Edge Davao 10 Issue 55, June 18 - 19, 2017

VOL. 10 ISSUE 55 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 18 - 19, 2017

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EDGEDAVAO

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Serving a seamless society

TO BE YOUNG AND LOVED. A young girl gives her father a warm hug while they are enjoying quality time together feeding pigeons and roaming around Rizal Park in Davao City on Saturday, day before Father’s Day celebration. Lean Daval Jr.

PRO-POOR Housing meant for low income completed by 2018

By JECIA ANNE OPIANA

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HE City Planning Development Office Housing Division of the City Government of Davao is looking forward to finish the building of 21 five-story tenement-type buildings, Phase 2 of their

Los Amigos relocation project by March 2018.

Speaking during the ISpeak Conference on Thursday, CPDO-Housing Division Head Roy Ryan Rigor, said that the housing project in cooperation with

San Miguel Foundation and Pilipinong May Puso Foundation will take place in the remaining seven hectares of the total 20-hectare relocation site in Los Amigos.

According to Rigor, the project will be the first low-

cost housing that is going to be a medium rise tenement type building.

“The 20 buildings will have 840 units with 42 square meters each. Bigger than the regular housing

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 55 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 18 - 19, 2017

SO THE PEOPLE MAY KNOW. Streamers printed with the images of local terrorists are prominently placed outside an establishment along San Pedro Street in Davao City on Saturday. Lean Daval Jr.

Police 11 condemns abduction of DavOr cop

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HE Police Regional Office - 11 (PRO-11) condemned the New People’s Army (NPA) for abducting a police officer in Davao Oriental last week.

PRO-11 acting public information officer Sr. Insp. Catherine dela Rey said Senior Police Officer (SPO) 2 George C. Rupinta who is the Municipal Executive Senior Police Officer of Lupon Municpal Police Station was abducted by the rebel group on June 10 “without any basis.”

This in contrary to the claim of NPA-Southern Mindanao spokesperson Rigoberto Sanchez that Rupinta took by the 6th Pulang Bagani Company and the Guerrilla Front 18 of the NPA Subregional Oper-

ations Command as a prisoner and will face a trial reportedly for his “anti-people activities.”

“The statement of our Regional Director is SPO2 Rupinta was abducted by lawless elements who claimed to be NPA on trumped-up accusations.

He is not a prisoner-of-war but a victim of kidnapping,” dela Rey said.

Dela Rey said that Rupinta has no records of abuses to the community in their town which was also vouched by their station commander Chief. Insp. Miguelito Cabahug.

“Siguro, na-tripan lang pud ni nila si SPO 2 Rupinta (Maybe, the NPA just abducted SPO2 Rupinta without any reason),” she said.

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‘Duterte rebounds, back on his feet’ F

ORMER Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. on Friday urged the public to “pray that the President will soon be back on his feet and do his bounden duty to serve the best interests or our people.”

Duterte is apparently back on his feet as Malacanang e-mailed a media advisory to Davao-based reporters at 10:41 a.m. Saturday that the President was visiting the 401st Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division’s advance command post in Barangay Bancasi in Butuan City at 3 p.m.

Saturday.

The Butuan visit is the first public appearance of Duterte

since Sunday evening, June 11, during the “Dignified Transfer of the Fallen Philippine Marine Corps Personnel” rites at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

President Rodrigo Duterte at Villamor Air Base Thursday, 15, June 2017 before boarding the plane for Davao City. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO MindaNews asked the Media Accreditation Relations Officer (MARO) assigned during the Butuan visit if this was a previously scheduled visit.

Malou said they were advised about Saturday’s visit last Thursday.

In a seven-paragraph statement titled “On Pres. D’s ailment,” a copy of which he

sent to MindaNews, Pimentel said Duterte is a human being and like everyone is “subject to diseases to which human beings are prone.”

But Pimentel, father of incumbent Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, and a Mindanawon like Duterte, said that while ill, the President is “entitled to have some respite from the glare of media cameras.”

“There is no need to show him being administered serums or medical procedures by his doctors,” Pimentel said, adding “we have to take” Communications Secretary Martin Andanar’s reports on the President’s condition.

“Anyway, the truth will out at the appropriate time,” the elder Pimentel, a former city mayor like Duterte, said. In the meantime, he urged everyone to “pray that the President will soon be back on his feet and do his bounden duty to serve the best interests of our people.”

Malacanang has yet to confirm that Duterte is ill.

“He is well. He is just getting needed rest after 23 intense days of supervising the Marawi situation,” Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a text message at 10:59 p.m. Wednesday in response to reports that start-

HE Bangsamoro Transition Commission has completed its task to draft a Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and is ready to submit it to President Rodrigo Duterte as soon as he is avaiable to receive it.

“Tapos na and ready for submission,” BTC chair Ghazali Jaafar told MindaNews in a text message Friday.

The BTC, originally composed of 11 nominees from the Moro Islamic Liberation

Front (MILF) and 10 from the Philippine government (GPH), affixed their signatures on the draft BBL on Friday at the A.Venue Hotel in Makati.

Commissioner Samira Gutoc of Marawi City, a government nominee, tendered her resignation in late May while the Marawi Crisis was unfolding, citing personal reasons and policy questions.

The BTC had scheduled a June 13 to June 16 meeting in the Makati hotel to finalize

the draft BBL with the intention to submit it to President Duterte on Thursday, June 15 but BTC Executive Director Mike Pasigan told MindaNews they received no confirmation from Malacanang.

President Duterte’s appointments this week were canceled. He failed to attend the Independence Day rites at the Luneta on Monday, June 12, and has not made any public appearance since. Presidential Spokesperson Ernes-

to Abella on Wednesday night said Duterte is “well” and was “just getting needed rest after 23 intense days of supervising the Marawi situation.”

“We are waiting for the fixed schedule of our submission of the BBL to the President,” BTC chair Ghazali Jaafar told MindaNews Wednesday.

The new draft BBL consists of 114 pages and18 articles. The draft BBL submitted to the Office of President

2 arrested for drugs in North Cotabato Draft BBL signed; ready for Duterte’s signature P T OLICE arrested Friday a village treasurer and a farmer in Kabacan, North Cotabato for drug trafficking.

Chief Inspector Bryan Placer, police chief of Kabacan Police, identified the suspects as Abdulkadir Calim, 41, farmer, and Nadya Hasim Abubakar or Nandja Bacuna, 36, treasurer of Barangay Nabundas in Pagagawan, Maguindanao.

Both are residents of Barangay Kayaga, Kabacan.

Police confiscated from Bacuna a caliber 9mm pistol

and several sachets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.

Placer said they arrested the suspects in separate operations early Friday in Kayaga.

He admitted, though, that four other target drug personalities either escaped or could not be located.

Judge Alandrex Betoya of the Regional Trial Court Branch 16 in Kabacan issued the search warrants.

Placer said the drugs be-

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NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

Cotabato folks assured: No Maute hiding in city

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OCAL officials here have assured city residents that no Maute Group member has entered the city amid continuing hostilities in Marawi City.

Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi has dismissed as untrue the text messages circulating around that some Maute Group members, who are Maguindanaon and managed to escape Philippine military air and ground assaults in Marawi, have fled to this city.

Mobile phone and social media messages have been making the rounds that Maute Group members are in one of the city’s poor villages, ready to strike anytime to divert government attention from Marawi. ”There is no truth to that message,” Sayadi said in a news conference Friday night.

“No Maute here, they are not welcome here. Our people will not allow them and there is no lockdown in the city,” Sayadi said, referring to another message advising people to stay home at night because of the supposed lockdown.

The mayor assured that village watchmen, known as BPAT (Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team), will secure all communities. ”They are there wide awake while we are all asleep,” she said of the more than 1,000 armed BPAT members in the city’s 36 villages.

Sayadi directed them to report suspicious activities of suspicious individuals in their villages.

BPAT here are armed but are only allowed to carry guns within their respective com-

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ASSISTANCE. Boxes of milk and canned goods donated by residents of Davao City are being gathered by personnel of 10th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army for the victims of the recent conflict in Marawi City at the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) in Panacan, Davao City on Friday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

PNP: Stop posting unverified threats info on social media H

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HE Police Regional Office-11 (PRO-11) has reiterated its call to the public not to post any unconfirmed information of threats on social media.

PRO-11 acting public information officer Sr. Insp.

Catherine dela Rey said that posting unconfirmed threat information could create panic and chaos to the public.

“It could be better if they noticed any suspicious looking people to immediately call the nearest police station and they could also text it to our hotline 0917-707-8547. Text immediately your information so that we can immediately verify it, “ dela Rey said.

Dela Rey said there was an incident two weeks ago of a banca docked that conveyed many people in Island Garden City of Samal (IGACoS) which

was posted in Facebook by a netizen that caused panic to people.

“Daghan kaayo ang nabalaka ato kay unsa na ba daw to, basin terrorista na nga niabot (Many were worried and scared because they thought that terrorist already arrived),” she said.

She said upon verification of the IGACoS Police Station it was confirmed that the banca arrived in the islan but it was used by family who just visited IGACoS. “Mapasalamaton kita nga vigilant na ang mga tao pero dili pud dayon ta mag-panic. I-inform dayon ang atong kapulisan para ma-validate namo, ma-verify og matagaan dayon namo og aksyon ( We are thankful that people now are already vigilant but we should not panic. Inform im-

Alvarez: Phase 1 of Mindanao railway to start early next year

mediately our police so that the information will be verified and validated fo us to give appropriate acction),” she said.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC) continues to be proactive and aggressive not only in the conduct of security operations in the whole area of responsibility.

In a statement, EMC Martial Law spokesperson Brig.

Gen. Gilbert I. Gapay said the has already made a total of 9,480 checkpoint operations were conducted in its whole area of responsibility.

While a total of 106 security operations to secure vital installations and critical infrastructures were executed to shield them from sabotage as of June 14.

There are also established

3,628 Informant Networks to strengthen the monitoring against terrorism.

He sid in the course of securing the sea lanes, the Joint Task Force “Haribon” is conducting profiling and registration of bancas sailing along Davao Gulf, while the Bantay Dagat is being strengthened to secure the sea lanes from terrorism and monitor the entrance of evacuees.

Gapay said apprehensions will be carried out to illegal and unregistered bancas along the Davao Gulf and other areas where illegal bancas are being monitored.

The Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao is keeping watch over the territorial borders to prevent terrorism and their entry in coordination with other agencies. ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

OUSE Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said the first and second phases of the Mindanao Railway System will be completed within the six-year term of President Rodrigo Duterte, and construction of Phase1 will start early next year.

Alvarez told a press briefing during the launch of the Tuason-owned Hijo Industrial Estates in Barangay Madaum here on Friday that the national government will fund the acquisition of the right-of-way while rest will be funded through the official development assistance.

The Mindanao Railway project begins with the first segment, TDD for Tagum City in Davao del Norte, Davao City and Digos in Davao del Sur. Courtesy of www.build.gov.ph The 102-km. first phase will run from Tagum City passing through Davao City until Digos City, and will cost around P35.91 billion.

social media two years after then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte asked the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to investigate the reported entry of “fake” rice in the city. Lean Daval Jr.

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525 soldiers from 82nd IB to augment forces in Marawi

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REAL McCOY. A worker of an establishment selling rice fixes his display of commercial rice at Agdao Public Market in Davao City on Saturday. Reports of proliferation of fake rice in public markets are circulating again in the

The Speaker said he is not aware what country will fund the construction of the 1,500 – km. railway system, with a cost being placed at $9 billion or equivalent to P445.3 billion but he said, aside from Japan and China, a “lot of countries are offering.”

He said Phase 2 will connect from Tagum City to Butuan City.

The railway seeks to connect all key areas of the island such as Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Zamboanga, Butuan, Surigao, General Santos, and Davao.

“Just be patient,” he said.

In a press release issued on June 8, 2017, the Department of Tranportation (DOTr) said the first segment will reduce travel time from Tagum City, Davao del Norte to Digos City, Davao del Sur from 3.5 hours to 1.3 hours once it starts operating in 2022.

It said the first segment

TOTAL of 525 soldiers from the Philippine Army’s 82nd Infantry Battalion based in Miagao, Iloilo will fly to Marawi City on Saturday to augment government forces in fighting the Maute group.

