Edge10 issue186 December 19, 2017

VOL. 10 ISSUE 186 164 •TUESDAY, • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, DECEMBER NOVEMBER 19, 2017 17-18, 2017

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Serving a seamless society

DEAD END Transporters of firecrackers to be arrested

LUMAD-BOUND. Volunteers repack food packs inside a supermarket along Sales Street in Davao City on Monday which will be delivered to the lumads in the far flung areas of the city. Each food pack consists of two kilograms of rice, two cans of sardines and noodles. Lean Daval Jr.

By JUDIE VEGA

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raders who wish to transport firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices through Davao City Overland Transportation Terminal will face immediate arrest and will be slapped with the corresponding charges.

It will be end for violators, assured Aiza Yusoph, Davao City Overland Transportation Terminal manager.

She said the city gov-

ernment has an ordinance banning �irecrackers and the transporting of �irecrackers and pyrotechnic devices through treansportation ter-

minals.

Yusoph said that Mayor Sara Duterte has emphasized that “the city government cannot even issue a permit for the transport of �irecrackers due to the ordinance.

“Davao City Ordinance No. 060-02 strictly prohibits the manufacture, sale, distribution, possession, or use of explosive devices even the passage and possession of any

�irecracker, pyrotechnic devices and the likes within the city’s vicinity.

“So it is not allowed to pass here in the City of Davao, especially in terminals we secured every bag of the passengers before they enter the Davao City Terminal,” she said.

According to the City ordinance does not allow exemption for “those for transporting

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Hello, La Union!

INdulge A2

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 186 •TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017

LIGHT MOMENTS. President Rodrigo Duterte chats with Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao’s mother Dionesia Pacquiao before they pose for a photo with the Senator and his family during the Senator’s

birthday celebration at the KCC Convention and Events Center in General Santos City on Sunday evening.

PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Dengvaxia didn‘t CTTMO’s 4 speed guns reach Davao City

By ANGIE SAVERON

T

he Dengvaxia vaccine did not reach Davao City considering that it was part of a pilot project in Manila. Abdulla Dumama Department of Health assistant secretary and Regional XI regional director clari�ied this on Thursday, saying that the Davao region was supposed to be the next area to be provided with the vaccine but this was called off after it was found out that it was not good for children.

He said that vaccination of Dengvaxia should not be allowed because there was a hold order from Secretary Francisco T. Duque III on December 1, 2017 and the Food and Drugs Authority also released a notice on December 4, 2017 which states “that in order to protect the general public the FDA immediately directed Sano�i Pasteur to suspend the sale, distribution and marketing of Dengvax-

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working: Mayor Inday

BY ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T

he City Traffic and Transport Management Office (CTTMO) has four speed guns and all are working properly.

This was clari�ied by Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio on Monday, contrary to the revelation by the head of the Davao City Police Of�ice’ traf�ic group that nobody was arrested for violating the speed limit because of lack of speed guns.

In a press brie�ing at the City Mayor’s Of�ice on Monday, Duterte-Carpio said

she already ordered DCPO director Sr. Supt. Alexander Tagum to tell DCPO-TG head Supt. Ernesto Castillo that the enforcers of City Traf�ic and Transport Management Of�ice (CTTMO) have four speed guns that are working properly.

“The fact nga nisulti siya nga walay working na speed

gun, daghan nagreklamo sa akoa kay because nadakpan sila sa CTTMO. So, medyo na-question ang integrity sa CTTMO (The fact that he announced that there are no working speed guns, I received a lot of complaints because they were apprehended bu the CTTMO. So, the integrity of CTTMO was questioned in implementing the speed limit in the city),” she said.

“I told director Tagum that he (Castillo) should not speak for other of�ices like LTO, LTFRB and CTTMO. If he wants

to raise issues, he should limit them within his of�ice,” Duterte-Carpio added.

Last week, Castillo bared during the AFP-PNP Press Corps media brie�ing that his of�ice, as well as the Land Transportation Of�ice and CTTMO have no apprehensions on speed limit due to malfunctioning speed guns.

He said they are still waiting for their request for new additional speed guns from the City Hall.

“Malaking tulong tala-

government,” Pimentel said.

Under the law, Pimentel said entering into any contract or transaction that is deemed “manifestly and grossly disadvantageous” to the government constitutes a corrupt and unlawful practice.

“Of�icials found liable may be penalized with up to 15 years in prison, plus perpetual disquali�ication from public of�ice,” Pimentel said, referring to

the provisions of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Pimentel likened the purchase of Dengvaxia boosters to buying an automobile that turns out to be a lemon – a product that is unsatisfactory and defective.

Meanwhile, Pimentel urged Dengvaxia’s manufacturer, Sano�i Pasteur, to promptly return the P3.5-billion that the Philippine government, through the Department of

Health (DOH), paid for the anti-dengue shots.

“This is the right thing for Sano�i to do. The sooner they give us back the money, the better,” Pimentel said.

The lawmaker also urged Sano�i Pasteur to establish an indemnity fund, as proposed

by Health Secretary Francisco Duque, to pay for the future hospitalization and treatment

6 soldiers hurt in grenade blast Graft raps seen over dengue vaccine mess

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ix soldiers under the 30th Infantry Battalion sustained minor wounds when a grenade exploded while they were on patrol in a village in San Francisco town in Surigao del Norte Wednesday evening, Major Arvin L. Dugho, the battalion’s press information of�icer told MindaNews on Saturday afternoon He said the soldiers were

conducting a patrol in Barangay Magtangale at 6:25 p.m. on December 13 when a suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members lobbed a hand grenade.

Injured soldiers were rushed to a hospital in Surigao City for medical treatment.

“No one was seriously hurt and they are now back in the camp,” Dugho said. (Roel Catoto / MindaNews)

T

he of�icials responsible for the dengue vaccine mess up are bound to face graft charges, Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, chairman of the House committee on good government and public accountability, said on Sunday.

“The hustled purchase of P3.5-billion worth of Dengvaxia shots in 2015 may be considered highly detrimental to the

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NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 186 •TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017

BFP issues tips on buying decors

By ANGIE SAVERON

T

he Bureau of Fire Protection reminded the public to double check the electrical mechanisms of Christmas decorations they intend to buy since a substandard devices may trigger �ire.

“Kinakailangan may nakalagayna sticker na Import Commodity Clearance (ICC).

Isa itosamgabatayanna may kalidadang Christmas lights nanabilinila,” �ire marshal C/ Insp. Honee Fritz Alagano told Edge on Thursday.

She said leaving the appliances plugged in while sleeping or leaving the house is also one of the causes for �ire during December.

She reminded the public

to remove anything that could cause �ire inside the house such as garbage and �lammable materials like gasoline, alcohol and paint.

Other tips: Ensure that the appliances are unplugged before leaving the house or sleeping. Don’t use octopus wiring. Don’t leave your gas stove unattended. Always check the gas hoses of your LPG tanks and immediately replace it if it has damages.

She said that Sasa, Bangkerohan, Bucana barangay 76-A, Boulevard, Buhangin and other informal settlers in the city are the areas where �ire commonly

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Duterte bares what ails his Presidency

Adds he still thinks and acts like a mayor

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ritics are expected to come up with a long list of what ails the Duterte Presidency but what is Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s own assessment?

Eighteen months after he took over as the 16th Philippine President and �irst Mindanawon to lead the country, Duterte says what ails his Presidency is that he still thinks and acts like a mayor.

Waxing nostalgic at the Christmas party with Davao media late Friday night until the early hours of Saturday outside the Presidential

Guest House in Panacan, Duterte, who served for 22 years as mayor here, recalled his early days when he dealt with a city that was still trying to recover from the daily killings in the last days of the Marcos dictatorship.

Before Marcos was ousted in February 1986, Davao City was dubbed the country’s “Killing Fields,” the military referring to it as the laboratory of urban guerilla warfare of the New People’s Army through the Sparrow Units, its urban liquidation

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TIME-OLD TRADITION. President Rodrigo Duterte extends his hand to his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio who showed a gesture of respect upon her father’s arrival at the Azuela Cove in

Lanang, Davao City for his attendance to the 7th Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Davao Year-End Gathering on Sunday night.

PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Duterte eyes LGBT advocate to PCUP

BY ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

P

resident Rodrigo R. Duterte wants to appoint a representative from the sector of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexuals and Transgender (LGBT) to the Presidential Commission for Urban Poor.

Duterte bared his statement during the LGBT Christmas Party at Azuela Cove on Sunday evening.

“I’d like to appoint somebody upon the nomination, you nominate a representative from LGBT

sector because I �ired the whole commission for the urban poor, the head, for travelling so much… as if he was using the people’s money like his own,” Duterte told the LGBT community.

Duterte said that he wants the whole LGBT community in the whole country to convene for them to choose their representative who is honest and hardworking.

“I want to show that any person, whether you will be a lesbian or gay, can work just like an ordinary human being,” he said.

The president said the LGBT will be given up to second week of January

next year to submit their nomination.

“I want a representative from your sector, to highlight the job of a gay or lesbian,” he said.

Duterte said that when he promised that no sector shall be left behind and now he gradually ful�illing it.

On Friday, the president also bared during the media night at Presidential Guest House that he is eyeing to

DUTERTE EYES,P10

25 arrested for smoking

By ANGIE SAVERON

P SEASON SIGHT. A group of Indigenous People from the hinterlands of Davao City roams around Davao City’s downtown area to solicit

Christmas gifts from the establishments and residents on Monday.

Lean Daval Jr.

olice authorities arrested 25 individuals apprehended on December 14-16, 2017 for violation of the City’s Anti- Smoking ordinance.

They were apprehended by a team comprised of PO1 Estecomen, PO1 Remultaand PO1 Manguiob of the San Pedro Police Sation at Bangkeron Public Market and along Quimpo boulevard.

“We are focusing on public markets and bars kasiminsa pag nag iinuman doon sa bars

lumalabas lang yung tao paramanigarilyo,” said San Pedro Police Station Commander Chief Inspector Ramil Macarampat.

He said they are focusing on those areas because of reports reaching their of�ice.

He said that this is an everyday activity of the police in order to strictly implement the Anti- Smoking ordinance and other city ordinances. He said those individuals were issued citation tickets from the City

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EDGEDAVAO

4 ECONOMY

VOL. 10 ISSUE 186 •TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017

PCSO, AFP ink MOA on aid for injured troops

I

n line with efforts to treat and rehabilitate soldiers wounded in the battle�ield, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Of�ice has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Armed Forces of the Philippines regarding the provision of �inancial assistance to selected military treatment facilities Monday.

The MOA was signed by PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan and AFP Vice Chief-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Salvador Mison in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Balutan, a retired Marine major general, said the money would be used to acquire

modern medical equipment for use of AFP hospitals near the frontlines in Mindanao.

“So inuuna natin yun dahil yung immediate medical care ng ating mga kasundaluhan, lalong-lalo na yung nakikipaglaban dun sa Mindanao area na nahihirapan sila kasi nga kulang yung mga facilities and equipment ng ating Armed Forces dun sa mga lugar na yun,” he added.

Once these equipment are acquired and installed, these hospitals will be able to stabilize critically wounded troops and improve their survival before �lying them

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PAL obtains new 9th Boeing 777

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n a bid to become a certi�ied four-star airline by 2018, �lag carrier Philippine Airlines has been building up its �leet and adding new routes, especially for its Clark hub.

