Edge10 issue193 December 29-30, 2017

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

August watches her aunt Rhenzi Nova Muyco as she sits beside her coffin at Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes along Camus Street in Davao City on Wednesday night. Muyco is among the casualties of Saturday’s NCCC fire. Lean Daval Jr

NCCC DENIAL Mall denies sprinklers, alarm system failed to work

By ANGIE SAVERON AND ARMANDO FENEQUITO JR.

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he management of the NCCC Mall Davao yesterday denied that the water sprinklers and smoke alarm systems of the establishment were not working during the 31-hour fire that occurred last week resulting in the death of 37 persons, 36 of whom were agents of the SSI call center on the fourth floor.

Lawyer Darry Gallego, assistant vice president for corporate services of NCCC, also denied

malicious gossips and talks about useless sprinklers and smoke alarm detectors that allegedly

failed to function as factors that led to the death of the call center agents are not true.

Some survivors purportedly complained through social media about the inef�icient smoke alarm detectors and sprinklers installed inside the mall.

‘We vehemently deny that there were no sprinklers and that the �ire alarm system did not work,” Gallego said, “We have working �ire alarm systems and �ire

sprinklers, we have everything.”

The mall of�icer assured reporters that NCCC mall is �ire compliant.

He said however that the management had to wait for the �inal investigations before making public statements.

Gallego said that the

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Eat List 2017A1

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 193 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29-30, 2017

PASSENGER INFLUX. An element of Task Force Davao thoroughly checks the belongings of province-bound passenger at the entrance of the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) on Thursday. Commuters start to troop to DCOTT a few days before the New Year’s Day celebration. Lean Daval Jr.

50,000 passengers crowd terminal during holidays

By JUDIE VEGA

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he in�lux of passengers crowding the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) has not decreased as thousands of people started to come back to Davao City after spending the holidays in their respective provinces.

Aisa Yusop, DCOTT general manager, said that passengers in droves began going home sometime on Sunday, December 24, in order to spend the Christmas season in their home cities, towns and provinces.

Yusop said homeward-bound people will again converge in the bus

terminal for the New Year’s celebration on December 31 and be back to work about January 2nd.

She said that because of the mass movement of passengers, the terminal becomes a beehive starting as early as 5 a.m.

According to the data obtained from DCOTT almost reached 30,00050,000 passengers depart and arrived started Friday, December 22.

“A big number of people working and studying in the city tend to go back to their provincial homes to bond with their families during

ANILA -- Despite former Bureau of Customs (BOC) chief Nicanor Faeldon’s detainee status at the Senate, Malacanang on Thursday defended his appointment as Deputy Administrator for the Of�ice of Civil Defense as proof of President Rodrigo Duterte’s “trust” in him.

In a radio interview, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said as a lawyer himself, President Duterte is granting Faeldon the presumption of innocence and

chance to still serve in the government.

“Patuloy pa rin po ang tiwala sa kaniya ng Presidente, at alam ninyo naman po ang appointment iyan talaga ay executive in nature,” he said.

“Ibig sabihin pa lang niyan, bagama’t may mga paratang laban kay dating Commissioner Faeldon, hanggang hindi napapatunayan, ang Presidente naman bilang abogado ay bibigyan siya ng presumption of innocence at binibigyan siya ng pagkakataon na manilbihan uli sa

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City, NCCC, SSI to help victims of NCCC fire

By ANGIE SAVERON

V

arious kinds of assistance will be extended to the victims and relative of the December 23 fire that leveled to the ground the NCCC Mall Davao at the corner of McArthur Highway and Ma-a Road in this city.

The assistance will be given by the ity government of Davao, the NCCC Mall management and the SSI call center.

City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio met with the mall

management and SSI last December 26, Tuesday, to discuss the assistance to be given to the families of the victims of the NCCC mall �ire that happened last December 23, Saturday.

gobyerno,” he added.

“Itong Of�ice of Civil Defense po, ito iyong gumagawa ng mga polisiya para po sa response natin kapag nagkaroon ng mga aberya,” the of�icial explained.

“Kinakailangan isang pinagkakatiwalaan talaga ng Presidente, dahil napakadaming buhay ang nakasalalay dito sa tamang pagganap ng kanilang katungkulan dito sa Of�ice of Civil Defense.”

According to Roque, the chief executive believes that Faeldon, as a member of Mag-

dalo, has “principles,” therefore he cannot judge him merely on the accusations being hurled against him.

Currently, Faeldon is detained at the Senate for snubbing a public hearing on the P6.4 billion worth of shabu shipment that slipped past the nose of the BOC. In a letter dated December 22, Faeldon was informed of his appointment as new deputy administrator of the Department of National Defense of�ice, replacing Rodolfo Demosthenes Santillan.(PNA)

“The City Government will shoulder the expenses in the hospital, in the funeral parlor and the cemetery,” according to Mayor Duterte-Carpio in a press conference held at the Davao City Hall on December 27.

The lady mayor said that the city government will give cash assistance to the families.

She said that Research now SSI will also give cash assistance and will match the

livelihood package of assistance of the Department of Labor and Employment. The NCCC group will give cash assistance and take in the child of those who dies as their scholars because they have a foundation that gives educational scholarships.

“Ang sabot namo is that NCCC will take care of the employees nila na nawalaan ug trabaho,” Mayor Sara said.

“Representatives of the

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New Faeldon post proof of PRRD’s‘trust’: Roque Pres’l son, son-in-law file civil case vs Trillanes M

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residential son and Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and his brother-in-law, lawyer Manases Carpio, on Wednesday �iled a civil case against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV for involving them into the PHP6.4 billion worth of shabu shipment smuggling issue at the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

The two �iled the case at the Of�ice of the Clerk of Court on December 27 and

was electronically raf�led to Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 15 under the sala of Judge Mario Duaves.

RTC Branch 15 clerk of court lawyer Kaiser Kate Narciso, however, begged off to show the complaints, saying only the involved parties are allowed to access the documents.

“That is the policy of the court,” she said.

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 193 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29-30, 2017

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

3

Zero violation of firecrackers’ban

By ANGIE SAVERON

T

here was absolutely no violation of the provisions of the ban on �irecrackers and pyrotechnics as contained in City Ordinance 060-02 during the Christmas celebration in Davao City up to last night, December 28.

The ordinance prohibits the manufacture, possession, use or sale of �irecrackers.

There were no cases as well as indiscriminate �iring of guns. There was likewise no cases of �ire due to �irecrackers.

City Ordinance 060-02 prohibiting the manufacture, sale, distribution, possession

or use of �irecrackers or pyrotechnic devices and such other similar devices and the exploding of �irecrackers or other similar explosives within the territorial jurisdiction.

“The Philippine National Police in Region 11 deployed a total of 3,212 personnel, including 93 police commissioned of�icers and 2,700 police non-commissioned personnel this includes the force multipliers of 372 in all,” said PCI Andrea Dela Cerna, spokesperson of PRO XI during the AFP-PNP Southern Mindanao Press Corps Media

ZERO,P10 FIRE PROBE. Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) 11 fire marshall PNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Fire SupT. Fritz Alagano provides updates on the investigation of Thursday that the fire damage could reach P1.6 billion. Lean NCCC fire which claimed 38 lives. Alagano also said during AFP- Daval Jr.

Manila RTC convicts 9 cops for killing OFW NCCC mall fire damage

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he Manila City Regional Trial Court has convicted nine policemen for the murder of Esmael Omar, who was mistaken for a terrorist but turned out to be an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Quiapo, Manila in 2000.

The conviction gave credit to government prosecutors, who are said to have scored a victory against abusive cops.

In a 94-page ruling dated November 9 and obtained from the Department of Justice on Thursday, Manila RTC Branch 41 imposed six to 12 years imprisonment one the nine accused cops from the

intelligence unit of Western Police District (now Manila Police District), namely: SPO4 Wilson Tirso Tibor, SPO4 Remigio Estacio, SPO3 Edgardo Abaga, SPO2 Julian Siriban, SPO2 Eduardo Ramos, PO3 Randy Dimayuga, PO3 Ronald Hernandez, PO2 Philip Malindog, and PO1 Ignacio Garlan.

Aside from imprisonment, the Manila RTC also ordered the policemen to pay Omar’s heirs P75,000 for death indemnity, P75,000 for moral damages, and P30,000 for exemplary damages.

In its ruling, the court said the policemen demonstrated

reaches P1.6 billion: BFP Task force formal conduct to probe

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T

he Bureau of Fire Protection 11 (BFP 11) yesterday reported the estimates cost of damage of the 31hour fire that hit NCCC Mall Davao has reached P1.6 billion. The huge fire, the worst to happen in Davao Region this year, MANILA,P10 also took 37 lives.

This was bared by Davao City Fire Marshall FSupt.

Honee Fritz Alagano in yesterday’s AFP-PNP Press Corps Southern Mindanao media brie�ing.

“The cost includes the building and the merchandise stocks inside it,” she said.

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Agri damage for Vinta shoots up to P247.4M

T ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT. Police Regional Office (PRO) Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Thursday.

11 spokesperson Chief Insp. Andrea Dela Cerna presents the Lean Daval Jr agency’s 2017 accomplishments report during AFP-PNP Press

Alagano said the based on their initial investigation, the �ire originated at the furniture section at the third �loor of the mall.

She said their reports are already submitted to their national of�ice.

ropical Storm Vinta has so far caused PHP247,471,090 worth of agricultural damage in the Zamboanga, Northern Mindanao, and CARAGA regions.

In an update issued Thursday, executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Ricardo Jalad said the �igure can be broken down into PHP44,285,000 for Zamboanga del Sur; PHP195,384,815 for Lanao del Norte in Northern Mindanao; and PHP7,801,275 for Agusan del Sur in CARAGA. Infrastructure damage for Zamboanga and

Northern Mindanao is placed at PHP17,710,000 and PHP151,800,000, respectively for a total of PHP169,510,000.

The NDRRMC chief added that a total of 2,663 houses, 1,654 totally and 1,009 partially, were damaged in Mimaropa and Zamboanga, Northern Mindanao, Davao, and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

According to the update, four areas have been placed under a state of calamity – Tambulig in Zamboanga del Sur; Bacolod, Lanao del Norte; Labason, Zamboanga del Norte; and Salug, also in Zamboanga del Norte. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)

EDGEDAVAO

4 ECONOMY

VOL. 10 ISSUE 193 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29-30, 2017

Cusi: Clean energy renewable portfolio standard will not result in higher rates for the consumers (Taguig City). The pursuit towards clean and renewable energy (RE) will not burden electricity consumers. This is the assurance of Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi to the energy family and industry players.

“The RPS for On-Grid rules outlined various safety nets to protect the electricity end-users and to ensure that this new venture will not result in higher electricity rates,” Sec. Cusi pointed out.

“The DOE, after consultations with consumer groups and industry players, clari�ied this policy and placed the ‘no higher rates’ condition in the Department Circular itself,” Cusi emphasized.

The energy chief said that the DUs and other mandated participants shall undertake a Competitive Selection Process (CSP) in sourcing their compliance to ensure the “no higher rates” policy. Moreover, the DUs have the obligation to look for the optimal supply mix and ensure a level playing �ield among the power developers. Essentially, all the RE options available (like

encouraging Net-Metering installations and implement the Green Energy Option program that empowers a customer to choose RE as part of its supply) should be explored.

According to Sec. Cusi, the requirement to comply with the CSP ensures a transparent mechanism that ascertain least cost procurement of power supply and ensure competition among the players.

Following a laborious technical studies and public consultations since 2011, the Circular on RPS for OnGrid Areas also contains the following safeguards: 1. The RPS for On-Grid areas is initially anchored on the country’s aspirational target of 35% RE share in the energy mix by 2030, which will be reviewed under the forthcoming updating of the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP); 2. The minimum RE sourcing will not be imposed immediately but on the third year (2020) considering 2018 and 2019 as transition years only to

RICE PRICES. Retail prices of commercial rice are expected to increase as demand skyrocketed three days before New Year’s Day. Lean Daval Jr.

DTI bullish on Stay vigilant when shopping online: DTI exports in 2018

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ANILA -- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Teodoro Pascua has reminded consumers to stay vigilant when shopping online.

Pascua encouraged consumers to check red �lags of fraudulent online stores and phishing sites that may hack personal information of consumers.

“We cannot deny the fact that technology created a more advanced environment where consumers now take part in digital transactions,” he said.

“So we encourage the buying public to be wiser and more alert in order not be taken advantage of by unscrupulous online sellers,” added Pascua.

The DTI released safety tips when purchasing on online stores, which include the following: -- always check the website if it has a Secured Socket Layer (SSL) Certi�icate. This protects information (such as credit card number, addresses, and password) sent to the website; -- take note of the lock icon in the address bar to

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con�irm legitimacy of the website; -- check the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) at the beginning of the website; -- when providing your personal address, make sure that the URL starts with “https://” and -- check for reviews posted by customers DTI noted that it is best to choose “Cash on Delivery (COD)” as mode of payment for the buyers not to share bank details online.

The agency also warned consumers to beware of fake websites and trying to access personal data.

Consumers should also look for documents such as DTI registration, Securities and Exchange Commission registration, BIR registration, business permit, sales invoice or of�icial receipt, and Food and Drug Administration license of the establishment.

Among the red �lags of a fraud online store include websites starting with “http://” instead of “https://”; requiring to submit personal information; and asking for immediate deposit before sending the products. (PNA)

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ANILA -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is bullish that the country’s export performance will surpass, if not maintain its growth in 2018.

DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez told reporters the increase in investments on manufacturing for exports of goods and services, growing factory capacity, and improving environment of the global market would buoy the country’s export revenues next year.

Lopez said the agency is bullish on exports next year with the commitments from China and Russia to source products from the Philip-

pines, particularly agricultural goods.

“Our production should be able to supply the demand from these markets,” he said.

He added that the country is also maximizing the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) granted by the European Union in 2014.

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showed that Philippine exports to

ANILA -- The Board of Investments (BOI) has approved the PHP490 million sugar mill project of HDJ Bayawan Agri-venture Corp.

(HBAC) in Negros Oriental.

Located in a �ive-hectare property in Barangay Bugay, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, HBAC’s sugar mill plant has a

capacity to produce 427,050 bags of 50-kilogram bag raw sugar annually.

It will also produce 7,665 metric tons of molasses, by-product, annually.

The operation of the sugar mill started this month employing 151 personnel.

“The establishment of the

the EU in the �irst 10 months of the year rose 33.5 percent to USD7.8 billion from USD5.9 billion in 2016.

In a previous interview, the Trade chief also said that the country’s utilization rate of the EU GSP+ improved to 70.87 percent in 2016 from 68.3 percent in 2015.

Lopez said that with the expansion of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) granted by the United States, wherein Philippine-made travel goods can also enter the US market duty-free, this would boost the country’s export performance next year.

“We are building more

on agriculture, furniture, garments, travel goods, and other design-oriented exports,” he said, adding that the Philippines is also looking for opportunities in other markets.

The country’s exports from January to October this year grew 11.7 percent to USD53.1 billion from USD47.5 percent in the same period last year.

Under the Philippine Exports Development Plan 2‎ 017-2022, the country targets USD122 billion to USD131 billion revenues on exports of goods and services by the end of the Duterte administration. (PNA)

new sugar mill plant will dramatically reduce cost of transporting sugarcane among farmers within the area by as much as PHP600 per ton,” BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo said.

“Farmers will now have greater �lexibity on where to send their sugarcanes for milling,” Ceferino added.

HBAC investment is part of the over PHP616 billion investment approvals of the BOI this year.

This year is BOI’s largest investment approval in the past 50 years.

It also surpassed its target of PHP500 billion for its 50th anniversary. (PNA)

BOI approves P490-M sugar mill plant M

VOL. 10 ISSUE 193 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29-30, 2017

ECONOMY 5

EDGEDAVAO

Davao eyes more business and tourism roadshows OVERLOADED. A rider maneuvers a motorcycle overloaded with secondhand tires on his way to a customer’s shop along Quimpo Blvd. in Davao City on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr

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he local government of Davao City is considering to conduct more roadshows this coming 2018 to promote the city as an investment and tourism destination.

“Our target for next year is to do more roadshows, both international and domestic, because you will be surprised that some places in the country don’t know much about Davao,” said Generose Tecson, head of the City Tourism Oper-

ations Of�ice.

She said that the roadshow will be inspired by the investment and tourism blitz held in Japan on October 2017, where a team visited the cities of Yokohama, Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo to promote Davao City.

Members of the team include representatives from the city government and from the private sector.

Tecson said she realized the need for a roadshow when their Japanese hosts asked her why was it the �irst time

business.

Villar said the group would spend PHP50 billion next year for the development of more shopping malls and residential projects, and for expansion of its home improvement, supermarket, bakeshop and coffee shop businesses.

“We are very bullish in the coming year as we take advantage of the various collaborations among our companies in addition to the sustained

sound Philippine macroeconomic fundamentals,” he said.

Villar said Vista Land & Lifescapes would put up malls and residential projects in the countryside, while All Value Holdings Corporation aims to more than double the branches of Coffee Project to 45 to 50 next year.

He added branches of All Day convenience stores are targeted to reach 100 next year from the current 72 outlets, All Day supermarkets to

they heard a promotion about Davao.

“They asked me, ‘how come they do not promote Davao?’ How come they only hear of Manila, Cebu, Palawan?” she added.

She said their Japanese counterparts appreciated their presentations, which included promotional videos translated to the Japanese lan-

Villar group allots P175-B capex until 2020

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he Villar group of companies is allotting PHP175 billion in capital expenditures for the next three years, as it continues to grow its various businesses on the back of a strong economy.

Villar Group founder Manuel B. Villar Jr. told reporters about 60 percent of the total capital spending will be earmarked for real estate development, while over 35 percent for its leasing and retail

26 branches from 13 this year, and All Home from 26 to 28 depots next year from the current 16 branches.

Villar said it also aims to grow Georgia Academy from three schools to 13 next year to serve the growing needs of Vista Land’s residential developments, The Villar Group will also expand Golden Haven Memorial Park by doubling the number of locations from the current 14 to around 28. (PNA)

guage.

