Edge10 issue122 September 20 2017

VOL. 10 ISSUE 122• WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

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www.edgedavao.net

PERFECT HOST. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio obliges to hundreds of “selfie” requests from the participants of the 3rd Quarterly National Executive Officers and National Board Meeting of the Philippine Councilors League 2017

at SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City on Tuesday. The mayor was the guest of honor during the last day of the gathering. Lean Daval Jr.

MANILA BEAT Davao cops sought for Caloocan posts EDGEDAVAO Sports Sur is new PMDK preSIDENT-CEO

SPORTS P16

By ANGIE SAVERON

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olice Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa wants to bring volunteers from the Davao City Police to replace 1,200 relieved Caloocan City policemen.

“I want to prove to the nation that we have the best policemen in Davao City,” said Dela Rosa during the 3rd Quarterly Executive Of�icers national board Meeting of the

Philippine Councilor’s League on September 19, Tuesday at the SMX-Lanang.

Dela Rosa said he had no idea how many Davao City police of�icers and personnel will be transferred to Caloocan City Police Station. But he made it clear he was prioritizing volunteers from the DCPO. He said he wanted to get as many Davao policemen who

will volunteer before he recruits from the other regions.

Dela Rosa said he will consult �irst with the Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte- Carpio.

Dela Rosa said that he is certain that the Davao Police has high standards and he wants to import that standard in Caloocan. National Capital Regional Police Of�ice (NCRPO)

Chief Director Oscar Albayalde ordered the relief of those police of�icers following the latest controversy involving its members to illegal incidents.

“Not all of them are bad, gamay lang ang dautan, nadamay lang ang uban,” said Dela Rosa. The relieved police of�icers will undergo re-training and after the training they will

MANILA, 10

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 122• WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

DOTING GRANDPA. President Duterte spares time for his grandson to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Marko Digong on the sidelines of the 6th Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Accredited National Convention of Public Attorneys opening ceremony at the Tent City in Manila Hotel, Manila on Monday night. ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Hapilon trapped Fr. Soganub rescued in Marawi: AFP not released: Duterte

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bu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon is reportedly still trapped inside Marawi City, AFP Chief-ofStaff Gen. Eduardo Año said in a brie�ing late Monday.

“He is still inside the Main Battle Area, based on (our latest) intelligence (and) he is considering other options (escaping, �leeing, etc) but as much as possible, we don’t want Hapilon to leave the Main Battle Area alive,” he said.

Fighting in Marawi City started last May 23 after government troops tried to arrest

the bandit group chief and his cohorts.

It was disclosed that based on custodial debrie�ing of those who surrendered and captured Maute group terrorists, only Omar Maute, one of the founders of the lawless band, is still alive.

Maute group co-founder Abdullah and and prominent Maute siblings like Madi and Oto were killed in ongoing military operations, Año said.

He added that there are two surviving Maute siblings who are not considered im-

HAPILON, 10

No gov’t work, public school classes on Sept. 21: Palace

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alacañang on Tuesday said that work in all government of�ices, as well as classes in all public schools, state colleges and universities nationwide, are suspended on September 21 for the National Day of Protest.

Meanwhile, class and work suspensions in private schools and companies are left to the discretion of their respective heads.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella made the announcement at a Palace brie�ing a day after President Rodrigo Duterte announced that he is declaring Septem-

ber 21 as a National Day of Protest.

“The President has announced September 21, 2017 as a National Day of Protest, a day set aside for people to exercise their constitutional rights to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly and to seek redress for their grievances against the government past and present,” the Palace of�icial said.

“It is not a special non-working holiday and we expect the proclamation to be signed shortly.

However, the acting Executive Secretary will issue a

NO, 10

Rescued through special operation by rangers

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resident Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said Father Teresito “Chito” Soganub was rescued by the military and not released through backdoor negotiations.

“You know si Father Soganub, hindi ito ni-release ha. He was liberated through a special operation. Talagang tinutok ito siya. Because separate-separate sila eh.

Ibig sabihin ginapang ‘yan ng mga special forces o ‘yung mga Ranger,” Duterte said during a chance interview following his visit to the wake

of a slain policeman in Caloocan City.

He said that it was impossible for the Catholic priest to be released through negotiations with the Islamic State-inspired Maute group, as the government is keen on neutralizing all terrorists in the area.

“I will not even agree to look at them. I said, naintindihan niyo ako noon pa? This will not end until the last terrorist is taken out. And that is my order to the Armed Forces pati to the police. Hanggang ‘yung katapusang tao

doon na masama,” Duterte said.

Suganob, the vicar general of Marawi City’s Cathedral of Our Lady Help of Christians, was among the scores of people taken hostage by pro-IS extremists last May. He and another hostage were rescued by the military last Saturday, September 16.

According to Armed Forces spokesperson Brig.

Gen. Restituto Padilla Jr., the number of hostages in Marawi City is around 40 to 60 based on the last report of Joint Task Force Marawi.

He said the rescue of all hostages is the primary goal of state forces in all their operations.

“Every life in the area who are supposed to be rescued are important. Even if there is one remaining hostage or one remaining hostage, or two, or three, or what have you, each life is critical and is very important.

And the troops have this in their primary consideration during operation,” Padilla said during Monday’s Mindanao Hour brie�ing in Malacañang. (PNA)

alacañang on Tuesday called on lawmakers to emulate President Rodrigo Duterte and avoid seeking special treatment, following a suggestion from one of the leaders of the House of Representatives that traf�ic enforcers should give lawmakers “parliamentary immunity” from minor traf�ic violations when Congress is in session.

“The President himself continues to observe a mod-

est lifestyle and he seeks no special treatment whether inside or outside the Palace.

We hope our colleagues in Congress, especially our allies, can bring themselves to do the same,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said during a Palace brie�ing.

“We hope our colleagues in Congress can also bring themselves to the President’s standards -- no special treatments. The law is the law and it should be blind to all,” he

added.

On Monday, House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said that lawmakers should be immune from minor traf�ic violations especially when Congress is in session for them to be able to participate in the exercise of legislative mandates.

The House leader made the suggestion after noting that heavy traf�ic is limiting some of his colleagues from performing their duties.

The veteran Ilocos Norte lawmaker cited a part of the Constitution which provides that “A Senator or Member of the House of Representatives shall, in all offenses punishable by not more than six years imprisonment, be privileged from arrest while the Congress is in session.”

Fariñas, however, clari�ied that members of Congress are not immune or privileged from suits or cases, but

Palace to Congress: Shun special treatment M

PALACE, 10

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NEWS New patrol beat system to help curb crimes: PNP

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ith the spate of shooting incidents and robbery/holdup cases in Dumaguete City, Sr. Supt. Edwin Portento, the Negros Oriental provincial police director, has directed his police chiefs to fully implement a fresh beat patrol system in their respective assignments.

Portento disclosed Monday afternoon that after his assumption as the new police director in early September, the Negros Oriental Philippine National Police (PNP) Provincial Of�ice (NORPPO) had made a plan to address and curb these crimes.

The provincial police director disclosed that police stations have already received guidelines on the patrol beat system and he will be check-

ing whether this is fully implemented.

The directive comes as three more people were shot here over the weekend, bringing the number of shooting incidents from January to August this year to 11 cases as reported by the PNP during a forum.

A police report on Monday said the latest shooting victim was identi�ied as Oledan Catan Wolfe, 35, single, a resident of Cervantes Street, this city.

Wolfe was on his way home around 10:40 p.m. Sunday when two suspects riding in tandem on a motorcycle �ired at him at Tabuc-Tubig, Angatan in Dumaguete.

He was rushed to the hos-

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 122• WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

NEW, 10

Faeldon, 11 others reap raps over P6.4-B shabu shipment he Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency �iled a criminal complaint on Monday before Department of Justice (DOJ) against former Bureau of Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon and 11 other of�icials in connection with the PHP6.4 billion shabu shipment seized in two warehouses in Valenzuela City last May 26.

In a 23-page complaint, PDEA �iled a case of conspiracy to import illegal drugs and protecting or coddling of drug traf�ickers under Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act), negligence and tolerance under Article 208 of the Revised Penal Cod, obstruction of justice under Presidential Decree No. 1829 by “harboring or concealing, or facilitating the escape” of the persons behind the shabu shipment against Faeldon, BOC directors Milo Maestre-

EDGEDAVAO

campo and Neil Anthony Estrella; intelligence of�icers Joel Pinawin and Oliver Valiente; Manila International Container Port district collector lawyer Vincent Phillip Maronilla; Faeldon’s �iancée, lawyer Jeline Maree Magsuci; and BOC employees Alexandra Ventura, Randolph Cabansag, Dennis Maniego, Dennis Cabildo and John Edillor.

The anti-narcotics agency alleged that the importation of the illegal drug shipment would have not been possible if not for the “incompetence and corruption of the Bureau of Customs of�icials.”

“The said incompetence and corruption effectively shielded and facilitated the escape of Chen Ju Long and prevented his immediate arrest and prospective prosecution for the importation of the 602.279 kilograms of meth-

FAELDON, 10

ON THE LIMELIGHT. Benjamin Abalos Jr., former mayor of Mandaluyong City, speaks about ordinances and achievements of his city during the second day of the 3rd Quarterly National Executive Officers and National Board

Meeting of the Philippine Councilors League 2017 at SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

Social media keeps afloat mail-order bride industry

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ocial media has kept the number of mail-order brides or marriage migrants a�loat, an of�icial of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas said Monday.

Marriage sponsors under such scheme are making money to as much as P500,000 to P1 million.

In Davao Region, cases of marriage migration have reached 9,990 with the province of Davao del Sur, which includes Davao City, registering the highest with 7,490, according to a data collected from 2005 to present.

Emigrant Services Of�icer Ma. Camille Lacaba of the

Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) said 25 percent of Davao Region’s marriage migrants were made possible by online sites like Facebook, chats, and dating websites.

While there is nothing wrong in connecting with other people, Lacaba said Filipinos must ensure they linked with somebody who has a veri�ied identity and through safe and legal websites.

“Most of the time foreigners (dating online) have fraudulent identities,” she said in an interview Monday on the sidelines of the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Annex here.

Lacaba said marriage

migrants are highest in the United States, Japan, Australia, South Korea, and Canada. She pointed to South Korea as having the most mail-order bride schemes.

But she said CFO is able to conduct workshops with South Korea-bound Filipinos especially on family culture.

Lacaba said Filipinos must know the family dynamics of the Koreans.

For example, she said the eldest son of a Korean family has the responsibility to take care of the parents when they grow old. The decision of the parents for the family of the eldest son comes �irst, next the

SOCIAL, 10

UN rights body asked to set up office in PH

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SEASON TREAT. A trader opens dozens of Durian fruit which will be processed into Durian jam, a favorite sandwich spread and dessert of Dabawenyos, at Magsaysay fruit stand in Davao City on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

siblings before the wife’s decision is taken.

“We must get Filipinos ready for this,” Lacaba said.

She added that marriage brokers particularly in South Korea and Japan are legal, but not in the Philippines because the government protects the rights of the Filipinos.

That is why Lacaba said it is important for Filipinos migrating to any foreign country to undergo pre-departure orientation seminars (PDOS) conducted by CFO. Lacaba said marriage migration is the fastest and easiest way of obtaining green

resident Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said he will invite the United Nations Commission on Human Rights to set up an of�ice in Manila to observe police anti-drug war operations.

