Edge10 issue 208 Janyary 21-122, 2017

VOL. 10 ISSUE 208 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 21-22, 2018

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

Serving a seamless society

FEELING THE PINCH. Jay Secjadas hangs bed sheets outside a laundry shop owned by his family in Doña Pilar Village, Sasa, Davao City on Saturday. Laundry business is one of the most affected sectors after the Davao City Water District (DCWD) implemented a 96-hour water interruption in the area. Lean Daval Jr.

BEST OFFER Eco-zones as part of city’s economic package T

he newly elected president of Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) wants more economic zones in the city to attract foreign investors.

DCCCII president Arturo Milan said in an interview Wednesday that a Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)-accredited area is

Celebrating milestones with a classical night

what most of the investors look for in a location because it provides them a ready site and ease of setting up a business.

INDULDGE

A1

Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz on the piano.

Milan is optimistic that the economic growth will be sustained in 2018.

An economic zone is already a “complete package” and investors will no longer have to go through the “hassle of looking for a place” to set up their operations and apply for business permits, he said.

Last Tuesday, Milan said he and PEZA director general Charito B. Plaza had asked the City Council here to �ind a government-owned property that can be converted into an

BEST,P10

Globe denies dumping ‘Hirna’

By ANGIE SAVERON and ANTONIO M. AJERO

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LOBE TELECOM Saturday denied that the company has backed out of the ‘Hirna’ taxi hailing app project of the Metro Davao Taxi Operators Association, Inc. (MEDTOA) and Avis Philippines as headlined by Edge Davao in its January 18, 2018 issue.

The story was based on a statement texted to Edge Davao editor Antonio M. Ajero by lawyer Rogelio Largo, president of MEDTOA. Largo said that the taxi operators was expecting Smart to ship the cellular phone units to be installed to taxi units in the city

GLOBE,P10

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 208 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 21-22 , 2018

ON THE RIGHT TRACK. A teacher writes Arabic script during a class at a madrasah school in Salmonan, Mini Forest, Davao City on Saturday. The officials of Davao City government’s Madrasah Comprehensive and

Development Promotion Program under Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio vowed that they will focus in promoting peace and understanding to the Muslim youth. Lean Daval Jr

High demand for cement, steel seen T

Water lack due to pipe realignment - DCWD

By ANGIE SAVERON

By JUDIE VEGA

T

here is a surging demand for cement and steel in Mindanao, given a construction boom in urban areas.

This is matched by a rising interest of local and international cement companies to invest and to expand in Mindanao.

This was revealed by Mindanao Development Authority deputy executive director Romeo Montenegro who added that pursuant to the government’s strategy to “build, build, build,” economic development through increased infrastructure, investments,

several projects are now underway and in the pipeline.

“The strategy is even more pronounced in Mindanao as both the government and the private sector dash to meet the dearth in infrastructure facilities as well as take advantage of new opportunities posed by Mindanao’s revitalized economy.” He said.

“This accelerated development in infrastructure directly contributes to the in-

creased demand for construction, materials, most notably cement,” he added According to Montenegro, the Cement Manufacturers’ Association of the Philippines Inc. or CeMAP notes the continuing increase in domestic cement demand.

On the same information revealed in 2015 a total demand of 24.4 million tons of cement and the forecast is that this will continue to increase in the coming years.

The cement manufacturers have thus undertaken and are planning to increase cement production capacity to meet

the demand.

“Construction will de�initely continue to be a major player in terms of our economic growth as we’ve seen left and right construction from small buildings, commercial establishments, to high-rise towers across major urban centers in Mindanao,” he said. Montenegro said that the revitalizing the steel industry in Mindanao will help ensure more cost-effective infrastructure development for the island while creating a high-value product for domestic and international mar-

considered, the court �inds accused Orlando Anos Fua Jr. guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of obstruction of justice in violation of Section 1(e) of Presidential Decree No. 1829. He is hereby sentenced to pay a �ine of P6,000 and in case of insolvency, shall be required to undergo subsidiary imprisonment,” the Sandiganbayan

ruling said.

Concurring with the ruling were Associate Justices Ma. Theresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta and Bayani Jacinto.

Fua was accused of using his position to “impede, frustrate, and delay” police from serving James Largo with an arr est warrant at 2 a.m. on

HIGH,P10

Sandiganbayan orders lifetime ban for ex-gov

T

he Sandiganbayan is perpetually disqualifying former Siquijor governor Orlando Fua, Jr. from holding public of�ice after he was found guilty of obstruction of justice.

The anti-graft court found that Fua had interfered and caused the delay of the arrest of a barangay chairman caught selling methamphet-

amine hydrochloride or “shabu.”

In a 27-page ruling written by Associate Justice Zaldy Trespeses and promulgated on Friday, the Sandiganbayan Seventh Division punished Fua with perpetual disquali�ication from holding public of�ice and ordered him to pay a PHP6,000 �ine.

“Wherefore, premises

SANDIGAN,P10

he Davao City Water District pointed to its pipe realignment as the main reason why there is a water interruption in the city.

But now that the realignment is 100 percent completed, the DCWD is looking forward for the operation to normalize, according to Jovana Cresta T Duhaylungsod, deputy spokesperson of DCWD on January 20, Saturday.

She said that as of Saturday, the booster pumps at the Dumoy water supply system are back in full operation. She said another reason of the water interruption is the tapping and interconnection of pipes---a component of the Apo Agua Bulk Water Project----was also done so that DCWD will no longer conduct a separate water interruption.

“Ang mga tapping works and interconnection works �inished earlier around �ive o’clock in the afternoon to seven o’clock in the evening on January 19.

The realignment and tapping at the Diversion road was completed around 11:30 o’clock in the evening,” she said She said that they have also cemented the areas

where they conducted their pipe tapping and interconnection.

The areas that still don’t have water are the elevated areas in Buhangin, Sasa, Pampangga and Lanang areas and these areas are their priority in water delivery.

Some areas of Buhangin, Cabaguio and Publacion areas already receive water but the water coming from their faucet is only small amount, and some in elevated areas still don’t have water however DCWD is positive that they will not go over the timeline they have given unless there will be no untoward incident or emergency like major line leak.

“The duration we have set for set c until 10 tomorrow and on set b which is scheduled until Tuesday already includes the recovery period. So our expectation is that these areas will have supply of water anytime tonight (January 20) or early tomorrow (January 21) however they will still experience low water pressure to no water during peak hours that is why in our announcement it was stated until Tuesday,” she said.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 208 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 21-22 , 2018

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

Lizada resigns as LTFRB spokesperson F riday was a sad day for reporters covering the Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Board (L TFRB) in the national capital.

Lawyer Aileen Lizada, LTFRB board member and spokesperson, posted a message on the LTFRB Media Concerns viber group that she set up to communicate quickly with reporters for announcements, schedules, documents and photos, to direct all questions to LTFRB chair Martin Delgra.

“Good noon po sa inyong lahat, from now on, please direct all questions po to Chairman. It has been my privilege and honor to work with all of you,” Lizada posted at 10:53 a.m.

She remains a member of the LTFRB board.

Immediately, reporters asked “what happened,”

“bakit,” “why.” One wrote “sayang Ma’am very effective pa naman kayo for quick info dissemination.”

To lighten the mood, a reporter asked, “Kinansel din po ba ng SEC ang cer�iticate of registration ninyo? Joke. Pampa-ight lang nung usapan Atty.

Lizada,” Another said, “whatever the reason po Atty. salamat po sa lahat ng mga naitulong nyo po sa amin.”

“Atty. Aileen, paano na ang

LIZADA,P10

OFWs with tickets, OECs exempt from Kuwait ban

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ANILA — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) clari�ied that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with plane tickets for Kuwait and an overseas employment certi�icate (OEC) are exempted from the deployment suspension to the host country.

“Those who already have their plane tickets and OECs are not covered by the suspension of deployment,” said Raul Francia, head of the information and

publication service of DOLE. The DOLE of�icial said only those with OECs and plane tickets would be allowed to leave for the Arab nation, adding that the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) would no longer process OECs for workers bound for host country in the Middle East.

“Once all the OFWs with OECs have been deployed, there will (be) no more deployment to Kuwait since the POEA is no longer processing OECs,” he

said.

On Friday, DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III signed Administrative Order No. 25, suspending the deployment of Filipino workers to the said country.

The order, which was effective immediately, was issued in the midst of the deaths of seven OFWs there.

Bello also directed the POEA to stop processing and issuance of OECs to Filipino workers for deployment to the said country. (PNA)

H

Apr. 22, 2018 police examinations, the only requirements for an applicant in the Philippine National Police is that he or she must be a Filipino citizen with a Bachelor’s degree and must not be more than 30 years old.

Casurao also announced

the opening of the “On-Line Examination Application Scheduling System (OLEASS)” in the websites www. napolcom.gov.ph or www. napolcom-oleass.com for the nationwide PNP Entrance and Promotional Examinations.

The online application

NEVER TOO LATE. Edge Davao’s product development officer Richard Ebona (left) and account executive Ingrid Osorio (right) turns over to Missionaries

of Charity represented by Sister Joy the Christmas gifts from the employees of Globe Telecom Davao on Friday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

Height not required for police aspirants Person in watch list eight is no longer a requirement for those who want to be policemen, the National Police Commission (Napolcom) announced on Friday.

Napolcom Vice Chairman and Executive Of�icer Rogelio T. Casurao said that for the

schedule will be from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2, 2018 for the PNP Entrance Exam; Feb. 5-9, 2018 for the Police Of�icer (PO) Exam; and Feb. 12-16, 2018 for the Senior Police Of�icer (SPO), Inspector (Insp.) and Superintendent (Supt.) Ex-

HEIGHT,P10

nabbed in buy-bust

By ANGIE SAVERON

A

buy bust operation conducted on January 19, led to the arrest of Estelita Banilad Reyes also known as Mila 61, separated and unemployed. Also also arrested with her was Resielinda Namo Malicay, 28, single and unemployed.

The suspects were arrested in Purok 2, Barangay 76-A,

Bucana, Davao City after they were con�irmed to have aided each other in selling crystal meth or shabu contained in transparent plastic to a police operative who acted as poseur buyer in exchange of the prepared buy-bust marked money.

During the arrest a bodi-

ublic Attorney’s Of�ice Chief Persida Acosta welcomed the �iling of criminal charges against two Caloocan policemen linked to the killing of teenagers Carl Angelo Arnaiz and Reynaldo “Kulot” de Guzman in August last year.

Acosta said the indictment made by the National Prosecution Service proved it did not condone any summary killing committed by state agents in the country.

“Justice prevailed. The PAO and the NPS belong to

the state, and we will not tolerate any illegal killings, even by state agents,” Acosta said in a text message to reporters on Saturday. “This case proves that there are no state-sponsored illegal killings.”

The �iling of charges against the two policemen was based on the complaint lodged by the parents of Carl Angelo and Kulot, who were represented by the PAO. Acosta said the families of the victims were very thankful to all those who supported the

PERSON,P10

PAO lauds filing of murder raps v. 2 cops P TEDIOUS CLIMB. Residents walk on a steep path while carrying water containers after fetching water from a flowing source in Doña Pilar Village, Sasa, Davao City on Saturday. The village and other nearby

subdivisions are among the area affected by Davao City Water District’s (DWCD’s) 96-hour water interruption. Lean Daval Jr.

PAO,P10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 208 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 21-22 , 2018

Reforms pressed v. policy overload T

Inside fiscal incentives system for corporations

he Department of Finance has underscored the need to institute reforms that would correct the “policy overload” in the country’s fiscal incentives system as a result of the proliferation of laws offering tax and duty exemption privileges to businesses in economic zones and in sectors listed in the government’s investment priorities list, which has led investors to double dip and avail themselves of perks in more than one law.

