Edge Davao | Vol 11 Issue 235 | Friday-Saturday, February 15-16, 2019

VOL.11 ISSUE 235 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2019

P 15.00 • 16 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

CANDIDATES, BEWARE: LAW BANS BRIBERY, CASH GIFTS, DONATIONS P4

EDGE DAVAO Serving a seamless society

6 FIRMS BACK SEA GAMES SPORTS P11

BRISK SALES. A florist is in haste as people start to flock the many stalls at Bankerohan Public Market’s flower stalls in Davao City to buy different kinds of flowers during Valentine’s Day on Thursday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr

95% TARGET M

CHO to improve 36% immunization T

By RALPH LAWRENCE LLEMIT

he Davao City Health Office (CHO) is set to launch an extensive campaign for the immunization of students of public schools under the Department of Education (DepEd).

CHO head Dr. Julinda Acosta on Thursday lamented that the CHO does not have enough manpower for a full-blown campaign to immunize all Grade 1 and Grade 7 students in Davao City.

Acosta said that her

office targeted 35,522 public school students (combined Grade 1 and Grade 7 students). However, only 12,874 were vaccinated or a measly 36.24 percent.

“We cannot simultaneously work on with the school and community im-

munization. But still, part of our micro plan is that we are still going back to the school,” she said during the iSpeak press conference at the City Hall of Davao.

“That is why we are asking help to all DepEd officials, school principals, nurses, and students to help the district health officers in campaigning for the immunization of all students,” Acosta added.

The city health officer said that that they are targeting a 95-percent immunization coverage to all children in Davao City.

In 2017, CHO recorded a 86.6-percent coverage.

Acosta likewise clarified that there is no measles outbreak in Davao City.

In a recent article, Department of Health Davao (DOH 11) Center for Health

F95%, P8

Campaign period in Davao Occidental kicks off peacefully ALITA, Davao Occidental – The Davao Occidental Provincial Police Office continues to strengthen its security measures to maintain the peace and order situation in the province amidst the start of the campaign period.

DOPPO Provincial Director Police Senior Supt.

Thor Valiente P. Cuyos said that the campaign period for the national posts kicked off peacefully and orderly on Tuesday in the entire province.

Cuyos also said that there was no untoward incident recorded in the two barangays in the mu-

nicipalities of Malita and Jose Abad Santos which were placed under Category 2 of the Election Watch List due to the presence of the New People’s Army (NPAs).

He mentioned that part of the security measures implemented in Davao Occidental is the establishment of checkpoints in the municipalities of Sta. Maria, Malita, Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos and Sarangani, and south border control checkpoints in Sta. Maria and JAS. Each checkpoint is manned by eight po-

FCAMPAIGN, P9

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 235 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2019

TREATMENT FACILITY. President Rodrigo Duterte applauds after unveiling the marker of the Moscati Meadows Residential Treatment Facility (MMRTF) during its inauguration in Laur, Nueva Ecija on Wednesday. Joining the President is MMRTF founder Dr. Joy Molleston. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

embrace digital Reg’l government center Bangsamoro learning tools, apps from Smart in Bago Oshiro: ARENA 11 O

By ADAM B. MORRELL

W

ith the thrust of providing better services for the people of Davao, the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies (ARENA) 11 pushed the proposal of Regional Government Center (RGC) in Bago Oshiro.

During the oath taking ceremony of ARENA 11 officers and members of its board of directors for the term 20192020 and signing of the memorandum of understanding for the regional government center held at the Training Room, Rooftop in City Hall of Davao yesterday, outgoing ARENA 11 president Maria Lourdes Lim, regional director of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) 11, said Metro Davao is expected to absorb substantial growth as the largest metropolitan center in the Davao Region in Mindanao.

“It shall provide international gateway services, serve as international trading center, and center for excellence in education and health facilities. The establishment of a RGC in Davao Region will achieve the national, Mindanao and Davao Regional spatial strategy geared at the provision of accessible, efficient and effective public services delivery for Davaoeños and Mindanaoans,” she said.

Apart from that, the Philippine Development Plan (PDP), 2017-2022 states that the metropolitan centers of National Capital Region, Metro Cebu in-

cluding Metro Davao shall provide higher forms of services and facilities that serve domestic and international requirements, Lim said.

Thus, last January 2018, ARENA XI formed a working committee composed of NEDA XI, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) XI, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) XI, Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and Local Government Unit (LGU) of Davao, to address the concern.

On the other hand, newly-installed ARENA 11 president Dr. Anthony Sales, said there were no exact budget yet needed for the development of the site and the construction of the buildings of the different members of ARENA 11.

“It will depend on the budget proposals of the different na-

tional government agencies as well as the other locators in the RGC. It has to go with the process. We will make our proposals and if approved with the national government then we will proceed with the construction of the RGC,” Sales said.

Lim, however, said an estimate cost of 440 million is for the construction of the perimeters of RGC located within the 101-hectare land area in Bago Oshiro.

The area, meanwhile, will be divided for the site for the offices of National Government Agency (NGA) (68 hectares), parks and recreation center (5 hectares), government sites and services (18 hectares), and relocation site for informal settlers (10 hectares).

Sales also said they would

will not delay further the implementation of the project although there has been no schedule yet for the project’s groundbreaking. He said that the first phase of the project will commence this year.

Recently, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA)Secretary Datu Abul Khayr Alonto aired his concerns over the progress of the project under the DOTr. Alonto went further as to propose to President Rodrigo Duterte to transfer the project implementation of all the phases of the MRP to MinDA as he believed that their agency can fast track the project implementation.

He said that the snail’s

pace progress of the project managed by the DOTr is not acceptable considering that the project would take two years to be fully accomplished.

The MinDA head said that he is pressured with President’s marching orders to fully implement the project by 2022.

Eje, on the other hand, said that the agency understands Alonto’s sentiment.

However, he said that it is impossible for the project implementation to be transferred from DOTr to MinDA. “I’m not sure if that would be possible, since all transportation projects are under the supervision of the DOTr,” Eje said adding that the budget to be al-

FREG’L, P9

DOTr says railway project still on track

By RALPH LAWRENCE LLEMIT

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he Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Thursday that the agency is still on-track with the timeline for the Mindanao Railway Project (MRP).

DOTr assistant secretary for project development - Mindanao cluster Eymard Eje said in a phone interview that they are currently working out the re-alignment of the path for the first phase of the MRP which is the Tagum-DavaoDigos (TDD) Railway Project worth P126-billion.

Eje said that the agency is settling some issues in the Right of Way (ROW) acquisition which has been derailed with some complaints coming from Davao City establishments,

companies and residents affected by the railway project.

“We are working on this right now because we wanted to lessen the impact of the realignment,” he said.

Among the areas that are undergoing re-alignment are the areas of South Pacific Golf Course in Talomo, Monteritz Subdivision in Ma-a, and HolcimPhilippines Davao Plant in Bunawan.

TDD will have stations in Tagum City, Carmen, PanaboCity, Tibungco, Ma-a Diversion (near Davao Christian High School), Toril (infront of Gaisano Mall), Sta. Cruz and then Digos City.

The DOTr official clarified that the ROW acquisition

FDOTR, P9

ver 22 schools in the Bangsamoro region are reaping the benefits of digital learning after being recipients of Smart Communications’ (Smart) School-in-a-Bag packages.

For grade school teacher Alamina Bao, it is uncommon for children in their far-flung community of Lanao del Sur to be exposed to technology.

Most of her students in Ragayan Elementary School are not even familiar with watching television, as their parents are constantly on the lookout for threats of armed conflict in their area.

After receiving School-in-aBag digital portable classrooms in 2018, the kits’ modern learning tools and educational content have allowed Bao and her pupils to connect with technology and be open to innovations that could enhance education and uplift the quality of life for children everywhere.

“After experiencing technology first hand, my students are now more excited to go to school every day,” the educator said.

