Edge10 issue123 September 21, 2017

VOL. 10 ISSUE 123• THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

STRAIGHT FROM THE TOP. President Duterte gestures during Erwin Tulfo’s program ‘Sa Totoo Lang’ at the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday night. Duterte has announced the suspension of public classes and government work today in time for the commemoration of the 45th anniversary of former President Marcos’ declaration of Martial Law. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio also ordered the cancellation of classes in private schools.

PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

INDEFINITE

No barangay, SK polls in Mindanao due to Martial Law DAVAO EDGE Sports T

By ANGIE SAVERON

he Commission on Elections in Region XI said on Wednesday that because of the implementation of Martial law, barangay and sangguniang kabataan (SK) elections in Mindanao will be postponed inde�initely.

Assistant Regional Director Marlon Casquejo told members of AFP-PNP Press Corps-Southern Mindanao that the COMELEC itself made the decision based on a public hearing it conducted in Davao City last month.

However, if Martial Law is lifted, barangay and SK elec-

tions in Mindanao will proceed within 30 days.

If elections in Mindanao will be postponed inde�initely due to Martial Law, the incumbent of�icials will continue serving in holdover capacity. “No replacement of�icials or OICs (of�icers-in-charge) will be appointed,” said Casquejo.

He however said if both houses of Congress will �inally approve a law postponing barangay and SK elections nationwide, that law would be the one followed.

The bill seeking to post-

pone barangay and SK election is now in second reading in the Senate. Because of this, the schedule for the barangay and SK elections in Luzon and the Visayas has yet to be determined.

The COMELEC has also moved the schedule of �iling of certi�icate of candidacy (COC) to October 5.

The COMELEC Manila Central Of�ice is expecting an approved law soon, said Casquejo.

Cashopes that the con�lict in schedule and resolution in the house of representatives

of the Philippines will be settled to have the bill approved.

Casquejo said that the COMELEC is ready for the elections in Luzon and Visayas this October if the bill will not be approved. “Naka print naman sila ug of�icial ballot and the list of voters,” said Casquejo.

The COMELEC will use manual counting to determine the results of the voting, he said.

The COMELEC proposed and issued the resolution in the postponement of baran-

INDEFINITE, 10

FINALLY, DAVAO Davao to host 2018 Ironman 70.3

SPORTS P14

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 123• THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

FIRST TIME. Sunrise Events, Inc. chairman and chief executive officer Wilfred Uytengsu hands over the symbol of the International Iron Man 70.3 to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio during a news conference at City Hall on

Lumad family to represent Davao in‘Huwaran’search

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family from a Mansaka tribe from Davao del Norte will represent the region in the national search for Huwarang Pamilya organized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Couple Ian and Grace Betua, who represent the lumad community in Balaguran, Sto Tomas town, is already the regional winner in the competition as DSWD’s recognition of the bene�iciaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

The couple is recognized for its voluntary service advocating cleanliness in the community. Grace said her

husband, who works with the Tagum Agricultural Development Company (TADECO), helps whenever he is free from work.

Grace said Ian is supporting her advocacy program and understands her community work. The couple has a daughter in Grade 9.

DSWD XI Director Mercedita Jabagat said the search for Huwarang Pamilya is aimed at recognizing family-bene�iciaries of the 4Ps who maintain strong family ties, demonstrate positive Filipino values and have good positive impact in the community where they reside.

LUMAD, 10

Wednesday. Davao City will host the upcoming Iron Man 70.3 on March 25, 2018. Angie Saveron

Doable ways Sara urges LGUs to focus on education , family planning

By ANGIE SAVERON

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avao City Mayor Inday Sara Duter-Carpio urged Philippine councilors to focus on education and family as doable measures in helping reduce poverty in their localities.

Mayor Sara made the pitch on Tuesday as guest speaker of the Philippine Councilors’ League 3rd quarterly executive of�icers meeting at the SMX-Lanang.

She said the city of Davao under her watch has focused

on both measures in the campaign to reduce poverty.

“Family planning and education are two doable projects that will help reduce poverty and will help local government units make a difference in the country,” she said. “ Maraming mag-asawa walo ang anak, sampu ang anak, kahit isa walang napatapos sa college. Madaming poor families na ganun,” said Mayor Duterte- Carpio.

She said the cycle of poverty in the family will continue if there is no responsible family planning. “Yung parents mahirap yung anak mahirap rin because number one hindi sila nag plano ng pag anak, hindi sila nag plano sa pamilya nila and number two hindi nila mapag- aral ang kanilang mga anak,” she said.

At the same time, Mayor Sara expressed her gratitude to the councilors for the as-

sistance they have provided to Mayor Rodrigo Duterte during the 2016 election campaign when he ran for President.

She passed on the message of gratitude of the President to the councilors. “ Sabi niya (President Duterte) salamat po daw sa mga pag suporta ninyo sa polisiya niya as president he hopes that this will continue on until the end of his term

lookout to prevent attempts of the 16 “persons of interest” to leave the country.

Placed under the ILBO are Arvin R. Balag, Mhin Wei Chan, Marc Anthony Ventura, Axel Mundo Hipe, Oliver John Audrey Onofre, Joshua Joriel Macabali, Jason Adolfo Robiños, Ralph Trangia, Ranie Rafael Santiago, Danielle Hans Mattew Rodrigo, Carl Mattew Villanueva, Aeron Salientes, Marcelino Bagtang, Zimon Padro, Jose Miguel Salamat and John Paul Solano.

“I signed an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against members of the Aegis Juris Fraternity who are considered persons of interest in the death of Horacio Tomas Castillo III, a freshman law student of the College of Law, University of Santo Tomas,” Aguirre said.

Aguirre said the named subject of the ILBO were provided to Justice Undersecretary Erickson Balmes by police investigators looking into the incident.

“I call upon the persons

named in the ILBO or anyone who has knowledge of what happened to Mr. Horacio Tomas Castillo III, to come forward and to clear their names and share what they know,” he noted.

Balmes visited the wake of Castillo, on Aguirre’s behalf, to offer assistance to the victim’s family.

“We offer our condolences to the family of Mr. Castillo and we likewise offer any assistance that the Department of Justice can give to them in their quest for justice for

Killers of UST student face 40 years in prison Lookout order issued vs UST frat members

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he killers of hazing victim and University of Santos Tomas First year law student Horacio Tomas Castillo III are facing 40 years in prison, Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr. said on Wednesday, as he demanded the swift arrest of all the suspects.

“We say killers because in a hazing death, all participants in harming the victim are considered principal actors in the commission of the crime,” Campos, a deputy minority leader, said.

“If there were 10 or 20

fraternity of�icers or members who paddled, kicked, punched or slapped Castillo, then they are all primarily responsible for his death,” Campos said.

“What they did was cowardly. They could have rushed the victim to the nearest hospital. He could have been revived. He could have been saved.

Yet, they chose to dump the victim by the roadside,” Campos said.

“Our heart goes out to the Castillo family for their loss,”

KILLERS, 10

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he Department of Justice has issued an immigration lookout bulletin order against 16 members of the Aegis Juris fraternity in connection with the death of University of Santo Tomas law freshman Horacio Castillo III due to suspected hazing.

In a memorandum released on Wednesday, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II directed Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente to instruct all immigration of�icers in the country’s airports and seaports to be on the

DOABLE, 13

LOOKOUT, 10

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 123• THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

Gov’t won’t allow formation of new armed groups: Palace

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alacañang on Wednesday said the government will not allow the formation of armed groups seeking to rectify perceived wrongs or to issue demands to the government.

“The government does not tolerate the formation of armed groups to seek redress for grievances of citizens. Also, demands from government are better made through dialogues and consultation with various stakeholders,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

The statement was made following reports on the emergence of a shadowy group in Mindanao calling itself the Meranaw Victims Movement, whose members are supposedly “sons and

brethren” of evacuees from Marawi City.

The group is allegedly demanding the government, the Islamic State-inspired Maute group, and even the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for the restoration of normalcy in Marawi City and in the province of Lanao del Sur. The group has threatened to use force if their demands are not met.

However, Malacañang said the government is still verifying if the group really exists.

“The government, through the military, is still verifying the veracity of the video posted online on the existence of a new armed group called Meranaw Victims Movement,” Abella said.

4 Sayyaf men surrender

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our members of the Abu Sayyaf Group have surrendered through the concerted effort of the government troops and concerned stakeholders in the province of Sulu, military of�icial said Tuesday.

The four, who were followers of the late bandit sub-leader Alhabsy Misaya, surrendered at around 8:30 p.m. Saturday in Barangay Likud, Pata, Sulu.

Pata, which comprises of 14 barangays, is a �ifth class island municipality of Sulu with a population of 22,163 based on 2015 census on population.

Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, identi�ied the surrenderees as Aldin Hadil Akmad, 25, Willing Ibba Jaabal, 45, Ijal Samsain Sadjal, 25, and, Emar Ladjar Udjah, 17.

Sobejana said they turned over four high-pow-

ered �irearms consisting of three caliber .30 M1 Garand ri�les and an M-16 Armalite ri�le when they surrendered to Lt. Col. Jesse Montoya, Army’s 2nd Special Forces Battalion commander.

“Through the joint efforts of the 3rd Sulu Civilian Active Auxiliary Company and the Special Intelligence Team, Akmad and his companions decided to return to the folds of the law,” Sobejana said.

The surrender of Akmad and his three companions brought the number of ASG members who surrendered to the government to 111 since January this year within the area of jurisdiction of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).

Of the total, 65 yielded to the troops in Basilan, 23 in Sulu, 21 in Tawi-Tawi, and two in Zamboanga City.

The Westmincom said they surrendered brought

4, 10

POSTPONED FOR NOW. Commission on Elections (Comelec) 11 assistant director lawyer Marlon Casquejo bares that the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in Mindanao is postponed due to the ongoing Martial

Law in the island. Casquejo made the disclosure during the AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr.

Classes suspended in public, private schools

By ANGIE SAVERON

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he Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte- Carpio declared that classes from kinder gartento college in both public and private schools are suspended.

“Since the suspension of classes only covers the public schools here in Davao city we will also declare suspension of classes of private schools,” said Mayor Duterte-Carpio.

This is in line with the Presidential Proclamation 319 which states that Septem-

ber 21 is National Day of Protest during a press conference at Davao City Hall, September 20, Wednesday.

The mayor wants to remind the students to stay at home and prepare for their classes on September 22 a Friday.

The mayor reminded the protestors to peacefully assemble, not commit crime as there will be a maximum tolerance from the police.

“So tanan is welcome,

not just one issue all the other issues and all the other groups na gust mag protesta sa dalan,” said Mayor Duterte-Carpio. There will be a protest march today from Freedom Park to Rizal Park.

