Edge Davao 9 Issue 15

VOL. 9 ISSUE 15 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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PROUD CLASSMATES. Among the crowd waiting for the arrival of presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte in his homecoming in Maasin, Leyte are two of his elementary classmates at the Laboon Elementary School--Constancia Magadan-Roble (center) and Paterno Antoc Jacobe. Both are Duterte's classmates in grades 1 and 2. Charles Raymond Maxey

CATCHING UP Duterte, Poe now statistically tied in Pulse Asia-ABS CBN poll

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

S

abf@edgedavao.net

LOWLY but surely. That, in a nutshell, described Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s quantum leap in the result released yesterday, Duterte is just one percent away from pacesetter Poe after scoring 25 percent while the lady Senator has 26 percent.

Davao City first district representative Karlo B. Nograles believed that the momentum is now in favor of presidential bet Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte.

“The momentum is favoring Mayor Duterte and we expect the numbers to go higher, especially after his performance in the presidential

debate,” Nograles said in his Facebook account.

Nograles said as the campaign progresses more people get to know Duterte and he believes that more voters will be convinced to vote for the mayor as the next president of the country.

“As it is now, the Duterte campaign is being run mostly by volunteers,” he said.

He said he never seen the spirit of volunteerism as strong as in the Duterte campaign and this Filipino bayanihan spirit will surely carry him to victory.

In the latest survey, Duterte gained one percent from

the previous 24 percent in the ABS-CBN commissioned Pulse Asia Survey released last March 15. While there was a 2 percent decrease from 28 percent.

Vice President Jejomar Binay ranked third with 22 percent, gaining 1 percentage point from the previous survey. Administration standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II was 4th with 20 percent, unchanged from the previous poll. Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago remained constant with 3 percent.

The survey was conducted on March 8-13, 2016, about

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PULSE ASIA-ABS CBN SURVEY March 8-13, 2016

DUTERTE 25 POE 26 BINAY 22

SANTIAGO 3 ROXAS 20

EDGE DAVAO INFOGRAPHICS

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 15 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

SECURITY CHECK. A Task Force Davao personnel strictly inspects the bags and baggage of passengers at the entrance of the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal yesterday. The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) and the Task Force Davao implemented a tighter security measures for the celebration of the Lent. Lean Daval Jr.

Persistence, hardwork key to victory -- Duterte camp

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HE campaign manager of presidential candidate and Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said they are working doubly hard to cover more grounds as the first half of the campaign period winds down.

“Persistence and hard work will be key to victory,” outgoing Maribojoc, Bohol Mayor Leoncio Evasco Jr. said in a statement which came shortly after Duterte was reported to have gained a virtual deadlock with Senator Grace Poe in voter preference for the presidential race.

In a survey commissioned

by ABS-CBN and conducted by Pulse Asia, Duterte is now just a point at 25 percentage points behind the 26 of Grace Poe.

With a margin of error of 1.5 percent, Duterte is finally catching up with the poll leaders for the first time since the presidential campaign period started on February 9.

“We are where we are comfortable right now. We expect to gain more points as we move towards the second half of the campaign,” Evasco added.

What is more revealing, he said, is that Duterte gained more grounds during the week of the survey when the Supreme Court overturned a Comelec decision to disqualify Poe. The survey involved more than 4,000 respondents and

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5 US Navy ships in this year’s‘Balikatan’

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IVE US Navy ships will be participating in this year’s “Balikatan” excercises, a military spokesperson confirmed Monday.

Capt.

Celeste Frank Sayson, “Balikatan” spokesperson, however did not give the names and exact types of the participating American ships except one of them will be most likely a “guided missile destroyer.”

He said the number of American ships to join the annual joint maneuvers could still climb as the listings are not yet final.

US Navy ships are expected to participate in the mar-

itime interdiction exercises which will held off the eastern side of Palawan.

Sayson said two Philippine Navy ships are slated to participate in this activity.

He defined maritime interdiction as military efforts to deal with pirates and other vessels not cleared or without permission to enter Philippine territorial waters.

“Balikatan 2016” is scheduled to start on April 4 and end on the 15th.

An estimated 3,773 Filipino soldiers and 4,904 US troops will take part in the two-week military maneuvers.

(PNA)

Suspect nabbed over P1.8M-worth shabu

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

O

abf@edgedavao.net

PERATIVES of an interdiction team composed of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 11, Task Force (TF) Davao and Toril Police Station arrested a 23-year-old man who brought a P1.8 million worth of shabu at the Task Force Davao checkpoint in Sirawan, Toril on Monday night.

The suspect was identified as Renz Nicole N. Tuban a resident of Zone 2, San Vicente Buhangin, Davao City.

Tuban was arrested for possession of about 200 grams

of suspected “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride) with an estimated value of P1.8 million at around 9:30 p.m.

The PDEA classified Tuban, in their report, as one of the big time drug perpetrators operating in the region.

In an interview yesterday, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Chief Inspector Milgrace C. Driz said the suspect was arrested after he tried to evade being whisked by the personnel of Task Force Davao.

“Pagbaba niya sa van, mura

siya og dili mapakali. Nag-attempt siya na mag-evade sa inspection maong napansin siya (When he went down from the Public Utility Van, the suspect was uneasy. He attempted to evade the inspection that was why he was noted),” she said.

Driz said the suspect went to the comfort room in the nearby store and when he went back to the TF Davao inspection. Tuban insisted not to be inspected.

She said the inspectors also insisted to check the suspect and they found the four

big sachets of shabu inside his belt bag.

Driz said the interdiction had no specific target during that time but it just happened that Tuban tried to evade the inspection which resulted to his arrest.

The suspect is now detained at PDEA 11 detention facility in Camp Domingo Leonor.

Tuban is now facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Citing reports from the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion, Capt. Joann Petinglay, 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, said the improvised bomb fashioned from a mortar round with black pweder and metal sheets as shrapnel, was found strapped on a steel road railing in Barangay Iganagampong, Datu Unsay, Maguindanao.

Police said the IED was first found by motorists passing by the village and quickly alerted an Army detachment about 400 meters away.

To prevent accidental ex-

plosion, bomb experts detonated the IED using a water disruptor.

IED has been a regular armaments of the BIFF that it had been using against military.

The BIFF has been blamed for at least 40 roadside bombings in Maguindanao this year.

According to the military, the IED was meant for government forces passing by the Maguindanao major thoroughfare.

Roadside bombing is very dangerous, especially if bombs are placed on areas where civil-

ians regularly commute.

Five government forces were killed and 30 others were hurt in roadside bombings since the Army launched offensives against the BIFF in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao for attacking workers of a government flood control project.

Five civilians, including the town treasurer of Datu Salibo, were also killed when the BIFF set off a road side bomb on the treasurer’s vehicle mistaken as Army truck in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, also in Maguindanao.

(PNA)

Army foils Maguindanao bombing

M

ILITARY bomb experts on Tuesday detonated an improvised explosive device planted by outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) along a major highway in the province.

While members of the military bomb disposal team were attending to the roadside bomb, hundreds of commuters plying portions of the Cotabato-Davao highway, particularly in Datu Unsay, Maguindanao, were stranded for about an hour beginning at 11:00 a.m.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 15 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

NEWS 3

NASA set to launch 1st PHL microsatellite to the ISS D

IWATA-1, the Philippines’ first microsatellite, will be brought to the International Space Station (ISS) at 11 p.m. of March 22, Eastern Standard Time (11 a.m., March 23, Philippine Standard Time).

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) commercial provider Orbital ATK is set to launch its fifth mission to the ISS on March 22 (EST), and the company’s Cygnus spacecraft is scheduled to lift off on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at 11:05 p.m. (EST) from Space Launch Complex 41 in Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, USA. The Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said March 22 (EST) is a target launch date and is subject to change due to a variety of factors.

“NASA will make every attempt to notify the Philippines of changes at the soonest possible time,” the agency said.

At the ISS, meanwhile, Diwata-1 will be housed in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), nicknamed “Kibo.” Towards the end of April, the JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD) will release Diwata-1 into space at an altitude of 400 kilometers from the earth’s surface.

The Philippines’ first microsatellite is expected to be in orbit for approximately 18-20 months and will be imaging the country twice daily.

While still in orbit, the same Filipino research team who assembled Diwata-1 targets to launch the second microsatellite (DIWATA-2) in late 2017 or early 2018.

Diwata-1 has four cameras

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Davao Light bares holy week schedule

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LL Davao Light and Power Company full service centers will be closed on March 24, 25 and 26 in observance of the Holy Week.

Payment and all customer services in the full service centers at SM Lanang Premier and at SM City Davao and the Panabo office’s payment ser-

vice will be catered on Sunday, March 27.

Meanwhile, Toril, Calinan and Sto. Tomas collection offices and Panabo office’s customer services will resume operations on March 28, Monday.

Emergency service will continue to be available 24 hours through 229-DLPC (3572).

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN. A Catholic faithful seems contented to pray even outside San Pedro Cathedral just to show her love and compassion to God. Lean Daval Jr.

Ombud orders 7 LGU officials to explain illegal dump sites

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OCAL officials from seven Mindanao local government units had been ordered by the Environmental Ombudsman to submit an explanation and comment on the complaint filed against them for violating RA 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act).

The mayors, vice mayors

and Sanggunian members of the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Kidapawan and Koronadal and the municipalities of Valencia (Bukidnon), Loreto (Agusan Sur), Marihatag (Surigao del Sur) and General Luna (Surigao del Norte) are among 90 officials who had been ordered to answer the complaints filed by the Ecow-

aste Coalition.

A team of investigators from the Office of the Ombudsman was deployed this week to personally serve the orders.

Ecowaste Coalition, who filed 50 complaints against LGUs last month, reported that “field investigations reveal that the officials committed violations of RA 9003 and

its implementing rules and regulations.”

Article 6, Section 37 of the said law prohibits the establishment or operation of open dump site. The law also mandates that, upon its effectivity in 2003, every LGU shall convert its open dumps to controlled dumps.

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4 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 15 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

7 DavOr villages get Smoking-cessation clinics in IGaCoS access to safe water T A FTER long years of fetching their drinking water from distant sources, residents from seven far-flung villages in Manay town, Davao Oriental now find relief after the completion of level two and three potable water system projects.

Davao Oriental Gov. Corazon Malanyaon led the turnover of the projects together with the top officials of Manay and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in the area.

The constructions of the potable water systems were funded through the Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) – Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig sa Lahat or the Salintubig Program of the DILG with the support of the local government unit (LGU) in the area.

“Provision of safe drinking water to communities is one of the topmost priorities of the provincial government.

Water is one of the most basic needs in every community,” Malanyaon said in her message.

She added that to ensure

the delivery of such important services to far-flung areas, the government has been investing portion of its resources to make sure that communities are well-provided with sufficient and continuous safe water supply through potable water systems.

Among the barangays that were provided with new level two and level three types of potable water systems include Mabini, San Isidro, Lambog and four areas in Barangay Central.

