Edge10 issue120 September 17-18 2017

VOL. 10 ISSUE 120• SUNDAY-MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17-18, 2017

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Serving a seamless society

THE BOY AND THE PENGUINS. A young boy tries to scare away a penguin while playing at Rizal Park in Davao City on Saturday. The park is now popular among residents and “selfie” lovers due to the hundreds of penguins feeding and residing in the area. Lean Daval Jr.

PROTECTING KIDS

Davao code prevents exploitation of minors EDGEDAVAO Sports A ACE OF DAY Fil-Aussie Jason Day hits hole-in-one to move into contention in Illinois

SPORTS P16

NEWS

PDP-Laban seeks intervention of Nene Pimentel in party row

P2 Draft BBL still in limbo P4

DULTS cannot just bring out minors from Davao City unless they get the consent of the children’s parents and comply with some documentary requirements.

Yes, even if the accompanying adults are the grandparents, aunts, uncles and older siblings of the traveling minors.

This is the reason why the

Davao City Social Services and Development Of�ice issued permits to travel to 10 lumad children aged 15 years and below. Issuance of permits to travel is covered by the Children’s Welfare Code of Davao, a locally crafted city ordinance which has existed for more than a decade now.

Malu Bermudo, chief of the CSSDO, said the permits

to travel were processed and released after necessary documents were provided. The documents included birth certi�icates and parental consent.

“We �irst made sure that these papers were validated, Bermudo said.

She said that at the airline counter, however, the children’s documents went through another veri�ication

process. “Thus, we informed the airline and the airport police that the papers were veri�ied,” Bermudo said.

The CSSDO head said “the implementation of the Children’s Code of Davao is something that we always do everyday and this is to protect our children from possible incidents of traf�icking.”

sitive matters and cases that are still under investigation.

Chief Supt. Cedrick Train, Region 12 police director, made the clari�ication on Friday in the wake of protests from

media groups over a directive issued by Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald dela Rosa withholding police spot reports from the media.

Police units were ordered instead to issue press releases as alternative to the sport reports and blotters.

The police of�icial explained that reporters are not

PROTECTING, 10

Media not totally barredfrom access to spot reports

G

ENERAL SANTOS CITY Media workers here and other parts of Region 12 may still access police blotters and other related reports, but with some restrictions on sen-

MEDIA, 10

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 120• SUNDAY-MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17-18, 2017

PRESIDENTIAL AWARD. President Duterte congratulates an awardee during the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing (PAW) Bluebirds Night at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Thursday evening. Also in the photo are 250th PAW

Wing Commander Brigadier General Allen Paredes and Philippine Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Edgar Fallorina. ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

ANILA – As of Friday noon, families affected by Tropical Depression Maring in the National Capital Region, Calabarzon and Central Luzon has now climbed to 7,935 families or 34,637 people, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in its 8 p.m. update Thursday.

These families are residents of 240 barangays in the three regions.

NDRRMC executive director Ricardo Jalad said 405 families, or 1,645 individuals, are being aided inside and outside government evacua-

DP-Laban stalwarts throughout the country who met at Lispher Inn in Davao City last Friday, Sept. 15, have agreed to take a collective stance in bringing the issues affecting the party to former Sen. Aquilino ‘Nene’ Pimentel, Jr., one of the founders. The move was made reportedly due to the absence of a decisive response from Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, the present national party president.

Nerio Navarro, vice-chairman of the party in

Davao City, said the group’s decision made after the seeming inaction of Senate President on the squabble that has divided the party and for allowing House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to violate the Constitution and By-Laws of the party with impunity.

Other surviving founders of the party, including former Constitutional Convention delegate Samuel Occeña and former Davao City administrator Cesar Ledesma, have already expressed their support in threshing

out the kinks and addressing the issues that threaten the stability of the party.

Recently, Alvarez was declared ‘persona non grata’ by the Mindanao Area Council, which has six regional presidents and with coverage of the southern Philippines.

One of the abuses underscored during the daylong assembly was the removal of regional presidents by Alvarez, which is in contravention of the party charter and philosophy.

Abbin Dalhani, PDP-La-

ban chairman of the National Capital Region (NCD), said the exclusion of regional presidents was illegal given that only the regional councils, sitting as an organization board, have the authority to remove them.

The party stalwarts also criticized the House leadership for usurping the power and authority that do not belong to him, and for recruiting individuals without undergoing obligatory processes in determine if they are quali�ied to become members of the party.

plan by President Rodrigo Duterte to declare a nationwide martial law is in the works, the Communist Party of the Philippines said.

In a statement Thursday, the CPP said Duterte was becoming “increasingly desperate amid broad rising calls for his ouster” and “seeks to prop himself up as a fascist dictator in his despair to cling to power.”

Duterte earlier said he would be forced to impose martial law nationwide if the Left stage massive protests that might turn unruly.

However, Defense Secretary Del�in Lorenzana on Friday allayed fears of another nationwide martial law saying

it was a “remote possibility”.

But the CPP said the president “deserves the strongest condemnation for threatening to make full use of the military and police to carry out armed repression against mass demonstrations by conjuring a scenario of ‘rebels taking to the streets’ and ‘�ighting on the streets’.” ”Having imposed martial law in Mindanao, Duterte believes he can get away with nationwide martial law. The Filipino people are determined to prove him wrong. Under the slogan ‘Never again to martial law!’, various forces are bound to rapidly come together against the Duterte regime as it carries out increasingly tyrannical measures,” the un-

derground group said.

The president declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23, the same day the Islamic State-inspired Maute group started a siege in Marawi City which has entered its fourth month.

The CPP accused Duterte of establishing himself as a dictator “by silencing the political opposition,” among other moves.

It noted that his allies in Congress have “railroaded” the National ID system, canceled the scheduled barangay elections to enable him to “supplant tens of thousands of village of�icials with his loyalists” and “acted swiftly to impeach the chief justice as an overt threat to make the

Supreme Court and judiciary bow to Malacañang’s whims.”

The CPP said “Duterte is presently carrying out a mind-conditioning campaign to justify his plan to impose martial law.”

“Through mostly foul means, he has silenced critical opinion in mass media.

He employs his horde of paid trolls to �lood social media with Duterte adulation and to vilify the Left and political opposition,” it said.

“He uses government money to build his Kilusang Pagbabago propaganda machinery and Masa Masid (now renamed Community Mobilization Project, comparable to the Alsa Masa movement in

‘Maring’now affects PDP-Laban seeks intervention 7,935 NCR families of Nene Pimentel in party row M P tion centers.

This can be broken down into 311 families (1,312 persons) being sheltered in 19 evacuation centers, and 94 families (333 individuals) being served outside evacuation centers.

A total of PHP72.37 million worth of damage to farmlands and infrastructure has been reported in Calabarzon, with Laguna declaring a state of calamity.

Meanhile, the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Eastern Visayas and Mindanao will cause cloudy skies with scattered rain-

MARING, 10

Duterte plans to impose nationwide martial law, warns CPP

PRRD commits A to lasting peace

G

races OPAPP’s 24th anniversary MANILA -- Despite minor setbacks in the peace agreements, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Thursday, September 14, assured the Filipino people that his administration remains committed to its policy of achieving a just, unifying, and lasting peace throughout the country.

The President made this assurance as he graced the 24th Anniversary of the Of�ice

of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) in Malacañan Palace.

In his short speech before OPAPP of�icials and employees, President Duterte stressed that his administration continues to extend the hand of friendship and peace to its various partners in the peace process.

“I have high hopes that we will continue to build our gains to �ind common support

PRRD, 10

DUTERTE, 10

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EDGEDAVAO

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 120• SUNDAY-MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17-18, 2017

Draft BBL still in limbo

By CAROLYN O. ARGUILLAS

D

AVAO CITY — President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday met with Congress leaders and the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), the joint commission of the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that drafted the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) purportedly to discuss the proposed law but the meeting ended with the draft BBL still in limbo.

BTC chair Ghazali Jaafar told MindaNews last week, after meeting with the President on September 4 also in Malacanang, that the President would convene a meeting on September 14 to be attended by Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Presidential Adviser

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel discusses the Bangsamoro Basic Law and Federalism in a sitdown interview with MindaNews in his office at the Senate on 28 February 2017. MindaNews photo

by MANMAN DEJETO

Deputy Speaker for Mindanao Bai Sandra Sema of the first district of Maguindanao, MIndaNews file photo by Carolyn O. Arguillas

on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza, the 20-member BTC, the government’s peace implementing panel, and other key of�icials “for further discussion of BBL.” That the outcome was not positive was evident in the delayed responses of the key of�icials, some of whom �inally answered but declined

‘

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte meets with leaders of Congress and members of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission at the Malacañan Palace on September 14, 2017. Karl Norman Alonzo/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

A number gave carefully crafted vague answers or did not answer these very simple questions: Will the draft BBL finally have authors / sponsors so it can be filed as a bill in both houses of Congress?

Will the President certify it as urgent? Has the Duterte administration’s Bangsamoro Peace and Development Roadmap which targeted the passage of the BBL by end of 2017, been abandoned in favor of a new roadmap? If yes, what is this new roadmap?

Will the draft BBL be subsumed into the federalism track?

’

to go on record.

A number gave carefully crafted vague answers or did not answer these very simple questions: Will the draft BBL �inally have authors / sponsors so it can be �iled as a bill in both houses of Congress?

Will the President certify it as urgent? Has the Duterte administration’s Bangsamoro Peace and Development Roadmap which targeted the

Ghazali Jaafar (right) 1st Vice Chair of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (right) introduces the other members of the MILF Central Committee to presidential candidate and Davao City mayor

passage of the BBL by end of 2017, been abandoned in favor of a new roadmap? If yes, what is this new roadmap? Will the draft BBL be subsumed into the federalism track?

BTC chair Jaafar sent no reply Thursday evening. On Friday morning, he sent this reply by SMS: “Successful meeting kahapon with the President kasama ang Sen-

Rodrigo Duterte during his visit in Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao on February 27, 2016. During this visit, Duterte promised to push for the passage of the BBL as

ate President, Speaker of the House, Majority Floor Leader, Chairman of the Committee on Appropriation of House Cong Nograles.”

“We will have another meeting proposed by the President, the date of which (is) not yet determined by him but not long from now.

He will continue to father the BBL. He challenged us and the people of our region to

a “template for federalsm.” MindaNews file photo

by TOTO LOZANO

have one solid voice,” Jaafar said.

He declined to answer if “success” meant the draft BBL will �inally have sponsors at the Senate and the House.