“Okay ra kung bisan asa sila mag martsa, ang atua lang man kay kanang mga mag martsa na maka abala sa mga musulod sa trabaho ug musulod sa skwelahan and muuli gikan sa trabaho ug sa skwelahan nga ma dilatar,”

Policy makers told: Study federal system proposal

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STRESSING A POINT. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 11 director Adzhar Albani demonstrates the thickness of a consolidated list of narco-politicians that the agency has submitted to President Duterte ahead of the up-

coming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. Albani also gave updates on the agency’s anti-drug campaign efforts during the AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr.

she said.

Meanwhile,Police Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa also reminded the security forces to remain vigilant. “mag amping ug imonitor nato og maayo kay basin masingitan ta, basin naa’y musingit na agitator nga mobuhat ug kagubot,” said Dela Rosa.

He said that to continue close monitoring is needed to prevent possible untoward incidents.

tate think-tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies on Tuesday urged policymakers to undertake a comprehensive study of the proposed shift to a federal form of government which could address uneven developments in provinces and regions.

“It’s not self-evident that federalism can work for us.

It must be carefully studied.

What we are doing here is to pool as many ideas as we can.

But ultimately, it depends on the political leadership,” PIDS President Gilberto Llanto told reporters on the sidelines of PIDS’ public policy conference.

Llanto cited the issue of regional imbalance, wherein the development of one region is not at par with those of other regions.

“The revenues being collected nationwide is distrib-

uted according to a formula that does not seem to favor the poorer regions. In the federal system, states will have better control of resources.

They can control how they can discharge the responsibilities,” he said.

Llanto noted another view that the country could address issues of regional imbalance, poverty and other social ills by revisiting the local government code.

“By looking at the weaknesses of the code then overhaul and amend because there are certain provisions in the code that can be strengthened. So those are two opposing views,” he added.

Llanto pointed there is no appropriate model for the country to effect the shift to a federal form of government.

“We have to discover it

POLICY, 10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 123• THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

BOC men seize P2M worth of smuggled glutinous rice

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he Bureau of Customs con�iscated on Wednesday a 20-footer container of glutinous rice worth P2 million at the port of Manila.

Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña led the opening of the shipment misdeclared as polyester knitted breast cup. The real content of the container was discovered after a physical examination on the shipment of Worldwide Apparel Manufacturing Inc. “The consignee declared it as polyester knitted breast cup, however, during the conduct of x-ray examination, a different image was retrieved from the machine which led to the issuance of alert order as per recommendation of the X-ray Inspection Project (XIP),” he said in a statement.

In violation of a provision in the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and Republic Act No. 10845, otherwise known as the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, Lapeña said the shipment will undergo forfeiture proceedings.

“The shipment will undergo forfeiture proceedings and we will �ile the corresponding criminal

charges against the consignee,” the Customs chief said.

With this, he encouraged all Customs employees to guard the borders against the entry of smuggled products and illegal drugs.

On the other hand, XIP head, Maj. Jaybee Raul Cometa, said the shipment was not 100 percent physically examined on September 5 due to the absence of a representative from Worldwide Apparel.

RA 10863 Sec. 1129 (c) provides that when regulated goods are subjected to alert order and the assessed duties, taxes, and other charges thereof are not paid within 15 days from noti�ication from the Bureau of the resolution of the alert order, the shipment shall be deemed abandoned.

“Today is the expiration of the 15-day allowance, failure of the consignee to pay the duties and taxes will result in the abandonment of the shipment,” he said.

Cometa believed that the presence of rice instead of the declared item is a prima facie evidence of smuggling, thus, he will recommend the issuance of warrant of seizure and detention against the shipment to the BOC chief. (PNA)

Importance of banana devt council explained

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ANANA industry stakeholders are pushing for the creation of an industry council, this time through their initiative, although they will still need the help of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

The issue will be presented during the banana conference on October 12-13 at the SMX Convention Center, said Domingo O. Ang, chair of the Philippine Export Confederation Inc.-Davao.

Ang said their new proposal will be for the President to issue an executive order for the creation of the council. “Initiative of creating the council should come from the private sector, it would be better if the President issues an executive order for it,” he added.

About �ive years ago, the industry, through the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association, initiated a campaign pushing for the passage of a law that will establish the council whose main function is to draft a sustainable plan for the industry which has besieged by several huge problems.

Last year, during the annual conference, the plan was supposed to be presented before President Duterte, who was the main guest of the event, but was eventually shelved due to the intricacies in �iling a bill before the Con-

gress.

Ang said it is necessary to set up the council because of the challenges that the industry has been facing. “Unlike other crops which have their respective councils, the banana industry does not have,” he said, adding that the government needs to help the 50-year old industry wade through the challenges. “(The council) is very important as it will provide key steps in solving problems hounding the industry,” he said, pointing out that among the challenges are the continued extortion activities of the New People’s Army.

The extortion activities, which have become part of the security issue that it is facing, will be addressed in the conference by Defense Secretary Del�in Lorenzana as several companies, among them multinationals, have reported huge losses as rebels extorts huge amounts that if they cannot pay, the rebels would burn their farm equipment or destroy other farm implements, said Ireneo D. Dalayon of the Mindanao Banana Growers and Exporters Association.

“We are facing a very dangerous enemy in the rebels,” said Dalayon as he pointed out that even small growers have to endure this challenge. (AMA)

BIZ FORUM. ASEAN On Stage promotions head Kirby Arafol gives an overview of the upcoming business conference on Shaping the New Millennials, a gathering of business sectors and young entrepreneurs in one business plat-

form, set on September 30 at the Philippine Women’s College in Davao City.

Arafol graced this week’s edition of Wednesdays @ Habi at Kape at Abreeza Mall. Lean Daval Jr.

Gina, ‘topguns’ to grace event for ASEAN millennials, startups

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group is holding an event that will provide millennials and startup businesses opportunity to learn from top executives the ways on how to make business pro�its.

Kirby Arafol, promotions director of Asean on Stage Business Conference, said the Conference on Shaping New Millennials, slated on September 30, will allow the attendees to learn from the likes of Myrna Padilla, founder of Mynd Consulting, on how to effectively run a business now that global markets have become avail-

able.

Padilla, after spending two decades as domestic helper abroad, decided to come home and establish her business process outsourcing companies.

The event, Arafol said, will allow “millennials to compete globally” based on the experiences of its speakers. Aside from Padilla, also speaking at the event that will be held at the Philippine Women’s College are Senen Perlada, Department of Trade and Industry-Export Management Bureau director; Arlene Padua, president

of the Philippine Marketing Association; and Chuchi G. Fonacier, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas deputy governor.

Also attending the event, which is expected to draw 3,000 participants, is former Environment Secretary Gina Lopez who will brief the attendees on the opportunities in corporate social responsibility.

“These millennials will have the opportunities to pitch in their ideas,” Arafol said, adding that a booth is dedicated to allow those with ideas to present them so they can be helped in de-

veloping these ideas.

Arafol said one of the challenges for millennials is how they can make their idea work and the event will be able to provide them with tools on how to address the issues. “This will sharpen their exposure in the �ield,” he said.

He said that these millennials will be able to look into how they can take advantage of the growing markets as among the topics is the opportunities in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) integration.

MFS

Norte, 3) San Francisco, Camotes Island, Cebu and 4) Gerona, Tarlac.

The PSF was created

by Republic Act No. 10174, which amended the 2009 Climate Change Act, to provide long-term �inancial �lows for climate change vulnerable communities.

With a programmed annual fund of at least P1 billion in the National Treasury, the PSF is intended to fund climate change adaptation projects of LGUs and accredited community organizations. This fund is on top of the annual appropriations allocated to LGUs for climate-change related programs and projects.

According to the IFG, among the activities eligible for funding by the PSF are projects on water resources management, land management, agriculture and �isheries, and health, and other activities that serve as

guarantee for the risk insurance needs for farmers, agricultural workers and other stakeholders.

In its report to Dominguez during the Execom meeting, the IFG said the PSF Board also approved a list of nine pipeline projects with an indicative amount of P979.69 million to enable the obligation of funds from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to the Bureau of Treasury (BTr), and eventually to the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), which will manage the funds. Further processing of the said indicative project list will be undertaken in accordance to the PSF Board enhanced arrangements wherein the Climate Change Commission (CCC), DOF, and DBP will divide work amongst them.

As part of the over-all arrangement, the PSF Board approved the transfer of the

Secretariat functions of the PSF Board from the Climate Change Of�ice-CCC to the DOF, which in turn will engage DBP to perform certain functions that will aim to provide more ef�icient processing and enhanced fund management operations, the IFG said.

According to the PSF website, “local government units with high poverty incidence, are exposed to climate risks, and has a key biodiversity area will be prioritized” as recipients of the PSF. “On the other hand, local/community organizations will be eligible to access the fund upon accreditation based [by the Climate Change Commission] on organizational independence, track record in the community and/or �ield of expertise, �inancial management and participatory practices,” it said.(DOF)

PSF approves P196M worth of climate-change projects

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he board of the People’s Survival Fund headed by the Department of Finance has so far approved four projects with a combined total PSF funding requirement of P196.08 million that are meant to help vulnerable local government units adapt to the impact of climate change in their respective communities.

In a report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, the DOF’s International Finance Group (said at a recent Executive Committee (Execom) meeting that two projects with a combined sum of P119.75 million were approved by the PSF board in November last year, while another set of two projects worth P76.33 million were approved last August 11.

The LGU-bene�iciaries of these projects are the: 1) Lanuza, Surigao del Sur, 2) Del Carmen, Surigao del

VOL. 10 ISSUE 123• THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

ECONOMY 5

EDGEDAVAO

UN finds PH most prepared in ASEAN for infra buildup

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EXTENSION. United Islamic Center Foundation president Marilou Ampuan says the Department of Trade and Industry extends the services of five entities to be Halal certifiers for another two years while the agency is still

in the process of finalizing the national Halal standard. Ampuan made the statement during Wednesdays @ Habi at Kape at Abreeza Mall. Lean Daval Jr.

National Halal certification standards still being awaited Thailand, Singapore benefiting from Halal system: Ampuan

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he Philippine government should immediately draft the national standards for the Halal industry for businesses to be able to take advantage of the world’s US$ 3-trillion industry, said Marilou W. Ampuan, founder of the Mindanao Islamic Chamber of Commerce.

Ampuan said the set of standards is necessary so that the government will be able to curb the action of some groups or businesses “to abuse the use of the Halal logo” and make certi�ication a basic requirement for businesses to claim they are Halal certi�ied.

