Edge Davao | Vol 12 Issue 4 | Thursday, March 14, 2019

VOL.12 ISSUE 4 • THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2019

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► STILL NO CONSENSUS ON 2019 BUDGETP2

FAREWELL BAPA GHAZALI Bangsamoro leader Jaafar passes away at 75 due to cancer

By ADAM B. MORRELL and LEEBAI SINSUAT AMBOLODTO

H

e was exhausted, but it was mission accomplished.

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) first vice chairman Ghazali Jaafar, a member of the newly-created Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), passed away on Wednesday afternoon after a battle with colon cancer.

He was 75.

Ghazali Jaafar His wife, Haja Lucaya said in Maguindanaon: “Nalugat sekanin. Tinagak kami nin den, ka napasad nin den i galbek nin (He was exhausted, he left us because he has accomplished his mission).”

Maguindanao first district Representative Bai Sandra Sema posted the same words on her social media account on Wednesday. Jaafar’s widow let out her sentiments to Rep. Sema during the burial of the MILF leader on Wednesday afternoon. Jafaar’s body was laid to rest near his home at the Km 14, Barangay Pigkalagan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

Sema shared Lucaya’s thoughts to Edge Davao in a phone interview.

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GEARING UP. A worker arranges the centerpiece decoration of The Royal Mandaya Hotel’s lobby as the hotel gears up for the 82nd Araw ng Davao celebration on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr

Davao City 99.9% ready for Palaro 2019

D

avao City is 99.9% ready to host the 2019 Palarong Pambansa slated on April 27 to May 2.

Department of Education (DepEd) Davao Region spokesperson and

information officer Janielito "Dodong" Atillo made the announcement on Wednesday, March 13, during the AFP-PNP Press Corps briefing held at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.

Atillo said that after a

series of evaluation, the city is virtually ready for the biggest national sports conclave devoted for elementary and secondary athletes.

"The .1 percent is just a matter of addressing minor issues," Atillo said.

The DepEd is currently working on the beautification and cleanliness of the venues, taking charge

FDAVAO DAVAO P13

Atillo: “We are 99.9 percent ready.”

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 4 • THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2019

JAAFAR, 75. Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) first Vice Chairman and Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) chair Ghazali Jaafar chats with President Rodrigo Duterte and former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez during a gathering of Muslim leaders at SMX Convention Center in Davao City in this file photo. Jaafar passed away at the age of 75 early morning of Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr

signs law on Still no consensus PRRD kids’safety in cars on 2019 budget P

T

he Senate and House of Representatives have not reached a consensus on the proposed PHP3.757-trillion 2019 national budget despite the congressional leaders’ Tuesday night meeting with President Rodrigo R. Duterte to resolve the budget impasse.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Duterte told lawmakers that he will not sign the budget if Sotto does not sign it.

Sotto noted that the House “appeared to have acquiesced” with Senator Panfilo Lacson’s proposal to revert to the ratified version of the budget bill, but there is still no confir-

mation.

“The President wanted to resolve the impasse.

He opened the dialogue by saying he will not sign the budget if I do not sign it,” Sotto told reporters in a group message.

“After some words from both sides, Senator Lacson suggested that the House recall the enrolled copy

they sent and revert back to the bicam report that both houses approved. The President and members of the executive department concurred,” Sotto added.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said the President asked lawmakers to pass the budget “so that the programs of government can continue.”

Zubiri said the Senate proposal was just to pass the ratified version of the 2019 budget, while the House insisted on the lineby-line itemization and not lump sum appropriations.

“We still met while the President had left but

lowing month. For example, the deadline for payment of contributions for March 2019 will be on April 30, 2019.

Further, HRs can now pay contributions on a quarterly basis. They can pay any or all of the months of a calendar quarter. The calendar quarters are January to March, April to June, July to September, and October to December. The payment deadline for HRs will be until the end

of the month following the applicable calendar quarter. For example, the deadline for payment of contributions for the first quarter of the year (January to March) will be on April 30.

The contribution payment deadline for self-employed, voluntary and non-working spouse (SE/VM/NWS) members was also revised under the new guidelines. Contribution payments from January to June 2019

there’s still no consensus unfortunately,” Zubiri said.

Present during the meeting were Senate finance committee chair Loren Legarda, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, and Senator Gringo Honasan.

Representing the House contingent were Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, House appropriations committee chair Rolando Andaya, and House Majority Leader Fredenil Castro, among others.

The government has been operating on a reen-

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SSS extends deadline for Jan-June 2019 contributions

T

he Social Security System (SSS) has extended the payment deadline for contributions payment for employers and individual members for the period of January to June 2019.

The new payment schedule allows regular employers (ERs) and household employers (HRs) who are paying contributions monthly, can pay their obligations until the end of the fol-

can be paid until July 31, whether they are paying on a monthly, quarterly or semi-annual basis.

On the other hand, the contribution payment schedule for OFW members will remain the same. They can pay their contributions for the months of January to December of a given year within the same year while, contributions for the months of October to December of a given year

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resident Rodrigo R. Duterte has signed into law a bill that requires motor vehicle owners to use child restraint systems when traveling with children.

Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11229 or the Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act on Feb. 22 and a copy of which was released to media on March 12.

“It shall be unlawful for the driver of a covered vehicle not to properly secure at all times a child, in a child restraint system while the engine is running or transporting such child on any road, street, or highway unless the child is at least 150 centimeters or 59 inches in height and is properly secured using the regular seat belt. The child restraint system shall be appropriate to the child’s age, height, and weight,” the law reads.

Under the law, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd) and private agencies and organizations must undertake regular nationwide information, education, and communication campaign within six months from the passage of this act.

The campaign must in-

clude information on the proper installation, use, and maintenance of the child restraint system The DOTr may call upon any government agency, including the Philippine National Police (PNP) and non-government organizations (NGOs) to extend their full support and cooperation for the implementation of this act.

It must also conduct and submit to Congress a periodic review on the implementation of this act at the end of the third year from the date of effectivity year thereafter.

The DOTr, in consultation with the Department of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), DOH, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), and other concerned agencies and stakeholders must promulgate the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) on child restraint systems within six months from the effectivity of this act.

The act shall take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two national newspa-

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EDGEDAVAO

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 4 • THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2019

Inter-agency team pushes for high impact projects

I

PNP NAT’L COMMAND CONFERENCE. Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) deputy regional director for operations Police Colonel Eden Ugale says the main agenda in today’s Philippine National Police (PNP) national command conference which will be attended by all regional directors in the country and will be presided by

President Rodrigo Duterte at Arcadia Sports Complex in Davao City is the security preparations for the upcoming midterm elections. Ugale made the disclosure during AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr

PH exports to Japan hit $884.95M in January

T

he country’s exports to Japan reached $884.95 million in January 2019, surpassing the United States of America as the top export market of the Philippines, according to data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority on Tuesday.

The PSA reported that export sales from Japan increased by 29.23% from $684.75 million in December 2018 to $884.95 million in January 2019 while those from the US went up by only 7.6% from $774.37 million in December 2018 to $833.87 million in January 2019.

Hong Kong came in as the third highest export

market of the Philippines with sales reaching $662.77 million, followed by People’s Republic of China $556.93 million, Singapore $281.74 million, Thailand $209.51 million, The Netherlands $177.07 million, Republic of Korea $169.28 million, and Taiwan $165.46 million.

