Edge10 issue 232, February 23-24, 2018

VOL. 10 ISSUE 232 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23-24, 2018

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

FULL SUPPORT. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio gestures while the crowd chants her surname as she visits the Davao City National High School to watch the championship games of volleyball of the Davao Regional Athletics Association (DAVRAA) Meet 2018 on Thursday. The mayor was joined by Sports Development Division of the City Mayors Office (SDD-CMO) office-in -charge (OIC) Michael Aportadera. Lean Daval Jr

‘DON’T MESS WITH SARA’

Alvarez lambasted as‘asshole’in Congress

By JIMMY K. LAKING

M

ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Thursday lambasted House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez for referring to the creation of Hugpong ng Pagbabago as a “non-issue” and for being (characteristic) “of political dynasties.”

A1

Reflections of a Maguindanaon

“If you are an asshole in Congress, don’t bring that to Davao, leave it in Manila,” Mayor Carpio posted in her Facebook account.

“Somebody should tell the President what you are doing. How dare you call me part of the opposition. Kapal ng mukha mo. You messed with the wrong girl.”

Part of the mayor’s comments on Facebook continued: “I would like everyone

DON’T,P10

PCOO LAUDED. The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) headed by Secretary Martin Andanar (second from right) was lauded for

staging the historic 1st National Information Convention (NIC) in Davao City which has been called an “timely and enriching” endeavor. See Page 7.

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 232 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23-24, 2018

PALACE ASSURANCE. President Rodrigo Duterte, in his speech during the ‘merienda’ he hosted for the rebel returnees at the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, assures government support for them to be reintegrated back to society. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

NCCA to present U ‘Best of Mindanao’

Lowering strength

By ANGIE SAVERON

By JUDIE VEGA

I

n the celebration of the National Arts Month 2018, National Commission for Culture and Arts Davao will bring indigenous and contemporary music artist to Davao City to showcase the Musikapulo-an dubbed as ‘Best of Mindanao’ this February 22-23 at Matina Town Square.

NCCA is undertaking the activity in partnership with the Interface Development Interventions, combining en-

vironmental advocacy with music through workshop and concert to enhance public awareness.

Maricel P. Cayas, NCCA project director said on Thursday that Musikapuluan is the NCCA’s �lagship project to show that “no matter how diverse, people can enliven their core values and strengthen recognition of existing with nature”.

“Davao City was selected as one of the three locations in the country to showcase the Musikapuloan (Music of the Philippines Island),” she

said.

“The festival experience will certainly lead Mindanaoan and Dabawenyos alike to relive and once again believe that life is beautiful, that the spirit of resiliency, strength and unity endures and lives,” Cayas added.

Cayas said that this year’s theme , “ Ani ng Sining: Alab ng Sining:, NCCA pushes forward to conserve, promote

NCCA,P10

JV seeks passage of health care bill

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

S

en. JV Ejercito targets to pass the Senate Bill No. 1458 or the proposed Universal Health Care (UHC) bill within the third quarter of this year.

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, bared in a press conference at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Lounge in Davao City on Thursday, he is working on this bill because he wants to pass it on or before the third quarter so that the programs

under this proposed law will be included in the next year’s budget.

“This was mentioned speci�ically by the president (Rodrigo R. Duterte) during his SONA (State of the Nation Address ) so we are his good and this is a very I called this as a land mark legislation. So, I want have it passed before the third quarter,” Ejercito said.

Ejercito said the legislation aims to cover all Fil-

ipinos under government health insurance that will help them not just during hospitalization but even in their check-ups and outpatient clients.

This because under the present program of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) only the hospitalization and some illnesses are covered and not during check-ups.

He said the bill also intends to improve the rural

health facility which the people in the remote barangays will bene�it on it since most of them have no access to health service from the government. However, he assured the public that there will be no increase on the monthly PHIC permium because the budget will be drawn from the taxes such as sin tax and Excise Tax from the Sweetened Beverages.

“Our target here is to achieve

JV,P10

nder 10th ID the strength of the CPPNPA is lowering down to approximately 40 percent. These remaining members are all together in the boundaries of Bukidnon and the areas of North Cotabato, Davao Del Sur boundaries and Davao del Norte boundaries According to Captain Jerry Lamosao spokesperson of the 10th ID , this started to go down last 2017 because of the non-stop focused military operation, community support program, information gathering and the support of the local government unit, other stake holders and

the information dissemination through their media partners.

“We can say that the number of armed CPP-NPA terrorist lowered because their supporters already surrendered, Knowing that there are a lot of surrendees from 10th ID they will have a hard time” Lamosao said during the AFP-PNP Southern Mindanao Press Corps Media Brie�ing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on February 21, Wednesday Since January 2018 up February 21 there is a total of 20 encounters in the area of responsibility of the 10th

LOWERING,P10

RP cacao beans draws interests in Japan market

T

he Department of Trade and Industry’s Trade and Investments Promotion Group and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Tokyo (PTIC-Tokyo) shared promising developments for Philippine cacao beans as it enters the mainstream Japanese market through the newly-produced chocolate made

by Isetan Mitsukoshi.

Isetan Mitsukoshi Group, Japan’s largest department store group, developed a new chocolate brand named Nayuta Chocolatasia. The product formulated to match

the Asian palate, is made from cacao beans sourced from four Southeast Asian countries: Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

The Philippine cacao beans were sourced from a Davao-based plantation, Philippine’s Plantacion de Sikwate Cacao Producers Association.

As part of Isetan’s Mitsukoshi’s strong campaign for the said chocolate, they are currently running a sixmonth promotional campaign through a chocolate fair

RP,P10

VOL. 10 ISSUE 232 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23-24, 2018

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 3

Mutya ng Dabaw screening bared

By ANGIE SAVERON

S

ON THE RECEIVING END. Speaker of the House Pantaleon Alvarez delivers a speech during his birthday celebration held at the New Tagum City Hall in Davao del Norte on January 12, 2018. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio called Alvarez ass-

hole in her Facebook post on Thursday after he said the mayor is part of the opposition for forming a unity party called Hugpong ng Pagbabago. Photo courtesy of Presidential Photo

creening for the up-coming Mutyang Dabaw will be on February 25, Sunday from one o’clock in the afternoon until �ive o’clock in the afternoon. The screening will be held at the training hall located at City Hall rooftop.

“That will be the day when we will meet the applicants and then from the applicants we will choose 30 of�icial candidates,” said Dan Salvaño, organizer of the MutyangDabaw 2018 during the iSpeak media forum at Mayor’s Conference Hall on Thursday.

The interested applicants may get their application forms from the City Tourism Operations Of�ice (CTOO) located at the 2nd �loor, Pasalubong Center, Palma Gil St., Davao City (near People’s Park).

The application is for free of charge. Applicants can submit the requirements at CTOO before the screening day.

Requirementsneededto be submitted together with the application forms are photos (ID photo 2X2, whole body 3R Proof of Residency (Barangay Certi�icate and/or

School Certi�icate) and a photocopy of NSO Certi�ied Birth Certi�icate.

The applicant must be a Filipina residing in Davao City for the last two years prior to her registration. She must be at least 18 and not more than 26 years old on the day of screening.

Born female, she must be single (has never been married, divorced or annulled), must not be pregnant or has never been pregnant, must be a high school graduate or has �inished Grade 10, whichever is applicable and the applicant must be of good moral character and must not have been convicted of any crime.

He said that this year’s MutyangDabaw will be a more modern Dabawenya, He said that they want to showcase women empowerment where-in they will show that women can also do what men can.

During the screening the applicants must wear decent casual attire (not too revealing) during the screening.

She may be accompanied by only one assistant and heavy make-up is discouraged Salvaño said that there

will be several pre pageant events that have different criteria. He said that the major pre-pageant activities will be the screening, on February 27 orientation of the of�icial candidates together with their handlers and training will be conducted in the afternoon, opening ceremony of the 81stArawngDabaw on March 1 the candidates will be presented to the public at Rizal Park, March 5 will be the press presentation, semi-�inals will be on March 7 Abreeza Ayala Mall, March 13 talent competition will be held at Gaisano Mall of Davao and the coronation will be on March 15 which will be held at RMC Phil. Oil Flying V Events Center.

“That is one of the new things in MutyangDabaw, we will have it on the newly renovated RMC gym on March 15 at four o’clock in the afternoon,” Salvaño said.

He said that they choose this venue because aside that is newly renovated it can accommodate three thousand people and there is a parking space that can accommodate approximately 200 vehicles.

The prize for the Mutyang-

hile pushing for the completion of the country’s �irst two missile-capable frigates, Philippine Navy �lag of�icer-in-command, Rear Admiral Robert Empedrad said the country also needs to acquire submarines as they are the “future of naval warfare”.

When asked by Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao on what other equipment the Navy needs to be fully modernized, during the Senate hearing on the Frigate Acquisition Project earlier this week, Empedrad said,

“Sir, we have a lot of concerns in the Navy, your honor. But for me, the future of naval warfare is submarine warfare. And I believe that if we want to get the respect of other foreign countries or navies, we should acquire submarines.”

This, he said, is due to their stealthy nature, which makes them very dif�icult to detect.

Submarines are naval vessels that can operate in deep or shallow waters and are capable of carrying a variety of weapons that can be used to attack land, sea and air

targets.

“Sabi nga nila, mahirap kalabanin iyong kalaban na hindi nakikita (As they say, it is dif�icult to contain an invisible enemy). So if we have submarines, I›m sure other powerful navies would respect the Philippine Navy - if we get the submarine, your honor,» Empedrad said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines is expected to acquire its own diesel-electric class submarines during the 2nd Horizon of the AFP Modernization Program, which is expected to begin this year and end in 2022. (PNA)

Subs needed to make PN respectable: exec Araw ng Dabaw W activities known

By JUDIE VEGA

T

he City Government of Davao will incorporate the cancelled Pasko Fiesta activities and budget in the celebration of the 81st Araw ng Dabaw 2018.

Orly Escarilla, spokesperson of Arawng Dabaw 2018 said on Thursday during the I-Speak media forum that the activities that were cancelled include Tugtugan/Yugyugan, Lamdag Parada, Korosa Pas-

ko and Pasko DabaDaba.

According to Escarilla, the theme for the 81st Charter Day of the City or Arawng Dabaw is we are still continuing the ‘Stand, Tall, United, and Resilient”.

ANILA -- Operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have arrested four persons for alleged illegal extraction and transportation of limestone in San Ildefonso, Bulacan.

In a statement Thursday, NBI Director Dante A. Gierran identi�ied the four suspects as Ronald Marcelo del Rosario, Jeffrey Ubas Ocquia, Edilberto Villamor delos Santos, and Edison Villamor delos Santos, who were nabbed Tuesday for being actively engaged in transporting illegally-sourced minerals without any valid or existing quarrying permit.

The Environmental Crime Division of the en-

vironment department’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau, conducted an operation after investigation con�irmed intelligence information on “rampant” illegal mining activities in the town.

According to Czar Eric Nuqui, NBI’s Environmental Crime Division chief, the four suspects had been excavating the area for limestone, a building material used to make cement and glass.

Nuqui also said authorities had seized heavy equipment, such as excavators and dump trucks, with an estimated value of PHP4 million during the operation.

He claimed the owner of the quarry operations has

4 nabbed for illegal quarrying in Bulacan M

He said they have provided assistance to the affected participants of the cancelled activities who already made preparations.