Although there is a law as well as a local ordinance on Halal, there is no set of guidelines that businesses as well as the certi�iers need to follow so they can be declared

as Halal-certi�ied. “The sad part,” Ampuan said, is that the laws “do not have teeth” to run after those using the Halal logo even when there is no certi�ication.

There is not even a mechanism that will help police the businesses in taking advantage of the Halal market, Ampuan said.

She added that her group will discuss the issue when the government and the private sector meet before the end of the month.

Contrary to the belief of non-Muslims, Halal does not only pertain to food, but the overall way of life of a Muslim.

In the city, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio signed Executive Order 12 creating the Davao City Halal Development Council as a body that

functions as the go-to entity in the drafting of programs for Halal.

The government, through the Department of Trade and Industry, needs to come up with the national standards so that there will be a uniform mechanism for certifying bodies in accrediting businesses, Ampuan said.

At present, the country has �ive entities recognized to certify Halal in businesses, but that there is no set of mechanisms as to how the certi�ication process should be as well as the accreditation process for those that want to be recognized as certi�ication bodies, she added.

Trade and Industry assistant secretary (Asec) Arturo P. Boncato, when he was still the assistant secretary at the Tourism department, ini-

tiated a campaign for local businesses to be certi�ied as Halal providers of food and services.

Boncato even hired a Singapore-based rating company for Halal, Crescent Rating Pte. Ltd., to look into how ready the businesses in terms of offering Halal food and services.

Singapore is one of the many countries of the world which have bene�ited from the Halal industry even if they are not predominantly populated by Muslims. Islam believers in Singapore is about 15 percent of its population.

The other country that has a mature Halal certi�ication system and has also bene�ited immensely from the Halal industry is Thailand, according to Ms Ampuan. MFS

growth narrative is making the rounds online. It can be found on Spotify, a popular music-streaming site and is now widely circulated among government’s social media accounts.

Arranged and composed

by Allan Feliciano and Top Suzara and performed by Thyro, the song hopes to support and inspire Filipinos in realizing their collective goals of having a “stable, comfortable, and secure” life.

“As economic manager, Neda’s work tends to be highly technical. Most of the time

it’s all about numbers and statistics. But how will we help people understand it?”

Nerrisa Esguerra, director of NEDA’s Development Information Staff, said.

Feliciano said they plotted the data points of the country’s GDP in a major scale and used them as notes for the basslines of the song’s verse.

It occurred to the composers that the Philippines’ GDP growth rates fall between between 0 and 8. “It just so happens that in a major scale there’s Do Re Mi Fa

So La Ti Do,” Feliciano said.

“Basically we are connecting the dots to make the music. Contrary to what the general opinion about the economy is, that it is going down, it isn’t. The data shows we’re very progressive,” Suzara said.

“Tunog ng Progreso” is in line with the Philippine Development Plan, the Philippines’ blueprint for development, which is geared towards Ambisyon Natin (Our Vision) 2040, the collective long-term vision of the Filipinos.

NEDA tells PH growth story in 3-minute song

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ANILA- What does the Philippines’ economic growth sound

like?

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has used music to convey its message to the public, connecting the data points of the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) growth through the years in composing the song about the country’s economic progress.

Titled “Tunog ng Progreso,” the three-minute NEDA’s anthem on the Philippines’

he regional development arm of the United Nations for the Asia-Paci�ic region has found the Philippines as the “most ready” among the 10 member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in carrying out a massive infrastructure buildup owing to several positive factors buttressing the economy, according to the Department of Finance (DOF).

DOF Undersecretary and Chief Economist Gil Beltran said these positive factors cited by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Paci�ic (UNESCAP) include substantial �inancing opportunities from the Philippines’ development partners, the government’s tax reform program and rising revenue collections, and the declining debt service ratio, which all contribute to an adequate �iscal space that would allow the country to pursue an expansionary policy on the Duterte watch.

The UNESCAP, the largest UN body serving the Asia-Paci�ic, recently convened in Manila its Workshop on Infrastructure Financing Strategies to discuss the Philippines’ infrastructure needs and different �inancing modes and sources available to the country.

Beltran, who represented the DOF in the dialogue held at the Shangrila Hotel in Makati City, said that besides its ample �iscal space, the workshop also cited the country’s strong �inancial system, which is teeming with excess liquidity, and supported by a good supervision and a rising savings rate.

“The Workshop found the Philippines to be among the most ready in ASEAN in boosting infrastructure development,” Beltran said in his report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III. Beltran said UNESCAP also cited the government’s “strong project evaluation and prioritization system based on economic viability” in undertaking infra projects, and a Right-of-Way Law or Republic Act 10752, which encourages the government and landowners to agree promptly on land transactions for infrastructure projects.

Another favorable factor cited by UNESCAP “is the country’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) law that sets up an institution and a set of rules to implement projects in an orderly manner and a private sector that is aggressive in participating,” Beltran said. (DOF)

DOT revives program to boost expat arrivals

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n incentive program to attract more Filipino balikbayans or expatriates to revisit the Philippines will be making a comeback under the Duterte administration next month, the Department of Tourism said Tuesday.

Introduced by former DOT Secretary Mina Gabor in 1994, the Bring Home a Friend (BHAF) program will be revived on Oct. 14 and will run for six months with a slight change in mechanics.

Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, in a press conference at the DOT of�ice in Makati City, said the program is meant to get “Sponsors” (balikbayans or expatriates) urged by “Invitees” to revisit the Philippines.

Both Sponsor and Invitee have a chance to win prizes.

For his part, DOT Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Frederick Alegre said that this time, the agency will allow Filipinos with dual citizenships as Sponsors.

Mechanics For a Sponsor to qualify in the contest, he or she must be a Filipino with a Philippine passport or with dual citizenship living here or abroad as a resident or overseas contract worker, foreigner draw (expatriates) who is living in the Philippines temporarily or permanently for a minimum of six months prior to the raf�le, and institutions, corporations

and associations in tthe Philippines.

On the other hand, an invitee must hold a foreign passport or must be a dual citizen living abroad for a minimum of six months prior to the event and has traveled to the Philippines during the speci�ied period of time.

DOT said that its attached agencies and employees and their relatives to the third degree are not allowed to join.

The project will be launched in eight major source markets -- New York, USA; Los Angeles, USA; San Francisco USA; Seoul, South Korea; Tokyo, Japan; Dubai, UAE; Vancouver, Canada; and London, United Kingdom.

Prizes Prizes up for grabs for the Sponsor include a condominium (�irst prize), a car (second prize), and gift certi�icates from Duty Free Philippines (third prize).

Meanwhile, prizes for the Invitee include two roundtrip international business class tickets plus two roundtrip domestic tickets to Palawan (�irst prize), two roundtrip international premium economy tickets plus two roundtrip domestic tickets to Cebu (second prize), and two roundtrip international economy tickets plus two roundtrip domestic tickets to Davao (third prize).

(PNA)

6 SUBURBIA RISING EDGEDAVAO

A female teddy bear sits and “watches” an Army trooper pass by a bullet-riddled house inside Marawi’s main battle area while a male teddy bear lies at the entrance of the house in this photo taken 19 September 2017, Day 120 of

VOL. 10 ISSUE 123• THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

the Marawi Crisis. Why the teddy bears are not bullet-riddled is anyone’s guess. What is certain is that they are sorely missed by the children who own them. MindaNews photo by FERDINANDH B. CABRERA

More cops to be SouthCot pushing for P1B deployed in NoCot worth of 10 road projects

M

ore policemen will be deployed in North Cotabato to augment its present police force at the municipal level and improve peace and order situation, a top police of�icial said Wednesday.

Senior Supt. Jonathan Tangonan, acting North Cotabato police provincial director, told reporters that Chief Supt.

Cedrick Train, police regional director for Central Mindanao, has already committed to the request of his of�ice and that of local government executives.

Without giving the exact number of police personnel in North Cotabato’s 17 municipalities and one city for security reason, Tangonan said the augmentation will help en-

sure safety of local residents.

“We really lack police personnel and this request was backed by the provincial government and other political leaders,” he told reporters.

Tangonan said the additional police forces will be deployed in the municipalities to improve security situation.

North Cotabato has several threat groups that occasionally create trouble that send civilians �leeing.

The outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) operate at the borders of North Cotabato and Maguindanao and for several occasion had harassed communities, including the recent attack by BIFF in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato.

T

he provincial government of South Cotabato is pushing for the inclusion of 10 more road projects worth P1.014 billion into the national government’s Conditional Matching Grant to Provinces program for next year.

Engr. Vicente Ayongao, of�icer-in-charge of the Provincial Engineer’s Of�ice, said they have submitted the proposed projects to concerned national government agencies for consideration in the program’s 2018 cycle.

He said the 10 road projects are included in the province’s priorities under its annual infrastructure program.

“These are for road repair, MORE, 13 rehabilitation and other improvements,” Ayongao said in a statement.

The proposed projects are the Tampakan-Tablu (bound-

ary) road project in Tampakan town worth P258.117 million; junction national highway-Cebuano-Kipalbig (boundary) road project in Tampakan worth P69 million; Tampakan-Sta. Cruz-Topland (boundary) road project in Tampakan town and Koronadal City worth P41.4 million; junction national highway-Palian-Cannery-junction Upper Klinan road project in Tupi and Polomolok worth P140.41 million; Junction national highway-Sulit-Bentung-Crossing A�lek road project in Polomolok and T’boli worth P32.92 million; junction national highway-Poblacion Tantangan-Tacub-Tinago (boundary) road project in Tantangan worth P138 million; junction national highway-New Iloilo-Cabuling-New Lambunao (bound-

ary) road project in Tantangan worth P83.214 million; junction provincial road-Gen. Paulino Santos-Caloocan (boundary) road project in Koronadal City worth P21.85 million; Centrala-Naci-Lambontong road project in Surallah worth P111.55 million; and Centrala-Buenvista-Canahay road project in Surallah worth P18.45 million.

The CMGP is the successor of the Konkreto at Ayos na Lansangan ang Daan Tungo sa Pangkalahatang Kaunlaran or the KALSADA program, which was launched by the national government in 2016 following the completion of the Australian Aid’s Provincial Road Management Facility that covered 10 selected provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao.

The program aims to partly address the poor state of provincial roads across the country and to improve the competency of provinces in local road management and in incorporating reforms in public �inancial management.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Budget and Management has approved eight roads projects in the province worth P366,926,330 under the 2017 cycle of the CMGP. Ayongao said the bidding process for these projects is currently ongoing as reported by the provincial bids and awards division.

He said these projects are targeted for full implementation before yearend.

(MindaNews)

enforcement unit at a portion of Sueno Village in Barangay Morales.

Nambong was caught in the act of selling a sachet of suspected metamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu worth P500 to a police of�icer who posed as a buyer, he said.