This was confirmed by 82nd IB Commander Lieutenant Colonel Venel Morga in an interview on Friday. He stressed that this would be the first time for troops from his battalion would be deployed to Mindanao.

Morga said the Armed Forces of the Philippines was aiming to “clear all the remaining packets of resistance and they are pushing the units forward”.

The troops will fly to Marawi City via C-130 plane from the Iloilo International Airport at 6:00 a.m. Saturday.

Morga advised his men to be safe in their battle.

“Whatever training they received when they were still recruits, the tactics, techniques and procedures, they should recall and they should apply them because these training was done to ensure that their life will prolong and nothing will happen to them there,” he said.

The troops are also advised to “limit unnecessary movements” once they are in the area.

Morga said that he did not allow his troops to bring their motorcycles with them to further assure their safety.

According to him, motorcycle is one of the reasons why a lot of soldiers of the Philippine Army were ambushed or killed.

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 55 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 18 - 19, 2017

RCI eyes 200 tons of products from its South Cotabato plant

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HE coconut processing plant of Roxas & Company Inc. in Tupi, South Cotabato, which will start operating in July, is seen to produce some 150 tons to 200 tons of various coconut-based products.

This is more than half of the 300 tons maximum capacity of the plant, which is targeted to produce virgin coconut oil, concentrated coconut water, and coconut milk and cream.

RCI president and Chief Executive Officer Fernando Gaspar, after the company’s annual stockholders meeting in Dusit Thani in Makati City Friday, said they are testing the plant and are training their personnel.

“Until you start running, it is hard to exactly say how much (would we be able to

produce). So, we are looking at maybe getting hopefully until 200 (tons). I would say, conservatively, between 150 and 200,” he told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

Gaspar said the size of a coconut in Mindanao is bigger than that in Luzon and add to this the fact that the trees in the area are still young and are expected to provide optimal produce.

He said he is so positive of the processing plant’s operations because “we got a good team (and) we have a good plant”.

“It always takes a little bit longer than what the operating people say but at least, in my experience, with the preparations, we will get to 200 (tons). And once we got everybody doing well (and)

FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. A ‘Please Fall in Line’ sign is seen in front of a usually very busy cashier’s booth of VP northbound van satellite terminal days after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)

11 issued a suspension order to northbound passenger vans due to a deadly road mishap in Bunawan District on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr.

Biz groups buck hearing of Maute cases in CDO

Indonesia explores business opportunities in Davao Oriental

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IVE big business groups based in Cagayan de Oro City have issued a joint statement calling on the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision to hold the prosecution of Maute terror suspects here, a group of businessmen here said.

The statement, jointly issued Thursday, was released Friday signed by key representatives of Oro Chamber, Misamis Oriental Filipino, Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MOFCCCI), Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Industries and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) regional chapter.

The signatories were Oro Chamber president Roberti-

no Pizarro, MOFCCCI president Adelfa Sia, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry president Willy Limbonhai, Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Industries president Roberto Quicio and PCCI regional governor Efren Uy. The business leaders claimed that the decision was the consensus among members of the various business organizations here.

“The body hereby condemns and opposes any plans to hear the cases of the Maute Terrorist Group in the City of Cagayan de Oro and in the Province of Misamis Oriental,” the statement read.

It can be recalled that SC denied the petition of the Department of Justice asking the SC to hold the Maute terror

HE Department of Energy in coordination with the various generations, transmission and electricity distribution players in Mindanao, is trying to bring back power in some critical parts of the strife torn Marawi City, a DOE press statement said Friday.

The DOE’s Inter-Agency Task Force on Securing Energy Facilities (IATFSEF) reported that, as of 12 noon Wednesday, 45 percent of Marawi City remains energized when power was restored in some major establishments last June 10.

Among the establishments and areas where power has already been restored are the Provincial Capitol, Amai Pakpak Medical Center, Brigade-Campo Ranao -AFP Camp, Barangay Saber and

part of Barangay Matampay.

With proper coordination with the AFP and the PNP forces, the technical line personnel are on their way to restore power in other vital installations in the affected areas.

On the distribution side, the Lanao Del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LASURECO), said that the current power supply for Lanao Del Sur is zero percent in the 1st district covering 15 municipalities, and 100 percent in the 2nd District with 16 municipalities.

For the Mindanao generation facilities, the National Power Corp. reported that the Agus -Pulangi Hydroelectric Complexes are in normal operation, according to a report by the DOE’s IATSEF. (Ercel Maandig/PNA)

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DOE restores power in parts of Marawi T

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AVAO ORIENTAL – Indonesia is building business ties with the Province of Davao Oriental – a scheme that is anticipated to benefit the economic interest of both territories.

Indonesia’s Consul General Berlian Napitupulu has met recently with the Oriental Pacific Chamber of Commerce, Inc. – a group of businessmen in the province’s capital City of Mati, with hopes to forge stronger business relations that will boost trade and industry between the two territories.

During a special meeting on Thursday, June 15, held in the City of Mati, Napitupulu urged local businessmen to promote their products and services to Indonesia. He assured his office’s assistance to the businessmen in terms of introducing their products and services to the Indonesian market.

“We are not stranger with each other as we share Sulawesi Sea and we are of the same race,” said Napitupulu, adding that trade should be boosted between Indonesia and parts of Davao Region in the Philippines since the bulk of the present trade is more concentrated between Luzon and Indonesia.

He said Davao Oriental and Indonesia’s proximity to each other makes it more favorable for business. From Davao Oriental, Indonesia can be reached within three hours via boat and as quickly as 30 minutes through a speed boat. The local businessmen, headed by its Vice President Engr. Joel Capalit, hope that connectivity from the province to the neighboring country of Indonesia will be enhanced in order to pave way for more vibrant trade and exchange as well opportunities in education and other services.

Indonesia, being the fourth largest country in the world is also the seventh biggest exporting country in the Philippines. Among its top export products to the Philippines are vehicles, mineral fuels, ores, food oils, machinery, paper, and electronic equipment, among others.

Napitupulu hopes to showcase these products at the upcoming First Indonesian Manufactured Products Expo 2017 on July 22-24 at the Indonesian Convention Center in Davao City. He invited businessmen here to participate in the event which is touted to open opportunities and business linkages.

Meanwhile, Carmelo Laburada, Head of the Center for

Indonesia’s Consul General Berlian Napitupulu (center) with DTI Provincial Director Jose Calub (6th from right), CPOINT Head Carmelo Laburada (4th from Right), City of Administrator Engr. Joel Capalit (5th from left), City of

F RCI, 11

Indonesia’s Consul General Berlian Napitupulu

Promotion on Investment and Trade (CPOINT) of Davao Oriental, expressed the province’s interest to participate in the booming and flourishing exchange between the two countries. He said that establishing links with Indonesia is timely since Davao Oriental is currently focusing its development on agri-industry and tourism.

He enumerated potential export products of Davao Oriental such as mango, coconut, banana, and chili, among others. Aside from various agricul-

ture products, Davao Oriental as a new emerging tourism destination in Davao Region opens up and creates new markets and investment potential for the province.

Department of Trade and Industry Provincial Director Jose Calub welcomes the prospect of Davao Oriental establishing business ties with Indonesia, saying the creation of a linkage means boosting trade and stimulate growth, favorable for both economies. BY KAREN LOU DELOSO

Mati Chief of Staff Tanya Rabat-Tan (5th from right) and representatives of the Oriental Pacific Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 55 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 18 - 19, 2017

ECONOMY 5

EDGEDAVAO

National ID system to spell success of tax safety nets for poor Filipinos

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HE government is bent on issuing national identification cards that will also serve as social welfare cards to ensure the effective and targeted implementation of its social safety nets for the poorest Filipino families under the proposed Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN), the Department of Finance said.

According to DOF Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua, once Congress enacts a law enabling a national ID system, the first to be issued such cards will be senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs), followed by members of the 5.2 million poorest households in the country not yet covered by the ongoing conditional cash transfer (CCT) initiative of the Department of Social Welfare and Development

(DSWD) known as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

“The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) will issue the ID cards, with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) providing oversight functions,” Chua said.

“The DSWD, meanwhile, will coordinate the various social benefits programs that will be put in place under TRAIN.” Chua said the DOF proposal was for the national ID to contain biometrics data about an individual, with the possibility of adding an EMV (Europay-Mastercard-Visa) chip card to load the cash subsidies for persons legally entitled to such benefits.

“The ID will also contain information to determine if a person can take advantage of

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MARAWI-BOUND. Soldiers arrange boxes of bananas donated by a banana growers organization ready to be delivered to the victims of the recent conflict in Marawi City at the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) in Panacan, Davao City on Friday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

Speaker eyes dev’t T body for Davao Gulf

Measures to ease SSC tensions seen to improve ASEAN ties

Alvarez says it will change Davao picture

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OUSE Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez will file next month a bill establishing the Davao Gulf Metropolitan Development Authority that will “change the picture of Davao Region.”

The House of Representatives will resume session on July 24, after going into a 52day sine die adjournment last June 2, with President Rodrigo R. Duterte addressing them in his second State of the Nation Address.

Alvarez told reporters during the groundbreaking of the Hijo Industrial Estates in

Tagum City, Davao del Norte that the DGMDA will be similar to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

“This is an opportune time.

Your timing is good because within the Duterte administration, we will change the picture of Region 11 (Davao Region),” Alvarez told the Tuason family, owner of the the Hijo Resources Corporation and developer of the 760-hectare master-planned township, the Hijo Estates, in the province.

The speaker said he expected the enactment of the bill before the second quarter

of 2018 with a budget of about P500 million to operationalize it.

Once passed, he said an administrator will be appointed to oversee the development of the Davao Gulf area, covering Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur Davao Occidental, Davao del Norte, Davao City, and Compostela Valley.

He said he has already tapped Arch. Felino Palafox, a prominent Filipino urban planner, to create the masterplan, under which the shorelines will be evaluated and classified into commercial, agri-industri-

al, and residential uses.

He said most of the areas in Davao Region are used for agriculture but the areas within the first five kilometers off the shores of the gulf are no longer suitable for agricultural use.

He appealed for cooperation from the local government executives to efficiently materialize the plan and to encourage investors to locate within the Davao Gulf.

“By that time, after five years, the face of Davao Region will no longer be the same,” he said. (Antonio L. Colina IV/ MindaNews)

Bukidnon.

In the municipalities of Marantao (which has nine retailers) and Balindong (with three retailers), WMR is priced at Php 50 to Php 56/kg and no RMR. Sources of rice are Cotabato City and Pagadian.

“Six retailers operate at MSU market. WMR is sold at Php 56/kg and no RMR. There was only one bag of NFA rice seen at the time of canvass (June 12, 2017). Maybe, it was the remaining rice from our last release on May 22, 2017.

Very few stocks remained in their possession as residents, including students, already evacuated the place due to the ongoing fighting between government troops and Maute terrorist group,” according to NFA Lanao del Sur Manager Hadja Sittienaidah D. Sampaco.

“The municipalities within

the Basak area (Ramain, Buadi Puso Buntong, Bubong, Mulondo, Tamparan, Taraka, Masiu and Butig) can be reached by either passing through Marawi or Ganassi. In these places, the price of rice may be higher because they cannot be easily penetrated. Farhana Maute, mother of the Maute brothers, was captured somewhere here. Also, this is where some of their relatives live,” Manager Sampaco said.

Based on previous monitoring efforts, it was reported that in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental, which are about two to two and a half hours away from Marawi, the price of RMR remained stable at Php 34.50/kg and Php 36.50/kg, respectively, while WMR also remained at Php 41.50/kg and Php 42.50/kg, respectively.

In Camiguin, which is about six hours away from

Marawi, the price of RMR slightly increased by 4 percent, from Php 36/kg to Php 37.50/ kg while WMR increased by 1 percent from Php43.50/kg to Php 44/kg. In Misamis Occidental, four hours away from Marawi, a 2 percent increase was noted in the price of RMR from Php 35/kg to Php36/kg while WMR remained at Php 41.50/kg.

The NFA is also looking into the possibility of fielding rolling stores to assure residents in conflict-stricken Marawi of enough supply of rice and arrest threats of irrational price hikes of the staple.

