Edge10 issue 233, February 25-26,2018

VOL. 10 ISSUE 233 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25-26, 2018

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

TAKING THE LEAD. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio gestures as she leads the launching of Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), a regional political party, at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Friday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr

BBL CERTAIN

Only way to disarm Moro groups, says Zubiri

By JIMMY K. LAKING

S

enator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri on Saturday predicted a smooth sailing for the Bangsa Moro Basic Law once its goes on third and final reading on March 21.

“So far so good,” he said, after addressing the 1st Petron Dealers Association Mindanao Convention in Davao City.

He said the passage of the law is the only way to disarm the various Moro armed groups and to bring about peace and stability in the island of Mindanao.

He said that once the technical working group comes up with its committee report, he would immediately move for the passage of the basic law.

“Give it three weeks for

the period of debate before it is certi�ied into a law,” he said.

Upon approval, the new autonomous region will be provided for the year 2019 with a ‘block grant’ of P72 billion without need for appropriation. The current Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao gets P32billion annually.

In contrast, Region X1 gets P79 billion while Region 10 is appropriated P81billion.

Zubiri, the principal author of the bill, said the new

set-up will adopt a parliamentary form of government with 80 members of parliament who will choose their chief minister.

The third major feature of the bill is an option to go in (Op-In) mechanism that would allow Mindanao regions with Muslim communities to choose whether or not they would want to become part of the new political set-up.

Finally, it provides the region �iscal autonomy in so far as taxation and generation of revenues is concerned.

“Hence, the BBL is both an instrument of peace and the best way to convince the various Moro armed groups

BBL,P10

Sara warns Alvarez to desist from attacks

By ANGIE SAVERON

D

avao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte warned House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez that she will campaign for his defeat in Davao del Norte if he will not stop his attacks against her.

“I will personally make sure that I will personally campaign against you

in your distict,” Duterte said during the general assembly of their regional political party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Friday.

“If you don’t want this to happen

SARA,P10

Wilcon’s William Belo recognized as outstanding Thomasian engineer

INDULDGE A1

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 233 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25-26, 2018

FEELING THE PULSE. President Rodrigo Duterte and Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go chat with one of the Order of Lapu-Lapu Kampilan Medal awardees during the establishment of the Tienda Para sa mga Bayani at Camp General Adriano Hernandez in Iloilo on Thursday. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Billionaire, 3 editors cleared in 5 libel raps T

he billionaire owner and executives of Davao City-based Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, and the editors, business managers and staff members of three community newspapers were cleared by the Office of the City Prosecutor of Davao City in five libel cases filed by a couple formerly operating a number of Phoenix gasoline stations until recently.

The libel cases, denominated as NPS (National Prosecution Service) Docket No. XI-02-INV-16-D-1244; NPS Docket No. XI-02-INV16-D-1060; NPS Docket No. XI-02-INV-16-D-1032; NPS Docket No. XI-02-INV-

16-F-1573; and Docket No. XI-02-INV-16-G-1955 were �iled by businessman John S. Oropeza and Michele Concepcion T. Oropeza after three Davao City-based newspapers published a notice of Phoenix, an oil compa-

ny, about the closure of some of the six gasoline stations operated by the Oropezas for certain alleged violations of their contracts with the oil company.

The charges were �iled against Dennis A. Uy, chief operating of�icer and president of Phoenix and a host of other companies and identi�ied in several mainstream and online news publications as the youngest billionaire business tycoon coming from Mindanao, and 11 other Phoenix executives –Romeo B. Guzman, Socorro Ermac-Cabreros, J.V. Emmanuel V. de Dios, Cherylyn C. Uy,

Monico V. Jacob, Consuelo Y. Santiago, Joseph John L. Ong, Raymond T. Zorilla, Norman T. Navarro, Myra M. Principe and Aileen C. Adora. Also charged were Antonio M. Ajero, editor in chief, Olivia D. Velasco, Neilwin Joseph L. Bravo, Agapito Joaquin Jr., and Jocelyn S. Panes of Edge Davao; Stella A. Estremera, editor in chief, Tessie Alcoriza, Nelson C. Bagaforo, Ruji Peter S. Abat and Marianne S. Abalayan of Sun.Star Davao; and Marietta Flaviano-Siongco, Jose Ronald F. Siongco, Teresita F. Basilio, Manuel G. Siongco and Judy G. Quiros of

fter the attack on the lawyer of a self-confessed drug lord and the recent ambush of lawyer in Quezon City, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) has created a task force to investigate and prosecute those behind the killings of lawyers.

In a resolution issued Friday, the IBP said it will create a national task force “to investigate, document, prosecute or assist in the prosecution of cases involv-

ing the murder or violent assault against the members of the Bar and/or their families”.

The IBP said it will appoint �ive members in the task force, including a chairman.

The IBP urged its chapters “to provide the said Task Force their full cooperation, support and assistance in the investigation, documentation and prosecution of the said cases”.

The task force is required

BILLIONAIRE,P10

NDAP meet tackles wellness‘fake news’ T

By JUDIE VEGA

he Nutritionist-Dietitians Association of the Philippines has successfully led another series of scienti�ic sessions that addressed pressing issues impacting the profession on its 63rd NDAP Annual Convention set February 22-24, 2018 at the SMX Lanang Premier Convention Center, Davao City.

Eloisa Villaraza, NDAP vice president said the 63rd annual convention, set on Feb. 22 to 24 in Davao City, focused on communicating the timely relevance of disseminating factual, reliable information on the latest health and wellness practices and products in this time of misinformation and rampant ‘fake news’.

“The organization is adamant in using digital technology to �ight off false and misleading online content by spreading truthful, science-backed published information on health, wellness and nutrition,” she said of this year’s event which has the theme “Road to Excellence: Bringing Education and Nutrition Together.”

The three-day congress sought to gather all the license dietitians and update their craft, engage and bene�it registered Nutritionist-Dietitians from all over the Philippines, including the hospital sector from both private and DOH-assisted hospitals, local government

to submit a semi-annual report to the IBP board.

“The apparent continued attacks on the members of the Bar, none of which had been successfully resolved or prosecuted, create an impression of impunity, wherein State forces appear indifferent and helpless, or, worse, in one case, even involved in such violent assaults,” the IBP said.

“This impression of impunity, in turn, creates a chilling effect on members

of the Bar, who, in the discharge of the solemn duties as of�icers of the court and guardians of the Rule of Law, are placed under a serious, grave and imminent threat to their life and family,” the group lamented.

“Whereas, it is thus of paramount need for these cases to be duly investigated, documented and prosecuted, where the perpetrators are exposed, convicted and penalized in accordance with law,” it stated. (PNA)

NDAP,P10

Lebanese in killing IBP task force to probe attacks versus lawyers of Pinay in custody A

T

he Department of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday night that one of the the principal suspects in the murder of overseas Filipino worker Joanna Demafelis in Kuwait is now in the custody of authorities in Lebanon.

DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said he has informed President Rodrigo R.

Duterte about the arrest of Nader Essam Assaf, a Lebanese national, who together with his wife, Mona, a Syrian national, are tagged principal suspects in the brutal torture and murder of the 29-yearold domestic helper from Sara, Iloilo.

“The President welcomes the news that Nader Essam

LEBANESE,P10

VOL. 10 ISSUE 233 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25-26, 2018

EDGEDAVAO

3

4 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 10 ISSUE 233 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25-26, 2018

Governor Nelson Dayanghirang of Davao Oriental

Governor Claude Bautista of Davao Occidental

Governor Anthony del Rosario of Davao del Norte

Hugpong holds T its 1st assembly

Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy of Compostela Valley Province

DOJ signs deal to build building for its agencies

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

Sara is chair of regional party

By ANGIE SAVERON

T

he Hugpo ng Pagbabago (HNP) regional Party held its first general assembly at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Friday with more than 500 local government officials from different provinces of Davao Region in attendance.

The regional committee which is the supreme governing body of the party is composed of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as

Chairman, Claude P. Bautista, Governor of Davao Occidental as President, Nelson Dayanghirang Governor of Davao Oriental as Vice- President,

uilding solutions provider Holcim Philippines, Inc. will donate 2,000 tons of cement to the Davao City government to support the city’s beauti�ication programs this year.

