Edge Davao 10 Issue 44, June 2 - 3, 2017

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 2 - 3, 2017

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Serving a seamless society

APPORTIONING. Workers commissioned by the city government of Davao repack food packs inside a supermarket which will bea distributed to Muslim communities around the city, a tradition being practiced during the Holy Month of Ramadan by then mayor and now president Rodrigo Duterte. Lean Daval Jr.

SETBACK Davao tourism loses P20M under Martial Law

By JECIA ANNE OPIANA In a press conference on AVAO City’s tourThursday, City Tourism Opism industry inerations Officer Gene Rose curred a P20M Tecson divulged that of the loss within three days estimated P20 million loss in after President Duterte revenue, P18 million arose declared Martial Law from cancelled bookings in in the whole of Mind- the hotel and accommodation anao. sector.

D

The rest came from the restaurant and transport services as of May 24-27.

“The losses arose as events and room bookings have been canceled,” said Tecson.

However, Tecson said that everything that is hap-

pening is temporary and just a normal reaction to the declaration. She hoped that in three to four weeks’ time, the city will recover. The tourism officer cited the influx of cancellations in September 2016 Roxas bombing incident but

no business establishments that have intention to terminate their businesses while Martial Law is being implemented here for 60 days.

Ortonio said that the businesses here are just on their normal state since the city is well prepared for such

F SETBACK, 10

...But no business closing shop

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

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HE Davao City Investment and Promotion Center here recorded zero termination of businesses after the declaration

of Martial Law in the entire Island of Mindanao on May 23, due to the Marawi siege.

DCIPC Head Lemuel Ortonio said that there were

F BUT, 10

EDGEDAVAO Sports TRILOGY Cavs-Warriors rematch picks up where it left off

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 2 - 3, 2017

RARE PHOTOOP. Officers from the Philippine Air Force have their photo taken with the presidential grandchildren aboard BRP Davao Del Sur during the 119th anniversary of the Philippine Navy at Sasa Wharf in Davao City on Wednesday afternoon where President Duterte was the guest of honor. Lean Daval Jr.

Zambo areas told to guard against entry of infiltrators

O

FFICIALS of this city’s 98 barangays have been urged to be strict and vigilant in the issuance of identification documents to prevent infiltration of lawless elements in the area.

Dr. Elmeir Jade Apolinario, city disaster risk reduction and management office (CDRRMO) chief, on Thursday made the appeal following a surge in the number of people requesting for identification (ID) card, residence certificate (cedula) and barangay clearance.

It has been observed that the number of people request-

ing for ID, cedula and clearance have increased after the implementation of the “No ID, No Entry” policy.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has ordered the imposition of such policy in a bid to shut possible access into this city of terrorists and other lawless elements.

She said the move is part of the intensified security measure implemented in this city following the Marawi City crisis that prompted President Duterte to declare martial law in Mindanao.

The policy was imposed

F ZAMBO, 10

No halt to air strikes in Marawi City despite‘friendly fire incident’: AFP

S

USPENSION of air strikes in the ongoing clearing operations in Marawi City is the exclusive purview of the ground commanders.

This was disclosed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla after a SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 “Warrior” light attack/trainer aircraft accidentally bombed an Army unit involved in the ongoing clearing operations in the locality, killing 11 and wounding seven others Wednesday.

Bodies of the slain and wounded troops were immediately recovered by rescuing units.

He issued this statement

when asked if whether the incident will mean the automatic suspension of air strikes in the ongoing offensive against the remaining Maute Group terrorists in Marawi City.

Only ground commanders have this authority as they are the only ones who have full knowledge of the “combat environment” where the action is taking place.

Despite this tragedy, Padilla said the AFP has been inflicting significant casualties to the Maute Group terrorists, who have plotted to burn down Marawi City, since fighting started May 23.

“The AFP has greatly diminished the number of the

F NO, 10

Multi-sectoral group formed to monitor martial law abuses A

MULTI-SECTORAL Advisory Group (MAG) to monitor martial law abuses by government security forces in four regions in Mindanao is now in place.

This was announced on Wednesday by Brig. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) spokesperson.

MAG will be chaired by Sebastian Angliongto from the business sector. Its members are Prof. Antonio Onsioma representing the academe; Susan Palad – religious; Antonio dela Cruz – business; Jerry Francisco; Most. Rev. Fernando Capalla – religious sector (Catholic); Prof. Hadji

Balajadia – religious (Islam)/ academe); Lawyer Romeo Cabarde – legal; Akhzanuniza Alonto – Mindanao Development Authority; Efren Elbanbuena, director Philippine Information Agency-XI – media; Lawyer Rogelio Largo – legal (IBP-Davao); and lawyer Mary Ann Arnado – legal (NGO).

Gapay, who is also the designated Eastmincom spokesperson for martial law, said MAG already held its first meeting, where members not only aired their concerns but also offered guidance to allay fears on the implementation of martial Law. “We have a heavy discus-

sion with the legal (experts) on the basic provisions of the Constitution,” Gapay told reporters during Wednesday’s AFP-PNP press briefing at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.

Given this, Gapay said the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), represented by Largo, suggested forming a Quick Response Team (QRT) to look into complaints.

“This way the quick response team (with the guidance of the legal team) can react immediately and go the area,” Gapay said.

The QRT will be formed down to the municipal, city and provincial levels within the area of the Eastmincom.

Eastmincom covers Regions XI (Davao), 13 (Caraga) and parts of Region 10 (Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental) and Region 12 (Cotabato).

Gapay said the local governments can touch base with their IBP chapters and with Largo.

Bishop Capalla also pushed for the active participation of inter-faith groups to give premium to cultural sentiments and issues of the religious sector on extreme violence.

Gapay said Maute has dragged religion into their terrorism activities, distorting and disgracing Islam.

(PNA)

the 119th anniversary of the Philippine Navy and the commissioning of BRP Davao del Sur. He said Christians and Muslims who are into illegal drugs sought sanctuary among the terrorists for protection to ensure the success of their business.

He recalled warning people about the growing illegal drugs business in the country, and during the declaration of the state of lawlessness last year, the President said that “everything was being watched and raided in

Central Mindanao.” ”We lost at that time so many soldiers but apparently most of the Filipinos took it nonchalant,” he said.

He cited the arrested member of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Supt. Maria Cristina Nobleza, as “the one that helped illegal drugs trading in the country.”

Nobleza was arrested in Bohol at the height of military operation against the Abu Sayyaf bandits last month there.

“She was not only in cahoots but she was an active

player in the terrorism business,” the President said.

Now, the President said “the illegal drugs business has become a menace that even Manila was already flooded that the government has to put measures to stop it.” ”Of course, it would cost lives. You cannot find a war, especially drugs, without losing your men and the enemy,” he said.

He noted the government lost both soldiers and police officers in the fight against drugs.

Marawi is PH’s ‘bedrock of illegal drugs’: Duterte

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday described Marawi City, where firefight is ongoing between government forces and the Maute terror group, as “the bedrock of shabu manufacturing” in the country.

Speaking during the 119th anniversary of the Philippine Navy at the Sasa Wharf here, the President lamented that terrorism activities in the Philippines are being funded and fueled by drug money. Duterte was the guest of honor during

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NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

Duterte to arrest NDF officials if NPA will help Maute Group

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RESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte warned he will order the rearrest of communist leaders who have been released on bail if the New People’s Army will join the local terrorist Maute Group in Marawi even though the leftist movement has declared they are against the said group.

“And if there is breakdown in the peace and order because of the participation of the communists in the war against the ISIS, kung gusto ninyo tumulong sa kabila magpuntahan kayo lahat (if you want to side with the other side, go ahead),” Duterte said during 119th founding anniversary of the Philippine Navy at the Sasa Wharf in Davao City on Wednesday.

“But I am warning the leaders whom I have released and who are now talking to the representatives of my government, do not attempt to come home, I will arrest all of you, throw you in the slammer, pagkukulungin ko kayo at lahat ng matatanda arestohin ko kayo ulit (I will put you all in

jail, and rearrest even seniors) and if needed, they will just die there inside the prison,” he said.

But Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chair Jose Maria Sison, Duterte’s former professor in Political Thought, told reporters covering the defunct fifth round of peace talks in The Netherlands that the New Peoples’ Army (NPA), the CPP’s armed wing, has no links with the Maute Group at all.

“Kalokohan yan (That’s non-sense),” he said.

“Malinaw sa kanila na (It’s clear to them) that we have offered that the revolutionary movement, even before, has taken a stand against Maute and Abu Sayyaf as terrorist groups. We are going to join the Maute? I don’t think that was the intent of his speech,” seconded NDFP peace panel chief negotiator Fidel V. Agcaoili Duterte expressed his frustration over the five decades of communist unrest in the country. (MINDANEWS)

N administration lawmaker revealed on Thursday that a total of P80.049 million was spent for three years for the water supply to wash Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 Light Rail Vehicles (LRV).

In a statement, PBA Partylist Rep. Jericho Nograles said the maintenance service provider Busan Universal Rail Inc. (BURI) is overly charging MRT-3 at least P74,000 daily or P2.22 million per month in washing LRVs. Nograles said that part of the P3.8 billion maintenance service contract made by the previous administration has an allocation of P80.049 million for the water supply for

“LRV maintenance” within a three-year period.

The partylist lawmaker that the service contract between the government and BURI is “patently anomalous and invalid” and should therefore be abrogated by the Department of Transportation (DOTr). “(Transportation) Secretary (Arthur) Tugade should already terminate this very anomalous contract. The government should stop all payments for BURI due to non-compliance of the terms of their contract,” Nograles said.

“The Duterte government should not be carrying this

COURTESY CALL. President Rodrigo Duterte meets with United States of America Senator Cory Gardner who paid a courtesy call on the President in Manila on Wednesday night. Joining the President is Foreign Affairs

Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, while Senator Gardner is accompanied by US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

30 guidelines for biz Firm MRT-3 P2.2M monthly for washing trains: Nograles firms under ML ok’d A F FIRM, 10

By JECIA ANNE OPIANA

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HE Davao City Investment and Promotions Center that a total of 30 guidelines for the implementation of Martial Law for tourists and businesses has been submitted and approved

by City Mayor Sara Duter-

te-Carpio.

On Thursday, DCIPC Head Lemuel Ortonio told reporters that the 30 guidelines are about to be released any time soon by the City Information Office.

“The guidelines highlight

basic rules to be followed

by Davao-based companies, guidelines to help our visiting investors and also for those businesses operating at night or during graveyard shift.”

Ortonio also noted that the city government made the

guidelines in consultation with the business sectors through the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. “It is better that we take not only the point of view of the government but also the

which has laid siege to Marawi City.

In a press briefing in Malacañang on Thursday, Lorenzana said the military will be relying more on ground armor and troops and less on air support in the next few days.

“Well, sa tingin ko naman because there’s only a small pocket there, one strong pocket of resistance, and if we can converge our troops there, the more we do not need the air strikes if there are troops surrounding the area already,

then the more we do not need the strikes,” Lorenzana said.

“Maybe we will need the armored vehicles. We have just delivered 21 armored vehicles to Marawi. They were there… They arrived there yes-

F 30 GUIDELINES, 10

Defense chief certain on swift resolution of Marawi crisis

D

EPARTMENT of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana expressed confidence that government forces will be able to accomplish its mission in going after elements of the local terror group Maute

5 college execs indicted by graft body for scams

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LEAN BUT MEAN. The Philippine Navy demonstrates the capability of its newly-acquired Multi Purpose Attack Crafts (MPACs) while President Duterte was watching during its 119th anniversary held at Sasa Wharf in Davao City on Wednesday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

F DEFENSE, 10

IVE officials of the Davao Del Norte State College of Science and Technology (DNSCST) face trial before the Sandiganbayan for violation of “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act”.

This was after the Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) found probable cause against DNSCST president Jonathan Bayogan, together with Airma Ladera (Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee), Vivian Labasano (OIC-Director for Administrative Services), BAC members Minerva Mangan-Maglana and Erlinda Patosa for violation of Section 3(e) of RA No. 3019 for non-compliance with RA No. 9184, or the “Government Procurement Reform Act”, in undertaking a project in 2006.

The Ombudsman-Mindanao Field Investigation Unit found that in March 2006, DOSCST procured supplies and equipment for its Funda Laboratory without public bidding and sans any Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC).

Procurement documents showed that the respondents obtained quotations from three suppliers and immediately opened their bids.