Meanwhile, the NFA has already released a total of 9,992 bags of rice as of June 16, 2017 to various relief-giving agencies and organizations for distribution to the victims of crisis in Marawi City.

(PR/PNA)

NFA assures of stable rice prices in Mindanao

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HE National Food Authority has assured that rice prices in Marawi City and the whole of Mindanao remain stable in the wake of reports that commercial rice is being sold as high as P225 per kilogram or P5,000 per sack.

Continuous market monitoring by the NFA in the whole of Mindanao showed that there is little increase in the prices of rice at only P1/kg to P2/kg in some areas.

In Saguiaran town (where there are four accredited retailers), next to Marawi (if you are coming from Iligan City), the price of well-milled rice is Php 50 to P53/kg but there is no available regular-milled rice.

NFA rice is sold at Php 27/ kg. Sources of rice are from Iligan City, NFA Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro, Molave and

HE Philippines expects relations between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations members and China to improve on the back of two “early harvest measures” meant to de-escalate and manage tensions in the disputed South China Sea (SCS)/West Philippine Sea. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Asst. Secretary for ASEAN Affairs Hellen De La Vega cited the ministries of foreign affairs (MFA) to MFA hotline between ASEAN and China.

“In layman’s term, it means that if there is a maritime incident happening in this area, ministries of foreign affairs from each member state can call each other and say there is something going on. Please disengage or something like that,” she said during the ASEAN2017 dialogue on political-security pillar on Friday.

De La Vega said MFAs successfully tested the hotline last March.

She noted the other measure was the code of unplanned encounters at sea (CUES), which she described “if you meet at sea and it is not planned, you have this framework or platform.”

The DFA official said the

two “early harvest measures” on ASEAN relations with China signified that “we have come to a point where we are co-engaged in building trust and confidence.”

De La Vega said there are other areas of cooperation under the framework of ASEAN-China, both economic and socio-cultural pillars.

She added the dispute with China is “not the sum total of our relations, whether it is going to be at the bilateral level, this Philippine-China, or even at the level of ASEAN-China.”

Countries that have made competing claims over parts or all of the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea were the Philippines, China, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan.

ASEAN members and China completed the framework on the code of conduct for managing the dispute in the South China Sea on May 19 in Guiyang, Guizhou Province in Southwest China.

De La Vega said they expected to submit the completed COC framework to the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN and China during their meeting in Manila in August for their consideration. (Leslie D. Venzon/ PNA)

HE first of a three-part dialogue series that aims to educate on the three pillars of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) -ASEAN 2017 Dialogues: “One ASEAN, Safer Together” was hosted Friday, June 16, by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) in partnership with Asia Society Philippines, at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in Makati City.

The dialogue was presented by ASEAN 2017’s Committee on Media Affairs and Strategic Communications (CMASC), who was represented in the event by PCOO

Undersecretary and CMASC Chair Noel Puyat.

The dialogue was attended by academicians, officials, students, and members of the diplomatic corps. Discussions revolved around critical issues related to the political-security pillar of ASEAN. These include regional security, cyber-security, non-traditional security in the context of ASEAN, as well as other benefits and challenges of being part of the regional organization.

The panelists include Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Asean Affairs Assistant

PCOO hosts ASEAN 2017 dialogues

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6 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

New ARENA officers inducted

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HE new batch of ARENA (Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies) officers were inducted at SEDA Hotel last May 12.

The new ARENA president is Maria Lourdes Lim, regional director of NEDA-XI (National Economic Development Authority-XI), vice-president is Department of Budget and Management-XI regional director Gary Martel, secretary is Fatima Idris, regional director of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-XI, treasurer – Atty Javey Paul Francisco director of the Securities and Exchange Commission-Mindanao.

Department of Trade and Industry-XI regional director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi and Major General Rafael Valencia of the Eastern Mindanao Command were inducted as business managers.

Philippine Information Agency-XI regional director Efren Elbanbuena is the press relations officer. The board of trustees are Wilhm Suyko, regional director Department of Interior and Local Government-XI, Dr. Anthony Sales, regional director of the Department of Science and

Technology, Raul Alvarez, regional director Commission on Higher Education-XI, Gaspar Gayona, regional director of TESDA-XI (Technology Educations and Skills Development Authority-XI), Also part of the ARENA board of trustees are John Maruhom Special Assistant for Mindanao Affairs, Office of the Secretary, Department of Agrarian Reform, Atty Felix Alicer Regional Program Coordinator, National Task Force Diwalwal-Project Monitoring Coordination Center, Atty Janet Grace Fabrero, Regional State Prosecutor Department of Justice and Atty. Alberto Escobarte regional director Department of Education.

Gracing the induction were Davao del Norte Governor Anthony del Rosario, Compostela Valley Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy, Major General Noel Clement of the 10th Infantry Division, Atty. Raul Nadela of the Davao City Mayor’s Office, Assistant Secretary Mariano Alquiza of the Department of Labor and Employment and Captain Ronald Go, president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industries.

(PIA/RG Alama)

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DOLE, Zambo hospital forge rehab agreement

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HE Department of Labor and Employment and a Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings, Incorporated-member hospital have entered into an agreement on Thursday for the rehabilitation of workers with work-related disabilities and sickness.

The signatories of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) were DOLE Regional Director Ofelia Domingo, Employees Compensation Commission (EEC) regional focal

person Jerrick Gerald Go, and West Metro Medical Center (West Metro) president Ramon Diaz.

The ECC is an attached agency of DOLE while West Metro, which is operated by the Metro Pacific Zamboanga Hospital Corporation, is a proud member of the Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings, Inc. The MOA stated that DOLE through the ECC will shoulder the cost of the rehabilitation services by the West Metro to

workers disabled by an accident at work or work-related sickness.

Those who are qualified to avail of the rehab services are workers who are members of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and Social Security System (SSS).

“We are partnering with DOLE to tell people that this is available, the service of ECC is available to SSS and GSIS members. It’s an addition-

al benefits, it will not cover all, but employees who have work related health problem can avail of this additional benefit,” Diaz said.

ECC is mandated by law to initiate policies and programs toward adequate occupational health and safety and accident prevention in the working environment, rehabilitation and other related programs and activities and to appropriate funds therefore.

(RGAAG/PNA)

SSS Panabo joins WHAPEE Caravan workforce

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HE array of services offered during the WHAPEE Caravan widens as the Social Security System Panabo joins the cause, beginning Tuesday June 6 at Barangay Cacao.

The SSS is a government organization that is an avenue for income-generating individuals to ensure funding for their future needs. Members are given benefits such as health insurances and lifetime monthly pensions.

“We heeded Mayor Gamao’s invitation for SSS to join WHAPEE because our purpose lines with his in establishing this caravan, and that is to serve the people,” says Jonathan G. Centino, the Corporate

Executive Officer-II of SSS Panabo.

“The Social Security System Panabo is also very thankful for this opportunity given to us by Mayor Gamao and the LGU Panabo for this helps us to achieve our intention of universal coverage,” he added.

The WHAPEE Caravan is the initiative of the Local Government Unit of Panabo led by City Mayor James G. Gamao and Vice Mayor Janrey G. Gavina, and is supported by various organizations to provide the Panaboans services in welfare, health, agriculture, peace and order, employment, and education. Sigfred Navasquez - CIO Panabo

OLD ILIGAN. Historian Ricardo Jorge Caluen (left) shows one of his collections of old photographs of Iligan City to Benny Badelles, of one of the city’s oldest political families, during Caluen’s “Hulagway: 1900s Iligan SocioPolitical History in Photos” exhibit at the Mindanao State University-Iligan

Institute of Technology that opened Wednesday (14 June 2017). It will run until Friday, which also marks the 67th Charter Day of Iligan. MindaNews photo by BOBBY TIMONERA

Low chance for mid-2017 El Niño onslaught: Pagasa AFP urges public to practice

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HERE’S still no possibility for the drought-driving El Niño phenomenon to recur soon, the state weather bureau, PAGASA, has said.

Some international climate models say El Niño may instead strike towards the end of the year, noted Analiza Solis, officer-in-charge of PAGASA’s Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section.

“Eighteen of 25 models we also studied say ENSO-neutral conditions will likely prevail

until 2017’s end, however,” she said this week during PAGASA’s kick-off ceremony for the 2017 celebration of the annual Typhoon and Flood Awareness Week.

ENSO or the El Niño-Southern Oscillation describes fluctuations in temperature between the ocean and atmosphere in the east-central equatorial Pacific, said the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

El Niño and rain-driving

La Niña phenomenon are the warm and cool phases of the ENSO cycle.

Periods when neither El Niño nor La Niña is present are referred to as ENSO-neutral.

“ENSO-neutral is present in Tropical Pacific and favored to continue through the September-November 2017 season,” said Solis, citing PAGASA’s latest assessment of the matter.

Earlier, PAGASA said data indicated “nearly equal prob-

ability” for ENSO-neutral and weak El Niño in 2017.

The bureau said the 20152016 El Niño was among the strongest of its kind, fueling dry spells and droughts nationwide due to reduced rainfall in the country.

Citing data from the Department of Agriculture, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported in its website that this El Niño episode caused USD325 million

Cotabato’s T’boli municipality at a depth of 23 km.

“We’re looking into whether such earthquake was an aftershock of the magnitude 7.2 tremor off Davao Occidental province’s Sarangani municipality on April 29 this year,” said Phivolcs science research assistant Bhenz Rodriguez.

He noted T’boli isn’t too far from Sarangani, where most aftershocks of the April tremor clustered, so Phivolcs is studying the matter.

According to Phivolcs, the T’boli earthquake was of tectonic origin and was reported at intensity 4 in Gen. Santos City.

Phivolcs is expecting nei-

ther aftershocks nor damages from that earthquake.

“The earthquake’s magnitude was moderate only so damages and aftershocks from this event are unlikely,” he said.

He noted as of 7 a.m. Friday, Phivolcs hasn’t yet monitored an aftershock of that earthquake. (PNA)

F LOW, 11

Phivolcs probes Cotabato, Davao Occ quakes’link

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TATE experts are studying if the magnitude 4.2 earthquake in South Cotabato on Friday is related to the tremor that shook Davao Occidental in April this year.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the 2:07 a.m. earthquake this Friday struck 19 km south 49° east of South

concept of shared security

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HE Armed Forces of the Philippines called on the public to practice the concept of shared security as there is a distinct possibility that some Maute Group members have broken through the military cordon in Marawi City by mixing up with evacuee and refugee convoys.

Through this method, these lawless elements could then strike civilian and military targets in other areas.

“We do not deny that there could have been possible, possibly a few of these fighters who came from Marawi, who may have mixed with the evacuees and refugees who are leaving Marawi we have caught a number of them but there may have been a few of them to Iligan or Cagayan De Oro,” AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Pa-

dilla said late Friday.

As of 6 p.m. June 15, the number of Maute Group members neutralized are placed at 225 with government losses at 59 and civilians executed by the terrorists at 26.

Civilians pulled out or rescued from the danger zone at placed at 1,629 and firearms recovered from the bandits at 208.

“We have continually called on people to always practice the concept of shared security which meant to say that every Filipino, every citizen in all these areas and for that matter throughout the Philippines should be alert, vigilant and always on the lookout for suspicious persons in their communities as well as packages or stuff that are left here and there that are unattended,” he added. (Priam F. Nepomuceno/PNA)

7 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 55 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 18 - 19, 2017

Holcim sustains support for eagle ‘Hiyas’ C

Holcim Davao signed a memorandum of agreement on May 4 to continue supporting the Philippine Eagle Foundation in its conservation and research efforts for five more years. Holcim Davao officials led by Plant Manager Xavier Kennedy

ONSTRUCTION solutions provider Holcim Philippines, Inc. again extended its support for the Adopt A Philippine Eagle Project for five more years, in line with its commitment to sustainability and environmental advocacy.

Holcim’s Davao Plant signed a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine Eagle Foundation wherein the company committed to provide Php 125,000 annually until 2022 to fund the care of Philippine Eagle Hiyas and contribute to (middle, front row) join Philippine Eagle Foundation Development Manager Andrea the research and conserBaldonado and Executive Director (to the left and right of Kennedy, respectively) for vation activities of the a picture after the signing ceremony. foundation and mainte-

Davao HRSMA: United, passionate, steadfast

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AVAO’S esteemed sales and marketing professionals from the different hotels and resorts came together for a three-leg courtesy visit to their respected corporate and industry partners in the city. A symbol of unity, oneness, and burning passion for the hospitality business – these activities do not only support the hotel and tourism industry, but the city government’s endeavors as well.