“I will personally, through an of�icial channel, invite the Human Rights Commission of the United Nations to set up a satellite of�ice here,” Duterte told reporters during a chance interview in Caloocan City following his visit to the wake of a fallen policeman.

The President made the remarks following the decision of the House of Representatives to give the Commission of Human Rights (CHR) a PHP1,000 budget for 2018.

Duterte said that if the proposed PHP1,000 budget for the constitutional body pushes through, he would ask Con-

gress to realign the PHP600 million slashed from the CHR’s 2018 budget to buy body cameras for the Philippine National Police (PNP).

He said that he would then ask the UNCHR to appoint an investigator to join police operations.

“Sabihin ko na lang sa ano, ituloy na lang ninyo ‘yan at marami akong mga bagay na dapat ibigay sa PNP. Camera, payag ako. Lahat, pati si (PNP chief) Bato (dela Rosa), dito sa gitna ng ulo niya.

Okay ‘yan sa akin. Lahat ng pulis tapos lahat ng operations ng pulis, they will embed an investigator,” the President said.

“Ako pa ang mag-provide ng opisina ng Human Rights Commission ng United Nations. Sila ang maglagay ng tao every station. Every opera-

UN, 10

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LTFRB slated to hear jeepney fare hike petition next week

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he Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board will conduct its hearing next week on the petition �iled by various transport groups for a P2 jeepney fare hike in Metro Manila, central and southern Luzon regions.

LTFRB board member and spokesperson Aileen Lizada said commuter groups would be invited to the hearing scheduled on September 27 to get their side on the issue.

“The estimated number of public utility jeepney (PUJ) units nationwide is 200,000 with an average of 16 passengers per unit, we are talking of 3.2 million passengers that will be affected. The increase has a social impact. Thus, the Board should deliberate on the matter,” Lizada said in a text message to reporters.

The petitioners are asking the LTFRB that the jeepney

fare be increased from PHP8 to PHP10 in the National Capital Region (NCR) as well as Regions 3 and 4 for the �irst four kilometers to cover the increases in oil prices, spare parts and other operational costs to drivers and operators.

Among the transport groups that signed the petition are: Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP), Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO), Liga ng Transport Operator ng Pilipinas (LTOP), Alliance Transport Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (ALTODAP) and Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila and Suburbs Drivers Association (PASANG MASDA).

The fare for jeepney was increased from PHP7 to PHP8 last February due to a series of increases in diesel oil prices. (PNA)

ITEMS OF INTEREST. Councilors browse the souvenir items on display during the second day of the 3rd Quarterly National Executive Officers and National Board Meeting of the Philippine Councilors League 2017 at SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

Banana industry council urged: Phil-Export’s Ang S

Legarda predicts early passage of 2018 GAA

As part of united effort v. industry concerns T he Mindanao-based banana industry which is now the second largest export sector of the Philippines will push for the creation of a banana industry development council to help solve the problems of banana growers.

This was bared by Domingo Ang, chairman of the Philippine Exporters Confederation (Phil-Export)– Davao, which is set to stage another Banana Congress next month in the SMX Convention Center at SM Lanang Premium.

Ang said that President Duterte had expressed support last year to the proposal which is now being studied in the House of Representatives, a process which takes time.

The Phil-Export Davao

Philippine Exporters Confederation (Phil-Export)–Davao chairman Domingo Ang

chair said that the group with the participation of the Pilipino Banana Growers

and Exporters Association (PBGEA) under Executive Directror Steve Antig and the Federation of Banana Cooperatives (Fedco) led by Fedco chief executive Ireneo “Rene” Dalayon have combined forces and resources to put up a united front in solving the ongoing challenges of all banana growers due to diseases, adverse effects of climate change and atrocities committed by communist rebel groups.

The banana industry development council, once organized, is expected to come up with created approaches to solve natural and manmade disasters with the help of the government and local and foreign experts.

Ang said the banana industry, composed of both and small farms, employ about 1 million people who

are involved in the development of some 450,000 hectares of bananas, must not be abandoned by the government.

Dalayon, on the other hand, said that no less than President Duterte in his speech in last year’s banana congress acknowledged that the “greatest challenge of banana growers in the Philippines is really the law and order, because of revolutionary tax, extortion and everything.”

He said both small and big planters can perhaps come up with an idea which will give jobs and business ventures to rebels, adding that many of them have grown old in the mountains �ighting the government and might want to retire from violent confrontation

�ishermen.

On the other hand, Taiwan has expertise in aquaculture farming and disease control.

“Given this fantastic opportunity for closer ties with the Philippines, Taiwan would be thrilled to exchange best practices and merge Taiwanese aquaculture know-how and the latest technology, to help re-engineer the Philippines’ aquaculture infrastructure, and facilitate the increased importation of quality marine and farmed species to Taiwan in the future,” Taiwan’s trade promotion groups said.

Meanwhile, the 10 Taiwanese �irms that will explore business opportunities here next week are Tai-Yih Sun Industrial Co. Ltd., Caofon Machinery Industry Co. Ltd., EZ Smart Enterprise Co. Ltd., Toford Plastic Manufacturing Corp., Yuang Hsian Metal Industrial Corp., Taiwan Fishing Village Ltd., Shye Yih Feeding Co. Ltd., Magqu Co. Ltd., Tenzon Co. Ltd., and Duo Sheng International Co. Ltd. In 2016, bilateral trade between the Philippines and Taiwan reached USD10.86 billion.

(PNA)

BANANA, 10

enator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, today said she is optimistic about the early passage of the 2018 national budget, stressing that the Senate has been conducting marathon hearings to �inish discussions of all government agencies’ budgets on time.

Legarda however said that the early approval of the budget would also depend on the prompt transmittal of the 2018 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) from the House of Representatives to the Senate.

“We want to �inish the budget ahead of the usual schedule, but we can only commit to the Senate’s approval on third reading of the 2018 GAB before the adjournment of session in October if the House of Representatives is able to transmit to us the GAB by September 21,” she stressed.

“The early passage of the

Economist eyes $450M 2017 CA surplus in PH

Taiwan firms to explore PH aquaculture market A

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en Taiwanese companies will visit the Philippines next week to explore business opportunities in the country’s aquaculture market, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council said.

According to TAITRA, the visit of the Taiwanese �irms here aims to promote bilateral aquaculture trade and reinforce business relations between the Philippines and Taiwan.

In a statement, TAITRA said Taiwanese aquaculture exporters and importers are looking into the Philippines since

the country is the �ifth largest aquaculture market globally, with its rich inland ponds and lake farms for breeding.

The country supplies 2.34 million tons of grouper, tilapia, seaweeds, and shell�ish among others worldwide.

Taiwanese �irms are also looking forward with the developments in the country’s aquaculture sector as it targets to increase �ish production by 14.4 percent by 2020 with the 252 community �ish landing centers (CFLC) reducing post-harvest losses and increasing the earnings of local

proposed PhP3.767 trillion national budget for 2018 will ensure continuity of ongoing programs and immediate implementation of new ones by government agencies. When the budget is approved early, it allows for a more ef�icient delivery of services by the government,” she added.

Legarda explained that if the GAB is transmitted to the Senate by September 21, the Senate would have three weeks to deliberate on the House version and approve on second and third reading before the session adjourns on October 11, 2017 for a onemonth break.

Once approved by the Senate on third and �inal reading, a bicameral conference committee report shall be prepared for approval of both chambers when session resumes, before transmittal to the President for signing as the 2018 General Appropriations Act. (PNA)

n economist of ING Bank Manila is optimistic that the Philippines will achieve a current account surplus in 2017 after an improvement was registered in the second quarter this year.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data showed that the country posted a USD15 million surplus from April to June this year, an improvement from the USD1.3 billion de�icit in same period in 2016 due to higher net receipts in the trade-in-services and primary and secondary income.

In a research note, ING Bank Manila senior economist Joey Cuyegkeng said

the CA surplus in the recent quarter “is an upside surprise after two consecutive quarters of de�icits.”

“The surplus was achieved despite only modest four percent growth of structural in�lows,” he noted.

He forecasts structural in�lows such as remittances to recover in the second half of 2017 and boost CA position.

“We are cautiously optimistic that the current account for 2017 will be a surplus of around USD450 million or 0.2 percent of GDP,” he said but pointed out that his projection is “a minority view.’(PNA)

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PH endorses ASEAN-Russia bilateral growth cooperation

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ollowing the June visit of President Rodrigo Duterte in Russia, the Philippines successfully concluded a trade and investment scoping mission in Russia, as well as actively participated in the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) on 6-7 September.

“During this mission, we promoted PH trade and investment opportunities to Russian importers and buyers of food products, government representatives of the Primorsky Territory, of�icials and members of the Primorsky Chamber of Commerce & Industry, of�icials of the commercial port of Vladivostok, and the Far Eastern Development Corporation,” said Trade and Industry Undersecretary Rowel Barba, who led the PH delegation to Vladivostok.

Government and private sector delegates from the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), the Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s Philippines-Russia Business Council (PRBC), the Philippine-Russian Business Assembly, Inc. (PRBA), and the Mindanao Banana Farmers & Exporters Association (MBFEA) also participated in the mission.

Meanwhile, USec. Barba also served as panel speaker during the EEF’s Rus-

sia-ASEAN Dialogue, where he underscored the latest developments and business opportunities in PH and ASEAN. He highlighted the MOUs signed during President Duterte’s visit to Russia. PRBA’s Armi Lopez Garcia and PRBC’s Roberto De Venecia were also resource speakers during the session and together with USec. Barba, they promoted the country and the vast economic opportunities and complementation between both countries.

Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos Sorreta, meanwhile, was a panelist on the topic “Russia-ASEAN 2017: New Horizons for Mutual Cooperation.”

Parallel to the PH participation to the EEF was the PH hosting of the 49th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings on 4-11 September, with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) taking the lead.

“The key to unlocking the doorway of opportunity is by demystifying the landscape of ASEAN-Russian trade relationship. This means generating more trade opportunities between both sides, as well as creating trust and con�idence in each other in the course of doing business,” said USec. Barba.

PH also encouraged private sector members to do

PH, 10

MEMENTOS. A photographer commissioned to take photos of the participants sells his photos just outside the venue of the 3rd Quarterly National Executive Officers and National Board Meeting of the Philippine Councilors

League 2017 at SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City on Tuesday.

Lean Daval Jr.

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To date, the main index has risen by 21.2 percent and its intra-day level of 8,294.14 points also registered its highest to date.

The broader All Shares index tracked the main index after it rose 1.04 percent, or 50.15 points, to 4,886.48 points.

Peso stays strong vs. dollar as PSEi surges he Philippines’ main stocks index’ rallied for the third day in a row Monday, closing at over 8,200-level on sustained rise in Wall Street.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) surged by 1.39 percent, or 113.29 points, to 8,294.14 points,

which PSE president and CEO Ramon S. Monzon, in a statement, said was “mostly instep with gains in Wall Street and other Asian markets.”

“We are pleased to see the momentum continuing behind investor optimism over the market’s prospects,” he added.

Most of the sectors ended with gains, led by the Holding Firms, 2.29 percent, followed

by Property, 1.65 percent; Financials, 0.97 percent; and Services, 0.12 percent.

