Edge10 issue143 October 19, 2017

VOL. 10 ISSUE 143• THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2017

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

PRIZED CATCH. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 11 OIC director Agent Naravy Duquiatan shows images printed on a paper of suspected drug users and pusher-physician Stephen So Tay and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 5 official Benjamin Jaraplasan Medel

after they were apprehended through PDEA 11’s buy-bust operation on Tuesday afternoon at San Pedro Village in Davao City. Duquiatan provided other details of the operation during the AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr.

DOCTOR NABBED

Along with DENR official in Buhangin buy-bust

By JIMMY K. LAKING

R

egional agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency scored a major coup when they arrested on Tuesday a practicing surgeon and an OIC provincial environment natural resources of�icer after they were caught in the midst of a buy-bust operation against

illegal drugs in Buhangin, Davao City.

PDEA OIC regional director Naravy D. Duquiatan, who personally led the buybust operation, identi�ied the arrested physician as one Stephen So Tay, 56 years old, and a resident of No. 3 Marigold Street in Buhangin’s San

Pedro Village. Tay, a medical surgeon, was caught in the act of selling suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu inside his residence.

Tay’s companion who was also arrested was identi�ied as one Benjamin J. Medel, 52, an OIC provincial environment of�icer of the Department of

Environment and Natural Resources in Region 5.

Medel, a resident of Teachers Village in Legaspi City was caught in the act of using illegal drugs during the buy-bust operation.

“The PDEA would like to acknowledge the help of the

DOOCTOR, 10

‘Give up or die’

Liberation meant Maute no longer serious threat-Gen. Ano

By ANGIE SAVERON

G

ive up if you want to stay alive.

This is the ultimatum issued by the Armed Forces of the Philippines to the last 30 remaining Maute strugglers con�ined to a one-hectare area in Marawi City.

“That is the only way that they can get out alive from the main battle area,” stressed Gen. Eduardo Año,

chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in his visit to the Eastern Mindanao Command on Tuesday in Davao City.

He also clari�ied that the declaration of the liberation of Marawi means that the threat has been reduced to its lowest level.

“We are now regarding the situation as low en-

GIVE, 10

A2 INduldge

All about chocolate

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 143• THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2017

Martial Law lifting nixed

BICOL ALLIES. President Duterte greets Camarines Sur Second District Representative Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. and Camarines Sur Governor Miguel Luis Villafuerte during the Federalism Summit at the Capitol Convention Center in

Business leaders thrilled over Marawi‘liberation’

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usiness leaders in Mindanao were all praises after President Rodrigo R. Duterte declared on Tuesday the “liberation” of Marawi City from the hands of the ISIS-inspired Maute Group after nearly �ive months of military operations.

Duterte’s announcement followed statements from the military that they have killed Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute, and that only a handful of their followers were straggling in the ruins of Marawi.

The Marawi crisis erupted last May 23 when Maute gunmen occupied portions of Marawi forcing government forces to engage in urban warfare in which they weren’t

trained for.

In a text message to MindaNews, Mindanao Business Council chair Vicente T. Lao said thousands of displaced families will �inally “enjoy the blessings of peace”.

“Now, we can start the rehabilitation of Marawi,” he said.

Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. president Ronald Go echoed the same elation with hopes that it would be a “unifying moment for all to bring about the growth and development in the country”.

“It is unfortunate that there are those who cannot seem to look beyond their previous af�iliations and

BUSINESS, 10

Pili, Camarines Sur on Tuesday evening. Also in the photo is Presidential Chief Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo. ALBERT ALCAIN/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Despite success in liberating Marawi

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T

he Armed Forces of the Philippines will not recommend the lifting of Martial Law in Mindanao despite the success in killing the two leaders of Maute Group in Marawi City. addressed.

“Meron pang mga threats dito na kailangan pang tapusin katulad ng Basilan at Sulu pati na rin

Maguindanao, yan ay ang susunod na step na ating gagawin (There are still threats that need to be addressed such as in Basilan, Sulu and Maguindanao and that is our next step),” he said.

Año said the troops that liberated Marawi City will

be deployed in these places to address the threats.

“Pagpupursigihan natin na masupil ang mga terrorists sa mga lugar na iyon (We will do our best to eradicate the terrorists in those areas),” he said.

The military is leaving

Director Dante Gierran on Wednesday presented Karen Aizha Hamidon, 36, to the media, who was arrested at her residence in Taguig City following a search operation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation-Counter Terrorism Division on October 11.

Hamidon is now facing 14 counts for violation of

Article 138 of the Revised Penal Code (inciting to rebellion or insurrection) in relation to Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (Republic Act of 2012) before the Department of Justice.

“Under the law to prove conspiracy you have to prove that there was an agreement to commit

the crime of rebellion and rebellion was actually executed. But in this case, I believe although she was not �ighting with the ISIS or Maute group in Marawi the action of the subject clearly denotes that she was in conspiracy with the rebels,” Aguirre said.

“So in my opinion she

Its back to normal for schools as well Woman inciting terror online nabbed in Taguig T he resumption of all public transport on Tuesday after a one-day strike did not meant the resumption for classes in all schools along with work in government of�ices.

Contrary to what was reported on Wednesday, classes in both public and private schools and work in government of�ices in Davao City reopened on Wednesday.

This was after both the TRANSMISSION Piston Davao

and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board announced the end of the strike on Monday at 12 midnight.

On Tuesday, City Transport and Traf�ic Management Of�ice head, Supt. Dioniso Abude announced that traf�ic was back to normal as passenger jeepneys resumed operation.

The editors regret the error. (JKL)

AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo Año stressed there are still terror threats in other places in the island region that needed to be

T

he National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested a woman allegedly involved in the recruitment of foreigners into the country for terrorist activities and spreading radical Islamic extremism through the use of the internet and social media.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II and NBI

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WOMAN, 10

NEWS 3

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Banana exporters want CAFGUs in plantations

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group of banana exporters here appealed to expedite the deployment of Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu) members to protect their plantations from the rebel New People’s Army because “time is of the essence”.

Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association executive director Stephen Antig told reporters in an interview Tuesday that Cafgu presence will lessen the incidence of attacks against their plantations and burning of equipment.

Antig said the agriculture sector is hoping the deployment will happen soon amid continuing rebel attacks in other parts of Mindanao.

“How long will it take them to deploy?” he said.

Last October 2, communist rebels torched a container van, two tanker trucks, a packing plant and warehouse building owned by Sumifru Philippines Corporation in Sitio Lakag, Barangay New Dumangas in T’boli, South Cotabato.

The NPA, in a statement posted on October 9 on its website www.philippinerevolution.info, claimed the raid was carried out against the �irm for persistent “land grabbing, environmental destruction and unjust labor policies”.

The NPA rebels also attacked a plantation owned

by Davao Ventures Corpora-

NTC backs broadband as lone PH telco service

T

he National Telecommunications Commission has endorsed the passage of new legislation that would classify broadband access as a “basic service” so that suppliers may be compelled to provide rising Internet connection speeds under pain of harsh administrative �ines.

“We express our wholehearted appreciation for the proposed amendments (to the law) contained in House Bill 5337, speci�ically in the areas of expanded responsibilities of the NTC, immunity from civil suit, reclassi�ication of Internet/broadband as a basic service and speci�ic rights for end users,” NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba said in a position paper.

“The Commission enthusiastically supports the good intentions of the bill,” Cordoba said, referring to the proposed Act Expanding the Powers of

CONFLICT. A worker under the Blue Collar Manpower Services, Inc. casts his

City on Wednesday under the supervision of the Department of Labor and

signed at the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) which aims to come up with a decision on the issue of organizing a union and to hold a strike against the university. The referendum was conducted at the Freedom Park in Davao

is inappropriate that the school is involved in the controversy as the conflict is only between the Blue Collar management and its employees. Lean Daval Jr.

BANANA, 10 vote in a referendum conducted among the 470 workers of the company as- Employment (DOLE) 11 personnel. The university said in a statement that it

the NTC and Classifying Internet Service, including Broadband Service, as a Basic Telecommunications Service.

Introduced by Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr., the bill offers a solution to the country’s persistently slow, inef�icient and expensive Internet access by fully empowering the NTC to regulate the service.

At present, because the 22-year-old Philippine Public Telecommunications Policy Law treats Internet access as a “value-added service” rather than a basic service, suppliers are relatively free to provide services on their own terms.

HB 5337, however, rede�ines Internet access as “a basic telecommunications service within the jurisdiction and regulatory power of the NTC.” Under the bill, the NTC may command telecommu-

NTC, 13

AFP to focus on eradicating NPA

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T

he Armed Forces of the Philippines will now focus on the �ight against New People’s Army after their success in battling Maute Group in Marawi City.

AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo Año bared in a speech during his visit at the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom), there will be more army battalions deployed in the Eastmincom area since most of the places are NPA infested.

“Ngayon natapos na yung

Marawi crisis, mag-re deploy na tayo ng presence, may ibabalik na tayong pwersa dito (Now that the Marawi crisis is over, we will re deploy more military presence, we will return the troops here ), ” he said.

Año also said the Philippine Army will activate additional 10 Infantry Battalions and six of it will be deployed in Eastmincom areas.

“Ito’y para tuldokan na natin yang CPP-NPA na yan (We want to end the CPP-NPA),” he said.

He said this new mandate came from the order of President Rodrigo R. Duterte who early pronounced the war against the communist groups.

Año said the 8,000 new recruits for the army will be completed by November of this year which majority of these will be deployed in Eastmincom.

“By Janauary, additional 5,000 troops will be recruited sapgkat gusto natin mangyari na sa katapusan ng 2018, wala ng CPP-NPA kahit isa sa buong

Marawi IDPs told: ‘Please be patient’

T ADDED ASSET. Police Regional Office 11 spokesperson Chief Inspector Andrea dela Cerna says the Philippine National Police is more than willing to help the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in its campaign against illegal drugs by providing intelligence reports and gathering of information de-

spite President Duterte’s order making PDEA the lead implementing agency against drugs. Dela Cerna made the statement during the AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr.

Pilipinas (because we want to happen that by the end of 2018 there will be no CPP-NPA in the whole Philippines),” he said.

“And we can start the massive economic development especially in the area of Mindanao,” he said.

He said that the government will be constructing big highways, bridges and railway stations in different parts in Mindanao and this will not be attained there is a peace and order problem.

he spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines urged Marawi residents displaced by the nearly �ive-month war to “please be patient” as they still have to clear the areas of unexploded ordnance.

Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla, AFP spokesperson, told the Mindanao Hour press brie�ing in Malacanang on Tuesday that the return of the evacuees (internally displaced persons or IDPs) to Marawi will still take some time because “there is a need to clear all these buildings of all unexploded ordnance (UXO) as well as IEDs (improvised explosive devices) that may have been left by these retreating terrorists.”

The press brie�ing was held late Tuesday morning, a few hours before President Rodrigo Duterte declared in Marawi

that the country’ s lone Islamic city is now “liberated from the terrorist in�luence,” marking the “beginning of rehabilitation for the people.”

“We want to ensure the safety of all our citizens, particularly the residents of Marawi who will want to visit the areas of their residence and recover whatever it is that remains from the damage that has been caused by this terrorist group,” Padilla said.

“We must be 100 percent sure that no bomb, no IED, no booby trap is left in these areas,” he stressed, noting it would be “untenable and unacceptable to us” if the displaced residents survived nearly �ive months in the evacuation centers but would be killed or wounded on their return to Maraw because

MARAWI, 13

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

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PH continues to lure foreign firms: Lopez T he Philippines continues to attract foreign companies to explore opportunities in investing in the country, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez said.