Residents especially those in the remote villages expressed gratitude for finally realizing their long dream of having easy access to potable water supply.

Now, they said, safe drinking water can now reach their homes without them having to endure long walks just to fetch water from its source.

Malanyaon also lauded the DILG for the support it provided to the province as she urged the local officials and residents to share their obligation of maintaining and caring for the water system projects. (PNA)

HE lsland Garden City of Samal has established the Smoking Cessation Clinics (SCC) at City hall and three Rural Health Units (RHU): Babak, Samal and Kaputian. A team was organized to properly and efficiently execute its respective tasks.

This is in In compliance of Republic Act 9211 known as Tobacco Regulations Act where Department of Health (DOH) is required to establish withdrawal Clinics and Admin-

istrative Order no. 122, section 2003 where the implementation of Smoking Cessation (SCC) was denoted including the Local Government Units (LGU’s).

A team is composed of trained smoking cessation counselors who will be designated to conduct the counseling session. It also consist of medical consultant, program coordinators, clinic administrator and smoking cessation counselors. Each has its vital

functions to perform their task efficiently.

The basic services in the clinics include assessment of clients, plan of care, pharmacologic treatment, stress management, health education and counseling.

The City Health Office (CHO) continuously conducts campaigns to encourage more citizens/clients to quit from smoking and avoid hazardous effect to health. A data will be establish as well as on smoking

status of government employees in coordination with City Human Resource and Management Office (CHRMO) and give counseling to willing-to-quit smokers.

There are sanctions prepared if ever government employees violate the implemented law on anti-smoking act.

First offense: Suspension of one month and one day to six months, Second offense: Dismissal from the service. (CIO IGACOS)

Coast Guard bats for responsible holidays

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N time for the Holy Week where many would also spend their summer vacations during the long break, the Philippine Coast Guard has urged the public to be responsible for their safety.

Lt. Commander Dan August Cariño, commander of the Philippine Coast Guard Sta Ana Station urged vacation goers to be mindful of their safety during the holidays. He urged people not to be intoxicated or drink lots of alcohol when they plan to go swimming in the beaches.

Cariño said they had responded to many drowning incidents many of which involved drunken people. He said last year four people died in Samal Island during the holy week period, almost all who drowned were intoxicated.

Aside from swimming in the sea while drunk, other cause of injuries were diving along the cliffs while under the influence of alcohol.

Aside from religious pilgrimages and return to their hometowns for the long weekend, People will be flocking the beaches particularly in Samal Island and Talikud Island for their annual vacation.

The Coast Guard is on heightened alert during the holy week, aside from protecting the beaches, they are also enforcing maritime safety regulations. About 100,000 people will be traveling in vessels and seacrafts during the holy week period.

The PCG will be deploying 50 personnel complemented by a K9 team, sea crafts and patrol vessels during the period. (PIA/RG Alama)

FINISHING TOUCHES. A worker commissioned by St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Sasa puts on the finishing touches on a kneeler ahead of the upcoming Easter Sunday masses when large number of Catholic faithful will flock to the church. Lean Daval Jr.

Solon pushes for Aliwagwag Falls as protected area

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LAWMAKER is seeking to declare the Aliwagwag Falls, one of the most picturesque and stunning waterfalls in Mindanao, a protected area.

In House Bill 6406, Rep. Nelson L. Dayanghirang (1st District, Davao Oriental) said the Aliwagwag Falls has been recognized for its terrestrial biodiversity as a natural habitat for different types of birds, animals and marine species that have been sighted in the area.

“Located in the Municipalities of Boston and Cateel, Davao Oriental and the Munic-

ipality of Compostela, Province of Compostela Valley, the area around the Aliwagwag Falls is not only home for these species, but it also supports an estimated 17,000 hectares of rice land in Cateel,” Dayanghirang said.

The bill, otherwise known as “The Aliwagwag Falls Protected Landscape (AFPL) Act of 2011,” provides technical descriptions for the area coverage of the AFPL, which shall be subject to ground survey and verification to be conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The measure states that all lands of the public domain comprising the AFPL shall fall under the classification of national park as provided for in the Philippine Constitution.

For public lands that are already classified or declared by law as agricultural or alienable and disposable prior to the passage of this Act, the bill provides that the said public lands shall remain as such and may be disposed of pursuant to the provisions of Commonwealth Act No. 141 or the Public Land Act, as amended, and other public land laws.

The proposal establishes

and IGaCoS coastline at the north from Vanishing Island to the coastline of Barangay Kanaan at the East, while the Philippine Coast Guard secures Davao Gulf and IGaCoS coastline from Kaputian Wharf to Barangay Pangubatan coastline. The TOG 11 will provide forces for quick reaction force; Task Force Samal secures Barangay Kinawitnon and Poblacion Kaputian Wharf and assist IGaCoS PNP in the conduct of security coverage at churches and other designated places of worship.

The PNP IGaCoS has the

F there will be no hitches in the transportation, the 6MW modular generator set will arrive in the Island Garden City of Samal on March 28.

Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative (DANECO) Manager Charles Bejod bared in an interview that they are currently preparing the foundation for the generator set from Mindoro Grid Corporation, which will provide electricity in the Samal island Samal has been in total blackout since Thursday (March 17) as a vessel hit the submarine cable connecting the island to the power grid.

“If the genset will arrive

IGaCoS prepares for Holy Week T

HE city government here called an inter-agency meeting dubbed as Oplan Semana Santa 2016 with national and local safety and security agencies on March 16.

This is to ensure safety and security of Christian community that will troop to places of worship to pray and do penance in observance of the Holy Week and influx of tourist and visitors taking advantage of the long weekend for rest and recreation in the island.

City Administrator Edward Sisor presided the meet-

ing with officials from the Philippine Coast Guard, Regional Maritime Police Unit, Tactical Operations Group(TOG) II, 1003rd Infantry Batallion, PNP IGaCoS, Task Force Samal, Bureau of Fire Protection, Naval Forces of Eastern Mindanao, City Investment and Tourism Office (CITO), City health Office (CHO), City Mayor’s Office –CDRRM and Public Information Section.

The gathering aimed to reactivate the ‘ Oplan Semana Santa 2016” which intends to intensify safety and security measures and ensure availability of health and other services

in worship areas and tourist destinations and other areas of convergence for the occasion.

The group agreed to employ the Incident Command System identifying City Mayor Aniano P. Antalan as the Incident Commander and CDRRM Executive Officer Janus Rafailes as the alternate IC. The Incident Command Post will be established in Penaplata Freedom Park.

Each safety and security agencies were given tasked according to their capacity and resources, like the Naval Forces of Eastern Mindanao is tasked to secure Davao Gulf

F IGACOS, 10

the buffer zone for the AFL, which shall be given special development control, subject to existing rights, to serve as a protective belt around the AFPL. The bill calls for the creation of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), which shall have the sole jurisdiction, power and authority over the AFPL for all matters that may affect biodiversity conservation, protection and sustainable development.

It creates the Aliwagwag Falls Protected Landscape (AFPL) Fund for the purpos-

F SOLON, 10

Genset for Samal due March 28

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as scheduled, we can energize Samal by March 29 or before the month ends,” Bejod said.

Bejod stressed that with the generator, Samal will have an excess of 2 megawatts, since the genset has a capacity of 6 megawatts while the city only has a demand of 4 megawatts.

He also emphasized that the genset will remain in Samal until the submarine cable will be repaired and operational to connect Samal the power grid.

Bejod also declared that provision of modular genset will not transform to an additional charges to the power consumers.

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 15 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

EVENT 5

Brokenshire Hospital now equipped with hi-end CT scan

By CHENEEN R. CAPON crc@edgedavao.net

T

AKING another stride in the improvement of medical services in Mindanao, Davao’s very own Brokenshire Integrated Health Ministries, Inc. (BIHMI) can measure up with Manila’s finest hospitals as it inaugurated the first-of-itskind computed tomography (CT) scan in the island yesterday.

“The Siemen’s Somatom Definition AS+128 slices CT scanner is a dream of every radiologist. In our lingua, it is already the state-of-the-art. It delivers low dosage of radiation to patients,” Dr. Samuel B. Bangoy, chairperson for the Department of Medical Imaging (Interventional and Diagnostic Radiology) of BIHMI, said the blessing ceremony yesterday.

Dr. Bangoy said the BIHMI’s latest scanner is safe for pediatric computerized tomography compared to old generation scanners which exposes patients to high dose of radiation that can cause cancer in the long run.

Launched four years ago worldwide, the BIHMI’s newest multi-slice CT scan is considered as one of the new generation CT scan models which can produce higher

and better qualities of three-dimensional images of internal organs and structures of the body.

Capable of performing multiple medical imaging, Dr. Bangoy said the Siemen’s Somatom Definition AS+128 slices can

accommodate more than 40 patients at a maximum capacity per day.

“In a scale of one to 10, the difference between the old generations CT scan we had is 8 to 9,” Bangoy said adding the scanner designed to maximize

clinical outcome.

Dr. Bangoy said among the imaging that the scanner is capable of performing are CT Angiography that produces detailed images of both blood vessels and tissues in various parts of the body; brain perfu-

sion imaging; CT Colonography which is used to obtain internal view of the colon or the large intestine; liver segmental calculation, and short scanning of the whole body.

Siemens, Inc. Medical Solu-

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EDGEDAVAO

6 ECONOMY DOH: Intensify monitoring of city’s food processors VOL. 9 ISSUE 15 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

T

crc@edgedavao.net

HE Department of Health (DOH) in Davao region has ordered city health officials to intensify monitoring of food processors in the city.

This developed after a food poisoning incident downed more than 50 daycare students and patients in Barangay Mandug in Davao City Friday last week.

“I have already talked with Dr. Josephine Villafuerte of the City Health Office and she said she will be mandating her sanitary inspectors to heightened their monitoring of food processors in the city,” DOH11 regional director Abdullah Dumama told reporters at the sidelines of the inauguration of the new computed tomography (CT) scanner and new Department of Medical Imaging facility of Brokenshire Integrated Health Ministries, Inc. yesterday.

Dumama said reports reached his office that the patients ageing 0 to 5 years

old and as old as 51 years old were rushed to the hospitals hours after consuming dirty ice cream donated by a barangay councilor.

“Most of the patients were rushed to the SPMC (Southern Philippines Medical Center) and other private and regional hospitals after experiencing nausea and vomiting,” Dumama said.

While most the patients are already released from confinement, he said personnel of the hospital are already conducting fecal testing to identify the cause of the food poisoning.

Dumama said the result is expected to be out anytime soon.

While there are limited incidents of death caused by food poisoning, Dumama reminded the public to always be vigilant with the food they consume.

He said the dry season is one of the reasons that can hasten spoilage of food products.

“During hot seasons, perishable goods spoil very fast,” he added.

He also said the very humid weather can also cause fast growth of bacteria

which can be aggravated by improper food handling.