The association conducted a weekly visit on the different areas in Davao. Its first leg was last June 7 focusing on the North area, the second leg on June 14 covered downtown to South areas, and the third leg on June 28 will cover south of the city to the outskirts of the

region/Davao del Sur (up to Digos areas). “Aside from collectively introducing ourselves as one association that’s united, supportive, and strong given any circumstance, we also want our partners to know that beyond competition, we are one industry and we will work together in elevating the business in Davao City,” said Ms. Jennifer Romero, HRSMA President and Sales and Marketing Manager of Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao.

Davao HRSMA has been in the region for a long time, with members who are experienced and have progressive vision for the sales and marketing business. It has recently elected its new set of officers and launched its new logo, and

nance of the Philippine Eagle Center.

Adopted by Holcim Davao in 2014, Hiyas is one of 33 Philippines eagles cared for by the Center. She is set to be paired with a male Philippine eagle named Magilas.

The foundation leads the conservation and breeding efforts of the Philippine Eagle, the country’s national bird. It is one of the largest of its kind in the world but also among the most critically endangered. The foundation operates the 8.4 hectare Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos, Davao City that housesand cares for this species and other rare animals.

is expected to work closely on public and private partners in creating projects that will benefit the industry and the region.

Currently, the association has 20 members, namely: Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao, Seda Abreeza Hotel, Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Eden Nature Park & Resort, The Pinnacle Hotel and Suites, The Ritz Hotel at Garden Oases, Big 8 Corporate Hotel, Red Planet, Humberto’s Hotel, Hotel Tropika, Amiya Resort Residences, Park Inn by Radisson Davao, Marco Polo Davao, Apo View Hotel, Grand Regal Hotel, Microtel by Wyndham Davao, El Bajada Hotel, Go Hotels, Hijo Resorts Davao, and Malagos Garden Resort.

Members of Davao Hotels/ Resorts Sales & Marketing Association, Inc. gather as one team as they convene in series of courtesy calls to valued business partners in the industry.

Davao Light explains extended scheduled power interruption early morning of June 16

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USTOMERS of Davao Light and Power Co., Inc. in some parts of downtown and southern area in Davao City had experienced an extended scheduled power interruption earlier this

morning, June 16.

Davao Light has announced through radio and print media last June 14 of its 15-minute scheduled power interruption on June 16 anytime between 12am to 1am

affecting customers in Bangkal, Cat. Grande, Matina, Maa, Boulevard, Obrero and R. Castillo areas.

However, during the actual works, which started at 12:05 a.m., the switching crew

experienced technical difficulties with one of the lines that needed immediate repair. Hence, switching of loads can’t be implemented resulting to a power interruption more than 15 minutes. The

problem, if not immediately resolved would have caused damage to one of the breakers that may lead to longer power interruption.

Restoration in all affected areas was made at 1:14 a.m.,

after the repair works were completed.

Davao Light sincerely apologizes for the inconvenience brought about by the delay of this scheduled power interruption.

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 55 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 18 - 19, 2017

Priorities

AKE no mistake about it, Filipinos have better chances at landing a job--whether domestic or overseas-when they are skilled.

Latest labor market trends show that tradesmen are more in demand in the labor market than professionals and whether we like it or not, that is the looming trend in the years to come.

Given that landscape, Filipinos should be encouraged to take tech-voc courses. Money should not be a problem as the govvernment extends scholarships through the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Records show that a total of 1,398,780 students received their certificates after they passed the assessment conducted by TESDA. From 1995 up to 2016, a total of 30,621,180 students enlisted in various training programs; 25,434,151

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

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ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

JIMMY K. LAKING Associate Editor PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

JECIA ANNE OPIANA KENNETH IRVING K. ONG Reporters BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO MEGHANN STA. INES NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN FUNNY PEARL GAJUNERA Lifestyle CHA MONFORTE LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. ARLENE D. PASAJE Correspondents Cartoons Photography Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. Columnists: D. TACIO G.•DELIGERO • JOHN CARLO TRIA • VIDAGOTIANSE-TAN MIA S. VALVERDE•• NICASIO FRED C. LUMBA • ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA BORBONHENRYLITO • MARY ANN “ADI”• GREGORIO C. QUISIDO LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NIKKI ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ

the national association of newspapers

OLIVIA D. VELASCO D.D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONA OLIVIA D. VELASCO JOCELYN S. PANES SOLANI SOLANI MARATAS General Manager Finance Advertising Specialist General Manager Director of Sales Finance RICHARD C. EBONA Marketing Supervisor

of them finished their courses; 11,148,144 received their assessment while 9,167,792 others have been certified.

With the high volume of students in tech-voc courses, TESDA is reportedly facing the dilemma of coping with the load.

It also needs to upgrade its regional training centers nationwide. Hence, the need to a bigger budget for next fiscal year.

According to TESDA Director General Gene Tamonding, the agency needs up to P24 billion to absorb the demand and upgrade its training centers.

This is one aspect of next year’s budget that lawmakers should consider along with the usual need for higher budget for education.

Providing tech-voc education is an effective way of addressing our usual problems on poverty and unemployment.

Our lawmakers must make that a priority.

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

GENERAL SANTOS CITY OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING MARKETING OFFICE

LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager EDMUND D. RENDON Unit 6, SouthbankMarketing Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Specialist General Santos City Cagayan de Oro City Mobile: (Smart) 0948-823-3685 Tel: (088) 852-4894

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

ANGELICA R. GARCIA | Marketing Manager 97-1 Bayanbayanan Ave., Marikina Heights, Marikina City Tel: (02) 654-3509

EDGEDAVAO

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VANTAGE POINTS

9

Deadly game of death in Davao; highway speed maniacs let loose

EATH stalks the Davao-Agusan highway like the proverbial thief in the night.

And unless the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board turns the van transport system along that route upside down and transforms it into a safe and reliable mode of transportation, the commuters in the region will continue to be at the mercy of speed maniacs anxious to reunite with their Maker.

The trouble is they are not always alone. For as the driver steps on the accelerator and steers the van towards disaster, he takes along with him innocent lives in his rush to show who is faster or who is out of his mind at the wheels.

This is the game of the death currently played out along the stretch of the highway from Davao City northwards to Tagum City and beyond, day in and day out. And had not the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board step in to staunch the bleeding, there is no telling how many more lives will be imperilled or sent to their untimely deaths as in that June 14 smash-up that left 10 dead and eight others seriously scarred for their rest of their lives.

Yet the LTFRB should not stop there and should not be content with just suspending the operation of the commuter vans. It must go the whole

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 55 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 18 - 19, 2017

ONG KONG. Waiting for my flight back to the Philippines the Chek Lap Kok airport glistens amid the arrival and departure of aircraft from all over the world.

With the going in and out of people from various nations, I cannot help but imagine what the next few years will be like for Mindanao.

As it sits on the doorstep of a rejuvenated Southeast Asia under the chairmanship of the first leader from the Brunei-Indonesia Malaysia Philippines (BIMP-EAGA) growth area to lead one of its countries and serve as ASEAN Chair, the chance to jump start trade and people-to-people linkages is ripe.

If that happens, expect Indonesians, Malaysians and Mindanaoans to rekindle centuries-old linkages and revive old trading routes of the Sri-Vijaya and Madjapahit empires that led to the peopling of southern

hog in bringing order and sanity to a piece of the transport industry that has terrorized commuters in the region for too long.

For if the LTFRB is merely content in handing out penalties and exacting pledges of good behaviour from operators and drivers, there is no stopping the killing of people by speed maniacs along that stretch.

There will be no stopping the hiring of undisciplined and irresponsible drivers who would toy with the lives of their passengers in the manner of people possessed or stoned.

In fact, one estimate says man-induced road accidents have killed probably more people than the dreaded EJKs and natural calamities combined in this region over the first years of this decade.

In its resolution suspending the northbound operation of UV Express, the LTFRB showed various complaints accusing the company of “reckless driving and over speeding, endangering the lives and limbs of the commuting public.” It added it recorded four vehicular accidents involving passengers vans owned by the van service in the Davao region from October 2016 to March 2017.

Yet there is more. In 2011 in Carmen town, three persons died in a three-vehicle smash-up along the highway. The incident occurred when the driver of a motorcycle with three passengers overtook two

REVERSED PUNCH (GYAKU ZUKI)

Jimmy K.Laking

vehicles but rammed head-on into a Toyota Innova coming from the opposite direction.

In 2015, 11 people were injured when a van slammed into a parked truck along the Davao-Agusan highway in Montevista town, Compostela Valley. Police theorized the driver of the van must have momentarily dozed off.

In the same year, 15 people were seriously injured when two vans collided in Monkayo, Compostela Valley province.

Then provincial police director Sr. Supt. Albert Ignatius Ferro said the driver of the errant vehicle must have momentarily fallen sleep behind the wheel.

In July of the same year, four people were killed and one was injured when a car crashed into a tree along the national highway in Carmen, Davao del Norte. Police chief Insp.

Alvin Saguban said the driver must have dozed off behind the wheel.

The car was a total wreck.

In February 2016, a town official of Benguet province was killed while 20 others, mostly barangay officials on a Lakbay Aral trip to Tagum when the van they rode spun out of control and crashed into the roadside.

In April, 2017, a visiting cardiologist, Dr. Brigit Amistad Claro,56, of the Baguio General Hospital died when the van she took from Davao City rammed the concreted center island of the highway while approaching Tagum City. 10 of her companions, all medical personnel from Baguio City on a Lakbay Aral trip, incurred injuries.

The police finding: the Hi-Ace van that was supposed to take them to Tagum was traveling at a high speed as it tried to overtake three other vehicles. Instead, it hit the concrete barrier and then flipped on its side, pinning its occupants.

In the June 14 incident, the driver of the Davao-bound van managed to overtake one vehicle but sped straight into a cargo truck, killing the driver and nine of his passengers.

Of course, road accidents are not the monopoly of the Davao-Agusan

highway. They are also dime a dozen on that stretch leading to the Bicol region from Quezon province.

They are also commonplace along the Cagayan Valley-Nueva Ecija highway such as the April, 2017 incident when 29 passengers died after an overloaded mini-bus plunged into a ravine in Carranglan town.

They are also commonplace along the MacArthur highway from Central Luzon all the way to the Kennon Road towards Baguio. They are commonplace along the Halsema highway in the skyland of Benguet and Mt. Province where road mishaps have claimed more lives than World War II or the series of natural calamities combined.

Police authorities themselves say most of the incidents occurring in the Cordillera region and Region II can be attributed partly to human error, to mechanical malfunction or to the poor condition of the road.

The Davao-Agusan highway averages four-lane in most stretches and is wider in comparison. It is also concededly regularly maintained.

One culprit is as the locals would call it: ‘kulang ug seminar sa mga driver.’

It may wash. But what if the guy on the wheel has no ‘education’ at all but is a little bit something on the head or is actually a zombie masquerading as commuter van driver?

proximity has failed to start up and sustain regular air and sea linkages.

His government’s relationship with China is something the rest of ASEAN treasures as the opportunities emanating from such will be nurtured.

That said, BIMP –EAGA area, and Mindanao in particular, is a large trade area just waiting to be utilized. Imagine 300 million people rising in steady affluence, increasing their capacity to buy basic needs and raising their tastes for new things. Any supplier in this area is likely to strike gold.

The Chinese are not likely to let these opportunities pass. Despite their countries’ criticism of the Duterte government, European businesses have been steadily conducting trade missions to Mindanao to see where they can fit in.

In turn, the opportunities will spur trade that empower many of

Mindanao’s entrepreneurs and will ultimately benefit many of Mindanao’s poor inhabitants- the hinterland residents and coastal villages lying a world away from Metro Manila’s banks and trading houses, glitz and traffic. It is they who will grow the food needed by the region.

Think about how poverty will slowly but surely plunge as trade increases. Imagine the chance to finally break free from cycles and cultures of poverty, self-destitution and structures that oppress people and create strife.