However, the country’s total export sales were valued at $5.28 billion in Jan-

DPWH holds roughness survey of national roads

T

he Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) through the Regional and District Engineering Offices are currently assisting the Consultant, RoadKorea Inc. in joint venture with Cybersoft Integrated Geoinformatics, Inc. (RKI JV CIGI) in the conduct of the National Road Roughness Index Program III (NRRIP III) in various regions of the country.

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said the program aims to survey a total of 12,382 kilometers of all primary national roads nationwide and secondary national roads in National Capital Region (NCR); Regions VI, VII, VIII in Visayas; and Regions IX, XI, XII in Mindanao.

“We are supervising the Consultant in the deployment of survey vehicles equipped with special

survey equipment such as the laser profilometer, distance measurement instrument, cameras, global positioning system (GPS) and special laptop computers to complete activities for NRRIP III,” said Secretary Villar.

“The survey will be able to identify and gauge the smoothness/roughness of our national roads according to the International Roughness Index (IRI) and make this as a major input to our Pavement Management System (PMS) in coming up with a recommendation on the necessary intervention to improve the safety and quality of thoroughfares,” added Secretary Villar.

Just last January 28, 2019, the DPWH Samar First District Engineering Office, in partnership with the DPWH Region VIII Of-

uary 2019, a decrease of 1.7% compared to $5.37 billion recorded in the same period of 2018.

The decline was due to the decreases in export sales of five of the top export commodities, namely, electronic equipment and parts (-37.9%); metal components (-35.8%); gold (-33.3%); machinery and transport equipment (-24.2%); and other manufactured goods (-15.3%), PSA reported.

China has remained the country’s top supplier of imported goods, which amounted to $2 billion in January 2019, an increase

of 24.5% compared to $1.61 billion in January 2018.

Korea emerged as the second biggest supplier of imports with $789.56 million, followed by Japan $789 million, USA $650.68 million, Thailand $602.67 million, Indonesia $502.46 million, Singapore $439.60 million, Taiwan $423.29 million, Vietnam $356.86 million, and Malaysia $316.74 million.

The Philippines’ total imported goods amounted to $9.03 billion last January 2019, rising by 5.8% from $8.54 billion in January 2019.

FPH, P13

nfrastructure projects are key drivers and backbone of the countrys economy. Thus, right set of interventions through proper planning and programming are critical for its effective implementation, especially in an island-region like Mindanao.

The inter-agency convergence of Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and its regional offices, recently conducted the 10th Mindanao Development Corridors Joint Planning and Programming (MinDC-JPP) Session last February 26-28, 2019.

Following the agreement of the previous MinDC-JPP session, the team inspected the Cotabato - Pagadian - Zamboanga del Sur roads and Zamboanga del Sur coastal roads traversing a 172kilometer stretch, which covers the eight (8) municipalities of Dumalinao, San Pablo, Dinas, Dimataling, Tabina, Pitogo, Vicenzo Sagun and Margosatubig, as part of its Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) scheme.

The team led by MinDA Policy, Planning and Project Development Director Reyzaldy Tan and NEDA Region IX Director Phlorita Ridao, came up with an agreement on the following matters: First, identification of missing gaps and segments in order to complete the road network; Second, establishment of a common point at certain boundaries through joint surveys; Third, impiementation

of road projects within the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

As of November 2018, an estimated PhP 39 billion has been allocated for the 42 inter-regional projects under the MinDC, 32 of which are roads; six for bridges; and four for flood controls. A total of 204.32 kilometers or 46.8% are completed out of the 1,500 kilometers target length while, 258.93 kilometers or 16.17% are still for improvement and opening.

For 2019, an estimated PhP 16 billion is being proposed for continuing allocation from the national government.

Under the MinDC, a spatial strategy that aims for a seamless physical integration and strong economic cooperation among regions in Mindanao, these road projects ensure inter-regional connectivity of growth centers and its peripheries.

With the acceleration of these high impact infrastructUre Projects, it hopes to create an enabling business and investment environment; scale up agricultural industries that further enhances Mindanao’s stance as the food basket of the country; Open viable business opportunities and livelihood; increase income of farmers, fisher folks and Other Micro Small Medium Entrepreneurs (MSMEs); establish new tourism destinations making Mindanao as the next premiere tourism hub of the Philippines and the BIMP-EAGA; and fortify good local and national governance,

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FDPWH, P13 HIGH RISE. Construction workers install glass panels at the 22nd floor of Aeon Towers along J. P. Laurel Ave., in Davao City on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr

VOL.12 ISSUE 4 • THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

I

VOL.12 ISSUE 4 • THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2019

Pell of gloom

t’s a reality that should awaken both victims of child abuse and the church. No one is above the law, not even those perceived to be God’s shepherds on earth.

Australia’s highest Catholic Church leader Cardinal George Pell will spend nearly four years in jail. He has been sentenced to six years in jail after being convicted of sexually abusing two 13-year-old choirboys in 1996. The former Vatican treasurer, 77, was handed a non-parole period of three years and eight months by the judge, who described his offending as “brazen and forceful” and “breathtakingly arrogant” because he believed the victims would never complain. The sentence means he may spend at least three years and eight months in jail.

The disgraced former Melbourne Archbishop is the most senior member of the Catholic Church to be convicted and jailed for child sexual abuse.

The sentence was as piercing as the ruthless act of the fallen Cardinal. In the words of the sentencing judge, Pell’s decision to offend “was a reasoned, albeit perverted, one.” The judge was convinced

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the Cardinal was confident his victims would not complain. As archbishop, Pell had what the judge described as a relationship of approval in relation to the choirboys. Those choirboys he victimized were performing to please him as archbishop. They were the least powerful and the most subordinate individuals at the cathedral.

Indeed, the power imbalance between the victims and all the senior church leaders or officials was stark. It was very clear in this case.

There was a clear breach of trust and power which elevated the gravity of each of the offenses. The Cardinal’s conduct was seen to be permeated by what the judge described as staggering arrogance. Not even his defense team’s argument that he had experienced a moment of irrationality did not hold water.

Pell has fallen into a pall of gloom.

How many more victims of child abuse should come out and speak bravely before the Church itself cleanse its ranks than meddling into other extra-religious affairs, politics included?

There could be more child offenders in cassocks out there. Those who thought their victims would never complain.

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VOL.12 ISSUE 4 • THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2019

7

Some Thoughts on Writing

“I

n the beginning was the word…”

That was what the Holy Bible told us. It all started with a word, then words, then a sentence, then sentences, then a paragraph, and finally lots of paragraphs. If guns are to soldiers, words are to writers.

Words are our tools when it comes to writing. Without words, we cannot write anything. And since words are our tools, we need to be equipped with thousands if not millions of them. “Words can be like X-rays if you use them properly – they’ll go through anything,” Aldous Huxley once pointed out.

To be a good writer – people like journalists, fictionists, poets, and the like – you must have words you can use anytime. And to have good command of words, you have to collect words by reading. “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that,” Stephen King once pointed out.

Don’t simply read but jot down those new words you encounter. Use them in a sentence. Before you know it, they become part of your life. “A word after a word after a word is power,” said Margaret Atwood, Canadian poet and literary critic.

Genuises are born but writers can be made, someone once remarked. Yes, a writer can be created – as long as he or she persevere and learn the basic techniques. Along the way, he or she must discover his or her own style. By then, you have come.

But some people can

“B

rothers and sisters, today we find ourselves before a manifestation of brazen, aggressive and destructive evil.”

These were the words of Pope Francis as he delivered remarks at the end of Mass before 190 Catholic bishops and religious superiors summoned to Rome recently for the first-ever global Catholic summit of its kind.

