Edge Davao 10 Issue 52, June 14, 2017

VOL. 10 ISSUE 52 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES BEACH DENIZENS. While others are busy watching and supporting their NBA teams, these Badjao teenagers try to outwit and outplay each other in a game of beach volleyball at a coastal community in Brgy. 23-C Isla Verde, Davao City on Tuesday.

Lean Daval Jr.

ANTI-ISIS

Proposed City Ordinance to punish recruiters

By JECIA ANNE OPIANA

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HE Davao City Council will craft an ordinance to punish recruiters of extremist terrorist organization Islamic State of Iraq and Syria popularly known as the ISIS group and its other affiliated lawless armed groups.

According Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte, the ordinance will be called “An ordinance punishing the act of recruiting and membership to ISIS and to their allied terrorist groups including those professing support thereto, manufacture and

distribution of propaganda materials and failure to report ISIS related activities to law enforcement agencies.”

Currently, the said ordinance will undergo committee hearing under peace and public safety committee chaired

by Councilor Nilo Abellera, Jr. and hopefully be will be on first reading before the council in two to three weeks’ time.

“Gidali namo na kay threat na karon sa atoa. Kung mahimo nang ordinance, ma monitor dayon nato hantod

sa barangay level,” Vice Mayor Duterte said in an interview on Tuesday.

Pulong said that anyone who will violate the said ordinance will be obliged to pay a penalty of P5,000 and one year of imprisonment.

The ISIS group also called the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is a Jihadist militant group in Iraq and Syria that follows a fundamentalist Wahhabi movement. The group was the alleged perpetrators of the recent terror at-

tacks in Manchester and London, United earlier this year.

On May, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte said that the Maute group, who occupied Marawi City on May 23 are affiliated with the ISIS terror group.

Other upcoming ordinances for security Pulong further revealed that two other ordinances to beef up security are now on the line. One is penalizing

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EDGEDAVAO Sports BACK TO THE THRONE

Golden State bags NBA title with Game 5 win

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 52 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

Firefighters put out a fire at a factory of agri-industrial products in Barangay Hizon, Davao City on Monday, 12 June 2017. Mindanews Photo

All-Moro convention pushed for federalism

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HE Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa) is eyeing greater participation of the Moro people in the national discourse on federalism through an “All Moro Convention”.

In an exclusive PNA interview, MinDa chairman Abul Khayr Alonto said the agency’s push toward the realization of federalism is aligned with its mandate to “provide the strategic direction for Mindana”.

“We are more determined to operationalize the policy directive of President Duterte to push for the systemic shift to a federal form of government,” Alonto said.

“As such, we will be pro-

viding a mechanism that will bring the Moros together to forge unity, ensure their participation in the national discourse on federalism; and isolate the extremist groups within our midst. For this purpose, we will be at the soonest, convening the All Moro Convention,” he added.

The MinDa chief believes a federal system is the “ultimate solution” to curtail insurgency.

He therefore called on Congress to immediately convene as a constituent assembly to draw up revisions to the 1987 Constitution.

“And by election of 2019, we can submit this issue, this

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Ampatuan enters‘not guilty’ plea to 36 corruption cases

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ORMER Maguindanao Gov. Sajid Ampatuan pleaded “not guilty” to the 36 corruption cases filed against him during his arraignment before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division on Tuesday.

The former governor was charged for the alleged anomalous disbursement of PHP16,317,559 to a food supplier Henry Merchandising, which turned out to be “fictitious and/or non-existent,” according to the Office of the Ombudsman.

The 36 cases compose of one count of violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act

No. 3019, or the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act”, one count of malversation of public funds, and 34 counts of falsification of public documents.

However, the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division deferred and reset the arraignment to Sept. 4, 2017 the scheduled arraignment today of Ampatuan’s cases of 145 counts for the alleged misuse of P72.26 million in 2009 for the repair of school buildings and disbursed to four lumber companies which turned out to be “non-existent”.

Ampatuan, who is also on

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DND: US troops’ role in Marawi siege vital

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

S

ECRETARY of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana said that the role of the US troops on the Marawi siege is very vital for the precise movements of the soldiers on the ground.

Lorenzana said that the US troops only provide surveillance of the enemies on the ground and that no American soldiers were fighting along side with the Armed Forces of the Philippines against the ISIS backed Maute group.

He said that the US troops are in the country since 2000 helping the Filipino’s war against the Abu Sayyaf and decided to help the Marawi siege even though the Philippine Government did not ask for it.

Lorenzana said that they

did not need to ask help for the American troops since they can just help anytime they want.

“What General (Carlito) Galves did was, he brought three people with equipment that can help with the surveillance of the movements of the enemy not only in Marawi but the entire Lanao Del Sur,” Lorenzana said.

He said that the role of the American troops is very vital for the movements of the soldiers since they can give precise locations of the enemy to prevent mistakes during the conduct of airstrikes.

Lorenza though said that the help of the American troops will not last long since they are targeting to finish

the Marawi siege anytime this week.

Meanwhile the Central Bank of the Philippines and Department of Finance are already tracing the recovered money of the Maute group amounting to P72.9 million.

“The Central Bank and Department of Finance are already tracing the codes of the money, where it came from, when was it released or when was it created. Through this, we can identify the bank that released the big amount of money whether in bulk or not,” Lorenzana said.

Lorenzana also said that the engineering brigade of the Military are now on standby to help the residents of Marawi in constructing their houses and

the government facilities.

“I already told the President that we need to help the civilians repair their homes before they can go back there especially those destroyed by our operations,” he said.

Lorenzana said that they are now planning on how they will Marawi get back to normality through repairing the destroyed infrastructures and bringing back water and electricity.

He said that they already have a draft Executive Order on their plan to rehabilitate Marawi City.

“My recommendation was that the government will initially allocate P10 billion for the rehabilitation of Marawi City,” he said.

ong, PCMC spokesperson told a press briefing Monday as he noted that photographs shared online have given the public glimpses of the destruction in the conflict zone located in the city’s center, and accounts of rescuers who were able to enter the “hostile area” on June 4 as well as survivors indicate there are many dead bodies lying on the ground, some of them in an advanced stage of

decomposition.

Adiong narrated that during the flag-raising ceremony, a police officer narrated that one of his friends received a text message that a trapped family in Barangay Raya Madaya had sent word their child has died of hunger and that they and their Christian employees have been eating their blanket for survival.

He said their principal con-

cern is still “to rescue as many civilians” and their volunteer rescuers are ready but they have to “wait for the Armed Forces of the Philippines to give us clearance.”

“Our hands are tied,” Adiong said, adding that having been trapped for 21 days and with the possibility of getting rescued becoming more difficult, trapped civilians are now

Adiong says Marawi bracing for worst once Banggolo bridge opens

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HE spokesperson of the Provincial Crisis Management Committee on Monday said they are preparing for the worst in terms of destruction of property and loss of lives as the Marawi Crisis entered Day 21 and the aerial bombings, Day 19.

“I guess we need to ready ourselves for the worst once this (Banggolo) bridge is open,” Assemblyman Zia Alonto Adi-

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 52 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

DOT asks E. Visayas folks to replicate Bohol vigilance

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HE Department of Tourism has called on locals in Eastern Visayas residents to replicate the vigilance of Bohol residents in averting potential terrorist attacks.

Tourism Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes said people in the region should emulate the actions of Bohol residents when they provided information to law enforcers on the presence of armed groups in their communities.

“Our peacekeeping forces need our help and we are morally obligated to help them because when fighting starts, the innocents are the most affected.

We need to find way on how we can be alert, who should be on guard, how we can be observant how, and who should we observing,” Tiopes said in an interview Monday afternoon.

The official was referring to the reports early April this year that residents were the first to spot the suspicious-looking armed men entering Inabanga River and going to Napo village in Inabanga town.

The people should be cooperative and supportive to security measures being observed to ensure public safety especially in ports, airports, hotels, restaurants, and other public places, said Tiopes.

“This is done to ensure our safety. If the guards will check our belongings, we should cooperate with them because this is done by the management and our government for our welfare and safety. Let’s just support them and not be angry at them,” Tiopes asked tourists.

Despite the proximity be-

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ANTI-ISIS ORDINANCE. Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte discusses with members of the media the proposed ordinance that the City Council is crafting to punish recruiters of ISIS group and its other affiliated lawless armed groups. Lean Daval Jr.

SHFC keen on housing B for low-income groups

BRP Davao del Sur completes first mission in Benham Rise

By JECIA ANNE OPIANA

S

OCIAL Housing Finance Corporation is eyeing to undertake community social housing projects to cater to the formal and informal sectors in the low-income bracket citizens of Davao City.

Former City Councilor, now SHFC Head Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling had his courtesy call with Vice Mayor Paolo

Duterte on Tuesday to coordinate with the realization of this project.

“We have to collaborate with the city council because legislative actions, like crafting the policies, are needed. Let the city identify and we see if it’s prepared and then we fund it,” Cabling said.

He also said that the city

will be the one to assess the land use and zoning basics of the applicant’s area if it is fit to be used as a residential lot or not.

Cabling stressed that the problem of informal communities in Davao City should be addressed more importantly because it is a progressive city.

“Sa tan-aw nako, kung

paspas ang development, kinahanglan nato matutukan ang mga underprivileged kay sila mao ang apektado sa development—pirme mademolish, pirme ma dislocate.”

Cabling also divulged that during the previous administration under former president Benigno Aquino III, a 50

F

Capt. Lued Lincuna in a message to the PNA Tuesday when asked what benefits the survivors of the 13 fallen Marine troops will be getting from the military organization.

These include benefits from the PN Assistance System, free burial services from

the St. Peter Life Plan, Marines Assistance and Special Financial Assistance.

These will total P700,000 per family, Lincuna added.

“Total of around P700,000 will be immediately received,” he stressed.

As of this posting, there

are 58 government troops confirmed dead and around 120 wounded in the fighting which is now entering its fourth week.

The conflict started when government forces tried to arrest Abu Sayyaf leader and

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Kin of fallen Marines in Marawi to get benefits worth P700T

AMILIES and loved ones of Marine troopers who were killed while trying to clear Marawi City of the remaining Maute Group terrorists are set to receive P700,000 worth of benefits each.

This was disclosed by Philippine Navy spokesperson

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NBA FANS. Residents are glued to the television set as they watch the finals of the National Basketball Association at a community along R. Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

ARELY a month after her commissioning, the BRP Davao Del Sur (LD602), the country’s second strategic sealift vessel (SSV), has successfully conducted her first major mission by transporting the military and civilian divers who successfully planted at a shallow portion of the Benham Rise (now known as the Philippine Rise) Monday morning.

This was confirmed by Navy spokesperson Capt.

Lued Lincuna in a message to the PNA Tuesday.

“Yes, (the Benham/Philippine Rise) mission was her first,” he said.

BRP Davao Del Sur left the

PT PAL (Persero) shipyard in Surabaya, Indonesia in May 4 and arrived in the Philippines last May 8.

She was commissioned at Sasa Wharf, Davao City during the Navy’s 119th founding anniversary with President Rodrigo Duterte as the guestof-honor and speaker.

BRP Davao Del Sur is the sister-ship of the BRP Tarlac (LD-601) which commissioned in May of last year.

The ship and her crew departed Pier 13, Manila South Harbor last June 8 with around 100 divers headed

by Army Scout Ranger Major Christoper Constantino.

(PNA)

SC asked junk petitions vs martial law in Mindnao

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HE Office of Solicitor General on Monday asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the three consolidated petitions challenging the constitutionality of President Rodrigo Duterte’s proclamation of martial law in Mindanao.

In a 45-page comment, Solicitor General Jose Calida said that Court should dismiss the petitions for “fatal procedural defects and/or utter lack of merit.”

The OSG was required to file a consolidated comment on the three separate Petitions questioning the factual basis of Proclamation No. 216.

The three consolidated petitions were filed by opposition lawmakers led by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, local Mindanao leaders led by Lumad leader Eufemia Campos Cullamat and a group of women from Marawi led by Norkaya Mohamad.