“Separately tackled” MindaNews asked Senate President Pimentel and Speaker Alvarez through SMS if the BBL would be �iled already or if it would be subsumed into the constitutional amendments that the Duterte administration is pushing for in its campaign to shift to a federal system. Pimentel’s response: “BBL will be separately tackled. But Malacanang will study �irst the BTC draft.”

The BTC submitted the draft BBL to President Duterte on July 17, in ceremonies witnessed by Pimentel and Alvarez. It took the Of�ice of the President a month before it transmitted the draft BBL to the two houses of Congress.

Asked why Malacanang will still study the draft BBL when it already transmitted it to Congress last month Pimentel gave a vague response: “What was submitted to Congress was the BTC

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Jr. vowed in an interview with MindaNews on March 27, 2017 to make the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law a priority and assures it will be passed in a month or two once the President certifies it as urgent.

MindaNews photo by MANMAN DEJETO

draft which we are also studying.”

Asked if the Bangsamoro roadmap to pass the BBL by yearend has been abandoned, Pimentel said: “There is the usual delay.”

The draft Bangsamoro law was received by the Senate and the House in mid-August but has not been �iled as bill because there are no authors.

Moro representatives like Maguindanao Rep. Bai Sandra Sema of Maguindanao, the Deputy Speaker for Mindanao, had repeatedly told MindaNews they are de�initely willing to sponsor the measure but hopes the House leaders will also co-author.

Ready to �ile On Thursday morning, hours before the President met with the Congress leadership and the BTC, MindaNews asked Sema on the status of the draft BBL in the House.

“I’m ready to �ile it next week with three other representatives,” she said. She named them as Tawi-tawi’s Ruby Sahali, chair of the Committee on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity; Lanao del Sur Rep. Mauyag Papandayan, chair of the Committee on Muslim Affairs and vice chair Makmod Mending, Jr. of Anak Mindanao Party List.

Sema, who �iled House Bill 0092 on June 30 last year, a re-submission of the �irst BTC draft submitted under the Aquino administration, said he had spoken with Alvarez and “he will be co-author.”

The sponsorship of the draft BBL, however, was not discussed in the Malacanang meeting.

Alvarez has not sent his reply to MindaNews’ query as of 3 p.m. Friday. It was Alvarez who, days after Duterte won the Presidency and while he was still presumptive Speaker, declared the BBL “moot

DRAFT, 10

5 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 120• SUNDAY-MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17-18, 2017

Pag-IBIG Fund targets P100-B housing portfolio

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he Home Development Mutual Fund, otherwise known as PagIBIG Fund, aims a P100-billion housing portfolio in the next �ive years.

This was disclosed Thursday by the Fund’s chief executive of�icer Rizaldy Acmad Moti, saying the target could fund 100,000 houses yearly. The Fund has a takeout target of P65 billion this year.

Moti said the Fund would want to maximize countryside projects in tie up with the local government units, the institutions and similar groups.

“These are the areas that are underserved and unserved and will never have subdivisions,” he said.

This is basically the reason that prompted the Fund to seek for the support of the local government leaders who would want to provide quality housing at affordable rates to their constituents.

This has already drew the interest of the Tawi-Tawi LGU after seeing the projects in other areas with affordable rates and bigger in area.

In Mindanao, Moti said, there are already existing projects under the program which was launched in 2011-2012 citing for instance the Dole Philippines project for their employees.

Dole donated the land for the housing projects of their employees. Another is the Dangkagan LGU in Bukidnon and another LGU in Compostela Valley Province, LGU Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental, just to name a few, he said.

The Fund is also pushing

for an increase in the number of housing borrowers in Mindanao with an aim for the island to become the frontrunner of delivering more housing to members.

Moti said he is optimistic about meeting this year’s target of P8.6 billion, noting that there is a surge of housing needs especially in Northern Mindanao.

He said that in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro areas, there is a huge spike in the take out of loans given huge demand for housing.

With the Marawi incident, Moti said the moneyed Maranaos are moving in these areas where they could build new homes.

As to the Pag-IBIG members in Marawi, Moti said the Fund is in talks with the local government unit and the Marawi State University for housing projects of their employees in the area.

Although the government is doing a rehabilitation project spearheaded by the Housing Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), the Fund will complement by offering housing projects to the 3,000 members of both the Marawi LGU and the MSU employees.

On the other hand, Moti said that with the convergence of the housing agencies of the government, the Fund is closely coordinating with the Land Registration Authority and the Housing Land Use Regulatory Board for faster processing of documents from two to three years to less than �ive months. (Digna D. Banzon/ PNA)

PH econ topguns taking BBB roadshow to China

A

Cabinet-level delegation led by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and other members of the economic team will bring the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” roadshow to China on September 27-29 to promote the government’s planned Golden Age of Infrastructure that aims to create more jobs and realize its goal of economic inclusion for all Filipinos.

Dominguez, along with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Secretaries Benjamin Diokno of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Arthur Tugade of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and Mark Villar of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); and Vivencio Dizon, president of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), will also meet with high-ranking Chinese of�icials to discuss the progress of the preparations for the Philippines’ big-ticket

infrastructure projects that would be partly funded by Of�icial Development Assistance (ODA) from China.

The Philippine delegation will meet with Chinese ministry of�icials on Sept. 27 in Beijing and proceed the following day to Shanghai, China’s �inancial center, to generate support for the “Build, Build, Build” program of the Duterte administration.

The Duterte administration is planning to spend between P8 trillion and P9 trillion on its “Build, Build, Build” program, over the next �ive years.

Based on NEDA estimates, this unprecedented infrastructure program is expected to generate 106,824 additional jobs this year; 823,696 jobs in 2018; 1,115,999 jobs in 2019; 1,228,963 jobs in 2020; 1,399,463 jobs in 2021; and 1,705,023 jobs in 2022.

While the average rate for infrastructure spending in the

PH, 6

WEDDING EVENT. Cameo Events Davao proprietor Jade Polizon (rightmost) supervises his staff as they make a last-minute adjustment of an elegant wedding table arrangement during the second day of Okasyon 2017, a cel-

ebration fair at SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City on Saturday.

Lean Daval Jr.

150 fiber glass motor boats to be given to Davao fishers

By ANGIE SAVERON

S

OME 150 �iberglass-made motorized �ishing boats will be given to �isher folks in the Davao Region November in order to improve their means of livelihood.

This is in line with the program launched by Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol to provide 3,000 �iberglass boats just in the Davao Region during the term of President Rodrigo R. Duterte. `

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is currently building the boats.

The areas to be bene�ited by the initial number of boats are �ishermen operating within the congressional districts of The areas that will be given boats are the congressional districts of three Davao members of the House of Representatives. They are Rep. Antonio R. Floirendo Jr.

in the �irst district of Davao del Norte, Rep. Corazon N. Malanyaon in the �irst district of Davao Oriental and Rep. Mayo Almario in the second district of Davao Oriental.

Speci�ically the bene�iciary �ishers are from Panabo City and the Island Garden City of Samal in Rep. Floirendo’s district, the coastal towns of Baganga, Boston, Caraga, Cateel, Manay and Tarragona in Rep. Malanyaon’s district and Banaybanay,

Goveenor Generoso, Lupon and San Isidro in Congressman Almario’s district. Each of the three districts will receive 40 boats. The remaining 30 boats will be given out to the �ishers of Sta. Cruz area.

According to Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Regional Director Fatma M. Idris, each 21-footer and 30-footer bancas costs 150 Fiber Glass Motorized boats to be given out on November.

these regions, sub-states,” Lorenzana said in a press briefing in Malacañan.

“We have several models of federalism already submitted to Congress. We are presenting to you today a model borne out of years of discernment and study,” he said.

According to Lorenzana, the CDPI’s proposal adopted and updated the 2005 Consultative Commission documents, which they call “The Centrist Proposal.”

“In our proposal, the Centrist Proposal, the legislative and the executive are fused…

We fuse them in a unicameral parliament, one body. And the head of government is the Prime Minister --- with his Cabinet recruited among the members of parliament,” Lorenzana said.

He said the President, as head of state, shall be elected from among the members of parliament and shall have a �ive-year term while the

Prime Minister or the head of government will have no term limits but can be booted out of of�ice through a vote of no con�idence, not through the process of impeachment.

Lorenzana said the CDPI has four preconditions while revising the 1987 Constitution: political party reform, enactment of a law banning political dynasties; the passage of a real all-encompassing Freedom of Information Act; and electoral reforms.

“We penalize turncoatism or the switching of political parties, the balimbings, the political butter�lies,” Lorenzana said.

As for electoral reforms, he said the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) must be reformed to remove all quasi-judicial work and transfer electoral contests and protests to the judiciary.

“These four conditions have a high probability of passage while we have a

President endowed with tremendous political capital and have the political will to act decisively,” he said.

Lorenzana said the CDPI has also proposed timelines, which urges Congress to start deliberating amendments in the 1987 Constitution from October this year up to February 2019.

The second stage will be from May of 2020 to 2025, wherein the �irst parliamentary elections under the new federal Constitution shall be conducted not later than May 2020 “to organize the �irst unicameral parliament under the newly-rati�ied Constitution with a term of �ive years up to 2025.”

From May 2025 to 2030, the second regular parliamentary elections under the new Constitution shall be held by 2025 with a �ive-year term to 2030. The country will then have a new Prime

CDPI proposes shift to federal system

M

ANILA - The Centrist Democracy Political Institute (CDPI) on Thursday, September 14, said it is proposing the shift to a federal parliamentary system, adding that Congress should soon start deliberating the amendments in the 1987 Constitution that will pave the way for federalization.

Lito Monico Lorenzana, President of the CDPI, said they will be presenting this proposal to the 25-man commission to be appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

CDPI is a political, non-pro�it organization, in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Philippines, a German political foundation which promotes political education initiatives worldwide.

“We want a system where power and authority are not centralized but shared between the federal government and the states --- we call

CDPI, 6

6 ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAOVOL. 10 ISSUE 120• SUNDAY-MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17-18, 2017

Jobs sought for surrenderers after completing drug rehab

By LEONARDO MICUA

D

AGUPAN CITY -- The City Council here passed a resolution on Wednesday recommending to Mayor Belen Fernandez that drug surrenderers who will soon graduate from drug rehabilitation program be given the highest preference for job placement in the city government’s various infrastructure projects.

Councilor Dennis Canto, who proposed the resolution, said there are some 1,300 drug surrenderers in Dagupan and most of them are now undergoing drug rehabilitation either as in-patients of the Dagupan Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DTRC), out-patients or on community-based rehabilitation.

He said upon completion of their rehabilitation, these people need jobs in order to support themselves and their families.

