Edge 10 Issue 42, May 31, 2017

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 42 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2017

Serving a seamless society

SCHOOL ASSISTANCE. A staff member of the City Mayor’s Office hands over school supplies to a parent during the last day of school supplies distribution from the city government of Davao at City Hall on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

NOT FELT Millennials say Martial Law does not seem to exist

By REBECCA ESPERA

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RANDOM survey conducted among millennials in Davao City revealed that they do not feel the expected changes brought about by the declaration of martial law.

Those interviewed said the situation shaped up as “the same as that before Martial Law was declared.”

“Murag wala may nag bag-o”, said Darvine Ramos who teaches at the Tecarro College Foundation. She said the situation remains the same even if the city was placed under martial law.

She said that while she is aware of the ‘secure and hold’ order of Mayor Sara Duterte, her activities so far have not

EDGEDAVAO Sports

UNIFICATION Pacquiao gets call out from three world champs for unification fight

been affected by the declaration of martial law. “Mo suroy ra man gihapon mi bisag naay martial law”, she quipped.

Another 27-year old, Stephanie Tom, a government employee at the Department of Labor said that martial Law seems to be on television only.

“Maka kita mig gyera sa TV pero murag dili man affect-

ed ang Davao”, she said. While she is sympathetic of the plight of the Muslim brothers and sisters in Marawi, she believes that the declaration of martial law will ultimately do good for the country.

A 33-year old, Marie Mondilla, a mother of three children said that she also does

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NEWS Pg2

CAO urges urban residents to do container gardening

Northern exposure: One-Stop fun at CLARK

NEWS Pg3 Gaerlan asks civilians: Help implement ML

Registration of new city residents asked

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HE Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 has recommended to the Davao City Peace and Order Council to pass a resolution urging the city council to craft an ordinance requiring new residents to register with the barangays.

PRO 11 director Chief Supt. Manuel Gaerlan told a press conference Monday that this will help the authorities monitor the movement of migrants.

He cited in particular

residents of Marawi City who were displaced by clashes between government troops and the Maute Group.

He encouraged the barangays and residents to do their share in fighting terrorism. “(Just like) what happened to Marawi, dahan dahan pumapasok ang ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) and Maute personalities… Dapat tayo huwag hayaan ang mga communities natin na mag-

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 42 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2017

CONDITIONAL. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio says that her offer to conduct localized peacetalks with the New People’s Army (NPA) still remains but the communist rebels should lay down firearms and stop their offenses. The mayor made the statement during a news conference at City Hall on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

Davao mayor willing to hold ‘local peace talks’with Reds

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AVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio welcomed moves to hold “localized peace talks” with the New People’s Army (NPA) as long as the rebels will put aside their firearms and stop their offensive operations.

She issued this statement Tuesday morning after the Government of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front (NDF) fifth round of talks in The Netherlands hit a snag, as a result of the Communist Party of the Philippines’s call for the NPA rebels to step up attacks on government forces in opposition to the declaration of martial law.

The mayor said she is “setting aside personal feelings towards the rebels over her

pursuit towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.”

“I have no choice... I’ll push things that I think can make the city better and (one) of them is the localized peace talks,” she said.

She emphasized on the need for the rebels to set side their firearms and stop offensive operations before any localized peace talks can start.

“I am always open, but we cannot sit down if they continue their offensive operations against the people, against the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” she said.

The mayor stressed it would be hard to start talking with the rebels when there are still people killed due to the “indiscriminate planting

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CAO urges urban residents to do container gardening The system avoids use of synthethic fertilizer

By REBECCA ESPERA

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HE urban container garden program of the City Agriculturist Office showcased at the rooftop of City Hall Annex Building does is meant to encourage homeowners to plant organic crops even in a small area of land.

Leomi Lamata, CAO Vegetable Coordinator said that CAO has been conducting trainings as means of propagating its advocacy.

“We conduct trainings [pertaining to container gar-

dening] among our walk-in clients, schools, Barangay Officials, farmers, Non-Government Organizations, and from the Department of Education ” Lamata said on Tuesday.

The CAO also expanded its support on container gardening among the Barangays in the City by introducing local officials and to the ‘gulayan sa barangay’, which is presently interlinking with organic agriculture. “ The system avoids the

usage of synthetic fertilizers, Lamata said.

In order to broaden the good cause of urban container gardening program, the CAO initiated and strenghtened its linkages with organic practitioners especially with those who are interested.

Lamata said the CAO does not only educate interested personalities but it also does follow-ups after the conduct of training to ensure application of the knowledge with regards

to container gardening. “Once [after] they join the training, gina-follow up namo sila kung gihimo ba nila sa ilang lugar ang maong project” Lamata said.

He as well added that CAO will be very pleased to teach interested farmers, homeowners and the likes to perform proper container gardening by using organic products. In relation to such, the CAO’s Agricultural Technologists will be very willing to assist them.

an earthquake and tsunami prone area. It is transected and bounded by active earthquake generators such as the Philippine Fault and the Philippine Trench. The tsunami threat posed to the eastern Philippine archipelago includes both local and distant tsunamis.

Large-magnitude earthquakes that also generated a tsunami have occurred in the region.

The one-day seminar-workshop aims to strengthen the province’s awareness about earthquake and tsunami, as well as to

help them prepare in case such natural hazards occur in the region. LGUs and Barangay Officials’ role in correct information dissemination will be discussed in the seminar-workshop.

PHIVOLCS, thru the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental, invited participants from the municipalities of Boston, Cateel, Baganga, and Caraga to attend on May 30.

Officials from the municipalities of Manay, Tarragona, BanayBanay, and Lupon and municipalities of San Isidro,

Governor Generoso, and Mati City are expected to attend the seminar on May 31 and June 1, 2017, respectively.

In addition, PHIVOLCS will conduct a press conference, PHIVOLCS Infosentro, to give update regarding the recent earthquakes at Honey’s Restaurant on May 31, 2017, and on June 1, Usec.

Renato Solidum will be the guest speaker in “Kapihan sa Apo View” at Apo View Hotel, Davao City.

Last year, PHIVOLCS con-

15 senators: Declaration of martial law constitutional Earthquake awareness seminar for LGUs slated in Mati City

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IFTEEN of 23 senators have signed a resolution expressing support for Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

Senate resolution 388 was signed on Monday by most members of the majority bloc namely Senate Pres.

Aquilino Pimentel III, Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, Senate Pres. Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, Senators Juan Edgardo Angara, Nancy Binay, Joseph Victor Ejercito, Sher-

win Gatchalian, Richard Gordon, Gringo Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda, Manny Pacquiao, Joel Villanueva, Cynthia Villar and Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Two majority bloc senators did not sign the resolution -- Senators Francis Escudero and Grace Poe. In the resolution, the 15 senators agreed that “the acts committed by the Maute group are an open attempt to remove from the allegiance

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HE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology – Department of Science and Technology (PHIVOLCS-DOST) is conducting a series of 1-day seminar-workshops on Earthquake Awareness and Preparedness for Local Government Units (LGUs) and Barangay Officials of Davao Oriental. The seminar-workshop will be held on May 30, 31, and June 1, 2017 at Honey’s Hotel and Restaurant, Mati City.

The province of Davao Oriental was identified as

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 42 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2017

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 3

Rotarians pray on Martial Law M

MARTIAL LAW EXPLAINED TO ROTARIANS. Police Chief Supt. Manuel R. Gaerlan, director of the PNP Region 11 based in Davao City, explains the implications of Martial Law in Mindanao proclaimed by President Duterte on May 23rd to the lives of civilians in a talk with members of the Rotary Club of

East Davao (RCED) headed by Fred Yelinek, an American builder, during the group’s 47th luncheon meeting Tuesday noon at the Marco Polo Davao. See related story. ANTONIO M. AJERO

Gaerlan to civilians: Help implement ML PNP 11 director: No arrest, search done in 1st week

By ANTONIO M. AJERO

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IVILIANS can help the military and government achieve the objectives of Martial Law before it expires in 60 days by doing their share in its implementation.

This was bared by Police Chief Supt. Manuel R. Gaerlan, regional director of the Philippine National Police Region 11, based in Davao City, in a talk during the 47th regular luncheon meeting of the Rotary Club of East Davao (RCED) Tuesday noon.

Gaerlan said that the proclamation of Martial Law vy President Rodrigo R. Duterte

basically contained two vital things –Martial Law for the duration of 60 days and the suspension of the privilege of habeas corpus, He said President Duterte’s proclamation on May 23,2017 as a result of the Marawi City attack by the Maute terrorist group was aimed “to restore law and order in Marawi City” and “ to guard law and order in other parts of Mindanao.”

Civilians in the Davao area could very well help government achieve its objectives in implementing martial law by two ways – doing their nor-

Davao City ready to send aid for Marawi evacuees

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HE Davao City government is sending relief goods for Marawi City residents who were displaced by the continued firefight between government forces and the Maute terrorist group.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said yesterday the food packs are ready for transport to Iligan once there is clearance from the Armed Forces of the Philippines to ensure the safety of the people, who will bring the relief goods.

The relief goods, which include 500 sacks of rice, canned goods and noodles, are ready to be delivered anytime.

“We have prepared relief goods that we will send in Iligan, but we are still considering the safety of the people who will bring the food along the way,” the mayor said.

“We will discuss the matter with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, we don’t want to hassle them because we know that they are really busy right now. We have to sit down with them regarding this matter,” Duterte-Carpio said.

“All of us have the moral obligation to (help) the evacuees,” she said.

Meanwhile, the mayor said the city’s crime incident remained low since the declaration of martial law, based on the records of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO).

DCPO Director Sr. Supt Alexander Tagum said that the city remains generally peaceful, citing the full cooperation of the residents in the security measures enforced by the police.

(PNA)

mal day-to-day activities and reporting suspicious persons and activities in their localities.

Gaerlan who happens to be an active RCED member took the place of Lt. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, AFP Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) chief, who begged off from his scheduled talk due to a last-minute engagement in connection with his being Martial Law administrator for Eastern Mindanao.

The PNP 11 regional director said that Brig. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, spokesperson of EastMinCom, who is also the designated Martial Law

spokesman for the area, was not also available for the talk before RCED, the biggest of the 98 clubs of the Rotary District 3860 covering Visayas and Mindanao.

Gaerlan told Rotarians that all Dabawenyos, other residents of the Davao Region and their visitors should act normally as life now under Martial Law is actually safer than before, saying that law men and troops are more focused on the job of law enforcement.

He reported that during the first week of the imple-

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EMBERS of the Rotary Club of East Davao, biggest of 98 clubs in Rotary International District 3860 covering provinces and cities in the Visayas and Mindanao included martial law, pleading to the Almighty to spare the lives of troops and civilians in the ongoing war in Marawi City during their meeting yesterday.

The prayer was composed and read by Lady Esther de Jesus, club honorary member, during the meeting’s opening.

“Thank you Lord for all the countless blessings You have showered upon us.

“Lord, we are passing through a strenuous period.

Everyone has his share of worries, yet we can still find time to be charitable and loving and not forget to do the little kindly acts to make life happier.

“Lord, martial law was declared due to the atrocities in Marawi where we lost precious lives of civilians, soldiers, and terrorists and instilling fear to the citizens. We pray

Lady Esther that you touch the hearts of these terrorists and stop this uprising to save lives, properties and allow them back to live in peace because we are all brothers.

“Our hearts bleed seeing these soldiers exposed to all the dangers caused by all these. Please God, protect us from this threat haunting us for a long time now. Help us to be vigilant and guard ourselves and not to be complacent. All these we fervently pray in your intercession.

Amen.”

Maute death toll reaches 65 in Marawi fighting

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S government efforts to clear Marawi City of the remaining Maute Group terrorists reached its eighth day, the Armed Forces of the Philippines announced that a total of 65 lawless elements were killed by military personnel conducting clearing operations.

This was disclosed by AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla in a message to the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday.

Of the 65 Maute Group ter-

rorists killed, around 42 were confirmed by body count and the remaining 23 through eye witness reports.

