Edge Davao 9 Issue 14

VOL. 9 ISSUE 14 • TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

WHAT FLAME? A resident tries to put out the flame that is razing his family’s house in Barangay 31-D Boulevard yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

NO CONTEST Duterte, Cayetano lead ADDU’s Blue Vote Survey

EDGEDAVAO Sports

PHOENIX CEO. Dennis Uy, Phoenix Petroleum President and CEO rescues his ball out of the bunker.

Contributed Photo

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

HE tandem of presidential bet Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte and vice presidential aspirant Senator Alan Peter Cayetano dominated the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) university-wide survey.

The AdDU-University Research Center (URC) presented the results of ‘Blue Vote 2016’ electoral survey yesterday where Duterte moved past the other four candidates with 89.8 percent of the 1,877 respondents.

“Call it no-contest but the statistics tells us that the landslide preference for Duterte is so huge that the rest of the pack garnered only as low as

1 or 2 and a half percent, AdDU-URC said in a statement.

Duterte was followed by Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago with 2.5 percent, Senator Grace Poe with 1.6 percent, former Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas with 1.2 percent and Vice President Jejomar Binay with 1 percent.

The 2.2 percent of the respondents said that they are undecided, 1.3 percent do not want to say who are they going to vote and 0.3 percent who abstained.

For the vice presidential race, Cayetano got 49.7 percent followed by Senator Bongbong Marcos with 22 percent,

Camarines Sur representative Leni Robredo with 8.8 percent, Senator Chiz Escudero with 6.4 percent, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV with 1.4 percent and Senator Gringo Honasan with 1.2 percent.

The 6.6 percent of the respondents were undecided, 2.2 percent do not want to say who are going to vote and 1.8 percent who abstained.

In an interview, AdDU-URC chairperson Dr. Lourdesita S. Chan said that among the top concern of choosing a leader are the track record is passing and supporting laws and ordinances as well as their stance in dealing violators.

“In terms of traits, they

(respondents) want who really has the track record who is committed, who has the pulse of the poor, and who is really serious to take on the law and enforce it for people to comply,” she said.

Chan said the based on the result, it implies that the people really want order in the country.

She said according to the result, the top problem that should be addressed by the national government is the peace and order and problem on illegal drugs.

Chan said the survey has a margin + -2.1 margin of error and 95 percent confidence

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Winners of 8th Phoenix Open Golf at Palos Verdes bared P15

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 14 • TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016

SAVING THE DOGS. A boy holds on to his dogs as he and his family tries to save their belongings from the flames that damaged their house in Barangay 31-D Boulevard yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Increase in temperature equals 10 MW more power needed

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HE franchise area of Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) will need additional 10 megawatts of additional power source for every “one degree” increase in temperature as the summer period kicks in.

“That’s our rule of thumb,” DLPC senior vice president Arturo Milan told reporters at the sidelines of the signing of the memorandum of agreement between Aboitiz and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for the implementation of a project for the linemen and electricians on Friday.

Based on the DLPC’s data, one megawatt of electricity can light up the needs of a total of 4,167 customers, which means a total of 41,670 customers are at risk of losing power if 10 MW additional requirement could not be met during summer period.

DLPC has 350,000 consumers within its franchise

area, covering Davao City, Brgy. Bincungan in Tagum City, and Carmen, Sto. Tomas and Braulio Dujali towns in Davao del Norte.

Weather forecast for Sunday in Davao City is a high of 36 degrees and a low of 22.

Milan said the power situation in DLPC’s franchise area slightly improved after the Agus 1 and Agus 2, with combined capacity of 80 MW, were reconnected to the grid last Monday, but this is not enough to cover the franchise requirement.

DLPC’s daily requirement averages 345 MW. Milan said there was no brownout on Wednesday and Thursday because of the Araw ng Dabaw holidays. “There was no work and no factories were running,” he said. “But everybody’s back to work and the demand for power increases again.”

With the improvement in

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Sara goes for brod of Sid in District 3

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

ORMER Mayor Sara Duterte- Carpio, standard bearer of the local party Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod of Davao City, endorsed the candidacy of the brother of incumbent third district congressman Isidro Ungab as the next representative in the district.

Duterte-Carpio declared Engr Alberto Ungab as her

official candidate in the third district yesterday in a meeting with barangay captains and political leaders in the third district.

In her first public appearance in the third district after filing her certificate of candidacy, Duterte-Carpio also endorsed the candidacy of three candidates for city councilor namely, Luz Ilagan,

Conde Baluran and Nap Rocero.

The announcement of Duterte-Carpio is contrary to the endorsement of his father, presidential bet Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, who recently raised the hands of Ungab’s opponent incumbent councilor Karlo S. Bello during the political rally last March 16.

Earlier, Duterte-Carpio

said he endorsed Bell as he had promised his father, 1BAP Party-list Rep. Silvestre “Bebot” Bello III, that he would let the younger Bello run for the position after Ungab’s third and last term.

“That was our agreement with his father long ago. I told him to give way and allow Ungab to run first,” Duterte-Carpio said.

HE KorPhil Training Center of the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) in Tibungco, Davao City will soon have a new training facility worth P2.2 million that will develop more skilled linemen to address the power industry’s shortage of workers.

The announcement was made during Friday’s memorandum of agreement signing at the conference room of Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) between TESDA 11 regional Dr. Gaspar Gayona, TESDA-Davao Davao City/Davao del Sur director Engr. Nestor Tabada, DLPC senior vice president Arturo Milan, and DLPC president and chief-executive-officer Jaime Jose Aboitiz for the implemen-

tation of the project dubbed “Basic Electrical Lineman’s Training Center of Mindanao or BELT.COM.” DLPC, a subsidiary of AboitizPower, will fund the construction of the facility to rise within the seven-hectare TESDA’s KorPhil Training Facility.

The center’s construction is expected to be completed by June 2016.

Milan said they came up with the project because of the decreasing number of skilled linemen as several of them have been lured to apply in countries like Australia and New Zealand where demand for these workers is high.

He said the agency will develop the training modules for the students.

The Project BELT.COM “is aimed at building a lineman’s training and assessment facility to increase the pool of qualified linemen,” said Gayona.

He also said that the training center seeks to incubate not only workers but also future techno entrepreneurs who are ready to put up their own businesses soon after graduation.

“What we are looking at is to develop more inventors. But you cannot create an inventor, if you do not have the theory.

Most of our linemen know how to manipulate wires, but they cannot explain why they are doing that,” he said.

Gayona said students can choose from TESDA’s two-year courses for linemen and elec-

New training facility to rise in TESDA Davao campus for electrical linemen T

HOLDING FORT. Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Davao City chapter chairman Rolando Olamit (6th from right) and other MNLF officials hold arms to show their support to the presidential bid of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte during a gathering on Sunday in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 14 • TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

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4 NEWS

3 quakes jolt Surigao Norte, Davao Occidental, Bohol

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HREE moderate earthquakes shook various parts of Surigao del Norte, Davao Occidental, and Bohol on Monday morning, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

In its bulletin, Phivolcs said the first quake with a magnitude of 4.6 occurred at 2:26 a.m. and its epicenter was traced 11 kilometers (km) northeast of Del Carmen in Surigao Del Norte. It had a shallow depth of 26 kilometers.

The agency said that Intensity 1 was felt at Surigao City.

The second tremor with a magnitude 4.4 happened at 5:47 a.m. and its epicenter was located 46 kilometers southwest of Sarangani in Davao

Occidental.

The agency said no intensity was reported intensity from the this earthquake which had a shallow depth of 179 kilometers.

The third earthquake with a magnitude of 3.4 happened at 7:01 a.m. and its epicenter was located eight kilometers northeast of Danao in Bohol and had a shallow depth of five kilometers.

Phivolcs said that Intensity 4 Felt Tagbilaran City, Bohol; while Intensity 2 felt LapuLapu City, Cebu, and Intensity 1 felt in Cebu City.

Phivolcs said there was no report of damage or casualty from the three tremors, which were all tectonic in origin and also do not expect aftershocks from it. (PNA)

Phl needs to step up efforts vs climate change -- Karlo

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AVAO City Congressman Karlo Alexei Nograles today said that the Philippine government should take its cue from former US Vice President Al Gore who tagged the Philippines as one of world’s most vulnerable countries due to climate change by creating an army of so-called eco-warriors while generating tens of thousands of employment.

Nograles said that this can be done with the final signing of the proposed Philippine Green Jobs Act of 2016 which was recently approved by Congress and is now awaiting President Aquino’s signature.

Nograles said that Gore’s observation on the impact of climate change should be taken very seriously by the government and that we must learn from the hard lessons of past weather-related calamities that destroyed communities and caused the death of many people.

Nograles is particularly concerned with Gore’s claim

that at least 13 Million Filipinos will have to be relocated due to the rapidly rising sea level as a result of global warning because of the continuing skepticism among policy makers.

“Even here in the Philippines, there’s a lot of skepticism when it comes to the extent of long term effects of climate change. While there is an increasing interest in the use of renewable energy and a growing awareness on the issue of climate change, the Philippines still has a long way to go before our policy makers and our people in general can truly embrace the concept of environmental protection and conservation,” Nograles said.

According to Nograles, the government needs to step up efforts to ensure that the people becomes more adaptive to the rapidly changing weather conditions and harness people’s support and participation in the global movement to heal Mother Earth.

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 14 • TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016

TRAFFIC PLAN. City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) head Rhodelio Poliquit mans the flow of traffic along Quezon Boulevard which became congested due to the fire in Barangay 31-D and Barangay 76-A yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Rody’s question rattles Grace Poe S ENATOR Grace Poe lacks the experience and the political will to protect the country’s national sovereignty from foreign threats, this point was illustrated

by Presidential bet Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte during the second presidential debates on Sunday (March 20) at the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu campus.

During the second round of the debate, each candidate was allowed to field one question directed to a fellow contender. For his part, Dute-

rte was designated to ask Senator Grace Poe a question.

