has been interconnected through Clark Electric Development Corporation (CEDC), and as such will supply most of its power to the local area served by CEDC, including the locators in the Freeport Zone.

The project is also registered with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), and will supply power not required by CEDC to support the Luzon grid. (PNA)

PUBLIC TRANSPORT OR POLITICAL AD? A passenger cab named Do30 is now roaming around Davao City for public transport. The name of the cab is pun of the surname of presidential bet Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who is now gaining national attention after he declared his bid. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

US firm launches virtual medical services in Davao

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ONE are the days when patients have to call for reservations just for medical check-ups as United States-based service provider MyDocNow has landed in Davao in a bid to provide convenient medical services through a virtual platform.

“We offer virtual medical services that seamlessly connect medical professionals and patients using a telemedicine portal that is patterned after the system used in the United States,” MyDocNow chief medical officer Dr. Jose Miguel Vergara said in a recent press conference.

Vergara said the new plat-

form, which patients can use for free in March until April, can be accessed at www. mydocnow.org.

The health company offers video consultations with doctors, comprehensive patient education, remote health monitoring, prescription, medication, and lab test result delivery, and round the clock home visits of doctors and nurses in selected areas.

“The MyDocNow platform is ideally suited to support large scale deployment of healthcare services in the rural areas of the country,” he said.

MyDocNow has partnered with US-based firm Avizia, a

pioneer in telehealth platform that works with large health and insurance providers, to connect patients with health care specialists anywhere in the world.

The virtual healthcare delivery system that is now adopted by Davao Doctors hospital will help healthcare providers save time while still providing premium services to patients.

“Patients will receive quality medical care at their convenience. It is simple, secure and confidential,” Dunham added.

The McDocNow’s 24/7 call centre is staffed with highly skilled nurses who are trained

to perform basic triage and operate the system to facilitate doctor-patient connection.

MyDocNow partners with Lifeline Rescue, a Manila-based organization with over a 100 doctors who provide emergency response services in urban areas.

The firm is also exploring the possibility of developing a system that will allow independent doctors to be part of their network of medical service providers.

MyDocNow will launch this month a free mobile application for both Android and iOS devices. CHENEEN R. CAPON

the money to organizations in the Philippines and Sri Lanka.

“Wala nang ibang pagkakataon. Ngayon na ang tamang panahon para pirmahan ng Palasyo ang batas na magtatayo ng hiwalay na Department of Information and Communications Technology,” said Recto, who is the principal sponsor of the bill creating the DICT. Both houses of Congress passed their own version of the DICT bill last year, with minor differences. To avoid convening a bicameral conference, the Senate, before it adjourned for the campaign season last month, conveyed to the House its decision to accept the House version.

Recto said that to attract Malacañang support, the DICT bill Congress had approved provided for a lean bureaucracy with a small but smart workforce.

“In fact, there will be savings in the merger of the offices.

Para makatipid, we limited the number of undersecretaries, to cite an example, and the creation of regional offices was not made mandatory. This will not burn a huge hole in the taxpayer’s pocket,” Recto explained.

Despite its “small budget footprint”, the proposed DICT will be a “powerful main server” which would spur information and communications technology (ICT) development, institutionalize e-government, and manage the country’s ICT environment,” he added.

The Batangeno lawmaker said what made the activation of a DICT urgent was the need to firewall the country from cyber attacks.

“Countries we are not so friendly with may target us and criminals will always want to hack their way to our financial system,” he pointed out.

Under the proposed DICT, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center will

be attached to the department, the senator noted.

The DICT will formulate the National Cybersecurity Plan and form the National Computer Emergency Response Team, “our IT Special Action Forces,” as stated in Section 15 of the Senate and House approved bill: “All powers and functions related to cybersecurity including but not limited to the formulation of the National Cybersecurity Plan, establishment of the National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT), and the facilitation of international cooperation on intelligence regarding cybersecurity matters are transferred to the Department.”

“We live in an era when terrorists don’t have to blast bank doors to do mayhem; but simply unleash a virus that could shred or suck out financial data.

An enemy with a missile is as

Recto: PHL needs Cyber-SAF to protect banks from hackers

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ENATE President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto on Friday called on Malacañang to expedite the signing into law of a recently-approved bill creating the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), saying the country needs “Special Action Forces” in cyberspace to protect its banking system from hackers.

“The threat of cyber-attack on our banking system is real.

The hack-attack on Bangladesh Bank brings the threat closer to home, stressing the need for us to put up counter-measures against cyber-criminals the soonest time possible,” Recto said.

The senator was referring to reports that hackers stole USD 80 million from the Bangladesh Bank, using stolen credentials to make online transfers. The hackers reportedly requested the Federal Reserve Bank in New York to transfer

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 7 • SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2016

El Niño destroys P23.9-M worth of crops in Zambo B T

HE El Niño phenomenon continues to take its toll on the local agriculture sector as the damage to crops climbed to PhP23.9 million as of last Friday, March 4.

City Agriculturist Diosdado Palacat said in his report to Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar that a total of 1,092.28 hectares of agricultural lands were destroyed due to prolonged drought brought about by the El Niño

phenomenon.

Palacat added that the damaged areas were planted with rice, corn, assorted vegetables and other types of crops.

Aside from rice and corn, the other areas affected were planted with banana, papaya, cassava, sweet potato, peanut, ginger, mung bean, eggplant, squash, cacao, lanzones, rambutan and durian.

Palacat said the hardest

hit areas are rice fields consisting of 517.6 hectares. It is followed by cornfields, 262.08 hectares; and, assorted vegetables, 69.84 hectares.

He said they are exerting all efforts by coordinating with other government agencies to ensure support and assistance to the affected farmers.

He said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Food and Agri-

Latest ECB rate cut positive for global growth, markets

culture Organization (FAO) have responded to his request for the implementation of cash-for-work and food-forwork programs to the affected farmers.

Meanwhile, he said the Department of Agriculture (DA) in partnership with the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) and the local government is set to conduct cloud seeding operations to induce artificial rains. (PNA)

Unemployment down, more jobs created in January 2016

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ORE jobs were generated for Filipinos in January 2016, which reflects the continued dynamism of the economy, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported today that the number of employed Filipinos grew by 2.0 percent to 39.2 million with an estimated 752,000 additional jobs created between January 2015 and January 2016.

This brought down unemployment rate to 5.8 percent from 6.6 percent in January 2015, with broad-based improvements coming from most regions, across all age groups, almost all educational levels, and for both men and women.

“Our labor market was boosted by better employment opportunities in the industry and services sectors. This performance also brought the unemployment rate to its second lowest in the decade, with the

lowest recorded in October last year,” said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Emmanuel F. Esguerra.

The industry and services sectors generated 508,000 and 1.18 million additional jobs, respectively, in January 2016.

“With employment growing faster at 2.0 percent relative to the labor force growth of 1.1 percent, the number of unemployed went down by 279,000 to 2.4 million during the period,” the Cabinet official said.

“With the favorable labor market situation in January 2016 and the continued slowdown in the national unemployment rate, the Philippine Development Plan target of 6.5-6.7 percent for unemployment rate in 2016 is likely to be achieved,” added Esguerra, who is also NEDA Director-General.

On the other hand, the slight decline in labor force participation rate was partly due to the decision among the youth to opt out of the labor

force to attend school and become full-time students.

However, underemployment, which refers to those who are working but wanted more work, worsened to 19.7 percent form 17.9 percent year-on-year. There were approximately 7.7 million underemployed persons, most of whom were wage and salary workers in private establishments.

“Despite the increase in underemployment, positive results in indicators of quality of work, such as the mean hours of work, class of workers and the full-time employment, signal that efforts to foster more remunerative employment are gaining traction,” Esguerra said.

Meanwhile, the number of remunerative and stable wage and salary workers increased by 2.7 million and their share in total employment greatly surged to 63.3 percent in January 2016 from 57.5 percent in January 2015. The number of full-time workers also increased by 2.8 million.

To further improve the employment situation in the country, Esguerra said the government should focus efforts on equipping students with industry-relevant competencies and skills, and increasing opportunities for work experience.

He also stressed the need to urgently address the continued lag in employment in the agriculture sector, which recorded a net employment loss of 935,000. This is consistent with the weak agricultural output given the El Niño phenomenon, which peaked in December 2015.

“Agriculture accounts for over a quarter of total employment. This highlights the need to further improve the resiliency of farmers to mitigate effects of unfavorable weather conditions such as the El Niño which may persist until May 2016. Also, enhancing skills and improving capacities of affected farm workers is important for them to have a smoother transition to more stable work,” he said.

ANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. dubbed as positive for the medium term the latest cut in the European Central Bank’s (ECB) interest rates and expansion of its quantitative easing program.

ECB announced on Thursday morning (Manila time) its decision to cut its main interest rate to zero percent from 0.05 percent and bank deposit rate to -0.4 percent from -0.3 percent as well as the expansion to 80 billion euro from 60 billion euro of its monthly bond purchases.

Tetangco, in a text message to reporters on Friday, noted that ECB President Mario Draghi “described the moves as comprehensive.”

He, however, cited that ”what may have received more attention from the market was the intimation that the ECB

may be nearing the end of easing cycle.”

This after Draghi suggested that there would be no more rate cuts in the pipeline.

Tetangco said the ”timing of the policy action and the subsequent statement may have stirred markets somewhat.”

Despite this, Tetangco remains optimistic on the latest ECB decision.

