Edge10 issue167 November 22, 2017

VOL. 10 ISSUE 167• WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

INSTANT CONDOM

DANGER SIGN. A teenager infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) holds a red ribbon which symbolizes awareness and support for people living with HIV-AIDS. Davao City’s Reproductive Health and Wellness Center has recorded a total of 26 new cases of HIV-AIDS from January to June this year prompted Councilor Mary Joselle Dilig-Villafuerte to express her support for the local distribution of condoms to the public through a coin-operated condom machines. Lean Daval Jr.

Ayala Malls launch TienDA Partnership with DA to provide a market for Philippine farmers and fisherfolk

INdulgeA1

IDIS to widen coverage Coin-operated machines for condoms pushed of Bantay Bukid aides

By JUDIE VEGA

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avao City Councilor Mary Joselle Dilig-Villafuerte expressed her support for the local distribution of condoms to the public to ensure public health and safety especially to young people.

“It is also good to install machines that cough out condoms in public comfort rooms at the drop of a coin,” she said. “We do not know it

but it is possible that sexual activities are done in comfort rooms.”

At the Pulong Pulong ni Pulong press conference, Dr.

Villafuerte said the condoms are meant to protect young people from unprotected sex and from being affected with Human Immunode�iciency Virus-Acquired Immunode�iciency Syndrome disease.

She said the alarming increase of HIV-AIDs among teenagers is traced to highrisk sexual behaviors that do not use condoms.

Villafuerte said that in

Davao City, most of the affected teenagers ranged from 13 years old to 17 years of age. The youngest affected was a nine-year old girl.

She said Region XI is ranked No. 7 for newly diagnosed HIV cases in the Philippines, with the total number of HIV cases ranging from 230-280 for this year.

“We don’t want to think

INSTANT,10

By ANGIE SAVERON

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he Davao-based Interface Development Interventions (IDIS) has sought to expand the coverage of its Bantay Bukid volunteers by securing more forests and watersheds next year.

Chinkie Peliño Golle, executive director of IDIS, said that its 232 Bantay Bukid volunteers will be asked to cover more area, especially in the second district where there

are no volunteers.

She said volunteers will be asked to help respond and monitor in the second district but the ideal solution would be to recruit volunteers from the area.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio remains supportive of the program and has approved the decision to recruit more volunteers.

“According to our mayor

IDIS,10

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 167• WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

LOOSE FOOTBALL. Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte obliges to the request of the Legionnaires, an American football team of Davao City, to sign a football during the team’s courtesy call to the City Council on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

Local peace body seeks holiday truce

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he Davao City Local Peace Committee is batting for a peaceful celebration of Christmas this year thru a cessation of hostilities with communist rebels.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said Monday the DC-PEACE asked her to talk with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police for a possible declaration of suspension of military operations (SOMO).

The mayor said she will think about it, noting that a truce had been declared in previous years.

December, she added, is a season of peace, giving and

forgiving.

Duterte-Carpio said if she sees that the local armed group is sincere in talking with the local government, then there will be no problem asking the AFP and PNP to declare a SOMO. In a media interview on Saturday, President Rodrigo Duterte hinted he was amenable to a SOMO in December but said he would still refer the matter to the AFP and PNP. “If (situation) gets worse, then I will ask the military, ‘Are we good or are we not good?’” he said, adding, “And I will ask the police, ‘Kaya nin-

LOCAL,10

PDEA sets ablaze P11M illegal drugs

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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he Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 11 in Davao del Norte led the burning of about P11 million worth of illegal drugs at the RDR Gym in Tagum City, Tuesday morning.

PDEA – Davao del Norte provincial of�icer Caludito Cañada bared that the illegal drugs burned were evidences on cases accumulated and promulgated upon by the courts.

“We made this destruc-

tion of illegal drugs and non-illegal drugs evidences to remove the doubts of everyone that we recycled these illegal drugs evidence,” he said.

Cañada said the burned illegal drugs consisted of 962 grams of methamphetamine

hydrochloride known as shabu which has a street value of P11.5 million, 1.2kilos of marijuana worth P48,400 and 7.5 grams of cocaine worth P45,000.

He said the PDEA 11 is thankful with the campaign of President Rodrigo R. Duterte on the �ight against illegal drugs because aside from the operations, there are also interventions on the part of drug users.

Davao del Norte has the most number of cleared-ba-

he Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan is proposing a semi-presidential federal system of government for the Philippines.

This was divulged by Department of the Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya during the Forum on Political Reforms and the Mindanao Peace Process: Challenges and Prospects at the Makati Diamond Residences in Makati City on Monday.

Malaya noted that they had submitted to Presi-

dent Rodrigo Roa Duterte last March the PDP-Laban’s model of federalism which is semi-presidential federal system of government.

The DILG of�icial said that the President had said that under a federal form of government, the Philippine National Police (PNP) should be under the national government.

“PDP-Laban believes in structural change since 1982 such that the PDP-Laban has proposed the federal system of government,” Malaya said.

“If we don’t change struc-

tures, the rich regions only become richer and the poor regions, much poorer,” he added.

Under the PDP-Laban’s model of federalism, there will be 11 regions with regional governments wherein there will be 3 regions in Mindanao such as Northern Mindanao, Southern Mindanao and the Bangsamoro.

The President will be the head of state, the Prime Minister will be the head of government and the position of Vice President is optional, which can be retained if such

rangays in Davao region with 33, followed by Davao Occidental with 22, Davao Oriental 20, Davao del Sur 19 and Compostela Valley 18.

The PDEA regional of�ice will also burn around P2 million worth of illegal drugs in Davao City and Panabo City, Davao del Norte on the last week of November. The illegal drugs which will be destroyed will also include the expired medicines surrendered to their of�ice by the pharmacies.

is the will of the Filipino people.

The PDP-Laban has proposed to retain the Senate, but should be elected by the regions wherein the new Senate will only have 1 reading and �inal approval or review of the measures emanating from the Lower House.

One year before and one year after the elections, “political turncoatism” will be prohibited under the proposed federal form of government and that subsidy will be provided to political parties

Return of Balangiga PDP pushes model for federal form of govt bells to PH assured T A mbassador-designate to the United States Babe Romualdez is optimistic that the Balangiga bells will “soon” be returned to the Philippines after Defense Secretary James Mattis assured President Rodrigo Duterte that he will do everything in his capacity to bring back the war artifacts.

During the meeting of Mattis and Duterte at an event in Pampanga, the en-

voy said the latter requested the US of�icial to help Manila in retrieving the bells, given it has “sentimental value” to the Filipino people.

According to Romualdez, Mattis gave a response assuring the chief executive “he will do what he can”.

With the favorable reply, the envoy said the bells’ return is certain should come a time that the authorization necessary would come from

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PDP,10

VOL. 10 ISSUE 167• WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

EDGEDAVAO

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4NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 167• WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

AFP not letting guard down with Maute loss

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hilippine security forces cannot afford to let their guard down despite the defeat of ISIS-inspired Maute Group and their allies in Marawi City.

This was emphasized

by Department of National Defense public affairs of�ice chief Arsenio Andolong when sought for a comment regarding plans to extend martial law in Mindanao.

“It is the AFP who can best determine whether existing conditions in the areas covered by martial law warrant its extension,” he added.

“Having said that, however, we must keep in mind that there are still remnants of the violent extremists and their supporters who desecrated Marawi City that are still at large. Their networks are still

active and we cannot afford to let our guard down. Our pursuit of them must continue,” Andolong stressed.

An estimated 933 Maute Group terrorists and their allies were reported killed in the �ive-month campaign to retake the city from the lawless elements.

On the other hand, 165 government troopers and 47 civilians were also killed in the con�lict which started after security operatives tried to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader and ISIS emir in Southeast Asia Isnilon Hapilon last May 23.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte said extension of martial law in Mindanao would depend on the recommendation of the military and police. (PNA)

DILG okays P49.1-M PAMANA projects for SoCot

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he Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has approved the implementation of 17 water system projects worth PHP49.1 million under the �lagship PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn or PAMANA program.

South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said Tuesday they are set to start the bidding process for the projects, which would bene�it rural communities in the municipalities of Lake Sebu, Tupi and Tantangan.

She said the DILG had tapped the Provincial Engineering Of�ice (PEO) as implementing arm for the projects.

The provincial bids and awards division disclosed it is awaiting the submission of the program of works, plans and other requirements by the PEO to facilitate their publication for public bid-

ding, she said.

The approved projects are a Water System Level II worth PHP20 million in Lake Sebu, three potable water system projects worth PHP7 million in Tupi, and 13 Water System Level II worth PHP22.1 million in Tantangan.

The Lake Sebu water system project will be constructed in Barangay Lamlahak while the three potable water systems in Tupi will be built in Barangays Bunao, Kablon and Lunen.

In Tantangan town, Level II water systems will be constructed in Barangays Bukay Pait, Cabuling, Dumadalig, Libas, Magon, Maibo, Mangilala, New Cuyapo, New Iloilo, New Lambunao, Poblacion, San Felipe and Tinongcop.

PAMANA is the government’s program and framework for peace and devel-

DILG,11

OFF LIMITS. Majority floor leader Councilor Bernard Al-ag reads the request and proposal of the Presidential Security Group through Councilor Mabel Sunga-Acosta to prohibit the staging of protest rallies near the Malacañan of

the South in Panacan, Davao City for security reasons during Tuesday’s regular session at Sangguniang Panlungsod. Lean Daval Jr.

Proxy consent for minors eyed

By JUDIE VEGA

T

he Davao City council is pushing for proxy consent for minors who want to seek treatment from HIVAIDs infection.

Councilor Mary Joselle Dilig-Villafuerte said that they are now working for an ordinance that would mandate proxy consent, allowing doctors or health doctors to seek for the treatment of a child or minor without seeking the consent of parents “There are young people who want to seek treatment, but Philip-

pine law requires those below 18 years old to get written parental consent before they can access HIV testing and treatment services,” said Villafuerte.

“We have children that engaging to sex at early ages and families or parents are not aware,” said Villafuerte.

“We cannot undergo

SPRUCING UP. Workers conduct a repainting work of Agdao flyover as part of the city’s rehabilitation and maintenance on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

health treatment without the knowledge of their parents or guardians but we are pushing this one to consult a professional doctor or a sex worker to address the concern of the minor,” said Villafuerte.

Villafuerte said that Mayor Inday Duterte is giving the City Council full support for a legislative measure mandating proxy consent for minors.

Villafuerte said Davao City is one of the fastest-growing rates of HIV infection in the Region XI. According to the Depart-

ment of Health Epidemiology Bureau, there are now 26 newly diagnosed cases of HIV. This brings the total to 1,850 asymptomatic and 230 HIV/AIDS fully-developed cases from 1984 to present.