Canto said Dagupan City has launched many infrastructure projects for the past three years, like construction and elevation of roads, school buildings, health centers, covered courts, evacuation centers

and the like that need manpower.

Erjohn Pangilinan, designated focal person on the Masa Masid (Mamamayan Ayaw sa Anomalya, Mamamayan Ayaw sa Droga) program, said rehabilitation therapy for confessed drug users started in July in Barangay Lucao.

Pangilinan said the program is already being implemented in several barangays and hopefully all over Dagupan by December this year.

He assured that once the drug surrenderers complete their rehabilitation and proven they are no longer using illegal substances, their names will be �inally removed from the watchlist of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

He added that they will also be recommended to undergo training under the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) so that they can be employed locally and overseas or be able to have their own income-generating involvements. (PNA)

past administrations was 2.6 percent of the GDP, the Duterte presidency plans to ramp it up to 5.32 percent of GDP for this year alone with an infra budget of P847 billion.

The Duterte administration plans to gradually increase the public infrastructure budget to 1.2 trillion in 2018; 1.4 trillion in 2019; P1.5 trillion in 2020; P1.7 trillion in 2021; and P1.9 trillion in 2022.

According to Dominguez, the Build, Build, Build program will be funded by a combination of resources from its proposed comprehensive tax reform program (CTRP), foreign development

aid and commercial loans.

He said the �irst package of the CTRP—the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act or TRAIN, which is now pending in the Congress, will serve as the “cornerstone” of the funding for the government’s ambitious infrastructure program.

Last March, the Philippines and China signed agreements on the conduct of preliminary studies for two proposed big-ticket infrastructure projects in the Visayas and Mindanao during the visit of Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang to President Duterte’s home city of Davao.

Minister and a new President, he said.

“That is the shift to parliamentary… But the process of federalization goes on,” Lorenzana said.

In terms of federalization, Lorenzana said the Centrist Position calls for 11 autonomous territories.

The 12th autonomous territory, the Bangsamoro, will be constituted ahead of the Bangsamoro because of the Bangsamoro Basic Law enacted by Congress previous to the plebiscite, Lorenzana said.

Lorenzana said that by 2028, autonomous territories may already operate like federal states. “They can raise their own funds. They can come up with their own resources. They can come

up with their own taxes and spend for themselves. It is a kind of federalism we aspire for where the people from cities and regions shall negotiate among themselves and arrive a decision to set up their own federal state,” he said.

Lorenzana said the process of shifting to a federal type of government may take some time, and would need massive political education, especially among millennials. “The Centrist roadmap to federalism is designed to mitigate the shock to the body politic arising from the purging of traditional political practices to the immediate passage of reform laws now pending in Congress,” he said. (PND/ PNA)

PH... FROM 5

CDPI... FROM 5

DELAYED DURIAN SEASON (DDS). Durian lovers flock to Magsaysay fruit stall as prices of the fruit drops down from P150 to P50-P80 per kilo due to the increasing supply as the delayed harvest season is in full blast. Lean Daval Jr.

Palace welcomes investor confidence

M

ANILA - Presidential Communications Of�ice Assistant Secretary Kris Ablan said Malacañang welcomes the 182.7 percent increase in foreign direct investments (FDIs).

“Foreign direct investments or FDIs grew by a 182.7 percent to US$674 million in June 2017, up from US$238 million from the same month in 2016,” Ablan

said in a press brie�ing.

“This latest Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas �igure shows that our growth momentum is on track and we expect this would be sustained further by public infrastructure spending, consistent with the Duterte’s administration target of spending of 5.3 percent of GDP this year for infrastructure,” he said.

Ablan meanwhile an-

nounced that the Department of Finance’s one billion parametric insurance pilot project for 25 disaster-prone provinces is already in place.

“The premium payments �inance through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund will be categorized by disaster-speci�ic and province-speci�ic areas,” Ablan said.

Five hundred million

pesos will be allocated to disaster-speci�ic premiums, wherein 79.2 percent will be given to typhoon-related disasters and 20.8 percent for earthquake-related disasters.

The other PHP500 million will be allocated to province-speci�ic premiums and will be split equally amongst the 25 provinces at PHP20 million each. (PND/PNA)

ed to head the council, said the coordination would be more seamless.

All efforts will also be coordinated with Indonesia through the Philippines naval forces, which hold coordinated patrol with Indonesian Navy.

The Eastmincom, which initiates the creation of the coordinating council, sees the importance of border security to national security as it plays an important role in securing the country against the threats of terrorism, transnational crimes, and to protect its interest and sovereignty.

This will also address different security issues in the region, such as illegal drugs, human traf�icking, smuggling, sea piracy, and robbery.

Guerrero said collaboration between agencies, police and security forces is the most effective way to maximize use of resources, build a more comprehensive

intelligence picture and respond to the needs of securing borders.

Guerrero hopes to share this collaboration initiative with the Western Mindanao command since Davao region also shares borders with Region 10. He noted that the western command is also facing threats of terrorism.

He said the initiative will also be replicated at the national level for wider scope of border security. Bureau of Customs District Collector Erastus Sandino Austria and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director Adhzar Albani welcomed the initiative because this also helps their own effort of curbing smuggling.

BoC and PDEA are also members of the newly-created coordinating council.

Austria said the BoC has three mandates which are to collect revenue, facilitate trade, and protect borders.

And, he said, the BOC

needs the support of other agencies especially when targeted containers are already out of its jurisdiction area.

He said the BoC and other agencies can watch out and provide feedback of intelligence information.

On the other hand, Albani said the initiative is good because this coordination makes the PDEA’s drug enforcement function faster.

Albani said it is also timely because PDEA is about to create a task force for port and airport interdiction against drug smugglers and their activities.

Guerrero said the coordinating council is expected to create bene�icial conditions for social and economic development in the region, initiate measures to reduce threats and transnational crimes, and promote free and secure movement of persons, goods, services and investments across borders.

(Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)

Eastmincom, agencies seal intel-sharing deal

T

he Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) and 15 government agencies in Davao Region have sealed an agreement to orchestrate intelligence information sharing to strengthen security in the maritime borders, ports, and airports against terrorists and other criminal groups.

The agreement for intelligence information sharing and synchronized security of the region was signed Friday at the Eastmincom headquarters, NSFA, Panacan wherein the Border Security Coordinating Council and committees were formed for faster and organized security response based on functional areas.

Eastmincom chief Lt. Gen Rey Leonardo Guerrero said the coordinating council will help enhance surveillance and security not only in major ports, airports, maritime border but also in other landing areas and port facilities.

Guerrero, who was elect-

SUBURBIA 7 EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 120• SUNDAY-MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17-18, 2017

President Duterte gives pep talk to soldiers wounded in Marawi City at the Army hospital in Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City on 11 June 2017. MindaNews file photo by H. MARCOS C. MORDENO

Former rebs get aid to start normal lives L

Albay village councils support barangay polls postponement

By CONNIE DESTURA

M

ATI CITY, Davao Oriental–Fourteen former rebels who currently reside at Davao Oriental’s Happy Home have received livelihood assistance from the government as part of its program to aid former rebels in their reintegration into the mainstream society.

Funded by the Department of Interior and Local Government through the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP), a total of P910,000 was distributed to the former rebels during a simple distribution ceremony on Tuesday, September 12.

The former rebels received P65,000 each, which was turned over by Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang, DILG

Provincial Director Yvette T. Sunga and other top of�icials of key agencies and of�ices in the province.

Governor Dayanghirang said this aid shows the government’s determination to assist former rebels as they transition to civilian life.

He reminded the former rebels to be wise in spending the government’s assistance and encouraged them to use the money only for meaningful investments that would help them to earn and propagate their income.

As most of the former rebels are farmers, they say they will invest the assistance they have received on growing crops, raising livestock while others say they would like to engage in a small busi-

ness like putting up a “sari-sari” store.

Using the skills they have acquired during their rehabilitation at the Provincial Government-run Happy Home facility, these former rebels say they now have the con�idence to build new productive lives for themselves and their families.

At the Happy Home– a halfway house for former rebels, they were given hands-on training on crop and livestock production, which is part of the innovation being introduced by the Philippine Army’s 701st Brigade to provide former rebels wider economic opportunities when they get back to the community.

Brigade Commander Col.

Reuben Basiao said that aside from these trainings, other salient feature of the facility includes a ten-day political de-radicalization process incorporating meticulously programmed daily subjects and activities. Under this process, the former rebels undergo activities such as gardening, moral recovery, Sunday mass, and lectures on scores of topics such as Philippine history and socioeconomic theories, among others.

Thirty-year-old Elena (not her real name), a former rebel, said she is excited to go back to her family and begin her new life as a civilian. She said surrendering was the best decision she has made as it led her to scores of oppor-

KIDAPAWAN CITY (MindaNews/15 September) – Commanders from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front have vowed to to help in the government’s campaign against illegal drugs, a police of�icial said.

Senior Supt. Jonathan Tangonan, of�icer-in-charge of the Cotabato Police Provincial Of�ice, said the commanders

manifested their support in a covenant signed after a “special meeting” Thursday with the local police and the municipal government of Matalam, North Cotabato.

Tangonan said Mayor Gigi Valdevieso-Catamco called for the meeting which was also attended by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Region 12 and the provincial police of�ice.

Tangonan said the commanders admitted during the meeting that they have relatives who are using and selling drugs.

“These commanders said the illegal drug trade has disturbed their communities for so long. Sometimes this caused rido or family feuds among them,” said Tangonan in an interview over Catholic-run DXND.

Police records showed Matalam town is considered a “hot spot” of illegal drugs.

The same records showed that two Moro communities in Matalam poblacion serve as “dropping points” for shabu coming from Pikit and Kabacan towns in North Cotabato and Pagalungan and Pagagawan in Maguindanao.

(Malu Cadelina Manar/MindaNews)

FORMER, 13

MILF, MNLF to help in campaign vs illegal drugs

EGAZPI CITY -- The Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) in Albay fully supports the bill passed recently by the House of Representatives postponing the October 2017 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan election next year.

Albay ABC president Joseph Philip Lee believes that postponement of the barangay elections is an opportunity for all incumbent barangay of�icials to render more ef�icient and productive services to

their constituents.

Lee, in an interview on Thursday, said the postponement of the election will give incumbent barangay of�icials the opportunity to pursue development projects and services needed by their respective constituents.

“This is time and a chance to make it up with their constituents,” he said.

The extension of service will help the people to gauge and decide whether these vil-

ALBAY, 13

3 kille, 3 arrested in NoR Cotabato raids

K

IDAPAWAN CITY — Three persons suspected to be peddling drugs in their areas were killed and another three were apprehended when authorities in North Cotabato raided their hideouts in what the police termed as, “One Time, Big Time Anti-Illegal Drugs Operation”, Saturday dawn, police reports said.

