Edge10 issue116 September 12 2017

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 116• TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

DEFIANCE? Pedestrians jaywalk while crossing C.M. Recto Avenue in Davao City despite the stricter implementation of Anti-Jaywalking Ordinance and other traffic ordinances on Monday. Lean Daval Jr.

Marawi siege delays staging of Batang Pinoy-Mindanao

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he Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has yet to select the athletes who will represent Mindanao in the national event of the Philippine National Games or the Batang Pinoy.

This, as the holding of the Batang Pinoy-Mindanao leg might not push through after it has been postponed twice due to the Marawi City siege.

Dr. Cecilia Atilano, city sports development of�icer, on Friday said the holding of the Mindanao leg of Batang Pinoy was originally sched-

uled last July 9, but was moved to September as �ighting broke out in Marawi City on May 23.

Atilano said the games’ date was again moved to November since �ighting still continues in the besieged city.

Atilano said that this year’s Batang Pinoy-Mindanao leg is set to be held in Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental.

“The parents might not allow their children to join

MARAWI, 10

‘Happy Home’former rebels now called ‘peace advocates’

By FERDINAND ZUASOLA

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eing a new beehive of former Communist rebels wishing to embrace the fold of law, the sprawling facility called a “Happy Home” situated right across the biggest military camp in this province, is producing individuals or “graduates” who had once advocated for an armed struggle against the government but are now the government’s “strong partners” for its peace and development efforts.

“This government program, the Happy Home, gives us, former rebels, another chance in life, a better life for ourselves, our children and our children’s children,” says a

teary-eyed Karl Jay, a 17-yearold former member of the New People’s Army (NPA) who was one of the 16 who graduated from the government’s Alternative Learning System program.

“They (government authorities) are giving us hope for life where we and our families can live safely and happily to pursue our grandest dreams. They are giving us the hope of prosperity and abundance, the hope that someday we will be the captains of our fate and builders of our future,” he said.

Of the 16 who graduated from the ALS program, �ive

HAPPY, 10

DSWD gives new boats to 24 DavOcc fishermen

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total of 24 �ishermen from South Lamidan, Don Marcelino in Davao Occidental province do not have to rent or borrow �ishing boats anymore to sustain their daily food needs and livelihood.

Thanks to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which continues to provide support to the Pantawid bene�iciaries through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

Arthur Diaz, SLP Davao Occidental Provincial Coordinator, reported that DSWD regional of�ice turned over new set of non-motorized

bancas to 24 �ishermen of South Lamidan, a coastal village in Don Marcelino.

Diaz said the bene�iciaries primarily depend on the province’s rich coastal and marine resources.

“That is why from there, we made sure that they get what they really need and that they use what is already available in their area,” Diaz said.

This is not the �irst time that DSWD provided �ishing boats to Pantawid bene�iciaries relying on the sea for food and income.

Last April, DSWD Regional Director Mercedita

Jabagat led the turnover of 21 �ishing boats and �ishing accessories to seven coastal barangays in San Isidro, Davao Oriental.

DSWD’s SLP, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and Kalahi-CIDSS or Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan - Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services are the three major poverty-reduction programs of the government being spearheaded by DSWD. DSWD has strengthened SLP to complement the cash grants provided by the Pantawid Pamilya to

its bene�iciaries. It is open to non-members who have been identi�ied as poor by the DSWD’s Listahanan and come from marginalized and vulnerable sectors from 1,605 municipalities all over the country.

SLP seeks to increase the economic opportunities of Filipinos and offers micro-enterprise development which supports micro enterprises to become organizationally and economically viable; and, employment facilitation which assists Filipinos to access appropriate job opportunities. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)

tractors Association (PCA), particularly in Manila, is to address the industry’s needs for highly-skilled workers.

“They are into developing specialized manpower that is very speci�ic to enhance their (workers) skills. They are trying to �igure out how to do continuous learning program and training in order to come up with a strong workforce,” Tan said.

Meanwhile, Michael Te, president of the Davao Contractors Association Center, Inc. (DCACI), said a contrac-

tor carries responsibility to deliver quality.

Te said there is also a rating system among contractors from Trader level D, C, B, Single A, Double A and Triple A. The system is based on project cost to be undertaken from P7.5 million under trader level to P500 million for triple A level.

According to Te, the construction industry is now “exciting because the government is very aggressive on its infrastructure program.”

He, however, voiced con-

cern that with the massive infrastructure projects happening in Mindanao, both from government and the private sector, the industry may experience shortage of labor force.

“The shortage is huge in this (Davao) area,” he said, emphasizing that contractors still need to follow the rule of quality results as dictated by the market.

He said there are many who want to engage in the business because the oppor-

Contractors re-tool workers to upgrade skills

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ontractors in the country are re-tooling their workers to upgrade their skills to meet demand for world class standard in the construction industry.

Patrick Lawrence Tan, chief executive of�icer of Globalink, on Saturday said the skills upgrading is a team up with the Technical Education Schools Development Authority (TESDA) and some universities and colleges in the Philippines.

He said the re-tooling project of the Philippine Con-

CONTRACTORS, 10

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EDGEDAVAO

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EDGEDAVAO 4 NEWS ‘Kulas’ wins Kadayawan ‘Hulagway’ photo tilt

VOL. 10 ISSUE 116• TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

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photo showing a white man being taught a Lumad traditional dance was chosen as the grand winner in this year’s Hulagway sa Kadayawan 2017 photo competition.

“Hulagway” is vernacular word for picture or photo.

The entry of photographer William Lee Chin titled “Kulas” emerged as the winner of 266 photo entries submitted this year -- each showing the many facets of the celebration that drew thousands of visitors from August 14 to October 20.

Kulas was a standout as it presented the message that Kadayawan is a celebration enjoyed by everyone, even by foreigners.

This year’s panel of judges did not only base their decision on the colors of Kadayawan, but also considered the elements that capture the culture, tradition, the story behind the celebration and how they are relevant in the current time.

“The photo was a standout because of the message, which was very clear and at the same time, very important -- how everyone truly celebrated the festival at a time when there are challenges in Mindanao and when the entire island has been placed under Martial Law,” said Jefry Tupas, the Davao City Information Of�icer.

“The photo was a visual testament that Davao is a peaceful city, where people live in unity with each other despite the differences in religion, race, and culture --

which is the reason why Kadayawan is being celebrated annually in the �irst place.”

Chin’s photo captured Canadian Internet sensation Kulas as he danced with the participants of the Lumadnong Dula at the People’s Park.

Dennis Tan’s entry, “Aming Kwento,” which captured a family passing the story of their tribe to the younger generation, closely followed by a couple of points and was declared the Second Prize winner.

Third Prize went to Joemar Lamata’s entry “Kaondayawan,” which captured the bountiful fruit harvest of Kadayawan.

Chin, Tan, and Lamata will receive P15,000, P 10,000 and P 5,000 pesos cash prizes, respectively.

They will also receive a Smart Bro LTE Pocket Wi�i each, courtesy of Kadayawan festival sponsor Smart-PLDT. Meanwhile, the sunny smile of a young Matigsalog girl, captured by the lens of Pejey Boy Candari, was Mayor Inday Sara Duterte’s choice. As Mayor’s Choice awardee, Candari will receive P3,000 in cash prize, a Smart Bro LTE Pocket Wi�i, and 1,000 worth of Smart load.

Another special prize, the Smart-PLDT Choice, was given to Michael Li’s entry “Smooth and Gentle,” which captured the moment of the street dance competition Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan.

A cash prize of P 5,000 goes with the award.

Second Prize (Aming Kwento by dennis tan)

Mayor’s Choice (Pahiyom by Peje Boy Candari)

Smart-PLDT’s choice (Smooth & Gentle by Michael Li)

Third Prize (Kaondayawan by joemar lamata)

KULAS, 10

PRRD hints at plot DILG to end junketing of councilors to discredit gov’t O

By ANGIE SAVERON

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resident Rodrigo Duterte hinted at a scheme to discredit the administration’s anti-drugs campaign following the latest killing of 19-year-old Carl Angelo Arnaiz.

“Naay nagaluto diha (Someone is cooking up) somewhere to discredit us,” he said, revealing for the �irst time Arnaiz was a relative.

“Parente ko to kung gusto ninyo mahibaw-an.

Sugot kaha ko patyon to ug pulis? Ako? Musugot ko nga patyon ug pulis akong parente? Bantay ka diha (He was my relative if you want to know. Will I allow the police will kill him? Me? Will allow the police to kill my relative? Watch out),” Duterte said when he guested at the 17th founding anniversary of this city.

Last Wednesday, the President met with the parents of the slain teenager and vowed to pursue case against the police of�icers implicated in the incident.

Duterte had ordered the Department of Justice

(DoJ) to take over the investigation on the Arnaiz killing.

In his speech during the anniversary of the Social Security System (SSS) in Manila, the President said he would only defend security forces if their actions were done in the performance of duty. He pointed out he never allows his troops to kill defenseless persons, including enemies of the state.

He debunked accusations he ordered to kill young and old alike, saying, it’s not the norm or rule of democracy. Reports said the teenager left his home in Cainta, Rizal last August 17 and was found dead 10 days later in a funeral parlor in Caloocan City.

Police claimed Arnaiz robbed a taxi driver on August 18 and �ired at responding policemen. Malacañang through spokesperson Sec. Ernesto Abella, has guaranteed a thorough and impartial investigation into the killing of Arnaiz. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)

f�icials of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Davao City will closely monitor the behavior of some 3,500 members of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) during the scheduled 3rd National Executive Of�icers-National Board Meeting and 2nd Series of Continuing Local Legislative Education Program on September 18-20, 2017 at SMX Convention Center in Sm Lanang Premier to see to it that they are attending the

sessions religiously and not treating the gathering like a traditional junketing event.

This was learned from Davao City Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre of the Second District who is the PCL Vice President of the Davao City chapter. Alejandre discussed the upcoming twin national event with the theme “ Philippine Councilors League: Christian-Muslim Councilors are One for Peace and Development” in yesterday’s “kapehan sa Dabaw” media forum at SM Annex in Ecol-

and.

Club here, Sept. 7-9.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared Martial Law days after the terrorist Maute group laid siege on Marawi City, setting off an armed confrontation that is still on going for over three months now.

While Pizzaro conceded that the Marawi City attack initially impacted trade in Northern Mindanao and neighboring areas, he said local businesses bounced back quickly and has stayed on a bullish track.

Minbizcon chair Ruben Vegafria said he was surprised by the sheer number of business owners and executives who participated in this year’s gathering, anchored on the theme: “Emerging Opportunities, One Mindanao”.

Vegafria said this year’s Minbizcon aims to set the stage for discussing innovative strategies towards building a strong and more resilient economy for Mindanao and the whole country.