Calida asked the SC to uphold President Rodrigo Duterte’s proclamation of martial law, and help him protect and defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“One hundred nineteen years ago, our heroes fought hard for the democracy we enjoy today. In our midst is a real and present danger that threatens our lives and much-cherished liberties. In response to this danger, President Duterte issued Proclamation No. 216,” Calida said.

According to Calida, Proclamation No. 216 enjoys the presumption of constitutionality, and the that petitioners miserably failed to ascribe grave abuse of discretion on the President in its issuance.

“Quite the contrary, the Proclamation is amply supported by facts that a rebellion does exist, and the public safety requires it,” Calida added.

“The filing of this Consolidated Comment defending the constitutionality of Proclamation No. 216 on the anniversary of our independence is perhaps no coincidence. It is a rallying call for every Filipino to unite behind one true flag and defend it against all threats from within and outside our shores,” Calida noted.

(PNA)

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 52 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

DOE sees cut in pump prices of petroleum products by oil firms

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HE Department of Energy sees a reduction in the pump prices of petroleum products this week.

The Energy Department expects an P0.80 per liter cut in gasoline prices; P0.90 in diesel, and P1.10 per liter of kerosene, following the movements of prices of crude oil in the international market last week.

But Sea Oil and Flying V announced Monday that their pump prices for gasoline would be reduced by P0.80 per liter, diesel by P0.95 per liter and kerosene by P1.20 per liter, effective 12:01 a.m. Tues-

day, June 13.

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Petron Corp., Phoenix Petroleum, Eastern Petroleum,and PTT also announced the same amount of price rollbacks.

Meanwhile, the DOE encourages the public to be vigilant in their rights as consumers and immediately report to the DOE Consumer Welfare Office (Landline - 429 2900 look for Ms Helen Arias) any violation of the law, rules and regulations by petroleum products suppliers (i.e., quality and/or safety issues). (PNA)

Electronics industry aims to return to USD30-B revenue in 2017 ANNUAL RITE. A mother fits a school shoes on her child from a display at a sidewalk makeshift store along R. Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City on Tuesday.

Lean Daval Jr.

DOF claims effects of revenue measures in tax reform ‘muted’ Says annual windfall awaits family earning P25T monthly

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HE effects of the revenue-enhancing provisions of the proposed Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN) will be “muted” for ordinary Filipinos and will even provide for a family of four earning P25,000 a month an annual windfall of more than P15,000, the Department of Finance said.

Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua said that contrary to the erroneous and bloated computations made by critics, the effects of the reforms proposed in the value added tax (VAT) and the excise tax system under TRAIN “will be minimal because comple-

mentary measures to mitigate any price increases arising from the tax adjustments are also provided under the bill. “ For instance, the claim that a house rental of P9,000 a month would increase to more than P12,000 under TRAIN is false because there would be no increase at all under the bill that was approved by the House of Representatives before the Congress adjourned sine die last May 31. This is because the far majority of lessors have revenues below the VAT threshold and are therefore exempted.

Also, electricity rates for households consuming around 200 kilowatts per

BOC urged to brace versus smuggling due to new tax

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HE Bureau of Customs should be prepared to combat higher incidence of car smuggling when additional excise taxes are imposed on the sale of luxury vehicles, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian made this statement noting that stakeholders in the automobile industry are likely to engage in the underground trading of high-end vehicles to avoid paying excessive excise taxes.

“In my view, the incidence of smuggling will also go up when higher excise taxes are imposed on luxury cars. If this happens, it should not be ‘business-as-usual’ for the Bureau of Customs. The BOC should be ready to deal with these smugglers,” Gatchalian said during the recent hearing on proposed new excise tax on automobiles.

An estimated 20 percent of cars sold in the market are smuggled by unscrupulous

traders through the country’s various ports, according to importers and distributors of luxury vehicles.

The neophyte senator said that this estimate could grow bigger when car dealers and traders trade underground.

To prevent this, Gatchalian said that there should be a “strong strategy” to make sure that the increase in the tax on luxury vehicles will not result in unabated smuggling. “…Only smugglers will earn money if the new excise tax on high-end cars turns out to be too expensive,” Gatchalian said.

Under the proposed new excise tax scheme for vehicles, cars costing more than PHP2.1 million would be taxed PHP1.22 million (up from PHP512,000) plus 200 percent (up from 60 percent) of the amount in excess of PHP2.1 million. (Azaer N. Parrocha/ PNA)

hour a month will only pay an additional P70 a month or P840 a year, which is far less than the puffed-up estimate of P3,600 as claimed by TRAIN critics, Chua said.

House Bill No. 5636 or the proposed TRAIN, was approved on third and final reading on May 31 by a 246-9 vote with one abstention last May 31. It is a consolidation of the original tax reform bill— HB 4774—filed by Quirino Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua, and 54 other tax- related measures.

“The DOF expects potential price increases to be muted and complemented with programs to mitigate any price increases under TRAIN.

All in all, a family with a head of household earning PHP 25,000 a month and with two children can expect to benefit an additional P15,512 annually,” Chua said.

As for house rentals of P10,000 and below, Chua explained that while the VAT exemptions for this category were not explicitly removed under HB 5636, properties rented out by smaller property owners with annual revenues not exceeding the proposed VAT threshold of P3 million a year remain exempted.

“To illustrate how unlikely this is, a property owner

HE Department of Trade and Industry-Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (DTI-CIAP) thru its human resource development arm; the Construction Manpower Development Foundation (CMDF) will be launching the Enhanced Construction Managers’ Training

and Certification Program (ECOMTCP) within 2017 to lead infrastructure developments in the Philippines with capable project managers.

ECOMTCP is the enriched product of industry-led application of lessons from the former COMPTCP, which is CMDF’s pilot program to as-

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HE country’s electronics industry aims to return to the USD30-billion revenue this year, Semiconductors and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, Inc. (SEIPI) president, Dan Lachica, has said.

Lachica told the Philippine News Agency that if the industry can maintain a growth of at least 5.0 percent throughout the year, the sector’s exports can again hit the USD30-billion mark.

“It was in 2010 when we last hit USD31 billion,” he said.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the industry’s total exports receipt in 2016 amounted to USD28.44 billion, a slight slip of 0.1 percent from 2015’s figure of USD28.90 billion.

For the first four months of the year, electronic goods’ revenues rose 11.6 percent to USD10.1 billion from USD9.0 billion in the same period last year.

Average growth of the sector is at 13 percent during the first four months of 2017.

“We’re hoping to go back to that (USD30 billion) level,” the

SEIPI president said.

Revenue growth in April however slowed down to 6.8 percent after three consecutive months of double-digit expansion.

Revenues in January was at 10.4 percent, followed by a 15.9-percent increment in February, and hitting its highest growth of 19 percent in March.

Meanwhile, Lachica said SEIPI has yet to adjust its target growth for this year, despite the better performance of the industry in the first few months of 2017.

SEIPI is eyeing a 5.0 percent to 7.0 percent increase in revenues at the end of the year.

The industry may finish 2017 with exports amounting to USD30.31 billion to USD30.89 billion.

The electronics industry accounts for about half of the country’s export revenues.

Data from the industry showed that the top export destinations for Philippine-made electronic goods in March were Hong Kong, China, United States, Singapore, Japan, Germany, Taiwan, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Thailand.

(Kris M. Crismundo/PNA)

sure that competent project managers will handle huge and complex projects in construction. ECOMTCP, which is projected to begin pilot run on the 3rd quarter of 2017 will be more acceptable and align itself with Philippine education standards. The goal of the program is to guarantee the

competency of project managers by introducing rigorous assessment mechanism and added incentives like earning CPD units, additional credit points for PCAB Contractor’s License, and harmonized requirements to ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer.

DTI-CIAP gears towards a more competent construction industry workforce

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3RD COMTCP COMMITTEE REVIEW- APPROVED THE NEW STRUCTURE AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS. (Standing, L-R) Jan Amiel C. de Leon, Engr. Angelito V. Zulueta, Engr. Victoriano V. Lahoz, Engr. Rene E. Fajardo,

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Anthony Mariano, and Michael John V. Cataquian; (Seated, L-R) Ofelia R. Usigan, Arch. Felicitas A. Pio Roda, Dr. Ernesto S. De Castro, and Bianca S. Martinez.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 52 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

ECONOMY 5

EDGEDAVAO

Net FDIs up 16.6% in end-March‘17

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HE Philippine economy continues to attract more foreign investors that led net foreign direct investments (FDIs) to rise to USD 1.56 billion in the first quarter of 2017, up 16.6 percent from year ago’s USD 1.3 billion.

Data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Tuesday showed investments in debt instruments boosted the inflows by 108.8 percent to USD1.27 billion from USD606 million same period last year.

Re-investment of earnings went up 6.7 percent to USD193 million from yearago’s USD181 million.

“The sustained FDI inflows reflect investors’ confidence in the country’s economy on account of continued growth prospects and strong macroeconomic fundamen-

tals,” the BSP said.

However, placements in equities fell 70.8 percent to USD191 million while withdrawals declined 12.8 percent to USD91 million.

This resulted in net equity capital investment of USD101 million, down 81.7 percent.

Last March alone, net FDIs rose 30.6 percent to USD509 million from yearago’s USD390 million.

Investments in debt instruments rose 75.1 percent to USD445 million from the USD254 million same period in 2016.

Equity capital, which mostly came from the US, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands, amounted to USD49 million while withdrawals reached USD42, resulting to a net of USD7 million. (Joann Santiago/PNA)

TAKING A BREAK. Marco Polo Davao general manager Dottie WürglerCronin (7th from right) poses for a photograph with the hotel’s chefs led by executive chef Alex Destriza (7th from left) during Independence Day dinner

buffet at Café Marco on Monday night where all-time Filipino dishes are served. The hotel’s Independence Day offering runs from June 12 to 17. Lean Daval Jr.

LGU set for Ombud investment summit T

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HE local government of Malay, Aklan is currently in the thick of preparations for the upcoming Ombudsman Investment Summit in this resort island.

Jimmy Maming, execu-

DOLE upbeat on latest Labor Force Survey

tive assistant to the mayor, said Tuesday that the summit is scheduled on July 3-5.

“The summit is aimed to introduce the new programs and services of the Ombudsman in the Duterte administration. They are the

Ombudsman Investment and the Ombudsman for Environment,” said Maming.

Officers and members of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Boracay are also invited to attend the summit.

“We are also anticipating the arrival of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales and new secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Roy Cimatu,” he said. (Jun N. Aguirre/PNA)

tion of the mining industry towards integrating human rights under the concept protect, respect and rehab (PRR).

Atty. Sipaco sets this direction along with his intention to wage wide-ranging advocacy for “responsible mining” intended to be adopted by whatever category of mining endeavour—be it large-scale or small-scale.

In cooperation with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), PMDC conducted in Davao City the threeday Foundational Course on Mining Business and Human Rights with participants com-

ing from the government, the business/ private sector, indigenous people’s sector, civil society and the academe.

The first session of the course discussed “The Context of Mining, Development and Human Rights”. The succeeding sessions tackled “International Human Rights Law”, “Domestic Human Rights Law”, “Mining Business Concepts and Operations”, “The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights” and “The 10 Principles of the Global Compact”.

Other topics discussed were the National Frame-

work in Relation to Business and Human Rights and the respective roles of business, civil society, peoples’ organization and the government.

Atty. Sipaco emphasized the significance of “Crisis Management” in operating either large or small-scale mining operation, and brought in as resource speaker, Maria Lourdes Avancena-Arcenas, director of the Development Bank of the Philippines.

Arcenas is a senior advisor on Corporate Social Responsibility to local and international corporations in the mining, power, forestry, infrastructure sectors. (PIA)

World because of their sizable Chinese population.

This is also with the popularity of Taobao and Tmall online shopping platforms with local users who want an online shopping experience with a Chinese-language interface.

In order to help merchants and brands on Alibaba’s platforms to seamlessly extend to the global Chinese market, Alibaba would provide end-toend solutions including logistics, payment, and localisation support catering to the needs

of each local market.

Alibaba Group has already announced the kick-off of Tmall’s mid-year mega sale.

The three-day shopping festival, running from June 1820, 2017 would offer discounts totaling 10 billion Chinese renminbi to mainland China and overseas customers.