Killed during the simultaneous raids were Monaim Paglas and Mahdem Bagundang, both residents of Purok-5, Barangay Dungguan in M’lang, North Cotabato The slain suspects, according to reports from M’lang police, engaged the raiding team in a gun battle when they

refused to surrender and have their houses searched by the police.

In Banisilan, another suspected drug peddler identi�ied as Bienvenido Gumban was killed.

Reports from Banisilan Police said Gumban drew his pistol when the team raided his house at around 5:30 a.m., Saturday.

Arrested during the operations were Nashrudin Ganang Buisan, 21, of Barangay Lano-on in Carmen, North Cotabato; Norodin Nandang Amulan alias Odin, 30; Kenneth Pasandalan Cudales, 29, of Poblacion in Kabacan, North Cotabato.(Malu Cadelina Manar / MindaNews)

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

W

Parks and open spaces

hile Davao City continues to position itself to its sales pitch “Life is here”, there are some areas experts believe it should also give attention to. Signi�icantly, it has much to do with the health and well-being of its residents.

According to a group called Interface Development Interventions Inc. (IDIS), Davao City needs more parks and open spaces.

It cited among others, the bene�its of citizens having access to public open space which are reportedly associated with “low crime rates, lower levels of obesity , better general health, lower urban temperatures and high property values.’ A team from the prestigious New York University (NYU) visited Davao on May this year to assess the city’s public parks and open spaces. The research revealed that Davao City is severely short of land for medium-sized public open spaces and is completely lacking of large regional parks which are valuable in interrupting the urban heat island effect and �lood control.

The research particuarly pointed on Shrine Hills which, according to their research, can serve as a massive new urban park in the tradition of Central park in New York or Hyde Park in London. The study showed that Shrine Hills is totally inappropriate for residential development but could become a vital urban amenity to provide environmental services. For the record, the current World Health Organization (WHO) standard requires 9,000 m2 or almost 1 hectre per 1,000 city

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inhabitants and roughly having green spaces with 400-500 meters or 5-minute walk from one’s home.

In highly developed countries like Australia and the United States, open spaces and parks abound just about every block and corner of each suburb or village.

They not only feature benches and grass but serve as picnic areas and outdoor gymnasium. Some are equipped with jogging lanes and �itness equipment.

While Davao City has parks like the People’s Park and other village parks around the city, it needs to build more parks and playgrounds in areas where potential problem areas in health and peace and order abound.

Recently, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) in partnership with local governments across the country launched the children-oriented program on sports dubbed as “Pinoy Children’s Games”, the concept of which is to get children early to sports in order to inculcate in them a healthy lifestyle. This can best be achieved if the city and other cities around the country, are equipped with venues for the program. This is where the sports programs of the country and the infrastructure requirements meet.

Davao City, which happens to be the pilot area of the PSC project, can take the lead in investing on these type of infrastructure. There is nothing to lose in investing on programs that will ensure children to grow to their full potentials.

It’s about time the city lives up to its slogan--”life is here.”

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: 09472652969 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

VOL. 10 ISSUE 120• SUNDAY-MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17-18, 2017

EDGEDAVAO

P

erhaps unlike his predecessor, President Duterte has pushed something almost impossible- taking the politically “bold step” of pushing tax reform and an ambitious infrastructure program at the same time.

This, when the rest of the western world reels from a past fear of spending and economic failure and seeks new opportunities, the Philippine leader wants to revamp the way it earns its resources and pledges to spend more.

A deeper re�lection though, shows that this is also a time when the economy is in a “position

P

rophet Muhammad said, “Wealth is not the abundance of material possessions. Real wealth is the inner wealth.” Narrated

by Imam Al Bukhari and Imam Muslim.

He also said, “Be in this world like a stranger or a wayfarer.”

Narrated by Imam Al Bukhari.

Prophet Muhammad has stressed enough through different sayings that life in this world isn’t like the way our modern commercialist society portray the ideal life. A common stereotype we have on success is driving a Ferrari or being married or engaged to a supermodel while living in a multimillion dollar mansion. The commercialist society dictates us that we live in order to get rich or die trying.

THE MORAL INFLUENCE OF COMMERCIALISM Our commercialist society has equated happiness with one’s ability to afford the latest gadgets, cars, fashion and everything that is shown on TV as necessities one shouldn’t live without. When in fact all they were are luxuries that we can easily do without. We are in an endless rat race. Like a hamster in a wheel cage living each day in order to afford things by often being in debt spending money that we do not have in order to afford things that we do not really need in order to impress people that we do not really like.

Life has become a chore

VOL. 10 ISSUE 120• SUNDAY-MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17-18, 2017

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Bold steps, audacious plans of strength” to handle challenges.

Contrary to the soothsayers and dectractors, we retain a good debt to GDP ratio which enables us to pay our loans better, and perhaps negotiate for better terms.

Many feared that this would slip a year into the Duterte administration, yet this vital number, and the credit ratings remain good. No scaling back of the ratings has been reported.

As infrastructure spending ramps up over the next twelve months, expect our GDP to rise further.

This is why donor agencies and debt watchers have of becoming always ahead of other people in material possessions. Although our conscience often whispers to us to reconsider our purchases of material goods in order to keep us on track and be away from being spendthrifts, our desires whisper back that we should give in and give ourselves a break by letting us believe that happiness depends upon it.

In a consumerist society, material possessions are the utmost priority at the expense of other important things in life such as relationships, spirituality, and even morality. We became slaves of the dollar so to speak. We are willing to steal, kill or be killed for top dollar and nothing else matters. This mentality leads us to numerous corruptions overshadowing our morals, values, and virtues as human beings.

Social media has ampli�ied this phenomenon by letting us have a channel through which we could show off and compare ourselves to others.

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others have given us a platform or an arena in which to compete. Some of us even go to great lengths and effort to sport every material thing we could get our hands to through often senseless sel�ies and over engineered posts of our gadgets, travels, clothing, and others. Some would even post of things that is not theirs, just for fun.

Most of us have become

MY TWO CENTS’ John Tria maintained and even raised our gdp forecasts, as in the

True happiness

UNDERSTANDING ISLAM

Mujahid Navarra

mindless beings whose sole existence is to show off not only the things we have or we can afford but also the things we don’t have or cannot afford. Some of us are even willing to lie and deceive in order to get that most coveted likes, comments and shares in social media.

HAPPINESS IS OFTEN ILLUSIVE We have been this way for quite some time now. The intrinsically rich, the well off, or even the poor among us compete in order to have a piece of this happiness that we have equated to material things such as possessions and popularity.

We’ve been vying until the recent news of celebrity suicides had us thinking. Why would someone successful, attractive, rich, and famous would ever wish to end all these? Weren’t they happy?

We thought one would be

case of Credit Suisse.

The good news is that this wil continue to gives good credit ratings. No less than the head of hte most in�luential business group said so and i believe he is correct.

Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, who currently sits as chairman of Ayala Corp. and its other vast business interests, said that such “boldness” on the part of the government “augurs well for a country that has tremendous potential to move up to a far greater degree than we have within the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) context.”

Likewise af�irming the boldness is our own Finance secretary who explained that we have a leader capable of the “audacity” and intense love for his country to do what is necessary to take advantage of the favorable conditions for a “breakout”.

Perhaps a set of economic breakthroughs may come sooner or later. The record high of the stock market last week, and the high Foreign Direct Investment �igures in June portend good things, contrary to what pundits want us to believe.

Again, this despite and above the political noise on Manila.

happy because of these things, because these have become our goals in life.

Or maybe we were wrong.

Maybe happiness really wasn’t about all these.

Maybe happiness is really in something that is within us all along waiting to be nourished but we have consciously abandoned because of materialism.

Happiness is but one word but the mere mention of it lights up the heart and tickles us to smile. Even the smallest suggestion for us to be happy in any other way will light up our hearts. It is the primary reason for our efforts. That is why if family makes you happy you’d dedicate all your effort to their comfort and well-being. And if material possession makes you happy then one would dedicate his effort to gain it.

ISLAM SIMPLIFIED HAPPINESS Allah said in the Quran, “We did not create the Jinn and Humans except to worship Me.” Quran 51:56.

In utmost simplicity, Allah has informed us of our primary goal in life which if realized will give us real sense of ful�illment and bring us the evasive happiness that we all wanted. In Islam, happiness is found in the worship of Allah and nowhere else. You may �ind this too limiting because people tend to misunderstand worship as things that are done only inside the church or things pertaining to prayer.

But worship in Islam isn’t.

A Muslim worships Allah through his prayers but a Muslim also worships Allah by being good to his parents and family and the people in general whether Muslims or Non-Muslims. A Muslim worships Allah by doing good deeds that will bene�it any creation of Allah whether they are humans, plants of animals. Any good deed done for the pleasure of Allah is a form or worship and he is rewarded for such. This knowledge and certainty that this good deed however small will be rewarded plentifully

by Allah will give the Muslim a sense of achievement, a ful�illed purpose that will give him happiness.

You will �ind this as some sort of over simpli�ication of Islam on the complex issue of happiness and how to gain it but this is something you will �ind in the testimonies of Muslims particularly reverts.

You will �ind them testifying that the reason they embraced Islam is that they found happiness in Islam and in it they have found answers to everything that they have been contemplating upon all their lives. From the physical to the metaphysical. From the material to the spiritual.

Have you been seeking happiness?

Send your questions, comments, and suggestions to mujahidnavarra@gmail.com.

For more information about Islam, watch Mensahe TV via Cignal channel 184.

Mensahe TV, our message is Mercy to Mankind.

10

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 120• SUNDAY-MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17-18, 2017

PROTECTING... FROM 1 “Our partners in the crafting and the implementation of this code are various groups advocating the protection of children’s rights -- including Kabiba,” Bermudo said.

“This is not about Martial Law. Plain and simple, this is about ensuring the interest and safety of our children,” Bermudo said in a statement.

City information of�icer Jeffrey “Jepoi” Tupas said Bermudo made the statement fol-

lowing an “urgent alert” circulated through a text message by a certain Lindy of KABIBA, a militant organization, saying that “Airport police of Davao International airport barred for the second time the travel of delegates of SOS conference. Despite securing permit to travel, 32 IP students along with their parents and teachers were being banned to travel to manila. This is martial law!” AMA

barred from getting “general information” regarding police operations and cases handled by their units.

Train said what the PNP chief meant with his order was to delay the releasing of information on cases that are still pending investigation and those subject to ongoing follow-up operations.