“If elected as president, what would be the first steps that you would do if you are woken up in the middle of the night by a call informing you that the Chinese bombed two of our coast guard ships in Spratlys island?” Duterte asked.

Poe gave indirect responses to Duterte’s question. Among the answers she gave were to modernize the Philippine military and to cooperate with other ASEAN countries in engaging China

to follow a code of conduct on the West Philippine Sea. Notwithstanding Poe’s vague response, Duterte pressed on his question.

“What would be the first three steps that you would do if you hear about the report?”

Poe answered that the first thing she would do is to get up from her bed. This elicited laughter from the audience. The senator also said that she will call several government agencies and meet with them to know what best course of action is needed.

In the end, Poe failed to

put forward concrete solutions to Duterte’s question.

The tough-talking mayor earlier stressed that if elected, he will conduct bilateral talks with the government of China to assert the Philippines’ territorial rights.

“I will personally talk to China. I will not move an inch.

I will tell them that, ‘you are occupying areas which now belong to the Republic of the Philippines. I will also remind them of the last line of our national anthem, ‘ang mamatay nang dahil sayo’,” Duterte said.

SoCot to create TF on climate change

IN THE LINE OF FIRE. Firefighters from the Davao Central 911 attempt to extinguish flames during yesterday’s massive fire that destroyed several houses in Barangay 31-D and Barangay 76-A. Lean Daval Jr.

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HE provincial government of South Cotabato is set to create a special task force that will lead the province’s preparations against the adverse effects of climate change.

South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said Monday she has commissioned the immediate convening of a provincial Climate Change Task Force, which will specifically draft policies and strategies that will better prepare the province in facing climate-related calamities.

She cited the long dry spells and droughts spawned by the El Nino as well as the extended rainy season or La Nina phenomenon.

The entire province is presently reeling from the impact of a continuing long dry spell triggered by a strong El Nino, which started in October last year.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Manage-

ment Council (PDRRMC) declared the province under the state of calamity last Friday as the damage wrought by the dry spell to the area’s agricultural crops already reached around PHP284.2 million.

Last year, the province also made similar declarations due to the onslaught of a mild El Nino and severe floods during the rainy season.

“We need to be better prepared in facing climate change.

This situation will continue and only worsen so we really need to come up with more concrete preparations as early as now,” Fuentes said.

Aside from the creation of the task force, which was approved by the PDRRMC during its emergency meeting last Friday, the governor said the local government will commission a comprehensive study for the establishment of more water reservoirs in parts of the province.

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5 SUBURBIA

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 14 • TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016

favors P250-billion Solon seeks ban of products Zubiri personal income tax cuts containing GMOs in food, agri F

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LAWMAKER has vowed a no let-up campaign to ban genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the country despite the recent government-issuance of a new set of guidelines on GMOs. Rep. Fernando L. Hicap (Party-list, Anakpawis) said the approval of the new set of rules on the propagation and sale of GMOs only made him more resolute and determined to push for the approval of his bill prohibiting the use of products containing GMOs on food and agriculture.

Hicap said several studies have shown the harmful effects of genetically modified (GM) crops like the Bt (Basillus thuringionsis) corn on the health of farmers such as unusual high incidence of skin diseases, allergies, blood dyscrasias, infertility and seizures.

“Aside from these health risks, the GM corn farming contaminates traditional and open-pollinated corn varieties,” Hicap explained.

In House Bill 5699, Hicap said GMO crop proponents have always invoked adequate

food production or the fight against poverty, hunger and malnutrition as the ultimate goals for the introduction of such technology.

“Yet, is it a solution? Filipino farmers and scientists across the country assert that GMO in Philippine agriculture is not a solution but is in fact a serious problem,” Hicap said.

As stated in the bill, it shall be the policy of the State to protect and advance the right of the people to a safe and poison-free agriculture, health and livelihood security, and a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.

The measure further states the State shall follow the precautionary principle in relation to the field testing of genetically-engineered crops and the processing and distribution of seeds, crops and food products consisting of, containing or derived from GMOs so as to protect the people, the country’s agriculture and environment for the sake of present and future generations.

“The possible harmful ef-

fects of genetically modified crops and food on human health and environment are irreversible. Thus, the burden of proof as to the safe use of GMOs must be on the proponents of genetic engineering in agriculture,” Hicap said.

The proposal prohibits the release, laboratory and field-testing, processing, sale and similar acts, of crops and food products consisting of, containing or derived from GMOs. But the said prohibition is not applicable to studies on crops and products containing GMOs by the independent panel of scientists to be selected and supervised by the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP) and Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) together with concerned non-government and people’s organizations.

The bill likewise directs the NCBP, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture (DA), FDA and NGOs involved in monitoring GMO crops and products to determine existing GMO products at its various levels under laboratory

testing, pilot testing and multiple location testing.

The bill provides that if the said GMO crops and products are already into commercial distribution in the Philippines prior to the effectivity of the Act, the concerned agencies shall issue a list of said products to the public, make a precautionary risk assessment of the same and come out with recommendations on the proper disposition of such products.

The subsequent sale, processing, laboratory and field testing, release and similar acts, of such products in the list shall be prohibited indefinitely until such time that said products have been declared free from GMOs. The bill creates a monitoring committee composed of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), DA, Department of Health (DOH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Bureau of Customs (BOC), NGOs and Pos to closely monitor the

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ORMER Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri said he will push for up to P250-billion in personal income tax cuts to give greater buying power to middle class families and put more money in the pockets of low-income households for their consumption spending.

“The bigger the tax cut, the better. We are looking at lowering the highest personal income tax rate from 32 percent to between 20 to 25 percent, which are the prevailing highest rates in Singapore and Malaysia,” Zubiri said.

He played down a Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) report which said that proposals to slash personal income tax rates would mean billions of pesos in forgone revenue that government may have to counteract with potential additional levies elsewhere.

“The PIDS study is a one-dimensional view. Once we give the P250 billion to families for them to spend on their own – whether they decide to simply buy more groceries or procure new durable goods – a large portion of the money will be recaptured by government, since all purchases are slapped a 12 percent sales tax,” Zubiri said.

He said the extra P250

Manobo beneficiary [2nd from right] of Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT-IP) in Brgy. Sua-on, Kapalong, Davao del Norte. Complementing Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, MCCT-IP caters to families belonging to the Indigenous Peoples living in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA). (DSWD)

GenSan cops on full alert for Holy Week

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OLICE units here have been placed on full alert in connection with the observance of the Holy Week and the start of the summer vacation.

Chief Insp. Lauro Espida, spokesperson of the city police office, said all police personnel in the city are on “mass deployment” starting Monday to ensure the area’s security during the week-long Lenten break.

In line with their full alert status, he said all leave privileges would be cancelled during the Holy Week as directed by the Philippine National Police central office.

He said their security operations are mainly focused on the local churches, residential areas, highways, beaches and recreational sites.

These will be implemented in close coordination with the Philippine Army-led Joint Task Force GenSan and other law enforcement units based in the city.

“We’re anticipating massive participation in Holy Week-related activities this week and we’re making all the necessary efforts to ensure that these will be smooth, orderly and secure,” Espida said.

As part of their security

plan for the Holy Week, the official said they will deploy around 400 police personnel in various strategic areas.

He said the deployment will be supervised and managed by the chiefs of the city’s eight police stations. Each police station has 40 to 50 active personnel.

Espida said they will set up police assistance centers in major churches, beaches and recreational sites in the city starting on Monday and until the Easter on Sunday.

“These assistance desks would be manned by a team of police personnel. They are

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10,000 El Niño-hit farmers in SoCot to get assistance

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CARABAO-RAISING. [L-R] NCIP Representative Priscilla Ang, Tribal Chieftain Datu Benito Mantayona, DSWD Community Facilitator Ruby Alfante, DSWD Asst. Regional Director for Operations Rebecca A. Santamaria, Kapalong Mayor Edgardo L. Timbol, DSWD Community Facilitator Louie Lito Birang, and IP Mandatory Representative Datu Arturo Davao [rightmost] lead on Thursday the ceremonial turnover of Carabao-Raising Starter Kit to an Ata-

billion at the disposal of Filipino families every year would boost consumption spending, spur a large new demand for all sorts of goods and services, and drive all industries to increase output and hire more workers.

“As a result, the total amount of taxable assets and business income everywhere will also grow rapidly, thus allowing government to recover any lost revenue, plus more,” Zubiri said.

There are at least four bills seeking to reduce personal income taxes now pending in Congress. Depending on the proposal, the PIDS estimates that government would be sacrificing anywhere from P52 billion to P232 billion in annual tax revenue.

Zubiri said the tax cut is the best way to quickly energize the economy and create gainful employment for jobless Filipinos -- estimated at 9.1 million by a recent Social Weather Stations Inc. (SWS) survey.

“Without question, the positive impact of the tax concession on the economy will be immediate, massive and widespread,” he said.

Though running for the Senate as an independent,

mainly tasked to provide security and address all concerns and queries from residents,” he said.

In the national highways and major intersections, he said they will set up motorist assistance desks (MACs) and additional security checkpoints.

The MACs will address various concerns of motorists, including providing guidance to the city’s visitors.

“We will also conduct regular patrols in residential communities since we anticipate that most of our residents will be out of their homes most of the time for the Holy Week activities,” he said. (PNA)

ROUND 10,000 farmers in South Cotabato are set to benefit from various assistance programs set by the provincial government in line with the onslaught of the long dry spell triggered by the El Niño phenomenon.

South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said Monday they are currently finalizing the arrangements for the rollout of the initiatives, which will be funded through the province’s quick response or calamity funds.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), chaired by the governor, declared the province under state of calamity last Friday as the damage wrought by the dry spell to the area’s agricultural crops already reached around PHP284.2 million.

“We will initially extend relief assistance to families in areas that were hit hard by the dry spell,” the governor said.