In a subsequent search, Sentinta said they recovered a medium pack and large packs of suspected shabu worth P118, 000 and various drug paraphernalia.

The police of�icial said Nambong is a former information technology student

of a private college in Koronadal City but dropped out and turned to the illegal drug trade.

“He is considered a high value target and reportedly linked to a local drug group,” Sentinta said.

He said they have long been monitoring the movements of the suspected, who is included in the city’s drug watch list.

Sentina said they properly validated the suspect’s illegal activities and launched several test buys prior to the operation.

The evidence seized from Nambong was sent by the Koranadal City police station to the South Cotabato Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) crime laboratory in Koronadal City for proper examination.

The suspect, who is currently detained at the police station’s lock up cell, would be charged for violation of sections 5 and 11or selling and possession of dangerous drugs, under Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002. (Alejandro Saludo/PNA)

OPAPP: Sustain gains of peace process College dropout-turned-pusher nabbed

P

residential Adviser on the Peace Process Undersecretary Nabil Tan has exhorted the need to sustain and advance the gains of the peace process to counter and address the root cause of violent extremism -- a key driver that led to the ongoing armed con�lict in Marawi City.

Tan, who is actively involved for years in the peace negotiations with the Moro fronts representing the government, made the appeal during a forum on the Bangsamoro Peace Process and Countering Violent Extremism and Terrorism on Sunday, September 17.

Tan said furthering the peace building in Mindanao would discourage the emergence of violent extremism and radicalism particularly in con�lict-ridden areas.

Tan provided updates on the developments of the implementation of the peace agreements between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MNLF).

He exhorted the need to support the overall peace process in Mindanao amid the ongoing con�lict in Marawi City.

OPAPP, 13

P

olice operatives arrested a college dropoutturned-drug pusher in a buy-bust operation in a housing village in nearby Koronadal City on Tuesday night.

Chief Insp. Jomero Sentinta, deputy chief of the Koronadal City police station, identi�ied the suspect as John Charles Dondiego Nambong, 22, a resident of Villa Agreda Subdivision Phase 1 in Barangay Sto.Niño.

He said the suspect was arrested at around 11:45 p.m. by elements from the Koronadal City police’s drug

COMPETITIVE EDGE 7 EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 123• THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

PAL bares PALmazing deals: Cheap fares to Sin, HK, Aus

P

hilippine Airlines urges passengers to take advantage of amazingly low air fares to Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia among other “PALmazing”

ABA AWARD TO GENERIKA. Generika Drugstore which has some 700 outlets nationwide is the first recipient of the inclusive Business Award in the ASEAN Business Awards (ABA), a special award given to companies showing significant impact to the poor and underserved communities. From left to right: Miko Montelibano,

executive director of Ayala Corporation; Atty. Josette Abarca, vice president for finance and administration of Generika Drugstore; Ted Ferrer, president of Generika Drugstore; Jay Ferrer, COO of Generika Drugstore; Paolo Borromeo, president of AC Health and managing director of Ayala Corporation.

Generika Drugstore wins ASEAN business award G enerika Drugstore, a member of Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc. (AC Health), is the �irst recipient of the Inclusive Business Award in the ASEAN Business Awards (ABA) held at the Solaire Resort and Casino last September 6. A special award added to the ABA this 2017, it is given to companies who have shown signi�icant societal impact especially to the poor and underserved communities. The ABA was launched by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council in 2007 to recognize companies that contributed to the growth

and prosperity of the ASEAN Economy.

This year, more than 200 businesses were vetted by the ABA Of�icial Judges Committee. For the Inclusive Business category, 29 entries were reviewed.

Generika Drugstore bested other inclusive and impactful enterprises such as Batik Boutique (Malaysia), Coffee for Peace (Philippines), Siam Organic (Thailand), KP Company Limited (Laos), and Olam International (Singapore). Through this accolade, ABA recognizes Generika Drugstore’s pioneering lead-

ership in the retail of generic medicines.

Public service and creating shared value is at the heart of Generika Drugstore. An inclusive business from the very beginning, it has strived to bridge the healthcare gap in the country by providing safe, affordable, and quality generics during a time when medicine prices were high and generic alternatives were not easily accessible. Now through its partnership with AC Health, Generika Drugstore has over 700 outlets nationwide and growing, of-

tapping/cutting/plugging of the existing pipe to the newly installed pipe at Pichon Street corner Quirino Avenue and of the existing pipes at San Pedro Street corner Quirino Avenue and Duterte Street and Camus Street corner Quirino Avenue.

The entire project is part of the preparation works for the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project of DCWD which upon completion in 2019 will improve water supply in Davao City. However, upon completion of the tapping works, there will also be immediate improvements in water service.

On behalf of the DCWD management, general manager Engr. Edwin V. Regalado asks for the understanding and cooperation of would-be

affected customers and advises them to store enough water prior to the scheduled water service interruption.

Water supply may be restored earlier if work goes smoothly or later if unforeseen problems arise.

The general public may visit DCWD website (www. davao-water.gov.ph) and of�icial Facebook page (www. facebook.com/davaowater) or call the Central Information Unit / Call Center through the 24-hour hotline 297-DCWD (3293) and press “1” on their phone dial for the latest daily water updates. Contact 09277988966, 0925-5113293, and 0908-4410653 for other updates, complaints, queries, and matters pertaining to DCWD services. (Katrina Belen M. Roble)

GENERIKA, 10

Water service interruption in Davao areas on Sept. 23

D

avao City Water District advises of a water service interruption on September 23, 2017 from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM affecting these areas in Downtown: right side portion of Quirino Avenue (from corner San Pedro Street Panaderia Bakeshop to corner Camus Street Tomas Claudio Health Center), left side portion of Ilustre Street (from corner San Pedro Street NCCC Choice to corner Camus Street Pidok’s), and portions of San Pedro Street (from corner Ilustre Street to corner Quirino Avenue), Duterte Street (from Ilustre Street to Quirino Avenue), and Camus Street (from corner Ilustre Street to corner Quirino Avenue).

This water service interruption is needed for the

deals effective tomorrow, Sept. 22 up to Sept. 24.

They are as follows:

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 123• THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

EDITORIAL

Victory for LGBT community

A

nd now, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgnneder (LGBT) community can well feel they are a recognized sector of the society.

It should well be after the House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on third and �inal reading a bill that aims to protect the rights of LGBT community member. The measure got at least 197 lawmakers voting in favor of House Bill No. 4982 or the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression Equality (SOGIE) bill.

So what is the context of the measure? Basically, it establishes recognition of the rights of the LGBT community by prohibiting and penalizing discriminatory acts. Violations are meted by a �ine not less than P100,000 and not more than P500,000, or imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years, or both. The law also mandates existing women’s desks in police stations to be renamed as Women, Children, and LGBTQ++ Protection Desks, to attend to complaints. Likewise, it orders establishments to make available their existing toilets with facilities designated for persons with disabilities as gender-neutral toilets.

EDGEDAVAO

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

And then there is also the prohibition on publishing information seeking to reveal a person’s SOGIE without their consent.

The full context of the bill penalizes the following acts: • gender pro�iling • denying or revoking a professional or other similar kind of license, clearance, except marriage license, issued by the government • denying access to public service, including military service including SOGIE as criteria for human resource action • refusing admission or expelling a person from any educational or training institution • denying a person access to public or private medical and other health services open to general public.

With the SOGIE Bill soon becoming of�icially a law, recognition of the rights of the LGGBT community is now enshrined into our legal system.

The law ushers in a broader understanding and maturity of our society of the existence of individuals with unique orientations and preferences.

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 appreciated in decades to come given the collapse of world market prices of hemp, the manpower overhead involved, the vulnerability of

A

hemophilia patient from Bohol reportedly died recently due to brain bleed.

He wasn’t the �irst nor he will be the last.

“Almost every month, we lose a person with hemophilia either because of lack of access to treatment or simply because of lack of understanding on how to manage the disorder,” said Andrea Echavez, president of Hemophilia Advocates-Philippines (HAP) during a health forum organized by the Philippine College of Physicians.

Amidst increasing incidence of deaths from bleeding episodes, HAP urged the Senate and the Congress to speed up the passage of the Bleeding Disorder Standards of Care Act of 2017.

Last February, Senator Joel Villanueva �iled Senate Bill 1335, which mandates the creation of hemophilia treatment centers in tertiary hospitals all over the country. Quezon City Representative Alfred Vargas �iled the counterpart bill, House Bill 5355.

Studies have shown hemophilia occurs in 1 in 10,000 births while another bleeding disorder, von Willebrand Disease

VOL. 10 ISSUE 123• THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

VANTAGE POINTS

9

H.C. Forst’s report abaca plant to pest 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 inter-island 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]

FAST BACKWARD Antonio V. Figueroa pier, which will prevent large ocean-going vessels from coming 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.

to persons with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders.

“There are several types of hemophilia,” wrote Dr. Eduardo Gonzales in his weekly column in Manila Bulletin. “They are classi�ied according to which clotting factor is de�icient. In hemophilia A (classic hemophilia), the most common type, which accounts for 90% of all hemophilia cases, factor VIII (antihemophilic factor) is de�icient. In hemophilia B (Christmas disease), the second most common type, factor IX (plasma thromboplastin component) is lacking. While in hemophilia C, a mild and rare form of the disease, factor XI (plasma thromboplastin antecedent) is de�icient.”

Bleeding disorders affect both males and females although hemophilia mostly manifests in males. Hemophilia is the more severe type among bleeding disorders and internal bleeding, such as brain bleed or gastrointestinal bleed, can happen spontaneously.

“But bleeding disorders in women can also be challenging because it can cause heavy menstruation that could last weeks or even years,” Echavez

said.

“Serious concern in these people is internal bleeding,” Dr. Gonzales wrote. “Bleeding into joints, usually of the knees, elbows, and ankles, causes swelling and pain and can lead to chronic arthritis while bleeding in the digestive and urinary tracts give rise to bloody stools and urine.

“Bleeding into the different organs can be life threatening – as when it is or when it occurs in a vital organ such as the brain – or can cause permanent damage in these organs,” Dr. Gonzales added.

The Department of Health cited post-partum hemorrhage as the No. 2 cause of maternal deaths. “Because of this, the Philippines did not meet the Millennium Development Goal on maternal health,” Echavez claimed.

As stated earlier, hemophilia cannot be cured – yet. “With proper treatment and self-care, most people with hemophilia can maintain an active, productive lifestyle,” Dr. Gonzales pointed out.

For more information about Hemophilia AdvocatesPhilippines, visit www.hap.ph.

