Edge Davao 10 Issue 67, July 5, 2017

VOL. 10 ISSUE 67 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

KEEPING IN SHAPE. Police officers from the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) in full battle gear simulate an urban assault along Rizal Street in Davao City as part of the 15-day Special Weapons and Tactics training under the Davao City Police Office on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

CONSTITUTIONAL SC says of martial law in Mindanao EDGEDAVAO Sports

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HE Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled in favor of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Proclamation 216 placing the entire Mindanao under martial law.

SC spokesman Theodore Te announced the directive was issued following Tuesday’s regular en banc session of the magistrates.

Voting 11-3-1, the high court dismissed the three consolidated petitions challenging

the constitutionality of the President’s move. ”The court dismissed the petitions by a vote of 11 of its members, three members voted to partially grant the petitions and one member voted to grant petitions,” Te told reporters during the press briefing.

Te, however, refused to mention the names of the justices who voted for or against the dismissal of the petitions.

The consolidated petitions were filed by opposition lawmakers led by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, local Mindanao leaders led by Lumad leader Eufemia Campos Cullamat and a group of women from Marawi led by Norkaya Mohamad, challenged the legality of Duterte’s Proclamation No. 216 imposing a military rule and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao after terrorists occupied

Marawi City on May 23.

Te said that all 15 justices have submitted their respective opinions on the matter.

These, however, are expected to be released on Wednesday.

Solicitor General Jose Calida welcomed the high court’s decision, saying it “underscores the existence of a real and present rebellion that threatens the lives of our fel-

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DIVIDED

Sports journos share different views on Pacquiao loss

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 67 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

EXHULTANT. Volunteer firefighters under the Davao Firefighters and Rescue Services (DFRS), Inc. pay a courtesy call to the City Council during a regular session on Tuesday after winning various awards in the 18th Gawad Kalasag National Awards for excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Humanitarian Assistance. Lean Daval Jr.

AFFIRMED

DBP to hold roadshow in Davao City on July 7

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HE Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) will hold a business roadshow at the Marco Polo Hotel Davao on Friday, July 7 starting at 11 AM. This was announced in a letter of invitation sent out by DBP-Davao officer-in-charge Lace Luanne H. Morta.

The roadshow, one of the bank’s activities in celebrating its 70 years of “bringing development to the countryside,” is done nationwide to launch its products and services in line with its being an infrastructure bank supporting the Duterte adminis-

tration’s “Build, Build, Build” program.

The DBP board of directors led by chairperson Alberto G. Romulo, former senator, and president and chief executive officer Cecilia C. Borromeo, will spearhead the roadshow designed for clients and other stakeholders which the bank considers its partners for infrastructure development.

The DBP’s new board directors will be presented during the roadshow, namely Miguel C. Abaya, Maria Lourdes A. Arcenas, Luis C.

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Lawmaker seeks overhaul of Official Gazette’s charter

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LAWMAKER at the House of Representatives on Tuesday said there is a need to give the Official Gazette a much-needed update in its charter to make it more attuned to modern times.

AANGAT TAYO Partylist Rep. Harlin Neil Abayon III said online or web publishing is the latest means of information dissemination and must therefore be considered as an official mode of publication of laws.

In his House Bill 5918, newly-signed Philippine laws shall take effect 15 days following their upload in the website of the Official Gazette or in the

news websites of two newspapers of general printed circulation in the country.

The current set-up allows laws to take effect 15 days after completion of publication in the Official Gazette or newspaper of general circulation.

“Printing on paper is no longer just the mode of publication now. In fact, publishing via the internet has become the new mode of wider dissemination of information to the general public,” Abayon said in his statement.

“It is of vital importance to the country that its citizens and visitors are well informed of the laws of the land via the

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High Court declares martial law constitutional

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ALACAÑANG on Tuesday lauded the Supreme Court decision affirming the constitutionality of President Rodrigo Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao even as it reiterated its call for full support and cooperation from the public.

“The High Court has spoken. Proclamation 216 is constitutional,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

With the ruling, the Palace official assured the people that President Duterte remains fully committed to end the evil of terrorism and

asked everyone to fully support the government in the war against terror.

“The President is sworn to protect the Filipino people. He will not waver in this commitment to end rebellion, the evil of terrorism and to liberate Marawi. With the Supreme Court decision, the whole government now stands together as one against a common enemy,” he said.

“We ask the public to give their full support and cooperation to local authorities.

After all, securing communities is a responsibility that must be shared by everyone,”

Abella said.

Earlier Tuesday, the SC, through an 11-3-1 ruling, validated President Duterte’s May 23 declaration placing the entire Mindanao under martial law following clashes between state security forces and Islamic State-inspired terrorists from the Maute and Abu Sayyaf group.

The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus was also suspended in the region.

The 11 magistrates who favored the President’s Proclamation 216 were Associate Justices Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr., Teresita J. Leonardo-De Castro, Diosdado M. Peralta,

Lucas P. Bersamin, Mariano C. Del Castillo, Jose C. Mendoza, Bienvenido L. Reyes, Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe, Francis H. Jardeleza, Samuel R. Martires and Noel G. Tijam.

Meanwhile, three Justices voted that martial law should only cover Marawi City and nearby areas.

They were Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa.

Only Associate Justice Marvic Leonen said the martial law declaration has no factual basis. (PNA)

HE Department of the Interior and Local Government is urging all local government units nationwide to actively participate in the government’s unified campaign against illegal drugs termed as “Rehabinasyon”.

The Rehabinasyon (Embrace/Rehabilitate the Nation) aims to take a wholistic approach in making sure that the country’s drug

problem will be eliminated using the full extent of the law, and at the same time putting importance on the rehabilitation of drug surrenderers.

DILG Officer-In-Charge Catalino Cuy said the Department has committed to mobilize all LGUs, including the barangays, in the Rehabinasyon campaign whose role is critical in the fight against illegal drugs.

Under Republic Act No. 7160, or the “Local Government Code of 1991”, barangays are mandated to adopt measures towards the prevention and eradication of drug abuse in their locality.

“For the Rehabinasyon to be effective, it has to be complemented by the LGUs,” Cuy said.

The Inter-agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) launched the Reha-

binasyon campaign on June 21, 2017 where the DILG is a member and the DILG Secretary is chair of the advocacy cluster composed of 17 agencies.

The ICAD was created through Executive Order No. 15 and is under the supervision of the Office of the President (OP).

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) serves as the ICAD chair.

LGUs urged to join‘Rehabinasyon’drive T

NEWS 3

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 67 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

Region 12 welcomes new 500 policemen E FFORTS to fight terrorism and maintain peace and order in Region 12 received a big boost with the deployment of about 500 new policemen to different parts of the region, an official said Tuesday.

Chief Supt. Cedrick Train, Police Regional Office-12 director, said 378 male and 111 female, or a total of 489, have taken their oath as members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) after surviving the rigid police officers’ training.

“They are expected to serve and protect the people from whom they derived their power and authority to enforce the laws of the land without fear or favor,” the of-

ficial said.

“They are (tasked) to look after the general welfare of the people and ensure that peace and order is maintained at all times, and act as the protector of the weak, defender of the innocent and advocates of human rights,” he added.

Train told the rookie cops that their PNP badges symbolize “legal authority and responsibility that is to uphold the law with fairness and justice.”

“You must always keep a high standard of morality and professionalism, and enliven the spirit of PNP core values and that is MakaDiyos

POSTERITY. Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte gladly obliges to the F REGION, 10 FOR ‘selfie’ request of Central 911 chief and officer in charge of the City Disaster

AirAsia flight forced to land after collision with bird flock

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N AirAsia X flight from the Gold Coast to Kuala Lumpur has been forced to make an emergency landing in Brisbane late Monday evening, after the Airbus A330 collided with a flock of birds shortly after take-off.

Passengers aboard flight D7207 reported to have heard “four or five loud bangs” on the right side of the aircraft.

“I could see an orange light coming from the windows,” one passenger told local media.

“Someone said the engine’s on fire and we should pray but mostly everyone remained calm.”

According to Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority, “there was evidence on the runway of a bird strike,” spokesman Peter Gibso said.

Adding that, a flock of plover birds appear to be the culprits, as carcasses were found on the tarmac at Gold Coast Airport.

In a statement, AirAsia X

chief executive officer Benyamin Ismail, heaped praise on the pilots and crew.

“We would like to commend our pilot and crew members for their professionalism and swift action to reassure passengers who were on board flight D7207 and to land the aircraft safely in Brisbane Airport,” Ismail said.

Despite the rough ride, all 345 passengers and 14 crew were uninjured and local media reported that the passengers clapped and cheered when the plane landed safely.

AirAsia X said it will arrange a special flight to Kuala Lumpur for the stranded passengers as soon as possible.

The incident is the second in just one week for AirAsia, after an aircraft in Perth was also forced to make an emergency landing after suffering engine problems.

“We are following all regulatory guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of our guests,” Ismail said. (Xinhua)

Risk Reduction and Management Council during a regular session of the

City Council at Sangguniang Panlungsod on Tuesday. Jaldon and a group of volunteer firefighters paid a courtesy call to the City Council after winning various ‘Gawad Kalasag’ awards recently. Lean Daval Jr.

Palace seeks P3.8T as budget for 2018 M

ALACAÑANG on Tuesday said that it will be seeking a P3.767 trillion national budget for next year.

At a Palace briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the proposed 2018 budget is 12.4 percent higher than the PHP3.35 trillion budget for 2017 and represents 21.6 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP).

The Palace official said that according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) which prepared the report, “it is a budget that reforms and transforms”.

It covers medium-term

macroeconomic assumptions and fiscal targets, key budget dimensions and expenditure priorities.

“The budget aims for a safer, greener, wealthier, and more beautiful country, making space for the youth, the poor, disadvantaged, and handicapped,” he said citing Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno.

According to Abella, the Department of Education (DepED) -- including state universities and colleges (SUCs) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) -- gets the highest allocation.