She said they will tap the Philippine National Red Cross to lead the distribution of the relief assistance due to a prohibition set by the Commission on Elections in connection with the May 9 local and national elections.

The local government will utilize barangay health workers and the barangay nutrition scholars in the preparation of “hot meals” for the relief operations.

Fuentes said the local government has around PHP22.2 million in available funds for this year for the 30 percent

quick response component of its Local DRRM Fund.

She said nearly PHP11 million or 50 percent of the funds have been allotted for various priority interventions that were set under the province’s El Niño mitigation plan.

This includes around PHP7 million for the rollout of the local government’s climate change assistance program and a food-for-work scheme for the affected farmers and farm workers.

The assistance program, which will be implemented in coordination with the city and municipal agriculture offices, includes the distribution of vegetable seeds and other fast-maturing and drought resistant crops.

Some PHP2 million was set aside for the implementation of an alternative livelihood program for farmers and PHP1 million for the construction of a 48,000-liter overhead tank that will be used for storage of potable water.

Fuentes said they expect the Sangguniang Panlalawigan or provincial board to concur with the council’s calamity declaration within the next three days.

She directed the PDRRM Office and other council members to come up with a more holistic report on the damages wrought by the El Niño and include the affected laborers, livestock owners and other marginalized sectors.

The council will endorse the report to national govern-

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EDGEDAVAO

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VISIT DAVAO FUN SALE. Visit Davao Fun Sale (VDFS) executive committee chair Benjie Lizada (left, seated) and Silkair Mindanao manager Joel Goh (right, seated) sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to strengthen

VOL. 9 ISSUE 14 • TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016

Euro Towers to begin Phase 2 of Vivaldi P

their partnership for Davao Region’s premier summer promotion. The MOA was signed during yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

Power outages worry Samal businessmen

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

HE regular island-wide blackout in the Island Garden City of Samal implemented a week ago is raising alarm among businessmen as estimated lost already reach more than P1 million and is expected to worsen with only few days remaining before holidays.

“There is an observed decrease in the volume of domestic tourists arriving the island,” IGACOS city tourism officer Jenny Cariaga said in yesterday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex.

Cariaga said the number of passengers traversing through ferry boats decreased in the past days. “Lines of people waiting to get into Samal through the ferries are getting short and shorter each day.”

She said she had already visited beach resorts in the island which experience low

guest traffic. “Beach resorts are losing an approximate of P5, 000 daily,” she added.

The city government feared that the island-wide blackout will caused a significant drop in the numbers of holiday vacationers in the next few days in time for the Holy Week.

“It is supposed to be the peak of the season but tourists might consider other destination other than Samal because of the blackout,” she said adding last year’s record bared a 300,000 arrivals during the Holy week.

However, Cariaga said most of the more than 70 private beach resorts in the island are equipped with power generators. “Capacities of some of the generators are even capable of supplying power for their daily operations like air conditioning of

rooms.”

While some have their own generators, other businesses as well as the rest of the Samal will be depending on the 6 megawatt (MW) modular generator sets which will be leased by the Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative (DANECO) from the Mindoro Grid Corporation.

“The genset is expected to arrive by March 24,” she said adding it will temporarily light up the whole island for weeks until the damaged submarine cable is fully restored. It will power up the island which has a power demand of 5MW only.

“We will have a reserve of 1 MW which can be used during peak hours,” she added.

As much as the damage to the cable is already assessed, she said it is still not identified as to when the cable will be fully repaired.

“Photographs taken by divers during the inspection show that there was a huge damage to the cable system,” she said adding the island-wide blackout commenced exactly seven minutes before 10 a.m. last Thursday after the MV Ecuador damaged a portion of the submarine cable which connects the island to the Mindanao power grid.

Cariaga explained that the MV Ecuador, which is already, now at General Santos City, dropped its anchors for emergency purposes. “They were left with no choice but to drop their anchor because they were only 10 meters away from the impact.”

Authorities from the MV Ecuador, she said will be shouldering all the damages and might face rap against DANECO.

HE Philippines seeks support from the United States government to bring investments of American manufacturers in the country, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo told reporters Monday.

Rodolfo, who is also the Board of Investments Managing Head, said the agency eyes to attract more investments in manufacturing sector including from the US with the help of the US government.

The Philippines and US

concluded its sixth Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD) last week reaffirming shared commitments to strengthen cooperation in terms of mutual defense and security, as well as jointly contributing to regional peace, stability, and economic prosperity.

“We brought up how we can collaborate so that American investments also flow in to our manufacturing,” said Rodolfo.

“Part is to ramp up support in terms of promotions, in terms of bringing in more

investment missions,” he mentioned.

Citing the support of Japanese government to push its manufacturing companies to locate in the Philippines, the DTI official said the US government can also help in promoting the Philippines as an investment destination for American manufacturing firms.

For instance, Japan’s state-owned enterprise Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corp. for Transport and Urban Development

(JOIN) has partnered with the state-owned corporation Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to facilitate development of the country’s first green, smart, and disaster-resilient city, the Clark Green City.

The partnership will encourage more Japanese businesses to move to the Philippines.

In fact, after the two stateowned enterprises formally signed the joint venture partnership, around 20 Japanese

PHL seeks US gov’t support to bring manufacturing investments T

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RIME real estate developer Euro Towers International, Inc. (ETI) is set to start the second phase of the construction of the Vivaldi Residences Davao, the next Mindanao’s highest condominium project, by second semester of this year.

Eyeing for a total of 37 floors or 118 meters above sea level, Roy L. Estanislao, ETI director for construction and development group, said the foundation works will be finished by the end of May. “We are already 95 percent completed with the foundation of the structure. We have already casted and concreted 64 out of 70 bored piles,”Estanislao said adding the foundation is estimated to be 60 meters below the ground or equivalent to around a 20-storey building.

Estanilao said firm has already poured a total of P120 million investments alone for the foundation after closing deal with Manila-based board filing contactor Advance Foundation Construction Systems Construction which specializes in foundation engineering.

“We will soon start with the necessary testing of the foundation to ensure we have the best quality for our superstructure ,” he said during its annual awarding event at the Apo View Hotel last Friday.

The bidding for the main structural work will be open

within April,he added. “We wanted to get a specialist for every phase of the construction.”

“We’re still on schedule for our target completion on 2018,” he said. Groundworks for the over P1-billion super structure started last year June.

Considered as a late bloomer in the real estate development, Estanislao said Davao has a huge untapped market potential.

Pegged as Euro Towers’ first high-rise project in Mindanao, the Vivaldi Residences Davao will have a total of 849 units with 25 to 32 square meters(sqm) floor area each.

The structure will strategically stand on a 1,004 sqm. property along CM Recto Street corner Acacia Street and will be at the heart of the city’s central business district.

He said the basement and two more floors will be allocated for parking spaces of homeowners.

With only limited space, Estanislao said the firm will be investing for the development of a vertical parking system which will use the mechanical parking lift system.

“It will be the first in Davao City and in Mindanao,”he said adding each space can accomodate two vehicles at the same time to maximize space while reducing areas for parking. CHENEEN R. CAPON

Ty: Tap P2-B ‘survival fund’ for rainwater harvest systems

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ITH one-fourth of the country now reeling from drought, local government units (LGUs) and community organizations have been encouraged to tap the P2-billion People’s Survival Fund (PSF) and invest in the installation of practical rainwater harvesting systems in their areas.

“To fight prolonged freshwater shortages during severe dry spells, communities would do well to put up simple rainwater collectors using money from the PSF,” House deputy minority leader and LPG-MA Rep. Arnel Ty said.

Communities could adopt as a model Bhagwati Agrawal’s celebrated “River from the Sky” – a simple yet sustainable rainwater harvesting system that now provides safe drinking water to more than 10,000 people in Rajasthan, India, according to Ty, a member of the House science and technology committee.

The scheme is a network of rooftops, gutters, pipes and underground reservoirs that collect and store the monsoon rains, which fall from July to September. It now provides clean water to six villages all year long in one of the driest areas of India.

Ty said rainwater stockpiles can also supply farm-

ers extra water for irrigation throughout arid conditions.

In its March drought/dry spell outlook, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has warned that 24 percent of the country, or 19 provinces, are likely to suffer drought -- defined as “three consecutive months of way below normal rainfall condition, or greater than 60-percent reduction from average rainfall.”

“Now more than ever, we should all work harder to give greater meaning to the Rainwater Collector and Springs Development Law of 1989, or Republic Act 6715,” Ty said.

Ty previously filed a House resolution calling for an inquiry into the unusually sluggish execution of the 27-year-old law that requires the Department of Public Works and Highways to construct rainwater collectors in all barangays countrywide.

Pagasa said the 19 provinces facing drought are Palawan, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Davao del Sur, South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, Basilan, Ma-

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7 COMPETITIVE EDGE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 9 ISSUE 14 • TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016

KEMBALI COAST. Filinvest Development Corporation cluster head for Visayas and Mindanao Tristan L. Las Marias (second from right), vice president for marketing Bernadette M. Ramos (leftmost), area general manager for Southern Mindanao Geraldine Marie C. de Gorostiza (rightmost) and project development consultant Toshi Onozawa lead the cutting of ribbon to mark the opening of Kembali Coast Lounge along Mc Arthur Highway in Matina over the weekend.

Lean Daval Jr.

DOLE joins #AngBagongPhilJobNet orientation in Cagayan de Oro City

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ITH the launching of the enhanced PhilJobNet, the government’s official job search portal, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) XI participated in its trainers training and orientation recently.

Joining the activity last March 7 to 8, were DOLE XI Regional Director Joffrey M. Suyao, Davao Regional Employment Focal Lariele P. Arce, and field focal persons.

The new and enhanced feature of PhilJobNet (PJN) was made possible through the partnership of the Bureau of Local Employment and the Servicio Filipino Inc. Group (SFI).

