Edge10 issue 204 January 16, 2018

www.edgedavao.net

VOL. 10 ISSUE 204 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2018

EDGEDAVAO

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

Serving a seamless society

STO. NINO IMAGE. A devotee shows his miniature Sto. Nino image after it was blessed during the Golden Jubilee of the Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague in Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao City on Monday. Lean Daval Jr.

BLOCKED OUT

Globe subscribers denied porn access

By JUDIE VEGA

G

lobe Telecom Inc. has stepped up its drive to repress child pornography by blocking 2,471 sites in 2017 as mandated in the rules and regulations of Republic Act 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009.

Under the law, “child pornography” refers

to”any representation, whether visual, audio,

or written combination thereof, by electronic,

mechanical, digital, optical, magnetic or any other means, of child engaged or involved in real or simulated explicit sexual activities”.

A statement from the Globe senior vice

president for corporate communications Yolanda Crisanto, said the company would actively look out for illegal sites with vulgar content involving children. It also vows to play an active role in pro-

moting legitimate sources of online content.

“As a purpose-led organization, we have a responsibility to ensure that our products and services will not be used

BLOCKED,P11

SEC revokes Rappler’s certificate of incorporation

Northern cuisine: Baguio’s food experience A1

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or posting: SEC revokes Rappler’s certi�icate of incorporation. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has revoked the certi�icate of incorporation of Rappler Inc. and Rappler Holdings Corporation al-

legedly for violating the Constitution and foreign equity restrictions in mass media.

In a decision issued on Monday, the SEC cancelled the registration of Rappler, Inc., the mass media entity that “sold control” to foreign-

ers, and Rappler Holdings Corporation being its alter ego, “existing for no other purpose than to effect a deceptive scheme to circumvent the Constitution.”

It cited foreign equity restriction in the Constitution,

Presidential Decree and the Securities Regulation Code that provide that “the ownership and management of mass media shall be limited to citizens of the Philippines, or to corporations or associa-

SEC,P11

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 204 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 16 , 2018

DEVOTEES. Catholic devotees gather to have their Sto. Nino images blessed by a priest during the Golden Jubilee of the Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague in Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao City on Monday. Lean Daval Jr

Man knifed by one Sustained cop operations of 2 drinking pals

By ANGIE SAVERON

A

man was reported in serious but stable condition after he was stabbed by one of two drinking companions along Iwha village in Dumoy, Davao City on January 14.

The victim was identi�ied as one Gilbert Tapia Y. Rasay, 53, married, carpenter and a resident of Rasay Compound, Saint Jude Dumoy, Davao City.

The suspect is identi�ied as Rommel Orhuela Escabas, 39, single, driver, a native of

Sigabat, Agusan del Sur and a resident of B7 L15 Iwha subdivision, Waling- waling st.

Dumoy Davao City.

Investigator SPO2 Arnel P. Iriarte who was dispatched to scene, revealed that the victim and suspect were having a drinking spree together with friends when Escabas got into an argument with one Joy Pareno.

The victim paci�ied the protagonists but the suspect

ouse senior deputy minority leader and Buhay Rep. Lito on Sunday renewed his support for President Rodrigo Duterte’s plan to revise the 1987 Constitution, and called for the election of constitutional convention delegates alongside the 2019 mid-term polls.

“Congress should waste no time in calling for a constitutional convention now, and forget about simply mustering itself into a constituent assembly to propose changes to the charter,” Atienza said.

Atienza pointed out that

the President himself strongly advocated a constitutional convention while he was still campaigning for the presidency in 2016 and immediately after he was elected into of�ice.

“In fact, congressional records will show that owing to the President’s early pronouncements favoring a constitutional convention, many of us in the House and in the Senate scrambled in July 2016 to �ile bills and resolutions calling for a constitutional convention,” Atienza said.

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vs. illegal drugs expected

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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he Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the region is now expecting more anti-illegal drug operations after the war against illegal drugs by the Philippine National Police.

PDEA 11 regional director Antonio Rivera said with the return of the anti-illegal drugs, the PDEA can now concentrate on high-value targets and high impact operations.

The police will assume the lead role in curbing illegal drugs off the streets.

“Pag-apil nilag usab sa operation sa illegal drugs nakita nato nga paspas ang dakop

(When the join again to the anti-illegal drugs operation, we see the the arrest of drug suspects is really fast),” he said.

Rivera said, in Davao City, after the resumption of the campaign started over the weekend, many drug suspects were arrested.

He said the operations which were conducted by

the police stations were undergone proper coordination with their of�ice. “We are very thankful that the campaign returned to PNP because they are really big help to us in cleansing our streets against illegal drugs,” he said.

Rivera said he noticed that the illegal drug activities came back when the campaign was removed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte to the police due to some controversies. He said these illegal drugs operators were probably aware that PDEA has lack of manpower which could be

ietnam will start releasing next month mosquitoes laced with Wolbachia -- natural bacteria present in many insects -- which is capable of preventing Aedes aegypti mosquitoes from becoming infected with dengue virus, meaning the mosquitoes cannot transmit the virus to humans.

Wolbachia-laced mosquitoes will be released in Vinh

Luong commune, Nha Trang city, central Khanh Hoa province in 12-18 weeks starting in March, according to Vietnam’s Health Ministry on Monday.

Earlier, a research group from Vietnam’s National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology and Australian scientists bred Aedes aegypti mosquitoes laced with Wolbachia and then released

them on a trial basis on Tri Nguyen island in Khanh Hoa in 2013 and 2014.

Since 2014, no dengue fever outbreaks have been detected on the island, while Nha Trang and Khanh Hoa have reported outbreaks of the disease.

When male and female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes with Wolbachia are released over a number of weeks, they

the reason of the return of illegal activity.

“We are only allowed on the street level target in which the coordination can be made after or during the operation,”DCPO spokesperson Sr. Insp. Maria Teresita Gazpan said. However, on the High Value Targerts and High Impact Operations, Gazpan said this should be a joint operation of the police and PDEA. She said even the case buildup, it is a requirement that the PDEA will join the operations.

Gazpan said the DCPO

then breed with the wild mosquito population, passing the bacteria from generation to generation.

Over time, the percentage of mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia grows until it remains high without the need for further releases. Mosquitoes with Wolbachia are less able to transmit diseases to people, so the risk of outbreaks in

Election of Con-Con delegates supported H Vietnam set to release anti-dengue mosquitoes V ELECTION,P11

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NEWS 3

PNP to recruit 15T policemen

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he Philippine National Police is planning to recruit an additional 15,000 cops for this year.

This was disclosed by Deputy Director Archie Francisco Gamboa, PNP Directorial Staff Chief Staff, in a report

by Radyo Pilipinas Monday.

He added that 10,000 will be new recruits for the force while the remaining 5,000

will serve as replacement for those who have retired, dismissed or gone absent without leave.

Gamboa said the recruitment is line with efforts to achieve the police-to-citizen of 1 to 500.

At present, there are about 187,000 police of�icers or just enough for the 1 to 651 ratio. (PNA)

Cops nab 3 men in buy bust push

By ANGIE SAVERON

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lements of the Davao City’s police stations 4 and 2 arrested three persons in separate buy-bust operations on January 13 for possession of illegal drugs.

The suspects were identi�ied as Rey Jungco Navarro alias “Dodoy” at Panacan Bus Stop Km 14 Panacan, Davao City; John Angelo Burgos Canoy alias “Janjan” at Purok Durian Baragay Sto. Niño, Panabo City and Ricardo Cahapay Merto Jr. at Gotamco St. Barangay Leon Garcia, Davao City.

Navarro was arrested by elements of the Sasa Police station (PS4) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency under the supervision of P/Chief Inspector Emerson A Pugong, station Commander.

Navarro, 38, married is a public utility jeepney driver and a resident of Purok 3-A,

Southern Davao, Panabo City.

He was arrested for violation of Republic Act 9165 known as an act instituting the comprehensive dangerous drugs act of 2002, repealing Republic Act no. 6425, otherwise known as the dangerous drugs act of 1972, as amended, providing funds therefor, and for other purposes.

Recovered from his possession and control are one piece small size heat sealed transparent sachet containing white crystalline substance believed to shabu (Object for sale) and another three pieces small size heat sealed transparent sachet containing believed to be shabu.

He yielded marked money amounting to P 500 and one cellular phone.

Around 10 pm of the same day another buy bust

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GREAT FATHER. A man is commissioned by a family to cut the grasses on their departed loved ones’ grave at the Davao Memorial Park on

THANKFUL. On behalf of the city government of Davao, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio extends her deepest gratitude to everyone who

helped during the rescue and relief operations for the victims of Typhoon Vinta in the city. Lean Daval Jr

PRRD to inaugurate new Davao crime lab P

resident Rodrigo Duterte on Monday is expected to lead the inauguration of the multi-million Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory in Ecoland, Davao City.

The PNP’s Davao Crime Lab houses the state-of-the-art equipment including a highend functional test DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) for hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms.

The President is also set to

turn over the 26 patrol vehicles to the Police Regional Of�ice 11.

It may be recalled that the Crime Lab has upgraded its equipment to boost the crime-�ighting capability of the police.

The equipment was part of

Monday. The man proudly said his job helped him pay for his two children’s college education. Lean Daval Jr

the PHP98-million package for the PNP while the building cost about PHP50 million.

During the turnover of the equipment last year, PNP Crime Lab head Superintendent Georby Manuel said the equipment were high tech, state-of-the-art and would give the PNP a 100 percent accuracy on results.

The automated �ingerprints can also be done by the Crime Lab in Davao.

The DNA testing lab could

serve six regions in Mindanao: Region 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The use of the facilities would be free of charge for criminal investigation but a PHP20,000 fee for DNA test would be charged for civilian requests.

DNA testing is an important procedure in the identi�ication of terror suspects or other criminal elements. (PNA)

he government needs to invest in productivity growth of the agriculture sector which plays an important role in reducing poverty, according to a study published by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies .

In a Policy Note, PIDS Senior Research Fellow Roehlano Briones said it was imperative to pour money into research and development, innovation, adoption of technology, improved practices and systems, and transport infrastructure.

Briones said that boosting agricultural productivity growth was opposed to devoting resources toward arti�icially increasing returns to investments.

He said the average growth in agriculture was at merely 2 percent in 2011 to 2016 alone, while industry and services sectors grew at

an average of 7 percent.

Briones thus underscored the role of productivity growth of agriculture sector given its key role in reducing poverty.

The PIDS paper said the sector’s share in the gross domestic product (GDP) plunged to 8.8 percent in 2016, although still employing as much as 29 percent of all workers.

Its labor productivity was lower relative to that of the other basic sectors, Briones said.

“Clearly, a more inclusive set of policies is needed to secure the participation of agriculture dependent households in the economy,” he added.

Briones further says the value chain strategy aims at remedying the sparsity of forward and backward linkages between agriculture and other basic sectors.

Gov’t urged to boost agricultural growth T

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4 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

Probability of hazardous eruption of Mayon rises

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azardous eruption is possible in Mayon Volcano, which continues manifesting unrest.

“Such eruption may occur there within the forthcoming days or weeks,” said Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) volcanologist Paul Alanis.

Alanis noted that the continuing �low of magma or molten rock from Mayon’s crater and occurrence of earthquakes in the volcano are indicating the possibility of a hazardous eruption there.

Mayon’s eruption is considered hazardous if this event can generate pyroclastic �low, said Alanis.

Pyroclastic �low occurs when the cocktail of hot gases and materials a volcano spews during its explosion cascades along this moun-

tain’s slopes, he noted.

Alanis warned pyroclastic �lows are fast-moving and already killed people in the past.

Magma from previous Mayon eruptions is what is �lowing out of this volcano’s crater at present, Alanis added.

New magma beneath Mayon is pushing up the old magma, so such out�lows are occurring, he said, adding that volcanic earthquakes in Mayon also indicate that magma is rising there.

He warned Mayon would eventually spew the new magma if old magma no longer blocks the volcano’s vent.

