Edge Davao 10 Issue 34

VOL. 10 ISSUE 34 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 19 - 20, 2017

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JACKING UP Assessor proposes 60 to 70% increase in land prices EDGEDAVAO

By JECIA ANNE OPIANA

Serving a seamless society

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S part of the proposal amending the local revenue code of the city, the City Assessor’s Office has proposed an increase of 60 to 70 per cent in the selling price of lands in Davao.

Engr. Jaime Adalin, Officer-in-charge of the City Assessor’s Office said that the increase was based on the gathered deeds of sale from the Registry of Deeds.

“The market value of lands according to the existing revenue code is not reflective of the current market value so we proposed for the amendments,” he told reporters on Thursday.

With the increase of the market value, the city assessor’s office have also proposed for the change of assessment value of residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial lands. For the residential, from 10 per cent, he proposed 5 per cent; for the commercial, from 25 to 12 per cent; for the agricultural, from 15 to 7 per cent; and for the industrial, from 25 to 33 per cent.

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RISKY RIDING. A young boy is being held by his mother while riding a motorcycle in Panabo City on Thursday. Republic Act 10666 or the Children’s Safety on Motorcycles Act which prohibits small children from riding motorcycles along national roads and highways nationwide takes effect starting today. Lean Daval Jr.

Farmers redeem LFC-held lands F

OR the peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, the peaceful and successful installation of the members of Madaum

Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries to their lands at Lapanday Plantation in Tagum City, Davao del Norte on Thursday morning, May 18, was an

assertion of social justice.

In a press statement on Thursday, KMP secretary general Antonio Flores pointed out that “farmers should

have the control over the lands without any intervention and retaliation from Lapanday and its armed security.” F FARMERS, 10

EDGEDAVAO Sports

900 eyed in Children’s Games No problem so far for Gilas

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 34 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 19 - 20, 2017

TAKING OFF. Damosa Land, Inc. (DLI) vice president Ricardo ‘Cary’ Lagdameo (leftmost) and urban planner Karima Patricia Palafox of Palafox Associates (2nd from left), together with Anflocor Group of Companies chair Anthony Sasin (3rd from right), senior vice president Ricardo Floirendo (rightmost), Davao del Norte Vice Governor Alan Dujali (3rd

Another infantry battalion to help secure Davao City

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NOTHER infantry battalion has been deployed to Davao City to help secure the locality from insurgency threat.

10th Infantry Division head Major Gen. Rafael Valencia said the 16th Infantry Battalion was pulled out from Sulu to help the 3rd Infantry Battalion in securing Davao City.

These military units will be under the 1003rd Infantry Brigade, he added.

A typical Philippine battalion consists of around 300 to 500 officers and enlisted personnel.

Valencia said the 16th Infantry Battalion arrived in Davao City last week and now undergoing acclimatization and familiarization rounds

aside from cultural sensitivity training.

“We also invited tribal leaders (from the various Indigenous People groups) so they can be familiar with their customs and traditions,” he added.

Valencia said there is a need for another battalion to secure Davao City due to its huge size and large population.

Making this more pressing is the fact that Davao City is constantly expanding with new subdivisions and industrial plants which needs more units for security.

“We need to address the (security) gaps by bringing in an additional unit,” the 10th Infantry Division chief said.

(PNA)

Battle-tested army execs reaping results vs. ASG

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HE deployment of battle-tested commanders in the government’s ongoing campaign against the Abu Sayyaf Group terrorists is certainly reaping good results as the lawless elements are now being forced away from their traditional hunting grounds.

This was stressed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo

Wednesday when asked what other factors have so far contributed to the ASG decline in Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.

He cited the case of Joint Task Force Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, military units engaged in the campaign against the ASG, who are now being commanded by battle-hardened commanders in the guise of Brig.

Gens. Cirilito Sobejana and Custodio Parcon, respectively.

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from left), Panabo City Mayor James Gamao (4th from left) and Vice Mayor Janrey G. Gavina, lead the lowering of time capsule during Agriya groundbreaking ceremony in Panabo City on Thursday. Agriya is a mixed-use development masterplan project of home-grown developer DLI. Lean Daval Jr.

NYU experts to study Davao open spaces

By JECIA ANNE OPIANA

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ESEARCHERS from New York University Urban Expansion Program will conduct a new method on studying public parks and green spaces in Davao City that will help in the future developments of the city.

Davao City is representing Asia in the study, along with 200 other cities to help the United Nations measure the urban component of the Sustainable Development Goals Patrick Lamson-Hall, head of the NYU research team, said the study aims to produce digital maps of all public parks and open spaces in the city and assess the qual-

ity of these places and their usability for different sectors.

“Davao City is a rapid-growing city and it’s a city that has potential for public open spaces. In our assessment of Davao, we have looked at existing public open spaces and we intend to complement that with a survey on the ground that will let us know not just the area in hectares of the public open space but also the kinds of amenities that they have, how well these amenities are well-maintained, what kinds of accessibilities and uses they are being put to. This will allow us to say something about the public open spaces that Davao

has today and we would also know that as a rapid growing city, Davao will know what how to prepare for the future, what kind of public spaces Davao will need.”

Hall also said this study is critical in the preservation of environment, for promotion of human health and promote environmental infrastructure functions.

According to Interface Development Interventions Acting Director Chinkie PeliñoGolle this research will help in making Davao City a green and livable city.

“We have campaigned hard for the retention of 10 per cent green space requirement

for every hectare of land development in the city. We are pleased that Davao City has gained international attention and was chosen to represent the country and Asia as a pilot for the assessment of our open spaces,” Golle said during the Ispeak Conference on Thursday.

She also added that IDIS is hoping that the results of the study will help as a guide for Davao City in achieving its targets of 500 square meters of public spaces per 1,000 population by 2021 according to the city’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan.

The research team head-

The three offices referred to are the Commission on Audit, the Department of Justice and the Office of the Solicitor General.

‘While we maintain the deal with BuCor is a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) and the contract legally negotiated, we take care not to muddle the issues as we only want to present arguments that are accurate, rational, and valid,”

Valoria said.

Reacting to the comment of Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez that Tadeco is the only one claiming that the JVA is above board, the company executive retorted, saying “we base our arguments on the approvals of the government authorities at the time the JVA was executed and the applicable laws and jurisprudence of the Philippines. This is a consensual

arrangement which has stood the test of time. We involve ourselves only in honest business dealings, not in bogus claims.”

Moreover, he clarified, it is not the mission of our organization that is recognized for its best practices to muddle in propaganda issues as “it is contrary to our corporate values to malign and mislead, or argue issues without legal basis.”

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Tadeco debunks‘coercion’claim of House leadership

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LEX Valoria, president and chief executive officer of Tagum Agricultural Development Company, Inc. (Tadeco) has taken exception to claims that the company has been suggesting that the House leadership has coerced three government agencies which declared illegal the joint venture agreement (JVA) between Tadeco and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

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TOUCHING BASE. Vice President Leni Robredo arrives at the Mati City Airport in Davao Oriental to attend the reunion of the Gerona Clan in the town of San Isidro yesterday. ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

drug pushers Dureza boosts Mindanao 5fallsuspected in North Cotabato raid youth’s role in peace building J

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Says peace is a work of a lifetime

RESIDENTIAL Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza on Thursday highlighted relationship-building as part of the youth’s role in doing peace work as he urged them to determine ways in which they can contribute to peace in their own localities. during the Youth Peace Table Training in Davao City.

“What we are doing right now is actually not only for the present generation, but it is more importantly for your generation. Don’t wait for us to finish the peace negotiations.

Instead, you do it yourselves and you should even take the lead as peace is a work of a lifetime,” Dureza said during the Youth Peace Table Training in

Davao City, a press statement from the Secretary’s office said Thursday.

The peace secretary underscored the importance of social cohesion for peace and development to be sustained and locally owned by their communities as a counter measure for the violent extremism that is gaining popularity in the young sector.

“These are things that are practically happening now and these are things that you have also to know in looking at the whole spectrum of peace work. Look at your own locality and find out what triggers conflict there and you’ll have to address it there from then,” he pointed out.

To recall, the paradigm of

the Duterte administration does simultaneous peace and development efforts in order for peace dividends to be felt, thus addressing the need of the bigger peace table – the Filipino people.

“You’ll have therefore to slowly find out how you can bridge that so-called ideological divide. It takes time.

It takes a lot of goodwill and takes a lot of building of trust.

Thus, these are points that probably the young people who are still going to be doing this work in the ground should always keep in mind and remember, ” Dureza explained.

Dubbed as the “Kilos Kabataan Para sa Kapayapaan,” the three-day workshop provides an avenue for the young

delegates to contribute their own inputs, knowledge and expertise on grassroots peace work, as well as capacitating individuals with the culture of peace and engaging them to draft an action plan.

Present in the training are the youth leaders and representatives from various schools and organizations namely the Youth for Peace Network, United Voices for Peace Network, Batang Transformers, Young Educators Convergence of SOCSKARGEN, Zabida-Nagdilab of Basilan, Youth Solidarity for Peace, Supreme Student Council, United Youth Acton Group of Maguindanao, Junior Chamber International, Ateneo de Davao Uni-

OVERNMENT troopers belonging to 60th Infantry Battalion encountered at least 40 New People’s Army rebels at around 4:15 a.m. on Wednesday, May 17 in Barangay Malinao, Laak town in Compostela Valley.

In a press statement on Thursday, 1LT Irene F. Rivera, acting civil military operations officer of 60th IB said their troopers were on security patrol when they encountered the NPA rebels belonging to Guerrilla Front 34 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee under the command of a certain Iros/Mitsel.

“The Platoon Howitzer, Charlie Battery, 2nd Field Artillery Battery (2FAB) provided indirect fire support to the engaged troopers. No soldier was hurt during the encounter,” Rivera said.

She added that based on visual evidence, several numbers of NPA rebels were wounded during the clash and were carried away by their fleeing comrades.

Checkpoints were also established by authorities in various access points in Laak to deter enemy evasion, Rivera stressed.

She also reported that the local government unit of Laak, through Mayor Anto-

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OINT operatives of the North Cotabato Police Provincial Office, Matalam police station and the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion nabbed here five suspected drug pushers in a “One time, Big time” operation before dawn Thursday.

Chief Inspector Sunny Leoncito, Matalam police chief, said the operating team, armed with search warrants, swooped down on seven houses in a secluded portion of Barangay Kilada and arrested the suspects at around 5 a.m.

Arrested were Nelie Galvez and Ralph Sosmena, both from Purok Rosal, and Mastura Silongan, Jessie Toranio and Kasanudin Colin, all residents of Barangay Poblacion.

Three other persons who are also allegedly engaged in illegal drugs and the subject of search warrants managed to evade the raiding team.

Leoncito identified them as Che-Che Aquino, Tata San-

tillan and Pokwang Toranio.

The police recovered 20 sachets of suspected shabu and an unlicensed cal. 38 revolver from the arrested suspects.

Leoncito said all the arrested suspects and those who managed to flee were all drug personalities who voluntarily showed up last year before the police office and vowed to reform.

“They surrender to us last year but ignored their commitment to stop using illegal drugs,” Leoncito said, adding “it was the reason why we applied for search warrants.”

According to Leoncito, the operation was a result of the cooperation of the community with the police in preventing illegal drugs in the locality.

He said the suspects belonged to a cell under a big time drug syndicate operating in North Cotabato and Maguindanao.

nio Libuangan already activated the Incident Command Post under the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.

With the activation of ICP, all municipal assets in Laak were already in place to respond for any eventuality, Rivera said.