“The assistance came

ARAW,P10

MUTYA,P10

OUT OF THE RACE. An athlete collapses to the ground due to exhaustion after competing in the 2,000 meters walkathon of the Davao Regional

4,P10 Athletics Association (DAVRAA) Meet 2018 at University of Mindanao complex in Matina, Davao City on Wednesday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr

EDGEDAVAO

4 ECONOMY

VOL. 10 ISSUE 232 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23-24, 2018

SSS scored for disastrous online registration scheme

P

THIS TIME WITH TYCOONS. President Rodrigo Duterte poses for a photo with businessmen Lance Gokongwei and Lucio Tan Sr. who joined top executives from various companies during the courtesy

call of the Philippine and Japan conglomerates on the President at the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday. Also in the photo is Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Burning of seized cigarettes ongoing

To last up to March due to large volume

T

he destruction of seized Mighty cigarettes bearing counterfeit tax stamps that began in December 2017 is still ongoing and is expected to be completed in the first week of March 2018 owing to the extremely large volume of the illegal stocks confiscated by the Bureaus of Internal Revenue and of Customs (BOC) last year, according to the Department of Finance (DOF).

A spot check conducted by a DOF team at the Holcim Philippines Geocycle facility in Bulacan, where the seized cigarettes bearing the brands produced by Mighty Corporation were being “co-processed” destroyed, show a total 98,078 mastercases still set for destruction as of Feb. 2.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III announced in December last year that a total of 229,428 mastercases or 114,714,000 cigarette packs were set for destruction at the Holcim Philippines Geocycle plant in Norzagaray, Bulacan where they are destroyed through a method called “co-processing.”

The “co-processing” method pioneered by Holcim Geocycle ensures the total thermal destruction of waste materials, while reducing toxic gas emissions and land and groundwater pollution. The resulting by-product is used as raw material for cement.

A separate batch of 9,347 mastercases or 4,673,500 cigarette packs also bearing the Mighty brands were also set for destruction at the Holcim plant in Davao City. The destruction of this batch, which were seized by BIR and BOC operatives in General Santos City in March last year, was completed lastDec. 29.

At the Holcim plant in Bulacan, six to eight trucks arrive daily from the warehouses

in San Ildefonso, Bulacan and San Simon in Pampanga where the cigarettes were seized by teams from the BIR and BOC in separate raids in March last year.

With each truck able to hold 504 cases, the BIR expects that as of Feb. 2, the destruction of the remaining cases would take 33 days or around March 7.

A BIR representative is always present during the transfer of the seized stocks from the warehouses to the Holcim facility to conduct an inventory check during the unloading of the cases, the DOF team said.

Dominguez earlier said that the destruction of the cig-

ruary 20, the Mergers and Acquisitions Of�ice (MAO) of the PCC found that both transactions do not result in substantial lessening of competition in their respective relevant markets,” the antitrust body stated.

The joint venture between Ayala Land and Royal Land would involve the development of a 936-hectare property into a mixed-use project with commercial and residential components in Silang and Carmona,

Cavite.

Under their deal, both �irms have 50-percent share on the outstanding stock of the joint venture company.

On the other hand, Markham Resources and Alternergy aim to have joint venture investment in run-of-river mini hydro projects in Ifugao province such as Kiangan Mini Hydro Corporation, Ibulao Mini Hydro Corporation, and Lamut-Asipulo Mini Hydro Corporation.

“The transaction also does not appear to create or strengthen the ability or incentive of the merged �irm to engage in withholding capacity,” the Commission’s decision read.

Under Republic Act 10667 or the Philippine Competition Act (PCA), business entities with merger and acquisition transactions meeting the PHP1-billion threshold shall notify the PCC of their deal.(PNA)

BURNING,P11

PCC approves 2 joint ventures

T

he Philippine Competition Commission has approved two joint ventures in sectors of real estate and power.

In a statement Thursday, PCC said it cleared the joint venture deals between Ayala Land, Inc. and Royal Asia Land, Inc. as well as the transaction between Markham Resources Corp. and Alternergy Mini Hydro Holdings Corp.

“In the Commission Decisions signed on Feb-

uwersa ng Bayaning Atleta(PBA) Partylist Rep. Jericho Nograles today lambasted the management of the Social Security System for prematurely implementing its so-called enhanced contribution collection system without conducting relevant time and motion studies to ensure that it is hassle-free for its 34 Million members.

Under the so-called EHCS, all membership registrations are done online and members are now required to possess computer-generated Payment Reference Number (PRN) before one could even make any payment for their contributions.

Nograles said that this is a laudable project but if and only if all the necessary digital infrastructure are in place

to ensure seamless transmission, processing and storage of all online registrations, payments, and other transactions.

“Full digitalization of all government transactions is the way to go, and I’m glad that SSS is doing the �irst steps to make it happen. However, it’s plainly stupid to dispose of manual transactions without properly testing their new scheme. It is a recipe for disaster!” Nograles said.

“I have personally experienced the hassle of securing my PRN because apparently, the SSS computer system is still jurassic. When I asked around, it turns everyone has the same experience,” Nograles said.

Because of premature

omaine Organics, a certi�ied organic farming company in Batac City, is opening its farm to the public once again for another �irst in the region - the “Pick and Pay” promo.

Under the offer, customers are allowed to go around the farm, pick locally-grown lettuce themselves, and pay for their harvest.

Romaine Organics is owned by the Ganiron family, whose farm is located in Barangay Ben-agan, Batac City. The company is being run by John Lei and his father Romeo, both multi-awarded farmer-entrepreneurs in the locality.

According to John Lei, who is farm management supervisor of Romaine Organics, the price of their organic and hydroponic lettuce is currently pegged at PHP250

per kg.

Adjacent to their residence in Ben-agan village is a showcase of auto-switched hydroponic lettuce that can be harvested at the Ganirons’ 10-meter by 8-meter greenhouse.

The family also owns a three-hectare integrated farm lot and farmer’s school, the Romaine Organics School for Practical Agriculture, located in Barangay San Mateo, a 10-minute drive from the city proper.

John Lei said most of their customers are owners of restaurants in Laoag and nearby towns while some are neighbors who enjoy picking their fresh salad ingredient directly from Romaine Organics.

Aside from lettuce, the farm also produces micro

SSS,P10

Pick and pay lettuce: ‘From farm to table’ R

PICK,P10

DOLE presses OFWs’access to passport in Kuwait MOU

T

he Department of Labor and Employment wants overseas Filipino workers in Kuwait to be allowed to keep their passports and have regular access to their mobile devices.

Labor Undersecretary Claro Arellano said these provisions are included in the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) being pushed by the DOLE with the Kuwaiti government to ensure the safety and welfare of Filipino workers in the host country.

“We want them to allow our OFWs in Kuwait to hold their passport. Or at least, if they will not be allowed to hold their passports, they be deposited to our Philippine

Labor Attaché in coordination with the Philippines Embassy,” Arellano said in a press conference in Manila on Wednesday.

“We want them to allow our OFWs to use their cellphones to communicate with their families and the government,” he added.

Labor of�icials are set to go to Kuwait on Feb. 28 to discuss the MOU with their Kuwaiti counterparts.

“Hopefully, by next week, we can already �inalize this memorandum of agreement and, by second week of March, we can already have the signing between the Kuwaiti government and the Philippine government,” Arellano said.

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 232 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23-24, 2018

EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY 5

DICT to build P10M startups incubation hub

T

he Department of Information and Communications Technology in Davao Region will allocate P10 million for the construction of a two-story “incubation hub” for startup companies.

During the “ICapehan 2018: Connecting Ideas in Touch with Tomorrow’s Technology” organized by the Institute of Computing of University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) on Wednesday, DICT-Davao director Alimbzar P. Asum said the construction will commence this year.

He said the DICT-Davao would provide computers, internet connection, and other tools necessary to run the facility, which will be managed in partnership with the Information Communications Technology (ICT) Davao.

Within the facility, Asum said they will put up a co-working space for on-

line workers and an area for Technology for Education (Tech4Ed) project, an initiative that promotes alternative learning for basic education and digital skills training.

He said Tech4Ed Center “narrows the digital divide and bring government services nearer or closer to the people especially to those who have no access to gadgets and internet.”

The Information Communications and Technology Of�ice (ICTO) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Internet Café Association of Davao (ICAD) forged a partnership in 2015 for the implementation of Tech4Ed to achieve two major thrusts: internet opportunities for all people and investing in people through digital literacy.

ICT Davao president Samuel Matunog said they position the incubation hub as a

DICT,P11

DILG to sue local execs with inactive drug abuse councils

T

he Department of Interior and Local Government warned it would suspend and sue before the Ombudsman barangay of�icials who have not activated their Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADAC) for “dereliction of duty” despite appeals by the agency last year to activate the body to address the drug problem.

DILG Assistant Secretary Ricojudge Janvier M. Echiverri said in an interview that they are just waiting for instruction from DILG of�icer-in-charge Eduardo Año, who is set to issue a memorandum this month against of�icials of barangays with non-functioning BADACs.

The barangay of�icials are given 30 days to comply after receipt of the memorandum, he said.

Echiverri said that at least 30% of the country’s 42,029 barangays are classi�ied as severely affected and some of the of�icials of the non-compliant barangays are in the list.

“The BADAC should be funded and implemented.

It’s not just about the law enforcement alone but the local government should see to it that BADAC is in place,” he added.

Catalino Cuy, chairperson of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), said BADAC is

DILG,P11

FTA to boost PH-US trade relations: Pernia

T

he country’s chief economist sees the need for the Philippines to explore more free trade agreements with the United States to boost trade and investment ties between the two countries.

“Even though we already have a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement with the US, it is still important to establish an FTA to gain access for more exports from the Philippines to the US market,” National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director-General and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said Wednesday.

Pernia highlighted the intention of the Philippines to keep its current trade with

the US in positive territory and further improve trade between both countries following upbeat trade performance in 2017.

“We have a positive trade balance with the US, and we want to keep it that way,” he said.

“Now is an opportune time to strengthen ties with our foreign partners,” Pernia added, emphasizing the recovery of global trade as an opportunity for Philippine exports to grow.

Philippine exports to the US reached USD8.5 billion, while imports registered USD6.4 billion from January to November last year.

The NEDA chief further said discussing and exploring

FTA,P11

HOME BREWED. A vendor prepares homemade peanut butter at a stall inside Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr

Anti-trust body may ease rules T

he Philippine Competition Commission is eyeing to ease some of its rules, more particularly about the rules on forbearance.

During the Competition Forum of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and European Union-Philippines Business Network on Wednesday, PCC

Chairman Arsenio Balisacan said the rules on forbearance is one of the critical components of the Philippine Competition Act (PCA) enforcement framework.

“Under this practice, the Commission may forbear from applying the provisions of the PCA, for a limited time, on an entity or group of entities, determined by the Commission to have met stringent and speci�ic conditions,” Balisacan said.

Certain requirements that would allow the PCC not to

enforce the provisions of the law if the enforcement is not necessary to attain the PCA’s policy objectives, not impeding competition in the market, and the forbearance is consistent with public interest and consumer welfare.

“Based on certain regulations, the regulator might want

development assistance) of Japan. They have to give to other countries as well… Between 2 and 3-percent interest rate is still much better than commercial (loans),” he told reporters.

While the Philippines has long standing good relations with Japan, Pernia noted Japan’s slowness in the processing of projects.

“We don’t want to be left behind,” he said, stressing China has been aggressive in �inancing Philippine projects.

But Pernia, also Director-General of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), stressed that

the country has not signed yet any loan agreement with China.

He also reassured that mechanisms would put into place for Chinese companies keen on participating in the government’s infrastructure program.

“We have that screening system on the Chinese side and on our side to make sure that we do not get involved with a company that is questionable or that has a bad record,” said the NEDA chief.

“They are not already blacklisted, for example, with the World Bank or ADB (Asian Development Bank)

or the AIIB (Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank), that the Chinese government can vouch for them, and from the three (bidder companies) we are going to select on our side what we consider the best,” added Pernia.

Meanwhile, Pernia said three projects so far have been prioritized by the Chinese Embassy and the concerned Philippine government agencies for loan �inancing from China.

These are the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project of the National Irrigation Administration; the New Centennial

ANTI-TRUST,P11

PH securing China funding to spur infra projects: Pernia

T

he Philippine government is securing �inancing from China for its infrastructure projects in an effort to fast-track their implementation, according to the country’s chief economist.