On the other hand, Mining and Oil and Industrial fell by 0.12 percent and 0.08 per-

PESO, 10

ONE NETWORK BANK, INC. (A RURAL BANK) Balance Sheet

As of June 30, 2017 (Head Office and Branches) ASSETS Amount Cash and Cash Items P 799,874,897.77 Due from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas 763,573,531.15 Due from Other Banks 697,874,332.45 Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss 0.00 Available-for-Sale (AFS) Financial Assets - Net 280,602,844.88 Held-to-Maturity (HTM) Financial Assets - Net 345,567,485.05 Unquoted Debt Securities Classified as Loans - Net 0.00 Investments in Non-Marketable Equity Security - Net 0.00 Loans and Receivables - Net 20,844,673,185.80 Loans to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas 0.00 Interbank Loans Receivable 0.00 Loans and Receivables - Others 21,056,913,219.43 Loans and Receivables Arising from RA/CA/PR/SLB 0.00 General Loan Loss Provision 212,240,033.63 Other Financial Assets 216,480,839.25 Equity Investment in Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures - Net 0.00 Bank Premises, Furniture, Fixture and Equipment - Net 1,903,659,308.14 Real and Other Properties Acquired - Net 20,319,775.96 Non-Current Assets Held for Sale 0.00 Other Assets - Net 713,483,326.43 Net Due from Head Office/Branches/Agencies, if any (Philippine branch of a foreign bank) TOTAL ASSETS P 26,586,109,526.88 LIABILITIES Financial Liabilities Designated at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Deposit Liabilities Due to Other Banks Bills Payable a) BSP (Rediscounting and Other Advances) b) Interbank Loans Payable c) Other Deposit Substitute d) Others Bonds Payable - Net Unsecured Subordinated Debt - Net Redeemable Preferred Shares Special Time Deposit Due to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Other Financial Liabilities Other Liabilities Net Due to Head Office/Branches/Agencies (Philippine branch of a foreign bank) TOTAL LIABILITIES STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Capital Stock Other Capital Accounts Retained Earnings Assigned Capital TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

P

0.00 22,369,865,113.48 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 93,360,708.07 333,297,179.62 0.00 P 22,796,523,001.17

P 2,704,914,735.08 -12,492,237.97 1,097,164,028.61 0.00 P 3,789,586,525.72 P 26,586,109,526.89

CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS Amount Guarantees Issued P 0.00 Financial Standby Letters of Credit 0.00 Performance Standby Letters of Credit 0.00 Commercial Letters of Credit 0.00 Trade Related Guarantees 16,056,862.37 Commitments 0.00 Spot Foreign Exchange Contracts 0.00 Securities Held Under Custodianship by Bank Proper 0.00 Trust Department Accounts 0.00 a) Trust and Other Fiduciary Accounts 0.00 b) Agency Accounts 0.00 c) Advisory/Consultancy 0.00 Derivatives 0.00 Others 41,079,053.16 TOTAL CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS P 57,135,915.53 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Gross total loan portfolio (TLP) P 21,793,660,574.89 Specific allowance for credit losses on the TLP 736,747,355.46 Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) a) Gross NPLs 1,553,449,893.71 b) Ratio of gross NPLs to gross TLP (%) 7.13 c) Net NPLs 816,702,538.25 d) Ratio of Net NPLs to gross TLP (%) 3.75 Classified Loans & Other Risk Assets, gross of allowance for credit losses 2,148,394,549.83 DOSRI Loans and receivables, gross allowance of credit losses 0.00 Ratio of DOSRI loans and receivables, gross of allowance for credit losses, to gross TLP (%) 0.00 Gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables 0.00 Ratio of gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables to TLP (%) 0.00 Percent Compliance with Magna Carta (%) a) 8% for Micro and Small Enterprises 2.27% b) 2% for Medium Enterprises 0.55% Return on Equity (ROE) (%) 2.67% Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) on Solo Basis, as prescribed under existing regulations a) Total CAR (%) 12.51% b) Tier 1 Ratio (%) 11.76% c) Common Tier 1 Ratio (%) 0.00% Deferred Charges not yet Written Down 0.00% Unbooked Allowance for Credit Losses on Financial Instruments Received 0.00 We, Salvador R. Serrano and Ramon T. Militar of the above-mentioned bank do solemnly swear that all matters set forth in the above balance sheet are true and correct to the best of our knowledge and belief.

(SGD.) SALVADOR R. SERRANO (SGD.) RAMON T. MILITAR Central Operation Group Head Officer-in-Charge SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 26th day of July 2017 at Davao City, Philippines, affiant exhibiting their Driver’s License No. N02-10-008839 and N09-78-037961, respectively.

Doc. No. 87 Book No. XVI Page No. 18 Series of 2017

ATTY. PERSIS NIÑA M. MULA Notary Public Roll No. 59994 ; 3/22/2012 IBP No. 1059758 ; 01/03/17 – Davao City PTR No 7458944 ; 01/03/17 – Davao City Serial No. 101-2016 until December 31, 2017

Member: PDIC

SUBURBIA 7 EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 122• WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

SoCot jail opens new cells

I

Military medics apply initial treatment to a wounded government trooper at a medic station inside Barangay Mapandi in Marawi City on Monday, September 18, Day 119 of the firefight between government forces and the ISIS-inspired local terror groups. MINDANEWS

nmates at the overcrowded South Cotabato Rehabilitation and Detention Center got some relief following the completion of four new cells at the facility.

Juan Lanzaderas Jr., provincial jail warden, said they formally opened Tuesday the newly-completed prison cells, which were constructed through funding from the provincial government.

He said the local government had released some PhP2.3 million for the construction of the four cells, which can accommodate 50 inmates each.

“This is big relief for our inmates considering that our jail is really overcrowded,” he said in an interview.

The provincial jail has a population of aroundR The provincial government, through South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes, approved last year the construction of the additional cells to help decongest the facility.

It also funded the construction of a multipurpose hall that would serve as livelihood training facility for the inmates.

Lanzaderas said that aside from the new cells, they also opened the jail’s 10 newly-rehabilitated and refurbished conjugal rooms.

He said the conjugal rooms were mainly improved to make them “presentable and conducive for the couples.”

The improvements included the repainting of the walls and the installation of �loor tiles, he said.

The of�icial said couples who are both inmates of the jail may use the conjugal rooms once every month for a maximum of two hours.

Those whose husbands and wives are based outside the jail may use the rooms during the visitation hours once every week for the same period, he said.

“But only those couples who have marriage certi�icates will be allowed to use our conjugal rooms,” Lanzaderas said.

He said couples may bring their own beddings when using the conjugal rooms and would be charged with a minimal fee of P10 to cover for the maintenance expenses.

Aside from the new prison cells and improved conjugal rooms, the provincial jail received two new prison vehicles worth P2 million each from the provincial government.

Fuentes earlier vowed to provide two more vehicles for the facility by next year.( Frances Kristine Alvero/PNA)

BIMP-EAGA Budayaw fest opens Wednesday Most PUV drivers, operators

T

he diverse and rich culture, heritage and artistry of peoples within the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) take centerstage in a �ive-day grand culture and arts festival that will open here Wednesday.

Adelina Suemith, acting executive director of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), said Tuesday they are all set for the �irst-ever Budayaw Festival, which is dubbed as BIMP-EAGA’s “festival of festivals.”

She said more than 300 contemporary artists and indigenous cultural masters from parts of the sub-region are joining various showcases slated until Sunday, Sept. 24.

These included cultural performances, visual arts exhibitions, young chorale concerts, “Ikat” weaving showcases, indigenous traditional music exchanges, culture and history colloquium, and tour-

ism exhibition.

“We are ready and very excited with the lined up activities. We’re inviting everyone to witness this festival, which is not just of our country, but of the four nations of the BIMP-EAGA,” Seuemith said.

The festivity will start Wednesday morning with the opening of four Budayaw exhibitions at the city’s three shopping malls - the KCC Veranza, Gaisano and SM City General Santos.

These are the “Muslims in the Philippines Culture and History” exhibition, Budayaw Tourism Roadshow, Travel and Trade Fair, “Under One Sky” visual arts exhibition, and “Tapestry of Dreams: IKAT Master Weavers Pavilion.”

The festival’s formal opening ceremony is scheduled in the afternoon at the Greenleaf Hotel here, and will be followed by the Budayaw grand public performance at the SM Mall atrium.

An outdoor concert

dubbed “Budayaw Konsierto sa Kahapunon” featuring Joey Ayala is slated in the evening.

The Budayaw colloquium on “Cultural Exchanges in the EAGA” and the “Tanghalang Bantugan: Budayaw Country Performances” will highlight the second day of the festivity.

On Friday, Sept. 22, participating artists and cultural performers will join the special outreach performances and creative interactions cum cultural exchanges in the municipalities of Maitum, Alabel and Malungon in Sarangani.

The famed traditional woven cloths of various Mindanao tribes will be showcased in a special fashion show dubbed “Southern Weaves Fashion Fair” spearheaded by popular designer Renee Salud.

The exhibitions, concerts, colloquium, country and features performances will continue at the three shopping malls until the closing of the festival on Sunday.

Budayaw, is a combination

of Bahasa term “budaya” for culture and Filipino term “dayaw” that means “something beautiful or something good.”

Spearheaded by the NCCA, Budayaw Festival is a banner project of the BIMP-EAGA cooperating countries to advance culture and development in the sub-regional grouping.

It was designed to showcase the diverse creative expressions of the people in the EAGA; advance opportunities for cultural exchanges among peoples, communities, artists and cultural workers; and, forge collaboration between public and private sector in support for the festival.

The �irst Budayaw Festival is supported by the city government of General Santos, Mindanao State University-General Santos, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Department of Tourism, Sarangani provincial government and the Mindanao Development Authority.

(PNA)

and Datu Odin Sinsuat police of�icers raided the house of Makmod in Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao at 5 a.m. Makmod did not resist arrest.

Recovered from his house were suspected shabu with estimated market value of PHP50,000.

In separate anti-drug operations in Barangay Kusiong, also in Datu Odin Sinsuat town, PDEA and police operatives arrested six persons for illegal drugs and �irearm possession.

Chief Inspector Achmad Alibonga, Datu Odin Sinsuat town

police chief, said joint Army, police and PDEA law enforcement operatives arrested Antonio Roales, 62, businessman and resident of Barangay Kusiong.

Roales owned the Club Cusiong Beach resort.

Alibonga said the raiding team, backed by the Army’s 19th Infantry Battalion, was armed with arrest warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 13 Executive Judge Bansawan Ibrahim for frustrated murder.

Also arrested with Roales were Jery Indo, 23, security guard, Reynald Anton, 28, help-

er, Orlando Mosela Ariston, 26 and Raymond Duran Clemente, 43, security guard and a resident of Upi, Maguindanao.

Seized from them were three .45 caliber pistol, a cal.

38 revolver, improvised shotgun, an improvised UZI submachinegun, a fragmentation grenade and ammunition for various caliber.

The suspects are facing charges of violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act) and Republic Act 10591 (Illegal Possession of Firearms and Explosives). (Edwin Fernandez/PNA)

PDEA-ARMM nabs big-time drug suspect, 5 others

A

nti-narcotics operatives arrested on Tuesday dawn one of the members of a drug syndicate operating in Maguindanao, Gen. Santos City and Cotabato City.

In a report, Director Juvenal Azurin of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-ARMM) identi�ied the suspect as Nihara Sabayani Makmod, allegedly a member of Saba Drug Group operating in southern Mindanao.