“Different departments of the municipal government, concerned line agencies, including the civil-military operations unit of 60th IB were already alerted and ready to deliver immediate assistance to the families affected by hostilities,” she added.

In the same press statement, 60th IB commander

Lt. Col. Emmanuel A. Canilla ensured the people of Laak that the government troopers will strictly follow standard operating procedures, act only on legal orders, and put primacy on respecting human rights especially of unarmed civilians and even of captured and surrendering enemies.

Pursuit and clearing operations are still on-going in the area, he added.

“We will also act on the report by civilians that the NPAs were conducting extortion activities and threatening the residents of Barangay Malinao,” Canilla said. ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

New project seeks to help Army troopers, NPA rebels clash anew in Laak village in boosting RP resilience G

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APANESE and Filipino experts will collaborate on improving forecast of thunderstorms and rainfall these weather systems can bring to the country.

Such collaboration aims providing people even better information on such occurrences and flooding these may cause, particularly in urban areas, so they can prepare accordingly, noted Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato de la Pena.

“The Philippines is beset

by extreme weather conditions so DOST is prioritizing activities addressing this situation,” he said, highlighting need to enhance the country’s resilience.

He noted such move is in line with Malacanang’s order for DOST to come up with better systems of predicting flooding.

Experts concerned will undertake the collaboration through the five-year project called Development of Extreme Weather Monitor-

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DTI-12 bats for opening of more‘Negosyo’Centers

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HE Department of Trade and Industry in Region 12 is pushing for the opening in the coming months of more “Negosyo” Centers in parts of the region.

Ethel Laksmi Gumana, DTI-12’s Negosyo Center coordinator, said Thursday negotiations are underway with various local government units in the region for the establishment of additional Negosyo Centers.

She said the agency has so far opened 28 centers within the region’s four provinces and five cities.

Last week, DTI-12 opened the region’s 28th Negosyo Center in Tulunan town in North Cotabato.

As directed by their central office, she said they are working on operating ful-

ly-functional Negosyo Centers in each of the region’s 50 municipalities and cities.

Also known as Soccsksargen, Region 12 comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato, and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

“This is part of our continuing efforts to provide better services to our micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and bring government services closer to the people,” she said.

The DTI started the establishment of Negosyo Centers in 2015 as provided for in Republic Act 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act. The Negosyo Centers are

“partly as a result of this Administration’s ‘Dutertenomics’ strategy to stimulate economic activity and achieve financial inclusion for all Filipinos in the long haul via an aggressive expenditure program on infrastructure, human capital formation and social protection.”

“We hope our legislators could help Malacañang sustain the growth momentum this year and onwards by acting soon enough on the first package of the CTRP (Comprehensive Tax Reform Program) that is now pend-

ing in the Congress, as it will help guarantee a steady revenue stream for the Duterte administration’s high—and inclusive—growth agenda,” said Dominguez after NEDA Director-General Ernesto Pernia reported on Thursday that the GDP grew 6.4 percent in the first quarter.

The House of Representatives is set to start plenary deliberations next week on the substitute bill covering CTRP’s first package, to which the chamber’s Committee on Ways and Means gave its final

approval last May 15, with the House leadership eyeing its passage--and referral to the Senate--before the Congress goes on its sine die adjournment in June.

Dominguez said that, “Solid macroeconomic fundamentals plus strong domestic consumption and investment sentiment have enabled, and will continue to enable, our country to sustain its pace as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies on the Duterte watch despite the ever-changing global market conditions.”

come and consumption,” Chua said Thursday at a tax forum in Pasay City.

The DOF and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) held the Luzon-wide Open Government Dialogues, which focused on the first package of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP), at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

Some 100 representatives of civil society groups and government agencies based in Luzon attended the forum.

Removing several exemptions to the VAT as provided under the National Internal Revenue Code and special laws is among the provisions of House Bill 4774 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act filed by Quirino Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua. The VAT exemptions that account for the biggest annual losses for the government include the cooperatives, hous-

ing, special economic zones, among others.

But to protect the poor and other vulnerable sectors, Chua said that HB 4774 will retain the VAT exemptions for seniors and persons with disabilities, and for raw food purchases as well as health and education expenses. In addition, all purchases from stores with sales below P3 million are also exempted. This basically exempts most purchases of the poor.

HB 4774 is the DOF-endorsed version of Package One of the Duterte administration’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP).

Besides lowering personal income tax rates and broadening the VAT base, the bill contains provisions adjusting the excise tax rates for fuel and automobiles, among other measures.

The House ways and means committee chaired

by Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua ap-

proved last May 15 the final substitute bill that consolidated HB 4774 with 54 other similar tax reform proposals.

The final version of the substitute bill contains moderate modifications to the original measure and earmarking provisions for the additional revenues to be collected from the fuel excise tax adjustments.

Chua noted that although the Philippines’ VAT rate is the highest in the ASEAN region at 12 percent, the country’s efficiency and revenue collection is far lower than those of other Southeast Asian economies with our collections only equivalent to an average of 4.2 percent of GDP. “In contrast, Thailand’s VAT rate is a lower 7 percent, but its efficiency and revenue collection is also equivalent to about 4.2 percent of its GDP because its VAT exemptions are limited to only 35 items,” Chua said.

A hawker braves the scorching heat as he peddles native handwoven mat around different subdivisions in Sasa, Davao City on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr.

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PH-EU engagement PH on track set to meet should continue: DTI 2017 GDP growth target D F ESPITE the Philippine government’s plans to stop receiving aid from the European Union, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the engagement between the two parties should continue, particularly in boosting trade.

Lopez told the Philippine News Agency in a text message Thursday that the department does not want the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) to be affected, as it helps market access to the EU and provides the bloc cheaper products from the country while benefiting European businesses here exporting back to the EU. “We don’t want the current GSP to be affected,” he said noting that the GSP+ is a “commercial transaction that can mutually benefit both sides”.

“GSP provides market

access to our exporters but it allows cheaper Philippine products for EU consumers or cheaper inputs for their manufacturers,” the trade chief added.

In December 2014, 6,274 products from the Philippines was allowed to enter the EU duty-free through the GSP+.

The country’s exports to EU in 2016 reached 1.7 billion euros, increasing by 10 percent from 2015’s 1.55 billion worth of exports.

Utilization of GSP+ also improved to 71 percent from last year’s rate of about 67 percent.

“EU investors in the country that exports back to EU also benefit from the GSP. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement,” Lopez said.

“EU should continue to engage the country,” the official added. (PNA)

POEA to recruitment agencies: Abide by rules on capital hike

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HE Philippine Overseas Employment Administration has reminded all licensed recruitment and manning agencies to increase their paid-up capital in compliance with the agency’s revised rules on the matter.

With this, the agency said that land-based agencies have until May 31 to comply with the order while the deadline for sea-based agencies is on September 28.

Under the POEA’s revised rules of 2016, licensed agencies are required to raise their capitalization or paid up capital to PHP5 million in a span of four years. The new rules provide an option for a minimum annual increase of PHP750,000.

Section 2 Rule I Part II of the POEA Revised Rules and Regulations Governing the Recruitment and Employment of OFWs states: “Those with existing licenses, shall, within four (4) years from effectivity thereof, increase their capitalization or paid up capital, as the case may be, to Five Million Pesos (PHP5,000,000.00) at the rate of Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (PHP750,000.00) every year.”

The agency also warned that non-compliant agencies will be slapped with suspension of licenses, as provided under the rules.

As proof of compliance, the POEA requires corporate

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INANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has voiced optimism that the Philippines will remain on track to meet its full-year growth target of 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent, after the National and Economic and Development Authority reported on Thursday a first-quarter Gross Domestic Product of 6.4 percent.

“GDP expansion in the year’s first three months illustrates that growth remains steady and could gain momentum for the rest of the year,” said Dominguez,

Gov’t losing P91B yearly from VAT exemptions

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HE Philippines’ antiquated tax code, which contains 59 lines of exemptions from the Value-Added Tax and 84 special VAT-related laws, have led to massive revenue leakages costing the government an estimated P90.7 billion each year, according to the Department of Finance.

Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua said overhauling the country’s outdated tax system by broadening the VAT base through the removal of many of these multiple exemptions will hit affluent or well-connected sectors that are the primary beneficiaries of such tax privileges.

“In general, most consumption of the poor, such as raw food and purchases from small stores, is exempt, from VAT already. Broadening the VAT base will make the rich pay more because the VAT, which is a consumption tax is proportional to one’s in-

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DOF agrees to implement attrition law to collect taxes

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FILLED TO THE RAFTERS. A public utility vehicle is overflowing with passengers and merchandise while traversing along the national highway in Panabo City on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr.

NFA okays rice importation by private sector companies I

N view of the approval by the National Food Authority council of a government to private (G2P) scheme importation of rice, the Council on Wednesday has ordered the NFA management to allow the entry of the remaining volume of rice under an earlier private sector-led importation to ensure enough buffer stocks ahead of the lean season.

“The Council believes that we should let the private sector do the importation of rice instead of NFA. They know the market forces way better than NFA,” said NFA Council Chair Leoncio Evasco in a statement.

Under the law, Evasco said, the NFA is mandated to insure adequacy of supply and stability of commercial prices at levels within the reach of low income families.

“The NFA therefore is not required to directly partici-

pate in the market,” he noted.

As such, the Council has ordered the NFA management to sign the remaining import permits covering 54,000 metric tons (MT) from the 2016 minimum access volume (MAV) that are already in domestic ports, and publish the extension until June for the remaining 20,000 MT to augment the industry stocks.

The NFA Council also directed the NFA management to amend the MAV Guidelines to require participating traders to import 25 percent brokens rice from their 25-30 percent quota. This will insure adequacy of supply and stability of consumer prices at levels within the reach of low-income families.

“Private importers in practice usually import 5-15 percent brokens rice or the so-called premium rice which goes to commercial stocks.

However, this time, the Council will require private importers to allocate around 2530 percent of their quota to import 25 percent brokens of rice. This move is to guarantee availability of affordable rice in the local market. This policy shift is also more consistent with (President Rodrigo) Duterte’s pro poor policy,” said Evasco.

“The NFA should stop its commercial functions and just focus on being a regulatory agency. NFA is corrupt prone because of the conflict of interest for having both proprietary and regulatory functions. The legislature should act fast to amend the NFA charter and AFTA law to finally end the monopoly on rice importation of NFA and perhaps streamline its functions,” he said.

The NFA Council has earlier approved the importation of 805,000 MT MAV of rice

this year.

MAV refers to the volume of commodities that is allowed to be imported by a member country, as a commitment to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The 2017 MAV is the last of its kind before the lifting of the quantitative restriction on rice by June 30, 2017.

Meanwhile, Evasco allayed fears of an impending rice shortage following the announcement of several importation schemes ahead of the lean months (July to September).

“There is actually no (rice) shortage. But the lean months is fast approaching hence we need to prepare,” he said.

“Importation of rice is all about timing. Let us not speculate on having a shortage. An alarmist stance will only trigger the world market price to spike up,” he noted. (Lilybeth G. Ison/PNA)

able goods within 24 hours, and for all other goods within 48 hours from the time of the issuance of the alert order.

According to Edward Dy Buco, deputy commissioner for Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group (AOCG), and Neil Estrella, director of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), the SIT is composed of officials and representatives from the

CIIS, AOCG, Office of the District Collector, Special Studies and Project Development Committee, Port Operations Service and the Command Center.

The team will operate under the AOCG. Also, SIT Coordinating Centers will serve as coordinating offices for all alerted and lifted shipments due to undervaluation, thereby shortening the inspection process.