During the joint membership meeting of the Makati Business Club and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said China charges the loans with an interest rate of 2 to 3 percent, while that of Japan is only at 0.25 to 0.75 percent.

“We cannot get all the loans from the ODA (of�icial

PH,P11

6 SUBURBIA RISING EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 232 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23-24, 2018

Guv backs disarmament program in Maguindanao

B

ULUAN, Maguindanao -Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu has expressed full support to the local disarmament campaign of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID).

The 6ID, under Maj. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, launched this week the disarmament campaign to help bring about normalcy in communities where armed conflict exists, including clan wars.

“Anything and everything that is good for my province always get my support, especially the peace process being pursued by Malacañang,” Mangudadatu told reporters on Thursday.

Before the Army’s local disarmament program, Mangudadatu, through his Maguindanao Task Force on Reconciliation and Unification, had settled numerous family dispute in the

province. It also led to the surrender of various firearms.

Dela Vega welcomed Mangudadatu’s commitment and support and also appealed to other local executives in Maguindanao to help the campaign against loose firearms.

Mayor Genuine Kamaong of Datu Piang, Maguindanao, was one of the local executives who is actively supporting the Army’s campaign against loose guns.

Kamaong said the campaign will surely benefit his constituents who, on many occasions, have to flee to safer grounds when Moro clans trade bullets in communities.

“Our people are already tired of evacuating every now and then, let’s give the chance to live peacefully,” Kamaong said.

“This disarmament program of the 6ID is one step toward that direction.” (PNA)

Security tightened for Kalilangan fest in GenSan

G

ENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Police have intensi�ied security operations in line with the formal opening on Thursday of the 2018 Kalilangan Festival and the city’s 79th foundation anniversary celebration.

Chief Insp. Jovenson Bayona, spokesperson for the city police of�ice, said all their units have been placed under heightened alert to ensure the safe and smooth and orderly conduct of the festivities, which will run until Feb. 27.

He said their personnel are also on full deployment in various strategic areas in city for the entire duration of the festival.

These included the security checkpoints in the city’s key road networks as

well as the four main entry and exit points, he said.

“We have deployed a total of 2,327 security personnel, including force multipliers,” Bayona told reporters.

Aside from police personnel, the festival’s security team includes elements from the Army-led Joint Task Force GenSan, city civil security unit personnel and barangay peacekeeping volunteers.

On Wednesday, the Police Regional Of�ice (PRO)12 turned over 10 motorcycles to the city police to augment its patrol units.

The brand new 135cc Kawasaki Rouser motorcycles were distributed to the city police headquarters and the seven city police sta-

SECURITY,P11

WEIGHING THE EGGS. Chicken eggs, before they are sold to the market, are weighed first. The eggs comes in various sizes: small, large, extra large and jumbo. Photo by Henrylito D. Tacio

Zamboanga yields 157 loose firearms Z

AMBOANGA CITY -- The city government turned over 157 assorted firearms to the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) in compliance with the campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte against loose firearms.

The �irearms were presented to Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Westmincom chief, by Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar in a ceremony on Wednesday afternoon at Westmincom’s gymnasium.

The turnover was witnessed by military, police and some barangay of�icials of this city’s 98 villages.

“Barangay of�icials from Arena Blanco, Tigtabon,

Mercedes, and Cabaluay yielded the �irearms to military and police units as an offshoot of the sustained campaign against the proliferation of unregistered and loose �irearms,” Col. Leonel Nicolas, Joint Task Force Zamboanga commander, said.

Of the 157 surrendered �irearms, Salazar turned over 29 consisting of 28 caliber .30 M1 Garand ri�les

and a 66-mm HE Rocket Launcher.

Sixteen of the 29 �irearms are caliber .30 M1 Garand ri�les that were surrendered to the Army’s 11th Infantry Battalion headed by Lt. Col. Rolando Gomez; eight to the Marine Battalion Landing Team-11 (MBLT-11) led by Lt. Col. Michael Ariel Delos Reyes; and, the Rocket Launcher to the Joint Task Force Zamboanga.

The remaining 128 were presented by the Zamboanga City Police Of�ice (ZCPO). These consisted of the following: 92 shotguns; one M-16 Armalite ri�le; 15 9-mm pistols; eight revolvers; 11 caliber .45 pistols;

ENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The city government has acquired a modern mammography machine as it continued the upgrading and expansion of the city hospital’s services.

Glenville Gonzales, administrator of the local government-run Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital, said Thursday they are now offering mammography service to patients from this city and the neighboring areas.

He said the city government invested around P17 million for the purchase of the Fuji�ilm Innovality Mammography Machine, which is used to detect breast cancer and re-

lated ailments.

The unit was supplied by Prolife Healthcare System Corporation, a company operated by a municipal councilor of Kumalarang in Zamboanga del Sur, he said.

Gonzales said the Fuji�ilm mammography machine is considered as among the topof-the- line and most modern, with better features and capabilities when compared to other units.

In Mindanao, he said only the city hospital and the Davao Regional Medical Center in the Davao City has such kind of equipment.

He said the machine is also being used in other countries,

especially some hospitals in California in the United States.

“This is a proof that the machine has advanced capabilities and can match up with the qualities of many modern mammography machines,” Gonzales said.

City Councilor Franklin Gacal Jr. initially proposed last year the acquisition of the mammography machine.

The council passed an initial budget for such purpose that was later augmented by City Mayor Ronnel Rivera to facilitate the purchase of a “high-end digital mammography machine.”

Rivera said that the acquisition of the mammogram

and, a caliber .22 pistol.

“The Philippine National Police (PNP) recorded a total of 29,480 loose �irearms as of this moment, but because of the implementation of Republic Act No. 10591, there are only 25,245 �irearms left,” said Senior Supt. Narciso Verdadero, assistant deputy director for operations of the Police Regional Of�ice-9 (PRO-9).

“We believe that these loose �irearms were used in different forms,” said Verdadero, who represented Chief Supt. Billy Beltran, PRO-9 director.

“We are just here to show our commitment and

machine is necessary to the further improve the services of the city hospital.

Last year, the city government opened a dialysis center as part of the expansion of the Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital.

“We’ve been making improvements to our city hospital every year. Aside from the renovation of its structures, we’re also adding different medical equipment that would cater to the needs of our constituents,” he said.

Since mammography services are expensive when availed in private hospitals, the mayor “guaranteed” that it will be much cheaper at the city hospital.(PNA)

Kidapawan jail escapee recaptured GenSan acquires modern mammography machine G CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – Lawmen re-arrested an escaped inmate of the North Cotabato District Jail in Kidapawan City following a joint military-police operation on Tuesday.

A report from this headquarters of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) ident�ied the arrested escapee as Ismael Abas who was earlier detained for frustrated parricide and illegal possession of �irearms and explosive �iled before the Regional Trial Court Branch 22 in Kabacan, North Cotabato.

Abas was one of the more than 100 detainees who �led the jail during an

attack by armed men last Jan. 4, 2017 at the North Cotabato provincial jail.

Acting on a tip, combined elements of Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion, North Cotabato police and Bureau of Jail and Management Penology pounced on the escapee at his hideout in Pagatin, Datu Piang, Maguindanao.

Maj Gen Arnel dela Vega, 6ID commader, said that the fugitive’s recapture became successful through the coordinated Law Enforcement Support Operation (LESO) with other government law enforcement agencies. (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA,P11

7 COMMUNITY SENSE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 10 ISSUE 232 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23-24, 2018

Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar leads the 17 sectoral representatives of information officers nationwide as they pledged their declaration of Commitment to Responsible Communication during the culmination program of the 3-day National Information Convention held at the SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City from February 19, 20 and 21, 2018. (PIA XI-JSGD)

Experts converge Nat’l info gab called in ASEAN Biennale

P

hilippine Ambassador to ASEAN Elizabeth Buensuceso and ASEAN Foundation Chair Elaine Tan headline the ASEANnale 2018 “Capturing the Spirit of ASEAN in the Digital Times” on 28 February to 02 March 2018 at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

ASEANnale 2018 with sub-themes, Diaspora, Disasters, and Democracy, brings together ASEAN academics, experts, �ilmmakers, multimedia artists, and scholars, who will celebrate the unique ASEAN perspec-

tives and narratives during the 1st Film and Multimedia Competition and Exhibition, the 2nd International Symposium on ASEAN Studies, and the ASEANnale Distinguished Award for Higher Education. Award Categories include: Best Narrative Film, Best Documentary Film, Best Animation Film, Best Experimental Film, Best Public Service Announcement, Best Virtual Reality Multimedia, Best Interactive Multimedia, Best Multimedia for eLearning, Best Paper, Best Academic Poster, Best Panel, Best Film,

EXPERTS,P13

PET issues gag order on VP poll protest case

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he Supreme Court (SC) sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) has issued a gag order on the camps of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo in connection with the former’s election protest.

“Considering that the revision process is about to commence, the Tribunal directs both protestant and protestee to observe the sub judice rule,” read the

two-page resolution dated February 13, 2018 singed

by Felipa B. Anama, Clerk of the Tribunal.

It will be recalled that both parties are holding their separate press conferences and discussing the issues at hand.

Marcos’ counsel Vic Rodriguez said they already received the copy of the resolution and stressed that they would comply with it.

“Yes, we have received our copy of the PET resolu-

PET,P11

‘timely and enriching’ P

residential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) has earned commendations for the successful staging of the first National Information Convention (NIC), calling it a “timely and enriching” endeavor.

“The good thing about this convention is it is enriching, enhancing and encouraging,” said Catherine Somera, information of�icer of Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-Region 1, in an interview with Philippine News Agency (PNA) after the NIC 2018 held at the SMX Convention Center

in SM Lanang, Davao City on Feb. 19-21.

Somera said the NIC, organized by PCOO through Philippine Information Agency, has enhanced their knowledge and capabilities to become effective communicators at the grassroots level.

“It is important for me

not only to be equipped with knowledge but attitude in doing our work so that we can really work in promoting government programs,” she said.

For his part, Ronaldo Cabanhaw said the NIC has enhanced his capabilities as designated public information of�icer (PIO) of the Parole Provision Administration in Region 6.

“It’s a big help for us in imparting information especially to the grassroots.

We are happy to be part of this convention,” Cabanhaw said.

Norma Tereras, a volunteer for 39 years of different non-government organizations from Tagum City, said she attended the NIC even without an invitation.

“It’s my commitment to help our governemnt though i came from private sector,” she said. “This is what we need today. This is very timely with all the fake news going around.”

Through the convention, Tereras said, she was able to appreciate more the Duterte administration which has been doing an

Duterte earlier designated former Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno as chairman of the consultative body.

Former Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr., father of incumbent Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, has been appointed as member.

Other members include: Victor De La Serna, Ranhilio Callangan Aquino, Virgilio Castillo Bautista, Rodolfo Dia Robles, Antonio Eduardo Na-

chura, Julio Cabral Teehankee, Bienvenido Reyes, Eddie Mapag Alih, Edmund Soriano Tayao, Ali Pangalian Balindong, Laurence Wacnang, Roan Libarios, Reuben Rabe Canoy, Arthur Aguilar, Susan Ubalde-Ordinario, Antonio Binas Arellano and Randolp Climaco Parcasio.

On Monday, Pimentel said that there was need to immediately appoint the six remaining members the Concom lacked.

He urged the President to consider appointing representatives from the women sector and indigenous people (IPs) in the Con-com to represent more sectors.

“Even if the six more members are appointed few days from now, they will have missed out on some of the days in which they could have shared their expertise.

This should be done as early as possible,” Pimentel added.

(PNA)

NAT’L,P11

PRRD names 20th Con-com member

M

ANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte has appointed the 20th member of the 25-member Consultative Committee that will review the country’s 1987 Constitution.

In an appointment paper dated Feb. 20, Duterte designated Ferdinand Bocobo as a new member of the body to draft a new constitution that will be submitted to the Congress.