Aside from HIV cases here in Davao City also have one big problem which teenage pregnancy which is more on Talomo north and south.

“To our teenager engaging to premarital sex engages with multiple sexual partners we can undergo them into

he Department of Transportation on Tuesday �iled plunder charges against nine cabinet members of former president Benigno S. Aquino III before the Of�ice of the Ombudsman in connection with the alleged anomalous contract for the maintenance of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3).

Named as respondents in the plunder complaints were former Department of Transportation and Communications secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and former Department of the Interior and Local Government secretary Manuel Roxas II. Roxas served as DOTC

secretary prior to his appointment as DILG secretary.

Also charged were former Department of Budget and Management secretary Florencio Abad, former Department of Finance secretary Cesar Purisima, former Department of Energy secretary Jericho Petilla, former Department of Science and Technology secretary Mario Montejo, former Department of National Defense secretary Voltaire Gazmin, former Department of Public Works and Highways secretary Rogelio Singson, and former National Economic and Development Authority secretary Arsenio Balicasan.

PROXY,10

9 Aquino execs sued over MRT-3 contract T

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5 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 167• WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

Oil prices drop as OPEC meets

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il prices declined on Monday as investors became cautious ahead of an OPEC Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries meeting next week.

OPEC and other key oil producers will meet on Nov. 30 to discuss whether to extend the current price-supporting curbs on crude output.

The group has been restraining output since the start of this year in a bid to end a global oversupply. It is widely expected that the agreement will be extended to cover the whole of next

year.

Meanwhile, a strong dollar dented market sentiment for the dollar-priced oil. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major peers, was up 0.40 percent at 94.038 in late trading.

The West Texas Intermediate for December Delivery lost 0.46 dollar to settle at 56.09 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while Brent crude for January delivery erased 0.50 dollar to close at 62.22 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.

(Xinhua)

China investors eyes aquaculture prospects

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group of Chinese businessmen is expected to arrive here this week to check on the possibility of investing in aquaculture, particularly in the rearing of high-value export commodity �ish.

The businessmen are expected to arrive on November 23 to check on the �ive mariculture parks in the province for the possibility of establishing hatcheries for high-value species of groupers such as leopard coral trout or red suno, green grouper or loba, and tiger grouper or lapung-baboy, said Roberto Abrera of the Regional Fisheries Research and Development Center of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Tuesday.

The proposed sites are

located in barangays Sta. Lucia and Binduyan in Puerto Princesa, the towns of Coron and San Vicente in northern Palawan, and Narra and Quezon in the south.

“This is a reciprocal visit, actually, after we went to China in January this year upon the orders and guidance of President Rodrigo Duterte to look for mutual economic support opportunities in �isheries development,” Abrera told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

Each site for possible multi-million investment measures 200-700 hectares.

It will be shown to the Chinese businessmen, who will be accompanied by representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fishery of China,

CHINA,10

NEDA: NSS to spread growth to lagging regions

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peaking to high school students and teachers from around the country on Sunday, National Economic and Development Authority Undersecretary for Regional Development Adoracion Navarro underlined the importance of the National Spatial Strategy in achieving the country’s longterm vision to be an upper middle-income nation.

“The National Spatial Strategy is, among others, a traf�ic reduction strategy. By creating economic opportunities in areas outside the metropolis, we are able to reduce the traf�ic,” Navarro said.

Navarro spoke on the second day of the 14th National Youth Congress, an economics forum organized by the UP Economics Society and the UP School of Economics Student Council The Philippine Develop-

ment Plan 2017- 2022 is the �irst socioeconomic blueprint of the Philippines to employ a National Spatial Strategy. This strategy takes into account population trends, economic activities, and services in de�ining the country’s desired spatial structure. It anticipates and prepares a network connecting metropolitan centers with regional centers and sub-regional centers.

Examples of metropolitan centers are Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao where commercial, �inancial, and administrative activities are concentrated. Their services and facilities serve the country’s domestic and international requirements.

Having the most direct linkages to the metropolitan centers are regional centers such

NEDA,10

SIGN OF GOOD NEWS. Container ships loading and unloading container vans are seen docked at Sasa Port in Davao City on Tuesday. Arrivals of car-

goes from aboard are expected to increase now that the Holiday season has already started. Lean Daval Jr.

Chamber asks investors: Seize good econ climate

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Best time expand business: Go

he local business sector has called on homegrown investors to take advantage of the good economic condition by expanding their businesses.

The move for expansion, said Ronald C. Go, president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII), is also aimed at supporting the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, the city’s former mayor for more than two decades.

“We need to seize the opportunities as even outsiders have come to the city to invest,” said Go as he pointed out that the potentials of the city as investment haven have been enhanced by the recent report that the country’s economic growth has reached 6.9 percent in the third quarter, higher than what analysts

were expecting.

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported last week that the country’s gross domestic product went up by 6.9 percent due to strong exports, industrial output and growth in the services sector.

The report said that the growth was faster than 6.7 percent in the second quarter, although a bit lower than the 7. percent in the same quarter last year. Economic experts were projecting a 6.5 percent growth during the period.

Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III even said that the growth in the fourth quarter and succeeding quarters is expected to be high-

er despite the impact of the declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao to quell the terroristic activities in Marawi City.

“Notwithstanding the continued political noise and the terrorist activity in Marawi, which President Duterte had decisively addressed, the economy managed to perform well in the third quarter as the government posted a double-digit increase in public investments and pursued initiatives to further improve �iscal health and boost investor sentiment,” Dominguez said last week after the release of the report.

The �inance chief attributed the expected higher growth to the shift of the national government “to higher gear its unparalleled investment and stimulus program on the strength of the government’s greater absorptive

capacity and its resolve to advance its ‘Build, Build, Build’ infra program as the main driver of the economy.”

He said he is con�ident that the annual growth will be within the 6.5-7.5-percent target as the government intensi�ies its infrastructure spending.

Go added that what is important is for local investors to maximize their investments as he noted that even foreign companies have started bringing in more capital.

“Let us not wait for others to leave us behind, let us move faster,” he said.

Early this month, Japanese investors signi�ied their intention to partner with local companies in putting up businesses as a result of the trade mission that the city government embarked in four Japanese cities last month.

P24.03 billion from January to October 2017 and the 3rd tranche of pension adjustments arising from the unlumping of 1985 to 1989 contributions amounting to P72.43 million,” Dooc explained.

The third tranche of pension adjustments for retirees, death and disability pensioners prior to May 24,1997 or the implementation of the Republic Act 8282 or the Social Security Law of 1997 was credited to accounts of quali�ied pensioners on June 29, 2017.

The �irst and second

tranche of pension adjustments for retirees, death and disability pensioners, after the implementation of RA 8282, were already released last year.

Broken down, payments for retirement bene�it increased by 26.75 percent, to P73.65 billion; followed by death bene�it payouts with a 43.51-percent increase, to P40.17 billion; and disability bene�it payments with a 9.24 percent-increase, to P4.52 billion.

Disability, funeral, and sickness bene�it expenditures also increased by 42.8 per-

cent, to P4.64 billion; 6.09 percent, to P2.85 billion; and 8.47 percent, to P1.95 billion, respectively.

Medical and rehabilitation services, on the other hand, posted a 13.47-percent and 20.36-percent drop, to P9.7 million and P1.1 million, respectively.

SSS operating expenses, likewise, slightly declined by 0.05 percent to P6.48 billion, bringing total expenditures for the nine-month period of 2017 to P134.26 billion, or 28.43 percent higher than the P104.54 billion recorded in

SSS disburses P127-B benefits as of end-Q3 2017

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tate-run Social Security System said Friday it released more than P127 billion in member bene�its as of the end of the third quarter of 2017.

SSS President and Chief Executive Of�icer Emmanuel F. Dooc said bene�it payments increased by 30.31 percent, to P127.78 billion as of the end-September 2017 from the P98.06 billion recorded in the same period in 2016.

“The increase in bene�it payouts was higher due to the release of the P1,000 additional bene�it amounting to

SSS,11

EDGEDAVAO 6 ECONOMY ‘Cyanide-free’ mining tech offered to PH firms VOL. 10 ISSUE 167• WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

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Tagged as environment-friendly

aiwanese firm Xin Ye Industry, Ltd. is offering mining companies operating in the Philippines with a “green” technology as it is set to build a second of its about PHP20 million ore stripping facility in the country.

A subsidiary of Taiwan Xinye Precious Metal Technology Co., Ltd., the �irm has locally patented a cyanide-free gold stripping method called GP-860, which is expected to see its �irst commercial run next year after the completion of its facility in Valenzuela.

Xin Ye Executive Vice

President Steven Liao said initial tests in various laboratories showed that the process yielded an average extraction rate at over 98 percent of the gold in the ore.

“This entire ore to gold process takes a maximum of eight hours. It is also environmentally friendly, non-toxic,

harmless, has high ef�iciency, and high productivity,” Liad said in a press conference over the weekend, stressing that the technology does not make use of cyanide or mercury, among other toxic chemicals.

This compares with the two to nearly eight-day disso-

lution period in the traditional extraction process which usually involves the use of the banned chemical mercury, widely used by small-scale miners in the Philippines that produce about 70 percent of the country’s annual gold production.

Xin Ye expects to commercially operate with the GP-860 process upon the completion of its plant in Valenzuela next month.

But as early as now, the �irm is discussing the outlook

for a second facility, with its construction expected in fullswing next year. “(We’ll) also put one in Baguio, with a small scale mining company. It’s a big cooperative,” Liao said, noting that the plant may cost “a little higher” with the addition of a machine that will not be installed in its Valenzuela facility.

He divulged that a largescale gold company has contacted Xin Ye requesting more details on the GP-860 process

but the executive declined to name the �irm with talks still at an early stage.

Aside from gold stripping, the company has made new progress in nickel leaching.

“The company developed environmentally-friendly nickel-leaching technology that takes only two hours to extract nickel from laterite ores and the nickel recovery rate exceeds 80 percent,” Liao said, comparing the technology with the current process which takes about eight hours

Bantay Bukid to focus in guarding watersheds To focus on forest Head

By ANGIE SAVERON

D FULLY-LOADED. A couple, who appears to be in the fish trading business, with their young child in tow traverse E. Quirino Avenue, Davao City on a

tricycle loaded with fish baskets on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

‘Payola’system paved way to MRT3 rail deal- Nograles

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uwersa ng Bayaning Atleta Partylist Rep. Jericho Nograles today said that a “payola” and commission system has allowed the existence of patently illegal and invalid government deals like the P3.8Billion MRT3 maintenance contract that was given in favor of Busan Universal Rail Inc. without any bidding. Anomalous shady Nograles said that the Of�ice of the Ombudsman should start looking at the

intricate system of corruption that enabled BURI to corner the MRT3 maintenance service contract despite glaring discrepancies on the contract itself and BURI’s sloppy services.

