Edge Davao 10 Issue 10

VOL. 10 ISSUE 10 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 16 - 17, 2017 FOLLOWING TRADITION. A Catholic devotee lifts a cross to emulate Jesus Christ’s ordeal of carrying a cross on his way to his crucifixion as hundreds of other faithful join the annual Station of the Cross procession along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City during the celebration of Good Friday. Lean Daval Jr.

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

UNFAZED There’s life to tourism industry despite terror threats

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ESPITE travel advisories cautioning foreign tourists from traveling to Visayas and Mindanao following terrorism threats, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said that tourism can continue and assured that law enforcement authorities are on top on the situation.

“The Department of Tourism (DOT) expresses complete con-

fidence that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are on top of the national security situation in Central Visayas,” DOT said in a statement.

This after the United States, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom issued warnings against traveling to Central Visayas particularly Bohol and

Cebu to due threats from terror groups.

Bohol and Cebu, known for their ecotourism and historical tourism sites are among the country’s top tourist destinations.

On Tuesday, at least nine people were killed in an encounter between government troops and suspected Abu Sayyaf Group

(ASG) terrorists in Inabanga, Bohol.

The clash in Bohol with suspected ASG elements took place shortly after the US Embassy in Manila issued the travel advisory to its nationals.

DOT said that the agency is also coordinating with local and national security and law en-

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SPORTS

KNOCKOUT DROUGHT

Roach bares dire knock out prediction for Pacquiao

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 10 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 16 - 17, 2017

EastMinCom heightens alert

AFTERMATH. Workers clean up the garbage left by Catholic devotees who participated in the annual Station of the Cross at Shrine of Infant Jesus of Prague in Matina, Davao City on Good Friday. Lean Daval Jr.

CBCP says Black Saturday should be day for reflection

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N official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has urged the faithful to refrain from having “exciting activities” on Black Saturday, saying it should be a day for reflection.

CBCP Public Affairs Committee executive secretary, Fr. Jerome Secillano, noted that Catholics should spend Black Saturday in reflection and thanksgiving.

“Black Saturday is actually a time for us to have a moment of reflection, to be thankful to the Lord because he did something for us... There should be no exciting activities that we should be doing because it is also a moment for us to mourn, kasi tayo ay mga makasalanan (because we are all sinners),” Secillano said.

He urged the people to show some remorse and give thanks because the Lord had sacrificed his life for everyone.

That, he said, is what people should be doing quietly.

Secillano meanwhile noted that the faithful can already eat meat on Black Saturday.

“Kung pagbabasihan natin ‘yung provision ng simbahan, walang nagbabawal kapag Black Saturday bawal kumain ng meat. Wala namang ganun.

Ang talagang regulasyon lang diyan ‘yung Friday of Lent and Ash Wednesday (Based on the provision of the Church, it is not forbidden to eat meat on Black Saturday. The regulation covers the Fridays of Lent and Ash Wednesday),” explained the priest of the Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro Parish in Sampaloc. (PNA)

NDRRM Operations Center on‘blue alert’for‘Crising’

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HE National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has placed its Operations Center on “blue alert” footing as Tropical Depression Crising headed for Samar Saturday afternoon.

“The NDRRM Operations Center has maintained its Blue Alert Status, with representatives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Philippine Coast Guard rendering duty for prompt coordination and monitoring for possible effects,” it said in its update.

Aside from this, the agency has also disseminated its severe weather bulletin, and weather advisories to all regional, city and municipal disaster response units through text and fax messages, and websites.

‘Crising’, as of Saturday noon, has slightly weakened, with maximum sustained winds of up to 45 km. per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.

According to the state weather bureau, PAGASA, it was last eyed at 155 km. east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, moving west northwest at 20 kph towards Samar. (PNA)

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HE Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) placed its whole forces under heightened alert since Thursday in the aftermath of the encounter between government troopers and Abu Sayyaf members in Inabanga, Bohol on Tuesday.

Major Ezra Balagtey, chief of public information officer of Eastmincom told reporters here that the heightened alert level would cover the whole duration of the observance of Holy Week.

The move is also aimed to counter any diversionary operations that the terror group might undertake after suffer-

ing heavily during the Bohol encounter.

“The alert level was raised to prevent the ASG to conduct any diversionary act within the command’s area of operations,” Balagtey said.

Aside from the Abu Sayyaf, the communist New People’s Army was also threatening communities in Mindanao, he added.

“We will also prevent the NPA to take advantage of the situation and conduct atrocities while communities are busy in celebrating the Holy Week,” he said.

The Tactical Operations Group 10 of the Philippine

Air Force based in Cagayan de Oro City, which is under the command of Eastmincom, had provided support to the operations of the government troopers against the Abu Sayyaf in Bohol, Balagtey said.

Two aircraft and other personnel were dispatched to Inabanga, Bohol and are presently providing additional capability to the government forces pursuing the remnants of terrorists in the area, he added.

“The naval forces of Eastmincom in Mindanao were likewise dispatched with some of its personnel and equipment to provide the additional

naval capability to the central command of the armed forces last April 12 as the conduct of pursuit operations continue,” he said.

Troops of Eastmincom on the ground are also coordinating with various local government units and the Philippine National Police during the implementation of the heightened alert.

“Proper coordination with LGUs and other law enforcement agencies will allow Eastmincom units to establish mechanisms within their respective areas of jurisdiction to strengthen security measures,” Balagtey said. (PNA)

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daNews at 10:07 p.m. on Good Friday, April 14.

For the third night since the magnitude 6 quake struck at 5:21 a.m. on April 12 (it registered Intensity VII in Wao and in neighboring Kalilangan town in Bukidnon), a number of residents in quake-affected barangays have been sleeping

in makeshift tents on the roadside and school grounds.

“It’s just too much for people with so limited resources,” Nazareno said, adding that because of the continuing aftershocks, “many people are beginning to display signs of being traumatized by nighttime.”

The April 12 quake triggered a series of aftershocks including a magnitude 5.3 quake that jolted the already traumatized residents at 4:01 a.m. on Thursday, April 13 (Intensity VI in Kalilangan, V in Wao and Valencia City in Bukidnon) and on Good Friday,

Wao parish priest appeals for tents, water for quake-affected residents

H my God, another aftershock and it’s raining cats and dogs, even inside the parish church is soaked, how much more for people sleeping in improvised tents?” Fr. Flordelito “Yrap” Nazareno, parish priest of Wao in Lanao del Sur said in a text message to Min-

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EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 3 Fire renders 15 families homeless in Zamboanga

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OME 15 families were rendered homeless in an hour-long fire that razed a closely-built community here on Black Saturday.

Zamboanga City Fire District marshal, Chief Insp. Clint Cha, said the fire broke out at about 10 a.m. at the back of the municipal cemetery in Barangay Tetuan in this city.

Cha said the blaze started at the kitchen of Marissa Peña, and rapidly spread, burning 10 houses mostly made of light

materials.

He declared fire out when the firemen managed to contain the fire an hour after it broke out.

He said that while there was no reported casualty during the fire, they have yet to determine the worth of properties that went up in smoke.

Meanwhile, Tetuan barangay chairperson John Dalipe has mobilized his office resources to provide assistance to affected families. (PNA)

Palace: Duterte’s Gulf States visit reaps unexpected warm welcome FIRMING UP THE FAITH. Catholic faithful offer prayers during the annual Station of the Cross at Shrine of Infant Jesus of Prague in Matina, Davao City on Good Friday. Lean Daval Jr.

ASEAN meet in Bohol to push through-DILG T

HE Department of Interior and Local Government on Saturday assured that the scheduled activities for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Bohol will push through as scheduled.

“Bohol might as well be considered a well-fortified and most secure place in the country right now despite the attack that killed three sol-

diers, a cop, and at least six of the armed men in the clashes that started at 5 a.m. on Tuesday,” DILG Officer -in-Charge Catalino Cuy said in a press statement.

He quoted Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto’s statement that the situation in Inabanga town was “contained and did not affect the rest of Bohol or the rest of the country.”

The firefight happened

after Abu Sayyaf members, on board three speedboats, were spotted along a river in Sitio Ilaya, Barangay Napo in Inabanga town at around 10 a.m. last Monday.

Three soldiers and a policeman died in the encounter while six members of the Abu Sayyaf, including its sub-leader Muammar Askali alias Abu Rami, were also killed.

Meanwhile, the ASEAN ac-

tivities in Bohol will take place at the Hennan Resort in Panglao. These will be held from April 19 to 20.

Cuy said about 4,000 personnel from the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, emergency response units and various agencies will be deployed during the ASEAN Summit meetings, which are expected to draw around 200 delegates. (PNA)

co-chairman of the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board.

He also served as director of the conglomerate Aboitiz Equity Ventures Incorporated and the Cebu-based Tsuneishi Heavy Industries Incorporated.

Aboitiz is survived by his

wife Maria Cristina and their 4 children, including Tristan, who works as vice president of Pilmico Foods Corporation.

A Rappler account revealed that for over 10 decades now, the Aboitiz family has made a name across various industries here and abroad.

Rappler continued: “It was in early 1900s when the family started trading hemp.

The Aboitiz family then went into businesses like shipping, sugar milling, power generation and distribution, as well as construction.

“Our work goes beyond

Roberto Aboitiz,67 succumbs to illness B

USINESSMAN Roberto Eduardo “Bobby” Aboitiz, 67, has been declared dead Thursday morning, April 13, after succumbing to a lingering illness.

Aboitiz has served as the president of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Incorporated since 1986 and as

Ombudsman files 2nd set of charges vs. Cotabato exec for PDAF scam

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MBUDSMAN Conchita Carpio Morales has ordered the filing of another set of graft charges against former North Cotabato Representative, now Vice-Governor, Gregorio Ipong for the irregularities that tainted the disbursement of his 2007 Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). Ipong and three others are facing trial before the Sandiganbayan for one count each of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Malversation of Public Funds.

Standing as Ipong’s co-accused are Technology Resource Center (TRC) executives Dennis Cunanan, Antonio Ortiz and Marivic Jover.

The Ombudsman also found Ipong and Jover administratively liable for Grave

Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service and ordered his dismissal from the service and perpetual disqualification from holding public office. In case of separation from the service, the penalty is convertible to a fine equivalent to respondent’s one year salary.

Ombudsman investigators found that in 2007, the Department of Budget and Management released P5,000,000.00 as part of the lawmaker’s PDAF to fund livelihood projects in the second district of North Cotabato. Documents showed that Ipong indorsed and identified Aaron Foundation Philippines, Inc. (AFPI) as NGO-partner with the TRC as implementing agency. Field investigation, however, estab-

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RESIDENTIAL Spokesperson Ernesto Abella on Friday described as “extraordinarily warm” the reception President Rodrigo Duterte is getting from the Filipino communities in the Gulf States.

“The President is on his second leg of state visits to GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries. The reception has been extraordinarily warm, built upon the decades-long presence of Filipino overseas workers,” the President’s spokesperson said in a press briefing.

“These have been very moving days, and the closest one can describe is a father meeting with his children and extended family.”

He underscored that Filipinos abroad now feel they have a President and a government who prioritizes their needs and ensures that they are being recognized in the national life and conversation.

Many of these overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), Abella said, work as nannies for the children of the rich and powerful in the region as many have been touched by the caring heart of the Filipino.

These present leaders, he continued, speak lovingly and admiringly of Filipinos as a whole. They likewise expressed ‘deep admiration’ for the Philippine President, especially in his campaign to re-

store trust in the government.

“Through his campaign against illegal drug traffickers and violators; providing market and employment opportunities so that all, especially the poor, can achieve their dreams for a better life; also, for engaging rebel groups to agree on common values and structures for a nation whose first and foremost priorities are the common good and national interest,” Abella explained.