In a statement on Friday, PAL said it just had its ninth Boeing 777-300ER delivered, to be used mainly for routes from Manila to North America.

PAL’s 10th 777 is expected to follow in a few days, bringing the carrier’s �leet count to 88.

On Thursday, PAL announced the opening of its four new destinations -- Bacolod, Tagbilaran, Cagayan de Oro, and Virac – out of the airline’s hub at Clark Internation-

al Airport (CIA) in Pampanga.

The airline said it is investing, by way of the new routes, in the development of the CIA as a major airline gateway.

PAL’s Clark hub now provides passengers from central and northern Luzon direct access to a total of 13 domestic points, as well as to Seoul, South Korea.

PAL’s build-up of operations at Clark, as well as in Cebu, Davao, and recently Tagbilaran aimed to signi�icantly enhance travel convenience and connectivity for Philippine domestic travelers, while also serving to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International

A

Aquino, Ira General president Tranquilino Aglugub, and Worklinks president Victoria Adrias.

Ira General had the largest tax de�iciency amounting to PHP28.66 million for the taxable year 2010 followed

by Amberbase which is being sued for the PHP16.48 million tax de�iciency for the taxable year 2008 while Worklinks and Abatech face complaints for their failure to settle tax de�iciencies amounting to PHP4.3 million in 2010 and PHP2.64 million in 2008, respectively.

The BIR said the four companies were repeatedly served notices for the payment of their respective tax de�iciencies.

However, the BIR lamented that the four delinquent �irms either failed to pay or refute the de�iciencies. (PNA)

year where he promised to end the water crisis in the city’s District 2

by December. Few days before the year ends, District 2 residents still experiencing water shortage to no water every day. Lean Daval Jr

PSE eyes merger accord with PDS T

he Philippine Stock Exchange hopes it will finally close the deal to merge with fixed-income trading platPAL,P10 form operator, Philippine Dealing Systems Holdings Corp. before the end of the year.

4 delinquent companies slapped P52-M tax raps s part of President Rodrigo Duterte administration’s campaign to go after tax evaders, the Bureau of Internal Revenue �iled separate tax evasion complaints before the Department of Justice against four delinquent companies for alleged failure to pay taxes amounting to PHP52 million.

In a statement, the BIR said the four �irms -- Abatech Corporation, Amberbase Solutions Philippines, Corporation, Ira General and Security Services, Inc., and Worklinks General Services, Co. -- willfully failed to pay taxes under the National Revenue Code of 1997.

The respondents include their respective presidents and corporate of�icers including Abatech Rogelio Abalos, Amberbase president Jaime

STRESSING A POINT. Davao City Water District (DCWD) general manager Edwin Regalado gestures while being questioned by the City Councilors during his appearance at the City Council earlier this

PSE president Ramon Monzon said the Philippine Competition Commission has already cleared the uni�ication deal, noting “that’s one regulatory obstacle that we overcome.”

“I would like to think it will happen before the end of the year,” he told report-

ers last week.

Monzon is optimistic the PSE will be able to comply with the 20-percent limit on ownership of an exchange with its conduct of stock rights offer.

“When you are adding the share offer, the ownership of the brokers will au-

tomatically be diluted. We believe we will actually achieve less than 20 percent of stockbroker ownership with the 11.5 million shares (stock rights offering),” he said.

The PSE earlier said the issuance was part of the company’s compliance plan to align the shareholder ownership with the limits set by the Securities and Regulation Code.

Monzon further said the PSE also �iled a listing application of the shares and

onglomerate Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. will spend up to P50 billion next year, same level as this year, as it eyes growth in power and infrastructure.

AEV Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Of�icer Manuel Lozano told reporters this week that its subsidiary, Aboitiz Power Corp., will be completing several power projects next year, bringing its attributable capacity close to 3,500 megawatts (MW).

Its power initiatives in-

clude the Pagbilao expansion project in Quezon province, the Therma Visayas coal-�ired power plant in Cebu, and the Manolo Fortich hydropower facility in Bukidnon.

Lozano said the GNPower coal-�ired power plants in Bataan will also come on stream next year.

“So there will a lot of new capacity coming in for us in 2018,” he said.

Apart from power expansion projects, Lozano said AEV’s joint venture with J.V.

Angeles Construction Corp., the Apo Agua Infrastructura Inc., will also need �inancing for the P13 billion water supply project in Davao City.

“Our cement plant (also) begins either in 2018 or early 2019 to also expand potentially,” he said.

“Hopefully, we see demand picking up, it looks like some of the ‘Build, Build, Build’ projects will start in 2018, that will help the industry,” he added.

Lozano also said the con-

registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The PSE lists follow-on and initial public offerings.

“So hopefully, it just involves a little more dialogue, a little more explanation and successfully in doing that before the end of the year, hopefully, we can get exemptive relief from SEC,” he added.

The PSE-PDS merger is seen to enhance the liquidity in the �inancial markets. (PNA)

glomerate is actively looking for projects here and abroad.

“We are focused on water, but we are also looking hopefully at airport (projects) if they are available and some of the rail projects. But right now, nothing is imminent, still exploratory yet,” he said.

Lozano said they are interested to participate in the bidding for the upgrading of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and the Iloilo, Bacolod-Silay and Laguindingan airports.(PNA)

Aboitiz Equity sets 2018 capex at P50B C

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ECONOMY 5

EDGEDAVAO

DPWH opens new flyover on Dec. 19 T MAKING DO. A vendor fixes his display of cheap Christmas gift items which he is selling at a sidewalk along Ilustre Street in Davao City on Monday. Lean Daval Jr.

he Department of Public Works and Highways is set to open the Araneta Avenue –Magsaysay Avenue Flyover Project worth PHP32 million in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental on Dec. 19.

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, together with Undersecretary Emil Sadain and Economic Counselor Laurent Estrade of the Embassy of France in the Philippines, are expected to lead the inauguration of the two-lane �lyover on the busy intersection of Araneta Avenue and Magsaysay Avenue which caters to about 40,000

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Finance Undersecretary and Chief Economist Gil Beltran reported during a recent Executive Committee (Execom) meeting of the Department of Finance that the Department of Budget and Management decided the tax academy “must be (a) GCG-covered entity per Republic Act 10143.”

RA 10143, which was

signed into law almost seven years ago during the 14th Congress, empowers the DOF to set up a tax academy to provide continuous training and education to personnel of the Bureaus of Internal Revenue (BIR), of Customs (BOC) and of Local Government Finance (BLGF).

Beltran told Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III at

the Execom meeting that the DBM had also decided that the initial funding for the country’s �irst ever tax academy would be sourced from the government’s support to GOCCs through the annual budget or the General Appropriations Act. The DOF, thru its Legal Group, has been reviewing the implementing rules and regulations of the tax academy, said Beltran. The DOF earlier submitted to the GCG the organizational structure and staf�ing pattern of the academy for its approval.

Last October, the DOF said it was eyeing a grant from the United States government for the establishment of the PTA. Dominguez pitched the project in a recent meeting in Washington DC with David Malpass, the US Undersecretary of the Treasury for International

Affairs.

He told Malpass that the PTA, which the DOF plans to set up in January, would be a longterm initiative of the DOF to further professionalize the BIR and BOC. Dominguez also brie�ly discussed the proposed tax academy project in a recent forum in Washington DC organized by the US think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies.

He said because of the US assistance in improving the skills of the BIR in analyzing data, tax authorities were able to nail the largest tax-fraud case in Philippine history. The government had collected $600 million recently from local cigarette company Mighty Corp. that was found cheating on its excise

ment.

Roque said according to the chief executive, “he wants someone who can contribute in solving the problems of the poor and activate pro-poor programs such as the one featured by CNN known for his “pushcart classroom.”

A social worker and teacher, Peña�lorida was hailed CNN Hero of the Year in 2009 for his work in “Kari-

ton Klasrum”, a project that aims to make school accessible to Filipino street children through pushcarts as mobile classrooms.

According to Roque, Special Assistant to the President Bong Go has been tasked to look for Peña�lorida to “ask him regarding the chief executive’s offer for him to join the administration.”

Duterte’s decision to ap-

point Peña�lorida came after he ordered the �iring of all commissioners of the urban poor commission over junkets and their supposed failure to hold meetings.

Duterte said dismissed PCUP chairman Terry Ridon traveled seven time since his appointment in September 2016.

Under Executive Order

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Peñaflorida eyed to head the PCUP

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resident Rodrigo Duterte is considering CNN hero Efren Peña�lorida Jr. as the next chairman of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Saturday.

“PRRD has expressed his desire to appoint somebody who hails from the poor and marginalized sector to the PCUP”, Roque said in a state-

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Tax reform package to help spur growth

GOCC to review A PTA staffing bid

he Governance Commission for Government-Owned or –Controlled Corporations will review the organizational and staff structure of the proposed Philippine Tax Academy that will serve as a training institution to provide revenue officials and staff continuing professional education on improving tax collection competence, efficiency and integrity.

vehicles daily.

In a statement, the DPWH said the195-lineal meters �lyover utilizing the prefabricated modular steel technology of Matiere S.A.S. under the French government assistance program will also help reduce carbon emissions that occur due to idling of vehicles at the junction during traf�ic.

Started in April 2017, the �lyover is expected to eliminate delays especially for the through traf�ic movement at Araneta Avenue from downtown Bacolod City to Bago

ll working Filipinos will bene�it from the approval of the �irst tax reform package and its recent rati�ication, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said it is an achievement since the country is not facing any crisis right now.

In a recent brie�ing, Dominguez said last week’s rati�ication by the Bicameral Conference Committee of the proposed measure “is an important milestone in our history (because) it’s the �irst time we have done a tax reform without any pressure from the outside, no crisis.”

“I think it’s a sign of matu-

rity for our country. It is also the �irst of �ive packages that will, once and for all, start �ixing the structural problems of the tax system that has become unfair, complex and inef�icient. This tax reform will also raise the revenues needed to make a real positive change to each Filipino’s lives,” he said.

The Finance chief said the �irst package of tax reform aims to address the inequality of the current tax system as it will reduce income taxes for 99 percent of taxpayers.

He said this is a change that should have been addressed early on since the last

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Udenna to build P302-B business district in Clark

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denna Corporation, the holding company of businessman Dennis Uy, will invest USD6 billion (roughly PHP302.6 billion) in the next 10 years to develop a 179.5-hectare property within the Clark Freeport Zone into a new central business district.

Wilfredo Placino, Udenna Corp. director for special projects l, said the “Clark Global City” development will be bigger than the 143-hectare Bonifacio Global City business district.

“Our masterplanner got �ive cities in the world and took the qualities of these cities,” he told reporters.

Placino cited Incheon in South Korea which has connectivity, rail, and walkthrough.

“In Chicago, they maintained the greens of the city, we are getting that also. If you go to Paris or Macau,

they have an iconic tower.

So we put an iconic tower in Clark,” he said.

“They also took Hong Kong and Singapore of the mixed-used (developments).

In Hong Kong, you see all the buildings that are practically all connected,” he added.

Placino further said the Clark property is expected to attract locators.

“Of the 179.5 hectares, 47 hectares is being fully developed. We have six-lane roads that is why only 60 percent ef�iciency. Stoplights are good, our drainage is large and a very good alternative for a disaster-free estate,” he noted.