However, after the opening of quotations, the respondents allowed another bidder Multilab to submit its offer and eventually awarded the project to the latter, through the alternative method of shopping.

The quotations showed that the offers ranged from P225,000 to P300,000, which

F 5 COLLEGE, 10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 2 - 3, 2017

Taiwan consumer confidence drops T

AIWANESE sentiment was gloomy over inflation, investment and economic prospects in May, according to the results of a monthly survey Thursday.

The consumer confidence index, which is based on a survey by the Research Center for Taiwan Economic Development, dropped 0.09 points from April to 78.11 points in May, ending three months of increases.

The index consists of six indicators reflecting what people think about the economy over the next six months, in terms of consumer prices, stock market investment, employment, income, the local economic climate and purchases of durable

employment assistance. He added that the funds will be used to support the Department of Labor and Employment’s program which aims to assist the youth in finding quality employment. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

LTFRB: Driving academy for PUV drivers upcoming

ence Thursday.

He added that the business sector is looking at the declaration of martial law in Mindanao as a practical and short-term solution to address lawlessness in the region.

“With regards to martial law, it’s a temporary measure to take care of some of the lawlessness,” Santos noted.

Earlier this week, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez stressed that martial law will not harm economic activities in Mindanao.

“The fighting itself im-

posed concern but not the martial law,” the government official said.

Moreover, Santos Frank Knight said IT-BPO companies are aggressive in expanding outside Metro Manila, particularly into markets of Cebu and Davao.

“Overall, office market expected to remain healthy as the outsourcing industry continues to grow,” said Santos.

“The country remains as the most attractive inbound investment destination in the region for IT-BPO companies

which are eager to capitalize on the country’s favorable demographics, strong dollar, competitive labor cost and continuous infrastructure development,” he added.

It was noted that provinces stand to benefit from the country’s attractiveness for IT-BPO sector, as more foreign firms are eyeing to invest in the Philippines.

“Investments are expected to come from Qatar, Mexico, Israel, United Kingdom, Canada, and China,” Santos added.

(PNA)

form.

The original DOF-endorsed version outlined in House Bill No. 4774, which was authored by Quirino Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua, was consolidated with 54 other-tax related measures into the substitute bill HB 5636, which is now the TRAIN. The 17th Congress will end its sine die adjournment on July 24, when President Duterte is to deliver his second State of the Nation Address (SONA).

President Duterte has certified as an urgent measure the proposed TRAIN because it will help ensure the financial sustainability of the government’s ambitious agenda to sustain the country’s growth momentum and accelerate poverty reduction via a massive spending on infrastructure, human capital and social protection for the

poor and vulnerable sectors.

In separate letters sent to Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III and Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, the President said: “The benefits to be derived from this tax reform measure will sustainably finance the Government’s envisioned massive investments in infrastructure thereby encouraging economic activity and job creation, as well as fund the desired increase in the public budget for health, education and social programs to alleviate poverty.”

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said TRAIN aims to make the country’s antiquated tax system simpler, fairer and more efficient, especially for the poor and low-income families, by making sizable cuts in personal income tax (PIT) rates—and to make up for the projected revenue loss, and at the same

time raise funds for the Duterte administration’s massive expenditure program, by expanding the Value Added Tax (VAT) base and adjusting excise taxes on oil, automobiles and other products.

Dominguez pointed out in his earlier memo to the President that the “dire consequences” of the Congress’ failure to pass soon enough this TRAIN bill, given its design to help guarantee a steady revenue flow for the Duterte administration’s unmatched public investments over the next half-decade to support its envisioned “Golden Age of Infrastructure,” attract investments and create jobs, cut the poverty rate from 21.6 percent to 14 percent, and transform the Philippines into an upper middle-income economy by the time the President leaves office in 2022. (PNA)

HE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board will coordinate with various educational institutions for the implementation of the agency’s plan to put up a driving academy for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers nationwide.

LTFRB board member and spokesperson Aileen Lizada said PUV drivers should be trained under a driving academy to develop their skills and to ensure road safety and discipline.

She said the initiative is part of the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) vision to modernize public transportation in the country.

LTFRB is set to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Ateneo School of Government and the De La Salle University (DLSU) Psychology Department later this month to offer courses under the driver training academy program.

“All PUV drivers will be covered by the academy. We need them to be retrained on road safety such as knowing different traffic signs and markings.

Many accidents on roads could have been prevented if there are safety nets in place,” Lizada

YOUTH ASSISTANCE. Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella announces during a press briefing in Malacañang on Thursday that the Asian Development Bank has approved a P300-million loan intended for the youth

Long-term prospects for T Mindanao remain strong L

ONG-TERM prospects for Mindanao remain strong as information technology and business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) companies will continue to explore the southern part of the Philippines despite the declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

“Demand (is seen) to continue in the IT-BPO sector despite what’s happening in Mindanao. So, it’s business as usual,” Rick Santos, Chairman and CEO of Santos Knight Frank, formerly CBRE Philippines, said in a press confer-

DOF thanks House for final OK of TRAIN bill

T

HE Department of Finance thanked the House of Representatives for approving on third and final reading the proposed Tax Reform and Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN) and expressed optimism that, with President Duterte declaring it as an urgent measure crucial to his administration’s massive expenditure program, the Senate would similarly pass the measure soon enough when the 17th Congress reopens for its Second Regular Session in July.

A total of 246 lawmakers voted in favor of TRAIN, with nine against and one abstention.

Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua said the DOF will present its case before the Senate in July with the hope that senators would retain TRAIN in its original

goods.

Four of the six indicators dropped this month, with the biggest decline in consumer prices, which fell 1.9 points from the previous month to 44 points, the lowest level since March 2000.

The sub-index for the job market was the only one to rise in May, posting an increase of 101.7 points, while income confidence stayed flat at 76.75 points.

An indicator between 0 and 100 indicates pessimism while scores between 100 and 200 indicates optimism.

The survey was conducted between May 19 and 23 with 2,421 valid questionnaires.

(Xinhua)

said in a phone interview with the Philippine News Agency.

According to the LTFRB official, the Ateneo School of Government will be providing modules on road safety while the DLSU Psychology Department will be offering lessons on anger management and road rage.

“We have observed that there is lack of competency exams for road safety in government agencies. For instance, how to deal with road rages and prevent them from happening. That is the reason why we partnered with reputable academic institutions to seek for their assistance. We are grateful for Ateneo and La Salle for giving their support to this initiative,” Lizada said.

She said the LTFRB will continue to seek the support of educational institutions, government agencies as well as commuter safety organizations to craft a comprehensive program that would not only develop the driving skills of PUV drivers but also inculcate the value of safety and discipline on the roads. “We want to provide courses on real-life driving situations for PUV drivers to become more aware on road safety.” (PNA)

Outbound tourism grows during Dragon Boat Fest

C

HINESE tourists made 2.71 million outbound trips during the threeday Dragon Boat Festival holiday, up 7.2 percent year on year, official data showed Tuesday.

The most popular overseas destinations included Russia, Thailand, Italy, Vietnam and France, according to the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA).

There was a rapid increase in the number of outbound tourists visiting Europe during the holiday, the CNTA said.

Within the country, 82.6 million trips were made by tourists, with 33.7 billion yuan (4.9 billion U.S. dollars) of business income earned by the domestic tourism sector, according to the CNTA. The Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of a year according to the Chinese calendar, and falls on May 30 this year. Traditions of the festival include racing dragon boats and eating Zongzi, glutinous rice and fillings wrapped with bamboo or reed leaves. (Xinhua)

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ECONOMY 5

PH, Qatar sign new air services accord T

HE Philippines and Qatar signed Wednesday a new Memorandum of Understanding on air services, amending a 2015 agreement, to pave way for increased number of flights between Manila and Doha.

The MOU was signed by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for Aviation Capt. Manuel Antonio Tamayo and Abdullah Al Subaey of Qatar, a DOTr statement said.

The DOTr said the new MOU increased the traffic rights between Manila and Doha, from the current 14 flights per week to 18 flights per week for the designated airlines of each country.

Qatar Airways currently operates 14 flights per week to Manila and seven flights per week to Clark, while Philippine Airlines currently operates four flights between Manila and Doha.

The new MOU will increase the flights of Qatar Airways to Manila by four additional flights.

The DOTr said the MOU

is considered a landmark agreement because it also includes as a condition for Qatar Airways to have flights from Davao within one year from commencement of the four additional flights to Manila.

The target for commencement of operation of the four additional flights to Manila is October 2017, at the beginning of the winter schedule.

The expansion of traffic rights is seen to enhance connectivity, facilitate trade, investment, services, and people to people exchange between the two countries, the DOTr said.

More importantly, the inclusion of Davao in the route structure of Qatar Airways will provide the much needed linkage for Davao to the major markets of the world.

Qatar is directly connected to 161 international destinations.

This connectivity will support Davao’s emergence as a major economic and commercial hub of the Philippines. (PNA)

Boracay launches relief drive for Marawi victims

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EMBERS of the Muslim community in the province of Aklan and Capiz and this resort island with other local organizations have started a relief campaign for the displaced families due to the ongoing conflict in Marawi City.

Dubbed “Operation Todo Tulong para sa Marawi”, the relief campaign is organized by media organization Radyo Todo -Aklan in partnership with the Aklan Police Provincial Office and the Muslim community in Aklan and Boracay.

Radyo Todo-Aklan Station Manager Jonathan

Cabrera asked for canned goods, noodles, rice, water, hygiene kits and blankets.

“This is our way of helping our fellow Filipinos who are affected by the terror attacks,” said Cabrera in an interview Thursday.

Donations can be sent to the Radyo Todo offices in Punta Tulay, Bulwang in Numancia town and in Boracay.

Cabrera said that collected donations would be sent to evacuation centers in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro City.

He said the same campaign was also started by the Radyo Todo Capiz with the Muslim community there.

(Karen V. Bermejo/PNA)

STILL HOPEFUL. City Tourism Office (CTO) head Regina Rosa Tecson bares the city tourism industry incurred a P20M loss within three days after President Duterte declared Martial Law in the whole of Mindanao. Tecson made the disclosure during I-Speak media forum at City Hall on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr.

Italpinas, leading property developer, bags award anew IDC cited for best mix-use development

By JOHN TRIA

I

F there’s one thing Mindanao can look forward to, it’s that new developments are world class.

With this, Listed sustainable builder Italpinas Development Corporation (IDC) again received the citation in the Best Mixed-Use Development category at the International Property Awards Asia Pacific 2017.

IDC earned the prestigious award for its soon-to-rise project at Uptown Cagayan de Oro, Primavera City, after its first development, twin-tower Primavera Residences, located in the same city, won in the same

category in 2014.

Uptown Cagayan de Oro is located 150 meters above sea level and is perhaps the most attractive district of Cagayan de Oro. Primavera City, IDC’s second and more ambitious project, is a mixed-use development composed of seven towers. First phase of the project consists of Towers A and B that is set to be completed in 2018; the last tower is designed to be a high rise hotel.

The design of Primavera City integrates green strategies and systems that aim to reduce overall energy con-

sumption in all towers resulting in long-term savings for buyers.

One of its key features is the use of passive cooling technology-shadow and sunlight control, wind cooling and shape performance. The project will also harness solar energy from semi-transparent photovoltaic panels to be installed on the roof of the towers. Another unique, green feature of the development is the use of a water recycling system that aims to make building maintenance and landscape irrigation more eco-friendly and cost-effective.

“Winning at the International Property Awards is an honor but receiving this prestigious recognition for the second time is a big thing”, explained Architect Romolo Valentino Nati, chairman and chief executive officer of IDC. “The success of Primavera Residences has been an inspiration to us.

Further reinforcing our green advocacy, Primavera City is a milestone that will offer double the advantage of the previous project,” added Nati.

The Asia Pacific Proper-

fessional with lower income tax savings of PHP20,000 yearly would still be PHP10,000 poorer if the tax package is implemented.

Under the tax reform bill, workers earning no more than PHP250,000 annually will be exempted from paying personal income taxes.

To compensate for the revenue losses from the lowering of the PIT rates, some of the offsetting measures include increasing excise tax rates on all petroleum products and automobiles; expanding the value added tax (VAT) base; introducing excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages; and improving tax

administration measures.

The revenues shall also be allocated for infrastructure, health, education and social protection expenditures.

The progressive solon said the additional taxes, in the form of fuel excise taxes and removal of VAT exemptions, would be primarily shouldered by ordinary citizens, especially the poor.