Government losses are placed at 20 and this can be broken down into 17 soldiers and three police officers.

Wounded are placed at 72 with 69 AFP and three Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel.

Padilla said number of rescued civilians is now at 560

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KILLING THE TIME. A group of elementary students uses an electronic gadget to fight boredom while waiting for their parents during the second day of enrollment at Magallanes Elementary School in Davao City on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 42 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2017

Andritz Hydro to run Hedcor’s 68-MW plant

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BACKDROP. Street vendors, like this ice cream peddler, sell their merchandise near the stationed light armor vehicle in front of City Hall which became a popular selfie background of Dabawenyos. Lean Daval Jr.

Marawi ‘war’ displaces 14,353 families: NDRRMC H

EAVY fighting between government security forces and the Maute Group in Marawi City has so far displaced a total of 14, 353 families or around 70, 953 persons in Region 10 and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) as of May 29, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Executive Director Ricardo Jalad reported to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

Of these, some 2, 318 families or 10,778 individuals are now staying in 20

evacuation centers while the remaining 12, 035 families or 60, 175 persons are with their relatives and friends.

Jalad also reported that eight houses were burned in Marawi City since skirmishes started on May 23.

The series of encounters with the terrorists stemmed from military efforts to apprehend Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, a known ally of the lawless group, in Marawi City.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Center in

Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City remains on “Blue Alert” to closely monitor the situation and maintain constant coordination with concerned member-agencies and offices.

Jalad also said the Department of Social Welfare and Development Central Office, Field Officers in Mindanao, National Resource Operation Center, Visayas Disaster Response Center in Region 7 have a total stockpile and standby funds amounting to PHP1,354,750,413.82.

Stand-by funds available

at the DSWD Central Office and Field Offices amount to PHP1,024,030,820.26, of which PHP1,007,432,193.67 is the Quick Response Fund.

Around 174,673 “Family Food Packs” worth PHP65,452,613.97 and Food and Non-Food Items worth PHP265,266,979.59 are also available.

Four Philippine Coast Guard ships, namely, the BRP Malabrigo, BRP Tubbataha, BRP Batangas and BRP Romblon are deployed for relief and security efforts relating to the ongoing incident in Marawi City. (PNA)

half of the potential revenue than the original bill proposed by the President’s economic team.

According to Pernia, the Department of Finance (DoF) version of TRAIN aims to generate a potential revenue of about PHP162 billion in its first year of implementation, whereas the House version would only generate around PHP82 billion in additional revenues.

“It is not good. Congress should have passed it in toto,” he said.

He added that failure of Congress to pass the original bill would force the government to scale down its massive infrastructure program.

“Well, that’s a problem.

Then we will be unable to

fund the Build, Build, Build.

It will be small Build, small Build, small Build,” Pernia said.

The socio-economic manager said that scaling down TRAIN would likewise adversely affect the other socio-economic programs of the government.

“You know, the revenue generation to stem from the tax reform program will fund not only hard infrastructure but also soft infrastructure, human infrastructure, human capital, education and health,” Pernia said.

For the health sector alone, the passage of TRAIN is a necessary government intervention that will ensure that quality health will no longer escape the poor.

According to Health Undersecretary Lilibeth David, the Department of Health fully supports TRAIN due to its health gains that will allow the government to intervene better in the health sector.

“The comprehensive tax reform is a win for health since it will provide additional resources that the health sector can leverage to scale up multi-sector wide public policy interventions to prevent the risk factors for non-communicable diseases; increase the breadth and depth of PhilHealth coverage; to hire more health workers to deploy on the ground; and enhance our public health facilities,” David said in the same press briefing. (PNA)

Modified tax reform package to derail Admin’s 3-Bs

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HE National Economic and Development Authority on Tuesday said a scaled-down version of the proposed Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) bill would have dire consequences on President Rodrigo Duterte’s Build, Build, Build program as well as the other anti-poverty programs under Dutertenomics.

This was stressed by NEDA director-general Ernesto Pernia during a press briefing in Malacañang upon being informed that the substitute bill of the House of Representatives for the first package of the Duterte administration’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program is expected to generate only

NDRITZ Hydro is on its half way of completing the installation of four units Francis-type turbine for the 25.4-MW Manolo Fortich Hydropower Plant 2 of Hedcor Bukidnon, Inc., a subsidiary of AboitizPower.

While the Manolo Fortich Hydropower Plant 1 will have a combination of Francis-type and Pelton-type turbines with two units each type. This will generate 43.4 MW renewable energy.

Andritz was awarded 15 million Eurodollar worth-ofcontract to complete the electromechanical works of Hedcor’s newest two power plants.

This Hedcor’s hydro project is enough to provide clean energy to approximately 70,000 households in the island of Mindanao.

“Aside from installing the electromechanical equipment, Andritz ensures quality control of the entire hydro system

such as analysis, target points, alignment, and ensures the hydro plant will soon generate power, efficiently,” said Rolando Pacquiao, vice president for Operations, Hedcor.

Pacquiao added that the commissioning of this project is expected within the 4th quarter of this year.

Meanwhile, Hedcor Bukidnon recorded 2.9 million man-hours with no lost time incident within the workplace, as of this writing.

Hedcor specializes in generating renewable energy from run-of-river hydropower system. Today, Hedcor manages and operates 22 hydropower plants and supplies the country with 185 MW of clean and renewable energy. With almost 40 years of experience, Hedcor is the leading run-ofriver developer in the Philippines which adheres to the guidelines of multiple international standards. Lloyd Revilla

ELECTROMECHANICAL WORKS. Andritz Hydro ensures quality control to the 68.8-MW Manolo Fortich Hydro project of Hedcor in the Province of Bukidnon.

DTI monitors price freeze compliance in Zambo City

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HE Department of Trade and Industry has organized three monitoring teams in Zamboanga City to ensure compliance with the prize freeze following the declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

The prize freeze is pursuant to Republic Act 7581, otherwise known as the Price Act of the Philippines, which states that automatic price control shall take effect in areas declared under State of Calamity, State of Emergency, State of Rebellion, State of War, and suspension of the privilege of writ of habeas corpus.

Ceferino Rubio , DTI provincial director, said Tuesday each of the three monitoring teams have designated areas -- east coast, west coast and central -- to watch the prizes of basic and prime commodities.

Rubio said the focus of the monitoring teams are the business establishments located in the growth centers of this city.

“All businessmen are compliant with the prize

freeze. We haven’t encounter violation so far but the enforcement is continuing until after the martial law,” he said.

He said they have furnished copies of the Local Price Coordinating Council (LPCC) informing the business stakeholders of the prize freeze that is in effect.

He said they will also come up with an information material concerning the prize freeze, which will be posted in barangay halls so that the residents will be properly informed.

The basic commodities stipulated under R.A. 7581 are rice, corn, cooking oil, fresh, dried fish and other marine products, fresh eggs, fresh pork, beef and poultry meat, fresh and processed milk, fresh vegetables, root crops, sugar, canned fish and other processed marine products, coffee, laundry soap, detergent, candles, bread, salt, drugs classified as essential

by Department of Health, firewood, and charcoal.

The prime commodities include fresh fruits, dried

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 42 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2017

ECONOMY 5

PH climate pledge doable, says Alvarez

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N environment advocate believes the Philippines can meet its 70 percent greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction commitment under the Paris agreement on climate change.

“Our commitment is within reach,” said environment advocate and former senator Heherson Alvarez on Monday during the multi-sector consultation for the roadmap aimed at helping the Philippines meet such commitment by 2030.

He noted the country has sun, wind and other natural resources that are available for harnessing into clean renewable energy (RE).

Increasingly harnessing such resources will help the country shift to RE and replace coal-based power production that’s among main generators of GHG emissions, he noted.

“The bounty of Philippine RE resources will enable us to deliver on our commitment,” he said.

Adopted in December 2015 at the 21st Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris agreement seeks avoiding dangerous climate change through global GHG emission reduction so temperature rise can be limited to well below 2°C.

Energy expert Roberto Verzola said RE must already account for around 53 percent of Philippine energy mix by 2022 to help the country meet its Paris Agreement commitment.

Implementing RE projects government already identified will help reach such energy mix, he noted.

He raised urgency for action, doubtful the Philippines will fulfill its commitment under the Paris Agreement if government sticks to the Department of Energy (DOE) plan for RE. “DOE’s plan for RE to have a 30 percent share of the energy mix will result in only a 12 percent reduction in the country’s GHG emissions by 2030,” he said at the event’s side.

Alvarez urged the private sector to help mainstream RE in the Philippines.

“Coal plants today account for some 50 percent of Philippine requirements - this is the challenge technology can help address,” he said.

Technological advances are increasingly making RE a viable alternative to coalbased power, he noted.

He said cost of solar power is particularly becoming more competitive so this power alternative has much potential for further use in the country. (PNA)

DOJ to rule on P9.5-B tax raps versus Mighty

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HE Department of Justice on Tuesday said it is set to submit for resolution the P9.564-billion tax evasion complaint filed by the Bureau of Immigration) against cigarette firm Mighty Corporation.

During the continuation of the hearing on the case on Tuesday, the Mighty Corp. submitted its rejoinder to the DOJ panel composed of Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Sebastian Caponong Jr. who sits as its chairperson and Assistant State Prosecutors Ma. Lourdes Uy and Mary Ann Parong.

The respondents to the complaint are Mighty Corp. officials Alexander Wongchuking, owner and assistant corporate secretary), former Armed Forces deputy chiefof-staff and retired Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan, Might Corp.’s president; retired Judge Oscar Barrientos, company executive Vice President; and company treasurer Ernesto Victa have submitted their counter-affidavits and denied the allegations.

The complaint accuses the firm of unlawful possession of articles subject to excise tax without payment and for possessing false, counterfeit, restored or altered stamps in violation of Sections 263 and 265(c) of the National Revenue Code of 1997.

This stemmed from the discovery of fake excise tax stamps in the packaging of the firm’s cigarettes stored in four warehouses at the San Simon Industrial Park, San Isidro, Pampanga.

The three-member panel will also handle the preliminary investigation on the second complaint filed by BIR on P26.93 billion tax evasion complaint against the same respondents with the same violation after more fake excise tax stamps were discovered in warehouses Barangay Matimbubong, San Ildefonso, Bulacan. ”So without appropriate the motion we will treat these cases as two separate cases,” Caponong told both parties during the hearing.

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TAKING A PICK. A young girl chooses from a wide collection of notebooks at one of the oldest bookstores in the city along City Hall Drive on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

New feedback reporting to boost DOLE services Bello says frontline services expected to improve

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OLLOWING the streamlining of its key frontline services, the Department of Labor and Employment is continuously improving its feedback reporting to further enhance its delivery of services to the public.

Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III has directed the Department’s Bureaus, Services, Attached Agencies (AAs), Regional Offices (ROs), and Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) to adopt the new reporting system that

will document feedback system, thus improve its frontline service delivery.

“The implementation of new reporting system is part of DOLE’s continuing improvement of its frontline services,” Bello said.

He added that under the new reporting system, compliance reports of key frontline services will be processed by concerned DOLE focal monitoring office.

The focal monitoring office that will consolidate and

evaluate compliance reports include the Internal Audit Service (IAS) for 72-hour PCT on the delivery of services; Human Resource Development Service (HRDS) for Hotline 8888 and CSC Contact Center ng Bayan, and complaints received through direct mails; and the Financial and Management Service (FMS) for Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA).

Also included are the Information and Publication Service (IPS) in coordination with ROs, AAs, and POLOs for

24/7 Hotline 1349; and Regional, Attached Agencies and POLOs’ Hotlines; and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration for One Stop Service Center for OFWs (OSSCO).

“To ensure the effective implementation of this new reporting system, all concerned monitoring offices will have to designate their respective focal persons and alternates for each of the frontline services,” the labor chief said.

(PNA)

income tax system will increase the monthly take home pay of call center agents by an average of P4,000, while adjusting other taxes will increase funding for health, training, and infrastructure investments crucial for the working environment of laborers,” Catapang said.

