Edge10 issue158 November 9, 2017

VOL. 10 ISSUE 158 •THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

IN THE INTERIM. A worker peeks through a triangular shaped hole of a tarpaulin to watch pedestrians from the sixth floor of a building which is undergoing rehabilitation along Damaso Suazo corner R. Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr.

COSTLIER FIRES

Fire marshal: Few but bigger incidents in 2017 NEWS

By ANGIE SAVERON

T

his year’s record on the incidence of �ire incidents in Davao City dipped to only 276 cases from January to November compared to last year’s data where in 506 cases were recorded.

But the total damages were much higher this year, according to district �ire marshal C/Insp. Honee Fritz Alagano.

He said that for January to November 2016 the damages incurred P91,158,700 while this year’s �igures

showed total damage at P676,729,729, 295.

“The damages caused by �ire incidents this year is high because we had industrial �ires like the recent �ire incident in Davao Bay Coconut Oil,” she told the AFP-PNP Corps Southern Mindanao press conference on Wednesday.

The two industrial �ires involved the Lapanday Foods Corporation building �ire incident in Barangay Mandug, Davao City last April with total dam-

age placed at P500 million and the Davao Bay Coconut Oil Mills that incurred P33,600,000.

Based on statistics, residential �ires are commonly caused by faulty electrical wiring and unattended cooking stove.

BFP conducts caravans and barangay ugnayan to educate the community on how to prevent �ire.

“This is being conducted because the common �ire incidents happen in the

residential area,” said Alagano.

Meanwhile, BFP also continues to checks the �ire exits and �ire�ighting equipment of occupancy establishments in order to ensure the safety of the people.

“BFP continues the �ire safety inspections in different types of occupancies specially those places that conducts assemblies which will be attended by many people,” said Alagano.

Sara eyes more aid for Marawi

PG2

‘Bulabog’template goes region-wide PG3 INduldge A2

Delicious dining experience on the go

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 158 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

DESERVING. President Rodrigo Duterte congratulates Philippine Army Commander Lt. Gen. Rolando Bautista who was awarded with the Command Badge during the 67th Birthday celebration of the Philippine Marine Corps at the Bonifacio Naval Station in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Tuesday. Bautista

was cited for his contributions to the victory over the Maute Group during his stint as commander of the Joint Task Force Trident. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Sara eyes more I aid for Marawi

Muzic’s Kool concert presents Jay R & Kyla

By JUDIE VEGA

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

A

fter the immediate approval of the Davao City council on the P5 Million aid for Marawi City’s rehabilitation, Mayor Sara Z. DuterteCarpio could give additional assistance by next year.

“Next year, siguro mga mid-year, mid-2018 or same time 2018, tan-awon how they used the P5 million, maybe we can give more (Next

year, maybe around mid-year or same time, we will see how they used our P5 million and maybe we can give more),” the mayor said.

Duterte-Carpio bared she was supposed to ask P10 million from the disaster fund for the Marawi aid.

“Ginabalanse nato, from now November 7 until December 31, simbako og naay mahitabo (I am weighing it, from now November 7 until December 31, God forbid, something will happen). My �irst priority is to protect Davao City,” she said.

She said the city now has a total disaster fund of P91 million for this year after the aid was approved and will be given to Marawi City.

Duterte-Carpio said if there are no calamities or other disaster that will hit the city, the remaining disaster fund will be placed in a trust fund.

However, the mayor said

eratives: Empowering the Poor and Vulnerable Towards Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development,” which started late September, a series of key activities were held in the city.

These included a medical and dental mission held at Sibulan in Toril District, which bene�itted thousands

of residents. Some 650 children also received toys during the event.

The CCDO also initiated a Trade Fair and Exhibit held at the City Council Ground Floor, and a Community Tree Planting program in Buda in Marilog District.

A total of 74 coop members also underwent spe-

cialized trainings on Organic Chicken Production, Risk Management and Financial Management.

Three coops had been given the hall of fame award under the Cooperative-LGU Active Partnership (CLAP) Awards for being consistent top cooperatives, four coops

SARA, P10

n celebration of its 4th Anniversary, Muzic’s Kool’s concert entitled ‘A Night of Soul RnB Music ‘will present Manila-based OPM music artists Jay R & Kyla on November 18 at the Tent along R. Castillo St. This will be the �irst time that the two artists will perform in one concert, Jermey Jarmiento, vice president of Music’s Kool told the Habi at Kape press conference at the Abreeza on Wednesday.

“Based on rates, Kyla and Jay R are among the favorites

M

DAVAO, P10

MUZIC’S, P10

Medialdea is OIC

Davao City recognizes crucial role of coops P

ore than 1,000 members from 93 cooperatives in the city attended the culminating program of the Cooperative Month Celebration, led by the Davao City Cooperative Development Of�ice, at the Mergrande Resort on October 28.

During the month-long celebration, themed “Coop-

and really talented artists that’s why we are bringing them in to show what music is really is,” Jarmiento said.

He added that Music Muzic’s Kool learning center is the biggest music school in Davao City. It is located at Damosa and offers different kinds of courses like piano, guitar, voice, and saxophone.They are also assisting local artists in producing their own songs.

Jarmiento said the concert will be held at the Tent at Azuela Cove R. Castillo St.

resident Rodrigo Duterte has designated Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea as of�icer-in-charge of the government while the Chief Executive is in Vietnam from Wednesday to Saturday for the Asia-Paci�ic Economic Cooperation Summit.

The directive was made through Special Order 993, which the President signed Tuesday.

Duterte is scheduled to leave Wednesday afternoon for Da Nang, Vietnam.

“To ensure continuity of government service, it is necessary to designate an Of�icer-In-Charge (OIC) to take care of the day-to-day operations in the Of�ice of the President and oversee the general administration of the Executive Department,” the order reads. “All acts of the Executive Secretary for and in behalf of the President pursuant to this Order shall be deemed acts of the President, unless disapproved or reprobated by the President.” (PNA)

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 158 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

Secuya launches 138-page art book

By JUDIE VEGA

V

ictor Secuya, a famous Davao visual artist launched the fourth edition of his book entitled Art Insight ‘60 essays on art and life’in Davao City.

Secuya says the book is more on essay and art in life incorporated with thoughts when he was teaching philosophy in Ateneo. He focuses on art integrating his artistic knowledge.

The 138-page book consists of 60 essays on art and life.

“Topic are more focus on

experience, its more about at and little values in life, selection of essays is more on art insight, which I found it ful�illing“ he told the Habi at Kape press conference at the Abreeza on Wednesday.

“The birthing of these essays in this book came from short stints in various places. There were thoughts that came rushing to my minds, especially when the urge to write goes into overdrive and gets out of control,” Secuya said.

SECUYA, P10

HELPING HAND. Trisikad driver RJ Mapansa lends a helping hand to a physically challenged elderly woman rides a public utility vehicle along R. Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr.

DCPO nab three wanted persons ‘Bulabog’template T

he Davao City Police arrested on Wednesday three persons in the wanted list during the Oplan Bulabog in different areas in the city.

They were identi�ied as Renato Zamoras Cabariana Jr., for violation of Commission on Elections gun ban, Joel Ragmac Jamora for less serious physical injury under and Jenelyn Arevalo Quibol for simple slander.

They now in detained in the different police stations that served them their warrant of arrest. .

The DCPO has conducted Oplan Bulabog thorough its six police stations on November 8, Wednesday six morn-

ing as a preventive security operation against known criminal and terrorist lairs.

“If you noticed we do this weekly, this is unannounced because we don’t want to tip off the criminals in the area,” said PSI Terisita Gaspan, during the AFP-PNP Press Corps Southern Mindanao press conference on November 8, Wednesday.

The DCPO was joined in the operations by elements of the Regional Public Safety Battalion, Philippine Coast Guard, Regional Maritime Unit, Regional Intelligence Unit, National Bureau of Investigation , Criminal Investigation and Detection Group

DCPO P10

goes region-wide

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T

he Davao City Police Office’s anticriminality campaign “Oplan Bulabog” will be replicated in the whole Region 11.

This was bared by DCPO spokesperson Sr. Insp. Maria Teresita Gazpan. Oplan Bulabog is an anti-criminality and anti-terroism campaign of DCPO where operatives conduct pro�iling to barangays being tagged as criminal hotbed.

Gazpan said the DCPO presented the campaign to the different police of�ices in region on Tuesday morning during the Regional Coordinating Conference at the Public Safety and Security and Command Center.

“I-pattern nila ang atong

Oplan Bulabog (They will pattern their campaign from us),” she said. Gazpan said the all of the provincial police of�ices in the region will be observing the conduct of the operation in the city.

She said this campaign will help the provinces to implement their peace and order situation because it can prevent criminality by pro�iling the constituents of their barangays.

“This aims to prevent any

of Wednesdays @ Habi at Kape at Abreeza Mall. The book will be available in selected coffee shops in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

’BULABOG’, P10

Davao City named for child-friendly award

D NEW BOOK. Local artist Vic Secuya launches his fourth book entitled ‘Art Insights’ of 60 essays of art and life during this week’s edition

criminals to in�iltrate their barangays that might make trouble to their constituens,” she said.

Yesterday, the Deputy Provincial Directors for Operations of Davao del Norte Police Provincial Of�ice (DNPPO), Compotela Valley PPO , Davao Oriental PPO, Davao del Sr PPO and Davao Occidental PPO and their respective operations of�icers and selective chiefs observed the

avao City has been nominated anew for the Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cities.

“This is an af�irmation of our efforts to stop child abuse and promote the rights of children at all time,” said City Social Services and Development Of�ice Chief Maria Luisa Bermudo.

She said the city government was always conscious in the keeping the welfare of children at the center of its agenda. The city won the award in 1998, 1999, 2013, 2014, 2015.

This year, the city is faced with equally formidable contenders for the Most

Child-Friendly Award -- Iloilo, Baguio, and Paranaque.

“Davao has always been at the forefront when it comes to establishing programs for children,” Bermudo said.

Among the programs established by the city government was the Kean Gabriel Hotline, a brainchild of Mayor Sara Duterte.

The Kean Gabriel Hotline 09088184444, a child abuse reporting number, has rescued 483 abused children since it was established.

Aside from the hotline, the city government has also put up the Quick Response Team for Children’s Concern, which was designed to rescue, in-

DAVAO, P10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

Unisys Corp Digistics bags customer choice plum

S

INGAPORE / Medianet International-AsiaNet/ -- Unisys Corporation (http://www.unisys.com/) has won the Customer Choice Award for IT Service Provider of the Year at the recently concluded Payload Asia Awards.

The New York-listed �irm (NYSE: UIS) got the prize for its Digistics (http://www. unisys.com/digistics), an integrated digital logistics solution that allows air cargo carriers to streamline their freight management and improve operational ef�iciencies.

