Edge Davao 10 Issue 21

VOL. 10 ISSUE 21 • TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2017

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EDGEDAVAO

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Serving a seamless society

SHOW OF SUPPORT. Five thousand workers from Tagum Agricultural Development Company, Inc. (TADECO) join the May 1 Labor Day commemoration in Davao city on Monday to express and show their support to the company and the government. Lean Daval Jr.

NO LOVE LOST As NPAs, Lapanday trade accusations T

HE Lapanday Foods Corporation has strongly condemned the theft and burning of its properties in Barangay Mandug, saying the ‘criminal acts’ will lead to the displacement of hundreds of workers and adversely affect those having business with the company.

“It is they who are now jobless and shall bear the brunt of the consequences of this vicious act,” the company said.

In a statement circulated to all media outlets, the rebel New People’s Army justified the series of raids on Lapanday’s plants as a ‘fitting retributive action’ against a greedy

feudal lord and capitalist.

“We are overjoyed that the NPA punished the Lorenzos for oppressing peasants and Lumad who are victims of their direct land-grabbing and exploitative schemes through onerous grower-ship contracts. We are joined by manufacturing and agricultural workers who slave away un-

der inhumane working conditions while being paid pittance as wages because of Lapanday’s avarice,” the NPAs added.

The NPAs also took potshots at Mayor Sara Duterte whom they described a hypocrite.

“It is understandable that Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte views the May 29 NPA’s punitive action in the city as an “act of terrorism” against the Lorenzos, given that her husband, Atty. Mans Carpio, is a legal counsel of the Lorenzo-owned Lapanday Foods Corp. We can only expect that

a GRP local chief executive who has vested interest in the companies of a landgrabbing comprador-landlord to be the latter’s spokesperson and defender,” they added.

They added: “Sara Duterte hardly made noise when Lapanday’s armed goons opened fire and wounded nine unarmed civilian peasants three days after the latter’s land occupation of the landgrabbed Lapanday banana plantation in Tagum City last December.

Duterte also supported the appointment of PNP Supt. Al-

F NO, 10

The ruins in Lianga A1 SPORTS

FIGHT EXCITEMENT

Pacquiao-Horn fight could break Aussie record, tickets selling fast

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 21 • TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2017

WARSHIP VISIT. President Rodrigo Duterte shakes the hand of China People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy political commissar Admiral Miao Hua after visiting the Chinese warships at Sasa Port in Davao City on Monday. Lean Daval Jr.

Gov offers reward for leads v. suspects in mosque attack

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AGUINDANAO Gov. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu has offered reward money for any information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects in the Grand Mosque grenade attack in Talayan, Maguindanao.

“We are ready to raise the amount so justice will be served to the victims,” Mangudadatu told reporters of the April 21 bombing of a mosque in Talayan town that injured members of the town’s political family.

He, however, did not say how much is the bounty.

In the grenade attack that came after the Friday congregational prayer, Mayor Nathaniel Midtimbang of Datu Anggal Midtimbang town was injured, including his father, Datu Ali Midtimbang, former mayor of Talayan.

Six others, including two police escorts of the town mayor, were also injured.

Police said two men on board a motorbike tossed two hand grenades as the victims and other participants to the Friday prayer were emerging from the Mosque located

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Troops rescue two gov’t workers abducted by Abu Sayyaf in Sulu

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TATE security forces rescued early Monday morning two government workers abducted by Abu Sayyaf bandits two days ago in the nearby town of Patikul,Sulu.

Rescued were Alidznur Halis, driver, and his assistant, Aljima Ahari, according to the Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS).

The task force said the rescued victims are employees of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) first engineering district in this province.

The JTFS said the two were rescued in Barangay Bangkal,Patikul town by the Army’s 35th Infantry Battalion headed

by Lt. Col. Vladimir Lenos Villanueva.

The victims were abandoned by the Abu Sayyaf due to the intensified military operation against the bandits, Villan-

ueva said.

The Abu Sayyaf bandits, led by Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, seized the two government workers on Saturday, April 29, while they were working at a project site in Sitio Bauno, Barangay Bangkal.

The rescued workers were turned over to Col. Divino Rey Pabayo, Army’s 101st Infantry Brigade commander, who brought them to the JTFS headquarters for medical check-up and debriefing.

Government troops continue the conduct of focused military operations in a bid to rescue all hostages from the hands of the Abu Sayyaf bandits in this province.

The Abu Sayyaf bandits based in this province are still holding 27 people captives.

Most of the hostages are foreigners.

Davao-Bitung shipping route launching lauded Same route used by pre-colonial Filipinos P

By JECIA ANNE OPIANA RESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte and Indonesia President Joko Widodo of Indonesia successfully launched the Davao-General Santos-Bitung ASEAN Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) shipping route to promote trade and commerce between both countries.

In his speech, President Duterte said the same route was used by pre-colonial Filipinos in trading with neighboring countries.

“During the past decades, we have strengthened our

formation of the network between sister cities that promote meaningful bonds among its people,” he said. “As I open this new maritime trade route, we reaffirm our ties with each other and commit ourselves for aspirations of a larger ASEAN community.”

The RoRo project involved the Philippine cities of Davao and General Santos to be connected to the Indonesian port of Bitung. The project will be one of the new shipping routes of the Brunei Darussalam-In-

donesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

“This route shall be the first of many routes that will form the international RoRo network. It envisions providing greater accessibility and opening more opportunities for our countries.”

President Duterte also expressed his gratitude to President Widodo in this venture which expects to connect the country to the rest of the ASEAN but also to ‘integrate our

respective target archipelagos with the rest of the region.’

“We are proof that by opening new ports and exploring possible routes, we will stimulate trade, tourism and other areas of development among ASEAN countries.”

M/V Super Shuttle RoRo 12, operated by Asian Marine Transport Corporation will provide a weekly shipping service to the route with a vessel capacity of 500 Twenty Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs).

ed.

lang ang alam nilang gawin,” the defense chief added.

“The attacks in Davao and other crimes done by the NPA also make the Filipino people question the sincerity of the entire communist movement to push for peace, since it seems everything is just lip service and double talk. It also brings to light the disconnect and lack of communication between the NDF, the Communist Party of the Philippines, and its cadres on the ground,” Lorenzana pointed out.

The unprovoked attack on LFC’s box and plastic man-

ufacturing plants in Barangay Mandug, Davao City last April 29 caused millions of pesos in damage worth of equipment and theft of other items.

“We cannot stress enough that for the peace talks to succeed, government must be talking to the real representatives of the communist movement. There must be an assurance that we are dealing with the actual leaders of their organization and not just some figureheads who are devoid of any control or influence,” the defense head stressed. (PRIAM F. NEPOMUCENO/PNA)

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Davao attack accents NPA terroristic leanings: DND

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HE rebel New People’s Army’s unprovoked attacks on various Lapanday Food Corp. facilities in Davao City onApril 29 emphasizes the group’s terroristic inclinations.

This was stressed by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana even as he strongly condemns the NPAs for this latest atrocities.

“They just confirmed without a doubt their terrorist designation. They also confirmed my accusations that they are anti-progress, anti-development, and anti-people,” he add-

Lorenzana also lamented the fact that the NPAs still continue with these heinous acts even while their companions at the National Democratic Front (NDF) and other legal front continue to negotiate for peace.

“They continue these heinous acts even while their comrades in the NDF and other legal fronts talk about peace. With each passing day, it is becoming clear to the Filipino people that what these communist terrorists want is to cow the entire nation into subservience by sowing fear and violence. Iyan

VOL. 10 ISSUE 21 • TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2017

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

CA okays conviction of two businessmen T STOP ENDO. Leaders of the Association Labor Unions –Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) - Nagkaisa Labor Coalition chaired by Michael C. Mendoza discuss with Davao media practitioners the labor sector’s proposed reforms to President Duterte during a press briefing last Sunday,

a day before Labor Day. To the right of Mendoza is Luis C. Corral, national vice president, while to his left (partly hidden) is Alan A. Tanjusay, policy advocacy officer and spokesperson. ANTONIO M. AJERO

HE Court of Appeals upheld the decision of the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court’s guilty verdict on the two businessmen for violating the securities and regulation code.

In decision dated April 4 penned by Associate Justice Franchito Diamante and concurred in by Associate Justices Japar Dimaampao and Zenaida Galapate-Laguilles, the CA’s Seventh Division affirmed with modification the judgment of the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 256, finding Palmy B. Tibayan and Rico Z. Puerto guilty for violation of Section 73 in relation to Section 8.1 of Republic Act 8799, otherwise known as the Securities Regulation Code of the Philippines.

Instead of 10 years, the CA modified the penalty to an indeterminate sentence of seven to 12 years, as maximum and denied the appealed filed

by Tibayan and Puerto.

Palmy, Jesus Tibayan, Ezekiel Martinez and Tiborcio Elacio, both of Tibayan Group Investment Company (TGIC), were charged before the RTC. They were accused of conniving each other by issuing a regulated security called ‘TGIC Mutual Fund’ to spouses Arnel Guia and Rebecca Guia worth Php120,000.

According to the complaint, it was made without valid registration statement duly filed with and approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) pertaining to the said security. (Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan/ PNA)

HINESE naval goodwill visits could help reduce tensions in the disputed West Philippine Sea, a Defense official said.

“Goodwill visits are excellent confidence building measures which will go a long way in fostering good relations between our peoples and reduce tensions in the West Philippine Sea,” said Department of National Defense public affairs office chief Arsenio Andolong.

Three Chinese warships are docked at Sasa Wharf in Davao City, President Rodrigo Duterte’s hometown, for a three-day goodwill visit.

The visiting Chinese ships are the guided-missile destroyer Chang Chun (DDG150), guided-missile frigate Jin Zhou (FFG-532) and Type 903 replenishment ship Chao Hu (890).

“If they express their intent to send more vessels on a goodwill visit to the Philippines in the future, we are ready to welcome them,” An-

dolong said.

Due to the congestion of various ports in Manila, the Chinese decided instead to dock at Sasa Wharf.

“The ports of Manila are congested at this time and it would have been difficult to accommodate their vessels this weekend,” Andolong said.

Allowing Chinese ships to visit the country does not mean that the country is veering away from the United States, a long-standing ally of the Philippines, but merely expanding horizons, Andolong said.

“It is also part of the Philippine government’s pursuit of an independent foreign policy,” he said.

Lt. Jetmark Marcos, Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao public affairs office chief, earlier said the visit is aimed at expanding communication, promoting cooperation and improving friendship of the Philippine Navy and PLA Navy.

(Priam F. Nepomuceno/PNA)

Rody to labor: Draft E.O. to stop ‘endo’ C

Chinese naval visits could reduce tension in disputed West PH Sea

P500-subsidy monthly eyed for 4 M minimum wage earners

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RESIDENT DUTERTE yesterday asked labor federations to draft a new executive order (E.O.) to end labor contractualization in the country and submit the same to him for his approval.

According to Alan C. Tanjusay, policy advocacy officer and spokesperson of Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP), the country’s biggest labor federation, the President gave the labor sector 10 days to complete the draft EO. Tanjusay said the President will meet the labor leaders to discuss the draft document on May 10.

The President made the move during a consultation he made with some 20 labor leaders belonging to the Nag-

kaisa Labor Coalition, Kilusang Mayo Uno and ALU-TUCP at the People’s Park in Davao City, the center of the national celebration of Labor Day this year.

President Duterte also asked the ALU-TUCP federation to submit in writing its proposal to grant some 4 million minimum wage-earners a monthly subsidy of P500, acknowledging that the current minimum wage of P360 is no longer enough.

According to ALU-TUCP’s computation, some P22 billion will be needed annually in order to implement the subsidy to be taken from the President social fund, Tanjusay said.

Earlier on February 27, the NAGKAISA coalition chaired

by Michael C. Mendoza of met

NGO backs Gina Lopez’s ban on open pit mining

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N environmental group in Mindanao, which hosts a province where an open pit mining ban stands for almost seven years now, strongly supported Monday the decision of Environment Secretary Regina Paz “Gina” Lopez to ban such method across the Philippines.

Chinkie Peliño-Golle, acting executive director of Davao City-based non-government organization Interface Development Interventions (IDIS), said that DENR Administrative Order No 2017-10 issued by Lopez on April 27 will encourage them to continue their anti-mining campaign.

