Edge Davao 9 Issue 21

VOL. 9 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, APRIL 1 - 2, 2016

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

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PLAYTIME. Young boys take advantage of the summer break to enjoy the sea and play near a ship unloading construction materials docked at Sta. Ana wharf.

Lean Daval Jr.

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

MT. APO CLOSED PAMB issues indefinite closure order to all trails EDGE DAVAO

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

ITH the huge fires going on for the sixth day in Mt. Apo, the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) stepped in to close all trails going tothe country’s highest peak.

This was bared by Davao del Sur Provincial Risk Reduction Management officer Harry Chester Camoro yesterday.

Camoro told EDGE Davao over the phone, that during the meeting yesterday morning, the board decided to indefinitely close all the entry points in Regions 11 and 12 going to

the summit of Mt. Apo. This after the huge fire burned bigger portions of the mountains of Sta. Cruz Davao del Sur and Kidapawan City, North Cotabato.

“We are happy to know that the resolution of PAMB was approved,” he said.

He said with the closure, Mt.Apo will be rehabilitated and funds will be drawn from the trekking fees collected from the climbers.

Camoro said he cannot disclose if it will still be open for climbing since there was

not definite timeline provided in the closure resolution.

Last February, the Eco-Tourism Committee of the Mt. Apo Natural Park-Protected Area and Management Board (MANP-PAMB) decided to limit trekking to Mt. Apo Natural Park during this year’s Holy Week to prevent forest fires from breaking out.

In a statement, the board believed that fires can break out accidentally because of the garbage that can cause conflagration. This could be triggered by indiscriminately

disposing cigarette butts or during cooking of campers.

For this year, only six entry points were opened to climbers.

Authorities set a limitation of 1,000 climbers for all trails due to the on-going El Nino Phenomenon and insufficient supply of water in Mt. Apo. Meanwhile, Camoro said the fire is still ongoing since the Huey Helicopter of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) had only few bucket operations yesterday due to the bad

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KBL, PDPLaban, LP united in Davao Norte

The Vote 2016 P11

EDGEDAVAO Sports RECORD WITHIN REACH P15

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, APRIL 1 - 2, 2016

STANDING GUARD. Police personnel stand guard outside The Royal Mandaya Hotel where a command conference presided by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police Director Ricardo C. Marquez is being held yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Rody: I’ll protect media workers

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RESIDENTIAL candidate Mayor Rodrigo Duterte vowed to protect journalists if elected.

Duterte came up with the statement after the National Press Club on Wednesday challenged presidential candidates to lay down their agenda on media, particularly on solving media killings in the Philippines.

“The state must protect the media,” Duterte said in a statement.

Duterte said journalists should be protected because these people play a vital role in a democracy which also work

COMELEC TO BETS:

under dangerous and even deadly conditions.

“In a democracy, the role of media is very important. In the absence of a credible opposition party, you can rely on the media,” Duterte said.

Duterte said it is the media that bring the wrongdoings of the government to the public’s attention.

The role of the journalists, however, often exposes journalists to danger. This is based on the data of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), 170 journalists have been killed in the country

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Reduce volume of speakers during campaign sorties

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HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) urged the candidates to minimize the volume of their speakers when going around to campaign, noting that such gesture is a nuisance.

With this, Comelec Chairman Juan Andres Bautista urged the public not to vote or support those candidates who are playing their campaign jingle in high volume during their sorties in various public places.

“Again, we know that noise is a form of pollution. There is such a thing as noise pollution

and there are also rules and regulations regarding the use of loud speakers,” he said in Filipino.

The poll body chief added, “Pero ako puno’t dulo dyan dapat talaga kung nagagalit sila (public) dapat huwag na nila iboto, ‘yung mga nagiingay.” (“The main point is that if the people are annoyed, they should not vote for those noisy candidates.”)

However, the implementing rules and regulations of Fair Elections Act or Republic Act. No. 9006, does not prohib-

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Lack of meds hampering smoking cessation project

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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abf@edgedavao.net

FFORTS of the Davao City government to help violators of the city’s anti-smoking ordinance are hampered by lack of therapeutic medicines used in smoking cessation.

Davao City Chest Center head Dr. Ashley G. Lopez said this is the city’s main problem in the implementation of the four-year-old New Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Davao City passed in 2012.

Lopez said most of the smokers caught violating the ordinance opted not to continue the cessation therapy as it is

costly on their part.

“When we refer these smokers to the specialists, it can cost them a lot that is why many choose not to attend the sessions, many are unsuccessful and relapsed,” he said.

Lopez said the cost of a single Nicotine Replacement Treatment (NRT) patch is P1,500.

He said aside from the NRT patch good for just two weeks, there is a Nicotine Replacement Gum which will be also given to the smoker as substitute to tobacco.

Lopez said the smoking cessation treatment will de-

pend on the response of the smokers on the therapy.

“A session is done in every two weeks for eight sessions, that is the minimum,” he said.

Lopez said the cessation clinics in the health centers of the city government render limited service because government doctors are only trained for brief therapy.

He said every smoker who undergoes cessation should always be accompanied with intensive therapy for them to be cured and quit smoking.

The city has collected a lot of money from the fines being slapped on the violators, how-

ever, Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte opted to give the money to assist child cancer patients.

Lopez said to address this problem, the City Health Office (CHO) is realigning it budget by allocating P1.7 million for the procurement of NRT. Another problem, Lopez said is the lack of stock of NRT available locally.

A leading pharmaceutical chain in the country told Lopez the NRT stocks were recalled from the local market because of very low demand for the product.

He said a smoker could go

which arrived in Davao City on Monday, is from the Tactical Operations Group Central Command in Cebu.

Camoro said there is no official request yet for the US helicopter, but they are planning on it. “There is an available helicopter from the US government. This is a big helicopter,” he said.

He said Super Huey is already a big help but the operations would be faster if there is another helicopter.

The Super Huey, Camoro said, had 30 sorties to and

fro the peak of Mt. Apo on Tuesday, pouring 10 buckets of water drawn from nearby Lake Cometa. The last flight was aborted late afternoon due to zero visibility and the strong wind, he said.

Each bucket can hold about 600 liters of water.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 11 said it has deployed 23 personnel and provided the technical inputs such as the use of Global Positioning

System (GPS) and control maps, forestry know-hows, fire-fighting tools and manpower.

Insp. Donald R. Concepcion, officer-in-charge of the Digos City Fire Station and Mt. Apo Forest Fire incident commander, said the fire was estimated to be about 800 meters away from the Century Tree as of Tuesday.

He said he could not confirm reports that the fire gutted about 350 hectares of grasslands and forests.

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Apo fire responders to need another chopper

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IRE responders may request for another helicopter to add to the existing Super Huey helicopter from Cebu in suppressing the massive fire at Mt. Apo. Harry Camoro, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) in Davao del Sur, told MindaNews Tuesday that a United Statesowned helicopter that is currently on standby in Cagayan de Oro City may be tapped to assist the Bell UH-1Y Venon, or the Super Huey. The latter,

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EDGEDAVAO

AFP keeps ‘no ransom policy’ W on abducted Indon sailors

NEWS 3

DCWD updates on April 2-3 water service interruption

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HE Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday reiterated its strict compliance with the government’s ‘no ransom policy’ while assuring the mobilization of all resources to resolve the kidnapping incident which

involved 10 Indonesian sailors off the coast of Tawi-Tawi.

This was stressed by AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla.

“The CSAFP (Chief-ofStaff AFP, Gen. Hernando DCA Iriberri) during his visit to the

WMC (Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City) yesterday reiterated AFP’s strict compliance to the government’s ‘no ransom policy’,” he added.

Padilla pointed out the rationale behind the measure,

noting that activities of kidnapping groups will persist if they continue to acquire ransom money from their victims.

“If we are to end kidnapping-for-ransom (KFR) activities, we must deny these

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ITH regards to the scheduled water service interruption from 8:00 AM of April 2 until 8:00 AM of April 3 affecting areas served by Line 2 of Dumoy Water Supply System (WSS), Davao City Water District announces that Ma-a areas will no longer be affected.

In addition, areas along Tigatto Road particularly Panorama Homes Subd., Robinsons Highlands Subd., Bread Subd. and Pioneer Village will experience shortened water cut from 10:00 PM of April 2 until 4:00 AM of April 3 instead of the 24-hour no water supply earlier announced.

All other areas with no water from 8:00 AM of April 2 until 8:00 AM of April 3 remain

as previously reported. These are: Buhangin: (from J.P Laurel Avenue to DDF Mandug, from Crossing Milan to Villa Park Subd. and from Ma-a Bridge to DPWH Panacan including Dumoy WSS connections in Ciudad de Esperanza, Camp Catitipan, AFP Mutual Homes and Davao International Airport); Poblacion: (Barangays 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, left portion of Quirino Avenue from Bankerohan Public Market to to corner J.P. Laurel Avenue, Madapo Hills, Marfori Heights environs, Circumferential Road and Bacaca Road); J.P. Laurel Avenue and immediate environs (from corner Sta. Avenue to Davao-Agusan Road); Cabaguio (from

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Prince of Monaco to visit PH

M HIV ON THE RISE. Reproductive Health and Wellness Center (RHWC) of the Davao City Health Office chief Dr. Jordana P. Ramiterre (left) says human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases in the city are continuously increasing

especially among males who have sex with males (MSM). Ramiterre, together with Chest Center chief Dr. Ashley G. Lopez, graced yesterday’s I-Speak media forum at City Hall. Lean Daval Jr.

ALACANANG on Wednesday announced that His Highness Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco, will undertake an official visit to the Philippines from April 6 to 7 upon the invitation of President Benigno S. Aquino III. Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., in a statement, said HSH Prince Albert II will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Park before proceeding to Malacañan Palace where he will hold bilateral talks with President Aquino on April 7.

”The two leaders and their respective delegations are expected to discuss bilateral issues of common interest such as economic cooperation, humanitarian assistance, sustainable development and environmental protection, among others,” Coloma said.

President Aquino will host a luncheon in honor of the visiting monarch.

HSH Prince Albert II, a well-known advocate of strengthening marine environmental protection, will also visit Palawan and the Tubbataha Reefs National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

(PNA)

EDGEDAVAO

4 SUBURBIA

BARRICADE. Farmers and members of militant groups in North Cotabato block a portion of the Davao-Cotabato highway in Kidapawan City on March 30, 2016. The protesters (around 5,000 according to organizers

VOL. 9 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, APRIL 1 - 2, 2016

ARMM activates poll response mechanism T

and estimated at 3,000 by the police) are demanding, among others, the release of 15,000 sacks of rice as calamity assistance. MindaNews photo by TOTO LOZANO

Farmers barricade highway to push for drought assistance

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UNDREDS of farmers suffering from the long drought and members of militant groups barricaded a portion of the Davao-Cotabato highway in Kidapawan City since 5:45 a.m. Wednesday, demanding, among others, the release of 15,000 sacks of rice as calamity assistance. Twelve hours later, they were still at the barricade, vowing to sleep there.

Norma Capuyan, chair of the Apo Sandawa Lumadnong Panaghiusa sa Cotabato told MindaNews at the barricade that they will not leave until North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Talino-Mendoza meets with them and heeds their demands of 15,000 sacks of rice; subsidy of rice, seedlings, fertilizers and pesticides when the rains come and they can plant again, until harvest time; and an end to military operations.

Organizers claimed some 5,000 participants from Makilala,

Mlang, Tulunan, Magpet, Roxas, Antipas, Arakan and Kidapawan City joined the barricade. The provincial police chief estimated the number at 3,000.

North Cotabato’s Crop Damage Report Summary as of Febuary 17 listed 36,915 farmers affected by the drought, mostly corn, rice, rubber and coconut farmers. The province was placed under a state of calamity on January 19.