Resolutions adopted

“Here in Davao what we want the DILG, kasi sila yung direct agency that handle all PCL of�icial events, they are present during the three days duration of the convention” to check the attendance, said Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre.

This initiative was realized to avoid the “fake attendance” during the said event. “each convention naa mi ihatag na certi�ication that you really attended the sessions,” the councilor said, adding that the DILG staff members

will checking the attendance from 8 o’clock in the morning until 5 o’clock in the afternoon.

They will regulate that this convention is not a useless event for the councilors.

The participants will not receive the certi�icate of attendance if they were not able to attend all the lectures.

He said the PCL is expecting around 3,500 councilors from different parts of the country to be present in this conference.

DILG, 7

‘Martial Law’no effect on Mindanao’s biggest biz event

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he implementation of Martial Law in Mindanao did not stop investors and business people from all over the island to participate in the biggest gathering of key players in the business sector.

Robert Pizzaro, president of the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc., said at least a thousand business leaders attended the 26th Mindanao Business Conference (Minbizcon) held at the Xavier Sports and Country

from the various panel discussions and other agreed policy agenda during the course of the three-day event will be submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte at the 43rd Philippine Business Conference in October, he said.

This year’s event highlights included the works of Filipino inventors through the Regional Technology Transfer Day, spearheaded by the Department of Science and Technology-10 (DOST-

MARTIAL, 7

5 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 116• TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

DOF adopting faster import permit system

T FISH CATCH. Residents of a coastal community in Brgy. 76-C Bucana, Davao City examine a huge fish caught by fishermen in Davao Gulf on Monday. Lean Daval Jr.

DAP to manage MICC review process on mining operations

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he Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) will tap the expertise of the Development Academy of the Philippines to implement and manage the review process for the

26 mines ordered closed or suspended under the term of former Environment Secretary Gina Lopez early this year.

Aside from handling the review, DAP will also be

tasked to facilitate the procurement of duly-screened consultant/experts who will comprise the members of the �ive technical review teams (TRTs) of the MICC that will assess various aspects of the

mining operations under scrutiny, The DAP will also identify an overall team leader who will ensure the “timely and ef�icient conduct of the re-

DAP, 6

he Duterte administration is �inalizing a new, faster system for securing import permits that currently involve more than 60 government agencies, as part of fresh measures to cut red tape and improve the ease of doing business in the country, according to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III. Dominguez said the government is now consolidating all requirements involving applications for imports to drastically shorten the process and make this new system available online.

“We are working very closely with the Department of Information and Communications Technology on this effort. We have gotten the majority of the different units to already agree that if it is approved by one, it should be basically approved by all,” Dominguez said at a recent business forum.

Dominguez said he is aware that applying for import permits involves a tedious process that would require approvals from as many as 60 different government agencies, which is why he has directed Department

of Finance (DOF) of�icials to help coordinate the effort of cutting red tape within the bureaucracy starting with the import requirements.

In a report to Dominguez, Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran said an online platform now being �inalized by the DOF with other government agencies to modernize and fast-track the processing of import and export permits could be available soon.

This single platform dubbed TradeNet aims to connect 66 agencies and 10 economic zones involved in approving import and export permits.

“We have identi�ied all essential activities and action items needed in preparation for the production rollout of the TradeNet system,” Beltran said at a recent DOF Executive Committee meeting.

At the same time, Beltran said the DOF and DICT are currently working on making the Philippine Business Data Bank (PBDB) fully operational down to the local government level to drastically cut the red tape in business registrations.

DOF, 11

6 ECONOMY

VOL. 10 ISSUE 116• TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

‘Defiant’Faeldon turns self in to Senate

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PRINTING MACHINE. Technicians demonstrate the features and capability of a state-of-the-art printing machine during the last day of PHILCONSTRUCT

Mindanao and Manufacturing Technology Davao 2017 at SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City on Sunday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

P30-B more oil tax collections to go to 2018 social benefits

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he government will implement its biggest social bene�its program yet once the proposed Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN) is passed by the Congress in full, given that almost P30 billion or 40 percent of incremental revenues from the adjustments in oil excise tax collections estimated at close to P74 billion in 2018 will go to targeted subsidies for the poor and other social mitigation measures.

Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua said that a key component of this social bene�its program is the targeted cash transfer (TCT), in which the poorest 10 million households in the country would be given bi-annual subsidies to shield them from the impact of the revenue-enhancing measures under the TRAIN. Updating Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III on this tax reform package during a recent Department of Finance (DOF) executive committee meeting, Chua said that each household quali�ied to receive the TCT will get P1,200 in the �irst quarter of the year, and another P1,200 in May before the beginning of the school year, or a total of P2,400 for the entire year as provided under the TRAIN. Under House Bill

5636 or the version of the TRAIN approved by the House of Representatives, the funds will be sourced from the additional revenue from the adjustments in oil excise taxes expected to reach P74.4 billion in 2018, the targeted �irst year of implementation of TRAIN. “This is the biggest social mitigating measure under the tax reform,” Chua said. “The TCT is a social protection investment.”

Chua said “the amount of cash transfer was calculated to fully offset the moderate but temporary increase in prices faced by the average household in the bottom 50 percent.”

Besides the TCT, the government will also implement the Pantawid Pasada or a social assistance project for commuters and public transport, and the jeepney modernization program to ease the impact of oil excise tax increases on commuters and the land transport sector; and the Pantawid Kuryente to help small power consumers in missionary electri�ication areas, Chua said.

A national ID, which will also serve as a social welfare card, will help identify TCT bene�iciaries and diminish leakages in the program.

He said countries like Indonesia and Malaysia

have carried out similar programs that have proven to be successful when they removed their oil subsidies, “which, in turn, created �iscal space to improve social services and infrastructure.”

Chua said the TCT program will build on the success of the conditional cash transfer (CCT) initiatives of the previous administrations and the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS) or the Listahanan, an information system that identi�ies the poorest households and their locations.

“Under the Listahanan, some 4.4 million households are currently CCT bene�iciary-families.

This means they can simply be provided a cash top-up similar to the rice top-up now being given to existing bene�iciaries,” Chua said.

The remaining 5.6 million poorest households can be identi�ied by tapping the assistance of the Department of the Interior and Local Govermment (DILG), local government units, and Philhealth, which is targeting to register and issue identi�ication cards to an additional 7.9 million nonCCT families this year.

“As in the past, the Land Bank will lead the cash distribution of the TCTs either through cash cards or authorized conduits,” Chua said.

For the new 5.6 million TCT bene�iciary-households, Chua said initial estimates show that 1.8 million living in urban areas will receive the grants through cash cards, while the remaining 3.8 million living in rural will get theirs from conduits.

“The Land Bank and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) have substantial experience in the CCT program and can build on these to improve the TCT program,” Chua said.

The balance of 60 percent in incremental revenues from oil excises, Chua said, will fund projects on infrastructure, education, health, housing and social protection.

According to the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC), its approved revenue levels that take into account the impact of HB 5636 are projected to reach P2.427 trillion, equivalent to 15.2 percent of GDP. Disbursements for 2017 are set to reach P2.909 trillion, equivalent to 18.3 percent of GDP. The �irst tax reform package as outlined in HB 5636 will contribute P133.8 billion in revenues for 2018, P233.6 billion in 2019, P272.9 billion in 2020, P253.0 billion in 2021, and P269.9 billion in 2022, the DBCC said.

ormer Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon was detained at the Senate on Monday for refusing to testify in the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee probe into the PHP 6.4-billion shabu shipment from China.

Faeldon skipped the hearing scheduled at 9 a.m. and turned himself in to the Of�ice of the Senate Sergeant-atArms (OSSA) at around 12 noon, wearing a white shirt that had the words “Truth is Justice” printed on it.

Senator Richard Gordon, chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee, tried to convince the ex-Customs chief to testify but he refused.

Gordon later told reporters that Faeldon will be under Senate custody until he testi�ies or until the Senate allows him to leave.

“Until he decides to come over, until the Senate says ‘you may go,’” Gordon told reporters when asked how long Faeldon will be detained.

The senator also said that Faeldon was �irm in his decision to let the courts hear his case and not the Senate.

“Ayaw niya mag testify dito, ang gusto niya mag testify sa husgado (He doesn’t want to testify here in the Senate, he wants to testify in the court),” Gordon said.

During the September 7

hearing, Gordon cited Faeldon in contempt for skipping the seventh Senate probe into the illegal shipment despite being issued with a subpoena.

Faeldon, in a letter to the committee, said that he will only attend the investigation conducted by a competent court “anytime, anywhere” but only when cases are �iled against him.

The ex-commissioner also issued a waiver which allows all government agencies that has the authority to probe allegations against him to look into his bank accounts.

Although he continued to have highest respect for the Senate as an institution, Faeldon no longer had faith in the impartiality of some of its members who “maligned” and “prejudged” him.

In a Senate hearing on August 15, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV questioned Faeldon about the existence of corruption in his bureau. Faeldon refused to answer noting that Trillanes had already accused him of being “at the heart” of smuggling shabu into the country.

Faeldon turned emotional stressing that it was “pointless” to answer the senator’s questions because he had already been judged. (PNA)

view” as well as “consolidate and summarize the periodic and �inal reports” that the TRTs will submit, according to Finance Undersecretary Bayani Agabin.

The �ive TRTs will look at the environmental, economic, social, legal and technical aspects of the mining operations.

The cost of the procurement of experts is estimated at P13 million. Each technical review team member will be paid P100,000 per mine site reviewed.

According to the Department of Finance (DOF), 31 out of the 35 experts shortlisted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have their con�irmed availability for the review process.

The secretaries of the DOF and DENR co-chair the MICC. Established in 1973, the DAP is mandated to assist in the country’s development efforts in two ways: as change catalyst and as capacity builder. The DAP has been assisting the government in shaping new policies, crafting innovative development programs, and modernizing the management of government agencies and private enterprises.

In February 2017, Lopez ordered a review on the operations of all operating metallic mines in the coun-

try. Following the audit, she announced that 23 mining operations would be shuttered and �ive more would be suspended. Twelve mining companies passed the audit.

Lopez then announced that the government would cancel the mining contracts of 75 mining projects which she claimed were found within or near watersheds.

She also ordered a ban on prospective open-pit mines.

Mining companies questioned the decision and �iled an appeal with the DENR. Some companies also opted to �ile their appeal with the Of�ice of the President.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the MICC has already approved the terms of reference for the multi-stakeholder review to be conducted on mining operations across the country, starting with the 26 sites.

Dominguez said that during the MICC meeting last July 25, the Finance Department and DENR agreed to shell out an initial P10 million each to get the review processes started.