The centers are situated in the Port of Manila and the Manila International Container Port to coordinate with arrastre operators.

On the other hand, the BOC is seeking the support of stakeholders, International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) and Asian Terminals, Inc. in improving trade facilitation and port operations in the country. (PNA)

BOC to speed up inspection of undervalued shipments

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HE Bureau of Customs has formed a group tasked to fast track inspection of all shipments alerted based on undervaluation.

In a statement, the BOC said the Special Inspection Team (SIT), was created through Customs Special Order No. 36-2017 signed

by Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon that will conduct examination and submit reports for perish-

O complement the comprehensive tax reform package (CTRP), the Department of Finance has agreed to fully implement the Lateral Attrition Law to improve collection efficiency of revenue-generating agencies, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said.

Alvarez, who once had reservations on contentious provisions in the bill, expressed full support to the passage of the CTRP. Alvarez said he had reached an agreement with the DOF to push for the full implementation of Republic Act 9335, or the lateral attrition law, to address the tax administration inefficiencies of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs.

“With respect to the collections ng Customs at saka ng BIR, meron na kaming understanding with the Dept. of Finance na we will truly implement yung Attrition Law,” Alvarez said in a press briefing after an all-party caucus on Wednesday.

RA 9335 provides penalties and rewards against officials of the BIR and BOC. Revenue officials who fall short of their collection targets by at least 7.5 percent would be dismissed from service while those who go beyond expectations would be

given incentives, which may include cash.

According to Alvarez, once the DOF has established its revenue collection target for the year, the department would not be allowed to adjust it.

“At saka hindi sila pwedeng magbago ng target -- once in-establish na yung target collections for the year hindi na pwedeng mag-adjust.

So yung in-establish na target for that year yun na yung magiging basis ngayon doon sa pag-apply natin nung Attrition Law,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez said his concern over the adverse effects of high excise tax on petroleum products has been addressed in the latest configuration of the CTRP. House ways and means committee vice chairman, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, said that the increased fuel tax actually targets the rich or top 1 percent of the population whose oil use is equal to the consumption of the lowest 50 percent of Filipinos.

Salceda explained that the effects of the increased fuel tax to the poorer sector of the population will be mitigated through a direct transfer program within a three-year implementation of the staggered increase of excise tax on petroleum products. (PNA)

Duterte okays decision to reject some EU grants

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ALACAÑANG on Thursday said that President Rodrigo Duterte approved the decision not to accept grants from the European Union but clarified that the policy pertains only to new grants that imposes conditions affecting Philippine autonomy.

“The President has approved the recommendation of the Department of Finance (DOF) not to accept grants -and this is not necessarily humanitarian aid -- from the EU that may allow it to interfere with the internal policies of the Philippines,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said during a Palace briefing.

Without giving the specifics, the Palace official said the move was precipitated by a grant proposal from EU that carries a provision that is unacceptable to the government.

“A particular grant was proposed that had a particular item that we find objectionable… something that we do not totally agree with,” Abella said.

However, Abella clarified that existing grants from EU will continue.

This was confirmed by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez.

“We did not cancel any existing EU grants. PRRD ap-

proved the recommendation not to accept the EU’s offer of a grant of about USD 280 million which would involve review of our adherence to the rule of law. That specific grant, that is considered interference in our internal affairs,” Dominguez said in a statement sent to media.

Earlier, EU Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen said the country stands to lose around 250 million euros (USD 278.73 million) in new grants because of the decision.

In the meantime, Abella raised the possibility that the policy would not be limited to the EU alone as the Philippines has the prerogative to accept or decline any foreign aid or loan.

“The Philippines reserves the right to accept loans and grants that help attain its objectives of promoting economic development inclusiveness and reducing poverty, attaining peace within its borders and with its neighbors, and fostering a law-abiding society,” he said.

“It also reserves the right to respectfully decline offers that do not achieve these goals and offers that allow foreigners to interfere with the conduct of its internal affairs,” Abella said. (PNA)

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Water service interruptions in some city parts May 22-23

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AVAO City Water District advises of two separate sets of water service interruption.

First set will be from 8:00 PM of May 22, 2017 until 3:00 AM of May 23, 2017 affecting all areas served by the Panacan Water Supply System, specifically Vicente Pichon Subd., Mahayahay Settlers, Airview Heights, Suha Vill., Mercedes Vill., San Lorenzo Ruiz Vill., BAT Compound, Cabayugan, Nelia Ville Subd., Landmark Vill. II, Doña Socorro Vill., Bayview Vill., Doña Caridad Subd., De Guzman Vill., Delbros Vill., PMPC Vill., San Miguel Vill., EMMA Vill., Sunrise Vill., Celedonia Vill., Don Ramon Vill., Benjamin Hills, Veterans Vill., St. Michael Vill., Pizarro Vill., Doña Mercedes Vill., Malupiha Homeowners Association, Doña Consuelo Vill., Luzville Subd., Sarmiento Subd., Bugac-Ilang, Amparo Vill., Upper Manggahan, Manggahan Vill., Cal Vill., Pena Vill., Vicente Gloria Compound, SAPAHA, Emiville Homes Subd., Panacan Relocation, Brgy. Panacan, Ilang, Bunawan, Mahayag, Tibungco and Lasang, Tibungco Public Market, Tambongon, Sto. Nino Awad, Sto. Nino Hudson, Sagrada, St. John, San Jose Village, San Juan, San Antonio Village, RUC XI Panacan, Camp Panacan, Purok Bangoy, Inabangga, Muslim Vill., Central Ilang, Panacan Valley, and Budbud Bunawan.

This water service interruption is needed for the tapping of pipes at the corner of Malagamot Road and along Davao-Agusan Road fronting Petron gas station going to DPWH depot. This project is part of the Davao City

Bulk Water Supply Project of DCWD which upon completion will improve water supply in Davao City.

Second set will be on May 23, 2017 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM affecting Belen Homes, Pampanga Homes, Doña Asuncion Vill., San Roque Vill., Sto. Domingo Vill., Don Lorenzo Homes, Doña Pilar Phases 1 and 2, PAL Vill., Bolton Vill., Southern Homes, Lougemar Vill., and Manga St. This water service interruption is needed for the tapping of the water distribution system at Doña Pilar Road in Brgy. Pampanga. Once completed, the project will allow for accommodation of additional water service connections.

On behalf of the DCWD management, general manager Engr. Edwin V. Regalado asks for the understanding and cooperation of would-be affected customers. They are also advised to store enough water prior to the scheduled water interruptions. Water supply may be restored earlier if work goes smoothly or later if unforeseen problems arise.

The general public may visit DCWD website (www. davao-water.gov.ph) and official Facebook page (www. facebook.com/davaowater) or call the Central Information Unit / Call Center through the 24-hour hotline 297-DCWD (3293) and press “1” on their phone dial for the latest daily water updates.

Contact 0927-7988966, 0925-5113293, and 09084410653 for other updates, complaints, queries, and matters pertaining to DCWD services. (Winston C. Ajero)

Critics told to work on repeal of laws allowing mining in PHL

F

INANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said that those who have a beef with the country’s laws that allow mining should do themselves a favor by working on having them repealed or amended by the Congress rather than training their guns on those who believe it is part of their duty as civil servants to uphold the laws of the land.

“My only comment is if certain quarters think the law is unfair, they should work to change the law, as violation of the laws is not an option for any Government official or any good citizen for that matter,” Dominguez said.

This was the finance chief’s terse response to criticisms hurled by the rejected Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Regina

Lopez and her allies against Dominguez’s belief on the primacy of upholding the country’s laws, including those on mining.

Finance Undersecretary Bayani Agabin, meanwhile, added: “We are a government of laws, not men. The Mining Act sets the terms and conditions under which mining should be conducted, as well as the conditions for its suspension or cancellation. It is the duty of government officials to implement the law.”

Agabin, who has been also under attack by Lopez, said, “If they think this is unfair, then they should go to Congress to have it amended.”

“I do not know her basis for the claim that the mining act was subject to intense lobbying from the mining sector,” he added.

New Zealand holds ease of doing business explanatory support exercise in Davao City

T

HE New Zealand Embassy in Manila visited Davao City on May 8 to hold the Ease of Doing Business Explanatory Support Exercise at Grand Menseng Hotel.

Organized in partnership with the National Competitiveness Council and Department of Trade and Industry Competitiveness Bureau through DTI-Davao Region, the one-day activity was aimed to analyze and look for ways to improve the ease of doing business procedures.

In particular, it delved into the business registration process at the local government level.

The mission was headed

by New Zealand Ambassador

to the Philippines David Strachan, together with the New Zealand experts, Dr. Stefan Korn and Phoebe Kwan.

In the morning session, the New Zealand team had a consultation with the local government units from Davao City, Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS), Bansalan, Mati City, Tagum City, Compostela, Asuncion, Panabo City and Maco.

The LGUs were composed of local chief executives, administrators, licensing officers, treasurers, and fire officers. Also present were the relevant government agencies, such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Social Security System , Philippine Health Insurance Cor-

poration, and Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF/ Pag-ibig Fund).

The discussions were focused on the practices of LGUs in terms of the various processes they implement in congruence to the issuance of different clearances, licenses and permits from their respective offices and units.

An on-site visit was done at the Business Bureau of Davao City to see the flow of the business registration process.

The afternoon session was spent in small group discussions with the sole proprietors, corporations and cooperatives to know about their experience getting their licenses and permits from

the LGUs. The exploratory support exercise is expected to come up with a Government to Government (G2G) White Paper that will identify problems or gaps and provide recommendations or next steps that will contribute to reform design and decision--making in terms of the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) in the Philippines.

DTI-Davao Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi said, “The presence of New Zealand business experts and intervention of the private sector will help LGUs decide on where to improve for the Business Permit and Licensing System (BPLS) reforms.” (DTI)

data plus the entertainment you need right on your mobile!

and watch it become a work of art. This might be the start of your vlogging career!

upcoming shows on Netflix and HOOQ!

Maximizing your New Huawei P10 powered by ThePLAN

S

TAYING connected and in the loop is now what everyone needs, and topnotch smartphones like the new Huawei P10 are best enjoyed with a postpaid plan that gives just that.

Huawei P10, with its innovative features, is poised to set the bar for one of the most exciting smartphones in the market.

With the right postpaid plan, here’s a rundown on how you can have an awesome connected experience:

1

Get it with Globe Postpaid’s ThePLAN What better way to enjoy the all-new Huawei P10 than with larger than life data to fully maximize its features?

Now, it is exclusively available through Globe, powered by its newest postpaid offer - ThePLAN. The new P10 is free starting at ThePLAN 1799 and customers can enjoy big benefits starting with 11GB of data, unlimited calls to Globe and TM, unlimited texts to other networks, sixmonth free access to Netflix and HOOQ, and three-month free access to Spotify. All the

C

2

Up your Instagram game Up your Instagram game with Huawei P10’s unique cameras! The device has the Leica Dual Camera 2.0, which combines two photos to enhance detail and contrast. The 12MP and 20MP cameras also lets you quickly adjust the exposure, white balance, ISO, and aperture to let you take studio-like photos that will guarantee likes on your social media page. On top of that, the device will offer the never-before-seen Leica Portrait mode, which will combine the Bokeh effect and Beauty Mode effects. It’s a great selfie partner!

3

Start a vlog Huawei P10 photos are cool, but you know what’s cooler? Videos. Take the best quality videos using the Leica-engineered cameras. This will work best on your travel videos, but you can record ordinary scenes

4

Play games with zero lags Enjoy your favorite games and experience zero lags! Apart from its gorgeous visuals and expandable memory, the device runs on 4GB of RAM and a powerful processor that lets you shift from one app to another without delay. May we recommend the popular Mobile Legends?