“Nagbigay sa kaliwang kamay pero binawi naman ng sobra-sobra sa kanang kamay. Mabuti pa sigurong hindi ginalaw ang tax system sa ngayon dahil kung ito ang epekto sa isang middle class individual, ay di mas lalung

pahirap talaga ito sa mga mahihirap, dahil sila naman ay walang savings sa lower income tax pero sasaluhin nila ang mga pagtaas ng mga presyo,” he said.

“Hindi naman din uubra yung sinasabing social benefit card dahil lahat ay tatamaan ng pagtaas ng mga presyo at di naman lahat bibigyan ng subsidy,” he added.

House ways and means committee vice chairman, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, said that the increased fuel tax actually targets the rich or top 1 percent of the population whose oil use is equal to the consumption of the lowest 50 percent of Filipinos.

F ITALPINAS, 10 CSC optimistic ASEAN migrant workers declaration would be adopted by Nov. Added taxes to cut savings of low income earners, lawmaker warns

C

IVIL Service Commission chairperson Alicia dela Rosa Bala on Wednesday expressed optimism that the document on the ASEAN declaration on the protection of migrant workers would be adopted in November.

“To my mind, this will be signed by the heads of the ASEAN member states and hopefully by November, this would be a victory for Filipinos,” Bala said during the Mangrove Forum on International Relations held at the Marriott Hotel where she was guest speaker.

She noted that although the ASEAN process that involves consensus decision-making poses a challenge, they are nonetheless glad that

the matter is being tackled and the chance of it being ironed out is not far-fetched.

The CSC official added that the adoption of the declaration on ASEAN migrant workers will touch the lives of Filipinos, especially those working in ASEAN countries, such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.

Citing that the instrument has been 10 years in the making, she said they want to make sure that the document would be adopted this year during the Philippines’ chairmanship of the ASEAN and during the regional grouping’s golden anniversary.

“Again we started it all because we have to protect our

F CSC, 10

A

PROGRESSIVE lawmaker at the House of Representatives on Thursday warned against the first tax reform package as it would significantly reduce any savings of lower income earners.

In a statement, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said that even without the additional expenses, a professional earning PHP25,000 a month with three dependents would have to shell out PHP29,828.80 annually or around PHP2,500 monthly because of the additional taxes caused by the proposed tax reforms.

Zarate further said a pro-

6 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 2 - 3, 2017

CHAMPION PROVINCE. Winners from the province of Davao del Norte pose with DA-XI officials led by Regional Executive Director Ricardo M. Oñate during the 2016-2017 Gawad Saka Awarding Ceremony. (Photo by: Che D. Palicte DA-11)

DavNor is region’s Gawad Saka champ D

AVAO del Norte was adjudged as the overall champion of the 2016-2017 Gawad Saka for its exemplary contributions to the agricultural productivity in Davao region.

In an awarding ceremony held on Wednesday at the KorPhil Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Training Center in Davao City, Davao Oriental won as the first runner-up while Compostela Valley Province won as the 2nd runner-up.

Out of the eight Gawad Saka winners, three came from Sto. Tomas, Davao del

Norte namely: Jeremias Casas –Outstanding Rice Farmer, Dr. Eduardo Llorente – Outstanding Small Animal Raiser and Marcos Cabrera – Outstanding Organic Agriculture.

Davao Oriental bagged two awards for two categories namely: Outstanding Corn Farmer – Meriam Pleños and Outstanding Fisherfolk (Fish Capture) – Nelly Wenceslao.

Davao City also bagged two awards for Outstanding High Value Crops Farmer – Marlo Yap and Outstanding Highly Urbanized City/ Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Council (AFC) – CAFC Davao City.

PALOC Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Compostela Valley Province won the Outsanding Small Farmer/Fisherfolk Organization .

The individual winners received P30,000 cash and trophy while the organization/institutional winners received P50,000 cash and trophy.

Their respective technicians also received P15,000 cash and a certificate.

The eight winners will be the official entry of Davao region to the 2018 National Gawad Saka contest.

Special citations were also given to the following: Eliseo

Mallorca and Family of Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte - Outstanding Farmer Fisherfolk Family, Self-Employment Assistance Kaunlaran (SEA-K) of Sto. Tomas , Davao del Norte – Outstanding Barangay Food Terminal (BFT), MAFC Mati City – Outstanding Municipal AFC, Glyneth Laurea of Lupon, Davao Oriental – Outstanding Fisherfolk (Fish Capture), Rural Improvement Club HomeBased Workers Association (RICHWA) of Poblacion, Compostela Valley – Outstanding Rural Improvement Club and Dicky Contiga of Mabini Compostela Valley – Outstanding

Coconut Farmer.

The awardees received P10,000 cash and trophy while their assisting technicians received P3,000 cash During the event, DA-XI also recognized the 11 outstanding agricultural extension workers (AEW’s) and one local farmer technician (LFT) as Rice Achiever Awardees (RAA).

In his speech, Director Ricardo Oñate assured the awardees that DA will continue to support them by providing training, technology, information, infrastructure, and farm inputs.

“We would like to extend

our grateful recognition to our Gawad Saka winners for their outstanding feats in farming which serves as an inspiration and hope for other to sustain agricultural production,” Oñate says, adding that, “we also laud the efforts of our LGU partners in helping us not just in identifying but more importantly in nurturing these agricultural champions.”

Gawad Saka is an annual search of DA which has become the highest form of recognition to deserving farmers and fisherfolks in the country who have excelled in the various sectors in agriculture.

(Che D. Palicte DA-11)

HE Moro National Liberation Front is ready to deploy 3,000 of its forces in Davao City to augment government forces in flushing out members of the Maute terror group in Marawi City.

Rolando Olamit, the head of the MNLF in Davao, said they are just waiting for guidance from MNLF founding chair Nur Misuari and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, stressing that they were ready to help even at the start of the government’s campaign against the Abu Sayyaf Group.

“Dugay na mi gusto motabang sa ASG pa lang (We always wanted to help in crushing even the ASG),” Olamit told reporters during Wednesday’s AFP-PNP press briefing at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.

Olamit revealed that MNLF Davao has “more or less 3,000 forces, excluding supporters and sympathizers.”

For now, Olamit said, they are helping in the monitoring of areas in Davao to prevent the entry of terrorists, especially along the city’s coastal areas. They are also gathering information about people entering the city.

Olamit said they are not immediately ready to receive members or evacuees from Marawi unless they are assured of their background, noting that they need to first verify the background of these people.

The Muslim communities here have been active in verifying and profiling their constituents so that they can vouch for their identity.

Randy Usman , deputy mayor for Maranao community, said the deputy mayors of the six Muslim tribes have been meeting and coordinating since the implementation of martial law, “seeing to it that the city will not be infiltrated by terrorists.”

He assured that members of their community “will not make any trouble in the city.”

But contrary to Olamit, Usman said they are ready to receive displaced families from Marawi in consideration of their difficult situation there.

“People should welcome them (evacuees) because they experienced trauma from the war in their area,” he said.

(Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)#DEFENDREPUBLIC

DepEd12 opens public schools to transferees from Marawi T T

HE Department of Education in Region 12 has opened the region’s public elementary and secondary schools to possible transferees from Marawi City.

Dr. Arturo Bayocot, DepEd-Region 12 director, said Thursday he ordered all 2,245 public schools in the region to accommodate students who were displaced due to the conflict in Marawi.

He specifically cited children of families that were

forced to evacuate as a result of clashes between government troops and terror group members.

“All (public) schools in Region 12 are ready to accept them,” the official said in a media forum.

Also known as Soccsksargen, the region comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato, and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Co-

tabato.

Region 12, which has nine school divisions, has a total of 1,746 elementary and 499 secondary schools, including those offering Senior High School programs.

Bayocot said such move was based on their advocacy that “all children of school age have the right to be in school,” especially that classes are scheduled to open on June 5.

The official said he has directed public school principals

and administrators to accept all transferees, even those who do not carry any pertinent document from their previous school.

“This is to enable displaced students to continue with their education,” he said.

But as of Thursday, Bayocot said they have not yet recorded any enrollment of transferees from Marawi City.

“Perhaps they are still preoccupied with their safety,” he

HE provincial government of South Cotabato has released some P470,000 in shelter assistance to 30 families who were affected by a huge fire in Koronadal City in April.

Haide Agustin, crisis management division head of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), said Thursday the fire victims received P5,000 to P20,000 in Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) from the

provincial government.

She said the beneficiaries were among the 38 families who were displaced in a fire that hit a community in Barangay Zone III in Koronadal City on April 4.

A total of 26 houses were totally damaged while two others sustained partial damages as a result of the incident.

“The assistance will be utilized for the rebuilding of new houses of the affected

families,” she said.

Agustin said the families whose homes were totally damaged received P20,000 each while owners of partially damaged houses received PHP10, 000 each.

Families who were listed as room renters or house boarders affected by the incident received PHP5,000 each, she said.

Agustin said they have not yet released the assistance to eight other families

as they still need to submit some required documents.

She said they are currently coordinating with the concerned families to facilitate the release of their ESA. The provincial government of South Cotabato provides a maximum of P30,000 in ESA for disaster victims whose houses were totally damaged and P10, 000 for victims whose homes were partially damaged or destroyed.

F DEPED12, 13

Koranadal City fire victims get shelter aid T

3,000 MNLF members ready to back gov’t troops in Marawi

7 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 2 - 3, 2017

Giving too much away? Most people share personal information online – and young people are most at risk

S

HARING information or photos on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram has become second nature for many. But research from Kaspersky Lab has lift the lid on just how much personal data people are sharing in the public domain.

The research shows that the majority (93%) of people share their information digitally, with 70% of these sharing photos and videos of their children and 45% sharing private and sensitive videos and photos of others.

These habits are worse among younger generations, who are making large amounts of their personal information accessible to strangers.

Worryingly, almost half (44%) of Internet users make their information public, but once data has gone into the public domain, it can travel far beyond the control of its owners.

One-in-five people admit that they share sensitive data with people they don’t know well, and with strangers, limiting their ability to control how their sensitive information will be used.

Thus, people are exposing themselves to identity theft or financial attack by sharing financial and payment details (37%), scans of their passports, driving licenses and other personal documents (41%) or passwords (30%).

The findings are part of Kaspersky Lab’s My Precious Data: Stranger Danger report into people’s data sharing habits. The research found that people are not just sharing data, they are also sharing devices that store their precious data.

In fact, one-in-ten (10%) have shared the PIN for accessing their device with a stranger and one-in-five (22%) have left their devices unlocked and unsupervised among a group of people.

Furthermore, nearly a quarter (23%) have given their device to another person to use for some time.

“Over-sharing personal data with people and companies is a really dangerous habit to get into,” says Andrei Mochola, Head of Consumer Business at Kaspersky Lab. “In today’s online world, sharing information with others has never been easier and, in many ways, that’s what the Internet was created for. But by disclosing important and sensitive information with other people at the push of a button, you relinquish control over it, because you can’t be sure where that data is going, and how it will be used. Users are literally putting their precious data, and even the devices that store it, in the hands of others.”

The study furthermore shows that young people are the most likely to share private and sensitive photos of themselves with others – 61% of those aged 16-24 admit to this form of sharing, compared to just 38% of the over 55s.

This pattern also extends to financial information, with two-fifths of young people sharing their financial and payment details (42% of 1624 year olds) with others, compared to just 27% of 55+ year olds.

“While it’s completely unrealistic to expect Internet users to stop sharing photos, personal details and other information with each other, we

F GIVING, 11

PH trade team secures Russian support for pharmaceutical, PPP, infrastructure projects

M

OSCOW—Following the USD 875 million-worth of potential investments secured between the Philippines (PH) and Russia, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez endeavored to strengthen PH-Russia business links by engaging, in separate fora, top chambers of commerce in Moscow and St. Petersburg on 25 and 26 May. “I consider business fora in Moscow and St. Petersburg successful because of the good networking and business leads created from both sides,” said Sec. Lopez, adding that participants mostly Russians (70%) in Moscow forum reached about 450, while in St. Petersburg about 200.

“These Russian businessmen came from the industries of pharmaceutical, manufacturing, construction materials, iron and steel, property development, power energy, to name a few,” he added.

In both fora, the trade chief shared the Dutertenomics strategy for inclusive growth and emphasized PH’s current growth story characterized by strong macro-economic fundamentals, strong investors’ confidence and good governance.

Earlier, Sec. Lopez met with the principals and heads of the Business Russia Federation, composed of largescale entrepreneurs in the area of pharmacy, medicine

and mining. They were introduced to potential company partners in the Philippine business delegation.