The power of prayer

affects about 1 percent of the population. “This means, about a million Filipinos are affected by a certain type of bleeding disorder and majority of them may not even be aware they have it,” Echavez said.

Dr. Marilou Abiera, Vice President of the Philippine Society of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (PSHBT) said hemophilia and bleeding disorders are mostly inherited medical conditions where the person’s blood lacks the ability to clot. Bleeding in persons with hemophilia may be spontaneous.

Hemophia usually affects joints and internal organs. Simple cuts in persons with hemophilia could be fatal.

In the Philippines, about a million people are estimated to have bleeding disorders but only around 1,500 have so far been registered with the Philippine Hemophilia Foundation.

“There is no cure yet for bleeding disorders,” Echavez said. “But bleeding in persons with hemophilia and bleeding disorders can be managed either by blood transfusion or infusion of anti-hemophilic factor concentrates.”

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

Hemophilia patients in the Philippines rely on humanitarian donations from the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) based in Canada and US-based Project SHARE. “We are grateful to these two organizations. But donations are not sustainable as these international organizations also help so many other countries,” Echavez pointed out.

Other countries in Asia, particularly India and Malaysia, already provide free treatment

10

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 123• THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

INDEFINITE... FROM 1 gay and SK elections here in Mindanao last August due to the declaration of Martial Law. Casquejo said COMELEC has been con-

tinuing its preparation for the up-coming elections to immediately conduct an election within the 30 days once martial law is lifted.

Also representing the region is Kenneth Bardinas, the regional exemplary child winner. Bardinas, who is from Dujali, Davao del Norte, was a �inalist in The Voice under the team of coach Bamboo.

Jabagat said Bardinas has a good scholastic record and attends school regularly despite the family’s economic condition. Bardinas has never been a repeater in school.

Jabagat said the Pantawid Pamilya children bene�iciaries were judged according to their performance in school including in extra-curricular activities, talent, good moral character, no indicator of behavioural problems, among others.

Bardinas took home P20,000 as a regional winner in the search for exemplary children of Pantawid Pamilya 2017.

The Betua and the Bardinas families are only

among the 260,946 household bene�iciaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT). Of the total number, 231,831 are bene�iciaries of the regular CCT and 29,115 bene�iciaries of the modi�ied CCT for Indigenous Peoples in Davao Region.

By province, Compostela Valley has 62,809 household bene�iciaries; Davao del Norte – 58,654; Davao Oriental – 40,890; Davao Occidental – 34,617; Davao del Sur – 30,750; and, Davao City has 33,226.

Jabagat said that as of the last generation from the Pantawid database on September 6, 2017, there is a decrease of 124 households from August 2017 primarily due to the deactivation of the bene�iciaries as they are no longer eligible members.

Jabagat, however, said this number is still subject to further veri�ication. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)

Campos said, as he offered his condolences.

Under Anti-Hazing Law, or Republic Act 8049, Campos said “reclusion perpetua” is the penalty for those found responsible for the death, rape, sodomy or mutilation of a person during hazing.

Reclusion perpetua means 40 years in prison, with eligibility for possible pardon or parole only after serving 30 years.

Meanwhile, Campos urged the National Bureau of Investigation and the Manila Police District, which are already investigating Castillo’s death, to identify the exact place where Castiillo was subjected to hazing.

“Under the law, the owner of place where the hazing was conducted is liable as an accomplice, if the owner knew that hazing was being done, and yet, he or she did nothing to stop it,” Campos said.

Fraternities are known to perform initiations rites and hazing in the dwellings of their of�icers or members.

Campos also urged uni-

versities “to forcefully use every inch of their police powers” to rein in unwanted fraternity-related violence.

“School authorities have police powers. On one hand, they may recognize peaceful, scholarly and civic-spirited fraternities. On the other hand, they may disband wayward fraternities, and expel their of�icers and members,” Campos said.

Castillo, 22, was a neophyte of the Aegis Juris fraternity undergoing initiation rites.

His body was found draped with a blanket Sunday morning by a roadside in Tondo, Manila.

Concerned bystanders rushed Castillo to the Chinese General Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

The results of an autopsy indicated that Castillo died of a massive heart attack.

The dean of the UST Faculty of Civil Law has already suspended all the of�icers and members of the Aegis Juris. (PNA)

as a people, meaning think along certain principles. But as to how you translate these to actual political structures, will depend on the political process,” he said.

“Designing it is the big issue. It’s a matter of maturing the institutions here in the Philippines. This will only take off if we have this,” he

added.

On her part, Dr. Rosemarie Edillon, Undersecretary for National Development Policy and Planning of the National Economic and Development Authority, said a federal form of government should be the country’s “long term endeavor.” (PNA)

LUMAD... FROM 2

KILLERS... FROM 2

POLICY... FROM 4

MEASURES STILL IN PLACE. Task Force Davao commander Colonel Nicolas Memfin provides an update on the security measures that TF Davao is undertaking to ensure the safety of the residents and visitors of the city during the

AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr.

LOOKOUT... FROM 2

ERNIE... FROM 15

what happened to their son,” the Justice secretary added.

He also instructed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to obtain

additional information on the personalities such as latest photo, other known aliases, place of birth and a copy of the passport.

(PNA)

RPV... FROM 15

fering not only medicines, but also other healthcare services, such as the Gamot (medicine) Guide, MedPadala (e-gift certi�icate), and mobile laboratory and free medical consultations in store.

In the words of Mr. Ted Ferrer, Generika Drugstore founder and President “Generika Drugstore has always focused on and prioritized the health needs of the poorer sector of the country since it opened its �irst store 14 years ago. We have positively disrupted and changed the landscape of the pharma retail industry.

Slowly communities are persuaded to try generic equivalents, and found them to be as effective with up to up to 85% savings compared to its branded counterpart. Now, even long-established pharma retail chains who used to offer branded medicines only

are offering generic medicines as well.”

Generika Drugstore is part of the broader AC Health ecosystem, and serves as one of the �irst touchpoints for consumers and patients. “We congratulate Generika Drugstore on this milestone,” said Paolo F. Borromeo, CEO of AC Health and Managing Director of Ayala Corporation.

“We have always believed in Generika Drugstore’s vision of providing access to quality affordable generic medicines, and this resonates deeply with Ayala’s commitment to improving lives. We are excited to be partners in Generika Drugstore’s continued growth and expansion. With 1,000 stores by 2020, Generika Drugstore will be at the forefront of bringing quality healthcare to more Filipino families from all walks of life.”

about by the continues military offensive against them.

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Westmincom chief, said the surrender of the ASG members due to successful coordination with all concerned stakeholders.

“Our Joint Task Forces

are committed in intensifying the offensives to neutralize the remaining Abu Sayyaf bandits, who are on the run now. This operational accomplishment is attributed to our soldiers on the ground who made this possible,” Galvez added. (PNA)

GENERIKA... FROM 7

4... FROM 3

men’s individual time trial for C5 with a time of 17:44.186, besting Malaysia’s Zuhairie Bin

Ahmad Tarmzi (19:11.953) and Indonesia’s Sufyan Saori (19:38.150).

before fading in the closing holes.

Bernie Ilas, playing for the second straight day, led Southwoods with 53 points while teammates Mikhaela Fortuna and Maria So�ia Chabon added 53 and 52 points, respectively. Samantha Dizon failed to count with 47.

In the Founders division, Alabang Country Club scored 129 points to grab the lead over Lady Eagles Australia which slipped to third place.

Alabang drew 48 points from Rita Horan, 42 from Christine Popp and 39 from Jocelyn Garcia to hike its total to 255, two points clear of Manila Southwoods Legends.

Scoring for Southwoods Legends were Laurea Duque 46, Christine Valdehueza 45 and Marie Claire Ong 38.

After scoring a front-running 134, Lady Eagles Australia Golf dipped with 114 for 248 total.

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

Day 2 results:

CHAMPIONSHIP: 331 – Pradera Verde (167, 166); 297 – Manila Southwoods Masters (144, 153); 273 – Cebu Country Club-A (140, 133).

FOUNDERS: 255 – Alabang Golf & Country Club (126, 129); 253 – Manila Southwoods Legends (124, 129); 248 – Lady Eagles Australia Golf (134, 114); 236 – Del Monte Golf (124, 112); 234 – Negros Occidental Golf Club-A (117, 117); 226 – Mactan Island Golf Club (104, 122); 216 – Valley Golf Club North (106, 110); 202 – Alta Vista Golf Club (100, 102).

SPORTSWRITERS: 226 – Camp Aguinaldo-A (111, 115); 219 – Pueblo de Oro Golf Club (114, 105); 217 – Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club (107, 110); 210 – Tagaytay Highlands Ladies Chapter (105, 105); 208 - Rancho Palos Verdes Golf Club (97, 111); 198 – Sta Elena Golf Club (103, 95);191 – Camp John Hay Golf Club (80, 111); 172 – Apo Golf Club (84, 88).

FRIENDSHIP: 229 – WackWack Golf Club (113, 116); 195 – Ilo-ilo Golf Club (93, 102); 193- Manila Golf (97, 96); 183- Alabang Golf & Country Club-2 (83, 100); 169 – Cebu Country Club-B (87, 82); 156 – Guinhalaran Team (87, 69); 154 – Bacolod City Golf Club (76, 78); 137 – Victorias Golf Club (69, 68); 134 – Camp Aguinaldo-B (81, 53).

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 123•THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

FOOD

EDGEDAVAO

Restaurants on the

STREETS OF BANGKOK TAKING TIME TO EXPLORE is a personal mantra that I live by. Most often, I seek the confines of vast open open spaces to get lost at and regain direction. As a matter of fact, every time I pack a suitcase and go on a trip, I always look forward to getting lost and relying on a good old map to take me back to where I am supposed to be.

It works every single time.

Bangkok is one place I’d always love to get lost into. Why? It’s laden with food -- everywhere you look, you’d find a stall or a kiosk grilling something for the hungry you. Though a bit cautious (Bangkok does not have numerous Halal choices), I still find ways to explore the culture through their enigmatic and delicious food finds.

Known for their many street food finds, the street of Bangkok is truly a foodie haven. There’s a number of good, high-end restaurants if you want to dine in style. However, the best way to immerse oneself, in my opinion, is to be where the majority is at. And that is the street either standing or squatting on the pavement.

Bangkok street food, like in our country, is more on grilled faves.

The vast majority of which are seafood. With pork and chicken coming in at second. From simple skewered seafood choices to fried balls and sausages, you can find anything on the street.

One fave spot is over at the Platinum Fashion Mall -- the Gourmet Market is a feast of flavours.

