Edge10 issue155 November 5-6, 2017

VOL. 10 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5-6, 2017

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

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DISRESPECTFUL

Drunk media person held for disrespecting cops

By ANGIE SAVERON

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person identi�ied by the San Pedro police station as a (staff) member of a Davao-based tabloid publication is currently in police

custody after he uttered disrespectful statement at policemen during a traf�ic incident along General Luna St. The San Pedro police sta-

tion blotter identi�ied the suspect as one Jhunwin Coniehus Laput, 30, and believed to be connected with the publication, Philippine Fiscalizer.

Laput was brought to the police station by Mobile 19 manned by Police Of�icer Sagusay at 2: 50 in the morning

of November 4. The police of�icers also presented security guard Efren Jay Café as witness.

The suspect is under cus-

EDGEDAVAO

tody after he was informing of his constitutional rights and while the case against him is pending proper disposition.

DISRESPECTFUL, 10

Serving a seamless society

HONORING THE DEPARTED. President Rodrigo Duterte lights a candle to honor the memories of his parents the late Governor Vicente and Soledad Duterte during his visit at the Roman Catholic Public Cemetery in Davao City on Friday evening. Joining the President is his son Sebastian. KIWI BULACLAC/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

OWWA asks scholars to opt for short courses

By JUDIE VEGA

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he Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in Davao Region has widened the scope of its scholarship grants by encouraging children of OFWs to avail themselves of the Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP).

Carmelo Elaya, of�icer in charge of OWWA, said active members of OWWA can apply

“

The scholarship program will be extended for 2ndyear 3rdyear high school students who would like to continue their studies Mr. Carmelo T. Elaya.

for the scholarship program for their children who are still studying in the elementary, high school and college levels.

For these students to qualify,

they need to pass a set of examinations.

He said that children of OFWs in the Davao Region can take the national competitive ex-

amination which is conducted every year for the education for development scholarship program (EDSP), leading to a

OWWA, 10

Celebrating Mt. Apo’s regeneration First ever Violin performance at the country’s highest peak makes history

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 155• SUNDAY-MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5-6, 2017

DISCLAIMER.Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is being mobbed by councilors from the different cities and municipalities around the country who wanted to have a selfie with her during a gathering in Davao City in this undated photo.

The popular mayor however issued a statement this week that she is not interested to run for president. Lean DavalJr

Fire engulfs factory; P33-M damage cited

By ANGIE SAVERON

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�ire caused by a pipe leak explosion inside the Davao Bay Coconut Mills Incorporated located at Km. 14 Panacan, Davao City on November 3 reduced to ashes a coconut oil mill factory on Friday morning.

Total damage has been estimated at P33Million with no report on casualties.

C/Inspector Honee Fritz Alagana, district �ire marshal, told Edge Davao that the �ire

which started at 7:00 in the morning was declared under control at 4:21 in the afternoon.

Two Bureau of Fire trucks and nine volunteer engine takers combined put out the �ire.

Alagano said the BFP had trouble in putting out the �ire because coconut oil is highly �lammable.

Joint investigation was conducted and was led by Fire

FIRE, 10

‘JV’assures no repeat of ‘mistakes’in Marawi rehab

S

enator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Friday assured the “fast” recovery of con�lict-torn Marawi City, and vowed that there will be no repetition of the “mistakes” of the previous administration in handling the post-Yolanda rehabilitation period.

“Yolanda left us a lesson,” Ejercito said.

Ejercito vowed that even the issue of substandard hous-

ing for the affected residents will not be left unturned.

Ejercito, who chairs the Senate committee on urban planning, said the rehabilitation of Marawi should start immediately, as soon as state troops declare it free from all Maute stragglers.

In a press conference here Friday, Ejecito said he will be joining the heads of the Task

’JV’, 10

PRRD says anyone can look at his bank record

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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resident Rodrigo R. Duterte will allow anyone to take a glance on the waiver of his bank accounts that Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV asked for.

“Except for Trillanes, anybody can come here and I will authorize you to take a peep,” Duterte said. The president said he already had the waiver which he signed before the election after Trillanes accused him of having billions of pesos bank account.

“Nagbigay na ako and

they said may expiry, walang expiry yan (I already gave it and they said there is an expiration, there’s no expiration),” he said. He said he can allow the media to see it just to satisfy their curiosity.

“I stated there, no expiration so that they can use it in my whole term during my presidency,” he emphasized.

Trillanes, earlier, accused the president and his family of accumulating million pesos bank accounts.

However, Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio said she already told Trillanes if he wants a waiver, they will give to him but he should tell �irst if the list revealed in public is authenticated.

Duterte-Carpio added that if the list is authenticated Trillanes should also bare the source of his list.

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bassy said at least 5,000 Filipinos in Russia are left without legal status, since it has no work visa category for foreigners engaged in domestic work, except for citizens of former Soviet countries.

It said majority of OFWs recruited to work in Russia came from Hong Kong and

other third countries, enabling them to bypass Philippine regulations.

“The continuing entry of Filipino HSWs (household service workers), many of whom have commercial (business) visas that do not allow them to work in any way, makes the situation more dif�icult,” it said.

The mayor, however, believes that the senator could present authenticated evidence against his father “because he knows that he is lying”.

She said Trillanes is keep on blabbing his mouth telling that he has the list but he did not bare if the list is true or not. The Davao City mayor challenged Trillanes not to hide on his parliamentary immunity in the Senate and prove his accusation against his father.

In a website post of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the embassy noted that none of the so-called “agencies” are accredited by the Philippine or Russian governments to perform such functions, nor do they provide guarantees regarding the safety and welfare

PH embassy probes illegal Russia hiring he Philippine Embassy in Moscow on Friday noted progress in cases �iled against illegal recruiters in Russia where overseas Filipino workers (OFW) had been “hired” despite the country’s “no work visa” policy for foreigners.

Citing statistics, the em-

PH, 10

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Party-list solon warns local peace talks to fail

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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arty-list Congressman Carlos Isagani T. Zarati said the localized peacetalks initiated by Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio is bound to fail as this will not address the problems of insurgency in the country.

The Bayan Muna party-list representative told EDGE Davao that localized peace talks will not address the root causes of the almost �ive-decade old armed rebellion waged by the Communist Party of Philippines, New People’s Army and National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) in the country.

“In the past, localized talks were and will only be

used by the government --the military establishment particularly that is so frustratingly �ixated in defeating the communist rebellion through several failed anti-insurgency military campaigns -- to try again and make the rebels surrender and capitulate,” Zarate said.

He said that the people should learn from the lessons of the country’s history.

“How can localized talks solve the decades of problem of landlessness of our majority peasant population? Of the continued exploitation and attack on security of tenure of our workers? Of the con-

he Davao City government is now �inalizing the activities for the coming Christmas celebration in the city.

Museo de Dabaw head Orly Escarilla, who is also the spokesperson of Pasko Fiesta sa Davao, bared that the executive committee has already identi�ied 21 activities for the said celebration during their �irst meeting last week.

“We are still �inalizing the activities and hopefully, within a week or two, we can release the �inal list,” he said. He said there are activities being added on this year’s Christmas activities in the city.

Escarilla also disclosed that the city will install Christmas decorations at Francisco Bangoy International Airport to make the arriving tourists and returning compatriots feel the spirit of Christmas while in the city.

He said that the theme for the decorations in this year’s celebration is ‘Candy Land’.

“For the decorations, speci�ically here at the City Hall, the theme is Candy Land.

There will be lollipops that are made of round fabricated steel and covered with light. The posts in the city hall will be also covered with dec-

Two arrested T for P55T heist

FACE-LIFTING. Workers from the Department of Public Works and Highways 11 conduct a rehabilitation work and repainting of Agdao flyover in Davao City on Saturday. Lean Daval Jr

PARTY, 10

City Hall finalizes Christmas activities

By ANGIE SAVERON

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he San Pedro police station took into custody on Friday two of three persons who were possibly identified by a stall owner as the ones who forcibly opened her stall and took off with cash and jewelries worth P55,599.

The suspects were identi�ied as Jasper Jemenico AbiAbi, 20 yeaers old and Jimboy Gentilizo, 16 years old.

They were possibly identi�ied by Aida Suaybaguio Bustamante, 47 years old, resident of Purok two 39-2

Bolton Extension barangay 1-A Davao City as the people who stole her bag that contained the cash and jewelries.

The third suspect, Alvin Amaro, remains at large.

Suaybaguio told police investigators her green shoulder bag contained government issued IDs, ATM cards with passbooks, one gold ring worth P18,000, one Citi-

mit (ALS) wherein �ive groups will be deployed to perform security and emergency response operations in support of other government agencies during the conduct of the summit.

More than 20 world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, are expected to attend the event.

JTFNCR will also provide augmentation forces to the National Capital Region Police Of�ice, and the Presidential Security Group.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government earlier said close to 60,000

VITAL COMMODITY.Porters haul sacks of animal feeds onto a trailer truck repacked at a makeshift repacking facility inside the congested Sasa Port in Davao City on Saturday. Lean DavalJr

AFP beefs up security for ASEAN summit

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tate troops have beefed up security preparations in Metro Manila, ahead of the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings, a military of�icial said Saturday.

In a statement, AFP spokesperson Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla said the Joint Task Force National Capital Region (JTFNCR), headed by Brig. Gen. Jesus A. Manangquil Jr., will act as the lead security unit of the military in working closely with concerned agencies to ensure the safety of the participants in the ASEAN Summit.

JTFNCR has devised Oplan ASEAN Leaders’ Sum-

AFP, 10

zen gold plated watch worth P4,999, one piece gold bracelet worth P13,000 and one pair of earrings worth P8,000, one piece gold necklace worth P 4,800, two unit of cellular phones work 20,000 and cash money amounting to 4,000 all estimated to total P55,599.