The linkages between BIMP EAGA nations with each other and the trading powerhouses of East Asia is something to look forward to.

As the Duterte presidency enters its second year, it has already seen the Davao-Bitung sea linkage happen after decades of meetings and false starts. We yearn for more, and hope that they will eventually come.

Hurdling the connectivity challenge

Philippines.

For Mindanao, this means a steadier source of raw materials like corn for its piggeries, copra for its coconut processing plants and poultry farms, and a faster transfer of the increasing supply of semiprocessed rubber to Malaysia and Indonesia tire producers.

Likewise worth aniticipating are the flights from China, a few of which have already probed the route from Xiamen to Davao. Plans are afoot to revive the old Davao-Hongkong air route, on top of the present daily flights to and from Singapore.

China and Mindanao have had a long history of maritime trade.

Zamboanga and Jolo, for one, lie along the once heavy sea routes from Canton Sabah and Singapore, which explains why many from these areas trace their lineage to Guangzhou and Macau. It goes without saying therefore, that emerging

MY TWO CENTS’ John Tria as the world’s largest economy, the relationship with China is one that all countries will closely protect.

That President Duterte has assumed such positions of leadership bodes well for the island and subregional grouping that, despite

10 NEWS PRO-POOR... FROM 1

EDGEDAVAO

with only 25-30 square meters,” said Rigor.

The Housing Division of the CPDO has conducted census tagging in order to determine those who would qualify to avail themselves of the housing project. He also added that qualified applicants are those who are citizens of the Republic of the Philippines, with no land holdings under his/her name and must

belong below poverty threshold with an income of P 8,300 monthly.

The selection of occupants will be done by public raffling.

Furthermore, Rigor revealed that the construction cost will not be recovered from the residents because San Miguel will give it to them as donation.

The occupants will only have to pay for the land com-

ponent to the city government.

“We are still in the process of determining the recoverable cost of the land. We are having a hard time calculating it because it’s the first time we would calculate cost for medium-rise buildings.”

At present, phase 1 of the relocation project, with 13-hectare land area, already houses 700-800 settlers.

She said the Lupon Municpal Police Station is now coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to locate and possible rescue of Rupinta.

Based on police report,

Rupinta was driving his motorcycle on June 9 but since then, he was not able to report on duty or even back home.

On the morning of June 10, a telephone call was received by the police station reporting

an abandoned motorcycle in Purok Rosas, Barangay Langka, Lupon.

Upon verification it was confirmed that the motorcycle belonged to the victim. ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

ed circulating Tuesday that the President suffered a stroke, that his right arm was paralyzed and that he had been vomiting.

The President’s last public appearance was on Sunday, June 11. He visited Camp Evangelista Station Hospital in Cagayan de Oro in the afternoon where he awarded medals to 84 soldiers who were wounded in action in Marawi

and in the evening condoled with the families of the 13 Marines slain in Marawi on June 9, during rites at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

On Thursday, Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go released two photographs of Duterte in Balay Pagbabago, his official residence in Malacanang, poring over documents on the table and anoth-

er photograph of him standing beside Go. On Thursday evening, Malacanang Photos dispatched four photographs of Dutere at the Villamor Air Base before departing for Davao City, showing Duterte rendering a salute to Air Force officials along with the two photographs Go had earlier released “to quell rumors that the President is sick.” (MindaNews)

Benigno Simeon Aquino III on April 21, 2014 was a 97-page, 19-article document.

Asked how different the draft is from the draft BBL under the Aquino administration, Jaafar, who is also 1st Vice Chair of the MILF, told MindaNews: “This new (draft) Bangsamoro law now accommodates all stakeholders in the areas of Bangasmoro -- indigenous people, settlers or Christians, traditional leaders or sultans, women, youth and

Ulama. Lahat sila meron (All of them will have) reserved seats sa Bangsamoro Parliament.”

Lawyer Raissa Jajurie, BTC Commissioner in the Aquino and Duterte administrations, told MindaNews Friday that the major changes include accommodating more “sectoral” concerns of “the youth, settlers, etc..” and accommodating the unimplemented provisions of the Moro National Liberation Font’s (MNLF) 1976 and 1996 peace agree-

ments into the new draft BBL. Commissioner Omar Yasser Crisostomo Sema describes the draft BBL as a “converged BBL” that will implement not only the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro signed by the Philippine government (GPH) and the MILF, but will also be “implementing all peace agreements, resolving all contentious issues in the MNLF-GPH peace process.” (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)

ing sold in Kabacan are coming from nearby towns in Maguindanao and in Cotabato City.

He denied there’s a shabu laboratory in town.

The suspects were placed in police custody and charges are being prepared against them, the officer said.

The arrests came a month after operatives of the Region-

al Drug Enforcement Unit of the Philippine National Police nabbed at least 10 other drug suspects in Kabacan. (Malu Cadelina Manar/MindaNews)

“So, to avoid this, their motorcycles will be left here so that unnecessary movement will be controlled,” he said.

While the family of these soldiers cannot avoid apprehensions because of the recorded deaths of some soldiers in Marawi City since the

clash started, Morga advised them to “keep praying that everything will be fine.”

Meanwhile, Morga recalled that they were ordered to deploy troops in January last year when the conflict in Marawi City started.

But due to the big events in Western Visayas, especially

the hosting of Boracay Island in Aklan and Iloilo City of some meetings of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Palarong Pambansa hosting of the province Antique, among others, Morga said that they hold in abeyance the deployment of his troops. (PNA)

hearings in Manila, prompting the agency to file a motion for reconsideration. SC has not acted on the matter yet.

At the Provincial Capitol, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Misamis Oriental also passed a similar resolution unanimously signed by eight members except for four legislators who were absent.

The SP members who

urged the SC to detain, prosecute and try the Maute suspects outside Cagayan de Oro City and Misamis Oriental were Vice Gov. Jose Mari Pelaez and SP members Jeremy Jonahmar Pelaez, Wayne Militante, Mario Charlie Emano, Frederick Khu, Gerardo Sabal III, Leonard Winstanley and Lilian Gallogo.

Pelaez said that “Cagayan

de Oro City’s (location as) the venue of cases (sic) disturbs the peace and endangers the safety and security of the residents of both the city and province and (sic) is easily accessible to the lawless armed groups and their supporters and the possibility of violence and terror is real, certain and immediate.” (Mark D. Francisco/PNA)

Police 11... FROM 2 Duterte... FROM 2

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QUALITY TIME. A father takes some time off from work to spend time with his family at SM City Davao on Saturday, a day before the celebration Father’s Day. Lean Daval Jr.

Cotabato... FROM 3 munities.

City Police director, Senior Supt. Victor Valencia, said BPAT members are directly answerable to their village chairpersons, who are also accountable to the city police.

Valencia said the errors, violations and abuses committed by BPAT members would

mean violations of village chairpersons. ”Walang ibang tutulong sa atin kundi tayo lang din upang ligtas ang ating mga kababayan (Nobody will help us in securing our people but ourselves),” Valencia said.

Cotabato City is only about four hours from Marawi City

(157 km. by land) and the most likely refuge, next to Iligan City, of terrorists outside beleaguered Marawi City. Maguindanao came in third.

Lt. Col. James Uri, 5th Special Forces Battalion commander, however assured that the city is well-secured by the BPAT.

is expected to not only “make travel faster, but also safer, more convenient and comfortable for passengers as it will have eight stations, namely: Tagum; Carmen; Panabo; Mudiang (in Bunawan, Davao City); Davao Terminal; Toril; Sta. Cruz; and Digos. A 10-hectare depot will

be built in Tagum.”

It added the rail line will be built with a single track, with provisions for future tracks and electrification. It will have six five-car passenger trains with three spare cars, four locomotives and 15 freight cars.

Upon project comple-

tion, the DOTr expects the daily ridership of the TagumDavao-Digos segment to increase to 134,060 by 2022.

The Department projects the daily ridership to further increase to 237,023 by 2032 and 375,134 by 2042, it said. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

discounts in medicines, commuting, health care, education, and other applicable benefits under the law and as specified under TRAIN,” Chua said.

He said this proposed national ID will replace all other identification cards issued by the government, except for passports and driver’s licenses.

The target is to provide 105 million Filipinos with the ID within two years of the enactment of the law mandating the implementation of the national identification system, Chua said.

As of June 2 when the Con-

gress adjourned sine die, the Committee on Population and Family Relations in House of Representatives already approved the establishment of a national ID system, which will provide every Filipino a Common Reference Number and single ID card that he or she will use for all government transactions.

Meanwhile, a counterpart bill filed in the Senate has so far been reported on first reading and referred to the Senate Committees on Justice and Human Rights and on Finance.

Under the proposed

TRAIN or House Bill No. 5636, 40 percent of the annual incremental increase from oil excise taxes will go to social-mitigating measures such as targeted cash transfers for the poorest families, public utility (PU) operators and drivers, and electricity consumers in Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) areas or island-provinces not connected to the main power transmission system.

The balance of 60 percent, Chua said, would bankroll projects on infrastructure, education, health, housing and social protection.

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INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 55 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 18 - 19, 2017

EVENT

EDGEDAVAO

Chef Kati shows off the finished Gado-gado together with Mrs. Napitupulu.

INDONESIA, the largest archipelago in the world, is literally just at our country’s doorstep but when you ask a typical Filipino what he or she knows about our neighbouring country, it may seem that our knowledge and understanding of our neighbour to the south is basic.

It is quite a paradox that although we are geographically close, we don’t know too much about Indonesian culture, business and cuisine, is is why the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Davao City is organising the 1st Indonesian Manufactured Products Expo 2017 (IMPE) at the Indonesian Convention Center (House of Indonesia) located at Calamansi St. at Juna Subd, Davao City, slated on 22 -24 July 2017.

To promote this, Indonesian Consul General Berlian Napitupulu invited Davao’s business and lifestyle writers to an afternoon briefing at his residence at the Indonesian Consulate where he also shared the upcoming programs of the consulate to foster trade and cultural understanding between Davao and Indonesia.

“There is a lot of trade between Indonesia and the Philippines.” said Berlian “I went around Davao and saw that there are at least 64 Indonesian products in the market,

Indonesian Consul General Napitupulu promoting the upcoming 1st Indonesian Manufactured Products Expo.

Meet our neighbour:

INDONESIA

but majority of these products are imported through Manila.” Noting the new direct shipping route connecting Davao and Bitung, Berlian wants to encourage Filipino as well as Indonesian businesses to network and utilise the route.

The 1st IMPE will showcase Indonesia’s export quality manufactured products to be marketed in the Philippines, such as automotive spare parts, building materials (tiles), tractor, cosmetics, herbal supplements, pulp and paper, automotive and stationary battery, and many others.

Along with IMPE ac- Congen Napitupulu welcomes the chefs of Marco Polo Davao. tivities, the Consulate performances, and Tour- brought platters of Beef will also organise a One- ism Promotion as well as Rendang and Kue Kacaon-One Business Match- an Indonesia Food Cor- mata (dishes they learned ing, Music and Cultural ner for the entire duration during the first cooking of the expo. class) for the consul genAside from promoting eral and his chefs to taste trade, the afternoon also and evaluate for authenfeatured an Indonesian ticity.

The cooking lessons cooking demonstration prepared by Consul Gen- offer a fascinating introeral Napitupulu’s preso- duction in to the exotic nal chefs. Aside from ingredients and unique invited media, chef from culinary heritage of Indothe Marco Polo Davao nesian as well as provide were also in attendance. a valuable insight into Already the second part the various techniques, of the series of cooking traditional and modern, classes, the chefs from of food preparation and Congen Napitupulu (right) and his wife together with Marco Polo Davao Marco Polo headed by ex- the cooking style used in ecutive chef Alex Destriza homes across the IndoneGeneral Manager Dottie Würgler-Cronin (left).

Making the sauce for Gado-gado. sian Archipelago. Dishes that were taught this afternoon was the famous Gado-gado, a mixed salad with a savoury peanut and tamarind sauce, and Sop Buntut or Oxtail Soup.

I found the making of the Gado-gado sauce fascinating as it combined savoury, sweet, salt and a hint of spice. When mixed together with various blanched vegetables, all depending on personal preference, create a wonderfully balanced dish that is iconic of Indonesia and its thousands of islands.