In a statement, Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said that the new PJN can easily be accessed for free and was also made mobile friendly for easy viewing especially for smartphone users.

PJN now “has a separate log-in for employers, jobseekers, and the web administrator; features jobs

for specific clients, such as women, high school graduate, differently-abled workers, and displaced workers; incorporates a career information page; and integrates a Talent Map tool.”

The new PJN can be accessed by jobseekers using their social media accounts such as Facebook and LinkedIn. It now also has advanced search option that can filter job vacancies by location, industry, company name, salary and type of employment.

During the activity in Cagayan de Oro, DOLE XI delegates also won 2nd place during the #AngBagongPJN Facebook photo contest.

PJN can be accessed via www.philjobnet.ph and in the Job Search Kiosks located in PESO, DOLE central office, bureau, attached agencies, regional and field offices, Commission on Higher Education, and selected schools in the Region. Kriztja Marae G. Labrador/LCODOLEXI

DOLE XI delegates headed by Regional Director Joffrey M. Suyao, Davao Regional Employment Focal Lariele P. Arce, and field focal persons photo entry during the enhanced PhilJobNet Trainers Training and Orientation Facebook photo contest in Cagayan de Oro wherein they won 2nd place.

Exclusive island living beckons as Kembali showcase opens F ILINVEST, under the Filinvest Premiere brand, has officially launched its showcase platform, dubbed as the Kembali Sales Lounge, an interactive gallery with Kembali’s Balinese-inspired residential-leisure development in Samal Island on spotlight.

Indulge in your private playground.

Kembali provides its residents with a private escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Taken from the word in Bahasa Indonesia that means ‘welcome’ or `to go back to,’ it offers exclusive island living that is truly worth returning to. A 20-minute boat ride from the Davao Boat and Leisure Club and a 40-minute boat transfer from the mainland will bring you to Kembali’s 1.8km

of beach frontage, a white sand coastline facing the Talikud Strait.

Kissed-by-nature encounters. Kembali’s unspoiled terrain made it the most conducive habitat for green sea turtles.

The development was designed around the preservation of its natural diversity. The island’s mangroves serve as nesting grounds for birds and serve as breeding grounds for rich marine life. Kembali features a bird hill and fish feeding activities to enable nature-intimate encounters.

A beachfront home, a grand escape.

Staycation at its finest is made possible by Kembali’s generous lot cuts and highly secured community features. Design your second home especially for your private

getaways with family and friends and experience the ease and comfort of living within a master-planned community.

Kembali is a joint venture project of Filinvest Land, Inc. and Fernandez-Hermanos, Inc. As of March 2016, development of Phase 2 has commenced and plans for construction of the first tower and amenity building of Kembali’s mid-rise condo development is underway with its recently held groundbreaking ceremony.

Come and have an immersive, first-hand experience of the exclusive island living at the Ground Floor, McPod Bldg., McArthur Highway, Matina, Davao City. For more information, please call (0917) 595-7788 or log on to www. kembali.com.ph.

Backed by expe-

rience, run by expertise. Kembali is a quality development under the upscale Filinvest Premiere brand which offers masterfully-crafted luxury residential spaces and leisure masterpieces.

One of the country’s most trusted real estate developers with over 60 solid years of experience, Filinvest is built and guided by the Gotianun family’s tradition of integrity, quality and service.

Filinvest Land, Inc. has been in the business of building the Filipino dream of owning a home all over the archipelago for over 50 years.

Taking pride in being one of the country’s top real estate developers, it has a current inventory of over 150 active projects in more than 2,500 hectares of land nationwide.

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8 VANTAGE

VOL. 9 ISSUE 14 • TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016

EDITORIAL There is substance in brevity

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HE television analyst TV5 commissioned to do the panel analy- emerging. sis of the Presidential Debate Round 2 on Sunday straight from At one point, he dumped a candidate’s answers for being less subCebu City left a lot to be desired from the audience after the cov- stantive. He did not dig the one-liners. He said they spoke nothing. erage.

At that point, he obviously was missing the point. With all due reThe audience actually started to notice the professor from the get- spects to his opinion, his appreciation of kilometric answers made to go and while his credentials may have earned for him the spot on that sound brilliant where uttered like symphony reflected a fancy for glib chair, his views were a different matter. As he rattled his preliminaries, more than fact and realism. By contrast, he hated brevity. Short of callhe was starting to send wrong signals of leanings and the audience was ing it empty. quick to notice him as posts on social media began to flood. An anaThis is a debate, an artform that men try to develop to become a lyst’s job is to provide the view of the forest to the audience and then master of persuasion. It calls for a style personal to each debater as his break it down to the trees. He must be equipped with enough back- choice on how to pursue his arguments and carried through his manground and a deep understanding of the different personas involved in ner of speech and presentation. If he chooses to be brief and spew fire the debate. As much as possible, he keeps a fair share of commentaries in short spurts, it his way of expression but even the one-liners can be on all subjects and be ready to inject new thoughts that surface as the significant. It’s not the length that’s the measure here but the weight in debate wears on. which each argument is anchored upon.

However, the fairness of a cold judge did not surface from the depths The presidential debate indeed is a test of one’s depth and characof his mind and each time he utters a word, the more his leanings are ter—not just with the debaters but also the other participants.

EDGEDAVAO

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VANTAGE POINTS

9

Lessons in politics from Mindanao (first of two parts)

HIS island, home to some 20 or so million inhabitants, occupies a unique, if not special place in my growing up years. Spending long summer months away from Metro Manila gained for me a special perspective born out of its slower pace, its heavy reliance on nature and its resources, and other cultural elements. It is in Mindanao that my martial law consciousness was roused, with the perennially heavy military presence, curfews and sporadic violence often erupting long after formal martial Rule was lifted, I was witness to after-shooting scenes where dead bodies are covered in newspaper or wheeled in via ambulances at the Iligan Medical Center, Welgang Bayans where labor groups and activists . Armored personnel carriers routinely traversed city streets and army dudes did patrol at times. Mindanao was a special flashpoint mainly due to two realities: For one, its cultural template was different from the rest of the country. A siginfiicant muslim minority coupled with

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 14 • TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016

UMMER is just around the corner.

With El Niño still unleashing its havoc in nearby provinces, summer in Davao City is going to be extra hot.

People are going to brace for more brownouts as more than half of the electricity source comes from hydropower.

So, instead of going to the malls, people will soon be hitting the rivers, beaches, and resorts.

But, wait, before you pack all your things for that summer trip, be sure to take necessary precautions against heat stroke.

“Heat stroke occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature: the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down,” said the Department of Health (DOH).

“When heat stroke occurs, the body temperature can rise to 41⁰ Celsius or higher within 10 to 15 minutes,” the health department said. “Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not given.”

The symptoms of heat stroke include: hot, dry skin or profuse sweating; hallucinations; chills; throbbing headache; high body temperature; confusion/dizziness; and slurred speech.

Dr. Raul V. Destura, an internal medicine and infectious disease specialist, says that people who experience heat stroke are sometimes thought of as “na-maligno” or under the control of a superficial creature when in fact, altered mental state

peoples of inMY TWO CENTS’ digenous ancestry mixed with Visayan Christians and various types of Filipino settlers created a strong cornucopia that often lent itself John Tria to mistrust ecisouth@gmail.com and conflict.

Whether such outcomes were intended or designed I am not sure, but the way things developed- you had twin insurgencies, one of the Marxist-Leninist-Mao Zedong variety, and the other, a religious one. Conflicts took root, and mistrust exacerbated it.

Secondly, Mindanao before 1991 was a picture of terrible political and economic neglect. It was so bad in our parts that we could not call other Mindanao cities long distance, most roads were

rough, and airline connections to and from the nations capital were not as frequent, and restrictive. In particular, our city of entry Cagayan de Oro did not have the discounted Philippine Airlines Bulilit flight in spite of the fact that its three daily flights were often fully booked, while presidential hometown Laoag had a one of a kind “turbulilit” discounted turboprop flight. Obviously, Cagayan de Oro had an opposition Mayor by the name of Nene Pimentel while Ilocos , was, well, Ilocos of the Marcos era.

Against such a picture I view the current political culture on this island, where a few general characteristics are clear: 1. Religion is a significant part of the consciousness. Western educated Manila liberals and modernists often frown at the presence of religion in daily lives, much less in making political decisions.

But in Mindanao, religion is an organizing principle, and a source of identity.

Without it the clashing cultures would find no definition, and, contrary to the

views of some, conflict would probably be worse. Ulamas, pastors and Bishops were, and still are the repository of tolerance and keepers of the sense of community and a deep code of personal meaing as civil government is often seen as an instrument of a Christian majority, or the Empire called Manila. Religion is as ubiquitous as it is gently accepted as a necessary part of personal and community life.

2. The way of peace requires discipline and sensitivity of the self and the community- the previous element stated, the need for self discipline cannot be understated. Tolerance and the acceptance of the views of others you do not agree with is the norm. Bigotry and self-centeredness is not acceptable. People cannot be bullied for their beliefs, as the result often is anarchy and violence.

Moreover, unlike in Manila, core beliefs cannot be changed like underwear. Christians in favor of same sex marriage, for instance, and their counterparts against such unions deserve equal respect, and are accepted with little prejudice.

or behavior is THINK ON THESE! one of the symptoms of this illness.

“If it’s heat stroke, your skin is dry. If you’re over-exercised, you get a moist skin,” Dr. DestuHenrylito D. Tacio ra pointed out. henrytacio@gmail.com Dr. William C. Shiel, Jr. in a medicine.net feature, symptoms of heat stroke can sometimes mimic those of heart attack or other conditions. Sometimes a person experiences symptoms of heat exhaustion before progressing to heat strokes.

People with the following conditions are especially prone to heat stroke: alcoholism; chronic illnesses like heart disease; obesity; uncontrolled diabetes; Parkinson’s disease; use of certain medications such as diuretics and antihistamines; and use of some illegal psychoactive drugs. Older people are more prone to heat stroke.