A CEO Roundtable followed involving Russia’s top business executives from Business Russia, R-Pharma (pharmaceutical products, medical research) and Vi Holdings Group (metallurgy, mining and processing, power and energy, real estate).

Pharmaceutical, PPP, infrastructure Sec. Lopez sought Russian businessmen’s involvement in developing the country’s infrastructure and public-private partnership (PPP) projects. He also reiterated relevance of adopting an inclusive growth model, integrating micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the value chain of bigger companies.

Sec. Lopez and PH team showcased various trade and investment opportunities available to Russian businessmen, as well as key industries, wherein PH has comparative advantage.

In Moscow on 25 May, Sec. Lopez, Science & Technology Sec. Fortunato dela Peña, Agriculture Sec. Manny Piñol and trade officials exchanged views with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation (CCIRF), which represents the interests of small, medium-size, and big enterprises in manufacturing, domestic and foreign trade, agriculture,

the finance system, and the services sectors in Russia.

Russian Deputy Minister for Economic Development Alexander Tsybulskiy led the Russian delegation with CCIRF President Sergey Katyrin.

In St. Petersburg on 26 May, PH team held a business forum with St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the largest chamber of commerce in the Russian Federation. St. Petersburg is home to many economic clusters and is also known as an industrial, cultural, logistical and pharmaceutical center.

St. Petersburg Forum attendees also conducted networking with their counterparts, with St. Petersburg businessmen presenting their priority industries with focus on the pharmaceutical cluster.

More cooperation areas ahead On 26 May, PH delegation also met St. Petersburg’s Chairman of the Committee for External Relations Evgeny Grigoriev, who immediately expressed intent to help in the field of cheaper medicine and pharmaceuticals industry, and healthcare solutions.

“They are also advanced in marine and naval engineering, and offer training and apprenticeship to Filipinos, as well as in education scholarships in life science and research institutions which St. Petersburg is known for,” said Sec. Lopez.

The trade chief also confirmed that PH will also do industrial cooperation agreements to promote common interests in iron and steel, machineries, pharmaceuticals, agribusiness, shipbuilding and ship repair, automotive, aerospace as well as in culture, arts and many more.

“The focus really is on the pharmaceutical cluster, which is one of the biggest industries in St. Petersburg and can be a strategic avenue to cooperate with the Philippines, specifically in support of the President’s health program,” he said.

Securing business climate Sec. Lopez said that Russian businessmen “like a lot the strong leadership of President Duterte in his approach towards lawless elements,” adding that Russian businessmen “are ready to help.”

PH-Russia bilateral economic relations is in nascent stage, according to him. There is concrete intention to thoroughly explore the opportunities and potentials that arise from the capabilities and strengths of each other’s industries.

“This is just the beginning of our deep and strong partnership with Russia. They await with excitement the return of President Duterte to Russia and they will certainly extend more fields of cooperation, building on what we have started,” he concluded. END

Globe bullish on demand for home broadband Internet

G

LOBE Telecom remains optimistic on the growing demand for home broadband Internet amid the latest Akamai Report that showed improvement of broadband speed and adoption in the country.

Senior Vice President of Globe at Home Martha Sazon stated that the report was a validation of its endeavor to continue improving the state of Internet in the Philippines.

“Our reports are finally bearing fruit and we expect overall Internet experience

to improve further moving forward as we continue the aggressive deployment of leading edge network technology, as we progress towards serving two million homes by 2020 with high speed Internet,” Sazon said in a statement.

Globe internet at home customers grew to 1.2 million in the first quarter of 2017, representing an 8.8 percent growth year on year. This is a result of its aggressive push for affordable home broadband plans, with the majority of customers subscribing to a

Globe At Home Plan 1299 at 10 Mbps.

The telco envisions creating an Internet superhighway by deploying fiber optic cables in 20,000 barangays all over the country to provide faster and more reliable internet access in about 2 million homes nationwide.

She noted that Globe is committed to expanding its network coverage and enhancing its capacities for fixed-line Internet while adoption for home Internet has been steadily improving. “With home broadband plans becoming more and

called the WASP AE, have a wingspan of one meter and weigh just 1.3 kilograms, and can be neatly packed inside a backpack for the use of front line soldiers.

In a statement detailing the investment on Thursday, Australia’s Defense Minister Marise Payne said the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAVs) would give soldiers the capability to “see over

the hill, around the corner and down the road,” bringing back infrared images of any dangers that may lie ahead.

“Similar systems, including the Skylark, have been used by our soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq with tremendous success,” Payne said on Thursday.

“They provide our military with a faster and better understanding of the battle-

more affordable, we expect overall broadband adoption to grow, and in effect, overall speed to grow as well”.

Sazon added that due to a history of underinvestment in the area of fixed broadband, little or no support from the government and permitting issues, the Philippines remained stagnant in terms of fixed broadband adoption and speed worldwide. “This prompted the telco industry to catch up by addressing the huge infrastructure gaps in contrast with its Asian neighbors.” (PNA)

$75M drone investment to project Aussie troops

A

USTRALIA’S front line troops will soon be under the watchful eye of state-of-the-art backpack-sized drones, in a 101-million-Australian dollar (USD 74.6 million) investment set to provide soldiers with a “faster and better understanding of the battlefield” than their adversaries.

The US-built drones,

field than our adversaries.”

According to Defense Industry Minister Christopher Pyne, the investment would support dozens of additional jobs in the supply chain, as the WASP AE will be modified with Australian content for use by Australian soldiers. He added that “the majority of maintenance and support” will also be carried out in Australia. (Xinhua)

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 2 - 3, 2017

EDITORIAL

School for PUV drivers

L

ET’S admit it. Most of the drivers behind the wheel of a public transport did not undergo formal driving training. This goes to most motorists as well, save for those who learned driving from driving schools prior to procuring a license.

With the alarmingly high rate of vehicular accidents involving PUVs, there is a need therefore to enforce stricter standards for one to be licensed to drive a PUV-standards much stringent than those driving private cars.

Along this line, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) plans to coordinate with various educational institutions for the implementation of the agency’s plan to put up a driving academy for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers nationwide.

Hence, passing a driving school will become a prerequisite for PUV operators to only hire drivers who undergo and pass the training academy.

This latest development was revealed by LTFRB board member and spokesperson Aileen Lizada who emphasized that PUV drivers should be trained under a driving academy to develop their skills and to ensure road safety and discipline. The initiative is part of the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) vision to modernize public transportation in the country.

Under this measure, all PUV drivers will be covered by the driving academy.

Everyone will be retrained on road safety such as knowing different traffic signs and markings.

The agency believes that accidents on roads could be minimized if there are

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safety nets in place.

That’s looking at it from one side. Another thing that needs to be addressed are the poor conditions of roads as well as the required road signages and warning signs.

These two should go together. If the roads are poorly constructed and maintained and the signages are not there, how could drivers, no matter how well schooled they are of road signs and driving rules, apply their knowledge?

In some countries, booklets of information on safe driving and driving rules are distributed free in transport offices. It is high time the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the LTFRB come up with this one as well. At the moment, there is no ready reference for drivers to refer to when it comes to driving rules. What we have at the moment are several versions of interpretations of simple road signs like a green arrow and the mandatory turn lanes. Or even a clear interpretation of what to do on a yellow light.

Because we have so many interpetations that do not reconcile, even our traffic enforcers are indecisive.

The LTFRB admits that there is lack of competency exams for road safety even in government agencies. It is the desire of the agency, according to Lizada, to provide courses on real-life driving situations for PUV drivers to become more aware on road safety.

It’s never an excuse that one has been behind the wheel for ages. Some drivers may stubbornly defy this but yes, even old dogs should learn new tricks.

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EDGEDAVAO

A

N important aspect of good governance which most local chief executives have overlooked or failed to exploit as a key to infrastructure boom is the issuance of bonds.

When Cebu Province floated equity bonds nearly a decade ago to finance the expansion of its airport and the construction of an alternate bridge linking the city to Mactan, the impact it created was simply amazing. Not only did local investments expand dramatically, growth per capita soared to high levels with the entry of capital from outside the city.

The same strategy was adopted when Puerto Princesa City also floated municipal bonds, or the green bonds, to keep on track its ecological projects, low-cost housing, and tourism-oriented targets. Like Cebu, the dynamism introduced by the bond flotation doubled the speed of infrastructure spending and the volume of new investments dramatically appreciated. As a result, there was economic boom. Muntinlupa City later followed Cebu’s bond flotation.

Thirty-nine years ago, just one and a half years after Davao was inaugurated as a city, the national government, in order “to construct the necessary sewer facilities and other permanent improvements” of the city, issued bonds after the National Assembly passed Commonwealth

H

OW’S that song again? “I started a joke which started the whole world crying,” the Bee Gees crooned. “But I didn’t see that the joke was on me. I started to cry which started the whole world laughing, If I’d only seen that the joke was on me.”

Rodrigo R. Duterte has been the president of the Philippines for a year now. By that span of time, Filipinos should have been used to the kind of jokes he is cracking. And that was what Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II is telling those criticizing the president for his penchant for making rape jokes.

In a press briefing, Aguirre was quoted as saying by Philippine Daily Inquirer: “We should get used to the President’s mouth. Let’s not blow it up. Some say we should not joke about rape. But we should know when the President is stating a hyperbole. Do not capitalize on it.”

Like most human beings, presidents tell jokes. Some people laugh at those jokes but there are some instances where jokes have some repercussions. Take the case of American President Ronald Reagan who made a joke during a sound check for a radio broadcast in 1984.

“My fellow Americans,” he said, “I’m pleased to tell you today that I’ve

VOL. 10 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 2 - 3, 2017

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Davao’s prewar infra bonds Act No. 389, which was approved by President Manuel L. Quezon on September 5, 1938.

The edict authorized the city to borrow money amounting to PhP350,000 (roughly US$2.936 million in today’s equivalent or PhP146.8 million) using the bonds as guarantee.

The issuance of bond was made at the request of the City Council which passed an ordinance recommending to the Secretary of Finance the issuance of 30-year bonds as loan collateral in the name of the Commonwealth president, the only person authorized to issue them.

Section 1 of the law stipulates: “The bonds… shall be issued in convenient denominations, in registered form, and shall be registered and transferable and payable [to the national treasurer]. They shall have the same date, bear interest at the same rate, and be payable at the same time as the bonds of the Commonwealth… The interest rate… shall not be in excess of five per centum per annum.”

As the authorized person, the President was imbued with the authority ”to convey and transfer the bonds [to the government] for a consideration,” which was charged to the net proceeds of the sale of the bonds and deposited with the national treasurer under the account signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.”

Reagan was not aware, however, that his feed was live. And unfortunately, not everyone got the joke.

Soviet officials got word of the broadcast and put the military on high alert.

Once the threat of nuclear war had abated, Americans found the situation hilarious!

Wikipedia says: “A joke is a display of humor in which words are used within a specific and well-defined narrative structure to make people laugh. It takes the form of a story, usually with dialogue, and ends in a punch line. It is in the punch line that the audience becomes aware that the story contains a second, conflicting meaning. This can be done using a pun or other word play such as irony, a logical incompatibility, nonsense, or other means.”

Linguist Robert Hetzron shares this definition: “A joke is a short humorous piece of oral literature in which the funniness culminates in the final sentence, called the punchline… In fact, the main condition is that the tension should reach its highest level at the very end. No continuation relieving the tension should be added. As for its being ‘oral,’ it is true that jokes may

FAST BACKWARD Antonio V. Figueroa titled “Public Works Bond Fund, City of Davao.”

The law placed the discretion to choose the kind of bonds, whether coupon or registered, on the President, stipulating these are to be registered with the National Treasury. It also gave the finance secretary the authority to determine if the principal and interest of the bonds would be paid in Philippine peso or American dollar.

The national treasurer played an important role in the disposition of the bonds, which were exempt from tax. First, he must see to it that the selling of the bonds must be done only at public auction; second, he

A joke is a joke

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

appear printed, but when further transferred, there is no obligation to reproduce the text verbatim, as in the case of poetry.”

It is generally held that jokes benefit from brevity, containing no more detail than is needed to set the scene for the punchline at the end.

Here’s one: After a recent strong earthquake, a mother was searching for her only daughter who was swimming in the beach. She shouted to her heart’s content because she couldn’t find her.

When people heard what she was

set the terms and conditions most favorable to the government; and third, he deposited the proceeds of the sale in the name of the National Treasury.

