Edge Davao 10 Issue 59, June 23 - 24, 2017

VOL. 10 ISSUE 59 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 23 - 24, 2017

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‘I AM SORRY’ Duterte asks forgiveness for destruction of Marawi

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday asked forgiveness from Maranaos for the devastation of Marawi City, the deaths and mass displacement of its resident, explaining he had no choice but to drive the terrorists out of the country’s lone Islamic City.

“I am very, very, very sorry na nangyari ito sa atin” (that this happened to us), he said during his visit to the evacuation center at the National School of Fisheries in Barangay Buru-un in Iligan City on Tuesday, Day 29 of the Marawi Crisis.

It was his first visit to an evacuation center since clashes between government forces and the Maute Group started on May 23 and the first time he sought forgiveness for his decision to send in the troops and launch air strikes, and for declaring martial law, claiming he was left with no choice.

The country’ first President from Mindanao (his mother was from Agusan del Norte, his grandmother was a Maranao) told Maranaos he hopes they “will find a new heart to forgive my soldiers, ang gobyerno, pati ako for declaring martial law.”

“Wala akong choice eh. Sinisira na ang Marawi” (I had no choice. Marawi was being destroyed) by the Maute Group and its allied terrorist groups, he said, adding he had to “drive them out.”

“But I am very sorry. Paki-abot na lang doon sa mga kapatid nating mga Maranao na ang aking paghihinanakit rin sa nangyari na ito. (Please extend to our fellow Maranaos that I am hurt that this happened). Patawarin ninyo po kami” (Please forgive us), said the President who earlier in his speech admitted he “felt

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

MIND-BOGGLING. A Muslim college student browses through a wide collection of dresses on display inside an establishment selling ready-to-wear Islamic clothing along Quezon Blvd., in Davao City on Thursday in preparation for the celebration of Eid’l Fitr on Monday, June 26. Lean Daval Jr.

EDGEDAVAO Sports TIGHT CONTEST

Samanodi, Gascal lead winners in 29th GET golfest

TF worried on threats against photojournalist

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HE Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) has raised concern over the security of a photojournalist covering the ongoing conflict in Marawi City.

During the regular meeting of the task force on June 21, representatives from media organizations such as the National Press Club (NPC), Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), Publishers Association of the Philippines

Inc. (PAPI), Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), and Philippine Press Institute (PPI), which are part of the task force as “observers and resource persons,” expressed concern over the safety of photojournalist Jes Aznar, one of the many journalists covering the conflict in Marawi.

Aznar, a photojournalist

whose works appear on The New York Times and other international publications, has been unfairly accused of posting real time on his Facebook the scrimmage between government forces and Maute group.

“Our colleague Jes has been maliciously attacked by netizens and now fears for his safety,” said Joe Torres of NPC. The same groups are also concerned about the safety of

the rest of the media workers covering Marawi.

While they recognize and thank the military and the police for ensuring that media workers are unharmed during coverage of the ongoing battle, the media practitioners, joined by the Task Force, are urging the authorities to further keep them from harm’s way and extend appropriate assistance for safe coverage.

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NEW VENTURE. Global Ventures, Inc. president Glenn Escandor (rightmost) poses for a photograph with his wife Michelle Ann (2nd from right), Escandor Group of Companies vice president Violeta Escandor (center), Thelma Derla (2nd from left) and Irra Jarina Escandor during the blessing and opening of the new Globe GEN3 Store at the third level of Gaisano Mall of Davao on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr.

Suspected ASG‘medics’ arrested in Zamboanga

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HE Philippine National Police on Thursday arrested two alleged “medics” of the Abu Sayyaf Group at a pharmacy in the province of Zamboanga del Sur. Chief Supt. Billy Beltran, Police Regional Office-9 director, identified the suspects as Jadzrie Harad Saabdula, 50; and, Jamal Kalib Jamil, 18. Both are from Sulu.

Saabdula, who is a nurse of Banguingui (former Tongkil town) Municipal Hospital, is the brother of slain Abu Sayyaf leader Nadzmi Saabdula alias Commander Global.

Saabdula was one of the top three Abu Sayyaf leaders killed in a standoff during a

botched jail break in March 2005 at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City.

The other two slain ASG leaders were Ghalib Andang alias Commander Robot and Alhamser Limbong alias Commander Kosovo.

Beltran said the two suspects were arrested while they were purchasing bulk of assorted medicines at a pharmacy in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur. Among the medicines they purchased included antibiotics, antibacterial, pain relievers and other types of post-traumatic medicines.

Beltran said it is believed

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New BBL ready for submission to Duterte T

HE 21-member Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) is set to submit on June 28 the new version of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) to President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang.

The submission comes three months after President Duterte has created the expanded BTC to draft the new version of the BBL, which is the legal foundation for the creation of a new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region here

in Mindanao.

“The new BBL is in steps with legal and constitutional reform as directed by the President. It already harmonized the two peace agreements (1996 Final Peace Agreement and the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro). It also incorporated new provisions taken from the suggestions of Congress in the past BBL,” BTC Commissioner Jose Lorena said on Thursday.

Lorena described the new BBL as an enhance version of

the previous one that failed to pass Congress due to the Mamasapano incident in January 2015.

“This is an enhance version, and also in the context of the proposed constitutional move to change for a federal system,” Lorena said.

“It is also inclusive because the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) is part of the BTC,” he added referring to three BTC commissioners who represent the MNLF. The creation of the BTC

is part of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The BBL is needed to repeal the current organic law, Republic Act 9054, to replace the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to Bangsamoro Autonomous Region with a parliamentary form of government.

The BTC formally started

IGHT were killed while 10 others were wounded at the height of the armed clashes between government troops and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) on Wednesday, combined reports from the Cotabato Police Provincial Office and the Philippine Army said.

The CPPO reported two killed – Abraham Cutay, a trainee of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU), and Towan Dading Esmael, 61, a farmer from Barangay Malagakit.

The Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade, on the other hand, said six BIFF members were

killed.

Capt. Napoleon Alcarioto, 602IB spokesman, said that of those wounded, two were CAFGU members identified as Angel Berona and Resty Segundera, and the eight others were BIFF members.

Berona and Segundera suffered only minor injuries and were already released from the hospital, according to Alcarioto.

Lt. Col. Angelo Lutera, commander of the 34th Infantry Battalion, said that as of 6 p.m. Wednesday, they already occupied Malagakit Elementary School, which was used by the BIFF as base after they raided the village and nearby

Barangay Simsiman, both in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato.

Despite this, Lutera said they have not yet given the displaced families the “go signal” to return to their houses due to ongoing clearing operations in the area.

Lutera, in a radio interview Thursday over the Catholic-run DXND, said they are still searching for bombs the BIFF may have planted in their attempt to prevent troopers from pursuing them in their escape.

The attackers withdrew towards the marshland in Maguindanao, he said.

Data from the local government units of Pigcawayan

and Midsayap show that at least 1,762 evacuees remain in several evacuation centers as of 2 p.m. Thursday.

Pigcawayan municipal administrator Jezler Garcesa said that of the 1,370 evacuees, 736 remain at the Pigcawayan National High School, 404 at the multi-purpose hall of Barangay Central Panatan, and 230 at the covered court in Barangay Bulucaon.

Karl Ballentes, Midsayap public information officer, said at least 392 evacuees remain in evacuation centers in Barangays Palongoguen, Gayonga, and Lagumbingan. (Malu Cadelina Manar / MindaNews)

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48 persons found positive Pigcawayan clashes left 8 killed, 10 wounded with HIV due to paid sex E

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HE Department of Health said Wednesday that 48 people acquired human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) after engaging in transactional sex or paid sex, according to their “People who engage in transactional sex are those who report that they pay for sex, regularly accept payment for sex, or do both,” according to DOH April 2017 HIV/AIDS Registry of the Philippines (HARP) report.

The report also disclosed that a total of 23 people, all being male, got the virus after they paid for sex.

Based on the record also, 17 individuals, including 16 males, acquired HIV after accepting payment for sex as they engaged in paid sex.

On the other hand, eight more males acquired HIV after they engaged in both getting paid for sex and paying for sex.

Meanwhile, a total of six pregnant women, who are now living with HIV, were also reported last April.

A total of three cases were found in the Central Visayas.

One pregnant woman with HIV were found each in the National Capital Region, Cordille-

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Military wants public help in countering terror threats

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TAGUIWALO. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy Taguiwalo announces during a press briefing in Malacañang that their agency has already spent around P294-million worth of assistance to the internally displaced families from Marawi City. KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

HE Armed Forces of the Philippines is urging the public to report the presence of suspicious looking individuals and packages to authorities as part of efforts to curb terror threats in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

In the same vein, AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said they also coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to further beef up the security of the metropolis.

Arevalo added that measures are already instituted but the AFP still needs the help of the civilians to make these foolproof.

And when asked why the military is not sharing all the information, the AFP official said this is because they don’t

want to cause panic.

The AFP public affairs office chief also assured the public that security forces are doing their job in going after local terrorists.

Earlier, AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla they have not so far receive any intelligence information that members of the Maute Group are planning to conduct bombings in Metro Manila.

He issued this statement following the circulation of a memorandum coming from the Valenzuela Police Station-Station Intelligence Branch of the alleged Maute plot to conduct bombings in Trinoma, SM Cubao, and Quezon City Circle, all in Quezon City and certain places in Quiapo, Manila and Makati.

(Priam F. Nepomuceno/PNA)

HE Department of the Interior and Local Government is urging local government units to construct rainwater collectors, given the onset of the rainy season.

In a memorandum circular, DILG Officer-in-Charge Catalino Cuy enjoined all provincial governors, city and municipal mayors, and barangay chairmen to use a rainwater harvesting technology that would apply in their respective communities.

“We see that it has become necessary for the government to intervene actively in improving the management of water resources, since it is vital to national development,” Cuy said in a news release issued Thursday.

“Rainwater collection systems provide a simple, practicable and cost-effective means to preserve water, reduce flooding, provide water buffer, and recharge aquifers.”

Cuy also called on local officials to pass ordinances that

would integrate rainwater collection systems in their environmental laws, saying LGUs may grant tax and other incentives to encourage establishments to comply with the Philippine Green Building Code of 2016.

The memorandum also encouraged local government public infrastructure to construct rainwater collectors and use rainwater for non-potable purposes.

LGUs may seek the help of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in constructing rainwater collectors, following the department’s prototype designs.