He vowed to confront abusers with the “wrath of God,” end the cover-ups by their superiors and prioritize the victims.”

The Pope’s strong verbal message was in reaction to sexual scandals and abuses rocking the Catholic church that sparked a credibility check in the hierarchy and crisis affecting the papal leadership.

Filipino Cardinal Luis Perez de Tagle himself admitted to the effect that for so long, bishops have covered up the sins of their priests and the parishes under their jurisdiction.

The Pontiff however did not offer a concrete action plan to hold bishops accountable which disappointed families of

have their cake and eat it, too. Fiction novelist Robert Benchley, the man who wrote Jaws, said it best. “It took me fifteen years to discover I had no talent for writing,” he said, “but I couldn’t give it up because by that time I was too famous.”

Another writer that comes to mind is Ernest Hemingway, a Pulitzer-prize winning literary icon. “It’s none of their business that you have to learn to write,” he said. “Let them think you were born that way.”

People like Benchley and Hemingway could say those words. But as one saying puts it: “Every rule has an exception.” And Benchley is definitely an exception. So, let’s go for the rule rather an exception. Discover your talent for writing and never rest on your laurels.

Perhaps the words of Ray Bradbury, widely known for his dystopian novel, Fahrenheit 451, can give a bit of inspiration. “Any man who keeps working is not a failure,” he said. “He may not be a great writer, but if he applies the old-fashioned virtues of hard, constant labor, he’ll eventually make some kind of career for himself as writer.”

Writing is both easy and hard. Easy because all you have to do is write, write some more, and write again. But at the same time, writing because you have to write ideas in a way that it could be understood, write information that would sharpen the mind of the readers, and write facts and figures that could sift technicalities to something more common so that people can relate to them.

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

Writing is easy because all you have to do is interview someone and then write what that someone has spoken. With a good angle, a body that explains the angle, and a thought-provoking conclusion, you have now a piece that would make an editor happy.

But wait, that’s not all. Good writing is not only writing. It is also asking the right questions. It takes courage to ask the right questions to someone you don’t know. But it’s your job to ask those questions. No other person can ask them for you – except of course if you are competing with other writers.

Asking the right questions accomplishes 50% of the task of good writing. Those answers shape the news report or feature you are thinking of writing about. Once you have done the questioning, the remaining task is writing, which is another 50%.

“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” I didn’t say those words. It was Louis L’Amour, an American novelist and short story writer who said those.

But how should I start, you may ask. Don’t worry, you are not the first person to ask that question. Even veteran writers like Stephen King admitted it. “The scariest moment is always just before you start,” he wrote in his book, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft.

But then again, without even thinking about writing, Lewis Carroll has given us the best advice ever written for tyros in writing. In Alice in Wonderland, the leading character asked the King how?

Here’s that piece of advice: “Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop.”

That’s how basic writing is. Start from the beginning (which is the angle), and go on (referring to the body) till you come to the end (the conclusion of course): then stop.”

Doing interviews is great and listening to speeches and lectures is another. Press releases from various agencies and corporations can also be a good start. But good writing goes beyond those.

You just don’t rely on what you hear. You have to verify some of those statements, facts and figures, and what seem to be controversial quotes. Not doing so might be dismissed as fake news. And you don’t want that to happen.

For one, don’t rely your

source all the time. When I was writing for Reader’s Digest, my editor usually tells me: “Just because he is a doctor, it doesn’t mean he is a reliable person. He may be a doctor but his expertise is oncology and so he can never be a good source for your story on dengue fever.”

Doing research these days is easy and fun. All you have to do is google and there you have the information you want. But in the olden days, we had to go to the library or borrow books from someone just to get the information needed for our story.

Although information is very accessible these days, it has also its liabilities. You cannot be assured that what you have gathered are real. They may be bogus information. Be sure your sources are reliable and factual. Check and counter check!

For instance, when I am writing my health stories and doing some research, I usually go for those published by World Health Organization, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mayo Clinic and our very own, Department of Health.

To end this piece, allow me to quote the words of Jane Yolen, who has been hailed as the Hans Christian Andersen of America and the Aesop of the Twentieth Century: “Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up.”

tel with a young girl whom he reportedly befriended via text messaging and subsequently won her “friendship?”

These excesses we need to condemn only because Catholic priests are shepherds of the spiritual realm, morals and integrity. This is the role they have sworn to play.

The CBCP has been outrightly denouncing the government in many aspects of our political life in violation of the so-called “separation of Church and State” principle.

Bu it couldn’t touch their peers and subordinates with a tenfoot pole.

Catholic priests – the Vatican itself – imposed on themselves the oath of celibacy. But in truth – as is now being witnessed by the Vatican leadership – priests are also humans not exempt from expressing their sexual needs.

So, why not allow them to marry and have families?

Pres. Duterte even had to so far as make an admission that he favors same sex marriage because he knows that there are gay priests in the

Catholic fold.

But I raise the question: Will marriage solve the evils now confronting the Vatican without violating the teachings of the Bible wherein the Christian faith is based?

The Vatican is in a perplexing bind, is it not?

German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche wrote in his 1882 The Gay Science (Parable of the Madman): “Whither is God?’ he cried; ‘I will tell you.

We have killed him – you and I. All of us are his murderers.”

What an apt philosophical description of our spiritual circumstances today.

Nietzsche never ceases to amaze me.

Has God been “killed” and “dead” that even men in priestly robes today commit offenses that defy and disregard His omnipotence?

Woe to those who see evil as good and good as evil.

(Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.)

Prov.

15:13: “A happy heart makes the face cheerful. But heartache crushes the spirit.” GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

Vatican negligence

victims.

It is well and good that the Vatican is now squarely tackling this sensitive issue that has been stalking it for many decades (or is it even for centuries?).

Pedophilia, adultery, gay practices and sexual abuse of nuns were among the accusations hurled against Catholic priests in many parts of the world.

In our country, Pres. Duterte himself has lashed at the Catholic leaders, specifically directed at the CBCP, for sweeping the matter under the rug by either re-assigning the priests involved to remote assignments (and even abroad) or privately suspend them.

Tagle spoke with pain and emotionally decried the failure of bishops in promptly addressing the sexual offenses that has scarred the integrity of the Catholic church. (Is the CBCP listening?)

The question, however, lingers: Why is it that these priestly violations were only publicly brought to the fore

SPECKS OF LIFE Fred C. Lumba only now when these offenses have been exposed and even documented since as far back as we can remember?

I have been told of priests committing excesses – going to girlie bars in civvies and drinking alcohol (I have actually seen some), courting women parishioners and maintaining liaison, spending relaxation time by playing mahjong and even going to and betting in cockfights.

Of course, did we not read of a priest in active service caught by the police in a mo-

8 SUPPLEMENT

ARAW NG DAVAO

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 4 • THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2019

Amalia Cabusao (From her Facebook)

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS WITH

datu bago

LAUREATES

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

Randy Halasan

B

efore Davao City came into existence, there was already Datu Bago who, according to some Spanish documents, was a bandit.

Datu Bago was considered as such because he was against the Davao Gulf being controlled by the foreign invaders. He headed a group of local chieftains who were “united in opposing Spanish land grabbing.” It is said that the group “kept the Spaniards at bay for a long time by launching attacks against Spanish-controlled settlements on the Pacific Coast.”