“In all, one discerns that he is bringing the Filipino to a place of self-worth, self-rule and self-support.”

Meanwhile, the President, on the second day of his state visit to Bahrain, witnessed the signing of key agreements, attended to a number of courtesy calls, and presided over some private meetings.

Just recently, President Duterte graced the signing of a memorandum of understanding between AMA Group Holdings Corp. and Nader & Ebrahim Sons of Hassan Company, where the parties agreed to expand their operation in Mindanao by targeting an additional 10,000 hectares of land for agricultural production.

“Iyong (The) USD250 million investment signed last night (April 13) between the AMA Group and the Nader & Ebrahim Sons will create at first 3,500 jobs. But once fully operational in three to

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ROUTINE CHECK. A police personnel from Sta. Ana Police Station inspects a rider’s license at a checkpoint along R. Castillo Street in Davao City on Good Friday as part of a tighter security measures being implemented by authorities in the city during the Holy Week. Lean Daval Jr.

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PRRD to OFWs: No corruption PH, Bahrain sign agreements T under my administration P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte promised the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Bahrain that his six-year administration would be free from corruption, oppression and abusive officials.

Facing an ecstatic crowd of about 4,000 at the Khalifa Sports City Stadium here, President Duterte said he wants to solve the problem of corruption in the country to encourage OFWs to return home.

“Ang OFW kasi, alam ko gusto ninyong mahinto na talaga ‘yung corruption para aangat ang bayan natin. (I know that OFWs want an end to corruption so our country

would progress.) And maybe the next generation can really come home,” he said.

He said OFWs can also help reform the country by being assertive and by shunning all acts of corruption, particularly at the immigration and customs bureaus.

The President, meanwhile, announced that he would be setting up a separate department for OFWs soon.

“In a few months, you will have a Department of Overseas Filipino Workers,” he said, adding that the processing time of workers’ papers would be reduced from six weeks to three weeks.

He stressed that creating an OFW department would

Senator asks BIR to help Pinoys pay taxes correctly

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ENATOR Sonny Angara has called on the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to make it easier for Filipinos, especially for small taxpayers, to pay their taxes correctly.

“Matagal na nating panawagan, kasabay ng pagbaba ng buwis, na gawing simple ang forms and procedures ng pagbabayad ng buwis. The BIR should always be ready, equipped and accommodating in offering assistance to both large and small taxpayers so they can properly comply with our tax process,” said Angara, chairman of the Senate ways and means committee.

The BIR has moved the deadline for filing income tax returns (ITR) to April 17 (Monday) from April 15, which falls on a Black Saturday. Late filing would incur a 20-percent interest per annum penalty, and a 25-percent surcharge on the tax due.

Angara urged taxpayers to avoid the rush on the 17th so they have ample time to rectify incorrect ITRs within the deadline to avoid penalties.

He cited a report by the World Bank and PwC called “Paying Taxes 2017” which placed the Philippines 115th of 180 countries in a global ranking of ease of tax compliance for businesses. In the 2016 study, the Philippines was 126th out of 189 countries, climbing 11 spots this year.

The study showed that it takes an average of 186 hours or nearly eight days for Philippine medium-sized companies to comply with their respective tax obligations--an improvement from the 193 hours recorded last year, and is faster than the Asia Pacific average of 212 hours.

The study further showed that Philippine companies need to make 28 payments to fully comply--an improvement from 36 payments last year, but still more than the Asia Pacific average of 23.5 payments.

The top countries in the

region are Hong Kong (3rd globally) which only requires three payments in 74 hours to pay taxes, and Singapore (8th globally) which requires five payments in 67 hours.

To help address the difficulties faced by Filipinos in paying taxes, Angara has filed Senate Bill 132 that seeks to establish a Taxpayer Assistance Service within the BIR to answer queries and guide taxpayers on how to efficiently deal with their tax-related problems and concerns.

“Tax collection would increase if we improve tax compliance. Tax compliance would improve if we reduce the tax rates, and lessen the complexity and intricacy of our tax code,” the senator said.

The BIR sets its collection target this year at P1.83 trillion to fund the administration’s massive infrastructure projects.

Last year, the agency collected P1.57 trillion, performing 97 percent against its P1.62-trillion target.

According to a recent BIR data on personal income tax compliance rates, only 41 percent of professionals and 30 percent of self-employed pay their taxes, as compared to the 99-percent compliance rate of salaried workers given that their taxes are automatically withheld from their paycheck.

“We should encourage Filipinos contribute in building the country through their taxes.

Instead of making tax payment cumbersome, we must provide taxpayers with free and accessible professional assistance. The Taxpayer Assistance Service would render the first layer of services that every Filipino taxpayer needs and deserves,” Angara said.

Under the proposed measure, the Taxpayer Assistance Service is mandated to prepare, publicize and circulate policies, programs, standards, guidelines and procedures relative to public information and education programs on taxation. (PR)

also help in stamping out flyby-night recruitment agencies.

President Duterte expressed his gratitude to the progressive Kingdom of Bahrain for welcoming Filipino workers into their country.

“Bahrain has been good to you. I have talked to all officials, including His Majesty the King, and they only have nice words for you. Sabi nila wala silang reklamo sa inyo, mababait kayo, matiyaga, at wala silang masabi (They said they have no complaint about you, that you are kind and patient),” he said.

“Kaya sabi ko, nandito kami (That is why I said, we are here) and I gave to the

government and to the King my promise and commitment that we will stand by and protect the State of Bahrain.”

The President received a very warm reception from members of the royal family, especially from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

President Duterte also had an opportunity to meet His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of Bahrain, who led the send-off party for the visiting head of state.

The Chief Executive proceeded to Qatar for the final leg of his three-country swing in the Middle East. (PNA)

HE Philippines and the Kingdom of Bahrain signed several agreements that will further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries during the second-day of President Rodrigo Duterte’s state visit here.

President Duterte arrived at the Sakhir Palace at 8 p.m. (1 a.m.

Friday in Manila) where he was accorded an official welcome ceremony with military honors led

by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain.

His Majesty King Hamad welcomed Duterte to the royal palace where they held a bilateral meeting shortly after the welcome ceremony.

The President was accompanied by his official delegation, among are Foreign Affairs Acting Secretary Enrique Manalo, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Transportation Secretary

Arthur Tugade, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar and Special Envoy to the Middle East Roy Cimatu.

Following the bilateral meeting, President Duterte and His Majesty King Hamad witnessed the signing of four agreements including memoranda of understanding aimed at bolstering friendly ties between the Philippines and Bahrain.

Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Manalo, representing the Philippines, and Bahrain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the establishment of a High Joint Commission for bilateral cooperation between the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Bahrain and the MOU between Bahrain’s Diplomatic Institute and Foreign Service Institute of the Philippines. (PNA)

SUPPLY AND DEMAND. A street vendor sells pork barbeque and other meat products along Shrine Hills in Matina, Davao City during Good Friday which is supposedly a day of fasting and penance. Lean Daval Jr.

BCDA to bid out construction of P750-M ASEAN villas

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ASES Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) will bid out the development of its land property in Clark Freeport Zone and the building of the 21-Units ASEAN Summit Villas.

In a bidding notice, BCDA opens the bidding for

the P193-million development of a nine-hectare lot in Clark Freeport Zone and the P556-million construction of the 21-Units ASEAN Summit Villas until April 29.

A pre-bid conference will be held on April 17 at BCDA Corporate Center in Taguig City.

BCDA eyes the completion of the land development in 45 days and 120 days for the 21-Units ASEAN Summit Villas.

In a text message, BCDA told the Philippine News Agency that the 21-Units ASEAN Summit Villas were intended for the use of delegates of the concluding activities for the

ASEAN Summit 2017 in November, as the country chairs this year’s summit.

It added that the budget for these projects would come from BCDA. “Villas to be leased out to corporate executives based in Clark after ASEAN (summit),” BCDA said. (PNA)

public service provision.

The bill also known as the proposed “Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Act of 2017” substituted House Bills 191, 3862, 3429 and 1388.

It is authored by Reps. Anthony M. Bravo, Sabiniano S. Canama, Kaka J. Bag-ao, Tomasito S. Villarin, Ramon Vicente Rocamora, Alfredo D. Vargas III, Rodel M. Batocabe, Nancy A. Catamco , Henedina R. Abad, Florida P. Robes, Glona G. Labadlabad, Winston Castelo, Teodoro G. Montoro, Sitti Djalia A. Turrabin-Hataman, Ma. Lourdes Acosta-Alba, Shernee

Abubakar Tan, Carlos Isagani T. Zarate, Lawrence H. Fortun, Jorge Banal, Sherwin N. Tugna, Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza and Anna Marie Villaraza-Suarez. Bag-ao chaired the committee which approved the bill.

The bill declares it is the State policy to recognize the role of independent civil society organizations (CSOs) as effective participants in all levels of social, political, and economic decision-making.

Moreover, the State respects their right to pursue and protect “within the democratic framework, their legitimate and collective inter-

ests and aspirations through peaceful and lawful means,” as provided in Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution.

For this purpose, the State shall guarantee the participation of CSOs in the formulation, monitoring and evaluation of the national and local budgets.

This will ensure that the annual appropriations will be instruments of development and reflective of national and local objectives, strategies and plans and shall institutionalize the participatory budget process in the identification and planning

House pushes‘crowdsourcing’for budget deliberations

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HE House committee on people’s participation has approved a substitute bill seeking to institutionalize people’s participation in budget deliberation at the national and local levels of government, hence making the budgeting process more participatory through involvement of grassroots organizations.

The unnumbered substitute bill aims to allow the exercise of the people’s right to participate in public decision-making and in the process, enhance accountability in the use of taxpayers’ money and in local

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EDGEDAVAO

Measure to reduce plastic wastes pushed in Senate

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Colorful hats, fans and other sun protection items are sold by vendors near the first station in Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao City on Friday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

ASEAN to empower Pinoys down to the grassroots T

HE country’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit may not immediately benefit Filipinos especially those outside Metro Manila and in areas outside the

meeting venues but the gains of the country will definitely trickle down to everyone, even the grassroots.

Atty. Marie Rafael-Banaag, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO)

Assistant Secretary for Operations and Special Concerns, said “it would be something that will be felt by the ordinary people.”

Banaag said that for the whole of 2017, there will be

Money issues worsen a sick person’s situation Philam launches ‘Live Ready’ financial literacy campaign

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PERSON who is not financially stable worries a lot about money matters. In this dire situation, chances are he’ll develop heart disease and other related life-threatening health problems. Since it takes a lot of money to treat a person’s illness, his financial worries are expected to multiply, which in turn exacerbate his health problems even more.

However, his compounded situation is not totally hopeless, according to Philam Life, the country’s No. 1 insurance company in net income, assets and net worth. It’s No. 2 in paid-up capital and premium income. (Net income is a company’s total revenue less total expense; assets are economic resources that can be owned for the purpose of providing economic benefits; net worth is the total value of a company expressed as total assets less total liabilities; paid-up capital is a company’s amount of capital that has been funded by shareholders; and premium income is revenue received from premiums paid by customers for the cost of insurance products.)

Philam Life recognizes the vital importance of planning and that it (planning) is key

Donna Belle Chan-Cruz to one’s financial stability and wellness.

The insurance firm has in fact launched “Live Ready,” a financial literary campaign designed to educate Filipinos on the importance of proper financial planning to one’s life and that of his family.

Financial stability is a critical factor that parents should consider in planning for the

education of their children, according to Donna Belle ChanCruz, a young nurse who had made a career of being a Philam Life financial advisor, believing that she can serve much more people in this way.