“To the extent these moves would translate to growth these should be medium term positive for global growth and the markets, including the peso,” he said.

In terms of its impact on the BSP’s policy stance, Tetangco said the Philippine central bank do not have to make the same decision. ”We watch developments in policy stances of other jurisdictions but don’t have to

F LATEST, 10

DA hit for not responding to agri industry concerns

M

INDANAO business leaders lashed out at the Department of Agriculture (DA) for allegedly not responding appropriately to address the concerns of the agricultural sector, most especially the banana industry that is suffering from losses due to El Nino, global market competition, and diseases.

“We have done everything that we can think of, but we are not getting the appropriate responses from the government.

Probably, it will come after the next election,” said Stephen Antig, executive director of the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA), during the weekly Habi at Kape sa Abreeza Mall on Tuesday.

He cited, for instance, the PBGEA’s request to the department to come out with a mapping of the affected areas by Panama Disease, also known as the Fusarium Wilt, in Mindanao “but so far we have not received such inventory.”

Antig added that one of its members is still not allowed to export Cavendish bananas to China after the suspension issued by the Chinese government during the 2012 banana crises.

He suggested to the Philippine government to renegotiate with the inspection and quarantine bureau in China to lift the suspension, although the country’s Plant Quarantine Services is doing a regular check if the growers here follow the sanitary protocols.

“We can actually go to China and explain to them what measures we have taken so the suspension will be lifted,” Antig said.

The PBGEA has a total of 27 member companies, which covered 40,000 hectares of the 83,000 has. planted to bananas in Mindanao.

Aside from China and Japan, the Philippines’s main

markets for bananas are United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain in the Middle East and Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore in ASEAN. “We have raised all these issue to DA but as I have said medyo taphaw ang response ng DA (DA’s help is quite shallow),” he said Some Japanese visitors will be in Davao Region by middle of this month to check on the situation of the banana industry here and conduct a study on how the Panama disease would affect the health of the consumers when an affected banana is eaten.

“But it may not (affect the health) because once hit by Panama disease, your bananas will no longer bear fruits,” Antig pointed out.

Businessman Philip Sonny Dizon lambasted DA by saying it is “one department that is totally useless. Secretary (Proceso) Alcala has not delivered the goods.”

He said he is discouraged to expand his plantations due to the volatility of banana’s global price market and the cost to produce bananas.

DA 11 regional director Remelyn Recoter said they, in collaboration with the local government units (LGUs), have ongoing assistance to small banana growers and cloud seeding operations to cushion the impact of the long dry spell on the agricultural crops.

“We have for other crops distributed open surface pumps,” she said.

Recoter said the big players might have not felt it because their assistance is more focused on small farmers.

“Hindi lang nila alam siguro. But of course we could not cover all farmers,” she said.

(Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

EDGEDAVAO

7 HEALTH

VOL. 9 ISSUE 7 • SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2016

The healing powers of onions Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

I

N 1864, General Ulysses S. Grant declared in an advisory to the federal government, “I will not move my army without onions!” Some years later, he became the 18th president of the United States.

“It’s hard to imagine civilization without onions,” said American chef, author, and television personality Julia Child, who brought French cuisine to the American public with her debut cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

Onions have been with us since time immemorial. In the olden times, they were mentioned to have been eaten by the Israelites. In Numbers 11:5, the children of Israel lament the meager desert diet enforced by the exodus: “We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely, the cucumbers and the melons and the leeks and the onions and the garlic.”

Onions have been cultivated for 5000 years or more, according to the National Onion Association in the United States. “Since onions grew wild in various regions, they were probably consumed for thousands of years and domesticated simultaneously all over the world,” it said. “In addition, the onion was useful for sustaining human life. Onions prevented thirst and could be dried and preserved for later consumption when food might be scarce.”

In Egypt, onions can be traced back to 3500 B.C., where they were actually an object of worship. The onion symbolized eternity to the Egyptians who buried onions along with their Pharaohs. The Egyptians saw eternal life in the anatomy of the onion because of its circle-within-a-circle structure.

The onion is mentioned as a funeral offering and onions are depicted on the banquet tables of the great feasts – both large, peeled onions and slender, immature ones. They were shown upon the altars of the gods.

In ancient Greece, athletes ate large quantities of onion because it was believed that it would lighten the balance of blood. Roman gladiators were rubbed down with onion to firm up their muscles. During the Middle Ages, onions were such an important food that people would pay for their rent with onions and even give them as gifts.

The Romans, on the other hand, ate onions regularly and carried them on journeys to

“It’s hard to imagine civilization without onions”

their provinces in England and Germany. The Roman gourmet Apicius, credited with writing one of the first cookbooks (which dates to the eighth and ninth centuries A.D.), included many references to onions.

Today, onions are available in fresh, frozen, canned, pickled, and dehydrated forms.

Onions can be used, usually chopped or sliced, in almost every type of food, including cooked foods and fresh salads, and as a spicy garnish; they are rarely eaten on their own but usually act as accompaniment to the main course. Depending on the variety, an onion can be sharp, spicy, tangy and pungent or mild and sweet.

Onions pickled in vinegar are eaten as a snack. These are often served as a side serving in fish and chip shops throughout the United Kingdom. Onions are a staple food in India, and are therefore fundamental to Indian cooking. They are commonly used as a base for curries, or made into a paste and eaten as a main course or as a side dish.

“Onions are super-healthy,” said Victoria Jarzabkowski, a nutritionist with the Fitness Institute of Texas at the University of Texas at Austin. “They are excellent sources of vitamin C, sulphuric compounds, flavonoids and phytochemicals.”

“I like to recommend eating onions because they add flavor without salt and sugar,”

Jarzabkowski added. Onions are low in calories (45 per serving), very low in sodium, and contain no fat or cholesterol. Furthermore, onions contain fiber and folic acid, a B vitamin that helps the body make healthy new cells.

“The flavonoids in onion tend to be more concentrated in the outer layers of the flesh,” the website of the World’s Healthiest Foods (www.whfoods.com) claims. To maximize its health benefits, “peel off as little of the fleshy, edible portion as possible when removing the onion’s outermost paper layer.” Even a small amount of “overpeeling” can result in unwanted loss of flavonoids.

The total polyphenol content of onions is much higher than many people expect. Polyphenols are one of the largest categories of phytonutrients in food. “The total polyphenol content of onion is not only higher than its fellow allium vegetables, garlic and leeks, but also higher than tomatoes, carrots, and red bell pepper,” the website reports.

The particularly valuable flavonoid in onions is quercetin, which acts as an antioxidant. Although the average onion is likely to contain less than 100 milligrams of quercetin, some onions do provide this amount. “When onions are simmered to make soup, their quercetin does not get degraded,” reports the website. “It

simply gets transferred into the water part of the soup. By using a low-heat method for preparing onion soup, you can preserve the health benefits of onion that are associated with this key flavonoid.”

Jo Lewin, a nutritional therapist, suggests that it is better to eat onions in its raw state than cooked. In an article, she wrote: “(Onion) contains a variety of organic sulphur compounds, contained in a volatile oil, that provide the health benefits. These are partly destroyed by heat. When eaten raw, its juice can act as an irritant and some people find it difficult to digest. Those who are not tempted by the idea of eating raw onions can follow simple cooking methods that may make them more palatable.”

Onion has repeatedly been shown to lower our risk of several cancers, even if consumed in only moderate amounts. By “moderate,” experts refer it to “1-2 times per week,” even though in some studies it has been used to mean up to “5-6 times per week.”

“Colorectal cancer, laryngeal cancer, and ovarian cancer are the cancer types for which risk is reduced along with moderate amounts of dietary onion,” the website of the World’s Healthiest Foods informs. “For other cancer types, however, moderate intake of onion has not been enough to show significant risk reduction. For

these cancer types -- including esophageal cancer and cancers of the mouth -- daily intake of onion is required before research results show significant risk reduction.”

Unknowingly, the chromium in onions assists in regulating blood sugar. Jessie Szalay, a contributor for Live Science, wrote: “The sulfur in onions helps lower blood sugar by triggering increased insulin production. One 2010 study in the journal Environmental Health Insights revealed that this might be especially helpful to people with people with diabetes. People with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes who ate red onions showed lower glucose levels for up to four hours.”

While eating onions is healthy, there are some precautions that need to be observed. “Eating a large amount of green onions or rapidly increasing your consumption of green onions may interfere with blood thinning drugs,” Szalay reported. He based that information from a study done

by the University of Georgia, which found green onions to contain a high amount of vitamin K, which can decrease blood thinner functioning.

Although it is rare, it is possible to have food intolerance or allergy to onions, according to an article in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. “People with onion allergies may experience red, itchy eyes and rashes if an onion comes into contact with the skin,” Szalay wrote. “People with intolerance to onions may experience nausea, vomiting and other gastric discomfort.”

By the way, why you cry when you slice onions? “Slicing onions makes you cry because when you cut into it, the onion produces a sulfur-based gas,” Szalay noted. “The gas reacts with the water in your eyes and forms sulfuric acid.

To rid your eyes of this fiery irritant, your tear ducts work overtime. For no more (or fewer) tears, try moving your face farther away from the onion so the gas disperses before reaching your eyes.”

EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE

VOL. 9 ISSUE 7 • SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2016

EDITORIAL

T

Jovito Salonga, Champion of Democracy (1920-2016)

HE country mourns the death of former Senate president Jovito Salonga who passed away on Thursday (March 10).

