Edge10 issue 225, February 14, 2018

VOL. 10 ISSUE 225 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

THE OTHER RBL. Veteran photo journalist Rene Lumawag makes a last minute adjustment of his art work, an acrylic on canvas entitled ‘Still Life,’ before the opening of an art exhibit of 25 artists from the Davao Artist group at the lobby of Park Inn by Radisson Davao on Tuesday. The art exhibit is for the benefit of Badjao children from the rainbow community in Matina Aplaya. Lean Daval Jr

UNWANTED IN DAVAO Council declares Trillanes‘persona non grata’

T

he Davao City council here on Tuesday declared Senator Antonio Trillanes as “persona non grata” for portraying the city the most dangerous in the Philippines and likening Dabawenyos to North Koreans who were brainwashed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Trillanes also ranked Davao City as �irst in the country for murder and second in rape cases.

The city council also declared New York-based Fili-

pina businesswoman Loida Lewis as persona-non-grata.

Lewis was recently accused as one of those allegedly behind the International Criminal Court’s decision to

investigate the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.

Vice Mayor Bernard Alag explained that as persona non grata, Trillanes is not welcome in Davao City.

“Hindi siya kailangan dito (he is not needed here),” Al-ag said.

The vice mayor said he understands the politics of Trillanes and his political ambitions by attacking the President, but it is not acceptable to destroy the city

and the people of Davao.

Al-ag asked the city council to declare Trillanes as such following the senator’s statements before the Filipino community in Chicago. The vice mayor’s call was unanimously backed by the city councilors.

“It was totally unacceptable. I am speaking on behalf of the Dabawenyos,” Al-ag said.

“This is an insult to the

UNWANTED,P10

A1

5 ways to feel the love this Valentine’s

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 225 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

UNBENDING. President Rodrigo Duterte, in his speech during the launching of the Malasakit Program at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebut City on Monday, reiterates that he will not tolerate corrupt practices during his term. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

UPLB to establish Davao Norte school T

he University of the Philippines – Los Baños (UPLB) will be constructing its UP Professional School for Agriculture and the Environment (UP PSAE) within the 88-hectare mixed-use Agriya complex in Panabo City, Davao del Norte.

Ricardo Lagdameo, vice president of Damosa Land Inc said the physical construction of the UP PSAE will start by the end of the year or early 2019.

“They’re (UPLB) ready to go and they want to begin the project as well,” Lagdameo said.

The UP PSAE is expected to strengthen the agriculture sector

as well as help UP Mindanao in Davao City and other state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the Davao Region with the development of research and academic programs.

“I think starting this year, they’re going to bring in already their staff members or the ones in charge because they have to

start the application process and recruiting people so that they can start this year,” Lagdameo said.

UP PSAE is a public-private partnership between UPLB and An�lo Investment and Management Corp. (An�locor) with its real estate development arm, DLI. UP PSAE is already offering graduate programs such as MS in Plant Pathology through an off-campus scheme with classes held at the An�locor complex in Davao City.

Other planned programs are MS and PhD in Environmental Science. Meanwhile, DLI is developing Agriya, an 88-hectare

mixed-use complex in Panabo City, Davao del Norte. About 32,000 square meters will be donated to the UPLB for the UP PSAE campus.

An�locor and DLI will also be funding part of the school infrastructure.

“We are eyeing to launch Agriya at the end of the third quarter this year. There’s a lot of movement already on the site since it was launched last year.

We already cleared the initial areas and works on land development is ongoing,” Lagdameo said.

The DLI project will look like having a working farm and an

over Mindanao’s Dinagat Island, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, and northern section of Bukidnon but these areas are still under Signal 1, along with Lanao del Norte, northern section of Lanao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, and northern section of Zamboanga del Norte.

Residents in these areas, however, are urged to continue

monitoring and taking appropriate measures against possible �looding and landslides. Scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rains will prevail in the next 24 hours over Palawan, Visayas, Caraga, Northern Mindanao and Zamboanga Peninsula” while scattered light to moderate with at times heavy rains are expected over Bicol Region and the rest of MIMAROPA and Mindanao, the advisory said.

PAGASA said that as of 10 a.m. Tuesday, center of tropical depression ‘Basyang’ was estimated in the vicinity of Cantilan, Surigao del, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 75 kph and was forecast to move west northwest at 25 kph.

Signal 1 remains over Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Orien-

Davao City suspends classes in all levels D avao City government and other local government units (LGUs) in Compostela Valley suspended classes in all levels in both public and private schools as Tropical Storm “Basyang” (international name Sanba) approaches eastern Mindanao.

The Davao City Information Of�ice (CIO) announced the class suspension Monday night, as “Basyang” gains strength and is expected to make landfall in the Caraga region Tuesday morning.

Based on state weather agency Pagasa’s Severe Weather Bulletin issued 5 a.m. Tuesday, “Basyang” will bring scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rains in the next 24 hours over

Visayas, Caraga, and northern Mindanao that can also affect Davao City.

However, the CIO announced there would be no suspension of government work at the LGU level while cancellation of work in the private sector is at the discretion of the employers.

Chief Information Of�icer Jefry Tupas said residents in �lood and landslide-prone areas are urged to be on alert and prepare for preemptive evacuation if necessary.

Davaoeños were encouraged to use their best judgment if they feel that there was a need to conduct voluntary evacuation and to call 911 for emergencies.

(PNA)

Palace: SSS‘efficient’ ‘Basyang’weakens; heavy rains persist sans quarreling execs

T

ropical storm ‘Basyang’ (Sanba) has weakened into a tropical depression upon landfall in Cortes, Surigao del Sur, the state weather bureau said in its latest advisory.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in its Severe Weather Bulletin No. 13 issued at 11 a.m.

Tuesday, said Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal 2 has been lifted

UPLB,P10

’BASYANG’,P10

T

he Social Security System (SSS) will be more ef�icient without quarreling among members of its board, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Jr. said Tuesday.

Roque made this remark a day after after President Rodrigo R. Duterte made the decision not to renew the appointments of SSS Chairman Amando Valdez and Commissioner Jose Gabriel “Pompee” La Viña.

“Sa tingin ko, kaya pinalitan

yan ni Presidente, ay dahil nakikita niya na mas magiging ef�icient ang SSS kung walang hidwaan sa boardng SSS (I think, the reason why the President replaced them, is because he can see that the SSS would be more ef�icient if there was no quarreling among its board members),” Roque said in a press conference in Tabuk, Kalinga.

Roque assured that operations at the SSS would continue

PALACE,P10

VOL. 10 ISSUE 225 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

CBCP backs ban of Kuwait-bound OFWs T

NO. 1 FAN. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio applauds as his father President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his speech during the launching of the Malasakit Program at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical

Center in Cebu City on Monday. Also in the photo are Education Secretary Leonor Briones and Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.

PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

he Catholic Church expressed support for the government’s decision to impose a total deployment ban of overseas Filipino workers to Kuwait.

Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos, chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Migrant and Itinerant People (CBCP-ECMI) said such decision of President Rodrigo Duterte only shows the strong will of the government to protect Filipino migrant workers.

“We at CBCP-ECMI fully support the decision of the president for the deployment ban of OFWs to Kuwait,” he said.

“With that decision is our strong message that enough is enough. Life matters. Life should never be abused. A life of OFWs is also precious. A single Filipino is important and someone special.

We protect life. Their rights be respected, their dignity be promoted,” the Balanga prelate added.

Although, the CBCP-ECMI head noted that they recognize the efforts of the government in assisting OFWs, he then urged the government to create more jobs so that Filipinos will no longer leave their families since there are work available in the country.

“We appreciate the livelihood assistance of the government and their efforts of repatriation. Let us create more jobs so that they will never be forced to work abroad, be separated from their families,” he said.

“And those guilty be prosecuted. Even those placement agencies be investigated, punished,” Santos added.

At the same time, he asked Filipinos who are illegally work-

he country’s ruling party, the Partido Demokartiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) has elected Dante Simangan as president of Davao City’s 3rd District.

65 PDP chapter presidents with their Secretary Generals joined hundreds of barangay of�icials coming from sub political districts of the city’s third district in the conduct of the elections.

Elected were: Dante Simangan – President; Danilo Villafuerte – Vice President; Eliezer A. Buot – Secretary General; Benny Tan – Treasurer and Antonio Tey – Auditor.

The PDP of District 3 also named different committee chairpersons designating Ruben Enoc as Membership Committee

Chairman; Rodolfo B, Restauro Education; Bonifcio Sereno and Samuel Samanego – Finance/ Ways and Means; Ricardo Gierran – Legal and Arbitration; Cristituto Anana – Public Information of�icer; Marcelina Bargamento – Livelihood and Mark Anthony Quenionero – Youth.

The PDP-Laban which is also President Rodrigo Duterte’s political party has lately been strengthening its organization in Mindanao Island having sworn in as members an estimated 8,000 people from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental and Occidental and Camiguin last week at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines before Senate President

418 kids ready for T adoption - DSWD

CBCP,P10

Simangan is 3rd district PDP-Laban president

By JUDIE VEGA

T

he Department of Social Welfare and Development Region XI revealed that a total of 418 children have been issued with certification declaring them legally available for adoption.

Social welfare adoption unit head Sheryl Annie Dumalogdog told the Kapehan sa Dabaw on Monday that 391 children have already been adopted with 17 adopted abroad, such as the Unit-

ed States of America and Europe among other countries. The rest have been adopted locally.

“It is our job as social workers to carefully assess our adoptive families,” Dumalogdog said.

Davao unveils support for children with cancer

T

he Davao City government unveiled the “Gold Ribbon,” in support of the International Childhood Cancer Day on Monday.

“Unlike in Davao, where many children are given the chance to have cancer treatment, in other areas, only a few can access (cancer) care. I know Davao City will stand for every kid with cancer coming all over Mindanao,” said Dr. Mae Concepcion Dolendo, head of the Children’s Cancer Center of the Children’s Cancer Center of the Department of Pediatrics of Southern Philippines Medical Center, who joined the unveiling ceremony.

Dolendo added that Davao City has the largest pediatric cancer institute - not only in terms of facilities - but also in the number of oncologists and nurses who were trained abroad.

Pursuant to Proclamation No. 01 Series of 2018, Mayor Inday Sara Duterte declared every 15th

day of February as International Childhood Cancer Day. “There is a need to bring attention to and raise awareness to this issue, especially in the local level so that children with cancer get better access to quality treatment, affordable medication, and appropriate support,” the proclamation reads.

According to the proclamation, more than 250,000 children and adolescent around the world are diagnosed with childhood cancer every year, with at least 3,500 new cases recorded in the Philippines annually. The figure made cancer one of the leading causes of death attributed to non-communicable diseases among children.

The signing of the proclamation is in support of the worldwide effort to address the growing concern and make sure affected children and adolescent everywhere have the chance to survive cancer and live long, productive and meaningful lives. CIO

“We have to conduct series of home visitations and collateral interviews not only within the adoptive families but also within the neighborhood.”