With 14 investment promotion agencies granting business incentives that do not complement each oth-

er, the system has turned into a complex set of rules in which investors resort to “forum-shopping” by comparing

Palay produce in PH picks up

T

he Philippine Statistics Authority reported that October to December palay or unmilled rice production rebounded in 2017 from its -3.62 percent growth in 2016.

Last year’s production volume grew 4.37 percent to 7.32 million metric tons, exceeding 2016’s 7.01 million metric tons, which was lower than the 7.27 million metric tons in 2015, latest PSA data showed.

The PSA attributed the growth in 2017 “to increase in areas harvested in Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Bicol and Central Visayas due to suf�icient water supply during the cropping period and recovery

from damages caused by the series of typhoons in 2016”.

“Use of high-yielding varieties and favorable weather conditions in most regions were cited,” PSA added.

Growth in palay production volume contributed to the crop sub-sector’s 2.66 percent increase during the October to December 2017 period.

The sub-sector accounted for 51.2 percent of total agricultural production, PSA said.

“Agricultural production grew by 2.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017,” it added.

The PSA further noted that improved production in both livestock and poultry sub-sectors also contributed to the growth. (PNA)

various laws governing these IPAs and choosing the best package for them, according to Finance Undersecretary

Karl Kendrick Chua.

Chua said incentives complicate tax administration and encourage businesses to employ transfer pricing and pro�it-shifting schemes in which related companies subject to different tax regimes transfer pro�its to another entity enjoying tax holidays and shift expenses to an entity subject to tax so

IN THE SERVICE OF OFWS. President Rodrigo Duterte leads the unveiling ceremony of the marker of Overseas Filipino Bank (OFBank) during its inauguration at the Postbank Center, Liwasang Bonifacio

that they get to reduce their tax payments.

Chua said that besides the Board of Investments (BOI) and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), 12 other ecozones are authorized to grant incentives, with no clear coordination among them and the tax administration authority.

Other countries mostly

have only one or two IPAs, he noted.

“Our system has created a very unfair system wherein those paying the regular rate pays 30 percent of their net taxable income. But, those receiving the holidays and the special rates only pay onethird of that at around 6 to 13 percent of their effective tax rates,” Chua said. (DOF)

in Manila on Thursday. Also in the photo are Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and OFBank Chairman Alex Buenaventura. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

DOF to compel PSE to comply with goals Landbank acquisition of PDS stake pushed F L and Bank of the Philippines’ (Landbank) wants to buy majority shares in the Philippine Dealing System (PDS) in order to provide additional pro�it for the bank.

Landbank President and Chief Executive Of�icer Alex V. Buenaventura proposed the acquisition of at least 66.67 percent share in PDS. In a letter to the bank’s Board of Directors dated Jan. 16, 2018, Buenaventura said he “recommends” that Landbank buy a majority share in PDS, noting that the bank currently has a 1.56 percent stake in PDS through the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP).

He said BAP signed a Share Purchase Agreement on June 15, 2017 that allowed the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) to acquire 1,488,902 common shares, equivalent to 23.8 percent of PDS’s total outstanding stock for PHP476,448,640 or at PHP320 per share.

“This implies a valuation

of PHP2 billion for PDS and a PE (price earnings) ratio of 8.10x based on 2016 PDS earnings,” he said.

PE ratio is the proportion of a company’s share price vis-à-vis its per-share earnings.

The Landbank of�icial, however, cited that “research on the �inancials of comparable market infrastructure enterprises in the region and globally show that such businesses trade at an average LTM (last 12 months) PE ratio of 34.1x and 35.8x, respectively.”

“This indicates that at a price of PHP320 per share, PDS is undervalued and purchasing PDS shares could be a pro�itable investment for LBP,” he said.

The Landbank chief said the bank “will bene�it from stable recurring cash �low from the various fees PDS charges to market players as the country’s central securities depository and �ixed-income exchange.’ (PNA)

inance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said Friday the Duterte administration will no longer tolerate the actions of private institutions in thwarting the government’s goal of attaining a robust and inclusive �inancial system through the development of the country’s capital markets.

Dominguez was referring to the Philippine Stock Exchange which has so far failed to comply with the provision of the Securities Regulation

Code on the allocation of their shares to other shareholders as condition for the approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission of PSE’s plan to acquire the Philippine Dealing System Holdings Inc. “The development of the capital market is being slowed down by the PSE’s protracted compliance with the law. The Duterte administration will no longer tolerate private institutions thwarting the goal of achieving a robust and inclusive �inancial system,” Domin-

guez said in a statement.

Dominguez recalled that three months after President Duterte took of�ice, he already told the PSE sometime in September 2016 to follow the law on the allocation of PSE shares to other shareholders so that it can comply with the 20 percent ownership limit of Exchanges and Exchange Controllers as mandated under the SRC. This was a requirement before the PSE could proceed with acquiring 100 percent of the outstanding capital stock of

the PDS. “As of now, 16 months later, they are not compliant,” Dominguez said.

The PDS, considered as an Exchange Controller, is the parent company of the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. and the Philippine Depository and Trust Company.

PDEX is the dealing exchange for �ixed income securities while PDTC acts as depository and registry for participants for both �ixed income and equity securities. (DOF)

oreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said his department would meet with accredited travel agencies this week to propose an alternative solution to the removal of at least 1,200 passport appointment slots allotted to them.

Cayetano told reporters Friday that they plan to put the passport on wheels in every travel fair these accredited agencies would conduct, granted they com-

municate with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) before the event.

“We can work it out with them,” Cayetano said.

However, M.I.C.E. expert and Afro Asian World Events president Angel Bognot said she had apprehensions about the proposal.

“They are opening the slots pero ang gusto nilang mangyari, kami ang may venue (but what they want to happen is that we provide the venue). But

that›s foul. That›s the role of the government -- to provide venue. Kung may government of�ices, kailangan dun gagawin (It should be held in government of�ices),» Bognot told reporters in an interview.

The Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) has also appealed to Cayetano to reverse the DFA’s decision to remove slots allotted to them.

PTAA president, Marlene Dado Jante, said since

last year, the agency had not indicated whether the removal is �inal.

Cayetano said restoring their privilege at present could not be done.

“By law, nakalagay kung sino ang ipa-prioritize namin. Yung persons with disability, yung pregnant, yung mga babae na may kasamangbelow seven years old, may mga anak na below 10 years old, single parents, senior

Cayetano to resolve travel agencies issue F CAYETANO,P10

VOL. 10 ISSUE 208 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 21-22 , 2018

Ayala re-draws energy business

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onglomerate Ayala Corp. said Friday it is restructuring its energy business to create two wholly-owned platforms for renewable energy and thermal energy.

Ayala told the local bourse it would retain AC Energy as its umbrella brand for its energy group of companies, which would primarily consist of AC Renewables Inc. and ACE Thermal Inc. “AC Energy has scaled up

rapidly over the last �ive years, and we believe that having these two exciting platforms will enable focused strategies and accelerate our growth,” said AC Energy Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala.

AC Energy is Ayala Group’s business arm in the energy sector, with investments in renewable energy and conventional power plants.

“We recognize that re-

AYALA,P11

Big Boss Cement in P4-B expansion

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ig Boss Cement Inc., chaired by the eldest son and namesake of billionaire Henry Sy Sr., is investing P4 billion to P8 billion in the next four years to expand capacity in its bid to meet the increased domestic demand as the government rolls out more infrastructure projects.

BBCI President Gilbert Cruz told reporters the company would establish two more cement manufacturing facilities to add 10 million bags a month to its current capacity.

Cruz said its cement manufacturing facility in Porac, Pampanga produces 1.5 million bags a month.

“It is expanding to meet

the needs of the country which is exponentially requiring cement every year. Today, we are 22 million metric tons; �ive years from now, we will be 40 million metric tons. There is a lot of gaps that we have to �ill in so we should be building more, and we should not rely on imports,” he said on the sidelines of BBCI’s product launch Thursday night.

Cruz said the company targets to support the government’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program through “whatever we can produce.”

BBCI chairman Henry Sy Jr. also serves as chairman of listed real estate giant SM Prime Holdings Inc. (PNA)

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Matina Pangi, and Catalunan Grande, some Bago Gallera areas (Rosalina Village I and Adciville Subd.), and some Matina Crossing areas (Guadalupe Village, Pangi Bridge, NSDS Village, SK Compound, and Tinago Drive).

This water service interruption will give way to

Agriculture output shoots up by 3.95% An elderly chooses from a display of wide varieties of dried fish at Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City on Saturday. Lean Daval Jr.

T

he agriculture sector grew by 2.20 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017, bringing full-year growth to 3.95 percent, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported on Friday.

PSA data showed that at current prices, gross value of agricultural output amounted to PHP500.4 billion, up by

9.27 percent from the previous year’s record.

It attributed output growth during October to

the looping of the newly installed pipelines to the existing pipelines in Brgy. Mintal, particularly, at corner Adelfa St. along Davao-Bukidnon Road, along Adelfa St., along Rosal St., along Española St., and at corner San Francisco St. along Española St. as part of the preparations for

the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project of DCWD that will improve water supply in Davao City once completed in 2019.

On behalf of the DCWD management, general manager Engr. Edwin V. Regalado asks for the understanding

Water service interruption in most areas served by Tugbok WSS avao City Water District advises of a water service interruption on January 24, 2018 from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM affecting most areas served by Tugbok Water Supply System, specifically, in the entire Brgy. Tugbok, Mintal, Sto. Niño, Bago Oshiro, Catalunan Pequeño,

WATER,P11

Biddings of assets of closed banks set

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series of public biddings of assets of closed banks may enable the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) to raise money enougn to pay depositors and creditors of closed banks.

This was bared by Jose Villaret Jr., vice president for PDIC Corporate Affairs Group, who briefed Davao reporters on the coming public biddings scheduled in Luzon and Mindanao on February 15, 19 and 27.

Villaret and two other PDIC of�icers –Arlene Firmeza, CEO I of PDIC Asset Management Group and Gerardo C. Franco, information of�icer –came to Davao City last week to promote the public biddings. The team initially

ECONOMY5

EDGEDAVAO

met with of�icers of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. headed by president Arturo M. Milan and chairman Antonio T. dela Cruz, to explain the bidding process and show the list of agricultural, commercial and residential lots to be auctioned during a bidding in the afternoon of Fedruary 27 at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

The February 27 bidding in Davao City is the last of a series of three public biddings for assets of closed rural banks in the country, starting on February 15.

The Davao City bidding involves the sale of 104 Real and Other Properties Acquired (ROPA) owned by various closed banks with

December increase in crops, livestock and poultry subsectors.

The crops subsector, which accounted for 51.20 percent of the total agricultural output, rose 2.66 percent in the fourth quarter.

Palay output increased by 4.37 percent while, that of

corn declined by 5.73 percent.

Increments were noted in the output of coconut, sugarcane, banana, pineapple, peanut, cassava, sweet potato, eggplant and rubber.

The statistics of�ice said the crop subsector recorded a 6.69-percent growth in pro-

AGRICULTURE,P11

Globe Telecom and MET To Introduce Largest Multi-Title Esports League In the Philippines

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ET, Southeast Asia’s #1 esports tournament organizer, has partnered with Globe Telecom, the Philippines’ #1 mobile brand, to produce the Globe Philippine Pro Gaming League (PPGL) 2018. The Globe PPGL 2018 will be a nationwide esports tournament featuring three major esports titles across multiple gaming platforms: Dota 2 (desktop), Tekken 7 (console), and Arena of Valor (mobile).