In an interview, Lopez said a number of companies and organizations doing business missions in the Philippines increased this year.

Data from Board of Investments (BOI) showed that from January to September this year, total number of companies and business organizations that visited the country grew by 24.28 percent to 558 from 449 inbound missions in the same period in 2016.

“There’s more interest right now by the number of companies visiting our Board of Investments. Trying to look at opportunities

here,” Lopez said.

The DTI chief added that some companies are already in advance stages of looking at business opportunities here, some are “on the verge of registering new investments” in the country, while some are still doing their feasibility study.

“It’s a matter of timing,” he said, noting that companies have to study their business plans in the country before pouring in their investments here.

Earlier, Lopez mentioned that a Chinese steel manufacturer is keen on putting up its facility in the country.

He said this steel company is among the Chinese �irms that had their inbound mission here last March and submitted their letters of intent to explore opportunities in the Philippine market. (PNA)

he House Committee on Appropriations chaired by Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles has approved the funding provisions of the substitute bill of the proposed Right to Adequate Food Framework Act, also known as the “Zero Hunger bill.”

The measure was among the series of bills given the green light by the Appropriations panel during a meeting at the South Wing Annex of the House of Representatives on October 3.

The as yet unnumbered bill is a consolidation of House Bill Nos. 61, 256, 1465, and 3938.

Davao Rep. Nograles and his brother, Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Party-List Rep. Jericho Nograles, are among the main authors of the bill, which seeks to guarantee Filipinos’ right to adequate food.

“We will achieve this by formulating a framework that will coordinate efforts among the concerned agencies in implementing the ‘zero hunger’ policy of the government,” Davao Rep. Nograles said.

“The Appropriations Committee’s action on the Zero Hunger bill brings it one step closer to enactment at a time when the government is actually making gains on the problem of hunger,” he added.

The panel chairman said the measure underwent minor amendments. It was previously passed by the House Committee on Human Rights.

Before the Appropriations panel approval of the

bill, Davao Rep. Nograles led a public forum at Central Luzon State University in Nueva Ecija wherein he rallied local support for making the right to adequate food a human right.

A good number of the attendees in the forum were farmers, whom the lawmaker called the most important people in the �ight against hunger.

The measure aims to attain zero hunger incidence in the country within 10 years of its enactment. Speci�ically, the proposed Act intends to reduce hunger incidence by 25 percent every two and a half years following enactment.

The bill also provides for the creation of the Commission on the Right to Adequate Food, which will be the primary policy-making and coordinating body to guarantee full exercise of the right to adequate food.

Incidentally, hunger incidence in the country has begun to drop in the �irst few months of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.

Independent pollster Social Weather Stations earlier reported that 11.9 percent of Filipino households experienced hunger during the �irst quarter of 2017. This was lower than the 13.9 percent recorded in last quarter of 2016.

“Proper sustenance keeps us going. A full belly means a sound mind. The bene�its of having adequate food cannot be underestimated in the purview of national progress,” Davao Rep. Nograles concluded. (House of Representatives)

OCTOBER TREAT. Malagos Garden Resort marketing officers Kirvy Waga (left) and Janessa Villota provide the details of the scheduled activities for the resort’s annual Halloween offering dubbed 2017 Mga Handuraw sa Baul

set on October 28. Waga and Villota graced this week’s edition of Wednesdays @ Habi at Kape at Abreeza Mall. Lean Daval Jr.

China ready to help House body okays ‘Zero Hunger’bill Marawi City rehab T C

hina is ready to provide more assistance According to the reports, 47 sets of heavy equipment, for the Philippines’ post-war rehabilitation at least PHP50 billion will be which would be used for the and reconstruction efforts in Marawi City. needed to rehabilitate Marawi reconstruction of Marawi City.

“China stands ready to continue providing needed support and assistance in light of the needs of the government of the Philippines,” Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokesperson Lu Kang said in a press conference here.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday announced the liberation of the southern Philippine city from the clutches of the extremists following the killing of terrorist leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute.

“The Chinese side sin-

cerely hopes that the people in Marawi and the Mindanao region can enjoy the peaceful and tranquil life again at an early date,” Lu said.

Last June, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua handed to Philippine health and social welfare of�icials a PHP15-million check donation for Marawi City’s relief operations and rehabilitation.

The presentation of the check was witnessed by President Duterte, whose foreign policy has led to the revival of Chinese-Philippine relations.

City ravaged by �ive months of battle between government forces and the terrorists led

by Hapilon and Maute.

Also last June, China donated PHP370 million worth of about 3,000 ri�les and six million pieces of ammunition to help the Philippine military in �ighting the terrorists.

“Combating terrorism is the shared responsibility of all nations,” Lu said.

In a press statement, Philippine Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar announced on Tuesday that China had donated

The equipment, which arrived in Iligan City last week, consisted of eight sets of excavators, eight sets of wheel loaders, �ive sets of compactors, �ive sets of track-type tractors, �ive sets of bulldozers, eight sets of dump trucks, eight sets of cement mixers, and one container van.

Villar, who was part of President Duterte’s economic team that recently visited China, said seven more equipment were expected to arrive through China’s Emergency Humanitarian Assistance. (PNA)

ata on national government disbursements indicate that spending for the month of August 2017 grew by 13.9 percent, year-on-year, while spending from January to August increased by 9.8 percent. The growth of government spending is expected to boost the government’s socio-economic agenda and promote the swift delivery of public services.

State spending totaled P201.6 billion in August of this year, up from P177 billion last year. The growth of capital outlays paced the robust spending in August as it rose by 22.6 percent to reach P51.6 billion. Meanwhile, Current Operating Expenditures increased by

10.3 percent to reach P149.9 billion.

The year-to-date �igures also remain to be �irm as spending from January to August of 2017 reached P1.78 trillion, a 9.8 percent growth compared to the same period in 2016. This was driven by the expansion of Capital Outlays and Current Operating Expenditures, which posted growth rates of 11.5 percent and 9.6 percent, respectively.

Spending in the month of August got a signi�icant boost from infrastructure and other capital expenditures as it surged by 18.1 percent, owing largely to the infrastructure projects of the DPWH (road improvement works; repair

and rehabilitation, including �lood control projects; construction and improvement of pumping stations, dike, and drainage systems, etc.), and capital outlay projects of the DepEd (repair and rehabilitation of school facilities) and DOH (land outlays for health facilities and purchase of hospital equipment).

Maintenance expenditures also grew by 18.4 percent on account of the operating requirements of DepEd schools and DOH hospitals nationwide, as well as the implementation of social protection programs by the DSWD. On the other hand, Personnel Services increased by 8.7 percent due to the

higher base pay of civilian government employees by virtue of the second tranche implementation of EO 201 s. 2016, and the increase in allowances of military and uniformed personnel.

Some P426.7 billion of the P3.35 trillion obligation program for FY 2017 is still available for release to the line agencies for the remaining four months of the year. Of this amount, P236.8 billion refers to allocations lodged in Special Purpose Funds. Most, if not all, of this amount is expected to be released before the end of the year to ful�ill budgetary requirements in government subsidies, the release of Performance-Based Bonus, among other purposes.

Govt spending grows by 13.9 % in August D

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ECONOMY 5

Execs laud the exclusion of NAIA as‘worst airport’

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ransport of�icials welcomed Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s exclusion from the list of the worst airports in the world.

“Work, work, work lang.

While it is good that we are not listed among the worst, let us work even harder to be included amongst the best,” Transportation Secretary Tugade said in a statement Wednesday.

“We should be careful that we do not backslide. The show must go on -- and better!” he added.

Tugade said this development is just the beginning of more improvements as he reminded DOTr employees not to be complacent as there are many things yet to be done and improved at the NAIA. Meanwhile, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal said such feat is a “fruit of their hard work.”

In a survey released by “The Guide To Sleeping in Airports” in October 2016, NAIA placed 5th in the list of the world’s worst airports.

Prior to this, NAIA earned the ‘world’s worst airport’ title from 2011 to 2013. In 2014, it landed in the 4th place. It was not included in the top 10 worst airports in the world in 2015,

but landed 8th worst airport in Asia.

This was attributed to the issue of “laglag-bala”, which was among the main complaints of travelers especially by OFWs, but was addressed during the �irst 100 days of the Duterte administration.

Meanwhile, four Philippine airports again joined the list of the top 25 best airports in Asia for this year, 2017. These are the Iloilo International Airport, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Clark International Airport, and Davao International Airport.

Among the reforms implemented in the NAIA during the Duterte Administration were the restriction on general aviation to prioritize commercial �lights and reduce �light delays; the imposition of the �ive-minute rule [where pilots who declare they are ready to take off must depart within the prescribed time or they would be put back at the back of the queue] to reduce �light delays and instill discipline among airlines; the construction of Rapid Exit Taxiways to allow an aircraft to leave the runway at higher speed and increase �light movements; provision of cleaner toilets additional seats, free Wi-Fi, and Well-Wishers’ Area.

(PNA)

ICONIC HOTEL. Apo View Hotel marketing manager Suzette Germiniano talks about the hotel’s new programs and announces its relaunch slated today. Germiniano added during Wednesdays @ Habi at Kape at Abreeza Mall

Diokno assures budget for Marawi City rehab

DTI affirms strong B PH-EU trade links

udget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno on Wednesday assured Marawi City residents that the government has the funds for the area’s rehabilitation.

T

he Department of Trade and Industry and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines reaf�irmed strong economic relations of the Philippines and the European Union.

On the sidelines of the EU-Philippines Business Summit in Parañaque City Tuesday, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez told reporters that the Philippines continues to engage with the EU on Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) and possible free trade agreement with the bloc.

He added that the strong relations between the Philippines and EU can be re�lected on the robust exports of the Philippines to the EU market as well as the increasing investments of European countries to the Philippines.

“Economic relations have been good. Even GSP+ utilization has increased from 2015 to 2016, and we expect better utilization this year. Because more and more exporters are taking advantage of the GSP+ as they get to be aware of the privilege,” the DTI chief noted.

DTI Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo, said in a separate interview, that Philippine exports to EU may sustain the 30-percent growth towards the end of the year given the exports growth of 36 percent during the �irst half of 2017.

Rodolfo said with the im-

provement in the economy of EU, robust demand for Philippine exports in the EU market is expected, particularly for those bene�itting from the GSP+ Program.

“The DTI is continuously undertaking advocacy campaign for the utilization of GSP+ among its exporters particularly in the rural communities,” he added.

He said some 2,259 exporters from the Philippines are shipping their products to the EU market.

Moreover, ECCP President Geunter Taus echoed that talks between the Philippines and the EU for the possible FTA remains on track.

“The negotiations for the FTA is still ongoing and everything’s on track. Only time will tell what is going to happen next. I think we can peacefully say that negotiations are ongoing,” Taus added.

He said European businesses remain keen on doing business in the Philippines despite the recent comments of President Rodrigo Duterte on EU. “We know rhetoric is rhetoric. And our statement is loud and clear. The issue has been addressed adequately. I think that should be the end of it,” Taus added.

“We, in business, do not mingle in politics. That’s for the politicians to do,” he added.

(PNA)

that the hotel will be managed by ICON under Global Comfort Corporation.

Lean Daval Jr.

In a brie�ing, the budget chief said authorities had yet to determine the actual rehabilitation cost but said the DBM had an available P5 billion from the national risk reduction fund for this year.

“We will not be constrained by funding,” he said, adding that there are groups like the World Bank that have committed to help in the rehabilitation.