Flocked by locals and foreigners, the place is quite small but is packed with everything that you can think of. The stalls sell sweet and savoury choices and fresh fruits to wash the spicy taste on your palate. From crunchy papaya salad to spicy fried squid, chicken and fish balls to fried squid with eggs, there will be that something that will catch your eye. This is

also a good spot to buy pasalubong -- grab a packet of durian chips or preserved fruits to take home with you.

Gourmet Market at the Platinum Fashion Mall (10400, 644/3 Phetchaburi Rd, Thanon Phetchaburi, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand) Speaking of pasalubong, Chatuchak is known for its weekend market. Yes. And more so, of the many food finds on the side of the road. Nearby is JJ Mall that is also packed with food and merchandise choices that will have you smiling from ear to ear.

Inside JJ Mall, go to their food court and try a plate of seafood pad thai or a bowl or authentic tom yum. A stall also create the most delicious fried rice I’ve tasted. Just don’t forget to exchange your cash to card.

JJ Mall (588 Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd, Khwaeng Chatuchak, Khet Chatuchak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10900, Thailand) A Bangkok food adventure would not be complete without visiting any of their floating markets. At the Damnoen Saduak floating market, you’d fall in love with food in a snap. Everywhere you look, there’s something on the grill.

As you cruise along, have a refreshing coconut ice cream or some fresh fruit slices to soothe you from the heat.

Don’t forget the many skewers, fried vegetable spring rolls, sticky rice with mango and coconut sugar.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market (Damnoen Saduak, Damnoen Saduak District, Ratchaburi 70130, Thailand) Follow me on Instagram @ iamleebai and Facebook @RoyalChefEats for my latest food finds.

Happy munching!

EDGEDAVAO

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FOOD

VOL. 10 ISSUE 123• THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

RBG’s new sweet potato fries are crispy with a highly-addictive sweet and savory taste.

RBG’s Charcuterie platter goes well with any wine.

Heaven on a plate. RBG’s 28-day dry-aged US Certified Angus Beef rib eye steak. No gravy required.

Exciting new eats at RBG

WHEN PEOPLE DINE at the Park Inn by Radisson Davao’s all-day-dining restaurant, RBG Restaurant Bar & Grill these days, they expect to dine big time with big group meals with food piled high. This is a nice and fun way of dining, but for solo diners like yours truly, boodle fight meals are definitely out of the question.

Beyond the buffets and the gargantuan group meals however, RBG does have a well-curated ala carte menu which is full of delicious dishes that are sure to make every meal memorable.

Coupled with the restaurant’s modern relaxed ambience and friendly service, every meal is sure to be a treat.

Last week, I had lunch with Park Inn’s Patty BasaTan to try out their new ala carte offerings. On the menu is RBG’s signature burger which I adore as well as Filipino favourites which add character to the menu, but for lunch, we decided to try RBG’s new offerings.

For starters we ordered

the RBG Charcuterie. I expected a platter of cured meats, cheeses, pickles and olives, but what arrived was a beautifully assembled board of savory treats. From the Malagos blue cheese, to the chicken liver pate and the crispy tuile sticks, everything on the board complimented each other

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

Medium rare perfection. and should compliment any wine from RBG’s vast wine list.

Pasta scampi followed the appetiser. The dish (with options of having either shrimp or scallops) is light with the white wine sauce adding a hint of sweetness to the seafood while the lemon juice and zest added brightness to the dish.

The highlight of lunch

Serving RBG’s signature Pavlova together with Park Inn’s marketing & communications manager Patty Tan and Sous chef Teng Collantes. however is RBG’s Certified rianburg so far. Although When asked about the Angus Ribeye. Dry-aged for some foodies may find the new menu inclusions Sous 28 days and cooked to me- price of the steak high, each chef Kristina “Teng” Coldium rare perfection, the bite is worth every peso. lantes said that she took her 285 gram steak is tender and The meal ended on an- cue from what is close to the juicy. The umami flavour of other high note with RBG’s heart of every food enthuthe steak is extra concen- signature Pavlova, a light siast, simple comfort food trated thanks to the ageing meringue topped with cooked to perfection. process making it taste good whipped cream and various RBG is open from 6:00 even without gravy. I love seasonal fruits. A light and AM to 11:00 PM daily. For my steak and RBG’s steaks slightly sweet dessert that reservations and inquifor me right now are some of contrasts with the richness ries, you may call them at the best I have tasted in Du- of the main course. +63.82.2727600.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 123• THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

ENTERTAINMENT

EDGEDAVAO

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CELEBRITIES have the most effective platform to inspire other people, and taking it from GMA Artist Center stars Derrick Monasterio, Max Collins, Kate Valdez, Thea Tolentino, Addy Raj, Jeric Gonzales, Sanya Lopez, and Gil Cuerva, they make sure that there’s always a time for paying it forward.

For Derrick Monasterio, he spent his birthday in San Jose Del Monte Heights Elementary School in Bulacan where he graced the school’s feeding program launch and took part as a judge in its Mulawin Look-alike contest. Most of the students made Almiro impressions and Derrick was glad to be looked up to by the students.

“Nakakatuwa na ikaw yung ginagawa nilang role model, because it means they see something good in you. Sana kayanin ko yung ganoong responsibility, dahil ayaw ko silang i-fail,” said the Kapuso star.

Kapuso beauties Max Collins, Kate Valdez and Thea Tolentino chose to pamper their fans as a way to celebrate their birth-

days.

Max invited Mass Communication students from Colegio de San Lorenzo in Quezon City to participate in a mini make-up workshop

in partnership with Ever Bilena and gave them tips on skincare. She advised them to follow through and gave them gift packs of beauty essentials and skin care products. As she got recently engaged, Max wished for nothing but smooth wedding plans.

Kate Valdez held a “sparty” (spa party) in Nail Cocktales at Bonifacio Global City where fans were able to share a cozy afternoon with their idol, bonding over nail paints and foot massages.

It was a unique experience for the fans as they got to spend time with their idol just like any normal barkada would.

Haplos villainess Thea Tolentino stepped out of

character and inspired her fans to be as passionate as her business mentor, the Lord of Scents Joel Cruz, in making a business venture successful. She also shared with them how to help in the charity arm of his company. As she turned another year, she hopes to save more money to fund her dream house.

Initiating a heartwarming causes were Jeric Gonzales and Sanya Lopez. Jeric personally chose Kanlungan Ni Maria as his beneficiary. The elderly men and women of the home care were thrilled with Jeric’s charming personality as he got into deep and meaningful conversations with them.

Sanya Lopez went to the Philippine Orthopedic Center in Quezon City to meet its young patients and play with them. She spent the entire afternoon taking photos and sharing stories. Her only birthday wish was for these children to stay strong and never lose hope. “Masaya ako sa opportunity to reach out to kids and ang wish ko lang ay sana magpakatatag lang sila,” shares Sanya.

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 123• THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

SHIFT TO FEDERALISM. Lito Monico C. Lorenzana, president of the Centrist Democracy Political Institute (CDPI), answers questions about his group’s proposal for the Philippines to shift to federal-parliamentary form of government. At left is former Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, another stalwart of the CDPI. Photo by tagabalita.blogspot.com

Lorenzana explains CDPI proposal to shift to federal system of gov’t

T

he Centrist Democracy Political Institute (CDPI) headed a former Cabinet of�icial from Davao City has begun explaining its proposal for the country to shift to a federal parliamentary system, urging Congress to start deliberating the amendments in the 1987 Constitution that will pave the way for federalization.

Lito Monico Lorenzana, President of the CDPI, told reporters andeditors covering Kapehan sa Dabaw at the SM Annex at Ecoland last Monday morning the CDPI, one of the four groups espousing federalism will be presenting this proposal to the 25-man commission to be appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

CDPI is a political, non-pro�it organization, in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Philippines, a German political

foundation which promotes political education initiatives worldwide.

“We want a system where power and authority are not centralized but shared between the federal government and the states --- we call these regions, substates,” Lorenzana said in an earlier press brie�ing in Malacañan.

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

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

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

We fuse them in a unicameral parliament, one body. And

the head of government is the Prime Minister --- with his Cabinet recruited among the members of parliament,” Lorenzana said.

He said the President, as head of state, shall be elected from among the members of parliament and shall have a �ive-year term while the Prime Minister or the head of government will have no term limits but can be booted out of of�ice through a vote of no con�idence, not through the process of impeachment.

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

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

opportunity to contemplate life’s real purpose and grants the chance to reassess their dealings with other people.

“More importantly, it is a time to strengthen your love for Allah by translating the readings of the Holy Qur’an into actions that demonstrate goodwill, obedience, harmony, vitality, and hope,” the President said.

“On this day, I pray with you that we may �ind all the peace that we seek in ourselves, in our country and in all of humanity,” Duterte said.

He said that while the

Filipino people have faced many challenges that tested the respective beliefs, principles, and ways of life of the various cultures in our society, the occasion provides an opportunity to start anew and inspire common endeavors with trust, understanding and mutual respect.

“Let us work as one nation to �ight the ills of society and never waver on our journey towards the ful�illment of our promise of real change. I wish you a happy new year and may Allah bless you always,” Duterte said. (PNA)

Duterte joins Muslims in prayer for peace

M

ANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday wished the Muslim Filipino community and all Muslims in the world a happy Islamic New Year as he joined them in prayer for worldwide peace.

In his message, Duterte noted that Amun Jadid, or Islamic New Year, which will be celebrated in the Philippines on September 21, is one of the most important events in the culture of Islam.

He said that Amun Jadid provides Muslims a reason to celebrate faith, offers the

Lorenzana said.

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

“These four conditions have a high probability of passage while we have a President endowed with tremendous political capital and have the political will to act decisively,” he said.

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

The second stage will be from May of 2020 to 2025, wherein the �irst parliamentary elections under the new federal Constitution shall be conducted not later than May 2020 “to organize the �irst unicameral parliament

under the newly-rati�ied Constitution with a term of �ive years up to 2025.”

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

“That is the shift to parliamentary… But the process of federalization goes on,” Lorenzana said. In terms of federalization, Lorenzana said the Centrist Position calls for 11 autonomous territories.

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

Lorenzana said that by 2028, autonomous territo-

ries may already operate like federal states. “They can raise their own funds. They can come up with their own resources. They can come up with their own taxes and spend for themselves. It is a kind of federalism we aspire for where the people from cities and regions shall negotiate among themselves and arrive a decision to set up their own federal state,” he said.

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

the lot area which NHA-Bicol Director Albert Perfecto has �ixed at 40 hectares.

The city acquired last year a 21-hectare lot in Barangay San Vicente and devoted six hectares to the local Community Environment and Natural Resources Of�ice (CENRO).

“The remaining 15 hectares shall be devoted to resettlement of Typhoon Nina victims along with the adjacent lots the city is willing to purchase soon to fully accom-

modate this NHA Project,” said Mayor Cielo Krisel Lagman-Luistro in an interview Wednesday.