She added that the practice is required so as to assess whether the couples or the adoptive families are really capable not only �inancially but as well as morally, physically, socially, spiritually and emotionally.

“For children who are and/ or will be placed abroad, we

monitor them through our partner, the Inter-Country Adoption Board (Icab). Not a single adopted child has been reportedly abused by his or her adoptive parent,” she said.

In line with the nationwide Adoption Consciousness Celebration 2018, February 10-17 with the theme “PagmamahalPalaganapin, Legal naPag-aamponAting Gawain” the Department of Social Wel-

418,P10

SIMANGAN,P10

SAYING IT WITH BALLOONS. A young mall goer plays with heart shaped balloons beside the Valentine’s season centerpiece at the Annex of SM City Davao a day before the celebration of Valentine’s Day. Lean Daval Jr

EDGEDAVAO

4 ECONOMY

VOL. 10 ISSUE 225 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

Tagum folks take peek at Metro Davao concept

T

FINISHING TOUCHES. Workers conduct a painting job on the wall of a newly-built hotel along Quimpo Blvd. In Davao City on Tuesday. Real estate and construction industry continue to thrive as the demand for office and residential space in the city is on the upswing. Lean Daval Jr

agumenyos got a peek of the future of Metro Davao, and pitched in ideas for its further improvement.

Last February 6, 2018, the City Government of Tagum welcomed representatives from various local government units, government agencies, and local entrepreneurs, to the Mindanao Development Authority’s 2nd Consultation of the Metro Davao Master Plan, which was held in the New City Hall Atrium.

Part of the activities lined up during the event was the Overview of the Metro Davao Urban Master Plan, a summarized report from the previous consultation last November 20, 2017.

The grouped delegates were asked to participate in

a workshop on Community Resource Planning based on their city of residence.

The event was headed and facilitated by Arch. Felino “Jun” Palafox, Jr., the president and founder of Palafox Associates and Palafox Architecture.

Palafox, the leading architect for this master plan, openly stated that Metro Davao has high development potential, actually insinuating that by 2050, Metro Davao could be a potential candidate for the largest airport in the world and Davao Gulf could become one of the largest, if not the largest harbor in the world.

With Tagum City’s strategic placement in the intersection of two major road networks connect-

ome one billion euros is available for Hungarian companies eyeing to do business in the Philippines, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said.

Rodolfo told reporters Monday the fund will be available through Hungarian Export-Import (EXIM) Bank Plc. for companies that will invest, trade or partner with local �irms in the Philippines.

He said Hungary has high interest in the country’s meat sector.

The DTI concluded last week a trade mission in Hungary.

The Philippine delegation, led by Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, who along with other trade of�icials including Rodolfo, met Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto and Deputy Speak-

er of the Hungarian Parliament Istvan Jacab.

Moreover, Rodolfo said Hungary has high employment rate, which provides an opportunity for the Philippines as Hungarian �irms may expand their manufacturing facilities in the country and take advantage of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) granted by the European Union (EU).

With the EU GSP+, Hungarian companies that will produce products in the Philippines can import their products back to the 28 EU member states with zero duty.

Aside from the duty-free importation from the Philippines to EU, Rodolfo said Hungarian �irms can also make the Philippines as its production hub in ASEAN as they can also enjoy the bene�its of the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement. (PNA)

Fiscal autonomy seen for Bangsamoro area S

TAGUM,P10

€1B fund for RP-bound Hungary firms available

Translates into economic self-sufficiency

F

inance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has called on lawmakers to take into account the end goal of attaining economic selfsufficiency and sustainable development for the proposed Bangsamoro region to ensure fiscal autonomy and lasting peace in crafting the fundamental law creating this new autonomous political entity in Mindanao.

Dominguez said that like the rest of the country, the fundamental requirements of sustained growth such as hard infrastructure, human capital investment, new communications technologies and ef�icient administrative systems should also apply in the creation of the Bangsam-

oro autonomous region.

“Fiscal autonomy is earned. It should be attained with the end goal of economic self-suf�iciency and sustainable development. The provisions of the proposed law must ensure that in order to win public support,” Dominguez said at the Senate hear-

ing on the creation of a basic law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous region.

The hearing chaired by Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri was jointly conducted by the Senate committees on local government (subcommittee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law [BBL]; constitutional amendments and revision of codes; ways and means; and �inance.

Dominguez, who was invited as one of the resource persons at the hearing, said any proposed funding scheme for the Bangsamoro region should be “programmatic, transparent, performance-based and phased” to conform with the criteria of modern governance and win

broad public support for the BBL. “Let me begin by expressing full support for the formation of a Bangsamoro Autonomous Region through the enactment of a basic law.

This will enable the achievement of a more substantial autonomy arrangement that meets the expectation of the Islamic community in Mindanao. In turn, this should be a major step towards achieving sustainable prosperity for all communities in Mindanao,” said Dominguez in his opening remarks at the hearing.

He pointed out that the stable economic fundamen-

FISCAL,P11

Auto sales growth slows down in Jan

BIMP-EAGA officials map out T short-term action plan in Brunei

B

ANDAR SERI BEGAWAN— Key government and private sector representatives of the four-country BIMP-EAGA sub-region have converged here Feb 14 for the group’s annual strategic planning meeting aimed to map out programs under its Vision 2025.

Currently held at the Brunei International Convention Center, the 2018 BIMP-EAGA

Strategic Planning Meeting takes on the sub-region’s �ive pillars of development which include connectivity, food basket, environment, tourism as well as socio-cultural and education.

The BIMP-EAGA stands for Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), a sub-regional cooperation founded in 1994 in order to spur business ac-

tivities within the economic area.

“This year’s meeting focuses concretizing steps to operationalize strategies under the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025 as adopted by the Heads of States during the EAGA Leaders Summit in Manila last year,” says Assistant Secretary Romeo M. Montenegro, deputy executive director of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), which

serves as the Philippine Coordinating Of�ice for BIMP-EAGA. Montenegro said the Brunei strategic planning meeting endeavors to translate the strategies under BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025 into priority and doable programs and projects of the �ive pillars or clusters which are designed to increase trade, investments and tourism.

BIMP-EAGA,P11

he Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association slower growth in sales of automotive vehicles at the start of the year.

A joint report of CAMPI and TMA on Monday showed vehicle sales last month grew 4 percent to 31,645 units from 30,425 units in the same period last year.

“We started the year with a modest growth of 4 percent in January 2018 against the same period last year. While this is considerably low compared to the growth rate of

January 2017, we still consider January 2018 sales as satisfactory and a good start for the auto industry. We will continue our efforts in sustaining the growth momentum of past years,” CAMPI President Rommel Gutierrez said.

Year-on-year car sales growth in January 2017 was at 27 percent.

Sales of passenger cars last month decelerated by 10.9 percent to 9,790 units from January 2017’s sales of 10,984 units.

Passenger cars accounted for 31 percent of CAMPI’s and TMA’s total sales last month.

AUTO,P11

VOL. 10 ISSUE 225 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

ECONOMY 5

EDGEDAVAO

BTr partially awards T-bills after rate upticks

B

ON HOLD. Motorized boats are docked at Sta. Ana wharf on Tuesday as the island hopping trips around the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) have been suspended by the Philippine Coast Guard Davao Station since Monday morning. Lean Daval Jr

anks continue to ask for high yields for government-issued securities, prompting the Bureau of the Treasury’s (BTr) auction committee to partially award Treasury bills Monday.

The Committee awarded PHP7.394 billion worth of the shortest-tenor T-bill after bids surpassed the PHP9-billion offering at PHP13.024 billion.

Tenders for the six-month paper reached PHP6.069 billion, higher than the PHP6 billion offering but the auction committee only accepted PHP5.189 billion worth of bids.

Bids for the one-year paper reached PHP3.87 billion, lower than the PHP5-billion offering, hence, the Committee’s decision to award only PHP1.590 billion.

Rate of the benchmark 91-day T-bill rose to 2.670

BI firm on ban of OFW deployment to Kuwait

Reforms deemed good I for business-HKCCPI R

eforms on tax system and bureaucracy rolled out by the Duterte administration helped to have a better environment for businesses in the Philippines, top executive of Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (HKCCPI) said.

HKCCPI President Anthony Chan said the lower personal and corporate income tax rates under the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) of the administration is boosting the country’s attractiveness to investors.

The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act has been implemented at the start of the year, which lowers personal income tax, while the government is now pushing for the CTRP Package

2 aiming to reduce corporate income tax.

“The tax reform, especially the reduction in income tax rates, also makes the Philippines more attractive and investment-friendly,” Chan said.

“We also see the current administration really mean to cut or weed out corruption that tremendously encourage investment and job creation,” he added.

The business group’s head, on the other hand, wish-

es that the Congress will pass the bill on ease of doing business.

Chan, on other other hand, said businesses and Filipino workers were thriving in the country under the Duterte administration.

“Investors from Hong Kong investing in manufacturing sectors employing workers with higher than minimum wage and decent working conditions, that’s we share the view that generally the people are better off under the current administration,” he said.

A Forbes article published earlier this month said Filipinos were better off under this administration, citing the Gallup survey that the percentage of Filipinos who consider their

lives thriving since President Rodrigo Duterte took of�ice increased to 28 percent in 2017 from 26 percent in 2016.

This is also true for International Chamber of Commerce Philippines (ICCP) Founder Francis Chua, who said the high approval rating of President Duterte in various surveys suggests that lives of Filipinos were in better condition in the past two years.

Chua said local business environment was also better off in this administration, noting the increasing number of projects registered with the investment promotion agencies in the country.

“The President must be doing the right thing,” he said. (PNA)

NEDA: outlying region got large share in infra projects

R

egions outside Metro Manila are getting a big share in the total number of infrastructure programs and projects of the government over the medium-term, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said.

Of the total 4,985 infrastructure programs and projects listed in the government’s investment program from 2017 to 2022, some

98 projects are inter-regional and 3,911 projects, excluding those in the National Capital Region, are region specific, NEDA said.

“If you look at the data, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has the highest number of projects. This dispels the notion that government projects are centered in Mega Manila,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said.

Over the medium term, from 2017 to 2022, ARMM will get a total of 1,340 projects while Metro Manila will have 320 projects.

The investment requirements of the inter-regional projects amount to PhP3.32 trillion and the region-specific sans Metro Manila projects amount to PhP1.164 trillion.

Furthermore, 161 nationwide infrastructure projects worth

PhP2.29 trillion will be rolled out for implementation by 2022.

Pernia, on February 7, presided over the meeting of the NEDA Board Committee on Infrastructure (INFRACOM)-Cabinet Committee, which is composed of the Socioeconomic Planning Secretary as chair, the Secretary of Public Works and Highways as co-chair, with the Executive Secretary, the

NEDA,P11

percent, higher than the 2.321 percent it fetched during the auction last Jan. 29 but lower than the 2.7461 percent in the secondary market Monday morning.