“I have received reports on an alleged payola scheme of past and present government of�icials that made this fake contract possible. I am in the process of verifying these facts and will expose them in the appropriate time and venue but I really think that the

Ombudsman should also take the initiative to investigate this large-scale corruption that put the MRT3 in a terrible mess,” Nograles said.

According to Nograles, since the Commission on Audit has already declared that the MRT3-BURI contract is non-existent and therefore invalid, the millions of public funds that were already paid to BURI should be returned to the government.

“COA has issued several Notices of Suspension on the

payments made to BURI. According to the COA, BURI has no legal personality to collect payments from the DOTr’ and, therefore, should return the money,” Nograles said.

Nograles admits though that it may be impossible for BURI to return all the funds disbursed to them due to corruption.

“We are investigating and verifying if some personalities received bribes, commissions, campaign funds from

National Irrigation Administration, Department of Energy, host communities, and local government units.

The plant re-uses the water coming from the 360-MW Magat hydro plant through the re-regulating dam located downstream of Magat River.

The water then �lows into the Maris Main (South) Irrigation Canal.

Maris Hydro Power Plant, the �irst green�ield project of SNAP, is composed of two units of Kaplan pit type turbines with generator name-

plate capacity of 4.25 MW each.

Unit 1 was commissioned on October 24, while Unit 2 was commissioned on November 6.

The construction of the USD47-million hydro plant, located in Brgy.Ambatali in Ramon, Isabela, took about two years.

In October, AboitizPower’s run-of-river hydro business unit, Hedcor, signed civil works contract with UKbased contractor Whessoe for its 19-MW Bineng Combined

Hydropower Project in Benguet.

This project, approved by the municipal council of La Trinidad, Benguet last July, will increase the combined capacity of the Bineng plants from 5.48 MW to 19 MW. In addition, AboitizPower subsidiary Hedcor’s 69-MW run-of-river hydro project ManoloFortich, which is currently synchronizing to the grid, is targeted for commercial operations in 2017 or early 2018.

uring the Panagtagbo event Capt. Voltaire S. Engracia PN (Ret.) was introduced as the person assigned to handle the Bantay Bukid volunteers.

All the reports of the Bantay Bukid volunteers will be submitted to him. He is assigned to enforce the Watershed Code of Davao City.

“I am the representative of Davao City to enforce the watershed code and to protect the forest” he said during an interview on the sideline of the event on November 21, Tuesday.

He said that he will give focus on the implementation of the watershed in the second and third district. “ We are going to expand on the second district until ma cover namin lahat , kasi we need to preserve the future generation natin. Maka pag dating ng panahon wala na sila makita,” he said.

“Affected talaga tayo, itong mga �lash �lood natin ngayon, this is because of the watershed being destroyed,” he added.

He was installed in the position on the same day. He

gave the volunteers a copy of the Implementing Rules and Regulation of the watershed code for them to understand their roles as forest guard.

“We will start from there, when they return to the area, they should give a copy to their community, to the company that operates in the area, so that if we implement it we will see the violations then we will follow up,” said Engracia.

These volunteers are from the area of the watersheds. They will be trained to be equipped with knowledge so that they can intelligently enforce the law.

He said he expects to have a more effective implementation of the watershed code and to conduct patrols and enforcement.

Davao City has eight watersheds and these should be protected. As of now, only the third district has Bantay Bukid volunteers and whose areas cover the Davao River, Panigan-Tamugan river and Talomo- Lipadas river.

The Lasang, Paquibato and Bunawan areas still do not have Bantay Bukid Volunteers.

ASEAN countries call Strong RE demand fuels AboitizPower’s business for open trade system

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acked by a strong demand for renewable energy, AboitizPower continues to ramp up its portfolio of generation facilities across the Philippines.

AboitizPower’s subsidiary, SN AboitizPower (SNAP), has just completed the commissioning of its 8.5-megawatt (MW) Maris Main Canal 1 hydroelectric power plant in Nueva Vizcaya, as it gears toward full commercial operation this November.

The project is made possible with the support of the

PAYOLA,11

STRONG,11

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apan, China, South Korea and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have emphasized the need to pursue an open trading system for the region to allow sustainable growth of trade and investments.

In a joint statement released on Monday, the ASEAN and the Plus Three Countries noted that in 2016 alone, total merchandise trade between the 13 states amounted to USD694.2 billion or 31 per-

cent of the bloc’s total merchandise trade.

Foreign Direct Investment �lows from the Plus Three Countries into ASEAN, meanwhile, was valued at USD27.1 billion, accounting for 27.6 percent of the total FDI in�low to ASEAN. “We emphasized the need to pursue an open trading system for the region that would allow sustainable growth of trade and investments,” it said.

ASEAN,11

7 SUBURBIA RISING EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 167• WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

DOT Caraga to unveil latest marketing and promotions projects

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he Department of Tourism is venturing into new marketing and promotions initiatives to help boost the tourism industry along with its different stakeholders. It is in this endeavor that DOT is currently running the “BRING HOME A FRIEND” program that has commenced last October 2017.

The Department of Tourism Caraga Region is set to hold its regional-launching to unveil the Bring Home a friend program on November 29, 2017 at 1:00pm. The launching will start with a motorcade from the Butuan City proper to Robinsons Mall, which will then be followed by the launching at the New Robinson’s Atrium, Robinson’s Mall Butuan City.

The program will be attended by the Local Government Units of Caraga Region along with their local chief executives and tourism of�icers, the Regional Line Agencies and guests from the Department of Tourism Head Of�ice in Manila. The program will be highlighted by artists to entertain guests and spectators before �inally formally unveiling the DOT latest project and its mechanics.

“Hugoy-Hugoy” at Bulaong Terminal GENERAL SANTOS CITY (November 21, 2017) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera joins vendors, utility workers, drivers and other members of the transport sec-

tor at Bulaong Terminal on November 15 during their 2nd year of “Hugoy-Hugoy.” “Hugoy-Hugoy” means bonding or getting to know each other. During the event, Mayor Rivera reiterated

his support to the transport sector. He also emphasize that “sa usa ka LGU (local government unit), gikinahanglan na paminawon ang tanan “.(GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

BIFF blamed for grenade attack in Datu Piang

I

n an apparent diversionary tactic, authorities believe an outlawed armed group with links to Islamic State (IS) fired a rocket propelled grenade toward a private school in Datu Piang, Maguindanao Sunday night.

According to Sr. Supt.

Agustin Tello, Maguindanao police director, nobody was injured in the grenade attack, that happened around 8 p.m. at Gani L. Abpi College compound in Barangay Buayan.

The blast damaged glass panes and a vehicle parked near the building. No one has claimed responsibility but police and military authorities believed the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF)

which pledge allegiance to the IS was behind the attack as diversionary tactic.

Almost at the same time, unidenti�ied men tossed a hand grenade toward the house of business couple Hayder and Samra Manibpal

in Barangay Inug-og, Pikit, North Cotabato.

Sr. Insp. Rolly Castañares, Pikit town police chief, said no casualty was reported in the incident. Investigators could not say if the grenade attack in Pikit and Datu Piang were related.

On Saturday night, BIFF hurled a grenade toward a detachment of the Army’s 57th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Timbangan in

Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao.

Capt. Arvin John Encinas, speaking for the 6th Infantry Division, said a soldier was slightly wounded in the blast.

The military has claimed foreign �ighters have been sighted with the BIFF Abu Toraife faction now holed up in borders of Aleosan and Carmen, both in North Cotabato. (Edwin Fernandez/PNA)

More IT firms to invest in CDO

L

eading foreign and local players in the information technology (IT) industry are expected to put up shops here following the city’s hosting of the recently held 9th National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) Summit, a city of�icial said.

NICP, an umbrella organization of information and communications technology (ICT) councils in the country, named Cagayan de Oro and nine other cities last year as “next wave” cities.

Eileen San Juan, the city’s local economic and investment promotions of�icer, said Cagayan de Oro has what it

takes to be the new IT hub not just in the region but in Mindanao.

Proof of this, San Juan said, is the presence of business process outsourcing (BPO) facilities in the city.

Before coming over, she said, BPOs expect all the infrastructures needed for their business to be already in place, not before.

“When you say ‘next wave city,’ investors will know what you have, what you’re capable of,” she told reporters on the sidelines of the two-day summit held in a hotel here from Nov. 16-17. (community tax certi�icate). (PNA/Jigger J. Jerusalem)

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 167• WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

EDITORIAL

Informing the barangays

T

he success of government programs rely greatly on information.

Communicating what government is doing empowers the people who are directly affected by the action.

The project of the Presidential Communications Operations Of�ice (PCOO) in introducing barangay journalism to communities in the country to maximize the programs of President Rodrigo Duterte answers that concern.

The PCOO maintains that it is important

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

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ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

JIMMY K. LAKING Associate Editor PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ANGELIE SAVERON BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO JUDELYN VEGA MEGHANN STA. INES Reporters ARMANDO B. FENENQUITO JR. NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN FUNNY PEARL GAJUNERA Lifestyle CHA MONFORTE LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. ARLENE D. PASAJE Correspondents Cartoons Photography Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. Columnists: D. TACIO G.•DELIGERO • JOHN CARLO TRIA • VIDAGOTIANSE-TAN MIA S. VALVERDE•• NICASIO FRED C. LUMBA • ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA BORBONHENRYLITO • MARY ANN “ADI”• GREGORIO C. QUISIDO LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NIKKI ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ

the national association of newspapers

GENERAL SANTOS CITY OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING MARKETING OFFICE Richard C. Ebona | Product Development officer LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager EDMUND D. RENDON Unit 6, SouthbankMarketing Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts.Address: 04 Orilla St. Purok 4B Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Specialist Cellphone number: 09472652969 General Santos City Cagayan de Oro City JAMILA C. CANONIGO AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Email Address: edgedavao@gmail.com Mobile: (Smart) 09104501042 Tel: (088) 852-4894 Circulation Marketing Specialist

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

for the agency to get direct feedback from the countryside, especially on the implementation of government programs. An effective way of doing this is through barangay journalism.

With the barangays empowered with the tools to communicate how government programs are working in their areas, there is now a massive base of information which in the long run will work as barometers for program implementation.

EDGEDAVAO

M

arch 27, 1958 may not ring a bell to most Davaoeños today but on that day a twin-engine US Navy Bomber with a gaping hole on its wingtip and bearing serial number SS 128051, made a force-landing at the newly extended 1,500-meter Sasa Airport runway.

The yawning tear with busted pipeline near the gas tank was reported by Mindanao Times, which was allowed ocular inspection of the craft, as about three-foot long and one-half foot wide.

The choice of Davao airport was made due to proximity to the bomber’s mission area.