“It’s a brave and long overdue decision considering the impacts of this kind of (open

pit) mining to the environment,” Peliño-Golle told MindaNews.

In a statement, Lopez said the total ban shall cover “open-pit method of mining for copper, gold, silver and complex ores.”

She, however, clarified that quarrying will not be covered by the ban, as such method of extraction would be regulated, A quarry is an open-pit mine that produces building materials and dimension stones, such as granite, marble and limestone, among others.

According to the environment chief, open-pit mining “is a financial liability, poses risks to host communities and kills the economic potential of the community.” (MindaNews)

with the President and discussed a dozen of labor issues, foremost of which is ending labor contractualization.

The group wants government to stop contractualization, “including those involving middlemen agency contractors and the so-called workers cooperatives,” and that “direct hiring by employers of their workers should now be the norm in the employment market.”

The coalition also asked the President to certify as urgent House Bill No. 4444 “An Act to Strengthen Security of Tenure” sponsored by Rep. Raymond Mendoza (TUCP Partylist), as an urgent Administration measure. House Bill 4444 seeks to prohibit all forms of contractualization

and criminalize its violations, recommending fines ranging from P500,000 to Pl million for violators.

Aside from the issue of ending contractualization, an election promise by the President, Nagkaisa also appealed to President Duterte to do the following: --- direct the Presidential Management Staff and Secretary Christopher Go to look into the status of Convention 151 of the lnternational Labor Organization, (“Labour Relations (Public Service) Convention, 1978”| which empowers government workers to organize and create their own associations and unions and to help advance immediate ratification by the Philippine

F RODY, 11

LAPANDAY SMOG. Thick smog envelopes Davao City on Monday believed to be caused by the burnt materials from Lapanday plastic and box plants which was set on fire by the New People’s Army (NPA) last Saturday. Lean Daval Jr

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 21 • TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2017

Indonesia urges ASEAN to fight black campaign against palm oil

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RORO. The Super Shuttle Roro 12 sails along the Davao Gulf after leaving the port in Davao City following the ceremonial of the Davao-Gen.Santos City-Bitung trade route on Sunday. Lean Daval Jr.

NDONESIA has called on palm oil producers in ASEAN, especially Malaysia and Thailand, to jointly fight against black campaign on palm oil.

Indonesia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi said in Manila, Sunday, the country’s palm oil production has faced black campaign recently.

“The newest case was the discriminative resolution of European Parliament on palm oil. Indonesia and Malaysia have established the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries ,” Retno said.

Trade cooperation among the IMT-GT (Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand - Growth Triangle) countries has a huge potential and reached USD 416 billion or 18.3 percent of the total ASEAN trade.

Such potential has been supported by the sub-regions economic growth during 2010-2015 at 6.9 percent on average.

“This is a relatively high growth,” the minister added.

While total population in the sub-region has recorded at some 81 million or some 13 percent of the total ASEAN

population.

“In term of labor force, we have 38.3 million or 12.2 percent of the total labor force in ASEAN,” Retno asserted.

With the natural resource condition in the sub-region, the most potential sector for cooperation would be in plantation, she said.

During the 10th IMT-GT Summit in Manila on Saturday, President Joko Widodo said that the region has the potential of high economic growth, with the support of its plantation sector including palm oil.

During the summit, President Jokowi has asked Thailand to join Indonesia and Malaysia in CPOPC, and jointly fight the black campaign against palm oil.

“Malaysian Prime Minister has fully supported the President. Earlier at the ASEAN Summit, the Malaysian PM has also mentioned the need to fight against black campaign on palm oil,” she said.

The summit was attended

by President Jokowi, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, and Thailand Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.

(ANTARA)

NE of the key supporters in the Congress of the Duterte administration’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program has advised cooperatives opposing the measure to focus on sound fiscal management, rather than relying on continued tax incentives, to ensure the success of their economic endeavors.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, a senior vice chairperson of the House ways and means committee, said lifting the value-added tax (VAT) exemptions of cooperatives aims to plug the massive leakages under our current tax system.

He claimed in a recent tax forum that although the benefits enjoyed by cooperatives amount to P6 billion, the leakages arising from the VAT exemptions given to them reach around P25 billion because the system has already been abused by some enterprises that have sought to shield themselves from taxes by forming cooperatives and taking advantage of the tax perks such organizations enjoy.

Salceda pointed out that in his province, the Albay Capitol Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative, which had an initial capital of P3 million, was able to grow this amount to P103 million, not because of the tax incentives given to it, but because of sound financial management.

“I gave them P3 million (when I was governor), now they made it P103 million.

It didn’t come from the tax measure. They went very high because of good management--good fiscal and financial management,” Salceda said.

He said in Legazpi City, another cooperative with an initial capital of P3 million was able to multiply this amount to P130 million.

“That did not come from tax incentives,” Salceda said.

Salceda’s statements were in response to the opposition by certain cooperatives to the CTRP-proposed removal of the VAT exemptions they now enjoy under the Tax Code.

Under the first package of the CTRP that aims to lower personal income tax rates, the accompanying revenue-enhancing measures include the expansion of the VAT base, which will be done by removing over 100 exemptions found in special laws, except those enjoyed by seniors and persons with disabilities.

VAT-exempt privileges will be limited only to raw food, education and health. In the case of cooperatives, those selling agricultural produce will continue to enjoy VAT exemptions.

The cooperatives sector has pointed out that 91 percent of coops in the country are micro- and small- organizations while only 9 percent are medium- and large-sized.

Although micro and small coops make up the vast majority, they control only 13 percent of the aggregate assets in the cooperatives sector, while medium and large coops control 87 percent, according to data from the COOP-NATCCO partylist website.

The first package of the CTRP was introduced in the Congress as House Bill 4774 by Quirino Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua, who chairs the House ways and means committee. (DOF)

New RoRo route to open Good fiscal control, not tax perks key to successful coops, says DOF opportunities for trade O

By JECIA ANNE OPIANA

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HE opening of the new shipping route within the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) is expected to further enhance trading between the Philippines and Indonesia, and the rest of the other ASEAN countries in the future.

Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez said that it is a good project since it connects the areas that are far from the metropolis.

“Bitung area is far from Jakarta. The project connects

the areas na hindi masyadong naco-connect. Imagine, there is now a direct connection na dati, dumadaan pa sa Manila and sa Jakarta,” he said in an interview during the DavaoGensan-Bitung Roro launching last Sunday, April 30.

The DTI Secretary also said that the route will open new opportunities for trade expansion within markets outside the region, as well as the building of the halal capability of the Philippines.

“We recognize the huge market potential of halal in the world about two to three trillion dollars. We

need to really top that market. Partnership with Brunei and Indonesia, we’re trying to enhance the capacity to accredit halal products coming from the Philippines. It’s very important projects like this that also build the halal market for us,” Secretary Lopez said.

The DTI has been looking at all possible halal products to be exported to Indonesia particularly processed goods, cosmetics, personal care. He also expressed that this halaling would also help in the tourism aspect of the country.

“Kaya di tayo nakaka-at-

tract ng maraming Muslim tourists because walang halal restaurants and resorts silang mapuntahan. That is what we are trying to build now—the capacity to build technical cooperation with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia. Increase our capacity to manufacture halal accredited products.”

At present, the products identified by the private sector in Mindanao that will be shipped to Indonesia are animal feeds, fertilizer, construction materials, ice cream products, poultry (halal), fresh fruits and synthetics.

HE Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education of the State of Qatar have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for the improvement of technical vocational between the Philippines and Qatar.

TESDA Director General, Secretary Guiling “Gene” Mamondiong and State of Qatar Ministry of Education and Higher Education Mohammad bin Abdul Wahed

Al-Hammadi led the signing of the formal agreement. It was witnessed by President Rodrigo Duterte and Emir of Qatar His Highness Sheik Tamim Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Signing was held at the Amira Diwan Royale Palace during the state visit of Duterte in Qatar last April 16.

“The pact aims to enhance hosting joint conferences, symposia, workshops and exhibitions for trainees, employees, trainers and technology institute administrators; recommend conducting joint research and technical

studies which promote TVET; promote joint training programs for employees, trainers and technology institute administrators; exchange of professionals in technical areas to allow conducting training programs and studies; exchange of experts in the area of managing technology institutes; exchange and publish research, studies and relevant materials; exchange of technology programs among private sector organizations and technology institutes; and, exchange of information on mutual recognition of skills

and qualifications awarded in disciplines to be identified and given priority by both participants,” according to the MUO written in Arabic and English languages.

Aside from the TVET cooperation, the Philippines is also expected to forge agreements with Qatar on culture, investment and health.

Mamondiong said that the TVET cooperation between the Philippines and Qatar is expected to boost the skills of Filipino workers in Asia and other parts of the world.

Tesda, Qatar ink MOU for TVET program T

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ECONOMY 5

DOF stresses consensus-building in crafting tax reform package

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HE Department of Finance said a consensus-building approach has enabled the Duterte administration to refine the tax reform package it has originally submitted to the Congress, taking into account the valuable inputs given by lawmakers and the concerns of would-be affected stakeholders.

On behalf of the DOF, Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua thanked the members of the House ways and means committee led by Quirino Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua, who shepherded eight hearings on the first package of the administration’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP).

The CTRP’s first package, outlined in House Bill No. 4774 authored by Cua, aims to lower personal income tax rates and, at the same time, adjust excise taxes on fuel and automobiles and broaden the value added tax base but retaining exemptions for seniors and persons with disabilities (PWDs) HB 4888 filed by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, the senior vice chairperson of the ways and means committee, complements HB 4774.

HB 4774 is a modified version of the DOF’s original proposal.

Chua said that among the changes that were incorpo-

rated into the Cua bill include: retaining the VAT exemptions for seniors and PWDs, which will be complemented by a national ID system to ensure that such privileges reach the target beneficiaries; staggering the proposed fuel excise tax adjustments over a threeyear period; keeping the tax-exemptions status of the first PHP82,000 in the 13th month pay and other bonuses of compensation earners; and fine tuning the proposed excise tax rates for automobiles.

“Because of this, the honorable committee has decided to proceed and hear the bill, which is now going through eight hearings, and we are very thankful,” Chua said at the last hearing held by the House ways and means committee on the proposed tax reform bill.

Before the Lenten break of the Congress, the Cua-chaired House committee already agreed in principle to tackle the CTRP bill as a package, putting to rest concerns that the Congress might abandon the revenue-generating measures of the proposal and only pass the revenue-eroding portion, particularly the lowering of income tax rates.

“I would like to highlight that this important tax measure is really best seen as a package because that is where 99 percent of Filipinos will re-

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MANIFEST. Passengers fill up the supplemental manifest required by the Philippine Coast Guard to passenger vessel operators before boarding a Davao Citybound boat in Babak, Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) on Monday. Lean Daval Jr.

ASEAN elated by steady growth of tourism sector T

HE ASEAN Chairman Statement issued by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, being this year’s ASEAN chair, said that it was pleased with the steady growth of the tourism sector in 2016.

“We were pleased with

DOTC: Safety, volume, transparency keys to sustain Davao-Bitung trading

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RANSPORTATION Secretary Arthur Tugade cited three ingredients to ensure the sustainability of the Davao-General Santos-Bitung roll on roll off (RoRo) route launched Sunday

by Presidents Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines and Joko Widodo of Indonesia: safety and security in the high seas, sustained volume of business; and customer satisfaction over transparent transactions.

Tugade said these three must be assured in the drive for connectivity and mobility within the ASEAN (Association of South East Asean Nations).

“No development in the ASEAN can push ahead without mobility and connectivity,” he said.

As soon as the two Presidents struck the gongs at 10:10 a.m. at the Kudos port here to formally launch the route, M/V Super Shuttle RoRo 12, operated by Asian Marine Transport Corporation, blew its horn to mark the historic event, witnessed by dignitaries from both countries.

The ship left right away and is expected to be welcomed with another ceremony in the Indonesian city of Bitung in North Sulawesi when it docks there on May 2.

Tugade noted that 70 percent of products traded in the region are moved by sea. He described the RoRo shipping

service as a “logistics network” and doing “magic” in the vision to ensure connectivity and mobility between the two countries by cutting shipment time from four to five weeks to 1.5 to two days.