“There had been cases wherein investigations were compromised and some suspects were able to elude arrest due to the premature release of the reports, and we want to avoid that,” he said.

The police of�icial countered criticisms that the directive was meant to “sanitize” reports and other information that would be released to the public by the media.

He said their personnel are mandated to make accurate and credible reports, especially on crime statistics.

Train said the PNP chief’s order mainly complements with such mandate and meant to enhance the credibility of the PNP. “It’s not also proper to us to hastily release an information and take them back later on because they’re incorrect,” he said.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines has urged Dela Rosa to

“immediately rescind what is clearly an illegal order to withhold spot reports from media.”

It urged police commanders not to obey the order, noting that a police spot report is a “public document that should be available to everyone, not just media, in the principle of transparency and accountability.”

Linda Netnet Ortiz, chair of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas chapter here, said they are strongly opposing the PNP chief’s order as it curtails the public’s access to information on police operations.

“We, the media, are the voice, eyes, and ears of the public so those information should not be barred from us,” she said in an interview over TV Patrol Socsksargen.

Emir Bariquit, chief reporter of the Radio Mindanao Network’s station dxMD, said “hiding” police blotters from the media will not do any good for police units.

He said there were cases in the past wherein some police personnel were angered by media reports that were supposedly inaccurate and did not favor them.

“This is the chance for the police to make their reports better so we can also make the right reports to the public,” he added.(PNA)

showers, thunderstorms, possible occasional heavy rains and strong winds over Palawan and Mindanao, state weather agency Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Friday.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers.

Moderate to strong winds will blow from south

to southwest over Luzon, and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate blowing from southeast to south with slight to moderate seas.

Meanwhile, typhoon “Lannie” (Talim), which left the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) last Wednesday, was last eyed at 850 kilometers north northeast of Basco, Batanes, according to PAGASA. (PNA) news

and to work together despite setbacks and disagreements,” he said.

Meanwhile, amid the ongoing rebellion in Mindanao, the Chief Executive called on the public to unite with the government in its �ight against extremist groups who continue to sow division, terror, and hatred among the people.

“Let us stand �irm and resolute as we work together for a just, unifying, and lasting peace in our country,” he said.

President Duterte also commended the OPAPP for its notable achievements in the last 24 years. He praised the agency for its dedication to make lasting peace possible.

“In just a short span of

MEDIA... FROM 1

MARING... FROM 2

PRRD... FROM 2

FAMILY ART EXHIBIT. Mall goers check out the works of renowned Chan Lim Family of Artists on display at the atrium of SM Lanang Premier on Saturday.

Lean Daval Jr.

time, you achieved goals that many doubted you would be able to accomplish,” Duterte said.

“Your efforts turned enemies into friends and partners brought hope to con�lict-torn areas, communities, and uplifted the spirits of people who for decades dreamt of peace,” he said.

“Your perseverance have convinced us that regardless of our diversity and differences, all Filipinos will stand together as one towards attaining our aspirations of peace and prosperity,” he added.

He further thanked the country’s different donor agencies, civil society organizations, national government agencies, local government units and the media, for supporting and spearheading

initiatives for peace development in the country.

“The milestones that the OPAPP had achieved would not have been possible were it not for your support and your initiatives. Thank you for sharing your time, expertise and resources, and for extending a helping hand to our government and our communities,” he stressed.

During the event, President Duterte witnessed the conferment of awards on 12 OPAPP employees who served the agency fort a period of 10 or more years.

Also present during the ceremony were former President Fidel V. Ramos, Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza, and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. (PND/PNA)

Davao City) spy network. The police and military control the �low of information. In the guise of stopping ‘fake news,’ the regime is set to clamp down on media freedom and the right to free expression,” it added.

The CPP said Duterte and his security of�icials will try to “suppress the protest actions and prevent these from swelling into large demonstrations.”

“In the face of his desperation, it is not remote that Duterte and his dirty tricks department will resort to creating bloody trouble in the streets to serve as pretext for the declaration of martial law,” it warned.

The CPP statement on Thursday was the strongest so far against Duterte after the president declared on July 21 that he was abandoning peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front.

He also ordered the arrest of NDF peace consultants who were freed on bail so they could give inputs during the talks.

“No more talk. Let us �ight.

I’ll save enough money for the arms, I’ll buy the new ones, the precision guided missiles,” he said.

Duterte made the declaration shortly after New People’s Army rebels ambushed a convoy of the Presidential Security Group along the Davao-Bukidnon highway.

A day before Duterte’s announcement, the CPP said the declaration of martial law in Mindanao has made the talks unnecessary.

“It is a strongman’s act of bad faith aimed at bullying the NDFP to bow to his terms of surrender,” it said.

“Having failed to inveigle the NDFP to capitulate in the peace negotiations, he is offering so-called local peace talks in the vain attempt to entice revolutionary forces with deceptive offers,” the CPP said in the statement Thursday.

Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has said she will pursue localized talks with the NPA. The NPA, armed wing of the CPP, has been waging an armed struggle since 1969.

Ferdinand E. Marcos was the �irst president to place the entire country under martial law, from Sept. 21, 1972 until his ouster via a civilian-backed military mutiny in February 1986. (MindaNews)

DUTERTE... FROM 2

DRAFT... FROM 4

and academic.” He later stopped saying that when the Bangsamoro roadmap was explained to him, “Give me a month or two” On March 27 this year, he told MindaNews in a sit-down interview in Davao City that if the President certi�ies the Bangsamoro bill as urgent, “conservatively, sa House, give me a month or two” to pass it and that it is possible to meet the yearend target of the roadmap. “Pwede. Oo” (Possible.

Yes) On February 28 this year, Pimentel told MindaNews in a sit-down interview in the Senate President’s of�ice that “if we think about it objectively, it would be more dif�icult to have federal then have BBL because by the time that you are now pushing for BBL we are already in a federal set up.

So it will be easier… relatively … compared to the other way around, it makes more sense to push for BBL �irst so an autonomous law for a certain area in the Philippines then for constitutional change towards federalism. So I think that is the twotrack process envisioned by the peace panel but that also introduces some complications. The simplest would be straight to federalism.”

“Heavy heart” Dureza told reporters in Malacanang after the meeting that the President will present a “gameplan” to ensure the passage of the law.

“In short, just some kind of roadmap that the President would like to present to the MILF and the BTC on how to see to it that he complies and he is true to his commitment that he will husband the BBL to its logical conclusion,” CNN Philippines quoted Dureza as saying.

Dureza said the Of�ice of the President is still working on the “gameplan” with the Congress leaders.

A member of the BTC who requested not to be named said they left Malacanang with a heavy heart. The source said they were told there are “plans that are at the ‘con�idential phase’ and that they will inform

us of the ‘plan’ at the right time.

In short, the draft BBL has no sponsor yet.”

One member was reported to have stood up to stress the urgency of passing the BBL as an instrument of peace and that the President is “privileged by history to end the con�lict by passing the BBL.” But the source said the administration’s track is “constitutional amendment then legislation.”

A number of those who attended the meeting said the President “did not talk about BBL. He talked about amending the Constitution and that we should just wait.”

“Template for federalism” Duterte during his campaign for the Presidency and even as President has repeatedly said he would push for the passage of the BBL and make it a “template for federalism.”

After receiving a copy of the draft BBL on July 17, Duterte declared that “within the context of the Republic of the Philippines, there shall be a Bangsamoro country.”

He noted that after decades of armed struggle and violence, “we will soon come up with a constitutionally consistent legal instrument that will lay the foundation for establishing real and lasting peace in Mindanao.”

Duterte committed to “support and husband” the proposed BBL in Congress to ensure the passage of the law that would create the Bangsamoro, a new autonomous political entity that would replace the 27year old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). creation of the Bangsamoro is in accordance with the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) signed by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on March 27, 2014.

The agreement envisions a new entity that would realize the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people for genuine self-determination under a ministerial form of government and ensure autonomy far more than what the present ARMM provides. ( MindaNews)

INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 120• SUNDAY-MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17-18, 2017

STYLE

EDGEDAVAO

A GLIMPSE INTO AN AFFAIRE DE COEUR THE FEELING of being a blushing young bride never leaves a girl and this is true even for me after a decade since I tied the knot. The thrill of it came rushing back when my editor told me that I would have the chance to meet fashion designer Francis Libiran to talk about his upcoming bridal trunk show in Davao this coming November.

For almost every bride, it really is about the dress and no one understands this better than Libiran. It is why his bridal ready to wear line was created in the first place. This extension of the designer, who is responsible for such striking moments as Anne Curtis’ appearance on America’s Next Top Model or Pia Wurtzbach’s coronation on Miss Universe, is one that sets a whole new stage for the woman who is about to say her “I do’s.” The clamor for his talent is so palpably present that he and his partner in life and business, Christian Mark Jacobs, put together the pieces to make his gowns more accessible to brides-to-be.

Libiran, an architect by profession first before turning to and settling on fashion design, had just gotten married to Jacobs in Boracay earlier this year and I couldn’t help but recall photographed scenes from their much publicized union and not mention it to them as they sat just a few feet away from me in the board room of Marco Polo Davao. In fact, the couple is very accepting and forthcoming about discussing their relationship in broad strokes especially since it is closely linked with the bridal RTW collection that they flew to Davao to prepare for. Affaire de Coeur, ‘a love affair’ in French, recalls the couple’s

first meeting in Paris. It is their second bridal RTW collection to date and is the one they are currently showcasing as they hold intimate, by appointment only trunk shows around the Philippines so brides can truly experience what it means to be a Francis Libiran bride.

During an interlude to explaining what stepping inside the Presidential Suite of Marco Polo Davao will be like for an interested bride-to-be, Libiran jests that the Philippine bridal industry seems to be upping the ante on itself every year. He also mentions the role of social media nowadays in every bride’s journey down the aisle. What he has managed to do, from creating this more accessible yet still stunning line of bridal wear to having an arsenal of accessories for his bride and groom, is that he knows how

to use both to the best of his advantage. From the moment they step into the suite for their muchawaited appointment with the handsome designer, it will be an experience they will likely not forget. Brides will have tea and refreshments waiting for them in the lobby while a styling consultant does the initial intake form.

Afterward, they will be escorted inside the Marco Polo Suite. The suite will be set up like a boutique so that brides can browse Francis Libiran bridal gowns, accessories, lingerie, rings and timepieces.

Sparkling wine and canapes will be served while the bride makes her way into her consultation with Francis. The bride will be given the opportunity to fit three gowns of her choosing, with Francis’ guidance.