The 182-day paper’s average rate stood at 2.854 percent, up from 2.577 percent in the previous auction, but lower than the 3.4218 percent in the secondary market.

Average rate of the oneyear paper increased to 3.040 percent, higher than the 2.925 percent in the previous BTr T-bill auction but lower than the 3.6914 percent in the secondary market Monday morning.

The BTr offered a total of PHP20-billion worth of debt securities but awarded only PHP14.173 billion even as tenders reached PHP22.96 billion. (PNA)

mmigration of�icers in all the international airports and seaports nationwide have been ordered to strictly implement the ban on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Kuwait which President Rodrigo Duterte ordered in reaction to the reported deaths and abuse of several Filipinos in the emirate.

Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente, in a press release on Feb. 13, said he already directed Marc Red Mariñas, the bureau’s port operations division chief, on Monday to immediately enforce the ban and conduct stricter immigration formalities on all departing passengers.

Morente said rigid inspection of all departing Filipino passengers is necessary to thwart

any attempts by illegal recruiters to circumvent the ban and facilitate the exit of Kuwaiti-bound OFWs through the notorious escort racket at the airport.

“We shall implement this deployment ban to the letter and immigration personnel who connive with the escort syndicates will be dealt with severely,” Morente warned.

He urged the public not to hesitate in reporting to his of�ice any BI personnel involved in such nefarious activities.

Mariñas said he has directed Julius Caesar Feria, head of the bureau’s travel control and enforcement unit (TCEU), to instruct his men in all the ports to be doubly vigilant in assessing and monitoring departing passengers.

resident Rodrigo Duterte on Monday scolded local government of�icials in Boracay for “neglecting” the top beach destination and allowing it to turn into a “cesspool.” “‘Yang mga local governments, ‘yung mga tao diyan, I’m addressing myself now sa Boracay, pinahayaan ninyo ‘yung mga bagay-bagay, nabuilding of structures overlapping the coastline (The people running local governments, I’m addressing myself now, in Boracay, you allowed things to happen, building structures overlapping the coastline),” Duterte said during his speech at the launching of the Malasakit Programs at the Vicente Soto Memorial Medical Center, Cebu City.

Duterte said that they allowed buildings to be constructed in Boracay without the proper sewerage, therefore creating what he described as a “disaster.”

He also warned to charge them for “serious neglect of duty.”

“I will charge you for serious neglect of duty making Boracay a �ishpond or a sewer pool. Kayo ‘yan diyan (You guys allowed it to happen there),” he added.

The President, meanwhile, reiterated his threat to permanently close Boracay if it is not cleaned up in six months. He left the cleanup task to Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu.

“It is Cimatu alone who will

BI,P11

LGUs berated for neglecting Boracay P LGUS,P11

6 SUBURBIA RISING EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 225 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

Kidapawan view for Guinness dance spot I

DAVAO CITY LANDMARKS. This Commemorative Monument of Peace and Unity, or the Centennial Monument of Peace and Unity is done by Kublai Millan and is an important fixture and landmark of

Davao City. It faces the cross of another Davao icon, the San Pedro Cathedral. Photo by Henrylito D. Tacio

t broke the world record in 2016 for the Cha-cha dance and this time, this city has attempted to break another Guinness World Record for the “largest Samba dance” in one setting.

About 17,000 or 8,500 pairs of Samba dancers, led

by Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista, performed on Monday the largest Samba dance in another attempt to break world record.

“I am con�ident we break the record of current world record holder,” Evangelista told reporters after the dance showdown along a three-kilometer stretch of the Maharlika national highway here.

He lauded those who participated in the attempt to get world recognition.

The Samba dance forms part of the 20th charter anni-

Zamboanga Sur suspends classes due to‘Basyang’

Davao Oriental activates P ICS system for Basyang M

ATI CITY, Davao Oriental – The provincial government has activated its Incident Command System (ICS) Tuesday afternoon as its members convened in light of the Severe Weather Bulletin issued by DOST-PAGASA for Tropical Storm “Basyang”.

Based on the weather bulletin, Davao Oriental is under Tropical Cyclone Signal Number 1 and is under Blue Alert Status which means the 24 hour-operation of the Disaster Operation Center and standby

of all available resources such as equipment, food packs, and responders.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is continuously monitoring the situation in

the municipalities, city and the barangays as cloudy skies and scattered rain showers are being experienced in most areas of the province. No untoward incident has so far been reported.

The PDRRMC has been disseminating warnings and advisories down to their local counterparts. The Provincial Government is also closely coordinating with the Department of Education for the automatic suspension of classes for preschool and kindergarten children under Executive Order No. 66 and DepEd Executive Order

No. 43.

Personnel from the province are closely monitoring the water level at the Aragon Dam in Cateel town. As of 2:00 in the afternoon, the water level was at 17 meters which is way below the critical level of 21.2 meters.

As of the latest bulletin, Tropical Storm “Basyang” expected to make landfall February 13, over Caraga Region.

As of the latest information, Basyang made a landfall in Surigao del Norte. Tuesday. PIO Davao Oriental

AGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur -- The provincial government on Tuesday suspended classes in all levels amid the prevailing inclement weather condition.

OIC Gov. William Ace Cerilles issued the suspension order after the state weather bureau hoisted Tropical Cyclone Signal No.1 in all parts of this provinces and its neighboring provinces due to Tropical Storm “Basyang”.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Tropical Storm Basyang was estimated based on all available data at 190 kilometers East Southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur with maximum sustained winds of

65 kilometers per hour (Km/H) near the center and gustiness of up to 80 km/h.

Basyang, international name Sandba, is forecast to move West Northwest at 25 km/h.

Cerilles has advised all residents to be vigilant and “stay in safe premises all the time”.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Of�ice is closely monitoring the situation in the entire province.

PAGASA warned of possible �looding or landslides due to moderate to heavy rains.

This province comprises of 26 municipalities and one component city and further subdivided into 681 barangays. (PNA)

AMBOANGA CITY --The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has allocated PHP360 million for the implementation this year of a �lood control project for the urban core and central district of this city.

District 1 Rep. Celso Lobregat, chair of the House Committee on Public Works and Highways, on Monday said the project will include the installation of a pumping station to resolve the �looding in the city proper.

Lobregat noted that the lowest portion of the city proper gets �looded every time there is heavy downpour.

He said that water rushed and accumulated in the vicinity

of a school at the junction of Pilar Street and Veterans Avenue and the severity of the �looding depends on the tide.

He said the drafting of a master plan for �lood mitigation is ongoing.

He said this included the purchase of a property along Pilar street to house the pumping station.

“This master plan to solve the �looding problem has been long sought after. Not only the plan but funding for its implementation is included in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for 2018, he added.

The project is part of the Build, Build, Build program of President Rodrigo Duterte.

(PNA)

224 wanted persons captured in 34 days in Region 12 Z

G

ENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Police units in Region 12 have, so far, arrested at least 224 wanted persons in a series of operations since last month.

Chief Insp. Aldrin Gonzales, Police Regional Of�ice (PRO)-12 public information of�icer, said Tuesday the arrested personalities comprise 58 most wanted and 166 regular wanted who were charged in various courts in the region.

He said such accomplishment was based on operations conducted in just 34 days or from Jan. 5 to Feb. 8 based on

records released by the PRO12’s Regional Investigation and Detection Management Division.

The police of�icial said the South Cotabato Police Provincial Of�ice (SCPPO) recorded the most number of arrests for persons included in the top 10 most wanted with 17.

It was followed by Sultan Kudarat Police Provincial Of�ice (SKPPO) and Cotabato Police Provincial Of�ice (CPPO) with 10 each, Sarangani Police Provincial Of�ice (SPPO) with eight, General Santos City Police Of�ice (GSCPO) with seven and Cotabato City Police Of�ice (CCPO) with six.

CPPO topped the number of arrests for regular wanted persons with 50, followed by GSCPO with 37, SKPPO with 29, SPPO with 25 and SCPPO with 25.

Gonzales said the most wanted persons were facing charges for major crimes such as murder, illegal drugs, robbery, homicide, theft, among others.

He said those in the regular wanted list have arrest warrants for light offenses.

Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales, Region 12 police director, said attributed the accomplishment to the stringent implementation of operation plan or “Oplan Man-

versary celebration of Kidapawan City.

The city, Evangelista said, is awaiting the results of validation conducted by a team from the Guinness Book of World Records.

Kidapawan City is the titleholder for the largest number of performers dancing Cha-Cha after besting Singapore in the Guinness. Students from all levels, village and city of�icials, employees and senior citizens, with a total number of 14,275, joined the Cha-cha dance in August 2016 along the same highway here.

Kidapawan City dislodged Edge�ield Primary School in Singapore in the Guinness, which had only 3,379 participants. (Photo courtesy of Krezel Dianne Sampani-Beñez/PNA)

DPWH allocates P360M for Zambo flood control project

hunt Charlie” against wanted persons in the region.

He said the move is in support of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s marching orders to the Philippine National Police in the campaign against criminality.

“We are currently using the full force of the law in combating criminality and illegal drugs and part of that is our intensi�ied operations against these wanted suspects,” Morales said in a statement.

He said those who are still on the run have “nowhere to go” and their personnel would con-

224,P11

VOL. 10 ISSUE 225 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

EDGEDAVAO

SUBURBIA RISING7 Lanao Sur suspends classes

C

OTABATO CITY – Of�icials in Lanao del Sur province have suspended classes in all levels, both public and private, due to heavy rains and strong winds spawned by Tropical Storm Basyang.

Lanao del Sur Vice Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. issued the suspension aimed at ensuring the safety of residents from the storm as the province and Marawi City were listed under Storm Signal No. 1 by the country’s weather of�ice.

Adiong explained that the directive was based on the recommendation of the Lan-

ao del Sur Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Of�ice. During the recent Tropical Storm Vinta which hit Lanao del Sur, where thousands of residents were badly affected because they were caught by surprise when Vinta pummeled the island of Mindanao last December.

Millions of pesos worth of infrastructure projects such as roads, government buildings and bridges had been damaged.

This time, Adiong said, the residents are prepared to remain safe and unharmed.

(PNA)

5,000 student-athletes to compete in 2018 SRAA meet

VEGETABLES FOR SALE. Vegetables can be eaten either raw or cooked and play an important role in human nutrition, being mostly low in fat and carbohydrates, but high in vitamins, minerals and

dietary fiber. Generally, they are sold in public markets, just like this one in Tagum City. Photo by Henrylito D. Tacio

2,243 households delisted from CCT database in Region 12

G

ENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Region 12 delisted some 2,243 households last year from the flagship Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program due to eligibility problems.

Bai Zorohayda Taha, DSWD-12 Regional Director, said Tuesday they removed the concerned households from the master list of bene�iciaries as part of the continuing clean-up of the program’s database.