Placino added that the company targets to conduct a roadshow this January 29.

“We will invite big developers to partake of our master plan… We wanted to develop horizontally, vertically,” he said. (PNA)

EDGEDAVAO

6 SUBURBIA RISING

DRILL. Army drill instructors check the cover and concealment of journalists in an “ambush” scenario during the two-day media safety training in Camp Evangelista, headquarters of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division in Barangay Patag, Cagayan de Oro on Sunday (17 Dec 2017). Army soldiers help the journalists

VOL. 10 ISSUE 186 •TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017

hone their survival skills if they are caught in the middle of hostile environment. MindaNews photo by FROILAN GALLARDO

Soldier killed, 2 South Cotabato opens more hurt in ambush wards at provincial hospital

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AMBOANGA CITY - Government troops have launched pursuit operation against members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) involved in an ambush that resulted to the death of a soldier and injured two others in Basilan province.

The ambush took place at around 6:20 a.m. Monday in Barangay Badja, Tio-Tipo, Basilan province, according to the police.

The Basilan police disclosed the troops were checking the reported presence of an improvised explosive device (IED) when the Abu Sayyaf bandits ambushed them.

The troops, despite in the disadvantage position, returned �ire prompting the Abu Sayyaf bandits to �lee towards Barangay Kamamburingan, Ungkaya Pukan.

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ENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The provincial government of South Cotabato has opened four more wards at the provincial hospital in Koronadal City as it moves to ease overcrowding problems at the facility.

Dr. Rogelio Aturdido Jr., South Cotabato Integrated Provincial Health Of�ice (IPHO) chief, said Monday the additional wards were situated at the provincial hospital’s new expansion wing.

He said the new wards are

equipped with 50 additional beds but could be expanded to accommodate 80 to 100 patients.

“This is part of our continuing efforts to address the perennial shortage of available beds and improve the services

in our hospital,” he said.

Aturdido said the new wards allow the provincial hospital to offer more rooms for patients, which is a major problem at its main building.

Prior to the opening of the new wards, the provincial hospital had a total capacity of 200 beds but its daily occupancy rate reaches as high as 170 percent.

Earlier this month, the Department of Health turned over to the local government the newly-completed three-level expansion building

OTABATO CITY -- The Regional Board of Investments - Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RBOI-ARMM) has accepted the establishment of a PhP40-million water treatment plant in Barangay Macaguiling, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

Lawyer Ishak Mastura, RBOI-ARMM chair and managing head, said that the bulk water supply and treatment investment project involves the construction, installation

and operation of 5,000 cubic meters per day (CMD) water treatment facility tapping the water resource from Simuay River in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

“The project is very relevant since we are experiencing water shortage especially during dry season,” Mastura said.

He added that with such facility, constituents of Sultan Kudarat town and the nearby municipalities of Sultan Mastura and Parang, among oth-

ers, could now rely on a more stable supply of affordable and clean water.

Mastura said treatment of water would undergo several processes and cleaning stages before distributed to households ready for drinking and consumption.

Mastura, who identi�ied the Mactan Rock TGV Builders Corporation as the builder and operator of the project, said the �irm would enjoy �iscal incentives such as income tax holidays for six years as well

of the provincial hospital.

It was constructed through a P70 million grant from the agency’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program.

Aside from the four additional wards, which started to accommodate patients last Saturday, Aturdido said the new building will host key facilities of the provincial hospital.

These include the Human Immunode�iciency Virus/ Acquired Immune De�iciency Syndrome or HIV/AIDS Core

as other incentives being provided by the government upon the start of its commercial operation under a pioneer status.

He said Mactan Rock could also provide bulk water supply and treatment facility for the Metro Cotabato Water District (MCWD) in this city.

MCWD is a government-owned and controlled corporation water facility that serves Cotabato City and two municipalities in Maguindanao province – Sultan Kudarat and Datu Odin Sinsuat.(PNA)

Workers advised to find extra income P40-M water filtration facility in ARMM gets nod Z C AMBOANGA CITY -The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has advised workers to �ind means to earn extra income to augment the wages they receive.

DOLE Regional Director Ofelia Domingo on Monday issued the advice in a bid to help the workers free themselves from borrowing money ending up heavily indebted.

Domingo noted that

there are workers who are heavily indebted since the wage they receive is not enough to sustain the family.

The minimum wage here in Region 9 is PhP296 daily based on the latest order of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB).

Domingo said they could earn extra income by engaging in small busi-

WORKERS,P11

SOUTH,P11

VOL. 10 ISSUE 186 •TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017

NEWS 7

EDGEDAVAO

DA allocates P70-M to fund Davao Food Terminal Complex

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte- Carpio (2nd L), City Administrator Atty. Zulieka Lopez (extreme L) and City Agriculturist Leo Brian Leuterio (extreme R) receive the P14 million check from DA XI Senior Agriculturist Agnes Cecilia Roble (2nd R).

CONSUMER TRADING MARKET | Department of Agriculture XI (DA) OIC-Regional Director Ricardo M. Oñate, Jr. (3rd R) hands over the P21- million check to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio (extreme L). With them are Admin. Assistant Marivic Tolibas (2nd R) and Senior Agriculturist Agnes Cecilia Roble (extreme R).

The Department of Agriculture in Region XI (DA-XI) has completed its allocation of P70-million fund for the construction of Davao Food Terminal Complex (DFTC) in Daliao,Toril.

This came after DA-XI turned over the P14-million check as the �inal tranche of funds downloaded to the City Agriculture Of�ice on

the DFTC. DA-XI Regional Director Ricardo M. Oñate, Jr., said the project is part of three primary supports from DA for farmers to be productive and have a sustainable source of income: technology, �inancing, and marketing.

“We made sure that our farmers will never have

Monday (December 18) at Davao City Hall.

The establishment of DFTC aims to improve farmer-consumer trading market thru organized and strengthened farmers’ organizations.

The �irst tranche which is 50 percent of the fund was downloaded in September 2015 for the mobili-

zation and completion of at least 25 percent of the project. It was then followed by the turnover of P21 million check in August this year.

DA thru its Agribusiness Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) is part of the infrastructure monitoring which was created to ensure the effective planning, design, and construction of

are now in Davao City during the interview at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Thursday. Angie Saveron

Meanwhile, Senior Agriculturist Agnes Cecilia Roble assured that DA through AMAD will continue to provide needed interventions to capacitate farmer entrepreneurs. These include training in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to make their products more competitive. (Celso C. Vergara, DA11)

ready reached a total of 504.

Among the latest cases involved an 81-year-old male who was found positive after undergoing screening during the observance of the World AIDS Day last Dec. 1.

At least 80 patients or persons living with HIV are currently undergoing antiretroviral or ARV drug treatment at the CHO-run treatment hub.

Most of the con�irmed HIV/AIDS cases in the city were found among male professionals in the 22 to 25 age bracket who were engaged in “risky sexual behaviors.”

They include gays, bisexuals, men who have sex with men or MSMs, and others who engage in unprotected sex and with multiple partners.

Lastimoso said they are currently reaching out to residents who were previously found reactive of HIV but did not sought treatment.

She said they had numerous cases wherein patients only asked for help when they were already

bed-ridden or con�ined to the intensive care unit of local hospitals.

“It’s dif�icult to treat those who are already in the advanced stages so we want them to accesses the ARV treatment the earliest possible,” she said in an interview over a local television program.

Lastimoso reiterated that ARV drug treatment, which costs around P70,000 per patient every year, are given for free.

ARV drug treatment mainly stops the multiplication of the infected person’s viral load and eventually prevents them from further spreading the disease.

In some countries, the use of antiretroviral drugs has helped effectively lower the incidence of HIV infection to about one percent and eventually stabilized the detected cases.

Aside from the screening and ARV treatment, she added that the CHO provides counselling services to patients.(PNA)

GenSan expands HIV/AIDS testing program

G

Abdulla Dumama Department of Health assistant secretary and Regional XI regional director talks about the three kids who had Denvaxia Vaccine and

a hard time selling their goods. They just have to deliver it to DFTC and they will be paid immediately,” Oñate said.

The said terminal will be opened next year and the City Government will oversee the operations of DFTC until the formation of farmers’ cooperative and association who will sustain it.

ENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The city government has expanded its testing program for Human Immunode�iciency Virus and the Acquired Immune De�iciency Syndrome (HIV/ AIDS) as the con�irmed cases in the area continued to increase.

Dr. Mely Lastimoso, coordinator of the City Health Of�ice’s (CHO) Social Hygiene Clinic (SHC), said Monday the initiative was mainly aimed to ensure the early diagnosis of HIV/AIDS cases and provide patients with immediate treatment.

She said the CHO is currently conducting free HIV/ AIDS screening at the clinic, which is situated at the compound of the local government-run Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital.

The clinic also conducts mobile screening and testing services at the barangays and local shopping malls, she said.

As of the �irst week of December, the con�irmed HIV/AIDS cases in the city al-

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 186 •TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017

EDITORIAL

What’s in a photo shoot?

I

N this age and time, everyone takes images wherever they go, whatever the background, whatever the occasion. Bottomline is, you don’t violate the law or cause confusion, delay and trouble to others.

So what is the trouble when Presidential granddaughter Isabelle Duterte used the Malacanan premises for a photo shoot of her pre-debut celebration?

It’s a very small matter to make a big fuss about.

The Palace said there was no law violated although critics pointed out that there is an executive order that states that the presidential seal should be used exclusively to refer to the Philippine Pres-

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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

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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) 09101864939 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

ident. The question is, was this the �irst time the seal was used in a pictorial outside the President?

Hundreds have done shoots inside the Palace with the seal on the background and posted them on social media and nobody raised hell. Malacañang guests take photos of themselves in the Palace and that is a natural thing to do, again in this age and time. Novelties of Malacanang and the President are also commonly sold around and nobody raised hell. So what’s the fuss?

Instead of troubling ourselves with these bits of issues, people should instead focus on the bigger picture, the bigger things to mind where lives--like the Dengvaxia vaccine scandal--are vastly affected.

EDGEDAVAO

T

VOL. 10 ISSUE 186 •TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Of consuls and consulates

he importance of Davao region just seven-two years after its conquest by a Spanish-led expedition in 1848 was highlighted with the opening of a Japanese consular of�ice in March 1920.

Though it was originally an annex of the Manila Consulate, the growing economic in�luence of Japanese investment and labor in the region promoted it to an embassy on February 6, 1932.

At the time the consulate was opened, Davao was already home to a huge Japanese population, roughly a sixth of region’s inhabitants. Most Okinawans, the migrant workers and the expanding Japanese control of the hemp economy contributed greatly to the progress of the area.

The con�luence of growth and demographic expansion eventually inspired the national government to promote Davao into a city, the second the Mindanao after Zamboanga, which was the administrative center of the Americans in the south.

Years after the Japanese consular annex opened in Davao, the Republic of China (Taiwan) under Dr. Sun Yat-sen and by now had established a consulate in Manila. To attend to the sizable Chinese population in Davao, Te Chiu Im, a local Chinese resident who was into beer

distribution and involved in the founding of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Davao, was appointed as its �irst honorary consul of Davao (1923-28).

Sun’s death in 1925 led to the rise of Chiang Kai-shek, a former commandant of the Koumintang’s Whampoa Military Academy, and the coup of Canton in 1928. Taiwan’s post-war consul in Davao was S.T. Mih when the of�ice reopened in November 1947. He was assisted in the post by M.C. Chen, as deputy consul, and Johnny Huang, as secretary.