Salonga goes down history as one of the country’s most esteemed statesmen.

For the youth of today who may have not known the man, who is Jovito Salonga?

Salonga was born on June 22, 1920 from poor beginnings and became a brilliant lawyer. In 1961, he was elected representative of Rizal province. He then became senator for 12 years, from 1965 to 1972 and from 1987 to 1992.

Among the high points of Salonga’s reverred career in politics are outlined thus: 1. Second longest-living Senate president.

He served as Senate president from 1987 to 1991.

2. 3-time Senatorial polls topnotcher (undisputed).

He placed first in the 1965, 1971, and 1987 senatorial elections. He ran under the Liberal Party (LP) banner in all 3.

3. Bar topnotcher.

He and Jose W. Diokno topped the 1944 bar examinations, where they both obtained a 95.3% grade.

4. Alumnus of both the Harvard and Yale Law Schools.

He obtained his Masters of Law degree from Harvard Law School in 1948, and his Doctor of Law degree from Yale Law School in 1949.

5. Ran for President in 1992 under Liberal Party and lost to Fidel V. Ramos.

He was LP’s presidential candidate, with Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel, Jr as his running-mate.

However, Salonga won only 2.3 million votes, placing sixth in the 7-person presidential race, won by Fidel V. Ramos.

6. Imprisoned during the Japanese occupation and Martial Law regimes.

In 1942, during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II, Salonga was arrested for spreading anti-Japanese propaganda. Luckily, he was pardoned the fol-

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lowing year after his name was drawn in a raffle during Japan’s foundation day ceremonies.

Then, in 1980, during Martial Law, Salonga was implicated in a minor bombing incident shortly after President Ferdinand Marcos’ keynote speech in an event at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.

7. Survived the 1971 Plaza Miranda bombing.

During an LP proclamation rally at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila, for the 1971 senatorial elections, a grenade was thrown on stage. The explosion seriously injured some LP party members and senatorial candidates, including Salonga, whose left eye was permanently damaged.

8. Became the first chairman of the PCGG. Days after the 1986 People Power Revolution, then-President Corazon Aquino created the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) to go after the ill-gotten wealth of the toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos and his cronies, among other duties.

9. One of the 12 senators in 1991 who voted against the RP-US Bases Treaty.

The treaty between the Philippines and the United States sought to extend the operation of American bases in the country, following the expiration of the 1947 Military Bases Agreement.

Senate President Salonga broke an 11-11 tie and voted against the treaty.

10. Father of the Anti-Plunder Law. When he was elected senator in 1987, Salonga took with him the lessons he learned from the PCGG. Existing laws like the Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act “were clearly inadequate to cope with the magnitude of the corruption and thievery committed during the Marcos years,” he said.

As a result, Salonga authored Republic Act 7080 or the Anti-Plunder Law, signed by President Corazon Aquino in 1991.

To the late champion of democracy, Jovito Salonga, your legacy will live forever.

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G

O to a street and ask an average man of what medical problem they fear most and they would either mention stroke or heart attack. “Many don’t realize that developing kidney failure can be just as disabling and life-threatening,” says Dr. Rafael R. Castillo, a cardiologist at the Manila Doctors’ Hospital.

Last March 10, Davao City joined the international community in commemorating the World Kidney Day. However, a few days before the celebration, two doctors from Southern Philippines Medical Center -- Dr. Tes Bañes and Dr. Maria Therese Bad-ang -- guested the Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao telling the media that kidney problems are “alarmingly increasing” among children and young adults.

In terms of kidney dialysis patients, based on the records of the Renal Disease Controlled Program (Redcop), Davao Region ranked fifth nationwide. It comes after Pampanga, Bulacan, Batangas and Cebu.

Of the 1,200 new patients undergoing a maintenance dialysis in Davao Region, some 600 cases are from Davao City.

In an editorial, EDGE Davao pointed out: “The age of patients has also gone down to as young as eight years old suffering from inherited diabetes and worsened by lifestyle choice.

Majority of new cases recorded in the region are from the 60 to 65 age range. She also said there was also an increase in the number of patients on dialysis among young professionals.

Young patients aged 12 to 18 years are also vulnerable to kidney diseases.”

The Department of Health (DOH) reports that one person dies every hour from kidney failure. More than 7,000 cases of kidney failure in the country are recorded every year. This puts kidney failure as the ninth leading cause of death among Filipinos today, according to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI).

Dr. Aileen Riego-Javier, NKTI executive director, said that for every one million Filipinos, 120 of them are most likely to develop kidney failure. Each year, approximately 10,000 people need to replace their kidney function.

Healthy kidneys clean our blood by removing excess fluid, minerals, and wastes.

G

ENERAL SANTOS CITY, March 11, 2016 – Who taught Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno “Logic” and “Argumentation and Debate”?

She has warped logic in her response to the criticisms by critics and legal experts that the Supreme Court ruling to allow Sen. Grace Poe to run for president is unconstitutional (The Daily Tribune, March 11, 2016: Sereno: Judge after reading opinions).

Last Tuesday, March 8, the Court announced it had voted 9-6 to allow Poe to run for president without releasing its “Decision” — together with the concurring and dissenting opinions — reversing the decision of the Commission on Elections canceling Poe’s certificate of candidacy.

As quoted in the national media on line, the court spokesman Theodore Te said: “I am authorized to say that there will be four concurring opinions to the Majority Decision, and five dissenting opinions. Please note 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 and used as basis for the vote, i.e., between citizenship and

VOL. 9 ISSUE 7 • SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2016

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Kidney problems on the rise They also make THINK ON THESE! hormones that keep our bones strong and your blood healthy. But if the kidneys are damaged, they don’t work properly.

Medical science tells us that harmful wastes Henrylito D. Tacio can build up in our henrytacio@gmail.com body. Our blood pressure may rise.

Our body may retain excess fluid and not make enough red blood cells. Doctors call this kidney failure.

“If your kidneys fail, you need treatment to replace the work they normally do,” says the National Institute of Health in the United States. “Before dialysis was available, total kidney failure meant death,” notes the US National Kidney Foundation (NKF). “Today, people with kidney failure can live because of treatments such as dialysis and kidney transplant.”

According to medical experts, dialysis is a way of cleaning our blood when our kidneys can no longer do the job. It gets rid of our body’s wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control our blood pressure.

Actually, there are two kinds of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. “In hemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine, and returned to your body by tubes that connect you to the machine,” NKF explains. “In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter.

Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid called dialysate, which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.”

Among these patients with kidney failure in the Philippines, “only around 86% could undergo dialysis and only 14% could undergo transplantation because of the high cost of treatment,” wrote Francis James B. Gatdula in an article which appeared in Health and Lifestyle.

Dialysis does help lengthen the life of the patient but it is expensive. It costs around P60,000 to P70,000 a month – that’s P720,000

to P840,000 a year. This does not yet include the fees for required laboratory tests and medicines.

“In the long-term, kidney transplantation is cheaper than dialysis,” said Dr. Enrique Ona, former NKTI director. “Moreover, survival rates and quality of life in transplants are much better.”

A transplant costs half a million pesos to one million pesos for a one-time surgery, as long as the donated organ is not rejected by the recipient’s system.

“Kidney diseases are on the rise, and it can be considered part and parcel of the dreaded epidemic of noncommunicable diseases,” points out Dr. Castillo. “In fact, there can be hardly any argument that most chronic kidney disorders are also lifestyle-related problems, and share the same risk factors as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.”

An ounce of prevention, so goes a saying, is better than a pound of cure. The same is true with your kidneys. In their book, Stay Younger, Live Healthier, Dr. Willie Ong and his wife, Dr. Liza Ong, shared ten ways to protect your kidneys (based from their interview with Dr. Elizabeth Montemayor, a nephrologist at the Philippine General Hospital): 1. Limit your salt intake. Too much salt is not only bad for your blood pressure; it’s also bad for your kidneys. Many die of kidney disease, which can be partly attributed to a high salt intake and fondness for fish sauce, soy sauce, salt and salted fish. Even instant noodles, chips and nuts are teeming with salt.

2. Don’t load up on high protein foods such as meat and steaks. A high protein diet makes the kidneys work twice as hard. Pretty soon, your kidneys could get tired and some of the weaker kidney cells can die. Eat a balanced diet of rice, vegetables, fish and fruits and you can’t go wrong.

3. Keep your blood pressure at 130/80 or lower. If your blood pressure is above 140 over 90, this can cause kidney damage within five years. The kidneys are said to be “happiest” with a blood pressure of 130/80 or lower. To help control your blood pressure, you should limit your salt intake, reduce weight and take medicines for high blood pressure, if needed.

4. Keep your blood sugar below 120 mg/dl.

Diabetes and high blood pressure are the two leading causes of kidney failure. A person with uncontrolled diabetes for 5-10 years may develop significant kidney damage. Consult your doctor and keep your blood sugar under control with diet, exercise and maintenance medicines.

5. Drink 8 glasses of water a day. Doctors usually advise people to take in 8 glasses of water a day, but this really depends on your age and condition. If you’re sweating a lot and work outdoors, you may need to drink more than 8 glasses a day. However, if you are above 65 years of age, you may do well with just 6 glasses a day.

Drinking enough water also prevents the formation of kidney stones.