She said the bad was placed in a cabinet inside

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CITY, 10

5 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

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Region 12 papayas now available in South Korea K

ORONADAL, SOUTH COTABATO- Papayas from the town of Tupi in this province are now available in the South Korean market.

Regional Executive Director Milagros Casis of the Department of Agriculture 12 (DA 12) con�irmed that on October 31, 2017, farmers from Tupi, South Cotabato shipped a ton of solo papayas to South Korea with the help of the Department of Agriculture 12.

“We are glad that our farmers from Tupi inked a deal with Nurida Company based in South Korea,” Director Casis said.

Nurida Company is a distributor of fresh fruits in the market of the said country.

According to the supply agreement, Tupi farmers, led

by RM Fruits as the consolidator, are expected to ship two-three metric tons of solo papaya every week.

“This is a triumph for us since we are encouraging more farmers in Region 12 to think of the bigger market… this is one of the priorities now of the agriculture department,” the lady director added.

The of�icial refers to the export opportunity for agricultural commodities from SOCCSKSARGEN. “Through the DA’s assistance more agripreneurs are now already exporters. The Tulunan Mango and Fruits Growers’ Association of Tu-

lunan, North Cotabato also shipped two tons of carabao mangoes to Dubai, United Arab Emirates just a month ago,” Director Casis said.

The Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division of DA 12 also disclosed that this milestone was realized because of the participation of RM Fruits in the TienDA Farm-

ers’ and Fishermen’s Outlet in Manila, where representatives from Nurida Company initially talked with them.

TienDA, which was conceptualized by Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, is regularly conducted by the DA to bring local agri-�ishery products in Metro Manila.

According to AMAD, the

an employee-borrower’s PLI (private learning institutions) loans to provide lower interest rate on a longer payment term.”

DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones recently signed DepEd Order (DO) 55 or the “Revised Guidelines on the Implementation of PHP4,000 Net Home Pay for DepEd Personnel”.

The department explained that in line with Sec-

tion 47 of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2017, DO 55 protects the interest of teachers and other DepEd personnel since it would ensure the PHP4,000 net take home pay.

DO 55 prioritized salary deduction for contributions to the GSIS and Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), which include both premiums and loans. Furthermore, the same priority is given to pay-

ments for the Bureau of Internal Revenues (BIR) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

In the statement, DepEd noted that the damage of over-borrowing money has been affecting the teachers’ lives for years.

“This can no longer continue,” it said, adding that it is committed to enable its personnel to reap the fruits of their hard work. (PNA)

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the summit venues in Manila and Pasay.

Emmanuel Miro, head of operations of the MMDA Task Force ASEAN, said on Friday plastic barriers will be installed along the entire stretch of the thoroughfare from Balintawak to Magallanes to delineate the ASEAN lanes from November 11 to 15.

Vehicles are not allowed to traverse the ASEAN lanes except when the meetings are already ongoing or there is heavy traf�ic in the area.

Furthermore, a “stop and go” traf�ic scheme will be implemented along EDSA to give way to the convoys of delegates participating in the summit.

“The entire stretch will be closed for 5 to 20 minutes to give way to the convoy that will pass through,” Miro said.

The southbound ASEAN lane will be closed to traf�ic from Nov. 11 to 13 while the northbound ASEAN lane will be closed from November 13 to 15.

Motorists are advised to use alternative routes, such as the Mabuhay Lanes and C-5, to avoid heavy traf�ic during the summit.

“The public may also spend their vacation outside Metro Manila to avoid the traf�ic congestion,” Miro added.

The public is also reminded that a lockdown will be implemented in the following areas: partial lockdown of CCP Complex in Pasay City from 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 8 on-

construction of a treatment facility in Region 12 will further boost export opportunities for papaya, and other high value crops. (Carl Ulysses Aguillon/ DA RAFIS 12) Approved for release by: MILAROS CAPAO-AN CASIS, CE Regional Executive Director

Villar wants review DepEd helps teachers manage finances Sen. of tuna conservation plan

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he Department of Education continues to explore ways that would enable teachers and other personnel to manage their �inances.

In a statement issued Friday, DepEd cited that these measures include “reduction of interest rates on loans through the expansion of the Provident Fund, and coordination with GSIS on a loan buyout that will restructure

EDSA off limits during ASEAN meet: MMDA

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he Metropolitan Manila Development Authority reminded motorists to avoid passing through the Epifanio de los Santos Ave. (EDSA) and other major thoroughfares in Metro Manila during the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit.

The MMDA has designated the two innermost lanes of EDSA as ASEAN lanes for world leaders who would be travelling from Clark International Airport in Pampanga to

EDSA, 13

senator on Friday has called for a review of the draft plan and various inputs and recommendations of industry players on the National Tuna Management Plan.

Senator Cynthia Villar made this statement following a warning by experts that Philippine seas would become “virtual deserts” by 2050 due to over�ishing.

Moreover, the 2010 Census of Marine Life also says 90 percent of the large �ish are already depleted due to over�ishing.

“We would like to avoid the dreaded scenario of our oceans turning into virtual deserts by 2050,” Villar, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, said in a press statement.

This way, Villar said that the government could also promote the effective conservation, management and equitable use of tuna resources in the Philippines for its sustainable development.

Villar said sustainability

is the most important considerations in all our efforts and actions for the further growth, development, and future of the tuna industry.

She added that it is “common interest” to make sure that there is continuous �ishing which would only be possible if all forms of activities that jeopardize the sustainability of resources are prevented.

“We have to always bear in mind that our resources are not unlimited, as such, we have to sustain them,” Villar said.

Moreover, she noted that the tuna industry has a “promising future potential” because it remains a top export commodity of the country. (PNA)

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More Japan firms to invest in Davao T

he city is looking forward to the entry of more Japanese investors after a roadshow in Japan last month that promoted the place as another investment and tourism destination, Davao City Investment and Promotions Center Lemuel Ortonio said in an interview Friday.

The Davao City Investment and Tourism Roadshow took place in the cities of Osaka, Kyoto, Yokohama and Tokyo from October 16-20.

Ortonio said the event revealed that the Japanese didn’t know Davao well, as the

outbound business missions during the past administrations highlighted Manila, Cebu, Boracay and Palawan but not the cities of Mindanao.

“When they hear of the Philippines, they can only think of Manila, Cebu, Palawan

LESSER DEMAND. A lantern maker assembles the bamboo structure of a traditional Christmas lantern at a makeshift store along Tionko Avenue in Davao City on Saturday.The Christmas lantern industry in the city is in a downward

and Boracay. They said when they hear of Davao, never could they relate it with Philippines. Every time the national government held a roadshow, it’s usually the four cities that were highlighted,” he said.

Companies participat-

ing in the roadshow included Anna’s Breeders Farm, Yovel Enterprises, Mindanao Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Damosa Land Inc., Eden Nature Park, Waterfront Insular Hotel and Alveo Land.

Ortonio said the roadshow was timely because President Rodrigo R. Duterte held a twoday working visit from October 29 to 31 in Japan where he met Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, business leaders and Emperor Akihito.

Upon arrival Tuesday evening, Duterte announced he brought home business deals worth P309 billion with Japanese investors and a pledge of assistance from the Japanese government worth P456 billion.

But Ortonio said he is hoping they were able to stir the interests of Japanese investors suf�iciently enough to convince them to do business in the city.

He added they are hopeful the city would receive its fair

share of the assistance and investments from the Japanese.

During the four-day mission, he said they highlighted agriculture, tourism and recreational facilities, light manufacturing and assembly, and property development.

But he said they welcome investments in health and wellness, educational and sports facilities, environmental protection and green projects, information and communica-

he General Santos city government is studying various measures to rationalize and improve its Business Permits and Licensing System.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera said Friday the move is mainly aimed to further fast-track the processing of business licenses and related permits for existing local businesses and new entrants or ventures.

He said they are targeting to implement an improved system during the scheduled annual processing of business permits in January.

The city mayor said the local government has already started its preparation for the activity, especially with

the establishment of the OneStop Documentation Center, through the BPLS executive committee.

“The discussions are centered on the speeding up of the processes for the renewal of business permits,” he said.

Rivera said they have linked up with the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project for the initiative.

The city is among the recipients of the $47.8 million SURGE Project, which aims to further enhance economic development in various key

cent from a year ago quotation of 17.14 percent.

Prices of both yellow and white corn grains continued to climb upward, the average farm gate price of yellow corn grain inching up to P11.64/kg from a week ago quotation of 1.29 percent.

According to Romeo Recide, assistant secretary of Deputy National Statistician, SSO study shows that compared to the same period in the previous year, it also went up by 7.88 percent.

Similarly the average farm

gate price of white corn grain at P15.48/kg posted a 1.58% growth from previous week’s level. The same period in the previous year showed it accelerated by 38.44 percent.

Wholesale and Retail Prices of Well Milled Rice price dropped from the previous week with an average wholesale price of P39.04/kg decreased by 0.28 percent. It gained by 2.31 percent from previous year level.

Likewise, the average retail price of well milled rice at P42.18/kg dropped by 0.14

percent from previous week’s level. Last year well milled rice ranged higher by 1.64 percent.

Wholesale trade of regular milled rice increased this week with the average of P35.58/kg compared to previous year’s price level of P34.50/kg price or an increase of 0.09 percent during the week while retail trade remained stable to P38.03/ kg asrecorded in the previous week .It also posted a 2/17 percent increase from previous year.

ciation of Southeast Asian Nations Business Advisory Council (ABAC) member, said about 250,000 displaced residents of Marawi City are returning home.

Barcelon said more funds are needed to build houses, roads, facilities like hospitals, among others.

“We (also) have to look

at what kind of industries can be set up that can provide livelihood (opportunities for them),” he said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

Barcelon noted that embassies can look for opportunities and determine how they can provide assistance for the rehabilita-

tion of Marawi City.

“All of that will translate to more economic activities in the Marawi area.

That will (also) help Cagayan, Iligan,” he added.