After the fitting, brides can proceed with ordering their gown to avail of the same-day booking promo (10% off + veil + headpiece). Measurements will be taken after the fitting before the bride is brought to the makeshift studio for a makeover with Hazel Gonzalez of HG Studios. And as a souvenir of the unique experience to go with their wedding’s hashtag which the bride will no doubt have already thought about, photo ops with Francis will be permitted.

Bridal is a special part of Francis Libiran’s business and he has a trove of stories to share from his twenty years doing it. Ultimately,

he would like all his brides to feel good about themselves especially on what they deem is the most important day of their lives. Who he’d like to cater to with this line of bridal wear is the bride who would like to look and feel her best without having to invest so much time on the underpinnings and cost of a couture gown. Libiran makes sure that his signature aesthetic of lines with just the right amount of romantic detail is present in each of the twenty or so dresses in his collection.

Aside from the gown itself and if his schedule permits, he professes to ‘orient’ his brides up until the moment they make their fateful walk. His attractive face crinkles up in laughter each time we appreciatively take in the humor of his anecdotes. This writer is so obviously enamored by the designer and all he stands for and I left feeling that unique elation of finding ‘the one.’ So much so that getting married again to my husband, fitted in Francis Libiran of course, didn’t sound like such an absurd idea. What he is and the pieces he creates are really things that are to have and to hold.

To make a booking for the Francis Libiran Bridal Trunk Show on November 4 & 5, you may e-mail FrancisLibiranBridal@gmail.com.

Limited slots are available. You may also call +63925-3026686 and book an appointment with Geof, Francis Libiran’s Project Manager.

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 120• SUNDAY-MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17-18, 2017

Davao Doctors College wins in culinary competitions

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO THE DAVAO DOCTORS COLLEGE (DCC) is not only a prestigious school for healthcare, but it is also noted for its culinary course.

In the recent Davao Culinary Cup and 12th Tuna Festival, for instance, DDC emerged winners in various categories.

DDC won four bronze medals in the Davao Culinary Cup competition: Filipino Cuisine (represented by Armando Mortejo, Josh Niel Rhyme Dale Melodi, and Louie Olano), Chef’s Challenge (Melodi and Janyenn Garsuta), Dream Team Challenge (Olano, Chantal Shybelle Snow Sambolawan, Gladivyll Mae Tomol, and Yvan Kris Marcelo), and Local Fish or Seafood (Tomol again).

“We won four bronze medals in six categories which we joined,” said Mortejo, who is program dean and chairman of hospitality management of DDC.

All in all, some 28 institutions – schools, restaurants, hotels and pastry shops – participated in the competition.

Contingents from Tagum and Digos also sent their participants in the 3-day event.

Davao Culinary Cup was organized in 2015 during the Mindanao Culinary Festival headed by Salome San Jose, Davao chapter president of LTB (Les Toque Blanches) Philippine Chefs Association. The goal and the purpose of the competition is to showcase professionals and students to improve their culinary talents and skills.

The competition is open to all industry practitioners, professional chefs, and faculty and students from the academe who are interested

in culinary.

In the recent competition, the judges came all the way from Manila, including James Antolin, the competition director.

Other judges were: Jackie Ang Po, Penk Cheng Tan, Sonny Mariano, Norbert Gandler, Sito Senn, Gerd Gendrano, Carlo Miguel, Ja Ventura and Brando Santos.

6. What did you feel when you were declared one of the winners?

We are all thankful because all of us who joined are first timers as to join the biggest culinary competition in Mindanao. vIn the recent 12th Tuna Festival in General Santos City, 18 schools that came from Davao City, Digos City, Kabacan (North Cotabato) and Bansalan (Davao del Sur).

The DDC won seven medals: one gold, four silver, and two bronze. In the Tuna Appetizer Sal-

ad, Elmer L. Reponte and Jinny Gel Villoria (Team 1) won the gold medal.

The other team (Janyenn Joy A. Garsuta and Louie Olano) settled for silver medal.

In Flavors of Asia, Yvan Kris S. Marcelo and Gladivyll Tomor settled for silver medal. Marcelo – together with Josh Niel Rhyme Dale Melodi – again won silver medal in the Tuna Pasta Salad. Jet Mark Unabia and Chantal Shybelle Snow Sambolawan got the bronze medal, also in the Tuna Pasta Salad competition.

The other silver medal was won by Irish Jay Manlapaz, Ghia Leonesa Guerrero and Loreen Jill Mamon in the Market Basket category. The second team – composed of Janyenn Joy Garsuta, Louie Olano, and Gladivyll Tomor – settled for bronze medal, also in the Market Basket category.

In last year’s Tuna Festival competition, the DDC won three gold in culinary, and one silver and a bronze in cakes.

Having won seven

medals this time, Mortejo thanked the support of Jemary Lou Supeña and Francese Charlene Café, both served as coaches in the competition.

“We also got the special Excellence award as being consistent in all culinary events,” said Mortejo. “All our participants performed very well, so to speak. As such, we would like to thank the DDC management in their total support to the competition.”

The DDC, a private and non-sectarian academic institution, was the brainchild of a group of medical doctors in response to the increasing demand for nurses in Davao Doctors Hospital. DDC was originally housed within the hospital premises and offered only the three-year basic course in nursing leading to graduate nurse.

In 1998, it opened nonhealth related courses: BS Psychology, BS Hotel and Restaurant Management, BS Computer Science and AB Communication Arts.

NCCC Supermarket holds KFood Festival

By BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO

September 13 – 17, 2017 Only

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Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

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11:10 | 1:20 | 3:30 | 5:40 | 7:50 | 10:00 LFS

BRIDGING THE GAP between continents has been made easy with globalisation and the world wide web. Specially food, everyone is able to taste, relieve memories and recreate favourites with the help of food products made readily available in our shelves. Despite the distance, that is.

At the NCCC Supermarket, one of Davao’s most favoured leisure malls, it’s always a Korean Food Festival anytime of any day. With their KFood Festival, everyone gets a chance to taste the best of Korean dishes -just like how their favourite Korean actors and actresses does in movies and TV series.

In collaboration with MJ Global Corporation, authorised distributor of Korean food products in major cities in the country, an engaging and interactive Korean culinary activity made everyone in attendance smile with glee.

The event last Kadayawan festival at the Activity Area of NCCC

Supermarket featured well-loved Korean sauces, spices, popular noodles, cold dairy products and a staple in any Korean dish, kimchi. Not to mention, the spicy noodles, Sampyang Noodles, that has taken everyone’s palate with a storm. It was indeed a fanfare of flavours, tastes and of course, aroma that

filled the corners of the activity area.

The event also featured an on-the-spot cooking demo by Eunji Lee using Korean food products readily available at the NCCC Supermarket.

Aside from the live food demo, those in attendance were able to sample food faves, participate in the

special selling of Korean food products and enjoy the sumptuous display on the KFood Shop. Not to mention, a number of games on the side made the event even more memorable.

True, everyone loves to eat and Filipinos are no exception. As our love for food and crossing beyond borders deepen, more so is our love for culinary exploration. With the presence of Korean food products, no wonder why many Filipinos are falling in love with their culture, lifestyle and of course, food.

See you on the next KFood Festival this 2017!

Gamsahamnida.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 120• SUNDAY-MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17-18, 2017

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GenSan Partner Establishment

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

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Tel No. 082.221.3601/224.1413 Email: edgedavao@gmail.com marketing@edgedavao.net

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EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 120• SUNDAY-MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17-18, 2017

Mr. Michael Ian Manlagit (SM City Cebu Asst. Mall Manager); Engr. Van Aberia (SM City Cebu Mall Manager); Hon. Ador Canlas (DPWH VII - Regional Director); IDr. Johnny Hubilla (PIID Chancellor); Mr. Joseph Ang (WSI Founding

Chairman); Hon. Miguel Antonio Magpale (District V Board Member); Hon. Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale; Ms. Levi Ang (WSI Co-Founder); IDr. Hazel Resari (PIID Past President); IDr. Roselle Yabut (PIID Mindanao President); Ar. Em-

manuel Cuizon (UAP Dstrict C1 Director); and Ms. Jill Ang (WSI Managing Director)

Savings bank signs up with Globe Business for G Suite T

Top 3 Highlights: What to Expect from PHILBEX Cebu 2017

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ggressively growing banking and �inancial services company Producers Savings Banking Corporation (PSBC) is the �irst Philippine bank to sign up with Globe Business, the corporate information and communications technology arm of Globe Telecom, for the use of G Suite of�ice collaboration tool.

The partnership enables PSBC to work better through the use of secure and reliable workplace tools for email, calendar, text and video chat, document creation, project websites, and online storage and sync.

“We are an aggressively growing company, thus making it essential for us to procure a simple yet powerful of�ice tool that would allow better communication and collaboration among our different departments and branches. With Globe Business and G Suite, it is now easier to keep track of our progress and to keep up with numerous projects,” said PSBC Chairman and CEO Andres Cornejo.

Globe Business Senior Vice President Peter Maquera shared, “Globe Business is delighted to have the trust and con�idence of PSBC. The partnership is all about

Globe Business Senior Vice President Peter Maquera (center, left) and PSBC Chairman and CEO Andres Cornejo (center, right) officially seal the G Suite partnership. Together with them are Globe Business Cluster Sales Head Tisha Sadorra (left) and PSBC Vice Chairman Sandra Mendoza (right).

using technology to optimize PSBC’s operations so that it may translate to increased savings and pro�itability.

Globe Business is a leader when it comes to innovation and we want to share what we know with our customers as we continuously look for solutions that address their business pain points.”

Powered by Google Cloud, G Suite allows users to communicate faster and more conveniently with

Gmail. It provides storage for up to 30GB of email per user, advanced spam �iltering, lightning-fast message search, integrated text, voice and multi-person video chat.

G Suite users can also arrange meetings and organize schedules with Google Calendar, experience hassle-free �ile management with Google Drive which can be accessed anytime and anywhere from any device, conduct real-time collaboration with Google

Docs and Google Sheets, and make beautiful presentations together with Google Slides.

As Producer Savings Bank’s trusted business advisor, Globe Business rede�ines how businesses work— which go beyond functions, numbers, and performance.