The usual route to Bitung from Davao is via Manila and Jakarta.

But he noted that the structure facilitating the shipping service should be accompanied by the three ingredients to ensure the project will not be short-lived.

Before Sunday’s launch, at least two attempts have been made to trade using this route but they were not sustained.

Eternal vigilance Tugade stressed the need for safety and security in the high seas, adding that the just-concluded 30th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit “paid attention by addressing the issue of piracy.”

Duterte in his opening statement at the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit on April 29, underscored the need for a regional effort to eliminate security threats, including violent extremism and terrorism.

He said piracy and armed robbery against ships disrupt the stability of regional and global commerce. “Eternal vigilance is the price that governments must pay to ensure safety of citizens,” he said.

“We can only achieve this

through advancing cooperation at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels,” Duterte added.

Two Philippine Navy vessels accompanied the ship on its inaugural voyage. The vessels, however, will accompany the ship only up to Philippine waters as Indonesian vessels will meet them in their territory.

“Without safety and security, this project will be a goner,” said Tugade, a lawyer and businessman before he was appointed to a government post. Tugade, Duterte’s classmate in Law school, started with a forwarding business and later became a consolidator before branching out into farming, fuel distribution, trucking, travel, among others.

Tugade also emphasized the need for sustained volume of goods that will be moved from both countries to ensure sustainability of the shipping route.

He said the ministries of Trade and Industry of both countries are finding ways and means to assure the volume.

One percent cargo load The Super Shuttle RoRo has a total capacity of 500 TEU (twenty-four equivalent unit). But it left Kudos Port for Bitung loaded with only five TEU or only one per cent of its total capacity.

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the steady growth of the tourism sector in 2016, bringing in 6.5 percent more international visitors compared to 2015,” the ASEAN Chairman Statement, issued Sunday (April 30) said.

ASEAN member coun-

tries include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The statement also welcomed various initiatives by the ASEAN Tourism Ministers in the implementation of

the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan (ATSP) 2016 to 2025 with a view to sustaining the sector’s development as well as to contributing to the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.

This includes the devel-

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 21 • TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2017

How a polluted creek in Iligan City was transformed like a huge aquarium

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LUSH MANGROVES. Women forage for clams and other shells among the lush mangroves of Kaputian in the Island Garden City of Samal on Saturday (29 April 2017). If you’re feeling lucky, you may also want to look for the man in red ala Larry Alcala cartoons of yore. MindaNews photo by Gail Ilagan

Labor groups in N. Mindanao mark Labor Day with protest C

ty (PSA), Northern Mindanao has about 1.394 million workers, 40 percent of whom are employed in the agriculture sector.

Barros said that most of the employees in the cities of Cagayan De Oro and Iligan are receiving only a daily wage of P318, which is insufficient to provide for a family with five members. “A family of five in the region needs P1,119 daily to live comfortably,” he noted.

Nicandro Borja, regional vice president of the Asso-

ciated Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP), said they are seeking an additional PHP168 across-the-board salary increase.

“With the increase in price of basic commodities, fare, education and other expenses, the PHP318 minimum wage is not enough for a family’s daily needs (in the region),” Borja said.

Borja said that if the proposed increase is approved, the minimum daily wage

would be PHP486, which is still within the poverty line.

He said the “expenses in Manila and other major cities in the country are the same as in Cagayan de Oro.” “There is no difference with the expenses and employers are saying that businesses will suffer and may shut down, but in reality, it is not, because the public will have more money to spend, which will mean an increase in business,” Barros said. (Jigger J. Jerusalem/PNA)

AMBOANGA CITY - The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the United Nation’s (UN) World Food Programme (WFP) have teamed up to carry out a comprehensive study that will help the regional government come up with holistic interventions to ensure food security in the region.

“We came up with an idea to conduct a thorough and comprehensive study in partnership with the WFP to determine and know the real score of food and nutrition security in the ARMM,” ARMM Executive Secretary Laisa Masuhud Alamia told the Philippines News Agency (PNA).

Alamia said the results of the Comprehensive Food

Security and Vulnerability Assessment (CFSVA) study will help the regional government to chart new programs and strengthen current socio-economic development in the autonomous Muslim region.

In a separate statement sent exclusively to the PNA, the WFP said the study, which will start on Wednesday, is critical in getting accurate measurement “on food and nutrition security, as well as disaster risk reduction management programs, which support the ARMM Development Framework 20172022.”

“The upcoming data collection and consequent analysis will provide us with a number of significant details that we can look more close-

ly, to help identify the current causes of food insecurity and malnutrition,” it said, adding “ultimately, it will allow the ARMM government and its partners to tackle the root causes of the region’s vulnerability and provide the necessary support to those who are most in need.”

In March, the ARMM and WFP inked an agreement that “embodies a framework for non-exclusive collaboration” to carry out a comprehensive study on the region’s food security.

“Food insecurity and malnutrition rates are among the highest in the Philippines, and in order to identify meaningful solutions, it is critical for us to obtain a comprehensive overview on the food securi-

ty and nutrition in one of its vulnerable regions” the WFP said.

It said both parties have carried out a similar “exercise” in the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao in 2016.

“So we are expecting an interesting comparison on how the situation evolved over the past year,” it said.

“We look forward to working with all relevant stakeholders to strengthen the collaborative spirit that has brought the ARMM-WFP Framework Agreement into being, and help secure a world where all people have access to safe, healthy, nutritious food all year round, where there are zero stunted

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fantry Battalion, said Monday the program aims to provide basic computer literacy for the lumads or indigenous peoples in Balingasag.

Datu Cesar G. Asapon, a representative of the indigenous people in Balingasag, expressed his gratitude to the

sponsors of the training.

“This only shows that the military is one of the agencies of the government that look into the future of our tribal brothers,” he said in the vernacular.

Diaz said the CLT was conducted in cooperation with the

Army’s 403rd Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, the local government unit of Balingasag, the Technical Education Skills Development-Misamis Oriental, and the Department of Education through the Alternative Learning System.

(Cris Diaz/PNA)

AGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Labor groups here marked Monday’s Labor Day with protests against lower wages,contractualization and job insecurity.

In the region and elsewhere, ordinary workers are suffering because of the implementation of anti-workers’ policies, said Wildon Barros, secretary-general of the labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) in Northern Mindanao. According to the Philippine Statistics Authori-

ITO dela Corta, 54, only wanted to make the murky and polluted Baslayan creek area near his house end as the source of foul odor and breeding ground of big flies and mosquitoes that annoy his family and, yes, threaten the health of their neighborhood.

Then Dela Corta saw his neighbor making a pond in the creek for tilapia production in just so small scale for family consumption.

So, from his neighbor’s raw clearing, he cleaned an area of the creek, about 60 square meters, just by the outer opening of the manhole at the side of the national highway section fronting Gaisano Mall in Iligan City.

The manhole is the drain of four drainage culverts where waste waters from commercial and residential areas flow out.

The Baslayan creek section at Purok de Oro, Zone 3 drains to the coast in Tambacan.

It was November 18, 2016 when he started cleaning and clearing the place. It was really a trash creek where garbage piled up, leachate and flotsam mixed with slowly running murky canal water. Now it has become a koi fishpond, looking like a big aquarium with the few decors he has set up.

More than 100 big koi fishes of various colors are thriving in a pond having continuous clear water running through it.

It’s really a big wonder why the canal water becomes clear and look refreshing.

And for these, Dela Corta’s pond becomes a new city attraction.

He simply put up screens to filter the running canal water, and it becomes clear already, he said in an interview with this reporter Thursday.

He’s earning a little from the feed pellets for the kois at P5 per small pack. Anyone who wants to have all the colorful kois come before him has only to throw feed pellets to the kois- to enjoy and at the same time contribute something to the environment.

Lito is an itinerant agent of all- cars, spare parts, lots, etc.

How he wish civic club in Iligan City would step in to be a cooperator and “mount their tarpaulins here.”

He said donations of flowers, neem trees, more kois and decors are most welcome.

He and his neighbor having tilapia pond were recently given an award by City Mayor Celso Regencia for their innovative project that could be replicated to clean canals nationwide.

Where before the Baslayan creek section near Lito’s house could immediately become the dumping ground of neighbors’ wastes, it becomes almost a big aquarium now where people are ashamed to throw their wastes, including children who no longer pee on the sides of the canal. Cha Monforte, Correspondent

ARMM, WFP to conduct comprehensive study on food security

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F ARMM, 11

46‘lumads’complete mobile literacy training in Misamis Oriental ALINGASAG, Misamis Oriental – Forty six members of the Higaonon tribe completed a monthlong basic computer literacy training (CLT) here spearheaded by the Philippine Army.

Lt. Janelle Diaz, spokesperson of the Army’s 58th In-

Creek converter Lito dela Cotta (right) with a friend. At their background is the renewed creek section.

2 rebels killed, firearm recovered in Samar clash

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T least two members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed when they attacked an army detachment in remote Hilumot village in San Jose de Buan, Samar Monday dawn.

Lt. Cherry M. Junia, chief of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division public affairs office, said the foiled attack staged by a group of rebels around 5:00 a.m. has resulted to the killing of communist rebels and recovery of high powered firearms.

“Five were reported wounded-in-action on the government side while the communist rebels suffered an undetermined number of wounded. The troops also recovered one AK47 rifle and

two handheld radios,” Junia said.

Troops are still scouring the area. Other detachments to include municipal police stations were alerted for probable similar attacks.

Major Gen. Raul M. Farnacio, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division , lauded his troops for a job well done and for successfully defending their detachment and dedicating their lives in the accomplishment of the mission.

Samar is known to be one of the hotbeds of armed rebels in the country. Several encounters between the army and NPA have been reported in Samar in the past years.

(Sarwell Q. Meniano/PNA)

7 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 21 • TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2017

Super Shuttle RORO leaves for Bitung with only 1% cargo load

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/V Super Shuttle RORO 12, the vessel servicing the DavaoGenSan-Bitung route left for the Indonesian port, Sunday, loaded with only one percent of its 500-TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) total capacity.

The route was launched by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the Kudos Port in Sasa.

Kim Pancho, Davao branch manager of Asian Marine Transport Corp., told reporters after the launch that the inaugural voyage carried only five TEUs and 50 20-foot empty container vans that will be repositioned at the port in Bitung.

He said it costs the shipping company P10 million per trip. The shipping schedule, according to earlier announcements, is weekly.

Super Shuttle is expected to arrive in Bitung, North Sulawesi on May 2.

The Aboitiz-led Pilmico Foods Corp., a flour milling company, was the only company that committed to ship its product during the inaugural voyage. But Pancho said more cargo load is expected during the second voyage, following the interest of the companies to take advantage of the shorter route.

“Actually, the Bitung side (exporters) has committed.

There will be more after the second voyage,” he said.

Shipment period for this route takes only about 1.5 to two days compared with five weeks for the Davao-Manila-Jakarta-Bitung route, Pancho said.

The shipment cost of the

Davao-GenSan-Bitung route is also cheaper at P34,713 per TEU compared with P109,098 per TEU for the Davao-Manila-Jakarta-Bitung route.

He urged traders to use this RORO route and sought help from both governments of Indonesia and Philippines to relax the process of securing permits.

He said they are asking the government here for a fuel subsidy to help sustain the operations.

Products that can be exported to Indonesia include animal feeds, aqua products, charcoal, coffee beans, construction materials, copra, feed ingredients, fertilizers, food and beverages, fresh fruits, ice cream products, meats, peanuts, poultry (halal), soya, sugar, and synthetics.

Gift toys, housewares, pharmaceuticals, and fresh fruits are restricted for now.

But Pancho said they are still negotiating for fresh fruits to be exported, this being the primary export of Mindanao.

Aside from Pilmico, Trade secretary Ramon Lopez also named CDO Foodsphere Inc., San Miguel Corporation, Franklin Baker, Unilever, FEMSA Coca Cola, and ACS Manufacturing as among the large companies that have signified interest to use this route.

He said the government sees a huge and vast potential “that will spell a big difference most especially to micro, small, and medium enterprises” to trade across the borders.