With the rise of the People’s Republic of China as member of the United Nations on November 25, 1971, Taiwan, an original UN member, was forced to close its consulate in the city. During the UN’s founding, the Philippines was still a commonwealth of the United States.

Extant historical records, on the other hand, show that even Britain, during the prewar period, had also appointed a foreign affairs liaison in honorary capacity.

War accounts identify the honorary British consul in Davao City as Alex Brown, who was among those rounded up by the Imperial Army in December 1941.

In August 1945, eight years after getting independence from the Dutch, Republic of Indonesia opened its consular mission in Davao City on December

“Hope can be a powerful force. Maybe there’s no actual magic in it, but when you know what you hope for most and hold it like a light within you, you can make things happen, almost like magic.”

The statement above, from the pen of Laini Taylor (author of Daughter to Smoke and Bone), came to my mind while reading The Gift of Hope, written by Susan Strohm.

In her article, she tells of being at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, United States, awaiting the results of a battery of neurological tests.

Doctors were searching for the mysterious cause of her period blurred vision and profound fatigue.

With Strohm in the waiting room was another patient also waiting for the results of her tests. As strangers sometimes do when they face a similar crisis, Strohm and the older woman shared fears and problems. The older woman talked about grandchildren, and Strohm spoke lovingly of her two grade-school children and worried husband.

After several hours, the older woman was called into a private of�ice. She emerged relieved and smiling, telling Strohm her only problem was a light elevation in blood pressure. “I hope your tests results are as promising as mine,” she told Strohm and added: “If they aren’t, please try to �ind comfort in this little message.”

The older woman extended her hand and pressed a small laminated plastic copy of Reinhold Niebuhr’s serenity prayer into

Strohm’s palm. It reads: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Almost immediately, Strohm was called to the neurology department, where the physician told her she had multiple sclerosis (MS). The doctor told her there were three distinct types of MS, but she had the “best” kind. It would not likely cripple her nor result in her death, the doctor said.

“I don’t enjoy having the ‘best’ kind of MS, but I �ind immeasurable contentment in the message a caring stranger gave me,” she wrote. “When hopeless depression threatens, I read those simple, ful�illing words and am reminded a higher power offers hope and refuge to all.”

In Eat, Pray, Love, author Elizabeth Gilbert penned: “Deep grief sometimes is almost like a speci�ic location, a coordinate on a map of time. When you are standing in that forest of sorrow, you cannot imagine that you could ever �ind your way to a better place. But if someone can assure you that they themselves have stood in that same place, and now have moved on, sometimes this will bring hope” Former American president Barack Obama himself said so, too. “The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will �ill the

FAST BACKWARD Antonio V. Figueroa 17, 1953. Given its impact in trade and economy decades later, the of�ice became a consulate general on September 23, 1974 by virtue of an edict signed by Indonesian envoy to the Philippines Marsekal Sri bima Ariotedjo.

On December 11, 1995, Malaysia became the second member of Association of Southeast Asian Nations to open a chancery in Davao City. The opening was part of the growing role Malaysia would play in two key historical events involving Muslims of Southern Philippines: (a) the signing on September 2, 1996 of a peace

Never lose hope

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

world with hope, you will �ill yourself with hope,” the Nobel Peace laureate pointed out.

Someone once said that we can live for 30 days without food, eight days without water, and about eight minutes without air, but never for a second without hope.

“Hope is essential to life, to physical soundness and sanity, and to a balanced outlook on life,” explains Lemuel Ll. Niere, former editor of Health and Home magazine.

In what way? Niere illustrates: “Hope sustains a marooned sailor through long days when no ship sails in sight. Hope spurs a cancer victim to keep on battling against overwhelming odds. Hope of parole bolsters the prisoner in his lonely cell

accord between the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front and (b) a similar event on October 15, 2012, between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Although the US established its embassy in Manila on July 4, 1946 after Washington “granted” the Philippines its independence, it was not until July 2007 when the Americans opened a virtual consulate, known as the “American Presence Post” (APP), in the city. Initially, it catered to the issuance of visas through the internet, which was manned by a Digital Outreach Team.

Over the next seven decades (19452015) other friendly countries opened their own diplomatic missions in the city, managed by honorary consuls, all prominent socio-civic Davao icons.

The �irst honorary consul of the Czech Republic was Gilbert C. Go, a wellknown trader. Republic of Palau appointed Miguel Iñigo, a businessman, as its honorary consul for life in Davao. Antonio Brias, spouse of Maricris Floirendo, daughter of late banana king Don Antonio, became the �irst honorary consul of Spain in Davao; he was succeeded by Genaro Lon y Ozami.

Ma. Lourdes G. Monteverde was appointed honorary consul of Mexico

while Rowena Vida-Lisbona, the Davaobased assistant general manager of Maersk Filipinas, a shipping �irm, was anointed as honorary consul of Denmark.

Dennis Uy, founder of the Davao-based oil �irm Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. (PPPI) and 2013 Datu Bago awardee, was installed honorary consul of Kazakhstan to the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Joaquin C. Rodriguez, a Davao resident who was president of Benguet Mines and wife of Sonja Habana (daughter of former city councilor Antonio Habana) is Republic of Serbia consul ad honorem to the country. Two new consulates under an honorary of�icer were also opened later.

On June 17, 2017, Davao resident Austrian Dr. Peter Faistauer was of�icially designated honorary consul of Austria in the city. Five months thereafter, business man Edgar N. Ang, a Davao native, was invested the honorary consul position by the Republic of Korea on November 24, 2016.

On June 20, 2017, German Klaus Doring, a long-time Davao resident, journalist, and educator, was installed as honorary consul of Germany of Mindanao.

He is best known for introducing German language as elective at the University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao City.

as he anxiously waits for a presidential commutation.”

Roy T. Bennet, the man behind The Light in the Heart, was said when he wrote: “Never lose hope. Storms make people stronger and never last forever.”

Never lose hope. That seems to be the message of the poem below (we don’t know who wrote it): “If you can look at the sunset and smile, then you still have hope. If you can �ind beauty in the colors of a small �lower, then you still have hope. If you can �ind pleasure in the movement of a butter�ly, then you still have hope.

“If the smile of a child can still warm your heart, then you still have hope. If you can see the good in other people, then you still have hope. If the rain breaking on a roof top can still lull you to sleep, then you still have hope. If the sight of a rainbow still makes you stop and stare in wonder, then you still have hope.

“If the soft fur of a favored pet still feels pleasant under your �ingertips, then you still have hope. If you meet new people with a trace of excitement and optimism, then you still have hope. If you give people the bene�it of a doubt, then you still have hope. If you still offer your hand in friendship to others that have touched your life, then you still have hope.

“If receiving an unexpected card or letter still brings a pleasant surprise, then you still have hope. If the suffering of others still �ills yours with pain and frus-

tration, then you still have hope. If you refuse to let a friendship die, or accept that it must end, then you still have hope. If you look forward to a time or place of quiet and re�lection, then you still have hope.

“If you still buy the ornaments, put up the Christmas tree or cook the supper, then you still have hope. If you can look to the past and smile, then you still have hope. If, when faced with the bad, when told everything is futile, you can still look up and end the conversation with the phrase: ‘Yea, but…’ then you still have hope.

“Hope is such a marvelous thing. It bends, it twists, it sometimes hides, but rarely does it break. It sustains us when nothing else can. It gives us reason to continue and courage to move ahead, when we tell ourselves we’d rather give in. Hope puts a smile on our face when the heart cannot manage. Hope puts our feet on the path when our eyes cannot see it.

“Hope moves us to act when our souls are confused of the direction. Hope is a wonderful thing, something to be cherished and nurtured, and something that will refresh us in return. And it can be found in each of us, and it can bring light into the darkest of places. Never lose hope!”

In Forbidden, author Tabitha Suzuma asked: “At what point do you give up - decide enough is enough?” The answer: “There is only one answer really. Never.”

The same is true with hope!

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 186 •TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017

DEAD... FROM 1 only.” the violation merits of �ines and a imprisonment of three months not less than six months nor more than one (1) year, or both such �ine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court in addition to the cancellation and con�iscated of license and business permits.

Yusoph said that the act of transporting prohibited items through the terminals is prohibited.

She said personnel of the regional police of�ice have been assigned to the terminal to apprehend violators.

A statement last Nov. 29 from the Police Superintendent Cydric Earl Tamayo, chief of the Police Regional Of�ice

11- Regional Civil Security Unit (PRO 11-RCSU) said that despite requests from traders, they have asked the of�ice to allow passage of the items in Davao City but they will not issue permits to transport �irecrackers to any authorized �irecracker dealers and retailers due to the existing city ordinance.

This means that traders have to spend more freight costs for those explosive devices, as they would �ind a more circuitous land route such as Davao del Sur through Butuan City, Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon then Kidapawan or use shipping vessels to transport their cargo to Panabo City.

ia and cause the withdrawal Dengvaxia in the market pending compliance to the directives the FDA.” The Department of Health has has sent a letter of request to Philippine Pediatric Society in Davao and the Philippine Medical Association in Davao chapter asking for the pro�ile of their patients to ensure how many children received the Dengvaxia vaccine.

“May nalaman kami na may mga bata pala na outside the region na nabakunahan tatlo, 4A, NCR and Cebu na may mga private practitioners na nag provide ng vaccine of course it is not for free. Meron isa na naka dalawang dosage na , may tatlong dosage na,” said Dumama.

He said that two out of three of those kids are from Manila where they received the vaccine and one is here in Davao City.

He said that the pediatricians who administered the vaccine should coordinate with DOH. He said that those kids are probably nine years old and above “Kahit na nabakunahan,

specially na hindi pa nag ka dengue there’s a possibility na mag kakaroon siya ng dengue, ang pag kakaron ng severe dengue that is another possibility but it’s not 100%. If nabakunahan ka na nun eh may possibility lang na mag kakaroon ng sever dengue hindi automatic na mag ka severe ka,” he added.

“Ngayon may pumupunta sa amin at ni re-reffer naming doon sa kung saan siya nabakunahan,” He said that they also wrote a letter to the doctors in order to inform them about the situation as well as the distributor.

“Kung sino man may (Dengvaxia Vaccine), ma private ka man or public, of course private, wala na sa DOH, kung meron pa sapublic or sa private dapat i-hold nila,” he said.

“Hindi naman natin ini-expect na mag kakaroon ng severe dengue or ano basta isigurado lang natin na proteksyonan natin sila at bigyan ng assurance na kung nag kasakit sila susuportahan ng DOH,” he said.

ga ang speed guns kasi pag walang speed guns maraming abusadong driver (Speed guns really a big help in our

apprehension because if there are no speed guns there will be many abusive driver),” Castillo said.

DENGVAXIA... FROM 2

CTTMO’s... FROM 2 GRAFT... FROM 2 of Filipino school children who may be rendered sick after receiving Dengvaxia shots.

Sano�i Pasteur recently released the negative �indings of its long-term follow-up study of Dengvaxia, the world’s �irst-ever licensed anti-dengue vaccine.

The study showed that “people who never had dengue but who were given the shots had an increased risk of a severe case and hospitalization from the third year after immunization.”