Quality content Each School-in-a-Bag comes with a teacher’s laptop and tablet, LED TV, solar panel and battery, Smart pocket WiFi, and student tablets that are pre-loaded with literacy applications, multimedia resources, and disaster preparedness videos. More than just receiving gadgets though, Bao specifies that the donations are useful because of the Learn Smart educational content that is pre-installed in each student tablet.

“Learning has become enjoyable for them, thanks to these apps,” she said. The five literacy apps developed

by Smart in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and local stakeholders, colleges and universities include the Bahay Kubo Filipino app, Kaalam Cebuano app, Taallam and Tahderiyyah Arabic apps, and Matigsalug app for the Matigsalug tribe

of Davao and Bukidnon. More apps are set to be launched in 2019.

Enhanced teaching Hasmin Macud, a teacher of Alternative Learning System (ALS) in Marawi City, is grateful at how the Learn Smart apps have helped enhance her teaching.

The educator attests to how the Tahderriyah and T’allam apps guide her in the more accurate pronunciation of certain Arabic words. “Not all of us are articulate enough with extensive knowledge of the Arabic language,” she admitted.

“These well-developed apps ensure that our students learn Arabic words and sayings precisely, and more than what us teachers can share to them during class hours,” Macud explained.

Innovative learning School-in-a-Bag recipients are also trained on the CVIF-Dynamic Learning Program (CVIF-DLP) teaching methodology. First implemented in the Central Visayan Institute Foundation (CVIF) in Jagna, Bohol, the disaster-resilient form of education promotes independent learning. Students work on activity sheets 80% of the time, while teachers conduct lectures for the remaining 20%.

CVIF-DLP has reportedly boosted the academic performance of students in more than 100 public and private schools nationwide. Schools that have adopted the methodology record enhanced academic performance, especially in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines.

Teachers such as Faith Bernardio from Kalumenga Elementary School in Maguindanao, said the teaching methodology allows educators to focus more on the quality – rather than quantity – of their teaching. “DLP makes work easier for teachers, as students practice independence and critical

FBANGSAMORO, P8

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 235 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2019

3

STRONGER TIES. Aeon Luxe Properties partnership signing with J Force group with the presence President Ian Cruz (middle in red) shaking hands with J Force Agency Manager Jerard Amada and the rest of the team of both parties on February 5 2019 at Aeon Towers Showroom, Bajada, Davao City.

Investors celebrate Lunar Year with Aeon Luxe

C

hinese New Year is the first and grandest celebration of the month celebrated by the Filipino-Chinese community in the Philippines including Davao City.

Davao City, which has built up its economic progress through its local business locators has recognized that one of its biggest factors is the contribution of Chinese-Dabawenyos community in the city. That includes the proudly Davaoraised property development company Aeon Luxe Properties.

Aeon Luxe Properties’ President Ian Y. Cruz is a born and raised Chinese in Davao City handling a big chunk of the family business of the mother company FTC Group of Companies Corporation. His desire to bring in a prestige business has proven his adoration and advocacy as a Dabawenyo.

On February 5, the company together with their supportive agents welcomed the Lunar Year festively with a traditional lion dance performance

by Davao Lion Dancers Association at Aeon Towers Showroom, Bajada, Davao City.

They say that the lion dance is believed to bring happiness, good fortune and chase away negative energies. The lion symbolizes power, wisdom and superiority which makes their performance accompanied by the music of beating drums, clashing cymbals and even resounding gongs festively loud.

Apart from the celebration, Aeon Luxe also

had a partnership signing ceremony with a powerhouse cast of Marketing Arms such as Woody Yin of Go Dream Tours, Lifen Chen of Davao Oceancon, Doreen Alo of Colliers International, J Force Group, Triple X Group, KMP Realty, Callao-Soriano Realty, Mirasol Rader Group, Property Providers and DBHR Brokerage to name a few.

Investors from across Davao region were invited for a post-Chinese New Year VIP dinner at the renowned West Empire Restaurant on February 11. This is their first and special open house event where agents got a chance to present the project and close some sales to their invited clients. Aeon Luxe is beefing up their marketing campaigns both locally and internationally to increase awareness in the real estate and investment industry especially in Davao.

“This is just a start for Aeon Luxe this year. The management is now preparing a series of exciting events and promos tailored for our agents and clients. This will be a better and busier year for us,” Erick Umali, Vice President for Sales and Marketing said.

Know more about Aeon Luxe Properties projects, events and promos by following them on their social media accounts.

Facebook: www.facebook. com/AeonLuxeDVO | Instagram: @aeonluxedvo |Twitter: @AeonLuxeDavao | LinkedIn: https:// w w w. l i n k e d i n . c o m / in/aeon-luxe-properties-969b37177/

Lifen Chen of Davao Oceancon and Woody Yin of Go Dream Tours with their Chinese investors.

Aeon Luxe Team meeting with Mirasol Rader

Triple X Group

DBHR Brokerage

INVESTORS’ TREAT. Chinese New Year VIP Event on February 8, 2019 at West Empire restaurant.

4 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 235 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2019

Ressa arrest nothing to do with press freedom: Palace

M

PHABS. City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) head Dionisio Abude provides updates on the implementation of Peak Hours Augmentation Bus Service (PHABS) which will help the commuters who are stranded during

peak hours. Abude said during I-Speak media forum at City Hall on Thursday that PHABS will serve commuters from Toril and Catalunan Grande. Lean Daval Jr

Candidates, beware: Law bans bribery, cash gifts, donations U bribery.”

According to Lim, the relevant laws are: Revised Penal Code, Art. 211. Indirect bribery. — The penalties of prision correccional in its medium and maximum periods, and public censure shall be imposed upon any public officer who shall accept gifts offered to him by reason of his office. (As amended by Batas Pambansa Blg. 872, June 10, 1985).

Likewise, under Section 7(d) of Republic Act No. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (SALN Law), government officials are prohibited from accepting gifts: Section 7. Prohibited Acts and Transactions. – In addition to acts and omissions of public officials and employees now prescribed in the Constitution and existing laws, the following shall constitute prohibited acts and transactions of any public official and employee and are hereby declared to be unlawful: (a) Financial and material interest. – Public officials and employees shall not, directly or indirectly, have any financial or material interest in any transaction requiring the ap-

proval of their office. (b) Outside employment and other activities related thereto. – Public officials and employees during their incumbency shall not: (1) Own, control, manage or accept employment as officer, employee, consultant, counsel, broker, agent, trustee or nominee in any private enterprise regulated, supervised or licensed by their office unless expressly allowed by law; (2) Engage in the private practice of their profession unless authorized by the Constitution or law, provided, that such practice will not conflict or tend to conflict with their official functions; or (3) Recommend any person to any position in a private enterprise which has a regular or pending official transaction with their office.

These prohibitions shall continue to apply for a period of one (1) year after resignation, retirement, or separation from public office, except in the case of subparagraph (b) (2) above, but the professional concerned cannot practice his profession in connection with any matter before the office he used to be with, in which case the one-year prohibition shall likewise apply. (c) Disclosure and/or misuse of confidential information. – Public officials and employees shall not use or divulge, confidential or classified information officially known to them by reason of their of-

recognition of the services, sacrifices, and heroism of our soldiers," AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato, said in a message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

To avail of the fare discount, uniformed personnel only needed to present a valid ID as proof of active service, the LTFRB earlier said.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the grant of fare discounts in PUBs to uniformed personnel is in line with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte

to honor men and women in uniform.

“In line with the President’s directive, this is our way of giving back to our soldiers, policemen and Coast Guard servicemen who secure our nation and protect the Filipino people. We owe the peace and order and national security of our country to their inspiring service,” Tugade said.

The special fare discount for all uniformed personnel will remain effective indefinitely, but will be reviewed after one year. (PNA)

NDER ELECTION laws, they were not yet officially considered to be candidates, and therefore not yet incurring campaign expenditures, until after the official campaign period had started.

But under anti-graft and anti-corruption laws, several candidates in the May 2019 elections may be unable to escape legal liability for incurring millions of pesos of pre-campaign ads.

Indeed, incumbents, re-electionists, and those recently resigned from appointive posts may still have to explain how or from where they raised money to buy truckloads of pre-campaign ads.