Diokno, who was in the US last week to attend the annual meetings of the WB and

the International Monetary Fund in Washington DC, said WB experts had discussed with the Philippine delegation ways on how to rehabilitate Marawi City.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte declared the city’s liberation on Tuesday.

He said among the options cited are the mechanics on the rehabilitation of Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan.

He pointed out that what the government really needs now is the technical assis-

tance from experts and not primarily funding, citing also that under the proposed 2018 national budget about PHP10 billion has been allocated for Marawi City’s rehabilitation.

He also said the government is set to issue its planned Marawi bond in the �irst quarter of 2018.

“It’s a go...We’re planning to �loat one by January,” he said, citing that they are now discussing the speci�ics of the debt paper.

Earlier, Defense Secretary Del�in Lorenzana pegged the cost of rebuilding Marawi City at around PHP100 billion.

Diokno, however, said this is yet to be �inalized before they would be able to determine the mechanics.

He said a meeting with of�icials of the defense department, among others, would be held this afternoon to discuss the rehabilitation plan, which he said might be �inalized by end-October.

“We expect to hit the ground running on rehabilitation in the next few weeks,” he said.

“Now is the time to move forward and rebuild Marawi into the inclusive, inter-faith, international and modern city it deserves to become,” he added. (PNA)

Bureaus of Internal Revenue (BIR) and of Customs (BOC).

“Both [agencies] are under me and we’re doing short-term things but really, in the long term, we need better skills, better ethics,” Dominguez said of the planned tax academy project during the meeting with Malpass.

The �inance chief also brie�ly discussed the DOF’s tax academy project in a recent forum in Washington DC organized by the US think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Dominguez said a previous US grant that aims to improve business processes and revenue collections in the BIR was partly instrumental in the success of the Philippines’ recent effort to

collect the largest sum of taxes ever from a single corporate entity.

“The assistance to us really bore fruit. Because of the help they gave us in improving the skills of the BIR in analyzing data, we were able to nail the largest tax-fraud case in history. We collected $600 million recently from a cigarette company that was cheating on taxes, and I said to some extent that’s due to the help of the US,” Dominguez said at the CISS forum.

He was referring to Mighty Corp., which promptly offered to settle its tax liabilities and shut down its operations after the BIR had lodged three criminal complaints against it over the use of counterfeit tax stamps.

According to Domin-

guez, the government stands to gain almost P40 billion in additional revenues from the “sin” tax on tobacco products starting in 2018, following the move by Mighty Corp. to settle its tax liabilities, close shop and sell its assets to Japan Tobacco Inc. (JTI).

Dominguez said the planned tax academy would not involve any construction of new buildings but would focus on training revenue and customs of�icers to improve their ef�iciency and competencies in tax matters.

Malpass said Dominguez’s plan to save on funds by just renting out space in local community colleges and universities to house the campuses of the tax academy was a “good idea.”

(DOF)

US aid sought to set up first tax academy for PH

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he Department of Finance is seeking a possible grant from the United States in establishing the Philippines’ �irst tax academy, which will serve as a training institution that will provide revenue of�icials and employees continuing professional education on improving tax collection competence and ef�iciency.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III pitched the project in a recent meeting in Washington DC with David Malpass, the US Undersecretary of the Treasury for International Affairs.

Dominguez told Malpass the Philippine Tax Academy, which the DOF plans to set up in January, will be a long-term initiative of the DOF in professionalizing the

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 10 ISSUE 143• THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2017

Soldiers pose for photos in Banggolo District, Marawi City on Tuesday, 17 October 2017, after President Rodrigo Duterte declared the city’s “liberation from terrorist influence”. MindaNews photo by MANMAN DEJETO

BIFF bomb specialist, Thousands attemps to set arrested in Maguindanao Guinness hand washing record G

A

n estimated 5,000 participants, mostly students, joined Tuesday’s Global Hand Washing Day celebration here in a bid by the city to enter the Guinness Book of World Records on having the most number of people washing their hands in one event.

Amid bad weather the city experienced on Tuesday, day care pupils, elementary and high school students, parents, and teachers participated in the simultaneous hand washing activity as the city established a two-kilometer long temporary hand washing facility to vie for the record.

The “tippy taps” stretched from the front-

age of the City Hall area up to Sero Central Elementary School, both situated along Sinsuat Avenue here.

Non-government organizations, barangay of�icials and civic groups also joined the activity.

In his speech during the opening program, City Vice Mayor Graham Dumama commended the efforts of Cotabateños for the successful conduct of

the event.

“Cotabato City has been participating in the observance of the Global Hand Washing Day ever since it started a few years ago. Congratulations to the city government and to all our partners for a very successful celebration this year”, Dumama said.

Early on, City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi also expressed her support to the activity, declaring that the city government is committed to upholding the rights of the youth to a healthy and sound environment conducive to their overall

growth and success.

“The city government strongly supports the Global Hand Washing Day as we are committed to promote cleanliness and proper hygiene to our youth for their overall well-being,” the mayor said.

To date, almost all of the day care centers in the city’s 37 barangays have functioning hand washing facilities for children to use.

Schoolteachers are encouraged to promote regular hand washing routines to the pupils as part of their daily activities. (Noel Punzalan/PNA)

Police, military remain on high alert

F

ollowing the death of two terrorist leaders in Marawi City, a military of�icial said government forces have remained on guard against armed extremists who continue to wage war against the government.

“We cannot let our guard down” despite the death of Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon and Maute leader Omarkhayam Maute, said Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, spokesperson for the Phil.

Army’s 4th Infantry Division

(4ID).

Noting that two of Northern Mindanao’s major cities—Cagayan de Oro and Iligan—are geographically close to Marawi, Martinez said they are monitoring “suspicious personalities” who are still in the Lanao del Sur area.

In Iligan City, police said they will continue to strengthen security measures even after Hapilon and Omar Maute’s death.

Police Director Leony

Roy Ga described the threat on Iligan City as “still present and high.”

“Since the start of the attack, we have already heightened the security all over Iligan City because almost all the displaced families who �led their homes in Marawi City are seeking refuge in Iligan City. There are reports that some sympathizers of the Maute are inside Iligan,” Ga said.

Meanwhile, Martinez said the remaining members

of the extremist groups who are on the government watch list have been considered atlarge “unless proof of their death has been established.”

“We need to verify if those on the watch list were killed, otherwise we have to assume that they are alive,” he said, adding that many of those on the rouge’s gallery were already killed since the �ighting in Marawi started on May 23. (PNA/Jigger J. Jerusalem with reports from Divina Suson)

overnment forces and its ally, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), arrested Tuesday a bomber of ISIS-inspired local jihadists in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao.

Senior Supt. Agustin Tello, Maguindanao police director, identi�ied the suspect as Mahdi Abdulla, 27, of Barangay Pagatin, Datu Salibo.

Abdulla is believed to be a member of outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) special operations group responsible in setting off explosives against soldiers and MILF members.

Government forces acted on intelligence information provided by the MILF and local residents who have gone tired

of BIFF atrocities to capture the suspect.

Capt. John Arvin Encinas, Army’s 6th Infantry Division spokesman, said Abdulla was collared at the vicinity of a �loating restaurant establishment in Barangay Sambolawan.

He did not resist arrest.

Tello said Abdullah, also known as “Rok,” was a bomb expert and believed to be one of the students of slain Malaysian bomb expert Zulki�li bin Hir alias Marwan.

Abdullah was tagged by military and police intelligence operatives as member of the BIFF hit squad, targeting off duty soldiers along Maguindanao highways. (Edwin Fernandez/PNA)

‘Balete’tree pins to death couple, hurts 2

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couple died while their two children survived, though wounded, when a �ig (balete) tree pinned down a semi-concrete house and partially damaged three others in a coastal village west of this city.

The incident happened at around 5:50 a.m. Wednesday in Purok 5, Barangay Sinunuc, this city amid heavy downpour coupled with strong winds spawned by inclement weather condition.

The fatalities were identi�ied as Nasser Sajili, 53, and his wife, Nursilin, 40.

Injured were Sajili’s children, namely Rakib, 15, and Hadiya, 11. They sustained bruises and contusions and were taken to the hospital.

Tammang Musa, a neighbor of the Sajili family, said there was a rambling sound, but all they thought that what they heard was wind gusts coupled with heavy downpour.

Musa disclosed she and her neighbors rushed to the Sajili’s residence upon seeing an uprooted �ig tree pinned the victims’ house. (Teo�ilo Garcia, Jr/PNA)

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 143• THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2017

EDITORIAL T

Ricardo Cardinal Vidal (1931-2017)

he country’s Catholic congregation has lost a man known for being a champion of peace. Ricardo Cardinal Vidal died on Wednesday at the age of 86.

The Cebu Archbishop Emeritus breathed his last at the Intensive Care Unit of the Perpetual Succour Hospital in Cebu City at 7:28 a.m. on Wednesday, surrounded by some priests and his closest con�idants. He died of septic shock.

Vidal is known for his peace-making works which spanned several era of the country’s leaders from the former dictator Ferdinand Marcos to President Corazon Aquino, to President Joseph Estrada, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and to President Rodrigo Duterte.

Vidal was born on February 6, 1931 in Mogpog, Marinduque to Faustino S. Vidal of Pila, Laguna and Natividad Jamin of Mogpog, and is �ifth among six siblings. In 1937, Vidal received his �irst communion at the International Eucharistic Celebration. He attended Mogmog Elementary School for his primary education.

Vidal studied at the Minor Seminary of the Most Holy Rosary (now Our Lady of Mount Carmel Seminary) in Sariaya, Quezon as well at the Saint Francis de Sales Seminary in Lipa, Batangas where he studied philosophy. He also studied theology at the San Carlos Seminary in Makati, Metro Manila.

Vidal was President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) from 1986 to 1987, and became Chairman of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on the Clergy in 1989. He was appointed as the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences’s Convenor of the Standing Committee (1985 to 1994). A delegate to the Synod on Reconciliation (1983), Extraordinary Synod (1985), Synod on Priests (1991), Synod on Religious Life (1994), and President Delegate 1989 Synod on the Laity. He is also a member of the Permanent Council of the Synod from 1989 to 1994. Cardinal Vidal’s membership in the Roman Curia includes Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Congregation for Catholic Education and Ponti�ical Council for the Pastoral Care of Health Care Workers.

On 25 May 1985, he became Cardinal-Priest of Ss. Pietro e Paolo a Via Ostiense, and was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the 2005 papal conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI, the only Filipino Cardinal to do so, due to Cardinal Jaime Sin’s poor

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health.

Vidal and Archbishop of Manila Jaime Cardinal Sin supported the 1986 Philippine People Power Revolution. As Archbishop of Cebu and president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, Vidal led the rest of the Philippine prelates and made a joint declaration against the government and result of the snap election.

In 1989 President Corazon Aquino asked the cardinal to convince General Jose Comendador, who was sympathetic to the rebel forces �ighting her government, to peacefully surrender. His intervention averted what could have been a bloody coup.

During the 2001 People Power Revolution Cardinal Vidal convinced President Joseph Estrada to step down. Estrada was later detained. Vidal along with then Senator Manny Villar and House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. wrote a letter appealing to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to grant pardon on Estrada in the “spirit of national unity and reconciliation”. Estrada was released from detention on pardon in 2007.

Vidal resigned as Archbishop of Cebu, a decision which was accepted by Pope Benedict XVI on 15 October 2010. He was succeeded by Archbishop Jose S. Palma of Palo, who was enthroned on 13 January 2011.