Republic Act No. 6716, or the “Rainwater Collector and Springs Development Law”, mandates the DPWH to construct water wells and rainwater collectors, develop springs and rehabilitate existing water wells in barangays nationwide. It also mandates the barangays to maintain and sustain these water facilities. (DILGPR)

Counting the dead in Marawi: Of 384, LGUs urged: build rainwater collectors at least 50 civilian deaths confirmed T T HE death toll in the month-long clashes between government forces and the Maute Group has risen to 384, at least 50 of them civilians. This, as the Marawi Crisis entered Day 30 on Wednesday, June 21, At the Mindanao Hour press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday, Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said 268 terrorists, 66 government forces and 26 civilians had been killed, for a total of 360. Add to that 24 evacuees who died in hospitals, according to Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial, and the grand total as of June 21 is 384.

Of 384, however, only 110 dead bodies have been accounted for: 66 government forces (63 soldiers, three police officers), the 24 evacuees who died in hospitals in Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte

and 20 of the 26 civilians allegedly “killed by the terrorists” whose dead bodies were brought to the Capin Funeral Homes in Iligan City between May 27 and June 9.

Nine of the bodies had been claimed by relatives while the remaining 11 were buried at the San Roque Cemetery in Barangay Dalipuga also in Iligan on June 15, after they were processed (including taking of tissue samplings for DNA matching) and tagged by the Philippine National Police’s Scene of the Crime Operatives.

Wounded In Action; terrorists killed The number of soldiers wounded in action is no longer mentioned during press briefings. But on June 14, Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez, in a statement denying reports they

Gov’t forces also clearing of IEDs, other explosives

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SIDE from clearing the remaining Maute Group remnants in Marawi City, the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday announced that part of the ongoing operations is involved at clearing and removing improvised explosive devices (IEDs), landmines and unexploded ordnance in the locality.

This is to ensure that no civilians will be hurt nor killed once residents started returning in order to rebuild their city, AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said.

“When we say clearing operations, it does not only involved flushing the remaining Maute Group members, this includes removal of IEDs, landmines, and unexploded ordnance. This will take a while to ensure that no injury nor death will be inflicted

to returning civilians,” he said in Filipino.

Arevalo declined to give an exact timeline or deadline in neutralizing the remaining Maute Group terrorists but stressed that this will not take much more time.

In the fourth week of the conflict which started May 23, a total of 258 Maute Group terrorists have been killed along with 65 troops and police officers along with 26 civilians.

Also, AFP spokesperson Brig.

Gen. Restituto Padilla earlier said that a total of 16 buildings, formally occupied by the lawless elements, have been captured in the past few days.

However, he declined to comment on how many buildings are needed to be captured to ensure the total elimination of the lawless band in Marawi City. (Priam F. Nepomuceno/PNA)

had ordered the bombing of mosques, said, “that’s the reason why I had more than 50 KIAs (killed in action) and 297 WIAs (wounded in action) because of our extremely restrictive rules of engagements.

He said mosques are “no fire areas.”

In the early days of the still ongoing war, the military spokespersons — Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla in Manila and Lt. Col. Jo-Ar-Herrera in Marawi — would mention the number of terrorists killed, in two categories: “confirmed by body count” and “confirmed by eyewitness” accounts, e.g.

42 body count, the rest based on eyewitness accounts.

On the second week of the clashes, the military spokespersons stopped mentioning categories, just numbers.

The last “body count” of slain terrorists was on May 31,

when the military reported 89 terrorists killed, 42 of them “confirmed by body count” and 47 “confirmed by eye witnesses.”

There is no way of confirming exactly how many terrorists have been killed since May 23. The 268 slain terrorists reported as of June 21, is a number claimed by the military.

Trapped / Hostaged On June 9, as air strikes against the Maute Group in Marawi’s conflict zone intensified, the Provincial Crisis Management Committee (PCMC) spent Day 18 of the Marawi Crisis meeting with agencies to prepare for the retrieval of the dead in the conflict zone once the military declares these areas cleared.

Volunteer rescuers were

FCOUNTING, 10

FAIR WARNING. A ‘No Parking” sign is placed atop an open manhole by the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) to prevent accident along Jacinto Extension in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

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Security firm owner nabbed for delinquent tax payment

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HE Social Security System in cooperation with Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of Philippine National Police , conducted again an “Operation Tokhang” Wednesday which led to the arrest of the owner of a security agency for violation of Republic Act 8282 or also known as Social Security Act of 1997.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel F. Dooc said that the team successfully arrested one Babelyn S. Castillo, owner of Knightwatch Security Agency.

“It is unfortunate that these employers chose to hide from the authorities instead of fulfilling their obligations not only to SSS but also to their employees who suffered the most due

to their unscrupulous acts.

With this, we would also like to thank PNP-CIDG for their guidance to ensure the success of this operation,” Dooc said.

Based on the resolution issued by the Office of the City Prosecutor in Quezon City, the SSS filed a complaint against Castillo for non-payment of employees’ SSS contributions from November 2009 to June 2010 and March 2011 to August 2011.

Despite issued demand letters and notices, Castillo still failed to submit documents to refute the accusations against her company.

As of September 30, 2011, the accused has a total delinquency of P180,368.34 representing the unpaid contributions and three percent penalty per month.

bating transnational crime and illegal drug trade was agreed with President Tran Dai Quang.

In Brunei, PRRD and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah discussed the strengthening of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) through trade and investment and Halal product certification.

President Duterte went to Thailand twice. He first paid his last respects to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. He returned to Bangkok to witness the signing of three important agreements in the field of science and technology, agriculture, and tourism, and brought home USD2-billion dollars worth of investments from Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group.

In Malaysia, PRRD met with Prime Minister Najib Razak to tackle a possible joint military and police operations to quell piracy in the Sulu Sea and Abu Sayyaf kidnapping

activities. President Duterte and King Norodom Sihamoni witnessed the signing of agreement on cooperation in trade, sports, tourism, and in combating transnational crime during PRRD’s state visit to Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

In Singapore, President Duterte held separate meetings with Singaporean President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to discuss counter-terrorism and combating illegal drug trade and transnational crime. The President and Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on food security and agricultural cooperation and discussed the need for law enforcement collaboration to address terrorism, extremism, piracy, and drug trafficking.

foreign policy as the Philippines pushes for stronger integration with its neighbors in the ASEAN region, China, and Japan. The best gauge of these trips is the financial windfall gained by the country.

President Duterte’s state visit to China resulted in investments and aid pledges worth billions of dollars. He brought home 13 government agreements and a pledge of USD24-billion in business deals and public financing.

President Duterte went to Tokyo, Japan for a three-day official visit to discuss economic and defense concerns.

Japan’s US-billion investment and aid package for the Philippines, spread over five years, is the largest amount the Japanese government has committed for a single country.

The USD33-billion raised in these two trips alone is equivalent to spending something like 17 centavos per every 1,000 pesos raised in investments and development assistance. (PNA)

Dominguez and these bank officials also discussed the Philippines’ plan to sell Chinese renminbi-denominated Panda bonds this year, the Duterte administration’s proposed Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) and national ID system, the rehabilitation of the Agus hydropower plants in Mindanao, and the possibility of offering green bonds and project bonds to help finance the country’s infra buildup.

“There are five projects approved by the National Economic and Development Authority, and the largest is

the railway in Mindanao. We want to see how we can help there. We also want to clarify how we can help closely DBP as an infra bank – putting up an infra fund, or providing advisory [services],” Lynette Ortiz, the CEO and Country Head of the Bank’s Global Banking division for the Philippines, said during that meeting.

Ortiz also mentioned that Standard Chartered “has been helping DBP for their funding.”

In response, Dominguez cited four major rail projects under the Duterte administration’s unprecedented infrastructure plan. These include

ENCOURAGEMENT. Globe Telecommunication chief commercial officer Albert de Larrazabal speaks during the blessing and opening of the new Globe GEN3 Store at the third level of Gaisano Mall of Davao on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr.

Malampaya to close down for maintenance in mid-July

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HE Malampaya natural gas facility will go on a scheduled maintenance shutdown on July 15-16.

In an interview held Wednesday, Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said engineering work will be done at the facility’s offshore platform to prepare for the scheduled pigging in August of the 504-km. subsea pipeline that connects Malampaya to the onshore gas plant in Batangas.

Fuentebella said this will cut off the supply of natural gas to the 250-megawatt (MW) Sta. Rita power plant for two days.

Another 250-MW unit of the Sta. Rita plant will also go on scheduled maintenance at

that time.

According to the Department of Energy (DOE), the schedule of the maintenance work was made to coincide with the planned shutdown of First Gas, since demand for power during the July 15-16 weekend is expected to be low.

Malampaya will again be shut down during the Sept. 2324 weekend to test shutdown valves and the plant’s emergency depressurization system, as well as repair the heat exchange.

One 250-MW unit of the Sta. Rita plant and one 600MW unit of the Ilijan plant will not receive their supply of natural gas while one 250-MW unit of the San Lorenzo plant will also be closed down.

Festival seeks fresh ideas to boost forest protection

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NON-PROFIT organization further opened up for the public opportunities to earn while helping protect Philippine forests and green denuded areas nationwide.

Forest Foundation Philippines will spearhead next month, possibly in Metro Manila, the country’s first festival of ideas on how social entrepreneurs and others can realize such goals and contribute to the country’s economic development.

Scheduled on July 22 this year, Forest Fest PH targets gathering people with “innovative” forest protection solutions so they can present these before a panel of judges who’ll assess each proposal and determine which will win the foundation’s PHP450,000 grand prize for implementing this.

“It’s something that can change nature for the better,” said foundation’s chairperson Antonio La Viña at a briefing Wednesday on the matter.

Forests’ natural resources and ecological services are keys to survival so these need protection, noted La Viña.

Aside from promoting ecological balance, he said such natural wealth also provides long-term livelihood opportunities if sustainably managed.

“We can make things happen -- there are solutions on the ground no matter how challenging the environment and climate change are,” he said.

La Viña is seeking increased public involvement in conservation and protection as the foundation said unrestrained logging over the centuries fueled deforestation nationwide, reducing Philippine forest area from an estimated 27 million hectares in the 1500s to a little over 7.2 million hectares around 2003.

He noted climate change, poverty and other threats are increasingly challenging greening efforts nationwide, raising urgency for action particularly from the youth.

Economic windful reaped in Duterte’s ‘tour of duty’ P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Roa Duterte made 21 foreign trips to 18 countries during his first year in office.