Ms Cruz said the campaign’s goal is to help fellow Filipinos live longer, healthier and better lives through proper

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117 ASEAN meetings that will be conducted in different parts of the country.

The conventions which include ministers, cluster and state leaders’ meetings will

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EN. Cynthia Villar pushed for the implementation of a measure that will reduce plastic wastes by making manufacturers responsible for the entire life cycle of plastic products.

During the public hearing of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources presided over by Villar last week, she raised the concept of extended producer responsibility (EPR) now being practiced in European countries.

Villar noted that EPR is an environmental protection strategy requiring the manufacturers using plastic materials in their packaging to be responsible in recovering the plastic wastes. It may take the form of reuse, buy-back or recycling program. The practice shifts the responsibility for waste management from government to the manufacturers.

“Our plastic waste problem cannot be solved by token CSR. Companies should also do voluntary work or work in convergence with government agencies to significantly reduce prevalence of plastic wastes in our seas,” she said.

Villar said she is considering the amendment of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, which failed to reduce plastic wastes despite enactment in 2001.

A University of Georgia study showed that the Philippines ranked third, next to China and Indonesia, among 192 countries surveyed, in terms of estimated volume of mismanaged plastic wastes produced by the population that could potentially enter the seas and oceans.

Theresa Mundita Lim, director of the Biodiversity Management Bureau, agreed that there has to be some responsibility for generators of waste to clean it up.

“We have to also stop them at source. We cannot continue cleaning it up. We need to have measures so that they themselves would reduce the waste that goes out to the ocean,” Lim said.

Further, Sonia Mendoza of the Mother Earth Foundation said “the industry should be made responsible for the products they make up to the end of the lifecycle of their products.”

During the hearing, possible solutions to the solid waste problem were raised such as the recycling of used paper by a manufacturing firm in Pampanga; Villar SIPAG’s recycling of plastic wastes into school chairs and the composting of biodegradable wastes into organic fertilizers; and the processing of residual wastes to be used in manufacturing cements. (PR)

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Feuding Maranaw families end their 20-year clan war

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BLOOD DONORS. Participants from various government agencies and residents recently gathered in Lourdes Park in Kiamba town, Sarangani province to donate blood for this quarter’s bloodletting activity. It was sponsored by the local barangay leadership together with the Municipal

ARRING Muslim clans in Lanao del Sur reconciled Friday, ending two decades of armed hostilities involving family members.

The settlement of the “rido” (clan war) and reconciliation of the Balindong and Montaner clans came after years of efforts to convince elders of both sides to amicably settle their misunderstanding and sign a peace covenant “for the sake of their children”.

Col. Jesus Sarsagat, chief of the Army’s 603rd Infantry Brigade, and Lt. Col. Ruben Aquino, commanding officer of the 6th Infantry Battalion, initiated the “bridging” early this year until both sides agreed to smoke the pipe of peace.

The deep-seated animosity involving the Balindong and Montaner clans was triggered by misunderstanding over politics and territorial issues.

More than two dozen sup-

porters and clan members from both sides have perished in sporadic skirmishes that spanned 20 years.

Ending their animosity and to ensure both sides abide by the Army-led peace pact-signing, elders and influential clan members swore before the Holy Qur’an, with Lanao del Sur Vice Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Regional Vice Gov. Al Rashid Lucman and other provincial and regional officials serving as witnesses.

Maj. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, chief of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, lauded the efforts of his subordinates and local officials of Malabang, Lanao del Sur. “Nobody wins in a rido, both parties are losers, failure to live in the existence of peace,” Vice Governor Adiong said in a speech before the signing.

(PNA)

hiring students is their family’s economic status. “Most of the beneficiaries’ parents are farmers or self-employed whose annual net income do not exceed P136,000,” says Dayanghirang.

Niccolo Andrie Flores, an incoming grade 12 student and one of those in the

first batch of SPES beneficiaries, said that the program is of great help since he only depends on his 80-year old grandmother to finance his studies.

Each SPES beneficiary will earn P6, 800 in just a span of twenty days of working in various offices of the

provincial government. “I am very thankful that more employment slots have been opened this year as an opportunity for many students like me to earn,” he said.

Michelle Ann Corpuz, also one of the summer jobbers, said that it will augment her

Mainstreaming DRR (Disaster Risk Reduction) into school curricula aims to raise awareness and provide a better understanding of disaster management for children, teachers and communities.”

“It will also instill in the minds of everyone that disaster strike anytime and anywhere without warning, but preparedness is the only best arm to fight such phenomenon,” he added.

The official also believes that “government can effectively reach out to communities and protect them by focusing on schools in DRR initiatives to achieve greater resilience to disasters.

The BNHS was adjudged

champion in the search for Gawad Kalasag Award 2017 school category (rural) regional level. This earned the school the honor to represent Region XII for Gawad Kalasag Award 2017 in the national level.

The Gawad Kalasag (Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan Sariling Galing at Kaligtasan) is the country’s premier annual awards for outstanding contribution in the field of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) and humanitarian assistance.

It aims to recognize the exceptional contribution DRRM practitioners in strengthening resilience and adaptive capacities of various sectors and en-

deavors to promote the spirit of volunteerism among agencies and individuals in providing the much needed help during the response phase of DRRM. One of the categories in the Gawad Kalasag Awards is the Best Schools in the Elementary and Secondary level under the public and private school categories elementary and secondary schools.

The importance of the education sector in promoting and enabling DRR has already been identified by researchers and policy makers. In doing so, there is a renewed focus on disaster education in primary and secondary schools. (EB dela Cruz, AC Agad/PIA 12)

Health Office and Philippine Red Cross. It aims to collect blood for the Blood Bank and to conduct general checkup for all donors. (Avery Rotciv Valois Camposano-JP Belmonte/KIAMBA INFORMATION OFFICE)

NorCot intensifies Poor but deserving studes hired anti-drug program in DavOr’s summer job program T T HE Provincial AntiDrug Abuse Council in the province of North Cotabato is intensifying efforts in the implementation of programs and approaches against drug abuse.

Third District board member Jonathan Tabara, on behalf of Governor Emmylou Mendoza who is the chairperson of the council, noted that the PADAC is supportive to the implementation of government programs which include the Barkada Kontra Droga (BAKADA) under the National Drug Education Program (NDEP).

The council also fully supports the After Care Program and in adherence to the Department of Health’s guidelines on the treatment of drug offenders.

Tabara further emphasized that the PADAC is now focusing on the proposed membership expansion to Civil Society Organizations and to the reactivation of all Municipal Anti- Drug Abuse Councils in the province to make the campaign against drug abuse stronger.

“Each one of us must take an active role in the government’s war on drugs to ensure that these programs and strategies would turn-out well and help many drug dependents to have a new life,” Tabara said.

Meanwhile, representatives from concerned offices of the Provincial Capitol and National Line Agencies gave updates and latest development regarding their programs on illegal drugs.

F NORCOT, 10

12 farmer beneficiaries receive land titles in Agusan Sur town

T

HE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), in its aim to give assurance to farmers to own the land they till, was able to distribute Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) to 12 farmer-beneficiaries in seven villages of Esperanza town in Agusan del Sur within the first quarter of 2017.

Total landholdings distributed during the period covered 19.0646 hectares of agricultural land in the villages of Tagabase, Remedios, Nato, Mc Arthur, San Jose, Bakingking and Duangan.

During the distribution of certificates, CLOA holders were informed of their rights and responsibilities as Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) of DAR. The office also emphasized that the awarded landholdings

should be kept productive and should not be sold or leased, as this will defeat the purpose of awarding the land to them.

“We, in the department did our best to help you become landowners yourselves from processing the necessary documents until the generation of CLOA. On your part, you should also strive hard to make sure that this piece of paper be not taken away from you,” said Chito Tubin, one of the OIC-Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officers of the municipality of Esperanza.

CLOA is the issued land title under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program that will provide security of tenure to farmers over the land that they cultivate. (Hazel Hope V. Bautista, DAR-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

HREE hundred forty-five poor but deserving students were among the first batch employed under the Special Program for the Employment of Student (SPES) in the province of Davao Oriental.

Realized through the joint efforts of the Department of Labor and Employment and the provincial government, the annual program aims to help underprivileged but deserving students to earn extra cash to support their education.

In addition to the 345 students, the said program targets to cater200 more students for the second batch of the program.

Provincial Manager of Public Employment Services Office (PESO), Jay Dayanghirang, said that among the qualifications considered in

F POOR, 11

SK rural school is Kalasag Award 2017 champ in R-12

“P

R E PA R E D N E S S pays,” an official said after their school topped this year’s Kalasag Award for school rural category in Region 12.

Mr. Edwin A. Duldulao, principal of Bambad National High School (BNHS) in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat was elated after they bested other public schools as they emerged champion of Kalasag Award 2017 in the region.

Duldulao said, “It is very necessary for every students and teachers to know, practice or exercise drills to prepare for any eventuality because calamity comes anytime without no one expecting it.”

7 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

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CARD’s microinsurance arm opens Davao Oriental office Almost 40% of industrial computers faced cyberattack in the 2nd quarter of 2016

O

N average two-in-five computers, related to the technological infrastructure of industrial enterprises, faced cyberattacks in the second half of 2016. This is a finding from Kaspersky Lab’s report, the “Threat Landscape for Industrial Automation Systems in the second half of 2016.”

The percentage of industrial computers under attack grew from over 17% in July 2016 to more than 24% in December 2016, with the top three sources of infection being the Internet, removable storage devices, and malicious e-mail attachments and scripts embedded in the body of e-mails.

As the technology and corporate networks of industrial enterprises become increasingly integrated, more and more cybercriminals are turning their attention to industrial enterprises as potential targets.

By exploiting vulnerabilities in the networks and software used by these enterprises, attackers could steal information related to the production process or even bring down manufacturing operations, leading to technogenic disaster.

In order to find out how widespread the threat is, Kaspersky Lab ICS CERT specialists have conducted dedicated research into the cyberthreat landscape faced by ICS systems.

They discovered that in the second half of 2016 malware downloads and access to phishing web-pages were blocked on over 22% of industrial computers. This means that almost every fifth machine at least once faced the risk of infection or credential compromise via the Internet.

The desktop computers of engineers and operators working directly with ICS do not usually have direct access to the Internet due to the limitations of the technology network in which they are located. However, there are other users that have simultaneous access to the Internet and ICS. According to Kaspersky Lab research, these computers – presumably used by system and network administrators, developers and integrators of industrial automation systems and third party contractors who connect to technology networks directly or remotely – can freely connect to the Internet because they are not tied to only one industrial network with its inherent limitations.

The Internet is not the only thing that threatens the cybersecurity of ICS systems. The danger of infected removable storage devices was another threat spotted by the company’s researchers.

During the period of research, 10.9% of computers with ICS software installed (or connected to those that have this software) showed traces of malware when a removable device was connected to them.

Malicious e-mail attachments and scripts embedded in the body of e-mails were blocked on 8.1% of industrial computers, taking third place. In most cases, attackers use phishing e-mails to attract the user’s attention and disguise malicious files.

Malware was most often distributed in the format of office documents such as MS Office and PDF files. Using various techniques, the criminals made sure that people downloaded and ran malware on the industrial organization’s computers.

According to Kaspersky Lab research, malware, which poses a significant threat to companies around the world, is also dangerous to industrial enterprises. This includes spyware, backdoors, keyloggers, financial malware, ransomware, and wipers.

These can completely paralyze the organization’s control over its ICS or can be used for targeted attacks respectively. The latter is possible because of inherent functions that provide an attacker with lots of possibilities for remote control.

