Edge10 issue 224, February 13, 2018

VOL. 10 ISSUE 224 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

Serving a seamless society

EXQUISITE BLOOMS. TV personality, chef and restaurateur Michelle Robin arranges a stack of premium Rainbow Ecuadorian Roses in time for Valentine’s Day. Romance is really in the air. Rainbow Ecuadorian Long Stem Roses available at Olivia en Fleur at Yolks Flower Cake + Cupcakery. Lean Daval Jr

LOCKED IN TAGUIG

9 Davao high risk inmates now Bicutan residents Canada biz group in Davao City tour T T

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. AND JUDIE VEGA

By ANGIE SAVERON

he Toronto, Canada chapter of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce is on a business tour in Davao City this week to explore business

opportunities and to pick what products they can bring back to Canada.

The group has business interests in food man-

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A1

For your Valentine, Say it with Yolks

he Bureau of Jail Management and Penology 11 has finally transferred the nine high risk inmates from Davao City Jail BJMP-Special Intensive Care Area (SICA) in Metro at Camp Bagong Diwa in BicutanTaguig City.

The inmates included the Abu Sayaff members who were accused for the kidnapping of John Ridsdel a Canadian national on September 21, 2015 in a Resort in Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte BJMP 11 spokesperson Jail Insp. Edo Lobeniabared in a statement released on Sunday that the high risk inmates were members of the Maute and Abu Sayaff

Groups.

Lobenia said the special tactics and response team (STAR) of the BJMP headed by J/S Inspector Erwin Esden accompanied the inmates to Taguig City, together with a team from the Task Force Davao and the PNP highway patrol group.who are considered as high risk inmates.

“The STAR team is an elite tactical unit trained

to perform high-risk operations and in dealing with high risk and high pro�ile inmates as well as in controlling jail disturbance and incidents,” Lobenia said.

“As BJMP of�icers, it is one of our critical tasks. We were trained for this. We have properly coordinated with the police and military prior to transporting the high-risk inmates,” he said in the statement.

He said BJMP 11 regional director Jail Sr. Supt. Amelia Rayandayan said seven of the inmates are members of the Maute Group charged with terrorism and multiple murder and multiple attempted murder and the

other two are members of the Abu Sayaff Group charged with Kidnapping with homicide.

“High-risk inmates like the Maute and Abu Sayaff need maximum security as they are known to be risky personalities and may be targets for rescue by their associates or even assassination attempts as some of them may have made ardent enemies prior to their incarceration, “ Lobenia said.

The Maute members were accused of perpetrating the bombing of the Roxas, Night Market at Davao City that killed 15 people and injured 69 others on September 2,

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 224 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018

LEARNING SPORTS LINGO. Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William Ramirez and commissioner Charles Raymond Maxey share a light moment with the students before the start of the two-day Communicate Sport: A sports journalism seminar initiated by PSC at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Monday. Lean Daval Jr

WITCH-HUNT

12 Mindanao provinces under storm Signal 1

T Say Floirendo Jr. on DAPECOL legislative inquiry

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ep. Antonio R. Floirendo Jr. of the first district of Davao del Norte minced no words in branding the recent legislative inquiry in the House of Representatives on the joint venture agreement (JVA) between the Davao Prison and Penal Farm (DAPECOL) and the Tagum Agricultural Development Corp. (TADECO) as a witch-hunt.

In the last Feb. 7, 2018 inquiry conducted by the committees on Justice and the Good Government and Accountability, House

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez invited resource persons who were not privy and did not have inside knowledge of the deal.

Rep. Floirendo lamented that instead of seeking the truth and discussing issues based on documentary facts, the Speaker has turned the hearings into an inquisition, imputing malice on the JVA and maligning the Floirendo family for imagined accusations.

“For hitting a blank wall,” the congressman said, “Mr. Alvarez resorted to manufactured charges, accusing my family of poll manipulation, preventing people from entering DAPECOL,

a public land, and pursuing claims that the Dapecol lands were not properly surveyed.”

The congressman said “People go in and out of Barangay A. O. Floirendo in my district every single day. No one is being limited access to public areas -- and this is true during election periods.

Movement of personnel, however, is limited in certain areas for biosecurity reasons and in compliance with the guidelines set by phytosanitary agencies of foreign

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Bets warned vs. use if 4Ps in election

By ANGIE SAVERON

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he Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said that the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or four Ps should not be used in the upcoming barangay elections campaign.

“For the DSWD we already have disseminated the information that our beneficiaries of four ps should be used by our candidates,” said Rebecca Santa Maria DSWD assistant regional director during

the Kapehan sa Davao press conference at SM Annex Davao City.

She said that it is true some barangay official candidates uses four Ps to gain more votes. The beneficiaries are told that if you will not vote for a certain candidate they will no longer be a beneficiary of four Ps however she said that these candidates don’t have any access in choosing who will become a beneficiary or who will be delisted.

“They are not included in

terms of selection of our beneficiaries and our delisting of our beneficiaries only DSWD can do that because we have our own criteria,” she said.

She said they are also not allowing their beneficiaries to be a campaign manager because the barangay official candidates might use the parent leader who handles a lot of four Ps beneficiaries in their campaign.

“Parent Leader handles many

beneficiaries so there is a tendency that they will be used,” she said.

She said that the parent leader should not use his or her power to influence the beneficiaries’ vote by saying” we the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program should vote for this candidate” most especially during the family development session which is being conducted by the DSWD every month.

welve of 27 Mindanao provinces have been placed under storm Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal 1 as of 5 a.m. Monday as Tropical Storm ‘Basyang’ slightly slowed down while moving west northwest.

‘Basyang’ (international name: Sanba) is expected to make landfall in Caraga region Tuesday morning, according to Severe Weather Bulletin 3 issued at 5 a.m. Monday by the Philippine Astronomical, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Adminstration (PAGASA).

Placed under Signal 1 are Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur in Caraga region; Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental and Davao del Norte in Davao region; Camiguin, Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon in Northern Mindanao; and Lanao del Sur in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Sixteen of 33 cities in Mindanao are within the 12 provinces under Signal 1: Surigao, Tandag, Bislig, Butuan, Cabadbaran and Bayugan in Caraga region; Mati,

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LTO gets vehicle from city government

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he city government has turned over a vehicle to the Land Transportation Of�ice (LTO) regional of�ice 11 to help the agency further strengthen the implementation of the traf�ic laws in the city. Lawyer Lawrence Bantiding, the city assistant administrator for operation, represented Mayor Inday Sara Duterte during the turn over of the Isuzu pick up truck. Niel Cañedo, the assistant regional director of LTO

11, thanked the city government for its generosity. “This is a big help for us, especially so that almost all of our vehicles are already 12 years old. This will be deployed to further strengthen our traf�ic laws,” Cañedo said. The vehicle was �itted with a built-in speed gun to check on possible speed limit violators.

Cañedo said those caught for over speeding and other violations can either be �lagged

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NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

10K more Filipinos await repatriation from Kuwait

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BIZ MATCHING NOT RULED OUT. Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) president Arturo Milan bares that a 10-man team of Canadian delegation will arrive in Davao City today to explore

business opportunities in the city. Milan made the disclosure during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao on Monday.

Lean Daval Jr

he Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Overseas Labor Of�ice (POLO) in Kuwait are now rushing to repatriate as many as 10,000 overstaying Filipinos who are expected to avail themselves of an amnesty program arranged with the Kuwaiti government, Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola said Monday.

“The Embassy and POLO in Kuwait expect that more than 10,000 Filipinos who have overstayed their visas are quali�ied for repatriation,” Arriola said.

According to the agency, the amnesty program was approved by the Kuwaiti government in January 2018 upon representations made by the Philipine government through the Philippine Embassy in Ku-

wait.

On Monday, the DFA received the �irst batch of workers who were repatriated on three commercial �lights that left Kuwait on Sunday afternoon. The overseas Filipino workers who arrived on Monday were among those who availed themselves of the amnesty program.

To date, some 2,229 Filipinos have been issued travel documents, and 1,754 of them have been granted immigration clearances.

Arrangements have been made with Philippine Airlines and Cebu Paci�ic for the repatriation of those already issued travel documents and all those who want to return to the country, the DFA said.

Aside from shouldering

ANILA -- Oil companies on Monday said they would implement a pump price rollback of PHP0.85 to PHP1.30 effective 6 a.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 13.

The price reduction re�lects movements in the international petroleum market.

Shell would implement the following price rollback: gasoline PHP1/liter; kerosene PHP0.85/liter; and diesel PHP1.30/liter.

Eastern Petroleum would slash the price of diesel by PHP1.30/liter; unleaded and premium gasoline by PHP1/liter.

Phoenix Petroleum announced a price reduction of PHP1/liter for gasoline and PHP1.30/liter for diesel.

Flying V slashed prices of gasoline by PHP1/liter; biodiesel by PHP1.30/ liter; and kerosene by PHP0.85/liter.

PTT Philippines would implement a price rollback of PHP1/liter for gasoline and PHP1.30 for diesel.

Meanwhile, Seaoil said the following price rollback would be effective by 12:01 a.m. Tuesday: gasoline PHP1/liter; diesel PHP1.30/liter; and kerosene PHP0.85/liter. (PNA)

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Oil firms reduce pump prices Tuesday Davao braces for floods M arising from ‘Basyang’

T

he Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and Disaster Monitoring Office have been placed on alert status in view of heavy rainfall brought by Tropical storm “Basyang” that may trigger widespread flooding in Northern Mindanao.

As of Sunday night, all emergency response units have been alerted and on standby. Likewise, all �lood-prone barangays have

also been alerted by the city government.

The Davao City Information Of�ice (CIO) reported Sunday

NFA Council okays importation of rice

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ANILA -- The National Food Authority (NFA) Council has approved the importation of 250,000 metric tons of rice to increase the current buffer stock, NFA Council chairman Leoncio Evasco said Monday. ”The standby authority to import 250,000 metric tons (MT) is approved and considering the timing of the harvest season, importation should arrive after said harvest (�irst week of system June),” Evasco said.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte earlier instructed to proceed with the importation of the 250,000 metric tons subject to the assessment on timing and mode of procurement of the NFA council.

Evasco said that 250,000 MT of rice will be obtained by mode of government-to-private importation or open ten-

dered procurement.

He added that importation will arrive by end of February and not later than August 2018.

As of February, Evasco said the country has 121 days of rice supply equivalent to 3.8 million MT. Buffer stock Asked why there was a need to import rice instead of buying from local farmers, Evasco said the NFA council is “tied” to a low buying price set at PHP17 per kilogram.

Evasco, meanwhile, expressed hope that the prices of rice would “stabilize” as soon as the imported rice arrives.

He also advised the NFA management to be resourceful and proactive in getting the right timing to purchase rice.

This after he blamed the

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night that Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon were experiencing heavy rainfall, raising alarm that rainwater could drain again towards the Davao City River systems.

To recall, Tropical Depression Urduja which hit northeastern Mindanao last December, brought heavy rains in Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon causing Davao City’s river systems to over�low in many barangays.

Based on the latest report as of 5 a.m. Monday of state weath-

er bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), “Basyang” has slightly slowed down as it continues to track in a west northwest direction.

Scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rains is expected over the eastern section of Visayas and Mindanao.

“Basyang” was last observed at 690 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. It has maximum sustained winds of up to 65 kilo-

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CHANCE OF A LIFETIME. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Adoption Unit head Sheryl Ann Dumalogdog (left) shares with the media that 418 children are declared legally free for adoption in Davao City and 391 of those children were already adopt-

ed. Dumalogdog, together with assistant regional director for operations Rebecca Santamaria, made the statement while promoting the celebration of Adoption Month during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao on Monday. Lean Daval Jr

EDGEDAVAO

4 ECONOMY

VOL. 10 ISSUE 224 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018

Business group sees hope to solve Boracay issues

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business group in the resort island of Boracay is hopeful that the ultimatum given by President Rodrigo Duterte will “�inally” give solutions to the problems here brought about by its tourism industry.

“We hope that things will really happen and will be put into action,” said Elena Brugger, president of the Boracay chapter of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in an interview Saturday.

“All of us here in Boracay wanted a healthier and good island,” she added.

Duterte ordered the Departments of Interior and Local Government and of Environment and Natural Resources to �ix all Boracay issues within six months.

ALL SET. A flower shop sales attendant arranges her display of bouquets of flowers at the Annex of SM City Davao on Monday. Flower shops and establishments selling chocolates and other gift items are

starting to prepare for the flock of customers ahead of Valentine’s Day celebration. Lean Daval Jr

DTI: Some supermarkets hiked prices beyond level S

ome major supermarkets were found to have jacked up prices beyond the required levels of some items covered by the first package of tax reform law, an official of the Department of Finance (DOF) said, citing reports from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Finance Undersecretary Karl Chua said DOF is in constant coordination with other agencies, and DTI has submitted a report that eight major groceries in Metro Manila “were issued inquiry letters for prices higher than SRP (suggested retail price).”