As a part of Alibaba’s globalization strategy, the company took up a majority investment in Lazada Group, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia, which

recently launched the Taobao Collection in Singapore and Malaysia to cater for the local population that does not speak Chinese.

Taobao Collection offers a wide range of curated products from electronics accessories, fashion to home and living from Taobao and Alibaba’s other marketplaces while providing customers with an endto-end Lazada user experience throughout from shopping to payment to logistics. (Bernama)

PMDC sets to create twist in mining industry

M

INING is often associated with business and has been viewed as environmentally-extractive endeavour .

Under the leadership of Atty. Alberto Sipaco, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of the Philippine Mining Development Corporation wants to create a twist in the way people have been looking at the mining industry.

In his welcome and keynote message during the recently conducted Foundational Course on Mining Business and Human Rights, Atty. Sipaco directed atten-

Alibaba launches Tmall world to connect 100M Chinese abroad

A

LIBABA Group, China’s largest e-commerce company, recently launched Tmall World, its latest globalization strategy to connect 100 million overseas Chinese, worldwide.

In a statement, Alibaba Group said it offered 1.2 billion products from brands and merchants through Mobile Taobao app and online platforms.

Singapore and Malaysia have been included in the priority markets to offer Tmall

HE Department of Labor and Employment is optimistic that the quarterly Labor Force Survey will continue to prosper.

Reacting on the LFS April 2017 report, DOLE Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) Director Dominique Tutay said they are confident that the positive developments that started under the Duterte administration will continue.

“We do hope that our employment situation will continue (improving) under the first year of the Duterte administration,” she said in an interview

at the Independence Day Job and Business Fairs held at the Rizal Park, Manila on Monday.

“This is line with the Duterte administration creating 7.5 million jobs by 2022,” she added.

Tutay cited as an example the improvement of the employment, unemployment, and underemployment rates in the said report.

“We are hopeful because the unemployment rate recorded in April 2017 Labor Force Survey, this year is the lowest with the April round since 2006,” she said. (PNA)

PHP, share prices slightly down as Fed starts 2-day meet

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HE Philippine peso and the stock market slightly went down on Tuesday as the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) starts its two-day meeting.

After a long-weekend, with Monday a holiday due to the celebration of the 119th Philippine Independence Day, the peso closed at 49.53 against the US dollar, little changed from the 49.50 Friday last week.

A trader said mid-month corporate demand also backed the US currency.

Markets widely expect the Fed to announce another hike in its key rates after the Committee’s policy meeting on June 14.

Amid the expectations, the trader said investors took on a cautious stance until the announcement is made.

For the day, the local unit opened at 49.55, almost unchanged from the 49.54 in the previous session.

It traded between 49.58 and 49.53, resulting in an average of 49.55.

A total of USD297.2 million

changed hands, lower than the USD609.2 million at the end of last week.

The currency pair is seen to trade between 49.40 and 49.60 Wednesday.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) shed 0.91 percent, or 72.35 points, to 7,917.89 points, which a trader said was due to withdrawals by some investors as the Fed meeting starts.

All the counters also finished the day on the red, with All Shares down 0.88 percent, or 41.71 points, to 4,707.42 points.

Property posted the biggest drop among the sectors after it pulled back 2.47 percent followed by Industrial, 1.10 percent, and Services, 1.06 percent.

Mining and Oil shed 0.47 percent, Holding Firms by 0.37 percent, and Financials, 0.29 percent.

Volume for the day reached 1.73 billion shares amounting to Php 11.23 billion.

Losers led gainers at 132 to 68 while 43 stocks were unchanged. (JSV/PNA)

6 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 52 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

Jobseekers,entrepreneurs join Tagum’s Kalayaan fair L

LGU execs sympathizes with displaced residents of Marawi

M

ORE than 2,500 jobseekers and smallscale business owners flocked to the New City Hall last June 12, 2017 for the Kalayaan Jobs and Trade Fair organized by the city’s Public Employment Services Office (PESO) in celebration of 119th Philippine Independence Day. Dubbed as “Kalayaan Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan Fair”, the activity offered 11,

628 job vacancies, of which 9,336 are overseas works, five (5) livelihood demonstrations, two (2) entrepreneurship symposia, services from seven (7) national line agencies, a blood-letting activity and two sets of orientation for the additional beneficiaries of the trade and skills training program of the local government.

Out of the 1,350 registered applicants, 169 were hired on the spot while 478 were near-

hire applicants or those who will still have to be called back by the company.

Meanwhile, 333 individuals benefited the livelihood demonstrations on five trade areas given free by the city government, namely: Perfume Making, Tocino Making, Liniment Oil Making, Liquid Soap Making and Balloon Twisting, which were conducted simultaneously.

Apart from the demon-

strations, symposia on franchising and effective business management were also conducted in partnership with the Department of Trade and industry (DTI), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and Department of Labor and Employment, coaching 177 local entrepreneurs.

Several Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) which were beneficiaries of the Bottoms

F JOBSEEKERS, 14

LIFE GOES ON. It’s business as usual for people in Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur even as clashes between government forces and the Maute Group continue to rage in nearby Marawi City. Photo taken on 12 June 2017. MindaNews photo by H. MARCOS C. MORDENO

Timely military action foiled worse Marawi situation: Palace

T

IMELY action by the government and the military prevented what might have been a worse situation in Marawi City, Malacañang said Tuesday.

At a Palace briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella stressed that the prompt military action on initial information gathered on the ground has preempted the Maute group’s terror plot to capture the entire city of Marawi.

“There were details regarding the Marawi plot, yes.

And that is exactly why they took advantage -- they started to take action,” he said.

“So you know, and we need to understand also that the perception that it was…

Well, we need to also take

note of the fact that the early action of the military and the government has actually preempted their plans to be able to capture the city. So we need to accredit that,” Abella said.

The Palace official likewise defended the government from criticisms that there was a failure of information on the side of the military, pointing out that the full details of the plot was only uncovered later through the video captured by security forces during the fighting.

“They knew that there were activities on the ground and, you know, I can only say that so far. They knew that there were activities that were being -- that there were abnormal activities,” he said.

“So let’s give them credit,

let’s give credit to the military and understand that they were actually acting purposively and decisively and actually preempted -- I think the keyword is ‘preempted’ -okay? So I think it’s not a question of being failure or what -- from their point of view…

From our point of view, we were able to stop something that could have been much, much bigger,” Abella said.

In the meantime, Abella said that the government will not stop until the terrorist threat in the whole of Mindanao is fully addressed.

“Well, tuluy-tuloy po ang laban. We will not stop until it’s finished. And not only Marawi, but also the threats -- terrorist threats, should be completely addressed in the

entire island of Mindanao,” he said.

He also clarified that the June 12 liberation of Marawi City was just a working deadline set by the military and not

by President Rodrigo Duterte.

“It was a working deadline set by the military and the President is set -- his intentions are really to complete the work. But it must be complete and total work. In other words, it’s not just the Marawi situation that has to be addressed, it must be the terrorist threat in the entire Mindanao and in the Philippines,” Abella said.

Meanwhile, he also assured that the government will respond decisively on any new attacks that are reportedly being planned by ISIS during Ramadan.

T

runners who participated in the event, Fritz Clarence Lantaco sprinted the championship in the boys division, followed

by Jaypril dela Cruz and Richard Richard Apawan, respectively.

In the girls division, Angelie Panilagao dashed to the finish line to clinch the first

place; BVergielyn Dayanan and Dianne Claros came in second and third respectively.

Noli Tanggoyoc said that the proceeds of the run will fund their monthly youth activities in the municipality.

In the afternoon, more than 100 high school and college students participated in

the symposium, which featured talks about Freedom of Information, Gag Laws and Fake News and Trolls in Social Media.

The event was capped in the evening with the Boy Band and Contemporary Dance Duo competition at the municipal gym. (PIA11, Michael Uy)

Maragusan celebrates Independence Day for the youth HE municipality of Maragusan commemorated yesterday the 119th Philippine Independence Day with activities for the youth.

The celebration kicked off at 5:30AM with a three-kilometer Kalayaan fun run around the poblacion.

Among the more than 600

OCAL government officials in Davao del Norte feel for displaced residents of Marawi and express sympathy for them.

In his message during the 119th Independence Day celebration, Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon rallied Tagumenyos to help fellow Filipinos of Marawi City.

He particularly painted imagination about children deprived of schooling due to the on-going pursuit of government armed forces against the Maute-led terrorist group.

“While we are experiencing peace here, we have to remember our fellow Filipinos in Marawi,” he said during the opening program of “Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan” Independence Day Job and Business Fair.

“Children cannot go to school,” he said. “Let us pray for them and let us pray that this will end so soon,” he added.

Meanwhile, the municipal government of Kapalong (Davao del Norte) conducted on June 2 a “Pray for Marawi” and candle-lighting activity at the Municipal Hall ground in Barangay Maniki this town.

The event generated more than 1,000 participants from various sectors of the municipality including the town’s Muslim residents.

Municipal Information Officer Jamal Magantor in a recent meeting of Information Officers Network (ION) Davao del Norte revealed himself among the primary movers of the event, having Maranao roots.

“I feel for my fellows of Marawi,” he said as he relayed information regarding the

interest of Davao del Norte Provincial Administrator to encourage other local governments in the province to do the same .

During the ION Meeting, Kapalong Municipal Mayor Maria Theresa Royo-Timbol urged LGU and national government information officers to serve as engine of “good information”.

While she extended sympathy for residents of Marawi, she asked information officers to help local governments of Davao del Norte spread information that the province “is peaceful”, especially now that it is coming close to its 50th year founding anniversary celebration.

On the other hand, Davao del Norte Provincial Governor Anthony G. del Rosario expressed readiness of the provincial LGU to “provide whatever resources we can spare to step up cooperation against terrorism, criminality and illicit drugs trade”.

In addressing the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Forum recently held at Big8 Hotel in Tagum City, Del Rosario took particular notice of the terroristic attack in Marawi City.

“The attempt of the IS fighters, with a number of foreign combatants to establish a foothold in Mindanao should be nipped in its bud,” he said.

Del Rosario earlier issued official statement regarding the Marawi Crisis and the Declaration of Martial Law by President Duterte. While supporting the President’s move, Del Rosario condemned the terror attack. (PIA 11/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

Job-seekers get employment on ID day jobs fair in Tagum

T

HE Independence Day job and business fair in Tagum City paved way for a total of 169 job-seekers to get hired on the spot.

Joint report of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Tagum City’s Public Employment Services Office (PESO) also showed that another 478 job-seekers reached “near-hired” status during the one-day Independence Day “Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan” Job and Business Fair held at the Atrium of n new Tagum City Hall.

Those hired-on-the spot and the near-hired applicants comprised 66.5 percent of the 973 total number of registered applicants that trooped to the Independence Day job fair organized by the City Government of Tagum and DOLE. Other support agencies were the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Davao del Norte and the provincial offices of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Social Security Sytem (SSS) and the National Bureau

of Investigation (NBI).

Other support agencies are the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Philhealth, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), among other agencies.

The provincial government of Davao del Norte, the Rotary Club of Tagum and some Tagum-based media outlets also supported the job and business fair that was the only one held in Davao Region in relation to the 119th year commemoration of the Philippine Independence Day. Aside from the national line and local agencies of governments, a number of private companies pinned their support to the job fair which turned out a surplus of available jobs that reached a total of 11,628. Of the number, 2,292 were offered by 31 local companies while 9,336 were solicited from overseas companies.

Meanwhile, the event also served as venue of various en-

F JOB-SEEKERS, 7

7 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 52 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

Water service interruption in portion of Tugbok-Calinan road

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AVAO City Water District advises of a water service interruption on June 15, 2017 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM affecting portion of Tugbok-Calinan Road from Lanzones Street towards the junction of Sitio Mahayahay Road including Lanzones Street, Mangga Street, Pomelo Street, Nangka Street, Lemonsito Street, Tisa Street, Durian Street, Rambutan Street, and Benedict Heights Subd.

This water service interruption is needed for the tapping of pipes for the mainline improvement in Purok 1 in Lanzones Street, Tugbok Proper. Once completed, the project will allow for accommodation of additional service connections.