Catapang said the additional revenues from the CTRP that will be earmarked for health care, among other priorities, is “crucial for the working sector,” which is the ”most vulnerable to physical and mental health issues.”

He likewise pointed out that “the increased funding for education and training arising from increased tax collections under the CTRP will also capacitate current and future workers as well as improve their performance and productivity.”

“It’s a win-win for em-

ployees, businesses, and most especially the whole nation, so we truly hope the Congress will pass this with urgency,” added Catapang.

Catapang said the CTRP’s first package, also known as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN), adjusts the outdated formula for income tax payments under the current system, which “has unfairly burdened the working class with rates that apply for higher income classes.”

“TRAIN will not only lower the tax rates for the middle class and other working classes but it will also effectively exempt 83 percent of the labor force from paying taxes,” Catapang said.

“In addition, the bill addresses other taxation issues which will result in fulfilling the annual investment target of an additional P1 trillion an-

nually,” he added.

Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua said earlier that under the TRAIN bill, a typical call center agent who earns P21,000 a month with a gross income of P273,000 inclusive of the 13th month pay and other benefits, will be exempted from paying personal income taxes.

Under the current system, the same call center agent, even with two dependents, still has to pay P21,867 in income tax because of an outdated tax structure in which his net taxable income of P136,834 is taxed P8,500 plus 20 percent in excess of P70,000.

The House started plenary discussions last May 23 on the substitute bill, House Bill No. 5636, which its Committee on Ways and Means passed last May 15 after consolidating the original measure endorsed last

BPO leader backs comprehensive tax reform package

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LEADER from the business process outsourcing sector has sought speedy congressional approval of the first package of Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP), which he described as a “win-win” for both labor and management as it will raise the take-home pay of workers and enhance the workplace environment leading to higher productivity.

Gerald Catapang, the administrator of the Facebook community page Call Center Philippines, said the CTRP is also a “win” even for non-workers because alongside slashing income tax rates, the bill will adjust other taxes to help the Duterte administration raise the extra P1 trillion it needs yearly for an aggressive spending program to improve the living standards of poor and low-income Filipinos.

“Reforming our personal

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 42 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2017

Comval’s 7th Batch of Adopt-a-child program launched

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ACO, Compostela Valley Province-– The Adopt-a-child program of the provincial government continues its round province-wide with Maco as this year’s first set of beneficiaries.

The 7th batch of this nutrition program will have 57 school children beneficiaries who will be “adopted” by the provincial government employees to ensure their ideal nutritional status.

The launching was attended by heads of offices and focal persons from the province along with local officials of Maco held at Binuangan Municipal Gym of Maco on May 26, 2017.

A brainchild of then gover-

nor and now Sr. Board Member Arturo T. Uy, the Adopt-a-child program was first launched in 2010 in helping combat malnutrition among pre-school and school children. Together with the focal persons from the PLGU employees, they personally assist the family (usually, the mother) in the whole duration of the supplementary feeding. The support of the officials and employees even extendvoluntarily, sometimes providing shelter to the families of the children-beneficiaries.

The past program providedlivelihood training and income generating projects, seminars on marital and family enrichment even including the employment and wedding

of unwed parents of the beneficiaries.

“This year’s program will cater the remaining Kusina ng Kalinga (KnK) school children beneficiaries who were not able to meet the normal nutritionals status. The Adopt-a-child program will continue through a supplemental feeding and other intervention for the children’s rehabilitation,” Gov. Tyron L. Uy said.

The children-beneficiaries, coming from Barangays Poblacion, Libay-libay, Bucana, Hijo, Mapaang, Pangi, Concepcion, Dumlan, and Langam, will undergo supplemental feeding for 120 days and will be closely monitored by the focal persons. (fe f maestre/ids comval)

lockdown was to be implemented soonest, as per announcement of the City Information Office through its Facebook page.

The word spread like wildfire and even prompted several residents to pack up things so they can travel out of the city before a set deadline can be announced.

“Be informed that only

containment action is being implemented through strong checkpoints and several mobile checkpoints at the heart of the city including police visibility to negate the occurrence of a similar incident in Marawi City,” a Facebook post by the city police read.

It was issued around 9pm Sunday.

“Anybody can get in and

out of the city provided that they have not violated any law or caught carrying contraband, firearms, explosives, and others, as everybody will have to pass through strict and thorough security inspection,” the post further read.

Soon after, the City Information Office (CIO) took

conducted a pre-construction conference for the 9.4 kilometers rehabilitation/concreting of Magsaysay-Bobonaon Spur Santa Cruz-Paco farm-to-market road (FMR) in Mainit, Surigao del Norte amounting to PHP103 million.

DA-13 said that the concreting of the road could benefit five barangays with coconut as their main agricultural crop.

Mainit Mayor Crisanta Mondano said that the coconut farmers in the area were looking forward on the realization of the project which might con-

veniently transport their commodities to the market areas.

The municipality of Mainit is rich with coconut trees which is one of the priority commodities of the project.

“The municipality is ranked second among all municipalities in the province according to the expanded vulnerability and sustainability assessment (E-VSA) result for coconut. Thus, PRDP intervention would be established here,” the DA press statement quoted Deputy Project Director Jodel Tabada.

The Infrastructure Component aim to put in place strategic and climate-resilient rural infrastructure facilities along the value chain of a particular commodity to achieve its maximum value and increase profit of the players in the industry.

PRDP sees the needs of the community and plans for intervention based on the result on its science-based tools.

It works out to put in place climate-resilient farm-to-market roads, bridges, communal irrigation and potable water systems.(PNA)

The Adopt-a-child program of the Comval provincial government continues its round province-wide with Maco as this year’s first set of beneficiaries. The 7th batch of this nutrition program will have 57 school children beneficiaries who will be “adopted” by the provincial government employees to ensure their ideal nutritional status. (a. dayao/ids comval)

No lockdown in Iligan City: police Zambo curfew hour

T

HE city police office clarified that no lockdown has been ordered in Iligan city in response to the ongoing clashes in neighboring Marawi City between government forces and members of the Maute group.

Police issued the clarification Sunday night after word circulated that a

F NO, 13

Coco-rich Surigao village folks optimistic on P103M FMR

T

HE residents of the coconut rich villages of a lakeside town of Surigao del Norte province looks with optimism on the repair and concreting of a farm-tomarket road in their area which may soon conveniently transport their products to the markets.

According to a press statement from the regional office of the Department of Agriculture in Caraga region, that the department’s Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) here, recently

imposition not likely

M

AYOR Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar on Monday declared that imposition of curfew was not imminent in this southern port city despite Mindanao being under martial law.

Salazar made the pronouncement as the security forces - military and police - remain on top of the situation.

“The imposition of curfew is not imminent in Zamboanga (City) and there is no cause to merit it currently,” Salazar added.

City Administrator Angelique Go said “it is business as usual” in this city despite the declaration of martial law.

“There are those who would not go out at night, but there are no substantial decrease in sales,” Go added.

Salazar has ordered the imposition of the “No ID, No Entry” policy in a bid to shut

ARMM allots P77-M for humanitarian assistance

T MAYOR RIVERA RALLIES K12 STAKEHOLDERS. GENERAL SANTOS CITY (29 May 2017) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera speaks before the K12 Immersion Program Orientation with Stakeholders held at Greenleaf Hotel on May 26.

Mayor Rivera believes that in order to fulfill the vision to ensure that no pupil is left behind, it would take a community to work hand in hand: “I

urge everyone to continue creating efforts and initiate endeavors that will motivate not only our pupils to learn but also for our educators to persist, endure whatever challenges may come your way. Let us all be optimistic and be the source of strength and to help them our pupils fulfill their dreams.

(Gensan CPIO/Russel Delvo)

possible access into this city of terrorists and other lawless elements.

She said the move is part of the stepped-up security measure implemented in this city following the Marawi City incident that prompted President Duterte to declare martial law over Mindanao.

Col. Leonel Nicolas, Joint Task Force Zamboanga commander, disclosed that he had repositioned some of the troops although they were in control of the situation in this city.

“We have repositioned our quick reaction forces where we can react in case of any eventuality,” Nicolas said.

He disclosed that checkpoints had been established along the highway in the east and west coast of this city to implement the “No ID, No Entry policy” of the city government.

(PNA)

HE regional government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has earmarked about P77 million for emergency response to the crisis in Marawi City, Gov. Mujiv Hataman said Tuesday.

Speaking in a radio interview, Hataman said the regional government is making it sure nobody among the internally displaced persons goes hungry.

“No one should be left without food and water, we should show to our IDPs that the government is here to protect them,” Hataman said in Filipino.

As of Monday afternoon,

the ARMM Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team (HEART) has recorded 17,007 families or 84,460 individuals affected by the hostilities after terrorists stormed Marawi City a week ago.

Of this number, 67,870 persons are housed in 38 designated evacuation centers in Lanao del Sur and Iligan City while 2,633 families or 16,590 individuals are staying in the houses of their relatives in the province.

When human exodus was reported in Marawi City the morning after the Maute Group and Abu Sayyaf Group stormed the city, Ha-

F ARMM, 13

7 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 42 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2017

NEARLY DONE. The Building 1 project of the Matina Enclaves, the maiden real estate property venture of homegrown developer Escandor Development Corporation (Esdevco) is shown here on night time and daytime shots. The building is due for turnover next month.

For sturdier and more resilient structures

ComVal corn co-op inks market deal with Vitarich

Holcim CEO shares transform vision, solutions to back PH dev’t, infra thrust T

B

UILDING solutions provider Holcim Philippines, Inc. will implement transformation initiatives that further improve its ability to supply the market’s cement requirements, and provide innovative construction technology to help the country build better amid an infrastructure drive. The company also aims to contribute to the Philippines’ efforts for sustainability and health and safety by strengthening programs in these areas.

Holcim Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer Sapna Sood shared these plans during the company’s shareholders meeting on May 26, where she outlined the

various initiatives that will enable the building solutions provider to be more impactful in the construction industry and contribute in other areas of national development.

Sood said the company is currently preparing for a project supported by LafargeHolcim that will make its Bulacan Plant a model facility within the Group in terms of efficiency and safety. Initiatives to further improve customer service identified by its Logistics Excellence program are also underway including cement deliveries to key business partners within 24 hours.

She added that Holcim Philippines will support the construction sector beyond

cement. The company will draw on the strength of global construction materials leader LafargeHolcim Group to introduce more innovative building solutions that help local builders raise sturdier and more resilient structures and execute these faster and within budget, she said.

The Philippine road segment, which gets the biggest share of the government’s infrastructure budget, is a focus area. The company plans to provide an integrated offer of building solutions and services that improve the ability of local contractors to implement road projects, Sood said.

Holcim Philippines also plans to be more active in sup-

porting causes that are aligned with its values and business directions.

The Holcim executive cited the company’s Health and Safety culture as an example of a core value relevant to external stakeholders.

To support this, Sood plans to improve the company’s Customer Safety Engagement Program, which was initiated last year to instil a stronger appreciation of safety and its benefits to clients’ businesses. This year, the company’s sales force will again continue discussions on safety with business partners and check the impact of their initiatives last year.

Sood noted that sustain-

F HOLCIM, 10

Kaspersky Lab appoints new managing director for APAC

G

LOBAL cybersecurity company Kaspersky Lab has appointed Stephan Neumeier as Managing Director of Kaspersky Lab Asia Pacific effective May 29, 2017.

With more than 17 years of experience in the IT industry, Stephan will play a key role in growing the business in more than 25 countries across the APAC region. His priorities will include strengthening partner relationships, extending the company’s retail footprint, and driving business development to meet growing business and consumer needs for effective cyber-protection.

Under his watch, Stephan is also expected to lead the APAC team in carrying out the company’s strategy to further develop and continue the growth in both commercial and enterprise cybersecurity with strong focus into critical verticals such as ‘industrial cyber security’.

Alexander Moiseev, Chief Sales Officer, Kaspersky Lab said: “With Stephan’s extensive industry experience in the sales / channel and distribution world, we are confident that he will be able to help our partners in the region grow further and faster, building stronger and more successful client and partner

relationships.”