6. Watch your intake of pain relievers and other drugs. Taking pain relievers for a prolonged period of time may cause kidney damage. Because of this, we should limit taking these medicines to only a week, or just take them as needed. For those with chronic arthritis, try to look for other ways to relieve the pain such as using a hot water bag, pain reliever ointments, or the safer paracetamol tablet.

7. Be careful with tests and procedures using contrast dyes. Some tests, like CT Scans and MRIs, and angiograms, use a contrast dye which helps doctors delineate the organs better. The problem with such dyes is that they can cause kidney damage. To be safe, consult akidney specialist before undergoing such procedures.

8. Don’t drink too much Vitamin C. Excess vitamin C (ascorbic acid) can lead to the formation of kidney stones in predisposed individuals. If you need to take vitamin C, a dose of 500 mg or less is safer.

9. Don’t rely on food supplements to protect your kidneys. The aforementioned tips are so far the best tips to care for the kidneys.

10. Get a kidney check-up. Simple tests, such as a complete blood count, and a urinalysis are the first screening tests for the kidneys. Finding a trace of protein in the urine can alert the doctor of possible kidney disease.

“The health advice in this forum is only for general knowledge,” Dr. Ong reminds. “For your specific questions, kindly consult your personal physician.”

Yet, in The Daily Tribune report, this was exactly what Sereno did – fault the critics and legal experts.

Referring to the yet-to-be released “decision and opinions”, the Tribune report quoted her as telling reporters: “Why don’t you read them and decide for yourselves. I don’t want to say that we are very clear, or what, because that is a matter that is best left to the reader. And you are going to be the readers of this soon-to-be released decision and opinions.” She was really addressing the critics, legal experts and the President.

Why did she allow the announcement of the 9-6 without the “Decision” and the opinions of the justices? And now she is faulting the critics and legal experts – also the President for being confused – for not judging the 9-6 vote according the “soon-to-be-released decision and opinions”. If that is not warped logic, Mr. Webster should change the meaning of “warped”.

Incidentally, Sereno is just being consistent. One fundamental rule in argumentation is: “Argue according to the issue.” At issue in the cancellation of Poe’s COC is her status as a natu-

ral-born citizen due to her being a foundling.

On this issue, there is no room under the strict constitutional provisions and doctrine for Poe to be a natural-born Filipino citizen unless she can positively prove – e.g., by DNA test – her biological father or mother is a natural-born Filipino citizen.

So, Sereno changed the issue to the grave injustice on thousands of foundlings in the Philippines should Poe not be allowed to run for president. Two or three other justices followed her argument – the same emotional appeal of Poe to the media.

As the saying goes, if you cannot solve a test problem, change the problem. Obviously in sympathy for Poe, Sereno changed the issue in order to win her argument to have Poe qualify to run for president not as a natural-born Filipino citizen but as a foundling representing the thousands of foundlings and their rights.

(Author’s Note: Mind da News, the alternate of COMMENT, is a comment on current news. The author may be contacted at patponcediaz@yahoo.com.)

Sereno’s warped logic

MIND DA NEWS

BY PATRICIO P. DIAZ 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.”

He said a final copy of the majority opinion will be forthcoming in the next few days. In The Daily Tribune cited above, “Sereno appealed for patience in the release of the main decision and the accompanying concurring and dissenting opinions on the Poe cases”.

Should Sereno fault the critics and legal experts? Without the “Decision” and the concurring and dissenting opinions, they can only judge the 9-6 voting according to their clear reading of the Constitution on citizenship and the facts and circumstances pertaining to Poe’s residency. The President, in the last two days, was reported to be confused and of urging the Court to clarify the issue on Poe’s citizenship.

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 7 • SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2016

DUTERTE... FROM 1

mind that momentum is on our side,” he said.

He said the ploy to resurrect the worn out allegations against the Duterte is a vain and desperate attempt to stop the momentum.

“Certainly, they had all the opportunity, time, resources and wherewithal to file those charges when Mayor Duterte was a virtual non-entity in national politics. Moreso when he was not yet a declared presidential candidate,” he said.

Laviña said now that Duterte is on the heels of being elected the first president from the south – a Mindanaoan with strong Visayan roots – in more

than 50 years, his opponents are training their guns on him to arrest his irreversible march to victory.

“We deplore these dirty tricks. We abhor these underhanded tactics,” he said.

He said the group will resist the vain plot to pin Duterte down because of his strong stand against crime and corruption.

“We warn them of the repercussions of such diabolical plan,” he said.

Laviña said the people will not be swayed by black propaganda and “amateurish schemes. He is confident Duterte will prevail.

It was learned that the camp of Mrs. Arroyo, through her legal counsel Atty. Estelito Mendoza, asked for the extension of the stoppage of the trial of the case of plunder of the

former president.

Mrs. Arroyo is currently under “hospital arrest” at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) due to her debilitating bone disease. (PNA)

SC... FROM 2

DC... FROM 2

ya, Kalayaan Beach Resort, Mergrande and Marina Azul I. In the Island Garden City of Samal only Camp Holiday have higher than standard fecal coliform content at 237 MPN/ 1000 liters however it is still below the standard range for total coliform content as it registered 328 MPN/ 100 liters. Raut said the reason for the high fecal coliform content would be the presence of landing barges emptying their wastes to the sea.

Raut said that resort owners in highly-polluted beaches must put signboards to warn people not to swim in their areas. She said that with the onset of the warm summer season, bacteria will breed faster as the temperature is conducive to their growth.

Symptoms associated with swimming in high coliform waters include diarrhea, skin rashes and sore eyes.

She said that there is new evidence that polio virus

thrives in dirty waters, with the country going polio-free, thus a strong chance that polio won’t be eradicated because of the polluted rivers and beaches.

The DOH with the support of the World Health Organization is planning to put up sampling station along the mouth of the Davao River as a form of environmental surveillance for the polio virus.

Raut said their intention is not to besmirch the tourism industry of Davao but to make people aware of the state of our waters.

The news is nothing new as early last year the late City Councilor Leo Avila sounded off the alarm, based on a 2014 water quality assessment of the EMB, the City’s beaches failed miserably.

According to Mallare comparing to past studies and the present the presence of coliform is increasing. (PIA/RG Alama)

officials, who, as grassroots leaders render their services and risk their lives in carrying out their responsibilities,” Rep. Guiao explained.

On the matter of administration of the proposed retirement system, HB 4358 provides that within (60) sixty day from approval of this Act, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) shall establish and administer an appropriate system under which barangay officials shall be paid their retirement benefits.

It also mandates that the GSIS shall undertake actuarial study to determine the funding requirement for the operation and maintenance of the retirement system. The amount so determined shall be initially charged to the appropriations of the Department of the Interior and Local Government under the current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, he added, such sum as may be necessary for the continued operation and

maintenance of the retirement system shall be included in the annual budget of the municipality or city to which the barangay belongs.

Furthermore, the initial appropriations provided by the DILG and the subsequent annual budgets provided by the municipal and city governments for the operation and maintenance of the retirement system, shall be released to the GSIS. “Payment of benefits shall be made not later than six (6) months after an official’s separation from service. Provided, that this provision shall not apply to Barangay Officials with pending administrative or criminal cases,” the bill also provides.

Rep. Guiao also clarified that “nothing in this Act shall be construed as to diminish, in any way, any existing benefits provided by laws, rules and regulations, local ordinances or any other issuances to barangay officials.” (PNA)

Retirement... FROM 4

WARNING. Department of Health (DOH) 11 senior health program officer Gloria Raut warned the public living near the Davao River to refrain their children from bathing in the river due to high coliform bacteria contamination. Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

GSC... FROM 4

Ronnel Rivera assured that the local government will exert all efforts to properly assist the needs of the affected sectors.

He said city government is prepared and committed to secure the local agricultural

sector from the calamity.

“Di lang ito basta tulong.

I want to make sure that by declaring a state of calamity, we will prevent further harm from happening,” he added in a statement. (PNA)

ilant and help destroy mosquito breeding grounds in their homes, surroundings and work place.

To help protect the residents especially the children, from the virus, DOH-ARMM with the region’s Department of Education, Department of Interior and Local Government, Local Government Units, and non-government organizations provided and installed insecticide-treated screens (ITS) in the region’s public elementary schools.

Capin said the screens were treated with insecticides that can keep out disease-carrying mosquitoes.

These screens have to be installed on windows, or doors, of classrooms. She said the ITS’s effectivity can be up to five years. Each roll extends 1.5 meters by 25 meters and can cover four to six classroom windows.

DOH-ARMM earlier received 120 rolls of ITS from the

national government. Capin said they already distributed 70 rolls while the remaining 50 rolls were stocked in the region for emergency purposes.

The ITS rolls were distributed in the five provinces and two cities of the region.

She said 20 rolls went to the province of Sulu and 10 rolls each to the other four provinces namely Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, and 10 each to the cities of Lamitan and Marawi.

There has been no deaths reported due to Zika virus.

However, there is growing evidence that the virus can be harmful to fetuses, causing potentially fatal birth defects such as microcephaly, a birth defect wherein the size of a baby’s head is smaller than expected for his age and sex.

The virus can be sexually transmitted by a man to his sex partner. A woman could pass on the virus to her fetus during pregnancy. (PNA)

move in sync with other policy makers. There are other factors we look at, including oil, El Niño effects, for instance,” he added.

The BSP last hiked its key interest rates in September 2014 to rein in inflation and prevent it from surpassing the upper end of the government’s

three to five percent target that year.