Alanis said Phivolcs on Sunday night (January 14) raised Mayon’s alert level from 2 to 3 due to relatively

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 204 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 16 , 2018

Senate to prioritize federalism - Koko

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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he move to change the form of government in the country to federalism will be the legislative priority of the Senate this year.

This was bared by Senate President Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel III in a chance interview in Davao City.

“Panahon na, kasi nagme-mental checklist ako sa ano man yung pinangako sa taumbayan halos nabigay na lahat (Its about time because when I go to the checklist of things we promised

during the campaign, most of them were already given),” he said.

Pimentel said as soon as this will be discussed in the Senate, he will set a timetable that will set the plebiscite on May 2019. This is in contrary with the proposal House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez that the plebiscite will be

done May of this year.

“Siympre if mag plebiscite na this May, there will be new constitution. Hence, the elections willl be dependent on the new constitution (Of course, if the plebiscite will happen this May, there will be a new constitution. Hence, the elections will be dependent on the new constitution),” he said.

The Senate President clari�ied that the no election rumor in 2019 is impossible to happen because there is no

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Palace where he presented his credentials to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on January 9, 2017. RICHARD MADELO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

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ouse Assistant Majority Leader Jericho B. Nograles today welcomed the resignation of Commission on Higher Education chairperson Patricia Licuanan and said that this will allow easier implementations of reforms envisioned

by President Duterte to provide Filipinos free and quality education.

“The resignation of the chairperson will give CHED a fresh start. I hope to see urgent reforms taking place in the commission,” said Nograles who for days has been exposing irregularities in the commission such as abuse of foreign travel priv-

ileges and serious delays of scholars’ bene�its.

“I wish to thank Chairperson Licuanan for her contributions to the commission and for seeing the light at a time that it is most needed,” Nograles said in a statement.

“I wish her well, too, in her future endeavours.”

Licuanan announced her resignation during the CHED �lag ceremony today, January 15. “Although I vehemently deny the accusations against me, it is time to resign,” the CHED chairperson said as she revealed that she already talked Sunday night with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea about her decision

to quit her job.

Nograles, who has lately been talking with complaining CHED scholars, said the development will be a certain morale-booster. “Our scholars can now heave a sigh of relief and have good reasons to hope that their problems will be soon resolved,” he said.

Nograles called on the next CHED leadership to immediately address the complaints of the scholars. He said he is willing to turn over complaints that he documented over the past several weeks.

Nograles earlier announced he will call for a congressional inquiry to deal

with the irregularities in CHED. Nograles’ tiff with CHED came after similar episodes with the MRT3 contractor, Busan Universal Rail Inc. (BURI), and the Bureau of Customs .

BURI, after a series of damning revelations from Nograles and a congressional inquiry, was terminated from MRT3 operations.

Customs of�icials, on the other hand, eventually resigned weeks after Nograles revealed the entry of P6.4-billion shabu into the country that led to numerous congressional hearings. (House of Representatives)

doubts on her objectivity in resolving this case due to the adverse, orders issued against her, the court, acting on its sound discretion, voluntarily inhibits herself from further hearing this case,” the order read.

Guerrero said records of the case will be forwarded to the Clerk of Court for re-raf�le to other branches of the Muntinlupa RTC. Likewise, Guerrero cancelled the January 24 arraignment of the senator until the case is transferred to another branch.

The detained senator last year sought the inhibition of

MUNTINLUPA,P11

DENR awards 30 groups for environment activities

Awardees engage in enterprising ventures

T Nograles forsees reforms in CHED As Licuanan’s resigns post as chairperson

SENATE,P11

Muntinlupa RTC judge inhibits from drug raps versus De Lima ANILA -- The judge who is handling one of the three drug charges �iled against Senator Leila de Lima has inhibited from the case.

In a four-page order dated Jan. 4, 2018, Mutinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 204 Judge Juanita Guerrero granted De Lima’s motion for inhibition saying that a mere allegation of bias or partiality without proof is not a ground for a judge to inhibit from the case.

“However, in order not to cast doubt on the integrity and impartiality of the Presiding Judge and to disabuse the mind of the accused and her counsels who have expressed serious

Ambassador-Designate of Paraguay to the Philippines Irineo Raúl Silvero is accorded with foyer honors upon his arrival in Malacañan

speci�ic model of constitution being crafted.

On the side of House of Representatives, PBA party-list representative Jericho Nograles said the no election scenario should be understood in context.

“Why context? Because by default there is still election. It is in our constitution that that there should be an election. So, we need to have that election,” he said.

Nograles said the possi-

hirty community and self-help organizations were recognized for their enterprising ventures in reforestation “while promoting industries and jobs to the communities.”

The groups were awarded for adapting technology on developing products from bamboo, Falcata, oysters, or locally called talaba, and a plant species called “tikog” used in handicrafts.

Melody M. Aguiba, owner of the Manila-based publishing �irm, Growth Publishing, said the DENR Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau “picked 30 top technology adopters because of the sustainability of the technology and the bene�its derived as reforestation projects contribute to carbon sequestration, biodiversity preservation, and environmental beauti�ication”.

Awardees include private individuals, people’s organizations, nongovernment or-

ganizations, and local government units (LGU).

“These nature conservators were recognized for their accomplishments in planting bamboo, the fast-growing tree Falcata used in making plywood, mangroves that led to selling of talaba, and in propagating the plant species tikog used in handicrafts-making,” Aguiba said.

Eleven of the awardees were in Mindanao.

Among the awardees was the town of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur “as aided by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Of�ice to put up 1,357.25 hectares of Falcata plantations in Patin-ay”.

The town sourced 77 kilos of improved Falcata seeds from the ERDB-ran Mindanao Tree Seed Center (MTSC).

These were distributed to 472 bene�iciaries under the Upland Sustainable Agri-forestry Development Program.

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EDGEDAVAO VOL. 10 ISSUE 204 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 16 , 2018

PSE okays RLC’s P20-B stock offer

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okongwei-led property developer Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) has received approval from the board of the Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. to raise up to PHP20 billion through a stock rights offer (SRO), the proceeds of which will be used to acquire land for expansion.

The company will offer up to 1.1 billion common shares for PHP18 to PHP21 per rights share.

The shares will be priced on Jan. 24 while the offering will run from February 2 to 8.

The offer is open to existing common shareholders of the company in the country and those located outside the Philippines and the United

States where it is legal to participate in the offer under the securities laws of such jurisdictions.

JG Summit Holdings Inc. (JGS), RLC’s controlling shareholder, has expressed full support for the company’s proposed offer.

The conglomerate has committed to purchase not just its entitlement of the rights shares, but also any unsubscribed rights share after the mandatory second round of SRO. Should JGS fail to subscribe to all the remaining rights shares, BPI Capital Corp. will take up any remaining unsubscribed rights share pursuant to its role as underwriter. (PNA)

No letup for Dagupan City’s growth in 2017

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hen it rains, it pours.

Such aptly applies to what is happening today in Dagupan -- a city in the northern Philippines that reached its 75th year of cityhood in 2017 -with its unprecedented economic development.

Under the administration of Mayor Belen T. Fernandez, Dagupan became a recipient of numerous national and regional awards unmatched in any period in history of this coastal city by the Lingayen Gulf know for its chief agricultural product, the tasty Bonuan bangus (milk�ish).

Business and economy Last year, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) chose Dagupan as the most competitive city in Region 1,

beating eight other fast-rising cities.

Its open-door policy for incoming investors through the formation of the Dagupan City Investment and Development Board, infrastructures that are conducive to business as well as its excellent peace and order were highly considered for this accolade.

Prior to the DTI recognition, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) designated the city as one of the newest economic zones in the country to initially specialize on Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Information Technology and Tourism.

Apart from this, Dagupan was chosen as the nucleus of a larger economic zone that

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short term and in the long term, because over�ishing also demolishes the ecosystems within which these resources are embedded,” he said.

Filipino scientist Dr. Ma. Lourdes Palomares also talked at the forum, saying more than half of the world’s �ishery stocks are already either exploited or collapsed.

Palomares is a project director at “Sea Around Us,” a research initiative at the University of British Columbia that assesses the impact of �isheries on the world’s marine ecosystems.

She noted the world’s increasing demand for marine products has been depleting current stocks.

Marine ecologist and Mundus Maris president Dr. Cornelia Nauen cited plastics

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the affected industries after customers shifted to social media advertising. Lean Daval Jr

GOCC collections hit P30B in 2017

Exceeding P27.74B remittances in 2016

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ividends remitted by governmentowned and -controlled corporations to the National Treasury in 2017 amounted to P30.45 NO,P12 billion, representing a 9.8 percent increase from the previous year’s collections of P27.73 billion, according to the Department of Finance.

Solutions mulled to arrest alarming fisheries decline arine biologists have raised the urgency to improve global marine conservation and protection, citing possible food insecurity due to over�ishing, environmental decay, and climate change.

“The world’s �ish catch is declining,” internationally renowned �isheries scientist and University of British Columbia (UBC) professor Dr. Daniel Pauly warned in a forum at the Seda Vertis North Hotel on Friday.

Pauly said such decline is from relentlessly increasing pressure on the world’s �ish stocks, as �ishing activities continue to expand globally.

“We’re also �ishing deeper and deeper,” he added.

“We cannot let �ishery resources continue to be over�ished; this endangers our food security, both in the

SUNSET BUSINESS? Photo shows empty metal structures for billboard advertisement tower over Quimpo Blvd. in Davao City on Monday. The outdoor advertisement is in a downward spiral as it is one of

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the 2017 dividend collections actually exceeded the P27.73 billion remittances in 2016 even if Land Bank of the Philippines was exempted from paying its P6 billion dividends in 2017 to allow it to recapitalize and better serve the increasing development needs of the country. Had these dividends not been exempted,

the total dividend would have reached P36.45 billion.

Dominguez commended the Department’s efforts, led

by Undersecretary Antonette Tionko of the DOF’s Corporate Affairs Group (CAG), to aggressively promote �inancial discipline among GOCCs. “For CAG. we are pleased to report that our dividend collections has hit P30.4 billion, up from last year’s P27.6

billion. And that is excluding the Landbank dividends of P6 billion,” Tionko informed Dominguez at a recent DOF Executive Committee meeting.

According to Tionko, dividend collections totaling P30.45 billion last year came from 53 GOCCs, including the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), which had not remitted dividends for the past four years, but has now emerged as one of the biggest dividend contributors.

CAAP, which remitted a total of P5.39 billion to the Treasury, was able to collect nearly P6 billion from Philippine Airlines in October last year, after President Duterte

ordered the Department of Transportation not to extend the deadline it had given to the �lag carrier to pay its long-overdue navigational fees and other charges.

Besides CAAP, among the other biggest dividend contributors were the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp.

(PDIC) with P7.46 billion; Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), P2.51 billion; Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), P2.22 billion; Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), P1.95 billion; Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), P1.84 billion; National Power Corp. (NPC), P1.39 billion; Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), P1.18

Yorkers from the effects of climate change,” said a statement from the mayor’s of�ice released on Wednesday.

The city alleges the fossil fuel industry was aware for decades that burning fuel was impacting climate change.

“We’re bringing the �ight against climate change straight to the fossil fuel com-

panies that knew about its effects and intentionally misled the public to protect their pro�its,” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said in the statement.

“As climate change continues to worsen, it’s up to the fossil fuel companies whose greed put us in this position to shoulder the cost of making New York safer and more

resilient,” he added.

Meanwhile, de Blasio and Comptroller Scott Stringer also announced that they would divest the city’s �ive pension funds of roughly USD5 billion in fossil fuel investments out of its total of USD189 billion, which would make New York City the �irst major US pension plan to do so. (Xinhua)

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New York City firms sued for climate change

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ew York City announced Wednesday that it had �iled a lawsuit against the �ive largest oil companies for contributing to global warming.

“The City will be seeking damages from BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Exxon Mobil, and Royal Dutch Shell for the billions of dollars the City will spend to protect New

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DPWH to implement P 11 projects in Mindanao

Mindanao planners study fisheries industry of Infanta

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he Department of Public Works and Highways will implement a total of 11 big-ticket infrastructure projects which aims to improve roads network in Mindanao.