She said some of the bene�iciaries waived their membership due to eligibility issues while others were discovered by implementers as no longer quali�ied for the program, which is also known as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps. “We found out that some households no longer have family members who are quali�ied to avail of the assistance,” Taha said.

The of�icial said they also delisted the names that were found to have double entries in their database.

DSWD-12 initially removed some 2,200 households from the CCT bene�iciary list in the �irst three quarters of 2017.

Some 43 households were added to the list a result of their assessment from October to Deceember.

Taha said the number of CCT bene�iciaries served

by DSWD-12 now stands at a total of 233,288 households.

The program is being implemented by the agency in 1,287 barangays in Region 12’s four provinces and �ive cities, and in Mara-

wi City in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Region 12 comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato as well as the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Cotabato, Kidapawan and Tacurong.

Dennis Domingo II, DSWD-12 regional information of�icer, said the delisted bene�iciaries were no longer receiving any assistance from the program.

He assured that the agency will continue with the assessment of their database and the status of the bene�iciaries to ensure that the program will only cover the eligible “poorest of the poor” households.

“The directive we got from the central of�ice this year is to continue the clean-up of our database as well as to strengthen the services to our clients,” he said.

CCT is a poverty reduction and social development strategy of the national government that provides conditional cash grants to “poorest of the poor” households to improve their health, nutrition and education.

It provides bene�iciaries cash grants of P500 a month for health and nutrition expenses and P300 a month per child for educational expenses, as well as P600 in monthly rice subsidy.

The program requires children aged 3 to 18 yearsold to stay in school and maintain class attendance of at least 85 percent each month.

Parents are mandated to take “family development sessions” to enable them to become better parents.

Pregnant women are also required to avail of pre and post-natal care, and with delivery assisted by skilled health personnel.

(PNA)

the task force are in charge in the implementation of city ordinances.

Arquiza said each of them should received PHP2,000 month hazard pay.

Arquiza said the hazard pay will be of great help as these workers can buy protective gears like mask or even vitamins.

He authored a proposed

ordinance so funds will be regularly allocated for the payment of hazar pay to the traf�ic enforcers and Task Force City Ordinance.

The proposed ordinance has been referred to the City Council’s Committee on Ordinances and Resolutions after it was unanimously approved on �irst reading. (PNA)

Zambo dad pushes hazard pay for traffic enforcers

Z

AMBOANGA CITY -- A local legislator is seeking for hazard pay of traf�ic enforcers and members of the Task Force City Ordinance.

Councilor Teodyver Arquiza told the Philippine News Agency that they should be entitled to hazard pay in consideration to the nature of their work.

“Look how they work, its

terrible. It is ironic because we have of�ice personnel receiving hazar pay while they have none despite the risk they face,” Arquiza said.

There are more than 30 traf�ic enforcers and members of the Task Force City Ordinance who are under the of�ice of the city administrator.

The traf�ic enforcers direct traf�ic while the members of

K

ORONADAL CITY -- Some 5,000 student-athletes from parts of Region 12 are seeing action in the 2018 Soccsksargen Regional Athletic Association (SRAA) slated in this city from Feb. 17 to 21.

Alex Floro, Department of Education (DepEd)South Cotabato sports coordinator, said Tuesday they were all set for the annual regional games, which was co-hosted by the agency and the provincial government of South Cotabato.

He said the identi�ied playing venues, especially the South Cotabato Sports Complex here, were all ready to host various events.

The of�icial said �ive new sports events would be added in the regular events this year and two others would be competed

under the demonstration category.

He said the new additions were wushu, wrestling, dance sports, boxing (elementary level) and billiards.

As in the 2017 SRAA, pencak silat would remain a demonstration event, with the addition of aero gymnastics, he said.

The other regular events include archery, arnis, athletics, aquatics (swimming), badminton, baseball, boxing (secondary), chess, football, gymnastics, softball, table tennis, taekwondo, lawn tennis and volleyball.

Floro said the South Cotabato Provincial Police Of�ice had laid out a comprehensive security plan for the week-long games in coordination with the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion.

5,000,P13

‘Notorious’pusher slain in GenSan drug bust

G

ENERAL SANTOS CITY -A “notorious” drug pusher who was included in the top most wanted list of the Police Regional Office (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 ensured 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 metamphetamine 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 operatives were able to block the vehicle’s path and cornered Cortado but refused to yield.

He said Cortado then fired at the RDEU team, prompting them to fire back and hit the latter in the process.

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

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

Recovered from the suspect were a caliber 38 revolver with five live ammunition, a metal case containing five sachets of suspected shabu, mobile phone, and various drug paraphernalia.

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

’NOTORIOUS’,P13

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

I

More than statistics

n saying that Davao City is the most dangerous place in the country, Senator Trillanes relied on pure statistics.

Truth be told, the opposition lawmaker has never lived in the city or perhaps stayed here for a week. But his statement swept away everything like he personally knew the dangers of living in Davao City. Or like he was victimized here by thugs. The way he pronounced the city as tops in murder and second in rape, it sounded like Sen. Trillanes cursed Davao City to the tune of wanting to eradicate the place from the face of the earth out of his hatred for the Dutertes. It is so

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

Printed by Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Building, Quirino Avenue, 8000, Davao City, Philippines Tel: (082) 224-1413 301-6235 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 www.edgedavao.net editorial@edgedavao.net marketing@edgedavao.net edgedavao@gmail.com

VOL. 10 ISSUE 225 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

uncharacteristic of a lawmaker to dismiss a city as dangerous instead of perhaps crafting laws or re�ining some in order to improve the peace and order of cities where lives of residents and guests are endangered.

Instead of being solution-oriented on problems like crime, Trillanes hated the city out of his pure disgust that his many attempts at dislodging President Rodrigo Duterte from his post had gone futile each time.

Trillanes appears like he has lost his sense of purpose. With such a state of mind, it behooves upon a public of�icial like him to leave his job.

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

the national association of newspapers

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

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

EDGEDAVAO

J

ust over three years since the declaration of martial law in 1972, condition in Davao region as one of the hotbeds of insurgency was worse in terms of unlawful arrests and violations of human rights. A December 1975 American consular dispatch from Cebu to the Secretary of State in Washington, D.C. was the ‘Detention of Church Workers in Davao’.

On November 19-20, 1975, the account said, sixty-nine Filipino clergy and lay leaders were rounded up and detained in Davao City and in the provinces of Davao del Norte and Davao Oriental. Newspapers, in a contrary report, stated that twenty of the arrested were released when in truth only five were actually freed.

A collateral damage in the round-up was the closure of Tagum-based diocesan radio station DXDC, which was run and managed by the Maryknoll Missionaries (MM). ‘CD” in DXDC stands for ‘community development.’ At the time of its closure, Fr. Howard Bieber, MM, was station director, while Napleon Kuizon was station manager.

Versim Enad, later the mayor of Panabo City, was production manager.

The consular report added: “The arrest total was relatively low

I

n The Next 500 Stories, Willi Hoffsuemmer tells the story of an intelligent young king who ordered all the learned professors of his kingdom to gather and write down all the wisdom of the world.

The professors got right down to work and forty years later, they had a thousand books packed with wisdom. The king, who had meantime, reached sixty years of age, told them: “I cannot possibly read a thousand books. Reduce all that wisdom to basics.”

Ten more years passed and the professors reduced the world’s wisdom to a hundred volumes. “That’s still too much,” the king said.

“I’m already seventy years old. Condense all that wisdom into absolute essentials.”

So, the professors tried again and squeezed all the wisdom of the world into just one book. But by that time, the king was lying on his deathbed. So, the leader of the committee of professors condensed the thousand volumes of wisdom down to just one sentence: “People live, they suffer, they die. The only thing that outlives them is love.”

The Holy Bible itself says so. I Corinthians 13:13 puts it this way: “Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love.”

Faith is what we believe, hope is what we wish for and love is what we feel and experience. When we go to heaven, we don’t need faith and hope because we are already with our Creator but love will always be around.

But despite being one of the most talk-

VOL. 10 ISSUE 225 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

VANTAGE POINTS

9

The year DXCD was lost! because many potential detainees went into hiding before they could be caught.

Additionally, Church sources in Davao City believe the total arrest there were because of the national meeting of Catholic Sisters who could quickly spread the news on the detentions. Arrests in Davao [del] Norte were reportedly less than expected because of moderation of local PC commander in Davao Oriental where bulk of the arrests were made. Local PC commander apparently overstepped his authority and carried out personal vendetta against Maryknoll Fathers. Church sources said he would have arrested another 300, but he was relieved of his command on December 11, before he could do so.”

Church informants traced the crackdown to three reasons, namely: (i) elimination of groups organized without state approval, a reason why most of the detainees were Filipino priests and lay workers; (ii) retaliation against the liberal Church for its involvement in the boycott of the Nov. 16-17 national referendum, especially in Mindanao where less than fifty percent voted; and (iii) pressure from Presidential Assistant on National Minorities (PANAMIN) Manuel Elizalde, Jr. “to break successful Church com-

FAST BACKWARD Antonio V. Figueroa petition in organizing cultural minorities.”

The reasons confirmed reports the arrests were done by PANAMIN-sponsored persons and Civilian Home Defense Force (CHDF) members, who claimed possible collusion between the New People’s Army (NPA) and the detainees.

In getting the supposed evidence, especially in linking the “white priests”, mainly American missionaries of the Maryknoll Fathers, with the NPAs, the government operatives used three tactics: (i) the promise of

immediate freedom once the “big fish” was identified; (ii) deceiving illiterate detainees into believing their thumbprints were used for release papers, which were “in actuality prepared statements”; and (iii) beating the detainees suffered so they would make statements under duress that would be disclaimed later after their release.

Instead of yielding to state persecution, the Church leaders were elated because this “led many moderate elements to unite with the activists” and the detentions “further isolated [the] liberal Church from the influential Filipino groups and forced some of those working with activists to go undergound and possibly join [the] NPA.” Amid the ongoing arrests, Bishop Joseph Regan, a Maryknoller detained and tortured for a decade in China, became the moving inspiration of those who were persecuted by the state.

The closure of DXDC, meanwhile, affected the Church’s efficiency in disseminating news. To address this, the clergy created the “memo press”, a statement distributed through the local religious congregations.

Bukidnon, on the other hand, was not spared from the massive round-up but it was not hit as hard, the dispatch stressed,

due to the irresistible grassroots support for Bukidnon Bishop Francisco Claver, a Jesuit priest-activist, and the sophistication of his organization.

The consular report declared: “When local POC attempted to close Claver’s vocally anti-government Visayan language weekly ‘Ang Bandilyo’, Church workers prevented them by pointing out that ‘Bandilyo’ was not included on the arrest and seizure order. Thus, only the radio station DXBB was closed.”