It is followed by the Department of Public Works and

Highways (DPWH), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Agriculture (DA), Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

By expense class allocation, local government units (LGUs) will receive 16 percent; government-owned- and –controlled corporations (GOCCs) will receive 4.5 percent; infra and capital outlays get 25.4 percent; personnel services will receive 29.4 percent; maintenance will

Inmates surrender contrabands

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NOTHING LEFT TO CHANCE. A Task Force Davao personnel inspects a cardboard box owned by bystander at the Centennial Park along San Pedro Street in Davao City on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

receive 14.5 percent; and 9.8 percent is allocated for debt burden.

“The priorities of the budget framework are to enhance the social fabric to make sure that the entire budget is spent to make and being people-centered, fair, just, and value-based; to reduce inequality; to increase growth potential; and to maintain foundations for sustainable development,” Abella said.

President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to submit the proposed budget immediately after his 2nd State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 24 before a joint session of Congress.

(Cielito M. Reganit/PNA)

MID reports claiming that illegal drug activities have resurrected inside the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) in Muntinlupa City, a group of inmates have turned over contrabands to officials of Bureau of Corrections, Department of Justice official said on Tuesday.

Citing reports from Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Benjamin Delos Santos, Justice Undersecretary Erickson Balmes said members of the SigueSigue Sputnik gang surrendered the illegal items such as six large plastic sachets of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu; 30 small sachets of shabu; two ice picks; and one cellular phone on Monday.

He said the surrender of the contrabands was “a result of dialogue/negotiaions conducted last Saturday.”

On Monday, Justice Sec-

retary Vitaliano Aguirre II said he will order a probe on some members of Special Action Force (SAF) who may have been involved in the resurgence of illegal drug trade inside the NBP in Muntinlupa City.

“I have received reports that there were some reactivation, we are doing something about this, we are going to end this resurgence, some sort of resurgence by some inmates.

I talked to Director General [Benjamin delos Santos last Saturday, and we know what we are going to do,” Aguirre told reporters.

He noted that some members of the police’s elite force may have been involved due to their familiarity with the inmates.

Aguirre said on Tuesday that changing of the guards at the NBP is expected by end of July.

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DOTr urged to suspend payments for MRT-3 maintenance provider

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N administration lawmaker on Monday called on Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade to withhold monthly payments, including previous billings, to the MRT-3’s maintenance provider Busan Universal Rail Inc (BURI).

In a statement, Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Partylist Rep. Jericho Nograles said the government could even ask for a full refund of all previous payments for BURI’s failure to comply with the terms of their anomalous contract.

Nograles also disclosed that MRT-3 general manager Rodolfo Garcia endorsed BURI’s payment claim to the DOTr amounting to PHP35.52 million for the period of December 2016 to January 2017 amid doubts to the validity of the service contract inked during the previous adminis-

tration.

Garcia made the request in a memorandum dated June 30, 2017 to DOTr Officer-In-Charge (OIC) Undersecretary for Railways Eduardo Mangalili.

“Why is it that GM Garcia and his OIC Director Deo Leo Manalo are so much in a hurry to pay BURI knowing very well that issue can lead to a plunder case? Which side are they on?

Are they really working for the government and the MRT commuters or are they working now for BURI?” Nograles asked.

“What is in this contract that makes them so obviously sympathetic to BURI despite all the sufferings of the commuting public due to BURI’s failure to comply with the terms of their contract? Even the COA is hot in investigating the anomalies,” he added.

F DOTR, 10 ARRAY OF CHOICES. A shopper chooses from the different styles and colors of jeans being sold at the Annex of SM City Davao on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

Duterte tells DavOr people: Focus on agri, eco-tourism A

Davao-based waste technology to compete in Saudi market

By ANTONIO M. AJERO

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RESIDENT Duterte advised the leaders and citizens of Davao Oriental to focus on developing eco-tourism and agriculture to accelerate growth and and sustainable development.

The President gave the advice in a speech congratulating Gov. Nelson L. Dayanghirang and his people on the occasion of the province’s 50th founding anniversary last Saturday.

Davao Oriental was one of the three provinces created when the mother province was divided into three in 1967. The two other provinces are Davao de Norte and Davao del Sur. While he delivered his messages in person to the citizens of Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur in Tagum City and Digos City, he sent Acting Secretary Catalino Cuy of the

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to read his speech in Mati City.

The President praised Davao Oriental, now the biggest province after two more provinces –Compostela Valley and Davao Occidental – were carved out of the original area, for the province’s “bountiful lands and unspoiled natural attractions.”

According to the President, Davao Oriental should maximize opportunities in agriculture and eco-tourism, exhorting its leaders and citizens to “use them well and manage them responsibly for they will be the key to your continued growth and bright future.”

“As a land that is home to the proud Mandaya, Mansaka, Manobo and Kalagan peoples, you have in your possession

President Duterte applauds after unveiling of the 50th Founding Anniversary of Davao del Norte commemorative stamp during the culminating activity of the province’s Golden Jubilee celebration at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex in Tagum City over the weekend. Assisting the President in

a wealth of cultural treasures and traditions,” Mr. Duterte said, urging the people to “use this rich indigenous legacy to develop your distinct identify and make your own unique contributions to our society.”

Davao Oriental has more than 140 tourist destinations in various stages of development, including the Mount Hamiguitan Rage Wild Sanctuary UNESCO-declared Heritage Site, the incomparable Aliwagwag Falls Eco Park and Dahican Beach, a world-class surfing destination.

It is likewise the country’s top producer of coconut.

In his speech, President Duterte also stressed the primacy of the government’s continuing war against illegal drugs, corruption, criminality and terrorism, saying Filipinos

“must remain steadfast and united against these ills that threaten our existence and our way of life.”

Lt. Gen. Eduardo M. Ano, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, was the guest of honor province’s monthlong golden anniversary celebration with the theme “Celebrating Golden Heritage Towards Sustainable Inclusive Progress.”

He was introduced by Lt. Gen. Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero, chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command.

Aside from Dayanghirang who delivered the anniversary address being the incumbent governor, other officials who spoke during the program were immediate past governor now Rep. Corazon N. Malanya-

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the ceremony are Davao del Norte Governor Anthony Rafael del Rosario and Philippine Postal Corporation Postmaster General and CEO Joel Ottara. JOEY DALUMPINES/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

DAVAO CITY-BASED inventor will introduce his work, a bio-medical waste treatment technology called Pyroclave, in the Saudi Arabian market next year.

Developed in 2012 by homegrown RAD Green Solutions, Pyroclave uses pyrolysis that utilizes “extreme thermal treatment to process medical wastes and operates at a temperature of more than 1,000 degree Celsius. Shredding is not required after treatment while wastes are rendered unrecognizable. Reduction of mass and volume by 80-95 percent can be achieved.”

Engr. Roderick Dayot, who is vice president for engineering of RAD Green Solutions, said that they passed the standards of Saudi Arabia which is said to have the most stringent regulations when it

comes to technologies created by foreign developers entering their country.

He said a group of representatives from Saudi Arabia’s regulatory body, General Authority of Meterology and Environmental Protection, inspected the company’s facility here in 2016.

He said the regulating body is set to release their certification that will allow them to enter Saudi Arabia, its first international market.

He said they have developed a 10-ton capacity Pyroclave tailored-fit for Saudi Arabia.

He said Saudi Arabia-based Kawn Environmental Services will be the exclusive distributor and sole operator of Pyroclave.

The company will roll out

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DOF taps DTI marketing expert for 2018 ADB meet in Manila

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MARKETING and communications expert at the Department of Trade and Industry with a sterling record in handling major tourism projects in Mindanao is working closely with the Department of Finance (DOF) in handling the preparations for the 2018 annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors in Manila May next year.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has tapped DTI Assistant Secretary Arturo Boncato Jr. as a key resource person of the DOF for Manila’s hosting of the 51st Annual Meeting of the ADB Board of Governors on May 3-6, 2018.

Boncato, who heads the DTI’s Competitiveness and Ease of Doing Business Group, was formerly Assistant Secretary of the Department of Tourism in the Aquino admin-

istration in charge of handling special projects for Mindanao, such as the Philippine Halal Tourism Project. He was at that time also the tourism department’s alternate spokesperson.

He had also chaired the Brunei, Indonesia Malaysia, the Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Tourism Cluster and was Representative to the Bangsamoro Transition Committee.

Boncato is currently the supervising executive of the DTI’s Competitiveness Bureau, E-Commerce, and BIMP-EAGA teams.

A former entrepreneur and hotelier, Boncato holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communications from the University of the Philippines.

Dominguez chairs the ADB Board of Governors.(DOF-PR)

VOL. 10 ISSUE 67 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

ECONOMY 5

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$100M ADB loan to help fasttrack priority projects

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HE Asian Development Bank will provide USD 100 million in technical assistance loans to help the Philippines fast track priority projects, as it supports the country in delivering its ambitious infrastructure program.

ADB President Takehiko Nakao said that through the loans, the ADB will work with the Philippine government to set up an Infrastructure Preparation and Innovation Facility that will provide knowledge to key line agencies and assist in the speeding up of projects.

“It will help the development and preparation of projects, covering project fea-

sibility studies, design, and procurement,” he said during the Philippine Transport Forum hosted by ADB on Monday.

In addition, Nakao said the Bank will provide a USD 5-million TA grant to develop a project management and information system. “(Such system) will assist oversight agencies monitor the progress of projects, identify bottlenecks and deliver solutions,” he noted.

Nakao further said ADB has committed to support the Philippines in three areas -technical assistance, advisory and knowledge sharing and financial support.

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ALL SYSTEMS GO. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio (center, seated), Marco Polo Davao general manager Dottie Wurgler-Cronin (leftmost, seated) and Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII)

president Captain Ronald Go (rightmost, seated) sign the festival partnership agreement for the 32nd Kadayawan sa Davao in time for the festival’s launching on Monday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

Davao-IGaCoS bridge T to cost P16.47B: study

MICT operations ready to handle peak season

By CHA MONFORTE, Correspondent

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HE construction of a bridge between Davao and the Island Garden City of Samal is estimated to cost P16.47 billion if started in mid 2019 and completed in 2024, according to an official of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Region 11.

However, the implementation timeline appears to be only true as far as it is stated in the final report of the pre-feasibility study (pre-FS) of a Japanese consulting firm as shown in the documents shared

by DPWH 11 design chief Engr. Agnes Audam with the members of the Davao del Norte Sangguniang Panlalawigan during a regular session last Monday.