The awards, hosted by leading industry publisher Payload Asia (http://www. payloadasia.com/), were presented in Singapore on October 12, 2017.

Determined by popular online voting, the awards

spotlight air cargo supply chain companies that have excelled despite a challenging global air freight market, demonstrating agility, innovation and superior strategic planning, as well as having a bene�icial impact on market trends.

Digistics features a modern, cloud-based architecture that greatly improves a carrier’s speed to market, while advanced analytics and machine learning technologies analyse past, present, and future data to optimize supply chain operations and route planning. The cloudbased solution allows for seamless integration into existing systems and supports multiple device types--including mobile devices, tablets, touchscreen devices, and PCs--enabling a more agile,

UNISYS, P10

Probe on erring SSS execs rises

A

congressman on Tuesday joined a growing number of House members calling for an investigation into the allegations against four Social Security System executives involved in the stock trading mess.

Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) Partylist Rep. Sherwin Tugna made the call after SSS Commissioner Jose Gabriel La Vina �iled an administrative complaint against SSS Executive vice president for investments, Rizaldy Capulong; equities investment division chief, Reginald Candelaria; equities product development head, Ernesto Francisco, Jr.; and chief actuary George Ongkeko, Jr. La Vina alleged that the four are liable for “serious dishonesty and grave misconduct” since some of them used SSS-accredited stock brokers for their own bene�it.

Tugna stressed the need to ferret out the truth behind the corruption allegations hounding the staterun pension fund.

“We commend Commissioner La Viña for shedding light on the corrupt practices inside the SSS. The Congress and the SSS leadership should work handin-hand for us to be able to get to the bottom of this alleged pro�iteering scheme of some SSS of�icials,” Tugna said.

The lawmaker said a

congressional probe should be conducted to ensure that acts of malfeasance be dealt with accordingly, noting that possible violations of the anti-graft law and the Securities Regulations Code may have been committed.

“I believe that Congress, through its oversight powers, should investigate the matter and ensure that the hard-earned money of the SSS members were not compromised in this whole �iasco,” he said.

“By investing their own money, not that of the SSS, which have been entrusted to them by virtue of their positions, these SSS of�icers may have caused undue injury to the government. Our people’s money could have grown and such amounts could be utilized to pay the increased pensions of our retirees from the private sector,” he added.

Tugna noted that the insider trading committed by the stockbrokers and the SSS of�icers could have “deleterious effects” on the whole system of trading securities and could put into question the government’s capability to implement laws to penalize insider trading.(PNA) The SSS currently handles approximately PHP500 billion in assets from the mandatory monthly contribution of private sector employees, self-employed individuals, and overseas Filipino workers. (PNA)

VOL. 10 ISSUE 158 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

SKorea offers $1.7-B loan for RP programs For transport, other priority sectors

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outh Korea has offered a $1.7 billion credit facility and another $7 million in the form of non-lending programs to the Philippines to help implement the Duterte administration’s priority programs in the transport, information and communications technology, and energy sectors.

These �inancial instruments would be made available by the South Korean government through the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM), which manages its Economic Development Cooperation Fund, an of�icial

development assistance facility.

According to the Department of Finance, among the �inancial tools that the Philippines can tap from South Korea is a $100-million credit line for a Project Preparation

Facility, which is available at zero interest and payable in 40 years (inclusive of a 10year grace period).

The KEXIM credit line can also be tapped via a tied loan facility with South Korean companies entering into joint ventures with Philippine local �irms.

The project preparation facility can be tapped by the Department of Public Works and Highways and the National Irrigation Administration for its infrastructure projects, the DOF’s International Finance Group said in a report to Finance Secretary

Carlos Dominguez III. “A country program mission from KEXI-EDCF that was here from August 29 to 31 met with Philippine of�icials and identi�ied the priority sectors of ICT, transport and energy for possible loan assistance from South Korea,” said IFG in its report during a recent DOF Executive Committee (Execom) meeting.

Aside from the NIA and DPWH, the other agencies with identi�ied projects in the pipeline for the KEXIM loan facility are the Department

SKOREA, P10

FLAVOR OF THE SEASON. Street vendors selling ‘Christmas fruits’ such as apples and grapes start to sprout up near shopping malls in Davao City’s downtown area, a reminder that yuletide season is just around the corner. Lean Daval Jr.

PH inflation rises to 3.5% in October

T

he country’s in�lation rate slightly rose to 3.5 percent last October, a percentage point higher than the previous month’s 3.4 percent.

The Philippine Statistics Authority, an attached agency of the National Economic and Development Authority, said the faster price adjustments in food and fuel drove headline in�lation to rise.

Last month’s �igure was within the forecast of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas of 3.2 percent to 3.7 percent and is comparable with me-

dian market expectations of 3.5 percent.

Core in�lation, which excludes select volatile food and energy prices, slightly eased to 3.2 percent from 3.3 percent in September.

“We still expect fullyear in�lation to stay within our target of 2.0 to 4.0 percent. However, upside risks become more prominent as the holiday season approaches. This warrants close monitoring of the rising prices in domestic petroleum, as well as utility rates,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M.

Pernia said.

For the food subgroup, in�lation was up to 3.8 percent from 3.7 percent in the previous month because of faster price increases in corn, meat and vegetables.

Pernia, also NEDA director general, attributed higher prices, particularly for corn and vegetables, to the lingering effects of Typhoons Jolina and Paolo and Tropical Depression Maring.

He underscored the need for the government to be consistently on the watch for developments in climate

conditions, considering that weather patterns and events have a direct impact on food supply and prices.

“We must also ensure a stable and suf�icient level of the country’s rice stock.

This is an important policy concern given that rice comprises a sizable portion of the CPI (consumer price index) basket. Deciding the appropriate timing of rice importation is vital to avoid supply disruptions. There is also a need to amend domestic laws to end the quantitative restrictions on rice,” he said. (PNA)

VOL. 10 ISSUE 158 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY 5

Anflo eyes China as market for bananas H omegrown conglomerate An�lo Group of Companies, through its newest subsiduary, the An�lo Banana Corp., has partnered with a global agricultural �irm to penetrate what is touted as the biggest and most �lourishing China market for premium bananas.

The Davao-based banana �irm is apparently taking advantage of the growing Philippine-China trade relation as espoused by the Duterte administration as it is signing a marketing contract with GoodFarmer Banana Trading Corp. (GoodFarmer) for its huge banana production in Davao Occidental, according to Alex N. Valoria, ABC president.

The marketing contract, he said,will allow ABC to have a better price for its produce, while providing the buyer with the best harvest possible.

“We are excited to partner

with GoodFarmer because we know they are good in what they do,” Valoria said in a company statement issued Monday.

GoodFarmer is engaged in export-import business, including manufacturing, processing, transportation, sales and marketing of agricultural products.

Since its establishment in 2002, it has grown into a global supply-chain manager of high-quality agricultural products. Valoria said An�lo decided to partner with GoodFarmer due to its access to the China market.

“This will provide us with opportunities for huge market and will also allow us to study possible expansion of our farms,” he said, adding that the company is always on the lookout for expansion areas.

The agreement comes at a

ANFLO, P10

TOP BOOSTER. President Rodrigo Duterte is welcomed by Senator Cynthia Villar and Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol upon his arrival at the Fort Andres Bonifacio in Taguig City for his attendance at

the launching of the Karne, Isda Supply Suporta sa Masa at Ekonomiya (KISS ME) Project on Tuesday. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Ayala Land net income up 18% P

roperty giant Ayala Land Inc. grew its profit by 18 percent in the first nine months of 2017, driven by strong residential sales.

ALI told the local bourse its net income reached P17.8 billion in January to September from P15.08 billion during the same period last year.

Consolidated revenues posted at P98.9 billion, up

16 percent from P85.49 billion. The company’s robust growth fuels its optimism and keenness to achieve its net income target of P40 billion in 2020.

“We have seen a marked increase in our

residential property sales in the �irst three quarters of 2017. Together with the continued build-up of our leasing assets, this has led to a strong top and bottom line growth for the company,” said ALI president and

rich and undeniably capable of handling its own refuse in a safe manner.”

“The prolonged delay in returning the reeking trash to Canada is patently unjust for our country and people.

It’s high time for PM Trudeau to decisively act to stop waste dumping, including ratifying the Basel Ban Amendment, which prohibits the movement of hazardous waste from developed to developing countries for any reason even for recycling,” said Dr. Leah Paquiz, former representative of the Ang Nars Party-List in the 16th Congress.

“As the source of the illicit trash shipments, the ball is in Canada’s court. PM Trudeau could bring an end to this controversy that has festered for far too long by taking the garbage back and doing other corrective actions, including paying the Philippines for the costs incurred in deal-

ing with Canada’s discarded adult diapers, domestic wastes, plastics and other residuals,” said Josua Mata, Secretary-General of the Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa and Progresibong Manggagawa.

It will be recalled that between 2013-2014, a total of 103 shipping containers of mixed household garbage declared as scrap plastics for recycling were exported to the Philippines from Canada.

The Bureau of Customs seized the said shipments by Chronic Inc. (a Canadian company) to Chronic Plastics (a Filipino company) after being alerted by the Environmental Management Bureau about the misrepresented waste imports. The authorities eventually charged the consignee for violations of the country’s environmental, tariff and customs laws.

Subsequent waste characterization study conducted

Chief Executive Of�icer Bernard Vincent O. Dy. Exceeding planned target levels, property sales reached P94.2 billion, 12 percent higher than the PHP84.32 billion it reported in the same period last year.

Driven by the expansion of its commercial business, combined reve-

nues from shopping centers, of�ices, hotels and resorts grew by 10 percent to P21.1 billion.

ALI has 23 sustainable estates nationwide, 14 of which are outside Metro Manila.

Total revenues from property development, which include the sale of residential lots and units,

of�ice spaces, as well as commercial and industrial lots, amounted to PHP68.4 billion in �irst nine months, up 30 percent from P52.6 billion last year.

It launched P53.9 billion worth of residential and of�ice for sale projects in January to September. (PNA)

Canada asked to take back dump shipments Buyout of Mighty yields

E

nvironmental, health and labor groups appealed anew to the Canadian government to take responsibility for the illegal garbage shipments from Vancouver rotting in the Port of Manila for years.

The groups asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is scheduled to visit the Philippines for the ASEAN Summit, to unilaterally take Canada’s rubbish out of the Philippines to put the long drawn out garbage scandal to rest.

“PM Trudeau’s action is crucial to remove all barriers to Canada’s re-importation of its own garbage that were exported to our country not for recycling, but for disposal,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition. “We’re running out of room for our own garbage and the dumping of waste from overseas is only making the situation worst. Canada is

by the Philippine government revealed that 64% of the shipments were residual garbage that could no longer be recycled and should be properly disposed of.