It was in 1976 that then Defense Secretary Juan Ponce-Enrile padlocked both the newsweekly and the broadcast outfit.

Overall, the sweep did little in damaging the image of the activist Church in Mindanao. In fact, the sacking of the PC provincial commander in Davao Oriental was regarded as a victory. While there remained the apprehension that more arrests would in some way isolate the liberal Church from non-Church groups, the disconnect was expected to be brief.

Interestingly, while the Church was visibly shaken by the detentions, the consular report noted “the Church held up so well” and was inspired by the “determination to continue along activist path.”

pendence,” Jones continues. “Love is always leaving the door unlocked and continuing that love when ‘other’ may choose to use the exit.

Love is letting go and wishing well. Love is aching joy. Love is the safe haven. Love is arriving home.”

So many stories have been written about love. In fact, no movie or novel has been done without love; it always there somewhere.

“What love is depends on where you are in relation to it,” wrote Jojo Moyes, a romantic novelist who has written more than a dozen novels. “Secure in it, it can feel as mundane and necessary as air – you exist within it, almost unnoticing. Deprived of it, it can feel an obsession; all-consuming, a physical pain.

Moyes further wrote: “Love is the driver for all great stories: not just romantic love, but the love of parent for child, for family, for country. It is the point before consummation of it that fascinates: what separates you from love, the obstacles that stand in its way. It is usually at those points that love is everything.”

Love brings out the best or worst in a person. “Love is temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides,” wrote Louis de Bernieres in Corelli’s Mandolin. “And when it subsides, you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is.

Bernieres went on to explain what love is not: “Love is not breathlessness, it is not excite-

ment, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion, it is not the desire to mate every second minute of the day, it not lying awake imagining that he is kissing every cranny of your body. I am telling you some truths.

That is just being ‘in love,’ which any fool can do. Love itself is what we left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.”

But alas, literature is replete with tragic tales of love. So is the Holy Bible and history. To tick off only a few: Romeo and Juliet, Heathcliff and Catherine, Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan, Emma and Charles Bovary, Samson and Delilah, David and Batsheba, Anthony and Cleopartra, Clark Gable and Carole Lombard, Lauren Olivier and Vivien Leigh, and Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

Police blotters are cluttered with unrequited, ill-fated lovers. Perhaps that celebrated English wit Oscar Wilde was damn right when he wrote: “Every man kills the thing he loves; the coward does it with a kiss, the brave men with a sword.”

To end this piece, allow me to share one of Mrs. Donald Lowe’s treasured possessions. It is actually a poem written by her 14-year-old granddaughter named Heidi who lived with the couple for three months in Massachusetts.

“I wrote this for you,” Heidi told her grandmother, and concluded her poem with these lines: “Love needs time but most of all, love needs you. For without you, there is no time or love.”

Love? What is it?

ed and discussed subject matter, love is still inscrutable and impenetrable. It remains a mystery to most although everyone experience it every now and then. “The madness of the gods” was how the ancient Greeks called love. Modern psychologists define it as the strong desire for emotional union with another person.

“What is love?” someone asked. “To solve that riddle with just one answer is beyond me, for love is many different and contradictory things. In the early stages of love is excitement and breathlessness, it is the ache of separation and the comfort of togetherness, and it builds inexorably to that moment when ‘I’ becomes ‘we.’ Later, if blessed, love becomes a stronger, less transitory thing, a foundation for two lives lived as one.”

Love, which often seen as “the beautiful, wonderful, mysterious mortar that binds two souls together,” is beyond description. Paulo Coelho, a Brazilian lyricist and novelist, shares this thought: “I’ve been in love before, it’s like a narcotic. At first, it brings the euphoria of complete surrender. The next day you want more. You’re not addicted yet, but you like the sensation, and you think you can still control thigs. You think about the person you love for two minutes then forget them for three hours.

But then you get used to that person, and you begin to be completely dependent on them.

Now you think about him for three hours and forget him for two minutes. If he’s not there, you feel like an addict who can’t get a fix. And

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

just as addicts steal and humiliate themselves to get what they need, you’re willing to do anything for love.”

Howard Jones, a singer-songwriter who is known for his chartbuster, “What is Love?” has the same opinion. “Love is letting each other be who we are without fear of censure,” he opined. “Love is not wanting the other to become a clone of ourselves. ‘Other’ offers resistance, pushing us to find what is self. Love is actively embracing our equality and pushing each other to realize our full potential and make our full contribution to the world.

“Love is facing forward, both fighting for a common goal – both strong, both independent and positively choosing a knowing de-

10NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 225 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

185 km south of Cuyo, Palawan

by Wednesday mornign; 235 km west of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan by Thursday morning; 125 km west northwest of

Pagasa Island, Palawan, outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday morning. (MindaNews)

even while the Palace has yet to �ind replacements for the two sacked of�icials.

“Yung management ng SSS hindi nabago, patuloy naman ang trabaho diyan sa SSS (The management of the SSS has not changed, operations continue at the SSS),” he added.

Roque did not give any reason for the Duterte’s decision not to renew the appointments of the two SSS of�icials noting that it was “Presidential prerogative.”

Valdez and La Viña had been serving in the SSS in a hold over capacity.

The SSS was earlier embroiled in controversy after four

of its executives were alleged to be involved in a stock trading mess.

La Viña earlier �iled an administrative complaint against SSS Executive vice president for investments, Rizaldy Capulong; equities investment division chief, Reginald Candelaria; equities product development head, Ernesto Francisco, Jr.; and chief actuary George Ongkeko, Jr. He accused the four for “serious dishonesty and grave misconduct” since some of them allegedly used SSS-accredited stock brokers for their own bene�it. (PNA)

fare and Development Region XI called on responsible families to give these children a home.

lation of birth.” They may �ile a petition to rectify the situation.

PALACE... FROM 2

418... FROM 3

NOT INFORMED. High school students, not informed that the city government of Davao had declared suspension of classes in all levels due to tropical storm Basyang, gather outside Sta. Ana National High School along Guerrero Street in Davao City on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr

UNWANTED... FROM 1

1.6 million Dabawenyos who are working hard to make our city safe,” he said.

In a video shared on social media, Trillanes was seen and heard telling the audience that Davao City is number one in murder and rape in the Philippines allegedly based on a December 2015 data of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“In fact, it is actually the most dangerous city in the Philippines,” Trillanes said.

“Pero yung mga taga (But those in) Davao is so brainwashed into believing it is the safest city not only in the Philippines but in the world. Para silang mga North Koreans. Ganun yung… it’s the thing there… ganun ang nangyayari nabibili ka agad (They are like North Koreans. It’s like that…it’s the thing there… that’s happening there you can be bought),” Trillanes further said.

Trillanes even described Davao City has the worst traf�ic, many urban poor communities, garbage.

He compared it to General Santos City which is peaceful and with good urban planning.

Al-ag expressed his disgust at Trillanes’ description of Davao City.

“As a Dabawenyo, I take offense to the declaration of Mr. Trillanes. This statement is offensive, malicious and pure lies. In short, this statement is not true. This is fake news,” Al-ag said in a privilege speech at Tuesday’s city council regular session.

“Mr. Trillanes went to the United States of America just to portray Davao City as a dangerous place – a place full of criminals, a city of murderers, a city of rapists,”

Al-ag said.

Al-ag asked that if Trillanes’ basis was 2015 data of the PNP, why would the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) award Davao City with a Seal of Good Governance (SGLG)? The DILG then was headed by Secretary Mar Roxas, an ally of Trillanes.

“We even received �ive million pesos cash reward from DILG as part of the award,” Al-ag continued.

Al-ag emphasized on peace and order as one of the core assessment areas.

The other two cores are business friendliness, and competitiveness and environmental management.

“I think Mr. Trillanes is confused about his role as a senator of our country. A senator is mandated by our Constitution to legislate policies to preserve and protect the lives of the Filipinos,” he said.

“What are you doing Mr. Senator? Instead of preserving our lives, you are destroying our city. Instead of protecting the Dabawenyos, you are mocking the intelligence of Dabawenyos,” Al-ag quipped.

Al-ag challenged the Filipinos in Chicago to visit Davao City. “Try riding our taxis, our jeepneys, try walking in our streets in the middle of the night, try eating in restaurants and karenderyas, try going to our police stations,” he urged.

“And if you feel and think that Davao is a city of murderers and rapists as what Mr. Trillanes declared, I will refund all your travel expenses plus pocket money going back to Chicago,” he added.

Al-ag hits back at Trillanes as the most dangerous (person).

“You are a dangerous person. Every word you utter is intended to destroy lives. Your words impeded the ability of every Filipino to love his country. You action destroys a community,” Al-ag blasted Trillanes.

He recalled that Trillanes destroyed Oakwood Hotel in 2003 and the Manila Pen-

insula in 2007.

“Now you want to destroy my city? No way! You want to destroy my people? No way!” he declared.

Al-ag said Trillanes is bound to fail.

“You will not succeed in destroying the Dabawenyos.

You will not succeed in destroying our beloved President Rodrigo Duterte,” Al-ag declared. (PNA with a story

by Judie Vega)

Antonio was unable to get a shot off after getting the ball back with 16.7 seconds left.

Kyle Anderson scored 16 points and Pau Gasol had 15 points and 15 rebounds for the Spurs, who lost to Utah for the third time this season. ‘’We were in the lead for most of the second half,’’ Gasol said. ‘’We just couldn’t �inish it.

We had some bad possessions offensively that led to opportunities for them.’’

San Antonio went ahead 8370 on a jumper by Bryn Forbes with 9:29 remaining. The Jazz chipped away before Ingles and Mitchell hit back-to-back 3-pointers to tie it at 87 with 4:53 left.

The teams traded baskets from there until Mitchell sealed it in the �inal minute.

Utah used a 20-4 run in the second quarter to take its largest �irst-half lead at 54-42. San Antonio cut its de�icit in half before halftime on layups by Gasol and Anderson.

In the third quarter, the Spurs used an 11-1 run to go back in front. Davis Bertans buried a 3-pointer to put San Antonio up 66-61.

The Jazz made 11 of 19 shots (57.9 percent) in the second quarter and just 4 of 22 attempts (18.2 percent) in the third. ‘’This is one of those games you’re fortunate to win,’’ Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. ‘’You have to catch some breaks. We just continued to compete. That’s really all it comes down to. When you do that, you put yourself in a position to catch a break.’’

area for leisure and entertainment aside from their marketing and sales of�ice.

The agri-tourism area is envisioned as a “living farm” with theme park and educational fea-

tures. The development of Agriya is divided into three phases over 15 years, with the bulk to be covered in the �irst stage within the �irst �ive years. (Maya Padillo/ PNA)

tal, Siquijor, Bohol, Cebu, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, southern section of Samar, and southern section of Eastern Samar in the

Visayas and Palawan including Calamian and Cuyo groups of islands in Luzon.