Under the administration of President Benigno Aquino and Health Secretary Janet

Garin, the Philippines became the �irst country in the world to launch in April 2016 a public inoculation plan against dengue using Dengvaxia.

The DOH suspended the anti-dengue immunization drive on Dec. 1, after Sano�i Pasteur conceded that Dengvaxia could worsen symptoms for vaccinated people who contracted the disease for the �irst time.

The Food and Drug Administration has also since blocked the sale, distribution and marketing of the vaccine in the Philippines. (House of Representatives)

SELECT COMPANY. Councilor Marissa Salvador-Abella poses with a selected group of local media practitioners during a Christmas

gathering at a buffet outlet in Davao City on Monday. Lean Daval Jr.

squads.

The Sparrow Units were as active as government forces in the city and residents could easily tell if the victim or victims of the day were killed by the Sparrows or the military and police. A lone bullet meant the victim was killed by the Sparrow Unit as the target had to be precise to save on bullets.

Victims with multiple gunshot wounds or hogtied and bearing signs of torture were presumed to have been perpetrated by government forces.

Duterte said he dealt with the NPA �irst by coming up with a modus vivendi with them to spare the city, then dealt with criminals whom he warned should leave the city or he would kill them.

“My resolve was not really to play it safe. My resolve was to just equalize the terror that was being perpetrated upon people. Yan talaga. Alam na ninyo yan. (You know that), I am just trying to explain to you what ails my Presidency is that hanggang ngayon mayor ako magsalita (until now I talk like a mayor) and my response is always basic and elementary. It goes down to the fundamentals.”

“Wala akong high falutin language. I do not talk about rigmarole, seldom.. all of a sudden ‘ay putang ina, hindi ko gusto yan.’ Hindi gusto ng taga-Maynila yan. Lalo na yang mga elite, mga Espanol, mga mestizo.. Ayaw nila, nanibago sila…(Those in Manila do not like that. Especially the elite, the Spanish and the mestizo) kaya the Left for a time became really very popular,” Duterte said.

“That’s me” He said he has been criticized “for being bastos” but “that’s me.” He noted that during the election campaign, he always laid the predicate of his talk with ‘putangina hintuan nyo ito, pag hindi papatayin ko kayo’ (stop it or I will kill you).

He said the elite cannot also accept “na sabihin ko at gawin ko at nakaupo pa rin ako dyan sa Malacanang (that I will say it and do it and I am still sitting there in Malacanang). They want me ousted,” he said, repeating previous statements that if his stay in of�ice will only be one year and six months, that’s “�ine” and he’ll thank the Lord for giving him the opportunity to serve his fellowmen.(Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)

hall.

He said each violator has been �ined of P500. The violator is also obliged to attend a seminar regarding the AntiSmoking Ordinance.

“Dati mobile natin yung pinapaikot natin sakay yung mga naka uniporme nating pulis pero yun gmga nag ninigarilyo po ay nagiging alertona so I adviced yung mga nanghuhulina mag damit sibilyan nalang at sasamahan ng kasa-

mahan nilang pulis na naka uniporme para pag nahuli saka nalalapit yung naka uniporme,” he added.

This strategy is seen to be more effective compared to what they were practicing before. “kaliangan patago yung pang huhuli natin kasi pag yung mobile ay Makita na nila sa malayo eh mag tatagonayan so mahihirapan kaming manghuli,” he said.

to Manila for additional treatment.

“Bago (ipadala) dito sa Manila for a higher medical care, eh ini-stable muna dun. Ang maganda nga sana kung ang hospital natin dun

ayequipped na kaagad, stateof-the-art na gagamutin, dun na magpagaling at makabalik kaagad dun sa frontline ulit, yung mga kasundaluhan natin,” the PCSO chief added.

(PNA)

Airport in Manila.

PAL said its new �lights are expected to boost tourism and make it more attractive for foreign tourists to visit multiple destinations throughout the country.

On December 15, PAL opened a four-times-weekly

service to Bacolod and daily �lights to Tagbilaran in Bohol.

PR859 (Clark-Bacolod) leaves Clark International Airport at 7 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. PR860 (Bacolod-Clark) departs Bacolod at 8:45 a.m.

(PNA)

transpires.

She said that this year’s estimated damage caused by �ire is P 684,485,195 with 293 �ire incidentsand 1116 houses and establishments burned compared to 2016’s damages amounting to P 103,579,700

with 506 �ire incidents and 1103 houses and establishments burned.

“There’s a lower �ire incident this year but higher estimated damage due to commercial and industrial �ires,” she added.

appoint 2009 CNN Hero of the Year Efren Peña�lorida and 2014 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Emergent Leadership Randy Halasan to be part of the PCUP.

This after he �ired the of�icials of the commission headed by former Kabataan Party List Representative Terry Ridon for too much junkets abroad.

tax payments. The settlement offered by Mighty on its de�iciency taxes was the largest sum of taxes ever collected by the government from a single corporate entity.

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

He said establishing the tax academy would help initiate a “culture change” within the BIR and BOC. In both his meeting with Malpass and at the CSIS forum, Dominguez said he would like to transform the BIR and BOC into highly professionalized agencies in which its employees carry out their duties in the same way that agents of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation do so with honesty and integrity. (DOF)

82, the PCUP serves as the direct link of the urban poor to the government in policy for-

mulation and program implementation addressed to their needs. (PNA)

DUTERTE... FROM 3

BFP... FROM 3

DUTERTE EYES... FROM 3

PCSO... FROM 4

PAL... FROM 4

GOC... FROM 5

PEÑAFLORIDA... FROM 5

INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 186 •TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017

EDGEDAVAO

EVENT

They who came to the party.

A CHRISTMAS PARTY LIKE NO OTHER

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO LAST DECEMBER 17, the staff and employees of EDGE Davao and Zion Accuprint Publishing, Inc. had a get together to observe the traditional Christmas Party.

Instead of having the memorable and lively party in a hotel, the management decided to have the venue at the Northpoint in Bajada. What made it extra special was its exclusivity; it was far from the madding crowd.

It was held on a Sunday night which made it more awesome. Had it been done a night before, the same problem that tormented last year’s event: traffic. Imagine, to get from Ilustre Street to Seda Hotel, it took me more than an hour!

And there was no taxi available at that!

But that was in the past. This year’s celebration was started with an opening remark by Jasper Bacsal, who reported that at the middle of the year it was lean for the publishing company but it managed to beat the quota as the year was about to end.

Although not mentioned by Bacsal, EDGE Davao this year managed to get three trophies during the Philippine Press Institute Community Journalism Awards in May: Best Edited Community Newspaper, Best in Environment Reporting, and Best in Photojournalism. It was also a finalist in Best in Editorial Page.

This writer also won two Binhi Awards, given by the Philippine Agricultural Journalists, Inc. (one for third Best Agricultural Journalist and another for third Best Environmental

Journalist). He was also one of only two winners in the Sarihay Awards of Foundation of Philippine Environment; he was cited for Best Feature Report for his two-part series on vanishing species of Davao which appeared in EDGE Davao.

During the dinner, EDGE Davao Editor-in-Chief Antontio M. Ajero delivered his Christmas message. Instead of the usual inspirational talk, which he usually gave during such occasion, he opted to ask the oldest and youngest of those attending the party to meet.

In a way, Ajero’s message was a message of unity, a message of meeting different generations, and a message of understanding. A fitting tribute of how God gave His only begotten Son to save the humanity from eternal damnation.

Three intermission numbers were given by the Editorial Team (singing a song entitled, “Perfect”), Kitz Rendon (who lip-synched a Visayan ditty), and the granddaughter of Mr. Ajero.

As a Christmas tradition, there was a contest among all the employees of both entities.

Serving judges of the contest were the three columnist who attended the party: businessman John Carlo Tria, historian Antonio V. Figueroa, and this author.

Declared winners were Production Team 1, first place; Editorial Team, second place;

EDGE Davao EIC Antonio M Ajero giving his Christmas message.

Editorial team rendering an intermission.

Jasper Bacsal delivering his opening remarks.

The management team take a photo souvenir.

Production Team 2, third place; and Accounting/Marketing Team, fourth place. The winners received cash prizes.

Hosting the party was radio personality Jack!

Before the party ended, EDGE Davao Associate Editor Jimmy K. Laking delivered a closing remarks. He thanked everyone for coming to the party and looking forward for a Accounting and Marketing Department. better year in 2018!

A2 INdulge!

TRAVEL

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 186 •TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017

Hello, La Union!

THIS MERMAID had the opportunity to venture up north for a surf trip in the north’s surfing capital of the country. Tagging along the last leg of the Philippine Surfing Championship Tour (PSCT), La Union (LU/Elyu) was the last stop of the tour for the year.

The surfing capital of the North, La Union is a pretty big place. It’s actually a province in the Ilocos Region, located at the west coast of the island of Luzon (West Philippine Sea), bordered by Ilocos Sur to the north, Benguet to the east, and Pangasinan to the south.

The heart of surf town is in San Juan, a little over 4 kilometer stretch of national highway lined with resorts, cafes and restos with the beach, West Philippine Sea, to one side and the Cordillera mountain range to the other.

San Juan feels like almost like a city because of the numerous commercial establishments but also feels unattached to the time of being in the city where the hustle and bustle can be seen and felt everywhere. In San Juan, time seems to stand still as you wait for the fabled Elyu Sunset as you watch it from the shore or as you wait for it in the water while surfing.

The ease of commuting from Manila to La Union and from La Union to either Laoag, Vigan or Baguio can easily be seen from the numerous speeding buses that pass through the highway every few minutes. For a traveler like me who’s coming all the way from Davao, I’d want to get the best of my trip up north.

From San Juan, it takes an hour by private car or almost two hours by bus to get to Baguio City, which for me, is a good detour from the heat and growing crowds in LU (it gets pretty crowded by the weekend, especially if there are events lined up).

Manila to San Juan or Sebay as the bus drivers and conductors call the surfing area, takes approxi-

A big and windy day at the beach break at San Juan, La Union.

Oops! This is not the bus you should get on to going to LU, even if it says La Union. Get the one going to Laoag since Men’s Shortboard finalists at the Reef Pro La Union with Edward Alciso at 3rd and the Siargao rippers Philmar Alipayo also at 3rd it passes through Sebay. place, Piso Alcala at 2nd and John Mark Tokong at first place. mately six hours from the Partas terminal in Cubao.

There are hourly buses that leave the Partas terminal in Cubao, make sure to get on before the trips after 12 midnight since the buses after that usually take a longer travel time. There are also other bus lines that go to La Union like Dominion but I haven’t tried that yet. Partas was the most common one and had the nearest terminal.

Keep in mind, despite Philmar Alipayo raises his fist in celebration as his friend, John Mark (wearing a floral crown) was announced the Manila being the capital winner of the Men’s Shortboard simultaneously making him the 2017 Philippines Men’s Shortboard Champion. of this country, one won’t since we left the terminal was no need to hail a tri- which ran from Decemfind a centralized bus at a little past 12 midnight cycle from the terminal to ber 5-9 and the REnexterminal where all south- and hopped off the bus the pier, tie my surfboard top Asian Surfing Tour bound or northbound at 5:30am just along the to its roof and pray for from December 14-17. buses can be found in highway in Sebay or San the next 10 minutes that Both competitions will be one place. Quite a hassle Juan. We did a few meters nothing happens to me or held at La Union’s famed right? Especially if you’re walk and voila! We were my board. righthand pointbreak trying to catch single trip in the Circle Hostel, very There were a two major called the Monaliza Point buses to far-flung areas convenient, especially surf competitions lined which is just in front of but this is how it is. if you’re bringing surf- up for the first two weeks the Little Surfmaid ReAnyway, the bus ride to boards. Unlike my Su- of December in La Union. sort and Monaliza Surf La Union was convenient rigao to Siargao trip, there The first was the PSCT Resort.