Vidal decided to spend the later years of his life residing in Sto. Niño Village in Cebu City. He continued on presiding over Masses and attending events organized by the Archdiocese of Cebu. His health was on the decline having undergone a coronary angiogram procedure as well had a pacemaker installed on him in 2004. He was pronounced dead on the morning of October 18, 2017.

Vidal received recognition from the government. On 7 December 2010 the Senate of the Philippines recognized his service to Cebu by Senate Resolution No. 306: “It is resolved by the Senate, to honor Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Archbishop of Cebu, for his service to the people of Cebu, providing spiritual leadership and inspiration, helping the community avert or survive several crises and con�licts, often acting as a peacekeeper and giving the voice of moderation amid clashing views and interests in local and national issues.”

He also received recognition from the House of Representatives through House Resolution 593.

EDGEDAVAO

I

see friends shaking hands, saying how do you do…

On the side of the legislative building is the Rizal Park with an area that is fairly larger than your average front yard garden. In most days, the habitués in this tree-shaded park are stand-up masseurs, sit-in fortune tellers, constituents of local politicians waiting for their patrons to beg for favors and those having business transactions with the treasury of�ice. Some old folks are virtually permanent �ixtures in the park playing chess, thanks to the permanent, concrete-made chess tables. If you want to have a short respite, be sure not to sit or stand idly in some parts of the park because either someone has already ‘owned’ the place or a protected ‘turf’ that belong to some groups or you will be in big trouble.

One can just imagine the thousands of people throng to this executive-legislative complex every day!

It’s not just that; across the legislative building is the San Pedro Cathedral where daily masses are ob-

R

ecently, Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol of the Department of Agriculture was buying some durian fruits in a stall located in a highway.

When the vendor saw him, she inquired: “How do I call you, sir: Gov. or Sec?” In his Facebook wall, Piñol wrote: “Obviously, (she was) referring to the title of Governor which I held in North Cotabato for nine years and my current position.” He went on: “The vendor knows me personally because she reminded me that as Governor, I worked for the safe surrender of her brother, a former Communist cadre.”

Piñol told her: “Don’t be so concerned with my titles. These are temporary. Call me by my name because that’s how you have known me.”

The agriculture secretary shared this thought: “Indeed, why should we be so arrogant about our titles when on the day we return to the ground, our tombstones will be so small that it could not possibly list down our achievements, our titles or academic degrees.

Piñol said titles are earthly and temporary. “That slab of marble will only tell our names, the dates of our birth and death and three more letters: RIP. So be quiet about who you are…” he pointed out.

Several people commented. But of those that struck me most was this: “I used to work for Philippine Air Lines and when I issued an airline ticket

VOL. 10 ISSUE 143•THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2017

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Of streets and sidewalks (Part 2) URBAN STREETGAZER

served. Now we have the of�ice of the city mayor, the legislative building and a cathedral – creating a government center cum cathedral complex.

Thanks and no thanks to the gridiron street planning introduced by the Spanish authorities although there is no real plaza to speak of anyway.

San Pedro Street has a string of old, new, refurbished and retro�itted commercial buildings where most have the same store dimension and usually built in two-storied structures. The old stores are cramped with wide-ranging merchandise where one cannot move freely inside without giving way to an approaching costumer. If one considers the contemporary and architecture-laced modern commercial structures, the ones in San Pedro pale in every inch of comparison.

The street has its banks, appliance centers, pawnshops and moneylenders, small time bakeshops, candy stores, convenient stores, and average-sized department stores; drugstores, string of glass compartments selling imitation watches, mobile

ets or muggers that would take advantage while you are busy doing Dario G. Pampanga, PhD your way. I would say that this part of the inner city center is the most phones and some selling fake prodwonderful and vibrant location I had ucts to unsuspecting patrons, and ever been in Davao city. some handy hardware stores, among My �irst visit to Davao city was others. in the late 80s and I had the chance Most every day the city sideto set foot (before I became an of�iwalks along this street, which are accial resident in 1991) on the street tually an adjunct to the main stores, of Ilustre during its glory days before are teeming with people. Hawkers, its splendor faded out in the mid-90s ambulant vendors and sales clerks - Escolta to Manila, Ilustre to Davao. of extended display of goods by the The street is a two-lane road busstoreowners are seriously busy tling with life so vibrant that pedestending their merchandise; some are trians have to crisscross the street walking briskly in hurried fashion in between a parade of bumper to while others enjoy some leisurely bumper vehicles. The sidewalks walk with measured steps. Some were teeming with people that the are engaged in animated talks with whole of Ilustre Street complex has other people. Some people stop and become the heart of the city. Movie stoop to pick and buy goods laid on houses, grocery stores, appliance the ground of the sidewalks. Others stores, novelty shops, mini-hardare mute characters in the urban ware stores, banks, diners and snack drama as they remain active onlookbars, barber shops and beauty parers of what is going on around them; lors were linked side by side with they are people-watchers. People each other. just come and go as they wish. Thank This place was the heartbeat of God there are no ominous pickpocksocial and cultural activities of the

city; the elite society of Davao, the novue rich and ordinary mortals literally brush elbows along this street.

This was the place where long-lost friends shake hands and say hello to each other. The sidewalks are replete with candy and cigarette vendors, street food vendors, live-chicken hawkers, mat vendors, medicinal herbs for sale co-exist with pedestrians in Ilustre Street. Such as festive mood! The characters played their parts well without compromising the safety of strangers and pedestrians alike.

The virtual death and life cycle of a bustling commercial complex such as Ilustre relies dependently on the capacity of government urban planners’ creativity and foresight.

I do not deal here with political undertones that may have brought the once heartbeat of the city into its knees. The emptying of people resource continued until the seeming natural slow process of urban revival took place in the early years of 2000s without any hand from government initiatives.

many will tell me to write their titles like Ex-Mayor or Ex-Governor or Atty.

(It’s very) seldom that a doctor will demand a title before their names.”

Titles, I believe, are given to people in order for them to be identi�ied immediately. Take the case of doctors.

On my way from the United States to the Philippines, the pilot announced if there was a doctor in the plane. The reason: one of the passengers was having a stroke and he needed immediate attention.

Lawyers are given the title attorney because they are supposed to prove that their clients are not guilty beyond reasonable doubt. Hollywood movies like “And Justice for All” and “A Few Good Men” gave us some ideas that there are good and bad lawyers, indeed.

Politicians are chosen by their constituents in order the people who have elected them. The title “honorable” doesn’t mean that they are to be served by their constituents but rather to serve those who selected them in the �irst place. But unfortunately, instead of doing their jobs, some of them even exploit those who elected them and even rob the money that should have been given to those who have less in life.

We are born into this world because of one reason – and that is to serve the humanity, our fellow beings.

“The best way to �ind yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,” said Mahatma Gandhi, the preeminent

myself comfortable knowing that there are thousands of my fellow men who suffer for the barest necessities of life.

“We were taught under the old ethic that man’s business on this earth was to look out for himself. That was the ethic of the jungle; the ethic of the wild beast. Take care of yourself, no matter what may become of your fellow man.

“Thousands of years ago the question was asked; ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ That question has never yet been answered in a way that is satisfactory to civilized society.”

The American union leader, one of the founding members of the Industrial Workers of the World, continued his speech: “Yes, I am my brother’s keeper.

I am under a moral obligation to him that is inspired, not by any maudlin sentimentality but by the higher duty I owe myself. What would you think me if I were capable of seating myself at a table and gorging myself with food and saw about me the children of my fellow beings starving to death.”

“Giving kids clothes and food is one thing but it’s much more important to teach them that other people besides themselves are important, and that the best thing they can do with their lives is to use them in the service of other people,” said Dolores Huerta, a labor leader and civil rights activist.

Hannah More, an English religious writer and philanthropist, says that even a smallest act you do is a great

service to the person who receives it.

“One kernel is felt in a hogshead; one drop of water helps to swell the ocean; a spark of �ire help to give light to the world. None are too small, too feeble, too poor to be of service. Think of this and act,” she points out.

When you serve others, do it with open heart and gladness. A businesswoman stopped at a coffee shop and ordered a cup of coffee. The waitress grudgingly delivered it and asked, “Anything else?”

“Yes,” said the businesswoman.

“I’d like some sugar, cream, a spoon, a napkin, and a saucer for the cup.”

“Well, aren’t you the demanding one,” snapped the waitress.

“Look at it from my point of view,” said the businesswoman. “You served a cup of coffee and made �ive mistakes.”

Just want kind of service did the waitress render? Your answer is as good as mine.

But remember the words of Nathan C. Scheaffer. He wrote: “At the close of life, the question will be not how much have you got but how much have you given? Not how much have you won but how much have you done? Not how much have you saved but how much have you sacri�iced? It will be how much have you loved and served, not how much were you honored?”

That is the kind of service our Majesty – that Someone Up There – requires us to do!

On his majesty’s service

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

leader of Indian nationalism in British-ruled India. “The successful man doesn’t use others, other people use the successful man, for above all the success is of service,” noted American writer Mark Caine.

American poet Emily Dickinson has penned some lines about service: “If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain,” she wrote. “If I can ease one life the aching, or cool one pain, or help one fainting robin unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain.”

In 1908, Eugene V. Debs delivered one of the most eloquent speeches.

“Now my friends,” he said, “I am opposed to the system of society in which we live today, not because I lack the natural equipment to do for myself but because I am not satis�ied to make

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 143• THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2017

DOCTOR... FROM 1 community for the successful apprehension of drug perpetrators,” said Duguiatan. “They will not be put to justice, if it is not for the people’s continued vigilance and cooperation.”

The suspects are now detained at the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Of�ice XI detention facility.

Tay was arrested after selling one sachet of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride commonly known as “shabu” worth P1,000.00 to an informant.

More or less eight grams of suspected shabu with a street value of P96,000.00, assorted drug paraphernalia and the P1,000.00 buy-bust marked money bill and one fragmentation grenade were also recovered by the PDEA Agents from Tay’s residence.

The ISUZU DMAX with plate number XLK 838 believed used in his illegal drug activities was also impounded by the operatives.

The seized suspected illegal drugs were submitted to the laboratory service of the PDEA for qualitative and

quantitative examination.

Cases for violation of Section 5, Section 11, Section 12 and Section 15, Article II of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and Republic Act 9516 are being prepared against them.

Duquiatan said that if Medel is eventually found guilty, the maximum penalty of the unlawful act shall be imposed, in addition to absolute perpetual disquali�ication from any public of�ice as mandated in Article II, Section 28 (Criminal Liability of Government Of�icials and Employees) of Republic Act 9165. The PDEA of�icial said the assistance of the community is a positive indication that it is gaining headway as the lead agency in the anti-drug campaign nationwide.

She said her of�ice would welcome the assistance of anyone who would provide information on people engaged in illegal drug activities, “so we could help the government attain its vision for a drug-free Philippines.”

forcement matter, meaning to say yung remaining doon na 30 na strugglers hindi na sila nag constitute ng serious threat,”he said.

He said the strugglers are encouraged to surrender to the military.

“Meron tayo mga mega phones at public address system na sinasabing mag give up na sila, mag-surrender na lang,” he said.

He said that the AFP will continue to hunt the strugglers if they will not surrender and it will be very easy because they only have less than one hectare of land to cover.

He said that they needed to rescue the remaining 18 hostages from the main battle area. “Kailangan lang natin ma i-timing ang paglabas nila para makuha sila ng ating mga tropa,” said Año.