“Our analysis shows us thatblind faith in technology networks’ isolation from the Internet doesn’t work anymore. The rise of cyberthreats to critical infrastructure indicates that ICS should be properly secured from malware both inside and outside the perimeter. It is also important to note that according to our observations, the attacks almost always start with the weakest link in any protection – people,” said EvgenyGoncharov, Head of Critical Infrastructure Defense Department, Kaspersky Lab. The other findings of the Kaspersky Lab report “Industrial automation systems threat landscape in the second half of 2016” are: • Every fourth targeted-attack detected by Kaspersky Lab in 2016 was aimed at industrial targets • About 20,000 different malware samples were revealed in industrial automation systems belonging to over 2,000 different malware families • 75 vulnerabilities were revealed by Kaspersky Lab in 2016.

58 of them were marked as maximum critical vulnerabilities • Top three countries with attacked industrial computers: Vietnam (more than 66%), Algeria (over 65%), Morocco (60%) In order to protect the ICS environment from possible cyber-attacks, Kaspersky Lab security experts advise the following: • Conduct a security assessment to identify and remove security loopholes • Request external intelligence: intelligence from reputable vendors helps organizations to predict future attacks on the company’s industrial infrastructure • Train your personnel

F ALMOST, 10

T

O reach out to more members in Mindanao, CARD Mutual Benefit Association (CARD MBA) opened its 50th provincial office in Barangay Poblacion, Mati City, Davao Oriental on April 3.

CARD MBA, an association owned and managed by its members, is the microinsurance provider of CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI) and is the first microinsurance MBA in the country.

Rona Nava, deputy director for CARD MBA operations in Mindanao, explained that the continuous expansion of CARD MBA is for them to be

able to respond immediately to the microinsurance needs of CARD MRI clients.

In 2015, CARD launched its 5-8-40 strategy. The strategy aims to reach eight million Filipinos nationwide and insure at least 40 million individuals in five years. “In terms of outreach, CARD is actually growing; hence, the demand for our service, too,” Deputy Director Nava added.

In Davao Oriental, CARD MBA is expected to serve to at least 30,000 microfinance clients of CARD, Inc. and CARD Bank, Inc., both are member institutions of CARD MRI. 1-3-5 day claims settlement

Deputy Director Nava also expressed that the expansion of CARD MBA plays a significant contribution in the realization of their 1-3-5 day claims settlement strategy.

The said strategy is to assist its members in times of uncertainties by validating their claims and paying strategically within the 1-3-5 day target. As of February 2017, the institution was able to accomplish 97.35% of their claims settlement target. This has been consistent since 2006 when CARD MBA started this model.

“This opening of new branch is a manifestation of CARD MBA’s strong commit-

ment in making sure that the members of the association are secured and valued,” Ms. Luzviminda Corpuz, member of CARD MBA Board of Trustee and also a member of CARD, Inc. South Cotabato, said.

CARD MBA provides microinsurance products such as basic life insurance, retirement savings fund, credit life and golden life insurance program to four financial institutions of CARD MRI – CARD, Inc., CARD Bank, Inc., Rizal Bank, Inc., and CARD SME Bank, Inc. To date, CARD MBA insures more than 12.5 million individuals nationwide.

(PR)

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 10 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 16 - 17, 2017

EDITORIAL

A

Death before resurrection FTER the Holy Week and the entire observance of even more powerful: the potential for rebirth, salvation, and Lent from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, we all renewal of faith.

The entire Lenten period was a time of abstinence and

go back to our normal routine.

However, it is worth looking back and reflecting what re- penance, a time for vigil when new believers are baptised, a

ally is the meaning of Christ’s death and resurrection in the time for confession of sins and a time for rebirth and recomrealm of Catholic faith. The reason being it has very much mitment to faith.

Our country is going through a sort of Lenten period as

relevance to our present life.

Christianity celebrates Holy Week remembering Jesus’ well. A time to cleanse, which required ‘dying’, in order to

crucifixion and death. Where Good Friday is essentially a be set free to a new resurrected life. It is meaningful to go day of mourning, Easter celebrates Jesus’ resurrection.

According to the Bible, Jesus’ death was a sacrifice for the

through a reflection of all that is happening around us.

We have to realize that like the Christian experience, there

sins of others, but his resurrection represents something is no rising back without suffering death.

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9

For once, real public investments: Part 3: We need the CTRP to build Public infrastructure

T is naïve or downright dumb to think that political statements alone deter or encourage investments. The past two administrations have been saying things to please investors and foreign governments, yet the kind of investments needed from them have not come. We have only looked good, but have not done what was needed to seal the deal.

Infrastructure and the right investments in it will seal it. Closing the gap to deliver the infrastructure we need will push growth no matter how cynical we are. That, to the investor, is putting your money where your mouth is.

But public infrastructure requires revenue. It needs proper taxes. For the first time in many years government is taking taxation seriously, and the people are taking note.

Lowering individual income taxes is a good thing. It frees up incomes for spending on family

T

VANTAGE POINTS

O the mariners, the idiom ‘Davy Jones’s Locker’ evokes funereal phobia for it refers to “the state of death of drowned sailors and shipwrecks” forever delivered to the bottom of the sea.

During World War II, the gulf of Davao, a sprawling depth of blue-green sea, has been the Davy Jones’ Locker of many soldiers and the planes, ships, and submarines, they manned or piloted. There’s so many of these casualties, both human and steel, in faded pages of archival records that an illustrious historian can always compile a list by doing research.

To the eternal creativity of drumbeaters, some of the shipwrecks, mostly Japanese vessels, have beautifully integrated with the seafloor of Samal island, blending with the corals and the seascape that have become favorite destinations of wreck and scuba divers.

More than any maritime tragedy in postwar era, the aerial bombs exchanged between foes resulted in the sinking of war ships. For instance, on November 2, 1942, Gifu Maru, a Japanese vessel, was sunk by USS Seawolf near Cape San Agustin, in Davao Oriental, while on a war patrol in the Philippines-East Indies area. A day later, the 7,189ton steamer Sagami Maru, once the

needs and possibly, small investments. It is wise to look at what the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) will deliver if passed in the TRAIN and TARA Bills authored by Rep. Dax Cua and Joey Salceda.

The Department of Finance is pushing these two bills as a CTRP to sustain the pace of growth to 7 percent or better, bring down the poverty rate to 14 percent in the medium term and pave the way for the country to become a high-income economy by 2040.

DOF Secretary Carlos Dominguez said that, “If we fail to raise the volume of revenues required for our economy to break out over the next few years, we will fail in everything else.”

He adds: “We will fail to close the infrastructure gap. We will fail to make the investments in our young to prepare them for meaningful economic participation.

We will fail to catch up with our

MY TWO CENTS’ John Tria neighbors in the region who have invested twice of the amount than what we did on infra over the past three decades. Most important, we will fail to bring down the level of poverty afflicting our people,” he said.

DOF Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua also pointed out in the

House committee hearings that the proposed CTRP will allow the government to build or improve 44,000 kilometers of national and local roads, construct more local hospitals and improve existing ones, and achieve the ideal teacher-to-student and student-to-classroom ratios for the benefit of the country’s future workforce.

He further said that some P48 billion will be earmarked for targeted transfer programs for low-income groups and other vulnerable sectors to shield them from the initial impact of the CTRP. The CTRP will also fund the construction of 113,553 more classrooms and the hiring of 181,000 more teachers for the public school system over the next five years, he said.

He said the CTRP will likewise help attain 100 percent PhilHealth coverage, build 25 more local hospitals and upgrade 704 existing ones, on top of also improving 263

rural and urban health centers, constructing 8,412 new barangay and rural health centers; hire an additional 2,424 doctors, 39,466 nurses, 2,862 medical technologists, 1,090 dentists, 911 public health associates, 2,497 Universal Health Coverage implementers, and 3,288 pharmacists between 2017 and 2022.

These assertions set expectations and targets like never before, and we hold government to it, perhaps ask them to even expand these. It is time we did so.

Pushing proper revenue measures and targets inspires investors, sending the message that the powerpoint presentation is worth listening to and the trade mission is worth attending. Yes there have been successive visits to the Philippines, and more to come.

It finally puts the governments money where its mouth is.

For reactions: facebook. com/johntriapage

that makes its home near the bow winches.

“Topside, the ship is layered with heavy silt deposited by the nearby rivers and creeks. This makes visibility within the ship dangerous for divers. Visibility can go from a few meters to black zero in seconds, trapping the unwary… in the maze of its inner compartments.

“There are several entry points into the wreck – the forward and aft cargo holds, the topside decks, the galley area and the broken-off smoke stack – but none of them are recommended except for the most experienced divers using the right gas mixtures for the depths involved.”

Meanwhile, Ch 12, an auxiliary submarine chaser, was torpedoed in the Davao Gulf by USS Bluegill on August 13, 1944. Also sunk by the same American warship that same day were Kojun Maru, a Japanese transport and Misagu Maru, an auxiliary submarine chaser. In the case of Kojun Maru, forty-two people died in the tragedy, while Misagu Maru contributed five deaths.

On February 25, 1944, Nissho Maru, a Japanese fleet tanker ship, was sunk near the mouth of Davao Gulf by submarine USS Hoe, while it was in convoy. A month later, on

March 24, 1944, Shinkyu Maru, a Japanese cargo ship, was torpedoed by submarine USS Bowfin in waters off Davao Occidental. And, on April 26, 1944, Tokiwa Maru, a Japanese transport ship, was sent to the bottom of the sea by US submarine Bonefish.

On June 8, 1944, Kazagumo, a Japanese Yugumo class destroyer, met its fate in Davao Gulf when it torpedoed by USS Hake. Another ship sunk by USS Hake was the Kinshu Maru, on June 17, 1944.

On August 5, 1944, USS Cero sunk Tsurumi, a Japanese oiler ship built in 1922.

In 2007, a US Navy aircraft, with human bones inside it, was reportedly discovered at the bottom of the 50-hectare marine sanctuary of Malalag Bay, in Davao del Sur. The place was marked PBY-4 No. 1227, which was later confirmed by Lt. Col. Frederick A. Riker of the US Department of Defense, as a WWII Cattleya Class Patrol Bomber, a kind of seaplane listed as missing in action in Australia in 1942.

On November 14, 2007, the human remains and plane artifacts found in the wreckage were turned over to the US Joint Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command (JPAC) represented by Richard Keith and Brent Hepner.

Wartime shipwrecks in the gulf

pride of the Nippon Yushen Keisha (NYK) Shipping Line of Japan, appeared on the horoscope of USS Seawolf under Lt. Cdr. Frederick B. Warder.

In an online article in Pacific Wreck dated January 6, 2006, Davao journalist Carlos Munda described the encounter in The Sagami Maru and the USS Seawolf: “The day of November 3, 1942 dawned bright over the lightly choppy waters of the Davao Gulf.

It had been a productive first week for the hunting Seawolf. Just the day before, it had encountered the outbound 3,500 ton freighter transport, Gifu Maru and sent her to the bottom… Now, less than 24 hours after, Lt. Cmdr. Warder was once again peering through his periscope at another Japanese prize – one that had escaped him once before.

“With a light wind blowing from the north, the Sagami Maru lay at anchor just off the beach in Talomo Bay, blissfully unaware of the danger that lurked just beneath the ruffled and white-capped surface. It was eight in the morning, and the ill-fated ship had less than four hours before it would settle to its final resting place 300 feet at the bottom of the Davao Gulf.”

The tragic fate of the Japanese

FAST BACKWARD Antonio V. Figueroa vessel resulted in the death of 102 persons, including several Filipino US army rangers. But nothing beats the significance of August 13, 1944 when three war ships were sent to Davy Jones’s Locker that day in Davao Gulf.

