Edge10 issue 201 January 11, 2018

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 201 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2018

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

BEST PRACTICES. Renowned urban planner Architect Felino Palafox Jr makes a presentation of various global cities that could provide ideas in the crafting of an urban master plan of Davao City during Wednesdays @ Habi at Kape at Abreeza mall. Palafox also said Mindanao can become the country’s gateway if proper planning is applied. Lean Daval Jr.

MASTER PLAN

Metro Davao to cover 4 cities, 2 towns

By JUDIE VEGA

T

he Manila-based urban planning firm Palafox Associates has been tapped to craft the Metro Davao Urban Master Plan, a project that is based on the best practices in the world and lessons from the worst practices in Metro Manila.

Architect Felino “ Jun” Palafox, Jr., president and founder of the architectural �irm named after him, said

the Metro Davao Urban Master Plan is part of Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework Plan, prepared

by the Mindanao Development Authority and other key stakeholders.

He said that the project

aims to provide a comprehensive development plan for Metro Davao, which will include the towns of Maco, Carmen and Sta. Cruz in Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur, respectively as well as the cities of Tagum , Panabo, Davao and Digos.

City building officials probed for fire liability

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T

he Inter-Agency Anti-Arson Task Group has shifted its investigation on some personnel of the Davao City Building Of�ice who had a hand in the issuance of an electrical permit to NCCC Mall.

Fire Sr. Supt. Jerome Candido revealed this on on Wednesday’s AFPPNP Press Corps media brie�ing, saying the investigating team wanted to take a look at the electrical permit issued to the mall.

He said this was necessary because the cause of �ire in the building was electrical short-circuit.

He said the permit usually is issued under the electrical division of

CITY,P11

It is expected to be completed in six to eight months.

“This is the �irst time that there is a comprehensive plan about Metro Davao,” Palafox, Jr. told the Habi at Kape media forum on Wednesday.

He added that the Min-

danao Peace Development Framework Plan envisions a sustainably improved quality of life for all Mindanawons characterized by peace, economic dynamism, meaningful autonomy, and ecological

MASTER,P11

INDULDGE A1

2017 was all about the many phases and faces of travelling. And yes, any destination, aside from home, is considered a travel. With Davao’s vast land area — and not to mention traf�ic situation — travelling nowadays truly need not have a passport or visa.

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 201 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 11 , 2018

PERFECT HOST.President Rodrigo Duterte shares a light moment with Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua as the latter accompanied the Communist Party of China Central Committee Member MengXiangfeng who met with the President at Malacañan Palace on Tuesday. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

PH-Indon committee eyes additional BSC

By ANGIE SAVERON

T

he Republic of the Philippine and Republic of Indonesia (RP-RI) Border Committee are looking into the possibility of increasing the number of Border Crossing Stations (BCS) that will be strategically located at common border areas and to further strengthen the operational functions of the existing BCs. “ On the part of the Republic of Indonesian Border Committee we have discussed with our Filipino counterpart

the establishing of additional Border Security Crossing Station that will be mutually determined by the committee with the involvement of our friends from the immigration, quarantine and customs bureaus,” said Rear Admiral Didik Setiyono, Commander Eastern Fleet Command and Chairman of Republic of Indonesia Border Committee during the press conference of The 36th Republic of the Philippine and Republic of

he Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization program -made possible this year via a P25-billion allocation in the national budget -- will improve Filipino soldiers’ �ightitng capabilities in all aspects, House Appropriations Committee Chair Davao City Representative Karlo Nograles said.

“We’re talking about land, air, and sea upgrades for the AFP. This modernization program will erase doubts regarding the Duterte administration’s commitment to our

brave men and women in uniform and protecting the country as a whole,” Nograles said.

Nograles said the details of the particular P25-billion tranche under the multi-year upgrade plan for the AFP have already been given �inal approval by the Department of National Defense (DND).

“While our military personnel will no doubt enjoy their well-deserved increase in base pay this year, their morale will get another huge boost thanks to the new

PH,P11

P25B earmarked for AFP upgrade - Karlo T

P25B,P11

Briones visit to school cancelled due to picket T

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

Villa did not elaborate.

During the protest rally of the group, teacher Regulo Abajero III of the said school confronted them and asked to move out because it would ruin the image of the school. Abajero said in an interview, that the school of�icial did not expect that there will be rallyist who will assemble in front of their

school.

“Ingon man ko sa ilaha nga kinsa nag kuan sa inyoha nga mag-rally mo diri? Giingnan pud nako nga ako Bagobo ko, lumad pud ko pero kana ilang gipangdala diri wala ni kasabot sa ilang tuyo (I asked, who told them to conduct rally here.

I also told them that I am a Bagobo, I am also an IP, the native groups they brought here don’t understand what they are doing here ),” he said.

But, the protesters told Abajero that it is part of the their freedom of expression to air their disappointments with DepEd for allegedly closing IP Schools in the hinterlands.

On the part of the protesters, SOS Network spokesper-

son Rius Valle said the group staged the rally in time of the visit of Briones because these people demand to face them and grant the permits being asked by these institutions.

“Sa katunayan nasa 14 ka mga permits ang hindi pa rin naibibigay. Ang iba mag four years na, ang iba mag-two years na itoy kahit na meron ng requirement na kinomply (Actually, there 14 permits who are still not granted. Some are pending for four years and some are two years this despite the compliance of all requirements),” he said. Valle said the pending permits becomes the reason military harrasments in the IP schools in the hinterlands.

Lorenzana’s statement that the Philippines would lodge a diplomatic protest if reports that China was militarizing the reclaimed Kagitingan Reef were true.

“China’s peaceful construction on its territory aims to make greater contributions to regional peace, navigation safety, disaster prevention and relief, maritime search

and rescue and maritime scienti�ic research,” Lu said in a regular press brie�ing in Beijing Tuesday.

“Certainly, China also needs to construct necessary defense facilities for its own territory, which are not directed at any country,” he added.

Lu said China and the Philippines, as friendly close neighbors, would maintain

unimpeded dialogue and communication on maritime-related issues.

“The Chinese side stands ready to continue stepping up communication with the Philippine side so as to eliminate misunderstanding and enhance mutual trust,” he said.

Malacanang said Tues-

he Department of Education has canceled the visit of Secretary Leonor Briones at Kapitan Tomas Monteverde Sr. Elementary School in Davao City after a group identified with the Save Our Schools (SOS) Network picketed the school’s gate.

Briones was set to visit the school on Wednesday morning to talk with the teachers and students of the school when the SOS Network along with the group of Indigenous People picketed the school’s gate.

Principal Maria Epifania Villa informed reporters that the visit twas canceled to avoid any trouble with the protesters.

China: defense facilities Not directed towards PH

C

hina has explained that the defense facilities being constructed on the disputed Kagitingan Reef or Yongshu Reef in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) are not directed at any country.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokesperson Lu Kang made this comment in reaction to Philippine Defense Secretary Del�in

CHINA,P11

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 201 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 11 , 2018

NEWS 3

Tier1 to install 100 MBPS Internet link nationwide

By ANGIE SAVERON

T

ier1 will be bringing 100 MBPS internet connection to the underserved areas in the Philippines by installing 50,000 towers within the term of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The project will commence on January 29, 2018.

“We are going to focus on the underserved areas in Mindanao; in fact we are focusing on ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao),” said Jonathon B. Stevens Board Chairman of the Tier1 during the AFP-PNP Media Press Corps Southern Mindanao Press Brie�ing at the Royal Mandaya Hotel on January 10, Wednesday.

Teir1 will also focus on the underserved connectivity that is required by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, hospitals, schools and local government

units.

This project has a budget of 1.5 billion to 2 billion dollars. He said that ARMM is considered to be the most underserved area in the country.

Tier1 will build for the government a brand new 100 MBPS high speed network in the ARMM compound consisting of 52 government buildings to bring them up to international high speed status.

Tier1 has a strategic partnership with Parallel Wireless, a Boston based company and Finland based Nokia. China based ZTE also expressed interest in partnering with Tier1 to build totally new Philippine

National Broadband Network with a large Davao City based data Storage center.

“We stepped up to consortium large enough to handle the deployment of telecom not only in Davao but Nationwide.

We pulled together our consortium companies from USA, Europe, China, South Africa and Australia and in this partnership we are committed and all our partners have agreed and approve to put 50,000 towers for the next �ive years,” he said.

The consortium includes South African based Onxy Connect, one of only 45 members globally who have partnerships with Google, have agreed to support Tier1 “One Dot Mobile Brain in every school” project which was unveiled at the Asian Development Bank, Asian Develop-

TIER1,P11

Japan to provide aid for MRT-3 rehab, maintenance

M

ANILA -- Japan has committed to provide �inancial assistance for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3).

This follows the exchange of note verbales between the Philippines and Japan which involves obtaining Of�icial Development Assistance (ODA) �inancing under Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) Special Terms for Economic Partnership.

“These developments show that we are wasting no time and effort in rehabilitating and restoring the reliability and capacity of MRT-3. This year, we will make signi�icant improvements to MRT-3 and

that is our commitment to the Filipino commuters,” Department of Transportation (DOTr) OIC Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said in a statement Tuesday.

JICA will conduct its feasibility study in January to February to assess what needs to be �ixed in the MRT system.

Once this is completed, the signing of the loan agreement and procurement of the rehabilitation and maintenance provider will follow in March to April with the mobilization of the Japanese provider expected within the second quarter of this year.

Japan assured that it will nominate a provider that is

highly quali�ied and has a strong and reliable track record.

The DOTr terminated last November its contract with Busan Universal Rail Inc. (BURI) as the MRT-3’s maintenance provider citing its failure to perform its maintenance obligations and procure spare parts.

The Japan ODA for the MRT-3 Rehabilitation and Maintenance Project is part of the DOTr’s strategies to improve the operations of the railway system which involves promoting accountability with the termination of BURI; ensuring continued service delivery by establish-

JAPAN,P11

ONGOING PROBE.Inter-Agency Anti-Arson Task Force spokesperson Senior Superintendent Jerry Candido provides updates on last month’s NCCC fire including investigation involving some personnel of the Davao City Office of the Building Official

DND confirming reports of foreign terrorists in Mindanao

M

ANILA -- The Department of National Defense (DND) is now con�irming reports that there are foreign terrorists operating in Mindanao.

This was bared by DND Secretary Del�in Lorenzana during the New Year’s Call in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon

City Tuesday.

“Yun ang hinahanap namin ngayon. We are trying to con�irm reports that there are foreign terrorists inside the country especially in Mindanao,” he added.

The reports, which came from Malaysia and Indonesia, claimed an increase of

sell candles inside San Pedro Cathedral compound in Davao City on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr.

foreign terrorists coming from the Philippines’ backdoor.

“We are trying to verify that up to now wala pa kaming nako-con�irm,” the DND chief said.

And when asked on the possible ISIS presence in the

DND,P12

Village leaders urged to actively help in relocating constituents

D

NEVER SAY DIE. A physically challenged vendor maneuvers his wheelchair towards an area where there is a large foot traffic to

who issued electrical permit to the shopping mall as cause of the fire was electrical short-circuit. Candido graced this week’s edition of AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel.

Lean Daval Jr.