Don’t you think it is time for us to meet our neighbour?

For those who want to check out the 1st Indonesan Manufactured Products Expo, you can visit the Indonesian Convention Center (House of Indonesia) on July 22 to 24. For inquiries on business matching, you may contact the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia at 082.299.2930 to 34 and loo for Wahyu Permana or Rodel Libabone. You can also email them at ecodept.kjri@ gmail.com.

EDGEDAVAO

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ENTERTAINMENT

VOL. 10 ISSUE 55 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 18 - 19, 2017

I Heart Davao shoots scenes at the Waterfront

IT’S NOT EVERYDAY that you get to see primetime celebrities casually dining at a restaurant while filming or in between takes for a project they are working on. With GMA Network’s latest romcom offering, I Heart Davao, Dabawenyos get a sneak peek

NOW SHOWING

June 14 – 20, 2017

CAN WE STILL BE FRIENDS Gerald Anderson, Arci Muñoz Guaranteed Seating & One Tim e Viewing Only

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WONDER WOMAN Gal Gadot, Chris Pine Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

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THE MUMMY Tom Crusie, Sofia Boutella Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

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DESPICABLE ME 3 Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

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of it all.

“I Heart Davao” is the first ever primetime series set in Davao -with 80 percent of the whole series shot in various locations in the city.

Benjamin Alves, starring alongside real-life couple Tom Rodriguez and Carla Abellana, said that they’ve highlighted what’s great in Davao the food, the destinations and the people.

“We’re glad we can feature them through this show,” added Abellana who previously mentioned that there are so many good things about Davao that people are yet to see.

The whole crew and lead cast stayed at the Waterfront Insular Hotel for about two weeks and filmed in most areas of the hotel-resort property. The celebrities were snapped filming some scenes at the lobby, the Pizzaiolo restaurant and the Vinta Bar. Other set locations were People’s

Park, Duterte Town Square and Malagos Farm.

The series follows the story of a heart transplant recipient Manila girl who comes to Davao to save her family’s chocolate business and finds a potential business partner in a home-grown haciendero who will later be revealed as her heart donor’s first love. Its pilot episode airs on June 26, Monday.

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 55 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 18 - 19, 2017

PEOPLE

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

Jake Dumagan: Father and lawyer ends, but mostly, watching movies almost every week.

When we are complete in the dining table, we talk about what happened to us during the day, what is the latest on the news, latest games for their x-box, some anecdotes and jokes.

Sometimes a simple haircut in our favorite barbershop is bonding for us boys, and waxing, manipedi in their favorite salon for the girls.

THAT’S THE WAY IT GOES, dads have house rules that everybody has to abide to. One or two may fall under the “no comprise” category but in the case of lawyer Jose Dumagan, Jr., or Daddy Jake to his five kids: Justin Jon, 26; Moira Monina, 17; Maxine Monina,15; Juris Jon, 12; and Joaquin Jon, 11, “Everything can be subjected to negotiation in the house.”

The other lawyer in the house, Maria Mercedes or Mamer, couldn’t agree more. Jake’s compañera is more than just his peer but his other half. Yes, there are two lawyers in the household.

Get to know this dad who juggles his time efficiently as a father to his family, a lawyer and a government employee.

How are you as a father?

If I answer this, that would be self-serving. It’s best to ask my kids. But as a father, I try to provide for their needs. But more

than the financial provision, I give them advises based on my experiences in the past. I tell them not to follow what I did wrong, but do good and emulate what I did and doing right. I am also a very protective father.

How do you deal with your kids?

I talk to them. I scold them whenever the situation calls for it. I discipline them, not too strictly though. I deal with them as a father, a mentor and as a friend. I’d like to make them feel that that

So grooming is also a family past time. How important is grooming to your career?

Very important. As a government official, one needs to be well groomed because that would readily make an impression on your colleagues, clients, etc. Besides my father was very strict when it comes to grooming being a military man. Growing up, he was a very big influence in my life.

they can open up to me and tell me everything.

What made you decide to become a lawyer?

When I lost in the 1992

election for Board Member of Surigao del Sur, where the winners were either lawyers or doctors, I decided to take up law. It would take so much time to become a doctor.

You and your wife are both lawyers, does anyone from the brood showing signs of a lawyer in the making?

For now, I think it would be my daughter Moira who’s in third year in college now at San Pedro College taking up Psychology.

You mentioned you practice somewhere else, why not in Davao?

My official station as a government employee is at Butuan in the Caraga Region. If you are in government, you cannot refuse when you are assigned anywhere in the Philippines. It’s part of your commitment when you enter government service, unless your appointment is site-specific.

And what does work as a lawyer in a government agency entail?

My work as Regional Director of NCIP-XIII entails a lot of coordination with other government agencies, field work, consultations with our IP leaders and members, meetings with politicians, decision-making, planning and financial management. In addition, NCIP is the primary government agency mandated by law to process the indigenous cultural communities’ application for the issuance of a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title. I see to it that this mandate is carried out.

Sounds like a lot of work, how often do you get together with family and what’s bonding time like?

We are always together except during workdays when I’m in Butuan. Just staying like home and watching TV, visit our Samal house on some week-

You’re a Rocky’s Barbershop loyal client, you said. How often do you go and when did your Rocky’s tradition start?

I visit Rocky’s every other week, and this started when it first opened its first branch. Then lately at Big Tom’s, the sister company, in NCCC because its near our residence.

Lastly, what do you say is the Dumagan tradition?

Mov ie-watch i ng.

(Laughs). Both sides of the family were in the business of cinema.

But seriously, even if my wife and I are lawyers, we do not expect our kids to follow in our footsteps. We give them the freedom to choose what they want to be, who they want to be.

But whatever their choices may be, we always tell them to be the best at it.

1996 perfume, from Rocky’s new fragrance line, is available in all Rocky’s Barbershops at Victoria Plaza, Abreeza Mall, GMall, SM City & SM Lanang Premier in Davao City, and Centrio Ayala Mall and SM City in Cagayan de Oro City.

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 55 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 18 - 19, 2017

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EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 11

More divers needed in search for Bohol town mayor’s body

A

S the search for the body of slain Bien Unido, Bohol Mayor Gisela Boniel expands northward from where the body was allegedly dumped, the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office appealed for more volunteer divers to help in the exploration.

Senior Supt. Rommel Cabagnot, director of the LLCPO, and his deputy Chief Insp.

Junel Caadlawon are calling for more divers to volunteer as they lack the manpower to cover the much expansive seawaters towards Camotes Island.

Caadlawon told the media on Friday afternoon that interested volunteers only need to present themselves and coordinate with the search and retrieval operations team for their areas of assignment.

He said the volunteers are

assured of provisions while at sea.

The search is now on its 10th day after the lady mayor was abducted from a resort in Bien Unido and was allegedly shot to death by her husband, Bohol Provincial Board Member Nino Rey Boniel, aboard a motorboat.

Police learned that the mayor’s body was wrapped in a fishing net with big rocks reportedly weighing 30 kilos before she was dumped down the waters between Bohol and Mactan Island.

The Bohol PB member has been charged with parricide and is now detained at the Fuente Police Station. His eight henchmen who allegedly aided him in the abduction and dumping of Gisela have been charged separately. Four of the other eight accused are still at large. (LBG/PNA)

coordinated, we’ll probably be able to do 210 (tons), 220 (tons) with the existing equipment,” he said.

In terms of the company’s hotel business, RCI officials said they will focus on it but did not discount any future plan to put up mixed-use projects.

To date, the company has four operating GoHotels, namely in Parañaque City near the airport; in North EDSA and Cubao, both in Quezon City; and in Malate, Manila.

Another one in Timog

Ave., Quezon City will open this quarter.

Gaspar said their properties in Timog Ave. and in Ermita have extra spaces.

He however stressed that before they venture into mixed-use projects, they want to familiarize themselves with their hotel business first.

“We will first make sure that the hotels are operating well, getting there and then we would think about other things in the two properties where we have extra space,” he added.

Secretary Hellen De La Vega; Department of National Defense (DND) Assistant Secretary for Assesssments and International Affairs Raymund Jose G. Quilop; Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Assistant Bureau Director Drusila Bayate and National Privacy Commission Chairman Raymund Liboro.

Key questions addressed on the topics involved constraints and opportunities for security cooperation for ASEAN Member States, the plan of action for the Philippines and ASEAN to address overlapping exclusive zones, the South China Sea dispute, among other issues.

As the lead agency for the ASEAN Political-Security Pillar, DFA Assistant Secretary Hellen De La Vega opened the dialogue with a brief background

on regional security cooperation. She also explained the impact of the South China Sea issue on peace and stability in the region. Defense Assistant Secretary Raymund Jose Quilop spoke on national defense capabilities against transnational security issues.

National Privacy Commission Chairman Raymund Liboro, on the other hand, discussed data privacy and protection in the Philippines and in ASEAN, including the steps being undertaken by the government to improve local IT infrastructure and the readiness of the Philippines against cyber attacks and cyber crimes.

The ASEAN 2017 Dialogues will hold subsequent ones on topics relating to the economic and socio-cultural pillars of ASEAN. (PNA)

worth of total damage and production losses in crops nationwide while affecting some 413,456 farming households.

That episode also affected 556,721 hectares nationwide, noted FAO, which extended El Niño-related assistance to the country.

However, latest climate models indicate a bleak chance

for the recurrence of La Niña this year.

“There’s a higher chance for either El Niño or ENSO-neutral conditions than for La Niña this year,” said Solis, disputing a report that rain-driving phenomenon will recur in 2017.

The last La Niña episode in 2016’s second half was a weak one, she noted.

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PSYCHOSOCIAL INTERVENTION. Maranao children express their nightmarish experience in Marawi City through drawings during a psychosocial intervention under the Kalinaw Mindanaw National Interfaith

Humanitarian Mission at an evacuation center at the Toril Compound in Merila, Iligan City Wednesday (14 June 2017). MindaNews photo by AUBREY ROCIN LLAMAS

PRC-Zambo deploys team to Marawi City

T

HE Philippine Red Cross-Zamboanga City chapter deployed a 16man team to assist in attending the needs of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Marawi City.

Joseline Fernandez, PRC-Zamboanga City Chapter OIC-Administrator, on Saturday said the team has com-

plete equipment to include an ambulance, water tanker and a water bladder.

Fernandez said the deployment of the team was in compliance to the order from the PRC central office to augment the PRC staffs and volunteers in Marawi City.

She said the team from the local PRC chapter will be of big

help since they already have the experience in attending to the needs of the IDPs amid the fighting.

The local PRC staffs and volunteers earned their experience during the 21-day September 2013 siege.

Social Welfare data as of Thursday, June 15, showed that there were 68,109 fami-

lies comprising of 332,582 individuals have been displaced by the fighting in Marawi City that started on May 23.

The siege initiated by the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-inspired Maute group in Marawi City prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to placed Mindanao under martial law.

HE military has two noble missions it must accomplish in its war on terror against the Maute terrorists in Marawi City as fighting entered its 26th day on Saturday.

One is to preserve the republic by wiping out the terror group,that wanted to establish a caliphate in Marawi .

Secondly, while the soldiers are busy fighting their other mission is to rescue civilians trapped in the fighting and are being used as human shields by the Islamic militants.

Brig. Restituto Padilla Jr., spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said that as of 6 p.m. Friday, 225 terrorists have been killed

since fighting erupted on May 23.

The military suffered 59 killed in action, while 26 civilians were also slain during the same period. So far, the military has rescued 1,629 civilians trapped in buildings in the war-torn city.

There are still an undetermined number of civilians being held as human shields by the terrorists.

Government forces have to be extra careful in their offensive because aside from civilians being used as human shields, the terrorists have planted improvised explosive devices (IED) in strategic areas and in buildings occupied by the Maute group.

Padilla also said that

most of the casualties suffered by government forces came from terrorist snipers, who are posted in tall buildings in the city.

An Australian journalist, identified as Adam Harvey of the Australian Broadcasting Company, who was hit by shrapnel that pierced his neck just after he took off his armored vest and helmet upon reaching the capitol building.

Harvey was immediately rushed to the city hospital.