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

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Saving our waters

he government’s crackdown on environment pollution in Boracay should serve as a stern warning for other emerging tourist spots around the country.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) discovered that Boracay’s 834 wastewater-discharging establishments don’t have discharge permits. An estimated 17.5 million liters of wastewater is generated daily in Boracay. The DENR considers establishments without permits as presumed to be illegally discharging their wastewater into the sea. Fueling Boracay environment’s degradation over the years were runaway development, the in�lux of people beyond the island’s carrying capacity, poor implementation of environmen-

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 232 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23-24, 2018

tal regulations and encroachment of structures.

The DENR is on a six-month mission to clean up Boracay Island and save the world-famous tourist spot from further environmental degradation.

What happened in Boracay is also bound to happen in other beaches if such violations are not arrested and if pollution control mechanisms not strictly followed.

The Boracay case should serve as an example to other islands and beaches like in the Island Garden City of Samal, Dahican Beach in Mati City and Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte.

Local government units should be alerted of the Boracay example so that they can set up control measures before damage escalates.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

JIMMY K. LAKING Associate Editor PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

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s early as 1909, the American-owned The Mindanao Herald, published in Zamboanga, had already bestowed on Juan Auad (Awad), a traveling merchant from Mount Lebanon, Syria, who arrived in Davao in 1893, as “the father of all the Davao planters.”

Auad, who later owned the tallest prewar building in Davao (where Development Bank of the Philippines stands) at the junction of C.M. Recto and San Pedro streets, was an itinerant expatriate looking for better pastures. Around the country he searched for prospects of good business before ultimately deciding to permanently settle in Davao.

Recognized as the first to propagate a hemp plantation in Davao region, his journey was not lost to oblivion. In its Feb. 3, 1909 issue, The Mindanao Herald stated: “[Señor Juan Auad] had looked the Philippines over and decided on planting hemp on the fine bottom lands of the Davao River.

He secured a Spanish grant of some 1,500 acres [607 hectares], twelve miles from the mouth of the river, an absolutely wild country. He figured on the character of the rich alluvial deposit and of the sub-irrigation that was to be secured from the abrupt rise of the low mountain range that sheds its water like

S

ummer is just around the corner. And parents should keep their children safe from being bitten by dogs. Those stray dogs might be rabid. Davao is one of the hotspots when it comes to rabies. In 2013, 157 people died of rabies and some of those deaths were from Davao.

Health experts say rabies cases are usually higher during summer. The reason: children spend more time playing outdoors.

“At least one-third of deaths due to human rabies are among children less than 15 years old,” reports the World Health Organization (WHO). “Almost half of rabies exposure are among school children.”

Dogs, touted to be man’s best friend, account for 98% of rabies infection in the Philippines (cats account for the remaining two percent). And despite the campaign of the Department of Health (DOH) to vaccinate all dogs, rabies remains to be public health problem.

“The Philippines is one of the top 10 countries with rabies problem,” the regional office of the United Nations health agency points out. “It is responsible for the deaths of 200 to 300 Filipinos per year.”

Rabies is caused by a virus which medical experts describe as “neurotropic” because of its attraction to nerve tissues.

Once the virus has found its way into the cell tissue of a host, it turns into a highly prolific

VOL. 10 ISSUE 232 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23-24, 2018

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Tale of two Syrians the eaves of a roof on the rich hemp lands.”

In fact, that year he owned the largest plantation in Davao district. The farm was on its 16th year and it was only then that it was producing copiously. The plants it hosted were described as “great hemp forests where stalks look more like trees than ordinary hemp.” Auad’s hemp plantation was situated 15 miles (24.15 kilometers) from the town proper and considered as the best hemp-producing piece of land anywhere in the district.

The grant was for a wild country known as Lapanday (formerly Belen), which is situated 19 kilometers from the mouth of Davao River. The fine bottom land was good for planting abaca, and he rightly observed “the character of the rich alluvial deposit and of the sub-irrigation [needed] to be secured from the abrupt rise of the low mountain range that sheds its water like the eaves of a roof on the rich hemp lands.”

The success of the Lapanday agricultural estate attracted settlers and new businesses to the place at a time when the population in Davao, during the first half decade of American regime, was only about 2,200. Sawmills sprouted, as did an ice plant, which was a luxury at the time. And just as the plantation flourished and expanded, the

FAST BACKWARD Antonio V. Figueroa need to introduce a more efficient management and to adopt new techniques in harvesting became imperatives.

Three years earlier, Dr. Najeeb Mitry Saleeby, another Syrian who migrated to the United States and became a naturalized citizen, joined the plantation as partner. He was known for his two scholarly books, Studies in Moro History, Law, and Religion and its sequel The History of Sulu. It was he who introduced new and profitable harvesting methods, like hauling the trees to one point and stripping the hemp under cover. Awad’s

and Saleeby’s partnership prospered with the acquisition of Padada Plantation in 1908 after it was severely hit by a drought.

Assisting Awad later in his ventures was brother Rafael, who joined him in the Lapanday project. The details of Rafael’s involvement, though, are not known. What is confirmed is that he married a Lebanese woman with whom he sired three boys— one is Nabih—and four girls.

Outside his booming hemp investments, Auad ventured into other engagements. A Mindanao Herald article dated March 18, 1908 reported the Lebanese businessman was also into aquamarine trade and is credited for discovering an abundant supply of pearl in the gulf of Davao.

“The pearling beds,” the story added, “have been located in the narrow straits between the town [of Mati] and Samal Island and are now known to be rich in excellent shells. Around fifteen luggers have converged in the area to work out the underwater find.”

On a fine day, a ton of pearl shells gathered from the beds was valued at P1,200 per ton in the market. Though no costly pearls were found in the area, the venture provided gainful returns to the operators. Still, the lugger operators were still optimistic that many

more pearling beds could be found in other parts of the gulf in order for Davao region to be able to compete with the flourishing pearling trade in Sulu.

A fifth of the luggers involved in the pearling business belonged to Auad, and a similar number of boats belonged to Messrs.

Holmes and Lawine, and the Ohta Development Company which at the time was operating a fleet of fishing vessels. Tech & Boon Liat of Zamboanga operated two, while the rest were owned by Chinese merchants of Jolo.

Auad’s businesses flourished during the American years. He bought numerous real estate properties, joined socio-civic organizations, and was a towering business figure to upstarts in the region. To his credit he built the city’s first three-story structure, the tallest in pre-war times. This edifice was constructed at the corner of present-day C.M. Recto Street and San Pedro Street, at the site where the iconic Philippine National Bank (PNB) and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) buildings are found.

The Auad legacy is immortalized in the names given to a creek, a village, and a bridge. A school in Mandug, the T. Awad Echevarria Elementary School, is named after a niece who married a local guy.

should also be placed under observation by a government or private veterinarian.

The pet owners are also responsible for assisting the dog bite victim and shouldering the medical expenses incurred and other incidental expenses relative to the victim’s injuries.

What if the dog owners won’t do what the law says? Those who refuse to have their dogs registered and immunized shall be fined with P2,000. Once the dog has bitten someone and the owner refuses to have his dog put under observation, a corresponding fine of P10,000 will be imposed.

Those who will not shoulder the medical expenses of the person bitten by their dogs, they will be meted a fine of P25,000.

Going out in public places without a leash means a fine of P500.

Eating dog meat is not allowed under the Animal Welfare Act. According to the Anti-Rabies Law, a person selling his dog for meat purposes shall be fined not less than P5,000 and subjected to imprisonment for one to our years.

For many years, treatment of rabies was almost as fearful as the disease itself.

Bites were cauterized with red-hot irons, or filled with gunpowder and set on fire.

French scientist Louis Pasteur was one of the first to take the quackery out of rabies treatment. In 1885, a nine-year-old boy,

badly bitten by a rabid dog, was inoculated with a vaccine Pasteur made from the powdered spinal cord tissue of rabies-infected rabbits. It was a qualified success for the boy did not develop rabies.

Despite the availability of effective and safe vaccine, rabies continues to be an endemic disease in the country. “Rabies is preventable,” said an official from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine. “Modern and effective vaccines for both human and animal use have long been available as a tool for disease intervention. Rabies vaccine is the first vaccine ever invented by man.”

Though bites are the usual form of transmission, rabies can also be contracted if open wounds or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose and mouth come into contact with saliva from a rabid animal, or if an infected person kisses a partner. In rare cases, victims contract it from inhaling the air-borne virus – in caves inhabited by rabid bats, for example – or by drinking unpasteurized milk from a rabid animal.

Among Filipinos, rabies is a highly misunderstood disease. Many, especially those in rural areas, still believe that garlic and a few drops of vinegar can cure rabies. Others believe that a quack doctor have the power to eliminate the virus from the body with the use of a stone or by sucking with the use of a carabao horn.

Coming soon: Rabies

producer. The virus is transmitted to man by the bite of rabid animals, but doctors aver that “it can also be transmitted with the saliva of a carrier host.”

The main carriers of the virus are bats.

Aside from dogs and cats, the virus is also carried by cattle, horses, swine, goats, rabbits, and monkeys. Human beings are also carriers once they are bitten by rabid animals. It is “extremely rare” in squirrels, rats, and mice. “(The rabies virus) can be transmitted when infectious material, usually saliva, comes into direct contact with a victim’s fresh skin lesions,” the Department of Health says. “Rabies may also occur, though in very rare cases, through inhalation of virus-containing spray or through organ transplants.”

The health departments want the country to be free from rabies by 2020 – or two years from now!

“It is the declared policy of the State to protect and promote the right to health of the people,” explained Section 2 of the Anti-Rabies Act of 2007. “Toward this end, a system for the control, prevention of the spread, and eventual eradication of human and animal rabies shall be provided and the need for responsible pet ownership established.”

Studies done by DOH showed that 88% of infections originate from pet dogs.

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

According to the law, all pet owners are required to do the following: have their dogs regularly vaccinated against rabies and maintain a registration card (that contain all vaccinations conducted on their dog), submit their dog for mandatory registration, and maintain control over their dogs. They should allow their dogs to roam the streets or any public place without a leash.

As responsible pet owners, they should provide their dogs with proper grooming, adequate food and clean shelter. If ever the dog has bitten someone, the owner has to report within 24 hours the incident to concerned officials for investigation. The dog

10NEWS

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 10 ISSUE 232 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23-24, 2018 markets such as Japan. In this way, we will be able to mainstream Philippine produce while we continue to build the country’s brand globally,” said DTI Trade and Investments Promotion Group Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado.

Undersecretary Terrado also urged producers to tap the DTI and its wide-range of support services with its Philippine Trade and Investment Centers (PTICs) abroad.

“DTI assists Philippine companies especially micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in getting a glimpse of emerging trends and slowly test and introduce the acceptability of their products in

the international market,” Terrado added.

Current efforts and initiatives in developing the Philippine cacao industry are mostly focused in Mindanao, which accounts for 90% of the Philippine cacao production, with 80% coming from the Davao Region alone.

DTI, through its Shared Service Facilities (SSF) program, has provided 16 cacao-processing facilities in various regions that aim to equip and accelerate MSMEs’ competitiveness by giving them access to energy efficient technologies and sophisticated equipment in their production. (DTI)

Dabaw 2018 will be P 100,000 he said that so far this is the biggest cash prize for MutyangDabaw,DiwangDabaw 2018 will receive

75,000, SinagngDabaw 2018 will receive P 60,000, Pag-asangDabaw will receive P 50,000 and PatnubayngDabaw will receive P40,000.

from the consolation prize of the activities divided by the number of entries and they were given assistance because they had already spent, like rentals for the �loat, instruments, etc.,” he said.

Escarilla added that 2018 Arawng Davao activities are still being �inalized since the postponed activities of Pasko Fiesta will be incorporated in Araw’s celebration; such activities will not have changes in budget and still up for the approval of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio “The budget for the 2018 Arawng Dabaw is bigger than last year because it includes the

budget for the last year’s postponed activities of pasko �iesta,” he said.