Apart from possible assistance for rebuilding Marawi, Barcelon also expects foreign companies to

spiral as more and more Dabawenyos chose to spend on food and basic necessities for the yuletide season rather than buy Christmas decorations. Lean DavalJr

MORE, 13

GSC to hasten biz permit processing T GSC, 13

Overseas Filipino Bank PSA provides updates on rice, corn prices to open January 2018

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he proposed bank targeted for Overseas Filipino Workers will commence operations on Jan. 2, 2018.

Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) president and CEO Alex Buenaventura, in an interview by PNA Friday, said they re-submitted to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Thursday their application to acquire Postal Bank.

He said he was able to talk with BSP Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr. and was given an assurance that the policy-making Monetary Board (MB) “will fast track the approval before the year ends.”

Landbank is seeking the Board’s approval for the proposed Overseas Filipino Bank’s PHP1 billion authorized capital, PHP700 million of which will be classi�ied into common shares while the balance of PHP300 million will be preferred shares.

Buenaventura said the MB approval is needed for the OFW Bank to forward to the Securi-

By JUDIE VEGA

ties and Exchange Commission (SEC) the proposed amendments of its Article of Incorporation and By-laws.

He, however, said that sans the SEC approval the OF Bank can start its operations.

“The amendment is not a prerequisite for the Overseas Filipino Bank,” he said.

While operations will start on January 2 next year, Buenaventura said formal launching will be held in April of the same year.

He said initial marketing of the bank will be done by the bank’s head of�ice, to be located at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila, by talking to OFW bene�iciaries.

“We will meet with OFW bene�iciaries and market the products for their OFW relatives. We will give out kits,” he said.

Buenaventura said a pilot representative of�ice will be opened at the Consular Of�ice in Dubai by April next year.

(PNA)

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he Philippine Statistics Authority issued a special released on November 2 providing updates on palay, rice and corn prices for October 2017.

Data obtained from PSADavao showed that farm gate price of palay continued on a downward adjustment during the week with the price of the palay P18.61/ kg fallin by 0.67 percent from previous week’s level P18.73/kg.

On the other hand, it recorded increment 8.57 per-

More countries to give aid for Marawi rehab

M

ore countries are expected to provide assistance to the Philippines in rebuilding war-torn Marawi City when state and business leaders meet here for the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) slated on November 12-14.

George Barcelon, Asso-

MORE COUNTRIES, 13

7 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

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SouthCot launches assistance program for organic farming T

he provincial government of South Cotabato has launched a livelihood program to assist farmers who would want to venture into organic agriculture.

Shiela Lastimoso, organic agriculture program staff of the Of�ice of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG), said Friday the initiative is part of the local government’s efforts to encourage more farmers to adopt and practice organic farming.

She said an initial P650,000 was allotted by the provincial government for the implementation of livelihood projects for organic farming practitioners within the province’s 10 towns and lone city.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan or provincial board recently endorsed the funding based on a proposal submitted by the OPAG, she said.

“Organic farming practitioners within the province may now avail of the program, provided they can submit viable project proposals,” Lastimoso said.

She said farmers may propose funding for a range of projects, among them organic livestock production.

Interested farmers could opt for speci�ic ventures like free-range chicken raising or goat raising, she said.

Lastimoso said the livelihood program is a component of the provincial government’s Organic Agriculture Program, which has a funding of P5 million under the annual budget.

Such funding was provided for in Ordinance No. 26 or the Organic Agriculture Ordinance of South Cotabato.

She said the fund aims to encourage more local farmers

to practice organic farming and advocate safer and more cost-effective farming.

Aside from the livelihood program, Lastimoso said the local government, through the

S

way for an objective, transparent, and fair investigation of the on-going administrative complaint, and due process will be strictly observed in the investigation. Charges in the administrative complaint are still subject for further investigation.

Likewise, the re-assign-

ments will avoid any suspicion that the on-going investigation will be white-washed.

SSS reiterated that it has institutionalized procedures to address administrative complaints. Such mechanisms ensure all parties are given due process.

SSS guarantees its mem-

bers that the Investment Reserve Fund, which came from members’ contributions and investment income, is intact, well-protected, and professionally managed. The management would also like to assure its members that no SSS fund was used or compromised in the issue.

OPAG, provides assistance to organic farmers in the form of organic inputs and trainings on related farming technologies.

She said organic farm-

ing practitioners may avail of these services at the local government-owned Provincial Scion Grove and Demonstration Farm located in Banga town. (MindaNews)

SSS confirms re-assignments PAL pays P6B in of execs involved in admin case navigational dues

tate-run Social Security System (SSS) on Thursday con�irmed the re-assignments of its of�icials involved in an administrative case. It said the re-assignments of executives have been implemented in the exigency of service.

The SSS administration said the action will also pave

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he Philippine Airlines on Friday settled its unpaid air navigational charges worth P6 billion to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the Manila International Airport Authority.

In a statement, the Department of Transportation said that PAL, through its Vice President for Legal Affairs Clara de Castro, submitted their checks to the CAAP of�ice in Pasay City to settle their obligations to the government.

The turnover of checks

was witnessed by DOTr Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Manuel Antonio Tamayo, Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Procurement Reinier Paul Yebra, and Assistant Secretary for Communications Leah Quiambao.

The airline’s payment was made earlier than the December 2017 deadline.

Last month, PAL said it has agreed to settle the claims as a manifestation of its trust and con�idence in the Duterte administration. (ABP/PNA)

Water service interruption in some Catalunan Grande areas on Nov.9

D LIKE HOTCAKE. A hawker’s ice cream is an instant hit to park goers and their children near Rizal Park as warm weather can be experienced in Davao City on Saturday. Lean DavalJr

avao City Water District advices of a water service interruption on November 9, 2017, from 9:00AM to 5:00PM affecting some areas in Catalunan Grande, speci�ically Sta. Martha, Sarpha Village, and portion of Sta. Felomina (from Sta. Felomina Chapel to Sarpha Village).

This water service interruption is needed for the tapping of the newly installed pipelines to DCWD’s existing pipeline for the mainline improvement at Sta. Martha

in Sitio Felomina, Catalunan Grande. Once completed, the project will allow for accommodation of additional service connections.

On behalf of the DCWD management, general manager Engr. Edwin V. Regalado asks for the understanding and cooperation of the would-be affected customers. They are also advised to store water in clean and covered containers as water supply may be restored earlier if work goes smoothly or

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8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 155• SUNDAY-MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5-6, 2017

EDITORIAL

A windfall for Davao Oriental

D

avao Oriental, once the slowest growing province in the Davao Region, is waking up to new brighter days ahead.

A whopping $24-bilion industrial park project is expected to rise in Barangay Maputi in the town of Banaybanay which is said to bene�it close to 10,000 workers. The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project to be known as “Marina and Industrial Park” will have a 1200 megawatt (MW) lique�ied natural gas (LNG) combined cycle power plant, a chemical industrial park, a water-generation manufacturing facility, a LPG and Storage Terminal, a 20 million metric ton re�in-

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ery, a Petrochemical Complex, and a storage facility. It will also boast of an associated terminal with an international port and cargo complex.

Davao Oriental bagged the coveted project after negotiations with the new province of Davao Occidental fell off. Davao Occidental’s loss is therefore Davao Oriental’s gain and now, things are really looking up for the country’s sunrise capital.

The project will surely boost the economy of Davao Oriental which primarily rely on coconut as its main produce and tourism as its current economic generator.

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5-6, 2017

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Dipunto (The Dead)

ave you ever wondered why we refer to the faithful departed or dearly beloved as ‘si dipunto’? Not only is this done to remind us of the dead in general during All Souls Day, but it subliminally orients us that such terminology is part of what we call as Spanish heritage.

The term ‘dipunto’ comes from the Spanish difunto, which means defunct, deceased, or dead.

In the whole of Christendom, the centuries-old All Souls Day is celebrated every November 2, following the event we call All Saints Day, which falls a day earlier.

In most Catholic countries, the departed, during what the Tagalogs call Undas, the equivalent of Adlaw sa mga Patay (Day of the Dead) in Visayan-speaking regions, are believed to revisit their homes that night and share the food of their relatives.

In the Philippines, the living, as early as October 31 (counterpart of Halloween in the US), troop to burial sites and offer �lowers, candles, food, and other items preferred by the departed when they were still alive. At home, the families partake of the same food, exchange stories, light candles at the doorstep, adorn the altar with �lowers, wax lights

and the dearly beloved’s picture, meet relatives, and revisit the old albums for memories.

For others, a visit to the columbarium (where ashes of the cremated dead are interred) or the ossuary (place for bones) in public cemeteries is part of the itinerary.

Historically, the oldest cemetery of Davao as a town, used as early as 1848, was at the junction of Tomas Claudio (now E. Quirino) and San Pedro Streets. It was here that Spanish conqueror Don Jose Oyanguren y Cruz was buried. In later years, it was moved to the upper ground, at an area adjacent to the Bankerohan Public Market.

Several years after the Americans established their base in Davao, the Wireless graveyard, which now consists of the Catholic, Davao Masonic and Public cemeteries, was opened.

Due to a series of epidemics that hit Davao, the national government, in 1917, approved the opening of new cemeteries in “Malagos, Tagatpan (Tagakpan) and Baguio, in the municipal district of Guianga; Magnaga in the municipal district of Pantukan; and Daliao, Sirawan and Talomo, in the municipality of Davao.”

“Every true story,” Ernest Hemingway said, “ends in death.”

Jesus Christ died in a cross.

Princess Diana perished in a car crash. Both Jesse Robredo and John Denver died in plane crash.

John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Breast cancer snatched the lives of Marilou Diaz Abaya and Ingrid Bergman.

There are those who died in some strange ways. King John of England was such a glutton that he eventually died of dysentery, caused by too much fruit and cider. Atilla the Hun died of a bloody nose. Flamboyant dresser Isadora Duncan broke her neck when she went for a ride in a sports car and her long scarf got caught in one of the rear wheels.