‘Basyang’ is estimated at

JAZZ... FROM 1

UPLB... FROM 2 UPLB... FROM 2

“Adoption is a serious legal subject, as well as a socio-legal process. Apart from urging families to take children under their wing”, she said.

Dumalogdog said that the the DSWD also encourages those parents who have not legally adopted their kids to legalize their adoption, especially those who are guilty of “simu-

CBCP... FROM 3

She added that that this is done when certain people tamper with the birth certi�icate of infants, to make it appear they had given birth to children who are not biologically theirs.

“Although we may see these offenses as being done with good intentions, we would still recommend that these people legalize the adoption, for which DSWD will offer support,” she added

ing there to come home.

“We appeal to our undocumented OFWs to take advantage this amnesty, and repatriation to our country,” the Catholic prelate added.

On Monday, the Department of Labor and Employment

(DOLE) signed Administrative Order No. 54, imposing a total ban on the deployment on OFWs to the Arab country.

The order was issued in the midst of the several deaths of Filipino workers in the host country. (PNA)

and Party President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel.

PDP Laban is now the ruling party of the Philippines, with three of the top four national of�icials coming from the Party.

The Party was founded as the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino by former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel, Jr. Its espousal of Federalism, empowerment of the people, and

respect for the rule of law put it on a collision course with the Martial Law regime of the time.

In 1982, PDP, as the largest opposition party in Mindanao, merged with Laban, the largest opposition party in Luzon, to form PDP Laban.

In 2016, it was swept into power led by its Chairman, President Rodrigo Duterte, on the promise of Change. (JKL)

ing the city to other major destinations, this master plan proves to be an effective and ef�icient way to increase foot traf�ic in the city. As the LGU aims to be an independent highly urbanized city, this development could give it the edge to maintain its luster in the globally competitive arena.

As the �irst class component city in the province of Davao del Norte in Mindanao, the locale is committed to its pursuit towards sustainable and inclusive growth and development through highly competitive industries. Mindanao

�inally has the potential to make this shift from being a backdoor entrance of the Philippines to frontlining investments.

With local government leaders with strong political will and visionary leadership, Palafox envisions a metropolitan area invested in agriculture, tourism, culture, and diversity. This public consultation is merely a preview to his vision of democracy; an inclusive metropolitan dream where the fruits of development can be easily shared. Andie Braga/CIO Tagum

SIMANGAN... FROM 3

TAGUM... FROM 4

INdulge!

5

VOL. 10 ISSUE 225 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

TRAVEL

EDGEDAVAO

Single and available?

Remember when on retail therapy, check the labels! Sustainable fashion is the way to go!

ways to feel the love this Valentine’s

IT’S A COMMERCIAL HOLIDAY, I know. Actually, it’s not even a holiday in the sense that we’re all at our offices. If it were a legitimate holiday, we should be either happily snuggled in our bed or off to another adventure outside the city borders.

Last week, we talked about the top romantic places for adventurers like us. I know it was a pretty biased piece because I wrote that for the people that had relationships or a partner to share tomorrow with or the long weekend that is Chinese New Year X Valentine’s.

Although if you read last week’s story again, you’d notice that any place you’d go, whether with or without a date, is romantic in itself. Nature and creation is the greatest romance that our eyes have laid upon so whether single or in a relationship, it’s sure to take our breath away.

Then again, not all of us are planning to celebrate the way society would have us tomorrow or this weekend but then again, who needs a date when you can do all these things with your squad or yourself?

What I love about this list is that you don’t need an expensive getaway to some island paradise of your dreams. You can easily do it where you are, whether you’re in the city or outside. Not all of us have time and quite frankly, most of us would rather use the extra time to get that well-needed and well-deserved beauty rest.

But if you’re like me who gets rejuvenated by enjoying a new scenery whether it’s looking at the ocean or a new image of

After a gruelling four hours in the salon with Shaad of Coiff It Up. yourself, these five tips something we deserve will surely help you figure millennial or not. out how to maximize this For my mermaids and long weekend. beach bums, getting our hair colored is always a Number 1 - Get a struggle. Sometimes, it’s makeover not always the latest style Both guys and gals or shade that would suit need this even the least us and our lifestyle. My girly girl needs a spruc- hairdresser Shaad Mauing up once in a while. lana of Coiff It Up Salon, Get your squad to go do would always recoma beauty session with you mend getting a cut and or if you prefer this as a color that both fits your “me time” then it’s a per- personality and lifestyle. fect opportunity to finish Don’t choose one just bereading that book from cause it’s the latest trend. last year while you lose “Own your style!” He track of time in the salon. would always say.

There’s no need for a It would be nice to get huge makeover or even really light blonde or go plastic surgery (uh no!). gray since it’s the trend Even a simple haircut or a now but if you spend new hair color can bright- most of your time out in en up your look and make the sun and in the water you feel better about (ocean or pool), your hair yourself. These days we is going to get even lightall got to love ourselves a er so he recommends a little bit more and allow- darker shade to start. Oh, ing yourself to get pam- and moisturize and moispered once in awhile is turize - both your skin

Too much sunscreen_ It helps protect your face and gives you a temporary mask out in the lineup.

Zinc art by Bhrett Baker.

Sometimes, solo travel is the best way to give yourself the proper time to relax. and hair. ple would notice up close.

While I had the blessing Number 2 - Treat your of being acne-free during skin. my pre-teen years, horIn case you forgot, our mones change and someskin is our largest organ. times genes kick in and It’s also the most exposed our skin isn’t the same as and it’s the first thing peo- it used to be.

I used to think that going to the dermatologist is a luxury and purely for aesthetic. I was so wrong.

It’s like going to the salon - your skin needs maintenance just like your hair does. Not to mention our hair is also partly made up of skin (keratin and dead skin cells to be exact).

Once in awhile, a checkup to the dermatologist is in order especially when you feel that your skin has a problem. It could be skin that’s too dry or too oily. Maybe it could be that you’re starting to see pimples that never used to be existent, now that’s definitely a red flag.

Don’t just prick them and pray they’d go away.

MERMAID A3

A2INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 225 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

The Miniso Women Perfume Collection is sweet and sensual for day or night.

The Romantic Pink Sakura Perfume has a simple, elegant and fashionable scent for a sunny day; while the sweet and sensual Crystal Diamond Perfume is the perfect scent for a romantic date night.

So scent-sational at

Miniso!

Miniso’s Flipped Perfume combines bergamot, apple, black currant and pear for a fresh, fruity and elegant fragrance.

LET YOUR LOVED ONES FEEL SPECIAL this Valentine’s season with gifts of love, fragrance, and beauty from Japanese fast fashion brand Miniso.

The Rose Exfoliating Bath Salt is enriched with rose essence, which exfoliates and leaves the skin supple, clean and moisturized.

Express your love in Valentine cards in classy and lovely designs available at the Stationery section.

There are also scent-sational fragrances that draw inspiration from Perfect Love, Romantic Sakura, and Crystal Diamonds; as well as natural essence oils derived from jojoba seed oil and the rosa damascene flower oil, as well as bath salts made from rose essence.

Give yourself a romantic new look with Miniso’s beauty collection: various shades and colors of foundations, shimmery eyeshadows, luminous blushers, high definition lipsticks and eyebrow liners perfect for a date night.

Spread the love with Miniso located in most SM Supermalls. Also, follow @MinisoPhilippines at Facebook for more gift ideas and updates.

Miniso’s Rose Green Tea perfume has a sweet and refreshing scent for an all-day use.

Get the Globe Wanderlove Bundle Promo for discounted tickets to Wanderland 2018

FANS are counting down the days to catch some of the most in-demand artists in this year’s Wanderland Music and Arts Festival on March 10, 2018 at the Filinvest City Event Grounds, Alabang.

This year’s Wanderland festival, which is guaranteed to give another unforgettable music fest, will be headlined by indie folk band Kodaline, R&B singers Jhené Aiko and Daniel Caesar, electronic musician FKJ, pop artist Lauv, and a DJ set by electronic band Bag Raiders. They will also be joined by top local musicians Jess Connelly, Quest, IV of Spades, Ben & Ben, and Asch. Also part of the lineup are Basically Saturday Night and Carousel Casualties,

the two local bands who won the Wanderbattle challenge.

Apart from the music, live art performances and installations will take place, courtesy of Wanderartists Christian Cardenas, Sam Bumanlag, JP Pining, and Humbly.

Here’s your chance to grab those tickets at a discount! With the Globe Wanderlove Bundle, Globe customers can save as much as P1,600 when they purchase two regular Wanderer tickets

for only P8,000 plus service charge (originally at P9,600).

From February 10 to 18, Globe Postpaid, Prepaid, TM, Platinum, and Globe At Home customers can avail of this promo by simply heading to any SM Tickets outlet with proof that they are Globe customers. Just present the Globe signal or SIM on their cell phone or present a copy of their latest paid bill with a valid ID. For more information, visit the website at http:// go.globe.com.ph/Wanderland.html or follow the official Globe Facebook page or @enjoyGlobe on Twitter.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 225 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

TRAVEL MERMAID A1

They don’t. Doctors studied a LOT of years to let us know what works best for our skin or not, a professional always gives the best advice.

Our skin is as unique as we are so I certainly won’t start advising what’s the best way to have the clearest skin but my dermatologist, Skin Doctors’ Dr. Chris Calolot, would keep stressing how important it is to wear sunscreen when we go out.

Yes, you heard me right.

Don’t just use sunscreen when you’re surfing or at

EDGEDAVAO

If you’re not feeling like spending why not create your own healthy indulgence this Vday_ Here’s my own version of healthy smoothie bowl.

the beach.

Our daily sun exposure has an impact on our skin that we may not see immediately. Don’t wait for “I told you so”. Have it checked and again, we deserve to take care of our body’s biggest organ.

Number 3 - Retail therapy.

Nothing beats the feeling of having something new. Either you’ve scored great deals on those Valentine’s Day discounts in every mall in Davao or you’ve just had the time to check out if your favorite ukay-ukay stalls have new

INdulge! A3

stock; shopping has a way of making us feel better.

Before you raise your eyebrows and say that this isn’t helpful, moderate and responsible shopping is beneficial. You’re spending money from your long hours working, it’s something that you deserve. But before you go and swipe your cards, make the extra effort of checking if the brand you’re buying from is ethically produced or even sustainably made.

I know H&M has this wonderful garment collecting campaign called “Bring It” where you can of getting discounts on your next purchase if you bring your unwanted used clothes or textiles of any brand. H&M collects and sees if they can reuse,

rewear or recycle these items. I’m not sure on how much discount they give but I know that you can bring your textiles to any store worldwide.

Number 4 - Make your tummy happy.

It depends on your personality if you’d rather be full than have new clothes but spending money on a great dining experience is a reward in itself. Davao has a lot of new restaurants and cafes that range from different cuisines.