Escarilla said that last year, Davao City spent P12 million for 23 of�icial events including the civic parade and Mutya of Davao pageant.

Escarilla said that the activities will be as usual, there will be the Mass, opening program at the Rizal Park and the presentation of the of�icial candidates of the Mutyang Davao 2018 which will be on March 1, 2018.

“The series of activities will be from March 11-16 with 21 of�icial events,” he said.

been identi�ied and is subject to investigation since he or she was not on-site at the time of the operation.

The four suspects are set for inquest proceedings before

the Department of Justice, facing charges of theft of minerals in violation of the Philippine Mining Act. The suspects are currently held at the NBI Detention Center in Manila. (PNA)

implementation, Nograles warns that the EHCS will disrupt the �low of contribution payments and cause inordinate delays for both the SSS and its members.

“This is very frustrating for many members. Why did they even make this EHCS a requirement if they cannot handle it in the �irst place? What they should have done is still provide manual registration as an option,” Nograles said.

Nograles reminded the SSS management that to go full digitalization, it should have the full digital infrastructure that would make it possible for them to process all

online transactions without any bandwidth gridlock.

For one, Nograles said that SSS must have adequate, ef�icient and secure client and back-up servers to allow fast and seamless processing of all online data that are transmitted by their members.

“It turns out that SSS has launched it ECHS programs without the proper digital infrastructure to back it up. Lumalabas na nagpapasiklab lang ang SSS para lang masabi na high-tech sila pero sa tunay na buhay eh jurassic pa rin ang kanilang sistema, “ Nograles lamented. (House of Represetatives)

greens and other high-value crops, such as Chinese kangkong, eggplant, okra, bottle gourd, squash, pole sitaw, bell pepper, �inger pepper, tomatoes, cucumber, banana, dragon fruit, and carabao mango.

Romaine Organics is also engaged in poultry and native hog production, and the culture of inland �ish, such as tilapia and hito, and maintains a nursery for high-value crops seedlings.

The Ganirons are likewise producing mushrooms, azolla, duck weed, herbal insecticide,

and organic fertilizers through vermicomposting, fermented juices, and bio-sprays and concoctions.

Meanwhile, Romaine Organics School for Practical Agriculture is accepting students who want to learn about organic farming, with the help of the Agriculture Training Institute, Batac’s local government, Department of Agriculture, and other support organizations.

It is open to interested farmers or agriculture students 18 years old and above. The training is free. (PNA)

MUTYA... FROM 3 ARAW... FROM 3 FANS ON THE SIDELINE. Construction workers spend their break watching the volleyball championship games of the Davao Regional Athletics Association (DAVRAA) Games 2018 held at the Davao City National High School on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr

DON’T... FROM 1

to know, including the Speaker of the House, that the unity I forged with the four Governors of Region 11 has the blessing of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Even the use of the word Hugpong as the name of our regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago has the President’s approval.

I also speci�ically informed the President that I will not join PDP Laban.

The Speaker’s latest media statement that he respects the creation of Hugpong ng Pagbabago or that the unity is a non-issue, was unfortunately betrayed by his comment on political dynasties.

If the Speaker is attacking our effort to do something signi�icant and timely for Region 11, and reducing it as a product of political dynasties, I suggest he pass the Anti-Political Dynasty Law.” The mayor is the chair of the newly-formed Hugpong ng Pagbabago.

In an interview with ABSCBN, Alvarez on Wednesday said he respects Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s decision to form a regional party separate from the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP).

The ABS-CBN story continued: “Alvarez said Duterte-Carpio’s decision to form another political party is a “non-issue.”

“Hindi ko alam, pero okay naman kasi yung mga regional parties, talagang ginawa yun. So... they.... it’s a non-issue,” he said.

(I don’t know but regional

parties are �ine so it’s a non-issue.)

Even though he urged respect for Duterte-Carpio’s decision, Alvarez said the move shows how prominent political dynasties are in the Philippines.

“Kahit na mag-ama yan, kahit na minsan hindi tayo nagkakasundo, magkapatid naglalaban sa pulitika, paano natin pigilin yun? Sila mismo naglaban-laban ‘di ba? Ito namang sa kaso noong pagtatag ng partido ni Mayor Sara ay talaga namang pupuwede yun, di ba? So, igalang na lang natin talaga,” he said.

Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin on Tuesday said the eldest daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte may be eyeing the House speakership in the next Congress.

Villarin said he thinks the President’s party is imploding under the leadership of Alvarez, which prompted Duterte-Carpio to form her own political party without the House speaker.

“Ibig sabihin (It means) they’re looking for a fallback because you know, the thrust of Speaker Alvarez has been very divisive. In fact, allies of the Duterte administration are looking at other alternatives,” he said.

“Perhaps, this move of Mayor Duterte is to keep them away from the Speaker’s push for charter change and constituent assembly, which are being rejected by the people,” he added.

The Davao City mayor declined to comment on Villarin’s statements.” (With a story from ABS-CBN)

Infantry Division (ID) of the Philippine Army.

He said during this encounters they have recovered 33 firearms and 45 surrendered fire arms. He said there is an increase a total improvised explosive device (IED) , 38 IED were recovered particularly from the abandoned encampment of the terrorist New People’s Army.

He said that the abandoned enemy encampments were dis-

covered because of the series of focused military operations . They discovered 29 abandoned encampments.

“Our focus military operations are still on-going, given the fact that we have more information regarding the presence of CPP-NPA terrorist in the area. We can say that somehow we have low numbers of report regarding our encounters because majority of them left

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ComVal (Compostela Valley) or the whole Davao Region,” he said.

He said that in terms of food

they have a hard time because their supporters before no longer supports them.`

and popularize Filipino artistic creations; integrated arts in community life; celebrate significance of arts and culture in uplifting the nation’s spirit and harness the arts as catalyst for values education.

She added that experts in Mindanao traditional and con-

temporary music will train K12 and CHED, music teachers, practitioners and choir conductors of Davao City School in choral management, vocal and conducting techniques, as well as in Mindanao tradition indigenous music and Mindanao contemporary music.

the 100 percent coverage but without necessary increase on the premiums that is really our interntion,” he said. Ejercito said, aside from the taxes they will also look for another agency who could fund the programs under the law such as Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Of�ice (PCSO) and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to aid the program.

“That is why we are looking ways how to improve our revenues so that we would not increase premiums that is very important,” he said.

He said every Filipino pays P6,400 for the annual PHIC contribution and the prosposal wants all people to be free of this expenses.

The bill also intends to change the present PHIC to Philippine Health Security Corporation to make it more ef�icient in serving the health needs of the people especially those who are less for-

tunate citizens.

Ejercito said they already conducted public hearings in some places particularly in Manila, Cebu and on Tuesday in Davao City to know the situation of the health programs of every local government units.

“Likewise, what needs to be done so that we can incorporate it in the Universal Health Care Program,” he said. He said after Davao City, the committee will conduct another public hearing in Northern Luzon then in the Bicol area. After the consultations, his committee will form a technical working group who will look on the ‘disagreeing’ portions and re�ine the proposed legislation.

“By May or June, once we comback, I would render the committee report on the �loor and after passage and after deliberations, it will be ready for the second and third readings and for the president’s signature,” he said.

called Salon du Chocolat at their Shinjuku store.

“The presence of Philippine cacao beans in the mainstream Japanese market is a clear manifestation that our produce are truly world-class. With sufficient support and aggressive marketing strategies being implemented by various private and public sector partners, we hope more and more Philippine goods will join the global market,” said DTI Trade and Investments Promotion Group Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado.

According to the Philippine Department of Agriculture, the global demand for cocoa is estimated to reach between 4.7 million to 5 million metric tons by 2020. However, it is also predicted to reach a global shortage at 1 million MT in the same year.

“We see a lot of budding local manufacturers and producers of cacao in the country. We, at DTI, continue to urge them to join trade fairs and avail support services that help them in accessing not just domestic but as well as international

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 232 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23-24, 2018

EDGEDAVAO

ARTS AND CULTURE

Reflections of a

Maguindanaon FOR A TIME, many have frowned upon Maguindanao, both the name and the place. The mere mention gave a number of negative preconceived notions specially from those who have not (even) visited the place. Not that we blame them, in truth, we don’t. We can’t.

Despite such, we fought to correct the negativity and welcomed everyone to experience Maguindanao. And as with change and the inevitable rotation of time, Mag uindanao has since been painstakingly uplifting itself — not for others — but for the Maguindanaons.

Born and raised Maguindanaon, I am a proud descendant of the Sinsuat and

Ambolodto clans. Despite the seemingly known kinship to Maguindanao, I am still yet to explore the province. A shame, yes, but one that I am looking forward to correct. And the recently concluded Inaul Festival held at Buluan, Maguindanao last February 8-14, 2018 gave me more reasons to be extra excited, extra accepting and extra proud to be a Maguindanaon.

This year’s Inaul Festival marks its 2nd and the most collective to date. The weeklong celebration had activities that highlighted the province and the Maguindanaons.

And with all the 36 municipalities in full support, it paved a way for the world to learn more about Inaul, the province of Maguindanao and us, Maguindanaons.

sions is now taking the world by storm.

The beautiful patterns tells of a story. The color combination reflects of emotions. It may be just a piece of cloth for some but for us, Maguindanaons, an Inaul speaks for us. It is us.

Maguindanaons are rich — in culture, tradition, natural resources and yes, food.

Inaul is not just a fabric; Inaul is a culture, tradition and a lifestyle.

This year’s festival theme was more than simple. A Fabric of Peace: Weaving Diversity, Connecting Boundaries -- summarized the struggle and the want to untangle from the past. A battlecry that has been a man-

tra — slowly, the realization can be seen. And this is Inaul.

Inaul immortalises a timehonored weaving tradition of the Maguindanao people. Usually made into malong, the Inaul is considered a most beautiful weaved cloth reflective of one’s Bala-Bangsa or nobility, dignity and royalty. What was once a cloth for special occa-

Indeed, we are rich. Blessed with a vast agricultural land, every municipality is able to find its identity through the bountiful natural resources around. Products and specialties are reflective of a culture and tradition that is unique from others. The food alone depicts the depth and flavour that is solely of a tribe. And this is what gives one the identity.

We are one, yes, and it is through our diversity that we become one. This is what a Ma-

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EDGEDAVAO

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EVENT

VOL. 10 ISSUE 232 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23-24, 2018

My Funny Valentine at TRMH

By NEIL BRAVO

FOR A CHANGE, how about tickling your funny bone on a Valentine date?

That’s exactly what The Royal Mandaya Hotel cooked up for couples, friends and families out for a twist on love day this year.

Comedians Daniel Uy Aliermo a.k.a Vice Ganda look-alike and Tekla a.k.a. Anne Curtis ng Davao setting the mood for a ticklish date, the Valentine’s Day celebration of 2018 turned up to be light and giggly.

To swing the mood with some romantic notes, pianist par excellence Bong de Leon provided the lovely backdrop.

To top it all, a chef’s special “My Funny Valentine” buffet dinner filled everyone’s craving for a special kind of date on a special kind of day.

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guindanaon is.

The festival opened a new spectrum. It allowed not merely a peep but a further look into the affairs behind the names of each municipalities. From home decors to agricultural biproducts and of course, food, it was truly a best way to immerse and learn.

Maguindanaons exude happiness inside and out.

DOT - ARMM Regional Secretary Ayesha Mangudadatu-Dilangalen expressed, “The festival is also a way to revive traditional art and cultural performances.” And they did.

The Inaul Festival reintroduced age old traditions to the modern world. Personally, like the rest, it was an eye-opening experience.

From Socio-Ethnic activities such as Sagayan (dance), Dayunday (lullaby), Kulintang to Kambayuka, it was a moment unlike any other. It also highlighted the beauties from the

different municipalities with the Palamata nu Maguindanao.