Those living in Davao City are most likely to suffer from heat stroke during a prolonged heat wave, particularly if there are stagnant atmospheric conditions and poor air quality. In what is known as the “heat island effect,” asphalt and concrete store heat during the day and only gradually release it at night, resulting in higher nighttime temperatures.

“Heat stroke is not an accident,” says Dr. Marilyn J. Heine, an ER physician and member of the Pennsylvania Medical Society. “Over the summer, we see too many cases of heat-related illness in the emergency room, but it’s a condition that generally can be prevented with a little effort and lots of common sense.”

Heatstroke, however, follows two less serious heat-related conditions: heat cramps and heat exhaustion.

“Heat cramps are caused by initial exposure to high temperatures or physical exertion,” the Mayo Clinic informs.

“Signs and symptoms of heat cramps usually include excess sweating, fatigue, thirst and cramps, usually in the stomach, arms or legs. This condition is common in very hot weather or with moderate to heavy physical activity. You can usually treat heat cramps by drinking water or fluids containing electrolytes, resting and getting to a cool spot, like a shaded or air-conditioned area.”

On the other hand, heat exhaustion occurs when you don’t act on the signs and symptoms of heat cramps and your condition worsens. Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include a headache, dizziness or lightheadedness, nausea, skin that feels cool and moist, and muscle cramps. Often with heat exhaustion, you can treat the condition yourself by following the same measures used to treat heat cramps, such as drinking cool, nonalcoholic beverages, getting into an air-conditioned area or taking a cool show-

er. If your symptoms persist, seek medical attention immediately.

Meanwhile, as heat is intense during the summer months, the health department issued these tips: · Increase the amount of water or non-alcoholic drinks that you consume. Drink before you feel thirsty. Just a precautionary: if you have a limit on the amount of daily fluid intake or you are taking water pills, consult your physician. · Avoid drinks that contain caffeine, alcohol, or large amount of sugar as they will cause you to lose more body fluids. · Stay inside, when and if possible. If you have access to air-conditioner, use it. Electric fans do not provide relief from heat-related illnesses when temperatures are in the mid-30⁰Celsius and above. · Take a cool shower or bath daily. · Wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing.

In the heat of the sun

Should you be out there under the sun, do the following: · Limit your outdoor activity to early morning and evening hours. · Decrease your exercise activities. Be sure to drink at least 2-4 glasses of cool liquids every hour while doing exercise. · Whether you’re walking or running, frequently take breaks under shady areas.

Other ways of protecting yourself from the heat of the sun include using an umbrella or wearing hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

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erate sometime in April 2016 while San Miguel Power Corporation’s two power plants, each with a capacit of 150 MW, will begin operations in the second half of the year.

“When we have all these three plants, rotational brownouts will be a thing of the past,” Milan said. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

He said that the Philippine Green Jobs Act (PGJA) can jumpstart the country’s contribution in generating environment warriors who would be in the frontline in the global campaign against climate change.

Nograles said that through the PGJA, the so-called “green companies” or businesses that are involved in the production of environment friendly products and those that offer services to promote environ-

mental protection and conservation are entitled to fiscal incentives that may include additional deduction of labor expense and duty free importation of capital equipment.

The PGJA is also pushing for fiscal incentives and tax perks for individuals and enterprises that participate in the creation of green jobs, practice the use of environment-friendly technologies and produce green goods and services.

guindanao, Lanao del Sur, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

The weather bureau said another 13 provinces are likely to endure a dry spell, defined as “three consecutive months of below normal rainfall condition, or 21 to 60 percent reduction from average rainfall.”

The 13 provinces are Benguet, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, Bohol, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte and Agusan del Sur. The PSF is a special annual fund in the National Treasury that finances climate change adaptation and natural disaster resilience strategies.

Established by Republic Act 10174, the PSF supple-

ments the yearly funding earmarked by national agencies and LGUs for programs and projects meant to build up the capability of communities to cope with harsh weather conditions.

The PSF is run by the People’s Survival Fund Board, composed of the heads of the Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management, Department of the Interior and Local Government, National Economic and Development Authority and the Philippine Commission on Women, the vice chairperson of the Climate Change Commission, and one representative each from the scientific community, the business sector, and non-government organizations.

PDDRMO showed that the extreme dry weather mainly affected corn and palay farm lands, inland fishery areas and livestock.

It devastated some 11,011 hectares of farm lands involving around 9,380 farmers within the province’s 10 towns and lone city. (PNA)

companies have visited the country and expressed their interests to invest in Clark Green City.

Furthermore, Rodolfo noted that the Philippine manufacturing sector has been growing at an average of more than 8 percent annually for the past five to six years.

“They can also take full advantage of this (manufac-

turing) growth also,” he added.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that total investments of US in the Philippines in 2015 through the country’s major investment promotion agencies increased by 25 percent to PHP21.74 billion from PHP17.42 billion in 2014.

(PNA)

mental costs should not be ignored” when building geothermal power plants, pointed out Jaeger and Reckordt.

“Usually sites for geothermal energy generation are in mountainous regions, which are either protected areas or home to indigenous communities.”

Of course, geothermal power still creates some environmental problems. Studies have shown that geothermal fluids drawn from the deep earth may carry a mixture of gases with them, notably carbon dioxide and hydrogen

sulfide.

It is said that when released to the environment, these pollutants contribute to climate change, acid rain, and noxious smells in the vicinity of the plant. According to studies, existing geothermal electric plants emit an average of 90-120 kilograms of carbon dioxide per megawatt hour of electricity. But this is just a small fraction of the emission intensity of conventional fossil fuel plants. In some parts of the world, some geothermal power plants are equipped with emis-

sions-controlling systems that reduces the exhaust of acids and volatiles.

In addition to dissolved gases, hot water from geothermal sources may contain trace amounts of dangerous elements such as mercury, arsenic, and antimony which, if disposed of into rivers, can render their water unsafe to drink. Geothermal plants can theoretically inject these substances, along with the gases, back into the earth, in a form of carbon sequestration. (Next: Blowing in the wind)

administrators and part-time and full-time faculty, and 360 are non-teaching staff.

The survey was conducted through Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment (Moodle) method where the students, faculty and administrators answered the survey through their AdDU online account. The survey was conducted last February 29 - March in Jacinto Campus while March 6-8 in Matina Campus.

The non-teaching staff went on a face-to-face interview which was conducted last March 1 to 14.

tricians such as the Electrical Restoration Maintenance and Transmission Line Installation and Maintenance.

After accomplishing the two two-year programs, students will be accorded with a national certification II, following the Philippine TVET (Technical Vocational Education and Training) qualification and certification system.

A national certificate is issued when a student “has demonstrated competence in all units of competency that comprised qualification.”

In his message, Aboitiz said “our world is changing faster than ever and we realize that our CSR projects should evolve with the changing needs of the community.”

He added that that BELT. COM will support DLPCs oth-

er programs such as the Electrical Laboratories in public schools and Project Best (Basic Electrician Skills Training) in rural areas.

“In Davao City alone, many manufacturing industries, malls, condominiums, and business process outsourcing (BPO) companies are mushrooming. This development entails not only an increased demand for power but also for linemen who will carry out construction of new transmission and distribution lines and later maintenance of these lines,” he added.

“It is different when your trainer is a teacher or a practitioner who comes from an industry because he knows the what’s it’s like in the real world,” Gayona added. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

sale, processing of products, derived from genetically engineered organisms. The monitoring team shall recommend for disposition any product found to be containing genetically engineered organisms.

The penalty of a fine of P100,000 to P1 million and jail

time of five years to 15 years shall be imposed on any person or persons violating the provisions of the Act. The bill is pending at the Committee on Agriculture and Food chaired by Rep. Mark Llandro L. Mendoza (4th District, Batangas). (PNA)

ment agencies for the release of augmentation assistance, she said.

The PDRRMC issued the calamity declaration in the wake of the similar moves earlier made by Koronadal City and the municipalities of T’boli, Surallah and Tantangan.

A report released by the

in fuel cost. In fact, the production of the electricity by geothermal plants is cheaper than the electricity produced in plants by using natural gas and coal. It is even cheaper than electricity produced by hydro power stations.

Studies have shown that geothermal has minimal land use requirements; existing geothermal plants use 1-10 hectares per megawatt versus 5-12 hectares per megawatt for nuclear operations and 25 hectares per megawatt for coal power plants.

“Social and environ-

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the supply, Milan said they are hoping to minimize the rotational brownouts to at least 30 minutes a day.

The Department of Energy (DOE) earlier revealed that three more coal-fired power plants will run within the year: the 100-MW unit of the Sarangani Energy Corporation in Maasim, Sarangani will op-

level.

The survey was conducted in two AdDU campuses and the off campus operated by AdDU. In Matina campus, 43. 8 percent of the respondents who participated while 53.9 percent in Jacinto campus and 2.3 percent in the off-campus sites particularly in Catigan Farm and St. Ignatius Spirituality Center in Island Garden City of Samal (IGACoS).

Of the total respondents, 224 are grade school students, 309 are high school, 762 are college students and graduate school students, 202 are

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She said the reservoirs will be mainly utilized to capture excess water during the rainy season and for use during dry spells or droughts.

Fuentes said they will also link up with the Department of Environment Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture for a study on the installation additional small water-impounding projects.

“We need to establish the areas where these facilities should be put up within the next two to three years,” she said.

The local government and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) have been considering tapping the Lake

Holon in T’boli town as possible water or irrigation source for the area, especially during the dry season and dry spells.

The famed crater-lake drains to the Allah River, the province’s biggest tributary and the main water source of NIA’s irrigation system in the area.

Orlando Tibang, supervisor of NIA-South Cotabato, said they are set to conduct an in-depth study for the establishment of a major irrigation facility at the lake.