AVAO CITY – An environmental group called on barangay leaders to actively play their role in relocating constituents from danger zones to ensure their safety and save money for relief assistance.

Interface Development Interventions (IDIS) program coordinator Chinkee PeliñoGolle said relocation was better if it came from the barangay leaders because they knew the risky places and the number of people who would be affected.

“It’s time for them (barangay) to develop a major or medium-relocation plan especially the barangay of�icials who have �lood-prone and landslide-prone areas,” she said.

For many years, PeliñoGolle said the City Planning

and Development Of�ice (CPDO) had been identifying danger zones but the said of�ice had no knowledge of the affected people unless the barangay of�icials would notify them.

She said the city had prepared relocation site in Barangay Los Amigos in Tugbok district for the affected residents, but the problem was the distance to their source of livelihood.

“This is a challenge for the barangays, to identify possible areas for on-site relocation so that the people who will be affected will not be displaced from their livelihood,” she said.

“The barangays, I hope really help the City Planning and Development Of�ice identify a place within their area for the

VILLAGE,P12

4 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 201 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 11 , 2018

Thousands of devotees accompany the annual procession of the replica of the Black Nazarene as it makes its way back to the Nazareno church in Barangay Lapasan from the Metropolitan Cathedral in Cagayan de Oro City on Tuesday, January 9. 2018. MindaNews photo by FROILAN GALLARDO

DOT, DENR act 187 sex offenders barred to‘save’Boracay from entering PH in 2017 B ORACAY, Aklan, January 10. -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have embarked on a joint effort to save Boracay Island, Aklan Province from continuous destruction.

DOT Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo and DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu took off on an aerial survey of the world-renowned island, which is fast losing the balance between environmental conservation and tourism develop-

ment.

The two Cabinet of�icials later presided over a multi-sectoral meeting, including the island’s tourism stakeholders, to address pressing concerns about on and offshore pollution, brought about by waste disposal.

“It’s a shame that Boracay, which has repeatedly been recognized by prestigious travel magazines as the World’s Most Beautiful Island, may yet end up a paradise lost if water contamination continues,” Teo said.

DOT,P12

Palace hails Ombudsman move for Reyes’re-arrest over graft conviction

M

ANILA -- Malacañang on Wednesday lauded the move of the Of�ice of the Ombudsman (OMB) asking the Sandiganbayan to order the cancellation of bail and subsequent re-arrest of former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes due to a pending graft conviction, saying it was the right thing to do.

“That’s how it should be!

I commend the Of�ice of the Ombudsman for the order,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said in a state-

ment.

The Ombudsman’s appeal to the anti-graft court was issued following the release of Reyes from jail after the Court of Appeals (CA) cleared him of murder charges over the January 2011 killing of journalist and environmentalist Gerry Ortega.

Reyes was convicted on Aug. 29 last year by the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division to a prison term of six to eight years over the anomalous re-

PALACE,P12

M

Americans topped the list with 153, followed by 19 Australians and 10 British nationals.

Based on the report, there is an average of 10 to 15 RSOs being turned back at the airports every month.

He added that 90 percent of intercepted foreigners at-

tempted to enter the NAIA while the rest were stopped at the airports in Mactan, Cebu and Clark, Pampanga.

With this, Morente attributed the successful apprehension of these foreign nationals to the continued cooperation by their counterparts abroad, including the Interpol and police attaches of the various foreign missions in Manila.

“These aliens pose a serious and real threat to our Filipino women and children, anyone of whom could be their next victim if they manage to enter our country undetected,” the BI chief said in a statement.

RSOs refer to convicted sex offenders who have �inished serving their sentences or have been released on probation or parole.

In the United States and most Western countries, the government maintains a sex offender registry that allows authorities to keep track of the activities and movement of sex offenders.

Those intercepted at the airports are immediately turned away as their names and derogatory records will immediately register a hit in the computer screens the moment their passports are swiped by immigration of�icers in their scanners. (PNA)

the �iesta food and the fun, said Sinulog Executive Committee chairman Councilor Dave Tumulak.

‘Kalingawan sa Plaza,’ the Sinulog fair at Plaza Independencia, is thus a major �iesta component. There will be a variety of food stalls, in�latables and a tartanilla ride for the kids, and nightly entertainment during the Sinulog week, he said.

The following is the

schedule for the nightly entertainment: • January 12 -- Launching program of the Sinulog Festival Queen, Sinulog Idol, and Sinulog Dance Crew • January 13 – Cultural Show by Department of Education Cebu Province • January 14 – Cultural Show by Cebu Technological University (CTU) and Indiana Aerospace University • January 15 – Cultural

Show by University of the Visayas and University of Cebu • January 16 – Cultural Show by Mandaue City College and Mandaue School for the Arts • January 17 – Cultural Show by Salazar Institute of Technology and Cebu Doctors’ University • January 17 – Cultural Show by Department of Education Cebu City

ANILA -- A total of 187 registered sex offenders (RSOs) or foreigners convicted of sex crimes in their home countries were barred from entering the country last year, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Wednesday.

In his report to Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente, BI port operations division chief Marc Red Mariñas reported that the number of RSOs denied entry in 2017 were higher than the 144 sex felons intercepted in the different airports the previous year.

Barrio fiesta‘Kalingawan sa Plaza’set W

ill the ban on drinking liquor and loud parties within a 300-meter radius from the grand parade route diminish the fun from Sinulog 2018?

The ban brings back attention to the essence of the Sinulog, which is a dance of worship for Cebu’s Patron Senyor Santo Niño, on January 21. But a Philippine �iesta is not complete without

BARIO,P12

5 ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 10 ISSUE 201 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 11 , 2018

Japanese chocolate maker mulls investing in Davao

A

high-end Japanese chocolate company has signi�ied interest in putting up a chocolate manufacturing facility in the city, Davao City Investment Promotions Center head Lemuel Ortonio said.

Ortonio told reporters on Tuesday that representatives of the Japanese company had already presented a feasibility study to city of�icials last year.

The investment of�icial said the company is “80-percent” convinced and hopeful they can �irm up their decision within the year, as this will help local cacao farmers market their beans in the international market.

He said the company wanted to locate in the city’s 3rd District where most of the cacao farmers are.

He added the company has been sourcing sources of cacao beans that can be processed into chocolate bars for their market in Japan.

The Davao Region accounts for 81 percent of the country’s total cacao production.

On June 9, 2017, the Regional Development Council 11 passed a resolution adopting the recommendation of its economic development committee to recognize the region as the cacao and chocolate capital of the Philippines.

The resolution noted that cacao production in the region has been on a constant rise since 2010 with an aver-

age growth of at least six percent annually from 2010 to 2016, making it the center of the cacao trade in the country.

It also highlighted the 20,000 farmers who have bene�ited from the opportunities offered by the cacao industry.

The region has over 100 chocolate processors, most of whom have developed a chocolate variety using coco sugar.

It has over 100 cacao nurseries with a combined production capacity of around 10 million seedlings and 10 cacao training facilities.

“The Council �inds merit in the proposal considering that the cacao industry has been identi�ied as one of Davao Region’s priority industry clusters under the Davao Regional Development Plan (RDP), 2017 to 2022,” the resolution said.

The council acknowledged the signi�icance to adopt the regional branding for the region’s cacao industry to promote public and private sector engagement.

For 2016, the Philippine Statistics Authority recorded 6,262.77 metric tons (MT) of cacao produced in the Philippines that has an annual demand of 50,000MT. Of this, 5,073 MT was produced in the region – Davao del Sur (1,702.54MT), Davao City (1,606.80), Davao del Norte (945.31MT), Davao Oriental (507.26MT),

P

2018 budget to mitigate TRAIN price effects-DBM P28.8B earmarked for cash transfer project

T

In the 2018 Budget, a total of P28.8 billion has been earmarked for the Tax Reform Cash Transfer Project, loan facility subsidies for the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program, and the implementation of the National ID System.

“We laud the passage of Package 1A of TRAIN insofar as it supports the Administration’s socio-economic agenda,” said Department of Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno.

“It will raise the necessary revenues for our much-needed Build Build Build program and social services initiatives,”

he added. “Nevertheless, we are aware of the short-term and transitory effects of TRAIN on consumer prices, which is why the government incorporated these mitigating measures in the 2018 Budget,” the Budget chief elaborated.

In particular, P24.5 billion is set aside for unconditional cash grants to the poorest �ifty percent (50%) of households identi�ied by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR). The said allocation is lodged in

the budget of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP). For 2018, over ten million Filipino households will receive P200 a month to offset the slight increase in prices due to the higher excise taxes imposed by TRAIN. “The unconditional cash grants will more than offset the short-term in�lationary impact of TRAIN,” said Sec. Diokno. “This is in response to critics who say that TRAIN is anti-poor because the informal sector and already tax-exempt wage earners will be faced with higher excise taxes,” he said. “So aside from increasing the take-home pay of many workers with the reduced income tax rates, we will also augment the incomes of the poorest �ifty percent of households,” he added. “More so, in 2019 and 2020, we will raise the subsidy to P300 per month per household,” said

he Securities and Exchange Commission has cautioned the public about risks of investing in virtual currency.

In an advisory, the SEC Enforcement and Investor Protection Department underscored the need for them to take the necessary precautions in dealing with initial coin offerings (ICO) entities.

“If a promoter, issuer, broker or salesman guarantees returns, if a potential invest-

ment sounds too good to be true, or if you are pressured to act hastily, please exercise utmost caution and diligence and be wary of the risk that your investment might be lost,” it said.

The SEC issued the warning after detecting that certain companies, individuals or groups of persons were luring the public, either through popular social media platforms or through their own independent website, to par-

ticipate in so-called ICO and to purchase the corresponding virtual currency.

An ICO is the �irst sale and issuance of a new virtual currency to the public usually for the purpose of raising capital for start-up companies or funding independent projects.

In an ICO campaign, a percentage of the total available virtual currency is sold to interested buyers in exchange for �iat currency, another vir-

he 2018 General Appropriations Act includes allocations for mitigating measures intended to offset the JAPANESE,P12 slight uptick in prices due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion.

SEC okays merging of mining companies ublicly-listed Marcventures Holdings Inc. said Tuesday it received regulatory approval to merge with two other mining �irms in a bid to expand its business.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) allowed Marcventures to merge with Asia Pilot Mining Phils. Corp. (APMPC) and BrightGreen Resources Holdings Inc. (BHI), with Marcventures as the surviving entity.

APMPC is the owner of Alumina Mining Philippines Inc. and Bauxite Resources Inc. (BARI), which both have mineral production sharing agreements (MPSA) covering 6,694 hectares and 5,435 hectares in San Jose De Buan and Wright in Samar province.

Marcventures told the local bourse the merger with APMPC would allow it to gain control of AMPI and BARI, whose mineral resource is bauxite ore.

Bauxite ore is the main raw material of aluminum, which has been observed to

EASY DOES IT. A pizza maker prepares to cook a pizza in the kitchen of Munchtown Grill along F. Torres Street in Davao City on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr.

be more stable in prices as compared to other commodities even during the slump of metal prices.

“The merger will allow MHI to grow its business, diversify its products and expand its source of income,” said the company.

BHI, on the other hand, is the owner of BrightGreen Resources Corp. (BRC) which holds MPSA covering 4,860 hectares in Surigao del Sur. The mining tenement is contiguous to the mining tenement of MHI’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Marcventures Mining and Development Corp. (MMDC).