“Dili mi muhawa hangtod dili muanhi si Lala” (We will not leave until Lala comes), Capuyan said.

Lala is the nickname of the governor who was in Manila and was expected to return in the evening.

Commuters bound for Cotabato or Davao were advised by police to take a detour to reach their destinations. The Davao-Cotabato highway links Davao City with Cotabato City passing through Davao del Sur, North Cotabato and portions of Maguindanao.

Only an orange nylon rope

separated the police line from the protesters along Quezon Boulevard, near the warehouse of the National Food Authority (NFA).

Four firetrucks were on standby behind the anti-riot police carrying truncheons and shields.

hit, remains intact; while battered, it has emerged, I daresay, even stronger,” Deles said during the CAB anniversary celebration held at the Notre Dame University gymnasium on Monday.

“We have attained much despite the setbacks and difficulties we have faced. Perhaps, most important of these achievements is the fact that we have managed to foster a felt measure of peace on the ground even as the peace process is still moving towards its conclusion,” she added.

For his part, MILF Chair Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim said in a statement that it would be a big mistake to discontinue the momentum of the Bangsamoro peace process, particularly

noting that the indelible CAB is still intact.

“Turning our backs on the peace process would be a mistake. After all, we have the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro intact... which is over and above the Bangsamoro Basic Law. This silver lining among the dark clouds is the legitimacy of the CAB and its binding effect to the GPH and the MILF that forged the mutually acceptable agreement two years ago,” said Murad.

The statement likewise said, “It will take patience, steadfastness and leadership on both sides to reach the ultimate goal of achieving just and lasting peace. And even if the roadmap was not met, the signed CAB would at least

Not acceptable Pedro Arnado, chair of the Kilusang Magbubukid sa Pilipinas-Southern Mindanao Region, told MindaNews they were marching to the NFA warehouse early morning but were blocked by the police.

Senior Supt. Alexander Tagum, provincial police director, who was also at the barricade behind the police line, told MindaNews that they did not block the protesters.

“They stopped right outside Methodist-Spottswood and thereby blocked the regular flow of traffic. We are the police. With that situation, we immediately

checked their intent. That started the square-off with the rallyists,” he said.

Arnado said Kidapawan Mayor Joseph Evangelista met with the protesters twice, at around 6:20 in the morning and around one in the afternoon.

He said the offer of the Governor relayed through Evangelista was not acceptable to them.

Arnado said they were asked to list down the names of those who participated in the barricade and to give the list to the local government units.

Arnado explained that coursing their demand through the local government units means the Department of Social Welfare and Development will allocate only a few kilos of rice through the food for work program.

Go through process Evangelista told MindaNews

FFARMERS, 13

Bangsamoro peace process‘stronger’despite BBL non-passage, according to OPAPP, MILF

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OTH the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) vowed to pursue the path of peace and continue the fight for the passage of the stalled Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) during the commemoration of the second anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).

Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles said much has been attained in the Bangsamoro peace process amid the setbacks posed by the non-passage of the proposed measure.

“Our faith is not misplaced: the peace process, while badly

ensure that commitments are kept and compliance is demandable.”

The event was attended by around 500 guests comprised of local and international peace actors and stakeholders, including the MILF combatants who were decommissioned in June last year.‎ Each of the ceasefire and peace mechanism bodies established under the Bangsamoro peace process umbrella were represented as well.

Both GPH chief negotiator Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer and MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal were present at the event to honor and recognize those who have been instrumental to the success of the process. (PNA)

HE Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) has reactivated an election response mechanism aimed at ensuring the safety and welfare of public school teachers serving as election facilitators in the May 9 elections.

Launched in 2013, the DepEd-ARMM’s Election Response Network (DERN) served as an effective mechanism that provided technical and legal assistance to teachers in case of problems while performing as board of election officers.

Alfhadar Pajiji, DepEdARMM assistant secretary for special projects, said the process includes the establishment of an Electronic Results Transmission Services

at the division and municipal levels that will keep a directory of teachers’ names and their contact numbers.

It also help assess the security situation and threats to teachers serving as Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs).

The BEI serves as the panel that conducts the balloting process at the precinct level.

The teachers are better protected because the mechanism was operating with personnel from government agencies, specifically the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Commission on Human Rights, the Public Attorneys’ Office, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as well as monitors from the United Nations’ Children’s Educational Fund (UNICEF).

(PNA)

N Region 12, DOLE warmly welcomed its newest OIC-Regional Director in the person of Albert E. Gutib whose recent assignment was in Region X (Northern Mindanao) as its Assistant Regional Director.

In his message during the Orientation of the New Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) for DOLE XII employees, OIC-RD Gutib asked for support and cooperation from everyone for the smooth continuity of operations of the regional agency and the implementation of policy and program reforms of the Hon. Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis- Baldoz.

“I know how DOLE XII people work based on the awards you received from different known institutions and rest assured that we will continue to work as a team, thank you for the warm welcome,” OIC-RD Gutib said.

A Math wizard, OIC-Regional Director Gutib has rose

from the ranks before becoming a full pledged Assistant Regional Director of the department this year. Graduated with honors OIC-RD Gutib finished his BS Commerce Degree at the Universidad de Zamboanga and his Master of Public Administration at the Western Mindanao State University.

Blessed with three wonderful kids ( Karen, Algie and Francis Lorenz) and loving wife Carmelita, RD Gutib is a resident of Zamboanga City.

Outgoing Regional Director Ofelia B. Domingo who will be assigned in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) as its new Labor Attache, earlier urged DOLE XII personnel and stakeholders for their continued support in the implementation of programs and services. With mixed emotions, RD Domingo also said that she is pleased of what the regional agency has accomplished and to having more efficient services for its clients through online systems.

DOLE 12 has new RD I

P109-M agri infra projects to benefit 2,500 households

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HE Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project has approved another four major infrastructure projects to further boost rural productivity in the towns of Caraga region.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and Regional Director Edna M. Mabeza awarded recent the certificate of No Objection Letter (NOL) to road and irrigation projects in Nasipit , Agusan del Norte and Malimono, Kitcharao and Sison towns in Surigao del Norte with a total cost of P109 million.

Alcala said, these projects are proof that the government remains true to its commitment in delivering the goods and services for agricultural development.

“We want all the projects intended for our dear farmers are delivered efficiently and on time for we understand that these things will translate to better production and increase in income,” said Alcala during the farmers’ forum held re-

cently in Butuan City.

With the issuance of first NOL, Nasipit town will now start the procurement process of the P34 million Culit Communal Irrigation System which will serve at least 100 hectares of rice area that would benefit 120 farming household.

Further, the construction of 3.32 km. Jubgan–Binocaran farm-to-market road worth P40 million in Malimono, SDN is also given go signal. The project is expected to serve 348 hectares of rice, banana, cassava, vegetables and fruit trees benefitting 875 farming households.

While the construction of 1.56 km. Sangay–Mahayahay FMR worth P15 million in Kitcharao town can now be granted to the winning contractor after the project was issued the second NOL. The project in Kitcharao would benefit 1,260 farming households and would serve 492 hectares production area for rice, banana, abaca and coconut trees. (Fretcher D. Magatao, DA-RPCO-13)

5 ECONOMY DCCII to gov’t: Tap foreign experts to stop Apo fire EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, APRIL 1 - 2, 2016

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

A

crc@edgedavao.net

BUSINESS leader in Davao yesterday suggested that government should tap foreign experts in putting off the fire still threatening Mt. Apo. Underscoring the importance of the mountain range, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry,

Inc. (DCCCII) president Bonifacio T. Tan said national government agencies and local government units (LGUs) surrounding Mt. Apo could ask assistance from countries that already have the expertise on forest fire.

Tan told reporters at the sidelines of the chamber’s 3rd

PH seeks untapped trade potential with India

A

MID the 94 percent market opening for Philippine products in India, President Benigno S. Aquino III said the country is seeking to explore the untapped trade potential between the two nations.

“There is huge potential, largely untapped, between India and the Philippines that we seek to tap at the soonest possible time for both our countries’ mutual benefits,” he said during the open forum of the Publish Asia 2016 Conference held at the Manila Hotel on Wednesday.

The President further explained that the middle class could benefit from cars produced in India.

“One of your major industrial conglomerates -- Tata -- is

already present in the Philippines and exactly has timed its entry correctly in that there have been something like a 26 percent growth in yearly sales of cars, in particular. We have an increasing middle class that is in need of such products,” he said.

The Chief Executive noted that the Philippines has taken advantage of 74 percent of the 94 percent market opening in India, citing that the trade between the two countries had increased to US$ 1.59 billion in 2015 from US$ 1.06 billion in 2014.

“Having said that, I think we are very glad that India has already allowed a 94 percent market opening for Philippine products. The Philippines is

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general membership meeting at the Seda Hotel yesterday that foreign consuls stationed in Davao City already suggested tapping countries like Japan, Indonesia, or Thailand before the fire engulf areas near the foot of Mt. Apo. “Situations like this need experts who understand the

fire,” he said, adding Indonesia, for instance, might already have the technology after experience in a huge forest fire last year.

Tan said the aerial equipment used by Air Force of the Philippines and Bureau of Fire Protection is not enough to put out the blaze which already

damaged more than 300 hectares of forest and grass lands since it broke out last Saturday.

“The air assets they used carry a limited amount of water to splash over the fire is not enough to address the problem” he added.

Though it is already contained, the presence of strong

wind and flammable material like dried grass can rekindle the fire which was believed to have started in a small camping site.

The Office of the Civil Defense requested for additional helicopters to lift buckets of water on the continuing grass-

F DCCII, 10

CHILD LABOR. A young boy arranges fish containers almost twice his weight which will be hauled onto a fishing boat in Sta. Ana wharf yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

6 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, APRIL 1 - 2, 2016

New int’l airport needed: Boni Tan A

LOW TOURIST ARRIVAL. The activities at Sasa Ferry wharf, one of the main gateways to Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS), slow down as arrival of visitors decreased due to the power problem that the island is currently experiencing. Lean Daval Jr.

BUSINESS leader in Davao City suggested yesterday that a new airport should be constructed instead of investing more than P40 billion for the modernization and upgrading of the Davao International Airport (Francisco Bangoy International Airport) as a public-private partnership (PPP) project.

“The local government units of the cities of Davao, Tagum and Panabo should all submit proposed sites where the secondary airport can be built,” Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) president Bonifacio T. Tan said.

But if the proposed project will push through, Tan said increasing the capacity of the DIA should also include the construction of a parallel run-

way that will cater to more airplanes in the future.

Unfortunately, he said, the airport which has only a total area of 209 hectares cannot accommodate another runway.

This is the reason behind his proposal of constructing another international airport in the region, the business leader said.

At present, the DIA has only one runway with a length of 3,000 meters and a width of 45 meters that is used to cater to airplanes serving eight domestic routes and one international route.

Modernizing the airport by increasing the capacity of its passenger terminal is not enough to address the increase in foot traffic five years from now, he said.

“It is not enough to just in-

Daneco engineers testing New app to promote Davao’s modular generating sets best eateries, destinations

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

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crc@edgedavao.net

LECTRICITY will be back in the Island Garden City of Samal in a matter of hours, after more than two weeks of being cut off from the Mindanao grid.

This was announced by IGaCoS councilor Dan Gervacio, chairman on the committee of power, who said that the modular generator sets with installed capacity of 7.5 megawatts (MW) have arrived.

Gervacio told EDGE Davao that personnel from the Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative have been working on connecting the genset to the backbone power line of the island since the gensets have been unloaded in Barangay Caliclic, Babak District..

Gervacio, a former board

of director of the DANECO, said the commissioning of the gensets commenced yesterday afternoon.

“The dry-run test will last for eight to 12 hours,” he said.

Once the commissioning is completed, he said, the whole main island stretching from Babak to Kaputian District will have its power back again. “All 46 barangays will have electricity again.”