That is a most important question to ask, especially of those with meager personal wealth or net worth and therefore without the wherewithal to finance their hugely expensive pre-campaign ads.

“The fact that the net worth of these candidates could not support the costs of the adspend necessarily gives rise to the presumption either the candidate has hidden wealth or that these were donated to the candidate while in public office,” says former Election Commissioner Christian Robert S. Lim, head of the poll body’s Campaign Finance Unit until 2018.

“Under the Revised Penal Code,” Lim continues, “it is a criminal offense to receive gifts by reason of their office. This is called indirect

alacañang said Thursday that the arrest of Rappler chief executive officer (CEO) Maria Ressa has nothing to do with press freedom in the country.

"Ms. Ressa being a media practitioner and a high-ranking officer of a media outfit critical of the President's programs and policies has nothing to do with the present circumstances she is currently in. Freedom of expression, as critics of this Administration erroneously suggest, is absolutely unrelated with Ms. Ressa’s probable violation of the country's laws," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

Panelo, also Chief Presidential legal counsel, said the arrest warrant against Ressa was issued by the court after finding probable cause.

"Ms. Ressa should, in fact, welcome this as an opportunity to defend herself and be heard before the court of law," he said.

Panelo said the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte will respect the independence of the judiciary and

will not interfere in pending cases.

"We are a country of laws and every citizen must adhere to the rule of law. No one is above the law, not even high-profile self-anointed crusading journalists. Whatever the outcome is, it must be respected by everyone for such is the law. This is how the rule of law works," he said.

The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 46 on Wednesday issued a warrant of arrest against Ressa and Rappler writer Reynaldo Santos Jr. after being charged under the provision on content-related offenses, which include libel committed through a computer system or similar means.

This stemmed from a cyberlibel complaint filed by businessman Wilfredo Keng in October 2017, who was named by Santos in the article titled "CJ using SUVs of 'controversial' businessmen' as the owner of a sports utility vehicle used by the late former Chief Justice Renato Corona.

The article was published in 2012 and updated in 2014. (PNA)

fice and not made available to the public, either: (1) To further their private interests, or give undue advantage to anyone; or (2) To prejudice the public interest. (d) Solicitation or acceptance of gifts. – Public officials and employees shall not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties or in connection with any operation being regulated by, or any transaction which may be affected by the functions of their office.

As to gifts or grants from foreign governments, the Congress consents to: (i) The acceptance and retention by a public official or employee of a gift of nominal value tendered and received as a souvenir or mark of courtesy; (ii) The acceptance by a public official or employee of a gift in the nature of a scholarship or fellowship grant or medical treatment; or (iii) The acceptance by a public official or employee of travel grants or expenses for travel taking place entirely outside the Philippine (such as allowances, transportation, food, and lodging) of more than nominal value if such acceptance is appropriate or consistent with the interests of the Philippines, and permitted

FCANDIDATES, P9

Bus fare discount a tribute to troops: AFP NPA recruitment of minors violates UNICEF rules

T

he Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday called the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board's (LTFRB) move to give troops a 20-percent fare discount on all city and provincial public utility buses (PUBs) a fitting tribute to their service and sacrifices for the country.

"The discount given to all military personnel by the bus companies through LTFRB, does not only have a monetary value but more important(ly), (it) is (a) fitting

E

fforts of the New People's Army (NPA) to recruit minors into their ranks is a gross violation of the United Nations Children's Fund's (UNICEF) Convention on the Rights of Children, a military official said Thursday.

"It is a gross violation of the provisions of UNICEF's Convention on the Rights of Children, which specifically states that children below the age of 18 must be accorded their basic rights to include the right from exploitation," Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato, said

in a test message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) when sought for a comment.

The NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.

"Recruiting them to become fighters is the height of (Communist Party of the Philippines) CPP-NPA hypocrisy," Detoyato added.

On Tuesday, a 15-year-old female rebel voluntarily surrendered to military units in Capiz due to the extreme hunger and hardships she experienced in the mountains.

The girl, identified only as “Regina”, is from the Cen-

tral Front in Tapaz, Capiz, and has been a member of the rebel group for more than two months yet, 61st Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Col. Sisenando Magbalot Jr., said.

He added that “Regina” was recruited by her boyfriend, who is also a member of the group.

She said that at first, she was unaware of her boyfriend being a member of the NPA. Magbalot said “Regina” served as a cook for NPA members, and that she was taught how to use a firearm but was never engaged in an encounter. (PNA)

5 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 235 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2019

ARMM distributes P35-M equipment to corn, rice farmers

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OTABATO CITY -- The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DAFARMM) has conducted the mass distribution of PHP35-million worth of farming machinery in Maguindanao on Tuesday.

DAF-ARMM Secretary Alexander Alonto Jr. led the distribution of the equipment at the DAF-ARMM Integrated Agricultural Research Center (IARC) compound in Barangay Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

“The DAF interventions were composed of 80 units of rice and corn farm machinery given to 18 legitimate cooperatives in the province of Maguindanao,” Alonto said.

Edna Bajao, the regional rice alternate focal person, said the rice farm machinery was composed of several hand tractors, a

thresher machine, a floating tiller, a transplanter, a portable irrigation system open source (PISOS) reaper, and a combine harvester.

The corn farm equipment, meanwhile, consisted of an electrical corn mill, a corn sheller, a cassava grater and another potable PISOS reaper, according to regional corn coordinator Dr. Albert Usman.

Alonto said his office also distributed 1,600 liters of insecticides, 1,600 kg. of fungicide and 550 sachets of rodenticides to the farming cooperatives.

Sittie Anida Tomawis Limbona, DAF-ARMM administration and finance chief, said of the total PHP35-million assistance, PHP22 million was allocated for rice farmers while the remaining PHP13 million was for corn farmers.

She said the assistance was funded by the Department of Agriculture. (PNA)

V DAY GIFT ITEM. A street vendor sells heart shaped balloons at a roadside makeshift stall near Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr

Despite 16% increase, MinDA Apo Agua signs P9-B loan facility says budget still not enough A

By RALPH LAWRENCE LLEMIT

T

he Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) continues to lobby for a bigger budget share of Mindanao to further fund future projects for the island.

MinDA secretary Datu Abul Khayr Alonto confirmed that the current budget for Mindanao has increased to 16 percent or P1.2 trillion, an increase of four percent from 12 percent, or P586 billion.

However, he said that the three-year budget is still not enough to fund the agency’s catalytic projects.

Some of these priority projects include the TransMindanao Hi-Speed Railway

System or the Mindanao Railway Project (Phase 1); improvement of major airports in Zamboanga, Davao, General Santos City and Cotabato; establishment of freeports and ecozones in Tawi-Tawi; and the building of Mindanao Tourism and Cultural Village Center and flood control projects.

“We will not be settling with this, for this fund will be spread out throughout Mind-

anao, in the remaining years of the Duterte administration,” Alonto said.

He also said that they are pushing for Islamic financing in the country in case the General Appropriation’s Act (GAA) will not be able to provide the funding for the development of Mindanao, especially in the agricultural industries.

“MinDA is looking at the potential of Islamic finance as alternative and fund source for the catalytic projects in Mindanao,” Alonto said.

A policy framework for it is being lobbied by MinDA in Congress.

Multi-million diversion road project in Lanao del Norte underway F aster travel and scenic views of the forest will soon be experienced by motorists in Region 10 as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undertakes the construction of Sta. Felomina-Bonbonon-Digkilaan- Rogongon Road in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte.

According to DPWH-Region 10 Director Zenaida Tan, the 60.4-kilometer road project with budget requirement amounting to P394.76-million on a multi-year program will serve as a new diversion road in the province that will

traverse agricultural lands within mountainous terrains of Iligan City.

DPWH has so far completed the concreting of 1.74 kilometers of the diversion road at the Indulang section in the municipality of Talakag, Province of Bukidnon.