He said that Malasian terrorist Mahmud Ahmad will not mostly likely take over the leadership of the strugglers with the death of Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute. “Hindi siya pwede maging leader diyan kasi unang-una hindi sususonod ang locals sa kanya, pangalawa wala naman siya quality para maging leader.

Siya ay nandoon bilang religious adviser and conduit lang siya ng pagpapadala ng pondo galing sa ISIS sa Middle

east at siya rin yung contact ng mga ibang foreigners kung papaano papasok at mag-join sa Maute ISIS,” he said.

He said reports claiming that Mahmud Ahmad are uncertain for so long as his body is not found. .

At the same time, he said that the �ive million dollars offered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States for the head of Isnilon Hapilon will be given to documented informants.

“Di lang ito isang informant kasi may mga talagang nag bigay ng mga information at ito ay mag undergo ng process,” he said. “Meron na tayong nakatalagang unit diyan na mag conduct ng validation para isubmit sa US government sa pangunguna ni West Mindanao Command Commander Lt. General Galvez.”

He said that in addition, the Philippine government has put up a P10Million pesos reward for Hapilon, a process that is considered easier and faster.

Gen. Ano said the fund that will be used for the rehabilitation of Marawi will be coming from the national Government and will be given to the task Force Marawi.

“Pinangungunahan ito ni Secretary Del�in Lorenzana,”he said.

tion in Barangay Merangeran, Quezon, Bukidnon on October 8, destroying the company’s equipment such as boom spray, tractor, water tanker, two backhoes, chemical mixer, and torched a depot that they claimed contained “toxic chemicals”.

It added in a separate statement on October 10 that they launched an attack to hamper the “aggressive

expansion” in areas where staples rice and corn are cultivated.

“The revolutionary forces also aimed for environmental protection since it operates near a populated area. Land inundation and health hazards due to poisonous chemicals used by the said company are always imminent,” it said.

The rebels con�iscated several �irearms during the

GIVE... FROM 1

BANANA... FROM 3

NO LET-UP. Naval Forces of the Eastern Mindanao Command (NFEM) spokesperson Lieutenant James Reyes bares that the agency is currently conducting strict maritime patrol on the coastal areas under its jurisdiction for security

measures and to prevent spillover of the Marawi crisis. Reyes made the disclosure during the AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr.

two attacks.

PBGEA has 27 member companies that operate 40,000 hectares of the 83,000 hectares of banana plantations in Mindanao.

Antig added that Cafgu members will boost security at the plantations even if they will just be assigned in checkpoints because that will allow government troops more time

to patrol the hinterlands.

He said even the military admits “they can’t be everywhere all the time” to address security concerns.

“We are keeping our �ingers crossed that Cafgu deployment will prevent the burning and attacks against our farms and equipment,” he said. ANTONIO L. COLINA IV (MindaNews)

MARTIAL... FROM 2

prioritize the welfare of our country,” he said.

DCCCII trustee Arturo Milan said he wishes that the victims can start rebuilding their lives.

Milan said he hopes the siege will be the last such challenge for the country so that it may attain peace and prosperity.

The Eastern Mindanao Command directed its units to intensify security operations to prevent possible reprisal by other Maute members following the death of Hapilon and Omar Maute.

In a press release, Lt Gen Rey Leonardo Guerrero, EastMinCom commander emphasized the need to “strengthen border security as a proactive measure to prevent the terrorists from using it as their mobility corridor”.

“We recognize the importance of the support coming from the populace. We therefore ask everyone to be vigilant and to report to the authorities any suspicious activities in their respective communities,” he said.

Wake up call In a statement, Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Datu Abul Khayr Alonto said the Marawi siege is a wake-up call that they should focus back on the “immediate, historic and systemic shift to a federal system of government that is seen to stop recurrence of terrorism.”

Alonto praised President Duterte for his “courage, inexhaustible patience, perseverance, and steadfastness and the soldiers and police of�icers

in exterminating the leaders and misguided elements who espoused an anti-Islamic, anti-Christ and perverse ideology that brought havoc, destruction and inhuman suffering the people of Marawi.”

“May God bless the souls of those who died in innocence, and of those men in uniform who fought for us and our homeland. In their memory, let us cherish this moment of triumph of good over evil,” he said.

As part of Task Force Bangon Marawi, Alonto said they are more than ready for the greater task of putting normalcy back in the embattled city by banking on their mandate to aggressively push for inter-regional and Mindanao-wide programs and projects that will spur economic activities in Marawi and its nearby provinces.

“In the light of the President’s declaration of the liberation of Marawi, we stand with him with our prayers that GOD preseve him in excellent health, the best of wisdom and strength in reconstruction and rebuilding of Marawi City and other wartorn areas in Mindanao,” he said.

Alonto thanked the Filipino people as well as the international community for showing concern amid the challenges and asked for more help in rebuilding the people’s lives.

“To the loved ones of those who have fallen, let us not abandon them,” he said. ANTONIO L. COLINA IV (/MindaNews)

BUSINESS... FROM 2

to the discretion of President Rodrigo R. Duterte to lift Martial Law. He said that he can recommend to the president to lift the Martial Law only in some areas.

“Magkakaroon pa tayo ng assessment (We will still have an assessment),” he said.

Meanwhile, Año bared that the 8,000 new recruits for the Philippine Army will be completed by November of this year which majority of these will be

deployed in Mindanao.

He also said that after the Marawi City crisis, the whole force of AFP will be focused in eradicating the rebel New People’s Army.

“By January, additional 5,000 troops will be recruited sapagkat gusto natin mangyari na sa katapusan ng 2018, wala ng CPP-NPA sa buong Pilipinas (because we want to happen that by the end of 2018 there will be no CPPNPA in the whole Philippines),” he said.

should be charged not only of inciting to rebellion but to the crime of rebellion itself. Because under the law, under the jurisprudence, even there is no proof of actual conspiracy the acts of the parties you would deduce , deduct that there was the same design, the same purpose that would be proof of the agreement and so I believe she is part and parcel of this rebellion happening still in Marawi city,” Aguirre explained.

For his part, Gierran said Hamido has been a person of interest to authorities since she gained international notoriety in the middle of 2016 when she successfully recruited several Indian nationals to come to the Philippines and join the radical Islamic extremist groups in Mindanao.

Gierran added that suspect is further of interest to the Philippine Government since she is the wife of Mohammad Jaafar Maguid alias “Tokboy” and Abu Sharifa, the former leader of the Ansar Khalifa Philippines (AKP), a group responsible in the September 2016 Davao City night market bombing in cooperation with the

Maute Group, as well as the failed attempt to bomb the US Embassy in Manila last December 2016.

Maguid was killed by the police in January 2017 in Saranggani.

“Hamidon is also under investigation by other foreign intelligence agencies for her possible links to international terrorist �inancing and her spreading radical Islamic propaganda,” Gierran added.

Hamidon posted on various public groups in social media application “Telegram” statements calling on Muslims to come to the Philippines and join the �ight against the government forces in Marawi City in order to establish a province of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), NBI-CTD operatives effected the Search Warrant resulting in the arrest of the subject and the seizure of cellphones, laptops, tablets and other electronic devices being used for her illegal online activities.

After forensic examinations on her cellphone, an additional 296 posts of the same message promoting rebellion in Marawi City were discovered.(PNA)

WOMAN... FROM 2

INdulge!

Roast breast of duck with roasted mushroom and French beans, lemon confit and pinot noir sauce.

TRUE, cooking is an art that needs one’s utmost attention. Not merely to perfect but to finish preparing a dish. Though a particular dish warrants more than a keen eye and tastebud, the “perfection” of any dish speaks forth of how an individual seeks to convey his message through the dish he prepared. And at CACS, the love for food and the science that goes with it is enhanced to maximize a plethora of skills brewing inside an individual.

Foodie. Aren’t we all?

From simple homemade cooked meals to street food finds and gastronomic pubs located everywhere, our foodie alter ego is always on the lookout for something new to add to our repertoire of flavours and food experience.

The recently concluded 3-day degustation dinner prepared by the student chefs from the Center for Asian Culinary Studies Davao Diploma in Professional Culinary and Pastry Arts Batch 5 proved to be a best avenue to discover the many reasons why being a foodie (and having a foodie alter ego) is the best thing there is.

In attendance during the 3-day degustation dinner and sat as panels were some of Davao’s known restaurateurs and local suppliers of fresh local produce, friends from the media, former students and two of the most loved chefs in the country -- Chef Toto Erfe and of course, Chef Gene Gonzales.

Day 1: American Dream (Anglo-American) Chefs in the making showcased the many fla-

vour combinations of Anglo-American dishes that has since been a favourite of the world over.

Chosen flavour combinations included familiar tastes and some others that tickled the palate.

Their menu included a cauliflower soup with roasted asparagus and balsamic drizzle, filet mignon with diane sauce, cauliflower puree, roasted asparagus and baked baby potatoes and a kiwi lime sorbet to refresh the palate.

Day 2: Italian Breeze Taking the panels to the streets of Italy, the student chefs explored the many gastronomic offerings of Italy with the help of local ingredients. The fusion proved that diverse texture and flavour can work -- the exposition of which gave the ingredients a new light in terms of taste.

Their menu included an Italian Loaf served with pesto mango dip, smoked scallops with ginger chive pesto and lemon butter sauce and dark chocolate with creamy durian filling praline.

Day 3: 7107 - A Homage to Local Techniques and Ingredient

VOL. 10 ISSUE 143•THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2017

FOOD

EDGEDAVAO

Seared salmon with béarnaise sauce and avocado, sweetcorn and tomato salsa.

Foodie Talks at the CACS Davao

3rd team 7107 - A Homage to Local Techniques and Ingredient.

River prawns with a dashi made with tinapa.

This was very close to more so of the soul. Their Heartfelt gratitude to panels, to further develop home. The student chefs menu included smoked CACS Davao for allowing our understanding and decided to pay homage native chicken with a me to further enhance love for food. Proud to be to the many delectable chicken broth cooked my taste buds and explore a #lakingCACS. Cheers! ingredients we have. It in bamboo tubes, duck the many flavours of the For my latest food finds, was more like a trip breast with Adlai and world. Your invitation is follow me on Instagram @ down memory lane that duck jus and popcorn ice not only for the chefs in iamleebai and Facebook enabled, not just the pal- cream with charred corn the making to learn but @theroyalchefeats. Happy ate to reminisce, but the and panda cream. more so, for us, sitting as munching, royalistas!

EDGEDAVAO

A2INdulge!

EVENT

VOL. 10 ISSUE 143•THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2017

All about chocolate

VARIOUS CHOCOLATE GOODNESS delighted SM shoppers last October 1215 at the Annex Event Center. Twentyfour exhibitors offered chocolate products ranging from chocolate desserts to drinks, chocolate liqueur to pralines, as well as wellness products with cacao butter at the Davao Chocolate Festival mounted by SM City Davao and the Cacao Industry Development Association Inc. Exciting chocolate food impressions were introduced by newcomers Cacao Culture, Chocoloco Inc, Auro Chocolate, Capt Du’s Cacao, MS3 Agri-ventures, Johanns, Milky, The Bright Side, Confex & Co., Sweets of Tirzah, Comval Tropical Harvest, Ballovar Creations and Yolks.

Davao Chocolate Festival mainstays The Chocolate Bean, Malagos Chocolate, Cidami, Rosario Davao Artisanal Chocolates, Cacao De Davao, Puratos, Aromacology, NutraRich, Fedco, Chocolate de San Isidro, and Lara Mia also offered Davao’s favorite chocolate treats.