In June-July 2015, 26 of these garbage-�illed containers were illegally disposed at the Metro Clark land�ill in Capas, Tarlac causing public outcry and galvanizing vocal opposition against foreign waste disposal in local land�ills.

In November 2015, Trudeau, who was in Manila for the APEC Summit, announced that a “Canadian solution (was) being developed” to �ix the loopholes that led to the illegal garbage exports, but made no commitment to take the trash back.

In June 2016, Judge Tita Bughao Alisuag of the Regional Trial Court of Manila (Branch 1) ordered the return of 50 shipping containers

CANADA, P11

200%‘sin’tax increase

T

he takeover by Japan Tobacco Inc. of Mighty Corporation has led to a 2o0 percent increase in the excise tax payments for the September-October period alone for this cigarette manufacturer compared to the same period last year, according to the Department of Finance.

Based on DOF data, Mighty Corp. paid P1.002 billion in excise taxes for September 2016 and another P1.069 billion in October of the same year, or a total of P2.071 billion for this twomonth period.

For the same two-month period this year, the amount of excise tax payments from Mighty Corp. increased to P6.2 billion, representing a 2o0 percent hike in sin tax collections from the �irm.

Earlier, Dominguez said

preliminary computations done by the DOF and the BIR show that the Japan Tobacco will pay a minimum of P3.1 billion a month starting January 2018, which is about P2 billion more per month than what Mighty Corp. had previously been paying.

“For Fiscal Year 2018, JTI is expected to pay almost P40 billion out of the estimated P118 billion in total excise tax collections on tobacco products,” Dominguez said.

The amount represents a third of the total revenue collections from the excise tax on cigarettes.

Japan Tobacco completely took over the operations of Mighty Corp. in September after the latter sold its manufacturing assets and other properties to the Ja-

BUYOUT, P11

6 ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 158 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

Security Bank issues and lists PHP8.6 billion LTNCDs

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ovember 8, 2017 - S‎ ecurity Bank Corporation successfully raised PHP8.6 billion worth of Long Term Negotiable Certi�icates of Time Deposit (LTNCD), which is the �irst tranche out of its PHP20 billion approval from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Security Bank initially announced its intention to raise only PHP5 billion worth of LTNCDs with a tenor of 5 years and 6 months. However, after receiving strong support from its own investor base and from other institutional accounts, the bank exercised its oversubscription

option and raised a larger issue size. The LTNCDs have a coupon of 3.875% and will mature on May 8, 2023.

The LTNCDs were likewise listed today at the Philippine Dealing Exchange, the �irst instrument Security Bank listed in the platform allowing its investors better access to the secondary market.

HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank acted as Joint Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners, and were also Selling Agents alongside Security Bank and Multinational Investment Bancorporation.

Great opportunities await coconut enthusiasts at Cocolink conference

T

he upcoming 2nd International Coconut Conference and Trade Expo on November 7-9, 2017 at SMX in Lanang, Davao City is a much-awaited event in the life of Coconut farmers and growers not only locally but for the whole country as well.

Dubbed as COCOLINK Connference, this annual coming together of coconut stakeholders will not only highlight the fast recovery of the coconut industry after a snag, but will also bring into focus the industry’s direction and opportunities.

One of Cocolink’s many active sponsors in making this convergence a possibility is the Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF), a non-government organization that has since supported small farmers’ efforts to pursue social enterprises in the different regions. PEF believes that Agriculture is “not growing fast enough and not creating work for the rural poor.”

Believing that something can still be done to “transform the most number of households from poverty to sustainability,” PEF has been into “social enterprises and economic development” in agriculture, by providing �inancial support for smallscale entrepreneurs.

“It has been proven from �irst hand experiences that SEs can help rural households �ight poverty. But we need to create an environment that is conducive to promote the growth of SEs and to sustain this growth,” Roberto Calingo, PEF Executive Director have been quoted as saying.

The Peace and Equity Foundation aspires to drive positive change in poor Filipino household communities by investing in social enterprises that will provide them with viable livelihood

and better access to basic services.

Working with partners all over the country who share this vision by developing models and best practices that steers social enterprises to scale up, the PEF, has since 2001 been reaching communities nationwide to pursue its vision of “sustaining households providing for their basic needs – food, water, shelter, health, and education – and contributing to the socio-cultural growth, economic development and effective governance of their sustainable communities.”

Among the possibilities expected at COCOLINK include the opportunity to connect to new potential partners among the stakeholders both in the national and international scene and expand in the industry.

Participants are not only expected to be exposed to optimizing business prospects and networking but also gain new technical knowledge and latest technologies in the development of their coconut products.

“We are preparing for this big event and would be glad to assist those who would like to participate in this opportunity for coconut farmers,” says Mr. Dondon Clamor from Davao Region Coconut Industry Cluster, Inc. (DRCICI), a non-government organization that provides integrated services for the Philippine Coconut Industry since 20099. DRCICI is also the main organizer of this annual international coconut conference and exhibition in the city.

It also acts as business enabler and brand manager of all coconut enterprises with special focus on value-added services that centers on organizing well-managed

GREAT, P11

Residents search their names on the list for those qualified to receive food dole-outs outside the barangay hall in Basak-Malutlut in Marawi City on Tuesday (7 November 2017). The Department of Social Welfare and Development of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao

and non-governmental organizations are providing food dole-outs to help residents in nine Marawi villages get back with their lives after the five-month war against ISIS-inspired militants. MindaNews photo

by FROILAN GALLARDO

NVESTMENTS in Davao City during the first six months of the year are fewer compared with the number registered last year, but new companies have continued to come up with new projects.

when the upland areas of the northern side have a very erratic potable water �low.

The Apo Agua Infrastructure, a consortium of Aboitiz Equity Ventures and the JV Angeles Construction and Development Corp., will sell its water to the Davao City Water District as the latter will be able to rest some of its water wells in the Dumoy area at the same time provide better quality water to the northern side.

At present, many upland residential areas of the northern side source their water from the Malagamot

pumping stations which produce water that has an inferior quality compared with the one produced by the Dumoy wells.

The DCWD will spend another P2 billion on a new water system to receive to Apo Agua water supply and distribute it to an area bigger than the existing one.

Companies that apply for incentives with the city government are granted three exemptions for business taxes and two years exemptions for real estate taxes provided they invest in priority areas.

Total loans reached P1.12 trillion, re�lecting a 20.5% growth year-onyear. The increase was largely driven by corporate loans which grew by 24.3%. Gross 90-day NPLs (non-performing loans) declined from 1.64% to 1.47%, while reserve cover rose from 112.3% to 125.6%. Total deposits also rose 14% year-on-year, reaching P1.5 trillion. CASA ratio was at 71.3%, while LDR was at 74.6%.

The bank also posted higher fee-based income, surging 20.1% year-onyear, coming from investment banking, asset management and trust, deposit-related fees, and cred-

it cards.

Operating expenses for the �irst nine months of the year totaled P27.86 billion, higher by 8.9%, driven mainly by increased spending on technology and, to a lesser extent, higher regulatory costs. Provision for loan losses amounted to P3.61 billion. BPI anticipates continued discipline in managing operating expenses for the remainder of the year.

The bank’s securities position was at P296.58 billion, down 1.9% versus the same period last year.

The securities portfolio is mostly in held-to-maturity at P268.94 billion, and thus

Firms come up with new projects in Davao in 2017 I Lemuel G. Ortonio, chief of the Davao City Investment Promotion Center, said that about P348 million in new investments are expected to be approved within the month.

These new projects include a low-cost housing and a feed mill, although Ortonio did not mention their propo-

nents.

In the �irst semester of the year, the city government, through the Davao City Investment Incentive Board, approved the P10 billion bulk water project of Apo Agua Infrastructura which is set to provide potable water to the entire city, unlike now

FIRMS, P11

BPI posts 14 percent increase in Q3 income

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AKATI CITY, Philippines - Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) posted P5.36 billion in net income for the third quarter of 2017, up 14% from P4.71 billion in the same period last year, as total revenues increased as a result of higher interest income.

Net income for the �irst nine months of 2017 reached P17.05 billion, up 32.7% excluding one-off gains from the sale of securities in June 2016, but slightly down by 1.9% yearon-year. Comprehensive income was down 7.5% at P17.27 billion.

Total revenues in the �irst nine months of the

year increased by 5.2% to P53.04 billion. Net interest income surged by 13.5% to P35.50 billion, supported by a wider average net interest margin and a higher loan-to-deposit ratio. Non-interest income declined 8.4% to P17.54 billion, mainly due to the absence of signi�icant oneoff trading gains similar to those realized in June 2016.

The Bank’s cost-to-income ratio was 52.5%, higher compared to 50.7% for the same period last year. Return on Equity (ROE) was 13.1% and Return on Assets (ROA) was 1.3%, lower by 1.6 and 0.2 percentage points, respectively.

BPI, P11

7 SUBURBIA RISING EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 158 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

ComVal celebrates 25th Childrens month

END HUNGER. Comval Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy attended the conduct of “1st End Hunger Summit” one of the program of the Provincial Government for the “Bayanihan Para Sa Kalusugan-Kusina ng Kalinga (BPSK-KNK)” on November 7, 2017 at the Social Hall, Capitol Building, Cabidianan, Nabunturan, Comval.(Photo by: M. Lasaca, PS Comval)

PROVINCIAL MEET. Comval Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy together with Department of EducationComval Chapter School Division Superintendent Dr. Reynante Solitario and Pantukan Mayor Roberto

ompostela Valley Province- The Provincial Local Government Unit of ComVal through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) leads the celebration of the 25th National Children’s Month (NCM) with the theme “Bata: Iligtas sa Droga!” on November 6, 2017 at the provincial capitol.

The opening was led by Gov. Tyron Uy, SP Members and department heads and assistants as they released balloons in celebration.

The children’s month is observed every November by virtue of Republic Act No 10661. This declaration commemorates the

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This theme was approved by the Council for

the Welfare of Children Board in support to the ad-

ministration’s �ight against illegal drugs.

than P42 billion in October, according to BoC. That was “the highest monthly collection in the agency’s history,” Lapeña said on the agency’s website.

“Although the month of October was marked with lesser number of working days and volume of imports, growth was still achieved because of increase in the value of imports brought by the higher exchange rate, oil price, and improved valuation and classi�ication,” Lapeña said.

Aside from its traditional collection efforts, the BOC10 has also earned extra income through auction of good seized due to failure of importers to comply with the Customs requirements.

Marvin Mison, Deputy Collector for Assessment and Auction Committee vice chair, said they were able to generate about P2.5 million

from the auctioned items.

The auction was held last Nov. 2.

Mison said another round of auction will be conducted on Nov. 24 and he expects more bidders will participate.