Tecson said the Japanese audience were very happy during their presentations as they were given a chance to see and know more about the city.

“This goes to show that there is really a need to market Davao,” Tecson emphasized.

The local government is considering conducting road-

shows in Cebu, Bohol, Bacolod, Iloilo and Clark, where the city has connectivity.

For international roadshows, the city government would like to have the roadshows in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states, “since they are the nearest to us and they are some of the traditional markets.” (PIA/RG Alama)

Get P150 off from Lazada when you gas up at Phoenix Petroleum

F

uel up at select Phoenix Petroleum stations and get Php 150 off your purchase from online shopping store, Lazada.

Every P500 single minimum fuel or lubes purchase at any participating Phoenix stations nationwide entitles customers to one Lazada discount voucher worth P150.

Customers must present their fuel receipt/s to the

Phoenix forecourt attendant to collect their discount voucher.

Receipts can only be used once.

Any excess amount on the receipt/s shall be considered void and cannot be used for future redemption. Receipts are valid only at the branch where the transaction was made. Only receipts within the promo period are valid for redemption.

Lost or damaged receipt/s will

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 193 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29-30, 2017

13 Historical Facts that Contributed to Davao’s Growth

By Antonio V. Figueroa

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he peopling of Davao was directly linked to migration and colonialism. Between 1848 and 1945, the region was under three colonial masters, though their reigns were considered brief if placed against the larger national historical perspective.

Davao was under Spain for �ifty years (1848-98), forty-six under the United States (1899-1941), including the Commonwealth, and four years under Japan (1942-45).

Overall, for nearly a century (18481945), the region was directly under foreign in�luence.

Progress, however, comes in different forms and shapes. Under the Spaniards, Christianity and town planning were introduced.

The Americans had a broader portfolio of amenities that included, among others, land transport, telegraphs, telephones, and higher education. For the Japanese, they introduced overseas work, management of farms, and their culture.

1.First migrants Before the colonial era, Davao region was strictly an indigenous country. Not only was it home to Moros and natives with axes to grind, the area which the Americans later dubbed as the “garden of the gods” was also home to wild horses, rare orchids, and endemic denizens ranging from upland plants to ocean dwellers.

But Davao’s conquest in 1848, which expelled the Moro population from their settlements, opened the entry of migrants, many of them families and relatives of the �ighters that helped Don Jose Oyanguren, the last Spanish conqueror, subdue the local Moro hero Datu Bago.

It is a little known fact that Oyanguren’s little army of Filipino warriors included destierros (exiles), aventureros (soldiers of fortune), and reclutas (recruits). The descendants of these Pinoy conquistadors would later dominate the socio-political and economic landscapes of the region.

After removing the threat of Moro piracy and embracing the affability of indigenous tribes, the new Christian settlers had good news to send home about Davao, a development that decades later would mark the entry of new migrants from other regions.

2.Town planning Before the concept of built environment came, town planning was �irst introduced by Jesuits in Davao region in settlements organized they founded. Fr. Pablo Pastells, S.J., a former parish priest of Caraga, described this in his Nov. 30, 1876 letter addressed to his Superior in Manila.

“The town will have four principal streets and six across them.

Each house will have eight posts, will measure six brazas long and three and a half wide, just like those houses which the Christians are now building. The houses will be six yards apart, and on each lot the people will raise their little garden surrounded by a fence. A grand plaza will be set in the town center around which the public buildings will be erected. The main streets can be extended inde�initely according to the number of streets across and the residential lots.”

Town planning under American rule was enhanced but without major changes except in the architecture and engineering models. Interestingly, streets like Magallanes (now A. Pichon Sr.) and San Pedro, still existent until now, are artefacts of the Jesuit’s community planning.

The import of town planning to progress, especially in geography and demography, comes as a key element. Multi-storied structures, concrete bridges, and macadamized roads are among its highlights. Growth centers and new settlements sprouted outside the porblacion as vortex and the districts, as they are called today, were polarized towards the town center.

3.Neocolonialism The term ‘neo-colonialism’ may be of recent vintage but its parochial in�luence in the context of US takeover of Davao from colonial Spain was already present since Dec. 14, 1899, the day the Americans arrived in Davao Gulf. Neo-colonialism, “the use of economic, political, cultural, or other pressures to control or in�luence other countries,” was still unde�ined then but the imposition of policies under the new colonists was a microcosm of ‘hegemony’, which is the “leadership or dominance, especially by one country or social group over others.”

The takeover meant the introduction of ‘capitalism’, the general term for all investments the Americans introduced in agriculture, telecommunication, education, medical health, science, and a host of other disciplines. In Davao alone, US clout was felt in transport, introduction of new technologies, and the sharing of political governance, both corrupt and well-mannered.

Under American rule, the concept of plantation economy and the exploitation of the Davao frontier were taken with a grain of salt. Local story is replete of stories

Photo from net of migration of ordinary folks and professionals who later became inspirations in the region’s socio-economic growth. Having possessed lands later, their in�luence, further enhanced, extended to other businesses.

4.Public Land Acts The laws governing public lands are the least appreciated.

These edicts have shaped the way Filipinos value ownership of real estates, which are key elements in the building of settlements, opening of new roads, or the creation of growth centers.

During American rule, �ive laws governing land assets were enacted. Under Act No. 926, the �irst public land law passed in 1903, the distribution of real estates was focused on “homestead, free patent, sale and lease of public lands suitable for agriculture” and “the judicial con�irmation of imperfect titles.” The following year, Act No. 1120, known as Friar Lands Act, was enacted to administer the temporary leasing and sale of certain lands owned by the Catholic Church.

In 1913, Act No. 2259 was passed to expedite public land distribution and introduce cadastral survey covering “an extensive area, usually an entire municipality, subdividing the same into parcels for purposes of public land distribution.” This became a magnet for migration.

Six years later, Act No. 2874, the Second Public Land Act, was enacted. It amended Act No. 926 to hasten the disposition of public agricultural lands to Filipinos by adopting a system of land classi�ication and increasing the homestead area from 16 to 24 hectares.

This policy was became signi�icant when 1934 Constitutional Convention delegate Pantaleon Pelayo Sr. introduced a charter provision disallowing aliens from owning lands in the country.

In 1936, another �iat, Commonwealth Act 141, was approved by the national legislature. This law, ironically, remains as the governing edict of all public lands until now!

5.Santa Ana Port The role of ports and wharves

in an economy that is dependent on the ocean and the waterways, is an aspect that’s overlooked when seeing the larger context of progress. Without piers, the transport of people, goods, and cargoes would simply depend on indigenous crafts with very limited loads. To handle the management of seaports, the concept of Customs administration was introduced by the colonizers.

Mindanao’s key trading region in the last half of the 19th century was in the southwest, particularly the Sulu archipelago, home of the pearl industry and the epicentre of barter trade. So, when the Americans arrived, they chose Zamboanga, a proximal area, as administrative center in the south. For a decade, it became the most important port in the backdoor.

Zamboanga’s eminence in shipping, though, was not impressive. Even if the commercial vessels were required under US policy to use the place as port of entry, the volume of cargoes and merchandises passing through it was limited and the ships had to visit secondary ports in order to load more cargoes. When the port of Davao was opened in July 1, 1908, this would slowly change the equation.

As Davao hemp production rose and demand for the hemp exploded in the world market, the local chamber of businesses petitioned the government made Davao a port of entry which, by extension, meant improving Santa Ana wharf to allow foreign steamers to dock.

Seeing wisdom in the recommendation, the government declared the Davao port an entrepot.

As a result, Santa Ana pier became the premier shipping destination of Mindanao. Data in 1927 showed that during this time foreign tonnage at the port involved 168,985 bales of hemp, 4,057,174 kilos of copra, and 334,992 board feet of lumber. Overall, the total value of exports reached P10.8 million and customs house receipts totalled P175,380. In the next decade, the pier became a major docking station for ships bringing in people, merchandises, and cargoes.

6.Visayan juggernaut Cebuano migration to Davao

region was largely connected to the rise of political stalwarts from the Visayan region. In fact, Davao, then undivided, was home to four Cebuano and three non-Cebuano governors. Their successful political careers, in a span of �ifty years, gave rise to a remarkable exodus of Visayans to the region.

The Cebuano governors included Eulalio E. Causing, Sr. (191517); Francisco Sales (1917-21); Alejandro D. Almendras Sr. (195155; 1956-59); and Vicente G. Duterte (1959-1964) while the other Visayan governors were Gregorio V. Cañeda (1947) of Leyte; Ricardo Miranda (1942-1946; 1947-48; 1948-51) of Bohol; and Romualdo C. Quimpo (1940-1941) of Capiz.

The Visayan migration, in part due to the opening of plantations and the logging boom, was enhanced by stories of good fortunes achieved by individuals. Even after Davao was divided into three provinces, the governors installed were mostly Visayans: Verulo Boiser, Nonito Llanos Sr., Gregorio Dujali, Ramon de los Cientos, and Gelacio Gementiza, to name a few.

On the side, Zamboangueños also contributed their fair share to Davao’s migration history and the city’s progress. Three Davao City mayors, in fact, were from Zamboanga, namely Nicasio S. Valderrosa (1936), Agustin L. Alvarez (193940) and Pantaleon A. Pelayo (194042). Long-time Davao del Norte governor Prospero S. Amatong was also from Zamboanga.

7.Executive Order No. 29 World War II turned the islands into shambles. Though Japan was eventually defeated, the leased lands the Japanese investors left behind in Davao were another matter.

Through an act of the US Congress, the shares and assets of Ohta Development Co., Furukawa Plantation Co., Inc. and the Guihing Plantation Co., were sold by the American government to the Philippines for US$1.00 in August 1946.

The administration of these lands was initially placed under the National Abaca and Other Fibers Corporation (NAFCO), created under Commonwealth Act No. 332 and approved on June 18, 1938.

Principal among its functions was to “buy, sell, export, barter, and in any other manner deal in, abaca and other �ibers.” Later on, under Executive Order No. 69, President Manuel Roxas transferred the management of around thirty expired Japanese leases to the state-owned corporation.

According to Salvador L. Pacis, who became Malacañan technical assistant, journalist, and book author, this transfer of management was “the beginning of large-scale in squatting” in Davao and throughout Mindanao. Former Japanese lands were distributed to war veterans, former guerrillas, and occupant-civilians. In a short span of time, dependents of the new landowners started migrating to the region and became part of the growing population of “informal settlers.”

8.Hemp, logging, banana They are called the troika of growth. Some pundits label hemp, logging, and banana as the bearers of progress because their separate in�luences indisputably stirred the local economy and encouraged the migration of people to Davao region.

Abaca cultivation was an ordinary industry until investors transformed unproductive farms into sprawling plantations. These expansive lands would become the source of world-class hemp that brought foreign ships to local shores, infused dollars to the economy, and created opportunities in enterprises, jobs, livelihood, and cottage industries.

After the war, just before the discovery of synthetic ropes, extensive logging in Davao came into picture due to government boost. The state saw the industry as a catalyst of development and as it thrived, jobs were created and forest-allied industries started to sprout. But in the absence of mitigating schemes protecting forest lands and watersheds from depletion, the industry would eventually be blamed for the �lash �loods that ravage communities.

On the other hand, the rise of banana plantations did not start until the 1970s after abaca prices suffered global collapse. This new

EDGEDAVAO

7 HEALTH

VOL. 10 ISSUE 193 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29-30, 2017

Beating dengue without a vaccine (First of Three Parts)

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

I

n lieu of the controversial vaccine, there is a better way to beat dengue among those who are already infected with the virus. The simple solution: drinking water.

“It’s simply water-in versus water-out issue,” explained Dr. Richard T. Mata, a pediatrician whose clinic is in Panabo City, Davao del Norte.

“Dengue is about hydration,” he pointed out, referring to the process of providing an adequate amount of water to body tissues of a patient.

Known for his anti-dengue advocacy, the boyish-looking physician makes his own website – which he updates regularly – to educate thousands of people around the world on the truth about dengue fever.

Dengue, he said, is one of the most misunderstood diseases in this planet today. “In my years of practice, I have discovered a lot of things that are so important about this disease but it’s not yet written in medical textbooks or in any website, thus I made it an advocacy to teach it in the simplest way possible as Albert Einstein said, ‘If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.’”

Most people are terri�ied of dengue because when the blood platelets decrease, it causes severe bleeding and ultimately death. This thinking, he said, is very wrong.

“That’s a misconception maling akala, ayun nga sa Eraserheads, maraming namamatay sa maling akala,” he surmised.

According to him, not too many Filipinos know what really transpires when the dengue virus enters the human body. “When the mosquito bites you, the dengue virus will enter your blood vessels and it will cause plasma leakage, or what I call as butas ang mga ugat. It’s like you have

thousands of pinpoint holes in your blood vessels that causes it to leak with water that will cause dehydration,” he said.

But it’s not only water, which is contained in plasma, that comes out but platelet as well. “This is the reason why the platelet decreases because it comes out of the holes of the blood vessels,” he explained.

According to him, the blood vessel holes, just like an ordinary wound, heal within six days. “That’s why in dengue, the platelet is observed to have decrease until the sixth day of fever and from there, the platelet starts to increase again as the holes begin to close,” he said.

What really kills a person with dengue is not due to low platelet counts but dehydration. It occurs when a person loses more �luid and his body doesn’t have enough water and other �luids to carry out its normal functions.

“Dehydration is the killer,” he declared, “low platelet is only secondary.”

Dr. Mata pointed out that even if the platelet continuous to decrease each day for as long as the patient is fully hydrated with dextrose and oral �luids, the patient is safe. “The best indication the patient is fully hydrated is that he keeps on urinating with an interval of one to three hours,” he said.

“If the patient does not urinate for than 5 hours, he can be in a brink of either hypotension (low blood pressure) or kidney failure.”

As a proof that it’s not low blood platelet that kills a person with dengue, Dr. Mata

showed a video of a two-year old girl with a disease called idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a disease in which antibodies form and destroy the body’s platelets.

It is not caused by dengue virus.

The video presentation showed the patient has a platelet count of only 10; the normal count is 150 and above. “Although the ITP patient had only 10, you can notice that she is smiling and playing around,” he said.

According to Dr. Mata, even though the platelet is low, the patient is not dehydrated because there is no plasma leakage in ITP. As such, she can still play around.

In comparison, he said that in dengue the platelet is low but there is also dehydration due to the plasma leakage.

“That’s why a person with dengue looks weaker,” he pointed out. “So, if you can correctly replace water being lost in the case of dengue, the patient can reach to a level where even if the platelet is low the patient can still be awake and alert.”

Dr. Mata considered dengue just like “a secret diarrhea.” He said: “That’s why

it’s dangerous because you cannot see the �luids that comes out of the vessels unlike in loose bowel movement where it’s obvious. So, it’s easy to estimate the needed amount of hydration in diarrhea than that of dengue. All the worst if you don’t even know its dehydration.”

Dr. Mata said dehydration causes shock, “dahil naubos na ang tubig, wala ng pressure. Kaya nga tinawag na dengue shock.”

Dehydration also causes intestinal ulcer that causes bleeding. “And because the platelets are low, the bleeding becomes severe. But if there was no dehydration, there will be no ulcer and thus no bleeding – even if the platelets are low,” he explained. “So, it still boils down to dehydration.”

Dehydration also causes kidney failure, which result from the decrease in urine output. “This causes the water to be retained in the lungs thereby creating congestion that can kill the patients,” he said.

Many people believe congestion is caused by over hydration. “But the truth is,

it is caused by kidney failure due to dehydration,” he said.

“That’s ironic, right?”

Dr. Mata suggested that doctors should focus on improving the knowledge and the management on hydration. By doing so, he said, “we will save thousands of patients from those complications of dehydration and even from dying.”

If only the scientists got it right from the start, it should have been called dengue dehydration fever and not dengue hemorrhagic fever.

“Imagine how many people we could have saved by proper understanding,” he said.

“So how will you know if you are well hydrated,” he asked. “Dengue patients must be well-hydrated with Oresol and dextrose. If the patients are well hydrated, they will always urinate. With an almost clear color (of the urine)!

“Those who urinate small with longer intervals and with dark colored urine are in danger of severity. The good news is that the quality of the urine can warn us before the blood pressure drops and thus can be hydrated early and save the patient,” Dr. Mata said.

“If people will know the truth,” he said, “the chances of surviving from the disease will greatly increase. In fact, there may come a time when dengue deaths worldwide can become zero.”

No, it’s not the durian fruit, which most people from Davao believe. Nor it is “tawa-tawa” (known in the science world as “Euphorbia hirta”). It’s not even the exotic “balut,” which most foreigners frown upon seeing a dead duck embryo ready to be eaten. It is just clean water.

For all his efforts, Dr. Mata named as one of the �ive recipients of the Third Health Exemplar Awards given by the Manila-based Health and Lifestyle magazine. “(He) works patiently one barangay and one community at a time, as he envisions that each and every region of the country will be empowered with the proper knowledge and skills to signi�icantly curb the rising prevalence of this potentially serious infection which cuts short the lives of hundreds of Filipino children annually,” said a statement released during the awarding ceremony. (To be continued)

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

M

VOL. 10 ISSUE 193 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29-30, 2017

Disrespect

ega Harbour Port and Development Corporation owes Mayor Inday Sara Duterte a major apology.

That is judging from the report which also comes out in this edition of Edge Davao that the company called the mayor “reckless, callous, and unethical individual.”

Obviously, this is a spinoff to the announcement made by the mayor in terminating the Joint Venture Agreement of a P39 billion mixed-use coastline development project in Davao. Mayor Inday Sara got back at Mega Harbour in reaction to the latter’s letter and recently published statement questioning her decision to terminate the project. ”It is utterly �iddling of you to threaten me with a law suit should I continue to ful�ill my obligation to explain to the public why I terminated the agreement. And you certainly do not have the right to tell me how and when I should do my job,” read the city mayor’s letter.