Globe Business helps turn businesses passion and purpose into reality through the right technology, infrastructure, and know-how to transform people’s lives.

his September 14 to 17, Worldbex Services International (WSI) is proud to present the 14th Philippine Building and Construction Expo (PHILBEX) Cebu 2017 happening at the SM City Trade Hall Cebu. A host of pocket events, exhibitors, a young designers’ competition, and convention talks by locals and international speakers in support of this year’s event theme “Building Bolder Perspective” await its attendees. Here are the highlights of Philbex Cebu 2017: 1. First VisMin conference of the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers Designers from Mindanao, Cebu, Eastern Visayas, Panay, and Negros chapters conceptualized the �irst Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID) VisMin conference with the theme “Designing Inclusivity.” This focuses on people’s diversity and the impact this presents design decisions. The convention features three days of talks from professionals hailing from Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and of course, the Philippines who will be speaking on various topics of their expertise such as innovative spaces for healthcare, transforming design, appreciating design heritage, and the beauty of bamboo as a natural wood. Daily registration is available as well as a 3-day package rate. Follow @

worldbex on Instagram and Facebook for more info.

2. Projeto: Furniture Design Competition Cebu returns Following a successful �irst run, the Projeto Furniture Design Competition culminates on September 17 at Philbex Cebu 2017 after a three-day display of scale models of quali�ied entries.

The design competition was �irst created to catapult young local talent into strong career and design paths and continues to do so for its second run.

Five teams from the Visayas region will be vying for the grand prize and were tasked to create a modern-day standalone reading nook with storage provisions. The winning team will receive P 15,000 cash and P 2,500 worth of gift certi�icates.

3. Premiere Architects and Interior Designers’ Gallery Look forward to a thoughtfully-curated selection of exhibitors who will introduce products and service that are sure to elevate the way we build, design, and live. Guests will see the latest in building and design materials, equipment, construction services, interior design and renovation, security and �ire protection, mechanical and electrical engineering, information technology, and telecommunications.

The

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12 ENVIRONMENT EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 120• SUNDAY-MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17-18, 2017

Forests: Now you see, soon you don’t TEXT AND PHOTOS BY HENRYLITO D. TACIO

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people without children would face a hopeless future; a country without trees is almost as helpless,” American President Theodore Roosevelt once said.

The statement is a great reminder for Filipinos as the country is fast losing its forest cover. When Ferdinand Magellan “rediscovered” the Philippines in 1521, forests blanketed 95% of the country. When the Ormoc City, Leyte tragedy happened – which left 8,000 dead – timber cover was only 18%.

“In the last 100 years in the Philippines,” commented Dr. Craig B. Jamieson, biomass consultant of the World Agroforestry Center, “the trend was a continuous loss of forests starting in the 1900s when there was still 70% standing forest. In 1999, only 18.3% were left.

“If this trend continues, the Philippines will have no forest left in the very near future,” he warned.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations seemed to agree.

In a study, “Sustainable Forest Management,” it stated: “Most of the (Philippines’) once rich forest are gone. Forest recovery, through natural and arti�icial means, never coped with the destruction rate.”

Even in the lowlands, the mangrove forests are not spared from denudation. “Approximately two-thirds of the country’s original mangroves have been lost,” reported Kathleen Mogelgaard, of the Washington-based Population Reference Bureau.

Out of the 255,448.85 hectares of mangroves left in 2011, 94.549.86 hectares (37%) is found in Mindanao, 51,547.98 hectares (20.18%) in the Visayas and 109,351.01 hectares (42.81%) in Luzon, according to “State of the Mangrove Summit: 2015.”

“Where have all our forests gone?” deplored Roy C. Alimoane, director of the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC), a non-government organization based in Kinuskusan, Bansalan, Davao del Sur. “The illness of our forest is complicated – and cannot be cured – with a one-stop prescription of a single medicine,” said former Senator Heherson Alvarez who once served as head of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Fires, slash-and burn farmers (locally known as “kaingineros”) and commercial loggers (both legal and illegal) – not necessarily in that order – are the main culprits.

Environmentalists said the Philippines “trusted” logging companies to cut down trees and manage the forest. “But they (loggers) did a very bad job,” said Rev. Peter Walpole, a Jesuit priest who heads an environmental group.

“That started the problem that we have now.”

One environmentalist said: “The attitude of loggers in this country has always been: get the trees before someone else does.”

In the past, forest resources helped fuel the economy. In fact, in the 1970s, the country was touted as the prima donna among world timber exporters. Today, the Philippines is con-

sidered “a wood-pauper,” to quote the words of veteran journalist Juan Mercado.

Other causes of deforestation include volcanic eruptions, typhoons, mining operations, geothermal explorations, dam construction and operation, and land development projects such as construction of subdivision, industrial estates, and commercial sites.

Surging population has multiplied the problem. In the mid-70s, there were only 43 million Filipinos. Today, there are over 100 million and projected to grow to almost 150 million in 2050.

At least a fourth of the total population lives in the upland areas, where most trees are located. “Poverty, lack of jobs and wages, and absence of farm lots in the lowlands have forced some people to invade the forest,” said Alvarez.

The outcome: “The productivity of the country’s agricultural lands and �isheries is declining as these areas have become increasingly degraded and pushed beyond their capacity to produce,” wrote Mogelgaard. “Rapid forest loss has eliminated habitat for unique and threatened plant and animal species.”

A pair of endangered Philippine eagle, for instance, needs at least 7,000 to 13,000 hectares of forest as nesting territory. “Deforestation is terrible,” deplored Dennis Salvador, the executive director of Philippine Eagle Foundation, Inc. “The Philippine eagle has become a critically endangered species because the loss of forest had made it lose its natural habitat.”

The PRB reported: “More than 400 plant and animal species in the Philippines are currently threatened with extinction, including the Philippine eagle and tamaraw.” Also facing extinction are Philippine tarsier and waling-waling.

Deforestation also causes soil erosion, triggering landslides. “Soil erosion is now the most serious environment problem,” argued Dr. Eduardo Paningbatan, a soil scientist from the University of the Philippines at Los Baños.

In 1988, the environment department listed 22 provinces having “alarming” soil erosion rates. Batangas in Luzon and Cebu in the Visayas had been reported to have lost 80-85% of their topsoil to erosion. The erosion rate for Marinduque was 75-80%, while for Ilocos Sur and La Union, 60-70%.

“Soil erosion is an enemy to any nation, far worse than any conquering invader because it is an enemy you cannot see vividly,” said American agriculturist Harold Ray Watson when he received the 1985 Ramon Magsaysay Award

for peace and international understanding.

One effect of soil erosion: less food production. “The loss of topsoil affects the ability to grow food in two ways,” wrote Lester R. Brown and Edward C. Wolf, authors of “Soil Erosion: Quiet Crisis in the World Economy.” “It reduces the inherent productivity of land, both through the loss of nutrients and degradation of the physical structure. It also increases the costs of food production.”

The rampant cutting of trees has also signi�icantly reduced the volume of groundwater available for domestic purposes. Cebu, which has zero forest cover, is 99% dependent on groundwater. As a result, more than half of the towns and cities in the province, excluding Metro Cebu, have no access to potable water, according to a study conducted in Central Visayas.

Experts claim that without vegetative cover, especially the trees, “the land’s water absorption capacity is greatly reduced.”

Deforestation has also altered the climatic condition in the country. Periods of drought have become more common and extensive in the dry season while �loods have prevailed in the rainy months.

“On a larger scale, forests act as ‘carbon sinks,’ absorbing carbon dioxide, one of the greenhouse gases behind global warming,” wrote “Time”’s Michael S. Serrill. “When trees burn or rot, they release carbon into the atmosphere, adding fuel to a warming phenomenon that could have disastrous consequences for humankind.”

In the lowlands, the loss of mangroves has threatened �ish production. “An estimated 670 kilograms in �ish catch is lost for every hectare of mangrove forest that is clear-cut,” the PRB said.

“There is suf�iciency for man’s need,” India’s Mahatma Mohandas Gandhi once said, “but not for man’s greed.”

Alvarez reminded: “We have laid to waste millions of hectares of forest land, as though heedless of the tragic examples of the countries of Africa, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean, where large areas have become barren, if not deserti�ied. If we have not, in fact, reached this state, we are almost at the point of irreversibility.”

Dr. Ernesto Guiang, who has worked with some of the government’s environment projects, echoed the same concern: “We are now at the eleventh hour. We have to pay attention to the handwriting on the wall with respect to our forests.”

AMENDED EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF THE LATE PETRONA CHAN REYES Notice is hereby given that the estates with TCT Nos. T-247199, T-258547, T-258548, T-321638 of the late PETRONA CHAN REYES has been the subject of an Extra Judicial Settlement of Estate executed among her heirs, per Doc. No.366; Page No.74; Book No. XIV; Series of 2017, of the NOTARY PUBLIC LOUELA LYNNE M. MEDIJA-ABELLERA. EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ANTONIO C. PALMES has been the subject of an Extra Judicial Settlement executed among his heirs, per Doc. No.155; Page No.33; Book No. X; Series of 2017, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY. BEETHOVEN L. ORCULLO. Sept. 11, 18 & 25, 2017

VOL. 10 ISSUE 120• SUNDAY-MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17-18, 2017

EDGEDAVAO

TOP... FROM 11 following architecture �irms will showcase their works: Nueast Arkitecture, AC Barrera Architects, Espina, Perez-Espina & Associates, and United Architects of the Philippines, as well as interior designers Ryan James Mantuhac, Shiela Gumba, Rosette Yabut-Arnaldo, Jonathan Fortu, and Maria Isabella Robles-Go. The latter professionals are the PIID presidents of the Cebu, Eastern

Visayas, Mindanao, Negros, and Panay chapters respectively. Guests can also expect a showcase of government and private institutions, associations, interior designer services, construction promotion, and architectural services.

WSI is the Philippines’ leading events and expositions organizers and through Philbex Cebu 2017, it hopes to encourage visitors to adopt

a more progressive and resilient mindset in approaching design and development.

Stay on top of the industry’s design trend and direction by following Philbex Cebu 2017 on Facebook and Instagram @worldbex.

Philbex Cebu 2017 is happening at the SM City Trade Hall Cebu from September 14 through 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is free.

tunities, giving her and her young children new hope for the future.

Drawn by leftist propaganda due to her lack of education, she shared her dif�icult experiences inside the insurgent movement. “Aside from not having enough to eat and being always on the run, the bene�its they promised me for my family were never given,” she recalled.

“The moment I surrendered, I was still clueless what’s going to happen to me.

When the army took me to the Happy Home I was truly relieved. We were well-fed and

they gave us what we needed during our stay. We �inished basic education through the Alternative Learning System.

They have shown us a great deal of kindness,” she said.

“There’s a world of difference between my experiences as a rebel and now as a civilian.” she added.

Since 2013, when the Happy Home started to operate, the government has already spent P10.1 million for the livelihood assistance to the total 187 former rebels enrolled under the CLIP. Governor Dayanghirang, who is strongly sustaining

the program initiated by his predecessor Cong. Corazon N. Malanyaon, said he hopes that this government program would entice even more New People’s Army rebels to surrender and embrace a new chance at life.