The cement will be used to build plant boxes installed in center islands, parks and play grounds in prime areas

B

of the city such as the Davao Agusan Road to the Old Airport, R. Castillo, Agdao and Leon Garcia Streets, Quirino Avenue, Quezon Boulevard and McArthur Highway. The project is being undertaken by the City Environment and Natural Resources Of�ice for its cleanliness and landscap-

From left with Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte are Environment Officer Wizlei Ang-Ilagan, Sales Officer Lou Tabiar, Davao Plant Manager Xavier Kennedy, Corporate Social Responsibili-

ty Manager May Escalicas, and Sales Officer Jonathan Paredes of Holcim Davao during the signing ceremony in December for the company’s cement donation for landscaping projects in the city.

Holcim supports Davao beautification drive

Anthony G. Del Rosario, Governor of Davao Del Norte and Secretary General and Jayvee Tyron L. Uy Governor of Compostela Valley as Treasurer.

Davao del Sur Governor Douglas Cagas was invited but not present at the assembly.

Duterte-Carpio said that with the party having the majority of LGU of�icials as members, it will address the matter of inviting Davao del Sur later.

“We need the majority of

the region, we need the majority of the provinces, Davao City is counted as one. Our funds and resources are limited I did not invite too many members from the Davao City.

For the petition purposes we need to show that we have a majority of each provinces, that is why I gave up slots from Davao City in favor of the provinces due to limited resources,” said Duterte-Carpio.

HUGPONG,P13

he Davao City government and Department of Justice has signed a usufruct contract that would enable it to use city property for the putting up of a DOJ building for the region.

Mayor Sara Z. Duterte and Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II signed the agreement at the City of Hall of Davao for the property that will be used on the 6-story DOJ building located at Candelaria Street in Ecoland.

Under the contract signed by both parties, the DOJ 11 can use the property up to 50 years and renewable for another 50 years upon mutual agreement of the parties.

In an interview, Aguirre said he is elated with the generosity of the city to let them use the property for their building in the region.

“This is a big advantage to us because we are just given budget by the Congress but only for structure and we are the ones who must �ind a lo-

cation,” he said.

Aguirre said the new six-storey building will house all DOJ of�ices such as the Regional Prosecutor’s Of�ice, City Prosecutor’s Of�ice, Public Attorney’s Of�ice, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Immigration, Parole and Probation Administration and Bureau of Corrections.

“Kung ikaw ay may inaasikaso tungkol sa Department of Justice, isang building na lang ang pupuntahan mo, mapapagserbihan ang pangangailang mo (If you have appointments with regards to DOJ, you will only go to one building and all you need in the department will be served),” he said.

Aguirre said the new building will help decongest the Hall of Justice since the rooms that will be left by the of�ices under DOJ will be now used as courtrooms.

He said the target completion of the building will be on 2019.

HOLCIM,P10

HISTORIC MOVE. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio (center), together with (from L to R) Governor Nelson Dayanghirang of Davao Oriental, Governor Claude Bautista of Davao Occidental, Governor Anthony del Rosario of Davao del Norte and Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy of

Compostela Valley Province, leads the launching of Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), a new regional political party, at The Royal Mandaya Hotel in Friday afternoon. Lean Daval Jr

VOL. 10 ISSUE 233 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25-26, 2018

EDGEDAVAO

5

EDGEDAVAO

6 ECONOMY

MAKING SURE. President Rodrigo Duterte inspects the products of one of the TienDA booths during the establishment of the Tienda Para sa mga Bayani at Camp General Adriano Hernandez in Iloilo on Thurs-

VOL. 10 ISSUE 233 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25-26, 2018

PLDT to open new data center in Cebu T

day. Joining the President is Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol.

PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

elecommunications giant PLDT Inc. is set to open ePLDT’s 10th VITRO Data Center in Cebu in April.

Telecommunications giant PLDT Inc. is set to open ePLDT’s 10th VITRO Data Center in Cebu in April.

This is in line with the company’s initiative to upgrade and provide more secure and �lexible data centers that would serve the needs of businesses and government agencies in key areas around the country.

“Visayas and Mindanao are homes of the most vibrant industries and busi-

A

Councilor Conrado Baluran, chair of the Committee on Transportation, said it’s about time to transfer the city’s public transport terminal due to the volume of vehicles coming in and out of the city.

Baluran said he is mov-

ing for the amendment of Section 4 of the City Ordinance No. 0192 series of 1986 which states that all public buses should unload and load passengers at DCOTT. “It is timely to decongest our DCOTT by establishing

DTI, DPWH linking up for road improvement

T

he Department of Public Works and Highways has partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry for the improvement of industry projects under the Road Leveraging Linkages Evaluation Rating System (ROLLERS).

“DTI and DPWH joined forces to address the damaged and impassable roads leading to industries and trade development cities and towns in Calabarzon because we aim to have inclusive economic growth,” DTI Calabarzon Regional Director Marilou Q. Toledo said.

Under the partnership, DTI Calabarzon is tasked to manage and evaluate potential industry road projects, with speci�ic tasks to identify, evaluate its importance, necessity, imple-

mentable and on readiness.

The DTI-DPWH partnership was forged following the success of the DPWH collaborative undertaking with the Department of Tourism (DOT) on the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (TRIP) in the Calabarzon region comprising Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.

As initial step for the partnership, the two departments conducted their regional orientation on the Roads Leveraging Linkages of Industry and Trade (ROLL-IT) Program with representatives from various cities and municipalities, congressional districts, provincial planning and development of�ices, and selected private stakeholders/ associations in the region on Feb 19.

satellite terminals outside the city central District,” he said.

Baluran suggested the establishment of terminals in the areas of Barangay Dumoy for the buses coming from the south, Catalunan Pequeño for the buses from Cagayan de Oro City and Bukidnon, and Buhangin area for the north-bound buses.

“With this setup, it would not only ease our

thoroughfares but make our community more convenient especially to those who are living in the places being mentioned,” he said.

He said based on record, there are 700 Public Utility Buses (PUB) that come and go in the city during ordinary days and 1,200 PUBs on special seasons such as Christmas and Holy Week.

“With the surmounted statistics, it is undeniable

TRANSFER.P10

STILL ENOUGH. A resident buys subsidized National Food Authority (NFA) rice at an accredited dealer at Agdao Public Market on Saturday.

NFA urged the NFA Council (NFAC) and the lawmakers to convince President Duterte to reschedule the arrival of 250,000 metric tons of

PLDT,P13

Dunkin Donuts slapped P-1B tax evasion changes

Transfer of terminal A to ease Davao traffic

city councilor is pushing for the transfer of the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) outside the city proper to ease traffic along at the Ecoland area.

ness communities who greatly contribute to the country’s economic growth.

We’ve seen the traction of data center services being utilized in the operations and business continuity plans of the region’s local enterprises,” PLDT Group Chief Revenue Of�icer and ePLDT President and CEO Eric Alberto said in a statement.

“Our expansion plans will complement the growing need for data center services in the region and provide a stronger foundation to sustain the momen-

s part of the Duterte administration’s campaign to go after tax evaders, the Bureau of Internal Revenue on Friday �iled a tax evasion complaint before the Department of Justice against Golden Donuts Inc.,exclusive franchiser and license grantee of US company Dunkin Donuts, for failing to pay PHP1.118 billion in taxes.

Also charged were its of�icers Walter Spakowski, Miguel Prieto, Pedro Paraiso, and Jocelyn Santos for violation of Sections 254 and 255 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) for willful attempt to evade or defeat tax and for deliberate failure to supply correct and accurate information.

The BIR alleged that the company is liable for non-payment of PHP1.118

billion in income tax, value added tax (VAT), and expanded withholding tax -- including surcharges and interests -- for the year 2007.

Marissa Cabreros, deputy commissioner of the BIR’s Legal and Inspection Group, said under the NIRC, prescription period in �iling tax cases involving fraud is 10 years from discovery, adding that the investigation against GDI was prompted by “con�idential information” they received only in 2017.

With the record, the BIR said its of�ice has issued a Letter of Authority to examine GDI’s books and other accounting records.

BIR said the result of the investigation showed altered sales invoices while other invoices do not contain GDI’s income tax number. (PNA)

rice imports before April instead of June as the government’s stockpile of 56,100 metric tons would be depleted as early as end of March.

Lean Daval Jr

EDGEDAVAO

7 PROPERTY

VOL. 10 ISSUE 233 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25-26, 2018

Enclaves names January’s best

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO

TOP SELLERS. Esdevco President and CEO Glenn Escandor and project head Gerald Kent Garces during the January Top Sellers Banquet at the Kamayo Cafe of The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Friday.