Alvin Enciso, chief of the BOC-10’s Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), said there about 100 container vans that were con�iscated by the agency awaiting inventory.

Once the goods inside these containers are accounted for, they can now be auctioned off, Enciso said.

Meanwile, fuel companies, power producers and food processing facilities were among the entities given recognition by BOC-10 for helping the agency in its collection of taxes and duties over the years.

Marohomsalic said they have cited the top 10 ex-

porters and importers who have transactions in the region’s various seaports.

The top 10 importers are Nestlé Philippines Inc., Jetti Petroleum Inc., Minergy Coal Corp., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Phoenix Petroleum Phils Inc., Cagayan Corn Products Corp., Seaoil Philippines Inc., Steelasia Manufacturing Corp., FDC Misamis Power Corp., and Steag State Power Inc. Recognized as the top 10 exporters are Pilipinas Kao Inc., Del Monte Philippines Inc., Axelum Resources Corp., Newtech Pulp Inc., Phil. Sinter Corp., Granexport Manufacturing Corp., Wilmar Edible Oils Philippines Inc., Jacobi Carbons Philippines Inc., Cargill Oil Mills Philippines, Inc., and Donau Carbon Philippines Corp. (PNA/Jigger J. Jerusalem)

the countrysides due to peoples’ support to government forces.

He added the Army is prepared for retaliatory attacks from the rebels. He cited the case at Sitio Mahayag, Barangay Bulatukan, Makilala, where soldiers and rebels clashed after residents reported the massing of Red �ighters in the area on Sunday

night.

Argamoza said a team of soldiers went to the village to verify and validate the information but as they approached sitio Mahayag, they were ambushed by about 40 armed men that triggered an hour-long �ire�ight.

The �ighting ceased when the rebels �led deep into the forest, located at the foot of

Mt. Apo, the country’s highest peak.

After clearing operations, the soldiers found a rebel training camp that can accommodate at least 50 people.

“There were recruitment activities, there was training happening in the camp at the time of the clash,” Argamoza

Yugo visited the “Provincial Meet 2017” at the Municipal Eco-Tourism Park, Kingking, Pantukan Compostela Valley Province on November 7, 2017. (Photo by: M. Lasaca, PS Comval)

adoption of the convention on the Rights of the Child and seeks to instill its signi�icances in the Filipino consciousness.

Highlighting the celebration are the following activities: the holding of the Provincial Children’s Congress, Provincial Bulletin Festival for the Day

Care children and a Regional Consultative Forum.

There will also be activities to be conducted by the partner agencies like kids singing idol, poster making contest, medical and, feeding program and the “search for gulayan for day care center.” (Jazel N. Sarte//ids comval)

BoC-10 closer to P13-B collection target for 2017 Army-led drive v. loose guns

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he Bureau of Customs in Northern Mindanao (BOC-10) is now closer to achieving its collection target as taxes and duties earnings have picked up in the past few months.

From January to October, BOC-10 was able to collect more than P10 billion, said BOC-10 Collector Jamail Marohomsalic.

He said the agency’s original target was P12 billion, but Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña ordered the adjustment on BOC-10’s collection goal for this year.

Despite the additional P1 billion, Marohomsalic said they can still reach the target “as long as our stakeholders (importers and exporters) declare their shipment properly and pay the right taxes.”

The earnings of the BOC10 will form part of the overall income of the bureau, which has reached more

nets 140 assorted firearms

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he Army’s campaign against loose �irearms has been gaining ground with more people with unlicensed guns from �ive Lanao del Sur towns voluntarily turned over their guns, an Army of�icial said.

Capt. Arvin John Encinas, Army’s 6th Infantry Division spokesperson, told reporters that Lanao gun owners have been supporting the campaign to rid communities of loose guns.

The �irearms were from residents of the coastal towns of Pikong, Malabang, Marogong, Balabagan and Kapatagan, all in Lanao del

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ARMY, P11

ARMY-LED, P11

Cops hunt suspects in killing of NoCot agri exec

Army braces for NPA retaliatory attacks in NoCot K he Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion is bracing for retaliatory offensive from communist New Peoples’ Army in North Cotabato after the military overran a rebel training camp in a remote village here, an Army of�icial said Tuesday.

Lt. Colonel Harold Argamoza, 39th IB chief, said the Army is winning the war in

Sur. The towns are under the operational area of the 6ID. The �irearms, collected through the Ranao Ragat Inter-Agency Task Force, were turned over by residents at the Army’s 6th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Barangay Matling, Malabang, Lanao del Sur on Monday morning.

“We lauded the local residents for responding to our calls for their guns to be turned over to the military,” Encinas told reporters. “The idea is to avoid having these guns landed in the hands of law offenders.”

IDAPAWAN CITY Police authorities in North Cotabato have launched a manhunt against two men who gunned down Monday the municipal agriculture of�icer of Arakan, North Cotabato.

“Our police are still digging deeper into the case,” Chief Insp. Aldrin Gonzales, speaking for the Police Regional Of�ice (PRO-12) based in Gen. Santos City, said of the killing of Edgar Araña, Arakan town agriculture

chief, at around 8 a.m. Monday The 57-year-old Araña was driving his motorbike from his residence in Sitio Napanlahan, Barangay Poblacion, heading to the town proper when killed.

Investigation showed two men riding on separate motorbikes were tailing him and opened �ire, killing the of�icial on the spot.

As the municipal of�icial slumped on the roadside, the

COPS, P11

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 158 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

Child-friendly

avao City could crack into the Hall of Fame of the Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cities (PACFMC) if it wins the coveted award again this year.

The city received another nomination for the award this year to be on the verge of the perpetual accomplishment.

The nomination is an af�irmation of its efforts to stop child abuse and promote the rights of children at all time. Keeping the welfare of children has always been at the center of the city government’s agenda resulting in wiinning the award in 1998, 1999, 2013, 2014, 2015.

What does it take to keep Davao City as among the leaders in championing the children’s cause?

EDGEDAVAO

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KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ANGELIE SAVERON BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO JUDELYN VEGA MEGHANN STA. INES Reporters NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN FUNNY PEARL GAJUNERA Lifestyle CHA MONFORTE LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. ARLENE D. PASAJE Correspondents Cartoons Photography Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. Columnists: D. TACIO G.•DELIGERO • JOHN CARLO TRIA • VIDAGOTIANSE-TAN MIA S. VALVERDE•• NICASIO FRED C. LUMBA • ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA BORBONHENRYLITO • MARY ANN “ADI”• GREGORIO C. QUISIDO LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NIKKI ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ

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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 JAMILA C. CANONIGO AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Email Address: edgedavao@gmail.com Mobile: (Smart) 09104501042 Tel: (088) 852-4894 Circulation Marketing Specialist

OLIVIA D. VELASCO D.D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONA OLIVIA D. VELASCO JOCELYN S. PANES SOLANI SOLANI MARATAS General Manager Finance Advertising Specialist General Manager Director of Sales Finance OREAL L. REAL Marketing Assistant

Davao City earned its nomination with programs for children’s welfare like the Kean Gabriel Hotline, a brainchild of Mayor Sara Duterte, which serves as a child abuse reporting number. The program has rescued 483 abused children since it was established. The city government has also put up the Quick Response Team for Children’s Concern (QRTCC), which was designed to rescue, investigate and document cases of sexual, exploitation, and atrocities committed against children.

Whether Davao City wins the award and makes it to the HOF is but a bonus. The bottomline is that it has been consistently delivering basic sevices that promote the welfare and development of children--that alone is worth emulating. Award or no award.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 158• THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2017

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Meaningful Other

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inding the meaning of one’s existence is fraught with potholes and detours. Emmanuel Levinas, iconic 20th century philosopher, sheds light on this very human endeavor by recognizing that the human person is in�inite, never alone, but always separate.

In his work, Totality and In�inity, Levinas expounds on how responsibility for the Other is a movement of in�inity while trying to objectify and reduce the Other to the Same, to that which we can control, is a totalizing action. The in�inite is at play within the human person from the moment she questions her existence, struggles to seek for more, enjoys the world, and encounters the Other. This in�inite is not found in the mystical and abstract but in her very

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concrete and ethical relationship with another.

Levinas privileges the Other in our journey towards �inding our meaning. This counterbalances the preoccupation of philosophy with the self and with being. The danger of anchoring on the exalted being came to a head in the Holocaust that exterminated millions who were deemed inferior by the utterly self-possessed Nazis.

The Nazis, for all their culture and aristocracy, sent millions of human beings to their deaths. The Nazis’ sense of entitled being is ultimately senseless without �irst the compassion for the Other. Today, in our mundane reality, the preoccupation with the exalted being, is manifested in the countless sel�ies we post on our

CATNIP Vida Mia S. Valverde social media accounts. The movement towards exteriority, towards the Other, is a movement of in�inity. Before the human person asserts her own freedom, she must �irst be responsible for the Other because it is then that she �inds her meaning in life. It is then that she moves beyond being. She removes the chains of being as she decenters herself

and lives the philosophy of après vous (you �irst).

This human person, as subject, may start from her consciousness of something other than herself but she moves beyond that because she desires to be proximate with the Other, not just to know the Other. Proximity of the Other comes by way of contact and not information, through discourse and caress, not knowledge.

Proximity of the Other is never just consciousness and understanding of the Other but is ultimately responsibility for the Other.

The human person, as subject, lives for something other than herself. She does not have to but she does because of the in�inite in her. Who she is, is given by a source that is in�inite and non-thematizable; and she

�inds that she is in solidarity with the Other from the very beginning. Though separate from the Other, the human person �inds that she carries the Other within her in an ethical maternity, and appreciates that this Other cannot be thematized and totalized. It is not the insuf�iciency of the I that prevents totalization, but the In�inity of the Other (Totality and In�inity,80).

In the end, even if the human person relegates her freedom to her responsibility for the Other, she will still �ind herself at her freest because she becomes who and what she is meant to be, here and now, with others. None of the sense of enchainment and neutrality, but of passion. No need, only desire. Not totality, but in�inity.

tions prevail in the current United States?

In my view it is clear: it is Durkheim’s reality of rapid economic and cultural change and people getting lost amid such tumult.

The lost anchor in onself amid this rapid change is exacerbated by the loss of income, posessions and even the lack of connectivity to families and friends that ought to provide emotional support.

Has the highly individualistic brand of liberal democracy negated such social bonds? Is every American a potential loner with a mind volcano waiting to explode?

Perhaps its time that the US government speak candidly to their people about the need to explore and strengthen these social relationships that gadgets, a new car and material posessions, even personal freedoms alone cannot bind strongly enough.

America must look inward, lest it collapses within itself.

Meanwhile, should it be

wise for our government to issue its own advisory for those travelling to the United States? Often, it issues travel advosories against Mindanao over perceived threats. We perceive that the social volcano continues to spew ash and lava ot its own.