“This big-ticket project will serve as a shorter route between Iligan City and Talakag bypassing the usual route which passes through Cagayan de Oro City,” said Tan. Once completed, the entire Sta. Felomina-Bonbonon-Digkilaan- Rogongon

Road will cut travel time from Iligan to Bukidnon and vice versa from three (3) hours and 30 minutes to one (1) hour and 30 minutes.

“We intend to make this road open even during extreme weather conditions so that mobility will not be affected,” Tan added.

This road section in Iligan City is part of the Mindanao East-West Lateral Road that involves opening and concreting of roads with cross drainage, safety road improvements, and lined canal.

(DPWH)

Tanglawan Phils seeks partnership with PNOC Following the Department of Energy’s Notice to Proceed issued to Tanglawan Philippine LNG Inc.—a planned joint venture between Phoenix Petroleum and CNOOC Gas and Power—to build an LNG regasification terminal in Batangas, the representatives from Phoenix are now in talks with the Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) in hopes to secure a strategic alliance with the state-owned firm in its LNG Hub project.

The first engagement meeting between the two parties progressed last week, with the planned joint venture looking into

the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with PNOC in the coming weeks.

With PNOC on board, Phoenix Petroleum has proposed their participation and involvement in the areas of pipeline infrastructure and franchise, banked gas, equity, and other marketing opportunities.

This year, Tanglawan project is expected to break ground its regasification and receiving terminal with a capacity of 2.2 mtpa.

The facility will help support the demand for a clean, competitive, and en-

vironment-friendly energy source in Luzon. The LNG hub project aims to provide energy security for the country.

The new venture is targeting to operate the LNG Hub commercially by 2023. It also aims to develop a gas-fired power generation facility with up to 2,000 megawatts installed capacity.

CNOOC Gas and Power Group Co. Ltd., China’s largest LNG importer and terminal operator, is discussing the Tanglawan joint venture with the Philippines’ fastest growing oil company Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc.

po Agua Infrastructura, Inc. (Apo Agua), a joint venture company between Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV) and J.V. Angeles Construction Corporation (JVACC) signed on January 24, a PHP9 billion Omnibus Notes Facility and Security Agreement with a consortium of lender-banks, to finance the construction and operations phases of the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP).

The consortium of lender-banks is composed of BPI Capital Corporation as Mandated Lead Arranger and Bookrunner, Bank of the Philippine Islands, China Banking Corporation, Development Bank of the Philippines, and Bank of Commerce, as Initial Note Holders, BPI Asset Management and Trust Corporation as Trustee and Notes Facility Agent.

The DCBWSP is a strategic infrastructure initiative

that will shift the dependence of Davao City’s main water supply from groundwater wells to the more sustainably-sourced surface water from the Tamugan River. Through this source, the project will access both the right quality and ample quantity of water in order to allow the Davao City Water District (DCWD) to temporarily shut down many of its groundwater well sources.

FAPO, P9

NOTICE OF LOW WATER PRESSURE TO NO WATER DUE TO DLPC’S POWER INTERRUPTION

FEBRUARY 17, 2019

WHEN: Sunday, February 17, 2019 from 12:01 AM to 10:00 AM WHERE: All areas served by Toril Water Supply System: Purok Pagkaka-isa, Toril Executive Village, Manggahan, Crossing Bayabas, Paradise Village, Ilocano Village, Davao Housing Subd., B.B Homes Subd., Bangoy Compound, St. Jude, Santa Clara Village, Prudential Village, St. Michael Village, San Roque Village, Duha Village, Rovical Village, Nakada Village, Doña Manuela Subd., Doña Rosa Subd., Gutierez Village, APLA Village, Inland Subd., Dacudao Tambakan, Generation of Landless Born Again Subd., Kalambuan sa Katawhan HOA, Don Lorenzo Subd., Upper Piedad, Marapangi Resettlement Area, Culosa Village, Samantha Homes, Babisa Village, Kristina Homes II, Nenita Farms, Tukbisa Village, and Toril Proper WHY:

DCWD’s Toril Production Well No. 1 will be affected by Davao Light and Power Company’s (DLPC) power interruption on said date needed to facilitate DLPC’s pole relocation due to road widening project. With the power interruption, the affected facility will not be able to operate and produce water, and in turn, will not be able to supply water to the affected areas.

Although the power cut is shorter in duration, DCWD needs additional time for re-switching on of the affected facility, pressure build-up, and line delivery, thus the longer duration of water service interruption.

NOTES: 1) Water supply may be restored earlier if DLPC’s work goes smoothly or later if unforeseen problems arise. Hence, the would-be affected consuming public is hereby advised to store water in clean containers.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

2) This information is disseminated through print and broadcast media, DCWD website (www.davaowater.gov.ph), official Facebook page (www.facebook.com/davaowater) and telephone voicemail 297DCWD (3293). For queries, please contact DCWD’s 24-hour hotline 297-3293 and press “0” or call/text 0927-798-8966, 0908-441-0653, and 0925-511-3293.

KBMR

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 235 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2019

EDITORIAL An opportunity, not harassment

T

here are legal foundations to believe that Rappler chief Maria Ressa’s arrest is not a persecution against press freedom.

Before any emotional reactions take over reason, it must be understood clearly what’s the history of the case.

First, it was filed by a private citizen, not the government, based on an article published by Ressa in 2012 and re-published in 2014 due to an simple erroneous punctuation mark which at all, even if erroneous, would not alter the message of the story in any given way. The complaint against Ressa and Rappler was filed by businessman Wilfredo Keng, over an article published

by Rappler titled “CJ using SUVs of controversial businessman” during the impeachment trial of the late former Chief Justice Renato Corona. The complainant had said he did not lend any vehicle to the late chief magistrate, who had to step down in 2012 over undeclared wealth after he was found guilty by the Senate sitting as an impeachment court. In a resolution dated Feb. 4 this year, Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Edwin Dayog said Rappler, Ressa and reporter Reynaldo Santos Jr. committed libel under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. The resolution read: “The publication complained of imputes to complainant Keng the commission of crimes. It is clearly defamatory.

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Second, the offense is bailable. Ressa’s arrest happened after working hours and the attempt to post bail was unsuccessful through a lower court judge who reasoned that a co-equal court (Regional Trial Court) where the case was filed should take cognizance of the bail. Nevertheless, the bail can be posted prior to the issuance of the warrant as the same can already be anticipated in this particular case the moment the resolution was handed down last February 4.

Ressa should stop being a crybaby and use the press freedom vehicle to draw sympathy to her side.

Every journalist has to face the fact that a libel case is always part of the hazards of the trade--be it coming from state entities and personalities or private individuals. It’s a given. Otherwise, journalists can just have a field day publishing stories that already go beyond the tenets of the profession and the existing laws.

A good number of journalists, from this newspaper included, have faced complaints of libel but never cried harassment. Ressa should learn from many of these journalists that fronting the court is not always harassment but an opportunity to prove one’s craft and commitment to responsible journalism.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

GENERAL SANTOS CITY OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING MARKETING OFFICE Richard C. Ebona | Product Development officer LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager EDMUND D. RENDON Unit 6, SouthbankMarketing Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts.Address: 04 Orilla St. Purok 4B Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Specialist Cellphone number: 09472652969 General Santos City Cagayan de Oro City Email Address: edgedavao@gmail.com Mobile: (Smart) 09382022120 Tel: (088) 852-4894

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 235 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2019

VANTAGE POINTS

7

Why Muslims don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day

H

ere comes another Non-Muslim celebration and as usual, what I am about to share with you is being given in an intellectual tone with no disrespect intended. This information is being shared in order to explain why Muslims do not celebrate Valentine’s Day to shed light to anyone who may be wondering why, of all things, Muslims do not engage themselves in Non-Muslim holidays generally.

Let’s go back to the origins of Valentine’s Day, in ancient Rome in their festivities known as the Lupercalia. Lupercalia is a Roman pagan ritual that is celebrated in mid-February before the institution of Roman Catholicism as their state religion in 380 CE. Lupercalia is what we call now as Valentine’s Day. Lupercalia is an occasion for obscenity and promiscuity.