In 2014, the BSP increased by a total of 50 basis points its key rates, bringing the overnight borrowing or reverse repurchase (RRP) rates to four percent and the overnight lending or repurchase (RP) rate to six percent. (PNA)

ninyo sang oportunidad nga makapanginabuhi kami para sa amon pamilya pinaagi sa livelihood project, indi gid namon makalimtan ang adlaw nga ini kay bisan sa gamay nga ti-on nangin malipayon kami pinaagi man sa mga

serbisyo nga inyo dala. (We are thankful that you gave us an opportunity to provide for our families through this livelihood project. We will never forget this day because even for just a short time we were pampered.” Gonzalez said.

DOH-ARMM... FROM 4

Latest... FROM 6

DOLE 12... FROM 12

Bill... FROM 3

and commodities along public road and sidewalk is also considered an obstruction.

The mayor or barangay officials may grant an applicant permit for the temporary use of roads or sidewalk for special occasions such as

fiestas or sale promotion for civic and charitable purposes.

The bill imposes a fine of not more than P100,000 and six months to one-year imprisonment to violators.

(House of Representatives)

dangerous as one with malware,” he emphasized.

Recto said Broadband had become the third utility, after power and water, “therefore we need an agency that will address ICT infrastructure, ICT affordability, ICT usage – three areas we score low.”

Despite having one of the slowest Internet speed in the world, the Philippines hosts one of the largest number of mobile and Internet users in the world.

“ICT is also the third biggest source of dollars after electronics and OFW remittances.

It is a growth driver. Every 10 percentage points increase in broadband penetration is said

to boost the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 1 percent,” he stressed.

Income from outsourcing – the BPOs, the call centers, the back offices, medical transcription, game development, creative process outsourcing, to name a few – is projected to reach USD 25 billion or 8 percent of GDP this year.

Among the powers and functions of the DICT is the “identification and prioritization of all e-government systems and applications.”

On the education front, Recto said the DICT would formulate policies and initiatives to develop and promote ICT in education. (PNA)

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

Go, executive assistant of presidential bet Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, is also ecstatic to bring in his fellow LaSallites to the tournament as he himself is a certified La Salle alumnus.

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

Recto... FROM 5

GREEN... FROM 16

The line-up: TRATTER, ABU JAHAL - 6’ 6” NAVARRO, LORENZO FERNANDO - 5’ 9” LANGSTON, ANDREW STUART - 6’ 3” CARACUT, JOSHUA ANDREI - 5’ 10” RIVERO, RASHLEIGH-PAOLO

8

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 7 • SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2016

8th anniversary special

reasons why investors like Davao City

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BOITIZ-OWNED Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) is having a pleasant problem of experiencing a lack of power supply to distribute due to a tremendous surge of investment in its franchise area encompassing Davao City, Panabo Coty and a fee progressive towns in Davao del Norte.

Strategically located in Mindanao, the city was able to draw a total of 37,785 new and existing businesses here with a combined capitalization of P214 billion or a 1.4 percent increase from 2014.

EDGE DAVAO asked Davao City Investment Promotion Center (DCIPC) head Ivan C. Cortez what makes Davao City click with investors. He named at least eight top reasons why investors come here to start new business or those already here to continue their ventures. The reasons cited are:

1

Market is ripe for the picking- Davao City the convergence point in Southern Philippines and good logistics make that happen.

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

Photos by Lean Daval Jr. and Armando Fenequito Jr.

2

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.

3

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.

4

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

5

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.

6

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.

7

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.

8

Peace and order- it’s hard for a business to sustain its operation if it is surrounded with conflict. Peace and order in Davao City did not just entice businessmen but also migrant who could add to the growing market in the city.

In a speech before members of the Rotary Club of East Davao composed of business executives, top professionals and a sprinkling of expatriates, DLPC chief operating office Arturo M. Milan reported that kilowatthour growth in his firm’s franchise area in 2014 was 8 percent, It grew another 8 percent in 2015 and in 2016, the projected growth is now 12 percent. █

11

12 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 7 • SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2016

DOLE 12 reaches out A to SouthCot women

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ORONADAL CITY – In region XII, the 49 women inmates of the South Cotabato Rehabilitation and Detention Center (SCRDC) received special treats as part of the DOLE Regional Coordinating Committee XII Convergence Outreach Activity on March 8, 2016.

In her message, DOLE RXII regional director Ofelia B. Domingo said that the outreach program will help the women inmates of SCRDC as turn their lives around.

“This will not be the first and last time that DOLE will assist you. We are now bringing to you an opportunity to

make the best of what you have even while your are being detained for your own wrongdoings. Remember that you are loved by the Lord and there’s always an chance for change,” RD Domingo said.

In celebration of the Women’s month that is themed “Kapakanan ni Juana, Isama sa Agenda”, Domingo led the awarding of the Certificate of Availment of DILEEP Livelihood Project worth P300,000 for SCRDC women inmates.

The women inmates received gift packs and medical service. They were also given beauty treatments such as

manicure, pedicure, massage and haircut through the generous donation of the personnel of DOLE XII’s attached agencies.

These agencies include the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), Employees Compensation Commission (ECC), Occupation Safety and Health Center (OSHC), National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB), National Labor Re-

lations Commission (NLRC), Public Employment Services Office (PESO), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The Provincial Government of South Cotabato also supported the DOLE RCC XII outreach activity by sending two medical doctors from the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital and donating medicines.

The women inmates through their leader Jessa Gonzalez thanked DOLE RCC XII for remembering them.

“Nagapasalamat gid kami nga inyo kami kay gintagaan

F DOLE 12, 10

San Carlos solar power finished, April launch set

BOITIZPOWER subsidiary, San Carlos Sun Power (SaCaSun), has completed the construction and commissioning of its 59-MW solar power project in Negros Occidental and is now exporting power to the Visayas grid.

The project was completed before the Department of Energy’s (DOE) March 15 deadline for solar power projects in the country.

“We have successfully completed the project in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental and we are now exporting power into the Visayas grid,” said SaCaSun President and Chief Operating Officer Lino M. Bernardo.

“We look forward to working with all of our stakeholders to further contribute to a cleaner energy future for Negros and for the Philippines as a whole.”

Once it qualifies for the Feed-in-Tariff, Sacasun’s clean

and renewable power output will get priority dispatch in the electricity spot market under the FIT rate for solar power at PHP 8.69/kWh. The company plans to conduct a formal inauguration of the solar project in April.

The plant is expected to generate more than 85 gigawatt hours of clean electricity a year, enough to power 27,600 homes. This should help avoid the emission of more than 44,000 tons of carbon dioxide over 20 years—the equivalent of taking around 10,000 cars off the road.

The Php 4.9-billion project was funded with a mix of equity and debt from BDO Unibank.

SaCaSun is AboitizPower’s first foray into solar power. The company is one of the country’s biggest producers of clean and renewable power through its portfolio of hydroelectric and geothermal power plants.

s emerging designer Misamis Oriental condemns tower bombings takeDavao’ the runway at SM Lanang as NGCP pledges for peaceful May elections O

P

ROVINCIAL Government of Misamis Oriental expressed its support for peaceful May elections during the Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC) Coordinating Conference.

In a Provincial Resolution, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan presided by Hon. Jose Mari Pelaez, Vice Governor of Misamis Oriental, strongly condemned the bombings of transmission towers in Mindanao and urged the national government “to take urgent action to include the declaration of a state of emergency in the affected areas.”

A similar resolution called on the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and

the national government “to take immediate action and employ proactive and significant measures to prevent the destruction and the collapse of the Mindanao power grid… in order to secure the availability and continuous supply of electricity and ensure the integrity of the May 2016 national and local elections.”

“NGCP welcomes this development and recognizes the support of the Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental as this further highlights the need to prioritize the provision of reliable and stable power before, during, and after Election Day,” confirmed NGCP. In an RJSCC Coordinat-

ing Conference for Region X, NGCP joined representatives of COMELEC, DILG, DepEd, PNP, AFP, and Smartmatic in evaluating the preparations of government security forces for the May 9 elections. This includes NGCP’s anticipation of the effects of the El Niño phenomenon and bombing of transmission towers to power supply in the region, to which the system operator recognized AFP and PNP in providing the necessary support.

The conference ended with representatives of member agencies signing a Pledge of Commitment to ensure clean, safe, and peaceful elections in Region X.

NGCP is a privately owned corporation in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid. It transmits high-voltage electricity through “power superhighways” that include the interconnected system of transmission lines, towers, substations, and related assets. The consortium, which holds the 25-year concession contract to operate the country’s power transmission network, is comprised of Monte Oro Grid Resources Corp. led

by Henry Sy, Jr., Calaca High Power Corporation led by Robert Coyiuto, Jr., and the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) as technical partner.

Sweet Home Alabama.

The families, who used to live in the city’s parks, will now enjoy the convenience of having an electricity connection in their new found home in the newest GK village at the

Relocation Area, Los Amigos, Tugbok, Davao City.

“This is not the first time that Davao Light partnered with the organizations of electricians to provide free electrical installation services to

households that are beneficiaries of the GK. This is also our way to extend the Bayanihan culture of Davao Light up to our contractors.” said Fermin Edillon, Davao Light’s Community Relations Manager.

N March 12, 6pm, the region’s premier shopping and lifestyle destination – SM Lanang Premier – is mounting a runway show at the Atrium to highlight Davao’s new breed of fashion designers and present fresh fashion pieces for women.