The President’s foreign trips form part of his obligation as Head of State to maintain and strengthen the country’s diplomatic and economic ties with other nations.

It is customary for the President to cover ASEAN countries, especially with the assumption of the Philippines as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2017.

Strengthening ASEAN integration President Duterte’s first foreign trip was in Vientiane, Laos, where he formally accepted the Philippines’ chairmanship of ASEAN in 2017.

In his working visit to Jakarta, Indonesia, a trilateral agreement on maritime security was concluded to jointly patrol the Sulu Sea. During his two-day official visit to Hanoi, Vietnam, a six-year action plan focused on com-

Economic windfall The President’s foreign visits are essential strategic moves to significantly broaden the country’s independent

Standard Bank offers support for Mindanao railway project

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TANDARD Chartered Bank has expressed interest in providing financial and technical assistance to the Philippines in implementing the proposed railway system in Mindanao under the Duterte administration’s ambitious “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program.

In a recent meeting with Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Standard Chartered officials also offered their bank’s services in facilitating the conversion of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) into the country’s infrastructure bank.

the Manila-Clark commuter railway project that is expected to commence between October and December this year; the proposed Mega Manila Subway, with its first phase running from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Quezon City; the Calamba-Bicol railway; the MRT 7 project from Manila to Bulacan, and the first stage of the Mindanao Railway project connecting the cities of Digos in Davao del Sur and Tagum in Davao del Norte.

“The whole idea is we believe we’re so far behind

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DENR to host ASEAN meet on sustainable urbanization

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HE Philippines is hosting an ASEAN Congress on June 26-30, that will provide a forum for the exchange of information and experiences on sustainable urbanization.

The event is consistent with the celebration of the ASEAN’s 50th Founding Anniversary with Philippines as the ASEAN Chair for 2017.

Since Southeast Asia is seen internationally as a high growth area with GDP (gross domestic product) growing at 4.8 percent annually, it is imperative for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to balance the tide of urbanization and industrialization against environmental sustainability.

Helping achieve this balance is a major aim of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) thru the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) which is hosting the “R & D Congress on Sustainable Urbanization in the Course of ASEAN Economic Integration.”

The Congress will be participated by established R and D practitioners from various

academic and research institutions in the ASEAN region who are working on urban ecosystem, environment and natural resources management.

At present, ASEAN has an urban “consuming class” of approximately 8 million households (Mckinely Report, 2015). Accordingly, it is likely to double in size by 2030.

This has implications to increasing demand for consumable goods and services and for developed land. This will result to irreversible change in land use -- leading to serious concerns on food security, biodiversity loss and increase in GHG (green house gas) emissions.

ERDB Director Dr. Henry A. Adornado said that ERDB has earlier called for paper submission from the ASEAN on four research subjects.

These are: Human settlement and rapid urbanization in ASEAN mega cities; Environment protection amidst industrialization for sustainable cities; Impact of flow of goods and services; and ASEAN economic community and urban metabolism and inclusive growth.

Insurance exec explains cause of closure incidents

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N official of a non-life insurance company said closure of some companies is not negative since some are part of mergers that will further help strengthen the industry.

Antonio Roderick B. Cabusao, AVP of Liberty Insurance Corp., told reporters that to date there were 63 non-life insurance companies but five would soon close down and eight were now in merger process.

Unlike beliefs that the closures are because of incapacity to further service their clients, Cabusao said some had decided to surrender their licenses because the owner of one of the companies died and his sons do not want to continue the business while another was bought by a big company that already have an existing insurance business. ”But the rest, the owners thought that if I were to put

in money now to comply with the PHP550 million (minimum capital requirement for this year) I might be compliant now but will I be able to comply until 2022, when the requirement is already at PHP1.2 billion,” he said. ”It’s not because they’re losing money. Actually it’s seldom that they go bankrupt because it’s highly regulated.

There are different reasons,” he added.

Cabusao said Liberty Insurance, for one, was in the process of merging with another company but declined to explain further except that their soon-to-be partner had “submitted a notice to the IC (Insurance Commission) that they won’t be able to comply and because the owners of the company are relatives.”

He said the merger is targeted “to preserve the assets (and) to preserve the manpower.”

Security Bank services back to normal now

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ANKING operations of the Security Bank returned to normal Thursday following completion of its system maintenance, a day after it was saddled by delays in the posting of banking transactions.

“Security Bank is pleased to inform our valued customers that our maintenance activity has been completed and all services that were affected by the delay are now available,” the bank said in a statement.

On Wednesday, the bank said it “encountered a delay in posting banking transactions on our systems” but assured clients’ that their deposits remained safe.

This prompted the bank to extend the operations of its branches up to 7 p.m. to service the requirements of its clients.

The problem in the Security Bank’s system happened a few days after some customers of Sy-led Banco de Oro

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STILL AT IT. An elderly porter delivers a big basket full of coconut to a customer’s stall at Agdao Public Market in Davao City on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr.

Its ‘watch and observe’ mode for business sector in Davao A

COMMERCIAL real estate consultancy firm in the Philippines said that property developers and companies are not pulling out their investments in Davao City but acknowledged that the Marawi crisis and the declaration of martial law have put them in a “watch and observe” mode about coming to Davao City.

Property Interactive Marketing Enterprise (PRIME) Philippines founder and managing director Jettson Yu told “Wednesday’s at Habi at Kape” that the ongoing conflict in Marawi City between government forces and the Maute Group has affected the

perception of investors on Davao but added they are not cancelling but only postponing their entry here.

“There is definitely an effect. But from our investors from Luzon, we did not get a clear signal that they will not push through with their investments, but rather just postponing it. Everyone is in a watch and observe mode,” he said.

Yu said they have commended the city’s peace and order condition and encouraged investors to experience Davao, telling them that the city remains to be safe for investors amid the skirmishes in Marawi.

He said the city’s economic fundamentals have remained stable.

Yu said that if only the investors, either foreigners or those from Manila, could see for themselves what the locals are experiencing without the “exaggeration” they get from the news, then business should go as usual.

“Normally, what they see are protesters from Luzon complaining ‘stop martial law’,” he added.

Yu opined that most of the businessmen in the country’s capital have favored President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s declaration of martial law because it will effective-

ly contain the terrorists and prevent them from launching attacks.

Duterte declared a 60day martial law in Mindanao on May 23.

He claimed businessmen want martial law in place to be able to bring back normalcy in some parts of Mindanao amid the ongoing crisis in Marawi.

Yu said that all the developers and businessmen they talked to “wanted martial law in place because they feel that it at least stops terrorist attacks somehow,” whereas it would be difficult to catch terrorists if lifted. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

ELEVANT industry players should continue partnering with the Philippine government in developing further the electronics industry, being one of the primary sources of economic growth today, the country’s trade chief said.

Stressing the robust Philippine economy and a booming global market, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez outlined government initiatives to strengthen the electronics industry, as well as DTI’s partnership with industry stakeholders.

Said initiatives include projects that will move the industry’s capabilities to higher value activities, as well as help identify products and technologies in the developing sectors of electronics in the next five years. DTI and the Board of Investments (BOI) also have active partnerships with other institutions to forward

capacity-building programs and exchange of best industry practices.

In his keynote speech at the 14th Philippine Semiconductor and Electronics Convention and Exhibition (PSECE) on 21 June, Sec. Lopez said that closer industry-academe linkages can lead to a stronger electronics industry that will later on “generate inclusive economic growth, reaching those at the bottom of the pyramid.”

As one of the pillars of the country’s industrial growth and one of the top 12 industry priorities of the current administration, the electronics industry is a top export performer with a 51.3% share of total exports in 2016 (worth USD 28.8 billion). The industry has also generated about 2.6 million direct and indirect employments as of 2015.

He also mentioned that as the Philippines chairs ASEAN 2017, the government’s

priority is to lead an inclusive, innovation-led growth, which means working to create an enabling environment to develop micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and prepare them to become globally competitive, innovative, inclusive and resilient.

“There is a very strong role that innovation plays in helping and enabling a lot of our countrymen to develop an innovation mindset, culture and capability, for them to also have equal chances to success and move up in life,” Sec. Lopez said.

The trade chief noted the need to focus on key areas affecting MSME growth, including the promotion of productivity, technology, and innovation, as well as making these available and accessible to MSMEs. “If we are able to broaden the capacity and innovation culture to a larger percentage of our population, then we also

increase peoples’ chances of becoming successful,” he added.

Sec. Lopez reiterated that Pres. Duterte’s Dutertenomics aims to narrow development gap and widen the gains of economic growth through creation of jobs and income opportunities for all.

Led by the Semiconductor & Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc. (SEIPI), the 14th PSECE provides an avenue, wherein public and private stakeholders gather to strategically identify possible areas of cooperation and to learn best industry practices.

“As we gain insight and appreciation on the issues affecting the electronics industry, we are confident that whatever we learn will help us in our efforts to create broad-based growth that generates jobs, fosters entrepreneurship, and gives Filipinos more opportunities,” Sec. Lopez said. (DTI)

DTI backs electronics industry development R

7 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 59 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 23 - 24, 2017

Caraga police, military strengthen checkpoints

P BFAR LAUNCHES MMK FOR GENSAN, SARANGANI. Retired Commodore Eduardo Gongona (with microphone), director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), holds a dialogue with City Mayor Ronnel Rivera and Local Chief Executives of Sarangani Province on June 20 at the PFDA -General Santos City Fish Port Complex in Tambler. Gongona, who is also

Jobs await inmates after serving prison T HE provincial government of Misamis Oriental is ready to provide jobs to qualified inmates after serving a prison term, provincial governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano said Thursday.

“Inmates who are freed after serving prison terms deserve another chance,” Emano told the inmates here after the blessing of the newly renovated chapel in the jail facility.

The chapel, according to Jail Warden JSI Murphy B. Todyog, also serves as the multi-purpose hall for the various activities in the prison facility In his message, Emano

invited the freed inmates who need a job to see him in the provincial capitol as he promised to help whatever he can.

“Don’t be ashamed, once you are released, you are entitled to a decent job because you deserved a chance,” Emano said amid the cheers of inmates.

The provincial governor turned over 30 units of triple decks, 12 units of double decks, two long tables, one visitor’s deposit locker, book shelves, garbage stands and desk officer table and chair.

He said that the furniture costs about 390,000.

(Nicole Roa Managbanag/ PNA)

New cop chief in Northern Mindanao

P

OLICE Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb, PMA Class 1986, was installed as the new police regional director in Northen Mindanao Thursday here.