Marcventures said it merged with BHI to gain control of BRC in order to increase the nickel reserves of its owned nickel mines pursuant to a possible venture into nickel processing.

It added it would issue 675 million shares in favor of APMPC shareholders and 450 million shares in favor of BHI shareholders, or a total of 1.125 billion shares at a par value of PHP1 per share.

(PNA)

the DBM Secretary.

Even as TRAIN is seen to boost in�lation by 0.85 to 1.2 percentage points in 2018 and by 0.4 to 0.55 percentage points by 2019, this is projected to be countered by the lowering of rice prices through rice policy reforms. The proposed removal of quantitative restrictions on rice could lower in�lation by about 1.14 percentage points annually[1].

“The in�lationary effects of TRAIN are projected to be temporary, aside from being countered by lower rice prices with the removal of quantitative restrictions,” said Sec. Diokno. “This is why the BSP maintained its in�lation target at 2 to 4 percent, and approved by the DBCC last December 2017,” he said. “In the long-term, TRAIN should even lead to lower prices as it will result to better produc-

tual currency, or another asset or security.

Virtual currency refers to a digital representation of value issued and controlled by its developers and used and accepted among the members of a speci�ic community or users.

The SEC said that while some of these new virtual currencies followed the nature of a security as de�ined by the Securities Regulation

2018,P12

SEC warns v. virtual currency investments T

SEC,P12

6 ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 201 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 11 , 2018

PetroEnergy’s wind unit hits new generation level

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ublicly-listed PetroEnergy Resources Corp. said on Tuesday the 36-megawatt wind farm in Nabas, Aklan of PetroWind Energy Inc. (PWEI) reached its 250 Gigawatthour (GWh) generation mark during the �irst week of January 2018.

The milestone was achieved two years and seven months from the start of the facility’s commercial operations in June 2015.

PWEI President Milagros Reyes said the generation milestone validated the company’s decision in selecting Nabas for its �irst wind project.

“We are banking on this signi�icant wind resource, reliable generation, and local support to expand our exist-

ing Nabas wind facility in the near future,” she said.

PWEI is a joint venture of PetroGreen Energy Corp.

(PGEC) holding 40 percent, BCPG Public Company Limited of Thailand (40 percent), and EEI Power Corp. (20 percent).

PGEC is the 90 percent-owned subsidiary and the renewable energy holding company of PERC. “PWEI has been consistently achieving its target generation over the past two years. Despite seasonal variations, the consistently good wind trends over our facility have enabled us to record above average capacity factors,” said PGEC Energy Trading Head Dave Gadiano.

(PNA)

he Bureau of the Treasury’s auction committee on Tuesday rejected all bids for the 10-year Treasury bond on what National Treasurer Rosalia De Leon dubbed as aversion for long-tenor securities.

BTr offered the debt paper for PHP20 billion but bids only amounted to PHP18.676 billion.

Banks also asked for high yields, with the highest hitting 6.500 percent, higher than the 4.915 percent the same tenor fetched during the auction on Nov. 7, 2017.

In the secondary mar-

ket, the same tenor fetched a yield of 5.9157 percent in the morning session Tuesday.

De Leon said appetite for the 10-year bond was low because banks were hopeful for the increase of interest rates in the coming months vis-àvis the expected hikes in respective key rates of the Federal Reserve and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

She said banks were also somewhat concerned on issues on the supposed overheating of the domestic economy.

“But I guess all those fears

UPBEAT.Seda Abreeza Hotel marketing and communications officer Ariesha Faith Dimaano is optimistic on the possible effects of the recent Department of Tourism’s reshuffling of regional directors in the hotel industry of Davao City. Dimaano also said during Wednesdays

@ Habi at Kape at Abreeza mall is enjoying a 70 percent occupancy rate and currently preparing for its 5th anniversary celebration. Lean Daval Jr.

BTr turns down bids for 10-year T-bonds DTI bares 232 graduates T BTR,P12

WB: Brexit threatens EU economic recovery

T

he World Bank warned on Tuesday that a failure to reach a “smooth” deal for Britain to leave the European Union could pose a serious risk to Europe’s economic recovery in 2018.

“If there is some surprise along the Brexit road that might derail a European recovery, and that recovery has been exceptionally strong,” Franziska Lieselotte Ohnsorge, told Xinhua on Tuesday afternoon.

Ohnsorge is one of the lead authors of a report “Global Economic Prospects” published Tuesday evening by the WB which noted that within Europe “uncertainty remains elevated and could intensify again, weighing on con�idence and growth”.

The report noted that Brexit negotiations could harm investment decisions throughout Europe, and Brexit had certainly already had an effect on the British economy, Ohnsorge said.

“Brexit is dif�icult. We ex-

pect growth in Britain to slow from 1.6 percent to 1.4 percent,” she said.

There is no clear path for Brexit, and no certainty as the EU and Britain enter the second and more complex phase of the Brexit negotiations of what a Brexit will mean for trade between the two parties.

The prospect of a Brexit in which Britain quits the 28-nation bloc with no agreement on tariffs or on provision of �inancial services could hit both Britain and the EU, which depends on London’s deep and liquid capital markets for much of its debt and investment �inancing.

A no-deal Brexit, or one with tough tariff terms, cannot yet be modelled, said Ohnsorge, but it would be disruptive to trade and to growth.

“That is one of the risks -not just to the British economy but to the European economy,” she said.

WV,P12

under its KMME program

T

he Department of Trade and Industry in Davao Region takes pride of the 232 graduates it has produced under its Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) program which started last October 7, 2016.

The agency revealed that the initiative which deems to develop more successful micro entrepreneurs was able to record 20 graduates in 2016 and 212 this year.

For 2016, all 20 MSMEs who graduated were from Davao City. Meanwhile, for 2017, 42 were from Davao City, 44 from Davao del Sur, 19 from Davao Occidental, 40 from Davao del Norte, 20 from Compostela Valley and 47 from Davao Oriental .

The 10-week program

of the KMME had weekly modules on marketing, �inancial management, human resource management, and operations management, among others. These graduates were provided with high calibre mentors who shared their time, knowledge, skills, expertise and tips. On the 10th week, the mentees presented their Business Improvement Plan (BIP), incorporating the learning from the lectures and mentoring sessions in front of a panel

composed of marketing/operations management mentors and micro �inancing institution (MFI) representatives who can possibly assist them on their �inancing needs.

DTI and the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) – Go Negosyo conceptualized the KMME program to serve as the entrepreneurs’ guide to become a globally competitive enterprise, this being one of the strategies of the government to provide jobs to Filipinos and boost economic growth focusing on the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as they soar to greater heights.

DTI-Davao Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi, during her inspiration-

al talk in Mati City recently during the KMME graduation in the province, expressed her appreciation for the mentees who religiously attended the 10-week program.

“This only shows that MSMEs nowadays are inspired to improve their productivity, be involved in value-adding activities and be of help to other people by creating job opportunities and become engine of growth,” Ambi said.

For 2018, DTI, through its �ield of�ices in the �ive provinces and one chartered city in Davao Region, will still be conducting the KMME. Thus, MSMEs who are interested to avail of the mentoring sessions may contact DTI-Provincial Of�ice nearest them.(DTI)

hike scheme for three years, with the 50-peso increase slated this 2018, she said.

Under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira), the coal tax may be passed on to consumers, she explained.

“As a pass-on charge, the coal tax will put the entire burden of rising power costs on consumers instead of taxing big-time coal businesses. As such, it will not inhibit the increase of coal�ired power plants,” she said.

Coal-�ired power plants have been built in Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Sarangani, Lanao

del Norte, Davao City and Davao Occidental.

In the same statement, Agham refuted claims that the coal tax is a step towards meeting the country’s carbon emission limits, saying pollution will remain at business-as-usual even with its full implementation.

“The coal tax does not change the fact that coal is still a cheap but dirty energy resource. It also does not change the Duterte government’s framework of using coal as the primary source in the country’s energy mix,” said Cosico.

“We demand the reori-

entation of the coal tax as a charge to be carried by corporations. We call to repeal the Epira which has allowed the phenomenon of such pass-on provision. We also call for the redistribution of the energy mix away from the pollutive coal to the indigenous energy resources abundant in the country,” she added.

President Rodrigo Duterte has defended the existence of coal-�ired power plants in Mindanao, saying it is needed in Mindanao which had experienced periods of power outages.

“Science is good but

Coal tax under TRAIN means higher electricity costs - NGO

T

he coal tax included in the administration’s tax reform program will drive electricity rates up, the Advocates of Science and Technology for the People (Agham) said in a statement Monday.

Agham secretary-general Finesa Cosico said consumers “will be burdened with higher electricity rates despite standing to gain no real bene�it from the supposed environmental regulation.”

The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion will increase the coal tax from the current P10 per metric ton in a 50-100-150

COAL,P12

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 10 ISSUE 201 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 11 , 2018

These motorized bancas, seen sitting idly by the beach last Tuesday (9 January 2018), are the main mode of transportation of tourists coming to the beautiful white sandy beach of Daku Island in General Luna,

Zambo Sibugay under state of calamity

I

PIL, Zamboanga Sibugay The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) on Tuesday approved a resolution declaring this province under a state of calamity.

Ten of this province’s 16 towns were inundated by the onslaught of Tropical Storm “Vinta” that recently hit the country. The storm left �ive people dead.

Vice Governor Eldwin Alibutdan, presiding of�icer of the Provincial Board, said the resolution was approved in accordance with Local Government Code of 1991, which provides that all Local Government Units (LGUs) shall ensure public safe-

ty and protect the general welfare of its constituents and provide basic social services they need.

The approved resolution allows Governor Wilter Palma to utilize the Quick Response Fund (QRF) to augment the relief operation to the disaster stricken municipalities in this province as recommended by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).

The LGUs, during a state of calamity, may also enact a supplemental budget for supplies and materials or payment of services to prevent danger or loss of lives or properties. (PNA)

Thousands join Black Nazarene procession amid terror threats

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AGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Threats of terrorist attacks did not dampen the spirit of the Black Nazarene devotees here, who paraded in thousands to mark the patron saint’s feast Tuesday.

Police said some 200,000 individuals participated in this city’s version of the “traslacion” despite reported terror threats in Northern Mindanao.

The two-kilometer “traslacion”, which started at the St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral and ended at the Black Nazarene Shrine, was peaceful and the devotees were well-be-

haved, said Chief Insp. Mardy Hortillosa, spokesperson for the Cagayan de Oro City Police Of�ice (Cocpo).

Hortillosa said more than a thousand police of�icers and soldiers were deployed to secure the areas where the statue of the Black Nazarene—a replica given to a church here in 2009 that started the devotion of the patron saint outside Metro Manila—was to pass through.

The presence of law enforcers during the activity, Hortillosa said, was the factor why people had complied with the police advisory.(Jigger J. Jerusalem/PNA)

Siargao Island. The island was energized by the National Electricification Administration only late last December. MindaNews photo by ROEL N. CATOTO

Koronadal honors 2 World War II heroes K

ORONADAL CITY -- The city government gave a heroes burial to two of the area’s pioneer settlers who were regarded as World War II heroes.