Mega Harbour had claimed it did not receive notice of the termination--a claim debunked by the mayor saying that the letter was duly acknowledged on July 27. 2017.

EDGEDAVAO

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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

It took Mayor Inday Sara a year to review diligently the documents and weigh in on the project which would have affected 10 coastal barangays and some 4,000 families. She had sought the help of some consultants-both technical and legal--to assist her in coming up with a thorough assessment of the project and in the end, she decided the city is better off not proceeding with it. Mega Harbour cannot fault the city mayor. She was elected by the people and it is understandable that it is the welfare of the people that has more weight to her in any argument vis a vis that of the megabuck project. That alone should be respected.

The problem has just gotten from bad to worse in the case of Mega Harbour. In the �inal analysis, it is their own making that they are in bad light. The reaction made by Mega Harbour and the words hurled at the direction of the lady mayor speaks much of its corporate mindset.

It’s a pity they had fallen so much in disgrace instead of keeping its head high and salvage what would have still been a situation that could be mended.

EDGEDAVAO

T

he passage of Act No. 926 in 1903, the �irst public land law, was a trigger the government used in inviting people from the north to inhabit Mindanao, particularly the regions of Davao Lanao, Surigao, Agusan, Bukidnon, Cotabato and Zamboanga.

What made this edict special is the fact that it focused on “homestead, free patent, sale and lease of public lands suitable for agriculture” and “the judicial con�irmation of imperfect titles.”

The government de�ined “homestead” as referring to the lands “granted for cultivation and for the construction of a residence, a home for a family” that did not exceed sixteen hectares. Owning a homestead for free was not limited to Filipinos but included Americans.

In Davao, as of 1903, the lands up for occupancy, also lands within the public domain, covered 65,495 hectares or roughly 7,486 square miles.

According to the Statistical Bulletin No. 1 issued by the O�icina de Comercio e Industria issued in 1919, the Davao lands, which were classi�ied as part of the town proper or poblacion, expanded to 109,921 hectares or 15 square miles in 1915.

Three years later, it would swell to

A

l Wala’ wal Bara’ literally translates into loyalty and having nothing to do about something. Al Wala’ is the loyalty and love of the Muslim towards his fellow Muslims while Al Bara’ although sometimes translated into enmity or opposition, I’d rather translate it into having nothing to do about something because Al Bara’ does not teach us to hate Non-Muslims, rather it teaches us to distance ourselves from other religions’ belief that is opposing that of Islam and that we should not actively or passively participate in their religious festivities.

Al Bara’ also does not mean that Muslims should hate the Non-Muslims in a harmful way. Rather, it should only be on the basis that Allah’s rights are being violated by Non-Muslims during these festivities in all the wrong belief and vice involved. Al Bara’ only meant that there are limits to the coexistence and cooperation Muslims may have with Non-Muslims.

On the other hand, Al Wala’ does not mean that Muslims should tolerate any form of injustice of the Muslims against the Non-Muslim. Al Wala’ wal Bara’ is the gold standard through which the Muslim deal with other people whether Muslims or Non-Muslims. It wishes to only bring about bene�it and keep harm away from people.

Al Wala’ wal Bara’ is safeguarding our own Muslim identity, tradi-

VOL. 10 ISSUE 193 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29-30, 2017

VANTAGE POINTS

Invitation to inhabit Davao

115,790 or roughly 16 square miles in 1918. Faustino Aguilar, then director of labor, explained why there was a need to have a homestead: ‘The main cause of misery in every country comes from the impossibility of the majority of its population to obtain certain extent of lands to cultivate them for their own bene�it and for construction of their own homes.

“The truth of it is such that pauperism with all its dreadful crimes, miseries and wretchedness is not known in those countries where the lands are not controlled by the few, as in the Philippines…

“Aside from the personal advantage that a man may derive in possessing a homestead, the community would thereby be bene�itted, for the reason that it increases the production and at the same time reduces the consumption, inasmuch as a man who cultivates a homestead land has for security his subsistence and that of his family and, more, some surplus for the consumption of others, thus bene�itted thereby.

“All the laborers especially will receive bene�it, because the development of agriculture would lessen the labor competition in the market.

“The cultivation of the agricul-

FAST BACKWARD Antonio V. Figueroa tural lands will necessarily stop the accumulation of hands in the cities.

Having, therefore, wider mean of livelihood, the competition of the laborers among themselves only to earn a paltry wage will not take place as is at present in those countries where the agricultural lands are within the clutch of only a few.”

Even more intriguing in the invitation to populate Davao was the labor bureau’s notice addressed to the laborers, saying: “We shall give you work and afterwards be inde-

9

pendent!”

But to migrate to Davao, the labor director said, the laborer will “work �irst with the government in public works in private plantation, in order to gain experience and to have means and afterwards be self-supporting.”

There were also terms or conditions attached to the labor contract, such as getting a minimum wage salary of one peso a day, and free housing, medical treatment, medicine, transportation ofr his entire family from Manila to Davao.

If the applicant was a home-seeker and was a contracted laborer, his fare from his home town to Manila would also be free “in accordance with the terms of the contract.”

The invitation included other amenities such as free quarters for every laborer and his family while in Manila awaiting shipment to the point of destination, an advance money (Php10 if single and Php30 if married and brings with him his family), and with experience.

But as soon as this migration was realized, certain issues cropped up, and the government was partly blamed. In ‘Social Problems’ (1929), Dr. Sera�in E. Macaraig wrote: “The government has been trying to encourage people from Luzon,

especially in the densely-populated parts… to settle the vast unoccupied lands through liberal homestead laws and the establishment of agricultural colonies. The result has been the rapid in�lux of immigrants to those regions. The frontier population and settlements will continue to increase in the provinces of Cotabato, Lanao, Agusan, Zamboanga, and Davao; but to insure the success of this enterprise, the government should lend every kind of facility. A good and a quick means of transportation should be established to connect the farms with the towns; but this plan is not being out… Consequently, it is a great drawback to the home-seekers and they are discouraged because they have no way of marketing their products.”

Such observation, in fact, has been the very reason why migration from the provinces to the urban centres has remained unchecked.

A decade after Act No. 926 was enacted, Act No. 2259 was passed to expedite public land distribution and introduce cadastral survey covering “an extensive area, usually an entire municipality, subdividing the same into parcels for purposes of public land distribution,” which became a magnet for migration.

the holiday season is whether a Muslim may or may not accept gifts.

Generally, most scholars have agreed that Muslims may accept gifts in order to avoid alienating the Non-Muslims much and in hopes that they come closer to Islam. However, Muslims may actively decline any gifts that are of Haram or forbidden kinds such as gifts of liquor, pork, religious images or statues as he will not have any use for it and it will only end up being thrown away. Muslims may not actively seek out to be given gifts too.

The situation given is only when gift was given without the Muslim asking.

Christmas bonuses is also an issue of concern of many Muslim employees in Non-Muslim companies on which our scholars say that there is no problem in accepting it. This is usually the 13th-month pay that is stipulated by our own labor laws but was renamed as such because companies usually pay it off during December. And even if it is just a gift, our scholars have already allowed us to accept it as earlier discussed.

MUSLIMS WHO CELEBRATE NON-MUSLIM HOLIDAYS Any Muslim who celebrates Non-Muslim holidays or even his birthday, anniversary or others are sinning. This is because Muslims only have two holidays, Eidul Fitr after Ramadhan and Eidul Adha after Hajj.

The celebration of Non-Muslim

holidays also constitutes heresy as this celebration is a form of acquiescence in the belief that is accompanying it. Celebrating Christmas is symbolically a celebration of the divinity of Jesus and greeting them for Christmas is showing that you are happy that people see Jesus as a god that should be worshipped other than Allah.

Any participation is a participation in disobedience in Allah and associating partners with Allah in worship.

Another danger of having Muslims celebrate Non-Muslim holidays is that the Non-Muslims will have the opinion that it is ok for Muslims to celebrate these making them come to the wrong conclusion that any Muslim who do not celebrate Christmas or other Non-Muslim holidays are extremists or fundamentalists.

And this is really not helping at all in our effort to dispel that Islam is a religion that coexists with other religions.

I know that it does feel awkward at times to be different from the people around us but as Muslims, we are proud to be different because we are different for a noble reason. We are different in upholding Allah’s unity in His right to be worshipped alone.

For more information about Islam please watch Mensahe TV at Cignal Channel 184. You may also send your questions and suggestions to mujahidnavarra@gmail.com

Al Wala’ wal Bara’ during Non-Muslim holidays tion, and heritage.

GENERAL GUIDELINES Al Wala’ wal Bara’ is most tested during Non-Muslim holiday seasons in which many Muslims do not have much idea about.

As a general rule, Muslims cannot have any form of participation in their celebrations such as birthday, anniversaries, and holidays such as Christmas and New Year and others.

Not participating means that one should not attend their parties, exchange gifts, and others.

Greeting or exchanging greetings with Non-Muslims in their holidays is also forbidden in Islam. Christmas and other religious festivities are among these because these celebrations are made to commemorate things that Muslims do not believe in even though Muslims love and respect Mary and Jesus in Islam.

What a Muslim must do during these times is to avoid these and if ever he was invited or greeted he only has to politely declare that he or she is a Muslim and make a brief explanation on why we cannot greet them back or celebrate with them.

Actually, you may �ind this awkward at �irst or quite impolite but most people will respect your decision.

Participating in Non-Muslim festivities is easy enough to understand but there are some issues that are vague to many Muslims such as the passive participation in these events by selling Christmas décor,

UNDERSTANDING ISLAM

Mujahid Navarra

gift wraps, �irecrackers and others.

These are all forbidden in Islam too, because the Muslim vendor may not be greeting them or physically present in their parties, he is indirectly supporting them in their festivities.

However, if a Muslim vendor is selling food that may be served in a Chrismas or New Year’s party, the scholars see no problem in it because this was sold not with the intention of having people use it for their holidays but rather as a prime commodity. The same applies to those who sell toys, clothing or anything that may be bought by the buyer with the intention of being given as gift. A Muslim may still sell these to the buyer even during Christmas season.

Another issue that occurs during

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 193 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29-30, 2017

public might say management’s statement is self serving, adding that NCCC realizes that whatever it says at this point in time is not acceptable to the families because it’s coming from us. That is why we keep saying we have to wait for the result of the investigation,” the lawyer said.

“In Davao, the requirements are very stringent in getting a building. Hindi kami makakuha ng permit without those requirements; it’s not a one-time thing,, there’s an annual inspection before we can renew permits for the incoming year,” he said.

Gallego also denied complaints from some of the survivors who tried using the �ire exit.

“The �ire exit will lead you outside the mall but there is a stair coming from the upper �loor. You have to pass through the emergency stairs before you can �inally be able to exit the building.

There is no truth to that that paglabas mo sa �ire exit lalabas ka sa mall there is no establishment doing that making �ire exit the exit still inside the building,” he said.

Gallego also said rebuilding of the mall is not the priority concern of the NCCC management.

He said management is focusing its attention on the interest of the relativesd of the victims, displaced tenants and mall workers.

He said tenants are already

being taken care of by the mall’s leasing team, while the mall’s employees who are being displaced are now also being assisted.

Gallego said that the management will re-assign the displaced employees to other NCCC branches.

“Right now the priority is really taking care of everyone. The management doesn’t think anything else but taking care of everyone.

The tenants are being taken care of by our leasing team. I believe they already had initial meeting earlier,” he said.

Gallego also explained why it took long for the NCCC management to meet with the families of the victims. The management of NCCC gathered all the families yesterday at the Orchard Hotel.

He said even before the meeting yesterday there had been efforts to assist the victims and their families through the City Mayor’s Of�ice (CMO). He said from the start and even during the process of identi�ication at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) the management sent their doctors to assist.

“We really apologize even to the relatives of the �ire fatalities. We still have to sort things out to make sure that everything is taken care of before we will be able to meet face to face with the families,” he said.

People’s Republic of China will also come to the city after the New Year celebration to give their assistance to families of those who died in the �ire and those who were affected of the �loods because of typhoon Vinta,” she added.

The lady mayor did not disclose the amount of cash

assistance that the families of the victims will receive.

“Naa na’y amount ang city, naa nay amount and NCCC, naa na’y amount ang SSI but they left it to me kung i-announce or dili and upon discussion with the city legal and lawyers, dili namo I-annouce ang amount to protect the families,” she said.

Narciso said she could not further give information about the case �iled by the vice mayor and Carpio against Trillanes To recall, Duterte and Carpio were dragged into the alleged smuggling and corruption at the BOC. Both attended the hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on September 7 to air their side, although, during the hearing, they invoked their right to silence.

The PHP6.4 billion shabu shipment from China, which slipped through the BOC, was later seized in Valenzuela City.

The vice mayor, who has tendered his resignation as vice mayor on Monday, is on leave until December 31. This is expected to be extended until President

Rodrigo Duterte will accept his resignation.

In his earlier statement, Carpio admitted having visited BOC because he represents many clients who have transactions with the agency.

He said, “Senator Trillanes is imputing malice in saying that my appearance before the BOC is because of smuggling.

He is just a desperate rumor-monger who happens to be a senator.”

Also dragged into the controversy was Councilor Nilo “Small” Abellera Jr by Customs broker, “�ixer” and witness Mark Taguba as a member of the so-called “Davao Group” that allegedly facilitated the release of the illegal shipment. (Armando Fenequito, Jr/PNA)

CITY... FROM 2

PRES... FROM 2

ZERO... FROM 3

Brie�ing yesterday Thursday She said that the factor that contributed the most in achieving positive results are the continuous information dissemination to the public and the constant reminder from the enforces.

She reminded that public that they will identify those areas that have history of indiscriminate �iring to prevent untoward incident.

“We will deploy all alert teams to secure the region and to avoid indiscriminate �iring here in Davao Region.

We would like to remind the public that we (PRO XI) will be very active in patrolling and of course we ask their cooperation to report their neighbors if in case they will violate the city ordinance or you think your neighbor is planning to violate it, get your cellphones take a video and send it to us (PNP) with the details for us to apprehend the suspected individuals immediately,” Dela Cerna said.

She said that they will organize a rapid arresting team to respond to indiscriminate �iring in case it will happen.

PRO XI will also conduct hot pursuit operation, they will enter compounds and houses especially when proven that there are guns �ired.

“I would like to remind the statement of our Chief of Philippine National Police (PNP) regarding the 11th commandment, thou shall not �ire their guns indiscrim-

inately as it may hit, kill and injure thy neighbor and the 12th commandment if thy neighbor �ires his gun indiscriminately, thou shall make sure to take photos and videos to be reported to the PNP,” she said.

Meanwhile, Chief Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan has given his instructions to the Unit Commanders under the Jurisdiction of Police Regional Of�ice XI (PRO XI) for the remaining days of holiday season.

“Our regional director has given his instructions already to the unit commanders, they are instructed to always stay vigilant, same with the military we in defensive mode. As the unilateral cease �ire was declared tayo naman ay aayon sa pinag utos sa atin and we will abide with the rule of law,” she said.

She ensures the public that the police under PRO XI will be active in securing the its area of responsibility by being vigilant with the help of the Barangay Information Network (BIN) and other friendly forces and other government of�ices and agencies.

“Pag iigtingin po natin ang security up until pag pasok ng 2018 but not only yung pag pasok ng bagong taon, but of course for the coming year we will ake sure na wala nang mauulit, As much as possible wala ng mauulit na mga harassment incidents sa ating mga municipalities,” she said.

a “determined effort” to kill Omar, and not just to defend themselves.

“Even if this Court would consider that he (Omar) was in possession of a revolver as posed by the defense, the multiple gunshots he sustained which led to his death cannot, by any stretch of imagination, be deemed as an act of self-preservation on the part of the accused police of�icers,” it said.

Meanwhile, on a murder case �iled for the death of Samin Akmad, another OFW that suffered the same fate as Omar, the Manila RTC absolved the policemen since the prosecution witness only pointed to Tibor as the shooter.

“Further guided by the onus probandi (burden of proof) in criminal cases which requires moral certainty, this Court �inds and

so holds that acquitting the six accused of the �irst charge (Akmad’s death) would be in keeping with the ends of justice,” the court said.

Records showed that Omar and his companion Samin Akmad were fatally shot on the night of June 8, 2000 in Quiapo, Manila by policemen after being suspected as members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) at a time when Metro Manila was under bomb threats.

During the trial, the policemen insisted that their operation was legitimate and that they were only defending themselves against the armed suspects.

But an eyewitness, Linang Anguso, testi�ied that the two victims were merely OFWs who were set to leave Manila for Jeddah. (Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)

Alagano said there is an inter-agency task force who will jointly investigate the incident.

“Sa kanila na po yung jusridiction and anytime this week, darating yung ating

task force to investigate the incident (The jurisdiction of investigation is already on the task force and anytime this week they will arrive here to investigate the incident),” she said.

MANILA... FROM 3

NCCC... FROM 3

She said the task force is composed of the national of�ices of BFP, Department of Interior and Local Goverment (DILG), Department of Justice (DOJ), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 11 (CIDG 11).

“The task force will be headed by the DILG,” she said.

The BFP 11 will be of those investigated particularly its handling of �ire suppression and rescue operation.

Alagano said the BFP will present to the task force the standard operating procedure they did during the �ire incident and the conduct of rescue and retrieval operations.

Meanwhile, the retrieval

team of BFP 11 has suspended its search operation inside the �ire razed mall due to some explosions.

Alagano bared that at 9:45 a.m. of December 27, an explosion took place inside the mall.

“So, yung tinatayuan ng ating search and retrieval team medyo nag-shake sila (So, the place where our search and retrieval team were shaken),” she said.

She said there are some portions that are dangerous for the team because of the debris falling inside the building.

Alagano said may resume anytime depending on the assessment of the ground commander of the team.

enterprise, like any big industry player, contributed to the in�lux of new migrants which, over time, turned bustling settlements into townships. Davao, for one, hosts some of the largest contiguous banana plantations anywhere in the world.