French composer Jean-Baptiste Lully was conducting his orchestra so vigorously that he stabbed himself in the toe with his baton. The injury became infected, but he would not allow his doctor to amputate the toe. After a few weeks the doctors told him they would have to amputate his entire leg in order for him to survive, but he refused that as well.

He died soon after.

What where the words spoken by some of the world’s famous people before they died?

“I am not the least afraid to die,” said scientist Charles Darwin.

“I’m bored with it all,” whispered British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Before he closed his eyes, Napoleon Bonaparte said, “Josephine…”

When she woke brie�ly during her last illness and found all her family around her bedside, Lady Nancy Astor wondered: “Am I dying or is this my birthday?”

Dramatic Eugene O’Neill was more dramatic: “I knew it. Born in a hotel room – and God damn it – died in a hotel room.”

Generally, writers had creative words to say before exiting this world. Victor Hugo said, “I see black light.” James Joyce asked, “Does nobody understand?” Edgar Allan Poe begged, “Lord help my poor soul.” Emily Dickinson stated, “I must go in, the fog is rising.” H.G. Wells urged, “Go away.

I’m all right.” Jane Austen had given up: “Nothing, but death.”

American president Andrew Jackson was sure of what would happen to him: “Oh, do not cry – be good children and we will all meet in heaven.” Showman Florenz Ziegfeld commanded: “Curtain! Fast music! Light! Ready for the last �inale! Great! The show looks good!” Thomas Alva Edison

FAST BACKWARD Antonio V. Figueroa At Mintal, when it was known as ‘Little Tokyo’, a cemetery exclusive for use of the Japanes was built. Later, after the war, the Chinese community, mainly Buddhists, opened their own burial site at the back of present-day Davao Medical School Foundation.

The post-war period also gave rise to the new concept of well-planned cemeteries known as “memorial parks.” The �irst to introduce the concept was the Davao Memorial Park. Decades later, the funeral landscape now

Dead End

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

seemed to agree: “It is very beautiful over there.”

But to those who are still alive, death is not a welcome visitor. “No matter how ready a person seems to be, death provokes anxiety,” notes Dr. Ma. Jocelyn G. Gayares, an adult psychiatrist.

Even Jesus Christ himself was afraid that he requested for company as he faced death. Matthew 26:37-38 recorded: “He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.

Then he said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to

included names like San Pedro Memorial Park, Buhangin Memorial Park, Orchard Road Memorial Park, Forest Lake Memorial Park, and Manila Memorial Park, an 84-hectare sprawling high-end burial site.

Meanwhile, the number of public cemeteries scattered around the city, some of them waterlogged during heavy downpour, is expected to further expand as the city population grow.

The equation of demography and death is an issue every local government must face.

To those who prefer the socalled “new concepts,” the crematoria and the columbaria are interment upgrades that may help solve the problem of space for the dead in the future.

Elsewhere, especially in Christian-inspired nations, the All Souls Day celebrations do not depart from Hispanic practices.

For instance, Mexico commemorates the Dia de la Muertos by using calacas (skeletons), calaveras (skulls), �igurines, parades, and ofrendas (personal altars commemorating the dead) decorated with colorful �lowers and line on the streets.

Poland has its Zaduszki which Slavic Catholics celebrate and

is annual holiday. Traditionally, during the day the city streets are shut down and people crowd the cemeteries, transforming burial sites into a city of candle lights.

In Peru, the Dia de los Difuntos observance is highlighted by a family reunion feasting over an old-style meal of lechon (roasted pork) with tamales. Also, like those in many parts of the Philippines, the living to share the food cooked for the dead, play music, and offer up gifts.

Meanwhile, the celebrating the events leading to All Saints Day, Guatemalans construct and �ly giant kites while the families and friends honor the dead with a joyous party of food, drink, music, and dancing. In Hungary, during the Halottak Napja, the Catholics pray for the souls in Purgatory, visit churches and hallowed grounds, and offer �lowers and candles on tombstones.

At the Vatican City, the pope commemorates “all who have fallen in wars” by honouring the dead at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and the Fosse Ardeatine monument, the site of a mass execution where three hundred Italian civilians were killed by Nazi troops in 1944.

the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’”

Indeed, death is a mysterious thing. It’s one of those subjects that most people don’t want to talk about. “People are always serious about death,” Bob Harrington quipped. “I never met what you call tough people when they were dying.” To which American winning actor-director Woody Allen argued, “It’s not that I’m afraid to die. I just don’t want to be there when it happens.”

“Even in psychiatry, death is an unknown occurrence,” said Dr. Gayares. “No one knows his time of death nor what happens after death. Waiting for death could be like waiting for the result of a licensure or board examination.

One experiences sleeplessness, anxiety, shortness of breath and various body pains. The unknown always elicit fear and anxiety.”

Is death the end of life itself?

Baron de Montesquieu reminds, “We should weep for men at their birth, not at their death.” Death, after all, is part of the equation called life.

“Around us everyday we see many examples of death bringing forth life,” Frank Mihalic points out. “A kernel of corn is buried and it grows into a tall cornstalk.

The ice cube dissolves and it cools the water. A match burns itself out to light a �ire. Water gets itself dirty to clean you. A battery goes dead giving you music and light.

Wood burns itself out to cook your food. Animals and plants die to give you your food. By dying, all these things rise to a higher life.”

But if a man dies, the patriarch Job asked, will he live again?

Christians believe they will. The apostle Paul promises in I Corinthians 15:52: “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”

The poet John Donne de�ies death by proclaiming, “Death be not proud, though some have called thee… / One short sleep past, we wake eternally, / And death shall be no more; death thou shalt die.”

In a cemetery in England, this epitaph was written: “Remember man, as you walk by, / As you are now, so once was I, / As I am now, so shall you be, / Remember this and follow me.”

To which someone replied by writing on the tombstone: “To follow you I’ll not consent, / Until I know which way you went.”

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 155• SUNDAY-MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5-6, 2017

DISRESPECTFUL... FROM 1 Based on the police blotter, Security guard Café called central 911 at 2:30 a.m. to report a traf�ic incident in front of Bulca Chong restaurant along General Luna St. The incident involved a Toyota Hilux , with plate number LFM 594 driven by Kenny Jay A. Gimenteza , that rear-ended the door of the restaurant, prompting the guard to report the incident.

When the police mobile arrived, Laput (in the in�luence of liquor) approved the policemen and in unruly behavior, told the police of�icers: “ Ay si PO1 Sagusay, PO1 ra ni, dugay kaayo maka cater, wala ko nahadlok ani, wala’y pulos ni nga pulis maayo hin-

uon ni para ma practice atoang proffesion.”

Laput’s statement was regarded as a display of disrespect and disobedience against the responding police.

He was promptly arrested and was bought to the of�ice for proper disposition. The suspect was then brought to Southern Philippines Medical Center for medical examination and subjected liquor test examination on board mobile 19 manned by PO1 Sagusay.

Meanwhile, the driver of the said vehicle was properly indorsed to SPO Uganap, duty traf�ic investigation of San Pedro Police Station.

four-year course.

But Elaya said the OFW is encouraging children of OFWs to apply for the shorter Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) which assures them of immediate employment.

Quali�ied applicants are entitled to have P14, 500 worth of scholarship per year. This year, a total of 39 students graduated from their technical vocational courses program.

Elaya said the for Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) encourage students to take technical vocational courses since short courses are in demand in local

and international industries..

Quali�ied dependents of active OWWA members can enroll in any schools accredited by TESDA. The program encourages those �inished the vocational courses to pursue course leading to bachelors’ degrees.

“The scholarship program will be extended for 2ndyear 3rdyear high school students who would like to continue their studies,” said Elaya.

Elaya stressed that OWWA members whose income ranging from 600dollars monthly and above are not quali�ied for the said Scholarship Program.

Inspector Esequil Tabon, Chief Operation of Davao City Fire district BFP XI. Their investigation showed that while Karel Jay Acero and Jerome Gutierrez, �ilters operators were conducting de-clogging on the �il-

ter pipe at Oil Mill building, the pipe exploded.

The explosion scattered the oil, fuelling the spread of the �ire and triggering the explosion of the oil mill machines.

tinued displacement and exploitation of our Lumads from their ancestral lands? Of the Bangsamoro’s right to genuine self-determination? And a lot more of people’s issues.”

He said.

Zarate said if the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte is really sincere in solving this rebellion, it should pursue without conditions the stalled �ifth round of peace talks, complete and sign the comprehensive agreement on social-economic and political reforms with the NDF. “Any initiative less than substantially solving the nationwide socio-economic and political problems that breed rebellion, is doomed to fail,” Zarate said.

He said both the government and the NDF should push even more the bold and

painstaking progress in the substantive agenda of the talks that was reached by the two peace panels in the past four rounds of talks between August 2016 and April 2017.

On October 31, President Duterte expressed his support on the initiative of Duterte-Carpio for a localized peace talks between the government and the NPAin the city.

The president also said the national government is still willing to continue the talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF). “I am not about ready to give up everything and anything in the altar of peace for our country,” Duterte said.

He said that he will not �ight the rebels with money but he wants these people to surrender and have a new life. Duterte said if the rebels

OWA... FROM 1

FIRE... FROM 2

PARTY... FROM 4

HOMELESS SOON. A young girl stands outside her family’s shanty along Times Beach, Davao City on Saturday which will be affected by the planned coastal road by the Department of Public Works and Highways. Lean Daval Jr will lay down their arms, they will be the bene�iciaries of the 5,000 housing project he will be building under the National Housing Authority (NHA).

Earlier, Duterte-Carpio said the local peace committee (DC PEACE) will be given up to November 30 next year to pursue dialogue with the rebels and there is no positive development “there is no

point” that the city would continue the dialogue.

The mayor said the members of the communist need not surrender their �irearms because her plan is to make them work with the government.