The greater connectivity, Lopez said, will broaden the expansion of trade among the ASEAN countries. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

PIATCO asks CA to reverse $6M arbitration cost ruling

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HE Philippine International Air Terminals Company Inc. (PIATCO), builder of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA 3), has filed a motion for reconsideration on the decision of the Court of Appeals ordering the firm to pay of $6 million on the legal expenses representing costs of the arbitration proceedings before the International Chamber of Commerce International Court of Arbitration.

In a 48-page motion for reconsideration, PIATCO asked the CA 17th division of the appellate court to reverse its ruling last January that upheld government’s claims and which reversed the earlier ruling of the Muntinlupa City regional trial court.

PIATCO instead asked the CA to reinstate the decision of Mandaluyong regional trial court that declared the legal expenses by the government invalid for lack of public bidding and budget appropriation.

The PIATCO insisted that payment of the legal expenses to the government, includ-

ing legal fees for lawyers, led by the late Supreme Court Justice Florentino Feliciano and Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, violated the laws.

Feliciano and Sereno and their team defended the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) from expropriation of NAIA 3 before an international arbitration tribunal.

They won the case for the government. Sereno, who was commercial law expert prior to her appointment to the SC, was reportedly supposed to receive Php 16 million in attorney’s fee for the case.

In a 23-page decision penned by Associate Justice Marlene Gonzales Sison, the CA’s Seventeenth Division reversed and set aside the ruling issued by the Regional Trial Court of Mandaluyong City Branch 213 on August 29, 2014 and May 4, 2015, which held that the final award was not enforceable under the Philippine law for being contrary to public policy.

Mindanao gets P10M worth of projects from Hedcor W

ITH a budget allotment of P10 million for this year, some Higaonons in the Province of Bukidnon, Bagobo-Tagabawas in Davao del Sur and beneficiaries in Davao City will welcome another long list of community projects focused on education, environment, health and, enterprise development after Hedcor, a hydropower firm of AboitizPower, announced its continuous drive to advance its host communities.

Providing the young people a conducive place for learning and the opportuni-

ty to contribute in building A Better Future, the company’s biggest investment this year goes to education. This includes scholarships, construction of classrooms, computer and internet installation, feeding program for public elementary pupils, providing schools with electricity, and school supplies donation.

For projects focused on the environment, enterprise development, and health, Hedcor’s host communities will benefit from medical and dental missions, wildlife and biodiversity protection, school-based hygiene and

solid waste management promotion, emergency preparedness and first aid training, and local cooperative supports.

Housing nine out of 22 hydropower plants of Hedcor across the country, host communities in Davao City, Davao del Sur and the province of Bukidnon have felt the inclusive growth brought by these projects from the company.

Davao City and Davao del Sur host the 4.4-MW Talomo hydros and 56.1-MW Sibulan-Tudaya hydros, respectively. Bukidnon will soon enjoy the 68.8-MW Manolo Fortich hydros by the end of

this year.

“On behalf of the Bagobo-Tagabawa tribe, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to Hedcor for operating hydropower plants in Davao del Sur. Hedcor has really given the indigenous people a great help since the beginning of their operation,” said Datu Rogelio Manapol, Chairman of IP group Kapiid Ka Banua during the CSR MOA Signing in Mindanao.

For almost 40 years, Hedcor remains steadfast in developing its host communities through its corporate social responsibility projects.

PARTNERS IN DEVELOPMENT. Public teachers and local government unit officers in Mindanao host communities support Hedcor on its quest to help build a better future through a Memorandum of Agreement Signing.

60-year old man among job seekers on Labor Day at DOLE job fair

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60-YEAR old man was among the applicants who tried his luck to land a job at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 2017 Labor Day Job fair held at the Quezon City hall grounds, one of the 10 Job and Business Fairs in Metro Manila on Monday.

According to Benito Parman of District 4, Botocan, Quezon City, he submitted resume in four different companies here and abroad as international cook, and as call center agent.

He was one of the scholars of Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and attend-

ed 160 hours in call center training.

“I applied as as an international cook and also in a call center company. Scholar kami ni Mayor Herbert Bautista sa call center,” Parman said.

He noted that he applied as a cook since that was once his job in Libya but his last occupation in the Middle East was as oil driller. He went home in 2013 after being repatriated due to the tension there.

“Noon sa abroad, cook ako sa Libya. Twelve years akong overseas worker. Nagtrabaho di ako sa field (oil drilling).

Ang company namin based sa

Libya. Narepatriate ako 2013,” said the former overseas Filipino worker (OFW).

He admitted that he applied for work to have income that would be used to pay for home expenses such as electric and water bills.

Parman noted that he never applied for work after he was repatriated, his family’s source of income was a small eatery.

“Four years na walang trabaho sa bahay lang, tinda tinda, luto luto,” he said.

With this, the job applicant from Quezon City said that he was also praying to God for him to be hired,

“Oo hoping naman (na matanggap sa trabaho), si Lord na ang bahala kung talagang tanggap pa,” he added.

DOLE data showed that a total of 22,402 registered applicants, as of 1 pm.

The government conducted job and business fairs nationwide in celebration of the 115th Labor Day with a theme, “Matatag na Kabuhayan at Trabaho tungo sa Progresibong Pagbabago.”

The DOLE is offering over 200,000 local employment, including government and overseas jobs from 1,138 employers. (Ferdinand G. Patinio/PNA)

Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam gathered at the INTERPOL Global Complex for Innovation (IGCI) in Singapore to exchange information on specific cybercrime situations in their respective countries.

An additional cyber intelligence report was contributed by China.

Experts from Kaspersky Lab cooperated with the INTERPOL on sharing fresh cyberthreat discoveries and formulating recommended actions along with six other private companies, namely

Cyber Defense Institute, Booz Allen Hamilton, British Telecom, Fortinet, Palo Alto Networks, and Trend Micro.

Kaspersky Lab provided the INTERPOL team with an exclusive report on a WordPress plugin vulnerability which has affected thousands of websites in the region including those belonging to government agencies, universities, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), and private businesses.

The vulnerability allowed perpetrators to inject ma-

licious codes to over 5,000 legitimate webpages around the globe and redirect the users to advertising pages of counterfeit goods. It also allowed other types of malicious activity such as potentially unwanted programs (PUP) downloads, password brute-forcing, and proxy among others.

The cybersecurity firm also furnished the IGCI with an extensive list of 8,800 botnet C2 servers found to be active in ASEAN countries, as

Probe identifies 9K botnet servers, compromised websites in ASEAN

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HE International Criminal Police Investigation (INTERPOL) has identified nearly 9,000 botnet command and control (C2) servers and hundreds of compromised websites involving public and private sectors across the ASEAN region.

In a statement Tuesday, cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab which has participated in a cybercrime investigation spearheaded by the INTERPOL said cybercrime investigators from Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines,

F PROBE, 11

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 21 • TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2017

EDITORIAL

Hallmark of excellence

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N recognition to the Filipino worker’s excellence, the top-selling car manufacturer Hyundai has invested on local production of its automotive line.

The first batch of locally produced Eon sub-compact hatchbacks and H350 passenger vans were formally presented in time for the celebration of Labor Day. The Hyundai models were manufactured at the recently unveiled Hyundai Assembly Center (HAC) at the Hyundai Asia Resource Inc. (Hari) in the Laguna Technopark in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Hyundai continues the brand’s strong momentum entering into the second quarter of 2017.

Hyundai is a company that takes quality and excellence seriously and it could not be more evident than in its op-

EDGEDAVAO

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erations at the Hyundai Assembly Center, where quality and excellence are a standard by which all workmanship is shaped.

Hyundai maintains that their high standards of excelence is how they are able to guarantee seamless methods, efficient service, and products of superior value.

Over a hundred homegrown technical experts man the cutting-edge equipment at the plant which continually ensure that the locally assembled Eon and H350 conform to the highest global quality standards.

Truly, the trust and confdence of companies like Hyundai on Filipino workmanship only speak well of the worldclass human resources the Philippines is proud of.

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EDGEDAVAO

T

HE holding of the 1934 Constitutional Convention that prepared the Commonwealth Constitution was in part triggered by the ominous Japanization efforts in Davao region even under American colonial rule. Underscoring this event was the rising opposition to allow the Japanese to own Philippine lands.

This sentiment was later included in the 1935 Charter through the efforts of Davao assemblyman, and later city mayor, Pantaleon Pelayo, Sr. How far had Japanization invaded Davao region is something that was already known publicly but were never misread as part of a grand plan to take over the city and make it a Japanese colony. In fact, “just before the inauguration of the Philippine Commonwealth, high government officials were awakened by the reality that certain important strategic portions of the island of Mindanao are under the absolute control of the Japanese.”

This scenario is best described by a pre-war DMHM (Daily Mirror, Herald, and Manila Chronicle) staff member who was quoted as saying: “In Davao, the Japanese is born with the assistance of a Japanese doctor, educated in a Japanese school, steeped in Japanese religion, employed in a Japanese corporation, fattened on sukiyaki, clothed with Japanese garments, talked to in Japanese

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HAT is the state flower of Kansas, the national flower of Ukraine, and one of the city flowers of Kitakyushu, Japan? It is often used as a symbol of green ideology, much as the red rose is a symbol of socialism or social democracy. It is also the subject of Vincent van Gogh’s most famous still life.

Sunflower, that’s what. Unknowingly, most Filipinos don’t know is that what is usually called the flower is actually a head of numerous florets (small flowers) crowded together. The outer florets are the sterile ray florets and can be yellow, maroon, orange, or other colors. The florets inside the circular head are called disc florets, which mature into what are traditionally called “sunflower seeds,” but are actually the fruit of the plant.

The inedible husk is the wall of the fruit and the true seed lies within the kernel.

To most Filipinos, sunflowers are good only for the eyes. Unknowingly, they are also good for the stomach. In fact, in recent years, sunflowers have become popular as a snack food (just like “butong pakwan”). Those varieties for eating are soaked or coated with ingredients to improve the seed’s characteristics.

Flavor enhancers are often added to increase appeal and dif-

VOL. 10 ISSUE 21 • TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2017

VANTAGE POINTS

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The Japanization of Davao only, and buried when he dies by a Japanese undertaker, whether he remains in Davao or goes back to Japan to enjoy his fortune. And the Davao Filipino—how does he feel travelling on Japanese roads, working for Japanese masters, shopping in Japanese stores, getting his wages figuratively in yens, and depending entirely on the Japanese for his wherewithal? Verily, the Davao Japanese is at home—but the Davao Filipino is in Japan!”

At the time the Commonwealth was established, nearly half of the cultivated lands in Davao province, roughly 60,702 hectares were under Japanese holdings. Of the 71 million hills of abaca reported, 70% or 49.7 million of these were owned by the Japanese. The combined assets of the forty-five Japanese corporation in Davao amounted to PhP3,568,180, exclusively of the forty-five plantations, agricultural companies and those owned by private individuals, assessed at PhP1,002,680. All in all, Japanese business assets reached PhP4,570,860.

A research done by Manuel Gallego, which he collated in the book Economic Emancipation: An Independent View of the Philippine Economic Problems and Their Solution (1939), it was noted that by 1934, the Japanese already controlled 55% of the lumber and timber export of Davao province,

FAST BACKWARD Antonio V. Figueroa and cornered 61% of the abaca export. Interestingly, 80% of the needs of Davao were sourced from Japan and only about 3% came from the United States.

In the fields of human activities, Gallego found out, nearly all jobs employed Japanese labor. So ubiquitous were the Japanese, by now numbering close to 16,000 in Davao region (out of a population of 145,075) that they “work[ed] as planters, fishermen, farm contractors, farm laborers, lumbermen, mechanics, carpenters, painters, tinsmiths, industrial laborers, merchants, corporation employ-

ees, chaffeurs, photographers, and barbers.”

Total Japanese investments in Davao province prior to the war reached PhP50 million, so much so that half of the revenues the government earned were from Japanese residents. Moreover, one-fourth of the 134 kilometers of road constructed in Davao during that time were owned by the Japanese.

In assessing the Japanization of Davao, Gallego cited three reasons deemed were of “strategic value” in the future policy of Japan in the country. First, Davao furnished the missing link to Japan’s ocean lifeline; second, with Davao in the link, Japan’s defense became airtight; and third, with the region in Japanese hands, it became “a most strategic base of attack for the feared Nipponic conquest of the Dutch East Indies.” True enough, the assessment fell into place when the country—Davao, in particular—was drawn into the war theatre.