“Of the eight, three already agreed that their prices were too high so they adjusted and the �ive are still going to respond,” he said, but declined to identify the supermarkets.

Chua said it would be hard for the government to

monitor all business establishments so they initially focused on major stores, particularly in Metro Manila.

He said there were no major price movements in the provinces, citing that in�lation uptick in Areas Outside the National Capital Region (NCR) is about 3.5 percent compared to the 5.4 percent in NCR. The �irst package of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law took effect January 1, 2018.

It cut workers’ income tax rate, giving them a free rate for their �irst PHP250,000

annual income, while the tax rate on the excess income depends on how much is in excess of the tax-free amount.

To counter the impact of the personal income tax cut on government revenues, excise taxes on fuel and sugar-sweetened beverages, among others, were hiked.

Regulators have reminded businessmen not to take advantage of the tax reform law, noting that their existing inventories were bought using the old tax rates.

While old stocks of sugar-sweetened beverages and

quire about 600 aviation employees and customs of�icers and personnel to handle a 24hour airport operation.

Currently, there are only two Bureau of Customs employees stationed at the Tagbilaran Airport.

The Tagbilaran Airport will be transformed into a business park or a special economic zone once the airport in Panglao opens.

Chatto last week sat down with of�icials of the BOC and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to iron out the manpower and other needs of the airport for smooth operation come August.

The BOC-CAAP group was led by BOC-Cebu Deputy Col-

lector for Administration Wivina Pumatong, who inspected the of�ice, administration and operation areas for the Customs at the airport on Panglao Island, said the statement from the Edcom.

In a television interview, Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade named the Bohol Panglao Airport as one of the three “worldclass” airports due to be operational this year.

The two other “worldclass” airports are in Cagayan de Oro City and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), where a new terminal is under construction.

Pumatong told Chatto the BOC is assigning 40 of�icers and per-

sonnel, while CAAP will detail 150 men for the initial airport operation starting in August this year.

The airport will initially be opened for daylight �lights.

Night time �lights will be allowed by 2019 when all of the night time safety aviation facilities and equipment are installed.

The CAAP sees a massive need of about 400 of�icers and personnel to operate the airport that is 30 years in the making and costs about PHP7 billion.

The airport’s runway has been extended to three kilometers to allow bigger model aircrafts to take off and land. (Dave Albarado/PNA)

Both agencies were ordered to pursue establishments that violated the island’s environmental laws.

Brugger said the “immediate action” to �ix Boracay problems is really needed.

She noted that the ultimatum is an indication that the president strongly felt the urgency to put things in order.

“Maybe it was the last �looding wherein we were put into bad light, also the reaction of the citizenry that he (President Duterte) felt he has to do a quick but lasting solution in addressing the problem,” Brugger said.

“It’s now (the solution) in the drawing board of the authorities on how this problem will be solved and we hope everyone will bene�it from it,” she added. (PNA)

More competition to help logistics sector grow: PIDS

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he Philippines should implement reforms aimed at introducing more foreign competition into transport and logistics industry in a bid to boost export competitiveness, according to a study by state think-tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).

Authored by PIDS Senior Research Fellow Ramonette Sera�ica and Consultants LaiLynn Barcenas, Glenda Reyes and Jose Tongzon, the study said improving access to the most ef�icient transport and logistics service providers is crucial.

“Export of services is also an important component of our country’s international trade objective. Enhancing its export of logistics services through liberalization should, therefore, have bene�icial effects on our country’s overall

trade performance and economic growth,” they said.

The study noted that the key to improve market access for foreign investors and foreign talents into transport and logistics industry is the amendment of the Public Service Act. Under the proposed amendment to the Public Service Act (HB 5828), which has already been approved by the House of Representatives, transport and telecommunications will no longer be in the list of what is considered “public service” or “utility”.

“Having this amendment will also address PPP (public-private partnership) issues, especially in attracting foreign investment on transport infrastructure projects.

Any future amendments must lead to lower transaction

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RP, Japan affirm More personnel sought for new Bohol airport infra cooperation

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he Bohol provincial government eyes a massive recruitment drive to �ill up the manpower needs for the operation of the new Bohol Panglao Airport.

Governor Edgar Chatto, in statement Saturday, said the manpower requirement should be satis�ied before the airport opens in August.

At present, the airport needs at least 190 aviation and customs of�icers to man the new Bohol Panglao Airport which is due to open for commercial operations by third quarter of 2018.

Reports coming from the Capitol’s Effective Development Communications (Edcom) Unit said the airport operations re-

DTI,P11

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op of�icials of the Philippines and Japan agreed Monday to “steadily implement” for the next �ive years their joint commitments on major �ields of bilateral cooperation, particularly on the implementation of the Duterte administration’s big-ticket infrastructure projects that Tokyo has pledged to support through funding and technology assistance.

During the fourth meeting of the Philippines-Japan Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation held at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort here, both sides also agreed “to work towards the

partial operability by 2022 of, and are looking forward to the signing of the �irst tranche of the loan for, the Metro Manila Subway Project (Phase I)

by March 2018.”

The Philippine side in the Joint Committee was headed

by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Secretary Ernesto Pernia of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), while the Japanese delegation was headed by Dr. Hiroto Izumi, who is a Special Advisor to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. In his opening statement, Dominguez said that the bi-

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ECONOMY 5

VOL. 10 ISSUE 224 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018

SM bares openings for new scholarships S

By JUDIE VEGA

M Foundation Inc., the advocacy arm of the SM group of companies, is now accepting applications for the full college scholarship program for school year 2018-2019.

The SM Foundation Inc. in an email revealed that applications are open for incoming college freshmen from public and private high schools who have average grade of at least 88% in second/third grading period and whose household income is less than 150,000 annually.

Walk-in applications will be accepted for screening and exams on February 14, 2018 in the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang Premier. The scholarship program aims to provide scholarships for public school students.

Exams start at 10 AM; on site interviews for those who

pass the exam will also happen on the same day.

For walk-in applicants need to wear complete uniform and bring the following: photocopy of their latest report card, photocopy of the BIR Income Tax Return or Certi�icate of Non-�iling of Income Tax; and ballpen.

SM Foundation scholars enjoy their choice of specialization in Accounting, Information Technology, Engineering and Education.

The scholarship covers full tuition. The scholars also receive monthly allowances and part-time job opportunities during semestral and Christmas breaks.

Upon graduation of the scholars, they receive exclusive job offers with the SM group and engage in other fun-�illed activities and en-

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Hyundai’s registration hangs over facility delay

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he Board of Investments said Monday it would cancel the Motor Vehicle Development Program registration of Hyundai Association Resources, Inc. if the processes in its assembly plant here are not completed

by June.

In a press conference, BOI managing head and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said HARI’s assembly plant should have processes, including welding, painting, trimming, and quality control inspection.

Rodolfo, reading the statement of DTI Secretary and BOI Chairman Ramon Lopez, said the BOI’s decision on HARI’s case does not give an “extra privilege” to HARI, or any company under the MVDP, contrary to claims made by the Volunteers Against Crime

and Corruption (VACC) in the case it �iled against DTI and Hyundai executives.

“He (Lopez) would like to assure the Filipino people, including the VACC, that the BOI and he, as Chair, are unwavering in their duty to implement the MVDP. No preference nor favor was given to HARI or to any participant,” Rodolfo said.

Aside from Lopez, the VACC �iled a criminal complaint before the Department of Justice against Hyundai Motor Company’s Chief Executive Of�icer (CEO) Mong-Koo Chung; President and co-CEO Won-Hee Lee; and Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) Asia and Paci�ic Regional Headquarters President Yong Suk Lee. HARI executives, including Chairman Emeritus Richard Lee, Chairman Edward

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BOI perks aligned with tax reform package 2

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ANILA -- The Board of Investments (BOI) said its �iscal incentives are already aligned with the second package of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) of the Duterte administration.

The CTRP package 2, which follows the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act, is pushing for reforms in corporate income tax and �iscal incentives.

It involves rationalizing the �iscal incentives given by the country’s investment promotion agencies (IPAs), such as the BOI.

In a press conference Monday, Trade Undersecretary and BOI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo said perks provided by the agency to the investors are already timebound, focused, and performance-based.

Rodolfo said BOI only provides registered investors four years of income tax holiday (ITH), which can be extended to a maximum of two years.

Its incentives are also focused on industries identi�ied under the Investment Priority Plan (IPP), a list of preference

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GREAT POTENTIALS SEEN. Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) trustee Marilou Ampuan says there is a need for the local Halal industry to strengthen its promotions to make Davao

City a Muslim-friendly city. Ampuan also gave updates during this week’s edition of Kapehan sa Dabaw at the Annex of SM City Davao on the Halal certifiers. Lean Daval Jr

Higher take home pay Employees see cash bonanza under TRAIN

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ith the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN) starting this January, non-minimum wage earners such as teachers, mall executives and car salespersons now enjoy an additional P4,000 to P6,000 increase in take-home pay per month, a cash bonanza they say they plan to set aside either to augment their bank deposits, invest in financial instruments, travel or spend on special occasions with their family members.

Under the TRAIN, non-minimum wage earners receiving P21,000 and below per month are exempted from paying the personal income tax (PIT), while those earning above this amount also get to

enjoy substantial tax cuts. The 13th month pay and other bonuses not exceeding a total of P90,000 are also non-taxable under the TRAIN. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the en-

actment of the TRAIN paved the way for the substantial reduction in PIT rates for the �irst time in the country’s tax history.

Eileen Ramas, an operations manager at a mall in Quezon City, saw her pay slip last month re�lecting a higher take home pay of P5,000 more as a result of this tax reform law.

“We have been waiting for this (law) because for the longest time medyo sobra-sobra talaga ‘yung --- feeling ko talagang sobra-sobra ‘yung binabayad kong tax (it seems too much, my feeling is that I have been paying too much in terms of taxes). Previously, without the TRAIN Law, I was paying more or less— more pa pagka may holidays

(even more when there are holidays)—about P15,000 a month just for my taxes.

So ngayon, nasa P10,000 na lang (So now, it’s just about P10,000),” said Ramas during a recent interview at a public affairs radio program.

“So in a month, I save about P5,000,” added Ramas, who has been employed with the company managing the mall for more than 15 years now.

Ramas said the additional expenses she expects to incur as a result of the revenue-enhancing measures under the TRAIN, such as the adjustments in fuel excise taxes, can be managed so she still ends up with additional savings

Economic Cooperation, which is the fourth to be held since March 2017, has already addressed several concerns in only a short period of time.

“I am convinced that, through our regular meetings, both our governments are prompted to deliver on our commitments and are encouraged to think of more innovative measures to improve our cooperation,” Dominguez said at the opening of the High-Level Committee meeting here at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa.

Dominguez and Secretary Ernesto Pernia of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) both chair the Philippine delegation to the high-level meeting, which also includes key members of the government’s “Build Build Build” infrastructure team, while the Japanese side is led

by Dr. Hiroto Izumi, the Special Advisor to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Dr.Izumi, in his opening remarks, said “Japan intends to contribute to the fast development of the Philippines.”

“We are pleased to provide ‘fast, fast, fast’ (implementation) and share cooperation,” Dr. Izumi said.

On behalf of the Philippine delegation, Dominguez also expressed appreciation for the “focused and open” discussions between the two countries during the meetings of the high-level committee, “signifying our closer cooperation and our strong commitment to a ‘fast and sure’ project implementation.”

“As a result of these high-level meetings, our various

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‘Fast and sure’implementation of Japan-funded projects assured

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APU-LAPU CITY—Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III cited Monday the progress of the discussions on infrastructure and economic cooperation between the Philippines and Japan, which, he said, demonstrate the strong commitment of the two countries to the “fast and sure” implementation of the Duterte administration’s �lagship infrastructure projects.

Dominguez said this latest meeting today of the Philippines-Japan High Level Committee on Infrastructure and

FAST,P11

6 SUBURBIA RISING EDGEDAVAO

Dancing to the tune of “Despacito,” an estimated 15,000 residents and participants from neighboring towns attempt a Guinness World Record for Largest Samba Dance on 12 February 2018, the 20th anniversary of the conversion of Kidapawan into a city. The current record is held by Tesco Clotus (Thailand) consisting of

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525 dancers and was achieved on 15 June 2014. Two lanes of the six-lane highway were closed to traffic from 6 to 10 a.m. as locals flocked to participate in the street dance led by Kidapawan mayor Joseph Evangelista and his wife. Photo by JULES BENITEZ

GenSan unveils C P90-M street lights

Villagers flee due to NPA harassment in Bukidnon

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ENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The city government upgraded the street lighting systems in three major roads here as part of its continuing P90 million city street light project.

Francisco Provido, chief of the City Engineer’s Of�ice, said Monday they have completed the installation new street lights along the Pioneer Avenue in the city proper and two other road networks.

He said the project involved the installation of additional light posts, transformers and energy-ef�icient light-emitting diode or LED lamps.