An important provision of the statute was the creation of a sinking fund for the payment of the loan principal and interest, which was placed under the custody of the national treasurer, subject to future investments to be determined by the finance secretary.

Under the same Act, it is also ordered that the city reimburse the national government “the sums so disbursed by it for the sinking fund, interest and expenses of the issue and sale of the bonds, within thirty days after payment of said expenses by the National Government out of the general fund of the city.”

In case the City Council failed to reimburse the guaranteed amount, the internal revenue collector and the city treasurer were authorized and directed “to withhold from the revenues of the said city that may come into their possession an amount sufficient to make the reimbursement or any other reimbursement” for deposit with the national treasury.

To ensure the funds were not used for purposes other than those intended, the director of public works was imbued with the task to

supervise the projects, which could only be commenced after the national treasurer had certified the availability of the funds.

More notably, unless the bonds had been fully paid, “the administration, control, operation, maintenance, and improvement of the sewerage system and other permanent improvements established with the proceeds of the sale of the bonds… shall be vested in a board composed of the City Mayor, who shall be the chairman, the Director of Public Works or his representative, and the Director of Health or his representative, as members.”

Moreover, the edict added: “All income derived from the sewerage system shall be credited to a special fund [to] be used only for the following purposes… First, for the payment of the reimbursement… second, for the operation and maintenance of the sewerage system; third, for the improvement and extension of the system, provided that the plans therefor have been duly approved by the Director of Public Works; and fourth, in case there is a surplus…, [it] may be used for the general purposes of the City of Davao.”

But the issue of the projects complying with the strict construction norms is an entirely different matter. The law dealt only about the loan’s processes and nothing more.

shouting, all people ran as fast as they could. There was no turning back.

What they had in mind was to run in a safer place. Far from the beach.

The reason. The name of the daughter was Chona Mae. One good thing about Filipinos is that we love to laugh. Even in times of troubles, we still find to laugh. After all, laughter is the best way of concealing pain. As singer Freddie Aguilar suggests, “Tawanan mo ang iyong mga problema.”

The average adult laughs 17 times a day, studies show. Small wonder, people like Charlie Chaplin, Walter Matthau, Jack Lemmon, Robin Williams, Chiquito, and Dolphy become stars in their own right for making people laugh.

Laughter is a lot more complex than familiar reflexes such as kneejerk and pupil contraction. These simple motor reflexes, experts claim, don’t require the intervention of higher mental processes. A flame burns your hand. The message flashes to the spinal cord. But it does not go up to the brain because that would take some time; it is “processed” in the cord, sent back to the muscles of the hand. Within a split second, you jerk your hand away from the flame. In short, that simple reflex is a reaction for survival. Should laugh-

ter, then, also a reaction for survival?

On the surface, laughter serves no apparent biological purpose as does jerking the hand from a flame. And yet psychologists see that laughter provides temporary relief from utilitarian pressures. Anthropologists add that we need laughter as a form of release from tension.

Recent gelotology studies (from the Greek “gelos,” or laughter) show that laughter is good for your health. After all, laughter, the Reader’s Digest reminds us, “is the best medicine.” Geologists say that we’re all better off with laughter in our lives for these reasons: • Laughter gives a hearty workout to practically every organ in our body; • It may be therapeutic for painful conditions such as arthritis; and • It’s gaining ground alongside other medical treatments.

Here’s a surprising fact: researchers estimate that laughing 100 times is equal to 10 minutes on the rowing machine or 15 minutes on an exercise bike. Laughing can be a total body workout! Blood pressure is lowered, and there is an increase in vascular blood flow and in oxygenation of the blood, which further assists healing.

And that’s no joke!

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 2 - 3, 2017

SETBACK... FROM 1 eventually, tourists rebooked their reservations in October and November 2016.

“It’s not all bad for us. Everything that is happening is a normal reaction to the declaration. Hindi naman lahat nagsasabi na ‘ayaw na namin dito’. May iba nagsasabi na ‘we’ll book on a later date.’ It’s really up to them kung makita nila kung okay naman pala yung situation.”

Tecson called for the tourists and visitors not to be alarmed with the declaration of Martial Law, but instead, feel relieved and assured that that the city is safe and se-

cured from lawless elements.

So far, Tecson said that no major events slated to be held in Davao have been cancelled in line with the declaration.

“We have been asking help from Department of Tourism to vouch for us, not to move the ASEAN meetings to other venues, to let it stay here.

Anyway, we know that we are one of the safest cities so we will be able to show them how we’ll be able to handle our participants that time.”

Currently, according to Tecson, several tourists from Luzon and other foreign ones intend to visit the city in June.

ty Awards is recognized as a mark of excellence for property professionals. The international competition is judged by an independent panel of 70 industry experts whose criteria include design, quality, service,

innovation, originality and commitment to sustainability.

Official awarding ceremonies were held at the Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, Bangkok, Thailand, on May 25 and 26, 2017.

gen, the region comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato, and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

“At present, there is no confirmed presence of members of the Maute group within the region,” Galgo said.

The police official made the declaration as he dis-

missed a report saying that suspected members of the retreating Maute Group sought treatment for their wounded comrades at a government-run hospital in Glan, Sarangani Province.

The report said the “fully armed” suspects also “threatened doctors and (hospital) employees not to report their presence to the authorities or they will be mercilessly killed.”

terrorists having neutralized so far 120 from the ranks of the terrorists and undetermined number of them wounded,” he added.

Padilla added that government security forces continue to degrade the capability of the terrorists and have seized 98 high-powered firearms.

“However, the recalcitrant remnants of the Maute-ISIS refuse to heed the call of government to give up their arms and continued their resistance while holed in fortified buildings and structures,” he pointed out.

“They are employing hostile sniper fires and IEDs (improvised explosive device) against everyone -- from

government security forces, to relief and rescue workers, to civilians -- who get in the way of their fanatical desire to dismember Marawi from the Philippines and establish it as an ISIS province in this part of Asia,” the AFP spokesperson stressed.

Padilla said that to break the resistance of the group and its will to fight, the AFP has decided to use combat support arms.

“Hence, we employed armor, artillery, and airpower capabilities in support to our infantry units to breach the fortified walls, decks, and undergrounds of buildings constructed to be virtual fortresses,” he added. (PNA)

burden of getting the flak for the malfeasance and misfeasance of the past administration,” he added.

According to a report from the Bids and Awards Committee, it pointed that the previous service provider, Sumitomo Corporation, was only charging MRT 3 P350,000 monthly of a total of PHP12.6 million for three years.

“The offer of Busan Joint Venture for this item is high, and the same is required to be clarified,” the panel noted.

Apart from the water

supply, the common service waste management of BURI amounted to P15.696 million for three years, almost doubling the previous fee of Sumitomo for only P720,000 for three years, the BAC panel added.

Nograles said the BURI did not provide a detailed breakdown on these excessive costs, but simply explained that “any savings generated from this will be re-allocated as a contingency fund which shall be utilized to fund other requirements for the Contract.”

Italpinas... FROM 5

NECESSITY. Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) 11 director IV Dr. Raul Alvarez says inflation prompted the 32 colleges and universities in Region 11 to apply for tuition fee increase. Alvarez also said the hike was minimal as it was only 25 percent of P80 national increase. Lean Daval Jr.

Zambo... FROM 2 starting May 26, three days after the declaration of martial law.

Apolinario said the barangay officials were told to ensure that the person requesting for documents from them are their constituents.

Los Elli Angeles, Sta. Maria barangay chairperson, said they adopted measures to ensure the person seeking clearance or cedula are residents of the barangay.

Angeles said for those res-

idents but not a registered voter should have a “guarantor.”

The barangay clearance issued to them is accompanied by a photograph.

Like in Sta. Maria, Tetuan Barangay Chairperson John Dalipe said they have adopted measures to prevent infiltration of lawless elements in his area.

Dalipe said the measures included interviews and verification before the issuance of a clearance, cedula or ID. (PNA)

needs and what the business sector sees that we could apply in the guidelines.”

Earlier, Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio released 30 guidelines for

Dabawenyos to follow during the implementation of Martial Law. She also announced that a separate set of guidelines to be followed by tourists and business will be released.

terday and they will be there, all of them today and they will be used --- all of them will be used against the Mautes and the ISIS,” he explained.

“It’s just Thursday. We still have more than one day so I’m sure the troops will do the best they can to accomplish the deadline,” he added.

In the same briefing, Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella assured that President Rodrigo Duterte will be guided solely by the Constitution in the implementation of martial law in Mindanao following the Marawi City incident.

Abella stressed the administration’s commitment to uphold the charter and honor its safeguards for the general public’s welfare in going after terror groups.

“It’s really the Constitution. Basically the north star of all our policies is the Constitu-

tion,” Abella said.

Meanwhile, Abella cited favorable findings for the Philippine economy by the Dutch multinational banking and finance services corporation ING Bank and New York-based Moody’s Investors Service despite the Marawi crisis.

“We are pleased [with the announcement of] Dutch multinational banking and [financial] services corporation ING Bank that the financial markets can weather the political impact of martial law in Mindanao,” Abella said.

“As we have said, the macroeconomic fundamentals of the country remain solid.

Our finance officials have repeatedly assured us the fiscal position of the Philippines is strong and well-managed and we have ample buffers to withstand the current rebellion in [Marawi],” he said.

own people. This is again making ASEAN closer to the hearts of Filipinos. Let’s hope that this will be adopted and signed,” she added.

The forum aimed to tackle the people’s contribution to

ASEAN in the past 50 years, as well as generate perspectives and insights on how the organization could better attain its vision of a people-oriented and people-centered ASEAN Community. (PNA)

30 guidelines... FROM 3 Defense... FROM 3

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PNP-12: No movement, presence of Maute members in Region 12 T

he Police Regional Office (PRO)-12 maintained Thursday there were no reported movements of terror groups in parts of the region that are either linked or sympathetic to the Maute Group.

Supt. Romeo Galgo Jr., PRO-12 public information officer, said they have not received any verified information regarding the presence of the group in any part of the region.

Also known as Soccsksar-

eventualities with the presence of the Public Safety and Security Command Center and the Central 911.

“We already have clarified some of the concerns of the business sector like the lock down or if we have a curfew here,” he said. “There was an initial reaction but eventually we have cleared it out.”

He said that Davao City is in advantage even with the presence of Martial Law because of the safety program of the city.

He said that the business sectors also did not express their concerns of losing some of their customers and that no such thing were reported to their office.

Ortonio said that there were also no cancellation or postponement of investment coming from the foreign investors.

He said that the foreign

investors have already asked for updates about the security situation here in the city.

“We constantly update them of our security situation here, they have also realized that the implementation of Martial Law is also for their own benefits since it will ensure their safety once they visit Davao City,” Ortonio said.

Ortonio said that they receive at least 2 investment inquiries per week coming from the different countries.

Recently, the DCIPC received inquiries from China and Korea for a possible business exploration here.

“2 days ago we were able to entertain Chinese investors looking to put up a tourism business here and last week we also entertained inquiries coming from a Korean investors,” Ortonio said.

He said that the Martial Law will only give a slight effect to the city.

were beyond the procurement thresholds through shopping prevailing at that time.

Applicable procurement regulations in 2006 require that for projects with ABCs exceeding P 250,000, a procuring entity must conduct competitive bidding.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales said that “without public bidding, the government was denied [of] other reasonable prices and quality goods from other suppliers. In

fact, the defibrillator supplied

by Multilab was defective.”

Section 3(e) of RA No. 3019 prohibits public officials from causing any undue injury to any party, including the government, or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence. (PTR/ PNA)

But... FROM 1

5 college... FROM 3

No... FROM 2

Firm... FROM 3

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 2 - 3, 2017

EDGEDAVAO

ARTS AND CULTURE

A landscape of Davao City at sunset.

ANNE WORSLEY is one of the epitomes of being a colorful, modern Davaoeña.

Her vibrant personality is matched with her creative interests—modeling, singing, TV hosting, and now one of Davao City’s women painters.

“When I was young, my mother taught me to sing and always supported me whenever I wanted to join church choirs, singing contests, and other festive events in our community. I remember that I really wanted to join the audition for ANG TV Davao, but when I saw the myriad of people, I gave up even before trying since I felt like I would not be good enough to get in. Nevertheless, I had a wonderful one-time experience of doing a duet with ABS-

Colors of Love.

CBN’s Davao host, Joey C, during a Saturday show of “Sayabadabado”, Painting at her home studio.

Anne recalls.