Armed with search warrants, PDEA-ARMM operatives

unaware of franchise provisions

A

large number of public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers are not aware of the provisions of their franchise and this has contributed to the lack of appreciation for traf�ic rules, said the chief of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Region 10 (LTFRB-10).

Many PUV drivers are not even aware that one of the requirements stipulated in the terms and conditions of the franchise issued to them was that they are not allowed to join transport strikes, among others, LTFRB-10 director Aminoden Guro said Tuesday.

If public utility drivers are proven to have participated in protest action against the government through transport strikes, Guro said they can be sanctioned, and worse, their franchise could be revoked.

PUV drivers from the region are required by the LTFRB to attend a one-day Public Utility Drivers Academy Program (PUDAP) where they will be re-trained on traf�ic rules and have to pass the �ive modules, which included the terms of the condition of their franchise, road safety, good driving habits, road rage and anger management, traf�ic signs and pavement markings.

PUDAP was launched all over the country by the LTFRB on August 17.

The re-training of the PUV drivers was realized through Executive Order 202, which mandates the LTFRB to formulate and implement policies including the requiring of operators and drivers of public

land transportation service to attend trainings and seminars in line with their roles and responsibilities.

Those who did not pass the post-seminar examination will have to repeat the particular module which they have failed until they are given an identi�ication card that certi�ies they have passed the academy.

Aside from their lack of knowledge on the terms of conditions of their Certi�icate of Public Convenience, there are also drivers who need to control their attitude while on the road.

“Many of them don’t give way to pedestrians and their fellow motorists, and some display antagonistic character while driving,” Guro said.

He also noticed that those who come from major urban centers like Metro Manila and Cebu are more knowledgeable on the traf�ic rules than those from small towns.

Guro said more than 250 drivers had already participated in the PUDAP. Northern Mindanao has about 20,000 PUV drivers.

He said the PUDAP is one of the programs to modernize the country’s mass transportation system as the agency will also introduce electric jeepneys (e-jeepneys) in the next three years.

Guro said the LTFRB will assist the PUV operators and drivers in availing of loans from government banks so they could purchase the e-jeepney, which range from P1 million to P1.5 million.

(PNA/Jigger J. Jerusalem)

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 122• WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

EDITORIAL

Committed to lasting peace

T

here is one thing that the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte is fully committed to and that is a lasting peace.

The President himsef made no misstake about this when he assured assured the Filipino people that his administration remains committed to its policy of achieving a just, unifying, and lasting peace throughout the country despite the initial setbacks in the peace agreements.

The assurance was made during the 24th Anniversary of the Of�ice of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) where he stressed that his administration continues to extend the hand of friendship and peace to its various partners in the peace process. No matter the setbacks and disagreements, there is no stopping the road to peace.

EDGEDAVAO

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This commitment clearly de�ines the path this government has decided to take since Day 1 to pursue the peace process and make the latter its chief legacy to the people. There had been so many attempts before butt we have not really gone as close as we are now to �inally ending decades of con�lict especially in the island of Mindanao where confrontations with the lefft have stalled the progress of the regions in Mindanao.

With the President engulfed with his resolve to overturn the fortunes of Mindanao, we can only hope that the other side of the negotiating table also comes engulfed with the same dream.

That commitment from the government and the communist insurgents to end the ages-old con�lict is what we need to get there--our dreams of living in genuine and lasting peace.

EDGEDAVAO

A

long-time manager of MacLeod and Company, a pioneering American �irm, H.C. Forst, after nearly two decades of stay in Manila, visited Mindanao in February 1923 and described his travel to the town of Davao as “with the greatest pleasure.”

His report, ‘A Trip Through the Southern Islands’, which was published in the March 1923 edition of The American Chamber of Commerce Journal, provided exciting details about Davao: “Until about thirty years ago, Davao exported only forest products brought down by the hill tribes, such as gum, vegetable wax, lumbang oil nuts, etc. Some Spanish settlers were attracted and they began to grow hemp with great success. Coconuts were introduced afterwards and it is believed in some quarters that they will give a better pro�it in the end than does hemp.”

(Lumbang is the candle nut tree or scienti�ically known as Aleurites moluccana.)

Forst was right that preference for coconut would be appreciated in decades to come given the collapse of world market prices of hemp, the manpower overhead involved, the vulnerability of abaca plant to pest

R

ice comes in different colors: white, brown, red and black.

Coming soon: a yellow one called golden rice. Actually, it is a genetically engineered rice variety that has been developed by the biotech industry to produce provitamin A (beta-carotene).

The proponents offer golden rice as one of the possible ways of solving the vitamin A de�iciency (VAD), which is prevalent in developing countries, including the Philippines.

Oftentimes, VAD can lead to blindness But still there are those who oppose for the commercialization of golden rice. The Greenpeace International said: “It is irresponsible to impose golden rice on people if it is contrary to their religious beliefs, cultural heritage and sense of identity.”

Rice is just one of the crops altered by science through biotechnology.

Crops which have been inserted with genetically-modi�ied organisms (GMOs) that are now available in the market include soybean, corn, tomato, potato, papaya, squash, canola, and sugar beet.

“We need criticism to keep us awake,” Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the country’s national hero, once said. Aside from those mentioned earlier, activists also opposed GM crops because of health reasons like allergens and antibiotic resistance.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 122• WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

VANTAGE POINTS

A manager’s 1923 report

and weather, and the meticulous way in planting, cultivating, harvesting and decorticating abaca stalks to produce hemp �iber.

Similarly, during this period, the major port of call was still Zamboanga where hemp produced in Davao was sent for pressing.

From there, the processed abaca was shipped by direct steamers to consuming markets. Completed in 1922, the port of Davao, constructed from native hardwood piles and timbers, had only an estimated use of four years.

Forst commented accurately when he wrote: “Zamboanga [port] should not be favoured at the expense of Davao [wharf]. There is room for both. Direct shipment from Davao would not seriously interfere with interisland shipping.

There is plenty of cargo which must be shipped south, and even with a monthly direct steamer there would be suf�icient produce left to �ill tonnage now employed in the interisland trade.”

Ocularly observing the condition of Davao’s pier, the businessman noted: “At low tide there are only sixteen feet of water at the end of the [Davao] pier, which will prevent large ocean-going vessels from coming

FAST BACKWARD Antonio V. Figueroa alongside.” However, he surmised that if certain improvements were introduced, huge steamers could take on cargo as cheaply and quickly as in Manila.”

This was what happened to the freighter Dewey encountered dif�iculty at the port while loading 4,000 bales of hemp, which was delayed due to structural limitations.

The town of Davao then, according to Forst’s �irst-hand account, was “a small village made up of two main streets, one commercial and one residential.

This surrounding country is partly swampy ground; it is not a breeding place for mosquitoes, and health conditions are good. The port of Davao is called Santa Ana and is about a mile distant from the village proper. Here are located the warehouse and the various pressings establishments.”

Forst thought hemp shipment should be done in Davao, the producer of abaca �ibers, with Zamboanga taking control only of coconuts. At that time there were already four regular ports of call in the gulf of Davao, namely Lapuan, Malita, and Lacaron, now parts of the province of Davao Occidental, and Davao. He also made a good description of the gulf and the country’s highest mountain situated adjacent to it, thus: “The Gulf of Davao is roughly eighty miles deep with a depth of about thirty miles at the mouth, tapering down to about four or �ive miles at the top. It is surrounded by hills and mountains, the highest being Mt. Apo, which is close to 10,000 feet high. The slopes of this mountain are literally covered with hemp trees, and the supply from that source alone is practically unlimited. The soil is extraordinarily

rich naturally and refertilizes itself from the high lands close alongside and behind.”

Aside from the two hydraulic presses he saw in Zamboanga, Forst observed in Davao �iber cleaning machines owned by retired American military of�icer and plantation owner Capt. James Burch�ield which used “water power entirely and gas a water wheel ten feet in diameter which supplies suf�icient power for four machines.”

Burch�ield’s machines were actually smaller compared the ones owned by N.E. Crumb, an enterprising American who owned a sprawling abaca plantation in Digos.

At a time when there was a shortage of manpower in plantations, the introduction of stripping machines revolutionized in a way the operation of the abaca industry.

Forst, who �irst arrived in the country as the secretary-treasurer of Macleod in Manila nearly two decades earlier, also observed that during strong northeast monsoon, not one port in the gulf was operational for three to four months, thus forcing ships to unload in plantation piers, which was considered a dif�icult and dangerous job.

Application (ISAAA).

In 1994, the �irst genetically modi�ied (GM) food, a tomato with a delayed ripening trait, was grown and consumed in a developed country. The biotech tomato spend more days on the vine than other tomatoes, thus resulting in better �lavor. In addition, the longer shelf life has commercial advantages in harvesting and shipping that can reduce the costs of production.

Both the United States and China produce biotech tomato while Canada and Mexico are importing them.

Most of the Gm crops currently available in the market have an increased level of crop protection through the introduction of resistance against plant pests and diseases caused by insects, viruses, or other pathogens. Others have an increased tolerance towards herbicides.

“GM crops are developed using the tools of modern biotechnology and it is because of this that many have questioned whether these foods are safe as those that have been developed using more traditional agricultural methods,” the ISAAA said.

Actually, there is no difference between conventional plant breeding and plant biotechnology.

“Their purpose is one and the same: to produce superior plant varieties

with improved characteristics that make them better to grow or more desirable to eat. The difference lies in how this is achieved,” the ISAAA said.

According to ISAAA, the techniques used in modern plant biotechnology provide plant breeders with “precise tools that permit them to introduce desirable characteristics into a plant.”

A booklet produced by the Biotechnology Information Center of Southeast Asia Regional Center for Agriculture (SEARCA) explains: “It enables plant breeders to bring in one plant useful genes from a wide range of sources, not just within the crop species or closely-related plants.

“This powerful took allows plant breeders to attain a desired trait combination faster and address urgent concerns like the development of crops that are resistant to biotic (diseases and pests) or abiotic stresses (drought and waterlogging), and with increased yield and improved food and nutrient quality,” it added.

Now, regarding its food safety, the WHO assured: “The potential direct health effects of GM foods are generally comparable to the known risks associated with conventional foods, and include, for example, the potential for allergenicity and toxicity of components present, and the nutritional quality and microbiological safety of the food.”

When foods are altered by science

Their reasons are valid. But then, foods derived from GM crops have undergone more testing than any other food in history. Before entering the marketplace, they are assessed consistent with guidelines issued by several international scienti�ic agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The guidelines imposed on biotech crops are as follows: · GM food products should be regulated in the same way as foods produced by other methods. The risks associated with foods derived from biotechnology are of the same nature as those for conventional foods. · These products will be judged on their individual safety, allergenicity, toxicity, and nutrition rather than the methods or techniques to produce them. · Any new ingredient added to food through biotechnology will be subjected to pre-market approval in the same way a new food additive, such as a preservative or food color, must be approved before it reaches the marketplace.

There are several questions asked when GM crops are introduced into the marketplace: Does the GM food have a traditional counterpart

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

that has a history of safe use? Has the concentration of any naturally occurring toxins or allergens in the food changed? Have the levels of key nutrients changed?

That’s not all. Other questions include: Do new substances in the GM food have a history of safe use? Has the food’s digestibility been affected?

Has the food been produced using accepted, established procedures?