Datu Bago reportedly “held his settlement at the banks of Davao River (once called Tagloc River by the Bagobos).” His reign ended in 1848 when Don Jose

Oyanguren defeated him. The latter establish a settlement in an area of mangrove swamps that is now Bolton Riverside.

To recognize his bravery and in his honor, the Davao City government – under the leadership of Mayor Elias B. Lopez – launched the Datu Bago Award in 1969. It is touted to be the highest recognition bestowed on a resident “who has contributed to the development of the City of Davao with exemplary competence and dedication and who best serves as a model of excellence and as an inspiration to the residents of Davao.”

Curiously enough, this author had personally meet some of them even before they were given the award. Let’s Start with Amalia Bandiola-Cabusao, known to her friends as “Amy,” the editor-in-chief

VOL.12 ISSUE 4 • THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2019

EDGEDAVAO

ARAW NG DAVAO

SUPPLEMENT

Darrell Blatchley

of The Mindanao Times, the oldest newspaper in the island.

The award-giving body bestowed this fiery journalist (whom I had a chance of getting better when we were together on trip in the Visayas along with other Davao scribes) the Datu Bago award in 2017 for “promoting press freedom and building capacities of campus and community journalists.”

The citation reads: “Not content with just writing and publishing community stories, she dedicates her life to building the capacities of young people, especially women and girls and indigenous youth, in communicating and story-telling.”

In addition, Amy was recognized for organizing “regular summer workshops in journalism for local and international writers and promotes peace and conflict sensitivity in reporting Mindanao.”

The recognition is not Amy’s first not it will be her last. Four years ago, she was chosen to be the recipient of the journalism’s Ninoy and Cory Aquino Fellowship for Professional Development “for her dedication to upholding press freedom and journalistic ethics, and for providing valuable training opportunities to promising Filipino journalists.”

Also awarded in 2017 was visual artist Rey Mudjahid Ponce Millan – more popularly known as “Kublai” – who I had met when I accompanied Marc Nelson and Dyan Castillejo when the Sports Unlimited hosts visited the Agong House in Kapatagan, Digos City, Davao del Sur. A “prolific artist who infuses his works of art with humanity and indigenous culture” was how the Datu Bago Awardees Organization, Inc. described Kublai. As for his creations, they are “deeply rooted in the social context of Mindanao’s grassroots communities,” the organization pointed out.

On why he was given the Datu Bago Award, the conferring body explained: “He is Davao’s favorite culture and arts ambassador as his many art works can be seen all over Davao City and Mindanao. His unique sculptures and art installations have become cultural landmarks and enjoyed by Davao residents and visitors alike.”

If you have visited the People’s Park, you won’t miss those creative “statues” scattered all over the place. And if you happen to be at the Davao International Airport, the huge “durian” fruit sculpture can’t simply be ignored. They are just some of Kublai’s awesome creations.

“His huge sculptural pieces have become landmarks in various cities and provinces in Mindanao,”

MindaNews stated.

The Davao-based news agency also stated: “Kublai also works with disadvantaged children – children in conflict with the law, orphans, abused children, and indigenous children – through free art workshops and fundraising exhibits for children’s artworks.

“Kublai has showcased Davao City’s art and culture in the national and global stage through his creations. He is the first Dabawenyo and Filipino artist to create and display a life-size Nativity sculpture at the St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, Italy for the entire Christmas season in 2010.”

But the most number of Datu Bago awardees I met where those awarded in 2015: Darrell Dean Blatchley, Dr. Mae Concepcion J. Dolendo, and Randy H. Halasan (who, before the award was already a recipient of Asia’s Nobel Prize, the Ramon Magsaysay Award).

Uncle D – as Blatchley is known for his persona that used to grace the local television station – is actually an American but can speak Bisaya well. “It’s a very high honor,” Blatchley says of Datu Bago Award. “Even if I was not given the award, I will still be doing what I do. But it helps when people and organization recognize the value of what you have done and that it was and is for the greater good. All the heartaches are worth it.”

The award-giving body recognized Blatchley “for his work as bone collector through his D’Bone Collector Museum.”

D’Bone Collector Museum has become a tourist destination and education hub of Davao City.

“A group that conduct consultation for museums in Southeast Asia told us that our collection is one of the most extensive they have seen in the region,” says the American has spent almost half of his life in the country.

Throughout history, bones are the remembrance of a life’s existence. “For me, bones are the ultimate learning tool,” Blatchley says. “So much can still be learned upon death. It tells you the life of the animal; whether it had a good life (healthy bones) or a hard life (cracked and deformed bones).”

Just like Blatchley, Dr. Dolendo is not

FCLOSE ENCOUNTER, P12

Dr. Mae Dolendo (From her Facebook)

9

10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 4 • THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2019

COMPETITIVE EDGE

Celebrate Araw ng Davao the Globe way!

M

research about Ferns and Fern Allies in Malagos Watershed Reservation, which has substantial biodiversity of plants, trees, and wildlife.

This undertaking is part of DCWD’s support to quality education and serves as one of the strategies to increase environmentalism among the youth. Field research will not only allow the students to gain knowledge about

their field of study but will also raise their awareness on correct environmental practices, Engr. Regalado added.

The study will be conducted starting March 2019.

Malagos Watershed is one of Davao City’s three major water sources together with Mt. Talomo-Lipadas and Mt. Tipolog-Tamugan watersheds. Alexan Lynette L. Cabeguin

alipayon nga adlaw sa Dabaw! Head down to the King City of South and celebrate Araw ng Davao this weekend! Find out what Globe has in store for you on March 15-17, 2019.

Experience the ultimate Araw ng Davao weekend at the Globe Party Series! On March 16 at Hideout Davao, dance the night away with beats from DJ Carlo Atendido and local Davao DJs. Globe Prepaid and Postpaid customers enjoy FREE admission to this thrilling party! Cap off your weekend at the Globe Concert. Drop by Sta. Ana Wharf on March 17 to enjoy special performances from Juan Karlos Labajo, from the hit song "Buwan", and Davao's very own band, The Dukes. Plus, find out who'll be joining the local campaign Globe Squad Davao, now in its third year!

That's not all - exciting freebies and discounts are in store for Globe customers! Visit the Araw ng Davao Globe Fair at Sta. Ana Wharf and Rizal on March 15-17 and finish all the fun booth activities. Load up at least P20, sign up for Postpaid ThePLAN, or purchase a Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi to get premium prizes and exclusive discounts

LDT and its wireless sub- Speedtest nationwide for the network to improve the mobile sidiary Smart Communica- same period. internet experience of our custions, Inc. (Smart) are the The Speed Score is a mea- tomers across the country are country’s fastest fixed and mobile sure that takes into account both paying off,” said Mario G. Tamayo, networks for 2018, according to upload and download speeds.

PLDT and Smart senior vice presOokla, the global leader in inter“We are pleased to award ident for Network Planning and net testing and analysis.

Smart with the award for Fast- Engineering.

In its latest report, which est Mobile Network and PLDT “Improved connectivity has covers Q3-Q4 2018, Smart for the award for Fastest Fixed helped Filipinos keep abreast achieved a Speed Score TM of Network in the Philippines. This with ever-evolving times, em15.57, with average download recognition is testament to their powering individuals, businesses speeds of 17.86 Mbps and aver- exceptional performance in Q3- and government,” Tamayo addage upload speeds of 8.61 Mbps, Q4 based on Ookla's rigorous ed. “In addition to our network based on 2,186,540 user-initiat- analysis of consumer-initiated investments, we have also uned tests taken with Speedtest® tests taken with Speedtest," said dertaken LTE migration efforts on LTE-capable devices in the Jamie Steven, Executive Vice to assist customers in upgrading Philippines.