There are no exact �igures how many were involved in developing the three industries. What is sure, though, is that their absence would have drastically altered the economic landscape of the region in terms of migration, jobs, �inancial liquidity, attractiveness to investment, and land development.

9.Borderless trading For so long, Davao region was merely content with its business link with Manila and other regions in the islands. This arrangement restricted the expansion of trade and stunted growth of commerce in southern Mindanao. For foreign commodities to reach the gulf of Davao, they �irst had to pass Manila which was the primary port of entry.

The launching of BIMP-EAGA, a borderless trading conceived in 1993 by then President Fidel V. Ramos, opened the borders of Mindanao to backdoor commercial traf�ic. This development formalized the opening of transport links, by air and by sea, between Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. In later years, Davao City would have direct �lights to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Manado City, to name a few.

BIMP-EAGA has opened Davao to wider opportunities and investments from many countries whose business interests were largely concentrated in Luzon and the Visayas.

As a consequence, tourism in the region exploded, vertical development grew by leaps and bounds, and projects involving housing competed with Manila’s growth patterns. Because of these interesting events, a boom in transport, an exodus of new settlers, and the rise of industrial hubs, which have become highlights of economic explosions, paticularly in Davao City.

10.Color of money Economic growth in the city, in large measure, can be measured by the presence of lending institutions or money-oriented out�its. In 1928, Philippine National Bank became the �irst bank to open a branch in Davao; the ‘better than expected’ reception it got from the business sector eventually led to the entry of new players, especially during the Commonwealth. During this period, remittance of money was

already existent via telegraphic transfer.

After the war ended, banking activities slowly returned with so much promise ahead due to reparation and reconstruction. Observers underscored the growing interest in banking as a positive indicator of �iscal liquidity. Over time, Claveria (C.M. Recto) Street became the city’s �inancial hub, hosting a dozen or two lending institutions. Later, the idustry included banks classi�ied as universal, thrift, rural and cooperative. By 2015, the city was host to over 400 banks.

Another �inancial indicator was the entry of jewelry and pawnshops, with money as central transaction. Families affected by economic hardships looked up to these lending shops as monetary pipelines. In later decades, the color of money was associated with technologically dependent money remittance schemes. For a few pesos, money could be transferred in seconds and withdrawn just as fast in automatic teller machines. On the side, money-changers sprouted.

11.Power of light Founded on Sept. 24, 1929 as Patrick Henry Frank, Relatives & Associates, Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC), was formed with the primary objective of serving the central section of Davao with only six American incorporators as prime movers. The establishment of the electric company was inspired by the plan to energize Davao and the presence of Japanese investments. It particular, power was a key factor in operating abaca strippers, lighting businesses at night, and energizing residences.

The post-war takeover by the Aboitiz family in 1946 expanded the �irm’s role in the socio-economic growth of the city. As industries and commercial centers grew, so was the need for energy to light the suburban area. The need for energy was important in keeping the engine of bureaucracy operating and for the industries to operate without letup. As housing settlements expanded, so was the need for electri�ication.

DLPC’s contribution to Davao’s growth cannot be expressed in �igures alone. As an indispensable aspect of progress, the company helped hasten the advancement of the region. Without power, public utilities, communication, industries, homes, and a host of other aspects of progress, including technologies, would have not achieved their full potentials. The absence

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CONTINUE,P13

INdulge!

EAT LIST 2017

VOL. 10 ISSUE 193 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29-30, 2017

FOOD

THERE has never been a better time to enjoy Durianburg’s foodscape than in 2017. This was the year where we saw the proliferation of weekend food markets, the creation of more chef driven restaurants, and the start of better appreciation of food and the origins and quality of its ingredients.

Best ala carte entree I am a carnivore through and through and Bondi & Bourke’s USDA CAB Rib Eye is definitely one treat that is worth every peso you spend. This dish gets my thumbs up thanks to the marriage of top quality ingredients and top level skills in preparing the steak. The steaks at Bondi & Bourke are properly seasoned, cooked to the perfect doneness and paired with rich and creamy mashed potatoes and fresh greens to make it a little bit healthier. Yes, the dish may be one of the most expensive dishes on the menu but it is truly worth it.

Best buffet entree Seda Abreeza’s Slowcooked Angus Shortplate is back for 2017 as my choice for the best buffet entree. Flavourful, tender, and juicy, this dish is what truly elevates the buffet dining experience at the hotel’s all-daydining restaurant, Misto.

This is not saying that the other entrees are not good, they are in fact fantastic too, but the Angus Shortplate is literally the icing on the proverbial cake every time Misto hold’s their special buffet events.

Best coffee Nothing calms the soul more than a good cup of coffee and Coffee Grounds delivers in spades with premium grade coffee beans blended and roasted in-house.

Whats even better is that Coffee Grounds now also hosts coffee events so that even coffee newbies can get a glimpse on what good coffee is all about.

When visiting Coffee

EDGEDAVAO Snake River Farm’s Ribeye prepared

by Bondi & Bourke.

Grounds, I would normally order the double shot espresso to taste the complex flavours of the been but if having two pontent shots of caffeine seem too much for you then I suggest you try their cappuccino or their flat white. Both are creamy and rich with rounded notes of nuts and spice.

Best tea For those who would rather have something light instead of coffee, Waterfront Hotel Davao’s Biko Pannacotta. then the Marco Polo Davao’s signature Earl Grape Iced Tea should make it to your must try list. Made of premium lemony Earl Grey tea and mixed with elderflower syrup and fresh seedless grapes, the Earl Grape Iced Tea is certainly an experience to remember when it is served with all its pomp and pageantry Seda Abreeza’s Angus Shortplate. to your table. And since it is an iced tea it is just perfect to have any time of the day thanks to our tropical climate.

Best food event Food events have taken over the weekends in Durianburg with as many as two to three in a month but the best food events for me focuses more on the food being served rather than the noise it generates which leads me to by best food events for 2017.

Carmina del Rosario is no stranger to the Eat List and this year she returns as her new baby, Mindanao Butchers & Company, came together with Alternative Food Corporation to host Snake River Farms’s Wagyu appreciation night at Bondi & Bourke. The event featured the entire range of American Wagyu beef as well as Kurobuta pork all masterfully prepared

by Bondi & Bourke’s chef Wade Watson.

The dishes highlighted the different qualities of the meats as well as showcased the beauty and richness of SRF’s American Wagu through a gastronomical journey. It also helped that the food was paired with top quality Argentinean wines by

Park Inn by Radisson Davao’s Cronut.

Carlo Lorenana’s Bodegas Lagarde as well as the attentive service by Bondi & Bourke’s wait staff.

Best sweet snack I only got to taste this late in the year but I would have to tip my hat for best dessert to Park Inn by Radisson Davao’s cronuts. Although the fusion pastry is no longer on the radar of most people, the crisp and flaky on the outside and chewy on the inside treat is literally to die for.

Made slightly smaller than the typical cronut, Park Inn’s take is also less sweet which is what made me shy away from the original cronut. Drizzled with a little icing sugar or dark chocolate ganache, its a perfect sweet treat that should not be missed.

Thanks to their collaboration with celebrity chef couple Roland and Jackie Laudico, the Waterfront Insular Davao

EAT,A3

Munchtown’s Angus Rib Skewer.

Marco Polo Davao’s Earl Grape Iced Tea.

A2INdulge!

EVENT

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 193 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29-30, 2017

THE YEAR 2017 will go down the history of Escandor Development Corporation (Esdevco) as a year with a flourish.

Reason is, its maiden voyage into real estate development – prime property Matina Enclaves – broke records in sales and accomplished its construction targets.

To celebrate the flourishing year, Esdevco feted the men and women behind its resounding success with a grand yearend celebration of its Sellers Christmas Party and Annual Awards.

On a night aptly themed “Flourish”, members of the entire Matina Enclaves team were treated to a festive banquet highlighted with tons of entertainment, heartwarming awards recognition and exciting raffles.

Esdevco president and CEO Glenn Y. Escandor personally thanked the sellers, agents and realty partners for a productive year. Daughter Irra Escandor likewise expressed the family’s appreciation of the collective effort of the Matina Enclaves’ sales team.

Project head Gerald Kent Garces said the night’s theme represents the productive year for Matina Enclaves which saw the sellout of its first five buildings, the inauguration of Building B and the topping off of Building C. Garces cited how ESDEVCO started and now flourished as one of the fastest growing and competitive developers in Davao.

The party was hosted by Ray Bargamento and comedians Precious and Arya regaling the crowd with their funny antics.

The year’s top performers are: Top Sellers for 2017 – 1. Henry Aralan (Romero Realty), 2. Janine Princess Romero (Romero Realty), 3. Ryan Sayson (Leuterio Realty), 4. Carmen Uy (Visitacion Realty), 5. Joseph Arthur Avila, REB (Leuterio Realty). Top Performing Sellers (certificate for all performing sellers in 2017).

Top Brokers for 2017 – 1. Solomon Bañez, REB (Bañez Realty), 2. Veljean V. Villaraiz, REB (Three V Realty). Top Performing Brokers (certificate for all performing brokers in 2017).

Top Sales Managers for 2017 – 1. Merlita Romero (Romero Realty), 2. Dolly Beth Relampagos (ROI).

Top Performing Sales Managers (certificate for all performing sales managers in 2017).

Top Realtors for 2017 – 1. Anthony Leuterio, REB (Leuterio Realty), 2. Maverick Prince Romero, REB (Romero Realty)., 3. Charity Furog, REB (Furog Realty). Top Performing Realtors (certificate for all performing realtors in 2017).

By NEIL BRAVO

FLOURISH Matina Enclaves celebrates a flourishing year

VOL. 10 ISSUE 193 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29-30, 2017

UP AND ABOUT

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

Party into 2018 at SM Lanang Premier EAT... A1 has a winning dessert in the form of the Biko Pannacotta which is my runner up. Rich and nutty sticky rice is topped with light and creamy pannacotta, the contrasting textures and flavours play in your mouth for a uniquely Filipino dessert.

Tied for the runner up position together with the Bico Panna Cotta is the Marco Polo Hong Kong’s egg tart.

Still sinfully rich, still deadly decadent, and still crisp to the bite.

It would have ranked higher if it was available at the Marco Polo Davao. Here is to wishing for it to happen this 2018.

Best savoury snack I initially hesitated if I should include Munchtown Davao’s

Angus beef skewer as a snack. But since it pairs well with beer and is actually served as a skewer or “pulutan” of sorts, and so it made my cut.

Reopened along Torres Street, Munchtown carries over its burger, hotdog and pizza concept, but added a Japanese-style grill to serve meaty skewers that pair perfectly with beer or great conversation. One can choose from tuna, to shrimp, to chicken, pork belly, and even quail eggs and my favourite is the Angus beef skewer. Seasoned simply with black pepper and salt, the meat is grilled tender on the inside while crisp on the outside.

There you go. My eat list for 2017, happy new year and may you have a bountiful and flavuorful 2018.

JOIN a colorful countdown to 2018 as SM Lanang Premier throws a Neon New Year Party.

Friends, foodies, and partyphiles come together starting 7 PM in the Northwing Event Grounds on December 31 and witness spectacle

performances, great music, and mouthwatering bites.

Celebrity DJs Pae Dobles, Issa Ramos and Samir Ayeb lead the party with heart thumping beats alongside colorful numbers.

The days leading to New Year’s Eve are

equally exciting. Cap off the year with a feast and with all things tasty here at Year End Cravings at the Northwing.

From December 28 to 30, from 4-10 PM, catch your favorite food booths in the Northwing Event Grounds: Citrusqueezed Refreshment, Steak ni

Juan, Pyro, Crazy Nachos, Colasas Barbeque, Chilzzz Fried Ice Cream, Eduardo’s Kitchen, RD Crab Shack, Tita Rosita’s, and Master Sisig.

Get your 2018 fun on in SM Lanang Premier.

Call (082) 285-0943 or follow @smlanangpremier in social media.

EDGEDAVAO

A4INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 193 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29-30, 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

11

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 193 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29-30, 2017

NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION OF DELINQUENT REAL PROPERTIES Pursuant to Section 260 & 263 of R.A 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, the undersigned hereby gives notice to all interested parties and to the general public that on March 15, 2018 at 9:00A.M. at the SP Session Hall, Provincial Capitol Bldg., Cabidianan, Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province, the Provincial Treasurer will sell at Public Auction to the highest bidder for cash and in Philippine currency, Manager’s Check or Cashier’s Check payable to the Provincial Treasurer of Comval, the hereunder enumerated Real Property/ies which are certified as delinquent to satisfy tax delinquency, interest and expenses of sale.

Municipality of COMPOSTELA NAME OF TAXPAYER

LOCATION / BARANGAY

TITLE No.

LOT No.

AREA CLASSIFICATION (Hectares)

TD /ARP/PIN No.

YEARS AMOUNT DELINQUENT

1 CAPITO, VICTORIANO

OSMEÑA

P-13954

5718

9.5245

A/L

14-01-0011-01326 A

2010-2017

2 PEROCHO, PELOMINO

MAPACA

10163

8.65211

A/L

14-01-0007-00657 A

1997-2017

3 MATA, RUSTICO SR.

NGAN

P-2656/ P-5800 P-2410

5.1357

A/L

14-01-0010-01800 A

2005-2017

4 ROBLE, CLOTILDE

NGAN

P-24694

5450 PORT. 221

4.5663

A/L

14-01-0010-0118 A

1996-2017

5 SIMON, DISABELLE

MAPACA

P-2378

5936

10.3309

A/L

14-01-0007-00624

2003-2017

6 TORREGOSA, CASIANO JR.

MAPACA

P-12889

3.0000

A/L

14-01-0007-0278 A

1993-2017

7 TRANSPORTE, DOMINGA

OSMEÑA

P-16246

4498 PORT. 1501

4.1028

A/L

14-01-0011-00521 A

1987-2017

8 VENDIOLA, FLORENCIO

LAGAB

T-5192

1634

6.2100

A/L

14-01-0005-00630 A

2009-2017

471,530.88 98,708.62 54,462.64 34,341.50 49,033.86 57,152.38 146,073.64 69,616.24 980,919.76

TOTAL

Municipality of LAAK

NAME OF TAXPAYER

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

BELDA, NARCISO BERNALDEZ, NILO CABALLERO, PEDRO CALDERON, REGINO CELSO DATANAGAN CUYOS, CARLOS FABRE, ROBERTO FEROLINO, OLIVO HIBAYA, GAVINO LIBRON, LAURENCIO LINTUAN, LEA PACQUIAO, LEONCIO PADILLA, CORONA PAÑO, LUIS PANUNCIAR, TEODULO PEREZ, MARIO SACAY, PABLO TAGNIPEZ, JULIO TENEBRO, PASTOR TOTAL

Municipality of MACO

NAME OF TAXPAYER

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

LOCATION / BARANGAY BANBANON IMELDA IMELDA BANBANON POBLACION MANGLOY IMELDA BANBANON BINASBAS BANBANON IMELDA BANBANON MANGLOY BINASBAS BANBANON MANGLOY BANBANON BINASBAS BINASBAS

TITLE No.

LOT No.

P-23698 P-17441 P-23773 P-22944 P-24253 P-23633 P-23199 P-23384 P-23215 P-23243 P-23717 P-20291 P-21497 P-23209 P-22185 P-21427 P-23230 P-13978 P-21431

920 1682 563 945 645 351 537 661 45-A 662 777 923 352 12 1019 1672 685 90 98

LOCATION / BARANGAY

TITLE No.

AREA CLASSIFICATION (Hectares) 6.1131 5.2892 5.0615 3.9096 0.0450 4.9333 4.2704 4.3345 2.8174 5.3963 6.2502 4.6836 6.7474 3.5466 5.3748 2.9994 5.7079 4.0768 3.4993

LOT No.

AGOBATO, PETRONIO ANIBONGAN P-46202 BOJO, BONIFACIO ANIBONGAN P-12664 HILARIO, ONDIT ANISLAGAN T-216986 HILARIO, ONDIT ANISLAGAN T-28532 HILARIO, ONDIT ANISLAGAN T-29103 LABRIGAS, JUAN ANIBONGAN P-13600/P-4545 MANCAO, JIMMY ANIBONGAN C-32065 MORGIA, DELIA LAPU-LAPU C-4687 R/P TIRSO PALINGCOD ET AL. LAPU-LAPU T-76674 RIVERA, ISABELA BINUANGAN P-19636 TOTAL

123-B 6740 5 2-A 1-E-3 6631 6731 6737-G 6713 82

A/L A/L A/L A/L C/L A/L A/L A/L A/L A/L A/L A/L A/L A/L A/L A/L A/L A/L A/L

TD /ARP/PIN No.

YEARS DELINQUENT

14-02-008-00515 A 14-02-019-00168 A 14-02-019-00010 A 14-02-008-00499 A 14-05-0001-00991 C 14-02-031-00041 A 14-02-019-00039 A 14-02-008-00454 A 14-02-010-00514 A 14-02-008-00459 A 14-02-019-00092 A 14-02-008-00493 A 14-02-031-00043 A 14-02-010-00537 A 14-02-008-00030 A 14-02-031-00546 A 14-02-008-00433 A 14-02-010-00129 A 14-02-010-00209 A

2015-2017 2003-2017 1999-2017 2010-2017 2007-2017 2009-2017 2001-2017 2001-2017 2005-2017 1995-2017 2008-2017 2011-2017 2006-2017 2006-2017 2005-2017 2010-2017 2009-2017 1999-2017 2007-2017

AREA CLASSIFICATION (Hectares) 2.1574 1.6690 1.4163 1.1626 2.059 6.3576 2.8911 1.4890 9.4510 0.358

A/L A/L A/L A/L A/L A/L A/L A/L A/L A/L

Incidental Expenses

TOTAL

TD /ARP/PIN No.