“Even after these and other questions about the GM food are answered, there are still more steps in the approval process before the GM food can be commercialized,” said a fact sheet produced by the Laguna-based International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech

9

10

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 122• WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

MANILA... FROM 1

be assigned to different units in the country.

In his speech, he said that the Davao City Police has a different standard and he is not implying that all police in Caloocan are bad. “Siguro sa 1000 nasa 50 lang o maka mababa pa,” said Dela Rosa.

He agrees with PCL that the promotion of general welfare and the delivery of basic services to the barangay are better achieved by and through a genuine effective and productive local autonomy and development of self-reliance. “ Nais kong samantalahain ang pagkakataong ito upang muling ipalaganap ang ating pambansang layunin at pus-

pusang kampanya sa krimen, droga at katiwalian na matagal ng nagpapahirap sa ating bayan,” said Dela Rosa.

He said the Philippine National Police has been monitoring all the cities especially in Luzon due to the rampant drug cases.

The relieved police of�icers shall undergo re-training to ensure the quality of service they will provide to the public.

He said that although there are only a few police of�icers involved in illegal incidents, the PNP is taking the issue seriously by addressing the issue immediately after careful assessment.

portant and signi�icant in the operations against the terror group.

The AFP chief said that this information is still validated as of this posting, adding

that an estimated 10 foreign terrorists from Indonesia and Malaysia, are believed to be helping the remaining Maute group terrorists in the ongoing clashes. (PNA)

memorandum circular suspending work in government of�ices, both national and local, as well as classes in all public schools, state colleges and universities,” Abella said.

“Suspension of work in private companies and classes in private schools in the affected areas is left to the discretion of their respective heads,” he added.

September 21, a Thursday, marks the 45th anniversary of the declaration of martial law by the late President Ferdinand Marcos and various groups have announced to stage massive demonstrations on the said date.

Following his declaration of a national day of protest, Duterte said that classes would be suspended and government of�ices would be closed on the said date.

The President’s announcement was met with confusion as it is was not clear if class suspensions also include private schools nor was it clear if class and government work suspension will cover the entire Philippines, or limited only in Metro Manila where massive rallies are expected.

In the meantime, Abella reiterated Malacañang’s policy of maximum restraint.

“Law enforcement authorities are directed to stay away from mass actions and to exercise maximum restraint unless their intervention is necessary to maintain public order,” he said.

“Certain government agencies shall be required to provide emergency assistance near sites of protest actions,” Abella said. (PNA)

shall “be privileged from arrest while Congress is in session.”

He said that under House rules, an errant lawmaker may be allowed to proceed to the House of Representatives but will be surrendered to the

proper authorities after the session.

“Complainants can, of course, �ile cases and have them arrested when Congress is not in session,” Fariñas said. (PNA)

pital for treatment while police are still looking at a possible motive for the shooting.

Around 10 a.m. Saturday, two unidenti�ied suspects riding in tandem also shot two young women on board a tricycle along Dr. Meciano Road in Baranga Taclobo, also in Dumaguete City.

The police identi�ied the victims as Meagan Noble, 21 years old, single, and April Bien, 30 years old, single, both

from Pasay City.

Both died of multiple gunshot wounds. Police said the two women were apparently known to the 12 male suspects, also reportedly from Pasay City, who were arrested last week for alleged credit card thefts at different establishments in Dumaguete City.

One of the women, April Bien, was said to be a �light attendant in one of the country’s airlines. (PNA)

amphetamine hydrochloride or shabu,” read the complaint.

“As can be culled from the proceeding discussion, the gross inexcusable negli-

gence, manifest partiality, or bad faith of Commissioner Faeldon, Dir. Maestrecampo, Dir. Estrella, Pinawin, Valiente, Atty. Maronilla, Ventura,

HAPILON... FROM 2 NO... FROM 2

PALACE... FROM 2 NEW... FROM 4

FAELDON... FROM 4

MAINTAINING THE PEACE.Traffic enforcers from the City Transport and Traffic Management Office try to pacify two arguing passenger jeepney drivers after their vehicles bumped into each other along San Pedro Street in Davao City on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

Cabansag, Maniego, Cabildo, and Editor made possible the importation of 602.279 kilograms of shabu and the evasion of Chen Ju Long from being arrested and prosecuted,” it further alleged.

Lastly, the PDEA also �iled charges of corrupt practices of public of�icers under Section 3 of R.A. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) for allegedly “causing any undue injury to any party, including the Government, or giving any private party any unwarranted bene�its, advantage or

preference in the discharge of his of�icial administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence.”

In the same complaint, the PDEA �iled illegal drug importation charges under R.A. 9165 against importers and facilitators of the shabu shipment - Chen Ju Long, Chen Rong Juan, Manny Li, Kenneth Dong, Mark Taguba II, Teejay Marcellana, Eirene May Tatad, Emily Dee, Chen I-Min and Jhu Ming Jyun.(PNA)

cards or immigrant visas. But, she stressed it also exposes one to risks such as physical abuse.

She said the CFO has intercepted 5,091 cases of marriage with multiple sponsorships.

“We are the only country with the counter-checking system,” Lacaba bared.

CFO, which is under the Of�ice the President, is tasked to promote and uphold the interests, rights, and welfare of overseas Filipinos, and strengthen their ties with the Philippines.

Emigrant Services Of�icer Allan Ducusin said other Filipinos have obtained permanent residency abroad through sponsorship of their immediate family members or under

an independent category like professions in demand in host countries.

CFO has already registered 46,014 immigrant Filipinos from Davao region.

Ducusin said there are still Filipino immigrants who come home to settle permanently or retire in the country. But once they stay here permanently, their green cards are also canceled, Ducusin added.

Ducusin said CFO has no satellite of�ice in Davao, but they conduct mobile PDOS for Davaoenos so that they do not have to travel to Manila. On September 21 and 22, CFO will hold a mobile PDOS here at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) of�ice. (PNA)Lilian Mellejor

with the government security forces and turn a new leaf in life.

Dalayon said that the problem of pole-vaulting which is practiced by growers who are tempted to sell their produce to buyers who offer prices higher than the rates stated in their contracts with their original buyers is slowly being addressed by the banana cooperatives.

Ang and Dalayon said that since it is taking Congress a long time to come up with a banana council

through the enacting of a law, may a council created by the President through an executive order will suf�ice to quickly address the problems of the industry.

He said the banana industry council envisioned

by Phil-Export is all inclusive, meaning growers of all banana varieties will be under its umbrella, He bared that the banana industry is now composed one half the export Cavendish bananas, and one half composed of the small growers. AMA

SOCIAL... FROM 4

BANANA... FROM 5

UN... FROM 4 tion, sabihin ko sa mga station commanders sa pulis, PNP, do not operate without the Human Rights Commission ng United Nations. And everybody must wear a camera,”

Duterte said.

Duterte said he now prefers the UNCHR to watch over alleged rights abuses in the Philippines due to the possibility of a budget-less CHR. (PNA)

business in PH given that among the ASEAN countries, PH is consistently among the fastest growing economies.

Also at the EEF, PRBA signed a cooperation agreement with Roscongress Foundation to enhance PH-Russia cooperation, arranging effective communications between the expert communities, business and political groups of both sides. Said agreement includes exchange of delegations and mutual expert support in organising high pro�ile events, as well as expansion of contacts between the two countries’ business communi-

ties that will contribute to the development of trade and economic relations.

“This partnership between the two organisations will be an important platform to increase trade and investment between PH and Russia,” said USec. Barba. PH has a bilateral trade value of US$ 226.25M in 2016 with Russia, making Russia its 33rd top trading partner.

According to him, the mission complements the administration’s thrust to increase bilateral trade levels with non-traditional trading partners, including Russia.(PNA)

cent, respectively.

Volume for the day reached 1.30 billion shares amounting to PHP8.11 billion.

Gainers led losers at 121 to 83 while 46 shares were unchanged.

Meanwhile, the local currency on Monday closed at 51.10, a bit better than the

51.165 last Friday.

It opened the day at 51.17 from 51.25 in the previous session.

It traded between its closing level and 51.26, resulting in an average of 51.177.

Volume for the day reached USD502.9 million, lower than the USD638.6 million last Friday. (PNA)

with 113, 16 points clear of Manila Golf Club. Iloilo Golf Club was running third with 93 points.

Day 1 results: CHAMPIONSHIP: Pradera Verde 165, Manila Southwoods Masters 144, Cebu Country Club Team A 140 FOUNDERS: Lady Eagles Australia Golf 134, Alabang Golf 126, Manila Southwoods Legends 124, Del Monte 124, Negros Occidental Team A 117, Valley Golf North 106,

Mactan Island 104, Alta Vista 100 SPORTSWRITERS: Pueblo de Oro 114, Camp Aguinaldo Team A 111, Eagle Ridge 107, Tagaytay Highlands 105, Sta. Elena 103, Rancho Palos 97, Apo Golf 84, Camp John Hay 80 FRIENDSHIP: Wack Wack 113, Manila Golf 97, Iloilo 93, Cebu Country Club Team B 87, Guinhalaran 87, Alabang Golf 2 83, Camp Aguinaldo Team B 81, Bacolod City 76, Victorias 69

PH... FROM 6

PESO... FROM 6

NEW... FROM 15

INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 122•WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

WOMEN

EDGEDAVAO

WHAT’S IN A BAG?

PACKING THE BABY BAG, to most (including me), is like a feat of organizational and OCD triumph. There’s a long list of essentials to keep in mind, from diapers, wipes, bottles, baby clothes, blankets, nursing wear, medical papers, camera, etc.

--- so much that you’d think you’ll need a trolley to store all these items.

There are but a few bags in the market which can carry all the essentials and also doubles as a diaper bag for both mom and dad. Thankfully, there are modern, functional and trendy diaper bags designed with dads in mind, and they come in a variety of styles stacked with cool features like fold-out changing pads, plenty of pockets for extra storage and organization, insulated pouches (to keep bottles and food fresh), charging stations, and even laptop pockets. After all, parents and kids nowadays have modern needs, and dads have become more active and visible in parenting unlike the typical gender stereotypes in the past.

With a baby and a stroller in tow, you can’t beat the convenience of having a backpack where you can haul all the necessities. This is why those who have discovered the Wallaby Mommy Backpack thought it to be a practical solution for their carry-on luggage.

The Wallaby Mommy is proudly a Filipino brand, made by a fellow working mom, Minnie Ocampo-Jumaquio. “Form, function, accessibility and safety are well integrated into this design,” she said. “The experience of going through the creative process was like making my own dream bag. The design is original and I’d like to refer to it as a transitional bag because of its versatility.”

The pattern, colors and structure are not partial to any gender, so even dads can carry the bag while strolling around the city streets. The denim-looking type of material makes the bag durable and gives it a classic-contemporary feel. Minnie explained, “From the very beginning, I knew I faux or real leather won’t suit what I had in mind. A faux leather bag wouldn’t last the demands of parenting on the go. Also, the unpredictable weather won’t do the material any good, because it will make the bag easily prone to damage and tears. Using leather as base, on the other hand, would add weight to the bag (and price) even without anything inside. What I wanted was to give parents a functional product that’s both sustainable and within budget.”

“Family is the core of my business, as evident in my first entry into the world of mompreneurs. I introduced Snug-a-Hug, a maternity and nursing pillow rolled into one, which provided support and comfort for mom and baby pre and post childbirth. From there, I’ve expanded my line of products to also include fathers and other members of the family.”