The turn-over of livelihood assistance was held in time for the visit of delegates from the Province of Agusan del Norte as they benchmarked Davao Oriental’s Happy Home and the Provincial Government’s implementation of the CLIP. By Karen Lou Deloso/Photo by Eden Jhan Licayan

lage of�icials indeed deserve to be re-elected or not, he added.

“We need to work better for the bene�it of the people.

Let’s make this extension a

worthy and meaningful time for public service,” he said.

He believes many of these barangay of�icials are serving with sincerity and dedication.

“Let’s just wait for the law postponing the election set on Oct. 23 this year. Meanwhile, let’s just do our job --- to serve our people,” Lee added.(PNA)

FORMER... FROM 7

ALBAY... FROM 7

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Sharapova denies cheating

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ennis star Maria Sharapova, fresh off her US Open wild-card appearance after a 15-month suspension for doping, has denied cheating and brushed off her critics as not having all the facts in a BBC interview.

Sharapova, who admitted her mistake in taking the supplement meldonium, has weathered criticism since getting the wild-card berth, notably from fellow player Eugenie Bouchard, who said Sharapova shouldn’t have been allowed to return to tennis. When asked about Bouchard’s comments, Sharapova said, “I think those are comments not based on facts, so I don’t take them into consideration.”

After saying that, Sharapova was asked, “What are the facts, then, that you’re not a cheater?” Sharapova replied, “Exactly.”

Sharapova was also asked about comments from Andy Murray, who said he �inds it strange that so many top tennis stars take meldonium.

“I don’t think it’s for them to really have an opinion, because they don’t have the facts,” Sharapova told BBC. “So, you know, I think that those are the types of words that make headlines and they will be used as headlines. ...

But ultimately, this is my career, and I faced it head on, and I admitted my mistake, and I went about it and I served my suspension and now I’m back.”

Sharapova has maintained that she has taken meldonium since 2006, when it was prescribed to her by her doctor to address a number of health issues.

“After my �irst grand slam at Wimbledon, I was not very healthy for a long period of time. I went to see a children’s doctor back in Russia. I was still a teenager and he did a few tests and said I had some abnormalities in my heart and [meldonium] was one of the supplements he recommended I take,” Sharapova said in the BBC interview. “It was very common in Russia and it was completely legal to take for many years. It ultimately became illegal for the �irst weeks of last year.”

But she did question the ban of meldonium, which is said to have positive effects on endurance.

“The problem I have with that is there’s no proof of what it does, and no one can give you that proof. What is the ban based on?” she said.

Sharapova has recently released a memoir, “Unstoppable: My Life So Far.”

In a recent interview with the BBC, Maria Sharapova has denied cheating and says those who criticize her for taking the supplement meldonium don’t have all the facts.

Donaire: I still have what it takes to be world champ

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onito Donaire maintains he can regain his championship form, as the 34-year-old former �ighter of the year prepares for a crucial bout against Ruben Garcia Hernandez of Mexico in San Antonio, Texas on September 23.

“I’m ready to return to the ring and show that I still have what it takes to be a world champion

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and face the best in this sport,” Donaire said in a report by Dan Rafael on ESPN. READ: Donaire signs with Ringstar Sports Donaire, who lost his world junior-featherweight title to Jessie Magdaleno of the US via decision last November, parted amicably with Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc. after failing to get

SC Com. Ramon Fernandez is initiating a protest rally on Sept.

21 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) to spotlight on the very poor performance of the Phl delegation to the recently-concluded KL SEAG in Malaysia.

I am highlighting my lead to relate the same to my column head because this will virtually be the end purpose of the protest action.

Known more popularly for his nickname Mon, Fernandez is dismayed by the measly 24-gold medal harvest by Filipino athletes, a very low production output considering there were 406 medals at stake for �irst places.

Let us call a spade a spade, OK? Fernandez has an axe to grind against POC president Peping Cojuangco who much earlier allegedly labelled him to have thrown away games during his long, colorful stint in the PBA. Fernandez said he would sue.

The country’s very embarrassing �inish in the biennial meet cost taxpayers’ money to the tune of

the rematch he wanted against Magdaleno.

Donaire is now associated with Eric Schaefer’s Ringstar Sports, which is eyeing a world-title shot for Donaire early next year.

“The Filipino Flash” will take on Hernandez, who turns 25 in November, in a featherweight clash at The Alamodome, the site where he beat

Wilfredo Vazquez for the vacant junior featherweight world title in 2012.

Donaire carries a 37-4 win-loss card, while Hernandez has 22-2-1 win-loss-draw record.

“After this �ight, I’m coming for all of the featherweight champions and to prove I’m the best in the division,” said Donaire.

Cayabyab places 3rd, Ilas 4th in Hong Kong Ladies Open Amateur Championship

A

NNYKA Cayabyab �ired a 69 to snatch third place, while Bernice Olivarez-Ilas carded a closing 71 to take fourth spot in the Hong Kong Ladies Open Amateur Championship.

Taiwan’s Hou Yu-sang dominated the last 18 holes with a solid eight-under 64 on Friday for a six-under 210 total and a three-stroke victory over Lin Jie-en, who shot a 69 for a 213.

Cayabyab, a four-time Ver-

Pacquiao should amend PSC law

P300M, including expenses for the training and overseas exposure of the nationals.

Sen. Manny Pacquiao is busy pushing his proposal to uplift the status pf boxers in the senate by �iling a bill for the creation of a Philippine Boxing Commission. Unfortunately, this met stiff opposition notably from Sen. Frank Drilon whose interpellation at the plenary forced the Sarangani senator to table his bill for the time being.

I thus hasten to suggest that Pacquiao should instead focus his work for the strengthening of the PSC law by amending some provisions that would distinctly put the sports agency and the Philippine Olympic Committee in their proper places.

Since the birth of RA 6847 in 1990, the POC and the NSAs under its umbrella have been acting like pampered prima donnas, insisting they should be treated with special attention by the PSC because that is speci�ically mandated under the law.

The PSC and the POC have been at odds since.

SPORTS KEN Fred C. Lumba Fernandez is organizing a protest rally to remind Cojuangco and company to explain why the Filipinos �inished at the tail-end of the totem pole (sixth among six title contenders).

If Cojuangco cannot satisfy the sports community, Fernandez would not stop short in asking for

heads to roll as the case should be among honorable people.

The sports media has in fact called for Cojuangco to step down voluntarily and cede the POC scepter to a young, progressive-minded sports leader. By the way, Cojuangco is already in his 80s and is now in his fourth term as POC chief.

I recall in 1991 when the Philippines upset Malaysia in football, the entire Malaysian football of�icialdom and its coaching staff were summarily booted out for the shame its team suffered.

In Japan, I’m sure some responsible of�icials would have committed hara-kiri in such a situation.

But do not expect our sports leaders to do this. Kapit-tuko sila.

They will cling on to their posts like leeches. Like it is said, they have skins denser than the crocs.

I have a feeling both houses of Congress will agree to amend the PSC statute, given the fact that bickering between the PSC and POC has been going on for the last 27 years.

It must be realized that the PSC,

itas world junior titlist, fought back from earlier rounds of 74 and 72 to �inish at 215 at Hong Kong Golf Club’s New Course in Fanling.

Ilas was three-under with two holes to play but three-putted No. 17 and bogeyed the last hole on an errant approach.

“I gave it my best but the Taiwanese (Hou) played so well,” said the 15-year-old Olivarez-Ilas, who also bogeyed the last hole in the second round.

as the funding agency, should be given much more than just ample authority in its judicious management of government money.

The POC has been insisting that as an NGO it is not incumbent upon it to liquidate monies they receive from the PSC, thus millions, until this very day, have not been fully accounted for.

I do not remember if anyone from the POC ranks has been litigated and sent to jail.

The Sept. 21 protest rally, I hope, is given ample media space and publicity by the POC-PSC Press Corps.

Pacquiao should be invited to the rally as the principal speaker who will enunciate his ideas for a long-delayed change in the POC leadership.

Many are saying that decency dictates for Cojuangco to resign.

He said “No.” (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) 2 Samuel 22:22: “For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I have not done evil by turning from my God.” GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 10 ISSUE 120• SUNDAY-MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17-18, 2017

ACE OF DAY World No. 9 Jason Day looks to win again at Conway Farms where he went wire-to-wire last season.

Fil-Aussie Jason Day hits hole-in-one to move into contention in Illinois J

ason Day made his �irst hole-in-one in nine years, shot a 6-under 65 and goes into the weekend at the BMW Championship with a chance to end 16 months without a victory.

It was a big day for more than just the 29-year-old Australian on Friday.

By becoming the �irst player to make an ace at Conway Farms this week, BMW contributed $100,000 to the Evans Scholars Foundation that will pay for a four-year tuition. Day also won a car and, not long after signing his card, he decided to donate that to the foundation to pay for another full scholarship.

Day said it didn’t matter that he has a sponsorship deal with Lexus and really didn’t need another car.

“I’m in a fortunate position, being able to not only impact one person but be able to impact another person’s life,” Day said.

It was a feel-good moment in charity, and on the scorecard.

Day began the year at No. 1 in the world with a goal of staying there all the way through December. Instead, he gave up the top ranking to Dustin Johnson within two months and has slipped all the way to No. 9.

He showed up at Conway Farms at No. 28 in the FedEx Cup with no guarantee of even reaching

the Tour Championship. His back was bothering him.

And in a jarring move, he decided to use an old school friend, Luke Reardon, as his caddie to replace the only caddie he ever had as pro — Colin Swatton, who doubles as his coach.

For two days, he has looked like the Day of old.

He goes into the weekend in the �inal group with fellow Australian Marc Leishman, who had a threeshot lead.

“Seeing the last two days, I know I still have it in myself to be able to hit the correct shots and go out there and try and win,” Day said.

It helps being on a course where two years ago, Day opened with a 61 and went wireto-wire for a six-shot victory that took him to No. 1 in the world for the �irst time. He already has three eagles this week, two of them on Friday. He chipped in from the back of the green on the par-5 14th, and then made his hole-in-one on No. 17 from 186 yards to a right pin with a 7-iron.

Day didn’t see the entirety of the shot , turning his head away from dust that �lew into his eyes. The ball landed in rough just short of the green, hopped out and rolled into the cup.

“I was actually going to play a little bit left,” he said.

“Pushed it a little bit but I was trying to hit a high shot, 7-iron about 182 yards and land it there. Probably landed at maybe 181 yards. Landed just off the green and kind of rolled down. One of those ones you kind of get away with it.”