“Cacao from Davao is the best because of the richness of Davao soil which is due to its proximity to Mt. Apo,” exhibitor from Auro Chocolate said. Auro is a Luzonbased chocolate brand which sources its cacao from Davao.

A project of SM City Davao and the Cacao Industry Development As-

sociation of Mindanao, Inc. the Davao Chocolate Festival brings together the region’s best cacao growers and processors.

This year, the project is also supported by the Department of Trade and Industry as well as the city government of Davao through the City Agriculturist’s Office.

“We are very happy to be part of the growth of the cacao industry here in the region. The Davao Chocolate Festival is SM’s way of helping local growers, processors as well as starting entrepreneurs by giving them an avenue to showcase their products,” SM City Davao mall manager Lynette Angala-Lopez said.

During the event launch, mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio acknowledged SM City Davao and CIDAMI for the role it played in promoting the cacao industry in the city. Also gracing the opening day were DTI Cacao Industry Coordinator Edwin Banquerigo and the choco-

late queen from Cebu Raquel Choa. Leading the ceremonial breaking of the giant chocolate were SM City Davao mall manager Lynette Lopez, assistant mall manager Engr. Warren Rey Bautista and CIDAMI execu-

tive director Val Turtur.

Apart from the chocolate market, a cooking demo was conducted by the Marco Polo Hotel Davao. Chef Joseph Milgo and Hernard Ampon prepared Flour-less Durian Chocolate Cake and

Tablea Cocktail using the locally grown and produced tablea.

Lecture series on growing, processing and packaging were scheduled throughout the festival dates. Kids also discovered the sweet chocolate

journey from beans to bars in the kiddie tours.

Catch more exciting events at SM City Davao.

For more promo and event updates, like SM City Davao on Facebook or follow them on Twitter and Instagram.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 143•THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2017

UP AND ABOUT

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

Redefining the digital experience at Home NOW is the best time to try Globe At Home broadband with a ‘no commitment’ trial plan for customers to enjoy fast and reliable internet connection without the standard 24-month lock-up period.

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The new trial plans have refundable modem fees and no documents other than one (1) valid ID for processing. New customers can choose from Globe At Home’s Go Big Plans 1299, 1599, or 1899 to enjoy speeds of up to 50 Mbps and up to 600 GB of data allocation for just P499 per month for the first three (3) months.

“We are opening up this opportunity for more Filipinos to try our Globe At Home plans and experience how fast internet can change the way families stay connected as well as enjoy the best in entertainment. This offer empowers them to test the service and experience the value-for-money bundle without the risk of a long-term commitment,” shares Globe At Home Senior Vice President, Martha Sazon.

The plans come with free subscriptions to Netflix for awardwinning originals, Disney Channel apps for top children’s shows and HOOQ for a diverse selection of local and foreign titles.

After the trial period, customers can choose to maintain their initially selected plan or choose an-

Globe At Home Head Martha Sazon shares the company’s vision of connecting more Filipino familys with reliable broaband connectivity. other one from the GoBIG plans.

Those who avail of Plan 1299 can enjoy speeds of up to 5 Mbps and 400GB of data, while those who avail of Plan 1599 can get speeds of up to 10 Mbps and 500 GB of data.

Plan 1899 is also available with speeds of up to 50 Mbps and 600 GB of data.

Those who choose to discontinue their subscription within the first 15 days will get a 100% refund of their modem fee upon the return of devices installed in their

home that includes the modem and telephone set.

This offer will be available for DSL plans only and subject to Globe At Home’s availability in specific areas. Customers can check availability via the Globe At Home Finder at https://shop.globe. com.ph/broadband.

For more information about Globe At Home’s no-commitment trial plan, visit the website at https:// shop.globe.com.ph/broadband-nolock-up-plans.

EDGEDAVAO

A4INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 143•THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2017

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

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

VOL. 10 ISSUE 143• THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2017

EDGEDAVAO

ADVANCING BUSINESS AND COMMUNITIES. SUFAMCO receives a new computer unit from TSI and Aboitiz Foundation in support of the cooperative’s new baking business. (From L-R): Baker Rafelyn Dahino; Baker Leonora Intong; Jason

ECONOMY 11

Magnaye, TSI Manager for Reputation and Stakeholder Management; Menrado Intong, Jr., SUFAMCO Chairperson; Jennifer Sabianan, Aboitiz Foundation Manager for Enterprise Development; Baker Ammie Marilles.

Sirawan Coop receives C new business tools

S

Cebu-Pacific postpones launch of Zamboanga-Sandakan route

UFAMCO is AFI and TSI’s partner cooperative based in Barangay Sirawan, Toril, Davao City. The cooperative set up a local bakery after 5 of its members acquired National Certi�icate (NC) II on Baking and Pastry last January 2017 through a training program sponsored

by Aboitiz Foundation.

“Thank you sa Aboitiz Foundation and Therma South dahil kung hindi sa tulong ninyo, malamang ay

hindi lalago ng ganito ang aming kooperatiba (Thank you to Aboitiz Foundation and Therma South, Inc., if it weren’t for your help our cooperative would not be as successful),” said Menrado Intong, SUFAMCO General Manager.

“This assistance to SUFAMCO is aligned with our goal of advancing business and communities. It is very encouraging to help SUFAMCO even more because we

can see your hard work and dedication in making the cooperative more productive and sustainable,” said Jennifer Sabianan, Aboitiz Foundation Manager for Enterprise Development.

The computer turnover is a sequel to the bakery equipment turnover between TSI, Aboitiz Foundation, and SUFAMCO last June 2017. In addition to the computer donation, TSI team members also provided tech-

nical assistance to the cooperative members by teaching them basic Microsoft Of�ice suite skills.

“More than us helping you, I think the best asset of your cooperative are your leaders that proactively �ind ways to bring the cooperative to a heightened sense of purpose,” said Jason Magnaye, TSI Manager for Reputation and Stakeholder Management, lauding the dedication of SUFAMCO’s leaders.

he bid coverage ratio of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) Term Deposit Facility (TDF) moved toward separate directions Wednesday after the undersubscription in the 28-day facility.

Data released by the central bank showed that

T

the bid coverage ratio of the seven-day facility rose to 1.0973 from 1.6019 during the auction last week.

However, its weighted average accepted yield fell to 3.3402 percent from last week’s 3.3554 percent.

This after bids reached PHP43.893 billion, high-

er than the PHP40 billion offering but lower than the previous week’s PHP64.076 billion tenders.

The bid coverage ratio of the longer-dated facility declined to 0.8756 from 1.0288 last week.

The facility’s weighted average accepted yield,

meanwhile, slightly improved to 3.4927 percent from week-ago’s 3.4925 percent.

Tenders amounted to PHP87.562 billion, lower than the PHP100 billion offering and last week’s PHP102.88 billion bids.

(Joann Villanueva/PNA)

he Board of Investments (BOI) has registered the PHP36.4-million project of Mauswag Agribusiness, Inc. to produce Moringa oleifera or malunggay powder as producer of non-traditional export products under the Investment Priorities Plan (IPP).

In a statement Wednesday, BOI said Pili, Camarines Sur-based Mauswag Agribusiness had integrated facility which involved planting of malunggay trees and processing those into malunggay powder.

The commercial operation of the facility began last April, initially creating 56 jobs. In its �ifth year of operation, the company targets to hire total of 98 personnel.

The facility can produce 49,500 kilograms of malunggay powder every year.

The company uses heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) technology to process 1,500 kilograms of malunggay leaves every 48 hours.

BOI mentioned that the produced malunggay powder are being sold locally to

pharmaceutical companies, manufacturers of natural health products, bakeries, and supermarkets, and also being exported to markets such as Japan, South Korea, United States, and Europe.

Mauswag Agribusiness also claims that the company is the �irst in the country to produce malunggay powder on a commercial level for both domestic and international markets.

“Malunggay and its related products have great potential to be in demand locally and abroad considering it has attracted the

attention of doctors and scientists around the globe due to its high nutritional traits. It is also one of the driving forces in the growing herbal market,” Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo said.

Meanwhile, data from India-based Advanced Biofuel Center showed that global demand for moringa products is estimated at USD4.0 billion.

India supplies 80 percent of the total global demand for moringa products.

(Kris Crismundo/PNA)

TDF auction revealed mix results

Malunggay powder producer gets BOI nod T

ebu Paci�ic Air (CEB) on Tuesday announced that it is postponing the launch of its service between Zamboanga City and Sandakan City, Sabah.

CEB was supposd to �ly four times weekly -- Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays -- the Zamboanga-Sandakan route starting October 29, this year.

The company, through Cebgo, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CEB, is set to use its �leet of brand new Aerei da Trasporto Regionale (ATR) aircraft.

“We apologize to all our partners, agents, suppliers, our stakeholders, and most importantly to all our guests who booked �lights between Zamboanga and Sandakan for any inconvenience this postponement has caused. We had to make the dif�icult decision to postpone the launch of our

Zamboanga-Sandakan service to give more time to work on operational details,” Alexander Lao, president and CEO of Cebgo, said in a statement on Tuesday.

The CEB said that passengers who booked a �light from Zamboanga to Sandakan and vice-versa, or a round-trip ticket will be refunded in full.

In addition, CEB will give each passenger a round-trip travel voucher that they can use for any other short-haul international destination of Cebu Paci�ic.

“We remain committed to �lying between Zamboanga and Sandakan. Cebu Paci�ic will continue to support the drive for seamless logistics connectivity within the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA),” CEB said in a statement. (Teo�ilo Garcia, Jr/PNA)

T-bond rate down Wednesday

R

ate of the Philippines’ seven-year Treasury bond (T-bond) fell to 4.39 percent Wednesday on higher demand for the debt paper.

Its rate during the auction last Aug. 8 was 4.510 percent while secondary market rate for the same tenor Wednesday morning stood at 4.6157 percent.

The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) offered the bond for PHP15 billion but banks offered PHP29.023 billion worth of bids, which National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon said was an indication of the high liquidity situation in the domestic economy.

She partly attributed the high demand for the paper to market players’ preference for the seven-year securities instead of the shorter tenor offered by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) through the auction of its seven-day and 28-day Term Deposit Facility (TDF) Wednesday.

“I think there’s also a preference to look for yields so they went into the seven years,

moving out of the shorter tenor brackets of the 28-day. It shows the very liquid tone of the market,” she told journalists after the T-bond auction.

The BSP’s 28-day TDF registered undersubsription this week when the PHP100 billion offering was met by only PHP87.562 billion tenders.

De Leon also said market players took on a wait-and-see stance ahead of central bank’s policy rate setting meet on Nov. 9, 2017.

“We’re very pleased with the result of the auction,” she said.

Meanwhile, De Leon said requirements for the issuance of the Marawi bond, which Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno said would probably be issued in January 2018, were being �inalized.

Tenors being considered were between �ive and seven years, she said. (Joann Villanueva/PNA)

12 AGRITRENDS Plants as sources of fertilizer and forage EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 143• THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2017

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY HENRYLITO D. TACIO

W

HEN the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) Foundation, Inc. started its operation in the early 1970s in Kinuskusan, Bansalan, Davao del Sur, farmers from the nearby areas came and complained of low and declining farm income as their foremost problem.

One farmer reported that his corn production had dropped from 3.5 tons per hectare to about 0.5 ton per hectare. Other farmers said that yields of other crops had also dropped 60-80 percent in the same period.

“Some farmers started planting permanent crops like banana, coffee, coconut, and fruit trees to augment their income,” recalled Harold R. Watson, the former MBRLC director. “But still, yields of the permanent crops were also very low.”