Prior to joining Kaspersky Lab, Stephan held several channel senior leadership roles in Unify, Avaya, SanDisk and McAfee, where he played key roles in transforming business, extending channel footprints and driving business to year-on-year growth.

Reflecting on his appoint-

ment, Stephan said: “I look forward to strengthening the company’s leadership in the region. You don’t often get the chance to work in such a passionate environment where everyone is committed to making the cyber-world a safer place.”

“The swift and comprehensive analysis of Kaspersky Lab on the recent massive WannaCry ransomware attack is a validation of the company’s dedication towards ensuring its support to its partners and customers across the globe and this is something that I’m excited to be a part of.”

Maxim Mitrokhin is stepping down as Managing Director for Kaspersky Lab APAC to return to his previous role as Operations Director. This change will allow Maxim to focus on operational management, optimizing company processes and improving corporate performance within the region.

HE Laak Multipurpose Cooperative (LAMCO) has forged a marketing agreement with Vitarich Corporation, a pioneering poultry and feeds producer in the country.

In a simple signing ceremony held Monday at Department of Agriculture (DA) regional office in Davao City, the two parties agreed to embark on corn marketing agreement where LAMCO acts as consolidator of yellow corn grains and sell it to Vitarich.

LAMCO is a co-op based in Laak, Compostela Valley Province with 6,000 members who are mostly corn farmers.

The Vitarich commits to provide direct market to corn growers and agrees to buy the consolidated corn grains based on prescribe quality standards, prices, and volume requirements. Quality standards include: moisture content of not more than 14%, and total damage grains lower than 5%.

In December 2016, Vitarich has opened its four-hectare processing plant in Panacan, Davao City to cater to the growing demands for aqua feeds products.

“The plant has a capacity

of 93,000 bags per month and

by July we expect to produce 200,000 bags per month. That is why we also want corn production to expand especially the ones locally produced,” said Ricardo Manuel Sarmiento, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vitarich Corporation.

In its initial operations, Vitarich used to import corn from other parts of the country, which is more costly as it required shipment fees. Having sealed market deal with LAMCO, it would be easier to transport its raw materials at the same time help improve the income of local corn farmers.

Mario Tipan, LAMCO’s chairman said the agreement offers a guaranteed floor price of P14 per kilo of quality corn grains for every 200 metric tons that will be sold to Vitarich. An excess delivery will be based on prevailing market price. Current market price for quality corn grains is pegged at P12 per kilo.

“In our experience, the floor price is already a good offer considering that prices of corn usually fluctuates lower than P14 per kilo,” Tipan said.

F COMVAL, 13

MARKET AGREEMENT VITARICH CORP. President and CEO Ricardo Manuel Sarmiento, Jr. (seated R) and Laak Multipurpose Cooperative Chairman (LAMCO) Mario D. Tipan sign a corn marketing agreement where LAMCO intends to identify and consolidate yellow corn producers. Witnessing the signing of the agreement are (standing L-R): Vitarich Corp., VP and Gen. Manager Guillermo B. Mirrales; Laak Mayor Antonio L. Libuangan; and DA-XI Regional Director Ricardo M. Oñate, Jr. Photo by: Ronell Tangonan, RAFIS11

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

I

What chance peace?

S it a case of having the right love at the wrong time?

That line is from a song but it may as well describe what’s going on between the government and the communist rebels.

Like two lovers that just couldn’t get the right dance, the right sync, the right tune, at the right beat. Always trying and never succeeding.

Will there ever be a possibility of achieving peace at last? Will the government and the rebels finally get things right?

Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio would like to believe there is still a chance it can be done. Doubtful but she gives it the benefit of the doubt. One last try, as another song goes, so to speak.

Mayor Inday has opened the idea of holding localized peace talks with the New Peoples’ Army. During the 5th round of the peace negotiations at Netherlands with the CPP/NPA/NDF (CNN), the Gov-

EDGEDAVAO

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ernment of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) panel raised the possibility of localizing peace talks.

Despite her reservation on the matter, Mayor Inday is not closing the door to the idea. She said she had her doubts the Red will “take the peace negotiations as a serious agenda but added one should be rational and open to the possibility.”

So it is possible that the peace talks can resume in the city with the condition that the rebel groups should show sincerity in coming to the negotiating table to discuss peace, according to Mayor Inday.

The presidential daughter still remembers the fate of one fish vendor who died after an IED exploded dring an attack by the NPAs last April 29 in Lapanday’s premises.

Mayor Inday is giving in for the sake of peace and that must be reciprocated by the rebels with utmost sincerity.

Pray, our people’s hearts won’t be broken again.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

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EDGEDAVAO

T

HE expanding influence of the Japanese in Davao in the decade leading to the cityhood of Davao was an issue that attracted different viewpoints. One advice was to close the Santa Ana port, the busiest in Mindanao. This suggestion, though, was flatly rejected given that it was “unjust to the important element of the population and a short-sighted as an economic policy.”

An editorial in the June 1930 issue of Philippine Magazine said there are two issues involved when discussing the Japanese matter. Firstly, the expansion of the Japanese colonies in Davao and other area was deemed by the government as a disadvantage. But the level-headed observers thought the Japanese should not be discriminated against because they were “peaceful and pay their taxes and are entitled to fair treatment.”

“The whole country,” the editorial argued, “must prosper as a unit. There can be no real prosperity of the whole at the expense of a part of the country. The Japanese in Davao contribute to the advancement and prosperity of the entire Philippines. It would be the height of folly to attempt to segregate the various racial or national elements in the country and expect to advance the general interests by damaging the interests of some.”

W

HILE reading the executive summary of the Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2016, one sentence that caught my attention was this: ‘Biotech crops have now had an unblemished record of safe use and consumption for over 20 years.”

It was in 1996 when the commercialization of biotech crops started.

Since then, many farmers are now planting genetically-modified (GM) crops. The 2017 report stated: “Global hectarage of biotech crops has increased almost 110-fold from 1.7 million hectares in 1996 to 185.1 million hectares in 2016 – this makes biotech crops the fastest adopted crop technology in recent times.

“An accumulated 2.1 billion hectares was achieved in 21 years (19962016) of biotech crop commercialization,” pointed out the report, which was published by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Application (ISAAA).

In the Philippines, Filipinos may be eating transgenic foods, such as potato chips, corn cereals, or soya milk. “Love it or loath it, transgenic food is set to become a bigger part of what we eat,” someone noted.

The big question is: are they safe to eat?

“Foods produced using genetic modification is as safe as foods produced using conventional breeding techniques,” assures the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “Genet-

VOL. 10 ISSUE 42 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2017

VANTAGE POINTS

The Japanese dilemma

The recommendation to close the port evolved from the argument it is not to the welfare of the host country to allow settlements of aliens to prosper if they owe allegiance to a foreign country. In particular, the practice of the Japanese to exclusively use anything that’s Japanese, from food, education, cultural practices, to house items, did not sit well with Filipinos.

The editorial foresaw the possible impact of this development, saying: “Such attitude and policies are not conducive to getting along well in a foreign country, and must inevitably lead to measures against them on the part of the people who have become unwilling hosts. Although this applies to all foreigners in the country, it applies less to the mercantile and professional classes than to the agricultural classes who acquire ownership of the land and therefore a foothold of more or less permanent tenure. No country can afford to grant such an advantage to incorrigible aliens. No country can afford to entertain a large and growing group of foreigners who might, at any time, become an actively hostile body in their very midst.”

Such hostility, though, would be realized a decade when Japanese bombers, with the help of ground troops who acted out as plantation workers, destroyed the city.

FAST BACKWARD Antonio V. Figueroa The land ownership issue was also a contentious issue that was eventually included in the 1935 Constitution. The provision, authored by Pantaleon Pelayo, Sr., Davao’s delegate to the Constitutional Convention, banned foreigners from owning land in the country.

But it was the involvement of affluent Japanese in local politics that really alarmed the authorities. The foreigners were not just spending for their chosen candidates, they were also intervening in political activities they were not even qualified to vote.

When the Japanese took over the

city as new colonizer, the same politicians they supported in prewar elections were installed as public administrators. The local residents, though, did not see kindly these persons as upright figures but pejoratively labeled them as collaborators.

“Unlike the Chinese,” the editorial explained, “the Japanese are not excluded by the immigration laws, but are admitted on a quota basis, the only direct prohibition being against the entrance of contract labor. It is stated that a large percentage of the Japanese now in Davao have gained entrance illegal under this prohibition, and also that considerable land is held illegally under the land laws of the country.

“The Japanese in Davao, not being citizens of the Philippines, have no vote. But it reliably reported that they take a considerable part in local politics by furnishing the sinews of war—funds—to candidates they favor because the candidates favor them. This would tend to indicate that if any control is to be exercised over the situation it must be done by the Insular Government.

“It seems unquestionable that a situation now exists and has existed for some time in Davao that should be looked into. But any unfairly discriminating legislation is a confession

of failure of statesmanship. The solution might lie along lines prohibiting the sale of lands, public or private, to aliens, and of compulsory school attendance laws for naturalized citizens.”

At the tail-end of the 1940s, just as World War II was spreading close to the archipelago, the Japanese in Davao had already reached around 20,000, roughly a fifth of the entire population.

Viewed from different lenses, this demographic figure even caught the attention of some Filipino military strategists who suspected the foreigners were surreptitiously transforming the city into a strategic base for landing and assault.

The doubt was finally given flesh when field intelligence reports made an account of the abaca warehouses owned by Japanese planters as resembling hangars, and the unusually flat plantation lands, if turned bare, could eerily be turned into improvised aerodromes.

The realization the military reports were accurate came too late. As soon as the first bombs were dropped in Davao on December 8, 1941, many of the Japanese working in plantations and establishments turned up in the city proper in their military uniforms.

other disadvantage: “takes a long time to achieve desired results and frequently, characteristics of interest do not exist in any related species.”

As such, GM scheme is much better. “GM technology enables plant breeders to bring together in one plant useful genes from a wide range of living sources, not just from within the crop species or from closely related plants,” a briefing paper from ISAAA explained.

“This powerful took allows plant breeders to do faster what they have been doing for years – generate superior plant varieties – although it expands the possibilities beyond the limits imposed by conventional plant breeding.”

GM crops have been a source of contention in various parts of the world as some believe these crops pose potential risks to human health and the environment. The Greenpeace, an anti-GM crop organization, continues to take a preventive stance.

It cautioned that consumers can never be absolutely sure of the safety of biotech crops since this is only determined by decades of data and study.

One of the public’s biggest concerns related to GM foods is that an allergen (a protein that causes an allergic reaction) could be accidentally introduced into a food products.

“Allergenicity screening is a very important part of safety testing before a crop can enter into the food market,” ISAAA explained. “A variety of tests

and questions must be considered to determine whether the food poses any increased risk of allergenicity.”

Antibiotic resistance is another concern. “The likelihood of antibiotic resistance genes moving from GM crops to any other organisms is extremely remote,” ISAAA assured.

“Even in the unlikely event that an antibiotic resistance gene is transferred to another organism, the impact of this transfer would be negligible, as the markers used in GM crops have limited clinical or veterinary use.”

Other potential risks include: the likelihood of transgenes escaping from cultivated crops into wild relatives; the potential for pests to evolve resistance to the toxins produced by GM crops; and the risk of these toxins affecting non-target organisms.

A consumer advocacy group in United Kingdom said that genetically modified soya can be found in bread, biscuits, baby milk, baby foods, breakfast cereals, margarine, soups, pasta, pizza instant meals, meat products, flours, sweets, ice creams, crisps, chocolate, soy sauce, veggie-burgers, tofu, soya milk, and pet foods.

“Today, the approval of genetically modified organism technology has become political,” deplored Dr. William Dar, former director general of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics.

“They have politicized the whole process. They are not letting science do its own due diligence.”

Bioengineered crops are safe to eat

ically modified foods are as safe as other foods available on the market.”

The Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) declared that different GM foods go through the global food safety process called Codex Alimentarius Risk Analysis of Foods Derived from Modern Biotechnology under which these foods are not found to be risky to human health.

“GM foods currently available on the international market have passed risk assessments and are not likely to present risks for human health,” said the United Nations health agency in a statement.

“No effects on human health have been shown as a result of the consumption of such foods by the general population in the countries where they have been approved. Continuous use of risk assessments based on the Codex principles and, where appropriate, including post market monitoring, should form the basis for evaluating the safety of GM foods,” it added.

GM crops are products of modern biotechnology. Biotechnology is defined as “any technique that makes use of organisms (or parts thereof) to make or modify products, to improve plants or animals, or to develop microorganisms for specific purposes.”

The technology has existed since ancient times. Spirulina, one of the oldest forms of life on earth, is believed to be what the ancient Isra-

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

elites of the Old Testament called “manna from heaven.”

According to ISAAA, all crops have been “genetically modified” from their original wild state by domestication, selection, and controlled breeding over long periods of time.

Modern biotechnology just makes it faster.

Traditionally, a plant breeder tries to exchange genes between two plants to produce offspring that have desired traits. This is done by transferring the male (pollen) of one plant to the female organ of another.

The disadvantage of cross breeding, as the process is called: limited only “to exchanges between the same or very closely related species.” An-

9

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 42 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2017

NOT FELT... FROM 1

not feel there is martial law in Davao City. She said that she is already preparing for the opening of classes of her kids, “as if murag wala lang ang martial law.” She added that she is trying to explain to her two daughters, 11 and 9 years old, what is martial law, however the children are not very interested.

Outside of the school curriculum, those who were born

in the 80s and the 90s have no first-hand experience of martial law. President Marcos declared martial law in 1972 covering the entire country.

President Gloria Arroyo declared martial law in Maguindanao, but it only lasted for nine (9) days. Martial law in Mindanao was declared by President Duterte on May 23 and has been effective already for seven (7) days.

karoon ng ganito (We should not let this to happen in our communities). It starts with innocent-looking persons then eventually lumalaki, kagayan ng Marawi, totally disrupt ang communities,” he said.

Public Safety and Security Command Center chief Benito De Leon said the city is already expecting an influx of evacuees fleeing Marawi City, with Mayor Sara Duterte saying it is the “moral obligation” of the city to accommodate refugees.

“It is a moral responsibility of any local government or anyone of us to accept and help out the evacuees, in particular. We are also aware of the dangers it may pose because the Maute group may have joined the evacuees,” he said, reiterating the mayor’s stand on accepting evacuees from Marawi City.

He said the security sector has been undertaking intensive checks on the communities.

He said the city police office is conducting “Oplan Bolabog” resulting in the rounding up and profiling of 223 persons in Mini-forest Barangay 3-C who failed to present valid identifications.

Gaerlan said they were later released after being interviewed.

“So we have to interview them and were taken to Davao City Police Office. On same day, after ascertaining the circumstances – pagdating, pag-alis at pagtira –we even took them to the place where they were taken,” he said.

He said they will act on intelligence reports of any presence of terrorists in the communities.

Mayor Duterte encouraged the people of Davao to exercise prudence in planning their activities and avoid going to crowded places.

She said the tourism sector has been wary of the cancellation of some major events in the city, which is currently being groomed as the next destination for meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions.

But she said they already expected such reactions from the event organizers because of the declaration of martial law.

She said she believes things will become normal again. (Antonio L. Colina IV/ MindaNews)

of improvised explosive device (IED).”

Duterte-Carpio said the NPA should also show its sincerity by stopping attacks while talks are ongoing. She added she has been contin-

uously receiving reports of atrocities in the hinterlands.

Earlier, the mayor even offered to talk with the NPA rebels and jobs to the NPA as an organization.

(PNA)

pork, dried beef and poultry meat, fresh dairy products not falling under basic commodities, onions and garlic, fertilizer, pesticides and herbicides, poultry, swine and cattle feeds, veterinary products for poultry, swine and cattle, drugs not classified as essential by DOH, plywood, ply board, nipa shingles, sawali, flour, processed and canned pork, processed and canned beef and poultry meat, noodles, vinegar, patis (fish sauce), soy sauce, toilet

soap, paper and school supplies, cement, clinker and G.I. sheets, hollow blocks, construction nails, batteries, electrical supplies and light bulbs, and steel wires.

Violation of R.A. 7581 is punishable by imprisonment of not less than a year but not more than 10 years.

Penalties shall also be imposed on violators starting from P5,000.00 to P1 million under Rule XII of R.A. 7581, depending on the gravity of the violation.

year by the Department of Finance—House Bill No. 4774— with 54 tax-related bills in the chamber.

Just recently, over 200 representatives of nongovernment organizations and other civil society groups have called on the two chambers of

the Congress to “swiftly pass” TRAIN, which, they said, would spell the long-overdue correction of the country’s tax system and complement initiatives for transparency and participatory governance leading to sustainable growth and development. (PNA)

Registration... FROM 1

Davao... FROM 2

DTI... FROM 4

BPO... FROM 5

ENFORCING THE LAW. A City Transportation and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) personnel reminds two elderly who just committed Anti-Jaywalking Ordinance violation to use the pedestrian when crossing the street to avoid being hit by vehicles along Magallanes Street on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

Earthquake... FROM 2

ducted a “Teachers’ Training on Communicating Earthquake and Tsunami Hazards” for elementary teachers from the Division of Mati and Dis-

trict of Manay, Division of Davao Oriental last October 12 and 13, 2016 at Honey’s Hotel and Restaurant, Mati City, Davao Oriental.

to the Philippine government the part of Mindanao and deprive the Chief Executive of its powers and prerogatives to enforce laws of the land and to maintain public order and safety in Mindanao, hence constitutes the crime of rebellion.”

The 15 senators also found the declaration to be “satisfactory, constitutional and in accordance with the law” and did not intend to revoke it. “…The Senate finds the issuance of Proclamation No. 216 to be satisfactory, constitutional and in accordance with the law. The Senate hereby supports fully Proclamation No. 216 and finds no compelling reason to revoke the same,” the resolution said.

To support the declaration of martial law, they cited a series of violent acts committed by the Maute group such as the attack on the military output in Butig, Lanao Del Sur in February 2016 and the recent incident where the group took over a hospital in Marawi City, Lanao Del Sur in May 23, 2017. The group also burned

down government and private facilities and raised the flag of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in several areas.

Meanwhile, the Senate minority bloc filed a separate resolution to convene the Congress in a joint session to deliberate of Pres. Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

Deputy minority leader Sen. Francis Pangilinan, said that the resolution was signed by all members of the minority bloc namely himself, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Senators Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Leila de Lima, Risa Hontiveros and Antonio Trillanes IV. “…It is incumbent upon both the Senate and the House of Representatives to conduct a joint session for the purpose of determining the constitutional and factual validity of the proclamation of preventing abuses in its implementation and ensuring the safety of the people of Marawi and the whole of Mindanao,” the minority bloc said in their resolution. (PNA)

Caponong set the preliminary investigation on the second complaint on June 8 at 2 p.m.

The DOJ panel handled the preliminary investigation which is aimed at determining whether the company’s officials should be charged over the unlawful act of using fake stamps on cigarette packs and evading payment of the tobacco excise tax.

Last May 26, the BIR filed a third complaint against Mighty

Corporation over an estimated aggregate deficiency excise tax liability in the total amount of PHP1.39 billion.

The tax bureau named the same respondents as facing raps for unlawful Possession of Articles Subject to excise Tax without Payment of the Tax, and for Possessing False, Counterfeit, Restored or Altered Stamps, in violation of Section 263 and 265 (c) of the National Revenue Code of 1997, as amended (Tax Code). (PNA)

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Gaerlan... FROM 3

mentation of martial rule in the region, there were no arrests, service of search and seizure order and “practically no significant crime committed” during the period in review.

He said the PNP has suspended the issuance of license and permit to carry firearms outside of homes. However, owners of new and still un-

licensed firearms and those with expired gun license are encouraged to report to the PNP but not carry their guns out of their residence yet.

As usual, policemen not in uniform cannot just carry their guns outside their homes. Those on undercover assignments should carry mission letters.

while recovered firearms are placed at 5. ”(The AFP remains focused in) clearing of Marawi of militants still in the area. Rescue of trapped residents and recovery of civilian casualties, victims (are ongoing),” he added.

Fighting started when government security forces tried to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, a known ally of the group and ISIS leader, last May

23.

ability is another focus area that can positively impact the Philippines. The company is in the process of aligning its corporate responsibility initiatives, operations and business goals with the LafargeHolcim Group’s to contribute to the achievement of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. Among its targets are reduced environmental impact, increased workforce diversity and introduction of new products that can help in socialized housing.

turing facilities in La Union, Bulacan, Misamis Oriental and Davao, mobile concrete readymix facilities and an aggregates business backed by a strong nationwide network of dealers, Holcim Philippines is a reliable partner of builders in the country. Holcim Philippines is also committed to the highest standards of sustainable operations and manufacturing excellence with its plants certified under ISO 14001:2004 (Environmental Management System), ISO 9001:2008 (Quality Management System) and OHSAS 18001:2007 (Occupational Health and Safety Management System).

Holcim Philippines is a member of the LafargeHolcim Group, the leading global building materials and solutions company serving masons, buildings, architects and engineers all over the world, with presence in more than 80 countries and with around 90,000 employees.

Maute... FROM 3

Holcim... FROM 7

About Holcim Philippines Holcim Philippines, Inc. (Philippine Stock Exchange: HLCM) is one of the leading construction solution companies in the country. The Company has a wide range of innovative construction solutions that help homeowners to large- contractors in their building needs.

With cement manufac-

”Precision airstrikes are judiciously used to prevent collateral damage and employed at specific targets of resistance to protect our troops and hasten clearing of the city of terrorist elements who continue to resist,” said Padilla. ”We call on the remaining terrorist to surrender while there is an opportunity,” he pointed out. (PNA)

INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 42 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2017

EVENT

EDGEDAVAO

SM malls in Mindanao join hands in Brigada Eskwela ALL FIVE SM SUPERMALLS IN MINDANAO joined hands with the Department of Education (DepEd) to help rehabilitate public schools in the island.

Guided by the 2017 theme Isang DepEd, Isang Pamayanan, Isang Bayanihan, Para sa Handa at Ligtas na Paaralan, SM Supermalls recognized its role as a catalyst for development in the immediate communities it serves.

“Our bayanihan spirit is driven by our corporate mission to undertake initiatives that benefit the community,” said SM Lanang Premier mall

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: SM City General Santos employees cleaning the surroundings of Jose Lansang Elementary School. In Lumbia Elementary School, SM City Cagayan de Oro employees came in full force to clean classrooms. SM City Davao employees at Kabacan Elementary School. Volunteer employees of SM Lanang Premier helped beautify Lapu-Lapu Elementary school classrooms.

manager Therese Lapena Manalo. “We are happy to join hands with DepEd in bringing basic quality education for the same community that we serve by creating conducive learning environments for school children.”

Over a hundred employees from different SM Malls volunteered in Brigada Eskwela, the 14-year-old program of DepEd that aims to improve the learning condition and environment for students for the school year.

In Davao City, 25 SM Lanang Premier volunteers and 52 mall security personnel helped clean and repaint classrooms in Lapu-Lapu Elementary school, while 31 SM City Davao employees and 82 members of mall security force did the same to classrooms in Kabacan

Elementary School.

The same bayanihan spirit brought 28 SM City General Santos volunteers to Jose Lansang Elementary School in Barangay Lagao where they helped with minor repairs of school buildings.

Dozens of employees from SM City Cagayan de Oro also joined the Brigada activities in full force at the SM- and BDO-donated building in Lumbia Elementary School to clean up and refurbish furniture and fixtures.

The collaborative efforts demonstrated by private sectors in activities like this pave a bright future for Philippine education.

A2 INdulge!