According to DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, the projects, which will be implemented from 2018 up to 2023, cover the construction of eight roads in Zamboanga Peninsula with total length of 277.23 kilometers and additional three bridges in the Province of Tawi-Tawi with total length of 775 lineal me-

ters.

The projects, will be �inanced through the USD380million loan with the Asian Development Bank.

The loan agreement was signed by Department of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez and ADB President Takehiko Nakao last Jan. 10.

IN ends 2017 with success in agriculture and tourism

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he province of Ilocos Norte experienced both highs and lows in 2017, with various developments in the areas of business, tourism, agriculture, and peace and order.

Natural and man-made calamities came and went throughout the year, but hardworking Ilocanos have remained resilient as ever, with a clear resolve to �ight poverty and hunger.

Indeed, Ilocos Norte continued to develop its agro-industrial economy as it aims to be one of the most progressive provinces in the country by 2020.

Agri-business receives boost The province last year revived sisterhood ties forged in 2002 with Shandong province, China, resulting in the northern Philippine province receiving a boost in agri-business and economy.

In April, some 30 local of�icials and business owners from Shandong met with provincial leaders in Ilocos Norte to prepare a “business matching” plan to create mutual business opportunities.

Shandong is China’s largest agricultural exporter. Its economic development focused on large enterprises with major brands. It ranks �irst among Chinese provinces in the production of cotton and wheat, as well as gold and diamonds.

Edwin Cariño of Ilocos Norte’s Sustainable Development Of�ice reported to the local media that the visit yielded stronger cooperation between the provinces of Shandong and Ilocos Norte that was expected to give momentum to the latter’s economic growth.

Also, a Japanese �irm came to help Ilocos farmers revitalize the garlic industry here.

Ilocos Norte is a top producer of garlic in the country, with an annual average production of 6,000 metric tons covering 1,876 hectares.

The Japanese experts encouraged the local farmers to expand their production area as the province aimed to deliver at least 20 percent or 26,000 metric tons of the national market demand.(PNA)

SM continues to champion recycling through Trash to Cash

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leven years after its inception, the Recycle Market Fair, now Trash to Cash campaign continues to promote proper solid waste management among SM shoppers and its business partners.

The project was launched in 2007 in cooperation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to raise awareness on environmental issues as well as provide a public incentive program for proper disposal and management of waste materials. In Davao, the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. was also an institutional partner.

“This is part of SM’s effort in engaging our shoppers in our commitment to proper waste management and ultimately, conservation of the environment,” SM Davao mall manager Lynette Lopez shares. She also added that the malls also practice water and energy conservation as well as incorporation of green designs for more ef�icient energy use. Also, SM malls in Davao has been cooperating with the city for the collection of used oil among its merchants, to be used for the bio-fuel conversion endeavor of the city. Both SM City Davao and SM Lanang Premier are

SM,P12

“The whole project costs PHP25.257 billion. With the ADB loan, we can utilize more of our budget to other key infrastructure projects of the government,” Villar said in a statement.

Villar said three core projects --23.69-kilometer Alicia-Malangas Road; 17.1-kilometer Tampilisan-Sandayong Road; and 37.49-kilometer Lutiman-Guicam-Olutanga Road with 440-lineal meter Guicam Bridge -- are for procurement on the �irst quarter of 2018.

While the detailed engineering design of �ive more projects, namely: the 55.25-kilometer R.T. Lim-Siocon Road; 40-kilometer Lanao-Pagadian-Ipil-Zamboanga Road ; Curuan-Sibuco Road; 34.5-kilometer Siay-Gapol Road; and the 27.76-kilometer Gutalac-Baliguian Alternative Road, is now 80% complete.

Also up for implementation are three bridges in Taw-Tawi, namely: Malassa-Lupa Pula; Tongsinah-Pan-

DPWH,P12

lanning of�icers and local government personnel from the Caraga and Central Mindanao regions visited coastal Infanta, Quezon in eastern Luzon in late December to study its �isheries industry and to generate benchmark information on designing value-chain ventures for the different �isheries sectors across Mindanao.

The study tour was done by planning of�icers from the Department of Agriculture’s Region 12 and Region 13 of�ices, and the provincial local government of�ices in the two regions as they conferred with �isheries stakeholders in Infanta “to learn industry practices that would help them come up with a value

chain analysis (VCA) study on tuna”.

It was a benchmarking mission that the World Bank-funded Philippine Rural Development Program undertook in bringing the development planners to train them on how to craft a value chain program for their respective industries and to learn more planning tools in rapid market appraisal.

The value chain is a series of processes that products undergo, from its raw form to various by-products at higher prices compared to the raw materials.

“Meeting stakeholders at the Infanta Fish Port would

MINDANAO,P12

HEAVY LOAD. A porter struggles to maneuver a cart full of merchandise which he will deliver to customers along R. Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City on Monday. Lean Daval Jr

Dominguez: TRAIN makes inclusive growth achievable

F

inance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the infrastructure modernization plans of the Duterte administration are starting to click into place with the rollout of the initial list of big-ticket projects plus early progress on the multi-year tax reform package and negotiations on Of�icial Development Assistance, both of which will mainly bankroll these ventures under the “Build, Build, Build” program.

Dominguez said the rollout of big-ticket infrastructure projects are proceeding as planned following the signing into law by President Duterte and the subsequent implementation of the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN), which slashes personal income tax rates while raising additional revenues for infrastructure and social services.

About 70 percent of the incremental revenues from the TRAIN have been ear-

marked for infrastructure, and up to 30 percent for social services, including unconditional cash transfers of P200 a month (or P2,400 per year) for the country’s 10 million poorest households for 2018, which will increase to P300 a month (or P3,600 per year) in 2019 and 2020.

“The money is coming in from our taxes, the loans are coming in…. the implementing agencies are getting their act together. It’s coming together,” Dominguez said in a recent press brie�ing.

Dominguez said remarkable improvements in the collection ef�iciency by the Bureaus of Internal Revenue (BIR) and of Customs (BOC), as re�lected in their respective high accomplishment rates in 2017, is also a key factor in ensuring that the government’s high-and-inclusive growth agenda is on track.

For 2017, the BIR achieved 97.18 percent of its revenue goal of P1.829

trillion, collecting a total of P1.777 trillion. The BOC collected P457.553 billion in 2017 as against a revenue target of P467.896 billion, representing an accomplishment rate of 97.7 percent in 2017.

BOC Commissioner Isidro Lapena said in his report during a recent Executive Committee meeting of the Department of Finance that the customs bureau attained historical highs in its monthly collections for 2017 of P41 billion, P42 billion, P46 billion, and P44 billion in September, October, November and December, respectively.

The BIR, meanwhile, reported that besides a high accomplishment rate, the bureau also improved taxpayers service by streamlining processes and reducing the number of documentary requirements for taxpayers, which contributed to improving tax compliance.

DOF Undersecretary and

Chief Economist Gil Beltran said with the TRAIN in place, the government’s “Build, Build, Build” agenda “will go on high gear” this year with majority of the 75 �lagship projects worth P1.8 trillion combined already in the construction or pre-construction phases.

Among these big-ticket projects are the P23-billion Metro Manila Flood Management Project, which is co-funded by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the World Bank; the P151-billion Philippine National Railways (PNR) South Long Haul Line to be �inanced by Of�icial Development Assistance (ODA) from China and the P355.6-billion Mega Manila Subway funded

by ODA from Japan, Beltran said.

Dominguez added the P19.8 billion Davao City Bypass Road, another �lagship project, is also under the implementation phase. (DOF)

7 SUBURBIA RISING

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 10 ISSUE 204 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 16 , 2018

Uy calls on Diwalwal task force to convene N

ABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley, 12 January (PIA) --For several years with no meeting, Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy of Compostela Valley calls on the National Task Force Diwalwal (NTFD) to convene for the protection and rehabilitation of Mount Diwata in Monkayo.

“There is a need to urgently address this matter through continuous and consistent meetings for our residents, their livelihoods and

the environment. In behalf of the people of Compostela Valley, I strongly urge the Task Force Diwalwal to convene.

Let’s �ix this problem once

and for all,” Governor Uy emphasized.

Created under Executive Order No 217, NTFD is established, among others, to

create an environment conducive to lasting peace and sustainable development in Diwalwal and its environs.

Governor Uy stressed that even though that the implementing arm of NTFD, which is the Program Monitoring and Coordination Committee (PMCC), is very active in addressing local is-

sues, they need the NTFD to move in the national level and create a comprehensive plan for the development of the mountain, which is con containing the biggest gold reserve in the country according to the data of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.

“We can only do so much in the PMCC level; we need

on January 12, 2017. Also in the photo is Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II. KIWI BULACLAC/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

UY,P12

DOLE records 229 labor law violations in Region 9

Z

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte greets Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua during House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez’ birthday celebration at the New Tagum City Hall in Davao del Norte

now the NTFD to act according to its mandate for the betterment of the community in Mount Diwata,” the governor said.

During the meetings of the PMCC, Monkayo Mayor Ramil Gentugaya and other local of�icials supported the call of the governor.

AMBOANGA CITY -The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has recorded 229 violations of labor law in 2017 here in Region 9.

DOLE Regional Director Ofelia Domingo on Monday disclosed the violations included non-payment of overtime pay and allowance and non-remittance of Social Security System, Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth contributions.

Domingo did not reveal the names of violators except that they included shopping mall, restaurants, and of�ices.

She said they have already issued compliance order to the 177 of the 229 establishments while the remaining 52 are still for review and hearing.

For this year, Domingo

said the target goal of her of�ice is to inspect 1,497 establishments in the region.

Domingo’s of�ice has 17 Labor Law Compliance Of�icers (LLCOs), who resumed inspection of establishments on January 8.

Among the requirements the LLCOs check whether the establishments pay the minimum wage, bene�its and overtime to their workers and the workplace as well as equipment.

“We have to see to it that the workers are healthy, safe, and they are given the right wage and bene�its,” she stressed.

She said they will also focus on the occupational safety and health to prevent incidents such as �ire incident at the NCCC mall in Davao City. (PNA)

CDO has P10-M unliquidated Gallery-museum on beauty queen’s life opens in GenSan social pension fund: DSWD

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AGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Cagayan de Oro still has an unliquidated amount of some P10.ll4 million from the social pension program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

According to DSWD-10 social pension in-charge Daisy Ramos, the amount is intended for the 5,412 residents enrolled in the social pension program of the national government.

Most of the said amount covers the third and fourth quarters of last year, but was only received by City Hall only last December 29.

In explaining the delay, Ramos said the P7.2 million was downloaded only after the city government liquidated part of the amount in-

tended for the second quarter. Each pensioner receives P1,500 a quarter.

The rest of the unliquidated amount was for the �irst and second quarters totaling P3.2 million.

Ramos added that City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) representative Colleen Lopez has already committed for the local government to liquidate the full amount by February.

Ramos said that Lopez told him that CSWD has scheduled a payout for the pensioners between January 24 to 30.

In October, then CSWD of�icer Teddy Sabuga-a explained that his of�ice has delayed liquidating the second quarter tranche, as they were

CDO,P12

G

ENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 15 Jan) – An art gallery and museum featuring the “inspiring journey” of the city’s pride, 2011 Miss Universe third runner-up Shamcey Supsup-Lee, opened over the weekend in her home village here.

The art gallery and museum, which had a soft opening last Friday, was established by the Supsup family through the Environgreen Village Educational Foundation in Purok 7, San Felipe in Barangay Katangawan.

Marcey Gurrea-Supsup, Shamcey’s mother, said the gallery is mainly a showcase of beauty and wisdom and tells the story behind the latter’s successes.

She said the display is composed of pictures and personal items showing Shamcey as a “loving daugh-

ter, artist, a scholar, beauty queen, businesswoman, wife and mother.”

“This is my gift to Shamcey,” said Mrs. Supsup, who personally pushed for the establishment of the gallery.