The said final report of the pre-FS prepared by a project consortium led by Katahira and Engineers International (KEI) was sub-

mitted to Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) in February 2016.

The report stated a total investment of 45 billion yen was needed for the project, or about P20.25 billion at the current 1 yen to .45 peso exchange rate.

Audam said that based on 2015 pricing, the total amount needed for the project was about P16.47 billion with the Japanese financing of around P11 billion and Philippine government’s counterpart of some P5.8 billion.

“METI will recommend to JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) for a full-blown FS, then DPWH will endorse it to the Dept. of Finance thru the National Economic Development Authority for possible funding of the FS,” said Audam, who represented DPWH 11

regional director Allan Borromeo to attend to the invitation of the SP to shed light on the status of the long-anticipated bridge project.

Dept. of Tourism 11 regional director Roberto Alabado and NEDA 11 regional director Ma. Lourdes Lim were also failed to attend

the session though they sent letters pledging to Vice Governor Alan Dujali that they will subsequently give their written reports to the legislative body.

Audam added that the five-year implementation of Davao-Samal bridge project would come during the administration of President Duterte but the final work details would really depend on the results of the fullblown feasibility study (FS).

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno earlier in April said the funding of the fullblown FS was already ap-

proved and that the FS was already being worked on.

Audam said that there are eight routes of the bridge considered in KEI pre-FS study but the most probable route of the bridge would be “somewhere in between route 6 and route 7 due to minimal road right of way acquisition.”

She pointed out that the route 6 to route 7 on the plan’s map lies in the area from the present small wharf used in going to Paradise Island near the old airport to Chevron depot at Coaco area in Barangay Pampanga in Davao City’s side.

From any point of the said area the bridge will span more than a kilometer connecting to an area in the old shipyard at Barangay Caliclic in Samal Island’s side.

“As to suggested route in Panabo City, it might be considered in the full-blown feasibility study,” Engr. Audam said in response to the query on the Panabo route considering the factor of high volume of traffic in the considered route in Davao City’s side.

According to Provincial Board (SP) member Dan Gervacio, who represents the Philippine Councilors League in the Davao del Norte SP, “the people of Samal actually don’t want to have the bridge connected to Panabo” as proposed by some quarters because it is too far and that they are much more interested in the span being connected to Davao City.

HE Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), the flagship operation of global port operator International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), continues to perform optimally as the company gears up for the peak season. The robust performance comes after MICT achieved record volume and productivity with its first yearto-date two million TEU move last December.

“Yard utilization at the terminal remains optimal. The mechanisms we developed together with the Philippine government and other stakeholders in 2014 continue to work, resulting in the easing of traffic in Metro Manila despite inadequate trade infrastructure,” explains Christian R. Gonzalez, ICTSI senior vice president and head of Asia Pacific region and MICT. As of May, yard utilization at the MICT remained at 61 percent or well below the 70 percent ideal percentage.

During the same month, aver-

age crane productivity hovered at 32 moves per hour. These numbers underscore the terminal’s strong performance despite the uptick in container volume as global trade continues to rebound.

“Global container traffic is slowly recovering. As a matter of fact, Southeast Asia and North America have posted the highest average growth at seven percent during the final quarter of last year. While we remain optimistic that this trend will continue, I am confident that we will be able to keep up with the pace and accommodate the projected increase,” he adds.

Last year, the MICT achieved a milestone with its first year-to-date two millionth TEU move, triggering a multi-billion peso capacity improvement commitment with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) that requires ICTSI to commission five neo-Panamax quay cranes, 12 reach stackers, and build two new berths

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PEZA approves P26 billion in investments under PRRD

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HE Philippine Economic Zone Authority reported Monday that it approved a total of P268.36 billion investments during the first year of President Rodrigo R. Duterte administration.

PEZA Director General Charito Plaza said these investments came from 564 projects registered with the investment promotion agency (IPA).

Plaza noted that investors remain confident with the new administration as President Rodrigo Duterte stated that the Philippines is now more open to businesses.

It was noted that President Duterte’s trip abroad were mostly non-traditional sources of investments for the Philippines like China and the

Middle East.

The PEZA chief noted that the visit of President Duterte in other countries has pushed investment interests in the Philippines from non-traditional sources.

Moreover, the IPA also generated a total of 73,043 direct jobs from July 1, 2016 to April 30, 2017 or the first 304 days of the Duterte administration.

In the same period, PEZA enterprises have contributed USD42.10 billion to the country’s export revenues.

Plaza said she is confident that PEZA will continue its strong performance in the next five years of the administration, creating more investments, jobs, and revenues for the country. (Kris M. Crismundo/PNA)

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PDEA to hire more agents T

HE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency is looking to hire more agents to its force.

“We need 1,800 more agents,” says PDEA Director-General Isidro Lapeña.

Currently undergoing training are 150 new recruits, the subsequent batches will have 200 more personnel.

“We will have two batches in one year.” Lapeña said.

Training for one batch

will last for six months. Many of the new personnel will be deployed to increase the manpower of the provincial offices.

After they passed the training, the recruits will be sworn in with a position of Intelli-

gence Officer I which will have a corresponding salary equivalent to Salary Grade 11 which is about P20,179.00 (based on the third tranche Salary Standardization Law IV).

The additional hiring will

HE entry of the local government of Magsaysay, Davao del Sur to the Search for “Best Dressed Booth Contest” was adjudged as the Grand Winner during the Culmination Program Saturday noon of the 50th Provincial Anniversary celebration.

Governor Douglas Cagas personally handed over the cash award amounting

to P150,000 and an especially-designed plaque to Municipal Councilor Allan Carampatana on behalf of Mayor Arthur Davin.

The second place went to the Municipality of Matanao and took P120,000 cash prize and a plaque and the third placer was the Municipality of Sta. Cruz which got P100,000 cash prize and a plaque.

The opening of the Best Dressed Booth Contest coincided with the start of the weeklong celebration on June 26, 2017 and the judging was made daily until the final judging on July 1, 2017.

Municipal Agriculturist Helen Carampatana, who spearheaded the team to represent the local government, said they capitalized its organic

way of farming and starred its popular MagRice (Magsaysay Rice), which was selling like hotcakes from visiting guests.

Meanwhile, the Municipality of Bansalan was the Grand Winner for the “Best Float Contest”, followed by Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative and third went to USPD entry.

(CDIO-Magsaysay/Anthony S. Allada)

strengthen the anti-drug efforts of the Duterte administration, which Lapeña said was a success; a year after the President took his oath of office.

About 2,446 kilos of shabu valued at more than P12-bil-

lion were seized by authorities. Also 86,984 drug suspects were arrested and 1.3 million drug users and pushers surrendered in the first 12 months of the Duterte administration. (PIA/RG Alama)

Davao del Sur town bags best-dressed booth contest Kadayawan 2017 to push through amid martial law T

T

HERE is no stopping Davao City to hold the grandest cultural and fruit festival as government and the private sector jointly launched Monday the 32nd Kadayawan Festival at the Marco Polo Hotel.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who chairs the Executive Committee, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCII) president and Kadayawan co-chair Ronald Go also officially unveiled this year’s festival logo with the Philippine Eagle soaring high, the tribe, fruit and flower.

Mayor Sara called on the people not to allow fears to cripple the city. “We will surmount any challenge as we always have; we will not allow our fears to cripple us,” Sara said during the launch.

The Kadayawan Festival, the city mayor said, is a call for people to transcend boundaries, and show the world Davaoenos are one diverse community working as one towards peace, inclusive growth and environmental protection.”

The mayor invited Filipinos and foreigners to come to Davao City and experience Kadayawan like never before.

“Life is here in Davao City.

More than ever we are committed to the embodiment of this maxim,” she said, adding, “Allow us to amaze you with the colors of culture, gastronomic delights, and showcase the best of Davao and the best of the Davaoenos.”

Go said this is now the chance to show to the Philippines and the world what is truly happening in Davao and dispel talks about Davao as an unsafe city because of the martial law.

He vowed that this year’s festival aims to create the best wherein the city can offer to everyone of how proud and confident the Dabawenyos are.

This early, the Kadayawan executive committee already received 25 companies and groups as festival partners.

Festival director Gatchi Gachalian said they are launching the festival early to let people know the festival is pushing through despite the martial law.

“The spectacle of the festival is as colorful of the Kadayawan logo. Our events are composed of regular crowd drawers and cover entire spectrum of music, food, lifestyle,” Gachalian said. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)

Gov’t urged to provide mental health services for war victims

FIL – AM FRIENDSHIP. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte meets with US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on July 3, 2017, a day before Filipino-American Friendship Day. Rolando Mailo/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Maute, ASG men, criminal gangs loot P500M in Marawi

F

RESH from inside Marawi comes disturbing narratives of looting, burglary and theft. An estimated P500 million worth of cash was reportedly looted/stolen

by Maute/ASG rebels together with criminals in Marawi City according to revelations by hostages who successfully escaped and were later on rescued by government forces.

Seven hostages who were able to reach government forces two weeks ago, followed by another who escaped a few days later and by another two several days ago, made this disturbing revelations thus corroborating earlier information received by JTF

Marawi HQ (Joint Task Force Marawi Headquarters).

All these hostages revealed that they were forced to convert to Islam or be killed. According to them, they were initially tasked to loot and steal from the houses/ establishments for ammunition, firearms, cash, gold and jewelry.

They estimate that their group alone was able to loot/ steal at least P500 million in cash not to include other items they have taken from households and business establishments.

They believe that the amount of cash and valuable items looted could be worth

more as there were several other groups being forced by terrorists to loot and steal for them.

The rescued and escaped hostages said they were forced to loot and steal under duress and upon instruction and supervision of Maute/ ASG rebels and local criminals gangs that joined the Mautes after being promised monetary rewards by the DAESH-inspired group.

The rescued individuals also revealed that they followed a daily routine looting-stealing schedule: morning 7 a.m.-11 a.m., return for lunch then back to looting-stealing after lunch,

up to 3 p.m. and then back to their holding place. The looted items were brought to a central storage in a mosque and received by designated Maute members who were keeping a list for accounting.

It is believed there are countless other crimes being committed by the Maute/ ASG rebels and criminal gangs while fighting is ongoing.