The last leg of the PSCT was welcomed with exciting huge waves from the average 4 foot to 8 foot waves during the closing of the competition. John Mark Tokong from Siargao wins the 2017 Reef Pro La Union and PSCT officially closes off its first season with the grand champions announced.

Watching the top surfers from all over country compete in one place while enjoying great company and food was truly a treat in itself. La Union had more than just awesome waves and awesome people, it had amazing food! Stay tuned next week for my quick list of where to eat in La Union and watch out for the bonus feature on one of living legends of the surf culture in La Union who’s originally from Davao.

Don’t miss it!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 186 •TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017

EVENT

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

Waterfront Hotels donate Php1M to House of Hope IT TRULY IS THE BEST TIME for sharing, giving and loving. Not just because of the season but more so, of the compassion brewing in each and everyone of us. And Waterfront Philippines is no stranger to this.

December 17 – 19, 2017 Only

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Together with Cong. Weslie Gatchalian, representative of the Gatchalian family, was Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao Hotel Manager, Bryan Yves Lasala, who personally handed a one (1) million peso check donation to the House of Hope Foundation for Kids with Cancer during its annual Survivors Day held last December 9, 2017, Saturday at the Ateneo de Davao University.

2017 marks the tenth (10th) year partnership between Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao and the House of Hope.

As a tradition over the years, the Management laid out initiatives for the benefit of the foundation. This falls under their Corporate Social Responsibility program. Proceeds from hotel offers and promotions were donated to the beneficiaries for their much needed treatment fund.

According to Dr. Mae Dolendo, Pediatric Oncologist and charity foundation founder, resources for childhood cancer treatment in Mindanao are limited. Hence, pro-

viding holistic cancer care continues to be a challenge.

As of today, the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) is the only medical facility in the region with a Children’s Cancer and Blood Diseases Unit and a multidisciplinary team that can respond to their needs.

Every year, about 100 to 150 patients come to seek for treatment that spans for a number of months.

With some extending to years. As most of them are indigent, with no place or family to stay with, the transient home was built through a project of the Rotary Club of Waling-Waling Davao and in coordination with the Davao Children’s Cancer Fund.

In recent years, the survival rate

for children with pediatric cancer has increased from 10% to 50%.

The ‘Kids of Hope’, or the beneficiaries of all programs and initiatives under the foundation’s advocacy, represent a coming together – of people, families, communities and sectors in working together to provide the best possible chances for children with cancer.

The Gatchalians’ Waterfront Philippines (WPI) is an investment holding company for hotel, leisure and tourism businesses. It primarily operates through its chain of hotels – Waterfront Pavilion Hotel and Casino (Manila), Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino (Cebu), Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino (Mactan) and Waterfront Insular Hotel (Davao).

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 186 •TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

Advertise with

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

Tel No. 082.221.3601/224.1413 Email: edgedavao@gmail.com marketing@edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 186 •TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017

DPWH... FROM 5 City on account of signalized intersection with multi direction traf�ic and will also result to savings on vehicle operating cost and travel time.

Others expected to grace the ceremonial opening of the 7.50-meter wide �lyover with 280 lineal meters approaches include Bacolod City Rep. Greg G. Gasataya, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia, DPWH Region 6 OIC-Director Wenceslao M. Leaño Jr. and the project directors of the DPWH Uni�ied Project Management

Of�ices namely Gil R. Villanueva, Patrick B. Gatan, Virgilio C. Castillo, and Sharif Madsmo H. Hasim.

Sadain commended the DPWH Uni�ied Project Management Of�ice, in-charge of the project under the Bridges Management Cluster.

He also acknowledged DPWH Bacolod City District Engineer Abraham Villareal and the city government of Bacolod for the successful completion of the project in time for the holiday rush. (PNA)

tax reform was done 20 years ago.

Under the rati�ied bill, the �irst PHP250,000 income of all working Filipinos will now be tax-free.

Filipinos who belong to the lower 50 percent bracket of the society will be given targeted cash transfer to help them cope with higher prices of goods as a result of the hike on consumption taxes of the The pursuit operation is jointly being conducted by soldiers, policemen and Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT).

The police did not release the identities of the slain and

TAX... FROM 5

NEWS 11

GCash #GDay offers early Xmas treat at Ayala Center Cebu, Ayala Abreeza

E

njoy #GCashCinemaDay and get P100 cash payback at all Ayala Cinemas when you scan to pay.

rich.

Dominguez said the �irst tax reform package will also raise revenues to be used to fund the Duterte administrations infrastructure program amounting to at least PHP8 trillion until 2022.

He said the imposition of rice tariff will also help increase revenues without any spike in in�lation. (PNA)

GCash, the leading Philippine mobile money wallet provider, offered an early Christmas treat of up to P 500 cashback per store per day to its loyal customers who used the GCash App to pay for their purchases on #Gday at Ayala Center Cebu and Ayala Abreeza Davao from December 15 to 17, 2017.

GCash partner merchants gave an additional 20% (up to P500) cash back, on top of their sale discounts when customers use the GCash App scan to pay feature when paying for goods and services Cashback to be credited within three days.

At the same time, moviegoers who used the Gcash App to buy movie tickets at the Ayala Cinemas enjoyed a P100 one time cashback. The cashback is only applicable to one ticket per user per day. Additional purchase were not included in the cashback.

Aside from the cashback offering, GCash also raf�led off P5,000 Gcash for 3 Pm and P10,000 Gcash for 6 pm daily to customers who scanned to pay their purchase on partner merchants during the promo period.

To start enjoying the bene�its of the GCash scan

to pay feature, customer must download the app for free from the App Store or Google Playstore and register for an account.

Once installed, customers could cash-in or reload at any GCash Kiosk and digital payment booth in Globe stories, and in over 12,000 GCash Partner Outlets nationwide.

Through the QRbased mobile payment system, customers can now shop by just scanning the QR codes displayed by GCash partner merchants and establishments. This makes purchasing the latest fashion items or paying for services more convenient and secure, while eliminating the chance of having misunderstandings

wounded soldiers except to say they belong to the Army’s 74th Infantry Battalion.

Security patrol is also being conducted in the nearby towns of Tipo-Tipo and Ungkaya Pukan. (PNA)

ness, driving and other legal means after of�ice hours.

She said they could also engage in backyard gardening to lessen the family’s expenses in

terms of buying vegetables for food.

“I hope the workers will realize that there are a lot of things we can do within our control,” she said. (PNA)

Team Clinic and the Women and Children Protection Unit, he said.

He said the expansion wing will also host the provincial hospital’s ultrasound and computed tomography or CT

SOLDIER... FROM 6

WORKERS... FROM 6

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF FRANCISCA A. TOKUNAGA WITH SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late FRANCISCA A. TOKUNAGA has been the subject of an Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate with Special Power of Attorney executed among her heirs, per Doc. No.408; Page No.106; Book No. I; Series of 2016, of the NOTARY PUBLIC HAZEL BETH D. ORCULLO of Davao City, Philippines with the acknowledgements: * Acknowledgement per Doc. No. 211, Page No. 44, Book No. XX; Series of 2017 of the NOTARY PUBLIC MANNY V. GRAGA of Quezon City, Philippines. *Acknowledgement per Doc. No. 2416003823, Service No. 39830, Series of 2016, O.R. No. 7511904, of the VICE CONSUL DOMINI N. FAÑGON-KITADE of Tokyo, Japan. *Acknowledgement per Doc. No. 2416003904, Service No. 40240, Series of 2016, O.R. No. 7512202, of the VICE CONSUL DOMINI N. FAÑGON-KITADE of Tokyo, Japan. * Acknowledgement per Doc. No. 2881, Page No. 22, Book No. 02, Service No. 2881, Series of 2016, O.R. No. 7447832, of the VICE CONSUL DOMINI N. FAÑGON-KITADE of Osaka, Japan.

SOUTH... FROM 6

over payments and getting the wrong change.

Ayala Malls pioneered the cashless shopping through GCash starting with Glorieta and followed by TriNoma. Other Ayala Malls will come on board as more and more stores and restaurants will become GCash and QR code ready. Expect more #GDay events as Gcash rolls out the QR code payment solution across other Ayala Malls in the country.

Learn more about GCash by visiting www. gcash.com . Follow us on our social medial channels: www.facebook. com/gcashof�ial, www. twitter.com/gcashof�icial and www.instagram/ gcashof�icial. scan units.

“We’ve been continually improving our service delivery systems to ensure the provision of quality health care to our patients,” he said..(AC/ PNA)

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF MAXIMINA A. ORBEN WITH SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late MAXIMINA A. ORBEN has been the subject of an Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate with Special Power of Attorney executed among her heirs, per Doc. No.298; Page No.79; Book No. I; Series of 2016, of the NOTARY PUBLIC HAZEL BETH D. ORCULLO of Davao City, Philippines with the acknowledgements: *Acknowledgement per Doc. No. 2417001538, Service No. 14829, Series of 2017, O.R. No. 7779929 of the VICE CONSUL DOMINI N. FAÑGON-KITADE of Tokyo, Japan. *Authentication per Doc. No. 8349-M, Page No. 107, Service No. 269, Series of 2016, O.R. No. 4891, of the VICE CONSUL RAINIER J. CASIS of Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. * Acknowledgement per Doc. No. BN-Not/Misc0844-2016, Service No. 4588, Series of 2016, O.R. No. 7269343, of the CONSUL ADRIAN ELMER S. CRUZ of Berlin, Germany. * Acknowledgement dated Aug. 24, 2016, Series of 2016 of the NOTARY PUBLIC JENNIFER CLEAVELAND from the State of Texas.

EDGEDAVAO

12 ENVIRONMENT

VOL. 10 ISSUE 186 •TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017

Saving Philippine eagle from extinction (Last of 3 parts) TEXT AND PHOTOS BY HENRYLITO D. TACIO

D

ennis Salvador and Roberto P. Puentespina, Jr. have one thing in common. Both are trying to save the endangered Philippine eagle from extinction. Salvador is the executive director of the Philippine Eagle Foundation while Puentespina is the man behind the famous interactive bird show in Malagos Garden Resort.

Curiously enough, both the Philippine Eagle Center and the Malagos Garden Resort are located in the same place: Calinan. In fact, they are more than just a kilometer away from each other.

At the Philippine Eagle Center, more than two dozen of Philippine eagles have been raised as part of foundation’s breeding program. Most of them are being induced to breed in captivity. Pag-asa is one of its noted attractions; it made the headline around the world as the �irst tropical eagle conceived through arti�icial insemination.

Salvador – which means “saviour” in Spanish – �irmly believes the fate of the Philippine eagle is associated with forest conservation. A pair of the critically endangered bird needs at least 7,000 to 13,000 hectares of forest as a nesting territory, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. “The forest is its only habitat,” said Salvador, who was named one of the outstanding young men (TOYM) in 2000 for leadership in wildlife conservation. “Without the forest, the species cannot survive over the long term.”