She said the city government is �lexible just to attain the elusive dream of peace.

of OFWs. As a result, Filipinos in the country are highly vulnerable to arrest, detention and deportation.

“Pinagtibay po ng Embassy ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa ating Consulado at POLO (Philippine Overseas Labor Of�ice) sa Hong Kong (The embassy has stepped up its coordination with the Consulate and POLO in Hong Kong),» said Vice Consul Jeffrey Valdez. “Ang anumang impormasyon na makatutulong sa pagpigil sa illegal recruitment ay ikagagalak po naming tanggapin. (We welcome any information that would lead to the prevention of illegal recruitment.)»

“May mga kaso na rin po na

umusad at may mga lumabas na po na warrant of arrest dahil sa patuloy na pakikipagtulungan ng ating Filipino community (A number of cases are progressing and warrants of arrest have been issued due to the continued cooperation of the Filipino community),» he reported.

In a recently concluded “Kapihan sa Pasuguan” in Moscow, the embassy and the Filipino community in Russia discussed current developments in the bilateral relations between Manila and Moscow, and the situation of OFWs, including the need to stop the illegal recruitment of Filipino HSWs to Russia.

the stall which is situated along Bolton Extension, in front of the Philhealth of�ice. The suspects were believed to have destroyed the stall’s locks in gaining entry at around �ive o’clock in the morning on the same day.

Upon her complaint, the police station’s Mobile 73 manned by PO1 Esticomen immediately dispatched together with the complainant and duty investigators Senior Police Of�icers Tirasol and Honor and police of�icers Ga-

lupe, Tudlasan, Anoba and Pagatpatan conducted an ocular investigation and manhunt operation against the suspects at their residence at Purok eight Barangay 76-A Bucana Davao City.

Suaybaguio’s bag was recovered but it was already emptied of its contents. After the complainant veri�ied her account at the bank, it was discovered that the suspects withdrew P10,000 around 11:00 on the same day.

PH... FROM 2

TWO... FROM 4

‘JV’... FROM 2

Force Bangon Marawi to assess the damage in the area and look into rebuilding efforts to get Marawi back on its feet.

He said government troops are still clearing the business district of the war-torn city, especially with the reported presence of about 30 remaining terrorist stragglers, including foreign extremists, before they proceed with the rehabilitation phase.

“We want to be sure that if there is an opportunity, we will do it the right way immediately,” Ejercito added.

He explained that while rebuilding infrastructures is part of the agenda, the task force wants to fast-track building of

houses for affected residents.

Ejercito also disclosed Japan’s �inancial aid for the recovery of Marawi.

During President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to Japan last week, Ejercito mentioned that Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has committed to give Php500 million for Marawi’s rehabilitation.

He also bared the productive visit of the President to Japan wherein aside from the support for Marawi, Japan will also donate $942 million that will be used to build a subway from Metro Manila to La Union. (PNA)

orations that will appear as candy,” he said.

Escarilla said the highlight of this year’s Pasko Fiesta sa Davao will be the opening program where Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio will light Christmas Tree as well as the decorations.

“Our target date for the opening is December 1 and after which there will be succeeding activities from December 1 until the end of December,” he said. For her part, City administrator Zuleika Lopez said the budget is still to be identi�ied because the theme design was just approved during the �irst meeting.

“We will still have to look on the budget proposal that will be submitted by the City Architect’s Of�ice,” she said.

She said after the proposed design will be approved by the executive committee, the city will ask the business sector as well as the national government agencies to follow the same theme of city’s decoration.

“We will encourage everybody to have the same thematic designs so that the city will look united,” she said. Lopez also bared that the activities for the barangays and for the Indigenous People in the city will remain in this year’s celebration. By Armando B. Fenequito Jr.

soldiers and police will be deployed for the ASEAN summit.

Security personnel will

be assigned to man airports, venues, and major thoroughfares. (PNA)

CITY.. FROM 4

AFP.. FROM 4

INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 155• SUNDAY-MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5-6, 2017

TRAVEL

EDGEDAVAO

CELEBRATING MT. APO’S REGENERATION

Making history by being the first person to play the violin at the summit of Mt. Apo.

First ever Violin performance at the country’s highest peak makes history

By JONALLIER M. PEREZ

Mt. Apo’s boulder face as seen from Kapatagan area below. At 10,311 feet above sea level, it is the country’s highest peak.

(L-R) Engr. Dave Cuevas, Jan Louis Gramo, Jill Jasmine Gramo, Archie Shirard Roco , Wendy Cuevas, Lordelyn Vilanueva and this writer

THE ORIGINAL IDEA was simply to climb Mt. Apo. It was an unchecked item on my bucket list. When I knew that we were taking the Sibulan trail, I felt a bit hesitant.

I wanted to take easier trails. When I finally gathered the courage to take the challenge, it slowly dawned on me the idea of bringing the violin and playing it at the summit of the mighty mountain.

And so, on the third day of our four-day trek, I made history, modesty aside. At 6:12 in the morning of October 30, 2017, at 10,311 feet above sea level, at the country’s highest peak facing Davao Gulf, I played the main theme song of “The Last Mohicans” movie. It was followed by “La Golondrina”, a song about migrating swallow closely associated with exiled Mexicans. What I did was my paean for the spirits believed to be dwelling in the mountain. I had to ask their permission through a silent prayer murmured between my cracked lips to allow me celebrate through solemn music the continued regeneration of the country’s most popular national park.

Mt. Apo is considered sacred by the indigenous people living within the 64,000-hectare landscape located in the provinces of Davao del Sur and North Cotabato.

Danilo Bacus, founding president of the Mountaineering Federation of Southern Mindanao (MFSM), The boulder face is four kilometers long. We took the trail along the deep ravine, where you find lots of sulfur vents, proof that Mt. Apo is a potentially active stratovolcano.

cannot recall any other person who ever played the violin at the peak.

He served the federation for three terms, spanning six years. He is presently organizing outdoor events and is intermittently tapped by local government units to help them develop outdoor activities for adventure tourism. Julius Paner, the Municipal Tourism Officer of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, also confirms the same. The boulder face trail leading to the peak begins at Brgy.

Sibulan in Sta. Cruz town. It is considered as the most dangerous. The boulder face alone is four kilometers long. The Department of Tourism – Davao Region regularly conducts the 95.1-kilometer Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge every April.

We were seven in the group, which included my cousin Jill Jasmine Gramo, Jan Louis Gramo and Wendy Cuevas (all Australiabound Filipino chefs); Dave Adrian Cuevas and Lordelyn Villanueva, a computer engineer and school teacher, respectively, from Laguna; and Archie Shirard Roco of South Cotabato. The trip was organized by professional tour guide Terrence Galido of Davao City. We were ably assisted by our ground tour guide, Bboi Ngojo, and three local porters.

We left Davao City at 4:00 in the morning of October 28, and started trekking the mountain from the jump off station near Sitio Baruring, Sibulan at 8:00 AM. We spent our first night at Tinikaran Holding Camp 1 in the middle of the forest.

The second day was more difficult, involving the highly rigorous fourkilometer hike among the big and sharp boulders that took us, ordinary hikers, more than four hours to complete. The weather condition was volatile most of the time. One

minute we had crystal clear skies and could clearly see the communities down below. The next minute, we were covered by thick fog and drenched in heavy rains and could hardly see my fellow trekkers 20 meters away from us. The arduous trek along the deep ravine with sulfuric vents oozing harmful fumes makes the Sibulan trail as the most dangerous leading to the summit. We spent our second night at the White Sand, a holding area just below the summit. The following day, we endured the 87-degree vertical climb to the crater lake and the summit. Considering the rainy season, we were gifted with not-so-common super clear skies lasting several hours at the peak.

From 10,311 feet above sea level, the sunrise unfolded before our eyes the grand landscape of Davao region, including Samal Island. We had the same exhilarating visual feast when we transferred to another summit facing Lake Venado and the geothermal plants in Kidapawan City.

Presently, there are large portions of the national park which are still off-limits to the public. These are the areas burned down early last year by allegedly irresponsible climbers that caused the massive forest fire, destroying the wild landscapes covering hundreds of hectares. The new growths, particularly the grasses and the wild berries, are testament to the enduring will of nature in healing itself.

This coming November 21-22, I will be assisting the conduct of a workshop organized by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the German federal funding agency. The GIZ-funded Conflict Sensitive Resource and Asset Management (COSERAM) Program is bringing together all the seven local government units around the national park in an attempt at harmonizing management plans and policies for ecotourism activities in Mt. Apo and sustainable utilization of its resources. Big strides has been made so far, given more stringent policies regarding allowed activities and carrying capacity.

A2INdulge!

EVENT

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5-6, 2017

A DAVAO ICON REBORN A LANDMARK ON ITS OWN, Durianburg’s oldest operating hotel, The Apo View is a true historical icon and since its establishment in 1948, the hotel has seen much of Davao City’s evolution into a major business hub of the Philippines.

Last October 19, The Apo View Hotel had a jolt of fresh energy injected into its veins as it relaunches itself with newly renovated rooms, a redesigned all-day dining experience, Entree, as well as the addition of new function rooms.

The whole day affair kicked off with a motorcade and parade highlighted by street dancing and cultural presentations.

This was be followed by a Holy Mass and Ribbon Cutting ceremonies led by Apo View’s managing director Edmundo Las and Department of Tourism Region XI director Roberto Alabado III. In his welcome speech Mr. Lat shared how The Apo View has changed to adapt to the needs of today’s travellers. “The Apo View Hotel will celebrate its 70th year in March 2018 and is the second oldest hotel in the whole of the Philippines. Over the years, we have to blend the legend to the millennials.”

Centrally located in downtown Davao, the hotel boasts

TOP: The facade and pool deck of The Apo View.

LEFT: Laurence Pena, Sue Geminiano, Edmundo Las, Father Amado Arroyo, DOT Regional Director Roberto Alabado III, and Mark Christopher Pamintuan.