More revelations and information were divulged by the rescued hostages, some of it awaiting validation.

JTF Marawi will share more information with the public as more of it comes in and as soon as these are ascertained. (PR/PNA)

A

SIDE from ensuring the physical health of Maranaos, a senator on Tuesday said that it was just as important to ensure their mental health following reports that some evacuees have shown early symptoms of schizophrenia.

“The shattered dignity of the Maranaos is more difficult to relieve. It takes more than food or water or even shelter. It needs much more than that to be restored,” Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara said in a statement.

Angara made this remark citing a recent news report that some 2,500 evacuees have shown early symptoms of schizophrenia.

The senator called on government authorities to ensure that sufficient medical aid, including mental health services, will be afforded to the rescued civilians and displaced residents of the war-torn Marawi City.

Citing Marawi Crisis Management Committee spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong, Angara said the same report showed

that there is a lack of psychiatrists in the area.

Angara, one of the authors of the Senate-approved mental health bill, pointed out that the conflict-torn Marawi City residents emphasized the need for a mental health law in the country.

The bill mandates the government to provide basic mental health services at the community level and psychiatric, psychosocial and neurologic services in all regional, provincial and tertiary hospitals.

With such law in place, he said that mental health services will be more accessible especially in conflict areas so as to immediately provide psychological first aid to victims after a traumatic incident.

“Let’s aggressively address the well-being of the evacuees.

It is more important to rebuild their souls more than the buildings downtown. When souls are broken, there is no rehabilitating a city because a city is its people,” he added. (Azer N. Parrocha/PNA)

7 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 67 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

Celebrate Silkair’s new Boeing 737 max 8 aircraft with special fare deals and ticket giveaways

S

ILKAIR, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, is offering customers exceptional return airfares as well as a chance to win Business Class tickets to its extensive network of 53 destinations, in celebration of the upcoming arrival of its new Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, which is slated for October this year.

Held from 3 to 30 July 20171 only, the promotional sale features attractive discounts for both Business and Economy Class airfares (refer to Annex A). In addition, customers who purchase any SilkAir ticket in the same period are instantly entered into a lucky draw, where eight lucky winners will each win a pair of return Business Class tickets to any of SilkAir’s 53 destinations in Asia Pacific.

For flights departing from Davao, round-trip fares are going for as low as USD168 to Singapore, which ranks high in Filipinos’ must-go list; for USD218 passengers can whisk one away to the white sandy beaches and sapphire waters at Phuket, Thailand; and USD258 passengers can travel to Siem Reap, Cambodia, for a gateway to discover the ancient Khmer Empire and explore one of the world’s greatest monuments, Angkor Wat. These fares, which can be purchased on silkair. com and all SilkAir authorized agents, are inclusive of the full-service carrier’s many comforts and conveniences including 30kg

and 40kg check-in baggage allowance for Economy and Business class respectively, inflight meals, complimentary wireless streaming of inflight entertainment via the SilkAir Studio app, and the chance to earn miles on the KrisFlyer frequent flyer programme. Codeshare flights, chartered flights and tickets issued by other airlines are not eligible for this promotion.

“SilkAir is excited to welcome the first of our new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to our fleet towards the end of this year, which anchors our commitment to constantly improve the travel experience for our passengers,” said Mr. Jake Jeow, Manager Philippines, SilkAir. “We are pleased to offer these exclusive fares to thank and reward our customers for their strong support as well as welcome travellers who are new to SilkAir. Additionally, we are presenting an opportunity to eight lucky winners and their partners to experience our Business Class product, which we trust they will fully enjoy.”

This lucky draw is open to all customers within the SilkAir network who fulfil the conditions to enter the draw, including customers who purchase any SilkAir tickets that are not part of the promotional fares.

Further information on the promotion is available at http://www.silkair. com/en_UK/ph/special-offers/promotions/ ph/MIPSPC.

AboitizPower assists in laying of water pipe laying in Muslim community

A

BOITIZPOWER subsidiary Therma South, Inc. (TSI) recently partnered with local officials and residents of its host community in Inawayan, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur for the installation of a communal water system for the benefit of several families in the coastal area of Purok Linggisan. The project is part of TSI’s continued commitment to uphold quality health and sanitation among the residents of its neighboring communities.

After two weeks of drilling activities, fresh ground

water finally flowed out of the source. This was followed by a bayanihan activity last 14 June wherein 14 TSI team members worked with local residents for the installation of water pipes connecting the main reservoir to 3 other remote water tubs. These satellite tubs are to provide residents easier access to clean water.

“We would like to thank TSI for their initiative in helping the residents access clean, potable water. This really is a big help for the community,” said Inda Sumatra, purok

leader of Linggisan, in the vernacular.

“We consider this an an advance gift from TSI as the Muslim world is nearing the celebration of Eid Ul-Fitr.

Through this project, residents from our area will have access to clean water, thus, improving their health condition”, added community leader Jalil Hasan.

Earlier this month, TSI also extended support to residents of Inawayan who were affected by floods caused by monsoon rains. The flooding incident was aggravated by

ADVANCING COMMUNITIES. Residents of Purok Linggisan, a predominantly Muslim community, gather around as the remote reservoirs begin to fill up with water.

Davao Light’s preventive maintenance on July 7 affects water service

D

AVAO Light and Power Company will conduct a 2-hour and 30-minute preventive maintenance servicing (PMS) on its distribution transformers being used exclusively for the Davao City Water District Talomo Sump 2 operations.

The power interruption will take place on July 7, Friday, starting 9:30 PM up to 12:00 MN. This is scheduled wherein demand for water is at the lowest.

The electric distribution utility’s Communication Officer Ross Luga said that the scheduled PMS on

the distribution transformers is necessary to improve reliability. This will prevent unexpected equipment breakdown and thereby avert unforeseen service interruptions in the future.

Davao Light will exert all efforts to complete the PMS as scheduled or ear-

worldwide such as in ASEAN, China, United States and Middle East. In its efforts to promote the globalization of Filipino enterprises, DTI is set to hold the ASEAN MSME Development Summit slated on 14 July at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). Also in photo (left to right): Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, Jollibee Foods Corporation President JJ Alano and 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach. (END)

lier. However, there may be instances where maintenance work may extend beyond the schedule due to some unavoidable circumstances.

Davao Light apologizes to the affected water consumers for the inconvenience the PMS may bring.

Davao seen as satellite site for receiving station

D DTI urges more Filipino brands to seek overseas market. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) continues to urge more local brands to seek overseas market as Trade and Investments Group Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado (1st from left) graced the opening ceremonies of the 1000th store of the Filipino brand now turned global brand, Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) in Bonifacio Global City on 3 July 2017. JFC is now one of the leading companies in the quick service restaurant (QSR) industry which has presence

the heavily silted Inawayan River and clogged canals. TSI immediately deployed an excavator for the desiltation of the said river and canals around the community.

“If not for TSI’s immediate action, residents of Purok Fatima and Linggisan would have been repeatedly submerged in flood waters since it rained for 3 successive nights. We are extremely grateful to TSI for responding positively to our urgent request for assistance right after the first flooding”, shared Inawayan Punong Barangay Romulo C. Elula.

AVAO City is being planned as the site of Diwata micro satellite ground receiving station.

Engineer Ariston Gonzalez of the University of the Philippines Philippine Microsat Program said Davao City is an ideal area for a satellite receiving facility for Diwata 1 and 2 microsatellites.

The Diwata microsatellite are Philippine-designed and built satellites which are considered as earth observation satellites. The Diwata 1 and the upcoming Diwata 2 are equipped with cameras and telescopes which records images that are used in the field of agriculture, environment and disaster research.

Gonzalez said that Davao City can be a back-up receiv-

ing station from Manila, ideal because of its distance.

“If a calamity will strike one locality, Davao or Manila will be far-away to be affected.” Gonzalez said.

He also said that Davao which rarely gets visited by typhoons is an ideal place for a back-up station.

Also it being an urban center it has high-speed internet connections which the receiving station needs.

Davao City is also known for its security, space technology like Diwata needs to be well-secured. Gonzalez said.

There are two ground-receiving facilities, one in Manila and the other is in Japan.

Gonzalez said the planned Davao receiving station will be bigger than Manila. (PIA/RG Alama)

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

VOL. 10 ISSUE 67 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

Legit

T

HE High Tribunal finally spoke on the constitutionality of Martial Law declared in Mindanao by President Duterte laying down an affirmative verdict.

The decision finally laid to rest petitions questioning the legality of Proclamation 216 issued on May 23 following clashes between state security forces and Islamic State-inspired terrorists from the Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups.

On Tuesday, the SC, through an 11-3-1 ruling, validated President Duterte’s declaration placing the entire Mindanao under martial law. Take note that, the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus was also suspended in the region.

The 11 magistrates who favored Proclamation 216 were Associate Justices Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr., Teresita J. Leonardo-De Castro, Diosdado M. Peralta, Lucas P. Bersamin, Mariano C. Del Castillo, Jose C. Mendoza, Bienvenido L. Reyes, Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe, Francis H. Jardeleza, Samuel R. Martires and Noel G. Tijam.

Three Justices--Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Senior Associ-

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ate Justice Antonio Carpio and Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa--voted that martial law should only cover Marawi City and nearby areas while Associate Justice Marvic Leonen said the martial law declaration has no factual basis.

Now that the Court has made its verdict, it is important for the Filipino people to unite and cooperate in ensuring that the purpose of the martial law declaration be carried out to the fullest with the aim of ending the Marawi City crisis the soonest time possible.

There is only one enemy here and that is the evil of terrorism which the government needs to stop. Fears must be set aside now that even the court-which safeguards the law and the rights of people--has declared there is factual and legal grounds for the validity of such declaration. In addition to that, the Constitution has provided ample protection against abuse during the existence of such declaration.

The mere fact that petitions against the validity of the martial law declaration in Mindanao progressed in court is proof enough that the rule of law under the blessings of democracy is very much operative in the country.

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O

N July 2, 2017, eight-division boxing champ Manny Pacquiao was led again to the lion’s den and lost his WBO diadem in a bout that, like his rigged defeat to Timothy Bradley in 2012, was decided by ‘three blind mice,’ or to put it more appropriately, biased judges.