He said the genset will have enough installed capacity to address the growing power demand from the island’s tourism industry.

At present, the peak demand of the island is around 6MW during peak hours which starts from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

However, he said that there is an expected power rate increase starting next month.

“The usage of the gensets incurs additional cost because it uses fuel to generate electricity,” he said. “Initial computation of the DANECO revealed that rate will increase by 30 centavos per kilowatt hour (kWh).”

DANECO still has to compute the cost of transporting the gensets from Mindoro to Samal Island, he said.

Gervacio said the current power rate in Samal ranges from P6 to P8kWh. More than two weeks of blackouts caused a huge loss to the tourism industry of the island. Authorities estimated that each beach resort in Sa-

mal is losing around P5,000 per day because of the power outage.

Losses due to power outages was estimated at P50 million to P60 million a day.

The blackout started last March 17 after M/V Ecuador accidentally dropped its anchor and dragged the submarine cable.

Gervacio said the DANECO is still assessing the severity of the damage. “They will start the repair after they are already done on processing the papers for the filing of charges against M/V Ecuador.”

He said the estimated cost of repairing the cable is around P200 million and will took more than 6 months before completion.

cation.

A smaller segment of the population wants an affluent life (16.9 percent) while a very small portion aspires for the life of the rich (3.9 percent).

Filipinos see the Philippines as a predominantly middle-class society by 2040, with poverty having been eradicated. There will be sufficient good quality local jobs available.

As the respondents have identified owning a house as their life ambition, NEDA Deputy Director-General Rosemarie Edillon considered the national land use policy important also in ensuring stability and security.

The survey also indicated that most Filipinos expressed the need to eliminate corruption, like extra charge to facilitate transactions, to achieve better future.

“You have to have land and then securing permits in order to build a house should be ef-

ficient, fast and less red tape,” said NEDA Director-General Emmanuel Esguerra.

Esguerra underscored the critical role of the government in supporting the realization of Filipinos aspirations.

“Government needs to provide enabling conditions to help Filipinos build-up their resources – including physical, intellectual and financial – by fostering sustained economic growth, investing in people, and protecting them against shocks that destabilizes them,” he said.

Likewise, Esguerra said the government needs to provide the appropriate “rules of the game” and ensure that these are enforced fairly and equally.

He said empirical studies indicate that, with the right policies, improvements in productivity and efficiency can triple the country’s gross per capita income to about USD 11,000 in 25 years, allowing

majority of our people to enjoy nearly high-income country standards of living.

“In contrast, without reforms, per capita income can only grow to around USD 5,000 over a period of 25 years, i.e., not even double the current level of USD 3,500,” he noted.

The NEDA chief cited the example of Malaysia which has managed to reduce extreme poverty incidence below 1 percent with per capita income of USD 11,120.

“Is the (2040) Vision within reach? Yes, it can be realized with the right policies and programs,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, the survey undertaken by the Philippine Survey and Research Center (PSRC) on January to first week of February this year, has 10,000 respondents.

Respondents are males/ females aged 15 to 50 years old belonging to ABCDE income homes. (PNA)

8 of 10 Filipinos aspire for simple, comfortable life by 2040

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HE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is pushing for various policies, including the national land use plan and those to eliminate corruption, in line with the goal of more Filipinos to be lifted out of poverty as the Philippines can become a high-income country by 2040.

The NEDA commissioned a nationwide study on the aspirations, values and principles of Filipino people with the intention of developing a long-term vision for the Philippines which is anchored on a vision genuinely owned by its citizens.

The study found that an overwhelming majority, or 79 percent of Filipinos aspire for a “simple and comfortable life” in 2040 by having a medium-sized house, enough earnings, owning at least one car/ vehicle, having the capacity getting their children to college and going on local trips for va-

A

NEW application created by homegrown web developer will be launched soon as an application to promote Davao City’s best destinations, restaurants and other products in time for the Visit Davao Fun Sale.

Eric Chark Su, chief executive officer of TWIDL, Inc. has developed a new product dubbed as City Lifebit.

He said just like big malls and other stores both here and abroad where they issue loyalty cards to shoppers, their concept is not only about earning points but also to popularize on the net the best of the city.

The product was piloted last December with already 2,000 users. Su said 50 percent of the users are from Davao, 30 percent from Cebu and Manila and 20 percent outside the Philippines.

“What is good with this is that when one goes to their favorite restaurant, coffee shop or other places, all they have to do is take a picture and post the same on the site for them to complete a set of goals and get cash back of what they bought,” he said.

F NEW, 10

He said this is also handy given the fact that everyone has a cellular phone and the application is embedded in their units compared to cards, which could be left anywhere.

The City Lifebit is an application from its first and main product -- Lifebit which has 120,000 users worldwide mostly young professionals and college students.

He said the application is also a system to advertise different establishments and payment is through a cash back scheme. Users are also entitled to a raffle (scratch card) with prizes -- USD 20 as top prize, USD 19 dollars second and USD 18, third.

Meanwhile, Su said Lifebit has been tapped by the tourism sector for this year’s Visit Davao Fun Sale.

He said their participation last year was successful with already known shops expressing interest to be featured in the promotional sale.

It may be recalled that Su and his team’s firm immersed in Silicon Valley, California for three months after winning in 2011 ON3 Pitching Com-

F NEW APP, 10

San Miguel plans to raise at least P15B new funds

C

ONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp. (SMC) plans to raise another PhP15 billion in new funds in the first half of 2016 which will be used mainly to refinance infrastructure and power project loans.

SMC treasurer and chief financial officer Ferdinand Constantino said the new funds will be generated through issuance of preferred shares or corporate notes.

“Basically for infrastructure projects and power,” he said. “(These projects aim) basically to help the country for

development.”

SMC held a bell ringing ceremony at the Philippine Stock Exchange on Wednesday after successfully raising PhP30 billion from sale of preferred shares. ”(It is) twice oversubscribed,” said Constantino.

SMC’s businesses are beverages, food, oil refining and marketing, infrastructure, packaging, properties and power and energy. It has also interests in banking, telecoms and a range of other industries.

(PNA)

EDGEDAVAO

7 SCIENCE

VOL. 9 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, APRIL 1 - 2, 2016

Seaweeds:

Their health benefits Text and photos by Henrylito D. Tacio (First of Two Parts)

T

HE Philippines, touted as Pearl of the Orient Seas, has a 36,289 kilometers of coastlines -- almost twice that of the United States.

It is no wonder why the country has the second highest number of seagrasses in the world. It has 18 species of seagrasses thriving along its coasts. Only Western Australia, with 30 species, has more than that total.

Of the almost 700 coral species known in the world, 500 of them can be found in the Philippines, mostly in Palawan and Sulu Archipelago.

But what most Filipinos don’t know is that the Philippines is home to several seaweed species, of which 893 species have been identified so far. “(The Philippines has) 197 species in 20 families for green algae, 153 species in 10 families for brown algae, and 543 species in 52 families for red algae,” bared Dr. Marco Nemesio Montaño, of the Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines-Diliman, during a seminar on Enhancing Marine and Agricultural Products through Biotechnology.

The good news is: seaweeds can help in having a voluptuous and healthy body -- like that of 2016 Miss Universe Pia Alonzon Wurtzbach, according to Dr. Montaño.

How come? It’s because seaweeds contain fucoxanthin, a pharmacologically active carotenoid commonly distributed in brown algae. Currently, the bioactive product is being developed into a slimming supplement or a drug that targets harmful fat.

During his lecture, Dr. Montaño said that in obese animals, the compound appeared to stimulate protein called UCP1 “which causes fat to be broken down.” The pigment (in the form of fucoxanthinol), he further explained, also caused the liver to produce DHA, which can help cut levels of bad cholesterol associated with obesity and heart disease.

In a new human clinical trial, a patent-pending extract of fucoxanthin -- called LipoxanThin -- showed promising results for fat loss in humans.

“By stimulating the expression of UCP-1 gene in white adipose tissues, fucoxanthin promotes thermogen-

esis (fat burning) in white fat cells. No jitters, loss of sleep, or stimulation side effects since the thermogenic effect is achieved without stimulating the central nervous system,”Dr. Montaño said.

Fucoxanthin also acts as an antioxidant and inhibits GOTO cells of neuroblastoma and colon cancer cells. It has beneficial effects on chemoprevention of cancer and also inhibited the development of intestinal carcinogenesis in animal experiments.

“Fucoxanthin induced apoptosis of human leukemia HL-60 cells and reduces viability of prostate cancer by inducing apoptosis,” Dr. Montaño said.

Another bioactive product present in seaweeds is fucoidan, sulfated polysaccharide from brown algae known for its ability to act as an anti-contraceptive and reduce cholesterol levels.

Fucoidan also has anti-cancer and anti-thrombotic traits and can also be used as an ati-tumor agent and against the white spot syndrome virus.

According to studies, seaweed consumption reduces

The good news is: seaweeds can help in having a voluptuous and healthy body -- like that of 2016 Miss Universe Pia Alonzon Wurtzbach...

the risk of obesity by 43%, breast cancer by 58%, risk for type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes (34% for men and 20% for women), and cardiovascular mortality by 27%.

Based on research, feasting on seaweeds can also lessen the risk of osteoporosis by 78%, allergic rhinosinusitis among pregnant women by 49%.

As seaweed is recognized as having some “anti-oxidant” elements, some scientists are trying to validate whether seaweed-based carrageenan powder as a blending agent on processed foods can fight cancer and other ailments.

Carageenan is the most known bioactive product

sourced from seaweeds. It is a linear sulfated polysaccharide obtained from alkali extraction of red seaweeds like Kappaphycus spp., Eucheuma spp., and Halemynia sp.

To those unfamiliar with its many uses, carageenan is commonly used as thickener or stabilizer by the food industry and also used as a binding agent for domestic products such as toothpaste and shampoo and are found in selected pharmaceutical products.

In Davao del Sur, a report released by the Philippine News Agency (PNA) said that scientists from the Southern Philippines Agri-Business Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST) are working closely with members of the seaweed in-

dustry cluster in developing value-added products that use seaweed-based carrageenan powder on foods such as cakes, pastries and “cured meat products” like sausages, hotdogs and chorizos.

“We’re trying to make these products more nutritious by adding more vitamins – while blending them with carrageenan,” Dra. Jesebel Besas, a food scientist at SPAMAST, was quoted as saying.

One reason why they are focusing on seaweeds, it’s because of its medicinal properties. “It’s a real possibility that we’ll try to verify and validate at our laboratories – that blending seaweed powder in processed foods can fight cancer. We still need to validate this,” Dra. Besas pointed out.

Nutrition-wise, what’s

Food experts classified seaweed as one of the richest plant sources of calcium...

in seaweeds? Food experts classified seaweed as one of the richest plant sources of calcium. Its calcium content is typically about 4-7% of dry matter. At 7% calcium, one gram of dried seaweed provides 70 milligrams of calcium, compared to a daily dietary requirement of about 1,000 milligrams. Still, this is higher than a serving of most non-milk based foods.

Protein content in seaweed varies somewhat. It is low in brown algae at 5-11% of dry matter, but comparable in quantitative terms to legumes at 30-40% of dry matter in some species of red algae. Green algae also have significant protein content, that is, up to 20% of dry matter. Spirulina, a micro-alga, is well known for its very high content: 70% of dry matter.

Seaweed contains several vitamins. Red and brown algae are rich in carotenes and are used, in fact, as a source of natural mixed carotenes for dietary supplements. The content ranges from 20-170 parts per million. The vitamin C in red and brown algae is also notable, with contents ranging from 500-3000 parts per million. Other vitamins are also present, including B12, which is not found in most land plants.