5

Watch the latest movies and shows on Netflix and HOOQ A smartphone is meant to do a lot of things, and one of them is to watch movies and TV shows on the go.

The Huawei P10 delivers on this, with its full HD feature that brings you right in the action of what you’re watching. This means more vibrant scenes and crisp colors. The 5.1-inch screen is big enough for you to appreciate what’s going on, and yet light enough to be enjoyed anywhere. Make sure to catch

6

. Listen to Spotify If music is your thing, you can listen to the thousands of playlists available on Spotify, or create your own. The Huawei P10 has storage space of 64GB, which can be expanded up to 256GB, so that means you can download your playlists for offline listening!

7

. Catch up on the Playoff with NBA League Pass Basketball fans can enhance their viewing experience with the NBA League Pass, a subscription service that lets you watch NBA games live, complete with multi-game views and high-definition quality. You can also watch replays and in-game highlights on-demand, as well as have access to the NBA archives, which has over 60 hours of worth of replays from recent seasons, classic games, special features, interviews, and documentaries. It’s perfect for Huawei P10’s vivid display!

PCSO donates 8 ambulances to ARMM

OTABATO City – The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has donated a total of 8 ambulances to different municipalities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to help improve health service in the region.

Atty. Laisa Alamia, ARMM executive secretary, said the ARMM government is thankful for the PCSO’s Ambulance Donation Program and the ambulance service will allow recipient municipalities to better re-

spond to health and other humanitarian emergencies.

The official turnover of the ambulances were held Wednesday at the region’s seat in Cotabato City.

The following are the recipients of the ambulance units: · Matanog, Maguindanao · Barira, Maguindanao · Paglat, Maguindanao · Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao · Datu Hoffer, Ampatuan, Maguindanao · Bacolod-Kalawi, Lanao

del Sur · Basilan Gen, Hospital, Isabela City, Basilan · Sulu Sanitarium Jolo, Sulu

Alamia congratulated the local government units (LGUs) for qualifying as recipients and for showing not just “the need for ambulance in your municipalities but also the capacity of the local government units to utilize and maintain the ambulance.”

PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan said that

as of November 2016, the PCSO has donated a total of 1,503 ambulance units to beneficiaries that include different LGUs, hospitals, health institutions, state universities and other government agencies.

He said the PCSO has allotted about P37.4-billion funds for its ambulance donation program in 2015 and the allocation was increased to approximately P40-billion in the first quarter of 2016.

Balutan said the

F PCSO, 13

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 34 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 19 - 20, 2017

EDITORIAL

T

Sign of the times HINGS continue to look bright in the economic than the 6.9 percent during the same period in 2016. That side.

is basically brought to fore by the high base effects from

The Philippine economy expanded by 6.4 last year’s elections.

percent in the first quarter of the year and with that, the

Industry likewise decelerated to 6.1 percent, while

Philippines is still one of the strongest performers among agriculture recovered with 4.9-percent growth. emerging economies in Asia.

Overall, the economy remain robust and that should be

According to latest figures, the services sector continued a whiff of fresh air amidst the storm of negative news the

to be the main growth driver during the period, accelerating country had been receving in the past months. by 6.8 percent.

Imagine if there had been less politicking and image

There is a dip in other areas as shown in last quarter’s destruction in the inernational community, what better

gross domestic product (GDP) growth which was slower outlook would it have been.

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EDGEDAVAO

R

AMADHAN is a blessed month and like all good things, it isn’t meant to last. Ramadhan is composed of a limited number of days. Days that when spent will never be back. Days that when taken advantage of will give the greatest benefit and when disregarded will definitely mean a huge loss.

Scholars have given the analogy between Ramadhan and mall sales. On any given sale in Malls, everyone will be crazy waiting for the day to come. If he’s a little organized he may prepare his money and he’d prepare a wish list of things to buy. He’d come early to the mall to get the best deals before they run out. All these fusses for the 50% off he may get out of a gadget he’s been dying to get his hands to. Too much ado about something material and will perish.

Even the Muslims are like this during mall sales. Some are even anticipating mall sales from months beforehand expecting Christmas and year-end sales saving money or having a wish list.

We get excited for months on end for these sale seasons but sadly only a few seem to be excited for this year’s Ramadhan.

What do you get in Ramadhan, you may ask. Well, it’s not the 75% off on your dream phone or denim trousers.

It’s the forgiveness of your sins first of all. Prophet Muhammad said, “Whoever fasts during the Ramadhan with faith and expectation of rewards, his sins will be forgiven. Whoever prays at the nights in Ramadhan with

“J

UST because you fail once doesn’t mean you’re gonna fail at everything.” – American actress Marilyn Monroe

*** During the 2017 Miss Universe pageant held in Manila last January, the top three finalists were asked by host Steve Harvey: “Name something over the course that you failed at and tell us what you learned.”

Miss France Iris Mittenaere won the coveted the title for her answer. “I failed several times in my life,” she said. “When you fail, you have to be elevated and you have keep going. If tonight I will not be the winner I am still honored that I’m still one of the three finalists. For me this is a great opportunity.”

Her answer reminded me of the words of Maya Angelou, who was named one of the 30 most powerful women in American by Ladies Home Journal in 2001. “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated,” the noted author and actress said. “In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly,” American senator Robert F. Kennedy (yes, the brother of American president John F. Kennedy) once said.

This is best illustrated in the life of American art teacher Warren Kimble. He liked his job very much but one day, he found himself no longer working in the school he used to teach. Rather than become bitter, he started to make and sell

VOL. 10 ISSUE 34 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 19 - 20, 2017

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Understanding Islam: Welcoming Ramadhan faith and expectation of rewards, his sins will be forgiven. Whoever prays at the night of Laylatul Qadr with faith and expectation of rewards, his sins will be forgiven.” ~Narrated by Imam Al Bukhari.

There will never be any buy one take one sale this month. But there will be a multiplication of your rewards for every act of worship you did. Your Salah, sadaqah, Omrah, dhikr and everything else has rewards greater than in any other month.

There will never be any lottery winner who will win a brand new car or house and lot. But you may be rewarded a thousand months’ worth of good deeds for a single deed you did in one night, on the night of Laylatul Qadr. Allah said in the Quran.

“Laylatul Qadr is better than a thousand months.” Quran 97:3.

That’s nice you may say. So how do we prepare ourselves for the blessed month of Ramadhan?

TIME MANAGEMENT The scholars often begin their Ramadhan advice on the proper use of time during Ramadhan. Because Ramadhan is only a limited number of days, and you shouldn’t be spending most of it doing nothing, watching movies, sleeping or much worse, sinning. You’d want to spend each second of this holy month doing good deeds by spending your day fasting. And while you are fasting, you fill the hours by doing acts of worship by reading the Quran since this is the month

UNDERSTANDING ISLAM

Mujahid Navarra

of the Quran. You do not simply sleep the hours away waiting for the time of Iftar while doing other good deeds and acts of kindness towards everyone. Ramadhan is a blessed time where one may receive more rewards for normal things you may do every day, so one must be very careful of his time.

LEARN ABOUT THE GOOD DEEDS IN RAMADHAN AND HOW TO DO THEM PROPERLY Muslims should know primarily the rulings on fasting such as when does fasting for each day begin and end and they should be thoroughly informed about the invalidators of fasting in or-

der to avoid them. There are lots of good deeds to do in Ramadhan and some of them are unknown to most people because they think that Ramadhan is only about fasting. Among the good deeds that are unknown to many is the reward of attending the Salatut Tarawih. Especially until the Imam finishes with the Salah. Prophet Muhammad said, “Whoever prays together with the Imam until he finishes, a reward of praying the whole night will be recorded for him.” Narrated by Imam At Tirmidhi.

Reciting Quran as much as you can is also one of the good deeds that people are unaware of. I’tikaf or the staying in the masjid for a period of time for the sole purpose of worshipping Allah and leaving behind worldly actions is an act of worship that is specially done in last ten days of Ramadhan.

AVOID SINNING IN RAMADHAN Ramadhan as a blessed month is a time when the good deeds are multiplied in quality and quantity in its rewards while sinning is multiplied in quality. It means that lying in Ramadhan or backbiting is worse than lying and backbiting any other time in the whole year. Prophet Muhammad said, “Whoever does not abandon false speech and acting upon it and other ignorant actions, Allah does not need from him that he abandons his food and drink.” Narrated by Imam Al Bukhari.

Ramadhan, most of all is the most opportune time for Tawbah or repen-

RAMADHAN, THE MOST IMPORTANT VISITOR OF THE YEAR Scholars also have given the analogy between Ramadhan and an important visitor. It is an act of piety that we honor and make sure that our visitors are well taken care of. We clean our house, we dress properly and even come to great length in order to make sure that everything goes fine and even memorable for the guest during his stay. The same is true with Ramadhan, our visitor that comes to us only once a year. We should try our best in welcoming it and to treat it with all warmth and hospitality.

The first generation of Muslims collectively known as the Salaf, pray to Allah for 6 months after Ramadhan so that Allah accepts their fasting and good deeds on the previous Ramadhan. Six months prior to the next Ramadhan, they pray to Allah so that they will be able to witness the incoming Ramadhan.

Let us pray to Allah that He blesses us by being able to fast this Ramadhan and may He accept our good deeds from us. Make the best out of this Ramadhan because you have been fortunate. And if ever Ramadhan comes to you. Remember that, Ramadhan is not forever.

Cherish it, the same way you cherish moments with loved ones.

For more information about Islam, watch Mensahe TV via Cignal channel 184. Mensahe TV, our message is Mercy to Mankind.

from Catalina Island to Palos Verdes, California. Although the waters were frigid and sharks trailed her, Chadwick’s resolve was shattered by something else.

After 15 hours if hard swimming, she lost the will to continue and climbed aboard an escort boat – less than half a mile from shore.

“It was the fog,” she answered when asked by a reporter on why she stopped.

“If I had seen land, I could have finished.

But when you can’t see your goal, you lose all sense of progress and you begin to give up.”

But Chadwick didn’t give up. A few months later, she successfully swam the same route – and set a new record.

“If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.” That popular proverb contains a great and powerful truth. Exclaimed Thomas Alva Edison to an assistant marveling at the bewildering total of his failures – 50,000 experiments for example, before he succeeded with a new storage battery: “Results? Why man, I have gotten lots of results. I now know 50,000 things that won’t work.”

Not all successes started as triumphs. In fact, some success began as failure. The Apple microcomputer was turned down by both Hewlett Packard and Atari, but had first year sales of US$2.5 million. In his first year in the automobile business, Henry Ford went bankrupt. Two years later, his second company also failed. Dr. Seuss’s first children book was rejected by 23 publishers; the 24th publisher sold six million copies.

In 1831, he failed in business. In 1832, he was defeated for the legislature.

In 1833, he again failed in business. In

1834, he was elected to the Legislature.

In 1838, he was defeated for Speaker; in 1840 defeated for Elector; in 1843 defeated for Congress; in 1846 elected to Congress; in 1855 defeated for Senate; in 1856 defeated for Vice President; in 1858 defeated for Senate; in 1860 elected to President of the United States. If you have a hard time figuring out who the person was, the answer is Abraham Lincoln.

“Many people fail in life because they believe in the adage: If you don’t succeed, try something else,” says Don B. Owens, Jr. “But success eludes those who follow such advice. Virtually everyone has had dreams at one time or another, especially in youth. The dreams that have come true did so because people stuck to their ambitions. They refused to be discouraged. They never let disappointment get the upper hand. Challenges only spurred them on to greater effort.”