But he acknowledged that the initiative could take some time and the planned project, which will include a major dam, would cost billions of pesos. (PNA)

Zubiri is an adopted guest candidate on the senatorial tickets of three presidential aspirants -- Vice President Jejomar Binay, Sen. Grace Poe and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

The latest SWS and Pulse Asia Research Inc. pre-election surveys of voter senatorial preferences rank Zubiri as the sixth most-favored candidate.

“We cannot rely on increased government spending alone to immediately build up the economy, simply because is it usually takes years for public programs to be performed. So it also takes a very long time for the benefits to trickle out to the rest of the economy,” Zubiri said.

Increased government spending also tends to be highly concentrated on infrastructure and pay upgrades for civil servants, according to the former senator.

“We should keep less tax money in state coffers, and simply put more cash at the disposal of Filipino households, which tend to be more productive spenders than government agencies,” he said.

Analysts have blamed sluggish government spending for dragging down economy growth and jobs creation.

The Philippine economy grew 5.8 percent in 2015 -the slowest pace in four years – and short of government’s target of 7 to 8 percent.

“La Salle was very accommodating and that led to the agreement to bring them over and play for us. We thank the DLSU officials for supporting us,” said Escandor who gave the players a brief but heart-rending pep talk a day before the tournament started.

Then it was all downhill from there.

On Saturday night, the Green Archers-powered CMO-Royal Mandaya Hotel nailed its second straight championship after blasting defending Goldstar Hardware in the finals 80-61 in a one-sided match that saw the young guns of Taft expose the ageing veterans the rude lesson of life’s inevitable human limitations.

Goldstar Hardware paraded former pros Jojo Tangkay, Marlon Basco and Pong Escobal (injured in the finals) – mostly in their near 40s or so, and the rigors of the highly-physical hoop game may have finally exacted their toll on the gritty veteran Hardwaremen.

Tangkay, once the most valuable player in the same tournament and a reliable gunner despite his ripe age, laid a big fat egg on Saturday. He was called for second motion on the young Andrew Stewart Langston in the first period and was never the same again.

Basco, the 6-6 veteran slotman who was once a San Miguel Beerman, had 9 points. Esco-

bal did not play and African import Steve Akomo did not score.

The Green Archers went to work early after Leomer Losentes hit three triples to open the ballgame on a torrid note, going 13-9 with 2:57 left and Ben Mbala, Jeron Teng and Langston on the firing end. The opening period ended 18-13 with a Abu Jahal Tratter split.

Teng opened up the scoring in the second and Mbala continued to dominate inside to finish with 17 at the half and the Green Archers comfortably on top 38-26.

Another 11-point explosion by Mbala in the third practically took the wind of the short-winded Hardwaremen 60-47. By the fourth quarter, all the Green Archers did was to protect the lead as Goldstar started to get rough.

Mbala fired a tournament-high 38 points while Teng, Jayman Gob and Andrei Caracut had 8 apiece for the Green Archers who were steered by new coach Aldin Ayo and backstopped by veteran benchmasters Siot Tangquincen and Glenn Capacio.

Ayo, who gave Letran a championship last year in the NCAA, won Best Coach award, while Mbala was named Most Valuable Player after averaging 30.5 points in 4 games. Shooster Olago of Montaña Pawnshop won the Phoenix Slam Dunk title.

Zubiri... FROM 5

WIN... FROM 16

11 ENVIRONMENT Renewable energy: EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 14 • TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016

Power from down under Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

(Third of a Series)

I

F the Philippines can tap its huge reservoir, they say the country would become the world’s top producer of geothermal power. The United States is currently the record holder with an installed capacity of 3,093 megawatts (MW) as of 2010, according to the International Geothermal Association (IGA).

Former House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr., who

once pursued the approval of House Bill 12641 (which promotes the exploration, development and production of geothermal resources in the country) said that geothermal energy “is going to be the cheapest and, more important, the most non-polluting power source in the Philippines in the years to come.”

In an article published in the journal “Geothermal Energy” in 1980, author Rudolph J. Birsic noted of “the remarkable geothermal resources of the Philippines.” During the World Geothermal Congress held

in Japan in 2000, the Philippines was reported to be the largest consumer of electricity from geothermal sources.

Currently, the Philippines has six geothermal plants scattered throughout the country. These are the Makiling-Banahaw (Mak-Ban) areas, just south of Manila; Tiwi in Albay; Bacon-Manito (BacMan) in Sorsogon; Tongonan in Leyte; Palinpin in Southern Negros; and the Mount Apo in Mindanao.

“The Philippines generates 23% of its electricity from geothermal energy,” reports “Southern Innovator,” a magazine published by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

In Mindanao, 8 percent of its power source comes from geothermal.

“Geothermal energy is well-developed (in the Philippines),” notes Nicola Jaeger and Michael Reckordt in an article “Power for the People,” which appeared in “Handbook Philippines.” “It has been promoted through tax exemptions and other in-

centives since the passage of the Geothermal Energy Law of 1978.”

Geothermal energy is considered a renewable energy source since its supply is considered inexhaustible. The word “geothermal” comes from the Greek roots geo, meaning “earth,” and thermos, meaning “heat.”

Science tells us that the inner core of the earth consists of a molten mass that acts as the source of geother-

mal energy. In some areas of the Philippines and throughout the world, the intense heat within the earth occurs near the earth’s surface and heats underground water, forming hot water or steam.

If these reservoirs are close enough to the surface, wells can be drilled to tap the steam and hot water. The steam and hot water is used to produce electricity with generators. (Geysers occur where these reservoirs of steam and hot water naturally break through the surface.)

The use of geothermal energy is not a recent dis-

covery. Both Norse Vikings, who settled in Iceland more than 1,000 years ago, and American Indians used geothermal geysers for cooking and baking.

The Maoris, who settled in New Zealand about 600 years ago, grew their sweet potatoes in geothermally heated gardens.

History records show that the first industrial harnessing of steam from the earth commenced in northern Italy more than half a century ago when Prince Piero Ginori Conti decided to hook a generator to a steam engine driven by natural steam.

The success of this operation (after so many innovations) led to the installation of the world’s first geothermal power plant, with a capacity of 250 kilowatts, in 1913. Today, the site is a favorite tourist attraction.

It was the world’s only industrial producer of geothermal electricity until 1958, when New Zealand built a plant of its own.

As years went by, more innovations came. The first commercial geothermal heat pump was designed by J.D. Krocker to heat the Commonwealth Building in Portland, Oregon in 1946. Two years later, Professor Carl Nielsen of Ohio State University built the first residential heat pump two years later. The technology became popular in Sweden as a result of the 1973 oil crisis, and has been growing slowly in worldwide acceptance since then.

Today, geothermal energy supplies power to 24

countries, producing enough electricity to meet the needs of 60 million people, according to Geothermal Energy Association. Aside from those mentioned earlier, other countries which installed geothermal electric power plants include Mexico, Japan, Indonesia, El Salvador, Kenya, Nicaragua, Turkey, China, Russia, France, Portugal, Iceland, and Greece.

Geothermal expert Dr. Arturo Alcaraz was credited with introducing geothermal energy in the Philippines.

In the 1960s, Dr. Alcaraz -- who was then with the Philippine Volcanology Office -- built the first small geothermal plant in Tiwi, near Mount Mayon.

“The first electric bulb in the Philippines lit by earthheat energy was in Tiwi, Albay, on April 12, 1967,” chronicled the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, which honored Dr. Alcaraz in 1982 for “his scientific perspicacity and selfless perseverance in guiding Filipinos to understand and use one of their greatest natural resources.”

Commercial use of geothermal energy for electric

power generation started with the commissioning of a three-megawatt pilot power plant in Leyte in 1977. Largescale plants were later commissioned between 1979 and 1984.

There are some estimates that if the expansion of this sector will be pursued, the Philippines could have a windfall of 3,000 MW. The natural steam all over the country, according to Dr. Alcaraz, could give cheap power for at least 200 years.

“Energy is critical to advances in human development,” the UNDP publication notes. “Electricity enables the introduction of lighting in homes and the use of washing machines and other modern appliances and communication tools.

“And, crucially, (geothermal energy) does not harm the natural resources like conventional energy sources such as coal, gas or nuclear power with its legacy of radioactive waste,” it adds.

Geothermal power is indeed environment-friendly. It requires no fuel, and is therefore immune to fluctuations

FENVIRONMENT, 10

EDGEDAVAO

12 MOTORING

VOL. 9 ISSUE 14 • TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016

1st Ground Image Shootout at Croc Park WINNERS. Winners of the 1st Ground Image Shootout 1/8 Mile Dragster Race at the Riverfront Speed City over the weekend. led by Elben Jay Pang of Team Ground Image and Gary Dumbrique of Team WAutosports.

The race was organized by Ground Image led by manager Elben Pang and supported by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Vice Mayor Pulong Duterte.

FASTEST. Two of the race cars which figured prominently in the first ever Ground Image Shootout 1/8 Mile Dragster Race at the Riverfront Speed City over the weekend. The race was organized by Ground Image led by manager Elben Pang and supported by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Vice Mayor Pulong Duterte.

Limitless endurance with the Sniper 150 mxi and fzi

Y

AMAHA delivers the best quality of products for every type of rider and unleashes their potential that takes them beyond their limits. This complementary relationship between man and machine is an experience that can only be described by the journey taken. For Cloyde Pilapil it was a race against all odds. First, he joined the Manila M3 (Manila-Matnog-Manila) Endurance Challenge last November 28-29 where he went up against motorcycles of higher displacements using the Sniper 150 Mxi. After 24 hours of riding and racing against stronger machines he placed 3rd with a 650cc and

1000cc ahead of him. It was a 1,200 Km trip and against difficult weather Cloyde still performed beyond expectations.