Globally there are over 9,000 species of seaweed divided into three major types: green, brown and red. Red is the most species-rich group (6,000) followed by brown (2,000) and finally green (1,200). (To be concluded)

EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

E

Building barriers

LECTIONS in the country is usually imaged with politicians being surrounded by police escorts as they move around to campaign.

They look like they’ll be pinched by anyone in the crowd when they walk in so their escorts make sure, no one is so close to ‘touch’ their wards.

This elections is no different.

According to the Police Security and Protection Group (PPSG) of the Philippine National Police, there are a total of 322 persons who sought protection for the May 9 polls. Out of that number, 149 have been approved by the Commission on Elections to be assigned security details.

Of the 149, 24 are candidates who are now being secured by 68 PSPG personnel. A hundred more police personnel have been assigned to 52 government officials.

There are also around 110 PSPG personnel assigned to provide security escorts to 73 private individuals.

Aside from these, 249 more personnel are on standby for deployment if necessary.

The assignment of security escorts for the elections will last until June 9, or a month after the polls.

Under Comelec rules, a candidate for national position is allowed up to six uniformed police personnel as escorts, while local candidates are al-

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lowed two.

For the record, three presidential candidates applied for police escorts from PPSG. Only two did not.

Those who applied for security escorts were Vice President Jejomar Binay, former DILG Secretary Mar Roxas and Sen. Grace Poe. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago did not apply for security escorts.

Incidentally, both Duterte and Santiago have pushed for fighting corruption in government, rule of law and peace and order as their platforms.

While the practice of requesting for police escorts is common during elections, it should not be abused. The Comelec has set reasonable grounds for candidates to be granted police escorts.

This leads us to the question on the necessity of police escorts where candidates offer themselves for public service and yet, portray a scenario of distrust to the people they meet each day on the campaign trail. If indeed their desire to serve is unconditional, there must be no hesitation or sense of fear, distance and isolation on their part.

Building a cordon sanitaire is building a wall between the candidate and the public. No amount of security threat or danger to one’s life, whether founded or imaginary, should build that barrier where one’s desire to serve is overwhelmed by his own fears.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

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EDGEDAVAO

T

HEN, it happened. While the rest of the country was literally on a stand still as Filipinos reflected the essence of the death of Jesus Christ at the cross, the peak of Mount Apo was raging with fire.

By Easter Sunday, about 100 hectares of the country’s highest mountain was already eaten by fire. Two more days later, there were reports that 300 hectares was affected.

Although it was bound to happen -- as mountain trekkers trooped to the country’s first national park during Holy Thursday and Good Friday -- the fire caught everyone by surprise. Those particularly being hit were the local officials and government employees as it was the start of the election campaign.

Those concerned municipalities (Makilala, Bansalan and Santa Cruz) and cities (Kidapawan, Digos and Davao) tried to assess the situation and make plan on how to save Mount Apo from total annihilation.

Mount Apo is one of the remaining areas where forests are still teeming. A lot of biological diversity (biodiversity) live inside the protected areas, including the endangered Philippine eagle and the endemic waling-waling.

The Philippines is one of the countries in Asia whose forest are fast vanishing. In fact, to make a country habitable, it should have at least 54% of its total land area covered with forest. But this is not the case of our beloved country.

In 1935, roughly 60% of the country’s total land area was covered with forest. That’s 17 million hectares of the

A

MONG some of the specific proposals being pushed in thes eelections is the call for reviving our steel industry. The hope engendered by reviving the steel industry lies in its being a precursor for many other job generating downstream manufacturing enterprises.

Time was when we had a steel industry that produced the rolled coils that are the raw material for other industries that make steel and metal products.

National Steel Corporation, formerly Iligan Integrated Steel Mills, In. (IISMI), was the countrys (and Southeast Asias) first integrated steel mill. Born in the 1960s in Iligan City, it produced steel as raw material from ore and from recycled steel in its Billet Steel Plant, in the form of that produced hot rolled and cold rolled steel products. At its height, it employed some 5,000 direct employees and caused the creation of forward and backward integrated industries in the city, multiplying its benefit by adding almost 30% more to the number of jobs created in the

VOL. 9 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, APRIL 1 - 2, 2016

Forest fires

VANTAGE POINTS

9

30 million hect- THINK ON THESE! ares.

“Today, only five to seven million hectares of forest remain,” laments Raoul T. Geollegue, a licensed forester and an expert in forest land use Henrylito D. Tacio planning. henrytacio@gmail.com “This implies that we have lost 12 million hectares of forest during the last 75 years,” wrote Geollegue, who is the former Regional Executive Director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Regions 7 and 10, in a feature published in Philippine Daily Inquirer.

A couple of years back, a study of the Food and Agriculture Organization, entitled Sustainable Forest Management, reported, “Most of the (Philippines’) once rich forest are gone. Forest recovery, through natural and artificial means, never coped with the destruction rate.”

A study by the World Wild Fund for Nature in those days showed that more than 119,000 hectares of forest cover disappear yearly. At that rate, it was expected that the remaining forest cover would be depleted within 10 years.

More often than not, people equate deforestation with logging, both legal and illegal. “The attitude of loggers in this country has always been: get the trees before someone else does,” said one environmentalist.

This attitude puts a premium on short-

term profits, but its effect is long-term irreversible environmental damage like decreased soil fertility, loss of groundwater, extended dry seasons, and flash flood.

“Logging is most ecologically destructive in the mountains, where most of our remaining forests can be found,” one scribe wrote. “It is next to impossible to replant trees on rocky mountain-sides once their thin skin of topsoil has been washed away.”

Volcanic eruptions have also devastated some of the forests; ditto for typhoons, which have devastated considerable hectares of forest cover. The country’s surging population has also contributed to the problem. At least a fourth of the total population lives in the upland areas, where most trees are located.

In terms for forest destruction, forest fires are listed as “among others.” It is listed along with farming, mining operations, geothermal explorations, dam construction and operation, and land development projects such as construction of subdivision, industrial estates, and commercial sites.

But the recent forest fire that burned down some parts of Mount Apo is a wakeup call. It is high time that government should train people on what to do during forest fires.

I am not sure if those working with the Bureau of Fire Protection are capable of putting off fires. The same is true with those employed at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Should officials of the local government units that are located in protected areas be equipped, too, with skills and knowledge

on what to do should forest fires break out? What should be the response of the community affected by such disaster?

In a paper presented in a regional conference in Chiang Mai, Thailand, E.V. Soliman said that from 1978 to 1996, forest fires in the Philippines destroyed approximately 304,345 hectares. That an average of 16,000 hectares per year. From 1992 to 1996 alone, fire damage was estimated at P465 million.

More than monetary values, forest fires also destroy other things. “Forest fires damage the soil and biodiversity in affected areas,” said the Laguna-based Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD). “These also derail the country’s reforestation efforts.”

Remember that of the 1,657 identified bird and animal species, 46 are on the verge of extinction and another 18 are on the endangered list, according to the DENR. Seven ornamental plants and several others are on the brink of disappearance. Most of these can be found in country’s tropical rainforests.

As of this writing, no one knows yet what caused the fires that burned the forests into ashes. Most of what have been written and talked about were just speculations. Some said that mountain trekkers used firewood to cook their meals. There were also reports that the drought brought about by El Nino and the intense heat of the sun ignited the dry grasses to incinerate.

Forewarned is forearmed, so goes the saying. But is anyone listening to this adage anymore?

many machine MY TWO CENTS’ shops, caterers, uniform suppliers, and other subcontractors sourced from within the city.

This was at a time when iligans populaJohn Tria ecisouth@gmail.com tion was barely 100,000.

So by employing almost 8,000 direct and indirect staff, almost 8% of all Iliganons took their income from this large plant.

The late 1960s were the heyday of Iligans industrial growth. Several Cement plants, a specialty chemical and vinyl plant, a large flour mill and specialty chemical company, along with a refractory manufacturer all sprouted in the City, drawn by one of asia’s lowest power rates courtesy of the nearby Agus hydropower Complex.

Its population grew due to in-migration,

and its Institute of technology under the Mindanao State University (MSU)has become one of the country’s top 10 engineering schools. Its decline began in the 1980s with the depreciation of the peso in the years before the Aquino assassination. Factories reduced their outputs and many lost their jobs. The decline of Phlippine manufacturing was felt deeply in iligan, and many professionals left the city for better climes and pastures, armed with the manufacturing expertise honed in the furnaces and boiler rooms, forever lost to countries like those in the middle east. Thirty years after the Marcos regime ended, nothing was done to revive the strategic steel industry, as it moved from Malaysian to Indian owners which did not have the muscle to optimize it.

Today is a different story. Industry estimates reveal that we import almost 80% of our rolled steel requirements from countries like Russia and China. We have gone from producer to consumer.

Even with meager 6% economic growth,

demand for steel products is expected to increase substantially while our economy grows. Increasing local demand is an opportunity to produce our own steel, since we have many of the raw materials to make it. At the moment, we are limited to processing imported steel. Imagine how much higher this growth will rise of there is a local steel industry that enables us to save on foreign exchange and employ hundreds of thousands from up to downstream manufacturing enterprises.

We cannot achieve the dream of a national car and railways, and will always depend on others for higher end technology products without locally made steel. Local steel just makes it simpler and cheaper.

If only government pushes it, as the private sector has failed to revive it after two decades. It is a seminal industry worth spending governments resources on. It just appalls me that the current administration and the ones before it did nothing to revive this key industry. Was it because the factory was in Mindanao?

A Mindanao job opportunity

10 NEWS

WAITING GAME. Members of local media who waited for hours can’t hide their disappointment as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police Director Ricardo C. Marquez postponed the scheduled press conference at

MT. APO... FROM 1

weather condition.

He said the personnel from Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and fire volunteers were just making a fire line to prevent the spread of fire.

For his part, PAF-Tactical Operations Group 11 deputy commanding officer Lt.Col. Jose Ritchie Pabilonia said the helicopter was only able to pour two buckets of water due to zero visibility.

He said bucket operations began in the morning at around 7:00 a.m. and ended at 10:00 a.m.

Pabilonia said after lunch

yesterday, the operation resumed and able to pour five buckets and it ended at 3:00 p.m. due to another weather disturbance.

Camoro said after the fire was contained in the portions of Sta. Cruz on Wednesday afternoon, the volunteers were alerted again early morning yesterday because another escalated in the area.

He said the fire spread largely at around 2:00 a.m. yesterday which made the volunteers withdrew in the camp in Barangay Kapatgan in Digos City, Davao del Sur.

it the use of mobile units, vehicles motorcades of all types, whether engine or manpower-driven or animal-drawn, with or without sound systems or loud speakers and with or without lights.

The 90-day campaign period for national positions started last February 9. Meanwhile, the 45-day campaign period for local bets started on March 26.

This was due to the observance of Good Friday on March 25, one of the ‘no campaigning days’ as mandated by law.

On the other hand, Bautista said that the closing of roads for campaign rallies of candidates is within the jurisdiction of the concerned local government units.

The poll body made the clarification on the measure which is known to cause traffic jams, thus enraging commuters and motorists.

“Road closures are up to the local government’s discretion. Again, the voters get angry whenever these road closures cause inconvenience,” he added. (PNA)

trying to catch up, we are presently at the 74 percent level.

We recognize how important a market engine is for the Philippines,” he said.

“We want to foster a very, shall we say, better relations

with India... There’s a 50 percent growth in trade between the Philippines and India, which was at the US$ 1.06 billion level in 2011, it is now -- in 2014 or 2015 -- US$ 1.59 billion already.” (PNA)

crease the passenger capacity of terminals. A parallel runway should be also constructed to address the project air traffic congestion five to ten years from now,” Tan said during the chamber’s 3rd general membership meeting at the Seda Hotel yesterday.

Tan projected that not only the number of passengers will increase but also the air traffic because of Davao City’s sustained economic growth.