City of�icials initially unveiled over the weekend the new street

lights from Pioneer Avenue to Pedro Acharon Boulevard and from Barangays Batomelong to Upper Labay and up to Malandag Road.

The local government is scheduled to formally light up next week the additional street lights along the Philippine-American Avenue going to the city airport in Barangay Fatima.

Provido said they are targeting to fully replace all existing sodium lights in the city with LED lamps to reduce the local govern-

ment’s electricity and maintenance expenses.

“When compared with sodium lights, the LED lamps are practically maintenance-free” he pointed out.

The city government, through Mayor Ronnel Rivera, started upgrading the city’s street lighting system in 2013 in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and power distribution utility South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (Socoteco II).

DPWH put up the light posts while Socoteco II provided free transformers and electric metering services.

The project initially covered the outskirt highways, roads in

the city’s boundary areas and remote communities.

It expanded last year to roads within the city’s downtown area, among them the Pioneer Avenue.

Pioneer Avenue is located within the city’s main commercial area and part of the roads surrounding the city government center.

Elmer Catulpos, president of the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., lauded the completion of the street lighting projects, noting that they were part of their “wish lists.”

He reiterated their support to the project’s expansion to other vital road networks within the city’s 26 barangays.(PNA)

suspects.

Tayong identi�ied the fatalities as pedicab driver Danilo Initan, 60, and his 35-year-old passenger, Annie Fernandez Rama.

Another passenger, Veronica Bero, 22, was wounded in the attack.

Tayong said the victims were on their way to Barangay Ladtingan from the town prop-

er here when the armed men blocked their path and shot them using .45 caliber pistol.

Tayong said the identities of the suspects had been established and being veri�ied by law enforcers while the motive of the attack remained unknown.

Guns-for-hire and robbers have been operating in Pikit and executed at least 20 to 30 persons the past three months.

Among the victims were two foreigners: a retired US serviceman-turned-businessman and a Pakistani who was into the lending business.

They were shot dead in separate incidents after the gunmen robbed them of their valuables and cash. Tayong said the police will not stop unless the perpetrators are put behind bars. (PNA)

Cops hunt suspects in murder of 2 in North Cotabato

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IKIT, North Cotabato -- Police here have launched a manhunt against two men who shot dead two residents and wounded another on Sunday.

Supt. Bernard Tayong, North Cotabato police spokesman, said the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion and 602nd Infantry Brigade, have joined the police in hunting down the

AGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Residents of an entire barangay in Bukidnon province sought shelter at the Kibawe town hall compound since Sunday following clashes between government and communist rebel forces, the military said.

Fear gripped the whole village of Cagawasan in Kibawe after suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels hogtied the barangay’s chief tanod Saturday afternoon, forcing the residents to �lee, said the town’s chief of police, Senior Insp. Harvey Sanchez.

A day later, on Sunday, several NPA combatants were spotted

coercing the people in the area, Sanchez said.

Cagawasan barangay captain Roland Perequitte said the rebels started harrassing them when he and his fellow villagers decided to withdraw their support to the NPA. “Dili na namo gusto nga pahimuslan pa mi sa mga NPA pinaagi sa paghatod sa ilang mga supply ug pag monitor sa mga sundalo. Labaw sa tanan, dili na namo gusto nga makatugaw sila sa among kinabuhi pinaagi sa ilang pagpanghilabot sa among pagpadagan sa barangay,” Pere-

VILLAGERS,P11

Family of 3 nabbed for drugs in Sultan Kudarat

I

SULAN, Sultan Kudarat -Police operatives were in disbelief after they found a family engaged in the illegal drug business here during an anti-drug operation.

Chief Insp. Aldrin Gonzales, spokesperson for Police Regional Of�ice 12 (PRO-12), said lawmen were to serve a search warrant against a certain Badrudin Sumensil, 50, of Purok Paghidaet, Barangay Impao, on Sunday when police found his wife and son in possession of prohibited drugs.

Gonzales identi�ied the suspect’s wife as Bebeng Guiandal, 47 and the son as Al-

john, 20, both residents of the same village.

The raiding team recovered two huge sachets of suspected shabu with an estimated market value of PHP40,000, a cal. 45 pistol, ammunition, shabu paraphernalia, and cash amounting to PHP16,000 from the suspects.

Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales, PRO-12 regional director, lauded the police for the successful operation.

“This is our commitment to the community for their continued trust to the law enforcement in the region,” Mo-

FAMILY,P11

VOL. 10 ISSUE 224 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018

EDGEDAVAO

SUBURBIA RISING 7

DOH-ARMM monitors 13 kids who received Dengvaxia vaccines C

OTABATO CITY – Health officials in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are monitoring at least 13 children who received the controversial Dengvaxia vaccines.

But Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr., the regional secretary of the Department of Health (DOH-ARMM), clari�ied that

the children were vaccinated in private clinics in Manila, Zamboanga City and Cagayan de Oro City, which are areas

beyond the dominion of the autonomous region.

The ARMM comprises the cities of Marawi and Lam-

itan; and the provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Lanao del Sur and Basilan.

Sinolinding said parents of the children have sought assistance from his of�ice at Shariff Kabunsuan Complex, the provisional seat of the ARMM government here, asking what would be best

for their children after the Dengvaxia controversy.

“The parents voluntarily came over to our of�ice and sought for advice,” Sinolinding said of the parents who were alarmed by the news in the capital about the vaccine.

Two of the 13 children

5 ASG men killed, 7 soldiers wounded in Sulu clash

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WAVES GOOD FOR SKIMBOARDING. Swimming is not the only thing you can do while you are in Dahican Beach of Mati City, Davao Oriental. If you like water adventure like skimboarding, this is the best

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place in Davao region. In fact, several skimboarding competitions have been held in the place; it is being touted as the Skimboarding Capital of Mindanao. Photo by Henrylito D. Tacio

Drug suspect killed in GenSan

ENERAL SANTOS CITY — A “notorious” drug pusher who was included in the top most wanted list of the Police Regional Of�ice (PRO)-12 was killed in an alleged shootout with police operatives here on Sunday afternoon.

Sr. Insp. Brent Ian Salazar, deputy chief of the PRO-12’s Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU), said the shootout ensued after suspect Bryan Cortado, 37, resisted arrest during a buy-bust operation in

Barangay Dadiangas South at around 4 p.m.

He said their operatives initially purchased from Cortado a sachet of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride in a transaction at the corner of Champaca and Naranjita streets.

The suspect, who was a aboard a Mitsubishi Lancer Sedan with license plate LCF 810, noticed that he was transacting with police operatives and tried to escape, he said.

Salazar said their opera-

tives were able to block the vehicle’s path and cornered Cortado but he refused to yield.

He said Cortado then �ired at the RDEU team, prompting them to �ire back and hit the latter in the process.

“He appeared high (on drugs) when we cornered him.

Out of desperation, he drew his handgun �ired at us, instead of giving up,” he told reporters.

Recovered from the suspect were a caliber 38 revolver with �ive live ammunition, a metal case containing �ive sa-

chets of suspected shabu, mobile phone, and various drug paraphernalia.

Also found were assorted identi�ication and bank debit cards carrying different names believed to have been used by the suspect in illegal drug transactions.

“The identi�ication cards carried his photo but with different names,” Salazar said.

The police of�icial said they have long been tracking down the suspect, who had gone into

volved the installation of additional light posts, transformers and energy-ef�icient light-emitting diode or LED lamps.

City of�icials unveiled late last week the new street lights from Pioneer Avenue to Pedro Acharon Boulevard and from Barangays Batomelong to Upper Labay and up to Malandag Road.

The local government is scheduled to formally light up next week the additional

street lights along the Philippine-American Avenue going to the city airport in Barangay Fatima.

Provido said they are targeting to fully replace all existing sodium lights in the city with LED lamps to reduce the local government’s electricity and maintenance expenses.

“When compared with sodium lights, the LED lamps are practically maintenance-free” he said in a statement.

The city government,

through Mayor Ronnel Rivera, started upgrading the city’s street lighting system in 2013 in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and power distribution utility South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (Socoteco II).

DPWH put up the light posts while Socoteco II provided free transformers and electric metering services.

The project initially cov-

DRUG,P12

GenSan upgrades city lighting systems

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ENERAL SANTOS CITY — The city government upgraded the street lighting systems in three major roads here as part of its continuing P90-million city street light project.

Engr. Francisco Provido, chief of the City Engineer’s Of�ice, said Monday they have completed the installation new street lights along the Pioneer Avenue in the city proper and two other road networks.

He said the project in-

GENSAN,P12

are currently con�ined at a hospital in the city and are closely being monitored, he said.

Sinolinding stressed that the region had not receive supplies of Dengvaxia vaccines because dengue cases in the region the past �ive years has declined. (PNA)

AMBOANGA CITY -- Five Abu Sayyaf bandits were killed while seven soldiers were wounded in a clash as rescue operation for the remaining kidnap victims has continued in Sulu, military of�icials disclosed Monday The clash broke out when the Marine Battalion Landing Team-3 (MBLT-3) troops, led by Lt. Col. Ramil Densing, chanced upon some 30 Abu Sayyaf bandits at around 4:15 a.m. Sunday in Bud (Mount) Bawis, Panamao, Sulu.

The MBLT-3 troops were scouring Bud Bawis after they received information that the group of Abu Sayyaf Sub-leaders Sansibar Bensio and Hatib Munap Binda were in the area hiding along with some kidnap victims.

“Upon arrival in the area, our troops were �ired upon by the enemy, resulting to an exchange of gun �ires,” Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said.

Sobejana said the troops were cautious since the safety of the hostages are of paramount concern.

Sobejana said the �ire�ight lasted for one-and-a-half hour after which the Abu Sayyaf bandits �led due to the superior �irepower of the troops leaving behind the remains of four slain bandits and an M-14 ri�le.

Sobejana said the four slain bandits were identi�ied as the following: Mikdak Juhurim; Annin Black; Tasom Hammiri; and, Undil Husin.

Sobejana said they were informed by witnesses that another Abu Sayyaf follower, identi�ied as a certain Roger, who was wounded, has expired while the bandits were �leeing.

“Also, they (witnesses) saw the (bandit) group carrying and helping a number of wounded companions.” he added.

He said they have coordinated with the local of�icials of Panamao town to afford appropriate and decent burial to the slain Abu Sayyaf bandits if their remains left unclaimed.

He said the troops are tracking down the group of Bensio and Binda, who are operating in the towns of Panamao, Omar and Luuk.

5,P12

Troops aid lumads displaced in Maguindanao

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T. FIRIS, Maguindanao – Teduray natives harassed by lawless elements in this mountain in Maguindanao fear to return home despite assurance that their communities are now safe.

Most of the lumads prefered to stay at nearby sitio Bagong, Barangay Kabingi, Datu Saudi Ampatuan town at night while trying to work on their agricultural crops at day time since they were harassed by IS-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) last December and early January.

“They (natives) fear the Moro bandits might return anytime and harass them anew,” Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, chief of 6th Civil Military Operations Battalion, told reporters during a relief mission for displaced Tedurays here on Sunday.

Besana and soldiers from the 6th CMO Battalion and 57th Infantry Battalion led the

relief operation on assisting the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao – Humanitarian Emergency Assistance Relief Team (ARMM-Heart) in providing 61 food packs intended for 61 Teduray families who refused to return home due to fear of the rebels and that they no more homes to settle in.

At least 18 homes of Teduray farmers were set ablazed by the BIFF when they harassed the farmers on Christmas Day. Sporadic �ire�ight lasted until January 7 this year.

The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) admitted they could not sustain their daily needs because they cannot farm and live normal lives.

Some male IDPs volunteered to become members of Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) to help protect their lands against aggressors. (PNA)

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 224 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018

EDITORIAL

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Leaving no stone unturned

avao City is high on preparations for the upcoming Davao Regional Athletic Association (DAVRAA) meet on February 17 to 23.

For decades, the Department of Education (Deped) which runs the regional sports conclave as a prelude to the Palarong Pambansa, has avoided the City as host for lack of standard sports facilities. Ironically, Davao City is considered the main hub of the region but without decent venues, Deped had to bring the annual games elsewhere in the other Davao cities and towns which have better facilities.

This year marks the return of the regional sports meet to the regional capital and the city government is making sure it will be a remarkable one.

EDGEDAVAO

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University of Mindanao’s new sports complex will be the main venue of the week-long meet.

The bigger preparations though are in the non-sporting areas like accommodations and security. These are the areas where the city would like to ensure the guests will feel secured and well looked after.

For example, it has purchased sleeping cushions and installed showers in billeting schools. It also ensured functional toilets and waste disposal systems.

The DAVRAA will serve as a learning process for the city to gear up for the bigger events up ahead like the Palarong Pambansa which it has long vied to host.

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 Correspondents Lifestyle LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. ARLENE D. PASAJE 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

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he move to divide Davao City into two urban centres was strongest in the early years of the Duterte mayoralty (1988-92). Local politicians voiced out a worn-out position that such plan would in the end result in two progressive metropolitan hub. Under the plan, the common and natural boundary for the reconfigured cities would be Davao River.