Staged in celebration of the 79th Araw ng Davao and the International Women’s Month, the “Young Davao Designers”fashion show intends to share with the public the creative flair and limitless potential of up-and-coming Davaoeño designers while also giving women exciting wearable outfits to choose from.

The city’s 15 emerging designers hail today’s women with their respective collections and differing aesthetics. Featured designers include Andi Amora (Mûre), Bianca Sabellano (Be. young.ca), Wilson Limon (NiñoFranco), Jozel Ignes (Zel), Frances Tendencia (Haberdashery), Jun Artajo (Artajó), Ian Manglicmot (The Skip), Mandy Velasco (Amanda), Denise Guirgen and Kethley Uy (Artickles), Joey Hambala (Inpart), Grand Ravacio (Ravacio), Shiriel Magalong, Jude Suarez, and Mo. SM Lanang Premier is also having the Araw ng Davao Sale from March 11-20. Shoppers can enjoy up to 70% off on great finds mall-wide. For shopping convenience, mall hours are extended from 10am to 10pm on March 11, 12, 13, 15 and 16.

For more details, call (082) 285-0943 or follow SM Lanang Premier on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for event updates.

Davao Light gives a pre-valentine gift to Sweet Home Alabama GK Village

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DAY before Valentine’s Day, February 13, Davao Light and Power Co. in partnership with its accredited electricians installed electrical house-wiring to 16 houses in Gawad Kalinga (GK)

GK HOUSE WIRING. Davao Light and Power Co. EVP and COO Arturo M. Milan (3rd from right, standing) together with the Davao Light employees and the volunteer-electricians from six different accredited associations in Davao and Panabo cities pose during the Gawad Kalinga House Wiring at the newest Sweet Home Alabama- Gawad

Around 100 electricians from six accredited associations namely Integrated Electricians Association of Davao, United Electricians of Metro Davao, Davao Private Electricians Association, Davao

United Register Practitioners In Electrical Engineering Services Inc., Davao Electrical Practitioners Association and Panabo United Skilled Electricians Association volunteered to join in the said event.

Kalinga Village located at the Relocation Area, Los Amigos, Tugbok, Davao City last February 13, 2016. Also in the photo are Community Relations Manager Fermin Edillon (leftmost, standing) and Customer Retail Services Department headed by Manager Engr. Mervin Dalian (7th from left, standing).

INdulge!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 7 • SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2016

EDGEDAVAO TRAVEL

Four days in

HANOI Hanoi’s Turtle Pagoda .

Text and Photos by Henrylito D. Tacio “UNDER FRENCH RULE, HANOI BECAME ONE OF THE MOST ATTRACTIVE CITIES IN ASIA and there is still charm in its broad, tree-lined boulevards and shady parks. Most of the visible scars of the wartime bombing have disappeared, but years of neglect and overcrowding have given Hanoi a rundown look. This is slowly being reversed by the construction boomlet which has erupted under the economic reforms launched in 1986.”

That was what I read in the All-Asia Travel Guide a few days before my trip to the city which some journalists called as the “Paris of the East.”

Last year, the TripAdvisor listed Hanoi as one of the world’s top ten best destinations.

The trip was part of the prize I won in the 9th Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards.

Other journalists who joined the trip were Sun

The Presidential Palace.

Star Pampanga’s Ian Ocampo Flora, Manila Bulletin’s Rizaldy Comanda, Baguio Midland Courier’s Hanna Lacsamana and Cherry Ann Lim, a reporter of Sun Star Cebu and the only one from Cebu, whose story won the Agriculture Story of the Year.

Three award-winning photojournalists also came: Business Mirror’s Mauricio Victa, who was elevated to the Hall of

Rikshaws play tourists about town.

For four days, the group had fun time bonding, eating and exchanging notes and ideas. But the best times was visiting the historical sites and places which left most of us in awe and enthrallment.

Fame for winning five awards already; Frank Cimatu of Baguio Chronicle, and Dave Leprozo, Jr, of Manila Standard.

Radio was represented by Ronde Alicaya of DXCC RMN in Cagayan de Oro City while television had Davao’s Ruben Gonzaga, the host of ABS-CBN’s “Agri Tayo

Dito.”

For four days, the group had fun time bonding, eating and exchanging notes and ideas. But the best times was visiting the historical sites and places which left most of us in awe and enthrallment. Consider the following: Hoa Lon Prison: It is

commonly translated as “fiery furnace” or “stove.”

The French called it Maison Centrale -- literally, Central House, a traditional euphemism to denote prisons in France.

Most Filipinos remember it as the prison cell of American pilots who were captured during the war. The prisoner of wars called it “Hanoi Hilton.”

Among the famous inmates were Pete Peterson (the first US ambassador to a unified Vietnam in 1995), and Senator John McCain (the Republican nominee for the US presidency in 2008).

Hoan Kiem Lake: This charming lake has a small island on which the Turtle Pagoda stands. It marks

the spot where, according to legend, a turtle rose from the water bearing a magic sword with which Le Loi, a 15th century Vietnamese hero, drove out the Chinese invaders.

This must be the reason why it is also called as Sword Lake.

Ngoc Son Temple: It means “Temple of the Jade Mountain.” It is connected to the lakeshore by an elegant scarlet bridge built in classical Vietnamese style. Buildings of the temple include the Pen Tower (Thap But), the ink-slab (Dai Nghien), the Moon Contemplation Pavilion (Dac Nguyet) and the Pavilion against

FOUR DAYS A4

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 7 • SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2016

UP AND ABOUT

Lenten getaway at Eden HOLY WEEK IS A CHANCE TO CATCH UP on much needed rest, as well as time for reflection, and prayer. You don’t need to go far to have a peaceful contemplation this Lenten Season. Eden promises solace from the hustle and bustle of the city.

At Eden, you can celebrate togetherness and take delight in an offering that will soothe your mind and soul with its warm and reasonable offers. Spend time with family and friends and experience an overnight accommodation in a deluxe room that go for as low as P3,940 inclusive of buffet breakfast, complimentary use of the swim-

ming pool.

Guests may complete their Lenten stay with the resort’s traditional Lenten activities. On Good Friday, March 25, 2016 join us for the Way of the Cross, Veneration of the Cross, and Confession which will start at 2:00 pm in the gazebo.

On Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016 starting 1:00pm to 4pm, Eden

takes you in Wonderland themed world of fun with “Easter Wonderland” event. Fill up your basket and be an egg-spert

for the hunt is on at the lower veranda of Eden.

Tickets are available at P300/person inclusive of snacks, and entrance

pass to a fun filled day with a range of fun and eggs-citing games and prizes for kids and parents to enjoy.

Eden offers outdoor recreational activities like swimming, horseback riding, fishing, sightseeing and tour. For the thrill-seekers, Eden’s Skyrider, Skycycle, Skyswing will give you a spectacular view of Davao City and the Davao Gulf while getting the adrenaline rush. Experience a different family adventure at Eden that embrace adventure, fun, and nature.

Log on to www.edennatureark.com.ph or call (082) 299-1020, for inquiries and reservations.

Like us on facebook.com/ edennaturepark.

A merry March at Marquella THE MONTH OF MARCH IN MARQUELLA IS EXPECTED TO BE EXCITING, with hip happenings, community events and activities scheduled to coincide with Araw ng Dabaw celebrations.

Marquella, a growing commercial development in Tigatto, will be adding color to Davao’s already vibrant lifestyle and entertainment scene.

Music and Laughter Great entertainment punctuated by several music gigs are scheduled throughout the month.

Capo Band, Bobby Puyat, Left Turn, Lemon Drop and Mujer will be animating Marquella with good vibes every 9 PM on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays starting March 2.

Customers on these days can also enjoy free pulutan for every beer bucket purchased in participating bars.

On March 19, 8 PM, there will be back-to-back shows in Boxtown, Marquella’s

and those kids-at-heart will Eggsperience, hunting for eggs in Marquella’s vibrant family-loving spaces.

Registration is pegged at 150 pesos, inclusive of snacks.

evolving entertainment complex. Davao’s finest standup comedians Bakekang and My Precious will rev up the crowd with their silly antics, funny punchlines and hilarious skits. Later in the evening, music lovers can jam with Capo Band and Lemon Drop as they serenade the crowd with today’s top hits and music from across genres.

Tickets are sold at 150 pesos and are available for purchase through Chelo (0942-7637701) and in Half Cats, 819 Bar ’n’ Gril, and Square Root Bistro Bar. Zumba Zummer Have a great looking bod by summer. Join Marquella Zumba Zummer every Mondays and Fridays at 7PM for only twenty pesos. Join now!

Easter Eggcitement

Enjoy Easter egg hunt on March 27, 4PM. Children

Lolly Park People can also look forward to outdoor recreational activities to be mounted in Marquella. These will include aerial rides, kiddie bikes, mini golf, etc.

Marquella, a multi-use commercial complex that covers 5.7 hectares, will soon be home to more product and service stores like restaurants, bars, leisure parks with lagoon pockets and other stations. It is a part of the township community of Ciudades.

Located along Mandug Road, Marquella is the only commercial space of its kind in Tigatto. For leasing inquiries, call 226-4748/ 09427637-701 and look for Chelo Lahora.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 7 • SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

Kapuso stars all set to celebrate Araw ng Dabaw ALL ROADS LEAD TO DAVAO CITY THIS MARCH 13 AND 16 as some of today’s hottest Kapuso stars join in the celebration of the vibrant Araw ng Dabaw.