Authorities were mum in giving details about the damage aircraft but a later report �iled by the United Press (UP) cited an account from Indonesia saying government forces seized American-made �irearms dropped by a “foreign unidenti�ied aircraft’ for the rebels in Pakambaru, central Sumatra, a day earlier. This did not �it, though, the actual mission of the plane.

1957 and 1958 were considered crisis years for Indonesia, which was facing severe economic constraints and was �ighting the Darul Islam, a militant Muslim movement, in central Java.

On the other hand, the government, which demanded the return of New

U

nlike its counterparts in the uplands, mangroves are somewhat neglected. Most environmentalists and some media howl when forests are trimmed down. But there’s not so much noise when it comes to mangroves.

Another ecosystem that is not being paid attention to are the seagrass meadows. In fact, no one bothers about them. But what most Filipinos don’t know is that our country has the second highest number of seagrass species in the world. We have 16 of the globe’s 50 known seagrasses. Only Western Australia has more, but just by one species.

Perhaps it may come as a surprise that both mangroves and seagrasses have the natural capacity to sequester the carbon dioxide which are released into the atmosphere. Over the centuries, they have stored enormous amounts of “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,” said Dr. Miguel D. Fortes, a retired marine science professor at the marine science institute of the University of the Philippines at Diliman.

He knows what he is talking about.

He has more than two decades of expe-

VOL. 10 ISSUE 167 •WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

VANTAGE POINTS

9

US Navy Bomber on force-landing Guinea (West Irian) from the Netherlands, seized Dutch businesses and plantations resulting in serious economic impact. Some of the Dutch companies were taken over by PKI, an Indonesia communist party, which gave rise to American fears of a communist coup.

The plane had a nearly unrecognizable small star under the right wing that was painted with white and did not carry the usual marking found on US Navy planes. Its radio was dead such that its commander, Sy Elton Mendenhall, had to use the radio of Philippine Airlines (PAL) in reporting the incident to his base headquarters.

Later, the US Navy con�irmed that the damaged craft was an AJ-2 Savage that was assigned with the Heavy Photographic Squadron Sixty-One (VAP-61) and was stationed at Guam. It was the eleventh AJ-2P plane ordered from the North American Aviation Factory in Columbus, Ohio, and delivered to the Navy sometime in 1953.

The plan, which was Navy’s ‘principal long-range, carrier-based, heavy attack bomber’, stayed for two months at the airport hangar where it was repaired by US mechanics with spare parts sourced from the US naval depot in Luzon. One report described the craft as follows:

FAST BACKWARD Antonio V. Figueroa “In addition there was also an aft center-mounted turbojet. Except for a small tail pipe, however, the small jet engine was entirely concealed within the bulk of the fuselage. The jet’s intake was located on the dorsal ridge—out of view of a ground level observer. In short, the AJ-2 heavy bomber (built to carry an atomic weapon off the deck of a carrier) looked like a heavy twin engine plane. ”At a cruise speed of 230 miles per house the AJ-2 had one-way range of about 1,600 statute miles. With the turbojet in use it could attain a true air speed of 460 miles per hour. A specialized version of this plane, the AJ-2P,

was designed for long-range photo reconnaissance. It carried �lares for night photography but was not armed. Except for an extra camera lens nipple the AJ-2P was almost indistinguishable in appearance from the more common AJ-2.”

For two months the damaged plane, which was apparently hit by cannon �ire, stayed in Davao City and its crew extended the usual Filipino hospitality. In May 1958, Capt. Horace Virgil Bird, acting commander the US Naval Forces at Clark Air Base in Pampanga, later wrote a letter to city mayor Carmelo L. Porras for the support. He wrote: “On behalf of the U.S. Navy, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and the people of Davao for many instances of true understanding, spontaneous generosity, and valuable assistance shown these men while in your city. The warm friendliness and cooperative spirit will be remembered as one of the priceless assets of the U.S. Navy” in the archipelago.

More details about the plane’s mission would come out in years to come.

For instance, the bomber was actually “gathering photographic intelligence on the facilities and defensive arrangements of various harbours and air�ields” in the general area of Sulawesi, Makassar and Morotai. The photos, taken from as high

as 40,000 feet, were later used in raids conducted on Sulawesi ports employing American-piloted bombers.

Another issue that was cleared was the ultra-sensitivity of the operation, which was �lown by the squadron commander, the highest ranking and most experienced pilot.

And who ordered the mission? Mendenhall later disclosed that his order came from the Paci�ic headquarters in Hawaii on the strength of the authorization from the Chief of Naval Operations and the White House through the National Security Council.

Five weeks before the force-landing, the Indonesian military, which was misjudged by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) destroyed radio stations in Sumatra by bombs and set up coastal naval blockade. Worse, the Agency “failed to realize that many of the top commanders within the Indonesian army were �iercely anti-communist, having been trained in the United States, even calling themselves ‘the sons of Eisenhower.’”

The oversight led to skirmishes between Indonesian military and rebel forces, both getting American support.

As a consequence the CIA-led coup was “a complete and transparent failure [and] one of the biggest failures in the history of the CIA.”

atmosphere and oceans “at signi�icantly higher rates per unit area” than terrestrial forests.

“The carbon within these systems are stored aboveground (tree trunks, stems and leaves), belowground (root systems and rhizomes) in the plant biomass and in the carbon-rich organic soils of these ecosystems for even thousands of years,” explained Dr. Fortes.

The annual carbon sequestration rate for mangroves averages between 6-8 megarams (tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per hectare). One megagram is equal to one million grams. “These rates are about two to four times greater than global rates observed in mature tropical forests,” the Filipino marine scientist said.

Seagrasses account for less than 0.2% of the world’s oceans but they sequester approximately 10% of the carbon buried in ocean sediment annually, according to Dr. Fortes.

“Current rates of loss of these ecosystems may result in 0.15 to 1.02 billion tons of carbon dioxide released annually,” he pinpointed. “Hence, it is imperative that these blue carbon ecosystems be conserved and well-managed.”

In his position paper, Dr. Fortes pushed for the formulation of a blue carbon research and development.

Consistent with the policies laid down by the International Blue Carbon Initiative, the country’s program on the matter should aim to do the following: Fully integrate the outcomes into the natural coastal conservation and management policies and carbon �inancing (e.g. voluntary carbon market) of the government as part of mechanisms for climate change mitigation; Incorporate the outcomes in appropriate regulated processes of government as part of an integrated output of scienti�ic research, policy design, economic analysis and policy advocacy; Integrate the outcomes into other national, regional and international coastal and marine regulatory frameworks and policies; Facilitate the inclusion of the carbon value of coastal ecosystems in the accounting of ecosystem services; and Harmonize existing guidelines and policies governing conservation and management of seagrass, mangroves and coral reef ecosystems.

“In the Philippines, knowledge is still insuf�icient to develop effective carbon policy, management, and conservation incentives for coastal blue carbon, despite the preponderance of studies on coral reefs, mangroves and coastal management undertaken in the 1980s till at present,” Dr. Fortes lamented.

Blue carbon storage

rience as a coastal zone ecologist with research focus on coastal and marine resource assessment and sustainable use. He is also the �irst Filipino to receive the prestigious International Biwako Prize for Ecology.

“Unfortunately, they 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,” he warned.

Mangroves are very important to marine life. They serve as sanctuaries and feeding grounds for �ish that nibble on detritus trapped in the vegetation, and on the bark and leaves of living trees.

From 450,000 hectares in the 1920s, there are only less than 100,000 hectares left of our mangrove forests.

Most of these mangroves are “secondary growth” and only a small portion is primary growth, mostly in Palawan and a little in Mindanao.

According to Dr. Fortes, all 16 seagrass species are widely distributed in the country: from Bolinao Bay in the north, Palawan and the Cebu-Bohol-Siquijor area to the center, and Zamboanga and Davao in the south.

Seagrass beds cover an estimated area of about �ive million hectares.

A report from the Department of

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

Environment and Natural Resources said the Philippines lost about 30-50 of its seagrasses. This was 17 years ago; the �igure may be dwindled as more coastal areas are being developed for various uses.

“Once they are degraded or destroyed, their blue carbon stores are released as carbon dioxide and contribute to global climate change,” warned Dr. Fortes in a position paper which I obtained.

Recent studies have shown that mangroves, seagrass meadows and tidal marshes (this is not found in the country) mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide from the

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 167• WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

INSTANT... FROM 1 that our children are having sex, but it’s really happening, so we have to talk about it and work together to reduce the number of HIV-positive patients,” Villafuerte said.

Villafuerte said that in other countries free condoms are made available.

“Here in the Philippines HIV cases is increasing while in other countries they are decreasing because they really make condoms available anywhere when its needed and where sexual activities are, especially in the tourist spots and in rest rooms “ said Villafuerte .

“In other counties they have that and the number of HIV cases is decreasing. It’s still not implemented here in

Davao City but why don’t we adopt that kind of behavior?”

Villafuerte said.

“Social media is very modern and gives teenagers access to pre-marital sex. We don’t want to think that our children are having sex, but it’s really happening, so we have to talk about it and work together to reduce the number of HIV-positive patients,” Villafuerte said.

Villafuerte said that giving minors a condom is a dilemma, but that’s why they must be educated with its use, in focusing on prevention.

“If we do not guide our young people about what HIV is and how it is spread, then the problem would not stop,” Villafuerte said.

the number of Bantay Bukid Volunteers can be increased because majority of them are from the third district,” Golle said at the sidelines of the Panagtagbo Event at Almendras Gym on November 21, Tuesday.

Golle said the IDIS has been in partnership with the Philippine Eagle Foundation, Public Safety and Security Command Center, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Watershed Management Council in the training and deputizing of volunteers.

The Panagtagbo brought together for the �irst time all Bantay Bukid volunteers to acquaint them of the guidelines in protecting and enforcing the watershed code of Davao City.

“This is the �irst time since 2013 karon lang sila na gather, na tanan na sila na deputize na Bantay Bukid volunteers,” said Golle.

These volunteers also received their incentives amounting to P2,000 starting the month of October, in addition to their uniform and shoes.

Since most of the participants are from the community, their areas of responsibili-

ties are within reach of their communities.

“They were given the responsibility by the local government unit to implement the watershed code of Davao City,” she said, adding that they are also tasked to monitor the swamps and rivers as part of the early warning disaster response.

This event was made possible through the coordination of the City Mayor’s Of�ice, IDIS, Philippine Eagle Foundation and the Public Safety and Security Command Center.

yo i-control o hindi (Can you control or not)?’”

When he was the mayor of Davao City, Duterte asked AFP for a holiday truce to allow the NPA rebels to celebrate Christmas with their families in the city.

The President was concerned about ongoing lawlessness involving the New People’s Army (NPA) the past weeks especially in Mindanao provinces.