Aside from deforestation, another threat to the survival of the country’s bird icon is hunting. “Some do it because of ignorance but most, I believe, because of arrogance,” Salvador pointed out. “People believe they can get away with it so they do it. This of course it ag-

Dennis Salvador

gravated by poor enforcement of the law and clear lack of political will.”

Salvador – whose academic background is agricultural economics (from the University of the Philippines at Los Baños) and agribusiness (from the Ateneo de Davao University) – joined the eagle foundation in 1987. “It was a very tumultuous period for the organization,” he recalled.

At that time, the eagle camp – as it was then known – was located at barangay Baracatan in Toril. Salvador was in-charge with the eagles’ foods. “Every week, I had to go down to the town and purchased native chickens and goats,” he said. “I loaded them up to the roof of the public jeepney then riding along with them all the way to Baracatan. But the jeepney terminal was about two kilometers away from the camp so I had to carry the chickens on my back while pulling the goats.”

Since insurgency was at its peak then, they were often isolated and left alone as neighbors would go to evacuation centers. “At night, we would dread hearing the dogs barking because that meant that rebels were just around the corner,” he said.

Another pressure they had to face at that time was from a government agency. “They were hot on our heels trying to their best to take the eagles from us and relocating the entire operation to a state university in Luzon,” Salvador said. “In the end, they simply stopped funding the project.”

Media attention and support from the local government unit of Davao City kept the agency from taking the eagles “so they just left us on our own.”

It was until a couple of howitzer shells that fell some 50 meters from its facility that they �inally decided to leave Baracatan and

Dr Bo Puentespina Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Of�ice No. XI Davao City

Philippine eagle up close move to Malagos.

In those days, there were only six of them in the technical team, including three from the government agency. When the said agency stopped funding the program in 1987, the three personnel also left.

Without any �inancial assistance, the group persisted.

“We were basically operating on nothing,” Salvador said. “We had to sell some of our personal belongings just to feed the eagles. We waived our salaries for over a year. We solicited from local businesses to make ends meet. In addition, we had to work under adverse conditions as we were often caught in the middle of the cross�ire between the military and the rebels operating in the Mount Apo area.”

Despite all these setbacks, Salvador and his team continued. “Many of the technical problems we encountered from the beginning were resolved from constant experimentation, from trial and error, but always using the rigor of sound scienti�ic research,” he said.

In 1992, Salvador became the executive director of the foundation. It was on this year that foundation was able to breed an eagle in captivity. “The success of the birth of Pag-asa attracted biologists and other young graduates into the program. They were amazed to �ind out that what we were doing was not the way they were featured in the movies or television channels,” he said.

“Working with eagles was hard, dangerous work.”

Salvador says with pride of what he and his team have accomplished through the years.

“The success of captive breed-

ing of the eagle Pag-asa brought the country’s attention to the plight of the species and was probably instrumental in turning the species into our national bird,” he stressed.

Salvador has gone a long, long way. He was born in Manila but grew up in Davao. He remembered well the time when he spent his summer vacation at his father’s hometown in Morong, Rizal. He went to the �ields, climbed trees, and �ished in the river. When the family moved to Mindanao, he would tag along on his father’s duck hunting trips where he learned the rudiments of responsible gun use and ownership.

“My own love affair with the eagles started only when I began working with them,” he admits. “The eagles are such charismatic creatures that once you start working with them, they seem to grab hold of you and then you realize that you’ve spent a great deal of your life with them.”

On the other hand, Puentespina is a veterinarian by profession. He is more popularly known as Doc Bo. He is the third of �ive Puentespina siblings, owners of the Malagos Garden Resort. One of the resort’s attractions is the full-production interactive free �light bird show that he started in 2002. The show is performed only during Sundays.

Dr. Bo never dreamed of becoming involved with birds. In fact, he was destined to become a lawyer. But fate intervened.

When he entered the University of the Philippines in Diliman as an AB Economics student in 1981, he joined rallies.

“My family in Mindanao

expected much from me, the reason why I was sent to the best state university,” he said.

“The parliament of the streets was not the way to go.” And so he decided to shift course, went to the UP at Los Baños and took up veterinary medicine.

But how he got interested in birds is an interesting story in itself. In 1988, while doing a research for a Parasitology subject, he visited the Philippine Eagle Center where he met a dedicated bunch of workers determined to study the eagle.

“As a young veterinarian I was challenged by them to work with injured birds,” he admitted. “Part of the rehabilitation is to exercise and make the bird �ly again. You learn to bond with the birds, and this is the basic principles of falconry.”

Dr. Bo is also into rescuing birds. “I assist in rescue mission for injured Philippine eagles in far �lung areas in Mindanao,” he revealed. “I use any available resources and contacts, and travel anywhere – even in highrisk areas – by land or air to get them.”

Dr. Bo is so engrossed with his work that at one time, he almost missed taking his wife to hospital to give birth, as he was working late with Philippine eagle cases. “When I got home, I barely had enough time to rest when she complained of birthing symptoms and had to rush to the hospital,” he recalled.

“She gave birth to our third child soon after.”

Meanwhile, the Philippine eagles that have been rescued continue to rise, according to the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), a line agency

SAVING,P13

Petition for Extension of Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate an AIRCONDITIONED TAXI Service.

Case No. R11-EVTX-2017-12-1309 (2003-XI-01309)

ADNAN C. BIRUAR, Petitioner.

x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - --x

NOTICE OF HEARING Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a AIRCONDITIONED TAXI service on the route: WITHIN DAVAO CITY to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on December 31, 2018.

In the petition filed on December 11, 2017, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of the said certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on JANUARY 9, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least, TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a newspaper of local circulation.

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

WITNESS the Atty. TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ , Regional Director, this 13th day of December 2017 at Davao City.

Atty. CATTLEYA B. ACAYLAR Attorney IV

Petitioner, Adnan C. Biruar Counsel, Atty. Ibrahim K. Silongan

VOL. 10 ISSUE 186 •TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017

SAVING... FROM 12 of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). From January to August 2011, for instance, six Philippine eagles were rescued and retrieved.

“Rescuing these birds of prey requires urgency to avoid in�licting further harm and the prompt response is imperative to the eagle’s well-being and general condition,” BMB said in its website. “Improper handling techniques and complications brought about by mishandling may arise from these incidents. After such efforts, the birds are nursed, cared for and undergo a rehabilitation process to enable them to as-

sume their pre-captive states prior to their release.”

According to the BMB, before an eagle is released, a veterinarian �irst asses the bird’s general condition, its feeding habits, survival and hunting abilities. “An extensive medical check-up is integral to any release activity,” the bureau said.

But not all rescued or captive eagles can be released back into the wild. “Girlie,” the resident eagle at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center is a perfect example. “She was hit in the right eye with a slingshot that made it dif�icult for her to survive in the wild,” the BMB reported. “She also had been

unable to produce viable eggs for a number of years.”

The Philippine eagle, the country’s bird icon, must be saved before it’s too late. If only they could talk, these would be their call: “I have watched forests disappear, rivers dry up, �loods ravage the soil, droughts spawn uncontrolled �ires, hundreds of my forest friends vanish forever and men leave the land because it was no longer productive. I am witness to the earth becoming arid. I know all life will eventually suffer and die if this onslaught continues.”

Last September, Melindo won by a split decision against two-division world champion South African Hekkie Budler in his �irst title defense.

In a report by Kyodo News, Taguchi was quoted: “I want a resounding win that will make this card an amazing one.”

Melindo vigorously prepared for this big match before his team leaves for Japan on Dec. 26. “I am con�ident with my training after my �ight with Budler,” Melindo cited.

“I am very happy I’ve been given this �ight, because this is what I’ve been waiting for. I want to go down in history as the undisputed light �lyweight king. Although I know Taguchi will not be an easy opponent, I will do what I can to make sure I put up a good �ight so I could win,” assured Melindo. “I still have two more belts to go after,” he added, referring to the WBO title held by Puerto Rican Angel Acosta and the WBC belt currently worn by Japanese Ken Shiro respectively.

Melindo is in serious sparring sessions with ALA Boxing stablemates to sharpen his techniques. According to head trainer Edito Villamor, the champion from Cagayan de Oro has been swiftly improving after practicing with another ALA world champion Donnie Nietes and the rising star �ighters Jonas Sultan and KJ Cataraja.

The Melindo-Taguchi IBF and WBA title uni�ication will be fought at the Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo.

MELINDO... FROM 15

13

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

is in need of

3 ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Qualifications: • BS Marketing Graduate • Male/Female • With Pleasing Personality

DRIVER Qualifications: • at least 21 years old, male • with Driver’s License • physically and mentally fit Submit application letter and resume to: ELLA P. TINGZON HR/Admin Supervisor Edge Davao Review Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Bldg., E. Quirino Avenue, Davao City Or email at edgedavao@gmail.com or ella_tingzon@yahoo.com

EDGEDAVAO

14 MOTORING

VOL. 10 ISSUE 186 •TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017

New tax: Impacting the PH car market

With the �inalization of the bicameral version of the TRAIN or Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Bill, it’s now heading to Malacañang for the President’s approval.

Once signed into law, this sets into motion a comprehensive change to the country’s taxation structure, including one that governs new vehicles.

As a refresher, the current excise tax for new vehicles shifted from an engine displacement-based system to a value-based system that uses the Net Manufacturer’s Price (landed cost + importation duties and taxes) or Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) as basis.

Below P 600,000 – 2 percent P 600,000 to P 1,100,000 – P 12,000 + 20 percent in excess of P 600,000 P 1,100,000 to 2,100,000 – P 112,000 + 40 percent in excess of P 1,100,000 P 2,100,000 and over – P 512,000 + 60 percent in excess of P 2,100,000 This system has been in use since the late 1990s.

If approved by the President, the comprehensive new tax law will retain the four-tier structure, but with different delineations:

P 600,000 and below – 4 percent Above P 600,000 to P 1,000,000 – 10 percent Above P 1,000,000 to P 4,000,000 – 20 percent Above P 4,000,000 – 50 percent This new version exempts EVs (for environmental incentives) and pick-up trucks (to spur the agricultural sector) while reducing the excise tax on Hybrid vehicles by half versus non-hybrid vehicles.

Assuming all factors aside from excise tax remains constant, it’s now possible to take a look at how TRAIN affects a sample of 42 vehicles (roughly 10 percent of the available models in the Philippines) from various price ranges.

Using the current (as of December 14, 2017) Suggest Retail Price as a basis, it’s important to strip the following to derive the Net Manufacturer’s Price: Current Excise Tax 7 percent wholesale profit (based on Net Manufacturer’s Price)* 7 percent dealer pro�it (based on Net Manufacturer’s Price)* 12 percent VAT (based on Net Manufacturer’s Price + Excise Tax + Margin).

Based on these assump-

tions, pick-up trucks de�initely bene�it the most with a Suggested Retail Price (SRP) that could go down by as much as 20 percent for leisure trucks such as RAM 1500 Laramie Crew Cab. Other more mainstream pick-ups, such as the Ford Ranger Wildtrak and Toyota Hilux might see a reduction of about 11 percent.

It won’t be insane to think that upcoming products such as the Ranger Raptor will take advantage of this, and be priced well in the P 2.5 to 3 million range.