On behalf of the DCWD management, general manager Engr. Edwin V. Regalao asks

for the understanding and cooperation of would-be affected customers and advises them to store enough water prior to the scheduled water service interruption as water supply may be restored earlier if work goes smoothly or later if unforeseen problems arise.

The general public may visit DCWD website (www. davao-water.gov.ph) and official Facebook page (www. facebook.com/davaowater) or call the Central Information Unit / Call Center through the 24-hour hotline 297-DCWD (3293) and press “1” on their phone dial for the latest daily water updates. Contact 09277988966, 0925-5113293 and 0908-4410653 for other updates, complaints, queries, and matters pertaining to DCWD services. (Katrina Belen M. Roble)

DVERTISING agency McCann Worldgroup Philippines on Tuesday came to the defense of the Department of Tourism after its most recent campaign advertisement received backlash for allegedly copying the campaign of South Africa in 2014.

Several netizens were quick to point out the DOT ad as similar to a South African ad which also featured a man who was only revealed to be blind when he was shown using a cane.

However, DOT denied copying the South African ad noting their ad was based on a true story of a Japanese retiree in the Philippines.

McCann Worldgroup, for its part, acknowledged that the way the story in the DOT ad was told “may have similarities with the South African tourism campaign” but denied that it was copied. “…We underscore that there has never been any intention to copy others’ creative work,” McCann Worldgroup said in a statement. “We stand by the integrity with which this campaign was developed.”

McCann Worldgroup also took full responsibility noting that “all ideas and storyboards

presented were conceptualized.”

“It is unfortunate that the DOT has been called out and accused of plagiarism, for work we have done to highlight the testimonial of a real retiree,” McCann Worldgroup said.

“Our latest film, ‘Sights,’ was particularly inspired by the story of a visually-impaired foreigner who has made the Philippines his home and who has come to experience the Philippines in different ways,” the agency added.

McCann Worldgroup bagged the P650-million project to create campaign advertisements for the DOT. It will include audio-visual presentations, TV and radio commercials, print advertisements, and the DOT’s an upgraded website which will be placed in countries classified as emerging markets.

The PHP550-million funding will be sourced from the PHP1 billion previously earmarked by the previous administration for the ‘It’s More Fun’ campaign.

DOT’s new ad was first launched worldwide in various TV and online platforms on Independence Day. (PNA)

trepreneurial services such as orientation on franchising, discussion on Grow Micro Program, skills training orientation, livelihood demonstration, symposium on business services.

A blood-letting activity was also conducted. Among the blood donors was Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon who viewed the job and business fair as significant contribution of the city government to the

celebration of the Philippine Independence Day. Tagum City PESO Department Head Rogeneth Lanos-Pagdilao revealed that the city government has adopted DOLE’s Trabaho, Negosyo and Kabuhayan Job and Business Fair as a regular event that Tagum City will host as part of celebrating Independence Day in June and city fiesta in November. (PIA 11/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

Rotary Club of Waling-Waling Davao (RCWWD) gives school supplies to Tibungco Day Care Center kids. Knapsacks, pencils, and crayons are given out by the RCWWD in partnership with Davao City Water District to around 120 children on June 9, 2017.

McCannWorldgroup National strategy to guide defends new DOT ad investments for agriculture A T

Job-seekers... FROM 6

ECHNOLOGY is changing the way countries are addressing food security, agriculture and rural development. With their accessibility and relative cost-effectiveness, information and communication technology (ICT) platforms have the potential to significantly enhance and accelerate the flow of information across a complex network of stakeholders and throughout the value chain.

To ensure that ICT-related investments in the country’s agriculture sector are optimized and harmonized, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United

Nations (FAO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) are supporting the government in formulating a National E-agriculture Strategy.

“The information gap in agriculture affects the entire chain from farmers to traders, policy-makers and consumers and we recognize that this is one of the leading challenges in sustainable food production. With the rapid development of ICTs, the agriculture sector has a great opportunity to find cost-effective solutions and accelerate the flow of more reliable data and information.

Having a strategy and ensuring

its alignment with other government plans will also prevent individual e-agriculture projects and services from being implemented in isolation,” explains José Luis Fernández, FAO Representative in the Philippines.

The strategy is being developed with the Department of Agriculture (DA) as the lead implementing agency, and in collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). It is envisioned to rationalize resources and holistically address ICT opportunities and challenges for the agricultural sector in a more

efficient manner while generating new revenue streams, improving livelihoods and contributing to the achievement of broader national plans. FAO and ITU will also conduct activities to strengthen the capacities of the government to identify, test and implement ICT solutions and services.

“The aim is to make ICT, through this National E-Agriculture Strategy, support the required services to ‘make food available and affordable’ to the people,” said Director Clint D. Hassan of DA’s Information and Communications Technology Service.

per second, can support up to 3,000 connected users with robust Wifi connectivity. The deployment of Smart Wifi complements Smart’s continued LTE rollout, which aims to improve indoor coverage, as well as increase capacity of Smart’s cell sites to handle more calls, texts, and ever-increasing mobile data traffic.

avenue aims to uplift the quality of life in the Metro by making high-speed Internet as accessible to as many people as possible,” said Juan Victor Hernandez, Senior Vice President and Head of Enterprise for PLDT and SMART. “With the Smart Wifi rollout on EDSA, we are providing highest class data architecture connectivity for the thousands of commuters who pass through the MRT stations and ply the stretch of EDSA traffic every day, so they can boost their daily productivity ,” said Eric R. Alberto, PLDT Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue officer. “This rollout goes hand-in-hand with our efforts to improve LTE service nationwide. This simultaneous expansion of Smart Wifi and Smart LTE is a testament to Smart’s commitment to provide our subscribers with the best wireless data experience like never before,” Alberto added.

PLDT and Smart have committed to make LTE pro-

gressively available to 95% of the country’s cities and municipalities by the end of 2018.

Smart Wifi in airports, transport hubs PLDT and Smart have already deployed carrier-grade Smart Wifi service at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), at the Light Railway Transit, and in key regional airports, seaports and transport hubs all over the country. It has also been deployed in high-traffic areas such as tourist spots, hospitals, schools, city halls and malls, among others. Passengers waiting for the MRT or riding vehicles traversing EDSA can surf like never before on Smart’s super speed Wifi regardless of their network. The Smart Wifi service is free for the first 30 minutes, without data cap. Load cards can be purchased to extend user sessions for P20 for 2 hours, valid for 2 days; and P50 for 10 hours, valid for 5 days. Smart subscribers can topup for as low as P10, for 30 minutes, valid for 1 day.

F NATIONAL, 13

Smart bolsters LTE and WiFi services along EDSA

P

LDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. is beefing up its cellular and WiFi services along EDSA, Metro Manila’s main thoroughfare to benefit the estimated 500,000 MRT daily commuters, as well as passengers of the more than 326,000 vehicles that ply EDSA every day.

In cooperation with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Smart recently launched carrier-grade Smart Wifi service in the MRT stations and along the stretch of EDSA to improve the mobile network experience of commuters traveling across the country’s busiest highway.

In addition to Wifi connectivity on the 13 MRT platforms, Smart Wifi will also power connections on the street level along EDSA even between MRT stations, providing commuters with a seamless mobile experience, regardless of their network.

Smart Wifi, with a backhaul capacity of up to one gigabit

Cutting-edge infrastructure for nation-building “PLDT and Smart are committed to building cutting-edge digital ICT infrastructure, expanding both fixed and wireless networks, and making these available to Filipinos today in support for the government’s vision of a globally competitive country ready for the future,” said Manuel V. Pangilinan, Chairman and CEO of PLDT and Smart. “Through these investments, we are preparing for the coming of 5G, the Gigabit Society, and the Internet of Things,” Pangilinan added.

“Smart Wifi’s deployment along the country’s busiest

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 52 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

Rody against the elite

ROF. Ramon Beleno III, a political observer and analyst sent in the Independence Day rites because he spent a late night from the Ateneo de Davao University, could not have said condoling with the families of the fallen soldiers in the Marawi it more aptly when he commented that President Duterte siege, there will always be negative remarks here and there.

is doing very well in instituting reforms but while he is at it, he is hurting the elite.

That is where the conflict brews.

Bullseye.

And it’s not surprising if there are moves to impeach him or

bring his acts--past and resent to court--here and there.

His independent foreign policy, according to Prof. Beleno, also

gives him the flexibility in dealing with other economies outside

Yes, President Duterte’s institutional reforms in governance our perennial allies without having to desert them completely.

especially his anti-corruption campaign, and his campaign on il-

Did this sit well? Apparently not with the affected elite who

legal drugs is a bane to the elite and the druglords. These people takes the fight to the inteational arena in an attempt to take him are no sitting ducks. They have the money and the machinery.

So it’s not surprising that there are anti-Duterte movements

here and there.

down.

That’s the irony of it all.

President Duterte is doing well but never goes down appreci-

It’s understandable that even if the President decides to be ab- ated. Critics will be critics. Cynics will be cynics.

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A

RE the AFP soldiers and PNP men fighting in Marawi mere sacrificial lambs as far as the anti-Duterte blocs and the political opposition are concerned?

Since the Marawi attack broke out May 23, unexpected heavy casualties have been registered on the government side (58 Army, Marines and PNP as this was being written), not to mention the 19 counted civilians slain by the ISIS-inspired Maute-ASG combine.

(And what about the 220,00 dislocated residents?)

This fact does not seem to settle well in the naughty, fertile minds of Sen. Rissa Hontiveros et al because they are blinded more by their militant, aggressive and stubborn resistance to the declaration of martial law in Mindanao by the man who unexpectedly (and soundly) defeated the PNoy-led administration party in the 2016 presidential elections.

H

ERE comes the rain again, so goes a line of a song In the Philippines, rainy season starts in June. This was the reason why then President Fidel V. Ramos signed Proclamation No. 1204 declaring every June as National Dengue Awareness Month.

From January 1 to May 6 this year, about 33,760 dengue cases has already been recorded as per data from the Department of Health.

Compared with the same period last year, the figure is 31.9% lower.

All over the world, about 20 million cases of dengue occur each year and require 500,000 hospitalizations, according to the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO).

Forget malaria and Zika virus.

“Dengue is the world’s most important viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes,” declares Dr. Duane Gubler, health administrator of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “The mosquitoes become infected when they feed on someone who has the virus.”

Dengue fever has been with the Philippines since the 1950s but until now it has not been able to eradicate the viral disease.

The dengue virus does not spread directly from person to person, health experts claim. It’s transmitted mostly by the female Aedes mosquito. When it gorges the blood of an infected human, the virus enters the insect’s salivary gland, where it incubates for eight to ten days. After that, the mosquito can

VOL. 10 ISSUE 52 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Opposition attack dogs exploiting Marawi Without equating their opposition with the deathly danger the peaceful residents of Marawi and its environs were facing at the time, Hontiveros et al are counter-moving to nullify government efforts to quell the barbaric, terroristic acts as if nothing – just nothing - was going wrong.

The raid on Marawi led by Isnilon Hapilon, now acknowledged as the ISIS-installed Amir (Emir) of Southeast Asia is not only an act of terrorism as much as it is recognized by the entire Filipino nation as an act of rebellion.

The videotape recording seized by the authorities proved the Marawi siege was prepared and executed almost to perfection by the marauding team of Hapilon and the Maute group, including the gathering and stocking of adequate supplies, food and ammunition to enable them to continue fighting up to this day.

SPECKS OF LIFE Fred C. Lumba Hontiveros seems to project herself as an “un-feeling” person, numbed to the horrifying death and destruction that has behooved not only Mindanaoans like us but also the entire nation.

She and her ilk are pseudo-nationalists. She does not deserve the

title “Honorable.” More political in her approach to her duties, she has assumed – in the absence of jailed Sen. Leila De Lima - the role of an attack dog of the Liberal Party and its militant allies to discombobulate the circumstances. Without even so much expressing their concern for the safety and well-being of Marawi residents – and in much the same way express their concern for AFP soldiers and police fighting the rebels – she has prominently figured in destabilizing the Duterte administration by raising the constitutional question.