The MICC, Dominguez said, should totally support the DENR and the President’s agenda on mining and include his SONA directives in the items to be accomplished by the Council, especially the review of mining laws and the proposed legislation that is on the table right now.

DAP... FROM 5

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DILG... FROM4

‘Bayanihan’ along Barangay Canitoan in Cagayan de Oro City on Sunday, 10 September 2017. Mindanews photo courtesy of KALOY MANLUPIG / Balay Mindanaw

Trader nabbed in anti-drug operation in Koronadal City

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oint operatives arrested an alleged member of a major drug group operating in parts of Region 12 in an operation on Sunday in nearby Koronadal City in South Cotabato.

Gil Cesario Castro, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Region 12 director, identi�ied the suspect as businessman Ruel Espinosa alias Balong, 54, who was listed as a “high value drug dealer.”

He said the suspect is a member of the El Patron Drug Group, which operates in Koronadal and nearby cities and municipalities in Region 12.

Castro said they nabbed Espinosa following a search operation at around 6:15 a.m.

at the latter’s rice mill in Purok Kaunlaran, Barangay Sto. Nino in Koronadal.

The raiding team was composed of elements from PDEA12, Joint Task Force GenSan and the Police Regional Of�ice 12’s Special Action Force.

Castro said they recovered during the raid around 100 grams of suspected metamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu with an estimated value of P500,000, a digital weighing scale, a ri�le grenade, a para ordnance caliber .45 handgun and a hi-cap cal. 45 magazine with 12 rounds of live ammunition.

He said they launched another search at around 7:50 a.m. at the suspect’s residence

in Block 2, Callejo Subdivision in Barangay General Paulino Santos that yielded two M4 ri�les with 30 rounds of live ammunition, a caliber .22 airgun ri�le and an aluminum container with airgun ammunition.

The operatives also searched a house at a farm owned by the suspect’s farm but did not �ind any illegal item.

The of�icial said they have long been monitoring the movements of the suspect, who is allegedly linked to other drug groups in other parts of the country.

“He uses his businesses as conduit of the illegal drug trade in the area,” Castro said in a statement on Monday.

In an interview with reporters, Espinosa denied any involvement in the El Patron Drug Group.

The suspect admitted that he owned several �irearms but noted that they were all licensed.

Castro said Espinosa would be charged with violation of Section 11 or possession of dangerous drugs, under Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Additional charges for violation of RA 10591 or illegal possession of �irearms and ammunition would also be �iled against the suspect, he said. (MindaNews)

in Kabacan, North Cotabato.

The police of�icial said they raided �irst the residence of Leonardo Jr. in Purok 6 of Barangay Maltana at around 4 a.m.

He said the search resulted to the recovery of an unlicensed caliber .40 handgun with live ammunition.

A caliber .45 handgun with live bullets was also found but it carried proper licenses and permits.

At around 6:10 a.m., Orcajada said they implemented another search at the house of Mayor Escobillo in Barangay Maltana proper.

Seized from the mayor’s house were two unlicensed carbine ri�les with live ammunition, he said.

Two licensed caliber .45 handguns, a shotgun, an Uzi sub-machine gun and assorted bullets were also found.

No illegal drugs were found during the raids.

The search at a nearby house of the mayor’s other son, Niel Ryan, was called off by the raiding team due to unspeci�ied reasons.

Leonardo Jr. was detained at the Tampakan municipal police station while Mayor Escobillo was placed under hospital arrest at a medical facility in Koronadal City after reportedly suffering from hypertension.

The mayor, who is currently on his third term, condemned the raid and denied any involvement in illegal drug

activities.

In a brief press conference before he was sent to the hospital, Mayor Escobillo decried the manner as to how the raid was carried out by the RDEU. “They kicked and destroyed the door of my house before even presenting the search warrants,” he said.

He claimed that all the recovered �irearms at his house have proper licenses and permits and that he owned them for security purposes.

The mayor blamed politics as behind the raid, which he said was based on “wrong information” fed to authorities.

Leonardo Jr. has been rumored to be eyeing the mayoralty post in the 2019 elections.

(MindaNews)

South Cotabato mayor, son, arrested for illegal guns, ammo

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olice arrested the mayor of Tampakan town in South Cotabato and his son after yielding several unlicensed �irearms and ammunition in separate anti-drug raids on Monday.

Chief Insp. Alex Joe Orcajada, chief of the Police Regional Of�ice-12’s Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU), said the illegal �irearms and ammunition were recovered from the houses of Tampakan Mayor Leornardo Escobillo and his son Leonardo Jr. in Barangay Maltana.

The operation was based on 15 search warrants for possession of illegal drugs, �irearms and explosives issued by Judge Alandrex Betoya of the Regional Trial Court Branch 16

This event will highlight the world-class practices and legislations of Davao city in the areas of law and order, women and children protection, promotion of environment, investment, ease in doing business and tourism-oriented ordinances.

The participating councilors will also listen to sharing on Davao City’s experience in drafting investment incentives code and tourism code, establishment of the economic zones, and its version of the public and private partnership projects.

On September 19, Atty. Jose Lorena will speak about the role of legislators in peace and development, Atty. Jesus Vellarfo on con�lict sensitivity while Atty.

Arlene Casape will be sharing on social Justice and common good.

Other speakers include former Muntinglupa City Mayor Benjamin Abalos Jr., DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, Undersecretary Ranibai Dilangalen.

PNP Chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio will also be keynote speakers.

On the second day, Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao as well as Ombudsman Conchita CarpioMorales will join the gathering also as speakers.

The incumbent National Chairman of PCL is Dr. Danilo C. Dayanghirang of Davao City and the National President is former governor Luis “Chavit” Singson of Ilocos Sur .Alejandre said the PCL conducts this capability-building program as a part of the league’s continuing effort in making all councilors more effective and ef�icient local legislators.

During one past PCL gathering in Davao City before the 2016 national elections, a councilor from the Bicol Region was arrested for selling fake certi�icates of attendance from his hotel room.

10).

DOST-10 Director Alfonso Alamban said the platform will help showcase local innovations to potential investors.

“This year, we featured almost 30 technologies, but there are a lot more of innovations that the DOST is re�ining and assisting ev-

ery day. Not only are these technologies a triumph of [Filipino] innovators, these are also a boon to the Filipino society at large, because these inventions are locally relevant and appropriate for our needs,” said Alamban in his message to Minbizcon attendees. (PNA/Jigger J. Jerusalem)

MARTIAL... FROM4

AFFIDAVIT OF SURVIVING HEIR AND UNDERTAKING

I, MR. NESTOR NARSOLIS MAUHAY, of legal age, Filipino, married and a resident of 778 Ponciano Reyes St., Davao City, Philippines, after having been duly sworn to in accordance with law, do hereby depose and say: 1.

That I am the brother and a sole survivor or surviving heir of the late PO3 LEO N. MAUHAY under Commutation of Accumulated Leave Claims of Philippine National Police (PNP) Retirement and Benefits Administrative Service;

2.

That I am answerable for any future claims thereby, freeing Commutation of Accumulated Leave Claims, from any liability pertaining to such claims.

3.

That I am executing this document of my own free and voluntary will, and that I have this present after having read and fully understood its contents and effects.

4.

These statements and guarantees are given to support the claim filed by the undersigned.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto affixed our signatures this 8th day of September, at Davao City, Philippines.

NESTOR NARSOLIS MAUHAY Affiant SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 8th day of September, at Davao City, Philippines.

Doc. No. 101 Page No. 21 Book No. XLVII Series of 2017 Sept. 11, 12 and 13, 2017

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

A

Grapevine genius

fter the Senate Ethics Committee gave the green light to the ethics complaint against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, the opposition lawmaker now faces possible expulsion.

But his adventures are not over.

Trillanes’ knack for using the grapevine as a legitimate source of information continues. He has vowed to get back at his accuser Sen. Richard Gordon.

In the complaint against Trillanes, his veteran colleague claims he disrespected and deliberately maligned the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee by branding it as a ‘comite de absuelto,’ or a body absolving the accused of wrongdoing -- an accusation which is serious enough to merit the Senate’s admission of the complaint as it cannot allow itself to be maligned and demeaned by its very own.

Whie Trillanes accepted the Ethics Committee’s decision to give the complaint its due course, he is also pushing through with his very own ethics complaint against Gordon. And then he said he will

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expose Gordon’s alleged anomalies with the Philippine National Red Cross.

Grapevine material after grapevine material, Trillanes continues to destroy his enemies. But like his misadventures as a soldier, he has yet to win a battle using his rumormill artillery. That is the problem with Trillanes. His imminent lack of solid foundation as a lawmaker and his shallow appreciation of legal processes are like a shovel on his hands digging up his own grave.

The way he has been spending his stint in the Senate, it even looks more clearly that his agenda is directed at destroying his enemies rather than produce quality legislation. The way it is, he could be gearing up to launch another attempt at a higher of�ice. He ran and lost in the last elections for Vice President.

Too bad, he could be in for a losing skein with what he is doing.

More signi�icantly, he is losing the very essence of his mandate and that is to craft laws for the welfare of the Filipino people.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

JIMMY K. LAKING Associate Editor PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

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

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GENERAL SANTOS CITY OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING MARKETING OFFICE Richard C. Ebona | Product Development officer LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager EDMUND D. RENDON Unit 6, SouthbankMarketing Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts.Address: 04 Orilla St. Purok 4B Lower Bicutan Taguig City Specialist Cellphone number: 09169558559 / 09085486859 General Santos City Cagayan de Oro City JAMILA C. CANONIGO AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Email Address: edgedavao@gmail.com Mobile: (Smart) 0948-823-3685 Tel: (088) 852-4894 Circulation Marketing Specialist

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

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nlike today when there’s a strong suspicion Congress is using its legislative clout in transforming franchises into gold mines, the prewar condition was a lot different although it’s an accepted fact that there was frenetic lobbying for the inclusion of favorable provisions in the law.

In 1932, Rep. Jose Zulueta of Iloilo �iled the Exclusive Rights Bill which granted franchise to the Insular Airways Service, Inc. subject to certain conditions 80% of its PhP1,000,000 capitalization were subscribed, and the remaining 20% actually paid. In short, a PhP20,000 (roughly PhP322,000 in 2017) capital was enough to create an airline company!

The Zulueta bill, among others, extended a 50-year life to the company, which was given the exclusive right to operate �lights between any points in the country except-Baguio-Manila. For some reason, the legislative initiative was ditched and later archived.

Not someone easy to yield, the congressman �iled again another bill, The Aviation Act, introduced that same year, passed the legislative grinder and was approved as Act 4033.