Some people fail in life because they expect too much from themselves. Everyone wants to become a star in a million. But not all of us can become star. If you can’t be a star, be contented of being a tree. If you are a tree, be sure that you are a tree that bears fruits. If cannot be a tree, then be a grass. But as a grass, make yourself the best grass of them all.

“Constant effort and frequent mistakes are the stepping-stones of genius.”

That was what American writer and publisher Elbert Hubbard said.

Robert T. Kiyosaki believed so, too.

“Winners are not afraid of losing. But losers are. Failure is part of the process of success. People who avoid failure also avoid success,” wrote the author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad.

So, you’re a failure

wooden toys, marionettes, and dollhouses to support his family.

Later on, Kimble experimented with painting Vermont-inspired images – Holstein cows, farmhouses, pigs, and rabbits – on antique furniture and selling it at regional antique shows.

Eight years after he lost his job teaching art, something happened. His unique art caught the attention of a vacationing couple, who licensed his work. Since then, his images have appeared on more than two million prints: T-shirts, plates, doormats, calendars, home furnishings, computer mouse pads, etc.

Kimble’s experience is one that can easily be duplicated by every person who experiences a falling, a failure, or a defeat.

His disappointing layoff as an art instructor was simply the prelude to a more successful and satisfying career.

“He who has never failed has never tried,” Emmett LeCompte once said.

Napoleon Bonaparte failed as an essay writer, William Shakespeare as a wool merchant, and Abraham Lincoln as a storekeeper. None of them gave up.

They moved into other fields, tried other things for which they were better fitted, with the results we all know.

“It is a rare person who doesn’t hope responsibility for his failures will fall on somebody else. It is normal to want to shift blame for out troubles. But shifting isn’t easy to do. People don’t fool easily.

It isn’t even easy to fool yourself. Besides, shifting the blame serves no practical ends. It means talking about troubles instead of remedies, about past problems instead of future plans,” pointed out Normal Shidle, author of Clear Writing for Easy Reading.

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

Don’t be afraid to face failures. “I can take any group of young people any place, and teach them to be inventors, if I can get them to throw off the hazard of being afraid to fail,” Charles Kettering pointed out. “You fail because your ideas aren’t right. You should not be afraid to fail, but you should learn to fail intelligently. By that I mean, when you fail, find out why you failed, and each time you fail it will bring you up nearer to the goal.”

There was this story of Florence Chadwick, who set a world record when she swam across the English Channel from France in 13 hours and 20 minutes in 1950. The following year, she swam from England to France, making history as the first woman to swim the channel from both directions.

In 1952, she made a drastic move in accepting the challenge of swimming

tance to Allah.

10 NEWS JACKING... FROM 1

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 34 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 19 - 20, 2017

“The increase of market value cannot be fixed by class kasi base ito sa mga deed of sale from ROD. Market value might increase to 200-300% but its assessment level will caution the impact of increase in which the Sangguniang Panlunsod has the authority to fix it after public and committee hearings.”

Adalin have also proposed the tax scheme for real property could be staggered, as allowed by the Department of Finance, so that it would not be hard for the

taxpayers to cope.

“Yung tax scheme is a method kung papaano na hindi gaanong mabigat ang imposition. Actually yung tax scheme is one of the new system adopted by the DOF para pwedeng installment ang pag impose or pag collect. Base sa rules and regulations, hindi pwedeng every year mag adjust ng market value so yung ma derive na assess value, ang basic SEF tax ay iko-compute and i-kolekta so somehow hindi siya ganoon ka-bigat sa taxpayers.”

On April, Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, chairman of the Committee of Finance, Ways and Means and Appropriation has proposed a 20% increase in the Revenue Code tax rates on the ground that the revenue code has not been amended since it underwent revision in 2005.

The committee has held its first public hearing last May 12 before the members of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce. Tentatively, they are set to conduct their next public consultations on May 24, 25 and 26.

About 5,000 members of Madaum Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries, Inc. (MARBAI), together with their families and supporters entered into their lands that have long been controlled by Lapanday Foods Corporation (LFC) on Thursday.

“It was an assertion of social justice against years of land grabbing and exploitation committed by Lapanday against agrarian reform beneficiaries,” Flores added.

He added that the installation started with the actual occupation of the land and followed by the assertion to control and hold firm the

145-hectares of lands.

Flores also pointed out that the successful installation of MARBAI farmers was based on the agreement forged during the dialogue with President Rodrigo Duterte.

The plan was enforced by an inter-agency task force formed during the dialogue, he added.

“This morning, Lapanday maintained its security guards inside the locked premises of the banana plantation and refused to comply with the break open order issued by the Sheriff as ordered

by DAR. MARBAI farmers as-

serted and stood their ground until they were able to break open the gates and enter the plantation,” the KMP leader said.

The 145-hectare of lands is part of the 6,000-hectares of lands acquired by Lapanday through agribusiness venture arrangements (AVAs) that was described by farmers as onerous.

“There are more Marbai-Lapanday exploitative arrangements in Mindanao. We expect more ARBs to launch protests and resistance against AVAs and plantation lords,” Flores said. ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

ed by Hall, together with students from the Stern University School of Business in NYU, will train members of the Sustainable Davao Movement, City government officials and other volunteers to conduct the actual data gathering for the study on May 20-21. On

May 24, they will be presenting the findings of their research.

Davao City was selected for Asia along with Vallendupar, Columbia to represent Latin America and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to represent Sub-Saharan Africa.

Both men are known for competency and bravery in the field, aside from being recipients of the country’s highest military decoration, the Medal Of Valor which is equivalent to the US Congressional Medal of Honor and United Kingdom’s Victoria Cross.

Due to the leadership exhibited by the two men, ASG bandits in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi are now having a hard time operating in their former hold-outs as military units in the areas are always conducting tracking and pursuit operations against the lawless elements.

Arevalo said brilliance of these officers and bravery of their men are backed up by the whole-hearted support of AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo Año who has committed all available military assets and

resources to eliminating the terror group.

Western Mindanao Command data indicated that from Jan. 1 up to May 17, a total of 81 ASG bandits were killed, with the surrender of another 50 brigands, apprehension of 18 and capture of 70 high- and low-powered weapons from the terror group’s members.

Arevalo said the number of surrendered ASG terrorists is unprecedent as this is the first time the terrorists have opted to surrender en masse.

The AFP public affairs office chief said that the surrendered bandits are also claiming that their finances are going low due to their inability to kidnap new victims and ransom them, crimping on their ability to acquire weapons, food and other supplies. (PNA)

Chua said that in reforming the country’s VAT system “those who are unfairly subsidized or who take advantage of this tax system’s complexity are the ones who will pay more and provide the money to fund more government services for the poor.”

Chua said the reforms contained in the CTRP will benefit 99 percent of Filipinos in the immediate term and the entire population in the nearterm because the revenues generated from these reforms will be spent on an unprecedented public investment program focused on infrastructure, health, education and social protection for the poor.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the CTRP will serve as the “cornerstone” of the funding for the government’s infrastructure program, dubbed the “Build, Build, Build” agenda, which

will require some P8.4 trillion over the medium term.

The “Build, Build, Build” agenda is a key element of “DuterteNomics,” which is President Duterte’s economic strategy to dramatically raise funds--in large part through CTRP--and spend big on infrastructure, human capital formation and social protection.

This strategy will enable the government to sustain the Philippines’ growth momentum, attract investments and create jobs, achieve economic inclusion and transform the Philippines into a high middle-income country by 2022, by which time poverty incidence will have been reduced to 14 percent.

If “DuterteNomics” is sustained over the medium term, the government envisions the Philippines to be a high-income economy in one generation or by 2040.

versity, National Anti-Poverty Commission’s (NAPC) Youth and Student Sector and the National Youth Commission (NYC).

The workshop started May 15 and will end May 19. It

is part of the continuing consultation process of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) in its call for a more inclusive and transparent peace process.

(PNA)

and partnered owned agencies to submit Treasurer’s Affidavit on the additional authorized subscribed and paid-up capital stock requirements/Joint Affidavit of partners on the additional partners’ contribution; Bank certification showing an additional deposit of at least PHP750,000.00, with authority to examine the bank account; Also, they are required to present, Amended Articles of Partnership/Incorporation providing for the increase of

the authorized/paid-up capital to a minimum of PHP5 million; and a certification issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on the current paid-up capital of the corporation/partnership showing the increase of at least PHP750,000.

Likewise, compliant agencies are required to submit a certification issued by the SEC on the present paid-up capital of the corporation or partnership, or bank certificate, in case of single proprietorship.

(Ferdinand G. Patinio/PNA)

Farmers... FROM 1

New York... FROM 2

Battle... FROM 2

Dureza... FROM 4

Gov’t... FROM 5

POEA... FROM 5

TASK FORCE CZAR. Former Davao City Police Office chief Vicente Danao Jr. is chosen by President Duterte as commander of the National Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force. Danao is tasked to oversee the task force created under the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD). Lean Daval Jr.

New... FROM 4

ing and Information Sharing System.

DOST, JICA, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Hokkaido University and University of the Philippines are partnering on the project.

“We’re increasingly giving importance to extreme weather events,” said JICA Philippines senior representative Ayumu Oshima.

Launched Wednesday (May 17) in Metro Manila, the project will gather data on local conditions, particularly lightning, so experts can use this information to better forecast thunderstorms and expected rainfall from these weather systems.

Thunderstorms are com-

mon in the Philippines and may cause flooding.

“We aim to improve accuracy of forecasts particularly for Metro Manila,” DOST Undersecretary Renato Solidum said on the launch’s side.

For Metro Manila alone, he said the project’s proponents will install about 50 sensors from JICA to gather needed data.

He said the Philippines’ Diwata satellite will also generate data for the project.

The Philippine government will be able to use the project as platform to eventually develop similar forecasting systems, noted de la Pena. (PNA)

“one-stop-shops” that cater to various concerns and needs of existing and prospective MSMEs on various aspects of doing business, from start-up to the actual operations.

It specifically provides assistance to MSMEs in terms of business registration, business advisory services, business information and advocacy, and monitoring and evaluation of business processes.

Gumana said the center can also process and issue certificates of authority for the barangay micro-business enterprises.

“Our business counsellors can also assist MSMEs in terms of product develop-

ment, specifically in packaging, labeling and market promotions,” she said.

The Negosyo Centers can assist MSMEs in joining market matching activities and trade fairs, she said.

Vanessa Claire Pleña, DTI-12 information officer, earlier acknowledged that the region has fewer Negosyo Centers when compared to other areas.

But she cited that the existing facilities in the region are “Type A” or complete centers with established buildings and regular personnel.

She said most of the Negosyo Centers in other regions are classified as “Type C” or desk-type facilities.

(PNA)

DTI-12... FROM 5

INdulge!

ANIMAL INSTINCTS

VOL. 10 ISSUE 34 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 19 - 20, 2017

EDGEDAVAO

ARTS AND CULTURE

BULLET DEMATERA’S ARTWORKS are a mix of realism to hyperrealism elements intermingled with pop art that creates a hint of surrealism into the blend.

No matter the style, these elements are consistent in his art concepts: nature, human, and especially animals. These are the Earth’s core trifecta.

From the first cavemen drawings to today’s contemporary art, throughout history, animal portraits have been in the most forefront of art subject, next to its painter—man. The artist’s contribution to the ever-growing post-humanistic approach in today’s art scene is helpful in analyzing the reasons behind the animal presence and how it influences the psychological changes that are happening in our society.