Previous efforts by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in providing assistance to those typhoon victims with totally and partially damaged houses through its Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) will not affect NHA’s selection of priority resettlement bene�iciaries.(Freddie Vargas/PNA)

NHA pledges 4,000 housing units for Tabaco City typhoon victims

T

ABACO CITY – The National Housing Authority (NHA) has assured the local government here of at least PHP800 million for the construction of 4,000 housing units to resettle victims of Typhoon Nina that ravaged this city and other contiguous areas in Albay province on Christmas Day last year.

Each housing unit costs PHP200,000 while the local government’s counterpart is

12 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 123• THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

Lemon grass for health, food, and drink

Photo taken from the net

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

I

t comes in various names: barbed wire grass, silky heads, citronella grass, camel’s hay, cochin grass, and fever grass. In French, it is known as herbe de citron while Indians call it bhustrina or sera. In Thailand, it is known as takra while Filipinos simply call it as tanglad.

Scientists have given the name Cymbopogon citratus for it but all over the world, it is simply called lemon grass.

However you call it, this tropical fragrant grass with an aromatic citrus �lavor and a tinge of ginger can be the elusive answer to your medicinal, cooking, and drinking needs. Lemon grass is commonly used in teas, soups, and curries. The oil is used as a pesticide and preservative. The aromatic herb is used in Caribbean and many types of Asian cooking and has become very popular in the United States.

But one good thing about lemon grass is that it has been under study for its medicinal purposes. Lemon grass has 65-85 percent citral that contains active ingredients like myrcene, citronella, citronellol, and geraniol. Citral is a mobile pale-yellow liquid used in perfume and as �lavoring; it can also be found in lemon peel.

In 2006, a research team

from the Ben Gurion University in Israel found that lemon grass caused apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells. Through in vitro studies, the researchers examined the effect of cirtal on both normal and cancerous cells. Using concentrations of citral equivalent to the quantity in a cup of tea (one gram of lemon grass in hot water), the researchers observed that citral induces programmed cell death in the cancerous cells, while the normal cells were left unharmed.

“In each cell in our body is a genetic program which causes programmed cell death,” explains Prof. Yakov Weistein, of the university’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology. “When something goes wrong, the cells divide with no control and become cancer cells. In normal cells, when the cell discovers that the control system is not operating correctly, like when it recognizes that a cell contains faulty genetic material following cell division, it triggers cell death.”

On the other hand, a study done by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) discovered that every 100 grams of edible lemon grass,

when boiled, can contain up 24.205 micrograms of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that scientists believe can help prevent cancer.

Lemon grass has several other medicinal uses. It has been found to have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. For instance, ingesting lemon grass may protect the digestive tract from infections or food poisoning.

Lemon grass also has anti-pyretic and anti-mutagenic properties, which will reduce fevers and reverse chemically induced mutations respectively. It is considered a diuretic, tonic and stimulant.

It promotes good digestion, and a preparation of lemon grass with pepper has been used for relief of menstrual troubles and nausea.

Herbal mixes containing lemongrass may also promote digestion of fats; relieve muscle spasms and insomnia; act as a painkiller; reduce the effects of jet lag; provide a calming anti-stress effect; stimulate blood circulation; and cool the body in the summer through stimulated perspiration. Used externally, lemon grass may help treat ringworm, athlete’s foot, arthritis, dandruff and oily skin conditions.

Another DOST study showed that lemon grass oil has the potential as a topical

eye medication against keratomycosis, an in�lammation of cornea often associated with burning or blurring of vision.

Lemon grass is also a good mouthwash. Two tablespoonfuls of chopped leaves are soaked in one glass of hot water for 30 minutes.

Strain it �irst before using the infusion as mouthwash.

Although lemon grass is an effective remedy for various ailments, it should not replace conventional medicine or prescription drugs.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Authority has not fully investigated the health bene�its of lemon grass. It has been found that oil may cause skin rashes when used on the skin directly or when consumed as a tea. Pregnant women and young children are advised not to drink lemon grass as the long-term effects of the herb are unknown.

All over Asia, lemon grass is one of the most popular ingredients in some dishes as it adds a distinct citrus-like taste. The light lemon �lavor of this grass blends well with garlic, chilies, and cilantro.

The entire stalk of the grass can be used. The bulb can be bruised and minced for use in a variety of recipes. The leaves are �inely chopped or ground to release the �lavor

and to aid in the digestion of the coarse leaves.

Lemon grass harmonizes well with coconut milk, especially with chicken or seafood.

Unknown to many, lemon grass can also be made into a refreshing drink. To make four servings, the following are needed: four cups of water, one-half cup of chopped fresh lemon grass (tops only), muscovado sugar to taste, and kalamansi (optional).

To prepare the drink, here what to do: Add lemon grass to boiling water.

Turn off heat and let solution stand for 8-10 minutes.

Strain and squeeze kalamansi, sweeten to taste, and chill.

Serve the drink with ice.

Teas made from lemon grass are also popular and sometimes used for dieting. Since lemon grass has a higher content of citral in its essential oil than actual lemon, lemon grass extract can be found in products such as candies, baked goods and alcoholic beverages.

The oil from lemon grass can be used as a preservative. As such, lemon grass oil is put on the ancient palmleaf manuscripts found in India. It is used at the Oriental Research Institute Mysore, the French Institute of Pondicherry, the Associa-

tion for the Preservation of the Saint Thomas Christian Heritage in Kerala and many other manuscript collections in India. The lemon grass oil also injects natural �luidity into the brittle palm leaves and the hydrophobic nature of the oil keeps the manuscripts dry so that the text is not lost to decay due to humidity.

Lemon grass has an assortment of other uses and bene�its. It works as an insect repellent under the name of citronella in bug sprays and candles to ward off mosquitoes, biting �lies and �leas. As a mosquito repellant, just topically apply the juice from pounded leaves.

Lemon grass can also be found in other candles, incense, massage oils, perfumes, soaps and detergents.

Its essential oil is often used in aromatherapy to relieve stress and promote well-being.

For aromatic bath, here’s what you need to do: Boil four handfuls of leaves in one liter for �ive minutes.

Add enough water to make it lukewarm. Use the decoction as bath for the sick and for mothers who have just given birth. A precaution: Lemon grass should not be used in pregnant because it stimulates the uterine and menstrual �low.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 123• THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

DOABLE... FROM 2 kung mga kaisa lang po tayo lahat for the next six years so we can turn around our country mas mabilis,” she said.

She is also grateful that the PCL chose Davao City as a venue of the 3rd Quarterly Executive Of�icer Meeting of Philippine Councilor’s League.

She expressed her appreciation to the K-12 program of the Department of Education (DepEd) because after graduating senior high the students are now job ready. “Kahit man na hindi ka naka abot ng college, pag graduate mo after ng senior high school skilled na yung mga bata, employable na sila pwede na silang magtrabho sa negosyo o pwede na silang mag open ng sarili nilang negosyo under our SME’s,” said Mayor Duterte- Carpio. It will make a big difference if the children who belonged to a poor family can �inish senior high and eventually �inish college, she added.

“We foresee in my administration na kung ganun ang

mangyari malaki ang difference sa society natin,” she said.

These programs were also mentioned on her State of the City Address on September 12.

In Davao city’s family planning programs, the contraceptive prevalence rate has improved from 50.7% (104,268) in the second semester of 2016 to 53.6% (112,077) in the �irst semester of 2017. Aside from K-12 program of the Department of Education, the city government of Davao has programs to help those students who cannot afford education due to poverty.

There were 36 students enrolled in the Alternative Learning System (ALS) Basic Literacy Program; 1,696 in the Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) Elementary & Secondary Program; 2,265 in the Nonformal Education Accreditation and Equivalency (NFE-A&E) Program; and 1,702 in the Informal Education (INFED) Literacy cum Livelihood Skills Training Program.

Beside the BIFF, a huge number of communist rebels also operate in North Cotabato’s second district.

Guerilla Front 53 operates in the mountains of Arakan, President Rojas, Kidapawan City, Magpet, Makilala, Tulunan and Mlang.

The province is also home to two Moro fronts

(Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front) that already signed separate peace deals with the national government.

Clan wars involving Moro families in North Cotabato also hinder the attainment of peace in the province.( Edwin Fernandez/PNA)

MORE... FROM 6

13

EDGEDAVAO

OPAPP... FROM 6 “The crisis in Marawi is just a microcosm of things until and unless fully healed, con�lict can erupt,” he said, adding that the Of�ice of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) “will actively engage in the social and cultural healing processes because they are very important.”

“The social healing and cultural healing is part of the Task Force Bangon Marawi, which OPAPP is a member,” he said.

“Poor governance, non-involvement of the youth, education, health, etc. these can be drivers of extremism because when hope is almost lost, which is prevalent in the con�lict area, it’s a fertile ground for extremism,” Tan, chair of the government implementing panels dealing with the MILF and MNLF, said.

Sheik Zayd Ocfemia, chair for social affairs of the Zamboanga Peninsula Ulama Council, emphasized during the forum that wrong interpretations of the teachings of Islam, and the vulnerability of the people in the con�lict-prone areas are some of the major causes of the violent extremism in Mindanao.

Tolerance and co-existing with other religions are at the center of the teachings of Islam, Ocfemia said.

Quoting a verse from the holy Quran, Ocfemia said Islam is against the notion of using violence.

He said the Ulama or Muslim clerics in the country have earlier issued a fatwa or Islamic law declaring terrorism as “haram” or forbidden.

Ocfemia noted that they have laid down several actions to address violent extremism and terrorism through countering “the narrative of the radicals and the war mongers by instituting policies and programs aimed at reducing poverty, promoting social justice and equal opportunities regardless of religion or ethnicity.”

The Ulama also called on to strengthen “interfaith dialogues with the cultural and religious sensitivities of all groups in order to attract wider participation among Muslim scholars.”

Prof. Alih Aiyub, secretary-general of the National Ulama Council of the Philippines, said the mixture of structural violence in Mindanao has provided a conducive environment for radicalism to emerge.

Aiyub said a comprehensive solution to address the social ills in the con�lict-ridden areas should be implemented on the ground.

For his part, Rear Admiral Rene Medina, Naval Forces Western Mindanao commander, said the military is tapping all sectors, particularly the Moro fronts to “completely defeat terrorism.”

“Security is a shared responsibility. It needs sustain-

ment of partnership between the different stakeholders,” Medina said.

He represented Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, during the forum.

“The resolution of the Bangsamoro question is the long-term solution in achieving peace in Muslim Mindanao…It has direct and lasting impact in combating terrorism,” Medina said, quoting Galvez.