It’s no wonder that Wallababy Mommy has become a hit among parents. As a mom, Minnie knew exactly what a modern family and lifestyle require, and has used practical hacks and experience in putting together a new and handy product that’s perfect for everyday use. The brand aims to promote breastfeeding and build a stronger bond between parents as they share the load in caring for their children.

Log on to www.wallabymommy.com and www. snugahug.net for more information on products, styles and special promotions.

A2INdulge!

EVENT

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 122• WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

A celebration of occasions

By KENNETH IRVING ONG DAVAO CITY’S top wedding and events suppliers were gathered together under one roof for Okasyon: A Celebrations Fair last September 15 to 17. The first event of its kind at the SMX Convention Center Davao, Okasyon gave Dabawenyos a venue to see, experience and meet the city’s established event specialists and their craft.

Aside from event coordinators and decorators the event also showcased the city’s top make-up artists, event venues, cake artisans, and photography studios, all to ensure the perfect event from start to finish.

“This is the first time we organised Okasyon here and we hope this event inspires everyone to hold beautiful celebrations, be it weddings, debuts, birthdays, and baptismals.” said

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

Maria Agnes Pacis, VP for Sales, SMX Convention Center.

There were also talks and mini fashion shows throughout the weekend with a special fashion show featuring the casual collections of SM Woman, SM Man, The Fashion Forum of the SM Store, the bridal creations of the Davao Fashion Design Council, and the floral bouquet creations of Cameo Events.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 122• WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

ENTERTAINMENT

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

Marian Rivera returns to GMA’s primetime THIS WEEK, GMA Network proudly unveils its newest series, Super Ma’am, top billed by no other than Kapuso Primetime Queen Marian Rivera-Dantes.

September 13 – 17, 2017 Only

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As she makes her comeback on GMA Telebabad, Marian breathes life to Minerva Henerala, the odd but soft-hearted and dedicated high school teacher who loves her students despite their naughtiness inside the classroom. Years ago she lost her mother and sister to a tragic archaeological accident. At the same site, she had a close encounter with mythical glowing wingedcreatures and shape shifters called Tamawo, and she grew up believing that they exist among humans.

As the years go by, the Tamawo have made their way into the city and abducts children to feed on their youthful energy. Now it is up to Minerva’s alter-ego—Super Ma’am—to become a Tamawo slayer and save the human world. Best teacher na, fantastic pa!

This series features the return of seasoned actress Ms. Helen Gamboa to GMA. She breathes life to the character of Lolita Honorio, Minerva’s grandmother who also encountered and believes in the Tamawo. She will also be Super Ma’am’s guide in her journey.

Playing opposite Marian is the newest Kapuso heartthrob Matthias Rhoads as Trevor Jones, an

American archaeologist and writer who will fall in love with Super Ma’am.

Making Super Ma’am’s life a little more challenging and interesting are Joyce Ching as Dalikmata, a powerful elemental being who transforms into a human and will eventually fall for Ace; Kristoffer Martin as Ace, a Tamawo employed

by Greta to do personal security work f o r her and Avenir; Kevin Santos as Casper, a quirky media personality who reports weird happenings in the metro; Isabelle de Leon as Rafa, the sexy and beautiful Tamawo who accompanies Avenir in her trainings; Andrew Gan as Keno, Greta’s henchman; and Jackie Lou Blanco as Greta Segovia, the main villainess and the radical and powerful Tamawo disguised as the rich benefactor of the school.

Joining them to play an equal-

ly important role is Ms. Carmina Villarroel as Ceres, the great Tagachu who is heir to the powerful buntot pagi which gives her power to transform into a young Tamawo slayer. This buntot pagi will be passed on to her mentee and the chosen one Minerva to help her transform to become Super Ma’am the Tamawo Slayer.

Along with the special participation of Ms. Dina Bonnevie as Raquel Henerala, a well-known archaeologist and Minerva’s mother.

Playing a very special role in the series is Philippine Comedy Queen Ms. Aiai delas Alas.

Apart from the extraordinary mythical creatures, Super Ma’am is a series that heralds the invaluable role of teachers as second parents of children in our society. Minerva is a role model not only in nurturing every child’s potential, but also in showcasing and proving that there is a good teacher in all of us.

A4INdulge!

EVENT

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 122• WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

NCCC holds Kanegosyo Congress anew

By KENNETH IRVING ONG

NCCC MALL OF DAVAO’S Kadayawan Hall was a beehive of activity as NCCC held their annual Kanegosyo Congress last September 14, 2017.

The three-day Kanegosyo Congress gave the thousands of NCCC’s Kanegosyo cardholders great deals and freebies for their purchases. The event also gave discounts on bulk purchases direct from the supermarket’s suppliers.

“The concept is to have our suppliers sell directly to our Kanegosyo Club members,” said NCCC’s CEO Lafayette Lim “This way our club members get to save more since the suppliers offer a much lower price even by wholesale standards.”

Opening the event was NCCC’s Kanegosyo Club spokesperson and Davao City mayor Inday Sara Duterte who, after cutting the opening ribbon, also took time to look at the exhibits and had selfies taken with the people already in the hall.

The Kanegosyo Congress in Davao City is now the third congress to be held this year. “We are the only major player who does this and we are happy that we have also expanded the concept by bringing the Kanegosyo Congress earlier this year to Puerto Princesa and Tagum,” added Lafayette.

AGRITRENDS 11 EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 122• WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

Fighting malnutrition with veggies TEXT AND PHOTOS BY HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“Food is literally the most important thing in the world. It is not even next to life, because it is life itself. Deprived of the right to food, man knows no other. For the hungry, there is no dignity, no human rights, no rule of law, no liberty, no celebration of the spirit… the most crucial task before world community today is to assure that enough food is available at the right place, at the right time, and at the right price”. - Arturo R. Tanco, Jr., former president of World Food Council It’s the paradox of our times.

While the economy of the Philippines is supposedly booming, the malnutrition problem is not getting better – in fact, it is getting worse!

When a person is not getting enough food or not getting the right sort of food, malnutrition is just around the corner.

“Even if people get enough to eat, they will become malnourished if the food they eat does not provide the proper amounts of micronutrients - vitamins and minerals - to meet daily nutritional requirements,” the UN World Food Program points out.

In the Philippines, malnutrition generally affects children.

Most of them suffer from what experts called as chronic malnutrition, or stunting rate for children under 5 years old. Children who suffer from chronic malnutrition fail to grow to their full genetic potential, both mentally and physically.

Based on a survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) and released in 2015, chronic malnutrition is at its worst in 10 years and this may get worse unless necessary steps are soon taken.

The data showed chronic malnutrition rate among children aged 0 to 2 was at 26.2%, the highest in 10 years. From 2013 to 2015, 10% of the stunting children increased to an average of 40%, and is expected to increase in the coming years.

In its 2013 report, entitled “Cost of Hunger: Philippines,” the Save the Children Philippines said the country lost almost ₱328 billion or 30% of that year’s gross domestic product due to malnutrition.

“If stunting rates continue to rise, it would be dif�icult for families to break free from poverty,” Ned Olney, the country’s director for the said non-government organization, was quoted as saying. “It is the poor and neglected sectors of society that carry the burden of stunting.”

But there are also children who may not be affected by stunting but they lack getting essential vitamins and minerals required in small amounts by the body for proper growth and development. These children suffer from micronutrient malnutrition.

The FNRI, a line agency of the Department of Science and Technology, said that two out of

ten schoolchildren suffer from iron de�iciency anemia, and the incident rises with age. Also, one out of ten from the same group is Vitamin A de�icient. In addition, two out of ten children are zinc de�icient.

But children are not the only ones who will experience malnutrition as population continues to grow. In 1980, the Philippines was home to 48 million Filipinos. In 2000, the number swelled to 78 million. Today, there are more than 100 million people inhabiting the country.

Some years back, the Philippines was listed by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as one of the 13 low-income food-de�icit countries in Asia (“those that do not have enough food to feed their populations and for the most part lack the �inancial resources to pay for imports”).

The other twelve countries -- most of them thickly populated -- were Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

“In many developing countries, rapid population growth makes it dif�icult for agricultural production to keep pace with the rising demand for food,” wrote Don Hinrichsen in a report published by Population Reports. “Most developing countries already are cultivating virtually all arable land and are bringing more marginal land under cultivation.”

Jacques Diouf, at the time when he was the director-general of FAO, echoed the same concern. “Population growth continues to outstrip food availability in many countries,” he pointed out during the 1996 World Food Summit in Rome.

Hunger is the world’s “most solvable problem,” declared the UN World Food Program. But in the Philippines, hunger persists across the country. But while the situation has improved, it has remains “serious,” according to the International Food Policy Research Institute said. In fact, the Philippines’ Global Hunger Index score of 13.2 ranks 28th worldwide.

It is very disturbing, indeed.

Carin van der Hor, Country Director of Plan International, observed that malnutrition among Filipino children below the age of �ive has changed very little over the past 10 years. “The reduction of child malnutrition has been alarmingly slow,” Hor

said.

In Bansalan, Davao del Sur, a non-government organization has been in the forefront in its �ight against malnutrition and hunger. “We want people to know the importance of consuming vegetables to protect them from malnutrition,” explained Roy C. Alimoane, the director of Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) Foundation, Inc. MBRLC is a religious institution and its former director, Harold R. Watson, was a recipient of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1985 for peace and international understanding. The center believes that through FAITH, malnutrition can be solved right in the homeyard.

Actually, FAITH stands for “Food Always In The Home,” a vegetable gardening technology.

The center has been promoting it since the 1970s. “With minimum capital and lots of native enterprise, a family can be assured of a steady supply of nutritious food – and even extra income,” Alimoane says.

While vegetables can easily be grown in the Philippines, Filipinos surprisingly do not grow enough of them. “The average per capita consumption of 12.4 kilograms of green and yellow vegetables is far short of the recommended allowance of 32.4 kilograms per year,” wrote Generosa T. Medrena in an article published in “The PCARRD Monitor.”

To think, vegetable gardening is a worthwhile endeavor and economically feasible.

“Home gardening,” noted Enriqueta B. Torres in “Research at Los Banos,” “can reduce by about 20% a family’s total daily food expenditures. Considering the high cost of vegetables and the rate of malnutrition in the

country today, home gardening should be taken seriously by families with low income and whose members are nutritionally at risk.”

The FAITH gardening does not only provide food, but can also reduce a farm family’s heavy reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides which are not only expensive but also pose health and environmental hazards.

“FAITH is a type of vegetable gardening that can provide the necessary protein, vitamins and mineral requirements needed by a family with 6 members,” Alimoane points out. “We designed it in such a way that it requires minimum labor.”

As the name suggests, there will be vegetables – and some fruits – all throughout the year if its recommended plan is properly followed. Based on a study, the garden can provide 300 grams (or one bowl) of fresh vegetables daily.

The recommended FAITH garden size is 6x16 meters.

The most fertile area in the backyard should be selected for this type of garden. The area should contain humus, a form of plant food. The types of soil needed for vegetable gardening are loam, silt-loam, or clay loam.

“Establish the garden on a light slope to provide drainage, especially during rainy season,” Alimoane suggests. “If the area is �lat, dig drainage channels or ditches around the planting site. The garden site must also receive sunshine throughout the day as growing plants need sunshine to manufacture food.”

In addition, the garden site should be located near water sources. “Water is very important particularly during the dry season,” Alimoane adds. “During rainy season, however, canals must be built to drain the water out from the garden plots.”