She explained that their family �irst considered putting up the gallery or museum for Shamcey after the latter’s successful stint at the 2011 Miss Universe pageant.

They initially thought then about coming up with a corner that will keep Shamcey’s collections in one place.

Mrs. Supsup said they eventually conceptualized and established the art gallery and museum in collaboration with Shamcey.

“Actually, this is a collaboration between mother and daughter. Me collecting all

Shamcey Supsup-Lee. MidnaNews file photo by BONG S. SARMIENTO the items, all the collections of Sham, while she is also supporting me and giving me materials that I needed,” she said in a report from the City Information Of�ice.

“This is a dream come true and I hope that this museum will be a living testimony for the youth and inspire

them how Shamcey started from scratch to become a beauty queen and be successful in her career,” she added.

Shamcey, who graced the gallery’s soft opening, said she was very happy and proud of her mother’s initiative.

“My mom wanted to cre-

GALLERY,P12

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

A

Cleansing continues

midst reports of corruption and excessive foreign travels, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairperson Patricia Licuanan sent herself packing on Monday.

She of�icially announced her resignation after a chat with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea over the reported irregularities which involved funding from the K to 12 Transition Program and her foreign travels on business class. Licuanan maintained there were some people who were after her head. To the very end, she said she is innocent.

The point here is that the cleansing of the ranks of government of�icials will continue and spare no

EDGEDAVAO

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one. President Rodrigo Duterte has �ired a good number of government appointees and employees in pursuit of purging the government of proverbial bad eggs. There will be no letup in this campaign, the very same promise made by the President when he ran for of�ice. If the drug war is bloody, the government cleanup is just as sweeping.

Licuanan did the right thing before her case escalates into catastrophic proportions. Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte has shown everyone the example that if you cannot be 100 percent ef�icient on the job, it is best to leave. No one should hold on to their positions as if they have the title to it.

And so the cleansing continues.

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

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

T

HE ASEAN 2017, which coincided with the 50th founding year of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Asia-Paci�ic Economic Conference (APEC) 2017 in Vietnam, was primarily a convergence of some of the famous world leaders.

Buried under the hectic schedule of meetings that come with any global conferences is the little-appreciated detail the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), where the events are held, was a legacy of Marcosian rule; it was built in 1974.

Chie�ly, the PICC became the face of the country’s urban and regional planning during Martial Law and, until now, remains an important landmark for global gatherings It’s a little known fact that it was President Ferdinand E. Marcos who actually put on fast track the urban development of the country. On June 11, 1978, he signed Presidential Decree No. 1517, which of�icially proclaimed urban land reform in the Philippines.

A revisit of the edict would show seven reasons for its adoption under his concept of New Society, namely: “{It] is declared objective of the New Society to effect social, economic and political reforms attuned to the establishment of a secure national community and to an improved quali-

T

he Philippines, unlike some driedup countries in North Africa and the Middle East, is not yet about to go to war over water, but there are already signs of trouble ahead.

Davao City, for instance, the country’s largest urbanite in terms of land area, doesn’t have too many residents yet but some will soon experience waking up without water �lowing from their faucets.

The reason: growing population and short supply of potable water. Some years back, it was reported that the number of new customers of the Davao City Water District increased an average of 2,000 per month.

“Water demand in the city is expected to reach 117 million cubic meters three years for now, higher than the 112 million cubic meters’ annual requirement of the city,” said a report at that time.

It may be unthinkable but a study done in 1991 by the Japan International Cooperation Agency has identi�ied Davao City as among the nine major cities in the country as “water-critical areas.” The other eight were Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, Baguio, Angeles, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga.

Unlike in the past when you can drink tap water directly from your faucet, such is not the case anymore. More often than not, people buy mineral water just to

VOL. 10 ISSUE 204 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 16 , 2018

VANTAGE POINTS

9

‘Golden age of infrastructure’ ty of life for all citizens and for all others who may sojourn our shores; “[The] quality of human life in our times is inescapably determined by the relationship among population, resources, the environment, and intelligent policies; “[H]uman settlement is an integrative concept embracing the interdependence of man’s environment, human shelters and structures, and the design and organization of human communities consistent with a national framework plan, all for the people’s security and well-being. “[L]and is the ultimate platform of all man’s activities, and the crucial factor in determining the shape of human settlements; “[The] basic law of the land explicitly provides for the regulation of the acquisition, ownership, use, enjoyment and disposition of private property and for the equitable diffusion of property ownership and pro�its which includes land and land resources; “[The] traditional concept of landownership has aggravated the problem arising from urbanization such as the proliferation of blighted areas and the worsening of the plight of the urban poor and has spawned valid and legitimate grievances in urban centers giving rise to social tension and

FAST BACKWARD Antonio V. Figueroa violent con�licts; “[A] social reform objective is the New Society is to renew blighted areas, improve the conditions of the urban poor and resolve and redress legitimate grievances arising therefrom, while at the same providing incentives to progressive landowners and developers…”

Marcos’ grand design to achieve a ‘golden age of infrastructure’ in the country started right after he assumed the presidency as a result of winning the November 1965 national elections.

Hoppler, a real estate blog, provides some of the structural landmarks built and associated with the Marcos regime, namely: Cultural Center of the Philippines was created under Executive Order No. 30 s. 1966, and is found inside a 62-hectare complex in Pasay and Manila. It opened on September 8, 1969. On the other hand, the Folk Arts Theater, or the Tanghalang Francisco Balagtas was inaugurated on July 7, 1974. It has ten sections and an amphitheatre with a seating capacity 8,458.

The National Arts Center or Makiling Center for the Arts at Mount Makiling, Los Baños, Laguna, was established in 1976 in ar 13.5 hectares of the Makiling Forest Reservation.

Nayong Pilipino was originally built in 1969 in a 32-acre theme park near the NAIA. It features scaled-down replicas of top tourist destinations and highlights Filipino creativity in arts and crafts. In 2006, it was moved to Clark as a major attraction of the Centennial Expo.

The People’s Park in the Sky was built in 1981 as guest house. Located within the park is The Shrine of Our Lady, Mother of Fair Love and a Doppler weather radar station. Originally known as Philippine Heart Center for Asia, the Philippine Heart Center in

Quezon City was established through PD No. 673; it was inaugurated on Feb. 14, 1975. Meanwhile, the Lung Center of the Philippines, created under PD No. 1823, was established on Jan. 16, 1981. A �ire destroyed much of the center on May 16, 1998; it was reopened on March 1, 1999.

The National Kidney and Transplant Institute, formerly known as the National Kidney Foundation of the Philippines in Quezon City, was established on January 16, 1981 as tertiary referral hospital. San Juanico Bridge, on the other hand, is the country’s longest. It is a steel girder viaduct built on reinforced concrete piers, and its main span is of an archshaped truss design. Its construction started in 1969 and completed four years later.

Two other Marcosian landmarks that need to be cited are the Cultural Center of the Philippines, established through Executive Order No. 30 signed in 1966; it is headed by an 11-member Board of Trustees. The Manila Film Center was built in 1981 and completed a year later. It was constructed to host 1st Manila International Film Festival.

The so-called ‘golden age of infrastructure’, which the Duterte administration has promised to surpass, bene�itted only Luzon, though.

In some parts of the world, water shortages stem from various reasons – from inef�icient use to degradation of the available water by pollution, from unsustainable use of underground water in aquifers to population explosion.

In the Philippines, those reasons are also the culprits. But another cause that seems not getting the attention it deserves is deforestation. “Trees and water always go hand in hand,” said Roy C. Alimoane, director of the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center Foundation, Inc. “Like good neighbors, they help each to prosper.”

In a conversation, Alimoane told me that trees help store water. “The branches of trees and leaves stop raindrops from hitting the ground too fast so the soil has more time to absorb the rainwater,” he explained. “Less water will runoff the surface, which will also reduce soil erosion. Trees likewise provide shade so that less water evaporates from the soil.”

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), watershed areas – a source of drinking water and irrigation – have also been affected due to loss of protection cover.

“Rain water will not stay in the soil, especially in hot areas,” Alimoane pointed out. “It will evaporate quickly into the air or it will move along the soil

surface carrying the topsoil.” Soil erosion, he added, is also the primary cause why agricultural crops don’t grow healthy before as the soil is already devoid of nutrients.

A DENR report some years back said that land degradation has been most serious, with 5.2 million of the country’s 30 million hectares severely eroded, having no topsoil and highly prone to landslides. Half of the severely eroded areas were in Mindanao.

“Extensive soil erosion has resulted in the siltation of watersheds, reservoirs and dams, and in the process shortening their productive life span,” Dr. Germelino M. Bautista of the Ateneo de Manila University lamented.

It has been said that the Magat reservoir has cut its probable life span of 100 years to 25 years. On the other hand, the Ambuklao Dam reservoir has had its life halved from 60 to 32 years as a result of siltation.

The signs are clearer now. It’s time to do something before it’s too late.

“Of all the social and natural crises we humans face, the water crisis is the one that lies at the heart of our survival and that of our planet Earth,” surmised Koichiro Matsuura, former director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scienti�ic and Cultural Organization.

Water crisis is real

quench their thirst. In fact, plastic bottles of water are being sold in bus terminals and even in some sidewalks.

In my hometown in Bansalan, Davao del Sur, there are days that we don’t have water coming out from our faucet. If it has, you have to wake up very early in the morning in order for you to collect water – or else you won’t have any water to use in broad daylight.

“Water isn’t just a commodity. It is a source of life,” says Sandra Postel, director of the Massachusetts-based Global Water Policy Project. Ideally, a person should have at least 50 liters of water each day to meet basic needs – for drinking, food preparation, cooking and cleaning up, washing and personal hygiene, laundry, house cleaning.

Postel believes water problems will trail climate change as a threat to the human future. “Although the two are related, water has no substitutes,” she explains. “We can transition away from coal and oil to solar, wind and other renewable energy sources. But there is no transitioning away from water to something else.”

It’s lack of water – and not land – that will cause food production to drop.

“The main constraint in agricultural production in many areas in the near future will be the availability of water, not land,” points out the United Nations.

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

After all, water is most critical in food production. “The link between water and food is strong,” says Lester R. Brown, president of Washington, D.C.based Earth Policy Institute. “We drink, in one form or another, nearly 4 liters of water per day. But the food we consume each day requires at least 2,000 liters to produce, 500 times as much.”

For instance, to raise a ton of rice, you need a thousand gallons of water, according to the International Rice Research Institute. Some studies show that 89% of Filipinos consume rice on a daily basis. “Agriculture is where future water shortages will be most acute,” commented Time’s Michael S. Serrill.

10

SUBURBIA RISING

EDGEDAVAO

Policarpio Peodos, 77, a resident of Madaum in Tagum City, a devotee of Sto.Niño, is one of thousands who flocked to the Sto.Niño shrine in Matina, Davao City on January 15, 2018 for the Golden Jubilee of the

Manhunt on vs 2 South Cotabato jail escapees

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ENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Authorities have launched a massive manhunt against two “notorious” inmates who bolted from the South Cotabato Rehabilitation and Detention Center or provincial jail in Koronadal City early on Monday.

Juan Lanzaderas, provincial jail warden, identi�ied the escapees as Andy Evangelista, 30, of Norala town in South Cotabato and Oting Mando, 23, of Lambayong in Sutan Kudarat.

He said the two slipped past the jail guards and escaped from the facility at around 4:30 a.m. by destroying the lock of their cell and eventually climbing over its perimeter fence.

“They cut the cyclone wires and used improvised ropes made of blankets in going down the fence,” he told reporters.

Lanzaderas said the duty jail guards discovered the escape after conducting the early morning inspection and roll call of the inmates.

Citing their investigation, he said the inmates initially unlocked the jail’s cell number 15 and proceeded to the meeting area for visitors.

They were able to get out of the building by destroying a screen covering the lavatory area, he said.