Set to be the largest multi-title esports league in the Philippines, the Globe

PPGL 2018 will be a milestone for the country’s esports industry and marks the beginning of a new era of esports entertainment in the country” “Globe is once again embarking on a pioneering effort. After becoming the purveyor of digital lifestyle and rede�ining how Filipinos consume entertainment, we are set to put the Philippines on the map of gaming and eSports together with MET by launching Globe PPGL 2018,” said Ernest Cu, President and

GLOBE,P11

8990 Holdings launches P2-B Cebu condo dev’t

PDIC’s PUBLIC BIDDING. Jose Villaret Jr., vice president of Corporate Affairs Group of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC), briefs Davao reporters on the process involved in the PDIC’s public bidding of agricultural, commercial and residential assets of closed banks in Mindanao to be held on February 27 at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in Davao City. AMA combined minimum disposal price of P63.9 million. The

ROPA consists of agricultur-

BIDINGS,P11

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isted mass housing developer 8990 Holdings Inc. expects to generate P2 billion in sales from its second mid-rise condominium development in Barangay Tisa, Cebu City, as it expands its footprint in high growth areas across Visayas and Mindanao.

8990 Holdings President and Chief Executive Of�icer Willie J. Uy said continued strong demand prompt-

ed the company to launch Urban Deca Homes Tisa 2, which it would spend around P800 million for its development until 2021.

Urban Deca Homes Tisa 2 will have 21 four-story buildings served by elevators. Each building will have an average of 70 units or a total of 1,392 units for the entire project.

Its �irst project in Tisa has

8990,P11

6 SUBURBIA RISING EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 208 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 21-22 , 2018

Army patrol clashes with alleged Maute gunmen in Lanao del Sur’s Masiu C

AGAYAN DE ORO CITY — An Army combat patrol engaged a group of armed men on board two bancas who were trying to sneak into the town of Masiu in Lanao del Sur on Saturday dawn.

Brig. Gen. Roseller Murillo, commander of the Army’s 1st Tabak Division, said the platoon of soldiers encountered more than ten Maute gunmen at the vicinity of Barangay Kalilangan, Masiu town at around 12:30 a.m. on Saturday. No one was reported killed or injured.

Murillo said that despite total darkness, the soldiers were able to sink the two bancas used by the gunmen in trying to sneak into Masiu town.

He said the soldiers did not �ind any bodies from the two sunken bancas but recovered �irearms and explosives.

The recovered items included an M-203 grenade launcher, a rocket-pro-

pelled grenade launcher, anti-personnel rockets, a binocular, ISIS black �lag and assorted drug paraphernalia.

The �ire�ight came after the military went on full alert in Marawi City with tanks and soldiers guarding its streets.

Lanao del Sur Assemblyman Zia Alonto Adiong of the Regional Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) said they received persistent reports that Daesh-inspired Maute gunmen and massing up again in the town of Piagapo in Lanao del Sur. He said they relayed the information to the military for them to check. (Froilan Gallardo / MindaNews)

WARNING. A tarpaulin warning punishment for ferrying of fictitious registrants hangs outside the Masiu town hall during the registration of voters in July 2012. MindaNews file photo by FROILAN GALLARDO

3 dead, 1 hurt in Kidapawan shooting

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IDAPAWAN CITY (MindaNews /20 January) — After they executed their target, two suspected gun-for-hire were killed as they engaged in shootout with police operatives Friday dawn, Kidapawan City police director, Superintendent Ramel Hojilla, said.

Hojilla identi�ied the slain gunmen as Aljiver Gerosaga and John Hermie Estopacia, both residents of Barangay Saguing in Makilala.

The gunmen’s target, identi�ied as Noa Capulong,

16, was also killed, the police of�icial said.

Citing as basis reports of the police investigation unit, Hojilla said Capulong was shot on the head and chest while on board his passenger tricycle parked in front of a barbecue stall along Quezon Boulevard, here.

Hojilla identi�ied Gerosaga as the triggerman.

Afte Gerosaga shot dead Capulong, the gunman moved fast to the motorbike driven

by Estopacia, which was also parked near the victim’s tricy-

CARRYING CAPACITY. If the Philippines will not watch out, the country will look like this in the near future. This year, 206 Filipinos every hour are added to the current population. That’s 4,965 people each

cle, Hojilla added.

But even before Gerosaga could allegedly withdraw from the area, he was met by a volley of �ire coming from two policemen in civilian clothes who happened to be on site.

Hojilla added the gunman engaged in a shootout with the cops but was also hit on his head and in different parts of his body. Estopacia, gunman’s buddy, also tried to escape but he, too, met his death when cops shot him on the head.

A bystander identi�ied

as Evanuel Sahid-Sahid, 25, of Mundog Subdivision, Poblacion, here, was seriously injured when he was hit by a stray bullet.

Initial investigation showed that Gerosaga and Estopacia were both gunsfor-hire who belong to a syndicate operating in North Cotabato, while Capulong has long been wanted for series of robberies, hold-ups, and other crimes in the city and in nearby towns in North Cotabato. (Malu Cadelina Manar / MindaNews)

day. By the end of 2018, Philippines will be home to 107.19 million people, according to the Commission on Population. Photo by Henrylito D. Tacio

ARMM starts Maguindanao land titling to settle disputes

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OTABATO CITY -- To address land con�licts that often result in clan wars in Maguindanao, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DENR-ARMM) has begun surveying lands in preparation for the free distribution of land titles in con�lict-affected towns of the province.

Forester Kahal Kedtag, DENR-ARMM Secretary, said the PHP42-million “free land titling and survey” project of the department was formally launched Thursday in Rajah Buayan, one of the 15 municipalities out of Maguindanao’s 36 towns that will bene�it from the project.

“Land dispute hinders development,” Rajah Buayan Mayor Zamzamin Ampatuan said. “This project will provide bigger opportunities for our people.”

Ampatuan said the people were hoping for a fully secured land ownership, especially for his town, which relies on farming.

Kedtag said the massive distribution of land titles would also help combat poverty and stimulate progress and development in the province.

He said the project was under the region’s Humanitarian Development and As-

sistance Program (HDAP) aimed at demarcating properties of landowners in the region.

HDAP, a project of the regional government under the Hataman administration, is tasked to implement various government initiatives, speci�ically relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction, both horizontal (roads and bridges) and vertical (school buildings, houses, and health centers).

The project also covers livelihood programs that will promote peace and help the situation in calamity-affected communities, especially in 15 Maguindanao towns.

Kedtag said the distribution of free land titles was one of the priorities of Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman to help reduce con�licts in Maguindanao, many of which were fueled by land disputes.

The initiative has the full backing of local government executives and their respective constituents.

In 2016, the region granted a total of 1,800 hectares of land to residents of the con�lict-torn “SPMS box”, which stands for Shariff Aguak, Pagatin, Mamasapano, and Salibo.

The SPMS box remains under the close watch of the military due to the presence of Islamic State-inspired

ARMM,P11

VOL. 10 ISSUE 208 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 21-22 , 2018

EDGEDAVAO

SHOE IN THE PARK. Christmas lights wrapped around a giant replica of a shoe at the Luneta Park in Surigao City on December 9, 2014. Built in the 1970s, the structure houses a power generator that services

SUBURBIA RISING

7

the City Hall, police headquarters, fire department and public market during blackouts. It also has a siren that sounds off every day and night and during emergencies. MindaNews file photo by ROEL N. CATOTO

Surigao City’s curfew takes a toll on tricycle drivers, balut vendors S

URIGAO CITY — The city’s 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew has led to the arrest of close to a hundred minors and dozens of adults but has taken its toll on businesses that operate at night, reducing incomes of tricycle drivers and balut vendors, among others.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Surigao City headed by Police Supt. Jay Baybayan launched the curfew last January 8 due to a series of robbery incidents that hit the city.

Baybayan said the curfew declaration was “in relation to

C

7 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift, and are referred to as “overtimers.”

“There were about 400 to 500 of us who ply the streets at night time,” he told MindaNews.

Another tricycle driver, Judy Escopete, said the “general curfew” has reduced their incomes.

“This is a bad year to start with. Meager income gives us a headache,” he said as he likened the situation now during the nights after the 6.9

Presidential Proclamation No. 216 declaring the Mindanao under the state of Martial Law.” Tricycle drivers who operate at night said their incomes have dropped as streets are deserted because of the curfew.

“No one would come around in the city by 10 in the evening thus we have no passengers and that translates to a huge loss of income,” tricycle driver Kenneth Auditor said in Surigaonon.

Auditor is one of several tricycle drivers working the

local residents.

Nobody was reported hurt in the incident.

“We panicked after the succession of blasts,” said Datu Salik, a resident in the area. He said the �irst blast

occurred at 6 a.m. followed by another blast at 6:30 a.m. at a secluded section of the highway near the junction.

Responding police and military bomb disposal experts said the blasts were

caused by improvised explosive devices rigged from black powder, cut nails, metal shards and mobile phone as triggering device.

Authorities immediately

PDEA Regional Director Lyndon Aspacio said the drug den’s dismantling occurred following a buy-bust operation in Barangay Camino Nuevo, this city at about 5:45 p.m. Thursday.

Aspacio identi�ied the arrested HVT persons as Jeanifer

Mondares, 32; Paulita Tubil, 43; Rodrigo Tubil, 32; Raymond Farallon, 42; Mark Albia, 26; Abdel Alamia, 41; and Bobby Tubil, 30.

He disclosed that another HVT drug personality identi�ied as Robert Berdin was able to

elude arrest.

Aspacio said the arresting team con�iscated from the suspects 23 grams of suspected shabu packed in one self-sealing transparent plastic sachet worth PHP115,000, PHP500 marked

Twin blasts rock Maguindanao

OTABATO CITY--Twin blasts rocked the junction of Barangays Tamontaka and Broce in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, early Friday morning momentarily causing fear among

TWIN,P13

PDEA dismantles drug den; seizes P115-K shabu

Z

AMBOANGA CITY -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) arrested seven high-value target (HVT) personalities as they dismantled a drug den in an anti-illegal drugs operation in this city, an of�icial said Friday.

PDEAP13

magnitude quake that rocked Surigao on February 10, 2017.

He lamented that the streets are “virtually empty at night.” Escopete used to earn 650 up to 800 pesos from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. but now earns only half of that.

Escopete noticed a lot of tricycle drivers no longer ply at night. But driving is his only source of living. He has six children in school.

Balut vendors said their incomes have dramatically

decreased, too.

“To earn a living gets tough because of this curfew implementation,” said balut vendor Toto Magpayo.

Incomes of establishments such as convenience stores and drug stores have also plunged due to the curfew.

“It affects us on a nightly basis,” said Jody Degamon, assistant pharmacist of Aquarian Pharma, a drugstore that

SURIGAO,P13

Gunmen kill barangay exec in Isabela City

Z

AMBOANGA CITY -- Police are investigating the killing of a barangay of�icial who recently joined the administration’s political party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

Isabela City Police chief, Supt. Restituto Pangusban, identi�ied the victim as Kaddam Ismael, 61, who succumbed to a lone gunshot wound and died instantly.

Ismael was the barangay chairperson of Kapayawan, Isabela City, Basilan province at

the time of his death.

Pangusban said Ismael was shot dead along the highway in Barangay Lumbang, Isabela City at about 6:10 p.m. Thursday.

He said the slain barangay of�icial was onboard a motorcycle driven by his son on the way home when he was shot by one of two motorcycle-riding men.

Ismael had just arrived from Manila as he was among the 40 barangay chairpersons of Isabela City who took their

GUNMEN,P13

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

T

Plight of OFWs

his one has to end.

After deaths of Filipino OFWs in Kuwait, President Rodrigo Duterte thought it’s time to press the button.

Taking that cue, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III took to action immediately as he suspended deployment of OFWs to the gulf state.

It’s a hard decision. Hundreds of Filipinos make a living in Kuwait. Most of them domestic helpers. Most of them women.