“

Theriomorphism is the designation of animal characteristics to humans—which is the opposite of the more

I want to somehow communicate my sense of the world and that all of God’s creation have an intrinsic value and are equally important. common concept of “anthropomorphism”.

“Usually, my works focus on those three subjects aforementioned.

I combine them in my composition and look for connections among my chosen elements. I want to somehow communicate my sense of the world and that all of God’s creation have an intrinsic value and are equally important,” shared the artist.

Bullet’s artistic transformations of his components and making them being “in-between” nature and culture, further supports our appetite for

non-human reality that comes full circle with our use of zoological issues that also affects our metaphors, lingual expressions, and even technology.

The constant representation of animals in art may be a way for us humans to mirror and express our existential passions that give way to the idea of theriomorphic hybridization. More than relating to myth and ritual, taking on an animal appearance—may it be through a mask or an outfit, painting, and tat-

THEKATCLOSET A4

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

Fun in the sun with Toy Kingdom

Little mermaids can take a plunge with Toy Kingdom’s mermaid tails and snorkeling gears.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 34 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 19 - 20, 2017

Slide and enjoy knocking down those inflatable bowling pins

Dive in with your favorite emojis with this fun inflatable from Toy Kingdom.

TAKE A PLUNGE, beat the heat and play it cool with Toy Kingdom’s amazing collection of toys perfect for your beach, pool and outdoor getaways.

Invite your friends and family to join you as you take a plunge in with cute and colorful inflatables that will make poolside adventures fun, but also safe. Get into the swim of things with Toy Kingdom’s delightful floaters in emoji, unicorn, donut, and popsicle shapes that make memorable IG posts. Take your summer adventure to a whole new level of excitement with Toy Kingdom’s summer toys for the beach and beyond.

These finds and more summer treats are available at all Toy Kingdom Express outlets in SM Stores and Toy Kingdom stores in most SM Supermalls. Also visit www. toykingdom.ph; ToyKingdomPH at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; #TKHereComesSummer.

Don’t miss out and enjoy Toy Kingdom’s amazing summer activities. May the force be with you as you celebrate with us Star Wars Day on May 3 to 7, 2017 at SM Megamall Event Center. Witness the Transformers Toy Launch at SM Mall of Asia Event Center on April 28 to May 1, 2017.

Bonk outs from Toy Kingdom.

This Hydro Force Wavecrest paddleboard takes you on the crest of summer fun

AirAsia holds sale for all destinations FLY FOR LESS with up to half off on all destinations across AirAsia’s extensive network covering more than 120 destinations in Asia Pacific, the Middle East and the US. For flights to/from the Philippines, AirAsia is offering promo seats of up to 50% off for flights from Kalibo/Boracay to Davao and Cebu including flights from Manila to Kalibo/Boracay, Kuala Lumpur and Taipei.

AirAsia promo seats are available for booking now until 21 May 2017 for travel between 5 September 2017 and 8 February 2018 on airasia.com or AirAsia mobile app to enjoy these low fares.* Also up for grabs are AirAsia flights to exciting destinations such as from Kuala Lumpur to Lang-

kawi, Singapore, Pattaya, Boracay, Hanoi, Shantou, Jakarta, Shenzhen, Macao, Luang Prabang and Bhubaneswar or travel to even further destinations such as Kuala Lumpur to Sydney, Melbourne, Shanghai, Beijing, Maldives, and many more.

In addition to discounted fares, guests can also enjoy up to 50% off when they choose their preferred seating using AirAsia’s Pick A Seat product.

Pick A Seat allows guests to choose where they sit, whether it is by the window or aisle, a Hot Seat for priority boarding and extra legroom or to keep a travel party together.

AirAsia X, the long haul affiliate of AirAsia, guests can also opt for the Quiet

Zone for peace or a Premium Flatbed, which comes with complimentary 40kg baggage allowance and many more benefits. Additionally, Premium Flatbed guests flying from Kuala Lumpur and get to access AirAsia Premium Red Lounge for free!

AirAsia Group Chief Commercial Officer Siegtraund Teh said, “We always strive to offer the best value, and we are confident our guests will appreciate this winning combination of low fares and affordable assigned seating that will allow them to fly farther and with greater comfort.”

For latest updates on promotions and activities, please follow AirAsia on Twitter (twitter.com/ AirAsia) and Facebook (facebook.com/AirAsia).

VOL. 10 ISSUE 34 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 19 - 20, 2017

EVENT

Two sisters and parents.

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

The parents and the siblings.

The Tacio family reunion

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO IT WAS MY SISTER ELENA who went first to the United States when she married Daniel Chase, an electrical engineer like her. The two met at the Mount Apo Geothermal Plant some decades ago; he as a consultant and my sister as an employee.

The two has two children: Erik and Philip.

My sister Marilou followed when she tied the nuptial knot with David Eplite, an Italian-American. Both have one thing in common: they are into computer programming. I had the pleasure

of meeting David when he visited my sister before they got married. I saw him again when I visited the couple some years back in the United States.

Almost two years ago, the two sisters returned

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to the Philippines. It was our first family reunion with the two of them – although we always celebrate family reunion during Christmas season.

Elena and Marilou were in time for our father’s birthday, Generoso Sr. It was a memorable day for our father since June is also celebrated as Father’s Day (which falls on every third Sunday of the month).

This year, the two came back again. Elena came first – on May 2. Marilou arrived on May 7. Elena missed celebrating her husband’s birthday and son’s school recognition but the reunion was already scheduled ahead of time.

Someone once said: “Family is like branches on a tree; we all grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one.”

This is the reason why even if you are living somewhere and far from your family, you always long to be back from where you have started.

It is especially true when it comes to family. “The only thing sweeter than union is reunion,” Kathleen McGowan pointed out.

In a way, it was. The recent family reunion happened to be on Mother’s Day. A fitting tribute to our mother, Saturnina, who has helped sustain the family through the years. She was able to take care of her nine children – and even grandchildren.

Noted American humorist and novelist hit

All in! The entire famiy takes a group photo.

All the men of the clan. the nail when he wrote: “A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.”

The family reunion was memorable since all the children were present. As the eldest son, I was tapped to do the nitty-gritty, to see to it that all things were right and

that no one was being left out.

Before the dinner, we had the usual picture taking per family. Evangeline and her two sons (Jims Vincent and Joshua Kyle) were around; the father, Elmer, wasn’t able to make it since he was in Digos City. Jims’s wife, Cheryln Joy, and son CJ, also came.

The family of Gerry Sr. were also around: Sarah (wife) Meryl Louise (daughter), and Lean (grandson). Absent were Justin and Gerry Jr. (both in Manila) and Normel Lapinig, the husband of Meryl who is a seaman.

All the members of Avednigo were present: his wife Bebing and two children: Dave Lester and Meg. Likewise, the family members of the Arriaga were all present: Jeannyline, Rene, Ashley and Cole.

Our youngest, Arman Sr., also brought his whole family: wife Anan, daughters Audrey and Cassie and son Arman, Jr. The sons and husband of Elena didn’t attend the reunion as they were in the United States. So was the husband of Marilou.

Aunt Lydia Tacio also helped in the program.

After picture taking, all the family members had a sumptuous dinner prepared by Ophelia Santiago, owner of the Betz Café where the reunion was held.

“I sustain myself with the love of family,” said prize-winning writer Maya Angelou. But it was the late Princess Diana who said it best: “Family is the most important thing in the world.

A4 INdulge!

ARTS AND CULTURE

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 34 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 19 - 20, 2017

THEKATCLOSET A1

too applications—man can assume a “hybrid” of his true self, and that may be the real impact of theriomorphism.

“I am lucky to inherit this talent for drawing even though I wasn’t able to take up formal art schooling. I came from a poor family in Bulacan— I have two siblings, my father was a farmer and my mother was a homemaker; aside from that, I had to stop going to school because I have a cleft palate that made me a victim of bullying.” said the artist.

“I started working at the age of sixteen and went through a lot of odd jobs like construction and factory work. The next chapter of my life started when I was fortunate enough to meet Ronald Ventura at the age of twenty when I applied to be his studio assistant. Through him, I was able to develop my artistic skills and connected me to Dr. Joel Mendez, who trusted me enough to become a solo artist. Aside from these two people whom I have the utmost respect and gratitude to, art has also taught me to wait and be hard-working—that

a person doesn’t need to be impatient in a broader sense because as long as you are happy with what you are doing and thankful for all the little chances and blessings in life, everything will turn out beautifully.” sentimentally shared by Bullet.

“As an artist, I want to show that people like me

and with my background still have the opportunities to be recognized in the world of art. I also want my work to inspire all of us to appreciate and take care all of God’s creations—human or animal, big or small,” he added.

If Dematera, for example, paints a man with

characteristics of a lion, the audience may assume that this is a symbolism for bravery, having a wild heart, and the like. Therefore, subconsciously or consciously, Bullet is a direct replication and inspiration for his artwork and aptly so, as his name can also suggest that he has a bulletproof spirit.

11 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 34 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 19 - 20, 2017

CITY HALL EXECS IN PLANNING CONFERENCE WITH USAID. City Mayor Ronnel Rivera joins the Planning Conference with LGU Gensan department heads, assistant department heads and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on May 11 at Greenleaf Hotel. Mayor Rivera said that he wants to see tangible projects to be implemented that will have an impact in the lives of his constituents. “Ang vision ko talaga ay yong hindi tayo ang magsabi na nagawa na natin ito Mayor. Dapat, yong mga tao ang magsabi na natanggap nila ang serbisyong binigay natin”. (Gensan CPIO/Russel Delvo)

LOCALS LEARN CPR. Allan Jay Resane from the General Santos City Public Information Office performs a Hands Only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) during the “Save a Life learn CPR” on May 12. The event was led by the Philippine Heart Association, Inc. in cooperation with the Office of City Mayor Ronnel Rivera and General Santos City Medical Society. (Gensan CPIO/Jan Rey Libunao)

AEV eyes expansion amid country’s positive growth W

ITH the positive growth trajectory now being tracked by the country’s economy, the Aboitiz Equity Ventures is mulling to pursue various expansion plans to remain growth driven in 2017.

AEV, the public holding company of Aboitiz Group, previously reported a P4.7 billion net profit during the first quarter of this year, a figure that represented a 7 percent decrease year-on-year compared to previous net profits.

“The company recognized non-recurring losses of P442 million (versus last year’s gain of P186 million) coming from foreign exchange (forex) losses recognized upon revaluation of dollar-denominated liabilities and mark-to-market losses on derivatives,” AEV said in a statement last week.

The holding company’s major investments include power, banking and financial services, food, infrastructure, and land.

Despite the decrease in income during the first quarter of 2017, AEV said its business units are bent to pursue expansion plans that equally prioritize growing the business while developing communities.

In a statement on Thursday, AEV said it already launched its Group Purpose with a theme: “To Drive Change for A Better World” and refreshed the company’s brand positioning anchored on a guiding principle: “Advancing Business and Communities”.

The major moves were opened during AEV’s annual stockholders’ meeting last May 15, 2017 at Fairmont in Makati

City.

“Aligned with the country’s continued economic growth, the Aboitiz Group’s own growth journey remains promising and purpose-driven. We are going to drive change for a better world by advancing business and communities through the various products and services that our business units provide,” said Erramon I. Aboitiz, AEV President and Chief Executive Officer in the statement.

Aboitiz added that AEV will “advance business and communities by powering progress, providing smart banking solutions, creating partners for growth, building infrastructure, and empowering communities,” with the aim of making contributions to nation building and help uplift the lives of millions of Filipinos.