Domestic passenger traffic grew by 13.77 percent between 2008 and 2012, while cargo traffic grew by 7.01 percent.

The DOTC is pushing for the modernization because of the projected traffic congestion in the airport which is considered as the main gateway to Mindanao.

According to the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), the proposed project include expanding of the passenger terminal building, expansion of cargo terminal building, construction of full parallel taxiway and an additional apron area, and expansion of other key facilities such as car parking and administration building. CHENEEN R. CAPON

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, APRIL 1 - 2, 2016

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The Royal Mandaya Hotel yesterday. The supposedly morning press briefing pushed through yesterday afternoon after it was cancelled twice. Lean Daval Jr.

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to the cessation clinic managed by the Department of Health (DOH) 11 at Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) to get a free NRT but the supply is also limited since it is being procured abroad.

Lopez said that when the ordinance was first imple-

mented the ordinance Davao City Police Office (DCPO) caught a daily average of 40 smokers who are required to undergo cessation.

Under the ordinance, smoking cessation counseling in accredited clinics is required after the fine has been paid.

“Our field observers told us that the fire is about 800 meters away. Upon assessment in the field, the Century Tree is eminently in danger.

That’s why we created the quick response team (QRT) and mobilized about 37 personnel to establish a fireline,” Concepcion said.

He said they can only come out with an official estimation of the extent of the damaged area after the fire.

A fireline was also established surrounding the affected area on the side of Region 11 and Region 12, he said, adding that they combined the firelines at one point. The fireline was about 10 meters wide and about 40 meters away from the treeline.

“Establishment of fire line is one option in containing forest fire. It is a gap in vegetation or other combustible materials that will act as a barrier to slow or stop the fire. To establish a fire line, vegetation must be cleared out approximately 10 meters away from the burning area.

Trees and grasses are among the vegetation that could easily ignite and create fire,” said a statement from DENR 11. It added that the agency turned over food supplies and addi-

tional fire-fighting tools.

Concepcion said the responders are staying at the basecamp in Tompis and will go down to the command center in the Brgy. Hall of Kapatagan at 6 p.m.

More volunteers from various mountaineering clubs from different parts of the region are coming, plus about 50 lumads from Sta. Cruz committed to assist in suppressing the fire.

There are 36 new volunteers who started assisting on Wednesday, in addition to the existing 250 volunteers.

“The volunteers are to finish the blanketing and fireline at the Century Tree Trail (which leads to Talomo-Sibulan-Kapatagan in DavSur),” Concepcion said.

He said they need more cutting tools, most especially “lagaraw”, or machete, to help in the blanketing method that is currently done to stop the spread of the fire to other areas, especially to adjacent Mt. Talomo, a known habitat of the Philippine eagle.

The blanketing, he explained, is done by covering the burned bushes and trees with sand to prevent igniting of another fire. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

groups from achieving or getting their primary motive. The AFP will take strong action to discourage and will report monitored incidents of negotiations,” the military official stressed.

Regarding the identity of the kidnappers of the Indonesian sailors, Padilla said they are still to establish this with certainty.

“Although certain information received indicated that this is again a handiwork of the ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) the

AFP and all other government agencies in the province must first work to check, authenticate & validate these information to ascertain credibility before any confirmation can be done,” he added.

However, Padilla said that the kidnapping of the Indonesians over the weekend could have been conducted by groups sympathetic to the ASG bandits as the latter have been hard hit by government security forces in Basilan and Jolo for the past weeks. (PNA)

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since democracy was restored in 1986.

Of these, NUJP added, 30 happened during the administration of President Benigno Aquino III. Duterte’s spokesperson Peter Laviña said Duterte will put up special courts and prosecution panels to handle cases of media killings.

He will also offer rewards and incentives for the immediate arrest, prosecution, and conviction of the killers.

Laviña said Duterte will give police investigators and prosecutors quick and limited time to resolve these cases. “If not, they might as well look for another job,” he added.

Laviña said Duterte is a staunch protector of media rights, respecting their role as the “Fourth Estate” and never questioning them when they write or say anything critical of his administration.

To date, Duterte has never filed a libel case against a journalist, Laviña said.

Laviña said in contrast, President Aquino has shown a penchant for criticizing and even scolding media while doing nothing to stop media killings.

“It is, in fact, the media that government controls that are sensationalizing his socalled accomplishments. The reality on the ground is there are rising drugs, crime, corruption, and continuing poverty which are being reported by the media. Unfortunately, government has not provided security for those exercising their role in the Fourth Estate.

Hence, the continuing media killings for exposing the truth,” he said.

Laviña also said it was Duterte who stood behind the provincial media’s right to equal access to Presidential debates, even threatening to snub the first round in Cagayan de Oro City on February 21, 2016 if the organizers limit the coverage for local media.

“If you limit the press coverage, I will not attend... That is the reason I am running for President. I want people from the provinces to be given equal treatment,” Duterte said in an interview prior to the debate.

The organizers subsequently increased local media’s coverage of the debate.

Duterte has also consistently defended journalists’ rights, even to the point of standing up to then-President Gloria Arroyo when the latter imposed Proclamation No. 1017 on February 24, 2006 placing the entire country under a state of emergency following an alleged coup attempt.

The proclamation, among others, revoked on all licenses and permits to hold demonstrations and protests. It also allowed government to control public utilities, including the media.

But Duterte refused to implement the proclamation and did not stop journalists in Davao City from holding a protest rally and march on March 3, 2006.

And for journalists who have found themselves in trouble for doing their work, Duterte has always offered a helping hand.

Duterte extended legal and livelihood assistance to radio broadcaster Alex Adonis who was convicted for libel filed by former Davao Rep. Prospero Nograles.

While he was incarcerated at the Davao Prison and Penal Farm, the broadcaster’s family received monthly financial assistance from Duterte.

After his release from prison two years after, Adonis also received livelihood assistance from Duterte until he was hired by RMN Davao.

Duterte even expanded his offer, saying he was willing to help “all those who will be released from jail and would want to start anew.” ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

fire which has reached the grasslands in the Sta Cruz side of the mountain visible from the Cotabato-Davao National Highway.

Tan said the fire threatens not only the tourism industry of the region but also Davao City’s main source of drinking water- Talomo watershed area.

“All of us will be affected if the fire will continue,” he said, adding the threat of flashfloods and erosion are another problem that the city is facing considering that a large portion of the mountain rage is already denuded.

Meanwhile, the Protected Area Mgmt Board (PAMB) of

the Department of Environment and Natural Resources passed resolutions to indefinitely close all entrances to Mt Apo and to use the integrated protected area fund (IPAF) from trekking fees for immediate rehab of Mt. Apo. The Mt. Apo has a total of six trails that are open to trekkers.

Authorities projected that the rehabilitation of Mt. Apo will take three to five years.

The last time that the Mt. Apo was on fire was in 1998, also on a drought season.

Authorities are verifying reports that the ongoing forest fire was caused by three unidentified campers.

petition of the international technology hub as grand prize winner in the competition organized by the Science and Technology Advisory Council of Silicon Valley.

As winner, they immersed at Plug and Play Technologies and Easy Clinic Software with their expenses funded by the center as they work on their start-up projects. (PNA)

DCCII... FROM 5

New app... FROM 6

11

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, APRIL 1 - 2, 2016

EDGE DAVAO

The Vote 2016

JOINT FORCES. Politicians from Liberal Party, Kilusang Bagong Lipunan and PDP-Laban are all running under one local political party in the 2nd District of Davao del Norte called Kusog Baryohanon. Contributed Photo

Escudero denies silent war on Poe V

ICE presidential candidate and Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero denied on Wednesday speculations that all is not well between him and his presidential running mate, Senator Grace Poe. ”It is not true and it will never happen. There was no friction,” Escudero said in a media interview during the campaign sortie of the Partido Galing at Puso (PGP) here. ”Kami na ni Senator Grace ang may pinakamatagal na pinagsamahan, ang may pinakamaraming pinagdaanan na mga hamon sa nagdaang panahon; hindi tulad ng ibang mga tandem ngayon na ngayon lang yata sila nagkasama at nagkakilala. So hindi uubra ang ano mang tangka nila na basagin ang aming tandem, lalo na ang aming pagkakaibigan,” he explained.

The silent war rumor between Poe and Escudero resurrected anew after former President and incumbent Manila Mayor Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada endorsed Poe but not Escudero.

Escudero said he respects the decision of Estrada not to endorse his candidacy and instead raised the hands of rival Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. To disprove the speculations, the two best friends and close political allies returned together in Pangasinan where they held four mini-political rallies organized by their local supporters, particularly from

the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

Escudero explained that there are times that he and Poe would be campaigning separately as part of their strategy to reach out for more voters throughout the country.

Escudero helped the presidential campaign of Poe’s adoptive father Fernando Poe Jr. and served as the lady senator’s campaign manager in 2013 elections where Poe emerged as No. 1 with 20 million votes. ”We have been together for a very long time and no amount of black propaganda would separate us,” Escudero, who finished third in the 2013 senatorial elections, said.

Poe also denied friction between her and Escudero. ”It’s part of our campaign that we go separate places but we always campaign each other wherever we go,” Poe said.

Meanwhile, Escudero remains unfazed by Marcos’ surge in the previous survey where the two are now statistically tied for the top spot. ”Matagal na akong threatened. Sa dulo, anak lang ako ng empleyado ng tatay niya (Marcos); nandito ako sa kinaroroonan ko sa ngayon, malaking bagay na ‘yun para sa akin,” Escudero said.

Escudero’s father, the late Rep. Salvador ‘Sonny’ Escudero served as one of the trusted officials of the late former President Ferdinand Marcos.

(PNA)

UNA VP bet meets with MILF Central Committee

U

NITED Nationalist Alliance (UNA) vice presidential bet and Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan II has said that if elected in the May 9 polls, the administration of UNA standard-bearer and Vice President Jejomar C. Binay would focus on solving poverty and injustice in Mindanao in order to bring forth lasting peace.

Honasan assured Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairman Al Haj Mu-

rad Ebrahim and peace panel chief Mohagher Iqbal during a meeting at Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on Tuesday that a Binay presidency would be committed to bringing peace to strifetorn Mindanao.

Also present during the meeting were MILF’s military affairs chief of staff Sammy Al-Mansoor and vice chairman Ghadzali Jaafar.

“We are committed to a path of peace for Mindanao.

KBL, PDP-Laban, LP united in Davao Norte

C

ALL it the local version of a rainbow coalition as politicians from Liberal Party, Kilusang Bagong Lipunan and PDP-Laban are all running under one local political party here in the 2nd District of Davao del Norte.

Under local party Kusog Baryohanon, Liberal Party provincial head and incumbent Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario

is running side by side with a staunch supporter of PDP-Laban presidential bet Rodrigo Duterte and Kilusang Bagong Lipunan vice presidential bet Bongbong Marcos -- comebacking congressman Antonio “Tonyboy” Floirendo Jr. Floirendo is the chairman emeritus of the Kusog Baryohanon which is supporting candidates coming from varied

national political parties.

In earlier interviews, Floirendo said that their local party’s battlecry is “Barangay Una” which prioritizes the need of their barangays before politics.

He said they are not particular of the political affiliations of their members for as long the candidate vows to deliver to their constituents down to

the barangay level.

Kusog Baryohanon made a proclamation rally of their candidate lineup in Panabo City Wednesday evening. Before that they also held a proclamation rally in Carmen, Davao del Norte, all in the 2nd congressional district.

Floirendo declared that his local party would be supporting Duterte and Marcos.

KNOWN coconut farmers’ group today hailed Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano for being the only tandem in the upcoming polls to show political will and offer concrete solutions in addressing the decades-old problem on the undistributed coco levy funds.