Lanzaderas said they later noticed a blanket dangling at a portion of the outside wall

MANHUNT,P12

IED disarmed on Maguindanao highway

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OTABATO CITY – Military bomb disposal experts disarmed a homemade bomb found early Monday morning along the national highway in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao.

A report from the Army’s 601st Brigade in Maguindanao said the roadside improvised explosive device was discovered by locals at around 6:30 a.m. at the vicinity of Barangay Satan, Shariff Aguak, which borders the town of Datu Unsay, both situated in the 2nd district of the province.

Responding members of the military’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit called for the closure of the highway from motorists for more than an hour as they disarmed the

bomb.

Accordingly, the planted bomb, rigged from an 81-mm mortar explosive, cut nails, metal shards, and cellular phone as trigger mechanism, bore the signature style of the IS-inspired Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), which has been the target of military operations in the volatile “SPMS box” in the area since last year.

The “SPMS box” refers to the adjoining towns of Shariff Aguak, Pagatin (Datu Saudi), Mamasapano and Datu Salibo, where presence of BIFF elements is highly monitored.

Security forces in the province were ordered to maintain a high alert status following the incident. (PNA)

VOL. 10 ISSUE 204 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 16 , 2018

Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague. The 77-year old Peodos was accompanied by his family. MindaNews photo by GREGORIO BUENO

Cotabato cop chief vows bloodless ‘Oplan Tokhang’ unless provoked

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OTABATO CITY -- Police authorities here assured the public of a bloodless police anti-drug campaign and suspects will remain alive unless they provoke law enforcers.

Sr. Supt. Rolly Octavio, city police director, said “Oplan Tokhang” (knock-appeal) campaign will be transparent and will always ensure human rights are protected.

Speaking to reporters, Octavio said under the PNP

guidelines on “Tokhang” clearly states that police of�icers wiĺl knock on the illegal drug suspects’ house and appeal to them to voluntarily surrender and prove their innocence in court.

Under the PNP Oplan

Tokhang guidelines, Octavio said the police will counter check, double check and validate whether a drug suspect is indeed into illegal drugs before Tokhang is implemented.

“When in doubt, revalidation is conducted or no Tokhang will be carried out,” he stressed. “I would like to assure you the rights of suspects are our paramount concern.”

“We will always give the suspect the opportunity to reform and remain alive,” he added.

However, he said if the suspects �ire their guns during Oplan Tokhang, “that is another story.”

Last year, more than 700 drug personalities here were arrested and charged, while those who resisted violently got killed during police anti-drug operations. (PNA)

meet with provincial of�icials to �inalize the development plan and the site of the planned halfway home.

“After we �inalize all necessary arrangements, the construction of the project will immediately proceed,” she said in a radio interview.

De Pedro said the local government earlier identi�ied as proposed site a portion of a property owned by the South Cotabato Provincial Police Of�ice in Barangay Morales in Koronadal City.

She said such proposal

has not yet been �inalized as they needed to forge formal agreements yet about the matter with the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“The provincial government has to comply with some legal requirements �irst, among a deed of donation from the PNP,” she said.

The local government, through a commissioned technical working group, started the preparatory works last year for the establishment of the halfway home.

Ma. Ana Uy, acting head

of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Of�ice, said they have crafted a development plan for the facility, which would be patterned after the operations of an existing facility in Mati, Davao Oriental.

She said the TWG, which is led by her of�ice, had visited the Mati halfway home to study its management and operation.

The DILG had allotted grants of P5 million to local government units, including

Iturralde said the mayor will reveal her plans and programs as well as policies for 2018 aside from reporting her accomplishments in 2017.

The two congressmen -District 1 Rep. Celso Lobregat and District 2 Rep. Jose Manuel Dalipe -- were invited but they were not allotted time to present their accom-

plishments as well as plans and programs unlike in the previous years.

“We strictly adhere to the provisions of the law. It (SOCR) is patterned after the State of the Nation Address (SONA) where it is only the President who speaks. In case of the local government, it will be only the mayor who will speak,” he explained.

He disclosed they have allocated less than PhP1 million for the event that will include food expenses for the visitors.

He added that security measures are also in place for the SOCR of Salazar.

The maiden session of the City Council for this year will immediately follow as the SOCR of Salazar. (PNA)

P5-M for SoCot’s halfway home for ex-rebels

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ENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) released a total of PhP5 million grant to South Cotabato province to assist the development halfway home for former and returning New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

Aurora Andrea de Pedro, DILG provincial director, said Monday the grant was downloaded by its central of�ice to the provincial government last Dec. 29.

She said they are set to

P5-M,P12

Mayor ready for Zambo’s state of the city address

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AMBOANGA CITY -The State of the City Report (SOCR) of Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar is slated Tuesday at the session hall of the city council.

Vice Mayor Cesar Iturralde said that 400 guests are expected to attend Salazar’s SOCR. They come from the cross section of the society.

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Northern cuisine:

Baguio’s food experience KNOWN FOR ITS COOL MOUNTAIN AIR AND TEMPERATE CLIMATE, Baguio definitely feels different from the lowlands of Durianburg. It may seem at first glance that there is nothing similar between the two cities, what both Davao and Baguio do have in common is a passion for the arts, a strong cultural identity, and love for good food.

From the street food you can buy at the night market near Burnham Park to the fancy restaurants along Outlook Drive, there are many delicious food choices and memorable experiences all around the City of Pines.

Take it to the Streets The street food of any city often reflects the culture of the place and this is no exception in Baguio which has a flourishing night market. Called the Harrison Night Market, it is located on Harrison Street beside Burnham Park. The market is known for its vendors that sell used clothes as well as affordable souvenirs and, of course, street food.

Fried, grilled, or steamed, the variety of street food present at the Harrison Night Market is varied and interesting.

There is the usual fare of grilled meats and balls on a stick and the more adventurous, you can try the betamax (pork blood squares), isaw (chicken intestines), Adidas (chicken feet), and even day-old chicks.

There are also booths that sell sandwiches, noodles, and peanuts but my eyes went straight to the binatog. Binatog is corn cooked in lye similar to hominy and served together with grated coconut and salt. The lye changed the texture of the corn kernels making it soft and creamy with the addition of salt and coconut giving it a pop of flavour.

Market fare One of the charms of Baguio are its clean public markets which are a heaven for food lovers. Top off

the bat are the fresh vegetables that can be bought at relatively cheap prices and the famous Baguio strawberries. There are also other fresh surprises when you visit the fruit and vegetable section such as passion fruits sold in clusters, and Sagada Oranges which are the size of a small pomelo and are extremely sweet with a nice tart finish.

Strawberries, oranges and other fresh produce fill Baguio’s markets.

Pinakbet and Bagnet galore Baguio may be the capital of the Cordillera Administrative Region, but much of its cuisine also comes from neighbouring Ilocos where A vendor sells peanuts and binatog. the “national” dishes are Pinakbet (a stew of local vegetables) and Bagnet (double fried crispy pork belly). In Baguio, you are always sure to encounter these two dishes.

Traditional Fare For a peek into authentic Cordillera cuisine, one can visit the Farmer’s Daughter Restaurant.

Located on the outskirts of the city, the restaurant serves traditional Igorot favourites such as Pinikpikan (a traditional chicken soup flavoured with salted meat), Sungo Guisado (sautéed pig snout), and Tinadtad (a mix of various pig organs and offal including brain).

Most notable though are the Kinuday dishes. Pinueg, Ibalon blood sausage and fern salad.

Comfy dining at Decades along Outlook Drive.

Kinuday means smoked meat and Farmer’s Daughter makes their own smoked meats made the traditional way. You can choose from smoked pork, beef or chicken.

The smoke adds another dimension to the meats which ordinary grilling does not give. Another smoked delicacy is Pinueg a traditional Ibaloi blood sausage using pork intestines and blood.

Restaurant row

For those who want to explore the more sophisticated dining establishments in Baguio one needs only to go to Outlook Drive. What used to be a quite residential road, Outlook Drive is now the location of many fancy dining restaurants converted from the old mansions in the area. From Mediterranean to ASEAN fusion, from cocktails to desserts, there is sure to be a restaurant for everyone.

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 204 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2018

CLEAN BEACH COFFEE

IMAGINE MY JOY when I went to this coffee shop and I didn’t have to remind the baristas to place my order in a glass cup with no plastic straw.

In fact, Clean Beach Coffee reminds you and the other beach goers to remember your manners.

With cute, thoughtful signs like using a tumbler instead of a paper cup for drinks on the go or buying a bamboo cup and straw near the counter where you order, this business definitely lives up to its name.

TOP TO BOTTOM:This cup of hot coffee isn’t just delicious, it’s pretty to look at. Photo from Clean Beach Co and @ seekertravels.

The signage you can’t miss. Easily seen from the highway and just a few minutes from Flotsam and Jetsam Hotel. Photo from Clean Beach Coffee Buboy of Circle Hostel La Union and local surfer, Connor from Dahican at the parking area of Urbiz Garden excited to grab our first coffee of the day at Clean Beach.

Located in 134 Beachfront Collective in Urbiz Garden Bed & Breakfast, it’s impossible not to grab my favorite iced mocha (if it’s midday and sunny) or hot cup of latte just before a morning surf. You could also hang around the beach front and feel the sand between your toes while enjoying a great cup of coffee.

Clean Beach has a simple menu that’s totally not intimidating and left me wanting my favorites almost everyday. I remember ordering the iced mocha for the first time, my tastebuds were screaming “more”!

It wasn’t like the usual mocha drinks where I’d take a first sip and end up disappointed because I could taste a local premade milk drink (hello, Chuckie).

Clean Beach had generous bits of real chocolate (tasted like Malagos Chocolate, by the way)

in the coffee that I just couldn’t stop drinking. Even if it tasted more like dessert, the coffee kick was in there because after a few minutes, I felt the familiar sensation of caffeine running through me.

What’s interesting is that during the first day of my stay in La Union, I met one of Clean Beach’s founders, Camille Pilar.

Stoked to hear her speak Cebuano in a place where it’s mostly Tagalog, she was not hard to talk to. I secretly follow her on Instagram because she writes with honesty and that’s something that’s hard to find nowadays.

Camille has also been featured a lot lately especially with the growing movement of city dwellers looking for bluer waters and increasing awareness of the irresponsible use of plastic. In fact, Clean Beach Coffee should be the model to follow for other establishments around the country, most especially those who are located near the beaches. Adding that in their shop’s daily operations, they incorporate simple, sustainable habit-changing practices.

Saying goodbye to plastic straws forever, encouraging customers to bring their own containers for their drinks on the go because takeout cups still have plastic in them, and little thoughtful reminders to keep the beach clean by picking up trash - these seemingly small changes to how they operate on a day-to-day basis makes a big difference. Imagine if more businesses followed suit, the im-

pact would be too hard to miss.

My friends know that I always get frustrated with certain cafes and restaurants in certain cities when I’d order coffee to drink inside their shop and they’d still serve it in 100% plastic containers, plastic lids and all. Obviously, it would be futile to return these items because it’s unhygienic to have the cafe reuse it for another customer but I make it a point to inform the staff to avoid handing out plastic when it’s only for dining inside.

Stop using plastic straws, bring your own metal or bam-

boo straw and containers if you need to drink your coffee elsewhere, remind the staff when you’re ordering to skip the straw and plastic containers and if they can just serve it in ceramic mugs, better! These little habits not only help reduce waste, it can help raise awareness. Small things done over repeatedly, in the long run, makes a big difference. Start today!

Oh, and whenever you’re in La Union, do stop by Clean Beach Coffee and order alongside your coffee, their desserts - any of them! They’re so good, you’ll want to order another.

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Virtualahan: Breaking down employment barriers for PWDs FINDING a sustainable source of income is one of the biggest challenge that People with Disabilities (PWD) face on daily basis. People with medical, mental and physical limitations are not just battling for their condition but enduring the inequality in the workplace primarily because of discrimination.

Virtualahan, a social enterprise based in Davao City is changing the system using a business model that upskills, employs, and empowers people with dis-

abilities to become productive members of society.