While Davao was the population center of Japanese pre-war migrants in the country, a fourth of the Japanese expatriates took economic control in other provinces and cities. In Manila, the Japanese merchants lorded it over in Rizal Avenue (Avenida Rizal), in the same way they controlled certain business districts in Iloilo and Cebu. Daido Boeki Kaisaha, Ltd., the

only hemp company in Cebu, had a PhP100,000 concrete warehouse, while a Japanese shoe factory also in the same province was producing an average output of 2,000 pairs daily.

But there were more Japanese imprints in Cebu than was traditionally known. On a daily basis, Japanese steamers were unloading Japanese goods and textiles, and there was a school built there so the children of the Japanese would “grow up 100% Japanese.”

In the national scene, Japanese ownership of fishing vessels reached 50% while 21.3% of the Filipino-owned boats were manned

by Japanese. Moreover, 9.4% of the vessels owned by companies had Japanese incorporators. In the field of retail, it was estimated that during the Commonwealth period 35% of all the retail trade in the country were in Japanese hands such that by 1940 it was projected to nearly double at 80%.

This unusually vibrant involvement of the Japanese in the Philippine economy, Gallego opined, was due to the observation that their government was “back[ing] up to 16,000 trade adventurers who leave their shores every year by insuring them against loss and at the same time, guaranteeing them a return of at least 10% of their investment.”

other vegetable oil, as a pesticide carrier, and in the production of agrichemicals, surfactants, adhesives, plastics, fabric softeners, lubricants and coatings has been studied.

The cake remaining after the seeds have been processed for oil is used as a livestock feed.

According to some studies, sunflower meal is higher in fiber, has a lower energy value and is lower in lysine but higher in methionine than soybean meal.

Sunflowers can also be used as a silage crop. They can be used as a double crop after early harvested small grains or vegetables, an emergency crop, or in areas with a season too short to produce mature corn for silage.

Sunflowers may also be used to extract toxic ingredients from soil, such as lead, arsenic and uranium.

They were used to remove uranium, cesium-137, and strontium-90 from soil after the Chernobyl disaster.

The CLSU has been growing sunflower since early 70s, mainly for its edible oil.

As they are called sunflowers, they need full sun. Sunflower is a classic example of heliotropism, or the involuntary response of plant to the sun. It turns its head directly to face the sun and reorients overnight to wait for the rising of the sunrise.

So, early dawn, looking at them in a

vast area of a sunflower field, they look all drooped and weak. However, this phenomenon has the benefit of reducing bird damage and disease development.

The sunflower (scientific name: Helianthus annuus) is native to the Americas. The earliest known examples of a fully domesticated sunflower north of Mexico have been found in Tennessee and date to around 2300 BC. Many indigenous American peoples used the sunflower as the symbol of their solar deity, including the Aztecs and the Otomi of Mexico and the Incas in South America. Francisco Pizarro was the first European to encounter the sunflower in Tahuantinsuyo, Peru.

Gold images of the flower, as well as seeds, were taken back to Spain early in the 16th century.

Spanish explorers brought the sunflower to Europe in 1510. However, it was not until the late 1800s when the flower was introduced to Russia that the sunflower became a food crop. In 1860, Russian farmers made significant improvements in the way that the sunflower was cultivated.

Today, sunflower has gone a long, long way. It accounts for about 14 percent of the world production of seed oils and about 7 percent of the oilcake and meal produced from oilseeds.

Not for your eyes only

ferentiate product types. Salt is the most common flavor enhancer; it can provide a subtle taste effect that removes the “off flavor” inherent in raw sunflower seeds. A small amount of sugar or dry corn syrup can be added to impart a sweet flavor. Spices and herbs such as garlic, onion powder, or black pepper can also have a unique effect on how a sunflower seed tastes.

Sunflowers can also be processed into a peanut butter alternative (“Sunbutter”), especially in China, Russia, the United States, the Middle East, and Europe. In Germany, it is mixed together with rye flour to make Sonnenblumenkernbrot (literally: sunflower whole seed bread), which is quite popular in German-speaking Europe.

At the Central Luzon State University in Science City (CLSU) of Munoz, sunflowers are grown for their economic value. According to Prof. Mario Agustin, leader of the sunflower culture at the demo farm, “high-quality edible oil” can be extracted from the sunflowers.

Aside from its pleasant odor, the oil contained linoleic acid (also known as Omega-6 fatty acid essential for a healthy diet) and vitamins.

The oil can be used for cooking and to produce margarine and biodiesel.

There are commercial sunflower varieties that contain from 39 to

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

49% oil in the seed. In fact, the oil accounts for 80% of the value of the sunflower crop, as contrasted with soybean which derives most of its value from the meal.

Aside from those mentioned earlier, several applications of sunflower oil have also been explored.

It has been used in certain paints, varnishes and plastics because of good semidrying properties without color modification associated with oils high in linolenic acid. In Eastern Europe and Russia where sunflower oil is plentiful, sunflower oil is used commonly in the manufacture of soaps and detergents.

The use of sunflower oil, like

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 21 • TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2017

Davao... FROM 2

Its opening will significantly reduce the shipping time of transported goods from the usual Manila to Jakarta to Bitung route that would take up to five weeks to just two to three days.

A savings of up to $ 1,500 (Php 74,000) per TEU is estimated in using this route given its $700 (Php 34,713) per TEU rate per 20 feet dry container as compared to using the Davao-GenSan to Manila to Manado via Jakarta route which amounts to $2,200 (Php 109,098) per TEU. “This lower significant cost of transportation will

dive competition, attract new players and increase demands to jobs. This will not just strengthen intra-regional maritime connectivity among ASEAN networks. It is also to introduce new opportunities for trade expansion within markets outside the region,” the Filipino president said.

Among the goods identified by the private sector in Mindanao that will be shipped to Indonesia are animal feeds, fertilizer, construction materials, ice cream products, poultry (halal), fresh fruits and synthetics.

along the national highway fronting the Talayan town hall.

The second grenade did not explode.

Police said the motive of the attack remained unknown.

The elder Midtimbang ran

but lost to Mangudadatu in last year’s gubernatorial elections.

Mangudadatu stressed that he already reconciled with the Midtimbangs and his other political opponents after he was proclaimed. (PNA)

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communication LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No. XI Davao City

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communication LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Office No. XI Davao City

Gov... FROM 2 GOODWILL PHOTO. China People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy personnel have their photographs taken with the female members of the Philippine Navy after goodwill games of basketball and tug-of-war held at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Davao City on Monday. Lean Daval Jr.

NO... FROM 1

exander Tagum as Davao City Police Chief, the same fascist police officer who led the massacre of barricading El Niño victims in Kidapawan City in April last year.

Thus, for Sara Duterte to claim the NPA’s assault in the Lorenzo-owned businesses in Davao City a “personal insult,” is not only hypocritical but downright self-serving.”

Lapanday’s statement in full: ‘LFC strongly condemns the theft of property and the arson of its box and plastic manufacturing plants located at Barangay Mandug, Davao City by some unidentified men who entered the compound after disarming the company’s security personnel around 2 in the morning of 29 April. The company reported that it was fortunate that no employees who were working at the time of the incident were harmed or

injured.

All of the company’s personnel are safe. Employee mobile phones, computers and other company properties were also stolen by the unidentified intruders who also ransacked the offices of the plant. As they were withdrawing from the plant, the unidentified intruders set paper and other flammable materials on fire that eventually engulfed the plant.

The company said in a statement that while it will cooperate with the Philippine National Police as it investigates this latest criminal act of this armed group the company urged law enforcement agencies, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines to exert effort to prevent these unidentified elements from further endangering the safety and security of people and inflicting damage to private prop-

erty. The burning of the plant will lead to the displacement of hundreds of employees and adversely affected those who have existing businesses with the box and plastic plant. It is they who are now jobless and shall bear the brunt of the consequences of this vicious act, the company said.

Last week, Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano, who failed in his attempt to install farmers belonging to a breakaway group of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB) on lands already registered with Hijo Employees Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative-1 (HEARBCO-1) threatened the company for prohibiting him from escorting these farmers and their supporters from various leftist organizations. This breakaway group and their supporters were coddled and abetted by the DAR leadership

to openly defy the final and executory order of the court that ruled there was no agrarian dispute and DAR had no jurisdiction on the case.

The DAR under Mariano’s leadership has become a tool that causes disruption in productive farm operations that pushed persons to defy laws, inflict injury and damage to even other ARBs and ultimately, weaken the economy of the country. Lapanday hopes that perpetrators of this criminal act will all be identified, charged and brought before the criminal justice system.”

The NPA added they confiscated 39 firearms in the series of raids launched ‘to hold the Lorenzo-owned Lapanday companies accountable for their numerous crimes against their lowly-paid workers and against peasants and Lumad who were dispossessed of their lands.’ (JKL)

opment of new tourism products and experiences in the areas of yachting, river cruises, youth and sports tourism; further enhancing the development of cruise tourism; promoting sustainable tourism development through the ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Awards.

Moreover, the statement noted that substantial works have been done to implement the Visit ASEAN@50: Golden Celebration campaign to showcase the region’s rich natural and cultural diversity in welcoming international visitors to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN. The statement also welcomed the progress made in the realization of ASEAN RO-RO (Roll-on Roll-off) shipping network, particularly the maiden voyage of the ASEAN RORO Sea Linkage Route between Davao–General Santos (the Philippines)– Bitung (Indonesia), which was launched on Sunday (April 30) in Davao

City, Philippines and is among the economic priority deliverables under the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship.

The initiative would enhance the connectivity of archipelagic ASEAN and further facilitate trade and tourism, as well as provide greater impetus to the implementation of multimodal transport in the ASEAN region.

It also noted the issuance of the Joint Statement of the Directors-General of Immigration Departments and Heads of Consular Affairs Divisions of Ministries of Foreign Affairs Meeting (DGICM) on the Prevention of the Movement of Foreign Terrorist Fighters.

In conclusion, the statement also said that it looked forward to the further study on the proposed ASEAN Common Visa and the Joint Task Force Meeting to study the feasibility of developing the ASEAN Business Travel Card or similar mechanisms. (PNA)

ally benefit,” Chua said.

“Not only is the reduction of income tax going to give us substantial increase in disposable income to the Filipino people, the broadening of the VAT base and the increase in the oil and automobile excise will actually -- contrary to public perception -- improve the progressivity of the tax system,” he added.

He said the tax reform package’s broader goal of raising revenues to fund the Duterte administration’s unprecedented investments in infrastructure, health, education, and social protection for the poor is the key that would open doors of opportunities for millions of Filipinos to rise above poverty and in turn, transform the country into a high middle-income economy by 2022 and to a high-income one by 2040.

“This is really about seeing this package as an investment in our future. We would like to see poverty eradicated

in one generation, our country become a high-income country in one generation. And this requires a lot of investment, a lot of contribution and maybe some initial sacrifice,” Chua said.

Chua said that instituting tax reform would “bring this country to an irreversible path of inclusive growth” and shield the economy from external shocks, like what happened 13 years ago, when the then-Arroyo administration implemented reforms in the VAT system (R-VAT).

“We have managed to double our GDP and triple our per capita income in just 15 years because of this important (R-VAT) reform. We survived the economic crisis, the slowdown, the food and fuel crises in 2008 because of this important reform that the previous Arroyo government (implemented) and Congress had to pass despite being initially unpopular,” Chua said.

(PNA)

ASEAN... FROM 5

DOF... FROM 5

Petition for Extension of Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate an AIRCONDITIONED TAXI Service Case No. R11-EV-TX2017-D-725 (2014-XI-00725)

LYNNIE G. CAGAPE, Doing business under the name & style “ARLYN MAE TAXI” Petitioner x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - --x

NOTICE OF HEARING Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of an AIRCONDITIONED TAXI service on the route: WITHIN DAVAO CITY to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on December 31, 2017.

In the petition filed on April 20, 2017, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of said Certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on MAY 16, 2017 at 09:30 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least, TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a one (1) daily newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

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

WITNESS the Atty. TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ, Regional Director, this 21st day of April 2017 at Davao City.