In a radio interview on Thursday (March 31), Joey Faustino, executive director of the Coconut Industry Reform (COIR) Movement Inc., lamented how the government had been neglecting their calls to distribute the multibillion-peso fund to small coconut farmers. He also slammed recent statements made by Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero absolving Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, Jr. from any guilt for the delay in the funds’ deployment.

“Ikinalulungkot namin ang naging statement ni Sen-

ator Grace Poe na tila parang hinihiwalay si Mr. Danding Cojuangco dito sa usapan ng coconut levy, samantalang kami na matagal nang nakasubaybay sa kaso kasama ng mga magniniyog ay alam naman namin na sa mahabang panahon, ang nagpapatagal ng kaso ay si Danding Cojuangco,” he said.

Cojuangco is among those who allegedly used the farmers’ funds to buy businesses during the Marcos regime. His San Miguel Corp. (SMC) still owns shares of the total funds.

In 2015, two executive orders (EOs) were issued for the inventory of coco levy funds and their subsequent distribution.

But these were suspended due to a petition filed by the Confederation of Coconut Farmers Organizations of the Philippines (Cocofed), Cojuangco’s alleged dummy organization.

A Binay administration will address the concerns of our Muslim brothers and sisters with the goal of bringing peace and security to Mindanao, with or without a BBL (Bangsamoro Basis Law).

We believe that by focusing on poverty and injustice, we will be able to break the decades-long unrest in the region,” Honasan told the MILF Central Committee on behalf of Vice President Binay.

“The government must

treat this simply as a matter of obligation to the people it serves. It is the government’s obligation to solve the peace and poverty issues that have delayed progress for Mindanao. This does not need to be tied to the Bangsamoro law or any other legislation,” he explained.

Vice President Binay had earlier revealed his plan to put up a “Malacañang of Mindanao” in order to personally see to the immediate resolu-

their group fully supports the three-point manifesto crafted by the Duterte-Cayetano tandem, which asserts the duo’s pledge to end what they described as the “systemic oppression of small coconut farmers.” Faustino was one of the two witnesses who signed the manifesto. The other signatory was Oscar “Ka Oca” Santos, former Quezon Rep. and renowned coco levy recovery advocate.

The document entitled, “Panata para sa Maliliit na Magniniyog,” was presented by Duterte and Cayetano during their Ronda-Serye listening tour with coconut farmers in Catanauan, Quezon.

They noted that while other candidates prefer to protect the big and powerful, their tandem will protect the small and the weak. “Hindi tulad ng ibang kandidato, hindi kami hawak sa leeg ng kahit sino.”

Through the manifesto, the tandem vowed to imple-

ment the following, if elected: 1.) The distribution of the coco levy fund for the benefit of small coconut farmers and in consultation with legitimate farmers’ groups in their first 100 days in office 2.) Additional budget, over and above the coco levy funds, for the development and modernization of the coconut industry; and 3.) Help pursue the remaining part of the fund “Mabibigat ang binitiwang pananalita nina Mayor Duterte. Sabi nga niya sa mga magniniyog, itong problema na ito ay kailangang tapusin na. Nagpanata sila na kung sila ay maupo, sa first 100 days ay may matitikman ang mga magniniyog mula sa coco levy.

Pangalawa, naniniwala sila sa tinutulak naming paglikha ng trust fund. Pinakamahalaga, sila ay bukas na ang iba pang hindi nababawi na bahagi ng coco levy funds ay kanila ring aasikasuhin,” Faustino noted.

Farmers back DuCay manifesto on coco levy A

“First 100 days” Faustino, meanwhile, said

tion of issues in the region.

Honasan, who would become the Binay administration’s anti-crime czar, said that once the roots of unrest have been eliminated, they could focus on bringing progress to Mindanao.

“Once there is peace in Mindanao, then we can encourage investors to come in, pursue reforms and provide support for infrastructure development in the region. By then, we can also start work-

ing towards providing better access to basic services such as education, healthcare, and housing,” Honasan said.

“Ngunit lahat po nito, mag-uumpisa sa commitment ng gobyerno na matigil na ang kaguluhan sa Mindanao. Ito po ay prayoridad ng pamahalaan sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni VP Binay, parte po ng pagsisilbi natin sa ating mga kababayan, na magkaroon na ng kapayapaan sa Mindanao,” he added. (PNA)

12 CLASSIFIEDS

EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

EDGEDAVAO GENSAN PARTNERS Serving a seamless society

VOL. 9 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, APRIL 1 - 2, 2016

INdulge!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, APRIL 1 - 2, 2016

EDGEDAVAO EVENT

Ms. Cheryl Valle of the Davao Dog Lovers Community (top-center) with pet fashion show winners and participants.

Two kids looking happy with their baskets.

EASTERFUNWITHFAMILYANDFURRYFRIENDS EASTER IS TRADITIONALLY A JOYOUS OCCASION WE CELEBRATE WITH FAMILY – now, who says our pets can’t count as family too? On March 27th, the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao opened its doors to all pet lovers young and old along with their four-legged friends for a fun and furry Easter Sunday event, the first of its kind in a hotel in Davao City.

Dubbed “Fambam Easter Fun with your Furry Friends”, this year’s affair was held in the Garden Pavilion, an outdoor

convention facility conveniently located in front of the beach-shore and next to the gardens – the perfect setting for the human

The Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao Sales & Marketing team together with Black Mask Training Camp trainer Kerwin Haw, admins and members of the Davao Dog Lovers Community and pet enthusiasts and canine guests. The stage was decorated with an artificial grass wall and hanging floral garlands, white fences and custom-made Easter eggs

Ms. Leticia Averion with one of three toy poodles, Za-Za.

décor by Floral Pink Designs. Tables and seats for both adults and children were set up, a Merienda Cena buffet at the center and barbecue-grilling

stations at both sides of the function area. As for our canine friends, a dog tent was put up towards the garden equipped with poop bins and water sta-

From left to right: Carmela Delgra and Easter’s Furry Friend 2016 Queenie, Goody Levy with two of her entries Kitkat and Kisses, and Early Bird awardee Ren Gotera and runner-up Twinky.

tions.

The event started past 2:30 in the afternoon as the guests came pouring in. A couple of games titled “Name the Breed” and “Bring Me a Pet Accessory” jumpstarted the lineup of activities. A training demo came up next executed by Mr. Kerwin Haw of Black Mask Training Camp and his own troop of five welltrained canines who were all able to perform well on an obstacle course and with training commands in French.

Earlier during registration, each participating child was given snack coupons and an Easter basket. Come high tea

EASTER FUN A4

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

EVENT

VOL. 9 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, APRIL 1 - 2, 2016 The venue of the twin birthday celebration

A twin celebration like no other Text and photos by Lean Daval Jr.

A

DAUGHTER, no matter how old she gets, will always and forever be her mother’s princess.

Mercedita Lim is no different as her mother, Leonora, hosted a lavish party for her 48th birthday held at the family-owned D’ Leonor Inland Resort Convention Hall on March 10.

The event actually was a twin celebration as mom Leonora also celebrated her 70th summer.

The variety show-themed double birthday celebration was attended by relatives, friends and VIPs such as Robert Lim, Alexander Lim, Governor Claude Bautista, Lulu Romero, Alan Real and Councilor Joanne Bonguyan. Celebrity endorsers Sam Milby and Jessie Mendiola flew in to join the party.

It was truly a birthday bash like no other as big surprises kept on unfolding as the night went on. Guests were entertained with production numbers by The Larvae, finalist of Pilipinas Got Talent 2, Jazz Up dancers and RDL Dance Crew.

But the highlight of the celebration was when singer-actor Sam Milby and the alluring Jessie Mendiola got into their acts and regaled everyone in the Mercy gives a heartfelt message crowd with their performances.

Mercedita and mom Leonora were teary eyed as they listened to Presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, RDL Pharmaceuticals endorsers Piolo Pascual, Coco Martin, Enchong Dee, Kim Chiu, Xian Lim, Kathryn Bernardo, Aaron Villaflor and many more who sent their wishes through a video presentation.

The night was capped with a heartfelt speech by Mercedita who thanked all the guests and her queen, Mercy and Mom Leonora’s birthday cakes Leonora.

EDGEDAVAO

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ENTERTAINMENT

Gabby Concepcion, flattered when referred to as ‘yummy’

CINEMA ONE, THE COUNTRY’S LEADING CABLE CHANNEL, invites you to the most anticipated “beach wedding” event of the He also shared his year on April 2 at White House and Sur, philosophy in life since Boracay.

MANY SAY THAT GABBY CONCEPCION DOES NOT LOOK HIS AGE, and since he was called ‘Boss Yummy’ in the primetime series Because of You, viewers have also adapted the term.

“Well kasi kasama ‘yun sa show. Marami kasing nagsasabi nun because kasama sa script. Siguro natawag nila akong ganun kasi ‘yun ang tinatawag sa akin ni Carla, or ni Andrea, at lahat ng tao sa opisina. So nahawa na lahat dahil madalas nababanggit ang name na ‘yun, kaya kapag pinapanood mo, madadamay ka na rin,” he tells GMANetwork. com and some

Experience ‘Reel Love’ with Cinema One in Boracay

entertainment bloggers during a set visit yesterday, March 28.

He humbly adds, “But it feels good kapag tinatawag nila ako ng ganun, although wala naman akong

[anything] extra special para tawagin na ganun.

Role ko lang ‘yun.”

The matinee idol admits to feeling flattered when people still find him attractive after all these years.

he returned to showbiz in 2008.

“Hindi ko alam, pero beauty is in the eye of the beholder eh. Kanyakanya naman ‘yun eh.

Flattering siyempre, at my age, after I turned 32 last year (laughs).

Masarap ‘yung feeling pero ganun talaga, sometimes you’re down, sometimes you’re up.

But ako, ang naging motto ko sa buhay ever since I got back in 2008, sabi ko sa sarili ko that anything that happens to me right now is just a blessing. I have nothing to complain about and everything to be thankful for. Lahat ng nangyari sa akin from 2008 onwards is a bonus.”

Hosted by John Lapus and Enchong Dee, the “Openair Cinema One: Reel Love in Boracay” outdoor screening event features Cinema One Originals 2015 Audience Choice Award, “Baka Siguro Yata” and one of the highest-grossing Filipino films of all time, “A Second Chance.”

Gracing the event are Shaina Magdayao and Matteo Guidicelli of the Cinema One hit series “Single/Single” and Bangs Garcia and Dino Pastrano of “Baka Siguro Yata.”

Barbie Almalbis performs songs of love by the shore.

Experience Reel Love, only on your favorite cable channel, Cinema One. For seat reservations, call 0922-825-8550 or check out https://www.facebook.com/Cinema1channel for more information.

Princess Punzalan returns to ABS-CBN

AFTER MORE THAN A DECADE, veteran actress Princess Punzalan is finally back with ABS-CBN as she joins top-rating drama “The Story of Us” in a role that she describes as “sort of a contravida.”

Princess will play Clodette, the mother of CJ (Bryan Santos) and a successful businesswoman known for her scheming ways and astute sense of running her beauty empire, The Lowery Group.

Popular for playing the iconic antagonist Selina in the 1997 teleserye “Mula sa Puso,” Princess said she agreed to sign up for “The Story of Us” because she likes her character – a steadfast woman who stops at nothing to

get what she wants.

“Although I would say that Clodette is not black like Selina.

It just so happened that Clodette is overprotective as a mother and

her goals do not coincide with her son’s,” shared Princess.

“I am flattered that there is an anticipation for my return and I hope that I will be able to satisfy the audience with my performance. I am always excited to work and perform on camera.

Acting is my first love,” she shared.

What role will Clodette play in the love story of Tin and Macoy (Kim Chiu and Xian Lim)?

Watch out for Princess Punzalan as Clodette Lowery in “The Story of Us,” starring Kim Chiu and Xian Lim. It airs weeknights after “Dolce Amore” on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida.