Poverty has sent these Pinoys to work in Kuwait, enduring the hard life and working with employers who could be dif�icult and dangerous to deal with in some cases. Some had to go through inhumane conditions and hostile treat-

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 208 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 21-22 , 2018

ment from employers. As a result, some faced charges. Last year, Jakatia Pawa was executed in Kuwait for allegedly killing her employer’s 22-year-old daughter.

We just cannot afford to see more of our countrymen suffer the same fate. It’s time to talk to the Kuwaiti government that we are not sending slaves to their land whom they can just abuse and maltreat.

Yes, poverty has forced them to leave their families behind to earn a better keep on foreign soil. Given what they have to endure and give up to for a shot at a better life for their families, it is but proper that their welfare and safety be at the foremost of any considerations in our bilateral relations with not just Kuwait but with any other country as well.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

JIMMY K. LAKING Associate Editor PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

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

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

EDGEDAVAO

I

VOL. 10 ISSUE 207 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 19-20, 2018

9

From the outside looking in to a Speaker’s lavish birthday party

had no second thoughts when his eminence, Sera�in “Jun” Ledesma, Davao’s most senior journalist, called up to say he was picking me up on the way to Tagum City.

He said he had been invited by no less than House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to his birthday celebration and that he was told to bring along one of the guys.

The date was January 12 and that the day’s affair was to wrap up a three-day celebration that saw a train of dignitaries, national and local of�icials and supporters trooping to Tagum’s City Hall to pay their respects to the House Speaker. The main guest was President Rodrigo R. Duterte himself.

We lost no time joining the queue of guests who were asked to register upon entry.

In that queue, I spotted several cabinet secretaries, department heads, members of the House of the Representatives and local of�icials. Some had packages with him while some

brought bottles presumably as gifts to the Speaker.

I learned later that several foreign dignitaries in fact showed up, taking advantage of the several �lights bound in and out for Davao City. To accommodate the guests, several vans were hired to ferry them straight to Tagum City.

Following procedure, Jun and I presented ourselves at the media desk for registration and clearing. His name cleared out but mine did not. I showed my press card that identi�ied me as associate editor of Edge Davao but it was turned down.

So I told Jun to proceed and that I would have to wait for him outside. And with that, I stepped out and took a seat at a concrete structure that served as a bench, in the company of security people and escorts.

Jun tried to locate the Speaker but failed by the sheer size of the gathering that �illed the main hall. He said later it would be impossible to get close to the Speaker considering the thou-

ust recently, Yahoo Philippines featured a blog written by Pinay Solo Backpacker. It talks about the “5 must-see sandbars in the Philippines.” On top of the list is the Vanishing Island, located at the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte.

In her introduction, the blogger wrote: “Undoubtedly, the Philippines has some of the best coasts in the world, with over 7,000 islands, you will never run out of beaches here. But more than that, our bountiful country also harbors idyllic sandbars that beckon sun-seekers.”

Sandbar, as per de�inition, is “a long mass or low ridge of submerged or partially exposed sand built up in the water along a shore or beach by the action of waves or currents.”

Here’s how the blogger describes the Vanishing Island: “A real stunner, the Vanishing Island – as you might have surmised from its name – disappears when the tide is high. Unlike other sandbars sitting pretty below jungle-clad mountains, this one is set in the midst of the sea and offers a view of a nearby bustling city. Its sand is silky and snow white, sprinkled

with mangroves and lapped by clear navy blue waters.”

Cleto Bravo Gales, Jr. – more popularly known as Jon and is now working with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) – read it and shares some of his notes on the said island.

“Vanishing Island is merely the adopted contemporary popular moniker for this stretch of sandbar located at the north-western part of the Samal group of islands at the heart of Davao Gulf,” he told us.

According to him, its of�icial name is Sanipaan Shoal or referred to as Arboles Island in other older maps. “I came across two emerging traditions that may shed light to the naming of this sandbar as ‘Sanipaan,’ Jon pointed out.

Jon, who used to be the city administrator of Samal for 16 years, recalled: “It was claimed that this shoal used to be covered with lush ‘nipa’ and other species of mangroves, thus, earning for it the name ‘Sanipaan.’

“But, through time, due to lack of understanding and appreciation about the importance of this fragile ecosystem, the mangroves were harvested for fuel and other

J

VANTAGE POINTS

REVERSED PUNCH

Jimmy K.Laking

sands of people that �illed the hall.

My plan to ask the Speaker a couple of questions, given the chance even if it would take the whole night to wait, �izzled out into the night.

With that popped out the opportunity to size up him at close range. It was back to square one in so far as comparing him to some of his predecessors, as I remembered the likes of Ramon “Monching” Mitra, Jr.,

Vanishing Island

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

purposes -- and eventually was practically banished from the shoal.”

From what he could remember, as a consequence of this abuse, all that was left in 1998 (when Samal became a city) was a sandbar and two juvenile mangrove hills standing. “Sadly, what used to be a lush ‘sanipaan’ was reduced to a stretch of sandbar that emerges only during low tide, but ‘vanishes’ during high tide,” he deplored.

Thus, the present name, Vanishing Island, as it is known now, came into existence.

Now, on the second story.

Jose De Venecia and Prospero Nograles with whom I had the chance to interact with in the past.

And how would he stack up as a PDP-Laban heavyweight to such PDP-Laban hard cores as Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel, (the late) Rey Magno Teves and Cris Lanorias with whom I brushed elbows in the past?

On a personal note, will he not take the initiative as a House Speaker of the Republic of the Philippines, in burying the hatchet with erstwhile buddy Rep. Antonio “Tonyboy” Floirendo once and for all?

All that was water under the bridge as Jun and I headed back to Davao City.

Yet there is no denying the cloud that hovered over the event. That it was by far the most expensive and longest (it took three days) birthday celebration tendered by a member of the Duterte of�icial family.

That government of�icials and foreign dignitaries have to �ly all the way from somewhere just

to pay their respects in Tagum City. That three �lights have been actually chartered just to ensure the �low of dignitaries and guests.

It was an act of extravagance that was plain as day. In an island where nine of the country’s 20 poorest provinces are located, the affair stacks up as an anomaly. It mirrors in part the gap that separates the majority of Mindanao’s residents who are poor and the few who are very rich, the dichotomy that continues to breed poverty, underdevelopment and extremism.

If he was pleased or if he was displeased, President Duterte did not show it.

And if some of the Chinese dignitaries who came noticed it too, they were the perfect guests not to show it. Yet probably one or two must have wondered (in Mandarin translated to Tagalog): “Aba’y masyado namang en grande and handaan na ito.

Akala ko ba’y naghihirap ang bansang ito?” (30)

“Early on in the course of my 16year stint as city administrator, I eventually uncovered a sentimental and sacred indigenous Sama tradition claiming that the word ‘Sanipaan’ was inspired by the Sama word ‘piagsapaan,’ which is claimed to mean ‘where an agreement (‘sumpaan’ in Tagalog) was forged and sealed with word of honor.’”

Inspired by the complementation of these two traditions, the local government of Samal made a sentimental resolve in 1999 – that is, to reclaim what has been “vanishing” by launching the Project SSS (Save the Sanipaan Shoal).

Under this project, which was done in tandem with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), they worked on mostly sandy substrate, experimented on various species, and tried on various schemes to bring back the mangroves and revive the Sanipaan ecosystem.

“After more than two years of trials-and-error, we succeeded in establishing the ‘pagatpat’ mangroves on some portions of the sandbar,” Jon reported. “A few

years later, when the ‘pagatpat’ mangroves have been stabilized and have accumulated mud and other sediments that eventually developed into variations of substrates, other species of mangroves eventually thrived.”

Today, thousands of mangroves of varied species are standing alive and stable on Sanipaan Shoal – and still counting. And their foliage have now become the habitat, breeding and nesting areas for several species of migratory birds.

“Our partners from the academic and scienti�ic community have con�irmed that the Sanipaan Shoal is one of the richest ecosystems in the island in terms of marine bio-diversity,” Jon said.

It is only the beginning though.

As Jon puts it: “Many things remain to be done for Sanipaan Shoal.”

He then urged: “In re-living the essence of the indigenous truce (‘piagsapaan’) of our forebears, we call on women and men of goodwill to join us in re-claiming back from ‘vanishing’ the former glory of Sanipaan.”

Are there people listening out there?

10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 208 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 21-22 , 2018

BEST... FROM 1 economic zone.

Second District councilor Jimmy Dureza was then put to task to look for a location, according to Milan.

Milan said that Davao is competing with neighboring countries that also have economic zones. If the city would not address the apparent lack of PEZA-accredited zones, he said, “wag na lang (never mind) because de�initely they will not come.”

“This is the kind of offering that we want to have – very clear and speci�ic offerings to would-be investors – so that they can evaluate in real terms whether our offering is competitive,” he said.

Milan said the chamber could only do so much in terms of entertaining investors.

As of October 31, 2017, the city has 14 PEZA-accredited areas – 1 manufacturing, 2 agro-industrial zones, and 11 information technology centers and IT parks.

The PEZA-accredited manufacturing area is the First Oriental Business and Industrial Park while the agro-industrial zones are AJMR Agro-Industrial Economic Zone and CIIF Agro-Industrial Park-Davao.

Aside from the NCCC Mall Davao’s IT Center on the fourth �loor that was part of those razed down by �ire last Dec. 23, the other IT Parks and centers are Luisa Avenue Square IT Center, Robinsons Cybergate Davao, Felcris Centrale, SM Lanang Premier IT Center, Abreeza Corporate Center, Ayala Business Center, Filandia IT Center, The Annex-SM City Davao IT Center, Damosa IT Park, and Matina IT Park.

A PEZA-accredited area enjoys �iscal (income tax holidays for four to six years) and non-�iscal incentives.

Non-�iscal incentives in-

clude simpli�ied import-export procedures; non-resident foreign nationals may be employed by PEZA-registered Economic Zone Enterprises in supervisory, technical or advisory positions; and special non-immigrant visa with multiple entry privileges for non-resident foreign nationals in a PEZA-registered Economic Zone Enterprise that include investors, of�icers, and employees in supervisory, technical or advisory position, and their spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age.

Davao City Investment Promotions Center (DCIPC) chief Lemuel Ortonio said the declaration of martial law in Mindanao did not put a dent on the investment climate here.

Records from DCIPC showed that investments that entered the city after the May 23 declaration of martial law in Mindanao totaled P493.14 million coming from real estate and agri-industrial projects, which was twice higher compared with the total capitalization worth P230.83 million recorded for the entire 2016.

“The peace and order situation of Davao City, in relation to Martial Law, is always one of the questions asked by potential investors. However, our of�ice always make it a point to provide them with a clear picture on how Martial Law is being implemented,” he said.

“For one, Davao City is far from where Marawi City is located. Also, how the national government implemented martial law is far from being abusive. We make sure that we tell them that the peace and order programs in the city ensure the safety of the residents and visitors,” he added. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

for use in the implementation of the ‘Hirna’ taxi hailing app project.

Asked why he mentioned Smart when Globe was the one presented as cellphone unit provider during the launching of the project at City Hall in the presence of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Martin Delgra, Largo said that the group opted to deal with Smart after Glone backed out.

In a statement emailed to Edge Davao, Globe stated: “We wish to clarify our position on an article that came out in Edge Davao stating that Globe Telecom has backed out of the Hirna taxi hailing app project. Contrary to what was written, we were invited by Avis Philippines to be a partner for the project. Currently, Globe and the Hirna proponents – Avis Philippines and Metro Davao Transport Operators Association (MDTOA) are in the

process of negotiating the terms of the project. As such, both parties have not arrived at any conclusion regarding the agreement.

“We were surprised to learn that Smart was announced to be the new partner for the Hirna proponent through the Edge news report. While this came out quite suddenly for us, we respect the decision of the partners even as we remain open for any collaboration in the future.

“Globe deeply values the trust of its partners and clients so we always make sure that we uphold our commitments to them.”