BOTTOM LEFT: The Apo View’s all-daydining restaurant Entree.

BOTTOM RIGHT: One of the newly renovated rooms at The Apo View.

156 smartly designed rooms, as well as full service banquet facilities, Each room at The Apo View is equipped with airconditioning, dual-temperature shower, LED TV with access to cable channels, hypo-allergenic pillows, chiropractic beds, free wifi, in-room safety deposit boxes and standby power generator for an uninterrupted power supply. “Here we strike a balance. We maintain the legend.

The outside looks the same but inside, we appeal to a younger crowd.” said Mr. Las. Aside from refreshed rooms, the hotel also offers a wide selection of local and international cuisine available at the hotel’s all-day dining buffet restaurant, Entree, and at Café Josefina. After hour cocktails and live music can be enjoyed at the Blue Room, while individuals who are feeling lucky can try their hand at the the Casino Filipino Players Club. Aside from our three restaurants and a casino, the hotel also offers a full-service 24-hour in room dining.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 155 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5-6, 2017

EVENT

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

A NIGHT OF MAGICAL CREATURES H A L LOW E E N in the Philippines has slowly becoming one of the most festive and exciting holidays to date.

From costume parties to horror laden events for the family, it truly is fun to experience halloween in the Philippines.

By BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO

November 1 – 7, 2017

LOVING VINCENT / *SPIRIT OF THE GLASS 2: THE HAUNTED Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

PG/*PG

Douglas Booth, Jerome Flynn/ *Cristine Reyes, Daniel Matsunaga 11:30 | 3:35 | 7:40 LFS / *1:35 | 5:40 | 9:45 LFS

THOR: RAGNAROK Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleton Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

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11:00 | 1:45 | 4:30 | 7:15 | 10:00 LFS

JIGSAW Matt Passmore, Tobin Bell Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

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1:05 | 3:15 | 5:25 | 7:35 | 9:45 LFS

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For its second year, Malagos Garden Resort again traded its festive and colorful facade with an eerie looking, dark ambiance that gave the participants a scare in an instant. Mga Handuraw sa Baul 2017 highlighted the many beautiful Philippine night creatures with music, food, movies and mythology.

A number of participants also came in their most gruesome and halloween themed costume.

Big and exciting prizes were given to the winners.

The once lively vast field was converted into a gravestone with the trees decked with Filipino mythical creatures to make the experience more memorable.

A number of food stalls that featured local dishes, award-winning Malagos

chocolates, fruits and creepy sweet desserts were made available for everyone to enjoy. From creepy looking eclairs to cyclops decorated cupcakes and caramel coated apples -- the night turned into a delish eerie night to remember.

Aside from the food, merch were also sold and a calligraphy stall was also present. Nonetheless, one of the highlights of night was the haunted horror house that made

everyone scream their lungs out. The haunted horror house revolved around the story of a group of friends who got lost along the way. And the rest is history -- or so they say.

Mga Handuraw sa Baul 2017 featured Manila-based indie acts such as CRWN, Jess Connelly, Jensen and the Flips, She’s Only Sixteen and Clara Benin and talented local Davao artists provided the music that night.

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11 SUBURBIA RISING

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 10 ISSUE 155• SUNDAY-MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5-6, 2017

60 rebs yield in Sultan Kudarat; as CPP spurns local peace talks T

he number of New People’s Army rebels who surrendered in Sultan Kudarat province has reached 60, a military official said.

Colonel Harold Cabunoc, commander of the 33rd Infantry Battalion, said the latest batch surrendered on Thursday and belonged to the NPA’s Platoon Cloudfone led by Ka Jimboy and Ka Bobby.

They surrendered with them two M-16 ri�les and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

“We were very tired and hungry after months of evading the patrolling troops in the forests of Sultan Kudarat,” Ka Jimboy said in a video taken during the surrender ceremony.

Cabunoc said the former rebels cited poor government action, land grabbing and lack of livelihood opportunities as among the issues they wanted to bring to the attention of government.

“Hearing it from them personally (via) a face-toface conversation, I took the

efforts to bring the message to the right government institutions and make actions on it,” he said.

He said he brought the surrenderers’ cudgel to Governor Pax Mangudadatu, and the provincial government government responded by sending engineering personnel to build infrastructures in communities supporting the former rebels.

The NPA in South Central Mindanao has not yet issued a statement regarding members laying down arms.

Meanwhile, in a statement Thursday, the Communist Party of the Philippines said it is rejecting the local peace negotiations being pushed by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

The CPP said the local peace talks “will surely fail in its aim of dividing the revolutionary forces waging a nationwide people’s war. The

NPA members surrender to the military in Barangay Kuden, Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat on Thursday (November 2, 2017). Photo courtesy of 33rd Infantry Battalion Duterte regime is wasting time and the people’s money in setting-up these useless local peace committees which will go nowhere and achieve nothing.”

“These are mere rehashes of worn-out psywar sur-

render programs such as the “balik-baril program” and the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) riding on the popular clamor for peace talks,” it said.

It added that the CPP and NPA support the Na-

million, he said.

Last month, the Department of Finance’s Bureau of Local Government Finance recognized the city government as the top performer among �irst class cities in Region 12 in terms of real property tax collection.

Real property tax is one of the main sources of revenues of local government units.

Seventy percent of it forms part of the city’s revenue and eventually goes to the general fund, which is allotted for various priority projects and programs.

The remaining 30 percent goes back to the barangays as

their share.

The city government has been conducting annual public auction of delinquent real properties in a bid to recover their unpaid taxes.

Maritess Sevilla, CTO’s local treasury operations of�icer, said they have also linked up with barangay councils, through their treasurers, to help improve their real property tax collections.

She said they have enhanced the rollout of the Barangay Incentive Program, which rewards barangays that have met their tax collection targets.

“We’ve been conducting

barangay tax campaigns since March in all barangays,” Sevilla said.

Lacap attributed their ef�icient collection to the increased awareness among residents or property owners regarding their tax obligations.

“More people are aware of their responsibility and obligation to pay taxes and have manifested concern to their properties,” he said.

He assured that the local government utilizes all collected taxes in the implementation of priority programs and services for the people.

(MindaNews)

Cabunoc, commander of the Army’s 33rd Infantry “Makabayan” Battalion based here, said soldiers, police and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) guerillas faced one another, this time in the �ield of friendly competition aimed at developing camaraderie and friendship.

The government is cur-

rently in the thick of negotiations with the MILF to end the decades-old setback of Moro struggle for self-determination in Mindanao.

State forces and Moro rebels chanted, yelled and cheered their respective teams as they competed in several obstacle courses in a muddy rice �ield in Barangay Poblacion here.

Even farmers took time out in their daily farming activities to witness the �irst-ever government forces versus Moro rebel friendly competition.

Cabunoc said the most exciting part of the competition was the obstacle course with two participants, one carrying the other on his

GenSan confident of meeting revenue target

T

he city government is optimistic in meeting its target collection for real property taxes this year.

Rodilon Lacap, acting head of the City Treasurer’s Of�ice (CTO), said Friday they have sustained their intensi�ied tax campaigns in the city’s 26 barangays to remind property owners of their obligations.

He said they are presently targeting to surpass by yearend its total realty tax collection last year that reached P238.56 million.

The city posted a collection ef�iciency of 117.01 percent in 2016 based on its target collection of P203.87

Mud run pits soldiers vs. MILF rebels in friendly match

P

RESIDENT QUIRINO, Sultan Kudarat – They used to shoot each other anytime and anywhere they meet. But on Friday, government forces and Moro rebels competed for a cash prize offered by Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc during the Army-sponsored “1st Makabayan Mud Run” competition, held in a rice �ield here.

MUD, 13

tional Democratic Front “in its representation of all revolutionary forces in negotiations with the GRP with the aim of forging agreements to settle the outstanding socio-economic and political questions that compel the

people to wage armed struggle.”

The only time that the NDF agreed to local peace talks was during the time of President Corazon C. Aquino. (Ferdinandh Cabrera/ MindaNews)

200,000 bags of imported rice to arrive in GenSan this month

T

he National Food Authority (NFA) here is expecting the arrival within this month of an additional 200,000 bags of imported rice to augment the rice requirements of this city and the neighboring areas.

Dionisio Hectin Jr., manager of the NFA’s Sarangani-General Santos provincial of�ice, said Thursday the additional rice supplies from Thailand will arrive at the Makar port here.

He said half of the augmentation supply or some 100,000 bags was allotted for Region 12 while the remaining half was set aside for Region 11 or the Davao Region.

Although a part of Region 12, Sarangani and this city are under the operational jurisdiction of the NFA in Region 11.

Of the 100,000 bags allotted for Region 11, the of�icial said a total of 74,000 bags were allotted for the Sarangani-General Santos area.

The other imported rice supplies will be delivered to the NFA of�ices in Davao City and Davao del Sur, he said.

“These will augment our

current buffer stocks. With these, we will be assured of enough imported rice supplies until Dec. 31,” he said in an interview over Brigada News TV. For 2018, Hectin said they already requested to their central of�ice two months ago the area’s requirements for the �irst quarter.

He said the request had been submitted and is awaiting approval by the NFA council.

The of�icial assured that they currently have enough rice supplies and its regular deliveries have continued in the local markets.

“We expect the delivery of more imported stocks in the coming months so we don’t foresee any shortage supplies in our area. Rice prices in the markets also remained stable,” he said.

Hectin said that aside from the NFA, he said rice stocks in the local markets are being augmented by private sector importation.

He added that their of�ice can also request for augmentation from other units in the area and the neighboring regions when needed. (MindaNews)

12 ENVIRONMENT EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 155• SUNDAY-MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5-6, 2017

Seagrasses: Going, going, gone?