The statute provides that

L

et us continue praying. Let us pray that this crisis will already end without sacri�icing more lives, wrote Marawi Bishop Edwin dela Peña in an article posted on the news website of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

The bishop was referring to the con�lict in his city that has been ongoing for more than three months already. About 30 hostages, including Catholic priest Fr. Chito Suganob, are believed to be held by the Maute group.

When it comes to prayer, nothing is impossible.

The Holy Bible points out, “What is impossible to man is possible to Him.” World famous evangelist Billy Graham said prayer is more than asking from God. “Prayer is more than verbally �illing in some requisition blank,” he explained.

“It’s fellowship with God! It’s communion with the Lord through praising Him, rehearsing His promises, and then sharing our needs.”

“The prayer power,” says J. Hudson Taylor, “has never been tried to its full capacity… If we want to see mighty wonders of divine power and grace wrought in the place of weakness, failure

VOL. 10 ISSUE 116• TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Matter of legislative franchise “no aviation public service shall operate in the Philippine Islands without having �irst secured from the Philippine Legislature a franchise to operate an air service.” Moreover, it required that all existing aviation services operating under a certi�icate of public convenience from the Public Service Commission had to secure a franchise within one year from December 9, 1932, the day the law took effect.

The explanatory note of the original draft of the bill reads: “It is high time that a law should be enacted whereby the Legislature reserves for itself the exclusive right to grant franchises and permits for the operations of air lines within the Philippine Islands. The use of the space above the Philippine Islands is the public domain of the country, and the same far-sighted and conservative policy adopted by the Legislation for the disposal of our public lands and forests, should be adopted in connection with that other important public domain of our country-the air space above it.

Our national defense will mainly be in the form of aircrafts and for obvious reasons, although it is our duty to encourage aviation in the Philippines, at the same time we

FAST BACKWARD Antonio V. Figueroa should see to it, that only desirable parties are permitted to operate air services.”

American Governor General Theodore Roosevelt approved the bill.

Two years later, the Air Commerce Bill, which had ten chapters and supported by the Administration, was �iled. The primary aim of the initiative was to protect existing airline from unnecessary competition but “permitted any aircraft operator the initiative of opening new air lines along routes not already

operated.”

Had the bill been approved, it would have rescinded Act 4033, which banned the operation of any aviation public service without legislative franchise and transferred the power to authorize similar service to the Secretary of Public Works and Communications.

The reason for this new feature included in the archived bill was to “promote aviation and any future development will accrue to the bene�it of the nation as a whole instead of to individual holders of aviation franchises.”

A couple of years later, the Air Commerce Bill was revived. This was evident when on June 10, 1937, Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon authorized, the American Chamber of Cmmerce Journal reported, “the Interisland Airways Company to operate an air. plane service without any �ixed routes, this being the �irst exercise of the authority granted him by an Act of the National Assembly to grant such a permit without legislative franchise.”

Fast forward, only recently the House of Representatives pushed for the �iling bills that require casino operators, mining companies, telecommunication �irms, radio

stations, and public transportation companies to secure legislative franchises to operate.

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez cheekily said: “We should require operations of casinos, public transportation, as well as mining companies to secure a legislative franchise from Congress prior to their operations.

This will make certain that their applications are scrutinized deeply.

Only the deserving will be allowed to operate.”

Even if a so-called ‘safeguard mechanism’ is promised to ensure that public interest is not abused or violated, franchising, except those outside the legislative clout, remains a rich source of lobby money and similar emoluments.

But placing the ‘life’ of highpro�ile investments under Congress is a risky task, especially in the hands of politicians known to gobble up anything when an opportunity for bribe surfaces.

That may sound like a brutal inquisition of the Legislature, but facts, so an adage goes, are stranger than �iction.

Bire�ly, said, things haven’t changed much since law-making was introduced during American rule.

a prayer,” wrote Robert Schuller.

“When the request is not right, God says, ‘No!’ When you are not right, God says, ‘Grow!’ When the time is not right, God says, ‘Slow!’ When everything is right, God says, ‘Go!’” Yes, God answers all our prayers. There was this story of a little boy talking with a church pastor. “In the church, I heard different men praying,” said the puzzled boy. “It must be awfully hard for God.” The pastor asked gently, “Why? What do you mean?”

The two were walking in the town’s park. “Well, the businessman is praying for a mild weather,” the boy said. “The rice farmer is praying for rain. The corn miller is praying for a sunny day. Now, all three are godly men. How does God know how to answer all their prayers?”

“How is the weather now?” the pastor asked. “Cooler and mild,” the boy replied. “And last week?” the pastor again asked. “Let me see – on Monday and Tuesday it rained, and on Thursday , it was hot all day,” the boy answered.

Hearing the boy’s answers, the pastor asked the little boy to stop walking for the meantime and sit in one of the park’s benches. “See how the Lord answered all their prayers?” Without saying a word, the boy nodded.

What does prayer mean to you? Allow me to quote Kenneth L. Wilson and tell me if his words are your own, too: “There’s something exquisitely about room service in a hotel. All you have to do is pick up a phone and somebody is ready and waiting to bring you breakfast, lunch, dinner, chocolate milkshake, whatever your heart desires and your stomach will tolerate. Or by another languid motion of the wrist, you can telephone for someone who will get a soiled shirt quickly transformed into a clean one or a rumpled suit into a pressed one.

“That’s the concept that some of us have of prayer. We have created God in the image of a divine bellhop. Prayer, for us, is the ultimate room service, wrought by direct dialing. Furthermore, no tipping, and everything charged to that great credit card in the sky.

Now prayer is many things, but I’m pretty sure this is not one of the things it is.”

Again, prayer is not just asking something from God. But it is also asking something for Him. One night, a little girl surprised her mother when she concluded her prayer for her family and friends by adding, “And now, God, what can I do for You?”

The power of prayer

and disappointment, let us answer God’s standing challenge, ‘Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and might things which thou knowest not!’”

Christians around the world ought to pray. Jesus Christ Himself taught us how to do it. More often than not, we reason out that we don’t have enough time to pray – to talk with Him and to listen to what He wants us to do.

“How strange it is that you have time to eat, to entertain guests, to visit people, and to do many other things, but you cannot �ind time to pray,” wrote Watchman Nee in A Balanced Christian Life. “Last night, for instance, you acknowledged that a day had passed without you having really prayed. And hence you decided you would �ind time the next day to give yourself to pray.

“But on the next day, at the appointed time of prayer, someone turns up knocking at your front door and someone else is looking for you at the back door. How strange that at other times everything is quiet, but at the time of prayer, many odd things begin to happen. If you want to �ind time for other things, you have the time. It is only when you attempt to �ind time to pray that you cannot �ind it.”

In fact, don’t start you day

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

without a word of prayer. Listen to the words of a poet: “I started early with my chores, but even so I started wrong. My labor yielded me no gain, I should have started with a song. I batted time this trying day to �ind my efforts were a loss.

I had to leave some plans undone, tasks multiplied and I grew cross.

Tonight, I ponder while I rest – all day I fought rebellious tares. Yet that has always been my lot, when days do not begin with prayer.”

Someone once told me that he quits praying because God does not answer his prayers. He does! “There are four answers God can give to

10

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 116• TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

BIG PCL EVENT. Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre announces the upcoming Philippine Councilors League’s 3rd National Executive Officers-National Board Meeting and 2nd series of Continuing Local Legislative Education Program

set on September 18 to 20 at SMX Convention Center. Alejandre made the announcement during Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao on Monday. Lean Daval Jr.

graduation ceremony which coincided with the Happy Home’s fourth founding anniversary. Inside the Communist movement, she says, “We don’t have a spiritual life. We are not allowed to believe in God. Here in the Happy Home, I and my fellow former rebels have become devout Christians. Today, we have just been baptized at the Mati Cathedral.” Of the sixteen graduates, �ive graduated from ALS’ Basic Literacy Program, �ive for elementary and �ive for secondary.

Since its inauguration in 2013, at least 189 former members of the NP have bene�itted from the local government-run Happy Home program that entices the insurgents to leave the armed struggle in exchange for a huge �inancial assistance and a host of other bene�its among them a free education and livelihood trainings.

Price for peace Of�icials of both the provincial government and the local military have said that the Happy Home program is a “worthy vision”, being the �irst and only of its kind in the whole country, and is “the price” the government is willing to pay for peace and human development in our time.

“You are now the new peace advocates. Today, you are now civilians, no longer the insurgents and you will be our strong partners in our peace and development efforts,” provincial administrator Art Benjie Bulaong told the former rebels.

Col. Reuben Basiao, chief of the Philippine Army’s 701st Brigade, says the former rebels who will soon leave the Happy Home after their graduation “are always welcome if they wish to visit the Happy Home and our camp. We are always ready to help you and your families in your gradual integration to the communities.” He said the vegetables and livestocks that include pigs and poultry being tended by the former rebels “are all owned by the

former rebels the wherewithal to join the mainstream with livelihood and employment, scholarships for their children, health services and others. “Indeed this program has truly changed and rede�ined the face of local governance and development. This is our commitment to the goal of peace as the people of Davao Oriental are earnestly longing for an end to violent con�lict.”

The governor and the military believe that a genuine people’s participation is crucial in institutionalizing peace and development efforts. They are making sure that all projects and activities are packaged and implemented with the participation of and input from the community members. Thus skills in managing peace-building initiatives are imparted at the grassroots level. The peace program aims to empower members of the community by transforming them to become peace advocates. They regularly conduct peace forum and dialogue in the ba-

rangay and municipal levels, peace consultations with key leaders including barangay of�icials and in�luential community leaders, and trainings on the culture of peace in schools and communities.

They believe that the most pressing concern is the immediate provision of basic services especially to wartorn places in the province to address the decades-old problem of insurgency. The provincial government and the military have come up with a more comprehensive program for pursuing peace.

It is being done by fostering community dialogues, introducing community-owned projects, and creating communities of peace. They are now pursuing principled partnerships with people’s organizations, non-government organizations, churches from different religions, tribal leaders, local government units, government agencies and many other sectors who know how to reach out to the constituents and win their cooperation and trust. FZ

tunity is there, but they must pass the government’s accreditation requirements.

DCACI reviews documents before these are submitted to the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) for

the issuance of license.

Aside from the license, Te said the contractors must present their record for Financial Contracting Capacity (FCC) and the net income from the Bureau of Internal Revenue. (Digna D. Banzon/PNA)

The other entries of Tan and Candari were also among the 17 runners up, which will receive P1,500 each.

The other runners up are Dan Batts, Ludwig Tupas, Arfe Gavilanes, Ian Russell Requiso, Constantine Agustin, Benedict Rizaldo Maboloc, Ariel Pascua, Helen Verdaguer, Irving Leyson, Ruwen Verdaguer, Dexter Arcenas, Frederico Bonane, Ar-

joy Ceniza and Michael Li. The entries were judged according to Composition (30 percent), Creativity (30 percent), Originality (30 percent) and Relevance to the Theme (10 percent).