Marawi is not any different from another city or municipality anywhere in our archipelago. It is part of the Philippine territory. The residents therein are also Filipinos.

We should grieve and sympathize with them. We should help them get back on their feet. They are our countrymen.

But what is Hontiveros et al are

doing?

Instead of helping unite the Filipino nation, instead of spearheading efforts to assist the victims in terms of legislation, Hontiveros and company are even more creating disunity and factionalism by undermining the executive decisions of the Duterte government.

This is a most grievous and perilous time when all Filipinos should be walking arm in arm, help carry other peoples’ burdens when we can, help make positive contributions to the reconstruction of affected individual and family life – and most of all, in its strictest sense, let us all be true patriotic Filipinos – sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa.

Let us remember Hontiveros et al when the 2022 elections come around. They do not deserve the people’s mandate. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo. com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

tunately, the infection did not result in hypotensive shock or hemorrhage and my son made a full recovery.”

Up to 5% of DHF cases are fatal; without proper treatment, the rate rises to 15%.

Also known as “break-bone” fever, dengue is the Swahili term for “a sudden overtaking by a spirit.”

Caused by four distinct virus serotypes (varieties recognized as distinct by the immune system), it is a distant cousin of yellow fever.

Like death and taxes, dengue exempts no one: fat or thin, ugly or beautiful, rich or poor, educated and illiterate. Children, who are exposed in open areas while playing, are more prone although adults are not spared.

I had a friend, a lawyer and a staff of a former senator. He was based in Manila but at one time he went to Baguio, where he contracted dengue.

A few days after bitten, he suffered high fever, severe headache, and pain behind the eyes. There was also an outbreak of rashes in some parts of his body.

From Baguio, he was brought to Manila. But it was already too late.

He reportedly suffered hemorrhage in the liver and died three weeks after being confined in one of the wellknown hospitals in Makati City.

Even doctors die from it, too!

There was a case of a lady physician whose daughter suffered from dengue. Unknowingly, a mosquito which bit her daughter had bitten the doctor. A few days after the daughter died, as a result of dengue, the doctor

also showed manifestations of having dengue. She also died of the same disease.

“Children are much more like to get DHF than adults,” explains Dr. Allan Schapira, who was in-charge on infectious diseases at the WHO regional office in Manila when I interviewed a few years back. “This is the reason why children are much more at risk of dying. In adults, dengue fever usually does not develop to the severe form, DHF. Besides, in many tropical areas immunity builds up during childhood, so many adults do not get dengue fever, even if they were bitten by an infected mosquito.”

Dr. Willie T. Ong, a recipient of the 2007 Outstanding Filipino Physician Award from the health department, suggests some tips on how you can protect yourself and your loved ones against dengue. These are: Clean up your backyard. Empty containers with stagnant water.

Check your surroundings for stagnant water. Close your door and windows all the time. Spray environment-friendly insecticide regularly.

Wear pants, pajamas, long sleeves and socks. Apply insect-repellants or use mosquito nets. Kill those deadly mosquitoes. Involve the community in a clean-up day.

“We already know our enemy and all we have to do is follow what the experts have been telling us,” Dr. Dominic L. Garcia, an infectious disease specialist points out. “If we will do it now, thousands of people will be saved from death.”

It’s dengue fever season!

pass the virus on to the next person it bites.

Symptoms of dengue vary according to the age and health of the patient. “Dengue should be suspected when a high fever is accompanied by two of the following symptoms: severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, vomiting, swollen glands or rash,” says the United Nations health agency.

Generally, symptoms last for 2-7 days, after an incubation period of 4-10 days after the bite from an infected mosquito.

But the deadly form of the infection, called dengue hemorrhagic feve r (DHF), is another story. DHF’s deadly complication is due to plasma leaking, fluid accumulation, respiratory distress, severe bleeding, or organ impairment.

“Warning signs (of DHF) occur 3-7 days after the first symptoms in conjunction with a decrease in temperature and include: severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, bleeding gums, fatigue, restlessness, blood in vomit,” the WHO says. “The next 24-48 hours of the critical state can be lethal: proper medical care is needed to avoid complications and risk of death.”

In an article I wrote for Reader’s Digest, I had the opportunity of interviewing Dr. Lulu Bravo, a professor at the University of the Philippines College of Medicine. She said that in DHF, cells release chemicals that trigger leakage of plasma from blood vessels. “Fluids accumulate in body

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

cavities, causing profound shock.

Death often results from bleeding in the brain, intestines or other organs,” she said.

In the Philippines, dengue is a leading cause of childhood hospitalizations. “Approximately 36% of annual dengue infection occur among children aged 1-9 years, and the average age of infection is 12 years,” wrote Dr. Maria Rosario Capeding, of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, in Dengue Matters.

“As a mother and doctor, I have personally experienced the impact that dengue has on the family,” Dr. Capeding wrote. “When my son contracted dengue, he reached his second day (the critical phase for the risk of hemorrhage) without fever, but still experienced a significantly decreased white blood count and an alarmingly low platelet count. For-

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ANTI-ISIS... FROM 1 owners of unattended bags and backpacks in places and the other on possession of fake IDs. “All packages and boxes dapat pagsulod sa terminals, naa gyud pangalan, address, everything. Kung nabiyaan ninyo unya dili mo ma contact, muabot ang bomb squad, diha pa na claim, ma penalize mo,”

he said.

However, the vice mayor said that these ordinances are still on further study in order to prevent violation of human rights of citizens.

The said ordinances, according to the vice mayor were consulted with Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio.

taking their chances to move towards Banggolo bridge from wherever they are in the conflict zone and cross the estimated 40-meter bridge to the designated collection point manned by soldiers, or be caught in the crossfire, hit by bombs, or die of hunger.

The trapped civilians, he said, are taking the risk to escape or “die inside their house.”

“There is danger all around them, left or right, back, front,” he said, adding that it is “the human determination to live that drives them to face this danger and expect that they would cross the bridge” to safety.

He said the military has already penetrated the area “but not really completely.”

Air strikes continued on Monday, even during the flag-raising ceremonies.

ians, an estimated there are still an estimated 100 hostages held by the Maute Group as of Thursday last week, according to Brig. Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista.

Bautista on Thursday chief of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, who has direct supervision over the 103rd Brigade here, said “within four days we will gain headway” or by June 12 which happens to be Philippine Independence Daoy.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Sunday confirmed the United States is providing technical assistance by coordinating communications link between the P3 Orion spy plane and the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ air and ground forces fighting the terrorist Maute Group.

“If we count bombs, we’re counting dead bodies” “When you get used to the sound of bombs, you don’t know how many or how less.

Basta you know it’s frequent,” Adiong told reporters, adding “we’re not counting the bombs because if we count the bombs, we’re counting dead bodies, also damaged property.”

Distress calls from trapped families are “not as frequent as the early days of the fighting,” Adiong said. He explained it could be because some of them have been rescued, or they could not charge their phones.

Or the worst has happened.

Adiong said they have a matrix of where the distress calls were coming from, which they would use “as basis to identify the bodies” in the event the callers did not survive.

He explained that they have already prepared the protocols “once the bridge is open for retrieval operations.”

He said there will be a mobile laboratory where experts will get tissue samplings that would later be matched with samples taken from relatives of those whose family members could not be accounted for.

Adiong added they have to consult the Ulama if it would be allowed under the Shariah for forensic experts to handle their dead given the religious and cultural traditions. “We have to be very, very sensitive as to culture and religion.”

Marawi is the country’s lone Islamic City. (MINDANEWS)

Adiong... FROM 2

Get trapped civilians out Adiong told MindaNews that since the airstrikes started on May 25, there has not been a day of respite from aerial bombings. “Every day,” he said.

The ancestral home of the late Senator Ahmad Domocao Alonto, he said, was hit by an air strike earlier that morning.

In a statement Monday, the Saving Lives Movement, a Muslim-Christian network aiming to highlight the humanitarian aspect of the Marawi Crisis, and the Ranao Rescue Team appealed in an open letter to the Armed Forces of the Philippines for a four-hour pause “to get the trapped out of war zones in Marawi.”

On June 4, volunteer rescue teams from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front side of the Government-MILF Peace Corridor were allowed to enter the conflict zone by both the military and the Maute Group, brokered by an emissary, allowing for the rescue, initially of 134 trapped residents. At least 45 more managed to move closer to safety.

MindaNews sought Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez for his response to the appeal of Saving Lives Movement but he sent no reply.

Adiong and Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera on Friday estimated the number of trapped civilians at “500 to 1,000.” Saving Lives Movement’s estimate on June 12 is 2,000.

Aside from trapped civil-

Ampatuan... FROM 2 trial as a respondent for the Maguindanao massacre case, faces a total of 272 corruption cases covering three batches of charges alleging anomalous disbursement of public funds in Maguindanao.

The massacre claimed the lives of 58 civilians, including 15 women and 32 media practitioners, in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao on Nov. 23, 2009. (Perfecto T. Raymundo/PNA)

COME-ONS. A wide array of knock off ready-to-wear clothes are on display at the entrance of an establishment along R. Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

Let’s heal wounds of conflict: Dureza P

RESIDENTIAL peace adviser Jesus Dureza on Monday urged stakeholders to work on relationship building and healing the wounds and divisions brought about by armed conflict.

“I always say this before, and even now, I can build easily the [physical] structures destroyed by the [armed] conflict. I can also build the school buildings that were burned down. But building of the relationships, bringing back social cohesion, and mending the torn social fabric brought about the conflict takes time. The healing takes time,” Dureza said in his speech during the celebration of the country’s 119th Independence Day. Dureza was in this city on Monday to represent President Rodrigo Duterte for the nationwide commemoration.

He, along with Mayor Isabelle “Beng” Climaco-Salazar, hoisted the Philippine flag and laying of the wreaths at the iconic Plaza Rizal, fronting the City Hall.

Dureza emphasized the very important process of healing amid the crisis in Marawi and the continuing recovery of Zamboanga City following the

2013’s siege.

“I see here in Zamboanga, the healing process has already started. And we can see the results. This is principally due to the leadership of Mayor Beng and the city officials in cooperation with the military, police, and members of the different sector, and most especially the civilians,” the presidential adviser said.

He noted that indications show that Zamboanga “is now moving forward. The city is already building torn relationships.”

Dureza emphasized that the healing process is one of the lessons that could help the current conflict besetting in Marawi.

The rehabilitation process “is not only to rebuild damaged physical structures in Marawi, but the most important task, which is not easy to do, is building back broken relationships and healing the wounds.”

“There is a strong need for social healing…and see to it that we don’t have a continuity of this conflict,” he said.

At the same time, Dureza reiterated the need to check “hatred and deep-seated bias-

es” to advance the cause.

“When you say, ‘I’m going to help bring about peace’. I will ask you: are you at peace with yourself? Because if you have anxieties, angsts, and hatred, then you cannot radiate to others what you do not have.

And that is the lesson that we should learn. Because you cannot give what you do not have,” he said.

Equally essential is the strong vigilance of the community to deny terror and extremist groups to set foot in their community.

“One vital measure is for the community to pass timely information to the authorities to prevent similar tragedies,” Dureza said, referring to the strong vigilance of the community in thwarting possible attack of the dreaded Abu Sayyaf Group in Bohol last April Dureza said healing and rebuilding relationships are among the major thrusts of the Office of the Presidential Peace Adviser (OPAPP), which is tasked to address the underlying causes of the armed conflict in the country.

At present, the OPAPP is working under the six-point

peace and development roadmap of the Duterte administration.

The roadmap covers the implementation of the all the peace agreements the government had signed with the Moro fronts and the ongoing peace negations with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

In parallel, the peace roadmap also provides the needed socio-economic interventions to conflict-affected areas in the country.

“The road to peace is not paved. There are humps and bumps. What is important is that we all stay the course,” Dureza said.

Dureza encouraged the people of Zamboanga City to share stories and lessons from the siege, starting with those heroes who fought and died during the armed conflict.

“As we celebrate our 119 Independence Day celebration, we remember all our heroes in the past and also our present day heroes,” he added, referring to those security forces who paid the ultimate sacrifice to bring peace in the country.

Billion-budget have been allocated for assistance to informal communities but does not include Visayas and Mindanao.