During Anne’s college years, she was part

Handpainted bags by Anne.

of a local band that performed gigs both nationally and internationally.

When they got to stay in Dubai for a time, she delved into modeling and enrolled in Diva Dubai— a modeling school and agency that exposed her talents to different shows and events. She won third place for Dubai’s Calendar Girls in 2003 and also won the heart of a British national before settling in Davao City and getting married in 2004.

Currently, they manage and own the local businesses like: Outback Grill Restaurant, Zoofari Children’s Play Center, Castle

THEKATCLOSET A2

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ARTS AND CULTURE THEKATCLOSET A1

View Resort in Samal Island, and the recently opened Altitude Trampoline Park—and if those weren’t enough to manage, the happy couple also have three wonderful boys!

Anne had to stop painting when she moved to Dubai to pursue her

Anne and her family at the beach.

singing and modeling career, but after going back home and having their kids, she decided to take up one of her first loves again—painting; and luckily, her three boys are picking up an interest as well.

“I never had any formal art training, it was just my grandmother who taught me how to draw. I really

EDGEDAVAO enjoyed spending time with her while observing and learning through her sketching. That was when I developed my skill and knack for translating on paper anything and everything that caught my eye—from cartoons, to celebrity portraits. I have come to recently admire the works of the Russian-Israeli artist, Leo-

VOL. 10 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 2 - 3, 2017

nid Afremov,” the artist shares.

In contrast with her admired artist—who uses oil to paint, Anne’s medium of choice is acrylic, because she is fascinated with its multitude of vibrant colors—reminiscent of her character. In terms of output though, the two artists do have similarities of lively energy and a colorful palette choice. Modern impressionists have the ability to slow down time, as the audiences are pulled in closer to a world of half fantasy, half reality.

“I can very much relate to the late Mr. Afremov’s words: “True art is alive and inspired by humanity. I believe that art helps us to be free from aggression and depression.”

The subjects that I am inclined to paint are about gardens, landscapes, lovers, and fairytales—anything that is light and makes me smile. Apart from the fact that I have a kikay personality, I believe that art’s main purpose is to exude happiness more than pain,” Anne beautifully states.

While working on the family’s business, taking care of the kids, and still accepting part-time gigs like singing, hosting and local TV commercials, the artist has also been actively participating in the recent Davao art exhibits and has received positive feedbacks and have sold a few of her creations—truly, for Anne Worsley, being a “basic” Dabawenya is not an option.

The artist with a surfboard she painted.

Mount Apo and Philippine Eagle.

Get a Back to School Treat from SM Accessories and Potato Corner this Back to School Season! Shop at Children’s Accessories and Character Shop departments and get a free large Potato Corner Fries for a single receipt purchase worth P2,000. Promo runs from June 1 to 30, 2017. Hurry, shop now!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 2 - 3, 2017

UP AND ABOUT

EDGEDAVAO

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Waterfront Hotels get AHLEI certified

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WAT E R F R O N T INSULAR HOTEL’S Jennifer Romero and Cheerbie Bantay recently received their international certifications from the leader in hospitality education and training, the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI for brevity). Their certification signifies their compliance with global standards as Certified Hospitality Sales Professional (CHSP) and Certified Hospitality Department Trainer (CHDT).

Waterfront Insular Hotel Manager Bryan Yves Lasala states, “Peers who are well-trained with the highest level of standards are essential in providing utmost Filipino hospitality towards total guest satisfaction which is the core vision of the Waterfront group.”

Aside from Jennifer Romero and Cheerbie Bantay, the accomplishment is celebrated by 13 other professionals from

the Waterfront Hotels and Casinos have successfully completed and passed AHLEI’s certifica-

tion examinations.

The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) offers

extensive trainings and certifications to hoteliers to enhance their learning experience in the hospitality industry. The institute certifies hospitality professionals through year-round examinations. AHLEI is globally recognized with about 15,000 member associations worldwide.

Next schedule for certifications is in August 2017.

The premier all-Filipino chain of hotels continues to strengthen service quality by enhancing the competitive edge of their human resources and keeping abreast of the industry trends.

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 2 - 3, 2017

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

Advertise with

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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

VOL. 10 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 2 - 3, 2017

Giving... FROM 7 do urge people to think twice before they share important information publicly online.

We also encourage all Internet users to put safety measures in place to protect their data, and their privacy, should their devices or data fall into the wrong hands,” Mochola continues.

Methodology

This study is based on insight gained from an online survey conducted by research firm Toluna and Kaspersky Lab in January 2017. The survey assessed the attitudes of 16,250 users aged over 16 years old from 17 countries.

Data was weighted to be globally representative and consistent, split equally between men and women.

Catholic prelates record‘Angelus’in 8 dialects to reintroduce prayer to faithful

A

DOZEN Roman Catholic prelates collaborated for an “Angelus Project” which aims to introduce again the family prayer to Filipino faithful.

With this, a total of 12 prelates headed by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma have recorded the prayer in eight Philippine dialects in a bid to encourage the people to pray “The Angelus.”

“The ‘Angelus project’ aims to revive the habit of families and communities to stop all activity by nightfall and pray together,” said Holy Angel University (HAU) Project Director Robby Tantingco in an article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news website.

Aside from the Cebu prelate, who recorded the prayer in Cebuano, the other members of the clergy that are also

involved in the project are San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza (Hiligaynon); Masbate Bishop Jose Bantolo (Masbateño); Laoag Bishop Renato Mayugba (Ilokano); Borongan Bishop Crispin Varquez (WarayWaray); Imus Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista (Tagalog); Legaspi Bishop Joel Baylon (Bikol).

The following bishops also participated in the campaign, Surigao Bishop Antonieto Cabajog (Cebuano); Marawi Bishop Edwin dela Peña (Cebuano); Parañaque Jesse Mercado (Tagalog); Baguio Bishop Victor Bendico (English); and Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David (Tagalog and Kapampangan).

Tantingco noted the Catholic prelates recorded the prayer in the languages of their respective dioceses to promote local culture through the use of regional dialects. (Ferdinand G. Patinio/PNA)

NEWS 11

EDGEDAVAO

Davao pushes for holding of scheduled ASEAN meetings despite martial law

D

AVAO City Tourism Office (CTO) head Generose Tecson urged the national organizing committee (NOC) of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to push through with the scheduled two big ASEAN meetings in the city next month despite the 60day martial law.

Tecson made the appeal Thursday to the ASEAN-NOC as a show of “support and trust” to the city amid the recorded revenue losses in the tourism sector, which pegged at P20 million as of May 27, and gave an assurance that the city is ready to host the ASEAN meetings.

She told a press conference Thursday the two big ASEAN meetings, with a series of small meetings, will be attended by about 1,000 participants, including the top officials of the 10 member states of the ASEAN. The ASEAN is composed of Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei, and Philippines. President Rodrigo R. Duterte, who hails from this city, chairs the 50th anniversary of ASEAN. “To restore trust, I hope they will not do away with the events. Same with national agencies, if you have conven-

tions here in the city, it’s okay to rebook or postpone to a later date. You push through your events here because you know how we are here. They should know from their local offices, support us here,” Tecson said.

She assured that the city has remained safe, with an the assurance from the security sector that they will ensure the city’s safety.

Tecson added that Davao’s state-of-the-art Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) and Central 911 can provide a major boost to ensure the safety of the participants.

She vowed the city government would work to further improve the security situation here.

The tourism official said there is no sign the city government will cancel the Kadayawan Festival in August this year.

“We’ve had meetings already. It is all systems go but this time we always had the security forces with us during meetings. We ask them how do they feel about this venue security-wise. We consult everything with them,” Tecson said.

She said the martial law will have slight impact on the number of tourist arrivals in

the city but she is optimistic they can sustain the growth.

The city’s tourist arrivals surged to 459,104 for the first quarter of 2017, higher by 13 percent compared to the 405,576 arrivals recorded during the same period last year.

Records from the CTO showed that the bulk of the visitors were domestic tourists at 423,714, followed by foreign visitors at 29,889, and “balikbayans” at 5,501.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao on May 23, following the clashes between the military and the Maute group.

Critics said that placing the island under military rule will be reminiscent of the martial law during the time of the late dictator, President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., that resulted in human rights abuses, in which President Duterte vowed he will not tolerate.

Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Teresita Gaspan told a press conference on Wednesday that they encourage the public to call 911 to report any abuses of human rights under the 60day martial law.

She assured they will immediately conduct an investigation and will file either

an administrative or criminal case against any violators if they find any probable cause.

Brig. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, martial law spokesperson for Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), said violators of human rights may be dismissed from service, depending on the severity of the violation.

He maintained that all their actions would be guided by the rule of law, necessity, and proportionality of response.

“Our 1987 Constitution has sufficient safeguards in place to ensure human rights are upheld and in accordance with the rule of law,” Gapay said.

He said martial law was declared to counter the terrorism perpetrated by the Maute Group in Marawi City.

Moro National Liberation Front Vice Chairman Abdul Aziz Olamit said President Duterte knows how to handle the situation here because he comes from Mindanao and vowed to throw support behind him in his fight against terrorism.

“I will not believe in the abuses because these are just mere propaganda. We support the martial law now,” he said. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

change may affect food, There’s hope for Cotabato rubber industry: Sec. Piñol Climate water security, warns UN chief

A

GRICULTURE Secretary Manny Piñol has assured farmers in North Cotabato that there’s hope for the rubber industry here despite the continued decline of the buying prices of the rubber’s raw materials in the locality.

Piñol is in North Cotabato for his “Biyaheng Bukid” program where he visited on Thursday the towns of M’lang and Midsayap.

During his meetings with the farmers in these areas, he introduced a new program for them called the “Easy Access Credit,” which would benefit poor peasants, including the rubber planters.

Piñol, in an interview over the Catholic-run Radyo Bida, said the con-

tinued drop of buying price of rubber cup lumps could be due to several factors, including the upward or downward trend of rubber prices in the international market.

The province is the leading rubber producer in South and Central Mindanao and second in Mindanao, according to data from the regional office of the Department of Agriculture.

Yet the farmers have been complaining of the “sorry” buying price of rubber products.

In North Cotabato, a kilo of rubber cup lump ranges from P18 to P24.

Piñol suspects there is a monopoly or cartel controlling the local rubber industry.

“Commodities like rubber, onions, garlic, there’s

a tendency these will be monopolized only by one group,” he said.

But Piñol said there’s hope for the rubber farmers.

He announced on Thursday that a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Philippine government and a company from Finland would be inked this September.

The MOA says the Finnish company, Black Donuts Engineering, Inc., will set up a $200-million tire factory in North Cotabato.

Piñol said the Finnish delegation had visited rubber plantations in the province last January.

“We’re dependent on the price of rubber in the international market. Unless we’re able to set up a local facility that would

In a news release issued Thursday, the grid operator said that last May 26-27, its relief operations team distributed the relief goods to 125 evacuees taking shelter at the gym in Barangay Maria Cristina and 223 evacuees housed at the Iligan National School

of Fisheries in Barangay Buru-un, both in Iligan City.

The activity, conducted in coordination with local barangay and city officials, the social welfare department, police and military, also reached 59 Marawi families housed at the Balo-i munic-

serve as direct market for our rubber products, we cannot control the price of rubber,” he said.

The secretary explained that once the tire factory would be set up in the province, rubber planters would become part owner or stakeholders of the corporation.

He said the downward trend in the buying prices of cup lumps is just “temporary.”

After five years, he said, the buying prices would slowly go up or continue its upward trend.

He also explained the buying prices of rubber cup lumps in the province have nothing to do with the variety of the rubber, stressing that these are of “good quality.” (MindaNews)

NGCP conducts relief ops for evacuees from Marawi City

T

HE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has extended food packs and clothing to residents of Marawi City who have fled to Iligan City and Lanao del Norte to escape the military operations to quash the terrorist Maute Group.

ipal gym and 47 families on pre-emptive evacuation from Barangay Pagayawan, Bacolod, both in Lanao del Norte.

The company said it aims to visit more evacuation centers in the next few days.

(PNA)

U

N chief Antonio Guterres bluntly warned world leaders that the impact of climate change could affect food production, water security and weather patterns “from Canada to India”, amid threats by US President Donald Trump that he may pull out of the landmark Paris deal.

Guterres said climate change is “undeniable”, in a stark contrast to the position taken by Trump, who has previously called it a “a hoax” and last week shrugged off pressure from US allies during the G7 summit in Sicily to endorse the deal his predecessor Barack Obama worked passionately to achieve.