Largo was in Singapore at this writing Saturday heading a delegation of 37 Davao lawyers conducting a legal aid mission for the bene�it of some 200 overseas Filipino workers. He is expected to react to the Globe statement. He is heading the legal aid mission as newly inducted president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines

GLOBE... FROM 1

Residents of a subdivision in Sasa, Davao City unload water containers from a vehicle after fetching water as their area is among the most (IBP)-Davao City chapter.

Lawyers Caesar S. Europa and Edgar Ilagan, past presidents of the IBP-Davao City chapter joined the group.

For more information, please contact: Yoly C. Crisanto Head, Corporate Com-

munications Globe Telecom, Inc. Email Address: gtcorpcomm@globe.com.ph Globe Press Room: newsroom.globe.com.ph/ Twitter: @talk2GLOBE │ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/globeph

kets.

“The large-scale infrastructure investments including the Trans-Mindanao High-speed Railway System Project, the development of Mindanao’s gateways and transport facilities, and the rapid urbanization of Mindanao’s cities- these all high-

lights the increasing demand for steel in Mindanao,” Montenegro said.

He said that the steel and cement industry will provide sustainable employment for thousands of Mindanawons who are highly skilled in metallurgy and steelmaking.

Nov. 24, 2010.

Largo was barangay captain of Tigbawan in Lazi town at the time.

The charge was based on a complaint �iled by Police Inspector Reynaldo Valmoria, who led the arresting team.

The Of�ice of the Ombudsman said the complaint was bolstered by the testimonies of Police Of�icer (PO) 3 Samuel Ocao, PO2 Marve Balay-og,

PO2 Jeralf Paghacian, and PO1 Dynichee Tupac.

The Ombudsman dismissed Fua’s argument that he went to help Largo because he lives nearby and saw that the police were conducting the search improperly.

Fua also questioned the validity of the warrant against Largo, who is also his childhood friend. (PNA)

ly search was conducted and recovered from their possession. The suspects were taken to Southern Philippines Medical Center for the mandatory medical examination.

The inventory of the piece of evidence was held at the place of the operation in front o of the suspects and as witnessed by a representative of Department of Justice and elected barangay of�icial in the person of Loverey Avisado.

The arrested suspects are now detained pending the deposition of cases against them. The drug item with an estimated street market value of more or less P 4,000 to include the object of the buy bust operation were taken into custody.

The information was re-

ported by a con�idential informant at San Pedro Police Station (PS2) on the same day.

According to the informant Mila was actively selling shabu within the vicinity of Purok 2, Barangay 76-A, Bucana, Davao City. Furthermore the informant divulged to San Pedro Police station that Mila enticed the informant to look for potential buyers in exchange of monetary incentives.

PCI Ramil Macarampat immediately ordered the conduct of operation against Mila.

After the validation, it was revealed that Mila had earlier surrendered for drug traf�icking and was included in the drug watch list.

Mila and Malicay are both residents of Purok 2, Barangay 76-A, Bucana, Davao City.

HIGH... FROM 2

SANDIGAN... FROM 2

PERSON... FROM 3

affected by Davao City Water District’s (DCWD’s) water interruption on Saturday. Lean Daval Jr.

LIZADA... FROM 3

viber group na ito kung di na kayo magsasalita? Medyo di maganda pang amoy ko.. Pero para sa bayan, saludo ako sa inyo.”

“I am sure there is a better reason for this happening, but in any case, sincerely, thank you. May God bless you in all

your endeavors,” said another.

Lizada, who had served as chief of staff of then Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte, always ends her thank you posts to reporters who commend her for swift response with “para sa bayan” (for the country).

search for truth on Carl and Kulot’s death.

She said their next step was to closely coordinate with the DOJ panel of prosecutors for the trial of the suspects.

In a 35-page resolution released Friday, a three-man DOJ panel of prosecutors, led

by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Maria Emilia Victorio, found probable cause to indict Police Of�icer 1 (PO1) Jeffrey Perez and PO1 Ricky Arquilita on two counts each of murder and planting of evidence in violation of Section 38 of Republic Act (RA) No. 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunitions Regulation Act, in connection with the handgun found with Arnaiz.

The justice department

also �iled two more counts of planting of evidence in violation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, due to the shabu and marijuana found with Arnaiz, and two counts of torture in violation of Sections 4 and 14 of RA 9745 or the Anti-Torture Act of 2009 before the Caloocan City Regional Trial Court.

Acting Prosecutor General Jorge Catalan Jr. said murder charges were �iled against the two policemen for killing the teens “without any danger to their lives”.

“Murder was �iled because it was done in a treacherous manner without risk to themselves,” he told reporters.

(PNA)

ams.

The applicants must reserve their online appointment on these dates, depending on which exam they are applying for, to secure a slot in the nationwide entrance and promotional exams.

Casurao said the OLEASS

is only one of the new innovations to make the application for policeman easier.

The examination fees are PHP400 for the PNP Entrance and PO exams; PHP450 for the SPO exam; PHP500 for the Police Insp. exam; and PHP600 for Police Supt. Exam. (PNA)

citizens at OFW (The law identi�ies those to be given priority – PWDs, pregnant women, women with children who are less than seven years old, those who have children less than 10 years old, single parents, senior citizens, and overseas Filipino workers),» he explained.

“Kung bibigyan namin ng slot ang lahat ng mga travel agency, ang

mangyayari, kung mas madaling kumuha sa kanila, para bang kung kailangan kong bumili ng ticket nila. Paano kung walang kakayahang bumili ng ticket? (If we give these travel agencies slots, it would appear that people need to buy tickets from them to avail easily of a slot.

What about people who could not afford to buy tickets?)» he added. (PNA)

PAO... FROM 3

HEIGHT... FROM 3

CAYETANO... FROM 4

INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 208 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 21-22, 2018

EVENT

EDGEDAVAO

Celebrating milestones with a classical night

THE Foundation for Development Through Education Inc. (FDTED celebrated its 20th anniversary last January 18 with a classical piano benefit concert at the Grand Ballroom of the Marco Polo Davao.

The concert featured internationally awarded Filipino concert pianist Jovianney Emmanel Cruz. A former child prodigy, Mr. Cruz is one of twelve international artists to inaugurate the Solomon Gadles Mikowsky Recital Hall in New York, and the first Filipino to perform at the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts in Virginia.

Taking his turn after the ladies of the Agdao Violin Institute’s String Quinet, Mr. Cruz took guests in the fully-packed ballroom out on a classical piano journey from Chopin’s Waltz and Scherzo to more modern pieces such as Cordoba, Asturias and El Salon Mexico.

Mr. Cruz also shared his passion of giving music education to the less fortunate and he hopes his performances would help inspire more Filipinos.

For the past twenty years, FDTEI has educated 122 underprivileged yet deserving young adults coming from eight provinces in Mindanao. Of these scholars, 101 will have graduated by 2017. The scholars of the foundation are enrolled in undergraduate programs in engineering, medicine, nursing, business, accountancy and education, to name a few with many having found meaningful and productive employment after completing their studies.

After graduation, FDTEI also assists graduates in reviewing for qualifying board examinations. To complement their academic training, FDTEI involve scholars in community projects ranging from health, education and environmental initiatives.

Congratulations to the Foundation for Development Through Education Inc. and to Jovianney Emmanel Cruz on a beautiful night of music and good deeds.

Edwina Dominguez-Garchitorena, John Tria, Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz, Rosie Alcantara-Dominguez, Tinky Cruz, Jocelyn Lorenzo

Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz on the piano.

FDTEI Scholars.

Halifax Davao Hotel Inc’s Fracis Ledesma, Marco Polo Davao General Manager Dottie Wurgler-Cronin, Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz, Davao City Indonesian Consul General Berlian Napitupulu with wife Elizabeth Vice Mayor Bernie Al-ag with wife Cherry. (left), Japanese Consul Tomoko Dodo.

FDTEI’s Jocelyn Lorenzo, MPD GM Dottie, HDHI’s Francis, Armenio Lorenzo.

A2INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 208 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 21-22, 2018

The largest multi-title Esports league in the Philippines launched MET, Southeast Asia’s #1 esports tournament organizer, has partnered with Globe Telecom, the Philippines’ #1 mobile brand, to produce the Globe Philippine Pro Gaming League (PPGL) 2018. The Globe PPGL 2018 will be a nationwide esports tournament featuring three major esports titles across multiple gaming platforms: Dota 2 (desktop), Tekken 7 (console), and Arena of Valor (mobile).

Set to be the largest multititle esports league in the Philippines, the Globe PPGL 2018 will be a milestone for the country’s esports industry and marks the beginning of a new era of esports entertainment in the country” “Globe is once again embarking on a pioneering effort.

After becoming the purveyor of digital lifestyle and redefining how Filipinos consume entertainment, we are set to put the

Philippines on the map of gaming and eSports together with MET by launching Globe PPGL 2018,” said Ernest Cu, President and CEO of Globe Telecom.

“We look forward to taking esports to greater heights, and develop world-class esports talents in the country,” added Cu. The tournament will also be the subject of a first-of-its-kind esports television program produced alongside it. The Globe PPGL 2018 series will be a highproduction serialized documentary that delves into the life stories, daily lives, and personal struggles of the players as they progress through the league.

The tournament will be broadcast online via livestream while the documentary-style production will air on free television.

With this fresh take on esports entertainment, MET and Globe hope to bring both the spectacle and human elements of professional gaming to a wider audience. The show’s direction and production will cater to both mainstream audi-

ences and existing esports fans.

The tournament will also be possible with the help of other representatives from the Philippine esports industry, namely the Mobile Esports Arena and PlayBook Esports.

For MET, the Globe PPGL 2018 is also the evolution of their previous annual esports league, the MPGL. The MPGL ran for eight seasons from 2009 to 2016 over a broad range of esports titles such as Dota 2, League of Legends, CS:GO, and more. As a national league,

the MPGL was also a launching pad for the careers of several amateur competitive gamers, creating now-recognized world-class Filipino esports athletes. With the Globe PPGL 2018, MET hopes to not only foster a new generation of professional player hopefuls, but also introduce a wider audience to the excitement and legitimacy of esports.

“The goal is to create the esports legends of the future—hometown heroes and local champions,” says Ronald

“Rhom” Robins, Founder of MET and Father of Philippine Esports. “MET has always delivered top-notch events to cater to both pro gamers and esports fans. Now we want to reach a broader, more mainstream audience and show them the incredible appeal and legitimacy of esports.”

With the Philippines internationally recognized as an esports-loving country worldwide due to its passionate gamers and string of successful global esports events, MET and Globe believe that the time is right to bring esports entertainment to the mainstream.

The Globe PPGL 2018 tournament will begin later this 2018 with qualifier tournaments across the country before a live LAN event to determine the grand champions for each game title. The champion of the Dota 2 leg will also advance to a Southeast Asian Dota 2 tournament involving champions of other national esports leagues across the country.

ENTERTAINMENT

SKY pay-per-view opens the year with Star Cinema movie offerings

START THE NEW YEAR with a movie about bonds between people in the hit family drama starring Aga Muhlach and Dingdong Dantes, “Seven Sundays,” and the Piolo-Toni reunion movie, “Last Night” on SKY Pay-Per-View this month.

Follow the story of the Bonifacio family and how its patriarch sees his illness as a way to reconnect with his four adult children and bring their family back together in “Seven Sundays.”

See how Piolo Pascual’s character cope with a dark period in his life and “find love” in Toni Gonzaga in 2017’s “Last Night.” The two stars were last seen in the hit movie “Starting Over Again” in 2014.

The two movies will be offered until February 2. Watch them in high definition by subscribing to Star Cinema on SKY PPV for P199 with unlimited access.

Meanwhile, SKY Movies PPV will show two love stories, one headlined by Empoy Marquez, and the other by his “Kita Kita” partner, Alessandra de Rossi.