As a part of a diver’s itinerary, the Sagami Maru wreck poses danger. Munda adds: “Among the interesting sights and artifacts one can still see on the Sagami are the Japanese army trucks and motorcycle sidecars in its cargo holds. A newly discovered forward compartment also contains boxes of ordnance.

There is also a resident hawksbill

10 NEWS

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forcement agencies capable of putting travelers’ concerns.

“Proper authorities have assured that both international and domestic travelers may continue with their travel plans, even as we remind all stakeholders of usual safety

precautions that must be routinely observed at all destinations,” DOT said.

The agency also thanked military and police personnel for their efforts to ensure that safety of locals and tourists in the country. (PNA)

April 14, magnitude 4.5 at 7:20 p.m. (Intensity V in Wao, IV in Kalilangan) and magnitude 4 at 10:02 p.m. (Intensity III in Wao).

Nazareno said several families have been camping out at night, on school grounds or the roadside despite the rains on Thursday and Friday. Some were forced to spend the night in roofed portions of their houses that appear to be “safe.”

Late Wednesday afternoon in Wao, MindaNews saw a family pitching tent on the ground of the Serran Elementary School in Barangay Serran. Sixty-five year old Annie Sayson said they prefer to spend the night outsider rather than inside their houses.

They were joined by other neighbors that night and the succeeding nights.

According to Nazareno, residents in the predominantly Catholic town “prefer to stay in the vicinity of their homes or the closest possible place sa ilang balay kay naa pa pod silay mga butang, hayop nga di pwede biyaan” (to their houses because they have things and animals they cannot leave behind).

Nazareno said grassroots leaders in the affected barangays told him their number one need are tents for temporary shelter at night especially because of the rains, rice and relief goods “kay dili pa makatrabaho sa uma, kay gapadayon pa ang aftershocks” (because they still cannot work because of the continuing aftershocks,” and water because since the quake, water coming out of the faucets has remained brownish.

Nazareno said he was informed that the Department of Social Welfare and Development came Thursday to distribute food packs and bottled water.

He said residents are still awaiting assistance for temporary shelter, and for those who lost their homes, assistance for permanent shelter.

Residents in the affected areas have been sleeping in improvised tents made of low cost materials that are not totally water repellent.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) of Wao, Lanao del Sur on Thursday passed a resolution recommending to its Sangguniang Bayan (SB) to declare the town under a state of calamity.

Francis Garcia, head of the MDRRM office told MindaNews on Thursday that based on initial reports, at least 1,000 families were affected in 14 out of Wao’s 26 barangays, four of them “seriously affected” — Eastern, Western, Extension and Manila Group in the poblacion area. Ten other villages where damages were

reported are Balatin, Banga, Buntongan, East Kilikili, Mimbuaya, Muslim Village, Panang, Park Area, Serran and West Kilikili.

Nor Benito, head of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management of the DSWD in Region 12 told MindaNews in a telephone interview that 200 food packs and ready to eat food like cup noodles and biscuits were distributed on Thursday. She said the DSWD team did damage assessment to determine what else the residents need, distributed goods in some barangays and left the rest to the local government unit because the mayor said he would provide additional goods before distributing them.

Benito said they coordinated with the local government of Wao to schedule the releases from the regional office in Koronadal.

She said a team from the regional office left for Wao early Saturday morning with 100 family food packs, 100 gallons of water at six liters per family, 200 pieces malong and five rolls of trapal or laminated sacks at 100 meters per roll.

Benito explained that even as Wao is part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the regional office nearest it assists.

The Humanitarian Emergency Assistance Response Team (HEART) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the region where Wao belongs sent a team Wednesday to assess the situation and respond accordingly.

A primer on the April 12 quake issued by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Sesimology (Phivolcs) on the same day said the epicenter of the magnitude 6 quake was 13 km northwest of Wao, at a depth of one kilometer. It said the quake was “generated by the movement of a northwest trending active fault in the area.”

The primer added that current available seismic information suggests that the magnitude 6 quake was “the main shock, which caused the strong ground shaking” and that “the succeeding small-magnitude earthquakes are the aftershocks” which may continue to occur for several days to weeks, some of which may be felt.

The April 12 quake was not the strongest to have struck Wao, according to the Phivolcs. On April 1, 1955, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake was experienced in Lanao area, “considered to be one of the most damaging historical earthquakes in Lanao del Sur (that) resulted to about 400 deaths.” (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)

Wao... FROM 2

Thousands of Catholic devotees gather at the open area of Shrine of Infant Jesus of Prague in Matina, Davao City on Good Friday to take a rest after offering prayers during the annual Station of the Cross on Good Friday. Lean Daval Jr.

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five years, they are looking at 40,000 jobs,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez announced.

On the other hand, Foreign Affairs Acting Secretary Enrique Manalo said the government recognized the significance of enhancing and strengthening the bond of partnership between Bahrain and the Philippines and their people.

“The general thrust of the discussion was on basically three broad topics... the contribution made by the Filipinos here in the Kingdom and the acknowledgement of the Kingdom of Bahrain of that contribution, and the fact that we have a very strong people-to-people connection,” Manalo added, referring to the President’s private meetings with Bahraini officials.

ACTS-OFW partylist representative Congressman Aniceto Bertiz III, on the other hand, disclosed that the government is not only focusing on OFWs’ deployment but on their “reintegration” as well. “(That’s) the reason why we are involving the different secretaries and agencies, especially the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), which is the Negosyo Center under Secretary Lopez, as well as the huge project that our government is signing, so example of that are the railroads and superhighways that we are building,” Bertiz said.

“The President is very conscious of the social implication of our countrywomen and countrymen going abroad to look for jobs,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III added. (PNA)

allow the country to showcase what it has. “Delegates from the ASEAN-member states including media from the said countries would see how the Philippines is, how it works and track the next steps,” that will benefit the member states, said Banaag.

“They could learn from the Philippines and they can share the good practices to us,” she added.

Banaag talked about the programs for the different sectors where the benefits of those in the sectors will emanate from. “Ito ‘yun, dito kayo mag-benefit (this is the one.

This is where you will benefit),” she said.

She admitted that the benefits will not be immediate or abrupt but the links to the programs that will be a result of the meetings will redound to the lowest sector.

Banaag cited as example the programs of the economic cluster. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), she said will allow those - including the student or fresh graduates - wanting to go into business to be connected with the same sector in the ASEAN-member states either for aid or for market links.

Teachers, she said, will also be greatly benefited considering the need of the other member countries for teachers - whom the Philippines has plenty of - who are English speaking and can teach their citizens.

Being the ASEAN’s host country and with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte as chairman, the Philippines will gain directly from the arrival of the delegates and a long term profit from the result of the meetings that are geared towards addressing the issues and concerns, and come up with solutions that are applicable to all the member states.

All departments in the national government are actively participating along with the PCOO in disseminating information about the ASEAN, the Philippines’ hosting and what the people should know about it to allow them to appreciate being the host.

Information is cascaded to the people by the different government news and information portals including the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), People’s Television (PTV), Radyo ng Bayan, RTVM and the Bureau of Communication Services (BCS).

(PNA)

Ombudsman... FROM 3

Roberto... FROM 3 writing a cheque,” Aboitiz said in 2007.

“Our development framework is one of partnership, linkages, and a sincere belief that development is best when there is participation and involvement from all sectors,” he had said.

RAFI, aside from funding

scholars, recognizes every 3 years individuals and institutions that have brought about positive change in their communities. The RAFI Triennial Awards is sometimes referred to as the Galing Pook Awards of the south, referring to the recognition given to local governments for their innovation.”

lished that the P5M was released in full and used to fund Ipong’s “ghost projects.”

AFPI, Ipong’s chosen NGO, was also of dubious track record. Investigation revealed that the NGO was not qualified to implement the multi-million livelihood project; it had no business permits from 2004 to 2009; its listed business address is located in a vacant lot used as storage for equipment; the NGOs capital stock is only P68,000.00; and that its net losses and net savings in 20062007 reflected the amounts of P750 and P5,840, respectively.

In refutation, Ipong denied the charges, claiming that “the amount was coursed through AFPI based on the national ten-point agenda of the government at that time” and that “he was not in charge of the subject funds but a mere endorser of the livelihood proj-

ect.”

Citing Supreme Court jurisprudence, Ombudsman Morales emphasized that “under the Congressional Pork Barrel System, it is the legislator that exercises actual control and custody of the PDAF share allocated to him by appropriations statute.”

“Simply put, Ipong had control and accountability over the P5M regular PDAF allocation,” stated Ombudsman Morales.

Section 3(e) of R.A. No. 3019 prohibits public officials from causing any undue injury to any party, or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence.

(PR)

Dr. Eva Rabaya, Integrated Provincial Health Office head assured that the IPHO is ready to accept surrendering drug users and provide them necessary treatment and management.

On the other hand, Vergelita Guillaran, Provincial Social Welfare and Development officer noted that the After

Care Program is important in helping drug dependents to reconnect with their families and rebuild their self-esteem. Like the IPHO, she said that the PWSDO is more than willing to cater to individuals who have successfully undergone drug treatment.

(SJDuerme-PIA12/ JSta.CruzNorthCot Media Center)

• Provide protection inside and outside the perimeter. A proper security strategy has to devote significant resources to attack detection and response, to block an attack before it reaches critically important objects • Evaluate advanced methods of protection: A Default Deny

scenario for SCADA systems, regular integrity checks for controllers, and specialized network monitoring to increase the overall security of a company will reduce the chances of a successful breach, even if some inherently vulnerable nodes cannot be patched or removed. (PR)

Ombudsman... FROM 3

NorCot... FROM 6

Almost... FROM 7

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EVENT

DURIANBURG’S CULINARY MOVERS AND SHAKERS CAME TOGETHER for a celebration of Filipino Flavours as they celebrated Davao on a Plate last April 1 at SM Lanang Premier.

A part of the Department of Tourism’s nationwide Flavors of the Philippines campaign and spearheaded by SM Lanang Premier, the event is one of the sidelights of the recently concluded Madrid Fusion held in Manila.

The Davao on a Plate event featured various culinary creations concocted by some of Durianburg’s most notable chefs and highlighting various ingredients are uniquely Davao. From pomelo, to brown rice, to chocolate, and even

crocodile meat and tuna offals, the dishes created by the chefs for the event truly brought out all the unique flavours of the city all in one precious bite.

Some memorable dishes during the event include Vikings’ Chef Anton Abad’s Crocodile Kebab with Cucumber and Pineapple Raita which truly elevated crocodile to another level of juiciness as well as the steamed Saranggani Milkfish bao created by the Marco Polo Davao’s Chef Alex Destriza. Another interesting bite was presented by Aussie chef Patrick Mccarthy of Bondi and Bourke Davao who turned local free-range organic chicken into delicious and moist spring rolls that were bright and juicy to the bite.

Seafood lover also had a taste of delicious at fatty crabs thanks to Davao’s iconic seafood restaurant, Blue Posts Boiling Crabs and Shrimps, which served crab claws smothered in garlic and spices and ready to eat.

When one talks about Davao cuisine, one should also not forget Malagos cheese and fresh tuna. Present for this year’s Davao on a Plate event was Davao’s

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JMC Law School wins regional inter-law debate

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO ALTHOUGH THE JOSE MARIA COLLEGE (JMC) LAW SCHOOL IS ONLY ON ITS FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION, it has managed to win in the Davao Region Inter-Law School debate.

The inter-law school debate was hosted by JMC Law School, which was beamed on television around the world via SMNI TV Networks of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

The first round was done from March 25 to 26. The final debate was executed on April 1-2.