In his first major speech on climate change since he assumed charge as the head of the UN this January, the UN secretary-general said the “world is in a mess” and urged the international community to “stay the course” even if one government does not believe in the emissions-cutting deal.

“Yes, not everyone will move at the same pace or with equal vigor. But if any government doubts the global will and need for this accord, that is reason for all others to unite even stronger and stay the course,” he told students, busi-

ness leaders and academics at the New York University Stern School of Business.

“It is a reason to build ever broader coalitions with civil society and business, with cities and states, with academia and community leaders,” Guterres said yesterday.

His speech comes as Trump this week decides whether the US -- the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases after China -- will adhere to the limit its emissions as laid out in the 2015 Paris climate agreement.

While Guterres did not mention Trump or his administration in his speech, but later responding to a question from the audience, he said the UN believes “it would be important for the US not to leave the Paris agreement” and even if Trump withdraws, “it’s very important for the US society as a whole the cities, the states, the companies, the businesses to remain engaged” with the agreement.

He pointed out the seriousness of climate change and said its effects were dangerous and they were accelerating. The climate change could affect food production, water security and weather patterns “from Canada to India,” he warned. (PNA)

12 AGRITRENDS EDGEDAVAO

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Using remote-sensing irrigation may up sugarcane production

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

T

HE sugarcane industry targets to raise yield by 2024 to 75 metric tons per hectare, up by 27% from its current production.

This can be made possible by tapping the Australian-inspired irrigation and sensor technology.

“The sugar sector can further increase its present P87 billion contribution to the economy by augmenting application of irrigation,” pointed out Armando N. Espino Jr., head of the Water Resources Management Center (WRMC).

In a seminar series hosted by the Laguna-based Southeast Asian Regional Center Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Espino said irrigation will be a major key to raising sugar productivity.

“Water is a major limiting factor for productivity (especially) in changing climatic conditions and weather patterns. The industry expansion depends upon efficient water use,” Espino was quoted as saying.

The project of WRMC (of the Central Luzon State University) installed an automatic weather station (AWS) at the Luzon Agricultural Research and Extension Center (LAREC) of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) in Floridablanca, Pampanga.

According to a press release, the project is under the Smart Water Management Strategies for Sugarcane (SWMS) financed by the Laguna-based Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and natural Resources Research and Development.

The installation of the AWS is with the vision to adapt a technology inspired

by Australia’s National Center for Engineering in Agriculture (NCEA). Australia itself has an average cane yield of 91 metric tons of cane per hectare (with yield reaching to 120 metric tons per hectare), and its sugar export hit $1.8 billion in 2015-2016, making Australia world’s third largest sugar exporter.

In Australia, farmers use internet-enabled sensing technologies and can turn on or off irrigation system from their homes as they monitor farm data and give remote instruction on irrigation.

“Technology is already in the hand of farmers in Austra-

lia,” Espino said. “They have a soil-crop-weather simulation model where farmers can expect this amount of growth response in plant when you give this amount of irrigation.”

In the Philippines, the WRMC project has developed an Optimum Irrigation Scheduling Systems of Sugarcane using soil moisture and weather monitoring systems in an experimental work in Floridablanca.

The irrigation scheduling system maximizes use of water—delivers water to plants only when it is needed—when soil moisture is already low.

solutions on how to improve farm operation in order to efficiently use resources, and for farmers to have higher income and increase yield for food security,” he said.

Irrigation methods In the Philippines, sugarcane farmers use various irrigation methods, WRMC’s baseline study showed.

These are irrigation by gravity through polyethylene pipes; hand-held hose irrigation which is labor-intensive; and furrow irrigation which has low

Sub-surface driplines In the Floridablanca pilot farm, the WRMC project installed drip lines in that are 30 centimeters below the ground. It also installed soil moisture sensor around 50 centimeters below the ground – under the seedpiece. “This way, the sugarcane farms barely had weeds because water is under-

neath the ground,” the press release explained.

“The concept of automated irrigation involves the sensor’s ability to detect low soil moisture underground. When needed, water may be delivered to the root system via the driplines when a certain low soil moisture level (as programmed) is hit,” it said.

In Australia, farms are already using solar-powered pumping system for irrigation.

According to Espino, the Department of Agriculture may soon have an extensive program to introduce solar-powered irrigation systems too.

“As researchers, we should open our minds, so we can find

practice that also efficiently distributes fertilizer to each plant.

The concept of automated irrigation involves the sensor’s ability to detect low soil moisture underground. When needed, water may be delivered to the root system via the driplines when a certain low soil moisture level is hit

equipment costs and is simple to operate but takes 5 days to irrigate one hectare.

Filipino farmers also use hand-move sprinkler which takes shorter time – three hours to irrigate one hectare but also needs more farm hand (labor).

A more sophisticated irrigation system is the travelling boom sprinkler which irrigates even faster at 3.5 hectares per day. But the equipment’s cost is high at P750,000 per unit.

Drip irrigation which efficiently distributes water direct to each plant through pipes that have holes right at the root system is an irrigation

Furrow irrigation Research done by WRMC showed that smart irrigation technologies will easily raise sugarcane yield by 30%.

Non-irrigated lands give a yield of just 65 metric tons per hectare compared to 100 metric tons for irrigated lands.

Moreover, its field experimentation showed that furrow irrigation – in which trenches or “furrows” are dug between crop rows in a field – gives the best yield and irrigation efficiency compared to drip irrigation.

Furrow irrigated sugarcane land yielded the highest range of 189,580-199,250 kilos per hectare. Harvest from drip irrigation only ranged at 145,460-173,080 per hectare.

However, drip irrigation saved 68% of water compared to furrow irrigation.

The press release said that remote sensors are used in Australia for “estimating crop yields, detecting diseases, identifying pest and weed coverage, evaluating uniformity of irrigation, observing changes in plant growth, assessing the

impact of severe weather, and determining local and extent of crop stress.”

“Internet-enabled sensing and control is integrated into the irrigation system,” Espino pointed out. “There is realtime optimization of surface irrigation using ‘auto furrow.’”

Remote sensors also have uses in “producing farm level and block level yield maps and screening research and breeding trials.”

Australia’s weed sensing technology enables sensors to distinguish weeds from crops, thereby automating application of herbicide and saving 80% herbicide use.

Sugarcane is planted to about 422,500 hectares out of the country’s 30 million hectares.

The biggest sugarcane hectarage is in the Visayas, particularly in Negros island, followed by the fast-growing area of Mindanao. At least 75% of farms have sizes less than 5 hectares and another 11% have sizes of 5 to 10 hectares. Of the remaining farms, 11% have sizes 10 to 50 hectares and a mere 2% have sizes 50 to 100 hectares, while only 1% with a size of over 100 hectares.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 2 - 3, 2017

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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

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NEWS 13 Philippines: Thousands of lives at stake in Marawi City fighting

EDGEDAVAO

T

EN days into the hostilities in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur, southern Philippines, civilian lives are at stake as the number of casualties continue to grow and nearly 2,000 residents remain trapped in the city.

“We are extremely concerned about the residents who could not leave their homes because of the fighting, and also those who are reportedly being held against their will. We are also deeply worried about reports of civilians being killed,” said Pascal Porchet, Head of Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the Philippines.

“Targeting civilians is prohibited by international humanitarian law (IHL), and all feasible precautions must be taken to protect them in military operations. We urge all those involved in the fighting to protect civilian lives, and are hopeful that those held against their will are being treated humanely and will be re-

leased. We stand ready to serve as a neutral intermediary to evacuate civilians caught between the fighting,” he stressed.

The ICRC has been actively supporting authorities in the management of dead bodies. It has donated 160 body bags, as well as gloves and masks, to help the authorities with the proper retrieval of the bodies.

The ICRC has also been negotiating for safe access to trapped civilians in Marawi by engaging in a constant dialogue with all parties to the conflict. However, the current security situation does not yet allow the ICRC to bring them all to safety. It has however transported nearly 600 people from Marawi City to the Saguiaran evacuation center or even as far as Iligan.

International humanitarian law (IHL) limits the means and methods of warfare and protects people who do not take part in the fighting (i.e. civilians, medics,

aid workers) and those who can no longer fight (i.e. wounded, sick, captured or detained fighters). These limits are particularly meaningful when military operations are conducted in populated areas where the risk of harm to civilians and civilian objects, including essential infrastructure, increases.

Since the onset of the fighting, the ICRC has been on the ground assisting the population affected by it. It has also been reminding parties to the conflict to spare the lives of those who are not participating in the hostilities. Together with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), the ICRC has distributed relief items to more than 10,000 displaced people, provided an equal number of people with access to clean water, and enhanced the capacity of six local health facilities to provide basic health care to thousands of people through the donation of medical supplies.

said.

Although Marawi, which is part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, is close to the region, the official said they do not expect many transferees to the area.

He believes the affected

residents would most likely resettle in Region 9 or Zamboanga Peninsula and Region 10 or Northern Mindanao due to proximity to Marawi City.

In line with the prevailing martial law in Mindanao, Bayocot said he has coordinat-

ed with authorities to ensure that schools will remain neutral and “zones of peace.”

He added that students, teachers and personnel should be spared from any form of violence, intimidation or threat.

(PNA)

DepEd12... FROM 6

14 MOTORING EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 2 - 3, 2017

Volvo partners with Google

The Subaru Impreza tweaked

S

UBARU is one of the most stubborn of carmakers.

Whereas others would try dabbling in a particular technology only to abandon it altogether when all seems lost, Subaru would more or less tread the same path for years, if not decades. This explains the trademark ingredients that now make a Subaru, a Subaru: the horizontally-opposed Boxer engine and Symmetrical AllWheel Drive.

These key technologies have been carefully tweaked, honed, and polished to where they are today. Once in a while though, Subaru takes a leap of faith and makes something more revolutionary than evolutionary.

The 2017 Impreza is one such example and one that comes with its own set of problems.

Judging from exterior appearances alone, you don’t know where all that revolutionary talk went.

When it comes to design, Subaru comes in only two flavors: plain and nondescript or wild and comical.

And just like previous nonWRX Imprezas, the 2017 Impreza 2.0i-S falls under the former. It’s less of an oddball now compared to previous Imprezas, but it’s not going to knock your socks off.

Designers have stretched the width, lowered the height and even proportioned it better, but remove the trademark Subaru cues like the hawkeye headlights, hexagonal shield grille, and boomerang-shaped taillights and it can pass for whatever compact sedan you can think off.

Now, all that worry about the Impreza being boring and bland disappears the moment you step inside. In typical Subaru fashion, ingress and egress is unrivaled. Getting in and out is easy-peasy thanks to the square-cut door frames and wide opening doors.

The formal roofline, coupled with the large expanse of glass, also contributes to the best all-

around visibility among compact cars. Even more surprising is that this visibility comes with a low, sports-car like seating position. It feels sportier than even the WRX STI. No kidding. It goes without saying though that the seats themselves don’t offer the same corner hugging support of racing bucket seats, but they’re nonetheless supportive and comfy even after hours on end. The

driving environments in this price range.

Fitting all of these niceties though comes at a price and that’s found in the woeful infotainment system which fails the Impreza big time. In theory, Subaru’s Starlink system is superb and future-proof.

Compared to previous Subaru systems which are archaic, this 8-inch touchscreen system comes with Apple CarPlay and Android

model; they are at the top of the game.

There’s no denying that there’s great potential in the 2017 Impreza and the platform it’s built atop of, but it’s also clear that dabbling in the latest technology hasn’t really gone too smoothly for Subaru. Motor Image Pilipinas, Subaru’s distributor in the country, knows the Impreza will never sell in great numbers and so they’ve

rear occupants are treated just as well too, though the thick center tunnel does rob some usable knee room at the back. Nonetheless, fitting five adults won’t pose a problem.

The 2017 Impreza’s revolutionary approach continues to the cabin execution itself. Known commonly as Subaru’s Achilles’ heel, this new cockpit is properly done. For once, it doesn’t feel like it was designed at the last minute or put together at the cheapest possible cost. Poke around and everything simply feels top-notch.

The plastics are nicely textured and soft to the touch; the switchgear all operate with a nice, crisp feel; and even the spattering of piano black trim, aluminum, and carbon fiber all do their bit to present an upmarket look and feel.

Even the faux stitching on the dashboard—a look too common nowadays—is executed excellently. Combine that with ergonomics done right and the Impreza’s got one of the best

Auto right out of the box.

And get this: it can even link with your smartphone wirelessly via Bluetooth or Near Field Communication (NFC).