All winners will be formally noti�ied through email and text messages for the schedule of awarding of prizes. CIO

PROCRASTINATION... FROM 1

ment revenues.”

They said that it is expected that this will balloon to an accumulated total of P1.8 billion in the next �ive years, even granting that there would be no increase in rates and opportunity to earn more government revenues.

In their study, the lady researchers pointed out the strategic location of the Sasa Port as it “possesses the ideal environment for a commercial port.”

Advantages They pointed out at least four advantages of the biggest government port in the region.

They said that Sasa Port is along the Pakiputan Strait and opposite the island Garden City of Samal, a strategic location that “offers natural protection from the force of high winds and powerful waves needed for safe berthing and anchorage. There is no need to construct breakwaters.

Another advantage is that the port has deep waters. The researchers said the draft at Sasa wharf is at 10 meters which is suf�icient to accommodate larger ships with minimal dredging needed.

The third advantage is the presence of “brown�ield in nature.” They said the needed support of the port is already in place in the form of customs, depots and warehouses and shipping agents. There is no immediate need for the acquisition of right of way to achieve the minimum required port capacity and operational productivity, they added.

The fourth advantage of the Sasa Port is its proximity to Davao City which is the country’s largest urbanized population outside Mero Manila.

“At least 200 of the country’s largest companies operate in the city and the Davao region is Mindanao’s major economic

center in terms of value of gross domestic product,” the research indicated.

Challenges and decline However, despite its strengths, Sasa wharf lags behind and lacks competitiveness over the other mostly privately-operated ports in the Davao region.

“Sasa Port lacks the necessary sophistication to facilitate ef�icient shipping and cargo-handling services,” the study bared, saying that “the strong regional economic growth, robust international trade and the increasing containeration of bananas have highlighted the crucial de�iciencies of the Sasa Port.”

The Ateneo researchers said that “the growing economy of the region coupled with the absence of loading closing times and dedicated berths bring forth long waiting time for the container vessels, especially during weekends.”

Showing comparative statistics from 2014 to 2016 indicating continuing decline, the researchers said the loss was brought about by numerous factors.

One is the productivity issue. They said the stakeholders interviewed by them complained about the poor operational practices and performance of the port that result in poor outturn of vessel and cargo operations, particularly small vessels calling at the port, long berthing waiting time and sluggish turnaround, high dwell time of cargo, high risk of cargo damage and congestion of port facilities.

Another problem is deterioration of the port as its quays demand immediate major repairs.

A third and major factor is the modernization of neighboring private ports such as the world-class Davao International Container Terminal in Panabo City, a little more than 20 kilometers away from Sasa.

the Batang Pinoy since Oroquieta City is near to Marawi City. We are hoping that they will transfer the games’ venue so that we can participate in the Mindanao leg,” she said.

She said Zamboanga City is set to send a 120-athlete delegation to participate in 18 sports events in the national competition of Batang Pinoy.

She said there is a need

to conduct the Batang Pinoy-Mindanao leg to select the athletes who will represent the region in the national games, which is scheduled on February 2018.

The Batang Pinoy is the national youth sports competition of the Philippines for athletes under 15 years old.

It also includes the participation of the out-ofschool-youths. (PNA)

are minors aged 16 and 17.

“Let us choose hope over fear. Let us break free from the endless cycle of violence because we are all brothers and sisters. May they (comrades in arms) learn from our beautiful experience from this beautiful home called

Happy Home,” says Yan-Yan, a 26-year-old female former rebel who is carrying her newly born three-month old baby girl. She belted out a prayer song “Power of Your Love” before an audience of local government and Army of�icials who witnessed their

MARAWI... FROM 2

HAPPY... FROM 2

former rebels. All the proceeds will go to them.”

Yvette Tolentino-Sunga, provincial director of the Department of Interior and the Local Government says each of the former rebels will get P65,000 each in �inancial assistance for them to start a new life. “We have done our part, so I hope you will do yours. We have capacitated you during your stay in Happy Home. Now, you know how to use the computers.

I hope you will become responsible citizens, helping our country to achieve sustainable peace,” says Sunga.

Sarah Gudes, the provincial head of the Department of Social Welfare and Development of�ice told the former rebels: “The reason you are here is because you have learned from your colleagues the huge bene�its of surrendering to the government.

You being the sixth batch of bene�iciaries are the most behaved batch. I hope you will spend the P65,000 in �inancial assistance being given to you by the government to worthwhile investments.

Please don’t use the amount to buy pricey gadgets like cellphones.”

Worth emulating “The halfway house called ‘Happy Home’ is among the shining examples of excellence in local governance that is worthy of emulation and recognition. Inaugurated on April 10, 2013 during the term of my predecessor, former governor now Congresswoman Corazon N. Malanyaon, Happy Home has been helping rebels in transition to civilian life. This is to �irmly install the pillars of shared peace and prosperity in the province. It shows that change for the better and genuine development is possible, the only hindrance is the inability to think beyond one’s self,” says Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang.

He vowed that under his administration, the province will continue to provide the

CONTRACTORS... FROM 2

KULAS... FROM 4

INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 116• TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

TRAVEL

EDGEDAVAO The view from Two Lover’s Point.

GUAM and its magical charms TO SAY that the US territory of Guam is small is an understatement. In fact, Guam’s 540 square kilometers is comparable to the size of the island province of Camiguin and can be toured literally in half a day by car. But beyond the size of the territory, Guam, with its natural beauty, shared history with the Philippines, a sizeable Filipino community, and tax-free status has a lot to offer which I discovered during a recent trip hosted by the Guam Visitors Bureau and Cebu Pacific.

Located in the Western Pacific, Guam was discovered by explorer Ferdinand Magellan, the same explorer who reached the Philippines. Turned into a strategic Spanish colony, Guam was the first stop in the Western Pacific by ships coming from Mexico on the famous Galleon Trade.

Luxury shopping at Tumon Sands Plaza.

Pacific Star Resort and Spa’s chef Leyland Feng shows off his signature 28-day wet aged Tomahawk steak.

Today, the island is the Easternmost point of the United States since it sits West of the International Date Line making it 14 hours ahead of most of the US. The territory’s thrust in tourism make it a heaven for tourists from Japan, Korea, China and the Philippines who want to experience the American style of shopping and dining, tax free and without the tiring long-haul flight.

Shopping heaven When Guam Visitor Bureau marketing account director for the Philippines Carmel R. Carpio said that shopping in Guam

is one of the best in the world, she was not kidding.

From the luxury brand sales at Tumon Sands Plaza, to the endless buys at DFS Galleria Guam, to the crazy discounts on discounted items at Guam Premium Outlets, it is just incredible for me. Imagine taking 60 percent off an item, and then taking 20 percent more, and then finally taking 15 percent more thanks to a coupon.

Every dollar goes a long way.

There are also retail stores that are open 24-hours a day, for those who can’t find time to Our tour group enjoying a Chamorro dance presentation at the Sheraton Laguna Guam.

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 116• TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

PLDT-TNT at Gensan’s Tuna Fest

PLDT, the country’s leading telecommunications and digital services company and TNT, its largest mobile prepaid brand, recently partnered with the local government of General Santos City to help promote the 2017 Tuna Festival, which had the theme, “A PEACEtival of fun — Bida sa Saya, Bida sa Tuna!”

Through the years, TNT has been a constant kaTropa of the Generals, celebrating the city’s culture, identity, and abundance of fish products every Tuna Festival. What made this year’s celebration more interesting was the availability of high-speed SmartWiFi service in the main festival areas, giving the residents and visitors the ability to post in realtime photos and videos on online platforms.

The FREE SmartWiFi access at the Oval Plaza allowed fans and other revelers to post photos and videos on their social networks during the “Talent Showcase of the Generals.” TNT’s celebrity guest Jason Dy serenaded the audience in the event and even took selfies with the crowd and selected fans.

The different tuna-themed contests at the General Santos City

Fish Port Complex, which is a 15-kilometer drive from the city center, piqued the interest of many festival tourists because of the unprecedented number of social media posts and engagement.

There was a flood of digital contents, from the festival sideshows to main events, because everybody had equal access to a world class internet. This was possible because General Santos, the tuna capital of the Philippines, also happens to be PLDT’s 1st “Fibr City” in Mindanao.

With the support of the local government, PLDT had earlier laid down fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) facilities in GenSan. The infrastructure does not only serve the huge data requirement of the area but also the nearby provinces like South Cotabato, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat.

The support of PLDT and TNT in this year’s Tuna Festival did more than to celebrate Gensan’s famous resource. By making available its technology and mobile communication services during the celebration, PLDT and TNT also empowered the communities to effectively promote the City, its economic viability and the culture of its people, not just in the Philippines but to the rest of the world.

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

VOL. 10 ISSUE 116• TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

TRAVEL URBANISSIMO A1

shop in the morning and afternoon.

Personally, this is the way to go if you want to shop with shorter queues.

Shoppers can also be confident that they are buying the real thing.

“There are no fakes in Guam, since Guam is a US territory, US copyright laws are also enforced.” said Pilar Laguaña, Guam Visitor Bureau’s marketing manager.

Food trip

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Aside from the shopping, the food scene in Guam is also a draw with a vibrant restaurant scene. Various international cuisines such as Japanese and Korean can be found on the island but the biggest draws should be the Chamorro style grills such as that of the Taotao Tasi which feature a buffet of local-style grilled meats and seafood served by the beach with a cultural presentation featuring the people of the Pacific.

People who love steaks can take comfort that USDA-certified meat is served almost everywhere in Guam but my favourite steak meal during my Guam trip is at the Pacific Star Resort and Spa’s Manhattan Steakhouse which serves USDA-certified “Prime” Angus steaks. For the steak connoisseur, I would suggest ordering the signature 28-day wet aged Tomahawk steak that can literally feed a small family.

Warmth of the people Of course, all the shopping and dining comes to nothing without the warmth and the “can do” attitude of the Guamanians. I got that impression while watching a cultural

At Umatac Bay, the site where Magellan first set foot on Guam.

Endless discounts await those who shop at the Guam Premium Outlets. The Ross department store here is open until one in the morning.

dance presentation at the Sheraton Laguna Guam where our tour group was billeted. The smiles remind me of our own Filipino smiles, genuine and bright like the warm

Pacific sun.

Yes, Guam may be a small island in the Pacific, but what it lacks is size, it makes up bigtime in unique magical experiences.

Guam is a three and a half hour flight from Manila and Cebu Pacific flies to Guam three times a week. A US visa is a must since it is US territory.

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 116• TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

SURFS UP!