Leading the Kapuso celebration on March 13 are stars from GMA Afternoon Prime programs Wish I May and Hanggang Makita Kang Muli.

Just like what they did during their Panagbenga Kapuso Show last month in Baguio City, Miguel Tanfelix and Bianca Umali are sure to treat their fans to an afternoon filled with “kilig” moments and excitement in SM City Davao starting at 4 p.m.

Joining BiGuel are the stars of the new drama series Hanggang Makita Kang Muli, Derrick Monasterio and Kim Rodriguez.

Hanggang Makita Kang Muli, headlined by Derrick and Bea Binene, features the life of a feral child who has lived isolated from human contact from a very young age, thus having little or no experience of human care, behavior, or even human language. It aired its pilot episode just last Monday, March 7.

Meanwhile on Wednesday, March 16, the cast of Little Nanay will spread “Happy Lang” vibe to Gaisano Mall Toril at 4 p.m. Kris Bernal, Mark Herras, and Hiro Peralta will be full force in entertaining their Davaoeño fans.

On the heels of a successful Kapuso Panagbenga Festival last month, GMA’s Senior Assistant Vice President for Regional Business

Development Division Oliver Amoroso shares that GMA’s participation in Araw ng Dabaw is an affirmation of the Network’s thrust to look for ways to reach out to its loyal viewers across the country.

“The Araw ng Dabaw is a perfect venue for fans to get closer to their favorite Kapuso stars,” says Amoroso.

“We always look forward to bring the stars of our toprating programs closer to our loyal supporters. They are the reason why our programs are successful, so we make it a point to recognize their unwavering support,” he adds.

Meanwhile, Kapuso fans in Cagayan de Oro can look forward to a sumptuous Sunday as GMA News TV’s Taste Buddies takes part in this year’s Big Bite Food Festival. The show’s hosts, Solenn Heussaff and Iya Villania, will be at the Centrio Mall at 4 p.m. on March 13 for the Kapuso Meet and Greet with Taste Buddies. The Kapuso beauties will definitely add flavor in the celebration of this gastronomic event in Northern Mindanao.

To know more about the Network’s regional events, follow GMA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ gmanetwork and GMA Regional TV at www.facebook. com/GMARegionalTV and on Twitter and Instagram via @ GMARegionalTV.

The best bodies and the country’s best houses on Lifestyle Network “LIFESTYLE,” WHICH TELLS YOU TO “LOVE YOUR LIFE NOW” offers a double treat this month with features on the best of the best in the world of interior design and fashion.

Launching this March is “Best Houses Philippines” with “Australia’s Best Houses” Gary Takle and TV personality and homemaker Daphne Osena-Paez as hosts. It airs on two Sundays, March 13 and 20 at 10:30 PM. Whether it’s the modern or traditional style you want, you will be mesmerized as these two bring you to visually stunning homes around the Philippines.

From the success of its Australian production, it has now travelled to this part of Asia to discover more breathtaking living spaces that reflect Filipino craftsmanship and use of local materials.

Meantime, catch the hottest Victoria’s Secret angels as they once again take the stage at the “Victoria Secret’s Swim Special 2016” this March 10 at 10 AM live from the French West Indies.

Music stars Demi Lovato and

Nick Jonas rock the stage. Watch angels Behati Prinsloo, Candice Swanepoel, Elsa Hosk, Jasmine Tookes, Josephine Skriver, Lais Ribiero, Lily Aldrige, Martha Hunt, Romee Striid, Sara Sampaio, Stella Maxwell, Taylor Hill, and Vita Sidorkina splash around shooting the hottest swim catalogue of the year.

Enjoy these and more on the premiere cable channel, “Lifestyle” on Skycable and Destiny channel 52 as it gears up for the summer season. For more information, like Lifestyle on Facebook and follow us on Instagram at LifestyleTVph.

March 9 – 15, 2016

ALLEGIANT Shailene Woodley, Theo James

PG

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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

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EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 7 • SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2016

TRAVEL FOUR DAYS A1

Waves (Din Tran Ba).

Ba Đình Square: This is the place where President Ho Chi Minh read the Proclamation of Independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on September 2, 1945. When the president died, the granite Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum was built to display his embalmed body. It remains a major site of tourism and pilgrimage.

Presidential Palace: This famous building was constructed

by Auguste Henri Vildieu, the official French architect for French Indochina. When Vietnam achieved independence in 1954, Ho Chi Minh refused to live in the grand structure for symbolic reasons. Eventually, he built a traditional Vietnamese stilt house and carp pond on the grounds. He lived in the said house until his death in 1969.

The Chua Mot Cot (or OnePillar Pagoda): Many Vietnamese believe the pagoda looks like Buddha sitting on a lotus flower. It was first built in the 11th century to honor Buddhist advisers who supported Ly Thai To, the founder of ancient Hanoi.

Fine Arts Museum: A temple of Confucius, it hosts the “Imperial Academy,” Vietnam’s first national university. Built in 1070, it is one of several temples in Vietnam which is dedicated to Confucius, sages and scholars. It is said that many of the

At the famous Ha Long Bay

Inside the Hoa Lon Prison

Ba Dinh Square. country’s scholars took their examinations here and their achievements are recorded on stone stele.

On our third day, we went

to one of the most scenic spots of Vietnam -- the Ha Long Bay which is located 164 kilometers east of Hanoi. It took us four hours to get there but it was

worth the trip.

Ha Long Bay is located in the Gulf of Tonkin, within Quang Ninh Province, in the northeast of Vietnam. Covering an area

of 43,400 hectares and including over 1,600 islands and islets, most of which are uninhabited and unaffected by humans, it forms a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars and is an ideal model of a mature karst landscape developed during a warm and wet tropical climate. The property’s exceptional scenic beauty is complemented by its great biological interest.

The Lonely Planet wrote: “Towering limestone pillars and tiny islets topped by forest rise from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Halong translates as ‘where the dragon descends into the sea’ and legend tells that this mystical seascape was created when a great mountain dragon charged towards the coast, its flailing tail gouging out valleys and crevasses. As the creature plunged into the sea, the area filled with water leaving only the pinnacles visible. The geological explanation of karst erosion may be more prosaic, but doesn’t make this seascape any less poetic.”

Our last day was spent on shopping spree at the Old Quarter. When the French occupied Hanoi in the late 19th century, they demolished many of the old Vietnamese buildings and replaced them with imposing French-style villas. Today, the area is home to some of Hanoi’s fanciest restaurants and hotels.

Together along with the journalists were some staff of the PMFTC Inc.: Bayen Elero, Dave Gomez and Didet Danguilan.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 7 • SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2016

NEWS 13

CCC holds gab to improve climate change roadmap

T

HE Climate Change Commission (CCC) on Friday held consultations with representatives of public, private and non-governmental organizations to improve and enrich the draft of the climate change roadmap being finalized by the government.

The CCC has also introduced the “Community-Level GHG Inventory for Local Government Units in the Philippines: User’s Manual” that will guide local leaders and stakeholders in conducting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions accounting.

The manual has been drafted and designed in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Philippines, through its Building Low Emission Alternatives to Develop Economic Resilience Project.

Among those who attended the consultation at the Ateneo University in Davao City were representatives of the city’s small and medium enterprises, the academe, local government units, and development partners.

“The objectives of the

Davao City consultation were to present the Paris Agreement and to present the draft roadmap and strategies of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), or the Contributions Déterminés Au Niveau,” said Secretary Emmanuel de Guzman of the CCC. The CCC is a Cabinet-level government agency chaired by President Benigno S. Aquino III. The consultation-workshop likewise crafted strategies to integrate the NDC Roadmap in various national and local development plans, such as the Philippine Development Plan, Philippine Energy Plan, Local Climate Change Action Plan, and Comprehensive Development Plans.

“The workshop elicited recommendations to improve the draft NDC Roadmap and to strengthen convergence among local stakeholders for effective and appropriate NDC Roadmap implementation by

the stakeholders as they see fit to their local conditions,” De Guzman said.

The NDC Roadmap will eventually be the ultimate standards on the Philippines’ enhanced targets to curb carbon emissions and to limit temperature increase.

“The NDC Roadmap will hold accountable the Philippine government for its new goals of reaching net zero emissions toward the second half of this century,” De Guzman said.

“The Philippine NDC Roadmap is premised on climate change mitigation as related to adaption because of the country’s vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. The NDC Roadmap will be pursued along with the guidelines and goals set by national strategies for sustainable development, low emission development and inclusive growth,” he added.

This particular initiative by the CCC uses a “bottom-up

approach” to add to the current and ongoing national consultations with all national government agencies.

“We want the active and meaningful participation by communities and local government units in this series of consultation-workshops. The adaptation needs and efforts to reduce emissions by the grassroots communities and local government units is the core of the NDC Roadmap,” De Guzman said.

The consultation-workshop forum on the NDC Roadmap is one of the avenues in revisiting the so-called “Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC)” submitted by the Philippines to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in October last year.

Under the INDC, the Philippines committed a conditional 70-percent emission reduction rate by 2030, with the decrease in emissions targeted to come

from the forestry, energy, industry, waste, and transport sectors.

“This convergence is to encourage and engage local communities and private sectors to take on the low carbon development pathway, which refers to, among others, the shift from coal energy to renewable energy, use of farming methods with decreased emissions, green architecture, as well as sustainable and pro-environment business practices,” De Guzman said.