His second stint proved as a testament to his consistency while showing the full capabilities of the Yamaha FZi. On January 17-18 he competed in the amazing tour challenge-south Luzon edition and placed first after a tiring 959KM route. The performance of both the rider and product showcased efficiency and durability.

Excellence can truly be achieved when a talented individual is powered by the world-class machinery of Yamaha.

INdulge!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 14 • TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016

EDGEDAVAO EVENT

The perfect storm Photos by Artoca Photography and Manic Nightnings

P A R T I E S AROUND DAVAO SEEM COULD BE MONOTONOUS. You got a DJ or a band performing on stage while you masses of people either seated around a table chilling, or up on their feet jumping up and down to the tune of the beat.

Good thing there are stand out events organised by truly creative minds and so far, my experiences with the party productions of Kat Dalisay’s Manic Nightnings have been more of the up-on-the-feet-danceto-the-beat kind which I

While most people going to outdoor parties shun the rain, getting wet was the name of the game at the Vibrant event as glow-in-the-dark paints and black lights flooded the venue.

totally love, and that was why I said yes when she sent invites to Vibrant last March 12.

A collaboration between Manic Nightnings and Vibrant Fest, the massive EDM party was held at the Lanang Business Park and featured top acts such as Russian DJ Lera, DJ Mia from the United States, Sweden’s No Class, as well as

URBANISSIMO A4

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 14 • TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016

UP AND ABOUT This Dutche Chocolates Easter basket is filled with sweet treats and playful eggs for little hunters.

Available at SM Snack Exchange.

These Kinder Joy Chocolates come with a surprise toy makes Easter more egg-citing at SM Snack Exchange.

MANY CHERISHED EASTER TRADITIONS HAVE BEEN WITH US FOR CENTURIES. Eggs, chicks, and rabbits are symbols of joy and new life that comes with the spring and Christ’s resurrection.

Decorating eggs for Easter is a tradition that dates back to the 13th century. It is said that eggs were formerly a forbidden food during the Lenten season, so people would paint and decorate them to mark the end of the period of penance, then eat them on Easter to celebrate.

Likewise, the Easter Bunny was said to have first arrived in America

in the 1700s with German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania, and brought with them their tradition of an egg-laying hare called Osterhase or Oschter Haws. Their children made nests in which this creature could lay its colored eggs.

Eventually, the custom spread across the US, and with it, the fabled rabbit’s morning deliveries expanded to include choco-

EGG-CITING SURPRISES AT SM SNACK EXCHANGE AND TOY KINGDOM Bunny hugging a pail full of Easter eggs from Toy Kingdom.

Delightfully designed pail of colorful Easter eggs at Toy Kingdom.

This pail of bright Easter eggs with a Bunny surprise from Toy Kingdom is perfect for Easter Egg Hunts.

late, candy, and gifts. Decorated baskets replaced nests.

Whether you’re planning an Easter Egg Hunt at home, or just wish to give the kids a sweet treat, SM Snack Exchange and Toy Kingdom have fun and egg-citing surprises for everyone.

Snack Exchange has chocolates, candies, and other sweet treats to celebrate Easter! An egg-citing surprise awaits kids in Kinder Joy and Zaini Egg Chocolates that come with a toy inside. There are also colorful toy eggs and baskets from Dutche Chocolates; as well as lollipops in festive spring colors, swirls, and Easter shapes like bunny ears and col-

Hop on to these Zaini Egg Chocolates that come with your favorite characters like Sofia the First, Frozen’s Elsa and Olaf, Cars and Spiderman.

Available at the SM Snack Exchange.

Pretty bunny headbands from Toy Kingdom.

ored eggs.

Toy Kingdom has amazing stuff that highlight the Easter spirit: adorable bunny headbands, as well as whimsical lanterns and pompoms that come with cute Easter cutouts. There are colorful

and delightful eggs, wonderfully designed pails and baskets for Easter egg hunting.

These Easter treats are available at SM Snack Exchange and Toy Kingdom Express outlets in The SM Stores and at Toy King-

dom Stores in most SM Supermalls. Also check out www.thesmtore.com and Snack Exchange FB account: i crave:snack exchange and visit ToyKingdomPH and toykingdom. ph for more amazing toy surprises.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 14 • TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

ENTERTAINMENT

Kapuso stars celebrate Araw ng Dabaw with fans GMA’S TEEN SWEETHEARTS AND HOTTEST STARS celebrated Araw ng Dabaw together with their fans last March 13 and 16.

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

Miguel Tanfelix and Bianca Umali treated their fans to an afternoon filled with “kilig” moments and excitement at SM City Davao’s Event Center.

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

The celebration continued on March 16 as Kris Bernal, Mark Herras, and Hiro Peralta of GMA’s Little Nanay spread their happy vibe at the Gaisano Mall of Toril.

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 top-rating 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.

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

INdulge! A3

ABS-CBN execs Charo, Malou, and Cory among Metro’s 50 Filipina Achievers

ABS-CBN women leaders Charo Santos-Concio, Malou Santos, and Cory Vidanes are among the fifty wonder women featured in Metro magazine’s March issue who have demonstrated incredible achievements in various fields.

Charo, Malou, and Cory are chosen by Metro in their special feature as successful women who are worth emulating for their grit and passion to make their dreams come true.

Executive adviser to the chairman, chief content officer, and president of ABS-CBN University Charo Santos-Concio was described by the premier fashion magazine as a “truly inspiring individual” for conquering various roles in the media –beauty queen, award-winning actress, producer, and host of the hit drama anthology “Maalaala Mo Kaya.”

Malou who serves as ABS-CBN chief operating officer of Star Creatives, was honored by Metro for cementing Star Cinema as the leading film studio in the country. In Star Cinema, she spearheaded the production of various blockbusters including last year’s highest grossing Filipino movies “Beauty and the Bestie” and “A Second Chance.”

Meanwhile Metro recognized Cory, the current ABSCBN chief operating officer of Broadcast, as the woman who has helped ABS-CBN produce excellent programs.

According to Metro, Cory thinks of her work as “a calling to serve, to be of service to Filipinos worldwide by creating excellent programs.”

Be inspired by the success stories of Charo, Malou, Cory, and more Filipina achievers in Metro magazine’s March issue.

Metro is a premier fashion and lifestyle magazine in the country that aims to empower women. It is one of the monthly titles of ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc.

Piolo Pascual and John Lloyd Cruz headline ‘Hele Sa Hiwagang Hapis’ STAR CINEMA, the film production arm of ABS-CBN Corporation, is bringing the Berlinale Film Festival Silver Bear-winning “Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis” closer to the Filipino people through a nationwide screening starting Black Saturday, March 26.

An eight-hour long epic, Lav Diaz’s internationally-acclaimed historical film features two big names from ABS-CBN’s stable of stars - John Lloyd Cruz and Piolo Pascual.

Cruz and Pascual play as Crisostomo Ibarra/Simoun and Isagani, characters from national hero Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, respectively.

Director Lav Diaz examines this myth, and legend, of Andres Bonifacio, who was a prominent figure of the Philippine Revolution, and undertakes another expedition into the eventful history of his native land. The film’s various loosely interwoven narrative threads are held together by an exploration of the role of the individual in history and their

involvement in political and social developments.

Diaz, one of the country’s most respected filmmakers, described his newest masterpiece as “a more intimate look into an important part of Philippine history.”

“Star Cinema and ABS-CBN has always believed in the artistry of the Filipino. By throwing our full support to this magnificent film, we hope to inspire both filmmakers and film-goers to continue to love

and promote our own,” ABS-CBN chief operating officer for Star Creatives Malou Santos said.

A special screening of the film will be held at ABS-CBN’s Dolphy Theater on March 20, Sunday, at 12nn, to be attended by the cast and director, as well as producer Paul Soriano of Ten17 Productions.

“Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis” made waves in the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival last February where it was awarded the Alfred Bauer Prize, which is given to a feature film that “opens new perspectives on cinematic art.”

Apart from Cruz and Pascual, the picture also features other notable actors and actresses such as Cherie Gil, Alessandra de Rossi, Sid Lucero, Angel Aquino, Ronnie Lazaro, Bernardo Bernardo, and Hazel Orencio, who played Gregoria De Jesus, or Ka Oryang, Bonifacio’s widow.

Catch “Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis” in local cinemas starting March 26.

For more information, visit www. abs-cbn.com or like Star Cinema’s Facebook page (www.facebook. com/StarCinema) and follow their Twitter account (@StarCinema).

March 16 – 23, 2016

ALLEGIANT Shailene Woodley, Theo James

PG

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

MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN Jennifer Garner, Queen Latifah PG

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

NORM OF THE NORTH/ *LONDON HAS FALLEN Rob Schneider, Heather Graham/ *Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman PG/*R13

12:35 | 2:20 | 4:05 LFS/ * 5:50 | 7:55 | 10:00 LFS

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 14 • TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016

EVENT

URBANISSIMO A1

the Philippine DJs X Factor, Victor Pring, DJ Law, Torch, Jin Chan, Wacky Masbad and Jack Ripper.

To say that the party was wild was a definite understatement. While most people going to outdoor parties shun the rain, getting wet was the name of the game at the Vibrant event as glow-in-the-dark paints and black lights flooded the venue.

Aside from the water guns and bucket challenges, the massive paint guns made sure that the crowd was doused down

with paint. Even the VIP area was not spared from getting soaked in the perfect storm. Luckily everyone in the area, even those dressed up to stay dry but splashed in paint, gamely partied along. Yes, I got wet but since I was enjoying the party I really did not mind.

I would have wanted to get drenched myself but since I had to come from another event that demanded that I wear something more appropriate for a mall than at an EDM party, I had to wear a good shirt and pants rather than cutoffs and shorts.

Vibrant Fest in Davao really lived up to its hype and the smiles on the party-goers faces. The colour-

stained shirts and glowing painted faces are clearly signs of approval of a job well done.