In fact, he said he would proclaim the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) as a terrorist group.

He said he was no longer inclined to push the peace negotiations between the government and the communist movement. The Pres-

ident said he would give his soldiers a break then “we will also go to the offensive” against the NPA. “We will study and maybe we will have a crackdown here somewhere. Nagsasawa na ako dito sa kalokohan nila. So ‘yang lahat ninyong pretending to be speaking for the people ‘yung mga quasi ano ninyo diyan, legitimate kunwari (I am sick with their foolishness. So everything that you are pretending to be speaking for the people and your quasi, legitimate pretenses),” he said.

But the President said he would give a chance to the rebels who have reached their senior years, to surrender and they would be provided with housing and work.(PNA)

IDIS... FROM 1

LOCAL... FROM 2

“We are very happy and thankful for the fast preparations because they really helped from the food, venue, everything. The role of IDIS is that we only drafted the program and invited the people to join and ensure that the community volunteers could come,” she said.

“It has been a longtime since we started lobbying in the local government unit and government agencies that they should partner with the communities because the local government staffs it is not enough to secure and monitor our forests and watersheds,” she added.

NEW ESL IN SIGHT. Councilor Diosdado Mahipus says the City Council is looking at the proposal of relocating the city’s sanitary landfill in Tibungco.

Mahipus also said during Pulong Pulong ni Pulong on Tuesday that further

study and research is needed before they will come up with a decision. Lean Daval Jr.

based on political performance to defray some of their expenses.

Likewise, Malaya said “federalism will empower the local government units (LGUs) to be able to deliver services on time.”

He cited as an example the procurement of textbooks which is done in the central of�ice of the Department of Education (DepEd) in Pasig City which runs in the billions

of pesos. A number of times, he said losing bidders were able to secure temporary restraining orders (TROs) from the court which delays the delivery of textbooks for students.

At the same time, Malaya said, the Land Transportation Of�ice (LTO) can expedite the issuance of driver’s licenses and vehicle plates if these are printed or procured in the regions. (PNA)

DOTr also named former DOTC undersecretaries Edwin Lopez, Rene Limcaoco and Catherine Gonzales as respondents.

A certain Marlo dela Cruz, Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) members, and of�icials of the former MRT3 maintenance contractor, the Busan Universal Rail Inc.

(BURI) were also included in the complaint.

This was the third complaint lodged against Abaya before the Ombudsman in connection with the BURI maintenance contract for MRT-3.

The DOTC terminated BURI’s contract last November 6. (PNA)

the defense secretary.

“Ang maganda rin doon, yung defense secretary siyempre siya ang namamahala sa Armed Forces ng US, baka dumating ang araw na siya lang ang kailangang mag-authorize na isoli na sa atin yung mga bells,” he said.

“For me, I am con�ident that we’ll get it back in a couple of years, no not years, I think sooner than later,” he said. “(It would be) within our lifetime, but I think sooner than later since (talks) are already there.”

“Ang latest na information na na-receive ko, yung law which prohibits the bringing of articles of war, memorabilia ng war medyo nag-expire na, so mayroon tayong mga kaibigang Amerikano na tumutulong sa atin,” Romualdez said before he leaves for Washington to assume his role as the Philippine envoy to US. US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim in July

already said America is willing to return all three Balangiga Bells to the Philippines as both sides explore resolution at an earlier date.

The prominent bells were taken from the Balangiga church in Samar by American troops as a war booty from the “Balangiga Massacre” in 1901.

With a total of three, one bell is displayed at the 9th Infantry Regiment at Camp Cloud in South Korea while the other two are in the former base of the 11th Infantry Regiment at F. E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenee, Wyoming.

Duterte �irst demanded for the return of the bells during his second State of the Nation Address. “Give us back those Balangiga bells.

They are ours. They belong to the Philippines. They are part of our national heritage.

Isauli naman ninyo. Masakit yon sa ‘yun sa amin,” he said.

(PNA)

Abrera said.

“In China, 70 percent of their �ish production is already through aquaculture for high-value �ish like grouper. Here in the Philippines, we rely on �ish catch for this species, and to be able to revive their population, we have to impose a close �ishing season,” Abrera said.

Aquaculture, or �ish farming, has gained momentum as a feasible method to produce seafood since “high demand for fresh �ish days these days

has already put a strain on natural populations”, he added.

“Palaweño �ishermen will bene�it a lot once they’ve been trained to practice the raising of �ish for food in controlled environments,” he said.

Aquaculture also means low impact risks to the environment since the method does not damage the environment while supplementing the increasing demand for �ish. (PNA)

counseling so that we can convince them to use protection and practice safe sex after learning about it from peer educators and other sex workers,” she said.

Villafuerte said that City Council allocated a budget of 3M for HIV programs. She is encouraging young people to access these programs and

services.

“The city also provide free HIV testing services and has its own treatment hub with adolescent-friendly facilities with the staff trained to handle reproductive health, family planning and HIV services for young people, where people living with HIV receive special care,” she said.

as Baguio City, Puerto Princesa City, and Tagbilaran City, which have markets that are large enough to support a range of services and investments. Subregional centers, on the other hand, serve as “market catchments of regional centers.”

Navarro mentioned Marawi City as an example of a sub-regional center, particularly as a higher education hub.

“The mention of Marawi may have evoked in you images of the destruction there due to con�lict. We will bring back Marawi to its former glory as a higher education hub,” she said, noting that NEDA will lead the planning of activities toward the formulation of the Bangon Marawi Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Program.

Another component of the NSS, she said, is improving linkages among settlements and key production areas in order to “equalize opportuni-

ties across space” and increase people’s access to jobs and services.

“So you see, the National Spatial Strategy seeks to address socioeconomic inequalities by linking lagging regions with leading ones, rather than forcing a uniform dispersal of development, which can create diseconomies and inef�iciencies,” Navarro said.

Responding to a student’s question on traf�ic, she also mentioned that the government’s effort to spread economic growth to other parts of the country is a strategy, among others, to decongest Metro Manila and alleviate traf�ic congestion.

The NEDA of�icial likewise encouraged the youth to take part in pushing for the full implementation of the National Spatial Strategy, the Philippine Development Plan, and the regional development plans.

(NEDA)

PDP... FROM 2

RETURN... FROM 2

PROXY... FROM 4

9... FROM 4

CHINA... FROM 5

PROXY... FROM 4

INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 167• WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

EVENT

EDGEDAVAO

Ayala Malls launch TienDA Partnership with DA to provide a market for Philippine farmers and fisherfolk

Ayala Land Pres. Bernard Vincent Dy, Ayala Corp. Chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, DA Sec. Manny Piñol, DA Usec. Berna Romulo-Puyat, Ayala Land Malls Pres. Rowena Tomeldan.

IN ITS DEDICATION to help spur the nation’s growth, Ayala Malls has teamed up with the Department of Agriculture (DA) to provide the country’s farmers and fisherfolks with a selling space in its nationwide roster of malls free of charge.

Dubbed “TienDA sa Ayala Malls,” this project by the DA and Ayala Malls serves as a venue for agri-fishery producers to sell their products directly to consumers and forego marketing layers and middlemen, thereby increasing the producers’ income. Moreover, TienDA sa Ayala Malls will benefit consumers by allowing them to avail of products at farm gate prices, a goal that’s in accordance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s vision of available and affordable food for Filipinos.

The inaugural TienDA sa Ayala Malls takes place at Abreeza Mall in Davao City from November 18 to 22, 2017.

Its launch program on November 18 was graced by President Rodrigo Duterte, DA Secretary Manny Piñol, DA Undersecretary Berna Romulo-Puyat,

produce more.”

Secretary Piñol expressed confidence in the public-private partnership that the DA and Ayala Malls has achieved that will enable farmers and fisherfolks to earn more and do more. “This is a work in progress, but our ultimate objective is to empower our farmers to have the full control of the food supply chain, from his farm to the market,” he said.

Prior to launching the Ayala Malls partnership, the DA had already carried out four TienDAs in Manila, Quezon City, and Taguig City earlier this year. The success of these events is what prompted Ayala Malls to pitch in by offering commercial spaces and use of utilities President Rodrigo Duterte, DA Secretary Manny Piñol, and Ayala Corp. Chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala at the TienDA free of charge to bring TienDA to more locations nationwide. stalls.

Following the Abreeza Mall Ayala Corp. Chairman and folks directly to consumers. goods when sold in the market. leg, TienDA sa Ayala Malls will CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de In his speech at the launch As a result, the farmers earn move on to other locations naAyala, Ayala Land President program, Secretary Piñol less and the consumers pay tionwide; namely, Ayala Center Cebu from November 25 to 26, Bernard Vincent O. Dy, and shared the impetus behind more.”

Ayala Land Malls President TienDA: “The sad story in the “This is the age-old anomaly UP Town Center in Quezon Rowena Tomeldan. food supply chain in this coun- in the Philippine food sup- City from December 2 to 3, AlThe launch event saw the try is that the traders and the ply chain which also affects abang Town Center in Muntindistinguished guests come to- middlemen dictate how much productivity,” Secretary Piñol lupa City from December 9 to gether onstage in a ceremonial a fisherman would earn from continued. “Since farmers and 10, The 30th in Pasig City on tying of rope to signify their his catch or the farmer from fishermen earn very little from December 16 to 17, and Solenad shared commitment to link the his farm produce. The traders their hard work, this results in in Sta. Rosa, Laguna from Janucountry’s farmers and fisher- also determine the price of the a diminished enthusiasm to ary 18 to 21, 2018.

EDGEDAVAO

A2INdulge!

EVENT

THE CREATORS of Finding Dory, Toy Story and Inside Out invite you to a musical journey on the bond of family history as Disney · Pixar debuts its newest movie, “Coco” in all SM Cinema theatres beginning November 22.

Bringing the love of Disney closer to all Filipino families, SM Cinema debuted Coco in branches across the country, with SM Seaside City Cebu heralding the movie’s first appearance on the Mega Screen featuring Coco brand ambassador Iñigo Pascual as the event’s special guest. Coco then toured its premiere at SM City Davao last November 17 and in SM Santa Rosa and SM City Baguio on November 20.

“This screening comes also in perfect timing with SM City Davao’s celebration of its 16th anniversary. This is our way of thanking our valued partners in our business,” mall manager Lynette Lopez shares during the advance screening at SM City

Davao. Around 300 kids and kids-at-heart were in attendance at the premiere night, including the presidential grand children as well as city mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Celebrate the month of Thanksgiving by discovering the inseparable bond of family and sing along with Disney ·Pixar’s Coco in SM Cinema branches nationwide beginning November 22.

For more information, log on to www.smcinema. com or follow @SM_Cinema on Instagram, and / SMCinema on Facebook and use the hashtag #CocoAtSMCinema.