He emphasized that the urgency to come up with the roadmap is important amid new international frameworks that have set deadlines for the compliance of member countries, namely the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015, Sustainable Development Goals 2015-2030, Addis Ababa Action Agenda 2015, and Paris Climate Change Agreement.

(PNA)

paredness, citing there should be an agency to attend to rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Tolentino noted the present situation is that there are five agencies that serve as quick reaction and quick response agencies once calamity hits a particular area.

These agencies are the following: Department of In-

terior and Local Government, Department of Public Works and Highways, National Housing Authority, Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Education.

Tolentino said efforts will be hastened once there will be a particular agency tasked to handle matters on rehabilita-

tion and reconstruction.

He added that the Philippine Disaster Reconstruction Agency should also be tasked to address problems brought about by El Niño phenomenon.

Tolentino was here for a campaign sortie. He later proceeded to Pagadian City to meet with the mayors of Zamboanga del Sur. (PNA)

Tolentino pushes PH Disaster Reconstruction Agency

T

HE national government should consider the creation of the Philippine Disaster Reconstruction Agency that will solely focus on rehabilitation and reconstruction.

This was the statement on Friday of independent Senatorial aspirant Francis Tolentino, an advocate of disaster pre-

14 CLASSIFIEDS

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 7 • SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2016

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 7 • SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2016

ONE LAST TIME

SPORTS 15

Kobe outduels Lebron in final NBA encounter L

LAST ONE. Kobe Bryant had 26 points on 11-of-16 shooting in an entertaining farewell duel between two of the greatest players in NBA history.

PH to push for inclusion of 70 more events in 2017 SEAG

T

HE Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) will appeal the inclusion of at least more 70 events across different sports to the 2017 Malaysia Southeast Asian Games calendar.

The number was determined after a meeting with several national sports associations (NSAs) on Wednesday, according to POC chairman Tom Carrasco, following the release of the initial list approved by Malaysian organizers that only had 342 events from 34 sports for the 2017 of the biennial games.

This limited list excluded some events where the Philippines is considered a strong contender for the gold medal, like triathlon, judo, among others. And this decision has prompted the NSAs through the POC to appeal for reinclusion and the addition of more events not on the orginal list, according to Carrasco.

“We will finalize the summary and formalize our appeal. We are appealing for

70-80 more events,” said Carrasco on Thursday during the weekly POC radio program on Sports Radio.

“We are quite optimisitc kasi 342 events pa lang. Baka eventually maging 400 events.

Maybe about 40 to 50 ang idadagdag,” he added.

The 34 sports initially approved are athletics, aquatics, archery, badminton, basketball, boxing, cricket, cycling, equestrian, football and futsal, golf, gymnastics, hockey, ice hockey, ice skating, karate, lawn bowls, netball, pencak silat, petanque, rugby 7s, sailing, sepak takraw, shooting, snooker and billiards, squash, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, tenpin bowling, volleyball (indoor), water ski, weightlifting, and wushu.

The NSAs of fencing, rowing, canoe kayak, triathlon, judo, and wrestling are lobbying to be included, while athletics, archery, billiards, boxing, cycling, rugby, wushu, and volleyball (beach) are looking to add more events.

EBRON James scored 24 points while sharing a court with Kobe Bryant for the final time, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 120108 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night (Friday, Manila time).

Bryant had 26 points on 11-of-16 shooting in an entertaining farewell duel between two of the greatest players in NBA history.

Bryant, who will retire after the season, ignored his constantly sore right shoulder to make sure he didn’t miss his 22nd meeting with James on an NBA court, albeit never in the playoffs.

After starting the night with a pregame chat and hug with the crowd on its collective feet just to watch pregame warmups, Bryant and James both had vintage individual moments in the final edition of this friendly rivalry.

Kyrie Irving scored 26 points and Channing Frye had 21 for the Cavaliers, who have won on the first two stops of their four-game West Coast road trip.

But the night belonged to Bryant and James, who have been parallel superstars for the past 13 seasons. The U.S. national team teammates are the No. 3 and No. 13 scorers in NBA history, with 30 combined All-Star selections and seven championship rings.

Bryant got a raucous standing ovation in the first quarter with a graceful post move, faking James into the air and then stepping around him for a layup. Bryant hit back-toback jumpers in the second quarter while James threw down a pair of thunderous dunks.

Bryant scored seven quick points in the third quarter, but the Cavaliers stretched their lead.

James and Bryant returned to the game midway through the fourth quarter with Cleveland well in front.

Bryant hit a 3-pointer with 3:17 to play to trim Cleveland’s lead to 12 points, but went to the bench moments later with fans chanting his name.

D’Angelo Russell scored 24 points, Julius Randle added 15 and Marcelo Huertas had a career-high 13 for the Lakers, whose two-game winning streak ended.

TIP-INS Cavaliers: Timofey Mozgov played despite being questionable with an illness. ... Coach Tyronn Lue spent his first three NBA seasons with the Lakers, absorbing lessons from Bryant along the way. “It was just his work ethic, his determination and his will to win,” Lue said. “In the summertime, if you wanted to work out with him, he’s working out at 5:30 in the morning. And when we practiced during the season, he was there 2 1/2 hours, three hours before everyone else.”

Lakers: Huertas, the Brazilian playmaker signed from Barcelona last summer, has been on a stretch of strong play after a quiet start to his NBA career. He scored nine points in the first quarter on 4-for4 shooting. ... NFL MVP Cam Newton watched from courtside in a comically oversized hat similar to Pharrell Williams’ trademark lid. Other celebrities in attendance included John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, Kings goalie Jonathan Quick and Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson.

out the storm.

“The Maria Sharapova doping story, whilst not ideal for the sport, is certainly not damaging enough to really affect tennis in the same way as we saw perhaps with cycling or sprinting,” Jon Stainer, managing director of sports sponsorship experts Repucom, told AFP. “In both those cases, doping was being carried out by a number of athletes for a sustained period.”

Sharapova has amassed a personal fortune of $200 million and, according to the 2015 Forbes rich-list, the 28-year-old Russian earned almost $30 million last year, the bulk of which came from off-court endorsements.

The five-time major champion earned more than great rival Serena Williams, the undisputed world number one and 21-time Grand Slam title winner, who banked almost $25 million.

As an indication of their significance to the sport, the two women also have huge social media profiles which dwarf their top 10 rivals.

Williams has six million Twitter followers; world number sev-

en Sharapova boasts more than two million.

But the five players between them in the rankings -- Australian Open winner Angelique Kerber, Agnieszka Radwanska, Garbine Muguruza, Simona Halep and Carla Suarez Navarro -- have under 600,000 between them.

The ruling WTA would be forgiven for hoping that the charismatic, photogenic but unpredictable talents of Caroline Wozniacki and Eugenie Bouchard can soon make a Grand Slam breakthrough.

Sharapova, for her part, has not ruled out a return although her fate is in the hands of others.

“I am determined to play tennis again and I hope I will have the chance to do so. I wish I didn’t have to go through this, but I do -and I will,” she said.

Although Sharapova has seen her money-spinning relationships with Nike and Porsche suspended, her racquet manufacturer Head has stayed loyal. Even on the sidelines she remains a formidable business prospect.

- ‘Beauty sells’ “Beauty sells,” she once famously said and business experts tend to agree.

Tennis to survive Sharapova storm

R

OCKED by Maria Sharapova’s failed drugs test confession and the sun threatening to set on a golden generation, tennis faces huge challenges to maintain its impressive global

MARIA SHARAPOVA

profile.

But despite Sharapova, the world’s highest earning sportswoman, confronting a potentially career-ending ban, industry insiders insist that the sport can ride

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. VOL.99ISSUE ISSUE77••SATURDAY, SATURDAY,MARCH MARCH12, 12,2016 2016

GREEN ARMY DUE MONDAY DLSU Green Archers ready for Araw ng Davao hoops

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

R

njb@edgedavao.net

OLL out the green carpet on Monday for the Dela Salle University Green Archers squad who will be donning the colors of reigning 2015 Kadayawan champion CMO-The Royal Mandaya Hotel for this year’s Araw ng Davao Inter-Commercial Invitational Basketball Tournament.

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

“The team is arriving on March 14 or two days before the start of the tournament.

They will have practices for two days and should be ready to hit the floor when the league opens,” said CMOTRMH co-team managers Glenn Escandor and Christopher “Bong” Go. Athletic combo guard Jeron Alvin Teng will lead the Green Archers’ campaign along with 6-7 Cameroonian Benoit Mbala. The team

will also have the services of brothers 6-0 Paolo Ricci Rivero and 6-3 Rashleigh Paolo Rivero, 6-6 Abu Jahal Tratter, 5-9 Lorenzo Fernando Navarro, 6-3 Andrew Stuart Langston, 5-10 Joshua Andrei Caracut, 5-7 Jay Aljun Melecio, 6-5 Leondro Amiel Josn, 6-2 Mark Anthony Dyke, 5-11 Kirell Brandon Montalvo, 6-5 Daryll Louie Pascual, 5-10 Jose Go IV, 5-7 Thomas Christopher Torres, 6-5 Larry Muyang, and 6-5 John Winifred Gob II. Reserves Joshua Gonzales and Erick Socka are also in the lineup.

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

Escandor is excited to have the Green Archers and they are optimistic the team will figure well in this year’s tournament which will also include defending champion Montana Pawnshop, Gold-

F GREEN, 10

TOP GUN. Jerton Teng will be at the forefront of La Salle’s offensive attack.