Meanwhile, a total of 59 people who attended the graduation ceremony of a day care center in Barangay

Mandug were brought to nearby hospitals last Friday due to alleged food poisoning.

Reports said the patients only ate ice cream after the

graduation rites of the day care center at DDF Village, Coog and Project Hope in Mandug Proper under the City Social Services and Development Office.

RECOGNITION. Eurotowers International Inc. recognized top three performing producers for Vivaldi Residence Davao on its annual awards night at the Apo View Hotel last Friday. Chief operating officer (COO) Maricar J. Encarnacion (leftmost) and finance and admin director and acting director for sales Jesse G. Clamor (rightmost) handed award to the winners.

Hopes high for improvement of Oil firms to hike gas prices PHL’s anti-money laundering law O A

PALACE official is hopeful that results of the Senate investigation on the crossborder laundering of US$ 81 million stolen from Bangladesh Bank (BB) last February will be used to further improve the Philippines’ anti-money laundering law.

In a briefing Monday, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III said he believes that “the Senate has done its part and is doing its part in holding a hearing in aid of legislation.”

“We can all hope that in the remaining life of the current Congress that this would result in a report and recommendations that could then be the basis for action under the next Congress,” he said.

The Palace official also stressed that in the midst of the Senate investigation people should consider the importance of the discovery of the said illegal activity and that is “being vigorously looked into.”

“And I think it is also incumbent on all of us to follow the story and continue to study the ongoing revelations as it is

investigated,” he added.

Last week, the Senate conducted two hearings on the issue, with an executive session done last Friday upon the request of Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) Jupiter, Makati branch Manager Maia Deguito for her to openly tell the Senators all the information she knows about the laundering of the multimillion dollar funds.

Deguito and four others are now facing money laundering charges before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for their participation in the al-

leged money laundering case.

The others whom the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AML) named in the charges are Michael Francisco Cruz, Jessie Christopher Lagrosas, Alfred Santos Vergara, and Enrico Teodoro Vasquez.

AMLC Executive Director Julia Bacay-Abad, in last Thursday’s Senate hearing, said these five are the initial batch of individuals found to have clear participation in the money laundering case but more will be named in the future as investigation on the case continues. (PNA)

MARKET PORTER. A market porter carries on his back a sack full of vegetables which just arrived from the hinterlands of Davao City yesterday. Prices of vegetables in the city’s public markets went up as the demand increased due to the observance of the Holy Week. Lean Daval Jr.

IL firms hiked gas prices by 10 centavos per liter yesterday.

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Petron Corp., Seaoil Philippines Inc., PTT Philippines Corp. and Eastern Petroleum Corp. said in separate advisories Monday that they would enforce the price hike stating at 6 a.m. Tuesday.

According to the Energy Department’s oil monitor for Metro Manila dated March 15, gasoline presently has a price range of Php 33.55-41.25 per liter and with a common price of Php 38.50 per liter.

The diesel prices, on the

other hand, will remain unchanged at its price range of Php 21.25-24.62 per liter and a prevailing price of Php 23 per liter.

Shell, Petron and Seaoil will also increase its kerosene prices by 10 centavos per liter.

The firms noted the price changes reflect movements in the international crude market.

CNBC reported the average prices for gas last week went up due to the weakening of the U.S. Dollar.

The price changes are derived from the average trading of the previous week. (PNA)

HE government has shown its commitment to inclusive growth by focusing on the needs of provinces and local government units (LGUs), Undersecretary Manuel Luis Quezon III of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office said.

Undersecretary Quezon III said President Aquino’s recent visits to four provinces in Luzon last week embodies the administration’s commitment to inclusive growth.

“By focusing on the needs of our provinces and LGUs, the government ensures that progress reaches all,” said Quezon.

“President Aquino has always stood firm in his belief that no Filipino—no matter where they live—should be left behind in our pursuit of progress. This week, beyond his commitments in Metro Manila, the President traveled

to Pangasinan, Laguna, Batangas, and Pampanga to inaugurate and turn over projects as well as meet with local leaders and the community,” the Palace official added.

In Pangasinan, the President Aquino attended the turnover of the Department of Trade and Industry’s Shared Services Facilities (SSF).

“Launched in 2013, the project involves setting up common production facilities with the goal of increasing MSME productivity and boosting their competitiveness. Currently, we have 1,681 SSF all over the country, shared among 16,192 MSMEs and 72,864 entrepreneurs.

The DTI plans to launch 200 more SSF before the end of the Aquino administration. While in Pangasinan, the President also led the inauguration of a new building in Urdaneta I Central School, constructed

Gov’t focused on inclusive growth T

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7 PROPERTY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 15 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

APD Marketing Team

Mr. Joey Reyes

Talking about

condo investments with

Severino Reyes III

O

N March 5, 2016 PHINMA Properties hosted “Real Estate: Real Talk, a special Investors’ Night presentation and dinner gala at Pinnacle Hotel and Suites, Davao City. The event was headlined by the international business speaker and investment specialist, Severino “Joey” Reyes III. Mr. Reyes provided attendees with his much sought-after professional investment advice, as well as educational insights on the merits of investing in real estate amid the growing

Philippine economy.

Mr. Reyes is a world-class keynote speaker in investment speaking engagements.

His 20 years of exemplary experience in investment and real estate make him a highly regarded expert by prospective investors. He is also an award-winning public speaker, earning various accolades from Toastmasters International.

PHINMA Properties condominiums are designed to be community-oriented, with a commitment to allotting 60%-70% open spaces in all its developments

Mr. Arthuro Tuason and Mr. Joey Reyes

and convenient in-city locations. Such residences offer value for money virtually unmatched in its market category, making for high-quality investments.

As a company committed to integrity, PHINMA Properties prides itself in being able to serve clients above and beyond selling condominiums, by hosting educational events such as investors’ nights.

In this way, the company can assist clients in making sound and objective investment decisions.

Asistant Director for Sales Rogelio Garcia, Sales Head Rhoda Cua, Associate Project Marketing Officer Maya balog, Marketing Coordinator Teejay Arcena

EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE

VOL. 9 ISSUE 15 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

EDITORIAL Practical solutions

T

HE second round of the Presidential Debate was an improvement, to say the least, from the first one save from some delays owing to disagreement of some rules.

The second one in in Cebu City was more intense and engaging than the first round as candidates are more like into feeling in for themselves. Save perhaps for Sen. Miriam Santiago, let us consider that not all of them are debaters, or may have never been in one, so understand the adjustments.

The second round was, yes, more fiery. The four candidates present—Vice President Jejomar Binay, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Sen. Grace Poe and Former Secretary Mar Roxas—went out att each other. Perhaps the flow of the debate led them into it other than planned.

The problem is that because these are personalities who may have been used to do the talking and presiding, the tendency is to hog the mic or to overlap. It happened so many times that somebody is talking and someone butts in. Roxas,

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for his part, has always claimed “oras ko to (it’s my time)” to assert that he has the floor.

How do we solve this problem? Well, one it calls for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to impose the rules strictly and be decisive. Last Sunday, the Comelec did not at once rule on the subject of bringing notes to the podium resulting to the delay.

Now, this overlapping problem is not too complex. It’s actually a technical problem that requires a technical solution.

It’s just the microphone. If someone has the floor, only his mic should have audio output. The rest are muted. Now, if it’s the time for one to rebut or answer or ask, his mic output will be activated. That simple. And then we do not have to listen chaotically to the overlapping of voices like elementary kids arguing on which came first—the egg or the chicken.

This should lead on the Round 3 network and hosts and the Comelec to prepare for this eventuality and anticipate it.

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EDGEDAVAO

J

ONATHAN is the only child. So, when his father died, he became the heir of the land. But he wasn’t happy; he wanted more land. Once, a stranger came by, apparently a man of means and power, and offered to give him all the land he could walk around in one day, on condition that he would be back at the spot from which he started by sundown.

Early the next morning, the boy set out, without eating any breakfast or greeting anyone. His first plan was to cover six square kilometers. When he finished the first six, he decided to make it nine, then twelve, then fifteen. That meant he would have to walk 60 kilometers before sundown.

By noon, he had covered 30 kilometers. He did not stop for food or drink. His legs grew heavier and heavier.

About 200 yards from the finish line, Jonathan saw the sun dropping toward the horizon. Only a few minutes left. He gathered all his energies for that one last effort.

He staggered across the line, just in time.

Then, he reached for his heart and fell down in a heap – dead. All the land he got was a piece six feet by two.

Meanwhile, one summer afternoon on the Mississippi River, a steamer crowded with passengers suddenly struck a submerged rock. In a moment, the deck was a wild confusion. The lifeboats were able to take off only one-fourth of all the passengers. The rest tore off their clothes, and swam ashore.

T

V 5 news executive Luchi Cruz Valdez made a major booboo in communicating a Comelec rule to VP Binay that resulted in an exasperating time delay in the live broadcast of the presidential debate at the UP Visayas in Cebu City.

Her immediate confession, however repentant, did little to assuage the hurt feelings of Binay who was mostly at the receiving end in the consequent repartee.

The new format was a marked improvement on the first (held in Cagayan de Oro) but the over-lapping responses from all four protagonists (Sen. Miriam Santiago sadly didn’t make it) transformed the dialectics into a free-for-all.

That would have been an ideal set-up for Miriam because she is the ablest among them when crossing swords in such a forum.

There were name-callings but the tirades swirled around only three contenders: Binay vs Poe vs Roxas; Poe vs Roxas vs Binay; and Roxas vs Binay vs Poe. Why? Because by attempting to put the other two down, the mudslinger thought his/ her survey ratings would consequently rise up.

Where was Duterte while these three

VOL. 9 ISSUE 15 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Moderate your greed After evTHINK ON THESE! eryone had deserted the overturned ship, a man suddenly appeared on the leaning deck.

He grabbed a loose piece of wood and then Henrylito D. Tacio jumped into henrytacio@gmail.com the river. But he sank like a stone.

When his body was recovered, it was found that while the other passengers were busy escaping, he was also busy breaking open and robbing their trunks and baggage. Many of them were miners returning home with their treasure. This thief gathered their gold, tied little bags of it around his waist and within 30 minutes he had more gold than most men would have in a lifetime. But those gold dragged him to the bottom of the river in an instant.

Both stories have one thing in common – they all die of greed. Millions of people would rather die to get more wealth. “We’re all born brave, trusting and greedy,” Mignon McLaughlin once commented, “and most of us remain greedy.”

“Greed has three facets: love of things, love of fame, and love of pleasure; and these can be attacked directly with frugality, ano-

nymity, and moderation,” says Paul Martin.

Don’t be greedy to own everything what you want – or you end up with nothing at all. There was a poor man who complained loudly that life had been unfair. “Most of those who are rich did nothing to gain their wealth,” he wailed to anyone who would listen. “They inherit their money from their parents.”

One day, as the man was walking home after having expressed his bitter feelings to some of his friends, Fortune appeared before him and said, “I have decided to provide you with wealth. Hold out your purse, and I will fill it with gold coins. But there is one condition: if any of the gold fails out of the purse onto the ground everything I gave you will become dust. Be careful. I see that your purse is old; do not overload it.”