“We equip people with skills and the right mindset so they can start working online as remote employ-

ees for digital businesses around the world. We have taken advantage of the power of the internet and the growing outsourcing industry to fulfil our mission which is to promote inclusive and sustainable employment, decent and productive work for all in a workplace that treats everyone as an equal,” said Ryan Gersava, Virtualahan Founder.

Virtualahan was recently declared as one of the winners of Globe Future Makers Program, the social innovation program of Globe Telecom held in cooperation with the Singtel Group of Companies to help enable emerging social innovators create a positive impact on society with the help of technology.

“We see a lot of potential in Virtualahan in solving the need for gainful employment of PWDs and those with medical conditions who often face discrimination. We believe that innovations like this one plays a key role in making wide scale impact to help drive social development in the Philippines,” said Chelle Gray, Director for Globe Citizenship.

“With the technology

support and mentorship of the Globe Future Makers program this will help us deal with our challenges in delivering our services, optimizing the tech aspect, improving our elearning platform, even cut other practices to save on costs by using different tools and expansion to help those with no access to the Internet,” declared Gersava.

Gersava, a Licensed Medical Technologist, put up Virtualahan when he was denied of employment due to a medical condition despite having high qualifications. With the help of two siblings, Josh an IT professional and Rose, a registered nurse, they set up Virtualahan which is a play on “virtual” and“ eskwelahan,” a Filipino

term for school. The social enterprise is a 100% virtual company which keeps their operations lean and highly functional. It is a very innovative and highly scalable model that uses technology to deliver positive impact.

Virtualahan recruits, screens, and qualifies candidates to undergo an intensive six weeks’ skills and capacity building program that allows unemployed PWD to become self-earning and dependable members of the family and the community.

Successful graduates are then provided with employment support through direct hiring, referrals, and online job preparation. They are employed as virtual assistants, customer service representatives,

transcriptionists, data managers, among others.

“The work from home model is the best strategy that we found to help people with mobility issues to earn a decent income. We create structure, accountability, management and the opportunities for advancement and set these people to deliver maximum value. In the process, we are building a support network that meets in person and online to nurture confidence, teamwork, and social equality among our members, “added Ryan.

Winning the Globe My Future Makers is an important milestone for Virtualahan in expanding its advocacy to more areas in the country and eventually to the world.

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EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

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BLOCKED... FROM 1 for illegal activities,” Crisanto said. “Globe Telecom is strongly committed to help address child pornography in the country.”

Top porn sites like Pornhub, Xvideos, and Redtube do not appear anymore when accessed in some devices. Instead, a message appears: “This website has been ordered blocked under authority of the Philippine Government pursuant to Republic Act 9975 or the Anti-Child Pornography Law.” Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development led Inter-Agency Council Against Traf�icking in Davao City noted in 2017 that sexual exploitation among children has raised a concern to the department, pointing that sexual abuse and exploitation among children has become the “new trend” in this digital age.

One case involved a mother using her two-year old child in her show, according to Alma D. Acera, head of the regional secretariat of the

council.

“Globe has also taken an active role in promoting legitimate sources of online content,” as Crisanto revealed their advocacy of #PlayItRight goes beyond anti-piracy, it also aims to protect customers against malware and other cyber security threats that normally accompany illegal content or torrenting sites According to Globe Telecom Davao, the company launched the #PlayItRight advocacy in 2017 to help the entertainment industry curb piracy and protect intellectual property rights. #PlayItRight campaign sends a strong message to the public to consume digital content the right way.

“We want everyone to consciously behave positively online and stop illegal torrents or other illegitimate online sources. Let’s create new habits that would encourage people to create original content more and give them what’s rightfully due them,” Crisantosaid.

tions wholly owned and managed by such citizens.”

The SEC En Banc also declared Omidyar Philippine Depository Receipts (PDR) void for “being a fraudulent transaction within the ambit of Section 26.1 of the Securities Regulation Code.”

In October 2015, Rappler Holdings Corp. issued 7,217,257 PDRs covering shares of Rappler Inc. designated as ON PDRs because they were sold to

Omidyar Network Fund LLC, a foreign juridical entity.

Rappler Holdings publicly reported that it received an investment from Omidyar Network LLC. It also issued PDRs covering shares of Rappler Inc. to NBM Rappler L.P., a foreign juridical entity. NBM Rappler L.P. was founded and co-owned by North Base Media Ltd., a foreign juridical entity. (PNA)

got mad. Without warning, he drew a kitchen knife tucked on his waist and stabbed the victim hitting the left stomach.

The victim was rushed to Malta Hospital, Dumoy,

Davao City for medical treatment. Police of�icers of Talomo Police station is still conducting follow up operations for possible apprehension of the suspect.

The extra budget required by a constitutional convention should not dissuade Congress, according to Atienza, former three-term mayor of Manila.

“We should not hesitate to invest in the preparation of a new Constitution that could free up the national economy from the clutches of oligarchs, build genuine peace and order, provide full employment and guarantee every Filipino family a rising standard of living,” Atienza said.

“The budget for a constitutional convention is a sensible investment in the future of our children and grandchildren. In no way should we consider it an improvident expense,” he said.

“This is the �irst time in more than 30 years that we will be rewriting the Constitution. We might as well invest wisely in perfecting a truly responsive and highly relevant

new charter through a constitutional convention,” Atienza said.

In previous administrations, attempts by Congress to convene into a constituent assembly were rejected by the public, mainly due to fears that lawmakers might introduce self-serving amendments, including the removal of restrictions to the number of terms they and their family members may serve in elected of�ices.

“If we again insist on a constituent assembly, we clearly risk repeating the blunders of the past, and we might lose this great opportunity for our nation to embrace a whole new Constitution,” Atienza warned.

At present, the 1987 Constitution limits the terms of members of the House of Representatives as well as local government of�icials to three successive three-year

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MACHINE SHOP SCENE. A machine shop worker dismantles a car which is undergoing a major repair at a makeshift shop along McArthur Highway in Davao City on Monday. Lean Daval Jr terms. The Constitution also limits the terms of senators to no more than two successive six-year terms.

In a constitutional convention, the people will elect representatives who will recommend revisions to the Constitution.

In a constituent assembly, Congress itself sits down to put forward amendments to the Constitution.

In both cases, the proposed changes will require �inal direct approval by the people in a referendum.

(House of Representatives)

these areas is reduced.

Vietnam recorded 175,800 dengue fever patients, including 38 fatalities, and 39 Zika sufferers last year, said the ministry’s Preventive

Medicine Department. Zika is a virus spread to humans by Aedes mosquitoes -- the same mosquitoes that spread dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. (Xinhua)

has recorded 10 anti-illegal drugs operation conducted by its different police stations.

She said members of Talomo Police Station Drug Enforcement Unit have neutralized a High Value Target drug suspect on January 13 after he at-

tempted to open �ire at police operatives..

Gazpan said the suspect identi�ied as John Renner de Jesus was considered as High Value Target since the police seized from a kilo of marijuana in his possession.

operation was conducted.

This was led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency eleven with the personnel of PS4 under the supervision of Pugong. Canoy, 19, and a resident of Luzviminda subdidivision Barangay San Francisco in Panabo City, was arrested for violation of Republic Act 9165.

Recovered from his possession is one elongated heatsealed transparent plastic sachet containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu as well as marked money amounting to P 500 bill and one cellular phone.

About 10:25 pm of the same day, San Pedro Police Station (PS2) led by PCI. Ramil M Macarampat, Station

Commander conducted a buy bust operation Gotamco St. Barangay Leon Garcia, Davao City which led to the arrest Merto Jr alias “Jun Jun”. He is 28 years old, single, unemployed and a resident of Leon Garcia, Agdao, Davao City for the violation of RA 9165. Recovered from his control and possession are one elongated heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu and the marked money amounting to P 500 bill. Merto Jr is considered as street level target of San Pedro Police Station.

All suspects and the evidences are under the custody of PS4 and PS2 for proper disposition

“For as long as these subsidies for private goods are avoided, and more cost-effective mechanisms pursued, e.g., cluster-based

approach, establishing agricultural value chains may yet be a viable strategy for inclusive growth,” he said. (PNA)

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PROBABILITY... FROM 4 high unrest in this volcano.

He reiterated Phivolcs’ call for people to avoid entering Mayon’s danger zone, particularly amid such unrest.

Mayon already erupted anew this week, when magma commenced �lowing out of the volcano’s crater as lava, he said.

Lava �lows aren’t hazardous, since they cascade slowly, he noted.

Pyroclastic �lows can cascade at about 100 kilometers per hour, so people can’t out-

run these, he said.

“No one can escape pyroclastic �lows,” he warned earlier.

Mayon is among the country’s active volcanoes.

Active volcanoes are those that erupted within the last 600 years as shown in the documentation of these events, said Phivolcs.

Phivolcs added active volcanoes can be those that erupted within the last 10,000 years, based on analyses of datable materials. (PNA)

ble instances that the election will not happen if there is charter change in which the government form will change to parliamentary from presidential.

“You could say we have no election because we have a new kind of election,” he said.

He said now that the both leaders of the two legislative chambers agreed to pursue this, all legislators can start to craft a new constitution.

“We are treading into

new territory because this is the �irst time that we are going this far in proposing ammendments to the constitution.

I will emphasize proposing ammendments its not ammendments alon because this will depend on the people,” he said.

Nograles said people can ratify the constitution through a plebiscite that can be included in the mid-term elections next year.

Guerrero, citing obvious partiality and questionable independence.

In her motion, De Lima said Guerrero has “displayed an unseemly and undue haste” in ensuring her detention and depriving her of liberty despite pending petition �iled before the Supreme Court.

De Lima cited the judge’s inaction on her pending Motion to Quash (MTQ), and the scheduling of the senator’s arraignment prior to deciding on the pending MTQ and petition �iled before the SC. “The glaringly clear, single-minded over-eagerness to detain accused De Lima based on an invalid information that is irredeemably and irreparably tainted and made defective by,

among others, the rampant and blatant violation of accused De Lima’s rights, is quite evident,” De Lima’s camp stated.

The detained senator’s camp maintains an impartial judge should have acted on the red �lags “indicating serious in�irmities and irregularities that attended the preliminary investigation of the case” and, as a consequence, give greater respect and protection to the accused’s constitutional rights.

The judge also denied De Lima’s motion to suspend the court proceedings on her drug case pending the resolution of her pending appeal at the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals seeking the dismissal of the drug cases against her.

(PNA)

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DENR... FROM 4 In Bukidnon, the ERDB awarded Antonio Dominao “for widely distributing the giant bamboo species which are used as support for Mindanao’s export-oriented banana trees”.

“Dominao is just a government laborer at the experimental and bamboo plantation of ERDB-DENR Region 10. Since 1987, he became interested as an adopter and established a bamboo nursery at his own residence in Impalutao, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon,” Aguiba said, His nursery now sells 50,000 giant bamboo seedlings per month at P20 each, generating P1 million from it, she said.

Another awardee, from Sto Tomas, Davao del Norte was the San Jose Agroforestry Farmers Association (SJAFA), recognized for creating jobs from bamboo as they make it into the special handicraft “liyang.”

Liyang is a �inely woven narrow container made of Bocaue bamboo species used for storage of rice and other food items.

SJAFA members learned bamboo nursery establishment from ERDB, the agency

said. They were mostly vegetable farmers who traded many goods like latundan and livestock. They practice bamboo propagation through culm cuttings. The ERDB said they planted bamboo to rehabilitate the Longaob River.

The ERDB’s Technology Transfer division worked with the Department of Trade and Industry in Region 11 for skills training on liyang, a technique that ERDB said was also used in bag weaving for women members.

“The members from Sitio Talos are handicraft maker/ basket weaver and belong to Indigenous Peoples group of Ata-Manobo tribes,” said ERDB. Their bamboo �inished products have been showcased in many trade fairs and exhibits, the ERDB said.

For their bamboo poles, the buyers include banana plantations TADECO, Marsman, and North Davao Quarry Association, generating additional income.