The statement also emphasized that Aboitiz Power is committed to expanding its power generation capacity to 4,000 MW by 2020 to help the nation address its power requirements.

“On top of new acquisitions, the company will continue to execute its Gentailer (generator-retailer) Strategy through Open Access, and continue to look for opportunities to enhance and balance its energy portfolio,” AEV said.

AEV’s banking arm, the UnionBank, will also pursue collaborations and partnerships with financial technology firms, put in place IT (information technology), risk management, and compliance systems, while continuing the execution of its digital transformation strategy.

Quirino town in Sultan Kudarat, Alvero said the shootout ensued after police operatives caught Librado and three other suspects having a “shabu” session following a buy-bust operation at a house in the area.

But the suspect reportedly resisted and fired at the raiding team using a caliber .45 handgun.

He said one of the operatives, Sr. Insp. Ramil Aruelo, was hit on the leg during the shootout, which lasted several minutes.

Alvero said the team eventually cornered and neutralized the suspect, who was declared

dead on arrival at a hospital in Koronadal City.

“He (Librado) was not the target of the operation. The team was actually surprised to find him there. It just happened that they caught him having a pot session and he resisted,” he said.

Arrested during the operation were suspected pushers Herbert Deloso, 32; Ronald Antay, 42; and, Erickson Ligaya, 27.

Recovered from the suspects were a small plastic sachet, medium pack and a large pack of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, various drug parapher-

nalia and PHP1,000 marked bill used in the buy-bust.

Also seized were a homemade 12-gauge rifle, a 5.56mm single shot pistol and assorted bullets.

Dr. Glorio Sandig, action officer of the Koronadal City Anti-Drug Abuse Council, said the arrested suspects were among the drug pushers and users from the area who surrendered and surfaced to authorities last year under “Oplan Tokhang.”

But he said the three reportedly resumed with their illegal activities based on information from concerned residents. (PNA)

ComVal to plant US 88 hybrid rice variety T HE provincial government of Compostela Valley is set to provide farmers with a new variety of hybrid rice to improve productivity and income.

Ma. Fe Maestre, provincial information officer, said Wednesday the Provincial Agriculture Office has already informed various farmers’ organizations in the province for the conduct of a “techno-demo” featuring the US 88 hybrid rice variety.

“This hybrid rice can produce up to 12 tons of yield per hectare and will be of great help to rice farmers in the province,” Maestre said.

The “techno-demo” and actual distribution of US 88 hybrid rice seeds will be facilitated in June, as rice farmers in Compostela Valley are still in the land preparation stage until the end of this month.

The seeds will be given free.

The introduction of the new rice variety is fully supported by Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy. Uy approved 10 hectares for hybrid rice techno-demo sites that will be established in seven towns in the province.

These towns include Compostela, where two sites will be established, Nabunturan, Monkayo, New Bataan, Montevista and Mawab.

The towns are known as rice-producing municipalities in Compostela Valley.

As part of the preparation, at least 100 rice farmers have already undergone the technical briefing on US 88 hybrid rice and on good agricultural practices for hybrid rice production.

The briefing was conducted by the Department of Agriculture in Davao region and the Agricultural Technical Institute (ATI) last week in the province.

DepEd to enforce drug test Soldier killed, cop wounded in Koronadal drug bust for North Cotabato teachers

A

SOLDIER who was allegedly a drug user was killed while a police officer was wounded in an anti-drug operation at an outskirt village in Koronadal City Wednesday night.

Sr. Supt. Franklin Alvero, South Cotabato police director, said Thursday suspect Pfc. Richie Librado, 41, was gunned down by joint operatives during a shootout in Purok ML Quezon, Barangay San Jose at around 7:55 p.m.

He said Librado, who is a resident of Purok Boundary in San Jose, was as an active member of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion based in President

F AEV, 13

T

EACHERS in North Cotabato province will undergo a random drug test before the opening of classes on June 5, a Department of Education (DepEd) official said.

Dr. Omar Obas, North Cotabato schools superintendent, said this is in compliance with a DepEd order directing random drug examination for all public school teachers and employees throughout the country.

There are about 10,000 teaching and non-teaching personnel in North Cotabato.

Obas said the drug testing is scheduled after the conduct of “Brigada Eskwela,” or the cleanup of classrooms

prior to the school opening.

Some 50 school nurses from the division who recently completed a training on drug testing in Davao City will supervise the examination.

Obas emphasized that the drug test “will firmly uplift the reputation of their agency and dignify the teaching profession in the country.”

“We teach and mold the minds of our students. Therefore, we must be at all time credible,” Obas noted.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones earlier said in a statement that personnel found positive for drug use will be dismissed from service. (PNA)

12 SCIENCE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 34 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 19 - 20, 2017

Nanotechnology: Little things mean a lot

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“I want to build a billion tiny factories, models of each other, which are manufacturing simultaneously. . . The principles of physics, as far as I can see, do not speak against the possibility of maneuvering things atom by atom.

It is not an attempt to violate any laws; it is something, in principle, that can be done; but in practice, it has not been done because we are too big.” — Richard Feynman, Nobel Prize winner in physics

P

HILLIP Bond, former US Undersecretary of Commerce for Technology sees it as “truly miraculous.” After all, it can enable “the blind to see, the lame to walk, and the deaf to hear.” It can cure “AIDS, cancer, diabetes and other afflictions.” It can end hunger and “even supplement the power of our minds.”

More importantly, it will “deliver higher standards of living and allow us to live longer, healthier, more productive lives.” It also “holds extraordinary potential for the global environment through wastefree, energy-efficient production processes that cause no harm to the environment or human health.”

Bond is talking about the wonders of nanotechnology, the manipulation of matter on the scale of atoms and molecules.

“Though nanotechnology is sometimes hyped to the hilt, it is no joke and its societal impacts will indeed be titanic,” observe Hope Shand and Kathy Jo Wetter in their collaborative report, Shrinking Science: An Introduction to Nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology – sometimes shortened to “nanotech” – is not a discreet industry sector but a range of techniques used to manipulate matter at the nanoscale, where size is measured in billionths of meters. A nanometer (nm), from the Greek nanos for dwarf, equals one billionth of a meter.

In one of his lectures, Nobel Prize Laureate Horst Störmer said that the nanoscale is more interesting than the atomic scale because “the nanoscale is the first point where we can assemble something – it’s not until we start putting atoms to-

gether that we can make anything useful.”

“It takes 10 atoms of hydrogen side-by-side to equal one nanometer,” write Shand and Wetter in their report. “A DNA molecule (found in cells of organisms where genetic information is stored) is about 2.5 nm wide. A red blood cell is vast in comparison: about 5,000 nm in diameter. And a human hair is about 80,000 nm thick. Everything on the nanoscale is invisible except with the aid of powerful ‘atomic force’ microscopes.”

Nanotechnology, as defined by size, is naturally very broad. “The real power of nanoscale science is the potential to converge disparate technologies that can operate at this scale. With applications spanning all industry sectors, technological convergence at the nanoscale is poised to become the strategic platform for global control of manufacturing, food, agriculture, and health,” Shand and Wetter point out.

The “raw materials” of nanotechnology are the chemical elements of the Periodic Table – the building blocks of everything, both living and non-living.

“At the nanoscale, where quantum physics rule, a material’s properties can change dramatically,” note Shand and Wetter. “With only a reduction in size (below about 100 nanometers), and

no change in substance, materials can exhibit new properties related to electrical conductivity, elasticity, strength, color, and chemical reactivity -- characteristics that the very same substances do not exhibit at the microor macroscales.”

For instance, aluminum – the material of soft drink cans – can spontaneously combust at the nanoscale and could be used in rocket fuel. Nanoscale copper becomes a highly elastic metal at room temperature -- stretching to 50 times its original length without breaking. Zinc oxide is usually white and opaque; but at nanoscale, it becomes transparent.

“Nanotechnology is sometimes referred to as a general-purpose technology,” explains the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology. “That’s because in its advanced form it will have significant impact on almost all industries and all areas of society. It will offer better built, longer lasting, cleaner, safer, and smarter products for the home, for communications, for medicine, for transportation, for agriculture, and for industry in general.”

The concepts that seeded nanotechnology were first discussed in 1959 by renowned physicist Richard Feynman in his talk “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom,” in which he described the possibility of synthesis via direct manipulation of atoms. The term “nan-

otechnology” was first used by Norio Taniguchi in 1974, though it was not widely known.

Inspired by Feynman’s concepts, Dr. K. Eric Drexler independently used the term “nanotechnology” in his 1986 book Engines of Creation: The Coming Era of Nanotechnology, which proposed the idea of a nanoscale “assembler” which would be able to build a copy of itself and of other items of arbitrary complexity with atomic control.

Nano in medicine “Whatever you call it, the use of nanotechnology in the field of medicine could revolutionize the way we detect and treat damage to the human body and disease in the future, and many techniques only imagined a few years ago are making remarkable progress towards becoming realities,” the website understandingnano.com notes.

Indeed, man has been searching for miracle cures against diseases and injuries for centuries.

And nanotechnology may be mankind’s first “giant step” toward this goal. In the website of Nano Werk, Dr. Robert A. Freitas cites the following reasons: “1) the comprehensive monitoring, control, construction, repair, defense, and improvement of all human biological systems, working from the molecular level, using engineered nanodevices

and nanostructures; “2) the science and technology of diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease and traumatic injury, of relieving pain, and of preserving and improving human health, using molecular tools and molecular knowledge of the human body; “3) the employment of molecular machine systems to address medical problems, using molecular knowledge to maintain and improve human health at the molecular scale.”

Of course, as a new technology, there are some issues and concerns to be considered.

However, “the majority of current commercial applications of nanotechnology to medicine is geared towards drug delivery to enable new modes of action, as well as better targeting and bioavailability of existing medicinal substances,” according to an expert of group of the European Medicines Evaluation Agency Source (“Reflection paper on nanotechnology-based medicinal products for human use”).

This is particularly true in terms of treating cancer. Understandingnano.com gives this update: “Nanoparticles that deliver chemotherapy drugs directly to cancer cells are under development. Tests are in progress for targeted delivery of chemotherapy drugs and their final approval for their use with cancer

patient is pending.”

On the other hand, researchers at the Wyss Institute are “testing nanoparticles that release drugs when subjected to sheer force, such as occurs when passing through a section of artery that is mostly blocked by a clot. Lab tests on animals have shown that this method is effective in delivering drugs used to dissolve clots.”

Dr. Catharine Paddock, in an article by Medical News Today, wrote that manipulating DNA therapies that involve the manipulation of individual genes – or the molecular pathways that influence their expression – are increasingly being investigated as an option for treating diseases.

“One highly sought goal in this field is the ability to tailor treatments according to the genetic make-up of individual patients,” Dr. Paddock wrote. “This creates a need for tools that help scientists experiment and develop such treatments.”

Now imagine this: being able to stretch out a section of DNA like a stand of spaghetti, so doctors can examine or operate on it. Or building nanorobots that can “walk” and carry out repairs inside cell components.

“Nanotechnology is bringing that scientific dream closer to reality,” Dr. Paddock pointed out.

(Photos taken from the net)

VOL. 10 ISSUE 34 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MAY 19 - 20, 2017

EDGEDAVAO

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

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AEV... FROM 11

The company’s food business, Pilmico, will also continue to expand its customer reach in the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nation) region; expand its feed mill capacities in Iligan and Tarlac; export animal feeds to Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Pacific; and target 20,000-sow level for hog farms and one million birds for layer farms, AEV added.

The Aboitiz InfraCapital, the statement said, will con-

NEWS 13 tinue to participate in public infrastructure projects while APO Agua is expected to break ground on its new water treatment plant while the AboitizLand will fully transition itself to becoming a national player with the completion of its headquarters transfer from Cebu to Manila.