YEARS DELINQUENT

14-04-0002-00023 14-04-0002-00033 14-04-0003-00106 A 14-04-0003-00102 A 14-0003-00096 A 14-04-0004-00098 14-04-0002-00070 A 14-04-0014-00259 14-04-0002-00112 A 14-0004-00613

2008-2014 2001-2017 2006-2017 2009-2017 2016-2017 2005-2017 2010-2017 2006-2017 1993-2017 1997-2017

47,153.09

518,683.97

9,870.86

108,579.48

5,446.26

59,908.90

3,434.15

37,775.65

4,903.39

53,937.25

5,715.24

62,867.62

14,607.36

160,681.00

6,961.62

76,577.86

98,091.98

1,079,011.74

Incidental Expenses

5,935.70 16,902.22 18,186.76 12,295.62 6,773.40 8,710.52 18,348.18 22,612.60 15,094.82 41,441.94 12,523.34 16,450.30 12,528.82 12,712.26 15,877.00 6,885.52 12,870.66 16,613.76 14,891.42 287,654.84

Minimum Bid Price

Minimum Bid Price

1,000.00 1,690.22 1,818.68 1,229.56 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,834.82 2,261.26 1,509.48 4,144.19 1,252.33 1,645.03 1,252.88 1,271.23 1,587.70 1,000.00 1,287.07 1,661.38 1,489.14 29,934.97

TOTAL

6,935.70 18,592.44 20,005.44 13,525.18 7,773.40 9,710.52 20,183.00 24,873.86 16,604.30 45,586.13 13,775.67 18,095.33 13,781.70 13,983.49 17,464.70 7,885.52 14,157.73 18,275.14 16,380.56 317,589.81

Incidental Minimum Bid Expenses Price

11,224.06 1,122.41 20,310.44 2,031.04 16,470.62 1,647.06 9,371.98 1,000.00 2,096.16 1,000.00 30,545.14 3,054.51 9,167.98 1,000.00 3,930.92 1,000.00 85,801.08 8,580.11 14,877.38 1,487.74 203,795.76 21,922.87

12,346.47 22,341.48 18,117.68 10,371.98 3,096.16 33,599.65 10,167.98 4,930.92 94,381.19 16,365.12 225,718.63

Municipality of MARAGUSAN NAME OF TAXPAYER

1 2 3 4

LOCATION / BARANGAY

BUNYUGAN, CONRADO BAGONG SILANG PAUSAL,LUISA CAMBAGANG TABOGO, MILAROSE ET AL. NEW ALBAY TIBAY MANICAL BAGONG SILANG TOTAL

TITLE No.

LOT No.

P-45536 P-35848 C-5805 P-28409

305-K 1449 579-D 308

AREA CLASSIFICATION (Hectares) 9.7890 1.5752 8.3529 3.6723

A/L A/L A/L A/L

TD /ARP/PIN No.

YEARS DELINQUENT

14-05-0002-00656 A 14-05-0004-00221 A 14-05-0014-01227 A 14-05-0002-00313 A

2013-2017 2005-2017 2007-2017 2012-2017

TOTAL

Incidental Expenses

12,448.00 5,956.02 34,468.16 57,956.50 110,828.68

Minimum Bid Price

1,244.80 1,000.00 3,446.82 5,795.65 11,487.27

13,692.80 6,956.02 37,914.98 63,752.15 122,315.95

Municipality of MAWAB NAME OF TAXPAYER

1 2 3 4 5

BASAÑEZ, PERFECTO CONSTANTINO, TOMAS JR. GONZAGA, LILIA LABRADOR, ERNESTO LORENZANA, AVELINA TOTAL

LOCATION / BARANGAY

TITLE No.

LOT No.

AREA (Hectares)

CLASSIFICATION

TD /ARP/PIN No.

YEARS DELINQUENT

6.2257 2.1023 1.0004 4520 sq.m.

1.0003

A/L A/L A/L C/L & BLDG. A/L

14-06-0006-00125 A 14-06-0002-00212 A 14-06-0006-00334 A 14-06-001-01434 14-06-0006-00332 A

2015-2017 2014-2017 2005-2017 2012-2017 2005-2017

LOT No.

AREA (Hectares)

CLASSIFICATION

TD /ARP/PIN No.

YEARS DELINQUENT

P-8372 3536-N EP-3426 2 P-11106 5090 O-4202 4776 P-8370 148 P-9298/22777 2894 P2898/2182 5225 P-18049 5077 O-4764 4211

1.8701 3.6569 10.1023 800 sq.m 11.9977 4.1260 9.9405 10.0744 5.0000

A/L A/L A/L R/L A/L A/L A/L A/L A/L

14-07-0015-00080-A 14-07-0009-00403-A 14-07-0014-00104-A 14-07-0020-00626-A 14-07-0009-00334-A 14-07-0020-00892-A 14-07-0014-00281-A 14-07-0014-00322-A 14-07-0015-00042-A

2000-2017 2011-2017 1977-2017 1986-2017 2012-2017 2012-2017 2007-2017 1999-2017 2003-2017

NUEVA VISAYAS P-16912 125 ANDILI T-40780 101-A NUEVA VISAYAS C-2699 6053-D POBLACION T-241792 5172-A-PT NUEVA VISAYAS C-2697 6053-A

TOTAL

14,579.34 7,510.96 16,859.76 820,991.26 17,405.28 877,346.60

Incidental Minimum Bid Expenses Price 1,457.93 1,000.00 1,685.98 82,099.13 1,740.53 87,983.56

16,037.27 8,510.96 18,545.74 903,090.39 19,145.81 965,330.16

Municipality of MONKAYO NAME OF TAXPAYER

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

CABUSORA, FELIMON CARMEN, ANGELIA CASTILLO,JOSE/ELIZABETH CATUBIG, ROSITA HRS. OF LUIS SAZON ITAO, DIONISIO LUMANGTAD, PERFECTO PALBAN, CARMELO RANARA, ANATOLIO TOTAL

LOCATION / BARANGAY RIZAL MACOPA PASIAN UNION MACOPA UNION PASIAN PASIAN RIZAL

TITLE No.

TOTAL

30,493.86 53,382.18 123,318.82 11,651.14 96,111.52 16,697.96 89,611.74 105,163.46 36,953.52 563,384.20

Incidental Expenses 3,049.39 5,338.22 12,331.88 1,165.11 9,611.15 1,669.80 8,961.17 10,516.35 3,695.35 56,338.42

Minimum Bid Price 33,543.25 58,720.40 135,650.70 12,816.25 105,722.67 18,367.76 98,572.91 115,679.81 40,648.87 619,722.62

12

EDGEDAVAO

Municipality of MONTEVISTA NAME OF TAXPAYER

VOL. 10 ISSUE 193 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29-30, 2017

LOCATION / BARANGAY 1 ABELLANOSA, ROSARIO NEW VISAYAS 2 ALAO, IRENEO CONCEPTION 3 ARBIOL, ROMAN NEW VISAYAS 4 ARIBA, SEVERO POBLACION 5 AWIT, ADELINA SALVANE ET AL.. TAPIA 6 BALBERO, PATERNO(R/P) MAYAON 7 BETONIO, MARCELO NEW VISAYAS 8 BITCO, MAXIMO TAPIA 9 CABAYLO, JUANITO BANK. NORTE 10 CASER, JOSEPH NEW VISAYAS 11 COBRELLA, BALTAZAR JR. MAYAON/CAMANSI 12 CONCEPCION, ROLANDO NEW VISAYAS

TITLE No. T-43985 P-6333 P-4318 P-28054 T-56294 P-36364 P-2560 T-17254 P-1274 C-14206 P-36702 C-14570

LOT No.

AREA CLASSIFICATION TD /ARP/PIN No. YEARS (Hectares) DELINQUENT 10128-A 5.2519 A/L 14-08-0017-00149-A 2012-2017 795 4.8227 A/L 14-08-0009-00043-A 1974-2017 10132 5.8143 A/L 14-08-0017-00114-A 2008-2017 11507-C-3 528SQ.M R/L 14-08-0001-01759-R 1994-2017 2496 10.5391 A/L 14-08-0020-00288-A 2012-2017 367 6.5941 A/L 14-08-0013-00547-A 2005-2017 8713 8.9779 A/L 14-08-0017-00122-A 2011-2017 2980 11.3225 A/L 14-08-0020-00041-A 2008-2017 959 10.0000 A/L 14-08-0004-00346-A 2001-2017 2380-H 1.3514 A/L 14-08-0017-00688-A 2011-2017 575 6.4039 A/L 14-08-0006-00991-A 2001-2017 4073-C 2.1553 A/L 14-08-0017-00237-A 2012-2017

13 COTORA, FELOMINO 14 DUMAIL, GUILLERMO SR.

NEW VISAYAS NEW VISAYAS

P-2293 P-1309

2234 6597-D

7.6606 2.684

A/L A/L

14-08-0017-00059-A 14-08-0017-00040-A

2014-2017 2003-2017

15 ESPERA, GODOFREDO 16 ESPINOSA. WILSON (R/P) 17 ESTORES, INOCENCIO 18 LAPUZ, PRUDENCIO

LINOAN MAYAON LINOAN CONCEPTION

738-E 428 4052 714

4.0000 4.6388 6.0583 5.8494

A/L A/L A/L A/L

14-08-0012-00344-A 14-08-0013-00111-A 14-08-0012-00493-A 14-08-0009-00022-A

2009-2017 1997-2017 2004-2017 2012-2017

9,793.62 15,767.36 18,164.28 39,821.08 21,122.60

19 LIBUCAN, LIBUCAN 20 LINIHAN, CRISTITUTO

BANKEROHAN SUR TAPIA

2943 3415

7.3888 12.5141

A/L A/L

14-08-0005-00066-A 14-08-0020-00252-A

1989-2016 1698-2017

21 LUAYON, LUCILO 22 MAHILUM, TEODULO 23 MAHILUM, TEOFISTA 24 MARTE, TEODORO 25 MASING, DIOGRACIA

DAUMAN MAYAON MAYAON BANK. SUR CAMANTANGAN

5577-B 377 563 2941 203

9.9631 2.8313 5.5303 7.5368 13.1759

A/L A/L A/L A/L A/L

14-08-0010-00017-A 14-08-0013-00532-A 14-08-0013-00514-A 14-08-0005-00072-A 14-08-0007-00019-A

26 MASING, ERLINDA 27 NAMBATAC, SULPICIO 28 ORTEGA, BONIFACIO, SR. 29 PATANGAN, DIEGO A.

CAMANTANGAN BANK. NORTE MAYAON NEW VISAYAS

T-32073 P-29257 T-4931 P-4002/ P-12526 P-992 P-3199/ O-11080 P-2580 P-46380 P-31029 P-1002 P-5604/ P-5664 P-9552 P-2987 P-44925 C-14571

204 3404 630 4073-D

13.8111 11.3769 5.6813 1.0968

A/L A/L A/L A/L

30 POLINAR, CLAUDIO 31 RIVERA, PAQUITO 32 SALINAS, SIMEON

NEW VISAYAS BANK. NORTE DAUMAN

4140 576 5588

3.4433 12.096 5.3993

33 SANCHEZ, EMILIO 34 VILLAROJO, DANILO ET AL. 35 YBAÑEZ, APOLONIO TOTAL

POBLACION TAPIA LINOAN

776-B-2 2884 679

3.0000 5.8039 6.6914

T-9701 P-10543 P-8769/ P-2638 T-177017 C-5210 P-8537

TOTAL 22,913.86 36,446.78 23,663.88 17,190.56 15,741.60 13,881.96 26,177.86 29,238.10 48,084.32 13,778.14 23,676.98 8,671.76 11,117.06

Incidental Minimum Bid Expenses Price 2,291.39 25,205.25 3,644.68 40,091.46 2,366.39 26,030.27 1,719.06 18,909.62 1,574.16 17,315.76 1,388.20 15,270.16 2,617.79 28,795.65 2,923.81 32,161.91 4,808.43 52,892.75 1,377.81 15,155.95 2,367.70 26,044.68 1,000.00 9,671.76 1,000.00 1,000.00

12,117.06 10,793.62

1,576.74 1,816.43 3,982.11 2,112.26

17,344.10 19,980.71 43,803.19 23,234.86

68,903.40 72,897.10

6,890.34 7,289.71

75,793.74 80,186.81

2015-2017 1994-2017 2008-2017 1998-2017 1996-2017

10,360.58 18,555.00 36,202.88 31,150.88 79,951.66

1,036.06 1,855.50 3,620.29 3,115.09 7,995.17

11,396.64 20,410.50 39,823.17 34,265.97 87,946.83

14-08-0007-00021-A 14-08-0004-00008-A 14-08-0013-00591-A 14-08-0017-00230-A

2012-2017 2012-2017 1987-2017 2007-2017

24,222.24 21,509.44 30,584.76

2,422.22 2,150.94 3,058.48 1,000.00

26,644.46 23,660.38 33,643.24 10,106.40

A/L A/L A/L

14-08-0017-00079-A 14-08-0004-00011-A 14-08-0010-00110-A

2006-2017 2014-2017 2014-2017

1,140.38 1,037.38 1,551.31

12,544.20 11,411.16 17,064.39

A/L A/L A/L

14-08-0001-02711-A 14-08-0020-00299-A 14-08-0012-00676-A

2008-2017 2010-2017 2002-2017

16,186.32 1,618.63 21,932.92 2,193.29 20,210.04 2,021.00 894,316.10 89,562.73

17,804.95 24,126.21 22,231.04 983,878.83

9,106.40 11,403.82 10,373.78 15,513.08

Municipality of NABUNTURAN NAME OF TAXPAYER

LOCATION / BARANGAY 1 ANDRADE, LILIA MATILO 2 BARCIGA, JOVELYN MAGSAYSAY 3 BIARE, LORENZO MAGSAYSAY 4 CONIEJOS, CONSTANTINO MATILO 5 DALAYGON, SHIRLY MATILO 6 DANO,LYDIA MATILO 7 DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHIL. MAGSAYSAY 8 FACUNDO, JOSE LIBASAN 9 GAMUS, JULIETA POBLACION 10 GEVEROLA, MARIO POBLACION 11 GREEN BANK OF CARAGA, INC.(BUTUAN BR) POBLACION 12 HAUPT, OTELIA POBLACION 13 LLAGUNO, BLANDINA POBLACION 14 LLUVIDO, JOSEFINA POBLACION 15 LOGRONIO, URSULA ET AL. POBLACION 16 MILLENA, EPIFANIO LIBASAN 17 MUZA, CONSUILO LIBASAN 18 OBREGON, ALBERTO MATILO 19 PARABACUEL, DANIEL MATILO 20 PILON, MATIAS SR. POBLACION 21 RAMIREZ, TIMOTEO MATILO 22 RAMIREZ, TIMOTEO MATILO 23 RAMIREZ, TIMOTEO MATILO 24 SALON, INOCENTES POBLACION 25 TAGUBA, HELEN MATILO 26 TALO, FELISA POBLACION 27 TEODORO, DIONESIO POBLACION 28 TUBIANOSA, JUAN POBLACION 29 TUSAY, ARSENIO POBLACION 30 UGBOC, GENY LENDIO POBLACION 31 YUMANG, DENNIS POBLACION TOTAL

TITLE No.

LOT No.

P-53654 P-52136 P-36201 T-17176 T-198883 P-48454 T-1273 T-213312 O-4565 T-211637 142-201005816 T-100174 O-2578 T-151832 PART T-93240 P-33604 P-46835 P-53688 P-39348 T-34308

4072-B 2446-G 12342-C 4105-PART 11570-C 11568-J 638 4630-C 3971 3232-A 3933 3226 4341 577-I-3 3699 4529 13820-H 4072-G 20 3043 4083-D-3 4083-D-2 4083-D-1 3319 11568-I 10330 4312 3728 3220 3137 2702-C-16

T-29052/2014012000 T-29052/2014011999 T-29052/2014011998

O-4379 P-48453 O-4404 O-4400 O-3709 O-4744/0-2526 T-3137 T-247599

AREA CLASSIFICATION TD /ARP/PIN No. YEARS (Hectares) DELINQUENT 3,032.0000 A/L 079-09-016-05-039 2010-2017 1.2382 A/L 14-09-0013-00094 A 2012-2017 0.9884 A/L 14-09-0013-00740 A 2014-2017 8.0555 A/L 14-09-0016-00113 A 2011-2017 1.1881 A/L 14-09-0016-00417 A 2010-2017 0.5340 A/L 14-09-0016-00477 A 2009-2017 11.9227 A/L 14-09-0013-00391 A 1971-2017 4.9695 A/L 14-09-0010-00413 A 2013-2017 549 sq.m.

R/L 14-09-0001-02512 R 2005-2017 200 sq.m.

R/L 14-09-0001-00863 R 2012-2017 503 sq.m.

R/L 14-09-0001-02224 R 2013-2017 597 sq.m.

R/L 14-09-0001-00755 R 2013-2017 587 sq.m.

R/L 14-09-0001-025242 R 2011-2017 600 sq.m.

R/L 14-09-0001-00122 R 2002-2017 608 sq.m.

R/L 14-09-0001-01370 C 2009-2017 7.8096 A/L 14-09-0010-00415 A 2014-2017 5,555 sq.m.

A/L 14-09-0010-00121 A 2009-2017 0.3031 A/L 14-09-0016-00252 A 2010-2017 279 sq.m.

R/L 14-09-0016-00297 R 2007-2017 624 sq.m.

R/L 14-09-0001-00479 R 2015-2017 1.9511 A/L 14-09-0016-00360 A 2012-2017 1.9512 A/L 14-09-0016-00359 A 2012-2017 5.0 A/L 14-09-0016-00358 A 2011-2017 617 sq.m.

R/L 14-09-0001-00906 R 2014-2017 1.0890 A/L 14-09-0016-00476 A 2011-2017 213 sq.m.

R/L 14-09-0001-02652 R 2008-2017 587 sq.m.

R/L 14-09-0001-02273 R 2001-2017 607 sq.m.

C/L 14-09-0001-02266 C 2014-2017 601 sq.m.

R/L 14-09-0001-00746 R 2014-2017 0.577 R/L 14-09-0001-00581 R 2008-2017 600 sq.m.