“The Barker,” written

and directed by veteran comedian Dennis Padilla, stars Empoy as a jeepney barker who will find himself in unusual, action-filled situations to save the woman he loves.

Next up is “12,” written and starred in by the other half of #AlEmpoy, Alessandra de Rossi. In the movie she plays a woman in the middle of a life-changing dilemma of what kind of happiness to pursue, the one found in a relationship or the one found in independence.

These movies are available on SKY Movies PPV for P99 with seven day access until February 2.

One SKY, SKYcable,

and SKYdirect subscribers can call 418-0000, or their local SKY office to subscribe, or subscribe online via www.mysky. com.ph/ppv. SKYbroadband subscribers can

watch through SKY on Demand starting January 13.

Subscribers who are also Kapamilya Thank You members may earn Kapamilya Thank You

points when they avail of these PPV offerings.

Kapamilya Thank You points may be used to get bill rebates, pay for payper-view offers, buy tickets to Kapamilya events,

and more. In addition, SKY has also made it easier for subscribers to pay their bills online.

More information available viawww.mysky.com. ph.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 208 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 21-22, 2018

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

Advertise with

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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

EDGEDAVAO

KORONADAL PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 208 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 21-22, 2018

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

Advertise with

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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

VOL. 10 ISSUE 208 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 21-22 , 2018

11

EDGEDAVAO

AYALA... FROM 5 newables and conventional power are two distinct businesses that attract different types of investors. This move therefore provides AC Energy a sharper proposition and

greater �lexibility in the event that we broaden our investor base for our platforms,” added Eric Francia, AC Energy’s Chief Executive Of�icer. (PNA)

duction for the whole year of 2017.

The PSA said the livestock subsector, which shared 17.78 percent in the total agricultural output, came up with a 1.84-percent output gain in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Hog production, which was the major source of subsector’s growth, rose by 2.75 percent.

Poultry output expanded by 4.73 percent during the period. It accounted for 15.40 percent of the total ag-

ricultural output.

PSA �igures also indicated the �isheries subsector recorded a 1.18-percent reduction in output in the fourth quarter on declines in tiger prawn, round scad and skipjack.

On the average, prices received by farmers rose by 6.91 percent, as all subsectors posted price increments.

On an annual basis, farm-gate prices went up by an average of 4.97 percent in 2017, it added. (PNA)

al, commercial and residential lots located in Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, Compostela Valley, Davao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Surigao del Norte.

The properties will be bid out on an “as-is, whereis” basis. Sealed bids shall be accepted by the PDIC ROPA Committee from direct buyers only between 9:00 A.M. and 1:45 P.M. on designated dates at the respective venues.

Villaret said that past biddings conducted by the PDIC resulted in the government corporation’s being able to earn much money for it to pay the closed bank’s depositors and other creditors who were left unpaid during the closure of the bank.

As example, he cited last this month’s bidding in Cebu City for assets of closed rural banks in the Visayas. He said during the bidding, a property initially offered at the lowest price of P7 million ended up being bought at P20 million. Villaret said he hopes a similar development would happen in future public biddings.

The �irst public bidding on February 15 will be for the sale of 79 ROPA, 10 motor vehicles and two generator sets with an aggregate minimum disposal price of PHP93.3 million. The ROPA consists of agricultural, commercial and residential lots located in Metro Manila and in the provinces of Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Ilocos Sur, Laguna, Misamis Oriental, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Rizal. A �ishpond in Malabon City is also up for bid.

The second public bidding on February 19 will be for the bulk sale of 438 residential lots, located in Green Farm Royale Subdivision, Barangay Pulong Bunga, Silang, Cavite with an aggregate lot area of 94,514 square meters. A reserve price is set and bidders may submit the best

offer for all 438 lots.

Both public biddings will be held at the PDIC Training Room, 9th Floor, SSS Building, 6782 Ayala Avenue, cor. V.A. Ru�ino St., Makati City.

For the complete list of properties, bidders may check the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph, for easy reference. Prospective buyers are advised to physically inspect the properties they are interested to buy, examine and verify the titles and other evidence of ownership, and determine any unpaid taxes, fees, charges and/or expenses before submitting their bids.

Bids will be opened starting at 2:00 P.M. Each bid should be accompanied by a bond/deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the submitted bid, in cash or Manager’s Check, or a combination thereof. The Manager’s Check should be issued by a reputable universal or commercial bank and payable to Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation or PDIC. The winning bidder should pay the balance of the bid/purchase price in full within 15 days or no later than March 2, 2018 for the February 15 public bidding, and no later than March 14, 2018 for the February 27 public bidding.

For the February 19 public bidding, the winning bidder should pay the balance of the bid/purchase price in full within 30 days or no later than March 21, 2018. If the date falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the winning bidder must pay the balance on the next working day. The PDIC ROPA Disposal Committee shall automatically cancel the award once the issued checks are not cleared.

Bidders are advised to bring proper identi�ication document (ID) with photo and to register at least one hour prior to the deadline for submission of bids. Bid documents such as Bid Forms, Conditions of Bid, and required format of the Special Power of Attorney and Sec-

AGRICULTURE... FROM 5

BIDINGS... FROM 5

PLOWING THE SOIL. The high cost of oil has revived much interest about the lowly carabao that nearly relinquished its age-old role to farm mechanization. Photo by Henrylito D. Tacio retary’s Certi�icate may be downloaded free of charge from the PDIC website, www. pdic.gov.ph. PDIC reserves the right to withdraw without prior notice any or all of the properties offered for sale any time before the deadline for submission of bids.

The list and complete description of the properties are available from the PDIC Asset Management and Disposal Group, 7th Floor, SSS Building, 6782 Ayala Avenue, cor.

V.A. Ru�ino St., Makati City.

For further information, interested buyers may call the PDIC Public Assistance Department at (02) 841-4630 to 31. Those outside Metro Manila may call the PDIC tollfree hotline at 1-800-1-888PDIC or 1-800-1-888-7342.

Inquiries may also be sent via e-mail at pad@pdic.gov.ph.

In 2017, PDIC conducted a total of seven public biddings and three biddings with the right of �irst refusal in Metro Manila, Cebu, Legaspi and Pampanga to dispose of corporate and various closed banks’ assets.

The biddings sold a total of

83 properties and generated total sales of PHP259.16 million, representing a premium of PHP58.08 million from the aggregate minimum disposal price of PHP201.08 million.

The expeditious conversion and resolution of assets are among the strategic directions outlined in PDIC’s Roadmap. PDIC, as liquidator of closed banks, conducts various asset disposal initiatives such as biddings, auctions and negotiated sale. Proceeds from the sale of closed banks’ properties are added to the pool of liquid assets of these banks for distribution to uninsured depositors and other creditors in accordance with the rules on concurrence and preference of credits. The disposal of these assets increases the chances of recovery of uninsured depositors and creditors of their trapped funds.

Meanwhile, gains from the sale of corporate assets are added to the Deposit Insurance Fund, PDIC’s main fund source for payment of valid deposit insurance claims. Angie Saveron

and cooperation of would-be affected customers and advises them to store enough water prior to the scheduled water service interruption.

Water supply may be restored earlier if work goes smoothly or later if unforeseen problems arise.

The general public may visit DCWD website (www. davao-water.gov.ph) and of�icial Facebook page (www.

facebook.com/davaowater) or call the Central Information Unit / Call Center through the 24-hour hotline 297-DCWD (3293) and press “1” on their phone dial for the latest daily water updates. Contact 09277988966, 0925-5113293, and 0908-4410653 for other updates, complaints, queries, and matters pertaining to DCWD services. (Katrina Belen M. Roble)

CEO of Globe Telecom. “We look forward to taking esports to greater heights, and develop world-class esports talents in the country,” added Cu. The tournament will also be the subject of a �irst-ofits-kind esports television program produced alongside it. The Globe PPGL 2018 series will be a high-production serialized documentary

that delves into the life stories, daily lives, and personal struggles of the players as they progress through the league. The tournament will be broadcast online via livestream while the documentary-style production will air on free television.

With this fresh take on esports entertainment, MET and Globe hope to bring both the spectacle and human el-

WATER... FROM 5

GLOBE... FROM 5

ements of professional gaming to a wider audience. The show’s direction and production will cater to both mainstream audiences and existing esports fans. The tournament will also be possible with the help of other representatives from the Philippine esports industry, namely the Mobile Esports Arena and PlayBook Esports.

For MET, the Globe PPGL 2018 is also the evolution of their previous annual esports league, the MPGL. The MPGL ran for eight seasons from 2009 to 2016 over a broad range of esports titles such as Dota 2, League of Legends, CS:GO, and more. As a national league, the MPGL was also a launching pad for the careers of several amateur competitive gamers, creating now-recognized world-class Filipino esports athletes. With the Globe PPGL 2018, MET hopes to not only foster a new generation of professional player hopefuls, but also introduce a wider audience to the excitement and legitimacy of esports.

“The goal is to create the esports legends of the future—hometown heroes and

local champions,” says Ronald “Rhom” Robins, Founder of MET and Father of Philippine Esports. “MET has always delivered top-notch events to cater to both pro gamers and esports fans. Now we want to reach a broader, more mainstream audience and show them the incredible appeal and legitimacy of esports.”

With the Philippines internationally recognized as an esports-loving country worldwide due to its passionate gamers and string of successful global esports events, MET and Globe believe that the time is right to bring esports entertainment to the mainstream.

The Globe PPGL 2018 tournament will begin later this 2018 with quali�ier tournaments across the country before a live LAN event to determine the grand champions for each game title.

The champion of the Dota 2 leg will also advance to a Southeast Asian Dota 2 tournament involving champions of other national esports leagues across the country.

More details will be announced at a later date.

already been sold out..

“Urban Deca Homes Tisa 1 was well-received by the market due to its affordability combined with a great view of the mountains on one side while overlooking Cebu City and the sea on the other side,” said 8990 Holdings President and Chief Executive Of�icer Willie J. Uy. The company is allotting PHP3 billion for capital expenditures this year for the development of more mass housing projects, both vertical and horizontal, as it aims

to help the government reduce the huge housing backlog of 5.9 million units.

Uy said revenue growth now depends on how fast they can secure permits to sell because they have already bought the land that they need and demand continues to be strong.

8990 Holdings still has a land bank of about 554 hectares, although it will continue to purchase land but less aggressively as it just needs to replace those that it will use for development. (PNA)

Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. It is now being developed into productive areas.

Meanwhile, DENR-ARMM reported that it is also gearing up to distribute 4,500 hect-

ares of land to pilot barangays in the 15 target municipalities.

“We want to give what is due to the people in the region,” Kedtag said. (PNA)

88990... FROM 5

ARMM... FROM6

12 ENVIRONMENT EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 208 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 21-22 , 2018

Philippine forests: Going, going, gone?

(First of Three Parts)

TEXT AND PHOTOS By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“A person without children would face a hopeless future; a country without trees is almost as helpless.” – Theodore Roosevelt, American president “I was a shabu (crack or poor man’s cocaine) dealer for six years,” admitted Bagut, who’s from Agusan del Sur. “I was also in prison and even there, shabu dealing continued.

I operated here in the Agusan marsh area. But I realized that it was almost like killing people and their families as well, even with all the money I earned.

“I did not realize that I was killing them, I just sold shabu so I can have money, but I never knew that I was also killing their families. It really has a great effect, it shouldn’t have been my business. I promised myself then that I would not do anything that harmed other people, so I shifted to chain sawing.”

Bagut is one of the 53 people featured in the book, Forest Faces: Hopes and Regrets in Philippine Forestry, published jointly by the regional of�ice of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Environmental Science for Social Change (ESSC).