A time to be drunk, parade the streets of Rome naked and sacrifice animals for the gods especially to Pan, the god of farming and sexual intercourse. The wisdom behind the celebration of Lupercalia is the purification of the cities and for the citizens to be fertile the entire year. In fact, February was named such from the word Febreus which means purification.

Lupercalia is a systematic ritual with its own priests known as the Luperci or the brotherhood of the wolf. Their tradition dates back to the legend of the

K

nown for its thriving tobacco industry that dates back to eighteenth century, the mention of La Union, a province in Ilocos region, may not raise immediate interest today other than its being a famous surfing destinations in the north.

But La Union, particularly the town of Bauang, is also home to Don Antonio O. Floirendo who was, in his lifetime, indisputably acknowledged as the country’s original ‘banana king.’ He was born there on November 20, 1915, exactly a hundred and three years ago.

Bauang is only a short distance—about twenty-two kilometers—away from Caba, La Union, hometown of Protestant preacher Juan Abellera, father of appellate court justice Leopoldo Abellera whose family used to wholly own Rizal Memorial Colleges in Davao City In prewar times, Caba was the flourishing source of alupasi, known in Tagalog as lapnis, the dried banana sheaths used for wrapping tobacco bales.

The banana plantations there also sold banana leaves to the panciterias of Manila for wrapping takehome noodles.

Already in his early twenties when the Commonwealth was created,

beginning of Rome where two babies, Romulus and Remus were suckled by a wolf for them to survive. The Luperci sacrifice animals in a special altar for the occasion and their forehead is marked thereafter from the blood of the sacrificial animal that is on the sacrificial knife.

A feast would follow this sacrifice and the skin of the slaughtered animals is distributed to the public for them to run on the Roman streets and hit anyone with it. They do this while they are drunk and naked and they believe that this is the act that causes fertility that makes this part of the festivities more welcome to the women who would even line up for them to be struck with the said skin. The pregnant women line up too believing that this will ease their labor. Matchmakings between men and women are also made this day in order for them to fornicate.

In 269 CE, a man named Valentine of Rome was executed by the Romans during the Lupercalia who was later made a saint in 496 CE. Another man by the name of Valentine of Terni was executed during the Lupercalia of 273 CE who was also made a saint. A third man who goes by the name of Valentine was also recorded to be have been executed by the Romans during Lupercalia in Africa which was under Roman dominion that time.

All these executions happened during the reign of Emperor

UNDERSTANDING ISLAM

Mujahid Navarra

Claudius.

There are different accounts of the reasons for the execution of the three Valentines. One of these is that they were preaching Christianity which was illegal in Rome until Emperor Constantine made it legal in 313 CE. Emperor Constantine is the one that Filipinos commemorate during the Flores de Mayo festivities as the one who found the True Cross where Jesus was crucified. Queen Helena, on the other hand, is his mother.

Other stories tell of a Valentine, or at least one of them who marry Roman soldiers off which was also illegal in their tour of duty. There was also the famous story of a Valentine who had a romantic relationship with a daughter of a judge that he has

healed of blindness, and upon his execution, for whatever reason, he sent this lady a letter saying, ‘From your Valentine’ as a farewell.

The Roman Catholic Church, later on, recognized February 14 as Saint Valentine’s Day. In the 5th century Pope Gelasius I combined Lupercalia with Saint Valentine’s Day. Lupercalia, just like the other Roman festivities, like Saturnalia that became Christmas, were made Christian festivities in order to attract the pagans into the new Catholic religion.

The popularity of Valentine’s Day became more widespread because of the works of romance writers such as Shakespeare and others. It became more widespread in other parts of the world and just like other occasions, they developed a whole industry that is dependent on the money that is made during these festivities. Every year, billions of dollars are being made from chocolates, flowers, Valentine’s cards, and other gift items during Valentine’s Day. Helen Fisher, a sociologist even remarked that due to Valentine’s day, the Hallmark company was saved from bankruptcy.

Added to that is the added revenue to the hotel and resort industries that get fully booked these days especially due to the unmarried couples who may be involved in extramarital and pre-marital sex who believe that they must express their love this

day.

also met with strong objections from business and political leaders, prompting the foreign company “to cancel the project or locate it at another site.”

Peter Krinks, professor at Macquarie University (Australia), wrote about this in ‘Rural Transformation under Peripheral Capitalism: The Philippine Banana Export Industry’ (1983): “In 1963-64 United Fruit had attempted to develop the Philippine industry with a proposal for a joint venture between its wholly-owned subsidiary Mindanao Fruit Company and a government agency, leasing the land of an agricultural penal colony in Davao province. Nationalist protests, stressing the inadequate rents and returns for the government, caused the abandonment of the proposal but United remained determined to obtain a Philippine source of supply for its. Japanese operations.”

It was only on July 11, 1969 that Floirendo made his presence in the banana industry felt. On that day he signed a joint venture agreement (JVA) with Dapecol (now Bureau of Corrections) through his firm, Tagum Agricultural Development Company (TADECO).

Under the accord, the

Floirendo firm would be allowed to cultivate three thousand hectares of the reservation into a banana plantation in exchange for helping rehabilitate the inmates.

The deal, which was thoroughly scrutinized

by Congress, was finally approved by then justice secretary Juan Ponce Enrile, later senator, with the endorsement of President Ferdinand E. Marcos.

A decade later, a consolidated JVA was signed on September 26, 1979, combining all provisions, amendments and supplements in the original contract. Under the new accord, the land coverage of Tadeco was expanded to 5,212.46 hectares and carried a 25-year lease period. On May 21, 2003, the consolidated JVA was renewed, now covering 5,308.36 hectares.

Through the decades, Don Antonio, a mining engineer, acquired and owned lands that he converted into farms, while putting into practice on a bigger scale what he had observed in the tobacco farms as young man in La Union. Though he never really ventured into selling banana sheaths and leaves, he only mined the fruits of his plantations and earned dollars in return.

Floirendo and La Union’s ‘alupasi’

Floirendo had a clear recollection on how banana plantations found, including small farms in Bauang, were contributing to the burgeoning demand for banana sheaths and leaves in Manila.

When Floirendo finally decided to enter the banana sector in Davao after a decade-long success in the abaca enterprise, there was no arguing he already had fairly good knowledge on how to manage his own banana business, better than the ones he observed back home.

It was not Floirendo who first proposed the cultivation of penal lands into banana plantations.

As early as 1963, United Fruit Company, an American tropical fruit firm, proposed to the Philippine government the cultivation of the Davao Penal Colony reservation area into a banana plantation.

Formed in 1899, UFC, a merger of two companies, primarily traded bananas grown in Latin America and sold in the United States and Europe. Later, its investment resulted in the control of huge lands in central American, West Indies, Colombia, and Ecuador and virtually monopolized countries that would be collectively known as the “banana republics.”

In 1970, due to anoth-

FAST BACKWARD Antonio V. Figueroa er merger, it was renamed United Brands Company, and fourteen years later, in another name-change, it became Chiquita Brands International. Throughout its existence, CBI has to deal with main rival the Dole Food Company, erstwhile known as Standard Fruit Company.

UFC’s Dapecol proposal got the support of government, which resulted in an agreement. But Sen. Lorenzo M. Tañada, in a letter to President Diosdado Macapagal dated October 17, 1964, wanted the deal investigated. The lease agreement involved the 10,000 hectares.

Unhappy with the development, even Sen. Alejandro D. Almendras, a lawmaker from Davao, also joined the fray by urging Congress to conduct an enquiry. The proposal was

Industries that make money out of Valentine’s Day make every kind of promotion and advertisement in order to lure people into spending more in order to celebrate this day even more. Unwittingly, these marketing stunts inculcate to the people that it is worthless to spend this day alone without a romantic partner. This phenomenon is known to cause a rise in cases of depression on people who don’t have romantic partners for Valentine’s Day. This pagan origin of Valentine’s Day is enough reason for any pious Muslim to avoid it because its origin is that of paganism and polytheism, something that even the Catholic Church knows about and is constantly reminding people to avoid.