ENTERTAINMENT

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 42 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2017

Chef Claude Tayag hosts ‘chasing flavors’ on Lifestyle EXPLORE AUTHENTIC FILIPINO FOOD with one of the Philippines’ leading culinary artists, Chef Claude Tayag, as he takes viewers to discover the colorful variety of local cuisine in “Chasing Flavors” which will premiere on Lifestyle TV (SkyCable ch. 52) on Saturday (May 27).

The well-known Kapampangan chef will probe the origins of Filipino’s iconic dishes from region to region, one dish at a time, and will attempt to answer what makes each dish unique and outstanding in its own right.

Featured dishes include adobo, paksiw, sinigang, kilaw and sisig, pancit, lechon, cured meats, stews, inihaw, salted dried fish, gata, gulay, panghimagas, and rice in the coming episodes.

Chef Claude is a selftaught culinary expert, known to have uplifted Kapampangan cuisine through Bale Dutung (Wooden House), his abode turned restaurant located in Angeles City, Pampanga, serving traditional local dishes. Aside from his kitchen knowhow, he is also an accomplished painter, sculptor, furniture designer, and a food and travel writer.

Broadcast journalist Ces Drilon joins “Chasing Flavors” as its executive producer. This is her first foray in the lifestyle, culinary and heritage genre.

“The show is a fascinating look into the origin and evolution of our most well-loved dishes.

For instance, it explores the possibility that our humble adobong pusit may have influenced the iconic paella en su tinta of Spain. It is also a joy to work with Claude Tayag and make culinary

discoveries with him,” shares Ces. Embark on a culinary expedition on Lifestyle TV and find out the best eats in the country with “Chasing Flavors,” airing Saturdays at 9PM, Sundays at 12:30PM, Mon-

days at 2AM, Tuesdays at 7PM, and Wednesdays at 11AM. Lifestyle is available on SKYcable channel 52. For updates, follow Lifestyle on Facebook (facebook. com/lifestyletvph), Instagram and Twitter

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 42 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2017

TRAVEL

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

NORTHERN EXPOSURE:

ONE-STOP FUN AT CLARK AN IDEAL DESTINATION FOR A FOOD TRIP or as a jump-off point to Pangasinan, La Union, or Baguio, the province of Pampanga is quickly becoming a destination one should go to. I had never been to Pampanga to before, mainly because of its geographical distance from Metro Manila.

If you add the infamous traffic, the journey could quickly become a protracted grind.

But my curiosity to visit Pampanga was finally realised thanks to the invitation of Philippines AirAsia who recently launched their four-times a week direct flights from Davao to Clark.

Just a short ride from the Clark International airport we arrived at our home base for the familiarisation trip around Clark and Pampanga, the Widus Hotel and Casino Clark. The only hotel with a five-star rating from the Department of Tourism in the Clark Freeport Zone and throughout the province of Pampanga, the Widus is a tropical oasis of fun and relaxation.

Widus hotel’s 233 rooms are furnished with super comfortable beds, plush linens, designer toiletries, 40-

inch LCD TVs with cable, in-room safe, as well as the ever-important high speed WiFi internet access. Each room also has a balcony for guests to enjoy the lush scenery of the hotel.

Since we are in Pampanga, which is the Philippine province known for its food, Widus offers a wide selection of food outlets to choose from.

TOP: Widus Hotel and Casino’s freeform lagoon-type swimming pool .

LEFT: Goofing around at The Widus Hotel’s famous treehouse and lawn.

BOTTOM: Widus offers rooms for a wide range of travellers, from Deluxe rooms to family-friendly Deluxe Suites that feature pullout beds as well as full-sized refigerators and a kitchenette.

Individuals who love the myriad food choices at a buffet will want to visit Salt, Widus’ all-day casual dining place. For more cozy, casual fare, as well as coffee and legitimately delicious cheesecakes, head over to The Lounge. You can also take your pick from the many coffee concoctions and assorted beverages offered throughout the day.

But if foodies like me were to have my way, lunch

and dinner should be spent at Peppers21. The Widus Hotel’s premier steakhouse.

Peppers21 is the only restaurant in Pampanga which serves a wide variety of imported US Certified Angus Beef. Go for its signature 21Day Dry Aged Australian grain-fed beef cuts which are full of umami flavour and extremely soft and tender.

There is never a lack of things to do at The Widus

Hotel. Gamers can try their luck at the Casino located just off the main lobby. Encompassing around 4,500 square meters of Las Vegasstyle gaming space, Widus’ casino features 250 slot machines and 52 gaming tables where Baccarat, Super 6, Pontoon, Blackjack, Roulette, Pai Gow poker, Money wheel and other popular games are being played.

The Widus Hotel can also mean business. With

an area of 1,000 square meters the Widus Convention Center is one of the largest meetings and events spaces in Clark. Its main ballroom, Vegas can sit up to 650 people in theatre style.

There are also six specialised function rooms that can accommodate intimate meetings and private conferences.

But for me however, business can wait as The Widus freeform pool is one of the best ways to chill out and relax. There is also a spa where one can have the stress of the day get kneaded away.

The Widus Hotel and Casino is located along Manuel Roxas Highway, Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga and is just a short drive from Clark International Airport.

You can check their website at www.widus.com for reservations.

AirAsia now flies direct to Clark from Davao four times a week. For more information and to catch their seat sale, you can go to www. airasia.com.

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 42 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2017

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

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11 AGRITRENDS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 42 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2017

Aquaculture: Answer to empty nets Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“O

UR aquaculture productivity has been on the decline for the last five years due to climatic factors and lack of government support.

We should further develop our mariculture industries particularly for seaweeds and finfishes on a sustainable basis aside from fisheries law enforcement and conservation programs.” – Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III, former executive director of Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development *** The search for dwindling fish catch in the open seas is over. The answer lies in raising fish and other marine resources in bodies of water.

Pre-Columbian American farmers once dug moats around their fields. They were not protecting their crops from raiders or thieves though. They were adding another dimension to agriculture: fish production.

As fertilizers and crop residues ran off the land into the water, they feed the food chain that supported fish growing. Since the middle century, the practice has been changing. Today, aquaculture is touted to be the aquatic counterpart of agriculture.

If the oceans are running low on many of humanity’s favorite fish, the solution would seem obvious: raise more seafood down on the fish farm, expanding the maritime version of agriculture. Unknowingly, aquaculture has been a source of human protein for nearly 4,000 years, especially in Asia.

As fish catch has been dwindling in the open seas, people are now raising fish.

And it is booming as it has an edge over its competitors – the pork, chicken and beef industries. “Fish farming is more efficient,” said Hal Kane, a staff researcher of the Washington-based Worldwatch Institute.

“One in four food fish consumed by human is now being produced by aquaculture,” Dr. Albert G.J. Tacon, then regional fishery resources officer of the UN Food and Agriculture (FAO), told this author.

Some farmers and fishers resort to aquaculture because fish catch has been dwindling in the open seas. “Overfishing is the main issue, with today’s

fishers ranging farther and trying harder to catch more -- but there are too many fishers and too few,” wrote Gregg Yan, the new director for communications of Oceana Philippines.

Aquaculture is indeed the hope for the dwindling fishery harvest in the open seas.

“The ul-

timate success of aquaculture may lie in the ability of its developers to leapfrog the mistakes of agriculture -- to resist putting chemicals in the water and hormones in the fry, and consuming vast quantities of resources to get their production out,” notes Anne Platt McGinh, a research associate at the Washington-based Worldwatch Institute.

“The fish farmers’ tickets to the future is to align their business with the growing movement toward integrated, closed-loop production that is already making waves in the agricultural and timber industries,” she added.

Growing a kilogram of beef in the feedlot typically takes seven kilograms of feed. And although chicken is the most efficient of the landraised meats, it still takes an estimated 2.2 kilograms of feed to yield a kilogram of chicken.

In comparison, fish need two kilograms of less feed per kilogram of live-weight gain. Fish, suspended in the water, do not have to burn calories trying to heat their bodies, Kane explained.

Major aquaculture species In the Philippines, aquaculture in the Philippines has a long history and involves many species and farming practices in diverse ecosystems.

According to the FAO, the seven major aquaculture species in the country are:

seaw e e d (mainly Kappaphycus and Eucheu ma spp.), milkfish (Chanos chanos), tilapia (mainly Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus), shrimp (mainly giant tiger prawn Penaeus monodon), carp (mainly bighead carp Aristichthys nobilis), oyster (slipper cupped oyster Crassostrea iredalei) and mussel (green mussel Perna viridis).

In 2014, aquaculture and fisheries in the country accounted for 13.7% of the gross value added in agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing, the largest share after

agricultural crops.

Some reports showed that fish and fishery products contributed almost US$1.3 billion in exports, and a net surplus of US$954 million in 2014.

In terms of value, the industry contributed P242 billion that year.

Based on the 2013 data done by FAO, the Philippines was ranked 7th among the top fish producing countries in the world with its total production of 4.7 million tons of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic plants (including seaweeds).

The country was ranked 11th in the world as it produced 0.815 million tons of fish, crustaceans and mollusks raised through aquaculture. However, the country is the world’s third largest producer of aquatic plants (including seaweeds) having produced a total of 1.56 million tons.

“The future growth of Philippine aquaculture may not be sustained unless new markets are developed, market competitiveness is strengthened and farming

risks are reduced,” the FAO said. “In this age of international trade and competition, the Philippine aquaculture industry needs to plan and implement a development and management program with a global perspective.”

Tilapia, bangus and seaweed production The three most popular aquaculture species are tilapia, bangus and seaweed.

Let’s take a closer look at each: “The future growth of our tilapia industry will be in Mindanao,” reported Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III, a fishery expert who attended the first National Aquaculture Congress held in General Santos City three years ago.

A paper presented during the congress cited the following reasons as to why Mindanao has an edge over Luzon are the following: abundant freshwater resources, less typhoons, and greater fish supply deficits.

In 2013, more than 260,000 metric tons of farmed tilapia were produced in the country. Interestingly,

93% of that came from Luzon while Mindanao contributed a measly 6%. Most of the farmed tilapia in Mindanao were grown in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, Davao del Sur, and South Cotabato.

In a supply and demand survey conducted in 2008, it was shown that all the regions in Mindanao, except for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), had tilapia production deficits. “With Mindanao’s population of 23 million, the average tilapia consumption per capita is 2.6 kilos,” Dr. Guerrero reported.

What about bangus? “The bangus industry has grown at an annual average of 8-9 percent in the last 12 years mainly due to the availability of bangus fry and fingerlings,” says Ramon M. Macaraig, vice president for research and development of the Alcantara Group of Companies.

Like tilapia, bangus do not require a high percentage of fish meal and fish oil in their formulated feeds.

“There is a significant market for value-added export bangus products among Filipinos working or living abroad,” explains Macaraig on why the company is concentrating on bangus.

Indeed, the bangus products are best sellers in areas where there are overseas Filipino communities. The products cater to the taste of the expatriate Filipinos and have been designed for convenience in preparing them for the dinner table. The bangus belly, for instance, is ready for cooking. So is the smoked bangus. No messy cleaning of

F AGRITRENDS, 13

12 PROPERTY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 42 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2017

MOA SIGNING. FTC Group of Companies president Ian Y. Cruz and Chairman Francisco T. Cruz sign the landmark deal with Altus Hospitality South Inc. officials.

Aeon Towers construction moving on track

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

C

njb@edgedavao.net

ONSTRUCTION for the next iconic structure in Davao’s landscape Aeon Towers continue to move right on schedule.

With construction works going round-theclock, the estimated turnover target between December this year to January next year is within sight.

The 33-level tower located along JP Laurel Avenue is touted as the next tallest building not just in Davao City but the entire Mindanao.

The signature project of homegrown developer FTC Group of Companies is now finishing up on the building’s interiors after its February 28 topping off.

The construction team has released new updates

that revealed the works done in the building after it topped off.

Significantly, Aeon Towers has likewise sealed a deal with a global investment firm that had bought in bulk 288 units in the 33-level high-rise development to operate apartment units and a hotel. This meant increased value in the property.