The remains of Engr. Albert Morrow and his aide Santiago Odi were exhumed from the Banga public cemetery and re-interned before noon Monday at a monument inside the old city hall compound here amid a 21-gun salute.

City Mayor Peter Miguel said the heroes burial for Morrow and Odi were in recognition of their patriotic and heroic acts at the height of the

Japanese occupation in the area during World War II. “This is to properly recognize and honor their sacri�ices and sel�less acts that helped save the lives of many people,” he said.

The solemn heroes burial was preceded by a funeral motorcade from Banga town and a march along the city’s main streets, with the remains placed on a silver carriage.

It was followed by a mass and blessing of the tomb situated at the base of a newly-built monument.

Personnel from the South Cotabato Police Provincial Of�ice carried the remains while troops from the 27th Infantry Batallion led the customary 21-gun salute.

Citing historical accounts, the mayor said Morrow and Odi were part of the initial batch of settlers from Luzon who arrived in the area in 1939.

He said Morrow was then the deputy administrator of the National Land Settlement Administration (NLSA),

ENERAL SANTOS CITY – The provincial government of South Cotabato is planning to expand its nutrition convergence initiatives this year as it moves to further lower cases of malnutrition in parts of the province.

Ma. Ana Uy, acting head of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Of�ice

(PSWDO), said Tuesday they were currently evaluating possible expansion areas this year for the local government’s supplemental feeding as well as nutrition education programs.

“Our priorities are remote or far-�lung communities with noted high cases of malnutrition, she said.

Based on the local gov-

ernment’s earlier assessment, the towns of T’boli and Lake Sebu have posted high incidence of malnutrition among infants and children.

But overall, Uy said that the province’s malnutrition cases had been dropping consistently these past years.

In 2017, the province received the Consistent Re-

which was headed by Gen. Paulino Santos.

When World War II came, he said Japanese forces stationed in the area staged a series of atrocities, jailing and killing innocent civilians.

In 1942, Miguel said the Japanese imprisoned a number of civilians, mostly settlers, on suspicions that they were aiding local anti-Japanese guerrilla units.

The head of the Japanese forces identi�ied as Capt. Oishu reportedly invited Morrow, who was then the acting head of the NLSA, to join the interrogation of the prisoners, he said.(PNA)

gional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition or CROWN �irstyear maintenance award for sustaining the reduction of its malnutrition cases.

The of�icial said the local government achieved a 90 percent rating during the monitoring and evaluation of its nutrition programs, eventually qualifying for the award.(AC/PNA)

S. Cotabato to expand nutrition programs G

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 201 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 11 , 2018

EDITORIAL

T

Dabawenyos’ lessons from Boracay

he Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are now talking about joint efforts to save Boracay Island from continuous destruction.

It’s a good thing that DOT Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo and DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu are showing serious concern over the fact that the world famous island is fast losing the balance between environmental conservation and tourism development.

Days ago, the two Cabinet of�icials presided over a multi-sectoral meeting, including the island’s tourism stakeholders, to address pressing problems about on and offshore pollution, brought about by waste disposal.

“It’s a shame that Boracay, which has repeatedly been recognized by prestigious travel magazines as the World’s Most Beautiful Island, may yet end up a paradise lost if water contamination continues,” Teo said.

The DOT secretary is right in expressing her concern over the sorry state of the island which right now is visited by some two million tourists yearly for sun and beach holiday, water sports, scuba diving all year round,

EDGEDAVAO

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contributing nearly P50 billion in annual receipts.

It would indeed be a pity if Boracay would be left to the elements and government would not make an honest-to-goodness effort to save from ruin.

Teo blamed the lack of proper sewerage system, as well as a number of business establishments that tap and dispose their waste through the rainwater drainage system all the way to the sea. Another major problem that prompted the on-site meeting is the alarming recurrence of �looding in most parts of the Boracay tourist hub, particularly the �lash �looding that occurred during the typhoon Urduja recently.

Dabawenyos, who also have their own islands paradise such as the Island Garden City of Samal and Talikud, can learn a lot from the experience of Boracay and avoid suffering its current debilitating problems.

One of the things that the local government unit should have is a political will to enforce existing local ordinances and national environmental laws. Strict law enforcement is an ideal beginning.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

JIMMY K. LAKING Associate Editor PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

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

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GENERAL SANTOS CITY OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING MARKETING OFFICE Richard C. Ebona | Product Development officer LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager EDMUND D. RENDON Unit 6, SouthbankMarketing Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts.Address: 04 Orilla St. Purok 4B Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Specialist Cellphone number: 09472652969 General Santos City Cagayan de Oro City Email Address: edgedavao@gmail.com Mobile: (Smart) 09101864939 Tel: (088) 852-4894

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 201 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 11 , 2018

VANTAGE POINTS

9

The coming “rural stimulus” of TRAIN and the Marawi rebuild

A

s The estimated 4.7 million salaried taxpayers will no longer be required to shell out a minimum of 5,000 to 7,000 pesos in taxes starting in January 2018, thoughts of stimulus race through the mind.

Position this in a small town in rural Philippines and this stimulus has immediate effect. Consider just twenty of these salaried individuals in a small, very rural town like, say , Don Salvador Benedicto in Negros Occidental, or Upi Maguindanao, or a small town in Ifugao Province.

This represents something like 140,000 pesos to the monthly cash circulating in these parts.

Where do these go? For

starters, it will pay the habalhabal driver, the market vendor, even pay off that long unpaid loan that will then be lent to others or be used to buy more things from local producers.

Beyond additional cash for What we look forward to is the distribution of an estimated stimulus brought in by the TRAIN- 200 pesos for each of the 10 million poorest households- a shot in the arm for families unable to participate in the economy.

These represent the marginalized for whom cash was always elusive, owing to the lack of means to obtain gainful employment, or bring their produce to markets.

This, in effect, expands the

“Whether our task is �ighting poverty, stemming the spread of disease or saving innocent lives from mass murder, we have seen that we cannot succeed without the leadership of the strong and the engagement of all.” -- Nobel Peace Prize winner Ko�i Annan Twenty-two years ago, the United Nations General Assembly declared 1996 as the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty.

James Gustave Speth, then the administrator of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), pointed out that poverty eradication as the organization’s “job number one.”

But what does poverty really mean?

Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, the man behind Grameen Bank, considers poverty as the denial of all human rights. “It is not created by the poor. It is created and sustained by the ‘system’ we have built around us,” he explained.

Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway, says poverty comes in many forms: “(It) is lack of opportunity, lack of freedom.

It is hunger and malnutrition, disease and lack of basic social services. It is a policy failure that degrades people – those who suffer it, and those who tolerate it. It is an equity gap between countries and within countries.

Poverty is still the gravest insult to human dignity. Poverty is the scar on humanity’s face.”

Denis Murphy, who has

mentored generations of community organizers in the Philippines on how to empower the urban poor so that, being organized, they could effectively pressure the government to be more responsive to their plight, observed: “Poverty is the squatter mother whose hut has been torn down by the government for reasons she cannot understand.

“That night, she sits amid the ruins of her home, listening to her children coughing in the dark. She doesn’t know what will happen the next day, but she fears it will be worse than what happened that day.”

So many Filipinos are living in poverty these days. A press statement said: ‘Currently, more than one out of �ive Filipinos are living in extreme poverty, while around 60% of Filipinos households need to be raised to more decent levels of income and welfare, corresponding to 13.6 million families with monthly incomes of P18,333 or less.”

Extreme poverty, de�ined by World Bank as getting by on an income of less than US$1 a day, means that households cannot meet basic needs for survival.

They are chronically hungry, unable to get health care, lack safe drinking water and sanitation, cannot afford education for their children and perhaps lack rudimentary shelter and basic articles of clothing, like shoes.

“There are people in the world so hungry, that God cannot appear to them except

MY TWO CENTS’ John Carlo B. Tria coverage of the Pantawid Pilipino program and creates a rural demand for more things which

producers in the same areas can provide, spurring trade and an expansion of livelihoods that in turn, will provide incomes to more. This stimulates the rural economy and encourages more people to grow food and make things that will serve the needs of rural markets. The result is a broadening of trade, and the opportunities it brings.

Already, the NEDA predicts that this stimulus, at a minimum, will create a .5% increase in our GDP by 2022.

The other economies of Mindanao retain bright prospects, with ARMM promising high growth in 2018 on the back of the billions promised to restore

war torn Marawi. Just like what happened to Tacloban in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda, a spike in local economic growth rates took place as aid funds and restoration activities hiked economic activity.

Already, the work of NGOs and Civil Society partners to transfer cash and relief, restart schools and other bene�icial activities is being seen, on top of the thousand or so houses ready for occupancy.

But unlike Tacloban, we do not hear of funds diverted to political work, nor do we suspect that this money is diverted to extremists or corrupted by evil. We hope the bene�icial work continues.

not be done by government alone.

Everyone must be involved. involved. “I know that government doesn’t have the all solutions that real solutions do not come from the top down,” surmised Kathleen Blanco.

“Instead, the ways to end poverty come from all of us. We are part of the solution.”

Hillary Rodham Clinton, who ran for president in the United States against Donald Trump, has the same idea. “We can only overcome the scourge of poverty if, as a global family of nations, we commit to investing in the world’s greatest resource: our people,” she said.

“Giving all men, women and children the tools of opportunity – education, health care, employment, legal rights and political freedoms – does not just serve humanitarian purposes. It is the key to economic, social and political progress,” she added.

“When individuals �lourish, families �lourish. And when families �lourish, communities and nations will �lourish as well.”

So who are poor and who are rich? If you have a hard time answering the question, read the story below: As head of some of the top business corporations in the country, he has no time for his only son. But lately, he was a little bit worried that his son was growing up fast and they never had the opportunity of bonding together.

So one day, he took his

7-year-old son on a trip to the province with the intention of showing him how poor people live in rural areas. The father and son spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

“How was the trip?” asked the father on their return from their trip. Great, the son replied.

The father asked again, “Did you see how poor people live?” The son answered af�irmatively. “So, tell me, what have you learned from the trip?” asked the father.

The little boy did not answer his father immediately. He was thinking and then shared this thought: “I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.

Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.

The son continued: “We have a small piece of land to live on and they have �ields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, yet they have friends to protect them.”

Hearing his son’s answer, the father was completely speechless. And even before he could say a word, the son added, “Thanks dad for showing me how poor we are.”

Eradicating poverty

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

in the form of bread,” observed Mahatma Gandhi.

The other two types of poverty are moderate and relative.

Moderate poverty, de�ined as living on US$1 to US$2 a day, refers to conditions in which basic needs are met, but just barely. Being in relative poverty, de�ined by a household income level below a given proportion of the national average, means lacking things that the middle class now takes for granted.

“It is time we recognized poverty for what it is: a brutal denial of human rights,” urged Speth. “The poor are deprived of many things, including a long life.”

Will giving cash to those who are poor solve the problem?

P.J. O’Rourke, author of “A Parliament of Whores,” doesn’t think so. “You can’t get rid of poverty by giving people money.”

Eradicating poverty should

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GenSan city gov’t targets P2 billion in revenues

G

ENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 10 Jan) – The city government is targeting to generate around P2 billion in revenues this year to fund the local government’s operations and implementation of priority development programs and projects.