“Beyond business, we have invested substantially in ventures of social significance, believing that our businesses must touch the lives of people

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late MIGUEL R. ABELLANA has been the subject of an Extra Judicial Settlement with affidavit of claim with waiver of rights executed among his heirs, per Doc. No.261; Page No.53; Book No. XXX; Series of 2017, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY. RICHARD D. TUMANDA.

5/19,26,6/2

in a meaningful way, creating a better world that will be enjoyed by current and future generations,” Aboitiz said.

He added that AEV, along with its business units, aims to spend P76.7 billion in capital expenditures this year, or up 83% versus P42 billion spent last year, on the back of sustained optimism over the country’s economic growth prospects, particularly in the power and infrastructure sectors. ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

PCSO... FROM 7

amount of each ambulance unit is approximately P800,000.00 and the funds for its acquisition come from the PCSO’s responsible gaming services that include the expanded Small Town Lottery (STL), Lotto, Keno, and Sweepstakes.

The PCSO’s small town lottery, he said, is the only legal and authorized numbers game nationwide and it aims to support charitable deeds for the benefits of the people nationwide.

Balutan said the PCSO is eager to do more for the less-fortunates in the region with the help of the ARMM government. (Bureau of Public Information)

14

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SPORTS 15

900 eyed in Children’s Games D

AVAO CITY - Some 900 participants from 30 barangays in Davao City are expected to see action in the kick-off launch of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)-backed Summer Children’s Games 2017 slated May 25 to 27 in separate venues here.

Philippine Sports Institute (PSI) Davao City coordinator Mark Paul Samante bared this during Thursday’s Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at The Annex of SM City Davao.

He said, “We have 60 teams in 3-on-3 basketball since each barangay can field two teams and 30 barangay teams for the girls volleyball.

All 30 barangays will also have 10 participants each in the Larong Pinoy.”

He said the Games, designed for children 10 to 12 years old, aims to promote the PSC’s Sports for All program and fulfill President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s directive to bring sports to the grassroots level.

The Children’s Games is also part of PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez’s brainchild, Sports for Peace program, that was first held in 2008 with the Mindanao Children’s Games.

Ramirez, who celebrated his birthday yesterday, is arriving earlier than the rest of the Manila-based PSC staff as he will be working closely with the PSI Davao City group under Samante who is also being supported by PSI Mindanao coordinator Marlon Malbog in the final preparations of the

Summer Children’s Games.

The Sports Development Division of the City Mayor’s Office under Mikey Aportadera and the Liga ng Mga Barangay headed by its president Davao City Councilor January Duterte are among the major partners of the Games organizing committee.

Mildred Untalan, chief-ofstaff of Liga ng mga Barangay president Davao City Councilor January Duterte, for her part, said they selected 10 barangays each from the city’s three congressional districts.

“The barangays we selected are the ones very active in participating in our programs. We encouraged them to choose CICLs (children in conflict with the law) and out-of-school youth. So far the barangay captains are very receptive and eager to be part of the Children’s Games,” Untalan said.

The barangay captains, according to her, are the ones who will choose the participants.

A barangay sports seminar, meanwhile, will be held on May 24 at The Royal Mandaya Hotel.

Girls volleyball will be held on May 25 to 27 at the Almendras Gym Davao City Recreation Center while the 3-on-3 basketball will be played at the Rizal Park and Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Gym also on May 25 to 27.

DCPO will also host the Larong Pinoy on May 26.

Formal opening program is slated at 8 a.m. on May 25.

PSI

Cavs rout Celtics in Game 1

L

EBRON James embarrassed every defender Boston threw at him and the Cleveland Cavaliers picked up where they left off following a long layoff, rolling to a 117104 victory over the Celtics on Wednesday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.

James had 38 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. ‘’He’s playing at a high level. And that’s the reason why we’re riding him so much,’’ coach Tyronn Lue said. ‘’When LeBron’s playing at that level other guys just have to be solid and we have a good chance to win.’’

Coming off a 10-day break, James and Cavaliers raced to an early lead were never threatened. ‘’You can’t dig yourself in a big hole like that against them,’’ Boston coach Brad Stevens said.

Kevin Love added a playoff career-high 32 points and had 12 rebounds to help the Cavaliers improve to 9-0 in the first three rounds of the playoffs.

They opened 10-0 last season en route to their first NBA title.

Game 2 is Friday night in Boston.

James scored at will in the first half and the Cavs built a

26-point lead. Love opened up the floor for James, burying outside jumpers and forcing Boston to leave defenders oneon-one with James.

Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder led the Celtics with 21 points each. Isaiah Thomas had 17 points. Boston missed 11 of its first 14 shots.

Love averaged a quiet 13.8 points in the first two rounds, then broke out against a Boston team that knocked him out of the 2015 playoffs when he became tangled with Kelly Olynyk and dislocated his shoulder.

The shoulder was working just fine Wednesday, and he scored in the paint and from the outside.

Things got a little testy in the third quarter when Boston’s Marcus Smart and Cleveland’s Tristan Thompson got nose-to-nose and had to be separated by referees. Some jawing continued briefly before James stepped in to pull Thompson away.

Smart and Thompson were called for double technical on the play, but got tangled again a few minutes later. This time, Smart fell to the floor during that exchange, drawing a foul on Thompson.

CHILDREN’S GAMES. Philippine Sports Institute (PSI) Davao City coordinator Mark Paul Samante, right, says 900 participants are expected in the kick-off launch of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)-backed Summer Children’s Games 2017 slated May 25 to 27 in separate venues in Davao City. Beside him

is Mildren Untalan, chief-of-staff of Liga ng mga Barangay president Davao City Councilor January Duterte. TOMAS AVANCEÑA/DAVAO SPORTSWRITERS ASSOCIATION

No problem so far for Gilas C

OACH Chot Reyes decided to go all-Filipino on Wednesday night, giving Andray Blatche the night off and even shuffling his starting five although keeping Junemar Fajardo as the slotman.

No problem!

Gilas extended its domination in the SEABA Men’s Championship, blasting Vietnam, 107-52, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

In a game where Reyes

opted to field in Terrence Romeo, Calvin Abueva, Troy Rosario, and Matt Wright in place of Blatche, Jayson Castro, Allein Maliksi, and RR Pogoy, Gilas used an 14-0 run midway through the first quarter to break away for good.

Wright finished with 19 points on 5-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc with two rebounds and one assist for Gilas, which will face Indonesia on Thursday for all the

marbles plus the lone ASEAN zone spot in the FIBA Asia Cup and the FIBA World Cup Qualifier.

Raymond Almazan, on the other hand, went 7-of-7 from the field for 16 points.

Nguyen Thanh Nhan led Vietnam with 11 markers, two caroms, and one assist. (Ivan Saldajeno/PNA)

DEADLY DUO. Jayson Castro (left photo) and Jio Jalalon (right photo) have been a wrecking crew at guard for the Gilas Pilipinas squad in the ongoing SEABA Cup. The Nationals trampled Vietnam on Wednesday night.

Warriors are only the 5th team with 1-0 playoff start

T

HE Golden State Warriors’ rare unbeaten start this postseason doesn’t necessarily mean they’re on their way to a title.

Golden State is just the fifth NBA team to win its first 10 playoff games in a given postseason. Only two of the four teams that previously achieved the feat went on to win the title.

The Warriors aren’t getting caught up in talk about where they might rank in history if they continue this run. They say they’re focusing on continuing to get better and the next game against the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference finals. ‘’We feel like we like our chances against anybody, no matter (who) is on the court,’’ Warriors forward Kevin Durant said Tuesday night after a 136-100 victory over the Spurs, who played without injured All-Star forward

Kawhi Leonard. ‘’That’s the confidence we have. But we’ve got to be ready Game 3. We know they’re probably going to be full strength in Game 3 and ready to play us.

Here’s a look at the other four teams that had the best starts in playoff history.

--1989 - LOS ANGELES LAKERS (11-0) The Lakers followed up a 57-25 regular season by carrying an unbeaten postseason record into the Finals as they sought their third straight title. But after sweeping Portland, Seattle and Phoenix to win the Western Conference title, the Lakers were swept by the Detroit Pistons in the Finals. The Lakers’ title hopes suffered a devastating blow when Magic Johnson injured his hamstring in Game 2 of the Finals. Johnson started Game 3 but played only five minutes before

missing the rest of the series.

--2001 - LOS ANGELES LAKERS (11-0) The Lakers dropped only one game the entire postseason on their way to winning a second straight championship. The Lakers would win a third straight crown the following year. Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant led a Lakers team that swept Portland, Sacramento and San Antonio in the Western Conference playoffs. After losing 107-101 at home to Philadelphia in the first game of the NBA Finals, the Lakers beat the 76ers four straight times to clinch the title.

--2012 - SAN ANTONIO SPURS (10-0) After sweeping Utah and the Los Angeles Clippers, San Antonio took a 2-0 lead over Oklahoma City in the Western Conference finals. But the Spurs wouldn’t win

another game as the Thunder beat San Antonio four straight times to claim the Western Conference title. Oklahoma City went on to lose in five games to Miami in the NBA Finals.

--2016 - CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (10-0) The Cavaliers swept Detroit and Atlanta in the first two rounds of the postseason and took a quick 2-0 lead over Toronto in the Eastern Conference finals before losing five of its next eight playoff games.

Cleveland won a six-game series with Toronto but fell behind Golden State 3-1 in the NBA Finals before LeBron James and Kyrie Irving rallied the Cavaliers to the title .

Cleveland also has swept its first two playoff opponents this year as it enters the Eastern Conference finals with Boston , marking the first time a team has stated out 8-0 in two straight postseasons.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. VOL.10 10ISSUE ISSUE34 34••FRIDAY FRIDAY--SATURDAY, SATURDAY,MAY MAY19 19--20, 20,2017 2017

KINGS OF GREENS Del Monte reigns supreme in 2nd Mindanao Open Interclub

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

V

njb@edgedavao.net

ISITING Del Monte outclassed its Davao City rivals to reign supreme in the 2nd Mindanao Meet Interclub golf tournament at the Apo Golf and Country Club over the weekend.

Del Monte Birdie Hunters carded an aggregate 317 built on spectacular rounds by Noel Langgamin who had a 73, Raul Minoza 69, Mel Cubelo 64, Arsenio Mondilla 60 and Virgilio Adag 51 under the unique coring format to win the premier Group 1 title.

Apo Golf Reguar

3 scored 275 to finish second. PAL Interclub veterans Monchit Mackay fired 58, Karloz Alba 57, Leo Fusillero 54, Jorge Martinez 52, Denden De Castro 27 and Toffee Tionko 27.

Apo Golf Lucky Stone had a 267 aggregate to finish third.

Martin Castillo had 60, Benjie Leparto 58, Enrique Romero Salas 52, Mark Oropeza 51, and Bob Bandolon 46.

Butuan won Group 2 with a 265 besting Davao City Golf Club (242), and Apo TGIS (240).

Del Monte made it a double when its senior squad Del Monte Anak sa Pinya (417) captured the Seniors Group 1 title besting Pueblo Seniors (399) and Apo Golf Stalagmites (395).

The Seniors Group 2 crown went to Rancho Palos Verdes Seniors (427) winning over Sarangani Golf Seniors (410) and Apo Golf Senior Fighters (367).

The four-day golfest was participated in by Mindanao golf clubs of Davao, Sarangani, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan and Bukidnon.

TO THE HOLE. Karloz Alba of Apo lines up his putt.