Pacleb replaced police regional director Chief Superintendent Agripino Javier, of PMA Class 1985, who retired at the compulsory age of 56.

Police Director General Roland Dela Rosa came to Cagayan De Oro City Thursday to personally officiate the turnover ceremony at the police regional command here.

The turnover ceremony was witnessed by local officials and top police officials of PMA Class 1985 and 1986.

During the turnover ceremony, Dela Rosa urged the rank and file of the police

regional command to extend full support to the new police regional director in Northern Mindanao.

He said that Pacleb, the former chief of the police intelligence group in Camp Crame, was appropriate for the new assignment considering the need to enhance the intelligence operations in the region due to the presence of terror groups in the neighboring province.

The police regional command in Northern Mindanao covers the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao Del Norte, Bukidnon, and the island province of Camiguin.

“I hope that Pacleb would live up to the expectation of protecting the lives of the people and the community in Northern Mindanao,” Dela Rosa said. (CD/PNA)

Department of Agriculture undersecretary for fisheries, briefed his audience about the Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan (MMK) program during the meeting. The MMK program will award coastal municipalities for their efforts in protecting and conserving marine environments. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

OLICE and military have stepped up security in Caraga Region’s border towns to prevent the possible entry of suspected Maute group members.

Authorities said the heightened security along entry and exit points are being implemented following reports of apprehension of several members of the terrorist group in other parts of Mindanao.

In Carmen town, Agusan del Norte, which borders Caraga and Region 10, police and military are strengthening patrol and routine checks on motorists to prevent the possible entry of wanted terrorist personalities, said Police Senior Inspector Merben S. Cabonera, the town’s police chief.

Law enforcement agencies expected Maute members

to flee to other regions of Mindanao and even as far as the Visayas because of the pressure exerted by government security forces in Marawi City, Insp. Cabonera said.

He said government security forces aim to pin, constrain and pursue fleeing Maute members to certain manageable areas.

On the eastern part, Sibagat town, a border municipality between Butuan City and Agusan del Norte, police and military checkpoints are implementing similar measures, said Police Insp. Geronimo T. Carvominal, the town’s deputy chief of police.

Carvominal said the local police are being assisted by the Army’s 8th Special Forces Company led by Captain Bryan Jasper R. Bayrante. (Noel B. Najarro/PNA)

danao. Dito yan patungong Region 10 because they consider us as infidels,” (The Mautes’ are not going westward toward Maguindanao.

They are going to Region 10 [Northern Mindanao] because they consider us infidels,” Dela Rosa said, referring to the terrorists’ stance as a jihadist group. “That is why you have to pay attention to your new regional director,” he added while at the same time, commending the efforts of Pacleb’s predecessor Javier for keeping the peace in the region when the Marawi City siege broke out last month.

It was in Region 10 under Javier’s watch that the rebellion suspect Marawi City Mayor Fahad Salic and suspected Maute bomber Mohaamad Noaim

Maute were captured.

Yet it was also in [this region] that three Maute suspects were able to slip out of the Cagayan de Oro City Port and boarded a ship bound for Manila last week. The suspects were intercepted at the Iloilo City port after the domestic ferry made a scheduled stopover.

“Nung una, ang motto natin ay trabaho muna bago personal.

E ngayon personalan na to.

(Before, our motto was “work first, nothing personal.” Now, it is already personal). What’s at stake here is our family, our community. So do your job,” Dela Rosa told the hundreds of police officers during the turnover ceremony here Thursday.

(Cris Diaz/Mark Francisco/ PNA)

Mindanao police told to be vigilant

P

OLICE Director General Roland “Bato” Dela Rosa on Thursday warned the new police regional director in Northern Mindanao to be vigilant at all times.

Dela Rosa was in Cagayan De Oro City to personally officiate the turnover of the command to the new police regional director Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb at the regional police headquarters here.

Pacleb replaced Police Chief Superintendent Agripino Javier, who reached the compulsory retirement at age 56.

Speaking in Bisayan dialect, Dela Rosa warned Pacleb: “Kinahanglang magbantay ka kay basi maisahan ka” (you should be vigilant, otherwise

you would be cheated). He said that as a former intelligence chief, Pacleb has an upper hand in making an assessment of the situation in Northern Mindanao. “There is no doubt that the neighboring province of Lanao Del Sur is problematic. We have to be vigilant at all time,” Dela Rosa said. He said that the Maute terror group in Marawi City is moving eastward – toward the predominantly Christian cities of Iligan and Cagayan De Oro because the considered the Christians as ‘infidels.’

Aside from the Christians, the Mautes’ are also called the Moslems who are not supportive of them as infidels,” Dela Rosa said. Yung mga Maute na yan, di yan patungong Maguin-

INDIGENT SENIOR CITIZENS GET PENSIONS. City Mayor Ronnel Rivera assists an elderly during the Social Pension Payout to indigent senior citizens at Robinson’s Place on June 15. Some 3,586 indigent senior citizens coming from the 26 barangays received their pensions. Mayor Rivera said that the

2nd quarter pensions should be released on time as he assured the clients that it shall be done. “We want that the Local Government Unit of Gensan be responsive especially to the senior citizens of Gensan”. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

A

VOL. 10 ISSUE 59 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 23 - 24, 2017

Tree farming

NEW farming trend is spreading in many lands across the country and it is not an ordinary trend. It is a trend worth the investment.

According to Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, the new trend which is tree farming is now officially an agricultural activity just like planting Cacao. Secretary Piñol admits tree farming is now spreading like wild fire all over the country as farmers realize how much money they would make by planting trees like Falcata.

In Agusan del Sur alone, Piñol said tree farmers in the province showed how much money they were making by planting Falcata trees which is a pulp and paper species and could also be used in making wooden palletes.

How does this work? Too easy. Falcata trees are fully grown in five years and for a 5-year-old tree, farmers earn at least P2,000.

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Translated, that means with 500 trees per hectare, farmers would earn P1-million. Add five more years and that 10-yearold tree could fetch as much as P12,000.

Tree farming will be integrated with other crops like coffee, cacao or Abaca under the agency’s new tree farming program which will be mainly focused in areas with denuded mountains to ensure the protection of water sources for sustainable agriculture.

This should encourage landowners and farmers to get into tree farming as a crop shift or expansion to their existing ones.

The government agency is offering its experts to guide and assist those who are interested in tree farming as part of the program.

With new trends in farming being promoted such as tree farming, the agriculture sector looks promising for Filipino farmers.

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

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 59 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 23 - 24, 2017

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Who plans Davao City? Developers or planners? “…local planning agencies…demonstrates the weaknesses of regulation for implementing plans…. the reactive nature of the regulatory process leaves the initiative for implementation in the hands of developers rather than planners.”-Linda, C. Dalton., The Limits of Regulation (1989)

T

HE current surge of developers ranging from basic public housing to multi-storied condominiums to shopping gourmet, theme parks and resorts developments in Davao city have been a phenomenon since the turn of the 21st century. For almost two decades, metro Davao has been a willing beneficiary of various real estate developments by developers. The spontaneous changing of the city’s skyline is an authentication that Davao city has come of age; gearing to be introduced as an emerging modern city trying to be competitive among the league of modern cities in Southeast Asia and perhaps globally.

Developers assert that they risk financial capital and view themselves as city builder, deserving to have utmost profits which simultaneously maximize social welfare. Planners are viewed by developers as having no deep appreciation of financial risks to develop property. Planners have no comprehension why

T

HROUGH the years, I have collected some quotable quotes on marriage. Here are some of them – some are fascinating, others are thought-provoking, but most of them are funny: “By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you’ll become happy; if you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher.” ― Socrates “When two people are under the influence of the most violent, most insane, most delusive, and most transient of passions, they are required to swear that they will remain in that excited, abnormal, and exhausting condition continuously until death do them part.” ― George Bernard Shaw, Getting Married “Some people claim that marriage interferes with romance. There’s no doubt about it. Anytime you have a romance, your wife is bound to interfere.”

– Groucho Marx “Do you know what it means to come home at night to a woman who’ll give you a little love, a little affection, a little tenderness? It means you’re in the wrong house, that’s what it means.” ― Henny Youngman “An archaeologist is the best husband a woman can have. The older she gets, the more interested he is in her.” ― Agatha Christie

high profits are essential and planners are never at risk. Planners are thus not responsible, and are perhaps irresponsible. Developers regard planning staff (local government planning agencies) more often as too inept, ignorant or too often unqualified. Their appointment to planning positions are too often a brazen act of political accommodation, thus no iota of planning expertise whatsoever. These ham-fisted qualifications of planning staff and political acts marginalize the role of planning as unimportant in urban place-making. Hence, in their attempts to make things better, planners often make them worse.

In the opposite side, planners distrust developers. Planners consider that developers’ profit is entirely outrageous with the welfare of the society since their profit emanate at the expense of community’s wellbeing. Developers are wealthy and powerful, and make more money than they deserve. They legitimately afford a life of unashamed luxury.

Developers are insensitive. They possess values with alternating greed and pseudo-social responsibilities. They do not understand or care enough about who gets hurt by their actions.

The argument for giving planners (i.e. local government planning unit) the foremost clout is that they are in charge

URBAN STREET GAZER

Dario G. Pampanga, PhD of master planning and land use regulation. They give a balance to the power of the rich and influential. Most planners have a mission to create a just and more humane society. They believe that they understand better than others what a more humane society is and how best to achieve it. Planners feel more comfortable in a technical world than a political world, where many well organized interests make conflicting demands on politically vulnerable planning agencies.

Whether fact or fiction, these metaphors create a wall between planners and developers to the detriment of

Davao city. Although there are developers and planners who fit the worst stereotypes, the vast majority of both professions have the same objectives - to build better cities. If planners properly understood the role of risk taking and profit in development, and if developers understood that most planners are as eager as they are to generate high quality development, both professions would be able to work together better and achieve mutually shared goals faster.

In an era of heightened city place-making, if government planners are not primarily responsible for planning the way Davao city looks, are developers? Certainly, developers have in fact had the dominant influence the way Davao cityscape looks. While local government planners administer design guidelines (e.g. building code, housing regulations, and condominium law, etc.), at the ground level it is the developers and their architects determine the cityscape. However, planning becomes cumbersome when other actors dip their fingers - fire safety authorities, traffic officials, health officers, environmentalists, air quality officials, interest groups, bankers, etc.; these groups also plan for Davao city landscape.