Hyped as the ‘Battle of Brisbane’ for publicity reason, it was not the first event that was named after Queensland’s capital city where the Pacquiao-Jeff Horn confrontation was held.

The original ‘Battle of Brisbane’ was a war-time incident that took place in Australia. For two successive nights, American personnel and Australian servicemen and civilians engaged in a riot on November 26-27, 1942, even though the protagonists were allies.

The 1942 incident was not actually a battle in its strictest sense; rather, it was more of a city invasion where the methods used included injurious protests, looting, and other forms of attacks. The bloody riot ended with one casualty and hundred were reported injured.

The trouble erupted as a result of the stationing of US troops in the territory, which arbitrarily expanded the local population and, by extension, affected the condition of the place.

Accordingly, many of the edifices

I

N the United States, there are two big celebrations that Americans really welcome. No, it’s not Christmas Day nor New Year’s Day. Americans celebrate Independence Day and Thanksgiving Day with much ado.

Some years back, I had the pleasure of being in the US when Independence Day (yes, it was made into a movie which became a blockbuster all over the world!) was celebrated. I was staying in the house of my uncle Carl Day and his wife, aunt Aida, in Winchester Canal, Ohio.

My sister Elena Chase and her family – husband Daniel and two sons, Erik and Phil – had to travel all the way from Grand Rapids, Minnesota to join us. (I did join them when they returned back to their place.)

Carl Jr. and his wife also came. Tina brought her parents and his brother.

The other son, Chris, wasn’t able to join us since he and his family were living at that time in Alpharetta in Georgia.

Uncle Carl brought a lot of fireworks. My aunt Aida and my sister Elena cooked several food while Dan and myself grilled some chickens and beef.

We had a lot of fun. At night, we had a memorable fireworks display.

“Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and

VOL. 10 ISSUE 67 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

VANTAGE POINTS

9

‘Battle of Brisbane’ and structures around Brisbane were taken over by the American. One account reported that the “city was fortified, schools were closed, brownouts enforced, crime increased, and many families sold up and moved inland.”

The ‘Battle of Brisbane’ commenced with a simple case of an intoxicated American private accosted by a US military police (MP) while talking to three Australian and was being asked to present identification. While the US trooper was looking for his ID, the American MP became impatient and arrested the soldier.

One argument led to another, which resulted in the arrival of more US MPs. The Australian servicemen and civilians who were observing the incident rushed to assist their own MP at the scene. Outnumbered, the Americans retreated to a nearby PX store with Private James R. Stein, the U.S. trooper that was accosted. Private Anthony E. O’Sullivan, the American MP, was wounded in the scuffle and carried to safety by his comrades when tempers erupted.

Reports said on the first night an Australian serviceman, Gunner Edward S. Webster, was killed, while eight other people suffered gunshot wounds. The following night, eight U.S. MPs, a serviceman and four American officers were hospitalized from inju-

FAST BACKWARD Antonio V. Figueroa ries. The Australians won.

In the 2017 ‘Battle of Brisbane,’ Horn, an Australian, won. The judges were unanimous in gifting him the WBO crown, but the veterans of world boxing bouts and the sports analysts of huge media organizations, were almost unanimous in saying the verdict was a farce.

Battles, whether fought inside the sport arena or in actual combat, are viewed differently from various lenses.

To seasoned researchers, for instance, the Battle of Leyte is regarded as the greatest naval battle in history. To his-

toriographers, the perspective changes, depending on the elements used in measuring the significance of an event.

The ‘Battle of Manila Bay’, which led to the takeover of the United States of the Philippines, was nothing but a mismatch. But this was not the case of the American writers who magnified the incongruity into a full-blown naval battle when actually there was none.

The farcical details introduced in many accounts about the supposed naval encounter have since been corrected and the event is now given lesser significance.

Locally, the fall of Davao hero Datu Bago to colonial invaders led by Don Jose Oyanguren has also been given the same treatment. Some writers called the ‘Battle of Davao Gulf’ a display of courage for a Pinoy hero; others called it a mismatch between an invading Spanish contingent using steam-powered ships and native fighters armed only with local cannons and indigenous fighting tools.

In the 2017 Brisbane battle, Pacquiao battle an enemy that was determined to use bulk, body, and bravado in bullying the Filipino icon against the ropes. No excuses here, but the tactics used, some of them at the least, did not reflect the sporting rules of a decent game.

But blame should not be on Horn

who, the analysts repeatedly mouthed, was ‘the hungrier fighter.’ Boxing, in general, has never been a fair game given the number of dubious decisions that have decorated its walls. In the first Bradley-Pacquiao match, the judges, without compunction, ruled in favor of Timothy even if the street urchin, as an ignorant boxing bystander, knew the American had lost by a mile.

In truth, a commentator was right in saying, boxing is a mafia sport, an athletic event influenced in secret by the wishes of promoters, players, and other underground characters.

In today’s landscape, battles, whether on the ring or in the frontline, are defined by so many parameters and often contradicting definitions. A winning invasion, even it costs more casualties for the aggressor, is won because the goal has been achieved brutally.

For winning the match, Horn should be deprived of the credit to celebrate. For Pacquaio, his loss once again revives the soundness of a thousand and one advices which called on him to wrest on his laurels and, for that matter, retire from any fight anymore.

Satchel Paige, the legendary American Negro league baseball and Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher, once said: ‘How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?’

“A campaign to retake the country began in October 1944, when General Douglas MacArthur landed in Leyte along with Sergio Osmeña, who succeeded to the presidency after Quezon’s death in 1944. The battles entailed long fierce fighting; some of the Japanese continued to fight until the official surrender of the Japan on 2 September 1945,” it added.

On fourth of July in 1946, the Philippines gained complete independence.

Today, July 4 is known as Philippine Republic Day or Filipino-American Friendship Day. We celebrate Independence Day on June 12, the day when we declared our independence from Spain.

Three years ago, The Manila Times came up with an editorial. It went this way: “The celebration of Philippine-American Friendship Day is meant to remind us – and Americans – of our two countries’ long-standing friendship. This developed after the forces of the First Philippine Republic were defeated by those of the United States and our archipelago became an American colony.

“The Philippines and the United States have maintained closeness that some Filipinos call a ‘special relationship.’ Cynically, some Filipinos laugh about that fiction – for they say the US government does not do anything with, in and for the Philippines unless it serves US interests. That, to us, is an unproductive and unnecessarily neg-

ative way of seeing these ties. For our government also does not do anything with, in and for the USA unless it serves our interests. That is how mature governments deal with each other.

“It is true, however, that some Filipinos are more sentimentally attached to America than others. And we suspect that for various reasons – the foremost one being the predominance of American good life images on TV and films – much more than 50% of all Filipinos would vote for the Philippines to become an American state, or Commonwealth (as in the years from 1935 to July 4, 1946), or even an American protectorate if there were such a referendum.

“That is because our Filipino leaders have governed our country like hell (as the Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon said he preferred to being governed by Americans). It is hard to deny that life for the majority of Filipinos was better because we were better and less corruptly governed when we had American governors-general than when we had Filipino presidents…”

In the beginning, July 4 was a holiday. But it was formally abolished during the time of President Corazon C. Aquino. Section 26 of the Administrative Code of 1987 specified a list of regular holidays and nationwide special days that did not include July 4.

Hail to Filipino-American Friendship Day!

Fil-Am Friendship Day

private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States,” Wikipedia notes.

What makes the celebration even more popular is that Independence Day is the National Day of the United States. That is the reason why “Fourth of July” or “July Fourth” has a deeper meaning among Americans.

There was a time when we also celebrated Fourth of July as our Independence Day. The reason: on July 4, 1946, the Treaty of Manila was signed granting the Philippines independence from the United States.

Here’s a bit of history from the book, Handbook Philippines, edited by Niklas Reese and Rainer Werning. In the summer of 1898, American President William McKinley gave an account on how he was prompted for more than one night to wrestle the Philippines from Spain: “And one late night it came to me this way – I don’t know how but it came: (1) That we could not give them (the Philippines) back to Spain – that would be cowardly and dishonorable; (2) That we could not turn them over to France or Germany – our commercial rivals in the Orient – that would be bad business and discreditable; That we could not leave them to themselves – they were unfit for self-government – and they would soon have anarchy and misrule over there, worse than Spain’s was; and

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

“(4) That there was nothing left for us to do but take them all, and to educate the Filipinos, and uplift and civilize and Christianize them, and by God’s grace to do the best we could for them, as our fellowmen for whom Christ also died.”

And so it came to pass our country was an American possession from 1898 to 1946, first as a territory and then as a Commonwealth beginning in 1935.

“Between 1941 and 1945, the Empire of Japan occupied the Islands during the Second World War; the Commonwealth government-in-exile headed by President Manuel Luis Quezon was based in Australia and later in the United States,” Wikipedia reported.

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 67 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

CONSTITUTIONAL... FROM 1 low Filipinos in Mindanao, and their much-cherish liberties.” ”I am grateful to the magistrates of the Honorable Supreme Court for allowing President Duterte to perform his prime duty of protecting the Filipino people. As the conscience of our nation, the supreme court did not sit idly to watch our country get dismembered. In fact, this decision shows that the Honorable

Supreme Court is one with the president in protecting and defending our country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Calida said in a statement. ”Finally, I implore the whole country to unite and pray that the bloody war in Mindanao will end the soonest. It is my fervent hope that stability and lasting peace be attained in the whole Mindanao,” he added.

Bonguyan, Emmanuel P. Galicia Jr., Rogelio V. Garcia, Teodoro M. Jumamil and Rolando L. Metin. Arcenas, Bonguyan and Galicia are Dabawenyos.

Highlight of the roadshow is an audio visual presentation

entitled “DBP@70”.

Products to be introduced to the roadshow participants are the Infrastructure Contractors Support (ICONS) Program and DBP Digital Banking Portal.

latest means of information dissemination,” he added.

The Official Gazette is the official journal of the Republic of the Philippines. Its website -- http://www.officialgazette. gov.ph/ -- is the online version of the print edition.

HB 5918, or the “Revised Charter of the Official Gazette,” also proposes to place the control, supervision, and editorial authority over the Official Gazette in the hands of the Court Administrator of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

“To hasten the process of improvement of this crucial link on matters of law between the State and its citizens, the Revised Charter of the Official Gazette is now proposed,” Abayon said.