R/L 14-09-0001-00307 R 2014-2017

TOTAL 1,101.52 6,692.94 1,351.88 29,139.72 7,102.34 2,259.02 82,277.54 4,174.64 12,927.58 3,167.98 7,407.82 8,100.88 6,535.32 11,208.28 14,392.54 8,677.60 5,044.00 1,119.40 1,930.54 5,049.54 5,837.26 5,830.50 17,930.32 5,947.54 2,913.68 4,808.70 22,848.44 15,872.08 5,658.50 15,485.44 4,026.82 326,820.36

Incidental Minimum Bid Expenses Price 1,000.00 2,101.52 1,000.00 7,692.94 1,000.00 2,351.88 2,913.97 32,053.69 1,000.00 8,102.34 1,000.00 3,259.02 8,227.75 90,505.29 1,000.00 5,174.64 1,292.76 14,220.34 1,000.00 4,167.98 1,000.00 8,407.82 1,000.00 9,100.88 1,000.00 7,535.32 1,120.83 12,329.11 1,439.25 15,831.79 1,000.00 9,677.60 1,000.00 6,044.00 1,000.00 2,119.40 1,000.00 2,930.54 1,000.00 6,049.54 1,000.00 6,837.26 1,000.00 6,830.50 1,793.03 19,723.35 1,000.00 6,947.54 1,000.00 3,913.68 1,000.00 5,808.70 2,284.84 25,133.28 1,587.21 17,459.29 1,000.00 6,658.50 1,548.54 17,033.98 1,000.00 5,026.82 44,208.19 371,028.55

Municipality of NEW BATAAN NAME OF TAXPAYER 1

POLINAR, VILMA TOTAL

LOCATION / BARANGAY CABINUANGAN

TITLE No.

LOT No.

T-209351

5657-H-3-B-13

AREA (Hectares) 184SQ.M

CLASSIFICATION

TD /ARP/PIN No.

C/L

14-10-0001-00332 C

YEARS DELINQUENT 2005-2016

TOTAL

Incidental Minimum Bid Expenses Price 3,399.04 1,000.00 4,399.04 3,399.04 1,000.00 4,399.04

Municipality of PANTUKAN NAME OF TAXPAYER

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

LOCATION / TITLE No. LOT No. AREA BARANGAY (Hectares) BUHI, SERGIO JR. KINGKING C-7361 2071-A-6-H 0.6439 CABALLERO, NUMERIAO KINGKING T-127771 6-24(6718 PRT.) 0.5875 CANDELOSA, CRISTOBAL KINGKING C-7360 2071-A-6-G 0.6204 CRUZADO, ROSALIA KINGKING T-40235 B-5-C-2-A 0.1904 DALAN, ROMUALDO KINGKING T-71118 H-17(6708 PRT.) 0.4730 FUENTES, DANILO KINGKING FPA#112316-162 3(6736 PRT.) 2.2135 MABUNGA, MARIANO KINGKING P-16929 7150(352) 2.149 MARIA LUISA FUENTES DUMALAG KINGKING FPA#112316-160 4(6736 PRT.) 2.2219 MARIA NENA FUENTES ALBA KINGKING FPA#112316-164 1(6736 prt.)

2.2134 TOTAL

CLASSIFICATION

TD /ARP/PIN No.

A/L A/L A/L R/L R/L A/L A/L A/L A/L

14-11-0001-00569 A 14-11-0001-01912 A 14-11-0001-00568 A 14-11-0001-01627 R 14-11-0001-01419 R 14-11-0001-01141 A 14-11-0001-00301 A 14-11-0001-01140 A 14-11-0001-01143 A

YEARS DELINQUENT 2001-2017 1997-2017 2001-2017 2009-2017 2005-2017 2004-2017 2005-2017 2004-2017 2004-2017

TOTAL 10,556.02 9,906.28 10,161.50 30,687.94 8,667.30 14,062.32 11,986.54 14,100.62 14,061.24 124,189.76

Incidental Minimum Bid Expenses Price 1,055.60 11,611.62 1,000.00 10,906.28 1,016.15 11,177.65 3,068.79 33,756.73 1,000.00 9,667.30 1,406.23 15,468.55 1,198.65 13,185.19 1,410.06 15,510.68 1,406.12 15,467.36 12,561.62 136,751.38

Interested bidders are advised to first ascertain the existence and the title of the property they wish to bid before participating in any bid. Bidders are required to post Cash Bond of Five Thousand Pesos (P5, 000.00) per title refundable after the auction sale. Where the bid price of the winning bidder is not paid within the auction date or not later than 3:00P.M. on the following day, the cash bond shall be forfeited in favor of the Provincial Government.

At any time before the date fixed for the sale, the owner of the real property or person having legal interest therein may stay the proceedings by paying the delinquent tax, the interest due thereon and the expenses of sale.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 193 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29-30, 2017

13... FROM 10

of electricity could automatically translate into snail-paced growth.

12.The gold rush The discovery of the Diwalwal gold rush in 1983 a phenomenal event that opened the region to migrants seeking the proverbial green pasture. Legions of smallscale miners from various regions of the archipelago trooped to the area and this lasted over two decades. At its peak, the population in and adjacent the gold-rush in Monkayo, Compostela Valley Province, reached as high 85,000, bigger than most second-class towns in the region.

Ironically, despite the billions of pesos worth of gold extracted from the mining area, the development of host villages took a back seat due to the lack of government intervention, failure of miners to pay taxes and black-marketing of mineral resources. Aggravating the decline of the communities was the surge of crimes that resulted from �ierce competition.

The gold rush, in later years, would be duplicated in eight other towns in the province, creating the impression Compostela Valley sits on a pot of gold. These new �inds transformed penurious villages into demographic hubs of new settlers and, over time, as new sitios and barangays. Despite this development, these pocket of settlements would remain indigent.

Migrants who abandoned their hometowns in search for fortune found themselves on the losing end.

The Diwalwal wealth, on the other hand, gave rise to a new af�luent block, whose earnings from the gold rush, both legal and illicit, made them overnight millionaires.

Many of them joined politics and

succeeded, while others invested in enterprises and prospered. Against this af�luent background, those who actually labored to dig ores have remained impoverished.

13.Davao-Agusan Highway A key and often ignored infrastructure, the 182-km Davao-Agusan Highway, inaugurated on November 1961, effectively linksnortheastern Mindanao to Davao region. The highway, constructed under the National Economic Council-International Cooperation Administration Program cost PhP25 million, has been the major artery that opened Davao region to the other evolving investment centers in the south.

Prior to this, reaching Agusan was through the wilderness.

Linking Davao and Agusan regions promptly opened both ends to new traf�ic of settlers and made the transport of farm products, cargoes, and commuters more convenient. The highway, in later years, would lead to the opening of new infrastructures. Travel from Cagayan de Oro in the northeast speeded up deliveries of merchandise and link with Cotabato and adjacent provinces made the city a hub.

Like other contributions to the region’s exploding growth, the highways, the overpasses and the �lyovers are testaments to the inescapable boom that come with the opening of new arterial roads opened. Better still, the stretch that used to de�ine the original Davao-Agusan highway is now home to cities, towns, and plantations. These new geographic subdivisions have made Davao City the marketplace, recreation center, and investment hub of Mindanao.

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS13

THE RISE... FROM S11 supply is expected at roughly 65,000 sqm worth of of�ice space and current occupancy is at 86% on the average, with grade A of�ice buildings currently averaging 81% occupancy. Graded of�ice buildings that are ready for occupancy include Felcris Centrale, Alyvea, Cybergate Delta, and Davao Finance Center, which are developments situated at prime, accessible locations with building features ready to cater to BPO tenants. Over 82% of grade A and B of�ice buildings are occupied

by BPO tenants, a testament to the city’s highly skilled, Englishpro�icient labor force. Demand from BPOs is still large at this

rate, providing opportunity for land owners who are looking to develop of�ice buildings to cater to BPO tenants. Competitive rental rates of the of�ice developments in Davao City continue to give the city an advantage. With rental rates ranging from Php 400 to 630 pesos per square meter, overhead costs are cheaper as compared to cities such as Cebu, with rental rates ranging from Php 500 to 700 square meters, and the CBDs in Metro Manila, with rates reaching well above Php 1,000 per square meter.

For 2018, BPO demand is expected to continue,

with over�lows of online gaming identifying the potential of Davao City as a potential hub for online gaming companies. Aside from this, a few serviced of�ice companies will enter the city, creating a competitive market for competition that is already established. These serviced of�ices will cater to smaller scale BPOs, professional services, and freelance workers. Metro Manila based of�ices are also looking to expand to Davao City, providing additional of�ice demand, as they acknowledge the potential of the rising city. Of�ice space demand will continue to thrive and will be matched by upcoming graded

of�ice buildings, setting Davao City as the central business district of Mindanao.

Felcris Centrale Davao City, Opportunities Abound With job opportunities abundant and developers starting to maximize their properties, along with the synergy of the local government, developers, and the entry of key hotel locators, the rise of Davao City is imminent. As the development focus stretches farther outside Metro Manila, Davao City is priming and wellequipped to develop into one of the main CBDs of the Philippines.

14 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 10 ISSUE 193 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29-30, 2017

Project director Michelle Saludes shows a sample of the jersey for the 7-Eleven Run Series beside Davao race director Tom Tan during the media briefing.

PH netters to get more exposure

T

he Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) will have a full calendar next year with more competitons, not only for juniors but also for men and women.

In an interview Tuesday, Philta president, lawyer Antonio Cablitas, bared his plan to hold 12 juniors tournaments every month in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

“This is in line with my grassroots tennis develop-

ment,” Cablitas said, adding that there will be two Masters tournaments -- to be held at the start and before the end of the summer vacation.

“I will hold as many tournaments as possible, men’s and ladies tournament. If possible, I will also hold an Open tournament, which will test the capability of our local players as against foreign players and at the same time, give our junior players

the chance to play in the bigger league,” added Cablitas, who is President Rodrigo Duterte’s adviser on investments.

He pointed out that junior players Albert “AJ” Lim Jr. and 2017 PCA Open champion Bryan Otico became better players because they have been given the opportunity to compete abroad.

“My thrust is to develop homegrown tennis players

to be exposed internationally,” said Cablitas, who had served as a Philta of�icial in the 1980s.

Philta’s 2018 calendar of events will start with the Andrada Cup, a juniors tournament in honor of Philta president Salvador Andrada.

The competition will be held at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center on January 2-7.

Meanwhile, Philta will also send teams to the ITF/ Asian 14-Under Devel-

Rondo’s record 25 assists carries Pelicans past Nets

N

EW ORLEANS (AP) -- It took Rajon Rondo 20 games in a Pelicans uniform to rewrite franchise record books.

As Rondo gains more comfort with his new team - and its unusual lineup featuring two dynamic All-Star big men - his ability to recognize mismatches and put talented scorers in advan-

tageous spots could be exactly what New Orleans needs.

Rondo set a franchise record with a career-high 25 assists in just 30 minutes on the court, Anthony Davis had 33 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks, and the Pelicans beat the Brooklyn Nets 128-113 on Wednesday night. ‘’The No. 1 thing is we got the win. And then me,

personally, I love passing the ball,’’ Rondo said. ‘’I’ve been blessed to play with a lot of great players, and what I take pride in is making those guys’ jobs easier.’’

DeMarcus Cousins had 27 points and 14 rebounds, and Jrue Holiday scored 23 points for the Pelicans, who’ve won three straight - all by 14 or more points.

Rondo was quick to point out his whole team moved the ball well and shot accurately. The Pelicans had a record 40 assists as a team on 48 total �ield goals. ‘’That speaks for itself.

It wasn’t just me,’’ Rondo said. ‘’The ball was hopping and we were making plays for one another.’’

Cousins said Rondo made it look ‘’easy.’’

opment Championships, World Juniors Championships (14-under), Junior Davis Cup and Fed Cup (16-under), Davis Cup (men), Fed Cup (women), and the Asian Games next year.

The ITF/Asian 14-Under Development Championships is scheduled in Nonthaburi, Thailand on Feb. 6-16, while the Asia-Oceania Pre-Qualifying Event for the World Juniors Championships will be held

in Colombo, Sri Lanka on March 5-10 (boys) and in Nonthaburi, Thailand on April 2-7 (girls).

The Junior Fed Cup will also be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on March 12-17, while the Junior Davis Cup will be held in Kuching, Malaysia on April 9-14.

The Davis Cup will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia on Feb. 2-4, while the Fed Cup will be hosted by Bahrain on February 6-10. (PNA)

not be accepted or replaced.

The voucher must be redeemed on or before December 31, 2017. Only one discount voucher can be used per transaction in Lazada with a minimum purchase worth

P750.

The Lazada Online Revolution Promo is applicable for cash and credit card transactions, and runs from December 14 to 31, 2017 at participating Phoenix Petroleum stations.

prepare the mandated participants in developing their compliance plans to the minimum RPS requirements; and, 3. The RPS also entails the timely and rigorous review and assessment by the DOE through a composite team.

Sec. Cusi recently signed the Department Circular that prescribes the rules and guidelines in the establishment of Renewable Energy Portfolio

Standards (RPS) for On-Grid Areas on 22 December 2017.

Department Circular No. DC2017-12-0015 mandates distribution utilities (DUs), retail electricity suppliers including those power generation companies serving directly-connection customers to source or produce a certain percentage of their electricity requirements from eligible RE resources.

GET... FROM 5

CUSI... FROM 4

VOL. 10 ISSUE 193 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29-30, 2017

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO

Manotoc, Lagman leads Nat’l Doubles G

AB Manotoc birdied the last hole to save a two-over 70 while Lester Lagman carded a 71 to take the lead after t h e second day o f the National Doubles Amateur Golf Championship at Camp Aguinald o

LEADERS. Gab Manotoc watches Lester Lagman study his line of putt.

Golf Club in Quezon City.

Manotoc and Lagman’s 141 in aggregate play put them one

Pinoy chesser finishes second in HK tourney Final Standings: (Nine Round Swiss-system) 8.0 points---GM Karen Grigoryan (Armenia) 7.0 points---IM Haridas Pascua (Philippines), GM Zeng Chongsheng (China), IM Li Bo (China) 6.5 points---FM Deniel Causo (Philippines), CM Zuo Yifan (China),FM Zhou Chen (China),GM Wong Meng Kong (Singapore), FM Luis Chan (Australia) 6.0 points---Mirai Aoshima (Japan), Cai Chaoruo (China), Naohiro Nakamura (Japan), FM Nelson Villanueva (Philippines), Liu Cheng (Singapore), Jonathan Auyeung Chi Hung (Singapore), Aiden Zhou (Canada), Tamang Dal Bahadur (Hongkong) 5.5 points--- Denis Molofej (Lithuania), James Chan (Canada), FM Brian Wong (Hongkong), FM Brian Dew (Hongkong), Michael Concio Jr. (Philippines), Baining Chen (Canada), FM Alekhine Nouri (Philippines), Wang Ze (China), Benjamin Lu (USA), WCM Sun Yucan (China), Cheng Alexander Chen Yu (Chinese-Taipei)

F

ILIPINO Grandmaster-elect and International Master (IM) Haridas Burlaza Pascua ended the season with a bang as he �inished overall second in the Jolimark International Open Chess Championship dubbed as Hong Kong International Open held at the Kung Lee College in Tai Hang Drive, Hong Kong on Wednesday (December 27, 2017).

Pascua scored crucial draws in the last three rounds to wrap up his campaign with 7.0 points on �ive wins and four draws, the same output of eventual 3rd placer GM Zeng Chongsheng of China and 4th place IM Li Bo of China, whom he beat in the tie break points.

He drew with sole champion GM Karen Grigoryan of Armenia in the seventh round, IM Li Bo of China in the eight round and CM Zuo Yifan of China in the ninth and �inal round.

Grigoryan pocketed the HK $10,000 top purse, Pascua earned HK $6,000, Chongsheng got HK $5,000 and Li went home HK $4,000.

Fide Master and Pinoy Bangkok, Thailand based Deniel Causo won HK $3,000 for settling �ifth with a superior quotient in the group of 6.5 pointers that includes CM Zuo Yifan of China,FM Zhou Chen of China, GM Wong Meng Kong of Singapore and FM Luis Chan of Australia.

Earlier, the Mangata-

ahead at 203 after a 62 in the opening four-ball.

Manotoc hit just two birdies against four bogeys in a windy day at the par-68 layout while Lagman got to two under after four holes but suffered three bogeys in the next �ive then dropped two more strokes late in the round.

Paolo Wong and Don Petil came up with a 143 for a 204 for second spot, while erstwhile frontrunner Ryan Monsalve and Lanz Uy had a 146 and slipped to third at 205.

The rest stood too far behind to contend for the crown heading to the deciding two-ball format of the three-day season-ending tournament organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines and sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation.

Rupert Zaragosa bucked tough pin placements and gunned down �ive birdies against two bogeys as he �ired a tournament-best three-under 65 but teammate Adrian Romero limped with an 81 as they pooled a 146 for a 210, seven strokes off the pace.

Dan Cruz and Luigi Guerrero both shot 74s, their 148 giving them a two-day total of 214. Carlo Quimson and Aniceto Mandanas turned in a 73 and 77, respectively, for a 150 and a 216.

Gabby Malaguim shot 74 and Ivan Monsalve had a 75 for a 149 and a 219 total, while Clare Legaspi sizzled with a two-under 66 but drew an 82 from teammate Felicia Medalla as they scored a 148 for a 214 in the PLDT Group National Amateur Golf Tour event.

Wolves edge Nuggets in OT

M

INNEAPOLIS (AP) -Jimmy Butler played the type of game Tom Thibodeau was thinking about when he brought the veteran guard to Minnesota in the offseason.

Butler scored 12 of Minnesota’s 14 points in overtime and �inished with a season-high 39 to lift the Timberwolves to a 128-125 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.