SM Lanang’s Food Hall is an amazing place to start if you’ve got a budget to spend on. They’ve got the best of Filipino, Korean, Vietnamese and a lot more I can’t pronounce right. If you’d rather eat a lot more on a lesser budget

then Roxas Night Market is the ultimate place to be.

I’m not a food blogger so I would suggest to check out Kape Diaries (@kapediaries aka RJ Lumawag of Sunstar Davao) as the tummy behind this blog has been to almost all the foodie places in Davao and nearby. He’s also written his reviews and you can get the information you need before you even go.

Number 5 - Travel with your best self.

It used to be weird or unheard of but in this age, traveling with yourself has its own benefits. You get to meet new people and widen your network.

You have more time to introspect about life.

Your schedule doesn’t

have to depend on other people’s moods or feelings. Knowing thyself is of utmost importance.

It’ll save a lot of heartaches later on when you’re starting a relationship with another human.

There a lot of options that don’t cost a lot of money when you’re traveling solo. Joining tours and staying in hostels where you can meet a lot of like-minded travelers is the perfect atmosphere to be in.

If you’re looking for nearby places, Dahican Surf Resort has hosteltype accommodations to help you get settled.

Thinking of traveling around the Philippines?

The Circle Hostel has chains in Baler, La Union, and Zambales that offer the same culture and community #ThereAreNoStrangers.

I hope this story empowers you to take life full on, whether you’re in a relationship with the waves or with yourself. Enjoy the long weekend and drop by www.millennialmermaid.com to see the full version of this story.

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 225 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

Advertise with

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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

VOL. 10 ISSUE 225 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

FISCAL... FROM 4

tals and strong growth momentum that the country enjoys today did not happen overnight but was attained through three decades of �iscal discipline, with the economy going through dif�icult structural adjustment programs to work down what was once a crushing debt load.

“Today, our people are ready to reap the rewards of long years of sustained �iscal discipline. Our credit ratings are at their best and our �inancial system is sound,” Dominguez said. “We expect increased investment �lows drawn by the expectation that the national government will continue with its sterling record of �iscal management.”

In the case of the pro-

posed Bangsamoro region, Dominguez said “the implementation of plans and programs must be clear and reliable to ensure effective utilization of funds.”

“These are the criteria of modern governance. Ensuring them will help in winning broader public support for the proposed autonomous arrangemen t,” Dominguez added.

Dominguez said �iscal provisions in the BBL, which, for instance, allow the Bangsamoro government to issue bonds along with other revenue-generating measures, would not succeed unless the autonomous region �irst achieves �iscal discipline. (DOF)

He added that a number of the identi�ied projects include establishment of new air and sea links, cross-border power interconnection and renewable energy development, agribusiness development, better trade facilitation arrangements, socio-cultural exchanges, eco-tourism and green cities development, among others.

“Cluster-speci�ic and convergence projects will be presented to the Senior Of�icials during the meeting where we also expect guidance and directives to ensure implementation and collaboration with the private sector,” he stressed.

Following the launch of the Davao-General San-

tos-Bitung RoRo Shipping Route in April last year, another route Buliluyan, Palawan-Kudat, Malaysia RoRo route is expected to open next month. The proposed direct Zamboanga-Sandakan �light is likewise seen to commence within the �irst half of the year.

“Amid challenges, BIMP-EAGA remains a vital initiative that demonstrates ability to achieve bottoms-up socio-economic integration with the ASEAN region,” according Secretary Datu Abul Khayr Alonto, MinDA Chairperson and Philippine-EAGA Signing Minister during a recent brie�ing with House Special Committee on EAGA Affairs at the Philippine Congress. `

Commercial vehicles, on the other hand, had sales of 21,855 units, increasing 12.4 percent from January 2017’s sales of 19,441 units.

Sales of light commercial vehicles remained robust, growing 23.3 percent with 15,218 unit sales in January 2018 from 12,340 units in the same month last year.

Asian utility vehicle sales in January declined 3.6 percent year-on-year to 5,811 units from 6,026 units.

Light trucks, as well as trucks and buses category �ive, likewise posted decrements in unit sales at 38.7 percent and 18.5 percent, respectively, to 386 for light trucks and 141 units for trucks and buses category �ive.

Trucks and buses category four registered 9.9 percent year-on-year growth with 299 unit sales last month from 272 units in January 2017. (PNA)

“I also issued a stern warning to immigration of�icers in all the ports that anyone who engages in the escort racket will be suspended and eventually dismissed from the service for gross misconduct,” Mariñas added.

Mariñas clari�ied that in

the absence of any directive to the contrary, the “Balik Manggagawa” or returning OFWs to Kuwait are likewise covered by the ban.

“All Immigration Of�icers had been directed to prevent the departure of all OFWs bound for Kuwait.” Mariñas said. (BI PR)

Cabinet Secretary and the Secretaries of Finance, Budget and Management, Transportation, Trade and Industry, Energy, Agriculture, Tourism, and Information and Communications Technology as members.

“Through these projects, we are making headway in improving connectivity and promoting

economic clusters in regional and sub-regional growth centers. This is consistent with the country’s National Spatial Strategy,” Pernia said.

The NSS takes into account population trends, economic activities, and services in defining the country’s desired spatial structure.

The government’s massive in-

BIMP... FROM 4

AUTO... FROM 4

BI... FROM 5

NEDA... FROM 5

NEWS11

EDGEDAVAO

frastructure program needs a total of PhP9.04 trillion in investments for six years. This amount, however, does not include investments in infrastructure projects to be funded purely by local government units, government-owned and controlled corporations, the private sector and other sources.

NEDA said given the country’s sound macroeconomic fundamentals and strong fiscal position, 78 percent or P7.096 trillion will be funded by the national government through its annual appropriation of

ARMM...

FROM 15 tions came from the nine school divisions of the region namely Maguindanao I, Maguindanao II, Lanao del Sur I, Lanao del Sur II, Marawi City, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, and Lamitan City.

funds.

In the same meeting, the INFRACOM also approved its provisional work plan for 2018, the proposed draft implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the National Transport Policy, and the guidelines for the utilization of the Project Development and Other Related Studies Fund for the conduct of feasibility studies, master plans formulations, analyses and other pre-investment activities.

(NEDA)

Athletes both from elementary and secondary schools will compete in the following sports: archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, billiard, boxing, chess, football, futsal, sepak

takraw, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, volleyball, wushu, and wrestling.

Winners from the sporting events will proceed and compete at the Palarong Pambansa in Ilocos Sur. The Palarong ARM-

MAA is an annual athletic event of the DepEd-ARMM involving student-athletes from the cities of Marawi and Lamitan; and the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.

(PNA)

tinue with the intensi�ied operations until all of them are placed behind bars.

“This is a major breakthrough in our law enforcement

operations. We accomplished this through collective efforts and support of our local communities,” he added. (PNA)

decide. If he thinks that he has to destroy there, he has to destroy you. He has my complete trust and con�idence,” Duterte said.

“They clean it up or I will close it permanently,” he added.

Duterte earlier warned that if the environmental problems are not addressed, there will be a time that no foreigners will want to visit the island. (PNA)

224... FROM 6

LGUS... FROM 5

STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN. Located in the middle of forest in Cateel, Aliwagwag Falls is touted to be one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country. It has a series of 84 cascading falls appearing like a stairway to the sky in various heights, ranging from 67 feet to 72 feet. Photo by Henrylito D. Tacio

EDGEDAVAO

12 ENVIRONMENT

VOL. 10 ISSUE 225 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

Troubles over water First of Three Parts

TEXT and PHOTOS By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

I

t seems there are only two necessities in life that make people to howl in protest immediately. One is electricity (especially if you are watching the basketball championship or the finale of a tele-novela) and the other is water (particularly if you are taking a bath).

Among the two, it’s water that you cannot live without. Without electricity, you can always use other means like fanning yourself when it is too hot or using a lamp at night time. But without water, you cease to exist. As Albert Szent-Gyorygi, Hungarian biochemist and Nobel Prize for medicine, puts it: “There is no life without water.”

Water is more important than energy. “Unlike energy crisis,” Klaus Toepfer, former executive director of United Nations Environment Program, pointed out, “the water crisis is life threatening.”

The Philippines, despite being surrounded by bodies of water, is most likely to experience water crisis. Davao City, the home base of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, is a case in point. As the economy continues to boom, the population also keeps exploding. More people means more mouths drinking water.

A recent report from the Davao City Water District (DCWD) showed that the number of their new customers has increased by an average of 2,000 per month.

“Water demand in Davao City is expected to reach 117 million cubic meters three years from now, higher than the 112 million cubic meters’ annual requirement of the city,” the report pointed out.

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

In some parts of the city, water interruption is now a common thing. One time, a managing editor of a local daily posted in his Facebook recently: “I was late for my work today. I didn’t take a bath until 8 am since there was no water.”

Currently, 9% of DCWD customers are experiencing low water pressure to no water during peak hours.

Is there a solution in sight? One possible solution is the Bulk Water Supply Project, in which the DCWD uses the Tamugan

River as a new surface source. The commissioning will start in 2019 and its full blown operation in 2020.

According to DCWD, the new source can supply as much as 400 million liters of water per day. In addition, the groundwater sources could supply as much as 135 million liters of water per day. These “are more than enough to cover the projected water demand of 331.5 million liters per day for the water utility’s service coverage area by 2012,” the water district said in a statement.

Once the bulk water source becomes operational, DCWD “will be resting 44 of its 74 production wells to allow these water sources to replenish and avoid irreversible environment-damaging effects of excessive groundwater extraction.”

Engr. Edwin V. Regalado, the water district’s general manager, said that its source capacity to demand ratio is pegged at 1.54:1, which is higher than the standard set by the Local Water Utilities Administration of 1.25:1. It simply means DCWD’s water supply is 54% higher than the demand of its customers.

“With the existing water source to demand ratio and the upcoming new water source, DCWD can ensure Davao City of sustainable water supply,” Engr. Regalado assured.

But the question is: for how long?

“Today, we withdraw

water far faster than it can be recharged – unsustainably mining what was once a renewable resource,” deplores Janet Abramovitz, a researcher of the Washington-based Worldwatch Institute.

In 2007, Davao Today came up with a news report that water crisis in Davao is possible, as a result of the denudation of watershed areas. That was the observation of the environmental group Interface Development Interventions (Idis).

Lia Jasmin Esquillo, who was described in the report as Idis executive director, was quoted as saying: “Over the years, we have warned about the wanton destruction of Davao’s upland watersheds and their surrounding environment by banana and pineapple plantations. We have already sounded the alarm that converting these areas to these plantations spells disaster which we might come sooner than later.”

Both banana and pineapple plantations had been cited as possible culprits. “Most of these plantations are on top of recharge zones, which are areas of land through which water passes through holes or cracks in soil and rock to �ill an aquifer. Deep-rooted trees should be planted in recharge zones so that the rainwater can re�ill the aquifers,” the article, quoting Esquillo, said.