President at Ookla. to LTE through SIM replacement OF latest AUCTION On the other hand, NOTICE PLDT These figures are im- programs and by partnering with achieved a Speed Score of 18.57, provements from the Q1-Q2 device manufacturers in making ThetopVGM Pawnshop, will hold Public Auction Sale to all with download speeds ofInc.scores, when aSmart posted a LTE devices more accessible,” TaNOTICE OF AUCTION 52.28 Mbps and top upload Speed Score of 14.98 and PLDT mayo said. unredeemed and unrenewed items on the following schedule of 55.95Inc. Mbps.

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23.09, more than twice that of the competing network. This reflects the results of the major network upgrade activities that Smart recently undertook in the city, including the activation of LTE-Advanced and carrier aggregation.

For mobile, Speed Score incorporates a measure of each provider’s download and upload speed to rank network speed performance. Tests used to calculate the Speed Score exclusively come from ‘modern devices’, which are devices capable of connecting to the market’s fastest, generally available technology.

For fixed, Ookla assesses the best network speeds attained across a given network, accounting for tests that are taken on various Speedtest applications that connect to a fixed network, including tests taken on mobile phones over a Wi-Fi connection.

Each top carrier accounts for at least 3% of the sample size in the geographic area.

Investment in network transformation The awards come as PLDT and Smart ramp up their integrat-

ed fixed and wireless network expansion. PLDT has committed historic levels of resources to support network transformation which is estimated to amount to US$ 5 billion from 2016 to 2020.

In 2018, capital expenditures were at P58 billion.

Alongside Smart’s rampedup Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) roll out, PLDT is also aggressively rolling out its fiber broadband service, which also supports the stepped-up deployment of the mobile network by providing high-capacity links for cellular base stations.

To date, Smart has also already fulfilled its commitment to the National Telecommunications Commission to cover at least 90 percent of cities and municipalities to address the growing demand for broadband infrastructure and internet access within three years from the grant of the use of frequencies by the NTC in 2016.

Meanwhile, PLDT operates the country’s most extensive fiber infrastructure at 221,000 km

DCWD, PCT ink MOA for research study. DCWD General Manager Edwin V. Regalado and PCT school principal Cherry Pie M. Jimeno (3rd and 4th from L) present the signed memorandum of agreement.

DCWD, PC T ink MOA for research study

D

avao City Water District and Philippine College of Technology (PCT) signed a Memorandum of Agreement on February 22, 2019 for the latter’s conduct of research study at Malagos Watershed Reservation managed by DCWD. General manager Engr.

Edwin V. Regalado and officer-in-charge of Community Relations and External

Affairs Department Ruth G. Jabines signed on behalf of DCWD while PCT was represented by school principal Cherry Pie M. Jimeno and practical research Teacher Harvey S. Salaga.

Engr. Regalado explained that the agreement consents the grade 12 students of PCT under the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics to conduct their

from partner establishments. Plus, drop by Globe Stores in Davao from March 14-31, scan the Globe QR standees, and get a chance to win wonderful surprises!

Don’t forget to share your Globe Araw Ng Davao experience with your loved ones! Make the memories last by posting on social media with the hashtag #GlobeArawNgDavao. Stay connected throughout the festival weekend with GoSAKTO90 and get 2GB data and unlimited texts to all networks valid for 7 days.

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PLDT, Smart are PH’s fastest fixed, mobile networks in 2018

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and its fiber coverage has now reached 5.75 million homes as of end of the 3rd quarter of 2018, while its total capacity of 2.25 million ports has more than doubled from end of 2017.

About Ookla Ookla, the company behind Speedtest, is the global leader in fixed broadband and mobile network testing applications, data and analysis. Over ten million tests are actively initiated by consumers each day across all Speedtest platforms, with over 20 billion completed to date.

As a result, Ookla has the most comprehensive analytics on worldwide internet performance and accessibility. Ookla solutions have been adopted by a significant number of internet service providers and mobile carriers worldwide and have been translated into over 30 languages for use by thousands of businesses, governments, universities and trade organizations. Ookla's headquarters are located in Seattle, WA with additional offices in Dublin, Ireland. Learn more at www.ookla.com.

11 HEALTH

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 4 • THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2019

Drug addiction:

Mother of all crimes

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“I don’t like people involved in drugs. I don’t care if they are soldiers or policemen. I tell them that drug dealers and criminals in my city have only two destinations – the jail or the funeral parlors.” – Former Davao City Mayor Rodrigo D. Duterte, now the 16th president of the Philippines

It needs the cooperation of all Filipinos to fix the illegal drug addiction that is sweeping across the country “because the problem about drugs is not solitary, it is familial, it is communal, and it is an economic problem,” said Ramon Cualoping III, assistant secretary and Chief Brand Integrator of the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

“As we all know, it is one of the top priority programs of President (Rodrigo R. Duterte) and admittedly, it has become very political since what always comes out is the negative side of illegal drugs,” he said during the First National Ant-Drugs Summit held in Davao City last February 3.

The war on drugs is for real. Statistics gathered by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) painted a haunting picture.

From July 1, 2016 to January 17, 2018, about 81,919 anti-drug operations were conducted from which 119,361 personalities were arrested. Some 3,987 drug personalities died in these anti-drug operations.

Some of those arrested were government workers themselves. PDEA reported that in the span of time, 213 government employees, 189 elected officials and 44 uniformed personnel were arrested in anti-drug operations.

The PNP’s Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management said that in the aforementioned dates, 21,908 cases referred to prosecution while another 42,182 cases were field in court.

“The threat of illegal drugs is real and it’s closer than we think. In the Philippines, the drug abuse situation has actually increased over the years,” declares Dr. Willie T. Ong, an internist-cardiologist and consultant at the Manila Doctor’s Hospital and Makati Medical Center.

Drug addiction spares no one: famous and notorious, beautiful and ugly, employed or jobless, young and old, rich and poor. “There is no community in the country which is virtually free from such menace,” observed Manuel B. Garcia and Leovigildo O. Militante, authors of Social Problems.

Taking illegal drugs is common among young people and those involved in showbiz. “Among the teenagers, one cannot be considered ‘in’ when he has had no experience with these prohibited drugs,” Garcia and Militante wrote. “In show business, drug addiction is more of a rule than an exception. Most of them are drug dependents.”

These people take drugs because of peer pressure and pressure of their profession. In the beginning, illegal drugs may help but in the long run, it will completely destroy their future. “Illegal drugs can easily destroy a whole generation,” said Alan Peter Cayetano when he was still a member of the Senate.

Drug addiction is a social problem that begets a host of other social problems – smuggling, prostitution, killing, gunrunning. The author has no current data but a Narcotics Com-

mand report in 1996 showed that illegal drugs cause a rape to happen every 19 hours, the loss of 22 lives daily through murder and homicide; and the commission of 50 crimes against property each day.

“Majority of crimes which occur are basically influenced by drug addiction,” said the late Senator Ernesto F. Herrera, who was then the chairman of the National Citizens Drug Watch Movement.

According to Cayetano, in many cases of heinous crimes in the country, the suspects are usually confirmed users of shabu. Just for a record, from July 1, 2016 to January 17, 2018, the PDEA said it has seized 2,577.05 kilograms of shabu with a street value of P13.24 billion pesos.