Rodilon Lacap, acting city treasurer, said Wednesday such �igure was based on the projected increases this year in local tax collections and the local government’s Internal Revenue Allotment or IRA share.

“We actually raised our collection target this year

by P200 million from P1.8 billion last year,” he said.

As of the end of December, he said they were able to reach their targeted collections in 2017, especially in terms of business and real property taxes as well as for other regulatory charges and fees.

For business tax, the city government collected a total of P287 million last year and made the same target for 2018.

In this month’s business registration and renewal, it aims to collect around P90 million from the projected

8,500 applicants.

It also achieved its collection target for real property tax that was based on its actual collection of P238.56 million in 2016.

The Department of Finance’s Bureau of Local Government Finance recognized the city government last year as the top performer among �irst class cities in Region 12 in terms of realty tax collection.

To attain their targets this year, Lacap said they have set various strategies and innovations based on the city’s comprehensive revenue generation plan.

He said these include the rollout of the business-one-stop-shop at the city’s Investment Center, conduct of public auctions for real properties with tax delinquencies and inspections of local business

establishments.

The of�icial said they are planning anew to conduct two public auctions this year, one in the �irst half and another in the second half of the year.

Lacap said they will assign more personnel to the city’s 26 barangays for the implementation of the barangay incentive program.

The program, which started last year, main-

B’laan leader is GenSan’s new representative to Sanggunian

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ENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 10 Jan) – A prominent B’laan tribal leader formally assumed on Tuesday as the city’s new Indigenous Peoples’ Mandatory Representative (IPMR) to the city council.

Fulong Lucio Cawayan took over the post following the issuance of

a certi�ication from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples af�irming his selection as the city’s fourth IPMR since 2014.

“He is a �ine addition to the brilliant and dynamic 18th Sangguniang Panlungsod. His presence is anticipated to add more energy to the already

vigorous members,” said Vice Mayor Shirlyn Banas-Nograles.

She said Cawayan’s selection and assumption as IMPR mainly realizes the city government’s vision to maximize the participation of the city’s IP communities in local legislation and governance.

Cawayan took his oath

of of�ice before city of�icials late last month after being chosen by fellow tribal leaders to replace the late IPMR Fulong Benjamin Talon, who died May last year after barely three months in of�ice.

The city’s �irst two IPMRs – Fulongs Mario Empal and Juanito Kin-

otabato City (January 10, 2018) – For the seventh consecutive year, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BFAR-ARMM) is imposing a three-month closed season for �ishing ‘tamban’, or

Indian sardine, in the Sulu Sea and Basilan Strait.

Jerusalem Abdulahim, chief of the Fisheries Regulatory and Law Enforcement Division of BFARARMM, said the annual �ishing ban is implemented to give time for tamban to reproduce. The ban runs

from December last year until the 1st of March this year.

Pursuant to Section 2 of Republic Act 8550, or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, sardine �ishing in the waters of East Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait, and Sibuguey Bay is tem-

porarily suspended to give way to the �ish species’ spawning period. The ban also includes the selling, buying and possessing of sardines caught within the conservation area.

To ensure that no one will violate the adminis-

B’LAAN,P13

BFAR-ARMM imposes 3-month sardine fishing ban in Sulu and Basilan C BFAR,P13

ly taps the assistance of barangay councils in the collection of real property taxes.

It provides incentives to barangays that would be able to meet or surpass

their target collections.

He added that the local government was able to meet its collection target for real property taxes last year because of the program.

(MindaNews)

ARMM starts to construct infrastructure projects for 2018

C

otabato City (January 10, 2018) – The government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will invest most of its 2018 infrastructure budget to build more roads across the region. The road projects would cost roughly P6.889 billion, or 68% of the total P10.103 billion earmarked under the region’s infrastructure program this year.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-ARMM’s 2018 infrastructure budget will cover a total of 472 projects, which include 40 seaports, 86 water supply systems, 39 bridges, 17 �lood control structures, 20 drainage systems, and 32 others.

Engr. Don Mustapha Loong, DPWH-ARMM secretary, said 238 road projects with a total length of 361.65 kilometers will be funded this year. The department earlier projected it would pave a total of 1,922.982 kilometers of roads across the region from 2012 to 2017. As of December last year, it has already completed 1,334 kilometers, while a total of 420.356 kilometers of road concreting projects are still on-going.

“With more infrastructure

projects, people in the region will have better access to tourism sites, will help boost the region’s economy as transport of goods and products will be cheaper, and will help uplift the peoples’ lives,” Engr. Loong said.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said infrastructure development is one of the regional government’s top priorities. Gov. Hataman added that more infrastructure projects built would equate to greater impact in improving the lives of the people in the ARMM. A Level II water supply system, or communal faucet units, was turned over to the local government unit of Panglima Estino in Sulu on January 4. The water system now supplies the town with safe and potable water. In the past, Panglima Estino sourced its supply of drinking water from deep wells and water pumps, which put the lives of residents at risk from water-borne diseases.

The massive infrastructure program of the regional government has also allowed the DPWH-ARMM to contribute signi�icantly to the job generation drive in the region.

To promote transpar-

ARMM,P13

INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 201 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2018

FOOD

EDGEDAVAO

An Asian flavour affair

2017 was all about the many phases and faces of travelling. And yes, any destination, aside from home, is considered a travel. With Davao’s vast land area — and not to mention traffic situation — travelling nowadays truly need not have a passport or visa.

Nonetheless, when the chance arises, grab it and pack your bags in an instant. That’s what I did — do and will do all over again. Travelling has its perks — shopping, meeting individuals and of course, eating regional cuisines not found in our repertoire of flavours.

True , it is but a regional obsession — to be able to eat good and cheap.

It need not be expensive to taste good. Not all the time, that is. Let me take you to some of my favourite destinations in Asia — Singapore and Malaysia — and together let’s re-explore their many delectable food finds.

Food trip? Take the hawkers in Singapore and Indonesian restaurants serving padang cuisines in malls for instance. The selection is what sets them apart from the rest; the cost is also a driving factor to lure locals and foreigners alike.

Indonesian cuisine platter of rice, curry and meat (fish/chicken/ squid) is a perfect way to get started. A bowl of Yong Tau Foo is always better than fried fast food chicken on any given day. Also the fish steamboat — with chili please.

TRC Speaks: Visit food halls on non-peak hours and indulge on a smorgasbord of selection. On a budget? Share the hunger and have everyone join you.

Coffee break, anyone?

Toast Box and Toast

Junction sprawled all over Singapore and Malaysia is the answer. The coffee is aromatic and delectable. A defo wakeme-upper. Plus, they too serve the local fave, kaya toast — toasted bread with slab of room temp butter and generous spread of kaya spread.

TRC Speaks: Best way to eat? Dip the toast on the coffee. You’d thank me later.

If coffee is not your cup of tea, then you can always opt for some Malaysian snacks made readily available on kiosks and stalls all around. Mostly sold for SGD$10 for 3, it’s the most deliciously random munching you could ever spend on.

Chwee Kueh or steamed rice cake with preserved radish is like our version of siopao. It’s savoury yet never fails to warm the heart in every bite. Kueh Lapis - Nonya Kueh Lapis is a selection of layered steamed cakes of flavours and colors.

Kueh Salat or Kueh Seri Muka is a 2 layer dessert steamed glutinous rice cake (forming the bottom) and a green custard layer (forming the other half) made with pandan juice. Do not fail to also try the Hainanese Coconut Kuih.

TRC Speaks: Get a variety to savour them all. Always keep a bottle of water on hand while munching on these babies.

With Singapore’s many malls, you are

sure to find a treasure amongst the many restos that abound these tourist faves. Take my favourite pasta dish that’s been my go-to snack whenever I’m craving for something to fill my tummy.

TRC Speaks: Paragon mall’s Duck breast pasta is something you should not miss. Subtle yet naked but not too overpowering. The marriage of flavour is something that makes me miss it

every single time.

Personally, I can go on about their delish culinary offerings for days — weeks, even. However, I won’t because I would want you to discover them on your own. Just like I did. What’s your fave 2017 flavour?

For my latest food finds, follow me on Instagram @iamleebai and Facebook @theroyalchefeats. Happy eating, royalistas!

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 201 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2018

HUNDREDS of public school students from Metro Manila, Cavite, Cebu, and Davao benefited from SKY’s “BOOKas Palad” program this December. SKY and its employees raised funds to provide Filipino literature storybooks as Christmas presents.

Recipients were pre-school and grade one students who excitedly listened to various special story-telling sessions led by SKY employee volunteers across the country.

The students have access to Knowledge Channel’s learning materials via SKY Cable and SKYdirect service installed in their respective schools.

Philippine literature as written in Dep-ed-recognized Adarna storybooks that were brought to life via cartoon animation form part of Knowledge Channel’s multimedia learning modules learning materials targeted for young students that were animated that form part of their multimedia learning modules.

“Many students from public schools never really get a chance to have their own books,” said Helen Hilario, principal at Paltok Elementary school in Quezon City.

“Giving them the hard copy of the stories they watch in school via Knowledge Channel can help motivate them to study better. This gift of SKY to the students will enable them to share the gift of reading to their siblings and their parents at home,’ she added.

Aside from the students at Paltok Elementary School, primary school students from Estanislao Villanueva Elementary School in Imus Cavite, Candulawan Elementary School in Talisay Cebu, and Jose Rizal Elementary School in Davao City each received their own Adarna books.

As part of SKY’s thrust to provide access to relevant, rich content to public school children, the company partnered with Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc. (KCFI) earlier this year to give students across the country access to Knowledge Channel’s curriculumbased multimedia education materials via SKY’s technology via SKY Cable and direct-to-

SKY’S ‘BOOKas PALAD’ SHARES THE GIFT OF READING

home (DTH) TV service SKYdirect.

“2017 was a milestone for SKY because we were able to re-cement our partnership

with Knowledge Channel that began almost 20 years ago, to again commit to bringing quality educational materials to schools across the country

using SKY’s technology and Knowledge Channel’s learning materials,” said Arlene Torres, head of Marketing Communications at SKY.

The partnership with Knowledge Channel Foundation solidifies SKY’s commitment to public service that began 18 years ago when the educational channel was born.

In fact, over the years, SKY has provided more than 1,000 schools with access to Knowledge Channel and its learning materials.

SKY Cable Corporation, a subsidiary of ABS-CBN, the Philippines’ leading media and entertainment company, is a leading cable and broadband technology provider in the Philippines. It introduced cable television to Filipinos in 1990, and has been a frontrunner in technology and cable TV content by being the first to design a highly customized viewing experience among subscribers, and offering the most number of HD channels.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 201 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2018

ENTERTAINMENT

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

Alden Richards renews contract with GMA Records PAMBANSANG BAE ALDEN RICHARDS is happy to count more years with GMA Records as he renewed his recording contract last Friday, January 5.

Present in the contract signing were GMA Network Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Felipe S. Yalong, GMA Artist Center Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Pro-

ductions Gigi S. Lara and GMA Records Managing Director Rene Salta.

The multi-platinum recording artist is excited for his upcoming album, which he said will have a millennial sound, in-

cluding his most favorite praise songs. Alden is thankful that the label has been helpful and attentive with what he plans on doing about his newest album.