PHL Surfing Championship Tour starts this week

THE FIRST EVER Philippine Surfing Championship Tour will launch and make history this coming September 15 to 21, 2017 at the world-renowned Cloud 9 in Siargao Island.

For 19 years, the Siargao National Surfing Cup has become a testament of grass roots surfing excellence. It helped establish world class Filipino surf athletes like local surfers Philmar Alipayo, John Mark Tokong, Carlito Nogalo and Piso Alcala, to name a few.

The best surfers from Siargao, La Union, Baler, Zambales, Catanduanes, Samar, Cebu, Davao and Lanuza come together to exhibit their best tricks and maneuvers and celebrate camaraderie at the birth of the first ever professional surfing league in the country.

This biggest advancement in Philippine Surfing is definitely something not to be missed!

Four members from the recently formed Davao Oriental Boardriding Club will be representing the Davao region for the first PSCT. Homegrown Dahican talents in Mati, Davao Oriental skimboarding champions Sonnyboy “Bayogyog” Aporbo and Rodel Patawi as well as up and coming surfers Jhasper Balug and Kong Plania are all set to compete in Siargao next

Siargao surfer gliding through a “small” day in Cloud 9. Photo by Bren Lopez.

The iconic watch tower will once again be packed with spectators ready to witness the first ever Philippine Surfing Championship Tour.

L-R: Davao Oriental Boardriding Club members and Dahican surfers will be representing Davao region in the first ever Philippine Surfing Championship Tour in Siargao this September 15-21, 2017. L-R: Sonnyboy “Bayogyog” Aporbo, Jhasper Balug, Kong Plania and Connor Bautista (posing in for Rodel Patawi who was in General Santos City for a skimboarding competition which he ended up grabbing the championship). week.

The Millennial Mermaid will also be witnessing the tour in Siargao.

Stay tuned for updates in the blog: www.millennialmermaid.com and on

social media!

The 19th Siargao National Surfing Cup is brought to you by the following sponsors and media partners: The Municipality of General

Luna, Province of Surigao Del Norte, Department of Tourism, SkyJet Air (Official Airline Partner), Solar Sports (Official TV Partner), Reef, Oakley, Kermit Surf Re-

sort, Gwapitos, Fluidsurf, BackBurn, Greenhouse, Kudo Surf, Inquirer.net, INQPop, The Manila Bulletin, Going Places Magazine and My Life on Board.

11 COMPETITIVE EDGE Smart offers Samsung Galaxy DOF... FROM 5 Note 8 starting at P2,499/mo EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 116• TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

B

e among the �irst to own the ultimate multitasking device by pre-ordering now until September 17 [8 September 2017] Gear up for a bigger and faster mobile experience as Smart has unveiled its postpaid plans for the much anticipated Samsung Galaxy Note8, and launched its pre-order page for the Korean tech giant’s latest �lagship device.

Smart offers Galaxy Note8 starting at P2,499 per month for 30 months with a one-time cash-out of P1,000. This plan comes with monthly inclusions of 10GB data, unlimited texts to all networks, 50 minutes of calls to all networks, and access to top chat apps including Messenger, Viber, and Whatsapp – all for a much bigger and more meaningful smartphone experience.

To enhance your mobile experience, Smart also offers Galaxy Note8 under Smart In�inity’s premium postpaid plans with signature lifestyle privileges and perks to be unveiled at smart.com.ph/ in�inity.

Optimized by Smart’s newest and fastest LTE network Pre-order your Galaxy Note8 from now until September 17, 2017 at the nearest Smart Store, or online at store.smart. com.ph/view/1997 to be among the �irst to get their hands on the device when they hit the Philippines on September 29.

As a big treat, subscribers with approved Smart Postpaid Plan applications for Galaxy Note8 from now until September 17 will get an AKG Travel Speaker and enjoy one month access to i�lix, which offers thousands of TV shows,

movies, and more.

Touted as the ultimate multitasking device for people who want to do bigger things, Galaxy Note 8’s best-in-class features is optimized by Smart’s newest and fastest LTE network, which allows subscribers to enjoy bandwidth-heavy activities on the go.

Powered by Smart LTE, Galaxy Note8 users can accomplish more tasks faster, such as sending emails and uploading work �iles, enjoying immersive mobile entertainment through seamless streaming, and sharing every captured moment as it happens to friends and loved ones.

Get big things done like never before Galaxy Note8 features an enhanced S Pen with new exciting ways to write, draw, and interact with the phone and communicate with

friends. The much anticipated device also features Samsung’s best-ever dual-lens smartphone camera to capture stunning photos, and a larger 6.3-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED In�inity Display that offers the ultimate multitasking experience.

Available in Midnight Black and Maple Gold, Galaxy Note8 also comes with 6GB RAM and 10nm processor, and an expandable memory up to 256GB. It is water and dust resistant (IP68) and features fast wireless charging, as well as iris and �ingerprint authentication options for greater security.

Be among the �irst to own Galaxy Note8 powered by Smart’s newest and fastest LTE by pre-ordering now at the nearest Smart Store, or online at store.smart. com.ph/view/1997.

ture of Migration. Invest in Food Security and Rural Development.”

Davi Gabriel Aurelio, a fourth grader of Kapitan Tomas Monteverde Sr. Central Elementary School (KTMSCES) won the 2017 WFD poster making contest. 2nd placer Harry Owen Importante of Tulalian Elem. School and 3rd placer Arron Jay Belicario of MatinaPangi Elem.

School. They all received a cash prize and medal.

It is a back-to-back championship for KTMSCES as last year, Belle Angeline Aurelio won the regional and represented the national On-the-Spot Mosaic Making Contest.

This year, Davi Aurelio will represent Region XI in the national tilt which will be held on October 6 at DA-Central Of�ice in Quezon City.

“This activity paves way for young artist to showcase their talent and advocate for agri-

cultural development.

We also aim students to engage in agriculture especially now that the number of individuals engaged in agriculture is declining,” DA-XI Information Chief, Noel Provido says.

Every year, DA-Regional of�ices play a major role for the conduct of the contest wherein they have also coordinated with the different elementary schools. (Feliz Amanda C. Lim, DA-XI)

Kapitan Tomas Elem. School wins poster making anew

T

he Department of Agriculture in Region XI (DA-XI) in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recently conducted the Regional On-the-Spot Poster Making Contest in celebration of the 2017 World Food Day (WFD).

The participating students from various elementary schools in the region focused on the theme “Change the Fu-

A dry run of the PBDB was conducted last August 14 at the Department of Trade and Industry, which already has its application program interface for the business registry up and running.

Last August 16, the PBDB was launched at the 5th Annual Regional Competitiveness Summit at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Manila to introduce the system to local government units and encourage them to link up with the data bank.

So far, the Quezon city government has already submitted its data to the PBDB, Beltran said.

Beltran, who is the DOFs anti-red tape czar, said the TradeNet program aims to eventually connect this online portal to the ASEAN Single Window (ASW) before yearend.

With TradeNet, Beltran said the application process for imports and exports would be dramatically reduced from months to only a week or even less.

He said the DOF and DICT may start off with streamlining the processing of permits in the Bureaus of Plant Industry (BPI) and of Animal Industry (BAI) of the Department of Agriculture after the issues involving the end-to-end walkthrough of the Acccreditation, Import and Export Modules of TradeNet for these agencies were threshed out lastAugust 9.

“The TradeNet accreditation module is designed to consolidate the database of all agencies when they accredit traders for import and export,” said Beltran, who is also the DOF’s chief economist.

Beltran said the target is to integrate TradeNet’s activities with the ASW and “go live by December 2017.”

This ASW for the 10 member-economies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations aims to expedite cargo clearance among the ASEAN states and promote regional integration by enabling the electronic exchange of order documents.

So far, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are already using the ASW to exchange information on customs clearances.

Last year, the DOF was able to secure a P21.5 million grant from the German development bank KfW Group to help implement what is now known as TradeNet. Dominguez said the grant from the Frankfurt-based KfW Group is now helping implement the Inter-Agency Business Process Interoperability (IABPI) Program, which aims to streamline the process of issuing permits for imports and exports.

The IABPI is being implemented by the DOF’s Policy Development and Management Services Group headed

by Beltran in coordination with the government’s trade regulatory agencies.

Aside from simplifying import-export documentation processes, the program’s targets include developing policies to “oversee, manage and harmonize transactions of all regulatory agencies” involved in these processes by establishing protocols to link their databases with each other.

The program also aims to enforce “transparent and accountable regulation processes and procedures [in] all relevant government agencies” and ensure that these would be sustained.

In the last Sulong 2017 workshop, among the recommendations presented to President Duterte were measures to help improve the ease of doing business in the country.

Over 500 participants from the executive and legislative branches of government, representatives of multilateral institutions, leaders of the business community and civil society groups attended the whole-day second Sulong workshop.

Their top 10 recommendations were as follows: 1) Identifying Best Competitive Advantages versus other countries in ASEAN and rallying both government and private sector to drive growth and competitiveness; 2) Improving ease of doing business through the convergence of different agencies, including the local government units; 3) Completing C-6 (from Skyway/FTI in Taguig to Batasan Complex in Quezon City) to ease Metro Manila congestion; 4) Allowing new players in the telecommunications industry; 5) Improving agricultural support infrastructure and services such as farm-tomarket roads, cold storage, and irrigation to facilitate the distribution of agricultural products and increased farmer incomes; 6) Addressing the jobskills mismatch through the joint identi�ication of job pro�iles needed per industry by the government, industry and the academe; 7) Improving health services by expanding public access to healthcare, which would entail expanding Philhealth coverage, providing more free medicines, and strengthening rural health units and hospitals; 8) Improving land tenure security in all areas; 9) Intensifying and speeding up resolution of the con�lict in Marawi; and 10) Providing entrepreneurial education for farmers, �isherfolk and other agricultural workers.

Dominguez had assured the various stakeholders who took part in the Sulong Pilipinas forum that the government will accelerate the implementation of their top 10 recommended action programs.

12 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO

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Why light at night is bad for your health

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

I

n the beginning, God created day and night. Genesis 1:3-5 recorded: “God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.

God called the light ‘day,’ and the darkness he called ‘night.’ And there was evening, and there was morning – the first day.”

Then man invented electricity, which acts as a middleman between energy resources, such as coal or falling water, and the �inal use of that energy. Because of electricity, man can have the light he needs even at night.

Man considered electricity as good. But recent studies show there are bad sides that arti�icial lights bring. “Sleeping at night with the lights on or with some source of light from outside the window – like a street lamp post – can be bad for the health,” said Dr. Rafael R. Castillo, a medical doctor who writes a regular weekly column for Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Doing so may increase a person’s risk of getting any of these cancers: breast, colon or prostate. Dr. Willie T. Ong, an internist-cardiologist and author of several health books, noted: “As the scienti�ic evidence grows, the World Health Organization has already concluded that working during the night shift is probably carcinogenic (cancer-causing).”