The garden is divided equally into 3 sections, with half of each section held in reserve for replanting. One section is planted with short-term vegetables that will be ready for use in two to 4 months such as soybeans, tomatoes, pechay (bok choy), cowpeas, bush sitao (string beans), radish, and sweet corn.

The second section is for crops which can produce vegetables for 6 to 9 months such as ampalaya (bitter gourd), okra, onions, garlic, eggplant, winged beans, golden squash, alugbati (vine spinach), and ginger. Vegetables that will produce for 11 to 12 months are grown on the third section like patani (lima beans), kulitis, sayote, kangkong, sweet potato, taro, and kadios.

Along the boundary of the garden and in the year, permanent and semi-permanent crops are grown. Among these are malunggay, papaya, pineapple, calamansi, and guava.

For fencing purposes, nitrogen-�ixing species like Flemingia macrophylla, Desmodium rensonii, Gliricidia sepium(kakawate), and Indigofera anil are planted; these can also be used as sources of green manure.

The central feature in FAITH gardening is basket composts, a series of raised garden beds set with bamboo baskets, about one foot in diameter and depth.

The baskets are �illed with little animal manure (particularly goat manure) and some decomposed organic garbage and packed with leaves of leguminous trees and shrubs. If basket composts are too laborious to do, you can also make trench composts.

If manure is not available, the leaves of leguminous trees and shrubs (�lemingia, rensonii, kakawate and/or indigofera) will do. These are stuffed into

the basket or trench composts to provide nitrogen and other nutrients needed by growing crops.

“You can immediately use the composts without waiting for the usual 3- to 4-month period as is necessary in the old method of composting,” Alimoane says.

However, the time to plant seeds or seedlings around the basket or trench composts depends on the state of decomposition of materials inside the compost. “If the materials at the bottom part are nearly decomposed, seeds and/or seedlings can be planted immediately,” says Alimoane. “But if most of the materials are still fresh, planting may be done two to 3 weeks later.”

Like most gardening, good management is necessary. The reserved areas should be planted in time so that there would be continuous supply of vegetables throughout the year.

Since kamote, alugbati, and kangkong are crawling plants, these should be planted in separate beds one meter wide and 6 meters long with a distance of 50 centimeters between beds.

The plants should be set 20 centimeters apart.

For patani and winged beans, two to 3 seeds per hill are planted around the composts.

These two legumes are the main providers of proteins. Other plants which are good sources of protein are soybeans, string beans, and bush sitao.

Some crawling vegetables like cucumber, ampalaya, and patola (should be provided with trellis; otherwise the vines will become a problem later on.

“Leafy vegetables are high in iron, calcium, vitamin A, and other minerals,” Alimoane shares.

Now, who says malnutrition can’t be won in the homeyard?

12 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 122• WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

Max’s Group eyes UAE 7 Sizzlin’Steak stores

M

ax’s Group Inc. (MGI) has inked a partnership with Kasamar Holdings (KH) to bring Sizzlin’ Steak stores in the United Arab Emirates .

In a disclosure with the Philippine Stock Exchange Monday, MGI said the partnership with KH targets to build seven Sizzlin’ Steak outlets in UAE in the next �ive years.

“We are witnessing the emergence of Sizzlin’ Steak as a global mainstream brand. At the same time, we are pleased with our partnership with Kasamar Holdings to introduce our hot plate concept to the UAE,” MGI President and Chief Executive Of�icer Robert

While armed hostilities continue to rage in Marawi City on Sunday (September 17, 2017) it’s all peace and quiet in Tugaya, Lanao del Sur, a lakeside town known for its brass ware and ornate baur or wooden chests. MindaNews photo by H. MARCOS C. MORDENO

Filtration plant to rise in MisOr C AGAYAN DE ORO CITY— Philippine food conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) will expand the use of its sprawling 50-hectare Misamis Oriental facility by putting up a water �iltration plant in the province.

Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano disclosed this last Sept. 18, a day after SMC president Ramon Ang announced that the conglomerate has decided to forego the bottled

water business that was originally planned for the manufacturing plant located in Tagoloan town.

Ang, who released his statement on Sunday, also said: “We are happy to announce that the Purewater brand will live on, but not as a plastic water bottle business but through SMC’s investment in �iltration technology that will be deployed during calamities to make safe drinking water available to displaced and affect-

ed families in lieu of environmentally unsustainable bottled water.”

SMC started constructing facilities in barangay Sta. Ana, followed by a groundbreaking of a new brewery with a capacity of 1.5 hectoliters on April.

In August, its subsidiary Purefoods Hormel Company followed suit and laid capsule for a meat processing plant with all packaging of its line of hotdogs, ham, bacon, chicken nuggets and

canned beef to be transferred there once it begins operations.

Emano said an expanded Petron depot will also rise in the area. SMC owns majority stakes of Petron Corporation, the largest oil re�ining �irm in the country.

According to Emano, the combined investments of the four facilities – brewery, meat processing plant, �iltration plant and oil depot – will total P60 billion. (PNA/ Mark D. Francisco)

from as low as P990 for Manila - Ho Chi Minh route are now available for booking today until 8 October 2017 on airasia.com and the airline’s mobile app. The introductory promo fares are available for travel period from 17 November 2017 to 21 November 2018.

“AirAsia is the only airline that directly services all ten Asean countries with established operations in the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Last year, the AirAsia Group carried 13.4 million people within Asean and we aim to continue bringing the region closer together via inter-Asean connectivity,” Comendador added.

AirAsia has been recently recognized for its outstanding performance in the Asean priority integration sector for tourism

at the ASEAN Business Awards 2017 held in Manila with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte personally giving the award to AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes and 11 other winners from different sectors last September 6.

AirAsia services Manila – Ho Chi Minh route with three �lights weekly or every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday.

Vietnam offers travellers an opportunity to discover the country’s tradition that overlaps with French colonial in�luences and picturesque coastline. A visit �irst to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as ‘Saigon’), is the perfect starting point to explore southern Vietnam.

This vibrant city is the centre of commerce and to get a good glimpse of its beauty, it is advisable to seat at a roadside café with a cup of

Vietnamese iced coffee or ‘Ca Phe Sua Da’ followed by a stroll to famous architectural marvels such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Opera House, Jade Emperor Pagoda and temples.

To appreciate the local culture, travellers can sample a myriad of fresh produce and food offerings from Ba Chieu Market, a local market off the beaten path for the famous baguette sandwich, ‘Banh Mi’ or some ‘Com Tam’, a ‘broken rice’ style dish topped with grilled meat; or go shopping for various types of quality fabric at affordable prices at the famed Ben Thanh Market. If you have an interest in history, visit The War Remnants museum or the famed Cu Chi tunnels for a glimpse into what life was during the war.

AirAsia to fly Manila-Ho Chi Minh City in November

A

irAsia to �ly Manila-Ho Chi Minh City in November All-in promo fares from as low as P990 are up for grabs now at airasia.com MANILA, 19 September 2017 -- AirAsia is introducing direct �lights from Manila to one of the most vibrant and biggest cities in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, further strengthening the airline’s commitment as an Asean carrier.

AirAsia Philippines CEO Captain Dexter Comendador said, “We are thrilled to announce that we will start servicing direct �lights from Manila to Ho Chi Minh in November as part of our commitment to continue bringing the Philippines closer to neighbouring cities within the Asean region.”

To celebrate the announcement, all-in fares

Trota said.

The tie-up marks MGI’s fourth development contract for the year, while the projects add to over 130 stores of the company set to open in the coming years.

MGI now operates 655 stores, including 55 franchised outlets in North America, Middle East, and Asia. KH Director Mo Bississo noted the �irst Sizzlin’ Steak in UAE will open by 2018.

KH, a family-led business in UAE, is engaged in private equity and venture, real estate, and public securities. It is also one of the largest private healthcare providers in UAE. (PNA)

EDGE DAVAO

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is in need of

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

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF Davao City HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND OR PAG-IBIG FUND, Mortgagee, -versusADOLFF C. MOISES (SINGLE), Mortgagor/s.

EJF-REM CASE NO. 16,394-17

X-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135, as amended filed by HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND OR PAG-IBIG FUND, against ADOLFF C. MOISES (SINGLE) with postal address at LOT 32, BLK. 59, DECA HOMES SUBD., BARANGAY TIGATTO, DAVAO CITY , to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness in the total amount of Php=1,012,575.41, Philippine Currency, inclusive of the interest and penalty charges as of June 15, 2017, plus attorney’s fees equivalent to 10% of the total indebtedness and other legal expenses incident of foreclosure and sale, the undersigned Sheriff IV of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on OCTOBER 12, 2017 at 10:00 A.M., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City, to the highest bidder to CASH or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property mentioned and described below together with all the improvements found thereon, to wit: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 146-2013007224 “A PARCEL OF LAND (LOT 32, BLK 59, XXX PCS-11-005103,XXX), SITUATED IN THE BARANGAY OF TIGATTO, CITY OF DAVAO, ISLAND OF MINDANAO. XXX CONTAINING AN AREA OF EIGHTY (80) SQUARE METERS, MORE OR LESS.” All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on NOVEMBER 9, 2017, without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the herein-above described real property/ies and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines, SEPTEMBER 5, 2017.

FOR THE EX.OFFICIO PROV’L SHERIFF: (sgd.)ROBERT M. MEDIALDEA Sheriff IV NOTED BY: (sgd.)ATTY. FRANSISCO M. CAMPANER Clerk of Court V OIC-Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Prov’l Sheriff Sept. 13, 20 & 27, 2017

VOL. 10 ISSUE 122• WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 13

Australia bares new strategy to counter illegal drug trade

A

ustralia’s “enormous appetite” for the crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as “ice,” has forced the federal government to announce a new global strategy to protect Australians from the international drug trade, Justice Minister Michael Keenan said on Tuesday.

Speaking to the press alongside representatives from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in Perth, Keenan said that the strategy called the International Engagement Methamphetamine Disruption Strategy (IEMDS) would better protect the local community from the scourge of ice.

“Australia has an enormous appetite for crystal methamphetamine, which is otherwise known as ice.

Indeed, the demand here is the highest in the world,” Keenan told the media.

“The government has been very concerned about ice -- particularly about the effects it has on users -- and we were determined to do something about it.”

In a press release, Keenan said the IEMDS would pave the way for “enhanced cooperation

between government agencies and our regional and global partners as we work to stop the traf�icking of methamphetamine.”

“The strategy we release today is an important measure for strengthening international engagement, with a focus on disrupting the supply of methamphetamine at its source,” Keenan said.

The minister pointed to Taskforce Blaze -- a joint cooperation effort between Australian and Chinese to �ight illicit drugs -- as one of the examples of why further international cooperation would help stop ice from ruining the lives of Australians.

“Taskforce Blaze is a great example of the effectiveness of this international cooperation, with Australian and Chinese authorities stopping 13 tons of drugs, including six tons of methamphetamine, from reaching our streets,” Keenan said.

“Make no mistake: the (federal) government will continue to use every weapon in our arsenal to break the business models of drug dealers and organized crime gangs that rely and thrive on the pro�its of illicit drugs.” (Xinhua)

Soldiers from the Civil Military Operations Regiment (CMOR) of the Philippine Army give free haircuts for Marawi City evacuees staying inside an evacuation center in Brgy. Nangka, Balo-i, Lanao del Norte on Tuesday (19

September 2017). The CMOR has been deployed to help attend to the needs of evacuees of the Marawi siege. MindaNews photo by MANMAN DEJETO

Ex-NE vice mayor meted life for rape

A

former vice mayor of Pantabangan in Nueva Ecija was meted the penalty of reclusion perpetua after he was found guilty of two counts of rape.