“Previously, sa NCR lang tanan. Karon, balanced na dapat. We have a lot of problems regarding informal communities here in Davao that should be addressed.”

Cabling said that for the present administration, SHFC is eyeing for social housing

budget of at least one billion for Visayas and one billion for Mindanao.

In Davao City, the number of families that are informal settlers ranges for up to 50 to 100 thousand families.

SHFC is a subsidiary of National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation that offer social housing programs to cater to formal and informal sectors in the low-income bracket.

systemic shift to federalism, to the people… Because at the end of the day it is the Filipino people, including the Bangsamoro (and) the Lumads, that will decide whether we will accept the system of federalism or not,” Alonto said.

“Let us not waste time.

By 2019, let us have the plebiscite, the referendum for the Filipino people to decide,” he added.

Under a federal form of

government, each of the states will be empowered to provide opportunities for their own people instead of the opportunities being concentrated merely in Metro Manila under the present system.

Each state will retain most of their revenues, or between 75 to 80 percent, so they would also have the resources to improve their local economy. (Filane Mikee Cervantes/ PNA)

tween Southern Leyte and Mindanao Island, the region is still safe for tourists to visit, but law enforcement operatives are not complacent, heightening security watch in ports closer to Mindanao.

The police, military, and Coast Guard are doing checkpoints and intensify their presence in the ports of Liloan and

San Ricardo in Southern Leyte, the main gateways for travellers going to Mindanao.

Inspection of plate numbers and visual checks to vehicle arriving at seaports or ferry terminals is regularly done to ensure that members of extremist group will not reach the region.

In Tacloban City, the police

and military have been doing checkpoints in entry and exit points. The city’s shorelines are also closely monitored to prevent the entry of lawless groups.

Naval town Mayor Gerard Espina also took precautionary measures after the foiled Bohol attack and Marawi City siege by convening the municipal peace

and order council to formulate contingency plans in case of emergency.

“We would like everyone to be vigilant in reporting suspicious persons in our villages. At least by doing this, our sectors and agencies will know what to do if such unfortunate incidents will happen here in Naval,” Espina said. (PNA)

SHFC... FROM 3

DOT... FROM 3

All-Moro... FROM 2

INdulge!

Home of brick oven pizza opens in Davao Rice meals starting thursday, June 15, 2017

By BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO CREATING a memorable dining experience begins at the mere mention of the name (restaurant) or the dish itself. One

way or another, the mere mention is what allows us to crave and yearn for a definite and particular taste.

For pizza lovers, it’s

definitely the taste, smell and texture of brick oven pizza. And in Davao, there isn’t

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UP AND ABOUT

EDGEDAVAO

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A summer to remember at SM Lanang Premier T H ROUG HOU T SUMMER, SM Lanang Premier was a destination for fun and learning for kids.

Various activities provided children with wonderful learning experiences that made this year’s summer vacation memorable.

The mall’s Summer Bento Workshop gathered dozens of culinary curious kids who discovered the art of creating colorful meals that are delicious to look at and eat.

This activity was led by Kat Maderazo and Trish Bustamante of Bento by Kat, a creative group that provides lessons for parents on creating healthy meals for picky kids.

Meanwhile, in SM Lanang Premier’s Art Weekend, kids unleashed their creativity through painting and clay crafting.

This summer art workshop was made possible in partnership with Dr. Helen Chu who leads the Davao chapter of Global Art. Kids aged 7-15 gamely learned new art skills from five of Global Art artist/instructors who discussed visual art fundamentals.

Over 80 young athletes also convened in SM Lanang Premier for a sports event by the Association for the Advancement of Karatedo Philippines

(AAK).

The AAK Tournament 2017 - Super Karate Kids celebrated sportsmanship with participants from Manila, Bacolod, and Davao.

The young athletes engaged in friendly competition on Kata and Kumite (freestyle fighting).

Throughout the weekends of May, music-loving kids and their parents also joined a ukulele workshop held in partnership with Sound Essentials. This resulted in an exciting music discovery experience from featured string

instruments.

“SM Lanang Premier is an exciting destination for kids all year round,” said SM Lanang Premier mall manager Therese Lapena Manalo. “We partner with passionate organizations to create meaningful and fun activities that transform the mall into a space for kids’ creative expression and learning.”

For updates on exciting activities, follow SM Lanang Premier in social media: Facebook.com/ smlanangpremier and @smlanangpremier in Twitter and Instagram.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 52 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

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as many brick oven restaurants as our cravings.

Until Café Canary happened.

Located near an academe and inside a richly packed subdivision, Café Canary is the newest gastronomic hub to open in the city. It’s quaint, clean and relaxing – the ambiance alone is already invigorating. Pair that with a menu that’s downright specific, surely you’ll expect to drool at the first instance.

The simplicity is what sets them apart from the rest. Executive Chef Jeffrey Tabucan happily gushed about the fact that he gets to prepare, cook food and at the same time, make others feel good about the food at Café Canary.

“Brick oven pizza is how a pizza should be. Here at Café Canary, we make sure that we give you your ultimate pizza experience -- something you won’t get from others”, he said.

Brick oven pizza may be their main attraction but it truly is not just about pizza at Café Canary. They also serve a most delicious selection of al dente pasta with the freshest of ingredients you can taste. Choose from Spaghetti Bolognese, Fettuccine Carbonara, Shrimp Aglio Oglio, Cajun Shrimp and Penne Arabiatta. For starters, order either a plate of cheesy Na-

chos or their delish take on Gambas to have your tummies on a roll. Don’t blame me if you cannot stop munching on these treats. Oh and you are very welcome.

A simple service officiated by Pastor Grace Alquiza Bangisan of UCCP was held during the soft opening.

Though still on their soft opening, go ahead and indulge on their deli-

cious selection. For the best experience, order a variety and you’ll soon have a favourite without you knowing. Tip: their Ollie Sardines Pizza is amasingly delicious, their plate of Shrimp Aglio Oglio is something you’d want to last forever and their Gambas is out of this world – very naked on the taste and one that will leave an impression onto your palates.

Café Canary Brick Oven Pizza variants: Margherita Flamingo, Hawaiian Alpha Flip, Bacorn Mctwist, Ollie Sardines, All Cheese Cannonball, Classic Hoho, Salted Egg & Chorizo Helipop, Pepperoni Primo and Cheesy Steak Madonna.

Breakfast meals: Hungarian sausage & herb egg with rice; Bacon and egg with rice. Main course: Crispy chicken steak; lamb steak; Cajun salmon with baked potato; pan seared tuna steak with baked potato Café Canary is located at Calacuchi street corner Acacia avenue, Juna Subdivision, Matina, Davao City Operating hours: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm Facebook: @cafecanarydavaoph Instagram: @cafecanary

EDGEDAVAO

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EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

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

11 PROPERTY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 52 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

Matina Enclaves’ sellers and realtors with clients during the Independence Day Open House at the Esdevco Showroom.

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Matina Enclaves holds Open House, fetes top sellers T

HE Matina Enclaves held its monthly Open House with the Independence Day theme on Friday, June 9, at the Escandor Development Corporation (Esdevco) Showroom along Ecoland.

The regular Open House coincided with the country’s celebration of Independence Day on June 12.

Matina Enclaves’ “heroes” in sales also received recognition for their accomplishment for the month.

The monthly top sellers are: First-- Natalie Grace Suner from Furog Realty, 2nd--Carmen Uy from Visitacion Realty, 3rd--Joey Samson from Ablas Realty, 4th--Glenda Fernandez from Furog Realty, 5th--Roche De Roda from Leuterio Realty, 6th--Sharon Laurie from Leuterio Realty, 7th--Charity Furog, REB from Furog Realty, and 8th--Venus Saludo from Leuterio Realty.

All sellers and buyers received complimentary buffet lunch and/or one night stay at the Royal Mandaya Hotel courtesy of Esdevco.

A round trip international destination ticket will also be raffled off exclusive to all June buyers and sellers with the winners to be announced on July 1.

12 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO

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The importance of water Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

T

HE right to water is a basic human right.

“A person can survive only three to five days without water, in some cases people have survived for an average of one week,” says thewaterpage.com. “Once the body is deprived of fluids the cells and organs in the body begin to deteriorate. The presence of water in the body could mean the difference between life and death.”

Studies have shown that Filipinos consume about 310 to 507 million cubic meters of water each day. “A household of five needs at least 120 liters per days to meet basic needs – for drinking, food preparation, cooking and cleaning up, washing and personal hygiene, laundry, house cleaning,” wrote David Satterthwaite and Gordon McGranahan in their collaborative report published in the State of the World a few years back.

Life, as we know it, cannot exist without water. As Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, Hungarian biochemist and Nobel Prize winner for medicine, puts it: “Water is life’s mater and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water.”

That’s why when you are thirsty, drink water. “Getting enough water every day is important for your health,” the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reminds. “Healthy people meet their fluid needs by drinking when thirsty and drinking with meals. Most of your fluid needs are met through the water and beverages you drink.”

There are other sources of water aside from the obvious glass of water. “You can also get this critical nutrient from food,” says the website, www. universalclass. com. “Vegetables like lettuce, cucumber, tomato, sugar snap peas, and celery have a very high-water content, which also makes them very low in calories but still high in nutrient value.

Fruits like oranges, pineapples, strawberries, and others, also have high water content. Broth based soups, milk, and juices do contain a high percentage of water.”

But how much water should you drink? “Enough to pass two quarts of urine a day,” says Dr. Peter D. Fugelso, medical director of the Kidney

Stone Department at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in California. “If you’ve been working out in the garden all day under the hot sun, that could mean you’ll need to drink two gallons,” he adds. “It’s the amount of urine that matters.”

A bit of caution: don’t overdrink water. In an article which appeared in “Daily Mail,” Sophie Borland wrote that drinking too much water “can be bad for your health.” She said that British actor Anthony Andrews, who starred in the ITV adaptation of Brideshead Revisited, was hit by the illness after drinking too much water during rehearsals for a West End role in 2003.

Borland cited a study done

by Glasgow-based GP Margaret McCartney which showed that drinking when not thirsty “can impair concentration, rather than boost it.”

Writing in the British Medical Journal, Dr. McCartney also pointed out that “drinking excessive amounts can also lead

to loss of sleep as people have to get up in the night to go to the toilet, and other studies show it can even cause kidney damage, instead of preventing it.”

Water is not only for drinking. In the Philippines, water is the single most important component for sustainable rice production, especially in the traditional rice growing areas.

Current rice production systems consume a high amount of water. It takes about 3,000 liters of water to produce one kilogram of rice, reports the Laguna-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

In his book, Food Revolution, author John Robbins said that 23 gallons of water is needed to produce one pound of lettuce, 23 gallons for one pound of tomatoes, 24 gallons for one pound of potatoes, 25 gallons for one pound of wheat, 33 gallons for one pound of carrots, and 49 gallons for one pound of apples.

Meat production also con-

sumes a lot of water. “Agriculture uses about 70% of the world’s available freshwater, and one third of that is used to grow the grain fed to livestock,” reports the Worldwatch Institute.

Beef, the meat used in most fastfood outlets, is by far the most water-intensive of all meats. “The more than 15,000 liters of water used per kilogram is far more than is required by a number of staple foods, such as eggs (3,300 liters per kilogram), milk (1,000 liters), or potatoes (255 liters).”

The US Department of Commerce 1992 Census of Agriculture’s Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey, published in 1994, reported that one pound of pork needs at least 1,630 gallons of water to produce but in contrast one pound of beef requires 5,214 gallons of water.

“Producing beef is much more resource-intensive than producing pork or chicken,

requiring roughly three to five times as much land to generate the same amount of protein,” the Worldwatch Institute points out. “Beef production alone uses about three fifths of global farmland but yields less than 5% of the world’s protein.”

Around the world, more than 40% of wheat, rye, oats, and corn production is fed to animals, along with 250 million tons of soybeans and other oilseeds. “Feeding grain to livestock improves their fertility and growth, but it sets up a de facto competition for food between animals and people,” the Worldwatch Institute says.

So far, how much water have you used since you were born?