Strongly opposing the move to slice the city was the mayor himself who saw such sinister plan as political accommodation. It goes without saying that any attempt to partition territories at the instance of Congress or at the instigation of politicians is deemed as gerrymandering.

This attempt to divide the city would later spill over to another move, which was to create new districts. Under the 1987 Constitution, it only requires a population of 250,000 for a new congressional district to be created through legislative action.

Historically, the plan to split the city first cropped up after the January 1980 local elections resulted in a deadlock.

Luis T. Santos, the KBL official bet for city mayor who was later labelled by the press as “the squatter of City Hall,” lost to

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wo of the most important anti-cancer drugs in the world come from the rosy periwinkle, found in Asia’s tropical rainforests. Taxol, the only drug that shows promise against breast cancer and ovarian cancer, was initially found in the western yew. Asian cattle have been crossed with dairy breed of Europe to boost their milk and meat output.

The rosy periwinkle and Asian cattle are part of the region’s biological diversity (biodiversity). “If nature and natural resources were measures of economic wealth, the Asia and the Pacific region would be one of the Earth’s richest,” notes Eric Van Zant in an article he wrote for ADB Review, a publication circulated

by Asian Development Bank.

“Biodiversity” became an environmental buzzword during the 1980s, when prominent biologists warned that human activities were causing a cascading loss of plant and animal species. The term denotes the full abundance of plant, animal, and microbial life and the ecosystems of which these species are parts.

“The diversity of plants and animals makes life possible on earth, playing a critical role in food security, poverty alleviation, provision of water, medicine and a healthier environment,” explained Elisea Gozun, former secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural

VOL. 10 ISSUE 224 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Dividing Davao City into two Elias B. Lopez, the Nacionalista’s choice.

A February 22, 1981 article entitled ‘In Philippine City, Politics Provides Comic-Opera Overlay’, which came out in The New York Times, reported: “The candidate of the opposition Nacionalista Party, Elias Lopez, received 2,000 more votes but has not been proclaimed the winner. Moves before the Election Commission and the courts have perpetuated the deadlock, and Mr. Santos, backed by the influence of the national Government, insists that he is legally in office until the contest is decided…

“Mr. Lopez, however, is also close to the President’s party, and Mr. Marcos’s local friends, with the President’s cooperation, are working out a Solomonic compromise, resolving in one maneuver the election deadlock and the problem of Davao’s unwieldy dimensions.

Coincidentally, on Feb. 20, 1981, which was the story’s dateline, Pope John Paul II was at the Davao airport to say Mass. The city’s official newspaper, Ang Barangay, which was distributed among the Pope’s entourage, featured a portrait of the Pope and a sabotaged photo of Santos win a typed-in caption, ‘’an impostor.’’

FAST BACKWARD Antonio V. Figueroa In a nonchalant disclosure, Santos said Antonio O. Floirendo, the President’s kingmaker in Mindanao, had confirmed of the plan “to split Davao into two cities, providing employment for both men with a claim to the mayoralty,” adding ‘’Davao will be divided within the year.”

Floirendo, however, clarified the division of the city would still be put to a plebiscite.

Under the plan, one part of the divided city would be given the name New Davao, while the other, consistent with the idea of President Ferdinand E. Mar-

cos, would be christened Imelda, after his wife, who was at the time minister of Human Settlements.

To his credit, Floirendo did not support the notion of creation an Imelda City. However, if the President insisted, he would not be in a position to stop the proposal. But Santos was amenable: ‘’I’d love to have it Imelda City.’’

The division, though, did not materialize. In March 1981, Lopez, a University of the Philippines alumnus like Marcos, was installed by the Commission on Election as the rightful winner in the previous year’s electoral contest.

The idea of naming places after a living person, though, is not allowed by law. Of course, under Marcos’ dictatorial regime, such prohibition was easily removed by means of a decree and the impediment of creating a city named after Imelda could have been negated outright.

But this was not the only instance when a place in Davao was renamed.

On November 25, 1977, President Marcos issued Presidential Decree No. 1247, creating the municipality to San Mariano, now Maragusan, under the province of Davao. The town’s original appellation was named after Mariano,

father of the President, with the ‘san’ as a prefix without any religious significance.

Two years later, Batasang Pambansa passed on April 4, 1979, Batas Pambansa Blg. 23 creating the town of San Vicente, later renamed to Laak, also in Davao province. The name was inspired by Vicente Duterte, former governor of the undivided Davao and father of incumbent president Rodrigo Duterte.

In 2001, Rep. Manuel Zamora, now vice-governor of Compostela Valley, filed a bill renaming the province of Compostela Valley to Davao de Oro. Last December 8, 2016, the provincial Board, with Zamora presiding, passed a resolution support the proposed chance of name.

On August 19, 2017, during the closing ritesa of the provincial chapter congress of the Lady Local Legislators’ League in Davao City, Rep. Maricar Zamora, daughter of the original proponent, expressed optimism the initiative renaming the province would be passed soon.

But to get the imprimatur of the provincial population, the proposed change of name will still have to be put to a plebiscite.

the Washington-based Worldwatch Institute.

Species become extinct is not a new phenomenon. Evolutionary history has witnessed continuous births and deaths of species - the fossil record reveals that there have been at least five major extinctions in the past 500 million years.

But in recent years, the speed with which organisms are being lost has become a major concern. “Modern agricultural and industrial practices, combined with large increases in population and changing consumption patterns, have all taken their toll,” reports Dr. Cristián Samper, director of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington DC. British ecologist Norman Myers, who alerted the world to the dangers of deforestation in 1980, was the first to identify a series of “hotspots” in which rainforest biodiversity was especially at risk. The Philippines has been identified as one of the five “hottest of the hotspots.”

The reason: More than 50 percent of the country’s biodiversity is found nowhere else in the world.

According to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, a typical patch of rain forest covering 10.4 square kilometers contains 750 species of trees, 750 species of other plants, 125 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, 100 species of

reptiles and 60 species of amphibians.

One reason why loss of tropical forests has such a dramatic effect on species is that many organisms living in the forests are endemic to a single area. This rarity makes the species particularly vulnerable to extinction.

As they are fast disappearing, biodiversity must be conserved now. “Unless biodiversity loss can be slowed, species numbers could fall below a critical threshold beyond which they are unlikely to recover,” says Dr. Samper.

“Yet efforts to prevent this scenario must be compatible with promoting the well-being of the human societies that frequently - particularly in the developing world - live in close proximity. This means promoting development policies that simultaneously preserve biodiversity and enrich the livelihoods of those societies in close contact with it.”

Environmentalists are urging everyone to help preserve and protect the remaining biodiversity. Naturalist William Beebe reminds, “When the last individual of a race of living beings breathes no more, another heaven and another earth must pass before such a one can be again.”

Biodiversity on the brink

Resources.

So far, less than one percent of tropical plants have been screened for medical uses. Also, only 5,000 species of higher plants have been studied as potential medicinal sources. In the Philippines, for instance, at least 68 common plants are being used as medicines.

“We are losing biodiversity at an unprecedented rate,” decried the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations during the World Food Day celebration in 1993.

“The loss of biodiversity is a major barrier to development already and poses increasing risks for future generations,” appraised Dr. Walter Reid, then the director of UN Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.

Unfortunately, the world’s biodiversity is collapsing at nothing less than mind-boggling rates. “Difficult as it is to accept, mass extinction has already begun,” deplores Pulitzer Prize-winning author and scientist Edward O. Wilson.

No one knows the true scope of biodiversity – how many species of plants and animals share the planet with human beings. Most estimates put the number at somewhere between 10 million and 30 million, with some consensus around the figure of 14 million. In any case, only about 1.7 million species – a small share of the total – have been iden-

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

tified and categorized, while even fewer have been studied. Yet, over a thousand, maybe 10,000 more, are being lost each year, mostly unseen and unrecorded.

“The extinction rate is over 150 species a day,” estimated William Mansfield, former deputy director of the United Nations Environment Program, in 1990.

“Of all the global problems that confront us, species extinction is the one that is moving the most rapidly and the one that will have the most serious consequences,” contends Dr. Peter Raven, another noted American biologist.

Unlike other global ecological problems, he stressed, the crisis is completely irreversible. “Extinction is forever,” said

10NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 224 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018

by extension, the banana plantations of Davao region, will have long-term repercussions in the way foreign buyers will assess the stability of the industry.

Only very recently, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the country’s banana production in 2017 expanded by almost three percent to 9.166 million metric tons (MMT) from 8.903 MMT in 2016, which great-

ly improved our export numbers amid unwarranted attacks.

“Going by what the House has been doing so far,” Rep. Floirendo added, “there’s no arguing the inquiry on the TADECO-DAPECOL accord will continue, chie�ly to feed the personal interest of certain individuals who are interested in taking over the banana industry.”

Tagum, Panabo and Island Garden City of Samal in the Davao region; Cagayan de Oro, Gingoog, El salvador, Malaybalay and Valencia in Northern Mindanao; and Marawi City in the ARMM. In the Visays, Southern Leyte and Bohol were also placed under Signal 1.

At 4 a.m. Monday, ‘Basyang’s’ center was estimated at 690 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph and is forecast to move west northwest at 25 kph.

PAGASA said scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rains will prevail over the eastern section of Visayas and of Mindanao “beginning later today” and residents of these areas must continue monitoring for updates, undertake precautionary mea-

sures against possible �looding and landslides, and coordinate with their respective local disaster risk reduction and management of�ices.

The weather bulletin said sea travel is risky over the seaboards of Northern Luzon, eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon, Eastern Visayas, and areas under Signal 1.

‘Basyang’ is expected to be 115 km east northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur by Tuesday morning, 60 km west southwest of Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental by Wednesday morning and 65 km west northwest of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan by Thursday morning ,95 km northeast of Pagasa Island, Palawan, and 160 km northwest of Pagasa Island, Palawan by Saturday morning. (MindaNews)

down there and then or the violations will be recorded in their data and would be re�lected when they renew their vehicle registrations.

“We will do this to ensure that the motorists are following our laws with or without the presence of our law enforcers,” he said. CIO

meters per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

Pagasa has advised residents of the affected areas to continue monitoring for updates, undertake precautionary measures against possible �looding and landslides, and coordinate with their respective local disaster risk reduction and management of�ices.

Fisherfolk and those with small seacrafts are advised not to venture out over the eastern seaboard of Visayas and of Min-

danao due to expected rough to very rough seas associated with the approaching tropical storm.

Tropical cyclone warning signal No. 1 is up over Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Camiguin, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Sur, Bukidnon, southern Leyte and Bohol. (PNA/Featured image courtesy of WeatherPhilippines)

the cost of the airfare, the Philippine government shall also settle the immigration penalties of overstaying Filipinos.

The Department of Labor and Employment enforced on Monday (Feb. 12) an adminis-

trative order banning deployment of all Filipino workers to Kuwait after President Rodrigo R. Duterte castigated reported abuses and inhumane treatment of Filipino domestic helpers in the Gulf state. (PNA)

hike in the prices of rice to private traders “hoarding” the supply.

“Pumasok dito yung hoarding, cartel, sequestration of imported rice by some big traders thereby creating rice shortage which would propel price of rice in the market.” Evasco said.

“NFA should be proactive in looking into the situation of our warehouses owned by private traders,” he added

Evacso assured the public anew that there is no shortage of rice and that the depleting rice supply is being addressed.

“We assure the public that there is no rice shortage and this importation is only as to NFA’s buffer stock,” Evasco said.

The buffer stock, Evasco said, is designed to be kept in consideration of calamities and disasters. (PNA)

12... FROM 2

RELIABLE FUEL.Dozens of sacks of wood charcoal from the hinterland of Davao del Sur are unloaded by a porter at a wholesaler’s stall at Agdao Public Market in Davao City over the weekend. Lean Daval Jr

LOCKED... FROM 1

2016.

While the Abu Sayaff inmates were accused for the kidnapping of John Ridsdel a Canadian national on September 21, 2015 in a Resort in Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte.

He said the Supreme Court Second Division approved last January 5 the request to the Supreme Court for the Transfer of Custody of these inmates to SICA asked by Davao City Jail warden Jail Supt. Grace Sun

Taculin.

Lobenia said Taculin sent the request on January 13 last year which was also endorsed by Mayor Sara Duterte to the higher court through the City Peace and Order Council. “Our prayers had already been granted.

We are very grateful for the support of the Local Government of Davao City especially to the Peace and Order Council and Supreme Court of the Philippines,” Lobenia said.

ufacturing, construction, real estate and information and communications technology and will have a business matching today at DCCII office.

“There is nothing that they are very definite of but they wanted to explore, to look out for products that they can bring to Canada,” said Arturo Milan, president of the Davao Chamber of Commerce and Industry Incorporated (DCCII) during the Kapehan sa Davao press conference at SM Annex Davao City on Monday.