“Women earn additional income from ‘liyang’ making priced at P100 to P150 per piece. Women produce 2-3 liyang per day.” (MTC)

involves over 1,200 hectares of land in many towns of Pangasinan.

PEZA Director General Charito Plaza con�irmed that a big American-owned BPO company which would be hiring about 1,000 workers is ready to move in to the Dagupan City economic zone this year.

So far, a local company, USATV, has picked up the challenge and is now intending to build an IT building to house the incoming investor, aside from making available a space to PEZA for its regional of�ice where investors may seek information and be guided in setting up their business. (PNA)

pollution in marine waters as helping exacerbate the threat to �isheries resources.

Ten major rivers account for 88 percent to 95 percent

of marine plastics, Nauen noted. These are: the Yangtze, Indus, Yellow, Hai He, Nile, Ganges, Pearl, Amur, Niger, and Mekong. (PNA)

billion; and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), P923.60 million.

Among the other GOCCs that remitted to the National Treasury were the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) with P622.91 million; PNOC Exploration Corporation, P519.42 million; Clark Development Corporation (CDC), P500 million; National Development Company (NDC), P428.19 mil-

lion; Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), P323.76 million; Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), P319.08 million; Cebu Port Authority, P294.69 million; Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), P240.59 million; Metropolitan Waterworks & Sewerage System (MWSS), P232.63 million; and Philippine Leisure and Retirement Authority, P210.44 million. (DOF)

be a relevant input particularly for regions and LGUs who will be coming up with a VCA on tuna �isheries as the �ish port here is managed by the municipal enterprise of�ice,” said PRDP Planning Of�icer Milva Carinan.

The study would introduce participants on �ish port operations, from catching to postharvest operations like

drying, and value-adding activities like canning. “This will equip the participants with knowledge and in-situation experience on how business operations work in a value chain environment,” she said.

Carinan said the planning teams wanted the benchmark information on the �low of the commodities in the market, in the case of Infanta, on its �ish

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and marine products, “and gather additional data to validate and substantiate their report and �inal study.

The benchmark data would help the regions in Mindanao produce “a robust VCA, one that provides competitive strategies, including the business models that respond to the context, opportunities and challenges affecting the commodities”.

“With the data and experience gathered by the participants, this will make the VCAs a useful reference in the crafting, and later, updating, of commodity investment plans and the development of business enterprises,” Carinan said.

Aside from the Infanta Municipal Fish Port, the team also visited the Lucena Fish Port and Navotas Fish Port in Manila both managed by the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA).

Participants also learned from presentations of the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Public Private Partnership Program Toward Sustainable Tuna (PPTST) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource’s (BFAR) National Stock Assessment Project (NSAP), in which tuna is one of the main �ishery species being monitored.

Aside from Quezon Province, planning teams from other regions and provinces in Mindanao were sent to Bantayan Island Cebu for benchmarking on its sardines industry and in Mactan, Cebu City for the group assigned to come up with VCAs on fruit commodities.

The PRDP said its planning unit in the Project Support Of�ice (PSO) Mindanao was developing VCAs for tuna

for Region 12 (Central Mindanao) and Region 13 (Caraga Region), sardines for Regions 9 (Western Mindanao or the Zamboanga Peninsula) and Region 13, durian for Region 11 (Davao Region), lanzones for Region 10 (Northern Mindanao), and mangosteen for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

“The destination sites for the benchmarking visits were selected as these are considered hubs either in the production, processing and trading of the identi�ied commodities,” PRDP Mindanao Planning Specialist Karl Requilme said.

In these sites, he said, “local and export-market oriented business enterprises have been operating successfully following the value chain approach”.

“Bantayan is known for its advanced production technology and trading for dried �ish including sardines, while MIMAROPA (the southwestern Tagalog Region composed of the two Mindoro provinces, Marinduque, Romblom and Palawan) already has VCA for tuna with the region linked to the tuna industry in General Santos City. Cebu City and nearby Mactan island are home to fruit processing companies producing dried fruits, juices, purees, mixed fruits, among others which has passed standard international packaging tests,” Requilme said.

Different learning methods would be used including lectures, direct �ield observation to the learning sites, on-site focus group discussions (FGDs) with technical people, and interviews with local people. (MTC)

recipients of the Lunhaw Award.

SM’s Trash to Cash across all SM malls, which happens every �irst Friday and Saturday of the month, accepts plastic and PET bottles; tin and aluminum cans, paper scrap including books, newspapers, used papers, cartons; and scrap metals. Classi�ied hazardous waste such as batteries and e-wastes, however, are not accepted because of its harmful content. Next

month’s SM Trash to Cash (Recycling Market Fair) will be on Friday & Saturday, February 2 & 3.

Visit the Trash to Cash at Parking C of SM City Davao, Parking D of SM Lanang Premier, Las Ramblas Parking at SM City Cagayan de Oro, at the Ground Floor Carpark Building in SM CDO Downtown Premier and at the Ground Floor of SM City General Santos’s Car Park Building. For inquiries, call your nearest SM mall.

According to the secretariat of the PMCC, the NTF Diwalwal did not convene in 2017.

Among the local issues faced by the PMCC is the transfer of the ball mill and carbon in pulp (CIP) operations at the processing zone at the Mabatas area in Monkayo town, Compostela Valley province.

It was on August 2002 that then Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Heherson Alvarez issued DENR Administrative Order 2002-18 imposing the stoppage of mining and mineral

processing activities of major operators in Diwalwal due to health and safety hazards and environmental degradation and transferring the same to the Mabatas area.

According to the administrative order, the United Nations Industrial and Development Organization (UNIDO) and other entities con�irmed the rising levels of mercury and serious siltation incidents in Diwalwal.

During the Kapihan sa PIA, PMCC Coordinator Atty.

Felix Alicer said the transfer to Mabatas area has been planned for years but it was

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 204 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 16 , 2018 only last year when the provincial government of Compostela Valley took the responsibility in preparing the area and developing the road network.

According to Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Of�icer Eugene Alaba, the provincial government has committed PhP1.5 million for the land preparation and road network development; however, as of now, more than PhP4 million has already been shelled out for labor, equipment rental and fuel.

The municipal government of Monkayo has also assisted in the land preparation and road rehabilitation

through the utilization of their heavy equipment.

Alaba said that for now, the land preparation has already been accomplished and the road network development is still on-going.

He added that more funding is still needed to complete the Mabatas area, including the power lines.

On the side of the operators, Mount Diwata Barangay Captain Pedro Samillano said that most of the operators agreed to the transfer as long as it is ready for their livelihood. Ore processing is the main livelihood in Barangay Mount Diwata with a population of around 10,000 people. (PIA11, Michael Uy)

still verifying how many pensioners have died. Sabuga-a is now the city administrator.

Ramos will be enlisting the help of the Commission on Audit (COA) to fasttrack liquidation by local govern-

ments in the future.

She added that Cagayan de Oro could only get their 2018 �irst quarter share once they have fully liquidated the 2017 allocation. (Mark D. Francisco/PNA)

ate like a little museum of all memories from my childhood until I became an architect, a beauty queen and now a businesswoman,” she said.

She said Mrs. Supsup wanted to collate everything and establish the gallery through their foundation, which also runs a school.

“According to her, this is also to inspire the students.

That my journey to becoming who I am today was not easy.

Everything that I have right now came through hard work and they will see it here in the museum,” Shamcey said.

She hopes that through the museum, the youth will be inspired and take on challenges as well with dedication

and hard work.

Cora Tito, city tourism of�icer, lauded the establishment of the art gallery and museum and noted that the city will promote it as a tourist destination.

“This is an additional destination for tourists. The word Shamcey alone will lure tourists to come here,” she said.

She said the developments at the site, which includes the family’s farm tourism and coffee shop, provides additional attractions as well.

“My plan now is to add it as one of the destinations of the city. We’ll make another package tour that will make as the featured destination,” she added. (MindaNews)

near the jail’s post number 01 that was used by the escapees.

The of�icial said the entire facility was in total lockdown but the escapees took advantage of the lack of duty jail guards over the weekend.

He said two of their jail guards were earlier removed from their usual posts to secure an inmate who was con�ined at the South Cotabato provincial hospital.

Lanzaderas said they immediately alerted local police units in Koronadal City and in the municipalities of Banga and Tantangan for the possible presence of the escapees.

He said they also created a recovery team to coordinate the manhunt and recapture of the suspects.

Monday’s escape was the

second for Evangelista, who had been charged with three counts of carnapping before the Regional Trial Court Branch 26 in Surallah town.

Lanzaderas said the inmate also escaped from the provincial jail in February 2015 but was later recaptured.

Mando was detained at the provincial jail several years ago for theft and robbery charges but was later released.

He is currently facing charges for violation of Sections 5, 11 and 12 or selling and possession of dangerous drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia, under Article II of Republic 9165 or Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

(PNA)

iongan; and Nalil-Sikkiat .

“All these projects have the common goal and in line with the strategies of Build….

Build….Build by accelerating infrastructure development to support Mindanao development by increasing the capacity of Brunei Darus-

salam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) road network and improving and widening of existing roads and bridges to upgrade and expand the Philippine road network”, Villar said.

(PNA)

CDO... FROM 7

GALLERY... FROM 7

MANHUNT... FROM 10

DPWH... FROM 6

VOL. 10 ISSUE 204 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 16 , 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 HEAT... FROM 15 cluding a 4-for-16 day from Eric Bledsoe and a 3-for-16 from Khris Middleton. ‘’We played bad basketball,’’ Antetokounmpo said.

The Heat trailed 43-41 at the half, then took control by outscoring the Bucks 4121 in the �irst 16 minutes of the second half. ‘’Our guys really stepped it up,’’ said Spoelstra, who now has 12 winning streaks of at least seven games in his tenure as Heat coach.

Antetokounmpo scored 22 for Milwaukee, which started 1 for 14 from the �loor in the second half. Middleton added 16, Brogdon had 15 and Bledsoe scored 10 for Milwaukee. ‘’We were playing from behind,’’ Bucks coach Jason Kidd said. ‘’We’ve got some guys who can’t make shots right now. We’ve just got to keep grinding, keep getting those guys a look, and believe that they’re going to make the next shot.’’

It was a rare easy win for Miami. The �irst six Heat wins in this streak were all by single digits.

The Bucks were making a run in the fourth when Dragic took over. His 3-pointer with the shot clock expiring with 5:19 left put the Heat up by 14, part of a run in which he scored 11 consecutive Miami points.

P5-M... FROM 10 the province, that have signi�ied to establish a halfway home for returning rebels.

A halfway home or house refers to the temporary residence that serves as the processing center for former rebels.

The facility could also be used to cater to other individuals in crisis situations such as victims of violence against women and children, juvenile delinquents, former convicts and times of disaster.

As set in the program’s guidelines, the halfway

homes will be operated to complement with the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP).

The CLIP, which started in 2014, aims to facilitate the mainstreaming of former NPA rebels as productive citizens; enhance capacities of LGUs and national government agencies in the implementation and sustainability of the CLIP; and compensate and remunerate all surrendered �irearms, including those coming from the NPA.(PNA)

EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF THE LATE ALEXANDER G.GRAVADOR WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ALEXANDER G.GRAVADOR who died on November 21,2017 at Davao City, Philippines has been the subject of an EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS executed among his heirs, per Doc. No.195; PageNo.39; Book No.21; Series of 2017, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY. JANIS LOUIS H. ESPARCIA. 01/9,16,23

EDGEDAVAO

14 AGRITRENDS

VOL. 10 ISSUE 204 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 16 , 2018

Going bananas Last of Three Parts

TEXT and PHOTOS By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

I

f there’s a tropical fruit that can be a counterpart to temperate’s apple, then it’s no other than banana.

After all, most of the parts of the fruit – and even the leaves and trunks – have been found to have medicinal properties.

An article which came out in “New Scientist” considered banana as the most loved, consumed and needed than any other fruit on earth.

Americans reportedly eat more bananas per year than apples and oranges combined. In many other parts of the world, it’s banana – more than rice and more than potato – that keeps hundreds of millions of people alive.