Abayon noted that while the Official Gazette is current-

ly being administered by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) through an executive order, there is no written law spelling out that the PCOO holds control over the government’s official journal.

Executive Order No. 4, dated 30 July 2010, placed the Official Gazette under the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office during the Benigno S. Aquino III administration.

“No other E.O. has been issued involving the Official Gazette has been issued since July 30, 2010, not even after the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office ceased to exist when its Secretary resigned from government,” he said.

(PNA)

Pyroclave in two key areas in Saudi Arabia – Jeddah and Dammam – but Dayot hopes to roll out his invention to other parts of the country and its neighbors in the Middle East.

For a country where water is scarce, Dayot said Saudi Arabia wants to utilize Pyroclave because it does not use water to disinfect hospital wastes.

“Pyroclave does not use water for disinfecting medically waste. Right now, all of their technologies are autoclaving that uses water,” he said.

He said a kilo of medical waste needs two liters of water for disinfection using the autoclave method.

The Pyroclave employs a process called “Pyrolysis”, a “thermo-chemical decomposition of organic material at higher temperatures in the absence of oxygen typically occurring under pressure and at an operating temperatures above 430 degree Celsius.”

The technology can treat all kinds of medical wastes – infectious, pathological wastes and sharps.

The medical wastes undergoing this process like body parts will be charred and then disposed to the city’s sanitary landfill in New Carmen, Tugbok District where the treatment facility was also put up and started operating early 2013 after getting the long-awaited approval from the city council.

He said it is processing 3,000 kilos of medical wastes a day in the city from 146 hospitals, clinics and dialysis centers.

Currently, Dayot said it also operates in Koronadal and Valanzuela City and hopes to expand to cities of Cebu, General Santos City, and Butuan.

Pyroclave was one of the two startups from Davao City that won in the ON3 Pitching Competition in 2011, after which the Dayot-led team had brought Philippines to Silicon Valley in the US for a threemonth exposure, immersion and funding mission in 2012. (Antonio L. Colina IV/ MindaNews)

Among other support planned by ADB is a project to improve traffic flows along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), Manila’s major artery.

ADB’s Office of Public-Pri-

vate Partnership is also advising on the planned NorthSouth Rail improvements as well as the new urban center of Clark Green City, he added.

(Leslie D. Venzon/PNA)

DBP... FROM 2

ADJUSTMENT. A City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) traffic enforcer transfers a ‘No Entry’ sign to a busy junction along San Pedro Street in Davao City on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

Inmates... FROM 3 He said he already talked to Special Action Force (SAF) Director Benjamin Lusad to change the SAF contingent inside Bilibid following information that there is a resurgence of illegal drug trade.

“We have already made a request to SAF less than a month ago. This (changing of SAF contingent) will take place in the fourth week of this

month,” Aguirre said.

More than 300 SAF contingents who have been deployed at Bilibid last year were supposed to stay only for three to six months and then they will be replaced by the Marines.

He added that the resurgence constitutes only about 5 to 10 percent as compared to the extent of the previous illegal drug operations.

Last June 28, BURI sent to Tugade “Billing Claim No. 12”, signed by its authorized representative Eldon Uy, as a payment demand for the services rendered by the maintenance provider covering the period of December 19, 2016 to January 18, 2017.

“As of this time, the Officer-In-Charge of the Office of the Undersecretary for Railway and Toll Roads (Mangalili) had not considered the processing and approval of the said Billing Claim No. 12 as not constituting the day to day operations of said office, and of which, according to him is not within his authority to

perform as Officer-In-Charge,” Uy said.

Mangalili explained that the monthly payment cannot be approved because several undelivered items as required in the contract have no corresponding amount which should be indicated and referenced with the “Bill of Quantities” submitted by BURI. “Clearly, Undersecretary Mangalili was right to decline the request for payment because how can you pay something that cannot be clearly quantified? Why would the tax payers pay for a service that is so sloppy and so overpriced?”

Nograles said.

by 2020. The expansion and capacity improvement will enable the MICT to service bigger ships, which is now becoming the trend in global container trade.

“We are entering the era of larger ships. We need to adapt and stay competitive by enhancing our capabilities, which is something that we have already started,” adds Mr. Gonzalez.

As the country enters the second half of the fiscal year, volume is expected to surge, with imports starting to arrive ahead of the holiday season.

Historical data from the PPA also show consistent MICT volume growth since 2015, with productivity and utilization staying proportionally healthy all throughout.

“Port congestion is a challenge every major and busy port in the world has to con-

tend with. The congestion problem in the Port of Manila in 2014 provided us with the opportunity to further improve our operations at the MICT. We resolved the issue by putting in place new technologies that would not only upgrade the terminal, but would make MICT a sustainable business factoring in the quality of life of our hinterland communities and immediate environs.

We’ve engaged all port stakeholders in resolving the issue,” says Mr. Gonzalez.

In Shanghai, China, adverse weather condition, shift in shipping alliances, and higher-than-usual volumes have crippled operations at Yangshan Port. Back in April, the queue outside the port reached up to 100 ships as the average waiting time at the berth reached 18.2 hours.

Despite the difference in the

DOTr... FROM 4

MICT... FROM 5

Region... FROM 3 (God-fearing), Makabayan (nationalilstic), Makatao (humane), Makakalikasan (environment-friendly) wherever your sworn duty may lead you,” Train said.

Region 12, also known as Soccsksargen region, comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong.

Kidapawan and Cotabato.

The official said police officers should always wear their PNP Badge of Honor to

remind them of their primary duty, which is “to serve and protect the people with zealousness and to uphold the law at all times.”

The PNP Badge of Honor carries symbols and significance and it does not serve as a mere decoration to the PNP uniform, he said.

Train said the new cops, who are part of the regular quota for the region, will undergo Basic Internal Security Operation Course and Special Counter-insurgency Operation Unit Training Course.

on of the First Congressional District, and Rep. Joel Mayo Z. Almario of the Second Congressional District.

A highlight in the well-attended anniversary program was the presentation of awards to the province’s eight past governors namely Paciano “Pacing” V. Bangoy, Leopoldo “Polding” N. Lopez, Teodoro “Doding” P. Palma Gil, Francisco “Paking” G. Rabat, Josefina “Inday” C. Sibala, Rosalind “Rosie” Y. Lopez, Maria Elena “Marlene” T. Palma Gil,

and Malanyaon.

The awarding done by Governor Dayanghirang was preceded by an audio-visual presentation of the past governors’ individual accomplishments. The impressive AVP titled “A Journey of Governance” was written and produced

by Dr. Roy G. Ponce and Engr.

Freddie C. Bendulo. It was a cooperative effort of the provincial government, the Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology and the city government of Mati. AMA

nature of the cause, the recent port congestion in Yangshan was comparably similar to the Manila port congestion in 2014.

“In 2014, the root cause of the port congestion was the truck ban that limited truck movement in the city’s major thoroughfares. We simply couldn’t get the containers out of the terminal. Unlike the situation in Yangshan, our problem back then was something we could control. We needed to think outside of the dock – and that’s how we came up with the Terminal Appointment Booking System (TABS).

We looked for a solution to the problem outside the port,” he said.

Under TABS, trucks arrive at the terminal according to the booked slot schedule, which the system evenly distributes throughout the day.

This system helped reduce the number of trucks on the road without limiting the movement of cargo.

The adoption of the online booking system, combined with more productive city regulations, recent clearing of roads surrounding the port, and the opening of the service roads of a major thoroughfare, Roxas Boulveard, to truck traffic, has resulted in improved trade flow in and out of the port.

To further ease container movement and ensure seamless operations at the MICT, ICTSI implemented capacity and facility upgrades. Terminal utilization improved since 2015 after the completion of Yard 7, which increased the terminal’s capacity by 18 percent from 2.5 million to 2.75 million TEUs. Yard 7 is part of MICT’s PhP5 billion expansion project.

Duterte... FROM 4

Lawmaker... FROM 2

Davao-based... FROM 4

$100M ADB... FROM 5

INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 67 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

FOOD

The Battleground for food and fun DINING HAS NEVER BEEN THIS EXCITING. Imagine a cafe that’s both an energetic hub of online realm and at the same time, a gastronomic place bursting with flavours. Becoming widely popular in other parts of the country, gaming cafes aim to bring out the gamer and diner in you. At Battleground Dining & Gaming Cafe, the mantra is Eat, Play, Repeat every single time.

Boasting a first-of-itskind concept in Davao, Battleground Dining & Gaming Cafe is the newest place to be at Juna Subdivision, Matina -- situated near Ateneo, some residential blocks and round the clock offices to name a few.

Opening last June 26 2017, Battleground is a spacious gastro and gaming joint that everyone will love. To state, the clamour has been inevitably beautiful. From hardcore gamers to foodies and just about everybody else, the place has since been packed with guests that are ready to take on an adventure -- both online and

on the dining table.

Anytime soon, this place will be filled with competitive howls, friendly banters and cries of victories from players and gamers alike. Not to mention, satisfied foodies after they have indulged in Battleground’s sumptuous menu choices. Try their crunchy shrimp tempura, pizza baguette, pasta choices and flavoured chicken wings on any given day. Not to mention their exquisite choices of on-the-go drinks will have you smiling from ear to ear.

From their black interiors to beautifully drawn graffitis, there are so many wonderful details to this one of a kind concept place. We may not be all gamers but the nostalgia of online games will surely have you reminiscing your once gamer phase. The place is in itself a standout. Their delish menu is in itself an adventure you’d want to partake in.

Watch out for more exciting news from Davao’s first gaming and dining place. Again, Battleground Dining and Gaming Cafe, congratulations.

Follow them on social media (Fb and Ig) @Battlegroundph

EDGEDAVAO

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TRENDS

VOL. 10 ISSUE 67 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

Acquiring language skills through online learning STRONG LANGUAGE SKILLS are an important asset that will promote effective communication. Learntalk is one useful website you can explore which provides users with on-demand professional English lessons at an affordable price.