Harvey was the first journalist who was wounded while covering the fighting in Marawi City.

Since Day One of the fighting, Philippine Air Force (PAF) planes and helicop-

ter gunships, including the newly acquired F50 jets have been used in surgical airstrikes that killed most of the 225 terrorist casualties.

Padilla said airstrikes would continue to be used by the AFP to cripple once and for all the remaining Maute terrorists still holed out in four barangays in Marawi.

Government forces have recaptured 96 per cent of Marawi City since fighting started more than three weeks ago.

Padilla also said that government troops captured more than 200 high-powered weapons left behind by slain terrorists since fighting erupted more than three weeks ago. (PNA)

T

According to the Joint Task Force Marawi, the sustained ground and air attack the military launched in the past few days has taken its toll on the Maute Group as more of its fighters were killed.

Per latest data released

by JTF Marawi to the media, there are now about 225 insurgents who were killed either by airstrike’s or by engaging the government troops on the ground, while 208 assorted firearms were confiscated or recovered by the armed forces from the in-

surgents.

JTF said 50 military personnel had reported to have been killed in action.

“Enemy resistance continues to dwindle and enemy held areas continues (sic) to get smaller as troops ad-

AFP intensifies war on terror vs Maute terrorists in Marawi

T

Maute fighters in Marawi dwindle

HE number of Maute members fighting the government forces in the strife torn city of Marawi has dwindled as soldiers continue to advance in areas the extremists used to have a strong hold, the military said Saturday.

F MAUTE, 13

12 AGRITRENDS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 55 • SUNDAY - MONDAY, JUNE 18 - 19, 2017

The grass with thousands of uses

Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

T

O seize a sizable share of the US$20 billion global bamboo market, a line agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is pushing for the creation of a state coordinating agency for bamboo development.

The Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) is supporting Senate Bill (SB) No. 1478 – also known as the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Act (PHILBIDA) – as it will sharpen coordination of the many dispersed bamboo programs in the country.

Once approved, the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council (PBIDC) will be created.

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, one of the authors of proposed bill, told the Senate Congress: “I believe that the bamboo industry is one of these high potential industries if given proper attention and priority by the government. If developed, it could generate more jobs and bring inclusive growth in the countryside.”

Currently, only a handful of countries are competing in the bamboo industry around the world. “There is a great potential for the Philippine bamboo industry to get the bigger pie in the world market and be on the top export products of the country,” Zubiri said, adding that the bill aims to make bamboo and its products as one of the main actors in Philippine export industries.

According to the senator from Bukidnon, the absence of a government agency focused on bamboo hinders development of the industry. “There is no institution that is dedicated to oversee the development of the bamboo industry,” he said.

“Among the impediments to realize bamboo industry in the Philippines are the dispersed programs, unsupportive policies, and lack of incentives to attract investments.”

In Davao City, one of those who believed in bamboo as economic booster was the late city councilor Leonardo Avilla III. When he was still the officer-in-charge of the city’s Agriculture Office, he said that the bamboo industry in the Philippines has the potential to grow. “But it needs a proper research and government support for it to prosper,” he pointed out.

There is money in growing bamboo. This is the rea-

son why farmers in Iloilo has recently underwent training on bamboo production after knowing the crop’s high return on investment and quicker payback compared to other long-gestating crops.

“Bamboo is considered to be the best conservation material because of its low maintenance compared to other plantations aside from the fact that there is a high return on investment and faster payback in bamboo,” said Dr. Henry A. Adonardo, ERDB executive director.

Based on studied plantations in Central America, “The REDD Monitor” placed bamboo’s return on investment at 26%. REDD stands for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.

Planting bamboo is environment-friendly. It can help address the problem of climate change. Some studies showed that bamboo plants can sequester 12 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare per year.

Not only that. Bamboo is an effective tool in addressing soil erosion, landslides, and flooding.

There are so many potentials from bamboo. Furniture makers and wood craftsmen who shift from wood to bamboo are expected to share in the huge export bonanza expected from a growing demand for bamboo furniture and bamboo handicrafts in the global market.

“We’re not talking here of raw bamboo for export, but finished products made from bamboo. From roots to tip, you can make soap, medicines, cosmetics, furniture, bricks, clothing, paper, floor tiles, wall panels, drinks, vegetables – even surf boards from bamboo,” said an official from Department of Trade and Industry.

There are a million uses of bamboo. According to an article, which appeared in “Reader’s Digest,” bamboo “is delicate enough to be used in phonograph needles, yet strong enough to be used in bridge construction.” As such, bamboo can replace or indirectly decrease consumption of three critically scarce resources: wood, metal, and oil.

Bamboo is also edible. Its shoots are a source of food rich in fiber, nutrients, Vitamins A, B, and C. Bamboo shoots are made of 88.8% moisture, 3.9% protein, 0.5% fat, 5.7% carbohydrates and

“Bamboo is considered to be the best conservation material because of its low maintenance compared to other plantations aside from the fact that there is a high return on investment and faster payback in bamboo,” said Dr. Henry A. Adonardo, Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) executive director.

1.1 minerals.

“The amino acid content of bamboo is higher than cabbage, carrot, onion and pumpkin. Bamboo also contains 17 different types of enzymes and more than 10 kinds of mineral elements, such as chromium, zinc, manganese, iron, magnesium, nickel and cobalt,” said the press release.

In Maasin, Iloilo, the bamboo charcoal is one of its major products. The company Iloilo Kawayan Marketing is reportedly producing the charcoal that is considered to be a natural product and is ecologically friendly.

“Used as a fuel, it is smokeless and odorless and is best for barbecues,” the press release said. “Bamboo charcoal works as a natural fertilizer and pesticide. It is also used as a deodorizer. It can filter tap water. Put pieces of bamboo charcoal in a jug of tap water, then leave it for 4-5 hours. The water in the jug will taste like mineral water.”

With its anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties, bamboo charcoal is now used as soap ingredient. “It cleans the skin deeply. Because of the incredible absorbency of the bamboo charcoal with activated carbon, the soap can clean to the very bottom of skin pores and does not leave a residue on the face. The newly cleaned skin pores can receive natural moisturizing from the body’s oils,” said the press release.

In Puerto Princesa, Palawan, bamboo is known not as a crop but as part of tourist attraction. At Ugong Rock in barangay Tabaginet, a bike with a frame made of bamboo is the newest attraction.

Called the Bamboo Zip Bike, the adventure is a fun combination of bike and zipline that will surely give the

tourists, both local and foreign, the thrill and the possibility to enjoy nature,” wrote Athena Colline L. Verdey, the author of the report.

The Bamboo Zip Bike Adventure, as it is called, allows thrill-seeking visitors to explore the breathtaking scenery in Ugong Rock using a bike made out of the bamboo plant on a 250- meter long high-wire suspended at about 90 feet from the ground.

“Along with two more traditional ziplines, the bamboo zipbike adventure is now one of the most popular activities in the city,” Verdey wrote. “It is usually included in tour packages offered by various travel agencies and has made headlines as the first tourist spot offering an environmental-friendly cycling adventure.”

The Ugong Rock Multipurpose Cooperative (MPC) introduced bamboo zip bike adventure to the public in October 2016. It was inspired by the first-ever zip bike launched in Bohol but comes with a twist.

Staying true to their commitment of being an environment steward, the MPC uses bikes made out of an abundant local raw material, the bamboo plant. And through the DOST’s flagship program Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), the cooperative was able to start the pioneering project. They were able to acquire zip bike facilities such as bike lanes, cable wires, harness, and handmade bamboo bikes.

In the Philippines, bamboo grows anywhere. Often, it will grow on marginal farm areas not much good for anything else. “It is a pity that we have neglected this important crop for so long,” deplores Roy C. Alimoane, the director of Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center.

But before growing bamboo, you need to know where you are going to plant it. “Bamboo has two different classifications. If they are planted in private lands, they are considered agricultural products.

But if they are planted in forest lands, they are non-timber forest products which require gatherers to secure a permit before harvest,” explained Director Ricardo Calderon of the Forest Management Bureau, another DENR line agency.

Not all bamboo species grown in the country are economically important, however. Only eight so-called erect species are extensively used: “kauayan-tinik,” “kauayan-kiling,” “bayog,” “botong,” giant bamboo, “bolo,” “anos,” and

F AGRITRENDS, 13

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EDGEDAVAO

Maute... FROM 11

vance,” the task force said in its update report over the weekend.

JTF said about 26 civilians had lost their lives as there are still residents who refused to leave their homes, although 1,629 of them had already been rescued by a combined team of military,

civil society groups and local government officials.

Out of 96 barangays in Marawi, the JTF has noted only four villages, especially Bangolo and Marinaut, remained as “problem areas” and where the military has focused its assaults on.

According to Lieutenant

Colonel Jo-Ar Herrera, spokesperson of the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry Division, soldiers are on “clearing operations” in those four villages after troopers managed to retake some of the strategic points where the enemy snipers used to be positioned and inflict casualties. (PNA)

He added that aside from the country’s regular participants Davao City and Palawan, PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez wanted to expand Philippines’ participation with the entry of Davao del Norte.

The Eaga 10K run features men’s and women’s catego-

ries. Maxey, however, said national athletes are not eligible to compete.

He added that PSC shouldered the accommodation and allowances of Filipino athletes who saw action in the 9th BIMP-Eaga Friendship Games held in Samarinda,

East Kalimantan, Indonesia last December as participating local government units (LGUs) spent for their plane fares.

But in the upcoming 10K run, Maxey said they will have yet to determine the assistance that PSC can extend to the LGUs. PSC-PSI

“buho.” Most species of bamboo mature three to four years after initial shoot development.

The Philippines is the fifth most important exporter of bamboo products in the world, according to the International Trade of Bamboo and Rattan 2012 report. The top exporter is China.

Under PBIDC, SB 1478 will also create the Bamboo Industry Research and Development Center (BIRDC) which will have these functions: promote establishment

and management of bamboo nurseries, plantations and processing facilities that would accelerate the production and commercialization of bamboo and various bamboo products; promote market access of its technologies and products; and evaluate the performance of industry programs and projects.

Other functions include partnering with the private sector and other government and non-government agencies in the implementation of the Philippine Bamboo Road-

map (PBR); accepting grants, donations and contributions from local and international donors; and conducting capability-building initiatives for farmers, processors, designers, and other 10 stakeholders.

“I believe that with support and attention, the Philippine bamboo industry will reach greater heights, that is appropriate for the tallest grass on earth,” Zubiri said. “It is only then that we will be able to truly say that bamboo is the grass of hope for the Filipino people.”

Participation... FROM 15

AGRITRENDS... FROM 12

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Environment, progress highlighted in Mati City’s founding anniversary opening celebration C

ITY OF MATI – The City Government of Mati has launched a new program dedicated to environment protection amid the continuous urban development and progress in the city throughout the years.

The program called Solid Waste Integrated Management (SWIM) was launched during the opening ceremony of the city’s Founding Anniversary held yesterday, June 15, at the Mati Park and Baywalk.

Mayor Carlo P. Rabat, who officially opened the city’s celebration and led the launching of the program, said SWIM is the local government’s initiative implemented under the Conserve, Protect, Respect advocacy of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, which calls for a comprehensive waste prevention, recycling, composting, and disposal program to protect human health and the environment.

The stakeholders behind the project which include the city’s top officials, hotels and resorts owners, Fisherfolk People’s Organization, Commercial Fish Operators, Fish Cage Operators, Bantay Dagat Fish Warden, Punong Barangays of the coastal villages, and representatives from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, have affixed their signatures in the commitment wall of the SWIM project signifying their full support and cooperation.

Mayor Rabat urged the citizens of Mati to be a “SWIM partner” as he considers tourism, trade and commerce to be immensely dependent on a clean environment. “It is but fitting that this initiative should be given full support as it aspires to uplift the mindset and spirit of convergence of all coastal communities to prevent the destruction of our seas, beaches and rich marine life.”

With the mayor’s rallying call for a united community gearing toward progress, he has encouraged everyone to “do more to achieve success as one vibrant forward looking community of Matinians”.

Amid the call for environment protection, the City Government has also showcased the potentials and achievements of the city

through an Agri-tourism Trade Fair participated in by all its 26 villages. Featuring ‘signature’ products of Mati, each village displayed various products in the exhibit which will run until June 19.