Six law schools in the region were represented: University of Mindanao (UM), Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU), and JMC Law School, all three from Davao City; St. Mary’s Academy and St. Thomas More, both from Tagum City; and Cor Jesu College of Digos City.

However, “in the last minute” both Ateneo de Davao Law School and St

URBANISSIMO A1

queen of cheese herself, Olive Puentespina, who showcased her beautiful cheeses. Marina Tuna innovated and turned Tuna esophagus, which would normally be thrown away, into sweet, spicy, and briny dish.

Sweettooths were satisfied thanks to the dessert creations of Park Inn by Radisson Davao whose team created playful creations using durian and tablea chocolate.

Since the Davao on a Plate event was made for Dabawenyos to learn

Mary’s Academy backed out in the competition because the debates happened on the final exams of the students.

In the finals, the proposition of the debate was: “Let it be resolved that PhilSAT be implemented.” PhilSAT stands for Philippine Law School Admission Test.

Starting next academic year, aspiring law students will be required to take the PhilSAT before they can be admitted to any law school, according to the Legal Education Board. This was based on a memorandum issued

on December 29, 2016.

In the finals, it was JMC Law against the UM. Atty. Israelito Torreon, the law dean of JMC Law School, said: “JMC Law chose to argue for the affirmative side while University of Mindanao will argue for the negative side.

“This will be a very interesting clash as the oldest law school in Davao City-UM (which opened its law school in 1948) will clash against the new kid on the block-JMC (as it opened its law school only in 2016) with only first year students to be

fielded as debaters as it is still in its first year of operation,” he added.

In the end, JMC Law emerged the winner.

“The Jose Maria College team of Gretchen Cañedo, Kathleen Kaye Laurente and Lovella Fe Tacder bested the University of Mindanao (UM) College of Legal Education team composed of Nico Angelo Solon, Salvador Diana Jr. and Eula Perturbos in the final round of the 2017 Inter-Law School Debate held at the JMC campus on April 2, 2017,” a press statement said.

Arguing for the affirmative side, the JMC team maintained that implementing the PhilSAT was necessary to improve the legal education in the Philippines and the performance of the students in the Bar exam.

Atty. Jennifer Melendez, Atty. Erastus Sandino Austria, Bruneson Alabastro and Sam Salisipan acted as adjudicators.

According to the press release, the judges were very impressed with the performance of both teams as their arguments were well-researched and

exhaustive.

“I really like the clarity in the presentation of their case and how deliberate their strategy was in looking at how laws work and how that is applicable to the PhilSAT,” Alabastro pointed out.

Atty. Austria commented that JMC was very “jurisprudencebased in their research”.

Although UM did not win, the adjudicators lauded Salvador Diana Jr. as the best debater while Lovella Fe Tacder of JMC was awarded as Best Speaker for the championship round.

more about themselves and their food, it was also appropriate that the culinary academe was involved and the students of iChef clearly made their school proud by creating delicious dishes, and I am sure, learning from the professionals present at the event.

A big congratulatory toast to SM Lanang and the team who created Davao on a Plate and thank you for bringing new food ideas closer to ever Dabawenyo urbanite.

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

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of programs and projects that will be funded by the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

To ensure that the annual appropriations of the national government agencies (NGAs) will be an instrument of development and reflective of local objectives, strategies and plans, the State shall ensure the involvement of the CSOs by institutionalizing grassroots participatory budgeting.

This initiative aims to achieve community empowerment by encouraging citizens to take active roles in the community by articulating their needs to the government and determining what projects are responsive to their needs.

The process will also stimulate partnership between local government and civil society organizations particularly in local development planning and budgeting. The local development plans are harmonized at the pertinent national government agencies’ programs and budgets for implementation.

The bill refers to Civil Society Organization (CSO) as “any organized citizens’ group including Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), People’s Organizations (POs), basic sector organizations, cooperatives, trade unions, professional associations, faith-based organizations, media groups, indigenous peoples movements, foundations, and other citizen’s groups which are non-profit and are formed primarily for social and economic development to plan and monitor government programs and projects, engage in policy discussions, and actively participate in collaborative activities with the government.”

It refers to Grassroots Participatory Budgeting (GPB) as “an approach to preparing the budget proposal of agencies taking into consideration the development needs of municipalities and cities as identified in their respective local development plan and or local anti-poverty action plan that shall be formulated with strong participation of basic sector organizations and other CSOs.” All CSOs shall be allowed to participate and play a significant role in the national as well as local annual budget deliberations. They shall undergo the mandatory registration process and comply with the implementing rules and regulations issued by Local Sanggunians and/ or NGAs, subject to the basic requirements under the Act. Within 30 days upon the approval of the Act, the respective Secretaries of the local Sanggunian shall send notices to CSOs informing them that they may apply for a Certificate of Registration to enable them to participate in the annual budget deliberations. The application for registration shall be filed with the Secretary to the local Sanggunian.

All applications for Certificate of Registration shall be acted upon by the Secretary to the local Sanggunian within 15 days from receipt thereof. Upon approval of the application, a Certificate of Registration shall be issued to the organization which shall be valid for three years upon approval. In case of

disapproval, the CSO concerned may appeal its application.

The bill also provides for guidelines in choosing the representatives for registered and/ or accredited CSOs and cancellation of certificate of registration, and the rights and entitlements of accredited CSOs, among others.

In order for citizens to participate in an informed manner, the bill mandates the LGU/ NGA/Government-Owned or Controlled Corporation (GOCC) to post on the websites or other public posting areas Local Poverty Reduction Action Plan (LPRAP) and budget documents to which CSOs shall have access.

The following processes shall serve as the main components to implement the empowerment of CSOs and budgeting approach: 1) Social preparation; 2) Collection of relevant economic and social data; 3) Conduct of LPRAP Workshop; 4) Identification of priority poverty reduction projects; 5) Endorsement of CSOs; 6) Approval of Sanggunian; 7) Submission of the List of Priority Poverty Reduction Projects; 8) Integration of the LGU projects in the budgets of participating NGAs; 9) Agency budget submission to DBM; and 10) Provision of incentives for good performers.

The Local Poverty Reduction Action Team (LPRAT) shall be created to spearhead the formulation and monitoring of the LPRAP. The LPRAT shall be headed by the local chief executive (LCE) of the city or municipality as Chairperson, and the CSO representative elected by the CSO assembly as the Co-chairperson.

The Regional Poverty Reduction Action Team (RPRAT) shall likewise be created to provide support and guidance to LPRAT throughout the GPB process and make decisions on implementation issues raised at the regional level. It shall be headed by the DILG Regional Director as Chairperson and the NAPC representative and CSO representative as Vice-Chairpersons.

The bill also mandates the creation of the National Poverty Reduction Action Team (NPRAT) which shall serve as the highest policy-making and coordinating body where policies and implementation issues can be discussed and addressed.

It also establishes a budget item known as “Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process Fund” in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA) in an amount not less than one percent of the total annual budget.

Moreover, it mandates the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), DBM, and the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), in consultation with the concerned agencies and CSOs, to promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of the Act. Lastly, the bill penalizes any person who shall violate the provisions of the Act with suspension ranging from one month to three months, or a fine of P30,000 to P50,000, or both, at the discretion of the court.

(PR)

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financial planning, adding “we want to help create financially literate Filipino families and build a financially stable nation.”

Financial literacy in PH According to a Philam Life Protection Study, 96 percent are concerned about their and their family’s health. However, only 16 percent are prepared to pay for medical costs in case they are diagnosed with a critical illness.

When it comes to education, only 230 out of 1,000 Filipinos who started grade 1 will go to college. One factor behind this sad phenomenon is the lack of funds to support high school and college education.

This is particularly true when a couple has more than two or three children, and more so if the ages of the children are just one to three years apart, giving the parents very little breathing space to meet the financial requirements of sending kids to school.

It was also established in the study that 80 percent of the work force plan to retire by 50, but none can even afford to retire at 65. This is one evident fact that financial literacy in the Philippines is very low.

“This is very sad because the things that Filipinos hold dear the most –their health, the education of their children, their retirement, and other dreams that they may have like owning a house, going on a family vacation – can be ensured with proper and early financial planning.”

“Financial planning teaches us to be responsible when it comes to our finances,” Ms Cruz said, adding that planning builds the discipline people need in order to stay on track of their goals.” If done right, planning will ensure people’s financial security, even when the unexpected happens.

their children and support their parents at the same time. This financial burden is difficult to overcome, especially now that education kids has become expensive and the cost of maintaining the health of the older family members is escalating.

Obviously, the biggest burden is on the breadwinners who also have to prepare for their own retirement. Eventually, these breadwinners would have to depend on their children or their living and medical needs. This is a vicious unhealthy cycle that many Filipino families endure today, a cycle that could be stopped through financial planning.

Steps in financial planning There are three kinds of financial planning, according to goals – the short-term, medium term and long-term goal. The financial planner has to be clear about his kind of goal before he starts.

Short-term goals include monthly living expenses. For a family, the responsibilities include food, rent or amortization for a house, transportation, groceries, clothing, utility (water and electricity) bills, among others. If the children are already in school, education and related expenses must be included.

It said that an emergency fund should be part of the short-term goals. (Ideally, 3 to 6 months of living expenses should be set aside in case something unfortunate happens in the family like losing a job, or suffering a disability).

Medium-term goals, or dreams, are those that can take 1 to 5 years to achieve like buying a car, owning a house, and going on a family vacation.

Long-term goals are those that may take more than 5 years to achieve like sending a child to college and retiring at age 60. Of course, every goal should have a monetary value.

NEWS 11 to achieve financial goals is in good financial position.

According to Philam Life’s financial literacy drive, there are many ways to secure a good financial position.

One is to settle unpaid credit card bills and other loans as these liabilities lessens one’s financial worth.

Another step is staying out of unnecessary debts. There are two kinds of debts, the good debt and the unnecessary debt.

Good debt helps one manage his cash better, like running a business. Unnecessary debts are those that let one buy things he doesn’t really need.

The third is saving before spending. This step does away with the unhealthy traditional mindset of spending first and then saving what is left. What if nothing is left to save? The idea is set aside an amount for regular savings and keep one’s expenses within the remaining amount.

Reality in savings How much should one save, really? 80-20 is a widely accepted formula, meaning one has to save 20 percent of his monthly income and spend the rest of the income on living expenses. However, more often than not, one savings equivalent to 20 percent of his income is not enough. “It can take you years and years to build the money you need and still end up not achieving your goals.”

“Our experience in Philam Life tells us that oen has to think beyond savings; that one has to math his goals to the right financial vehicle,” according to Ms Cruz.

A savings account in a bank will be the best financial vehicle for one’s short-term goal, that is, having available cash that he/she can easily get.

the cost of one’s goals now will be a lot higher in 5 to 15 years.

One’s 3-year old child will go to college 15 years from now, so it’s not practical and realistic to base the computation of the expenses involved 15 years hence on present-day costs. One must consider tuition fee increases and inflation over 15 years.

Definitely, the interests and principal deposits that one gets from a savings account will not be enough cover the amount of money needed to achieve the long-term goal of providing college education to the child. This is where other financial vehicles can come in.

There are many types of investments that one can avail himself of based on his goals, how much time is needed to achieve these goal.

Role of financial advisors Financial planning is not as easy as ABC, so to speak. It has to be started early as possible, whether one is single or already married. There will a need to change one’s plan sometime as his financial needs might require, but any groundwork started now will be very valuable in the future.

As earlier stated, the importance of discipline in financial planning cannot be gainsaid. All the way, there would need to always keep an eye on one’s goal. One should never be swayed to make unnecessary purchases, seeing to it that the money one has is used for the right purpose and that is, to help him achieve his goals.

Financial planning need hard work on the part of the planner.