Cayetano cited a technical briefing released by the Geneva-based World Health Organization which said that the dependence and chronic usage of amphetamine-type stimulants is associated with psychosis and causes cognitive impairment, aggression and violence.

“The Filipinos have witnessed how the use of illegal drugs like methamphetamine led to violence and destroyed the lives of many,” he pointed out, adding that young people are the most vulnerable to the temptation and evils of prohibited drugs.

It must be recalled that in 2008, the Philippine media reported the arrest of 11 highschool students who were caught doing a pot session in Quezon City. Most of the arrested students came from the ranks of “financially-distressed families.”

As the students could not afford to conduct “the pot session in a luxurious hotel or a mansion-like residence or condominium in one of the metropolitan areas’ premier locations that some scions of well-to-do families reportedly do on a regular basis,” they held it only in a “vacant lot.”

A drug is defined as “any substance intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, relief, treatment or prevention of disease or intended to affect the structure or function of the body.”

A simpler but workable definition of a drug is “any

chemical substance that affects the body and its processes.”

“By law, drugs are divided into two categories: prescription drugs and non-prescription drugs,” explains The Merck Manual of Medical Information. “Prescription drugs – those considered safe for use only under medical supervision – may be dispensed only with a prescription from a licensed professional with governmental privileges to prescribe.”

Non-prescription drugs, on the other hand, are those considered safe for use without any medical supervision (like aspirin, for instance). Oftentimes, these drugs are sold over-the counter.

To some people, the word “drug” means a substance that alters the brain’s function in ways considered pleasurable – a mind-altering substance. These are what the Dangerous Drug Board (DDB) as “dangerous drugs” or “illegal drugs.”

“Drug abuse exists when a person continually uses a drug other than its intended purpose,” the DDB explains in its website. “This continued use can lead to drug dependence, a state of physical and psychological dependence or both on a dangerous drug.”

“Drug abuse is not a single event, but rather a series of events that form a pattern,” explains Dr. Mark S. Gold, author of the bestselling The Facts About Drugs and Alcohol. “Abuse may or may not lead to addic­tion, depending on other fac­tors.”

The Philippines Health Guide Book says a person is said to be abusing drugs when he or she manifests the following symptoms: persistent poor appetite, loss of weight; changes in appearance (examples: bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, clumsy movements); changes in behavior (sudden mood swings, long absences from home, unexplained desire to be along, avoiding friends and/or family members); poor school or work performance (failing grades, poor concentra­tion, loss of interest in studies or work); unusual odor from the person's clothes; suspicious tablets/capsules found in the person's bedroom or among his/her possessions; and disappearance of cans of

glue/paint thinner, plastic bags and prescription medicines from the medicine cabinet at home.

Even in small amounts, illegal drugs can create big problems, according to the booklet, The Truth About Drugs. “It is not always possible to predict how a drug will affect the user – or the user’s life,” it says.

Drug use can cause, the booklet claims, damage to health, trouble with the law, financial hardship, and social difficulties. “While the specific physical and psychological effects of drug use disorder tend to vary based on the particular substance involved, the general effects of a substance use disorder involving any drug can be devastating,” explains the website, medicinenet.com.

More than a health issue, drug users often end up with serious problems. Aside from those mentioned earlier, they may figure in a car accident (drugs can impair driving ability and make the driver less concerned about safety), commit crimes (robbery is often the only way to support an expensive habit), and build up tolerance (when users need more and more of a drug to get the same effect, they increase their risk of an overdose, which often result in death).

But why do people, especially the young ones, resort to abusing drugs? In their book, Garcia and Militante cited three factors: parental influences, peer influences, and personality factors. Below is the brief explanation of each: Parental influences: These provide the earliest conditions contributing to drug abuse. Such conditions include a broken home, lack of parental love and affection, insecurity, infliction of harsh physical punishment, too permissive and liberal atmosphere, alcoholic parents, feeling of rejection, loneliness and depression.

Peer influence: The pressure of friends has greatest impact on teenager. During this particular stage of human development, they are fond of

trying new things including drugs. They think experimenting with drugs is harmless.

Personality factors: People of various personality types are capable of indulging themselves in prohibited drugs. They do try drugs because of a host of personal reasons: belief that drugs can solve all of their problems, to gain euphoria or a feeling of well-being, relief from boredom, escape from problems, and possession of self-confidence and satisfaction which then usually do not have in the absence of drugs.

In the Philippines as in other parts of the world, solving the drug addiction problem is a herculean task. “This problem has become so complexed that a simple police apprehension of a drug victim or a drug pusher is not enough,” Garcia and Militante wrote. “What seems to be more effective is the application of a truly holistic approach involving the whole society itself.

“Theoretically, this approach means that every one should help in the solution of the problem,” the two authors explained. “However, this is much easier said than done since its root cause has been societally structured or institutionalized. Certain syndicates in close coordination with other sectors of society have been organized in ‘drug trafficking’ so much so that common solutions become ineffective. Solution, therefore, should not be superficial; they should get down to the root of the problem.”

Cualoping pointed out in his speech that 90% of the government effort now is focused on the drug surrenderers for their rehabilitation and reintegration processes. Dr. Ong seemed to agree. “Drug addiction is considered a disease and needs comprehensive and prolonged treatment,” the doctor pointed out. “After being rehabilitated, the drug abuser should still be closely monitored so that he or she will not relapse again into using drugs.”

The war on drug is not yet over. “It is still ongoing,” Cualoping declared.

12 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 4 • THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2019

CLOSE ENCOUNTER... FROM 8 from Davao. She’s from Iloilo but came to Davao because her husband, Engr. Gabriel dela Cruz Dolendo, is from this city. The two met during the national conference convened by YMCA Rizal Youth Leadership Training Institute.

Dr. Dolendo was cited for “her outstanding work in pediatric oncology.”

The citation added that she has

placed Davao City in the world map of pediatric oncology “due to her international linkages.”

“I am deeply honored and truly humbled,” she says of the recognition when interviewed by this author. “It means I have contributed something significant to Davao City, my home. It means a bigger voice, hope and inspiration for the children I advocate for and the people who tirelessly work for these children.”

Dr. Dolendo is the driving force behind the House of Hope,

which is located inside the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).

She heads the Children’s Cancer and Blood Diseases Unit.

On why she founded House of Hope, she says, “Treatment for child cancer is long term and requires repeated visits to

the hospital. The children and their families need a place to stay which is clean, wholesome and conveniently near the hospital. House of Hope served as a transient home for these patients for the duration of their outpatient treatment.”

Through the years, DCCFI has successfully realized its vision-mission. “We are trying to further strengthen its capacity so that it can respond to the increasing number of patients it

serves and continue to advocate for legislation that will promote sustainability of support for child cancer,” she says.

“I never expected it,” says Randy H. Halasan, who is recognized for “his dedication as a teacher assigned in the hinterland of Marilog District to teach at Pegalongan Elementary School.”

That was the same reply he answered when asked about winning the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2014. He was given the Nobel Prize of Asia for “his purposeful dedication in nurturing his Matigsalug students and their community to transform their lives through quality education and sustainable livelihoods, doing so in ways that respect their uniqueness and preserve their integrity as indigenous peoples in a modernizing Philippines.”

In an interview we did for a national magazine, one of the most memorable statements he said was this: “Rich or poor, there’s no boundary or limitations in helping our fellowmen especially the poor. Nobody gets rich from the teaching profession, but a teacher like me gets rich from sharing knowledge, values, and

positive attitudes to the community.”