In reality though, it’s one bug-filled, laggy system that, in this case, refused to work completely.

During this particular test drive, the screen froze and the volume stuck midway. No amount of battery yanking or resetting could save this Impreza from being a mobile sound machine playing Bruno Mars and The Chainsmokers.

In the end, the head unit was unplugged for sanity’s sake.

While the interior is the most visible upgrade to the Impreza experience, the best bit is, pardon the pun, the impressive road manners. Subaru is proudest with this all-new platform that rolled out starting with the all-new Impreza. Suffice to say, it has delivered in every front: handling, comfort, agility, ride—they are not only better than the outgoing

come up with just one variant: the 2.0i-S. Yet, it comes fully loaded with all the bells and whistles.

Outside, it has steering responsive headlights, power folding side mirrors, and two-tone 17-inch alloy wheels. Inside, it has a power adjustable driver’s seat, leather upholstery, passive keyless entry with push-button start/stop, and a dual zone climate control. Safety? 7 airbags, ABS with EBD, stability control, torque vectoring control, blind spot monitoring, auto dimming rear view mirror, and even a rear parking camera with cross traffic alert.

Unfortunately, it also comes with a frozen infotainment system and a Check Engine Light, two things which shouldn’t come standard with any new car on sale in 2017.

These issues might just be limited to this particular unit, but coming from a long-time Subaru owner, it feels like one big black eye to the brand’s otherwise unblemished record.

V

OLVO Cars, the premium carmaker, has announced a close partnership with Google, one of the world’s largest technology companies, to develop the next generation of its award-winning incar infotainment and connectivity solution based on Android, offering access to a wide array of apps and services. It will launch on new Volvo models within two years.

The partnership promises to revolutionize how Volvo customers engage and interact with their cars.

The large catalog of popular Android apps – developed by Google, Volvo, or third party app developers – will offer connected and predictive services in and around the car.

“We are making an important strategic step with the Google partnership. Google’s platform and services will enhance the user experience by enabling more personalization possibilities, while Android will offer increased flexibility from a development perspective,” said Henrik Green, Senior Vice President Research & Development at Volvo Car Group.

Volvo Cars’ partnership with Google reflects the ongoing convergence between the automotive and technology industries as cars become in-

creasingly connected.

Volvo believes smart partnerships are the future for the car industry. Using Android as the base operating system will increase speed and flexibility in the development and offer its customers the ability to personalize the connected in-car experience.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Volvo to bring Android into their next generation connected cars,” said Patrick Brady, Vice President of Android Engineering at Google. “This partnership gives us the opportunity to deliver a more seamless experience to Volvo drivers through a full-featured infotainment platform and rich ecosystem of Android applications and Google services.”

“With the advent of Android we will embrace a rich ecosystem while keeping our iconic Volvo user interface. We will offer hundreds of popular apps and the best integrated experience in this broad, connected environment,” said Henrik Green.

Volvo is also collaborating with Google on another initiative to update recent Volvo models by adding Google Local Search, a location based service application. This will be released through an update to customers with Sensus Navigation.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 2 - 3, 2017

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS 15

Manny, a forgotten champion?

A

LEGACY. WBO champon Manny Pacquiao is bunched in the crowded 147-lb division.

FTER this past weekend’s stellar performance from newly crowned IBF Welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr., most fight fans and boxing critics are buzzing about “The Truth” from Texas and his future in the packed 147 pound weight division.

Most seem to believe that the 27 year old is headed for a unification bout with fellow title older and unified champion Keith “One Time” Thurman to potentially take place during the first quarter of 2018.

Although it’s understandable as to why most are looking toward the young guns to carry the current glamour division of boxing, have critics forgotten about the current WBO champion, Manny Pacquiao, and his relevance among the Welterweights?

According to Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, the Pacman still has what it takes to defeat anyone in and around 147 pounds.

“I know Manny has knockout power and I still feel it every time I catch his punches,” stated the seven-time train-

er of the year to the Manila Times. “If you want to feel it, I will give you my mitts. It’s very hard.”

Manny recently engaged in an eight round sparring session with 24 year old Adrian Young (23-3-2, 18 KOs) of Mexico, and dazzled everyone in attendance...including his “Young” sparring partner.

“Pacquiao is very strong and very fast,” stated Adrian Young to the Manila Times. “I felt his power today. His left hook hurt me. I fought a lot of competitive boxers, but Manny is faster, wiser, and stronger, and I think he’s going to improve even more within the coming days.”

Because the Philippines Senator has now become firmly established as a civil servant in his native country, has the boxing community forgotten about the 38 year old ring legend, and his stature among the Welterweight landscape?

Roach is hoping his man can send a stark reminder of his dominance and ability to the rest of the division on July 1, as he defends his WBO title against undefeated, number

one contender Jeff Horn in Brisbane, Australia.

“To have a big fight, you have to have great performances,” the knowledgeable trainer recently told The Inquirer. “I told Manny, ‘If you want Mayweather, you really need to look good in this fight.’

I told him we need to knock this guy out. He knows what’s in front of him, and I think the better he does in this fight, the bigger fight he’ll get next.”

“He has the speed and the power, so I’m looking for a knock-out. I believe Manny needs to really look good in this fight.”

But even if the sport’s only eight division world champion were to give the boxing world a brilliant knock-out performance in July, would his promoter, Bob Arum and Top Rank, Inc., be willing to work with Al Haymon to create unified efforts within the competitive weight class?

With only an assumed two or three fights left for the Pacman, would the 85 year old promoter be willing to create match-ups with fighters outside of his own promotional stable?

AN Miguel needed a huge second half push to upend Blackwater, 124113, in the penultimate day of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup eliminations at the Cuneta Astrodome on Wednesday night.

Down 56-72 at the half after conceding 40 Elite points in the second quarter, the Beermen slowly crawled back in the third quarter, cutting the deficit down to six, 90-96, at the end of the period.

They then outscored their opponents, 34-17, in the final frame to complete the turn-

around.

Charles Rhodes dropped 32 points, nine rebounds, three assists, one block, and one steal for SMB, which forced a three-way tie at the top of the standings at 8-2 with sister teams Ginebra and Star, which plays Alaska later Wednesday.

Greg Smith led Blackwater with 21 markers, 22 rebounds, five dimes, and two steals, but he committed 11 turnovers as well.

The Elite bowed out of the mid-season conference at 2-9.

(Ivan Saldajeno/PNA)

CDO netter wins opener in Singapore Open SMB forces 3-way logjam S S

ECOND seeds Francis Casey Alcantara of the Philippines and Sem Verbeek of the Netherlands survived a tough first match on Wednesday in the second leg of the USD15,000 Singapore Open.

Alcantara, a member of the Philippine Davis Cup team who is based in Cagayan de Oro City, and Verbeek rallied

past Japanese tandem Yuichi Ito and Ken Onoda, 6-7 (4), 6-3 (12-10) in their doubles match played at the Kallang Tennis Centre outdoor hard court.

The Filipino-Dutch pair will be up against American David Nguyen and Canadian Kelsey Stevenson in the quarterfinal round of the tournament sanctioned by the Inter-

national Tennis Federation.

Nguyen and Stevenson scored a 6-1, 1-6 (10-6) victory over Spanish Bruneo Mardones and Briton Toby Martin in the first round.

Meanwhile, Singaporeans Sherwin Foo and Roy Hobbs, who are given wild cards in the main draw, also advanced to the quarterfinal after posting

a 2-6, 6-4 (10-8) upset victory over third seeds Nam Hoang Ly of Vietnam and Cheng-Yu Yu of Chinese Taipei.

Foo and Hoobs will next play Japanese pair Hiroyasu Ehara and Sho Katayama, who won over Indian tandem Sidharth Rawat and Dalwinder Singh, 6-1, 6-2. (Jean T. Malanum/PNA)

James had won two titles as part of another ‘’super team’’ in Miami but last year’s crown meant even more to his legacy. ‘’I’m not in the ‘prove people wrong, silence critics’ department no more,’’ James said. ‘’I got a promotion when I got to the 30s. At the end of the day, I know the way I’m built.

My only motivation is to be able to compete for a championship every single year.’’

The Warriors have been right there the past two years, winning the franchise’s first title in 40 years in 2015 and then blowing a 3-1 lead last year to put a sour ending on a record-breaking 73-win season.

That series turned when Green was suspended for Game 5 and James and Kyrie Irving took over from there. ‘’Any time someone beats you, you’d love to play them,’’ Green said. ‘’But at the end of the day winning a championship is winning a championship. You don’t care who you’ve got to take down, you just want to take whoever that is down.’’

Here are some other

things to watch in Part III:

when the Cavs won 33 games. ‘’It feels a little surreal,’’ Brown said. ‘’I’m sure come tip-off tomorrow, when I’m looking at those guys in that uniform, it will feel even more that way, but right now just kind of taking everything in stride.’’

Klay Thompson’s shooting. He has hit just 38 percent of his shots as his normally reliable jumper has failed him. ‘’I’ve had a week off,’’ Thompson said. ‘’So I feel great. Can’t get caught up in your shot falling or not.’’

Thompson has been stellar on the defensive end even when his shot has been off and will likely be counted on at times to slow down Irving, who scored 98 points in the final three games last year, including the series-clinching 3-pointer.

TRILOGY... FROM 16

FINALS REMATCH While the Cavs and Warriors have played in the Finals the past two years, Durant and James met before that in different uniforms. James won his first title in 2012 with Miami in a five-game series over Durant and the Thunder. Durant played well, averaging 30.6 points and shooting 55 percent but James came out on top. ‘’I know I’ve grown as a player just through experience from the last five years, but if I don’t go out there and execute, none of that matters,’’ Durant said.

BROWN CONNECTION James’ first trip to the Finals came 10 years ago when the Cavs were swept by San Antonio. His coach that year was Mike Brown, who has served as acting coach for the Warriors while Steve Kerr is out following complications from back surgery. Brown had two stints as coach in Cleveland, leading the team to the playoffs five straight times from 2006-10 before returning for a one-year stint in 2013-14

UNDERDOG CAVS According to the odds makers in Las Vegas and the number crunchers at analytical sites, the Warriors are the clear favorites to win the series after sweeping their way through the playoffs with a record-setting margin of victory of 16.3 points per game. James has called Golden State a ‘’juggernaut’’ but the Warriors aren’t buying all that talk. ‘’We’ve had a great season to this point, a great playoff run. And hopefully we keep it going, but we fully respect and are aware that this team that we’re playing, they’re the champions and we’re not,’’ Kerr said.

KLAY’S SHOT One of the few things that hasn’t gone right for Golden State this postseason has been

BY THE NUMBERS The Warriors are the first team to win their first 12 games of the postseason, sweeping all three rounds so far. The Cavs haven’t been far behind, losing only in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final to Boston.

This series also features 11 players who have been named All-Stars in their careers, including seven this year.

The only other time a Finals matchup featured 11 former All-Stars came in 1983 when Philadelphia swept the Los Angeles Lakers.

SLAM. San Miguel Beer import Charles Rhodes slams one against Blackwater during the PBA Commissioners Cup match at the Cuneta Astrodome on Wednesday night. PBA Media Bureau

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 10 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 2 - 3, 2017 VOL. 10 ISSUE 44 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 2 - 3, 2017 THE MATCH UP. It will be a battle between Lebron James and Kyrie Irving of the Cavs against Steph Curry and Kevin Durant of the Warriors.

TRILOGY A

Cavs-Warriors rematch picks up where it left off

FTER a summer highlighted by Kevin Durant’s decision to leave Oklahoma City for the star-laden Golden State Warriors, a six-month regular season and three rounds of playoffs, the NBA Finals

are right back where they ended last June.

Not that anyone expected any different.

Take III of the NBA Finals trilogy between Golden State and the Cleveland Cavaliers gives Stephen Cur-

ry and Draymond Green a chance to avenge last year’s Warriors collapse and LeBron James the opportunity to add a fourth title in his chase of Michael Jordan’s six.

Perhaps most note-

worthy, it gives Durant the chance at a first championship and validation for his decision to leave the Thunder and join the league’s latest super team. ‘’I can’t go out there and do everything on my own

or I can’t go out there and just let my teammates do all the work for me,’’ Durant said Wednesday, a day before the series opener. ‘’I got to do my part and we all got to make it come together as a group.’’

This matchup has seemed ordained since James walked off the court in Oakland last June, having delivered his native northeast Ohio its first major team championship since 1964.

FTRILOGY, 15