Among those who are most likely to develop any of the aforementioned cancers are people who work at night, especially call center agents, security guards, entertainers, and night shift workers (particularly those who work in factories and hospitals).

But it seems these days people who are not working at night may not be spared at all.

Pat Hagan, in an article published in Daily Mail, wrote: “Arti�icial light has transformed how the human race has lived in the past 100 years or so. Even for those not working night shifts, it can be almost impossible to avoid the night-time glare from street lamps, car lights, TVs, computers and smartphones.”

“Light is a stimulus that can have impacts on health, well-being and performance,” for good and ill, Dr. George Brainard, professor of neurology at Thomas Jefferson University, told USA Today.

Professor Abraham Haim, a researcher from the University of Haifa, said the culprit is the disruption of one’s body clock. Kim Palmer, author of the USA Today feature, wrote: “Light has this power because it drives our central circadian clock. Ideally, that

internal clock produces daytime alertness and nighttime sleepiness on a predictable 24-hour schedule. Receptors in our eyes play key roles, taking their cues from the intensity and wavelengths of light we are exposed to each day and night.”

Exposure to short-wavelength light at night has been shown to suppress melatonin production, thereby disrupting the internal body clock, which can affect sleep and overall wellbeing. However, it has been postulated that the disruption of the internal body clock by reducing nocturnal melatonin might also increase the incidence of disease.

“Low levels of melatonin have been linked to bad health effects such as in�lammation, weaker immune system and faster cancer growth,” wrote Dr. Ong. A lack of melatonin has also been linked to diabetes, obesity and heart diseases.

In 2012, the Lighting Research Center (LRC) in the United States published a study showing that two-hour exposure to light from self-luminous devices can suppress melatonin by about 23%.

Prostate cancer After lung cancer, prostate cancer is now the second most common cancer among Filipino males. The 2010 statistics from the Department of Health (DOH) showed about 6 million Filipino men over the age of 50 are susceptible to develop the disease.

Most likely the �igure will go up if more Filipino men sleeping with arti�icial lights on. A research was conducted by Prof.

Haim and Prof. Richard Stevens of the University of Connecticut among men in 164 countries.

“The results show that countries with high light at night exposure had the highest incidence of prostate cancer at 157 prostate cancer cases per 100,000 people,” wrote Dr. Ong in his book, Doctors’ Health Tips and Home Remedies.

“In comparison, light at night exposure had only 67 prostate cancer cases per 100,000 people (50% less).”

Dr. Ong observed: “Although this study is by no means de�initive, it shows curious link between light at night exposure and prostate cancer.”

Breast cancer The health department and the Philippine Cancer Society, Inc. (PCSI) considered breast cancer as the most common form of cancer in the country – particularly among women. “One out of every 13 Filipino women is expected to develop breast cancer in her lifetime,” according to a document released by the Asian Hospital and Medical Center (AHMC).

The Geneva-based United Nations health agency reports that one out of four women who are diagnosed with breast cancer die within the �irst �ive years.

What is even alarming is that all women are at risk, with approximately 70% of breast cancers occurring in women without the known risk factors.

American researchers from Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, both of Boston, have found out that “women who work night shifts have a higher risk of breast cancer.”

“Because night-shift work has become very common in developed countries, future studies should assess the relationship of light exposure to the risk of other cancers and consider the risks in men,” team leader Dr. Eva Schernhammer told Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Another study suggest that that “reduced melatonin output at night allows an increase in levels of another hormone, estrogen, which is involved in the development of two in every three cases of breast cancer.”

Colon cancer In the Philippines, colon cancer is the fourth most common cancer, according to the

Philippine Cancer Society Registry. It comes after breast, lung and liver cancers. But unlike the �irst three cancers, colon cancer is not openly discussed.

“Among cancers, colon cancer s tands out as a disease that can be largely prevented, but few people believe it will happen to them,” said Dr. Atenodoro Ruiz, Jr., a gastroenterology consultant at The Medical City and a diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine in Gastroenterology and of the Philippine College of Physicians in Internal Medicine.

Some studies suggest working a night shift regularly may increase the risk of colon and rectal cancer. “It is thought this might be due to changes in levels of melatonin in the body,” the American Cancer Society surmised, adding that more research is still needed.

Obesity Aside from getting cancer, an American-Israeli study showed that exposure to bright lights at night may cause obesity. In laboratory studies, Ohio State neuroscientist Dr. Randy Nelson and Professor Haim showed that mice exposed to 24 hours of constant daylight gained more weight compared to mice exposed to only 16 hours of daylight. After eight weeks, the mice exposed to constant light had 50% weight gain compared to the other group.

“Something about light at night was making the mice in our study want to eat at the wrong times to properly metabolize their food,” Dr. Nelson reported.

The researchers also believe that disruption in one’s body clock and lack of sleep can make people eat more often

and at the wrong times. “Light at night is an environmental factor that may be contributing to the obesity epidemic in ways that people don’t expect,” Dr. Nelson added.

Obesity is fast becoming a big health problem in the country. “Among the six countries studied, the Philippines has the second lowest obesity and overweight prevalence at 5.1% and 23.6%, respectively. But despite low prevalence rates, obesity has a strong impact in the Philippines due to the large number of obese persons in the country – 18 million Filipinos are obese and overweight,” said the newly-released report, “Tackling obesity in ASEAN: Prevalence, impact, and guidance on interventions.”

Last year, obesity cost the Philippines between US$500 million and US$1 billion or equivalent to between 4% and 8% of its healthcare spending.

“This makes the country the fourth-highest spender for obesity-related problems,” the report said.

Some tips In his book, Dr. Ong – who wrote the book in collaboration with his wife, Dr. Liza Ong, also a medical doctor – shared some tips to get your body clock working perfectly. This can translate to more energy and better health: • Sleep at around the same time every night and wake up at the same hour. This technique will keep your body clock in harmony.

• Limit your light exposure at night.

It’s not scienti�ically proven

yet, but you can try to avoid very bright lights at night, especially within three hours of bedtime.

• Limit computer time at night, maybe less than half an hour. When you sit in front of the strong glare of the computer screen, this could suppress your body’s melatonin production.

• Although exposure from watching TV is only minimal, make sure you sit several feet away from your TV set.

• In your bedroom, draw up the window curtains to limit glare from the streets.

• Use yellow or red light instead of white light at night.

According to George Brainard, a professor of neurology at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, temporarily turning on a bright white light at night during your bathroom visit may disrupt the production of melatonin.

• Melatonin supplements may be useful in certain cases.

According to Professor Brainard, “Night shift workers might consider taking a supplement right before they go to sleep in the morning. Those who travel internationally can try it to reset their body’s clock and avoid jet lag.” Consult your doctor about this.

• Be exposed to sunshine during the day. Early morning sunshine is best and it activates the body’s natural rhythm.

• During the day, get exposed to indirect sunlight. Avoid staying in a dark room all day.

The purpose of this “light at daytime” and “dark at night” routine is to make sure your body knows when it is day (time to work) and when it is night (time to sleep).

SWEET... FROM 16 It marks the fourth time Nadal has won at least two major titles in a year and just the seventh time since tennis went professional in 1968 that a men’s grand slam �inal was contested by two players 30 and over.

With Federer and Nadal �it again after battling last year’s injury woes and Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic �ighting their way back to �itness, the Big Four might well be back in business next season.

FROOME... FROM 16 “After them taking off most of last year to come back, winning all four grand slams was quite an achievement, regardless of how good they are,” said Anderson, who is also 31.

“Looking at Rafa, just such a great competitor. He really makes you earn every single point.

Roger, also.

“So it’s been a very interesting year on the grand slam front. Certainly will be very interesting to see what happens next year.”

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER AND/OR RELINQUISHMENT OF RIGHT

SPORTS 13

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get to lead all the riders into Madrid,” Contador said. “It was an incredible �inish. I dreamed about ending my career this way.”

The 34-year-old Contador had been out of contention for the Vuelta title after losing several minutes in a poor performance in the second stage. He made up time later in the race, but not enough to make it to the podium and eventually �inished �ifth, more than three minutes off the lead.

Considered one of Spain’s greatest riders, Contador also won the Tour de France twice and the Giro d’Italia twice. He was stripped of a third Tour victory for doping.

“It’s a dream. I can’t imagine a better goodbye than this,” he said. “Now is the moment to stop.

When I started as a professional, I said I wanted to �inish at the top level.

And I think that now is the perfect moment for this. In the last 15 years, I did everything with my heart.”

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF REAL ESTATE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late MARTINIANO MERILLO CASTILLON, SR. who died on April 23, 1997 at Davao City has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER AND/OR RELINQUISHMENT OF RIGHT executed among his heirs, per Doc. No.178; PageNo.35; Book No.XXIX; Series of 2017, of the NOTARY PUBLIC BANSALAN B. METILLA.

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late EUTROPIO AVERGONZADO and GREGORIA SERADO-AVERGONZADO who died on June 27, 1984 and September 15, 1993 at Brgy. Cawayan, Calinan, Davao City, Philippines has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF REAL ESTATE executed among their heirs, per Doc. No.180; Page No.35; Book No.XXIX; Series of 2017, of the NOTARY PUBLIC BANSALAN B. METILLA..

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2 REPORTERS Submit application letter and resume to: Mr. Antonio M. Ajero, Editor-in-Chief or Mr. Jimmy K. Laking, Associate Editor Edge Davao Review Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Bldg., E. Quirino Avenue, Davao City Or email at edgedavao@gmail.com

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH ASSUMPTION OF REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late SEVERIANO TAJON who died on August 4, 2006 at Davao City has been the subject of an EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH ASSUMPTION OF REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE executed among his heirs, per Doc. No.177; PageNo.35; Book No.XXIX; Series of 2017, of the NOTARY PUBLIC BANSALAN B. METILLA.

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SPORTS 15

Barca dominates Espanyol The list of grievances grows at Barcelona

N

eymar was allowed to leave by a gross miscalculation of what he was actually worth when the mandatory release clauses in his contract were worked out less than a year ago, allowing Paris Saint-Germain to swoop in.

Lionel Messi’s new contract still isn’t signed and he’ll be free to negotiate with other teams in less than four months. The same is true of Andres Iniesta. Both seem to have deteriorating relationships with

club president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who is also blamed for Neymar walking out.

Of the big summer targets, Barca failed to sign PSG playmaker Marco Verratti, a reincarnation of Xavi, and Liverpool attacker Philippe Coutinho didn’t come either.

Opportunities to sign star Juventus forward Paolo Dybala were reportedly and inexplicably spurned.