The poor man was overjoyed. He loosened the strings of his purse and watched as Fortune started to pour a stream of golden coins into it. The wallet soon became heavy.

“Is that enough?” Fortune asked.

“Not yet,” the man replied. Fortune poured in several more coins, so that the purse was filled, and then asked again, “Shall I stop now?” The man answered, “Not yet, just a few more.”

But at that moment, the purse split apart, the gold coins fell to the ground, and the treasure turned to dust. Fortune disappeared, and the greedy man was left with an empty wallet. Happiness, someone once remarked, can’t be measured by one’s wealth.

A person with two million pesos may not be one bit happier than a person with one million pesos!

Greed, in fact, robs us from being happy. A teacher and the school principal were standing near the playground where the children were frolicking to their heart’s content. The teacher asked the latter, “Why is it that everyone wants to be happy, but so few ever are?”

The principal looked at the playground and replied, “Those children seem to be really happy.” The teacher answered back, “Why shouldn’t they be? All they do is play.

But what keeps the adults from being happy like that?”

“The same thing that can keep children from being happy,” the principal said. Then, without saying any word, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a handful of coins, and threw them among the playing children.

Suddenly, all laughter stopped. The children tumbled over one another, fought and argued. The principal told the teacher, “Well, what do you think ended their happiness?”

“The fighting,” the teacher answered.

“And what started their fighting?” the principal inquired. “Greed,” the teacher said.

Yes, everybody wants to find happiness.

But our greed to possess the things that will make us happy keeps happiness itself away.

“One of the weaknesses of our age is our apparent inability to distinguish our needs from our greeds,” points out Don Robinson.

pretenders SPECKS OF LIFE were swapping harsh diatribes, spilling beans and throwing mud against each other?

With an amused grin, the Davao City Mayor was Fred C. Lumba hands akimbo, watching and listening to them destroying each other because there was little that the three could muster throwing at Duterte.

Appreciatively, Valdez, as the moderator, allowed all contestants more than just elbow room to knock each other out, like in a tag team wrestling match.

But believe me, while Mar and Grace were glib talkers, both failed to correct mis-impressions etched in the public mind about their erroneous forays in the Yolanda and American citizenship issues, respectively.

Roxas’ long explanation about being there in Tacloban before, during and after Yolanda, did little to erase his now monu-

mental statement to thousands of Leytenos: “Bahala kayo sa buhay nyo.”

Binay harassed Poe on her citizenship turnaround when she swore allegiance to the American flag. “Do you know the term ”abjure”? Binay translated it for her: “Abjure means to renounce solemnly.”

Poe never recovered because the record spoke for itself when she embraced American citizenship for her own convenience, thus turning her back on her own country.

While the three were frantically trying to out-speak and drown the others, Duterte was too decent a gentleman, raising his hand to be recognized by the moderator and butt in.

Fortunately, his timely forays stopped them cold in their tracks. When he gave Poe a situationer, assuming China destroyed two RP coastguard boats, the lady senator missed out when she failed to mention the convening of the National Security Council for the purpose.

Presidents, when faced by such highly critical national defense issues, always convene the NSC for immediate appropriate advice. Horrifyingly, Grace missed this one. Hindi pa talaga handa si Grace Poe para maging pangulo ng Pilipinas.

Binay, his credibility already hurting, was on the defensive all night as Roxas, Poe and even Duterte ganged up on him when the subject of corruption came. Duterte, who earlier had signed a bank waiver to display his transparency, prodded Binay to sign one.

In their individual commencement messages, Roxas, Binay and Poe enumerated their lengthy platforms and promises, wallowing in very descriptive but generalized statements that he/she can bring progress to the nation. But none came close to making bold, categorical action plans and commitments as did Duterte.

The Davao City mayor firmly echoed his thrusts on three fronts.

In effect, he said: “Within three to six months, if I become President, I will take care of the pestering illegal drugs trade, take care of crime and criminals and do away with corruption. Just give me the chance and I will do it.”

Can “Galing at Puso,” “Matuwid na Daan” and “Ganito Kami sa Makati” slogans beat Duterte’s straight, down-to-earth “Tapang at Malasakit” battle cry?

(Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com). God bless the Philippines!

Debate free for all

10 NEWS CATCHING... FROM 1 the same time the Supreme Court (SC) dismissed the ruling of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to disqualify Poe as a presidential candidate in the May 2016 poll with 9-6 votes.

The survey had 4,000 respondents who are registered voters, ages 18 years old and above, with biometrics. It has a ±1.5 percent margin of error margin at the 95 percent confidence level.

The Environmental Ombudsman also directed the local officials to submit a Safe Closure and Rehabilitation Plan (SCRP) within a non-extendible period of 30 days.

The plan must detail their proposal to immediately close the open dump site as well as specific tasks, activities and legislative action to be implemented within six months.

Under its mandate, the Environmental Ombudsman team, which is headed by Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Gerard Mosquera, shall handle complaints filed against any public official, employee, office or agency mandated to protect the environment and conserve natural resources where the act complained of appears to be illegal, unjust, improper or

inefficient.

Mayors and the City Environment and Natural Resources Officers (CENRO) are the principal executive officers responsible for ensuring compliance with RA 9003.

Vice-mayors and Sanggunian members, on the other hand, having the mandate to establish policies of their respective local governments and control over the funds, are likewise charged for conspiring with mayors and the CENROs to commit the violations of R.A. No. 9003 within their jurisdiction.

If found liable, the local officials may be criminally and administratively charged under the provisions of R.A. No. 9003. (Ombudsman Mindanao)

“This will not entail additional charges since it is for emergency purpose,” he said.

Bejod also disclosed that

they will still conduct another round of assessment tomorrow for the damaged cables.

(PIA11, Michael Uy)

main effort for security in all designated places of worship and Unit Primary Responsible in the ICP among other tasks.

The CITO will deploy personnel in every district for monitoring of tourists arrival and provide tourist assistance. The CDRRM is the unit primary responsible in the TG emergency, in-charge of the ICP at Penaplata Freedom Park and will act as communication hub providing

unhampered communications link to all agencies involved.

The CHO will also provide standby medical personnel in the incident command post as well as the Kabalikat Civicom.

Hotline numbers of every agencies were made available and be posted in strategic point of entry in the island city and will also be distributed in convergence areas. (CIO IGACOS)

tion dealer manager Haydee Cayanan-Lazaro said the scanner is the first in Mindanao.

It’s a multi-slice CT –SCAN it is almost top of the line.

Usually, what we have in this region is usually dual slice or 16 slices. 128 slices are pretty uncommon,” Lazaro said.

But in the whole country, Lazaro said high-end medical hospitals in Manila also have their own The Siemen’s Somatom Definition AS+128 slices.

“It can produce images in just 0.6 seconds,” she added.

“You’ll be proud because Brokenshire is almost at the same level of these high-end medical hospitals in Manila and that is not common in Mindanao,” Lazaro said.

Department of Health 11 regional director Dr. Abdullah Dumama said the upgrading of equipment of Brokenshire is a clear commitment of the hospital in providing high level medical services to the public.

Dumama said partner private hospitals like the Brokenshire is fulfilling its mandate of improving public health service.

Apart from the scanner, the BIHMI also celebrated the grand opening of the Depart-

ment of Medical Imaging New Facility which will house the CT scanner.

“We improved the physical and interior aspect of our facility to give better services to our client. When patients enter the facility, they won’t feel like they are in a hospital because we designed it like a hotel lobby,” Dr Bangoy said.

Dr. Bangoy also said two separate entrances were constructed for the inpatient and outpatient clients to create better experience and lessen the anxiety.

BIHMI chief executive director Pastor Ruben L. Dela Cruz said the inauguration of the facility and equipment is just one segment of the projects of the hospital that are the already on the pipeline.

“We’re planning to launch the renal dialysis facility on May 18,” he added.

Dela Cruz said the hospital already launched the pediatric intensive care unit two months ago.

“All these projects are part of our commitment to fulfill the vision and the mission of the organization which is provide quality medical services for all,” he added.

Ombud... FROM 3

Genset... FROM 4 IGaCoS... FROM 4

Brokenshire... FROM 5

EDGEDAVAO

Persistence... FROM 2 was conducted from March 8 to 13.

The Supreme Court decision allowing Poe to run for the president came out on March 8.

The former chief of staff of Duterte credited the rise of Duterte’s ranking to the clamor of the people for genuine change in the national leadership.

“There is this growing groundswell of discontent among the people and they see in Duterte the strong leadership that the country has been wanting over the last decade,” Evasco explained.

While being cautious about momentum, Evasco said the Holy Week will provide them opportunity to assess where they went very strong and gained more converts.

“Of course, we are happy with the results of the survey,” he further said.

Duterte media head Peter Lavina also explained that the result of the debate in Cebu on Sunday could further boost the mayor’s image as a decisive leader.

In his closing statement after the 3-hour debate, Duterte promised to provide leadership in the fractured country.

that would continuously take pictures of the Philippines.

These images will be used for research and in remote sensing.

Remote sensing “is a necessary technology for monitoring weather, disasters, as well as environmental issues” as described by Kohei Cho, Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS) general secretary.

In a previous interview with the Philippines News Agency, Cho noted that every country and every continent worldwide needs remote sensing, since environment, for instance, has no boundaries. He added that a country needs remote sensing to have good cooperation with the international framework. ”It has been proven to be capable of monitoring El Nino, too,” said Enrico Paringit during the 36th Asian Conference on Remote Sensing (ACRS) held in the country last year.

Paringit, 36th ACRS local chair, cited that the technologies in remote sensing include satellite with high resolution camera and sensors mapping flooding areas.

“The pictures that will be taken by Diwata-1 can also be used for tourism, as we could pick an image of the day and share it with you,” said Carlos Primo David, executive director of the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research Division (PCIEERD).

Included in the Philippine government’s budget is providing a good microsatellite data storage facility in Subic.

A ground receiving station in Subic is tasked to receive Diwata-1 imagery as well as from selected commercial satellites.

According to PCIEERD, an-

other facility is currently being constructed -- the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman Microsatellite Research and Instructional facility which will be the hub of training for future space technology research and development activities.

serve as his chief deputy.

The Filipinas are bracketed with powerhouse teams Bangkok Glass, 3BB Nakhonnont and Idea Khonkaen, which emerged as top teams in last year’s edition of the tournament.

The other pool has Supreme Chonburi-E Tech, Nakhon Ratchasima, King-Bangkok and Hong Kong.

“Wala tayong idea kung ano ang laro nila. Medyo mahirap pang kapain. Pero sana madali kaming makapag-adjust kapag nadoon na sa laro,” said Pascua, whose Tri-Activ

Spikers are already in the final round of the ongoing PSL Invitational Conference together with the Lady Troopers and the Cargo Movers.