R

ealtor Solomon Banez and realty firm Leuterio Realty dane was the Sales Arcadia Active pool, emerged as the top performing sellers by Escandor Team of Matina Lifestyle Cen- court, Development Corporation (Esdevco).

Enclaves, Esdev- ter--within the rant,

During the regular monthly Top Sellers Banquet held at the Kamayo Café in The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Friday, Banez and Leuterio Realty represented by Anthony Leuterio, REB received their recognition by no less than Esdevco president and CEO Glenn Escandor and project manager Gerald Kent Garces.

The Top Performing Realty for January are Leuterio Realty - Anthony Leuterio, REB (first), Ablas Realty - Letecia Ablas, REB (second), and Realty Options Inc. - Samuel Lao, REB (third).

The Top Performing Sellers, meantime, are led

by Solomon Bañez, REB - Bañez Realty, followed by Maria Teresa Campaner - Ablas Realty

(2nd), Juvy Deangkinay - Ablas Realty (3rd), Janine Princess Romero - Romero Realty (4th), Lalaine Corro, REB - Corro Realty (5th), Jiphanny Magada

- Leuterio Realty (6th), Reyboy Gudmalin, REB (7th), Rechelle Tabalan - Leuterio Realty (8th), and Manfred Lawas - Leuterio Realty (9th).

Also in atten-

co’s maiden venture into real estate development.

Meantime, Matina Enclaves announced that it will be launching its new development soon--the

first quarter of the year.

The state-ofthe-art Arcadia features a wide complement of fitness equipment and facilities. It also has a lapping

TOP PERFORMERS. Sellers and Realtors reprsenting various realty firms under the Matina Enclaves sales force.

basketball restaufunction rooms, and coffee shop.

The three-level active lifestyle center is expected to change the health and wellness landscape in Davao.

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 233 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25-26, 2018

EDITORIAL

T

Change looms in the sports landscape

he end of the 13-year reign of former Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose ‘Peping’ Cojuangco has come.

Cojuangco lost the presidency in a court-ordered re-elections of the POC on Friday. He has accepted the result of the elections that saw Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (Abap) president Ricky Vargas take over the top post of the national Olympic body. Amidst the animosity surrounding the controversial POC elections, Cojuangco said he respects the decision of majority of the general assembly to have Vargas as the new president of the POC in an election although he expressed his concern over the action by the court to order the elections of the independent sports body. Cojuangco lost in the POC reelection on Friday, 24-15, ending his 13-year reign as president.

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

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

With Cojuangco out of the Olympic body whose leadership was littered with reports of corruption, the Philippine sports community is optimistic of the changes in the country’s sports directions. However, it is too early to celebrate.

Before any reforms will happen in Philippine sports, there must be an audit of all sports associations which received �inancial assistance from government.

While the head may have been nipped, there are still many existing sports associations whose leadership under the Cojuangco wing bene�ited from �inancial aid facilitated by the latter. There is a need, therefore, to purge the ranks �irst before any major changes can happen.

At least for now, Philippine sports can get a fresh start.

Then it can move on one step at a time from the bleak past of the former regime.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

JIMMY K. LAKING Associate Editor PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

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

the national association of newspapers

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

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

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 233 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25-26, 2018

VANTAGE POINTS

9

In the name of Democracy (As of this writing, scores of suffering OFWs in Kuwait are now being repatriated. Thank you, Mr. President.)

In her name, they will attempt to topple down the duly-constituted authority.

Egged on by the lonely cries of left-leaning, anti-Duterte blocs, the yellow opposition that belongs to the status quo is putting up an organized march of its own on February 25 to mark the 32nd commemoration of EDSA People Power One. The Church should not be far behind. Filipinos will always remember the participation of priests and nuns in the eventual ouster of the Marcos conjugal dictatorship in 1986 which, in the language of the street parliamentarian, is the voice of the people.

I seriously doubt though if the anti-Duterte protesters will be able to muster what they call huge numbers that they have been predicting to become the tipping point.

Compared to Duterte support-

T

here is a potential new “tool” against vitamin A de�iciency (VAD), a form of hidden hunger.

No, it is not in the form of a pill but still a food – through the staple food of Filipinos. Yes, you’re right, rice. But it’s not just another kind of rice; it is called golden rice.

Dr. Violeta Villegas, a scientist from the Laguna-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) said hidden hunger is a pervasive and persistent problem affecting more than two billion people globally.

“As a breeder myself, it gives me pride and joy to be part of a humanitarian project that seeks to address a major public-health problem,” said Dr. Villegas, IRRI’s golden rice project coordinator.

The Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) estimates some 190 million children and another 19 million pregnant women who are directly affected by VAD globally. VAD is more common in poorer countries but rarely seen in more developed countries.

According to the United Nations health agency, lack of vitamin A causes severe visual impairment and blindness among children. It also signi�icantly increases the risk of severe illness, and even death, from such common childhood infections as di-

ers who are comprised of millions of OFWs and their families, including the then silent minority who are now convinced of the genuine sincerity of the incumbent administration to uplift their lives, the antis grievously need to mobilize, transport (and pay) mostly the poor urban residents who may or may not share their grievances and goals to join them.

This could be, by far, another semblance of the Machiavellian proletarian march as the antis and the yellows make another push to create a third edition of EDSA People Power.

The mainstream media, in cahoots and collusion with the yellow cult, have been swallowing this rationale hook, line and sinker.

And they are propagating it.

Listen to the charade anchormen and women of giant networks when they are on the air.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes is the leading attack dog. He has been touring the Fil-Am communities in the US to peddle his lies. Unfortunately, our kababayans out there are not taking the bait. His importuning fell on deaf

Why is this so?

Because they still have doubts whether they will be able to gather the right crowd size, huge enough to rush to Mendiola and create a mob that will develop, from a bon�ire to a con�lagration.

For one thing, the INC legions won’t join them.

The Catholic faithful will be but a handful. The Protestants, Methodists, Baptists and other born-again Christian �locks will surely not come.

Thus, the division will be sort of like this.

The militant students from UP and other schools run by religious orders and some of the misguided youths will march in dwindling numbers with the Yellows whose political stock have already gotten astray.

Currently, many of the LPs have jumped over into the PDP Laban camp. So, who will provide them manpower support from the ground?

Conversely, hundreds of thou-

sands of Duterte die-hard supporters in Metro Manila with hordes of netizen members, OFWs and their families and LGU support from all over will dwarf the February 25th Yellow march.

Those who now believe the wide difference between the Noynoy and the Duterte governments will attend and participate in the pro-government rally.

The connivance and collaboration between the Left and the Yellow are alienating them from the grassroots who were painfully abandoned to fend for themselves in the six years of hardship and dif�iculty under the inef�icient Noynoy Aquino regime.

Pray tell us, shouldn’t we proceed to the RevGov many are talking about?

In the name of good governance.

In the name of Democracy.

(Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) John 15;13. ‘No greater love has any man than to lay down his life for his friends.” GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

occasionally. If this conventional method is used, it may take more than our lifetime because beta carotene are not found in any existing rice varieties.

Using genetic modi�ication techniques, scientists painstakingly developed golden rice using genes from corn and a common soil microorganism that together produce beta carotene in the rice grain.

Credited for discovering the golden rice were Ingo Potrykus, who was 65 at that time and was about to retire as a professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, and Peter Beyer of the University of Freiburg. “My team targeted vitamin A de�iciency because this is one of the largest health problems worldwide,” Prof. Potrykus was quoted as saying.

In 2005, scientists develop the current version of golden rice. In the Philippines, the �irst generation golden rice was �irst tested in advanced �ield trials in IRRI in 2008. The second generation of selected varieties was �ield tested in the wet season of 2010. At the state-owned PhilRice, con�ined �ield trials of advanced lines were conducted in February to June 2011.

“The �ield trials are an important step in evaluating the performance of golden rice and to determine if it

can be planted, grown, and harvested just like other popular rice varieties,” PhilRice said in a statement. “These trials are also part of the safety assessment of golden rice.”

Good news is that Filipinos may soon be eating golden rice. That is, if the biosafety permit being applied for will be approved by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), a line agency of the Department of Agriculture incharge with the biotechnology issues and concerns in the country.