Added to this is the belief that Muslims hold that festivities are considered as acts of worship as they involve sacrificing animals and veneration of a deity whether it’s a saint like Saint Valentine or an ancient god like Pan. Muslims only have two yearly holidays. Eidul Fitr after Ramadhan, the month of fasting and Eidul Adha during the time of Hajj or pilgrimage.

Muslims may not participate during the festivities but they sure could enjoy the day off for any non-Muslim occasion. For more information about Islam please visit our Facebook page: Hasanah Media Agency.

8 ENVIRONMENT EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 235 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2019

Biodegradable Substitute to Synthetic Plastics Developed

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

P

lastic is now one of the country’s top pollutants of canals, rivers, and other waterways. Unfortunately, most of these buoyant materials end up in the open seas.

In a report released a few years ago, the Ocean Conservancy singled out the Philippines as one of five countries from where majority of plastics originates. Also on the list were China, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand.

“As rapidly developing economies, these countries are now passing through a typical stage of economic growth as consumer demand for disposable products grows more rapidly than the waste management infrastructure,” the report said.

The word plastic is derived from the Greek plastikos, which means “capable of being shaped or molded.” It refers to their malleability or plasticity during manufacture, which allows them to be cast, pressed, or extruded into a variety of shapes – such as films, fibers, plates, tubes, bottles, boxes, and much more.

Various plastics are used in the manufacture of each consumer item. For fibers and textiles, polyester (PES) is used while carbonated drinks bottles, peanut butter jars, plastic film, and microwaveable packaging, the material used is polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is used for detergent bottles, milk jugs, and molded plastic cases.

When manufacturing plumbing pipes and guttering, shower curtains, window frames, and flooring, polyvinyl chloride (PCV) is used while it is polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) for food packaging. Outdoor furniture, siding, floor tiles, shower curtains, and clamshell packaging come from low-density polyethylene (LDPE).

Bottle caps, drinking straws, yogurt containers, appliances, car fenders (bumpers), and plastic pressure pipe systems are made of polypropylene (PP). Packaging foam, food containers, plastic tableware, disposable cups, plates, cutlery, and compact discs and cassette boxes come from polystyrene (PS).

High impact polystyrene (HIPS) is made for refrigerator liners, food packaging, and vending cups. Fibers, toothbrush bristles, tubing, fishing line, and low strength machine parts (like underthe-hood car engine parts or gun frames) are made from polyamides (PA) or popularly known as nylons.

If you’re wondering what those electronic equipment cases (e.g., computer monitors, printers, keyboards) and

drainage pipe are made of, it’s acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Eyeglasses, riot shields, security windows, traffic lights, and lenses are made of polycarbonate (PC).

Polyurethanes (PU) is currently the sixth most commonly used plastic material. It is used in cars such as cushioning foams, thermal insulation foams, surface coatings, and in printing rollers.

These days, plastics are part of Filipinos’ daily life, according to Juvinia P. Serafin, senior environmental management specialist of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), a line agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Plastics come in the form of credit cards, food containers and packages, utensils, sachet packs, kitchen wares, toys, and furniture.

But the most popular of them all is plastic bags. “Since they were introduced in the 1970s, plastic bags have infiltrated our lives,” wrote Caroline Williams in New Scientist. “Globally, we carry home between 500 billion and a trillion every year – about 150 bags for every person on earth, or, to put it another way, a million every minute and rising.”

Aside from plastic bags, other single-use plastics include straws, coffee stirrers, soda and water bottles and most food packaging materials. The country’s so-called “sachet economy” has also contributed to the proliferation of plastics. Products sold in single-use sachets include instant coffee, shampoo, cooking oil, food seasoning and toothpaste. Once they’re used, they are just thrown away.

But there’s a good news.

The Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has

developed a biodegradable substitute to synthetic plastics. It comes in the form of biodegradable polymer, described as “a more environment-friendly alternative.”

“Synthetic plastics are petrochemical-based, which means that they are not easily degraded and would take almost a decade to decompose,” explained Dr. Marissa A. Paglicawan, supervising science research specialist at ITDI. “This prompted lawmakers and plastic makers worldwide to identify and develop durable biodegradable bio-based alternatives.”

But the hitch is: not all synthetic plastics can be replaced with biodegradable polymer. Those single use plastics are among them. Another problem: cost of biodegradable polymer is slightly higher than the synthetic plastic.

But still, Paglicawan believes the biodegradable substitute to synthetic plastics offers prospect for plastic manufacturers.

“The small size of industry players in the area of biodegradable polymer signals an opportunity for those who want to venture into the manufacturing of plastics,” Dr. Paglicawan wrote in S&T Post. “Plastic manufacturers can easily shift to this type of technology because there are no required investment for pre-processing equipment and skilled workers. They can still use their existing equipment of extrusion and face pelletizer machine.”

Currently, there is still no one producing biodegradable thermoplastic polymer in the country. But there is a local distributor of Polylactic Acid, a synthetic biodegradable polymer, according to Dr. Paglicawan.

“Although most plastics are recyclable, their disposal becomes a problem due to the lack of landfill area,” she

said. “A single-use packaging always ends up in a landfill, a situation which prompted the government to formulate 13 House Bills and Senate Bills on the regulation and phasing out of plastic bags and other plastic packaging materials.”

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu agrees. “Plastic, particularly those for single-use packaging, has greatly contributed to the degradation of the environment,” he said. “Plastic pollution continues to poison our oceans and injure marine life. When not properly disposed, they clog waterways and cause flooding.”

Plastics likewise threaten marine wildlife species. Last August 7, a dead 3.5-meter whale shark washed ashore near Tagum City, Davao del Norte. “It died of ingested toxic waste,” said Darrell Blatchley, owner of D’Bone Collector Museum in Davao City.

Blatchley and another Filipino science researcher performed a necropsy examination of the marine animal that found plastic cups and sandwich bags inside the animal’s stomach and multiple candy wrappers blocking its gills.

“I am angry,” said Blatchley who has performed necropsies on 60 whales and dolphins, countless turtles and megamouth sharks in recent years. “Nothing has changed. Man causes the death of these marine animals.”

Another concern: microplastics, which are generally less than 5 millimeters in diameter. “(These) can harm juvenile fish which can ultimately harm fish stock,” Serafin said.

In addition, microplastics can provide the medium for the bioaccumulation of potentially toxic pollutants in the food chain. “Plastic particles can absorb industrial and

agricultural pollutants causing damage to fish organs,” said Serafin.

Environmentalists caution against burning those plastics to get rid of them completely. Scientists say that chlorine-based plastics, when incinerated, contribute to the formation of dioxins, a poisonous waste that forms when chlorine is exposed to extreme heat.

“Dioxins are considered highly toxic and are implicated in weakening the immune system, affecting fetal development and causing a skin disorder called chloracne,” wrote Chynthia P. Shea, a former staff member of the Worldwatch Institute.

Along with reducing un-

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necessary plastic consumption, Worldwatch says that finding more environmentally friendly packaging alternatives, and improving product and packaging design to use less plastic, many challenges associated with plastics could be addressed by improving management of the material across its life cycle.

“Businesses and consumers could increase their participation in collection in order to move plastic waste toward a recovery supply chain, and companies could switch to greater use of recycled plastics,” Worldwatch suggests. “Governments must regulate the plastic supply chain to encourage and monitor recycling.” – ###

ing the ball after Deguara blocked Renaldo Balkman’s layup and drilled a triple that cut the lead down to two, 82-80, with 1:09 left.

Chan Siu Wing, however, found Deguara inside, and the latter scored the lay-in to stretch the Long Lions lead back to four, 84-80.

Their defense then forced Alab to a shotclock violation, and Lee Ki added two free throws to increase the lead to six, 86-80, with 28 seconds left.

Balkman still threatened for Alab by draining a long bomb that trimmed the lead down to three, 8683, with 22 seconds left, but Marcus Elliott iced the game with two free throws in the next play.

Holyfield, who took

over O’Darien Bassett as Eastern’s world import, had an impressive debut in the premier home-and-away professional basketball league of the Eastern Asian region, making 19 points, 20 rebounds, one assist, one block, and one steal.