It is very important that one talks to an expert. Philam Life has financial advisors who are trained to help people plan for their future, guide them through the process, and provide them with the right financial solutions suited to their financial goals. Through these advisors like Ms Cruz, Philam Life empowers Filipinos to achieve financial security and prosperity. (With Antonio M. Ajero)

Financial position It is said that an individual or family with the ability

Investment, not just deposit However, for medium-term and long-term goals, one can opt for investments which can give him/her higher yields or returns.

The challenging part is that

parents’ expenses for her study. She added that aside from financial assistance in buying her uniform and books, “this serves as training for us, especially on how to deal with the professionals.

This also enlightens us the value of work in order to earn money. I think it gears us for the future.”

Aside from the economic status of the beneficiaries’ families, Dayanghirang added that another qualification for the students’ hiring is to gauge their capabilities in handling their job. “Those who qualified passed a writ-

ten examination and we also see to it that they have no failing grades on their previous school year,” she explained.

Also, the government is also prioritizing those students who have not yet reached by government assistance.

Among the activities conducted for the SPES beneficiaries are an environmental awareness symposium and a tree planting activity held on April 10in Barangay Mayo, City of Mati, which has raised environmental consciousness among the student beneficiaries.

“The symposium aims

to let the beneficiaries understand the importance of planting trees in the surrounding, and to explain to them the reality of climate change and ecological waste management”, she explained.

The recipients here have acknowledged the significance of raising their environmental awareness. Gracel Damalerio, one of the SPES beneficiaries, said that aside from gaining experience and earning money for the coming enrolment, the program has also provided them with “the awareness that is vital to the youth especially that we

are the hope of our country.”

Another activity in line with the environmental awareness program is the clean-up drive at the Barangay Central held on Tuesday, April 11. The activity was designed to educate the importance of proper waste segregation as it is seen as one of the environmental problems of the society, Dayanghirang said.

After the slated sports activity on April 17-18, the program recipients will be deployed to their respective office of assignment. (Riza M. Golez/PIO DavOr)

regulation authorities, the MGR Program intends to eventually institutionalize good regulatory practices, particularly RIA, to ensure better and more responsive regulations that will

facilitate the growth of businesses in the country.

For this year, the MGR Program, through its team of experts, is engaging business owners and trade associations

as well as pertinent government agencies to examine existing regulations to streamline unnecessary rules and compliance costs borne by five priority industries, which include pow-

er, housing, chemicals, logistics, and public transportation, to ensure regulatory effectiveness and to influence them to work together in reducing regulatory burden on businesses. (PR)

Sandwich generation Most Filipinos belong to the sandwich generation, so called because they take care of

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1 ASEAN bat festival T in Davao, Samal pushed st

A

BAT conservation festival to take place in Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal on June 9 to 11 is being pushed

by Ms Nomi Monfort, owner of the Monfort Bat Colony, a Guinness World Record Holder located in IGaCoS. With the participation of the Consulate of the Republic of Indonesia, Ms Monfort proposed to call it “1st Annual ASEAN Bat Conservation Festival” to be held simultaneously in the two cities.

Monfort describes the activity as a “novel path-breaking simultaneous celebration in two cities envisioned to give the overdue credit to bats as symbol of motherhood, omen of good fortune (in the Chinese

culture) and a fitting tribute to the world renowned bat colony for silently rendering their individual nightly service for Davao region.”

The unique festival will have the following events and their tentative venues: June 9, a Friday – 1st ASEAN Culinary Festival either at the ACQuiboloy Kitchen or SMX Convention Center; Photo exhibit at the SMX; and Bat Conservation Forum (Pol C) at the Waterfront Davao Insular Hotel.

June 10, Saturday (Vision*)– Elevated Q-Labonation with JayR, Q-York, Ogie, Yeng, Deejay, Diana and the Davao School for the Blind “Echolocation” Band Accompanists at the Garden Pavillion of the Wa-

terfront Hotel (“Labonation” means “love of nation/ collaboration on peace advocates”), and June 11, Sunday – Bat-Triathlon (Davao to Samal’s “Fort ROQ,” beach front of IGaCoS) consisting of an invitational for LGU Samalenos Sunrise Biking and Run (with free singlets/packs) minimum registration of P100 to cover breakfast after the blessing of BATpackers Inn, StarBAT and JolliBAT eateries, and a real BAT-TRIATHLON consisting of ETeam Standboarding, Sailing, Moonlight Run for Peace Love Awareness (Tau Mu Fraternity’s Dark Night Run).

On the second day, there will be “Vision” (“We are Light”) beach party with Bat

Emergence Night Viewing Tours and BATtiange stalls selling vegetarian BBQ and BATtini drinks.

Monfort said that the activity honoring the bats as “symbols of motherhood, the only mammal who nurse their young and can truly fly” is long overdue.

“Bats are in the forefront of helping mitigate climate change; they maintain our forests and act as night shift pollinators and pest/virus predators,” she said.

At the same time, Ms Monfort also wishes that the bat icon and the durian flower be included in future icons in the “Davao Life Is Here” logo which the Davao City government recently revised and relaunched.

Paul Wilbur concert to kick off Israel-RP festival in USeP-Davao HE Israel-Philippine Festival 2017, a prelude to the World Camp for Jesus in Jerusalem in July-August this year, will kick off with a concert of Paul Wilbur, internationally-acclaimed worship artist, songwriter and teacher, at the USeP (University of Southeastern Philippines) Gym in the evening of April 19, a Wednesday.

The concert is brought to Davao by Ed and Sherrym Benish Ministries and supported by the inter-church endeavors of Metro Davao Pastors Fellowship.

The most-awaited show in Davao City is the first in a series of concerts in the country. It will be followed by another concert also by Paul Wilbur in Bacolod City at the University of Saint La Salle Auditorium on April 21; in Manila at the Mall of Asia Complex, MOA Arena on April 24; in Tuguegarao City at the Greyhound Gym of the University of Cagayan Valley on April 26; and in Baguio City at the Burnham Park’s Melvin Jones Football Field on April 28.

All worship concerts will start at 7 p.m. In Davao City, tickets are now available at: Jesus Christ Good Shepherd Feeding Fellowship, Inc. (look for Sis. Kakai Ursus with mobile numbers 0918 583 2820 and 0916 131 9047 and landline (082) 300 6203.) and New World Travel Corp. at the

second floor of Victoria Plaza (look for Ms Cyril or Romelyn with mobile numbers 0932 290 9111, 0905 444 7883 and 0950 637 4363 and landline numbers (082) 221-6351, and 221-6441 to 6442.)

The Israel-Philippine Festival (IPF) is a celebration through music and dance to highlight the enduring friendship between the countries of Israel and the Philippines in conjunction with the historic events that link the two nations.

This year marks Israel’s 70th year as an independent state declared through a United Nations vote in 1947, when the Philippines delivered a tiebreaker vote.

Another historic act of kindness of the Philippines was when it became host to 1,300 European Jewish refugees in the pre-World War II escape from the Holocaust.

Through the years, both nations have developed a relationship that surpasses diplomatic levels.

At the same time, Jerusalem, Israel’s capital, celebrates its 50th year of liberation since 1967.

IPF 2017 also aims to increase and sustain the awareness that Israel is the nation of God’s chosen people whose culture preserves and promotes love and reverence for our Creator and how the Philippines is closely linked to Israel.

U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires launches Lights for All project

GENSAN VISIT. Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, an advocate of education, visits the scholars of Edukasyon Alang sa mga Kabus nga Residente sa Gensan (EDUKAR Gensan), a program under the office of the city mayor of General Santos City. (Gensan CPIO/Jan Rey Libunao)

59 gov’t agencies undergo training on regulatory impact analysis

T

HE Development Academy of the Philippines recently conducted the Training Course on Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) for government agencies with regulatory functions which is part of the Modernizing Government Regularizations (MGR) Program that is being implemented by the academy in partnership with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).

The RIA training featured Dr. Shin Kim, a senior research fellow of the Korea Institute of Public Administration, who highlighted the immense importance of RIA in ensuring the quality of regulations by navigating through the steps in its conduct.

NEDA Assistant Secretary Carlos Bernardo Abad Santos emphasized to the participants the need for the government to implement regulatory reforms to improve the business environment. He noted that regulatory agencies currently imple-

ment regulations independent of each other, often resulting in overlaps or conflicting regulations that cause unnecessary burden on business owners.

A priority program Abad Santos pointed out the timeliness of the DAP’s MGR Program, which has been listed as one of the priority programs in the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022, particularly for the realization of the sector outcome of “ensuring people-centered, clean, efficient, and effective governance.”

More specifically, the program supports the sub-sector outcome of “achieving seamless service delivery,” focusing on regulatory reform to attract more foreign and local investments and promote enterprise growth as well as wealth and employment creation.

DAP Vice President Arnel Abanto presented the initial recommendations that were borne out of the regulatory

mapping activities and stakeholder consultations conducted in 2016.

Abanto also sought the cooperation and support of the agencies present in the upcoming activities of the DAP-MGR Program.

Participating agencies The 59 participants of the course were able to evaluate actual regulations through the use of proportionate analysis, problem-context analysis, and cost-benefit analysis as well as employment of potential alternative regulatory and non-regulatory instruments to guarantee that regulations are as efficient and effective as possible.

Participating agencies include the NEDA, Bureau of Customs, Civil Aeronautics Board, Civil Service Commission, Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Health, Department of Labor and Employ-

ment, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Transportation, Food and Drug Administration, Forest Management Bureau, Home Development Mutual Fund, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, Land Transportation Office, Maritime Industry Authority, National Food Authority, National Meat Inspection Service, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Quezon City Business Permits and Licensing Office, and the University of the Philippines.

MGR Program The RIA training, the first for 2017 after three successful runs last year, is one of the components of the MGR Program that aims to enhance the national regulatory infrastructure by developing mechanisms to help improve regulatory quality and coherence.

Through continuous capacity building activities for

U

.S. Embassy Chargé d’ Affaires, a.i. (CDA) Michael S. Klecheski launched the Lights for All Project at Taguig National High School. During the launch, CDA Klecheski joined more than100 volunteers, including students and alumni of the U.S. Embassy’s English Access Microscholarship Program, in assembling 100 solar-powered lamps.

The Lights for All Project, funded by the United States government and in partnership with MyShelter Foundation, Inc., will assemble and subsequently donate a total of 1,100 solar-powered lamps to communities in conflict-affected and disaster-prone areas throughout the Philippines.

The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines will also donate 15 large solar-powered lights to a community baseball field in Upi,

Maguindanao. Over the next several months, volunteers, including U.S. government program alumni from 10 provinces, will assemble and distribute the remaining lamps.

The U.S. Department of State English Access Microscholarship Program provides a foundation of English language skills to economically disadvantaged 13- to 20-yearolds through two-year programs of afterschool classes and intensive summer learning activities. Participants are also able to compete for and participate in future exchanges and study in the United States.

The English Access Microscholarship Program celebrates its tenth anniversary in the Philippines this year; over 1,500 Filipino students have participated in the Access Program since 2007. (PR)

CDA Klecheski assembles solar-powered lamps with Access Program students

F 59 GOV’T, 11 at the Lights for All Project launch in Taguig.

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

is in need of Lay-out Artist Qualifications: • Male / Female • Knowledgeable in Adobe Photoshop and Indesign application • Willing to work under pressure

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 10 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, APRIL 16 - 17, 2017

Pagunsan chases Japan Tour crown J

UVIC Pagunsan continued his fine play in the Japan Tour’s Token Homemate Cup, firing a bogey-free 67 for a share of third spot in the third round on Saturday in Nagoya.