Aeon attracted the investors after seeing its potentials.

“Our investment partners reviewed and went through meticulous scrutiny of the project and we are happy they found it worth their money,” Cruz, FTC’s CEO and president, said.

“This investment should be a big boost not just to us but

to Davao City in general.”

Cruz was referring to the landmark transaction which his company FTC Group of Companies inked with Altus Hospitality South, Inc., a joint venture hospitality investment company between Altus Capital Corporation and Private Equity capital, via a fund from Singapore.

The investment company is managed by Altus Capital Partners, an affiliate of the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation.

The deal involves the bulk purchase by the company of units at Aeon Towers, a new mixed-used residential and commercial tower, which at 33 floors is set to become the tallest

CONSTRUCTION FULL SWING. The ongoing construction works of the interior structures of Aeon Towers.

TOPPING OFF. Topping off ceremony last February 28, 2017. skyscraper in Mindanao.

Designed by Syndicated Architects Far East Associates with Ian Campbell and Associates as project and

construction manager, Aeon Towers will boast a 144-key Hotel and 144- Residence serviced apartment (both operated by Altus Hospi-

tality) coupled with a 197room high-end residential condominium; over 2,000 sqm of prime retail space, and at over 1,000 sqm, the largest grand ballroom in Davao.

The investment is a sign of confidence by the international investment community in FTC Group of Companies, a Davao-grown firm with diverse business interests.

Aeon Towers is a mixuse 33 storey building development of F.T.C Group of Companies with a total project cost of P3.1 Billion.

Aeon Towers will also house world-class amenities and it’s strategically located at the Central Business District (CBD) of Davao City.

With a total land area is 4,574 square meters, Aeon Towers will house 473 units parking slots of 300 and commercial spaces will be located in the ground floor to 5th floor. The seventh floor to 10th floor will be allocated for the hotel component while the sky deck is at the 33rd floor.

The building boasts of earthquake resistant features.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 42 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2017

ARMM... FROM 6

taman immediately formed a Health Team, headed by DOH-ARMM Regional Secretary Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr,

to address the health needs of displaced families while government forces were pursuing the armed men.

“Corn is very important to us being the main ingredient for our feeds - the main feed for our livestock (and poultry),” he said while expressing his confidence on the capacity of local farmers to keep up with their required quality and volume.

“We are hoping that this [marketing agreement] would be a catalyst to help the expansion of corn production in the entire country,” Sarmiento added.

The local government of

Laak for its part has allocated P4-million pesos to fund corn production expansion in the area. Mayor Antonio Libuanga saidthe funding assistance covered provision of seeds, fertilizers, and other needed inputs.

DA Regional Director Ricardo M. Oñate, Jr. said the recently signed marketing agreement serves as model for direct market linkage where farmers are offered better price by the processors. (Noel T. Provido/DA-XI)

the fish is needed.

Meanwhile, seaweeds grow abundantly in shallow reef flats and in lagoons with a water depth of less than two meters at high tide. The Philippines is home to various kinds of seaweeds of which 390 species have been identified as having economic value as food, animal feeds, fertilizers, diet supplement, medicines, and raw materials for industrial products.

Seaweeds are economically important as raw material for the source of carrageen-

an, an algal colloid that has various food and industrial applications.

In 2010, total seaweed production in the country was 84,500 metric tons and semi-refined carrageenan production was 2,592 metric tons. “Seaweeds rank as the country’s second major fishery export in 2010 with a collective volume of 34,504 metric tons valued at US$155.6 million,” reports the Laguna-based Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and De-

ComVal... FROM 7

AGRITRENDS... FROM 11

NEWS 13

EDGEDAVAO The regional governor said the funds use in emergency response and post-conflict intervention

came from the ARMM Special Purpose Fund of the Office of the Regional Governor (ORG). (PNA)

down its earlier Facebook post and promised to make another announcement related to the issue.

Netizens took the CIO to task for the confusion.

Journalist Divina Suson lambasted city information officer Joe Pantoja whom she said even allowed himself to be interviewed by a Cagayan de Oro City radio to announce the impending lockdown.

It turned out that Pantoja made the premature

pronouncement while city officials were in the middle of a meeting to discuss, among others, the possibility of imposing a lockdown as a measure to prevent a spillover here of the Marawi siege.

Since Wednesday last week, the police has set up a checkpoint near the mothballed plant of the National Steel Corporation in barangay Suarez for incoming vehicles and passengers. (Ryan Rosauro/for MindaNews)

velopment (PCAARRD).

But like most technologies, aquaculture has its shares of liabilities. “The inevitable expansion of fish farming in the developing countries could cause increased pollution, greater damage to already vulnerable wild fisheries, and competition for water and land use,” the World Fish Center pointed out.

“This poses a potential threat to the environment as well as the livelihoods and food security of poor people in developing countries,” it added.

No... FROM 6

Some problems But fish farming shares many of the problems of the livestock and poultry industries, according to Kane.

Each depends on the same inputs – feed, water and land – to grow its produce.

“For aquaculture, the required land is often expensive coastal, lakefront, or riverfront property. There is competition for the grain used for feed, which could go instead to human consumption,” Kane said.

DND expects Marawi clearing operations completed by June 1

D

EPARTMENT of National DefenseSecretary Delfin Lorenzana on Monday said he expects clearing operations in Marawi City to be completed by June 1.

He added that the timetable started last May 25.

Lorenzana said the operations to clear Marawi City of terrorists is on track and that he regularly gets updates from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Fighting in Marawi City started May 23 when military units conducted an operation after receiving reports that Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, the group’s ally and ISIS head in the Philippines, was hiding in the locality.

As this develops, AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said that military forces have full control of Marawi City.

“We are in full control, meaning to say we can control who comes in and who comes out, who moves around and who doesn’t. And we’re trying to isolate all these pockets

But there is a possible solution. As Dr. Mark W. Rosegrant, of the Washington-based International Food Policy Research Institute pointed out: “It is possible to avoid trade-offs to the environment and the poor, while meeting grow-

of resistance that have remained,” he added.

As of this posting, Maute Group members killed in the ongoing operation are placed at 61 with 42 being confirmed through body count and another 19 by eye witness reports.

Government losses as of Sunday night are placed at 15 troopers killed along with three Philippine National Police (PNP) operatives.

Reported wounded as of this posting are 61 soldiers along with three policemen.

Number of civilians executed by the Maute Group are placed at 19, while those rescued are placed at 390, said Padilla.

Captured firearms are placed at 41 with 37 being high-powered ones and four low-powered.

“Clearing of Marawi City of militants and rescue of trapped civilians and recovery of civilian casualties and victims are the current focus of the ongoing operations,” he added. (PNA) ing global demand for fish.

Environmental impacts of aquaculture can be minimized through environmentally friendly technologies and by increasing the efficiency with which fish meal and fish oil are used to feed farmed fish.”

14 MOTORING EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 42 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2017

PH confident When do you need to ofVolvo continued growth change your brake pads? V

P

EOPLE often take brake maintenance for granted but you still should be aware when you need a brake change. It’s vital and can save you plenty in the long run.

During the brake disc inspection there are several components you need to check and ensure are working properly. In addition, brakes need too be checked at least twice a year and if you drive substantially more than the average worker’s commute, then you need to do it more often. Inspecting your brake disc will help protect you and your passengers as well as help save money from damage that would otherwise result due to negligence diligent

U

brake maintenance.

Most vehicles brakes today can be inspected without removing the wheels and this is easier on vehicles with alloy rims (some would argue that this is a luxury exclusively to those with alloys). But this should never be a constraint since even if it means jacking up the wheels and checking the brake pads and brake disc’s wear.

Before hopping to do this you need to be aware that the brakes need to cool down before checking, to avoid burning yourself. Brake parts can get extremely hot so don’t attempt this after having been driving. It is best to do this early in the morning or after waiting for 2-3 hours after

driving for the brake disc to cool. This is a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised/entertained by how many people burn themselves when handling their vehicles at home.

The brake disc should be relatively shiny although it may also have small ridges.

But this is quite normal so you don’t need to be alarmed.

What you do need to do is feel around for rough spots or irregular grooves developing on the brake disc. If these are visible then you will need a brake disc change to make sure road safety is maintained.

Next comes inspecting the brake pads.

Once again on some vehicles these can also be inspect-

ed through the rims but if it’s not clear then just remove the wheel to be sure. Most brake disc pads when new have approx 9-12 mm of friction material visible As long as there is still greater than 3 mm of material showing all round the pad, your brake pads still have life in them.

You also need to be mindful that vehicles can experience slight differences in wear on each wheel, so ensure you check both sides thoroughly.

If the material is 3mm or less then you need a brake change on your pads. Make sure to change all disc Brake pads together, not just on one wheel.

Just remember, when in doubt, see your trusty mechanic.

Foton PH expands to 5 locations

NITED Asia Automotive Group, Inc. (UAAGI), the exclusive distributor of Foton vehicles in the Philippines, is cementing its reputation as the fastest growing commercial vehicle brand with the groundbreaking of 5 dealerships across the country. This growth comes as the brand recorded record sales thus far.

“The first quarter of 2017 showed how exemplary Foton’s performance is in the market through achieving target sales and garnering continual interest from potential dealer partners.” shared Foton Philippines and UAAGI President Rommel Sytin.

Foton La Union Last April 5, UAAGI and its authorized dealer, Absolute Advantage, Inc. officially began construction of the first Foton dealership in the Ilocos region: Foton La Union. Located in the municipality of Bauang, the 2,000-square meter facility will have a vehicle showroom including parts, service, and sales offices which will provide a comprehensive and satisfactory experience to their customers.

Foton La Union is expected to open on the first quarter of 2018.

Foton Palawan Two days after Foton La Union, UAAGI flew to Palawan to formally facilitate the ground-

breaking ceremony of Foton Puerto Princesa together with its awarded dealer, SteeringWheel Inc. Being affiliated with the construction firm, Foton Puerto Princesa Dealer Principal Michelle Tiotangco shared how essential earthmovers like FOTON vehicles are in development of their industry.

“Commercial vehicles, particularly the light, heavy duty trucks and heavy equipment have literally and figuratively helped our business ease all types of load.” noted Tiotangco.

“We are certain that Foton will be patronized by small-, medium-, and large-scale industries.” she said.

Foton Bacoor Adding up to Foton’s presence in Cavite, Alphamile Automotive Dealers, Inc. (AADI) also held a groundbreaking ceremony last April 21.

Known as the countries’ home of major townships and real estate hubs, Cavite also quarters economic zones focusing on food processing, pharmaceuticals, and agribusinesses. Because of this, Mr. Juanito Tionson, Dealer Principal of FOTON Cavite, took the opportunity to offer the FOTON vehicles closer to these trading.

The 2,200-squaremeter showroom in Foton Bacoor will be divided into two sections: one

for the passenger vehicles, while the other for the light-duty and heavy-duty trucks display area. It is expected to open in Q4 of 2017.

Foton Cordon Once again in Northern Luzon, Foton established its presence in the second largest province in the country: Isabela. Located in the Municipality of Cordon, UAAGI broke the grounds of Foton Cordon together with its authorized dealer, Manindra Auto Corporation last April 28.

Apart from FOTON Cordon, Manindra Auto Corporation also manages Foton Quezon Avenue.

Dealer Principal Mr. Leo San Juan shared why they chose to open another car dealership under the brand. “The products are attractive. And when I say attractive, it’s a total package: the style and design, the quality and safety features, capped off with the competitive price.” shared San Juan.

Known as the Philippines’ largest granary of corn and rice, Isabela is also considered as the 10th richest and most progressive province in the country due to its agricultural resources and development.

Foton Cainta Finally, as the month of April ended, UAAGI started the construction of its first dealership in the Rizal province. Headed by its authorized dealer, Lica Auto Group, the groundbreaking cer-

emony of Foton Cainta was held last April 28.

As evidence of numerous manufacturing firms located in the area, Cainta is considered to be the one of the richest municipalities in the Philippines.