“Ang maganda sa atin ay malalim ang bench natin. Syempre sa experience, angat talaga ang mga Thai teams. Pero competitive din naman ang mga players natin.”

NASA... FROM 3

About Diwata-1 In 2014, the DOST embarked on a research program to develop the necessary local expertise in space technology and allied emerging fields in science and engineering.

The flagship project of this effort is called the PhilMicrosat Program which is implemented by several departments in UP Diliman and DOST’s Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI).

DOST has also partnered with two universities in Japan to develop Diwata-1.

Diwata-1 was assembled by nine young Filipino engineers who were stationed in Japan to undergo an extensive course about microsatellite.

The team had almost a year to finish the assembly and testing of Diwata-1.

It weighs 50 kg and is about the size of a “balikbayan box.”

The country’s microsatellite passed the component tests, first vibration tests, post-vibration electrical tests, off-gas test and fit checking according to PCIEERD. There was a continuous functionality tests of modules and sensors and software optimization.

Last Jan. 13, DOST representatives turned over Diwata-1 to Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

The agency had requested JAXA to release Diwata-1 at a time when the ISS is at the highest altitude (between March 21 and April 30). (PNA)

Cruz... FROM 15 (sports)

The top two teams from each group will advance to the crossover semifinals with the survivors clashing in the sudden-death championship match.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 15 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

Solon... FROM 4

es of financing projects of the AFPL. Dayanghirang said the declaration of the Aliwagwag Falls as a protected area shall shield it from exploitation, sustain its ecological stability and preserve it for future gen-

eration.

The bill is pending at the House Committee on Natural Resources chaired by Rep. Francisco “Lalo” T. Matugas (1st District, Surigao del Norte). (House of Representatives)

with the help of PAGCOR,” said Quezon.

On Wednesday, President Aquino went to Laguna to attend the 30th anniversary celebration of the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD-MRI).

In his speech, the President lauded the institution’s contributions, as it continues to benefit MSMEs through microfinance, microinsurance, and other business services.

From Laguna, the President proceeded to Batangas to lead the switch-on ceremony for the Calatagan 63.3-Megawatt Solar Farm in Barangay Paraiso.

“The following day, President Aquino met with the Pampanga Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).

During the briefing, officials discussed infrastructure and flood control projects in the area. From P9.41 billion between 2005 and 2010, the infrastructure budget for Pampanga has grown to P16.94 billion between 2011 and 2016. This has funded projects such as the Gapan-San Fernan-

do-Olongapo Road (Phase 2), Lazatin Flyover, San Fernando 1st Green Road, and the Aquino Bypass Road,” Quezon said.

“Also this week, the President attended the 7th General Assembly of the League of Provinces of the Philippines, where he spoke about how the landscape of local governance, and how it has changed under Daang Matuwid. Among the examples he cited are the present availability of funds for LGU projects. Afterward, the President attended a necrological service for former Senate President Jovito Salonga, whose services to the nation are well remembered by Filipinos,” Quezon added.

“The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) announced that our poverty rate had dropped to 26.3% in the first semester of 2015 —the lowest since 2009. As President Aquino said, the goal has always been to leave the country in a better state than in 2010. Now, as we face another crossroads, we trust that our voters will choose a leader who will continue our upward trajectory,” Quezon said. (PCOO News Release)

hold used wind power for 25 percent of its needs, it would spend only $4 or $5 dollars per month for it and the price is still dropping,” contends alterenergy.org. “Compare this to 4.8 to 5.5 cents per kilowatt per hour (kWh) for coal or 11.1 to 14.5 cents per kWh for nuclear power.”

Wind power has its shares of drawbacks. Modern wind turbines rated at around 1 to 2 MW are large structures. Typically, a rotor of 60 meter diameter is attached to a nacelle at the top of a 60 meter tall tubular tower. Not surprisingly their environmental impact has not pleased everyone.

Controversy over their appearance is fuelled by the fact that wind farms are usually installed on tops of hills which make them prominent. In the past, wind turbines were also rather noisy. However, recent research has resulted in much quieter machines therefore noise is now not a major environmental issue.

Compared to the environmental impact of traditional energy sources, the environmental impact of wind power is relatively minor in terms of pollution. Wind power consumes no fuel, and emits no air pollution, unlike fossil fuel power sources. The energy consumed to manufacture and transport the materials

used to build a wind power plant is equal to the new energy produced by the plant within a few months. While a wind farm may cover a large area of land, many land uses such as agriculture are compatible, with only small areas of turbine foundations and infrastructure made unavailable for use.

There are some concerns about bird fatalities on wind farms. A study in the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area in California found 182 dead birds, 119 of which were raptors. In response to this, the wind industry is committed to modifying the equipment in order to make the area safer for birds.

Of course, wind power should not be the only source of electricity. Generally, hydroelectricity complements wind power very well. When the wind is blowing strongly, nearby hydroelectric plants can temporarily hold back their water, and when the wind drops they can rapidly increase production again giving a very even power supply.

The answer is not only blowing in the wind but the future is based on it. As singer Peter Frampton wrote: “The future’s in the air, I can feel it everywhere; blowing with the wind of change…” (Conclusion: Power from the sun)

Gov’t... FROM 6

ENVIRONMENT... FROM 11

11 ENVIRONMENT EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 15 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

Wind power (Photo by Benjie S Palisada)

Renewable energy:

Blowing in the wind

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

Banguid Wind Farm (Photo

by Benjie S Palisada)

(Fourth of a Series)

T

HERE are non-renewable energy sources and there are renewable energy sources.

Non-renewable energy depends primarily on fossil fuels which include coal, oil, and natural gas. Renewable energy source, which are considered to be inexhaustible, includes solar power, hydroelectric, geothermal energy, and biomass energy.

Climate change, population growth, and fossil fuel depletion mean that renewables will need to play a bigger role in the future than they do today. Of those renewable energy sources mentioned above, which is more advantageous to be tapped? If you ask American singer Bob Dylan, he would reply: “The answer my friend is blowin’ in the wind…”

And yes, he is right!

“Across the developing world, countries are beginning to see the way the wind is blowing,” said Klaus Toepfer, former executive director of United Nations Environment Programme. “Once it was believed that only one percent of their area was suitable for wind power.”

Not anymore. “The serious development of wind power in modern times began in 1973 after the oil crisis shook the confidence of the developed world that oil was there for the asking. Today, wind power is the fastest growing energy

source in several regions of Europe, with the United States and India following behind in total installed capacity. And the potential is enormous,” notes Dr. Leon Freris, a visiting professor of renewable energy at the Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology in Loughborough University in England.

In Denmark, for instance, wind energy now contributes 13 per cent of national energy consumption, the highest proportion of any country in the world. When the wind blows strongly, wind energy supplies more than half the electricity in the western half of the country.

Lester Brown, of the Washington-based Earth Policy Institute, said more than 70 countries are now developing wind resources. “Between 2000 and 2010, world wind electric generating capacity increased at a frenetic pace from 17,000 megawatts to nearly 200,000 megawatts,” he wrote in “Harnessing Wind, Solar, and Geothermal Energy,” a chapter which appeared in the book, “World on the Edge: How to Prevent Environmental and Economic Collapse.”

The Philippines, home to more than 7,000 islands, is following suit. In fact, wind power now makes up a small percentage of the total energy output of the country. Two of the largest developments are the Bangui Wind Farm in Bangui in Ilocos Norte and the

Wind Energy Power System (WEPS) in Puerto Galera in Mindoro Oriental.

The Bangui Wind Farm, the very first large-scale wind power plant in the country, cost 50 million dollars to build.

The windmills were built by Northwind Power Development Corporation, a private firm headed by a Danish engineer. It became operational in June 2005.

According to Northwind, the wind farm supplies up to 40 per cent of the electricity requirement of Ilocos Norte. It also sells the supply to the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative at a discounted rate.

“Power supply is more reliable nowadays and that’s because of the windmills,” Elinao Ramiento, a barangay councillor in Taguiporo, one of the barangays being energized by the 25-megawatt wind power plant, told journalist Girlie Linao Mar. Ramiento recalled that when a typhoon cut off power supply to the barangay one time, it didn’t take long for the service to return after the deluge. “The windmills apparently made it easier to get power back to us,” he surmised.

As for WEPS (which will generate once completed an estimated 48 MW, thus making it the largest in the country generating power from the wind), President Benigno Aquino III signed in 2012 the proposed Luzon Mindoro-Interconnection project, which

would allow for excess electricity to be transported to the nearby is- The Green Mountain Energy Wind Farm in Texas (Photo from Wikipedia) land of Luzon.

“Before I end my term in 2016, I want to see er for thousands of years. The Mindoro exporting its surplus first known use was in 5000 power to Luzon,” the presi- BC when people used sails to dent said during the signing navigate the Nile River. Perceremony. sians had already been using According to the World windmills for 400 years by Wildlife Fund, there are more 900 AD in order to pump wathan 1,000 wind sites in the ter and grind grain. Windmills northern and central Philip- may have even been develpines, with a potential capaci- oped in China before 1 AD, but ty of at least 7,400 megawatts the earliest written documen- enough to power 19 million tation comes from 1219. Cretans were using “literally hundreds of sail-rotor windmills (to) pump water for crops and livestock.”

The Dutch were responsible for many refinements of the windmill, primarily for pumping excess water off land that was flooded. The windmill was further refined homes. in the late 19th century in the Today, people are realizing United States; some designs that wind power “is one of the from that period are still in use most promising new energy today. The first large windmill sources” that can serve as an to produce electricity was the alternative to fossil fuel-gener- “American multi-blade deated electricity. Wind power is sign,” built in 1888. Its 12-kilothe conversion of wind energy watt capabilities were later suinto a useful form of energy, perseded by modern 70-100 such as using wind turbines to kilowatt wind turbines. make electrical power, wind“Wind turbines for elecmills for mechanical power, tricity generation are essenwind pumps for water pump- tially simple devices, though ing or drainage, or sails to pro- their design requires deep pel ships. understanding of the properActually, societies have ties of wind, aerodynamics as taken advantage of wind pow- well as mechanical and electri-

Power supply is more reliable nowadays and that’s because of the windmills

cal engineering,” explains Dr. Freris.

The kinetic energy in the wind is intercepted by three or two rotating, slender blades.

The action of these blades is to extract energy from the wind by slowing it down. This extracted energy first appears as mechanical energy on the turbine shaft and then as electrical energy from a generator coupled to the shaft through a gearbox.

“The power in the wind is proportional to the cube of the wind speed, hence doubling of the wind speed results in an eight-fold increase in electrical power generated,” informs.

Dr. Freris. “Wind turbines are designed to stop if the wind speed becomes excessive and do not rotate if the wind speed is too low for useful energy extraction.”

Wind turbines are usually congregated in wind farms, consisting of few or as many as 100 machines. By installing several machines on a site the costs of connection to the electricity grid and the operation and maintenance costs are reduced.