The shotmaker from Bacolod came up with three birdies on the front nine and one on the back at Token Tado Country Club.

That moved him to 10-under 203, just three strokes off Liang Wenchong of China, who fired a 66.

Pagunsan, who shot two straight 68s, shared third spot with Adam Bland, who had a 65, and David Oh, who shot a 66.

The 38-year-old Pagunsan is looking to finally finish on top after a heart-

breaking second place finish in the Singapore Open co-sanctioned by the Japan Tour in January.

A former Asian Tour top money earner, Pagunsan wound up tied for sixth in the Token Homemate Cup last year.

Hiroyuki Fujita was alone in second at 11-under 202 after a third-round 67.

’94 heralded the arrival of the Americans in the international game, as they survived the group stage for the first time in 64 years.

“In 1994, I think the U.S. was looked at (as) this emerging frontier in the game and FIFA wanted to bring the U.S. into the world’s game,” Arena said in a conference call with reporters on Thursday. “I think in 2026 we’re going to be fully emerged into the game and a big player.

“I think 2026 will be the time when we’re going to start talking about winning the World Cup, to be honest with you,” Arena continued.

“It wasn’t going to be in 1994. It wasn’t going to be in 2010. But 2026 could be our time.”

Holding the tournament

on home soil would plainly help that team. But Arena also thinks the program’s natural evolution will reach its apex then.

“We’re [hypothetically] the host country – one of the host countries – which is an advantage,” Arena said.

“Think about where we’re going to be in nine more years. Think about where we were in 1994, ’98, 2002, keep going. Just think about where we will be with nine more years in our league [Major League Soccer], eight or nine more years of players developing all over the world, and then playing the World Cup in our country. I think we’re going to be positioned to be a big player by 2026.”

Arena couched that it isn’t a given, of course, that

US coach: We will win World Cup in 2026

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026 could be a very big year for American soccer.

Not only because it’s favored to co-host the World Cup that year, along with Canada and Mexico in supporting roles – with 60 of the games taking place in the United States and 10 apiece in the other nations, per the three-nation bid announced on Monday.

But because current U.S. men’s national team head coach Bruce Arena thinks that will be the year the Americans can truly compete to win their first World Cup title.

And in that sense, it would complete the arc from the 1994 World Cup, which was held stateside and remains the best-attended edition of the tournament. USA

A BREATH AWAY. Juvic Pagunsan is just three strokes off the lead going into today’s final round. the U.S.’s joint bid will win the right to host that tournament, although it is widely expected to.

It’s worth noting that, in the modern era, the U.S. has never advanced past the quarterfinals. It did so once, in 2002 – under Arena in

his first stint in charge. The Americans finished third at the first-ever World Cup in 1930, but it was a 13-team tournament back then, with many of the big nations opting to sit out.

The USMNT is currently in a battle to save a qualifying

campaign for the 2018 World Cup that got off to a rocky start with back-to-back losses, followed by a win and a tie after Arena was brought back to bail out a sinking ship.

But, as Arena sees it, things could look very different nine years from now.

TOUGH DEFENSE. Ateneo de Davao University forward Francis Gabriel Escandor (left photo) and Jethro Taculin (right photo) found the defense tough to crack during the Ateneo-Assumption College of Davao encounter in the ongoinng SBP-Emilio Escandor Memorial Cup Inter-High School basketball tournnament. Lean Daval Jr.

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KNOCKOUT DROUGHT Roach bares dire knock out prediction for Pacquiao M

ANNY Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach is in dire need to get his eight-division world champion ward Manny Pacquiao break that knockout drought.

In a recent interview, Roach admitted he wants the Filipino boxing legend to get thaat first ever knockout since 2009 when Pacquiao brutally kayoed Miguel Cotto.

The Hall of Fame trainer Roach told Grantlee Kieza from Los Angeles that he is “anxious’’ for the WBO world welterweight champion to score a stunning knockout over Jeff Horn at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on July 2.

Here’s the interview: What do you know about Jeff Horn?

He’s won his last three fights by knockout and is the best fighter in Australia in his weight division.

He’s something of a counterpuncher. He’s going to draw 55,000 people. He’s a strong kid and it should be a great fight. Manny is thrilled to be fighting in Australia and especially thrilled to be fighting in a great stadium with such a big crowd.

How will Manny prepare for this fight?

He’s already started running and doing exercises in Manila. He’s working his ass off. One thing about Manny and about me is that we don’t take anyone lightly. Every opponent is dangerous. Manny will be at his very best and we expect Horn to be at his very best. Horn is stepping up to the top level now but one thing I know about Australian fighters is that they have a great reputation. A few years ago you had Jeff Fenech, who was a real warrior. Australian fighters are strong and they come into the ring in great shape. That’s what we want from Horn. We’re ready to counter that.

W

When will you start working with Manny?

I’ve got (British featherweight) Scott Quigg fighting on the undercard to the world heavyweight title fight between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium in London on April 29. As soon as that’s over I will join Manny in Manila for six weeks or so and then we’ll spend about 12 days or two weeks in Brisbane getting ready there and letting him get acclimatised. Manny is a workaholic.

What’s your tip for the fight?

Manny hasn’t had a knockout for quite a while and I think we’re due for one. I’m anxious for him to score a knockout and move on to bigger and better things. Jeff Horn had better be ready because we’re coming for him. Manny loves to entertain and he loves to show people he’s the best fighter in the world.

Almost 51,000 people were at Cowboys Stadium in Texas when Manny b e a t Joshua Clottey in 2010.

This crowd i s

likely to be even bigger. Will a big, hostile crowd cheering for the local hero worry Manny?

(Laughs) Manny Pacquiao loves big crowds. He will have the biggest smile on his face in the world when he gets into the ring in Brisbane. This is what he lives for.

This is why he competes in boxing.

He loves the attention, loves the

crowds.

He wants to make all the fans happy with a great show, a great fight and a big win. That’s what he wants to do with this fight.

KNOCKOUT HUNGRY. Manny Pacquiao in training with Freddie Roach.

What’s your message for Jeff Horn?

I want Horn to be extra ready for this. In Manny’s last fight (a points win over American Jessie Vargas) I saw a lot of the old Manny in the way he hurt his opponent and went after him. That was missing for a few years because of Manny’s religious beliefs. He wasn’t as aggressive. But he’s very aggressive again and like I say I’m anxious for Manny to win by a knockout because he’s due for one and we’ll go on to bigger and better things when that happens.

work. He’s won world titles across eight weight classes. I don’t think I’ll ever repeat that in my life. No fighter has done what he’s done.

What makes Manny special?

His work ethic is unbelievable.

He averages 6 5 rounds in the gym every

I t looked for a long time that Manny was going to pass on this fight and face Amir Khan instead in Dubai? Are you glad this fight is taking place or would you rather see Manny against better known opponents.

The thing is I like this fight.

There’s a chance Manny could be fighting Mikey Garcia or Amir Khan or Terrence Crawford next.

Manny needs a fight like Jeff Horn to get ready for a bigger fight. Activity has always been the key for Manny and when he’s busy he’s always at his best. We want activity and me and Manny love to see the world. I’ve been to Sydney once but never to Brisbane. I’ve been to 36 countries. I have the greatest job in the world training fighters and seeing the world.

You’ve certainly trained some great boxers — Mike Tyson, Oscar De La Hoya, James Toney and Steve Collins. Is Manny the best you’ve trained?

I believe he’s been my best

does sprints until he’s gassed. He runs an hour through the mountains and hills every day. We both work hard. I’m in my gym in Los Angeles six days a week 12 hours a day.

ly ignored since that tragic 1990 debacle.

In the meantime, chess is played by millions of ordinary, under-shirted Juan dela Cruzes – in the barbershops, in the marketplace, in bus and jeepney terminals, in ports and piers, in classrooms and school campuses, in wherever there is a small, albeit, cramp space for two players huddled over an old, worn out 64-square chessboard.

WS’ scintillating performance in the chess circuit is all we need to claim that between chess and basketball, the former can give Filipino athletes a better chance of excelling in the world stage – regardless of their physical frames.

Basketball, truth to tell, is not all about physical prowess. Much of it is mental.

Hoopsters are not robots nor androids. They think before they leap and shoot. That is why they need a coach and a

bench strategist. To harness their physical abilities with their mental attributes.

Still, because the basketball ring is situated ten feet high up there, the taller and bigger a player is, the better for him to put in the ball easily inside it and score the much-needed points.

I don’t think we need to lecture Filipino sports officials about this glaring disparity. They are neither deaf nor blind. The big BUT is they don’t have the balls to rectify the wrong. They continue to make pronouncements favorable (as protocol) to basketball affairs in order not to ruffle the feathers of those holding the basketball reins. But look at the results. There is no fulfilment of the HOPE that is deceptively being nurtured in our hearts.

Like the much-needed constitutional reforms, basketball is a sports bloc that is

workout.

He

Manny hasn’t scored a knockout since Miguel Cotto in 2009.

He’s lost three of his last eight fights. Is he in decline?

No he’s not. For a while he stopped really hurting people because of his religious beliefs. But he’s ready to knock out Jeff Horn.

I saw a little of the old Manny Pacquiao in his last fight and I expect to see a lot more of that in this fight in Brisbane. We are preparing to give the best performance of Manny’s career.

Upsets in boxing happen, and sometimes the underdog gets up. Does that cross your mind — that Jeff Horn could actually spring a huge shock?

Upsets are part of life. That’s very true but this is a world title fight and we will not be leaving Australia without that belt, believe me.

Chess should replace basketball as Phl national sport

ITHOUT mincing any word, this corner is serious about replacing the dribble and shoot game with chess as the country’s national pastime.

Since the Filipinos emerged as Asia’s super power in the mid-50s up to the advent of the 70s, basketball has been glorified, adored and put on a pedestal as if our lives depended on it.

Basketball or nothing.

Meantime, chess is a-glowing with the very recent impressive victory of GM Wesley So in the US Chess Championship in Missouri, USA, one of the most prestigious competitions in the world.

As can be gleaned from the triumph of WS, height or heft is not a built-in (dis)advantage for eventual winners.

It meant that Filipinos – who are only of medium build - can be at par with the

world’s best in chess. Unlike in basketball where the towering NBAers and their European counterparts like Spain, France, Slovenia, Germany, Greece et al easily overwhelm their diminutive opponents from Asia.

Our policy-makers in sports must correct this deficiency – now.

It is about time they told Filipino sports fans that basketball is NOT made for the Filipino athlete. Basketball, in fact, was discovered and originated in America.

Read your sports history.

After China emerged from its slumber and joined the Asian circuit, Filipino cagers found it extra difficult to win championships even just in the Asian sphere.

We have not beaten the Chinese in the FIBA Asia (then known as the Asian Basketball Championships or ABC) nor in the quadrennial Asian

SPORTS KEN

By RED C. LUMBA

Games, for that matter. For the record, the Mainland Sinos unmercifully shamed the Robert Jaworski-coached RP squad by unloading an impressive 60 points winning margin, more than the entire Philippine team’s production.

Only South Korea has been able to sneak a win over China.

This is the sad reality that our sports officials of the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission have convenient-

very hard to penetrate and sway.

But if responsible DepEd officials are listening (and reading this piece), it might do well for them to promptly put more emphasis on chess because it hones the mental aptitudes and skills of elementary grade schoolers (even the preps) who might otherwise stray and take up basketball because these kids are easily attracted by the “heroic” exploits of hoopsters in the sports pages of broadsheets and tabloids and lionized by commentators.

I am not putting down basketball for the sake of putting it down. I am lifting chess for the sake of correcting an irregularity.

Basketball is simply not made for the Filipino athlete.

Chess is. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo. com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

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