Some factors should be considered to increase the dependence of develop-

ers on planners and of planners on developers; few of these are a) traffic and environmental concerns are causing backlashes against development and are spawning no growth movements, b) climate change should be a major concern to both planners and developers as Davao city has more to lose in properties and lives, and c) increasing complexity in the development process means that neither developers nor planners can accomplish what they want by themselves.

Today, developers need planners as never before. In the past, developers could bypass planners by going directly to city council for zoning and development plan approvals. Currently, despite the developers full compliance with city’s zoning, they must go through by design reviews or other regulatory and discretionary public approvals. In most situations, planners hold the keys for development approvals. Even where the approvals include agencies other than planning office, developers must increasingly rely on planning consultants ranging from design to approval process navigation. Developers who cannot learn to work under the new rules will not survive, while those who can will prosper because greater risk in the approvals process means greater rewards for those who successfully pass through it.

“My husband and I have never considered divorce... murder sometimes, but never divorce.” ― Joyce Brothers “A good marriage is where both people feel like they’re getting the better end of the deal.” ― Anne Lamott, Joe Jones “Before I got married I had six theories about raising children; now, I have six children and no theories.” ― John Wilmot If he can’t handle you at your worst then he does not deserve you at your best. Real love means seeing beyond the words spoken out of pain, and instead seeing a person’s soul.” ― Shannon L. Alder, 300 Questions LDS Couples Should Ask Before Marriage “A girl can wait for the right man to come along but in the meantime that doesn’t mean she can’t have a wonderful time with all the wrong ones” ― Cher “When you see what some girls marry, you realize how they must hate to work for a living.” ― Helen Rowland, A Guide to Men: Being Encore Reflections of a Bachelor Girl “A man in love is incomplete until he has married. Then he’s finished.” ― Zsa Zsa Gabor “I love being married. It’s so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life.”

― Rita Rudner “If there is such a thing as a good marriage, it is because it resembles friendship rather than love.” ― Michel de Montaigne “They say all marriages are made in heaven, but so are thunder and lightning.” ― Clint Eastwood “Women leave their marriages when they can’t take any more. Men leave when they find someone new.” ― J. Courtney Sullivan, Commencement “When women hold off from marrying men, we call it independence.

When men hold off from marrying women, we call it fear of commitment.” ― Warren Farrell “Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards.” ― Benjamin Franklin “It’s the perfect solution. We argue all the time. We can’t stand each other.

It’s like we’re already married.” ― Lisa Kleypas, Married by Morning “If we be doomed to marry, we marry; if we be doomed to remain single we do.” ― Thomas Hardy, Under the Greenwood Tree “My wife and I tried to breakfast together, but we had to stop or our marriage would have been wrecked.” ― Winston S. Churchill

Marriage: To be or not to be

“Men marry because they are tired; women, because they are curious: both are disappointed.” ― Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray “It takes three to make love, not two: you, your spouse, and God. Without God people only succeed in bringing out the worst in one another. Lovers who have nothing else to do but love each other soon find there is nothing else. Without a central loyalty life is unfinished.” ― Fulton J. Sheen, Seven Words of Jesus and Mary: Lessons from Cana and Calvary “The problem with marriage is that it ends every night after making love, and it must be rebuilt every morning before breakfast.” ― Gabriel García Márquez “There is one thing more exasperating than a wife who can cook and won’t, and that’s a wife who can’t cook and will.” ― Robert Frost “I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury.” ― Groucho Marx “People go on marrying because they can’t resist natural forces, although many of them may know perfectly well that they are possibly buying a month’s pleasure with a life’s discomfort.” ― Thomas Hardy, Jude the Obscure “To keep your marriage brimming, with love in the wedding cup, when-

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

ever you’re wrong, admit it; whenever you’re right, shut up.” ― Ogden Nash “There are guys who grow up thinking they’ll settle down some distant time in the future, and there are guys who are ready for marriage as soon as they meet the right person. The former bore me, mainly because they’re pathetic; and the latter, frankly are hard to find.” ― Nicholas Sparks, The Last Song “I am” is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that “I do” is the longest sentence?” ― George Carlin

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 59 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 23 - 24, 2017

I AM SORRY... FROM 1 betrayed” by the Maranaos.

“I felt betrayed. Talagang nasaktan ako” (I was really hurt), he aid, claiming the people of Lanao del Sur did not bother to report to authorities that the Maute Group had been building up its forces and firepower in the city.

“Masama ang loob ko, kasi hindi naman ninyo sinabi na malakas na ang pasok (ng Maute” (I feel bad because you did not say that the terrorists have been gaining foothold in the city), he added.

Child evacuees take a nap on the floor in one of the classrooms of the Iligan City National School of Fisheries in Barangay Buruun Tuesday afternoon (6 June 2017). Thousands of Maranaos have fled Marawi because of the ongoing skirmishes between government soldiers and the Maute Group.

MindaNews photo by AUBREY ROCIN LLAMAS Duterte assured his peace processes with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) will continue.

He said he understands their rebellion, their desire to have an area for self governance and would immediately attend to their concerns.

But he said he does not understand the Maute Group’s resort to violent extremism and harming in the process not just non-Muslims but fellow Muslims as well.

P20-billion rehab fund Duterte vowed to “set aide initially P20 billion” to start rehabilitation but reiterated an earlier statement made on June 11 in Cagayan de Oro City that he will give priority to the poor because those who own buildings have money.

“Yung mga mahirap ang unahin ko.Yung may mga ari ng building, mayaman na ‘yun

sa shabu. Pabentahin mo siya uli para patayin ko sila” (I will give priority to the poor. Those who own buildings, shabu has made them rich. Let them sell shabu again so I can kill them), the President said, as he maintained shabu money funded terrorism in Marawi.

Padian (market) about a kilometer away from Banggolo bridge. Photo by BAILABI SA MARAWI,posted by Bangsamoro News 12 June 2017 He assured evacuees (internally displaced persons) he would help them. “Huwag kayong mag-alala. Tulungan ko kayo. Hindi ko kayo pababayaan, hanggang relocation (Don’t worry, I will help you. I will not leave you until you are relocated),” the President said.

He vowed Marawi would rise from the ruins. “Gaganda ‘yan ulit, gaganda ulit ‘yan” (It will be even more beautiful. It will be more beautiful).

Duterte on June 11 said in Cagayan de Oro City that Cabinet Secreary Leoncio Evasco, Jr., will head the rehabilitation efforts in Marawi.

Apology accepted In a statement Wednesday, the Province of Lanao del Sur accepted the President’s apology.

“We accept the apology offered by the President to the Maranao people. We understand that given the actions taken by the Maute Group against civilians and religious symbols, educational institutions, government facilities, and heath facilities, the national leadership needed to take a very strong action,” said the province’s official statement, a copy of which was sent to MindaNews by Assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong, spokesperson of the Provincial Crisis Management Committee. (CAROL ARGUILLAS/MINDANEWS)

48 persons... FROM 2 ra Administrative Region, and Central Luzon.

DOH Spokesperson Dr. Eric Tayag said that pregnant mothers diagnosed positive with HIV were being provided with anti-retroviral therapy to ensure that the baby would be protected from acquiring HIV.

Dr. Tayag explained that if a baby is born with acquired HIV, the baby’s immune system could be weak which, might affect his/ her early years of survival since the vaccines that were provided to babies would not work if they were already positive with HIV.

our neighbors on infrastructure, and it just makes sense to spend money on it. But we’re not going do it like how they did it in the past. Doing it through PPP (Public-Private Partnership) takes so much time. Our administration is willing to start the projects, and outsource the operations and maintenance later. It will allow people who are averse to take the construction risks to come in,” Dominguez said.

As for Standard Chartered’s offer to assist the DBP, Dominguez said: “We’d really like to partner with you on this. [DBP president and CEO] Cecille [Borromeo] will welcome working with you, especially with your experience in Asia.”

Anna Marrs, the bank’s

regional CEO for Southeast Asia, described the Duterte administration’s infra plan as an “ambitious agenda,” but said the government “might as well achieve it.”

Nirukt Sapru, the Bank’s CEO for Vietnam and the South East Asia Cluster Markets, also joined the meeting.

Dominguez also informed them that the government intends to rehabilitate the Agus hydropower complex in Mindanao to ensure the island’s energy security.

“We’ll rehabilitate those, and bid out their operations and maintenance. That will be a few years down the road.

But this is the time to do it, because we have excess power in Mindanao at the moment,” Dominguez said.

Standard... FROM 5

WASTE MISMANAGEMENT. A sea of rubbish is seen surrounding stilt houses at a coastal community in Brgy. 23-C Isla Verde, Davao City as residents of the area throw their garbage directly into the sea with no proper trash collection or recycling. Lean Daval Jr.

11 Abu Sayaf bandits surrender in Basilan

E

leven bandits, including a sub-leader of the Abu Sayyaf Group, have surrendered amid intensified combat operations in the province of Basilan, the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) announced on Thursday.

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Westmincom chief, said the group of ASG sub-leader Ibrahim Malat Sulayman surrendered on Wednesday to the Joint Task Force Basilan.

Sulayman is a native of Ma-

calang, Al-Barka, Basilan province.

Galvez said Sulayman and his followers have turned over 11 firearms in a surrender rites held at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the municipal hall of Sumisip.

Sulayman’s companions were identified as Salimbawa Ahlil Tanjal alias Salim Toong Masud; Salasni Ambing Mahawan alias Ado Emmong; Ahmad Abbi alias Bolkia; Mar-ie Cabulut Indama; Muhammad Kalung-Hassan; Salman Hawka-

“What is happening to Aznar can have a chilling effect and can happen to other media workers. We don’t want that,” said Undersecretary Joel Egco, executive director of the Task Force.

To debunk rumors and fake news, the Philippine National Police, a member of the Task Force, said that it has not served a warrant of arrest to Aznar.

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security up-

holds press freedom and makes sure that welfare and security of media workers are primordial considerations especially in hostile areas and in times of crisis or conflict.

The Task Force urges the public to stop sharing and posting fake news as these can aggravate the situation and endanger both the lives of media workers and government forces, according to PPI executive Ariel Sevellino in a press statement.

the medicines they purchased will be used to treat “their wounded associates.”

“All of their personal effects and the medicines purchased are preserved for proper disposition,” the Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Police Office said in its report to PRO-9 headquarters.