This being the case, America is a social volcano seething beneath the surface. Convulsed by the Trump election, ever in turmoil over his sagging trust ratings, worried about its future and that of the rest of the Western industrialized world.

Brexit happening and a Europe declining in numbers and wary of extremist immigrants add to the anxiety.

If our government does not want to, then let me say it: just please be careful when you go to the United States.In case of untoward incidents, cooperate with authorities and be a facebook friend to The Philippine embassy or have their contact details on your phone.

Should we now issue a travel advisory for the United States?

olumbine, Sandy Hook.

Charleston, Las Vegas, Virginia Tech. Now Sutherland, Texas. From schools to concerts and now Churches.

From the late 1990s till today there has been a rapid increase in mass shootings by people in the United States who seem to have no political angst apart from a personal gripe.

Of course we differentiate these from the violence perpetrated by terror groups, which have a political agenda for which these acts are meant to precipitate sone form of action.

These mass shootings are the sharpest extreme of deviance, which, plainly and simply, roughly de�ined as behavior that challenges the norm.

Plumbing this reality i am drawn to reread the groundbreaking sociological theories that aimed to tackle a phenomenon that rose sharply during Europes industrial revolution and was promptly studied by teo leading theorists: Emile

Durkheim and Thomas Merton.

An academic journal writes: “In one of the most famous articles in sociology, its �irst version written in the 1940s, Robert Merton begins by addressing biological explanations of deviance and concludes that biology cannot account for variations from one society to the next in the nature and extent of deviance.

Merton works within the overall functionalist perspective that we have already addressed, which puts a great deal of emphasis on the role of culture, particularly its unifying aspects, but now Merton adapts a concept he borrows from Durkheim to analyze situations in which culture creates deviance and disunity.

In Durkheim’s usage, anomie referred to a situation in which cultural norms break down because of rapid change.

Anomic suicide, for example, can occur during a major economic depression,

MY TWO CENTS’ John Carlo B. Tria when people aren’t able to achieve the goals that they have learned to pursue, but it can also occur when the economy experiences a boom and suddenly the sky’s the limit--people don’t know how to limit their goals and be satis�ied with their achievements.” (https://www.d.umn. edu/~bmork/2306/Theories/BAManomie.htm) As we commiserate with the families of the victims of the shooting we wonder aloud: which of these condi-

10 NEWS HEALTH... FROM 2 there will be a new disaster fund coming from the 2018 Annual Budget of the city government.

The mayor said she al-

ready talked to Marawi City Majul Usman Gandamra last Saturday and the latter told her they already declared the city under state of calamity.

named Most Outstanding Cooperatives, while three others were cited for being Outstanding Cooperatives.

The Cooperative Month is celebrated every October pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 493, series of 2003. The proclamation also recognized the “crucial role of

coops in savings mobilization, in providing accessible and affordable credit, and in maximizing the resources and energies of the less economically-fortunate individuals towards economic development, political empowerment and sociocultural reform.”

(CIO)

Davao City on November 18, 2018 at 7pm , will feature Jay R & Kyla together with the Muzic’s Kool Band and Artists Glen Remolardor, Music’s Kool administrator said his group is expecting 1000-1500 guests during the concert.

He said the proceeds of this concert will go to the fund of the school that will help the students improve their talents, teachers and school facilities as well as for scholarships.

Muzic’s Koolis inviting the public to join and watch the

concert that will also showcase the talents and passion of their young artists.

Tickets to the concert, which will be available at the Pearl Farm Of�ice at 3rd �loor Abreeza Mall Davao City and Muzic’s Kool and are priced at P2,000 for VIP Seating, P1,600 for Golden seats, P1,200 for Silver seats and P800 for Bronze seats. For tickets reservations contact 282-8246 / 0922-5110066 / 0933-3594888 or email them to Muzic_Kool@yahoo.com .

Poet, a writer, a sculptor and most of all a visual artist Victor Secuya expressed that the book is more on his opinions and a conversations about ideas and thoughts.

He was inspired to write this book when he reached 60 years old and made up a decision to make it into 60 essays focusing on writing only about arts.

“Millennial today are more on arts but they are not into it,” he said.

He wanted to connect with the generation today hoping to teach them a thing or two when his gone and leave behind many ideas and opinions with the same intention of his book

He said he thought writing essay will take him only four to �ive months but it took him a year to �inish his book.

“I wanted to create something new, something comes from the heart if you do that commercialization I don’t know if some are happy because they have money but it is a matter of value of choice,” he said.

“I don’t think anymore of commercialization, I wanted to write that comes from the heart,” he added.

The book is published by Image World Digital Printing Inc. He said that he will distribute his books in a creative way by the usual way of distribution.

time when the Philippines and China have strengthened their trade and linkages boosted by the visit of President Rodrigo R. Duterte in that country a year ago.

The two countries have since been discussing about strengthening trade relation with the Chinese government as the two countries signed about $24 billion in trade agreements during Duterte’s visit to the middle kingdom.

In a press statement released after his visit to China, President Duterte said the two countries “have opened formal lines of communications between our govern-

ment and agreed on the full resumption of the regular bilateral consultations mechanisms which were put on hold for several years.”

The President has also been quoted as saying that if there is “(an) investment, we can have more businesses, make the economy grow and China would likewise bene�it from it.”

Citing that the initiative of his company is in response to the call of the President to look for opportunities in China, Valoria sees the partnership with GoodFarmer will allow both companies to grow their respective businesses

DAVAO... FROM 2

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 158 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

MUZIC’S... FROM 2

SECUYA... FROM 3

ANFLO... FROM 5

UPBEAT. Glen Remolador, Jonathan Ferrero and Jeremy Sarmiento of Muzic’s Kool promote the upcoming concert of R and B artists Jay R and Kyla at the Tent of Azuela Cove in time for the music school’s

fourth anniversary during Wednesdays @ Habi at Kape at Abreeza Mall. Lean Daval Jr.

as the banana producer will have a stronger marketing arm, while the trading company will have a primary source of premium produce. “This is a very good synergystic relationship,” he said. Under the marketing contract, the ABC is selling 840,000 boxes of Class A bananas to GoodFarmer for two years.

The banana company will source the premium bananas from its 165-hectare farm in Don Marcelino town in Davao Occidental.

GoodFarmer has been able to penetrate the Chinese market, considered among the biggest markets for banana with about 1.4 billion in population based on government estimates.

In 2015, based on government data, the country exported about 448,000 metric tons of fresh bananas, most of them coming from Davao Region, with a value of about $157.5 million. (Nelson Bagaforo/PNA)

the upgrading and standardization of residential facilities to satisfactorily meet the accreditation requirements of the DSWD Standards Bureau.

The Crisis Intervention Center (CIC) Balay Dangupan, a shelter care institution for physically and abused children, was accredited First Level Standards last year.

On the other hand, the Davao City Children’s Village or Bahay Pag-asa, continues to serve as a temporary shelter for Children in Con�lict

with the Law , whose cases had been �iled in court and awaiting disposition.

The city also continues to maintain the Paginhawaan Drop-In Center for street children who need temporary shelter and protection and the Lingap Center for Mentally-Challenged Children. The city government also continues to provide day care services for the children of city employees under �ive years of age at the Child Minding Center. (CIO)

and National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, with special participation of the Deputy Provincial Directors for Operations of Davao Del Norte Police Provincial Of�ice, COMVAL Provincial Police Of�ice, Davao Oriental Police Provincial Of�ice, Davao del Sur Provincial Police Of�ice and Davao Occidental Police Of�ice.

The operations were conducted at Purok nine, Lower Madapo, Brgy 8-A under the responsibility of Police Station (PS) 2, Arroyo Compound, Matina Crossing un-

der PS3, KM 12, Bolinao Site under PS4, Muslim Village, Ilang under PS6, Alegre, Manggahan, Toril under PS8 and Deca Homes, Tacunan under PS9 all in Davao City.

“This is based on the reports of the barangay of�icials that requested the DCPO to conduct identity check on these areas,” said Gaspan.

Out of the 974 people that were subjected to pro�iling and identity, it was found that 809 person have IDs, 165 don’t have IDs, and 15 were internally displaced person (IDPs) from Marawi.

conduct of operation in different areas of the city.

The places were rounded up were Lower Madapo, Barangay 8-A, Arroyo Com-

pound in Matina Crossing, KM 12, Sasa in Bolinao Site, Muslim Village in Barangay Ilang, Alegre, Manggahan, Toril), and Deca Homes, Tacunan.

digital workspace.

“This award is a testament to our clients as much as it is to us,” said Tony Windever, vice president and general manager, Unisys Asia Paci�ic. “We have seen �irsthand the commitment and dedication our clients have toward embracing digital transformation to foundationally transform their business operations, and through our partnership and collaboration, have developed software to meet those most critical business needs.”

This acknowledgement is the latest recognition for Unisys cargo capabilities.

In July, Unisys’ predictive freight capability was honoured (http://www. unisys.com/industries/commercial/transportation/ news%20release/unisyswins-three-icmg-awards) at the ICMG 2017 Australasian

& Asia Paci�ic Architecture Excellence Awards. In September, Digistics won the global award (http://www. unisys.com/offerings/advanced-analytics/news%20 release/unisys-predictivefreight-wins-global-icmgaward) for “Best Software Architecture” at the ICMG 2017 USA Architecture Excellence Awards.

Digistics is the �irst comprehensive digital air cargo solution that offers catalogue-based disruptive solutions via the cloud, providing end-to-end functionality from operations to route planning. The solution bridges the gap to the digital age of travel and transportation, leveraging advanced analytics – powered by machine learning – to help carriers improve their speed-to-market while also reducing costs. (PNA)

vestigate and document cases of sexual, exploitation, and atrocities committed against children.

Bermudo said if the city won anew, “we will be elevated to the Hall of Fame.” The consistent standing of the city when it comes to being child-friendly is proof of the

success of the various programs and projects that are being implemented in the city for the protection of the rights and welfare of the children, City Hall said.

Since July last year, the city has allocated P50 million for the establishment, operation and maintenance and

of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the National Electri�ication Administration, the IFG told Dominguez during the Ex-

ecom meeting.

This signing ceremony will take place on the sidelines of the 2017 summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that will be held in Manila in November.

DCPO... FROM 3

BULABOG... FROM 3 DAVAO... FROM 3

UNISYS... FROM 4

SKOREA... FROM 4

INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 158•THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

FOOD

EDGEDAVAO

VIVA ARGENTINA!

I HAVE TO ADMIT that I am very much a carnivore. Don’t get me wrong here I do love to have a salad or fish dish but whenever I want to celebrate or destress nothing comes close to bringing a tear in my eye than a perfectly cooked steak.