True to that Board Member Datu King Mangudadatu, “We are MagandaNow! We are Maguindanao”.

Entrepreneurs even without formal business training.

The festival saw the many wonderful products of the prov-

ince displayed and sold at the Agro Trade Fair. It showcased the very culture of a particular municipality. Also, gave us a tour of what needs to be seen of this ARMMazing province.

Yes, entrepreneurial skills were displayed. Despite the lack of knowledge, Maguindanaons are going beyond norms and are as persuasive as ever. So, what’s the best thing to do? Through

the government’s initiative, a Negosyo Center will further help these entrepreneurs take another step forward. And yes, bring their products to the rest of the world. It truly is about time!

“Let unity, peace and prosperity continue to reign in this area as we move forward in the years to come,” Provincial Governor Datu Esmael Manguda-

datu said.

The thrive is not of an individual goal but a collective. That whatever happened, made us more than what we were. Today, Maguindanao reflects of a province that is slowly turning with time. Assemblyman Datu Khadafeh Mangudadatu confidently said, “We have so much to offer. This festival is just the beginning”.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 232 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23-24, 2018

ENTERTAINMENT

EDGEDAVAO

JB Music brings Stephen Speaks to SM City Davao A post-Valentine’s day treat to SM City Davao shoppers, every music enthusiast’s go-to shop JB Music is bringing to Davao the American pop-rock band Stephen Speaks on Monday, February 26, 6PM at the Annex Event Center.

JB Music offers select globally known brands of musical instruments, professional audio equipment, and related accessories. There are 19 JB Music stores nationwide, most of which are in SM malls. In SM City Davao,

JB Music is located at the second floor of the main mall.

Stephen Speaks, founded by singer-songwriter Rockwell Ryan Ripperger, recorded their first album in 2000. In 2001, their songs Passen-

ger Seat and Out of My League ruled the Philippine airwaves. The first album No More Doubt was released in the Philippines on February 4, 2003 through Warner Music and Rippley Records, and was declared platinum ten days later.

The band is in the country for a series of shows, including benefit concerts for the wounded soldiers of Marawi.

SM Davao shoppers get a chance to win VIP passes to a meet and greet session with Stephen Speaks. Interested shoppers only need to scan the QR code from the event promotional materials.

Ten lucky shoppers will get 2 passes each.

Spend a musical Monday at SM City Davao.

For inquiries, call 297 6998. Like SM City Davao on Facebook or follow @ SMDavao on Instagram for event and promo updates.

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 232 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23-24, 2018

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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

VOL. 10 ISSUE 232 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23-24, 2018

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 11 Repertoire, Step One Dance GenSan, Special Program for the Arts of Labangal National High School, Holy Trinity College Baile Real Dance Troupe and Cheerleading Team, Spacebar, Fashion Designers Guild of GenSan, General Santos City Elementary School for the Arts, Friends of Saint Dominic GenSan Chorale and Madayaw

Dabaw.

A carnival, �lea market and food strip initially opened last week at the city’s oval plaza as part of the festivities.

Daily cultural and entertainment shows were lined up until the culmination of the festival on Feb. 27, which is the city’s 79th foundation day.(PNA)

support to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. This turnover only showcases the success of the cooperation between the military and police,” Salazar said during the turnover of the firearms.

“On behalf of our barangay officials, I want to extend my gratitude to Lt. Gen. Galvez for ensuring the security of Zamboanga City,” she added.

Galvez said Westmincom extended its sincerest gratitude and compliments to the local officials for putting their trust in the armed forces as the Westmincom takes strides to neutralize loose firearms and disarm armed groups in the Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi (ZamBaSulTa) areas.

Galvez said the turnover of the 157 guns brought to 257 the total number of loose firearms recovered by the different units of Westmincom since January 1 until Wednesday, February 21.

Of the 257 firearms, 52 were surrendered by municipal and

barangay officials in Sulu; 30 were surrendered by former warring clans after “Rido” settlements in Marawi City; nine were recovered by the troops following a law enforcement support operation in Lanao del Sur; nine were surrendered by local officials in Maguindanao; and, 157 were turned over Wednesday in this city.

In line with the pronouncement of President Duterte, Galvez said the campaign against loose firearms was launched by the Westmincom units to implement the Security, Governance and Development Strategies of Martial Law in Mindanao.

“We urge other officials and residents to do the same in order to free communities from these vehicles of violence,” Galvez said.

“If Zamboanga City can do their share of commitment to a peaceful community, I am also sure the others in ZamBaSulTa can also do the same,” he added.

(PNA)

tion. Essentially it is just a reminder from the Tribunal for the parties to observe the sub judice rule which restricts litigants and their lawyers to make comments and/or disclosures on a pending judicial proceedings so that the case could be decided upon evidence presented before the court and the determination of such facts should be uninfluenced by bias, prejudice and sympathies. Fair and accurate reporting of what actually took place in open court are excluded from its coverage,” Rodriguez said in a text message sent to reporters.

The PET also ordered Marcos to comment on the motion filed by Robredo to “withdraw any and all pending motions which may delay recount proceedings”.

“Based on the records of this case, the Tribunal finds that there are no such pending motions from protestee. Accordingly, the Tribunal resolves to note the motion and require the protestant to submit his comment thereon and inform the tribunal if he intends to file a similar motion as that filed by protestee within 10 days from notice hereof,” PET said.

Both camps agreed to withdraw all the motions they had filed before PET to be able to proceed with the recount.

The PET is set to begin the recount next month.

The ballot recount covered the three pilot provinces of Camarines Sur, Iloilo and Negros Oriental which were chosen by Marcos as the best provinces where he could prove the irregularities he cited in his poll protest.

Robredo’s counsel, Romulo Macalintal said the recount covering the three pilot provinces of Camarines Sur, Iloilo and Negros Oriental would commence on March 19.(PNA) Marcos filed the protest on June 29 2016, claiming that the camp of Robredo cheated in the automated polls in May that year.

In his protest, Marcos contested the results in a total of 132,446 precincts in 39,221 clustered precincts covering 27 provinces and cities.

In his preliminary conference briefing, Marcos also sought for a recount in Camarines Sur, Iloilo and Negros Oriental.

“amazing” job in empowering the public communicators to engage the citizenry in nation-building.

Tereras said she congratulated PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar for the successful hosting of the NIC, requesting him to hold more similar events.

“I told Secretary Andanar not to stop here. Go and reach more,” she said, hoping the next convention will include officials of the country’s more than 42,000 barangays.

Throughout the three-day event, powehouse speakers discussed topics on government programs and policies, media

environment, raising the bar of governance, responsible communication, engaging citizenry in nation-building and communication strategy.

After the convention, Andanar and 17 representatives from different regions led the audience in reading of the Declaration of Commitment to Responsible Communication.

Andanar said the declaration of commitment will be submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte, hoping it will be transformed into manifesto of support for stronger and empowered government information officers. (PNA)

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WATCH OUT, BOY! Studies have shown that most of those bitten by dogs are children. Statistics from the health department confirms that rabies victims are mostly children: from age 15 and below. Photo by Henrylito D. Tacio

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ther involved in illegal drug activities or are afraid to identify constituents who are into drugs.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency director general Aaron Aquino said a barangay with a non-functioning BADAC worsens the drug problem and makes it difficult for authorities to conduct clearing operations.

He said most of the non-functioning barangays are in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

He said authorities can obtain a more accurate information about new drug suspects once BADAC is activated. Otherwise, he said, they would have difficulty verifying.

(MINDANEWS)

FTAs with the US is also imperative in fostering investment opportunities.

He identi�ied food production, agriculture, renewable en-

ergy, and services as sectors that can be further explored as trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.

(PNA)

not to enforce the law because the recognition is, sometimes some sectors, some groups will suffer from overregulation,” PCC Legal Of�ice Directo Gian Camacho said on the sidelines of the forum.

Camacho added that too much requirements could ruin the competition in the market.

“Sometimes the agency can decide, as part of its regulatory prerogative, to step back and let the natural market forces to work,” he said in Filipino.

Aside from forbearance, the Commission draft rules and

guidelines under the PCA enforcement framework on leniency program and inspection order.

“The leniency program will allow the Commission to grant to an entity immunity from suit or reduction of �ine which would otherwise be imposed on a participant in anti-competitive agreements in exchange for the voluntary disclosure of information,” Balisacan said.

The PCC targets to �inish the draft guidelines on leniency program by April to boost its capability in combating cartels. (PNA)

arettes bearing fake tax stamps and a separate batch of smuggled cars destroyed by the BOC were done to “send a strong message that tax evasion in our country does not

pay.”

Addressing tax cheats, Dominguez said: “You might as well stop because you will never succeed.” (DOF)

For his part, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Administrator Bernard Olalia noted that OFWs should be in possession of their passports.

“The passport is owned by the Philippine government so it cannot be confiscated by anybody.

Our OFWs should have the prerogative to keep the passport or the

government of the Philippines,” he explained.

On the other hand, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said such policies may even be adopted in other countries where there are OFWs. “It should be applicable to all for the protection of workers,” he said. (PNA)

shared facility for the startups to “to promote their ideas, to promote their products and services and, at the same time, to link up with those who have to support their projects.”

The construction of the incubation hub came five years after the ICT Davao proposed to government to set up a facility like this to mold budding developers of technology-based products, Matunog said.

“We are excited about this opportunity and we hope this facility will be a common shared facility for all of us, so that our startups will have a common place to go,” he added.

He said they envision the facility to be at par with that of their

counterparts in Southeast Asia.

Matunog said that most of the startups are faced with a number of problems in the development stage such as having projects but are difficult to promote due to lack of common facilities, which they intend to address by setting up a physical location where their projects can be located and link up with potential partners who would fund their projects.

He said they would provide coaching services to train technology-based entrepreneurs how to manage their businesses, access funds for their projects, improve product brand and design, and develop their projects for “commercialization.” (MindaNews)

Water Source–Kaliwa Dam Project of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS);

and the North-South Railway Project (NSRP)–South Line of the Department of Transportation. (PNA)

important to the anti-illegal drug campaign, in particular the monitoring and identification of suspects and the conduct of community-based rehabilitation program for mild and moderate drug users.

A DILG head before he was appointed to DDB last month, Cuy said the number of compliant barangays with functioning BADACs has increased to 70 percent from less than 50 percent at the start of the Duterte administration.

He said the BADAC conducts

awareness programs for non-users to prevent them from going into illegal drug use.

He said authorities are not only addressing the country’s drug problem through supply reduction but also demand reduction.

Demand reduction efforts include rehabilitation and reintegration programs for the drug dependents, he said.

Cuy cited that barangays have refused to activate BADACs until now because their officials are ei-

tions.

These motorcycles were part of the 16 units acquired by PRO-12 for police units in this city, Tacurong City and Cotabato City.

As part of the festival’s security plan, the local government has installed security cameras in parts of the city’s oval plaza, which is the main venue of the activities.

Bayona said the carrying of back packs and bladed weapons would be banned anew at the oval plaza.

“We advise our students to

leave their backpacks at home before going to the oval plaza as we don’t have baggage counters for them,” he said.

Meantime, performances from celebrity artists Jonalyn Viray and Marcelito Pomoy as well as local musical and cultural groups will spice up the festival’s grand opening on Thursday night.

The other featured performers are the Kuerdas band, Mindanao State University’s (MSU) Kabpapagariya Ensemble, Teatro Ambahanon, Kulintayaw Cultural

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12 AGRITRENDS

VOL. 10 ISSUE 232 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23-24, 2018

The grass that feeds Filipinos First of Five Parts

TEXT and PHOTOS By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

F

ilipino plant pathologist Dr. Benito Vergara worked at the Lagunabased International Rice Research Rice Research Institute (IRRI) from 1961 to 1995.

81.

He died in 2015 at the age of

Unknown to most Filipinos, Dr. Vergara contributed significantly on rice research, particularly on studies on deep water rice, flood-tolerant rice, and cold-resistant rice, varieties which are valuable to increased rice production.