“Bananas were one of the earliest plants to be cultivated by humans – they were �irst farmed more than seven thousand years ago – and they remain one of the most important: They are the world’s largest fruit crop and the fourth-largest product grown overall, after wheat, rice and corn,” wrote Dan Koeppel, author of “Banana: The Fate of the Fruit That Changed The World.”

Banana is grown throughout the world and in the Philippines it is considered as the premier fruit crop. Large contiguous areas for commercial production are located mostly in �ive provinces of Mindanao: Davao del Sur, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, South Co-

tabato and Misamis Oriental.

Of the country’s total arable land area of 4.936 million hectares, only 450,125 hectares are planted to bananas, 85,000 hectares of these are in Davao Region, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

“Industry estimates put the annual wages paid by the banana industry at P46.4 billion, and a yearly tax contribution to the public coffers of P6 billion,” reported Antonio V. Figueroa in an article published in “Business Mirror.”

The banana industry is considered to be the largest employer in the country. Not only that, “It is also the second-biggest dollar earner,” Figueroa pointed out. “It has also been a huge factor in the development of idle lands and has given employment and ancillary opportunities to thousands of families.”

The Philippines is the world’s �ifth-largest exporter of banana. Top major export destinations for fresh bananas include China, Japan, and Korea. For chips and crackers, top export markets are China, the United States and Vietnam. Most of the local dried bananas are exported to Japan, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam.

“The Philippines Recommends for Banana,” published by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Devel-

opment (PCAARRD) sums up the contribution of industry in these words: “The banana industry contributes signi�icantly to the country’s economy. The multi-million business is consistently ranked among the nation’s top ten export items. It generates valuable foreign exchange besides providing food and employment to numerous farmers.”

The Philippines belongs to the region considered the “origin” of the banana plant, hence, bananas thrive very well in the country’s warm and humid climate.

“Lakatan” is the variety most widely grown by small-hold banana growers in Northern Luzon, along with “Saba,” “Latundan,” and “Bungulan.”

Cavendish is the export variety grown by commercial banana plantations in Southern Philippines, particularly in Davao.

In popular culture and commerce, “banana” usually refers to soft, sweet “dessert” bananas that are usually eaten raw. The bananas from a group of cultivars with �irmer, starchier fruit are called plantains, and are generally used in cooking rather than eaten raw. The word “banana” is derived from the Arabic word “�inger.”

The popularity of banana throughout the world is due to its health bene�its.

Alexander the Great, for instance, was so fascinated by the virtues of banana that he described it as “the heavenly fruit that tasted like nectar sweetened in honey.”

Banana has a great nutri-

tional signi�icance, according to the 140-page PCAARRD book. Although the fruit is composed mainly of water and well as carbohydrates, it can provide the energy needed by the human body.

“Banana contains eleven vitamins, among them are vitamins A, B, and C. Although fat and protein contents are very low, bananas are rich in some minerals, notably phosphorus which is essential for bone development, and calcium,” the book says.

Banana is a multi-purpose fruit as it can be used as food, as feed and for industrial purposes. Several products can also be derived from its plant parts; hence, it is sometimes compared to coconut as the “tree of life.”

The fruit, however, is its main component product. It can be eaten either fresh, processed or cooked.

As food, it can be processed into several delicious products such as puree, jam, jelly, chips or crisps among others. Banana can also be processed into banana cue, catsup, �igs, spread, preserve, vinegar, and wine.

In commercial farms, excess banana, either ripe or unripe, are used to feed swine and cattle. For industrial purposes, the pseudostem is a good source of �iber and handicrafts. Other industrial products which can be obtained from the different parts of banana plant include ethyl alcohol, �lour, dye, �loor wax, paste and corkboard.

The leaves of the banana are large, �lexible, and water-

proof; they are used in many ways, including as umbrellas and to wrap food for cooking, carrying and packing cooked foods. In south India, food is traditionally served on banana leaves in homes and some restaurants also follow the practice. Some farmers prefer to grow banana plants only for their leaves.

According to a recent survey undertaken in the United States among people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

“One medium-sized banana boasts of 100-125 kilo calories, 4-5 grams �iber, about 400 milligrams potassium, 17 milligrams calcium, 36 milligrams phosphorus and traces of other minerals like iron,” said Professor Kanwar, an eminent biophysicist who writes for the “Health Tribune.”

Researches conducted recently at the University of Minnesota, School of Medicine, substantiate earlier reports that high potassium diets (banana being one of these) lower blood cholesterol levels. Subjects getting extra dietary potassium are also less prone to hypertension, strokes and atherosclerosis and �inally show signi�icantly low mortality rates.

A major study reveals that diets loaded with potassium-rich bananas may be

able to cut the risk of strokes by one third. Scientists feel that many people can be protected against strokes and heart attacks by minimizing sodium (common salt) intake and by consuming plenty of potassium-rich foods of which banana is one. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make of�icial claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

If you are having trouble with stress, potassium-rich banana can help you. Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates the body’s water balance. When you are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Banana can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6 and B12 it contains, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in the fruit, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

By the way, when you compare banana to an apple, banana has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, �ive times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. Perhaps, it is high time to change that well-known American phrase to “A banana a day keeps the doctor away!”

VOL. 10 ISSUE 204 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 16 , 2018

SPORTS15

EDGEDAVAO

QUALIFYING. Senior golfers Celso Villegas, Ting Castillo and lawyer Manny Nitorreda in action during the recent Apo Golf and Country Club qualifying tournament for the 2018 PAL Seniors Interclub. Boy Lim

Venus, Stephens sent packing Pelicans stop

I

n-form Swiss Belinda Bencic has sent Venus Williams crashing out of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park.

Runner-up to sister Serena in last year’s �inal, Venus won’t be keeping the trophy in the family after falling 6-3, 7-5 in a �irst-round boilover on Monday.

Roger Federer’s family were conspicuous supporters in the stands as the men’s defending champion’s Hopman Cup-winning teammate set up a second-round date with either Swede Johanna Larsson or Thai quali�ier Luksika Kumkhum.

Earlier, reigning US Open champion Sloane Stephens was the �irst big-name casualty at the Australian Open.

The 13th-seeded American, now winless in eight attempts since her surprise maiden major last September, fell 2-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-2 to world No.34 Zhang Shuai, a quarter-�inalist at Melbourne Park in 2016.

Stephens served for the match at 5-4 in the second set before the second-ranked Chinese women’s player rallied to force a third-set decider.

The giant-killing Zhang added Stephens to a long list of Melbourne Park scalps after defeating Simona Halep, Alize Cornet and Madison Keys on her way the quarter-�inals in 2016.

“This court [is] really special for me,” Zhang said after evening her head-to- head ledger with Stephens at 2-2.

“When I come back here for warm-up ... I’m feeling so exciting.

So I think I’m ready today.”

In the early stages, Stephens showed no signs of her sluggish year-end form, posting 14 winners to race

through the �irst set in 38 minutes.

At 4-4 in the second, the young American seemingly stuck the killer blow to break Zhang’s serve for the sixth time.

But the second-ranked Chinese women’s player rallied from 4-5 down to force a second-set tiebreaker, and later a deciding �inal set.

Aft e r

of the season, the Miami Heat are still sounding far from content.

Dragic scored 11 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, and the Heat held Milwaukee to its worst shooting game in nearly �ive years on the way to topping the Bucks 97-79. ‘’We’ve still got 40 games left. We cannot be satis�ied

with that,’’ Dragic said. ‘’We still need to improve. If you start thinking like that, if you’re satis�ied with that, then it’s not going to be pretty for us.’’

Josh Richardson scored 16 and Hassan Whiteside �inished with 15 points and 10 rebounds for Miami. Milwaukee shot 32 percent, 6 percent

breaking in the �irst game, Zhang never looked back to break Stephens’ serve again before holding her nerve on serve to close out the 2013 Australian Open semi-�inalist.

The 28-year-old was well aware she had pulled off another major upset.

“I play against a top player,” she said. “Sloane she plays so well, and she win the US Open, everyone knows she’s good player, I like her so much.”

FIRST ROUND WIN. Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko celebrates a win in the first round. Photo: JULIAN SMITH

Heat stretch win streak to 7

M

IAMI (AP) -- Goran Dragic and Erik Spoelstra were asked separately Sunday what a seven-game winning streak means to them, and both immediately provided the same answer. ‘’Nothing,’’ Dragic said. ‘’Nothing,’’ Spoelstra said.

Even in their best stretch

worse than any game this season and the lowest percentage by a Bucks team in a regular-season game since March 22, 2013.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Malcolm Brogdon combined to shoot 13 for 24 for the Bucks. Their teammates shot a combined 12 for 55, in-

HEAT,P13

Knicks in OT

N

EW YORK (AP) -- Anthony Davis’ fullcourt heave after the third quarter was too late to give him points, though it gave him that unstoppable feeling great players get. ‘’I kind of saw it, but I mean you never really make those,’’ Davis said of the shot he launched from just inside the opposite baseline . ‘’So when it in I just kind of felt like tonight was de�initely my night.’’

And thanks to his monster effort, it became the Pelicans’, too.

Davis scored a season-high 48 points and grabbed 17 rebounds, leading New Orleans back from 19 points down late in the third quarter to a 123-118 overtime victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday.

Jrue Holiday added 31 points, and DeMarcus Cousins had 15 points, 16 rebounds, seven steals and �ive assists and for the Pelicans. They were down 16 after one, even further back late in the third and still down nine with 4 1/2 minutes left in regulation.

But they kept coming and Holiday had three

baskets and a couple free throws in OT to help them �inish it off. ‘’I thought we did a great job in the overtime,’’ Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said. ‘’AD was just huge for us, and when you get into those zones like that he’s really good.’’

Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr. each scored 25 points for the Knicks, who lost their third straight and 10th in their last 12 games. Jarrett Jack had a season-high 22 points, and Enes Kanter �inished with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Five days after a double-overtime loss to Chicago in a game they led by 11, the Knicks coughed up another big lead in a miserable way to �inish a rare January home game before they begin a seven-game, coast-to-coast trip Monday in Brooklyn that has them away for two weeks. ‘’I think we’ve just got to do a better job of when we’re up 12, 15 points, we’ve got to take it to another level, another notch,’’ Hardaway said. ‘’We haven’t been doing that these last couple of games.’’

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

TITLE SHOT

VOL. 10 ISSUE 204 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 16 , 2018

ASPIRANT. Veteran Soc Cadayona hits his second shot frm the fairways during the qualifying tournament for Team Apo Golf and Country Club in the forthcoming pAL Seniors Interclub. Boy Lim

Mindanao fighter gets crack at WBO crown in China

F

ilipino boxer Dexter “Kid Mama” Alimento of Iligan City gets a crack at the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) Inter-Continental Light Flyweight title against Chinese Jing Xiang on January 20 at the Shenzhen Bao’an District Sports Center in Shenzhen, China.

Alimento (13W-2L-0D, 9KOs) previously stopped Rogen Flores in the seventh round last October 15 at the Robinson’s Place in Iligan City.

Alimento won the World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth World Minimum Weight title in 2016 when he stopped Natthaphon Chaiudom in Chiang Rai. He fought but lost for the vacant WBC International Minimum Weight crown by a unanimous decision against

DeeJay Kriel last year in Kempton Park.

Xiang (13W-4L-2D, 3 KOs), on the other hand, has won his last �ive �ights with two knockouts. In his last outing, Xiang pummelled Natthapol Wongzuy to submission via a second round technical knockout last September 29 in Thailand.

Also pitted in the same card is the title defense of WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental Super L i gh t we i gh t king John “Fox” Ruba (15W-3L1D, 8 KOs) of Indonesia against Baishanbo “Destroyer” Nasiyiwula (12W-1L-1D, 5 KOs) of

China.

The 24-year-old Ruba won his title by stopping Joffrey Garcia of the Philippines in round eight last September 30 in Indonesia.

(PNA)

Dexter”Kid Mama” Alimento