In a press statement, the Cornell University’s Alliance for Science said that both IRRI and PhilRice “have applied for a biosafety permit that would �inally allow Vitamin A-bioforti�ied rice to be used for food, feed, and processing in the Philippines.”

Both rice institutes, however, never claim that golden rice “will totally solve VAD.” In most of their issued statements, both have always emphasized that golden will serve as a complement, not a replacement, to current strategies to ease VAD, referring to supplementation, forti�ication, and eating diverse diets.

“When and where these (strategies) are not available, golden rice is an option, with the decision to plant or consume golden rice still left to each individual,” said a press statement.

ty.

SPECKS OF LIFE Fred C. Lumba ears as just a few souls attended his press conference.

He is now a persona non-grata in Davao City.

Those who have been shouting their voices hoarse and claim that Duterte is a dictator are shrewd enough to wage a collective battle.

The Yellows, unsuspectingly, are, however, taking the wrong turn as they are being led, instead of leading, by the Left who belong to the minori-

Against hidden hunger

arrheal disease and measles.

For pregnant women in high-risk areas, VAD occurs especially during the last trimester when demand by both the unborn child and the mother is highest. Nutrition experts say lactating mothers also need vitamin A because their milk is their babies’ primary source of nutrition.

Vitamin A is found naturally in many foods, including liver of chicken, beef, pork, and �ish. Most of them, however, can be found in root crops (carrot and sweet potato) vegetables (broccoli and tomato), and milk products (cheese and butter), and fruits (papaya, mango, melon).

While it is true that vitamin A capsules are cheap and available anytime, our current supplementation program still miss out about 10-20% of those that are supposed to get them.

How can the sizable portion of our population not reached by interventions to be reached out? Studies have shown that most Filipinos eat rice three times a day. In fact there are some who eat rice more than thrice. So, the best way to make vitamin A available at all times is to fortify the rice.

This is where golden rice comes in. “Golden rice has a very great potential to help address the problem

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

of vitamin A de�iciency since we Filipinos are rice lovers,” said Dr. Roel Suralta, the golden rice project leader of Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice). “We eat rice three times a day, and even more.”

Golden rice is a good example of how agriculture and nutrition can work together to �ight VAD. But can this be made possible? Through modern biotechnology, the ordinary rice is plant is enhanced so it will contain beta carotene, the precursor of vitamin A, in its grains.

It is a common knowledge that rice is a highly self-pollinated crop. However, there are instances that outcrossing among them occur

10NEWS

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 10 ISSUE 233 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25-26, 2018 by way of practice, there will be an election in May 2018, so the Palao should be conducted ealier,” he said.

Escobarte said he would just issue a memorandum to formalize Davao City’s hosting of next years’s DAVRAA.

Palarong Pambansa 2015 held Davao del Norte but he was not able to qualify on the 2016 national games in Legazpi Albay.

In last year's Palarong Pambansa in Antique, Diocares settled for silver medal after he fell from

the four-time Batang Pinoy gold medalist Criz Russu Laurente of General Santos City.

The boxers will be trained in Panabo City along with other bets of the DAVRAA for the preparation on April 16 to 20.

Assaf is now in the hands of authorities in Lebanon,” Cayetano said in a statement. “Assaf’s arrest is a critical �irst step in our quest

for justice for Joanna and we are thankful to our friends in Kuwait and Lebanon for their assistance.”

(PNA)

ing initiatives.

Holcim representatives led

by Davao Plant Manager Xavier Kennedy and Mayor Inday Sara Duterte held a signing ceremony last December 2017, where the former expressed the company’s continued commitment to supporting the city’s development.

“I hope that through this partnership, we can contribute

further to the improvement of Davao. From all of us at Holcim Philippines, I assure the local government that we will continue to support the city in building better with certainty,” said Kennedy.

Mayor Duterte thanked Holcim for contributing to the city’s development and promised support for the company’s future endeavors.

that public buses have become one of the prevailing reasons for traf�ic congestion,” Baluran said.

He said the concentration of vehicle in�lux presses pressure on the terminal site to

provide counter-measures to accommodate the increase of not only the commuters but also with the number of buses serving them. (Armando Fenequito Jr/PNA)

FORMER... FROM 15

LEBANESE... FROM 2 HOLCIM... FROM 2

TOUGH ROW TO HOE. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque says the government has to underscore that corruption is a problem that cannot be solved overnight and it is taking the results of Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 2017, which shows

BBL... FROM 1

not to take up arms,” he said.

Under the proposed BBL, those pinpointed to join the new region are the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan,

Sulu and Tawitawi.

He said efforts are underway to convince the various Moro armed groups to abide by the new region once approved.

that I will leave my candidacy in Davao City, I don’t care if I will lose but I just want to make sure that you will be defeated,” the presidential daughter added.

She said that Alvarez created his own problem in Davao Del Norte by his threat to run with a full slate in Davao Del Norte.

“I am not part of the problem in Davao del Norte, Congressman Alvarez did it on his own so he must not complain about it to the President, running here and there, he should not attack me because I did nothing that will contribute to his problem in Davao Del Norte,” she said.

She said that the best thing Speaker Alvarez can do is not mention her name, not to speak about her, not think to think about her, and not even a whisper her name in his lips otherwise she will personally campaign against him in his district.

She said that they cannot just exclude Davao Del Norte in HNP because if they will establish a

regional party they will need the majority of the provinces and we need a majority of municipalities and cities in the provinces because Commission on Elections (COMELEC) will conduct an investigation on who are the members of the party for them to say that HNP has the majority In the region and they will consider their petition.

When the lady mayor was asked about whether there will be reconciliation between her and Alvarez she said that they are not even friends to begin with. “ Dili man gani mi amigo ni Congressman Tonyboy(Rep. Antonmnio R. Floirendo Jr.) kami pa kaha ni Speaker Alvarez? Na karon nra ko naka ila ana niya, so unsa man ang reconcile nato na in the �irst place dili man ta amigo, wala man tay balikan” she said.

The lady mayor said that Alvarez should be friend her �irst before a reconciliation so that they have a friendship to return to.

Mindanao Daily Mirror.

The libel cases stemmed from the publication of a Phoenix notice about the companies action on the violations.

The OCP’s ruling clearing all 27 people recommended by Prosecutor III Samuel T. Atencia and approved and signed by City Prosecutor Nestor M. Ledesma on February 14, 2018 came in the form of a denial of complainant Oropezas’ motion for reconsideration of a previous OCP resolution dropping the libel charges against the respondents.

In recommending a ruling in favor of respondents, prosecutor

Atencia set aside the argument of the complainants that their alleged violations of the dealership agreement and the resultant penalties bear no public interest.

“De�initely , Phoenix not only has the moral and social duty but also the legal duty to inform the public that their fuels conform to industry standards and not harmful to the buying public and to the environment as well,” the prosecutor stated.

Atencia argued that the Oropezas are now considered “public personages.”

He said that in Guingguing vs CA, the Supreme Court de�ined a

SARA... FROM 1

BILLIONAIRE... FROM 2

the country’s 111th ranking, seriously. Roque also said fighting corruption needs everyone’s cooperation as the government cannot do it alone. Lean Daval Jr public �igure as “a person who, by his accomplishments, fame, or mode of living, or by adopting a profession or calling which gives the public a legitimate interest in his doings, his affairs and his character, has become a ‘public personage’. He is, in other words, celebrity. Obviously to be included in this category are those who have achieved some degree of reputation by appearing before the public, as in the case of an actor, a professional baseball player, a pugilist, or any other entertainer.

The list is, however, broader than this. It includes public of�icers, famous inventors and explorers, war heroes and even ordinary

soldiers, an infant prodigy, and no less a personage than the Grand Exalted Ruler of a lodge. It includes, in short, anyone who has arrived at a position where public attention is focused upon him as a person.”

Prosecutor Atencia said that “the gasoline stations subject of this complaint serves the public.

It deals in a commodity which moves the industry. Without fuel, trade and industry would come to a standstill, �iguratively. Not to mention convenience on the part of the public to move from one place to another, Fossil fuel is one of the catalysts that transported man to the new age.” AMA

hospitals, the food and food service industry, academia from various universities and colleges with nutrition courses, hotel and restaurant business, various government of�ices involved in nutrition researches, food regulation and drug companies.

At least 1,500 registered nutritionist-dietitians from all parts of the country as well as Asian delegates attended the 63rd NDAP Annual Convention held at the SMX Convention Center at SM Lanang in Davao City slated February 21 and 24.