The United Nations and the Stockholm Environment Institute, in a collaborative report, said that by the year 2025, twothirds of the world’s population would be affected by water shortages.

“World demand for water doubles every 21 years, but the volume available is the same as it was in the Roman times,” observes Sir Crispin Tickell, former British ambassador to the United Nations and one of the organizers of the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. “Something has got to give.”

Sandra Postel, direc-

tor of the MassachusettsGlobal Water Policy Project, believes water crisis will be right along with climate change a future threat. More importantly, higher global temperatures will worsen the current water problems.

“Although the two are related, water has no substitutes. We can transition away from coal and oil to solar, wind and other renewable energy sources. But there is no transitioning away from water to something else,” said the head of the group that seeks to save fresh water.

– (To be continued)

5,000... FROM 5 NOTORIOUS... FROM 5

He said force multipliers from barangay peacekeeping teams would be tapped to help secure the playing venues and the billeting areas of the region’s nine athletic delegations.

The participating divisions are the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato, and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

Floro said the South Cotabato athletic delegation was ready to compete and retain the overall championship title for the third consecutive year.

The province initially recaptured the SRAA championship in 2016 and successfully defended it in last year.

The of�icial said the province’s 801-strong delegation, which was the biggest in recent years, comprise 575 athletes, 144 coaches and chaperones and 82 of�icials.

He said their athletes underwent a 25-day “rigid” training camp in preparation for the regional games.

“We’re hoping that our home court advantage will help us retain the title this year,” he said.(HST/PNA)

“The identification cards carried his photo but with different names,” Salazar said.

The police official said they have long been tracking down the suspect, who had went into hiding, and finally spotted him in Barangay Dadiangas South on Sunday.

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

Salazar said Cortado has 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

NEWS 13

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 225 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

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 five other suspects for illegal possession of firearms and drugs.

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

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

is in need of

Account Executives (3) Qualifications: • BS Marketing Graduate • Male/Female • With pleasing personality • With salary + commision

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

CFP NO.

CONTRACT NO.

1.GEORGE M. DUBOULAY

7263

742865-9

2.JOVITA C. GONZALES

15687

810559-5

3.ANUNCIACION M. ENGRACIA

21133790

10387662-5

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

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 PROPERTY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 225 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

Matina Enclaves’ early CNY

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO

I

t’s an early Chinese New Year celebration at the Matina Enclaves.

The prime real estate masterpiece of homegrown developer Escandor Development Corporation (Esdevco) held its second Open House for the year with the Chinese Lunar New Year as backdrop.

The CNY-themed Open House was held on February 9 (Friday) at the Matina Enclaves Showroom in Genesis

88 Building along Ecoland West Drive.

The event’s highlight is the �irm’s promotional offer of stretched out payment scheme from 41 months to 48 months.

Likewise, Esdevco offered promo discounts of as much as P90,000.

Freebies composed of Appliance Showcase and gift certi�icates in partnership

with The Royal Mandaya Hotel also come on top of each sale.

Meantime, Esdevco announced that it is now pre-selling Tower 4 of The Enclaves Towers.

Construction works at the sprawling complex are in full throttle with Building C now shifting to internal phase of the tower. Building B has been inaugurated in August last year with President Rodrigo Duterte as special guest. (NJB)

VOL. 10 ISSUE 225 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS 15

Warriors go ‘Kerr-less’ O

AKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- With the grind of a long NBA season wearing on his team, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr believed it was time for his players to hear a new voice in the huddle: their own.

BREAKAWAY. Steph Curry of Golden State scores on a fastbreak.

Kerr turned over most of the coaching duties to his players on Monday night and they responded in �ine fashion, playing with more focus than they had in recent weeks in a 12983 victory over the Phoenix Suns. ‘’It’s the players’ team,’’ Kerr said. ‘’It’s their team and they have to take ownership of it. As coaches, our j o b is to nudge them in the right direction, guide

them. We don’t control them. They determine their own fate. I don’t think we’ve focused well the last month. It just seemed like the right thing to do.’’

Kerr said he told the players of his plan after the previous game and they ran the show for most of the day. Andre Iguodala took over at morning shootaround, JaVale McGee ran the computer for the �ilm session and Iguodala, Draymond Green and David West got most of the work designing plays and running the huddle during timeouts.

Kerr and his assistants handled the substitutions before allowing the players to take over from there. ‘’It had to do with me trying to reach my team and I have not reached them the last month,’’ Kerr said. ‘’They’re tired of my voice. I’m tired of

ARMM athletic meet opens

N

ORTH UPI, Maguindanao – Some 5,000 student-athletes, education and technical of�icials gathered here for the conduct of the week-long Palarong ARMMAA (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Athletic Association) 2018, which opened Monday.

The regional Palaro runs from Feb. 12 to 16 at the sprawling grounds of the Nuro Central Elementary School here.

Rasol Y. Mitmug Jr., newly-appointed Department of Education (DepEd)–ARMM secretary, said this year’s Palaro has for its theme

“Transformed and Productive ARMMians,” which focuses on the active development and transformation of the region’s young athletes.

Ricco Jame Teraytay, 16, and Andrei John Merano, 12, both delegates from Maguindanao II division and Taekwondo-gold medalists in the Palarong Pambansa 2017 held in Antique, said they were proud and honored to again represent their divisions here.

Both athletes are optimistic they would again win and bring home medals from the Palarong Pambansa this year scheduled in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur from

April 16 to 20.

“Aside from all the preparations such as training, we also need self-discipline and prayers for us to reach our goals,” Teraytay added.

“To all the participants of Palarong ARMMAA 2018, I wish you all the best for the upcoming games,” Mitmug told the athletes during the games’ opening ceremony. “They (athletes) gather here not only to display their physical abilities but also to show us that through sports there can be peace and common aspiration for our ARMM youth.”

Various ARMMAA delegaARMM,P11

my voice. I wasn’t reaching them so we �igured this was a good night to pull something out of the hat.’’

After the game, Kerr made a point of seeking out Phoenix interim coach Jay Triano to tell him the move wasn’t made out of any disrespect for the Suns, who became the �irst team to reach 40 losses this season. ‘’You have to do what you have to do to build your own team up,’’ Triano said. ‘’If he thinks that helps them, I tip my hat.’’

Stephen Curry scored 22 points for the Warriors. Omri Casspi added 19 in a rare start in place of the injured Green and Kevin Durant had 17 as Golden State won its 12th straight in the series, its longest active streak against any team.

Elfrid Payton scored 29 points in his second game since being acquired at the trade deadline from Orlando, but Phoenix still lost its sixth straight and 11th

in the past 12 games. ‘’We have to keep �ighting,’’ Payton said. ‘’We can’t hang our heads. That’s the great thing about the NBA, there’s another game in two days. So learn from it, get better ready to have a better effort.’’

Payton scored 16 points in the �irst quarter before Curry got on the scoreboard, but he got little help. Payton made his �irst seven shots, but his teammates started 1 for 15 and the Warriors managed to take a 25-24 lead by the end of the �irst after being outscored by 32 points in the �irst quarter of the previous three games.

Curry scored 10 points in the second quarter as Golden State built a 17-point lead at the half and coasted the rest of the way. ‘’We have so many smart basketball minds on our team,’’ Casspi said. ‘’The guys really used this opportunity to run things they like.’’

rematch of last year’s NCAA Finals just ensued in the PCCL Final as Lyceum and San Beda scored contrasting wins in the national semi�inals at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City on Monday night.

The Pirates shut down the San Sebastian Golden Stags in an all-NCAA affair in the �irst Final Four match-up, while the Red Lions survived a tight contest against the Ateneo Blue Eagles in a battle of league champions in the other Final Four showdown.

Behind a defensive shut down in the second quarter where San Sebastian was limited to only 10 and a 26-point blast in the third, Lyceum clinched the �irst berth in the championship game with an 8269 win.

Jaycee Marcelino (24 points and 10 rebounds) and Mike Nzeusseu (13

points and 15 rebounds) each had a double-double for the Pirates.

On the other hand, San Beda got its scoring groove in the fourth quarter, especially in the dying moments, to subdue Ateneo, 57-52.

Javee Mocon led the Red Lions, who played minus Robert Bolick due to a leg injury he got on Sunday against the De La Salle Green Archers, with 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting, four rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block.

Donald Tankoua, who made the go-ahead layup with 54 seconds left in the game, added a double-double of 15 markers and 13 boards with one assist, one block, and one steal.

San Beda, the reigning PCCL champ, will try to defend its title against the same team it beat for the NCAA title last year, Lyceum, on Thursday night at the said venue. (PNA)

Pirates vs Red Lions in PCCL Finals A

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 10 ISSUE 225 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

BACK IN CAMP

Blatche looking fit in return to Gilas’practice FIT BLATCHE. Andra Blatche reported to Gilas practice on Monday looking fit.

N

aturalized center Andray Blatche looked fit when he came to the first installment of Gilas Pilipinas’ daily practices in an earlier training session at the Greenhills West Basketball Court on Monday in San Juan City.

Blatche arrived on Friday and even watched the PBA games on Sunday night.

“It feels good,” the former NBA veteran, who currently plays for Xinjiang in the Chinese Basketball

practice.

Gabe Norwood, RR Pogoy, Carl Cruz, Jio Jalalon, Jayson Castro, Calvin Abueva, Kevin Alas, Junemar Fajardo, Kiefer Ravena, and Matt Wright took part in the drills among the members of the Gilas pool for the second FIBA World Cup Quali�ier Window.

Japeth Aguilar also attended the practice, but he Assoopted to stay at the ciation, sidelines. said after Abu Tratter was the training. the lone member of Thirteen players, the Gilas Cadets pool including Blatche and who came to practice. one cadet, attend- (PNA) ed the national team

Jazz rally to edge Spurs

S

ALT LAKE CITY (AP) -Donovan Mitchell found his shooting touch at the right time for the Utah Jazz.

Mitchell scored 25 points, including a go-ahead jumper with 39.2 seconds left, and Utah extended its NBA-best winning streak to 10 games with a 101-99 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night.

Mitchell was just 9 for 28 from the �ield, but he delivered down the stretch. The rookie guard scored eight of Utah’s �inal nine points over the last 2:54 of the game. He hit a pair of go-ahead baskets and a free throw to give the Jazz the lead in the �inal minute after they trailed by as many as 13 points

during the fourth quarter. ‘’You can’t think about the misses, that’s the biggest thing,’’ Mitchell said. ‘’I was continuing to stay locked in and just stay focused and understand the shots eventually were going to fall. Fortunately, they did.’’

Joe Ingles added 20 points, seven rebounds and �ive assists for Utah. Derrick Favors had 19 points, eight rebounds and four blocks.

The Jazz (29-28) moved above .500 for the �irst time in more than two months. Defense played a big role in their latest victory.

Favors blocked a pair of shots in the �inal minute. San

JAZZ,P10