Deguara had an even more humongous stat line, grabbing 31 rebounds and blocking eight shots on top of 18 points and three assists as Eastern moved up to fourth place at 12-9.

Parks put up 29 points, five rebounds, three assists, and one steal in total for the Philippines’ ABL representative, which saw its seven-game winning streak come to an end, although it remains on top at 13-3.

(PNA)

thinking,” she stated.

No learner left behind Since 2016, Smart and its partners have donated a 109 School-in-a-Bag units to various learning institutions nationwide, 83 of which were turned over in 2018 alone. To date, the Program has benefitted over thirty thousand students and over a thousand teachers in communities all over the country.

The School-in-a-Bag kits provided to schools in the Bangsamoro region were donated by Smart and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) with the support of the Philippines Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Synergeia Foundation, and the local government units around the province. “We hope to create more partnerships with other organizations to reach more remote schools in the Philip-

pines,” said Stephanie Orlino, Senior Manager for Education, Smart Public Affairs.

Smart emphasized how strong partnerships with community stakeholders are essential in developing Learn Smart programs. “From partnerships with government and non-government offices, local government units, companies, academe, advocacy groups, and media, we all need to work together to help build a nation where no learner is left behind,” said Darwin F. Flores, Community Partnerships Head, Smart Public Affairs.

Interested parties who wish to learn more about Smart’s educational programs can visit the Smart Communities Facebook page at www.facebook. com/SmartCommunities or email learnsmart@smart. com.ph.

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VOL.11 ISSUE 235 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2019

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lice personnel, while 540 police workforce are deployed from across the province.

Except for JAS which has four candidates running for mayoral position, there is no intense political rivalry in the province, Cuyos disclosed.

“Davao Occidental has no political hotbeds, no intense political rivalry. As of now, there’s no record of incidents related to intense political rivalry,” he confirmed.

However, he said that they are always reminding the candidates to strictly

observe the election rules such as gun ban and prohibition of private armed groups (PAGs).

The PNP official revealed that they are also expecting a possible situation wherein the NPA might impose the permit to campaign and permit to win fees.

“We are monitoring candidates who might encounter this. If they (candidates) will not give in, they will be threatened. But as of now, there is no such reported incident,” Cuyos stated. (PIA-XI/Carina L. Cayon)

Development (CHD) recorded a 75-percent reduction of measles cases in the city.

From January 1 to February 10 of 2019, only a total 86 suspected measles cases were reported compared to the alarming 347 measles outbreak recorded in the same period of last year.

However, Acosta said that the city is not going to be complacent as the health office has recorded a one-year old child who died due to pneumonia.

The child, who was found to have measles possibly transmitted from the father, was confined at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).

The victim was not immu-

nized because the parents feared the adverse effect of the vaccine. Details of the child’s death have yet to be validated by the office.

CHO is also confirming another case wherein a child from Matina Pangi also died from measles.

City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has stepped up the campaign for vaccination. Acosta said that the mayor’s participation hugely contributed in convincing the parents to have their children vaccinated as early as nine months to one year old.

“One midwife told us that since Mayor Sara spoke up, she noticed a huge influx of parents, having their kids vaccinated,” she said.

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NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

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want everything to be done as soon as possible because the services the RGC has to offer are urgently needed. “Within the next few months, we will finish the documents for the presidential proclamation. Hoping that by June all this documents will be ready and the presidential proclamation will follow thereafter.”

The tagging of the informal set-

tlers in Bago Oshiro, according to Sales, will follow after the memorandum of understanding (MOU) is fully signed.

“Hinihintay nalang ang signature ni Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, kasi kailangan yan ng endorsement mula sa City Council of Davao,” he added.

Meantime, Vice Mayor Bernard Al-ag presided over the induction of officers of ARENA 11.

located by transportation-related projects are also under their supervision.

Eje also guaranteed that the train for the MRP will be electrified two-track train, contrary to the old proposal of a fuel-operated single-track

railway, which Sec. Alonto had strongly opposed.

He said that the DOTr is just awaiting for the approval of the project from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) before it will officially kick off.

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JASKIN PAWNSHOP

Notice of Auction Sale

9

CANDIDATES... FROM 4

by the head of office, branch or agency to which he belongs.

The Ombudsman shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out

the purpose of this subsection, including pertinent reporting and disclosure requirements. – Malou Mangahas, PCIJ, February 2019

This, in turn, will ensure the preservation of the city’s water table and save it from irreversible environmental degradation such as land subsidence and saltwater intrusion--both typical results of groundwater over-extraction.

Set to be the largest private bulk water supply facility in the country, the project will provide the DCWD with over 300 million liters per day (mld) of safe water. A first in the country, the project’s wa-

ter treatment facility will be powered by renewable energy sourced from a hydroelectric power plant. The project also involves two components: Part A being undertaken by Apo Agua involves construction of intake facilities, a water treatment facility, and treated water pipelines; Part B is being handled by the DCWD and involves tapping and interconnecting pipes, installation of reservoirs, and laying of distribution lines.

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ERRATUM

All Jewelry and other items pawned at Jaskin Pawnshop San Perdo Street, Davao City during the months of September 2018, if not redeemed or renewed will be sold to the public on February 20, 2019 at our pawnshop premises.

The Notice of Auction Sale by RSY Pawnshops,San Pedro RSY, Agdao RSY, G-Mall Diamond, Tagum Diamond Palace was erroneously printed magasubasta sa tanan nga nag expired sa bulan sa Marso 2018 ,instead of December 2018 in February 13, 2019 Edge Davao issue.

Our apologies.

February 15, 17, 19

– The Editors.

10 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 235 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2019

11 SPORTS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.11 ISSUE 235 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2019

SOUTHEAST ASIAN GEMAS SPONSORS. (Left to right) Thomas Quemin(GL Events), Jin Guilliame-Lacoste (GL Eevents), Jaime Bautista (PAL CEO), Paul Butalid (CEO ATOS PH), William Ramirez (PSC Chairman), Annil Buxani (CEO Sonak), Lars Heidenrich (Mediapro), Alan Cayetano, Jirayu Supjindavong (Grand Sports), PAL witness, Ramon Suzara (COO), Patrick Gregorio (Director General).

6 firms back SEA Games

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ith a new facility erected on a 9,450 hectare property ready for use by its participants and service levels prepared at par with Asian and world multi sports events, the 30th South East Asian Games proved to be an attractive investment to a number of established sports brands.

Six companies entered into partnership agreements with the Philippine South East Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) today at the Kalayaan Hall, SM Aura, boosting the country’s preparation drive into higher gear.

PHISGOC was represented by its Chairperson, former Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez, and Philippine Olympic Committee President Ricky Vargas.

Atos, from Spain, who

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was designated as the official games management system provider of the upcoming games is a global leader in digital transformation having provided their solutions to past Olympic and Asian Games. Philippine Airlines, the nations flag carrier, will be the official airline carrier of the games tasked with transporting key delegates and officials from around the world. GL Events, based in France, is a world class provider of integrated solutions and services for past international sporting events will lead in doing overlays of 39 sporting venues to be used for the SEA Games.

Thailand based sports apparel company Grand Sport will be providing the uniforms for the workforce, volunteers and technical officials. Asics, from Japan, on the other hand, will be donned by our national athletes in their official kits car-

ometimes I wondered, why my career path went into sportswriting and later on, into sports management.

It was actually Leonilo “LGC” Claudio, publisher of the defunct Daily San Pedro Express(DSPEX) and two-time president and chairman of the Philippine Press Institute(PPI), who gave me a break.

I’m trying to recall who told me about the opening of a sportswriter’s position at the DSPEX but for sure it came from the campus journalism fraternity. I think it was Dahlia Corbeta, Theresa Sampaton of the HCDC Crossroads, Gil Villarejo and Jessie Vero of the UM Collegian.