“The convention will be an avenue for all the registered dietitian nutritionists to carve a space in the global economy, following also their �ive pillars dubbed as: RAISE - research, awareness, integration, service, and education,” Velasco said.

Apart from plenary sessions

on hot issues in nutrition and dietetics, this year’s gathering will also serve as a platform for camaraderie as attendees get to interact with the guest speakers, as well as connect with key personalities and top enterprises that can help them leverage their profession.

Velasco said that NDAP has also been reaching out to several government and non-government organizations, such as the Supreme Court and the Philippine National Police, in conducting nutrition, health and wellness programs.

“These efforts and more demonstrate the core mission and advocacies of the NDAP up to present. The essence of relevance is that it focuses on results – the NDAP is known for what it does to serve the profession to the fullest,” Velasco said.

preparation to host the event.

“Now that the Davao City Mayor proposed to host again, it makes our job of looking for a host easy,” he said.

He said the successive hostings of a certain local government is not new to this since the Davao Del Norte hosted DAVRAA in 2013 and 2014 before their hosting of Palarong Pambansa in 2015.

Escobarte would also suggest to the city government to conduct the regional meet as early as January so that working committee will have enough time to prepare for the Palarong Pambansa since this needs to be held earlier because of the mid-term election.

“The Palarong Pambansa is usually done in the last week of April or �irst week May but since,

NDAP... FROM 2

ONE... FROM 15

TRANSFER... FROM 6

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF DAVAO CITY

CAPITAL and LEVERAGE LENDING COMPANY, INC., (Formerly Capital & Leverage Finance Corp.,) represented by WILFREDO C. ACTUB, JR., Mortgagee, - versus -

EJF-REM CASE NO. 16,674-18

SPS. WELLY J. ENICUELA & MARYNEL D. ENICUELA, Mortgagor/s.

X-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE

Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135, as amended filed by the above-mentioned mortgagee against SPS. WELLY J. ENICUELA & MARYNEL D. ENICUELA, with postal address at BLK. 36, LOT 31, EMILY HOMES CABANTIAN, DAVAO CITY, to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of February 2, 2018, have an updated balance of ONE MILLION NINE HUNDRED NINETY EIGHT THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED SIXTY FIVE PESOS (Php=1,998,565.00), Philippine Currency, including accumulated interest and penalties, filing fees, Attorney’s fees and other legal fees; the undersigned Sheriff IV of Regional Trial Court, Davao City; will sell at public auction on MARCH 22, 2018 at 10:00 A.M., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City, to the highest bidder for CASH and/or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property mentioned and described below together with all the improvements found thereon, to wit;

TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. T-354275

“A parcel of land xxx (Lot 31, Blk. 36, xxx, Pcs-11-0021190,) xxx, situated at Cabantian, Davao City, Island of Mindanao. xxx Containing an area of ONE HUNDRED TEN (110) SQUARE METERS, more or less.”

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the abovestated time and date.

In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on APRIL 19, 2018 without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the above- described real property and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines, February 21, 2017.

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO PROV’L SHERIFF:

Noted by:

(Sgd.) NICOLAS L. SUMAPIG Sheriff IV

(Sgd.) ATTY. FRANCISCO M. CAMPANER Clerk of Court V OIC - Clerk of Court & Ex-Of�icio Provincial Sheriff

(Edge Feb. 26, Mar. 5 and 12, 2018)

INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 233 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25-26, 2018

EVENT

WILCON DEPOT FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN EMERITUS WILLIAM BELO was acknowledged as one of the Hall of Fame honorees in the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Engineering Alumni Awards last February 17, 2018 held at the UST BGPOP Bldg. Alumni Center Grand Ballroom.

William Belo was awarded with UST Engineering Hall of Fame for Entrepreneurship for embodying the ideals of UST and showing the world what it means to be a Thomasian Engineer during the Grand Alumni Homecoming 2018.

William Belo, a Sapphire Jubilarian, Class of 1973, acquired a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering from UST. Right after he graduated, he decided to venture into business and put up a 60-square meter hardware shop in Quezon Avenue that now turned out to be the country’s leading home improvement and construction supply retailer. Today, Wilcon Depot has built up a network of

EDGEDAVAO

Wilcon’s William Belo recognized as an outstanding Thomasian engineer 41 stores nationwide. Recently, William Belo has also earned the Philippine Retailers Association and Department of Trade and Industry President’s Award for 2017 as ‘Patriarch of Home Building Retail’ for his invaluable contribution to the growth of the home building retail sector.

The alumni awardees are individuals who exemplify the Thomasian values of competence and excellence in their respective fields of expertise in pioneering human endeavors, compassion for others, and commitment to their profession. These Thomasians stand out as they take the challenge to live up to the legacy of the university.

Right after he graduated, he decided to venture into business and put up a 60-square meter hardware shop in Quezon Avenue that now turned out to be the country’s leading home improvement and construction supply retailer. Today, Wilcon Depot has built up a network of 41 stores nationwide.

TOP PHOTO: Wilcon Depot Founder and Chairman Emeritus William T. Belo receives the award as the UST Engineering Hall of Fame for Entrepreneurship with (L-R) UST Professor Rhoderick Asis, UST Office of Alumni Relations Auditor Engr.

Jenerato Alfante, Wilcon President and CEO Lorraine Belo-Cincochan, Wilcon EVPChief Financial Officer Mark Andrew Belo, UST Rev. Fr. Roberto Luanzon, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Prof. Philipina A. Marcelo, PhD and Wilcon EVP-Chief Product Officer Careen Belo during the Grand Alumni Homecoming 2018 last February 17 held at the UST BGPOP Bldg.

Alumni Center Grand Ballroom.

A2INdulge!

ENTERTAINMENT

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 233 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25-26, 2018

GMA Network launches four new digital shows

THIS FEBRUARY, GMA Network goes all out online as it launches not one, not two, not even three, but four new exciting digital programs—The Boobay and Tekla Show, All Access, Thousanaire, and Taste MNL—which will be available for streaming exclusively on GMANetwork.com and GMA Network’s Youtube channel (www. youtube.com/gmanetwork).

Kapuso comedians Boobay and Tekla showcase their quick wits and comical flairs in The Boobay and Tekla Show, an online comedy program which features riotous discussions and interviews with fascinating personalities about a variety of topics in pop culture—may it be movies, cyber culture, showbiz, current events, and many more.

Netizens are bound to get a kick out of the two hosts’ fearlessness, unpredictability, and hilarious banters punctuated with rib-tickling games and

challenges.

Catch The Boobay and Tekla show with new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday beginning February 27 at 5PM. Meanwhile, sought-after TV/radio host and vlogger Joyce Pring will take viewers with her to raid sets of various GMA programs in All Access.

Viewers will get an up close and exclusive look at what exactly goes on behindthe-scenes of featured shows.

They will also certainly be entertained as the stars of that program undergo different challenges, debates, and tutorials with a showbiz spin.

Join Joyce in All Access every Wednesday begin-

ning February 28 at 5PM. Millennials are in for a superb treat as Kapuso artist Reese Tuazon reveals how to get the most out of their 1,000php in each episode of Thousanaire.

From showcasing various challenges like coming up with a stylish summ e r outfit, to DIY home decors, and picking romantic restaurants perfect for dates— Reese will get it done all within a Thous a n d Pesos.

Viewers can also expect

special guests to join Reese in her Thousanaire quest. At the end of each episode, a breakdown of the expenses will be shown to prove how well Reese

scored the most bang for their t housand bucks!

Discover how you can make the most out of that thousand peso bill with Reese every Friday beginning March 2 at 5PM. In her first solo-led show, StarStruck alumna and Bubble Gang cast member Arra San Agustin is all set to take netizens on a gastronomic adventure in Taste MNL, the first spin-off from Taste Buddies on GMA NewsTV. Through

Taste MNL, Taste Babe Arra will bring viewers to the most popular and buzzedabout restaurants around the Metro. Arra will eat her way through each menu’s must-tries and best-sellers to let people in on what they should order. In each Taste MNL episode, Arra will ask fellow customers to give 3 reasons why they would recommend the episode’s featured restaurant.

Explore and delight in the Metro’s delectable food scene with Arra in Taste MNL every Saturday beginning March 3 at 5PM. Don’t miss the exciting episodes of The Boobay and Tekla Show, All Access, Thousanaire, and Taste MNL beginning this February on GMANetwork.com and GMA Network’s Youtube channel (www.youtube.com/gmanetwork).