I believe many Dabawenyo meat lovers know their meats, from the tender USDA Prime cuts to the fatty Kobe beef that literally melt in your mouth, but never imagined that there were also many fans of Argentine Beef which was obvious when I attended Bondi&Bourke Davao’s exclusive 5-course Argentine beef and wine dinner held last October 28.

The event showcased the skills of Australian chefs Patrick Mccarthy and Wade Watson using Bolzico Beef. If the name sounds familiar, it is because Bolzico Beef is owned by celebrity Solenn Heussaf’s betterhalf Nico Bolzico and her brother Erwan.

“Bolzico Beef started out while I was visiting Argentina,” said Erwan “In Argentina, everyone ate beef. And Argentine beef has a unique flavour and texture that is different from Japanese Wagyu or US beef. We eventually decided to import the beef and here we are.”

“Argentine beef is leaner than what you would usually get from the US as the cows are grass fed.” revealed Nico. “This is why the flavour of Argentine beef is more intense and we could say that the beef we get is also organic and is healthier for you.”

The five-course dinner started with an amuse bouche, a Beef Tenderloin Brouchette where Argentine beef tenderloins were marinated with Davao honey, roasted chilli, lime and coriander root and grilled to perfection. The tenderness of the beef and the sweet and spicy finish paired well with the fresh citrus notes of the Altas Cumbres Torrontes by Argentine wine-maker Lagarde.

The second course was a Flank Onion Soup, a

twice roasted beef broth filled with caramelised onions and topped with nutty gruyere cheese and a generous slab of Argentine beef flank. This course was paired with Lagarde’s Blanc de Noir rose wine.

“I like Bolzico Beef because it is more flavourful without too much of the fat you would typically get from US beef.” said chef Wade “Although it is less fatty, it is till tender when you cook it.”

As a tribute to Argentina, chef Wade served a Classic Empanada served with a corn puree, and chimichurri. This crispy treat was paired with Lagarde’s signature Guarda Cabernet Franc.

The highlight for me was the fourth course, the Roast Ribeye Roll. To call it just a steak would be sacrilege as the slowroasted Argentine ribeye was not only tender and juicy, but it was truly satisfying to eat. I never would have imagined having enough space to finish the gigantic slab but I did. I blame it on Nico earlier saying that he used to eat steak three times a day and still keep fit. But kidding aside, each bite of the Bolzico beef was packed with beefy goodness without the too much of the greasiness one would expect from top quality beef.

This beautiful steak was paired with Lagarde’s equally elegant Primeras Vinas Malbec which was produced from grapes

produced by hundredyear old vines. The malbec had notes of cherries and caramel with a hint of chocolate and spice, it was silky on the tongue with its balanced tannins and even smoother going down. A masterpiece of a wine indeed.

The evening ended with a selection of petit fours, brie and fruits and apple all served family style for guests around the table to share and talk about the wonderful food journey to Argentina and back. Viva Argentina and viva to Bondi&Bourke!

A2INdulge!

FOOD

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 158•THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

Delicious dining experience on the go MEMBERSHIP SHOPPING has been around for years. In the country, it has been one of the most frequented warehouses by shoppers and anyone who enjoys shopping rows and aisles of tangible and delicious items not readily found in our local department stores. Nevertheless, membership shopping has also introduced us to the many delectable food choices only available under their roof. Oh the joy of shopping, indeed.

As much as we love membership and warehouse shopping, not everyone is a member.

Hence the opening of franchise dining outside the warehouse for everyone to enjoy — members and non-members alike.

Through this, many is able to enjoy munching on their delish offerings any time of any day.

Within office hours, that is.

Last October 28, 2017, a new S&R New York Style Pizza branch opened their doors to the craving public. Located at the 2nd floor of SM City Davao’s main building, it is the 6th in Mindanao and the 33rd in all of the SM branches in the country.

Spearheading the opening was one of Davao’s most loved local celebrity and entrepreneur, Cherry Maning. Her company, Go Cherryfic Foods Corporation (GCF Corp), where she is the President and CEO, has been awarded the franchise. A bit of a background: Kareila Management

decided to open a QSR (or a Quick Service Restaurant) outside the warehouse.

The first in Davao is at the Abreeza Mall of Davao.

GCF Corp.’s first franchise is the S&R New York Style Pizza branch at the Gaisano Mall of Davao which opened last February 27, 2017.

On their menu are palate favorites we have grown to love and crave at the same time.

From their thick cut fries to their mighty beefy cheeseburger, and 100% beef hotdog, S&R truly has ascended the ranks of good food munchings over the years.

Many rave of their rich bowl of clam chowder. The same has become my personal favorite whenever I am in need of some delish warmth to warm my soul. Their bowl of chicken caesar salad with bacon bits is also a tad bit fave amongst people who loves their greens and indulge. Meat and bread?

Try their enormous chicken baked roll with bacon and baked beef roll that’s comforting all the way. It is its simplicity that makes this one to crave

for. Also on their menu is their meaty packed calzone pepperoni and veggie delight and personal fave, calzone vegetable.

Something relatable on their menu is their crunchy Southern style Fried Chicken that never fails to excite the foodie in you.

Dessert? S&R has the cinnamon churros and bavarian filled churros to keep your sugar cravings at bay. Every so

often, they offer sweet pizza choices — yup, thats pizza with sweet toppings.

Nonetheless,S&R, by its name, is all about their New York style pizza. Aside from seasonal flavour combinations, constant pizza choices on the menu includes cheese, combo, pepperoni and garlic & shrimp.

Truly, nothing beats S&R pizza with their slice of hot thick sa-

voury crust and generous toppings. Now, that’s a pizza.

Visit the newest S&R New York Style Pizza branch at the 2/F main building of SM City Davao.

For my latest food finds, follow me on Instagram @iamleebai and Facebook @theroyalchefeats.

Happy munching, royalistas!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 158•THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

ENTERTAINMENT

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

LBC responds to rising delivery demand in Vismin LBC, continues to make its presence felt as the top of mind delivery service with the widest network, in all corners of the Philippines.

November 1 – 7, 2017

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In its latest move, LBC has begun offering its lowest Intra-Province cargo padala rates starting at Php85 for document parcels. This newest rates category is exclusive only in the provinces of Visayas and Mindanao, including its most remote areas. The Intra-Province rate is the amount charged when you send a package within a particular province, like Cebu to Cebu or Davao to Digos.

LBC’s cheapest Intra-Province rates, which started October 2017, aims to give Visayas and Mindanao customers a more competitive price to help them grow their business and to fulfill the public’s shipping requirements. It has been observed in the past months that the logistical needs in both regions are rapidly growing with the expansion of global companies and with locals taking active part in E-commerce.

With the “pinaka-barato” Intra-Province rates, LBC has, again, showed how relentless they are in finding ways to bring joy and ease to the lives of Filipinos, wherever they may be.

Winter adventure comes to life at SM City Davao

THIS YEAR, Disney joins SM Supermalls in bringing a magical Disney Christmas experience to select malls.

At City SM Davao, Olaf’s Frozen Adventure opens on November 10, 6PM at the Annex Event Center.

Shoppers may walk through the mall’s centerpiece, winter time in Arendelle Castle with a 15-foot Christmas tree. Join Olaf and his friends relive sights and sounds from the much-loved animated film Frozen. A Disney Frozen Toy Fair also awaits Olaf fans at the Annex Event Center.

Adding to the winter fun, on the same day, figure skater Bianca Vinarao leads the Adventures on Ice launch. The region’s first ice skating rink will be in Davao until January 2018. Slide, glide and experience a magical winter Christmas adventure on ice!

Stay up-to-date with this season’s coolest events and promos. Like SM City Davao on Facebook or follow them on Instagram

EDGEDAVAO

A4INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 158•THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

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MVT Bridges Philippines, Purok Malakas, General Santos City for more Information Please contact Cellphone Number 09460154748. Look for Shane S. Liquit Marketing Consultant

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 158 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

CANADA... FROM 5 (approximately 1,400 tons) of illegal garbage imports from Canada, stressing that the Philippines is not a “trash bin” and that the dumping incident “should not be made a precedent for other countries to follow.”

As the case was limited only to 50 of the 103 container vans of illegal Canadian trash imports, civil society groups urged Canada,

in the spirit of environmental justice, to voluntarily ensure the repatriation of all the illegal garbage shipments.

“To avoid further embarrassment that would come with another legal decision, we suggest that Canada should just take back all its garbage, including those not covered by the said case,” the groups said.

pan-based cigarette manufacturing company to be able to settle its tax liabilities with the government in the amount of P25 billion.

Dominguez said the government stands to gain P30 billion from the settlement

once the value-added tax and other fees from the sale are included.

This amount represents the biggest tax settlement ever from a single corporate entity in the country’s history. (DOF)

model farms, linking farmers to markets, providing access to �inance and contribute to training and advocacy.

Moreover, interested in-

dividuals and entrepreneurs who would like to get a link to the COCOLINK activities could visitwww.cocolinkph. org for more details.

Investment located in areas outside the downtown are granted exemption for �ive years for both taxes.

The priority areas include agribusiness, tourism and recreation facilities, light manufacturing assembly, property development, health and wellness, educational and sports facilities, environment protection and green projects, information and communication technology, energy projects, transportation and infrastructure and public-private partnership projects.

During the �irst semester

of the year, the investments registered with the city government totaled P11.973 billion, a bit lower than the P12.48 billion registered last year.

Prime Philippines, a consulting company on real property development, earlier said that some investors, particularly those outside the city, went into wait-andsee after President Rodrigo R. Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao as a result of an armed con�lict in Marawi City which was eventually resolved after �ive months.

MFS

less exposed to interest rate risk.

Total assets grew by P209.81 billion or 13.2% to hit P1.80 trillion, while total capital reached P181.88 billion, up 8.2% year-on-year.

CAR (Capital Adequacy Ratio) was at 13.36% and CET1 (Common Equity Tier 1) was at 12.47%, both higher by 0.36 and 0.37 percentage points, respectively, from December 2016 levels.

“Our results show a good balance of growth and pro�itability. Earnings from lending operations and fee-based businesses are good, and the investments we have been making in technology and digitization should allow for even stronger operating and �inancial results going forward,” said BPI President and CEO Cezar P. Consing.

He also said, along with efforts to ensure the bank’s strong �inancial performance, BPI is pursuing its �inancial inclusion initiatives to ful�ill Filipinos’ need for �inancial services. BPI is doing this through BPI Direct BanKo, Inc., or BanKo. “BanKo, which used to provide micro�inance loans for consumption purposes, has been re-booted to focus on �inancing self-employed micro-entrepreneurs. BanKo’s approach towards customers is personalized and high touch. Early results of the re-booted BanKo are very strong, with the number of clients and the volume of outstanding loans growing month after month,” added Consing.