Trying to �igure out what was really the cause of low yields, Watson and his colleagues at the MBRLC found out the main culprit: depletion of soil and nutrients through soil erosion.

“Soil erosion is an enemy to any nation – far worse than any outside enemy coming into a country and conquering it because it is an enemy you can see vividly,” said Watson in 1985, when he received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for peace and international understanding. “It’s a slow creeping enemy that soon possesses the land.”

Watson was bestowed the Nobel Prize of Asia for encouraging international utilization of Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) and other sustainable farming systems which MBRLC has developed

through the years.

“Basically, SALT is a method of growing crops, both annual and permanent crops, between contoured rows of nitrogen-�ixing species set up four to six meters apart,” explains Roy C. Alimoane, the current director of MBRLC. The nitrogen-�ixing species are planted densely in double rows to make hedgerows that serve as erosion barriers. When the shrubs are 1.5 to 2 meters tall, they are cut back to about 40 centimeters and the tops are piled in the 3-5 meter alleys where crops are growing.

“The leaves of the shrubs make very good nitrogen-rich fertilizer and also add organic matter of the soil,” Alimoane points out.

A study conducted at the MBRLC showed that a farm tilled in the traditional manner erodes at the rate of 1,163.4 metric tons per hectare per year. A SALT farm erodes at the rate of only 20.2 metric tons per hectare per year.

The rate of soil loss in a SALT farm is 3.4 metric tons per hectare per year, which is within the tolerable range.

Most soil scientists place acceptable soil loss limits for tropical countries like the Philippines within the range of 10-12 metric tons per hectare per year. The non-SALT farm, on the other hand, has an annual soil loss of 194.3 metric tons per hectare.

In the beginning of the SALT system, MBRLC used ipil-ipil (known in the science world as Leucaena leucocephala). According to Watson, “ipil-ipil” helps to enrich soil and aid neighboring plants because of

its foliage rivals manure in nitrogen content. Studies done in Hawaii showed that if the foliage is harvested and placed around nearby crops, they can respond with yield increases approaching those applied with commercial fertilizer.

There were more reasons: ipil-ipil’s aggressive root system breaks up impervious subsoil layers, improving moisture penetration and decreasing surface runoff. Nutrients from deep strata are gradually deposited on the surface through decay of the leaves and other plant parts; soil organisms increase, topsoil humus builds.

Then something went awry. The ipil-ipil was attacked by a psyllid (Heterophsylla cubana). In a workshop held in Bogor,

Indonesia in 1989, the experts chorused: “The psyllid has been a threat to both industrial and small-farm use of leucaena for some areas. This pest has seriously reduced the value of the species for fodder, shade, and other uses.”

It was bad news for most farmers. Bu the good news was: MBRLC was already testing several other hedgerow species for its SALT system. “Even before our ipil-ipil was attacked by psyllid, we had already several options what to use,” said Watson.

The MBRLC tested almost 50 species, mostly legumes. “The word legume basically means ‘pod bearing plant’ and the most common examples are beans and pulses,” said Jeff Palmer, who was head of the testing and

development department of the center. Many plants in the legume family, however, are nitrogen �ixing (NF) but there are also many which are not.

“Since verifying the nitrogen �ixing ability of a plant involves a dif�icult technical process, we have always used the rule of thumb that a plant which produces good NF nodules on the roots must be nitrogen �ixing,” Palmer said. “To qualify as having ‘good NF nodules,’ the plant must have many nodules which are moist and pinkish in color when crushed.”

As hedgerows for its SALT system, the following criteria were also added: coppices readily under heavy pruning (12 times per year), produces at least 25 metric tons of fresh biomass per hectare per year based upon 5-meter double hedgerow intervals, readily sets seed for farmer reproducibility, reproduces vegetatively, tolerates insects and pests, grows well when planted closely, adapts to a wide variety of soils and climates, grows into a tree (if left unattended), usable for forage, deep rooted, and with several uses (fencing, fuel, feed, etc.).

The top four species that MBRLC considered “very good” are Desmodium rensonii, Flemingia macrophylla, Indigofera anil, and Gliricidia sepium. “We recommend that farmers plant these four species in their farm. If one species is attacked by pests, there are three other species left,” said Alimoane.

Flemingia macrophylla may be the most widely adaptable NF contour hedgerow species for Asia since it also originates in this part of the world. “Flemingia is the best hedgerow species in terms of providing a long

lasting ground cover after trimming,” Palmer said. It is also a good forage for dairy goats.

Desmodium rensonii is “fairly unknown around the world” but is “possibly the best animal feed in the tropics,” Palmer said. With a crude protein content (23%) rivaling alfalfa in the temperate climates, rensonii has been successfully tested at the center as an animal feed for goats, sheep, cattle, rabbits, swine, and �ish.

Indigofera anil shows promise in hedgerow systems, as an animal feed and as a fuelwood crop. In simple tests at the MBRLC, Nubian goats fed with a diet of 100% indigofera for over a year have grown well and even kidded.

Gliricidia sepium, locally known as kakawate, is one of the best hedgerow species around. This can also be given to goats, provided, it is combined with other forage crops like Desmodium rensonii and/or Flemingia macrophylla. Most people plant this species using cuttings but it can also be planted using seeds. “Direct-seeded planting have better tap root formation and less lateral root invasion into the alleyways of the SALT system,” Palmer said.

Unfortunately, kakawate seems only to set seed well in areas with dry zones having at least 4-6 month dry period. This is the reason why seeds for sale on this species are not available at the MBRLC. Desmodium rensonii and Indigofera anil are sold at the MBRC at P700 per kilo. Flemingia macrophylla, however, can be obtained at a lesser price: P600 per kilo.

“We can only provide seeds to our buyers when these are available,” Alimoane said.

“So, they need to contact us �irst.”

VOL. 10 ISSUE 143• THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2017

NTC... FROM 3

EDGEDAVAO

nications �irms to deliver escalating Internet connection speeds within prescribed deadlines, or risk paying up to P100,000 in daily �ines that could last up to 500 days, or reach up to ₱50 million, for every instance of non-compliance. The bill also grants the NTC and its of�icers immunity from civil suits with respect to any directives they may issue to ensure the performance of time-bound Internet access upgrades.

In batting for the passage of his bill, Campos invoked “the duty of the State to protect the interest of consumers, including Internet users, promote their general welfare, and to establish standards of conduct for business and industry, including the telecommunications sector.”

Cordoba, for his part, said: “The Commission strongly re-af�irms its commitment to reinforcing the implementation and effectiveness of our own laws and in taking steps to update and improve those laws when necessary and where appropriate.”

The United Nations Human Rights Council has declared that all people have a right to Internet access in order to fully enjoy other fundamental liberties, such as the rights to information, education and free expression.

The Philippines’ Internet connection speed has been rated the slowest in Asia Pacific by Akamai Technologies Inc. Based on Akamai’s State of the Internet Connectivity Report as of the �irst quarter of 2017, the Philippines’ 5.5 Mbps average connection speed pales when compared to Thailand’s 16.0 Mbps, Vietnam’s 9.5 Mbps, Malaysia’s 8.9 Mbps and Indonesia’s 7.2 Mbps.

Worldwide, South Korea has the fastest average connection speed at 28.6 Mbps, while Paraguay has the slowest at 1.4 Mbps.

Mbps is short for megabits per second – a measure of network transmission or data transfer speed. A megabit is equal to one million bits.

(House of Representatives)

looters,” Samira Gutoc of the Ranao Rescue Team, herself an evacuee, told MindaNews.

“That’s good,” said Adman Poro Rasuman, another member of RRT who evacuated to Cagayan de Oro City. But he expressed hope they could recover what they lost, appliances, his wife’s jewelry, etc.. “Kanino namin maitatanong kung saan napunta or sino kumuha?”

(From whom do we ask where they went and who got them?”) asked Rasuman, who ran a fried chicken business in Marawi.

Assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong, spokesperson of the Provincial Crisis Management Committee, said Padilla’s appeal is “understandable because of the presence of unexploded ordnance and the absence of basic services like water supply and electricity. It is not feasible and even conducive for our residents in the main battle area to return to their homes. There’s also the mopping and clearing operations going on.”

Adiong added that residents whose houses are within the cleared or controlled areas “should be allowed to return to their houses once we’re done coordinating with

of an IED left behind Water and electricity, too “Please be patient. We ask for our citizens to understand the predicaments that we still face. But rest assured that our soldiers, our airmen, our sailors, our marines, and our policeman

and coastguards men who continue to be in this �ight are determined and focused to �inish it as soon as possible,” Padilla said.

“We hear you General, we only need to be there in safe zones along the national highway to protect what’s left from

NBA contracts. These contracts allow two-way players to be with their NBA parent team for up to 45 days, spending most of the season in the NBA G League.

The most-represented countries among the 108 international players on opening-night rosters are Canada

MARAWI... FROM 3

NBA... FROM 15

barangay captains.”

78,466 displaced families The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has recorded 78,466 families or 359,680 persons from Marawi and neighboring areas who were displaced by the armed con�lict in Marawi. Most of the evacuees are home-based or those who sought refuge in relatives’ houses.

Marawi Mayor Majul Gandamra last week told MindaNews that 40,000 families were displaced from his city whose population, according to Philippine Statistics Authority records was 201,785 as of 2015 and was, until May 23, 2017, the most populous area in the �ive-province, two-city Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The daytime population of Marawi was much higher — as the city is the trading center of Lanao del Sur. The �irst shots of the Marawi Crisis, which reached Day148 on the day of Duterte’s liberation declaration, were �ired in Barangay Basak Malutlut on a Tuesday afternoon.Carol Arguillas ( MindaNews) (11 players), France (10 players), Australia (record-tying eight players) and Spain (seven players), followed by Brazil, Croatia, Germany, Serbia and Turkey (�ive players each).

Opening-night rosters also feature a record number of European players (64).

NEWS 13 ROCKETS... FROM 14

for a pair of games against Minnesota.

Draymond Green exited in the second half with a strained left knee after he contributed nine points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds. ‘’When we’re lacking conditioning like we are right now you have to have your high-energy guys,’’ Kerr said. ‘’It doesn’t matter what it’s because of, we just have to get in better shape.’’

Still, this opener was a far cry for the forgettable 129-100 defeat at home to San Antonio in Durant’s Warriors debut a year

ago when Golden State came off a record 73-win season and runner-up �inish to Cleveland in the 2016 Finals. ‘’I just remember the last game of the season we played,’’ Durant said of the Game 5 Finals clincher in June.

Young found his stroke right away, hitting his �irst four 3s and �ive shots overall. It’s exactly what the Warriors want him to do: shoot every time he has a good look. His six 3-pointers set a franchise record for anyone in their Warriors debut and also in a season opener.

Love had 15 and Derrick Rose 14 in his debut for the Cavs, who are trying to blend new faces and big egos quickly.

After the �inal horn, James and Irving, who spent part of the summer making subtle jabs at each other following the blockbuster trade, completed their signature handshake and the All-Star point guard greeted several former teammates.

He may still have a ways to go with Cleveland’s crowd, which booed him every time he touched the ball.

Irving heard it from the moment he took the �loor as Cleveland fans got their �irst chance to voice their displeasure toward him for demanding to be traded this summer despite three consecutive trips to the NBA Finals and one title.

But Hayward’s injury took some of the bite out of Cleveland’s crowd, which gave the

forward a roaring ovation as he was taken off the �loor on a stretcher.

When Hayward went down, Boston’s players huddled in prayer near their bench as a distressed James took a seat on the scorer’s table in disbelief.