During the forum, Peter Cheng, OPAPP program manager for Zamboanga-Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi areas, also provided the updates to the participants about the sixpoint Peace and Development Agenda of the Duterte administration.

Abul-Jalil Umngan, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Western Mindanao

area manager, also spelledout the strategic direction for Mindanao “to operationalize the policy directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to push for the systemic shift to a federal form of government.”

“As such, we will be providing a mechanism that will bring the Moro people together to forge unity; ensure their participation in the national discourse on federalism; and isolate the extremist groups within our midst. For this purpose, we will be at the soonest, convene the All Moro Convention,” Umngan, representing Secretary Datu Hj. Abul Khayr Alonto, said.

The whole-day forum was initiated by OPAPP in connection with the month-long celebration of the National Peace Consciousness Month this September. (Darwin Wally Wee/PNA)

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14 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 10 ISSUE 123• THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

FINALLY, DAVAO Davao to host 2018 Ironman 70.3

D

avao City will host Ironman -- the prestigious triathlon that is expected to draw thousands of athletes and tourists next year.

“It is such an honor for Davao to host for the very �irst time the prestigious triathlon, which will bring to our city the best swim, run, bike athletes,” Mayor Inday Sara Duterte said Wednesday.

It will be called Alveo Ironman 70.3 with Ayala Land as its major sponsor and Sunrise Events as race organizer.

Sports tourism is an emerging �ield and the mayor said, “with Ironman, we hope to bring the world’s attention to Davao as well as our unique culture.”

“Davao is ready to host a high-caliber sporting event such as the Ironman,” she said.

Wilfred Uytengsu, president of Sunrise Events, envisions the holding of world-class events in the Philippines and said he is very excited and proud that Ironman will be held in Davao next year.

“We see our youth growing up with technology and they are not exposed to all of the sports, we would like to imbibe that in their behavior early on,” Uytengsu said.

The COO of Ayala land, Aniceto Bisnar Jr. also committed that the Alveo land will support the holding of Ironman in the city.

“It is indeed an honor for Azuela cove here in Davao to partner with this great event

that hopefully will bring a lot of tourists. Together with the Alveo residential brand, which is a co-sponsor for this event, we will be cooperating and working hard in order to ensure that we deliver a high quality international caliber event,” Bisnar said.

Also on Wednesday, the mayor ordered the creation of an executive c o m m i t t e e that will oversee t h e staging o f I ro n man 70.3.

The committee, created through Executive Order 35, would also ensure that the triathlon event becomes successful.

Davao City hopes that the Alveo Ironman event will complement the Kadayawan celebration slated August every year.

The triathlon has also been held in Camarines Sur and Cebu.

The hosting of the Alveo Ironman event is a signal that the city is prepared to host other big

sporting events.

Mayor Inday Sara said it will also help the city prepare for the DAVRAA and the Palarong Pambansa.

ROS mauls Alaska 112-82

A

BLOCK. Raymond Almazan of Rain or Shine blocks Noy Baclao of Alaska from behind.

IRON MEN. Local Ironman enthusiasts like fitness instructor Tophe Cui Eyao (biker) and businessman Reggie Reyes (runner) will be delighted to see action on homeground this time.

NTIPOLO -- Rain or Shine pounced on a demoralized Alaska, hammering out a 112-82 demolition to stay alive in the race for a Top Four �inish in the PBA Governors’ Cup on Wednesday night at the Ynares Center.

Using it as a virtual workout, the playoffs-bound Elasto Painters broke the game wide open in the second quarter on the way to a blowout victory against an Aces team that’s already eliminated.

J’Nathan Bullock was steady as usual, while Jericho Cruz and Beau Belga provided the spark off the bench for the E-Painters, who improved to a 6-4 win-loss record to climb to sixth spot.

The Aces, who sat Calvin Abueva and Sonny Thoss, �inished their

disappointing campaign at 3-8 as they failed to give Dondon Hontiveros and Tony dela Cruz a �itting sendoff in their �inal game for the team.

“We needed a game like this going into our �inal game in the eliminations,” ROS coach Caloy Garcia said. “I just told the players that we can’t just come and play alaska. We’re also lucky that Thoss and Calvin didn’t play today.”

Bullock sparked the rout, scoring eight of his team-high 14 points in the second quarter where the E-Painters outscored the Aces, 3418.

Cruz took over in third quarter, �iring all but two of his 12 points as the E-Painters maintained the sizeable cushion that ballooned to 37 points, 98-61, following

a Ronnie Matias jumper early in the fourth quarter.

Belga added 12 points, seven boards, two assists, and one steal to contribute to the balanced effort that saw seven E-Painters scoring at least nine points each.

Buck Henton led the Aces with 20 points, seven boards, and three blocks in a losing effort.

The scores: ROS 112 -- Bullock 14, Cruz 12, Belga 12, Trollano 11, Tiu 9, Robles 9, Borboran 9, Almazan 7, Yap 6, Ahanmisi 5, Matias 4, King 4, Daquioag 4, Norwood 3, Maiquez 3, Ponferada 0 ALASKA 82 - Henton 20, Dela Cruz 12, Enciso 9, Manuel 9, Pascual 8, Casio 5, Exciminiano 5, Baclao 4, Cruz 3, Galliguez 3, Hontiveros 2, Mendoza 2, Racal 0

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Davao’s Gawilan wins gold in 400m free D

avao’s “Super-Sub” Ernie Gawilan produed another scintillating performance on Wednesday as the Philippines had an eight-gold haul to rise to �ifth spot in the Asean Para Games in Kuala Lumpur.

Gawilan, the leg-less super submarine from Paquibato, seized the 400m freestyle gold for S8 and went for another one in 100m butter�ly but ended up settling for a silver.

Gawilan clocked 4:57.49, beating Vietnam’s Dag Van Cong (5:56.09) and Thailand’s Phiphatphong Sianglam (5:59.94). Malaysia’s Tien Yu James Wong was too strong in the 100m �ly, however, winning in 1:12.94 while Gawilan checked in at 1:19.86.

With three gold medals in chess, two in swimming, two in athletics and one in cycling, the Filipnos improved to 11 gold medals, 12 silvers and 11 bronze, rising from seventh to �ifth.

Indonesia led the standings a 57-39-28 (gold-silverbronze) collection while host Malaysia was at No. 2 with a 48-41-35 haul.

Fide Masters Sander Severino bagged the individual gold in standard play of the physically impaired with 5.5 points and the team wound up taking

GOLDEN SWIM. Davao”s Ernie Gawilan on his way to winning the gold in the 400m freestyle S8 event.

RPV ladies rally to 5th

C

EBU CITY – Davao’s Rancho Palos Verdes �ired the day’s second best score in t h e

Sportswriters Division to move one notch higher to 5th place in the 12th Philippine Airlines Ladies Interclub at the Cebu Country Club.

The RPV Swinging Ladies amassed 111 points to move from 6th to 5th overnight behind new leader Camp Aguinaldo-A which scored the day’s best 115. RPV, which scored 87 in the

opening round, now has 198 total in two rounds while Aguinaldo is on top at 226.

The oter Davao club, Apo, was not as lucky, however, as it dipped down to the bottom with a 172 total on an 88 output for the day.

Pradera Verde Golf and Country Club set a record two-day t o t a l

Wednesday while building a huge 34-point lead PRADERA PUSH. Michela Tjan Effendie’s (below) 53 points stretches Pradera Verde’s lead to a whooping 34 over defending champion Manila Southwoods on Day 2 of the PAL Ladies Interclub at Cebu Country Club. (photo

by REB)

over defending champion Manila Southwoods Masters.

For the second straight day, Pradera broke par in team play to improve to 331 points, the best ever halfway score in the event’s history.

Indonesian Michela Effendie �ired three-under par 69 for 57 points while Harmie Constantino had 70 for 56 points as Pradera ended the day with 166 points, just a point short off its opening day output.

Kristine Torralba rounded out Pradera’s scoring with 53 points. Lorenz Kayla Nocum failed to count with 46.

Despite a record 34-point lead, Pradera captain Normandy Sto. Domingo vowed to deliver the knockout blow on Thursday.

“We hope to �inish this tomorrow. We’re sending in our top guns to get the job done so that we can relax on Friday,” said Sto. Domingo who will �ield Fil-Japanese Yuka Saso and Effendie in the third round.

Saso led Pradera’s charge with 59 points last Tuesday.

Manila Southwoods, bidding for its seventh straight crown, managed to keep Pradera within arm’s length

RPV, 10

�irst place after a tiebreak.

Another Dabawenyo Henry Lopez from Panabo City scored 3.5 as the Philippines matched the Indonesians’ nine-point total.

The Philippines wound up on top due to Severino’s highest individual score.

Philippine �lag-bearer Menandro Redor, Arman and Israel Peligro combined for 9.5 points to claim the team gold in the B2/B3 class.

At the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Cielo Honasan topped the 100-meter dash, clocking 13.96 to complete a sprint double topping the 200m on Monday.

Honasan, a 15-year-old polio victim, will go for a sprint treble as she competes in the 400m on Thursday.

Prudencia Panaligan also won gold in the 100m for T52/53/54 with a clocking of 18.32, edging Thailand’s Chainet Srithong (18.67) and Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Xuan Anh (18.78).

Gary Bejino won the 400m freestyle for S7 in 5:33.81, almost half a minute ahead of Kaweewat Sittichaiphonniti (6:02.26).

At the Dataran Putrajaya track, Arthus Bucay bagged cycling’s �irst gold by topping the

ERNIE, 10

REMATCH. Canelo Alvarez (right) tags Genady Golovkin with a hard right in their controversial match that ended in a draw on Sunday.

Canelo-GGG rematch talks set T he representatives for uni�ied middleweight world champion Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez plan to begin discussions this week for a rematch, both camps told ESPN on Tuesday.

After nearly two years of public desire to see the �ight, Golovkin and Alvarez �inally met in the year’s most important bout on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and they went to battle for

12 hard rounds. It was a thrilling �ight that was ruled a split draw, though most thought Golovkin deserved the decision.

Talk of an immediate rematch began at the post�ight news conference, where much of the conversation centered on the head-scratching scorecard turned in by judge Adalaide Byrd, who inexplicably scored the �ight 118-110 in favor of Alvarez, who himself said he didn’t think he won 10

rounds.

Dave Moretti scored it 115113 for Golovkin, a common score at ringside. Judge Don Trella had it 114-114, but a close look at his card showed that he ruled the seventh round for Alvarez when Golovkin had perhaps his most dominant round of the �ight. Even Byrd scored that round for Golovkin.

Had Trella given the seventh round to Golovkin, he would have won a split decision.

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