“GMA Records has been continuously researching and doing a lot of brainstorming kung ano yung mga project na ibibigay sa’kin, which I appreciate, dahil like what I’ve said before, hindi naman talaga ako kumakanta. And with their help, slowly, nahanap ko na yung fulfilment sa singing. So I’m happy that I’m still with GMA Records, it’s my 3rd year and I’m looking forward to more,” he said.

Meanwhile, Yalong has noted that despite

being in the digital age, Alden remains to sell out in physical sales, “We are very happy, especially GMA Records, kasi pumirma muli sa’tin ng kontrata si Alden. The last albums that he released, lahat ‘yan platinum kaya masaya kami na kasama pa rin natin siya sa GMA Records, and hopefully magkaroon ulit tayo ng concert this year.”

The plans for his music career is already up and running as Salta discloses the upcoming activities for the Pambansang Bae under GMA Records.

“Ngayon, limited edition ang magiging album ni Alden and it will probably be a bundle sa upcoming concert niya na ipo-produce ng GMA Records.

Kumpleto na ang album, but the recording is still in the process and it will contain 5 songs and syempre kasama yung praise songs na si Alden mismo ang pumili,” he reveals.

Surely, the New Year has welcomed Alden with positivity and another successful year is in view as he begins to roll up his sleeves for his upcoming shows and album.

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 201 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2018

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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

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EDGEDAVAO

NEWS11

MASTER... FROM 1 integrity.

“The plan pushes for an integrated planning approach that seeks to maximize the comparative advantages of the different areas of Minadanao with the goal of ensuring that growth is shared by all,” he said.

He added that the objectives of the plan include identifying the comparative strengths and functional roles of the different areas within Metro Davao with the endgoal of complementation and alignment of policies, programs and projects; identifying solutions to shared challenges, including transport ef�iciency, provision of urban services, among others; aiding national agencies, local government units, and the private sector in planning and implementing development endeavors within Metro Davao and its in�luence areas.

“I see Mindanao and Davao with the highest development potential in the country. I want to help make them the front door or gateway to the Philippines,” Palafox said as he described his vision for Metro Davao.

He said the rapid increase in population and the accelerating urbanization not only of Davao City but the neighboring cities of Tagum, Digos.

Panabo, and ICAGOS brings urgency for comprehensive and integrated planning of

transport, logistics, services and institution across these areas.

“To cope with the rapid urbanization of Metro Davao and adequately prepare for future developments in light of the increased interest in Davao and Mindanao,” Palafox said.

Palafox added he believes in the potential of Davao Region and vowed that Davao could have a master plan that would be a model for the rest of the world.

Palafox also mentioned the consideration of mistakes in the development plan of congested Manila that needs “heart transplant” due to lack of open spaces.

“The major activity centers like central business districts or downtowns are the heart of the city, and the arteries are the waterways and the roads and the parks and open spaces are the lungs of the city. So Metro Manila is dying. It needs a heart transplant, a heart bypass, and a lung transfer. Its arteries are full of cholesterol that causes traf�ic congestion,” he said.

Palafox added that he has high hopes for Metro Davao and still much room left for improvement for Davao that is “10 times the size of Manila and 9 times the size of Singapore,” citing his experiences in working with major urban centers in the world.

the said of�ice.

“We found out that there is something wrong with the electrical installation which is a violation of our Philippine Electrical Code,” Candido said.

Candido said before the Bureau of Fire Protection will conduct a �ire safety inspection, they will ask for certi�icate of completion from the City Building Of�icial which includes the electrical permit.

He explained that the �ire safety inspection will dwell on the �ire safety requirements such as the �ire exits and �ire suppression systems which are stipulated under the Fire Code.

Candido explained after the BFP conducted the inspection, the agency will issue a �ire safety inspection certi�icate which will be one of the

requirements for the issuance of certi�icate of occupancy and permit to operate.

He said, earlier, the investigating team found screws and nails on the galvanized tray which the team believed that this caused the short circuit.

Candido said these sharp things destroyed the insulation of the electric wires, and then the two wires stick together which became the reason of the short circuit.

He said the destruction of the insulators on electrical wire happened because of the practice of its contractor nailing the galvanized trays.

“Candido said the practice of the contractors has been seen in other parts of the mall since there are holes on the trays.

Indonesia Border Committee Chairman’s Conference held at SMX Convention Center on January 9, Tuesday.

There are three existing BCS in the Philippines which are located at Barangay Tibanban, Davao Oriental, Balut Island in Davao Occidental and in the island of TawiTawi.

LtGen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. the Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command said that the additional BCS is still being discussed.

“Based on the result of the conference this have to be

refer to our higher authorities and further discussion will be done by the end of the year for the next conference,” said Madrigal.

The Inter Agency Border Security Council is supportive to the RP-RI border security committee.

“The inter agency that we have created is an internal committee on the part of the Philippines and the members of the inter agency committee is actually involved in this RPRI border committee. We just want to uni�ied our actions; unify our recommendations

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RIGHT FIT. A worker is covered with dust as he cuts a portion of a concrete stair of the newly refurbished Commemorative Monument of Peace and Unity along San Pedro Street in Davao City on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr. as well as our discussion with consultation with our respective counterparts in Indonesia,” said Madrigal.

The BCS able to enhance the monitoring and control of the common border of the Philippines and Indonesia.

Madrigal said that the exchange of information between Philippines and Indonesia lead to the arrest of suspected terrorist. This is the result of cooperative actions of both countries.

“Information sharing from the point of view of In-

donesia is the �irst and fundamental actions that need to be taken in order to stand the movement of suspected terrorist even if there are no movement of suspected terrorist, regular movement needs to be monitored and information exchange between to countries,” Setiyono added.

He said that the Indonesian Navy also actively patrols the waters bordering the two countries to cordon off suspected terrorist from either countries.

combat vehicles they will be getting,” noted the Davao lawmaker.

Forthcoming purchases under the modernization plan include 24 attack helicopters worth P13.8 billion; one �ixed wing jet, P2 billion; and one turboprop patrol aircraft, P1.8 billion.

“If the acquisition of the attack helicopters will be subject to a multi-year acquisition, then the list would also include 44 units of light attack tanks. These will be worth P9.4 billion,” the Appropriations panel chairman bared.

As for sea units, Nograles said the program also provides for an P8-billion payment through multi-year obligation for the two frigates, an amphibious assault vehicle and surveillance radar.

“As you can see, we have our troops covered in all areas. We won’t stop there either as the upgrades to our mechanized units will continue in the coming years. Let this send a message to the enemies of the state, especially terrorist groups, that we are fully equipped and capable of

defeating you,” he said.

Last year, government troops crushed the ISIS-inspired Maute Group extremists who tried to take over Marawi City in Lanao del Sur. The Nograles panel was instrumental in the earmarking funds intended for additional bene�its of military and uniformed personnel (MUP) under the P3.767-trillion national budget for 2018.

Foremost of these is the increase in the months base pay of some 381,381 of soldiers and police, which President Rodrigo Duterte �irst promised in August 2016.

An additional P64.24 billion had to be allocated for the salary hike, which effectively doubled the salaries of a Police Of�icer (PO) 1 in the Philippine National Police (PNP) or a Private in the AFP, as well as equivalent ranks in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Public Safety College, Philippine Coast Guard, and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority. (HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES)

day the Philippines was still relying on China’s good faith that the Chinese government would not embark on new reclamation activities in the WPS, known in China as the

South China Sea. “When we say we are relying on China’s good faith, it is because China has committed not to embark on new reclamations,” Roque said in a

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Palace brie�ing.

Roque explained that Kagitingan was one of the islands that China had already reclaimed and the subject of the arbitral tribunal’s decision that the island was within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

“So when we invoke the good faith of China, it is

against making further reclamations and not making further works on islands that it had already reclaimed,” Roque said.

“So I hope that is very clear. So the good faith we’re relying on is the commitment of China not to embark on new reclamations,” he added (PNA)

ing the Maintenance Transition Team (MTT) and purchasing needed spare parts; contracting a rehabilitation and maintenance service pro-

vider together with an ODA partner and putting in place a long term maintenance and operator provider for MRT 3.

(PNA)

ment Bank (ADB) 2nd �inancial congress.

He said that these towers can stream 38 kilometers by wireless connection and they are small solar powered and are self-contained towers that can �it into the rooftop of the companies and government buildings to achieve security and avoid long negotiations on land rentals and right of way as well as on going rental costs.

The billing to government or local government unit will be �ixed wireless and also provided at a discount and prepaid cards or e-load for government workers and general public.

He said that they will achieve in two years what Globe and Smart has done for the past 24 years and that is to put up 20,000 towers in the country.

“The equipment is from Israel, United States of America and from Australia, and the equipment is already been paid for. So we are seriously talking about starting within the month of January to build this network,” he said “We have a program that we will put (even in the Department of Education) mini towers on every Police Station, every �irst responding station and in AFP stations., these towers needs to be disaster proof, self-contained, solar backed up at least three days so whatever happens the �irst

responders whatever they be are able to connect to their other agencies,” he added.

He said if Tier1 will place one mini tower in every school the �irst bene�it is that school will have fabulous connectivity.

Tier1 has a product called “Dot Mobile Brain”, manufactured by Tier1 partnered with “Spider�i”, is a proprietary hardware �ive terabyte of�line node that holds, under license the entire Wikipedia, World Book Encyclopedia and National Geographic documentaries, able to access totally for free by students with any smart device, 24 hours a day.

“We plan to put one in every school and put a free tower on top of that school to make sure that the students have 24/7 cellular and broadband access. That is that type of product that we can put up in days its not eight months per one,” he said “it is called a micro cell towers. they is much more powerful, they have a longer range, it is intelligent, they self-propagate, meaning to say they network with each other so when you start building out a lot like that cell towers talk to each other and move signal around to the underserved areas,” This will be installed in both public and private and perhaps several in larger schools or universities.

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south, Lorenzana said efforts were underway to check on this.

“It is ongoing we are intensifying our monitoring there in South and as of now

we cannot con�irm the presence of foreign terrorists but there are homegrown terrorists there in the South we are sure of that,” he added. (PNA)

establishment of on-site relocation for their constituents,” Peliño-Golle added.

This step will lessen the number of affected people during the rainy season that usually causes �loods and landslides.

“Buhaton unta nila not just, dili lang i-consider ang pulitika noh but for the safety of their constituents (Hopefully, they will do it not just for politics but for the safety of their constituents),” she said.

She said this was a lot better than doing evacuation and extend relief assistance every time there were �lood and landslides.

The suggestion is part of the mitigating measures for disaster risk reduction management of the city.

If the barangay leaders could not do the relocation plan for the meantime, PeliñoGolle said communities must be trained with disaster readiness and preparedness.

“It is important to allot

budget for the community capacity empowerment because if the barangay leaders cannot solve the relocation and resettle their constituents living in landslide-prone and �lood-prone, at least they will be trained what to do in times of calamity,” she said.

Peliño-Golle also stressed the importance to readily respond to the call for a pre-emptive evacuation.

It may be recalled that during the �looding last December 23, 2017, many residents in barangays along the Davao River were trapped because they did not heed the warnings of the city government.

The victims called for rescue when the water level already reached their roofs.