Rabat said that his administration will continue to lay out programs that will usher economic development within the city. “We shall continue to pursue our viable projects and programs to attract more investors to invest here especially on ecotourism and agri-industry with fair return on their investments plus strong local government support not only from the City but also from the Province of Davao Oriental headed by our energetic and well-known Governor Nelson Dayanghirang,” he said.

The Province of Davao Oriental has also joined in the celebration of the Founding Anniversary of its capital City of Mati.

During the celebration’s opening ceremony, Governor Dayanghirang, on a speech delivered for him by Provincial Administrator Art Benjie Bulaong, told Matinians to “pay tribute to the generations of peace-loving people who have greatly contributed towards making Mati a peaceful and progressive place today.”

He urged people to “join hands in the pursuit of one dream of making Mati a prosperous city and a new tourism destination in the country”.

Series of activities have been lined up for the week-long celebration of the Araw ng Mati such as the Coronation Night of the Mutya ng Mati on Sunday June 18. By Riza M. Golez

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11th Judicial region BRANCH 17, Davao City IN RE: PETITION FOR CORRECTION IN THE ENTRY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH Case No. R-DVO-17-01341-SP RENLEIGH MACAWILE CAÑAVERAL, rep. by this mother, ALTHEA LEIGH C. MACAWILE., Petitioners, - versus OFFICE OF THE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR, DAVAO CITY, and RENANTE R. CAÑAVERAL, Respondent, x---------------------------------------x ORDER Petitioner, filed an Amended Petition, praying that after due notice and hearing, an Order be issued, ordering the Local Civil Registrar of Davao City to correct/change the surname of herein petitioner RENLEIGH MACAWILE CAÑAVERAL registered with their office as well as the records appearing before the National Statistics Office from CAÑAVERAL to MACAWILE. Other reliefs just and equitable under the premises are likewise prayed for.

Finding the Petition to be sufficient in form and substance, set hearing of the Petition on September 4, 2017 at 8:30 o’clock in the morning, ordering all interested persons to appear on the said date and show cause, why this Petition should not be granted.

Petitioner is directed to publish this Order, at least once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks, prior to the date of hearing in a designated qualified newspaper of general circulation, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1079.

Furnish a copy of this Order to the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, Davao City, for raffling of the publication.

SO ORDERED Given this 26th day of May, 2017 at Davao City, Philippines.

EVALYN M. ARELLANO-MORALES Presiding Judge

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READY FOR BEATING P

SPORTS15

George staying in Indiana

J

Horn gets set for Pacquiao beating

EFF Horn has pushed his body to new limits ahead of his WBO welterweight title bout with Manny Pacquiao and admits he won’t find out if he’s perfected the balance until fight day at Suncorp Stadium on July 2.

By that time, it may be too late, with Horn and his training team in new territory ahead of the highest-profile fight ever to be held on Australian soil.

Pacquiao has been through the routine time and time again in his esteemed career. With veteran trainer Freddy Roach guiding every step of his preparations, the eight-time world champion won’t be leaving any stone unturned before his first defence of the belt.

READY. Jeff Horn is ready for a beating ahead of his WBO welterweight title fight with Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao.

For Horn and his trainer Glenn Rushton, it’s a journey into the unknown. Horn has punished himself in rigorous

12-round sparring sessions and has to endure a further two before tapering his training in the week leading up to

the fight.

He paid a visit to the Queensland State of Origin team’s training session at Sanctuary Cove on Friday before returning to continue honing his plan of attack - and defence - before Pacquiao’s arrival.

The 29-year-old said he felt ‘cooked’ at this stage but would concentrate heavily on recovery over the coming fortnight. In his mind, he will be winning by a knockout or a 12-round decision and has built up his fitness accordingly.

But if he’s overdone it in the gym, he knows he will find out the hard way against Pacquiao, who has lost some power in his late 30s but remains one of the most accomplished fighters on the planet.

Participation of Davao City, DavNor in Eaga 10K run eyed

T

HE participation of Davao City and Davao del Norte are being eyed in the upcoming BIMPNT (Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philipines-Northern Territory)-Eaga 10K Run set sometime in September or October in Manado, Indonesia this year.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Charles Raymond A. Maxey on Friday that he had coordination meetings with the city government of Davao through Sports Development Division of the City Mayor’s Office (SDD-CMO) officer-in-charge Mikey Aportadera last Thursday,

June 15, and provincial goverment of Davao del Norte through provincial administrator Samson Sanchez, provincial sports coordinator Giovanni Gulanes and Francis Mejos Friday, June 16.

“Gi-separate man gud ang 10K run sa Eaga Games na gihimo atong December 2016. Karong tuig pa himuon ang 10K. Dili nalang diay na sya BIMP kay apil naman pud ang Darwin, Northern Territory (The 10K event was not included in the 2016 BIMP-Eaga Games last December. It will instead be held this year and Darwin, Territory has already been included),” Maxey said.

COORDINATION MEETING. Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Charles Raymond A. Maxey, second from left, and his staff Karlo Paolo Pates and Zennie Rollon pose with Davao City’s Sports Development Division of the City Mayor’s Office (SDD-CMO) officer-in-charge Mikey Aportadera and his staff Cindy Cruz after a coordination meeting held Thursday on the upcoming BIMPNT-Eaga F PARTICIPATION, 13 10K Run set sometime in September or October. KARLO PATES/FACEBOOK

HUGE SPIKE. Shya Adorador of Generika puts one in against Jana Sta. PAYBACK. Jana Sta. Maria of Cherrylume scores against Shya Adorador of Generika Maria of Cherrylume in the ongoing PSL All Filipino Conference. during the Generika-Cherrylume tussle in the PSL All Filipino Conference.

AUL George is committed to playing for the Indiana Pacers next season.

After that, it’s anybody’s guess.

The four-time All-Star forward provided clarity on his short-term plan Thursday before playing in a charity softball game just a short walk away from the only NBA arena he’s called home. ‘’I am a Pacer. I am under contract and I intend to play,’’ he said while sitting in the first base dugout.

George’s succinct message might satisfy Pacers fans temporarily, though the much larger question still looms: Will he continue to suit up in Indiana beyond 2017-18?

If he doesn’t sign the max contract former president of basketball operations Larry Bird has been promising before July 2018, George could become one of the most coveted free agents on the market next summer.

He’s averaged 18.1 points and 6.3 rebounds over seven NBA seasons and is considered one of the best two-way players in the league.

The last two seasons have been the best of his career.

Since returning for the final six games of the 2014-15 season, after gruesomely breaking his left leg, George has taken his game to new heights. He averaged 23.1 points and 7.0 rebounds in 2015-16.

Last season, he scored 23.7 points and grabbed 6.6 rebounds, not quite enough to earn a spot on the three all-NBA teams and perhaps costing him an additional $75 million from the Pacers.

All of those factors, and George’s occasional dissatisfaction with what’s gone on inside the organization, has led to speculation that the 27-year-old star could sign with his hometown team and lead the Los Angeles Lakers to another title.

Over the past four months, George has seemingly heard it all.

At the February trade deadline, there was speculation that he could be headed to Boston or At-

STAYING PUT. Indiana star forward Paul George is committed to return to Indiana.

lanta. This summer, rumors have surfaced with all sorts of possibilities: Indiana dealing George to Cleveland for Kevin Love, trading George to the Boston Celtics for the top pick in next week’s draft, even George and LeBron James pairing up with the Lakers after next season.

George doesn’t buy any of them. ‘’They’re all crazy,’’ he said. ‘’But all are to be expected. I’ve been dealing with this since last season, but I’m just living in the moment.’’

But Indiana fans and Pacers executives are still searching for answers about George’s long-term plan.

Kevin Pritchard, Bird’s successor as the team’s top decision-maker, and coach Nate McMillan need to know how to proceed during this crucial summer. So far, George hasn’t said much publicly.

He has, however, met with Pritchard and McMillan multiple times. George said he has reiterated his desire to lead the Pacers to an NBA title and provided insight on what he believes the Pacers need to do it.

Indiana struggled after the All-Star break last season before clinching the No. 7 seed in the final week of the regular season. Cleveland then eliminated the Pacers with a firstround sweep - four wins by a combined total of 16 points - on its way to a third straight Eastern Conference crown.

George believes making the right moves in next week’s draft and in the free-agent market could allow the Pacers to close the gap and perhaps even dethrone James’ team. ‘’In ways, I feel like we are close,’’ he said. ‘’It’s hard not to believe that because we did the best against Cleveland of anyone and we could have won that series. At the same time, we need some more talent, we need better players.’’

Pritchard has not taken questions since his promotion was announced May 1.

McMillan didn’t divulge much about those conversations during a brief pregame interview, either.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports CASH INCENTIVES. Davao City athletes will receive their incentives from the Philippine Sports Commission as directed by Chairman Butch Ramirez.

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INCENTIVES PSC releases BPinoy incentives to DC athletes A

IMED at boosting the sports efforts of local government units, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) on Friday released the Php 150,000 cash incentives to Davao City for winning 3rd overall place in the Batang Pinoy National Championships held last year.

PSC senior assistant Ron-

T

nel Abrenica said City Administrator Atty. Zuleika Lopez and Michael Denton Aportadera, Officer-in-Charge of City Sports Development Division, and City Anti-Drug Abuse Council received the award on behalf of Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio.

“The incentives offered to winners are not a lot but it shows the PSC’s recognition for the

LOYD Mayweather is happy to be out of retirement after signing a deal this week to face UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor in a boxing match on Aug. 26 in Las Vegas.

The two fighters have yet to come face to face since the announcement was made, but Mayweather attended the “All Eyez On Me” premiere this week where he made his first public statement on the matchup.

Mayweather will return to the ring after two years away following his retirement in 2015 after he defeated Andre Berto in a lopsided decision in his final fight. The bout with McGregor will give Mayweather the chance to move his career record to 500.

“McGregor is a tough competitor. People all around the world demanded this fight so I had to give them what they wanted to see,” Mayweather

told BSOTV. “They asked for this fight. I was in retirement, but they wanted me back and I’m back.”

For his return to the ring, Mayweather is expected to make a very hefty payday with predictions ranging north of $200 million for the 12-round fight with McGregor.

While the revenue split hasn’t been made public, Mayweather called himself the ‘A’ side in the deal but ultimately believes everybody involved will be happy with the end result.

“Both parties are very happy,” Mayweather said. “He’s very happy, I’m very happy and I can’t wait.”

As far as what lies ahead, Mayweather knows he’ll face a raucous opposition from McGregor and his supporters because the Irishman carries an entire country with him wherever he goes around the world.

IT’S ON. Floyd Mayweather Jr. Will be fighting MMA champion Conor McGregor.

event which was held in Tagum City.

Batang Pinoy is a national multi-sports event for children 17 years old and below. The 2016 edition gathered around 14,000 children from across the nation.

This year, the games will have its Luzvimin legs before the national championship in February 2018.

(Primo P. Agatep/PNA)

PH tracksters shine in Thailand meet

HE Philippines has captured three gold medals in the Thailand Open Track and Field Championships that ended Thursday at the Thammasat University Sports Complex in Bangkok, Thailand.

The men’s 4x400 meters

Mayweather happy to be out of retirement F

LGU’s efforts to becoming partners for sports development and most importantly it shows appreciation for the hard work the children put into preparing and participating in the Games,” said Abrenica.

Similar cash incentives were also given to the cities Baguio and Cebu which took first and second over-all place respectively in said

relay team of Edgardo Alejan Jr., Michael del Prado, Joan Caido and Archand Christian Bagsit clocked 3 minutes and 11.70 seconds to win the event over South Korea (silver) and Thailand (bronze).

It was the first time for the four athletes to run as a team

in the tournament that served as their tune-up for the 29th Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia in August.

Mark Harris Diones of Camarines Sur and Janry Ubas (in photo) of Cagayan de Oro delivered the other two golds for the Philippines.

Diones won the men’s triple jump event with a 16.13-meter leap. His Philippine record is 16.70 meters.

Ronne Malipay settled for the bronze with his leap of 15.85 meters. (Jean T. Malanum/ PNA/Photo courtesy of PATAFA)