Promo leads to the ‘live’ airing of the 90th Annual Academy Awards SKY AND HBO ASIA offers a lucky subscriber an opportunity of a lifetime with a trip to Hollywood to watch the glamourous Oscars® red carpet live and attend the Oscars® viewing party at the 91st Annual Academy Awards® in 2019.

All the subscriber needs to do is watch any Oscar® movie on HBO and HBO HITS through SKY from now until March 11.

From now till March 11, HBO and HBO HITS will be airing several movies rec-

ognized by the Academy® for their filmmaking excellence. On Monday, March 5, viewers can catch the Oscars® Red Carpet ‘Live’ and the 90th Academy Awards® ‘Live’, starting at 7:30AM, Philippine time.

Also included in the prize package are round-trip airfares to Los Angeles, 5D4N hotel accommodation, VIP tour of an iconic Hollywood studio, private horse riding tour through the Hollywood hills, private tour of the iconic Hollywood landmarks and a three-course dinner at a celebrity restaurant.

This March, the winner

from last year’s contest, will fly to Los Angeles to begin the HBO Ultimate Oscars® Experience that involves being able to spot Hollywood celebrities on the Oscars® Red Carpet. Next year, it could be any lucky SKY subscriber with any SKYcable, One SKY, or SKYdirect plan.

To participate, viewers must be above 21 years of age and have HBO or HBO HITS on their basic cable TV or direct-to-home plan.

They would need to tune-in to any Oscar® movies showing on those channels, look out for the HBO Ultimate Oscars® Experience Contest icon and log-on to www. mysky.com.ph/oscars to answer two contest questions as creatively as possible. The contest runs from now until March 11.

More information on the contest can be found at www.mysky.com.ph/oscars.

HBO is also available on SKY Direct, the directto-home pay TV service of SKY. It aims to give Filipinos access to quality information and entertainment via its rich cable channel line-up.

SKY continues to offer viewers with diverse options to enjoy TV entertainment with its value and premium service offerings. Only SKYcable provides quality home entertainment with the widest range of standard and

high definition channels and other top-of-the-line services such as flexible subscription options via SELECT, iRECORD that records, pauses, and rewinds live TV, as well as real-time coverage of live concerts and sporting events via FREE VIEW and PAY-PER-

VIEW. To subscribe and to know more about SKYcable, log on to www.mysky.com.ph or text APPLY <space> your name to 23662, or call the 24-hour customer service hotlines at 381-0000 for Metro Manila, CAMANAVA, and Rizal; 484-4701 for

Cavite; 534-2814 for Calamba and Binan, Laguna; 5208560 for San Pedro, Laguna and Carmona, Cavite; 6935877 for Bulacan; 421-1818 for Cebu; 305-5456 for Davao; 442-4841 for Baguio; 432-0051 for Bacolod; 300-1210 for Iloilo;533-6244 for GenSan.

Welcome summer with scorching hot deals at the SM Kids Sale happening from March 1 to April 1! Freebies and discounts of up to 50% off are up for grabs. Shop with your kids at The SM Store near you now!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 233 â&#x20AC;¢ SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25-26, 2018

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 233 â&#x20AC;¢ SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25-26, 2018

KORONADAL PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS

CINEMA GUIDE

EDGEDAVAO

11 MOTORING

VOL. 10 ISSUE 233 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25-26, 2018

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines to hold a 3-day XPANDER Xpo beginning March 2 M

itsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) is pleased to invite everyone to a public expo and test drive event as it officially launches the much anticipated all-new Mitsubishi XPANDER. Dubbed as the XPANDER XPO, this exclusive Mitsubishi motor show and test drive event will open on March 2 (Friday) until March 4 (Sunday), from 10AM to 9PM. This event will be held at the World Trade Center, Pasay City and admission is free!

A showcase of the allnew Mitsubishi XPANDER line-up and an array of Mitsubishi’s current best-selling models will be on display during this 3-day expo. Expo visitors will also be able to view the world’s �irst plug-in hybrid SUV the Outlander PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle). Aside from the various vehicles on display, there are a lot more interesting activities for the whole family. Most importantly, there will be a test drive activity to give customers the opportunity to personally experience the XPANDER and other Mitsubishi best-selling models.

The XPANDER XPO is one great event that you shouldn’t miss, most especially if you are on the lookout for a brand new vehicle, be it for you or your family. MMPC will be giving everyone the opportunity to experience �irst-hand and test drive the all-new XPANDER to prove to yourself why the XPANDER is the perfect choice for you. A special test drive course is laid-out to showcase the performance and best in class features of the XPANDER. To convince you much further, a Head to Head test drive where customers can try other competitive brands to fully compare the XPANDER will also be available. This will let you see for yourself why this all-new model has gained so much popularity in the Indonesian market and why the XPANDER should

de�initely be your choice.

Other available models for test drive are the Montero Sport, Strada, Pajero and Mirage. Test drive of vehicles is from 10AM to 6PM only.

Aside from a feast of great vehicles on display and test drive activities, MMPC will make sure that your visit to the XPANDER XPO will be exceptionally worthwhile and enjoyable with the array of other fun activities lined up for the whole family. Even kids will enjoy this event as it will host a kids play area with special attractions and activities, including a free drift box experience. And as an added attraction to kids, MMPC invited some friends from NickelodeonSpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick - to say hello and play with the kids on Saturday, March 3 and Sunday, March 4. Live performances from the country’s most popular bands Parokya ni Edgar on March 2 and Sponge Cola on March 4 will also entertain expo goers. To make this event even more memorable, Montero Sport brand ambassador, Megan Young, will be dropping by to host some fun games for the whole family. A lot more exciting activities and exclusive offers are instore for all the visitors of this 3-day event. Be sure to mark your calendar and don’t miss-out the XPANDER Xpo for a truly worthwhile motor show and test drive experience! This is your chance to see up-close and experience the allnew XPANDER. For your convenience, expo goers are recommended to register online before March 1 at xpander.mmpc.ph and save the customer ID which will be presented upon entry to the venue.

XPANDER Xpo Daily Activity Line-up Date March 2-4

Time 10:00AM to 9:00PM

Activity Display of the all-new Mitsubishi XPANDER, Outlander PHEV and other Mitsubishi best-selling models Test Drive Activity (XPANDER, Montero Sport, Strada, Pajero, Mirage)

March 2-4

10:00AM to 6:00PM Head to Head test drive (Test drive the XPANDER versus other brands)

March 2

6:00PM

Live Performance of Parokya ni Edgar

March 3 and 4

2:00PM onwards

Car Club Meet

March 3 and 4

3:00PM to 4:00PM

Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Meet & Greet

March 4

5:00PM

Live Band Performance of Sponge Cola

March 4

Montero Sport Brand Ambassador - Megan Young Meet & Greet

EDGEDAVAO

12 AGRITRENDS

VOL. 10 ISSUE 233 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25-26, 2018

The grass that feeds Filipinos Second of Five Parts

TEXT and PHOTOS By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

B

ack in the 1950s, Asia faced an impending food crisis as population continues to grow.

Something must be done so two American charities, the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations, founded the IRRI. They reck oned promising developments in the science of plant breeding might just be the trick that would avert the looming disaster. A team of rice scientists patiently cross-breeding the 10,000 different varieties they had collected through the years.

After years of research, a high-yielding strain of rice was developed and tested. The results were amazing. From 88 kilograms of pure seeds sown, 71 tons were harvested.

The following year, IRRI distributed they newly-discovered variety to Filipino farmers for free. The same thing happened. Impressed by the harvest, the news of “miracle rice” spread and IRRI officially released the variety on November 29, 1966 giving it a name IR8.

It also paved way to what experts called as an era of Green Revolution. In an article, Margaret Cunningham recalled that time: “The Green Revolution was a period when the productivity of global agriculture increased drastically as a result of new advances. During this time period, new chemical fertilizers and synthetic herbicides and pesticides were created. The chemical fertilizers made it possible to supply crops with extra nutrients and, therefore, increase yield. The newly developed synthetic herbicides and pesticides controlled weeds, deterred or kill insects, and prevented diseases, which also resulted in higher productivity.”

The IR8, which produces more grains of rice per plant when grown with certain fertilizers and lots of water, undoubtedly helped avert the impending rice crisis. But the world never learned its lesson. Population continues to grow and experts are again warning of a world crisis in food production.