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

Aljur Abrenica as April Boy Regino in Wagas this Saturday KAPUSO ACTOR ALJUR ABRENICA gives a one-of-akind performance in Wagas this Saturday (April 2) as he portrays April Boy Regino— who for the very first time, will share his colorful love story with wife Madel, played by Jackie Rice.

The “Idol ng Bayan” rose to fame for his songs and unique singing style. One of his hits, “’Di Ko Kayang Tanggapin”, is bound to give an LSS or “last song syndrome” to anyone listening.

Lately though, April Boy is facing a lot of problems.

He is slowly losing his eyesight. He was also previously diagnosed with prostate cancer and suffered a heart attack.

Currently, he is dealing with diabetes.

Amid all these struggles, there is one person who continues to be April Boy’s number one fan, holding his hand all along: his first love and wife, Madel.

Catch Aljur Abrenica’s moving portrayal of April Boy Regino in Wagas this Saturday (April 2), 7 p.m. on GMA News TV.

April 1 – 5, 2016

BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill PG

1:00 | 4:00 | 7:00 | 10:00 LFS

BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE 3D Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill PG

12:00 | 3:00 | 6:00 | 9:00 LFS

LONDON HAS FALLEN/ *KUNG FU PANDA 3 Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman/ *Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman R13/*G

11:30 | 1:40 | 3:50 LFS / * 6:00 | 8:00 | 10:00 LFS

BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill PG

11:00 | 2:00 | 5:00 | 8:00 LFS

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, APRIL 1 - 2, 2016

EVENT EASTER FUN A1

time, children ages 2 to 6 and 7 to 12 participated in the Egg-citing Hunt at the cordoned garden area where a thousand eggs, twin bones, and one real Ostrich egg were hidden.

Boxes of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, other sweet treats, and complimentary pool passes were all given to those who collected the most number of eggs, those who found five bigger eggs, those who spotted the twin bones, and the one participant who got Grand Easter Egg that’s one in a thousand. Ten year-old Minoru Moraki received a room gift certificate as his prize.

While eggs and bunnies get the usual attention on Easter Sunday, the highlight of the afternoon was the pet fashion show featuring thirteen beautiful dogs of different breeds. “Easter’s Furry Friend 2016” began with an intermission exhibiting an entourage of adorable canines in Pet Nannies’ beautifully designed bridal collection. Hand in leash, all thirteen entries and their proud “parents” chased the runway together. Co-judging the show alongside trainer Kerwin Haw were Cheryl Valle of

A box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts was given to each of six kids who got the most number of eggs.

Several kids participating in the Easter Egg Hunt.

Davao Dog Lovers Com- a miniature schnauzer all munity, Sanchia de Asis dolled up in a green tutu of Pet Nannies and Sandie dress. Easter’s Best TeamTiu of Pet Pals Dog and up were Charisse Uy and Cat Shop. A medal, certif- Bugsy, a Chow Chow with icate, casual pet wear and nothing else on but his a good number of pet care undeniable charm. And products were all given to finally the Easter’s Furry five winners. The Easter’s Friend 2016 title was won Cutest award went to Leti- by Carmela Delgra and cia Averion and Bubbles, a Queenie, a terrier mix in toy poodle in a bright pink a pink gown with gold dress matched with ac- embellishments. Special cessories. Easter’s Best in awards were also given Costume went to Lourdes such as the Early Bird Barlis and Pretty Meggy, Award to Ren Gotera and a pug in a colorful getup Japanese Spitz Twinky; wreathed with Easter and the Best Kid Owner eggs. Easter’s Choice were Award to Emely Go’s son Doogy Levy and Kitkat, who was inseparable from

his pet Poodle Yoshi.

This event was organized in partnership with the Davao Dog Lovers Community (DDLC).

Event sponsors were as follows: APM, Krispy Kreme PH, Pet Pals Dog and Cat Shop, Pet Nannies, Dunsk Kuhner Corporation and Black Mask Training Camp.

In support to the pet industry of Davao, Waterfront Insular Hotel has officially announced that their hotel grounds are now a pet-friendly zone, the first among other hotel-resorts.

A girl dressed as Minnie Mouse with two basketfuls of Easter eggs.

VOL. 9 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, APRIL 1 - 2, 2016

EDGEDAVAO

DCWD... FROM 3

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

NEWS 13

DECO Machine Shop to J.P. Laurel Avenue); Angliongto / Mamay Road; some areas in Lanang, Pampanga and Sasa: Davao-Agusan Road (from Lanang to Km. 12), Grand Regal Hotel, Doña Asuncion Subd., Summerhill Village, Guadalupe Village, Insular Village I and II, Fortune Executive Homes, Nova Tierra Village, Belen Homes, Pampanga Executive Homes, San Roque Village, Don Lorenzo Homes, Bolton Village, Doña Pilar Village, Southern Homes, Doña Paz Village, Hacienda Village, Old Airport Road, Doña Aurelia Village, Lougemar Village,

Marla Compound, Doña Salud, Mercedes Village and Bel-Air Subd. and Panacan: Crystal Meadows, Tierra Verde Village, Doña Caridad Subd., De Guzman Village, EMI Ville Homes, Empress Subd., Tierra Niño Village, DPWH Depot, PMPC Village, Landmark I, II and III, San Juan Village and Vista Verde I and II. On behalf of DCWD management, general manager Edwin V. Regalado asks for the understanding and cooperation of would-be affected customers. He also apologizes for the inconvenience of said water service interruption that

that there is a process in the release of calamity assistance. In the city, he said, they distribute 12 kilos on a food for work basis.

Arnado said they went to the Governor’s office at the Capitol in January but were told the assistance would be coursed through the local government units (LGUs).

He said he is afraid that given the elections on May 9, the intended assistance would be used for election purposes.

Governor Mendoza told MindaNews the provincial government will provide assistance but this has to go through the process.

She said she will ask the protesters to “go back to your barangays” for validation and release of the assistance.

Mendoza explained that barangays and towns have their respective calamity funds and the provincial government is for augmentation only.

She said if the assistance from the barangay and town is not enough, the province can step in.

“We have to stretch our calamity

funds until December because this is not only for the drought,” she said.

“There is a process to follow,” she stressed.

RA10121 or the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 provides that the calamity fund, renamed as “Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund” or LDRRMF (although still popularly referred to as “calamity fund”) provides that “not less than five percent of the estimated revenue from regular sources” be set aside to support disaster risk management activities, 30% of which shall be allocated as Quick Response Fund (QRF) or standby fund for “relief and recovery programs in order that situation and living conditions of people in communities or areas stricken by disasters, calamities, epidemics, or complex emergencies, may be normalized as quickly as possible.”

Mendoza also said that there are certified seeds of corn, palay and cacao that will be distributed when the rains come.

Farmers... FROM 4

would give way to the tapping of the 1000mm diameter steel pipe distribution line along Bacaca Road to increase water pressure in Bacaca and immediate environs For queries and further updates, the general public may visit DCWD website (www.davao-water.gov.ph) and official Facebook page (www.facebook.com/davaowater) or call the Central Information Unit / Call Center through the 24-hour hotline 297-DCWD (3293), 09277988966, 0925-5113293 and 0908-4410653. (Jamae G. Dela Cruz)

Maximum tolerance Arnado said they would sleep at the barricade until their demands are met.

Tagum said he has ordered his men to observe maximum tolerance. “We are here to maintain the rule of law.”

“We will not use force.. We will observe maximum tolerance,” Tagum said.

He said the city crisis management committee headed by the mayor told him that if the protesters use violence “we have the go-signal to use the firetrucks” to spray water at the protesters.

Bayan Southern Mindanao e-mailed a note on the barricade in Kidapawan, with an attachment on the Kampanyang Kontra-Hulaw (Campaign Against Drought) that says it is a form of “pressure politics,” a mass mobilization that aims to create a major impact to force government to give in to the legitimate demands of the masses.

(Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)

EDGEDAVAO

14 MOTORING

VOL. 9 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, APRIL 1 - 2, 2016

Kia launches sexier, edgier Sportage E

XCLUSIVE Kia distributor in the Philippines, Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC) is readying itself for a busy 2016 by launching their opening salvo of the year: the all-new Sportage. The fourth-generation compact crossover to wear the nameplate, the 2016 Sportage is bold, refined, and dynamic. Powered by one of the most powerful engines in its class (and it’s a diesel), it’s sure to win the hearts of both enthusiasts and practical-minded owners alike.

Initially offered solely with a diesel engine, the allnew Sportage is powered by a Euro-4 emissions compliant R 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine boasting 185 horsepow-

er at 4,000 rpm and 402 Nm of torque at 2,750 rpm. Mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission (with paddle shifters on the GT Line), it rockets this compact crossover to 100 km/h in just 8.9 seconds.

Handling duty is assigned to the all-around independent suspension (MacPherson Struts in front, Multilinks at the back) with the GT Line getting the added benefit of high-performance dampers. Bigger brakes all around (305 mm versus 300 mm in front, 302 mm versus 262 mm) also equate to surefooted stopping power. The Sportage’s shoe size has also grown to handle all the power with the EX models receiving 225/55R18’s while the GT

Line receiving 245/45R19’s.

Recognized worldwide for its cutting-edge design (it has received the prestigious 2016 Red Dot Award for product design), the allnew Sportage is described as: sporty, energetic, and dramatic. Taking its inspiration from fighter jets, it has the newest interpretation of the corporate tiger-nose grille. For the first time ever, the headlights and grille elements have been separated creating a wider, more imposing appearance despite similar widths as the outgoing model. Sporting a low 0.33 co-efficient of drag, the sleek Sportage is designed with high aerodynamic efficiency in mind.

Joining the EX model range is the new GT Line that adds even more design flair.

Apart from the larger alloy wheels, the Sportage GT Line gets a unique grille, aluminum skid plate, ice-cube LED front fog lamps, LED daytime running lights, more chrome garnishing, metal-effect rear underbody, and dual exhaust tips.

Inside, the emphasis is to deliver a more driver-centric cockpit with a higher percentage of soft-touch materials. The focus is a clearly-defined center console with a new vertical design that emphasizes width giving an impression of space and sportiness. The 2016 Sportage also boasts of more legroom

thanks to a longer wheelbase while the redesigned cabin makes for improved head and shoulder room. The rear seats in particular features increased reclining ability pitching as much as 37 degrees compared to the outgoing model’s 28. The luggage room is also bigger: 503 liters versus 465 liters.

Like its unique exterior treatment, the Sportage GT Line gets unique differentiators inside like the D-shaped leather steering wheel, high-quality piano black fascia, aluminum alloy pedals, and a panoramic sunroof. The GT Line also gets powered seats for both the driver and passenger.

In terms of safety, dual

home a trophy made of 99.99% silver that came in the form of a turtle ship or Keobukseon in local Korean language. This ship is a sought-after relic in the Korean culture as it represents one of only five Korean Navy battleships that played a vital role during the Japan-Korea war of the 1950s.

Another big winner was Kia Pampanga as it took home a total of 8 awards from both the individual and dealership categories.