The police and military authorities have tightened security to monitor and arrest members of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-inspired Maute group fleeing from Marawi City.

The fighting continues as

government troops continue to press on the Maute group members, who laid siege in Marawi City.

The fighting broke out on June 23 after the Maute group members went berserk and occupied several establishments in Marawi City when government troops raided the hideout of Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon.

Hapilon, who pledged allegiance to the ISIS, is being protected by the Maute group in Marawi City. (Teofilo P. Garcia/PNA)

TF worried... FROM 1

Suspected... FROM 2

sa; Husael Fernandez; Roy Mendoza Cabiangan; Ebtor Asano; and, Madja Palinta.

They are followers of Basilan-based ASG leaders Nurhassan Jamiri and Furuji Indama.

“With the continuing pressure employed by the troops on the ground, we are confident that more Abu Sayyaf members will be compelled to cross the line. This feat will convince us even more to intensify our offensives against the remaining fighters,” Galvez said.

Sulayman and his companions were turned over to the local government of Sumisip, Basilan for proper disposition.

“We further recognize the assistance extended by the local government of Basilan to support the all-out military campaign of the Joint Task Force Basilan under Colonel Juvymax Uy,” Galvez said.

There were already a total of 96 Abu Sayyaf bandits who surrendered since January, this year, here in Western Mindanao.

their session on March 6 and ended on June 16.

“We only have five plenary sessions, of two to three days, but our working committees were working double time,” Lorena said.

The MILF said in a statement on Thursday that the original date of the submission of the new BBL draft was June 16 “but the President was still on leave reportedly due to the Marawi City crisis, which he had to attend to hands-on.”

“The submission will take place right at the presidential palace in Manila with no less than the President himself receiving the official copy of the BBL,” it said, noting that the event will also jive with the celebration of the Eid’l Fit’r, marking the end of Ramadan.

BTC Commissioner Ibrahim Ali, who is also a member

of the MILF central committee, said that the “passage into law of the BBL will greatly give those pushing for the peaceful resolution of the conflict the moral high ground over those who are advocating for the use of force including those using ‘terrorism’ to solve this conflict.”

“Right now, the MILF is finding a hard time in combating the harsh and radical stance of the BIFF (Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom fighter), Abu Sayyaf and the Maute group,” Ali said.

“Their advocacy is very attractive to the youth and those frustrated over the failure of government to deliver the BBL,” he added.

Both Lorena and Ali are optimistic that the enhanced version of the BBL will pass legal scrutiny of both houses of Congress. (DWTW/PNA)

Unibank Inc. claimed of losing money due to automated teller machine (ATM) skimming and weeks after Ayala-led Bank of the Philippine Island said

internal system glitch caused erroneous reporting of their account holders’ transactions between April 28 and May 2, 2017. (Joann Santiago/PNA)

New... FROM 2

Security... FROM 6

INdulge!

THE ART OF RETIREMENT

VOL. 10 ISSUE 59 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 23 - 24, 2017

ARTS & CULTURE

EDGEDAVAO

RETIREMENT. That one word can be used in a lot of different ways and can mean differently for any given situation.

Simply, it means the permanent ceasing of one’s professional career, on the other hand, it can also mean, for example, no longer being able or wanting to wear old clothes: “I am retiring these old pair of tornup jeans.” And in the most extreme of ways, there can be a gun to your head and a rogue senior officer may say: “I retire you from your duties, soldier.”

In its totally, the word “retirement” isn’t usually perceived as something positive—it is an act of moving away, a withdrawal, and/or death. Like ageing, “retiring gracefully” can only be achieved by a special few—and one of them is former Communications and Fine Arts professor, Rita Bustamante—or what we Assumptionists simply call her, “Ms. Bu.” “For more than twenty years as a professor for Visual Arts Appreciation, I have always wanted my students to have a glimpse of the world around them. My works are my dream, I love doing my art and now that I have retired, I have all the time to do them—it is now a reality rather than just a dream.

Being an artist is spiritual in itself—about emotion—to me it is the urge to make more works as something inside wants to come out. My outlook is rather clearer now and free, anxiety is less, and I have learned to go with the flow,” shared the artist.

When she left to go to school in Assumption Iloilo and then in Assumption College San Lorenzo in Makati to take up Fine Arts in Interior Design, the one who first artistically influenced Ms. Bu, passed away. Her late father, who was a civil engineer, during his leisure time, would sketch human figures—all the while, little Ms. Bu would sit down beside him and try to imitate with her stick drawings.

“I loved to draw ever since I was a little girl, and I brought it with me in my schooling. I never had the difficulty of drawing and painting because that was what I did at home; I also did it in school when my lessons were boring—even in my teacher meetings and conferences, my notes would be one-liners but the sides of my pad were all doodles,” says Ms. Bu. Like her once colorful and “crazy” life, her prismatic personality clearly shows a character that has fully lived with no regrets—in a way, it directly reflects her being an impressionist artist more than a realist.

The artist’s works always speak of God’s creation—from flowers to animals, and people from all walks of life; but she is most fond of creating colorfully detailed portraitures of a mother and her child. And reminiscent of a few of her favorite artists like: Pablo Picasso, Georgia

O’Keefe, and Gustav Klimt, Ms. Bu’s artworks achieve harmony despite the individually micromanaged techniques—experimentation, the use of a myriad of colors (even metallic ones), and even gentleness could be viewed in just one of her pieces.

“I believe in a well-thought work rather than a ‘suntok sa buwan’ work. This is why an ‘aha’ experience is important because that is where you draw stock knowledge to form and maneuver the imagination. Visualization is important but what is more essential is a disciplined imagination managed well,” states the artist. As a former student of Ms. Bu, I have gained much respect and experience through her classes and it is fortunate to cross paths with her again and to witness another side of my professor—another gem is welcomed to the Davao art community—a job description that has no retirement.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

FOOD

VOL. 10 ISSUE 59 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 23 - 24, 2017

A Thai culinary journey at Marco Polo Davao NOW SHOWING

June 23, 2017 only

TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

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MARCO POLO DAVAO brings another Southeast Asian flavor to Café Marco as they open the Thai Food Festival on June 30 with guest Chef Baupha from Hong Kong. The festival of flavors will run for one week until July 6 and will showcase some of Thailand’s signature dishes.

Chef Nontra-Udon Baupha, a thai national, will be bringing with him 38 years of culinary experience in Thai cuisine. He is currently with the Marco Polo Prince Hotel but has worked from various hotels and restaurants both in Thailand and Hong Kong such as Imperial Hotel (Thailand), Tip Top Thai Restaurant (Thailand) and Supapra’s Thai Restaurant (Hong Kong).

Some of items that guests can

1:00 | 3:00 | 5:00 LFS / *7:00 | 9:45 LFS

enjoy include Tom yam kung, Phad Thai, Thai chicken rice, Mango sticky rice and rich flavors of Thai grilled seafood items. The food festival will open on the evening of June 30 but will run on both lunch and dinner service thereafter. Diners can enjoy this authentic Thai buffet at Php1500 per person.

Reservations can be made through phone at (82) 221 0888.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 59 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 23 - 24, 2017

ENTERTAINMENT

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

Globe LIVE and 9Works stage first local production of Disney’s Newsies

Globe has been committed to creating unforgettable experiences for its customers, whether it’s online or on-ground. They have continuously given Filipinos access to world-class entertainment through its production arm Globe LIVE, such as the award-winning musicals American Idiot and A Christmas Carol. To continue its exceptional streak in the performance arts, Globe is strengthening its partnership with Disney through the Broadway musical Newsies.

“Our first partnership with Disney was with I Dare to Dream, the first of its kind digital reality series that followed six young girls pursuing their

dreams,” shares Sr. Adviser for Creative Marketing & Multi-Media Businesses, who is also the Executive Producer of Globe Live, Joe Caliro. “Following the

success of the show, we decided to take it up a notch with Newsies, a triplethreat musical that combines singing, dancing, and acting.”

The Globe Live and 9Works Newsies cast performing on stage!

Globe LIVE is the first company in the Philippines to be given the rights to locally produce Disney’s Newsies, in partnership with 9Works Theatrical.

The production will be staged at the Globe Iconic Store, an open-space venue in Bonifacio Global City that allows even the most elaborate of productions.

When Disney Theatrical Productions saw the venue, they told Caliro, “We have Santi Santa Maria- Managing Director and Executive Producer of the perfect show for you.” 9Works Theatrical, Robbie Guevara, Director 9Works Theatrical, Joe Sr. Adviser for Creative Marketing & Multi-Media Businesses After seeing the show to- Caliro& Executive Producer of Globe Live. gether in Chicago, both parties agreed that the venwith proper training, we ue is perfect. can elevate our skills to be Newsies is loosely based world-class. It is also an on the real-life 1899 newsopportunity for the cast to boy strike in New York hone their skills at no cost City, where a group of boys with the best trainers in the initiated a strike hoping country,” he adds. to improve how the child Fans of the film and mulabor force of newspaper sical (called Fansies) can hawkers were compenwatch webisodes of Trainsated. It was first released ing Ground and get to as a film in 1992, starring know more about the cast Christian Bale as Jack Kelat http://go.globe.com.ph/ ly, the leader of the strike. newsies.html.

Alex Diaz up on stage!

It was adapted for the “Globe and Disney’s stage in 2011, and origi- at the behind the scenes of partnership is a great nally produced on Broad- the making of Newsies via match, because both comway by Disney Theatrical episode videos. panies are known for capProductions the following “We need our actors turing the hearts of its year. It was nominated for to be triple-threats, so in- customers and viewers,” eight Tony Awards, win- stead of the usual auditions Caliro ends. “We hope ning Best Choreography and rehearsals, Training this is just the beginning and Best Original Score.

Ground allows us to maxi- of many more wonderful Because of the high-oc- mize their potential before productions with Disney tane demands of the mu- going to actual rehearsals,” Theatrical.” sical, Globe LIVE estab- shares Caliro. “This inGlobe LIVE’s Newsies lished Training Ground, a cludes voice, acting, gym- will have a month-long run series of sessions where the nastics and dance lessons during the weekend of July chosen Newsies actors will in ballet, hip-hop, tap, jazz, from July 7 until July 30. undergo training in voice, and more.”

Tickets are available now dance and acting. Training “There is so much tal- at https://www.ticketworld.

Ground also allows a look ent in the Philippines, and com.ph.