For more mall events and promo updates, like SM City Davao on Facebook and follow @ smdavao on Instagram.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 167 •WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

COCO highlights

family bonds at SM City Davao

VOL. 10 ISSUE 167 •WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

ENTERTAINMENT

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

Joshlia headlines Metro Magazine this month METRO MAGAZINE, the country’s authority in style, features one of the hottest and most exciting love teams of today, Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto, on the cover of its November issue.

Julia is no stranger to Metro pages as the magazine has charted her story in many covers—Julia the cool girl, the ‘it’ girl, and now, Julia, in love. Joshua comes off more as a mystery. He is developing a reputation of being an actor’s actor, and is often described as a young John Lloyd Cruz. His candor and easygoing manner give him that charm.

Another impressive showing of force in this issue is the Women of Now list featuring ladies who all combine style with substance: Kat Gumabao who has been fighting for body positivity for years; Grrrl Gang, led by Mich Dulce, who lends its loud voice to various women’s issues; and Sheree Gotuaco who talks in images through her brand’s National Artist series. Alessandra de Rossi is likewise experiencing a renaissance of her own. These women, together with Alex Godinez and Gabby Sareñas,

‘Goblin’ returns on ABS-CBN

show the power of the female, of believing in something so much that it becomes a reality.

Also, because it’s Christmas time already, Metro has the ultimate gift guide and continues its curated list online through the new website: Metro.Style. This site will have everything from fashion to beauty to lifestyle, but will also tackle career, rela-

tionships, home—everything you’ll need for a stylish life.

Check out all these and more in the Metro November 2017, now out in major bookstores. Metro is available in bookstores and on newsstands for P150. Like Metro on Facebook (www.facebook. com/Metro.Magazine) and follow Metro on Twitter and Instagram (@MetroMagPH) #MetroMagPH

NO NEED TO BLOW A CANDLE or wait for the heavy rains as the groundbreaking Korean fantasy drama of 2016, “Goblin,” returns to television on ABS-CBN’s Kapamilya.

Relive the award-winning fantasy love story topbilled by Korean actor Gong Yoo, who plays the well-loved character of Kim Shin, a man cursed to live forever as a Goblin or immortal protector of souls. After 900 years, he finally meets a woman that can end the curse— Erin, the Goblin’s bride. He, however, falls in love with the sweet and innocent young lady and risks both their lives in the name of love.

Don’t miss the return of “Goblin,” after “The Promise of Forever” only in the first and true home of Asianovelas, ABS-CBN.

EDGEDAVAO

A4INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

VOL. 10 ISSUE 167 •WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

Motorola Experience Kiosk opens in Davao

By BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO

November 16 – 17, 2017 Only

JUSTICE LEAGUE Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

PG

11:40 | 2:15 | 4:50 | 7:25 | 10:00 LFS

JUSTICE LEAGUE 3D Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

PG

12:45 | 3:20 | 5:55 | 8:30 LFS

JUSTICE LEAGUE Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

PG

1:30 | 4:05 | 6:40 | 9:15 LFS

FALLBACK Rhian Ramos, Zanjoe Marudo Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

PG

12:20 | 2:45 | 5:10 | 7:35 | 10:00 LFS

MOTOROLA opened their newest Motorola Experience kiosk at the Gaisano Mall of Davao last November 17, 2017.

The Motorola brand has been creating exciting smartphones for everyone to enjoy. Not only are they trendy and perfect for the socially active individual, they are also very affordable. Who said you need to splurge to acievemaximum online exposure?

Motorola introduces the new MOTO C Family. Two new additions to their growing line, they’re hip, trendy and very affordable.

Fast quad-core processor with up to 30 hours of battery life, the moto c and moto c plus are guaranteed to make your social life even colorful.

The Moto C has a 5-inch Vibrant Screen, 1GB RAM + 8GB ROM and 5MP + 2MP camera while the Moto C Plus has a 5” HD screen, 2GB RAM + 8GB ROM and 8MP +2MP camera. Both running on the latest Android 7.0 Nougat processor.

The new Moto e4 plus, on the other hand, is one super powered phone. With its huge 5.5-inch HD display, fingerprint scanner and 5,000 mAh battery, its battery lasts up to 2 days. Running on the latest Android 7.1 Nougat processor.

In time with the opening of their new kiosk, shoppers are in for

a treat. Motorola introduces the special edition of the new moto g5s plus. Focuses mainly on your style, the moto g5s plus has a 5.5-inch full HD display, all metal unibody design and a dual 13MP rear cameras for capturing professional looking images. Not ot mention, the g5s plus has a 2.0 GHz octa-core processor.

Also has a fi herprint reader, all day battery life and turbo power charging.

The Motorola Experience Kiosk is located at the 3rd floor of Gaisano Mall Davao.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 167• WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

SSS... FROM 5

STRONG... FROM 6

the same period a year ago.

Meanwhile, SSS total revenues as of the end-September 2017 jumped by 10.72 percent to P146.17 billion from P131.97 billion in the same period last year.

Members’ contributions, which represent 81.8 percent of total revenues, amounted to P119.5 billion, up by 11.31

percent from P107.36 billion in 2016.

“The increase in our contribution was due to the aggressive contribution collection drive of SSS, like our recently-launched Run After Contribution Evaders and linkages with various professional sectors,” Dooc said.

(SSS)

opment in areas affected by con�lict and communities covered by existing peace agreements.

The program intends to provide communities with projects funded under the government’s stimulus fund to bring genuine peace and development.

It also aims to “reduce poverty, improve governance and empower communities in situations of con�lict”.

Meanwhile, the provincial government has completed as of the end of October the implementation of 33 more projects worth PHP76.5 million.

Nilo Sintin, provincial in-

spectorate unit chief, said the completed projects were road concreting and construction of bridges, lined canals, water systems, barangay halls, driers and warehouses, concrete drainage canals, drainage and embankment protection, box culverts, slope protection, multi-purpose buildings, two-classroom buildings, one-classroom buildings, senior citizen building, playground system, and grand stand and stage.

He said 16 major infrastructure projects worth PHP161,026,106 are being constructed in parts of the province. (PNA)

and results in a 40 percent recovery rate.

After a series of experiments, a large number of rare earth elements and radioactive elements were detected in the reacted laterite ores, according to Liao, all of which are important raw materials used in the high-tech, defense and energy industries.

At present, the Philippines has only two operational processing plants, namely the Coral Bay and Taganito processing plants for nickel,

in which Nickel Asia Corp., the country’s largest nickel supplier, has a 10 percent equity in each.

Liao said the �irm is looking to collaborate with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau , which has tested the �irm’s technology, and key universities through production, learning and research cooperation in order to pave the way for Philippine mining to become one of the global leaders in the industry. (PNA)

this group. Paano nila singilin mga yun?BURI May have also given commissions to past and present of�icials for every payment made to them,” Nograles said.

And now that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) under Secretary Arthur Tugade has already terminated BURI’s contract for the maintenance of MRT3, Nograles said that transportation of�icials should now act with haste in �inding longterm solutions to the problems of the Metro Rail Transit 3.

“Whatever should be best for the system must be executed immediately, so long as it is within the legal parameters and not repeat the mistakes of the cancelled relationship with BURI,” said Nograles, who led the crusade to expose the anomalies of BURI’s maintenance contract with the MRT3.

The DOTr formalized the cancellation of the P3.81-billion BURI contract two weeks ago but this has yet to solve the relentless glitches and breakdowns that has hounded the 18-year old light rail system for the past several

years.

Nograles said that while it is true that repairing the MRT and reducing glitches and breakdowns is a colossal task, this is not impossible considering that the older LRT system was pretty much like the MRT3 before it’s rehabilitation.

“The DOTr can solicit help from the private sector regarding the MRT3’s woes.

The LRT system is running with minimal problems so if that is a working formula, why not replicate it? I think that the DOTr should use the LRT experience in its effort to rehabilitate LRT,” he said.

There are two LRT lines, line 1 and line 2. Line 1, which roughly has the same ridership as MRT3, has been operational since 1984, making it 15 years older than the latter.

Line 2, which typically carries half as much passengers, is the newest of the three, having been launched in 2003.

The DOTr has said that it would be taking over the maintenance chores of the MRT3 following the BURI debacle. (HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES)

DILG... FROM 4

CYANIDE... FROM 4

PAYOLA... FROM 6

11

EDGEDAVAO

Once completed, it will increase Hedcor’s capacity of 185 MW of clean and renewable energy from 22 hydropower plants nationwide, bringing AboitizPower’s advanced hydro project developments at present to around 97 MW. “The company’s continued expansion of its RE

portfolio is in line with its balanced mix growth strategy,” said Antonio R. Moraza, AboitizPower President and COO. “We never stop looking for ways to maximize productions from our RE facilities because we know the role it plays in our overall strategy,” Moraza said.

On the other hand, the 13 nations said it will continue cooperation on economic issues as it encouraged closer collaboration on ASEAN’s new priorities and projects through the adopted ASEAN Plus Three Economic Cooperation Work Programme 2‎ 017-2018, covering areas such as connectivity, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) development, trade facilitation, and e-commerce.

The work program reinforces the foundation for enhanced economic relations, through sustained dialogue and consultations and technical cooperation activities between ASEAN and the Plus Three countries.

During their meeting in Manila, the state leaders recognized the important role of private sector in enhancing economic cooperation in the East Asian region and noted

the efforts made by the East Asia Business Council in supporting MSMEs to capture and maximize the opportunities offered by digital trade and to �ind new ways of doing business.

On research, they acknowledged the countries’ continuous business engagements including through the conduct of relevant research studies.

“We welcomed the collaboration among the EABC, ASEAN-China Centre, ASEAN-Japan Centre, and ASEAN-Korea Centre to extend the reach of cooperation in the context of the APT in order to increase trade and investment,” it said.

In setting long-term goals of regional integration, they noted the proposal to study the next phase of East Asia Vision Group III to include a focus on the Fourth Industrial Revolution. (PNA)

ing citizens LEAD also established a high sense of integrity due to the strong support of our board of judges and sponsors”, said Manuel Orig, founder of LEAD. This year’s LEAD board of judges is composed of Ronald Go, Antonio Ajero Jr., Lourdes Carmen Locsin, Protacio Tacandong, and Perla Kwan as Chairperson.

Major sponsors for this year’s LEAD are Aboitiz Power, Davao Light, Marco Polo Hotels, Phoenix, APM, Carve, Oasan Group of Companies, Johnnie Walker, and Heineken.

PROFILE OF LEAD WINNERS 2017 MARY ANN MONTEMAYOR: Our �irst honoree is a woman entrepreneur, hotelier, restaurateur, tourism maven, and a proud Dabawenya.