“It’s been two years since I stopped (selling shabu) and I went into the chainsaw business last year,” he said. “I have expanded and I have a mini-sawmill and a bandsaw now. But what I am doing is illegal because I don’t pay forest charges, I have no permit, I have no license. But that’s only where I am illegal, because of the government and what it requires of me.

“But my work with people is legal,” he continued, “because this is how they source what they need to be able to eat. I may be illegal now, but I’m not harming anyone. I keep people alive, and I’m providing a livelihood to people.”

Farmers who live around three kilometers away from his mini-sawmill supply him the wood, mostly lauan. “They got their wood from their kaingin areas,” Bagut was quoted as saying in the book. “They cut the trees so they can plant rubber. This is what we call salvaging, this is the purpose for cutting the trees and then they will plant rubber trees after. I don’t tell them to cut the trees so that I can buy their wood; this is theirs, they are cutting down the trees so they can plant rubber. Sometimes, they also plant falcatta, but it is mainly rubber.”

Bagut doesn’t choose any kind of wood as long it’s not rotten. He sells the woods mostly for house construction. When asked if he is damaging the forest because of his business, he replied negatively by saying, “I do not disturb the forest.”

Bagut also supplies for free the cof�in demand in the municipality where his sawmill is located. He doesn’t make the cof�in himself but just supply the wood needed. “The cof�ins cost around P5,500 but I donate this to the town for free,” he said.

“That’s my contribution. So even if I don’t have a permit nor

a license for my business, my work is needed. And I don’t abuse.”

“Today’s degraded forest re�lect a history of logging and abandonment,” wrote Peter Walpole, ESSC’s executive director, in his introductory of the 242-page book, which is full of photos and quotable quotes.

“A forest is more than just trees,” said the late national scientist Dr. Dioscoro L. Umali. “It is a community throbbing with life – an ecosystem of plants, animals and their surroundings; an all-embracing web of life woven into soil, water, and air. These elements interact with each other. They all are essential parts of a whole system.”

Umali said that tampering any one of these elements disrupts the balance of ecosystem.

“In nature,” he pointed out, “there are no rewards and punishment; there are only consequences.”

“Most of the country’s once rich forests are gone,” says the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) study entitled, “Sustainable Forest Management.”

“We have lost most of our forest of old over the past 50 years and, along with them, many of the ecological services they provide,” deplores Peter Walpole, executive director of the Environmental Science for Social Change (ESSC).

In the 1920s, forest still covered 18 million hectares of 60% of the country’s total land area of 30 million hectares. It went down to 50% (15 million hectares) in the 1950s. In 1963, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization published

data that placed forest cover of the country at 40% (12 million hectares).

By 1970s, the forest cover shrunk to 34% (10.2 million hectares). From 1977 to 1980, deforestation reached an alltime high – over 300,000 hectares a year, according to a booklet published by ESSC. In 1987, the Swedish Space Corporation put forest cover in the country at 23% (6.9 million hectares). “At the end of the 1980s, out of the 34 major islands that had been very densely forested at the beginning of the century, 24 islands had now less than 10% forest cover,” the ESSC publication said.

In the 1990s, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources reported that the country had only 800,000 hectares (2.7%) primary forest cover. Residual forest was placed at 4.7 million hectares.

“Where have all our forests gone?” asked Roy C. Alimoane, the director of the Davao-based Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC). “Why are we losing our trees at a very fast rate?”

The ever-growing population can be partly blamed. “The most likely causes were the increase in population -- up from about 500,000 in 152 to around seven million in 1900,” the ESSC publication surmised. Today, the Philippines is home to more than 100 million Filipinos.

“This was accompanied by the spread of commercial crops (abaca, tobacco and sugarcane) and by growth of pasture lands for cattle raising as the Philippines became part of the world economy,” the publication continued.

But logging – both legal and illegal – is seen as the primary culprit. “An important source of deforestation has been the dramatic expansion of destructive logging,” wrote Robert Repetto in “The Forest for the Trees?

Government Policies and the Misuse of Forest Resources.”

The logging boomed in the late 1960s. “Logging concession areas increased from 4.5 million hectares to 11.6 million hectares, covering more than one-third of the entire country,”

t h e ESSC publication reported. “Timber companies owned by the traditional elite, the Philippine military, and politicians cornered the logging contracts.”

According to Repetto, annual outputs averaging 10 million cubic meters were maintained until 1974, “when depletion, world recession, and competition from other log-exporting countries forced a reduction.”

Declines continued over the next decade, and by 1984 the harvest had returned to the pre-boo level of 3.8 million cubic meters.

“Logging is more than an ecological problem,” the book, “Saving the Earth,” published by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, surmised. “It is a social, political and economic dilemma as well.

At the root of the malaise are stupendous pro�its and the ease with which they can be raked in.”

Upland migration and agricultural expansion had also contributed to the fast disappearance of the country’s forest cover. “Some 80,000 to 120,000 families cleared an estimated 2.3 million hectares of forest land,” Repetto wrote.

“The spread of shifting cultivation largely re�lects population growth and the economy’s failure to provide employment alternatives for the country’s rural poor.”

The ESSC believes that had all these factors been carried out in a manner that contributed to the overall development of the country, “the majority of the people could have been bene�ited.”

However, historical land classi�ication indicates that only very few people -- less than 500 individuals or corporations -- had held access rights to most of the country’s forest resources. “This �igure highlights the injustice,” the ESSC publication points out.

The ESSC thinks the responsibility for the present sad state of the Philippine forest rests with past administrations. “There has been a near total failure on the part of the government to recognize the

sociocultural and ecological values of the forests,” it says, adding that they failed “to recognize any value except short-term economic gain.”

The ESSC also fears that this “short-term economic gain” thinking may also be “repeated in the drive to adopt mining as the answer to our economic development.” In the Philippines, mining operations are oftentimes located in ancestral land, forest land, and even prime agricultural land.

But the destruction caused by deforestation are already written on the wall. “Deforestation has left upper watersheds unprotected, destabilizing river �lows, with signi�icant effects on �ish population and agriculture,” Repetto wrote. “The implications for hydroelectric projects and irrigation facilities have already become apparent in Luzon, where anticipated lifetimes of important reservoirs have been cut in half by sedimentation.”

In The World for World is Forest, Ursula K. Le Guin wrote: “A forest ecology is a delicate one. If the forest perishes, its fauna may go with it.” Forest is home to some of the most ecologically-fragile �lora and fauna.

“More than 400 plant and animal species in the Philippines are currently threatened with extinction, including the Philippine eagle and the tamaraw,” the Washington D.C.based Population Reference Bureau reported.

The Philippine Eagle Foundation said that a pair of Philippine eagle needs at least 7,000 to 13,000 hectares of forest as nesting territory. “The Philippine eagle has become a critically endangered species because the loss of the forest had made it lose its natural habitat,” explained Dennis Salvador, PEF’s executive director.

According to Dr. Lasco, deforestation is one of the leading causes of greenhouse gas emissions. “Ten billion to 12 billion tons of carbon dioxide are released per year due to deforestation, that is loss of forest, as well as through agriculture, such as livestock, soil and nutrient management,” he pointed out. (To be continued)

VOL. 10 ISSUE 208 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 21-22 , 2018

SURIGAO... FROM 7 operates 24/7.

James Aclo, a supervisor of Andoks, a food chain company, says their earnings have plummeted.

Precious Garcia, a cashier of Pick Me, a 24/7 convenience store which has several branches, said their sales at night went down at 30 to 40 percent.

Residents who have been relying on public transport at night have complained that it takes time for them to get a ride.

If you want to go out and buy something, you must patience, you have to wait until a tricycle comes, they said.

As of January 18, at least 90 minors and 32 adults had been arrested for violating the curfew, Police Chief Inspector Dorothy M. Tumulak, spokesperson of the city police, said.

In its public advisory last Friday, the city police changed the name of “general curfew” to OPLAN Bantay Syudad.

This after the city council assailed its implementation.

“This is to inform the public that Surigao City Police Station is renaming /revising “General Curfew” to “Oplan Bantay Syudad” which has the same concept of operation. It is the comprehensive application of all PNP’s operation plans and instructions which are all in line with the existing laws, ordinance, rules and regulations effective immedi-

ately,” the advisory said.

Police chief Baybayan, in a letter to Mayor Ernesto Matugas dated January 8, declared the implementation of a “general curfew” – also from 10 p.m. until 4 a.m. – effective immediately supposedly because of the “series of incidents” in the city.

He explained to MindaNews that this time, the curfew also applies to adults.

He noted that since the start of the year, robbery incidents have been reported at the of�ices of the Philippine Information Agency, the Cokaliong Shipping Lines, and Globe Telecommunications, the armed robbery at Sitio Banahaw in Barangay Sabang and a stabbing incident at P. Reyes Extension.

“These crimes were … perpetrated either late at night or early at dawn,” Baybayan pointed out.

Baybayan vowed to “continue to observe the rule of law and human rights” and promised to “immediately restore peace and order” in the city.

In response to Baybayan’s letter, Mayor Matugas wrote, also on January 8, the barangay captains informing them of the police’s order.

Several persons have criticized the implementation of the general curfew and its successor, Oplan Bantay Syudad.. (Roel N. Catoto / MindaNews)

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS13

PLGU Comval recognized for eGov Awards C

ompostela Valley Province--Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy received the plaque recognizing the Provincial Government of Comval as one of the awardees for the 6th Awards for Excellence in ICT for Good Governance of Local Government Units (eGov Awards) during the regular employees Convocation Program on January 8, 2018 at the Capitol lobby.

The award was personally handed by the Department of Information and Communication Technology Mindanao Cluster III Dir. Alimbzar P. Asum who also gives his message and congratulatory

to the provincial government on its ICT initiatives.

The actual awarding was held during the 9th National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) ICT Summit and Digital Cities PH Nation-

implemented strict security measures in the area following the incident.

The site of the blasts is only some 200 meters away from Tamontaka Bridge that separates this city from Datu

Odin Sinsuat town.

A company-size contingent from the Army’s 6th Infantry Division is securing the bridge as entry and exit points in the south side of this city. (PNA)

money, and several illegal drug paraphernalia.

The buy-bust operation was launched after days of

surveillance on the illegal drug trade activity of the suspects, he added.

He said cases of violations

TWIN... FROM 7

PDEA... FROM 7

al Launch at Cagayan de Oro City on Nov. 16-17, 2017.

PLGU’s entry under the Data Driven Governance Category is Funds Utilization Monitoring System (FUMS) entry which has been chosen as one of the best Information and Communication Technology innovation in the country.

According to Information Technology and Communications Development Division (ITCDD) Chief Joyzel Odi, the FUMS is a Management Information System which is deployed as a responsive website and as an App (application) since April 2017. It

enables �inancial managers, planners and department heads to monitor funds utilization through laptops or mobile devices. It was developed and currently being sustained by the province’s IT Division.

The eGov Awards is organized by the NICP in collaboration with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the DICT. It is an annual search for the LGUs with the best practices in terms of utilizing information and communications technology (ICT). (Sheldane Mahinay//ID Comval)

of Section 5 (Selling of Illegal Drugs), Section 6 (Maintenance of Den, Dive or Resort), Section 7 (Employees and Visitors of Den, Dive or Resort), Section 11 (Possession of Illegal Drugs), Section 12 (Possession of Drug Paraphernalia), Section 13 (Possession of Illegal Drugs during

Parties), and Section 14 (Possession of Drug Paraphernalia during Parties), and Section 26 (Attempt or Conspiracy) of Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, will be �iled in court against the suspects. (PNA)

oaths as members of PDP-Laban on Wednesday.

Pangusban said Ismael’s son was unscathed during the incident.

The suspects, whose mo-

torcycle bore no registered plate number, sped towards the municipality of Maluso.