Here’s what the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) said in its citation: “It is a truism that it takes a village to raise a child. But it seems equally true that it takes just one person to launch this collective process of education. In the Philippines, where a public school system has been in place for over a century, many communities remain either unserved or underserved.

During our exclusive interview, he bared some facets of his life. On why he accepted to teach in Pegalongan, he replied, “I have no choice. I have to use my profession or I may be stuck working in other fields which I am not fitted.”

Fitted or not, Halasan has now done more than just teaching the children.

He even helps the people living in Matigsalug to address food security. “If I only focus on education, nothing will happen; the children will continue to go hungry,” he was quoted as saying.

Last year, Halasan was appointed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte as a commissioner of Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 4 • THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2019

FAREWELL... FROM 1

DAVAO... FROM 1

Jaafar succumbed to colon cancer complications past 1pm on Wednesday, March 13 at the Metro Davao Medical Research Center (MDMRC) in Davao City, according to a statement released by Mobaral “Moby” Pandi, regional information officer of the Ministry for Basic, Higher and Technical Education of the newly-installed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

At the time of his death, Jaafar has been nominated Speaker of the BARMM. “We thank Ghazali Jaafar for his very important role in arriving at a very important legislation of peace the RA 11054,” said Sema. “He has done much for the Bangsamoro people.”

Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) commissioner Datu Mussolini Sinsuat Lidasan also expressed his grief, saying: “This is a great loss for the people of the Bangsamoro.”

Jaafar was Vice Chair for Political Affairs until the title was changed to “1st Vice Chair,” was the first chair of the MILF peace panel. He signed the general cessation of hostilities between government and the MILF in Cagayan de Oro City on July 18, 1997.

He chaired the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) that drafted the Bangsamoro Basic Law in 2017 and oversaw the progress of the draft law

of the delegation's documents and requirements, and preparation of billeting quarters while the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Davao City is incharge with the security measures and other logistics.

The Olympic-size swimming pool at the Davao City Sports Complex in the University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao is still being rushed for the swimming competition.

"Hypothetically, if not, Tagum City is always ready to accommodate," Atillo said.

Sports Development Division-City Mayors Office (SDD-CMO) head Mikey Aportadera, in a separate interview, said the swimming pool is currently

being prepared. They will disclose its availability as soon as there is already a go signal.

University of Mindanao (UM)'s Olympic-sized rubberized track oval will serve as the venue for athletics while the same size oval in UP is currently under construction.

The back-to-back hosting of the Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa), according to Atillo, was referred as baseline for organizing the Palarong Pambansa.

Atillo, meanwhile, reminded each contingent to monitor members of its delegation to avoid another incident involving a death of 12 year-old volleyball from Davao Oriental.

acted budget since January 1 after lawmakers failed to pass the bill last year due to allegations of pork “insertions”.

The passage of the 2019 budget was further

stalled due to allegations of last-minute amendments made by the House after both chambers of Congress ratified the bicameral conference committee report. (PNA)

can be paid until the 31st of January of the succeeding year. For example, the deadline for payment of contributions for January

2019 is until December 31, 2019 while the deadline for payment for October 2019 will be on January 31, 2020. (SSS)

until the Bicameral Conference Committee of Congress passed its substitute bill – RA 11054 or the Organic Law for the BARMM. Shortly after the law was passed in July 2018, Jafaar went through a heart surgery.

Jaafar’s last public appearance was at the oathtaking rites of the BTA in Malacanang on February 22, 2019. He arrived on a wheelchair shortly before President Rodrigo Duterte entered the Rizal Hall, insisted on standing up when he took his oath along with 71 other BTA members, but fell on his back while conversing with President Duterte.

Jaafar was not present during the turnover rites from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to the BARMM on February 26 at the Shariff Kabungsuan Cultural Complex. It was here where interim Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim (MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ebrahim) named him as Speaker. But while he is recuperating, he said, a Deputy Speaker – former Lanao del Sur Rep. and Deputy Speaker for Mindanao Pangalian Balindong — would take his place.

Jafaar’s nephew Aber Cumbao, in a separate interview, said the council will conduct a meeting a few days after his death to determine his replacement. With a report from MindaNews

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That act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1971 and House Bill

No. 6938 was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on Dec. 11, 2018. (PNA)

The PSA said the positive growth was attributed to increases in cereals and cereal preparations (82.5%); transport equipment (33.6%); miscellaneous manufactured articles (15.8%); plastics in primary and non-primary

forms (11.1%); telecommunication equipment and electrical machinery (7.3%); other food and live animals (5.6%); industrial machinery and equipment (4.6%); and electronic products (4.1%). (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)

thereby, improving the socioeconomic landscape Of Mindanao, while paving the way for a lasting peace.

MinDC-JPP is a coordination mechanism for planning, monitoring and endorsing infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, flood controls, tourism, ports and airports for inclusion in the national investment plan and budget.

Further, it guarantees that projects are not only strategic but also respon-

sive to the needs of the grassroots communities, while taking into consideration its socio-cultural and historical context.

MinDA, by virtue of Republic Act 9996, is mandated to provide strategic direction and harmonize initiatives that will contribute to the attainment of every Mindanawon’s aspirations for peace and development that are also aligned with the country’s long-term vision for a “Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na buhay.”

fice and the Consultant was able to perform the road survey in Samar roads.

Secretary Villar said

NRRIP III serves as one of the basis of identifying priority projects of the Department. (DPWH)

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14 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 4 • THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2019

15 SPORTS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 4 • THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2019

Orchard bags PAL Founders title T

he Orchard Golf and Country Club took home the Founders division at the close of the 72nd Philippine Airlines Interclub golf team championships over the weekend in Cebu City.

Orchard actually finished second behind Cebu Country Club, but was elevated to first after the Carmona-based squad won the overall title.

Zachary Castro and Gabriel Matthew Macalagium led Orchard in the final day at Cebu Country Club with 35 and 34 points, respectively.

Orchard closed out with 129 for 482, 24 points ahead of Forest Hills. Valley settled for third place with 439.

In the Aviator class, Club Filipino de Cebu leaned on the final day 35 points of Baltaire Balanguan to beat Alta Vista, 409-393. Third spot went to Rancho Palos Verde Team 1 with 390.

Mactan Island captured Sportswriter with

342 followed by Camp John Hay 339 and Camp Evangelista 323.

The Friendship title was won by Davao City Golf with 306 with South Cotabato and Iligan finishing second and third with 288 and 259, respectively.

Meanwhile, Jolo Magcalayo of Tagaytay Highlands won the individual title with 73 points, one ahead of Bayani Garcia of Cebu Country Club.

This year’s Interclub is sponsored by Radio Mindanao Network, Asian Air Safari, and Vanguard Radio Network.

Also extending support are ABS-CBN Global Ltd. (The Filipino Channel), Rolls Royce, Primax Broadcasting Network, UM Broadcasting Network (Mindanao), Fox Sports, Cignal TV, GECAS, Boeing, Lufthansa Technik AG, Manila Standard, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, Dusit Thani Manila, and Casino Filipino. Official hotel is Quest Hotel Conference Center Cebu.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William I. Ramirez gives South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Han Dong Man a copy of his book about President Rodrigo Duterte as a token of appreciation during a press conference on Tuesday (March 12, 2019), where the PSC will partner with the Embassy of Korea

PH-Korea Sports Festival launched T

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dunks the ball against the Chicago Bulls in the second half at the United Center. Reuters

in staging the “Tortoise Marathon” and other related cultural events in June. This is in connection with the 70th anniversary celebration of the Philippine-Korea diplomatic relations. (PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.)

he Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Korean embassy on Tuesday sealed a partnership for the holding of the first ever Korea-Philippines Sports Festival to celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and South Korea.