Dr. Gurdev Khush, one of IRRI’s plant breeders who helped develop IR8, estimates that by 2020 the world population will have swollen to around 8 billion people – with 5 billion of them eating rice. Today,

only around 3 billion people consume rice, so world rice production must increase by 60% in the next 20 years to meet the needs of the 2020 population.

But “unlike the Green Revolution 30 years ago, there is virtually no more tillable-land available to grow rice,” Cunningham reminded. “Future gains must be made solely by improving rice yields, and on top of that, there’s an imperative to use fewer harmful chemicals as fertilizers and for pest control.”

The IRRI knows that. Even with the success of IR8, it continues to search for a kind of rice that can thrive in harsh environments such as areas prone to flooding, drought, and salty soils. For another, the rice should be environment-friendly: using less water, no fertilizer and pesticides if possible and not a product of genetic engineering.

The IRRI has developed such kind of variety and it is called Green Super Rice (GSR). After almost two decades of testing and implementation around the world, the GSR is starting to have a dramatic effect on crop yields.

“We are at the fruit-bearing stage,” said Dr. Jauhar Ali, a senior scientist and regional project coordinator of the GSR program. “The harvest is good.”

One of those who tried planting GSR was Felicito Montano, a farmer from the municipality of Tanauan, Leyte who survived when Super Typhoon Yolanda hit the province. In an article published in Rice Today, an IRRI publication, he said: “I planted it for the first time after I was given 2 kilograms of certified seed after I completed a two-day training course on high-quality seed production at Visayas State University.”

Montano sowed those 2 kilograms of GSR seed and harvested 12 sacks from the first crop. Planting some of the harvested seed for his second crop, he was able to harvest 70 sacks, weighing from 45-50 kilos each.

“That was double what I’d usually get from other varieties,” he was quoted as saying.

Indeed, GSR was much better than the traditional rice. “Although many farmers were hesitant to plant GSR at first, we received really good feedback from them after they gave it a try,” reported Evelyn Gergon, a crop protection specialist from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), who initiated the program in the province.

“Many farmers told me how great GSR performed in their fields,” Gergon further said. “Some farmers reported that they were able to obtain as much as 11 tons per hectare – 2.75 times the average yield of 4 tons in Leyte! Some farmers asked us to try eating the cooked rice. We hadn’t even tasted GSR then and so we did. It tasted good!”

Montano cited another reason why he liked GSR better than the previous rice he was growing. “I like GSR because its grains are good and weigh considerably heavier than the previous rice grains I tried in the past,” he said. “The crop is tolerant of pests and diseases. Lately, we’ve also started shifting to organic fertilizers instead of chemical ones.”

The IRRI developed the GSR together with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. A non-profit organization established in 1960s by Ford and Rockefeller Foundation, it now funded by national governments as well as philanthropic organizations like Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The GSR program started in 1998 “involving the painstaking crossbreeding of more than 250 different varieties and rice hybrids,” said a news report. Most varieties chosen were those having difficultly growing in such conditions as drought and low inputs, including no pesticide and less fertilizer. Also handpicked were those with rapid establishment rates to out-compete weeds, thus reducing the need for herbicides.

“The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation originally funded the program with an US$18 million, threeyear grant,” the news report further said. “Because the strains have been produced by publicly funded organizations, they do not require payment of royalties, such as those demanded

by Monsanto and other commercial companies.”

“Rice bred to perform well in the toughest conditions where the poorest farmers grow rice is a step away from reaching farmers,” said IRRI in a statement. “The GSR varieties are climate-smart and can help farmers protect the environment – and themselves,” it added.

What makes GSR differ from other known varieties or hybrids before? “Unlike present-day rice plants, the new variety produces seed heads on every shoot,” wrote Bob Holmes, in an article which appeared in New Scientist. “This means that the plants do not waste energy on unproductive shoots. The plants also pack more than two hundred rice grains into each seed head compared with an average of around a hundred a head in present-day rice. In addition, the new ‘architecture; makes the rice plants more compact, allowing farmers to plant them more densely.”

The GSR has been called “super rice” because it is predicted to increase rice yields by 25-50%. “Plant breeders have developed a variety of rice that has the potential to yield a staggering 25% more than today’s best,” wrote Holmes in his report. “This is the first time in nearly thirty years that researchers have raised the ceiling on yields of rice, the grain that feeds half the world’s population.”

This is good news for Asia, where population continues to grow. “We know that for the next 10 years, we need to produce 8 to 10 million more tons (of rice) each year,” Dr. Achim Dobermann, IRRI’s deputy director general for research, was quoted as saying

by LiveScience. “That would essen-

tially enable us to keep pace with the growing population.”

But it’s not only population growth that should be prime motivation to develop new rice varieties. “Population growth, increasing demand from changing diets, dwindling land and water resources for agriculture, higher energy costs, and the huge uncertainties regarding the effects of climate change present scientists and policy makers with additional challenges,” wrote Vishakha N. Desai, president of the Asia Society, in the foreword of the report, “Never an Empty Bowl: Sustaining Food Security in Asia.”

In its recent issue of Rice Today, IRRI said that GSR is “already in the hands of national agricultural agencies in key rice-growing countries for testing and development.”

In the Philippines, the PhilRice is rolling out a massive adaptability trials under the High Yielding Technology Adaptation (HYTA) program of the Department of Agriculture.

According to Thelma Padolina, one of the implementers of the Food Staples Sufficiency Program’s Accelerating the development and adoption of Next-Generation rice varieties for major ecosystems in the Philippines project, three GSR materials were formally approved as commercial varieties in saline-prone and upland areas.

“These new varieties will be brought to the target areas through the Participatory Variety Selection (PVS) trials for better adoption,” she said.

The GSR is what the world needs now – especially with the looming

global warming. “Climate change poses a big challenge to smallholder farmers who already have limited land and financial resources,” IRRI said. “Unpredictable weather patterns make them even more vulnerable to crop losses. Giving farmers access to GSR varieties that can withstand multiple stresses from climate change can help mitigate its impact on their livelihood.”

In addition, the research done with GSR does not involve genetic engineering. “It involves taking hundreds of donor cultivars from dozens of different countries, identifying significant variations in responses to drought, global warming and other problems, and ‘backcross’ breeding – painstakingly crossing a hybrid with one of its parents or with a plant genetically like one of its parents, then screening the backcross bulk populations after one or two backcrosses under severe abiotic and biotic stress conditions to identify transgressive segregants that are doing better than both parents and the checks,” explained an article which appeared in www.konfrontasi.com.

In the New Scientist feature, Holmes believes IRRI’s new rice variety plays a big important in the race to keep food production abreast of population growth. Dr. Mark Rosegrant, an economist with the Washington, D.C.-based International Food Policy Research Institute, was quoted as saying: “You still need to have yields grow at 2% per year over the next twenty years to keep rice consumption stable. There are not many ways you can get that except from this new rice.” (To be continued)

VOL. 10 ISSUE 233 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25-26, 2018

Water service interruption In some areas in Daliao, Toril March 1, 2018

D

avao City Water District advises of a water service interruption on March 1, 2018 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM to give way to a service improvement project that will allow for accommodation of additional service connections once completed.

Affected are these areas in Daliao, Toril: San Nicolas Village, Rovical Village, and Camarin. This water service interruption will give way for the tapping of the newly installed pipeline to the existing pipeline and looping of another existing pipeline for the mainline improvement at Rovical Village.

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

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

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

The general public may visit DCWD website (www.davao-water.gov. ph) and of�icial Facebook page (www.facebook. com/davaowater) or call the Central Information Unit / Call Center through the 24-hour hotline 297DCWD (3293) and press “1” on their phone dial for the latest daily water updates. Contact 09277988966, 0925-5113293, and 0908-4410653 for other updates, complaints, queries, and matters pertaining to DCWD services.

(Katrina Belen M. Roble)

HUGPONG... FROM 4 HNP’s consitituency is limited to Davao region. Article four which is the platform of government of the party’s CBL states that the party will pursue the following, secured life, build a strong region and have an effective leadership and good

governance in order to achieve the realization of the promise of positive change, transformation, progress and stability made by the Duterte Administration for the people.

“We have the moral obligation to lead other regions in pursuing

EDGEDAVAO

the administration’s agenda for positive social change, economic growth, peace and order and security and over-all national development,” Uy said in his speech during the assembly.