Atty. CATLEYA B. ACAYLAR Attorney IV

Petition for Extension of Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a PUJ DUAL Ordinary Regular Service Case No. R11-EV-PJ2017-D-179 (2003-XI-00179)

FE Q. PARADERO, Petitioner

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

NOTICE OF HEARING Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PUJ Dual Ordinary Regular service on the route: BAGUIO DISTRICT and for cargoes as dual service from said route to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on September 17, 2017.

In the petition filed on April 20,2017, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of said Certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on MAY 16, 2017 at 9:10 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least, TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a one (1) daily newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

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

WITNESS the Atty. TERESITA DELA PEÑA-YÑIGUEZ, Regional Director, this 21st day of April 2017 at Davao City.

Atty. CATLEYA B. ACAYLAR Attorney IV

INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 21 • TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2017

EDGEDAVAO

TRAVEL

Look again, this isn’t a temple ruin in another country.

The ruins in

LIANGA

I WAS WEARING A SOUVENIR SHIRT FROM CAMBODIA when we visited the ruins of an old port in Pugad Beach, just a few kilometers from Lawis Beach in Lianga.

The ruins looked faintly like the temple ruins from Angkor Wat that we jokingly said to name the place “Anchor Whaaat” just to satisfy my touristy look because of my shirt.

It was on our third day in Lianga. My friends and I were on our way home so we decided to maximize our trip here. We weren’t sure when we’d be back so all of us girls said yes (sorry, boys).

From Gran Ola Surf Camp in Lawis, it was around two to three kilometers back onto the main highway in Lianga when we turned left. Seeing a road signage that read “Kaunan sa Katunggahan” it surprised me that there was a restaurant somewhere inside this road lined with mazes of limestone ponds that give you an idea that the area might be a shrimp or prawn farm of some sort.

Wang Tan, our local guide and resident surfer at Gran Ola, was telling us that the ruins here used to be from a port that was abandoned way back. Again, I forgot to ask when and a deeper

More beautiful driftwood pieces that function as seats to a beautiful shoreline view. Photo by Mottie Santos. history of the place but I promise to update this section once I do.

What else is good here in Pugad aside from taking unique photos from the ruins? It’s a white sand beach lined with cottages that seem like they are just free to be used for picnics and day trips.

I also heard that there are nearby surf spots from here so it’s interesting what more can we find from this place aside from the beautiful view in front. Like non-urban beaches, this little nook in Pugad seemed entrance

The left side of the Ruins in Pugad, Lianga, Surigao del Sur.

fee free which is something I love.

It was quite a foreign concept for me to be required payment to pass through certain roads before reaching a destination. I’m probably not used to it but if the income goes straight to the right pockets then it’s a good thing. I sincerely hope it does.

My family and I went back to Lianga for the Holy Week. This sums my second visit to the Ruins here in Pugad. Like reading a book for the second

time, visiting this place again made me notice things I haven’t seen during my first time.

Sometimes when we’re too fixated on getting to the destination, we fail to appreciate the views along the way. I didn’t notice how beautiful it was walking along the white sand dotted with beautiful driftwood. I only saw the driftwood when my mom was trying to see if she could carry one of the bigger pieces.

MERMAID A2

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

TRAVEL MERMAID A1

Of course, I reminded her that those belong to the sea and we couldn’t bring it home. She laughed off my reminders and told me not to worry. Looking back at that big piece of driftwood, it would really look lovely in our living room but again, it wasn’t ours to take home.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 21 • TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2017

Another thing I’ve noticed is the cleanliness of the surroundings. Surprised to see that the locals actually pick up their own trash after a day’s picnic and bring it along home with them. That’s something I wished I’d see more often in other places in the Philippines.

While we’re enjoying the summer months, let’s remember a few things:

Fallen coconut trees make great seats while enjoying the view going to the Ruins. Photo by Mottie Santos

Lianga has one of the most colorful sunsets I’ve seen lately.

leave the beach clean, pick up trash if we see any, throw trash properly, feet

off corals and no touching of marine wildlife.

Check out the other sto-

ries in Lianga in my blog: www.millennialmermaid. com

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

VOL. 10 ISSUE 21 • TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2017

EVENT

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

A summer party to remember IN MY BOOK, Summer is never complete without a pool party and the Drink, Dance and Dip pool party at the Marco Polo Davao’s Deck last April 22 made my summer complete.

Part of the first simultaneous pool party hosted by Marco Polo hotels in the Philippines across Manila, Cebu and Davao, the event carried a Latin vibe with fire dancers, drum beaters, as well as flash mob dancers. The Davao party had The Marco Polo’s Deck decorated in tropical splendour, bringing the beach direct to the heart of Durianburg.

Attending the event were the hotel’s regular clients, partners, and VIPs who were given a surprise FlashMob dance performance by the hotel’s HOD’s to-

gether with Marco Polo Davao’s dynamic general manager Dottie Wurgler-Cronin.

In keeping with the theme, various grilled meats, as well as fresh fruits were prepared and served by the culinary team of executive chef Alex Destriza. These, of course, paired well with the various signature

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summer drinks served at the Deck’s pool bar.

Although the rain threatened to put a damper on the festivity, it merely signalled the start of the pool party as guests took to the pool thanks to the dance beats of DJ Wacky Masbad and DJ Ashley Rivera. Dottie as well as the hotel’s director of sales and marketing Pearl Maclang were not spared from taking a dip into the pool as well.

The event also was more meaningful as the event also starred the Philippine Eagle Foundation plush toys in their summer attire which were also sold that evening.

“This pool party is just a start of the many signature events of Marco Polo hotels in the Philippines. We are committed to be the trendsetter in the key cities in China, Hong Kong and Philippines. This is also to strengthen the local experience of our guests”, explains Marco Polo Hotels group director for restaurants, bars and event Bastian Breuer.

And even though I was supposed to be at the airport for a flight early the following morning, I was glad I was able to experience what could be 2017’s most chic, and fun pool party in Durianburg. Cheers!

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 21 • TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2017

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 21 • TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2017

DOTC... FROM 5

Datu Abulkhayr Alonto, chair of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said the shipping service strengthens trading between the two countries and supports the goals of the other pillars of the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area): agribusiness, tourism, and socio-cultural and education.

Alonto called on industry and business players to participate in the initative and take advantage of the business opportunities provided by the route as he cited that the support from the private sector is critical to the sustainability of the project.

Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez said the RoRo service is one of the economic priority deliverables for better connectivity and economic integration.

He said President Duterte saw a great potential in the route and committed to support it for BIMP-EAGA during his first ASEAN summit in Laos in September 2016.

Lopez added that the Philippines and Indonesia have become co-shepherds of the RoRo network for maritime connectivity in the region.

He said the launching should mean broader expansion of trade in the region citing the example of the Philippine-Indonesian trading. Indonesia is the Philippines 9th biggest trading partner – its Top 14 export market and Top 8 import supplier in 2016. He said they are eyeing a double digit trade growth with the launching of the RoRo service from last year’s four per cent.

MSMEs Lopez also noted that the route is expected to spell a difference among MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) that will consider trading in ASEAN due to the lower cost of transportation and trade.

Before his appointment as Trade Secretary, Lopez was Executive Director of Go Negosyo, the advocacy of the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE), a non-stock, non-profit organization that advocates for a change in mindset and attitude, believing that Filipinos can address poverty by engaging in entrepreneurship.

ARMM... FROM 6

children, where food systems are sustainable and where there is zero loss or waste of food,” the WFP said.

On Wednesday, enumerators will start the 10-day data collection in the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao, while the enumerators for the island-provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi will start its collection on May 15 and will end before the holy month of Ramadan on May 26.

Over the weekend, at least 30 enumerators from Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi ended their five-day training workshop here.

The enumerators are composed of heads and se-

NEWS 11

Lopez said MSMEs in the tourism industry will also benefit from the opportunities opened by the shipping service.

He said the shipping route will not only strengthen bilateral trade between Indonesia and Philippine but also support greater integration in the ASEAN region.

On customer satisfaction, Tugade explained the need to “pay attention to the details of processing time.” He added that immigration and customs officials from both countries are checking the process it is shortened, transparent and accountable.

Vision 2025 According to the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025, enhancing connectivity is one of the five strategic pillars of the BIMP-EAGA Development Path 2025.

The transport sector strategy is for “interconnected, seamless and safe multimodal transportation in the sub-region”. Among the identified challenges include transport connectivity, varying levels of development, differences in priorities and standards and lack of effective promotion of BIMP-EAGA in trade, tourism and investment.

The Vision 2025 document also identified key implementation bottlenecks to include policy and regulatory differences, poor coordination between sectors and national to local governments, and weak convergence at project levels.

The other sectors are food basket, tourism, environment and socio-cultural strategic pillars.

Perla Rubio, owner of the Malaybalay Choice Crafts, exporter of fashion accessories developed from locally-produced Abaca cloth welcomed the opening of the route.

She said this will truly help micro small and medium enterprises like hers to explore the market in the BIMP-EAGA. But she said there should be more coordination between national and local government agencies. She added that it is local governments that are more accessible to MSMEs in the communities, especially in the rural areas. (Walter I. Balane for MindaNews)

nior staffs from the different government agencies in the ARMM. The WFP technical advisors facilitated the trainings, and will analyze the data.

Under the study, the enumerators must interview at least 1,900 households across the five provinces of ARMM. The initial results will be presented to the leaders of ARMM led by its governor, Mujiv Hataman, in July.

Part of the plan is to come up with a book that will serve as reference for decision makers in the region to come up with programs on food security.

(TPGJR/Darwin Wally T. Wee/PNA)

HISTORIC ‘SELFIE’. A member of the Philippine Navy takes a ‘selfie’ with his counterpart from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy after a basketball game at the Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Davao City on Monday. PLA Navy is in Davao City for a three-day goodwill visit. Lean Daval Jr.

Land conversion significantly cuts rice planting areas in Davao City

T

HE City Agriculture Office (CAO) has blamed the continued conversion of lands for industrial and housing uses for the reduction of rice production areas in the city.

“When I joined CAO 20 years ago, there were still rice areas in Bunawan but today, these have been transformed into housing areas,” CAO chief Jovencio Umaging said in an interview Monday.

He said the city’s rice

production area supplies less than 10 percent of its requirements. Davao’s rice production in one harvest season is not even enough to feed the city’s residents for one month, he added.

Umaging said there is limited area in the city for rice production. Out of the 244,000 hectares of land in the city, 160,000 hectares are classified as good for agriculture. Of this area, only 2,000 hectares is available

for rice production, and only one hectare is irrigated. Most of the agriculture areas are planted to cassava, camote (sweet potato) and banana.

He also cited the problem on water irrigation in the city’s agricultural areas.

There are several areas in Paquibato District that can be potential areas for rice production, he added, but putting up an irrigation for these areas is quite expensive.

Umaging said they have already met with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) about the possibility of irrigating the almost 2,000 hectares of land that are good for rice production.

Davao City belongs to the “very critical” category when it comes to the sufficiency of its rice supply, said Edegary Boncal, provincial manager of the National Food Authority (NFA). (Lovely Carillo/ PNA)

government of said ILO Con1vention 151.

--- direct the Department of Labor and Employment to resolve the five-years-andrunning dispute on outsourcing between the Philippine Airlines and the PAL Employees Association.

--- establish a tripartite commission to review and revise the existing guidelines and rules on wage-setting.

--- appoint genuine worker representation in tripartite bodies of government and GOCCs to annual official review.

---- insist on a new power policy that will assure both the security of supply of electricity and its affordability to make our economy regionally competitive, through practical measures designed to ensure greater and genuine competi-

tion and to consider mandatory public bidding of power supply agreements and tariff formula reform, --- in the light of our tragic experience with the Kentex and HTI fires, support the initiative of the DOLE to deputize trade unions and their staff to serve as Labor Law Compliance lnspectors to validate the compliance of workplaces and employers with the official Occupational Safety and Health Standards and our minimum labor standards including observance of payment of the minimum wage, among others.

---- hold quarterly dialogues with the Labor Sector to ensure appropriate action on his marching orders and to provide workers with the opportunity to flag new and

emerging concerns.