The partnership was formally announced by PSC Chairman William Ramirez and Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Han Dong-Man in a press conference held at the PSC office at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.

“We at the PSC are grateful to partner with the Korean Embassy in this celebration, mainly because of the rich history both the Philippines and Korea have shared for a long time,” Ramirez said.

Ramirez said the Korean Institute of Sports Science has been persistent in helping national team coaches and practitioners in lectures of sports science, sports psychology and sports policy.

Consul Park JoongSuk, Byun Jae Heung of the United Korean Community Association in the Philippines (UKCA) and

Youn Man Heong from the Korean Sports Association of the Philippines (KSAP) also attended the press conference.

With the theme ‘March Together’, the Korea-Philippines Sports Festival will be held on June 8 with football, soccer and baseball among the 12 sports to be played at PhilSports Complex in Pasig.

“Sports is a vital component to connect people together, that is why we are inviting Filipino locals, especially the families of Korean War veterans to join the games with us,” Han said as he thanked the

PSC for its support.

Meanwhile, cultural performances will also be showcased on the second day of festivities together with the hosting of the ‘Tortoise Marathon’.

Han said he is hoping for the success of the sports event to make it a regular activity between the PSC and the Korean embassy.

Korean Cultural Center First Secretary and Director Dr. Lee Jincheol, Consul General Kim Hong-Kon and Consul Park JoongSuk initially made a courtesy call and meeting with Ramirez last March 5. (PR)

LeBron, Lakers top Bulls to end skid Escandor, SBP 11 and 'Araw hoops'

L

eBron James had 36 points and 10 rebounds, and the visiting Los Angeles Lakers overcame their lowest-scoring first quarter of the season to end a five-game losing streak with a 123-107 win against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 24 points off the bench, Kyle Kuzma scored 21, Rajon Rondo had 14 points and 10 assists and JaVale McGee finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers.

Robin Lopez scored 20 points, Otto Porter Jr. had 19 points and nine rebounds and Kris Dunn finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and nine assists for Chicago.

Ryan Arcidiacono started in place of leading scorer Zach LaVine (knee) and had 14 points and six assists.

The Lakers, who trailed by as many as 20 early in the second quarter, went ahead for the first time since making the first basket of the game when Kuzma put in a layup for a 6664 lead with 8:48 left in the third quarter.

Kuzma had missed the

previous two games with an ankle injury.

The Bulls moved back out in front by eight points, but Los Angeles reeled them back in and scored the final 16 points of the third quarter to take a 98-84 lead into the fourth.

Chicago scored the first eight points of the fourth quarter and got as close as 100-96 with 8:38 left, but the Lakers put together a 10-3 run to go back ahead by double figures for good.

The Lakers scored 16 points in the first quarter, and the Bulls closed with an 11-1 run to take an 18-point lead into the second quarter.

The lead expanded to as much as 20 before the Lakers began chipping away and got back within single digits at 3829 on a 3-pointer by Moritz Wagner.

Los Angeles got the deficit down to four points with 2:07 left in the half before Chicago took a 60-55 lead into the break.

The Bulls shot 8-for-12 from 3-point range in the first half and 11-for-27 for the game.

S

amahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) regional director Glenn "G1" Escandor announced in a press conference of the coming of popular college teams to Davao City to spice up the Araw ng Dabaw celebrations.

University of Cebu, De La Salle University (the alma mater of former SAP Bong Go, who is currently doing very well in the senatorial bet surveys), University of the East and Lyceum of the Philippines University are seeing action on March 18 to 21 at the Davao City Recreation Center.

In the 1990s when this corner started covering basketball tournaments, we used to only have teams coming from Cebu, particularly Sunpride Foods under coach Jun Noel and M.Lhuillier Pawnshop led by coach Yayoy Alcoseba and they play against our local squads like Marsman Estate Plantation of team manager Secretary Bobot Sebastian, Trendsetter, Montana Pawnshop of Armando Quibod, Felcris Supermarket of Willie Yap (yes, that awesome Willie Yap who was our first chairman of the Mindanao Basketball

CLEAN SLATE Moses Billacura Association), Avis Rent A Car, Davies Paints ug uban pa. (From what I learned from friends, Sec.Bobot and boss Willie, they joined our Creator na di ay).

Anyways, bibo kaayo gyud. Puno kaayo ang gym basta nay mga bisita gikan Sugbu. Awas awas ang tawo sa Almendras gym (later renamed Davao City Recreation Center).

And this tradition continued up to the time of SBP regional director Regino “Boy” Cua (nga ni panaw na pud sa laing kalibutan) who in one of those exciting basketball years, the Ozamiz Cottas of the Parojinogs also came to Davao to play (this is another story, a long one actually, hehehe).

I’m happy really to know that the current SBP regional director Escandor has upped the level of excitement for basketball fans with the coming of Manila-based college squads. Dili sad ni basta basta ning mga teams kay ngilngig sad ni sila sa liga sa Manila.

And that is really a great gift from boss Glenn, the SBP, City Government of Davao to basketball fanatics in Davao.

Thank you G1, SBP and the City of Davao led by Mayor Inday Sara Zimmerman Duterte-Carpio for working together on this.

To all fans, make sure you bring ear plugs kay sigurado naa gyuy mo siyagit siyagit sa imong kiliran.

Mabungog gyud ka! Lol. Enjoy basketball fans and Happy Araw ng Dabaw!

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL.12 ISSUE 4 • THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2019

MUD MAX Maxxis NASFOR 4x4 National Extreme Series set March 16-17 in Ma-a

By ADAM B. MORRELL

D

efending champion Joseph Rodriguez of Davao City will try to extend his domination at hometurf when the 2019 Maxxis National Association of Filipino Off Roaders (NASFOR) 4x4 National Extreme Series on March 16-17 at the Maa-Diversion Road race track.

Fresh from his conquest of the third leg in T'boli, South Cotabato, Rodriguez will lead the host squad 4Wheelers Davao in the race serving as one of the sports highlights of the annual Araw ng Dabaw celebration.

Local off road racing enthusiasts as well as those coming from nearby provinces and cities will be battling it out in the extreme offroad racing also dubbed as the 21st 4xFun National Off-road Challenge hosted by the 4Wheelers Davao. Races are scheduled from 9am to 5pm at the manmade track located beside the Team Davao Shooting Range.

According to or-

ganizers, the two categories for this action-packed and challenge-laden off-road competition are the Eextreme, which allows fully modified 4x4 vehicles and the Production class for vehicles with tire measurements of up to 31 inches only.

Other than the fabulous prizes such as high performance parts and 4x4 accessories and the 'bragging rights' that go with it, top drivers will also be given corresponding points that will help improve their rankings under the National Association of Off Roaders (NASFOR) for the coveted 4x4 'Driver of the Year' award.

NASFOR plans to send the 2019 Driver of the Year to Malaysia for the more treacherous and technical Borneo International Safari Challenge.

For more info interested parties may contact the secretariat at mobile # 09276141035. Look for Portia A. Balagtey. With reports from Southern Sports Digest

OFFROAD ACTION. The extreme sport of off-roading returns to Davao City with the staging of the 2019 Maxxis National Association of Filipino Off Roaders (NASFOR) 4x4 National Extreme Series on March 16-17 at the Maa-Diversion Road race track. NASFOR photo