The injury was a reminder that there are no givens and games, seasons and careers can change in a blink.

TIP-INS Celtics: Coach Brad Stevens has been impressed with Irving’s basketball acumen and how quickly he has picked up Boston’s system. ‘’He’s spent a lot of time watching �ilm, a lot of extra time talking about it.

He has good insights,’’ Stevens said. ‘’Guys like that can �it in anywhere. It’s about how do we all put our strengths together.’’ ...

Marcus Morris (sore right knee) took part in pregame drills but is out for a week or more.

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14 EDGEDAVAO Sports

UNIFIED GROUP PSC mulls unified collegiate sports body

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he Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) began the blueprint for a uni�ied collegiate sports organization with the staging of the two-day consultative meeting among tertiary schools sports stakeholders.

Of�icials of schools and athletic groups all over the country met on Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss university sports during the National Consultative Meeting organized by the PSC at the Philsport Multi-Purpose Arena in Pasig City.

The two-day meeting hopes to unify stakeholders of collegiate sports to create a uni�ied athletic association.

PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez said the agency, after 27 years of existence, has failed to completely ful�ill its mandate.

He, however, said the PSC recognizes this and is now running to �ill gaps, starting with

grassroots sports.

“We came here to build bridges. Yes, there are sad stories but we have to learn from those stories,” said Ramirez, adding that the PSC is connecting with various agencies.

“We are partnering with the Department of Education to strengthen the Palarong Pambansa, the Commission on Higher Education for tertiary sports, and with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and various local government units for grassroots sports,” he said Congressman Mark Aeron Sambar, vice chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, attended t h e meeting and has expressed his support for collegiate sports.

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“We at the Congress are willing to help, but we have to see a �irm plan. Let us all work together and �ind direction,” said Sambar, adding he is optimistic about the outcome of the meeting.

“This is the bridge we have been looking for, ultimately helping us have better performances in the elite level, like the Asian Games and the Olympic Games,” he said.

“Sports should b e inclusive. That is why I am happy about the direction we are taking on collegiate

of the ladder towards elite sports,” Ramirez added.

Among those present were Robert Milton Calo, executive vice president of the Federation of

School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP), which is recognized by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), and University of Cebu athletic director Jessica Honoridez. (PNA)

BRIDGING GAPS. Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Butch Ramirez hopes to create a unified collegiate sports body. PSC photo

sports b e ca u se it is an important part

Gruesome injury could end Hayward’s season Rockets deal champion

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LEVELAND (AP) -Just �ive minutes into his Boston career, new Celtics star forward Gordon Hayward gruesomely broke his left ankle, an injury that may end his season.

Hayward, who signed a four-year, $128 million free agent contract this summer, went up for an alley-oop pass midway through the � i r s t quarter

and collided with LeBron James. Hayward’s leg twisted underneath him as he came back to the �loor. The 27-year-old collapsed under the basket and looked in horror as his left foot was pointing outward.

He put his hands to his face and dropped back to the �loor as a hush fell over the charged sellout crowd inside Quicken Loans Arena, which had come to boo Kyrie Irving in his return to Cleveland after being traded to Boston this summer.

Hayward’s

new teammates huddled in prayer at their bench as a distressed James covered his mouth and several Cleveland players nearby looked away. Hayward had his leg placed in an air cast, and James came over and consoled him before the he was pushed from the �loor on a stretcher and taken for treatment.

Cleveland’s crowd gave Hayward a roaring ovation as he left.

The Celtics later con�irmed that Hawyard’s left ankle was broken. It’s a devastating blow for the Celtics, who had overhauled their roster with the signing of Hayward and acquisition of Irving in hopes of closing

the gap on the Cavs in the Eastern Conference.

Now, they will be without Hayward for an extended period as he will likely need surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation.

Hayward spent the past six seasons with the Utah Jazz before signing with Boston, where he was reunited with Brad Stevens, who coached him at Butler.

Not long after Hayward went down, Oklahoma City All-Star Paul George sent encouragement to him on Twitter , asking for prayers. George overcame a similar injury when he broke his leg while playing for the U.S. national team.

GRUESOME INJURY. Boston’s new recruit Gorodn Hayward grimaces in pain as he fell to the floor.

Warriors opening day loss

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AKLAND, Calif. (AP) -Confetti began to fall and the Golden State Warriors thought they had pulled off a wild opening-night win.

The Houston Rockets emphatically signaled otherwise - insisting that Kevin Durant’s baseline jumper had swished through the net after the buzzer.

After one of�icial got hurt, two remaining referees reviewed the play and ruled the Rockets had escaped with a 122-121 victory Tuesday on the night the Warriors received their championship rings. ‘’I thought it had a chance but I knew it was a little late. I knew I was cutting it close,’’ Durant said. ‘’Tough loss. First game of 82, we’ve de�initely got to move on. We’ve got to get better.’’

The Warriors got the ball for one �inal chance with 10.6 seconds left and Durant came up with the ball after Stephen Curry had missed. ‘’I didn’t think it counted,’’ Golden State coach Steve Kerr said. ‘’When I saw it, it looked to me like it was a little late. Didn’t surprise me it was overturned.’’

Trevor Ariza’s 3-pointer with 2:09 remaining pulled Houston within 119-118 then Patrick McCaw hit a baseline jumper immediately after Golden State’s timeout. James Harden made a layup and PJ Tucker hit two free throws with 44.1 to make it 122-121.

Nick Young came off the bench to hit six 3-pointers and score 23 points in a brilliant Warriors debut, Curry scored 22 points and Durant had 20 after a slow start. Klay Thompson added 16 points.

Chris Paul had four points on 2-for-9 shooting in his Rockets debut, while Harden scored 27 points, Eric Gordon 24 and Tucker 20 for the Rockets. Houston opened the fourth with a 9-0 run to get back in it. ‘’It’s very encouraging to be able to beat a great team like that on a huge night for them,’’ Anderson said.

The Warriors found their rhythm early but couldn’t close it out after an abbreviated preseason in terms of practice time given their recent trip to China

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SPORTS 15

Lebron wins battle over Kyrie, Celtics C

LEVELAND (AP) -- Boston’s Gordon Hayward broke his left ankle just �ive minutes into the season, a grisly injury that overshadowed Kyrie Irving’s return to Cleveland and the Cavaliers’ 102-99 win over the shocked Celtics on Tuesday night.

LeBron James scored 29 points 13

FORMER TEAMMATES. Lebron James of Cleveland greets former backcourt partner Kyrie Irving of Boston (left photo) then gives him a hug (right photo) after the Cavs beat the Celtics in the NBA opener.

in the fourth quarter - in his most extensive action in three weeks because of a sprained left ankle. He also fed Kevin Love for a critical 3-pointer with 46.3 second left to put the Cavs up 102-98.

Irving, who asked to be traded this summer after six seasons in Cleveland, had a chance to tie it with a 3-pointer at the horn but missed. Irving then shared a warm embrace with James, his teammate for three seasons.

Irving �inished with 22 points for the Celtics, who overcame an 18-point de�icit in the third and led with 2:04 left. Boston’s guard was also called for a

technical.

Hayward, who signed a four-year, $128 million free agent contract with the Celtics this summer, was bumped by James while trying to catch an alley-oop pass with 6:45 left in the �irst quarter. The forward’s leg got twisted underneath him as he came back to the �loor and snapped his ankle grotesquely.

The 27-year-old sat up, looked at his foot and yelled in horror while some players covered their mouths and others turned their heads.

Hayward’s stunning injury changed the tenor of the highly anticipated season opener between two of the league’s best teams, and will likely alter the direction of Boston’s season.

Hayward will require surgery and need months to recover.

The Celtics were understandably shaken at halftime, and went to the locker room down 16.

However, they battled back and were still leading 98-97 when James, who only played in one exhibition after spraining his ankle on Sept. 27, spun in the lane and made a layup to put Cleveland up by one. On Boston’s next possession, James cut off Marcus Smart and de�lected the ball off the guard’s leg and out of bounds.

James then made a crosscourt pass to a wide-open Love, who drained his 3 to give the Cavs a four-point cushion.

Irving’s free throw made it 102-99, and the Celtics had two late chances but both Jaylen Brown and Irving missed late 3s.

LEBRON, 13

Top-ranked netters Biggest Superliga GP fires off Saturday in Panabo netfest A T

By ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO

he country’s topranked tennis players will see action in the 2017 Mayor James Gamao National Invitational Tennis Championship which gets going today, October 19, in nearby Panabo City.

The tournament, which ends Sunday, is organized by the For The Love of Tennis (FLOT) Group with the backing of MERCO and Se-

lecta Ice Cream.

Organizers said the tournament is envisioned to show and encourage tennis enthusiasts in Mindanao especially the youth to engage in sports and avoid drug use.

The top 10 players in the country have been sent invitations, according to organizers, to see action in what could be the biggest tennis tournament in Panabo City.

NBA features 108 int’l players from 42 countries

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EW YORK – The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today that 108 international players from a record 42 countries and territories are on opening-night rosters for the 2017-18 season.

This marks the fourth consecutive season that opening-night rosters feature at least 100 international players and that all 30 teams have at least one international player.

The record for international players (113) and previous record for countries and territories represented (41) were set at the start of the 2016-17 season.

In addition to the 108 international players on 2017-18 opening-night rosters, there are �ive international players on “two-way” contracts. Beginning this season, NBA teams can sign up to two two-way players to

NBA, 13

record nine teams will be seeing action when the Chooks To Go Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix �ires off on Saturday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Bannered by Serbians Sara Klisura and Katarina Vukamanovic as well as Montenegrin Dragana Perunicnic, two-time champion Foton remains the heavy favorite while Petron, Cignal and F2 Logistics are tipped to give the powerhouse squad a serious �ight.

The Blaze Spikers will bank on seasoned reinforcement Lindsay Stalzer and Hillary Hurley of the United States with Yuri Fukuda of Japan serving as libero, while the HD Spikers addressed their needs at the defensive end with the recruitment of Beth Carey of Australia, Alexis Matthews of United States and Mami Miyashita of Japan.

The Cargo Movers will rest injured spiker Ara Galang, but her absence will be hardly felt with the

ALL FOR ONE. Coaches Ramil de Jesus of F2 Logistics, Francis Vicente of Generika-Ayala, Parley Tupaz of Iriga City, George Pascua of Cignal, Moro Branislav of Foton, Shaq Delos Santos of Petron, John Paul Dolorias

of UST, Kungfu Reyes of Cocolife and Macky Carino of Sta. Lucia declare readiness to compete in the Chooks To Go Philippine Superliga Grand Prix starting Saturday at Filoil Flying Centre.

acquisition of Kennedy Bryan of United States and Olympian Maria Jose Perez of Venezuela.

“With a record of nine teams, this is going to be the biggest PSL ever,” said PSL president Ramon “Tats” Suzara during the press launch graced by PSL chairman Philip Ella Juico, ESPN5 head Patricia Bermudez-Hizon and Bounty Agro Ventures president Ronald Mascarinas.

“We have a very competitive �ield and all teams

are capable of coming up with a very good �ight. This is going to be a very great season and we know that only the strongest will survive.”

Bermudez-Hizon added that all games will be shown live on ESPN5 with the �irst match set at 4 pm and the second match at 6 pm.

Also seeing action are Generika-Ayala, Sta. Lucia Realty, Cocolife and new teams Iriga City and University of Santo Tomas.

NEW AMBASSADOR. Aby Marano of F2 Logistics formally accepted the role as PSL Ambassador from Mika Reyes of Petron.

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