Thibodeau, Minnesota’s coach and president of basketball operations, gave up a �irst-round draft pick and two players - both former �irst-round picks - to acquire the Olympian and three-time All-Star from Chicago, where Thibodeau coached him from 2011-15. ‘’He’s got an unbelievable will to win, and that’s what makes him so special,’’ Thibodeau said. ‘’When his best is needed, he’s always at his best. Always been that way, and that’s not going to change.’’

Butler scored Minnesota’s �irst 11 points in over-

time. Then with the game tied 125-all and 50 seconds to go, he drove to the basket again before kicking it out to Jamal Crawford, who drained the go-ahead 18-foot jump shot. ‘’I really was going to shoot the ball, I won’t lie to you,’’ Butler said. ‘’But if Jamal screams ‘Jimmy! Jimmy! Jimmy!’ three times, that means pass it to him, he’s open. He did what he’s done for us all year: make some shots.’’

After the Nuggets missed on the other end, Butler skied for the defensive rebound, brought the ball down the court and drew a foul. He hit one of two free throws, and Denver’s Trey Lyles missed a desperation 3-point attempt at the buzzer to help Minnesota hang on after blowing a 19-point lead. ‘’That’s an All-Star. He showed his worth right there,’’ said Lyles, who �inished with 23 points and 10 rebounds. ‘’He done it to us in the earlier game, too, and when a guy gets going like that it’s tough to stop him, and kudos to him.

We kind of threw everything

we had at him, and he was able to take it and still �inish.’’

Will Barton scored 28 points and Nikola Jokic had 22 for the Nuggets, whose three-game winning streak ended.

Andrew Wiggins made �ive 3-pointers and scored 21

points for Minnesota, which won its �ifth straight. Taj Gibson added 20 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns had 14 points and 13 rebounds.

The Wolves played the overtime period without Towns, who fouled out late in the fourth quarter, and point

the Yuletide season,” she said.

Yusop however said that there are no reported untoward incidents during the Christmas season in the 5-decade old terminal as they have the support of

the security personnel and the police assisted by Task Force Davao.

She said that the Davao Terminal added more security cameras, x-ray scanner and cctv cameras inside the bus to secure the trips and

to monitor the passengers while traveling.

According to Yusop, the arrivals and departures of buses are fast for all destinations except for North Bound due to many road repairs in those areas.

“The transport of�ice expects the huge passenger in�lux to continue until January 2, 2018,” Yusop said.

She said based from her assessment, there were more passengers this year compared to last year.

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HOT NIGHT. Minnesota forward Jimmy Butler scored 39 points for the Wolves.

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Comosite image of President Duterte and Edge Davao photos in 2017 by Lean Daval Jr.

Mindanao’s economy performed really well

By John Carlo B. Tria

D

espite the noise and war, Mindanao’s economy performed really well.

Looking at key figures and indicators we can safely say that growth has continued despite the political noise, and the war in Marawi.

Macroeconomic figures bode well for us

On the macroeconomic front, Inflation has remained within manageable bands of between 1 and 3.5 percent, which is still lower than the spikes we experienced in 2014 under the past adminis-

tration. Interest rates remain low and steady, allowing business expansion to continue, condominiums to be bought and investments to be made.

Throughout the year, our Gross Domestic Product growth rates remained above expectations and forecasts of international aid agencies.

Hovering between 6-6.7 percent it still outpaces China in Asia. With commitments such as the Build Build Build Program, pushing agricultural economic reforms such as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN), the growth may even be boosted.

Agriculture starts grow-

ing and is boosting Mindanao’s growth Kudos to the Department of agriculture for pushing greater productivity in a long-neglected sector. The early distribution of once locked up farm machinery in mod 2016 obviously did well to enhance farmer capabilities and improve yields.

The steady 5 percent decline of this important food bearing sector under the past government has been erased.

We now celebrate actual 4% growth and hope for higher yields. In sum, growing agriculture means more and bet-

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Understanding the Halal concept

By Lady Leslie L. Francisco

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NE emerging industry in Davao City at present, which both the city and the national governments have been trying to push, is the Halal industry.

The problem, however, is that even the concept has not been understood by many business establishments that they associate it just with food.

“There is a need for us to be able to make people understand the true meaning of Halal,” said Zuhairah A. Abas-Diamla, chief operations officer at the regional office of the Department of Tourism.

Abas-Diamla noted that most business establishments, particularly those operated by non-Muslims, thought that Halal is only the absence of food that Muslims call Haram, or forbidden. “There is a need for business owners to understand that Halal is not just food but the entire way life of Muslims,” she added.

Inventory and bottomline The agency has also

started to inventory the readiness of business establishments in its effort as it is also planning to come up with a comprehensive roadmap detailing the necessary steps in plugging the loopholes to improve the readiness of the business sector.

Halal, an Arabic term, is loosely translated as some-

thing that Islam allows, be it food, service or action.

Marilou W. Ampuan, a leading promoter of the Halal industry, said that Muslim travelers have been conscious on whether the establishments that they get into are Muslim-friendly. “They need an assurance that they can practice their religion (in the establish-

Banana industry:

Better prospects for 2018

By Lady Leslie L. Francisco

A

s the year is getting to a close, with it is the heightened hope of stakeholders in the banana industry.

For one, said Stephen A. Antig, executive director of the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association, the government has started listening to the calls of the industry. “In fact, we have become so busy because they (government agencies) want us to immediately submit our wish

lists,” said Antig.

Both the Departments of Agriculture and the Trade and Industry (DTI) have initiated steps towards easing the burden of the industry, considered the top export grosser of the region at an annual of $1 billion in export receipts annually.

Help is coming On the part of the DTI, the agency has started negotiating with markets of Philippine bananas in an effort to, if possible, eliminate

tariffs on the commodity.

Antig lamented that while Philippine bananas that get sold in its markets are imposed a low of 8% and a high of 18% in tariff rates, those from other countries do not carry such burden.

“We hope that we will be able to persuade our buyers to eliminate or at least reduce the tariff rates so that we can also maintain our competitiveness,” Antig added.

On the part of the Agri-

ments),” said Ampuan, founder of the Mindanao Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Both Abas-Diamla and Ampuan admitted the need for more comprehensive campaign to make business owners understand the concept of Halal especially because making their establishments conform culture department and the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the agencies have tasked the industry to come up with list of where they could intervene. Industry stakeholders have long called for assistance so that the country could sustain its standing in the global market as among the top five sources of high quality bananas.

One key call of the industry, said Antig, is for the BOC to reduce its fees which have ballooned to about 300%. For example, the certificate of origin fee has gone to P1,000 from just about P130. “We hope the agency will consider our call because the increases will be a huge problem especially for small exporters,” he said.

with the requirements mean investing in the process.

“A comprehensive information campaign is necessary especially because they should also look into how this will affect their bottomlines,” Ampuan added.

Empowerment On the part of the city

In the local government front, the industry has slowly moved closer to possible compromises with these government agencies.

In Compostela Valley, the provincial government has started to discuss with the stakeholders the move to reduce the P1,000 per hectare environmental tax.

Although there are still a few kinks that need to be straightened, Antig is confident that a compromise can be had by next year as the provincial government has agreed to reduce it to just P100.

He hopes that by next year, the stakeholders can use the compromise they could hammer out with the Compostela Valley government in initiating a similar

government, Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio issued Executive Order 12 creating the Davao City Halal Industry Development Council, a body tasked to craft a comprehensive mechanism in pushing for the Halal industry.

Sitting as the chair of the body, Duterte-Carpio, in issuing the executive order, also urged the national government to do its part in enhancing “the growth of the Halal industry and help the government in coming up with a unified system for production, certification and marketing so the Philippines can maximize its huge potential in global Halal market.”

The rationale behind the creation of the Halal council was for it to be able to help producers make their products Halal-certified so they can sell them to Muslim consumers, including those in other countries.

Abas-Diamla said that there must be a unified effort in enhancing the Halal-readiness of business establishments in the region as it tries to court visitors from Muslim countries, particularly the neighbors of the country in the Southeast Asian region.

“If we are able to plug the loopholes, we will be able to grow this emerging segment of the tourism industry,” she added.

step with the Davao City government, another local government unit that has imposed an environmental tax at a higher rate of P2,500 a hectare.

Solution to diseases Among the biggest problems that the industry has been facing are the diseases that have wrought havoc on farms. One farm has even decided to close down its operations in Compostela Valley after 100 hectares of the farm was afflicted with the soil-borne Fusarium wilt, more popularly known as Panama disease because of its origin.

At present, some research facilities are looking into how to fight the disease even as the Agricultural de-

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People and institutions that defined Davao’s prosperity

By Antonio V. Figueroa

N

ow Mindanao’s “boom town,” Davao City traces its growth to the pioneering individuals and families whose contributions to socio-economic affluence have resulted in its material prosperity. These providers earned their fortune from agriculture, technology, and agrarian capital.

Success earned from professional practice, small-scale initiatives, and non-traditional business ventures also added to the city’s wealth. But there are those enterprising trendsetters who, by their unique take at opportunities, have left indelible marks.

In the past 100 years (1917-2017), some names deserve a space in our historical countdown. Some of these luminaries and institutions figured dominantly in changing the city’s geo-economic landscape, while others gave rise to fortunes built through pioneering investments. To underscore their contributions, we have chosen five foreigners, five local icons, and five institutions in the rise of Davao City as a multi-billion investment haven.

1. The Foreigners Juan Awad, pioneer Known as the first to open an abaca plantation, this Syrian-Lebanese businessman was the owner of Davao’s first skyscraper, a six-story structure

built in 1917 but was destroyed during World War II. He was one of the early entrepreneurs to own a diesel engine, which was used to energize. His iconic structure revolutionized the concept of vertical engineering and introduced multi-story architectural design in the city.

Kyozaburo and Furukawa, planters Two Japanese plantation owners are indispensable in the city’s hemp history. Ohta Kyozaburo, also known as K.S. Ohta, was the first to introduce full-scale Japanese migrant labor to work in Davao’s abaca farms. His strategy was later adopted by Yoshizo Furukawa, who also earned success as plantation owner and is known as the ‘father of Ecuadorean abaca industry’. Their achievements and contributions helped fuel the rise of new settlements.

Patrick Henry, innovator It was retired US serviceman Patrick Henry who introduced in Davao the diesel-pow-

ered hemp-stripping machine, which was contested in the Supreme Court. But his chief contribution was in the founding in 1929 of Davao Light & Power Company, which became the engine of growth for the city.

When Don Ramon Aboitiz took over the firm in 1946, its role in the rehabilitation and the rise of industries in the city was a highlight.

Borgaily and Sasin, cinema pioneers Among Filipino entrepreneurs, the Carriedos were the first to open a movie house in Davao City. But it was Lebanese immigrants and cousins Borgaily and Sasin who brought to the city state-of-the-art facilities in film-showing. Despite the twin fires that hit their establishments in the sixties, the duo persevered and became the local movie industry’s undisputed rulers. The rise of cinemas made the city an important “rest and recreation” hub. The cousin’s Lyric Theater exhibited the epic “Ten Commandments” for more than one month, a record never broken hereabouts.

Gutierrez brothers, ranchers Originally from Santander, Spain, brothers Restituto, Mariano, and Domingo Gutierrez introduced the first cattle ranch in Darong, Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur. The rancho had close to a thousand heads of oxen and was a major source of beef in the region. With good fortune, they expanded their real estate possessions after the war, buying the land that stretches from Matina Crossing up to the coastal areas of Aplaya, including the site where the GSIS Village stands.

2.The local luminaries Ramon Aboitiz Sr., the vi-

sionary Despite the option not to continue with the deal to buy the DLPC from its original owners, Ramon Aboitiz Sr. still sealed the deal in 1946. The agreement was done without any machinery to speak of but only the prestige and goodwill of the power firm’s name. By investing money in new equipment, he energized the city that was under rehabilitation from the ruins of the World War II. His vision to make DLPC an engine of growth was realized by making his company the largest supplier of power in the region.

Abellera and Torres, school founders The learning institutes they founded may not be the oldest, but lawyers Guillermo E. Torres and Leopoldo M. Abellera surely had the vision of opening the first post-war schools catering to tertiary education. Mindanao Colleges (now UM) was founded by Torres in 1946 and two years later the Rizal Memorial Colleges (RMC) of Abellera was inaugurated. Both institutions became the most important centers of knowledge, producing luminaries that would become social figures in the region.

Antonio O. Floirendo Sr., banana king Already known as the man who put Mindanao on wheels and the undisputed abaca planter, Antonio O. Floirendo cemented his name as the “father of the banana industry” in the Philippines. His plantation was, at one time, the world’s largest contiguous plantation.

As of 2017, his company was employing thousands of personnel, employees, and ancillary laborers, and supporting scholars, cooperatives, inmate

programs, livelihoods, and auxiliary manpower.

Veloso, Almendras and Sarmiento, iconic politicos Davao’s socio-economic boom became more explosive with the division of Davao into three provinces. Rep. Ismael C. Veloso made the first serious effort to divide Davao into two provinces. He later filed a bill dividing Davao into three provinces, which the House passed but did not get Senate approval. In 1965, Rep. Lorenzo S. Sarmiento re-filed the bill which was enacted into law as Republic Act 4867. The law would hasten development in the entire region. The bill was supported by Alejandro D. Almendras, the first senator produced by Davao.

Rodrigo R. Duterte, unorthodox mayor Brandishing his own unorthodox plans, Rodrigo R. Duterte, now Philippine President, defied traditional political structures by employing an iron-fist policy that was popular among grassroots. By chasing criminals, hunting down kidnappers, and protecting the interests of businessmen, he improved the city’s peace and order drastically and made it attractive to investors. His rule ensured a steady growth despite criticisms of human rights abuses.

3.The institutions Japanese consulate The opening of the Japanese consular office in Davao in 1920 exposed the city to foreign affairs. The agency did not only deal with migrant Japanese labor, it also served as trade and investment office.

In later years, its role expanded as a military observation post and intelligence network.

It was through this office that manpower contracts for Okinawan workers in Davao hemp plantations were processed.

Other countries like Indonesia and Malaysia later opened their owned consulates.

Davao Chamber of Commerce Prior to the opening of Davao as a port of entry, Santa Ana pier, in the 1920s, was only a secondary wharf. All steamers headed for Mindanao had to make their first stop in Zamboanga before going to Davao. The clout of the Davao Chamber of Commerce, comprised mainly of American expats with interests in plantations, compelled the colonial admin to declare the port an entry point, and with it the surge of foreign vessels loading hemp for the global market.

Marco Polo Davao, Apo View and Waterfront Hotels For decades, the idea of accommodation in relation to tourism and business was at best archaic. The demand for billeting was served only by low-end hotels and cheap lodgings, which did not attract high-profile visitors. With the opening of the Apo View Hotel, then the Waterfront Insular Hotel and finally Marco Polo Davao, national and international conferences started to find space in convention schedules, and tourism, by extension, started to cater to discerning guests. As an offshoot, the city’s hotel industry was developed.

SMX Convention Center of SM Lanang Premier is the best that ever happened to Davao as a confirmed MICE (Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions and Exhibitions or Events) destination.

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D’Bone Collector Museum gains attention

By Henry D. Tacio

I

n just a matter of five years, D’Bone Collector Museum managed to get the attention of the Philippines Travel Tourism Awards. In the recent awarding ceremony held in Manila last November, it was named second place in the unique museum category.

In the top 10, the museum also made it, making it as one of the two destinations in Mindanao to be included in the coveted list.

Currently, the museum is undergoing renovations. “It will be reopened to the public by the end of January in time for its 6th anniversary,” said Darrell D. Blatchley, the founder and owner of the museum.

When it opened for the first time in January 2012, there were only 150 specimens on display. When it will reopen next month, more than 5,000 specimens including Dinosaur bones and footprints will be seen by guests and visitors.

“We are continuing to push the quality of our museum higher to raise the education level and environment awareness of the Philippines,” said Darrell, who is popularly known as Uncle D due to his former television program.

Collecting bones may sound weird but Darrell started this kind of hobby when he was still a teenager. His fascination with bones made him discover that there’s more to an animal than just meat. Equally

important are the bones.

His collection grew as the years go by. The collection was so huge that they could already filled-up a museum. And that was what he did – thanks to the support of his American parents, who are both missionaries. It is located in Bucana, just a walking distance from the Davao City Hall and the San Pedro Parish Church.

Only skeletons of an entire animal or some parts of its bones are displayed in the museum. So unique was it that four months after it opened, it was named by the Mindanao Association of Museums as the Best Museum in Mindanao. Two months later, it was featured in the show of Jessica Soho.

Collecting bones and skeletons is nothing new. But using it as a way of educating people in saving the environment is another. “For me, bones are the ultimate learning tool,” Darrell says. “So much can still be learned upon death. It tells you the life of the animal; whether it had a good life (healthy bones) or a hard life (cracked and deformed bones).”

Among those being displayed are a 41-foot long sperm whale and bones of Grizzly bear. Bones and skeletons of snakes, tarsier, marine turtles, various fish species, different sizes of the mouths of sharks, and birds abound.

“Each group that goes to the museum gets a tour about the animals found in each of the displays. One of the things we show to them is how some of the animals have died due to humans throwing garbage into the ocean or canals and how these kill the whales and dolphins,” Darrell explains.

Every animal displayed has a story. There’s Mercy, a dwarf sperm whale, which died in a fish net. “She was still alive when the fishermen found her but they killed her thinking she was a shark that got tangled in their net,” Darrell says. “When she was dead and they realized that she wasn’t something valuable or edible, they threw her back into the sea. When we recovered her, we discovered she was actually pregnant.”

Another one is a false killer whale named Alcoholic, named so because he was found dead with a bottle of alcoholic beverage inside the stomach. Another marine mammal died from a

piece of plastic wrapper.

All in all, about 56 whales and dolphins on display that died due to garbage (mostly plastic like candy wrapper), trapped in fishing nets, dynamite fishing, and loss of food in their habitat.

A lot of the animals found in the museum are very seldom seen. “That for me is sad,” Darrell says. “It is because of human neglect, waste, carelessness, over harvesting, or greed that they are now endangered.

I want people to know this fact before these species would be gone forever.”