TEXT AND PHOTOS HENRYLITO D. TACIO

P

erhaps one of the most beautiful islands in Mati City, Davao Oriental is the Pujada Island. I had the pleasure of visiting the whitesand island at least twice. The water is crystal clear and the place is so pretty that you are transported back into the time when you were still a kid and swimming in the beach was a welcome treat.

The island, one of the four, is situated in the bay that has been declared a marine protected area in 1994 by then President Fidel V. Ramos. It covers 21,200 hectares protecting the bay and its coastal area.

But what is interesting is that Pujada Bay is known to harbor nine of the sixteen species of sea grasses found in the Philippines. “That’s why we have plenty of marine turtles and dugongs in our waters,” said provincial board member Louie Rabat.

The endangered dugongs are the world’s only vegetarian marine mammal and are reliant on seagrasses for food.

They can eat up to 40 kilograms of seagrasses per day.

“The dugongs that live in these seagrass ecosystems are excellent barometers indicative of the overall health of the ecosystem,” said the Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Project.

Globally, seagrasses are used as �illing for mattresses.

In Europe and Africa, they are used as roof coverings. In the Mediterranean, traditional healers use seagrasses as medicine against skin diseases.

Aside from skin diseases, a recent study discovered that a speci�ic type of seagrass is a

strong medicine against malaria; it is also found “to be very effective in early stages of leprosy.” As they are nutraceutical in nature, seagrasses can be made into food supplements.

A new research published in “Science” also showed that seagrass meadows can reduce bacterial exposure to corals, other sea creatures and human beings. “The seagrass appears to combat bacteria, and this is the �irst research to assess whether that coastal ecosystem can alleviate disease associated with marine organisms,” said lead author Joleah Lamb of Cornell’s Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future.

Several studies have revealed that they are also very important in offsetting carbon dioxide emissions. A new research from Edith Cowan University – published in the journal PLOS ONE – shows that seagrass meadows, hidden beneath the oceans, lock away between four and ten times that of tropical forests.

“Pound-for-pound, they are big hitters when it comes to snatching carbon out of the atmosphere,” it said.

Another study – from the University of York and published in “Frontiers in Marine Science” – seemed to agree.

“Seagrass meadows could play a vital role in combatting climate change as they are regarded as a net global sink for carbon,” explained Adam Hejnowicz, who headed the study. “They have the capacity to bury signi�icant deposits of organic carbon beneath the sediment, up to many meters thick in places and over mille-

nary time scales.”

Seagrass meadows – bountiful underwater gardens that nestle close to shore – have the natural capacity to sequester and store enormous amounts of so-called “blue carbon” in their sediments. “As carbon sinks, they are a cheap and readily available natural resources useful in mitigating the negative impacts of climate change,” explained Dr. Miguel Fortes, the �irst Filipino to receive the prestigious International Biwako Prize for Ecology.

Blue carbon is actually carbon from the atmosphere and oceans. The seagrasses sequester those emitted carbon dioxide from going into the atmosphere by storing them in the ecosystem. As a result, they help mitigate the consequences brought about by climate change.

The Philippines is one of the countries that is greatly affected by climate change. The World Bank report, “Getting a Grip on Climate Change in the Philippines,” stated: “Climate change is occurring now and will intensify in the next few decades, threatening in particular developing nations, with Philippines being one of the most vulnerable countries in the world.”

According to the bank report, the Philippines is “already experiencing temperature increases; sea level rise; stronger storms, �loods, and droughts; and ocean acidi�ication, all of which will intensify and affect subsistence livelihoods as well as urban and coastal areas.”

Although seagrass mead-

ows can store large amounts of carbon, they are under assault around the world. “Global loss of seagrass meadows is about 7% each year since 1990,” said Lamb.

The Philippines fares no better. “(Seagrasses) are at great risk of being lost and if the trend continues at current rates, a further 30-40% of seagrasses and nearly all unprotected mangroves could be lost in the next 100 years,” deplored Dr. Fortes. “Once they are degraded or destroyed, their blue carbon stores are released as carbon dioxide and contribute to global climate change.”

Dr. Fortes said that the current rates of loss of these ecosystems may result in 0.15 to 1.02 billion tons of carbon dioxide released annually.

“Hence, it is imperative that these blue carbon ecosystems be conserved and well-managed,” he suggested.

Since the time of the dinosaurs, three groups of �lowering plants colonized the oceans. Seagrasses, however, are the only �lowering plants that can live underwater. More closely related to terrestrial lilies and gingers than to true grasses, they grow in sediment on the sea �loor with erect, elongate leaves.

Seagrasses are quite different from seaweeds, which are algae. Seagrasses produce �lowers, fruits, and seeds while seaweeds make spores. Seagrasses have separate roots,

leaves and underground stems called rhizomes (which form an extensive network below the surface).

Seaweeds rarely have “roots” below the surface.

“Unlike seaweeds, seagrasses are vascular plants – they have a network of veins to move nutrients and dissolved gases around the plant,” states the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

On the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, over 500 species of algae can be found but only 14 species of seagrasses inhabit.

In terms of seagrasses in the world, the Philippines – with 16 species thriving along its coasts – has the second highest. Western Australia has more; it has 17 species of seagrasses.

Dr. Fortes said all 16 seagrass species are widely distributed from Bolinao Bay in the north, Palawan and the Cebu-Bohol-Siquijor area at the center, and Zamboanga and Davao in the south. Seagrass beds cover an estimated area of about �ive million hectares.

Marine experts traced the rapid disappearance of seagrasses to various destructive disturbances caused by both

natural and man-induced in�luences.

Among the natural threats are typhoons, tidal waves and volcanic activity.

Man-made causes include industrialization, development of recreational areas along the coast, dredging, and mining which led to heavy siltation in estuarine areas, resulted in lower productivity and even burial of seagrasses, according to a report from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“The Philippines has an enormous coastal blue carbon resources useful in sequestering carbon dioxide from the global atmosphere,” reminded Dr. Fortes. “However, it has also the potential to add carbon dioxide into the atmosphere if it does not manage well its coastal blue carbon ecosystems.”

Dr. Fortes believed the Philippines could still reverse the loss of seagrasses. “An improved scienti�ic and societal understanding of the underlying mechanisms that conserve coastal ecosystems are at hand,” he said. “The blue carbon focus could enhance partnerships in improving resilience of communities in towards a blue economy in the face of climate change.”

VOL. 10 ISSUE 155• SUNDAY-MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5-6, 2017

EDSA... FROM 5

wards; SMX-MAAX Block in Pasay City on Nov. 11 from 10 p.m. onwards; complete lockdown of CCP Complex on Nov. 12 from 12:01 a.m. onwards; Roxas Blvd. from Padre Burgos Ave. to Buendia on Nov. 13 from 12:01 a.m. onwards.

All trucks and closed vans will also not be allowed to traverse along SCTEX/NLEX from Clark to Balintawak and along EDSA from Balintawak

to Magallanes from November 11 to 15.

The agency will deploy about 3,480 personnel to enforce the implementation of the “stop and go” scheme and to manage traf�ic in other parts of Metro Manila starting November 9 to 15.

This will be reinforced by more than 200 personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP).

tions technology, generation of new sources of energy, transportation and infrastructure and public-private partnerships.

The of�icial said the business mission included a meeting with different representatives of local chambers of commerce and tourism associations, and a Tokyo-Davao City Business Forum that was organized in coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Japan.

“The Japanese were very appreciative because they saw what we in Davao City have to offer,” he said.

Ortonio said one of the highlights during the business-to-business meeting was the signing of a memorandum of understanding between

Davao-based agribusiness �irm Yovel Enterprise and manufacturing �irm Bioactives Japan.

“Their partnership with Yovel Enterprise is for a post-harvest facility – post production – to make puree out of vegetables and fruits. But right now, they are still at a stage of conducting a feasibility and market study,” he said.

On tourism, he said City Tourism Of�ice head Generose Tecson highlighted the different tourism sports in the city that are suited for the Japanese, including spas, golf courses and nature parks.

He said Tecson mentioned about the shared historical ties between Davao City and Japan.

A “Little Tokyo” is being developed in Mintal where

MORE... FROM 6

EDGEDAVAO

around 30,000 Japanese lived before World War II. The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) earmarked P120 million to build a heritage site right within “Little Tokyo.”

“I think, as mentioned to me by TIEZA, this will be the

�irst project that will be put in the tourism map focusing on the good relationship between Japanese and Filipinos.

If you go to other places, it’s more about the war. Here, it’s a different story,” said Mintal barangay chair Ramon M. Bargamento II. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)

cities in the country.

The �ive-year project, which is a component of USAID’s Cities Development Initiative, “assists cities and adjacent areas to plan effectively, guarantee basic public services, reduce business transaction costs, promote competitiveness, support sustainable development, and reduce disaster and climate change risks while ensuring inclusive and sustainable growth.”

Based on an assessment conducted by the BPLS exec-

utive committee, the mayor said the city’s current business permit processing system takes longer time to complete.

But under the proposed BPLS action plan, he said the steps involved in the processing of business permits will be trimmed down to three.

“We’re trying to cut short the number of days of processing business permits by way of reducing the requirements and shortening the processing time,” he said. (PNA)

later if unforeseen problems arise.

The general public may visit DCWD website (www. davao-water.gov.ph) and of�icial Facebook page (www. facebook.com/davaowater) or call the Central Information Unit / Call Center through the 24-hour hotline

297-DCWD (3293) and press “1” on their phone dial for the latest daily water updates.

Contact 0927-7988966, 0925-5113293, and 09084410653 for other updates, complaints, queries, and matters pertaining to DCWD services. (Camille Margarette U. Solon)

GSC... FROM 6

WATER... FROM 7

NEWS 13 MORE COUNTRIES... FROM 6 express interest in investing in the Philippines.

“Here in infrastructure, like power, roads, all these (and) in the agriculture sector. A lot of infrastructures are needed in the regions, whether they are in construction, in water,” he said.