Officially opening in December 2017, the 2,500-square meter FOTON dealership includes a vehicle showroom for the passenger vehicles, light duty trucks, and the newly-launched Gratour series.

Considering the growth of its dealer development program and the patronage of dealer partners as a superior milestone, Foton Philippines and UAAGI President Rommel Sytin shared more of his goals and opportunities that Foton could take in the near future.

“In this Golden Age of Infrastructure, the demand for vehicles used for trading and construction is also expected to increase”. Sytin noted, “Foton will play a vital role in this progression especially now that our government is already implementing the ‘build, build, build’ concept.”

“We will continue to provide quality and affordable vehicles for both Filipino families and MSMEs. That’s why we are aggressively expanding across the country: to bring our products closer to our end users and to provide them an immediate access to our services.” closed Sytin.

OLVO Philippines continues to record considerable growth in the 1st quarter of 2017. With a 35 percent increase in sales, the exclusive official importer and distributor of Volvo cars in the country is standing strong with a positive outlook for the rest of the year.

“We sincerely appreciate the positive response from the market especially with the XC60 and the new 90 Series Volvos. We remain optimistic that the numbers will continue to grow, and we have lined up a robust range of new Volvo models and variants coming in within the year, and in the next years,” shares Volvo Philippines’ President Atty. Alberto B. Arcilla.

Volvo Philippines had recently introduced the all-new XC90 luxury SUV and S90 luxury sedan, which have both been well received by motoring journalists and customers. The Swedish brand is also poised to expand the 90 series lineup with the all-new Volvo V90 Cross Country within the year.

These will be closely followed by a broad range of new models that will showcase Volvo’s reinforced focus on design, quality, and class-leading technology across its en-

tire product lineup.

The warm market response may also be attributed to the continued efforts to provide excellent services to its valued clientele. Volvo Philippines has partnered with select high-end establishments to offer services such as exclusive parking, airline lounge benefits, and dining privileges, to name a few. Lifestyle areas and events also provided a venue for Volvo enthusiasts and patrons to familiarize themselves with the latest Volvo features.

Active lifestyle activities such as golf and sailing also provided an avenue for Volvo to showcase its products.

“We believe that offering varied channels provide our clients an opportunity to match their needs with the benefits our Volvos offer. From thoughtfully executed designs, well-appointed cabins with intuitive technological driving aids, to a selection of fuel-efficient engines, they can discern which Volvo is the perfect match for them,” quips Chris Lee Yu, Marketing Head of Volvo Philippines.

“We always strive to tailor our activities and services to our clients’ needs to ensure that they get the Volvo enhanced customer experience,” he adds.

UNIFICATION... FROM 16

year provided Pacquiao hurdles unbeaten Aussie challenger Horn in their title fight at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.

Except for Crawford, who won a referee technical decision over Felix Diaz on May 20 at the Madison Square Garden in New York, the two others are in for a unification match.

“Pacquiao. That’s the only fight out there we’re really looking for,” Crawford told an interview after his victory over Diaz.

The Digital Journal report said a victory over Thurman will give Pacquiao two more belts from the sanctioning bodies in the welterweight division. Spence can only part with his IBF belt in a unification bout.

“I think it’s kind of ironic.

You know what I mean?,” he said. “I’m the only welterweight in the world that holds

two world titles, and he’s still ranked above me. So at the end of the day, we want that PacMan fight,” Thurman added.

In calling out Pacquiao, Spence said he did to Chris Algieri what Pacquao and Amir Khan failed to do.

“I proved that I’m there with Keith Thurman and Amir Khan and Shawn Porter and Manny Pacquiao. I put on a performance that Manny Pacquiao didn’t do and Amir Khan didn’t do. They didn’t stop Chris Algieri.”

Crawford cannot put his light welterweight titles on the line as he is expected to move up to the 147 weight limit to face Pacquiao unless the fighting senator agrees to face him at 140 pounds.

Of the three, Crawford has the edge to bag the Pacquiao fight because Arum promotes both of them. (With report from Digital Journal)

VOL. 10 ISSUE 42 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2017

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO

Hard-fighting Pinay belles give Thai squad some fits U

ST-KAMENOGORSK, Kazakhstan — Rebisco PSL Manila stood its ground against unbeaten team and title contender Supreme Chonburi VC of Thailand before dropping a 25-20, 25-12, 18-25, 27-25 decision Monday in the Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championships.

Just when everybody thought they would fold against the import-laded Thai club, the Rebisco spikers fought off spike after spike through Jaja Santiago, Jove-

M

lyn Gonzaga and Aby Marano who got adulation from the big crowd here at Boris Alexandrov Sports Palace here.

Rebisco ruffled the Thais’ feathers after coming up strong in the third, riding on the Filipino trio’s scoring binges that sent alarm signals at Supreme bench.

And in the fourth, Rebisco survived two match points, both by Gonzaga’s hits to extend the frame. The Thais got a lift from a bad call by referee who ruled a Supreme hit touched ball when it went

straight out.

National head coach Francis Vicente praised his players for giving an inspired performance. “We played well today, but the referees call didn’t come our way,” he said.

Now the Philippines can still finish fifth in the tourney if it wins its last two matches.

Santiago topscored with 22 points, while Gonzaga added 14. Marano finished with 13 including three blocks. Ces Molina scored five while Kim Fajardo and Mika

Reyes added three.

It was Supreme’s fourth triumph in as many games in the tournament that the Thais won five times before.

The all-Filipino Rebisco Spikers lost fourth straight but Monday’s match was their best in this edition which they will use to prepare for the Southeast Asian Games in August.

Supreme import Fatou Niane Diouck accounted for 28 points, while Kongyot Ajcharaporn added 14 for Supreme.

early hours of Saturday morning, when he stopped Mexican journeyman Alfre-

do Chanez at the end of the third round in the UIC Pavilion, Chicago.

A swift right uppercut midway through the first round sent the Mexican to the canvas and the Belfast man then unloaded a fine variety of blows as Chanez did his best to survive. Chanez soaked up some sharp right hands in the second before being caught with a low blow which he made the most of, rolling on t h e

“I didn’t enjoy that at all.

These guys just want to survive, that’s part of the business when you’re coming up and facing journeymen but it was very frustrating. Throughout my amateur career I was facing the best in Europe and the World so it almost felt like I was going backwards, but it’s done and now I focus on the next

Conlan in Pacquiao-Horn undercard

ICHAEL Conlan is putting the frustration of a less than satisfying victory behind him and focusing on the chance to see his name up in lights alongside the great Manny Pacquiao on July 2, in Brisbane, Australia.

Conlan notched his second win since turning professional with American promotional company Top Rank, in the

UNDERCARD. Michael Conlan (left) says he is proud to be fighting on the same card with Manny Pacquiao.

canvas as the referee gave him time to draw breath. A short right hand to the body brought the end at 2:59 in the third as once more Chanez hit the floor.

one,” said Conlan, who is expected to face 31-year-old Australian Jarrett Owen.

STRATEGIC MOVE. Australian contender Jeff Horn has taken in a former Manny Pacquiao sparmate to his training camp hoping he would get a few things about the Filipino boxing superstar.

Horn hires unbeaten Pinoy as sparmate

U

NBEATEN Australian challenger Jeff Horn could be making a big mistake by taking into his camp Filipino-Australian boxer Czar Amonsot as his sparring partner for his fight against Manny Pacquiao on July 2 at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.

Horn is done with his spar mate for three weeks unbeaten prospect Liam Paro and is now looking at several prospective sparring partners including Zab Judah. He also invited Vasyl Lomachenko, who has recently turned down his offer.

Now Horn is set to spar Amonsot, who is known as a slugger and a power puncher with a KO rate of 55 percent.

Horn’s trainer Glenn Rushton said Amonsot, who remains unbeaten the last 18 fights is tough fighter and would be a great spar mate for Horn. “ I think

Czar will be great sparring for Jeff,” Horn’s trainer Glenn Rushton said.

“He’s been undefeated for years and is a former Pacquiao sparring partner. He’s tough and aggressive and fight fit,” Rushton added.

Admittedly, Amonsot is a great boxer having won 28 of his 34 fights (with two losses and two draws) but he doesn’t resemble Paquiao’s fighting style.

Seemingly, the only compelling reason for the choice of Amonsot in his preparation for the Pacquiao fight is his being a southpaw like Pacquiao.

Amonsot is a brawler but he isn’t known for his foot and hand speed.

Amonsot does not have the speed of Pacquiao though he moves with significant mobility in the ring but not enough to address Pacquiao’s foot and hand speed.

If Horn wants to familiarize himself with Pacquiao’s fighting style, he needs to spar with someone who has the speed and power of Pacquiao.

Horn has now the power to confront Pacquiao in the ring and with that power as shown in his knockout wins against three capable challengers during his most recent fights, he only needs to find a new sparring partner who acts and moves in the ring like Pacquiao.

All Mindanaoans should work for peace for the benefit of sports development

Y

EARS ago, then president of Adidas Philippines Philip Go expressed his apprehension to come to Davao citing that it is “magulo sa Mindanao”.

Oh yes, Davao is in Mindanao and the late manong Vic Sai, the Davao organizer, assured him repeatedly that everything will be just fine.

And so the Adidas Streetball came to Davao that time and the year after and every year. Many thanks, of course, to the peace and order program of Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Philippine Sports Com-

mission consultant Dr.Henry Daut had a different story, though.

The PSC event was held in Marawi City, miles and miles away from Davao, and the Maute Group wrought havoc to the city.

It is but natural that every coach, athlete and PSC official will be scared because what happened was unexpected.

Days prior to the event, Dr.Daut assured the participants that Marawi is peaceful.

Unfortunately, he was wrong.

CLEAN SLATE

By MOSES P. BILLACURA Fortunately, all sports participants were accounted for and everyone is safe.

Any conflict is any province or city in Mindanao is bad for sports development.

My point is that there

should an end to the conflicts or else sports will never progress in the island.

We dreamed of a peaceful and progressive Mindanao because one day, sports development will be in full swing and that we always believe that sports development is as basic as food, clothing, shelter and health care.

That is what PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez inculcated in our minds and that is exactly the reason why we love and work hard for sports development.

We know that the conflict is not easy to resolve but every Mindanaoan should make peacekeeping efforts a part of his or her daily life.

Any unusual movements in the area, armed or not armed, should be reported immediately to the authorities.

All Mindanaoans, young and old, deserve a peaceful way of life.

Every Mindanaoan deserve to enjoy sports, any time of the day, in every city, in every province.

Sports is happiness.

Sports is unity.

Sports is friendship.

Sports is love my friends.

Sports for Peace Mindanao executive director, my dear sir Ed Fernandez, mentioned one time that the sports for peace program will be revived soon.

We are not giving up, right dear sir Edfer?

We pray that scary incidents like the one in Marawi won’t be repeated specially when sports events are organized in the area.

Let there be peace in Mindanao for the benefit of sports development!

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 10 ISSUE 42 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2017

Pacquiao gets call out from three world champs for unification fight

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO

W

SOUGHT AFTER. Manny Pacquiao is being chased by at least three world champions.

njb@edgedavao.net

HAT makes Terrence Crawford, Keith Thurman and Errol Spence similar?

They’re all world champions and they all want a piece of Manny Pacquiao.

On Saturday, Spence wrested one-third of the welterweight title from champion Kell Brook at the Bramall Lane, Sheffield in the United Kingdom, and immediately called out the Filipino boxing legend.

Spence is the latest addition to at least two other world champions who are now seeking a lucrative fight against the eight-division world champion.

Pacquiao holds the WBO welterweight title.

Crawford is a light

welterweight titlist while Thurman and Spence are world welterweight champions.

Thurman wears the WBA and WBC welterweight belts. Spence has just won the IBF Welterweight title from Kell Brook.

All three, however, will have to wait for their turn as the fighting senator needs to beat Jeff Horn on July 2 in Brisbane before any future fight plans can be discussed.

Pacquiao always make it a point to take one fight at a time before setting up the next.

In a report by Digital Journal, a unification match with two of the three contenders is said to be possible for late this

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