He also focused on the physiology of rice plant flowering, and developed rapid generation methods for rice.

In 1975, he wrote a book entitled “Science Principles in Rice Farming” to explain not only the “why’s” but also the “how’s” of good rice-growing practices.

Since it was written especially for extension workers, the IRRI was initially not interested with the book. It was renowned Filipino agricultural journalist Zacarias Sarian who saw the book’s potentials and published it. But when other countries started to ask permission to translate the book into their own language, IRRI decided to publish it in 1979 with better illustrations.

In 1980, then President Ferdinand E. Marcos published a Tagalog version.

Today, Dr. Vergara’s “Farmer’s Primer on Growing Rice” is touted as the rice farmer’s bible, whatever his religion. It has been translated into 42 languages, including Chinese, French and Spanish – and still counting!

“It may be the most widely translated agricultural book in existence,” Dr. Vergara told this author.

“It never occurred to me that the book would be really that popular.”

The book’s popularity is perhaps due to the fact that rice is the most important economic activity on this planet. This is particularly true in Asia, where rice is grown on

250 million farms, most of which are smaller than one hectare.

“Rice is the one thing that truly defines Asia,” said Dr. Ronald Cantrell when he was still the IRRI Director-General. “From Pakistan to North Korea to Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, rice is the one thing shared by all. Asia has no common political systems, no common religions, no common philosophies and no shared social values – however, each and every day most Asian join in together to eat rice.”

Despite rising per capita income that had led to a more diversified diet in neighboring Asian countries, rice remains the staple food of Filipinos. Studies have shown that for every peso spent on food, 20 centavos go to rice.

“If we did not have rice, our deepest comfort food, we would probably feel less Filipino,” the late food columnist Doreen Fernandez once said.

From 1980s to 1990s, a Filipino consumed an average of 92 kilograms. The consumption went up to 111 kilograms from 2008 to 2009. From 2009 to 2010, it even increased to 119 kilograms.

Today, Filipinos consume about 31,450 metric tons of rice per day, according to Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol of the Department of Agriculture.

Philippine history is lacking if rice is not included in its annals.

“The history of rice cultivation in the country dates back at least 3,000 years,” wrote Dr. Gelia T. Castillo, an academician and national scientist. “The building of rice terraces came a bit later.”

It was in 1576 that an account of rice cultivation was recorded. By 1668, someone wrote that “rice

usually does not last longer than the time it takes to harvest, since the rest they pay in tribute or sell to get the cash to pay the tribute.”

Recently, the Grains Retailers’ Confederation of the Philippines, Inc. urged the government to approve the proposal of the National Food Authority to import 250,000

and to plan imports to make up for the shortfall.”

As a result of the rice crisis, the secretary of the Department of Agriculture was sacked. “Because of the high political cost, no politician wants to get caught with a rice shortage; increased rice price; or, worst of all, queues of urban con-

metric tons of rice to boost its buffer stock. At that time, the NFA had only a total inventory of 1.2 million 50-kilogram bags, equivalent to two days of the country’s total rice consumption.

This situation seems to be a frequent event. “The story of rice in the Philippines is indeed a history of recurring shortages,” Castillo wrote. “To illustrate this dramatically, a news item dated March 10, 1872 had the caption ‘Rice Shortage Feared.’ On about the same date, but a century later, March 11, 1972, the headline of a news item was ‘Government Certified Rice Shortage’ and a total importation of 500,000 metric tons from Thailand was contracted.”

Rice self-sufficiency, so goes a saying, is national security. Once it is achieved, it is a matter of celebration, but when it is on the contrary, it is a matter of shame and blame.

“Rice self-sufficiency has positive political value, just as a rice shortage, with delayed importation and an increase in rice prices, can bring political misfortune,” Castillo noted.

This happened in 199’s rice crisis. The principal cause was: “the failure of government to anticipate a shortfall in domestic production

sumers waiting to buy cheap rice, especially on a rainy day,” Castillo wrote.

Rice is not originally from the Philippines, although it is the staple food of Filipinos. Until now, it is being debated where rice originally comes from. D.H. Grist, in his book Rice, pointed this out: “We do not know the country of origin of rice, but the weight of evidence points out to the conclusion that the center of origin of rice is southeast Asia, particularly India and Indo-China, where the richest diversity of cultivated forms has been recorded.”

Cultivation of rice, however, dates to the earliest age of man.

“Carbonized paddy grains and husks,

“The rice self-sufficiency target is an upwardly moving target that is always out of reach. We are like Alice in Wonderland: We have to keep running just to stay in place.”

– Dr. Gelia T. Castillo in Rice is Life

estimated to date 1000 to 800 B.C. have been found in excavations at Hastinapur in Uttar Pradesh, India. Specimens of rice have been discovered in China dating from the third millennium B.C. and the Chinese term for rice appears in inscription dating from the second millennium B.C.” Perhaps not too many know that there are four major kinds of rice culture: rainfed paddy, upland rice, deep-water rice and irrigated lowland rice. Rainfed paddy, most common in South and Southeast Asia, depends on monsoonal rains to soften the fields for plowing.

Upland rice is dependent on rainfall. Because the land is not diked, there is no standing water and weeds and pests are a problem, particularly weeds since standing water discourages weeds.

Deep-water rice culture (or floating rice) is practiced primarily in the heavy monsoonal areas of east Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. Irrigated lowland planting is the method used in China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

In the Philippines, much of the country’s irrigated rice is grown on the central plain of Luzon, the country’s rice bowl. Other major rice-producing regions are located in Mindanao (23%), Central Luzon (16%), Western Visayas (13%), Southern Tagalog (10%) and Ilocos (9%).

The rest of rice

comes mainly from various coastal lowland areas and gently rolling erosional plains, such as in Mindanao and Iloilo.

Rainfed rice is found in the Cagayan Valley, in Iloilo province, and on the coastal plains of Visayas and Ilocos region. Upland rice is grown in both permanent and shifting cultivation systems scattered throughout the archipelago on rolling to steep lands.

“Rice is the staple food of Filipinos in most parts of the country, although corn also contributes 20% or more of caloric intake from cereals in parts of Visayas and Mindanao,” said “Rice Almanac: Source Book for the Most Important Economic Activity on Earth.” “For the country as a whole, rice accounts for 41% of total caloric intake and 31% of total protein intake.”

Although rice (known in the science world as “Oryza sativa”) is basically a complex carbohydrate, its protein contains all eight of the essential amino acids and complements the amino acids found in many other foods. It is low in sodium, fat, and fiber, it is easily digested.

Most of the rice available in the market is enriched, which means, besides its other assets, it is also supplemented with iron, niacin, and thiamine. But most of these added nutrients are lost if rice is washed before cooking or drained afterward. (To be continued)

VOL. 10 ISSUE 232 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23-24, 2018

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nation, and as a citizen of ASEAN. Con�irmed experts from the ASEAN region include: Prof.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Hoai Phoung (Vietnam National University of Hanoi), Dato’ Dr Rashidah Shuib (Universiti Sains Malaysia), Suthipand Chirathivat (Chulalongkorn University Thailand), and Dr. Brenda S.A. Yeoh (National University of Singapore). #ASEANnale2018 is a project of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Universi-

ty of the Philippines Open University, U.P. Diliman Asian Center, the College of Mass Communication U.P. Diliman, TVUP, University of the Philippines System in collaboration with the U.P. Open University Foundation Inc., and the Philippines Communication Society (PCS). For more info and downloadable forms, visit our of�icial website aseannale. upou.edu.ph or visit us on our Facebook page at �b.com/aseannale2018

and 4.7 rebounds in nine games this season, including 19 points in 29 minutes against Denver on Jan. 13. The 6-foot-7 forward complained of soreness and pain the day after playing the Nuggets and has not played since. ‘’We’ve got to move on, the team has to realize that this is who we are, this is who we have and this is who’s going to play.

Wishing and hoping doesn’t do anybody any good. We’ve got to do what we can to be the best team possible.’’

The Spurs are third in the Western Conference despite lengthy injuries to Leonard, Tony Parker and Rudy Gay along with minor ailments to Danny Green and Kyle Anderson. San Antonio (35-24) is only 3 1/2 games

ahead of the ninth-place Los Angeles Clippers, however.

Popovich and the Spurs have a history of being cautious with the health of their players. San Antonio opted not to play Tim Duncan in the �irst round of the 2000 playoffs against Phoenix due to a knee injury even though Duncan was cleared to play, leading to a �ive-game loss to the Suns.

ESPN 5 in the Philippines, this is wonderful timing.”

Servania, a native of Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines, won the �irst 29 bouts of his career, including a 2014 TKO victory over two-time World Boxing Association (WBA) super �lyweight champion Alexander Munoz. He earned the title shot against Valdez last April when he scored a second-round

TKO over Ralph Jhon Lulu to win the vacant WBO Asia Paci�ic belt.

“Before my world title �ight with Oscar Valdez last September, ESPN commentator Timothy Bradley asked me who my favorite boxers are. I answered ‘Manny Pacquiao… and you,’” Servania said. “I was so happy.

It was a great moment. I didn’t expect to be interviewed by a world champion, my idol. I am

very excited about the �ights ahead. This motivates me to train even harder to make the most of the great chances and guidance Top Rank will provide.

I believe that if I move forward step by step and do my best, I too will become a world champion.”

Servania’s �irst �ight under the Top Rank banner will be announced soon.

SERVANIA... FROM 15

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

Best Multimedia, and Special Jury Award.

“ASEANnale is a platform for cultural dialogue as a partner in national progress & nation-building,” explains Dr. Grace J. Alfonso, ASEANnale 2018 Organizing Committee Chair. It aims to promote cultural understanding through meaningful exchange of ideas in order to have greater appreciation of each other, and in the process, gives greater consciousness of our identity as a

SPURS... FROM 15

NEWS 13

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is in need of

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

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 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 10 ISSUE 232 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23-24, 2018

LEBRON... FROM 15

A barefoot runner from Tagum City competes in the 1,500-meter run in the ongoing Davao Regional Athletic Association meet at University of Mindanao Sports Complex in Davao City on Tuesday, February 20. Mindanews Photo

Angeles, Silver advanced the discussion about a potential change in the playoff structure, offering two options that both included teams being re-seeded regardless of conference connection. ‘’You also would like to have a format where your two best teams are ultimately going to meet in the Finals,’’ Silver said. ‘’You could have a situation where the top two teams in the league are meeting in the conference finals or somewhere else. So we’re going to continue to look at that. It’s still my hope that we’re going to figure out ways.’’

Any change would require a majority vote by league owners.

For James, who has been to seven straight Finals with Miami and Cleveland, altering the playoff format would be somewhat disrespectful. ‘’It just changes the landscape of the history of the game,’’ he said. ‘’It’s cool to mess around with the All-Star Game, we proved you can do that, but let’s not get too crazy about the playoffs. You have Eastern Conference and you have Western Conference. You have Eastern Conference champions, you have guys from the Eastern Conference that win the big dance and sometimes you have it from the West as well.’’

James loved the change in this year’s All-Star game as he and

Steph Curry were voted as captains by fans and got to choose their teams. James’ team edged Curry’s in one of the more competitive events in recent years.

But as for the Finals, James doesn’t see a need for change. He noted that there has been conference imbalance before, but time usually evens the score. ‘’There’s been dominant conferences throughout time,’’ he said. ‘’In the ‘80s you had the Lakers who dominated the league at one point, then you had Boston that dominated the league. In the ‘90s, you had Chicago that dominated the league.

San Antonio also had its run. We had our run in the East with Miami, Golden State is having their run.’’

James said he never gets caught up in the East vs. West comparisons. ‘’For what? You go out and play,’’ he said. ‘’I’ve been a part of the Eastern Conference my whole career and we’ve been very, very competitive. There’s been years where we weren’t as good. If I can think from once I got into the league, it’s been us (Cleveland), I’ve done it three times, Detroit, Boston, Miami in ‘06, that’s like seven championships out of 14 years. ‘’That’s half, right? So what are we talking about?’’