--- direct the DOLE to move in the direction of prohibiting the collection of recruitment fees in the guise of facilitation fees and placement fees charged to prospective Overseas Filipino Workers as it is a heavy financial burden for the poorest Filipinos.

Mendoza also reported to the President about the group’s concern “that rogue Philippine National Police elements, in cahoots with corrupt officials of the Local Government Units and instigated by anti-worker employers, may invoke the war on drugs to camouflage the flagrant and deliberate crackdown on labor leaders and the Constitutional rights of workers.”

NAGKAISA told the President about the case of ALU-

TUCP labor leader Patricio Tago, who was arrested in Capas, Tarlac on what workers believe are trumped-up drug charges. He said workers feel that it is plain and simple union-busting and intimidation that needs top level government intervention.

He said the President immediately recognized the potential danger and directed the DOLE and appropriate officials to be forewarned to forestall, prevent any and all such eventualities from occurring.

During a media briefing in Davao last Sunday, Mendoza charged that some politicians and high government officials are involved in contractualization and they are suspected to be secretly sabotaging the commitment of the President to end the practice. AMA

retrieved from the Kaspersky Security Network and Botnet C&C Threat Feed.

The botnets data covered various malware families particularly those targeting financial organizations, spreading ransomware, launching distributed-denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, distributing spam, and enabling other criminal activities. Investigations into the C2 servers are currently ongoing.

Formed from the words “robot” and “network”, a botnet is a zombie network of thousands or millions of Internet-connected devices (such as PCs, smartphones, tablets, routers, smart toys, or other gadgets) that are

hacked and infected with a special malware so that these could be controlled by a cybercriminal to deliver cyberattacks.

The investigation also confirmed that nearly 270 websites were infected with a malware code which exploited a vulnerability in the website design application.

Among the victims of malware infection were several government websites which may have stored some personal data of its citizens.

Several phishing website operators were also discovered such as one with links to Nigeria. One cybercriminal based in Indonesia selling phishing kits via the Darknet

had been ascertained to have posted tutorial videos on YouTube showing customers how to use the illegal software.

IGCI Executive Director Noburo Nakatani stressed the importance of a highly effective and beneficial public-private partnership in the fight against cybercrime.

“Sharing intelligence was the basis of the success of this operation, and such cooperation is vital for long term effectiveness in managing cooperation networks for both future operations and dayto-day activity in combating cybercrime,” Nakatani said in a statement.

Anton Shingarev, Vice-President Public Affairs

of Kaspersky Lab stated, “Public-private sharing is a critical step in fighting cybercrime in the region. But for this operation, access to intelligence and technology has been as important as the experience of learning from each other throughout the process, resulting in better understanding and collaboration between private partners and law enforcement agencies. This makes the INTERPOL Global Complex for Innovations a unique platform that transforms intelligence sharing into meaningful and impactful actions against cybercriminals both at the regional and national levels.”

(ABP/PNA)

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12ENVIRONMENT EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 21 • TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2017

Tree planting can help offset carbon emissions Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

T

O help capture the carbon dioxide footprint of its coal power plant, the Therma South Inc. (TSI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corporation, continues to expand its Carbon Sink Management Program (CSMP).

A “carbon sink” can be likened to that of a garbage bin that serves as a receptacle for carbon dioxide. Among the greenhouse gases that trap the heat near the earth’s surface, carbon dioxide is the primary culprit.

The main feature of the CSMP is the planting and growing of trees so as to ensure that carbon dioxide footprint of the power plant can be captured, thus creating a sink or storage for carbon.

The TSI’s 300-megawatt circulating fluidized-bed coalfired plant is located in Davao City and Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur. Since 2013, a total of 315,686 seedlings have been planted in Marilog, Paquibato and areas surrounding the power plant. “For the past four years, we have planted and grown different fruit trees, indigenous trees, and fast-growing trees intended for reforestation and carbon sequestration,” explains Engr.

Valentin S. Saludes III, TSI plant manager.

Carbon sequestration describes long-term storage of carbon dioxide or other forms of carbon to either mitigate or defer climate change. Carbon dioxide, in the form of gas, can be sequestered out of the atmosphere through photosynthesis. The carbon dioxide is converted into sugar by the plant or emitted back to the air through perspiration.

Carbon stored in plant parts other than the stem wood or trunk are generally decomposable biomass which

Seedlings for reforestation eventually becomes a part of the soil organic matter of which the more stable component is the 50% soil organic carbon.

Among the trees planted, which are seen to effectively sequester carbon emissions, include falcata, mahogany, mangium, narra and yemane.

“These are grown along with other fruit-bearing and indigenous trees,” says Perpetuo Maningas, TSI forester.

Currently, CSMP is concentrating its efforts in reforesting the Marilog district, about 50 kilometers away from the heart of the city. Inhabited by the Matigsalug tribe, whose claim to their ancestral land spans some 40,000 hectares, the area used to be a haven for wildlife species as the area was covered with thick forest cover. Today, it is now barren and covered only with grasses.

“The environmental damage was brought about by massive logging in the 1970s,” said the CSMP primer. “Ironic especially since Marilog district is the main water catchment for several rivers that lead to the mighty Davao River.”

The Marilog district has

met all the necessary requirements for the project: vast land for reforestation, relatively accessible, within the area where the coal plant is located, and organized community.

For TSI, the project is about their corporate responsibility for the environment.

For the Matigsalug people, it means bringing their ancestral land to its former glory.

“We train, give financial support and assist the livelihood activities of the Matigsalug,” Maningas said.

“Through cooperation, we can achieve together the objective of restoring the forest cover of denuded ancestral land.”

Socorro Patindol, of the Aboitiz Power Coal Group, agrees. “The overall goal of the project is to establish a cost-effective, long lasting and significant strategy for carbon sequestration as mitigation to the emissions of the power plant,” she explained. “In addition, it is a way of promoting and achieving sustainability in forest protection and conservation in the community.”

It was Dr. James E. Hansen of the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration who first raised the problem of climate change. In 1988, he

told an American Senate hearing that the greenhouse effect “is changing our climate now.”

The greenhouse effect is a natural warming process. During the Climate Change Media Workshop three years ago in Davao City, Dr. Rosa T. Perez said that carbon dioxide and certain other gases are always present in the atmosphere. These gases create a warming effect that has some similarity to the warming inside a greenhouse, hence the name “greenhouse effect.”

Here’s what happens: “Visible sunlight passes through the atmosphere without being absorbed; some are back-scattered. Some of the sunlight striking the earth is absorbed and converted to heat, which warms the surface. The surface emits heat to the atmosphere, where some of it is absorbed by greenhouse gases and re-emitted toward the surface. Some of the heat is not trapped by greenhouse gases and escapes into space.”

Dr. Rosa, one of the scientists who contributed to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a United Nations body which became a co-recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, said that human activities that

Soon to be reforested

Author interviewed one of the CSMP beneficiaries. emit additional greenhouse gases to the atmosphere increase the amount of heat that gets absorbed before escaping to space, thus enhancing the greenhouse effect and amplifying the warming of the earth.

“Climate change is very simple,” noted Dr. Robert Watson, IPCC Chairman. “We are increasing emissions of greenhouse gases and thus their concentrations in the atmosphere are going up. As these concentrations increase, the temperature of the earth rises.”

The more greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the hotter it becomes. “Continued emission of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and long-lasting changes in all components of the climate system, increasing the likelihood of severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts for people and ecosystems,” contends the IPCC report.

One of these greenhouse gases that warmed up the

world’s climate is carbon dioxide. Dr. Perez says that the current carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere is about 40% more than pre-industrial levels. “We are emitting a lot of carbon dioxide faster than the Earth can absorb any excess,” she deplores.

As a result, the world is now underdoing several mindboggling natural hazards.

“We have been experiencing how climate change is exacerbating natural hazards.

The changing climate has been causing unprecedented heat levels resulting in severe drought or stronger episodes of El Niño. It is also causing stronger storms that bring storm surge, flooding, or landslide,” said Senator Loren Legarda in a press statement.

“For a nation that is visited by an average of 20 typhoons a year and experiences El Niño every 2-7 years, climate action should be a vital component of disaster risk reduction,” she added. “Climate change ad-

F ENVIRONMENT, 13

13

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 21 • TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2017

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

is in need of Lay-out Artist Qualifications: • Male / Female • Knowledgeable in Adobe Photoshop and Indesign application • Willing to work under pressure

Accounting Clerks (2) Qualifications: • BS Accountancy Graduate • Female • Can work with minimum supervision • Experience of at least one year

Account Executive Qualifications: • BS Marketing Graduate • Male/Female • With pleasing personality Send your application letter and resume to: Ella P. Tingzon HR/Admin Supervisor Edge Davao Review Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Bldg., E. Quirino Avenue, Davao City Or email at edgedavao@gmail.com or ella_tingzon@yahoo.com

ENVIRONMENT... FROM 12 aptation is one way to build disaster resilience and preventing further warming of the climate is one way to reduce disaster risks.”

But how can we help prevent further warming of the planet. In 1986, Gregg Marland of the US Department of Energy came up with a calculation for solving the greenhouse effect. In his calculation, he came up with this figure: worldwide, every man, woman, and child will have to plant yearly for ten years 100 trees each just to stop the build of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

This has been supported

by a recent study done by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The researchers found that about half of the carbon dioxide emitted by burning fossil fuels is absorbed by plants.

“Our analysis of thousands of air samples shows that planting trees and other plants could have a powerful effect in combating the buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere,” said Pieter P. Tans, co-author of the published study.

Plants absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen.

Most plants prefer carbon

dioxide that is rich in carbon isotope 12 (C12). Ocean water, on the other hand, will absorb C12 and C13 equally.

Earlier studies had suggested that most of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was absorbed by the oceans. “But our study shows clearly that there is a concentration of C13 high enough to suggest that plants play a role equal to the ocean in absorbing the atmospheric gas,” Tans said.

This simply means that by planting more trees, the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere can be curtailed.

On current ticket sales, by next week, Horn and Pacquiao will have topped the Australian record crowd in boxing of 38,000 who saw Azumah Nelson beat Jeff Fenech at Melbourne’s Princes Park in 1992.

Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum, who over the last 51 years has staged such monumental fights as the Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier heavyweight Thrilla in Manila in 1975, said in an interview that the Joshua-Klitschko fight on Sunday was a great contest that could only enhance the big battle at Suncorp.

Arum watched the fight in Brisbane with Horn and co-promoter Dean Lonergan,

whose company Duco Events is piloting their WBO heavyweight champ Joseph Parker into a Joshua fight.

The Mail reported that during Sunday’s lunch with Tourism Minister Kate Jones, whose government is sponsoring the Horn-Pacquiao fight, quoted the Top Rank promoter as saying: “Joshua-Klitschko was a tremendous advertisement for the big fight in Brisbane. It was one of the best heavyweight fights I’ve seen for years and showed everything that’s good about boxing, with two highly conditioned athletes giving their all just as Pacquiao and Horn will do on July 2.

Arum hopes Pacquiao-Horn will reach the same heights.

Pacquiao sad in the prefight conference last week in Brisbane that a huge Australian crowd supporting Horn on July 2 will only add to the excitement of the fight and that he has no problem boxing in enemy territory.

Pacquiao had beaten Aussie boxing star Anthony Mundine’s conqueror Joshua Clottey before 50,994 fans on an Arum promotion at Cowboys Stadium in Texas in 2010 and says he hopes even more people will turn out to see him stake his title against Brisbane’s Fighting School teacher.

FIGHT... FROM 16

14 MOTORING EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 21 • TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2017

Hyundai shifts to local assembly H

YUNDAI Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) celebrates the Filipino working by showing off the first batch of locally produced Eon sub-compact hatchbacks and H350 passenger vans.

Manufactured at HARI’s recently unveiled Hyundai Assembly Center (HAC) in the Laguna Technopark in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, it continues the brand’s strong momentum entering into the second quarter of 2017.

HARI President and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo opened the doors of this new venture to executives of Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) of South Korea, directors of the HARI board, and representatives from the company’s expansive dealer network.

Ms. Agudo said, “We take quality and excellence seriously at Hyundai. And it could not be more evident than in our operations at the Hyundai Assembly Center, where quality and excellence are a standard by which all workmanship is shaped.