In its verdict handed down Monday, the Regional Trial Court Branch 38 here also ordered former vice mayor Romeo Borja, Jr. to pay the now 22-year-old victim PHP100,000 in moral dam-

ages and provide support to the baby, the fruit of the supposed sexual assault.

Also, the court ordered the transfer of Borja from the detention facility here to the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.

The court, however, cleared Borja of the 20 other counts of rape that the then 17-year-old complainant alleged to have happened

sometime from 2009 to 2011, for lack of evidence.

The court ruled that Borja was guilty for the two counts of rape which happened in Oct. 23, 2009 and March 23, 2010.

The complainant told the court she was taking care of the former of�icial’s child when he supposedly forced her to have sex with him.

Knowing that Borja was

in power, the victim said she feared for her life thus, she kept mum about the incident.

The victim gave birth to a baby girl on February 1, 2012.

Garbriel Partylist Rep. Emmy De Jesus who attended the promulgation lamented that it took almost �ive years before justice was delivered to the victim. (PNA)

14

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SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 122• WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017

CEREMONIAL TEE OFF. The 12th Philippine Airlines (PAL) Ladies Interclub gets underway at Cebu Country Club with PAL President Jaime J. Bautista hitting the ceremonial tee off. A total of 28 teams, including lady golfers from Australia, are seeing action, with three clubs crowding the Championship Division. (photo by Roy Bonghanoy)

NEW FORCE Pradera Verde opens 21-point lead, Apo, RPV struggles

C

EBU CITY – As expected, powerhouse newcomer Pradera Verde Golf and Country Club surged to a commanding 21-point lead at the start of the 12th Philippine Airlines Ladies Interclub golf team championships on Tuesday at the Cebu Country Club.

Yuka Saso, the 16-year-old Fil-Japanese, �ired 59 points built around eight birdies to lead the Lubao-based squad which also drew 55 points from Tomita Arejola and 53 from national player Harmie Constantino.

Kristine Torralba did not count with her 50 points.

Davao clubs Rancho Palos Verdes and Apo struggled on the �irst day and are bunched at 6th and 7th places, respectively in the Sportswriters Division.

RPV �inished gthe opening day with a 97 total while Apo had an 84. Pueblo de Oro paced the division with 114.

Pradera, a team formed only two weeks ago, collected 165 points in the four-to-play, three-to-count tournament.

It could have been 167 if not for the two-point deduction it incurred after Torralba failed to pick up on the 15th hole.

“We did not expect to lead this big,” said Pradera captain Normandy Sto. Domingo.

T

“Tomita’s one-under was a big surprise.”

Saso used her length off the tee to set up her birdies, the most by anyone in the �ield.

The only blot in her scorecard came on the par-5, No. 9 where she picked up after pushing her teeshot to the shrubs, misplayed her bailout shot and took four more strokes to reach the green.

To underscore Pradera’s big start, nobody else in the championship division managed to score in the 50s.

Samantha Bruce was Southwoods’ best scorer with 49 points followed by Bernice Ilas 48, and Laia Simone Barro 47. Loralie Roberto did not count with 46.

Southwoods coach Bong Lopez is not about to throw in the towel.

“We need to reduce the lead at least by half tomorrow,” Lopez said.

Cebu Country Club �inished with 140, four points behind Southwoods. Scoring for the host squad were Junia Louise Gabasa 48, Irina Paulin Gabasa 48 and Crystal Faith Neri 44.

This year’s PAL Ladies Interclub sponsors are Primax Broadcasting Network, Mareco Broadcasting Network, Fox Sports, Travelife Magazine,

ruly, Prof.Henry Daut deserve a kiss. Not from me, for my lips are only for the ladies I love and if they happen to male, they are my bosom friends.

He truly does deserve it after successfully organizing the KISS lecture series in coordination with the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Sports Institute.

Frankly, I am amazed of his energy in organizing events like this. Sports events that are actually meaningful, memorable, lovely, sweet.

Prof.Daut is actually a colleague when the Sports for Peace Mindanao program was started by Dabawenyo and Philippine Sports Commission chairman William “Butch” Ramirez.

The program was precisely designed

HOT ROUND. Yuka Saso of Pradera Verde studies her line of putt in the opening round of the 12th PAL Ladies Interclub at the Cebu Country Club.

BACKUP. Tomita Arejola prepares to putt for Pradera Verde.

People Asia, Asian Air Safari, Airbus, Travel Now Magazine/ TouchPay, Bombardier, PLDT and Mastercard.

Support also comes from TFC, Rustan’s Commercial Corporation, Asia Brewery Inc., Alaska Corporation, Eton Properties, Trinity Insurance and Marco Polo Plaza Cebu.

A four-horse race is shaping up in the Founders division.

Lady Eagles Australia Golf, the only foreign club in the �ield, drew 50 points from Julia

Caroline Camarsh to open an eight-point lead over Alabang Golf and Country Club with 134 points.

Ten points adrift with 124 were Manila Southwoods Legends and Del Monte Golf Club.

In the Sportswriters division, Pueblo de Oro totalled 114 points to lead Camp Aguinaldo Team A by three with Eagle Ridge taking third spot with 107 points.

Wack Wack led Friendship

NEW, 10

You deserve a kiss

to achieve the goal of having “a stable human resource development program and a strong advocacy programs to make sports a way of life and an intervention in con�lict areas to promote peace.”

Yes, make sports a way of life. Start �irst in Mindanao and bring it to the rest of the country.

But you see, we have to face the realities of life. There are those who don’t love the children of Mindanao and would instead sow terror on them.

Despite this interruption to peace, Prof.Daut and his team have worked tirelessly to keep the sports for peace program going in Mindanao. He is just unstoppable.

So, after the series of sports

CLEAN SLATE

By MOSES P. BILLACURA lectures, Philippine Sports Commission chairman William “Butch” Ramirez announced that the government sports agency is helping fund the rehabilitation and installation of the track oval as part of the sports rehabilitation program in

Pacquiao digs hands in full-time promotion

M

ANNY Pacquiao goes into big-time boxing promotion as he stages former Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga’s upcoming �ight in China by the end of the month.

Pacquiao’s MP Promotions will be the lead out�it in the Sept. 29 boxing card in Beijing, China, which Barriga headlines as he battles Wittawas Basapean of Thailand in a scheduled 12-round bout in which the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) International minimumweight crown will be at stake.

Barriga, who represented the country in the 2012 London Games, is among the high-pro�iled �ighters under the MP stable along with reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior bantamweight champion Jerwin Ancajas.

The promotion, being held in cooperation with the Dancing Sports Industry of Beijing, will be the �irst in a series of boxing cards the 38-year-old Pacquiao plans to promote internationally, speci�ically in China, where there is a growing market for pro boxing.

Blackwater team owner Dioceldo Sy has partnered with Pacquiao in the promotion. The Filipino delegation will be leaving for the Chinese capital on Sept. 28 and returns to the country two days later.

war-torn Marawi City.

The best part is that KISS or the Korea Institute of Sports Science donated $3,000 US for the football for peace and healing, a community service currently being done by members of the Mindanao State University’s CSPEAR led by Prof. Daut.

After the sports talks, Prof. Daut is back to organizing a football for peace and healing project at the MSU Sports Complex next month for Marawi boys and girls.

Now, he is calling for volunteers to join him in the activity designed to help kids recover from the trauma brought by war between the ISISbacked Maute Group and government troops.

Sy and Pacquiao go a long way, having been together early in the boxing career of the eighth-time world division champion.

The long-time sports patron was among the �inancial backers of the 38-year-old Pacquiao especially when he was trying to make a return in boxing in the late 90s and early 2000 after losing his World Boxing Council (WBC) �lyweight title against Medgoen Singsurat.

“Now we’re 50-50 in boxing promotions,” said Sy on Monday.

The Blackwater team owner also recalled how he employed the help of Pacquiao to be the personal trainer of Asi Taulava when the 6-foot-9 Fil-Tongan was still starting out with Sy’s Blu team in the defunct Philippine Basketball League (PBL).

Barriga has been unbeaten in six bouts since turning pro last year when he failed to get a shot of seeing action in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

In Wittawas, the 24-yearold from Panabo, Davao del Norte will be up against a veteran �ighter, who twice fought for the world light-�lyweight title against Naoya Inoue (WBC) and Akira Yaegashi (IBF) in 2014 and 2016, respectively. The Thai (33-6, 12 KOs) lost both �ights by TKO.

The war is not yet over but Prof.

Daut could not just sit down and wait for the dust to settle down. He went to the evacuation centers, phoned sponsors and volunteers to hold activities for the children affected by the war. Even it is just for a day or two, these kids deserve fun under the sun. Take their minds away from the ugliness of war.

Let there be peace in Mindanao for our kids have the right to play, anytime and anywhere. Prof.Daut truly deserves a kiss from the children.

From this corner, a �lying kiss to you our friend Henry.

For those who can’t volunteer their services to the kids in Marawi, keep on praying for peace. We need it in these challenging times.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

SUR IS NEW PMDK PRESIDENT-CEO

F

ormer Davao City Sports Council president Beethoven Sur was elected president and CEO of the Philippine Moo Duk Kwan (PMDK) Soo Bahk Do Inc. during its National Assembly on Saturday.

Master Manuel “Jojo” J. Grandeza Jr. (6th Dan blackbelt) declared his retirement in the organization to give way to a new management team.

The general membership elected nine members of the Board of Directors who immediately elected from among themselves the of�icers of the National Board headed by Bing Grandeza and Ben Sur. Grandeza is the Clubmaster and Instructor of the Blue Warriors Club while Sur served as the past President of the Davao City Sports Council and Founder-President of the United Bodybuilders Association.

The newly elected of�icers are as follows: Chairman Edgardo “Bing” Grandeza (5th Dan Blackbelt), President-CEO Ben Sur (4th Dan Blackbelt), Vice Chairman Wilfredo Grandeza (4th Dan Blackbelt), Vice President Herbert Jardinel (4th Dan Blackbelt), Corporate Secretary Angela Grandeza (3rd Dan Blackbelt), Treasurer Bernard Pedres (3rd Dan Blackbelt), Auditor Johnny Ti (2nd Dan Balckbelt), Members Atty. Servillano, Lorenzo III (1st Dan

Newly-elected president and chief executive officer of the Philippine Moo Duk Kwan (PMDK) Soo Bahk Do Inc.Ben Sur Blackbelt), Mikhail Ponce De Leon (2nd Dan Blackbelt), Grandeza and Sur both recognized the exemplary leadership of Master Jojo who started teaching the art of Tang Soo Do in Davao City on June 29, 1967. He was the Clubmaster and Instructor of the Blue Knight Moo Duk Kwan Club.

He was elected Chairman of the Board in Sept 2013 until

his retirement in 2017.

The newly elected Board of Directors declared Master Jojo Grandeza as Chairman Emeritus.

The PMDK celebrated its 50th Year Anniversary last year at the Grand Men Seng Hotel with 30 active karate clubs all over the country with total members of 10,000 nationwide.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 122• WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2017