James was slightly off as the Western Conference has won eight of the past 14 titles.

ANILA -- To further improve the newly-rati�ied ‘reinforced’ Anti-Red Tape Bill, Senator Ralph Recto on Thursday endorsed the inclusion of a freeze on fees, an “anti-epal” provision, and exempting one-person proprietorships from paying �ire inspection fees in the promulgation of the bill’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

Recto was one of the lead authors of “The Ease of Doing Business and Ef�icient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018” which was rati�ied by the Senate Wednesday.

On the freeze on fees, he proposed that no price increase should be executed on fees for the shortened process.

“It can be argued that if we cut the process, then we should also cut the price, or at the very least keep the status quo. If red tape will be cut, there will be less paper work and fewer signatories, then the cost should remain as it is, if not go down,” Recto said.

“Ease of doing business should lead to easy-on-thepocket expenses,” the lawmaker said.

Recto also wanted to exempt “single proprietors,” such as knowledge-based workers, creative people, artists, non-PRC registered professionals in one-man �irms, and one-person e-commerce owners who work on their own” from

securing �ire safety clearances.

Recto noted that oneman proprietorships are usually home-based and do not have a physical office, thus there is no need for fire safety inspections.

“Kung writer ka at bedspacer ka lang, kailangan bang dumaan sa fire inspection ang kamang inuupahan mo? (If you are a writer and just a bedspacer, does the bed your renting need to undergo fire inspection?)” he said.

Lastly, Recto believes “anti-epal” provision is needed on the bill to institutionalize the design of business permits than the current “personalistic” design that features the name and the likeness of the issuing authority.

“Why can’t we design a politics-neutral, politico-blind plaka that will last long and will not be wasted if the head of the LGU, whose face and name are displayed on it, will not be re-elected?

Or better still, honor the receipt as the permit itself and do away with ‘burloloys,” Recto added.

In pushing for the inclusion of the said provisions in the bill’s IRR, Recto hopes that it would further spare businesses from spending billions of pesos and millions of man-hours yearly to comply with government licensing procedures and “cure a disease which has metastasized all over the bureaucracy.” (PNA)

Japan projects in PH will be free from delays: Duterte M M

Recto seeks add’l provisions on IRR of‘enhanced’anti-red tape bill

ANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte has assured Japanese conglomerates that their projects in the Philippines would be free from bureaucratic delays, Malacañang said Thursday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this statement after Duterte met with Philippine and Japanese conglomerates at the Malacañang in a courtesy call Wednesday.

During the courtesy call, Philippine conglomerates discussed competitiveness and macroeconomic fundamentals, infrastructure and innovation matters to Duterte.

“He (Duterte) pledged

his commitment to ensure that Japan projects will receive attention, free of bureaucratic delays whether government to government or business to business,” Roque said.

Roque said that Duterte welcomed partnerships between and among the Philippine conglomerates and Japanese conglomerates for infrastructure and trade.

“He supports a market drive economy and he wants

his government to be fair and effective,” Roque added.

Roque, meanwhile, noted that Duterte also thanked Japan for their support to his government programs and to the humanitarian assistance they have extended to Filipinos.

Duterte was joined by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea during the courtesy calls.

The Philippine conglomerates were composed of representatives from Aboitiz & Company, Inc.; A Brown Company, Inc.; Jollibee Foods Corporation; DMCI Holdings Inc.; JG Summit; First Pacific Company; International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI); Double Dragon

Properties; BDO Unibank Inc.; LT Group, Inc.; and Eton Properties Philippines, Inc. The President likewise met with Japanese conglomerates as well as representatives of the Philippine-Japan Economic Cooperation (PHILJEC) to tackle infrastructure programs.

Present during the meeting were Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda, Marubeni Corporation Chairman Teruo Asada, Mitsubishi Corporation Chairman Ken Kobayashi, Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) International Division Manager Masazumi Nishizawa, and Japan Airlines Chairman Masaru Onishi. (PNA)

to cover again his events if the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) would declare it 100 percent Filipino-owned online news out�it.

“Because it is not a legitimate agency according to SEC. So I am now invoking executive action based on

the SEC ruling,” Duterte said in a media interview following his visit to the wake of Joana Demafelis in Sara, Iloilo.

“If they say they are now legitimate, they can enter (Malacanang) again. No problem with me. But unless they are not legitimate, since

it is not Filipino-owned, that is illegal,” he added.

Duterte said Rappler might be Central Intelligence Agency-sponsored “because CIA has been known to – well, the Rappler, if you will read, it takes every chance, if there’s a chance, to undermine you.” (PNA)

Duterte on Rappler’s reporter ban: ‘I am invoking executive action’

M

ANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he was “invoking executive action” when he issued directive to ban Rappler’s reporter Pia Ranada from covering Malacanang events.

Duterte said Rappler’s reporters would be allowed

VOL. 10 ISSUE 232 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23-24, 2018

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO

SPECIAL ATHLETES. Davao City athletes for special games show the medals they won in the 2018 Davao Regional Athletics Association (DAVRAA) at University of Mindanao complex on Wednesday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr.

Panabo mermaid S gets Palaro ticket

Spurs ready to finish season without Kawhi

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

F

ormer Palarong Pambansa swim sensation Bernice Arabelle Elesterio will be making her way back to the Pa la rong Pambansa.

GOLDEN GIRL. Bernice Arabella Elesterio of Panabo City has won two gold medals in 100m freestyle and 100m breaststroke, and silvers in the 200m

breaststroke, 4x50m individual medley and 4x50m freestyle.

Photo courtesy of SHIELA MAY SAMON

The Panabo City mermaid pucnhed a ticket to the nationals after she took the gold medal in the 100 LC Meter Freestyle in the ongoing Davao Regional Athletic Association (DAVRAA) meet.

Elesterio dominated her event before a highly appreciative home crowd at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex in Tagum City where the aquatics were held on Wednesday.

Elesterio finished with 1:07.03 in her final time defeating Allura Dione Javier of Tagum City who got the silver medal in 1:09.13 and Ezra Marie Villaruz of Davao City who earned the bronze medal (1:09.78).

The 2015 Palarong Pambansa 2015 gold medalist came back later to settledz for the silver in the 200 LC Meter Breaststroke after she fell short in the final

dash to the finish clocking 2:58.44 against Davao City swimmer Erika Lois Suelan who took the gold in 2:54.47.

In 2015 Palarong Pambansa held in Tagum City Davao del Norte, Elesterio bagged two gold medals for the Davao Eagles in 50 LC Meter Breaststroke and 100 LC Meter Breaststroke. She also got two silver medals in the 200 LC Meter Medley Relay and 400 LC Meter Relay.

Elesterio also broke a record during the in the 81st Philippine Swimming League (PSL) National Series-Davao Swim Meet held in the same venue on August 2015.

She finished her final time of one minute, 21.13 seconds claiming the girls’ 13-14 100m breaststroke gold medal. She dethroned former Diliman Preparatory School standout Portia Kate Doragos’ 1:23.31 old mark.

Lebron scoffs at playoff rule change

I

NDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) -- LeBron James has only followed an Eastern route to the NBA Finals.

He doesn’t want to see that change.

While NBA Commissioner Adam Silver recently raised the possibility that a change in the playoff format re-seeding the 16 teams regardless

of conference af�iliation - could be approaching, James would prefer if things stayed status quo. ‘’I would disagree with that,’’ James said Wednesday as the remodeled Cavaliers practiced for the �irst time after the All-Star break. ‘’I think our league has been built the right way as far as

when it comes to the postseason.’’

The league has always had teams from the Eastern and Western Conferences compete separately in the postseason with the respective conference winners meeting in the Finals. At last weekend’s All-Star festivities in Los

LEBRON,P14

AN ANTONIO (AP) -- The Spurs are preparing to play without star forward Kawhi Leonard this season, San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said.

Leonard has missed all but nine games this season as he battles right quadriceps tendinopathy. ‘’We only have X number of games left this season and he’s still not ready to go,’’ Popovich said Wednesday. ‘’And if by some chance he is, it’s going to be pretty late into the season and it’s going to be a tough decision. How late do you bring somebody back? That’s why I’m just trying to be honest and logical. I’ll be surprised if he gets back this year.’’

Tendinopathy is a disease of the tendon that includes tenderness and pain, particularly during exercise.

Leonard began experiencing discomfort in his leg late in the offseason, which caused him to sit out the team’s training camp and preseason. Neither Leonard nor the team knew the severity of the injury, which forced the twotime NBA Defensive Player of the Year to miss the �irst 27 games of the season.

Leonard returned to play nine of the next 17 games, sitting out eight games as part of a scheduled ‘’return from injury management.’’

He averaged 16.2 points

SPURS,P13

Servania signs up with Top Rank

L

AS VEGAS (February 21, 2018) — Filipino fan favorite and top featherweight contender Genesis “Kashimi” Servania has agreed to a multi-year promotional agreement with Top Rank, Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum announced today.

Servania (30-1, 13 KOs) opened the collective eyes of the boxing world in his American debut last September in Tucson, Arizona, when he challenged World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight champion, Oscar Valdez. In one of the best �ights of 2017, Servania knocked down Valdez in the fourth round but ultimately

lost a unanimous decision.

In his last ring outing, on December 17 in Kanazawa, Japan, Servania knocked out Kittiwat Sirichotchayakun in the �irst round with a left hook to the body.

“This is a dream come true,” Servania said. “I am very happy because Top Rank is the number one promoter in the world. It is such an honor to join Top Rank, led by Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, who began his career with The Greatest, Muhammad Ali. I am very grateful and excited to be a part of the Top Rank/ ESPN team. Especially now, with the recent launch of

SEVERANIA,P13

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 10 ISSUE 232 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23-24, 2018

AVALANCHE

Davao Durians lead field with 88 golds

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T

he Davao City Durians continued to hold sway after four days of action in the 2018 Davao Regional Athletic Association (DAVRAA) meet held in various venues around the city.

As of 12 noon on Thursday, the Durians amassed an unassailable 88 gold medal haul along with 61 silvers and 35 bronzes in an apparent domination of practically all 21 major sporting events of the regional sporting meet.

The Durians blew away the �ield at the penultimate day of competitions of the an-

nual sports conclave that brought together some 7,000 athletes and of�icials to determine the region’s contingent to the 2018 Palarong Pambansa in Vigan, Ilocos Norte.

Tagum City Tagumpay was a distant second with 26 golds, 27 silvers and 35 bronzes. Digos City Trekkers remained in third spot with 10 golds, nine silvers and 16

DURIAN BELLE. Irena Glenne Escandor serves the ball during the girls elementary division championship game between Davao City and

DEFENSE. A Davao City player tries to block a spike from a Tagum City spiker during DAVRAA Meet 2018’s secondary girls division volleyball

championship between Davao City and Tagum City at the Davao City National High School on Thursday.

Lean Daval Jr.

bronzes followed by Davao Del Norte Pioneers with eight golds, seven silvers and 11 bronzes.

Making a signi�icant move in the standings was the Davao Oriental Sunrisers which took the �ifth spot from no. 9 overnight with six golds, 11 silvers and 16 bronzes.

The sixth spot was occupied

Davao del Norte at the Davao City National High School in Thursday. Lean Daval Jr.

by Davao Del Sur Cobras with six golds, seven silvers and 12 bronzes, followed by Davao Occidental Slashers (7th) with four golds, two silvers and six bronzes, Panabo City Banana Magnates (8th) with three golds, 21 silvers and 20 bronzes, Compostela Valley Gold (9th) with two golds, nine silvers and 18

bronzes, and Island Garden City of Samal Waves (10th) with one gold, two silvers and two bronzes.

Mati City Eagles, hit earlier by food poisoning that downed 38 members of its delegation, brought up the rear at 11th spot with one gold, one silver and four bronzes.