This is how we are able to guarantee seamless methods, efficient service, and products of superior value—the very things that every Filipino deserves.”

As such, seamless pro-

P

duction and expert workmanship are the hallmarks of the HAC. Over a hundred technical experts manning cutting-edge equipment continually ensure that the locally assembled Eon and H350 conform to the highest global quality standards.

Coming from a robust growth last quarter, the opening of the HAC and subsequent shift of Eon and H350 production locally aims to sustain HARI’s momentum for the rest of 2017. It must be

EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF REAL ESTATE WITH SALE remembered that the Eon sub-compact hatchback is HARI’s most affordable

offering while the H350 represents the company’s new foray into Hyundai’s

versatile and functional commercial vehicle lineup.

Germany, as well as the Panamera and Macan model lines, which both saw double-digit growth.

In the first quarter of 2017, China was once again the strongest individual market. With a total of 18,126 vehicles delivered, the Chinese market exceeded last year’s result by 10 percent. In Europe, the company delivered 19,084 units (an increase of 7 percent).

An increase of 19 percent meant that a total of 7,160 vehicles were delivered to customers in Germany. In addition to the ongoing success of the 911, of which nearly 1,600 vehicles were delivered in Germany, the new Panamera that was introduced at the end of 2016 was responsible for this significant growth. Porsche has also continued its success story in the USA, delivering 12,718 vehicles (an increase of

4 percent).

The figures for the new Panamera are particularly pleasing, having exceeded last year’s result by 12 percent with a total of 3,630 units delivered. Deliveries of models in the 718 model line increased by 4 percent, totaling 6,060 vehicles. The Macan reinforced its position as the best-selling Porsche with 24,797 units delivered, representing an increase of 15 percent.

Porsche sets record sales

ORSCHE has made a strong start to 2017 with around 60,000 vehicles delivered to customers worldwide in the first quarter. This means the sports car manufacturer has exceeded the number of vehicles delivered in the same period in the previous year by around 7 percent and is reflecting on the best first quarter in its history. The drivers of growth were China and the company’s home market of

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late SEVERA ALONZO died on June 23, 2000 at El Rio Vista Village, Bacaca, Barangay 19-B, Davao City, Philippines has been the subject of an EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF REAL ESTATE WITH SALE executed among her heirs, per Doc. No.53; Page No.11; Book No. XXIX; Series of 2017, of the NOTARY PUBLIC BANSALAN B. METILLA.

EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF REAL ESTATE WITH SALE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late MAURO O. LOPEZ JR. died on February 10, 2017 at Brgy.

Baguio District, Davao city has been the subject of an EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE executed among her heirs, per Doc. No.331; Page No.67; Book No. 139; Series of 2017, of the NOTARY PUBLIC FATIMA IRENE T. ADIN. 4/25, 5/2,9

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 21 • TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2017

SPORTS15

Horn looking or a monumental upset O

N February 11, 1990, Buster Douglas, a 42-1 underdog, knocked out heavily favored Mike Tyson in the 10th round of their world heavyweight fight in Tokyo to crown himself the new champion.

Twenty six years earlier in 1964, Cassius Clay, (later became Muhammad Ali), an 8-1 underdog, KOed Sonny Liston in a monumental upset noted more for its historical significance than anything else.

Those were only two of shocking reversals, not only in the sport of sweet science but in other sports a well, that left fans thrilled and excited and will inspire and motivate the unheralded upstarts to hope to duplicate.

Australian no. 2 contender Jeff Horn is no exception.

The former schoolteacher, in fact, has been very vocal since his title encounter with titlist Manny Pacquiao was announced, to exploit the historical facts to the hilt and beat the Filipino World Boxing Organization welterweight titleholder in their July 2 date and

emerge the new 147-pound champ.

To accomplish his goal, the 16-0-1 win-loss-draw record holder with 11 KOs knows too well that he needs more than luck because his 22-year veteran opponent also own’s a piece of history in his 59-6-2 with 38 stoppage impressive resume making Pacquiao an overwhelming favorite.

Paquiao also has to overcome an underdog tag. On the way to becoming the only human to win 11 world titles in eight weight divisions, the twotime Philippine Congressman now Senator started his rise to international prominence by crowning himself the International Boxing Federation super-bantamweight titlist by stopping Lehlo Ledwaba in the sixth round while fighting as a substitute and, therefore, an underdog. That was in 2001.

The 2000 ‘Fighter of the Decade,’ was, likewise, at the losing end of the odds when he overwhelmed Marco Antonio Barrera for he Ring Magazine featherweight plum, Juan Manuel Marquez for the World

FACEOFF. Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao meets Jeff Horn in Brisbane for the fight announcement.

Boxing Council super-featherweight crown and David Diaz for the WBC lightweight diadem.

Ditto when he fought his first 147-pound bout against Olympian and legendary Mexican-American Oscar DeLa Hoya who was heavily favored when they met on December 8, 2008 only to quit and retire unable to answer the bell signaling the start of the 8th of the 12-round classic.

Having been a victim him-

self of upset losses, Pacquiao, also popularly known as “Pacman,” the “Pacific Storm” and “Mexicutioner,” among others, said he’s aware of those chances happening in his coming fight.

“Na-realize ko na ‘yan noon pang pumayag ako na labanan si Jeff Horn,” Pacquiao said. “Oo nga’t marami akong tinalo bilang underdog, may mga laban din naman ako na natalo as a favourite.”

The three-time WBO wel-

trerweight belt owner was referring to hs first defeat in a young career in 1998, a KO at that, dealt him by Rustico Torrecampo and, three years later,

by Thai Medgoen Lukchaopormasak that cost him the WBC flyweight title he won earlier from another, Thai Chatsai Sasakul.

“Those twin losses hurt, especially yung kay Medgoen kasi world champion na ako.

But those defeats, at the same time, taught me lessons,” he

HE “SEABA 12” of Gilas finally made its grand debut on Sunday night.

And the team showed heart in the end.

The national team to the SEABA Men’s Championship bucked a sluggish start to beat the Visayas All-Stars, 125-112, in the final game of the PBA AllStar Week at the Hoops Dome

in Lapu-Lapu.

Appearing to be still groping in form early on, Gilas found itself down by 15, 15-30, late in the first quarter.

Gilas slowly recovered and finally took the lead, 65-64, in the third quarter.

The Visayas All-Stars quickly regained control and were up by 10 again, 92-82,

later in the third.

Gilas reclaimed the lead for good after launching an 11-0 run that spanned through the fourth quarter and stretched it to as high as 18 later in the frame to seal the deal.

Calvin Abueva and Terrence Romeo took over for Gilas off the bench, combining for 51 points in a game where

reminisced. “After that, pinangako ko na di na ako dapat matalo, especially sa isang baguhan.”

The Filipino ring great suffered three more setbacks later in his career – to Erik Morales in 2005, Tim Bradley and Marquez, both in 2012. He more than avenged his loss to Morales by knocking him out twice. Same with Bradley, who he outpointed two times later.

That loss to Marquez, via KO, merely brought their four-fight record to 2-1-1 win-loss-draw in his favour.

“Sabi ninyo sa media, I am already in the twilight of my career. Tanggap ko yun. Kaya nga hindi ako dapat matalo sa labang ito,” he stressed. “Paghaahandaan ko ang labang ito nang higit sa paghahandang ginawa ko sa mga nakaraang laban ko.”

“I ony have a few more fights left in my career at gaya nang dati, wala akong maipangangako kundi ang gagawin ko ang lahat para pasayahin ang fans. Kaya hindi ako papayag na matalo ako dito sa labang ito a sa mga darating pa.

Thomas powers Celtics to SEABA 12 shows off grit, topples PBA All-Stars Game 1 win over Wizards T

N

OTHING it seems can stop Isaiah Thomas this postseason - be it pains big or small.

The All-Star led the Celtics to a first-round win over Chicago in a haze after learning the day before that series began that his younger sister, Chyna Thomas, had died in a car accident outside of his native Tacoma, Washington.

That pain persisted on the eve of Boston’s second-round pairing with the Washington Wizards, when he flew cross-country to attend her funeral.

Then Sunday’s game brought the latest dose of adversity, when he had one of his front teeth d i s lodged after a n

early game collision. But as he’s done all postseason, he continued to find a way to push through it.

Thomas had 33 points and nine assists, and the Celtics made 19 3-pointers to beat the Wizards 123-111 and take a 1-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup. ‘’I got in at 4 a.m.,’’ Thomas said of his second flight to Washington in two weeks. ‘’It’s tough, but it’s the playoffs so there are no excuses. I decided to play and I just tried to give it all for my team.’’

The Celtics star flew to the funeral with Boston president of basketball operations Danny Ainge and assistant coach Jerome Allen.

Matt Wright, who as crowned back-to-back MVP’s in the previous legs, was limited to only four points.

LA Tenorio, a late call-up for the Visayas All-Stars with Romeo, who was initially part of the lineup, being summoned to Gilas’ “SEABA 12”, led them with 19 markers. (Ivan Saldajeno/PNA)

SEABA 12. Terrence Romeo of the Pilipinas Gilas SEABA 12 squad goes up against Chris Ross of the PBA INTENSE. Calvin Abueva of the Gilas SEABA 12 side pulls one up against Arwind Santos of the PBA Visayas All Stars.

Visayas All-Stars.

UNSTOPPABLE. Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas was simply unstoppable in Game 1 against the Wizards.

A

Paras leaves Creighton

FTER only one year, Kobe Paras is leaving Creighton.

Paras announced on Sunday (Philippine Time) his intent to transfer to another US NCAA school.

“You welcomed me into your world, into your thoughts & made me a better person.

This is goodbye. Thank you coaches & Creighton Bluejay fans!” the six-foot-six high-flying wingman said via Twitter.

The announcement capped a whirlwind freshman season for the son of PBA legend Benjie Paras.

Once a highly touted prospect following showcasing

his hops in the FIBA U18 3x3 Championship and strutting his wares at Middlebrooks Academy, the former La Salle-Greenhills and Batang Gilas star made a commitment to play for UCLA. However, reported academic issues forced him to transfer to Creighton just be-

fore the start of the season.

The younger Paras only played in 15 games for the Bluejay, averaging only 1.3 points and 1.0 rebound in less than five minutes of play per night.

Paras has yet to announce where he will transfer. (Ivan Saldajeno/PNA)

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 10 ISSUE 21 • TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2017

FIGHT EXCITEMENT

Pacquiao-Horn fight could break Aussie record, tickets selling fast

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

P

njb@edgedavao.net

ERTH, AUSTRALIA -- Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao’s fans here are bursting in pride after the fighting Senator appeared on an Australian sports talk show and gamely exchanged with the show’s hosts.

James Brayshow, Craig Hutchison, Sam Newman, and Rebecca Maddern.

“He’s amazing, downright honest and humble despite his stature,” said one Filipina nurse who works in Fremantle in West Australia.

A handful of Filipinos were also in the gallery to cheer Pacquiao on waving a giant Philippine flag.

Indeed, this surge of excitement among Filipinos across Australia is fanned by the forthcoming Pacquiao fight against undefeated Brisbane school teacher and former Olympian Jeff Horn on July 2 in Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

Many Filipinos have already started booking tickets since the ticket windows opened for the fight. A general admission ticket could fetch from $64 (Php 2,432) to $278 (Php10,564).

As of Monday, May 1, the Boxes and the Suites tickets are already sold out.

The Suncorp Stadium could seat 52,000 people.

The Courier Mail reported on Monday that the Horn-Pacquiao fight is likely to draw the world’s biggest fight crowd for the rest of 2017.

After Sunday’s thrilling victory by Anthony Joshua over Wladimir Klitschko which drew 90,000 people for their world heavyweight title fight at Wembley Stadium in London, promoters of the World Boxing Organization welterweight title fight at Suncorp Stadium are contemplating extra seating to supplement the expected full house of 55,000.

This early, the Horn-Pacquiao is predicted to draw not just the biggest crowd ever for a fight in Australia but the biggest crowd for any sporting event in Queensland.

The record stands at 58,912 at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre, in Nathan, for the 1 9 9 7 Super League grand

final in which Steve Renouf gave a man of the match performance as the Broncos ran over the Sharks.

F FIGHT, 13