Nicolo Luccini, Cambridge linguist and Filipino-Italian founder of Learntalk, has made it the company’s mission to make live language classes accessible to everyone. In fact, the company recently conducted a one-day Teacher Training Program to help volunteer teachers improve their overall communication skills and teaching techniques when reaching

out to less fortunate students in the remote areas of the country.

Learntalk is a startup in the Educational Technology or EdTech industry, which is basically the use of technological processes and resources to facilitate learning. Learntalk was established on the belief that language ability can transform an entire economy and lift people out of pov-

erty. Over the past two decades, the Philippines has had one of the fastest growing economies in the world thanks to the proliferation of BPOs, which was relocated here as a result of the population’s high English proficiency.

The startup also differentiates itself from the rest of the online English language classes by offering students a customized curriculum based on their learning needs and topic preferences to facilitate more effective learning.

Equal importance is given to accuracy of grammar and fluency of conversation while engaging the students to apply what they learn using real-life situations such as shopping at the supermarket, using an ATM, presenting at an office meeting, discussing the stock market, and even using Netflix!

Here are four reasons to try out Learntalk: 1. On-Demand. Much like Uber, Learntalk teachers are available at any time.

Soon to release its own app, users will be able to enter a class in just one click.

2. Affordable “Pay-asyou-Go”, Learning. Learntalk offers a frictionless

Nicolo Luccini, Founder of Learntalk.

The department heads of Learntalk. pay-as-you go option as well as unlimited monthly classes for less than a dollar per day.

3. Customized Curriculum based on your English proficiency level and topics of interest. Learntalk.org uses the CEFR (Common European Framework hof Reference) scale to gauge your proficiency and suggest a learning curriculum.

You can also choose the topics of your lessons – love to give a running commentary of that basketball game? Let’s talk about sports in some of your lessons!

4. Plug-and-Play B2E Concept. For companies looking for English training resources, Learntalk has the ability to connect itself to your online learn-

ing portal and provide a hassle-free way to manage enrollment and give quality online English language lessons at the same time.

Currently, Learntalk primarily teaches English through its platform to clients in the Philippines, Spain and Latin America, however, it sees itself as a multilingual global company. Nicolo, who is also the company’s Managing Director, further explains “We are not just an English company. We want to make it possible to learn any language with a professional teacher at the click of a button.”

Interested users can visit their website to avail of a free trial. For inquiries, visit the official website at www.learntalk.org.t

VOL. 10 ISSUE 67 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

WOMEN

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MICHAELA ANGELA GONZALEZ had one thing in mind when she put up The Green Bounty Kitchen: she wanted more people to have easier access to healthy food, promoting wellness in the long run.

“This cafe is built around the farm-to-table idea,” she said. “I want to promote organic food with no preservatives and to make healthy food more accessible to the public.”

Gonzalez is achieving this goal with the opening of her cafe in the Upper Ground Level (near Uniqlo) of SM Lanang Premier last May 18, 2017. Mall goers now have healthier food options: The Green Bounty Kitchen’s range of farm fresh, naturally-grown vegetables from the Gonzalez Nature Farm, in Barangay Eden, Toril.

Since her opening, food loving folks flock to The Green Bounty Kitchen for fresh juices, salads, and signature wraps.

Gonzales, who has long made her mark in Davao through food bazaar pop-ups, carefully designed a menu that is appetizing and filling, proving that vegetables can still be staples even with a fast paced lifestyle.

Fan favorites include her Chicken Lettuce Wrap, Wild Ternate and Greens Salad, and Suman Malagkit. Foodies wanting to take home

stuff for their fridges can also shop for bottled pasta sauces, kale, and salad dressings.

The Green Bounty Kitchen is under Green Bounty, the marketing arm of the homegrown Gonzalez Nature Farm. This local brand has is growing to become known for fresh produce like romaine,

green and purple leafy lettuces, salad tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, arugula, cucumber, and native pechay.

A range of herbs are also produced through fair agricultural practices with small farmers.

Follow The Green Bounty Kitchen in Facebook.com/thegreenbountykitchen. PR

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 67 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

Advertise with

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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

COMPETITIVE EDGE 11

VOL. 10 ISSUE 67 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

World War II indie docus shown in Abreeza cinema

O

N the occasion of Philippine-American Friendship Day, two Independent documentaries on World War II were screened for free at that Abreeza cinema yesterday, July 4.

Produced by Manila-based Spyro AV Manila, the two documentaries

named VALOR tells of the story of Col. Emmanuel de Ocampo, and Unsurrendered, about the Hunters ROTC Guerrillas.

According to movie director Bani Logronio, the films are part of “a mission to bring the documentaries not just to remind people of the war heroes’ sacrifices,

but also to inspire the next generation of heroes. The stories are inspiring ones that not a lot of people know about.”

In an introduction to the historical background of the films, historian Mike Xiao Chua explained that the films are “a good reminder of the past and point the way to

home devices.

China (17%), Vietnam (15%), and Russia (8%) emerged as the top-3 countries with attacked IoT devices, each presenting a large number of the infected machines.

Brazil, Turkey and Taiwan – all at 7%, follow.

To date during this ongoing experiment, researchers have been able to collect information about more than seven thousand malware samples designed specifically to hack connected devices.

According to experts, the reason behind the rise is simple: the IoT is fragile and exposed in the face of cybercriminals. The vast majority of smart devices are running operating systems based on Linux, making attacks on them easier because criminals can write generic malicious code that targets a huge number of devices simultaneously.

What makes the issue dangerous is its potential reach. According to industry experts, there are already more than 6 billion smart devices across the globe. Most of them do not even have a security solution and their manufacturers usually do not produce any security updates or new firmware.

This means there are millions and millions of potentially vulnerable devices – or maybe even devices that have been already compromised.

“The issue of smart device security is serious, and one that we should all be aware of. Last year showed that it is not just possible to target connected devices, but

that this is a very real threat. We have seen a huge increase in IoT malware samples, but the potential is even greater. Apparently, high competition in the market of DDoS attacks is pushing attackers to search for new resources that will help them make increasingly powerful attacks. Botnet Mirai demonstrated that smart devices can give cybercriminals what they need, with the number of devices they can target now reaching billions. Various analysts have predicted that by 2020, this could grow to 20-50 billion devices,” said Vladimir Kuskov, security expert, Kaspersky Lab. In order to protect your devices, Kaspersky Lab security experts advise the following: If you don’t need to, do not access your device from an external network • Disable all network services you don’t need to use the device • If there is a standard or universal password that cannot be changed, or the preset account cannot be deactivated, disable the network services in which they are used, or close access to external networks • Before using the device, change the default password, and set a new one • Regularly update the device’s firmware to the latest version – if possible.

To learn more about IoT attacks, please read the blog post available at Securelist.com.

Amount of malware targeting smart devices more than doubled in 2017

the future, and show us little known facts we should not forget.”

Gracing the occasion were Davao- based veterans led by Col. Miguel “Mike” Inigo, who in his remarks reminded the crowd that “the American general surrended, not the Filipinos.”

In his eighties, Inigo, who

belongs to a prominent family in Davao, is a grizzled public relations man who used to be connected with Philippine Airlines and Davao Light and Power Company. Inc. and was later appointed honorary consul of the Republic of Palau based in Davao City.

Colonel De Ocampo lived to become the chairman of

the Philippine Veterans Bank board of directors for a long time. The current chairman, Roberto “Bobby” de Ocampo, a former secretary of the Department of Finance, is Colonel de Ocampo’s nephew.

Sponsoring the event are the Philippine Veterans Bank and HMR Philippines. John Carlo B. Tria

T

HE total number of malware samples targeting smart devices has reached more than 7,000, with over half of these emerging in 2017, according Kaspersky Lab’s researchers.

With over 6 billion smart devices being used across the globe, people are increasingly being put at risk from malware targeting their connected lives.

Smart devices – such as smartwatches, smart TVs, routers, and cameras – are connecting to each other and building the growing Internet of Things (IoT) phenomenon, a network of devices equipped with embedded technology that allows them to interact with each other or the external environment.

Because of the large number and variety of devices, the IoT has become an attractive target for cybercriminals. By successfully hacking IoT devices criminals are able to spy on people, blackmail them, and even discreetly make them their partners in crime.

What’s worse, botnets such as Mirai and Hajime have indicated that the threat is on the rise.

Kaspersky Lab’s experts have conducted research into IoT malware to examine how serious the risk is. They have set up honeypots – artificial networks, which simulate the networks of different IoT devices (routers, connected cameras etc.) to observe malware attempting to attack their virtual devices.

They did not have to wait long – attacks using known and previously unknown malicious samples started almost immediately after the honeypot was set up.

Most of the attacks registered by the company’s experts targeted digital video recorders or IP cameras (63%), and 20% of hits were against network devices, including routers, and DSL modems, etc. About 1% of targets were people’s most common devices, like printers and smart

From SM mall-goers to Marawi. SM Foundation turns over more than P50,000 cash donation from the employees and shoppers of SM City Davao and SM Lanang Premier to the Philippine Red Cross Davao Chapter. SM malls in Visayas and Mindanao activated the Operation Tulong Express in June. The malls served as drop off centers of donations for the displaced families in Marawi. SM malls in Davao also partnered with Mindanao Development Authority for the distribution of in-kind donations. In the photo are (L-R) Gwen Cachuela of Red Cross and SM City Davao assistant mall manager Engr. Nick Santos.

Go Lokal! sets a bright future for Lipi Enterprises in the apparel business

“W

E were given the opportunity that would have been very difficult to get on our own” Lipi Enterprises owner Joseph Lucero thankfully testifies on how the Department of Trade and Industry helped them develop their small business to get into the mainstream market.

Lipi (Filipino word for tribe, group, or family) is an apparel manufacturing company established in 2014. To encourage more Filipinos to wear locally made garments, Lipi created hand-woven apparels that appealed to the taste of the Filipino millenni-

al. This vision was a challenge as hand-woven fabrics were not only expensive; it was also uncomfortable to wear.

Joseph believed otherwise saying that“creating these fabrics into comfortable and street wearable items can help local communities in our own little way”, also referring to the jobs it can provide communities.