EDGEDAVAO

13 PROPERTY

VOL. 9 ISSUE 14 • TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016

Filinvest’s Kembali progress in full swing

F

ILINVEST, under the Filinvest Premiere brand, makes waves by officially launching its showcase platform, dubbed as the Kembali Sales Lounge, an interactive gallery with Kembali’s Balinese-inspired residential-leisure development in Samal Island, on spotlight, highlighting its rustic grandeur with all its aqua sports and kissed-bynature encounters on center stage, perfect for the family’s weekend grand escapes in their very own private playground.

The completion of the first phase of this high-end leisure development encouraged lot owners to build their homes, while the market’s renewed take up pushed forth the commencement of land development of its second phase this March.

Kembali’s much-soughtafter mid-rise condo development spearheads the expansion plans for the area with the groundbreaking of its first building and amenity building. The island resort experience takes shape at this enclave set on 1.6-hectares of gently sloping terrain with ten (10) three (3)-storey buildings, each with only eight (8) units to a floor. It offers generously-spaced 1-BR and 2-BR units with majestic views of the mountain and

the sea. Its two-level amenity building is designed for exclusive seaside pleasures of its privileged homeowners.

Kembali is a joint venture project of Filinvest Land, Inc. and Fernandez-Hermanos, Inc. Come and have an immersive, first-hand experience of the exclusive island living at the Ground Floor, McPod Bldg., McArthur Highway, Matina, Davao City. For more information, please call (0917) 595-7788 or log on to www.kemba I i.com. ph.

Backed by experience, run by expertise. Kembali is a quality development under the upscale Filinvest Premiere brand which offers masterfully-crafted luxury residential spaces and leisure masterpieces. One of the country’s most trusted real estate developers with over 60 solid years of experience, Filinvest is built and guided by the Gotianun family’s tradition of integrity, quality and service.

Filinvest Land, Inc. has been in the business of building the Filipino dream of owning a home all over the archipelago for over 50 years. Taking pride in being one of the country’s top real estate developers, it has a current inventory of over 150 active projects in more than 2,500 hectares of land nationwide.

AEON TOWERS UPDATES As of March 18, the Aeon Towers have moved up further in concrete pouring over 7th to 7th floors as part of its round-the-clock construction works in time for the official turnover of the 33-level skyscraper of the FTC Group of Companies by end of the year.

FTC CEO and president Ian Cruz is personally ensuring the precise works on the initial venture into real estate development of the Davao-based firm. Aeon Towers is located at JP Laurel Avenue, Davao City. (NJB)

14 CLASSIFIEDS

EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

EDGEDAVAO GENSAN PARTNERS Serving a seamless society

VOL. 9 ISSUE 14 • TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016

VOL. 9 ISSUE 14 • TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS 15

Tenorio sinks Phoenix in Panabo

L

A Tenorio has something good going for Barangay Ginebra in the ongoing PBA Commissioner’s Cup and hopefully, the Gilas National squad.

Several of his heroic acts for the Kings, like the one he pulled off on Saturday night against Phoenix in Panabo, Davao, is borne out of his desire to play once again for Gilas Pilipinas.

The veteran point guard admitted his inspired showing with the Kings of late is his way of proving he deserves to be in the Gilas team that will play in the Manila leg of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament this July.

“Yes, big help din ‘yun,” he said when asked if he’s motivated to play for flag and country again after opting to give others a chance when Gilas 3.0 played and won the silver

medal in the Fiba Asia Men’s Basketball Championship in Changsha, China last year.

Against the Fuel Masters at the Panabo Multi-Purpose Tourism, Sports, and Culture, Tenorio made a case for himself with the national squad after burying the go-ahead basket with 1.2 seconds remaining, 102-101.

Tenorio finished with 17 points, six rebounds, and nine assists as he got the last say his marquee duel with Phoenix’s RR Garcia (23 points, six rebounds, and nine assists).

The Kings trailed by as many as 58-39 early in the third period, and 97-90 entering the homestretch.

But again summoning their never-say-die spirit, the Kings managed to battle their way back behind import Othyus Jeffers, Joe Devance, and Mark Caguioa, before Tenorio

capped the comeback with a step-back jumper off Garcia.

Tenorio said he had nothing in mind but to take the shot with time running out following a broken Ginebra play.

“Opportunity ulit to take the last shot after a broken play off a big rebound by Joe (Devance),” recalled Tenorio of the sequence.

Ginebra won for the second straight time and improved its record to 5-3 as it moved to third place behind Alaska.

Still, Tenorio said the Kings were just lucky enough to pull off the come-from-behind win.

“We didn’t play our game the whole 48 minutes. We we’re lucky we won that game,” he said. “But we have to improve our game and our defense most specially.” (Spin. ph)

Kings still need to improve: Cone

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

B

abf@edgedavao.net

ARANGAY Ginebra San Miguel still needs to improve their chemistry to be on the hunt foa a PBA championship.

This was the statement of team head coach Tim Cone after steering the Kings in an out-of-town game against Phoenix Fuel Masters last Saturday at Panabo City Multi-Purpose Tourism, Cultural and Sports Center in Davao del Norte.

Cone admitted to reporters that the team is still struggling on their game plan execution.

“We still lack discipline at times, we don’t execute as

well, as they can,” he said.

He said the players sometimes forget their defensive schemes and other fundamental skills which made their games difficult.

“We still need to clean things out. We are not playing clean enough basketball to win a championship,” he said.

Cone said he did not expect that the team would win the game against the Fuel Masters last Saturday given their sluggish start.

“I do not know how we won that. I do not know if we were deserving but we will take it,” he said.

He recognized the good

PLEADING HIS CASE. Tim Cone of Ginebra pleads his case with the referee in an out-of-town game in Panabo City on Saturday. Armamdo Fenequito Jr.

strategy of Phoenix’s head coach Koy Banal because his team really had the hard time to execute their game plan.

LA Tenorio got a huge game-winning jumper on the 102-101 game. The team rise after a 19 points deficit in the first quarter.

Cone said despite the win, the team should not do the same thing as what his players did in the last Saturday’s game.

“We cannot really play this way in our next game,” he said.

He said the team will play against the three teams such as the Talk N Text Tropang Texters, San Miguel Beermen and Meralco Bolts.

HEROICS. LA Tenorio of Ginebra pleads tries to get past Phoenix’s RR Garcia in an outof-town game in Panabo City on Saturday. PBA Images

SBP vows to keep Manila Qualifiers tickets affordable

W

ITH world-class basketball in store for the coming Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament in July at the Mall of Asia Arena, tickets won’t necessarily come cheap.

But the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) assured that it will do everything possible to keep ticket prices affordable for the fans, even for an event of this magnitude.

“We will try to be as fair as we can,” said SBP deputy executive director for international affairs Butch Antonio.

While ticket prices have not yet been determined, expect that it will be commensurate to the load of top basketball talent coming for the Manila qualifiers. Antonio vowed that those who will purchase tickets will definitely get their money’s worth.

“You have to understand

that this is an international competition with international, first-rate quality basketball. It’s not your regular all-star game or exhibition game na people don’t take things seriously,” Antonio said “This is the best players in their countries that will go for the kill for that lone position in the Manila championship to make it to the Olympics,” he added.

Gilas Pilipinas hosts five teams not lacking in NBA talent during the OQT set from July 5 to 10. The six competing teams are divided into two groups which will play in a round-robin format with the top two squads from each bracket advancing to the semifinals.

The Final Four winners will battle for that lone berth in Rio. NBA stars like France’s Tony Parker and Canada’s Andrew

Wiggins are set to compete for their respective countries in the Manila qualifiers.

Antonio said SBP and Mall of Asia Arena will come up with ticket information soon.

“We are working on it, both the Mall of Asia Arena and our management, on the tickets,” said Antonio.

The SBP official also said they are in the process of determining the total number of seats to be available as some of the seats will be taken by those involved in the running of the Manila OQT. “If Mall of Asia Arena is a hundred percent, they will have to take off certain percentage for players tribune, media, VIP, technical officials, and the likes.

Ngayon pa lang natin rinereconfigure based on sa mga nabawas na seats,” he said.

PARTNERS DIVISION CHAMPION. Archie Moralizon and Mayong Pillerin of Pomelo Verde combined for 87 points to emerge champion the Partners Division of the 8th Phoenix Open golf tournament held March 19 at the RPVGCC.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. VOL.99ISSUE ISSUE14 14••TUESDAY, TUESDAY,MARCH MARCH22, 22,2016 2016

WIN WITH GREEN CMO-TRMH relishes back-to-back with young Archers

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

T

njb@edgedavao.net

HIS one is a no brainer.

You win with youth.

From the very start, 2015 Kadayawan basketball champion City Mayor’s Office-The Royal Mandaya Hotel

was thinking youth when it plotted its line-up for the 2016 Araw ng Davao Basketball Tournament as early as February.

Then came the golden, err

make that green, opportunity. The De La Salle University Green Archers are open to the idea of coming over to Davao City for the short tournament.

The next question was: Will

they come in full force?

Co-owner Glenn Escandor won’t be blamed. Last year, 2015 NCAA runner-up San Beda came to don the team’s colors but not with a complete

line-up. Not even Dabawenyo Baser Amer was in tow. With a team composed of young rookie-filled Red Lions, CMOTRMH suffered a setback.

FWIN, 10

CHAMPS AGAIN. CMO-Royal

Mandaya, with the nucleus of the De La Salle University Green Archers, turned back Goldstar Hardware in the finals to hand the tropjy to co-manager Glenn Escandor (center) who received the 2016 Araw ng Davao trophy with Rene Achacoso (second from left) of DLSU. Also in photo are tournament director Cholo Elegino, SBP 11 regional director Boy Cua and SBP Davao president Atty.

Francis Calatrava (right). Left photo shows Jeron Teng (21) attacking the basket against veterans Marlon Basco (41) and Jojo Tangkay (45) of Goldstar. Lean Daval Jr.