The Constitution and By-laws of the party was created by the Davao City mayor.

Uy said as they resolved to create a strong political organization, they recognized the clear political philosophy consistent with good governance and transformative leadership.

Duterte-Carpio, said that the development should be spread all throughout the region because Davao City is already saturated. She said that most of the informal settlers here in the city are from other places and they have come to the

city for a better livelihood.

“If we can form a svery stong voice, there will no national official that will not listen to us because admittedly if Davao City alone for instance that the president is not PRD, if we only use our voice then nobody will listen. If Davao Occidental only use our voice then nobody will listen as well. . But if we combine our votes together approximately three million for Davao Region, no one can say no to us from the national government, that is if there is no change that will happen with the Federalism,” Duterte-Carpio said.

The delegation of Davao Oriental includes all the local chief executive, including all the city mayors of the province, Davao Occidental delegation includes all the

NEWS 13 mayor of the province including the vice governor, board members and councilors.

Davao del Norte delegation includes the incumbent mayors together with their own slate. According to Anthony G. Del Rosario, Governor of Davao Del Norte and

the Secretary of HNP there are some cities where in their mayor could not attend therefore they sent the vice mayor instead. He said that since there is a limited funds and resources they did not want to go over-board considering this is the first assembly.

tum of businesses to become more competitive with digital services,” he added.

The new facility will provide additional 800 racks capacity, to complement the 8,300 racks that the PLDT Group had put together in different locations, which include Pasig, Cebu, Parañaque, Taguig,

Subic, Clark, Davao, and Makati.

The 10th VITRO data center follows the state-of-the-art design and architecture of its predecessors, including 11 layers of physical security and the use of biometric devices equipped with �inger vein recognition technology. (PNA)

PLDT... FROM 6

14

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 233 â&#x20AC;¢ SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25-26, 2018

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

Advertise with

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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

EDGEDAVAO Sports 15

VOL. 10 ISSUE 233 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25-26, 2018

ONE MORE TIME T

Former Palaro medalists out to earn second medals in Vigan

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

Davao City likely to host DAVRAA again next year

LOWERING OF THE FLAG. Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte and Department of Education (DepEd) 11 regional director Atty. Alberto Escobarte lead the lowering of DAVRAA flag during the closing ceremony of the regional athletic meet at the University of Mindanao

Sports Center. Duterte asked the DepEd 11 earlier for another DAVRAA hosting as part of their preparation for the possible hosting of the Palarong Pambansa in 2019. ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

wo of the region's Palarong Pambansa-bound boxing gold medalists are out to prove their worth in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. The two--2016 gold medalist John Ednoel Prevendido of the Davao del Sur Cobras and 2017 Palarong Pambansa silver medalist John Michael Diocares of Panabo City--have punched tickets to the Palarong Pambansa and will aim to earn their second medals in the national joust.

Prevenido won the gold ater he dismissed his opponent Ronnie Duyan of Davao del Norte Pioneers via unanimous decision.

In an interview with EDGE DAVAO, Prevendido said that he is hungry to get a medal again in the national games because he was not able to qualify last year after he was elminated by his opponent from Digos City in DAVRAA 2017 held at Mati City, Davao Oriental.

"Maningkamot jud kog maayo kay kabalo ka naa gyuy mga gahi nga mga boxer sa Palarong Pambansa (I really train hard because I know

there are lots of tough boxers in the Palarong Pambansa)," he said.

The 17-year-old pug from the Bansalan, Davao del Sur, vowed to train well in the coming days because he knows he could face the tough boxers from Northern Mindanao and Socsksargen who are also contenders of the said sports.

Prevendido will be �ighting under Light Flyweight Division.

Palarong Pambansa 2017 silver medalist Diocares also got the spot after he dominated the Flyweight Division by defeating his Almar Rigo of Digos City Trekkers via referee stop the contest decision in the �irst minute of the �ight.

The Pug of Panabo City Banana Magnates said he would also practice hard so that he can take the gold medal again.

"I really need to train hard to get the gold medal in the Palarong Pambansa," he said.

Diocares was also the gold medalist during the

TABAL GIVES HER RUNNING SHOES. Pinay Olympian Mary Joy Tabal gives her running shoes joyfully to a Digos City athlete after the latter rightly guessed her age. Tabal was

keynotes speaker in the closing ceremonies of the Davao Regional Athletic Association (DAVRAA) meet at University of Mindanao Sports Center on Friday. ARMANDO FENEQUITO JR.

FORMER,P10

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

F

riday’s closing of the Davao Regional Athletic Asdociation (DAVRAA) is just the start of bigger sports events in Davao City.

First, there is the possibiity of re-hosting next year’s DAVRAA meet.

This after Mayor Sara Z.Duterte asked the Department of Education (DepEd) 11 to handle the regional meet once again because she wants more practice to prepare for the possible hosting of Palarong Pambansa 2019.

“I asked Department

G

of Education if we can host DAVRAA 2019 and they responded that it is possible and we will just discussit but in principle its already approved,” she said.

Duterte said the city will be using the sports facilities at the University of the Philippines Mindanao in Bago Oshiro because the construction will be �inished next year.

ilas’ Melbourne sojourn was a good tourism trip.

Oh, never mind if the team lost by a big margin. The 16-point de�icit (6884) was not that painful given the fact that Gilas did not entertain a big hope of beating the hosts who placed fourth in the 2016 Rio Olympics basketball tournament.

This was the mindset I saw on the live TV coverage.

Oh, what kind of a national squad was that I saw?

Very obviously, Gilas’ naturalized recruit was very out of shape. Goodness, he was just going through the motions as he huffed and puffed during all the time he was on the �loor.

Blatche attempted to impress his Filipino fans with his once notable all-around offensive and

The mayor also asked the other local of�icials in the region during the general assembly of their regional political party Hugpong ng Pagbabago on Friday, on the city’s intention to handle again the regional meet and the of�icials gave their af�irmative response.

For his part, DepEd 11 regional director lawyer Alberto Escobarte bared in an interview during the victory party of the Durians that he agreed to the proposal of Duterte since Compostela

Valley begged off from next year’s hosting.

“It’s an opportunity and I immediately said yes to the good city mayor because ComVal begged off for their turn to host the regional meet,” he said.

Escobarte said Compostela Valley Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy told him if it will be the turn of his province to host, he would turn it over to Davao del Norte Governor Anthony del Rosario becuase he really needs two years

ONE,P10

Blatche – a giant of an embarrassment

defensive skills but he fell short.

He tried to penetrate the Boomer’s zone defense but his feet and his dribbling were not properly synchronized.

Save for some scintillating outside sniping, one could sense the lack of �luid teamwork that Gilas displayed against Japan and Taiwan.

The height factor intimidated our boys that everytime anyone who drove inside the lane, he was properly covered by the Aussie tight umbrella defense.

The team, plucked from a line up of 20 wannabes, did not train as ef�iciently as it should have.

My question is: Why the heck did the coaching staff persist including an out- of-shape Blatche when Ginebra’s Greg Slaughter would have performed better under the circumstances?

SPORTS KEN Fred C. Lumba For this deadline beater, the ex-NBAer, who is actively enlisted as an import in the Chinese pro league, has dashed the hopes of millions of Filipino basketball fanatics by not living up

to his commitment.

Blatche has short-changed us.

In the process, this 6’-10” man mountain dragged the whole team along down the drain.

Coach Chot Reyes’ boys relied on their individual skills in the hope of outrunning the other side. Unfortunately, the Aussies outran them.

Calvin Abueva showed �lashes of his tough defensive ability but his 6’2” frame was dwarfed by his taller foes. Kiefer Ravena and JuneMar Fajardo got their tandem going for awhile but when the Aussies noticed the give and go routine, they forced Gilas to shoot from the outside.

Matthew Wright, RR Pogoy and Gabe Norwood did good in the early stretches of the �irst

half but not well enough. Kevin Alas was a revelation but Japhet Aguilar failed to assert himself.

My overall impressions are these: Gilas did not play effective teamwork in both offense and defense.

Blatche was more of a liability than an asset.

Our consolation is that three of four in Gilas’ group will move into the next round of play.

We have a great chance but watch out for Gilas’ return confrontation against Japan and Taiwan. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) Acts 6:15: “All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.” GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

16

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 233 â&#x20AC;¢ SUNDAY-MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25-26, 2018