Aside from wind power being environment-friendly, it is also cheaper. “If a house-

F ENVIRONMENT, 10

12 CLASSIFIEDS

EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

EDGEDAVAO GENSAN PARTNERS Serving a seamless society

VOL. 9 ISSUE 15 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

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EDGEDAVAO EVENT

Mining strengths with

Marc Macadaeg Above: Building heat in the core and arms through a variation of the side plank. Left: Marc with Jeannie Young demonstrating the fundamentals of a proper handstand.

IT HAD TO BE THE MOST YOGA THAT MOST OF US EVER DID IN ANY GIVEN TWO-DAY PERIOD. But that is exactly what we signed up for. Learning about the workshop organized by Yoga Davao to be led by esteemed ERYT-500 instructor Marc Macadaeg was like an answered prayer as a highly experienced teacher was going to help us gain a deeper understanding of arm balances and inversions.

Yoga has taken hold in Davao in a way that seems unprecedented and present last March 5 and 6 were just some of the city’s most interested students.

Maria Margarita “MM” Lo, the studio director of Yoga Davao, revealed that the idea to hold a workshop took hold early last year between her and her husband Richard and they had been looking for just the right teacher to lead

their very first one. It was a stroke of great timing when recently certified

Yoga Davao’s MM Lo during partner exercises.

Taking flight is often a term you hear when launching into an arm balance and Marc had us testing our wings more sure of ourselves with his clear directions resounding in our heads, rhythmic as our breath.

teacher Jeannie Young joined their studio’s teacher roster, proving to be the connection that led to Marc. Jeannie had just gotten her RYT-200 certification from the YogaWorks Teacher Training program in Urban Ashram Yoga Manila where Marc is a co-founder and both are good friends from college.

Marc has been director of faculty development of Urban Ashram since its inception and has participated in many trainings with some of the world’s most revered yoga teachers such as Annie Carpenter, Joan Hyman and James Brown.

Jeannie shares that Marc was one of her obvious choices. “I personally suggested Marc when MM and Richard asked because I know his teaching style is very intelligent and challenging yet playful.” The participants were immersed in his academic approach to the asanas or poses involved in arm balances, which was the focus of the first day. Marc rightfully lingered on the fundamentals of engagement, singling out and then fusing the use of the various muscles needed to achieve the poses. He then marched on to break down the different arm balances almost one after the other - the shoulder-pressing pose (bhujapidasana), flying pigeon (eka pada galavasana), eight-angle

pose (astravakasana), firefly pose (tittibhasana) and eka pada koundinyasana II - testing the stamina and newly sharpened skill of mindful movement that he had just expounded on.

Arm balances in yoga can be as taunting as its collective name suggests, as your feet and legs are off the ground and you rely on your arms and wrists to carry the entire weight of your body. However, whether it was fear that was the main hindrance or even for those of us who already felt fairly comfortable in these asanas, these challenging poses were further demystified that day. Taking flight is often a term you hear when launching into an arm bal-

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 15 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

UP AND ABOUT

Batman vs Superman Toy Collectibles at SM Cinema INSPIRED BY THE MUCH ANTICIPATED FACE-OFF by two iconic superheroes on screen, SM Cinema’s Snack Time will be offering an exclusive Batman vs. Superman hexagon toy collectible set to film enthusiasts beginning February 29.

Fans of the dark knight and the man of steel can now collect toys of their favourite characters from the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice movie when they purchase a snack-merchandise combo meal at SM Cinema’s Snack Time counters naCollect the limited Batman vs. Superman Hexagon tionwide. A popcorn tumtoys inspired by the widely anticipated action film bler & drink set, or a hotBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. dog sandwich & drink set, will entitle one to a mystery toy for each purchase.

Fans can collect a total of seven different figu-

rines, ranging from different versions of the much-loved title heroes, to the showstopper Wonder Woman, and even of the brilliant villain Lex Luthor.

The collectible hexagon toys are on limited supply from the world’s biggest comics and collectible superstore, Comicave. SM Cinema’s Snack Time is the only brand in the Philippines carrying the hexagon collection from the international brand.

For fans who prefer a wearable keepsake, Snack Time also has a limited Batman vs. Superman digital touch watch. Durable, waterproof, and lights up when touched, the watch is a perfect accessory during playtime, or when bonding with family & friends to see one of the widely anticipated action films in recent years.

Batman vs Superman souvenirs will be available in all Snack Time branches located at SM Cinemas nationwide beginning February 29. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice premieres in SM Cinema, IMAX, Director’s Club Cinema and DX Laser Projection on March 26.

Wonder Woman hexagon toy.

The Batman vs. Superman digital touch watch available in all Snack Time counters nationwide.

Lex Luthor, the Batman vs. Superman villain, is part of the mystery hexagon toy series.

Beginning February 29, moviegoers will receive a mystery mini hexagon toy for every Batman vs. Superman snackmerchandise popcorn combo meal or hotdog combo meal available at SM Cinema’s Snack Time.

Snack Time’s Batman vs. Superman popcorn tub.

STYLE SCRIBE A1

ance and Marc had us testing our wings more sure of ourselves with his clear directions resounding in our heads, rhythmic as our breath.

Day two. Promptly starting at half past eight in the morning, we began our foray into inversions with Marc feeling the effects of the day before prodding into our arms and core. However, as soon as that day’s session began with a series of exercises on strengthening the back body, he made sure that there was no errant energy and that our bodies were fully attuned to the possibility of making shapes while upside down. The use of blocks and partner exercises continued along with new tools such

Over thirty participants from the Davao yoga community assimilating arm balances.

as chairs, bringing us into poses that were oft done but took new meaning because of three or four additional reminders that made everything seem untried. Lest we felt that we could be babied into trying the inversions, Marc geared everything towards the lesson that strength should be built upon and not attained overnight. We were encouraged to slowly

add weight to the head and neck muscles as opposed to just jumping into the inversions with no real inkling of the proper setup.

Hearing him ask us to try us to try out the various inversions was like being confronted with the scariest ghosts in our closets but the feeling of more steadily holding a forearm stand (pincha mayurasana) or being able to keep our arms

straighter for just a fraction of a minute longer in handstand (adho mukha Vrksasana) made us feel triumphant and able.

Many of us had dedicated a year or more to the steady practice of yoga and almost unanimously agreed that Marc’s arrival for even just a mere two days couldn’t have left a greater impact. He was really mining strengths and

revealing to us what we bodily and mentally could do and work toward. MM shared to me that one of their studio’s main goals is to impart how alive, good, calm and focused yoga can make one feel. After the intense flow and positively charged energy of the past two days, their vision for all who practice at their studio and what they often call ‘our yoga’ couldn’t

have been clearer.

Yoga Davao is located at the Ranchos Palos Verdes Sports Clubhouse, Riverfront Corporate City, Ma-a, Davao City. Hours: 8:00AM to 8:00PM, Mondays to Saturdays. Book a class or inquire at mobile no. (0922) 897-7779. Check their weekly schedule of classes on their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ YogaDavao.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Alex Gonzaga releases her second book under ABS-CBN Publishing AFTER HELPING COUNTLESS WOMEN COPE WITH BREAKUP with her first book, “Dear Alex, Break Na Kami?! Paano?!

Love, Catherine, Alex Gonzaga” is back with her follow-up book that’s sure to be part of her beloved readers’ journeys in life and love.

Titled Dear Alex, We’re Dating. Tama, Mali?! Love, Catherine, the second book in the Dear Alex series was launched last March 20 in National Book Store – Glorietta 1, much to the delight of fans who have been anticipating the book’s release.

Being the fun and perky host that she is, Alex entertained the crowd as she indulged them with witty tips and hilarious retorts during the Q&A portion.

Making the afternoon even more engaging was Robi Domingo, who served as the event’s host. After the program, Alex gamely took selfies with her fans and signed their books.

From “Where to Go” to “How to Act,” the second book will guide one through the different stages of dating. Adding appeal and sense of humor to the book are practical pieces of dating and relationship advice from her daddy Bonoy, mommy Pinty, and ate Toni.

“Napakadaming rules—gawin mo ito, gawin mo ’yan. My

book, however, is not a rule book. This is simply a guidebook,” Alex says about her book.

She writes about her dating experiences and learning with the same quotable wit and brutal frankness that fans loved in Book 1, which sold more than 120 thousand copies.

Published by ABSCBN Publishing, “Dear Alex, We’re Dating. Tama, Mali?! Love, Catherine”

is the latest addition in ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc’s successful line of bestselling books. Alex is part of an elite roster of authors which include Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, Georgina Wilson, Solenn Heussaff, Ramon Bautista, and Juan Miguel Severo.

The book is exclusively available in all National Book Store outlets nationwide for only 195 pesos.

Nadine Lustre emerges as top winner in MYX Music Awards NADINE LUSTRE was the top winner of the MYX Music Awards 2016, sweeping a total of five awards including Favorite Music Video, Favorite Song, Favorite Artist, Favorite Female Artist, and Favorite Collaboration along with boyfriend and onscreen partner James Reid.

Another big winner at the awards night was young artist Darren Espanto who took home two awards for Favorite Male Artist and Favorite MYX Celebrity VJ. RnB princess Kyla also shone brightly at the MYX Music Awards as she won Favorite Remake and Favorite Media Soundtrack for her rendition of “On the Wings of Love.”

OPM icon Ogie Alcasid was a big star of the evening as well as he was recognized as this year’s MYX Magna awardee for his tremendous contribution in the local music scene.

As a tribute, a mind blowing medley of some of Ogie’s best hits was performed by top OPM artists Jaya, Erik Santos, Christian Bautista, Yeng Constantino, Kyla, Angeline Quinto, Jona, Matteo Guidicelli, Jay-R, Aicelle Santos, and Top Suzara that earned a standing ovation from the audience.

International OPM artist Charice even surprised everyone in the MYX Music Awards as she sang Nirvana’s “Smells like Teen Spirit” with Mayonnaise.

The 11th MYX Music Awards which was held at the Kia Theater, was hosted by MYX VJs Ai dela Cruz, Robi Domingo, Tippy Dos Santos, Sarah Carlos, Alex Diaz, Jairus Aquino, and Sharlene San Pedro.

Among the artists and media personalities who graced the much-awaited awards night were Donna Cruz, KZ Tandingan, Kapamilya Chicken Pork Adobo online star Bretman Rock, Cheats, Callalily, Jason Dy, Silent Santuary, Abra, Paolo and Kiana Valenciano, Morisette, Jayda, Denise Laurel, JK Labajo, The Juans, Jensen and the Flips, and Ella Cruz.

GMA Public Affairs’ offers virtual Visita Iglesia NOW THAT SOCIAL MEDIA IS A FAVORITE PASTIME OF FILIPINOS, do we still have time for traditional practices such as Visita Iglesia?

With GMA Public Affairs’ Holy Week campaign, observing this age-old tradition is just one click away!

On Holy Week, GMA Public Affairs’ Social Media Team introduces its first ever, immersive Virtual Visita Iglesia. The campaign offers an interactive video tour to 16 of the most beautiful heritage churches in Metro Manila, Pampanga, and Bulacan via your favorite Public Affairs programs’ Facebook pages. Each virtual tour is made even more special with the ground-breaking 360-degree video technology on Facebook.