As of September 30, 2017, BanKo has 52 branches and micro-banking of�ices across the coun-

BUYOUT... FROM 5

GREAT... FROM 6

FIRMS... FROM 6

BPI... FROM 6

NEWS 11

PICE observes civil engineering month T

he Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) Davao City Chapter celebrates the month of November as Civil Engineering Month 2017 in time with the 80th year anniversary of the institute.

The Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) Davao City Chapter celebrates the month of November as Civil Engineering Month 2017 in time with the 80th year anniversary of the institute.

The chapter started its kick-off activities last November through a thanksgiving mass at the Assumption Parish Church followed by a

motorcade going to the of�ice of Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio for a courtesy visit.

These were followed by a week-long sporting event, career guidance orientation for civil engineering students, and a photo exhibit showing all the activities of the chapter for the past ten months like the series of their community extension programs reaching

try, from only 10 at the beginning of the year. BanKo was named Micro�inance Initiative of the Year by The Asian Banker in its 2017 Philippine Country Awards.

The award recognized BanKo’s efforts in developing a suitable credit model for a client segment that has dif�iculties in availing of bank �inancing.

told reporters.

He could not say though whether the rebels who belong to NPA Guerilla Front 51 suffered casualties, as there were no slain or wounded insurgents captured.

Soldiers recovered two ri�les, ammunition, training kits and bags left by the �lee-

ing rebels.

Argamoza lauded the support extended by the local residents who became victims of extortion by communist rebels and also suffered the pain of leaving homes every time the �ighting erupted. (Edwin Fernandez /PNA)

In the past, big clans kept their �irearms to protect themselves from family enemies who are also armed.

Encinas said the government, military and local executives are working together to address clan wars, more known in the locality as “rido,” by bringing them together and work with the government.

Spearheaded by the Army’s 603rd Infantry Brigade, the comprehensive campaign against loose �irearms

has so far gathered 140 assorted high-powered guns.

This campaign has elated Major Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Army’s 6ID chief, who said the same program will be replicated in other local communities under the 6ID area of responsibility.

The 6ID, which is based in Maguindanao, has supervision over the provinces of Maguindanao, parts of Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, and Lanao del Sur. (Edwin Fernandez /PNA)

gunmen sped away. Motive of the attack and identities of the suspects remain unknown as of this time.

Arakan, an upland town in North Cotabato, has been the center of atrocities committed by communist rebels

over the past two months.

Last month, three off-duty militiamen were killed in Arakan that Maj. Silver Belvis, Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion spokesperson, has blamed on the communist New People’s Army. (PNA)

ARMY... FROM 7

ARMY-LED... FROM 7

COPS... FROM 7

out the different public elementary schools in far-�lung barangays and various trainings and conferences held for the continuing professional development among its members and non-members alike were also made public inside the compound of the Regional Field Of�ice XI of the Department o Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The PICE is the lone professional organization of civil engineers in the country accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission, composed of more than 150,000 registered civil engineer-members in 97 local and 8 international chapters and some 46,646 civil engi-

neering student-members in 179 student chapters throughout the country.

PICE was also the �irst accredited professional organization to get an ISO 9001 Certi�ication in the country and �irst to forge a memorandum of agreement with the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines through one of its implementing boards, the Philippine Domestic Construction Board to jointly implement the Construction Performance Evaluation System.

The celebration will culminate November 28-30 at the Mall of Asia Arena during its 43rd National Convention.

In that setback, Petron appeared a bit rusty with imports Hillary Hurley and Lindsay Stalzer failing to match the �irepower of F2 Logistics bannered by Venezuelan Maria Jose Perez, American Kennedy Bryan and national team stalwart Kianna Dy. “We played three straight

game,s so I think the girls were a little tired,” said Petron coach Shaq Delos Santos, noting that they simply ran out of gas against a well-oiled, well-rested Cargo Movers side, which sat out the league’s �irst two weeks to give way to the University Games in Dumaguete City.

up to buy a 1,500-square meter property for P2 Million in Magallanes. Ancajas paid P300,000 to build his house where he stays with wife Ruth and their two children Kyrie, 5, and Kyle, 2. Behind the house, Jimenez and Ancajas combined resources to construct a two-storey gym with a 10-room dorm for boxers. The gym is where Ancajas now trains while the dorm on the second �loor is under construction. Jimenez and Ancajas are also partners

in managing Barriga whose contract they bought for P300,000 from Jason Soong.

Ancajas hasn’t lost in his last 14 �ights since 2012 when he dropped a majority decision to Mark Anthony Geraldo in Cebu. His record is 27-1-1, with 18 KOs. He wrested the IBF crown from Puerto Rico’s McJoe Arroyo on points in Taguig in September last year.

Ancajas has since repulsed challengers Mexico’s Jose Alfredo Rodriguez and Japan’s Teiru Kinoshita.

on Wednesday that kept the Bulldogs in the hunt for a Final Four berth.

The Bulldogs survived the hot-shooting Tamaraws to snap a two-game skid in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

NU improved to 5-8 (win-loss) and remained in contention for a semi�inal berth after FEU slipped to 6-7 heading to the �inal weekend of the elimination

round.

The Bulldogs overcame the Tamaraws’ 18 triples in the �irst half, storming back from a 15-point de�icit to steal the victory.

“This is the dream. This is what I was expecting from our players, ‘yung maturity,” said NU coach Jamike Jarin.

Alejandro �inished with 17 points, six rebounds and nine assists for the Bulldogs, who closed the game with a 23-5 run to steal the win.

PETRON... FROM 14

BRING... FROM 14

ATENEO... FROM 15

EDGEDAVAO

12 AGRITRENDS

VOL. 10 ISSUE 158 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

A standard for sustainable rice production TEXT AND PHOTOS BY HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“Rice is the one thing that truly defines Asia. From Pakistan to North Korea to Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, rice is the one thing shared by all. Asia has no common political systems, no common religions, no common philosophies and no shared social values -- however, each and every day most Asian join in together to eat rice.” Dr. Ronald Cantrell, former director-general of International Rice Research Institute In business, SRP is the acronym for suggested retail price.

But among agricultural research institutions and agri-food businesses, it stands for sustainable rice platform.

“How can we boost production on existing rice lands, protect the environment, mitigate climate change impacts, and safeguard smallholder livelihoods all at the same time?” asked Wyn Ellis, the SRP coordinator of the Laguna-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

SRP seems to be the answer. Actually, it is a global alliance that tries to set a standard for sustainable rice cultivation.

The standard uses environmental and socio-economic benchmarks to maintain yields for rice smallholders, reduce the environmental footprint of rice cultivation and meet consumer needs for safety and quality, IRRI explained in a press statement.

SRP was launched in 2015

by IRRI together with UTZ Certi�ied and Aid Environment. In March of 2017, IRRI and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) signed a memorandum of agreement supporting the SRP program.

“With over three billion people across the globe eating rice every day, rice is critical to global food security,” said Dr. Maria Helena Semedo, FAO Deputy Director-General, Climate and Natural Resources. “Ensuring sustainable rice production is a key contribution to the global

goal of ending hunger.”

Dr. Matthew K. Morell, IRRI Director-General, agrees. “The world faces very signi�icant changes over the next few decades to produce the volume and quality of nutritious food to feed a global population heading for 10 billion people,” he pointed out. “Addressing these issues relies on global partnerships…”

Although rice is basically a complex carbohydrate, its protein contains all eight of the essential amino acids and complements the amino acids found in many other foods. Low in sodium and fat, with no cholesterol or gluten, it is a boon to weight worriers and those allergic to other grains.

Rice is also low in �iber and easily digested. With nutrition high of complex carbohydrates today, rice is at the top, with onehalf cup of cooked rice furnishing 82 calories of energy, enough to give people energy to walk for 26 minutes.

In the Philippines, rice is the staple food. In a survey done for the World Bank, it was found that 80% of all respondents consumed rice three or more times a day. Sixteen percent said they ate rice twice a day while only one percent said once. Most of those who ate rice thrice a day belonged to the middle class (81%) and the rich (79%).

From 1980s to 1990s, a Filipino consumed an average of 92 kilograms, recent studies have shown. The consumption went up to 111 kilograms from

2008 to 2009. From 2009 to 2010, it even increased to 119 kilograms.

“If we did not have rice, our deepest comfort food, we would probably feel less Filipino,” the late food epicure Doreen Fernandez once wrote.

But rice is major staple food in other countries, too. In fact, it is the staple for 3.5 billion people, delivering 20% of their daily calorie intake. “Consumption continues to grow in Asia, and though there are signs of decline in some higher income countries, it remains the fastest growing food staple in Africa and Latin America,” noted the website, www.sgs.com.

Indeed, rice production is a big business. “Complex and fragmented, the rice industry produces on average a staggering 480 million metric tons,” the website said. “More than 2 million smallholders work on 160 million hectares of land, but production yields are stalling and environmental concerns are growing.”

Rice cultivation uses 3040% of the world freshwater and contributes 5-10% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, particularly meth-

ane.

According to FAO, rice production is vulnerable to the increasing impacts of climate change, including extreme weather events such as droughts and �loods.

Dr. Abdelbagi Ismail, IRRI principal scientist, said these problems have become more severe. “We estimate more than probably25 million hectares are lost to drought every year, and probably 20 million hectares lost to �loods all over Asia,” he said.

Thus, SRP came into existence. It targets one million farmers across the world to adopt climate-smart sustainable best practices by 2012. The standard and indicators are intended both as a basis for certi�ication of value-added rice products and also as a benchmark for policymakers.

“SRP is not about adding a certi�ication mark to the end-product,” explained Geert Eenhoorn, rice project manager of UTZ. “It is about making a difference to farming, farmers and the environment around the globe.”

Addressing the challenges faced by the full range of busi-

nesses, the SRP has developed a set of performance indicators that can be scaled to suit. “In a departure from the traditional pass/fail standard, the inclusion of these indicators helps to drive a culture of continuous improvement,” Eenhoorn said.

The performance indicators include pro�itability, productivity, labor, yield, water use, food safety, nutrient use ef�iciency, greenhouse gas emissions, health and safety, child labor and women’s empowerment.

“From smallholders to larger rice producers, across the globe, there is increasing awareness of food quality and safety issues, and a desire to reduce the impact of their activities on the environment,” Eenhoorn stressed.

In the Philippines, SRP was pilot-tested in Iloilo. Jaime Gallentes, the senior coordinator of the project, wrote in “Rice Today,” the result of the study: “On average, the farmers scored 64

to 76 sustainability points out of the 90% required for them to earn sustainability status. They had the lowest scores in food safety and labor rights. The results indicate that the farmers could work toward sustainable rice cultivation if given the appropriate support such as tailored programs that build on what they are currently have to narrow these gaps.”