A total of ten man delegation from Toronto, Canada composed of a combination of Canadian and Filipinos businessmen. PCCT and Flavours of the Philippines 2018 is both represented by Steve Pagao president; iAdverTUBE is represented by Bill McConkey president, Canada Business Connection and Blueprint Canada is both represented by Michele Serrano, Accubooks is represented by Bryan Ganaba president/ CEO, Montephil, Incorporated is represented by Remedios Monteagudo executive director , Boulevard represented by Nicodemo Mazzone real estate broker and Federation of Filipino Canadian Association of Quebec is represented

by Luzviminda Mazzone vice-president.

He said that the Canadian delegations wants to meet exporters of Philppine Products and Services, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) construction materials and

services, property developments and Education.

He said that Davao City is getting attractive to foreign investors with all the indication of trade mission coming in the city.

“We really have to commend the efforts of the Local Government in trying to secure Davao City and also making Davao City as business friendly as possible,” Milan said.

He said that he told the members of DCCII to be more serious about all the trade mission coming the city in order to convert these interest into actual businesses.

He said that these business ventures are looking for joint-ventures or partners in the local because of the limitation set by the Philippine Constitution that the business located in the country should be 60 percent owned by Filipinos and 40 percent owned by foreign investors.

“We need to take all trade missions seriously so we can convert, because what’s the interest if there is no conversion meaning no actual investment coming in because these are all exploratory, so we should be serious also in trying to capture them and by being partners so the thrust is no longer promotion but conversion” he said.

He said that they need to take advantage of the attraction of foreign investors to Davao City because he is not certain whether this attraction will continue after the term of the President.

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sports. This is about leadership in writing, your leadership as a young man and woman. If you have leadership, you have character.”

He then reminisced how boys scouting as well as sports molded him to the person he has become today.

Ramirez urged the student writers to show con�idence, to be alert and work hard citing that his poverty during childhood was a step to a better life.

“Boys scouting taught me values and character. I have to achieve. I was not very good with Math but in good in social studies. I was a great player.

I was not a serious student, I was an average student, and a product of Padala Elementary School,” the PSC chief said, adding that his was a dif�icult life growing up but it was enjoyable.

He recalled how his diction was laughed at when he competed and represented St. Michael’s College in an oratorical contest in Davao City. He was defeated by a student from the Ateneo de Davao University then but he felt cheated, believing that he won the contest.

Ramirez continued, “I may be wrong that time but I already had that winner’s attitude and competitive spirit.

Who would ever think that a Padada boy can journey

around the world.”

He also encouraged the student writers to save money and travel instead of investing on gadgets, saying that travel enriches one’s experiences and teaches great life lessons.

Meanwhile, PSC Commissioner Charles Raymond A. Maxey welcomed the participants whom he urged to read more and nurture their passion for sportswriting.

The Dabawenyo commissioner, a former sports editor of Sun.Star Davao, also said campus journalists are also partners of the national sports agency in promoting sports in their respective schools.

Topics tackled yesterday included Communicate Sports, the project, and The Challenges of Sports Journalism, by veteran columnist Ed Fernandez; Know your PSC by Commissioner Maxey and PSC in the grassroots by Dr. Serge Opeña.

The seminar resumes today with Sportswriting to be discussed by Sun.Star Davao sports editor Marianne L. Saberon-Abalayan while Fernandez will talk about Photography and Designing the Sports Page in the afternoon.

Certi�icates will be given to participants from as far as Kidapawan City and other parts of Davao region. PSC-PSI

trade partners.”

Barangay A. O. Floirendo is the place where thousands of TADECO banana plantation personnel and workers are residing.

Under stringent banana export regulations, countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, and Middle East require that banana products purchased from the Davao must follow strict quarantine rules and other regulatory

standards.

Obviously incensed, the lawmaker asked: “Has the TADECO-DAPECOL public inquiry gone so low that it has become possible to speculate that all inmates in the prison colony will be future resource persons in the House?”

Rep. Floirendo warned that the continuing imputations chie�ly focused on TADECO and,

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EDGEDAVAO

For your

Valentine,

Yolks

say it with

Valentine’s Day (or Saint Valentine’s Day) is celebrated annually on February 14. History states that it begun in the 3rd century between an oppressive Roman emperor (Claudius II) and a humble Christian martyr (Valentinus). The emperor ordered all Romans to worship 12 gods but the martyr who is dedicated to the ideals of Christ, not even the threat of death, kept him from practising his beliefs.

Arrested and imprisoned, he penned a note to his daughter, Julia, on the eve of his death. Valentinus urged his daughter to stay close to God. It was signed “From your Valentine”. He died the next day, February 14 270 AD near a gate (later named Porta ValenAfter his death, it is tini). believed, Julia plant-

ed a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave. To this day, the almond tree remains a symbol of abiding love and friendship.

Nothing says Gihigugma ta ka or Mahal kita like taking your loved one for a romantic meal in a restaurant or spend the night in a hotel.

This, and of course, surprising your significant other with a feast of romance -handwritten letters, flowers or presents to add more to the obvious. Despite the tangibles, we still all yearn and crave for a feast of palatable dishes to satisfy our hungry tummy. Correct?

Yes, food is best enjoyed with others. And since it’s St. Valentine’s day, this goes beyond dining as a couple or with a group of family and friends. It’s not only eating and feeding the palate; it is about creating memories and feeding the holistic self with food.

Nowadays, romance sure plays an integral part of every resto’s menu. All over the city, you’d be surprised of the gimmicks and specials they offer. Aimed at the happiness of anyone who dines, that is. Even aiming for

ROYAL A4

EDGEDAVAO

A2INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 224 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 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

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 224 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018

EVENT

INdulge! A3

Damosa Land:

Onward and forward

By BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO THE REAL ESTATE and property development scene has been stronger than ever. Not only in the country, property investment is at its peak especially to those who are looking for an investment opportunity for their future. With the many options presented, all you need is to make the most decent decision and know where to put your money at.

2017 proved to be a most exciting year for homegrown real estate company, Damosa Land Inc (DLI). Not only were its targets reached, it also added more to its roster of accomplishments — commercial, industrial and agricultural properties, to say the least. Not to mention, the numerous nominations and citations given by award winning organizations to cap off 2017.

“2018 will be an exciting year for the company.

Not only are we excited to share updates on our existing projects. We are also excited to launch two new projects for 2018”, Damosa Land Inc Vice President Ricardo F. Lagdameo said.

Are you looking for a home to call your own?

Damosa Land’s maiden development, Damosa Fairlane, is a mid-century themed subdivision that is already 80% complete in terms of construction for its 1st and 2nd phases.

Development for its 3rd phase has also been completed and is awaiting construction.

If condominium is your cup of tea, then DLI’s first vertical resort-

themed condominium in Sasa Onse is the one for you. Seawind Condominium is preparing to welcome residents for their Tower 2 and is on the process of completing their next two towers.

To date, they have turned over 106 Seawind units to their owners. Turn over is still ongoing for the remaining Tower 1 unit owners.

Indeed, commerce on this side of the city is truly booming. With 2017’s clamour for food exhibits, the Damosa Food Fest was born. Launched in the summer of 2017, it has become a most sought after event with a 15,000 attendees food traffic to date.

Located also at the Damosa IT Park is Regus — known for providing flexible workspaces — that reached a 96% occupancy rate last 2017.

This is their first center in Mindanao and operates in partnership with Damosa Land.

Anflo Industrial Estate (AIEC) is DLI’s rising industrial park in Panabo city. This 63 hectare selfsustaining ecozone, after opening its third warehouse to locators dur-

ing the first quarter of last year, celebrated the first export shipment of PhilDutch Polymer (its first locator; a FilipinoDutch plastic manufacturer).

Last year was truly a most exciting year for DLI. The internationally prestigious 5th Annual PropertyGuru Philippine Property Awards 2017 gave awards to Damosa Land for its two residential developments last May 4,2017.

DLI earned the Best Residential Development in Davao for their first ever venture into residential development, the Damosa Fairlane. The same was also highly commended for Best Residential Landscape Architectural Design.

On the other hand, DLI’s 6 tower condominium venture, Seawind, took home a Highly Commended Award under the Best Residential Development in the Davao Category.

Not only for its properties, 2017 also saw numerous citations received by its Vice President Ricardo ‘Cary’ Lagdameo.

He was nominated for his exemplary approach

to his contribution to the economic development of the country for the Injap Sia Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (ISOYEA) during the 43rd Philippine Business Conference of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (October 2017).

DLI VP Lagdameo was also commended during the SGV Foundation Inc’s Entrepreneur of the Year 2017. He was among the finalists, alongside 19 other industry entrepreneurs.

2018 Onward From 2017 to 2018, the path seems clear for this award winning homegrown developer.

As mentioned, they are launching two exciting projects to add to their roster. Introducing Agriya and Bridgeport Seaside Leisure Township.

Agriya is DLI’s 88-hectare master planned town-

ship development project in Panabo City. It features residential villages, commercial arcade, institutional-zoned area and an agro tourism component.

Pegged as an Agropolis, one of its features is an experimental learning playground, the Naturetainment, that will be introduced this 2018.

On the other hand, Bridgeport is, according to VP Lagdameo, a masterplan mixed-use development project located in Caliclic, Babak District, IGACOS. “It is not just a resort; It is a mixed-use community”, Lagdameo emphasized.

This 12-hectare seaside leisure township project property is designed to have medium rise condominium parks, open lots, hotel and resort, commercial component and a marina.

DLI envisioned a project that gives its clients the privilege of a vaca-

tion home designed away from the bustling streets of the city. Further, it seeks to establish a strong link between two cities across the Pakiputan Strait — that of business and privacy link.

Bridgeport is to have four condominiums with two phases (300 units for 1 and two-bedroom units), a 20 boat capacity marina that will eventually expand to 50 and commercial components including restaurants. Of which, priority is given to local and homegrown companies to help further the development and completion of said project.

Indeed, it does not take a genius to know the difference between a need and a want. With its onward and forward plan to help you live the life that you have always wanted, you will truly never go wrong with Damosa Land.

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 224 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018

arranged bouquets, wooden boxes, shabby and country basket collections that adds character to any floral arrangement.

Not to be mistaken, Yolks’ repertoire of dishes is also a treasure for anyone who loves food and enjoys a palate adventure on a daily basis.

Adding to it the rows of aesthetically pleasing cupcakes and cakes on display for your senses to crave for. The cute designs add nothing but perfection for the soul in

ROYAL A1 that one particular seal of lifetime bliss.

So, where to this Valentine’s day? Yolks Flower Cafe + Cupcakery, of course!

Yolks Flower Cafe + Cupcakery is Davao’s first restau-

rant and flower shop in one. Decked with the most beautiful of flowers, this restaurant is a true-to-life garden. With its inhouse flower shop, Olivia en Fleur, you’d love that the bountiful colors and smell of nature is with you

CINEMA GUIDE

as you dine.

From the reddest and boldest of flowers to the most whimsical of Ecuadorian long stem roses, a glimpse of these will have you dancing with glee. The choice is yours. Olivia en Fleur has uniquely love.

Black is definitely the new color of love.

Yolks black pepperoni pizza is nothing like ordinary. Thin crust, cheesy and meaty, this is the perfect expression of love. Also available is their black spicy Buffalo Wings pizza. Complete your romantic dining with a creamy chicken alfredo and juicy buffalo wings. Remember, eat but go easy on the garlic.

This Valentine’s Day, go the extra mile and let Yolks help you

make it even more memorable. Order a bouquet from Olivia en Fleur and enjoy a romantic meal with your significant other. Don’t forget, cherish the moment and let it be your very own forever.

Yolks Flower Cafe + Cupcakery is located at Doors A&B, Bella Vie Building, Circumferential road, Davao City. For inquiries and reservations, you may call them at 0995 449 4003

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oil products are not expected to go up until around this month, it does not cover sin products which was the main driver of in�lation rate last January, Chua said.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)

showed that food and non-alcoholic beverages rose by 5.2 percent last January but the alcoholic beverages and tobacco index posted a double-digit rate of 12.2 percent.

(PNA)

costs, non-discriminatory and advantageous to the public,” the authors said.

The study also underscored the need to assess the impacts of removing restrictive regulations in transport and logistics industry, including the adjustment costs for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in retail trade for low-skilled workers and in transport and freight for-

warding services.

“SMEs which do not have the economies of scale and more advanced technology, and low-skilled workers would be directly hurt in a more liberalized environment, with increasing foreign competition from larger and more established enterprises and foreign workers form labor-abundant countries,” it said. (PNA)

lateral cooperation with Japan complements the Philippine government’s economic growth strategies. He added that “by using Japanese technologies and expertise, we aim to build safe and resilient structures and communities.”

Dominguez described the meeting held this morning as a “fruitful” one, as he underscored how Japan shares the Philippine government’s “great sense of urgency “to see shovels at the ground and complete the major projects at the soonest feasible time.”