Awareness campaign is what Darrell is doing. “You don’t have to stop a whaling ship to save one of these animals,” he says. “Just by properly throwing away your garbage, you can save one. It takes only two steps to the garbage can or doing nothing by throwing the plastic bag on the ground. By not buying that endangered parrot which the poacher has for sale outside the mall is another. Little things like these that when you add them all make a huge difference.”

Being the owner of the museum is a full-time job since he also serve as guide in most instances. Although he no lon-

ger works with his parents as youth pastor, he is still active but not on stage anymore.

Darrell believes his work with the bone museum as not as noble as that of Jesus Christ but at least he is doing something for His creations. “God cares for His animals and we humans should take care of His creations,” he says. “But the most important thing is still our fellow beings. The museum merely teaches us to be good stewards of what is around us.”

In 2015, he was the only non-Filipino to receive the prestigious Datu Bago Award among that year’s recipients.

The awardees were recognized for their “outstanding, exemplary and selfless contribution to the growth and development of Davao City through its greatest resources, its people and for their invaluable contribution to the preservation of the Dabawenyo culture heritage.”

“It’s a very high honor,” Darrell says of his Datu Bago Award. “Even if I was not given the award, I will still be doing what I do. But it helps when people and organization recognize the value of what you have done and that it was and

is for the greater good. All the heartaches are worth it.”

Darrell never stop working. Recently, he is hosting the D-Tour, “a socio-cultural and awareness tool that presents itself as a conscience for the society at hand by presenting situations wherein an individual is faced by simulated but rather common scenarios in life in which he may encounter.”

This eco-conservation and adventure show is produced

by State of Mind Productions, Inc. The main advocacy of the company is to raise the artistry level in the city. “We want to help artists, musicians, filmmakers and others to have an equal opportunity, which are usually given to a chosen few,” says Darrell.

When asked for his final words, Darrell says: “Life is a journey full of choices and consequences. We know that what we are doing with this show is not safe. But if it made a positive change for this country and inspired others to take action to protect this great nation and its resources, then we have taken a truly good path.”

Darrell is happily married to a Filipina named Mary, with whom he has two handsome kids.

Davao Investment and Promotion Office Investment concerns and issues of the city were chiefly in the hands of the city’s business bureau, and the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCCI). The creation of the Davao Investment and Promotion Office (DIPC) in 1995 would alter the way the city and the private sector view investments. Under a well-organized management, the unit

would play a big role in selling Davao City to the world and in promoting the potentials it possesses.

Public utilities Davao’s preparedness to go big-time was more pronounced in the way it addressed vital issues affecting public utilities. To address the phone system backlog, the city invested in Davao City Telephone System (DCTS) and launched Davao City Water-

works District (DCWD). Later, the city made a name for its sophisticated and highly-organized Central 911 emergency assistance. The role to energize the city belongs to Davao Light and Power Company.

Of course, development is associated with investment, migration, infrastructure, and bureaucratic efficiency. Davao’s rise as Mindanao’s leading growth center is actually a confluence of factors, both small

and big.

Like jigsaw pieces in a puzzle, Davao’s rise as the South’s socio-economic epicentre has been the result of decades of tolerance to challenges that come with amelioration. Even under extreme conditions, such as the threat of insurgency and criminality, progress is inevitable if the institutions that protect investments can only correctly perform their functions.

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ter food, and an improvement in the incomes of rural folk Despite criticism, the desire to improve rice self sufficiency through productivity improvements is laudable given our exit from Quantitative Restrictions for rice under the GATT WTO . These that have hampered our ability to import the cheaper rice stocks we need in order to lower rice prices for the people.

Note that our rice prices are much higher than Indonesia’s, and were never cheap as we insisted on limiting our imports through QRs to protect local farmers despite the lack of real assistance to improve productivity and increase production.

It must be noted that keeping rice prices low is a priority of any government, which perhaps explains why Malaysia imports 30 percent of its rice to keep prices stable. We, on the other hand, import less than 10 percent.

Perhaps the desire to import much cheaper and high quality rice and impose tariffs may be a batter solution to ensure food for all, even for farmers who can barely afford the food they plant. This will eventually change.

Enabling farmers this way allows them to embark on better, higher yielding and climate resilient varieties and, perhaps, encourage the cultivation of other high value crops we nonetheless need to produce for our own consumption.

We await and will measure the impact of expanded agricredit programs and the strict implementation of the agri-agra law that in the past was ignored by many banks by using loopholes. The 20 or so lending cooperatives tasked to implement the estimated 650 million peso Landbank loan facility will go a long way to push greater topline production. The machinery, inputs and better credit will provide the needed push for aging farmers, perhaps encourage even their children to go into farming. This agriculture’s hope.

Davao and CDO lead Mindanao’s growth Coming off a 9.4 percent Gross Regional Domestic Growth rate for Re-

gion 11 in 2016, we expect this trend to be sustained, as recent announcements of the Department of Trade and Industry point to 7.6 billion pesos in investments for the region, including the heralded dressing plant of San Miguel Corporation in Davao del Sur. This figure only includes the Board of investments (BOI) registered activities and do not include companies that did not avail of incentives. Conservatively, we expect this figure to actually exceed last year’s P10-billion investment figure, as companies start building their high rise projects in places such as the Azuela Cove, Matina IT Park and Park District near SM Lanang.

A surprise performer is Region 10 in Cagayan de Oro (CDO). Despite being at the doorstep of the Marawi conflict, it managed a 1,200-percent increase in new investments in 2017, hitting P15.9 billion in the first three quarters of 2017 alone compared to 2016.

In an article by Mike Banos in resurgent.ph, 80 percent of these new investments include 80 percent for agriculture including a second San Miguel brewery and a new Purefoods meat processing plant, a new Gardenia bread plant able to produce 130,000 loaves per day, and 10 percent to new energy projects led by Sta Clara and Philnew Energy Corporation.

As you may have noticed, these all are meant to produce products for local consumers, signs that large conglomerates have recognized this potential and have put their money into projects that will fill these needs, creating local jobs in the process.

Located between Cebu and Davao, CDO is Mindanao’s gateway to the Visayas and the our exit port to Luzon.

With this, it is clear that the war in Marawi was contained so much that it did not affect business prospects in nearby provinces.

In sum, things are looking up for Mindanao. Having proven its resilience despite war and calamity, and despite all the political noise in manila, it has grown and will continue to do so well into 2018.

partment has developed the so-called Fusarium wilt resistant varieties. Dr. Lourdes Generalao, president of the state-run University of the Southeastern Philippines, earlier said her institution is looking into mass producing the variety.

Antig, however, said that the Fusarium wilt problem is just one of the many problems that the industry is facing in terms of diseases. There is the Black Sigatoka and the other similar infections.

“This is the reason we need a government-run research center that will really focus on addressing these problems,” he said as he even cited the need for a council tasked to draft an industry masterplan.

Despite the move of some legislators to push government to approve the establishment of the council, the proposal has hit a snag as it has failed to get enough support. To at least address it in an easier way, there is a proposal that will create a similar body, but that the industry will spearhead it, instead of relying on government.

Challenges Even with the rosy prospects, there are still huge barriers that the industry needs to overcome. The irony, Antig said, is that most of these are initiatives of people in government, the very people who are supposed to help it.

Among these is the initiatives of some lawmakers to legislate policies that will cover the so-called agricultural venture agreements (AVAs), those contracts that agrarian reform beneficiaries sign with companies that provide them assistance in their farming activities.

Antig said imposing policies on these mutually-agreed contracts does not only endanger the whole system, but put the legality of policies in question. “These are legally-binding agreements and, unless there is enough proof that one party is in a disadvantaged position, government cannot dip its finger into it,” he added.

For now, however, Antig hopes that the better prospects will be sustained as the new year enters.

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The Rise of Davao City Real Estate A Good Year for Real Estate Davao City experienced the spotlight in 2017, with increasing interest of private investors and top developers, along with other key events that furthered the view on Davao City as a stable, rising Central Business District (CBD). Large developers Ayala, Megaworld, and Cebu Landmasters already have developments in the pipeline, amounting to over 60 hectares of land. Most of the developments are township developments spanning from 1.9 to 25 hectares of land each. As main developers are already establishing their foothold in Davao City, interest from investors is growing: from small scale developers, to consultants, to businesses with real estate as a secondary function.

Along with top developer presence, the year 2017 marked the prioritization of Mindanao infrastructure.

The backbone of economic growth, infrastructure plans are set to contribute heavily to the future CBD of the south. Some of the upcoming infrastructure plans that are already in line for construction commencement are the Mindanao Railway Project, Davao City Coastal Road, Davao City Bypass Road, and the Davao-Samal Bridge Project.

Aside from the growing developments in Mindanao and Davao City, key events also took place that have been controversial in the light of many but can be a testament to the resiliency of Davao City. A major event that showed the city’s stability and resiliency was the declaration of martial law. A declaration made of need to suppress the growing ISIS threats, the action was seen unfavorable in the eyes of most investors outside of Davao City. While perception by investors outside the city turned unfavorable in their interest to invest in Davao City under martial law, investors who have experienced life within or are currently holding business in the city remain favorable in Davao City as a high potential city for business. Though security was increase, locals saw that aside from the said increase in security and stricter entry and exit to from the city, there was minimal difference of the situa-

tion before and during martial law, a testament of Davao City’s capacity to maintain peace and order even without the ISIS threat. Business activities at the time was “Business-As-Usual.”

The declaration’s sole casualty for the real estate sector was the hotel sector, where occupancy rates took a direct impact, along with 78 cancelled events and a total of Php 20 million in unrealized revenues until June 6, 2017. This is mainly due to the limiting of local and foreign entrants and the initial fear of tourist attacks.

Another hurdle is the safety issues raised by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) in terms of height restriction, which raised discussions on setting height restrictions within Davao City. Implementing height limitations is a double-edged sword in the case that investors are keen to build higher given great demands, but will be limited to doing so given the restriction. Higher developments return the investments faster, and limiting this is unfavorable for investors. On the other hand, implementing height restrictions show that the local government is taking things seriously in ensuring the safety of passengers in line with the CAAP issue and is taking a step towards taking an active hand in cultivating and maintaining a master plan.

Despite events and issues that affect real estate, the outlook for Davao City is still going strong with the continuous inflow of local and international investors.

High price per square meter pushes investors to enter joint ventures over purchasing of properties. Acquisition to focus on emerging areas in Davao City With the rapid increase in asking prices for properties in Davao City in 2017, and in the face of great demand, properties in prime areas are now being considered for joint ventures by large-scale developers.

The Bajada-Lanang area by itself has asking prices ranging from Php 50,000.00 to 100,000.00 per square meter, which local investors from Metro Manila find expensive in relation to Metro Manila prices. Joint

This article is a contribution of PRIME Philippines to the EDGE DAVAO and the city of Davao City, providing insights on the real estate sector of the city. ventures are now being explored by potential investors and landowners in Davao City. The hotel sector, more specifically, is in the phase of expansion as hotel developers are looking to enter the market. Following the initial hurdle of the declaration of martial law, tourism is starting to pick up, and the potential is large for hotel developers. Notable in Davao City is the entry of Dusit Thani under a joint venture with Torre Lorenzo Development Corporation to develop the city’s first five-star luxury hotel.

For 2018, with the current prices, investors are now looking at fringe areas of Davao City over the main strip of JP Laurel for purchasing properties. Property owners with land in fringe areas now have the opportunity of liquidating their properties to fund other business ventures. With the extension of acquisition and development of areas outside the main commercial strip of JP Laurel, those with property along JP Laurel must start considering utilizing their properties, either to sell at more acceptable rates, lease out the properties, look for joint ventures, or build on their own properties. Land values are not expected to rise as heavily during 2018 as compared to the 2015 to 2017 growth.

The rise of quality, graded, office buildings in Davao City For 2017, the Davao City office sector was in the limelight, with both the supply pipeline and office space demand growing. Upcoming pipeline sup-

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 193• FRIDAY-SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29-30, 2017

Organic farming can be a

profitable venture

By Henry Tacio

I

n recent years, organic farming has become a trend for healthier lifestyle.

Unknowingly, it has been practiced in the Philippines since time immemorial but it was not until 2010 that the government formalized it by passing Republic Act No. 10068 or the Organic Act of 2010.

Through the Act, the government has been mandated to “promote, propagate, develop further and implement the practice of organic agriculture in the Philippines that will cumulatively condition and enrich the fertility of the soil, increase farm productivity, reduce pollution and destruction of the environment, prevent the depletion of natural resources, further protect the

health of farmers, consumers and the general public, and save on imported farm inputs.”

Most Filipino farmers are still wary of adopting the system yet, but the Act paved way for people to be aware on the benefits of chemical-free agricultural products especially among those who are healthy-conscious.

In the Davao Region, there are already farmers following

the organic method of farming. In Bansalan, Davao del Sur, there’s Benjamin R. Lao from barangay Eman, who has completely transformed his farm into a haven of organic products.

The farmer-scientist, as the Department of Science and Technology calls him, has managed to produce coconut sugar and coconut syrup under the brand “Donnabelle,” a combination of her two daughters’ name. Both are alternative sweeteners which are known for their lower glycemic index (GI).

The Donnabelle products have only 35-54 GI per serving compared with most sugar products, which have 65 to 100 GI per serving. As such, both are good for people with

diabetes.

Aside from having low GI, the coco sugar and coco syrup which Lao produces are rich in micronutrients like magnesium, potassium, zinc and iron and contains vitamin B1, B2, B3 and glutamic acid.

Today, the Lao Integrated Farms, Inc. (LIFI) is one of the country’s biggest exporters of coconut syrup to the United States. He also exports coco sugar and coco syrup to Japan and the Netherlands. He likewise ships coconut sap-based teriyaki sauce to Germany and Australia.

According to him, his companies have distributors for their products in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. “In Davao City, we display our products in various NCCC Su-

permarkets Stores and Choice Marts,” he says. “We also operate three bakeries around Davao del Sur where we also sell our various products.”

Aside from coconut-based products, Lao has also come up with other saleable foodstuffs like ice cream with goat’s milk, flavored with malunggay, turmeric, durian and soursop. He also produces some teas from his coco sugar, which are mixed with natural extracts from malunggay, turmeric, lemon grass and mangosteen.

Through the years, Lao has received several recognitions and awards for his innovations. To name a few: Most Outstanding Coconut Farmer in 2008, Productivity Olympics National Winner and Micro Entrepreneur of the Year Presidential Award in 2009, and Bank of the Philippine Islands Business Excellence Award in 2010.

In 2011, the Department of Agriculture named him as Agri-Achiever on Organic Farming during the Gawad Saka Awards. In 2017, the provincial government recognized him as one of the special awardees during the 50th Anniversary of Davao del Sur. Lao indeed has come a long, long way. “My first love is farming,” he admits. After all, his parents were both farmers and he grew up in a surrounding where people were planting rice, corn, and several other crops.

The Lao family owns about 40 hectares of land. In 1998, his mother divided the land equally among the eight children. “I am the fifth but I was unanimously chosen to assign which portion of the land should be given to each sibling,” he says.

For some un-

known reason, he selected the land that was so infertile that cogon grass would not even grow on it. (Aside from the five hectares he inherited from his parents, he also purchased several hectares just near his farm.)

To transform the barren land into an agricultural haven, Lao started reading agricultural magazines and other publications. He also attended trainings conducted by government agencies like Department of Agriculture, Philippine Coconut Authority, and Department of Science and Technology. “I have to learn all the basics,” he says.

Since the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) is just located in an adjacent barangay, Lao decided to visit the place. He attended some of the training the MBRLC carried out and tried to adopt the techniques in his own farm.

The first he developed was the hilly portion. “I had to protect the soil from erosion,” he says. He planted the area with various nitrogen-fixing hedgerows, which are good sources of fertilizer since these are legumes. Later on, he planted them all over his farm.

Since Lao wanted to practice the principle of organic farming, he thought of adding goats. Today, he uses the hedgerows as additional feed for his goats. “Legumes contain as high as 16% crude protein and therefore provides good nourishment for my goats,” he says.

Lao is a farmer who continues to improve his farm.

Ta r geting

overseas markets, he tried to find ways on how he can further improve his coconut products and not just copra.

“In my research, I was able to

find out about coconut sap products,” he says. “It took me eight months to study on how to make export-quality coconut syrup.”

About 80 percent of his products are now exported.

Although he has to compete with other producers of the same products from other countries, he believes buyers still prefer his products because of quality, particularly in terms of taste. Another edge is that his products are certified by the United States Department of Agriculture.

As an advocate of organic farming, you won’t see his workers using chemical pesticides at the farm. “I had a tragic experience with chemical pesticides when I was still a teenager while cultivating rice in our farm located at the neighboring barangay,” he reveals.

Instead, he recommends using Eman, which stands for “epektibo, mura, at natural” (effective, cheap, and natural).

“This is a concoction composed of fresh goats’ manure, kakawate, makabuhay, and hot pepper,” he says. “These are soaked together for 48 hours and after that the concoction is ready for application.”

According to him, Eman is effective in repelling plant

pests and diseases. In addition, it is also a good course of foliar fertilizer. “We are committed to help preserve our environment. We want to teach Filipino farmers the right way of farming through natural method and that is by not using commercial fertilizer or pesticides,” he says.

To people who have been to his farm, they have described it as a haven. You don’t see only livestock, fruits, and crops but ornamentals as well. “It’s nice to see beautiful flowers underneath the trees,” he explains. “Also, the flowers serve as breeding areas for beneficial insects like spiders and dragonflies.”

Lao is a farmer who has proven that it’s a profitable venture to go into organic farming. “Some people think there’s no money in organic farming,” he points out. “But we have proven this notion wrong. Initially, we had only two employees. Today, we have grown: 106 regular employees and 12 on-call employees. In addition, a total of 132 farmers bring coconut toddy in our farm.”

‘

Have a businessman’s mindset and always think of the future. Don’t be content with small things. Even if you’re a small barangay, you can dream big dreams. – Benjamin R. Lao, a multia w a r d organic farmer