While past virtual tours use photos, the 360-degree video technology gives Facebook users a different kind of spiritual experience as followers can manually scroll and scan a particular church through its

March 22 – 23, 2016

ALLEGIANT

360-degree view.

Each prayer for Stations of the Cross will be narrated by some of GMA Public Affairs’ well-respected personalities such as Jessica Soho, Vicky Morales, Arnold Clavio, Sandra Aguinaldo, and Kara David, among others.

Tapping technology and social media, GMA Public Affairs’ Social Media Team offers an alternative yet accessible way of remotely observing the annual Visita Iglesia,

which is also perfect especially for our Overseas Filipino Workers.

Virtual Visita Iglesia will launch on Maundy Thursday, March 24, on GMA Public Affairs’ Facebook page (www.fb.com/GMAPublicAffairs).

The opening prayer will be voiced by multi-awarded broadcast journalist, Jessica Soho, after which, a link at the end of each video’s caption will lead to the next participating Public Affairs program page.

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/ *THE EXORCIST: FAITH OF ANNA WATERS Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman / * Matthew Settle, Elizabeth Rice G/*R13

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

LONDON HAS FALLEN Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman R13

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

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 15 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

FOOD

Northern exposure Launched last March 5 in simple ceremonies, Eskina is a food center which offers a wide array of food choices but at pocketfriendly prices.

EVERY GREAT FOOD CITY IN THE WORLD HAS FOOD CENTRES.These are places where hungry urbanites and get-together, relax, and have a good meal at an affordable price and Davao City has quite a number or these in the city center within malls and sometimes within business parks. Venture more to the north of the city and one will notice the opening of Eskina at the Lanang Business Park.

Launched last March 5 in simple ceremonies, Eskina is a food center which offers a wide array of food choices but at pocket-friendly prices.

“We recognise that many of our tenants’s officers and staff are looking for an affordable alternative to have lunch or dinner.” said Lanang Business Park’s marketing manager John Irene del Campo. “Not everybody can afford to have

a meal at a fancy restaurant, which is why we came up with Eskina where the office workers within as well as beyond the compound can come and have a good food at an affordable price.”

Tenants already located at Eskina include Torii Grill which serves de-

licious Japanese grilled meat on a stick, as well as other Japanese favourites (I suggest their teriyaki chicken); Sa Gae Korean BBQ & Resto Bar; and Kuya’s Kambingan Atbp. which serves a wide array of goat dishes.

“We expect a few more tenants to join the ex-

isting tenants soon, this will give diners at Eskina more food choices for lunch as well as dinner and all in one location.” added John Irene.

Aside from the food, Eskina also promises to be a great place to chill out and relax as bands are scheduled to perform on the evenings of Friday and Saturday, breathing life to Durianburg’s northern business district.

Eskina is located within the Lanang Business Park compound.

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

VOL. 9 ISSUE 15 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

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NEWS 13

Palace denies selective claim by Poe We are now hiring for the ff. job vacancies:

1. CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER (C.S.O.) Scope of Work: • Handling of customer services (e.g. inquiries, complaints, scheduling of services) • Preparation of quotation for clients • STARTING SALARY: P12, 000 (BASED ON PRIOR EXPERIENCE) 2. TECHNICAL ENGINEER (T.E.) Scope of Work: • Installation/Programming/Configuration for the ff. products *CCTV, PABX, PABGM, INTERCOM, BIOMETRICS, ACCESS CONTROL, FIRE ALARM • STARTING SALARY: P13, 000 (BASED ON PRIOR EXPERIENCE) 3.ACCOUNTS MANAGER (A.M.) Scope of Work: • Sales & Marketing for New Clients • STARTING SALARY: P15, 000 UP (BASED ON PRIOR EXPERIENCE) 4. STORE SUPERVISOR Scope of Work: • Responsible for daily store operation • Handling of manpower

Please email your resume to: sales@vmtech.com.ph or marcxtian@yahoo.com For walk in applicants, you may call the ff. branches: Cebu Office: (032) 2380912 Globe: 09173293471 • Sun: 09255014723 Davao Office: (082) 2212789 Globe: 09177952469 • Sun: 09322448030

M

ALACAÑANG has denied the claim of Senator Grace Poe that the administration is practicing “selective justice” for not filing charges against their allies.

During the second presidential debate at the University of the Philippines campus in Cebu City on Sunday, Senator Poe told Liberal Party standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II that the administration does not file cases against important members of the Liberal Party (LP), such as Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya.

“It is a simple matter of due diligence to look at the case files or the cases filed by

the Ombudsman. As (former) Secretary Roxas pointed out, (Presidential Spokesperson) Secretary (Edwin) Lacierda, the President himself has pointed out: Where the evidence goes, the administration will not stop where it leads to. And where the evidence goes, those are where the cases will be filed,” Undersecretary Manuel Luis Quezon III of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office said during a press briefing at the Palace on Monday.

“Those have included members of the Liberal Party and the ruling coalition, just as it has included those who are considered stalwarts of the opposition

and the camps of the various other candidates,” he said.

During the debate, Poe said, “Ang kinakasuhan lang ng [Liberal Party] ay ang mga latak nilang miyembro. Pero ang mga miyembro nila na importante sa kanila, katulad ni Secretary Jun Abaya na pumirma ng maintenance contract ng APT Global, ay nandiyan pa rin, at hindi man lang kinasuhan,” she said.

Roxas replied that the administration is not engaged in selective justice.

“LP, non-LP, lahat ay nakakasuhan, natatanggal sa pwesto.

At makikita ninyo yan. ‘Yan ang record, ‘yan ang totoo, hindi po ‘yan kathang isip,” he said.

(PNA)

Raptors ... FROM 15 (sports)

the Magic have now lost three in a row and trail the Chicago Bulls by six games for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East.

NOWITZKI POURS IN 40 POINTS In Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki joined an elite group as he poured in 40 points to lead the Mavericks to a 132-120 overtime triumph over the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Mavs snapped a fivegame home losing streak and clinched the season series against Portland -- a fact that could come into play with the teams battling for playoff seeding in the bottom half of the Western Conference standings.

“We’re still in the same position where we’re fighting for our playoff lives,” Nowitzki said after his 20th career 40-point game.

“Our goal before the season was to make it into the playoffs. We’re still fighting for it.”

14 COMMUNITY SENSE EDGEDAVAO

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Millions shine light on climate action for Earth Hour 2016

EARTH HOUR IN DAVAO. A glimpse of the more than 535 registered riders of Davao's cycling community who graced the Earth Hour activities in Davao City. Monica Ayala FB photo

E

ARTH Hour, organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), rolled across the world last 19 March as millions came together to shine a light on the climate action our planet needs. The 10th edition of the movement’s signature switchoff saw individuals, communities, organizations and landmarks in an unprecedented 178 countries and territories switch off in solidarity with global efforts to change climate change.

Taking place months after the historic climate summit in Paris, Earth Hour 2016 was celebrated across seven continents, aboard the International Space Station and served as a strong visual reminder of the globe’s determination to tackle our planet’s biggest environmental challenge yet.

As more than 400 iconic landmarks dimmed their lights, a collective hope that our actions today can create promise for the planet and future generations shined through.

“The past 24 hours have shown us yet again the impact we can achieve when we unite for a cause,” says Earth Hour

Executive Director Siddarth Das. “Every light switch turned off represents a call to switch on our collective power and be the first line of defence for our planet as we form the frontlines of climate change.”

While the Earth Hour movement has grown from a one-city event in Sydney in 2007 to the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment, the need for climate action has also accelerated. This year, WWF and Earth Hour teams used the Earth Hour movement to engage people in critical climate conversations and solutions.

“As new climate records are broken month after month, the record-breaking participation of Earth Hour reminds us that we are also witnessing mounting momentum to change climate change. The grassroots are meeting the governments in their ambition for strong climate action, sparking hope for the future we can shape for generations to come,” Das added.

These words were echoed

by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a video statement recorded for the movement

in which he states that Earth Hour 2016 comes at a pivotal moment when the road ahead requires commitment and ambition and we all have a role to play.

To date in 2016, WWF’s Earth Hour has been the force behind more than 1.23 million individual actions taken to help change climate change including participating in onthe-ground activities for reforestation and recycling, digital petitions for climate-friendly policy and online campaigns to promote climate awareness and action.

As part of the Donate Your Social Power campaign, supporters around the world also donated their social feeds to WWF and Earth Hour to shine a light on climate action. With automated posts and custom Earth Hour profile pictures appearing in personal newsfeeds worldwide, supporters helped spread awareness and action on climate across a potential social reach surpassing 18.7 million people.

Philippine Switch-offs Celebrate Climate Solutions The Philippines has been

Kiwanis visits Kids Cancer Center

T

HE Kiwanis Clubs of Agila Dabaw visited the House of Hope, a cancer center for children located at the Southern Philippines Medical Center compound, Bajada, Davao City on Saturday.

The visit is the kickoff activity of the club’s 2nd year founding anniversary celebration with its theme: Sharing Love, Care and Happiness to the Children.

The activity was spearheaded by its president Erdsan Rene S. Suero and the kiwanis international division 7 lieu-

tenant governor Angel T. Torrejon.

Erdsan Rene S. Suero, Agila Dabaw President said that there were 22 children and 29 caregivers in the house during the visit that were treated with meals, gifts and surprises. The exposure visit centered in this free shelter for indigent cancer patients from all over Mindanao with no place or family to stay while undergoing treatment in hospitals here in Davao, Suero added.

House of Hope staff Loranie A. Celmar grate-

fully said that they were very happy to be part of the club’s founding celebration and that the visit simply created an impact in the lives of the children and give them hope.

Kiwanis club of agila dabaw was chartered on March 14, 2014 and is part of Kiwanis International, a global organization of member-volunteers working to change the world, one child and one community at a time. Its primary focus is serving the children of the world.

KCAD_PR

championing Earth Hour since 2008 and has topped participation records from 2009 to 2013 – earning it the title of Earth Hour Hero Country. A growing list of allies have pledged to support this year’s efforts, led by government partners such as the Quezon City Government, Department of Energy (DOE), Climate Change Commission (CCC), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Education (DEPEd), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Science and Technology (DOST),

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), National Youth Commission (NYC), National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Corporate champions include Philips, Banana Peel, Arthaland, Healthy Options, H&M Philippines, White Gold Club and Pru Life UK. Event partners include Anakata, Bamb Ecological Technology, BEMAC, BNB Racks, Deanworks, Global Electric Transport, Enfinity Imperial Solar Homes, Motolite, Pivot Edutainment, Renewable En-

ergy Association of the Philippines, Solar Solutions, Smart Communications, Bayani Brew, Coca-Cola, Gelatissimo, Jamba Juice, Krispy Kreme, Max’s, Max’s Group, McDonald’s, Pancake House and Yellow Cab. Earth Hour is a media-driven campaign and is being promoted through strong alliances with ABSCBN, ABS-CBN RNG, ABSCBN Sports and Action, A & E Network, BusinessMirror, BusinessWorld, Click the City, CNN Philippines, Eagle Broadcasting Corporation, Eagle News, DZUP, FleishmanHillard, FocusMedia, Global News Network, Leo Burnett, Net-25, Nyxis, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star, Orange Magazine TV, QCreativs, Radyo Pilipinas, Radyo Agila, Radyo Veritas, Rappler, Tech2Go, TV5 and Yuneoh.