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 59 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 23 - 24, 2017

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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

VOL. 10 ISSUE 59 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 23 - 24, 2017

EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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

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Account Executive Qualifications: • BS Marketing Graduate • Male/Female • With pleasing personality Send your application letter and resume to: Ella P. Tingzon HR/Admin Supervisor Edge Davao Review Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Bldg., E. Quirino Avenue, Davao City Or email at edgedavao@gmail.com or ella_tingzon@yahoo.com

Counting... FROM 4 also gathered to attend a crash course on retrieving dead bodies, conducted by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Philippine Red Cross.

Lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, PCMC Coordinator and member of the Secretariat, told MindaNews then that while conducting rescue operations to save lives remains the priority, “we are also conscious of the fact that the fighting has dragged on for a long time and as the day passes by, we have to contend with the reality that the chances of survival especially of those who have been injured decreases.”

Sinarimbo said there is a need to “calibrate our preparation as we may need to deploy for retrieval, which is why we are also training our rescue teams.”

No, this is not Aleppo PCMC spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong told MindaNews on June 19 that they reckon “300 to 600” civilians remain trapped within the conflict zone. This is apart from the estimated 100 civilians held hostage by the Maute Group, including Fr. Teresito Soganub, Vicar General of the Prelature of Marawi.

Adiong expressed fears at least 100 dead bodies are in various stages of decomposition within the conflict zone, based on accounts of survivors and rescue volunteers.

Retrieval of dead bodies cannot be done unless the mil-

NEWS 11

itary declares the area cleared.

Preparing for the worst A week earlier, on June 12, Adiong told a press briefing in Marawi: “I guess we need to ready ourselves for the worst once this (Baanggolo) bridge is opened,” as he noted that photographs shared online have given the public glimpses of the destruction in the conflict zone located in the city’s center, and accounts of rescuers who were able to enter the “hostile area” on June 4 as well as survivors indicate there are many dead bodies lying on the ground, some of them in an advanced stage of decomposition.

Adiong narrated that during the flag-raising ceremony on June 12, a police officer narrated that one of his friends received a text message that a trapped family in Barangay Raya Madaya had sent word their child has died of hunger and that they and their Christian employees have been eating their blanket for survival.

Other survivors narrated eating raw noodles until their supply ran out, some turned to eating leaves and many relied on rain for water.

The remains of a slain civilian along Gomisa Avenue leading to Banggolo district on June 4, 2017. awaits retrieval.

Photo courtesy of Amerol Ariel Samira Gutoc of the Ranao Rescue Team, told ABS-CBN News’ Headstart last Monday that residents trapped in the conflict zone for 28 days have

been without access to food “in the areas of Marinaut, the coommercial area, the Banggolo plaza, Cabili — these are areas where people are eating we don’t know, God knows what they are eating. Some have reported blankets, they are eating from little drops of water from somewhere so its like I don’t know if it’s Africa I am looking at or yung movies na pinapanood natin.. it’s so real.”

She said some have resorted to eating boxes and leaves.

She explained is “double burden” for the Maranaos because of the ongoing Ramadan, the month-long fasting.

“Some of them would observe fasting but at night when they can eat, there’s nothing to eat because there’s no commercial establishment (that is open). So we’re asking the Philippine Army, government and the Maute Group to let the food in, especially also in the evacuation centers in the first district of Lanao del Sur. Gutoc contested the figure on slain civilians in the conflict zone. “We don’t agree that numbers are at just 20 as reported by media,” Gutoc said, adding that as early as Day 1, “one our volunteers saw a summary execution by the MG (Maute Group) guy.”

She said a volunteer whose nine-month old child died likely from suffocation when the city jail was burning on Day 1, May 23, reported seeing cadavers there. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)

12 12

EDGE EDGEDAVAO DAVAO

18th City Council 4th Regular Session Series of 2017

d)

PRESENT:

e)

Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor

Bernard E. Al-ag - Temporary Presiding Officer Maria Belen S. Acosta Victorio U. Advincula Jr. Al Ryan S. Alejandre Dante L. Apostol Sr. Conrado C. Baluran Pilar C. Braga Jimmy G. Dureza Edgar P. Ibuyan Jr. Leah A. Librado-Yap Rene Elias C. Lopez Diosdado Angelo A. Mahipus Sr. Bonifacio E. Militar J. Melchor B. Quitain Jr. Marissa P. Salvador-Abella Halila Y. Sudagar Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III

ON OFFICIAL BUSINESS: Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor

Ma. Cherry Ann M. Bonguyan Danilo C. Dayanghirang April Marie C. Dayap Avegayle Dalodo Ortiz

ABSENT: Vice Mayor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor

Paolo Z. Duterte - On Vacation Leave Nilo M. Abellera Jr. - On Domestic Emergency Leave Joanne M. Bonguyan-Quilos - On Domestic Emergency Leave January N. Duterte - On Domestic Emergency Leave Antoinette G. Principe-Castrodes - On Domestic Emergency Leave Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte - On Domestic Emergency Leave

ORDINANCE NO. 0152 -17 Series of 2017 AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING ALL TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANIES, DAVAO LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY (DLPC) AND ALL OTHER PERSONS TO COMPLY WITH THE UNDERGROUND CABLING PLAN OF THE CITY OF DAVAO Be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City in session assembled that: SECTION 1. TITLE – This Ordinance shall be known as “AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING ALL TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANIES, DAVAO LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY (DLPC) AND ALL OTHER PERSONS TO COMPLY WITH THE UNDERGROUND CABLING PLAN OF THE CITY OF DAVAO”; SECTION 2. DEFINITION OF TERMS – As used in this Ordinance, the following terms are defined as follows: a) Wires – refer to electrical and telecommunication wires; b) Cables – an insulated conductor or group of conductors protected by a waterproof coat that are installed aerial or underground; c) Installation – an assemblage of power/telecommunication

f)

g)

VOL. 10 ISSUE 59 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 23 - 24, 2017 VOL. 10 ISSUE 57 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2017

equipment in a given location, designed for coordinated operation, properly erected and wired; Juridical Person – refers to corporations, institutions and entities engaged in businesses mentioned in the Ordinance; Telecommunications – any process which enables a telecommunications entity to relay and receive voice, data, electronic messages, written or printed matter, fixed or moving pictures, words, music or visible or audible signals or any control signals of any design and for any purpose by wire, radio or other electromagnetic, spectral, optical or technological means (Reference R.A. 7925); Public Telecommunications Carrier (PTC) – shall refer to a duly enfranchised and NTC certificated telecommunications carrier and/or entity duly authorized by law including the government to provide public telecommunications services (Reference: NTC MCNo.9-7-93); Service Entrance – the conductors and equipment for delivering electric energy from serving utility to the wiring system of the premises served (Reference: 2009 Philippine Electrical Code, part 1, Volume 1);

SECTION 3. COVERAGE AND IMPLEMENTATION PHASE – The coverage of this Ordinance shall be extended to the following areas with the corresponding implementation phases: Phase Phase 1

Period Covered 2017

Phase II

2018

Phase III

2019

Phase IV

2020

Location C.M. Recto Street Start: Junction of San Pedro St. End: Junction of R. Magsaysay Avenue San Pedro Street Start: cor. C.M. Recto St. End: E. Quirino Avenue R. Magsaysay Avenue Start: C.M. Recto Street End: Magsaysay Park C. Bangoy, Bonifacio, Pelayo Start: Roxas Rotunda End: San Pedro Street E. Quirino Street Start: San Pedro Street End: BSP - Quirino

Estimated Length of Coverage 1100 meters, more or less

1400 meters, more or less 1400 meters, more or less 1400 meters, more or less 1100 meters, more or less

SECTION 4. PURPOSE – This Ordinance is enacted for the following purposes: a) To bolster the image of the City of Davao as internationally competitive, capable of attracting investments while ensuring sustainable development in its midst; b) To provide the populace of the City of Davao with a clear model of a sustainable and aesthetic response to the rising demands of progress and their impact to the environment; c) To enhance safety and security for the offices and establishments within the Central Business District including other known landmarks in the City of Davao; SECTION 5. COMPULSORY UNDERGROUND PASSAGE – All electric utility companies and public telecommunication carriers servicing the City of Davao, including, but not limited to, other persons constructing, maintaining, installing aerial wires and cables shall place underground all electrical and telecommunication wires and cables within the area covered by this Ordinance;

VOL. 10 ISSUE 59 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 23 - 24, 2017 VOL. 10 ISSUE 57 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2017

13 13

EDGE EDGEDAVAO DAVAO

All building owners within the covered area shall provide service entrances compatible for underground electrical and telecommunication wires and cables; SECTION 6. PENALTY PROVISIONS – The following penalties shall be imposed on any or all violators of this Ordinance: a) After three (3) notices, any person or entity who violates this Ordinance, by maintaining, constructing or installing aerial antennas and towers not placed with underground wires and cables shall be fined the amount of Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00); b) After the fourth and final notice, cancellation of his/her business permit; c) If the violation is committed by partnership, corporation, association, firm or other juridical entity, including governmentowned or controlled corporation, the penalty shall be imposed on the president, general manager and each of the officers of these entities. In addition, the penalty shall also include the cancellation of its business license;

10) 11) 12) 13) 14) 15) 16) 17)

Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) PLDT/SMART Globe DCTECH Skycable Bayantel Bureau of Fire and Protection Fire Hydration Private Sector Representative

SECTION 11. CLEAN-UP OF EVERY PHASE AND RESTORATION – Within ninety (90) days after the full implementation of this Ordinance, all aerial wires, cables and poles shall be removed by the respective electric utility company and public telecommunication carrier; The streets/sidewalks that were destroyed as a result of the laying down of cables and wires shall be properly restored at the expense of Telecommunication Companies and Davao Light and Power Company; SECTION 12. NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC – Upon the approval of this Ordinance, copies thereof shall be posted by the Secretary to the City Council at all the entrance of City Hall and the Sangguniang Panlungsod building and are given to all electric companies and public telecommunications carriers and all establishments within the area covered;

SECTION 7. COSTS – The cost for placing the underground electrical and telecommunication wires and cables including the restoration of the excavated streets/sidewalks shall be jointly shared among the electric SECTION 13. EFFECTIVITY – This Ordinance shall take effect utility companies and public telecommunication carriers as determined in upon approval and after publication of the full text of the Ordinance in a the integrated design/ plan formulated by the Wires and Cables Technical newspaper of general circulation in accordance with the existing laws and Team; regulations therewith;

SECTION 8. WIRES AND CABLES TECHNICAL TEAM – To ensure that ENACTED, January 31, 2017, by a unanimous vote of all the the objectives of the Ordinance is attained, there shall be created a Wires Members of the Sanggunian present. and Cables Technical Team through an Executive Order of the City Mayor; SECTION 9. FUNCTIONS – The Wires and Cables Technical Team shall have the following functions: a) Implement the integrated design/ plan within 30 days upon its creation; b) Establish coordinative and working relationship among members of the team; c) supervised and monitor the full implementation of the Ordinance; d) Recommend additional provisions or actions that will promote and strengthen the objectives of the Ordinance; e) Prepare and design a blueprint of this Underground Cabling for approval of the Sangguniang Panlungsod; SECTION 10. COMPOSITION – The team shall be composed of the following, to wit: a) Chair – City Mayor to be represented by the City Administrator b) Vice-Chair- City Engineer’s Office c) Members: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9)

Chair of the SP Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Chair of the SP Committee on Transportation and Communication City Engineer and/or the City Building Official Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) Davao City Water District (DCWD) City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC)-Traffic Light System City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO)

14 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 10 ISSUE 59 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 23 - 24, 2017

TIGHT CONTEST Samanodi, Gascal lead winners in 29th GET golfest

By NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO njb@edgedavao.net

P

AL Interclub veteran Kuresh Samanodi and Gani Gascal emerged big winners in the recent 29th Guillermo E. Torres (GET) Open golf tournament played over the weekend at the Apo Golf and Country Club.