During the meeting, both sides also presented measures to speed up the implementation of the Philippines’ infrastructure projects that Tolyo has committed to support, and also con�irmed “the updated candidate list of projects, including new projects proposed for Japanese loan/grant �inancing.”

“The Philippine side discussed the progress on the right-of-way acquisition and land resettlement, institutional arrangements on procurement, establishment of Project Monitoring Of�ices, budget allocation for government counterpart and measures to address cross-sectoral concerns,” read the statement of DOF on the high-level meeting.

Japan, for its part, presented measures to “fast-track project/ loan processing and implementation,” which include shortening the review period for procure-

ment, and providing grant support for the conduct of advance works for the detailed design of the projects.

The Philippine and Japan governments will also “continue to have consultations at the working level to accelerate implementation and address challenges” for the railway projects that were presented for Japanese �inancing.

“Allow me to to take this opportunity to thank Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for his intense interest in seeing the cooperation projects undertaken at the soonest feasible time,” Dominguez said.

He also said both sides look forward to the signing of the Exchange of Notes for the grant �inancing for the Davao City Waste-to-Energy project, as well as the loan �inancing packages for the Pasig-Marikina Channel Improvement Project, Phase IV and the MRT-3 Rehabilitation and Improvement Project “in the coming months and after all internal approvals are completed.”

For the PNR North 2 (Malolos-Clark) and PNR South Commuter (Manila-Los Baños) railway lines, they agreed to continue trilateral consultations on the co-�inancing of the projects among the Philippine government, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in order to achieve partial operations of the North-South rail section by 2022. (DOF)

richment programs throughout.

Fueled by Henry Sy, Sr.’s belief in education--that it is the best defense against poverty--the SM Foundation provides college and technical-vocational scholarship grants as well as access to

primary education through school buildings to help the youth achieve their dreams.

For more information on the Davao screening, interested parties may contact SM Lanang Premier public relations through (082) 285 0943 and look for Jesse.

Go, Vice Chairman Conrad Marty, President and CEO Maria Fe Perez-Agudo, and Board of Directors members Eleazar Reyes and Ladislao Avila Jr. were also named as

respondents.

“First and foremost, the BOI resolution was issued by the BOI Board as a collegial body and, as such, was deliberated and decided upon as a

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EDGEDAVAO group with due regard to the requirements of due process and in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations,” Rodolfo said.

To recall, the BOI conducted an ocular inspection of HARI’s assembly plant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna in the �irst half of 2017, and found out that the company had failed to comply with the industry development program under Executive Order 156, but was

already enjoying a 1-percent tax rate on importation of completely knocked-down (CKD) units instead of the usual 20 percent to 30 percent duty.

For her part, BOI Executive Director Ma. Corazon Halili-Dichosa said the �irm’s facility in Laguna only has trimming and quality control inspection, but the welding and painting facilities are not present.(PNA)

investment activities, which may be given tax perks.

The trade of�icial said the BOI evaluates every project registered with the IPA to ensure that the company is complying with its commitments before further endorsing for tax perks to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

“We already talked with the Department of Finance (DOF) about the second package of CTRP,” Rodolfo said in Filipino.

“We are in alignment within the parameters that DOF set.”

Moreover, Rodolfo said BOI remains �iscal positive,

which means for every incentive it gives out, the government still has higher gains in terms of taxes -- withholding tax, value-added tax and property tax, among others.

He noted that only 50 percent of those registered companies applying for ITH were endorsed by the BOI to the BIR, as the agency reviewed the compliance of those �irms with the IPP rules.

The BOI executive also said many projects recently registered with the IPA will be located outside Metro Manila, in line with the Duterte administration’s push for countryside development. (PNA)

from her higher take-home pay.

“Meron akong maisusubi kahit papaano because ‘yung mga iba namang dinagdagan na gastos is actually by choice, hindi necessity. Like kung gasoline, may mga ibang options tayo eh than to just go and take your car whenever and wherever you want. I am a mother, I am a wife, so lagi akong naggo-grocery. Hindi ko pa siya nararamdaman ang epekto ng mataas na bilihin. Ang sa akin, talagang ang nararamdaman ko ‘yung help ng pagpasa ng TRAIN law (I still can save some money because the additional expenses you incur is actually by choice, not necessity. Like for gasoline, there are other options than just taking your car whenever and wherever you want. I am a mother, I am a wife, so I always go grocery shopping. I still haven’t felt the effect of higher prices.

For me, what I am feeling now is the help I get from the passage of the TRAIN law),” she said.

Ramas said she has started saving the additional P5,000 she gets every month, which would amount to a hefty P60,000 per year, by placing it in a separate bank account to help realize her family’s travel plans.

In the public sector, Maleen Abuyen, who works at the House of Representatives, said her tax deductions before TRAIN amounted to P9,000 per month, which has since been reduced to only P4,000 following the implementation of the tax reform law.

“Tumaas talaga kasi sa government meron kami ‘yung SSL 3. So dahil sa Salary Standardization, tumaas ‘yung amingsalary. Pero kung kahit

wala ‘yung SSL, tumaas ‘yung aming take-home dahil nabawasan ‘yung aming tax, withholding tax (We really saw an increase in our pay because in the government we have the Salary Standardization Law Tranche 3. So, because of the Salary Standardization, our salaries increased. But even without the SSL, our takehome pay rose because the tax was reduced, our withholding tax),” said Abuyen during the radio program.

Abuyen said some of her co-workers told her they saw their monthly pay rise because they now pay zero income tax.

She said with their higher take home pay, which means a higher capacity to pay, they can now apply for higher loan amounts at their employees’ cooperative.

Like Ramas, Abuyen said she plans to save her additional take-home pay for her family’s travel plans and also for the celebration she is planning for her child’s upcoming graduation.

In the same radio program, Ruth Orolio, a senior sales consultant at a car dealership, said she was previously taxed 32 percent of the earnings she gets from commissions and incentives, which was cut to 20.88 percent based on her computations following the implementation of TRAIN. “Ngayon mas lalaki nga ‹yung mga incentives and commissions. So de�initely ‘pag medyo mas malaki ‘yun, mas okay, mas may isi-save, mas may panggastos (Now I get more from incentives and commissions.

So de�initely, if you get more, you get to save more, you have more to spend),” Orolio said. (DOF)

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agencies have been coordinating on a regular basis to implement our joint actions,” Dominguez said.

With Japan as a partner to complement the Philippine government’s economic growth strategies, Dominguez said the Duterte administration aims to build safe and resilient structures and communities through the use of Japanese technologies and expertise.

Prime Minister Abe, during his �irst visit to the Philippines in January 2017 and later when President Duterte visited Tokyo in October of the same year, af�irmed his intention to contribute one trillion yen ($9 billion) to the Philippines in the form of of�icial development assistance (ODA) and investments for the next �ive years.

“We are grateful for the Prime Minister’s af�irmation of the commitments that we have reached in our high level meetings and the support to our long-term plans,” Dominguez said.

Underscoring Japan’s commitment to support the country’s infra buildup, Dominguez noted that several development projects here in Cebu, such as the Second Mandaue-Mactan Bridge, Mactan International Airport, and Cebu South Reclamation bene�ited from Japanese funding.

For today’s meeting, the �lagship infrastructure projects proposed for Japan ODA �inancing; the project processing and implementation timetables; the proposed concrete actions to address bottlenecks; the Marawi reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts; and the proposed sectoral cooperation were discussed.

Three documents are also expected to be signed today between the Philippines and Japan: 1) the Record of Discussions of the meeting; 2) the Memorandum of Cooperation among the Bases Conversion

and Development Authority (BCDA), Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport and Urban Development (JOIN), and Surbana Jurong for the “New Clark City”; and 3) the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and Japan Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications for the “Technical Assistance for the National Broadband Plan”.

Aside from Dominguez and Pernia, the Philippine side was also represented by Secretaries Benjamin Diokno of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Arthur Tugade of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Mark Villar of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Eliseo Rio, Jr. of DICT; National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon; Undersecretaries Jesus Cristino Posadas of the Department of Energy (DOE) and Falconi Millar of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC); and Vivencio Dizon, president-CEO of BCDA. The Japanese delegation included Shigeru Kiyama, Special Adviser to the Cabinet; Director-General Kazuya Nashida, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Director-General Seiji Takagi, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication; Deputy Director-General Yasuhiro Yukimatsu, Cabinet Of�ice; and Deputy Director-General Kazuhisa Kobayashi, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Assistant Vice-Minister Koichiro Kakee, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; Director General Yasushi Tanaka, Japan International Cooperation Agency; Director-General Fumio Suzuki, Japan Bank for International Cooperation; and Ambassador Koji Haneda, Embassy of Japan also represented the Japan side.

quitte said . (We don’t want to be exploited by the NPA by acting as couriers of their supplies and in monitoring the soldiers. Above all, we don’t want them to bother our lives by interfering in the affairs of the barangay).

Because they distanced themselves from the rebel movement, Perequitte said the NPA accused the villagers of being military informants.

1Lt. Tere Ingente, spokesman for the Army’s Fourth Infantry Division (4ID), said the 88th Infantry Battalion assigned in the area “is closely coordinating with the municipal government of Kibawe, particularly the Municipal

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Of�ice and the municipal police station, to address the immediate needs of the evacuees.”

In a separate statement, 403rd Infantry Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Eric Vinoya assured the Cagawasan residents that the brigade will coordinate with local authorities to address the peace and order situation in the area.

The residents’ exodus happened less than a week following an ambush by the NPA that wounded six soldiers in the nearby municipality of Quezon, also in Bukidnon. (Mark D. Francisco/PNA)

rales said. “We will continue and intensify our operations to free the region from any crimes and illegal drugs.”

The three suspects are now under the custody of Isu-

lan police while charges for violation of RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and RA 10691 (Illegal Possession of Firearms and Explosives). (PNA)

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Bensio belongs to the group of slain Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Alhabsy Misaya and was involved in kidnapping and safekeeping of kidnap victims including those Indonesians who were released in 2016.

“Bensio is listed Number 1 in our Periodic Status Report of government enemies and is reported to have about eight members,” Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said.

Galvez said that record showed the group of Bensio was involved in a clash with soldiers on January 31, 2017 in Barangays Pugad Manaul and Bulangsi, Panamao.

Galvez said that Binda is a former Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) sub-leader based in the town of Talipao and was operating in Kalingalang Caluang municipality.

Galvez said the Binda’s group was deleted from the government watch list following years of inactivity. His group was also once known to be actively participating and supporting the group of Misaya.

The identities of the wounded troops, who belong to the MBLT-3, were withheld.

“They were all immediately evacuated to safety for immediate medical attention,” Galvez said.

He said operations continue to rescue all the hostages being held captives by the Abu Sayyaf bandits.

Latest Westmincom data showed that the Abu Sayyaf bandits are still holding captives nine people.

They included �ive foreigners--three Indonesians, one Vietnamese and one Dutch-and four Filipinos. (PNA)

hiding, and �inally spotted him in Barangay Dadiangas South on Sunday.

“He is [sic] a known drug pusher and reportedly doubles [sic] as a gun-for-hire,” he said.

Salazar said Cortado had a standing warrant of arrest issued on Dec. 15 last year by Regional Trial Court Branch 11 Judge Oscar Noel.

It stemmed from a raid on the suspect’s house in Block 3, Lot 1 of GenSanville Subdivision in Barangay Bula

that resulted to the recovery of suspected shabu, grenade, ammunition and various drug paraphernalia.

In 2014, Cortado was arrested and charged by the National Bureau of Investigation along with �ive other suspects for illegal possession of �irearms and drugs.

The group, who were intercepted aboard a van, were suspected as engaged in contract killing. (MindaNews)

ered the outskirt highways, roads in the city’s boundary areas and remote communities.

It expanded last year to roads within the city’s downtown area, among them the Pioneer Avenue.

Pioneer Avenue is located within the city’s main commercial area and part of the roads surrounding the city government center.

Elmer Catulpos, president

of the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., lauded the completion of the street lighting projects, noting that they were part of their “wish lists.”

He reiterated their support to the project’s expansion to other vital road networks within the city’s 26 barangays.

(MindaNews)

‘’Yeah, we stunk,’’ coach Brad Stevens said. ‘’But they were really good. They had a lot to do with that.’’

PLAYOFF RACE Terry Rozier scored 21 with nine assists and Kyrie Irving scored 18 against his former team before sitting out the fourth quarter. The Celtics have lost three of four to fall behind Toronto in the Eastern Confer-

ence playoff race.

The Cavaliers, who have won three straight, are 5 1/2 games behind Boston. To help make a push for their fourth straight NBA �inals, Cleveland traded away six players and acquired four at the deadline. ‘’All of our new guys performed and played well,’’ coach Tyronn Lue said. ‘’So that’s a good sign.’’

Semi-Finals.

Almamento outpointed Aglayan’s Kenn Macapas by a unanimous decision in the Youth Boys light �lyweight (46-49 kg.) division while Denega escaped with a split decision against Cagayan de Oro’s Wesley Caga, 4-1 in the bantamweight (56 kg.) category.