If you can’t guess, you’re not alone. Your Water Footprint, authored by Stephen Leahy, gives some ideas. For instance, to produce one smartphone requires 910 liters – or 240 gallons – of water.

“Cellphones and smartphones use water throughout their production process, from creating the microchips to mining the metals used in the batteries to polishing the silica glass used in their touch screens,” the book informs. “In total, each phone requires 910 liters of water to manufacture.”

It has been predicted that the number of activated cellphones is soon expected to exceed the world’s population.

“To manufacture these phones will require 6.7 trillion liters (1.8 trillion gallons) of water, much of it blue and grey,” Leahy said.

Let’s talk about soft drinks.

One 500-milliliter (17-ounce) bottle of soft drink requires

175 liters (46 gallons) of water.

Soft drink is almost entirely water so a half-liter bottle effectively contains a half-liter of water.

“That’s the direct water input,” pointed out Leahy, an independent journalist for over 20 years who has reported on environmental issues from dozens of countries. “But soft drink is not just water in a bottle. When you include the production of all the flavoring ingredients (the highest consumptive factor), the manufacturing and supply chain, each bottle requires about 175 liters.”

A water footprint, as Leahy defined it, is the amount of water ‘consumed’ to make, grow or produce something. “I use the word consumed to make it clear this is water that can no longer be used for anything else,” he said.

Leahy explained it further in these words: “The water footprint of 500 ml of bottled water is 5.5 liters: 0.5 for the water in the bottle and another five contaminated in the process of making the plastic bottle from oil. The five liters consumed in making the bottle are as real water as the 500 ml you might drink but hardly anyone in business or government accounts for it.”

While water is touted to be life itself, it also takes lives.

The notion that water can carry disease first occurred to the ancient Greeks. The physician Hippocrates, the ancient innovator of medical ethics, advised that polluted water be boiled or filtered before being consumed.

“As many as 76 million

F HEALTH, 13

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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

EDGEDAVAO

National... FROM 7

ICT in agriculture The Agriculture and Fish-

eries Modernization Act of the Philippines has underscored the need to “modernize the agriculture and fisheries sectors by transforming these sectors from a resource-based to a technology-based industry.” Since it was signed into law in 1997, both the

government and the private sector have taken advantage of emerging technologies. For instance, the DA’s Agricultural Training Institute created an e-learning platform and a web-based agriculture and fisheries market information system.

people – mainly children – will die from preventable, water-related diseases by 2020 even if current United Nations goals are reached,” deplored Dr. Peter H. Gleick, director of the Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment and Security.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimated some nine million people, mostly children, die annually from water-borne diseases.

“The toll is equal to 75 large airline crashes daily,” said an UN official.

Installing a flush toilet in the home increases a newborn child’s chances of celebrating a first birthday by 59%, studies show. In the Philippines, out of every 1,000 children, 27 never make it to their first birthday.

“An estimated 50% of typhoid cases (in the Philippines) are due to water pollution, sanitation conditions and hygiene practices,” a World Bank report states. “Outbreaks are commonly associated with contaminated water supply systems.”

Something must be done.

“All of these diseases are associated with our failure to provide clean water,” Dr. Gleick commented. “I think it’s terribly bleak, especially because we know what needs to be done to prevent these deaths.

We’re doing some of it, but the efforts that are being made are not aggressive enough.”

Today’s “crisis in water and sanitation is – above all – a crisis of the poor,” observed the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) study, “Beyond Scarcity: Power, Poverty and the Water Crisis.”

In Tawi-Tawi province, 82 out of every 100 residents lack safe water. In Bataan, the number of residents exposed to unsafe water is a low 3, while it is at 39 in Capiz.

In the past, water was considered an infinite resource.

This thinking was exemplified

by Adam Smith who pointed out in his classic work – The Wealth of Nations – that unlimited supply of fresh water explained why it cost nothing, even though it was vital to all

life.

The project is part of a larger FAO-ITU partnership to strengthen the e-agriculture environment and develop ICT-mediated solutions for countries in Asia-Pacific.

HEALTH... FROM 12

Earth is a water world as water covers 71% of the world’s total surface. This represents a volume of 1,400 million cubic kilometers, according to United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

About 97.5% is too salty to be consumed or used for industrial or agricultural purposes.

Fresh water represents 2.5% of the water total.

“Unlike copper, oil, and most other commodities, fresh water is not a resource that acquires value only when it is extracted and put to human use,” noted Sandra Postel and Amy Vickers, authors of Handbook of Water Use and Conservation: Homes, Landscapes, Businesses, Industries, Farms.

“Most fundamentally, fresh water is a life support. When we pump or divert water to meet human demands, we tap into a living system that myriad other species depend on for their survival and that performs valuable services for the human economy,” they added.

14 MOTORING EDGEDAVAO

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First drive Subaru XV 2018

S

IX years ago, when it was spun out as its own distinct model (it used to be a variant of the Impreza), Subaru successfully carved a market for itself. No one, probably not even Subaru, thought that a slightly-smaller-but-nottoo-small compact crossover would quickly become one of its most loved and best-selling core models. Hoping that lightning would strike twice, the all-wheel drive specialist isn’t taking any chances.

This is immediately apparent by staring at the design which sticks to a familiar silhouette because, apparently, that’s what Subaru XV buyers want (or so says Subaru). As such, it’s basically a raised Impreza hatchback that’s toughened up with additional cladding, roof rails, and wider tracks to accommodate meatier tires. Dig deeper though and some design elements do stand out. See the new 18-inch rim design? They’re supposed to echo the intersecting side body creases while gaining an inch in size (it matches the Forester XT’s 225/55R18). And that new grille? It’s now distinct from the Impreza’s and filled with a pattern that echoes the bordering hexagonal shape.

Like its exterior, the 2018 Subaru XV’s interior is largely the Impreza’s, and that’s a good thing. It feels cutting edge from its choice of materials to the layout and design. The chrome, carbon fiber, aluminum, and high-gloss black accents all blend together creating a hightech look without compromising on two brand hallmarks: space and visibility. Compared to the cut-and-dried interiors of past Subarus, there’s a bit of learning curve in here, especially when it comes to operating the various LCD screens (there are three). But once you figure out which button or toggle switch operates which screen, it’s all a cinch. There are also new interior elements that add a dose of fun like the orange stitching on the dashboard and seats, orange highlights on the instrument cluster, and the hexagonal pattern on the perforated leather seats.

In terms of space utilization, there’s almost nothing to complain about the 2018 Subaru XV. It’s done well to resist the

urge to grow in terms of exterior dimensions while growing inside. But while it has vastly more head, shoulder, and leg room than before, the Subaru XV still fails to implement the clean sill design of the Forester. The floor height and door sills may have been lowered, but soiled pant legs are still the norm when stepping in or out after playing in the mud pit. It’s a missed opportunity for sure.

On the subject of mud pits and off-roading, a handling course was constructed to show off the 2018 Subaru XV’s handling chops. The first obstacle is something very familiar to Subaru enthusiasts: the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (SAWD) course. Consisting of steel ramps and rollers, it’s meant to show that this crossover means business. It may look like a fashion accessory of sorts, but the Subaru XV’s the real deal with an 18-degree approach and 30-degree departure angle. It’s even managed to retain the 220 mm ground clearance (better aerodynamics have been served by numerous underbody panels). It also gains the much-vaulted X-MODE system.

A pleasant surprise here is the log pit which, even when taken at full speed, failed to shake the cabin and undercarriage. It’s a rattle-free, shake-free ride—a testament to the Subaru Global Platform’s solidity.

Speaking about the Subaru Global Platform, the two other handling courses were meant to highlight the Subaru XV’s class-leading handling compared to two other compact crossovers: the Mazda CX-3 and the Honda HR-V. The second obstacle featured a highspeed gymkhana course complete with a skid pad covered in sand and mud. Pitted against the CX-3, the Subaru XV is way easier to control. Because of its shorter wheelbase, the Mazda can snap into oversteer quickly that’s almost impossible to recover from. In comparison, the Subaru XV’s longer wheelbase and brake-based Torque Vectoring Control manages to fulfill WRC fantasies power sliding through the skid pad. A simple tug of the steering wheel is all that’s needed to track straight once more; no drama, no fuss.

The final handling course

ups that experience by having the Subaru XV do a high-speed right hander on a steel plate covered in oil. After that, it’s more left-right-left transitions, again covered in oil. This is an exaggeration at the highest level, but once again proves the sheer ability of the Subaru XV’s underpinnings. Although the HR-V put up a good fight

ther on Grow Micro Program or TESDA-based Skills Training Program, by which they will soon undergo.

Some 600 individuals also availed the free services offered by the participating national line agencies like the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), National

Bureau of Investigation (NBI), PhilHealth and SSS, among others.

During the opening of the one-day fair, Mayor Allan Rellon stressed that the City Government of Tagum will never be selfish in providing its constituents with job and other life-improving opportunities. He also urged the par-

Jobseekers... FROM 6 Up Budgeting Program of the city were also given the opportunity to market their products during the fair.

On the other hand, the city government also assembled at least 180 of its STAND (Seryosong Tagumenyo Ayaw ng Droga) Rehabilation Program graduates to orientate them with the programs, ei-

enhanced with a revised final drive for Subaru XV duty. It’s just that the chassis can take much more grunt—it’s that good. Sadly though, there are no plans to release a turbocharged variant, not even one sporting a downsized engine.

Nonetheless, 95 percent of the time, this new direct injection equipped engine delivers pep-

Kin... FROM 3

ISIS ‘emir’ in Southeast Asia, Isnilon Hapilon, last May 23.

Thirteen of the recent losses were Marine troopers who were killed in a major engagement which lasted for some 14 hours, erupted between

Marine units and Maute Group terrorists at Barangay Lilot Madaya in Marawi City Friday.

Fighting started 3:30 a.m. and ended 5 p.m. of June 9.

Around 40 were also reported wounded. (PNA)

CMDF is working with DPWH to endorse 43 graduates of DPWH’S Project Managers Course for certification to ECOMTCP. The program is the practical answer to the growing demand for competent and certified construction project managers.

ECOMTCP shows the government’s drive to fully support the projected growth of

the construction industry by advocating for competent and globally competitive Filipino workforce. DTI-CIAP thru CMDF as mandated by PD No. 1746 continues to run and develop various programs to support construction industry professionals and workers in improving their knowledge and skills and work their way to nation building.

with rental of P9,000 a month needs to own at least a 28door property, which is equivalent to a small building, to breach the VAT threshold. Given how unlikely this is, renters who pay P9,000 a month will effectively not be paying VAT under the proposal,” Chua said.

Chua said public transport fares are also supposed to remain the same because “legitimate public transportation operators with valid franchises will be covered under the government’s Pantawid Pasada program.”

HB 5636 provides for this Pantawid program, in which drivers of public utility vehicles will be given cash cards, to “offset the potential price increase in fuel, hence there would be no need for fare increases,” Chua said.

For liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), Chua said the increase per year under TRAIN will only amount to P548, significantly lower than the P776 estimate made by critics of the bill.

“A standard 11-kilogram tank of LPG contains around 20 liters. This is equivalent to a P60 peso increase per tank. According to a survey by the PSA [Philippine Statistics Authority], an average family consumes around 9 tanks annually. This is equivalent to an additional P548 a year,” Chua said.

“For electricity rates, small power utilities groups, which supply power to majority of Filipinos, have heavily subsidized rates and only a fraction of the generation cost will be affected by the excise tax. The DOF estimates that a household consuming 200 kwh will pay an extra P70 a month, which is P840 a year, in contrast to some critics’ estimate of P3,600 annually,” he added.

In all, taking into account other expenses such as rice, fish, sugar, coffee, milk and other food items and basic necessities, a family of four with two dependents will incur additional expenses of P4,488 per year, which will be offset by the P20,000 annual increase in their takehome pay or a net benefit of P15,512 as a result of the

lowering of personal income tax rates under TRAIN, Chua said.

Chua made this clarification in countering the claim by certain TRAIN critics that the same family of four would have to cough up an additional P29,828.80 per year in expenses under HB 5636, adding that such calculations were made with computational errors like double counting.

He said the DOF estimates the inflationary impact of the oil excise only to be around 0.9 percent on top of the usual inflation.