Samanodi, who plays for Rancho Palos Verdes in the annual PAL Interclub, fired 35 Stableford

TEE OFF. Presidential Assistant for Sports Glenn Escandor hits his ceremonial drive during the 29th GET Open Golf Tournnament at the Apo Golf and Country Club.

Boy Lim

points to take home the Class A gross title besting Brad Quemada who settled with the runner-up honors at 33.

Sonny Lebosada took the Class A net diadem with 40 points while Atty. Manny Nitorreda, who has a perfect attendance in the history of the GET tournament, wound-up with the runner-up honors with

CLASS A GROSS CHAMPION Class A gross champion Kuresh Samanodi receives his trophy from GET Open overall chairman Guillermo Torres Jr, UM Board of Trustees member Edwin Torres and tournament director Fritz Tan during the awarding of 29th GET Open Golf Tournament held at Royal Mandaya Hotel. PR 38.

CEREMONIAL BALLS. Agriculture Secretary Manny Pinol with UM President Willie Torres, Presidential Assistant for Sports Glenn Escandor, Apo Golf President Atty.

Manny Nitorreda. Boy Lim

CLASS B WINNER Gani Gascal receives his Class B gross champion trophy. PR

Gascal shared the limelight by winning the Class B gross crown with 28 points beating runner-up Rolly Lobo who finished with 27.

Completing the Class B division winners are Gill Bullecer who had 45 points for the net crown while Felix Enofre had 40 for the net runner-up.

In Class C, Fred Abundo emerged as the gross champion with 27 points followed

by Godfrey Costinares for the runner-up with 24. Richard Liban had 49 points for the net crown while Jessie Afinidad (48) completed the win-

ner’s podium with the net runner-up.

Ruchie Albers won the Ladies division gross crown with 23 points defeating JM Balbuena who had 21. Felisa Weckler bagged the net division crown with a 37 on top of closest foe Maria Crystal Fuentes who had a 33.

GET Open overall chairman Willie Torres assisted by University of Mindanao Board of Trustee Edwin Torres and tournament co-chairman Fritz Tan awarded the winners with their respective trophies

F TIGHT, 15

VOL. 10 ISSUE 59 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 23 - 24, 2017

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO

10M USD NIGHT Pacquiao to earn 10 million, Horn just half

B

OXING great Manny Pacquiao will arrive in Brisbane with an entourage of 200 people on a chartered jet on Saturday night ready to make $10 million at Suncorp Stadium – more than 20 times the purse for Brisbane’s Fighting Schoolteacher.

Pacquiao has made more than $660 million from boxing over the past 20 years, including $165 million from his defeat against Floyd Mayweather in 2015.

MEGA BUCK. Manny Pacquiao stands to earn a guaranteed $10 million.

PH bows out of fIBA 3x3

T

HE Philippine team of Kobe Paras, Kiefer Ravena, Jeron Teng and JR Quinahan bowed out of the group stage of the 2017 FIBA 3×3 World Cup after finishing third in a tough Pool B on Tuesday in Nantes, France.

The Philippines lost to Slovenia, 21-14, in its first game on Day 4 of the competition before closing out its campaign on a high note, beating El Salvador, 21-14.

The team had earlier beaten Romania, 21-15, and fell short against France, 2211, in Day 2.

Slovenia, the No. 2 ranked team in the tournament, swept its games to top Pool B with a 4-0 record while home team France finished 3-1. The Philippines was in third at 2-2, but missed the cut with only two squads from each group advancing to the quarterfinal round.

Ravena scored seven points in each of their Day 4 games to pace the team. Teng matched his team-high seven points in the win over El Salvador.

The 19-year-old Paras, after scoring 15 points to finish with the third-highest scoring output of Day 2, mustered only four points against Slovenia and three points against El Salvador.

The Philippines dominated in their victory, at one point taking an eight-point lead, 18-10, before some sloppy play that included a flagrant foul by Teng and a missed alley-oop attempt between Ravena and Paras allowed El Salvador inch closer, 18-14.

But Teng scored inside and Ravena made sure the Filipino fans went home happy with a two-pointer that sealed the win.

But Jeff Horn says he is not overawed by Pacquiao’s reputation or the prospect of fighting one of the greatest fighters of all time before more than 50,000 people at the ground and a global audience of close to a billion.

He is not even upset about the difference in pay.

The freshfaced, undefeate d slugger from Acacia Ridge went through a blistering 16 rounds with fitness

coach Dundee Kim at West End yesterday and said he was more than ready to take Pacquiao’s world title.

“He’s arriving on Saturday and my message to him is relax and enjoy your stay in Brisbane because on July 2 I’m taking your world title,’’ Horn said.

“But I have to first say thank you to him for giving me the chance. I never thought I would ever get the opportunity to fight for his world title and certainly not before a packed crowd at Suncorp.

“This is a huge event because of the star power of Manny Pacquiao.

“He’s one of the greatest boxers in history and people in Australia have supported the fight because of his name and the chance to see an Aussie against him. But I believe this is the start of a new era in boxing and a changing of the guard.’’

WIGHT Howard and Brook Lopez are on the move. Dwyane Wade is opting in. Pau Gasol is opting out. The Los Angeles Lakers provided the clearest indication yet that Lonzo Ball is their guy.

The NBA offseason is already in overdrive.

A dizzying series of moves came on Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time). Howard got traded by the Atlanta Hawks to the Charlotte Hornets, who acquired the eight-time All-Star center for a package that included Miles Plumlee and Marco Belinelli.

And Lopez — another center — is leaving Brooklyn and headed to the Lakers, part of a deal that has D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov going to the Nets.

That leaves the Lakers with a clear need at point guard, a problem they will likely rectify on Thursday when they

presumably will take Ball with the No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft.

It was a big move for the Lakers in another way; Mozgov is still owed $48 million over the next three seasons, while Lopez’s contract will expire after next season.

Howard will be playing for his third team in three seasons following a disappointing homecoming in Atlanta.

He signed a three-year, $70.5 million deal with Atlanta and then sat out the fourth quarter in two of six playoff games in the Hawks’ first-round loss to Washington.

“Let the madness begin,” Portland guard CJ McCollum said. “Draft week is always the most interesting time of the year.”

Madness is right.

Barely a week after the Golden State Warriors won their second NBA championship in three years, the rest of the league is maneuvering like

D

BATTLE READY. Jeff Horn says Manny Paquiao should enjoy Brisbane because he is takaing his title away.

NBA offseason goes overdrive mad.

Along with the trades, confirmed by people with direct knowledge who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither deal was formally announced, Gasol opted out of his $16 million deal for next season with San Antonio — but intends to sign a new multiyear deal with the Spurs that will reduce his annual salary but give him more security, and presumably give his team a chance to add a big-time free agent this summer. Wade told the Bulls he will take his $23.8 million deal for next season, a decision he had until next week to make.

And Minnesota parted ways with Nikola Pekovic, waiving him in what could be the last act of a career that was derailed by foot and ankle problems over the past three seasons. Pekovic missed all of last season and played only 12 games the previous season.

PH SQUAD. Jeron Teng, Kiefer Ravena, JR Quinahan and Kobe Paras.

TIGHT... FROM 16 and merchandise during the awarding ceremonies held at the Royal Mandaya Hotel Grand Ballroom.

Torres also handed cheque to Mount Apo Science Foundation Director Angelita R. Calag which also highlighted the awarding rites. The Mount Apo Science Foundation is the chief

beneficiary of the tournament which is dubbed as the city’s longest running to date.

Torres also awarded Nitorreda, Apo Golf and Country Club president and University of Mindanao Board of Director, a special token for joining the annual tournament consistently for the past 29 years.

TRADED. Brook Lopez and Dwight Howard have found new homes in the early offseason moves.

All this comes with Paul George’s status in Indiana most uncertain and with many trade rumors swirling there, the belief by many across the league that Jerry West joining the Clippers’ front office could help their pursuit of LeBron James in the summer of 2018, and the ongoing watch in New York of what the Knicks will do — if anything — with Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis.

It’s not like Monday was a slow day, either.

That was when Philadelphia and Boston completed the deal that sent the No. 1 overall pick to the 76ers — giving them the chance to take Markelle Fultz, and allowing the Celtics to choose likely either Jayson Tatum or Josh Jackson at No. 3, which they got in the swap. The Celtics said they think the player they take at No. 3 would likely have been the player they used the No. 1 pick on anyway, so they called it a win-win move.

Then came Monday night›s news that the Cleveland Cavaliers were parting ways with general manager David Griffin after three straight trips to the NBA Finals, a move that James clearly was not happy about.

Cleveland then talked with former All-Star guard Chauncey Billups on Tuesday about a job in the front office.

To think, summer doesn’t even start until Wednesday.

The draft is Thursday.

The league’s inaugural after-the-season awards show is Monday.

Free agency and the new collective bargaining agreement start on July 1.

“Wow,” Phoenix guard Devin Booker said on Twitter.

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 59 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, JUNE 23 - 24, 2017