“More important than switching-off are our personal commitments to fight climate change by reducing our use of electricity and other resources,” explains Earth Hour Philippines Director Atty. Angela Ibay. “Now that Earth Hour is over, the real work begins.”

VOL. 9 ISSUE 15 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2016

C

ALL it an eye opener.

The recent win by the City Mayor’s Office-Royal Mandaya Hotel basketball team powered by players from the De La Salle University (DLSU) is an eye opener for basketball in Davao.

The coming to fore by the youngsters from Taft brought to us the lesson that basketball is an evolving sport where fresh legs, team concept, physical condition, and defense are key factors to success or failure. This changing basketball concept is starting to open many eyes in Davao from the time the San Sebastain College

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EDGEDAVAO

Change is also coming in basketball squad came to play under the Phoenix team in a local tournament, then to the San Beda Red Lions squad brought in last year by CMO-TRMH, and now, DLSU Green Archers.

It paid a lot that DLSU won the title this year in a fashion so convincing that it now poses the question to the rest of the basketball stakeholders here. Are we shifting to a change in basketball programs or are we staying put with the old?

The other two Davao franchises, equally supported by generous and passionate sponsors like Winston Ho of

LET’S GET IT ON

Neil Bravo

Goldstar Hardware and Armand Quibod of Montana Pawnshop, must be starting to think about their next steps after the old formula of bringing in imports, composed mostly of ageing veterans from the PBA and a couple of

American or African imports, has been proven inadequate and ineffective.

Co-managers Glenn Escandor and Bong Go both managed to secure the services of the Green Archers for the short tournament and won. In the long haul, the basketball development program anchored on youth will be a message to all stakeholders in Davao most specially the high schools and colleges who should be inspired by the DLSU program and their game patterns after watching them play for four days here.

Schools and their basketball

LeBron James comes up with 33 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. AP

varsity coaches and sports program directors can take a slice of the DLSU lesson and develop it in their territory.

As for the other squads, the change in the basketball landscape could be inevitable but still a matter of choice— whether to stick to the old formula of picking up players and reinforce them wit locals or directly draft a varsity school, not necessarily from Metro Manila, Luzon or the Visayas.

We can start by launching farm teams out of varsity squads. Goldstar, Montana, and yes CMO-TRMH or Phoe-

Araw ng Dabaw Cycling Challenge March 27

T

L

EBRON James scored 33 points and recorded his 41st career triple-double as the Cleveland Cavaliers clinched their second straight Central Division title with a 124-91 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night (Tuesday, Manila time).

James added 11 rebounds and 11 assists before checking out with 6:02 left to a thunderous ovation. He scored 17 in the first quarter, helping the Cavs build a 19-point lead and erase the memory of an embarrassing loss on Saturday in Miami.

The Nuggets fought back and briefly led before the Cavs regrouped, scored 68 after

Cavs clinch Central

halftime and easily notched their 50th win.

J.R. Smith added 15 points and Channing Frye 14 for Cleveland, which played without starter Kevin Love (illness).

Will Barton scored 27 for the Nuggets, who concluded a 1-4 road trip. Denver’s Kenneth Faried missed his third straight game with a sore lower back.

The Cavs were playing for the first time since being battered by the Heat, who led by 33 in the fourth and won by 21. It was a humiliating night for James, who sat out the final 12 minutes against his former team, and the loss raised more questions about Cleveland’s

Raptors close in on East title

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HE Toronto Raptors moved within one game of the Cleveland Cavaliers for top spot in the Eastern Conference on Sunday with a 105-100 NBA victory over the Orlando Magic.

DeMar DeRozan led the Raptors with a game-high 25 points and five assists.

Luis Scola added 20 points and eight rebounds while Kyle Lowry chipped in with 18 points and seven assists as the Raptors notched their fourth straight win and improved to 13-4 since the AllStar break.

Scola said the pursuit of first place in the East was important, but not the overriding motivation as the post-season approaches.

“Of course we want to win

games, of course we want to finish first, but the most important thing is to be able to build good momentum going into the playoffs,” Scola said. “Eventually, when we get to the seventh game of the conference final, if we get there, we’ll worry about that then.

“We’re fighting for (first), because it’s the right thing to do, but we can’t lose sleep over it.”

Orlando, connecting on 51.6 percent from the field, took an 8280 lead into the fourth quarter.

But the Raptors used a 10-0 scoring run to take a four-point lead with 5:22 to play and held on.

Victor Oladipo led Orlando with 21 points and six rebounds.

Evan Fournier had 21 points, but

chemistry and chances of returning to the NBA Finals.

James got the Cavs back on track and to 50 wins, a milestone coach Tyronn Lue said shouldn’t be taken for granted.

“It’s something we embrace,” he said. “It’s not every year that you can do that, unless you’re the San Antonio Spurs and teams like that. It just shows the hard work the guys have put in to get to this point. All is not bad.”

Cleveland has more work to do but this is a start.

James was aggressive from the outset and finished the first quarter with 17 points, five rebounds and three assists. The Cavs had their highest-scoring

opening quarter of the season and it appeared they would be able to rest some starters in the second half.

But with Barton leading the way, the Nuggets went on a 17-0 run and took a 43-41 lead in the second quarter while James was on the bench.

James returned and with Lue using a lineup that featured the four-time league MVP, Frye, Smith, Timofey Mozgov and Matthew Dellavedova, the Cavs reeled off nine consecutive points and led 5648 at halftime.

Cleveland’s starters blitzed Denver to start the third and the Cavs pushed their lead to 30 before James left.

nix and other basketball stakeholders may start by throwing their support to the Davao varsity squads.

With a strengthened pool of teams supported by generous firms, the local basketball backyard under the watch of the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas 11 under Regino “Boy” Cua can flourish under a new atmosphere.

It is arguably the best move and direction to go.

(For comments, email to: bravoneil@rocketmail.com.

Listen to “Let’s Get It On with Neil Bravo” every Saturdays at 8-10 am at 105.9 Balita FM.)

HE annual 79th Araw ng Dabaw Cycling Challenge will be held this Sunday, March 27 in Barangay Langub.

Organizer Salvador “Jun” Paholio Jr., interim president of the Citywide Cycling Association of Davao (CICAD) said there will be six categories for the mountain bikes and one for the road bike.

The MTBs will have the Open Elite, Veterans (35-40 yrs. Old), Masters (41 and above), Junior (18 under), Boys 15 Under and Ladies Open. The road bike is for the Executives only.

The race will start and end at the Barangay Hall in Langub.

“Each loop is 15 kilometers with the Elite, Masters and Veterans to all have five loops,” Paholio said.

The Executive and Junior will have three loops while the Boys and Ladies will make only two loops.

The race, which is still part of the Araw ng Dabaw Sports Festival 2016, is sponsored by the city government and supported by the Nature’s Spring Water.

The champions in the Open Elite, Veterans, Masters, Ladies and Executive will each earn P3,000 cash plus a mug.

The second and third placers will win P2,000 and P1,000 with mugs, respectively. The top three finishers in the Junior and Boys will receive P2,000, P1,500 and P1,000 with mugs.

Entry fee is P350 inclusive of a cycling jersey and pack lunch.

“The riders in the age categories must bring their original NSO birth certificate for authentication,” said Paholio Jr. Registration is now on-going at the CICAD office, alley ground floor, Jaltan Bldg. II, Magallanes St., Davao City.

For more inquiry, call or text mobile no. 09989931954.

Cruz, Daquis lead PSL in Thai tourney

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HE Philippine Superliga selection left on Monday for Bangkok, two days before action starts in the Thai-Denmark Super League women’s volleyball tournament at the MCC Hall of the Mall in Bang Kapi.

Rachel Anne Daquis of RC Cola-Army and Cha Cruz of F2 Logistics skipper the PetronPSL All-Stars, who will battle teams from Thailand and Hong Kong.

Also suiting up for the PSL selection in the tournament

F RAPTORS, 13 PICE BALLERS. Members of the PICE Davies basketball club after a break in regular matches.

organized by SMMTV are Rhea Dimaculangan and Maika Ortiz of Foton; April Ross Hingpit and Jeanette Panaga of Cignal; Jen Reyes, Mina Aganon, Frances Molina and Aiza Pontillas of Petron; Melissa Gohing and Michelle Gumabao of Philips Gold; and Stephanie Mercado and Aby Marano of F2 Logistics.

George Pascua, who led Petron to back-to-back titles, will be calling the shots while Michael Carino of Cignal will

F CRUZ, 10

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. VOL.99ISSUE ISSUE15 15••WEDNESDAY, WEDNESDAY,MARCH MARCH23, 23,2016 2016

MONSTROUS MBALA

Cameroonian DLSU center unfurls monster game in Davao tourney

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

C

njb@edgedavao.net

ALL it monstrous.

Ben Mbala is beginning to come of his own in the De La Salle University line-up.

For four games in a week’s stint for a short tournament in Davao, the 6-foot-9 Cameroonian center tabbed by the Green Archers from Southwestern University in Cebu, unveiled a monstrous game everyone should be concerned about.

Mbala averaged 30.5 points a game in four outings for the Green Archers, who donned the colors of City Mayor’s Office-The Royal Mandaya Hotel (CMO-TRMH), en route to leading his team to the champion-

ship of the 2016 Araw ng Davao Basketball Tournament on Saturday night.

He had nights of 23, 25, and 36 in the eliminations and a tournament-high 38 in the finals. His A game earned for him the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

Mbala feasted on alley-oops with a little twist. His was one off a bullet pass, catching the ball in the air for a rim-rattling slam.

“It’s different. It’s not a lob pass, It’s a bullet alley-oop pass.

That’s more difficult to catch and slam,” said Glenn Escandor, co-manager of the CMOTRMH squad. “The guy

will be a factor in the UAAP.” Mbala also proved steady in the free throw line hitting 80% from the stripe. No exact stats were available but Mbala could have easily came down with 8 to 10 rebounds a night.

The Green Archers won the title 80-61 over defending champion Goldstar Hardware who had PBA veterans in the lineup in Jojo Tangkay, Marlon Basco and Pong Escobal along with African reinforcement 6-9 Steve Akomo.

New coach Aldin Ayo steered the Green Archers to victory with assistant coaches Siot Tangquincen and Glenn Capacio.

3 ON ONE. Ben Mbala battled through nights like this-three defenders thrown at him. Lean Daval Jr.