CDO, however, still got the most number of �ighters going to the semi-�inals with a total of six after earlier posting �ive wins in Day 1 last Saturday.

It was only John Ignatius Macas, who earned CDO’s lone win in Day 2 via a referee-stopped-contest in 1:21 of Round 2 over

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NEW-LOOK... FROM 15

NEW-LOOK... FROM 15

EDGEDAVAO Kidapawan’s Junarie Biendima in the �lyweight (52 kg.) category.

Sultan Kudarat, on the other hand, also posted two victories last Sunday courtesy of Jobert Paala (52 kg.) and Remark Brillo (56 kg.) who crushed Sarangani’s Jomar Baliwan via RSC-injury (nose bleed) in Round 2 and Davao’s Joshua Padual by split decision (4-1), respectively.

Digos City under coach Renato Moreno emerged as the second best team with a total of �ive wins in the two-day event sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission in coordination with the of�ice of Sen. Manny Pacquiao.

Elmar James Panerio (56 kg.) edged out Kidapawan’s Jerson Arigola by a split decision (4-1) to give Digos’ 5th win.

Polomolok tied Sul-

tan Kudarat with a total of three win after another a walk-over win by light �lyweight Jake Sone Saludar over Koronadal’s C-Jay Higado.

The other results: Youth Boys Flyweight (52 kg.)

Arceboy Baranggan (Aglayan) def. Curt Nnelgy Manigsasa (Davao) by split decision (3-2) Kenneth Egano (Sarangani) def. Criz Sander Laurente (Gensan) by walkover Youth Boys Bantamweight (56 kg.)

Darrel Literal (Malungon) def. Marjon Ibones (Labangal) by walk-over Youth Boys Light Flyweight (46-49 kg.)

Richard Sequino (Labangal) def. Louie Jay Albino (Digos) by unanimous decisions (PNA/ LDR)

Paul Pierce Players’ Tunnel.

The team said the tunnel, featuring Pierce’s signature, will serve as a reminder to current and future players of what “being a Celtic” means.

When his jersey was raised, Pierce was serenaded with chants of “Thank You, Paul Pierce!”

“This is just a special day,” Pierce said afterward. “If I never make the Hall of Fame or anything, to go up in the rafters as a retired number for the Celtics — that’s just enough.

That’s enough for me. ... When you’re forever with the Celtics, you’re forever.”

The 40-year-old Pierce retired after last season. He

tops the Celtics’ all-time lists in 3-pointers made (1,823), free throws (6,434) and steals (1,583).

He is Boston’s second all-time leading scorer with 24,021 points, trailing only John Havlicek. His 15 seasons also trail only Havlicek’s 16 for the longest stint with the team.

Current Celtics players gathered to watch the ceremony, and legends including Robert Parish, Cedric Maxwell and Tom “Satch” Sanders sat on the court.

Pierce credited his mother, Lorraine Hosey, and brothers Jamal and Steve Hosey, for inspiring him.

Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu who comprise the boys division and Dancylle Gabrealene Busime, 12, of Colegio San Nicolas de Tolentino – Recoletos; Danielle Gwen Dusaran, 12, of University of Negros Occidental Recoletos; and Gin Kayla Relliquette, 12, of St. Carmen Salles School who represent the girls division.

The 10 selected athletes received world-class basketball instruction from Jr. NBA coaches, led by Coach Carlos Barroca and Alaska Ace Tony Dela Cruz, excelled in a variety of basketball activities and competition, and embodied the Jr. NBA core S.T.A.R. values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude and Respect throughout the camp.

“We have kids in Visayas that showed a tremendous amount of potential at a very young age. We hope they will continue to work on their games and look forward to seeing their growth in our future camps within the region,” said Jr. NBA Coach Carlos Barroca.

During the tryouts, former PBA player Tony Dela

Cruz shared advice on how participants can improve on and off the court. “Listen with both eyes and ears and pay attention to your parents, teachers and coaches to achieve more. Try your hardest in everything you do and as long as you try, you will always learn and grow.”

The Visayan contingent of Jr. NBA campers will compete with the top players from the remaining Regional Selection Camps in Butuan (February 24-25), Baguio (March 17-18) and Manila (April 21-22) at the National Training Camp where the next batch of Jr. NBA Philippines All-Stars composed of the most outstanding eight boys and eight girls will be selected. The 2018 Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA All-Stars will be rewarded later in the year with an authentic, overseas NBA experience.

Former Jr. NBA All-Stars from Bacolod assisted Jr. NBA coaches who facilitated the skills stations during the regional tryouts included Daniel Coo (2015), Harold Alarcon, Fritz Valencia and Florence Jill Talas (2016) and Chinnsai Demana (2017).

CELTICS... FROM 15

CELTICS... FROM 15

VOL. 10 ISSUE 224 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018

One-of-a-kind gift ideas for Valentine’s Day bared

V

alentine’s Day is coming up, which means you’ll have to start looking for a gift soon.

Let Globe myBusiness, the micro, small, and medium enterprise arm of Globe Telecom, introduce you to some great ideas which you can use to wow your significant other.

This year, make Valentine’s Day one to remember when you treat your partner to: A perfect combination Those “His” and “Hers” items you find in department stores may seem cheesy to some, but there are more than a few products that are actually quite witty and useful, while at the same time very sweet. With a range that goes from pillows to towels to jewelry to clothing, there are more than a few ways to express your love!

A personalized keepsake What could be more special than a gift that’s made for your partner alone? Personalized items have become such a hit that you’ll be sure to find names or initials on a multitude of items in just about any mall or shopping center. Make him or her feel one of a kind with something that’s undoubtedly theirs - just like you!

Try: A handmade project Nothing says “you mean a lot to me” like something you created with your own hands. This kind of gift adds the benefits of something personalized as well: not only is it unique, but it’s tailor-fit to what your partner needs and guaranteed to be useful and appreciated.

Most of all, it shows you not only know your partner very well, but also care about what he or she needs.

Try: A gift that keeps on giving Who says gifts can only be useful once? For the practical partner, even the most unusual “gift” can be romantic if it can be utilized for long. Splurge on something your partner needs around the house, or get them something they’ve always wanted. Not only will they be very grateful, they’ll also be sure to remember you each time they use it.

A delicious feast Who doesn’t love to eat? Val-

entine’s Day counts as the ultimate date night. Turn the date itself into a gift by going somewhere extra special. Binge on delicious food, share bites and stories, and most of all relish the calm and romantic ambience that only a very good restaurant has to offer.

A little something for the Earth as well All kinds of love can be (and are!) celebrated on Valentine’s Day, so extend your care to all the people who matter to both of you.

Make sure you show your love for family and friends as well, and while you’re at it, why not give a little something to the Mother we all love, our own planet? You can even turn this into a project you and your partner work together on -- because why not?

An experience to remember It’s one thing to get your partner an object, but it’s a whole other thing to get him or her an experience. Do something you’ve never done as your relationship takes to new heights, and get to know each other better as you’re thrown into all kind of situations or adventures.

A chance to learn something new If you’re a business owner and you don’t always have time outside of work, yet neither you nor your partner would pass up the chance to discover new things, why don’t you check out a workshop or activity you’ve never tried before? More than just the introduction to what could be a new hobby, it would also be a great bonding opportunity for you two.

Valentine’s Day should be a special occasion simply because it’s there for you to celebrate the most special people. Don’t let it go to waste by giving your partner exactly what he or she deserves -- the best!

Globe myBusiness provides digital solutions to local entrepreneurs to help them grow their business. Follow Globe myBusiness’ Facebook Page at https:// www.facebook.com/globe mybusiness/ and check out our wonderful surprises for Valentine’s Day!

EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF DECEDENTS ANTONIO E. CUIZON AND BALDOMERA L. CUIZON

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ANTONIO E. CUIZON who died on April 13, 2004 and the late BALDOMERA L. CUIZON who died on October 03, 2008 at Davao City, Philippines has been the subject of an EXTRA JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF DECEDENTS executed among their heirs, per Doc. No.323; PageNo.65; Book No.05; Series of 2011, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY. WILFREDO S. CASAS.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 224 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018

NEWS 13

EDGEDAVAO

Application for DCWD scholarship is now open!

EDGEDAVAO

D

Account Executives (3)

CWD opens seven slots for the two scholarships under the DCWD Comprehensive Scholarship Program for school year 2018 - 2019.

Said scholarships shall cover tuition and miscellaneous fees, transportation, meal, boarding house, and uniform/textbook allowances. Graduating scholars can also avail of a thesis allowance. All incoming and qualified college students are encouraged to apply.

Academic Excellence Scholarship with FIVE slots: This is intended for would-be students who are planning to take up engineering, computer technology, and geology courses at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) Obrero Campus. Their household annual income should also be PhP 80,000 and below.

College Scholarship for Indigenous Peoples

(IP) with TWO slots: This is for IP youth who intend to pursue a college degree. Applicants must be high school graduates from Toril, Tugbok, Baguio, Calinan and Marilog Districts. Muslim students who are situated in the watershed areas of aforementioned districts are also encouraged to apply. Interested applicants are encouraged to take public administration, community development, and agricultural courses in the USeP Mintal campus. They may also opt for other degree courses in USeP Obrero and Mintal campuses.

Interested applicants are advised to pass the Readiness Test for Colleges and Universities and forward the results to DCWD’s Community Relations Division at the DCWD Ma-a sub-office for a series of evaluation and interview. For more details, they may call 297-4238 local 431. (Shaira Angelica S. Magno)

Serving a seamless society

is in need of

Qualifications: • BS Marketing Graduate • Male/Female • With pleasing personality • With salary + commision

‘Basyang’gains speed, threatens Eastern Mindanao

M

ANILA -- Tropical storm “Basyang” accelerated as it threatens Eastern Mindanao, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Monday afternoon.

In its latest bulletin, PAGASA said “Basyang” was last spotted 435 kilometers east-southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

The storm, moving west-northwest at 22 kph, is expected to make landfall in the Caraga region on

Tuesday morning or afternoon.

Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal (TCWS) No. 2 is raised over Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, and Agusan del Sur. PAGASA warned of 61-120 kph winds within the next 24 hours and storm surges reaching 4.1-14.0 meters at coastal areas.

TCWS No. 1, meanwhile, is also hoisted over the southern portion of Samar, southern portion of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Siquijor, Guimaras, Iloilo, Dinagat Islands, Camiguin, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, Davao del

Norte, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Bukidnon, and the northern portion of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur. These areas are also expected to have a wave height of 1.25-4.0 meters.

“Basyang” is forecast to be in the vicinity of San Luis, Agusan del Sur on Tuesday afternoon and 145 km southeast of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on Wednesday afternoon. It is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday. (PNA)

Send your application letter and resume to: Ella P. Tingzon HR/Admin Supervisor Edge Davao Review Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Bldg., E. Quirino Avenue, Davao City Or email at edgedavao@gmail.com or ella_tingzon@yahoo.com

14 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 224 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018

The ancient scourge returns

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

M

eet Manang Rosa, whose family lives in a small bamboo house north of the town of Bansalan, Davao del Sur, about five kilometers away from the poblacion along one of the dykes that leads to the rice fields.

It’s Sunday and only four o’clock in the morning, but she’s already awake. She has to prepare breakfast for her two sons and a daughter. As she pulls her body across the split bamboo �loor, her swollen legs and toeless feet are dragged behind like dead wood.

Manang Rosa lifts the boiling pot of rice from the �ire with her bare hands and a large red blister readily appears, but she does not even notice it, she feels no pain. She’s only in the fortieth year of her life.

An hour later, she calls everyone for breakfast. One by one, they go to the table where the prepared foods are ready for eating. Each one reaches for a spoon while Manang Rosa just lowers her head. Eight small stumps have taken the place of her �ingers and once manicured nails.

After eating their breakfast, the father and the three children head towards the rice �ield for the harvest along the same path that their grandfather had walked years ago. But Manang Rosa will remain at home, years ago she had come to face the reality that she will never harvest rice again.

As she sits in the window watching them leave, she prays that their fate will be different from her own.

Manang Rosa has leprosy and she’s not alone. Although the ancient scourge is no longer a public health threat, it has not been completely eradicated from this part of the world. In fact, more than 1,000 Filipinos still get infected with the disease each year, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

In Davao Region, leprosy cases go up by 39.2%: from 125 cases in 2016 to 174 cases last year. Of those reported in 2017, 110 cases were new, the Davao Leprosy Control Program of the health department disclosed.

Davao Region is composed of �ive provinces: Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental and Compostela Valley. Davao del Sur (from which Manang Rosa comes from) has been singled out as having the most number of new cases: 19. In comparison, other provinces reported from as low as �ive cases to as high as eight cases.

Leprosy is endemic in the Philippines. Although it is a curable disease, it still remains one of those diseases people don’t talk about. As a matter of fact, misconceptions and false beliefs about leprosy still abound.