Recovered from the crime scene was an empty shell of a caliber .45 pistol. (PNA)

GUNMEN... FROM 7

14 MOTORING EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 208 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 21-22 , 2018

Get ready for the jeepney makeover NOTICE OF LOSS Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. that CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No.(s) under LOYOLA PLAN ISSUED TO THE FOLLOWING PLANHOLDERS, TO WIT: PH NAME

CFP NO.

CONTRACT NO.

1.GEORGE M. DUBOULAY

7263

742865-9

2.JOVITA C. GONZALES

15687

810559-5

3.ANUNCIACION M. ENGRACIA

21133790

10387662-5

were lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

1/22,29&2/05, 2018

R

ecently, there has been much talk about the Jeepney Modernization Program and the push of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to launch 200,000 new PUVs over the next three years.

In October of last year, the Automotive Body Makers Association of the Philippines (ABMAP) together with the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) and Philippine Parts Makers Association (PPMA) showcased their vision of the modern PUV. The public and transport industry saw �irst hand how the modern jeepeney looked and the result was overwhelmingly positive.

However, many traditionalists criticized the design, arguing that there is a need to preserve the old iconic look of the Jeepney which has a long hood in front, low ceiling, small side doors at the front and one rear opening for the ingress and egress of passengers.

What these traditionalists don’t realize is that iconic look is the result of evolution.

The Jeepney evolved from the auto calesas of the post-war era when military Jeeps used by American soldiers during World War II were repurposed to become people carriers. The rear body was lengthened, side-facing rear bench seats were installed, and the opening was provided at the rear for easy access. The design was dictated mainly by whatever vehicle platform was available at that time, and it just so happened to be the American Willys MB Jeep.

Later, it evolved, taking on vastly different forms. For example, in Luzon, the jeepney body

became even longer because of the available surplus Japanese engines and platforms from Isuzu, Toyota, and Mitsubishi. It had a long hood in front, roll-down plastic curtains at the sides, a rounded roof which extends beyond the body at the sides, and egg-shaped fenders. This design, the “Sarao-type Jeepney” became the quintessential jeepney to many.

However, the design tended to veer away from this “norm” the further away one goes outside of Luzon. With the use of whatever engine and platform readily available being the only constant, some have resorted to using second-hand light trucks as basis for their jeepneys. In Iloilo, a city on Panay Island in the Western Visayas, jeepneys typically have a Japanese compact sedan face grafted on a truck body. While in Bacolod, the Capital City of Negros Occidental, they sport an AUV (Isuzu Crosswind, Mitsubishi Adventure, Toyota Tamaraw) face. The list goes on and on.

Therefore, to say that the Luzon design jeepney represents the Philippines would be disregarding what the current jeepneys really are outside of the country’s biggest island group.

The Jeepney may indeed be a national icon, but no one region can lay claim to its design. It’s design largely depends on what imported (typically, used) platform is

available as well as the cultural preference of the local area.

On the other hand, the modern PUV is different. It’s a function over form design set to standards made by the Bureau of Philippine Standards. It’s designed for better safety, comfort, convenience of passengers, and more revenue and less running costs for drivers and operators. It has side doors instead of the single rear door, no hood, and a higher ceiling height that allows for standing passengers. It even has emergency exits and a provision for PWDs (Person with Disabilities) in some con�igurations. It gets a Euro 4 compliant diesel engine, new parts and components bumper-to-bumper, and to top it all off, an automated fare collection system.

All told, it manages to cross the cultural divide and delivers what the current Filipino commuter, be him from Luzon, Visayas, or Mindanao needs.

On top of that, the ABMAP and TMA’s proposed new designs are manufacturing friendly because they use cab-chassis or chassis cowls of existing light-duty trucks available locally. This will enable the various PUV Modernization participants: Isuzu, Mitsubishi-Fuso, Foton, Tata, Hyundai, and Jinbei to produce the entire requirement of the program quickly and ef�iciency, generating jobs to more Filipinos.

They say that the jeepney is the icon of Filipino ingenuity and design. And the latest chapter of that is the Modern PUV. It’s time everyone would have an open mind and fresh perspective to usher in an era of safer, more convenient, economical, and environmentally-friendly PUVs.

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

VOL. 10 ISSUE 208 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 21-22 , 2018

SPORTS15

EDGEDAVAO

Arum: Manny, Loma could fight at 140 CATCHWEIGHT? Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao could meet world superfeatherweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko at a catchweight of 140 lbs which must be approved by the latter’s father.

T

op Rank’s CEO Bob Arum is very much on board with making a catch-weight showdown between eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao (59-7-2, 37 KOs) and WBO super featherweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko (10-1, 8 KOs).

Earlier this week, Pacquiao did an interview in the Philippines where he made statements claiming that his team was actively negotiating a potential �ight with Lomachenko, at 140-pounds.

But then a day later, Lomachenko’s manager Egis Klimas denied that a Pacquiao �ight was being discussed and felt their weight

T

disparity was too much at the moment.

The weight is the biggest snag, with Pacquiao currently �ighting at 147 pounds and Lomachenko at 130. Klimas also believes that Pacquiao, being 39 years old, brings very little in terms of pushing Lomachenko’s career forward - as he feels most experts will not give his box-

here is no physical contact in the game of chess save for the traditional opening game handshake and the congratulatory reaching out at the end of the match.

Despite the less strenuous, nonphysical exertion, the mental combat in the 64-square board is far more stressful and exhaustive than some of the popular sports in this planet.

When this was being written, GM Wesley So, after four straight draws, has registered two wins in the 14-man 2018 Tata Steel Chess Masters tournament in Wijk Aan Zee, Netherlands. This were over Indian GM Baskaran Adhiban and Chinese GM Wei Yi. The victories propelled So into a tie for second, alongside ex- world titleholder Viswanathan of India and erstwhile leader Anish Giri of the Netherlands, all with 4 pts.

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov of Azerbaijan (4.5pts.) has taken over the driver’s seat with a thumping

er credit for beating an “old” Pacquiao.

But Arum says Lomachenko will be making his lightweight debut in the coming months. He was seen in action back in December, when he dominated fellow two-time Olympic gold medal winner Guillermo Rigondeaux for a sixth round TKO at MSG’s Theater.

While Pacquiao is also expected to make his ring return in April - �ighting for the �irst time since losing an upset twelve round unanimous decision to Jeff Horn last July at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.

And then the veteran pro-

moter would love to match both boxers in the fall - but he admits that everything depends on Lomachenko’s father and head trainer - giving his approval for his son to face the Filpino star at 140-pounds.

“Lomachenko will be having a �ight that will probably be at 135 at the end of April,” Arum said to the Las Vegas Review Journal.

“Lomachenko’s father (Anatoly) would then need to give him permission to �ight Manny at 140 pounds in the fall, and that’s a �ight we’ll hopefully might want to put in Las Vegas if a building is available.”

George doing it all for OKC

O

KLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Thunder coach Billy Donovan can’t pinpoint the best thing about Paul George.

Oklahoma City’s versatile forward averages just over 20 points per game, leads the league in steals and is third in 3-point goals while shooting 43 percent from beyond the arc. ‘’I think that’s what makes him the player he is,’’ Donovan said. ‘’There’s a lot of players in the league that are great offensive players, but they’re not

Rough road to FIDE championship of GM Adhiban of India. World champion Magnus Carlsen is tied at third with Vladimir Kramnik at 3.5.

This competition is a �inal tuneup phase for the Fil-Am GM before he takes part in the Candidates Matches, one of the toughest phases to the world championship cycle, which starts in March.

Eugene Torre was the �irst Filipino GM and the �irst Asian to have achieved this feat that has been considered the domain of Russian masters for many decades.

Every chess player dreams of someday making it to the Big League and So is one of them. It took a great leap of faith for this Cavite-born lad to pursue his aspirations, eventually strategically transferring his base from the Philippines to the United States.

I do not expect Wesley to win this tournament considering the stiff opposition. Like a boxer who needs adequate sparring time in

SPORTS KEN Fred C. Lumba training for an upcoming �ight, the Wik aan Zee contest will give him opportunities to hone his skills, aside from sizing up the other GMs whom he will tangle against in the Candidates.

This tournament offers high monetary incentives and the organizers invite only strong GMs

with integrity and reputation.

That So is always one of the regular invitees (he has won this joust twice if I remember correctly) alongside some of the top ten GMs in the world (not to mention the world champion) gives him a certain degree of elevated recognition in the world of pawn pushing.

What are Wesley’s chances of taking the challenger’s seat against Carlsen?

The odds are great but not overwhelmingly great.

These are the guys in the stumbling blocks list: Levon Aronian, Sergey Karyakin, Fabiano Caruana, Mamedyarov, Ding Liren, although not in this order.

While ELO ratings help described the capability of a chess master, it does not logically follow that GMs will always impose their will over lesser-rated opponents.

Serious analytical study, spartan physical and mental conditioning

great defensive players. I think arguably, it would be hard to make a case either way of what end of the �loor he’s better on, offense or defense, because he’s that special.’’

George believes he’s having an All-Star season in �irst year with Oklahoma City after being traded from the Indiana Pacers. There have been challenges as he has tried to �it in with superstars Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony and it’s still unclear where he will play next season because of his upcoming free agency.

and the hiring of a professional coach are three of the integral ingredients that I believe will help Wesley get into the scheme of things.

Unlike Bobby Fischer’s era when GMs and all other aspiring chess nuts needed to acquire advanced chess literature and rare, expensive imported books to read and sharpen their memory banks, today’s chessers need only to google the cyberspace and voila!

Wesley will pick up good, important lessons in Wik aan Zee and may even want to try some innovative variations. I would want him though to continue cultivating the virtue of patience.

Patience, says the Bible, is a fruit of the Spirit. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) Mk 10:35. “Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be �irst, he must be the very last and the servant of all.” GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 10 ISSUE 208 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 21-22 , 2018

8K IN 2018

8000 athletes expected to see action in DAVRAA

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

A

huge cast comprising of 8000 scool-based athletes around the region will converge in Davao City for the annual Davao Regional Athletic Association (DAVRAA) slated next month.

The week-long sports conclave featuring the region’s best elementary and secondary athletes will return to the city for the �irst time after the regional landscape was recon�igured from the former Southern Mindanao Regional Athletic Association (SMRAA) in 2003.

Department of Education (DepEd) Davao City Division sports director Bernabe Alicaya bared with the hosting of the city there will be new and returning events that would take place.

The DAVRAA Meet will be staged from February 17 to 23 with the opening ceremonies on February 18 at the newly-built University of Mindanao Sports Com-

plex in Matina.

Some innovationswill be made in the meet’s ceremonial opening like the torch lighting which ditched the traditional naked light for the electric LED torch.

He said the the city government will be providing this technology to illuminate the sports comlex during the opening program.

The DepEd Davao City sport director added that the LED �ire is also a substitute for �ireworks since there is an ordinance prohibiting the use �irecrackers and pyrotechnics.

“This is to make the opening our program unique from the hostings of other divisions,” he said.

Alicaya said the sport of Sepak Takraw will be expanded to include a girls division while the DepEd Davao City continues to pursue the return of boxing in the elementary division.

“We are proposing for that and it will be con�irmed

MAIN VENUE. The University of Mindanao Sports Complex in Matina will be the main venue of the 2018 DAVRAA Meet in Davao City. Photo courtesy of Roy Geonzon/DXUM

by next week,” he said.

On 2014, former DepEd secretary Armin Luistro issued a memorandum to exclude elementary division on the boxing event.

This after Jonas Garcia, a

fourth-year high school student died during the boxing match in Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA).

Alicaya said the death of the said athlete was due to

wrong speci�ications of the boxing protective gears being used that time.

“Davao City is preparing for that. They will be purchasing the right equipment for that boxing event,”

he said.

He said its about time to bring back the boxing event in the elementary division to improve the ‘�ixture’ of the athlete and prepare them for their future career.