Meanwhile, ABIS, hosted by the ABAC, is expected to draw more than 1,700 guests representing top-level executives from diverse sectors; distinguished thought leaders; champions and leaders from across the region coming from government, business, the academe and research entities; and entrepreneurship mentors

and enablers.

Themed “World Leaders’ Roadmap Towards Prosperity for All”, the event seeks to become the catalyst for closer cooperation between the public and private sectors to boost inclusive growth in the region.

The two-day event shall cover topics ranging from ASEAN Build, Build, Build – Infrastructure Development: A Perspective (Building for the Future) – which aims to facilitate discussions on current and upcoming initiatives of the public and private sectors in strengthening infrastructure development across ASEAN. (PNA)

back, and hurdling mud to reach the �inish line.

The Army’s 33rd IB 1st Reaction Platoon won the �irst prize of PHP5,000, followed by Charlie Company, Bravo Company and the MILF team, winning the second, third and fourth places, respectively.

“It is not the prize that counted most, but the camaraderie, friendship and most important, the promotion of

peace among us,” Cabunoc said.

“We are thankful to Col. Cabunoc for reaching (out) and inviting us in this friendly competition,” MILF leader Abdurahim Molilis said.

With the success of the 1st Makabayan Mud Run, Cabunoc said similar activities are in the pipeline to help boost peace between the former enemies in the battle�ield. (PNA)

MUD... FROM 11

14

EDGEDAVAO

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SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO

Foton drubs Generika B ACOLOD CITY — Reigning champion Foton displayed full strength in drubbing Generika-Ayala, 2522, 25-22, 25-16, on Saturday in the Chooks to-Go Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix at the jam-packed University of St. La Salle.

Serbian import Sara Klisura waxed hot to keep the Tornadoes perfect record intact in this prestigious club tourney bankrolled by Cignal, Mikasa, Senoh, Mueller, Grand Sport, Rebisco, Island Rose, Cloudfone, UCPB Gen and Asics.

Klisura had 15 kills and three aces to �inish with 18 points while skipper Jaja Santiago, Maika Ortiz, and Montene-

grin Dragana Perunicic added eight points apiece for the repeat-seeking Tornadoes.

Despite their convincing victory though, Foton coach Moro Branislav said he was not satis�ied with his wards’ performance.

“I’m not very happy with the result. The team still needs to get better,” Branislav said.

“We want to be in good condition by the quarter�inals.

Maybe if we get a 3-0 win in quarter�inals, I’ll be happier,” added Branislav.

Croatian Katarina Pilepic was the lone bright spot for the Lifesavers, who dropped their second-straight match in four starts.

Darlene Ramdin of Generika vs CJ Rosario and Dragana Perunicic of Foton

Lebron scores 57 as Cavs rebound

W Sara Klisura of Foton vs Jen Casugod and Chloe Cortex of Generika

I

don’t know how millions of basketball fans will take it after the PBA board of governors came out split in its decision to terminate the services of Chito Narvasa as commissioner of the country’s �irst professional basketball league.

Anchoring its statement on the generic term “loss of con�idence,” seven of twelve members of the board of governors decided not to renew the commissionership of Narvasa whose term ended afterthe Governors’ Cup won and retained by defending titleholderBgy. Ginebra.

The matter stemmed out of the trade approved by Narvasa before the PBA Rookie Draft between KIA Mahindra and San Miguel Beer. The former, having the �irst pick, was supposed to take in Fil-German Christian Standhardinger, a 6’8” forward center who displayed excellent offensive and defensive skills during his overseas stint with Gilas.

Instead of keeping what would have been a rare franchise �ind, KIA went into a negotiated deal that sent Standhardinger to the Beermen in exchange for

seldom-used Ronald Tubid, JR Reyes and an unknown plus a future pick.

The acquisition by SMB of the Fil-German did not sit well with the seven other ballclubs. In the past, the theme of the league was to balance the competition so that it will not fall again in the same trap as it did when only two teams – Crispa and Toyota – ruled Asia’s �irst play for pay circuit for many years.

Standahardinger will join an already formidable Beermen’s line-up starred in by four-time 6’10” MVP JuneMar Fajardo, shooter Marcio Lassiter, playmaker Alex Cabagnot, one-time MVP Arwin Santos among others which puts the other teams in a grievous mismatch.

While the vote requires a two-thirds majority – 8 of 12 members– I have no idea how the publicly announced decision will be re-considered by the PBA board.

When I was covering the PBA beat for Malaya, I had opportunities to closely hobnob, on a �irst name basis, commissioners of the league who intimated to me some closely guarded practices

PBA split?

SPORTS KEN Fred C. Lumba and secrets.

(Without pre-judging anyone, as a long-time PBA sportswriter, I would not have agreed of the KIA-SMB Standhardinger trade.)

Narvasa has already been “sentenced” and he is asking for due process. The new chairman Ramoncito Fernandez appeared calm but tersely stated the position of the seven board members.

Narvasa’s integrity has

ASHINGTON (AP) -- Look out, NBA. Walking to the locker room after scoring 57 points Friday night, LeBron James expressed what amounted to a warning for upcoming opponents: ‘’This is the best I’m feeling in my career.’’

Just in case there were any questions about Eastern Conference supremacy, James poured in the second-highest point total of his career and an NBA-best this

already been scratched and dented. He should have been summoned �irst and allowed to explain his reasons for approving the trade.

The board, however, was only concerned in the renewal of Narvasa’s term and seven of them agreed not to renew him for “loss of con�idence.” That meant the termination of the board’s contractual obligations with Narvasa and vice versa.

In a job that requires a contractual appointment, Narvasa cannot force the PBA board to renew his contract if a negative situation such as this arises and puts the entire organization in disarray.

Narvasa asserts that the PBA board has the right to veto his approval of the trade. In fact, he is willing to obey the board’s veto, should it exercise this option.

Is there now a bad blood existing between two factions of the PBA? Consider that out of the 12 league members, three ballclubs are owned by the San Miguel Corporation (Ginebra, Star and SMB) while the Pangilinan group

season to help his Cleveland Cavaliers end a four-game losing skid by beating the Washington Wizards 130122 on Friday night. ‘’Every shot that I took,’’ the four-time league MVP said, ‘’I felt like it was going in.’’

He hadn’t scored this much since getting a career-high 61 for the Miami Heat on March 3, 2014, against the Charlotte Hornets.

LEBRON, 13

also prides of having three teams (Meralco, TNT and NLEX).

In the early 80s, the PBA nearly folded up because of organizational issues and �inancial concerns. When Toyota and then Crispa left the league one after the other, their players were evenly distributed to strengthen the weak line-ups of the other squads.

Miraculously, the PBA survived the scare.

We are hoping this will not be the spark that will ignite separatist ideas that may parallel the Catalonia secession in Spain.

Narvasa is hard put to explain why he hurriedly approved of the trade deal. Did he make that decision on his own, unilaterally, without consulting his staff?

KIA is in dire need of a proven main man and Standhardinger was it. Why did it go for a swap that netted it with nothing equally valuable in return? (Email your feedback to fredlumba@ yahoo.com.) Gal. 5:24. “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have cruci�ied the sinful nature with its passions and desires.” GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 10 ISSUE 155• SUNDAY-MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5-6, 2017

RAINING THREES

Sec. Go powers Team Duterte-CMO past Everball H

ow do you stop Sec. Christopher “Bong” Go ftom raining threes against you?

You have to shackle him.

With guns ablaze, Sec. Go nailed ten three pointers as Team Duterte-CMO edged Ev-

ANOTHER BIG GAME. Sec. Bong Go scores “ 45 points for Team Duterte CMO edged Everball.

T

erball, 86-84, on Thursday in their basketball friendly game at the Genesis 88 Gym. Go, the special assistant to President Rodrigo Duterte, �inished with 45 points to lead the way for Team Duterte-CMO. Team Duterte-CMO leaned on the timely and crucial baskets of the sweet-shooting Go to pull away with the win.

Everball battled hard all throughout the game putting Team Duterte-CMO in one instance on the brink of a lump.

But Team Duterte-CMO came out with crucial plays down the stretch to get the win.

Five players were in double digits to pace Everball led by Conje who topscored with 24.

Earl Angsinco scored 13 as John Balisalisa and Filbon Maligro had 12 and 11 respectively. Rico Kwantiu had 10.

JR De Guzman chipped in 10 markers as Joel Aberilla and Sevilla had 15 combined for Team Duterte-CMO. It was a see saw battle all game long as both teams traded runs with their deep �irepower.

SMC lends players to Gilas

he ongoing issue regarding Chito Narvasa’s stint as PBA commissioner did not stop the “minority bloc” of the league’s board of governors from lending its players to Gilas for the FIBA World Cup Quali�iers (WCQ).

“We believe that (the lending of our players) should not be adversely affected by the board members’ differences in opinions,” the so-called “PBA 5” said in a state-

ment on Friday.

The development means that San Miguel, Ginebra, Star, Kia, and GlobalPort, the �ive teams making up the “minority” are willing to make their key players available for the national team campaign.

Friday also turned out to be the �irst day of practice for Gilas’ WCQ campaign, and three players from the “minority” graced the session at the Meralco Gym in Pasig,

proving that the “PBA 5” are true to their word.

Four-time MVP Junemar Fajardo of the Beermen, Barangay Ginebra’s high-�lying big man Japeth Aguilar, and the Hotshots’ rising star point guard Jio Jalalon attended the training.

A total of 13 players came, with the other 10 coming from �ive of the seven clubs whose respective governors agreed not to renew Narvasa’s term by another

season, eventually sparking the impasse.

TNT’s Jayson Castro, Troy Rosario, and RR Pogoy, Blackwater’s Allein Maliksi and Mac Belo, Rain or Shine’s Gabe Norwood and Raymond Almazan, Alaska’s Calvin Abueva and Carl Cruz, and Phoenix’s Matt Wright made up the other players present in practice.

Jalalon was given a rest as he is recovering from an LCL injury. (PNA)