Other notable awards given that night were the following:

2015 Warranty Officer of the Year - Ferdinand Ralar (Kia Pampanga)Best in Service Operation - Kia Dipolog (Mindanao), Kia Cebu-Mandaue (Visayas), Kia Pampanga (Luzon), and Kia Las Piñas (NCR) Best in Parts Operation - Kia Cagayan de Oro (Mindanao), Kia Cebu-Mandaue (Visayas), Kia Pampanga (Luzon), and Kia Pasay (NCR)2015 Service Manager of the Year - Catherine Nalus (Kia Pampanga) Excellence in 2015 Family Service - Kia ButuanCitation for Aftersales Operation Heads- Raymund Basubas (Kia Cebu), Ritchie Alexander

Velasco (Kia New Manila), and Michael Mabilog (Kia Pasay)2015 Aftersales of the Year - Kia Las Piñas2015 Best in Customer Satisfaction Award for Sales and Aftersales - Kia Pampanga2015 Dealers of Merit - Kia Batangas, Kia Calapan, and Kia Pasig2015 Top Expert Sales Consultants of the Year - Raymond Asares (Kia Butuan), Harry Palis (Kia Cebu-Mandaue), Paola Margareth Alcantara (Kia Pampanga), Jayson Cruz (Kia New Manila)2015 Sales Consultant of the Year - Paola Margareth Alcantara (Kia Pampanga)2015

Best in Vehicle Retail Sales Kia Davao (Mindanao), Kia Cebu-Gorordo (Visayas), Kia Pampanga (Luzon), and Kia New Manila (NCR)2015 Kia Red Flame Award - Kia Cebu-GorordoDuring the festivities, Domingo gave an inspiring message and challenged the rest of the Kia family to set a tone of excellence and a winning habit in the years to come.

She said, “We, at Kia, have every reason to feel proud.

Last year, we showed that through a shared vision and a common desire to excel, we can beat the odds and reach

SRS airbags, antilock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, and rear parking sensors are standard. The GT Line adds 4 more airbags (total 6), electronic stability control will hill descent and hill hold assist functions, and an engine immobilizer system.

The all-new Kia Sportage is available in three variants: the EX 2WD (P 1,445,000), EX AWD (P 1,595,000), and GT-Line AWD (P 1,795,000) and in six colors: Fiery Red, Mercury Blue, Patina Gold, Cherry Black, Sparkling Silver, and Snow White. Like all Kia models, it’s covered by a 5-year/160,000-kilometer bumper-to-bumper warranty backed up with a 24/7 free roadside assistance service.

Best Kia dealerships recognized at annual dealer convention C OLUMBIAN Autocar Corporation (CAC), the exclusive distributor of Kia vehicles in the Philippines, recently concluded its annual Kia Dealers’ Convention and Awards Night held at the Marriott Hotel where Kia’s best and brightest shone vibrantly.

CAC executives led the afternoon and evening presentations with CAC President, Ginia R. Domingo, leading the conference entitled, Kia Take Off. Kia dealership representatives and personnel all over the Philippines were given recognition for outstanding quality, exemplary sales and after-sales performances, and excellence in all aspects of their operations.

Kia Las Piñas received the most coveted Kia Platinum Prestige Silver Turtle Ship for having the most outstanding performance in sales, after sales, and all aspects of its operation.

The dealership scored the highest in the Dealer Dashboard Criteria that included evaluation for facilities, processes, management, IT infrastructure, and training, as well as key performance indicators such as sales achievement, return on sales, profit rates, service absorption rate, and staff retention rate.

Kia Las Piñas brought

our goals. Despite the obstacles and in the face of formidable competition, Kia has performed remarkably well.”

“Today, we look up to loftier goals and visions that require feats of courage, a confidence in one’s abilities, and performances that are inspired and extraordinary.

We have it in ourselves to rise above challenges and achieve our goals with grace, dignity, and an unbending spirit.”

“If 2015 was our launching pad, 2016 is our time to soar. With the same passion, confidence and courage, we will take off!”

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, APRIL 1 - 2, 2016

RECORD WITHINWarriors REACH drop Jazz in OT, get win no. 68

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Klay Thompson and the Warriors needed extra minutes to get past Joe Ingles and the Jazz. AP

DepEd has high hopes for Palaro 2016

T

HE Department of Education (DepEd) has set high hopes for the 2016 Palarong Pambansa, expecting more records to fall in this year’s staging.

With preparations nearing completion for this year’s Palaro in Albay, DepEd hopes that the athletes will see last year’s achievements as a goal to surpass.

Record-breaking feats were attained by a new breed of student athletes in the swimming and athletics category when Davao del Norte hosted the 58th Palarong Pambansa in 2015.

Last year’s Palaro saw Lu-

zon’s frontrunners from Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog and the National Capital Region (NCR) toppling the rest of the regions.

Central Luzon’s Balitucan National High School alumnus, Martin James Esteban shattered the previous triple jump record with his 15.01 meter-jump.

NCR athletes likewise dominated the swimming pool with a rippling effect on the records. Maurice Ilustre Christian Sy, Andrae Pogiongko, and Drew Magbag excelled in the 400m Medley (4:07 min.), thus surpassing the 2009 and 2014 Palaro swim records.

Elementary athletes Jules Katherine Ong, Seth Martin, and Ethan Go also outstripped long-standing records in the 50m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke and 100m Breaststroke divisions, respectively.

The Visayan Islands athletes also proved their mettle through its champions from the Western and Eastern regions.

Alexis Soqueño from the Western Visayas once again defied gravity as he transcended his previous record of 1.92m in the High Jump category, making 1.95m the height to beat.

Meanwhile, the team of

Karen Janario, Feiza Jane Lenton, Gemmalyn Pino and Lealyn Sanita, set the new time record of 4:00.09 in the 4x400m relay.

Mindanao’s victors came via Efrelyn Democer’s score of 42.34m in the Javelin Throw which crushed the previous record by .07 meters; and Jie Ann Calis’ speed outran the records in the 3000m, 1500m, and 800m events.

Will this year’s Palaro reach new heights and surpass previous feats?

DepEd only hopes that “the name of every worthy athlete will be etched in sports history.” (PNA)

ulius Randle hit a tiebreaking hook shot in the paint with 1.9 seconds left in overtime, and the Los Angeles Lakers rallied late in a tumultuous day for a 102-100 victory over the Miami Heat on Wednesday night (Thursday, Manila time).

Jordan Clarkson scored six of his 26 points in overtime for the Lakers, who snapped a four-game skid with just their 16th win of the season.

Los Angeles hung on when Joe Johnson badly missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the Heat, who had won four of five.

D’Angelo Russell scored five of his 16 points in overtime after receiving light boos from Lakers fans at several points early in the night. The rookie guard apologized profusely before the game for recording an unflattering video of teammate Nick Young.

Russell said he has no idea how the video appeared on social media. Young, who was taped in a discussion of being with women other than his fiancée, didn’t play for the Lakers for the 11th straight game.

Dwyane Wade had 26 points and 10 rebounds for the Heat, who wasted a chance to move to the brink of clinching a playoff berth in the opener of a three-game road

trip. Luol Deng had 22 points and 11 rebounds, but Miami committed 18 turnovers and missed 11 free throws, allowing the Lakers to stick around.

Kobe Bryant scored two points in nine minutes before sitting out the final three quarters of his last meeting with Wade due to general soreness. Wade and Bryant faced up briefly in the first quarter, with Wade blocking one of Bryant’s shots.

anu Ginobili scored 20 points and the San Antonio Spurs beat the injury-depleted New Orleans Pelicans, 100-92, on Wednesday night (Thursday, Manila time) for their NBA-record 38th straight home victory to open a season.

San Antonio topped the 37-0 start by the Chicago Bulls

during their record 72-victory season in 1995-96. Golden State (67-7) has an existing 36-game home winning streak to open the season, giving the Warriors a chance to end up with the record.

San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard had 16 points in his return from a three-game absence, showing no discomfort

after bruising his right quadriceps on March 23. The 6-foot7 forward hit three long jumpers to open the game, including his only 3-pointer in five attempts.

Alexis Ajinca had 18 points for New Orleans, which was without nine players due to injury. Jordan Hamilton added 14 points in his first

start in his third game with the team.

Leonard also had a pair of assists to Danny Green in the first 6 minutes of the first quarter. The first came on a fast-break layup after Leonard corralled a turnover and the second came after he spun into the lane and tossed out a pass to Green for a 3-pointer.

Randle rescues Lakers over Heat J Spurs set NBA home record M

TEPHEN Curry scored 31 points, including six straight in overtime, and the Golden State Warriors continued their historic run with a 103-96 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night (Thursday, Manila time).

The Warriors (68-7) surpassed last season’s victory total and must win five of their final seven games to break the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls’ record of 72-10.

Klay Thompson hit the tying 3-pointer with 15 seconds remaining in regulation after an offensive rebound and kick-out from Shaun Livingston after Thompson missed the previous attempt.

Curry took over with his burst that gave the Warriors a 99-93 lead. He then took a charge on Gordon Hayward with 1:21 left before setting up Draymond Green’s dunk on the ensuing possession to put away the game.

The Jazz (37-38) fell into a tie with the Houston Rockets for the No. 7 slot in the Western Conference playoff race.

Curry had seven rebounds and four assists, while Thompson finished with 18 points.

Hayward led the Jazz with 21 points and Rodney Hood added 20. Rudy Gobert finished with 11 points and 18 rebounds.

The Jazz shot just 34.8 percent in the first half, but only trailed 42-40 at the break. The Warriors managed just 16 points in the second quarter, a season low for that period.

TIP-INS Warriors: The Warriors have been held to 42 or fewer points in the first half just three times in 2015-16. ...

Curry has hit a 3-pointer in an NBA-record 145 straight regular-season games.

Jazz: Alec Burks missed his 47th consecutive game with a fractured fibula. Jazz coach Quin Snyder said they’re being conservative with his return. ... Derrick Favors left the game in the third quarter with right knee soreness and did not return.

Fernandez bows to Thai, needs box-off to advance

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ARIO Fernandez lost in his first shot at gaining a berth in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics after a unanimous decision defeat to Southeast Asian fighter Chatchai Butdee of Thailand on Thursday in the bantamweight semifinals of the Asia/ Oceania Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Qian’an, China .

Fernandez bowed to Butdee, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27, missing a chance at a gold medal in the Asia/Oceania Olympic qualifiers, but the Filipino fighter can still gain

an Olympic berth in a box-off between losing semifinalists.

In the box-off, Fernandez, a Southeast Asian Games gold medalist last year, will take on Kairat Yeraliyev of Kazakhstan, who bowed to Shiva Thapa of India, 29-28, 30-27, 30-27, in the other semifinal pairing.

Rogen Ladon earlier qualified for a spot in Rio after a semifinal victory over Devendro Singh Laishram of India in the light flyweight division.

Charly Suarez and Eumir Felix Marcial will vie for Olympic berths in Thursday’s evening session.

ANOTHER SHOT. Mario Fernandez has another shot at an Olympic berth, against a Kazakh foghter. Photo from aiba.org

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 9 ISSUE 21 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, APRIL 1 - 2, 2016

Ladon punches ticket to Rio

RIO-BOUND. Rogen Ladon is the second Filipino athlete to book a place in the Olympics, joining sprinter Eric Cray.

Photo from Singsoc / seagames2015.com

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OGEN Ladon of the Philippines defeated Devendro Singh Laishram of India via unanimous decision in the semifinals of the Asia/ Oceania Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Qian’an, China on Thursday to claim a berth

in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Ladon got the nod of all three judges, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27, to advance to the finals of the men’s light flyweight class.

More important, Ladon became the first Filipino boxer

to clinch a spot in Rio De Janeiro by virtue of an assured top two finish in the Asia/Oceania qualification tournament.

Ladon, who came in the Olympic qualifiers as the topseed, will take on Hasanboy Dusmatov of Uzbekistan for

the gold medal. Dusmatov downed Gan-Erdene Gankhuyag of Mongolia via unanimous decision, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27.

The berth in the Olympics is a big accomplishment for Ladon, who only settled for a

silver medal in the Singapore Southeast Asian Games just last June.

The Philippines has regularly qualified in the men’s light flyweight class in boxing with Mansueto ‘Onyok’ Velasco winning a silver in the

1996 Atlanta Olympics, and brother Roel a bronze medal winner in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Danilo Lerio, Harry Tanamor and Mark Anthony Barriga also qualified as light flyweight in three previous Olympic games.