After graduating from Maryknoll College with a degree in Business Administration in 1977, she put up a coffe shop when coffee shops were not yet as cool or popular as they are today. She is owner/ manager of the following companies: Habi at Kape Cafe, Villa Margarita Catering Services, Binggoy’s Gourmet, Konkordans Inc., Grandeast Asia Travel, Xenon Insurance, Villa Margarita Hotel, and In�inity Arts and Crafts Showroom.

But more than her entrepreneurial endeavors, it has been her advocacy to promote Mindanao and her strong af�iliation for the region which sets her apart. She has been doing volunteer work with

the T’bolis and Bagobos for the last ten years, doing small scale training on organization and beading to the Indigenous Peoples. With her only daughter Marga, they formed joint venture Kaayo, a fashion and home accessories business that highlight the work of the IPs. They have supported the Bagobo Tagabawa, Bagobo Matigsalog, T’boli, Yakan, and the Mandaya of Davao Oriental.

She is the Mindanao coordinator of Go Negosyo and continues to provide guidance to participants in the program.

She served as President of the Davao Tourism Association from 1992 to 1995. They increased their tourism campaign efforts for Davao City using the city’s key symbols such as the durian, Mount Apo, Waling-Waling, and cementing these as city icons. During her term, the Association received the DOT’s National Kalakbay Award for Tourism Council of the Year.

In 1998, she received a Special Centennial Award for Tourism given by the Datu Bago Awards of Davao City.

And just this year she received the Inspiring Filipina Entrepreneur award by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship at Malacanan Palace and the Outstanding Asean Woman Entrepreneur given by the Asian Women Entrepreneurs Network. Her passion for promoting Davao City to the world is the same as her passion to see Davao City and its people improve their lives.

ASEAN... FROM 6

3... FROM 13

MS. CHARITA P. PUENTESPINA Our next honoree is a classic example that age should never slow you down in achieving your dreams and aspirations.

An active and energetic woman, a leader, and an entrepreneuer. A wife to Roberto Puentespina, mother and grandmother. She has made a name for herself in the �ields of �loriculture, tourism, cacao production, and food processing.

Born in Passi, Iloilo, she �inished Bachelor of Science in Commerce at the Ateneo de Davao University “cum laude” in 1967, with her “3 little Indians” in tow. This refers to her 3 sons, one of them 2007 JCI Senate Davao President Angel Puentespina.

Her horticulture and �loriculture businesses employ 150 individuals. She is credited with reviving and propagating the Vanda sanderiana, known popularly as Waling-waling. During the Kadayawan sa Dabaw, she supported 150 farmers and gardeners to do their selling activities.

In tourism, her Malagos Garden Resort is among the main tourist areas of the city, practicing and promoting agri-tourism. It also operates the �irst and only chocolate museum in the country.

It is in the cacao industry where she has made the biggest impact. She unselfishly shares all her education, knowledge and experience, opening up her cacao farm in 2011 to everyone who wants to learn cacao farming. She is known as “Madre de Cacao” or mother of Cacao because of many of her pioneering efforts that helped the industry and in crafting the Philippine Cacao road map She has worked with scientists of Mars Chocolate USA, thought their “Cocoa Supply Sustainability Program”, to set up the Mars Cacao Development Center, at her farm in Malagos, Davao City. The variety that she caused to register, UF18 (Theabroma cacao), became the main variety propagated in the industry. And the ever popular Malagos Chocolate is now a globally known and multi-awarded product.

Outside of her profession, she was President of the Zonta Club of Davao in 1996. During her tenure, her chapter managed to build a school at the Isla Verde. She partnered with a funding agency (Christian Children Fund) and an NGO to successfully build the school.

Last August, along with this year’s LEAD Honoree Mary Ann Montemayor and 2003 LEAD Honoree Joji Ilagan Bian, she was awarded as among the Asean Outstanding Women Entrepreneurs.

DR. GUILLERMO P. TORRES JR.

WHO’S... FROM 11 manageable in keeping this division thriving.

If Ancajas is serious in his quest for supremacy at super �lyweight, beating one of the

The third honoree is a man made of vision, execution, and results. He has embodied integrity, hard work, sacri�ice, and zeal combined.

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1975 at De La Salle College and got his Masters in Business Administration at Ohio University two years later. in 1999, he was a recepient of a Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) in Commercial Science from John Dewey University of Rutherford, New Jersey.

Currently, he is the Chairman and President of an academic institution, a media company, and a family-owned realty corporation.

Under Willie’s leadership, the University of Mindanao has achieved national and international accreditation and recognition, which is a manifestation of their commitment to providing the highest standard of instruction to its students.

Pursuant to his vision to make education an arm’s reach away from those who need it, he initiated in providing scholarship to the Indigenous Peoples, Persons with Disabilities, and the like allocating a total of 150 scholarships slots every school year. UM holds the title of being the most affordable private university in Davao City, and resulted to having the largest number of enrollees in the region and producing the highest number of graduates.

In his leadership, UM became the biggest higher educational institution in Mindanao.

He has a very soft heart for the poor, as evidenced by his generous activities aside from free scholarships. He has donated to Care for the Elderly Foundation, donated 3.4 hectares of land to the urban poor living near the vicinity of the UM Matina Campus, and eagerly supported Community Infrastructure Program of Gawad Kalinga donating 10 houses at GK Pueblo Antonio, Sitio Habana, Barangay Catigan, Toril.

He also annually sponsors the GET Golf Tournament, to raise funds for poor yet deserving students of the Mount Apo Science Foundation College. He is also the President of the Foundation College which offers free education, lodging, and textbooks for �inancially-challenged agriculture students.

In 2011, he was bestowed Davao City’s Datu Bago Award.

He served as Chairman of Datu Bago Awards Organization from 2013 to 2016. De La Salle University also awarded him a Lasallian Achiever in Media for successfully running a media business in Davao City. On August 2, 2017 he received Asia’s Education Excellence Award for Outstanding Contribution to Education by CMO Asia, an award of the highest stature.

best ‘little guys’ of all time would be a real scalp to add to his growing record, signalling the passing of the baton for years to come.

EDGEDAVAO

12 COMPETITIVE EDGE

VOL. 10 ISSUE 167• WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

USeP joins int’l confab in Canada

Dr. Lourdes Generalao promotes USeP in the Philippine Exhibit booth of the Annual Conference in Canada

The University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP), represented by its President, Dr. Lourdes C. Generalao, participated in the 51st Annual Conference of the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) at The Halifax Convention Centre in Halifax,

Nova Scotia, Canada.

Slated to run from November 19 to 22, 2017, the conference, with the theme, “Pathways in International Education: Charting the Course,” seeks to gather educators and stakeholders from across the globe to establish

tate-run Social Security System (SSS) Davao conducted a membership seminar to some 700 senior high students during the Career Fair 2017 held last Nov 1314 at the University of the Immaculate Concepcion in Davao City.

During the event, account of�icers from SSS Bajada and Ilustre assisted students in the pre-employment registration drive.

The pre-registration activity is one of the Social Security Commission’s plans for 2018 which aims to ease regis-

tration process for the new addition to the work force.

SSC of�icials are looking at this pre-employment registration wherein even individuals who are still in the secondary schools may be able to have their SS number already, years before they are ready to enter the work force. Employers will no longer have the inconvenience of registering them in the System.

Above photo shows SSS Davao Account Of�icer Melanie Grace Masangkay explaining the proper way of �illing out SSS membership forms to UIC students.

collaborations on the trends and developments in education.

The opportunity to join the Philippine delegation in this activity paves the way for USeP to promote its programs and services to international markets, particularly to

Delegates from the Philippines with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson, Dr. Patricia B. Licuanan (6th from left)

Canadian students. Through academic fellowships and research partnerships, USeP aims to form linkages with Canadian institutions in offering undergraduate and graduate students research grants, exchange fellowships and overseas study programs

among faculty and students, teaching partnerships, short courses fellowships, research opportunities and advice, guest lectures and visiting scientists and scholars, and industry-based learning placements.

Committed to become

a premier university in the ASEAN region, USeP constantly engages in activities that strengthen international ties for possible partnerships on instruction, research, and student and faculty externship and internship programs. (USeP PR)

700 UIC Senior High attend SSS seminar PDEATrainsTrainers on SAPE T S NOTICE OF LOSS

Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. that CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No.(s) under LOYOLA PLAN ISSUED TO THE FOLLOWING PLANHOLDERS, TO WIT: PH NAME 1. DAISY JANE CIMAFRANCA 1. DAISY JANE CIMAFRANCA 1. DWIGHT ANTHONY CIMAFRANCA 1. DAWN JANETTE CIMAFRANCA 1. DAWN JANETTE CIMAFRANCA

CONTRACT NO.

CFP NO.

10048922-5 10048921-4 10048925-8

21067495 21067496 21067497

10048924-7

21067498

10072946-4

21066513

were lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

11/8,15,22

he Preventive Education and Community Involvement Section (PECIS) and Davao Occidental Provincial Drug Enforcement Of�ice of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 11 (PDEA 11) in cooperation with Department of Education, Division of Davao Occidental conducted Trainers Training on Substance Abuse Prevention Education (SAPE) at Davao Occidental School Division Training Room, Fishing Village, Malita, Davao Occidental.

The PDEA 11 person-

NOTICE OF LOSS

nel discussed the Basic Drug Identi�ication and Its Ill Effects; Signs and Symptoms of a Substance Abuser; Reasons Why People Turns to Drugs, Powers and Duties of PDEA and Salient Provisions of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The PDEA personnel also discussed the Article IV, Section 44 of Republic Act 9165 to exercise their mandate as the “Person in Authority” inside and within the immediate vicinity of the school. PR

NOTICE OF LOSS

Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. that CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No.(s) under LOYOLA PLAN ISSUED TO THE FOLLOWING PLANHOLDERS, TO WIT:

Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. that CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No.(s) under LOYOLA PLAN ISSUED TO THE FOLLOWING PLANHOLDERS, TO WIT:

PH NAME

CONTRACT NO.

CFP NO.

PH NAME

CONTRACT NO.

1. DAWN JANETTE CIMAFRANCA

10072950-0 10072951-1 10072952-2 10072953-3

21066519 21066520 21066521 21066522

1. DAWN JANETTE CIMAFRANCA

10072944-2 10072945-3 10072947-5 10072948-6 10074949-7

were lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

11/8,15,22

CFP NO. 21066514 21066515 21066516 21066517 21066518

were lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

11/8,15,22

VOL. 10 ISSUE 167• WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

NEWS 13

EDGEDAVAO

3 Dabawenyos receive JC Senate LEAD awards

Montemayor, Puentespina, Torres honored T

HREE outstanding Dabawenyos were conferred the Junior Chamber International Senate Davao the Leaders & Achievers of Davao (LEAD) awards by the Junior Chamber International Senate Davao, also known as Davao Jaycee Davao, during appropriate ceremonies last night at the Marco Polo Hotel Davao.