There I met the Stanford University-educated and very amiable Michael Dacudao Locsin, our Bureau Chief, UST-educated and The Manila Times veteran Florencio Ranido, Sandy Perez was our military and police beat reporter, manong Jess Ibanez, our Editor, and Neil Bravo was our sports columnist along with Lan Espinosa. Bing Gonzales and Morie Aguilar were our photographers. Manong Roger Balanza, who years later became City Press Secretary, Andy Rara, who joined ABS-CBN, also wrote for the paper.

Manong Lan Daval was our cartoonist.

At that time, DSPEX was also

rying the Philippine flag on their chests. Official game ball and sporting equipments will be provided by Mikasa, Marathon and Molten, all brought in by Sonak Corporation to the country.

Lastly, as this event aims to be the most viewed and most memorable games in the entire history of the SEA Games, Spain-based MediaPro Asia will lead the efforts in international broadcast while also being the official media rights and sponsorships partner of PHISGOC. All partners have established their expertise in the Asian market, having worked with numerous Asian-level events in the past. The strong concensus is their wish to become part of the 39th SEAG seeing it as an opportunity to give back to the region which Is their consistent solid business public.

“We win as one,” Cayetano highlighted the impor-

tance of unity and bringing people together. “Together, we can make this the most viewed and best hosted SEAG.” “More than just investing in this year’s SEA Games, you are investing in our country, our people, and the development of our athletes. Not only Filipino athletes but athletes of the Southeast Asian region,” said Ramirez in his speech.

Touted as the biggest SEAG in history, the 2019 edition will feature 56 sports and 523 events spread across 39 venues in Subic, Clark, Tagaytay, and Metro Manila.

Cayetano expressed his gratitude to the Duterte government for its unparalleled support particularly for building world class sports facilities, the first since 1934 when the historic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex was erected.

Why love for sports?

publishing Prensa Zamboanga and Kutawato Express.

Being cub sportswriters, I and Corbeta, Sampaton, Villarejo and Vero were not using the IBM Computers at that time but we were using the old reliable typewriters.

Good thing, there was Typing 1 and 2 courses in college.

That sportswriting job also gave my Papang Marcial, who was already retired at that time, a break from paying my college tuition fees.

A week before the exam, I go to sir Nilo and tell him about my upcoming exam and with his baritone voice, calls his secretary Mila, “Milaaaa, ang cheke.” I was a working student at that time and never left that paper until it closed down.

It is true that a sportswriter’s salary is just enough to make a living and not enough to raise a family at that time, nonetheless, because of our love for sports, many of us stayed with the vocation for awhile until I was the only one left, hehehe.

Then came Butch Ramirez, then sports consultant of Mayor Digong, who gave us a break in sports management and finally, we can afford to buy our own beer and pulutan every Friday at Sage Pizza (used to be located in front of our Edge Davao office), hahahaha. And the rest is history.

CLEAN SLATE Moses Billacura Anyway, if you probably ask me what is the best job that I had, it was actually being a sportswriter. That’s it. And for probably insane reason, even if the pay was low, we just love doing it. That’s the very reason why, we have to be correspondents for the national papers and do PR work for sports organizations, aron maka afford mig palit ug beer ug pulutan oi, hahaha.

And why people are involved in sports in the first place?

For sports leaders, it was an op-

Ramos-less Alab bows to Eastern

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he Hong Kong Eastern Long Lions finally got a win against San Miguel Alab Pilipinas this ASEAN Basketball League season, taking an 88-83 victory in their final meeting of the year at the Southorn Stadium in Hong Kong on Wednesday night.

Seven-foot-five behemoth Sam Deguara and new signing Michael Holyfield made the most out of the absence of fellow beanpole PJ Ramos as Eastern took the tail end of their two-game series against Alab at home.

Alab dearly missed Ramos, who sat out the game due to food poisoning, as Deguara and Holyfield sim-

portunity to serve the community, to give something back. Such has been the case of many sports leaders who led their various sports associations.

For others, they used their position to further their interest, business interest, actually, to be able to be “humot” to those who are in power, aron maka kuhag contrata. And I don’t see anything wrong with that.

In this world, it’s a “I scratch your back, I’ll scratch yours”, ana lang.

I’ve seen sports leaders spend their hard-earned money for sports development and many sportswriters know it because we are just a small community.

That is the very reason that aside from reporting sports news, sportswriters have also become brokers between the private and government sports sectors in the conduct of sports events.

Sports leaders, just a few of them, fortunately are “badlongons”, have been spending their own money for years and years and with partnership with local and national sports agencies, they were able to sustain their sports program.

That is why we salute those sports leaders who have been helping in the development of the sports that they so love. And it is that very reason that many of them were never replaced as regional directors or

ply took over the shaded lane to lead the Long Lions to a 27-15 lead in the first quarter.

Despite Alab slowly getting their groove in the next two periods, the Long Lions maintained their hold of the lead, 71-64, entering the fourth.

Ray-Ray Parks, however, came alive at the start of the fourth, sparking a 13-0 run to put Alab up, 77-71.

The Long Lions responded with an 11-0 run of their own to reclaim the lead for good, 82-77, with 1:22 to play.

Ethan Alvano kept Alab in the game after recover-

FRAMOS, P8

regional presidents because of their love and dedication to the sport.

Hangtod na lang nangamatay sila like Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas regional director Regino “Boy” Cua, the godfather of amateur basketball development in the region, whose position is now well taken cared of by Glenn Escandor of The Royal Mandaya Hotel.

Their spouses were even complaining, “Ga sige rag gastos, wa may kita diha”. That is really true. And yet they keep doing it. Crazy isn’t it?

Why are we in sports? Is it for prestige? Gusto mo sikat?

“Panginabuhi”? For additional income? Too many reasons.

In the beginning, it was actually true love for sport.

And eventually, it led to other opportunities. Opportunities that either made them or broke them.

Ang uban, nadaut ang ngalan sa ilang pamilya, tungod sa kwarta. Ngano? Big funding can sometimes tempt you to do what is wrong and if you do that right thing, and your name will be remembered for all time. Gugma versus kwarta, pag pili asa ka?

Again, in the beginning it was pure love.

Let us keep it that way. To all lovers of sports, Happy Valentine’s Day!

12 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL.11 ISSUE 235 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15-16, 2019

TOO MUCH RED Red Eagles advance to NBTC semis

By KOII CANARIAS

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VINCE THE PRINCE. Vince Petdeo Cuajao goes through his defenders to lead Holy Child College of Davao to victory. Koii Canarias

itle favorite Holy Child College of Davao Red Eagles punched a ticket to the semifinals of the SM National Basketball Training Center (SM-NBTC) Davao Qualifiers after defeating a hard-fighting Lamb of God SPED Academy Saints 89-83 at the close of the eliminations on Wednesday at the University of Mindanao Matina Gymnasium.

The Saints held their own against the rampaging Eagles engaging the powerhouse squad that recently won the DAVRAA title to a nip and tuck affair through all quarters, keeping the distance as close as three points and no more than five.

But it was the poise that mattered when the game was on the line as the experienced Red Eagles forced the Saints to a spate of turnovers in the final minute.

Marvin Samonte sank a huge three-pointer and a free throw in the dying seconds to seal the win for Holy Child and booked a spot to the Final Four.

The Red Eagles’ main man Vince Petdeo Cuajao did not disappoint as he paced the Jacinto-based squad with 16 points. Samonte matched Cuajao’s output as the duo combined with Joshua Reyes, who also exploded for 14, in a three-pronged scoring machine that netted 46 markers. Miguelito Manuel, who

will also suit up for the Davao Region’s Palarong Pambansa squad this year, and Kane Montero carried the fight for the Saints with 20 points each.

Holy Child Red Eagles will take on the Davao Jones Spunkies in the Semis while Ford Academy will battle the Ateneo de Davao Blue Knights in the other semis tussle. The SM-NBTC semi-final games will be played on Friday at the UM Matina Gymnasium.

The year started well for the Red Eagles Basketball team beginning with their victory in the 3x3 U18 Nationals back in January, followed by back to back wins in the DAVRAA and Batang Pinoy Mindanao Leg this month.