“These people should also follow orders from authorities for pre-emptive evacuation for their safety,” Peliño-Golle said. (Armando Fenequito Jr/PNA)

International visitors totaling two million �lock to Boracay for sun and beach holiday, water sports, scuba diving all year round, contributing nearly P50 billion in annual receipts. It has also become a frequent luxury cruise ship destination.

The 10.32 square-kilometer island paradise is nestled between the Sulu Sea and the Sibuyan Sea, comprised by three barangays Yapak, Bulabog, and Manok-Manok belonging to the municipality of Malay, Aklan and with an aggregate population of 34,000.

Teo blamed the lack of proper sewerage system, as well as a number of business establishments that tap and dispose their waste through the rainwater drainage system all the way to the sea.

Another major problem that prompted the on-site meeting is the alarming recurrence of �looding in most parts of the Boracay tourist hub, particularly the �lash �looding that occurred during the typhoon Urduja last December 18.

Meanwhile, TIEZA (Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Authority), DOT’s infrastructure arm, will pour in P400 million more to the ongoing drainage project valued at P716 million. Phase II is aimed at alleviating heavy �looding in the area.

Cimatu said he had called the attention of Malay Mayor Ciceron Cawaling regarding the worsening garbage problem.

Cawaling, along with Aklan Governor Florencio Mira�lores, urged the Duterte administration to provide more funds.

“We appeal to both Secretaries to adopt Boracay,” Mira�lores urged the Cabinet of�icials.

In reaction, Teo and Cimatu said that an executive order drafted by an inter-agency committee will be submitted to President Duterte to address once and for all the serious problems besetting Boracay. The inter-agency committee will include other government agencies crucial to Boracay, primarily Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Teo said the list of over 100 establishment violators will be divulged soon while Cimatu vowed to conduct an individual inspection of their sewer facilities.

Other problems tackled during the meeting include the impact of overcrowding and overdevelopment where beachfront establishments have extended too close to the shore.

“We can only maintain Boracay’s picture perfect qualities if we can strictly enforce responsible tourism.

It’s the only way we can support a sustainable and inclusive tourism program,” Teo added.

Cimatu challenged all local tourism stakeholders, including hoteliers and travel operators, to actively participate in preserving the natural beauty of Boracay. (DOT)

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newal of the mining permit of Olympic Mines and Development Corp. (OMDC) that exceeded ore extraction limits.

Since he was still detained in Puerto Princesa City pending his unbailable murder case, the court allowed Reyes to post a PHP60,000 bail on the graft conviction while it resolved his appeal.

Besides the graft conviction, the former Palawan governor also faces 36 counts of graft pending at the Sandiganbayan Second Division in connection with the alleged anomalous awarding of 209 public works contracts funded by PHP1.53 billion in royalties from the Malampaya gas �ield in 2008 and 2009.

Due to the bail he had long posted on his pending corruption cases in the Sandiganbayan, Reyes was able to walk free last Jan. 5, the same day the CA issued its decision, clearing the former of�icial of the murder case.

In its urgent motion, the Ombudsman asked the anti-graft court to reconsider the grant of his bail in the mining permit cases, citing

the change in circumstances since the bail was �irst granted.

It also stressed the need to prevent the recurrence of Reyes’ previous escape from the country in March 2012 with his brother, former Coron mayor Mario Reyes, after being indicted for Ortega’s killing.

The two were arrested in Phuket, Thailand in September 2015.

“Considering accused Reyes’ previous record and to prevent its recurrence, the cancellation of his bail and his immediate commitment to prison are warranted,” the motion read.

Malacanang has earlier said it would do everything to reverse the CA’s decision clearing Reyes of the Ortega murder case.

“We will exercise all legal options to reverse this decision by the Court of Appeals,” Roque said in a Palace press brie�ing Monday.

“The government will exhaust all remedies, including �iling �irst of a motion for reconsideration,” he said. (PNA)

• January 17 – Music and Comedy Night by Flexi Finance • January 18 – Cultural show by University of San Carlos • January 18 – Variety show by 24/7 • January 18 – Sky Night

by Skycable • January 19 – Cultural Show by University of Southern Philippines Foundation, University of San Jose-Recoletos, and Cebu Institute of Technology University • January 19 – 6 Cycle Mind and Banda ni Kleggy c/o San Miguel Corp.

• January 20 – Sinulog Idol 2018 Grand Finals • January 20 – Franco and Coke Studio Artists with Coca Cola Philippines • January 21 – IPI Night • January 21 – Parokya ni Edgar with Globe Telecom Besides, Plaza Independecia is outside the 300-meter radius, Tumulak said.

“Imagine the fun of a 6 Cycle Mind, Franco and Parokya ni Edgar concerts at Kalingawan sa Plaza,” Tumulak said.

More than the festive barrio �iesta atmosphere at Plaza Independencia, he pointed out that the place is a short walk from the Basilica del Santo Niño and the Magellan’s Cross.

Both Cebuanos and their visitors will be treated with the presence of heritage sites especially Fort San Pedro. It connects us better with our history, that of the Sinulog and who we are, he added.

Cebu City had become the �irst Christian community in South East Asia after the explorer Ferdinand

Magellan arrived and baptized some 800 Cebuanos in 1521. The image of Senyor Santo Niño was Magellan’s baptismal gift to Cebu’s Queen Juana. It is now the oldest religious relic in the country.

With rise of the ASEAN community, Cebu can claim as the region’s cradle of Christianity.

In addition, the arrival of Magellan gave Cebu a place in world history since Spanish expedition achieved the �irst circumnavigation of the world.

Sinulog 2018 is made possible with the valuable assistance of our sponsors: Smart / PLDT / Sun; Sky Cable; Coca Cola; SM City Cebu/SM Seaside City; Flexi Finance; San Miguel Corporation; Islands Group; International Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Grab Car; Pepsi; Skygo; Robinson’s Galleria; Alcordo Advertising; 24/7 Inc; Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corp.; Cignal; Freenet; Generika Drugstore; Globe; Phil Health; Skin Magical Beauty; TrueMoney; Food Panda; Nature’s Spring; Viriginia Foods; Universal Robina Corporation; Steel Art Billboards; ML Foods Inc.; Mang Inasal; Jollibee; Air Asia; Gardenia; NutriAsia Philippines; Pioneer Adhesives; Real Page; VECO; Mineshine Milk Tea; TomFrances Layouts & Designs Inc.; Mega Global Corp.; and Novellino Wines Minor. #Sinulog2018 References: Jess Abellanosa dela Cruz – 0917 305 1881 Steph Señires Villarica – 0920 981 3975 Doris Isubal-Mongaya – 0917 791 9545

BARIO... FROM 4

JAPANESE... FROM 5 and Compostela Valley (311.92MT).

The US Department of Agriculture-supported Cacao Industry Development Association of Mindanao said the “global demand is expected to reach between 4.7 million and 5 million metric tons by the year 2020, and global

supply will be at a de�icit of 1 million MT.” It noted the de�icit “has given rise to the Philippine Cacao Challenge, which commits the Philippines to producing 100,000MT by the year 2020 and onwards.” (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)

tivity and lower transportation costs with superior infrastructure,” he noted.

Meanwhile, about P2.3 billion is allocated for the loan facility to be extended to PUV drivers to replace old public utility jeepneys with safer, more comfortable, and more economic PUVs. The use of the said funds, lodged in the budgets of the LBP and the Development Bank of the Philippines, respectively, will be subject to guidelines set by the Department of Transportation.

Lastly, P2.0 billion is also earmarked for the imple-

mentation of the National ID System. The said allocation is within the budget of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and will ensure that public resources are delivered to their intended bene�iciaries. The National ID system will limit leakages in the delivery of social services programs, particularly the cash transfer programs of the government.

For more information on the Department of Budget and Management, visit: www. dbm.gov.ph and follow @ DBMgovph on Facebook and Twitter. (DBM)

Code (SRC), these were neither guaranteed by any Central Bank nor backed by any commodity unlike ordinary securities.

It said a security included an investment contract which referred to a contract, transaction or scheme whereby a person invested his money in a common enterprise and led to expect pro�its primarily from the efforts of others.

The SEC further said there was a strong possibility that the virtual currency was a security under the jurisdiction of the Commission when it was analogous to any of the types of securities under Section 3.1 of the SRC.It thus has to be registered and necessary disclosures have to be made for the protection of the investing public, it added.

(PNA)

have been allayed by the Governor (Nestor A. Espenilla Jr.) and Deputy Governor Diwa (Guinigundo) also,” she said.

Meanwhile, De Leon said they were still awaiting regulatory approvals for the government’s planned US dollar bond and Panda bond issuances.

She said the planned US bond issuance, which was normally issued in the �irst quarter of the year, was still being assessed by the US’ Se-

curities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which was also reviewing the Philippine government’s �iling, reform programs and continuity of policies, among others.

Last year, the government issued USD2-billion worth of 25-year global bond, USD500 million of which was in new money while the remaining volume was used to swap previously-issued bond with higher yields.(PNA)

Ohnsorge’s report noted that growth in Europe and the wider Europe/Central Asia region had been 3.8 percent in 2017.

At the same time as growth in Britain had been revised down by 2 basis points, growth in the wider European region had been revised up by 1.3 percentage points.

Although growth across the region was forecast to

slow to 2.9 percent over 2018, it was expected to maintain a level of about 3 percent through to 2020.

The WB was working on the assumption that Brexit would be smooth and that trading conditions would not alter much.

«Our assumption is that the whole process proceeds smoothly, and that there are no surprises,» said Ohnsorge. (Xinhua)

technology is expensive. And Mindanao has had a shortfall for so many years of energy.

We cannot develop until we have the power. And power is sometimes being chal-

lenged from all sides,” he said during the switch-on of Sarangani Energy Corporation’s coal plant in Sarangani on January 26 last year. (MindaNews)

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 201 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 11 , 2018

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

is in need of

3 ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Qualifications: • BS Marketing Graduate • Male/Female • With Pleasing Personality

DRIVER Qualifications: • at least 21 years old, male • with Driver’s License • physically and mentally fit Submit application letter and resume to: ELLA P. TINGZON HR/Admin Supervisor Edge Davao Review Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Bldg., E. Quirino Avenue, Davao City Or email at edgedavao@gmail.com or ella_tingzon@yahoo.com

NEWS13

EDGEDAVAO

B’LAAN... FROM 10 dat – died in of�ice due to heart-related ailments.

Before being chosen for the post, Cawayan served as the tribal chieftain of Barangay Batomelong and a member of the city’s tribal council.

In a privilege speech, he vowed to pursue more opportunities for their tribe to participate in various aspects

of local governance.

He said he will use his post as a platform to establish genuine leadership for the city’s tribal communities.

Cawayan said he will continue the programs and projects started by the previous IPMRs, among them the establishment of a tribal or Kasfala hall.

He said his of�ice will pursue the long-delayed census of B’laan residents in the city’s 14 barangays.

“We will also expand the scholarship programs and seek more livelihood opportunities for our poor tribal residents,” Cawayan added.

(MindaNews)

trative order, Abdulahim said BFAR-ARMM’s vessels are patrolling the seas of the island provinces -- speci�ically Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi -- to enforce the closed season policy.