Honored with LEAD Davao, considered one of Davao City’s most prestigious awards, were Mary Ann Montemayor, Charita Puentespina, and Guillermo P. Torres Jr. LEAD seeks to recognize outstanding Dabawenyo leaders and achievers, 40 years old and above, who best exemplify the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Creed. These would include faith in God, brotherhood among men, economic justice through free en-

terprise, government of laws, human personality, and service to humanity. LEAD also gives recognition to Dabawenyos who have made outstanding contributions to the development and growth of Davao City,. They have brought pride and honor to the city by excelling in their business, professions, or advocacies.

Hotelier Mary Ann Montemayor won under the Tourism category. Floriculture and cacao industry mover Charita

Puentespina won under the Agribusiness category. Meanwhile, University of Mindanao Chairman and CEO Guillermo Torres Jr. was recognized for his efforts in the Education sector.

LEAD is an annual �lagship project of JCI Senate Davao.

It is the main organization of senior JCI members in Davao City who have been recognized as JCI Senators. LEAD’s maiden year was in 2003, with the �irst batch of awardees namely Carolyn Arguillas, Joey Ayala, Joji Ilagan Bian, Margie Moran Floirendo, and Antonio Uy. The inaugural search was led by Project Chairman Nilo Claudio and JCI Senate Davao President Manuel Orig. The 2015 honorees were Lourdes Carmen Locsin, Dionisio Abude, and Dr. Leopoldo Vega.

2016 honorees were Perla Kwan, Alexander Buenaventura, and Protacio Tacandong.

Charita P. Puestespina

Mary Ann Montemayor

Dr. Guillermo P. Torres JR.

Luciano Frederick Puyod III, this year’s Project Chairman of LEAD Davao, said “Davao’s story of leaders and achievers must be told. LEAD is a way for us to tell this story, and hopefully inspires all Dabawenyos especially the youth. We need not look far for role models or heroes, be-

cause as it is they are just here in our city. We thank them for their inspiring lives and selfless acts of generosity for their fellow Dabawenyos”.

“The Search program also aimed to draw the much needed inspiration for young citizens to embrace the JCI ideals and empower themselves to

become morally upright leaders of the community now and in the future.”, said Jesus Mabaquiao, 2017 President of JCI Senate Davao.

“LEAD is JCI Senate Davao’s way of conveying the gratitude of the Davao City community to these outstand-

3,11

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 167 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

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

VOL. 10 ISSUE 167• WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO

Duterte cagers edge IBP 97-94

T

eam Duterte-CMO eked out a 97-94 win over IBP Davao in Game No. 20 of their basketball friendly series on Friday at the Genesis 88 Gym. Sec. Christopher “Bong” Go pumped in 39 points as Team Duterte-CMO

HITMAN. Sec. Bong Go hits a triple in this file photo.

shrugged off a long series break to pull away with a close win.

Go, the sweet-shooting special assistant to President Rodrigo Duterte, took off where he left off in the last outing hitting nine baskes from behind the arc.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Sec. Mark Villar put up a valuable contribution of �ive points for the Team Duterte-CMO which won Game No. 19, 101-96, last October 16.

Armand Dioso led the

way for IBP Davao with 28 markers as Ongkiko made 14.

Paguican and Navarro had 13 apiece for the Davao lawyers squad.

IBP Davao fought a grinding battle all the way sending Team Duterte-CMO

to a down the wire �inish.

But it was Team Duterte-CMO managed to pull off crucial plays down the stretch for the victory.

Joel Aberilla chipped in 23 points as Sevilla had 15 for Team Duterte-CMO. Team Duterte-CMO and

IBP Davao were playing epic games in the series marked with four contest ended to a draw.

IBP Davao tasted its �irst win Game No. 18, 93-82, snapping an almost a year of losing streak.

Irving fires 47 as Celtics keep run Tagum card weigh in Nov. 24 T

D

ALLAS (AP) -- Kyrie Irving scored 10 of his season-high 47 points in overtime as the Boston Celtics rallied once again from a double-digit de�icit to beat the Dallas Mavericks 110-102 on Monday night and extend their winning streak to 16 games.

The Mavericks led by as many as 13 points in the fourth quarter, but as they have several times during their winning streak, the Celtics stormed back.

The winning streak ties the fourth-longest in Celtics history.

Boston tied the game at 96 when Irving stole the ball from Dirk Nowitzki and fed Jayson Tatum for an alley-oop lay-up that hung on the rim for a full second before dropping through.

Irving scored his team’s �irst six points of overtime.

Then after Jaylen Brown gave Boston a 104-102 lead with

HOT. Boston guard Kyrie Irving changes his shot in midair.

a jumper with 1:39 to play, Irving went to work on Yogi Ferrell, backing him down and drawing contact on a lay-up with 48.5 seconds to play. Though Irving missed the free throw to keep the score 106-102, Dallas never got closer.

Harrison Barnes scored 31 points and Wesley Mat-

thews had 18 for Dallas, which came back from an early double-digit de�icit as the Celtics went cold for much of the second and third quarters.

Irving and Barnes had chances in the �inal 30 seconds but both missed shots that would have given their teams the lead.

The Mavericks fell behind by as many as 15 points in the �irst half, outscoring the Celtics 55-35 over the second and third quarters.

Dallas took its biggest lead of the game when Yogi Ferrell fed a cutting Dwight Powell for a lay-up to make it 87-74 with 7:47 to play before the Celtics rallied.

HE of�icial weigh-in of the �ighters for “The Redemption” boxing event will be held on Nov. 24 at 9 a.m. at the Robinson’s Place in Tagum City.

This was announced by boxing promoter Engr. Jilson Basang of MB Northstar Boxing Promotions.

“It will be followed by a motorcade around the city of Tagum” said Basang, also president of the Mindanao Professional Boxing Association (MinProBA).

The weigh-in will be supervised by WBC Asia Boxing Council supervisor Ralph Diokno, who will be assisted by Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Davao Of�icer-in-Charge Arlene Olondrez and MinProBA supervisor Lito delos Reyes.

The boxing card, which has �ive separate championship bouts is slated this Saturday, Nov. 25 at 5 p.m. at the UM Gym in Tagum City. It is co-promoted

by Raul Timogtimog of RATIM Sports Promotion.

The main event is the title �ight for the vacant WBC Asia Boxing Council super bantamweight title between MinProBA super bantamweight champion Glenn ‘The Rock” Porras (30W-6L-0D, 18 KOs) of Panabo City and former PABA bantamweight and Indonesia Boxing Association 3-division champion Noldi Manakane (32W-22L-2D, 18 KOs) of Indonesia.

Reigning Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) lightweight champion Rosekie Cristobal (14W-2L-OD, 10 KOs) of Panabo will be defending his crown against Romeo Jakosalem (18W-15L-1D, 10 KOs) of Davao City in the main supporting match.

Current MinProBA light �lyweight king Michael “The Chieftain” Bravo (12W-1L-0D, 5 KOs) of Panabo will face Lyster Jun “The Silent Penetrator” Pronco (9W-15L-1D, 6KOs) of Malaybalay, Bukidnon for the vacant interim PBF light �lyweight crown.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 10 ISSUE 167• WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

WHO’S NEXT? Three fighters vie for Ancajas’next defense

Legionnaires, an American football team of Davao City, pose for a souvenir photo as they pay a courtesy call to the City Council led by Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

W

ith Ancajas’ last three �ights taking place in Macau, Australia and the UK, the 25-year-old is �inding his feet away from the Philippines. With “Pretty Boy” holding the IBF version of the super �lyweight world championship, opportunities are coming thick and fast in the booming 115lbs division. A reported ‘Super�ly 2’ show is rumoured to be in the works for February 24, and with space on the card the timing could be right for an American debut for the Imus based �ighter.

Involved in one of the most competitive and exciting divisions in boxing, Ancajas is on the verge of worldwide stardom; selecting his next ‘victim’ could be one of the most important moves in the career of Jerwin Ancajas.

With Ancajas being exposed to the British boxing public on Saturday night, a move to �ight WBA super �lyweight champion Kal Yafai (22-0) would tick several boxes. Jerwin has held his title just three months more than the Birmingham-born �ighter, and with �ive defences between them, both guys are solidifying their positions in the 115lbs division.

Fighting under Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom banner, Yafai is able to feature as a chief support for huge pay-per-view cards.

With two of his last three �ights coming on Anthony Joshua undercards, Yafai has gained exposure he wouldn’t normally attain, making him a star in the UK - especially in Birmingham.

With uni�ications usually taking precedent over mandatory requirements, Ancajas and Yafai could effectively get it on in the early part of 2018, providing the money and exposure is suitable for both �ighter. Ancajas has shown his willingness to travel in his recent outings, with a spot on the next Joshua undercard a huge opportunity.

With 52 �ights between them it’s time for both guys to step up in levels of opponent; a �ight between these two would be in the realms of a 50-50, disregarding the potential home advantage of Yafai.

After back-to-back defeats over the heralded former pound-for-pound contender Roman Gonzalez, Thailand’s Srisa-

ket Sor Rungvisai (44-4-1) has shot up the aforementioned rankings after claiming and defending the WBC strap.

A huge underdog in their �irst meeting in March, Rungvisai came away with a majority decision at Madison Square Garden and followed it up with a convincing fourth round stoppage in their rematch in September.

With the champion rumoured to be �ighting Juan Francisco Estrada on the ‘Super�ly 2’ card in February, Ancajas may have to bide his time for this uni�ication, however a �ight against the winner in the early part of the summer is a big possibility.

Sor Rungvisai is making a name for himself in the USA, and with his third US appearance in a row expected on February 24 a future uni�ication against Ancajas would draw in the crowds.

With HBO backing the super �lyweights, more exposure is assured over the next 12 months, allowing this �ight to stand on its own - providing the WBC champion can negate the challenge of the dangerous Estrada.

Here is Ancajas’ possible opponent for February 24. The ‘Super�ly 2’ card will need to be stacked with 115lbs action, and with Roman Gonzalez (46-2) left with nowhere to go after his back-to-back world title defeats, Ancajas could provide “Chocolatito” with a needed lifeline.

Despite just turning 30, Gonzalez’s 48 professional �ights appear to have caught up with him, with the Nicaraguan struggling to �ind the hand-speed he once possessed. Critics feel a move down in weight could be on the cards for Gonzalez, however it’s hard to see the former pound-forpound contender turning down a potential world title �ight.

Gonzalez has won world titles at four different weight categories, however may have hit his ceiling after three underwhelming outings at super �lyweight.

This �ight would act as the perfect hors d’oeuvre to the rumoured Srisaket Sor Rungvisai vs Juan Francisco Estrada headline �ight, with rotations of opponents easily WHOS,10