“The DOF’s computation is even higher than the estimates of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas of 0.6 percent increase, the authority on prices and inflation. The critics’ estimate is much higher at 5 to 6 percent, that’s why their price increase estimates for food items are significantly higher,” Chua said.

HB 5636 was passed before the congressional recess after President Duterte had certified the bill as urgent, given its design to help provide a steady revenue stream to his government’s ambitious high—and inclusive—growth agenda anchored on record spending on infrastructure, human capital and social protection for the poor and other vulnerable sectors.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the DOF will continue to hold dialogues with senators during the remaining weeks of the congressional break to explain to them the merits of tax reform package and convince them to retain the original DOF-endorsed version outlined in Cua’s HB 4774.

“I’m very confident that our legislators are very aware of what is needed in the country, and are very responsive to what the country needs. I’m very confident that we will all sit together, and reason together, and come to a bill that will be good for country,” Dominguez said.

Dominguez said he hopes the Senate will retain the original features of TRAIN under HB 4774 to optimize the bill’s revenue gains, which were trimmed under the House-approved version. (DOF)

DTI-CIAP... FROM 4

DOF... FROM 4

this time (admittedly, Honda’s stability control is well-tuned), it reaches its limits early on. It’s easy to slide the HR-V’s rear and once it lets go, it’s a toothand-nail battle just to regain composure. Meanwhile, the Subaru XV can go through the course again and again (three laps in total) at progressively higher speeds. Simply put, it can operate at a wider range of speed through the same oil-ridden course with little difficulty.

Filled with curves, tight corners, and almost no straights, all three handling courses seem to downplay the Subaru XV’s glaring weakness: the lack of outright power.

However, this is all subjective since the 2.0-liter FB20 does make more power (156 horsepower, 196 Nm of torque) than the CX-3 or HR-V. Even the Lineartronic CVT is responsive,

py response and potentially long road trips thanks to its 63-liter tank (13 liters more than the Impreza).

The original Subaru XV stuck a chord with buyers with its fun and out-of-thebox design and execution. It blends style, substance, and safety, offering true SUV performance in a city-friendly package. It’s pleasing to the eye, comfortable, and can go off the beaten path when needed.

The all-new 2018 Subaru XV continues where the previous model left off. It remains bold while also smoothening out all of the rough edges of the previous model, and then some.

Though a full Philippine test drive beckons when it arrives in September, as it stands, Subaru has once again come up with a hard-to-beat package once more.

ticipants of the activity to find a role in keeping the freedom of the country especially with today’s challenging times.

Tagum City capped this year’s Independence Day celebration with a fun run activity that was participated by hundreds from both public and private sectors. Roy Banias/ CIO Tagum

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 52 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

TRAINING HARDER. Jeff Horn’s trainer said he has studies Manny Pacquiao for 16 years.

J

as a world titleholder.

Horn takes on Pacquiao in Australia’s biggest-ever fight at Suncorp Stadium on July 2.

“Manny has never fought anyone like Jeff,’’ Rushton said.

“And Jeff is the kind of fighter who is difficult to prepare for because you never know what’s coming at you.

“He can turn southpaw like Manny, he can hit you with right hand leads and he can move and fight from angles that Manny hasn’t encountered before.’’

Pacquiao is training with his main sparring partner, Sydney’s George Kambosos, in his hometown of General Santos City and will fly to

Brisbane on June 24 with 200 supporters on a chartered jet.

Thousands more Filipinos are expected in a crowd that could be over 50,000 strong.

Horn is planning all sorts of surprises for Pacquiao and the Brisbane boxer’s conditioning coach, Dundee Kim, says Horn’s movement and shock right hand are keys to victory.

“I’ve been studying Manny for 16 years and no one he has ever fought boxes like Jeff,’’ Kim said.

“Most guys Manny has fought come into the ring and they are predictable. Even Tim Bradley - who is a very good boxer – they all start with the left jab, right hand, left hook.

But Jeff throws punches from everywhere. He can throw right hand leads as fast as jabs and he can turn southpaw quickly to throw opponents off their game. His pressure technique upsets his opponents’ rhythm.

“I think Manny will really get a shock when Jeff starts hitting him hard from angles Manny hasn’t seen before.’’

Pacquiao’s Australian-born conditioning coach, Los Angeles-based Justin Fortune, told the Manila Times earlier this week that Pacquiao was well aware of Horn’s punching power and would not underestimate him.

“He (Horn) is hungry and

PH cyclists eye gold in SEAG

OUTHEAST Asian (SEA) Games bound men’s cycling team tries to regain respect when they go for the gold in various team competitions in the 29th edition of regional biennial sports conclave which starts August 14 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Internationalist and veteran rider Norberto Oconer, head coach of the men’s national team on Tuesday said, that his riders are conducting regular training -– both in track and oval putting premi-

W

STILL THE MAN. Manny Pacquiao remains the favorite to beat Jeff Horn in Brisbane.

ELEMENT OF SURPRISE Horn camp says Aussie has biggest weapon to stop Manny

EFF Horn’s biggest weapon against Manny Pacquiao will be the element of surprise and he plans to smash the world champion over the head with it.

Horn is calculating that despite the Filipino world champ’s vast experience he has never fought anyone with the unique, awkward style of Brisbane’s Fighting Schoolteacher.

The heavy-hitting Horn hopes his “broken rhythm pressure’’ technique invented by his trainer Glenn Rushton will present the World Boxing Organization welterweight champion with problems he has never encountered in 22 years of pro boxing, 18 of them

S

SPORTS 15

HILE it is true that all national athletes must follow regulations set forth by the National Sports Association for those rules were crafted for the benefit of the athlete.

Yet if any national athlete, like the case of marathoner Mary Joy Tabal, makes a complaint, it is incumbent upon any sports official to hear her out, investigate what really caused the complaint and find a resolution. If the rules clearly benefit the athlete, there will be no complaints

um on scientific strength and psychological conditioning.

“Our riders are in high spirit. They spend almost 1012 hours of practice. They want to bring the gold especially in the team events-like the Team Time Trial (TTT), “ said national coach Oconer, who expressed gratitude on the assistance provided by the government through the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Pilipinas Cycling president head, Representative Abraham Toletntino and their

association’s secretary-general lawyer Billy Sumagi and private supporters that include Seven-Eleven, Storck and Standard Insurance.

“Our riders’ team spirit are worth commendable. They can do it,” Oconer said confidently, himself a gold medalist in the regional meet. He pointed however the lack of international exposure by some of his riders.

The members of the men’s national team are Mark Galedo, George Oconer, John Mier, Ron-

ald Oranza, Jerry Aquino, Boots Cayubit, Rustom Lim, Felipe Marcelo and Romnic Perez.

Out of the nine national riders, three are enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces to include Oconer and Cayubit, both in the air force, and Oranza of the navy.

There are three main events to be contested in cycling –road race, BMX and track. The sub events include criterium, mass start and team time trial. (Primo P. Agatep/ PNA)

(he’s) got nothing to lose,” Fortune said.

“One punch can change everything so I believe Manny won’t take him lightly.”

But Fortune and Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach both claimed that Horn was not as talented as Pacquiao’s last opponent, Mexican-American Jessie Vargas who lost his WBO title to Pacquiao by 12-round decision in November.

“Jessie (Vargas) is a better fighter than him,” Roach said.

“I have only seen Horn for a couple of fights and (he’s) nothing special.

“Horn might be tougher and stronger but overall Jessie Vargas is the better fighter. Jes-

sie’s got more skills.’’

Two of Horn’s sparring partners scored big wins in Brisbane on Saturday night.

Mackay southpaw Liam Paro stopped veteran Alex Ah Tong in round four and Nathan Webber outpointed Thailand’s Paitoon Jaikom.

Webber, a former Australian amateur champion, faces Kostya Tszyu’s fast rising son Tim Tszyu next month in Toowoomba.

Also on Saturday night, rugged cruiserweight Aaron Russell outscored Nikolas Charalampous over 10 rounds and middleweight Adrian Rodriguez stopped Salar King in round eight.

ple-double in his eighth Finals.

Kyrie Irving followed up his 40-point gem in Game 4 with 26 points but shot 9 for 22.

This time, King James gave way to KD, who was the NBA Finals MVP 10 years after being picked second in the NBA draft behind Greg Oden.

Durant drove left, right and down the middle, knocked down 3-pointers, dished and dunked. He hit a 17-foot fadeaway over James early in the fourth quarter, then assisted on a 3-pointer by Andre Iguodala the next time down as the War-

riors pulled away.

Iguodala, the 2015 Finals MVP, came up big again with his 2017 postseason-best 20 points off the bench in a testy, tightly called finale to this trilogy Finals that everyone had stamped on the calendar from the moment Durant departed Oklahoma City to join Curry and Co. last July.

The Warriors won in 2015 before the Cavs made their historic comeback last year. Then it was Golden State’s time again, with Durant as the prized addition.

BACK... FROM 16

Guide national athletes to be independent

in the first place.

Any national athlete deserves to be treated well, for without them, there will never, never be a sports association. Without athletes, there will be no officials.

Without athletes, there will be no requests for financial funding from corporate sponsors or from the Philippine Sports Commission. Nothing!

Frankly, I don’t like the tone of the order reinstating Tabal to the national team, which is seeing action in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games.

CLEAN SLATE

By MOSES P. BILLACURA True, Tabal is a national star. Whether her complaint is baseless or not, PATAFA officials should treat national athletes like their own family, like their own blood. Hey, what happened

to the Golden Rule.

Come on, have you, sports officials, not realized that our national athletes are overworked and underpaid?

Can you blame athletes for grabbing the opportunity to earn outside of NSA-approved or sanctioned events?

Sports leaders should be proactive and not react negatively to complaints raised by any athlete.

I once stated in this paper, encouraging our sports officials to take a leave from international sports com-

petitions and concentrate in building a comprehensive sports development program. That would save millions and millions of pesos, specially air fare expenses, and instead, channel that funds to select and train future sports stars.

Oh well, let the local competitions go on. Why? Because the private sector is willing to spend money for sports because that is part of their marketing budget. If they qualify to an international event, let the private sector sponsor it. As long as there’s no gov-

ernment funding involved.

Sports officials should guide national athletes to eventually be independent. They are the ones who should find corporate sponsors for them to get paid well, that money can support their families and winning international medals will just be a bonus.

Don’t treat them on a tight leash. Instead love them like your wife and children, guide them to be independent and they will fight for God, country, family and you, whoever you are.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 10 ISSUE 52 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017

BACK TO THE THRONE

Golden State bags NBA title with Game 5 win

A

S a fresh NBA champions cap sat a tad off-kilter on his head, Kevin Durant embraced mother Wanda. Then he moved across the podium and hugged Stephen Curry

CHAMP AGAIN. Steph Curry spreads out his arms after sealing Game 5.

before accepting his shiny MVP trophy, holding out his arms and hoisting it for everyone to see.

From the Bay all the way to OKC. Durant

capped his spectacular first season with the Warriors by bringing home that coveted NBA championship he joined Golden State last July so determined to get, scoring 39 points in a fast-and-furious, Finals-clinching 129-120 victory over LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 on Monday night. ‘’You can talk about whatever you want to talk about, but nobody comes in and cares about the game or loves the game as

much as I do or derstood, because he gave up the same works as hard lead to the Warriors a round earlier with as do I at the bas- Oklahoma City.

James, who in 2012 with Miami beat ketball game. You can talk about whatever happens the Thunder in Durant’s only other Finals, on the outside, but inside those wound up with 41 points, 13 rebounds lines, I come to bring it every day,’’ Du- and eight assists. ‘’I left everything on the floor every rant said. ‘’I work hard, I believe in myself, I believe in the game, I respect the game, I game,’’ James said after averaging a trilove the game, and I knew at some point in F BACK, 15 my life that it will come around for me.’’

Stephen Curry added 34 points, 10 assists and six rebounds as Golden State closed out its second title in three years after squandering a 3-1 lead a year ago. That stung ever since, and CHAMP AT LAST. Kevin Durant is now a champion after transferring to the even Durant un- Warriors and wnning over Cleveland in five games.