Under Section 86 of RA 10654, violators of the �ishing ban will be penalized with con�iscation of catch and gear, and an administrative �ine equivalent to �ive times the value of the catch, or a penalty ranging from P50,000 for small-scale commercial �ishing, to P5 million for largescale commercial �ishing.

Abdulahim said some of the �ishing companies that are affected by the closed season ruling have scheduled renovating their ships during the period and have reported that their �ishing ship workers would still be compensated.

Based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) covering July-September 2017, positive growth in tamban production was registered in ARMM due to more �ishing trips as a result of good weather conditions and abundance of in-season species in the �ishing grounds.

The region has produced 1,311.9 metric tons of tamban in the third quarter of 2017.

In 2016, PSA data showed ARMM as the top �ish-producing region in the country. The region was also the country’s highest producer of �ishery products in 2015 and 2016.

The region produced 867,939 metric tons in 2015, and 824,313 metric tons in 2016. As of November 2017, BFAR-ARMM has reported 213,935 total number of �isherfolks in the entire region.

(Bureau of Public Information)

ency and ef�iciency, the DPWH-ARMM currently harnesses the E-ARMM system aimed at establishing a database containing information on road projects including connectivity conditions and other public infrastructure projects within the region. This creates a network involving the regional of�ice

and eight district engineering of�ices that will serve as data repository.

“With the E-ARMM system, identi�ication of right projects will be made easy that will lead towards accelerating the socio-economic condition of the ARMM,” said Sec. Loong.

Through the E-ARMM, the pub-

lic can easily check paved and unpaved roads in the region, he added.

The DPWH-ARMM now boasts of having evolved from an agency previously identi�ied with corruption to be a model agency for transparency and ef�iciency in the region. (Bureau of Public Information)

BFAR... FROM 10

ARMM... FROM 10

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Financial goals, anyone?

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

M

oney is the root of all evil, so goes a saying. But that’s not what the Holy Bible says; it’s the love of money. First Timothy 6:10 states: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

“Money is a great servant,” Sir Francis Bacon once said, “but a bad master.” Alan W. Watts offers this explanation: “If you say that getting the money is the most important thing, you’ll spend your life completely wasting your time.

You’ll be doing things you don’t like doing in order to go on living, that is to go on doing thing you don’t like doing, which is stupid.”

Albert Camus has the same idea. “A man wants to earn money in order to be happy, and his whole effort and the best of a life are devoted to the earning of that money,” he says.

“Happiness is forgotten; the means are taken for the end.”

Money may not be everything, “but it ranks right up there with oxygen,” to quote the words of Rita Davenport.

That seems to sum up all these talks.

When money talks, everyone listen. Who doesn’t heard of American billionaire Warren Buffet? He started with US$100 and turned it into US$30 billion. That means that it isn’t about the money you have, it’s about the knowledge you have. In other words, there are no real barriers to you getting rich if you’re willing to work hard and learn.

This year 2018, what should you do to make your �inances become much better compared to last year or other previous years? The Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI) shares some 18 �inancial resolutions

you can make this year. Let’s discuss them one by one: 1. First and foremost, you need to know what exactly you want to make this year. “Have a clear �inancial goal for the year by outlining your long-term and short-term �inancial goals, whether you want to buy life or health insurance or build your retirement fund,” BPI suggests.

2.

It’s the beginning of the year and so if you have standing debts, pay them off for a clean slate. “Whether it’s credit card debt or money you owe a friend or family member, paying them off is something you should prioritize,” BPI says.

3. You will get there if in the �irst place you don’t know where to go. The same is true with your �inancial goals; you have to create a �inancial plan.

“A �inancial plan involves creating strategies to help you make wise �inancial decisions that will get you closer to achieving your �inancial goals,” the bank says.

4. Do you know the difference between wants and needs? Learn to identify the difference then. “Distinguishing wants from needs will help you spend less and �ind contentment with what you have,” it points out.

5.

Whether needs or wants, you have to be realistic – and stick to it no matter what.

“This will help you spend less and reduce impulse buying,” the bank explains. “When you create a budget that’s too strict for comfort, you end up just

putting it away and spending as much as you want.”

6. If you want to succeed with your �inancial plan, try to follow the 50/20/30 rule.

“Spend no more than 50% of your income on your necessities and use no more than 30% on your leisure activities and wants. Put the rest (at least 20%) on your savings and investments,” it says.

7. Where does my money go, you may wonder. The best thing you can do is to track all your expenses. “Create a list of all your expenses including utilities, housing, transportation, food and other necessities, and make a separate list of the leisure activities you spend for each month,” the bank suggests. “This will help you determine how much you’re really spending on a daily, monthly, and yearly basis.”

8.

Reduce and eliminate expenses to save more for investments. “Sometimes, we end up spending our extra cash on unnecessary expenses such as new clothes, shoes, or gadgets,” the bank says. “Evaluate your spending habits to determine how to cut your monthly expenses and save more for your investments.”

9.

There are bills to be paid? Don’t avoid paying them. Whether you like it or not you have to pay them anyway. “Set automatic monthly payments,” the bank says. “It can save you the trouble of physically going to payment centers and avoid being penalized for a late fee.”

10. If you happen to have a credit card debt with the

highest interest rate, pay it �irst. “This will let you save money in the long run,” the bank says. “If you can’t pay in full yet, be sure to pay the minimum to keep a good credit score.”

11. Ever heard of emergency fund? If you haven’t yet, try to make one. “Set aside a separate fund that will cover you during times of emergencies and unforeseen crises,” the banks says. “This will prevent you from dipping into your retirement fund and liquidating your assets.”

12. To make your emergency fund viable, add one month of expenses to the said fund. “The ideal amount in your emergency fund should cover at least six times your monthly expenses,” the bank suggests. “Whenever you have extra, take the opportunity to build one more month of additional expenses.”

13. Health is wealth, so they say. You have to focus as well on your wellness. “When you’re physically, mentally and emotionally healthy, you can better focus on your life goals, instead of bei n g bur-

dened by illnesses,” the banks says. “So, start practicing a �it and healthy lifestyle in 2018.”

14. You don’t know what is ahead of your life so you have to protect your future. “Don’t let yourself �inancial ruin should unforeseen tragedies or disasters such as accidents, serious illnesses, job loss, or natural disasters happen,” the banks says. “Consider life or health insurance while you’re young and healthy.”

15. Plan your investment strategies to build wealth. “Do your research and look for smart investment opportunities that �it your speci�ic shortterm and long-term �inancial goals,” the bank suggests.

“Money market fund, mutual fund and viable life insurance plans are smart investment opportunities that can be tailored to your risk personality.”

16. Do you happen to have several accounts – then close those unnecessary ones.

“Ask yourself if it’s necessary to have several credit or checking accounts as these ac-

counts can incur annual fees that you may not even realize you’re paying for,” the banks says.

17. It’s not only from salary you make money but also by doing what you love. “Find a way to turn your passion into pro�it,” BPI says. “You can try to monetize a creative hobby and sell your products online. The extra money you can earn will help you reach your �inancial goals faster.”

18. Finally, avoid distractions. “It’s easy to get distracted from your �inancial plan,” the bank says. “There are activities and things you don’t need, but may strongly want.

Don’t let yourself be in�luenced by external distractions so that you can stick to your �inancial plan and budget.”

It’s not enough to plan your �inancial goals; it how you work on them that matters. Christopher Rice reminded: “Everyday is a bank account, and time is our currency. No one is rich, no one is poor, we’ve got 24 hours each.”

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Heat edge Raptors

DETERMINED. Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan drives past Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, in Toronto.

T

ORONTO (AP) -- Wayne Ellington leads Miami in 3-pointers, which made Tuesday’s game-winning basket a bit of a surprise.

Ellington converted a go-ahead driving layup with less than a second remaining, and the Heat stopped Toronto’s 12-game home winning

streak with a 90-89 victory over the Raptors. ‘’That’s probably the last thing anybody would think that he would do is put the ball on the �loor,’’ Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. ‘’I think it caught everybody by surprise, including me.’’

It was the only basket of

the second half for Ellington, who �inished with 15 points.

Ellington said he considered shooting after catching the inbounds pass from Goran Dragic, but decided to drive along the baseline past Toronto’s Pascal Siakam before laying the ball in off the glass. ‘’I looked at the rim and I

saw him just charging hard,’’ Ellington said. ‘’Obviously, that’s what they wanted to take away from me, was that 3-ball in the corner. I was able to get loose, man, and get around him.’’

Like his coach, Dragic also was surprised when Ellington didn’t launch a 3.

‘’I thought he was going to shoot it but he made a great read,’’ Dragic said.

Dragic had 24 points and matched his career high with 12 rebounds as Miami extended its season-best winning streak to �ive. Bam Adebayo had 16 points and a career-high 15 rebounds and

Hassan Whiteside collected 13 points and 15 boards for the Heat, who had dropped their previous �ive visits to Toronto.

The Raptors were without point guard Kyle Lowry after the three-time All-Star bruised his tailbone during Monday’s overtime win at Brooklyn.

PH to host int’l jr tablenetfest Blazers hand

T

op junior table tennis players in the ASEAN region are coming to the Philippines on June for the Southeast Asian Junior and Cadet Table Tennis Championships.

Philippine Table Tennis Federation, Inc. (PTTF) president Ting Ledesma said the tournament would be held in Palawan’s capital city of Puerto Princesa.

“We are holding the Philippine Super League in May to select the athletes who will compete in the SEA tournament,”

said Ledesma in an interview on Tuesday.

Ledesma said that the PTTF would �irst stage the Best of the Best tournament from January 26-28 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

“The Best of the Best tournament features boys’ and girls’ 18-under and 15-under categories as well as the Open category where our national players are also competing,” said Ledesma.

“The winners in the 18-under and 15-under categories will be

given automatic slots in the Philippine Super League,” he added.

Ledesma said the national junior team would have eight boys and eight girls (18-under) and six boys and six girls (15-under).

Last year, the Philippines won a bronze medal courtesy of Jann Mari Neyra and Jannah Romero in the mixed doubles event when Singapore hosted the SEA Junior and Cadet Table Tennis Championships.

Neyra competed

in the Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia and the Lieherr World Championships in Germany last year. Romero, on the other hand, won the individual and team gold medals in the secondary division of the 2017 Palarong Pambansa in Antique.

Meanwhile, Ledesma said registration for the Best of the Best tournament was still ongoing. Players may contact Ella Bayno (‎ 0926-061-7937) or visit PTTF Inc. on Facebook. (PNA)

OKC another loss

O

KLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- CJ McCollum had 27 points and seven assists, and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 117-106 on Tuesday night in the opener of a four-game trip.

Shabazz Napier added 21 points and Jusuf Nurkic had 20 points and eight rebounds for Portland, which moved past Oklahoma City into second in the Northwest Division standings with its seventh win in its last nine games against the Thunder.

Portland has won four of �ive overall despite playing

most of that stretch without star guard Damien Lillard, who sat out for the seventh time in the last nine games with a left calf strain.

Russell Westbrook had 22 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds for Oklahoma City, which has dropped off after playing well for most of December. The Thunder have dropped four of six, with three of those losses coming at home.

Oklahoma City shot 44 percent from the �ield while Portland made 53.1 percent of its shots. Paul George scored 22 points for the Thunder, and Carmelo Anthony had 19.

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