In the hybrid category, luxury hybrids in the P 4 million-range such as the Honda Legend and Lexus NX300h will see the biggest drop in price: 16 percent and 15 percent respectively. Sadly, something more mainstream such as the Toyota Prius c will just see a meager 2 percent drop.

Digging deeper and looking at two Lexus NX models: the non-hybrid NX200t and hybrid NX300h shows that even by halving the excise tax, it won’t make the hybrid cheaper. Yes, the SRP goes down by an approximately P 618,271 compared to today, but it’s still around P 550,000 more expensive than the non-hybrid version under the TRAIN. Removing all pick-up

trucks, EVs, and hybrids, the approved bicameral version sees vehicles priced in the P 1.4 million to P 2 million range affected the most with cars such as the Honda Civic RS Turbo and Subaru XV 2.0i-S getting slapped with a 10 percent and 9 percent increase respectively.

What’s even more surprising is how a small difference in the current SRP will have a potentially huge effect when the new vehicle excise tax comes into play.

That P 25,000 difference the Volkswagen Golf GTS Business Edition+ and the Honda Civic RS Turbo results to a P 128,259 difference postTRAIN in favor of the German.

Finally, although the senate version seemed to have favored luxury vehicles over mainstream ones, the bicameral version has managed to balance this out.

Plotted out in a graph, the bicameral version of TRAIN goes through multiple “waves” with peaks and troughs.

As previously mentioned, the biggest peak happens in vehicles priced between P 1.4 million to 2 million. Those be-

low P 1.4 million will potentially see just a single-digit increase (1 to 2 percent) while those priced from P 2.5 million such as the Ford Explorer 2.3 Limited (P 2,609,000) will actually see a drop in price with the trench bottom being at the likes of the Toyota Land Cruiser and Audi Q5 which will drop by a substantial 10 percent and 11 percent respectively.

However, as the Net Manufacturer’s Price hits around P 4 million (these are the vehicles with an SRP that’s typically in the P 7.3 million range), the wave starts going up again. Cars such as the Nissan GT-R will be swept up the most—with a price increase amounting to 6 percent.

As the suggest retail price goes up though, the wave start to �latten once more. The LC 500, which commands a P 1,458,000 premium over the GT-R, will just see an approximate P 340,210 jump in SRP compared to the Nissan sportscar, which sees a P 431,335. Meanwhile, seven-digit cars such as the Audi R8 V10 Plus will actually be more affordable under the new excise tax structure.

This exotic sportscar will be P 190,540 cheaper. Without a doubt, vehicles in the Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Rolls-Royce range will see even bigger savings under the new tax structure when compared to the current one.

Based on this data, it’s clear that the bicameral version of the new vehicle excise tax will affect some car buyers more than others by the time of its implementation.

If you’re thinking of buying a car in the P 1.4 million to P 2 million range such as those from Subaru, Mazda, Peugeot, and Volkswagen, now would be a great time to get that vehicle before TRAIN takes effect. These are the brands that will most likely have to adjust their SRPs to cover for the increase in tax. Same goes if you’re in the market for an SUV such as the Honda CR-V, Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Montero Sport. Meanwhile, if you’re on the fence whether you should get a mid-tier Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or Volvo, it might be a good idea not to rush that purchase, especially if your �inances are going to be more �leshed out by next year.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 186 •TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017

SPORTS 15

Phoenix bows to SMB on opening day S

an Miguel began the 2018 season of the PBA with a 104-96 win over Phoenix at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Sunday night.

The Beermen broke loose in the dying stages of the game to spoil Louie Alas’ debut as Fuel Masters coach.

Marcio Lassiter caught �ire early on with back-to-back triples that helped SMB open an 8-0 lead at the start.

Phoenix, however, recovered following an early timeout, and the game became tight for most of the �irst half.

The Beermen tried to pull away again early into the second half, opening an 83-68 cushion with 10:40 to go in the fourth quarter.

The Fuel Masters, however, answered with a 12-2 run to cut

the lead down to �ive, 85-80, with 6:28 left in the game.

SMB �inally repulsed Phoenix on an 18-4 rally that stretched the lead back to 19, 103-84, with 2:41 remaining, which the latter found hard to recover.

Junemar Fajardo led the Beermen, who are eyeing a fourth straight PBA Philippine Cup title, with 23 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, and four blocks, while Alex Cabagnot added 22 points, two rebounds, four assists, and one steal.

Lassiter �inished with 20 markers, �ive boards, and four dimes, while Chris Ross came close to a triple-double with 16 points, nine assists, and six caroms.

Arwind Santos had

his own double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds with two assists, three steals, and one block.

Jeff Chan �ired 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting off the bench to lead Phoenix.

LA Revilla struggled in his �irst game as a Fuel Master, only making one point, three r e -

22, Lassiter 20, Ross 16, Santos 14, Pessumal 5, Rosser 4, Heruela 0, Mamaril 0, Vigil 0, Agovida 0, Lanete 0, Mabulac 0 Phoenix 96 - Chan 18, Wright 12, Alolino 11, Chua 11, Wilson 11, Perkins 10, Dehesa 8, Kramer 6, Jazul 4, Intal 2, Eriobu 2, Revilla 1 Quarterscores: 2318, 47-37, 79-68, 10496 (PNA)

bounds, and three assists in 26 minutes of play off the bench.

Jason Perkins �lirted with a double-double in his PBA debut, tallying 10 markers and nine boards with two assists and one steal in a start.

Box Scores: San Miguel 104 Fajardo 23, Cabagnot

Melindo out to unify IBF, WBA fly titles

I

BF world light �lyweight champion Milan “El Metodico” Melindo (37-2-0, 13KOs) and WBA world light �lyweight champion Ryoichi Taguchi (26-2-2, 12KOs) will attempt to unify both titles when they clash with each other in a uni�ication bout on New Year’s Eve in Japan.

The �ight could lead Melindo to a step closer to his dream of unfying all the belts in the 108-pound division.

Having held the WBA strap since 2014 with a unanimous decision win over Peruvian Alberto Rossel, Taguchi has successfully defended his title six times, with 5 wins and a draw against the undefeated Carlos Canizales of Venezuela.

These victories were over Thai Kwanthai Sithmorseng by 8th round TKO, Colombian Luis de la Rosa by 9th round TKO, Venezuelan Juan Jose Landaeta by 11th round TKO, fellow Japanese Ryo Miyazaki

by UD and Colombian Robert Barrera by

9th round TKO. Taguchi has also been undefeated since 2013. He was beaten that year by countryman Naoya Inoue, then WBC light �lyweight champion and now WBO junior bantamweight titlist, by unanimous decision.

Inoue has been on The Ring top ten pound-for-pound list for 17 weeks now.

His other loss was in�licted by fellow Japanese Masayoshi Segawa by UD. He has defeated Filipinos former IBF minimumweight world champion Florante Condes and Ryan Bito both by UD. Melindo wrested the IBF title from Taguchi’s countryman Akira Yaegashi last May by a shocking 1st round TKO win in front of a highly surprised hometown fans in Tokyo.

Melindo faltered in two previous world title attempts against Juan Francisco Estrada in 2013 and Javier Mendoza in 2015.

MELINDO,P13

CLEAR VIEW. Arwin Santos of San Miguel Beermen gets a clear sky to shoot against Phoenix Fuelmaster RJ Jazul during the SMB-Phoenix opener of the PBA on Sunday.

Negros draws first blood

I UNIFICATION BOUT. IBF world light flyweight champion Milan “El Metodico” Melindo (left) will meet WBA world light flyweight champion Ryoichi Taguchi (right) on December 31 in Japan.

ain Ramsay’s hat trick proved to be the dagger for Ceres Negros as the club thrashed Global Cebu, 4-1, in the championship game of the �irst season of the Philippines Football League (PFL) at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City on Saturday.

Ramsay scored the last three goals for the home side as Negros won its �ifth title in a national competition overall since it was founded in 2012.

Bienve Marañon

drew the �irst blood for Negros with his goal in the fourth minute.

But from his 20th minute strike, it was all Ramsay.

Ramsay added another in the 27th minute before capping his impressive performance with the dagger goal in the 61st minute.

Cebu averted a shutout on the road as Darryl Roberts scored the consolation goal in the 89th minute.

As the inaugural winner of the PFL, Negros

earned a spot in the quali�iers of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League.

Meanwhile, despite falling short in the �inal, Cebu is still poised to enter the AFC Cup. Waiting in the wings for a possible AFC Cup shot is Manila, which was able to clinch third place over Makati on Friday.

If Negros moves on to the Champions League group stages, Manila will enter the AFC Cup quali�iers. (PNA)

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 10 ISSUE 186 •TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017

STRONGER LEAGUE

PBA stronger than ever even as Narvasa resigns

PBA BOARD OF GOVERNORS. Rene Pardo (Magnolia Hotshots) , Atty. Mamerto Mondragon (ROS), Ryan Gregorio (Meralco Bolts) , Ricky Vargas (TNT), Eric Arejola (GlobalPort), Dickie Bachmann (Alaska) , Ramoncito Fernandez (NLEX) , Raymund Zorrilla (Phoenix), Bobby Rosales (KIA) , Siliman Sy (Blackwater), Robert Non (SMB ) and Alfrancis Chua (Barangay Ginebra) with outgoing PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa

B

arely 30 minutes before the PBA season of�icially begins, the league’s board of governors dropped a huge bomb.

Newly-installed PBA board chairman Ricky Vargas told the media on Sunday that Chito Narvasa will resign as commissioner.

“This morning, he submitted his resignation, which was effective today,” Vargas, who represents TNT, said through a press conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

However, Vargas added, “The PBA board, in a resolution passed today, has Chito Narvasa sustained until the end of the year to help us during the transition.”

On what transpired in the past few days leading to Narvasa’s resignation, Vargas said, “We reached out to Commissioner Narvasa, and we made amends that needed to be clari�ied and worked out on his personal hurts on the process.

We thank him for all his contributions to the PBA.” In the process, Willie Marcial, the PBA media bureau chief, was appointed OIC while the process of �inding the league’s new commissioner is underway.

Narvasa’s two-season tenure as commis-

sioner was met with controversies, especially with some of his policies from the banning of Spin.PH reporter Snow Badua to cover the games to a hair rule for female ballers during the defunct PBA women’s 3-on-3 tournament to the approval of the Kia-San Miguel trade that made the latter the new owner of the �irst pick of the recent draft, which turned out to be Chris Standhardinger.

The green light to push through with the swap, however, sparked a call made by a majority bloc consisting of the board governors of TNT, NLEX, Meralco, Blackwater, Alaska, Rain Or Shine, and Phoenix to withdraw its support to Narvasa.

The board members of the other �ive teams, however, sided with Narvasa, leading to an impasse that was eventually resolved with Narvasa’s resignation.

“We’re back together, stronger than ever,” said Vargas, who later revealed that he and NLEX Ramoncito Fernandez, the supposed board chairman for the new season, agreed to swap places. Fernandez will be the PBA board chairman for the 2022 season. (PNA)

MISMATCH. San Miguel Beer behemoth Junmar Fajardo drives against Jayson Perkins of Phoenix in the opener of the new PBA season on Sunday.

and Willie Marcial ( Communications and External Affairs Director) celebrate the opening of the new PBA Season at the Smart Araneta Center on Sunday. The event also marked the stepping down of former Commissioner Chito Narvasa.