And, painfully, the Supercopa de Espana was lost to hateful rivals Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate, including an insufferable 3-1 loss at home.

From Paris, Neymar has blasted Bartomeu, calling him a “joke” after the latter claimed that trusting Neymar and his agent father was a mistake. Bartomeu has bigger problems.

A push for a no-con�idence vote among the club members reportedly has 14,000 signatures, meaning it needs just 2,500 to put the matter

to the entire membership.

The socios, so called, could have Bartomeu removed with a two-thirds majority in a full vote.

That could lead t o yet

more instability in the Catalan capital. In a summer when it’s not completely inconceivable that Messi or Iniesta — or, horror of horrors, both — could depart.

The Spanish soccer press is keen on declaring crises at Barcelona at the slightest sign of trouble. The end of a dynasty that has arguably run since the 2008-09 season with three Champions League trophies and six La Liga titles in nine years, has been called again and again — including in this space.

Lionel Messi and Barcelona sure didn’t look troubled in a 5-0 win over rival Espanyol

S

Srisaket KOs Gonzalez

risaket Sor Rungvisai knocked out Roman Gonzalez in the fourth round Saturday with a devastating right hook to retain his WBC super �lyweight world title in his second straight win over the former champ.

Thailand’s Srisaket knocked ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez down twice in the �inal round, �inishing the challenger off with a right hook with 1:45 to go in the fourth.

Gonzalez, of Nicaragua, stayed on the canvas for a couple of minutes. After rising slowly he had to be helped to his corner stool.

The �irst knockdown came 42 seconds earlier w h e n southpaw Srisaket landed a similar

short right hook to the side of the head. Gonzalez was able to get up at the count of seven and continue -- but looked out of sorts.

The 30-year-old Srisaket went to work quickly in the �irst round, easily landing combinations and body shots -- the fruits of months of intense training in the gym for the most important �ight of his career.

“I trained really hard for four months because I wanted everyone to know what I came here for,” said Srisaket of the brutal beatdown. “I have shown that I am the best 115 pound �ighter in the world.”

The Thai dynamo silenced critics who had claimed his majority decision win in the �irst �ight six months ago in New York was a �luke and the result of accidental head butts.

Both �ighters came out swinging from the opening bell i n Saturday’s 115-pound rematch Srisaket Sor Rungvisai of Thailand lands a left hand to the head of Roman Gonzalez of Nicaragua. Jeff Gross, Getty Images/AFP

La Salle expects better, more versatile Mbala

D

e La Salle University big bata, grabe ang work ethic,” three-pointers in his �irst UAAP at the outdoor StubHub Center man Ben Mbala em- said La Salle coach Aldin Ayo, season. stadium, as it became apparent barked on one of the who has been monitoring While playing as a small in the early rounds that Srisaket most dominant campaigns in Mbala’s performances in the forward, Mbala has shot 31.3% was in charge and the �ight likely recent UAAP history in Season regional tournament. from three-point territory in would not go the distance.

79.

On Sunday, after the Green three games.

“For the �irst �ight I only During the elimination Archers hacked out a 95-90 Ayo must believe that trained two months. This �ight I round, where La Salle won 13 win over Far Eastern Univer- Mbala can consistently shoot knew I was going to knock him of 14 games, “Big Ben” aver- sity, Mbala went to work for this way in the UAAP, because out,” Srisaket said. “I am not aged truly impressive numbers Cameroon as he tallied a dou- he bared his plan to play the scared of anyone.”

– 20.6 points on 54.68% shoot- ble-double of 16 points and 15 Cameroonian star at a different Srisaket (44-4-1, 40 KOs) ing, on top of 16 rebounds, rebounds in an 81-77 victory position when he returns to La said he wanted to make his 1.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.4 over Rwanda.

Salle. country proud. blocks per game in 30.2 minSo far, the 22-year-old “We might convert him “I fought for Thailand, for utes of action per contest.

Mbala has been impressive to the 3-spot (small forward) the pride of Thailand,” he said.

He was the runaway win- for Cameroon, averaging 18.3 when he comes back,” said Ayo. Gonzalez, who dropped to ner for Most Valuable Player points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.7 “He can play the 2, 3, 4, 5 for 46-2 overall, was taken to the honors, and later averaged steals in the group round. For us now, because of the skill set hospital immediately after the 19.7 points and 13.7 rebounds long stretches, he has been the that he has developed.” �ight for medical treatment. in the Green Archers’ three best player for a Cameroon Mbala’s teammates in La He was trying to avenge the playoff games. team that is missing the ser- Salle are already giddy at the only loss of his career against But other UAAP teams be vices of its NBA players. prospect of seeing their center Srisaket but he failed to put up warned – Mbala might be even Mbala still showed off spot up for three-pointers. any defense against the on- better in Season 80. Or at least, his athleticism and leaping “Thank you Lord, may LeBslaught of the Thai’s superior he will be once he returns from ability, but the reigning UAAP ron James na kami!” exclaimed punches. his tour of duty with the Cam- MVP also displayed a new fac- La Salle captain Kib Montalbo The former pound-for- eroon national basketball team et of his game – the big man when asked about Mbala pospound division king in the 2017 Afro Basket tour- had no hesitation in shooting sibly being their small forward. has had sever- nament in Tunisia. from beyond the arc during “Malaking bagay ‘yun. LeBal gruelling “Si Ben, we always tell him the Afro Basket tournament, ron James ng Pilipinas si Ben �ights in re- to do new things, kasi ‘yung after attempting exactly zero eh,” he added. cent years, which have taken a heavy toll on his LYSSA Valdez Chinese Taipei from play in Taipei two noong Under-23 ‘yung 30-yearwill again suit October to December. years ago during the coaches din ng nationo l d up for a foreign “I just closed a Asian Under 23 Cham- al team ng Chinese Taibody. club, signing with At- deal with a Chinese pionship, the deal pei they asked me to tack Line of Chinese Taipei club team so was again presented go there but I had one Taipei.

I’m gonna be there for when Chinese Taipei more playing year in The former Ate- the next few months,” coaches met Valdez in the UAAP,” said Valdez. neo star, who also Valdez said in an in- the AVC Asian Senior “Ngayon, noong saw action for Thai terview with Gretchen Women’s Champion- AVC nga they asked club team 3BB Na- Ho on Monday. ship on August. me if I could go there,” kornnont, will be in First offered to “Two years ago she added.

Valdez set to play for Chinese Taipei team

A

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 10 ISSUE 116• TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

SWEET 16

Nadal bags third US open title, 16th Grand Slam

R

afa Nadal has long been king of the Paris clay but he was just as dominant on New York hardcourt on Sunday as he collected grand slam title number 16 with a clinical demolition of Kevin Anderson in the U.S. Open �inal.

The Spaniard insists nothing comes easy to him on any court but scanning his list of grand slam �inal triumphs one would be hardpressed to �ind anything more comprehensive than this 6-3 6-3 6-4 victory on the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The 6-2 6-3 6-1 thrashing of Stan Wawrinka at Roland Garros in June or the 6-1 6-3 6-0 win over Roger Federer in 2008 that earned him another of his 10 French Open crowns might have been more ruthless, but they were no more complete.

While his battling South African opponent kept the contest from being a complete blowout, there was never a single moment when Nadal

was under threat.

Despite being one of biggest servers on the ATP Tour, Anderson was unable make a dent in Nadal’s defense and he managed not a single break point in his maiden grand slam �inal.

“It was more the conundrum of playing Rafa as opposed to being in my �irst �inal,” said Anderson.

“His competitiveness, consistency at that level. He never goes away.”

Having captured his third U.S. Open title, Nadal made it very clear to his rivals that he would indeed not be going away any time soon.

And although he did not count it as one of his primary objectives, the 31-year-old did not dismiss the possibility of one day surpassing Federer’s grand slam haul of 19 titles.

“I really don’t think much about these kind of things. I do my way, he does his way,” said Nadal.

Froome completes Tour de France-Vuelta a Espana double

M

ADRID — Chris Froome paraded into Madrid to clinch his �irst Spanish Vuelta title and secure the elusive Tour de France-Vuelta double on Sunday, while Spanish great Alberto Contador celebrated the end of his remarkable career in front of his home crowd.

Froome had virtually secured victory with a solid performance in the dif�icult climb up the Alto de l’Angliru on Saturday, which marked the last competitive stage of the three-week race.

“It’s just incredible,” Froome said. “I’m still coming to terms with everything. It’s been such an incredible journey.”

Riders cruised to the �inish in Sunday’s 21st stage, with the leaders not challenging each other, as per cycling tradition.

Italian Matteo Trentin won the �inal sprint to clinch his fourth stage victory in this year’s Vuelta.

Froome, who earlier this year clinched his fourth Tour de France title, had �inished runner-up in La Vuelta three times, including last year.

The Team Sky rider became the third man to complete the Tour-Vuelta double in the same season, after Jacques Anquetil in 1963 and Bernard Hinault in 1978, when the Vuelta was still held in the spring before the Tour.

“Just the fact that nobody’s ever won the Tour

and then La Vuelta afterwards, it’s incredible to be able to do it,” said Froome, the �irst British rider to win the Vuelta.

“It’s just been an amazing few months and I want to thank everyone who has contributed to that. I’ve been �ighting for this victory for six years and three years I’ve been standing on the second step so it’s amazing to stand on the �irst step this time.”

Froome won two Vuelta stages this year, �inishing 2 minutes, 15 seconds in front of Italian Vincenzo Nibali of Team Bahrain-Merida, who won the Vuelta in 2010 and was runner-up in 2013.

Russian Ilnur Zakarin of Team Katusha Alpecin, secured the �inal podium spot, almost three minutes behind Froome.

Froome also won the points competition, while Astana Pro Team won the overall team event.

Contador, the threetime Vuelta winner, ended his career on a high note by winning Saturday’s dif�icult 20th stage.

He was loudly cheered

by Spanish fans as he arrived to cross the �inish line one last time.

The rest of the riders allowed him to break from the peloton and ride a few moments by himself as the fans applauded. After the race, Contador took a Spanish �lag and went for one �inal parade lap.

“It was very special to

FROOME, 13

“I’m very happy with all the things that are happening to me, win this title again.

“I still have the passion and the love for the game. I still want to compete and still feel the nerves every time that I go on court. While these things keep happening, I will be here.

“Well done for Roger that he is having an amazing season too and well done for me because I’m having a great season too.

“Let’s see what happens.”

While women’s tennis produced two �irst-time grand slam winners this season, the old guard continued to rule supreme in the men’s game with Nadal and Federer sweeping the majors with two apiece.

SWEET, 13

Nadal beat Kevin Anderson in straight sets for his third US Open title.