The biggest obstacle to Lipi is access to the local consumer market. Joining Sunday markets and DTI’s threeday bazaars, Joseph knew Lipi apparel has not really hit the road. Then Joseph received an invitation from DTI to join

the Go Lokal! Store project, a retail concept store for quality and innovative products crafted, designed and manufactured by the country’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME). “They vetted us and worked with us on how we can improve our products as well as our marketing strategies,” Joseph happily added.

One of President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign promises is to make Filipino products more visible and available in malls and other retail platforms to give MSMEs access to the local consumer market.

DTI’s Go Lokal! fulfills that promise.

12 AGRITRENDS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 67 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

Promising prospects in agriculture: Text and Photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO (Second of Two Parts) Although ducks are also good for meat production, they are primarily raised for eggs. Oftentimes, these eggs are made into balut, a cooked 18-day incubated egg regarded by most Filipinos as delicacy.

Most of the breeds raised for balut are Pateros duck or itik. The breed is a good layer but is a non-sitter. Egg production rate is 175 per laying year, according to Davaobased Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center.

But duck farmers can now produce 50 more eggs than the traditional Pateros duck.

This can be made possible by raising the Itik Pinas, developed collaboratively by the National Swine and Poultry Research and Development Center and Bureau of Animal Industry in partnership with the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).

“Itik Pinas is a genetically superior breeder duck which has a higher average productive period of 70% in a year, compared with 55% for the old breed,” said PCAARRD in a press statement. “This translates to an increase in egg production of at least 50 quality eggs per duck per year or an additional income of P300 per duck per year.”

Now, if a farmer raises 30 ducks, it means an annual additional income of P9,000.

What makes the egg of Itik Pinas is that it produces eggs which has an average weight of 65 grams a piece, consistent with the requirement of the balut industry.

“Itik Pinas can adapt to local conditions and can perform well even with simple

housing and low-cost feeds,” the statement said.

According to PCAARRD, the strains of Itik Pinas are products of organized breeding and selection that focus on the uniformity of physical characteristics, higher and predictable egg production performance, and consistent egg quality.

Actually, there are three kinds of Itik Pinas and they are classified into two colors –“kayumanggi” (brown) and “itim” (black) – and a strain from Khaki Campbell duck, which was introduced in the country in the 1950s yet.

Itik Pinas Kayumanggi lays egg for the first time at 20 weeks old. The age at peak of egg production is 29 weeks; its peak production is 98%. Egg production per duck per year is 266. From the start until 18 weeks old, this strain consumes 12.5 kilograms of feed.

Its daily feed intake at laying period is 140 grams.

Itik Pinas Itim starts to lay eggs at 23 weeks old. Like Itik Pinas Kayumanggi, its age at peak of egg production is 29 weeks but has peak production of 99%. However, its annual egg production per duck is only 256. From the start until 18 weeks old, it consumes 12.8 kilograms of feed while its daily feed intake at laying period is 142 grams.

At 22 weeks, the Itik Pinas Khaki starts laying eggs. At 29 weeks is its age at peak of production. The peak egg production of this strain is 98%.

Like Itik Pinas Itim, its annual egg production per duck is 256. It consumes 12.5 kilograms of feed from the start until 18 weeks old. The daily

Duck raising

feed intake at laying period is 149 grams.

Itik Pinas, PCAARDD says, is “an output of its duck industry strategic science and technology

program, which aims to develop science-based interventions for increased production and egg weight.”

The development of Itik Pinas is a good news since few years earlier, a study – “Future prospects for smallholder poultry producers in the Philippines: ducks and native chickens,” which was commissioned by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research – had this finding: “… In the short to medium term, demand for duck products, including balut, may increase with income and population growth, but in the longer term it will decline as economy develops further. This proposition is based on overseas experiences and demand trends in the Philippines. That is, per capita consumption of duck eggs has either been in decline in traditional duck-producing countries as a result of economic development and changing lifestyles and consumption patterns, while domestic sta-

tistics show that demand for duck eggs has been stagnating in the past decade.”

The finding suggested a possible decline in future demand for duck eggs, which was identified in the study to be “the most significant threat facing the

F AGRITRENDS, 14

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Accounting Clerk Qualifications: • BS Accountancy Graduate • Female • Can work with minimum supervision • Experience of at least one year

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KEEPING IN SHAPE. Police officers from the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) in full battle gear simulate an urban assault along Rizal Street in Davao City as part of the 15-day Special Weapons and Tactics training under the Davao City Police Office on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

CONSTITUTIONAL SC says of martial law in Mindanao EDGEDAVAO Sports

T

HE Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled in favor of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Proclamation 216 placing the entire Mindanao under martial law.

SC spokesman Theodore Te announced the directive was issued following Tuesday’s regular en banc session of the magistrates.

Voting 11-3-1, the high court dismissed the three consolidated petitions challenging

the constitutionality of the President’s move. ”The court dismissed the petitions by a vote of 11 of its members, three members voted to partially grant the petitions and one member voted to grant petitions,” Te told reporters during the press briefing.

Te, however, refused to mention the names of the justices who voted for or against the dismissal of the petitions.

The consolidated petitions were filed by opposition lawmakers led by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, local Mindanao leaders led by Lumad leader Eufemia Campos Cullamat and a group of women from Marawi led by Norkaya Mohamad, challenged the legality of Duterte’s Proclamation No. 216 imposing a military rule and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao after terrorists occupied

Marawi City on May 23.

Te said that all 15 justices have submitted their respective opinions on the matter.

These, however, are expected to be released on Wednesday.

Solicitor General Jose Calida welcomed the high court’s decision, saying it “underscores the existence of a real and present rebellion that threatens the lives of our fel-

F CONSTITUTIONAL, 10

DIVIDED

Sports journos share different views on Pacquiao loss

VOL. 10 ISSUE 67 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

KEEPING IN SHAPE. Police officers from the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) in full battle gear simulate an urban assault along Rizal Street in Davao City as part of the 15-day Special Weapons and Tactics training under the Davao City Police Office on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

CONSTITUTIONAL SC says of martial law in Mindanao EDGEDAVAO Sports

T

HE Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled in favor of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Proclamation 216 placing the entire Mindanao under martial law.

SC spokesman Theodore Te announced the directive was issued following Tuesday’s regular en banc session of the magistrates.

Voting 11-3-1, the high court dismissed the three consolidated petitions challenging

the constitutionality of the President’s move. ”The court dismissed the petitions by a vote of 11 of its members, three members voted to partially grant the petitions and one member voted to grant petitions,” Te told reporters during the press briefing.

Te, however, refused to mention the names of the justices who voted for or against the dismissal of the petitions.

The consolidated petitions were filed by opposition lawmakers led by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, local Mindanao leaders led by Lumad leader Eufemia Campos Cullamat and a group of women from Marawi led by Norkaya Mohamad, challenged the legality of Duterte’s Proclamation No. 216 imposing a military rule and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao after terrorists occupied

Marawi City on May 23.

Te said that all 15 justices have submitted their respective opinions on the matter.

These, however, are expected to be released on Wednesday.

Solicitor General Jose Calida welcomed the high court’s decision, saying it “underscores the existence of a real and present rebellion that threatens the lives of our fel-

F CONSTITUTIONAL, 10

DIVIDED

Sports journos share different views on Pacquiao loss

VOL. 10 ISSUE 67 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

KEEPING IN SHAPE. Police officers from the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) in full battle gear simulate an urban assault along Rizal Street in Davao City as part of the 15-day Special Weapons and Tactics training under the Davao City Police Office on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

CONSTITUTIONAL SC says of martial law in Mindanao EDGEDAVAO Sports

T

HE Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled in favor of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Proclamation 216 placing the entire Mindanao under martial law.

SC spokesman Theodore Te announced the directive was issued following Tuesday’s regular en banc session of the magistrates.

Voting 11-3-1, the high court dismissed the three consolidated petitions challenging

the constitutionality of the President’s move. ”The court dismissed the petitions by a vote of 11 of its members, three members voted to partially grant the petitions and one member voted to grant petitions,” Te told reporters during the press briefing.

Te, however, refused to mention the names of the justices who voted for or against the dismissal of the petitions.

The consolidated petitions were filed by opposition lawmakers led by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, local Mindanao leaders led by Lumad leader Eufemia Campos Cullamat and a group of women from Marawi led by Norkaya Mohamad, challenged the legality of Duterte’s Proclamation No. 216 imposing a military rule and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao after terrorists occupied

Marawi City on May 23.

Te said that all 15 justices have submitted their respective opinions on the matter.

These, however, are expected to be released on Wednesday.

Solicitor General Jose Calida welcomed the high court’s decision, saying it “underscores the existence of a real and present rebellion that threatens the lives of our fel-

F CONSTITUTIONAL, 10

DIVIDED

Sports journos share different views on Pacquiao loss

VOL. 10 ISSUE 67 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

KEEPING IN SHAPE. Police officers from the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) in full battle gear simulate an urban assault along Rizal Street in Davao City as part of the 15-day Special Weapons and Tactics training under the Davao City Police Office on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

CONSTITUTIONAL SC says of martial law in Mindanao EDGEDAVAO Sports

T

HE Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled in favor of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Proclamation 216 placing the entire Mindanao under martial law.

SC spokesman Theodore Te announced the directive was issued following Tuesday’s regular en banc session of the magistrates.

Voting 11-3-1, the high court dismissed the three consolidated petitions challenging

the constitutionality of the President’s move. ”The court dismissed the petitions by a vote of 11 of its members, three members voted to partially grant the petitions and one member voted to grant petitions,” Te told reporters during the press briefing.

Te, however, refused to mention the names of the justices who voted for or against the dismissal of the petitions.

The consolidated petitions were filed by opposition lawmakers led by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, local Mindanao leaders led by Lumad leader Eufemia Campos Cullamat and a group of women from Marawi led by Norkaya Mohamad, challenged the legality of Duterte’s Proclamation No. 216 imposing a military rule and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao after terrorists occupied

Marawi City on May 23.

Te said that all 15 justices have submitted their respective opinions on the matter.

These, however, are expected to be released on Wednesday.

Solicitor General Jose Calida welcomed the high court’s decision, saying it “underscores the existence of a real and present rebellion that threatens the lives of our fel-

F CONSTITUTIONAL, 10

DIVIDED

Sports journos share different views on Pacquiao loss