But the good thing is that farmers are already seeing the bene�its of the SRP. “The SRP enlightens us on the value of record keeping,” one farmer was quoted as saying. Among those part of the standard were keeping track of various management details (examples: rice varieties used, yield, amount of fertilizer and pesticide, costs, pro�itability). “It also widens our understanding of the importance of protecting the environment through the ef�icient use of water and organic fertilizer.”

VOL. 10 ISSUE 158 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

EDGEDAVAO

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14 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 10 ISSUE 158 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

Petron spikers try to bounce back Team Standings Foton 4-0 F2 Logistics 2-0 Petron 3-1 Iriga City 1-1 Cocolife 2-2 Cignal 1-3 Generika-Ayala 1-3 Sta. Lucia 0-3 Victoria Sports-UST 0-1

DEFENSE. Unit 6’s Rina Glenne Escandor (18) leads the defensive line of Unit 6 composed of Ateneo and UIC in the ongoing Davao City Athletic Association (DCAA) meet at the Davao City National High School Gym on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr

BRING IT ON

Games Today (Filoil Flying V Centre) 4:15 pm – Iriga City vs Generika-Ayala 7:00 pm – Victoria SportsUST vs Petron After absorbing their �irst defeats, Petron and Iriga City will try to get back when they tackle separate foes in the Chooks To Go-Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix today at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

The Blaze Spikers clash with the young Victoria Sports-UST squad at 7 pm

while the Lady Oragons tip things off when they battle Generika-Ayala in the 4:15 pm appetizer of this prestigious club tourney bankrolled

by Cignal, Mikasa, Senoh, Mueller, Grand Sport, Rebisco, Island Rose, Cloudfone and UCPB Gen. Foton, the strongest team so far in this league that also has Ger�lor and Gold’s Gym as sponsors and ESPN5 as of�icial broadcaster, remains on top with an immaculate 4-0 slate while Petron and Iriga are behind with 3-1 and 1-1 records, respectively.

After racing to three consecutive victories, the Blaze Spikers crashed back to earth after absorbing a sorry fourset loss to F2 Logistics, 2125, 25-20, 23-25, 22-25, in a “Spike on Tour” encounter at the University of St. La Salle gym in Bacolod City over the weekend.

PETRON, P11

Bucks get Bledsoe Ancajas all primed up for fight with Conlan for Monroe, 2 picks M D abawenyo IBF super�lyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas is all primed up for challenger Jamie Conlan.

The Panabo City nativeand the Belfast bomber Conlan square off in a 12-round title bout at the SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on Nov. 18.

Ancajas, 25, will make the third defense of his 115-pound title against the unbeaten Conlan on hostile territory. It’s a voluntary defense and Ancajas will be paid $80,000 for taking the chance of facing a challenger in his hometown. Conlan, 31, has a 19-0 record, with 11 KOs, but struggled in scoring wins on points over Hungary’s David

A

Koos and Nicaragua’s Yader Cardoza in his last two outings, both in Belfast.

Ancajas’ manager and trainer Joven Jimenez said Conlan is no easy opponent.

He’s studied tapes of Conlan’s �ights and his conclusion is while the Irish �ighter is capable of pulling off an upset, Ancajas will retain the title.

“Conlan’s an all-around �ighter, he has power, he’s not afraid to engage,” said Jimenez in Pilipino. “He’s a slugger but he can also box from the outside. Jerwin will adjust.

He’s more experienced than Conlan. He won’t be in a hurry. He’ll take his time, he’ll be patient. He’ll �igure out what to do once the bell rings. He’s ready to do whatever it takes

few weeks ago, a representative from the UNESCO and of�icials from the Philippine Sports Institute, the Philippine Sports Commission and Sports for Peace met and discussed some plans.

This week, the �irst UNESCO-PSI-PSC event is happening at the PhilSports in Pasig City.

The United Nations Educational, Scienti�ic and Cultural Organization, UNESCO for short, is a specialized agency of the United Nations based in Paris organized to “building peace in the minds of men and women”.

to win.”

So far, Ancajas has sparred 80 rounds in training for Conlan. Jimenez assembled a sparring platoon o f Pete Penitente, Daniel Lim, Alan Alberca, John Mari Alimane and Jomar Caindog to sharpen Ancajas.

I n Belfast, working Ancajas’ corner will be Jimenez, Australian cutman Todd Makelim and

stablemate Mark Anthony Barriga. Ancajas and his traveling party leave Manila for Belfast on Friday.

Jimenez said Ancajas recently moved into a new o n e - b e d r o o m home in Magallanes, Cavite, about an hour’s drive away from Kawit. Jimenez a n d A n cajas teamed

BRING, P11

READY TO RUMBLE. Dabawenyo Jerwin Ancajas is all set to take on Jamie Conlan on Nov.18

ILWAUKEE (AP) -- Eric Bledsoe’s disgruntled days are

over.

The talented guard is getting a fresh start with the Milwaukee Bucks, who have another proven scorer to take some pressure off All-Star Giannis Antetok-

ounmpo.

Bledsoe, who wanted out of Phoenix, was traded to the Bucks on Tuesday in exchange for big man Greg Monroe and two 2018 draft picks.

The 27-year-old Bledsoe had not been with the Suns since Oct. 22, when he posted ‘’I Don’t wanna be here’’ on Twitter, the same day the Suns �ired coach Earl Watson.

He had been averaging

NEW LEASE OF LIFE. Eric Bledsoe is taking his leadership role to Milwaukee.

Lovely partnership between UNESCO and PSC Since the establishment of the PSC in 1990, this is the �irst time that UNESCO has closely worked with the country’s sports agency and that’s because PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez and his team have been very serious in building a peaceful country through sports.

Chairman Ramirez, a son of Mindanao, serving this time a President, Mayor Rody Duterte, also from Mindanao has been working hard in the past to propel the sports for peace program to greater heights.

It took off during his �irst

CLEAN SLATE

By MOSES P. BILLACURA

term as PSC chairman but the change of administration has halted this noble program.

With UNESCO coming in, this will, I believe, level up things in this

country plagued by greedy sports leaders with no clear sports direction at all because of all the squabblings that have been going on.

The sports for peace program �its in with UNESCO’s mandate to “building peace in the minds of men and women”.

Chairman Ramirez looks at the Sports for Peace program to continue for the next 100 years and he intends to put in place a solid foundation in the Philippines and that will be his legacy.

Believe me with all the problems in the Philippine Olympic Committee in Manila and sports

associations that have remained problematic, there will be no clear direction for sports development in this country. Unless, of course, you declare some sort of a “revolutionary government” and replace all POC of�icials and their staff with the right people.

The Sports for Peace program has a very clear direction as to why sports development should be supported by not only Mindanaoans but by all Filipinos.

To me, at this moment, this is the only genuine sports program that I can see.

The rest? Ambot lang.

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BACK ON TRACK Cavs overcome Greek Freak’s 40-point night

C

LEVELAND (AP) -Kevin Love joked that he might swing by the hospital on his way home.

On a recent visit, he got a dose of something that made him and the Cavaliers feel better.

Love scored a season-high 32 points without attempting a 3-pointer, LeBron James added 30 following an interesting couple days on social media, and Cleveland withstood a 40-point performance by Giannis Antetokounmpo to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 124-119 on Tuesday night.

The Cavs have been one of the NBA’s biggest surprises this season - for all the wrong reasons. But

after losing �ive of six, they did enough to hand the young-and-improving Bucks their fourth straight loss and keep Cleveland fans from panicking.

Love was briefly hospitalized after scoring just four points a n d leaving a surprising loss to Atlanta in the third quarter on Sunday. Following his best game this season, Cleveland’s center was asked what IV medica-

tions he received. ‘’I don’t know,’’ he said with a smile. ‘’Whatever they gave me I might go back and check myself in tonight.’’

Love added 16 rebounds.

J.R. Smith found his stroke and added a season-high 20 points for the Cavs.

NOT ENOUGH. Gianis A n t o t e k o u n p o ’s 40-point night was not enough as the Bucks lose to the Cavaliers led

by Kevin Love’s 32. ‘’That’s my g u y,’ ’ James said of Smith, who went 5 of 7 on 3-pointers while wearing a model of James’ sneake r s . ‘’Swish is my g u y a n d h e ’ s been struggling t h e �irst 10 games. I told him it

MAKE WAY. Cavaliers forward Lebron James makes his way through heavy traffic.

was the shoes. He �inally decided to wear my shoes. After a long conversation we �inally decided to wear them and he had a breakout game. ‘’He hit the 3-ball, got into the paint. That was Swish.

We’re gonna need more of that from him a lot coming up.’’

Still a few weeks shy of his 23rd birthday, the multi-talented Antetokounmpo �inished 16 of 21 from the �loor. He also had nine rebounds and eight turnovers before fouling out with 18 seconds left.

Malcolm Brogdon had 22 points for Milwaukee, and Khris Middleton �inished with 20.

Porzingis leads Knicks with tie-breaking 3 Ateneo nears sweep

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EW YORK (AP) -- No Knicks player has ever started a season like Kristaps Porzingis.

He won’t celebrate now, since he only cares about the �inish.

Porzingis scored 28 points, including a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 1:48 remaining, and New York beat the Charlotte Hornets 118113 on Tuesday night for its third straight victory.

The Eastern Conference player of the week was held below 30 for only the third time in 10 games this season, but he delivered when it mattered, scoring seven points in the �inal 2:32.

That gave him 300 points through 10 games, two more than Bernard King had to open 1984-85. ‘’The sweetest thing for us, the best thing for us, would be to make the play-

offs. This means nothing,’’ Porzingis said. ‘’If we can keep winning and I’ll keep doing what I have to do, then the real reward will come.’’

Doug McDermott added a season-high 20 points off the bench and Tim Hardaway Jr. had 19 for the Knicks, who have won six of seven after an 0-3 start.

New York shot 60 percent from the �ield to catch up

and eventually pass Charlotte.

Asked what has keyed the Knicks’ turnaround, McDermott said: ‘’Just unsel�ish play and having a guy like KP who is playing the best basketball in the NBA, borderline.’’

Kemba Walker, Dwight Howard and rookie Malik Monk each had 21 points in the Hornets’ third straight loss.

A

TENEO made a late push to move one win away from a sweep of the elimination round with a 96-82 win over University of the Philippines on Wednesday in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Blue Eagles held the Maroons scoreless in the last three minutes, and scored the �inal 10 points of the match

as their unbeaten slate now stands at 13 in the penultimate match of their regular season campaign.

Ateneo will now go for the sweep of the eliminations and an outright berth in the �inals against archrival La Salle on Sunday at the Big Dome.

Meantime, Jjay Alejandro spearheaded National University’s 87-84 comeback win over Far Eastern University

ATENEO, P11

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