For instance, there are those who believe that leprosy is the result of eating chicken together with squash. While this is not true, many families still

never serve chicken and squash at the same time while dining.

Many think that living in close contact with lepers is dangerous since the disease can easily be transmitted from one person to another. That is why many insist on con�ining the lepers together in one area, believing that this is the best preventive measure.

Unlike other diseases, leprosy is not hereditary. The misconception of being a hereditary disease is may be due to the fact that young children get leprosy if their mother had the disease. After all, the infectious mother breast-feed and sleep with her child, thus close intimate skin to skin contact takes place and, over a period of time, the disease may be transmitted from mother to child.

From ancient times and in virtually every culture, leprosy has evoked particular images of horror and fascination. For no other illness have people been buried alive, burnt at stake, or given last rites for the dead before being expelled from walled cities with a bell and candle.

“For ages, leprosy remained a disease without hope,” one health of�icial said.

The disease is as old as Biblical times. In both the Old and New Testaments, leprosy was considered a punishment from God for sin. The victim was said to be in a state of tsara’ath, or de�ilement. This Hebrew term was later translated as lepros, from which the word “leprosy” came.

The bacteria responsible for the disease wasn’t identi�ied until 1873. In one of his studies, Dr. Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen discovered the bacillus Mycobacterium leprae under the skin of his patients. Finally, leprosy entered the realm of scienti�ic scrutiny and was now called as Hansen’s disease.

“For want of anything better, since leprosy was now recognized as a communicable disease, communities went on isolating patients and continued to treat them with oil of chaulmoogra,” Prof. Michael F. Lechat, of the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium, reported. “It was a dark chapter in the history of leprosy.”

Like the other ancient scourge, tuberculosis, leprosy is transmitted through the air: “inhalation of droplet from coughing and sneezing of untreated leprosy patient,” the health department said.

Generally, it is transmitted through close personal contact.

A casual contact with a leper will not lead to leprosy but a prolonged exposure may make a healthy person susceptible. In addition, old age contributes to

one’s susceptibility.

Fortunately, leprosy is slow to develop. These are the signs and symptoms, according to the health department: long standing skin lesions that do not disappear with ordinary treatment, loss of feeling or numbness on the skin, loss of sweating and hair growth over the skin lesions, and thickened and/or painful nerves in the neck, forearm, near elbow and the back of the knees.

The Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) says that those diagnosed with leprosy usually feel self-pity, resentment, no sense of belongingness, feeling of rejection, isolation, and detachment. Other behavioral reactions include frustration and depression, strong feeling of guilt, and repulsive and rebellious.

Lepers usually undergo a denial stage, which includes resistance to treatment even after learning that they have leprosy.

They also resort to divine intervention, pleading to God that He takes the disease away. Most patients go through the “crying or anger stage” once they have con�irmed that they could not escape treatment. They feel deep sense of hopelessness, and many tend to be suicidal since they feel they are society’s outcasts.

After going through these emotional upheavals, the lepers usually go experience the stage of reconciliation, which involves acceptance, forgiveness and openness to others.

Until 1950, leprosy had no cure. Then, Dapsone came into use. Although the drug acted very slowly, it was at �irst effective, but after many years it was found that patients failed to respond because the leprosy germs developed resistance to it.

Fortunately, new and more potent drugs became available and the answer to drug resistance was found to be the treatment of patients with a combination of drugs. This led to the WHO recommendations on standard treatment of leprosy through multidrug therapy (MDT) in 1981.

MDT involves the use of

three drugs – Rifampicin, Lamprene, and Dapsone – against the more serious form of the disease, and two drugs against the less serious form.

“The global effort to eliminate leprosy as a public health burden has been successful over the years: from 5.2 million in 1995 to 213,036 at the end of 2008,” the WHO said, adding that the disease was eliminated in 119 countries out of 122 countries where it was considered a public health problem In the Philippines, the establishment of the National Leprosy Control Program in 1985 brought the prevalence rate of the disease to 7.2 per 10,000 population. Currently, the prevalence rate is further down to 0.31per 10,000 population.

Aside from Davao del Sur, among those with high prevalence rate of leprosy in the Philippines include the following: Ilocos Sur (Candon City, San Juan, Tagudin), Tarlac City, Nueva Ecija (Lupao), Metro Manila,

Cebu City, General Santos City, Lamitan City, and Marawi City.

Government health of�icials urged Filipinos to help eliminate leprosy completely in the country. Those who suspect they have been infected to immediately go to a government clinic or hospital.

“You don’t need to go to a sanitarium,” Dr. Francesca Gajete, a government health of�icial during the Aquino administration, was quoted as saying Philippine Daily Inquirer. “You can be treated as an out-patient.

The medicine is free and after just a day of treatment, you are no longer infectious.”

The MDT treatment, however, lasts 6 months for less serious form and 24 months for more serious form. At the end of those periods, the cure is complete.

“A person may be completely cured but, if there has been severe damage to the limbs, that damage cannot always be put right,” argues John Bland, of WHO’s action program for the

elimination of leprosy. “So there will be a long-term need for rehabilitation and treatment for people disabled by the disease.”

In many parts of the world, those who are already cured from the disease may also have a struggle to reintegrate themselves into their communities.

A major problem attached with leprosy is its stigma. Sometimes, this can be more threatening and troublesome than the medical implications of the disease. The stigma dates back to Biblical times, people were cast out of society, draped in black with a bell around their neck, and proclaimed “dead from this day forth,” if they were thought to have leprosy.

Of course, this is no longer practiced, but in many cases the negative attitudes which still persist towards leprosy can be just as detrimental. As one health of�icial explains, “Once a leper, always a leper. You lose your job, you lose your name, and you lose your self-worth.”

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 224 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018

City 85% ready J for DAVRAA

Davao’s Prevendido advances

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

APORTADERA

D

avao City is now on the polishing stage for the hosting of Davao Regional Athletic Association (DAVRAA) meet which gets going on February 17 to 23.

City Sports Division head Micheal Denton Aportadera said the city is now at 85 percent ready since they are now on the �inishing touches for the regional sporting event.

“As the time goes by whether it’s a

weekday or weekend the City Engrineers Of�ice and Deaprtment of Education never stop working in addresssing the issues on playing venues, billeting areas,” Aportadera said.

Aportadera said the city is now on

the completion of building the shower rooms in the billeting quarters so that the athletes will have a decent bathing area.

He also said the city will be also providing beddings in every billeting quarters so that ahtletes will have a comfortable rest.

“The foams for athletes already arrived in the city because we don’t want them to sleep in the cartons,” he said.

Aportadera said the the city is also �ixing the access roads going to the playing venues and billeting areas.

He said the city also �ixing the problem on the water and electricity supply in the schools which will be used as billeting quarters.

Aportadera said

around 7,000 young athletes are expected to arrive in the city for the week-long sporting meet.

He said there will be 25 sporting events in different playing venues in the city which the center of it will be at University Mindanao, Matina Campus.

Aportadera said the hosting will be the best opportunity to showcase the city since it has been a long time that the city never hosted a sporting meet.

He said the success of DAVRAA will be the gauge if the city is prepared to host a big sporting events.

Aportadera said hosting a sporting event will also help the tourism industry in the city.

New-look Cavs maul Celtics B

OSTON (AP) -- LeBron James led the new-look Cavaliers to a blowout in Boston with an individual performance reminiscent of the rivalry’s heyday.

And this time, Paul Pierce was sitting courtside in street clothes, unable to do anything about it.

With the former Celtics great waiting to see his No. 34 raised to the Boston Garden rafters, James shook off a �irst-quarter leg injury to score 24 points with 10 assists and eight rebounds to give Cleveland a 121-99 victory on Sunday.

I n their �irst appearances since being acquired at the trade deadline, Jordan Clarkson scored 17 points, Rodney Hood had 15, George Hill had 12 and Larry Nance Jr. scored �ive. The

SLAM. Boston forward Al Horford slams the ball as new Cleveland recruits Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. look on.

foursome practiced with the Cavs for the �irst time on Saturday. ‘’I know the guys that are here are very excited about this opportunity,’’ James said. ‘’It’s my job to as the leader of this team to make sure that I acclimate the new four guys to be around a culture that’s built around winning.’’

James scored 13 in the second quarter - eight of them during a 13-2 run that turned a onepoint de�icit into a double-digit lead. The Celtics made it 64-55 on the �irst basket of the third quarter but never got within 10 again.

As the Cavaliers opened a 27-point lead midway through the fourth, the crowd began chanting ‘’We want Paul Pierce!’’ But he remained in his baseline seat, awaiting the postgame ceremony that would raise his No. 34 to the TD Garden rafters - the 23rd person in the history of the NBA’s most-decorated franchise to be so honored. ‘’It de�initely gave me chills, especially with LeBron out there,’’ Pierce told reporters afterward. ‘’I wanted to be out there.’’

The current Celtics, who have spent much of the season in �irst place in the East, could have used him.

ohn Ednoel Prevendido scored the lone victory for Davao City in the �inal day of action of the Mindanao Quarter Finals in the PSC-Pacquiao Amateur Boxing Cup last Sunday at the Kidapawan City Gym. Prevendido crushed CDO’s Romilo Junio by a unanimous decision in the Youth Boys light �lyweight (46-49 kg.) division to give the second win for the Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio’s team.

The other Davao boxer advancing to the Mindanao Semi-Finals slated on March 3 in Cagayan de Oro City is Reymond Albupera, who beat Gen. Santos City’s Rex Ayuban by a split decision, 3-2 in the Jr. Boys light �lyweight (48 kg.) category lat Saturday.

Meanwhile, Ariel Almamento and RV Denega scored contrasting wins for Gen. Santos City, who will advanced with a total of four boxers into the

even boys and three girls will represent Visayas at the National Training Camp of Jr. NBA Philippines 2018 presented by Alaska that will be held in Manila on May 18-20. Returning for the third time since 2007, the Bacolod edition tipped off the nationwide series of Jr. NBA Regional Selection Camps, hosting over 400 aspiring boys and girls at the Trinity Christian School on Feb. 1011.

Advancing to the next phase of the league’s global youth basketball participation program are : John Lester Amagan, 14, of St. Robert’s International Academy; Nathan Jan Jundana, 14, and Heinzy Gabriel Demisana, 13, of Bacolod Taytung High School; William Agamemnon Allosada, 13, William Archimedez Allosada, 13, William Holan Baxter, 13, and Keane Angelo Yu, 14, of Sacred

DAVAO’S,P12

10 Visayas ballers off to Jr. NBA Nat’l camp S

10,P12

Celtics retire Pierce’s 34

B

OSTON--Paul Pierce used to walk onto the court at TD Garden and imagine seeing his number hanging from the rafters.

“The Truth” doesn’t have to dream about that day anymore.

The Celtics retired Pierce’s No. 34 on Sunday following the Celtics’ 121-99 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He became the 23rd person in fran-

chise history to have his number or name enshrined by the Celtics organization.

The honor capped a 19year career for Pierce, who was named NBA Finals MVP in 2008 when the Celtics captured their 17th championship.

After the game, Pierce, clad in a green plaid blazer, entered the court via the newly named

CELTICS,P12

PIERCE NIGHT. Former Boston Celtics Paul Pierce, left, raises a banner

NEW-LOOK,P12 during a ceremony to retire his number following an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Boston, Sunday (Monday PH Time).

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 10 ISSUE 224 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018

WRITE STUFF

PSC holds sportswriting seminar

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO

B

reaking out of the usual sports programs that concentrate mainly on athletes, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) on Monday launched a program to help champion the advocacy for sports.

PSC Chairman William Ramirez expanded PSC’s sports program variables with the staging of the very �irst sports communications development program dubbed as “Communicate Sports: A Sports Journalism Seminar” held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City.

Ramirez keynoted the event’s opening on Monday which further broadens the linkage of the government sports

agency with sports stakeholders.

Some 200 campus journalists underwent a series of lectures and workshops on basic sports writing in the two-day event.

The seminar lured participants from Compostela Valley, Asuncion, Panabo, Digos, Davao Occidental and Davao City.

Among the speakers are PSC Commissioner Charles Raymond Maxey, who oversees projects

Mindanao and is a former sports editor himself.

Campus-based writers have been tapped in the coverage of regional and national sports meets like the Palarong Pambansa in recent years. With enhanced skills, student writers could boost communications during Palarong Pambansa and other regional meets taking advantage of the strong social media platform.

Butch underscores character among campus sports writers

SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS. PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez opens the Sports Communications seminar on Monday at the Royal Mandaya Hotel. PSC photo

P

hilippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William «Butch” Ramirez underscored leadership character as an essential tool for budding campus sportswriters to thrive not just in journalism but also in life.

Ramirez, speaking to some 300

participants of Communicate Sports, a two-day sports journalism seminar that opened at The Royal Mandaya Hotel (TRMH) Lantawan Hall yesterday, said: “This gathering is not only about writing. This is not only about appreciating

BUTCH,P10